Friday, September 26, 2008

Palin's Experience with Russia

This is just too good! I love Palin for her complete ineptitude!


Thursday, September 25, 2008

Second Blog.

Quick note here. I've finally started up another blog. Long time in the making -longer than probably most realize. Well, it's here and will be slowly taking shape. The address is:

sigfrieddesigns.blogspot.com



Hope you enjoy...

Call + Response

Just had to post this quote I heard:

"Justice is what love looks like in public"

This comes from the trailer for the new documentary Call + Response, which is about today's slave trade. The trailer is shown below.


Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Trust

What are the reasons behind people’s actions: what are their motives? The motor that powers actions is a product of history and specific interests. What is your history and interests? The direction of this inquiry is related to politics and leadership. A proverbial motor drives a politician that vies for your vote. Now, the politician’s action is to obtain a seat of power that can only be done-so through the support of the general public with votes, and through special interest groups with their campaign funds. Now ask yourself what brought that person to the point of being a politician and why they continue? Search for the history of the person first. What was their life prior to politics? Then search for what occurred since they have entered politics? The second part of the motor is the ‘interest’. Knowing what you now know of their past, why do you think they continue. People, broadly, continue actions because of specific interests: such as altruism, selfish pride, the admiration of loved ones or strangers, and so on. If you asked a politician what their interest is, no matter what they said, you would likely not completely believe them. This might be because you do not know this person on a personal level, or that we, as a society, have become indoctrinated with stories of corrupt politicians –both rightly and wrongly. It is always hard to believe a stranger, and no matter how hard a politician may try, they shall always be a stranger; to overcome this can often result in a charismatic leader who wins the election, such as the Kennedy’s or Trudeau’s. Nonetheless, how does one discover the interest? By searching through the person’s history you can likely form a very educated opinion about what their answer would be. Take into account all of their former actions and what resulted from these actions. History, often taken for granted, hold keys to understanding our future. That future is to be found in who we elect, no matter what part of our lives that election can be found –such as hiring a new employee, investing in stocks, or voting for a politician.


When choosing which candidate to vote for, ask yourself what you know of their motor. Compare your motor to theirs. History can be a powerful tool that too many dismiss.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

A Week Off

Okay, for those that don't know I'm doing my masters in archaeology. It is a truly wonderful experience, however I was getting sick (again) and decided to go back home for the week. Unfortunately my wife has to live in Calgary while I have to live in Saskatoon while I do my masters. So, I flew back home to spend the week and recoup.

I honestly meant to do some school work while I was away, but a little thing called movies got in the way -plus I was sick, did I mention that? So now that I'm back in Sask I thought I'd post about the movies I saw. Instead of working on school stuff of course -I may not be sick anymore, but procrastination is a more permanent affliction!

Movie 1. House Bunny. worth: $8 (what I think you should pay)
Very funny, though not too original. It is your typical 20-something or teenager chick-flick, but still has a few surprises that will keep you entertained. Basically the story is about an orphan who becomes a Playboy bunny. On her 28th birthday she is tricked by another bunny in leaving Hugh's Playboy mansion, where she resides. Distraught, she somehow ends up being the 'house mother' of a sorority at a university -I had no idea such 'house mothers' existed. The 'bunny' then teaches the sorority girls a few things while they teach her a few as well. Formulaic. There are many laughs and the characters are developed and generally well acted. The cast is fairly good, with two celebrity prodigies included: Bruce & Demi Moore's daughter, and Tom Hank's son, who I wish had a bigger part. Overall, worth checking out at a cheap theater or to rent (wouldn't pay 12 something for it).

Movie 2. Hancock. worth: $9
Enjoyable, but not great. The story is different from what normally occurs in superhero movies -which I am a BIG fan of. Will Smith stars and is, as always, great. The story while different is short. The movie ends and I began to think that this 1 1/2 hour movie only had about 1/2 an hour worth of story. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable with a few good twists and some great visuals which lends itself well to being viewed at the theatre.


Movie 2. Jumper. worth: $7.50
Unexpectedly a good movie. The plot is thin, but engaging. A young man nearly drowns but is
saved by discovering that he has the ability to teleport. He uses this ability to rob banks but years later realizes he is not alone and that a mysterious group /agency wants to murder him. Samuel L. Jackson leads the group that chases Hayden Christensen (who has vastly improved since being Skywalker). Jackson is as bad ass as ever, with really cool toys that he uses to catch the 'jumpers'. Diane Lane is also in it, although briefly. She is also as classy as ever. Doug Liman directed and his previous movies -the Borne series- definitely have a similar feel in comparison to Jumper. Overall good visuals and okay story -fun to watch but not overly memorable.

Movie 4. Definitely, Maybe. worth: $9

Very enjoyable, but if you haven't already figured out, I do have a soft spot for romantic comedies. This movies plot is different from other romantic comedies in that it portrays almost a decade of the main character's (played by Ryan Renolds) life. This was a pivotol part of the character's life where he meets three women. The story is told by Renolds as he attempts to put his daughter to sleep. He is currently going through a divorce and his daughter (played by Abigail Breslen, of Little Miss Sunshine fame) asks him about how he met her mother. The story is predictable, but plays out well enough to still be enjoyable. The acting is good and there are plenty of humorous moments to keep you watching.


Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Remember

I remember, like so many.


This was the moment that started it all. I was in the distance but not part of then nor now. Those distant actions continue to pay forward. I wonder if these thoughts will return every year or if they will dispel into time like all others. What makes it unique though? Was it the past or the snowballed future?


For today I shall remember and hope all others will as well. But how do people remember? Surely, and sadly, it is different for each. Perhaps though, we can all remember in peace.