Even my own "angel" can be a little devilish

I can’t say I’m surprised at Hollywood’s current obsession with apocalyptic movies.  We are perilously close to the last date on the ancient Mayan calendar, and, many religions are braced for their particular interpretation of Divine Judgment.  It’s a climate that has fantasy and action writers in a creative frenzy.

Scott Stewart’s version of the end is definitely different than the ones preached from house to house, or shouted from street corners by various evangelists.  His movie “Legion” depicts a divine extermination of humankind sparked by God who is “just tired of all the BS.” 

I would have been too offended to watch a movie like this a few years ago.   Anything that didn’t meet the narrowly defined religious beliefs I’d adopted was taboo.  More recently I’ve discovered my own creativity is stimulated as I expand the boundaries of what I allow myself to be exposed to without judgment.   Still, I understand this approach to life is not for everyone, and I respect those who choose not to venture beyond the safety of their own beliefs.

In the movie, the archangel Michael is on a mission to save humanity.  He disobeys the command from God to destroy mankind.  After graphically discarding his wings he stocks up on an arsenal of weapons, and sets out to protect the unborn child that is mans only hope. The other angels are dutifully about their job, possessing the bodies of the weakest humans, and then killing off the rest.

Most of the movie takes place in the California desert at a remote diner called “Paradise Falls”.  That’s where the pregnant waitress, Charlie, and Jeep the young man who loves her (not the baby’s daddy) works.    There’s an assortment of other people at the diner, including Jeep’s Dad (Dennis Quaid), and the cook Percy played by Charles Dutton.   But, once the killing starts most of the other characters aren’t around long enough to mention.

Michael (Paul Bettany) arrives not long after the group manages to kill a demonic Granny who climbs on the ceiling and wreaks general havoc for the frightened customers.   The angel explains more possessed hordes will come, because God has sent his angels to kill off all humans, and that he is there to protect Charlie’s baby which will save the world of mankind.     The confused cook Percy who apparently never heard that version of the Apocalypse tells Michael in his “book” “the angels are the good guys.  Michael responds “Well, the truth I’m afraid is never that simple.”

Unlike most of the movie that part stuck in my mind.  I guess because I really think it’s true.  After spending so much of my life trying to conveniently label everything good or bad, black or white, right or wrong I’m now seeing more shades of grey.  Oddly, life now seems more colorful.  Oh well, I digress.

I did enjoy Bettany as a buff archangel.  One of his fight scenes with another angel Gabriel (Kevin Durand) was also interesting.   Clearly, the wingless Michael found himself at a disadvantage.  My only complaint is that the action movie could have used a few more action scenes. 

Before Michael’s  rebellion from heaven,  Gabriel warns him of the consequences of disobeying God’s orders.  He tells Michael, “If you defy him,  you’ll anger him for the last time.”  Michael who hasn’t lost faith in mankind responds, “Only if I fail.”  I guess he knows everyone loves a winner.

Daang!  That was the only word my mind could grasp from the flood of images that seemed to hit me all at once.  The momentary mental spasm was my response to the gentleman sitting across from me who had just casually announced, “I’m married.”  It’s the kind of revelation you expect when you  first meet someone.  But this important tidbit of information  came to me on what I thought was my second date.

I admit I’m more than a little rusty when it comes to the singles scene.  Having recently divorced after a 33 year marriage I expect it will take me some time to get up to speed.  But, I’m thinking right now, how the hell did I miss that? 

Our first encounter was at a cocktail party a few months ago.  He was sitting at my table when I returned from getting pictures for Facebook and mingling with friends and co-workers.  After a few minutes of small talk I thought I noticed a spark of interest in his eyes.  I let him know I was celebrating my recent divorce, and I’m pretty sure I inquired about his marital status.  I certainly remember him telling me his wife had died more than 20 years ago.  He didn’t bother to mention the new wife he married five years ago until last night. 

We were sitting on the  balcony of a bar overlooking Mobile’s Dauphin Street Downtown.   It was about 9 o’clock.  I was halfway through my glass of merlot, and feeling relaxed from the Tai Chi class I’d attended a little earlier.  Within moments of my “dates” announcement, I had an urge to bolt for my car.  Instead, it was my brain that shifted gears into journalistic inquiry mode.   I wanted to better understand what was happening to me, and inside me both emotionally and psychologically. 

It’s pretty safe to assume I was being played.  I’m sure I looked like easy  prey when we met.  After all the ink on my divorce order was barely dry.  My whole face must have lit up over the prospect of a little male attention. 

Now that my instincts finally had my attention, I noticed my friend was talking a lot faster.  I wished I had a recorder so I could analyze his words later.  He jumped from one subject to another;  his mature wife,  their open relationship, trust in a marriage, his friends who married only to discover all they wanted was sex,  spirituality, karma, and on and on.  

He reminded me of the character Benny in the movie “The Mummy”.  When Benny is first confronted by the creature he goes through all the religious symbols around his neck until he comes across one  that gets a favorable response from the mummy.

My buddy “Benny” was obviously doing something similar.  His rambling from topic to topic was like pushing buttons in hopes one would transform me back into a giddy divorcee.   That wasn’t going to happen.

But, I was impressed with his last ditch effort.  When his words failed to get a response he tried a subtle physical approach.  I can’t remember what he was saying when he took both his hands and gently brushed them down my forearm to my fingertips.  It was a quick move, and I doubt innocent.  He only touched my arm, but  I felt the sensation of his warm flesh on mine throughout my body.  It was only a brief distraction.   I had finished my wine, and we both knew it was time to go.

The evening left me with a mild feeling of disappointment, but I wasn’t angry.     Dating is different than I remember, but when it comes to cheating husbands, some things never change.  I can see dating isn’t going to be as easy as I thought.

“You’re going by yourself?” was the response I got from family and friends when they found out I was planning a trip to Hawaii alone.  I have to admit just a year ago I would never have considered jetting off to a far away place all by myself.  From a financial standpoint it just wasn’t practical, and convincing my husband was out of the question.  So, with part of the cash from my recent divorce settlement in hand I decided it was time to make my dream vacation a reality.          

No one told me Hilo, Hawaii was the rainiest city in the US, or the world’s tsunami hotspot.  Apparently, more people have died in the deadly waves than in volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and tornados combined.  I guess that’s not the kind of information you find on the tourist websites.  Fortunately, I didn’t know all that when I set out for the Big Island in April.  Had I known my first trip to Hawaii might not have happened, and I could have missed the best vacation of my life.

It’s not the first time I’ve ventured into freightingly unfamiliar territory and been pleasantly surprised.  When I contemplated walking away from my broken marriage  there was the fear I may be headed into a life of loneliness and financial struggles.   Instead, a bright new future of possibilities opened to me.

My first night in Hilo, the sound of rainfall through the screen covered hotel window lullabied me into a peaceful rest.  It was just what my jet-lagged body needed following 16 hours of air travel and airport maneuvering in three states.

The next morning I set out in my compact rental car to explore paradise.  The helicopter tour I’d booked was canceled because of rain.  Bummer, but it didn’t dampen my enthusiasm.  I rescheduled for the next day.  With my borrowed copy of Fodor’s “Big Island of Hawaii” in hand I was off to see the sights rain or shine.  Like Mobile, Alabama, Hawaii’s rain showers don’t last long.

First stop, Hilo’s Farmer’s market.   Wednesday and Saturdays are the must see days.  But, my visit on Tuesday provided a good sample of the tropical flowers, produce, and crafts on the Big Island.   The market and quaint stores along Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo are across from a huge park area on the waterfront.  The park and the highway are actually a buffer zone for the next big tsunami expected at any time.  

The deadliest tsunamis’ hit Hilo in 1946, and 1960.  That’s the first thing I discovered at the Tsunami Museum  The ‘46 wave hit on April Fools Day.  It was no joke.  I left the museum aware the threat of potential disaster is ever present, but so is the irresistible beauty of this coastal city.

Rainbow Falls was breathtaking.  One of the locals said a visitor was so impressed he decided to dive from the falls.   He survived with a few broken bones.   I decided a picture was enough for me.

I planned my dream vacation around a yoga retreat.  Even though I was traveling alone I also wanted the security of being part of a group.  It worked out well.  I met lots of great new friends to share the experience with me. 
I spent the next five days at the Kalani (it means heaven) Retreat on the southern coast of the island.   It’s acres and acres of rain forest.  The Kalani staff has done an excellent job of balancing nature, and the resort atmosphere.  My cell phone didn’t work, and there was only minimal internet access.  Which means I had plenty of time to quiet my mind and enjoy being in such a wonderful place.

I went snorkeling for the first time, in the Wai Opae Tide pools,   enjoyed the warm pond at Ahalanui Park.  My mind and body melted during my first Shiatsu massage.  And, I will never forget the feel of volcanic black sand under my feet at the nearby clothing optional beach.  I opted to keep my cloths on, but I marveled at the free spirit of some who frolicked uninhibited on the secluded shore.  I left with a deeper commitment to cultivate more openness and honesty in my own life. 

Hawaii is a place of perpetual renewal.  The molten lava that destroys everything in its path, also creates new rich land making the big island even bigger.  I suppose it’s like my own life.  There are sometimes painful transitions, but there’s always something new and wonderful on the other side. 

It was my first big trip by myself.   I hope it’s not my last.