The Day the Earth Stood Still...

Hmmm... Having been a fan of the 1951 movie I was intrigued by the remake. I recall watching the original many times as a kid and LOVING it. The original scared me - I was terrified of aliens and the messages stayed with me for years.

I know.... I shouldn't hope for much being a remake however... there was the hope...

In selecting the lead I know the casting agents thought... "Hmmm where to find an actor with no skills in emoting?". Keanu Reeves was perfect for the role of Klaatu as it did not require any form of emotion to be shown - well done Keanu, a completely wooden performance in every way.

Please don't bother to see this version - it is completely forgettable! At the end I was very much "Humph, well that was pretty average - not terrible, but very, very average". Go to the video store and rent the original. The concepts and the fear of aliens, cold war and atomic weapons are all so much better suited to the 1950's movie experience rather than the politically correct environmental message in the remake.

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Merry Christmas to all... And to all a good night...

Merry Christmas!

I cannot believe how quicky this year has passed us by. I am certain someone stole a few months somewhere along the way. However... be that as it may the year has nearly finished and we are looking straight down the barrel of 2009.

2009 will bring with it a whole new world of challenges. I will be getting married in 6 weeks - again where have the past 18 months gone? Catering is still up in the air but everything else is under control. Fingers crossed it will all happen smoothly on the day.

Following that is the joy of Malaysia. With health issues throwing a spanner in the works we will still be enjoying the orangutans, proboscis monkeys and tarsiers of Borneo in February. I cannot even start to tell you how happy I am to be taking a month off work! This will be an amazing trip.

So what did I acheive in 2008... I hate this part... Apart from teaching Nia on a part time basis and starting a new job in policy, 2008 has been a pretty "nothing" year. I am quite happy to see the back of it actually.

I stepped down from repsonsibility at Zonta mid way through the year which was a nice relief. I discovered the music of the Great Lake Swimmers - who I love. I read a lot more books than I have done in recent year.

Today I am trucking off from work around 11:30am. Heading to the Gold Coast beaches for a picnic with friends. Tonight will be church service at 11:30pm and Christmas morning spent with Mark's family. Lunch will be in Brisbane so it will be an hour's drive before spending the afternoon with my family. Home in the evening to spoil my baby cat silly with tuna and many snuggles.

Hope your day is peaceful, filled with love and great food.

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Time keeps on ticking.

The day is coming nearer. Less than two months to go. The checklist is slowly getting ticked off. Just one more item left to go now and we are all there.

I am learning that even the most prepare of us can get quite stressed by all this fuss and bother. It is quite a strain pulling everything together.

My number one complaint to date - people who do not respond to requests for quotes. Even a simple - thanks but we don't want your business would suffice! Better that than waiting, waiting, waiting and nothing coming back.

Mark and I are truly looking forward to our holiday to Malaysia. Mark has tracked down the best local markets in KL and found out they are best on a Saturday night - our last night. So I sense we will be spending up big on our last night in Malaysia - Mark may get a replaced Polo cap to match his Vietnam "genuine". That and a copy of Twilight for Miss Isabelle at work...

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