I've just returned from a six day trip to Washington and I loved it. My family and I went for my cousin's wedding, but decided to stay a few days afterward to explore the state a bit.
First off, I'd like to say a few words about a few places. Yes, yes, shameless plugs. If you're ever in Washington for a few days or a vacation, stay at the Aloha B&B in Purdy. They have the most comfortable rooms, a four-course breakfast (which is deliciously different every morning), and the owners are wonderful people. In addition to great service and rooms, they're on the water, they have an exercise room, a sauna, and a jacuzzi. Plus, wonderful gardens to enjoy.
Lastly, I would highly recommend (if you are any where near Purdy) that one should dine at The Beach House restaurant at least once during one's stay. Everything there is tasty and done to perfection. I had the Filet Mingon---the best I have ever tasted in my life---my dad had the salmon---which I tasted, and it was the most tender, flavorful salmon I have ever had---and for dessert, we each had our own. I tried the Brownie Sundae, and that was the creamiest brownie I've eaten, mom tried the Chocolate Tart, which both mom and dad enjoyed very much, and dad had the Strawberry dessert (I forget what it's called) and liked it very much. The chefs there are excellent. Though if you're on a budget, split a meal or eat there once...it will be wonderful, I assure you.
Back to the trip.
I loved Washington, enough that I entertained thoughts of moving there someday. It was fantasticly green and wet. Just wet enough for there to be moisture in the air, but not so bad that it rains every single day. We enjoyed it so much, we're probably going to take another vacation there next year. That's all for now...my unpacked bag is calling to me.
au revoir
29.6.05
7.6.05
Movies
None of the movies I'm going to talk about are Star Wars III for two reasons. One, it would take up way too much of my time to do a complete review on Star Wars (which I would like to do...maybe later), and Two, because everybody else in America (almost everybody) is doing or has done the same thing. I'm actually going to talk about three "older" movies: I, Robot; White Noise; and Constantine.
First: I, Robot (it's still freshest in my mind).
I thought this movie was pretty good: had wonderful, life-like CG, great action scenes, good plot, pretty good script (they actually made fun of a smart person without insulting those who don't have a larger vocabulary...i.e., when a smart character uses big words and then someone doesn't understand and the words really aren't "big"...the big words of Doctor Calvin in this movie were truly, big), it had Will Smith in it (big plus!), it had awesome cinematography, and it came off with showing how bad A.I. could get if it was given enough power. And although some the stuff about the "ghost in the machine" may or may not be true, such as the random bits of code some how evolving into a soul, the movie portrayed robots in (interestingly enough) a sympathetic but not sympathetic light.
The story "revolves" around homicide Detective Del Spooner and a case of an alleged suicide of one of the founders, and creator, of U.S. Robotics. The Doctor leaves him clues, or "bread-crumbs", and a unique robot called Sonny to help him solve the mystery that has been left for only Spooner to solve. Along the way he makes a friend, Doctor Calvin, and together, with Sonny, they solve the mystery. What is the mystery? Watch the movie.
Sonny is a unique robot because the doctor has created him with an ability to override the Three Laws and commands that are given to him; he is also given emotions, which at times makes you feel sympathetic for him (I did anyhow). But then you're constantly reminded that robots are just emotionless pieces of machinery, which is completely true. Robots are void of a soul, which makes them emotionless and unable to make decisions based on morals or principles; they make them on averaging percentages. I thought it was a great film. Why? The story is good, Will Smith is great at playing the somewhat cynical hero with a sense of humour, and the cinematography is truly awesome (as I said before :}).
Second: White Noise.
Despite the special features that seem pro-E.V.P. (showing real E.V.P. sessions, the experts at work, and how to make your own E.V.P. recordings), this film actually showed the dangers of E.V.P. (Electronic Voice Phenomenon).
*Spoilers*
The star of this movie is Michael Keaton (a wonderful actor) who plays an architect who's wife goes missing after what looks like a car accident practically right after the movie starts. A few weeks later, a man comes to him saying that Keaton's wife is dead because she's been contacting him through E.V.P. Keaton is unsure of this at first, but then his wife tries to contact him through his cell phone, stereo, and radio; he gives in and soon becomes obsessed with making E.V.P. recordings, not fully knowing what he's getting himself into. He is contacted by other dead people (sounds weird and hokey, I know) but then discovers that some of them aren't dead yet, though are probably going to die. He then receives message from his wife, misreads them, and thinking he's doing the right thing ends up being killed by three demons (or supposed dead people from the other side) in the end.
Like I said, this movie truly shows the danger of E.V.P., and definitely shows that it's something not to get involved in.
Lastly: Constantine.
I know, this movie's been out of theatres for quite some time, but I've kept meaning to do a "review" on it and now I finally have the time.
I really liked this movie, despite its biblical inaccuracies, and would recommend it to the not-so-faint of heart (don't want to scare anybody...one never knows). It was very interesting that they made Gabriel to be a traitor to God by making a deal with the Devil's son (one of the points I didn't agree with, but thought it to be...different). But I did like how they portrayed Constantine as showing a lack of faith and purpose through the movie and then at the end he finds faith and purpose.
Unfortunately, I must end this "review" because of brain lapses...I should re-view this movie again before I make more comments...
Au Revoir and thanks for reading.
First: I, Robot (it's still freshest in my mind).
I thought this movie was pretty good: had wonderful, life-like CG, great action scenes, good plot, pretty good script (they actually made fun of a smart person without insulting those who don't have a larger vocabulary...i.e., when a smart character uses big words and then someone doesn't understand and the words really aren't "big"...the big words of Doctor Calvin in this movie were truly, big), it had Will Smith in it (big plus!), it had awesome cinematography, and it came off with showing how bad A.I. could get if it was given enough power. And although some the stuff about the "ghost in the machine" may or may not be true, such as the random bits of code some how evolving into a soul, the movie portrayed robots in (interestingly enough) a sympathetic but not sympathetic light.
The story "revolves" around homicide Detective Del Spooner and a case of an alleged suicide of one of the founders, and creator, of U.S. Robotics. The Doctor leaves him clues, or "bread-crumbs", and a unique robot called Sonny to help him solve the mystery that has been left for only Spooner to solve. Along the way he makes a friend, Doctor Calvin, and together, with Sonny, they solve the mystery. What is the mystery? Watch the movie.
Sonny is a unique robot because the doctor has created him with an ability to override the Three Laws and commands that are given to him; he is also given emotions, which at times makes you feel sympathetic for him (I did anyhow). But then you're constantly reminded that robots are just emotionless pieces of machinery, which is completely true. Robots are void of a soul, which makes them emotionless and unable to make decisions based on morals or principles; they make them on averaging percentages. I thought it was a great film. Why? The story is good, Will Smith is great at playing the somewhat cynical hero with a sense of humour, and the cinematography is truly awesome (as I said before :}).
Second: White Noise.
Despite the special features that seem pro-E.V.P. (showing real E.V.P. sessions, the experts at work, and how to make your own E.V.P. recordings), this film actually showed the dangers of E.V.P. (Electronic Voice Phenomenon).
*Spoilers*
The star of this movie is Michael Keaton (a wonderful actor) who plays an architect who's wife goes missing after what looks like a car accident practically right after the movie starts. A few weeks later, a man comes to him saying that Keaton's wife is dead because she's been contacting him through E.V.P. Keaton is unsure of this at first, but then his wife tries to contact him through his cell phone, stereo, and radio; he gives in and soon becomes obsessed with making E.V.P. recordings, not fully knowing what he's getting himself into. He is contacted by other dead people (sounds weird and hokey, I know) but then discovers that some of them aren't dead yet, though are probably going to die. He then receives message from his wife, misreads them, and thinking he's doing the right thing ends up being killed by three demons (or supposed dead people from the other side) in the end.
Like I said, this movie truly shows the danger of E.V.P., and definitely shows that it's something not to get involved in.
Lastly: Constantine.
I know, this movie's been out of theatres for quite some time, but I've kept meaning to do a "review" on it and now I finally have the time.
I really liked this movie, despite its biblical inaccuracies, and would recommend it to the not-so-faint of heart (don't want to scare anybody...one never knows). It was very interesting that they made Gabriel to be a traitor to God by making a deal with the Devil's son (one of the points I didn't agree with, but thought it to be...different). But I did like how they portrayed Constantine as showing a lack of faith and purpose through the movie and then at the end he finds faith and purpose.
Unfortunately, I must end this "review" because of brain lapses...I should re-view this movie again before I make more comments...
Au Revoir and thanks for reading.
4.6.05
The End of an Age
That may not quite fit, but seeing as our last book was LOTR and we had that fantastic party afterwards, I decided to say that and plus it does kind of feel like the end of an age.
I had a really good time at the banquet last night, and I actually almost cried a few times (to my surprise). But, I shall return to my original intent with this post, which is: my thoughts on this year and etc.
I have to start off with my favourite books and why, of course :}
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Why? Because it helped me to grasp the fundamentals of Christianity, allowing me to know what I believe in the simplest form.
Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis. Why? Because it allowed me to understand relativism (I believe that's what you'd call it) better and it helped me understand their odd viewpoint.
Descent Into Hell by Charles Williams. Why? Because I thought it was an extremely fantastic piece of fiction, and I loved trying to find all the hidden little messages in it...that was totally awesome.
Creed or Chaos? by Dorothy Sayers. Why? Even though it was quite repetitive, it did allow me to look at work, sin, and education differently and helped me to understand them and their purposes.
Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers. Why? Although I got really sleepy during my reading of this book, I thought it was good. And even though it was confusing at times because Sayers would use an analogy to explain an analogy to explain the original analogy, it helped me to understand the trinity a little more (the trinity is one of the most confusing things to me...).
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Why? Do I need to say why? It is quite a thrilling story (though one has to trudge through a few details here and there...but in the end, they're all necessary) and gives insight into a few subjects (relationships, despair, power, and a few others).
P.S. It's much better on your second read...
I did not mention A Severe Mercy because even though I did like it, it wasn't one of my favourites; though I am sure that if I re-read it, I'll probably like it better.
Some of my favourite class discussions were on Charles Williams' books because they had so much in them to pick apart and understand...wow. And of course I liked our discussions on Lewis, Sayers, Vanauken (those were really good), and Tolkien (some good ones there too).
I have thoroughly enjoyed this year and am sincerely going to miss our wonderful discussions every Tuesday and Thursday (though I can't say I'll terribly miss the fiction precis'...I know they're the easiest---if you're good at summarizing---but I enjoyed the non-fiction ones better because it made one pick apart the subject and explore it more, hopefully allowing one to understand it better) and of course, I'll miss the great tutelage of Mr. A! You've truly helped me grow in my understanding of God, man, and other things, and I thank you so much!
Au Revoir.
I had a really good time at the banquet last night, and I actually almost cried a few times (to my surprise). But, I shall return to my original intent with this post, which is: my thoughts on this year and etc.
I have to start off with my favourite books and why, of course :}
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Why? Because it helped me to grasp the fundamentals of Christianity, allowing me to know what I believe in the simplest form.
Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis. Why? Because it allowed me to understand relativism (I believe that's what you'd call it) better and it helped me understand their odd viewpoint.
Descent Into Hell by Charles Williams. Why? Because I thought it was an extremely fantastic piece of fiction, and I loved trying to find all the hidden little messages in it...that was totally awesome.
Creed or Chaos? by Dorothy Sayers. Why? Even though it was quite repetitive, it did allow me to look at work, sin, and education differently and helped me to understand them and their purposes.
Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers. Why? Although I got really sleepy during my reading of this book, I thought it was good. And even though it was confusing at times because Sayers would use an analogy to explain an analogy to explain the original analogy, it helped me to understand the trinity a little more (the trinity is one of the most confusing things to me...).
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Why? Do I need to say why? It is quite a thrilling story (though one has to trudge through a few details here and there...but in the end, they're all necessary) and gives insight into a few subjects (relationships, despair, power, and a few others).
P.S. It's much better on your second read...
I did not mention A Severe Mercy because even though I did like it, it wasn't one of my favourites; though I am sure that if I re-read it, I'll probably like it better.
Some of my favourite class discussions were on Charles Williams' books because they had so much in them to pick apart and understand...wow. And of course I liked our discussions on Lewis, Sayers, Vanauken (those were really good), and Tolkien (some good ones there too).
I have thoroughly enjoyed this year and am sincerely going to miss our wonderful discussions every Tuesday and Thursday (though I can't say I'll terribly miss the fiction precis'...I know they're the easiest---if you're good at summarizing---but I enjoyed the non-fiction ones better because it made one pick apart the subject and explore it more, hopefully allowing one to understand it better) and of course, I'll miss the great tutelage of Mr. A! You've truly helped me grow in my understanding of God, man, and other things, and I thank you so much!
Au Revoir.
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