Julia & me

It's been a whirlwind of health issues for the past few weeks. Last blog was about my first hockey injury. My back was put back into place within a week, only to be just the prelude of a series of "unfortunate" adventures which included a mild concussion and an unrelenting stomach bug.

But today I'm feeling back to my normal crazy-self. Working this weekend to make up for lost sick days (which currently I have none - something that I'm thinking about changing). But tonight while doing the ritual laundry dance I found myself renting a few movies to pass the time. One of which is "Julie & Julia". My interest of the film was primarily of watching Meryl impress me once again with her acting talent. A critically acclaimed performance and deservingly so. The 2nd reason is that I do remember watching a flutterly woman discuss the finer points of baking during my childhood (thanks PBS!). I didn't understand much of what was going, other than Julia Child was litterly off-her-rocker. Please don't misunderstand, that isn't an insult. It is a sincere compliment. Because I think I have a bit of Julia in me - especially when teaching science. I think next time I teach a class, I shall wear a pearl necklace in homage. Thanks Julia.


Music... I have been busy with music again of late due to a recital. However that will be a topic for a future blog. Tonight, a lil' more of Tracy Chapman's bright, "Sing for You". I often think about her concert I saw last summer, she performed this song with a lil' intro that she was curious of how Cdns would sing the chorus. Apparently there are different takes of how people pronounce "Do, do-do, do-do-do, do".

O Canada...

Over on facebook, I was kindly reminded of some oldies short Cdn films that were highly popular as a kid growing up (I guess they would be considered oldies nowdays). I remember in highschool we'd begged the teachers to show us these films as we figured that it was good education being Canadian arts and all those things. Yeah, we really just wanted the afternoon off. But seriously, these following short films are pure Cdn genius. They were just as popular as Hinterland Who's Who (man, that theme brings back fond memories). Anyways, seeing that Canada Day is coming up, I thought I post something of the creative Canuck culture (oooh, AA points there Char!). Big thanks to Helen who reminded me of the first fantastic film (ooooh, I'm on a roll!!!).

"The Cat Came Back" is probably the most famous short movie in the history of Cdn arts. If you ever want to see if there's a Cdn in the room (without asking who wants timbits), just hum the first line melody and if we're present, you'll hear someone sing the full chorus immediately.



The 2nd one is a personal favourite of mine. "Black Fly" reminds me of summers at Clear Lake, Manitoba. If ever head into any Cdn deep woods, bring repellent, extra-strength. Otherwise you're just the bottom of the food chain. Another note, the song overpronounces the Cdn province Ontario. Do not go to Toronto and say their province as On-TARE-EYE-Oh. Not unless you want maple syrup shoved up where the sun don't shine. Yes, consider yourself warned.



Last, but not least, "Log Driver's Waltz". I hum this song a lot to myself... maybe it's true what the song says, "I think I will marry my log driver..."



Have a gander with the nfb.ca website, there's a lot of hidden Cdn gems to view. Laterz folks!

Opa!

I'm happy about this weekend as "My Life in Ruins" opens. This movie is the third by Nia Vardalos, a Cdn Greek, in which I'm told by my Greek family is a distant cousin. Of course, if you're Greek, everyone's a cousin. So I'm not sure how distant Nia's family is to the Iatridis family. But I've learned quickly within my Greek family that theios (uncles), theias (aunts) and xederfos (cousins) could include your next door neighbour's best friend's girlfriend. Often ex-girlfriend too. Anyways, in case you were living under a rock about 8 years ago and missed "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", DEAR GAWD, go and rent that movie. Tora!! (NOW!!)

Now you may be wondering if I am actually Greek. Officially, no. But I consider myself an adopted Greek and have a full fledged Greek family. The short version of this story is that I grew up with a close highschool friend who's father is from Greece. The family has two sons, so me being over at their house daily often felt like being the daughter of the family. One Greek Orthodox Easter, they presented me with a cake. I quizzed them to why I would have my own cake on Easter (of ALL days!). They explained to me that this day would now be my nameday (a Greek tradition) and gave me my own Greek name: Anastasia. The name comes from Anastasios meaning "resurrection", hence the Easter theme (though I was later told that my nameday is actually December 22nd, not Easter, but ehhh, we bend the rules a lil'). So Greek name, Greek nameday, Greek family. Opa! I couldn't ask for a more supportive adoptive family like my Greek mom and dad, not to mentioned two fabulous Greek bros. The above picture is from my Greek bros' wedding a few years back. Come my wedding, we're smashing plates just like so! I'm very proud of my Greek family, just as I am of my own. Both our families are close, my moms hang out together as much as possible. And if you have watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (if not, why are you still reading this blog? GO RENT IT! TORA! TORA!!), yes, my Greek family is EXACTLY like that (minus the spitting). So Mad Beaker to Nia for giving the non-Greeks in the world a lil' insight to the rich culture of hers (and unofficially mine).

Back in a coffee shop today, finishing the slides for the defense. Last night I was losing some sleep over the d-day. Just concerns that I won't make the grade to be Ph.D. material. My colleagues and friends say that isn't the case, but I'd rather be worried and study like hell than be overconfident and arrogant. A colleague of mine recently attended an open defense and was shocked that the student didn't actually READ their thesis before hand. WTF did they think the questions would be on? Their choice of attire of the day? I'm already reviewing my thesis and finding (oh my) big areas for revision. Game plan is to keep quiet about what I found that needs fixing unless they bring it up. So shhhhhhh...

Music, since I'm talking about my Greek family, might as well as play a lil' Arkadia, a Greek band from my hometown that comprises of (you guessed it) my Greek cousins. Sadly, I can't finding any youtube clips (cough cough nudge nudge to my Arkadia cousins), but if you search within their discography site, you'll find some samples of their CDs. I miss hearing you guys play live!!! Sniffs. Ora kali (laterz) folks!

All I ask is for a tall ship and stars to steer her by...

So after that rollercoaster week (thesis in YAY!! car vandalized GAK!!), I decided to end things on a more upbeat note and take in Star Trek on Friday afternoon. The bonus point was that the theater was FINALLY showing it with Rear Window Captioning so I could get ALL the dialogue and not just parts of it. It's true that all movies at ALL times should have this feature. But like everything else I learn with having a disability, change takes time.

Anyways, Star Trek. I confess that I'm a closeted Trekker. I've attended conventions AND thoroughly enjoyed myself (no, I didn't dress up, I'm not THAT a fanatic). I own 3 complete series and all the movies (whether I like them or not, seriously... ST5? It's just there to fill the gap between Voyage Home and Undiscovered Country). My closet houses a toy tricorder and phaser. And give me a quote and I'll give you the series, episode, who said it, to whom, and the importance of it (if any).

So I'm well vested in the Star Trek universe and was happy to hear that JJ Abrams was heading up the latest installment. I like JJ, he has a good vision as a writer and a director. Although I never was able to get into the series LOST, I was an avid fan of Alias. But I did hear that the 11th movie steers away from the Star Trek Universe canon, which I was weary of. Indeed while watching the film today, it profoundly changed the history of Star Trek. But the writers did make a loop hole that can explain things to satisfy the die-hard Trekker like me. However I WAS left wondering, is this movie a TRUE prequel? Hmmm huh? Oooh I can just FEEL this topic being debated upon in a few fan forums.


Aside from that quip of continuity, my gawd did I have fun with this show. The actors got the characters down to a science (pardon the pun). DeForrest would've been proud of Karl Urban. And I was LMFAO with Chekov and Scotty. I'm happy with this one, it breathes new life into the Star Trek franchise and that always means that more is to come. I give this flick 5 mad beakers out of 5 for entertaining me so. But truth be told, I'm still waiting for a DS9 story. They left too many questions unanswered from that series. Yeah, I know it wasn't a fave series of them all, so the probability of seeing a DS9 flick will be nil (man, I'm sounding like Spock).

Other news: on the license front, my car now sport a shiny new plate. Snaps to my mom for being a dear and promptly sending me out a replacement plate. This weekend is the May long weekend in Canada. And oddly enough, I'm going to take the full three days off. Strange but true. I think the past 6 years of hell and even the past 6 months of writing hell warrants a three day week-end... don't you?

my MILFs...

My SoCal friend Kelly MSNd me today about possibly going to see the new release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine... for shame that she tempt me with that! There's a thesis to be written! :P

Already known to this blog, I am an avid graphic novel fan. But, I'm even MORE a fan of Wolverine, especially Wolvie played by Hugh Jackman. At some point of time, the stars magically aligned to convince movie execs to cast Hugh as Wolverine. Yes, the X-men movies don't really follow the actual comics, but I think it's now accepted among the fanboys to never expect continuity between what's written/drawn on the page and what appears on the silver screen. I just enjoy the stories on the films and cheer whenever there's a homage scene (in which I am always among the minority in the theater that cheers when this happens).

Anyways, Hugh... Wolvie... these are my MILFs. I know MILF really stands for "Moms I'd Like to Fuck", but in my book the M stands for "Men" (I could go with GILFs, "Guys" but that's also taken with "Grannys", yes, I know, we live in a demented world). In fact, I going to start listing them from now one whenever pops up, thus the MILF tag is born. I can't think of a nicer specimen of male to start off this new MILF tag list than Hugh. He plays a brilliant Wolvie (among many other roles) and is very easy on the eyes. Plus, Hugh has the Aussie accent that always makes me swoon. He sings n' dances, hosts the Tonys too! Hell, I'd probably be impressed to the fact he could chew gum and walk at the same time. I know he's married, lucky girl she is. And it's just a harmless crush. As for Wolverine, I really like this tormented character. Natch "he's the best at what he does" (I could sooooo read into that), but I enjoy the complexity, humour, and overall RAWR factor. But then again, any woman Wolvie loves meets an undesirable end, so I'd keep that affair under wraps.

So dear Kelly and anyone going to see the flick: enjoy! It's on my very long list of things to do when the thesis is handed in. Speaking of which, I should get back to thesis. God, I'm going to enjoy blogging without having to talk about thesis. Soon folks, soon...

In my ear: The Ting Tings, "Shut Up and Let Me Go". Good weekend to you all!

Hello Darkness, my old friend....

So the interview went... I can't say it was one of the best. I think the wear of the thesis writing was showing. The questions were expected, no surprises. So it's out of my hands. They said I should get a call in a few days. I know that I'm overqualified in many areas, but some aspects of the job I've never trained for. That can be a major dark blotch on the chances of getting the job. But I think I hit home the message that I'll learn anything. That's one thing I'm hoping to get the job. I can expand my technical skills. If things don't pan out, I'm going to take it that it wasn't meant to be.

Back in the lab. Sequencing and digests. Hoo-hah. Next week I start the final stages of my experiments. And oh yeah, finish the thesis.

In my ear... more Simon & Garfunkel, "The Sound of Silence". I've renewed my interest listening to the folk duo because "The Sound of Silence" was a prominent track in the latest graphic novel flick "The Watchmen".

It's a hobby of mine, graphic novels. Yes, they ARE comic books. But my personal collection is comprised of graphic novels. What's the difference? Comic books are weekly releases. Graphic novels are complete story arcs. I know, "ooooh ahhh, same difference there Nanc". Remember though, I'm a bona fide geek. Of course I read mainstreams like Superman, Batman, and X-men. But I also have a love for indie graphic novels. Especially ones as grounding breaking as Alan Moore's "The Watchmen". Other lesser known series I follow are "Y: The Last Man" (which recently wrapped up its series) and the ongoing "Fables". I'll talk about these at a later date.

Anyways, "The Sound of Silence"... it has been always been a heartfelt song for me on so many levels. Paul once mentioned that it's about society's failure to communicate. And being deaf I can identify personally with the problems of communication failure. Of course you might think, "how the fuck does she listen to music then?" Being deaf doesn't mean totally deaf. Just an extent of it. When I awake in the morning, it's silent and remains that way until I decide to rejoin the hearing world with putting aids in. Some weekends I go the entire time deaf. It might sound frightning, but honestly there's a peace within silence, expecially the sound of silence. Also being deaf, lets me appreciate music more. I enjoy all genres, but tend to gravitate towards rock with a good drum beat. People forget that music is all about vibrations. Feeling those vibes when unaided is an awesome experience.

Alrighty... off to meetings then a lil thesis writing tonight. Tally ho.