I warn you now, this is going to be a short review. It's not because I have nothing to say about The Avengers, it's a case of the movie being so incredibly amazing that I really can't put it into words.
For those who are the ultimate geeks, The Avengers will leave you in your glory. Those who weren't dorks beforehand certainly would be throughout the duration of the film, and after.
Every character gets his or her moment of glory. With something like this, there's the genuine concern of one character rising up or receiving more limelight than the other. Such was not the case with this film. Each hero was equally important. That being said, the Hulk totally (and unintentionally) stole the show. I'm not going to elaborate on how, but I will say that it involves his confrontation with Loki.
The Avengers was not only fully loaded with action and fight scenes, but it's humourous as well. A joke here, sarcastic statement there, and a bad attitude someplace else, both on and off the battlefield.
I went to see it last night with the boyfriend. It was his second time going. Given how awesome it was, I could definitely see why, along with also seeing how it's already managed to shatter records. C'mon, Avengers, dethrone the top-grossing films of all time (James Cameron's Avatar and Titanic)! Hopefully, I'll be seeing it for a second time tomorrow.
If you haven't yet seen The Avengers, get your posterior to the movie theatre. Stat!
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012
More Than Community
This weekend that just passed us by was when the Binbrook Agricultural Society held its annual craft and home show. I used to be one of the volunteers in the food booth when the kitchen was run by my aunt, but not so much anymore. However, I still showed my support for the event and the vendors when I attended on Saturday morning. Actually, I was really wanting strudel, and I was hoping beyond hope that the strudel guy would be there again this year.
Certainly, Binbrook has ballooned in every sense of the word. The population is insane now, and there are houses everywhere. Yet, I still managed to run into neighbours from the original community. I hadn't even entered any of the buildings, and I'd run into someone who lives two minutes away from me. No matter how much a village expands, you can't escape originals.
Though I had the goal of strudel in my mind, I had to stop at the first table that caught my eye. It didn't have anything flashy, and it wasn't selling anything over the top like the guy trying to sell granite counter tops, or the person with the birdhouses that looked like dogs. What caught my eye with this particular table was the banner for the Canadian Cancer Society. On that table was a display board with an assortment of ribbon key chains. Every cancer imaginable was was represented on that board, including child cancer. As it turned out, the funds from the key chains were going to the Cancer Society. With the other products on that table, a portion of the proceeds were going to support the Relay for Life, a fundraiser put on by the Canadian Cancer Society.
I'd asked the two ladies behind the table for the price of the key chains. $5 each. At that price, I asked for three gold chains. My nine year old cousin is a cancer survivor. Sure, I could have taken orange for leukemia, which is what he had, but why do that when I could get the gold instead? At that particular moment, they didn't have any gold ones made. Given how people usually want pink for breast cancer, I could understand how gold would be looked over. But, they got to work making my key chains while I perused the rest of the show.
I'm glad I arrived early. The strudel guy was there, and he had plenty to choose from. Blueberry, cherry, and apple. I bought one of each, and an extra apple to give to the boyfriend's family. Carrying around my strudel as if I were carrying a small child, I wandered through the rest of the buildings. Lucky me, I ran into more neighbours. A couple, I hadn't seen in ages. Others, I run into a couple times a year. Still, I enjoyed seeing them all the same.
When I returned to the table with the cancer key chains, mine still weren't ready, but that was no biggie. After wandering around again, and having something to eat, we came to the conclusion that I'd pay for my stuff, and they'd drop them off to me on their way back home at the end of the day, as they'd be driving right by my house anyway.
I'm certain that more often than not, people think of community as something small that consists only of those you know. That's definitely not true. Sure, I supported my community by attending an annual event. I can't not support an annual event, especially when it's one that I used to be a part of. By purchasing those key chains, and giving some extra money for their relay team, I supported another community: the one fighting cancer. My cousin survived because of that community. I wanted to do my part to do the same for other children.
Community isn't just something small with people you know. It's a support system, even if it is only by buying a few key chains.
Certainly, Binbrook has ballooned in every sense of the word. The population is insane now, and there are houses everywhere. Yet, I still managed to run into neighbours from the original community. I hadn't even entered any of the buildings, and I'd run into someone who lives two minutes away from me. No matter how much a village expands, you can't escape originals.
Though I had the goal of strudel in my mind, I had to stop at the first table that caught my eye. It didn't have anything flashy, and it wasn't selling anything over the top like the guy trying to sell granite counter tops, or the person with the birdhouses that looked like dogs. What caught my eye with this particular table was the banner for the Canadian Cancer Society. On that table was a display board with an assortment of ribbon key chains. Every cancer imaginable was was represented on that board, including child cancer. As it turned out, the funds from the key chains were going to the Cancer Society. With the other products on that table, a portion of the proceeds were going to support the Relay for Life, a fundraiser put on by the Canadian Cancer Society.
I'd asked the two ladies behind the table for the price of the key chains. $5 each. At that price, I asked for three gold chains. My nine year old cousin is a cancer survivor. Sure, I could have taken orange for leukemia, which is what he had, but why do that when I could get the gold instead? At that particular moment, they didn't have any gold ones made. Given how people usually want pink for breast cancer, I could understand how gold would be looked over. But, they got to work making my key chains while I perused the rest of the show.
I'm glad I arrived early. The strudel guy was there, and he had plenty to choose from. Blueberry, cherry, and apple. I bought one of each, and an extra apple to give to the boyfriend's family. Carrying around my strudel as if I were carrying a small child, I wandered through the rest of the buildings. Lucky me, I ran into more neighbours. A couple, I hadn't seen in ages. Others, I run into a couple times a year. Still, I enjoyed seeing them all the same.
When I returned to the table with the cancer key chains, mine still weren't ready, but that was no biggie. After wandering around again, and having something to eat, we came to the conclusion that I'd pay for my stuff, and they'd drop them off to me on their way back home at the end of the day, as they'd be driving right by my house anyway.
I'm certain that more often than not, people think of community as something small that consists only of those you know. That's definitely not true. Sure, I supported my community by attending an annual event. I can't not support an annual event, especially when it's one that I used to be a part of. By purchasing those key chains, and giving some extra money for their relay team, I supported another community: the one fighting cancer. My cousin survived because of that community. I wanted to do my part to do the same for other children.
Community isn't just something small with people you know. It's a support system, even if it is only by buying a few key chains.
Purple Lilacs
People have said, "stop and smell the roses."
Untrue, for me, with the roses.
Right for this girl?
Purple lilacs are my preference.
Lightly scented and lovely.
Every so often, I stop and inhale their aroma.
Light, soothing feelings are in every sniff.
I can't get enough of them.
Lilacs really are my favourite flowers.
Always saddening, though, when their time comes to an end.
Couldn't they stay for longer than a week and a bit?
Sadly, they'll only ever be short lived.
Untrue, for me, with the roses.
Right for this girl?
Purple lilacs are my preference.
Lightly scented and lovely.
Every so often, I stop and inhale their aroma.
Light, soothing feelings are in every sniff.
I can't get enough of them.
Lilacs really are my favourite flowers.
Always saddening, though, when their time comes to an end.
Couldn't they stay for longer than a week and a bit?
Sadly, they'll only ever be short lived.
Monday, 7 May 2012
To the Guy in the Jeep Who Tried to Take Out My Car
To the Guy in the Jeep Who Tried to Take out My Car,
I was considering making my left-hand turn when you came up behind me, and decided to blow by into the Fortinos plaza. I'm glad I was smart enough to take an extra half-second, and check my mirror. You do realize you came quite close to taking out part of my car, don't you? Believe it or not, I actually like my car. Not only did my own money buy it when I was 19, but it's a manual transmission, and the world knows I just love my standard vehicles. I know you were wanting to make an impression, however Sweet Cheeks, you really didn't impress me much. Actually, you didn't impress me at all. But, I guess you were in a rush. The supermarket being open late and all, you clearly needed to speed in and try to crash into people hours before it closed. Don't worry. I understand. You were just in a hurry to go nowhere fast.
I'm guessing no one ever told you the big rule about driving. No, it's not ensuring that your seat belt's fastened, which I doubt yours was, or understanding the right of way, which you clearly don't, oh no. The big thing with driving is that it isn't a right, but a privilege. It's more so an over-sized allowance. In your case, your allowance is a dark green Jeep Grand Cherokee with stickers all over the back window, and some ugly-ass hunk of junk tied on top. I'm still undecided as to whether or not that hunk of junk was extra crap or your brain (my money's on your brain).
Well, Jeep driver, that's about all I have to say to you. I can tell you have a thing for speed. Luckily for you, if your display earlier this evening is any indication of what the rest of your driving is like, you'll get to go speeding away to the nearest hospital in an ambulance. Or, if you're even luckier, you'll get a lesson in snail speed, and get carted of in a hearse. I know. Both options are quite exciting. Keep it up, and you'll get to experience either or both of them first hand!
Sincerely,
The Driver in the Blue Saturn SL Who Thinks Your Stupidity is Compensation for an Itty-Bitty Brain and Even Tinier Pee Pee.
I was considering making my left-hand turn when you came up behind me, and decided to blow by into the Fortinos plaza. I'm glad I was smart enough to take an extra half-second, and check my mirror. You do realize you came quite close to taking out part of my car, don't you? Believe it or not, I actually like my car. Not only did my own money buy it when I was 19, but it's a manual transmission, and the world knows I just love my standard vehicles. I know you were wanting to make an impression, however Sweet Cheeks, you really didn't impress me much. Actually, you didn't impress me at all. But, I guess you were in a rush. The supermarket being open late and all, you clearly needed to speed in and try to crash into people hours before it closed. Don't worry. I understand. You were just in a hurry to go nowhere fast.
I'm guessing no one ever told you the big rule about driving. No, it's not ensuring that your seat belt's fastened, which I doubt yours was, or understanding the right of way, which you clearly don't, oh no. The big thing with driving is that it isn't a right, but a privilege. It's more so an over-sized allowance. In your case, your allowance is a dark green Jeep Grand Cherokee with stickers all over the back window, and some ugly-ass hunk of junk tied on top. I'm still undecided as to whether or not that hunk of junk was extra crap or your brain (my money's on your brain).
Well, Jeep driver, that's about all I have to say to you. I can tell you have a thing for speed. Luckily for you, if your display earlier this evening is any indication of what the rest of your driving is like, you'll get to go speeding away to the nearest hospital in an ambulance. Or, if you're even luckier, you'll get a lesson in snail speed, and get carted of in a hearse. I know. Both options are quite exciting. Keep it up, and you'll get to experience either or both of them first hand!
Sincerely,
The Driver in the Blue Saturn SL Who Thinks Your Stupidity is Compensation for an Itty-Bitty Brain and Even Tinier Pee Pee.
Friday, 4 May 2012
May the Fourth be With You
It's the fourth of May, and if you're as geeky as I am, you'll know that today is Star Wars day.
When I was in high school, to everyone he would pass by, my science teacher would give a nod of the head, and say, "may the fourth be with you." Whether you were the epitome of geek or not, he would be certain to give you this greeting.
That teacher, Willis Hopkin, passed on back in October 2005. However, every year at this time, I give the Star Wars greeting with a very dorky, but totally awesome science teacher in mind.
And since it's Star Wars day, and I'm a total Star Wars dork, this post wouldn't be complete without some pictures from when Omar and I went to see Star Wars: In Concert a couple of years ago.
And we dorks need our musical score. Starting with the theme.
Followed by the Imperial March.
And ending with the only good song from the new trilogy, Duel of the Fates.
And at last, a few of my favourite quotes.
"Mos Eisley Spaceport. You won't find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious." -Obi-Wan Kenobi
"Would someone get this big walking carpet out of my way?" -Princess Leia
"Do or do not. There is no try." -Yoda
"I am your father." -Darth Vader
"I want to learn the ways of the Force, and become a Jedi like my father." -Luke Skywalker
"Laugh it up, Fuzzball." -Han Solo
"Why you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking... NERFHERDER!" -Princess Leia
"You don't know the power of the Dark Side." -Darth Vader
"IT'S A TRAP!" -Admiral Ackbar
"Aren't you a little short for a Storm Trooper?" -Princess Leia
And there you have it. May the fourth be with you. Always.
When I was in high school, to everyone he would pass by, my science teacher would give a nod of the head, and say, "may the fourth be with you." Whether you were the epitome of geek or not, he would be certain to give you this greeting.
That teacher, Willis Hopkin, passed on back in October 2005. However, every year at this time, I give the Star Wars greeting with a very dorky, but totally awesome science teacher in mind.
And since it's Star Wars day, and I'm a total Star Wars dork, this post wouldn't be complete without some pictures from when Omar and I went to see Star Wars: In Concert a couple of years ago.
I know I don't look exactly like Princess Leia, but it was July, so I decided to make her ready to face the heat of Tatooine.
Every star Wars geek needs a good blaster by his or her side... Or a lightsabre...
Omar was in love with the Emporer's clothes.
Pose at the story board, Landomar!
Who doesn't love Yoda? As soon as I posed for this pic, there were, "awws" everywhere, along with multiple camera flashes.
Battle droids!
It's C-3P0! Or Anthony Daniels. But C-3P0 makes him even cooler.
"You don't know the power of the Dark Side..."
Landomar with his walking Wookee likeness.
And we dorks need our musical score. Starting with the theme.
Followed by the Imperial March.
And ending with the only good song from the new trilogy, Duel of the Fates.
And at last, a few of my favourite quotes.
"Mos Eisley Spaceport. You won't find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious." -Obi-Wan Kenobi
"Would someone get this big walking carpet out of my way?" -Princess Leia
"Do or do not. There is no try." -Yoda
"I am your father." -Darth Vader
"I want to learn the ways of the Force, and become a Jedi like my father." -Luke Skywalker
"Laugh it up, Fuzzball." -Han Solo
"Why you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking... NERFHERDER!" -Princess Leia
"You don't know the power of the Dark Side." -Darth Vader
"IT'S A TRAP!" -Admiral Ackbar
"Aren't you a little short for a Storm Trooper?" -Princess Leia
And there you have it. May the fourth be with you. Always.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
A Few of My Favourite Things: Rock Goddesses and Collaborations Edition
I was getting my Queen on earlier today. Not Elizabeth II, but the British band with the one and only Freddie Mercury. Don't know who he is? Shame on you!
This man put all other rock gods to shame. And now you know.
Freddie's long since passed. At least twenty years, but the music he made, the notes he hit, and his voice... Though I love many bands and musicians dearly, this man is the one to beat. Except for David Bowie. He's the only one I would consider to be on a level playing field. The notes he hits might not be as high, but Bowie's voice has a unique quality that gives me the same feelings and chills as Freddie's.
I didn't plan on listening to multiple collaborations in a row. How it all started was I was trying to find a live edition of Queen and David Bowie doing "Under Pressure". I was halfway successful. I found a live version of "Under Pressure," but it only had Queen. I suppose I shouldn't speak so casually about Queen that way, especially since it's one of my favourite bands, and I would give my soul to be able to go back in time just long enough to catch a Queen concert. But, the song was missing Bowie. Never fear, though, Freddie sure as hell knows how to hold his own!
I rest my case.
This started my quest for other collaborations, mainly Queen oriented. On Youtube, off to the side, was a video I hadn't seen in a very long time. It was still "Under Pressure," and instead of Bowie collaborating with Queen, he sang with Eurythmics powerhouse Annie Lennox. It was from the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in April 1992 at Wembley Stadium in England.
Annie Lennox will never be Freddie, but I think she did one hell of a job!
I used to have the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on VHS. I remember lending it to a friend, and then never seeing it again. And before you ask, yes, I miss watching it. Thank heavens for the internet!
My "Under Pressure" quest led me on the hunt to find other musical hook-ups with awesome rock gods. Sure, there's Aerosmith, another one of my all-time favourite bands, with Run DMC doing, "Walk This Way"...
...which may just have saved Aerosmith's career as they were in a bit of a rut, and rock-opera god Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" featuring Ellen Foley will always be amazing...
... but I kept on finding myself coming back to Queen.
I never did manage to find a live version of both Queen and David Bowie doing "Under Pressure." But one can always hope and dream. In the meantime, I'll leave you with the studio version. Mariah Carey wishes she could hit notes as high as Freddie.
Long live the Queen (and David Bowie)!
This man put all other rock gods to shame. And now you know.
Freddie's long since passed. At least twenty years, but the music he made, the notes he hit, and his voice... Though I love many bands and musicians dearly, this man is the one to beat. Except for David Bowie. He's the only one I would consider to be on a level playing field. The notes he hits might not be as high, but Bowie's voice has a unique quality that gives me the same feelings and chills as Freddie's.
I didn't plan on listening to multiple collaborations in a row. How it all started was I was trying to find a live edition of Queen and David Bowie doing "Under Pressure". I was halfway successful. I found a live version of "Under Pressure," but it only had Queen. I suppose I shouldn't speak so casually about Queen that way, especially since it's one of my favourite bands, and I would give my soul to be able to go back in time just long enough to catch a Queen concert. But, the song was missing Bowie. Never fear, though, Freddie sure as hell knows how to hold his own!
I rest my case.
This started my quest for other collaborations, mainly Queen oriented. On Youtube, off to the side, was a video I hadn't seen in a very long time. It was still "Under Pressure," and instead of Bowie collaborating with Queen, he sang with Eurythmics powerhouse Annie Lennox. It was from the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in April 1992 at Wembley Stadium in England.
Annie Lennox will never be Freddie, but I think she did one hell of a job!
I used to have the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on VHS. I remember lending it to a friend, and then never seeing it again. And before you ask, yes, I miss watching it. Thank heavens for the internet!
My "Under Pressure" quest led me on the hunt to find other musical hook-ups with awesome rock gods. Sure, there's Aerosmith, another one of my all-time favourite bands, with Run DMC doing, "Walk This Way"...
...which may just have saved Aerosmith's career as they were in a bit of a rut, and rock-opera god Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" featuring Ellen Foley will always be amazing...
... but I kept on finding myself coming back to Queen.
I never did manage to find a live version of both Queen and David Bowie doing "Under Pressure." But one can always hope and dream. In the meantime, I'll leave you with the studio version. Mariah Carey wishes she could hit notes as high as Freddie.
Long live the Queen (and David Bowie)!
May
May May is underway, the first is finally here.
With fields to sow, and gardens to grow
All that we love dear.
With fields to sow, and gardens to grow
All that we love dear.
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