Going home from work there are two ways I could go: PCH or 405. Both ways take about the same amount of time (and the 405 way usually takes about five minutes longer). The PCH route has lots of lights and the 405 route is, well, it's the 405. To me the 405 route doesn't "feel" as long, even though timewise it doesn't matter. I'm less stressed when I get home if I take the 405, which does matter.
Last night a friend invited me to go to a Tarot reading. It wasn't so much a professional reading as a bunch of people reading each others' cards in hopes of becoming better readers. But I did get my cards read by the "psychic" there and she gave me some interesting (and surprisingly relevant) insights into my life.
My friend has a theory regarding the Tarot that, logically, makes a lot of sense. The short version of the theory is that the cards have enough latent symbolism that when combined with intuition can create a reading that is relevant for the person whose cards are being read. This is akin to the strategy of opening the Bible (or any favorite book) to a random page, picking a verse/sentence and extrapolating something useful from it.
While I don't believe the Tarot is something magical, I do believe that some people have better intuition than others, and this intuition can help people "see" things about themselves they would otherwise not see. I think this is a better way of looking at the Tarot than to think it's something magical, evil, or spiritual.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Adventure - Grauman's Chinese Theater
This weekend I went to Hollywood to check out Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater.
Grauman's is really a sight to see. Get away from Hollywood Blvd (and the mimes and impersonators), and you'll see a truly fantastic piece of architecture. Of course, in the courtyard you can see the hand and shoe impressions of influential movie stars, such as Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Deborah Kerr, Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper, Jack Nicholson, Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, Henry Fonda, Dick Van Dyke, Steven Spielburg, Sean Connery, John Wayne, and Cary Grant (and many others). You can place your hands and feet into the impressions.
In retrospect, seeing those cement slabs was kind of creepy. Here, some famous dead person once put their hand, and now I can put my hand where their hand once was.
The Kodak Theater was very nice. Basically, it's a (fairly average) mall surrounding a movie theater. They had a Swarovski crystal store there, with some obviously gorgeous (and expensive!) pieces. While I was looking for the restroom someone set off the fire alarm and I decided to leave before they evacuated everyone (although I'm fairly certain it was just someone playing a prank). I'd like to go to the Chinese New Year Spectacular next year, but I think that requires more money than I'm able to afford (for a decent seat, anyway). Maybe in '08.
Grauman's is really a sight to see. Get away from Hollywood Blvd (and the mimes and impersonators), and you'll see a truly fantastic piece of architecture. Of course, in the courtyard you can see the hand and shoe impressions of influential movie stars, such as Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Deborah Kerr, Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper, Jack Nicholson, Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, Henry Fonda, Dick Van Dyke, Steven Spielburg, Sean Connery, John Wayne, and Cary Grant (and many others). You can place your hands and feet into the impressions.
In retrospect, seeing those cement slabs was kind of creepy. Here, some famous dead person once put their hand, and now I can put my hand where their hand once was.
The Kodak Theater was very nice. Basically, it's a (fairly average) mall surrounding a movie theater. They had a Swarovski crystal store there, with some obviously gorgeous (and expensive!) pieces. While I was looking for the restroom someone set off the fire alarm and I decided to leave before they evacuated everyone (although I'm fairly certain it was just someone playing a prank). I'd like to go to the Chinese New Year Spectacular next year, but I think that requires more money than I'm able to afford (for a decent seat, anyway). Maybe in '08.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Movie Magic
So the street in front of my workplace was used to shoot some stuff for Bruce Willis' new movie, Live Free or Die Hard. (Can this get any cheesier?)
Here's the teaser trailer. The stuff I know for certain that was filmed near work are the two truck explosions, but I know they did some shoot some stuff at night. It doesn't look like the night stuff that was in the trailer.
It's amazing how it all looks like it was shot in one place.
Cool, huh? (I'm sure the "traffic's being blocked because they're shooting a movie" will get old soon)
Here's the teaser trailer. The stuff I know for certain that was filmed near work are the two truck explosions, but I know they did some shoot some stuff at night. It doesn't look like the night stuff that was in the trailer.
It's amazing how it all looks like it was shot in one place.
Cool, huh? (I'm sure the "traffic's being blocked because they're shooting a movie" will get old soon)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Book Review - The Good German
When I went to The Fountain last week, they showed the trailer for The Good German (which I've seen before) and I noticed that it was based on a book. I usually like to read the book before watching a movie (which may or may not ruin the movie for me), so I found the book at Barnes & Noble after I went to the movie so I could read it before the movie releases Friday.
The short summary is that, in post WWII Berlin, a reporter (Jake Geismar) tries to unravel a murder of an American GI whose body is found in the Russian zone of the city. Throw into the mix his old girlfriend (Helene "Lena" Brandt), and her rocket scientist husband, Emil. Thematically, the book discusses the ideas of media spin to sensationalize or fabricate news, as well as ethical concerns on several levels (wartime occupation, survival and ethics, who is guilty of warcrimes if everyone let the Holocaust happen, etc).
I ended up reading the book quite fast (it's around 400 pages, plus it's a little difficult to read), so I know I didn't pick up everything. My initial feeling is that Joesph Kanon (the author) builds up this great thriller, only to have this over-sensationalized denounment in the final chapters. Maybe that has something to do with his theme on media sensationalism, but I was really disappointed. By the time Geismar solves the murder, I felt, "Come On! This is getting ridiculous!". Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. While the reading is difficult, the pacing is quick.
I'm not very confidant that the movie will be as enjoyable as the book. Most of the reviews I've read have derided Lena's acts of prostitution in the movie. I haven't seen the movie yet, but from reading A Woman In Berlin (my review here) I can say that women in Berlin at that time were not engaging in prostitution because they wanted to. When you have no idea where your next meal is coming from, it's easier (and smarter) to pick a "wolf from the pack". If you're going to get raped anyway, why not just sleep with one man and get a little food from the deal than be raped by multiple men and get no food? Then again, I haven't seen the movie, and can't say how warped the story became when it was translated to film. I can say (from the previews) that they warped some main story points already. I can understand the difficulties in translating a book to the screen, but I would prefer screenwriters to omit rather than alter characters and plotlines. I've never seen a movie improve a plotline or character from a book (see Faramir in the Lord of the Rings adaptations for an example).
Artistically, I'm still interested to see how the old-school techniques they used to film the movie turned out. I also must say I can't wait to hear Cate Blanchett's German accent either. She was amazing in The Aviator, and while I have to admit I didn't like the movie, she definitely deserved her Oscar win.
The short summary is that, in post WWII Berlin, a reporter (Jake Geismar) tries to unravel a murder of an American GI whose body is found in the Russian zone of the city. Throw into the mix his old girlfriend (Helene "Lena" Brandt), and her rocket scientist husband, Emil. Thematically, the book discusses the ideas of media spin to sensationalize or fabricate news, as well as ethical concerns on several levels (wartime occupation, survival and ethics, who is guilty of warcrimes if everyone let the Holocaust happen, etc).
I ended up reading the book quite fast (it's around 400 pages, plus it's a little difficult to read), so I know I didn't pick up everything. My initial feeling is that Joesph Kanon (the author) builds up this great thriller, only to have this over-sensationalized denounment in the final chapters. Maybe that has something to do with his theme on media sensationalism, but I was really disappointed. By the time Geismar solves the murder, I felt, "Come On! This is getting ridiculous!". Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. While the reading is difficult, the pacing is quick.
I'm not very confidant that the movie will be as enjoyable as the book. Most of the reviews I've read have derided Lena's acts of prostitution in the movie. I haven't seen the movie yet, but from reading A Woman In Berlin (my review here) I can say that women in Berlin at that time were not engaging in prostitution because they wanted to. When you have no idea where your next meal is coming from, it's easier (and smarter) to pick a "wolf from the pack". If you're going to get raped anyway, why not just sleep with one man and get a little food from the deal than be raped by multiple men and get no food? Then again, I haven't seen the movie, and can't say how warped the story became when it was translated to film. I can say (from the previews) that they warped some main story points already. I can understand the difficulties in translating a book to the screen, but I would prefer screenwriters to omit rather than alter characters and plotlines. I've never seen a movie improve a plotline or character from a book (see Faramir in the Lord of the Rings adaptations for an example).
Artistically, I'm still interested to see how the old-school techniques they used to film the movie turned out. I also must say I can't wait to hear Cate Blanchett's German accent either. She was amazing in The Aviator, and while I have to admit I didn't like the movie, she definitely deserved her Oscar win.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Movie Review - The Fountain
This weekend I found myself with some spare time and nothing to do with it. So I went to see Aronofsky's The Fountain. If you'd like to see this movie, I'd recommend not going to it if you want to see something to alleviate your loneliness. This movie just amplifies whatever loneliness and isolation you bring with you.
I didn't come away from this movie with the feeling that it was a good or a bad movie. I think the movie is thought-provoking, so take that however you want.
The acting in it is superb, as are the plot, special effects, and score. You empathize with Tom (Hugh Jackman) when he loses his wife Izzy (Rachel Weisz). In fact, you empathize with Tom's character the whole movie through, as he is constantly on the "impossible" mission. From finding a tree at the top of a hidden Mayan temple to finding a cure for brain cancer to getting the Tree of Life to Xibulba before the star goes nova, you hope that life gives Tom a break for once.
The plot was very interesting, and while I can see why the three points in time are interwoven in the movie, I think a plausible case could be made for viewing the movie sequentially. I found the "past" segments felt more like watching hero characters than real people.
I recommend going to this movie in a small theater with a couple "artsy" friends. The special effects are amazing and I think an argument can be made to bring back non-computer methods of creating special effects.
I didn't come away from this movie with the feeling that it was a good or a bad movie. I think the movie is thought-provoking, so take that however you want.
The acting in it is superb, as are the plot, special effects, and score. You empathize with Tom (Hugh Jackman) when he loses his wife Izzy (Rachel Weisz). In fact, you empathize with Tom's character the whole movie through, as he is constantly on the "impossible" mission. From finding a tree at the top of a hidden Mayan temple to finding a cure for brain cancer to getting the Tree of Life to Xibulba before the star goes nova, you hope that life gives Tom a break for once.
The plot was very interesting, and while I can see why the three points in time are interwoven in the movie, I think a plausible case could be made for viewing the movie sequentially. I found the "past" segments felt more like watching hero characters than real people.
I recommend going to this movie in a small theater with a couple "artsy" friends. The special effects are amazing and I think an argument can be made to bring back non-computer methods of creating special effects.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Oaths and Religious Freedom
"Anything But Straight - A Religious Test"
Does forcing a Muslim to take is oath of office using a bible make sense to anyone?
On the one hand, it makes sense to use only one book as the standard.
On the other hand, if the bible has no meaning for the person taking the oath, what is to morally stop him/her from breaking the oath (other than the ethics involved)? Wouldn't it make more sense to use a moral/religious text that has value for the person taking the oath? Because isn't the oath, the promise a man or woman makes to God (or other diety, or belief system) an individual bond? If I was supposed to make an oath, and I had to take it on a Book of Mormon, the oath wouldn't have any value to me. I don't care if I anger the mormon god by breaking the oath, because the Book of Mormon and the mormon god don't have value to me.
Does forcing a Muslim to take is oath of office using a bible make sense to anyone?
On the one hand, it makes sense to use only one book as the standard.
On the other hand, if the bible has no meaning for the person taking the oath, what is to morally stop him/her from breaking the oath (other than the ethics involved)? Wouldn't it make more sense to use a moral/religious text that has value for the person taking the oath? Because isn't the oath, the promise a man or woman makes to God (or other diety, or belief system) an individual bond? If I was supposed to make an oath, and I had to take it on a Book of Mormon, the oath wouldn't have any value to me. I don't care if I anger the mormon god by breaking the oath, because the Book of Mormon and the mormon god don't have value to me.
The Trader Joe's Ego Boost
While I've had several relationships, and found my partners attractive, I never thought any of my boyfriends were heart-throb gorgeous. Most of them were pretty average-looking. I think how a potential partner looks matter more to men than to women. In high school, all the extremely attractive guys were either dating other gals or they weren't interested in me (or they didn't express interest in me if they were). My point is that I've never had an instance where someone I found uber-handsome also found me attractive and say something about it. I tend to think extremely good-looking guys are out of my league.
On my way home from work last night I decided to stop at a Trader Joe's near my apartment and get some salad and frozen enchiladas (which a gal at work recommended I try). It was super busy, and I picked a line that didn't seem too long. If you know me you know I'm generally friendly to people who work in stores and restaurants. Their jobs are hard enough they don't need to be hassled by customers.
I find many different men attractive, and one particular "look" that makes my heart beat faster I like to call "Californian": tall, caucasian, blond-haired, blue-eyed, with an athletic build and lightly tanned. A relaxed, happy attitude usually goes with it.
So the line I happened to pick was headed by a checker who was a perfect example of the Californian. As he was bagging groceries for the customer in line before me he mentioned it was almost time for him to get off work.
As he started to scan my basket of items I asked him the question I ask all checkers,
"Hello! How are you?"
"I'm good; did you just get off work?"
"Yeah, I'm going to go home and relax."
"That's what I'm going to do, kick back on the sofa and watch a movie."
"That sounds nice."
"Yeah, I'll probably have some wine." (I felt that, being a good salesman, he was trying to get me to buy a bottle of wine. I didn't have any wine in my basket because I have two-and-a-half bottles at home)
"Oh, I have lots of wine at home." (I obviously wasn't seeing where this was going.)
"That's good!"
There was a lull in the conversation while I paid him for my groceries and he started to bag them.
I asked him, "What movie are you going to watch?"
"I don't know. What kind of movies do you like? Comedy, horror. . . "
It was only halfway through my answer that I realized he was flirting with me. I'm really slow on the pickup. Or maybe I just had a long day.
"Uh, I watch a lot of drama, actually. But I also enjoy comedies."
"No horror?"
"No, I don't like horror films." (I really don't)
"That's what I'm there for!"
"Oh, well, in that case I'll rent Saw III! Have a good night!"
"Take it easy gorgeous!"
The fact that, for possibly the first time in my life, a man I found highly attractive not only flirted with me but also complimented my looks when we first met made me feel really good. Exceedingly shallow, but definitely an ego boost.
I suspect that this will cause me to spend more money at Trader Joe's in hopes of getting into the Californian's line. I wonder if he thought about me after work or if he's that flirty with all the ladies.
On my way home from work last night I decided to stop at a Trader Joe's near my apartment and get some salad and frozen enchiladas (which a gal at work recommended I try). It was super busy, and I picked a line that didn't seem too long. If you know me you know I'm generally friendly to people who work in stores and restaurants. Their jobs are hard enough they don't need to be hassled by customers.
I find many different men attractive, and one particular "look" that makes my heart beat faster I like to call "Californian": tall, caucasian, blond-haired, blue-eyed, with an athletic build and lightly tanned. A relaxed, happy attitude usually goes with it.
So the line I happened to pick was headed by a checker who was a perfect example of the Californian. As he was bagging groceries for the customer in line before me he mentioned it was almost time for him to get off work.
As he started to scan my basket of items I asked him the question I ask all checkers,
"Hello! How are you?"
"I'm good; did you just get off work?"
"Yeah, I'm going to go home and relax."
"That's what I'm going to do, kick back on the sofa and watch a movie."
"That sounds nice."
"Yeah, I'll probably have some wine." (I felt that, being a good salesman, he was trying to get me to buy a bottle of wine. I didn't have any wine in my basket because I have two-and-a-half bottles at home)
"Oh, I have lots of wine at home." (I obviously wasn't seeing where this was going.)
"That's good!"
There was a lull in the conversation while I paid him for my groceries and he started to bag them.
I asked him, "What movie are you going to watch?"
"I don't know. What kind of movies do you like? Comedy, horror. . . "
It was only halfway through my answer that I realized he was flirting with me. I'm really slow on the pickup. Or maybe I just had a long day.
"Uh, I watch a lot of drama, actually. But I also enjoy comedies."
"No horror?"
"No, I don't like horror films." (I really don't)
"That's what I'm there for!"
"Oh, well, in that case I'll rent Saw III! Have a good night!"
"Take it easy gorgeous!"
The fact that, for possibly the first time in my life, a man I found highly attractive not only flirted with me but also complimented my looks when we first met made me feel really good. Exceedingly shallow, but definitely an ego boost.
I suspect that this will cause me to spend more money at Trader Joe's in hopes of getting into the Californian's line. I wonder if he thought about me after work or if he's that flirty with all the ladies.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
On Formalities
I'm always really amused when people call me "Miss". I'm not sure why. I think it has something to do with the fact that I'm not used to people being formal with me, and when people are formal with me I'm not sure how to react to that.
But then again, I tend to call parents of significant others "Mr." and "Mrs." so-and-so, a possibly good habit that I will credit to my father's indoctrination ability. I also used to call professors "Professor" so-and-so, until they told me otherwise. A couple professors I esteem highly I still call "Professor". A couple teachers I had in high school I call "Mr."; I don't think I could ever get used to calling them by their first names. That just seems weird to me.
The young secretary in my apartment complex learned my name the day I moved in and always calls me "Miss ______". I wish I could be that good with names.
The Marines in the recruiting station the other day called me "Miss" as well. What I find amusing about that is I know it's something they get ingrained with at basic (training, bootcamp, MCRD, etc.) and that they probably wouldn't be so formal with me if they knew me by name. Before my dad retired I was always "Gunny _____'s daughter". The memory makes me smile.
But then again, I tend to call parents of significant others "Mr." and "Mrs." so-and-so, a possibly good habit that I will credit to my father's indoctrination ability. I also used to call professors "Professor" so-and-so, until they told me otherwise. A couple professors I esteem highly I still call "Professor". A couple teachers I had in high school I call "Mr."; I don't think I could ever get used to calling them by their first names. That just seems weird to me.
The young secretary in my apartment complex learned my name the day I moved in and always calls me "Miss ______". I wish I could be that good with names.
The Marines in the recruiting station the other day called me "Miss" as well. What I find amusing about that is I know it's something they get ingrained with at basic (training, bootcamp, MCRD, etc.) and that they probably wouldn't be so formal with me if they knew me by name. Before my dad retired I was always "Gunny _____'s daughter". The memory makes me smile.
Toys For Tots
I work near a Mattel Store, and yesterday I got a coupon for mega discounts there. Turns out I had to get a Mattel Toy Store membership card to use the coupon, and the parking there yesterday was hellish, so I didn't buy any toys. I don't have any kids of my own, nor do I know any little ones well enough to buy them a present for Christmas. You might be wondering why I'd want to spend money in a toy store.
The Marine Corps' Toys For Tots Foundation has always been one of my favorite charities, even though I've never made a donation. (Yes, I'm partial to the Marines. Haven't you noticed?) So I had this great idea that I could buy a toy from the Mattel Store to donate to Toys For Tots, and do something nice to make a little one's Christmas great. Dad told me to stop by the local Marine Recruiting office and get the nearest donation drop-off point from them.
There's one on my commute, so after not buying any toys (because of the parking situation - I can try again today), I stop there anyway to find the drop-off point. As I walk up to the office a Marine walks out, gets into his truck and drives away.
I enter the office and there's six Marines sitting around B.S.ing, which amazes me because I thought at almost-5-o'clock they would either be on their way home or busy finding warm bodies to send to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Can we help you miss?" (I'm amused at how polite they are, or rather I'm just amused when anyone is formally polite to me - I could probably write a blog on the subject)
"Is this a Toys For Tots donation drop-off point?"
"Yes it is!" One of the Marines points out a pile of toys lovingly arranged, guarded by a line of tinsel garland.
"Great! I don't have any toys to donate today, but I'll bring them back later."
Thank you ma'am, have a good evening, etc., etc. I get out of the office and walk back to my car. When I'm halfway across the parking lot one of the recruiters leaves the office and calls after me,
"Miss?" He catches up with me and says,
"Here's our card with the office cell phone number. Give us a call when you're going to stop by and we'll make sure someone is in the office waiting for you."
"Excellent! Thank you!"
Have a good evening, etc., etc. The Marine sergeant goes back into the office.
I look at the card. Maybe this sergeant does this to all his cards, but I notice another cell number penciled in on the card.
Maybe I'm paranoid (he could have easily just been doing his job), but I've noticed that the men in California are generally 100x more lecherous than men from other places I've been (except for maybe Italy). While I could easily get caught up in the romantic notions of dating a Marine, I think it would end up poorly for me. Not that I necessarily think that Marines are bad people to date (quite on the contrary), but I think on some level it would reinforce the pain I feel regarding my failed attempt at their Officer Candidate's School.
And that's not something I think I'm ready to revisit or process anytime soon.
The Marine Corps' Toys For Tots Foundation has always been one of my favorite charities, even though I've never made a donation. (Yes, I'm partial to the Marines. Haven't you noticed?) So I had this great idea that I could buy a toy from the Mattel Store to donate to Toys For Tots, and do something nice to make a little one's Christmas great. Dad told me to stop by the local Marine Recruiting office and get the nearest donation drop-off point from them.
There's one on my commute, so after not buying any toys (because of the parking situation - I can try again today), I stop there anyway to find the drop-off point. As I walk up to the office a Marine walks out, gets into his truck and drives away.
I enter the office and there's six Marines sitting around B.S.ing, which amazes me because I thought at almost-5-o'clock they would either be on their way home or busy finding warm bodies to send to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Can we help you miss?" (I'm amused at how polite they are, or rather I'm just amused when anyone is formally polite to me - I could probably write a blog on the subject)
"Is this a Toys For Tots donation drop-off point?"
"Yes it is!" One of the Marines points out a pile of toys lovingly arranged, guarded by a line of tinsel garland.
"Great! I don't have any toys to donate today, but I'll bring them back later."
Thank you ma'am, have a good evening, etc., etc. I get out of the office and walk back to my car. When I'm halfway across the parking lot one of the recruiters leaves the office and calls after me,
"Miss?" He catches up with me and says,
"Here's our card with the office cell phone number. Give us a call when you're going to stop by and we'll make sure someone is in the office waiting for you."
"Excellent! Thank you!"
Have a good evening, etc., etc. The Marine sergeant goes back into the office.
I look at the card. Maybe this sergeant does this to all his cards, but I notice another cell number penciled in on the card.
Maybe I'm paranoid (he could have easily just been doing his job), but I've noticed that the men in California are generally 100x more lecherous than men from other places I've been (except for maybe Italy). While I could easily get caught up in the romantic notions of dating a Marine, I think it would end up poorly for me. Not that I necessarily think that Marines are bad people to date (quite on the contrary), but I think on some level it would reinforce the pain I feel regarding my failed attempt at their Officer Candidate's School.
And that's not something I think I'm ready to revisit or process anytime soon.
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