I'm going to share a controversial opinion - Jack was always meant to die in "Titanic." No matter what happened, even if Rose had moved her fat ass to make room on that door, he would've died. If somehow, he had made it to New York with Rose, he probably would've been instantly run over by a taxi or choked on a hot dog. That was his Destiny. Sorry folks. It's clear from the very beginning of the movie that the Universe was conspiring to get Jack onto that damned ship. First, those Norwegian guys bet their tickets to travel on the Titanic, which was a stupid idea to begin with and not something sane people would do considering the historical nature of Titanic's maiden voyage (it would've been historical, even if they had made it because the ship was so huge). Second, Jack actually won that poker game, which seems like good luck but we now know it wasn't. Third, while Jack and Fabrizio are celebrating and probably would've tried to sneak in another drink before heading to the ship, the bartender let's them know that they only have 5 minutes to get there - exactly the amount of time needed to get to the ship if they rushed. Then, somehow, they are able to get through the crowd and onto the gangway just before the doors closed. And finally, the doorman lets them in, knowing that they haven't gone through the hygiene check, just based on Jack's dubious claim that they're both Americans - a major breach of protocol considering how quickly disease spreads on a ship. Yep, Jack was just too lucky not to die a watery death on April 15, 1912.
The Universe was not unkind, though. It knew that, in order for Jack to meet his True Love, he had to be on that ship. Because, otherwise, Rose would've died. That was her Destiny if she didn't meet Jack. She would've succeeded in throwing herself off the stern or would've killed herself at some later date due to her unhappiness at being Cal's wife. Meeting Jack gave her a reason to live, even after he died, because she had to fulfill her promise of having a happy and full life, which she did. And I'm sure she thought of Jack every single day. I'm sure some days she was sad, but most days, she was probably grateful for their short time together. Grateful he existed. Because not everyone gets to meet their True Love within every lifetime. And if Jack had not gotten on the Titanic, he would've been one of those unlucky people. Sad but true.
Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
"Aquaman" begins with a Jules Verne quote - "Put two ships on the ocean, without wind or tide, and they will meet....it is only a question of time." Then the movie launches into how Arthur Curry's parents met. And that's how all great romances start - two people are put into a situation where they cannot avoid meeting. And, when I think about it, there's never really a chase in these romances - both people just know that, whatever happens, they were supposed to meet. Anyway, due to the way "Aquaman" starts, it was pretty much tugging at my heartstrings the whole movie. During the movie, Tom Curry walks to the end of the pier every day at sunset, waiting for Atlanna to return. Even after Arthur tells him Atlanna was executed, he still waits, brushing it off as "old habits." But I don't think it was old habits - and not to give away too much, but I think his heart still pulls him to wait for 30 years because, deep inside, he doesn't believe she's dead. He has faith she'll come back, though everything up until that point has told him otherwise. Going back to "Titanic," I think about that sometimes - yes, Rose lived an amazing life, got married, had children, but when she dies, it's Jack who is waiting for her. Was she just waiting this whole time, faithfully knowing that he was going to be there in the end? I also wonder sometimes if we intuitively know that a person is supposed to be special to us. That we're supposed to meet them, even if it's just for a second. But, then, what happens if we don't follow that inner prompting?
I read recently about a guy who had a love at first sight experience. A girl came into the subway car and sat down next to him. He talked to her - of course, because everything in his being was telling him to! - and finally, the subway car came to his stop. He hesitated a moment, but then got off the car. He didn't even give her his number! Based on the article I was reading, I don't think he ever ran into her again but he was still hoping he would. Because it's one of his greatest regrets, getting off that car, not even trying to leave himself a breadcrumb. It'll probably haunt him forever, because he might never get another opportunity. As I've said, the Universe hates when people aren't listening. After reading "The Alchemist," I feel like I finally understand something fundamental about the nature of Free Will - Free Will is simply the ability to choose NOT to take the path that God (or the Universe) has laid out before us. The Universe will keep trying to put us back on that path, certainly (if it's possible - sometimes, we just miss our chance), but we always have the choice to not follow it. While I'm rambling, I'm going to suggest some reading by Pico della Mirandola. In his "Oration on the dignity of the human being," Mirandola describes in beautiful detail the gift of Free Will and the responsibilities that accompany it. I learned a great many things in my Medieval History class, but Mirandola's speech was one of the things I actually remember. It actually figured greatly into my Medieval Philosophy paper on St. Thomas Aquinas' theories on Destiny. Because I've been wracking my brain on this nonsense for over two decades. I'd like to think I'm a centimeter closer to understanding now, but I'd be deceiving myself.
I know - the above rant (which I know is nowhere near coherent - merely an amalgamation of shower musings, to be honest) has absolutely nothing to do with music. "My Heart Will Go On" was one of the greatest ballads of the late 90s. And as much as I love Celine Dion, I like it when punk bands do covers of love songs like this. Something about the heightened tempo and harsher instrumentation contrasting against the romantic lyrics makes it magical to me. Perhaps it's the nostalgia for the music style of my childhood - I do have an unusually large soft spot for 90s alternative. Maybe it's that it takes the trite nature of "My Heart Will Go On" and makes it sound more rebellious. Because, if all these loves stories and fairy tales have taught us anything, it's that going after True Love is always rebellious. The characters always have to break down so many barriers and call upon so many miracles to achieve it, how could it not be? Just saying. Anyway, my brain hurts, so without much further ado, watch the video below to behold the genius of New Found Glory's "My Heart Will Go On."
New Found Glory Version
Celine Dion Version
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