January 2008 Archives
Another weekend bites the dust. The weekend highlight is easy to pick out, because it's pretty much the only thing I did and that's run a whole 11k. Most of you know that I used to run marathons, but after numerous setbacks with my knee... Let's just say that 11k feels like a big deal. A workmate reminded me of a pre/post-run stretch that I used to do back in my heyday, but had been lost to the mists of time in between injuries. Actually, it wasn't just any stretch, but the one key stretch I needed to do, to ensure a pain-free run. What I'm saying is that I could have been enjoying marathons for the last four years, instead of physiotherapists and osteopaths. Ahh, the life of an early onset Alzheimer's patient... A longish story short, I'm hoping to pick up the distance and be ready for at least the Ottawa 1/2, in May.
In other news, if all the stars align, I may be on the move at the end of either this month, or next. After an eventful five months at 163 Sterling, it looks like I might head back to the relatively calm 20 Silverbirch for my final six months. It's unfortunate, as I was really really looking forward to Spring and Summer in the city, but I'll take sanity over fun, 10 times out of 10. On the bright side, I'll be able to play golf a bit more than last years' once (which also equals the total from the year before).
As per our usual I-didn't-agree-to-this-arrangement arrangement, here are some links for you to check out. Topics include the Oscars, Olympics, architecture and the arts:
There Will Be Oscars - Newsweek
'Country' men discuss Oscar-nominated film - AP/MSNBC
Towering change for China - Financial Times
Smoke-free, customer-free in Beijing - Reuters/MSNBC
To Boldly Go Where Shakespeare Calls - The New York Times
Finally, congrats to Mr. Obama, for getting the job done in SC. Running against two Clintons can take its toll, although you wouldn't know it, from the 28 point margin of victory and the extremely large voter turnout.
Lots to read, mostly courtesy of the New York Times (membership required), although this first and rather hilarious link, is from the AP, by way of MSNBC.com.
Sean Paul's songs sparked woman's seizures - MSNBC.com
Next up, Maureen Dowd serves up a short op-ed on the wholesaling of their country, to foreign interests.
Red, White and Blue Tag Sale - The New York Times
If you're a fan of PBS' doc show, 'Frontline', then you'll get that old familiar feeling when looking at the upcoming headline. They ran an Emmy award-winning documentary on the state of newspapers in the United States and the issues in this article are unfortunately quite unsurprising.
Los Angeles Times Editor Forced Out - The New York Times
A story that I find particularly fascinating, is the race to 'modernize' and diversify, by some oil-rich gulf states. This particular article focuses on Saudi Arabia and their future plans.
The Construction Site Called Saudi Arabia - The New York Times
Lastly, an article about the mental state of soldiers returning from the Iraq war and the consequences of ignoring a cry for help.
A Veteran's Descent, and a Prosecutor's Choice - The New York Times
It's certainly the season for seeing good films and 'Persepolis' didn't disappoint. The story of a little girl's experiences in Tehran, during the pre and post-revolution periods of the 1980s and her experiences with the Iran/Iraq war, make for a compelling storyline, but the idea of making it a cartoon, as opposed to live-action, was certainly the only way it could have been made.
Visually, it was quite beautiful. If you've seen the graphic novel, then you'll notice that the animation is essentially the same, with perhaps a slightly more polished look to the characters. That black and white throughout the film, was also used to great effect and made for a marked contrast to the seldom-occurring moments, where there was a splash of colour.
All that said, I found that there was something missing. There's no doubt it was a very good movie and I did enjoy it, but that missing something has been nagging me since I watched it. Anyway, despite my vague ramblings, I think you'll find it well worth checking out.
The rest of the weekend was a blur, as it felt like it was over, shortly after it started. I do seem to remember it being the best weekend I've had in some time, so that counts for something.
So Hillary Clinton snatched New Hampshire, out of the jaws of defeat, proving that she's not a lost cause. It will be interesting to see what happens when we more to some of the more heavily-populated black states to the south. I wonder if Mr. Obama has shown them that he can win and that it's actually okay to vote for him, or if this second-place finish will in any way hurt him.
Either way, Hillary was certainly the big winner in all this and when it comes down to it, what's most important is a democrat in the White House, right?
Poll suggests Canadians would back any candidate Democrats run in U.S. election - CP / Yahoo!
I have one link today and it's all about Barrack. It's Tuesday and so that means the next in a series of upcoming primaries to determine the two candidates who will face off in 10 months. A week ago, it seemed impossible to me that this guy could win Iowa, let alone New Hampshire, but here we are and he's about to make it two in a row. Hillary Clinton has said that she's in this for the long run and she certainly has the money to make that happen, but at least for now, it seems like Barrack Obama can do no wrong.
Newsweek went about chronicling the events leading up to last Tuesday and also followed that up with a direct sit-down with Mr. Obama, to add some direct insight. It's certainly a worth a look.
Inside Obama's Dream Machine - Newsweek
Oh, hi there, Daniel Day! Taking a load off then, after a hard days' work? You deserve it, what with putting in yet another amazing performance. How does it feel to produce consistent performance, after consistent performance? I love you, will you be my friend?
Best film of 2007. Period. Game over. Let the battle for second place begin.
I ended a lovely weekend with a truly wonderful film. I won't do it justice with my words, but suffice to say I'm sad that I saw this at the start of 2008, as it's going to be a long time before another movie this good comes along - if it happens at all, this year. Paul Thomas Anderson gives us a film that should be a crowning career achievement, but remarkably is only his fifth full-length feature. I own both the deeply beautiful yet (in my mind) deeply flawed 'Magnolia' and the wonderful 'Punch Drunk Love' and I'll own this, the day it's released.
Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano ('Little Miss Sunshine') play three completely compelling characters and I looked forward to every scene I had the pleasure of watching.
The visual look has long been important for this director and he doesn't disappoint here. The stark landscapes and the way the characters are presented, along with the use of clever camera placement and quality of shots, leave you breathless and I won't apologize for what I don't consider hyperbole. It's just such a beautiful-looking movie. It seems like no detail was too small, when you see the final product.
If 'the other truly great movie of 2007 - 'No Country for Old Men' - showed how a lack of music can work to the advantage of the material, then 'There Will be Blood' showed the exact opposite. While writing this, I looked up the soundtrack information and was reminded that it was alien-faced Jonny Greenwood that was behind this score and my God, is it a work of genius. This be goin' on my iPod, folks. The tension-inducing scenes combined with the tension-inducing strings of his arrangements, were enough to keep my breath held throughout most of the movie and had a curious effect on the audience, of searching desperately for a way to release the anxiety surrounding what they were watching. Even though I was in a theatre with only about 42 seats, the room erupted in nervous laughter, when finally given a chance to let it out at a scene that might not necessarily have been as funny, when we first sat down.
I'm done. See this movie.
I was wandering around IMDb and thought I might share some of the titles that I came across. Who knows, some of these might be really good:
Killing Pablo - IMDb
Star Trek - IMDb
Burn After Reading - IMDb
Defiance - IMDb
City of Ember - IMDb
Tree of Life - IMDb
I'd ask you to share your own finds, but comments don't work properly for pretty much anyone. Mind you, if you have a Live Journal account, that should work just fine, so give that a try.
