2006 Oscar Roundup:

(Ziyi Zhang)

Normally this time of year would find me posting about the Oscars, or at the very least Oscar fashion. But quite frankly I didn’t watch this year. There was just no draw for me. I had not seen most of the movies nominated and figured that most of the awards were a foregone conclusion. I found it interesting that Crash pulled the upset and won Best Picture and I was excited this morning to read that Peter Jackson has 3 more golden statues to add to his shelf for the underappreciated monkey-epic King Kong. From what I have seen this morning most of the dresses were hideous. I thought Ziyi Zhang’s and Nicole Kidman’s were okay. I was disturbed by the continuing trend of women in Hollywood losing weight to the point of being emaciated. Some body fat is preferable. If I wanted to see a woman’s skeletal structure I could take an anatomy class. So that’s it. Instead of great Oscar platitudes you get a much more boring story:

“How I Spent My Weekend” ~by Carl V.

Friday was gorgeous. It was sunny and the temperature was fantastic. Driving to work I had an epiphany…I did not much feel like working! Less than an hour into my day of servitude I politely informed my boss that actual work was not in the cards for me that day and I left.

The first order of events for this spontaneous vacation day was to do the unthinkable…I bought shoes. This may not seem like a monumental event to some but to those who know me best, shoes, or clothes for that matter, are items that I rarely purchase. Although I love the look and feel of new raiment I loathe spending cash on said items; especially when there are comics, computer games, books, movies, etc from which I obtain much greater enjoyment. 🙂 And I am not a shoe hoarder. I have one pair of good sneakers, several ratty pair for working around the yard, one pair of dress shoes that I never wear and my black boots (hiking, not cowboy). The aforementioned boots were a purchase I made in a Walmart store in Hawaii in October of 2003. For some time the back heel on each shoe has been separated from the sole…in my defense, they are comfortable. I decided on Friday, however, that I had actually gotten my full $16 out of them and so went and bought not one, but two pair of boots…one brown leather, the other black! I knew Mary would be proud so I phoned her up immediately to inform her of my derring-do. She was indeed quite happy with me. She is now trying to entice me into throwing my Hawaii boots away…I intend to hold onto them for work boots.

I then spent a little time in a used bookstore, found the PC Game Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory new for $15 at CompUSA (really liked the first two), and had a wonderful lunch with Pat at Panera. After lunch I met James for the first showing of Ultraviolet (review tomorrow, it was a stinker, yet fun).

Later Friday evening we had James’ and Jules’ daughter Jessica spend the night. We ate terrific pizza, watched Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and watched all the extras.

W&G was every bit as enjoyable on DVD and there are some really fun extras on the disc. I am excited that Wallace and Gromit won the Oscar last night as they really deserved it.
_________________________

Saturday we loaded up the family and did some more shopping. I continued my trend in trading old for new and bought two pair of Levi’s jeans (I’ve had one, and only one, pair for a long, long time and they are tattered and torn). Mary’s parents were very generous and offered to send us money to purchase a new washer and dryer, both of which we really needed. We purchased both items on Saturday though we didn’t opt for the front loading washer…all our friends are cool and have these…we’re still the squares of the appliance world. We also had enough money to purchase a new vacuum cleaner (also desperately needed) and a cordless phone for the office. Thank you Mom and Dad Russell! After dropping off Jessica we hit an antique store where Mary helped me find a few items for a project I am planning and I managed to find two paperback books in two of Harry Harrison’s trilogies that I needed: Deathworld 3 and Homeworld.

Saturday night we had our family night and we watched Pride and Prejudice on DVD. If you remember my review I really liked this new version but did have some complaints. It was so liberating watching it a second time as Mary and I both commented that this time we were able to watch it as its own movie and not compare it to the BBC version that we like so well. I gave the movie a 4 out of 5 star rating initially but would upgrade that now to much closer to a 5. My only lasting complaint is that I continue to feel that an added 20-30 minutes of story would help this version. I saw many things I did not see in the filming on my first viewing that impressed me greatly, especially in the way in which it was filmed. We also watched the extras. There are far too few in my opinion but what is on the disc is very nice. It was great to see how much the cast got on together and I was especially pleased to listen to Donald Sutherland talk about how much he enjoyed working with all the girls. If you have not seen it I still highly recommend it.

And the music is just wonderful. May have to get the soundtrack for this one.
_________________________

Sunday after church my brother-in-law Mike helped me transport and install the new washer and dryer. This would have been an easy task but for the fact that both are located in the basement and I had not one, but two washing machines that needed hauling upstairs in addition to the dryer. And then of course both new appliances had to be moved downstairs. I am extremely thankful that Mike offered to help as it was a very tiring affair.

Soon after I went off to work for the evening while Mary washed and dried clothes with reckless abandon. Would that the initial joy would last…I doubt as much enthusiasm will accompany laundry chores for any of us once a few days have passed.
_________________________

And that is all. In between all this activity I managed to fit in some enjoyable reading time including our first issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine that was a gift subscription from Mosker. Thank you Nick, I already got an idea for the bedroom!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and will have an enjoyable week to come.

It is mid-week of a very stressful week and I want to escape, or hide. While that may seem like a somewhat negative thing on the surface I am convinced that both are needed at times in our lives to enhance our lives. We escape through books, movies, daydreams. We occasionally need to hide out from family and work obligations to take time for ourselves. Today feels like one of those days. In my blog reading recently I discovered a link on Neil Gaiman’s site that would make hiding out at home infinitely easier: Hidden Passageway.

I don’t remember the first time I saw a movie or read a book with hidden passageways in it…I do remember it is one of the things I enjoyed in the Don Knotts movie Private Eyes…but I recall that I have wanted my home to be full of them for as long as I remember. Who hasn’t wanted to pull a book from the bookshelf to reveal a secret room, or pull a hidden lever to reveal a secret passageway? If I had a large amount of money to build my own home there is no doubt that I would incorporate things like this into the design…no doubt at all. Watch the videos on the Hidden Passageway site. They are very short computer animations of the things that they install: hidden safes, spinning fireplaces, bookshelf rooms…not to mention a very cool chair slide. All those things are just too cool. I wouldn’t mind having several in my office as well.
_________________________

It is no secret that one of my greatest forms of escape is reading. Neil Gaiman’s skill at prose has always made that escape seem as easy as falling…or in this case walking through a hole in the wall. Stardust is one of my favorite Neil Gaiman stories. It is the tale of Tristan Thorn, a young man with a secret unknown to even himself, who crosses over into the realm of fairy to seek a fallen star. Stardust is a marvelous fairy tale that has been slated for the world of film for some time. Matthew Vaughn, director of critically-acclaimed film Layer Cake and most well known for dropping out of directing X-Men 3 has co-wrote the adaptation of Gaiman’s work and will begin filming in earnest this April. I wish I could say I was entirely excited about this film but I am actually more apprehensive. Although Neil Gaiman has given the project his blessing he is fond of pointing out that this is Vaughn’s interpretation of Stardust. If you’ve read the book you know it is one that doesn’t need to be improved upon or re-interpreted. Putting it on screen as is would make an ehchanting movie and the LOTR technology makes filming it well a distinct possibility. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime read the book, it is a wonderful way to escape.
_________________________

Speaking of hiding and escaping via books, it is very logical that New Orleans would have lost a great deal of the printed word during the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Now the New Orleans Public Library is seeking hardback and paperback donations. Any books not selected for library shelves will either be sold to raise money for the library or given to destitute families. So, if you are thinking of cleaning out your bookshelves for a good cause you may want to consider this. Reading is one of the most positive and life-enhancing ways to escape from the world for awhile and despite the passage of some months the people of New Orleans are surely in need of a little escape once in awhile. Books can be sent to:

Rica A. Trigs, Public Relations
New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112

If you tell the Post Office that you are sending the books to a library they will charge you the library rate which is cheaper than media mail. (Thanks goes again to Neil Gaiman’s site for this info.)
_________________________

And finally on this Escapist Wednesday I must comment on the fact that we have escaped the bonds of February and are now in the third month of 2006. Perfect time for an Uberlist Update. I have gotten through 4 more books this month, half as many as last month but I am still well ahead of schedule for my goal and am proud to say that I am reducing my stack of to-be-read books in addition to getting through books loaned to me by friends. Of course my book purchases as well as gifts from friends continues the growing of the pile but thankfully the acquisition of books was not something I addressed in my Uberlist, so bring them on!

I completely redecorated my bathroom this month, another item on the Uberlist and one that thrilled my wife Mary very much. Having President’s Day off was just the motivation that I needed to complete that project and check it off the list.

One of my Uberlist items is to create at least one piece of written art, one piece of two-dimensional art, and one piece of three-dimensional art this year. In order to not procrastinate and find myself art-less at the end of the year I set a deadline for planning for at least one of the projects for the last day of Feb. I am glad to say that I actually have 2 three-dimensional projects in the planning stages and am in the process of gathering materials to begin work on them (and I have my dad looking for stuff for me too…thanks dad!). I’m very excited. Don’t know if they will turn out the way that I want but I’m ready to try anyway.

I have kept up with some of the smaller, more personal items on my list and have some items that I have had to reschedule deadlines for. I have only lost a few pounds and as spring approaches I really need to shift some focus to my physical health…getting more sleep and walking need to be priorities.

Thanks for listening, I need to keep sharing monthly for my own personal accountability.
____________________

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone. It has been unseasonably warm here. I was actually out on my deck reading Monday. It was fantastic. I am still hoping for some snow but will take 68 degree days in leiu of that. Get out there and escape!

Two voices of laughter were silenced this weekend as the world lost Don Knotts on Friday and Darren McGavin on Saturday.

Don Knotts’ role as bumbling deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show has entertained generations of children and adults. Barney Fife is one of the most recognizable icons of television history and interestingly enough was a role that wasn’t a part of The Andy Griffith Show‘s early planning until Knotts himself called up Andy and suggested it. Don Knotts won 5 Emmy’s in a row for Best Supporting Actor in a show that started up in 1960 and ended the year I was born, 1968. Despite that fact, I am one of an untold number of children who grew up watching reruns of The Andy Griffith Show being thoroughly entertained by the antics of Barney Fife. The Andy Griffith Show is one of the best sitcoms to ever air thanks in large part to the talents of Don Knotts. I was thrilled to discover that Mary and my favorite episode, The Pickle Story, was also Don Knotts’ favorite. We laugh hysterically every time we are fortunate enough to see that one.

In addition to his most memorable character Don Knotts performed in a number of fun comedies including The Incredible Mr. Limpett, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Private Eyes, No Deposit, No Return, and Hot Lead and Cold Feet. The latter two movies also starred Darren McGavin. Don Knotts pairings with Tim Conway were priceless comedies, at least they were when I grew up. My favorite Knotts movie by far is The Private Eyes. It was an interesting moment when I first sat down to watch this movie with my own daughter as I had flashbacks of watching the movie with my sister when she was a child. Tori and I both laughed heartily at the same spots causing Mary to comment about the fact that father and daughter have the same weird sense of humor.

Don Knotts was 81 and died Friday of pulmonary and respiratory complications.

Darren McGavin passed away Saturday of natural causes at the age of 83. The two above mentioned films with Don Knotts were just two of the many films and television episodes that McGavin performed in during his long entertainment career. The story goes that McGavin was painting a movie set in 1945 when he heard about a small role. He climbed off his ladder, walked into Columbia studios, and landed the role. McGavin’s gruff voice and seemingly natural acting ability allowed him to play a number of both serious and comedic roles. For me, however, he will always be remembered as Ralphie’s father in the classic A Christmas Story. A Christmas Story has been a family tradition for years and I never tire of Mr. Parker fighting the furnace, cussing out the Bumpasses and their hounds, and staring in awe at his “major award”. There are a number of lines I quote from this film throughout the year and this coming Christmas I will watch with a twinge of sadness. McGavin’s makes the role of Mr. Parker in A Christmas Story one of the most memorable comedic father’s in all of filmdom.

Both actors have brought joy and laughter into my life. They have starred in films that thrilled me as a child that I could then turn and rediscover with my daughter and for that I am enternally grateful. The purity and grace of their comedic talent has entertained generations and will continue to do so. Both men will be missed but their legacy of making us laugh will surely live on, and the world of entertainment is a better place because of them.

Seeing that it is hump day and we are all counting down to the weekend I thought my offering for the mid-week post-Cherub-day, too-many-chocolate-hearts blues would be to offer you some eye candy.

Night Watch (Nochnoi Dozor) is, as it says, the first in an epic horror trilogy. Based on the best selling Russian science fiction novels of Sergei Lukyanenko (which also include Day Watch and Dusk Watch), Night Watch shattered Russian box office records in the summer of 2004 beating out LOTR: ROTK and Spiderman 2 at the box office. Why it has taken so long to get over here is beyond me but it opens in limited release this Friday. I am hoping that this does not turn into another Mirrormask situation for us here in Kansas City because this is one cool, freaky looking movie that I have to see on the big screen. Now! Go here for the trailer. Night Watch looks bizarre, fun, and eerie.
_________________________

Have you seen The Triplets of Belleville, the Academy Award nominated French animated movie? If not it is a must see, highly entertaining. While traveling the internet superhighway I came across this short film which mimics Triplets in style and humor. It is called Le Building.

It is very short and very cute. There is an extremely brief (non sexual) naked part in this so you might want to make sure your boss isn’t watching over your shoulder. Unless of course you have a cool boss who is into fun short animation. Click here to open site and watch.
_________________________

And sticking with the theme this is an animated insurance commercial, the Tomorrow Monster, by the director of The Triplets of Belleville, Sylvain Chomet. It too is short but very sweet and sentimental.

I like this style of art when I find it in a traditional sequential art format and seeing it animated is even more enjoyable. These last two animated shorts were found courtesy of the wonderful art blog Drawn!.
_________________________

And then there is the movie that I am looking the most forward to this summer: Nacho Libre. From the director of Napoleon Dynamite. ‘Nuff said.

Well, there is your eye candy for today. I hope you watch all of these and enjoy them as they are all visually entertaining and will hopefully add a little something to the hump day routine!

(Image by mid 20th century illustrator Earl Oliver Hurst)

Valentine’s Day. That one special day of the year that is a boon to some, a bane to many. Whether you awoke today to delight or to dread there is no avoiding it, today is all about amour. For some, this day represents a day of acknowledged affection. For others it is the most hated holiday of the year, especially if one is alone, one’s partner is forgetful, or one has an abnormal fear of pink and red, hearts, flowers, candy or that certain fat naked baby with a bow and arrow.

I enjoy Valentine’s Day as much as any other holiday, but I am not objective. As a happily married man I have a guaranteed receiver for my tokens of affection. I know her well enough to know that there is not a big risk of disappointment and yet she still inspires me to new and creative ways to show my affection. That being said I think Valentine’s Day is more fun as a kid’s holiday. I remember decorating boxes each year to put Valentines in and the fun of going to the store and picking out just the right ones. Is it me or does anyone else remember that there were usually a few no-so-kind cards in the bunch for you to give to people you didn’t like? I also remember the fun of going home and opening up the Valentines and looking at the candy. Yes, it was a real treat. Even at 13 my daughter still likes to have this type of Valentine’s Day party with her friends at school, it will be sad when that time passes.

For those of you who may not have anyone else to say it let me wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day! For those of you whose love burned so passionately that you could not wait for a spring wedding I say Happy Anniversary! And for anyone who likes a bit of bitter, cynical humor I point you to last year’s Anti-Valentine’s Day card site (with added material for this year).

Or you could always express yourself with a little zombie love.

And for the learning inclinded a stop by The History Channels’ site will give you all the information you need concerning this day of love.

_________________________

For my darling wife Mary, I love you very much and am grateful for your love as well. Thank you for my favorite gift ever…you!

Happy Valentine’s and Anti-Valentine’s Day everyone!

Woman begins by resisting a man’s advances and ends by blocking his retreat. ~Oscar Wilde

Women are made to be loved, not understood. ~Oscar Wilde

I see when men love women. They give them but a little of their lives. But women when they love give everything. ~Oscar Wilde

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

~William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116

and, just to end this mischeviously:

Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same. ~Oscar Wilde