One of these is not like the others

After a bit of hunting I found the first two seasons of Friday Night Lights! It was well worth the trouble as the series proved to be dazzling from the beginning.

It is true that I was roped into the show by just watching the last 5 episodes of season 3. But at the end of Tomorrow Blues (episode 13, season 3) I knew that I just had to know how it had all started. Were Tim and Matt always friends? How had they come to be on the football team? What about this Street character we heard about every so often? And so many other questions. I wanted to see how the show had evolved and how it came to the climax I had just seen.

The first season was breath-taking. The visual aspects of the show are so outside the norm. Though the show has polished up a bit more since the first air date, the original feel has not been lost. Though fictional, the series is shot in a documentary style that provides a real sense of action for the audience. The use of natural lighting, light props, and fluid camera movements that follow the characters focus attention on the narrative presented. These attributes remain true through to the current season and its truly an accomplishment to maintain their roots.

The biggest and possibly only problem I have with the show is the characters ages. At the beginning of the series, there are no real indicators of how old or what grade level any of our characters are in. That wouldn't be a problem if it didn't seem like the characters apparently changed ages. It's just hard to keep track of, with Julie Taylor and Lyla Garriety seeming to get younger by season 3 than when the show started.

Aside from that issue the rest of the show was just bewitching. Though not a football fan, almost at all because of my lack of understanding on the game. I was never bored, not once. The players, their families, their interactions and behaviors were constantly interesting. The primary story is that it is the first season for Coach Taylor as head coach of the Dillon Panthers. Coach Taylor is put into what I can only relate to Remember the Titans type experience, with a win it all or lose it. Coach is basically the Cheiron trainer of heroes for the town of Dillon, Texas as he guides the football players to winning. Aside from just the football, the Taylor family dynamic is brought into the light. Mrs. Taylor becomes the yin to the yang, she brings in the rest of the school outside of sports. While Julie brings conflict to the family by rebelling, and particularly by dating a football player to her father's dismay. Also during the first season was the focus of Street and his injury, the audience is taken on a journey of pain and anger that escalates with the emotional betrayal of his girlfriend and best friend. Some of the smaller themes include steroid use, love, sex, and familial turmoil.

Two episodes of note in the first season are It's Just Not the Same for Girls and Nevermind. The first being an episode about how Lyla Garriety is treated for having a sexual relationship with Tim Riggins. The a process of emotional break-down, as she is an outcast and verbally abused by her peers. Her treatment is horrific at times, including the building of a website and vandalizing of her locker. What the intriguing part comes to be is her strength, where it comes from and how it manifests at the end of the episode. While in the second episode, it's moving to see the effects of a solider coming home on leave from Iraq. Matt's father comes home, while his son expects parental aid and encouragement. Matt is disappointed to discover his father detached and aiming to have him moved to other family members and leaving his grandmother in a house. Its a heartbreaking scene when Matt fails to get his head in a game and proceeds to have a very public fight with his father in the parking lot.

For something truly different than most of the other shows on TV, think about checking out Friday Night Lights. Starting Season 4 in October on NBC.

It's all about the heart...

let yourself feel. from Esteban Diácono on Vimeo.

Before I start, I would like to point out that you should watch the above video at least twice before formulating an opinion.

I understand how most stories are crafted. I have picked up a paint brush. I am constantly involved in the writing processes of brainstorming and editing. I have snapped a picture and played with photoshop. I can speak and have told my own stories. I've shot videos and edited them. The bottom line is that I understand how most of the stories have come to life but this one, I watched and I honesty don't know how it came to exist. I understand that it involved animation and a computer program, but I do not know how it was created. The importance is that I didn't need to understand how it came to exist to understand its message and be truly moved by it.

From the moment it started the music was captivating. Its the type of melody that reaches into a person and plays along with their heartbeat. I might be the only one but when I hear a piano like that, or the strings like that, I imagine the musician clearly. I could sit for hours watching the hands of a musician strum away on the ivory keys. Which might be why watching the animation of the video was so particularly fulfilling for me. The movement was perfectly on time with the music and provided the visual stimulates that I was anticipating with such a vivid tune. The animation was like a ballet choreographed to each note, with the calm procession of one lone dot seemingly swimming and as the strings entered so do the other dancers (the other colors) in a twirling exhibition.

Which leads me to just praise the use of color! The stable and mellow background that sets the mood for the piece from the moment it is presented to the audience. Blues establishing the sense of calm, but maybe alluding the loneliness? The blue fading into shades, mostly grey, behind it. The idea of the character moving forward while leaving a trail behind establishes a sense of leaving a legacy, a memory. But as the music and the character moves, the trailing legacy slowly but surely fades with the push forward. As we hear the strings, we see the brighter colors arrive. The pinks, reds, yellows bring us others. Friends, family, society twirling around our character all of a sudden bringing in new life, bursts of energy. Its chaotic in a controlled and very beautiful way. Though the bursts don't last, they continue until the end of our lone character's journey.

Then comes the narrative of the story, words that represent the characters journey and what the artist might have hoped to convey. Below is each quote that is presented in the order in which they appear:

There is nothing in the caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.

Do not break the silence.

You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.

Remember quiet nights.

Burn down your bridges.

Think outside the box.

Let yourself feel.

I only add to those sentiments, pay attention to where the characters & the music are when each appear. Also notice that the end quote and the title of the piece are one and the same, maybe Mr. Esteban Diacono is hoping that his audience remembers something? Either way thank you Esteban for sharing your story, it was a pleasure. It is a true marvel how art has become such a wondrous interaction!

The Dragon was Mad...

The first season of Merlin ended last night. There were a few thoughts that crossed my mind as the magical journey came to a close. One, I want Arthur Pendragon's awesome red jacket more than I've wanted any article of clothing from any show in a while. Two, why hasn't Merlin told Arthur he is magical. Three, maybe with season two they will up their antics a tad bit more and really hit the nail on the head.

I still like the show a considerable amount. But what is drives me like for the show is the Arthur, Merlin relationship. That became slightly problematic in the few episodes where for whatever reason Arthur was suddenly not as ever present. Merlin being the protagonist of the show, carries the burden well but I would admit I would have liked to see a bit more character development over the course of 13 episodes. It seemed that Merlin learned only one lesson from the entire season, to be more careful. While an important lesson, I would have expected more growth. His youthful missteps were counted on one hand, in only the beginning episodes. While his relationship with Arthur though wonderful and greatly brought to life, seems lacking by episode 11 when Merlin still has yet to reveal his secret. Though it was wonderful to see Merlin finally set out to strike his own destiny and not be so ruled by his circumstances such as the Dragon. It's almost as if the two prince and servant (friends) grow comfortable and static. Arthur faces a similar problem, though a lesson learned in compassion he is still guided by the hand that feeds him. Arthur is still far too quick to take his father's orders and ignore the general outcry of his friends, family and people. The show was off to a great start but I was hoping for more growth.

The rest of our characters are equally one-sided in this first season. Morgana is strong willed and doesn't learn the patience of graces from her experiences. Though there is high hope that she is somehow transformed after her remorse to Uther. I appreciate her spirit and the passion that she brings to the screen. While Gwen is finally starting to become a less one dimension character, as she starts to fall apart due to the untimely death of her father. Finally Gwen is not just the nice girl, the damsel in distress, in a situation where no one can truly help her but she has to show strength. While in the last episode the audience finally gets to see Gwen with Arthur, the spark of the relationship that we might have been waiting for.

I was pleased with the ending of the season , Merlin demonstrating his strength setting the stage for a powerful second season. There are high hopes for the future of the story, and if you haven't caught up on it check it out on Hulu!

Rosebud! (no this is not about Citizen Kane)

Last week I volunteered for the Downtown Film Festival, Los Angeles. Wednesday night, I actually saw the film on the bill. A piece called Commit, 90 minutes shot in two days in three continuous shots. The film had been highly recommended in the cinema lounge by one of the board members. It was describe as a date movie, but the kind that left you wondering about the world of dating. More importantly it was going to be a story that had you thinking one thing when you walked in and had you thinking something else completely when you walked out. Importance, it had you thinking.

The summary of the film in the guide book was as follows:

Two strangers meet at a coffee shop for what seems like a blind date. But as the conversation progresses, it becomes clear that this couple, who have never seen each other face to face and who met on the Internet, have actually formed a suicide pact. Problems arise when the couple realizes that they may have finally found something worth living for. Comprised of three continuous takes—one take for each act—and shot over the course of two days, Mickey Blaine manages to keep the film exciting and unnerving, with sharp and witty dialogue and dark humor. The two lead performances are flawless.

What more can I say about this? Slightly reminiscent of Before Sunset and Before Sunrise, as even the writer, producer and director Mickey admitted it was well worth the time. It most definitely no lie that it contains so of the sharpest, wittiest, and darkest dialogue that I have heard in a while. Mickey Blaine (Writer, Director) wins a great nod of approval for capturing a disillusion spirit while also demonstrating the essence of persistent hope. The story was not about the action, it was about the thought behind every comment and personal contact of the main characters. The two actors of the film, Nicole Blaine and Forrest Erickson brought such a presence to the screen. As an audience it was as if suddenly we had the opportunity to eavesdrop on the most intimate of conversations. Dark, moody and really almost reflective of the nature of our present society. Questions of existence, purpose, relationships. A beautiful crafted dialogue, presented exquisitely, in an all together very classy film.

The characters are well developed. Perry, portrayed by Forrest Erickson, is a middle aged failed film student turned cop. While Trista, Nicole Blaine, is a broken hearted depressed woman. During their first few conversations Perry gives you snippets of a true film student, from observations of the corporate world of film making to quotes from Citizen Kane. While Trista strives to move pass the mundane chit chat and guides the conversation to being more personal and intimate. Trista moves the relationship forward, not allowing Perry to just exist but pushing him to participate. Once their relationship jumps over the initial disclosures, Perry and Trista dive head first into a level of intimacy that resembles the steps of passion Romeo and Juliet once took. They share childhood memories, failed plans, family histories, reasons for personal choices. And though every step of the way the characters become more intertwined, connected and loving towards each other it doesn't seem to make a difference in the end. Constantly they discuss their life together, a life that never existed outside of their own created realities. Perry or Trista move you to understand them as individuals and as a couple.

After the showing of it at the festival there was a short Question and Answer session. Mickey Blaine shared that film preparation was done similarly to a play. Both actors were well rehearse so as to be able to perform continuously for the shots required. The difficultly of the film was made light when discussed that the three day shoot was actually reduced to two days, after the camera broke on the first day. Listening to the actors discuss the work gave the audience a sense of how much they enjoyed the work. I would recommend if you have an opportunity to see this film, take it. The film was made with hard-work, passion and love that is obvious to any viewer.

* In the photograph: Mickey Blaine, Nicole Blaine and Forrest Erickson during the Q &A

We Don't Even Carry Lemurs!

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium: The Toy Store of we all imagined! An absolute treat for the visitor, a magical illusion of color and tricks for the audience. We could have climbed trees, and had tea parties with stuff animals that responded to our questions. In that toy store we could paint and read stories that came alive. Oh that things a magical toy store could do, like throw a tantrum?

I decided to watch Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium because it was on demand. And I think often times kid's/ family movies get missed because of their subject matters but they have some of the best talent and stories to tell. This one was no different than my thoughts on the American Girl Flick, Dustin Hoffaman and Natalie Portman add their own personal flare of acting to this charming narrative.

Though the story was snappy, doing all the bells and whistles likely for the youngsters in the audience. It also was of course slightly predictable, young girl on a journey of self-discovery helped along by magic only to discovered she had the power within all along. But the importance of the film is that while entertaining the children, it had powerful dialogue for adults. In particular I was taken by the following lines delivered by Dustin Hoffaman's character of Mr. Magorium:

When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies." And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies." but because of the life we saw prior to the words.

No child would understand that particular line I think, at least not the reference. But the adults in the room

would appreciate the passion and frank honesty of those lines, delivered by a wonderfully believable actor. Most of the movie I even forgot that it was Dustin Hoffaman playing Mr. Magorium.

I loved the beauty and the magic of this film. And having worked in a Disney Store which is a toy store striving to be an experience like Mr. Magorium's only made me appreciate it the movie more. Don't let family films fall to the sidelines and never get watched just because of their content! The silliness is sometimes the best part! And don't forgot that all great actors lend their talents to child/ family movies because sometimes they are the richest characters to portray.

A good ole family deal

Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl, yet another addition to the American Girl Empire that has only expanded in the last few years. Though I was never privy to owning one of the expensive little dolls, I did read their books often enough. Honestly I didn't even notice the entire toy world that existed for each girl until I was to old to beg for one of the dolls. Since though I have travelled through American Girl Stores, awed by the sheer amount of details to each girl and her time period. If you ever get a chance to walk through an American Girl Store, as a story teller it's an experience, you should. But back to the girl at hand, Kitt Kittredge.

I never read any of the Kitt books, I was vaguely aware she existed. I was always a Felicity and Samantha girl myself. I watched the Felicity movie that was made for ABC a few years back, thought it was cute but nothing spectacular about it. Tonight I decided to give the Kitt Kittredge's movie a chance with stars such as Chris O'Donnell, Abigail Breslin, and Joan Cusack I was intrigued. I was not disappointed by the performances at all, I was left feeling that Chris O'Donnell is always a light hearted amusement. While Abigail Breslin might be the new Dakota Fanning and not just a Shirley Temple. The young actress was vivid and passionate, she really seemed to carry the spirit of her character. And Joan Cusack was just wonderful! She played a traveling librarian, partially up-tight, lead astray romantic s character that was rich and engaging. I debated for a little while during the movie being a traveling librarian, a novel idea really.

Aside from those characters, I was also taken with the character of Will Shepherd. Will is an older teen, maybe 16? who is affected by the great depression. He is homeless, and travels from town to town looking for work. What made him a multi-dimensional character was not his honorable traits (i.e. working and not stealing) but the fact that he seems to take care of this younger boy, County. As the movie progress the audience discovers that Will promised County's dying father he would take care of the child. Also it is discovered that Will left his family to try and make it on his own, because he knew that his family was having enough trouble feeding his siblings.

The interesting thoughts that keep running through my mind about this movie was the current state of affairs. We are not in the great depression, which was a nice thought though not completely consoling. I did make some connection to today because in the beginning of the film there was a high focus on the foreclosures and family's losing their homes. As it progress the focus was more on how families had to separate because fathers went to the bigger cities looking for jobs. There is mention of public works and the start of FDR's new deal. I watched as the key points of the depression, things I studied and read about came alive in Kitt's story. I did think this might be a good movie for kids today though, something that they might be able to relate to on some level of understanding.

I wouldn't say that it was a breath-taking picture, but it was heart felt and warm. A definite family film with some classically good performances and well defined story line.

Trekkies, Vampires, Wrestling, Witches, Superheroes & etc.

I don't remember a world before The WB. It had just always existed as a network as far I knew, still being young when I watched things like Tiny Toons and Animaniacs. Even then I recognized the brand of the network. I remember the spots and marketing campaign for Dawson's Creek clearly and I remember even more clearly the week of its premiere. The holiday season of my last year in elementary school was coming to a close and my older cooler cousin was raving about how much she wanted to see this new show coming out. I wasn't interested, well not really as an 12 year old I had yet to discover what now can be called an addiction to good stories. But I remember it clearly, I don't know if it is because I was aware that this was the start of something new. Maybe I did realize then that this was the start of some wild ride of growing up having my own station (again that TV station for a generation notion). I think I knew. From that moment of Dawson's Creek premiere, I remember many of the promotional runs and premiere's for so many of The WB shows.

I tuned in for that first episode of Felicity. I was one of the thousands that watched the birth of the 7th Heaven twins (leading to thoughts about it being more like 9th heaven). I loved the "failed" show of Jack and Bobby. I don't think I have since been so involved in checking rating numbers on shows like I did those last two seasons of Charmed. When fans were fighting for its survival and ultimately achieved a much better send off than had been planned. I can't explain how satisfying it was to have the show end on such a great note after devoting 7 years (well mostly, I did protest out of stubbornness when Prue died and Paige came around, but who could stay away?). But like I said, I never noticed that The WB hadn't existed before that point and I never really understood what happened to it when lights went out in 2006. I was always intrigued by The WB, especially when I discovered as an adult that it really almost wasn't a network at all (no offense). A couple of years after The WB closed, after the end of Gilmore Girls and 7th Heaven alike, I was searching around for WB show product when I discovered the book Season Finale. Season Finale : The Unexpected Rise and Fall of the WB and UPN was an automatic must have and read for me. At this point in life I had become well acquainted with film and the industry of story telling but had never read much on television and even less on networks.

I warn readers that this book is not for the faint of heart. It is by no means an easy read, or an addictive read. There are parts that were hard to get through and other parts that were sensational. As a non-fiction book about the business of starting a television network, I am under the impression you would have to be a passionate about the story to begin with before starting this read. That said, for those that are passionate, the ones who want to know more about the inside workings of their favorite after school network this is the book for you. It gives you a great sense of inside information, it sets up the understanding for why the network was just so extraordinary and also why it was doomed.

I finished the book feeling like I knew these people, that had worked so hard behind the scenes to bring me what I best describe as my childhood now available on DVD. Though I must admit being a fan of the WB, it was a bit of a shock for me to discover just how intertwined and competitive WB and UPN were. In my world, WB had been the sole and utter winner of the race for being the network on top. No one I knew watched anything on the UPN, aside from the wrestling that the boys watched. It was at first intriguing to discover how well founded and better wished was the UPN to the WB. My favorite part of the WB story might have been it's launch debuckle. But as the narrative moved into the formulative years and I found out what it was like from the inside to create Dawson's Creek, Charmed, Gilmore Girls and so many others I found myself caring less and less about the turmoils of UPN. I understand why it was important to intertwined the stories together, why it was so critical to understand that while the ratings were only going up at the WB, the ratings were consisting tumbling for the UPN. A true story of rivals, given to the audience slightly skewed with bias (the book was written by a WB exec) but true in spirit to what happened.

I won't go much into the politics because if you are going to read the book it's worth finding out for yourself. But for those of you that are thinking it's not for you, maybe pick up a copy to read the sections about your favorite shows. I loved reading about the creators and writers of Dawson's Creek. It was humorous to find out about the casting and how they worked together. I was intrigued to discover that Steven Speilberg had to be contacted to ask if his image and works could be constant reference by character Dawson. It was even better to discover that Steven Speilberg watched the pilot, thought it was good and didn't mind at all. Or to get the inside scoop on the casting and creative process of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I started cracking up when Joss Whedon first impression was described. The Felicity Hair Chaos of the second season of the show. And from there the stories keep coming, all intimate, all passionate driven to protect the stories that the network strived to present to its audience. If not for anything else, read the book for those small bits of looking into a window the house you use to live in and getting to see the elves at work.

It was one of the most educating reads I've picked up in a while. Though again sometimes dry and hard to get through the industry talk, particular about the UPN (because I'm sorry, I still don't really like them despite respecting the efforts). I have to say that if production, politics and storytelling appeal to you at all... Find Season Finale. And if nostalgia hits you remember: Buffy and Angel are on Hulu and many of the other shows can be found not only on DVD but also on WB.com (including Jack & Bobby)!

I might be new at this!

What an inspiring idea! While being struck by a great idea Richard Castle, fictional bestseller author from ABC's show, is pulling and putting up index cards no what looks like a clothes line across the office. Brilliant! What a great way to storyboard and here I've been using the edge of my window sill to tuck index cards into, effective but not the best way to laid out options. Aside from that moment, there has been several great examples fictional Castle has given me. Not that I can afford or even figure out how he does his touch screen plot maps, but you know regular old pen and paper brainstorms can work just as well (and can look like a touch screen, with some quick shuffles and pretending). But aside from that the entire show is about events that fuel a creative process, the plots purpose is to fuel the writing!

I just started watching Castle because it was suggested and Hulu Gods saw it fit to put it up. After watching the first 6 episodes available, I knew I had fallen in love with another show. But the key element of my new devotion was that this show was something that not only inspired me because of witty writing, great acting and good production but because muses were also at work within it. The clothing line story boarding was a moment where ideas seem to flow about how I could set up and start using a similar system. I've been at wits end on a development process for story boarding with a necessity for it to be a more involved process and that seemed perfect. Or occasionally the way that Castle describes his ways of getting into story and character serve as a reminder of the need to understand and delve into so many minute parts of a story!

Aside from that initial love, the ABC show itself is very good. Every detail connected in a great combination of crime show and novel-character formula. Not only does every episode have to fit the crime committed, bad guy caught scenario but also the personal motive and false starts for better story criteria. Nathan Fillion proves himself captivating on screen yet again, in a devil give a damn with a heart character that is just a lovable rascal. But what I find to be a selling point of the characters is not the classic and predictable love story between author and subject (voyeurism at its best) but the natural and loving portrayal of Father and Daughter. The young teenage daughter Alexis Castle is smart, well grounded and adult like but not to the extreme. She is a well developed character that brings her savvy view of each crime through small nightly chats with her father. But its those chats between Castle and daughter that make Nathan's character even more endearing and helps the show connect to more viewers on an emotional level. Castle's character is quick with the wit and far-fetchism, while 15 year old Alexis delivers wisdom and realism.

Also the dynamic of the characters presented in the "cop" part of the show is also enjoyable. There of course lies the ultimate love story between Beckett (subject for new character) and Castle. But there's the way that Castle charms the others present, with his fame and wit and sometimes gifts. There is a nice underlying sense of humor of the situation that is presented with the other characters that are not leads. The outer characters detectives and medical examiner give it the extra familial characters. Altogether the show is well put together and truly enjoyable. I don't think there was a ten minute period in which something didn't make me laugh. So if you haven't checked it out, it's available on Hulu and I believe on the ABC website.

You were warned!

Both trailers, all the summaries, and the first five minutes of the movie warned me. This is not a love story, this is a story about boy meets girl. Is it human nature not to heed warnings? Do we somehow think we are going to will a different ending because we wish it so?

Over the weekend I saw 500 days of summer and though I was enchanted it was drenched in a teeny bit of disappointment that it really was not a love story. Well that's a bit of an overstatement, because it was a story about love just not a love story. I loved several things about the movie, first off if you get a chance to check out the soundtrack it really is a great collection of music. The songs set to action were even better and all truly fitting to not only the plot, but the characters and the setting. Next would be the setting and how it played into the movie, being an LA girl might make me bias but I truly liked how Los Angeles became a character. It was very neat the way the city was partially sketched for parts of the movie and is on most of the promotional material. Then there was the honest introduction, the preface, the warning that this was not a love story but yet in the middle of the movie I found myself hoping. I thought maybe they were just kidding? Maybe they wanted it to be more of a surprise? They couldn't really mean to not let it be a love story? But they did. And it wasn't. And when it ended I wasn't really surprised or disappointed, I was amused that I had tried to make it different.

The way the story was presented was truly refreshing and new. It was not linear storytelling. It was not traditional boy meets girl. It was different from the coloring, to the transitions, to the music. It was nice to see something not so mainstream, not so mass produced. Though I must admit the costumes were distracting, well to me. The main female character played by Zooey Deschanel was just dressed poorly, more than half her outfits did not suit her. I did think it might have been on purpose, someway to make the audience disconnect from her and not wish for romance but still. It was distracting and just seemed out of place for this character to not be better dressed.

But if you are looking for something new and a great summer flick, check out 500 days of summer but know you were warned!

And the moral of the story is?

Sometime last week I had wandered into a used book store in hopes of finding some "like new" copies of the Percy and the Olympian Series as I had borrowed them and did not own them. My plan of attack for used book stores always involves starting in the children's section, no matter what I'm looking for. Honestly even in retail book stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders I tend to start in the children's section first. It might have something to do with the nature of kids books, they just inspire a happiness in their simple story telling. Or maybe it has something to do with the years of teaching I did that I feel the need to stay up to date with what's what in the world of kid's stories? Whatever the reason, I know that in used book stores I like starting in the children's section because there nestled among the goosebumps that I never liked and the Baby sitter's club that I never read are some of my first friends in literature. Though my search for Percy books was unsuccessful, I did happen to stumble upon a book with friends I had been thinking about lately. I left the store with a two dollar copy of Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott, the last story in a series about the March Girls of Little Women.

I doubt many people of my generation read the sequel to Little Women, which was Little Men. But I would think even less had ever even heard of Jo's Boys. But when I first read the classic Little Women, I feel in love with the March Girls and the Laurence Boy from next door. I was thrilled to find out there was another story after the last page. Overcoming my disappointment at Jo refusing Laurie and somehow ending up with Mr. Bhaer (that I honestly still feel every time I watch the 1994 or 1949 movies, because who would ever say no to that adorable Christian Bale? or Peter Lawford?). I went on to read Little Men, here Louisa May Alcott gave me a house full of characters and I soon forgot how perfect I had thought Laurie was for Jo. After that read, I went on a search for the last book of the series and found it at one of the many libraries that I visited. I read the whole series only that once over a decade ago (maybe a bit longer) but its still one of my favorites. I finally purchased my own copy of Little Women sometime in high school, having chosen it as the subject for my junior term paper. After finishing that paper and having re-read the start of the adventures, I bought Little Men also. But I never really went looking for the last book though I had enjoyed the story, I couldn't remember being impressed.

Watching some episodes of the PAX mini series, Little Men, I caught myself thinking about that last book. I couldn't remember what had become of the youth of Plumfield, or the children of the March sisters. It was fate that brought me to discovering the not so beat up copy of Jo's Boys in that bookstore. I found myself just as enthralled as I re-read the last tale in one night. It is clear why I don't remember liking the last story as well because it was about the boys and children as young adults. My favorite characters were making life choices, getting married and choosing careers and finding purpose. It wasn't just a tale of funny antidotes of boys and girls, there was no coming of age that I could relate to in this novel like there had been in the first two. Because though the March girls had gotten married in the second part of Little Women, it was romantic and painted pretty. But in Jo's Boys the story was about being adults, being supported by the family but ultimately having to be independent. I read it this time seeing the value of the motherly figure that Jo has become, in my opinion so much greater that Marmee ever was. I see the struggle of Dan and Nat, I see the importance in the decisions of Emil and Franz. I hate to admit it but I was relieved when Tom stopped chasing Nan. But in the end I found myself enjoying the book more because I suddenly can relate to it more.

The other interesting point about these stories is their simple nature. There are sections of all of them that are preachy and lecture youth discreetly through the characters. But these tales were written over 100 years ago and still prove to be universal. Here was a series, originally four books ( I had a slight freak out about having missed a tale when I saw that there was once a Good Wives, but discovered that it had become the second part of Little Women) that wasn't taking the audience to an ultimate end point. Everything after Little Women was for the fans, to fuel a desire to know about the characters. These books were written like years of Christmas cards, a collection of updates on Jo, Meg, Amy and Laurie. There is no over-arching plot, no real obstacle besides self improvement that exists but there is something powerful within each story.

I was inspired and the creative process sparked as I let my characters and their emotions guide me in trying to set a beginning. Thank you Miss Louisa May Alcott for the years of updates on the Marchs that will more than likely always inspire me and make me smile.