If I remember correctly, last Wednesday I advertised the fact that a body bag full of prizes and contest details would be announced on Friday. I made a grave error, not accounting for the fact that it would take me more time than I planned for to get the pictures ready, etc. Stay tuned, it is looking like Tuesday will be the new Friday! 😉
In other news, we had a wonderful end of summer/beginning of fall weekend with family and friends. How about you?
On Friday I was able to introduce my daughter to the magnificence of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and his bizarre masterpience, The City of Lost Children. Her response: “That was very weird, but I liked it.” It had been years since I had seen the film and watching it again was like rediscovering my joy of the film. It is such a fun movie. Ron Perlman as One, Judith Vittet as Miette (who, I am sad to say has not done much more acting. Not sure why as she was wonderful) and Joseph Lucien as Denree (the little kid who eats ALL THE TIME) are terrific, as is the rest of Jeunet and Caro’s cast of regulars.
On Saturday we spent a cozy day of relaxation with our friends James and Julie and their children. The majority of the day was spent listening to wonderful music watching several concerts on one of the HD music channels, including an hour long Sound Stage concert with Tori Amos. We also were able to catch an On Demand showing of this Wednesday’s premiere of The Bionic Woman. I liked it, it has potential, but it won’t surprise me if it somehow gets off course. It was such a terrific way to end the summer. Thank you James and Julie.
On Sunday we went with Jeff and Keri to see 3:10 to Yuma. I rarely see Westerns and I am not sure why because I really enjoy them. This film was no exception. Russell Crowe is simply one of my favorite actors, Christian Bale another. There were both fantastic in this film and I really enjoyed it. This will probably have to suffice for a review. Consider it highly recommended and a must see if you are a fan of either or both actors.
Coincidentally enough, this film, a remake of an older film, is based on a short story by Elmore Leonard. That fact combined with the fact that I got a little Lovecraft in over the weekend made for an interesting Short Story Sunday.
We then took them down to Kansas City’s Central Public Library, housed in a beautiful old bank. Mary and I hadn’t been there in years and it was fun to see it again. The parking garage is more of a marvel that the library itself. Instead of just building another typical parking edifice, they adorned the front with appropriate art work:
(I spy, with my little eye…Jeff, hiding…sort of…)
(These are steps into the parking garage, aren’t they great?)
On the other side of the parking garage they have these great tapestries:
Also included, for no extra charge, is a pet relaxation area complete with all the latest amenities:
The inside of the building is beautiful. I wish I had taken more pictures of the interior.
In the basement, due to it previously being a bank, they have some wonderful old vaults.
The biggest one is used as a film screening room:
(Click to see same picture with added bonus of Jeff’s butt being in the shot)
(close up of Film Vault door)
And, in a perfectly R.I.P.ing move, they are showcasing the work of Vincent Price during the month of October. I may have to get the family out to a few of these.
The weekend ended with Mary and I finally catching up with the first season of Heroes as we finished the last two episodes on Sunday……LOVED IT!!! Cannot wait for Season Two to start tonight.
And, of course, I would be remiss not to mention that The Conqueror Worms beat Browncoats (Jeff’s team) to secure sole possession of first place in The Hands of Glory Fantasy Football League thanks to the stellar efforts of Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook!
I hope everyone else’s weekend was equally as glorious! Happy Autumn everyone!!!
wow! That Library is Fantastic!! How could anyone ignore a building like that??!
Glad you had a great weekend!.. Sometimes things just seem to be right for weekends like this.
I’m jealous of your library!
What a wonderland of a library!
What an exceptionally BEAUTIFUL building! I’m in awe.
WoW! Without a doubt, next time we head west, we will be hitting Kansas City! That has to be the most sensational library in the country!
‘Her response: “That was very weird, but I liked it.†‘ – pretty much a general response (COLC being one of my all-time favorites)
i too saw 3:10 to Yuma this weekend (in arizona, near Bisbee no less) and was pleasently surprised, as i also rarely see westerns and often like them as well – excellent actors both.
“I got a little Lovecraft” – carl v, you should be careful with this kinda thing, it’s highly dangerous 🙂
wow – that is one of the most amazing libraries ever, ooo i feel a pilgrimage coming on, Kansas city can’t be more than a few hours drive, right?
That is the coolest parking garage in the world. Hands down. Am jealous!
Not far at all, Mysfit! Actually, the coolest library I have ever seen is the public library in Columbia, but this one is pretty cool as well.
I’m a little disappointed that they decided to plan a bunch of big trees right next to the book side of the building. That part of the landscaping was poorly designed and they planted the wrong kind of trees in my opinion.
“a little Lovecraft” has been dangerous, I’m hooked!!!
Just going to follow in everyone’s footsteps here, but hat library is something else… Love love love the steps…
Wow. That has to be the coolest parking garage I have ever seen!! What a wonderful monument to books!!
I haven’t seen 3:10 to Yuma yet. Never been a big fan of the Western, but I tend to like the ones I’ve seen. Never been a big fan of Russell Crowe either, and yet every time I watch him I’m amazed at what a wonderful actor he is!! One of my favorite Westerns actually has Crowe in it: The Quick and the Dead. I love that movie for some reason (probably Gene Hackman can play such a fantastic villian!)
Congrats on the win…..(sorry Jeff!) The Bears were looking SO BAD yesterday, I have to hang my head in shame. But if it gets Grossman’s ass planted firmly on the bench for the rest of the season, I’ll deal with it!
Definitely need to make another trip south to visit that library!! How cool is that?! I love it!
I haven’t seen Heros yet, but have it on my list. We’re catching up with House, Season 3. I think we watched 5 episodes one night. I love Netflix. 🙂
We had a very nice Saturday, too. I am glad you guys decided to come hang out with us. Sometimes I think I talk too much when I get around adults, but I think it’s do to the fact that I don’t talk very much during the week.
The music was fun!
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to that library. James and I should take the girls sometime. They would love it.
The vaults remind me of Gringotts in Harry Potter. LOVE the book paintings and steps! Very cool.
wowowow! very cool! 🙂
whats best about that is that it conveys the wonder of reading so well and will, i’m sure draw many kids to reading!
WOW – I absolutely LOVE the library.
WOW! That is one amazing library!!!
Very cool library pics!
I’ve been wanting to see the City of Lost Children for ages and it’s one of those movies that I can never think of when I’m at the video store thinking “hmmm…what should I get?”
Isn’t Heroes great? I’ve been hooked since the first episode. I’ve been so excited about tonight. The Saints are on Monday Night Football and the Heroes season premiere is tonight. So I was going to DVR Heroes and watch it after the game. Then I found out that they’re playing the damn Saints game on NBC during Heroes’ time slot!!! No!! Honestly, after the Saints’ first two games, I’d rather see Heroes. Guess I’ll be watching it on NBC’s website later tonight.
As for that library, Wow!! Our libraries suck down here. Well…libraries are inherently cool places, but the architecture is nothing to write home about. I don’t think I would ever leave if I had a library like yours! Their may be a road trip in the future…that’s definitely being put on the “cool things to see in person” list!
Those photos are awesome! I love the look of that library! I wish we had libraries here that were as cool – I might actually visit them then…instead of overloading my own shelves!
Glad you had such a fab time at the weekend.
It is starting to feel like autumn here, and I think in the coming week I will be getting more into my R.I.P reading, which is a Good Thing!
Errr..the anonymous comment was from me! I formatted my laptop at the weekend and so all my cookies etc are gone. *mutters about having to re-enter everything* 🙂
OMG! The art at the library is awesome!
The Saints…or particularly Drew Brees…let me down again last night. Good thing I didn’t need his points to win my game! I’m glad they are on a bye week next week…saves me from having to bench him! Sorry Chris. They really need to get it together!
Thanks so much for posting those amazing photos of the library! Wow.
Also – how old is your daughter? I remember enjoying City of Lost Children, but it isn’t clear enough in my memory to judge what age it’s appropriate for. I know my girls will like it one day. Thanks!
That library is amazing! Ours is in a factory because we can’t get the funding from the tax payers. I’m just glad we have one, but that one is fantastic!