Quantum of Awesome

Quantum of Solace received less than stellar reviews so our expectations were low when we went to the theater to see it on Saturday.

I was so happy to be disappointed... in the reviews! We loved it. The movie was fabulous , from the opening song `Another way to die` performed by Alicia Keys and Jack White, to the end, which left off with the possibility of another film. Sweet. I thought the newest Bond Girl, Olga Kurylenko did a smashing job...and I wonder what was the name of that lipstick she was wearing? yes...well... it was enough to let us forget, for the moment, about the horrific situation happening right here in our own backyard, another wildfire. It is such an awful feeling, this helplessness. We are told to stay indoors and out of the way so firefighters and rescue workers can move through the streets. I know some of you saw it on the news, and I want to thank you so much for your kind thoughts and hopeful wishes. Every time we have a fire here in California I think everyone holds their breath and prays it doesn't come close to any neighborhoods. This one started in one. No one knows how it began, only where, at Westmont College in Montecito. This campus was built in the 1940's and like alot of the buildings that have burned down so far, they have a little history. This fire, which is still burning, threatening over 1000 homes, is wind blasted, they are calling it sundowner winds, when the cool ocean air meets the hot canyon wind and somehow this creates havoc. And ferocious conditions. So far over 200 homes have been lost though no lives. Thank God for that. We have friends that have evacuated, it seems like everyone knows someone that has or that has lost their home. The trails that we love so much, many are burned beyond recognition.So we do as they ask, we keep the house closed up, windows shut tight. No running. No outside activity. Air quality is so poor. Use water sparingly, the reservoir is lowlowlow. Ash falls like snow covering everything casting a grey pall over all. So we went to the movies, it looked like a ghost town. Doors were closed to keep out the ash (and heat) the temperature is in the high 80's. Poor poor firefighters. Signs are everywhere...In store windows... Thank you Fire Department...We love you Santa Barbara...

Took ourselves for a drink after the movie. You know the one, The Vesper Martini. We lifted our glasses to the newly homeless people,that they can find their way, wish that I could take everyone in, that they may find some silver lining in all this, some catharsis, grateful for no people gone, only replaceable buildings, and please rain please come now, and please wind, calm down, calm calm calm, and to all the people that serve to protect all of us, we raise our glass and thank you, everysingleone.

xxx lori