Coming to the Big Screen

From Book

To Film!

I absolutely love when my favorite books are made into films. There's something about watching a story that has been so near and dear to your life, come alive on the big screen. And while many directors just don't get it right in my opinion (most notably Memoirs of a Geisha), some do, and when that happens, it's absolutely magical. Some of my favorite adaptations have included Away from Her (Sarah Polly) and Virgin Suicides (Sofia Coppola). While a film can never, never top a book and the power of written word, there is always the opportunity to vividly recreate a written story through alternative artistic mediums.

I was very excited to learn from my mom last week that my all-time favorite book, Atonement, by Ian McEwan, has been made into a film and already released in the UK. The film, detailed on IMBD, is scheduled for limited release in the US on December 7th and is already receiving rave reviews. My mom actually learned of the film when it was previewed before Into the Wild, which my parents saw last week. My mom said the preview for Atonement was incredible and she's now very excited to see the film. Here is a very brief plot synoposis from IMDB:

In the summer of 1935, 13-year-old Briony Tallis observes a flirtation between a servant's son, Robbie, and her older sister, Cecilia, that she childishly misconstrues. Briony's misunderstanding leads to a terrible crime whose consequences follow them through World War II.

It's a beautiful story. I hope you'll check it out in the theaters, or better yet, pick up a copy of Ian McEwan's masterpiece. He is a literary genius.

Damn Coat Snatcher!

Alas, I left what was quite possibly the hottest coat I have ever owned at the New Orleans airport last weekend. In an excited rush to board a "completely full, you'll never get on" standby flight, I left my coat alone, like an abandoned child, in the dismal terminal. After repeated calls to the New Orleans airport this week, it appears as though a reunion with my beautiful frock isn't in the cards. When I described the incident to my Banana Republic co-workers on Monday, they laughed when I explained that I was hopeful that some good soul would turn it into the lost and found. They pessimistically explained that the fashionable coat is like crack, and surely gone. Still, however naively, I held out hope. Now, I don't even want to think about the bastard sporting my cropped sensation and the money spent, straight down the drain.

But, you can only harbor resentment for so long before you just have to move on with life. And that I did. While it's not my little black number (so not replaceable), I did recently purchase a new winter coat, pictured above. I believe that everyone needs a new winter coat. Coats are like shoes to me, you can never have enough. So this coat, this beautiful toggle number, is my incredible discout and occasional 13-hour days (between two jobs) at work. Worth every penny. What black cropped coat?

Light My Fire

In recent weeks, I've been running almost every morning before work, typically at 5:30 or 5:45 a.m. I've definitely decreased the mileage for the duration of the short off-season, but I 've always found that sticking to a routine of running before work, even if I can only fit in a mile or two, makes me feel so much more alert and alive for the remainder of the day.

Since September, the skies have become darker and darker first thing in the morning. These days, I awake to a pitch black sky lit only by the moon, stars, and the occasional street lamp. Since last year, I've been running on mornings like these with a Petzl headlamp, like the one pictured on the left. It helps to light my path and makes me a feel a little safer in the dark. It's funny how, on mornings like today, when Karen and I run together with our headlamps, passerbys comment on the fact that from afar it looked as if a car was coming towards them. Ha ha. I am sure we look pretty hilarious both equpped in headgear like a couple of miners. I swear by Petzl headlamps, though. They are amazing and I would never be able to run in the morning without one.

Everything's Cool

Tonight, Karen and I are heading to see the documentary Everything's Cool, which is screening at the Orpheum Theater as part of the three-day Tales From Planet Earth, a film festival showcasing environmental films from around the world. According to the event's Web site, "this journey across the globe will explore how stories told through film shape our understanding of nature and inspire action on behalf of environmental justice and the diversity of life."

The film Everything's Cool was featured at last year's Sundance Film Festival, so of course that was reason enough to make me want to check it out (Karen knew that would do it for me. I have a personal goal of making it to as many Sundance Film Festival features as possible. I've learned that nothing beats independent film...so uniquely mind expanding). Anyhow, the event's Web site offers the following synopsis:

In their signature upbeat comedic style, Daniel Gold and Judith Helfand weave an entertaining, character-driven tale about the mother of all problems: global warming. The film explores whether North America is finally "getting" global warming in the wake of the most dangerous chasm ever to emerge between scientific understanding and political action. In their own ironic and desperate way these "so-sad-they-are-funny"-vignettes of apathy, frustration and individual activism might very well be the thing that finally speaks to the public. In a society numbed by frequent and generally overblown prophecies of doom, the film tackles the truly daunting task of enlightenment and inspiration for action with wit and style. (Description adapted from the Sundance Film Festival.)

I also found an interesting review of the film on IndieWire. I'm most excited that the screening will be followed by a post-show discussion with Daniel Gold and Judith Helfand, directors of Everything's Cool. Very Sundance Film Festival.

Admittedly, I have a lot to learn about global warming, and this film should be a fun and educational way to start!

Feist Tickets Secured

Yes! Yes! Yes! I just bought tickets to see Feist at the Orpheum Theater in Madison on Friday, November 16th. Leslie Fiest is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose third solo album, The Reminder, was released on May 1, 2007 (love those Canucks!). You've probably heard its most popular track, "1 2 3 4" on the radio at some point recently. I love Feist, definitely one of my faves. Her work is so unique.

Never Too Early to Start a Christmas List

Earlier this week, I received the latest copy of the Williams Sonoma catalog in the mail. As always, there are so many wonderful items featured, and if money grew on trees, I would buy myself every single one of them. But, alas, my situation requries much greater frugality and prioritization. Accordingly, I have narrowed it down to just one item that I must have: the vintage winter sports glasses (set of 4). The catalog offers the following product description.

After you hit the slopes, warm up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or coffee. Our glass mugs display four 1950s-style images of winter sports enthusiasts: a downhill skier, ice skater, cross-country skier and sledder. They have footed bases for added stability. Microwavable and dishwasher safe.

So you see, I really must have these glasses. Don't they sound so perfect for curling up with a piping hot cup of hot chocolate or a chilled glass of nutmeg spiced eggnog?

Tom Kha Soup

I have another great product recommendation. Obviously I just went grocery shopping this week. So a few months ago, I was introduced to the delightful flavors of Tom Kha Soup at a Thai restaurant with Royce. Ever since then, I have been craving this soup. When I was at the grocery store the other night, I found this can of Coconut Ginger Soup (Tom Kha Soup) from Thai Kitchen. According to the can:

Tom Kha is a treasured Thailand classic. It's a graceful blend of delicate herb and exotic citrus flavors that grow naturally in this tropical kingdom. Fragrant and soothing, this creamy and vibrant celebration of flavors satisfies you anytime, anywhere you get the craving for the complex taste of Thai cuisine. We slowly simmer slices of galangal with stalks of fresh lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves in pure coconut milk the traditional Thai way.

Mmm...I enjoyed a bowl of the soup last night for dinner. It was very good, even plain, but next time I would probably add some carrots, cilantro, and shrimp or chicken. Next time you're at a Thai restaurant, or even the g-store, grab a bowl or can of this special treat. Or maybe you've all already tried this before, and I've been the only one in the dark!