Hunger Games

I just read the Hunger Games trilogy in 4 days.
I read book one in 36 hours about 2 weeks ago.  I had to take a break because when I dive into a book like that and just read read read... it becomes a reality.  It's happened before.  And being in The Arena as a tribute wasn't a good reality.
In fact, one night, Joey started crying for his mid-night feeding.  I was half asleep and started to swing my legs over the side of the bed.. when I froze... and thought... It's a trick.  They're trying to lure you in there.  It's a trick.  A trap!  Don't go.  They'll kill you.  You don't even have any weapons yet.  It was more than a minute or two I sat there debating what should be done.  Risk it and feed the baby?  Practically giving myself to the Career Tributes?  Or should I devise a plan.  What if Joey really is in trouble?  He's not really my ally... but I care about him.  I don't want him to die.  I need a plan!  I need a bow!  Maybe Haymitch will send me a silver parachute. *nodding* I should wait for the parachute.  Joey's still screaming!  What if there are trackerjackers in there?  Agh!  I need water.  I need a plan.  I miss District 12.
I snapped back when Ken rolled over and asked what I was doing sitting on the edge of the bed.
I knew he wouldn't understand... and figured I would sound prit--tee crazy.  So I went in and fed Joey.
And as I sat in his room, tensely watching the door to see if Foxface or Clove were going to whip around the corner and kill us... I decided I wasn't ready to read the second one.  I needed to acclimate myself with reality. 
But once I finished Catching Fire it seemed pointless (and too hard to wait) to stop there.  So I grabbed Mockingjay and read it.  Really fast.
And now, after I ignored my kids and Ken for a few days, all I think about is Peeta.  And Katniss.  And Prim.  And President Coin.  Egh!  I worry about Gale in District 2.  And Haymitch.  He needs someone.  I think about Greasy Sae, Pollux, Finnick, Annie, President Snow, Octavius, and Rue.  Cinna is on my mind.  I even think about Effie Trinket.  And Madge. And Beetee. And little old Mags.  But mostly, I think of Peeta.
Because.
Because.
Because, I'm in love with him.

And it could be just because he's newer... but I might love him more than Ron Weasley.
Peeta and Patty.  It just sounds cute, huh? 

Whew. *sigh* I'm into this thing deep.  And I feel bad that I snubbed it for so many years.  Sorry fellow Hunger Games fans.  I thought you were lame for wearing your Mockingjay Pins and drinking your Pine Needle Tea when you could have been practicing Quidditch on your Firebolt or drinking Butter Beer.  I thought it would be dumb.  And a let down.  And not worth my time.  I thought... I thought.... IthoughtIwasaboveit.  I apologize.  Because I was wrong.  And now, like you, I'm obsessed.

Sidenote:  I watched the Hunger Games movie directly after I finished the first book and was let down.  I enjoyed the love story in the book.  The history Peeta and Katniss shared without even realizing it.  I enjoyed all the strategies and the mind games.  And those are hard to relate on film... so it seems like the movie makers didn't even try.  But in my case book always trumps movie. 100% of the time.  Except for Twilight.  When both are pretty bad.  The only other time movie trumps books is The Notebook.  Because, Ryan Gosling.  Boom.

Second Sidenote:  Don't hold me to that "I love Peeta More Than Ron Weasley" statement.  I'm still weighing out my options.

What Am I Missing Here?

I watched The Artist last night.  
(Look at me!  Putting the kidlets to bed and enjoying a night in front of the TV.)
I was in the mood for something... artsy.  And with the given title and the Academy Award backing it up I felt confident it would be golden.
I was let down.
Was I missing something?
I like to think of myself as an Intellectual.  A Renaissance Woman.  Some call me a Brainiac.
*sighs*
Fans.  I'm only repeating what they have said.
So being the Deep Thinker that I am I felt like this movie should have spoke to me and my sagacity.
Eh eh.
Nothing.
Sure, I enjoyed it.
But I didn't "Picture of the Year" enjoy it.
I wasn't moved to make changes in my life or to treat people people or to donate to ASPCA.
I wasn't even moved to watch more black and white movies or listen to 1320 AM.
I was just moved to return it to the RedBox and hope it returned my $1.28.

Image Here.