A Very Long Engagement

I am not a francophile, I promise. It's just that Amelie was so good, I felt like one good French movie starring Audrey Tautou deserved another. A Very Long Engagement is more somber and dramatic than Amelie, but just as good. Since it, like Amelie, is directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Engagement has similar stylings and quirky-funny tones to it. Sure, it may be about a a fiancee's ongoing search to find her love who disappeared somewhere in the Somme during World War I. In the course of Mathilde's (Tautou) search for her fiancee Manech (Gaspard Ulliel), she learns of the fates, or supposed fates, of those Manech fought and was arrested alongside. There is romance (obviously), murder, mystery, tuba-playing and a vengeful woman. Tautou plays Mathilde wonderfully - mournful, hopeful, resolute, weak. While this film lacks some of the spunk of Amelie, A Very Long Engagement is a masterfully crafted film and well worth 2 hours or so of your time.

Washington, DC - Day 2: Things made of Stone

Day Two's goal was to see as much of DC as humanly possible on foot, and Aaron and I did pretty well at it. However, if you had spied in on us as we arose and left, you would have thought the day was a bust from the get-go. Why? Because we were running late. Late for our appointment with the Washington Monument. Neither of us had been up in the monument to see DC from its perch, and we were equally excited about the prospect. However, someone (that'd be me!) just had to eat breakfast, which tightened an already tight morning schedule. So, with about 15 minutes worth of walking to get to the Washington Monument and about 10 minutes to do it in, we were off. Now, it is good to note here that while the saying "Always wait 30 minutes after you eat before swimming" is not quite true, it should be true of walking at a high rate in an ever-increasing heat. Breakfast was phenomenal, but I had no intentions or desires to see it again. We ended up getting there with plenty of time to spare since there is still a line to wait in even with tickets. Was the rushed morning worth it? Absolutely the best thing all day. If you go to DC and do nothing else, do this.












Not only were there fantastic views of the entire mall and surrounding area, a floor below the observation area was a beautifully assembled gallery of the history of the Washington Monument. On the way down in the elevator, the park rangers slow the elevator down to show you some of the commemorative stones donated to the Washington Monument from many states and cities, as well as places like Alexandria and China. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen in a museum-type location.

After seeing the Mall from above, we set out to see it on foot. First up was the World War II Memorial, which had been built since the last time I was there. All in all, I am still not sure if I like it or not; it does not seem to convey the war like the Vietnam or Korean Memorials do. It is evenly spaced and well-placed, two things I doubt describes any war. Of course, if I were the designer, I would not have come up with anything better, I suppose.The memorial did not ask me to remember that time - those who fought, battles lost, lives changed - as much as asked me to walk around and try to find where the Texas pillar was. It lacked a bit of humanity, I suppose.One thing at the World War II Memorial that was very much human and an unexpected sighting was......Bob Dole! Yes, as we were leaving the area, there was a small crowd congregating in the path. As we passed by, I noticed pictures being taken enthusiastically next to this man in a suit. Upon closer inspection (more curious as to who would wear a suit in July at the Memorial) I saw that it was Bob Dole. That is him getting his picture taken with a sweaty bicyclist. The things politicians do to be among the people...

After my political star-struck moment was over, Aaron and I continued our journey on to the Vietnam, Lincoln, and Korean Memorials. I had seen all of these previously, but it is moving to be at, nonetheless. As we were walking to see the Lincoln Memorial, there was a small crowd listening to a gentleman in front of the Vietnam Memorial who was speaking about the creation, meaning behind, and people who visit that particular location. Again, phenomenal - surpassing the memorial itself, I think. He spoke with conviction, heart, humility, and great regard for those who fought and had loved ones in Vietnam. Lincoln Memorial was awesome as always - but hot. Being enclosed on three sides by rocks does not lend itself to a great breeze.

After lunch, we headed indoors to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. Natural History was okay. The most amusing part was being crushed trying to see the Hope Diamond. To some people, the phrase "wait your turn" has no meaning. The diamond is not going anywhere; it is not he elusive Loch Ness Monster. And yes, that was my foot.

But the Air and Space Museum, oh, how I love that place. While at times I had little to no idea what I was looking at, knowing that they were in the air or outer space at some point fascinates me. How do these rather heavy hunks of metal fly? There were rockets and planes and satellites, spacesuits and moon rocks. I think I could spend all day there. I would get a crick in my neck from looking up so much, but it would be well worth it.

Yes, that is Aaron's reflection. Now, if only I could remember what it is that he is making his reflection in. I believe it is a disc that has been sent up with unmanned space missions that has various languages and such on it. Aaron will probably remember better than me and thus, you can look to the comments for his correction of my bad information. (Update: It is called the Golden Record and is way cooler than how I described it above - thanks Aaron!)

All in all, a wonderful day in DC. We hung out with some of Aaron's friends, I almost died from cat dander suffocation, and everyone slept quite nicely. Which, as I later found out, was due since Aaron and I had walked approximately 6 miles on Saturday, and that is not including our roams around Smithsonians. Yup, we were tuckered out. Perfect weekend trip; can't wait to ride the rails again for another excursion. Savannah, anyone?

Amelie

I know this has happened to you - you watch a movie, love it to pieces, forget about it, and then years later think, "I should watch that movie again, I loved it so," only to be disappointed that it is not as good as you remembered. I originally watched Amelie my senior year of college with my roommate and her friend, after his prompting that it was a "must see." It was one of my first forays into foreign film, and I went in nervously (it is in French). After seeing it, I could not imagine it not being in French - the color, the sideways glances, the clothes, the story - it was all so beautiful, so light and lovely and mysterious - so...French! The music from the film is some of the most perfectly synchronized music in a movie I have heard. Lilting, airy, with a subtle tinge of sadness.

So, this weekend I thought it was time to see if the film was as good as I remembered. However, it was not as I remembered - it was vastly better. Beautiful is the only word I can think of right now to express the "feel" of this movie. It is a simple story - girl decides she wants to perform acts of kindness anonymously and, as a result of this, embarks on a quirky adventure to get to know and eventually meet a gentleman much like herself. Sure, the premise sounds like it would fit well into a romantic comedy and, while Amelie is both romantic and comedic, it is so much grander, brighter, and more heartfelt than 99% of romantic comedies. Even now after watching it, I think back to the scenes or the people in the movie and cannot help but smile. The film has a lovely tone and ambiance that fits perfectly with the plot, characters, music, location, and language of the movie. Amelie is a fantastic rainy day movie - one that you pop in when you want to watch a movie but do not know what. It is just happy.

(Note: While it is happy and such, it is also not your PG-13 romantic comedy; meaning there is some adult content to it. I would hate to recommend a movie and you be unexpectedly shocked by something of this nature. If you want to know the adult content details before renting/purchasing this movie, please click here.)

Washington, DC - Trains and The Mall

Finally, it is time I wrote about my trip to Washington, DC in late July. Yes, if I am only writing about this now, imagine what other things I have failed to talk about in the past month or so! It is a disgrace, I know, but fortunately, grace exists as does forgiveness and understanding...right?

Aaron lived in DC for the summer while he was an intern at the Cato Institute. Given that I had not been to DC since junior high and this was my only chance for a "vacation" over the summer, I snatched up the opportunity. In speaking to a friend at church, she reminded me of a method of travel oft forgot - trains! I researched a little, did some number crunching and discovered that, were I to purchase a train ticket to DC a month in advance before the ticket costs went up, it would be cheaper for me to get to DC by train than car. Hmm...riding on a train, where someone else has to worry about directions and I can read or driving my car, trying to convince myself I really am driving to DC and not Kentucky? The choice was simple. And a fun one, at that. I think the ride ended up being about an hour longer than a drive would take, but it was worth it.

Both reading and watching Virginia go by through the window of the train was a pleasant experience. The people on the train were quite diverse - I sat next to a school teacher; across from me sat two men in their 40s or 50s, brothers taking a vacation together (they were on my train coming back as well); families going to reunions; Marines going on weekend leave from Quantico.

Upon reaching DC, Aaron and I found one another and decided to walk around the National Mall before meeting some of his friends for desserts later that evening. It was a nice walk, but a little heavy given I was carrying my suitcase/backpack with me, and he carrying his computer bag. I think the views made the load worth it - DC at sunset, what a sight.



We were able to see the Capitol Building, White House, Jefferson Memorial, and a bunch of random statues (Pershing, Sherman, Hamilton) before dining on some creme brulee and s'mores cake. Our feet hurt, we probably did not smell like roses, and it was time to sleep. On the Metro we went and out it spat us near Aaron's attic for the summer. Yes, attic. Aaron and one of his longtime friends who was also in DC for an internship rented a lady's attic for the summer. An attic without central air, on the third floor of an antique house, complete with creaky floorboards, bugs and a bathroom that smelled like black mold would smell, I imagine. It was an experience, both for me in my short time there, and for Aaron over the summer. Everyone quickly fell asleep in their respective beds and air mattresses, gathering energy for the grand trek of DC tomorrow.