good times

big ugly

Have you ever noticed how in business, words and terms are used that, if used in day to day life, would probably paint you as some kind of monster? I was listening to the radio in the car, and the business report came on, and the correspondent down at the TSX was talking about investment opportunities in newly opened markets, and the words he used to describe the situation was ‘whoever can best exploit these new markets…’ or something to that effect. Now, to me, the word exploit is just one of those words that doesn’t really lend itself to positive imagery.

The charity exploited the goodwill of its donors and its coffers overflowed with funds.
The son exploited the love of his parents.

You see...it just doesn’t sound right. And by exploiting, or attempting to exploit a market, of course they realize that said market is populated by human beings…real people…both rich and poor...and by admitting to wanting to exploit the market, they are, in effect, wanting to exploit as many consumers/people as possible? And when they say exploit…they don’t just mean trade services and products for fair value…with a kind handshake and a smile…they mean they want to squeeze every last cent out of every wallet with legs they come across…and they’ll do or say whatever they have to to get it. Its called survival of the fittest. I guess greed, ruthlessness and lack of morals constitutes ‘fit’ now…or has it always been that way? So why would they do such a thing? Why not!?! They want money. And lots of it. So I guess by dehumanizing people into markets or demographics, big business creates the perfect atmosphere for maximum profits with minimum conscious.

Which is why I’m starting to believe we’ll never be able to save the planet and reverse the damage we’ve done should the course of global warming be leading to the disaster that some are predicting…or be able to spark any sort of real change at all. Business...big business...will never let it happen. Only recently have businesses started to eschew the virtues of being ‘green’…not because they care about the environment or what happens to the planet…but because they care that their customers care about the environment. Its good for the bottom line…and that’s all businesses care about. Keeping the shareholders happy. Its all just an act. One big sales pitch. Just like governments only ‘pretend’ to be concerned about the environment right around the time of an election…or when some natural disaster is narrowly averted…when really, they’re just like businesses, looking for the best way to grow GDP and run surpluses rather than deficits. How many sales pitch promises to governments actually keep?

"So there might be oil in that protected national park in Alaska? You don’t say?"

And I know...money makes the world go, and in the right hands, money can make a positive difference...I get that...but as far as I’m concerned, this oil driven, ultra-capitalist world we live in is leading us down a road to ruin. It’s only a matter of time. The only question for me is what’ll collapse first…the financial markets…or the ecosystem.

The Diving Bell And The Butterfly

"Thanks"


***

{from Wikipedia} On December 8, 1995 at the age of 43, Jean-Dominique Bauby, a well-known French journalist and fashion magazine editor, suffered a massive stroke. When he woke up 20 days later, he found that he was completely paralyzed…and left speechless…all he could do was blink one eyelid.

The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, the title of the film and of Bauby’s memoirs that he ‘wrote’ in his tragic condition, is a very beautiful film. I can’t put it in my top 5 (or even 10) for the year…but it’s a very good film…with some truly amazing camera work from the perspective of the main character who is paralyzed and unable to speak…as well as some very fine acting all around. I’m not a big fan of the director, Julian Schnabel, and while I don’t think it was as good as Basquait, there were still moments of real beauty in this movie, both visual and emotional, and it isn’t often that I can say that about a film. Worth seeing…but for me, there was just something missing…

out of the blue

Juno

"THUNDERCATS ARE GO!"


***

I liked this movie…quite a bit…but it clearly was the recipient of this year’s overhype-the-little-movie-that-could card…at least, that’s how I see it. I mean…Best Picture? I thought Ellen Page was great…but, Academy Award Nominee great? Then again, who I am I to say its not deserving of the hype it got? A lot of people love this movie…and a lot of people think Page’s performance was outstanding…and she did carry the film with a sort of ease that is impressive. Maybe there is something to the nomination? Maybe I need to see it again. And it is a movie I’d see again…so that’s something too.

I also thought the film dealt with a subject (teen pregnancy) in a very unique, refreshing, and intelligent way…constantly reminding us that these are just kids. Good movie. Maybe even better than I first thought?

Lars And The Real Girl

"What are we doing? Why are we doing this for him?"


***

Sweet natured, uber introvert, recluse (Ryan Gosling) overcompensates after his sister-in-law begins to worry about him…and orders an ‘anatomically correct’ love doll to be his new ‘girlfriend’.

Its not what you think. I knew what to expect, or at least I thought I did, and I was left quite impressed. And a little unnerved actually. Great cast all around…I’m a becoming a big fan of Paul Schneider, who plays Lars’ older brother…he was great in Assassination of Jesse James…and was very good in the comedy Live Free or Die (not Die Hard)…and Gosling and Patricia Clarkson are both excellent…as was Emily Mortimer! Just a cool, smart, well acted oddball/town-with-a-heart-of-gold flick!

There Will Be Blood

"I'm finished"


****

Daniel Day-Lewis is an incredible actor. There can be no doubting that. His career speaks for itself…and he is widely regarded by his peers as one of the finest working actors around…but still, I don’t think I was prepared for what I saw. There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia), is a real fine film about the American dream gone up in flames…Citizen Kane 2008…but as fine a film as it is…it is Daniel Day-Lewis’ film…the man just envelops the screen…and has you guessing the whole way.

Excellent story of rags to riches in the early 1900’s oil game …and the horrors unearthed along the way. Fine cinematography, solid supporting cast…Paul Dano was very compelling as the ‘preacher of Little Boston’…the film really did live up to its billing as a worthy Oscar contender for Best Picture…but I just can’t get over how amazing Day-Lewis was. Its like I was watching something other than acting…

If you’re a film nut, you must see this film…like No Country For Old Men or The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, There Will Be Blood is not for everyone…so be warned, you may find it ‘boring’ or ‘slow’…but for the more seasoned viewer, the film is a real treat.

the zoo 2

Snow Leopard
If you remember, last year I had a chance to go to the Toronto Zoo for the first time in ages, and brought my (parents) camera with me. I had a great day walking the entire zoo, out in the fresh air, seeing all those animals I remember visiting when I was a kid, as well as some of the new exhibits...it was one of the few ‘good’ days I actually enjoyed last year. So…last summer, after I had already been to the zoo, I cashed in some of my Air Miles for a free ticket…to be used before May 2008.

Well…its almost the middle of April…and with my life in utter chaos once again, and a free pass about to expire, I figured I might as well say fuck it, take the day off and go to the zoo to cheer myself up.

I got there just after 11. I decided to walk the zoo the opposite way I did the previous time I was there…just to mix it up…and because I wasn’t in any rush, I thought I’d try and spend more time at certain exhibits on the off chance I might be able to catch the animals attention like I had with the Snow Leopards last year.

While some animals were too far away to really get a good look at…and others weren’t on display…I did get lucky with the one animal I really was keen to see up close…the cheetah. Last time I only got a look at one as it lay on a hill. This time I got pretty close…

Anyway, although today’s visit wasn’t the revelation the last one was, I wasn’t expecting that either…it had been so long between visits the last time I went…and it just hit the spot…but today, it was a nice day, the sun came out for the last couple of hours I was there…and once again I felt humbled to be in the presence of some of those animals…that’s the weird thing about zoo’s…I love them cause you not only get a chance to see animals you’d never see in person in person…but zoo’s are important partners in working to save endangered species and eco-systems…but then, seeing those beautiful tigers and herds of wild horses in such small enclosures…its just a little sad too.

Sumatran Tiger

Oh, and by the way, apparently this week is National Wildlife Week. Which is kind of ironic because I only just realized that last night, and the majority of my recent posts on F&L have been animal related…so I guess maybe my subconscious took the ball and ran with this one?

my favourite shot.

A pretty girl approaches...

Me and this guy had a staredown...even when I moved he watched me. Of course, he won...I think I saw a smile too!

I don't know what this cheetah was looking at...but it wasn't me.

just chillin...

I wonder what he's thinking?

and finally...TURTLE FIGHTING!!!

walkabout

photo's by me

puk, puk, puk, puk

When you find youself in danger,
When you're threatened by a stranger,
When it looks like you will take a lickin', (puk, puk, puk, puk)

There is someone waiting,
Who will hurry up and rescue you,
Just Call for Super Chicken! (puk, ack!)

Fred, if you're afraid you'll have to overlook it,
Besides you knew the job was dangerous when you took it (puk, ack!)

He will drink his super sauce
And throw the bad guys for a loss
And he will bring them in alive and kickin' (puk, puk, puk, puk)

There is one thing you should learn
When there is no one else to turn to
Call for Super Chicken! (puk, puk, puk, puk)
Call for Super Chicken! (puk, ack!)

planet earth in a box

I didn’t really get anything for my birthday this year. A handful of cards, and some 'spending' money from my folks...that's about it. Usually I don’t spend the money…or I just fritter it away slowly instead of treating myself to something that I wouldn’t buy otherwise…which is the point of the gift in the first place I guess. So, in the spirit of actually spending my money on something, I went out and picked up the BBC ‘Planet Earth’ series on DVD. I’ve wanted to get it for a while, but its not cheap ($80) and I haven’t really been able to rationalize spending that kind of money on a nature documentary.

But I’m glad I finally got it, cause it is fantastic. I’ve watched the first two episodes, and as great as they’ve been, I can only image what they’d look like on a good TV. There’s nothing wrong with mine, I’m not complaining, its just that its only 21’, and doesn’t really do some of the camerawork justice. My folks bought a really nice wide screen TV last year, and I’m tempted to go over there one night at watch a couple of episodes just to see what it looks like on a really nice set.

Nevertheless, if you’re an animal lover…or just a fan of nature documentaries in general…Planet Earth has some truly awesome shots, and uses some of the most unique camera work I’ve ever seen…some of the animals featured so far (Snow Leopard and African Hunting Dog in particular) are animals I’ve never seen on film before, and seeing them in their natural habitat was very cool!

ok Blue Jays

...lets play ball!

(Its about time they brought back the old school hats and baby blue jerseys...it may only be for Friday home games, but man they looked good tonight!)

under glass

What is it about Heinz Ketchup out of a glass bottle that makes it taste better? I bought my second one tonight after I found a place that sells them (that, or I just finally noticed!) and had it with some fries and a sandwich for dinner. The ketchup just tastes better out of the bottle. It’s the same with Coca Cola…it just tastes better from a glass bottle versus a plastic one, or even a can. Don't get me wrong...I love a cold can of Coke...but compared to a glass bottle...no contest!

Is there actually a chemical reaction, however slight, that takes place between glass and these two substances that takes the taste to a new level? Or is it simply a mental thing?

I wonder if there’s a term for that sort of thing?

the zoo 2 {coming soon}

next week...