The Last King of Scotland

In even just thinking about writing about this film I am at a loss for words. . . . It was simply incredible. The Last King of Scotland is a movie about Idi Amin, the genocidal dictator that ruled over Uganda in the 70's and his relationship with a young Scottish doctor that visits Uganda to make a difference and break out of his boring routine at home. They meet by chance and develop an immediate relationship due to Amin's love for Scotland. This scene is quite funny because originally Amin thinks the young Scot is British and Nicholas quickly corrects him by showing him a Scottish football jersey and Amin laughs and asks for the shirt for his son Campbell. Amin exclaims how he loves the Scottish, that if he were not Ugandan he wished he were Scottish (except for the red hair he says). The next day he invites the Scottish doctor to be his personal physician and with some reluctance Nicholas accepts the offer. The movie follows their relationship from the good moments to the very very bad moments.

I think what was most interesting and equally disturbing for me was seeing all these atrocities surrounded by Scottish traditions. Amin had two sons named Campbell and Mackenzie, he wore a kilt at times, had african choirs singing Scottish folk songs, and had bagpipe processions in Ugandan streets. I had heard stories about his fascination and love for Scotland but did not expect what I saw.

I also must talk about the acting in this film. I was in awe of Forest Whittaker who plays Amin. What a performance. Again, I am at a loss for words here. I was literally scared of him, not once was he out of character. I could have been watching Amin on screen. If he is not nominated for an Oscar I will be shocked; I'll be equally shocked if he doesnt win it. James McAvoy, from Glasgow, plays Nicholas Garrigan and also does a wonderful job.

I strongly suggest seeing this movie to everyone, all those here in Canada as well as in Scotland. It was a very difficult story to watch at times but the story is worth knowing. If you dont like watching these types of movies on the silver screen at least remember to rent it when it comes out in a few months. (Just for those who aren't familiar with it, this story is based on true events and people)

Papers & Exams

My friend Joseph sent me this wonderful photo in trying to describe how he's feeling with all the papers and exams at the end of the semester. I thought it was such a perfect picture to describe this that I had to share it. Luckily for me, the worst is over after today. Nevertheless, I know a lot of us are still feeling like this right now. Good luck to everyone! And remember (as corny as it may be) WW always wins against all these bad guys and we will too!

Casino Royale

Last night Lucas and I went to see the new Bond flick, Casino Royale. We were so impressed. We are both Bond fans and were looking very forward to seeing how the new man in the job would do, and let me tell you, he was AWESOME! We were so impressed with him! Daniel Craig makes the shoes look easy to fit into. He does James Bond proud, I think. He is handsome, rugged, smart, and funny, everything a man needs to be a womaniser and the most famous spy in the world. Who cares that he has blonde hair!

The movie was great, there was a lot of really entertaining action, the kind of action that is intelligent, that you're not sitting staring at and thinking "yeah right". The story line was also very entertaining. I loved the villain, he was everything a Bond villain should be, scary looking yet handsome with an eye that wept blood. And the Bond girl lived up to standards as well. She was beautiful and smart. I have to say I didn't like the heavy make-up on her, she looked far more beautiful in the scenes where she was wearing very little, more natural looking make-up.

One of my very favourite parts of Bond films is the opening. Casino Royale also delivered in this. Chris Cornell wrote the song (which Lucas and I have mixed feelings on) and the animation was great.

And of course, what is a Bond film without the cars!

Dion Takes Liberal Leadership!!

Today was the final day of the Liberal leadership race and Stéphane Dion has won. As a card carrying Liberal I was able to vote for delegates to attend the convention and vote on my behalf for the leader. I was supporting Michael Ignatieff and am sad that he has lost. I am however happy that Dion was the one to win over him. He was my second choice and I do believe that he can become the next Prime Minister and I look forward to that day and wish him much luck in the days to come.

Lazy Winter Days Studying

I was so happy that, despite the winter wonderland outside, Lucas made it to my house to get some studying done for our papers. It was a very warm day inside while the snow fell outside. It is days like these that I really don't mind being inside studying with tea and cookies and all that often mundane stuff that seems so special when it is snowing. The trees outside my window look so nice covered in snow. Even the construction site beyond the fence in not such an eye sore anymore. My school must be so beautiful right now, unfortunately no one will get to see just how beautiful as it is closed for the day...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

ERIC CLAPTON!!!

I cannot believe it! He has said so many times that he won't be touring anymore and today I am sitting not so patiently waiting to buy tickets for his Vancouver concert. I AM SO EXCITED!!! To all those people who have been asking me to go to concerts, this is why I've been saying no. I heard he was touring and have been waiting and hoping with my fingers crossed that he would be coming here. I have been a big fan of Claptons since I was a very little girl. The smile on my face right now is ridiculous at the thought that I am going to hear all my very favourite songs LIVE. I just cannot believe it! He is what started me on the blues and I couldnt be more thankful for that. Also, I am so impressed at the price of his tickets. He could be charging a fortune and instead the best tickets are a mere $125!! Anyway, March 23rd I am BUSY!!

Lost Cell Phone/Vertigo

I haven't written here in a while so I thought I would write something to update all those who read this regularly. First note, I lost my cell phone, so if you are trying to reach me on my cell phone just leave a message as I am still able to check my voice mail.

Second thing, last night I spent almost 3 hours at Surrey Memorial because I was woken up that morning by severe dizziness and nausea. The nausea lasted all day and everytime I put my head to the side I felt as though the room was spinning. It turns out that I have what they call 'peripheral vertigo'. I thought vertigo was just the decription of a feeling you got from being at high elevations. It is actually more than that, it is also a virus like thing that you can get from having a cold amongst other things. It's caused by an imbalance in your ears, your balance centres in your ears are not sending the correct messages to your brain resulting in severe dizziness and nausea. Lucky for me it should last only a few days.

My Poor Cat!!!

Today, thus far, has been awfully traumatising. One of Pepsi's claws had grown over and was digging into the pad of her paw. A trip to the Vet was in order which is never fun for any animal. It was the first time that they have ever had to take her into 'the back' which was really difficult for me as well as her. They took care of the problem claw and brought her in to me, while still bleeding (!!!!!), to tell me that it needed to be bandaged (not necessary if you ask me). My stomach was turning!!! Seeing my Cat in pain like that is so hard! When we got home she was really upset because the bandage was not allowing her to walk properly or hop up onto the couch, so she did everything she could to take it off. I turned my back for 5 minutes and there it was, the bandage, laying on the bed. This was also very traumatising for me, the Cat however has been much happier ever since...I guess at this point I cannot complain about that!

Happy Birthday Mandi!!!

Last night we celebrated my very best friend Mandi's 24th Birthday. We had an awesome time playing Jenga! I haven't seen that game in years!! It was more fun than I remembered it. We also played an awesome game called 'Apples to Apples' which was really fun, we must have been playing it for 2 or 3 hours! Hope you had an awesome birthday Mandi!

Mandi & Jesse

The exciting game of Jenga!!

So much pressure. . .

We were almost Jenga masters, but unfortunately it fell at the 29th level hahahaha

You can't beat a night in with good people, good drinks, and fun games!!

Whistler Getaway!

Lucas and I spent the last 4 days at the most beautiful condo in Whistler (thanks to his most generous parents!!) We had such a wonderful and relaxing time sitting in the hottub and steamroom, watching movies, reading, going for long walks, and having a few drinks with some good friends. I highly recommend a mid-semester holiday to all students! Nothing like Whistler to relieve some stress and get some relaxation before exams and papers take hold.

 

Mum's 1st Craft Fair

Today my Mum participated in her very first craft fair! She is the most fantastic knitter!! (She knitted everything you see her and I wearing in these photos!!) The fair was held at a great little heritage house in south Vancouver. Despite the rain and wind some great people made it out, including the MP for the area, Ujjal Dosanjh. Mum was able to sell some of her stuff so bearing the cold weather was worth it and her first craft fair experience was a success!! 

'Borat' Review

Well, I'm going to start with saying that before going to see this movie I was not excited. It was not something I warranted paying $10 to see in the theatre but a bunch of friends wanted to see it and I thought, why not, I can keep an open mind. For those that do not know, the movie 'Borat' is about a man from Kazakhstan who comes to America to learn things about America and bring them back to his country. It is purely satire and meant to offend. In this sense the movie does not fail, it is extremely offensive if nothing else. In keeping my open mind I enjoyed the first 20-30 mins of the film before it all got a little old....
I find it extremely difficult to write reviews when I did not enjoy the movie. 'Borat' does nothing new. It takes every offensive joke that we know of and puts them on the big screen in a documentary like movie. I cannot understand how people are raving about this movie. It had its moments, I definately laughed a few times but most of the jokes made were purely looking for shock factor. And let me add as well, when this movie was in production there was a lot of negative reaction from the country of Kazakhstan and I can understand why.
Also, I can see how this movie would appeal to a male audience, so ladies, if your boy wants to see this movie, let it be a boys night and go and catch 'Marie Antoinette' or stay in with the girls instead.

Do not waste your money on this movie. Rent it. Or, better yet, wait until someone else rents it and watch it with them, then you never have to give a penny to this film.

Halloween Patry!!

This year I decided to throw a Halloween party and it was a great success!! I'd like to send out my thanks to everyone that made it out, I was so impressed with all the great costumes! Hopefully this is just the beginning of a tradition that will get bigger and ever more frightening every year. Thanks again everyone!!!

We had all sorts show up, from hicks to a sorceress! Even CSI showed up to examine the various murder scenes!

Mum and I kept it mystical with me as a fire fairy and Mum as Mother Earth!

Further example of all the great costumes and people that turned up! Thanks for the great tunes guys!

John received all the votes for best costume! Dressed in full (REAL) Ninja gear, who else could compete??

My full fire fairy costume, and just a note....wings are not a good idea!!

Lucas was dressed as a 'warrior' from the 1970s Movie 'The Warriors', if you havent seen the movie check it out, it's awesome!

Sean, John, and Lucas, all at their best :)

A witch, mobster, fairy, dead guy, angel, Mother Earth, and two dirty hicks all at one party, just one of the reasons why I love halloween!!

The Host and Hostess exhausted at the end of the night!
Happy Halloween Everyone!!

PUMPKIN CARVING!!!

Last night Lucas and his adorable little brother came over to carve pumpkins. We had so much fun drinking hot chocolate, eating cookies and carving really awesome pumpkins! Carving Pumpkins is one of my very favourite halloween activities and it was made even better by having a kid to do it with, kids are so awesome at halloween!! 

Hurricane Katrina

This afternoon in my Homeland Security class we were discussing Hurricane Katrina. The discussions and images I saw inspired the following stanzas. I thought I would share them.

3rd world scenes in a 1st world state
Is there difference when at the gate?

Sins are sins, are some forgiven?
Sins are sins when you're not in heaven.

Dead bodies, vomit, and decay
Who will pay on judgement day?

If justice is truly found at the gate
Why spend money determining fate?

Who decides who is guilty?
the honest? worthy? Or the filthy?

Betrayal, terror, violence, treason
Mr. President, what's the reason?

Holding democracy at gun point
How many can you disappoint?

Bodies swelling with water and lead
Babies, parents, seniors...dead

All hail advanced security
All it costs is human purity

"I Need to Write. I Came That Way"

The other night I was "dragged" out to an event at Chapters. Five authors were visiting and were going to be answering questions, telling stories, and reading from their books. The authors were, Mary Balogh, Diana Gabaldon, Jack Whyte, Michael Slade, and Anne Perry. They were all in town for the international writers festival being held in Vancouver. The evening began with two young boys bringing the authors out with bagpipes and drums. They played none other than 'Scotland the Brave' and I wished that I had remembered to bring my camera. Each author stood and had 10 minutes to speak, read, or answer questions. I cannot say that I was more impressed with one author over the next. I enjoyed very much listening to Diana Gabaldon read from her new book as she is the only author of these five that I have read before (She writes 18th Century set novels that take place in Scotland). I was very impressed with both Michael Slade and Jack Whyte. My best friend who I was there with is a big Jack Whyte fan and is always telling me all about his books and after this I think it is about time I read some of his work. Michael Slade was really entertaining, telling story after story and drawing laughs from all around the room. He announced that his first book, 'Head Hunters', is going to Hollywood so be sure to watch out for that.

I always see these types of things in the movies or on TV (ie. Carrie in 'Sex and the City') and it was really cool to actually be at one myself. It is making me contemplate the slight writing bug that I have always had... After the authors had their time to speak there was a book signing where I went up with my best friend and met Jack Whyte.

The title quote is from Anne Perry. The photos, from top to bottom are of Jack Whyte, Diana Gabaldon, and Micael Slade.

Stop Obsessing!!!

For months and months now I have been stressing my opposition to antibarterial gels and soaps. I have been opposing them on the belief that they do more harm than good, killing bad as well as good bacteria that lives on our hands and skin. And yes, killing the bad bacteria is a good thing, but on the other hand, killing the good barteria is a very bad thing. The truth is that we need bacteria!! Good bacteria makes us healthy. This is especially true for children. I am 100% behind washing your hands on a regular basis with soap and water, as we have all seen time and time again on the news, this is highly recommended by all health professionals. What I am very glad to see now is health professionals coming out and expressing my same beliefs, that anti-bacterial soaps and gels are actually more detrimental than beneficial. Tonight the CBC aired a segment dedicated to this with health professionals warning people against using these antibacterial soaps and gels. They went further to highlight a certain ingredient, the key ingredient, as especially detrimental to your health. Not only are these gels and soaps destroying good bacteria they are creating stronger bacteria, bacteria that is learning to resist these chemicals. I regret that I do not have the knowledge to post details of this ingredient or greater specifics. But it is my opinion that if you are one of these people who keeps a bottle of antibacterial gel on you wherever you go (and you know who you are) you owe it to yourself to investigate this further yourself. Below are a few links that can start your research...

http://www.cbc.ca/health/ There is a featurette here called 'hygiene overkill'

Vancouver Sun Story on Antibacterial Soaps

Man of the Year

Before I went to see 'Man of the Year' I had heard a lot of mixed reviews about it. Some said that it was not as funny as they thought it would be, others that it was slow and not what they expected. Then there were people who absolutely loved it, thought it was hilarious political satire that everyone should give a chance. I rest myself somewhere inbetween these wise critiques. The movie is, in fact, not what you may be expecting, it is not loaded with one joke after the next, it is by no means a mindless comedy, and it is not a depiction of, say...what would happen if Jon Stewart ran for president. It is a movie about an honest man, an honest man who also happens to be a famous man, fed up with the state of politics in his country. As not so much of a joke, he decides to run for president and he wins. This movie is about many things, relationships, the pursuit of honesty, genuine accountability, corporate corruption, and then comedy. The jokes in this movie are hilarious, don't get me wrong but for once instead of the jokes being the movie, the jokes in this movie enhance a more serious story. What I like most about this film is that a lot of people who may not think about democracy and accountability on a regular basis if at all will go and see this movie for what he/she thinks will be a few laughs and instead (hopefully) will come out thinking about these important issues. Of couse this is a political science student writing this, so, if you do not want to be thinking about these things, even if you should be, do not go and see this movie. But remember this, you will be missing out not only on some really memorable jokes but on a refreshing take of american politics.

The Departed

Well it is a treck back to the oldschool movies we all know and love. The hardcore mafia flick with a new twist. Instead of the Italian mafia in New York we have the Irish mafia in Boston. The cast itself sets this movie up to be nothing but a loved piece of pure entertainment. Lucky for the audience this movie has a lot more to offer than mindless entertainment. Do not get me wrong, this film is extremely entertaining from start to finish, so much so in fact, that you barely notice the fact that it is a little over two hours long. It also leaves you with something to think about... pondering loyalty and deception. The performances are headed right for the 2006 nomination lists. I highly recommend this film, keep in mind though that it is very violent, intelligently violent, but violent nonetheless, so dont go on a light stomach.

Bye My Little Festiva

Well I have finally done it, I sold my little Festiva. I loved that car so much. It was my very first car and because of this I had quite the attachment to it. I was the first person in my group of friends to own a car so some really good times have taken place in that car. I was so sad to drive away from it yesterday but knew that it had to go. I hope the new owners take really good care of her. She deserves a few more years on the road. And yes, I know I am being a little melodramatic but I'm sad alright!!! Bye my little Festiva!! 

Cirque Du Soleil: Delirium

Through a very strange turn of events Lucas and I ended up at 'Delirium' last night at GM Place. I had always wanted to see Cirque Du Soleil but at $100-$140 a ticket, could never afford it. And yesterday through a turn of fate, tickets sort of landed on us, it is hard to explain so I won't go into details. I am so glad we got to go, it was incredible!! There are too many adjectives to describe it and not one that does it true justice. Lucas, afterwards, said it was the only thing he had ever seen that warrented the term 'spectacle'. I agreed. I'm not sure I have ever sat in awe, not wanting to even blink, for that amount of time in my life. There was so much to see. And the talent!! It is truly unbelievable. For those who do not know, 'Delirium' is a musical performance with singers and musicians along with the acrobatics that are typical of Cirque Du Soleil shows. The images below were not taken by me but are actual pictures from the show.