California Bans Trans Fats

California Bars Restaurant Use of Trans Fats

I think this is overall a good idea. However, I think the article paints an overly-rosy picture of the state of California's restaurant system and citizens.

A lot of California is not the stereotypical, stick-thin, beach blonde, health-conscious waif nor the buff, tanned, egg-white-eating stud. Sure, you can find plenty of those here, but if you look around, you see a lot of overweight people. A lot of people who *don't* drive new Lexuses or BMWs or Mercedes. A lot of people who are happy to eat McDonald's every day.

Maybe it's just me, but I see a lot of obese and overweight children at the stores. Until these children learn to eat better and exercise more, their health is going to be at stake.

I think the new law is a step in the right direction, but I don't think it's going to be a substitute for self (and parental) responsibility.

Where The Hell Are We?

Where The Hell Is Matt? (2008)

I recently found this video. . . not quite sure how. I think I was browsing YouTube or something and stumbled across it.

Anyway, I watched it, and went to the guy's website. He seems like a good sort.

In his FAQ he mentioned how he's just dancing in his video, he's not pushing any agenda or "message".

I remember hearing or learning somewhere that art is something where we take what we want from art, we insert our beliefs and our motivations into a piece of art and extract something we want to see. Maybe (if we're lucky), we can learn something about ourselves and about humanity by viewing art.

I definitely love the piece of music they use as the soundtrack for this video.

So what does this video mean to me? I think it means that people are more alike than unalike, and that things like love and generosity is what is going to bring the world together in harmony and peace. It's about how extraordinary our world is and how beautiful it is.

It's about how Americans need to get off our lazy butts and go see the world before we blow it up (literally or figuratively).

I must be ready for my next vacation.

Movie Review - The Dark Knight

I just got back from the theater.

Wow.

I'm not quite sure where to begin. There is so much to discuss in this 2 1/2 hour film, even without spoilers.

The only thing I really didn't like about this film was that you never got a chance to process what just happened before the next climax/conflict. So by the time you leave the theater you're left wondering exactly what *did* happen (I definitely sense plot holes). I'm not sure if this is necessarily a bad thing though, since one of the themes is supposed to be about anarchy vs. control and there are times when there is definitely controlled anarchy happening on screen.

On the other hand, one feels if there was just a little more time to catch your breath the film might be improved on. However, I can just see them try to pitch that to Warner Brothers. "We want to make a 3 hour Batman film" is not something that is going to happen. Yet. Maybe in the next film. Because if you haven't figured it out, there will be a next film, but unless they (Bale, Nolan, etc) have another ace up their collective sleeve, it's going to be hard to top this one. This film is definitely the best film I've seen all year. (No, I haven't seen Iron Man yet. I'm waiting for that to come out on DVD)

I really love the exploration into the gritty themes of the Batman universe, and by extension, all superhero stories. Good vs. Evil. Public image vs. Private reality. Sacrifice of self for the greater good. Personal Fantasy vs. Cold Reality. If you want to get political, there's even some stuff on torture and warrantless wiretapping. It's incredibly good stuff to discover in a summer blockbuster.

I recently rewatched Batman Begins to "prep" for this film, and while they have backed the camera out from the fight scenes, it's still hard to see what's going on. Or maybe the IMAX screen was just that big. Also, Bale has improved his "Batman" voice, even though my friend Dan has commented that it sounds "constipated". At least you can definitely tell there is a "Batman" voice rather than a "Bale trying to be Batman" voice.

If you get the opportunity to see this film on IMAX, I definitely recommend it. There are some scenes that really just take your breath away. Some viewing experiences you just can't duplicate without a screen that big.

Bale gets some much-needed screen time as Bruce Wayne in public, and he plays it to great effect. His voice and presence as Batman has improved considerably.

Maggie Gyllenhaal has taken the place of Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes, and it's obvious who is the more capable actress, even though I was never really impressed with the role to begin with.

As for Aaron Eckhart, I believe in Harvey Dent. There isn't much CGI that I can tell in the film, but what CGI there is, is used to great effect.

None of the actors seem to completely embody their character as much as the late Heath Ledger. His performance is mesmerizing. I held my breath every moment he was on screen, waiting to see what he would do next. And I found myself laughing more often than not, in spite of myself. It's obvious Ledger made everyone else in the film bring their 'A' game. Hollywood has lost a great performer, long before his time.

I was somewhat disappointed with the score, as it seems like action cues have won out over dramatic, character-themed cues.

I highly recommend seeing this film in the theaters, in IMAX if possible. The great cinematography alone is worth admission.

Everybody's Business

Lessons in Love, by way of Economics

What a great article. Still no how-to on how to find a winner, however.

The Perfect Run

I had a perfect run today.

Nothing hurt or bothered me. I didn't have any moments I had to mentally struggle past. I felt comfortable the entire run . . . . plus I ran for five extra minutes than my normal workout. I should have run for five minutes more.

It was a perfect run.

I stretched afterward, and nothing was especially sore or tender. I could stretch and feel like it was a good stretch. I didn't feel tired afterward or that I shouldn't have gone to the gym.

I had a perfect run today.

He's Onto Us

The Joker's Onto Us

I have a ticket to see "The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience" the Monday after the film releases.

I've been eagerly awaiting this film since before seeing the special 6 minute trailer in IMAX for "I Am Legend".

Batman has always been an interesting character for me to watch and study. I really enjoyed the animated series from the early 90's, which was one of the last hand-drawn cartoon series and implemented a "dark deco" art style and color scheme. It was both nostalgic and modern, the characters psychologically real yet larger-than-life.

I loved the idea of this tragically dark character, who through sheer force of will took all his resources to produce something good in life. What an ultimate sacrifice.

I've been impressed with Nolan's interpretation of the character and his world on the silver screen, and eagerly wait the next installment.

Seal Beach 5K Update

Well, now I'm kind of sad. My official chip time was 35:33. So I was better than March of last year but now I'm worse than a few months ago.

I guess I haven't lost all that much though. I could probably gain it back pretty easily.

Fourth of July 5K

My official time was 37:25. That's really good for me.

I ran with a friend from work and his daughter. If I didn't run with them I think my time would have been a lot slower.

They were handing out bananas and bagels and plums after the race. At the bagel station was a jar of peanut butter and Nutella. I'd never had Nutella before so I tried it on the banana. Wow was that good. Now I'm going to have to track down a jar of Nutella for myself!

I'm really sore today. I wanted to go up and do yoga with my yoga buddy but he's going to a bbq tonight. So we're going to go tomorrow.