Post, Strange, & Pirates

Well, time for another random post on relatively insignificant subjects.

In recent news: I have officially been accepted for a Post Production major. Not hugely surprising in all honesty, but still very satisfying. And - I now know my crew for Term 3! Those of you I've spoken to about my past crews will understand that it was with some trepidation that I approached the board to find out who I will be stuck with for 9 or so weeks. And well - it's not too bad of a team. (Phew) Certainly several magnitudes above my past crews. Yes, for once I am not dreading crew projects. So that's cool.

I've finished Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and my word was it ever a good book. I don't think I've read anything so masterful since Till We Have Faces. The author managed to mix Austen's 'comedy of manners' style and Dicken's insight into human nature with a good dollop of the mundanely fantastic. It's a rather enormous volume (over 1000 pages) but has a plot to match, even if it does dabble in Les Miserablesesque exposition (it even has a chapter on Waterloo, though in Strange the battle is significantly more relevant to the story, and is actually able to be read in one sitting). For those of you who have read it: will you ever be able to think of mice the same way again?

The next book on the menu is Tolkien's The Children of Hurin. I know that Tolkien heartily disliked Shakespeare, but my goodness, this book is as close to the Bard as any 20th century novelist got, in my opinion. In terms of the tragedies, that is. It lacks the more plebian qualities that Billy was fond of, but I think I can survive without those. After that I think I'll move on to some lighter fare; I have a friend who owns almost every book Terry Pratchett has ever written, so I don't think I'll be at a loss there...

Seen some amazing films, and some less than amazing ones *coughpiratesthreecough*. Incredible how you can go into some movies with incredibly low expectations and still be disappointed. That doesn't happen very often, but every now and then a very special film will just take the cake. However, I generally have a very good nose for which movies I'll like and which I won't, meaning that most of the films I watch get rated 8 or higher. Watchlist is currently down to 31....

I'm Back . . . (but not really)

Hi everyone - boy I bet you thought you'd never see another post on this blog, eh? Well, had I been left to my own devices that probably would've been the case. However. I have been harassed (by someone I will not name, but would dearly like to) into posting something. I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'll not be returning to my quasi-philosophical mode; any posts I may write in the future are likely to be more down to earth, less deep, and shorter. (I heard that cheer)

So then, what have I been doing? Oh, just sitting around watching a lot of movies (not). Actually film school has been very odd and foreign, schedulewise (and many other wises as well) - we have weeks when we're trying to do 9 things at once and are running around like the proverbial fowl, while other weeks we have snot all to do.
My pet peeve at the moment: producers who don't turn up to production meetings. Cam ops, editors, arties - okay. Even directors now and then, I guess. But producers? Anyway. Enough of that.
It's really interesting to see the pack beginning to thin already - noting people that almost no one chooses to work with, and those who don't deign to turn up to even the compulsory sessions. Standing out won't be quite as difficult as I expected - but being the best will be one heck of a mission.

Just bought Tolkiens latest (and probably last) book - The Children of Hurin. Am looking forward to getting into it, but first I have to finish 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell".

That's it from me this time. :-)

A New Year Quiz

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's a quiz I came across recently that didn't have too many dumb questions in it.

 

 

1.How old will you be in five years?
25

 

2. Do you think you will be married by then?
Hmm. I always thought I would be at 25, when I was younger. Now that it's no longer an abstract concept, I'm not so sure . . .

 

3. How tall are you?
Six foot one.

 

4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
Starting my year at South Seas! (and getting my own car)

 

5. What's the last movie you saw?
Star Wars: Episode Six. Unimpressed with the movie, but loved the Ewoks!

 

6. Who was the last person you called?
Hah. Robyn. I called to thank her for sending me pots for Christmas. It was an interesting conversation. You can read more about it in my recent post "Offensives".

 

7. Who was the last person to call you?
Luke.

 

8. What was the last text message you received?
An events coordinator, thanking me for my involvement in a community project.

 

9. Do you prefer to call or text?
Depends on who I want to communicate with. If I don't know them that well, I'd rather text.

 

10. Do you have any pets?
Nope. And am unlikely to aquire any in the foreseeable future.

 

11. What were you doing at 12am last night?
Checking bags for alchohol. And saying Happy New Year.

 

12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
Married.

 

13. When is the last time you saw your mom?
About 11:30 this morning.

 

14. What color are your eyes?
Medium dark brown.

 

15. What time did you wake up today?
10:10

 

16. What are you wearing right now?
A white T-shirt with a New Balance logo on it, tan shorts, no shoes or socks, my watch, my 'endless knot' ring, and my arrowhead pendant.

 

17. What's your favorite Christmas song?
Hmm. Good question. Possibly Carol of the Bells, or O Come O Come Emmanuel (but only if it's done well).

 

18. Where is your favorite place to be?
Either in a dim, green secluded spot in the bush with a small river running close by, or in a pleasantly warm lounge on a comfy couch with friends.

 

19. Where is your least favorite place to be?
In a dentists chair. Or at a party when I don't know anyone.

 

20. Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
The United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Israel. Any of the above.

 

21. Where do you think you'll be in 10 years?
Yikes. 10 years? Anything could happen. Probably working in some semi-obscure part of the television industry. Optimistically I could be directing films. Or acting. Or I could be six feet under. You never know.

 

22. Do you tan or burn?
I burn very rarely, as a result of my olive skin (courtesy of my Hispanic background).

 

23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
A monster in the closet, or lurking in the shadows. Ankle-grabbers underneath the bed.

 

24. What was the last thing that made you laugh?
Really laugh? Looking at our Christmas tree. It looks like a sausage on a stick.

 

25. How many TVs do you have?
Personally? None. There is one in the house, belonging to my parents.

 

26. How big is your bed?
A large twin. Perfect size for me.

 

27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?
Desktop. Through necessity, not choice, but I'm not a huge fan of laptops anyway.

 

28. Do you sleep with or without clothes on?
Good grief. A T-shirt and boxers in summer, and a sweatshirt and longer pants in winter.

 

29. What color are your sheets?
Tan.

 

30. How many pillows do you sleep with?
Two. Any less and my sinuses tend to give me grief.

 

31. What is your favorite season?
Summer.

 

32. What do you like about fall?
The thoughtful, melancholic air that the world takes on. The richness of simultaneous birth and decay.

 

33. What do you like about winter?
The raw power of nature in its most barren state.

 

34. What do you like about the summer?
The luxurious ease of the season, the feel of a warm breeze on my neck, the lazy touch of the sea.

 

35. What do you like about spring?
The sensation that an underdog has arisen to strike down harsh King Winter.

 

36. How many states have you lived in?
Only two. Oregon and California.

 

37. How many cities/towns have you lived in?
Lots, and mostly before I was old enough to remember it. But I know I've lived in Salem, Pleasenton, Los Angeles, and Mount Maunganui.

 

38. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
Bare feet, unless shoes are necessary.

 

39. Are you a social person?
Generally I prefer a few close friends to a crowd.  I'm social in limited doses.

 

40. What was the last thing you ate?
A bread, egg, cheese pie/quiche thingy.

 

41. What is your favorite restaurant?
Anywhere that's quiet and will serve really good ribs.

 

42. What is your favorite ice cream?
Cookies and Cream.

 

43. What is your favorite dessert?
Cheesecake.

 

44. What is your favorite kind of soup?
Ooo. Tough one. Kumara or brocolli.

 

45. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
Actually apricot is really nice.

 

47. Do you like coffee?
Yeah, definitely.

 

48. How many glasses of water, a day, do you drink on average?
Ack. Average? When I'm being good, about eight. When I'm not being good . . . about two or three.

 

49. What do you drink in the morning?
Water.

 

50. Would you rather sleep with someone else or alone?
Well. . . it's not really a matter of preferance at the moment. . .

 

51. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
My bed's not big enough for that. But when I'm not lying on my back, I'll usually face outwards rather than towards the wall.

 

52. Do you know how to play poker?
If I think hard about it. It's been a while since I've played.

 

53. Do you like to cuddle?
Erm. It's not a habit of mine.

 

54. Have you ever been to Canada?
No.

 

55. Do you have an addictive personality?
As in, do others get addicted to my personality? No.... Or is mine a personality that succumbs easily to addiction? Again no.

 

56. Do you eat out or at home more often?
At home.  It's cheaper.

 

WHERE IS 57?
Assassinated, probably. I'm sure there will be a conspiracy theory about it.

 

58. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
No.

 

59. Do you want kids?
Yes.

 

60. Do you speak any other languages?
Nope.

 

61. Have you ever gotten stitches?
Nope, never.

 

62. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
No.

 

63. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?
Ocean, hands down.

 

64. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seats?
Window.

 

65. Do you know how to drive a stick?
Yes, I know how to, but I'm not extremely confident doing so, as I've had very little practice.

 

66. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
Nice books.

 

67. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
Yeah - my ring and my pendant, mentioned above.

 

68. What is your favorite TV show?
I don't follow TV shows much.

 

69. Can you roll your tongue?
Yep.

 

70. Who is the funniest person you know?
Personally? John, the father of a friend.

 

71. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
Heh.  No.

 

73. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
Mom has some stored somewhere . . .

 

74. What color are your bedroom walls?
Hmm. I have floral print wallpaper that's been there since forever. Fortunately, I hardly ever notice it anymore.

 

75. Do you turn off the water while you brush your teeth?
Yeah.

 

76. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
When I was little I used to make a point of keeping them shut, but now it's just whatever they were at the end of the day.

 

77. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?
Do I have a big gun?

 

78. Do you flirt a lot?
Nope.

 

79. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Whatever's at hand. Lemon juice, tomato sauce, BBQ sauce . . .

 

80. What is your favorite food?
I can't pick. But I really like a well marinated, rare done steak. I also really like lasagna.

 

81. Can you change the oil on a car?
Sadly, no.  I am less of a man than that.

 

82. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Nuh uh.

 

83. Have you ever run out of gas?
No.

 

84. What is your usual bedtime?
Anything between 10:00 and 11:00 is not unusual.

 

86. Do you read the newspaper?
Just certain parts, and only the freebies.

 

87. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
National Geographic. I'd subscribe to Time and Investigate if I was rich enough, though.

 

88. Best comedian?
Not sure.... Billy Crystal?

 

89. Do you watch soap operas?
Uh, no.

 

90. Do you dance in the car?
Not as a rule.