Saturday, December 16, 2006

Wicked

So, I've loved the music for ages (I used to blast it in the car when it was just me and the car for a drive...) and I loved the book. I had told myself that I was going to wait until returning to HMC and see it in LA with friend when it opened there in February. However, apparently I couldn't wait. Idina Menzel, the Tony award winner for Wicked, was absolutely wonderful; and the audience cheered extra for her whenever she entered the stage or sang. I do get annoyed with audiences though, especially when they start making "ooh" sounds, etc. because it's just ruining the production and it can distract the actors/actresses cause it's a live performance. Oh well. And people started standing up to clap before the curtain even fell. It was fabulous. Absolutely wonderful... (just like the song).

It's quite funny hearing some of them with British accents (which would make sense since they are from the UK), but it was interesting. Gives the production a bit of flavor.

Nina and I made an event out of it, going to a nice Italian dinner before the show and we walked around beforehand. Either way, I'm still going to plan a trip to see it in LA, it'll be fun.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Playing Mind Games

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Playing mind games

A very interesting article on the BBC about the wonderousness of magic. When I was little I always wanted to learn, but I think I had so little patience for the constant practice needed. But I do agree that slight-of-hand and distriction techniques can come into handy in dozens of scenarios. Read the article and rethink the power of magic for yourself.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Flapjacks

A comment on Brits and their food, at least a quick one. Ever had a flapjack? It's butter, oats and golden syrup (similar to the American Maple syrup)... and heavy as anything you've ever had. This product is a dessert type snack, and after going to the Butler Christmas Tea (which was lacking tea, actually) they had me take home a buckets worth. I had just better not eat them all real quick.

An additional comment: a lot of HP sauce (it's brown...) on everything, the idea that cheese often goes, and just heavy food in general. Not that I eat lightly all the time. :)

Monday, December 04, 2006

Charity Clicks

You know those websites people always send you saying: click here to make a free donation... well I'm still not sure if it's true/false and what exactly happens, but here's a link to do a bunch at once. http://www.charityclickdonation.com/free_donation_clicks.html.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

A Very Long Engagement

Wow. A really beautiful movie that reminds me a lot of Amelie. Not just because of the actress but since I think the director is the same. She investigates the disappearance of her fiance after he had left for war. I think I had expected the movie to be about something else, so perhaps read up a tidbit of info before watching if it sounds interesting. She was gorgeous in the movie, and he was handsome. They were lovely in it, and the movie was good.

Casino Royale

A fabulous new James Bond. I tended to like that it was more emotional and less violent overall. Yes, things blowing up are all well and good in the movies, but this movie just didn't need it. Apparently this is the movie they say is most like the books, and I'm excited to read it. So I've put it on my list. It seemed like this was the first book, for he had just been promoted to his double-zero-seven status, but the movie wasn't promoted as such. It was an inconsequential bit anyway. The movie's plot: James Bond needs to save the world from the financier of terrorists. In a poker match.

I loved it. I'm not sure if it's a necessary movie to see in the theaters, but the camera work was great and apparently the man from HMC was a bit part. Which I can barely remember. Still very cool.