To Get Me Through My Day

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am finding it REALLY hard to get through this week with a smile on my face. The weather (or at the very least, the aftermath of the weather) has got me down...I'm ready to get out of the city and enjoy a quieter pace for a while, and I'm soooooooooo ready to not answer the company phones for about a week and a half!

Anyway, to get me through the week I've been trying to find various ways to either a) keep me occupied or b) make me laugh. This involves a) a lot of exercise and b) a lot of "stumbling" for funny videos online.

During my stumbling, I've come across a few videos that I felt the need to share, and just *might* help me make it through this week with at least a small amount of sanity still intact.

First off, we have an Xbox ad which was supposedly banned from ever being aired. It's unfortunate, because it is a compelling, funny, and beautifully shot ad. However, with the current state of world politics, it's probably safer for a company to NOT tread on toes or blatantly ask for controversy.

Secondly, I've discovered the joy of Derren Brown. Derren Brown is (according to my good friend Wikipedia), a "British psychological illusionist, mentalist, and skeptic of paranormal phenomena." The bits of his shows that I've caught on YouTube are amazing...he uses little mind tricks to disprove ideas of psychic power, along the way, and prove that the mind is a powerful powerful tool. My favourite clips features the hilarious Simon Pegg receiving a gift from Derren. Too good...

Video number three is yet another ad. This one cracks me up every single time I watch it. Visually, there is not a lot special going on, and the point would be lost if played without audio. However, the deadpan delivery of the police officer (my favourite part is when he gives the "picture" back) is way, WAY too funny.

Fourth is the amazing Eddie Izzard doing an absolutely side-splitting routine about the Death Star. Only, instead of watching Eddie Izzard do his stand-up (have you ever seen it?...scary!), someone has taken the time to animate it with Lego. As if this sketch wasn't funny enough! (WARNING (for those of you with gentle ears) - Some NSFW language present.)

Lastly, I found something to melt your heart a little. I found this comic who does a dead-on Elmo impression. The first part makes me melt, the second is just downright funny. (Again, some NSFW language.)

So...there you have it! Those 5 videos are going to help me get through the rest of the week. When I'm not watching these five videos, I will try to exercise, and the company Christmas party is tomorrow evening, not to mention I'm having a gift exchange with the roomies on Thursday. So hopefully this week flies by and there are no weather-related hitches to deal with when I go to the airport on Friday evening.

If I don't get a chance to post before next Tuesday, have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful start to the new year. See you in 2008!

Skydiving Video

As promised, here is (FINALLY!) my skydiving video.

They had it edited to Linkin' Park music, and all the editing was done in camera (meaning there were obvious cuts between scenes.)

I re-edited it to Queen music (what else?) and put some nice transitions between the scenes, cut some boring stuff...you know the drill.

The interviews are kind of funny...especially the ones beforehand. When I get nervous my voice gets a tad squeaky, and I giggle...a lot. If you want to jump to the good stuff, however, check out 3:15 where they open the door at 10500 feet...take a look at my reaction.

Without further ado, I'll let the video speak for itself...

Let me know what you think...

I Just D'ohn't Know...

I'm not sure if I'm going to see The Simpsons Movie.

I'm sure you all have reasons why I should go and see it (and a quick peek on IMDB already has it rated at #75 of their top 250 user rated movies.)

I just have one BIG problem with The Simpsons, that I will admit here for the first time ever.

I don't get it.

For those of you who don't know, The Simpsons were banned in my household as a kid. My mom watched an episode where Bart tries to sneak into a movie theatre, and decided that The Simpsons were a negative influence on positive morals and values, and told my sister and I (and this held true for my father too) that we could not watch this show. Eventually the violence in The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Power Rangers made it so that they were added to the banned list as well, but The Simpsons was the one that stood out the most.

As the years went by, I didn't feel myself missing The Simpsons...I mean, if fair is fair, I didn't know what I was missing. Having never watched a single episode, I didn't have a clue what was going on. Eventually, FOX came out with a cutting edge show called Family Guy, and my sister and I took to that and were hooked quickly. Mom saw what we were watching, and I guess realized that there were worse things on television than The Simpsons, and the ban was silently lifted.

But did I rush out to watch The Simpsons after that? No. I think the first time I sat down and watched a full episode was when I was sick, at 18 years old, during a weekend in residence. Someone had the DVD's and lent them to me in my time of need and boredom (I later watched the episode that had prompted the ban, and realized that my mom must have stopped watching before realizing that Bart does learn his lesson in the end.)

So I guess I just don't understand the hype behind this movie. As someone who didn't grow up with Lisa, Bart and Maggie (although they didn't age like I did), I don't see myself rushing out to see the film. Maybe I'll see it one day...maybe I won't. Part of me does want to see it in the big screen...I guess the intrigue is driving me towards it, but I have other movies on my list to see first.

In any case, I do respect to a movie that is based on a television show that has been running as long as this one has. In our changing world, it's really neat to see something that has held on so strongly. And I have no doubt that this movie will be number one at the box office this weekend. I was at the theatre last night, and the line-ups to get in were unbelievable. I hold no hard feelings towards my mom for not letting me watch the show, and hope the movie does do well...it does look like a fun, movie-going experience. To prove this, I present you with a clip, featuring what I think is the best celebrity Simpsons appearance that there can possible be.

So enjoy your movie...let me know how it is. But no spoilers...you never know...

Brilliant Songs Used Brilliantly In Brilliant Movie Scenes, Pt. 2

When I started this little feature on my blog, I was jobless, and quite bored. Now, over a month later, I have a job and a) way too much to do in the evenings or b) I'm way to tired to DO anything in the evenings. However, I've wanted to do a feature on this song for awhile

Song: Stuck In The Middle With You
Artist: Stealers Wheel
Film: Reservoir Dogs

Explanation: When I first started film school, you wouldn't catch me watching Reservoir Dogs. Looking back, when I started film school, I don't think I really appreciated film the way I do now. To me a movie was something you saw on the weekend. You went, bought your tub of popcorn, escaped for an hour or two, and continued on with your life for the rest of the week.

As my years at college went on, I started to see film as something more, and began to find myself appreciating different genres, different languages, and different themes through the beauty of film. Now you would be hard pressed to find a movie I won't watch. I'll even watch a bad movie, just to add it to my movie vocabulary.

I think Reservoir Dogs was the beginning of a major change for me with regards to the movies I watch. After falling in love with Steve Buscemi, I simply had to get my hands on everything he had ever been in. Living in residence, with no way to go out and rent movies (in an easy capacity) I started asking around to see if any of my floormates had movies featuring the love of my life. One of them happened to have Reservoir Dogs.

Not only is Steve Buscemi brilliant as the slimy Mr. Pink, the entire script is flawless. Although the idea of the film is clearly one of Tarantino's imagination, the movie has a certain reality to it. The conversations seem real; I mean, there are scenes where the characters talk too fast...you can't understand them. They flub a word or two. Instead of spending take after take to make sure the everything is "perfect", the scenes come across as legitimate. It feels as though, even though we know we are watching a film, maybe, just maybe, someone out there could be having the same conversation with their friends about why they don't tip, or the meaning behind Madonna's Like A Virgin.

I think the reason that I never watched this film before was because it scared me. It scared me that I didn't know if there was going to be a happy ending. Now I'm not afraid of stuff like that. Tarantino's writing shows that yes, there sometimes isn't a happy ending, but that doesn't make the ride any less exciting or interesting.

With a unique soundtrack, Stuck In The Middle With You, is placed in a dynamic scene, that will change the way you hear that song for years to come. A combination of great writing, mounting tension, and pure horror (all to a boppy soundtrack), this scene stands out as brilliant, solely due to the juxtaposition of good vs. evil, innocent vs. guilty.

The Scene: (potential spoiler alert) After Nice Guy Eddie, Mr. White, and Mr. Pink go to retrieve the stashed loot that Mr. Pink made off with during the heist gone wrong, Mr. Blonde is left alone with a dying Mr. Orange, and Marv the cop (who he kidnapped and brought to the meeting point.) Once all the others are gone, he turns on the radio just as Stuck In The Middle With You starts to play, and proceeds to torture the cop in the worst ways imaginable.

Why It's Brilliant: Although having some really great scenes paired with really great songs, I chose what I believe is the defining song of this film. There is something about the pairing of a 70's, upbeat tune, with a brutal and heartless act that really stands out and makes this film better than a lot of films I have seen. As disgusting and frightening the things that Mr. Blonde is doing to an innocent man, you find yourself riveted. Tarantino's directing (pushing the camera away from the gore) gives the scene that much more punch, because the audience is left to imagine what is going on.

The Scene: (For those of you with delicate ears who frequent my blog, be aware that the following scene contains some coarse language or violent imagery that may not be suitable for all viewers.)

Brilliant Songs Used Brilliantly In Brilliant Movie Scenes, Pt. 1

So I realize that I've been neglecting my blog as of late. I'd like to say that I'm busy, but with no full-time job secured yet, I haven't exactly been overloaded with work. However, I have been finding ways to fill my days, which don't usually include blogging. I have some good posts coming over the next little while though, so stay tuned.

This new series that I am doing for my blog is what I lovingly call "Brilliant Songs Used Brilliantly In Brilliant Movie Scenes."

I feel I need to explain.

Recently, I've been paying more attention to the use of music in films, especially ones I've seen over again, and one thing that I've started to love is when a song becomes part of the actual movie. Basically, I think it's fun when the filmmaker takes a well known song, and puts it in the movie, not simply as background music, but lets the song push the story forward, or tie together an integral scene. This of course, doesn't happen in "serious" movies (well, sometimes, but I'm going to go with rarely...in any case, most of my examples can not really be considered "serious".) Basically, I wanted to showcase some of my favourite scenes that do this. I don't know how many parts this series will be, or how long I'll be able to go for, but I welcome any suggestions! Here are some guidelines:

1) The song can't simply be heard in the background (ie: in a bar scene, or from a radio.) The song has to become part of the story, and the characters have to some how react to the song (this will make more sense when you see my first example.)

2) Brilliant is all a matter of personal opinion. I don't care if you don't think the song isn't brilliant or the scene isn't brilliant. It's my blog and I'll do what I want (and if you want to see something you think is brilliant, leave a message and maybe it'll get posted.)

3) Musicals don't count. Yes, the moment Tony starts singing Maria in West Side Story is agreeably brilliant, but that song was written for that film. I want music that has been used effectively in a film that it was not designed to be in.

I think that about covers it, so without further ado, here is BSUBIBMS, Pt. 1:

Song: Don't Stop Me Now
Artist: Queen
Film: Shaun Of The Dead

Explanation: Some of you may know that lately I have been somewhat obsessed with Queen. I have also started to appreciate films that at this point last year, I would have not been interested in seeing. Shaun Of The Dead is one of these films.

I became really sick mid-March, and a co-worker brought me this movie and told me that it would make me feel better. I took it to be polite, and when I started watching, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it. It really, REALLY is a great film.

Fast forward to a few months later when I'm going through my Queen phase, and all of a sudden the song "Don't Stop Me Now" starts playing. Now, I'm confused because I like this song, it's funky, AMAZING to dance to, but I can't place where I've heard it before.

Lucky for us, we have a beautiful tool called "The Internet", and a quick Wikipedia search revealed that it had been used in the film that I had fallen for but a few months earlier.

The Scene: (potential spoiler alert) When the group makes their way to the bar for shelter, the jukebox is accidentally bumped and Don't Stop Me Now starts playing, which riles up the zombies. Deciding that the only way to save themselves is get the music turned off, one of the group runs to find the fuse box, while the others beat the zombies senseless with pool cues.

Why It's Brilliant: I can't remember who (it may have been Bryan), but somebody described this scene as "Jazzercize with zombies." Not only is it staged brilliantly, with everything from the movement of the characters to the flicking of the lights matching the song, but there is a lot of unexpected stuff that happens during the scene. It is so exciting and impossible to turn away.

The Scene: (For those of you with delicate ears who frequent my blog, be aware that the following scene contains some coarse language or violent imagery that may not be suitable for all viewers.)

So that concludes the first episode of this new feature. I hope you enjoyed it, and start thinking about those scenes. I have a few more to go, but I look forward to hearing your suggestions!

Hawaii 2007 - Day 11: Something Out Of A Dream

So after saying goodbye to Kristyn last night, I stayed up later than normal, neglecting to think about the fact that I had to be up at about 5:45 the next morning.

So after THAT startling awakening, Dad and I headed off to the pier where we were loaded on the Quick Silver (again!) for our snorkel cruise to Molokini and Turtle Town (and just in time to watch the sun rise over Haleakala!)

Even that early in the morning, we could tell that it was going to be a great day, with not a cloud in the sky, and the ocean resting unusually calm.

Our first stop was Turtle Town, a little area in front of some really swanky resorts, where there are supposedly supposed to be a surplus of turtles.

Entering the water from the boat is one of the best parts of the trip. As they said on the boat, there is the Type A Personality way (jumping off the side of the boat) or the Type B Personality way (a SLIDE (!) into the water.) I, of course, had to try both.

The water is great around Turtle Town, and within minutes, I had spotted something VERY exciting, an eagle ray (a member of the manta ray family!)

Anyway, I am swimming along, and I am not seeing any turtles (which, I assure you, is disappointing when in Turtle Town.) I am about to call it a day, when I swim over a large piece of coral and there is a turtle, happily resting on the top.

Have I mentioned how much I love these creatures? They are so peaceful, even when their home is being invaded by a whole ton of adequate swimmers in funny masks.

In any case, I was treated to a rare treat. Almost as soon as I spotted it, the turtle started to surface for air, moving so close to me I had to get out of the way (the sea turtle in Hawaii is a protected species, so there would have been a $10,000 fine had I touched it!)

While we were waiting for everyone to get back into the boat and be counted, we saw something moving not too far in the distance. As it approached us, we were stunned to discover that a group of spinner dolphins were heading our way!

Unfortunately anchored, we couldn't get any close to these amazing creatures. The cameraman on board even tried swimming closer to them, but they moved too fast for him to get a good shot.

After everyone was safely back in the boat, we headed for Molokini (which, if you hit the above link, you would now know is a bird sanctuary with protected waters.)

However, the captain decided to see if he could find the group of dolphins.

I sat anxiously on the edge of the boat (we had secured seats in the front by getting there REALLY early in the morning.)

All of a sudden, before I could even realize what was happening, dolphins started appearing from nowhere on all sides of the boat. They wanted to play!

I think at one point, we could see at least 25 in front of us. Even the crew hadn't seen anything like this. They were mesmerizing. They were totally putting on a show for us too; one was swimming upside down, and every so often, one would jump with a funky little spin (where they got their name.) Apparently, spinner dolphins often travel in large groups, even numbering in the 100's! There could have been dozens of more dolphins below the surface of the water where we couldn't see them!

I took some (soundless, and not the best quality) video with my digital camera to give you a perspective of how close I was to these creatures, and how many there were (the second video even features them playing around a bit!)

According to the captain, the dolphins were being lazy, and swimming along with the boat to avoid doing any work. When we started to speed up, they caught the current of the boat and road along with us, breeching the surface, and peeling away from the boat as we finally reached maximum speed. Brilliant!

After that amazing experience, we headed off to Molokini (beautiful, but not as exciting after what we had just seen...I could have stayed with the dolphins all day.) Like my title implies, it was very much something out of a dream. Even to this day, I have to look at my photos to remember that it happened, it was so surreal!

I think, it was at this moment, I realized that I truly was in paradise...and I was so happy.

Molokini is beautiful for snorkeling, and there is a surplus of amazing fish and coral. However, after snorkeling in Turtle Town (and at other various points throughout the week) I was ready to finish early, and head to the boat for lunch (and $1 Mai-Tai's...a drink sent down from God for me to enjoy!)

Afterwards we headed on to do some whale watching, and learned more about the islands in the area. For example, Kaho'olawe was used for many years by the U.S. Army (after the bombing of Pearl Harbour) to set off practice bombs for military training. You still can't get within 2 miles of the shore, because there are still active bombs in the waters surrounding. Lānaʻi, on the other hand, is very lush and has an amazing ability to grow 5-star hotels (I think I want to get married on Lānaʻi...)

Not too long into our whale watching journey, we started seeing some whales. We were treated to a calf whale breeching the surface and smacking his head on the water (in imitation of the adults, and eventually a few adult whales who came to the surface of the water.)

This was a definite improvement over the last whale watch I went on, and at this point, I was quite content to go home and lie by the pool for an afternoon of relaxation and peace before leaving to go home.

After eating dinner and finishing packing in the evening, my Grandmother drove my father and I to the airport, and left us to catch our flight to LA and then on to Toronto.

I remember, driving along, wishing for more time. It hurts to leave something that so special. What I didn't know, is I was about to get my wish.

The airport was a zoo! There were so many people, and for each person, there was probably at least 3 bags of luggage! It was a madhouse!

The odd thing was, when we got there, they relegated us to this line and made us stand there, with no information as to why we were in this line in the first place.

After some rumblings, it was discovered that our flight was delayed until the morning (due to the weather out east earlier that day), and they were currently trying to reroute people (or at least help them find a place to stay for the evening.) Eventually, after trying to put all the pieces together on our own, an agent came up and told us that if we had a place to stay for the evening, to go stay there, and arrive for our flight in the morning. Luckily, our Grandparents were staying in Hawaii for another week, so we called up Grandma and had her come back to pick us up, to enjoy one more sleep under the Hawaiian sky.

Now, at this point, I'm thinking:

1) I missed the Academy Awards for no good reason.

and

2) If we get back shortly, I can go in the hot tub again. Yes!

Long story short, we got back with enough time to enjoy a good solid half hour of hot tub happiness, and I crawled into bed, content with the fact that I partially got my wish. I could enjoy Maui a little more...

Oh, Horror Of Horrors

This is unlike anything I've ever seen before.

Seriously, it's like something out of a bad horror movie.

If this place was ever on my vacation list, it has been officially crossed off.

*shiver*

And People Wonder Why I Don't Want To Have Children...

...they grow up into teenagers.

Oh gosh...I think I just threw up a bit in my mouth.

Save yourself.

Karaoke Kyla

I can't sing. Everyone knows this. Yet I love karaoke. Go figure.

I am a joyful noisemaker. What I severely lack in talent, I make up for with pure, unadulterated enthusiasm.

I sang for you, Cookie, like I said I would (it's a song I thought you could appreciate):

"But you always really knew/
I just wanna be with you/

And I’m in so deep/
You know I’m such a fool for you/
You got me wrapped around your finger/
Do you have to let it linger/
Do you have to do you have to/
Do you have to let it linger"

In other news, I think I just lost a lot of respect for Gwen Stefani after hearing a couple girls singing her new song in the elevator:

They got all offended when I asked them why they were singing the yodeling song from The Sound Of Music.

They didn't even REALIZE that Gwen Stefani totally ripped off the classic movie.

Why Gwen...why?