Women Who Stare at Clooney

This is a true blog.

I have three recurring dream themes in this lifetime. One is roaming through this three story house that is actually in the neighborhood where I grew up as a child in Wichita. Another is a wicked dream of paddling in a makeshift boat in the Amazon at night in crocodile infested waters. And third is hanging with my long lost friend, I assume from a past life, George Clooney.

Nope. Sorry ladies, the dreams are never that risqué. Actually, these dreams are quite chummy and less romantic. Nope, not obsessed with this actor either. I have not even seen all of his movies. Yes, he is one fine looking gentleman. And I heard, in person, his sexy voice is like butter and will stop you in your tracks. Even my brother, Nick Northstrom, has a healthy man crush and tries to copy his style along with the peppered hair look. Who wouldn’t have a little crush on this handsome piece of man candy? He is quite fantastic.

There are two distinct George dreams that I can remember the most. The other dreams are usually a casual wave to one another or chatting about this or that. We are only friends. The first one that I remember in full details to note includes our shopping excursion at TJ Max where I complain about the weirdly priced Keds. George puts his arms around me and gently tells me, “Oh Nikki, I’ll buy them for you.” The other memorable moment I can remember in full detail, I’m in a very posh red and gold decorated theater. I am walking through the balcony area with an unknown companion when I spot good ole George a couple rows down with an unknown female companion. I turn to my companion and say, “Oh, I just want to say ‘hi’ it’ll only take a minute.” There was some disbelief that I should go up to THE George Clooney. Upon approach George turns around and smiles with recognition and stands up for the hug. We embrace and I asked how he enjoyed the show that was not in the scene before in my dream. We sit down ignore our companions and discuss our opinions of the show. There was that feeling of an old friendship and I remember thinking, Oh yeah! I forgot. I do know George. We are best friends.

So imagine my surprise earlier this year that Mr. Clooney was working on the movie inspired by the book, Men Who Stare at Goats, by Jon Ronson. A book I actually read the year it was release. It is bizarre, unbelievable, and I couldn’t put it down. In conclusion, George and I have a wickedly, weird taste in books, obviously! Expect the strange in this movie, but I recommend the book. The movie, according to the trailers, looks completely different in tone of the book. Expect the book to be just as dark without the theatrics of comedy. It does have some funny subtle commentary by Ronson in which moves the audience along his unbelievable journey.

Yes, this Arthur C. Clarke lovin’ obvious fashionista is fascinated with all things strange and unexplained in this world. I blame my father for influencing my sci-fi upbringing. I also blame my head in the clouds imagination and the Rockwell Library for keeping their new age books in stock. This book has it all. Ronson became fascinated in certain aspects of the U.S. military and government after an interview with Uri Geller, self proclaimed telekinesis expert and unconfirmed U.S. psychic spy. Quickly, my 80s pop culture brain flashes back to a post Vietnam, government fearing book, Firestarter, by Stephen King. The only book my mom says gives her nightmares. Goats is similar and more frightening if half of what was presented by Ronson is indeed true.

You might want to refresh your memory in 2005 and know that certain presidential speeches were in certain military bases mentioned in the book after the Abu Ghraib scandal. So my obvious fashion tip of the week is, beat the rush and read the book before seeing the movie and its eye candy i.e. Clooney and Ewen McGregor. If ESP, psychic spies, UFOs, torturing the enemy by a big purple dinosaur and Fleetwood Mac, psychic spies, black ops, kinder gentler military a.k.a. 1st Earth Battalion, Jedi warriors, U.S. generals trying to walk through walls, goats dying by will ,interest you, then this book is right up your alley. Keep it classy and obvious, and yes this is a true blog, and no one gets hurt.

Check out the first chapter here!