Weekend report
I found the shop that sells new gas cards, and the electricity key arrived unbroken in the post, so I can now relax and use my utilities normally.
Went to see "Half Nelson" - the film about the junkie teacher - with S.
Good grief. Look, I understand that maybe the decision to use a handheld camera was due to budget constraints, but fer godssake rig up a steadicam! I've seen DIY instructions on the web to build steadicam rigs for less than $50. Then maybe you won't have half the audience with motion sickness. And about arty blurring of the picture to suggest the actor is under the influence: yeah, I get it. I got it the first time. You don't have to keep ON doing it.
"Fill the frame" is good advice to developing film makers. It is not synonymous with "always stick your camera up their bloody nostrils." Camera shots: as in life, variety is good.
The female lead was very strong, and I really felt that the story - what there was of it - was her story. She was the only one who changed or grew or did any of that, y'know PLOT thingie. Ol' fuzzy face just kept sticking the junk up his nose and we never did find out (a) why he started or (b) why he continued doing it.
A load of other plot-stuff just sat there like an old Ford on a cold morning: conflict with his supervisor - mentioned but doesn't go anywhere. Conflict with his old girlfriend - mentioned but doesn't go anywhere. And his cat - look if it's relevant then do something with it; otherwise cut it, okay? Didn't the author ever hear of rewrites?
Frankly you'd do yourself less brain damage if you spent the admission price on smack. Avoid.
On Saturday I did that smoked ham joint in the slow-cooker. Mmmmm-mmm. Studded with cloves and just a little sliced onion in the water. Sliced like a dream and gorgeous on HM onion bread. It's in my sandwiches for lunch today, together with the usual fistfuls of beansprouts and sliced veggies.
The liquor of course I turned into ham and pea soup. The dried peas cooked down into a velvety puree which hardly needed the little swirl of cream (2 teaspoons of non-dairy coffee creamer in a tiny bit of boiling water). The last bowlful is reserved for my supper tonight, with either HM crusty wholemeal or herb foccaccia.
Had an email from an ex of mine, let's call him Popcorn. Glad to know he's well enough to work again. Cowboy says it's fine for me to see him again if I want - just name the funeral parlor and he'll make all the neccessary arrangements. Think I'd better tread carefully here.
Went to see "Half Nelson" - the film about the junkie teacher - with S.
Good grief. Look, I understand that maybe the decision to use a handheld camera was due to budget constraints, but fer godssake rig up a steadicam! I've seen DIY instructions on the web to build steadicam rigs for less than $50. Then maybe you won't have half the audience with motion sickness. And about arty blurring of the picture to suggest the actor is under the influence: yeah, I get it. I got it the first time. You don't have to keep ON doing it.
"Fill the frame" is good advice to developing film makers. It is not synonymous with "always stick your camera up their bloody nostrils." Camera shots: as in life, variety is good.
The female lead was very strong, and I really felt that the story - what there was of it - was her story. She was the only one who changed or grew or did any of that, y'know PLOT thingie. Ol' fuzzy face just kept sticking the junk up his nose and we never did find out (a) why he started or (b) why he continued doing it.
A load of other plot-stuff just sat there like an old Ford on a cold morning: conflict with his supervisor - mentioned but doesn't go anywhere. Conflict with his old girlfriend - mentioned but doesn't go anywhere. And his cat - look if it's relevant then do something with it; otherwise cut it, okay? Didn't the author ever hear of rewrites?
Frankly you'd do yourself less brain damage if you spent the admission price on smack. Avoid.
On Saturday I did that smoked ham joint in the slow-cooker. Mmmmm-mmm. Studded with cloves and just a little sliced onion in the water. Sliced like a dream and gorgeous on HM onion bread. It's in my sandwiches for lunch today, together with the usual fistfuls of beansprouts and sliced veggies.
The liquor of course I turned into ham and pea soup. The dried peas cooked down into a velvety puree which hardly needed the little swirl of cream (2 teaspoons of non-dairy coffee creamer in a tiny bit of boiling water). The last bowlful is reserved for my supper tonight, with either HM crusty wholemeal or herb foccaccia.
Had an email from an ex of mine, let's call him Popcorn. Glad to know he's well enough to work again. Cowboy says it's fine for me to see him again if I want - just name the funeral parlor and he'll make all the neccessary arrangements. Think I'd better tread carefully here.