Winter blues

For a few weeks I've been feeling a little lower than normal. It's not depression but a lot of the time I'd describe myself as a bit negative.
And it is getting to me.
It is clear to me that the biggest issue I have is that I worry too much and that is a big part of this lower mood as I tend to allow what most people would deem minor things become potentially major. Mountains and molehills and all that.
This became apparent yet again today as I felt crummy for most of the day and spent too much time and energy over analysing what was going on.
I'm far too sensitive to what the body is up to and as a result the imagination starts running. I wish there was a button I could push that will stop the times of worry.
I know that it is a battle I have to fight harder, to condition myself not to get caught up in `what if' and everything else that goes with it.
Is it as easy as saying to yourself `I won't worry today' or something to that effect? Like everyone else I want an easy fix but I realise it ain't going to happen like that. They don't call it the hard way for nothing!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

To the surprise of everyone, Transformers was a massive hit and rightly so because it absolutely rocked.
Sadly, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen comes in a disappointing second as someone forgot to hire an editor to keep the film flowing.
While the original film was fast paced, tongue in cheek and packed with action its sequel is high on the action but low on the editing and as a result we have an overly long movie that lags far too often.
It is also childish in its humour, largely, as opposed to laughing at itself.
Now that I've said that you'll think I hated the film. I didn't hate it, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I expected and it definitely didn't live up to the hype.
Like the first film, the best thing going for it is its lead Shia LeBeouf as Sam Witwicky. His presence is what holds it together and what helps it later in the movie when he finally becomes the human focus. Megan Fox provides the eye candy and, sadly for her, she is reduced to just that as she is stuffed into short shorts and tank tops and asked to do a lot of running. Yeah we were all drooling, and that's what they were going for, but geez.
I thought the sidekick Leo had potential but he turned into a wimpy, blubbering mess midway through and that wasn't funny. His focus on his groin was pretty amusing though.
Of course, being Transformers, the story revolves around the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons and the writers went ahead an confused us right from the start by introducing the character called The Fallen and not explaining him nearly enough. Some of the new robots are either annoying (the twins) or just plain weird.
We're taken from prehistoric times when he landed on earth to him holed up near death on some outer planet waiting for the energy source he needs to be found. Hello? We need continuity people.
When things did get going it was great action and even though it did wind up pretty quickly (as opposed to taking forever to get going) there was some redemption. But at 150 minutes they were pushing it.
Hopefully when Transformers 3 comes around they can produce something slick like the original and not rushed like this second outing. My advice, lower your expectations. It gets a 7 out of 10 - the original got an 8.5 from me.

My top 5 Michael Jackson songs

Like most people around the world I reacted to the news of Michael Jackson's passing with a fair amount of shock.
But, and I wonder if this is a different thought to others, it's because he was one of those personalities you thought would be around forever. Some people, above the rank of celebrity, seem immortal. Princess Diana was one of those.
So in honour of the King of Pop, these are my favourite Michael Jackson songs. They may not be his biggest sellers or signature tunes but I reckon they were supreme anthems.

5. Man In The Mirror
A haunting memory from my high school days, this song is actually quite inspiring. If you want to change things start with yourself, a great message.
4. Smooth Criminal
I'm not exactly sure to this day what the song is actually about but it is so infectious.
3. You Are Not Alone
This song is a perfect example of what he was capable of, a perfect ballad. It's heartfelt and moving and I never tire of hearing it.
2. Come Together
While the Beatles version is excellent I think this is one of the few covers that surpasses the original. What he did to this song was give it the guts it needed, the heavier sound. It's also the only song I have sung karaoke more than once.
1. Give In To Me
Dangerous was the first CD I ever owned and this song was always the standout. With Slash on the guitar, this song also has guts and a sound that makes me want to scream out the words. The video clip is awesomely cool as well.

Careful what you wish for

Tomorrow sees the beginning of what will be a fairly steep learning curve for me at work.
It's a great thing, because it is something I have wanted a crack at for a while, but the last week or so it has occurred to me that I might not be ready.
I have some experience at what I will be doing but, basically, within a month I have to know how to run the show on my own. Big step. A fair bit daunting. Totally achievable, though.
It is exciting, and does show to me that hard work is rewarded sometimes. The circumstances aren't the best, though, and that is making things a bit strange.
The important thing, I think, when I'm learning in the coming weeks is to not expect to know everything straight away. Take it a step or two at a time.
On other topics, I love rainy weekends occasionally. So this weekend was kinda nice. Although both days started with a big tease of a fine day before those hopes were dashed fairly quickly.
Aside from State Of Origin II this week the anticipation for the Transformers sequel is pretty high. It has been caned a bit in the reviews this weekend but I come to expect that from most of the critics I read.
I'm not really expecting a great storyline (hey, they are 80s ex-cartoon robots) and with 150 minutes to get through that is some concern. But if the action is as good as the trailer makes out then it should be a wild ride.
I've otherwise had a fairly good weekend. I finished reading the fourth instalment of Buffy season 8 and it is starting to lose its appeal. They should have stuck with the TV series, but then again it is a comic so I shouldn't be too harsh. I do enjoy finding out what happened next and you don't get that with a lot of TV shows.

The Hangover

Just a little contrary to a lot of reviews, I don't think The Hangover is one of the funniest movies you'll see - but it is a good laugh.

It's a pretty simple premise. Four guys head to Vegas for a bucks party and wake up the next morning with no memory of what happened, only a trail of destruction.

It's how they got to that point, to the point of losing the buck, that is the bulk of the story and the bulk of the fun.

Somehow there were chickens, a tiger, a hooker, Mike Tyson, a stolen police car and a somewhat strange Asian man. Most of it is explained, some of it is left up to the imagination.

Of the four main characters, Alan (Zack Galifianakis) steals the show. He's hard to sum up and you kind of have to see him to get it. Bradley Cooper (seen in Yes Man among others) is Phil, a school teacher who seems to hate his students and is up for a good time. Dentist Stu (Ed Helms) is about to propose to his girlfriend despite the fact she is mean to him and has already cheated once that he knows of. This trio spend most of the film working out what happened to them and where Doug (Justin Bartha) ended up.

Heather Graham makes a return to film as the hooker Jade and she actually adds a bit of class.

Overall, I had a pretty good laugh at this film and it was awesome when they did the big reveal of what actually happened. However, I Love You Man was much funnier, despite the wraps for The Hangover.

Having said that it is worth a watch and you can't ask for a lot more than a good laugh most of the time. I see they are considering a sequel. Bad idea.

A 7.5 out of 10.

New Moon trailer

The second film in the Twilight series, New Moon is a step closer to release with the first trailer now doing the rounds.
From the first look it appears faithful to the book again, which is important, and it gives us the first viewing of the new Jacob (same actor of course), something that was hinted at for those who were listening at the end of Twilight when Edward was escorting Bella into the ball.
Naturally, if you've read the books there are no surprises only anticipation as to how it will all look (the Italy stuff could be pretty cool). Personally, I'm looking forward to a few scenes that should be in Eclipse, the third film, coming out next year.
If you haven't read the books I'd advise it, while it will spoil what is going to happen in some ways it will open up the story more. When I watched Twilight I could easily fill in the gaps that the film had and I think that helped, rather than hindered which can happen with adaptations.

Infighting

I had a bit of an off day yesterday and after having a chat with a friend about it had a few thoughts on the matter. I spent the day feeling rather negative, largely to do with some little things going on that I managed to turn into big things.
To be clearer, even though I know better I let some minor aches and sensations bother me to the extent that I wondered if there was something seriously wrong. It's a common complaint of someone who has suffered anxiety, and it bothers me greatly that I let my mind run away with me.
It seems to me that when there should be unity between the body and the mind they just keep fighting each other. When I was chatting to my friend about it he said, and quite appropriately, that if you want to find something wrong with yourself then if you look hard enough you will find something, regardless of how minor it is.
Life can be hard enough without being your own worst enemy, I reckon.
I'm also having difficulties with another friend of mine who just doesn't let other people in when times are tough. I really want to be supportive, and not just lip-service supportive, but he's good at not letting me, making him harder to care for than it should be.
The big issue is that there is a major event in his life and I don't know how badly it is affecting him because he won't show it. Occasionally I might get a glimpse, even tonight I could tell.
I'm doing my utmost to let him know I care (and he knows that without any doubt, I'm sure of that) and I hope that is enough, for now.

I Love You, Man

I have to cut right to the chase, I Love You, Man
is the funniest and best comedy I have seen in quite a while. It's always tough when someone wraps a movie so much because you expect it to be great, so I'm sorry for that.
But it had to be said. I haven't had such a belly laugh in ages. And it's a fairly simple story, there's plenty of truth in it, and a lesson for men everywhere.
Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) is getting married and it quickly becomes apparent that he has no mates, he's only had girlfriends and all the guys have dropped away.
So he is set up by his brother to go on `man dates' to make new friends. The people he comes across are an eclectic bunch, from a gay man who thinks it is a real date to an 89-year-old internet savvy man whose picture is not a representation of himself.
Peter then meets Sydney (Jason Segal), a single man who prefers divorcees because he is not looking for anything serious. They strike up a friendship despite Peter's inability to talk `guy talk'.
In some ways this is a romantic comedy about two guys developing a friendship. It plays out in a fairly standard manner but at the same time is rollicking good fun.
As far as guys go, there is something to be taken from this movie about male friendship and its role in a man's life. It is something that, from experience, I think that a lot of married men I know should consider a bit. At the same time there are a few who seem to have it worked out.
There are no Oscars here, but it is engaging, well written (if a bit over-crude early on) and well performed. I can't ask for any more, and the teardrops of laughter say I enjoyed myself immensely. An 8.5 out of 10.

The weight

I had an incident involving the bathroom scales this evening that has prompted me to act on something that has been on my mind for a little while.
Yep, I need to lose a few kilos.
Now this isn't normally a big issue for anyone (male at least) except for my small issue with weight loss and what it can mean for someone in my situation. It's entirely a head thing I know and it is a problem I have to get over.
So what I am proposing to do is to simply get back into the habit of taking a daily, or at least five times a week, walk. Just to get moving more. Somehow I stopped doing it and I'm not sure exactly why. It's something I generally enjoy and, really, my discman doesn't get out as much as it should!
The main reason I want to lose a bit is I just feel a little uncomfortable and while `packing it on' in winter tends to be acceptable to me it doesn't sit as well in practice as it does in theory.
So no major diets, my food intake is quite healthy with a few little exceptions, but just more exercise. Let's see how we go....

Treading water

It's probably better to be treading water than to be struggling against the tide.
If I'm being really honest I'm doing better than treading water but I have to admit to an amount of frustration at the thought.
Are my expectations too high? Or am I putting too much pressure on myself to live a certain way, do certain things because I feel I should be?
I was told a fairly while back that if I enjoy doing something I should do it (of course we are talking within reason and the law) and not feel bad about it. Then I get the feeling I am missing out.
I look at some of my friends and the lives they lead and wonder whether I should strive to be more daring, a bit reckless or spontaneous instead of playing it safe. There's no such thing as safe though is there?
Should I be married, have children, a mortgage?
Life would certainly be a lot different, perhaps they would be great things to have in life and take my focus away from myself. That's probably the issue, where my focus is. Caution can be counter productive. Treading water can get exhausting.

Terminator Salvation

In a way this is the film that Terminator fans have been waiting for. In the first three films we have been told of the apocalyptic future that John Connor was fighting and the reasons why he sent Kyle Reece back in time to 1984 where the story kicks off.
So Terminator Salvation had a lot riding on it. And it does deliver, though not quite to the same effect as the previous three. But then again that's probably to be expected.
If there is a weak link, I'm sorry, it has to be Christian Bale. I can't believe I'm saying this but he was just so wooden and reminded me far too much of Batman (from his voice not anything else). I'm usually a fan of his but I feel he may be miscast.
The star of this movie is unquestionably Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright, a man sentenced to death in 2003 who donates his body to science and wakes up in 2018 as a cybernetic organism (though it takes him a while to work out what's going on). Not just because he is an Aussie do I rate Worthington's performance so highly (it's also amusing to hear his accent slip a couple of times). He IS the star of the movie, his character is so pivotal and he just inhabits it to the extent that you forget he is playing a cyborg. Arnie could never do that!
There were plenty of nods to the previous films, the classic lines get rehashed with humourous results and the Guns 'N' Roses classic from T2 also bobs up.
There's plenty more nostalgia as well. What T4 does well is keep continuity going between all the movies. This is helped along by a voice cameo from Linda Hamilton as well.
Terminator Salvation certainly paints a bleak future, and I wonder at times why they are fighting so hard to salvage a world that has already been destroyed. But such is the human spirit.
Given that a trilogy had all but been announced it comes as no surprise that the ending is fairly open. I wonder if they have enough material - perhaps they should have tied it all up in this movie. Worth seeing, if you have seen the original trilogy, particularly for an excellent performance from Sam Worthington. A 7.5 out of 10.

Always Looking Up

Sequels are rarely as good as the original and that equates to books as well.
After being captivated, moved and inspired by Michael J Fox's Lucky Man a few years back I approached the follow up, Always Looking Up, enthusiastically.
Now I'm not going to run the book down, so to speak, because what Fox has been trying to do for Parkinson's research is well above the call. But, simply, it wasn't as good as Lucky Man and I felt I had read quite a lot of it before.
Plus, I think it is hard to follow a book like Lucky Man because I felt that everything people need to know about him and his battle with the disease is in that book.
This new book covers some of the same ground and tells us what has happened since.
But it is just not as engaging and, at times, feels like a book he was forced to write and not one that he felt needed to be read.
If you're interested in the Michael J Fox story by all means read Lucky Man. I'm not saying don't read Always Looking Up and perhaps my overall view has been tainted by expectation and the hope that I would be inspired again. I admire his work, his attitude and his courage but I didn't learn anything new.
Now I am on the lookout for a new book to read. Matthew Reilly's latest doesn't come out for a few months yet. I've been thinking about reading some Shakespeare or even a classic like Huckleberry Finn, which I have never read before.