I'M HITTIN' THE ROAD

and I can't wait. I'm finally taking a much needed vacation and heading up to Seattle. I love trips like this. Not much planned, just a destination point and a time span to work with. This is when it truly becomes all about the journey. I've never been farther north than Redding, CA and am so excited. There will be many pictures and stories to tell, so check back after next weekend and I'll have plenty of both.
All that's left to say is, "one more day, B&N, and my ass is gone for a week!"

FOR POPS, WITH LOVE

As I said in an earlier blog, it's important to share memories of people while they can enjoy them, too. So here are some memories of my father.
I remember making taffy at home. It is one of my Dad's favorite candies and there was nothing more exciting than allowing a child to smear great globs of butter on their hands!
We took long drives on Saturdays eating Smart Food (white cheese popcorn for those not familiar) and circus peanuts.
My sisters and I used to have dinner at his place on Tuesdays and watch Aquaman (a tv series I'm sure very few people remember.)
Movies have always been part of my memories and two specific ones I saw with my father were Superman and the Jessica Lange/Jeff Bridges version of King Kong.
I spent a Halloween watching him decide which child got Smarties and which got Dumdums. He thought the holiday should be fun, no matter whether you are a kid or a not.
We took a trip to St. Augustine, Fl one Thanksgiving and sat on the porch of a bar drinking beer and sharing laughs.
I'll never forget the trip to Florida that was interrupted by an overnight stay on the floor of the Detroit Int. airport. Thanks again, Marco Polo, for that one!
My father is very artistic (a trait lost with me) and I've always enjoyed watching him in his workshop turning pieces of wood into beautiful pens.
Many of my favorite things were introduced to me by him:

• the Harry Potter series which he insisted I should read and I've loved ever since
• an endless list of movies: Triplets of Belleville, Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away, all the Monty Pythons (which we randomly quote to one another every time we're together)
• the tv series My Name Is Earl which is a source of endless laughs.

I am eternally grateful for everything I've shared with him and everything he has given me. All the knowledge, laughter and love I cherish forever. So on this day, determined by a card company, I would like to tell him that I love him every day. Thank you, Pops, for being you!

SPIRITED AWAY

Here's a little known fact: I love movies. Have I ever mentioned that in this blog? A great one can change a mood 180 degrees. And that's what happened tonight. I finally watched Kiki's Delivery Service and Miyazaki did it again. More kudos to you, Mr. Wonderful. I'm all ready a huge fan of his other works and have yet to find one that I think is only so-so. There's something about the combination of beautiful animation, a great story, and a strong message that I find completely mesmerizing.
This film follows Kiki, a thirteen year-old witch, as she leaves her home to pursue a year of training on her own. Anyone who knows me will know that the nomad in me screams for that. Add to that the fact that she can fly on a broom and this movie reaches in and tugs my aerial heartstrings.
SPOILER ALERT: do not read this next paragraph if you haven't seen it.
She immediately heads to the ocean and sets up a delivery service (hence the title) in a large city that is largely unfamiliar with witches. She has encounters with people who are either accepting or reticent, the former occurring more frequently than the latter; yet, she focuses on those few who are aloof and reads too much into the actions of a young man who is honestly fascinated by her. As time passes, she begins to lose her powers. Only after she learns that it is the spirit within her that has faded and she needs to rediscover it, is she able to fly again and save the young man. It was the negative thoughts that held her back. They literally weigh her down.
O.K. you can read again. Another thing I love about Miyazaki movies is the amazing heroines. He has said that he makes movies that his 10-14 year-old female relatives will enjoy, but I feel he takes it a step further. Every protagonist will struggle with inner demons and conquer them only after finding their own strengths. They may whine or complain, but they eventually work things out on their own. What an amazing moral, especially coming from a Japanese man (in his sixties no less)! And did I mention the animation. No one can create a more beautiful sky or wind-swept field except Ms. Nature herself.
If you haven't treated yourself to these masterpieces, you are missing out. And if you have, let me know what you think.