marramgrass

Saturday 21 May 2005.

The idea, I believe, had been to try and overcome some of the friction between the various parts of the Marchmont community: families, older people, students…

For me, it was a chance to get out and burn some film.

There was a free (I think – I didn’t partake) barbecue on the go, and a little bit of clowning and juggling.

It was quite fun, and satisfied my curiosity as to what a street party in Marchmont would look like. Even when the incredibly heavy rain came on, things were still cheerful.

Once again, clicks will take you through to Flickr. I must remember to do some explaining about that later on. Remind me…

Episode III is better than Phantom Menace or Clones, or even both of them put together. But then, it was never going to not be – better by default, I guess you could say.

It had much goodness, but almost all of that goodness was founded in the simple fact that it was Episode III. What it lacked in pacing, plotting, acting and characterization it made up for in concept.

Here we see Anakin become Vader. In these films we find out much much more about Obi Wan. And Yoda still rocks, since by now he can jump, run, fight and dispatch guards with barely a glance. Yes, Yoda is a king among small green shrivelled aliens.

Plenty of saber action, too. That makes it all worth while because nothing with so many lightsabers can be all bad, can it? (Speaking of the sabers, check this out.)

As the movies draw to a close, I suspect this won’t be the last we hear from a long time ago in that galaxy far, far away. With millions more to be made from the franchise, it’d be nice if they came up with something else with the quality of KotOR.

If you receive a ‘virtual greeting from a family member’ via email from postcards1001, DO NOT click the links.

It’s not what it seems, and is not to be trusted. It could do nasty things to your PC.

This has been a public service announcement.

Further to my fascination with buildings: the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern has become one of my favourite places, I think. It’s the hugeness, yet the indoor-ness of it.

(Click these two to see them bigger – the link will take you to my pages on Flickr.)

Way back when I posted the Mono flavour on this site, I wasn’t sure about it. I’m even less sure about it now.

Upcoming challenge for me: make this site look good.

Because that’s me: can code a bit, can’t design for buttons.

:-)

UPDATE: of course, it is now gone…

The exceedingly warm pair of gloves turned up – they were in tiny shreds spread out under our bed where a certain four-legged f(r)iend who shall remain nameless had a great old time. You get used to that.

So yeah, the grumpy guy at the Black Diamond. The place itself is a huge and scary-pointy extension to the Royal Library. It looks something like this:

See how cold it was? (Thanks to my wife for the photo, although the dodgy scan is entirely my fault.)

I’ve been noticing buildings, lately, small cool ones and big impressive ones. Depsite not being able to do much (on account of not being readers), we spent a ridiculous amount of time inside. This was partly because it was warm and partly because we couldn’t resist the urge to photograph the inside repeatedly. Also, both the guidebooks and the information leaflet promised that the National Photography Museum was in there somewhere.

Which brings us to another grumpy wee man: he told us that there is no National Photography Museum, rather that it was a (long-since ended) temporary exhibition that shouldn’t be in the publicity anymore. From his manner, I guess he was tired of explaining this to tourists.

Of course, I’m left wondering if he was having a laugh at our expense. Either that, or there was some sort of language barrier at work. However, the phrase “That is wrong. There is no museum.” is pretty unequivocal. Maybe someone will notice that their visitor figures are down.

More photos at pgallery.net, and if you’re confused then check out this post.

Well, I just know this could be an unpopular post :-)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – it’s not a half-bad film, actually.

Yes, it’s different. But the game was different to the books were different to the TV show was different to the radio series was different to the new radio series… you get the picture. That’s the way the Guide works. I’m cool with that.

Yes, there’s a silly romance between Arthur and Trillian. Yes, Zaphod’s character is a mere shadow of his former self. I can handle all that.

There’s even a couple of new characters. We’ll live with it, especially since they were reputedly written in by Douglas Adams himself. It’s all good.

The spirit of the Guide is all present and correct. It’s pleasantly surreal, in a slightly cutting way. It’s laugh-out-loud funny. It’s got Marvin in. Both of him :-)

The Heart Of Gold is cute, and suitably white. Bill Nighy is Slartibartfast.

I can even hack the American accents.

There is one problem, however. In the interests of cinema, they’ve added plot.

Not added plots, or sub-plots, you understand.

I mean: this film has a plot. And that’s just wrong.

(As an aside, sitting beside me in the cinema was the first middle-aged female fanboy I’ve ever seen. Seems appropriate.)