What is a horror film really about?

An interesting thought on what a lot of horror film monsters really are: desires without any restraints.

Beer Photos #7: Pacemaker Porter

Not much commentary; it was a long time ago and I neglected to write anything down in my beer log for this one. So here's a link to a website and the vague recollection that Flyers Pacemaker Porter was fine, but not terribly memorable.

"Do not attempt to fly."

Is this really necessary? Directions on the proper method of washing one's hair? "Oh! I rinse after I lather. So that's what I was doing wrong!"

Beer Photos #6: Old No. 38 Stout

The Old No. 38 Stout from North Coast Brewing Co. isn't bad. I do prefer the Old Rasputin, but, as I noted, that is far less preferred by my wife. This is right up there with the Obsidian Stout in my opinion as a solid stout that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

On Reading

I'm terribly fond of reading. One of my favourite lines is from Pride and Prejudice describing my favourite character from that book, Mr Bennet: "With a book he was regardless of time." Not only does it have a wonderfully archaic meaning for "regardless", but it describes how I get with a good book. Not always a good thing when one has work in the morning.

Monday Movie Reviews #8: London Boulevard

I wonder how long I can blame tardiness on my computer dying? At any rate, I'm glad I put this post off until now for reasons that will appear. This review of London Boulevard will contain spoilers of the very end, so if you're planning to watch it you should bear that in mind.

It took me some time to process exactly why I was so disappointed with London Boulevard. I don't mind a good tragedy and an unhappy ending, if proper to the story, can be very satisfying. (cf. Hamlet, etc.) But there seemed a qualitative difference to this movie and I believe I have discovered what it is. The answer is twofold and appears after the jump.

Beer Photos #5: Jubelale

Late post today because I had some trouble getting at the pictures that were on the computer that died. Thanks goodness for back-up drives. This week another Deschutes beer; this time a winter seasonal: Jubelale. Not a bad ale, though not as favourite as a porter or stout. They call it a "strong ale", but it's 6.7% which is not super-high. Pretty tasty and the hints of spiciness are kinda reminiscent of Yuletide. Still the old glassware since I took this at the beginning of the season, the new stuff should start showing in the pictures after a few more weeks.

It is a far, far better rest...

My computer died. Well, no, not this one. Obviously. I have a desktop... I had a desktop computer that I used for gaming and music. Sadly, it keeps eating power supplies. Once could have been a coincidence; the power supply just gave out. Now that two have conked on me, there's probably something wrong. It's not a bad machine, but checking Dell's website it's about equivalent to the lowest end machine they sell that actually has a video card instead of relying on what's integrated into the motherboard. On the plus side, this means I could replace it fairly cheaply. On the negative side, I hadn't planned to spend that money at all. I hadn't planned at all to buy a new computer. I had planned, however, to play all the new computer games I bought with my birthday money.

Maybe I can talk my wife into getting a computer for Christmas in lieu of other gifts to each other... That's only... 5 months away. *sigh*

Monday Movie Reviews #7: My Favorite Wife

Not my favourite movie. I like Cary Grant, it seems, more in the abstract than in actual movies. I like North by Northwest, which has Cary Grant and I also like him in... Hum. Give me a second, I'm sure I'll come up with something... Okay, I'm going to IMDB and look him up... Arsenic and Old Lace! I liked that! Yeah, that's not much.

Beer Photos #4: Twilight Summer Ale

A few more photos to go with the old glassware. A seasonal offering from my favourite brewery this was well enough, in its way. I'm much more of a dark, malty beer kinda guy, though the Twilight Summer Ale is an excellent backyard BBQ beer. Lighter and crisper without being wimpy.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?

Not this one, however. I paid a premium to import a CD soundtrack to the movie Sparrow. Not a bad little movie about pickpockets (known as "sparrows" in Hong Kong, apparently) from Johnnie To, the soundtrack was so good I had to get it. A pleasant mix of French-styled jazz and Chinese music there are a couple tracks that reminded me of Toots Thielemans as well.

I'm not enough of a musical person to wax too rhapsodic about the details, but it's good stuff. You'll have to watch the movie to see how well it meshed with the visuals and added to the feel. But if you just listen to the music without seeing the movie, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a soundtrack to a French film from the 60's set in China. Have a listen.

Captain of the Gravy Train

It's a sad day. My Homsar shirt has given up the ghost and must be deep-sixed. I got a lot of good wear out of it though. (It's a bit damp in places because I just retrieved my son and heir from his ablutions while wearing it and he tends to wriggle.) It's hard to see, but there are significant holes under his hat and above his right foot as well as so many around the collar that it's practically detachable. The sleeves disappeared long ago.

It's sad that's it come to this, but on the other hand, I have such an awesome wife to allow me to keep it this long without surreptitiously disposing of it while I was at work. (To be sure, I wasn't permitted to wear it in a more public setting than taking out the trash, but still.)