Letters and Inspiration

So I'm sorry for the hiatus. Again. I really need to get my act together and stop apologizing. Ok, I'm not sorry I took 3 weeks off blogging. I needed a break and something to inspire me. Yes, I believe in Muses, but thankfully they don't rollerskate or wear shredded jersey dresses like Olivia Newton John in Xanadu.

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But I did find a new movie to add to my favorites list (The Princess Bride, all 3 Pirates of the Caribbean, Chris Pine's Star Trek, Keira Knightly's Pride and Prejudice, The Holiday, seeing a trend?): Letters to Juliet. Amanda Seyfried is not one of my favorite actresses. I thought Mamma Mia! was horrible (sorry Meryl). But Seyfried delivers as a wanna-be journalist searching the Italian countryside in hopes of rekindling a 50-years-dormant romance. Molto romantico.

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I respect two things about Seyfried's character: first she is a fact checker for the New York Times. She is awesome enough to work for that hallowed publication, but I can totally relate to the misery of verifying other people's work while secretly dreaming of something bigger. Secondly, she follows her own advice. I won't spoil the movie for you, but it's always refreshing to see someone live how they preach.

It also doesn't hurt this film that Christopher Egan (cold, emotionless Brit Charlie) is a total fox:

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I wonder what my Shakespeare professor would say about such an iconic character like Juliet taking on a completely modern occupation, even if it is through her secretaries. If you have doubts, just grab the girls, some cheap red wine and enjoy!

Cheers, Kate

First Edition Please

The grandmother of a good friend recently passed, and while families are sensitive during a time of loss, there is always the uncomfortable occupation of dividing up possessions and mementos. Luckily for this friend, her grandmother had a complete first edition set of the Wizard of Oz books she read growing up. What a marvelous heirloom.

Today the Huffington Post posted a slide show of the most expensive first editions sold. They include a $86,500 copy of Absalom, Absalom! inscribed by Faulkner, a $5 million copy of the complete First Folio of William Shakespeare, and a $104,000 copy of Jane Austen's Emma. I'd love to have anything as extraordinary on my bookshelf.



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What wonders are hiding in your family closet?