Tag Archives: catching fire

A Letter to Josh Hutcherson from (the Mother of) a Fan


Dear Josh Hutcherson,

Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m Vivien’s mom. That’s all that really matters as far as this letter is concerned. Vivien is my daughter. My only girl. 20140219-125210.jpg

That sweet kid is my BFF. (Tied with my own mom, of course).

Vivien is a happy, spirited 11-year old who loves to sing and dance so much that she can hardly sit still. She LOVES her friends, she LOVES her stuffed animals and she LOVES her Disney & Nickelodeon tween shows. She’s young in years and young at heart. And she’s never had a real crush on anyone.

Until now.

You know where I’m going with this … right, Peeta? We saw Catching Fire at the movie theater FIVE times. Please know that I have never before seen any movie at the theater five times. And I can’t begin to count the number of times she’s watched the first movie now that we own it on DVD. She even read the trilogy multiple times. She loves the storyline. She loves Peeta. And she loves you.

Case in point. Here’s a sampling of her bedroom walls BEFORE you came into the picture.

20140219-122307.jpg And here’s what I’m dealing with NOW. 20140219-122652.jpg

Don’t get me wrong. She loves Jennifer, too. But, clearly, YOU are winning. Over Jennifer AND kittens. (Those poor kittens never stood a chance.)

So why am I writing you? That’s a great question, Josh. I’m glad you asked. Here’s why. Because I need you to keep it together. Like totally together. You’re right in there with Justin, Miley, Demi, Lindsay and so many others who have disappointed me and several million other people by really screwing up.

Calm down. I know what you’re thinking.

“Geez. Lay off, Vivien’s mom. I’m young. Everybody makes mistakes.”

And to that I say,

“Yes, you’re right, Josh. But you’re a role model for kids, specifically MINE. And, frankly, if I hear anything about drug addiction, DUIs or public displays of ‘crazy,’ I can promise you I’m going to be madder than your own mother.

Don’t make me angry, Josh. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

There’s nothing wrong with keeping it together. Seriously, it’s not “uncool.” (And I’m condescendingly using air quotes here … which is hard because I’m also typing.) The Jonas Brothers, Dakota Fanning and even your lovely co-star Jennifer Lawrence all seem to be keeping themselves out of trouble and keeping it real (or however you guys are saying it these days).

For now, I’m fine with your face on her walls … and her books … and even her earrings. You seem like a sweet guy and I’ve been impressed with your performances in Hunger Games and Catching Fire as well as Bridge to Terabithia and both of the Journey movies. (And, seriously, we deserve points for taking in that second one. More than once.)

Just remember that, along with all of the other Hunger Games and JHutch memorabilia we now have here in the house, we also have one of these little guys.

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Pocket Josh was one of her Valentine’s presents. (Along with ham, so you were in good company.)

And I’m a native New Orleanian. Do you know about New Orleans, Josh? We’re famous for our hurricanes, our amazing food and our history with a form of black magic called Voodoo. This little action figure would make a nice Voodoo doll, don’t you think?

But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I’m sure you know better. And I look forward to watching you grow into your adult acting career. Maybe one day Vivien and I will even get to meet you. But only if you keep your promise to me today. You DO promise to behave, right?

Do it now. Make the promise. Until then, I’ll just keep these pins and matches in the drawer next to Pocket Josh.

Sincerely, 

Vivien’s Mom

(aka Michele Robert Poche)

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Inspired by the MamaKat writing prompt: Share something that made you smile this week. How about the fact that my girl is starting to follow in my footsteps(sniff)

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Darling Dame

I Broke a Personal Record Last Weekend


I am a child of the 80s. And everything that came with it. I listened to homemade mix tapes (usually peppered with Casey Casem’s voice) on my walkman, I wore acid wash Guess jeans with zippers at the ankles and I sure as hell wanted my MTV. I also had about 57 different celebrity crushes back in the day. So when the opportunity to see a whole slew of them (what’s the plural for teen idols? a bevy? a gaggle?) all in the same film presented itself back in 1983, my friends and I stood in line at the movie theater to buy a ticket. Actually, we stood in line four times to buy a ticket.

Anyone remember this timeless classic?

I had a cat named Sodapop. I think that perfectly demonstrates the extent of my commitment to this movie.

It was a golden era. Rob didn’t have a criminal record, Tom hadn’t started worshipping aliens, Patrick was in peak health and C. Thomas hadn’t donned blackface for one of the dumbest, least-credible and most racially offensive movies of all times. Yet.

But, as the film taught us, nothing gold can stay. And time marches on. But I so loved the movie. Which is why I saw it in the theaters more times than any other film in my lifetime. Until now.

Because I now have a daughter who loves movies … and young actors … and interesting stories about troubled kids … stories that get their roots in current kid lit. Which is how I broke my record. Just last weekend actually. When … for the FIFTH time … I saw the second film in the Hunger Games series, Catching Fire.  Here’s its WAY more intriguing trailer.

Now, before anyone thinks I’m an extravagant spendthrift, please allow me to “defend” myself and tell you a little about my five moviegoing experiences.

Viewing #1 – Opening night. A local theater was offering a double feature with the first and second movies. They had giveaways, trivia contests and prizes. Viv and I went together. It was held on a school night. I won the cool mom award that evening. (Paid by me)

Viewing #2 – One month later. My son has actually read all the books, too. And, while he isn’t the super fan my daughter is, he wanted to see the movie, too. So Viv and I brought him. Two times to the same movie isn’t that weird, right? (Paid by me again)

Viewing #3 – Vivien asked my mom (Hi, Mom!) for a movie gift card for Christmas so she could see the movie again. It was one of the top items on her list. And she got it. So what was I to do? (Paid by Viv’s grandmother)

Viewing #4 – Intrigued by Vivien’s obsession with the trilogy (she’s read each book multiple times), my mom started reading the series as well. When she finished the first book, we all watched the first movie (which we, of course, own) on DVD. When she finished the second book, she offered to take Vivien and I to see the movie with her. She knew I’d seen the movie three times already, so she treated. (Paid by Viv’s grandmother again)

Viewing #5 – With the holidays behind us, school back in session and the movie only playing in two theaters in town, I thought my big screen Catching Fire days were done. Then my dear friend (Hi, Heather!) gave us our belated Christmas presents. And what do you think she gave my daughter, her Godchild? Yep. A gift card to the movies which, at Vivien’s request, we used the very night we opened it. (Paid by Viv’s Godmother)

And, with that, history was made.

I broke my own personal record in the category of Number of Times Seeing the Same Movie in the Theater. (Shut up. It is SO a thing.) Honestly, besides getting to see my daughter light up like a Christmas tree five times, I love that I did it  … because I’m pretty freakin’ sure I’ll never get to six.

But then again, the third book has yet to be made into a movie. (sigh) Okay, Vivien. Game on.


For MamaKat’s writing prompt: Write something inspired by the word golden. 

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