He just wanted to be in a bag.
Archive for July, 2006
Cat Bag.
Monday, July 24th, 2006Crackercats!
Sunday, July 23rd, 2006You should all go see a game. It’s cheap, and because it’s a minor league team, lots of errors and unpredictable play. Excitement!
Also, the Return of Stubby Clapp!
The Devil Wears Prada
Sunday, July 23rd, 2006So, after spending nearly 6 hours at the Ex, it got too hot and we were bored. What should we do? Well, go to West Edmonton Mall and see a movie, of course!
“This is the kind of day, when we were kids, we all dreamed about having when we grew up,” said Trevor. Yup! Nothing like popcorn for dinner, too.
So, I had avoided going to see The Devil Wears Prada because the reviews were middling. But it seemed the perfect choice, under the circumstances. And you know what? It’s kinda good!
You’d think it would be about some privileged 20 year old (Anne Hathaway as Andie Sachs)who whines the entire time how work is so hard compared to college, and how when she was in college no one treated her this way because she was the editor of the college newspaper and isn’t that important? Which it is, but then Meryl Streep at the Devil (Miranda Priestly is really her character’s name, as based on Anna “Nuclear” Wintour) not only kicks her ass, but doesn’t have to even raise her voice doing so.
!SPOILERS AHEAD!
So yeah, being in between that 20 year old and that 40 something, I can say that this is a very interesting look at feminine ambition in the 21st century. Like, when Miranda’s husband files for divorce, how vulnerable she when she resignedly predicts what the press will say about her, putting work over relationships when the ONE time that she really rakes Andie over the coals is when Andie can’t get Miranda home on time for her daughters’ piano recital. Sorry. Too many shes and hers there, but you know what I mean.
And despite it being couched in terms of female competition, you can’t help thinking that Andie’s boyfriend could’ve been more helpful. Supportive at least. And he eventually sees how important it is to her, but doesn’t get that way until he lands his own dream job? Grab some balls, dude.
Anyhow, I’ve done my share ofwhining and wishing for mentorship and wondering how I’m gonna balance work and personal life, but if there’s anything that a fictional character played by Meryl Streep has taught me, it’s that I HAVE been mentored. Mentorship is not always recognized as such because it feels so much like having your ass kicked by demanding bosses. And that I am SO GLAD that I freelance.
I mean, god, having to shower and dress to be in an office every morning. It would just be too much.
Capital Ex
Saturday, July 22nd, 2006So, Trevor and I went played hooky from our jobs on Friday to go to the fair together. Yes, the new name and lack of theme are lame. The Klondike thing was inappropriate– so, Edmonton was the place where folks stocked up on canned goods before heading off the to REAL Klondike? OK. Maybe a First Nations trading/immigrant farmer theme would have been boring. But at least people kind of had an idea of how to dress.
And is it just me, or has the midway gotten smaller? Maybe seen through the eyes of a child-me, it just seemed like there were more rides back then. And though the entertainment has improved in some sense (the Ed Fest concerts are half decent; Trooper is appearing again), the lack of Superdogs and the agricultural component of the fair makes me sad. Remember how farm ladies would enter their best jam for prizes? Yeah. No jams or cross-stitching, just “massage devices” and clear plastic toilet seats for sale in the endlessly awful shopping area. And the corn dogs are not as good as they were. $4 will get you a sad wiener in the thinnest layer of fried batter.
But: Bellydance Superstars! I have never seen so many appalled parents rushing their children out of the Agricom! Because, although there is no nudity in the show, there is something distinctly Boris Vallejo, heavy-metal-stripper-airbrushed-on-the-side-of-a-boogie-van kind of vibe to the show. It’s that awesome.
And though there was no Zipper this year (and, quite frankly, we were both kinda relieved), the Fireball has now earned its place as Best Ride Ever, and the Polar Express (“The Polar Express– doin’ its thing!”) never disappoints.
Canadian Idol: the women
Tuesday, July 4th, 2006It’s gotta be Sarah Loverock or crazy-eyed Nancy Silverman.
The rest generally fall into two categories: karaoke queens or musical theatre monkeys. It’s unbearable.
more Canadian Idol
Tuesday, July 4th, 2006How is it that I have watched so much of Idol and have yet to see one episode of the ladies? I don’t even know the schedule.
Local boy Sheldon Elter’s doing pretty good, but– Moondance? Is he trying to get cut? Anyhow, here’s hoping he makes top 10, then gets a big movie role.
Meanwhile, I’m still rooting for the skinny weird guy from Winnipeg (one of the only guys who sings decently AND understands what he’s singing about) and the boy soprano from Newfoundland. On the men’s side. I will make an effort this week to check out the women.
Superman Returns
Monday, July 3rd, 2006It’s OK. Quite a lot of fun, actually.
Beginning with titles nearly identical to the original ones (you know, the yellow outlined letters that SWOOSH!), you know that they’re not ignoring the ’80s version. Even the ghost of Marlon Brando makes an appearance as the ghost of Jor El! And Brandon Routh is as much the hunky nice-guy as Christopher Reeves, complete with “Uh, Lois?” awkwardness.
What’s new? Well, how about a Christ complex for the Man of Steel? It’s not “hero” anymore. Nope, it’s “saviour,” along with requisite Jesus freakout moment, listening into the “prayers” of all the people of earth. Remember JC in the Superstar movie, “There’s too many of you!” Same deal. Plus, when he nearly dies, yes, he’s got his arms outstretched LIKE HE’S BEING CRUCIFIED. And he has to give up on his love, Lois Lane, because Kal El’s only son, given to the people of Earth to show them the way, has a duty to perform.
Speaking of Lois, poor Kate Bosworth. How do you follow up Margot Kidder? I could definitely buy Kidder as a hard-nosed reporter. Smoking– like she means it!– a little edgy, a little neurotic and definitely awkward in love, Kidder was the ultimate ’80s working woman gunning for Pulitzers in a man’s world. Bosworth, on the other hand… so pretty and soft. Dating the editor’s nephew, for crying out loud! A news reporter? Nah. Maybe she could do MY job.
Nah.