A Bridge I May Not Be Able to Negotiate

So, a friend of mine sent a link to the trailer for Bridge to Terabithia, the movie slated for release next year.

Now here's what you need to know, should you not know it already.

Bridge to Terabithia tops my list of all-time favourite books. Yes, it's a wonderful book. Yes, it deservedly won the Newbery Medal in 1978. More importantly, though, it was the book that changed the way I looked at books forever when I first read it as a kid. It was the book that made me realize the power of books. It was the first to make me think, "Oh my. A book can actually affect me. It can be more than a pleasant diversion." I've read it a multitude of times since then and I still love it with each reading. Katherine Paterson is a queen among authors, who refuses to talk down to her audience simply because they're young. (For more on Katherine Paterson, with whom I would love to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea, visit her site here.)

So I clicked on the link and watched the preview.

Oh dear. The preview makes it look like The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe or Lord of the Rings or something. It focuses entirely on the fantasy of Terabithia that Jesse and Leslie create in their imaginations (bringing it, quite possibly, much too literally to life rather than allowing for the simplicity of the fantasy the characters share in the book) and completely sweeps under the rug the fact that it's not a fantasy adventure story at all. It's realistic fiction for kids.

Now I'm not trying to dismiss the movie out-of-hand. I'm hoping it's a (horrible) marketing ploy (though I suspect it would just lead to people being unfairly disappointed if they go in expecting the fantasy adventure fare) and that the movie is a wonderously faithful adaptation of a modern classic. I'd love to hear Katherine Paterson's thoughts on it.

After all, I'm still a bit reeling from the issues I had with Tuck Everlasting a few years back.

Dining

This evening I was at a banquet and was faced with one of my aversions. Well, two of them, to be honest.

Most of those who know me well know that I have a thing about public eating. I can eat in restaurants and such without problem, although I do have strong seating preferences -- do not seat me at a table in the middle of the dining room if there's a wall table or booth available -- but in banquet / wedding reception / gathering-style eating situations, I am not at my best. I just don't like it. I think it has to do with the whole "behaving oneself" thing. Oi. The pressure.

That said, the food was good and the company was pleasant, so I certainly can't complain. And, of course, my aversion doesn't keep me from just dealing with it and eating anyway.

The second thing I faced was being forced (which is italicized for a reason, not for sensationalism) to put in an appearance on the dance floor by my dear friend Satan, er, Alison, that is. I dance when I'm performing. I don't really just ... you know ... dance. I just don't do it and I don't particularly like to do it. That said, slap me in a show and ask me to dance and I'm there. Needless to say, I was cursing Alison most of the time, while putting on my best Travolta. Then, to make matters worse, I was hot afterwards. Oh, the sacrifices I make for my friends....

So there you have it. My evening really was very enjoyable, seeing all kinds of friends and acquaintences many of whom I haven't seen in a while. Still, people, I have some issues! Can't you accept them as I have?

Have a nice evening.