A Summer of Shakespeare

That is two Shakespeare plays I have seen this summer. The Merchant of Venice at the Oxford Castle while in Oxford this past June, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which I just saw this evening at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan.

MFJ was a true gentlemen and treated Rilla and myself to the show. It was absolutely fabulous!

This was the first Shakespeare comedy I have seen, and it definitely made me laugh. Although, I think Ril takes the cake for the most laughter of the evening.

Here is a quick Synopsis:

Valentine and Proteus are friends, who both find themselves in love with beautiful women. Valentine is in love with Slyvia, a lady who is betrothed to an ambassador that her father likes, and Proteus falls for a girl, Julia. However, Sylvia's father does not approve of Valentine and wishes for her to marry the ambassador. Valentine and Slyvia plan to elope in the night. Valentine shares his secret with Proteus, who has become smitten with Slyvia. Proteus betrays Valentine and tells Slyvia's father, the General, of the plan. The General foils Valentines plan, and banishes him. Proteus attempts to woo Slyvia, but alas, she will have none of it. Julia diguises herself as a Page to go and see Proteus, however learns of his love for Slyvia. In the end, everyone is re-united with their loves, and they all live happily ever after. Huzzah!

Now, it may not sound too much like a comedy, but I can assure you that Proteus' and Valentines' servants stole the show. I am not sure the humour would be portrayed that well by just reading the play, it is definitely something to see.

Once again, I have seen a new play by Shakespeare and I was very impressed and entertained.

My recommendation: A must-see for the summer of 2006.

4 movies, 2.5 reviews

So, I have fallen a little behind on the review of movies this week.

Two nights ago we attempted to watch another one of the 7 movies we had rented on Saturday. I am not sure why, but Jeff selected Starship Troopers 2. He was aware that it was going to be bad, but not 'turnoffthetv' bad. IMDb was generous and gave it a 3.5/10.

My rating: 0/10

My recommendation: First of all, I didn't even want to watch it. I knew it was going to be bad. When Jeff & I began to look at one another for longer periods than the tv, it was time to shut it off. I think that took about 5 minutes. However, we felt bad and figured we give it another 15 minutes. It didn't get any better. Don't even think twice about this movie, it SUCKED!

After wasting time on that movie, we figured we pop in another one of our selections. We had heard great things about Bowling for Columbine and was looking forward to watching it. Alas, the disc was scratched all to hell, and was unreadable in our PlayStation2. Argh.

Ok. Third times the charm, right! Well, we managed to get through 21 Grams in a couple of sittings, but overall I would have to say I wasn't all that fond of it. Jeff didn't like it right from the start, however must have been entertained enough to stick around. I suppose I could say I was curious about the movie. The story was told using various cut scenes from the past, present and future. I kinda wanted to know how the whole thing played out. However, as far as entertainment value goes, boo-urns.

My rating: 4/10

My recommendation: Although I watched it til the end, it was a weird and quite despressing movie. I wish I would have rented something else, so do that.

Tonight we watched another one of Jeff's selections RoboCop. I don't think I have ever seen this movie, and if I have it has been so long that I do not recall. It was entertaining. Cyborgs are pretty cool.

My rating: 7/10

My recommendation: A good renter for new and old viewers.

What a great day!

We woke up this morning and head over to the Education Facility for a little swim. It was a great way to start the day. We then headed over the trail behind Diefenbaker Centre, because I wanted to take some pictures for the folks back in Oxford. I snapped up a couple of really great shots. I hope they like them.

Now that my thesis is handed in, I have some free time on my hands. However, my house is flithy. Although Jeff did a fairly decent job of taking care of the house while I was gone, we have both been neglecting it for a long time. Almost a year now. With school finally winding down I should be able to get the house looking ship shape, and should be able to clean up the yard before it snows. Sounds backwards, I know. Most people clean up their yards in the spring, not us.

Well, hopefully by now the latest update for CoH has finished downloading and I can see if I need to rename any of my characters. I just reactived my account for the next month. Although I like WoW, I kinda started to miss CoH. Let's see how it turns out.

Cheers!

Wahoo!

I just emailed the 1st draft of my thesis off to my supervisor 30 seconds ago.

I feel like a tonne of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders. Phew!

Perhaps I can relax for the next couple of days. Outta sight...outta mind.

Do I really talk too much?

Alrighty, I know that I talk a lot, but I like to talk. I think I must have a lot to say. There are plenty of times where I have been quiet and enjoy sitting back and listening to others, really there are times.

Today, Jeff said I talk a lot. I agreed. However, I am not sure I like the new name he has selected for me - Quiet neuba. Sheesh!

See, this post was short. I didn't 'talk' too much!

Want to see more pictures?

I tried to post a few pictures on my blog while I was in the UK, but frankly it wasn't that many when you stack it up against all the pictures I did take.

I have begun to upload my pictures to the two sites that host my pictures. I am sure it will take me many months to upload all of my pictures, especially with flickr's ridiculous limit...bah!

Anywho, I don't plan on posting all of them, just a sampling. So for those of you who have been waiting to see them, here they are.

Super Size Me

This was an excellent documentary. I already don't eat at McDonald's so I didn't really need to be educated on how crappy the food is and harmful it is to your body. The doctors were a little surprised in the end at Morgan's condition...come on, really? - He ate high fat, high carb, high sugar, high salt meals three times a day. I was a little shocked that the doctors were shocked.

The best part, was his interview with Eric Schlosser of Fast Food Nation. I love topics centered around how Corporate America is destroying the world. I now have another good reason not to give fastfood chains my money.

I think it is a little ironic that a semi-captialist (and I say this because I still do believe in socialism to an extent)would trash talk about companies like Wal-Mart and McDonald's who (as a capitalist would say) help the economy. Wrong! Child labour, poor treatment of workers, shitty wages don't do anything good for economy, oh, and not too mention have helped to plague the world of obese and unhealthy individuals.

I think I am feeling a little fiesty. I probably should quit.

Movie Review Week

Last night Jeff and I rented some movies. Once at the store, we decided to go for the '7 for $11' deal. So here is the first review.

The Forgotten
Stars: Julianne Moore, Dominic West, Anthony Edwards, and Gary Sinise.
Although, imdb didn't give it a great rating, we liked it.

The story focuses on a mother and the child she lost in a plane crash. Early in the movie she learns that her son never existed. Her husband and psychiatrist tell her that she fabricated memories of a child due to the trauma she experienced after she had a miscarriage.

The movie takes a few twists and turns, and you begin to question who is telling the truth and who is psychotic.

My rating: 7/10

My recommendation: It's a movie worth renting. I liked it. Then again, most people don't listen to my movie recommendation.

Phone Whores and the like

Good read for first thing in the morning.

Every once in awhile I stop by the Dilbert Blog, as there are typically amusing posts. Today, has been the first time in a long time, and I quite liked his discussion on Phone Whores and Phone Assholes. The first few comments are worth reading as well.

-Ology Meme

Geez...I must be bored, or trying to get outta writing my Chapter 4. Thanks to her, I should be able to avoid writing for another 20 minutes.

Grub-ology:

• What is your salad dressing of choice? Thousand Island
• What is your favorite fast food restaurant? I try not to eat fastfood, but if I must pick, Burger King.
• What is your favorite sit down restaurant? Poverino's
• On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant? 10-15%, depending on the service. Servers generally need to prove that they can do a good job, I start reducing their tip.
• What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Popcorn
• Name three foods you detest above all others. Shrimp, liver, headcheese
  
• What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant? Probably, lemon chicken
  
• What are your pizza toppings of choice? mushrooms, green onions, spinach (home-made)
  
• What do you like to put on your toast? Jam & cheese
  
• What is your favorite type of gum? I don't think I have a favourite. Any kind will do.
  

Tech-ology:

• Number of contacts in your cell phone? 10, I think. I don't really use it that much.
  
• Number of contacts in your e-mail address book? 77. Wow, I didn't realize I had that many.
  
• What is your wallpaper on your computer? I picture of the tulips that were in my front yard.
  
• What is your screensaver on your computer? Futurama
• Are there naked pictures saved on your computer? No way!
  
• How many land line phones do you have in your house? One
• How many televisions are in your house? 2
  
• What kitchen appliance do you use the least? Blender
  
• What is the format of the radio station you listen to the most? Let's play everything that sucks, over and over and over again.
  
• How many sex toys do you own that require batteries? Sorry to disappoint, but I have none.
  

Bi-ology:

• What do you consider to be your best physical attribute? Hmmm...not sure. I think *I* would say my legs.
  
• Are you right handed or left handed? Right
• Do you like your smile? Yes, I do.
  
• Have you ever had anything removed from your body? I may have had a wart when I was little. Oh, and I had a bloodsucker removed from in between my toes when I was a wee little girl. Oh..oh, and I had the top part of my tongue taken off when I was 3. Do those count?
  
• Do you prefer to read when you go to the bathroom? Yes, I do.
  
• Which of your five senses do you think is keenest? My hearing is pretty good.
  
• When was the last time you had a cavity? A couple of years ago, I think
  
• What is the heaviest item you lift regularly? My 20lb+++ cat - Jake!
  
• Have you ever been knocked unconscious? No.

Misc-ology:

• If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No way. Life is suppose to be full of surprises, and that includes that bad shit.
  
• If you could change your first name, what would you change it to? I wouldn't. I have always really liked my name.
  
• How do you express your artistic side? Well, I would say oil paint, but I haven't done it in a few years.
  
• What color do you look best in? Green, brown or black
  
• Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake? Probably, though it likely happened when I was younger. What about swallowing non-food items on purpose?
  
• How often do you go to church? Maybe once a year, at Christmas.
  
• Have you ever saved someone’s life? No.
• Has someone ever saved yours? I don't think there was ever a need.
  

Dare-ology:

• Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000? Probably.
  
• Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100? Yup. I think I remember doing it for less than a $1.00.
  
• Would you have sex with a member of the same sex for $10,000? Hmm..probably
  
• Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000? Probably
  
• Would you never blog again for $50,000? Yes
• Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000? Probably
  
• Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? I would surely try.
  
• Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000? Nope, I don't think I could live with myself. There are limits. Money isn't everything. Although it does sound like it from they way I have answered the other questions.
  
• Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000? For sure.
  
• Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000? Yes.

I sure guessed right, that took me 21 minutes.

Motivation waning

I was fairly productive yesterday. I finished writing up my Chapter 3, and managed to get through my transcripts AGAIN, and did an ok job of classifying the information into categories.

However, today I need to starting writing Chapter 4 - Results, which I am not looking forward to. I have it all outlined in my head, and I know exactly what I want to say and how I want to say it. I just have this feeling that once I get started on it, it is going to be a lot tougher than I think it will be, and I will begin to fret and worry. I suppose I should just cool it, and relax. I am going to end up feeling like my sleepless friend.

I guess I just need to do it. The sooner I get at it, the sooner it will be done. Wahoo! Can't wait to be done.

Bored and lurking

Not sure what to do with myself, I sat down at the computer and began searching. After deciding to type 'meme' into google, and I found myself here; which I found myself at after lurking here.

And I did, infact, find a meme I like. Feel free to play along if you like.


1. How did you meet your current best friend?

Our moms introduced us to one another when our family moved to town. She was 2 and I was 3.

2. What activities do you and your best friend normally do together to stay friends?

We have lived apart for 9 years now (wow!), so we make sure we talk to each other on the phone a least once a month, send emails often, and visit each other once a year (at minimum). When we are together we generally reminisce about our childhood, go for walks and have long talks, and watch old '80's movies. Especially, Princess Bride and/or Elvira.

3. What is your most memorable moment and why?

The day I confessed something to her about myself that I knew she wouldn't like and was vehemently against. She told me exactly what she thought (nicely, as I don't think she is capable of being mean or hurtful) of my decisions, however would stand by me and support me in whatever I do. Although, she didn't like my choice, she was there for me and loved me. This unconditional acceptance reminds of the true friendship we have, and have held onto for so many years.

Hoping for a productive day

I am looking forward to getting a lot done today. Let's hope that is exactly how it turns out. I have confined myself to the house, and I have no reason to leave. I am not really interested in any distractions like tv, movies, or computer games. Given all of those things I should be able to get a lot done today.

I am presently hashing through my interview trancripts and attempting to develop categories and themes for my content analysis. From what I have read, I should have a very detailed and structure method of determine why certain words and phrases fall into certain categories and under certain themes, however I don't. I am not sure how that will exactly play out in my paper, but I am hoping it will all come together.

My goal for today is to finish up the last bit of Chapter 3 - Research Method, and start writing up Chapter 4 - Results. If I can get that done, I will be on my way to handing in my draft to my supervisor by July 28th. Well, that is the plan.

So, I guess I should get to work. And get some coffee.

Cheers!

"F" for that sucked!

In response to her Squee! the other day, I must say, Boo urns!

J, Ril, BB and I took in a viewing this afternoon of Pirates of the Caribbean. I am usually pretty good about movies, I can usually find something I like about the movie, infact, I generally like movies others distaste. However, I was bored within the first 15 minutes, and I left saying, 'I didn't like that at all. It was bad.'

My movie recommendation: If you must see it, wait until you can rent it for cheap.

Squash

Jeff and I tried playing Squash for the first time today. I was able to purchase a montly membership for Jeff for the Education facility only, so now he can join me for lane swims, and we can experience a new sport together.

The 45 minutes we had the court booked for flew by. Of course, neither of us knew how to play, so we checked out a few sites on the inter-web and was able to get the jist of the rules. We weren't actually able to play an game too effectively, but it was a good opportunity to learn how to rally and serve. I am sure we will be a lot better by the summer. We both had a really great time.

After Squash, we headed over to the famer's market downtown, and I managed to finally get some mint for my Pimms drink. I am looking forward to a relaxing day on the deck.

A more productive day

I managed to get a fair amount of work done. Alas, it wasn't writing, but more research. I had two interviews this morning that I had scheduled when I was back in the UK. It would have been nice to do them when I was there as they both resided in the UK, but unfortunately their schedules did not mesh with mine. However, I managed to figure out how to call them cheaply from home and record the conversations.

Skype is a wonderful little program that allows you to communciate computer to computer (much the same as msn messenger) or computer to landline telephone. You can even get a phone number through Skype. It is pretty AWESOME! (that's for you Kate, I hope you are reading this) All you have to do is buy minutes and you can phone anywhere in the world. And it is amazingly cheap, I couldn't believe it. I am not sure how I am going to use up the 10.00 Euros I purchased. I only used 1.40 Euros this morning to talk to my participants in the UK for a total of 70 minutes. That is much cheaper than if I would have used my regular telephone line. And the reason that I know this. I just got our telephone bill today, and the 4 minute collect call I made to Jeff was $30.39. Ouch!

Also, after many hours of frustration, I managed to find a program that would record the interview through my laptop.

Both of my interviews went well. It was definitely exciting to know that they confirmed a lot of the ideas and opinions that I have proposed in my paper. I was actually a little surprised how excited I was. It is just school.

The most exciting event of the morning was when my second interview extended an invite to email her in the future about helping me 'get into the industry.' "If you get too homesick for Europe, just let me know." Although I have made a number of great contacts in the industry, she was the first to offer me help in finding a job. I think I will take her up on that offer.

I wanted to try and get both interviews transcribed today, but I am not sure I want to tackle the second one. I just finished the first one, and I am exhausted. It usually takes me around 3 hours to transcribe one 25-30 minutes interview, and my second one was much longer than that.

It is a good thing supper is soon, I won't feel guilty about taking a break.

Back to real life - sort of..

I haven't had much interest in posting since I have returned from the UK. In fact, I haven't had much interest in anything that hasn't involved being lazy.

Jeff & I had a great weekend. We watched movies, played video games, frequented the hot tub, and simply enjoyed spending a lot of quality time together. Jeff took Monday and Tuesday off, so we we're fairly unproductive for 4 days; it was nice.

However, I think it has stunted my energy level. I have a lot of work to do on my project over the next couple of weeks, and I am having some difficulty getting motivated to work on it. My number one excuse is that I am still doing research. I have 2 interviews tomorrow, one schedule for early next week, and another one to schedule. This is making it difficult to proceed with the results and discussion sections of my paper. Well, that's what I am telling myself.

I am doing the odd thing like, transcribing my interviews, sending out emails to my research participants to finalize paperwork, and figuring out how to record my interviews with my laptop. However, when it comes to the writing, I have to say, I AM PROCRASTINATING! Hopefully I find some motivation today, even just a little.

On a more positive note, (and I guess I should probably retract my earlier comment about laziness) I have been exercising quite a bit since my return. I have gotten to the PAC a couple of times, went lane swimming, and have gone for a few bike rides. I have got to get rid of all those quiches, crossiants, goat cheese, pasta, wine, etc. some how.

Well, that's it...after staring at the screen for 10 minutes, I must not have anything else interesting to say.

Cheers!

Home Sweet Home

It's nice to be home.

Goodbye Oxford

Today is the day I come home. It is bittersweet. I do miss family, friends, pets, even my house, but I am sad that I will leaving the place I have been living in for the last 5 weeks. I have enjoyed my time here a lot, and I have meet some excellent people. It was a little sad for me to leave work yesterday afternoon.

I wonder if there will be a re-adjustment to life back home? I have gotten used to the way people talk, walk, drive, etc. here in Oxford, and I think it will be interesting to see what feels weird or strange at home.

I am fairly exhausted at this point. I have been going for 5 weeks straight with no real break from anything - work or play. Plus, I haven't had the best of sleeps in the last few days, and I am in for a long day - 16 hours. I can't wait to get home, and shut out the world for a bit, so I can relax and get some sleep.

The United Kingdom has been great to me, and I hope to return one day.

Poignant Speech

On Monday night I took in an outdoor play at Oxford Castle. I wanted to experience some local culture before I left, so I attended a showing of The Merchant of Venice. It was very contemporary in style, which I was a bit weary of in the beginning. But they stuck with traditional Shakespearean dialect, which made me happy.

It was the first time that I had heard the play, and was quite impressed. I have read 4 of Shakespeare's plays - Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Hamlet - all of them in highschool, and I enjoyed most of them. I haven't read any since. So this was a nice treat.

I was very moved by this famous Shylock monologue:

He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?

If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

Borrowed Gerund Meme

I borrowed this meme from one of my new British reads. I liked it, so I figured I would give it a go.

Awaking.......... at 6:15 A.M. I am woken by the rubbish truck
Missing.......... my Sweetheart, my kitties, and my house
Drinking......... coffee, water
Reading.......... Lord of the Flies
Organisng.......... my interviews and my suitcase
Writing.......... travel journal
Sending.......... postcards
Weathering....... too hot and humid
Walking.......... to and from the bus everyday
Breakfasting..... yogurt, juice, and banana
Dressing......... fuchsia tank and black trousers
Praying.......... at Christ Church Cathedral
ironing.......... none
Flushing......... the toliet
Shopping......... too much. All done!
Measuring........ nothing
Cleaning......... our flat
Wondering........ where the brilliant insights will come from for the rest of my paper
Telephoning...... nobody
Eating........... not enough fish
Watching......... people
Sleeping......... ok. Although, it will be much better when I return home

My UK Favourite List

1. Cheese
2. Fruit - especially the cheeries and the strawberries. Kinda reminds me of the fruit we got in San Jose when we were visiting them.
3. Baguettes
4. Smaller portions
5. Lots of walking and biking - although, I didn't actually get to do any biking.
6. Fresh markets
   
7. Castles - I didn't see as many as I would have liked. I guess another trip back is in order.
8. The Alphabet - you'll have to ask me about that one.
9. Linen clothes - specifically skirts. I am so glad I bought a couple when I was here. Everyone wears skirts. I love it.
10. Ice cream - I am not a huge fan of ice cream, but the ice cream here is fantastic. Even plain old vanilla. Then again it isn't all that plain when it is made with real cream and real vanilla.
11. Pimms Lemonade - a cool, refreshing drink.
    
12. Driving in Scotland and Edinburgh
13. Oxford Museums - especially the Ashmolean Museum and the Oxford Museum of Natural History. In fact, I just say both of them today.
14. NO BIG BOX STORES!