Monday, April 26, 2010

Vigilant and Virtuous

I can't help but remember this scene from V for Vendetta when I think of the letter V. Our friend Evey has just been saved from certain deflowering and possible death by a mysterious stranger in a Guy Fawkes mask.

Evey Hammond: Who are you?

V: Who? Who is but the form following the function of what, and what I am is a man in a mask.

Evey Hammond: Well, I can see that.

V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

Evey Hammond: Oh. Right.

V: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.
VoilĂ ! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me... V.

Evey Hammond: Are you like a crazy person?

V: I am quite sure they will say so. But to whom, might I ask, am I speaking with?

Evey Hammond: I'm Evey.

V: Evey? E-V. Of course you are.

Evey Hammond: What does that mean?

V: It means that I, like God, do not play with dice and I don't believe in coincidences.

And neither do I. I believe everything happens for a reason, every choice we made in the past leads us to where we are now, and that we are all exactly where we are supposed to be. My whole life has a purpose. It's up to me to define what it is. I'm answering the creative voice inside me; I've stopped denying I am a conduit for the universe to speak through, and given myself over entirely to the calling. I'm choosing this profession, this lifestyle, this quest with open eyes and arms. Every decision I make is chosen with the future in mind, and it's starting to show more and more in my everyday life, flashing through in brief glimpses. It's just enough to keep me going, at least for one more day.

I refuse to give up. I will succeed.

And so will you, friend. All you have to do is listen to what you really want... and you truly have the power to make it happen. Your project. Your brainchild. Your heart's desire. I believe in you! What vigilant and virtuous action are you taking to realize your dream today?

24 comments:

JournoMich said...

I loved V for Vendetta.

Great V. And good for you.

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Mason Canyon said...

Very good post and interesting.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Jessica Bell said...

I too believe everything happens for a reason. Every single negative thing that has happened to me, where I have asked myself "Why? Why? Why me?" has lead to a more fulfilled life. Great post.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I believe that ot every negative situation there is a positive outcome.

Loved your post.
Yvonne.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I know you will succeed, B. Miller!
And good choice for V today.

Theresa Milstein said...

I love that scene, and showed it to a group of middle school students for a creative writing course I taught after school last spring.

I'm glad that you have such a good attitude. It takes persistence as much as talent to be a successful writer. Thanks for the motivation.

Elizabeth McKenzie said...

I'm with you on determination, B. I think if you are willing to take the time to improve and become an expert in your field, it will show though your personal life. V is for victory, too.

Sugar said...

That's a lot of V's! Every little thing we do, can make big things happen. I am trying to make those little things bigger. As in writing more every day, or at least every couple days lol. I am the only one stopping myself.

Arlee Bird said...

You verbalized my philosophy as well and what a great pep talk in doing so! When asked if there is anything I would go back in my life an change if I could, I always respond nothing because if I changed it I wouldn't be where I am now and I might be worse off.

Excellent V post.

Lee
A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

L. Diane Wolfe said...

When the dream's big enough, the facts don't count!

Kierah Jane Reilly said...

I totally agree that everything happens for a reason. There are no detours in life, only more interesting ways to get to your destination. Never saw V for Vendetta, but I'll have to add it my list!

Hart Johnson said...

I think I need to see that. It's so rare when I see a movie my kids don't pick out, and that one hasn't come through yet, but it sounds like a nice mind-f(*&, which I always enjoy.

And EXCELLENT self-validation there at the end. *cheers and fist bumps*

Raquel Byrnes said...

Very uplifting and encouraging post today...thank you so much!

Curtis Hart said...

What a truly inspiring post! The other mook and I have been coming to the exact same realization for a couple of months now. It seems that great minds do think alike!

Oh, and Roop has that monologue completely memorized and recited it for us a few Halloween's ago whilst in costume. Twas great!

Cheers,
Curt

Unknown said...

V for Vendetta excellent choice!! I love to see what everyone comes up with!! I love this post, another piece of inspiration to add to the pile!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the pep talk!

Today I will be vigilant about cranking out this novel :)

Hannah said...

Reading all the writing blogs and listen to writing podcasts while working helps me realize my dream.

I love V for Vendetta. I wanted to go home and write but now I just want to watch that. Thanks! :)

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Ahhh, I can't tell you how much I LOVE this. Yes yes yes!! I've blogged about this kind of attitude several times. So positive and uplifting.

You know, a few months ago I sat down and wrote a long letter to my thirteen year old self. In it, I wrote all these warning of all the things to avoid in my life. But by the time I got to the end, I realized that even if I'd had a chance to go back in time and give it to myself, I never would. I realized as difficult as my life might have been, I have had some beautiful moments that I would not give up for anything--moments that would be taken from me if I were to give up the harsher realities of my past.

So yes, I agree wholeheartedly: we are exactly where we are supposed to be. Thanks for the reminder.

Unknown said...

"I, like God, do not play with dice and I don't believe in coincidences."

Brilliant line! Love it. And I so agree with you--we are who are meant to be.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

excellent post!! Vigilance is the key to so many things in life! :-)

Dawn Ius said...

Excellent post.

And a great reminder to re-watch V. Loved that movie.

Shane McElveen said...

That was one of my favorite near-monologues ever. Thanks for your recents posts to the site(s), and for your much appreciated support. I want you to know that you are still an inspiration as well as a friend. You know you have my full support in your awesome work.

Jemi Fraser said...

Awesome use of V! Love the dialogue and the post :)

Anonymous said...

V for Vendetta is one of my all time favorite flicks. Just. so. awesome.

BTW, that God playing dice is a reference to an Einstein quote. He didn't like the randomness inherent in quantum theory, and said, "God does not play dice with the universe." An oft-misused quote, but an interesting one nonetheless.

Uh... sorry. Had a geek moment there. I'll try to keep those to a minimum in future.