I love SHORTS…

During my own personal “shutdown” (i.e., my 2.5-week & running visit with TMJ) I lean heavily on short films to keep my spirits up and my attention off of the pain. It works. Film-after-film I am enlightened, emotionally charged, humored, and alas, feeling less pain in my SCM and Masseter muscles. Endorphins counteract pain receptors.

#ResearchNerd 
#TMJSlapToTheFace

Being no fan of medicine (OTC or prescribed) I prefer natural and homeopathic remedies when my good health is challenged. For the chronic pains of TMJ, I prefer to administer MMJ topicals and edibles while watching original short films on DirecTV’s channel 573. It’s a winning combo if you’re trying to “be somewhere else without leaving the house.” 😉

Travel via channel 573 is the best way to go. You don’t speak multiple languages? How do you feel about subtitles? If you’re down – there are no limits to where you can kick-it.

This weekend I traveled well via these hard-hitting short films that took me far away from the tensions of TMJ. I found a few that had trailers and thought they’d be cool to share, so I started with:

WEST SIDE SWORDY:

.

WEST SIDE SWORDY [2015] yields strong homage to West Side Story in the frame of their tale of two street gangs and fight choreographies that was shot in California on a $15K budget. I loved the relative scene designs, the DJ who controlled more than the music and the integration of sword dancing. This is not a West Side Story re-make, but it is strongly inspired. Director Dan Liu and crew did a fantastic job on this 9-minute short that could have easily been a “Thriller-length” music video. Drop in on their website to catch the next showing: http://www.westsideswordy.com/

I then took a journey with Abraham, the principal character in IN GOD WE TRASH. Now before you send this one to the blasphemy bin hear me out. I really took this film to be hinting at a number of our population who say and do things in the name of Christianity to cover their own shortcomings. The film’s message is conveyed in a practical and comical way;  no offense – comprehend.  It’s only 22-minutes and is subtitled. Reading is fundamental – go for it!

IN GOD WE TRASH:

.

The following film was probably by far the silliest, most metaphorically visual film that I have seen in a long time. IS THIS A JOKE, (aka THIS IS A JOKE) is a fabulous comedy written by Tom Edmunds and whose Cinematographer is Luke Bryant. Laughter is a huge producer of endorphins, thus this show helped to TKO my TMJ pain easy. Here’s a teaser to a jam-packed comical pleaser:

I particularly like the way that Tom directs silliness; his vision is hilarious. To see a directors mind does little more to reveal to me the contents of his mind and Tom Edmunds mind is a colorful hoot. My TMJ didn’t stand a chance. Actually, I had to watch this film twice to catch all of the literal punches that were sewn into passing conversation. Believe it or not, on the second round I laughing harder, and reaped more of those pain-free endorphins. Yes-yes!!

It’s possible that I watched at least 20 short films this weekend to help keep my mind distracted from the taut pull of my sternocleidomastoid muscle and my masseter muscle. The pain is pass-out worthy, I just won’t give in.  Especially since there’s always  Probability & Statistics, Shorts TV, a Tens Unit, and BC Powder. 😛

There’s plenty to do than focus on TMJ’s hue. However, with all of the research I’ve done on it, I wouldn’t doubt that a future character in a future script will be battling this ailment.

The way it’s kicking my arse is a comedy, but I’m sure I could work it into a drama. STAY TUNED.

So what have you got up for the day? I think I’m going to take it easy.
As much as I like “doing the most” – with TMJ it isn’t easy.

If you’re at the point of wondering why I keep bringing it up,
it is because it’s giving me a bear hug and the chronic pain sucks.

But I won’t lie, intense math equations help to keep me from focusing on;
and the hope of TMJ fading away is my prayerful sum,

I accessorize that with a couple of edible yum-yum’s and short film binging,
I’m Qui
Oui Oui to the reel vibes of Shorts TV and it’s assistance in my pain ending.

Watching more today because TMJ defense via endorphins is mind-bending.
Reviewing my peers’ films is what I call, “passionate time spending.”