so, what did i think of "the kite runner"?

Glad you asked. Well, at least one of you did.

(Spoiler alert! I will mention things that happened.)

I saw the movie several months ago, not even knowing about the book. Loved the movie. Loved it. It was well done, beautifully acted, powerful, compassionate, and intense.

BUT! -- if you've read the book, I would NOT recommend seeing the movie. You will likely be disappointed. Some of the story line is altered and some of it -- as you might guess -- is left out completely. Most of this commentary is about the book.

Although I loved the movie when I saw it, as I was reading the book, I wished I had not seen the movie. As in most cases, the book was so much richer and had more layers to it than the movie did. I loved the book, but wish it would have been an entirely fresh experience for me. I knew most of the story, so the impact was not as great as it would have been otherwise.

I appreciated many things about the book that I didn't get from the movie, like the Afghan perspective of the love for country, the celebrations of the Afghan people, the struggles as their country changed politically, and the perspective of Amir's character (and others) after the Taliban came in. I truly loved some of the characters in the book, particularly Amir's driver who helped him find Sohrab. The way that friendship developed was beautiful to me. The book gave a greater insight to the depth of Amir's personal struggles. The book, as the movie, had truly redemptive qualities and got that message out loud and clear.

At the end, I felt like the last parts of the story were rushed. After Sohrab attempted to take his own life, everything seemed to happen too quickly for me. Perhaps that's because that part of the story was not in the movie, so I wanted more. But it all seemed too rushed for me... seven months in just a few pages... arrive in America, Amir and his wife get involved doing non-profit work to help their people, the General has gone back to Afghanistan to serve, not much happens with Soraya's mother, they fly the kite, the end. Also I knew Amir was going to run the kite for Sohrab and yell, "A thousand times over for you!" The impact was lost in the book, but in the movie I cried my silly eyes out, and kept crying and crying and crying long after the credits were done.

Don't get me wrong... I loved the book. I just wanted more. :) Well written, powerful, difficult subject matter tastefully done. I was angry. I was heart broken. I was compelled to truly appreciate the culture and see the beauty in it. And I was reminded of the impact that evil has on innocence when no one steps in to protect it. That is what haunted Amir all those years, b/c he didn't stop the abuse to Hassan. I am reminded that we can be just as guilty because it's so easy to simply put on blinders. It's way too comfortable in this bubble.

One of my favorite quotes is from Edmund Burke. It challenges me and reminds me that I have a responsibility. ""All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Recently, we went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC. One of the quotes I read is worth repeating. Tom even got it on a magnet and put it on our fridge:

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me."
~Pastor Martin Niemöller

So those are my thoughts, and I sure am anxious to hear yours. Please comment.

vintage

Tonight, we ordered out. Pan Asian goodness. We sat on the back porch and listened to vintage Larry Norman. Such good stuff. Being married to a Jesus hippie has benefits. Yeah, I may have discovered Larry Norman on my own, but I'm glad my Tom introduced me to him. And since we only have Larry on vinyl, it's time to load up the iPod. Tom is working on the playlist. Right now. He's holed up in the spare bedroom, and I hear music playing. Loudly. I don't think I will see my husband again before bedtime, and I don't blame him a bit.

Music. Love it. Love. It.

toss up!

I was torn between posting something about Strasburg's major league debut or my love for cast iron skillets.

Hmmmmm... 7 innings, 14 strike outs (a franchise record, mind you) and the win, or perfectly seasoned cast iron.

(biting my fist)

I can't choose. I'm hopelessly devoted to both.

with a very happy

Homemade fajitas with dirty rice. (Are fajitas without tortillas still fajitas?) Caramelized Vidalia onions are just plain magical. We ate on the back porch, and the dogs wouldn't leave us alone.

Can't blame 'em a bit. Supper was guh-oood.

Homework tonight, so I can watch Strasburg tomorrow night. So, with a very happy tummy and palate, case studies, here I come.

realizing

Realizing that I haven't posted anything in way too long, and realizing that I spend much of my time thinking about and preparing good food (at least my husband and I think so), I may just be giving short updates regarding my own zeal for food (mine or others').

Okay.

Early this morning: Had some artisan sourdough sitting on the butcher block looking like it wanted to be involved. Had some oranges in the fruit bowl wanting in the game, too. Result: French toast with orange zest added into the batter. Oh. And pure maple syrup. The only reason my husband didn't high five me was because he was licking his fingers.

It happens with syrup.

And, I truly don't mind sticky-fingered high fives.

Right now: Jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined. They are hanging out in the fridge getting acquainted with lime, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil and course ground black pepper.

Later: Girl meets grill. Friends coming to share. Happiness.

help stop slavery. save money. win-win.

When you are a GEICO associate and an abolitionist, how can you make those two things work together?

I'm so glad you asked.

It's true I am a GEICO associate and a fan, too. I work for a fabulous company with outstanding operating principles, and I'm also a very satified GEICO policyholder. We are a responsible corporate community citizen and and strongly believe in supporting worthy causes. We do a lot of work to support Special Olympics, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, hurricane relief efforts, earthquake relief efforts and many other causes.

I have yet to see us (GEICO) support the fight against slavery, but I think together we (you and I) can change that.

To increase phone inquiries for quotes on auto, motorcycle, homeowners, renters, or commercial policies, each GEICO associate is encouraged to refer friends, family and acquaintances to call in for a quote. Each associate gets $15 for each quote. Note that these are just quotes; there is no obligation to purchase the policy. But, it's true that many of my friends and family who have already called for a quote have also switched because of the savings.

Quotes are tracked by a unique promotional code for each associate.

Now, let me say a word about International Justice Mission (IJM). IJM is a leader in human rights agencies that secures justice for victims of slavery and sexual exploitation. I can't say enough about their work. Check out some clips to learn more.

Putting it all together yet?

I am a GEICO fan. I am an IJM supporter. So, here's my plan.

My pledge to you is that for each quote received using my code I will give the $15 to International Justice Mission.

For me to get credit for the quote, here's what you must do:
Call 800-342-9070.
Tell them up front that you were referred by a GEICO associate.
Give them promotional code 70017.

Summary: I give you the phone number and my promotional code. You call and get a quote. IJM will get financial support for each quote using my code. And you'll probably end up saving some money on your car insurance. And don't forget to get quotes for your motorcycle, home or apartment. I'll get credit for each quote, but sure to give the promotional code each time. Internet quotes do not apply to this promotion. Only phone quotes will receive credit.

Need the deets again?
Call 800-342-9070.
Tell them up front that you were referred by a GEICO associate.
Give them promotional code 70017.

Help stop slavery. Save money.

Win-win.

spock lives

Yesterday in traffic, I was behind a car with vinly lettering in the back window that read, "SPOCK LIVES." I wasn't sure if it was an over-the-top Trekkie or if I was missing the joke.

I do confess that I don't have an issue with "SPOCK LIVES" in the back window like I do with those "Cruisin' in memory of" stickers. I'm bound to be perceived as disrespectful in this regard, but I recognize that and am willing to put myself out there.

Part of my introduction to moving to Virginia 17 years ago was seeing vehicles with these elaborate vinyl lettering stickers in their back windows that read "Cruisin' in memory of..." followed by the deceased's name and the years they lived. The first one I saw seemed a bit strange to me. But then I began seeing more and more of them.

I didn't get it. Was the driver really thinking about the deceased while they were driving -- sorry... cruisin' -- or were they just going to get some milk and toilet paper? It seems a strange way to immortalize someone.

I have two friends who are like-minded with me in this regard.

Jess' and I used to call each other at each new sticker sighting to give Cruisin' updates. Horrible, aren't we? Once I called her because the truck in front of me was a company truck for an auto parts store. The lettering in the back window read, "Deliverin' parts in memory of..."

No lie.

My friend, Ed, and I not only share the same opinion of these stickers, but we also are a bit Type-A when it comes to grammar and punctuation. I have strong feelings toward misplaced apostrophes. Several years ago, I saw lettering in the back window of a car that read, "Cruisin' in memory of my Pop's."

(Blink. Blink.)

Okay. Knowing that apostrophes are used to show possession or take the place of the missing letters in a contraction, this sticker felt incomplete to me. The next day, at work, I discussed this with Ed, whose cubicle was adjacent to mine. "What was she cruisin' in memory of, Ed? Her pop's what? Her pop's couch? It could be anything!"

Ed was very comforting to me and suggested we use our dry erase boards that hang outside our so-called cubile doors to display that, today, we would be "Working in memory of..." something.

I was inspired. I began simulating vinly lettering on my board and asked Ed how I should finish it. Workin' in memory of... what? Ed suggested, "...my pop's parrot, Petie."

It was beautiful. Ed warned me that in a couple of hours someone would stop and ask, "Did your dad's bird die?"

It only took ten minutes.

I had my back to my so-called door, and heard a compassionate and heart-broken voice mutter, "Awwwww." I honestly did not know how was I going to turn around and face this person. I could hear Ed stifling his laughs on the other side of the cubicle wall.

Slowly, I turned around to face my visitor.

"Was it sick or just really old? 'Cause parrots live a real long time."

So, yeah, I'm kinda likin' "SPOCK LIVES." Even if I don't get the joke.