Pay Day

Today I got my first pay cheque from my new job. Well, actually, I got the pay statement for the money that was deposited into my bank account but it still had a nice little number on the bottom to call my own. I would like to say that I spent some of it on something fabulous to celebrate but all I got today was a new set of frying pans. Then I came home and made squash soup. Not the most exciting first payday! But tomorrow I'm getting a pedicure so that will be an expense - and one paid for by my new job. Yay!

In the Air

The air was SO warm today you could smell cedar sap in the air while walking past the university. It was so warm the slapping sound of flip-flops echoed on the sidewalks. It was so warm the young ladies in residence moved from layered Ts and belted jeans to skimpy tanks and ruffly skirts. It was so warm today that I could feel the sunshine warm my face and make the corners of my mouth turn up without any effort. I have three quarts of strawberries in the kitchen that I'm about to slice up and freeze for later. Their perfume explodes in the kitchen and brings today's warmth into the evening.

Mark an "X"

There are certain films that I call "big-screeners". Those pictures that MUST be seen on the big screen to be truly enjoyed. Here is advance notice on my most anticipated "big screener" of the 2006 season. Mark and "X" and don't miss these MEN in May.

Inside Man -movie review

To say that Inside Man is a brilliant is not an understatement. But it is an understated brilliance. Bringing the talents of Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer and Willem Dafoe together, Spike Lee puts a meaty stew on the element and then lets it simmer. By taking the anti-Bruckheimer route, Lee gives us one of his best offerings in years. Sprinkled with race-tinged Spike-isms, eclectic music, creative images and intertwining stories, Inside manages to be both a satisfying heist flick and a solid commentary on post-terrorism NYC.

The script by first-timer Russell Gerwitz offers plenty of ingredients that in lesser hands could have spelled disaster. The film is rife with red herrings and smoking guns and keeps even an avid movie watcher (or thriller reader) behind the action. A further upside of this development is that it offers great post-viewing conversation about what you saw coming and what you didn't. I guarantee there is something each viewer won't get. This on-your-toes status is an engaging change in cinema these days and elevates Inside Man above average fare.

The final touch is the acting. Inside this film are some serious acting chops. The three leads have all won acting Oscars - and all deservedly so! In fact, I would argue that much of the film's strength is in watching these performers go toe-to-toe as their characters mark out turf. One scene in particular when Jodie Foster and Denzel Washington confront each other illustrates this point. Would a lesser actress be able to face Denzel with such steely conviction? Would a weaker actor be able to stand up to Foster with similar personality? And although Owen spends much of the film behind a mask, he still manages to be dark and powerful. In the end, everything inside Inside works and makes it a movie meal worth consuming.

Bio-Blog #5 ... Cathy

This week I present my friend Cathy. Cathy is currently house-hunting in the urban jungle that is Toronto and kicking ass in a new job. We have known each other 10 years - and although most of it has been apart - we do an excellent job of maximizing the time we have. We go to plays, take walks in the park and re-evaluate the independent woman's lot in life over cold pints of beer. She credits me with "inspiring" her to go to Australia - but really? how hard could that have been? I'm hoping we get to spend some time on the seashore this summer if she gets some time to visit me. In the meantime, we get this little biography about her!

I am ... a WebGoddess, a fantastic girlfriend, a loving daughter, a bit of a delinquent sister
I can ... build a website, write a bang-up journal, organize the hell out of anything except a move, sew a stellar baby quilt, cook a gourmet dinner, plant a bumper crop of onions.
I love ... my job, traveling and my family. And my boyfriend, but don’t tell him I said that or he’ll get all mushy.
I will ... never cheat on my boyfriend, live on the street, stop having a sweet tooth, exercise as much as I wish I did, have a good memory, regret having braces.

What is your sign? Leo
Where were you born? Alliston, ON
Where do you live now? Toronto, ON

What has been the best place you've visited in between and why?
Australia. Because it was the last time I had to be absolutely free to do what I want, unencumbered by what others wanted or expected, in a gorgeous climate with other people who were similarly unencumbered and fun.

What is your favourite:
Movie - The Mission, Moulin Rouge
Book - The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay
TV Show - ER, CSI, Daily Planet, What Not to Wear
Drink - chocolate martinis or really good coffee (latte/flat white)

Who is your celebrity hottie of choice? Hugh, as soon as I see the next XMen.

If you could have lunch with anyone in the world ... who would it be and why?
Raye – she enjoys a good meal and she is always the most interesting person to talk to. Plus, we never see each other enough.

How do you know Raye?
We met in university and I was awed/inspired by her ability to go down a different path and make the everyday special.

What 3 words would you use to describe Raye?
Creative.succulent.neurotic.

Do you have your own website? www.webgoddesscathy.com (don’t.kid.yourself)

It's a Beautiful Day

Today was a day that evolved from nothing into a fantastic afternoon with friends. With a blast of warm spring weather in the air, Greg, Wade and myself took some time to head to a hiking trail at Long Lake. For two hours we trekked in the quiet bush. I even tried out my digital camera on some "nature shots". I felt so relaxed and energized at once by being outside for the afternoon. And I loved the spring freshness in the green moss, the random patches of ice, and the squelchy mud that (thankfully) had not overrun the trail yet. Halfway through we sat in the sunshine and talked. Wade made "art" out of dry grass. I hope to have many more days like this: easy and free and full of friends.

Getting Carded

I got this WICKED card from my buddies for my birthday this year. Greg spent a "bit" of time on photoshop and Tanya did some fancy things with ribbon. I thought it was so cool that I figured I would share it.

Nikolaj Coster-Wha?

Ummm ... I would like to introduce you to my new crush. His name is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau - yep, you heard me ... Nikolaj hotness is my new up-and-coming eye candy. Where have you seen him? Try last year's Wimbledon. Where can you see him now? In the latest Harrison Ford crapfest Firewall. I think I owe Paul Bettany and Richard Loncraine for bringing this Danish beefcake into my view. The former was his costar, the latter his director for both of the mentioned films. Let this my way of saying thank you.