Last night I took my husband out on a date. We don’t go on dates that often but when we do I have usually dragged him to Ikea, the local Chinese Buffet place or like last night… to the flicks.
My husband, where ever I take him, requires bribes. With Ikea it’s the meat balls, Shopping means a trip to HMV and our local cinema sees him loaded with popcorn and the promise of a boys film in the near future.
Last night was the promised boys flick… last night was Clash of the Titans.
Now I vaguely remember the original, not necessarily from 1981 but from the countless reruns played throughout my twenty-nine years. I prefer Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger or Jason and his Argonauts better but alas it was Perseus’ tale remade circa 2010.
Okay, so I admit that the advert with all those men in action… I was persuaded.
It was just after 8:30pm when we entered Screen Six with our giant salted popcorn, our giant fizzy drink, share bag of chocolate sweets and our 3D glasses. Since seeing Avatar in 3D Kieran gets all excited at the idea of an evening as Roy Orbison; me, I just get to look foolish with the big black goggles on over my prescription specs.
The film itself was to be a cast of all stars. Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, good old Pete Postlethwaite and Sam Worthington completing his hat trick. A Terminator, A Blue Alien and a Demi-God – all in the space of two years is not bad going at all. He is due a Romantic Comedy now, me thinks.
Visually the next two hours were fantastic. Liam and Ralph as the brothers Zeus and Hades were compelling for their entire stint on screen. The monsters, while not as entertaining as the Harryhausen verity were seamless and worthy of their Mythology. The storyline of Perseus and his quest to decapitate the head of Medusa and wave it at the Kracken was well plotted for a modern audience; though in places it felt a little rushed with our favourite parts from the original pushed aside or left out altogether.
The costumes and make up set the scene, again it was Zeus and Hades who stole the show visually. Each character, however minor, was thought out and well rounded. Perseus, for me, needed more depth and inspiration. Other than wanting Sam Worthington’s lovely face to prevail in the end I didn’t feel as strong as a connection as I did to the other characters. Perhaps it was the face that distracted me? Perhaps I was biased to his stellar performance in Avatar?
My overall verdict of the film?
Good Points:
- Visually exciting
- All star cast
- Entertaining adaptation of a classic tale
Bad Points:
- Perseus? Oh him.
- Fast pace that little too speedy
- 3D felt a waste of the extra cash.
I recommend this film for a viewing, well worth seeing on the big screen before simply waiting for the DVD. Even if you haven’t seen the original, or maybe more because you haven’t, Clash of the Titans (2010) is an excellent instalment on the list of Blockbusters to watch this year.
The big question from last night is did Kieran like it?
7/10 was his verdict though he was most upset that the little Golden Owl only got a 10 second cameo as apposed to its previous starring role.
Men!
Monday, 5 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Photo - Honeymoon to China
For our honeymoon we took a tour around China. We stopped in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and got to see some of the most amazing sights.
The Great Wall, The Forbiddden City, The Heavenly Palace, Tiananmen Square, The Ming Tombs, The Terracotta Warriors and many many more awe inspiring examples of a long and colourful history.
We took over 1000 photographs during our 11 day stay. Here are just a few (please click to enlarge for a better view)...
Beijing:
Tiananmen Square
Forbidden City
Forbidden City Roof Decoration
Great Wall of China and The Hutongs
Xian:
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Warriors and The Dumpling Dinner Show
Shanghai:
Buddist Monastery and The Shanghai Bund
Yuyung Garden
There was so much more to see... but that would require a whole new trip. :)
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Friday, 2 April 2010
Diary - March 26th to April 1st 2010
Diary – Mar 26th to Apr 1st
This week has been about three things…
1. Funerals and Ten Pin Bowling (Yeah, an odd combination),
2. The long awaited return to work,
3. Feeling that overwhelming need to be anywhere else but here.
Friday dawned with an early start Taunton bound. The Redmond funeral was to take place at 3pm, 450 miles away. I never got to meet Kieran’s Nan, she had been ill for a very long time and had been unable to comprehend her soundings for a great many years. She passed away a frightened little girl in her eighties and while it is sad that she has gone at least the Redmonds can feel comforted that she had had enough of this mortal coil. The funeral was simple and fast, a hippy vicar, an English Country Garden and off to the pub afterwards. There was a pint of Guinness to be had in honour of Albert ‘Danny’ Redmond who had been sat for over 10 years in his urn waiting for his wife to join him for their scattering.
At the end of the day, far from home and with nothing to do but sit in the grotty Travel Lodge, we decided to head to the Ten Pin Bowling place that we could view from our window. Despite the overall tone of the day we had fun. Family bonding was plentiful. We had a two year old playing with us, she came second though I think having the barriers up gave her an unfair advantage. We had been playing for a while and it was her turn once more but as I turned to her she said to me in the oldest world wise voice with a sigh…
“But I just want to sit down.” For her first ever full sentence I thought it was exceedingly chuckle worthy. Ha ha.
Kieran also started his new job this week. So far he loves it but due to the Easter holidays he has ended up with a three day week and a four day next week. Talk about being eased in gently, ha ha. The relief that he is working is so immense that I don’t think I could write about it just yet. I am still digesting the idea that I might not loose my house after all.
(Other than the signs) there are a few things that caught my attention this week:
• I love you, Beth Cooper
• Realising I write my capital Bs in Buffy font
• The big crack in my car windscreen
• I am no longer afraid of the big wigs
• Toffee Apple flavoured chocolate is absolutely awful
• Richard Boehmcke is hilarious… google him!
Wednesday night yielded my first exam prep lesson. I need it! There are only three weeks to go! Even though it was the Easter break the college stayed open just for our class; it was very eerie to be the only ones in the building and get to leave through the back door. Shiver.
I was also challenged to write a poem. Which I did! I have published it further down in my blog. I was given the title ‘My Other Life’ and if you scrolled down you can read it. I would love feedback if you are willing to give it but as I am still convinced that no one ever reads my blog I won’t be waiting on it.
Next week… I intend to purchase my domain.
This week has been about three things…
1. Funerals and Ten Pin Bowling (Yeah, an odd combination),
2. The long awaited return to work,
3. Feeling that overwhelming need to be anywhere else but here.
Friday dawned with an early start Taunton bound. The Redmond funeral was to take place at 3pm, 450 miles away. I never got to meet Kieran’s Nan, she had been ill for a very long time and had been unable to comprehend her soundings for a great many years. She passed away a frightened little girl in her eighties and while it is sad that she has gone at least the Redmonds can feel comforted that she had had enough of this mortal coil. The funeral was simple and fast, a hippy vicar, an English Country Garden and off to the pub afterwards. There was a pint of Guinness to be had in honour of Albert ‘Danny’ Redmond who had been sat for over 10 years in his urn waiting for his wife to join him for their scattering.
At the end of the day, far from home and with nothing to do but sit in the grotty Travel Lodge, we decided to head to the Ten Pin Bowling place that we could view from our window. Despite the overall tone of the day we had fun. Family bonding was plentiful. We had a two year old playing with us, she came second though I think having the barriers up gave her an unfair advantage. We had been playing for a while and it was her turn once more but as I turned to her she said to me in the oldest world wise voice with a sigh…
“But I just want to sit down.” For her first ever full sentence I thought it was exceedingly chuckle worthy. Ha ha.
Kieran also started his new job this week. So far he loves it but due to the Easter holidays he has ended up with a three day week and a four day next week. Talk about being eased in gently, ha ha. The relief that he is working is so immense that I don’t think I could write about it just yet. I am still digesting the idea that I might not loose my house after all.
(Other than the signs) there are a few things that caught my attention this week:
• I love you, Beth Cooper
• Realising I write my capital Bs in Buffy font
• The big crack in my car windscreen
• I am no longer afraid of the big wigs
• Toffee Apple flavoured chocolate is absolutely awful
• Richard Boehmcke is hilarious… google him!
Wednesday night yielded my first exam prep lesson. I need it! There are only three weeks to go! Even though it was the Easter break the college stayed open just for our class; it was very eerie to be the only ones in the building and get to leave through the back door. Shiver.
I was also challenged to write a poem. Which I did! I have published it further down in my blog. I was given the title ‘My Other Life’ and if you scrolled down you can read it. I would love feedback if you are willing to give it but as I am still convinced that no one ever reads my blog I won’t be waiting on it.
Next week… I intend to purchase my domain.
Photo - Signs that caught my attention...
Here are two signs that caught my attention this week. Both made me smile and as I think smiles are something we should always pay forward I thought I would share them with you.
First, here is a sign from the wall of a Service Station somewhere along the M5.
Really? What are these watches and why haven't the 'salesmen' just been forced to clear off?
Next, here is a sign that I spotted within my place of work. The words are put so simply but they say all that it needs to say.
Something tells me that the caretakers have run out of patience. Who would have thought paper was so heavy ha ha.
From now on I intend to snap those things that erupt a chuckle. Long live the Camera Phone!
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Musings - What my life could have been...
Growing up I wanted to be many things.
My parents indulged me to a certain extent, mostly I think because they wanted me to at least do something with my life. I had big dreams and little dreams, insane dreams and those that I will never list for anyone to see. (Being Mrs Mitchell took me through 12yrs – 21yrs ha ha)
Here are but a few of the professions that made it onto my “Tonight, Matthew, I’m going to be…” list.
5yrs – 6yrs: Dancer
I had lessons. I was just never any good at it.
7yrs – 9yrs: Teacher
Is it wrong to base a career move based on the need to keep others in line? Okay I admit I just loved to call the fake registers.
10yrs: Restaurant Owner
Someone gave me an old telephone and I used to take imaginary food orders. I added the owner part as working in a Take Away didn’t seem to be ambitious enough.
11yrs: Professional
I had a pencil case, a briefcase and a calculator. I was destined for Wall Street.
12yrs: Actress
I had one good drama lesson. I figured I would get to meet Ethan Hawke. I soon realised that the paralysing fear of performing did not a good thespian make.
13yrs: Musician
I can play a little Recorder, a little Guitar, a little Horn and a little Piano. I’m bad at all the littles. Calling myself a musician… like calling Paint by Numbers art (sorry Jo).
14yrs – 15yrs: Interpreter
I can’t speak any other languages. I am limited to Xie Xie, Dove il gato? and Konnichi Wa. I was bolstered by a good parents evening and although my parents forked out for an electronic translator… it was not to be.
16yrs: Librarian
I love books. Have 900 of my own. As I dislike libraries for trusting local fools with their books again I came to the conclusion that I was barking up the wrong profession tree.
17yrs – 18yrs: Artist
This was a possibility as I can actually paint and I was at an age where decisions needed to be made. But while I could paint… I didn’t love doing it.
18yrs – 22yrs: Marketer
I had a knack for marketing; for segmenting the world, knowing what they wanted and how to make them buy it. I even went to university to try and confirm that this road was for me. It didn’t work. I’m not a con artist.
So this is my list. My to do’s that didn’t. You might be wondering what happened after 22yrs? Well, I work in a college office… biding my time until my lottery win. But I do have one dream, a dream that followed me through the teaching and the drawing and ivory tinkering.
That dream was to write, to open up my creative soul and let it spill through the medium of the written word.
At 29 I’m still waiting to do that something with my life but at least I feel that writing is my calling. All I need to do now is take myself seriously and then maybe others will too.
My parents indulged me to a certain extent, mostly I think because they wanted me to at least do something with my life. I had big dreams and little dreams, insane dreams and those that I will never list for anyone to see. (Being Mrs Mitchell took me through 12yrs – 21yrs ha ha)
Here are but a few of the professions that made it onto my “Tonight, Matthew, I’m going to be…” list.
5yrs – 6yrs: Dancer
I had lessons. I was just never any good at it.
7yrs – 9yrs: Teacher
Is it wrong to base a career move based on the need to keep others in line? Okay I admit I just loved to call the fake registers.
10yrs: Restaurant Owner
Someone gave me an old telephone and I used to take imaginary food orders. I added the owner part as working in a Take Away didn’t seem to be ambitious enough.
11yrs: Professional
I had a pencil case, a briefcase and a calculator. I was destined for Wall Street.
12yrs: Actress
I had one good drama lesson. I figured I would get to meet Ethan Hawke. I soon realised that the paralysing fear of performing did not a good thespian make.
13yrs: Musician
I can play a little Recorder, a little Guitar, a little Horn and a little Piano. I’m bad at all the littles. Calling myself a musician… like calling Paint by Numbers art (sorry Jo).
14yrs – 15yrs: Interpreter
I can’t speak any other languages. I am limited to Xie Xie, Dove il gato? and Konnichi Wa. I was bolstered by a good parents evening and although my parents forked out for an electronic translator… it was not to be.
16yrs: Librarian
I love books. Have 900 of my own. As I dislike libraries for trusting local fools with their books again I came to the conclusion that I was barking up the wrong profession tree.
17yrs – 18yrs: Artist
This was a possibility as I can actually paint and I was at an age where decisions needed to be made. But while I could paint… I didn’t love doing it.
18yrs – 22yrs: Marketer
I had a knack for marketing; for segmenting the world, knowing what they wanted and how to make them buy it. I even went to university to try and confirm that this road was for me. It didn’t work. I’m not a con artist.
So this is my list. My to do’s that didn’t. You might be wondering what happened after 22yrs? Well, I work in a college office… biding my time until my lottery win. But I do have one dream, a dream that followed me through the teaching and the drawing and ivory tinkering.
That dream was to write, to open up my creative soul and let it spill through the medium of the written word.
At 29 I’m still waiting to do that something with my life but at least I feel that writing is my calling. All I need to do now is take myself seriously and then maybe others will too.
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