"California, here we coooooome."

Twenty pages into On the Road by Kerouac--the original scrolls, that is--and I'm really taken in by the book. It's not what I'd call artfully written--he keeps my interest; however the plot doesn't seem to be going anywhere in particular, unlike most acclaimed books that I read, the author didn't seem to have written the prose with a plan. But it doesn't matter. This is one of those novels that survives on sheer storytelling. It's like listening to your guy friend talk about his summer vacation and it's entertaining because he remembers all the quirky little details.

To hell with professional goals--I want to hit the road and experience life like this beatnik writer, America's first well-known hippie. Five or six guys and girls, one rundown van, lots of good music, and not a single plan or obligation on our minds. Taking and experiencing America for what it's worth. Driving out to California without deadlines or expectations, and doing it for not a whole lot of money. That's a trip I've got to take before I'm out of college and have a real job.

Things have changed since Kerouac wrote his modern travel epic, that odyssey of road trips. Hitch hiking--once the past-time of adventurous college students and thrifty travelers--has been left for the crazy homeless and the serial killers. The prototype of the curious roadie has changed a little bit as well. Once reserved for low-income drifters--all male--my guess is that "the road" is populated by a wider variance of types (and both sexes) these days. 

I guess a lot of my interest for this free spirited traveler stems out of an admiration for the balance in his story--the ability to do it all and then some. He's an intellectual, yet he never passes up an ability to have a good time. He seems to approach life with fun as a main priority, but never fails to learn something important from each situation. Truthfully, that's exactly what I'm trying to do.

I'm anxious to see how this story develops--the people he'll meet and the random happenings that will befall him as he attempts to observe life in a new place. A good piece of literature can make a reader feel like she's there, and until I can embark on my own cross-country trip of discovery, I'll have to be content with Kerouac's account.

"Frankly My Dear..."

We've all at least heard of it...and most of us have seen it. Maybe you were flipping channels and it happened to captivate your attention on Turner Classic Movies one rainy day. Maybe your mother sat you down one evening in junior high and begged you to watch it with her. Maybe you were curious about all the hype and decided to rent it from the library when nothing else seemed appealing.

I was eleven when I found an old dusty copy of the book lying around the house, and I was, predictably, hooked from page 1. Yes, I cried as I read the last five pages and was ecstatic to hear that my favorite book also happened to be the biggest blockbuster hit of all time. Soon, I had a new movie obsession, and I haven't stopped since. My close friends might tell you that I'm a little obsessed. I do have the four disc complete DVD (although in my defense, it was a gift from an ex-boyfriend.)

What is it about "Gone With the Wind" that attracts all kinds of audiences? Sometimes I think it's the cinematography and general historical accuracy, complete with sophisticated sets and period costumes, even by today's standards. Perhaps it's the pretty stellar acting--who can forget the dashing Clark Gable, the subdued, yet very real Olivia de Havilland, or Butterfly McQueen and her famous line? ("Miss Scarlett, I don't know nothin bout birthin no babies!") 

But I truly think that its story line is closer to the heart of the film's popularity and cult following. Who among us hasn't felt a little bit like Scarlett O'Hara, wanting what we can't have, yet wanting it all at the same time? Who of us has not sacrificed ourselves to a fault, much like Melanie Wilkes, trusting and loyal even in the face of obvious backstabbing and deceitful friends? The story details not only a large group of citizens fighting to keep their land and their customs, but a young woman fighting to keep her piece of land, the only thing that never changes in her life. The parallels between the larger story of the Confederate South, of which we are all familiar, and the smaller story, of a girl trying to keep stability in her life in the midst of a changing era never cease to amaze me. Margaret Mitchell succeeded in writing a convincing and compelling story, and David O. Selznick didn't let her down as a producer. He conveyed every inch of the message on the screen, and did it with laudable grace and style, even in an era where a lack of technology was likely to be a hindrance, by today's standards.

So, as America's best-loved historical saga turns 70, I think it deserves a round of applause and probably another watch or two, even if it does take the better part of four hours. It's well worth it.

New Moon, New Opinion

I have a lot of trouble admitting this--but I went to see New Moon tonight and I liked it.

I feel like the Twilight series has a surprising amount of silent followers. While half the world is gushing over Edward Cullen's glittering skin, the other half is declaring the vampire craze worse than Miley's latest single, yet sheepishly admitting under their breath that the movies have some merit.

I haven't read the novels. And I don't want to. Quite frankly, I have better things to do. But for the second year in a row, I have allowed myself to be convinced to sit through the raved-about Twilight movies and this time, I was mildly impressed.

For one thing, Kristen Stewart must have had acting lessons this year. Bella's still whiny and annoying (not to mention her screams in New Moon that could wake the dead), but I actually started to see a personality this time. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the vampire-obsessed high schooler was easy to relate to. Sad and rejected by her beloved Edward, she turned to the slightly more normal Jacob for comfort--only to find out that instead of sucking blood, he's howling at the moon.

In addition to the upgrade in general acting, the soundtrack was truly enjoyable. With gems by Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, and The Killers, as well as by newcomers like Anya Marina and Hurricane Bells, the soundtrack set the mood perfectly. I came in already liking the music, as I downloaded the score last week, but the camera angles and the general artistic choices made me love the songs even more.

I thought the storyline moved along better as well. I hear that may be the result of a new director, but whatever the case may be, the action at least kept me from yawning for two hours. Bella's sad face wasn't the only thing going on in this movie, although it was a major plot point. Despite the very trite and not-so-subtle abstinence message we all knew we were going to get at the end, (Edward proposes to Bella before they can consummate their union with blood-sucking and you-know-what-else) there was still a lot of chemistry between the actors.

All in all, not a waste of my money. No need to twist my arm when the third one comes out.

The Donkey

I chose the Donkey over the library tonight, and I'm glad I did.

Who can resist a good coffeehouse? Decorative art, the constant whirl of various espressos and and chai lattes blending together, and some song by an oddball indie band playing faintly in the background. Comfy old couches, creaky floors, and a bulletin board full of the strangest opportunities that Athens has to offer. Yes, the Donkey is just about as small-college-town as it could possibly be and it makes my heart happy.

At home we have Starbucks--the fast-paced, big business conglomerate version that tries as hard as it can to pretend that it's independent and free trade. I can't complain; what else does West Chester have to offer? I know I should probably be more hung up about the free trade thing, not to mention the exorbitant prices, but then again, I should be less of a fan of Walmart as well.

Whether it's the "Kaffeehaus Kultur" of some German metropolis, a Cinci espresso stop before work, or this cozy little spot on Washington St, you'll probably find me drinking coffee somewhere. It soothes the soul a little bit more than my usual shots of Red Bull. So I'll study crusade history in my comfy chair by the front door. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my last night in Athens.

Too Young...Or Just Too Expensive?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091116/ap_on_he_me/us_med_mammogram_advice

When I read this, I was shocked. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. And, even though I realized that I was jumping to conclusions, I couldn't help but wonder about the motivations behind this new "recommendation."

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force has put out new advice for America's women. They recommend that women in their 40's no longer receive yearly mammograms. Instead, they say, women should wait until 50, when the risk of breast cancer becomes higher.

My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 31. Both of my grandmothers have had the disease, one of whom died at age 43. I have several great aunts that have had the disease as well. I am only 20 years old, but I plan to have my first mammogram before I finish college. I realize that my family is a special case; the majority of women do not have the family history that I do, and perhaps I am paranoid. But I think that most everyone who has a family history of ANY disease would agree with me when I say that when it comes to medical issues and early detection, we are all better safe than sorry.

Obviously, the government was quick to diffuse any suspicion that this new recommendation has anything to do with the health care debate. Sebelius issued a public statement assuring everyone that this was not an official government recommendation. But I'm not so hasty to believe that. I've always liked Health Secretary Sebelius, ever since she gave the speech after Bush's last State of the Union address. Furthermore, I am supportive of healthcare reform--providing we can see more clear-cut plans and ideas and less generalities propagated by the mainstream media. But nothing comes for free, and if government subsidized healthcare means that preventative action is going to go by the wayside, it's time to find another plan.

Thousands of women die every year from breast cancer. I realize that only a fraction of those women are under 50, but that's still too many! I would like to think that in our country of opportunity, that our preventative services organizations would do just about anything to save as many lives as possible. I also understand that they didn't outlaw mammograms for younger women, they just discouraged them. But not every woman is going to be proactive. Many are scared and many just don't think that it will happen to them. Recommendations like this one will decrease the numbers of women that will seek regular mammograms and give them a false sense of security, leading to more needless pain and many many more deaths.

I could go on forever about this subject; I feel very strongly about it. But I can say one thing: in three years, if I go to seek my first mammogram and my insurance doesn't cover it because I'm too young, I will raise hell. I will go to Canada. But I will take the necessary preventative measures to make sure that I stay healthy and alive, and I hope that my fellow American women will do the same.