Hunger Games

I saw the movie, Hunger Games, today and I like it.  It was true to the book and Jennifer Lawrence nailed the character Katniss Everdeen.  The world of Panem is enough like our own to sound alarms but not in a visual sense.  There is more of a nudge to the conscience that reminds us not to be too interested in our appearance or the trappings of an affluent world.  Panem did not have a recession but rather a war that destroyed and in its place a new order was established.  That order is top heavy.  The Capitol strives to maintain its uneven share of the world's goods and President Snow is the overseer and conscience for these districts.  I loved the character of Caesar Flickerman.  He sat in a chair, posing, until the lights came on and then he performed, superbly.  I look forward to the next movie and hope that the series continues to engage us as well as this one did.

In Absentia

Today, I went to a play that explored the question, "How do we heal after losing someone we love?" Morris Panych in his play, In Absentia, takes an intellectual approach to the absence of a key player in the life of the heroine, Colette.  He has Tom, the missing husband, join the cast.  The range of emotions, the exploration of the healing process and intellectual conflict are each dealt with in a humorous, heartfelt manner.
Joan Didion wrote a memoir to love and grief in just 88 days.  Her book, The Year of Magical Thinking, was a recap of conversations, arguments that Didion had with her deceased husband, John Dunne.
Are these conversations a symptom of an unhinged person or just coming to terms with death. The play does not answer for you but really leaves you with a lot to think about.

Martial Arts

I am always confused when someone tells me that they are participating in "martial arts" training. So I decided to go and watch my grandsons during their lesson at Kovar's Satori Academy.  It was an impressive forty five minutes.  The three instructors had two age groups: Junior and Teen and six levels of instruction.  Everyone was engage and listening.  Impressive. There was bag work, contact sparring and instruction in the traditional katas for belt promotion.  The three prong instruction in physical, emotional and mental well being seems to be working, at least while the participants are at the academy.

Coffee

Coffee: this is the great equalizer around the world.  I have to admit that I am collecting the Starbucks mugs from the places I have visited.  They are large and roomy and can hold oatmeal as well as a good portion of soup.  Sounds like a rationalization but a good one in my estimation.  While researching my next big adventure, travel to the Philippines, I have discovered that coffee is grown and cultivated on this archipelago. There is even a Starbucks or two.

My Visit In Australia: January and February 2012

Julia in cowboy boots

                                                         Jason watching the football game

                                                                 Jacob loves Legos!

                                                                   Patrick is a love.

                                                           Tricia keeps it all together.

Sacramento River Parkway was gorgeous this morning.  The sun was out, egrets were flying and the fly fisher people were casting away.  After two miles of exercise, I tried the new Temple Coffee Shop on Fair Oaks and was pleasantly surprised, the latte was delicious. They need a microwave to warm up the pastries and I will be a fan.