The Corner Spot

I have this corner spot on my leather couch in the apartment. The spot is worn and transforms to any shape my body forms. This is where I go when I’m sick, when I’m tired, and uninspired. The corner spot is my refuge and my haven when I feel like the world is against me. You know that
melodramatic I-think-the-world-is-out-to-get-me-and-I-can’t-find-inspiration-for-writing-so-let-me-get-lost-in-a-two-hour-movie attitude that hits us every now and then. Nonetheless, the spot is where I go to escape.

However, I have realized lately that the spot is stifling me.While I’m sitting there waiting for inspiration, I’m actually wasting every opportunity to be inspired. I like what Stephen King says in his book, On Writing

There is a muse, but he’s not going to come fluttering down into your writing room and scatter creative fairy-dust all over your typewriter or computer station. He lives in the ground. He’s a basement guy. You have to descend to his level, and once you get down there, you have to furnish an apartment for him to live in. You have to do all the grunt labor, in other words, while the muse sits and smokes cigars and admires his bowling trophies and pretends to ignore you? Do you
think this is fair? I think it’s fair. He may not be much to look at, that muse-guy, and he may not be such a conversationalist (what I get out of mine is mostly grunts, unless he’s on duty), but he’s got the inspiration. It’s right that you should do all the work and burn all the midnight oil, because the guy with the cigar and the little wings has got a bag of magic. There’s stuff in
there that can change your life. Believe me, I know

So, in other words, you have got to work. You have got to start writing even if you’ll spend the next hour rewriting. Hey, at least you’re doing something. That corner spot is the spot of excuses. Don’t waste whatever gift you have been given because you are too busy giving excuses about why you are not doing what you are created to do. So get up and do something. You only get this one life friend, that’s it. You can choose to stay in that corner spot but I guarantee you, the corner spot will kill you.

Yo Adrian, we did it.

I remember watching the Rocky movies as a kid. I don’t remember exactly how old I was but I know the fourth movie in the series was my favorite. Here is Rocky, a well known boxer by now, trying to help his friend Apollo Creed get back in the game. Creed, five years retired, can’t give up the business and wants another fight. Confusing arrogance for passion, Creed is ready to take up Drago, the Russian boxer. Drago really wants to fight Rocky Balboa, but settles for an exhibition fight with Creed.

Creed barges in the theater in his typical flashy style. James Brown is singing on the microphone, girls are everywhere, and here comes Creed, dropping from the ceiling and mounted on a bull-shaped stage.

The fight begins. A few rounds in, Creed staggers in the
ring, his face painted with a mixture of blood and sweat. Drago pounds Creed’s face one more time and Creed falls to the floor dead.

The remaining story is Balboa’s journey to avenge Creed’s death. As usual, I’m cheering for Rocky. I believe he can do it. Besides, he’s never disappointed me before.

As a kid, the movie drove me mad with excitement. I loved Rocky. I wanted him to destroy Drago. But, the other day, I watched the movies again. I was sick and so I plopped on the couch, lowered the blinds, and divorced living. I switched on the television for passing entertainment and tried to take a nap. Luckily, AMC was hosting a Rocky marathon. Why not, I thought. Three movies in and a part of
the fourth one, I realized, I love Rocky I & II.

Why was I married to Rocky IV all these years? Clearly, the foundation of the first two movies made the Rocky the champion of the common man. This foundation was mostly built on his story with Adrian. One of the best love stories on film, I would argue. It’s Adrian that rescues this cocky kid from Philadelphia and nurtures him into a man. Actually, they rescue each other.

Adrian is shy and lives with her emotionally abusive brother, Paulie. Believing that she lacks beauty, she becomes all brains, no voice, and no confidence.

A braggadocios brawn, Rocky is a street-wise joker. He works at the docks for a money shark, and struggles to make it as a fighter. And despite Adrian’s efforts to be invisible, Rocky sees her. He recognizes her beauty. So, he comes to the pet shop, where she works. He talks to her every day, though she barely responds. He buys two turtles, cuff and link, mostly to impress her.

Thanksgiving day, Rocky visits the house, hoping to take Adrian out. She refuses. Paulie, a sweetheart, yells ferociously at her,calling her loser, and throws her thanksgiving turkey out the window. Adrian runs to her bedroom and slams the door. Embarrassed, Rocky sweet-talks her through the door until Adrian agrees to go on the date.

The genius scene in this film is their first date, which takes place at a skating rink. The rink is closed, due to the holiday, and so Rocky haggles with the owner to let the couple on the ice. The fighter can only afford to pay off the owner for 10 minutes and get Adrian skates. She skates;he walks beside her, mainly talking about himself. She doesn’t mind because she barely speaks. However, in that moment, she opens up to this wise guy. She finds out Rocky’s dad told him he didn’t have much of a brain, so Rocky decided to use his body. He finds out Adrian’s mother told her she didn’t much of a body, so Adrian sharpened her brain.

After the rink, they go to his apartment. Adrian is clearly uncomfortable. But, Rocky eases her, takes off her glasses, complements her eyes, and kisses her. She opens her heart and gives herself to him. (I mean emotionally, thanks Rocky, for always keeping it PG)

And Rocky, though big and muscular, treats her with care. He is tender. He refuses to ask her to be something she is not, but rather exposes her beauty. He not only protects her with strength, but with soul. This soul and this heart drive his ambition to become a better fighter. He becomes a little selfless and assures Adrian he will stay with both his actions, and his words.

“You ain’t never gettin’ rid of me,” he says.

And she never does. They redeem each other and Rocky finds something to fight for in Adrian.