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Sometime the middle of last year, Travis “read” The Hunger Games series. I say “read,” because Travis doesn’t actually read, he does only books on tape. Anyway, he read them, and loved them, but I was kind of indifferent to them. Not that I was 100% not interested, but for the most part, post-apocalyptic literature isn’t my bag. Then, my girlfriends started reading them, so I got in line for the book sharing and have now finished the first two books in the series. They have completely sucked me in. Kate delivered the first two books on Thursday night and as of Saturday night I had finished them both.  I’ll be picking up the third book today, and will have to force myself to bed and not stay up late reading. It will be difficult. I basically lost the entire day Saturday to Catching Fire.
I found it interesting while reading to see some parallels between The Hunger Games and the Twilight saga. I have a feeling there is a similar fan base, but also a divided fan base (as there tends to be with things that are similar but also different.) One parallel I discovered, aside from the obvious love triangle featured in both series, is that both Katniss and Bella feel hugely responsible for the well being of the people they care about, and knowing that whichever person they choose, they will ultimately be leaving another hurt terribly. There is also insecurity in both characters, but this seems to be where the similarities end, and I have a strong feeling that Katniss Everdeen is what Stephenie Meyer wished Isabella Swan actually was. Where Bella is so plain she is practically devoid of any personality, Katniss explodes with personality, with fervor, with a will to survive. From the beginning we see both characters are willing to sacrifice everything to save the ones they love, but where Bella fumbles around and seems weak, Katniss is powerful in her resolve. This is not to say I think Bella Swan is a terrible, irredeemable character, I just find her far less developed than Katniss.
They’ve just started casting for the movie versions of The Hunger Games, so that should be interesting to watch play out. I keep hoping they have a larger budget than the Twilight films so they get a decent hair/makeup and costume department.
I wasn’t completely unproductive on Saturday actually. Although the better part of the day and evening was spent reading, I managed to make my first green smoothie.
I followed the recipe Angela posted on Oh, She Glows only I used chocolate soy milk instead of almond milk, in the hope that the chocolate would make it taste better. I was pretty nervous it was going to taste like sludge. I even bought some Chia Seeds for the first time ever at Whole Foods on Friday evening. Have you ever made green smoothies? I’m sure most of you have, I’m pretty tardy to the party 
See! I ‘m even late using that joke. Totally no longer culturally relevant. Oh well.
Surprisingly enough, it tasted pretty good!
Even Peanut tried to get in on the action. It kept me full for several hours which was great. Then I totally ruined my healthy green smoothie by ordering pizza for dinner. Oops? I figured it would be ok since I’ve got a 6 mile run planned for this morning. Sometimes a girl just needs some pizza. Plus it was so hot in the apartment, the mere idea of turning on the stove or oven to cook anything made me feel gross.
