I haven't felt much like being here for the past few days. Movies and books seemed to be irrelevant amidst the heart-sickening Sandy Hook news. Like many of you, I've found waves of sadness for the children who died creep up on me at unexpected moments. My mind, flimsy at the best of times, has just been unable to truly focus on any one thing for any length of time.  MLH suggested a movie might be helpful, to take my mind off the horror for a couple of hours. I'd forgotten how a good movie really can take you away. And sometimes life is so painful, the real world going-ons just so horrendous that getting away for a couple of hours is a very good thing. Two movies,  both of which turned out to be so much more than good, helped. Silver Linings Playbook and The Life of Pi were both beautiful films in their very different ways. I'd love to riff on the healing powers of art right now but just don't have it in me.
I'm working towards writing up my take on both films very soon.  But mostly I'm hoping Americans can come together in a sensible solution towards gun violence in our country.