Year 2012 Open Mic

 

It's the last weekend of the year, sistas and mistas!

Please step up to the mic and tell us

about your favorite books, movies, television shows . . .

 . . .  and memories -- even regrets -- of 2012.

We're listening.

 

Comments

[Flannista]

JUST SO YOU KNOW:

When you wish me "Merry Christmas" on Facebook, you aren't wishing ME, "Merry Christmas," you are wishing Facebook, "Merry Christmas."

I lost count of how many friends said that they were "too busy" to send holiday cards this Christmas . . . but apparently not too busy to post on Facebook that they were too busy.

[treesta]

Good morning, everyone. I'll start with the books I received as Christmas gifts this year. There is no better gift to give a reading teacher than a book, by the way. And for a reading teacher nicknamed treesta, there are no more endearing books than books about trees. My beloveds know me well, for that is what I received this year, three wonderful books about trees. Flann and Matiss gifted me with the book, "American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation" by Eric Rutow. It is American history as told through the stories of our trees. My son and daughter-in-law gifted me with two more books: "Among the Ancient: Adventures in the Eastern Old-Growth Forests" by Joan Maloof, and "American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree" by Susan Freinkel. Right now, I'm like a kid with an attention span of maybe a couple of minutes. I read a chapter from this book, then pick up the next and read a few pages before grabbing the third book. Then I'll read something that reminds me of some of my other 'tree books', which I'll grab off the shelf. So I have quite the little stack by my bedside.

All of which makes me want to walk in the woods. Yesterday I took a very brisk walk in a nearby wildlife reserve. Hopefully Sunday morning, I'll take a walk in the old growth patch of woods over on Wye Island.

[Matissta]

Flann, communication is changing. Sometimes at work, people email the person in the next cubicle or office rather than talking to each other. Mind boggling to me.

Flann & I recently saw "Anna Karinena". Although I found it visually interesting, I did not think it told the story well. Kiera Knightly's acting also fell short for me. In her defense, it seems that much of the story was missing. Has anyone else in the 'sphere seen the film? If so, what did you think?

[Flannista]

When I read the review of "American Canopy" in the New York Times Book section last spring, I knew it had your name all over it, treesta. Glad you are enjoying it.

Books are my favorite gifts to give and my favorite gifts to receive (though a fine Pinot Noir and Maker's Mark and a sparkling pair of saddle shoes are a close second).

Yesterday, I read in one sitting -- without stopping -- the book, When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams. It was a Christmas gift to me from PEACEsista. It was, in a word, stunning.

http://www.amazon.com/When-Women-Were-Birds-Fifty-four/dp/0374288976/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356700631&sr=1-1&keywords=when+women+were+birds

I'll let PEACEsista comment more on this profoundly beautiful and healing book.

[Flannista]

Sweet Jesus, the word in the Code Thingy for my last comment was "present".

[Flannista]

Matissta -- I liked "Anna Karenina" more than you did, but then again, I'm a sucker for period films and what I consider visual excellence and/or experimentation. The book is HUGE Russian novel and the decision by the director to have most of the story take place in a theater was inspired to me.

I would see it for that reason alone.

[nowayasista]

What... nuts are not one of your favorite gifts? I guess a Merry Christmas even on facebook is better than no acknowledgement. I have wondered if the tradition of christmas cards will dissapear in a generation. It would be way too bad, especially for the post office.

Don't know about Anna. Too racy for me and way too long. And Putin has just outlawed Americans from reading it.

Great moon this morning while taking the pooch for his daily saunter. Wind kicking up. 12 degrees. Lots of snow. And a moon that still lit up the sky, sinking slowly into a low line of cloud cover. Thought of Peace's Mom. She was a moony from way back.

[PEACEsista]

I bought "When Women Were Birds" off the shelf, without knowing or hearing anything about it, because I am a true fan of Terry Tempest William's writing. Flann, you've chosen the best word to define the book: stunning. Beyond the beauty of the words, it is visually stunning as well. I was hooked from the very beginning. When you read it, you will understand.

I was reading this book before my mother died and I finished it the day she died. I know this added to the powerful emotions I have for this book, but I have given it to other women, whose mothers are both living and dead, who seem to connect powerfully with the words as well. It is for everyone.

I was so powerfully moved by the book that I wrote Terry Tempest Williams to offer my gratitude. She wrote me a postcard back on 20 October 2012, saying in part:

"Bloodlines. Your Mother's passing -- the grace of a full life -- Words shared. Thank you for passing on W3 Birds to other women. All love, Terry"

So, dear friends, if someone does not give or loan you a copy of this book, please, go buy one for yourself, as I did. You will be glad you did.

Flann, please, feel free to share your own insights and experience with this powerful little book.

[PEACEsista]

PS: Hearing Flann talk about the book makes me want to go back and read it again. I don't do that often with books ... but with this one, I will.

[PEACEsista]

Stopped by the public library today to donate some books. The catalogue reference has this to say about "When Women Were Birds":

"In 54 chapters that unfold like a series of yoga poses, each with its own logic and beauty, Williams creates a lyrical and caring meditation of the mystery of her mother's journals in a book that keeps turning around the question, "What does it mean to have a voice?"

[Sista C]

I'm reckoning that "When Women Were Birds" will be the next book I read. Looking forward to it.

Am I forgetting something? We're there any good movies this year? Please, remind me.

[PEACEsista]

Flann, I regret that you are under the weather to end 2012, but I hope that means you are able to curl-up with the catties and a cup of hot tea to watch your beloved "Ellen!"

[Justista]

About ten feet away from me is a leather satchel with 10 years of journals that my mother wrote. Sukey gave them to me when I retired. I haven't opened the satchel but Sukey led me to believe that they were not blank. I will read the book before I open the satchel. Maybe I'll read 200 books before I open it.

I had to read 25 books a semester this year. Anna Karenina was one. I got lost in it. The book that still haunts me is Charlotte Bronte's Villette.

Currently reading Barbara Kingsolver's new one, "Flight Behavior." I am about 3/4 through and I have read every book she has published and loved them. This one, not so much. Very preachy.

2012 has been a healing, adjusting year.

[Flannista]

Sorry to be so out of it, beloveds.

I pushed myself too much yesterday and this morning and spent the afternoon in my reading chair nodding off and on. Slept through "Ellen". Oh well.

Read your comments and hope to respond tomorrow or the next day.

Off to bed.

[treesta]

I read more this year than I have in many years. Most often, I read non-fiction, but this year I read a few fiction works, including "LEFT neglected" by Lisa Genova. Genova, trained as a neuroscientist, wrote a book called, "Still Alice" written in the first person about a woman with early onset dementia. I read that book when Mom was sick. "LEFT neglected" is about a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her without any sensation or awareness of anything on the left side of her body or in the left side of her field of vision. It was a fascinating read. I just looked her up and realized she's recently published a new novel,
"Love Anthony", about a man with autism. I imagine I'll be running to the book store tomorrow.

[Matissta]

Sista C, you have seen one of the top movies of the year when you were at SilerDocs. "How to Survive a Plague" is on everyone's top 10 documentary list. You had said it was very good.

Flann & I are anxious to see "Lincoln". I'm sure there are other strong ones that we have yet to see, but don't come to mind immediately.

[treesta]

"Lincoln" was very good. It really wasn't so much a biography of Lincoln as much as it was the story of the political fight to pass the 13th amendment. That political fight makes the fight over the fiscal cliff seem like child's play. The movie makes me want to read a biography of Thaddeus Stevens. Another reason to run to the book store.

[treesta]

Just, I'm so glad to 'hear' you say that 2012 has been a healing year for you. I know PEACE, sista C, and so many others have been through so much loss this past year. I hope they find 2013 to be a healing year.

[Sista C]

You're right Matiss, I had forgotten those wonderful documentaries.

[Sista C]

Thank you Treesta for your kind words.

[Sista C]

Just finished reading "Are You my Mother" by Alison Bechdel. Wonderful book.

[Flannista]

Am feeling worse today. Am lying low. So sorry, beloveds.

[Justista]

If I were there I would bring you some of Gruff's special potion: 666 elixir + whiskey + lemon juice-hot. Get better, my friend.

[Sista C]

...or I'd give you a dram of moonshine with a NyQuil chaser. That'll put a shine on ya fer sure.

[treesta]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so rough, Flann. I just got back from watching Les Mis. Thought they did a good job of transferring the play to the screen. Ann Hathaway's scene where she sings "I Dreamed a Dream" was incredible. Also thought Eddie Redmayne, who played Marius, did an amazing job. And of course, the music was just stunning.