A Tale of Two Stories

Hi, I’m Liz Hundley Wile, and I am an addict. 

I’m addicted to storytelling, to working, to fostering a culture of creativity where art and truth can collide. 

I just saw the Veronica Mars movie, and I left inspired. Inspired to tell you a tale of two stories, and why I love them. One’s about a teen PI in a film noir setting with a load of wit and snark, while another is a courageous teen who sets out to right wrongs in her dystopian world. 

As the release for the Veronica Mars movie neared, I started re-watching the show on Amazon Prime. Kris would pop in occasionally, but didn’t understand my passion for it. When I surreptitiously re-played the pilot for him and my sister when she was in town, I was hoping to hook them. When the subtle approach didn’t work, I decided to explain why I was so passionate about the story. 

The cult television series was about a teen girl, Veronica Mars, who was part of the in-crowd in high school in fictional town of “Neptune.” Her dad did well for himself as the town’s sheriff, and her best friend and boyfriend were part of the wealthy class. The pilot sets it all up nicely in the very first sentence, “This is my school. If you go here, your parents are either millionaires, or your parents work for millionaires.” In Veronica’s world, after her best friend is murdered and her father accuses the wealthiest man in town, they both become pariahs, and she starts to associate more with the have-nots. Cue hit theme song by The Dandy Warhols, “A long time ago, we used to be friends, but I haven’t thought of you lately at all.” 

The show (and now movie) shines a spotlight on the class struggle that engulfs most of America. It deals with the issue smartly and honestly. The show also deals with issues like rape, suicide, pedophilia, abuse, and addiction, all in a raw, but grounded kind of way. It redeems “villains” and lets you see the dark side of the “heroes.” I was glad to see Pivot airing the show, as it really is a perfect fit for the network’s parent company Participant Media, as their mandate is to support content with “social justice” type themes. 

So in response to this explanation of one facet behind my love for the series, Kris says to me, “A kick-ass girl who was part of the more wealthy crowd, but sees the seedy underbelly, and starts identifying and championing the less fortunate? I get it. You like Veronica Mars because she’s you.” 

I think that was the best compliment I’ve ever gotten. (Thanks, love!) 

In actuality, that’s a bit of what ties these two tales together. The Divergent movie comes out next weekend, and I can’t wait to see Tris on the screen jumping onto trains, learning to fight, and realizing there’s something worth fighting for – people worth protecting. So I guess you could say I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie and obsessive over “justice” myself. 

I love these stories because they speak to the big questions, “What makes us tick as people? How do we operate in society? And is that good, or can we change broken systems?” 

In the car today I heard the new single from New Politics, “Tonight You’re Perfect,” and it really resonated with me. I thought of Divergent when I heard it:

“Should I believe in the world, mama? 
Should I give up and hide, or should I stay and fight? 
Should I believe in the rules, mama? 
Tell me if I should run, or learn to shoot a gun. 
I don’t know what to believe, mama. 
I’m down on my knees, I’m beggin’ please 
Help me back on my feet, mama 
‘Cause I need someone to believe, believe, believe in.” 

I’m so moved by people who have real courage, and that is someone I want to be. When confronted with the darkness in the world, instead of running and hiding, people who stand up and say it’s not OK, and who fight for change and light, even if they are scared. Who speak up for those who are being oppressed. Who will stop their car when someone is being treated badly by authority, and both speak truth to power, and hold their feet to the fire. Who, like my 75 year-old friend Bob I met today at the blood drive, will see someone on a beach, and perform CPR for 30 minutes until the medics arrive. 

On a possibly related note (no spoilers), Keith Mars is my hero. Plus, Enrico Colantoni is pure gold. Go see the Veronica Mars movie to see why. (Here’s my plug – even if you haven’t watched the TV show, you will still be entertained!) 

Back when Lorde’s new single “Team” came out a couple months ago, I also felt that song in connection to Divergent for its themes of living in destruction, but doing it together: 

“I’m kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air 
So there 
I’m kind of older than I was when I reveled without a care 
So there 
We live in cities you’ll never see on screen 
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things 
Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams 
But you know, we’re on each other’s team.” 

It makes me think of my little ragtag church, Kairos Hollywood, and I get teary-eyed every time. We’re located in East Hollywood. It’s nothing famous – “you’ll never see on screen” – though it is next to the ever-popular Los Feliz, and Hollywood itself. And as people, I like to think that God calls us to look past ourselves and our “reveling without a care,” and to see the hurt and the need around us, and to mend it. As the last line of the Divergent trilogy says, “Since I was young, I have always known this: Life damages us, every one. We can’t escape that damage. But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended. We mend each other.” 

Since I work in the television business as an aspiring creative studio executive, I must explain that I also like these stories because they are well-told, have interesting, compelling characters, and exciting worlds like “Neptune” and the ruins of Chicago. I think both movie adaptations are well cast and well made. (Though, I haven’t seen Divergent yet, everything I have seen of it indicates I will enjoy it.) 

But what grasps my heart and imagination on a personal level is the call to write my own good story with my life. For all of us to LIVE a good story. To take these entertaining works of fiction, and to model that compassionate courage in our own lives. To stick up for the little guy, for the less fortunate. To be a part of a team. To realize our passions and go for them – saying NO to a world that tells us we need a certain level of financial security or success or status to be fulfilled. 

I’d like to wrap this all up with a huge bit of gratitude to the guy I get to do life with – Kristopher Eric Wile. We have our ups and downs, like any couple, but I know that this man is a strong person who loves God, loves others, and loves storytelling. He is my biggest supporter, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without his love teaching me to be humble, to be loyal, to be sacrificial, and to laugh. Kris reminds me of the lesson Four & Tris learn in the third Divergent book, Allegiant, (MILD SPOILER IN THIS QUOTE) “I fell in love with him. But I don’t just stay with him by default as if there’s no one else available to me. I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me.” 

 I’ve been listening to this song by Dierks Bentley lately, and it reminds me of us: 

“She wants her nails painted black 
She wants the toy in the Cracker Jacks 
She wants to ride the bull at the rodeo 
She wants to wear my shirt to bed 
She wants to make every stray a pet 
Drive around in my truck with no place to go 

But she needs to feel that fire 
The one that lets her know for sure 
She’s everything I want and more. 
Her real desire 
Is to know I’d walk alone out on the wire 
To make her feel that fire.” 

So thanks to Kristopher Eric for inspiring and supporting me for the past 6 years. I hope we will support each other for many, many more. You’re a true man of character who embodies this quote from Divergent, “A brave man acknowledges the strength of others.” 

Well, that got sappier than I intended at the start, but to quote my girl Veronica Mars “People say I’m a Marshmallow.” Cue “Mug Shot/Stick Up” by Max.

Words to Live By

This started out as an exploration of “Things Learned Since College.”  It’s been 4 years now since I moved to Los Angeles after graduating, and I haven’t done a lot of reflection on what I’ve learned in that time, which is a lot.  But then this post started morphing into more of “life-lessons,” some of which I learned in high school or college.  Really I just wanted to put these important things on paper (or the interwebs) as a bit of a mantra or anthem of things I’ve learned in life.  Some are deep, and some are just silly realizations about me.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy…or are inspired/amused in some way. 

_____

I have always been a nerd and a wallflower but I was too self-conscious to embrace it before.  Now I go to Comic-Con, or listen to Bon Iver, and feel at home.

I really, really love dogs.

“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find, you get what you need.” –Rolling Stones

Fight for good friendships but be OK with letting unhealthy ones go. (a.k.a. “Know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em” –Kenny Rogers)

Indie music is God's gift to the artistic and introspective.

On that note, it’s OK to be an introvert.

What do you want to do or be in life? Just do it! Don't worry.

Emotions can be lying, cheating bitches.  Don’t rely solely on them.

Let your kids go to parties. Knowing how to navigate these social situations becomes just as important as grades.

Take a risk in opening yourself up for love.

Realize you are the villain of your own story and that God still doesn't give up on you. We can always change.

I love Jesus just as much as I did when I was in high school, but sometimes I understand him less.

We really, really need community.

If you are in a position of privilege, consider if your outlook on the world is shaped by that fact, and try to walk in someone else's shoes. You might realize Anacostia, DC or South LA is beautiful.

Goals and restraint/discipline are important.

Taking care of another living thing daily teaches you mounds of responsibility.

Sci-fi is effing cool.

Do not be afraid.

Country, barefoot, rain, and a hoodie. Perfect combination.

Change in relationships is inevitable. Don't close yourself off or put up walls. Enjoy the moments when you have them.

“It's a beautiful day, don't let it fade away.” – U2

"You think you know what you're looking for, till what you're looking for finds you." – “When The Right One Comes Along” as heard on Nashville, written by Justin Davis, Georgia Middleman & Sarah Zimmerman

Courage is definitely not the absence of fear but rather embracing the fear and doing it anyway.

Art can be therapeutic.

"It's all talk talk talk/ Talkin’ in the wind/ It only slows you down if you start listenin’/ And it’s a whole lot harder to shine/ Than undermine." –“Undermine” as heard on Nashville, written by Trent Dabbs & Kacey Musgraves

Not being in control can actually be a really good thing.

I am an explorer of lands and places and skies.

"I am Rosemary's granddaughter/ The spitting image of my father/ And when the day is done/ My mama’s still my biggest fan/ Sometimes I’m clueless and I’m clumsy/ But I have friends that love me/ And they know where I stand/ It’s all a part of me/ That’s who I am"  –Jessica Andrews

Watch CRASH. Then talk about it with a group.

Go to an event of a culture not your own.

It's OK to have fun sometimes and celebrate this one wild and precious life. Just remember life isn't about you and your happiness.

Exercise is wonderful and doing it with others is better. There's something very satisfying about doing something you're bad at over and over again with passion until you ultimately grow in that skill.

You have to forgive. Forgive yourself, and forgive others. The most beautiful things will grow out of it.

Pursuing Health

Leave it to my sister to make me want to start writing again.  She is so inspirational.  Her blog, here, about her time in China is just great.  And she's an excellent writer.

I'm going to stop pretending that I write on here with any kind of frequency.  And that's OK.  I'd still like to have this as a growth goal to flex my writing muscles.  But one thing at a time.  I'm currently flexing my actual muscles on a journey to health via eating better and exercising better.

No, I'm not one of those fanatical Cross-Fit people... yet.  (Looking at you Casey and Gillian!)  But I have decided to start doing some basic things like, I don't know, moving around.  And not eating entire bowls of mac and cheese every few days.  A little thing called discipline goes a long way.

There's a few things that led to my change.  First, I just felt uncomfortable.  Though I didn't look it, I was technically obese, and was breaking my pants every few months.  Yes, it's awkward.  Giant holes in the middle of your pants are typically not fun.  And it made me want to change.  Then, over the holidays I learned some family history medical-type info that made me want to fight harder for health, too.

I also had a renewed sense of purpose in life that comes with re-evaluating and setting New Year's Resolutions.  Generally I think things like "YOLO" sound silly, but the idea that "You only live once" hit me.  I'd rather my life be full of health than full of sweets, cheese and beer.  (Even though I really, really love those things.)  Putting off healthy practices until tomorrow meant I was choosing death today.  

Plus, speaking of New Year's resolutions, who can't be inspired while listening to Sleeping at Last's "January White"?!  Some lyrics for your reading pleasure:

So let's press undo.
Rearrange the old and call it new-
January White.

Every calendar is playing the same old trick:
A year will disappear, replace with counterfeit
But we'll never really mind.

If nothing else, we're given a little time
To change the game, a chance to redefine
Everything we are,
January White.

...hope is January White.

Also fueling my recent quest to lose weight & be healthier is the fact that I'm actually pretty competitive.  Tell me to make a pact to go to the gym, and if I break it I have to pay?  Then I'm completing that pact every week, suckas!  (My mentality toward GymPact, which I love.)  Give me a calorie limit, and tell me I'll lose the weight if I hit it daily?  Then I'm suddenly watching what I eat so I can shed the pounds!  (Props to MyFitnessPal.)  Tell me my group at work can win...something...if we walk more than other groups?  Then I am all over my 6 am walks again, fo' realz! (Yay Time Warner FitNation and FitBit!)

So now that I've sufficiently plugged all the ways I'm working on my health, I want to point out my final catalyst for change.  I've still yet to read the book Love Does by Bob Goff.  But just the title and the premise - Love.  Does. - is inspiring!  Love acts and moves and makes plans and goals and goes after them!  All for the good of others.

In my Discipleship Workshop at church, we do these things called "circles," which sounds super cheesy and I laugh internally every time.  But the point is that there are two sides as you "work the circle."  The first is "What is God saying to me?"  and the second is "What am I going to do about it?"  Now I realize not all my friends and readers agree with my spirituality, but I've personally found so much joy and freedom in this question and response rhythm in life.

This rhythm all year of hearing a direction or issue to deal with, and then making a plan of action (with accountability) has gotten my lazy self back into a place where I can actually do some good.  In working toward this value we call "wholeness," the small disciplines in my life have actually given me more energy & passion to pursue even more changes.

I'm so thankful for Casey who has encouraged me to just pick one small thing to work on.  I've tried and failed all year to actually cook.  (I have unresolved issues with the kitchen - to be explained later.)  But deciding to NOT order Uptown Mac & Cheese at the AH-Mazing Granville Restaurant has been a small thing that pushes me on toward health.  I've started down this road with enough small successes that maybe, just maybe, I'll actually cook a meal this quarter.  I have momentum now!

So I hope that all 4 of you reading this have time to ponder this week, "What is God saying to me?" and then are able to make some small goals.  Because you may not climb Everest tomorrow, or save all the children in slavery.  But as you start moving, and doing, you may be surprised that those goals are no longer so far out of your reach!

That Feeling

You know that feeling when everything seems important and meaningful?  Like what you just experienced is significant – and not just in your personal story, but that it has ripple effects into the meaning of the cosmos.  That you’ve just seen something about the universe.  Some little corner of truth that’s been revealed to you.

I used to feel that way a lot when I was in school.  I thought it was because I was young and hormonal, and you know how everything seems important when you’re a teenager?  Like it’s the end of the world when you don’t get something you hoped for, or the unbridled passion you feel about your interests – sports, bands, entertainment choices, etc.

Now, I’m not so sure.  I think that feeling of significance has to do with learning.  With being impressionable, and open to the life experiences you’re having. When you’re in school, you’re trying to find your way in life, and to learn more about the world around you.  You’re open to the possibilities of life – what yours could be, what the world could look like one day – hope.

For a while I had sort of closed myself off.  Basically resigning myself to “this is my life – my routine.”  But now, I feel like I’m opening up again to possibilities – to hope and love and wonder. Now I think this feeling is about truth that is being revealed to us all our lives.  The question is, are we listening?

Last night I went with a lovely group of people from Kairos to watch Life of Pi after a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.  I don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone, so I’ll keep it vague.  It’s a beautiful film, full of mysteries and wonder, full of hardships, struggle and survival.  And it’s no spoiler to say that it’s a story of triumph.  At its core, though, Life of Pi is a story about what narrative we choose to believe about life and the universe.  Do we want something we can completely understand with our rational minds, or do we want a story with things we can’t explain, high stakes, and moments that transcend what should be possible?

This is one of the reasons I choose faith.  I want THAT kind of a story.  Plus, Jesus calls to me the way he called to Pi as a boy.  But that’s another story for another time.

That feeling of importance happened to me not just while watching Life of Pi, but also while watching Glee this morning.  Odd, I know, since the show’s topic isn’t even in the same vein.  For a show that I stopped watching last year, Glee has surprised me this season with great storylines, fun songs, and some moving moments.  This, by the way, is why I love TV.  For these moments of insight into life, and characters we can learn and grow with over time.

In this particular Thanksgiving episode, it’s actually superhero-themed.  This is definitely a spoiler alert, so don’t read on, if you haven’t watched it!  I found my heart going out to the characters, specifically Blaine, Jake, Ryder & Marley.  They were all experiencing things that aren’t just unique to high schoolers, but common to the human struggle.

It’s so easy for us to write people off – to judge them and move on.  Or to keep our distance so that somehow their weirdness or their mistakes don’t rub off on us.  But that’s not the way.  That’s a response out of fear and selfishness.  If we take a moment to get out of ourselves and respond out of love, things can be much different.

Poor Blaine made a mistake by cheating on Kurt.   He was so torn up about it, and vilifying himself.  It reminded me of Kristen Stewart’s recent indiscretions, or Ned Stark from Game of Thrones, or countless others.  One misstep shouldn’t define a person, and the need to find forgiveness for yourself and others is a big life issue that we all face.

Similarly, Jake, Ryder and Marley all need to feel they belong and are accepted in different ways.  Jake needs to have people who include him despite his mixed racial & religious identity.  Ryder needs to know what his learning problem is, and know there’s a way to get help.  Marley needs to know she’s beautiful, and doesn’t have to throw up to lose weight.

I can think of so many examples of people, myself included, who have needed to belong, in one way or another.  We all have this need to be included.  I love that Glee not only showed this need, but also showed the welcoming solution.

This is honestly one of the reasons I have the faith that I do.  How freeing that God tells us we belong?!  We don’t need to be perfect.  Despite all our issues, mistakes, disabilities, and pain, he loves us and includes us.   I’m not trying to be all preachy, but that’s what I think this feeling of importance has been about for me.  This is the little corner of truth that’s being revealed.  That no matter our situation, God loves us.  And He calls us to love each other.

It’s both that simple, and that hard.  So I guess the question now is, what am I going to do about it?  

Who do I need to be accepting?  Where can I show love?  I’m starting the book Love Does by Bob Goff.  And I’m starting to dream about what does the action of love mean in my life in both small and big ways?  I hope you’ll join me in figuring out how to love – what that means for your life and your own corner of the world.

Telling Stories

So, I've picked up the blogging bug again, thanks to my lovely sister who is blogging about her amazing experiences teaching underprivileged students in rural China.  You can read her awesome stories here.

Speaking of awesome stories, I firmly believe that we are all writing stories with our lives.  My sister is currently writing one of adventure and sacrifice.  I've been thinking a lot lately about what kind of story I'm writing - we're all writing.  (Thanks to the author Don Miller for planting this idea in my head with his book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.)  Especially in an industry of storytelling, I find this fascinating.

It's no secret that I'm a huge TV Nerd who loves about a billion different worlds and stories on the small screen.  Not only are these entertaining stories, but they are ones with plots and characters that inspire us to be and do more.  (Or in the case of certain unnamed reality shows - give us examples of things we DON'T want to be!)  I'm thankful for an amazing job at Warner Bros. Worldwide TV Marketing, so I should take a brief moment to say this is my personal blog, and my views are not necessarily those of my rockin' company.  I'll be posting that in the info section of this blog, too.

Going forward my posts will be largely about the good stories I'm seeing lived out around me in the greater Los Angeles area, as well as life lessons I've gleaned from some of my favorite scripted television series.  Of course, this blog wouldn't be complete without a few dog-related posts here and there.  If you know me, you know my husband, Kristopher, and I are obsessed with our 7 month old, 70 pound, adopted lap dog.  Napoleon is a cutie - wouldn't you agree?

Not everyone knows this, but Kristopher and I are part of the Kairos Hollywood community.  We greatly prize having a group of people to do life and faith with, learn to love better, and serve our city.  A lot of my stories from the past 3 years here in Los Angeles involve people or events from Kairos, and I can't wait to share some of these moving moments with you.

Expect a post at least once a week from me.  Flexing the writing muscle can be good for the soul, right?

Have a great week ahead (Halloween time!), and I hope you (and me) write a worthwhile story with our lives this week!

Not an Imposter

I promise I'm not an imposter blog to http://lizhundley.blogspot.com.  In fact, I am the same!  I'm transitioning everything over in preparation for marriage in August 2011.  Maybe one day I'll actually go back to blogging...