I'm a little potato all mashed up.
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My online journal of my amazingly boring life. Don't expect anything juicy. I write those in my real journal at home safe away from prying eyes. Except for maybe my sister.
So New Water had me in the mood for looking at housing. We went to MacPherson Walk next and took a look at some suites. They were almost sold out of Phase 3 and where offering discounts on the remaining suites. It looked so nice and the sales person was so convincing I got sucked in to purchasing one of the last ground suites which has a small yard instead of a balcony. I was ready to sign some papers but we took another walk around to survey the area and it looked too close to the skytrain for our taste so I backed out of the offer. I still have second thoughts though...it looked so nice and owning my own home would be awesome. Someday...
Yay!!! My lilies are starting to bloom! The first one is an Asiatic variety called 'Lollipop'. Very pretty. I see a lot of blooms coming and I'm waiting in anticipation. I can't wait to take pictures of them! The purple clusters of flowers is actually an Allium. I wish I planted more of these. They'd look more dramatic in a cluster. I think the yellow flower is also a variety of allium. What sort of flowers are blooming in your garden?
So today I spent most of the day cleaning up my aquarium and rescaping it. I had pulled out all the plants yesterday and today I put some back in. The way I have it now, the fish can actually swim around instead of being choked in the plants. The water is still cloudy from the substrate shifting. I also added a layer of Fluval Plant substrate over the old EcoComplete gravel. Now there is a visible slope from back to front. It'll take a while for the plants to grow back in. I've gotten rid of a LOT. Basically the whole 40 gallons was chock full of plants. I removed some of the rocks and wood so that the middle would be more open. I plan to go back to schooling fish - maybe a variety of tetras so that means the Kribs have to go! Kribensis are very interesting fish to watch and they breed like rabbits but it's a problem since I never know what to do with the young!Cars 2 is a very entertaining movie. It may be impossible for Pixar to make a bad film! Compared to other Pixar movies, it may be at the bottom of the scale but it still is a wonderful movie to watch especially if you are a Pixar fan. It was fast-paced and action packed, accompanied with an awesome soundtrack. The story was interesting but a little forced and this time clearly centred around the funny and direct Tow Mater. It doesn't have as much emotion as previous Pixar films but it still had its moments. The film was really funny and had jokes that both kids and adults would appreciate. Movie buffs will also spot a lot of Easter eggs hidden throughout the film. The animation was amazing and the 3D effects were fantastic especially when going really fast in the races and during explosions. Overall, Cars 2 is a very fun, entertaining summer movie that the whole family will enjoy.
Cars 2 races into in theatres this Friday, June 24, 2011!
Prior to the main movie, we were treated to a hilarious short: Hawaiian Vacation that brings back Toy Story gang. Ken and Barbie had planned a special trip to Hawaii to celebrate their relationship only to be left at home. Now it is up to the gang to help them experience trip of their dreams!
Have you seen the official trailer for the Muppets movie?! After several teasers, it is finally released! The three previous teasers where in the form of spoofs; the most recent one being of the Green Lantern:
There was the Hangover spoof:
And the rom-com spoof:
I love the Muppets and am really glad that another movie is being made with them. The Muppets movie comes out in November! I can't wait!
The Art of Getting By is a nice, feel good movie to watch and also quite funny at times too. That being said, the story line is kind of predictable and bland, however it is the actors that really shine through and carry this movie. It was nice to see Freddie Highmore all grown up! The dynamic between his and Emma Robert's characters is believable and endearing. They have very good chemistry in the movie. They are the reason this movie is as good as it is. Most likely teens will be able to relate to what these characters are going through. Though, one thing I didn't like was that both characters smoke. Overall this movie is okay, not too exciting but teaches some good life lessons if you can sit through the entire movie.
The Art of Getting By opens in theatres today, Friday June 17, 2011.
In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power... Green Lantern's light!
Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is known for being reckless behaviour but is talented test pilot for the United States Air Force. While struggling to deal with his feelings with a tragic accident in the past and the relationship with his co-pilot, his life is turned up when a dying alien shows up and bestows a ring and a green lantern upon him claiming that the ring chose him as his successor. After reciting the oath, Hal is transported to the ancient world of Oa, home of the Green Lantern Corps, a organization tasked with the duty of keeping peace and justice in the universe. Green Lanterns use the power of Will which is channeled through the ring each of them wear. The vigorous training and responsibility of being a Green Lantern overwhelms Hal and he quits. When a seemingly unstoppable evil called Parallax returns to use the power of Fear to devour to whole worlds and threatens Earth. Hal will have to step up and prove that he has what it takes to be a Green Lantern and to save the people he cares about.
Being that I've never read anything about Green Lantern in my life, I wasn't sure what to expect. I've heard from people who have read the comics that the movie follows relatively closely to the original story. The trailer looked promising and I wasn't disappointed. The movie tells the back-story of the Green Lantern Corps and how Hal Jordan was the first human to be inducted into the Corps. I liked the story and Ryan Reynolds brought his charm to the character. There were a few funny moments that had the audience chuckling.
The screening was in 3D and though there were some good 3D effects, these were few and far between. A warning to those who are looking for an action movie: most of the film is spent telling the origins of the Green Lantern, the powers of the ring and setting up character relationships. Except for a few skirmishes, only at the end is there a big fight between Parallax and Hal Jordan. I would also liked to see the relationship between Sinestro (Mark Strong) and Hal developed more. Sinestro is suppose to be the mentor of Hal and I didn't realize that until I researched about the characters. Despite these points, I enjoyed the movie thoroughly! It's a good fun movie to watch in the summer.
Remember to stay for the credits! Looks like there will be another Green Lantern movie in the future! Hurray!
Green Lantern opens in theatres on Friday June 17, 2011 starting with midnight showings tonight!
Right after the Canucks game I headed to the "secret" location to see what was up. It was only 8pm but there was a lot going on already. The Green Lantern street team were set up and parading up and down Granville street with their big Green Lantern posters taking photos with hopeful Canuck fans and handing out swag. A shaved ice machine was set up and there was a long line up to get the lime flavoured treat with a green glowing stir stick in it!
A huge crowd started to build as it got closer to 9pm. The street team did a great job of handling the crowd given how big it was. Rings, t-shirts, coasters, foldable water bottles, drawstring bags, temporary tattoos, glowsticks and Green Lantern toys were all given out. 17 lucky people also received a advanced screening pass to go see the movie tomorrow!
I usually don't see such events happening for movies held in Vancouver; they are usually reserved for bigger cities like Toronto, but Green Lantern is filmed in Vancouver and the star Ryan Reynolds was also born here! I hope last night's success will mean more events like these will be held in Vancouver!
Green Lantern is coming to theatres this Friday! I can't wait to watch it!
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On Sunday I went to EAT! Vancouver for the first time. EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival is an annual food convention where celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, food and beverage manufacturers, wineries, retailers and many others from the culinary world gather for three days of food heaven! I went with an empty stomach and left at the end of the day stuffed full of delicious food and bag laden with samples. There were many displays and vendors giving away samples - Yoghurt, beef jerky, Clamato, McDonald's iced coffee, candied salmon, humus just to name a few.
Rob Feenie of Cactus Club Cafe was also there presenting on the main stage. I stayed to watch him for a little while but my hunger got the better of me and we purchased some tickets to trade in for food. There was so much to see and taste! EBO Restaurant and Milestones were there. I thought EBO's presentation of their food was the nicest! There was also a junior chef competition. USA won gold, Canada took silver and Chile placed third.
Just looking back at the pictures makes my mouth water! I can't wait go again next year!
The Dragon Boat Festival is still on tomorrow. Make sure you line up to get your picture taken on a boat; you can get a small Rio Tinto Alcan foldable water bottle afterwards. Sad to say that there is no cooking show or tin foil giveaways this year.
Phew what a long day! And tomorrow I'll be going to EAT Vancouver! There's always lots to do in Vancouver!
Also on Monday, Vancouverites will have a chance to Join the Corps! There will be a "Green Lantern" symbol projected somewhere in the downtown core at 9pm. The specific location is unknown but each day, Warner Brothers is releasing a clue to lead you to that secret location! The first 17 people to find the location will receive advance screening passes to see the movie on Wednesday! Other prizes will be available as well. But if you are a Canucks fan and there is a Game 7 which one would you go to? Hmm Tough call. Remember that Monday night is also game day so there'll be a lot of people downtown! So make sure you are on your feet!
Here are the clues:
Pre clue #1: During the Olympics the streets near this building were closed for the celebrations of superheroes clad in red and white.
Pre clue #2: Everyday it overlooks the most artistic building in Vancouver.
CLUE #3: One of its neighbors is a vault for priceless works of art.
CLUE #4: If shopping is your superpower, you can utilize it at this building.
CLUE #5: Masked with secrecy this building has no windows.
CLUE #6: One of its neighbors has never lost to its archenemy: high clothing prices.
CLUE #7: If villains needed money to fund their evil plans they would target its neighbour recognized by its green logo.
CLUE #8: The son of Rob meets his Gran at this ville.
Green Lantern is in theatres next week, Friday, June 17th, 2011.