#1: Little Miss Sunshine

Directed Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Starring Greg Kinear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin
A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.

Yes, I intended to post this right after #2. When that didn't happen, yes, I intended to post this right after the Oscars whether it won or not (of course, I knew the underdog wouldn't win but one can hope, right?) In any case, here I am finally posting what I consider my favourite film of 2006. And I told myself, when I do post it, I would dissect it and analyze as to why this film worked for me on so many levels.

Now that I'm here, I'm drawing a blank. Or rather, I just don't feel like it. That isn't to say I feel more indifferent to the film from when I first came up with my list or even from when I first saw it in theatres (and aside from Superman Return, it's the only film I saw more than once.) I just don't feel like stringing together words to articulate how I felt about this film. So instead, I'll let you do it. Here is a series of adjectives I'd use to describe Little Miss Sunshine:

Charming
Delightful
Fun
Quirky
Adorable
Bittersweet
Engaging
Endearing
Heartwarming
Modest

The miVi Top Ten Films of 2006: Redux

So start of this year, I began my Top Ten Films of 2006 but, through no fault of my own, it seems the list stopped at #2 (seemed like a good place as any to stop a Top Ten list).

Anyway, allow me to recap:

#10: An Inconvenient Truth
#9: Brick
#8: Curious George
#7: Children of Men
#6: Pan's Labyrinth
#5: The Queen
#4: Clerks 2
#3: Superman Returns
#2: Stranger Than Fiction

Now, before I reveal #1 (though, if you know me, it's pretty much a given what it is), I did see The Departed recently and thought it was amazing! Should Scorsese have won for this particular piece? Probably not [cough cough Goodfellas]. It also made me consider moving some of the films around but I decided otherwise. Where would it have fallen? No idea; that's why I didn't bother. So here's the Wild Card Honourable Mention:














Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Marky Mark Mark Wahlberg.
Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities.

Cool film. Great cast.
Spoiler Alert (though vague, the smart reader out there might figure it out):
And just when it's about to hit a cliche ending that I was admittedly rooting for, it doesn't but just made me love it more!
My Not-So-Surprising-and-Rather-Anti-Climatic #1 film of 2006 to come shortly (I promise!)

Officially the greatest site of all time!

Better than that Vin Diesel one? Mayhaps.

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World!

This the official blog for a cookbook that my friend Kat was a "cupcake tester" for.

Doing the math...

I've gone through 3 solid weeks of BSG, following up with one night of OC.

How does THAT make any sense?

BTW: BSG = greatest show of all time! OC? not so much.... yet I can't look away.

Pancakes

For those unfamiliar: Shrove Tuesday

And for the shameful record, I was referring to Pancakes from The O.C.,
but found Oolong instead! (1994 - 2003)

Who ARE You?

• Party hardy.
• Truth be told…
• The reality is…
• Have you or have you NOT…?
• No you did NOT!
• What does that even mean?
• That JUST happened!
• Oh Lord. Oh Jesus. Oh Christ.
• Suzuki.
• Probably.
• The hell the fuck?
• Raging case of clamato
• Do you know what your problem is?
• Circle gets the square.
• Umm. Hi.

Note: these aren't quotes, these are catch phrases.

King Chucker = MVP

I don't know what it is but I tend to get all sports-orientated when my brother is around. Actually, I do know what is it - my brother is around. In any case, he was in town on business (covering university hockey and yes, Lakehead Thunderwolves advanced beating York University) and he came over Sunday night to watch the NBA All-Star game which took place in Las Vegas this year.

Where am I going with this? Well to honour my sports-writer brother, here's my editorial on the game... from a not-so-sports-writer perspective:

I like games where the score is close and this one had potential, until it became evident that neither team practiced, however, one did want it more (I am, of course speaking about the Western Conference that won by almost 20 I believe). As much fun as the All-Star weekend is (I'm kicking myself for missing the dunk competition), it lacks that competitive nature that makes gameplay so exciting. That is, of course, until it gets to 4th quarter and player(s) were vying for the MVP spot [cough cough Kobe Bryant]. That boy quickly became an aggressive King Chucker.

Courtside comments by miVi:

• Hey Kobe, it's called a team... look in it.


• If you mention Tony Parker and Eva Longoria's wedding one more time, I'm throwing my slippers at the television.


• Way to go CB4 on scoring a respectable 10 pts.


• I [heart] Tim Duncan.


• Iverson's not playing. I hardly call this an All-Star game.


• I miss playing basketball.


• Toni Braxton looks like a drag queen.


• Wayne Newton looks like a Ken doll... after you've put its face over a gas stove.

Christopher Thinn's faux pas

Allow me to set the stage:

Darko was giving me travel tips in the office (in June, I will be visiting Amsterdam and Paris). Having overheard this conversation, Chris jumped on MSN to send me this:

The punchline? This screen grab was forwarded to me from Darko :)

Happy Friday!

"Michelle"

While on UrbanDictionary.com finding a link to the word "splooge" for my previous post, I decided to type in my name:

1. michelle

Hebrew meaning "like God"... Michelle's are often Leos, astonishingly gorgeous, very athletic, dark hair and usually curly/waivy/thick
another thing is that almost all Michelle's have similar noses.
guy#1. "man that girl was hot and good in bed"
guy#2. "must've been named Michelle"
guy#1. "how'd you know?"
guy#2. "..."


2. michelle

1. A disgustingly conceited man who pretends to be a woman. If indeed a woman usually attracted to the same sex.
2. usually associated with the words: gross, disgusting, and fat.
3. a person with uncontrollable eating habits.
4. also other name for throwing up while having sex.

1. "Michelle" is in love with her best friends.
2. Ewwwwwww that is so "michelle".
3. "Michelle" couldn't stop eating and she broke the chair.
4. It was sooo good until a "michelle" happened.

Either I'm a hot girl with a distinguished nose who is good in bed or I'm a fat, putrid lesbian (possibly a man) who generally doesn't deserve to live.

PS: I'm not a Leo

Googe

It was just pointed out to me by my lovely co-worker Ryan O'Brien that in an attempt to Valentinize the Google main page, they've given us a word that rhymes very much to "Splooge"

Could be the stem is meant to be the "l". To that I say, nice try Googe!

Conversation With the Room Mate

Her: "Battlestar Galactica"?
me: Nope, "Firefly".
Her: Meh, same thing.
me: [gasp]

An Open Letter

Dear Filthy Hippie with Bongo Drum on Streetcar,

Go jump off a boat.

Sincerely,
miVi

That's what I 'said'

I realized that I enjoy using "said" to refer to a previously mentioned item in conversations or emails. Here is a collection of said emails:

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Hope Fashion Week is rocking for the both of you. Just a note that I need some blog material for our site this morning - doesn't have to be epic. According to IT we also experienced some Internet problems last night so the outside world (ie: Blackberrys) was cut off so if you were trying to send something, everything was unavailable

Christopher, Claudia mentioned to me that you were trying to send photos via FTP but were going to try email - I have not received them probably due to said Internet problems

Thanks guys! I know it's probably a hectic week over there but if you can send me something soon… that'd be great!

-----------------------------------------

It requires a unique login and network password (if you work at CHUM, it would be your email address and network password). If it's someone who does not work at CHUM, they'd need to set up their own account to pick something up. So long story longer - if I send a file (any blank file) to whoever will be uploading, in order for them to pick up said file, they will be prompted to set up their account. I just have to initiate the exchange so to speak.

------------------------------------------
I get this error:
Warning: publishing Stories and Ads only as per site settings
Link Error: The RAW_IMG is too small. The RAW_IMG must be at least 150W x 100H. Parent: Monique Lhuillier Fall Collections 2007 Runway Highlights with uoid 68e95add1832261ae0ca70e6050636613da0a3b0, Child: 5_Highlight_2_Monique_Lhuillier_chumtv.jpg with uoid abc8e6decd602c1829d5d9834c020780c72692af, Link: RAW_IMG
Link Error: Check your recent link actions
Could not publish site FashionTelevision Video Library
Could not publish FashionTelevision Video Library to Staging

I've resized and re-uploaded said image and it still comes up with this error. Am I missing something?

-------------------------------------------
From others:
If you are in need of any office supplies (be it pens, binders, paperclips, or even the occasional sedative) please send me an email letting me know what you need, how much and, if need be, colour and/or size. If you do not send me an email but rather drop by my desk to relay said info…said item will not be ordered. Why? Because chaos and I do not get along but the paper trail is my best friend. -- Emma

kat - fry me a liver says:
i must hear said chair
go clear your throat and bedazzle something, why dontcha?
i've got WORK to do -- Kat

#2: Stranger Than Fiction

Directed by Marc Forster
Starring Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman
An IRS auditor suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can hear: narration that begins to affect his entire life, from his work, to his love-interest, to his death.

This film is charming, funny, heartwarming, touching and sweet. Will Ferrell proves he can play serious characters but maintain his comedic charm. And Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman? Oh come on, they're fabulous no matter what they do.

I won't bore you with what worked in this film because it all did. The cast was excellent. The visuals were great. The premise and story were interesting blah blah blah. But I will point out the sub-character/love interest that was Maggie Gyllenhaal who played the baker Ana Pascal. Her nugget of story (excluding the tax audit bit) was she used to attend law school and during her study nights with fellow law students, she would bake cookies, cupcakes and any delightful treat. It started innocently as a late night study snack but seeing how happy it made her classmates, she would bake every time. Then it hit her: she'd rather be doing something that made people happy and something she enjoyed doing and therefore left law school and eventually openned her own bakery. Sounds pretty sweet to me... all except the tax audit bit.

#3: Superman Returns

Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey
After a long visit to the lost remains of the planet Krypton, the Man of Steel returns to earth to become the peoples savior once again and reclaim the love of Lois Lane.

What's this? A blockbuster made it to my list? Hey, I'm not one of those people who turn their nose down on a film because it grossed $391 million worldwide. If a movie rocked my world and the world of many others, how can it sucked?

Permission to geek out.

This film was awesome! What could have easily been a disaster (X-Men 3, I'm looking at you) was a such a great add-on to an already established franchise (and no, I am not counting Superman III or IV which just adds more credit to this movie). It had subtle and not-so subtle references to Superman I and II as well as "The Death of Superman", Brandon Routh shared the mannerisms of Christopher Reeve that made Clark Kent Clark Kent, Superman looked so idealistically unreal, there is an total "mark-out" scene involving an airplane and a baseball stadium - what more could you ask for?

Bryan Singer knows how to make a comic book movie.

#4: Clerks 2

Directed by Kevin Smith
Starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson and Rosario Dawson
Free from his dead-end job (and lodged in a new one), Dante begins to break free of his rut, planning to move away and get married, but Randal - always the more hostile of the two - starts to become overwhelmed by his own rancor.

I read this interview with Kevin Smith recently where he's asked who would he be more of, Dante or Randal. He states in the first one he identifies with Dante - the guy stuck in a dead-end job always wanting more but failing to "shit or get off the pot". And it was the Randal character who he wanted to be. But when he wrote Clerks 2, the view kinda shifts. Though Dante is the one who is closer to Smith as in he is thinking about family, marriage etc (though still failing the "shit or get off the pot" mentality), it is Randal whom he relates to more. The frustration of when did everything change, when did the status quo change? Why do I feel so left out, why do I feel so behind the times and shit?

When Clerks 2 came out, I was pretty much expecting the same repetoire of dirty jokes (with a splash of inter-species erotica) plus his usual point of view on pop culture but with current references - and it had all that. But, and dare I say, it also had heart. It had a bigger task to perform - showing growth in both the characters (particularly the former "trusty comic-relief sidekick" Randal) and the writer/director, Smith himself. It needed to follow up on a cult hit film without necessarily being a cult hit film. Clerks 2 won't be remembered the way Clerks was and is, but it was the appropriate sequel - beginning in Smith's budget black and white and ending with it.

#5: The Queen

Directed by Stephen Frears

Starring Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen and James Cromwell

An intimate and fictitious behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana.

Slow-paced but far from boring. The characters were actually human and not headline names. And Helen Mirren eerily embodied Queen Elizabeth. The movie tastefully incorporated Princess Diana's death without exploiting it more than it already has by not focusing on the night she died, just the days following it and the people around and also not showing the children's faces.

Don't think I have much more to say about this one. To be honest, I think I'm just boning up to write about movie pick #4. In any case, The Queen is very good and you should watch it. My room mate's boyfriend refuses to watch it because it looks boring. It really isn't as dry as you'd expect it to be. Quite the contrary, it's the human aspect of all the characters from the Queen to Tony Blair to Prince Charles and Prince Philip and even the Queen Mum that make this film so compelling and interesting.

#6: Pan's Labyrinth

Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Starring Ivana Baquero, Sergi López and Maribel Verdú
The story of a young girl who travels with her pregnant mother to live with her mother's new husband and Captain, in a rural area up North in Spain, 1944. Post-war Fascist repression is at its height in rural Spain and the girl must come to terms with that through an imaginative fable of her own.

Hearing this movie was graphic and difficult to watch, I was still intrigued because I love fairy tales. I have an appreciation for them because a) they are written by adults for children and b) sometimes they are not for children. This one is not for children. Despite its violent and graphic nature, I was ready to watch this movie thinking the most violent and graphic content would be during the fantasy sequence though I will still anticipate those scenes because the "reality" part of the story would be boring and dull - an escape from reality if you will. This was half true. I looked forward to the fantasy scenes because it was the reality side that was more frightening, more graphic and more uncomfortable to watch - a definite escape from reality.

Sergei López as the Captain was so terrifying that I would choose to face off against a baby-eating, wormlike monster with his eyes in the palms of his hands any day over the chance of bumping into Captain Vidal in the hallway of my so-called home. And our protagonist is simple: an innocent little girl in a not-so-innocent world. Watch this film... but be prepared to uncomfortably place that hand loosely over your eyes from time to time.

#7: Children of Men

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Starring Clive Owen
In the chaotic not-so-distant future, where humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.

This film was very gritty, very rough and somewhat raw - and it was effective. I remembered when indie film directors (Tarantino and Smith, I'm looking at you) used hand-held cameras a lot in 1994, but eventually it got tiresome (circa 1998). But when you get a taste of it now from time to time in doses, you remember why it worked in the first place. Example (though not about this movie but about a movie by Alfonso Cuaron) in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, that one scene in the beginning that was shot with a hand-held was refreshing, particularly because the other films were by Chris Colombus and conventionally shot. With Children of Men, it felt like the whole movie was shot hand-held. This added to the atmosphere, creating discomfort and some nausea - though it may not sound like it, but that is a good thing in establishing its mood.

And if I may brush on Clive Owen's character, Theo - he was much more human than I was expecting, providing mild laughs in an otherwise depressing yet uplifting film.

#8: Curious George

Directed by Matthew O'Callahan
Starring the voice talents of Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, Dick Van Dyke, David Cross and Frank Welker (he's done A LOT, including the voice of Abu from "Aladdin")
When the Man in the Yellow Hat (named Ted) tries to save the museum he works at from being turned into a parking garage, he forms a special kinship with the curious little monkey that followed him from Africa.

Okay, I know what you're thinking: What is this movie doing on this list? Well, let me axe you a question: Do you like to smile? 'Cause I do! So therefore, this movie made the list! This monkey will make you smile. This film will make you smile and if you don't, clearly you have no soul.

Also, I gotta say, I appreciate the 2-D animation. Instead of eff'n up a childhood memory (*cough cough* Garfield), this film was very reminiscent of the books I grew up with. Sure they gave The Man in the Yellow Hat a name but I guess without a narrator, it wouldn't make much sense for the other characters to be constantly calling him "The Man in the Yellow Hat" - he could develop quite the complex growing up like that.

Anyway, the movie was funny and cute. 'Nuff said.

#9: Brick

Directed by Rian Johnson
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt
A teenage loner pushes his way into the underworld of a high school crime ring to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend.

I’d say this is “Dawson’s Creek” meets Hitchcock but attaching the name “Dawson’s Creek” would be insulting. My point is it was teenagers not talking or acting like they should. The tagline for this film is “A detective story” – but had this not been pointed out to me, the 1940s-esque film noir, “who dunnit?” talk might have been lost on me and I might have been turned off on the whole idea all together. Instead, it works on many levels; afterall the dialogue adds to mood, setting, theme etc.

Oh and yes, that is Tommy from “3rd Rock From the Sun” – baby’s all growns up! And also has an edge I wasn’t expecting from that character. He has the appearance of a timid, lonely teenage boy but really is not afraid to back up his words with actions and will do so. Dare I say, Tommy got cool.

#10: An Inconvenient Truth

Directed by Davis Guggenheim
Starring Al Gore
A documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.

What I liked most of this film was the class lecture hall way of getting information across. I know, that doesn't sound like much of a documentary but it did get its point across. No slick charisma. No guerrilla camera crew. Just facts. It took me back to school - with slides, graphs and charts and it accomplished what it set out to do: educate.

Though the film sticks to solid facts, it also looks at Al Gore's personal feelings on the matter; his campaign to reverse the effects of global warming, in hopes to invote the audience to do that same. Though I didn't share the same reflections as Gore in those little interludes between lectures, I did feel a personal awe in the effects the subject matter had on this earth and to me, combined with the charts and such, and the personal reflections, made the point all the more clearer. And if by the end of the movie you're feeling despair or fear, the move tells you exactly what you need to do... how many more clear can you be?

Unless you're a sly email writer like Mr. Ian Morrison... who?

The miVi Top Ten Films of 2006 - an introduction

There was a time when I used to watch a movie at least once a week. There really wasn't a lot to do in Thunder Bay if you're not into bowling, hunting or muddin'. But never have I thought of compiling my favourites of the year until now despite that I really haven't seen a whole lot of films in 2006 (I think I'm at 31). Why now you ask? I'm not sure. Could be that the few I did see had a profound effect on me. The kind of effect that, though the movie may not have been the greatest film of all time, refused to leave my head days later.

Some films that didn't make the cut though were very enjoyable:
Casino Royale
Happy Feet (yes Happy Feet)
The Prestige









Some films that made me want to hurt enfants:
Eragon
X-Men 3
Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest

So, with that cleared up, the following posts will discuss what I consider the Best of 2006. These aren't necessarily going to be the movies I think everyone should watch. It's very hard to do that considering I haven't seen every movie this year nor do I have the same taste as everyone. I am not going to explain or review these from an objective point of view (I mean for crying out loud... Clerks 2 is somewhere on this list!)

A Collection of Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down (mainly downs)

Brought to you by the good people of Thunder Bay

THUMBS Down to the City of Thunder Bay “for refusing to clean blood off my stairwell and door after two unknown stabbing victims tried to enter my house early Tuesday morning. The city refused on the basis that it is residential property. I was forced to clean the areas myself and could have been exposed to various health hazards. It was especially upsetting to my young son who had to witness the blood stains while leaving to go to school. Shame on you!”

ON Dec. 19 at 11 p.m., at the corner of Churchill Drive and James Street, an orange Pontiac Sunfire with four teenagers inside pulled up alongside me, rolled down their windows and egged my vehicle. They sped off and I was stunned and unable to get a plate number. Merry Christmas and thanks for the mess that froze on my brand new Trailblazer. Happy Holidays.”

THUMBS Up to our readers who support this corner with submissions. Whether small or substantial, they share daily bits of city life that showcase the best, and worst, of our neighbours. Hopefully, the latter, and those who might identify with them, can learn that human kindness and consideration is a far better characteristic than carelessness. Much more important are the examples set by those who are recognized for their selflessness by those who take the time to do so. We are happy to provide a forum for all readers’ opinions and look forward to many more of them. Merry Christmas.

Dec 23

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THUMBS Down to the person(s) who dumped a box of moose bones and carcass on the 20th Side Road (between Riverdale & Hwy. 61). Thumbs Up to a couple of good Samaritans (Bill and Roy) who walk the 20th Side Road each day and cleaned up those old bones!

Dec 2

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THUMBS Down “to the person who stole the gravestone out of the car parked at a Bay and Algoma business. It wasn’t a Halloween decoration, it was a real headstone for someone’s beloved family pet. Maybe you didn’t realize its importance or maybe you’ve found your conscience. If so, than return it to anyone who works at the same business and they would be more than happy to return it to its rightful owner!”

Nov 4

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THUMBS Down to the person who broke a raw egg over my car Friday night, Oct. 20. The next time you have eggs that you don’t need, please take them to the Thunder Bay Food Bank at 129 E. Miles St., where the volunteers can give them to people who need food to eat, not to perform acts of vandalism in the dark of night!

Oct 28

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THUMBS Down from this reader “to all of the people who use this forum to complain about useless crap. Get a life!”

Oct 14

Phone Conversation With My Married Sister

Me: To tell you the truth, couples have been annoying the hell out of me lately.

Her: To tell you the truth, I'm a little sick of them too.

Cleaning Up and Moving On!

Ever have one of those mornings when after you take your routine shower and clean yourself up and are ready to head out the door for work, you are suddenly struck with the need to take a crap. So you journey to the washroom, excrete any excrements that seem to have been clogging your lower intestines and then give your ass a sturdy and thorough wipe. But on the streetcar to work your asshole is feeling itchy and you know you did not wipe as well as you hoped. The ride to work seems longer than usual as you anticipate scurrying off to the washroom when you get there just to remove any irritating remnents of fecal matter. And once you do give that final stamp of approval; that good, clean wipe, you know you can finally start the day feeling fresh and with confidence.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is the day Britney Spears finally wiped that clinging piece of shit from her asshole.

Just over two years, Kevin Federline managed to stay in the limelight longer than most would expect from a backup dancer (J-Lo excluded). During this time, he managed to squeeze 2 children (one-year-old Sean Preston and two-month-old Jayden James), a record deal, a reality show and any remaining dignity from the pop princess. Britney finally filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences." Translation: he's a fucking douchebag!

Now Britney has petitioned for full custody of their children granting Federline reasonable visitation rights and is waiving any spousal support. From him?... No kidding.

Meanwhile, while all this was coming to light (though who among us didn't smell this coming from a mile away like the cheeseburger stains on Federline's pant that a formerly insane Britney Spears left - ahhh, 2004 and 2005, where did you go?), King PopoZao was in Toronto co-hosting M.O.D and proving he is not Mr. Britney Spears. News Flash: wish granted.

Spears started her comeback with a "surprise" appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman looking slim, healthy and without that 170 lbs. tumour that's been plaguing her career for the past 2 years.

So Britney will be doing as her ex so eloquently put:

"I'm bringing sexy back."

Sleep with one eye open

Say your prayers little one
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone

Tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
Till the sandman he comes

Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
Off to never never land

Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of snow white

Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragons fire
And of things that will bite

Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
Off to never never land

Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
Pray the lord my soul to take

Hush little baby, dont say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
Its just the beast under your bed,
In your closet, in your head

Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land

-- "Enter Sandman" by Metallica
This one goes out to Big Brother Eric who, in his pre-pastor mode, was a huge Metallica fan and let's face it... still is :)

The BOO-YAH Summer Movie Review

Allow me to explain my method of madness... BOO means I didn't like it and YAH means I did. There may be some grey area in which it gets a BOO.

The Da Vinci Code (May 19) - BOO
Hmmm... ya.

Over the Hedge (May 19) - YAH
Very cute.

X-Men 3: The Last Stand (May 26) - BOO
Shudder! By far the worst film I saw in theaters this summer!
[puke]
As a sidebar, read Joss Whedon's The Astonishing X-Men - that is what this movie should've been.

Cars (June 9) - BOO
The problem (well, one of the many problems) with this one is it focused on premise over story ie: a world of talking cars! Imagine the toyline on this one! And then when they tried to squeeze in a story (one appealing to adults) it got too complicated and sentimental. If your subject matter is going to be talking cars, then make your target audience ONLY CHILDREN - the parents will watch because their kids are watching (God willing). You don't have to overly win them over. You already got their money.

The Inconvenient Truth (June 16) - YAH
What I liked about this one was that it really was like being in a lecture hall and I am learning about global warming and the harms our Earth has gone under. What gives it that personal touch from Al Gore were those brief interludes of his personal reflection. I say brief because any more would've been a 2-hour long haiku about saving the planet. In stead it focused on the facts and actually tells you what to do and how you can help.

Superman Returns (June 28) - YAH
Eff'n amazing.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (July 7) - BOO
AKA: The Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow Show - please end.
This was a close second to the worst film of the summer.

Clerks 2 (July 21) - YAH
What I was expecting to be a retelling of the original Clerks but with up-to-date pop culture references (though I knew I'd still enjoy it for what it's worth), turned out to be a film with more heart and thought (despite the donkey-fucking part... that simply had a donkey being fucked). As much fun as Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back was, this was the true finale to the View Askew Verse. It started with Clerks and thus ended with Clerks.

Little Miss Sunshine (July 26) - YAH
This is the charming feel good flick of the year. You'll fall in love with the little girl and more often than not, it avoids cliches. Don't have much more to say about it except I saw it twice in theaters and didn't regret it.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Aug 4) - BOO
Definitely had its funny LOL moments though obviously not as good or funny as Anchorman.

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Honourable Mention:
Stranger Than Fiction (to be release in Nov '06) - YAH
This is my first Toronto Film Fest Flick I've seen and I wasn't disappointed. It's a great film with a great cast (Will Ferrell doesn't fall prey to being a funny add lib man who's always on). The film is charming, funny, heartwarming, touching and sweet.

When I see you cry

When you first left me
I was wanting more
But you were f**king that girl next door
What'cha do that for? (What'cha do that for?)

When you first left me
I didnt know what to say
I'd never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
It's only because you are feeling alone

At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back (Want me back)
And I tell you it don't mean that (It don't mean that)
No it don't mean that (No it don't mean that)

I couldn't stop laughing
No I just couldn't help myself
See you messed up my mental health
I was quite unwell

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
It's only because you're feeling alone

At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

Lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala
lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala
lalala lalala lalala

At first when I see you cry (When I see you cry)
It makes me smile (It makes me smile)
Yeah it makes me smile (Yeah it makes me smile)

At worst I feel bad for a while (I feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (But then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)

lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala

At first when I see you cry (When I see you cry)
It makes me smile (It makes me smile)
Yeah it makes me smile (Yeah it makes me smile)

At worst I feel bad for a while (I feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (But then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)

-- "Smile" by Lily Allen

The Cakes

This is really for my benefit. So, in case you have not heard, I like to bake. Particularly, I like to bake for other people. And I've also decided to name the cakes I have baked after the people I've baked them for (and in retrospect, I really wished I took pictures of each of these should I ever start a Cake recipe book). Instead, we'll just have to settle for descriptive words and back stories.

The "Kit" Kat Cake
Milk chocolate cake covered in milk chocolate frosting with a layer of wafer sandwiched with more frosting. This cake was made for Katharine Foster's birthday/my Appetizer Party but unfortunately this happened right after she turned vegan.

The Jill Cake
Chocolate cake topped with vanilla frosting and drizzled with chocolate. This one was for Miss Symington's last day at Red Rover. Many (if not, most) people were laid off due to the discontinuation of the show Get Ed (which I actually enjoyed). So I wouldn't exactly call this a celebratory cake, but it made Jill happy nonetheless.

The Emma Cake
White chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting garnished with rainbow sprinkles and trimmed with whipped cream. This cake was made for "Emma Appreciation Day" which turned into a genocide of our department (thanks to the burritos and not the cake). Emma is, by definition, a sultry minx.

The Evan Cake
Moist chocolate cake with rich vanilla frosting with a layer of crushed Oreos in the middle. Decorated with Oreo crumbs, whipped cream and Hershey Kisses. In my opinion the best cake turn-out... so far. And admittedly, I had wanted to have Batman on it because that seemed to be a running theme with the Evan presents I've given him (okay, there were 2 others but this could've been 3!)

The Nadia Cake
Same recipe for chocolate cake as with the Evan Cake (that's right, it was that good) but with milk chocolate frosting with creamy caramel sauce nuzzled between the layers of cake and the same caramel sauce drizzled on top. This cake was for a going away party for Nadia who decided to go back to school in Thunder Bay.

The Darko Cake
You'd think this cake should be dark chocolate. But no, it's rich yellow cake with caramel frosting and garnished with milk chocolate frosting and Hershey Kisses. This was for Darko's birthday who also shared it with Jonathan Soja... but this cake is not named for him as he's afraid of his own birthday celebrations and cake.

**UPDATE**

The Patty Cake
Oh the clever name! Whipped cream and strawberries nuzzled between two layers of fluffy white cake and covered with vanilla frosting garnished with strawberry slices was a compliment gift to the Firemen 2007 calendar I gave Patty for her birthday. The idea to use strawberries for her cake came when back in June for my birthday, Evan and Patty made me a chocolate cake with strawberries that Patty was so adamant on putting on the cake. Little did they know I'm actually not a huge fan of strawberries and she clearly is. Suffice to say, she enjoyed it.

The Andree Cake
Decadant yellow cake with chocolate frosting was the cake for this mother-to-be. I had actually made this cake for her birthday but when the day came, I plum forgot it on my kitchen counter. It was only in the morning as I was at my desk and thinking about the healthy frosting breakfast I had that I remembered about the cake. So we ended up having it the next day - no birthday song required.

Paris Hilton on her music

"I like, cry, when I listen to it, it's so good."

When Our Bodies Finally Go...

I've got a cupboard with cans of food,
filtered water, and pictures of you
and I'm not coming out until this is all over.
And I'm looking through the glass
Where the light bends at the cracks
And I'm screaming at the top of my lungs
Pretending the echoes belong to someone
Someone I used to know

And we become silhouettes
when our bodies finally go
ba ba ba ba

I wanted to walk through the empty streets
And feel something constant under my feet,
But all the news reports recommended that I stay indoors
Because the air outside will make
Our cells divide at an alarming rate
Until our shells simply cannot hold
All our insides in,
And that's when we'll explode
(And it won't be a pretty sight)

And we'll become silhouettes
when our bodies finally go
ba ba ba ba

-- "We Will Become Silhouettes" by The Postal Service

The Ultimate Showdown

Old Godzilla was hopping around
Tokyo City like a big playground
when suddenly Batman burst from the shade
and hit Godzilla with a Batgrenade
Godzilla got pissed and began to attack
but didn't expect to be blocked by Shaq
who proceeded to open up a can of Shaq Fu
when Aaron Carter came out of the blue

and he started beating up Shaquille O'Neal
then they both got flattened by the Batmobile
but before it could make it back to the Batcave
Abraham Lincoln popped out of his grave
and took an AK47 out from under his hat
and blew Batman away with a rat-a-tat-tat
but he ran out of bullets and he ran away
because Optimus Prime came to save the day

this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny

Godzilla took a bite out of Optimus Prime
like Scruff McGruff took a bite out of crime
and then Shaq came back covered in a tire track
but Jackie Chan jumped out and landed on his back
and Batman was injured, and trying to get steady
when Abraham Lincoln came back with a machete
but suddenly something caught his leg and he tripped
Indiana Jones took him out with his whip

then he saw Godzilla sneaking up from behind
and he reached for his gun which he just couldn't find
'cause Batman stole it and he shot and he missed
and Jackie Chan deflected it with his fist
then he jumped in the air and did a summersault
while Abraham Lincoln tried to pole vault
onto Optimus Prime, but they collided in the air
then they both got hit by a Care Bear Stare, oooh

this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown...

angels sang out in immaculate chorus
down from the heavens descended Chuck Norris
who deliver a kick which could shatter bones
into the crotch of Indiana Jones
who fell over on the ground, writhing in pain
as Batman changed back into Bruce Wayne
but Chuck saw through his clever disguise
and he crushed Batman's head in between his thighs

then Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White and
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail"'s Black Knight and
Benito Mussolini and The Blue Meanie and
Cowboy Curtis and Jambi the Genie
Robocop, the Terminator, Captain Kirk, and Darth Vader
Lo Pan, Superman, every single Power Ranger
Bill S. Preston and Theodore Logan,
Spock, The Rock, Doc Ock, and Hulk Hogan
all came out of no where lightning fast
and they kicked Chuck Norris in his cowboy ass
it was the bloodiest battle the world ever saw
with civilians looking on total awe

and the fight raged on for a century
many lives were claimed, but eventually
the champion stood, the rest saw their better:
Mr. Rogers in a bloodstained sweater

this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown...
this is the Ultimate Showdown...
this is the Ultimate Showdown...
of Ultimate Destiny

-- "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" by Lemon Demon

Kevin Smith, I salute you!

And here's why.

(link sent by Evan)

And read the article here.

Once upon a time...

There was a girl named karaoke-catgirl and she had a live journal.

I came across it, having remembered the URL, and quite frankly I couldn't bare to read it. I started it when I moved to Toronto - January 2004. I was against having a live journal for some time as I objected to some of the personal stuff Ryan would post but thought I'd keep one while I was away.

Little did I know I'd be gone for a long while.

Looking back into this window to the past, I see a girl lost, full of emotions, trying to be something, stuggling. She is sad, pathetic and depressed. She is gulity for having moments of happiness or giddiness. She is unhealthy, troubled and torn. She hurt someone she loved very much. Selfish, stupid girl.

So who am I now? I'm a woman who is happy with herself, happy with her surroundings. Yes, I'm single but I'm far from lonely. Life isn't perfect; it just is and I love it. I love. What a difference two years can make. And from upon starting that old live journal to continuing this blog, I am also at least 10 pairs of shoes richer. Thank you to my wonderful friends and my loving family for being there - well not for the shoes; that was all me!

Take care. I'll see you all later! Well except you, karaoke-catgirl. Your song is over :)

Just letting you know, this will be a rare instance where I post a personal post. Not that there's anything wrong with it - I just figured those who are really close and dear to me, I will feel free to open up and bear my heart and soul to. But seeing as this was reflecting on an old live journal, I thought it oddly fitting.

Said goodbye to my best friend

I fell asleep last Saturday
Underneath polluted skies
I walked alone in those Jersey nights
And I
Saw the board walk start to fall
The emptyness starts to drown
The quiet corners of this town tonight

Late last night I made my plans
It was the only thing I felt I could do
Said goodbye to my best friend
Sometimes there’s no one left to tell you the truth

It's gonna kill me the rest of my life
Let me apologize while I’m still alive
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life

This is my all time low
Somehow it feels so familiar
Somehow it seems so familiar
I feel like letting go
And every second that goes by
I’m screaming out for second tries

Said goodbye to my best friend
Sometimes there’s no one left to tell you the truth
It's gonna kill me the rest of my life
Let me apologize while I'm still alive
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes
I've got to live with them the rest of my life

This is the mess I've made
These are the words I can’t erase
This is my life support
Shutting down
For the final time
And it twists like a blade
And kills me for the rest of my life

If you won’t forgive me the rest of my life
Let me apologize while I’m still alive
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life

It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life

- "The Rest of My Life" by Less Than Jake

The Geek Wants Out!

Four Spoken Word Recordings by Ernest Cline:

Nerd Porn Auteur
When I Was A Kid
Airwolf
The Geek Wants Out

Dr. Tran!

Oh shit! It's Dr. Tran!















(link sent by Evan)

And that's the way I like it...

My head is a box filled with nothing
and that's the way I like it
My garden's a secret compartment
and that's the way I like itand that's the way I like it
Your body's a dream that turns violent
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
The winter is long in the city
and that's the way I like it

So please
Baby please
Open your heart
Catch my disease
I was backstage in Pomona
and that's the way I like it
She drank beer with Coca-Cola
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
She told me about the winds from Santa Ana
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
She told me she'd love me like fireworks
and that's the way I like it

So please Baby please
open your eyes
and catch my disease
So please Baby please
come on
and catch my disease

catch it
Na na na na na na na na na

(laughter)

They play Good Charlotte on the radio
and that's the way I like it
They play Sleepy Jackson on the radio
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
I hear Beyonce on the radio
and that's the way I like it
'cause that's the way I like it
they don't play me on the radio
but that's the way I like it

So please Baby please
Open your heart
and catch my disease

So please
Baby please
Come onnnnnnnn
And catch my disease
Catch my disease!

nananananananana
Catch my disease
nananananananana
Catch my disease
nananananananana
Catch my disease

nananananananana
nananananananana

nananananananana
nananana
nananananananana (ooooo)

- "Catch My Disease" by Ben Lee

Hiphopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

A classic gangster/folk crossover by The Flight of the Conchords.












(link sent by Evan)

Are You Rollin' With Bob Saget?

Bob Saget, bitch! You bettah askx someone!

(link sent by Kelly)

Ode to Short-Lived Animated Shows

Family Dog (1993)
Created by: Brad Bird (of The Incredibles and The Iron Giant fame)
Executive produced by: Tim Burton and Steven Spielberg.
Voice actors: Martin Mull

Spin-off to an episode of Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories. Told of the trials and tribulations of the Binford's family dog.

Amazing Stories: Family Dog Pt. 1
Amazing Stories: Family Dog Pt. 2
Amazing Stories: Family Dog Pt. 3













---------------------------------------------------------

Clerks: the Animated Series (2000)
Created by: Kevin Smith
Executive Produced: a surprising large number of people - so we'll just say Scott Mosier :D
Voice actors: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes and Alec Baldwin

The continuing adventures of this generation's favourite slackers - Dante and Randal

Clip of the Korean style animation











---------------------------------------------------------

Clone High (2002)
Created by: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Executive Produced by: Phil Lord and Bill Lawrence (of Scrubs fame)
Voices actors: Will Forte, Nicole Sullivan, and Christa Miller

The greatest minds of the world have been cloned and are now attending high school together.

First episode
Finale Pt. 1
Finale Pt. 2











---------------------------------------------------------

The Oblongs (2001)
Created by: Angus Oblong and Jace Richdale
Executive Produced by: Jace Richdale and Bruce Helford
Voice actors: Will Ferrell and Jean Smart

The misadventures of a goofy family deformed by toxic waste - that's always fun!
Four minute trailer














---------------------------------------------------------

Undergrads (2001)
Created by: Pete Williams
Executive Produced by: Neil Court and Steven DeNure
Voice actors: Pete Williams

The misadventures of a group of childhood friends who keep in touch even while they go to separate colleges.

Undergrads Promo

Former school denounces Michelle Williams

Pst, no one tell them about Dawson’s Creek.

Brokeback Mountain actress Michelle Williams has received some harsh criticism for her role as the wife of a homosexual cowboy. The critic is none other than the headmaster of her former school, Sante Fe Christian School in San Diego, California, Jim Hopson.

Hopson declares Williams is "offensive" for acting in the controversial Oscar nominated film and branded her as a poor role-model. He tells the San Diego Union Tribune, "We don't want to have anything to do with her in relation to that movie. Michelle doesn't represent the values of this institution. Brokeback Mountain basically promotes a lifestyle we don't promote." Clearly, that lifestyle includes tolerance and acceptance.

Besides this backlash Williams has received, she has also been showered with praises most notably, an Oscar nom. Should Williams win the coveted award, it’s a safe bet she won’t give any shout outs to the good folks at Sante Fe Christian School.