And this means I have to get to sleep earlier than normal today. That is actually a pretty good thing, since my head has been making itself uncomfortably known for the last few hours. Hopefully a pain killer and sleep will lull this annoying throbbing at my temples away.
I didn't get any further with the project today but I did get another project going. I had been thinking about starting a film blog for over a year and finally got started a couple months ago. However, I instantly hit a wall with that when I started drowning in assignments and work. So after the blog itself was set up, it was left empty and untouched for quite a few weeks.
Now that situation has changed. Tonight I suddenly found the motivation to start posting and even had a couple of things to write about. I'm hoping to get along with the blog at least half as well as I have managed with this one - aiming for at least a few news entries every week (depending on the material and limits in my own schedule) and a film review each time I go to the cinema.
If you want to find out more about it, visit REEL Time here.
Anyhow, it's been the last day of my Christmas break and tomorrow I'll be back on campus, seriously trying to wrap my head around the Independet Study. I'll also have my first lecture of my last semester in this University tomorrow evening - which is actually a bit frightening in a way. So like I said, I'm heading to sleep early (Well, earlier than normal for me...).
Monday 31 January 2011
Sunday 30 January 2011
Pit stop: Full day
I'm really tired at the moment so this will be a very short post. Had to do some necessary shopping today, like getting food for a starving student (me) and making sure I have the means to keep using my cell by actually putting some credit onto the sim card.
After I got back to the flat nearly all of the rest of the day and start of the night went by while we watched Basilisk (an anime series from 2005) with a friend. We actually watched all 24 episodes with only a couple short breaks - it took just under 10 hours in total. It was nice but at times very frustrating when things in the story just kept going wrong for stupid reasons...
Well anyhow, I'm off to bed before i doze off in front of my laptop.
After I got back to the flat nearly all of the rest of the day and start of the night went by while we watched Basilisk (an anime series from 2005) with a friend. We actually watched all 24 episodes with only a couple short breaks - it took just under 10 hours in total. It was nice but at times very frustrating when things in the story just kept going wrong for stupid reasons...
Well anyhow, I'm off to bed before i doze off in front of my laptop.
Saturday 29 January 2011
Settling back to the flat
Last night's entry was the longest post I have yet written to this blog. It was also one of the few posts so far that have seriously concentrated on the project. All in all, that entry - along with the post about Avatar, of which I am also quite proud - is just what I had in mind when I first came up with this project. Unfortunately, my posts have been quite far off of that ideal at least for now. And today will be another day with a post like that...
Of course I have an excuse for this again, this time an actually valid one that even I don't question: I spent most of the day travelling. Now I'm back in the UK and am trying to get back the feeling that this room I'm in is really my room. Sure, it is the same one I left only just over a month ago (just as messy as it was back then) but after spending Christmas and almost the whole of January in Finland it feels a bit strange to be back.
I'm slowly settling back into this student life and apartment, but it's going to take a bit of cleaning tomorrow and maybe a couple of films for me to reach that comfortable state of feeling like home again. I definitely have to find some more tape to get my posters to stay on the walls... For now, I'll just unpack my bags and watch something nice before heading to bed. It's been a long day travelling and on top of that I've been stressing about a few Uni problems so I'm getting a bit tired. Hopefully this tiredness will help me fall asleep easily for once.
Of course I have an excuse for this again, this time an actually valid one that even I don't question: I spent most of the day travelling. Now I'm back in the UK and am trying to get back the feeling that this room I'm in is really my room. Sure, it is the same one I left only just over a month ago (just as messy as it was back then) but after spending Christmas and almost the whole of January in Finland it feels a bit strange to be back.
I'm slowly settling back into this student life and apartment, but it's going to take a bit of cleaning tomorrow and maybe a couple of films for me to reach that comfortable state of feeling like home again. I definitely have to find some more tape to get my posters to stay on the walls... For now, I'll just unpack my bags and watch something nice before heading to bed. It's been a long day travelling and on top of that I've been stressing about a few Uni problems so I'm getting a bit tired. Hopefully this tiredness will help me fall asleep easily for once.
Friday 28 January 2011
Ghibli day and a problem
It's been my last full day in Finland for a while and I spent it by packing, slightly sorting out my room and watching films by Studio Ghibli. Or more to the point, Hayao Miyazaki films. It has been a nice day and I don't even feel too anxious about traveling tomorrow. However, just as I was about to start writing this post I realised I have a slight problem concerning the 250-project.
Now that i think about it, it's weird I hadn't thought about it before - the list can change. It already has changed from how it was at the turn of the year. So now I'm left with a bit of a problem: which list do I follow. Since I do have a saved copy of the list as it was at the start of the year - and then I thought that it would consist of the films I am to watch this year - I could still simply follow through with that. But then it would I couldn't say that I've watched every film on the list at the end of the year...
So I think I'll do this: I shall watch all the films that were on the 250 list when the year started. In addition I will watch all the new films that find their way onto the list before the end of the year. This will of course mean that the total number of films I have sworn to watch this year will be more than 250. (And of course I will also be watching many other films from outside the list as well...)
It's going to be quite a task, and one that will require a bit of organising as well. Well, it slightly helps that the films that are new to the list at the moment are all films that were released late last year, and will be getting their releases in Finland and UK only during the spring. So I'll have a chance of going to watch them in the cinema. That is a nice addition to the task!
Well anyhow, on to the progress that I made with the project today.
It was certainly a very productive day. In the end the number of films that I can tick off my list is a magnificent 3. As I already mentioned, they were all Ghibli films directed by the amazing Hayao Miyazaki. The animator is a living legend - he was superbly talented during the 80s and has stayed true to form all the way to the 21st century. His films are a joy to watch with their dazzling level of animation, and the stories are varied in theme but always (or at least for now since I have not yet seen all of his films) keep me intrigued and fascinated.
The first film I watched today was Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) [currently 250 on the list]. Granted, some might disagree that it is not really a Ghibli film since it was made just before Studio Ghibli was officially established. However, it was directed and written (based on his own manga) by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Isao Takahata - the two people who founded Studio Ghibli.
To me Nausicaä is a Ghibli film, and a very touching one at that. The main character's courage and unquestionable moral integrity are admirable. She has a strange ability to befriend pretty much any living creature, even understand and communicate with the ohmu insects that threaten human kind. The story is at times nearly heart wrenching but the older characters have a knack at easing the atmosphere with their occasionally comical ways. There is even a slight hint of a romantic subplot. Not much, but enough for a romantic to cherish.
The second film for today was Spirited Away (2001) [currently 48 on the list]. That one I have seen quite a few times already. I have enjoyed it every time and always seem to find something new about it. This might of course be because it has been quite a long time since I last watched the film and it is packed so full of small details that you simply cannot remember everything.
Like Nausicaä, Spirited Away also has a courageous young girl as a protagonist. Chihiro's life is completely changed when she and her parents accidentally stumble into a magical world. The little girl has to learn the rules of the strange world to save her parents but there are quite a few tasks she has to conquer before she can return to her own world. Once again there is a bit of a romance growing throughout the film - well, it's more like puppy love, but very touching and important for the story.
Out of today's three films my favourite was undoubtedly the third one - Howl's Moving Castle (2004) [currently 237 on the list]. I have had the dvd in my collection for over a year already, but this was the first time I have actually watched the film. I enjoyed it greatly and am happy that it was the last one for today's marathon (I watched the films in chronological order).
The film pretty much attacks the idea that being beautiful is everything and shows vanity as a nearly fatal flaw in a person's character. Of course it is not quite as simple as I put it here, but that is the core of it according to my current reading of the film. The story also shows that love and acceptance make the world a better place and can even cure people in a way. It's message seems to be that a person needs a heart - both literally and metaphorically.
The main protagonist is once again female, though this time she is a young woman and her courage starts to shine through her somewhat timid exterior little by little. As she gains courage, finds her place in her new home and turns the inhabitants of the castle into an actual family she learns about herself, changes others' lives and even has a chance to fall in love. The main reasons why I prefer Howl's Moving Castle over the other two Ghibli films I watched today are that I greatly empathise with Sophie's character and that I simply adored the love story in the film. In a way - and very unprofessionably put - it made me feel all fluffy inside.
I absolutely recommend all three of these films to everyone. Even if you don't usually watch anime, or any kind of animated films, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle are a treat to any film enthusiast. They all have brilliant and engaging stories with a variety of remarkable characters told through beautiful animated images. Just one more suggestion: watch the films with the original Japanese audio track. The subtitles are pretty good and you should not miss the original voices.
Now that i think about it, it's weird I hadn't thought about it before - the list can change. It already has changed from how it was at the turn of the year. So now I'm left with a bit of a problem: which list do I follow. Since I do have a saved copy of the list as it was at the start of the year - and then I thought that it would consist of the films I am to watch this year - I could still simply follow through with that. But then it would I couldn't say that I've watched every film on the list at the end of the year...
So I think I'll do this: I shall watch all the films that were on the 250 list when the year started. In addition I will watch all the new films that find their way onto the list before the end of the year. This will of course mean that the total number of films I have sworn to watch this year will be more than 250. (And of course I will also be watching many other films from outside the list as well...)
It's going to be quite a task, and one that will require a bit of organising as well. Well, it slightly helps that the films that are new to the list at the moment are all films that were released late last year, and will be getting their releases in Finland and UK only during the spring. So I'll have a chance of going to watch them in the cinema. That is a nice addition to the task!
Well anyhow, on to the progress that I made with the project today.
It was certainly a very productive day. In the end the number of films that I can tick off my list is a magnificent 3. As I already mentioned, they were all Ghibli films directed by the amazing Hayao Miyazaki. The animator is a living legend - he was superbly talented during the 80s and has stayed true to form all the way to the 21st century. His films are a joy to watch with their dazzling level of animation, and the stories are varied in theme but always (or at least for now since I have not yet seen all of his films) keep me intrigued and fascinated.
The first film I watched today was Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) [currently 250 on the list]. Granted, some might disagree that it is not really a Ghibli film since it was made just before Studio Ghibli was officially established. However, it was directed and written (based on his own manga) by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Isao Takahata - the two people who founded Studio Ghibli.
To me Nausicaä is a Ghibli film, and a very touching one at that. The main character's courage and unquestionable moral integrity are admirable. She has a strange ability to befriend pretty much any living creature, even understand and communicate with the ohmu insects that threaten human kind. The story is at times nearly heart wrenching but the older characters have a knack at easing the atmosphere with their occasionally comical ways. There is even a slight hint of a romantic subplot. Not much, but enough for a romantic to cherish.
The second film for today was Spirited Away (2001) [currently 48 on the list]. That one I have seen quite a few times already. I have enjoyed it every time and always seem to find something new about it. This might of course be because it has been quite a long time since I last watched the film and it is packed so full of small details that you simply cannot remember everything.
Like Nausicaä, Spirited Away also has a courageous young girl as a protagonist. Chihiro's life is completely changed when she and her parents accidentally stumble into a magical world. The little girl has to learn the rules of the strange world to save her parents but there are quite a few tasks she has to conquer before she can return to her own world. Once again there is a bit of a romance growing throughout the film - well, it's more like puppy love, but very touching and important for the story.
Out of today's three films my favourite was undoubtedly the third one - Howl's Moving Castle (2004) [currently 237 on the list]. I have had the dvd in my collection for over a year already, but this was the first time I have actually watched the film. I enjoyed it greatly and am happy that it was the last one for today's marathon (I watched the films in chronological order).
The film pretty much attacks the idea that being beautiful is everything and shows vanity as a nearly fatal flaw in a person's character. Of course it is not quite as simple as I put it here, but that is the core of it according to my current reading of the film. The story also shows that love and acceptance make the world a better place and can even cure people in a way. It's message seems to be that a person needs a heart - both literally and metaphorically.
The main protagonist is once again female, though this time she is a young woman and her courage starts to shine through her somewhat timid exterior little by little. As she gains courage, finds her place in her new home and turns the inhabitants of the castle into an actual family she learns about herself, changes others' lives and even has a chance to fall in love. The main reasons why I prefer Howl's Moving Castle over the other two Ghibli films I watched today are that I greatly empathise with Sophie's character and that I simply adored the love story in the film. In a way - and very unprofessionably put - it made me feel all fluffy inside.
I absolutely recommend all three of these films to everyone. Even if you don't usually watch anime, or any kind of animated films, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle are a treat to any film enthusiast. They all have brilliant and engaging stories with a variety of remarkable characters told through beautiful animated images. Just one more suggestion: watch the films with the original Japanese audio track. The subtitles are pretty good and you should not miss the original voices.
Thursday 27 January 2011
Sewing and In Bruges
Today I spent the length of a whole work day sewing - and in the end I have a new white skirt. I did cut the patterns and fabric yesterday, but the whole process took only 10 hours in total. Besides, it even looks good enough for me to use even after the anime con I made it for. If I ever have to dress in a white outfit with a neat skirt and jacket, I'm prepared.
The pattern for the skirt was quite simple and the skirt was basically easy to make. However, I had never before sewn a lining for anything, so getting that done neatly did take some concentration. But putting the zipper between the lining and outer skirt was a challenge - one I managed to conquer! I am quite proud of the finished product...
Spending the whole day in the kitchen with the sewing machine might have been a bit boring without the TV staring at me from the other side of the table, though. But that threat was averted with a solution that also allowed me to get some progress with the 250-project.
I watched In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008) [201 on the list] while getting started on the skirt. The film is a nice combination of well written black comedy, a thought through backstory that isn't revealed right away and touching performances from Collin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. I especially liked listening to the accents, particularly Farrell's thick Irish accent. It didn't matter that I could not constantly look at the screen (though I didn't miss much visually either), as long as I could hear every word I was content.
In Bruges does have its brutal moments but, just like the whole film, those have been done beautifully. There's no unnecessary explicity and the film has been left free from flashy action sequences. It's bleak, brilliantly rough around the edges and touching right up to the end. And though I usually have mixed feelings about open endings, this time I didn't mind - the last monologue was enough.
If you don't mind seeing some shooting and blood spatters, like bleakly coloured scenes and enjoy listening to accents from the British Isles then do watch this film. It is worth it. Now I'm off to bed.
The pattern for the skirt was quite simple and the skirt was basically easy to make. However, I had never before sewn a lining for anything, so getting that done neatly did take some concentration. But putting the zipper between the lining and outer skirt was a challenge - one I managed to conquer! I am quite proud of the finished product...
Spending the whole day in the kitchen with the sewing machine might have been a bit boring without the TV staring at me from the other side of the table, though. But that threat was averted with a solution that also allowed me to get some progress with the 250-project.
I watched In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008) [201 on the list] while getting started on the skirt. The film is a nice combination of well written black comedy, a thought through backstory that isn't revealed right away and touching performances from Collin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. I especially liked listening to the accents, particularly Farrell's thick Irish accent. It didn't matter that I could not constantly look at the screen (though I didn't miss much visually either), as long as I could hear every word I was content.
In Bruges does have its brutal moments but, just like the whole film, those have been done beautifully. There's no unnecessary explicity and the film has been left free from flashy action sequences. It's bleak, brilliantly rough around the edges and touching right up to the end. And though I usually have mixed feelings about open endings, this time I didn't mind - the last monologue was enough.
If you don't mind seeing some shooting and blood spatters, like bleakly coloured scenes and enjoy listening to accents from the British Isles then do watch this film. It is worth it. Now I'm off to bed.
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Oscar nominations
I am currently experiencing a surge of annoyed frustration that is aimed at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Like many media outlets have reported, the nominees for this year's Oscars were announced earlier today. Sure, based on other award nominations and wins as well as my own preferences among the films that I have had a chance to see before now, most of the named nominees were ones that I had expected to be given a nod. Even so, there were a couple upsets that have already provoked quite a lot of astonished uproar.
The nomination snub that shocked me the most was Christopher Nolan being left out of the Best Director race - again. I openly admit, I am one of those nearly obsessed Nolan fans that may be slightly partial towards the English director. I even count him as a contemporary auteur. Still, with Nolan having been snubbed in 2008 for his amazing work on The Dark Knight and now being passed over once again for Inception, the lack of recognition of his directorial talent among the AMPAS is quite unfathomable to me.
Another missed nomination that surprised me was in the Best Supporting Actor category. Considering the performances I have seen out of the five nominations, and the buzz and previous other nominations etc, none of the names on the list felt odd. However, with Andrew Garfield left without a nomination for his touching work in The Social Network something still feels a bit wrong. I certainly would have picked his performance over Mark Ruffalo's work in The Kids Are All Right.
As for this year's predicted big winners, the loudest buzz in the Hollywood circuit seems to be twirling around The King's Speech and The Social Network - which have 12 and 8 nominations in total respectively. I have not yet seen The King's Speech myself, but with its win from the PGA awards and Colin Firth's recent wins at both the Golden Globes and the Critics' Choice Awards, the film is a strong contender in both the Best Picture and Best Actor categories.
The Speech's biggest competition for snatching the golden boy on the big night is the facebook film which seems to have dazzled all the awards forecasters from even really considering other films to have any chance of getting a big price for almost anything this year. Granted, I have seen Social Network only once and did think that it was pretty good. However, the film did not manage to leave me bedazzled or even a bit giddy. It flows nicely, is quite well written and has a few brilliant acting performances in it, but it still did not give me the same awed sensation that I got from films like Inception and Black Swan. I suppose it is a film that I have to watch again to learn to appreciate more.
As for the front-runners for some of the other categories, the closest race for the big price seems to be in the Best Actress group. Natalie Portman's performance as a disturbed ballet dancer in Black Swan is phenomenal, but Annette Bening also gave a very good and widely revered performance in The Kids Are All Right. Both actresses have been nominated in the SAG as well as BAFTA awards and have already won a Golden Globe each for their work. Portman is my own favourite to win the Best Actress Oscar and she seems to be slightly in the lead if the Critics Awards Grid on IMDb and her win at the Critics' Choice Awards can be used as indicators.
During the years I've been watching the Oscars, my preferences for the winners have prevailed only occasionally. This year I am not even sure which films and specific performances or contributions I would vote for in each category. Of course, this is partly because I have not seen all of the nominated films as of yet, but even among the ones I have seen (which is currently about two thirds out of the number of films) I do not really know which are the ones I would unquestionably prefer over the others.
I suppose this is a situation I could easily rectify by watching all of the films again. This would also help with the 250-project since a few of this year's Oscar contenders have already found their way onto the list. It is going to be quite a month if I do end up taking on this task. We'll see how things turn out. For now, I've earned my rest. Good night.
The nomination snub that shocked me the most was Christopher Nolan being left out of the Best Director race - again. I openly admit, I am one of those nearly obsessed Nolan fans that may be slightly partial towards the English director. I even count him as a contemporary auteur. Still, with Nolan having been snubbed in 2008 for his amazing work on The Dark Knight and now being passed over once again for Inception, the lack of recognition of his directorial talent among the AMPAS is quite unfathomable to me.
Another missed nomination that surprised me was in the Best Supporting Actor category. Considering the performances I have seen out of the five nominations, and the buzz and previous other nominations etc, none of the names on the list felt odd. However, with Andrew Garfield left without a nomination for his touching work in The Social Network something still feels a bit wrong. I certainly would have picked his performance over Mark Ruffalo's work in The Kids Are All Right.
As for this year's predicted big winners, the loudest buzz in the Hollywood circuit seems to be twirling around The King's Speech and The Social Network - which have 12 and 8 nominations in total respectively. I have not yet seen The King's Speech myself, but with its win from the PGA awards and Colin Firth's recent wins at both the Golden Globes and the Critics' Choice Awards, the film is a strong contender in both the Best Picture and Best Actor categories.
The Speech's biggest competition for snatching the golden boy on the big night is the facebook film which seems to have dazzled all the awards forecasters from even really considering other films to have any chance of getting a big price for almost anything this year. Granted, I have seen Social Network only once and did think that it was pretty good. However, the film did not manage to leave me bedazzled or even a bit giddy. It flows nicely, is quite well written and has a few brilliant acting performances in it, but it still did not give me the same awed sensation that I got from films like Inception and Black Swan. I suppose it is a film that I have to watch again to learn to appreciate more.
As for the front-runners for some of the other categories, the closest race for the big price seems to be in the Best Actress group. Natalie Portman's performance as a disturbed ballet dancer in Black Swan is phenomenal, but Annette Bening also gave a very good and widely revered performance in The Kids Are All Right. Both actresses have been nominated in the SAG as well as BAFTA awards and have already won a Golden Globe each for their work. Portman is my own favourite to win the Best Actress Oscar and she seems to be slightly in the lead if the Critics Awards Grid on IMDb and her win at the Critics' Choice Awards can be used as indicators.
During the years I've been watching the Oscars, my preferences for the winners have prevailed only occasionally. This year I am not even sure which films and specific performances or contributions I would vote for in each category. Of course, this is partly because I have not seen all of the nominated films as of yet, but even among the ones I have seen (which is currently about two thirds out of the number of films) I do not really know which are the ones I would unquestionably prefer over the others.
I suppose this is a situation I could easily rectify by watching all of the films again. This would also help with the 250-project since a few of this year's Oscar contenders have already found their way onto the list. It is going to be quite a month if I do end up taking on this task. We'll see how things turn out. For now, I've earned my rest. Good night.
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Pit stop: ...
Yes, another one. I do realise that these have become the norm in this blog during the last week, but my mind is too empty at the moment to correct the situation. Writing two big articles in two days can do that to you, you know. But at least I finally got my work done.
I've got three more days to spend in Finland before heading back to Worcester at least until easter. During the next few days I should be able to sort out my room and maybe even do the inventory of my DVDs - which I have been meaning to do for at least half a year already without any progress... Getting my mind ready to then focus on my IS is also on the list of things to do. If nothing else, I could at least watch the films I'm using as source material.
Yeah, in any case, now my brain needs some food and a romantic comedy I don't really have to think about. That should get me into better shape again.
I've got three more days to spend in Finland before heading back to Worcester at least until easter. During the next few days I should be able to sort out my room and maybe even do the inventory of my DVDs - which I have been meaning to do for at least half a year already without any progress... Getting my mind ready to then focus on my IS is also on the list of things to do. If nothing else, I could at least watch the films I'm using as source material.
Yeah, in any case, now my brain needs some food and a romantic comedy I don't really have to think about. That should get me into better shape again.
Monday 24 January 2011
Pit stop: Writing
Busy with writing at the moment. Other stuff that is... Still in the middle of getting the articles finished. All the material is there and I've structured them so that all that is left - pft, as if that was the easiest part - is the actual writing.
Hoping to get to the zone soon so I can actually get some sleep tonight as well. If all goes well, should be done by 6am or so. Then I'll be blissfully sleeping through most of tomorrow. As long as I've really gotten these files sent...
Hoping to get to the zone soon so I can actually get some sleep tonight as well. If all goes well, should be done by 6am or so. Then I'll be blissfully sleeping through most of tomorrow. As long as I've really gotten these files sent...
Sunday 23 January 2011
Pit stop: Schleepy...
With everything that's been going on in my mind during the last couple of days, I'm not that surprised that I nearly forgot to write this tonight. Well, I was bout to fall asleep when I remembered... And since this is the one thing that I have been consistent with, of course I bounced back up right away.
It's been a bit stressful today - and will be tomorrow as well. I ended up getting a new laptop, what with my old one being very unreliable since it's constantly over-heating and crashing and the quite new netbook flipping out. In any case, I'm back to working after hours of installing the needed progammes and making back up copies of everything on my HDDs.
Got to get some sleep now, since I have to write about 7 pages of publishable material tomorrow. Fortunately, I'm already half way done with the review and have a clear idea of what I'm going to do with the first big article. Second one is still developing in my tired mind.
It's been a bit stressful today - and will be tomorrow as well. I ended up getting a new laptop, what with my old one being very unreliable since it's constantly over-heating and crashing and the quite new netbook flipping out. In any case, I'm back to working after hours of installing the needed progammes and making back up copies of everything on my HDDs.
Got to get some sleep now, since I have to write about 7 pages of publishable material tomorrow. Fortunately, I'm already half way done with the review and have a clear idea of what I'm going to do with the first big article. Second one is still developing in my tired mind.
Saturday 22 January 2011
Pit stop: Computer trouble
Last night my netbook desided it does not want to let Windows Explorer work, so for a day my life seemed to be in freefall. It's fascinating how such a big part of my life has become completely dependent of a working computer and Internet access that once I'm deprived of them everything seems to crumble down.
This time these problems are really uncomfortably timed, since I'm already struggling to get my work done on time. Since I lost pretty much the whole day due to figuring out what to do, it's gonna be a busy weekend writing for me. Well, at least it's something I enjoy - once I get into the zone and know what I want to say.
Now off to sleep, so I'll have enough strength tomorrow to get halfway through with my tasks. Yosh, oyasumi!
This time these problems are really uncomfortably timed, since I'm already struggling to get my work done on time. Since I lost pretty much the whole day due to figuring out what to do, it's gonna be a busy weekend writing for me. Well, at least it's something I enjoy - once I get into the zone and know what I want to say.
Now off to sleep, so I'll have enough strength tomorrow to get halfway through with my tasks. Yosh, oyasumi!
Friday 21 January 2011
Pit stop: Slight stress build-up
Getting a couple articles done this week is turning out to be a bit of a challenge... We're already turning towards Friday, and I'm still very much in the middle of everything. Plus, head is still acting up by being all foggy.
Anyhow, it's been quite a nice day. Took a bit of a break by spending a few hours in the city centre with my mum. Got stuff I needed but also a nice blouse I just picked up. Cheered me up a bit! Later on saw some nice material from Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Been waiting for that game for almost two years now, so seeing some fresh material is nice - plus it looked amazing! Can't wait to see someone play it...
Yeah, back to thinking about work. Need to get at least something finished tomorrow. It will be a day filled with writing.
Anyhow, it's been quite a nice day. Took a bit of a break by spending a few hours in the city centre with my mum. Got stuff I needed but also a nice blouse I just picked up. Cheered me up a bit! Later on saw some nice material from Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Been waiting for that game for almost two years now, so seeing some fresh material is nice - plus it looked amazing! Can't wait to see someone play it...
Yeah, back to thinking about work. Need to get at least something finished tomorrow. It will be a day filled with writing.
Thursday 20 January 2011
Return of Catwoman
According to Deadline.com, Christopher Nolan has cast Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman in his third - and last - Battie film, The Dark Knight Rises. This is the third time Warner Bros. brings this cat lady to the big screen. First was Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns (Tim Burton, 1992) and over a decade later Halle Berry in Catwoman (Pitof, 2004).
I'm hoping that after the unsavoury attempt to revive the feline 7 years ago, we'll now get to see Hathaway bringing the purring temptress back to the level on which Pfeiffer introduced us to Selina's onscreen incarnation. Considering what Nolan has done with the franchise ever since Batman Begins in 2005, I'm quite confident that Hathaway's Catwoman - and the whole film - will be much more pleasing than the last clawing flop.
Coming back to more personal topics - my head seems to think that staying awake in the middle of the night is much better than getting up in the morning. Last night I rolled around in my bed for a couple hours before exhaustion finally conquered over my busy mind and lulled me to sleep. Unsurprisingly, waking up in the morning took its time too - and now I'm tired but completely awake.
No progress with the project. Stubbornly weird sleeping rhythm and work have me constantly preoccupied...
I'm hoping that after the unsavoury attempt to revive the feline 7 years ago, we'll now get to see Hathaway bringing the purring temptress back to the level on which Pfeiffer introduced us to Selina's onscreen incarnation. Considering what Nolan has done with the franchise ever since Batman Begins in 2005, I'm quite confident that Hathaway's Catwoman - and the whole film - will be much more pleasing than the last clawing flop.
Coming back to more personal topics - my head seems to think that staying awake in the middle of the night is much better than getting up in the morning. Last night I rolled around in my bed for a couple hours before exhaustion finally conquered over my busy mind and lulled me to sleep. Unsurprisingly, waking up in the morning took its time too - and now I'm tired but completely awake.
No progress with the project. Stubbornly weird sleeping rhythm and work have me constantly preoccupied...
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Pit stop: Unstable week
Yes, another short post... It's probably going to be a week full of these if things keep going like they have these past two days. Had yet another day with a constant dull headache. I'm getting rather tired of those, to be honest.
Hopefully things will really start to change tomorrow - at this rate all my strength will be lost otherwise. And that I can't allow with the amount of work I have to get done this week. Well, can't do much else than try to get to sleep and hope that my mind won't keep me awake for too long.
Hopefully things will really start to change tomorrow - at this rate all my strength will be lost otherwise. And that I can't allow with the amount of work I have to get done this week. Well, can't do much else than try to get to sleep and hope that my mind won't keep me awake for too long.
Tuesday 18 January 2011
Pit stop: Rhythm change ongoing
I'm still suffering from the signs of self-inflected sleep deprivation. Been having this dull, stubborn headache through the whole day, which has quite effectively disabled my ability to concentrate on anything.
But I did manage to get some excersice though. Finally got myself up to doing a bit of pilates while everyone else was away from home. I need to try to do a bit of that every day, it'll use up my strength but still energise me at the same time. Sounds like quite a paradox.
Today I also learned something very important - a bit of knowledge no one should forget. In the words of Frank Zappa: "Watch out where the huskeys go, and don't you eat the yellow snow." Got to remember that!
But I did manage to get some excersice though. Finally got myself up to doing a bit of pilates while everyone else was away from home. I need to try to do a bit of that every day, it'll use up my strength but still energise me at the same time. Sounds like quite a paradox.
Today I also learned something very important - a bit of knowledge no one should forget. In the words of Frank Zappa: "Watch out where the huskeys go, and don't you eat the yellow snow." Got to remember that!
Sunday 16 January 2011
Pit stop: Turning the rhythm around
Because lately my sleeping rhythm has been suitable for someone living in the middle of the Atlantic, I'm now undertaking a (hopefully) short challenge of turning those disadvantageous sleeping patterns back to fitting acceptable hours.
Today was a step in the right direction with a (slightly) forced wake-up at 10.30am. Yes I know, it's not that early for most people, but after the last week I've had it was a bit painful for me. However, I'm hoping I can keep up with that and actually be able to wake up at 10 tomorrow! Yes, it will be a challenge I'm already dreading. Still, it would be good for achieving a productive day...
In any case, I'm trying to will myself to sleep quite early today, just so I could have a chance of getting enough rest for this rebellious body and especially my over preoccupied mind. So, this day with no progress concerning the 250-project shall come to an end soon. At least I hope so...
Today was a step in the right direction with a (slightly) forced wake-up at 10.30am. Yes I know, it's not that early for most people, but after the last week I've had it was a bit painful for me. However, I'm hoping I can keep up with that and actually be able to wake up at 10 tomorrow! Yes, it will be a challenge I'm already dreading. Still, it would be good for achieving a productive day...
In any case, I'm trying to will myself to sleep quite early today, just so I could have a chance of getting enough rest for this rebellious body and especially my over preoccupied mind. So, this day with no progress concerning the 250-project shall come to an end soon. At least I hope so...
Dissecting the human race on alien territory
Meaning, I watched Avatar (James Cameron, 2009) [144 on the list].
~~~ WARNING: Possible minor spoilers ahead. ~~~
This was the second time I've seen the film, and I admit - I wasn't quite as awe struck as I was the first time. Granted, that time I saw it on the big screen and in 3D. But then I also managed to dive right into the story and didn't mind being able to guess what was going to happen next. I just enjoyed the ride - and it was an experience that stayed in my mind for a while.
This time I watched Cameron's grandiose sci-fi epic in 2D on TV. Sure, even though it was in HD it didn't have quite the same effect when watched on a 32 inch-ish flat screen with just 2.1 sound system (I'm still only dreaming of a good home theatre with 5.1 surround sound and a video projector). But I have to admit, it was still an enjoyable two and a half hours since it truly is a visual treat.
However, since this time I wasn't blinded by the sheer visual gradeur of the film, I did manage to concentrate better on the story. Like so many before me have declared, it is a story that has been told many times. The basic ideas of the storyline should be familiar to everyone, since they have been repeated over and over again in films, literature and plays throughout the ages.
Avatar is a story of two peoples at war, it is a story about the oppressor and the oppressed, it is a look into the ways of an alien people and most importantly, it is a story of a hero. These are all themes and basics of storylines that we are all familiar with and have seen or read since we were children. Still, they are also just as important portrayals of human nature now as they were, for example, a century ago.
Sure, there isn't anything really surprising in the storyline. Even the "great twist" is something you'd expect to happen when a desperate hero has gotten down to his last shot at being recognised by "his people". But if that ultimate leap of faith han't been included, the journey would not have been quite complete.
But besides following through the hero's journey, Avatar is in its way also a very critical film. You cannot watch the film and not be disgusted by the way the hired guns and the greedy corporate bastard handle the situation they're facing. It is just as difficult not to relate that to "the American way" of dealing with such a predicament. They have found untapped reserves of a higly valuable energy source and this they have to have no matter what the cost. If diplomacy does not work with the natives, there are other ways to make them understand - with presumed superiority and heavy machinery.
The corporate side follows the ideology of finders-keepers. They find the resources, if they are not already used by the natives - or the Americans figure they can use them more efficiently and more importantly have "a bigger need for them" - it is the right of the superior people to take hold of the resources with any means necessary. The military side seems to follow a mentality that is just as brutal. They are there to do the damage and clear out. If they can enjoy the fireworks in the meanwhile, ever the better.
Of course, things have to be rectified and balance needs to be restored. It simply wouldn't be right if evil were not punished and the unguided steered to the right direction. And an epic would be slightly lacking without a hint of a romance - even though "a hint" is a definite understatement in this case.
In the end, Avatar is easy to figure out and if you are looking for something completely original considering the storyline, then you're out of luck with this film. However, it is still a story that will never be completely outdated or inaccurate in its portrayal of different aspects of human nature. And this will definitely not be the last time this story finds its way to the silver screen.
~~~ WARNING: Possible minor spoilers ahead. ~~~
This was the second time I've seen the film, and I admit - I wasn't quite as awe struck as I was the first time. Granted, that time I saw it on the big screen and in 3D. But then I also managed to dive right into the story and didn't mind being able to guess what was going to happen next. I just enjoyed the ride - and it was an experience that stayed in my mind for a while.
This time I watched Cameron's grandiose sci-fi epic in 2D on TV. Sure, even though it was in HD it didn't have quite the same effect when watched on a 32 inch-ish flat screen with just 2.1 sound system (I'm still only dreaming of a good home theatre with 5.1 surround sound and a video projector). But I have to admit, it was still an enjoyable two and a half hours since it truly is a visual treat.
However, since this time I wasn't blinded by the sheer visual gradeur of the film, I did manage to concentrate better on the story. Like so many before me have declared, it is a story that has been told many times. The basic ideas of the storyline should be familiar to everyone, since they have been repeated over and over again in films, literature and plays throughout the ages.
Avatar is a story of two peoples at war, it is a story about the oppressor and the oppressed, it is a look into the ways of an alien people and most importantly, it is a story of a hero. These are all themes and basics of storylines that we are all familiar with and have seen or read since we were children. Still, they are also just as important portrayals of human nature now as they were, for example, a century ago.
Sure, there isn't anything really surprising in the storyline. Even the "great twist" is something you'd expect to happen when a desperate hero has gotten down to his last shot at being recognised by "his people". But if that ultimate leap of faith han't been included, the journey would not have been quite complete.
But besides following through the hero's journey, Avatar is in its way also a very critical film. You cannot watch the film and not be disgusted by the way the hired guns and the greedy corporate bastard handle the situation they're facing. It is just as difficult not to relate that to "the American way" of dealing with such a predicament. They have found untapped reserves of a higly valuable energy source and this they have to have no matter what the cost. If diplomacy does not work with the natives, there are other ways to make them understand - with presumed superiority and heavy machinery.
The corporate side follows the ideology of finders-keepers. They find the resources, if they are not already used by the natives - or the Americans figure they can use them more efficiently and more importantly have "a bigger need for them" - it is the right of the superior people to take hold of the resources with any means necessary. The military side seems to follow a mentality that is just as brutal. They are there to do the damage and clear out. If they can enjoy the fireworks in the meanwhile, ever the better.
Of course, things have to be rectified and balance needs to be restored. It simply wouldn't be right if evil were not punished and the unguided steered to the right direction. And an epic would be slightly lacking without a hint of a romance - even though "a hint" is a definite understatement in this case.
In the end, Avatar is easy to figure out and if you are looking for something completely original considering the storyline, then you're out of luck with this film. However, it is still a story that will never be completely outdated or inaccurate in its portrayal of different aspects of human nature. And this will definitely not be the last time this story finds its way to the silver screen.
Saturday 15 January 2011
Pit stop: Got distracted
Huh, so this can really happen...
Almost missed a day of writing. Well, in reality I did miss the day, and almost the night as well. But since I haven't yet gone to sleep, it doesn't count. I love how I can define my own deadlines for this project.
It was a weird day in many ways. After having trouble falling asleep last night (and same seems to be happening tonight) I slept until 2pm. It appears I've completely messed up my rhythm and turning it back again is not the easiest task.
In addition, I'm dealing with some built up issues that I've been disregarding for over a month. Not an ideal situation for writing articles or working on the independent study.
Anyhow, once again a day filled with films, but none for the project. Suppose I should get back to the 250 again soon...
Almost missed a day of writing. Well, in reality I did miss the day, and almost the night as well. But since I haven't yet gone to sleep, it doesn't count. I love how I can define my own deadlines for this project.
It was a weird day in many ways. After having trouble falling asleep last night (and same seems to be happening tonight) I slept until 2pm. It appears I've completely messed up my rhythm and turning it back again is not the easiest task.
In addition, I'm dealing with some built up issues that I've been disregarding for over a month. Not an ideal situation for writing articles or working on the independent study.
Anyhow, once again a day filled with films, but none for the project. Suppose I should get back to the 250 again soon...
Thursday 13 January 2011
Suffering from PAFD
Also known as the post-assignment fatigue disorder.
Common among students in higher education.
Typical symptoms: tiredness, sore eyes, dull headaches, inability to concentrate and general feeling of emptiness.
Effective treatments vary for each patient.
This particular subject has relied on films, hot chocolate and microwaveable food.
After last night's belated Christmas party, my mind felt slightly unstable this morning. Especially in relation to academic work. Still, there was that second half of the last assignment of semester 1 to finish so, even though my head furiously protested against it, I had to get up and back to work. The momentary inconvenience did pay off though, since three hours later I was finally finished. Considering that a week earlier I wrote the same amount in half the time, it might not be such a marvelous accomplishment, but I don't really care at the moment. It's done, sent and receipt received.
I'm slightly surprised I didn't immediately fall asleep after sending the assignment, but a few hours later (after already having watched a couple films) it didn't seem such a great idea anymore. After all, if I had drowsed off at that point it would only have resulted in me waking up completely disoriented at 11pm, unable to fall asleep again before at least 4 o'clock in the morning.
Anyhow, right now I'm tired but not really sleepy, so I guess it's okay to watch another film before completely switching off my mind and slipping into the world of weird dreams that usually accompany PAFD...
Oh, also - today's record: four films down, none of them valid for the 250-project. Tsk... Well, it was an off day. 'Nuf said.
Common among students in higher education.
Typical symptoms: tiredness, sore eyes, dull headaches, inability to concentrate and general feeling of emptiness.
Effective treatments vary for each patient.
This particular subject has relied on films, hot chocolate and microwaveable food.
After last night's belated Christmas party, my mind felt slightly unstable this morning. Especially in relation to academic work. Still, there was that second half of the last assignment of semester 1 to finish so, even though my head furiously protested against it, I had to get up and back to work. The momentary inconvenience did pay off though, since three hours later I was finally finished. Considering that a week earlier I wrote the same amount in half the time, it might not be such a marvelous accomplishment, but I don't really care at the moment. It's done, sent and receipt received.
I'm slightly surprised I didn't immediately fall asleep after sending the assignment, but a few hours later (after already having watched a couple films) it didn't seem such a great idea anymore. After all, if I had drowsed off at that point it would only have resulted in me waking up completely disoriented at 11pm, unable to fall asleep again before at least 4 o'clock in the morning.
Anyhow, right now I'm tired but not really sleepy, so I guess it's okay to watch another film before completely switching off my mind and slipping into the world of weird dreams that usually accompany PAFD...
Oh, also - today's record: four films down, none of them valid for the 250-project. Tsk... Well, it was an off day. 'Nuf said.
Pit stop: Right before sleep
It was an interesting evening. I actually got to go to my work Christmas party. Sure it's already almost mid-January but it was fun. Bad thing is, I ended up staying there longer than I originally intended so now I've got a bit less time to work on the mini essay for my last assignment - which is due tomorrow...
Anyway, I'm still happy I went. Now I've got to get to sleep. My head feels like I'm about to have a bit of a headache, so better to just get some rest and start writing in the morning. And this time it really has to be in the morning. Otherwise I'm in deep trouble.
Well, that's it for now. Hope I'll be up early and get that dang mini essay out of the way so I can get some real rest, even for my mind. Good night!
PS. No progress with the project today.
Anyway, I'm still happy I went. Now I've got to get to sleep. My head feels like I'm about to have a bit of a headache, so better to just get some rest and start writing in the morning. And this time it really has to be in the morning. Otherwise I'm in deep trouble.
Well, that's it for now. Hope I'll be up early and get that dang mini essay out of the way so I can get some real rest, even for my mind. Good night!
PS. No progress with the project today.
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Return of Bond
Some good news for the fans of the smooth British agent with a dry taste in drinks, elegant in cars and versatily in women... Deadline.com has just reported that Bond 23 is finally back on track and supposed to go into production "in late 2011". Daniel Craig is back as Bond and still drinking the Martinis, driving the Aston Martin and charming a couple beauties while laying waste on another enemy of Her Majesty's Empire - or so I presume. This time Sam Mendes is taking charge from the director's throne. Worldwide release date is currently scheduled for November 9, 2012.
In other news, it's been a slow day with little progress and a lot of banging my head to the wall. A couple times literally, though that was mostly accidental - I hope...
No new titles to be added to the list of watched films. I'm finally seeing a bit of progress with the journalism assignment - and that has pretty much all happened during the last hour or so... Well, better late at night than with a hazy head in the morning. Gonna get that review done before going to sleep. At least one version of it, then I can mull it over tomorrow if I necessarily want to.
In other news, it's been a slow day with little progress and a lot of banging my head to the wall. A couple times literally, though that was mostly accidental - I hope...
No new titles to be added to the list of watched films. I'm finally seeing a bit of progress with the journalism assignment - and that has pretty much all happened during the last hour or so... Well, better late at night than with a hazy head in the morning. Gonna get that review done before going to sleep. At least one version of it, then I can mull it over tomorrow if I necessarily want to.
Anything but productive
It's fascinating how everytime there's something you definitely need to do you can always find a myriad of other, completely unrelated things that grab your attention. It's been happening to me throughout the whole day. I'm trying to work on my journalism assignment (which is actually even interesting and enjoyable to do when I really get to it) but my mind keeps wandering off somewhere else.
Yeah, that almost sounds like I didn't have any control over what my mind is doing - which is sometimes quite true. However, I ought to be able to keep it in check and aim my concentration to the most important task at hand. Not the easiest thing to do, at least for me and without the deadline being the next day.
Well, that won't be a problem for much longer since the deadline in on Thursday. But I'd like to be done with this assignment before then so I could start doing other stuff. Like work.
At least the project progressed a bit today. I watched Good Will Hunting (Gus Van Sant, 1997) [196 on the list]. A keep forgetting how brilliant that film is - so every time I watch it affects me and draws something from deep inside to the surface. This time the fears that Will's dealing with in the film seemed to resonate from me as well.
I suppose it's got a lot to do with this being my third year (and last, at least for now) in Uni and I've already been worrying about what I'm gonna be doing after getting through the last semester this spring. At varying degrees, the fear of the unknown has been troubling me for quite a while and seeing Will Hunting battle with similar fears managed to hit a nerve and draw some unexpected tears. I'm hoping that I can end up contentedly driving off to the sunset at some point this year, having made the right decisions for me.
Anyway, guess I should get back to to the Rare Exports review I'm working on. Lots of ideas, some trouble getting them out of my head and typed into a coherent and hopefully interesting and entertaining form.
Yeah, that almost sounds like I didn't have any control over what my mind is doing - which is sometimes quite true. However, I ought to be able to keep it in check and aim my concentration to the most important task at hand. Not the easiest thing to do, at least for me and without the deadline being the next day.
Well, that won't be a problem for much longer since the deadline in on Thursday. But I'd like to be done with this assignment before then so I could start doing other stuff. Like work.
At least the project progressed a bit today. I watched Good Will Hunting (Gus Van Sant, 1997) [196 on the list]. A keep forgetting how brilliant that film is - so every time I watch it affects me and draws something from deep inside to the surface. This time the fears that Will's dealing with in the film seemed to resonate from me as well.
I suppose it's got a lot to do with this being my third year (and last, at least for now) in Uni and I've already been worrying about what I'm gonna be doing after getting through the last semester this spring. At varying degrees, the fear of the unknown has been troubling me for quite a while and seeing Will Hunting battle with similar fears managed to hit a nerve and draw some unexpected tears. I'm hoping that I can end up contentedly driving off to the sunset at some point this year, having made the right decisions for me.
Anyway, guess I should get back to to the Rare Exports review I'm working on. Lots of ideas, some trouble getting them out of my head and typed into a coherent and hopefully interesting and entertaining form.
Monday 10 January 2011
Report: Week 1
Suppose it would be good to write a kind of weekly report. Maybe. Just came up with the idea and I can't be sure I'll remember to follow up on this next week...
Anyways, the first full week of 2011 has passed by with a heck of a lot of suffering, quite a bit of recuperating and fortunately also some pretty good moments. I've managed to get stuff done - grudgingly - and spent at least as much time by doing absolutely nothing constructive or otherwise relevant to anything else except my mental well-being. Well, one could argue that that is also vital for a final year University student battling with some predictable yet always over-powering educational angst.
Considering the state in which I currently am with the 250-project, it's not going quite as well as I had hoped. It's been a week + 2 days and I've watched just four of the listed films... and only one of those during this week if we want to be completely accurate. As I wrote at the time, first day of the year I watched Lawrence of Arabia and last Sunday it was time for The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now. This week all I managed to watch was Grave of the Fireflies. Poor progress indeed.
Of course, this week the most important thing was to get the infamous essay about Vietnam war films done and delivered. Wasn't an easy task as you might have noticed... But at last I was done with it and the rest of the week has been dedicated to getting my mind and body to once again cooperate with me without too much rebelling. However, a regular sleeping rhythm is unsurprisingly still pretty much an unfamiliar concept to me.
But what ever the case with my sleeping patterns, tomorrow I've got to get back to work. I still have one assignment to do before I'm done with Semester 1 - and then there's journalistic work to do and an independent study to focus on, but we can get on with those when the time comes... Besides, after I've gotten the journalism assignment done, I think I'd like to take one day off of working, concentrate on the project and actually see some progress by adding a few more titles to the list of films watched.
I could even gather strength by watching a whole trilogy next week. A bit of space opera might do wonders... We'll see. :D
Anyways, the first full week of 2011 has passed by with a heck of a lot of suffering, quite a bit of recuperating and fortunately also some pretty good moments. I've managed to get stuff done - grudgingly - and spent at least as much time by doing absolutely nothing constructive or otherwise relevant to anything else except my mental well-being. Well, one could argue that that is also vital for a final year University student battling with some predictable yet always over-powering educational angst.
Considering the state in which I currently am with the 250-project, it's not going quite as well as I had hoped. It's been a week + 2 days and I've watched just four of the listed films... and only one of those during this week if we want to be completely accurate. As I wrote at the time, first day of the year I watched Lawrence of Arabia and last Sunday it was time for The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now. This week all I managed to watch was Grave of the Fireflies. Poor progress indeed.
Of course, this week the most important thing was to get the infamous essay about Vietnam war films done and delivered. Wasn't an easy task as you might have noticed... But at last I was done with it and the rest of the week has been dedicated to getting my mind and body to once again cooperate with me without too much rebelling. However, a regular sleeping rhythm is unsurprisingly still pretty much an unfamiliar concept to me.
But what ever the case with my sleeping patterns, tomorrow I've got to get back to work. I still have one assignment to do before I'm done with Semester 1 - and then there's journalistic work to do and an independent study to focus on, but we can get on with those when the time comes... Besides, after I've gotten the journalism assignment done, I think I'd like to take one day off of working, concentrate on the project and actually see some progress by adding a few more titles to the list of films watched.
I could even gather strength by watching a whole trilogy next week. A bit of space opera might do wonders... We'll see. :D
Sunday 9 January 2011
Log: 8 Jan 2011
First time I have to post the entry of a previous day. Last night when I got home, my computer did not seem to really like me - or it didn't want to share me... Anyway, I couldn't get the Internet connection to work so I finally gave up and just wrote the night's entry and simply saved it to be posted later. Now I've got the connetction again, so here's last night's rambling.
------------
It was one of those therapeutic nights. A night when you might deal with difficult subjects, question yourself, show a part of yourself that you usually keep hidden and even go through some uncomfortable situations - but in the end, it all helps and leaves you feeling calm, or even serene.
I spent a few hours of the night in a nice pub. We had talked about going out with a friend of mine just a few days before. After not having seen each other for a long time, talking for a couple hours one afternoon just was not enough - as it never is with good friends.
We'd chosen the place in advance, a really nice pub right in the middle of Helsinki with a long list of good ales and siders. Well, since my experience with ales is still quite limited, I'll have to just believe when people I know tell me that the ones on the list are good. In any case, it's a good place and people know that. Fortunately, we were clever enough to be there early and actually managed to find a table among the crouds.
We talked for hours, and the later it got the more important and personal the subjects became.
It's weird how people tend to become more open and honest the further into the night you keep talking. It doesn't matter how well you know the person you're talking to or how strong the trust between the two of you is, you reveal the most of yourself during the dark hours.
Our conversation lasted for hours, and while the pub slowly grew less hectic we barely noticed how the last hour simply vanished.
I took the last regular bus on my way back home. As I waited at the stop, heavy snow flakes swirled around the yellow street lights by the train station. Some managed to find their way around my glasses and straight into my eyes and coat gathered a thick white layer on it that turned into hundreds of tiny water drops as the bus wound its way through the slush covered streets.
Walking the last few hundred metres home from the closest bus stop, I watched as my shoes kept gathering small peaks of snow on their tips. With each step the peaks got higher until a flick of my foot sent them flying so another one could start building on each shoe yet again.
As a selection of my favourite anime ballads played on my iPod, I almost wanted to keep on walking in the snow. Watching the peaks build and shatter, flakes twirling in the wind beneath the heavily weighed birch branches. I had been ages since I had last felt that at peace.
------------
It was one of those therapeutic nights. A night when you might deal with difficult subjects, question yourself, show a part of yourself that you usually keep hidden and even go through some uncomfortable situations - but in the end, it all helps and leaves you feeling calm, or even serene.
I spent a few hours of the night in a nice pub. We had talked about going out with a friend of mine just a few days before. After not having seen each other for a long time, talking for a couple hours one afternoon just was not enough - as it never is with good friends.
We'd chosen the place in advance, a really nice pub right in the middle of Helsinki with a long list of good ales and siders. Well, since my experience with ales is still quite limited, I'll have to just believe when people I know tell me that the ones on the list are good. In any case, it's a good place and people know that. Fortunately, we were clever enough to be there early and actually managed to find a table among the crouds.
We talked for hours, and the later it got the more important and personal the subjects became.
It's weird how people tend to become more open and honest the further into the night you keep talking. It doesn't matter how well you know the person you're talking to or how strong the trust between the two of you is, you reveal the most of yourself during the dark hours.
Our conversation lasted for hours, and while the pub slowly grew less hectic we barely noticed how the last hour simply vanished.
I took the last regular bus on my way back home. As I waited at the stop, heavy snow flakes swirled around the yellow street lights by the train station. Some managed to find their way around my glasses and straight into my eyes and coat gathered a thick white layer on it that turned into hundreds of tiny water drops as the bus wound its way through the slush covered streets.
Walking the last few hundred metres home from the closest bus stop, I watched as my shoes kept gathering small peaks of snow on their tips. With each step the peaks got higher until a flick of my foot sent them flying so another one could start building on each shoe yet again.
As a selection of my favourite anime ballads played on my iPod, I almost wanted to keep on walking in the snow. Watching the peaks build and shatter, flakes twirling in the wind beneath the heavily weighed birch branches. I had been ages since I had last felt that at peace.
Saturday 8 January 2011
Resting with Fireflies
Most of the day went right by me. After having spent the first few days of this year battling with the Vietnam essay, I was expecting recuperation to take a while. So, not all that surprisingly, since I didn't have to wake up early today, I kept on sleeping until the afternoon. The sleep was much needed, though.
It took me quite a while, but I finally got back to the project. Just like I thought last night, I did end up watching an anime film. I watched Grave of the Fireflies by Isao Takahata (1988) [130 on the list]. It was absolutely beautiful. The story is really touching - I can only hope that, if we were put into the same situation, my own brother would take care of me like Seita-kun takes care of little Setsuko-chan.
Of course, I'd hope that people, even strangers, would be more caring than they are in Takahata's film. I could feel my chest tightening as I got frustrated with and actually angry at the two children's Aunt for how she treated Seita and Setsuko.
It was a sad story, but in the end - or I suppose, from the beginning - it didn't feel that bad. After all, the siblings were together again. Even with everything they went through and all they lost during the war, the fireflies brought them back to each other. Of course, knowing right from the start what the end result will be might have made processing all the feelings that the fate of Seita and Setsuko made me go through slightly easier.
This was the first time I have watched Grave of the Fireflies and I'm sure this experience will stay in my mind for a while. I'll probably be watching it again this year, even though it won't take me further with the project after this...
It took me quite a while, but I finally got back to the project. Just like I thought last night, I did end up watching an anime film. I watched Grave of the Fireflies by Isao Takahata (1988) [130 on the list]. It was absolutely beautiful. The story is really touching - I can only hope that, if we were put into the same situation, my own brother would take care of me like Seita-kun takes care of little Setsuko-chan.
Of course, I'd hope that people, even strangers, would be more caring than they are in Takahata's film. I could feel my chest tightening as I got frustrated with and actually angry at the two children's Aunt for how she treated Seita and Setsuko.
It was a sad story, but in the end - or I suppose, from the beginning - it didn't feel that bad. After all, the siblings were together again. Even with everything they went through and all they lost during the war, the fireflies brought them back to each other. Of course, knowing right from the start what the end result will be might have made processing all the feelings that the fate of Seita and Setsuko made me go through slightly easier.
This was the first time I have watched Grave of the Fireflies and I'm sure this experience will stay in my mind for a while. I'll probably be watching it again this year, even though it won't take me further with the project after this...
Friday 7 January 2011
Categorising
After finally finishing the Vietnam essay, I've been quite exhausted. However, a few hours of talking with a dear friend in a café works wonders. Good food helps further.
I didn't really make any progress with the 250-project today, though. But all has not been lost - I did manage to update the Word document I'm using to keep track of my progress.
It basically consists of the Top250 list but, to make searching for specific types of films on it easier, I have added some key words after some of the titles. Each Hitchcock, Chaplin, Eastwood, Scorsese and Nolan film now has the director's name written beside the other info. I'm still in the process of writing more key words to the rest of the films, but it's not all that easy - especially if I think about possibly categorising wome of the films by genre... Now animation and anime were easy to pick out - and they do belong in different categories, of course.
I might get along with actually watching something from the list tomorrow. I feel I'm in need of watching something good just for fun! I think I might be in the mood for some Studio Ghibli action tomorrow... We'll see then.
I didn't really make any progress with the 250-project today, though. But all has not been lost - I did manage to update the Word document I'm using to keep track of my progress.
It basically consists of the Top250 list but, to make searching for specific types of films on it easier, I have added some key words after some of the titles. Each Hitchcock, Chaplin, Eastwood, Scorsese and Nolan film now has the director's name written beside the other info. I'm still in the process of writing more key words to the rest of the films, but it's not all that easy - especially if I think about possibly categorising wome of the films by genre... Now animation and anime were easy to pick out - and they do belong in different categories, of course.
I might get along with actually watching something from the list tomorrow. I feel I'm in need of watching something good just for fun! I think I might be in the mood for some Studio Ghibli action tomorrow... We'll see then.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Pit Stop: Partial progress
Not with the project, but with the essay.
Feeling much better today. With a permission to send my assignments via email to the Uni I got an extra day to work on the essay. Well, not really extra since the actual deadline is tomorrow. But since I originally thought I'd have to send this essay through regular mail today (since all of Finland's post offices are closed tomorrow because of a national holiday), getting to work on the darn thing until the real deadline is bliss!
Still in the middle of writing it. I've got a 675 word long "introduction" for a 2500 word essay. Well, it's got to be good enough. I ain't gonna write it again!!!
Now on to the actual analysing of the films. Got loads of material plus my own notes. Should be easy enough, will just take a while. So, an all-nighter ahead...
Have fun sleeping, whoever you are that can!
Feeling much better today. With a permission to send my assignments via email to the Uni I got an extra day to work on the essay. Well, not really extra since the actual deadline is tomorrow. But since I originally thought I'd have to send this essay through regular mail today (since all of Finland's post offices are closed tomorrow because of a national holiday), getting to work on the darn thing until the real deadline is bliss!
Still in the middle of writing it. I've got a 675 word long "introduction" for a 2500 word essay. Well, it's got to be good enough. I ain't gonna write it again!!!
Now on to the actual analysing of the films. Got loads of material plus my own notes. Should be easy enough, will just take a while. So, an all-nighter ahead...
Have fun sleeping, whoever you are that can!
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Pit Stop: Stress levels high
Short post today, just a quick pit stop.
No progress with the project. Might take a few more days before I get back to watching those 250 films.
Slow progress with the essay. At least it's some progress but, considering that I ought to be ready tomorrow, that's nowhere near enough. Gonna be another long night and an early morning to top it off.
Stressing out, which isn't helping. But whatever the case, I'm gonna finish this darn thing and get it off my chest. It's been an utter pain - even physically.
Back to work...
No progress with the project. Might take a few more days before I get back to watching those 250 films.
Slow progress with the essay. At least it's some progress but, considering that I ought to be ready tomorrow, that's nowhere near enough. Gonna be another long night and an early morning to top it off.
Stressing out, which isn't helping. But whatever the case, I'm gonna finish this darn thing and get it off my chest. It's been an utter pain - even physically.
Back to work...
Monday 3 January 2011
Searching: Concentration & motivation
... anybody happen to have any extra reserves of those.
I'm really struggling with this essay I'm doing. Going through the material is just taking way too long. I was supposed to be ready to start writing today, but I keep getting side-tracked. Not good...
Of course, I haven't gotten any further with the project today. Still, both The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now have been going through my mind the whole day. Big surprise there, as I'm reading academic texts written about them. I still feel like writing about those films for the essay shouldn't be that difficult - if I'd just get to that point first.
It's always this background reserach and getting enough usable academic sources that jars my progress. Especially when the information I need is hidden somewhere in the middle of 20 pages long chapters. Makes me freak out every time - even though I know I can get through this process in the end. Knowing that just doesn't help all that much, since I tend to relapse to anxious fidgeting pretty much every hour or so...
But maybe that's enough of public self-pitying and complaning for the night. After all, I do have something better - or at least more important - to do. Just need to remind myself of that quite often these days...
I'm really struggling with this essay I'm doing. Going through the material is just taking way too long. I was supposed to be ready to start writing today, but I keep getting side-tracked. Not good...
Of course, I haven't gotten any further with the project today. Still, both The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now have been going through my mind the whole day. Big surprise there, as I'm reading academic texts written about them. I still feel like writing about those films for the essay shouldn't be that difficult - if I'd just get to that point first.
It's always this background reserach and getting enough usable academic sources that jars my progress. Especially when the information I need is hidden somewhere in the middle of 20 pages long chapters. Makes me freak out every time - even though I know I can get through this process in the end. Knowing that just doesn't help all that much, since I tend to relapse to anxious fidgeting pretty much every hour or so...
But maybe that's enough of public self-pitying and complaning for the night. After all, I do have something better - or at least more important - to do. Just need to remind myself of that quite often these days...
Sunday 2 January 2011
The Vietnam assignment
Day 2 of the challenge and I'm stressing out... Not about the challenge, though. That's actually going great!
It's the usual Uni assignment stress. Could have avoided it if I'd been a bit better with my time management. But hey, lets face the facts - I've never been too good at that. I just seem to love the anxiety that comes with approaching deadlines and unfinished work!
This time it's hitting me with full force in the form of a 2500 word essay about 1970s Vietnam war films. Sure, I came up with the specific topic myself and negotiated it with the tutor to suit both of us. And I even gathered all the material I think I need for the assignment before taking off for Christmas break. Still, I'm back in a familiar place with just a couple days left and pretty much nothing done.
Well, there is one good thing about this. Since I'm still in the middle (or start more like) of working on the essay, I can link it with the 250-project.
Two of the films that I'm using for the essay just happen to be on the Top 250 -list: Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979) and The Deer Hunter (Michael Cimino, 1978) [36 and 135 on the list].
Watching those two films in one day takes its toll... Really good films, but both leave a bit of an unstable feeling in the end. I bet it'll take me a while to fall asleep tonight after this experience.
Anyhow, I'm sure I can write quite abit about those films for the essay. But first I've got to get through my academic material and find the basis for the whole thing. That's the hard part... We'll see how that goes. Still planning to be able to start writing the actual paragraphs tomorrow.
Here's hoping!
It's the usual Uni assignment stress. Could have avoided it if I'd been a bit better with my time management. But hey, lets face the facts - I've never been too good at that. I just seem to love the anxiety that comes with approaching deadlines and unfinished work!
This time it's hitting me with full force in the form of a 2500 word essay about 1970s Vietnam war films. Sure, I came up with the specific topic myself and negotiated it with the tutor to suit both of us. And I even gathered all the material I think I need for the assignment before taking off for Christmas break. Still, I'm back in a familiar place with just a couple days left and pretty much nothing done.
Well, there is one good thing about this. Since I'm still in the middle (or start more like) of working on the essay, I can link it with the 250-project.
Two of the films that I'm using for the essay just happen to be on the Top 250 -list: Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979) and The Deer Hunter (Michael Cimino, 1978) [36 and 135 on the list].
Watching those two films in one day takes its toll... Really good films, but both leave a bit of an unstable feeling in the end. I bet it'll take me a while to fall asleep tonight after this experience.
Anyhow, I'm sure I can write quite abit about those films for the essay. But first I've got to get through my academic material and find the basis for the whole thing. That's the hard part... We'll see how that goes. Still planning to be able to start writing the actual paragraphs tomorrow.
Here's hoping!
Saturday 1 January 2011
Challenge undertaken
I haven't usually been too good at making New Year's resolutions. Fascinatingly, keeping them has been even more challenging. So maybe, in order to make my track record with these seasonally made promises look at least a bit better, it's time to make a promise that I could actually enjoy keeping.
Quite frankly, this year's resolution consists of two separate promises. I'm just going to combine those two things with each other and let it all become one project. Like every project that has the chance of causing a bit of an obsession, this one of course needs a name:
The Daily Stray with TOP250
Now, if the name doesn't give the idea away, here's what I'm about to do this year.
During 2011, I will watch every film on the Top250-list on IMDb.com. Of course, I have seen almost 160 of the listed films before. Some of them quite a few times... Still, I'm going to watch all of those again this year and keep going until I've watched each film on the list at least once.
There's no set schedule, just a deadline - 31 December 2011. Maybe for once I'll actually be ready before we reach the last night...
The second part of the resolution is that this year, I will write this blog every day.
Of course, here I'll have to set some more rules. I can't assume I'll be able to be online every day of the year. So posting each day might not be possible. However, I will still write something and post my ramblings as soon as I'll have the chance to get online. Fair? I hope so, since it's the best I can come up with for now.
All of the posts don't have to be strictly related to the 250-project and not even all that long. Just something, every day, for a year.
I suppose it's going to be an interesting year. And the project has already started. Tonight I watched Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - 49 on the list.
I'd like to write more about it. But to be honest, right now I'm not really in the right state of mind to actually process the film. I guess I'll try tomorrow.
For now, good night and Happy New Year 2011.
Quite frankly, this year's resolution consists of two separate promises. I'm just going to combine those two things with each other and let it all become one project. Like every project that has the chance of causing a bit of an obsession, this one of course needs a name:
The Daily Stray with TOP250
Now, if the name doesn't give the idea away, here's what I'm about to do this year.
During 2011, I will watch every film on the Top250-list on IMDb.com. Of course, I have seen almost 160 of the listed films before. Some of them quite a few times... Still, I'm going to watch all of those again this year and keep going until I've watched each film on the list at least once.
There's no set schedule, just a deadline - 31 December 2011. Maybe for once I'll actually be ready before we reach the last night...
The second part of the resolution is that this year, I will write this blog every day.
Of course, here I'll have to set some more rules. I can't assume I'll be able to be online every day of the year. So posting each day might not be possible. However, I will still write something and post my ramblings as soon as I'll have the chance to get online. Fair? I hope so, since it's the best I can come up with for now.
All of the posts don't have to be strictly related to the 250-project and not even all that long. Just something, every day, for a year.
I suppose it's going to be an interesting year. And the project has already started. Tonight I watched Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - 49 on the list.
I'd like to write more about it. But to be honest, right now I'm not really in the right state of mind to actually process the film. I guess I'll try tomorrow.
For now, good night and Happy New Year 2011.
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