Traveling without leaving home

I have a new obsession: Google satellite maps.

I have been revisiting summer 2004 with startling aerial clarity. I can walk myself from my London flat to the building that doubled as our school for the semester. I have retraced the meandering walk from Florence's Duomo past Piti Palace to the steps of Piazza Michelangelo before having to rush back to rehearsal.
It's amazing how time flies when having fun. I've spent a few hours already traveling the only way I can right now. I need to get across the pond again soon. I feel a sort of homesickness that's somewhat lessened by these little pictorial visits.

An abridged history of Valentines Day

This time of year, thoughts go to mushy love notes and chalky candies. Having been without a “valentine” for three years now, I will forego the cynical rant against this greeting card holiday and instead give a short history as to the origins the love holiday.

St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival.

Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D.

- The History Channel

Sundance Film Festival Reviews

Half Nelson
Ryan Gosling plays a junior high school teacher who enlightens his students’ lives while trying to control his drug use. When one of his students happens upon his habit, he forms an unlikely friendship that may help him gain control or nudge her over the edge into the drug trade.

-- My favorite film by far. An excellent example of the “less is more” technique that shines when each shot and emotional moment are keenly captured lived through to the very end. Excellent casting and cinematography.

Quinceañera
Fourteen year old Magdelena prepares for her celebration of womanhood while trying to live up to her cousin’s extravagant ceremony and reconcile her unexpected pregnancy set to the backdrop of the Echo Park neighborhood of LA.

-- A clumsy script brought together by the impeccable ensemble cast. Though this film won Grand Jury and Audience Awards for best Drama, it was the weakest of the five films I saw.

Old Joy
Two college friends on the brink of life changes meet up to go camping and reminisce about the good old days.

-- A simple buddy film enlivened by the setting of upstate Oregon. A quiet getaway for the characters and the audience alike.

Stephanie Daley
High school sophomore Staphanie Daley (Amber Tamblyn) gives birth to baby girl in the bathroom who is later found dead. Tilda Swinton, her court appointed psychiatrist, deals with fears about her own pregnancy while trying to understand whether Stephanie killed her baby.

-- Highly deserved winner of Best Screenplay. Told through flashback and varied pace of forward motion, everything laces together to form an enveloping mystery. The performances resonate deeply and cast wide nets of empathy for the characters.

God Grew Tired of Us
The documentary story of three Sudanese “Lost Boys” who have survived fifteen years of exile in Kenya and are now trying to survive in America. Each of them do their best to help those friends and family left behind.

-- Winner of Best Documentary Grand Jury and Audience Award. Very well balanced historic tale and personal drama. Encouraging, enlivening tale of what can be done with enough hard work and hope for what should be.