Little Earthquakes

Poncho felt a tremor the other night, that no one else seems to have felt (as of yet), but that is not what this post is about. Little Earthquakes is the latest Jennifer Weiner novel I read and I am definitely recommending it. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have read several of Weiner's books and have enjoyed them. I was lured to this one because it told the story of three women adapting to motherhood (and, as you know, this topic is pretty fitting for me right now). The book is touching, funny and sometimes sad. I did glean a pointer here and there and was pleased to see that all of them breastfed their babies (you see, it can be done!).

Jennifer Weiner has a blog and a my space account . I'm tempted to get myspace just to be in her list of people.

Meanwhile, I'm in the land of "What if?" and "What now?" as I reorganize the plot structure of my novel. There are some things I will have to change, like the beginning, and the ending needs work too. But, I'm pleased to report some parts make me laugh (I hope they make others laugh too...).

I never knew how important "What if?" is to a writer. You can go with the first idea, or you can stretch your mind, your brain, your imagination and say, well, What if this happens instead... It's a fun exercise and I'm hoping it will spice up the book. Of course, I'm not talking about body snatcher type things or plot twists like she had an evil twin who was interfering in her life. Those are best left to the soap operas and bad B movies. These "What if's" have to be believable and consistent with the characters. Therein lies the challenge!

Is Angela making a come back?

So, a few posts ago I was ready to wave goodbye to Angela as she left Project Runway, collecting her scissors and measuring tape from the work room. And yet, in the past two challenges not only has she been on the winning team (as head designer), but she has also gotten lots of kudos for her black updated Audrey Hepburn dress that Heidi said she wanted "in all the colors". And, Poncho and I both had to admit, the dress was very pretty. However, we were pleased that Michael won with his hot pants.

Sadly though, if he doesn't shape up, it looks like Barbie Designer (whose name I can't remember, and the Bravo website is not loading up at the moment...but this is what Poncho and I call him anyway) will be Auf'd next. Maybe degisning for dolls is hindering his vision.

I'm off Angela's case for now, and would like to see wrap-around tatoo guy go. He is just rude and thinks he is better than the rest---UGH.

We shall see if I get my wish next week!

Estrellas de la Linea

Last night was the premiere of the documentary "Estrellas de la Linea" (At this website you can see two video clips). We were invited because Poncho's friend, Andres, had collaborated on the film. The place was completely crowded, and we ended up with seats all the way to the front and to the right. We soon forgot where we were seated and were pulled in by the stories of these women.

These estrellas are all prostitutes in one of Guatemala City's worst neighborhoods. They make about $2 per client. They live in what is a small room, many times with an abusive partner, and with their kids for whom they sacrifice everything. One of the most moving scenes is of a boy hugging his cat and telling the camera that he knows what his mother does and that kids at school pick on him for it, but that the teacher gets those kids in trouble, "For a month", he says.

These women decide to do something to raise awarness about their lives and their plights. They form a soccer team and enroll at one of Guatemala's poshest venues--Futeca, a weekend sports center. After their first game against a team of high school girls, their parents, up in arms, harass the administration with phone calls and threats and the Estrellas are banned from playing there again. And so begins their story. They then play against a group of policewomen, who say they also feel marginalized. From here, a local travel website decides to sponsor the team and take them on a tour of rural Guatemala and have them play against other prostitutes and club dancers along the way.

What is most moving about this film is each individual woman's story. How they became prostitutes and how they view themselves for doing this kind of job. Some feel proud that they do not depend on anyone. Others feel repentful because they see it as a sin. All of them do it to survive.

At the end of the film, all of the estrellas walked to the front of the theater and received a standing ovation. Seeing them made me cry. I cried for their lives and for their struggles, but mostly because surrounded by so much pain and ugliness, these women still had spirit and a love of life. If you have the chance, go out and see this documentary. You too will be moved.