Target Village - George Bailey's Car Hitting the Tree

When George is at his lowest, he grabs a few drinks at Martini's bar. After getting punched in the jaw for an earlier poor choice, George drives off in his Model T, only to lose control of his car in the heavy snow and strike an old tree. He is confronted by the owner of the tree.

Target Village - George Bailey

George Bailey is that guy we all want to be: Loved by family and friends alike, and standing up for the little person with integrity and respect. And just like George Bailey, some days are better than others.

The Fallacy of It's a Wonderful Life

Have you ever heard the phrase "if it's too good to be true it probably is"? It turns out that the same idea may be applied to It's a Wonderful Life. And it was done in the name of publicity.

Several nationwide newspaper articles recalling interesting stories about the making of It’s a Wonderful Life were published prior to the film’s release to spark interest in the public. One of these stories was about the party held at the Bailey house to celebrate Harry’s homecoming and wedding.

Source: http://goo.gl/KcIYwy

In the scene, an intoxicated Uncle Billy walks away from the party singing “My Wild Irish Rose” (The lyrics for the song can be found at the end of this section). From off-screen, we hear what sounds like Uncle Billy walking full-force into a number of trash cans and knocking them over. Uncle Billy yells, “I’m alright, I’m alright!” News accounts from the set claim that as the scene was being filmed, a dozing electrician accidentally knocked over a stack of props, which sounded like trash cans being knocked over. The electrician expected to be fired, but Capra was so happy with the accidental result that he gave the electrician a ten dollar bonus for “improving sound and characterization.” This story appeared the following day in newspapers around the country, including the July 19, 1946 issue of the Toledo, Ohio Blade (Basinger 31).

There is debate about whether this story is true:

“Whether this really happened or simply was the product of a publicist’s imagination, it helped to keep people thinking about Frank Capra’s new film” (Basinger 31).

In her book, Basinger also allows that readers may find contradictory information in other texts about the film: “Other archives, other files, may contain contradictory material; like all the great Hollywood films, It’s a Wonderful Life is surrounded by press agentry and planted stories as well as by legendary tales that embellish the facts” (Basinger x).

One of these contradictory stories concerns what may be the most famous scene in the film. The phone scene, in which George and Mary realize their love for each other, carries with it a legendary story that has manifested into the truth. Several sources indicate that the scene was filmed in one take. In an interview, Jimmy Stewart said, “we did that scene. . .in one great, unrehearsed take’’ (Basinger 84). Even the "Making of It’s a Wonderful Life" segment on the 50th anniversary release of the film indicates that it was shot in one take. According to Tom Bosley, who narrates the segment, when the scene was shot, Capra was very excited about the result. However, the script girl said that Stewart and Donna Reed, who played Mary (Hatch) Bailey, had missed a whole page of dialogue. To this, Capra reportedly replied, “With technique like that, who needs dialogue! Print it!”

Here it is in the movie trailer. The portion in question begins around 1:20, if you don't want to watch the entire trailer:

It should be noted, however, that this scene was, in fact not filmed in one take. In the film, George says, “I want to do what I want to do,” placing emphasis on the second “I.” However, the film’s trailer depicts the same scene, in which George states “I want to do what I want to do,” placing emphasis on the repeated word “do.” The stress on words is different, the words muttered before the statement are muttered differently, and the camera angle is completely different.

While the first take may have been used in the film, there is no documentation of that. However, the scene could not have been shot in one take as many sources, including Stewart himself, have claimed.

Even Capra’s claims about very early work on both Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It’s a Wonderful Life, have come under scrutiny.

Journalist and author Jonathan Coe questions Capra’s report of his own actions upon reading the script for It’s a Wonderful Life, (still under the title The Greatest Gift at the time) which Capra described as “the story I had been looking for all my life.” Coe, who comes down hard on Capra throughout his book, comments parenthetically of Capra’s recollection, “(again, if his own account of events is to be believed)” (Coe 79).

Sources:

Basinger, Jeanine (in Collaboration with the trustees of the Frank Capra Archives), Interviews by
              Leonard Maltin. The It’s a Wonderful Life Book. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1996.

Coe, Jonathan. Jimmy Stewart: A Wonderful Life. New York: Arcade Publishing, 1994.

My Collection Part 4 - Hallmark Christmas Ornament 2015

Today I feature my Hallmark Christmas Ornament for 2015.

It is a display of George and Mary together during the final scene of It's a Wonderful Life. George is holding the copy of Tom Sawyer with the inscription from Clarence.

Here it is with the box and hanging on our tree.

When you push the button, it plays "Auld Lang Syne."

Here is our Christmas tree in full:

Places George Wants to Go

George Bailey dreamed of travel. He spent his entire life trying to get somewhere...anywhere. And he had a whole list of places he wanted to go.

As Bert the Cop said during the rainy night outside of the honeymoon suite, "They want romantic places, beautiful places ... places George wants to go."

As George told Mary earlier in the film, "I'm shaking the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm going to see the world!"

Throughout the film, he mentions many locales he dreams of visiting. Below is a list of those places and an explanation of why he might have wanted to travel there.

National Geographic scene:

Tahiti

Source: http://goo.gl/9yRR1R

• Of the many waterfalls in Tahiti, the most popular and accessible are the three waterfalls at Faarumai, know as the Cascades of Faarumai.

• The historical capital of Papeete. It was established as the capital of dynasty in the 1820s by The last major queen of the Pomare dynasty, Pomare IV. She ruled until 1877.

• Papaeari is the island’s oldest village, settled somewhere between 400 and 500 AD. It is also known for its association with Paul Gauguin, who lived in the area.

• Built between 1844 and 1875, Cathedrale de L'Immaculee is a popular historical attraction and one of the oldest and largest churches in Papeete. It is located at Place Notre Dame.

Information taken from http://www.viator.com/Tahiti/d25

Fiji Islands

Source: http://goo.gl/xBWuuU

USA Today published an article online about tourist attractions in Fiji:

"With more than 300 islands, the Republic of Fiji, or the 'Pearl of the Pacific,' earns its nickname with pristine beaches, clear turquoise waters, dynamic underwater coral and acres of tropical jungle. Visitors can explore a number of attractions during their stay, and these showcase the area’s natural beauty, rich history and sense of adventure. Whether you are hoping to relax, learn or seek a thrill, you will find no shortage of things to do in Fiji."

The article (which can be read in full here) discusses several beautiful, historic sites, including the 

• Sigatoka River, South Sea Islands
• Kula Eco Park
• Fiji Museum, and 
• Bouma National Heritage Park

Coral Sea

Source: http://goo.gl/S2DFCQ

The following has been copied from Wikipedia:

The Coral Sea is characterised by its warm and stable climate, with frequent rains and tropical cyclones. It contains numerous islands and reefs, as well as the world's largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. All previous oil exploration projects were terminated at the GBR in 1975, and fishing is restricted in many areas. The reefs and islands of the Coral Sea are particularly rich in birds and aquatic life and are a popular tourist destination, both nationally and internationally.
Additional information about the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Sea

Luggage scene:

Italy

Source: http://goo.gl/GBsiyt

Italy is full of historic cities and landmarks. Some of them include:

• Pompeii - The city buried under volcanic ash of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79.

• Canals of Venice - Perfect for romantic gondola rides past historic buildings, many of which have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

• La Torre Pendete, or as we know it in English, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Construction of the tower began in the 1100s. It had already begun to lean by the time the structure had reached the third level.

There are many more attractions in Italy, including some that will be explored below. You can find more tourist attractions listed and described by clicking here, which is where I found the above information.

Baghdad

Source: http://goo.gl/cfL6xU

Baghdad is a location of great history and amazing architecture, which would have particularly appealed to George Bailey. Some of the sights he could have explored in Baghdad include:

• The cailiph's mosque, dating to 1289.
• The 'Aquli Mosque, dating to 1328.
• Many other locations dating to the late 13th and 14th centuries.

There also are a number of mosques, bazaars, and public baths survive from the Ottoman period.

I gathered this information from the Encyclopedia Britannica Web site.

Samarkand

Source: http://goo.gl/ZXlalR

This was the closest I could come to a travel brochure/poster for Samarkand. Both Baku and Samarkand are located in Uzbekistan.

According to the Visit Uzbekistan Travel Web site:

"Samarkand was a political, economic, and cultural center on the Silk Road trade route. Samarkand also served as the seat of the Timurid Empire, ruled at the peak of its power by Amir Timur (or Tamerlane, 1369 – 1405). Both Samarkand and Bukhara have strong Persian influences in language, culture, and ethnic makeup, a fact that is reflected in their Soviet and post-Soviet populations.The Islamic architecture in Samarkand, with its main square (Registan), the astronomer Ulug Bek’s observatory, and madrassahs on the Registan, became symbols of the Timurid Empire’s power and scientific achievements. Samarkand later served as an important comparison point for Soviet artists and building designers when creating ‘Soviet-Uzbek’ architecture."

Source: http://goo.gl/R0TtDo

George tells Joe Hepner at the luggage store that he is going to work his way across the ocean on a cattle boat. This is *may* have been what a cattle boat looked like.

Granville House rock scene:

Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum

Travel brochure for Greece, 1939
Source: http://goo.gl/57jXgh

The Parthenon is located in Athens, Greece. The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC although decoration of the building continued until 432 BC. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Colosseum is located in Rome, Italy. is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world, and is considered one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering. (Source: Wikipedia).

The Colosseum can be seen on the travel brochure for Italy, which can be found above.

The Parthenon and the Colosseum are approximately 795 miles apart, which would take about 21 hours to travel by car in modern times using modern roads, according to Google Maps.

Train station scene:

Venezuela oil fields 

Source: http://goo.gl/y6E6po

"Wanted, man with construction experience"

                                                              -George Bailey

The Venezuelan oil industry was born in 1908. By the end of the 1930s, Venezuela had become the third-leading oil producer in the world, behind the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as the leading exporter. (Source: Wikipedia)

Venezuela is also home to the real-life Paradise Falls, made famous by the Disney/Pixar film, Up.

Source: http://goo.gl/vwExzM

Yukon 

Source: http://goo.gl/7tMsn1

"Wanted, man with engineering experience"
                                                   - George Bailey

The famous Klondike Gold Rush began after gold was discovered near Dawson City in 1896. As a result of the influx of people looking for gold, it was made a separate territory in 1898, split off from the Northwest Territories. 

The second major event in the Yukon's history is the construction of the Alaska Highway during the Second World War, for the transportation of war supplies. 

(Source: Wikipedia)

Here are the travel brochures that George holds at the train station and later discards
during Harry and Ruth's wedding celebration. The brochure on the right reads
"South America New York to Brazil-Uruguay-Argentina Schedule and Passenger Rates Munson
Steamship Lines New York City." The brochure on the left reads "Travel with the
Foremost Student Tours College Travel Club 1930s." 

Source for brochure wording: Willian, Michael. The Essential It’s a Wonderful Life Film Guidebook. 

Kerpluggo Books LLC, 2004.

Here is another picture of one of the brochures George carries at
the train station I found this photo in the book Zuzu's Wonderful Life in the Movies
by Christopher Brunell.

Honeymoon taxi scene

New York

Source: http://goo.gl/D9FWLX

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the lights of Times Square, All of these and more can be found in New York City.

Outside of New York City, George and Mary can visit Niagra Falls, explore the location of the first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls (which was also the inspiration for Bedford Falls).

Bermuda

Source: http://goo.gl/4HJYxL

Instead of me telling you what George and Mary may have done while in Bermuda, watch the video below about the Furness Lines and Bermuda.

Blogging From A to Z - X is for Suicide

Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.

X is for Suicide:

Source: http://bit.ly/1Bx2CJt

George Bailey didn't think he could take anymore.

His dreams of travel were shattered. He didn't think he could get out of Bedford Falls. Uncle Billy lost an $8,000 deposit for the family business. He lost control of his emotions in front of his wife and children. He took his problems out on his daughter's teacher. His wife spoke harshly to him for the first time in their marriage.

Potter planted the idea. George went to him for help. Instead of helping him, Potter taunted him with the comment, "You're worth more dead than alive."

George was scared, but he was trying to deal with his problems. He was looking for a way to overcome them. But Potter, being the opportunist he is, kicked George when he was down and proved to be the proverbial straw. That straw broke George.

He leaves Potter, gets drunk, and proceeds to contemplate jumping off of the town's bridge.

The letter X can be a harsh letter. It is often used to cross things out, to remove mistakes, to negate what has been done. Suicide crosses out life. It negates what It's a Wonderful Life refers to as "God's greatest gift."

The problem is that those who contemplate suicide view themselves as mistakes to be removed. They view their personal mistakes as unrepairable and unforgivable. All of that is untrue.

I'm going to tap into my Christian side for a minute, so if that's not your thing, skip to the next paragraph. An X turned on it's side is a cross. Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins. Sure you made mistakes. We have all made mistakes. But Jesus paid the ultimate price for it so we wouldn't have to. And he was fault-less. That's what love and sacrifice is all about. God sacrificed our son so we wouldn't have to sacrifice ourselves. George is sent a guardian angel - he is saved from suicide - because he prayed. I encourage you to pray, as well. Just like George, ask God to show you the way. He will.

If you aren't a Christian, you can pick it up here:

Whether or not you are a Christian, TALK to somebody. People like Potter are in the vast minority. Someone out there can help you. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Life can be hard but it's worth fighting for. So FIGHT!

Source: http://bit.ly/1jvLQPe

Blogging From A to Z - W is for Waterfall

Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.

Waterfall:

Violet approaches George in the street:
Source: http://bit.ly/1wAc4LK

Depressed about the way his life is turning out, George Bailey mopes into town, trying to figure out what to do next after his brother marries and all but takes a job in another town.

As he walks downtown, Violet spies him and suggestively asks if he wants to do something.

George, his mind spinning and his heart seeking adventure, concocts a scandalous evening.

"Let's go out in the fields and take off our shoes and walk through the grass. Then we can go up to the falls. It's beautiful up there in the moonlight, and there's a green pool up there, and we can swim in it. Then we can climb Mt. Bedford, and smell the pines, and watch the sunrise against the peaks, and... we'll stay up there the whole night, and everybody'll be talking and there'll be a terrific scandal..."

Violet is horrified at the idea of taking her shoes off. But she seemed
more than willing to take off more than that for George.
Source: http://bit.ly/1b5IWm5

He lost her at "take off our shoes and walk through the grass." Violet, a town girl with pretty clothes, doesn't want anything to do with it. 

But that's not really the point here. I already wrote about Violet. The point is what we learn abut the region. We find out that there is a waterfall. We find out there is a mountain and pine trees, and peaks, and even a pool. Not that pool. Another pool.

What does this look like? Where is it in relation to downtown Bedford Falls? How big is the waterfall? Does it feed the pool, or does the pool feed the waterfall? It's something that I wish had been in the film. It would have been a great place to watch George and Mary's romance grow. On the other hand, if it's the kind of place you would take Violet, perhaps it's not the kind of place you would take Mary. They have completely different personalities and desires.

Maybe Capra was wise in teasing us with this line. It allows our minds to run wild. It allows our imaginations to work. It gives us more opportunity to write our own story around the town and its residents. I'm good with that.

Blogging From A to Z - S is for Sacrifice

Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.

Sacrifice:

George Bailey, the main character of It's a Wonderful Life, gave almost everything he had for the benefit of others. His life was built around sacrifice. Below is a short list of what George gives up so that others may have more:

George hits bottom.
Source: http://bit.ly/1EcmMbt

• George loses his hearing saving Harry from drowning. This occurs only five minutes into the film, including the introductory credits. George loses potential income from his job at Mr. Gower’s Drug Store because of his illness, and cannot serve in the armed forces during World War II because of his hearing loss.

• George’s dreams of travel, college and engineering dissipate when he takes over the building and loan.

• George gives the money he has saved for college to Harry when Peter dies and George takes over building and loan. 

• George’s dreams of travel, college and engineering are negated by Mary’s wish at the Granville house. 

• Harry takes another job, so George forgoes his planned trip to continue running the building and loan. 

• George and Mary forego their honeymoon by giving away their savings to save the family business during the bank run. 

• George is stuck fighting the battle of Bedford Falls while his friends are at war. 

• George chooses to take the blame when Billy loses $8,000. By doing this, George risks his own reputation and risks going to prison.

• George almost sacrifices his life, thinking it is the better option. He is wrong.

Blogging From A to Z - R is for Rain

Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.

Rain:

Wedding days are meant to be beautiful. They are days of celebration, optimism and love.

But sometimes it just needs to rain. And for some people, that rain coincides with one of the most important days of their lives.

On the day George and Mary wed, the audience does not see the wedding. The event itself is not important. What IS important is that we see George genuinely happy for the first time in this film.

Looking out the taxi window at the bank run
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/lizchris610/its-a-wonderful-life/

As the happy couple runs outside, we see them doused by rice and rain. Rain typically is considered to be bad luck on a couple’s wedding date. We soon will learn that while it is a happy day for the couple because of their wedding, it also is a day of trial and success for the building and loan.

As Ernie drives the couple away in his cab, George and Mary tell him about their planned adventures. As they do this, the audience can see through the back window of the taxi that people are running down the street in the rain, some without umbrellas. We soon learn why the residents are running, as Ernie pulls his cab over and tells George that there is “something funny going on” at the bank. He adds that he believes it is a bank run.

George and Mary stop kissing and turn to look. We see the couple in close-up, framed by the rain-streaked cab window. When George climbs out of the cab to see what is going on, Mary is left framed alone and lonely in the cab's window. The rain streaking down the window is symbolic of the sadness she feels at that moment and the tears she is not crying. They are supposed to be on their way to their honeymoon. Instead, they are facing a challenge to the family business.

According to Jeanine Basinger, author of The It's a Wonderful Life Book, Frank Capra learned while researching for the film that the “weather in the New York State area that Bedford Falls was allegedly situated in had rain during the bank run of 1933” (Basinger 41). Capra added rain to the scene to make it more realistic.

Blogging From A to Z - O is for "O Come All Ye Faithful"

 

Source: http://www.sermoncentral.com/MediaVault/Detail.asp?
MediaVaultID=1219&rewrite=t&MultimediaTypeID=24

Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.

While the opening credits of It’s a Wonderful Life begin to the soft strain of a string performance of "Buffalo Gals," the real action of the film begins with another song. 

We recognize it. The song is “O Come All Ye Faithful,” a traditional Christmas tune that is about the birth of Jesus. It is played gently on what sounds like a xylophone … an instrument commonly found in elementary school music rooms.

As the song plays, the audience is shown streetscapes. The scene serves to introduce us to the town of Bedford Falls. We also are being introduced to the residents of Bedford Falls. But instead of seeing them, we only hear their voices.

They are all praying for George Bailey. From them, we learn that George:

·      is well-liked.

·      cares for those around him.

·      cares for his community.

·      has a mother who is worried.

·      has a wife who is worried.

·      has children who is worried.

·      someone is indebted to him for “everything,” which indicates something more important than money.

·      is selfless.

Source: http://www.hymnary.org/
hymn/WAR2003/182

The scene is extremely short, but it teaches us so much. We know a lot about George before we really know anything about him.

The fact that these prayers are being said during a Christian song that includes the word “faithful” is significant. This film is about faith. It’s not about religion. It is about faith. There IS a difference. The song is inviting us to watch what eventually becomes George Bailey’s rebirth in faith. It is also a rebirth of his trust in God, his family, his community, his business, and himself.

A belief in God is not required, but it is helpful in the effort to fully understand the depths and meanings of this film.

If you don't believe in God, please join the conversation! Do you enjoy this film anyway? What messages do you take away from it?

If you do believe in God, does this film strengthen your faith? If so, how? If not, why not?

Why bad things happen to George Bailey

This past Sunday (March 15, 2015), at Cedar Creek TV, we studied, in part, about why God allows bad things to happen to good people. The entire message can be found here.

There are MANY answers to this question. Our pastor, Lee Powell, spent a little time running through this list of 20 reasons. All of them apply to George Bailey and his many struggles in It's a Wonderful Life:

20 Reasons Why God Allows Suffering in the World - Alex Macfarland

Source: http://redtreetimes.com/tag/its-a-wonderful-life/

1. Suffering uncovers what is really inside of our hearts. - George is forced to look at his motivation and the reason for his discontent. His selfish wants cause him to ignore the gifts God has given him.
2. Suffering breaks us of our pride. - George's role in town is to help others. When the $8,000 goes missing, he must forego that role and ask for help.
3. Suffering can deepen our desire for God. - George prays twice. The first time is out of desperation. The second time is intentional.
4. Suffering can mature us. - George is a better father and husband after his visit to Pottersville, because he learns to let go of his desires and let God be in control of his life.
5. Suffering can breed humility. - We don't know this for sure, but we are led to believe that George will pray to God, both for help and in thanksgiving, more often.
6. Suffering may be a warning of something potentially worse. - How many times did George give up his dreams for the benefit of others? Still, he failed to pay attention to those warnings, until he risked losing everything.
7. Suffering can jump-start our prayer life. - George admits in his prayer at Martini's Bar that he is not a praying man. But that changes.
8. Suffering may prompt a lost person to receive Christ. - We see this on the bridge when he says, "please God. Let me live again.
9. Suffering may lead a Christian to confess sin. - George is a good man. He doesn't have a lot to confess. However, he does admit in a prayer that he does not pray regularly.
10. Suffering helps deepen our trust in God. - George prays "I don't care what happens to me. Just get me back to my wife and kids." He has put his future in God's hands for the chance to return to Bedford Falls.
11. Suffering can deepen our appreciation for Scripture. - If George has truly received Christ, then he will go to church more often, and will therefore get a deeper appreciation for scripture.
12. Suffering helps us appreciate other Christians who were victorious. - Clarence was victorious. George gives him an "attaboy" at the end of the film. That is appreciation not only for Clarence's accomplishment of earning his wings, but also for saving his life.
13. Suffering can take our eyes off ourselves and this world. - George learns his importance and impact on other people's lives.
14. Suffering can teach us firsthand that God truly is sufficient. - George must let go of everything and trust God to get him through it (see number 10).
15. Suffering can connect us with other people. - The famous final scene is proof of this.
16. Suffering can create an opportunity for witness. - We never see George's discussion with Mary after the crowd leaves their home at the end, but I'll bet it is an amazing discussion. And I'll bet George tells Mary everything that happened. That is witnessing.
17. Suffering can lead a person into Christian ministry. George already has the heart of a Christian by helping others. His experience will add to this (see number 16 and expand it in some way to the entire town of Bedford Falls).
18. Suffering can make us grateful for what we had or still have. - One of the main messages of It's a Wonderful Life is contentment. It teaches us to be content with what we have and not to constantly look for the bigger, better thing.
19. Suffering can position our lives to bring more glory to God. - Doing all of these other things accomplishes this.
20. Suffering, properly handled, will result in rewards in heaven. - This is illustrated by Clarence. He waited 292 years to earn his wings, but he eventually earned his wings and moved up the social ladder to Angel, First Class.

List taken from "The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity" by Alex Macfarland (http://www.alexmcfarland.com/)

Isn't George Ironic? Don't You Think?

Source: http://www.virginmedia.com/music/pictures/
profiles/when-popstars-get-political.php?ssid=16

His business is in trouble. Potter has (unknown to him) absconded with $8,000. Uncle Billy had neither his mind on his money or his money on his mind. Uncle Billy needs to call Snoop Dogg, fo' shizzle.

Of course, I am talking about the famous Frank Capra film, "It's a Wonderful Life." It’s all I ever talk about.

With nowhere to turn, George Bailey stands atop a bridge, ready to end his life. Then the strangest thing happens....Just as he prepares to jump, someone else falls in. George's protective, humanitarian instincts kick in and the jump changes from suicide attempt to rescue mission.

Source: http://archive.wired.com/table_of_
malcontents/2007/01/alanis_morisset/

It turns out that George rescues his Guardian Angel. Ironic, isn't it? Someone call Alanis and set her straight. Since I'm on the topic of Alanis and irony, she should ask George and Mary Bailey about rain on their wedding day. I'll bet they have an opinion.

Anyhooo......time to cut the snark. Seriously. Now, back to the show.

In the course of their discussion, George wishes that he had never been born. Ironically (there's that word again. What's my problem tonight?), it's one of the few wishes he is granted.

George is swept off to Pottersville, like Dorothy on her way to Oz. There's even wind. Okay, it's not exactly like that, but I'm trying to break some sort of pop culture reference record. Note to self: Google "record for most pop culture references in a blog entry."

Source: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/almira-gulch

When George gets to Pottersville, he is shown a litany of train wrecks that are other people's lives. Without George, these people are lost.

Not to be too much of a Negative Nellie, that's a really sad commentary about all of these people and their need for someone else to make their lives meaningful. On the other hand, it says a lot about George and his importance to the community, his friends and his family.

George isn't shown one single thing that would change his life for better if he returned to Bedford Falls and not followed through with the suicide.

Nothing he is shown directly impacts or improves his life. Clarence leads him on a path of showing how great other people's lives are because George is in them. And yet, it is enough.

George ultimately decides to pray to be returned to Bedford Falls because, as he says, "I want to live again." That is not a wish, this time, but a prayer. His prayer is answered. He returns to Bedford Falls, knowing full well he will face charges of "bankruptcy and scandal and prison." And he goes joyfully.

He is glad to be alive for the simple fact of knowing that he has positively impacted the lives of so many other people.

For my dollar, that makes him the ultimate humanitarian; George, however, never noticed it. It's like Alanis said, after all: "Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you think everything's okay."

Isn't it ironic?

Don't you think?

Ironically (HAHAHA) I couldn't find a picture of Alanis angry. So I chose this one instead.
Source: http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/6683/20131109/you-oughta-know-alanis-morissette-americas-angriest-singer-is-bringing-a-barrage-of-bluntness-to-broadway-with-jagged-little-pill.htm

At What Cost?

After nine months of fighting, we finally got our day in court.

Without getting into the details, here are the basics: I have spent the last 10 years wishing to spend more time with my oldest son with less interference from his mom. I was always afraid to fight her for that time in court until two back-to-back incidents last spring convinced me it was time to stand up for my rights as a father, and for our rights as a family.

And yet, I was still scared to do anything about it. With my wife's loving nudge and encouragement, I finally sued my e-wife for more time with my son.

The process took nine months, five attorneys, one judge and stupid amounts of money to settle. And as of today, it IS settled. But am I? Is my wife? Is my son? Is his mom? Is my youngest son? At this point, I don't know. The case has only been settled for 9 hours as of this writing, so it's still too fresh. I have a general feel for what the papers say, but I need a couple of days of distance to be able to look at it with clear eyes and a clear mind and really comprehend it.

So when friends on social media or in face-to-face conversation ask me how it went, I find myself simply saying "it went well," and leaving it at that. And I'm not lying. It did go well. It also went horribly. It went in a way that is depressing. It also went in a way that is depleting. I'm tired and worn out emotionally. It has been a worm that has consumed my every waking moment for almost a year. This experience has been soul-sucking, not only for me, but also for my wife. 

The stress and pressure continue because there are parts of the agreement that made my wife disappointed with me. And that hurts, because I truly did my best to stand up for our family as best I could, while at the same time knowing that we wouldn't get everything we wanted. That's part of the negotiation process. No matter how right you are, you still don't get everything you want.

So did we win? Yes. We got more time with less interference, which was our goal...even if it wasn't as much time as we wanted to get.

Did we lose? Yes. Right now I am a physical wreck. I want to sleep, but my mind won't shut up long enough to allow that. I have slept for a total of 10 hours in the past two nights. And then there's the question of the money. We spent nine months paying five attorneys to do what we should have been able to sit down and work out together in a matter of days, maybe with just one attorney. But my son's mother and I were both prideful. We were stubborn. We were immature in some ways. And above all, we both HAD to be RIGHT.

Yes, we won. But at what cost? There are no true winners in these situations. 

There are so many ways that It's a Wonderful Life ties into this.

• Yes, it cost money. And yes, the bills will be painful for a while. But like George Bailey, we fought for our family. And for that, the price can never be too high.
• There was a moment in the negotiations where I had to firmly put my foot down and strongly and clearly say that I would not accept one of her requests. But I followed it up with an encouraging word that there were still alternatives to consider. It was very much like George during the bank run when he told the mob "We can get through this, but ... we've got to have faith in each other." The truth is that I have no faith in the ex. But I had to trust that she would be rational enough to help create a solution instead of continuing to be part of the problem.
• At the beginning of It's a Wonderful Life, we hear prayers from Gower, Mary, Ma Bailey, Nick, Janey, and a host of others as they pray for George. These are called prayers of intersession. Having kept this issue mostly private, I took to Facebook on the morning of the trial/negotiations, requesting support from everyone who was willing to give it:

         

Our friends and family came through in huge ways. I even had someone offer to take me up on the Footloose video. THANK YOU ALL for that support. I can honestly tell you that it did have a calming effect on me as I sat in the negotiations.

We all have choices to make. George could have let his brother drown. He could have chosen to go to college and let the Building and Loan close instead of taking his father’s position. He didn't do either of those things, and it cost him. Over and over and over again, it cost him. But he made those decisions - those sacrifices and hard choices - to protect his family. I did the same and I would do it again in a minute. I might do a couple of things a little differently, but I in general, I like the outcome.

Now we have a choice to make. We can be grateful and celebrate what we DID get, knowing that God has this and it's part of His plan, or we can let the sacrifices that we made eat us alive. 

In short, we can be right, or we can be happy. I choose to be happy. After all, it's finally over and we got extra time with my oldest son on a regular basis. We have plans for that time, and we're taking the little brother along with us. Maybe we’ll climb Mt. Bedford.

What have you done lately where counting the cost hurts, but it's still worth the effort? Feel free to comment below. While you are at it, show your support for fathers everywhere by tweeting #fathershaverightstoo and tag me at @iawlfan and @iawb.