may the odds be forever in your favor

First things first: the violence of the books did exist. But it was not graphic and was not dwelt on.

Secondly, yay for my random heat tolerance! Apparently the a/c went out in the theatre and thus we all ot a free ticket? Did I notice? Nope. I guess I should have since I wasn't freezing.

The movie itself was well done. I felt they were true to the themes of the book and as always characters roles were changed and expanded and removed, but my biggest pet peeve, what I will dub the Faramir Problem, did not exist. woo hoo.

It was nice to see North Carolina on the screen. CGI was well done (ie not tacky or overdone). All in all, I'd say the Hunger Games was worth the hype.

What I missed: dialogue
What I look forward to: more President Snow

newsy stuffs

Just one more week of this 29 post (hah) in 29 days. Whose idea was this anyway?!?

As you have seen, it hasn't quite equalled a post a day. Mainly because the majority of the missed posts would have been something like tonight's.

Life is good. Busy and good. I currently have two jobs [Asministrative assistant at University; oboe teacher at college], and three callings, or jobs at church, basically, only without monetary renumeration. Thankfully, it's not quite as busy as when I had six jobs, and was finishing my Masters. Or when I was working 30-40 hours while in my second year of my doctorate. At least I tell myself that.

However, I have not been using the little downtime I have had to beat effect. I still must finish my proposal. So I can graduate. No big deal.

And I am woefully behind in book reading! Theoretically I should have six books done on my list by the end of the month. And there are only two. Perhaps I should try listening to a book other than Les Mis on my hour + commute to the college. That book just takes way too much concentration, especially as I am about to begin the portion of the book I have never read before. I have started Tolkien's short story book, and am still slogging through the 'smile' book. So there is hope.

Lastly, this week I have a community school class. It's a bit embarrassing, but I'm still excited. It is a voice-over class. I'll let you know how it goes. The only downside, is it's the same evening as a friend's recital. But at least I can go to the dress rehearsal.

And for real lastly I will finally be meeting the newest first-cousin-once removed, in the family. In the past month or so, there have been four baby boys born in my family. Two in my dad's family: Hunter and Sterling; and two on my mom's: Bowen and Jack. Though Jack's proper name is Jack Winton Marya B. Well, at least according to my mum. I just call him Jack-jack. I need to make sure I get a good start at being the favorite auntie! He got a wee stuffed animal (Thumper) and big brother will be getting a Peter Pan doll. See? Aren't I off to a great start?

Well, as always, you now know more than you ever wanted to. Lucky you.

Till next time.

I know you are all on pins and needles waiting for the resolution of my story from the last post. Yep.

Well, you'll have to wait for a bit longer. I haven't quite figured out how to add pics using my super special phone.

Until then.

In parting, I just want to say, as much as I enjoy work, the best part of the day was coming home and cooking. And watching the cat bat around a chunk of onion that fell to the floor.

There's something so soothing about a fresh cooked meal.

remember?

You know, that one time when your hair posed a threat to our nation's security?

Oh, you don't remember? Well, tomorrow I will enlighten you. Pictures too!

mmm...fertilizer.

I was born in Orem, Utah but as the story goes, ten days later I was on a flight headed to Arizona where I would spend the first fourteen years of my life. I loved growing up in a house that my great-grandparents had built.

The elementary school I attended was built on land previously owned by my (great) grandpa Miller. I remember naively thinking, I will never move.

As fate would have it, my mum sat me down and said we were moving to Utah so she could go to law school. Strangely, my first concern was whether we were taking the pup pups with us. Matthew understandably wasn't quite as calm about the prospect, 'specially as he was about to start his senior year of high school.

We have now had our house in Utah now for fifteen years, though I have not lived there for that entire time. Two years in Provo. Just over a year in Florida - and in Florida I lived in three cities. And three years in Greensboro - with three residences there, too.

When playing with the Old Time Ensemble, we usually introduced ourselves to the audience. The introduction would consist of one's name, major area of study, and from whence you hailed. Generally, I would cop out and say, I'm from the West. (No, that is NOT the Ohio, thankyouverymuch!) Once I joked with a friend I should say, I'm a resident of NC for tuition purposes. But I chickened out. This simple exercise brought a large question to the fore: where the heck AM I from?

Today, as I've visited with relatives, it has made me ponder the question again. One uncle began talking about family and roots. Which made me think, well, not all roots are the same.

Take the cactus. After all, we are in Arizona right now. We learn that the cactus has very shallow roots, that are near the surface so as to take advantage of even the slightest bit of rainfall.

Then there is the awful no good horrible Oregon grape. Where, even if you dump half a thing of poison on its roots, it still comes back to taunt you. Or the bulbs, that geow every year, and can be divided and spread out. Or the tap roots of those naughty dandelions. Or, or, or.

Though I still struggle with an honest answer of, where is my hometown, I do take comfort that perhaps it's not where I from, but that I do put down roots were I am. Food for thought, that is.