CRAZY SNOW

I figured I would take a moment away living vicariously through my favorite characters on television and venture out into the real world. Apparently in Washington, it is snowing like crazy. But unlike in the South, life goes on as usual.

People still went to work and kids were expected to attend school. This is the most snow that I have ever seen. My daughter made snow angels for the first time and almost froze her tuckus off. Not to mention, I actually had a chance to drive in the snow it felt like blizzard conditions to me. However, people were barreling down the highway as if it did not matter to them.

I must say I put my little Volvo to the test. I felt like I was an extra on the set of "White Christmas" enjoying the scenery except with black people. The news said "tomorrow to expect freezing temperatures". I am so thankful that I everything I need is close by. Today was a good day. For a moment, I felt like a kid again almost wanting to taste the snow. I couldn't get past pollution and other contaminants in the air.

I have to admit that I miss Hawaii a little less on this day. But don't hold your breath for tomorrow. I am sure my general distaste for the area will return.

Aloha from Washington

Unstoppable on Blue Ray

So my husband came home all excited to watch another nail bitter film on the flat screen. This week's selection is Denzel's latest flick "Unstoppable". From the start the concept in film reminded that of "Training Day" with everything occurring in one day and Denzel accompanied by a younger attractive counterpart.

But that is where the similarities stop. In this film, the antagonist appears to be the train but it certainly aided by a corporation that cares more about the bottom line than human life. Both Denzel and his counterpart are thrust into this position of having to work with each other.

"Frank", as Denzel is known in the film, is charged with training a new conductor played by Chris Pine. Their training session sets them on a collision course with a runaway train. Rather than stand by and risk the lives of thousands of residents in their community, Frank decides to try and stop the train. While I won't give away the ending, I enjoyed watching the story unfold.

The director did a great job keep me engaged with limited camera angles in the small train compartment.  There was ample aerial shots that really offered a glimpse of how dangerous a runaway train could be.

All and all definitely a must see.........

For Colored Girls.....

Just watched this movie on DVD. Where do I begin? Had I known that this was based on a play entitled "For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide", I could have mentally prepared for what ensued on screen. Abusive relationships, issues of rape, abortion, suicide,  and HIV fight for equal screen time with no beak in between. It at times seemed overwhelming to digest as one incident after another left the characters broken and yet miraculously coherent enough  to spout sonnets of pain and frustration.

The cast was impressive to say the least with the like Whoopi, Phylicia Rashad, Thandie Newton and Anika Noni Rose. Each of which offered captivating performances of struggle. If I am not mistaken almost every main character cried. It started remind of "Precious" where the director served up a feast of misfortune to a captive audience only expecting snack.

In some ways Tyler attempts to be so introspective, deep, and preachy at times that I lost my connection to the characters. Not to mention the poetry disrupts the flow of the film to me. It was too much to digest at once.

Hopefully, Tyler can stop reaching for extremes in society and began to reflect it as it is. But that is just my novice opinion.

Alfred Hitchcock presents

Couldn't sleep last night as I wrestled with a looming dead line and lack of inspiration, so I flipped through the channels. I stumbled upon this channel called RTV. Apparently, they play a lot classic t.v. shows. Intrigued, I settled in to watch an episode of Alfred Hitchkock presents (1962). The story started out somewhat sad with a young girl losing both parents. (The young girl had the biggest puppy dog eyes you ever did see.) Within minutes, the story line had me emotionally attached.

A relative took the young girl in and quickly found that the child had an unusual past time which was talking with imaginary friends. Initially, the young girl alarms her care giver with this behavior and is urged to stop. However, to no avail. (At this point, I trying to figure out what type of mechanics will Mr. Hitchcock employ to deliver something truly unexpected. I mean, what harm could this be for a six year old to have fake playmates? )

As the irritation grows, the care givers delegates the duties of watching the young girl to her African American servant maid and driver. They listen and engage the young child so much so that she reveals intimate details of what she does with her friends. (Much to the chagrin of her care giver if I might add.)

After a summer of shenanigans, the little girl's grandfather comes to town and carries with him a present for the girl. It was a black doll almost as big as the girl. (Now, it was a blast from the past to see black servants.  But to give the girl a servant doll really had my attention)....Just as the little girl confided in the servants before she wasted no time regaling them with adventurous tales and what she would do should her care giver come between her and her friends.

The struggle between herself and caregiver became so strained that it pushed the young girl to a place of no return.

I won't divulge how it ended but it was an hour well spent. The foreshadowing was spot on and I can't wait to catch another episode. Classic :O)

Julie and Julia

Just watched Julie and Julia, I have to say that it would appear to be just another romantic comedy that women have become accustomed to watching. However, to my surprise food takes center stage and viewers have an opportunity to fall in love much like the characters. The story line was rich. There were times were I laughed and cried.  I felt like a fly on the walls at times. In fact, I applaud the writers for not giving viewers everything the expected. All and all, it is a must see.

Act of War: Reaction

This is my first post of the semester, so I thought it might be good to introduce myself. My name is PatriceW. I am a miltiary spouse who was recently plucked from the island of Hawaii and dumped into gloomy Washington. At the moment, I am freezing. However, at some point I hope to get accustomed to the weather.

This place is truly different than any other place that I have known. Coming from the south, this is some extreme culture shock. I have to admit, I have no desire to my house. It is one of the reasons we have cable.   I am fine living in solitude as long as I have my remote to escape with characters in story.

I look forward to this semester and hope to learn some tricks to add to my arsenal.

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Coming from the mainland, my understanding of the annexation of Hawaii was limited at best. I knew there a story. But, I did not give it much thought. After living on the island, it becomes  obvious the disparity between the haves and the have nots.

After watching Act of War, I have better sense of why things are the way they are.  The documentary serves up harsh facts through the perspective of the Hawaiian people. At times, people are hostile. Issues like homelessness, poverty, and lack of education continue to plague many native islanders.

Though strategic for the U.S., the annexation proved costly to the Hawaiians. The documentary sheds a much needed spotlight on how the people of Hawaii were stripped from culture and land. It further illustrates how systematically it was done. Ironically, the documentary did lay blame solely on the U.S government. There were agitators on island who urged the government to act.

All and all, Act of War provided the alternative perspective I was looking for to  explain the situation now.