Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I was a big fan of both Narnia movies, so it was only natural that I was really looking forward to seeing The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Since I haven't done anything even remotely constructive all week, I decided today I would go ahead and see it.

I'm very glad I did.

I haven't read the books, written by C.S. Lewis, since I was a kid. In fact, I don't believe I ever read all of them. I may have to rectify that one of these days, inspired by the movies.

Anyway, the movie stars Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes as Lucy and Edmund Pevensie, the only two Pevensie children who are still able to go to the fabled kingdom of Narnia (their older brother and sister, Peter and Susan, have "outgrown" it). The older children have gone to the United States during World War II, but Edmund and Lucy are stuck with their aunt and uncle, and their annoying little cousin Eustace (Will Poulter). In fact, he's making their life almost a living hell. They still have fond memories of Narnia, though, and soon circumstances draw them (along with their cousin) into that magical world again. This time on an ocean adventure with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), the man they installed on the Narnian thrown in the previous movie.

Along the way, they'll suffer through temptation, and learn a lot about themselves in the process.

The Narnia books have a very moral bent, with a lot of Christian symbolism in them, and the movies have pretty much retained most of that. Aslan, the Lion (voiced by Liam Neeson), is obviously a Christ figure, and it's even more blatant in Dawn Treader than it was in previous movies. The trials that the children go through teach them a lot about themselves, their morality, and the proper way to live their lives. In fact, Aslan pretty much flat out tells Lucy that he's Jesus in the "real" world.

Yet that really shouldn't be an issue, even for those atheists among us. It doesn't matter what the moral code is; the fact that the movie *has* a moral code is good enough. You can ignore the Christian imagery and just take the morality story for what it is. If you don't *want* any morality story whatsoever, then you may find yourself feeling a bit oppressed.

That being said, the movie is also a hell of an adventure movie too, and you can enjoy it on that front. A huge sea serpent, dragon, funny creatures that try to impress, a talking mouse swordsman, this movie has it all. The special effects are very good, and the movie's just a lot of fun. Yes, the acting is a bit wooden, but it's not too bad. It carries the story along, and that's good enough.

I do have to say that the 3D is largely unnecessary for this movie. Yes, it does bring the world to life a little bit more (especially when Lucy is in the invisible house to find the spell that will make it visible again), but I would have preferred it 2-D and $3 cheaper. That being said, it certainly doesn't hurt the movie at all. It doesn't try to draw attention to itself with any visual tricks, which is greatly appreciated.

Those of you who were concerned about all of the violence in Prince Caspian can rest assured: while there is action and some sword-fighting in this movie, this is a straight-out adventure that any kid would love if he/she likes to imagine themselves in the middle of the story. There's no blood, though there are a few scary moments. Nothing that couldn't be found in Dr. Who if it had a movie-level budget, though. And Dr. Who is definitely family viewing.

All in all, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is another excellent entry in the Narnia movie series. And it may even provoke me into reading the books.

When was the last time you could say that about a movie?

(Cue people telling me about a movie they saw just last week).

Crawling into the New Year

The end of 2010 is nigh (what an interesting word).

Christmas is over. The wrapping paper has been discarded. Toys have already been broken, or played to death. Nerf darts have been permanently stuck to high-level windows, never to be seen again amongst all the dust up there.

It's the week between Christmas and New Year's, where the anticipation of what presents you'll be getting has been replaced with the wonder of what the next year will have in store for you, for me, for us, and for everybody (I think that might about cover all the bases).

I've got plans for the new year, though whether or not they will come through, I can't tell you. I hope they do. I am determined to make them happen. But we'll see. So these aren't predictions. Instead, more like "determinations."

1) This blog

I plan on keeping this blog going strong during 2011. I may not post as much as I had originally planned (I wanted to average one a day during any given month). That has fallen by the wayside, but I find I am more comfortable with it, knowing I'm not putting any pressure on myself to do a post on any given day. I think it has made the blog better, as there's less filler (raise your hands, those who remember my "Mystery Science Theater Video of the Day" feature when I didn't have anything to talk about...yeah, you in the back...raise your hand).

I do plan on keeping the one-hit wonders coming, which does give this blog a bit of regularity (and you can thank me now for not going to the joke I've used countless time regarding that word). And I enjoy the feedback I get from some of the "Society" posts (especially from a friend of mine who I can always count on to leave an interesting comment...though on Facebook, so none of you will ever see them :P)

To my regular readers, thank you so much. I treasure you all (and if you're a regular reader who never comments, would it hurt to let me know that you're here once in a while? You never call, you never write...)

Incidentally, if you're interested in video games, I'm also a fairly regular (at least weekly) blogger over at the Game Informer magazine site. I do sometimes post the same blog here and there, but often they are exclusives. You can find my blog list here if you're interested in checking them out.

If you like video games, or just *have* to read every word I write, of course.

2) Work stuff

I do plan on keeping our office podcast going. I'm having a lot of fun with it, though I'm a bit nervous of finding stuff to talk about on a bi-weekly basis. Still, I am determined to make it work.

I will always do a post here when an episode is posted, mainly because I'm trying to reach as many people as possible. The Episode 2 post is here.

Also, I'd like to start doing some other multimedia stuff for work, like videos and interviews, some fun and goofy stuff (though we have to establish the serious stuff first, or the goofy stuff will not work). I'm thinking of suggesting starting off with a video about applying to the MET program, with a demonstration. Mainly because we do get a fair number of people who have trouble with the application process.

I figure that, the more I do stuff like this, maybe the nervousness with public speaking will fade away as well. The more you do it, the more you get used to it. I'm hoping that's the case.

Of course, I have to make sure that the people on the production side can do it too, or it's all moot anyway.

3) Personal Stuff

I'd also like to stretch myself personally a little bit, though I'm not quite sure how I want to do that yet. I'd like to move a bit outside my comfort zone (the work stuff I talked about may help with that too).

I'll have to think on stuff like this, though. Maybe go to something that I've never gone to before? Maybe go back to the Vancouver SF convention that I went to a few years ago but haven't gone back to? I had big plans for that weekend, where I would be interacting with fellow SF fans (that's "Sci-fi," or "Speculative Fiction," for those of you who don't know what that is).

It never happened. I went. I enjoyed the panels I went to. But I didn't really interact with anybody. That was disappointing.

Or maybe I'll go to some other kind of convention? I don't know.

But I do want to grow this year. I'll just have to figure out a way to do it.

So, how about you? Any thoughts on your new year?

And since it's very possible I won't be doing another post until the weekend, I wanted to wish you all the best (and safest) New Year's Eve possible! And all the best in the new year as well.

See you in 2011!!! (unless I decide to post again before that)

One Hit Wonders of the 2000s - Christmas Break

Merry Christmas (or Boxing Day, I guess) from all of us behind the One Hit Wonders franchise (yes, we are branching out, with a new location in Canton, Ohio!).

We're taking a break this week, due to family and travel considerations (and I was just too lazy to do one earlier this week and schedule it), but we'll definitely be back with vim and vigor (just what the hell is "vim," anyway?) next weekend! For the New Year's edition of the show.

For your enjoyment, and to show what a benevolent boss I am, here's a picture of the staff celebrating the holiday.

Whoops!!! How'd that get in there. That's from my OSHA file.

This is how we celebrate.

Yeah, it's good to be Santa...

Anyway, see you next week! And all the best in the New Year.

*Edit*: This was supposed to post Sunday morning, but somebody accidentally left it in "draft" mode instead of "scheduled."

That intern has been flogged.

The intern that hired that intern has been let go.

The intern that hired *that* intern would have been sacrificed to the volcano gods, but she wasn't a virgin.

So she was just sacked.

Our apologies.

Merry Christmas, Everybody

It's that time of year again. The fluffy whiteness outside, the warmth of family and friends, the presents under the tree.

It's Christmas!!!

While Christmas is a religious holiday for some, for others it's a state of mind, or a cultural thing. I have a friend who is Moslem. Her family's been in Canada since the 50s and her husband's family has been in the country since the 20s. They celebrate all of the secular aspects of Christmas, though, including the presents and the "get together with family on the day" because when they moved to Canada, they wanted to fit in with the rest of Canadian society. They even go to the mosque on Christmas Eve (or Day, can't remember which, and besides, they're in Hawaii this year, so they're not doing that).

To all of my friends and family who may be reading this (and I'm posting this today because I figure nobody will be reading this, or Facebook, tomorrow), I wish you a wonderful Christmas and all the best in the new year. However I know you, you are very special to me.

One Hit Wonders of the 2000s (Part 4)

This week's edition is coming to you from snowy Iowa! Yes, I decided to trade in the rain and gloom of Vancouver for the snowy whiteness of Davenport, going from getting drenched to freezing my ass off! There's a trade-off, I tell you.

You wanna know a secret, though? Despite what everybody thinks, I'm not really here to see family and friends.

No, I was sent here on a super-secret classified mission that I'm going to reveal to all of you (which is safe, since nobody actually reads this thing anyway).

What's the nature of this classified mission? To root out and destroy a cell of no-good people who are threatening to terrorize the populace.

Yes, that's right. What are they threatening to terroize the populace with?

Loud suits.

Yes, exactly. They intend to blind the populace and teach our children to wear horrible clothing! As time goes on and our kids grow up, if we don't do our job of parenting them, they'll learn to dress like this!!!

Who's their ringleader? I think you know the answer...

He's not just a hockey guy anymore.

Anyway, while I'm here, I thought I'd keep current on the one-hit wonders list! Because I know there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth if I don't (though since nobody reads this, I'm not really sure from whom).

As usual, you can find the list here. But don't check before I'm done and get ahead of me.

I don't want to look at your ass.

Here we go!

1) Billy Gilman: "One Voice" (#38) (September 2, 2000)



Yay, Vevo!!!!

I know that if a kid started singing on the bus, I would get pretty pissed off! Especially with a voice like that.

The kid threw a pistol into the river? And that's a sign that things are getting better? And you know this how, Billy? How do you know he wasn't tossing away evidence? I've watched CSI, you know. (I hope you haven't, as you're much too young for it).

The song's got a nice sentiment to it, but it does seem a little bit trite.

Not to mention, that's got to be the longest bus ride to school that I've ever seen.

2) Soul Decision (Featuring Thrust): "Faded" (#22) (September 9, 2000)



Wow, what smug assholes these guys look like! And the song? He's thinking about making his move tonight, eh? "Can't pretend that you're only my friend when you're holding my body tight."

Well, I guess he's right there. I guess there's always "friends with benefits," but I don't think that's what he's talking about here.

But really. I hate that cocky grin, the little hand gestures (I guess he got tired of doing the other hand gestures, which is why he's making his move), and everything else about this band.

Yet, oddly, the song is actually kind of cool, and I remember liking it back in the day.

And it's my birthday song (or at least peaked on my birthday).

Soooooo, yay, me? I guess?

3) Aaron Carter: "Aaron's Party (Come Get It)" (#35) (September 16, 2000)



Yay, Vevo!!!!

I am seriously getting teeny-bopper overload syndrome, that malady that makes you start to shiver and shake, and then makes you want to ban all people under 18 from ever being in your presence.

A white, teenage rapper? God, why have you forsaken me?????

I'm serious. This is driving me batshit crazy. This was really popular?

I am flabbergasted.

It doesn't help that he's a Backstreet Boy brother.

*shiver*

4) Everclear: "Wonderful" (#11) (September 22, 2000)



Yay, Vevo!!!!

Wow, family and society disfunction seem to be the rule this week. Of course, if I had that hairstyle, I'd cry too.

Hey, did you know that Everclear is the curer of all ills? Having a bad day? A bad life? Get them to come play at your school, and it will be all smiles again!

Or maybe they're laughing at the guy and not with him.

I think that would be me.

5) Baha Men: "Who Let the Dogs Out" (#40) (October 21, 2000)



And to think: we were *this* close to not having to even think about this monstrosity. But because *one* song couldn't keep it out of the top 40 (probably something by Nick Carter), I am forced to include this song in today's list.

LOSER!!!!!

This song was annoying before every sports franchise and other venues started using it, grinding it into the ground like something that's ground into the ground, until it was just a smear on the pavement.

After that happened, the suicide rate skyrocketed.

I wonder if they're sick of the song too? It was their only "hit," so I have to think that, if they're still around, they have to be tired of performing it.

Or maybe they're certifiably insane and they actually enjoy it?

We've got something for people like that.

And they come in all sizes.

6) Profyle: "Liar" (#14) (October 28, 2000)



Yay, Vevo!!!!

Anybody else expect this song to be titled "lyar?"

Wow, the amount of infidelity in these songs the last couple of weeks is just whacked, isn't it? These women are really getting around! I'm surprised the pregnancy rate didn't jump up in 2000 as well.

Of course, it didn't take this guy long to find somebody new either. Makes me wonder whether his complaining is just a little bit too overdone, eh? I mean, between the trip from the airport to when she arrives at their house, there's already somebody else there?

Methinks you doth protest too much!

Or something like that.

Sorry for the bad Shakespeare impression. I'm practicing for my new gig:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

And they couldn't get Kenneth Branagh.

7) Samantha Mumba: "Gotta Tell You" (#4) (December 9, 2000)


Samantha Mumba - Gotta Tell You
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup. - See the latest featured music videos.

So this is 3 under-18s in 7 songs this week? Yikes!!!!

I've lost my main avenue for humour this week.

I have to say, this video makes even less sense than they normally do. Evidently, Samantha has super-powers that lets her jump and dance and run to catch a plane. Was the party really that bad?

I've been to bad parties, and I have to tell you. That didn't look like a bad party.

Then again, this looks like a good party to me.

So what do I know?

And there you have it! We have now reached the end of 2000. One bad year down, 9 more bad years to go!

I'm on the hunt for good videos.

But sadly, I'm not as successful as this guy.

Ok, at least bad videos won't *kill* me.

But sometimes, they feel that way.

Come join me next week, when we creep into 2001! A year I'm going to have to treat very delicately.

But I shall perservere.

After I get back from my day job.



Hey, those streets are *clean*!!!!!



One Hit Wonders of the 2000s
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17
Part 18
Part 19
Part 20
Part 21
Part 22
Part 23
Part 24
Part 25
Part 26
Part 27
Part 28
Part 29
Part 30
Part 31

Airports

Just a quick post today, since I'm typing this on my iPhone.

I'm not sure what it is about airports and traveling that intrigues me, but I always get this weird, yet interesting feeling whenever I'm on my regular jaunt to Iowa.

Maybe it's because I don't travel that much, so I haven't had the opportunity to become jaded yet.

But rather than it being a chore, I often find it a chance to look outside my normal comfort zone.

I think it's because of the wide variety of people you see when you're sitting there waiting for your plane.

There are people from all walks of life that you encounter, or just see, at the airport.

There's the business traveler, that "I've done this so many times that I'm just going through the motions until I get where I'm going" type of person.

There are the wide-eyed kids, traveling for the first time. Some of them can be annoying, if they're badly behaved. But if they're good, the sense of wonder is captivating.

There are the brave soldiers who are on their way to or from one of the wars going on, or just moving from one base to another. It's especially pleasing when you see them with family members, as you know they aren't going back to the fight.

At least not yet.

I was lucky and didn't get hit with any of the new controversial TSA stuff that's been making the news recently. Maybe if I had been, I would be a bit more jaded.

There's always the trip home, I guess.

An airport is a great place to people-watch, seeing humanity in all its great variations. The hustle and bustle of people getting where they need to go. Or just taking a rest because, like me, they're waiting for their chance to get where they're going.

I wonder what they see when they watch me?





-- Post From My iPhone

Two new book reviews

There's been a bustle of activity over at Curled Up With a Good Book, with two of my reviews getting posted.

Both of them are in the SF field, with one great book and one disappointing one. It's especially bad because it's from one of my favourite authors.


The good one is Lamentation, by Ken Scholes. Scholes is a new author (or was, as this is his first book, though the second and third books are now out). Part one of "The Psalms of Isaak," it's a fantasy novel about the caretaking of knowledge, and those who would destroy it.

"Some ancient technology or magic has destroyed the city of Windwir, home of the Androfrancine Order and the collected knowledge of most of the world both before the cataclysm hundreds of years ago and today. Sethbert, Overseer of the Entrolusian City States, glories in the results of what he has done, but others are also quick to react. A former member of the Androfrancine Order comes to see for himself the destruction that was wrought. Rudolfo, Lord of the Ninefold Forest Houses, comes to exact justice for the perpetrator of this foul deed, and other leaders of the Named Lands do as well. War is brewing as all sides play the game of politics. These leaders will have to choose which side of the game they will join."

It's definitely a political novel in the sense that we see the maneuverings of all sides in the conflict and there's only a little bit of magic involved (though there is some). I love this type of book, especially when the characters are well-written and deep, as those that inhabit this book are. Granted, I wish a little more had been done with the primary female role, but that could very well happen in the next couple of books.

The second book is by Diane Duane, and it's called Omnitopia Dawn. This book uses the concept of Massively Multiplayer Online games, such as World of Warcraft, and turns it up to 11. The tech in this novel is quite futuristic, which is interesting considering that it takes place only a few years in the future.

It really is a fascinating concept, especially for a gamer like me. A game where you can truly immerse yourself, where you actually are acting out this stuff in the virtual world. There are various different kinds of worlds that can be created within the Omnitopia universe, everything from something really benign to something as fantastically magical as Lord of the Rings.

"Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games have been around for awhile now, but in the first quarter of the 21st century, they’ve become even hotter. Millions are playing Omnitopia, a game with thousands of different universes, some user-generated. Billionaire Dev Logan created the most popular game in the world, and he’s about to roll out a huge update for it as well. But forces are working against him. A rival (and former friend) will do anything to make Dev’s huge splash something that sinks like a stone. Organized hackers and thieves will use it to try and steal millions of dollars from Dev, as well as getting access to players’ accounts. Will Dev be able to hold off the hordes arrayed against him?

A book already has a strike against it going in when the cover copy spends more time describing the game than the actual plot. Despite Duane’s usually guaranteed mastery of character, the people in this book are more types than characters. Dev is the Bill Gates of the Omnitopia world, a master programmer and businessman who wants ensures his employees’ loyalty by making a wonderful working environment. He’s got a heart of gold and loves his family but also loves the game. He’s altruistic to a fault, something that former friend and current rival Phil Sorenson finds almost insulting. Phil is the prototypical “evil businessman,” though Duane does occasionally give him some second thoughts (mostly through bad dreams)."

I left a little bit more in there than I normally do in a quote, mainly because I wanted you to see just why I really disliked this book. The characters are very thin and not very interesting to read about. It was a slog getting through this book, and I love Duane! Thus, the major disappointment.

Go ahead and check out the reviews and let me know what you think. Or, if you've read either of these books, let me know whether you agree or disagree.

Facebook Fan Page

I've been doing this blog since July 2009 (wow, almost a year and a half now!) and one thing I hadn't done yet was to set up a Facebook fan page.

There really wasn't any reason for not doing it. All of my blogging friends were doing it. But for some reason, I just never did.

Until now.

Yes, I am now part of the Facebook community. Now I just have to figure out a way to tap into Zuckerberg's millions (we all get a cut, right?).

Anyway, I would love it if my regular readers (or even my irregular readers, though there are products to fix that) would become a fan! Throw me a bone, show some support. Let me know that I'm not all alone out there.

There are two ways you can do that.

First, you can go to the Facebook page itself (you have to be logged in to do anything, though).

Or, much more easily, just scroll down until you see the "Facebook Fans" listing on the right side of the page. There's a handy little "like" button right there!

And please do me a favour.

If I don't already know you, leave a post on my Wall letting me know how you found the blog! And let me know what you think, too. I love feedback.

Well, not this kind.

But constructive feedback is always appreciated!

And to those of you who are already fans, thanks!

One Hit Wonders of the 2000s (Part 3)

I've always wanted to travel. I love the thought of exotic places, taking in the sights and sounds of a place I've never been before.

London! Rome! Paris!

Ummm...yeah, maybe not.

Anyway, since I'm not going anywhere, how about I just do this week's one hit wonder post? Yeah, I'm sure that would make you happier.

So I will carry on! I know what my audience likes (well, somewhat, as there is not much beefcake here, sorry). I will drive my minions to create the best possible one hit wonder post in the world!

(Thanks to Ramblings of a Final Summer)

Yeah, that's a typical day at work here at Dave's Buttoned-Up Mind. Except that too many had called in sick that day so we were a bit short-handed.

But we do take our work seriously!

Well, except at Christmas.

Anyway, you can find the list I'm taking these from here. And do you notice how I don't even get upset if you look to get ahead of me?

Yeah, you can chalk that up to clean, healthy living!

Oh, and big slabs of chocolate.

Here we go!

1) Nine Days: "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" (#6) (July 22, 2000)



(Yay, Vevo!)

She may be sad, but I think it might be because of all that water she's wasting. Does she really need the tub that full? Yes, I know it's a metaphor for "crying tears that drowned the whole world," but shouldn't that be some flooding Special FX extravaganza instead of a bathtub?

I'm sure Nine Days had the budget for it. They saved all that money on locations and everything.

Cool! They added a smoke machine! Oh, that's the couch. Never mind. I wonder if a member of the band donated that because they were trying to get rid of it. It would go along with the rest of the video.

Am I the only one who thinks the ending of that video would be great if they all got electrocuted because of all the water hitting those electric instruments? Now *that* would be an ironic ending!

Seriously, though, the song's kind of cool and I do like it.

The video's just so easy to make fun of. It's not even making me work. ("Like you *ever* do?" - The Peanut Gallery)

2) BBMak: "Back Here" (#13) (July 29, 2000)



This song is sparking vague memories.

I do know playing guitar (even as a band) in a train station is *not* generally considered a good way to meet chicks.

Believe me, I've tried.

But he does anyway? Consider my suspension of disbelief totally snapped!

Yeah, kinda like that.

This isn't much more than your typical pop group with a typical pop song, with typical voices. Consider me typically indifferent.

3) Lucy Pearl: "Dance Tonight" (#36) (July 29, 2000)



What is the deal with that guy and his TV? Is he taking it to the same club the couple's going to?

Y'know, I really hate the motif of having a TV in a video to a song that's from a soundtrack, with images from the movie playing on the TV. It just seems really lame to me.

However, I like the videos where the lead singer is topless for much of the time! But I hate it that they never actually show anything.

So consider me all over the map on this one.

The song, however, is pretty cool, and I really do like it.

4) Mandy Moore: "I Wanna Be With You" (#24) (August 12, 2000)



Hey kid! Do you mind? We're trying to have a ballet class here! Stop your whining and get out!

Watching Moore try to emote in this video is actually kind of painful. Thankfully, she got a bit better and was actually pretty decent in the movie Saved. Doesn't help this video, however.

And the song drags on forever!!! This is how I felt after it was over...

Except, you know, not quite as happy.

Can you tell it's not my favourite?

5) Lara Fabian: "I Will Love Again" (#32) (August 12, 2000)


Lara Fabian - I Will Love Again
Uploaded by cecile62800. - See the latest featured music videos.

Ah! When she starts the chorus, I start remembering this song (and, incidentally, repairing my ear drums).

Nice cleavage. Just thought I had to put that in there...

Actually, she is quite hot.

Is that a superficial comment when the person in question is pushing it on you in such an aggressive manner? I mean, bending into the camera and stuff?

I think it was Socrates who said "If she's putting it in front of your face, how can you *not* look?"

Ok, that might have been Uncle Stan at last year's Thanksgiving Dinner.

Boy, did *that* start a riot. Turkey and stuffing *everywhere*.

I think he's been banned from next year's, actually. Probably just as well, as he's kind of a whiner anyway.

Yeah, I said it. Somebody in the family has to.

What? Oh the song!!!!! Yeah, it's kinda cool.

6) Son By Four: "Purest of Pain (A Puro Dolor)" (#26) (August 19, 2000)



(Yay, Vevo!)

I think it's *really* cool that Vevo has both the Spanish and English version of this song.

I often wonder about translations of songs and how they fit to the music. Do they change subtle words to keep the beat and everything? If anybody knows (and this is a serious question), I'd love it if you left a comment.

Now, onto the video!

Gee, everybody's in white and it's called "Purest of Pain?" Gee, got subtlety?

He's so broken up that he left the water running! And what is it this week with water overflow imagery?

This is actually quite an enjoyable song. I'm glad I've been listening to it.

For my Spanish-speaking fans (Hi, Pablo!!!!), here's the Spanish version.



I actually like the video itself a lot better, though I don't understand a word of it (cue inevitable "You took 4 years of Spanish!!!!" complaints).

7) Ruff Endz: "No More" (#5) (September 2, 2000)



(Yay, Vevo!)

Look at all that Black and Gold! I feel like I'm at an Iowa Hawkeye convention. And it's making me want to go mental.

So let me get this straight. These women were only staying in the relationship for the shopping?

I do love the ending, though.

This is actually a pretty cool song. It's got a great beat, decent (if repetitive) lyrics, and everybody's so great looking!

And there you have it! One more week left in 2000, and it seems like just yesterday that I started the 2000s. In fact, in some weird space-time continuum, I'm sure it *was* just yesterday.

Time works like that sometimes.

All in all, we had a pretty good week. Just one really annoying song, and no rap! I think we're probably safe from the one-hit-wonder rap invasion. We seem to have beaten it back.

Time to party!

These guys were *not* on the front lines, let me tell you.

Anyway, I'm off to start my day. In the torrential rains that are Vancouver. I swear somebody's rowing a boat on the roof across the street.



He should just be glad he wasn't throwing golf balls! I would have really whipped his ass.



One Hit Wonders of the 2000s
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17
Part 18
Part 19
Part 20
Part 21
Part 22
Part 23
Part 24
Part 25
Part 26
Part 27
Part 28
Part 29
Part 30
Part 31

Podcast stuff - Episode 2 of Radio EPLT!

For my friends who may be interested in hearing me spout off (and there must be at least one of you, eh?), the second episode of our podcast has now been posted.

It has an interview with Karen Armstrong (instructor who teaches some of our courses and is considered an expert in literacy education) as well as a discussion of mobile devices (especially iPods and iPads) in the classroom.

It's only 47 minutes, so much shorter than the last one. So you don't have the length excuse!

I think I'm getting a bit more comfortable, the humour's a bit less forced, and I think I might even be a little clearer.

We're still dealing with a few issues that we'll have to take care of in the new year (like using a non-squeaky chair) as well as hosting issues (we don't like using an ad-supported site to host, but the files have been too big to host on our own server).

But we're getting there!

If you take a listen, I'd love to hear what you think. Especially those of you who have been so encouraging in the past (and you know who you are).

Next episode coming in the new year!

Book Review - Antony & Cleopatra by Adrian Goldsworthy

I've been a big fan of Goldsworthy's since his How Rome Fell book, and I willingly devour anything he writes (though for some reason, I've never gone back and read his Caesar biography).

This time, he covers the legendary lovers, Antony & Cleopatra, and my review of the book has now posted to Curled Up With a Good Book.

It's an excellent book that clears up a lot of the popular misconceptions about Cleopatra, though obviously some things will never be proven or disproven. The number of times that Goldsworthy has to say that there's just no way to know something is annoying, though I would rather he did that than make a bunch of suppositions and then build on top of them (yes, Alison Weir, I'm talking to you).

Goldsworthy does make suppositions, of course, but he tells you what they are, and he doesn't use these suppositions as evidence. If there are multiple theories, he will tell you them all and then tell you which one he believes is true.

From the review:

"As with How Rome Fell (the author is best known for Caesar: Life of a Colossus), the depth of Goldsworthy’s research is remarkable. He covers not just the lives of these two players but also the Roman world in which they grew up, along with a brief history of their families - the Ptolemaic royal family descended from Alexander the Great and that resulted in Cleopatra’s family line, and of Antony’s well-known aristocratic family.

Little is known about either childhood, but he gives us what he can, clearly noting where something is supported by historical document or whether it’s suggested or inferred from what is known of the time period. Where supposition and speculation are involved, Goldsworthy never presents it as fact but as differing theories. It’s interesting to explore these historical gray areas, but I like a historian who will present his view while not averring that his view is obvious fact."

If you're a fan of Roman history, this is a great book. But I recommend even more highly his book How Rome Fell (The link is to my review of that book).

I love reading about ancient history, and Goldsworthy is definitely a great read.

One Hit Wonders of the 2000s (Part 2)

It's a sunny Sunday morning here in Vancouver. The sun really can be a foreign concept here. It actually once tried to claim asylum but we said no.

I don't know what we were thinking.

But you know what also brings out the sun in your day?

No, not this.

It's the weekly one hit wonders post!

That bastion of banality, hodge-podge of hilarity, and loofah of laziness. (Alliteration is ageless).

It's also getting into the Christmas season. Don't get so wrapped up in the holidays...

that you forget to do something good for yourself.

Like reading this blog! Your happiness quotient will skyrocket if you do that!

Don't make me beg.

We're in the second week of the 2000s, and I have to say that I'm not overly impressed. But we'll see how it goes!

You can find the list I'm taking these from here.

Here we go!

1) Sonique: "Feels So Good" (#8) (April 22, 2000)



Sonique isn't much for the dance moves, but she's clearly having fun, so I can't really blame her.

That's quite the interesting club she's playing at. Is the state of undress in there normal? Or is that just part of some guy's male fantasy (which is weird, coming from a woman like Sonique)?

I'll bet you didn't know that Sonique was part of that whole "mystical DJ" phenomenon of the early 2000s, where they could do anything, fire magical bolts from their fingertips, and pretty much double as DJ and bouncer for any club.

Oh look. Here's one of them now.

I think he plays at the old folks home down the street. I heard he does a mean MC Hammer too.

2) 504 Boyz: "Wobble Wobble" (#17) (May 6, 2000)



(Language Warning: this one's uncensored)

Oh no! It's the first rap one-hit wonder of the 2000s!

Give me some misogyny!!! You know how I like it.

Oh yeah.....

*BARF*

3) Carl Thomas: "I Wish" (#20) (May 13, 2000)


Carl Thomas-I wish
Uploaded by lachula. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

(Embedding disabled? Ugh.)

Why do soul songs always have to have the singer doing everything except having sex? These singers are extraordinary make-out artists! I guess it gives a bit of...physical appeal to the videos. But can we move on to something different?

Are they dancing to his song in this nightclub? Cool! I wonder if they realize the singer is standing right there, looking all depressed and stuff. Well, he is singing, so maybe they do realize. You'd think he'd be mobbed, though.

This is actually quite the sad song, and once again shows the danger of a one-night stand. In this case, it leads to an affair (I assume, since he's so broken up, that they've been together more than once).

It seems that one-night stands were a problem in the early 2000s. I wonder why that might be. Must be because I was off the market.

I would make a Fatal Attraction joke here, but it hasn't been long enough. The humour statute of limitations has not expired yet.

Or, in other words, you might remember it and say "Dave, you're being lamer than usual!"

To which I would say "How is that possible?"

4) Mary Mary: "Shackles (Praise You)" (#28) (May 13, 2000)



Now *there's* the solution to traffic jams!!! Get out of your car and dance! We're not moving anyway.

Complete with police officers putting up "no bad dancing" signs on the perimeter, attached with yellow police tape.

Sadly, some people don't listen.

You'd think, with ears like that, they'd be able to hear better.

It's nice to see a very religious song succeed like this, and have such a great beat too! I feel...very lifted.

And separated, too.

5) Macy Gray: "I Try" (#5) (May 20, 2000)



I will refrain making a joke about Gray's voice, because too many people already have.

I like to be unique. Just like everybody else.

This is actually kind of a good song, though it was way overplayed at the time and I grew to hate it.

And I'm confused. Was that all part of her fantasy, that missing and wanting love has driven her to fantasize about having a man wait for her?

Sometimes these videos are just too subtle for me.

No matter what hits me upside the head.

Though music videos are obviously less painful.

6) Alice Deejay: "Better Off Alone" (#27) (June 3, 2000)


Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone
Uploaded by martin1976. - Explore more music videos.

(Ebedding disabled again? Argh!!!!)

Ohhhh! I recognize this song now! I didn't know the name of it.

Somehow, I don't think the guy at the beginning of the video is better off alone. But that might just be me. I think this metaphor has a huge sign on it.

No! I meant "PAY ATTENTION TO ME! I'M IMPORTANT!"

That kind of big sign.

Though now I'm hungry.

Anyway, are they only showing Alice's most important part in this video?

Her lips! That's what I meant! Get your mind out of the gutter.

I don't want any company.

This is a good song for a dance club. I could see myself dancing to it.

But it is painful to listen to outside of that.

7) Westlife: "Swear it Again" (#20) (July 1, 2000)



(Yay, Vevo!!!!)

Wow, he's handsome.

Ahem. Anyway...

Oh no! One of these guy groups! Well, I'd say "boy bands," but these don't really look like boys.

It's the same concept though. Just take N Sync and add the ability to shave.

"Hey, quit flicking my ear! I'm trying to be deep here!"

Actually, I take that "shaving" comment back. I don't see a whisker on any of these guys! I'd change all that, but that would require, you know, editing and such.

A foreign concept!

Is the fact that they're all standing in little squares as they're singing supposed to be a metaphor for the confinement they're going to end up feeling because they're committing? If so, I like the subtle touch!!!

And there you have it. Week 2 of the one hits wonders of the 2000s is in the books! And when I say "in the books," I really mean it.

I'm using this as a tax write-off.

Are you impressed yet? I know I am.

I honestly thought the new Millennium would bring change! But sadly, no.

Ok, there is this.

But other than that, I don't see much.

Next week will be better, though! I guarantee it. Kind of. Actually, I have no idea (which is pretty much the standard for this blog, actually).

Until next time, my friends, faithful companions, and other assorted readers, it's time for me to start my day.



Sadly, nobody ever lets me finish.



One Hit Wonders of the 2000s
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17
Part 18
Part 19
Part 20
Part 21
Part 22
Part 23
Part 24
Part 25
Part 26
Part 27
Part 28
Part 29
Part 30
Part 31

Book Names That Make You Nervous

I'm currently reading Roger Moorhouse's new book, Berlin at War, which examines the life of the German capital during World War II. We've seen a lot of history books about Hitler, the generals, the armies, the back and forth battles, but Moorhouse's aim is to see what the day to day life of the civilians was like.

I'm not very far into it right now, so I can't comment on the book itself. However, reading about German society during the Nazi era, it reminded me of a book I was reading back in 2007, Jeffrey Herf's The Jewish Enemy: Nazi Propaganda During World War II and the Holocaust.

And thinking of that book got me remembering an old blog post I did on my Livejournal blog, about books with uncomfortable titles and/or covers.

First, I have to say that the book is simply phenomenal. My review of it is on Curled Up With a Good Book, and that review has actually been linked to on the book's Harvard University Press page, something I'm immensely proud of.

I reprint it for you below (and after the break), unedited. I'd be interested in your thoughts on the whole thing!

********
I'm currently reading a book called The Jewish Enemy: Nazi Propaganda During World War II and the Holocaust by Jeffrey Herf. I haven't gotten very far (about 30 pages so far), but it's definitely a worthy read at this point. It's an examination of the techniques that the Nazis used to demonise the Jews to the point where the Final Solution wasn't looked down upon by the general populace.

Unfortunately, the name of the book bothers me a bit. Here's the cover:



Now, the spine of the book only has "The Jewish Enemy" on it. If I'm reading the book at work and a co-worker comes up to me and notices, they'll probably see the whole title and realize that this is a scholarly book on the subject.

But what if you're just riding the bus? What if the person next to you only sees the spine? Or the person across from you can only see "The Jewish Enemy" in big bold letters but not the rest? What will they think?

Thankfully, I drive to work so I don't have the "reading in public" problem (though I probably won't take this book anywhere else I go) and my co-workers are intelligent enough and know me well enough that it wouldn't be an issue. But despite knowing it won't cause any problems for me personally, it still makes me a bit uncomfortable.

Any other books with unfortunate titles that you can think of? Titles that, to the unknowledgeable, would present a different picture of what you're truly reading and perhaps give somebody the wrong impression of you?

15 Authors - a different take

This is another one of those Facebook memes that's going around (they seemed to take a powder for a little while, or at least nobody deigned to include me). When I was tagged in this meme, I said to myself "Self," (because I always address myself), "why not post this to your blog instead of Facebook? She reads the blog anyway, thus fulfilling the contractual Facebook obligations of responding to these memes" (it's signed in blood...didn't you realize that's what they were doing when you felt that prick on your finger the first time you logged in?)

The Rules - Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen authors, poets included, who've influenced you and will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag at least fifteen friends, including me, because I am interested in seeing what authors my friends choose.

Ok, I won't be tagging anybody specifically, but any of you who are reading this must respond!!! You....cannot.....resist.....

Mine are after the break. Not only will I name the author, but also their finest work, or at least what affected me the most.

1) Steve Jayward: Washington Myths

Did Washington really cross the Mississippi during the Vietnam War to surprise the Nazis? Jayward presents some compelling evidence.

This book taught me just how valuable true scholarship and academic rigor really is when writing a History book.

2) Bob Leinhein: Friend in a Strange Land

Leinhein's protagonist wows his friends, and the reader, with his 2000 snapshots of his holiday in Nebraska.

Compelling prose, and it includes pictures!

3) George Butz: Man-Pac Fever

The biography of a man before his time, this is a story of a man in the 1970s who invents a video game where a yellow triangle runs around a maze collecting muffins while being chased by screaming banshees, which somehow didn't catch on.

The tale is made all the more tragic as we see what his life comes down to after being rejected: working at the DMV

4) Timmy Kotick: Video Relations

Kotick makes an interesting case for how Donkey Kong has inspired United States foreign policy through the years. With diagrams and pictures, including Quadaffi as Princess Peach!

5) J.R. Cowling: Abe Ewing and the Magical Oil

The story of the son of a Texas oil baron, whose parents are killed by an ancient Evil that must not be named: the EPA

6) J.C.C. Polking: The Lord that Sings

Lord Hatchclyde of Strudwick discovers a magic ring that forces him to constantly try out for American Idol.

This work is most known for its race of little people, called Habits, four of whom have a weekly sojourn to take the ring to Mount Rushmore to try and destroy it.

7) P.D. Jugular: The Catcher of the Sty

The riveting tale of the great Pink Eye epidemic of 1953

8) Shawn Borrower: Martha Stewart: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

Is Martha Stewart really a drag queen? Borrower offers some compelling evidence, including pictures of "her" at an Iron John rally!

9) Steven Meyer: Midnight

The overly emotional story of a bunch of gothic teenagers who have a vampire fetish, and feed that need by staying up past their bedtime reading bad books.

10) Sue Chatterton: O is for Ornery

The first mystery on the list, detective and sex psychologist Kinsey Alfreda taxes her brain to figure out just why Old Man Withers refuses to die.

Some readers wonder why Chatterton has Alfreda spend the entire novel in the little white dress (even the very exciting chase scenes), but I found it an interesting metaphor for society.

11) Stu Bradley: The Mario Duty Effect

Bradley presents an interesting study that clearly shows the harmful effect of playing too many video games: mobs of kids jumping from platform to platform, yelling "TANGO DOWN!" at the top of their lungs.

12) Susan Toil: Youtube Phenomenon

The incredible autobiography of a woman who is brought onto a reality audition show in order to be the butt of the scathing comments from the British judge.

Especially mesmerizing is the scene where she gets up on stage and proceeds to prove the producers right.

13) Gaston Le Pew: The Opera of the Phantom

Caspar does show tunes!!!! Guest appearance by Richie Rich, who sings the ballad "All This Money and 60 Years, and I Still Can't Shave"

14) Stanley Buckchop: Blogging Wars

The story of two bloggers in an ongoing attempt to kill each other because they keep writing the same thing.

Hilarity ensues when they finally realize that the reason for this is that they share the same brain.

I especially loved it when *SPOILER* the brain kills them both and moves on to more fertile pastures where it might be more needed.

15) Lee Harper: To Kill a Hummingbird

The intense tale of a man who's just trying to get some f-ing sleep.

And there you have my 15 Authors. Let me know who the 15 authors who have most affected you are!

Maybe we can kill this meme quickly.