Movie Suggestion

Hi Ladies,

I've been furiously listening to "The Fourth Part of the World," and though slow-moving in some places, I find much of it fascinating, particularly in the way it is pulling together different bits and pieces of world history into a more cohesive and comprehensive whole that makes me feel like I'm viewing a helpful timeline. Today in listening to chapter 4 I found it amazing how the early Greeks figured out the circumference of the earth, and how to break it up into latitude and longitude. This section brought to mind one of the most awesome films I've ever seen. It is entitled "Longitude," and was produced by the BBC in 1990.

The story is about how the British navy in the era of its greatest supremacy suffered for lack of having a reliable way to keep tome on the seas and therefore be able to predict longitude. British ships were often lost at sea because of this problem, and as a result the British government proposed a contest for anyone who could surmount this problem. The film is about one man's race to solve this problem. It is all based on accurate vents, and to this day, (I saw it several years ago), is one of the most fascinating films I have ever seen. In fact, after Sterling I saw it, we bought a copy of it for the Fraga family because of all the remarkable information it provides on the development of timepieces.

Anyway, I just bought a copy of the film online, and will bring it up this weekend. If anyone is interested in watching it, I promise you won't regret it--particularly if you have appreciated the book we've been reading.

Amanda

p.s. -- I also just finished "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" this week and loved it! The writing was so freshly original, (and so romantic I parts), that I could not put it down. Thanks, Emily, for the great recommendation. Are you up for watching the film again?

Please Let Me Know EXACTLY When You Are Coming

Ok, yes I am severely type A but I really do need to know exactly when you are coming to the retreat not just the day. Could you please flood me with all the details you currently have even if they are not set in stone. I am struggling to get this thing coordinated.

lighten up

I am trying to find a book for March and have come across "Lighten Up!" by Chieko Okazaki.  How many of you have read it before?  Would it be totally redundant?  Because something is telling me this would be a great pick.

Getting Final Plans for the Retreat

Ok gals, it's time to commit! I have several people wondering who is coming and when (including myself). Somebody mentioned that having the retreat so close to home may be a problem because it's too easy to try and work around your "million-mom-things." Don't give in to the pressure!

Here is what I know so far:

Coming Thursday Afternoon - Tara and Emily

Coming some time on Thursday - Arna, Daphne, Alicia (Arna can't leave until after 6:00)

Coming sometime on Friday - Cami Brown, Rachel, Andrea, Lisa, Clara

People I have not heard from yet - Lisa Moon, Cami Talbot, Kjersten, Amanda

People I know aren't coming - Natalie Boman (assumption because she is having surgery next Monday on her leg)

Hopefully I haven't forgotten anybody since I am doing this off the top of my brain.

The question has been posed whether or not it would work to stay over till Sunday. I'll tell you why I wanted to avoid that. Getting the cabin put back together after having a group there takes a little bit of effort. Bathrooms have to be cleaned up, floors have to be vacuumed, laundry has to be done. Frankly, that's not something I really want to do on Sunday. I also like to spend Sunday with my family (I know that's a little sappy :))

So I've been trying to think about how to get the most bang for our buck in the few days we have. I know we all like to go out to eat and I was thinking we could save that for Saturday evening after we have left the cabin. There are some great restaurants in Ogden that I have been told about. There is also this little restaurant on Capital Hill called Em's that I have been dying to try. It's just a thought.

Loved to hear from you all!

T

February Book Choice

For February, I want to read and discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery-a professor of philosophy.  I thought I would announce it early in case anyone would like to get going on it- in all her spare time:)  It is translated from French-awkwardly in spots- and is very philosophical.  It is a great story-quite different from anything we have read.  I don't want to give a lot of explanation, and I hope that those who saw the movie with me last fall will not share important plot points in advance;)  The last Wed is Feb 29th.  Happy reading, I am looking forward to our trip!
Emily

Update on Our Cabin Retreat

Ok, so I thought I should give you a little information about the cabin, for all you holdouts who are still on the undecided list.

The cabin is about 15 minutes north of Huntsville in a town called Liberty. It is directly off a main road so there is no off-roading necessary. It was built initially as a residence so it has the full amenities. There are five sets of bunk beds and four queen beds as well as two hide-a-beds so we should have plenty of space. The cabin is equipped with Blu-ray, wireless internet and a full surround sound speaker system so bring any entertainment options you want. I'd love to have people bring their iPods so we can share new music ideas.

I love breakfast food so I will plan on providing those. I'm leaving the rest of the meals up to the rest of you. There are a few restaurants in the area, none of which I have experienced but I'd love to try them.

As for activities, there is a large fireplace upstairs with three couches, so bring your books. Downstairs there is a television, ping pong table and air hockey. In the garage there is darts and a few sets of cross country skis although there is no guarantee the shoes will fit. We could even go sledding (if it would ever snow). There is a beginners ski resort five minutes down the road and Snowbasin Ski Resort is about 20 minutes away. We keep a fly fishing rod around because the river is just a few steps below the cabin and there is a tiny pond you can sit by and listen to the water although my crazy husband and brother-in-law jumped in on New Years Eve (any takers?)

It sound like we have people who are leaving on Thursday Afternoon (Emily and I), Thursday Evening (Arna) and Friday (possibly Kjersten) so let me know what you are thinking and I'll try and hook everybody up.