Author: admin

What’s my favourite thing in the world? Swing dancing!

Not really! I have never tried it. Until Saturday night when Mike, Duncan, Claudine, Vero, Marc, Sara and Chantelle ventured out to the free lesson at Ottawa U. What can I say? It was alright. The only problem I had with it is that I had a whole 2 minutes of dancing with Vero and then had to switch partners. Boo. I don’t mind dancing, but let me look like a fool and a fun time with someone I know.

I was also severely snubbed during the event seeing that when I went to the next girl in line, she bailed and went to dance with a friend who just showed up, which left me standing in between couples dancing and me staring the wall. Then memories of the same events happening at Grade Eight dances came flooding back (actually, let’s be honest here and realize that no one actually danced at Grade Eight dances and it was cooler to just hang out near the wall) and I felt dumb so I did what every good man does – bail for the washroom. Ah…the safe haven. No one can question what you’re doing in the washroom. Unless you spend 20 minutes in there and your girlfriend sends my friends over to see if I’m alright. Anyhow, I’ll admit, I bailed, I was a baby, but whatever. I don’t dig dancing with people I don’t know.

So…would I do it again? Well, why not? Only if I could just dance with someone I know.

Also, I don’t know how useful swing dancing is in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps ballroom is better suited? What am I saying? It’s not like I go to any balls or anything from the 19th century here.

iplaying: Hot Metal Streaking Down the 401 – Sam Roberts Band – 2005-08-25 Buffalo NY

Ah, the return of Kate Bekinsale as the (meow) Selene.

Caught the sequel to Underworld at Silvercity on Saturday amidst a giant snowstorm. I especially like how Carol asked me if it snowed in Ottawa and I looked out the window and said no. This was, of course, totally wrong as I was looking into my backyard which has been full of snow for months.

Also, I was asked how old I was at the counter to the movie theatre. This has never happened to me. It was odd to think that this guy thinks I am under 18.

Actually, before I really start this review, let me talk a little more about the trip to the theatre. So, as you all know, Ottawa (and pretty well all of Ontario) was pelted with snow. I get to an intersection and notice across the street that there are two ladies with their car stuck in the ditch. Better sense prevails and I drive over to help them. Upon showing up:

Ladies: Oh thank you for coming over to help.
Me: No problem, let’s try and rock it back and forth.
Ladies: Do you think some cardboard under the tires will help?
Me (with this incredulous “God no, the cardboard won’t work, what are you thinking? You’re stuck in the snowbank!” look on my face): Well, I don’t know, you could give it a try.
Ladies: Alright, here you go!
(She passes me a piece of cardboard the size of my palm).
Me: Uh, thanks. (Shoves it under the tire, which is totally useless other than the fact that it’ll probably just impale me in the side of the head when she starts spinning).

Anyhow, I’m making headway and I was thankful that another gentleman stopped and helped me push the car out of the snowbank.

Thank you’s are passed around and I get back into my car and sit there plugging in my cellphone when I look into my rearview mirror and notice the guy is back again pushing the car out of the snowbank.

That’s right…they drove right back into the ruts they created into the snowbank.

Drivers of the world, heed my advice! Avoid the same freakin’ spot you just got stuck in.

Onto the movie…

So, the movie picks up literally right after the first one…if anything, a few hours later, nothing more. Selene and Michael are on the run and then Marcus shows up to kick some ass.

All in all, I liked the movie. Definitely not a rental. However, I must say that I would have preferred some clans of vampires vs. werewolves instead of the movie focussing on singular characters such as Selene, Michael, Marcus etc. That’s my only gripe. Very tiny gripe.

Last night in honour of Sena returning to the fold which is Ottawa, we watched a Hitchcock film. My first of the sort. Benoit suggested it.

The verdict is in – it’s a great flick!

I thoroughly enjoyed the film…it had suspense, it had a hot leading lady, it had a spy story. You can’t go wrong. Some people commented on how this could be a precursor to the Bond films.

My question about Hitchcock is this…as far as I know (I haven’t done much research), he is the master of suspense. Also known for his revolutionary film making techniques.

Well, here in 2006, the techniques aren’t exactly new to me. Heck, I couldn’t pinpoint which ones would have been revolutionary. What I need is a study guide to go along with the film to point out things that were in its infancy when the film was being made. I think I would appreciate the film more that way.

It’s like when you watch a film nowadays and you say ‘Hey great film, but where were the special effects.” and then people list off of a slew of them and you say “Holy crap, that was a special effect? No way!”. Supposedly that is the greatest compliment to a special effects person…letting them know that you didn’t even realize it was a special effect (unlike the Burly Brawl sequence in the Matrix Reloaded where it saddens me to see a computer generated face on top of Neo. OR, in Revenge of the Sith with all the Jango clones running around…their faces are kind of sad. With time, it will improve.)

Let’s talk about CGI for a moment…I predict in the future, that someone will have the nerve to make a new John Wayne film. Or a new Bruce Lee film. It will be the era of resurrected movie heroes. Technology can allow us to do that…the question is, will the public buy it? Who knows.

Quote of the Day – “I love watching old movies because it makes me feel young!” – Palmer while watching North By Northwest

iplaying: Infinite Sadness (outtake 93) – The Smashing Pumpkins – Mashed Potatoes