Sixth of 2008 (Mostly Old news)

This is very delinquent. I had it all planned since last week, but then got distracted. However, I just received a new digital camera so hopefully I will learn how to use it soon and post with more alacrity.

This one will be short and sweet

See

On President's Day (see, it's been a while) I finally saw the Best-Picture Winner No Country For Old Men. I loved it. The story is straightforward, and not that much different than any typical thriller. But the Coen Brothers elevate it to art with their skill and sensibilities. Performances are great, cinematography amazing (surprised it didn't win for that, too) and the script is tight and metaphoric in all the right places. Some thought the ending was dissatisfying, but I enjoyed its subtlety.



The following Sunday my family gathered in our living room to watch the 80th Annual Academy Awards, hosted by the great John Stuart. I wasn't as emotionally invested in the awards this year (most years I'm psycho about it) because I just didn't get around to seeing many of the films nominated and then that led to a general sense of apathy. I really had fun watching them, though, and the run time was not exruciating this year! In fact, it might have been more enjoyable to watch them with people since I didn't need to hear every single acceptance speech. I still followed along, but fared horribly in my predictions. My sister Lisa won, but that meant nothing in terms of remuneration. We did send her home with a piece of lasagne.

Eat

There is a new Hawaiian barbeque/plate lunch place on the odd corner of 12th and Boren called Northshore Hawaiian Barbeque. We checked it out recently for lunch. The space is deceptively large, with a full back area that could easily house a bar if they decide to get a liquor license.



I had the huli huli chicken plate lunch, which of course comes with two scoops of white rice and a scoop of mac salad. The mac salad needed salt, but I was fairly satisfied with the chicken (more than I could eat, portions are generous). They also offer breakfast and a few desserts, such as haupia. It's a casual place, but there is table service. Drink offerings are limited to coffee, tea, sodas and Hawaiian Sun "juice" (ie, corn syrup that tastes vaguely tropical, but delicious all the same!).

Drink

I'm on a cleanse right now, in preparation for my physical next week. But I have recently indulged in two new cocktails!

On Valentine's Day I tried the Pele's Revenge at Luau: passion fruit juice, white rum, lemon-lime and amaretto. Shaken and served up, like a martini. Delcious, but sweet. I had one and then switched back to the original Mai Tai (which Laua does the best job of in town).

Then last weekend I had a mango-ginger margarita at The Islander. It's not quite margarita weather for me yet, but it was damn refreshing and not too heavy on the mango. It still had the lime-tang you want from the famous thirst-quencher.

Read

I finished the autobiography of Queen Lili'uokalani (and subsequently purchased a DVD documentary on her life and watched it). She was an incredible woman, so much integrity and dedication and so remarkably full of hope even in her darkest hours. Some of her musings on America were a bit depressing in light of what has happened since the late 1800s. She believed strongly in America, and viewed the illegal imperialistic overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy as an enemy of just a small fraction of selfish businessman. Sadly, the two became one in the same.


I am currently reading Access: Introduction to Travel and Tourism by Marc Mancini. I've been harboring the notion of breaking into that industry for some time, and this seemed like a good first step to see if it's something I ought to pursue further. The book is workbook-style, with questions and activities after each chapter. I like this, as it forces me to comprehend and not skim over things and if I'm reading something on the bus with distractions, I have the motivation to go back and re-read to find the answers. I wish more books had this feature. It helps fight the lazy bug!

Remember

Remember the Smurfs? I do! I collected them, idolized them and watched the cartoon religiously. And now, thanks to my loving fiance, I can re-live my childhood with the first season on DVD.



I already have tomorrow morning planned out: honeycombs and milk being delivered by Safeway tonight. Next I'll have to get the little guys out of storage for a photo shoot. They are making a comeback, you know! The big screen feature comes out soon.

Worry

Still a little worried about the physical, but my week of good health has helped ebb the anxiety.



Ralph Nader running for President should make everyone worry!

Also, beware of twin porn actors because they might steal your stuff!