`Head in the sand'

Yesterday I met a guy called Scott.
From what I can tell he'd be in his early 20s and he seems just like anyone else.
I met Scott at a seminar about IBD.
What struck me about him is, just as I said, he appears your average inner-wester, he seems happy.
He also has IBD, not the same as me but not entirely different.
He was there because, in his words, he has his `head in the sand' about it and thought it was a good idea to hear a few experts speak on the topic.
I was there for somewhat similar reasons although I can't get away with saying I've been ignorant because that is far from the truth. If anything I'm a little too informed.
We had a bit of a chat and during it I think something clicked for me.
Here's a young guy who, despite admitting to his ignorance about his condition, has been living life as best he can.
It occurred to me that I hadn't been and today I felt pretty good about myself. All the negative emotions are really not helpful and when they are around things seem to spiral out of control.
I'm not saying I am going to stick my head into the sand and ignore everything but at the same time there is merit in doing it occasionally, in a way.
Before I left I gave Scott a business card (I can't believe I actually had one on me because there have been many times when one would have come in handy and I was out of them) in case he wanted to get in contact. I don't expect him to though (and said that).
The good thing is I learned something by meeting Scott, and I wouldn't have if I didn't go along.

Chance meeting

I don't know whether it is significant or not but today I bumped into a guy I hadn't seen in maybe four years since he left church.
Funny thing was, initially I didn't remember his name. It was on the tip of my tongue but I just couldn't place it. Fortunately we had a bit of a chat and a coffee (well he had the coffee) and when ordering it they asked his name. Bingo, and it saved me a bit of embarrassment.
Ever seen the movie Sliding Doors? Well had I not caught the train I did this afternoon I would have arrived at the shopping centre 20 minutes later than I did and would not have bumped into him. I don't know if that is a significant thing or not. But it was odd after so long.

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.

Reboot

It's great to say this. Tonight I went along to church and had an awesome time.
I decided to take up an invitation from a friend to come along to his church and it was a positive experience.
For whatever reason the topic of going to church has been a touchy one, I get this intense feeling that I don't want to go quite often. It's the same feeling I get when I'm uncomfortable somewhere and want to leave.
I found the sermon quite clear and accessible and not too long. Having sin explained in terms of Me First was novel but made the point nicely. The music was pretty good, not Hillsong quality but you don't expect that, and I knew a few of the songs. Because of that I had a flashback or two to my Annandale days, but a good song is a good song no matter where it is sung!
I'm not sure where all this will head just yet. I may go back to that church again but it was important to have had a good experience, to reboot things.
The week certainly has been an interesting one. From family reunions at my aunt's funeral (I think everyone's heart broke when my seven-year-old nephew placed a flower on the coffin), reminiscing about my uni times when I drove past it on my way and trying to make sense of what's going on at work.
Who knows what this week will bring?

Always good

There is a guy I often see at work who, when you ask him how he is going replies `always good' every single time.
It's got me thinking. Is this someone who really has a handle on life and the attitude you need to handle it or is it a delusion? Probably the former. I often bump into him when getting breakfast and, like today, when leaving the building after work. The turn of phrase he uses didn't really register with me until this week.
Funny.

Keeping secrets

Ever have trouble keeping your mouth shut when you're told something and aren't allowed to pass the information on?
Well I'm in that boat at the moment and it's not a frivolous piece of information I am sitting on either, so there would be ramifications if I let slip. Not earth shattering ones, I admit, but possibly personal ones. Hopefully it is only for a few more days, maximum, but since it involves a non-social topic it is even harder not to talk about it.
Best option may be to not think about it too much....

Things that matter, things that don't

This week promises to be a strange one, possibly an emotional one, but hopefully a good one.
In a couple of days I have to go out of town for a funeral and I can't say I am looking forward to it (you never look forward to these things but I think you know what I mean).
It's going to be one of those occasions where a lot of family will gather and most of whom I haven't seen in years for various reasons. It has been a bit of a bad run with losing people lately and that is weighing on the mind a little.
Someone said to me the other day that when this happens it is a `reality check' and that is true. But it is a pretty dramatic way to shake you up and make you remember how valuable life is.
I honestly don't know how I feel about the coming trip. It isn't like I'm going to a town I've never been to before (though it has been a while) and I reckon if I can handle going to Melbourne where I don't know anybody I can handle this. Maybe I am just over thinking things.
There is a song I have been listening to called Things That Matter, by Rascal Flatts, and it has really struck a chord with me in the light of what has been happening.
We spend so much time and energy worrying about trivial things like work politics, traffic, delays and the like when what really matters is people and relationships. I'm more guilty than most of worrying about things that are out of my control and I know that I should expend more energy living rather than being afraid of life.

One Tree Hill's finale that isn't

As a huge fan of One Tree Hill
(heck I named my blog after it) I have to say I very much wish the season 6 finale was the series finale.

It was easily the best episode of the season and brought the whole series together brilliantly. So why do we need a season 7?

We already know that Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton aren't returning and, seriously, how can the show be called One Tree Hill without them, particularly Murray (far left).

His character Lucas is the centre of show, it's about him and from his point of view, largely.

One Tree Hill won't be the same, and as brilliant as creator Mark Schwahn is I can't imagine it being nearly as good, without him - even though Lucas can be a bit annoying at times.

So while my opinion means little in the scheme of things I'd be tempted to ignore what happens in season 7. Any continuation shouldn't be called One Tree Hill, they should spin it off into a new show. If there's any chance season 7 can be avoided it should be done. I don't want to see One Tree Hill jump the shark as many shows do.

I'm a huge fan of TV shows ending when they should and ending well. Friends is a brilliant case in point. You left the finale satisfied and not needing to know anything more (despite this the under rated spinoff Joey was actually quite good).

That's exactly how I felt at the end of One Tree Hill's season final.

I don't need to know any more about Lucas, Peyton, Brooke, Nathan, Haley, Jamie, Mouth, Chase, Mia, Deb, Dan and Karen.

I'd be more than happy to say farewell to the show now knowing where all the characters stand and knowing it was six seasons of high class drama, but with a heart and soul.

By the way, I think it is kinda fitting that this is my 700th post.

Speaking Louder Than Before

Somehow I missed the release late last year of Jeremy Camp's fifth album, Speaking Louder Than Before.
So after a random look at Jeremy Camp's website I headed out a few days ago to pick it up. At a time when, in my opinion, there is very little music that stands out this was an opportunity for one of my favourite artists to do just that.
As is my norm, this review is based on first listen (well, a listen and a half if I'm being really truthful).
Unfortunately, while this CD is good it doesn't stand out. And that's a big shame because his previous release, Beyond Measure, was excellent and only surpassed by the debut release Stay.
I read that Speaking Louder Than Before is aimed more or less at a youth audience and maybe that is why it hasn't really grabbed me, or maybe it will grow a bit.
But that isn't the trend with Jeremy Camp, he's usually instantly likeable. The title track and My Fortress appealed greatest to me, particularly My Fortress and the chorus lyrics show why.

You are my fortress, you are the refuge where I hide, you are the strength when I can't fight, you are the only one I rest my life in, you are the only hope I can find, you are my only peace of mind, you are the only one I rest my life in.

While this CD isn't the one I was hoping for it's passable and if you are a Camp fan then it's worth getting. As I said, this one might be a grower so there is hope. One thing I do hope, though, is that he does have another cracker in him sometime soon. My other fave Chris Tomlin really disappointed me with the Hello Love album, his latest, and that is concerning.
While they are both Christian artists I am quite critical when it comes to music, movies and television, and I've always held that just because a song is about God doesn't automatically make it a good one. You only have to go to any church to realise that.

Snap out of it

It should be simple.
Why can't I seem to get it out of my head that things are going to be bad when I go back to work tomorrow after a short break of 10 days?
This harks back to the somewhat misguided ultimatum I was handed last month and the feeling I have that it has put me on the outer. I may well be, and probably am, completely wrong here.
Perhaps it is the way I'm wired but I just have that doubt and it's affecting my overall mood.
Perhaps the best solution is to get it out in the open when I get back there so I know where things stand. The best solution could also be to just forget it but since that seems to be the more difficult option I may have no choice.
The problem is that, historically, common sense doesn't always prevail in the workplace where politics seems to be bubbling to the surface.
I just want to go to my job and enjoy it.
Is it that simple?

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

Stunned is the best way I can describe my reaction to The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and that's considering that I could see the conclusion coming for about 15 minutes.

The film is told through the eyes of eight-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield), the son of a Nazi commander in World War II. To Bruno his dad is just a soldier and he doesn't understand the nature of the war they are involved in.

When they are moved to the country from Berlin, Bruno is forbidden to explore the back yard. Little does he know that beyond the back yard is a concentration camp.

Eventually Bruno escapes out the back and he encounters Shmuel, a boy of similar age with a shaved head and funny looking pyjamas. What Bruno doesn't understand is that his new friend is a Jew and a prisoner in the camp.

I think the film has been promoted enough for me not to need go any further.

As I said the ending, despite its predictability, stunned me. I don't think it was a particularly brilliant film but it is well done in the sense that these stories aren't usually told through the eyes of an innocent child.

I wonder whether it would have had more impact on me had it been in German with subtitles? Just having them speak English doesn't seem authentic. In fact it isn't. But that is minor, I'd say this film is worth a look. But I think that you should read as little as possible about it because, as stated, I found it predictable.

That's not to detract from what it is trying to portray. That aspect is well done. I'm giving a 7.5 out of 10. I wanted to go higher but the first quarter is borderline boring before it builds a bit from about half way.

Rebuilding

Almost a year after it burned down the old house is starting to look like a house again.

It's supposed to be finished by July and that may happen, weather permitting, if the speed of the rebuilding I saw last week continues.

I spent almost a week up home and in that time the house went from just having the base to having its frame erected.

Overall I had quite a good time while I was away. Caught up with a few friends, both of whom are not far off having children (it's easier for one as he, obviously, doesn't have to carry the child).

For some reason I had some kind of hay fever or allergic reaction to something up there, which is weird because I never used to. But for the last few days I couldn't stop sneezing, well you know what I mean.

I also had to attend a funeral, which is never a good thing. I met a lot of family I hadn't seen in many years, most since I was a teenager at best. So you get the whole `I remember when you were `this big'' reactions.

Star Trek

You always approach a remake, or `re-imagining' as they call it these days, with caution but I'm happy to say that Star Trek well and truly was worth it.

Cleverly, director JJ Abrams has set up that this `Star Trek Begins' film is not so much a remake but an alternate version.

And he cheekily says so in the film. I won't give anything huge away just in case.

The film kicks off with the birth of James T. Kirk within a fiery showdown with some renegade Romulans led by Nero (played deliciously by Eric Bana) then we are taken into the Vulcan world to meet Spock.

Flashing forward, Kirk (Chris Pine) is a typical smart-alec young man who itches to get into conflict. Meanwhile Spock (Zachary Quinto) makes the choice between his Vulcan and human heritage.

After the cocky Kirk is involved in a bar room brawl he is dared by starfleet Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood) to sign up and emulate his father, who was killed the day Jim was born.

Kirk and Spock almost immediately clash when they meet which makes the plot developments even more interesting.

The rest of the Star Trek crew come together to board the Enterprise on its maiden voyage. Aside from the two leads the casting of Simon Pegg as Scotty was a masterstroke. You have to see him to get what I mean.

So is it any good? Hell, yeah. Though I must warn that the best way I can describe this movie is `Star Trek, 90210'. The characters are young and get up to some things young people do (particularly the previously mentioned cocky Kirk) but I think that is part of the appeal. It's not trying to redo Star Trek, as I said this is an alternate version.

And in another masterstroke they have an appearance by Leonard Nimoy (the original Spock) whose inclusion is crucial to the whole thing making sense.

I am not in any way a Trekkie, I have seen the other films but not so much the many TV series. But I have to say I enjoyed it immensely. It was funny, interesting and entertaining. What more can you want?

Also, Pine was amazing in taking on the Kirk role and making it his own. Quinto, who we all know as Sylar from Heroes, is equally brilliant. An 8.5 out of 10.

Body balance

Most of us aren't used to stretching in ways illustrated by pilates and the like.
Tonight I attended a class called body balance, which was a mixture of pilates, yoga and stretching but with also an emphasis on relaxation.
I must admit I was rather negative about it before tonight, having been pestered into going, but I have to say that it was pretty great.
That's despite being a rank amateur. I'm sure I stood right out in my red shirt (won't be going so bright next time) and with my occasionally uncoordinated movement.
I also sweated heaps so that probably means it was doing some good. Afterwards I certainly polished off a bottle of water fairly nicely!
It's now a few hours since the class finished and I feel fairly good, though the body knows it's been through a workout.
So it was a pleasant surprise.
On a sad note, my dad's aunt died yesterday of cancer. It's amazing how quickly it has happened.
I remember seeing her at Christmas and she was pretty good, in fact I don't think it was known then that she had it. She was a lovely lady, she used to live next door to my grandmother and was quite an active person.
I do know she was a fairly strong churchgoer and that's great.

The secret world of newish parents

It didn't really occur to me until today that there is this whole world of people with babies and they have this culture that I also hadn't noticed.
Some friends of mine had a party today for their daughter's first birthday. I was one of only two people there who either didn't have a child or weren't about to become a parent. So I definitely felt weird.
Amid all the congratulations as others who had just had a baby arrived and were greeted I observed that this segment of the community was one I had largely overlooked. And they all behave so strangely. They talk about how all their kids are going to grow up together and how the boys are going to ignore or be intimidated by the girls until they are teenagers when they'll suddenly take note.
There was talk of breast feeding, sleepless nights, planning for more kids when the financial situation is kinder and a bizarre game of pass the parcel that only about three kids actually actively took part in (the mothers substituted for those unable to tear open newspaper).
Then there was the presents, which was definitely more for the benefit of the parents.
Pardon the cynicism, everyone that I know there are very nice and my friends but they turned into different people. At one point I was left holding a random child and very grateful when I was able to hand him back.
I had a fine afternoon but it was all a bit surreal. I'm not against kids, in many ways it'd be great to have them (other things come before that though, naturally) but I was very pleased to be able to come home to a house with no babies!

Unstoppable

After one listen (as is my custom when reviewing CDs) I can confidently say Rascal Flatts are back in form.
Their sixth CD, Unstoppable, is a shade ballad-ish but that isn't necessarily a negative.
I suppose it is hard to follow up such an awesome album like Me & My Gang and I think that was the problem with Still Feels Good, it was okay but that's about it.
Unstoppable, in many ways, is typical Flatts with stories told or remembered of lost love and regret. But then again that is country music.
Clearly the standout track is the title track Unstoppable. It gave me chills when listening to it for the first time (I replayed it a few times later on which is always a sign I like a song heaps).
Maybe the reason I like this one so much is that while it is about lost love, it's positive as well.
`Keep on believing don't give in, it'll come and make you whole again, it always will it always does, love is unstoppable'.
Other songs that stand out are Close, Holdin' On and Once plus the fun Summer Nights (no it isn't a Grease cover).
I'm pretty happy with this CD and it will get a high rotation in the coming week. Also hoping that the Flatts make good on their intention to come down under, it'd be awesome to see them live.

Farewell Sunline

Sunline , the best racehorse I've seen, died today.
She was one of the best gallopers to race in Australia and was a champion for the best part of five years.
I saw her race many times and when I watch the replays of some of them I still get chills.
I have photos of her hanging on my wall and there are only four racehorses with that privilege.
Of her 32 wins the best was probably the 2000 Cox Plate, if you know anything about horse racing then you know that you just don't win the Cox Plate by seven lengths.
It was a smashing and was awesome to watch.
She was 14 and had four foals, none of whom will be half as good but at least she lives on.
Like Harry Telford, trainer of Phar Lap, said in the film - `(s)he wasn't just a horse, (s)he was the best'. At least I think so.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

I find this prequel to the X-Men series very, very difficult to review because, as a fan of the original series, I have quite a strong opinion.
One of the main story lines throughout X-Men was the mystery surrounding Wolverine's background.
Continuity between X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the trilogy is vital and I'm not entirely sure it was there. That's a massive negative for me.
We start off by learning about James Logan (Hugh Jackman) and his brother Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber) and how they are different from others and apparently they are immortal because we start in 1845 with them as children, they grow up then stay the same age for about 150 years.
Pretty good work there.
Aside from that glaring problem, Logan and Creed are discovered by Colonel Stryker (Danny Huston) and are made a part of his `government team' of people with special talents. This crew is particularly interesting.
Long story short, Logan chooses good over evil and leaves the clan when their actions and his beliefs collide.
For about half the film the best way I can describe it is `meh', it was all right but not particularly awesome. I will say that it did pick up, we met a horribly underused character called Gambit, and things came together reasonably. That's the big challenge they faced here, the dots had to be joined between this and the first X-Men movie.
I'm going to say that this movie didn't need to be made. I liked that Wolverine was mysterious and torn and knowing what happened to him doesn't make a lot of difference (largely because ultimately he doesn't know his own background come X-Men). So it's all a bit redundant.
Having said that, there was some good action and interesting characters. A 6.5 out of 10, pretty poor considering X-Men 3 got a 7.5 from me.

Pain in the neck

If you don't mind, I'd like to feel a bit sorry for myself at the moment.
Since I woke up this morning my neck has been very sore and it is really getting to me. I must have turned sharply during the night or something, because yesterday it was seemingly fine.
I have an appointment with the chiropractor for tomorrow afternoon and that will no doubt help out but I am just getting impatient - I want the problem fixed and gone.
It's like that with all my problems. A lot of the time I just want them to be gone instead of having deal with them.
Ever feel like that?
The neck thing has been building up over time, not helped by my poor posture (which is a lot tougher to correct than it sounds because habits are terribly hard to break), and general impatience.
I have to say it isn't as bad, I'm not getting serious headaches, but it's just the area where the neck and the top of the spine (if that makes sense) meets that is playing up. I have done a few stretches, should be doing them more.
It seems something comes up just when I'm on an even keel. I'm pretty much fine aside from that, I feel like I need to lose a few kilos (but that's another long and complicated problem). I',m getting a check up at the end of the week (have to have the blood test tomorrow as well) that should confirm that belief.
It's just a pain in the neck, literally, that's getting me this way.

A week on...

It's been seven days since the incident at work and, on the face of it, things seem back to normal.
Except for one thing.
I still don't really know how to act. Sometimes I just push on and others I get caught up in exactly how pi**ed off I am by what happened.
What makes it difficult sometimes is that I can't see evidence that anything has changed and that, to me, is really disappointing. I am enjoying having moved desks within the office, the 10m or so that I moved a couple of years back.
Maybe it is one of those things that time will heal.

Paying respects

I was told a short time ago that my uncle Barry, who is one of my mum's older brothers, died today.
It would be a good three years at least since I saw him but I have to say he was a very good man who for many years ran a boarding home for aboriginal children.
As far as I know he wasn't sick with anything we knew about so it's obviously been sudden. It looks like my mum won't be able to go to the funeral as she has been in hospital recovering from a hernia operation.
I hope she handles it reasonably well. I don't really know what to think about it, I know that sounds really bad. It's naturally very sad and I hope my aunt and cousins hold up.

I was there when....

...Takeover Target won the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 18, 2009.
Sometimes there are moments in racing that you will never forget, today was one of them.
Why? Takeover Target (I took the photo from on the fence in the mounting yard) is the ultimate fairytale in horse racing. He was bought at a tried horse sale for about $1250 and now he is closing in on $6 million, not bad for a horse who will be 10 years old in a few months time.
My big disappointment today was that I didn't tip or back him. There is an old saying, never write off a champion and we all saw why as the broke right away from a damn good field. It left me and many others with shaking heads, in awe of an unbelievable performance. It's one of those `I was there when' moments that are so rare and reserved for the remarkable.
Overall it was a very good day and thankfully I showed sense and didn't go out after a long day at the track. It actually took me about 80 minutes to get home due to the traffic.
On the work front, I stopped in there on the way to the races and moved desks back to where I was sitting a few years ago before changing jobs. Hopefully that will make things a bit better, and it will be interesting to see some reaction from one or two others. I still think it was the best thing I could do under the circumstances.

Fast & Furious

When is a sequel not a sequel? In the case of Fast & Furious it is when the sequel is set between the second and third films in the series. Follow?
Well, the fourth film in the franchise starting with The Fast And The Furious is set before the Tokyo Drift film and reunites the four main stars of the first movie.
Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) has been given a second chance with the FBI in LA and he happens upon Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) while searching for a drug importer, who just happens to have been involved in the death of Dom's gal Letty (Michelle Rodriguez).
For some reason I really got into this series from the first film, I thought the second was awesome while Tokyo Drift was good but not great. There are the spectacular and impossibly unrealistic car chase and race sequences but where I think this suffers against the first two is that they tried to cram too much storyline into the movie.
I know that's a weird criticism to make but this series is all about the cars, the chases, the crashes and the conflict. The story is secondary.
Having said that it is hard not to enjoy what is there, and basically if you liked the original then this sequel, call it The Fast And The Furious 2.5, is worth a watch.
A 7 out of 10.

Cooling off

Things were certainly strange today after the spray I received yesterday.
The couple of people I told about it said how inappropriate the action was, especially as a problem solving exercise. `If you don't like it, then leave' isn't very diplomatic.
Anyway, the boss talked to me today like the previous day didn't happen. It was hard to know how to take it.
I came up with somewhat of a solution to one of the issues and thankfully it looks like happening. So, now that Friday's here (TGIF) I'm going to a movie.

Would you like a crushed soul with that?

Ever see The Simpsons episode where Bart sells his soul?
Automatic doors still open for me and no dogs and cats are growling, so it is still there.
But, well, that's how I feel today.
I haven't sold my soul, so don't worry there, but I really feel like it has been crushed. I won't go into it in detail but I got a massive dressing down when I got to work and almost an ultimatum.
In some part I contributed to it yesterday but some out of character behaviour but I don't feel like I deserved to have my hopes and dreams (work wise) virtually destroyed.
I felt like I have been working towards something and now that's not going to happen.
The view of a colleague whose opinion I value is that what happened was uncalled for and a massive over reaction. I will get past it, I guess, but it just feels like I'll be going to work without a purpose, sort of.
True there are bigger and more important things going on in the world, and in this country, but I really feel like this is a massive setback.

Deflated

I don't know whether I am doing this to myself but the situation at work has me feeling quite deflated.
On the one hand I should be happy and grateful that I have a job, given the current conditions, and one that I enjoy. But I'm starting to believe I'm being told one thing by the boss while he does the opposite.
I was told recently that I'm relied upon because of my knowledge of the field we work in, knowledge that no-one else in the team has. Yet I'm not allowed proper input into the content and direction of things.
I was told a while back that I would be able to take on a higher role one day. Yet whenever I try to take steps towards that I'm knocked back.
It's hard to know whether I can trust what I'm being told anymore. There's a chance I could get asked to go back to my previous job in he near future but that's something I'm not entirely sure I'm ready for yet.

Save Chuck week

Word has been floating around the net that the axe could be hanging over the awesome action-comedy series Chuck.

So I thought I'd add my support to Save Chuck week being staged on another web page.

I personally am sick of networks ditching shows that are popular but don't meet their unrealistic numbers (particularly in Australia) and Chuck has already been a victim of that here.

It was picked up by Fox8 after channel 9, in their wisdom, passed on it. They also passed on the weird but wonderful Pushing Daises.

I've seen all of season one and half of season two to date and I think it deserves one more year. I'm not a fan of shows going longer than they need (Prison Break is a good example) and I can't imagine Chuck running around with the Intersect in his head for another five years. NBC, give Chuck a third season and let it go out with a bang.

So if you're in the States, watch Chuck for the rest of the season - it's a great show, a good laugh and a lot of fun. You can't ask for much more for free.

Susan Boyle, take a bow

In one of the most surprising, and inspirational, videos I've come across the performance of I Dreamed A Dream, from Les Miserables. by Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent has to be seen to be believed.
If ever there was a classic `don't judge a book by its cover' case then this is it. The judges, including the notoriously picky Simon Cowley, are left close to speechless and rightly admit to this 48 year old Brit that they pre-judged her and wrongly. And they don't have any trouble in fessing up.
If you haven't seen it head here and you won't be disappointed.

Derby Day

And I thought there was a recession on!
Some 30,000 people, and I was among them, packed into Randwick racecourse yesterday for Derby Day, one of the bigger race meetings in Sydney.
It was a long day.
I had a new mate come up from Canberra on Friday and we were on the road early to the city.
One of the benefits of going early is you tend to get a decent run with traffic and that was the case (I even had a good run out of the course at the end of the day which was weird given the numbers).
You don't realise how hard a day on your feet is until you sit down at the end. And I was watching the Storm vs Penrith game as I dozed off, not making it to half time.
Back to the races though. As far as the actual racing went it was a bit of a ho-hum day and next Saturday promises to be much more exciting.
However, the great trainer Bart Cummings (pictured, I managed to get a great angle) scored his first Group One win for 10 years in Sydney and is the oldest, at 81, to train a Derby winner.
I hope I'm that successful at 81! He certainly has a way with words.
I actually had a chat to him earlier in the week and he's quite a character, a legend of the sport, and it is a privilege to have access.
I also caught up with a couple of other mates at the races which was great, including one who really intrigues me with his seemingly controlled recklessness, if that's possible.
Anyway, unfortunately I didn't win so let's hope next week is a much better one.

Philadelphia

Earlier this week I was flicking channels and came across the movie

Philadelphia and decided to have a watch.

It's amazing that this film made in 1993 can still have the same impact.

Of course, Tom Hanks plays a lawyer fired because he has AIDS and Denzel Washington is the young lawyer hired to take on his case.

I am a sucker for drama. I love watching interesting, emotional, real, stories with excellent acting performances and this is right up there.

Hanks very much deserved an Oscar for his role.

For me Philadelphia is one of those movies that you can't help but get emotionally tied up in and I admit the eyes got a bit watery towards the end.

It's the soundtrack that really brings it out, I reckon. The music is so poignant.

Back in 1993 when this came out the world was a very different place and someone with AIDS was looked upon as a dirty, usually gay, person who deserved it.

Thankfully we have moved on a bit from there, though that doesn't make right what a lot of innocent people would have had to endure. I thought this came across well in the film.

If you haven't watched it in a while it's worth a look. Certainly made me think.

The Nick D'Arcy situation

When will swimmer Nick D'Arcy have been punished enough for his assault last year on Simon Cowley?
I in no way condone what he did but the matter has been dealt with by the law and he has received his sentence. I don't know what to make of him as a person, whether he's a 21 year old guy with a chip on his shoulder or someone who severely overreacted and has been miscast.
What he did was wrong, possibly either provoked or a knee-jerk reaction to something, and he is paying a heavy penalty. He's probably lucky he's not a rugby league player - they can't seem to stay out of trouble.
(Cowley has also paid a heavy penalty for being seemingly the innocent victim - but I don't know the intimate details obviously I wasn't there at the time of the assault).

Consider that D'Arcy has already been penalised effectively four years as far as the Olympics go.
He's been convicted by the court and now has a record and the warning that if he offends again he goes to jail.
Any chance he had to earn a living through endorsements for being what was potentially an Olympic champion and gold medal winner is gone. It doesn't matter what he does in the pool if he in fact continues swimming, very few companies would risk their reputation by being associated with him.
He's now been thrown off the world championship team.
There has been talk that Cowley may have a civil case against D'Arcy pending.
He could also be suspended or fined by Swimming Australia.

To my mind that's a lot of penalties, you'd think he robbed a bank or held hostages or something.
D'Arcy can take all this two ways. One, he can give up swimming.
Or two, he can cop it and continue training in the hope he can go to the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and the Olympics in 2012.
I hope he realises he has a chance at redemption and to be a role model for troubled youth.
He must really feel like the world is against him at the moment and I just hope he can rise above it all, genuinely, and be a better person.
Above all, I hope he has learned his lesson here because he has too much talent in the pool to step away.

Love The Beast

I'm not into cars much at all but what was so great about Love The Beast is that while it is about Eric Bana's lifelong love of his car I don't really think it is about the car itself.

If you get what I mean.

Sure, there was a fair bit of shop talk that those who work with or are passionate about cars will understand that I didn't. But it doesn't change the experience.

What we have here is a documentary telling the story of Bana's love of `the beast' and what you learn is quite remarkable and I think is very genuine.

Despite being a Hollywood star now that wasn't always the case. At one stage he was a struggling stand-up comic who was booed off a stage in Albury.

He used to work on his car with a few mates and 25 years later they still get together to tinker, talk about and drive cars.

The focus is Bana's participation in the Targa Tasmania rally in 2007.

What I took away from this film, which features segments of talks between Bana and the likes of Jay Leno, Dr Phil and Jeremy Clarkson, is that Bana is a real person.

What I mean by that is when you see a Hollywood star it is almost always in a contrived setting whereas this is raw, real and genuine. And if it isn't then Bana is a much better actor than anyone could ever think. He comes across as very grounded, attached to his car and this is illustrated when he crashes it during the rally.

There's a great moment with Jeremy Clarkson (of Top Gear for those not familiar) where he says, in his blunt manner, something like `you've travelled half way around the world to ask me whether you should fix the car, just go fix the car'.

It is a very personal movie and I think you come away with a lot of respect for Eric Bana, because few people (let along movie stars) give you such an intimate look into their life and into their heart. He should be applauded. An 8 out of 10.

Here Comes Goodbye

If you like good music, of any genre, you have to listen to Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts.
I was curious as to when a new CD will be out of theirs and I was pleased to discover it is pretty much any day now.
The song Here Comes Goodbye is an instant Rascal classic. Heartfelt, catchy and emotional, it is everything you expect a country ballad to be.
Bring on the new album, it's great that the Flatts are back!

Office politics

Last week the boss called me over for a chat and took me by surprise.
A colleague had complained to the boss that I was being rude to him and I really didn't know what to say. Can you imagine me being rude to anyone in a professional setting, or even in general?
It started with a question - ``do you have any issues at the moment?''
``Nothing major'', was my reply.
I was then told that the guy who sits next to me had complained that I'd been rude to him for a couple of weeks. Well, I said that I hadn't. Though I said at times I didn't want to talk to the guy or was reluctant to pass on information that I had that he could know if he bothered to put in a bit of effort. Basically on that front I didn't want him to benefit from the time I put in (now to be clear we are talking about horse tipping and form and it is a matter of doing your own work there).
I was then forced to tell the boss that the guy had been baiting me at work, trying to get me to say things so that he could complain about me. Childish, or what!
Anyway, as much as I didn't want to bring that up just yet I had to and fortunately the boss said that he had noticed. So that appears to have stopped for the time being.
It left me pretty royally peeved about the situation and I didn't say an awful lot to the guy for a while and really only talk to him if I have to.
I realise in a work situation you can't give people the silent treatment for long and am going to have to push past it. It's hard though, I reckon I could go to the passive-aggressive Olympics if there was one.
This behaviour is not foreign to this guy, who seems to think he can control our workforce for his own gain and has pushed people out of their jobs in the past. I ain't moving and I think he realises that fact. What he doesn't realise I'd suggest is that I want his job/role and the boss knows it (I said as much about nine months ago).
The thing is, this guy expects people to respect him but he doesn't realise that respect is something that is earned, it doesn't come as a given.

Keep Lucas or end One Tree now

As far as big risks go, dropping the lead character of a series is pretty huge. For One Tree Hill the likelihood that Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) is not going to be a part of season seven is not only a huge risk it is a stupid one.

The show's premise is about two half-brothers and from day one Lucas (pictured) has been the central character. I don't see the logic in ruining what has been an excellent series by extending the show's run without its lead and one of its other major leads in Hilarie Burton (Peyton).

Why? This is a really dumb move.

What any fan of a TV series wants is for their show to go out with dignity if it can't go out with a bang. They got it right with Friends, continuity through 10 seasons with cast and they came up with an ending that makes everyone happy.

One Tree Hill has had five central characters - Lucas, Nathan, Peyton, Brooke and Haley - since the start and the show can not lose any of them and hope to keep people interested. Imagine Friends if Ross and Rachel weren't in it. That's what we are talking about here.

I can't believe Mark Schwahn would even consider letting Lucas go.

In every snippet I've seen of him talking about the show on the DVDs it's obvious that he loves it, it's his baby so to speak, and I fail to see why he could consider this. If Chad wants to come back for season 7 then let him.

Otherwise, end the show at six seasons and let it be remembered as a great show that was smart, funny, dramatic and always interesting.

Brief report

It's been an interesting week to say the least.
I will elaborate more later.
Highlights (term used loosely) include my neck being rather painful - kinda feel like it is a steel rod most of the time and the headaches are very distracting.
Fortunately I'm seeing a chiropractor and it is getting worked on with other parts of the spine.
Tomorrow I am having my new bed delivered and hopefully it won't take too long to construct it. I will have to rearrange my bedroom but I am definitely looking forward to the added comfort of a bed that isn't too small for me.

Greatest TV catchphrases

TV Guide in the US has released a list of the Greatest TV catchphrases and it is an eclectic list.
No Homer Simpson but that's largely because they omitted one-word catchphrases, such as `D'oh!'. If you don't want to follow the link the top five were:
5. Holy ......, Batman
4. What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?
3. Yada, yada, yada
2. Dyn-o-mite (from Good Times)
1. How You Doin'?

I was kinda rapt that Friends has the `greatest' catchphrase on TV and Joey does it so well.

Top 5 fave TV characters

For a bit of fun, after a friend mentioned the idea, I thought I'd list my five favourite current TV show characters.

5. Maurice Moss (The IT Crowd, pictured).
How do I describe Moss? He's an IT nerd through and through, pedantic, weird, unworldly and very funny to watch. One of the great unseen gems of TV in Australia, the IT Crowd is a brilliantly written sitcom and, in the tradition of Fawlty Towers, hasn't been overdone (only 18 episodes to date). The thing about Moss is that at times you are also laughing with him and that makes a good character.
4. Devon a.k.a. Captain Awesome (Chuck).
Chuck's soon to be brother in law is the way too perfect guy all us normal average people kind of secretly detest. He's athletic, a doctor, he's very supportive of everyone in his life and to him everything is `awesome'. He's kind of a simple character and I think he was only meant to be a one or two episode character but he's just so interesting and funny (particularly his reaction when anyone else says something is awesome) and I think the show would be very different without him.
3. Ben Rafter (Packed To The Rafters)
I'm only a recent convert to this show but it is the eldest son Ben who seems to be the soul of the show. He's very much you're average suburban nice guy. He's goofy, impulsive, lovable and loyal and there aren't too many characters like him. I reckon he's the kind of brother anyone would love to have.
2. Kevin Walker (Brothers And Sisters)
I think there is a theme here. Kevin is smart, handsome, a lawyer, classy - but can be very childish an selfish. Yes he is the `gay one' in Brothers And Sisters but he, a bit like Ben Rafter, is the heart of the show I think. He's always stuffing up and getting into silly fights with his siblings but I always get a good laugh out of him. I think he'd also make a good brother and at least he'd be able to afford the therapy you'd need if you were. The gay thing is neither here nor there as far as Kevin goes, though it probably adds to his character a bit.
1. Homer Simpson (The Simpsons).
Who else? The king of the kids, Homer has evolved over the years into the reason to watch The Simpsons. He's been involved in all the best bits of the show, including the episodes where he famously quit church and started his own religion and when he inadvertently ate his pet lobster (my favourite two episodes). How different would culture be now if The Simpsons wasn't around? Interestingly, I was in year nine at high school when it started and my nephew, who is almost eight, has grown up watching it. That says something about the impact it has had.

Friendship breaks

I met up with a friend tonight for the first time in over a year.
It was fairly easy and it was good to hear the goings on of his life in that time. We used to attend the same church and have both moved on since then, for not completely dissimilar reasons but different situations.
So we had a good chat, and it was kind of like nothing had changed even though there has been a break in the friendship, for want of a better description.
Whether this means we'll hang out a bit more now remains to be seen.
It is interesting how people disappear and resurface. It reminds me of a quote from the movie Threesome from the 90s. Different situation obviously but I think the sentiment is easy to relate to.
`I wondered how someone can be a necessary part of one's life one day then vanish the next. Isn't it supposed to last?'

Baby news

Congratulations to my friends Johan and Lena in Sweden on the birth of their second child.
And thanks for the photo! (I know you check this blog now and then).
No news from me on that front (or the girlfriend front for that matter) but you never know what the future holds.

Knowing

I'm going to break with the norm a bit in reviewing Knowing , the new film starring Nicolas Cage.
Yes there will be spoilers, because there's no other way to get around it. But first here's a general review, to be followed by some comments about the film and what happens at the end.
Cage plays John Koestler, a college professor whose son Caleb is given a letter from a time capsule buried at his school 50 years earlier. The letter just comprises a bunch of seemingly random numbers. When Koestler studies them he uncovers a pattern that is predicting disasters and the number of people who will perish in them.
What he can't work out is how they affect him and why Caleb is so involved. His colleague Phil (played by Aussie Ben Mendelsohn with a pretty decent US accent) doesn't believe him even when Koestler is witness to a tragic plane crash predicted.
He seeks out the family of the girl who wrote the numbers in the time capsule letter. He comes across Diana (played by another Aussie Rose Byrne) and her daughter Abby (who looks eerily like the young girl from 50 years ago) in search of answers.
That's enough plot. I was very interested, even after reading a scathing review, as the movie managed to build a bit of suspense surrounding the meaning behind the numbers along with some pretty spectacular disasters. Then it kind of copped out.
It was pretty obvious (to me anyway) that the bulk of the movie was filmed in Melbourne but an overseas audience wouldn't pick it so easily.
You know, it wasn't a terrible film. It was well enough done, the story was good to a point (that I will discuss shortly) and the effects were good. Can't go higher than 6 out of 10 but I can't help but wonder what could have been.


Spoiler alert


OK. So after seeing a frightening scene of the earth being destroyed by fire we start to wonder what role Caleb plays in this. Also, the strange ghostly skinned men who tend to turn up each night continue to be mysterious. It all promises so much.
Then they decide, at a point where you can almost see the fork in the road in the writers' minds, that the strange men are aliens or extra terrestrials of some kind here to start a new world using selected children of which Caleb is one.
At that point I was very disappointed. I thought we were well past copping out with alien storylines and some other conclusion would have been much more satisfying. On the plus side at least no-one saved the world - it was actually destroyed by the sun.
The only alternative summation involves a biblical scenario where God was destroying the Earth but saving a number of chosen children to take to another world and start over again. There was a scene at the end with a large white tree and I wondered if it symbolised the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. There was a biblical reference that pointed in that direction midway through the film. Still, I think it was a cheap way out. That's my thought on it anyway.

My own `Sixteen Candles' moment

Anyone who grew up in the 80s would be familiar with the movie Sixteen Candles.
Well, today I had my very own Sixteen Candles moment - my housemate forgot my birthday.
Initially it was disappointing that someone I have shared a house with for as long as we have been could not remember a birthday.
Then when he realised I actually felt a bit bad for him because he was feeling pretty guilty. So much so he pestered me for a while to allow him to take me out for a drink tonight. If nothing else his reaction shows that he cares.
In the movie Molly Ringwald's character turns 16 but her parents forgot because of everything else that was going on. It has that classic line - `I don't believe it. They f***ing forgot my birthday'.
I never thought that would actually happen. For the record I turned 34 today.
Yesterday I spent most of the day out and about so today I chilled out for the most part.
I spent the day at the races then went to a mate's house party on the other side of Sydney. I met a bunch of interesting people and had quite a nice time. So it was a good way to spend a `birthday weekend'.
By the way, happy birthday to Brant whose birthday is the 21st but thanks to being on the other side of the world we share, technically, the same day.

Construction

I had a call this morning from my rather excited mum to tell me work has commenced on building a new house.
Given the old one was only demolished a couple of weeks back this movement is encouraging and perhaps they will be able to move back in around July. Given holds up that can happen with weather and such perhaps August might be more realistic.
On another topic, I had a visit to a chiropractor today for the first time and it seems, no surprise to me mind you, that there are some posture created issues that are causing discomfort. So I was sent off for some X-rays which were done straight away (one of the great things about a metro city) and hopefully there will be progress next week.

What is intimacy?

I have been reading a few articles on the topic of intimacy and am finding it an intriguing topic to think about.
Not so much intimacy when it comes to a one on one relationship like marriage, but it's all about knowing and being comfortable with yourself and others.
That's something I'm not sure about. One of the questions posed in the article was: do you like yourself?
Now the obvious answer is yes, but when I think deeper about it I wonder about how much I do. I'm not always nice to myself, I have bad habits, I'm far too self-deprecating, I worry too much, I could go on.
Are these actions of someone who likes themself? Would I be like that to my best friend? Aside from the occasional disagreement and an hour or two of silence, absolutely not. Why is it then good enough to treat myself by different standards?
Now the article is about growing comfortable with intimacy, things like physical (non-sexual) contact with others, letting other people into your world, communication. I'd maybe scrape a pass mark on the first, fail miserably at the second and for someone who works in that industry my communication skills are ordinary when it comes to personal stuff.
It's not that I don't want to participate, I want to feel closeness that is reciprocated and not punished, like I get now and then. I know we are all a work in progress on a lot of issues. I guess this is one of mine. While I fully understand the concept and largely how it works (I try very hard with certain people but they don't seem to want to play ball and that can be disheartening) it seems like something that takes time to learn, because it doesn't seem to come naturally.

Watchmen

One thing I can say about Watchmen is that I haven't seen a `superhero' film like it.

A former superhero called The Comedian is murdered and a mysterious `Watchman' called Rorschach investigates with the theory that someone is offing the superheroes, who have been forced to assimilate by the Government.

We meet what's left of the Watchmen: Night Owl, Silk Spectre, Dr Manhattan, Ozymandias and they are all at different stages of coping with life without their superhero status.

This I think is the most interesting facet of the film. Night Owl particularly is having trouble with his alter ego and he comes across quite like a Clark Kent but not intentionally bumbling. It's almost like the normal human life is weighing him down.

I'm not going to go on about the plot because it is quite complicated (for someone not familiar with the graphic novel).

I couldn't help but think after the film the similarities the characters had with Batman characters, kind of like they were an alternative 1980s rip off. Humour me.

Night Owl is obviously a nod to Batman, even in some of his mannerisms, Silk Spectre is a bit like Catwoman without a mask, Dr Manhattan has a Mr Freeze look and demeanour about him, Rorschach is very much the Scarecrow and well The Comedian/The Joker?

Watchmen is very graphic, quite funny in parts and I thought quite interesting. Not your average superhero film, worth a look but there are some really graphic moments including some sex scenes and Dr Manhattan's member is fairly prominent throughout the movie.

A 7.5 out of 10.

Whirlwind trip

I crammed so much into the short time I spent in Melbourne last weekend I almost don't know where to start.

In an effort to cut down on taxi expenses I caught a shuttle bus into the city and then walked to my hotel. Only, I got kinda lost as I was being a bit too casual about my directions.

After some backtracking I found it quite easily and dumped off my stuff, eager to see as much as I could by evening when I had planned to enjoy a relaxing night in.
I quickly found my way to the Eureka skydeck (obviously the building in the centre of the photo to the left towering over the rest) on the other side of the Yarra and headed for the 88th floor and the viewing area near the top of Melbourne's tallest building.

The ability to see the entire city is amazing and a great way, I thought, to take it all in. Some landmarks stood out easily like Flinders St Station, the MCG and the Docklands area.

After snapping some photos I headed off for a walk along the river and some lunch.

The one thing about sitting by the river to eat is that you're usually accompanied by at least one seagull.

When I had finished eating I saved some bread for the birds and as soon as I threw the patient gull a piece another six or seven suddenly emerged to try and get some for themselves. Now I didn't save so much as to feed a flock of seagulls so sadly some missed out.

I decided to see a different part of Melbourne to the last time and went for a walk past the MCG (second picture, the view from the Skydeck of the cricket ground and tennis centre) and towards Richmond.

On my way I passed Olympic Park, where the Melbourne Storm have played a lot of their games, and the Collingwood Football Club.

In the park behind the club there was a an AFL game in progress so I stopped for a while and had a look.

I was told it was a trial match between Collingwood and North Melbourne reserves teams (third picture, Collingwood are in the black and white, reserves waiting to go on the field) and there was a reasonable crowd for such a low profile game on a Friday afternoon.

But Melbourne lives and breathes AFL as I had confirmed when the pre-season semi-final was on in prime time TV that night.

I ended up catching a tram back to the city and headed to the hotel for a short rest before taking off again for dinner.

I ate at a restaurant overlooking the Yarra, a nice setting for the end of the week.

Then I wandered back to the hotel to read the papers, a magazine I had bought and just kick back to watch the AFL and the Simpsons episode that preceded it.

Some time during the football there was an earthquake near Melbourne registering 4.7 (so it was officially a tremor) but I didn't notice even though I was on the eighth floor of the building.

In the alley where the hotel is located is this pub that was absolutely packed, and I mean beyond capacity, with a lot of the crowd outside in a designated area.

The next morning I was up fairly early and went to, of all places, McDonalds to grab some breakfast as I couldn't find a cafe open at the time. OK, I only had English muffins with vegemite. I checked out of the hotel and headed to the train station to go to the races. It was great catching the train, not to mention cheap, and it was also another opportunity to see a different side of Melbourne.

The races were great again, Super Saturday, and I met a lot of people who I'd spoken to many times but hadn't met in person before so that was great.

In general I met some nice people, and I found that people are generally friendly, they smile at you in the street and aren't bothered by saying hello. Unlike Sydney, generally.

On the flight back I chatted to an interesting guy from Germany and one from Ireland who were heading to Sydney to continue their travels. Again I had an awesome time down in Melbourne and I'll go back again hopefully for a bit longer so I can hire a car and see a bit more of places like Geelong, Mornington and Ballarat etc.

A fitting result

Racecourses can be very cruel places at times. By nature they are unforgiving, punters are critical (why not I guess when you invest money on something) and sentiment is only very rarely appropriate.

One of those times was yesterday and I was fortunate enough to be at Flemington to witness it.

A week earlier jockey Craig Newitt was told his father had been killed in a car accident less than an hour before he was due to ride in a big race. He rode and ran second, only beaten just before the post.

Yesterday he rode Heart Of Dreams (pictured) to win the Australian Guineas and received a reception that nobody can deny he deserved. I admit that as I applauded him as he returned to the mounting yard that I felt a shiver or two for him.

Earlier in the day I spoke to him briefly, offered my condolences, and wished him good luck for the day. I doubt seriously if I could be as strong as he has been this week and it would be well within the realms of possibility that he will fall apart when he lets himself. And he is allowed.

I'm pleased to have been there to witness such a fine moment. Good on you, Craig.

Super Saturday

Well it has been a pretty flat-out week, kinda feels like it should be Friday today not tomorrow.
Having said that it is close enough.
I'm off on another short trip south and I think it will be a completely different experience to the searing heat of last time. But it's going to be great.
Staying in a different place (also slightly cheaper) and have a bit more time as well as know a bit more about what I'm doing and where I'm going. The event I'm off to is called `Super Saturday' and from what I saw today it appears that it will be.

Breaking Dawn

This afternoon I finally finished the fourth book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, all 750-odd pages of it!
I have to say overall it didn't grab me as much as the previous books and I reckon if it had been shorter it would have been much, much better. When I read Twilight I couldn't put it down, it seemed to fly and was simply riveting (to me anyway). Some of Breaking Dawn, particularly early on was a bit of a chore but when you've made it this far in a series you have to hope for the best.
New Moon, the next film being made, took a while to grow on me but once it did I found it similar to the first book.
Eclipse again was a bit slow to kick off. With Breaking Dawn I just thought there was so much build up to the finale, some of which made it border on an anti-climax, it could be ruined as a movie as most of what needs to be focused on happens towards the end.
With the movie version of Twilight I thought they brushed over some important stuff - though if you'd hadn't read the book you probably didn't notice. As I said when I reviewed the movie there were some very interesting scenes at school and in the James pursuit that they really wasted opportunities on.
Similarly with New Moon, there's some pretty boring stuff going on early in the book before things heat up from about a third of the way in. In all three remaining movies of books there are some scenes that I can't wait to see on screen and I hope they are as awesome as the baseball scene in Twilight.
I haven't gone into a movie series as a fan of the books before so it is a vastly different experience for me as I have all these preconceived ideas of what the movies should look like.
I can see scenarios where New Moon is royally stuffed up and hopefully that isn't because they are rushing to get it done for release in about eight months time and will probably work on Eclipse back to back.