I have received some wonderful correspondence this holiday season from folks of all descriptions. There are those that know me through the newspaper, family and other friends and even some from folks I don?t even know at all.

I really want to write thank you notes to everyone, but I know myself well enough to realize I may never get to it. I am a chronic procrastinator at times, I fear. This is one place I can write everyone at once, thus saving time and postage (I am also chronically cheap).

Thank you all.

Now that I have that out of the way, I think I might write about something else, something totally different from thank you notes. If I think of something I'll let you know.

I went to the movies recently and watched "The Green Mile." I don't know if anyone else has watched it, but it was a nice film for the most part. I am a bit nitpicky when it comes to movies, only the best are forgiven for their inadequacies. I look for real logic in all films, even ones about aliens attacking and such.

Historical movies that do not stick to the historical preface are also a sore spot - as in Titanic, the worst movie I never finished watching. But what do I know, everyone else loved it.

I might note here that I generally go to the movies about three times a year and enjoy it every time in spite of myself. Finding flaws with the movie makes it more enjoyable for me.

As another instance, in The Green Mile, a fellow has healing powers. I won't say much more lest I ruin it for everyone who might wish to watch the film. As he applies his healing powers, the woman looks ragged and unkempt. Her hair is sticking out and make-believe age spots are painted on her face. She has a sallow color and appears to be quite near to death.

The healer applies his abilities and "voila" the woman is better. Also, magically, she has also fixed her hair, applied rosy red lipstick and foundation and gained eight pounds.

Miraculous healing? I can accept that as a possibility. Miraculous healing and makeup application simultaneously? I'm not going for it.

Further ruining a good part of the movie was the fact that I read the little six-book series by Steven King upon which the movie was loosely based. Needless to say, there were inconsistencies that are necessary on any change from paper to film. However, I always find that I really enjoy the book much more than I ever could the movie. The special effects that I have inside my cavernous and hollow head are often much more exciting than anything I could see on a movie screen. I usually read something and picture the scene in my mind as I read, but not in a reality format, more like a dream.

Some books are hard for me to follow in that way. Moby Dick was hard for me to read, as were some of Joseph Conrad's novels - Heart of Darkness comes to mind, along with Victory. I liked the movie about Moby Dick better than the book, but that is rare. Steinbeck and King are easily converted to movies it would appear, but something is always lost in the translation. In the books, they clip along quickly in conversational language. However, once translated into film, that easy flow seems lost, along with the entire plot of the book and character descriptions.

My favorite author is Russell Greenan, who writes macabre fiction about insane, yet loveable, characters. I would think a movie about one of his books would be in order, perhaps Heart of Gold would be a good one. If you have never read any of his works, I would suggest finding one somewhere, as it is really entertaining stuff.

I will not be going to the movies until at least after payday, I have expended my meager entertainment budget. That's really alright with me, I prefer staying home where it is warm and reading, as I can purchase a book for less than a $10 bill and keep it forever.

If I could only get my hands on one of those popcorn machines, I might never go back.

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