On Saturday Andrew and I went on a "date." I've put date in quotation marks since we've been married for over four years and it's not as if the events of our "date" could have an affect on whether or not we'd be going home together at the end of the night. At any rate, we went out for dinner at the Elephant and Castle (located less than a minute away from the movie theatre) and then checked out the new Bond flick, Quantum of Solace.
Prior to the Daniel Craig reincarnation of 007 I've never been terribly interested in James Bond. I've seen a few of the Sean Connery movies and I think at least one with Pierce Brosnan, but neither were fascinating enough to make me want to watch them a second time. However, since seeing Casino Royale that's changed. Why? Well to be honest, part of it is Daniel Craig himself. The man is ripped and I'd have to be blind not to appreciate his physic (he also has beautiful blue eyes!). The most recent two Bond movies also have a lot of great hand-to-hand fighting sequences, especially the huge free-running section at the beginning of Casino Royale. The third reason I think I've enjoyed the last two Bonds so much is that the writers have set out to humanize James Bond. And I'm a huge sucker for the unlikely, slightly (or majorly) disgruntled, cynical hero angle (I'll post more about my new heroine Claire Lamont soon).
So, how was Quantum of Solace? I think I've already hinted that I enjoyed it. That's true. But, to be honest I walked out of the moving feeling like I learned nothing. Nothing about Mr. White (the man we see Bond shoot at the very end of Casino Royale) or the organization he worked for. Basically, it felt like this movie was an hour and forty-five minutes of set up for the next movie, which I believe is set to be released in 2010. However, the action was fun. I'd say the movie was 80 to 90 percent action and it was all fabulous. There was also a strong, kick-butt woman, which I always like to see. And I've read that she'll be back for the next movie too. So, all-in-all. An enjoyable movie, glad to have caught it on the big screen and I will probably pick up the DVD when it's released.
That's all for now. Heading home to Ontario on Wednesday.
Ciao,
Andrea
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Christmas party weekend
This weekend Andrew and I attended two Christmas parties. For us that makes for quite a busy weekend. They were also two very different Christmas parties. The first was for the library school students (which took place at the school) and it was a potluck. It was nice. I brought an enormous cheesecake, which received some high praises (including that it was "orgasmic" cheesecake). The spread of food was quite excellent and the company enjoyable. After dinner most of us eventually crowded into a room with an overhead projector and played Rock Band.
Chocolate-mint marble cheesecake.
The second party was held by one of the professors from the mechanical engineering department. The party included a mix of some of the younger professors from the department, grad students and I think at least one staff member. We also had a good time there. The host's condo was new and quite attractive, with hardwood floors and a granite counter top in the kitchen. They offered the guests and excellent spread of deserts and drinks. I had a fairly substantial amount of white wine, but was surprisingly feeling fine at the end of the night (perhaps all of the Bree and crackers soaked up the alcohol). Discussion filled most of the evening.
We had a great time at both parties, but it struck me how different they both were--not just because one party was full of librarians and the other of engineers. The library party was very low budget. This was fine and I was actually surprised to hear that some students were disappointed that something more lavish (such as a dinner in a restaurant) and therefore more expensive, was not organized. The engineering party was also low budget (for us), but it was held in an attractive apartment, were it was obvious that the inhabitants had a comfortable income.
Sometimes I feel a little uncomfortable in the fact that amongst many of my friends, Andrew and I are the most well off. It helps a great deal that there are two of us, of course. But, I think some of it is because we tend not to be as extravagant in our spending as some people our age. I don't want to go on a wild rant about this, so I think I'll leave it there. All there.
Ciao,
Andrea
Chocolate-mint marble cheesecake.
The second party was held by one of the professors from the mechanical engineering department. The party included a mix of some of the younger professors from the department, grad students and I think at least one staff member. We also had a good time there. The host's condo was new and quite attractive, with hardwood floors and a granite counter top in the kitchen. They offered the guests and excellent spread of deserts and drinks. I had a fairly substantial amount of white wine, but was surprisingly feeling fine at the end of the night (perhaps all of the Bree and crackers soaked up the alcohol). Discussion filled most of the evening.
We had a great time at both parties, but it struck me how different they both were--not just because one party was full of librarians and the other of engineers. The library party was very low budget. This was fine and I was actually surprised to hear that some students were disappointed that something more lavish (such as a dinner in a restaurant) and therefore more expensive, was not organized. The engineering party was also low budget (for us), but it was held in an attractive apartment, were it was obvious that the inhabitants had a comfortable income.
Sometimes I feel a little uncomfortable in the fact that amongst many of my friends, Andrew and I are the most well off. It helps a great deal that there are two of us, of course. But, I think some of it is because we tend not to be as extravagant in our spending as some people our age. I don't want to go on a wild rant about this, so I think I'll leave it there. All there.
Ciao,
Andrea
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A brief thought on the political news of today...
I have to admit, I'm disappointed that the Governor General has granted Stephen Harper's request to prorogue parliament. Being an ABC (Anything But Conservative) girl I took to the idea of a coalition government like my cat Tabitha to a left out ball of wool. I won't go into the details myself, there are many bloggers more competent on government issues than myself. I just wanted to add my opinion to the vast space that is the Internet. For now I'll just cross my fingers that the coalition will be able to stick together and defeat the government in the new year.
Ciao,
Andrea
Ciao,
Andrea
Monday, December 1, 2008
All most there, really. I can smell freedom, sort of...
I have two assignments remaining and then my first semester is over. I think that's all I have to say about that.
And on to other news...
My mini-NaNoWriMo challenge. Sunday was the last day for NaNoWriMo-ers around the world. The goal, of course, was to write 50,000 words during the 30 days of November, but since I am working part-time and going to school full-time I felt that objective was out of my reach. I was just trying to write as much as time would allow. Unfortunately I currently have no idea what my final tally is. I spent the last week or so writing on paper (very old school, I know) and so can only guesstimate my achievement. When I have time (ha!) I will type the 6 or so pages I have (of very minute script I might add) and report the official number. My preliminary guess is that I wrote approximately 15,000 words.
And for your amusement...
I had a crazy dream Monday morning. I dreamt I was running a marathon inside a shopping mall. First, there was a swimming component (no biking though, hence not a triathlon competition), which took place in a huge wave pool. When you were done the swim you had to exit the pool via a corridor (also filled with water), except because the waves were so big they kept pushing me off course and they made it difficult to see the entrance. When I finally got out of the pool and started to run I was way behind the other competitors and then discovered the run was also a scavenger hunt, which I was pretty mad about. In the end, I finished last because I'd lost so much time from the swim. I hope to run my first half-marathon next spring in Calgary. I hope it doesn't turn out like my dream.
And finally...
Stephanie Dion could wind up Prime Minister after all. These are interesting times in Canada. Interesting times.
Ciao,
Andrea
And on to other news...
My mini-NaNoWriMo challenge. Sunday was the last day for NaNoWriMo-ers around the world. The goal, of course, was to write 50,000 words during the 30 days of November, but since I am working part-time and going to school full-time I felt that objective was out of my reach. I was just trying to write as much as time would allow. Unfortunately I currently have no idea what my final tally is. I spent the last week or so writing on paper (very old school, I know) and so can only guesstimate my achievement. When I have time (ha!) I will type the 6 or so pages I have (of very minute script I might add) and report the official number. My preliminary guess is that I wrote approximately 15,000 words.
And for your amusement...
I had a crazy dream Monday morning. I dreamt I was running a marathon inside a shopping mall. First, there was a swimming component (no biking though, hence not a triathlon competition), which took place in a huge wave pool. When you were done the swim you had to exit the pool via a corridor (also filled with water), except because the waves were so big they kept pushing me off course and they made it difficult to see the entrance. When I finally got out of the pool and started to run I was way behind the other competitors and then discovered the run was also a scavenger hunt, which I was pretty mad about. In the end, I finished last because I'd lost so much time from the swim. I hope to run my first half-marathon next spring in Calgary. I hope it doesn't turn out like my dream.
And finally...
Stephanie Dion could wind up Prime Minister after all. These are interesting times in Canada. Interesting times.
Ciao,
Andrea
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