And the Oscar goes to...
Lord of the Rings? Man, they are cleaning up tonight. Really - is there any doubt? It's almost bad. Let me explain why. The movie was so good. The trilogy was fantastic. Everything about it was great. The accolades didn't come right away either. There weren't many awards after the first one. Not after the second one either. Everything was saved for the crowing glory in the final installment. The problem now though...is that a lot of people that aren't as big fans will watch a show like the Oscars tonight or read about it tomorrow and just think that Lord of the Rings is the big bully in the school yard. Little do they know that the movie totally deserves all of these awards. In all honesty, it has been getting a little predictable and boring to hear that the Lord of the Rings wins another. This is also the cause it's all the stuff related to makeup, theatrical stuff, sound, cinematography, etc.
The Canadian movie - The Barbarian Invasions - just won for best foreign film. The director got up on stage and the first thing she said was "Thank god...Lord of the Rings wasn't in the foreign category." I thought that was quite clever.
On my list to see over the next little while...
Lost in Translation
Mystic River
Cold Mountain
Sunday, February 29, 2004
Oceancookie
I just watched Seabiscuit. That was a really good movie. I liked the way it was filmed and the way the story was told through timely narration. The scene of the big match race was cool too. The way they showed black and white shots of everyone listening to their radios around America. Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper all did an excellent job. The story was excellent as well. I wonder how close to the truth it was.
I have a question about the movie so if you haven't scene it - stop reading now...
When Tobey Maguire's character leaves his parents to go and live with someone (cause he has a "gift"), who does he go to stay with? I thought it was with Jeff Bridges character but it doesn't seem that way cause for the rest of the movie, they didn't pick up as if they knew each other from the past.
Big hockey game tomorrow at 2:00 pm! I bought a new hockey stick today so I'm ready to school you peeps...
I just watched Seabiscuit. That was a really good movie. I liked the way it was filmed and the way the story was told through timely narration. The scene of the big match race was cool too. The way they showed black and white shots of everyone listening to their radios around America. Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper all did an excellent job. The story was excellent as well. I wonder how close to the truth it was.
I have a question about the movie so if you haven't scene it - stop reading now...
When Tobey Maguire's character leaves his parents to go and live with someone (cause he has a "gift"), who does he go to stay with? I thought it was with Jeff Bridges character but it doesn't seem that way cause for the rest of the movie, they didn't pick up as if they knew each other from the past.
Big hockey game tomorrow at 2:00 pm! I bought a new hockey stick today so I'm ready to school you peeps...
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Compare and Contrast
This is the perfect article in the Toronto Star this morning by Dave Feschuk. He's comparing my favourite Raptor (Alvin Williams) and a good player with no heart (Vince Carter). Have a read
Alvin shows true grit
DAVE FESCHUK
A recent U.S. magazine article says that Michelle Carter, Vince's mother and business manager, pities Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald.
It's not Grunwald's lame-duck contract status that's the subject of her compassion. It's Grunwald's pronounced limp, the result of injuries sustained as a promising basketball star that have left him, according to the article, physically unable to play with his 18-month-old son.
The point is that Ms Carter sees Grunwald hobbling around the Air Canada Centre and wishes no such post-career fate for her eldest son.
"I tell Vince to listen to his body. You're Vince, I say, not invincible," she is quoted as saying in the March 1 issue of ESPN The Magazine. "I don't want him to live for this moment. I want him to live for a moment in 2012."
Carter, the No. 1 Raptor, was presumably living for 2012 again last night, sitting in street clothes to preserve the left ankle he sprained eight days ago. His talent-challenged mates, meanwhile, made as though it was 1912, scoring a Paleozoic 28 points in a first half that recalled the era of dirt courts and peach-bushel baskets. Toronto's 76-74 loss to the Washington Wizards, filled as it was with bush-league bumbling, didn't set the NBA back a century, but it came close.
That's partly because Carter wasn't alone in civvies. Jalen Rose was nursing his broken shooting hand. And Alvin Williams missed his second straight with a flare-up to the right knee that has hindered him, among many other injuries, for most of the past three seasons.
Somebody asked Williams if he looked at Grunwald and worried that he'd be similarly hobbled in 10 years. "Ten years might not even get here," he said. "If I can never walk again because of what I love to do, that's a chance I'll take. I'll die on the court. That's what I want to do. That's how I want to play."
There's perhaps no starker contrast in NBA constitutions than the one between Raptors Carter and Williams. Carter is the middle-class momma's boy who has a reputation for collapsing at the hint of contact.
Williams is the inner-city tough guy who often staggers through games in a manner that suggests he's one step away from his career's crippled end.
Said Williams yesterday: "I played when I was hurt when I was young. I play when I'm hurt now. (Basketball's) the only thing I ever loved."
No one's saying Carter isn't injured and Williams is a hero for only submitting to a sit-down because he admittedly "can't run, jump, cut (or) backpedal." But if you watched the home bench during last night's game, you saw Carter smiling and laughing at least a couple of times. Williams looked glum.
The optics suggested that Carter cared little about a game in which he had no statistical stake; that Williams was sincere when he said before the game, "It hurts me not to play."
There has been no urgency in Carter's voice when he has pondered his return to action. "When I'm ready," he has said. And the season that looks more and more lost every outing.
But let's face it: Williams has probably hurt himself by playing hurt all these years. He said he doesn't use painkillers regularly but he'll continue with anti-inflammatory drugs even though he knows that Alonzo Mourning, whose career was cut short by a transplant-requiring kidney ailment, has cited anti-inflammatories as a contributing factor to his illness.
"Unfortunately, I'm hard-headed," said Williams. "I feel bad for Alonzo. (But) I don't have any kids to worry about in the future right now ... I'm not worried about walking or my kidney or whatever."
That isn't to say that Williams doesn't have a parent who worries about him. His father always told him not to play on the asphalt of Philadelphia's playgrounds; it's bad for the joints.
But not every player heeds his elder's every warning.
"You're from the city, you've got to play on playgrounds."
This is the perfect article in the Toronto Star this morning by Dave Feschuk. He's comparing my favourite Raptor (Alvin Williams) and a good player with no heart (Vince Carter). Have a read
Alvin shows true grit
DAVE FESCHUK
A recent U.S. magazine article says that Michelle Carter, Vince's mother and business manager, pities Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald.
It's not Grunwald's lame-duck contract status that's the subject of her compassion. It's Grunwald's pronounced limp, the result of injuries sustained as a promising basketball star that have left him, according to the article, physically unable to play with his 18-month-old son.
The point is that Ms Carter sees Grunwald hobbling around the Air Canada Centre and wishes no such post-career fate for her eldest son.
"I tell Vince to listen to his body. You're Vince, I say, not invincible," she is quoted as saying in the March 1 issue of ESPN The Magazine. "I don't want him to live for this moment. I want him to live for a moment in 2012."
Carter, the No. 1 Raptor, was presumably living for 2012 again last night, sitting in street clothes to preserve the left ankle he sprained eight days ago. His talent-challenged mates, meanwhile, made as though it was 1912, scoring a Paleozoic 28 points in a first half that recalled the era of dirt courts and peach-bushel baskets. Toronto's 76-74 loss to the Washington Wizards, filled as it was with bush-league bumbling, didn't set the NBA back a century, but it came close.
That's partly because Carter wasn't alone in civvies. Jalen Rose was nursing his broken shooting hand. And Alvin Williams missed his second straight with a flare-up to the right knee that has hindered him, among many other injuries, for most of the past three seasons.
Somebody asked Williams if he looked at Grunwald and worried that he'd be similarly hobbled in 10 years. "Ten years might not even get here," he said. "If I can never walk again because of what I love to do, that's a chance I'll take. I'll die on the court. That's what I want to do. That's how I want to play."
There's perhaps no starker contrast in NBA constitutions than the one between Raptors Carter and Williams. Carter is the middle-class momma's boy who has a reputation for collapsing at the hint of contact.
Williams is the inner-city tough guy who often staggers through games in a manner that suggests he's one step away from his career's crippled end.
Said Williams yesterday: "I played when I was hurt when I was young. I play when I'm hurt now. (Basketball's) the only thing I ever loved."
No one's saying Carter isn't injured and Williams is a hero for only submitting to a sit-down because he admittedly "can't run, jump, cut (or) backpedal." But if you watched the home bench during last night's game, you saw Carter smiling and laughing at least a couple of times. Williams looked glum.
The optics suggested that Carter cared little about a game in which he had no statistical stake; that Williams was sincere when he said before the game, "It hurts me not to play."
There has been no urgency in Carter's voice when he has pondered his return to action. "When I'm ready," he has said. And the season that looks more and more lost every outing.
But let's face it: Williams has probably hurt himself by playing hurt all these years. He said he doesn't use painkillers regularly but he'll continue with anti-inflammatory drugs even though he knows that Alonzo Mourning, whose career was cut short by a transplant-requiring kidney ailment, has cited anti-inflammatories as a contributing factor to his illness.
"Unfortunately, I'm hard-headed," said Williams. "I feel bad for Alonzo. (But) I don't have any kids to worry about in the future right now ... I'm not worried about walking or my kidney or whatever."
That isn't to say that Williams doesn't have a parent who worries about him. His father always told him not to play on the asphalt of Philadelphia's playgrounds; it's bad for the joints.
But not every player heeds his elder's every warning.
"You're from the city, you've got to play on playgrounds."
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
what the fugg???
Who the heck is Jannero Pargo? If you didn't know. He is the latest acquisition of the Toronto Raptors (losers of 7 straight). He is also the guy that had the ball in his hand for the final shot tonight. The Raptors were down by 2 against Washington (one of the few teams worse than Toronto) with 7 seconds left. Pargo brought the ball up court. The Wizards knew that Donyell Marshall is the Raptors go-to guy so they guarded him off the screen and roll. Why the hell didn't the Raptors set another quick screen to open him up? Or open someone up??? Instead, Pargo took the shot and well...you probably know what happened.
That makes it 6 straight losses now. They are definitely looking like the playoffs aren't going to happen. They really have to do make some important changes in order to make it work. A solid PG is the beginning. Someone who will distribute the ball more evenly, drive when he needs to but most importantly - someone with control. I love Alvin so I hate giving up on him but he can't be a starter at this stage in his career. Palacio is worse than me (okay that's a stretch...but damn, he sucks).
There there is the whole Vince thing. I don't think I've ranted about Mr. Carter in quite some time. He is just such a tool. He doesn't play hurt. He is a woose and suck. Overall, just not someone I would like to have on my team if I owned one. I think we could deal him and get 2 decent players for him. Definitely not as much as we once would have but still we would have gotten something good.
Went to Bombay Bhel with the 'rents for a celebratory dinner tonight. It was yummy as usual. I ate WAY too much as usual. I am yawning like a mofo now...so I must go to bed. Night all.
Who the heck is Jannero Pargo? If you didn't know. He is the latest acquisition of the Toronto Raptors (losers of 7 straight). He is also the guy that had the ball in his hand for the final shot tonight. The Raptors were down by 2 against Washington (one of the few teams worse than Toronto) with 7 seconds left. Pargo brought the ball up court. The Wizards knew that Donyell Marshall is the Raptors go-to guy so they guarded him off the screen and roll. Why the hell didn't the Raptors set another quick screen to open him up? Or open someone up??? Instead, Pargo took the shot and well...you probably know what happened.
That makes it 6 straight losses now. They are definitely looking like the playoffs aren't going to happen. They really have to do make some important changes in order to make it work. A solid PG is the beginning. Someone who will distribute the ball more evenly, drive when he needs to but most importantly - someone with control. I love Alvin so I hate giving up on him but he can't be a starter at this stage in his career. Palacio is worse than me (okay that's a stretch...but damn, he sucks).
There there is the whole Vince thing. I don't think I've ranted about Mr. Carter in quite some time. He is just such a tool. He doesn't play hurt. He is a woose and suck. Overall, just not someone I would like to have on my team if I owned one. I think we could deal him and get 2 decent players for him. Definitely not as much as we once would have but still we would have gotten something good.
Went to Bombay Bhel with the 'rents for a celebratory dinner tonight. It was yummy as usual. I ate WAY too much as usual. I am yawning like a mofo now...so I must go to bed. Night all.
Monday, February 23, 2004
Winterlude
The weekend in Ottawa was great. I went up with about 15 other peeps including other bloggers like kevin, tai and the rest of the waterloo sci/bus posse (and others).
The TSN highlight of the weekend was definitely Friday night. After arriving around 7:30 pm, we all met up for dinner. Went to an Indian buffet (no that was definitley not the highlight). After dinner, the guys decided to play a game of shinny at Byron's place. There were 8 of us in total (including Jen) but we had some problems. We only had 5 sticks. And I didn't have skates. So the quest to find me some skates was upon us. We asked around (among friends of friends) but it was 10:30 pm on Friday night so that wasn't really gonna happen. We were chatting with the girl at the front desk of the hotel asking her if anyone rented skates that late. It turns out that no one does. But she was really nice and offered her skates. That's right she offered to lend me her skates for the evening. Now, you might be wondering - "she" lended you her skates? Well - what did they look like???
I thought you'd never ask. They were molded white skates with pink trim. Size 7 women. They had no laces - just velcro. They were so old skool. Wow - that was quite an event. I've got pics but don't know how to post to my site yet. Kevin and Tai will probably have pictures soon so you can see it there...(refer to previous links). They even had a white and pink carrying bag. I didn't last long in those skates cause they were scrunching my feet. I ended up getting Vi's skates half way through cause he didn't want to play anymore.
Skating that night on the outdoor rink was amazing. We shoveled it off (using the nets, our sticks and a big wooden board). The ice was so smooth. There were nets and boards. It was perfect. As we were playing from 12:30 am - 2:30 am, it was lightly snowing as well. The weather was perfect - it was just such a great experience. Truly Canadian.
I definitely need to buy some skates...
The other highlight of the weekend was the Moroccan restaurant we visited for dinner on Saturday night. There was a buffet and the food was quite yummy - hummus, taboule, other dishes with middle eastern and indian touches...overall very good. There was a belly dancer as well and man she was in good shape. She could move like no buddy's business. I danced with her at one point and probably looked like an idiot. I was trying to bust out some bhangra moves but I think I just made myself look stupider. I can't shake it like her...that's for sure.
Overall - an excellent weekend. Special thanks to Cris for organzing. Also to Art, Mike, Kevin and Tai for driving. Jen - thanks for using your points to donate us the hotel room.
I'm looking forward to the next "road trip"...
The weekend in Ottawa was great. I went up with about 15 other peeps including other bloggers like kevin, tai and the rest of the waterloo sci/bus posse (and others).
The TSN highlight of the weekend was definitely Friday night. After arriving around 7:30 pm, we all met up for dinner. Went to an Indian buffet (no that was definitley not the highlight). After dinner, the guys decided to play a game of shinny at Byron's place. There were 8 of us in total (including Jen) but we had some problems. We only had 5 sticks. And I didn't have skates. So the quest to find me some skates was upon us. We asked around (among friends of friends) but it was 10:30 pm on Friday night so that wasn't really gonna happen. We were chatting with the girl at the front desk of the hotel asking her if anyone rented skates that late. It turns out that no one does. But she was really nice and offered her skates. That's right she offered to lend me her skates for the evening. Now, you might be wondering - "she" lended you her skates? Well - what did they look like???
I thought you'd never ask. They were molded white skates with pink trim. Size 7 women. They had no laces - just velcro. They were so old skool. Wow - that was quite an event. I've got pics but don't know how to post to my site yet. Kevin and Tai will probably have pictures soon so you can see it there...(refer to previous links). They even had a white and pink carrying bag. I didn't last long in those skates cause they were scrunching my feet. I ended up getting Vi's skates half way through cause he didn't want to play anymore.
Skating that night on the outdoor rink was amazing. We shoveled it off (using the nets, our sticks and a big wooden board). The ice was so smooth. There were nets and boards. It was perfect. As we were playing from 12:30 am - 2:30 am, it was lightly snowing as well. The weather was perfect - it was just such a great experience. Truly Canadian.
I definitely need to buy some skates...
The other highlight of the weekend was the Moroccan restaurant we visited for dinner on Saturday night. There was a buffet and the food was quite yummy - hummus, taboule, other dishes with middle eastern and indian touches...overall very good. There was a belly dancer as well and man she was in good shape. She could move like no buddy's business. I danced with her at one point and probably looked like an idiot. I was trying to bust out some bhangra moves but I think I just made myself look stupider. I can't shake it like her...that's for sure.
Overall - an excellent weekend. Special thanks to Cris for organzing. Also to Art, Mike, Kevin and Tai for driving. Jen - thanks for using your points to donate us the hotel room.
I'm looking forward to the next "road trip"...
Friday, February 20, 2004
Ottawa...here we come
The weekend is almost here and i couldn't be happier. I am off to Ottawa with my buddies (about 15 of us in total) for a weekend of fun at Winterlude. I can't wait to get out of Toronto and away from work for a little while. It'll be nice to regroup and re-energize. I'm sure I'll have some great stories for all y'all soon. Good Night.
The weekend is almost here and i couldn't be happier. I am off to Ottawa with my buddies (about 15 of us in total) for a weekend of fun at Winterlude. I can't wait to get out of Toronto and away from work for a little while. It'll be nice to regroup and re-energize. I'm sure I'll have some great stories for all y'all soon. Good Night.