Yes, I am still alive...

It has been a while since I posted here. Figured I should post and let everyone know what has been happening.

Finished uni for the year now. Just waiting for results and figuring out which subjects I should do next year. Thinking of doing some logistics stuff, mainly so I have at least a basic understanding of how that all fits together.

Other than that I have finished my book. The website I am using to sell both the book as well as my training services is still a work in progress though. Have a look at www.gbunixtraining.com If you are interested. The book is a training course I run, and am hoping to develop a few more...

Other than that I have just been working my ass off. But I am taking the long weekend this weekend and catching my breath, I hope...

The (original) phantom of the opera

Today I got to see something a bit special. In a lot of ways its shows like these that really make the festival a bit different and fun. Today was a restored print of the original phantom of the opera.

Sound was done with the regent theatres' organ, and while its not as big as the one in the town hall, still manages to belt out some pretty decent sound.

The organist wasn't the usual guy that has played the silent films of previous years, and I don't think he is quite of the caliber, but he managed to do a pretty good job of it.

Next year, I hope a few more people are wanting to come to the silent film with me. They really are a great experience.

Mirrorball: Made in Japan

Tonight was my one short film program. Instead of going for the animated shorts like I usually do, I went for a music video program called mirrorball. There were 3 separate programs, this was the japanese one. I was kinda hoping for something with anime influences, but instead got somethin that seemed to resemble a Japanese version of JJJ.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

There were plenty of weird video clips. Some resembling pixelised art, others resembling crazy whacked out j-goth chicks who like high pitch notes that grate on your ears. And then there is the band that transform from 80's style schoolgirls into prison-jumpsuit clad singers. Weird.

But was mostly fun. A couple that sucked, but most were ok.

Harry the pothead

A month ago I promised that is we went and saw transformers, I would watch Harry Potter with Tanti. We did this a couple of days ago.

Am I the only person who finds Harry Potter dull, boring and unimaginative?

Granted, this film was "darker". But the general flow of the film is exactly the same as the previous film. Bear in mind I haven't read the book, nor do I want to, but basically film starts with some drama about getting to school for the year, then a new teacher I introduced who is obviously the bad guy for the book/film. They then go after Harry.

Here's a thought - he is only a threat because they go after him. But anyway...

And of course there is the inevitable showdown with the ba guy that is staged so as to fit in nicely with a game tie-in.

Bring on the last book so we can get this over with.

Sicko

Ahhh. Michael Moore is a slick film maker. He manages to stir up the right responses from his audiences by providing (a) only really one side and (b) only enough information to make sure you see his side.

Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that. After all, the medical system in the US is screwed up quite badly. It was interesting to see how some other countries did health care. It makes me wonder, because Australia is going the same way as the US in terms of forcing private healthcare on people. But we ain't there yet...

Was an eye opener of a film, though. Worth watching when it hits cinemas in a couple of days...

Your mummy kills animals

Fairly obvious what this doco is about. Well, at least the first bit of it. When it opens with a commercial of a woman being clubbed to death for her fur coat and the question "how would you like it if you were killed for your fur?"...

But actually the film rests a lot with how the FBI views animal rights activists are considered as more the most dangerous terrorist group. An interesting notion, and one that is downplayed a bit by the doco.

But hey. It managed to kinda show both sides. Didn't show the FBI point of view on them, which would have been interesting. But there are estimates about that view put forward. Things like the legal definition of a terrorist, the way they believe that they are right and they must act to fix others doing wrong.

But it raises interesting points about groups like peta, who really don't do anything apparently...

Daywatch

Daywatch is the continuation of Nightwatch, which was a fun Russian film from MIFF a couple of years ago...

Its basically a vampire/critters kinda film with a gritty feel to it. The whole good vs evil thing. And at the start of the film, dark is winning. Having just recruited a powerful ally in the form of Antons son. So they are posturing around starting up the war again, which the light side would most likely lose.

Anyway, won't spoil. some unusual ideas about how to save and end the world in this one. Perhaps not as good as the original, but still enjoyable...

Time

Saw "Time" last night. Time is a South Korean film from director Kim Ki Duk.

Its a film about a girl who thinks her boyfriend doesn't love her because she is "boring" to look at. So she does what anyone would do in that situation - she disappears for 6 months to have plastic surgery to make herself look different. When she returns, she pretends to be someone else and arranges to meet up with the guy again, only to find him still pining for his old flame. And so the spiral downwards to the crazy begins.

Kim Ki Duk is an unusual director, I've found. He has a very distinct style that puts his point across really only with visuals that say so much more than any dialog ever could. Examples such as Samaria, and 3-Iron are all other good examples of his films where he finds that right shot that explains so much more.

Definately a great film worth seeing, though some of his earlier work is perhaps more accessible. This one does border on the creepy perhaps a little too much.

Black Sheep

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...

I saw Black Sheep last night. Oh that was a fun film. Proof that the best people to laugh at any particular stereotype are the people to whom the stereotype are applied to. In this case, it's the New Zealanders taking the piss at their perceived "love" of sheep.

Its touted as a horror, but its not really. There is a bit of gore here and there. But mostly its having a really good laugh. After all - its killer sheep we are talking about. Some of the action is a classic, watching sheep rugby tackling people to the ground so they can eat them is damn funny, as is watching a hoarde of sheep coming over the hill to come after a group of unaware businessmen...

Seriously, if you loved "Undead", you will love this. Its mostly a similar kind of humor.

My best friend and his wife

MIFF. It's back... I'm only seeing 10 films this time around - normally 30-40... I dunno... I just don't have the time anymore. Plus there is a new festival director, and I'm not sure I like his choice of films... Not as much Asian cinema, more European films full of nothing. Oh, and he likes his soft porn films, it would seem... *shudder*

Anyway, first film of the festival was a South Korean film (heh... What a suprise) called "My best friend and his wife". Story around two guys and a girl. Guy 1 loves girl and is married to girl. Girl is pregnant with guy 1's child. Guy 2 is successful in business, guy 1 is a chef. Guy 2 accidentally kills guy 1's child a few days after its born while girl is away for a few days. Guy 1 takes the fall for it. Guy 2 decides its a good oppertunity to get girl.

Sounds like a really messed up arrangement, doesn't it? Korean films are great for this kind of thing, because they tend to be a lot more "in your face" than films from most other places. No punches pulled. You know its going to go badly when girl finds out the truth about what happened. Great film. A reminder of why I enjoy Korean films so much.

And about time too...

Hey all,

I have a bit of news for you guys - last night I (finally) popped the question to Tanti! :-)

I took her to Flower Drum in the city (highly recommend it, though getting a table on a saturday night does require patience - I've been planning this for 3 months now) and asked her there.

Thankfully, she didn't figure out what I was up to until about mid-afternoon yesterday. Somehow I managed to hide it well enough. :-)

Anyway, all is good here - we will arrange engagement party sometime soonish - will let you know the details via email once we sort out when we can do it...

Linda Linda!

This is from a cool movie I saw at last years film festival, Linda Linda Linda. Its at the end as the band is finally performing. Its a great feel-good Japanese film about a group of girls who put together a cover band for and end of year school thingie... Of course, they only have a few days to practice, and of course the lead singer is a Korean transfer student who speaks almost no Japanese.




The Korean student is played by Bae Du Na, one of my favourite Korean actresses. Anyone who can play parts like this alongside a crazy psycho in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, alongside action films like Tube... Damn talented actress... Also seen more recently in the amazing film The Host as a nearly-useless semi-professional archer.

Anyway, any of these films are worth seeing if you haven't already...

How to relax...

Hi all,

So I had a day off today (the joys of having worked all night on friday) so Tanti and I went to a hot springs down near Rye.

I must say, I haven't felt so relaxed in ages. Definitely what I needed. We stayed for about 90 mins relaxing in the pool. The hottest pool was supposed to be between 40 - 42 degrees.

It was fairly quiet there on a monday, only 10 people there... Its apparently quite busy on the weekend, which is why we went today...

if you are interested: http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com

Apparently...

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

I will leave you all to ponder that one... I have no comment.

Yes, I'm back at uni...

Since a couple of people have asked - yes, I'm back at uni...

And yes, I must be crazy...

Am doing a masters in Commerce. No point doing another Computer Science or related degree... I have enough experience these days that it wouldn't give me anything useful... So I figure learning management techniques, some logistics and other such info could be a handy addition.

So why am I doing it? Well, mainly because IT gives me the shits. Nothing new or interesting happening anymore, so its time to move somewhere that is possibly more interesting...

So there you go. Back to the world of exams (one on thursday) and writing essays (I'd forgotten how much fun they can be to write) and group essays with people who don't want to do their share of the work...

Oooo... has been a while...

Hrmm... Let me see if I can remember what this here blog thing is for...

Oh that's right... Crapping on about nothing. I did warn people this blog would be like an episode of Seinfeld... 3 months of nothing.

So what have I been doing? Well, have been back at uni since early March... That takes up most of my time these days... Semester is nearly over... Should be catching my breath any day now...

On top of that have been doing the usual working, etc... Nothing special there...

Went and saw Curse of the Golden Flower the other day... Good film, even if it is a bit depressing. Chow Yun Fat is a talented actor... If I didn't know it was him playing the king I wouldn't have picked him. He is quite a different leader compared to Anna and the King. Poisoning his wife because she is sleeping with his son from his previous marriage. Just gotta love how some people deal with their problems, don't you?

In some ways, Gong Li plays a similarly bitter and twisted character as she did in Memoirs of a Geisha, but of course wielding different power in that movie. Still, she shows that she can do the bitter and twisted role fairly well. Mind you, I can't say I'd react to the knowledge that I'm being poisoned in any other way - especially since her reaction is pretty much the only thing that she can do.

Gorgeous girl staying with me

Hi all,

Check out this cute girl who is staying with me at the moment. Only for a day. Cleo is such a cute cat. (Mind you, I'm a sucker for a cat - even little scaredy cats like Cleo)

She has spent most of her time hiding. I managed to get her to come out for a bit, until she looked out the window, saw the highway and ran for cover. Ah well. She's only here for a day, unfortunately.

Goannas R us

Hey all,

Was up at my dad's place last weekend. Meant to upload this earlier... Had a goanna at my dad's front door while I was up there. Got a reasonable photo of him. Quite a decent size this one...


I tell you what, these things can move. This was the only photo I got. I chased after it, but it was way too quick for me...

How can a graduation be fun???

Hey all,

As the cookie munchkin says, we went to a graduation party last night for Mayumi. It was beyond a doubt the weirdest graduation I've been to. It was a lot of fun, as it was a cross between a graduation and a performance.

First half of the graduation was fairly standard, with speeches, awards and the usual sort of thing. Only thing to realise here is some of the students did speeches - in English (not their natural language). Really impressive stuff. They were funny, upbeat and kept people interested. I know people for whom English is their native language and they would never have done that well.

Then afterwards, some of the students did some performances of varying styles. 2 bands (the second one Mayumi's boyfriend played bass guitar for, and was the better of the two bands), a couple of dances and singing acts, and finally 3/4 of the class did a chorus of "I still call Australia home", which was cute when done with a Japanese accent ;-)

In any case, it was a fun night. 'tis a shame that Mayumi goes home soon. I will definately miss her.

The definition of boredom........

I've decided that I would define boredom, given that what I'm doing at the moment probably amounts to a good definition.

Definition of boredom: watching a solaris upgrade happen, for 8 hours. Ooo lookie! Its 18% complete now!

Update: 6pm - 71%... Like I said - its sloooooooooooooooow

Update again: 7:30pm - 98%... Nearly there. Its nearly there. The pain will be over soon.

New Years

Hey all,

New years in Melbourne this year was fairly quiet. I attribute this mainly to the fact that the people I normally spend new years with are, well, not anywhere nearby. So we decided to go to the beach and watch the fireworks.

We went to Elwood beach, which is a really nice spot, and wasn't busy at all. The view of the fireworks wasn't spectacular, but a 10 minute walk up to St. Kilda would make it a much better view... Ah well. Live and learn, I guess. At least we could see them...

But anyway, to everyone who bothers to read this thing: Happy new year!