I am home!

I had a blast at the museum. There were a lot of exhibits I wanted to see and I got to see all but one, plus they've TOTALLY REARRANGED EVERYTHING since the last time I was there (admittedly this was a while ago) so it was like a whole new museum yet still filled with all my old favourite artwork.

( Childrens' Books, Burnham, Collage, Castle, Buddha, Sandwiches, Arts, and Crafts. )

Do you see this amazing sandwich? Witness the sweet potato chips!

OM NOM NOMmmmmmmm.

*spoilers ahead*

I will be the first to admit it, I loved the 2005 Best Picture winner "Crash". No, I did not despise Brokeback Mountain, I enjoyed it immensely and agree it is a very well-crafted film by one of the greatest directors today (in my opinion, "The Ice Storm" is still Lee's best film by far).
However, I find myself shying away from conversation about "Crash" because every single person I've talked to just flat out hates it. I was in a video store the other day and overheard an employee talking with a customer about the David Cronenberg film "Crash" (which I recommend, especially if you love being weirded out, it's fantastic). He said "not the sh***y one about racism."
Honestly, I cannot for the life of me figure out why there is SOO much hate towards this film. It's been called "stupid", "too preachy", "worst movie ever" to name a few. Here are my arguments for why I felt this was deserving of the Oscar that year.

Like the Italian NeoRealist films, this movie presented us with un-heroic characters in prevalent, bad situations and still leaves us with a open ending (despite providing a feeling of closure). Nothing is truly resolved in the end. Sure, some racism seems to be overcome, but is it really? I was glad this film didn't have a stereotypical change for good in all characters, even if it seems that way on the surface. It merely presents us with situations that go on day in day out, and through the character connections it shows that we will all somehow be part of the problem and the situation. I am not a minority and yet have encountered racism both in my home country here and in my travels abroad. I do not consider myself a racist and will be a very happy man the day people can move on from that kind of sentiment and think of each other as human beings. But unfortunately that dream is realistically quite a ways away, and this film acts as a wake-up call.
Perhaps people don't want to face the fact that (yes, referring to the epic Avenue Q) everyone's a little bit racist and that we will all encounter it one way or another and how we deal with it is never "right". It could be something small or big and how we deal with it depends on how we grew into our opinions. "Crash" depicts how, unfortunately, the majority does not handle it humanely, but with ignorance and anger.

Now, I can understand that there were predictable moments and my least favorite moment in the film is when Ryan Phillipe guns down the black guy in his car (imo, it was just just tooooo much of a character shift).
But is that really deserving to call it "the worst Best Picture winner and movie period"?

Great cast and performances, top directing and cinematography and Mark Isham's score is absolutely haunting. I love this movie still and always root for the underdog Cinderella story (it was technically an indie when it came out). I love films that shake me to my core about prevalent problems of our daily lives ("American Beauty" being my personal favorite for that) and hope that people can see past the few cliches and see the harsh reality of things. We are not all perfect, we all do bad things.

Please do comment, but if this causes heated feelings, I do apologize. I just feel I have a voice what seems to be a minority about this film.

View from the Nichols Bridgeway, outside the Art Institute's new Modern wing. The landscape of ADVENTUR!

darthhellokitty has given me an IDEA. I should have had this idea months ago, but now that I have it, I'm going to release it onto the internet.

WELCOME TO THE SAM'S CAFE JOB FAIR AND TEMP AGENCY. Our motto is, "Being unemployed is some bullshit. Give me a job."

HERE IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. This post is set up with screened comments. If you are unemployed or soon to be so, post here with your job search. Like so:

HI, MY NAME IS Slim Shady Sam.
I COME FROM France Chicago.
WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A Ninja Office Boy, a dramaturg, or an emperor.
PLEASE SHARE WITH ME Job openings / Jobsearch sites or temp agencies in my field or area / tips from pros working in my field / internship and volunteer opportunities / someone to beta my resume / etc etc etc

Feel free to post anonymously if you wish.

On Sunday morning, about 36 hours from now, I'll unscreen the comments and post a link directing people back to this post. Anyone who has advice, open positions, or helpful links can then scroll through the comments and help you find what you seek.

Our goal is to help three people get jobs. Just three people! Surely the other 2697 of us can find jobs for three of us.

Go ye forth and network.

I've written another installment in my Oscars series, this time on "Amadeus." It's in today's blog entry, if you'd like to read it.

Another film that featured in the London Film Festival, now on general release in the UK is The Men Who Stare At Goats. I saw this today (making an unintentional George Clooney double bill with The Fantastic Mr Fox) and its a winner from its title on down. The film is a fantastic modern fable that explores the fine line between mysticism and self delusion. Clooney is joined by two of my favourite actors, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey and each turn out briliant wry performances in this very funny film. It almost feels like a Cohen brothers comedy - such is the level of dead pan lunacy, and I cant think of a higher compliment to give.

The Fantastic Mr Fox had its UK premiere during the London film festival but has since gone out on general release - I saw it today. Ive got nothing but good things to say about it. Its based on a book by Roald Dahl, one of the greatest (non-patronising!) childrens authors ever. Directed by the ever-awesome Wes Anderson and featuring a stella cast its hard to go wrong. The film has so much of the vibe of a live action heist movie (Oceans 14?) I had to work at remembering that it was an animated film! Even in that department it has a totally unique look, which is hard to come by nowadays.
It seems you have to wait ages for a great animated family film then a bunch all come along at once. Up, Fantastic Mister Fox - whats next?

It may not shock you to learn that after six months of intense RPG action, the Askworld kids have kept in contact. Because we both work for nonprofit agencies, snaxcident and I tend to have the occasional "Hey, NFPs could use this!" moment, which I swear is all that I intended when I sent an innocent email...that prepared me for WORLD DOMINATION.

( Canadians fucking love webinars. )

Between this and getting metaquoted last night, my conquest of the internet continues apace.

So, a lot of you asked for the recipe for/location of the peppermint-tea ice cream. WELCOME TO MY KITCHEN!

Basically all the ice cream I make comes from one recipe.

( Universal Ice Cream Custard Base )

HEY GUYS

WE SURVIVED THURSDAY

And now I have freshly made peppermint-tea ice cream in the freezer, and fresh bread for gashouse eggs for dinner tonight.

And I'm hauling a bunch of stuff home from work so I get to take a taxi, and tomorrow I'm going to the Art Institute (!!) to see the exhibit of Caldecott book art and the Victorian photocollage and the freshly opened Apostles Of Beauty.

And it's member discount week, so I am going to treat myself to the fancypants restaurant instead of the cafeteria for lunch. I love the fancypants restaurant!

*MAKES RESERVATIONS LIKE A MOFO*

The hell is up with this day? Everyone I know has had a rotten time of it today. I burned myself baking bread. Now every kitchen implement I use regularly has officially bitten me at some point.

THIS DAY IS MORE THAN FIRED. I'M PUTTING OUT A HIT ON IT.

To the brave soul who inhumes this Thursday (never could get the hang of Thursdays) I offer a scoop of peppermint ice cream and a glass of Sonic Screwdriver (one part vodka, one part blue curacao or in my place rum hurricane mix, and four parts lemon-lime soda. It's evil in a glass).

I did get 1200 words on Valet of Anize today, though.

Hey, does anyone know the supposed reasoning behind drinking hot tea in the summertime? This is my supposition:

"In Anize, we drink hot tea even in the summer," she said, as I stood awkwardly by the desk. "Sit down, Carry. I think it's a mixture of masochism and common sense. Supposedly," she continued, as I settled on the edge of the bed, "the tea either raises your body temperature, making you more comfortable in the heat, or it makes you sweat to cool yourself. On the other hand, as a country we seem obsessed with discovering who can survive the worst heat."

Are either of those correct? Are there other theories? I'd love to hear superstitions about tea. :D

Today, my blog entry consists of musings on Charlie Chaplin's life and career. Read it if you're interested!

Oh, hey, so, I got the internet back. And then the entire company ran amok. It's just been one of those weeks. I blame the full moon, because like all humans I seek meaningful structure to the essentially chaotic nature of existence, or something.

And also I want a Snickers bar.

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

I plan to watch V for Vendetta. Best way to spend the evening, I figure. Anyone else?

Who has two virtual thumbs and no Internet on his work computer?

THIS GUY!

This week is so fired.

(sad when my phone is more functional then my desktop computer.)