TV Miniseries: John Adams

This one has been on my watch list for a very longtime, dating back to it's release in 2008. I remember watching the Golden Globes that year, where this series won numerous accolades. It was produced by HBO films, directed by Tom Hooper, and brings forth an all-star cast to portray the historical establishment of the United States of America. It's top quality stuff, the best portrayal on this topic I've seen in a while, since perhaps The Patriot. I'm glad I now own the DVD set and highly recommend the series for anyone who appreciates history.

The story is told through the eyes of John Adams, and suggests that it was he who united the states of America. The lead role is played brilliantly by Paul Giamatti, who never disappoints in dramatic period pieces. Laura Linney also brings great acting to her portrayal of Abigail Adams, John's wife and top consultant. Both actors won critical acclaim for their roles including at the Golden Globes and Emmys. David Morse's portrayal of George Washington, Tom Wilkinson's portrayal of Ben Franklin, and Stephen Dillane's portrayal of Thomas Jefferson were also well received.

What makes this series so top quality is the scale of it's production. From the acting, directing, costumes, and set design it is a nonstop visual stimulator. The setting truly captures the passion and tension of the American colonies in the 1770s. The storyline is derived from historian, David McCullough, which offers great insight to the dynamic shared between our founding fathers. It's lead protagonist, John Adams sits at the focal point of this revolution and establishment of a new government. His constant drive in the political realm as well as his own personal realm demonstrates how he was able to shape one of the most renown political families in American history. 

Indy Mini Tradition

On May 3rd my family partook in our 10th running of the Indy Half Marathon. This has grown into an
incredible tradition that always seems to kick off the summer. We had a great showing this year, 8 family members that ran it (Dad, Philip, Shawnna, Gabriel, Marc, Laurie, Danny, and myself). We were able to recruit a new participant in cousin Danny this year, who made the trip from Western Michigan. He also ran the Monumental Half last fall as well as our sprint triathlon last summer. He has seemed to join the Sundberg running crew that was formed back in 2005.

This was actually my 9th running of the event as I missed the 2009 race due to being in Costa Rica. Dad and Philip are the only ones to have ran it each year, since 2005. However I have had the most wins as well as the fastest course time within our family. This year I ran a solid time of 1.44.40, with consistent pacing. I was quite okay with this and hit my goal, considering the horrible winter we had. The Indy Mini event is always the pinnacle of running events for me. It's like my super bowl of races, mostly due to the family tradition it has become.

The Tradition

The event is actually way more than the race itself. There are several stages and components to it that happen each year. This general format began in 2005 and we've kept to this plan for the past ten years now. 

• The first stage is the registration process which we normally do as a group during the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Great chance to recruit people) 
• Than it's on to the training which everyone does according to their own time and schedule throughout the wintertime. We're a competitive bunch and everyone wants to have the fastest time. However finishing the 13.1 mile race is a victory in itself.
• Then comes the week prior to the mini, always the last week of April. This includes tapering off on the training as well as logistic planning and packet-pickup. In the past few years I have picked up the packets at the downtown convention center, however recently Gabriel has taken over that role.
• On the Friday before the race, we always meet at Carl and Devon's house for a traditional pasta dinner. It's a great opportunity to visit with the family, carb-up on pasta, pick up our packets, talk running strategy as well as race day logistics. We also share stories and times of past Indy Mini events.
• On race day we normally rendezvous at the same parking lot on Ohio St and Capitol and always meet in front of the government building by the porter potties. We always take an annual group picture here and once everyone goes to the bathroom we separate into our corals.   
• Then there's the 13.1 mile race, which is an experience itself. Over 35,000 people running through the Speedway district of town which includes 3 miles around the Brickyard Stadium.
• After the race is finished we always meet at the exact same place behind the stands by the finish line. This usually takes about an hour of waiting for everyone to get in. Once were there we share stories as we re-cooperate and then take another group photo in a classic running pose.
• Afterwards we rest for a bit and then usually meet up at Carl and Devon's for a post-race barbecue. This is mostly a day of lounging, eating, drinking, and good relaxation.
• In the evening some of us go out drinking and partying afterwards. By late Saturday or early Sunday morning everyone parts ways until the next big family event. 

 History of the Tradition

• 2005: The Tradition is Born

There is speculation as to who exactly came up with the idea. I had partook in my first ever road-race the previous summer at the Runners on Parade. By the springtime of 2005 I was partying hard as a sophomore at IU, and somehow managed to get in the best shape of my life. This was because I was training with team Mezcla for the Little 50 race (50 lap relay, 400 meter repeats, during Little 5 week) I'm not sure who told us about the Indy Mini but I'm quite sure I was influenced by the Little 50. 

That spring my dad, Philip, and I agreed to partake in our first mini marathon which was only a couple weeks away. The timing was perfect as I had just finished my finals, was dating an amazing girl, and was excited for the summer. I drove with my good friend Sergio from Bloomington to meet my family in Indy. Gabriel, Andres, Reggie, and Ofelia came to support us and we stayed the night at Carl's apartment. It was on this weekend we met Carl's new girlfriend Devon. 

The race was quite a success, and I remember Philip and I bravely wore singlets and short shorts. (I was a lot slimmer in those days.) I ran a fast time of 1.43.44 and remember finishing very strong. I loved the environment of this downtown race and the nonstop support made for such an incredible experience. I think after it was finished we were all in agreement that a new tradition was born. I also remember that night going to a bonfire party at Rager's and feeling like quite the champion after completing my first ever half marathon.

• 2006: Year of the Marathon
  

The following year was special because Carl and Devon were getting married, and both were of theme were on board to partake in the race. Although I did not run the Little 50 that spring, I was still in good shape through soccer and running on the south side of Bloomington. I remember we helped Carl and Devon move that weekend into their new house, and Laurie and Jennifer came to visit us for the race.

I was now familiar with the half marathon distance as well as the course and ran about the same time I had last year, a 1.43.37. Philip and I wore singlets once again and I remember picking up a pair of sunglasses along the way and wore them for the rest of the run. I remember waving to Jennifer and Laurie who were sitting in the bleachers as I crossed the finish line. 

It was that year after the mini that the Sundberg Running Crew was established. I think everyone was inspired by the mini event as well as Carl's upcoming wedding to get serious about running. I came up with the idea that we run a full marathon in the fall and everyone was on board. This included Dad, Carl. Philip, Laurie, Jennifer, and myself. However that fall they did a Indy Marathon while I did the Chicago Marathon. To this day it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and has made the Indy Mini all the easier now.

• 2007: Graduation Year

After the marathon, the Sundberg running crew took a well deserved break, however everyone was still on board by Thanksgiving to do the Indy Mini once again. By springtime of my senior year, I was very excited to graduate and that year my partying had overtaken my running so I wasn't in the greatest shape. Philip was also in bad shape and was quite hefty at the time. Marc, Jennifer, and Laurie were joining us that year and we all agreed to make it a "fun-run". My mom, younger brothers, aunts, and grandma were all there to watch and support.

Marc and I ran the entire race in our caps and gowns. Philip and Jennifer dressed as pirates, while Dad, Laurie, and Carl ran normal. This was the classic year that Carl had his shorts inside out on the way to the corals. Dad surprisingly had the fastest time in the group.

This was a very unusual race for me, where instead of worrying about my time, I was rather enjoying the environment with my cousin Marc. We put name tags on the front of our gowns so that people would cheer our names. We even had a beer at mile 11, however this sent me straight to the bathroom afterwards. We finished at a very slow time of 2:11.52 which was expected. At the finish line we were interviewed by the IndyStar. That afternoon I drove with my family to Bloomington for my graduation ceremony at IU. It was quite a memorable day. 

• 2008: Trip from Chicago

In 2008 I was living an adventurous life in the big city of Chicago. I did not have a car or a job yet I had plenty of money from the Sportvision football season. I was not in great running shape at the time, yet I couldn't pass up on our annual event. Especially because Marc and Laurie were once again making the trip to partake in the race. I thus caught a train from Chicago to Waterloo and then joined my dad and brothers on the trip to Indy.

We spent the night at Carl and Devon's as usual, had our pasta dinner, ran the race, and relaxed at their house afterwards. This was another slow time for me at 2.04.11, however I remember it was enjoyable and I ran most of it aside Marc and Philip. Laurie had the fast time of the year. There wasn't anything too unique about this race, however I did run with a hat and sunglasses.

•  2009: The Year I Missed Out

By 2009 I had moved out of Chicago and decided to embark on a new adventure in Costa Rica for several months. It was an incredible experience from March until June, however it meant that I would miss the Mini in May. That year only Philip, Dad, and Laurie ran the race. Laurie once again had the fast time of the group, edging Philip out by only a couple seconds. 

• 2010: The BACA days

By the fall of 09 I had wrapped up my adventurous days and buckled down on a career path into education. In 2010 I was offered a position at Carl's new autism clinic in Fishers, near Indianapolis. This was the perfect transition for me. I thus began a new stage in my life as a fully employed therapist. I also got back into running that spring with a group of co-workers at the BACA.

I was excited to partake in the Mini that year as an actual local of the city now. That year we had a new participant in Shawnna, Philip's future fiance. It was only Philip, Shawnna, dad, Marc, and myself who ran it that year as Laurie and Carl did not. (Laurie may have been injured at the time) I ran a 1.47.34 and don't remember anything too eventful about the race.

• 2011: The Humid Race

In 2011 I had a new job as a courier and lived on the north side of Indianapolis at River Road. I got serious about running that year and began taking data on each run I did at the Monon Trail. I was eagerly looking forward to the Indy Mini and ready to run a personal record. That year I also managed to convince several of my friends to run it that year; Palmer, Lauren, and Jill Davidson. Palmer stayed the night at my place and joined in on the family pasta tradition. Philip, Shawnna, Dad, and Laurie also ran it yet not Marc. 

I remember that year was unusually humid and I was unable to get in a comfortable groove the entire race. I took off too fast on the first 6 miles and hit a bad wall on the track. I ran a disappointing time of 1.48.30 knowing I could have done much better. Nonetheless it appears everyone else in my family had similar stories relating to the weather and this made me feel better.

After the race I got a beer with Ryan and Lauren at the beer tent. We then rested for a bit and then went to Carl and Devon's for a while. Later in the evening Philip, Shawnna, Palmer, and myself went to an after party at a friends house. It was Katie Hosier, the girlfriend of Don Griffin, and also a running enthusiast. All of our IU friends were there including Lauren, Audrey, EJ, and K-man it was a great time to kick off the summer.

• 2012: The Second Humid Race

The following year I was still very much into my running. I continuously trained throughout the fall and the winter and maintained my data on the Monon Trail and other races that I did. It seemed everyone else was also quite serious that year and it was going to be a competitive one. Philip was a good shape, Palmer was doing his second, and Marc was coming back after missing a couple years. It was anyone's race and I was intent to once again get a personal record. That night Palmer and Andres stayed at my apartment, and we had our traditional dinner at Carl and Devon's. 

On race day however it was once again very humid out. This time even worse than the year before. I hung with Marc until about mile 6 when my calves began to cramp badly. This was inside the stadium and at that point and I had to taper off. It was one of the worse runs I had ever done. I was battling constant thirst and cramps. I finished with a very disappointing time of 1.55.06. Once again it appeared everyone else had the same issue, Carl, dad, Shawnna, Philip, and Laurie. That year Marc had the fastest time, and was the only one not affected by the humidity since he was from Kansas. 

After the race Palmer and I had some coronas and pizza at Carl and Devon's house. Then we once again drove out to Katie Hosier's house for her annual Mini Marathon party. It was a fun time and all the usual gain was there, Lauren, EJ, and K-man. A couple weeks later Philip and I made plans for a redemption run at the Geist Half and there I ran a 1.46.15. That summer was a very hot one, yet I stayed in shape constantly battling dehydration and fatigue. I finally achieved my personal record yet it was in the fall at the Monumental half Marathon. 

  

• 2013: New Shoes, New Horizon

I continued running throughout the fall, winter, and into the new year of 2013. However that winter I began to experience some new problems in body aches and especially plantar fasciitis. At first I tried all sorts of new stretches and foot inserts however the problem would not go away. I then bought an expensive pair of new Brooks running shoes, and after a couple weeks the problem was cured. I was eager to once again run for glory at another annual Indy Mini race. I was also excited at the time to begin a new job transition into Dow Agro. 

That year we were joined by Gabriel and Gily's husband, Stiven, who was filling in for Carl. Stiven was not a runner whatsoever, however he finished like a trooper. We were also joined by Gabriel's friend Eric Myers. The regulars were all back for another year such as dad, Laurie, and Philip. Palmer and Marc did not make it out that year and Shawnna could not partake as she had just given birth to Benjamin.

I had a very good race until mile 12 where I hit a bad wall. Nonetheless I finished with a course record of 1.42.32 and once again had the fastest time of the group. After the race we met at Philip and Shawnna's new house for a barbecue. I remember I wasn't all that sore and even helped Philip assemble his new barbecue. That evening we did not go out drinking and instead everyone just rested.

• 2014: Tenth Year
  

Just a couple weeks ago the Sundberg Running Crew partook in their 10th running of the Indy Mini. It was my 9th event, having missed the race in 2009, however still just as special. We had a great showing this year, a total of 8 family members running it. Dad, Laurie, Marc, Gabriel, Philip, Shawnna, Danny, and myself (Gabriel's friend Eric also joined us again) It was nice to have cousin Danny join us for his first time. He stayed the night at my place. We had our traditional pasta dinner at Carl and Devon's new house and then met at the usual parking spot downtown. This year the race was setup in wave formats, and Philip and I took off in the first wave in Coral C. 

This year I was in decent shape, considering the terrible winter we had. It was a bit chilly that morning and I was bit sleepy. I rocked my Indy Runners shirt and some shades. My goal was to hit under 1:45, and I achieved that. I ran a very well paced run, under 8 min miles, and did not hit any major walls like the previous few years. I finished at a time of 1.44.40, and once again had the fastest time in the family. Danny finished only a minute behind me, while Marc and Philip were several minutes behind. 

After the race we had a very relaxing afternoon at Carl and Devon's house. This included pizza, Corona, and watching Game 7 of the Pacer-Hawks game. Marc and Laura convinced me to run the Kansas City Half marathon in October. That night Danny, Gabriel, and myself went out drinking at Broadripple. We went to several bars such as Union Jack Pub, Beaver Saloon, Landshark, and finished at my favorite gyro place. We got home around 4am. It was the perfect ending to a perfect traditional weekend. 

Movie Masterpiece: Titanic

Last night I watched Titanic in it's entirety, for the first time in a while, and came to the conclusion that it is to be considered an epic masterpiece; in the likes of Lord of the Rings, Schindler's List, Reds or Gladiator to name a few. I've seen it multiple teams over the years, usually on TV, and have always considered it in top regards, however now feel it deserves to be ranked among the greatest films of all time.

This is because it succeeds on a grand scale in every category of film-making there is. It is a non-stop awe-inspiring experience from it's visual effects, plot-line, acting, choreography, soundtrack, directing, editing, sound-mixing, etc. It's no wonder this film, directed by James Cameron, cleaned up at the 1997 Academy Awards. It collected 14 nominations and 11 wins one of the most of any films and rightfully deserved. It's a visual wonder with a story to match, unlike anything before it, and truly a work of cinema art. I believe what makes this film so sensational, is it's romantic plot-line submerged in the historical catastrophe of the Titanic.

Historical Element

This film does a phenomenal job of giving the viewer a visual idea of what the historical disaster might have been like. It especially captures the magnificence of this mighty ship, through vivid detail of the interior and exterior. It was a ten deck vessel, the largest ship of it's time and truly must have been a wonder to be seen. It was meticulously designed by the naval architect, Thomas Andrews, and was considered an unsinkable ship. However this pride in it's design was it's greatest flaw, and it's lack of lifeboats made it's sinking one of the deadliest maritime disasters in peacetime history.

On April 10th of 1912 the RMS Titanic made it's maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. It was commanded by Captain Edward Smith, who was preparing to retire after at the age of 62 after this final voyage. The ships passengers ranged from some of the wealthiest people in the world such as John Jacob Astor and Margaret Molly Brown who simply wanted to be a part of history. There were also many lower class members and immigrants looking to start a new life in America. The passengers were divided into three classes, in which their value determined their service level.

On April 14th, at 11:40 pm the Titanic suddenly spotted an iceberg in the hazy night and were unable to avoid hitting it. The iceberg struck the starboard side of the ship, creating a series of holes below the waterline that quickly flooded five of the ships watertight compartments. The ship only had a couple hours before it would be fully submerged in water, and this led to an emergency evacuation. Passengers were asked to wear their life vests, and remain calm as women and children were first loaded into the lifeboats. A violin concerto, led by Wallace Hartley, played on the deck to try to avoid a panic and eventually went down with the ship.

The ship's crew were ill-prepared for such a situation and only filled the lifeboats half full. Many of the women and children were able to safely evacuate the ship, while most the male passengers and crew went down with the ship. It took about 3 hours after the ship had struck the iceberg, to break in half and fully sink.

710 passengers were saved, while 1500 quickly died of hypothermia in the freezing cold waters. This included the captain, the architect, several upper class members, and mostly lower class and crew members. The remaining survivors were later collected at 4am by the RMS Carpathia, which had responded to its distress call. One can only imagine the horrific scene that it was, however the film does an incredible job of capturing what a dramatic situation it may have been.

Romantic Element

James Cameron has succeed in his direction of this film by romanticizing the historical tragedy. This is achieved through a scale model of the Titanic, incredible visual and audio effects, thousands of extras, period costumes and makeup, and a powerful score from James Horner and the voice of Celine Dion.

However the key element of this film, is the romantic dynamic between Jack Dawson and Rose Bukater played brilliantly by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It is a passionate rags-to-riches-love-story; the usual plot of rich girl falls for the poor boy. However it is intensified all the more with the complications of a love affair and the catastrophe of the sinking ship. This setting and story makes for one of the greatest romance films of all time in my opinion.

Rose is a first class passenger unhappy with her soon to be marriage to a successful businessman. Jack is a third class passenger and a very enthusiastic artist who lives for the moment. The two meet when Jack stops her from committing suicide, and tells her he's now "involved", a clever way of saying he is hopelessly in love with her. An instant connection is formed, despite the social barriers between them. Most of this restraint is due to their complete opposite social classes. Rose's snooty mother, her wealthy fiance, and her fiance's bodyguard become aware of this attraction, and intent to bring an end to it. Jack and Rose thus engage in a scandalous love affair fueled by passion. They flee together from their constraints as they laugh, dance, embrace, and make love on the ship. Despite all the barriers between them they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together once the ship lands.

However tragedy suddenly occurs, and soon their relationship has become all the more dire. Even as the calamity begins to unfold they are still inseparable. They are at full union as they constantly save one another in the midst of doom. Sadly their relationship, just like the sinking boat, comes to a tragic end in the freezing water. Jack has accepted his death and tells Rose he has no regrets, and wishes her a long life of happiness. He freezes in the water, while Rose is later rescued. She goes on to live her own life in America with her valuable diamond necklace.

At the end of this film, in present day, it is clear that Rose has lived a full life, married with children and grandchildren. However it seems obvious that her heart was always with Jack after sharing her story. After she tells her story she drops her valuable heart shaped diamond into the ocean, perhaps a metaphor that her heart was indeed always with Jack. After this she lies in a bed, and appears to have some form of dream or perhaps an ascension in the afterlife. In this vision she is reunited with her one true love on-board the Titanic. It is a heavenly scene and the perfect ending to this masterful film.