The Reduction of Friction

So it began snowing over night while I was at work. Not a surprise, they've been predicting it for at least a day. Last winter this would be the cause of some concern. This winter it's a chance to try out my snow rated all seasons.

They did just fine.

Except for the UBC micro-climate, where it seems to snow much harder than anywhere else (quite ironic how this mimics the institution), the snow wasn't too bad. Never the less the tires were nice and solid. I did see some other cars slip around a bit, so I'm pleased I didn't. Didn't get a real test, like starting on a hill. I happened to hit the lights just right.

So far so good. And if I don't get a chance to try them out any further, that's ok by me. Snow in Vancouver is just wrong.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire last Saturday. I'd call it the best movie of the four so far but it's like the Empire Strikes Back. Empire is, in my opinion, the best movie of the Star Wars series but the ending still leaves me cold. Han Solo is trapped on carbonite and Luke is seriously messed up. So it is with this story in the Harry Potter series. The good guys fight to a draw and the bad guys are ascending. I had a similar reaction to the book.

Penguin Batting Cage

Received this from my brother. It's a little bent but it's compelling.

http://n.ethz.ch/student/mkos/pinguin.swf

I've made it 272 feet, which doesn't match my brothers 298.

Walk the Line

Walk the Line is the new Johnny Cash biography. Actually, it's more the love story between Johnny Cash and June Carter told from Cash's perspective. If you've read any of the press, just about everything they're saying about it is true.

"Walk the Line" is well done from a cinematic point of view. I loved the opening sequence (If I described it to you I'd destroy part of the magic). Other moments in the film provide a wonderful foreshadowing of and visual links to what is to come. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon do their own singing and its good (I'm afraid I like Witherspoon's voice better than June Carter Cash's).

The acting in the film is great but there were moments where I found myself looking at Reese Witherspoon, not June Carter. Maybe that's just me, but Witherspoon's face was a bit too angular. She needed more weight.

This is a long movie, and they still missed many details. From a non-fan perspective, they brought together the right details for a good story. I suspect real fans will be disappointed at something that wasn't included. I was sad "A Boy Named Sue" wasn't included. I loved that song as a kid.

My only complaint is the story drags somewhere in the last third. It lost some momentum and I was ready for them to wrap it up.

If you're at all interested in seeing this movie, go. If you're at all a fan of Johnny Cash, don't miss it.

Awesome Light Display

Rocketboom is ... eclectic. One is never sure what the next day will bring.

In Monday's case, it's freakin awsome:
http://www.rocketboom.com/video/extra/unknown/house_lightsx.mov

rocketboom yea

PostSecret

How do you tell everyone your secret without giving it away?

Sent it to PostSecret.

Once a week the PostSecret website displays a selection of anonymous postcards containing peoples secrets. Sometimes they resonate, sometimes they're sad, sometimes they're naughty in a fun way, sometimes they're banal, and occasionally they're vile.

No, I haven't sent one in. And there's no way for you to know if I'm lying.

Zathura

If the trailers from Zathura reminded you of Jumanji, there's a reason. They both came from books by the same author and both have the same plot device to drive the story forward. Kids with problems find game, game puts them in a life and death situation together they have to deal with, you know the rest.

If you're wondering, Zathura isn't as good as Jumanji. However, it isn't an exact clone either, dealing with two brothers not getting along not a bother and sister alienated after the loss of their parents.

Zathura is a straight forward story with some genuinely fun moments. The story doesn't have layering (like Spy Kids or Jumanji) so don't expect an adult story in the kids story. The story arc actually reminds me of a Brady Bunch episode. The way the two brothers get along together, or rather don't get along together, is well done. There's an older sister, but she's mostly a foil for comic relief. The story moves along quite well and has a twist that isn't screamingly obvious.

I think Zathura is a good family movie for the young boys of the house. It may be a bit long for the adults. I got a kick out of it and didn't mind seeing it in the theatres, but would say wait for family night rental or TV unless you need a night out and Harry Potter is sold out.

Blue Ball Machine

The Blue Ball Machine was recently featured on Rocketboom. It brought a smile to my face. Then there's the Blue Ball Tragedy. Make sure you have your sound turned on.

Zesty Mexican Soup

In my quest for easy, healthy recipes I found "The World's Healthiest Foods" website: http://www.whfoods.com. I've tried a couple of recipes from the site, the Zesty Mexican Soup is a keeper.

My version doesn't include the corn or collard greens. I don't think I've ever seen collard greens locally and who the hell puts corn in soup? In spite of my very strongly held conviction that zucchini is a weed I did include it. Chopped very small.

This soup has all the hallmarks of a great recipe. Tons of flavour, made in a single pot, and straight forward. It's also hearty, so it'll last you a while.

Meh

The last, oh, whole bunch of months I haven't felt very ambitious. I've still been a functional adult and have kept myself entertained with the mindless stuff. I've been avoiding anything that requires an excessive amount of thinking or remotely resembles a household chore.

This seems to be changing a little. Witness the blog entry, among a bunch of other little stuff. I've actually cooked myself dinner a couple of nights this week instead of hitting a restaurant, AND did the dishes afterwards.

Still a struggle, though.