DOING SOMETHING ABOUT BANNED BOOKS-PLAY-THE NEW TRIP-WHERE DID THE WATER GO?

FIGHTING BACK

    The battle over book banning will play out in this window 24 hours a day for the next week.

     Tim Youd will essentially live in the front window of the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial library as he types, on a typewriter no less, the entire Fahrenheit 451 written by Ray Bradbury.

     The effort is spurred by the American Library Association's continuing fight against the banning of books.  The Vonnegut is a natural as his Slaughterhouse Five has faced occasional banning and even burning since the 1970's.

      Indy Star writer Will Higgins provides a profile here.

      Full disclosure here; I'm a member of the Vonnegut Memorial Library and a great fan of the Indianapolis native. A previous post takes you to the Vonnegut Memorial Library which you can read here. Being a first amendment absolutist I abhor book banning, even those that I might consider trash, subversive, offensive or any other such subjective objection.  Free is free.

PLAY

    As work spaces go, the office, winery and tasting room at Halter Ranch sets an example of great modern California architecture and a nice place to work.

   The drive in is pretty sweet as well.

   Harvest time is underway in the Paso Robles west side.

THE TRIP TO ITALY

    If you enjoyed Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in THE TRIP, you will probably enjoy the THE TRIP TO ITALY.  

    Plenty of laughs, gorgeous Italian country side and a foodies delight of kitchen, restaurant and meal scenes.

    We left and headed to Giuseppe's for Italian grape and repast. We couldn't help our self. 

Here's the trailer

THE DROUGHT CLOSE UP

   California's need for rain is critical.  This scene, from between Paso Robles and the Pacific Coast Highway is all too common.

    

   See you down the trail.

VIRTUAL STOCKING STUFFERS-FREE SMILES-KITSCH-POWER OF THE SKY-THE WEEKENDER

LAUGH A LITTLE-CRY A LITTLE

AND WONDER 

   Two films to move you during this season and to give you reasons to celebrate, in a real way.

    THE BOOK THIEF, directed by Brian Percival with great acting from Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and a stunning child, Sophie Nelisse as Liesel Meminger, gives you sensitivity and love with force and power. 

    Set against the holocaust and the terror of Nazi Germany the clarity of human decency shines brightly. This film also goes a long way in answering a question that has long haunted, how and why did the German people tolerate or coexist with what we know was a great evil? This is a masterful attempt an understanding, plus so much more that will move you. 

     Author Markus Zusak does an extraordinary job of plumbing the human soul in this brilliant work.

    PHILOMENA is highly recommended if only to see the work of Judi Dench as Philomena, an Irish woman who after 50 years seeks the son that a convent forced her to give away. Dench is worthy of an Oscar nomination. Her counter part in the adventure is superbly played by Steve Coogan, who wrote the screen play. Coogan as a cynical former journalist teams with the devout, tough but troubled Dench to learn the fate of her son, in essence stolen from her by a maniacal head Nun, Sister Hildegarde played brilliantly by Barbara Jefford.  

     Director Stephen Frears delivers a few curves and does an insightful job of pricking at American culture, phony Reagan administration matters and evil Catholic practices. And, this is as they say, inspired by true events.  The credits match the real characters to the film events.

     This is a great film.

KITSCHMAS?

TRANSFORMATION

remembering there are many who struggle

LOOKING UP

FRAMING THE SKY

    See you down the trail.