Thoughts on 22 Dec '11

This is from my notes I wrote down while we were on vacation in Thailand. No, it's not too late to use this.

It seems I can't escape the Middle East; or the Middle East can't escape me. Either way, I must be destined to be inextricably reminded of Islam at every corner I turn. Our hotel is located near one of the few mosques in Southern Thailand. I hear the call to prayer at the proper times each day.

After we visited the Phuket Aquarium, we explored a bit down the boardwalk. Along the way, there are vendors making street food from their scooter stalls. A car pulls up for some chicken satay and greets the vendor with "Salaam aleekum!" and the vendor responds, "Aleekum essalaam." Fabulous, it's like I never left home. Except when we get back to our hotel, I'm laying out swimsuits to dry on a balcony overlooking the northern Andaman sea. And a coconut tree is swaying in the jasmine scented breeze. I'm not kidding; the scent is sometimes so strong, it's unreal. I could never mistake this for Bahrain, or Egypt, that's for sure.

Papaya and banana trees grow amongst rubber trees right off the side of the road. And greenery chokes everything else that stays in one place for too long. It's December and the temperature is in the high 80s with humidity at pretty much perfect.

Valentine, will you be mine?

Not just another movie

I have the next movie you have to watch. Have. To. Watch. It will leave you speechless. It is thought provoking and utterly compelling. From the first moment you press ‘play’ you will be riveted in your seat, unable to tear any part of your consciousness away from this story. It takes hold of your very person, body and mind.

Don’t read any reviews. Don’t read about the preface. This is the perfect ‘blank slate’ kind of movie. Don’t learn anything about it. Just watch it. Just do it. Spence saw this on the plane and ordered it within hours of when he landed. It came in the mail today and I outrageously proposed that I could just watch it the next day; I just wasn’t “in the mood” for an unknown entity. He started it and said that we’d just watch a little and then I could turn it off if I wanted to. 92 minutes later, the movie is over and I am left feeling like Rip Van Winkle. You know when a movie ends, you blink and look around. You feel like you are reconnecting to ‘real life’; left in amazement that life has still gone on, time kept moving.

This movie will leave a physical impression on you. This is a gem. What movie is it? It is called ‘Another Earth’. Don’t go read about it on IMBD (no I will not link to the site!) or plug it into Google or Wikipedia. Go pick it up at the video store or move it to the top of your Netflicks cue. You can thank me in the form of chocolates and eternal praise.

Meet Chance

Guess who we got to bring home this morning? Our new puppy, whom we have named Chance. He is 8 weeks old and 100% golden retriever. We have waited so long for the right time & place to get a puppy. He is fluffy, adorable and we are so excited to have this little guy in our life!