And to balance out the creepy kiddy porn...

This really made me think of Corinne's outfits this Hallowe'en. Especially last nights.

Sooo Sleepy

Congrats Owen on winning the costume competition at the Purple Onion. Are you going to share with the adoring crowd who monopolized the front row to help you win. (grin)

I enjoyed last night but I am so tired.

So to clarify Karen's post.

Please arrive on Nov. 8th, 7pm at the Sorority for our initiation. Get there early as we are accepting only 12 new member applicants. There will be some "skill-testing" activities to evaluate whether you are worthy members. Only the best may join The Sorority. For those not accepted on this round of recruitment we have many other fun activities, mainly drinking and making fun of the recruits. Please note this sorority is trans and intersex inclusive. If you feel like a real woman at heart you too can join.

Yours, R

Decemberween* Party

Saturday December 13, 2003. Eveningish.

Clubhouse.

Updates and changes will be posted here.

You understand the drill by now. If not, email me.

*

In Response to Corinne's Last Post

If you thought Mini Kiss was "immoral" or "horrifying", you haven't seen this.

Sam and I found them by accident while researching child star "fan" pages.

Apparently their parents are ok with it, and even encourage it.

sorority party

november 8th.
come.
party.
come.
leave comments here and come and call people who know where here is and...
come.

love Karen

weeeeeeeeeeeee i learned to post

yay!

no really come
i want you all to be there
really
that why I posted here
so come

yay!

this means war...

I just want to point out to everyone one little thing... Eva started it!

kooky canucknuckleheads.

plus, I had to see what sort of weird ass icon our webmistress stuck me with...

Karen Forgot Her Password/Username(The Whole Damn Thing)

I am typing for Karen. She is here, hovering over my shoulder telling me what to write ("obver?").
All is good in Karen world.
Karen uses one hand to type and can type fast with one hand. Because she's "me".

She's making dinner for fast-typer Kyle, Rachael is making dinner for me (Corinne, by the way).

__________________________

I love life and flowers and cooking and you and I am a domestic queen. (queer? no, queen)

Just in time for Halloween

Mini-Kiss!

I can't tell if this is immoral or just plain horrifying.

This one's for you Christian...

Because I know how much you love America.

Halloween Pictures Part Deux

He-Man and She-Ra in the Clubhouse kitchen.

Angela all elvenesque.

Harley Quinn/Ava immediately after make-up.

BJ in a movie reference I just wasn't able to get. And something about a grapefruit.

Bob botching the shotgunning of beer. Botchbotchbotch.

Medusa/Bree.

E-L-W-O-O-D

Flashdance Emily.

Viking/Ethan.

Dark Faerie/Eva.

Psycho Clown Thingmy/Jon.

Elephant/Karen.

Pre-trollop/Unsexy Marm/Karin.

Kate sans costume, but an excellent photgraph nonetheless.

Doremon/Mouse/Laura (w/Bonus Owen Eye).

Elle Driver/California Mountain Snake/Mariko.

Bubba Ho Tep/Mike.

Man of Stone/Nick.

1/2 Hellraiser/Owen.

Parisan Aristocrat/Rachael.

Lost Soul/Scott.

Crazy 88/Toby, Pizza Delivery/Chris.


Skeleton/Trevor.


Rachael and Bob.

I can't help but laugh at this

It speaks for itself, really.

Best part is, it's a real ad.

Reminder...

Corinne has suggested that I post the weekly reminders here for those of you not on the mailing list. If you want on the mailing list -- EMAIL ME!!! For those of you not on the mailing list it is especially crucial that you RSVP either here, by email, or by phone so that we have enough seating for everyone. Hope to see more of you tomorrow.

Hi all!!

Hope you've recovered from your Saturday night hangovers (I'm talking to you Bob) because this Tuesday (tomorrow) is Zombie Night!

7pm: STACY [2002] -- Japanese zombie school-girls. What more do I need to say?

9pm: BURIAL GROUND [1980] -- Winner of 2001 Cinemuerte Audience award. The epitome of the Italian Zombie Film.


If you can make it, let me know. If you can't, let me know. I'm hoping from the response at the Clubhouse halloween bash that we'll have a big turnout this week, but again let me know so that we can adjust the seating situation. Pop Fund is in effect so ante up if you can.

later dahlings...

~meeko

604-871-1089 if you need directions since the mapquest directions are faulty.

Quite Possibly the Scariest thing You'll See this Halloween

I could not make this up if I tried. This is absolutely 100% real, not a spoof site. And why is Denis Miller the representative for the left? Couldn't they do any better. Well, I guess it is American politics...

We need to work on this, guys.

Only 42%? Shesh.

Of parties and costumes and girly drinks...

Okay, that was the most entertaining Hallowe'en party I've been to in ages...

The He-Man and She-Ra costumes were outstanding...and made more so, in my eyes, by the fact that in grade four I was She-Ra for Hallowe'en, and Sophie was the only other person I've ever seen wear that costume (I should really dig up a pic and scan it in). Then, to boot, she pulled out the "Coat hanger of Doom" as her Hallowe'en decoration...it had little kleenex ghosts hung all over it...once again, very grade-school...it made me happy!

I also greatly enjoyed the realization that Paul was more finicky about his makeup and wanted to touch it up more often than any woman I've ever met...

I'm so ticked off that I didn't get a picture of Chris in his Ringwraith costume. I tried, but alas, he and Korrine had left...(Argh) If anyone got one, please post it/send me a copy...it was beautiful. Also Korinne had the cutest little wings...I must see if Dressew has any left...little black batty wings with sparkley red accents. I just want a pair to dress up my winter coat with.

Watching Harry Potter shotgun a beer (albeit very poorly, managing to get more beer on his friends than in himself) was a slightly mentally scaring experience. Watching him repeatedly make homo-erotic suggestions to Paul was a wee bit creepy as well, I'll admit. I think it made Bobs costume the scariest there, in my eyes. He should have gone out and terrorised small children.

Hey, what a great pedophile costume that would be!

"Are you Harry Potter?"

"Why yes...come over here and I'll show you my 'Magic Wand'."

I must also issue a public apology to Rachel for being a century off in my estimation of her costumes time period. I'm really only good at guessing the century of pre-16th century clothes. She seemed so upset with me...

And, to close, I found the most awesome girly drink...WKD. It's a bright blue vodka cooler that tastes like a blue freezie with a hint of citrus. It's a really low percentage (5.5%) but was very yummy and you can get a nice little buzz off the four pack.

That's all for now. Toodles!

Don't let Hallowe'en die just because it's November!

Don't let Hallowe'en die just because it's November!

Since I have other plans on the 31st, I was thinking of picking up tickets for this and extending my Hallowe'en experience. Anybody else feel like joining me?

It's A ROCKY HORROR HALLOWE'EN!


Ladies and Gentlemen!
Down Stage Rght Productions is pleased to present an evening
of 'naughty & nice' post-Hallowe'en entertainment!

First you'll be seduced by the divas of NRG AURUM, then LITTLE MISS
NAUGHTY may just have her wicked way with you, until finally the
entire cast of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Arts Club Theatre, 2002) will
unleash their Sweet Transvestite (Neil Minor) and do the Time Warp
again!

So 'give yourself over to absolute pleasure' and be sure to join us!
Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Come! Eat, drink & be
merry! Hope to see you there!


Advance Tickets - $8
Tickets at the door - $10
November 1, 2003
9PM to close
The Honey Lounge (at the Lotus Sound Stage)
455 Abbott Street (at Pender St.) Vancouver, BC

For more information or advance tickets, please call or email Mr.
Mark Carter (Artistic Director, Down Stage Right Productions) at:

604.709.9754
drsproductions@telus.net

Halloween Party

This is a special thanks to all that came out on Saturday, the party wouldn't have been quite as good if it wasn't for any of you. You guys are the bestest.

Here is Ava as Harley Quinn. She was telling me a story about how her original pants were one leg red and one leg black. She opted for the all black pant look which looks more classier. But then I ask myself, "what came of those pants? were they given to Jack White of the White Stripes for their latest video?" Eerie.

And this would be the source of all the drumstick/magic wand anal jokes. Bob went against tradition and avoided the army costume this year and opted for a Harry Potter costume. He does have the scar, but is keeping it strategically out of shot. The wand would make its pokey rounds by the end of the night, as with all good costume props (devil sticks, hats, wigs, head lice, etc.). I'm a little disappointed with the scarf. My only suggestion is for Bob to suggest he is Evil Potter or the Anti-Potter... He's not quite there to be a full on Harry Potter (and even took off the hooded cape I lent him for all of a minute. Bob was awesomely drunk by the end of it all. Bob rocks.

This is Christian pre-illness. And now I see his foolishness in his hands. He claims the meat got him ill, but the "cider" he is drinking is almost as bad as Dragon's Punch for having adverse effects on someone. His hands are hidden in this shot, but there is a definitely a "tattoo" of E-L-W-O-O-D on his knuckle and a half. I know 'cause I drew it myself. Christian tells a better tale on his website, and it comes with an illustration.

Me. In Battle Royale costume. Biggest question for me is "what are you?" "Have you seen Battle Royale?" "Oh, no! But I have heard of it!" Very common response. Too bad I couldn't have had it playing in the background. It would certainly have less porn than what is on behind me in this picture. I plan on adding the map, a weapon and some food rations for later this week.

Emily Flashdancing about. I think she told the best costume story of the night. Upon leaving her house her mother suggested that she looked like a hooker. I thought that was hilarious. Because in a few ways, in the summer, if you go down to Cordova, you can find women stuck in 80s dance routine clothing, sans leg warmers. With classic hoop earrings that were for a while back in style thanks to J-Lo...

Best thing about Ethan's costume was that he couldn't walk through the Clubhouse with the helmet on. Too funny. He was carefully guided into the kitchen when I first got a glimpse of the problem. I forgot to announce costume height restrictions this year, but I didn't think anyone would exceed them.

The dark faeire and the resident instant photgrapher (thanks Eva!) were actually modified by her (which is incredible for the accuracy and matchingness of the holes to the original design). Also impressive was the lifespan of her hairstyle which lasted all night. If you're looking for you gelly blood I have it.

The first of two Kill Bill costumes (I'll have to wait until I finish the roll and develop mine to show the rest of the costumes MIA), Mariko came as Elle Driver (aka California Mountain Snake). Very well done and it created quite the debate over Elle's code name.

I'm under the impression I wouldn't mind taking Graeme to see "Once Upon A Time In Mexico" for the sole reason that someone loses some eyes very dramatically. And he's got guns. Here's the guy concerned with his make-up, Paul. Paul did not get nearly drunk enough, but this could be a blessing as my bed was not the recipient of vomit. Thanks Paul for not vomitting on my bed. Much appreciated. Kudos! (as always, just teasing).

Up close and personal, here's Rachael in her 18th Century Parisian costume (she's so much more historically cultured than the rest of us... or at least overt about it). I'm glad to see that she had ironed out the last few details that were problems on Thursday. Her hat exceeded my expectations on what someone could make in a such a short span of time. Very very cool.

The neighbourhood popular Lost Souls look graced Scott for Saturday. It's too bad you couldn't see the suit he was wearing. As I recall it was very ornate for a suit and very swanky. He could probably have stuck a couple of fangs in, some drippy blood and it would have been a fancy little vampire costume. I wonder who did his make-up... looks good.

Trevor. I'm beginning to really love Trevor's presence at the Clubhouse events (this is not to say that I didn't like it before). I love a guy who can encourage drunken revelry in others. I think the half a dozen really drunk people really moved the party along. And, yeah, Trevor, your gloves and cape were retrieved successfully from the bah-be-que.

As the night went on, costume bits started to make their way around. Here's Grae with Paul's wig. He echoes the grunge scene with that goatee nicely. And those that got to see the running joke with Grae, me and the wig are going to have something to share to those that departed early, I suppose.

Of course, without a wig, effeminate Paul adopts mine.

Owen would acquire Mike's mask in a moment of absurdity captured on "film".


The costumes of the night seemed to be of Sophie and Gareth. I continue to not hold out high expectations for their costumes, and every year I am caught off guard. This is some serious Halloween commitment. Gareth told me the story about how Owen wouldn't let up on finding out what they planned to be for Halloween. Finally Gareth caved and confessed that they were going as the cheesey classic couple's costume of a prince and a princess. Apparently Owen gave quite the look. And it was not Link and Zelda, Owen. Nice guess... I would have pictured them as Gay Rainbow Ken and Rainbow Barbie for a few weeks in horror.


Bob and Rachael on the couch. We've mentioned them both already, so they just get a simple caption. Nya. By the way Rachael, whatever happened to those sorority pictures?


Karen and Laura, acting like a couple of animals. The Elephant costume was apparently a butchered child's costume and the Mouse was a second hand grab at the V&V boutique. Great ideas for next year for me.


With a photograph, Nick's man of stone works really well against Bree's Medusa. This costume comes courtesy of Miyuki. The more I see of Miyuki's handiwork, the more impressed I am. That wig was solid.

If I am missing any photographs (I got three empty emails, and I'm certain Eva took pictures of Mike as well as a few others) I'll post another one of these later.

I Lost Count Very Early On

The only count made was 34. So at one point last night there were 34 people in this one bedroom (the one room not being filled) Clubhouse.

It started out with Christian, Paul and Eva to the Meat Fest (which didn't sit too well with the newly vegetarianized Christian) which was glutonous (in so many ways). Bob showed up next followed by Rachael, Chris, Owen, Gareth and Sophie. And then I lost track.

Themes found in costumes this year included movies characters (2 for Kill Bill, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Blues Brothers, Hellraiser--methinks...--, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Fame, Bubba Ho Tep, Battle Royale), myths and fables (Medusa and her man of stone, dark faerie, elf), cartoon characters (He-Man, She-Ra, Harly Quinn) as well as a whole slew of others: Janitor, Pizza Delivery, 2 Indie Rock Stars* (heheheh), Psychotic clown thingy, 3 over-worked students*, Viking, Skeleton, Elephant, Doremon/Mouse, 18th Century Parisian woman, Bat/Punk Girl, angry Samoan, Lost Soul** (plus others that I can't recall at this time--I'm missing a couple).

There was no prizes this year as it would be difficult to judge anything this time around. Best Costume would be probably awarded to Gareth and/or Sophie just for sheer effort, but there were so many great costumes (again) this year. Tackiest decoration was Paul's (in my eyes) with a plastic motion detector shield with a skull with a pair of sunglasses that sang "I'm a Soul Man!" for far too long when you went by it. As for the most drunkest, there was some serious competition this year. Excellent showing by Mike, Trevor, Graeme and E-Milly (as well as others).

Instensly busy, a lot of fun, and once Christian has his December schedule figured out, I'll announce the Decemberween Fest for early December.

*These were not costumes. But they worked as such.
**This was a spill over from the Parade of Lost Souls which had a huge turn out this year. As this occurs every year a block from The Clubhouse there tends to be at least one person in dead spirit sort of dress. Nothing defined, but unquestionably a costume.

Party, Party, and more Party

Most hardcore Costume(s): Props to Sophie for her work on Gareth and herself as He-Man and She-Ra. A close second in my books was Chris, whose Ring Wraith was pretty darn cool.

Cutest Costume(s): Karen's Elephant costume was pretty cute, as was Eva's Faerie.

Least Effort: Not including myself, or those who didn't bring costumes, Bob was the clear winner of the day in this category as he pretty much looks like Harry Potter at the best of times. (It was funny to see ol' 'arry Pottah get rip roaring drunk).

Drunkest: This one's a hard one. I'd say T-Gem outdid himself on this one yet again, as did Bob. I know I was way over my normal limit, and Christian was the quickest one knocked down. Mike was quite a bit of fun too. (I'm so sorry I couldn't come today Mike, we will definitely hook up soon.)

It was funny, I think this was the stickiest party we've ever thrown. (Maybe that's just my perspective after been hit in the head with a shot of beer from Bob's ill-fated attempt at a shotgunning.) It seemed that almost everyone drinking was drinking some kind of cooler, or vodka beverage. I suspect there was many a hangover today.

The movies were not a hit, either people couldn't stand the gore, wanted more porn or something but they were fairly quickly shutdown. (And replaced with the Secret of Nimh).

All in all, a good party methinks. I really hope Eva gets some of those pictures up here!

MORE HALLOWEEN IDEAS

You really, really have to check this out. Sobaka Sean sent me this link to a museum of failed halloween costumes:

http://www.retrocrush.com/costumes/index.html

Enjoy!

Duke

Confessions of a rum-addled mind vol. 11

This issue: I miss my avatar, Costume Tips, Me and my PADI

1. I miss my avatar. It was animated. It was Homer Simpson with a glint in his teeth. I'm not sure what to make of this bat character, perhaps if he bit into something small and furry.

2. Costume Tips: Wear something bright and fluorescent so that cars can see you. Actually I meant "shopping" tips, but all the same...

- Value Village (7/10) Maybe I got started too late, but they were sold out of a lot of supplies and had inflated prices on "official" merchandise like the osbournes ($45-50 range). Still, the classic wigs were plentiful. Commercial and Hastings seems like the best of the bunch.

- Zellers (3/10) One aisle, I didn't even expect to find that. Mostly kiddie costumes with the exception of a complete dracula kit. Horrible.

- It's my party shop (6/10) On clark avenue in burquitlam. Mostly rentals but odds and ends like tridents, beards, swords etc...need to reserve a costume a month in advance.

- Spencer Gifts (4/10) As much as i'd like to look exactly like Gary Coleman to the point of fooling his birth parents, I can't justify $100...sorry, universal.

- London Drugs (8.5/10) Surprisingly good selection, 2 aisles, plenty of supplies (wigs, hwd makeup fx, accessories) and full outfits for kids and adults. 30% off.

So there's your answer to "where do i go for that fake beard 2 hours before the party?"

3. Me and my PADI

So I got into snorkeling this summer, between Alouette lake and Qualicum Beach, and realized my calling in this life. Then they closed all the parks and lakes for a month. I realized that my boss wrote the book on where to go diving in BC and found out that he was an instructor and shop owner through the late 80's and early 90's...enter my keen sense of enthusiasm.

I signed up for the open water scuba course a few weeks ago and am just into the second of 5 lessons consisting of 2 hours theory and 2 hours pool practice out at the Coquitlam Aquatic center. A class of four, youngest is 15 and eldest would be me. Far more extensive than I expected, they teach you how to select the right equipment for your needs (yeah, a marketing tool), perform safety checks, suit up and all the emergency recovery procedures. Plus a review of Kinesiology 105 and pressure vs. volume and all that good stuff...

First night at the pool, we started in the warmer waters of the wave pool by clearing masks, clearing regulators, swapping snorkel for regulator, inflatable BCD (vest) operation and breathing techniques. Then we moved over to the big pool and did some deep entry and maneuvering with massive fins on our feet. Quite an experience though, breathing underwater for the first time, floating with neutral buoyancy, balanced by a weight belt and semi-inflated vest.

That's all for today, kiddies...see you Saturday night.

Duke

Michael Moore in Vancouver?

Hey, I heard a rumor that Michael Moore will be signing copies of "Stupid White People" and other fine literature at the Chapters downtown on Robson this Saturday. I can't verify the timeframe yet, but I imagine 10-12, 12-2 or 2-4 are safe bets.

Why not go down and see if he'll light a nice fire under Gordon Campbell's ass...just tell him 8,000 people are being kicked off welfare next week...actually, he'd probably support the initiative the save the free press (G. straight) from the $1M PST fine.

He'd be a kid in a candy store if he swung by city hall...

Duke

More Hallowe'en Goodness

Originally Posted by Eva

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES 4
DEVIL'S NIGHT- THURSDAY OCTOBER 30
THE PURPLE ONION

15 Water Street, Gastown
Vancouver, BC
9pm - 2am
$6

There will be an eighties room and a Goth/industrial room...all the cheezey music you can squeeze into one club...

PRIZES FOR BEST COSTUMES
There's tons of cash and prizes to be won, and the contest is judged by previous winners and audience appreciation! That means YOU!

BEST JACK-O-LANTERN CONTEST!
The very popular Best Hallowe'en Pumpkin contest continues! Take your time at home and carve a pumpkin in whatever style you wish, and bring it down before 10:30 to the club, pick up a candle, and find a good spot to display it somewhere in the club for the night! The Best Jack-O-Lantern winner will be announced during the costume contest and receive a cash prize!

Anyone interested? It was pretty good last year...awesome costumes.

A question for the masses:

So, would it be worth my time to bring a scaled down version of my FX kit to the party on Saturday? Just enough to do nasty, scabby cuts and bruises and such?

What do you all think?

Corinne Takes A Break

It took about half an hour, but I'm skipping dinner to bring you kids my little surprise! There needs to be some tweaking (blogger logo/haloscan logo/counter and such), but this should give you something new to look at.

Next project: FLASH!

I Like Reporting on Famous Dead People.

Elliot Smith dead at 34.

At Corinne's Request

I've been spending far too much time procrastinating using these three links:

www.aldaily.com

www.scitechdaily.com

www.metafilter.com

(actually she only asked for the first one but whatever...I like the other two.)

Shiney goodness...

So I went out to do the job hunting thing today, joy of joys...and I actually found one I really want...it's at a new counter called "Pout" in Holt Renfrew. If any of you are into makeup, check it out, it's really neat. Very much how I would design a makeup line, given the chance.

They've promised me a call for an interview by the end of this week, and that if I get the job I will have no social life to speak of, as I will work Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I can live with that. I have very little social life right now due to not haveing money, so it won't be that big of a change.

My laugh for the day

Oh, this is good...read all the way through the description under the photo...

Link Fixed!

It's worth a couple clicks.

On lousy jobs and annoying employers

Okay, does this make sense to anyone?

Last year, I was hired for my current job. I was informed I would receive at least 20 hours per week of work, which is enough to pay rent, eat, exciting things like that.

So they then hire an assistant manager, which effectively means they did not need to have hired me. I was actually told that if they had known the department would be getting an assistant, they would not have hired me. Big surprise, 20 hours per week turns rapidly lower.

Continuing on, I manage to keep at it, assuming things will get better. I work part time in the computer department of the store to make ends meet until I have worked the mandatory year that I must before I am allowed to transfer.

Yay! It has been a year. I apply for a position at a bigger, brighter, newer store. I say "I only get about 12 hours a week at my current store. I need 20 hours per week to be able to live." They say "No problem!"

I get my first schedule. Were it not for a specialized sales training course I have to attend during my first week at the new store I would have 9 hours. Nine.

So riddle me this : Why the HELL do you transfer someone to a new job only to give them LESS hours than the job they told you flat out they were leaving due to NOT ENOUGH HOURS?!?!

Argh!



So I'm starting wallpapering prestigious cosmetic counters with my resume tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Halloween Contest Announcement

This year we're switching tracks at the Clubhouse (for many reasons) and this year's contest is "Tackiest Halloween Decoration".

Be sure that your name is placed obviously on it.

Remember a couple years back, we had someone win the pumpkin carving contest by default? Let's have a real compitition this year.

Reach out and crush someone...

Well, it is finally time to retire my pager... It's old, scuffed up, turns on and off whenever it feels like, and is generally falling apart. To replace it, I've got a shiny new cell phone the size of a penknife. I feel like I'm going to break it every time I touch it. At any rate, you can now reach me at (six zero four) five three seven - eight six eight six. My pager will still be functional until this time next month, so if you forget and page me instead, no big deal.

$3,962

I have $500 a month to live on as MSP has informed me that $100 of my student loan must be returned to MSP for premium coverage.

Why is it that I pay the same amount for MSP as someone who makes a salary of over $100,000 annually? In order to qualify for premium service the entire family must make under $12,000. I don't make any money. I'm borrowing it.

I'm just mad I had to sit beside a nosepicker who smelled like Tuna Fish Play Doh. And by nosepicker he was more of an excavator.

And I am pissed about this MSP policy.

Rain. In Vancouver?

While the steps of my school were turning into water fountains (mountains schools seem to get heavier rains) I think I am now getting sick.

I was soaked through (because of the full buses passing by me and the swift removal of all shelters in Vancouver) by the time I got to school I was drenched to the point where my under-layers were sticking to my skin making it itchy. I remained wet and inside with no semblence of heat all day. I was still wet by the time I left school at 3:30pm and had another TWO buses drive off because they were full.

I am really hating transit today.

For your Information...

Courtesy of Sinister Sam (a.k.a. jaded QT hater):
Amazing QT interview including a shot by shot dissection of every film and tv show in Kill Bill. (I knew Hattori Hanso was from something!)

p.s. Make sure you check out the cartoon on page 2.

I <3 Airside Shop

I'm a consumer whore!

And How!

Christmas is the most loveliest time of the year!

Joy.

So very cool.

Very.

I Post Like a Guy

It's my over-usage of the word "the" I think.

Test your writing.

Good-bye, everybody, we have to go

Old news: Kate and I are leaving the country on November 5. (Coincidentally, the day that Revolutions opens. Midnight showing, here we come!)

New news: Kate and I are having a bye-bye get-together thingy on Saturday, November 1. Starting off at Revs (formerly Brentwood Lanes, aka the battleground for Bowling for Righteousness), then to the Sitar in Gastown for dinner, then to (preferably) that room at the Fox & Firkin (where we began the Mock Prom). After that, who knows.

Attend as much or as little as you like. Skip the Sitar if you don't like Indian food (what, are you racist or something?).

Spread the word to people we don't hate. Can someone call up Cameron and tell him to show up?

It now occurs to me that I can't remember when we plan to start this, or even if we decided on a time. So, yeah, see if you're free sometime on Nov. 1, you know, afternoonish and later. Details TBA, I suppose.

Please lemme know if you think you might show up, and for which bits.

My Kill Bill Review

I'm gonna keep this sucker fairly brief as it is getting kind of late and I have to make sure Corinne gets some sleep (I get to sleep in).

I must say that this is one of those situations where I had the film hyped up so greatly that it could have ruined it for me. Both Garath and Corinne, who had seen the movie a few days before, had tried to prevent their excitement from slipping out, but failed miserably. (Garath actually let slip that it was one of his top 10 movies!) Going into this movie I had to ignore the hype that had built up. Did it affect my viewing of the movie in a negative way?

Yes. The movie actually seemed pretty slow and kind of cheesy at the time of viewing. The pacing seemed off, and the characterization didn't jump out at me. The action scenes and gore were entertaining as was a lot of the dialogue and odd QT-like scenarios. But at the time of viewing I was feeling a little underwhelmed. The movie really seemed to drag.

It was in retrospect that the movie slowly became one of my favorites. I kept thinking about little bits and pieces. Dialogue, kick-ass action, how hot Lucy Liu is. The movie didn't seem anywhere as deep as Quentin's other movies, but I think that there might be something going on that will handle that in the third movie. It was the little things that improved it in retrospect: the fact that the cereal box was labeled Kaboom, the music, certain scenes that jump to consciousness. The movie lingers as a good movie should, and brings the desire to go see it again.

All in all, pretty good, but no Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction.

86%

Kill Bill

Not dead yet, but awesome, awesome, awesome.

I'm not writing a review, I'm just bragging.

Saturday at 2pm a bunch of us are going to Silvercity Metrotown to watch this in its glory (again).

Intolerable Cruelty is 10pmish Friday (tomorrow) night.

Mark a big white X on our door we have the Plague

I am sick. Karen is getting sick. Bob the evil has brought "the disease" into our house. I am generously spreading it to people at school, at work, in my pottery class and anyone on public transport who has a weak constitution. There is a girls' night in at my house (read sorority) on Saturday night. All girls are invited if they are not already going to the halo party. Karen mentioned some very scary sounding beauty treatments if you are into that kind of .... er kink?... then this party is for you. I have been told I am attending, though I am really not sure anyone checked my schedule first. Maybe I can make up a previous appointment I had. I don't think we will be going too late. Karen has to work on Sunday morning. I am going to my mother's on Sunday and spread the disease to my family.

More Events Than the Email

Halloween has two additions:

Saturday October 25 has a meat-fest again at the Memphis Blues at 4:30-5pm before the big Halloween party. Lemme know in advance so I can grab a properly sized table (less meat, more people I think this time... leave some room for the drinks and snacks and braaaaaaains).

Friday October 31, is a haunted house that I am participating in. It's in Burnaby near SFU (west of, down the hill in the giant 'burby section of Burnaby) at Trevor's joint (remember the guy who won the drinking contest at the Liver Destuction Party a couple months back? You were too sober, try again this month). From 6-9pm there is going to be a spectacular house of horrors that is toured by small groups every 5 or so minutes. Some creepy stuff is being suggested (butcher shops still carry cows' eyes, no?), and it's a troupe of about 10 people participating in the tomfoolery. Let me know if any of you want to see the house of horrors that a bunch of bored, young adults are cooking up. Should be verrrrrrry cool. If nothing else, drinking and chaos to follow suit.

Leaping Audiences

I have not been so scared and jumpy at a movie as I have with "A Tale of Two Sisters". That being said I have now destroyed the movie for everyone by placing enormous expectations on it.

The audience was into this movie with jumps, gasps, screams, deep breaths and inpenetrable stillness. Amazing movie, awesome experience.

I can't sleep now.

98%

"Nothing" was quirky and humourous. Quirky. Very quirky. Kept me entertained, but probably would not have sought this movie out had it not been for throngs of "Cube" fans. 72%

The Last Life in the Universe

You may remember the librarian Kenji as Kikihara in Ichi the Killer or the yakuza guy as Miike Takashi, but either way, this is not Ichi's twin, sequel, brother, cousin or bastard son.

Even with a yakuza sub-plot, this Hong Kong/Japan/Thailand film presented in Thai, English and Japanese (maybe more...) is softer than Ichi; about a shut in recluse anal Japanese librarian finding out that he is not the last life in the universe as he supposes he is.

Opening with Kenji's (Asano Tadanobu) admission that in three hours time, two people will enter his meticulous apartment to find him hanging not from heart break or hopelessness, but from release of the mundane to the closure of another fantasy image, you watch ths "love story" unravel between the last two people on Earth.

Noi (Sinitta Boonyasak) loses her sister in the same 24 hour span where Kenji loses his brother--both in horribly violent on screen ways. Kenji, as a witness to Noi's sister's death, makes friends with Noi in a way that only an anal retentive recluse can: he cleans her house for her (while she has some fantastic trip where the house cleans itself).

So much goes on in this movie that I could write pages and pages worth of essay style writing, but I'd rather just define it as beautifully filmed, scripted and performed.

92%

Double Bill

October 10, 2003

Kill Bill
Intolerable Cruelty

Both of these movies are released this Friday. And damn, I can't pick. So I'm going to watch both.

Halo Party

So... yeah... There's this thing on Sunday the 11th with TVs and XBoxes and Halo.

There will probably be a bunch of stinky nerds and stuff, so I don't expect much interest from any of you, but you're all welcome to come with me.

Drop me a line and I'll get you all the info and even take you with me (or meet you there). It'll be in Burnaby.

Tuesday Movie Schedule for October!!

As promised, the eagerly anticipated all monster movie program:

Tuesday October 7 -- In the Beginning
7pm: Bride of Frankenstein [1935] -- James Whale's camp horror masterpiece
There will not be a 9pm program as BJ and I have film fest tickets for 9:45.

Tuesday October 14 -- Hungry Like the Wolf
7pm: The Howling [1981] -- Directed by Joe Dante, written by Jon Sayles and featuring among all people: Slim Pickens and Robert Picardo. One of the smarter "Effects-Horror" flicks.
9pm: In the Company of Wolves [1984] -- Just in case you weren't sure what "Little Red Ridding Hood" was really about, Neil Jordan makes it brutally obvious.

Tuesday October 21 -- '70's Dracula Disco Nightmare
7pm: Dracula A.D. 1972 [1972] -- If nothing else signaled the death knell of the Great Hammer House of Horror, this was at least part of it. Featuring the immortal Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing in perhaps his best role.
9pm: Scream, Blacula Scream! [1973] -- Surprisingly spooky sequel to one of the more compelling Black-sploitation genre crossovers. With Pam Grier and William Marshall.

Tuesday October 28 -- Zombies!!!!
7pm: (Subject to Change) Burial Ground [1980] -- Unbeliveable, over the top, Eurotrash craziness. Sinister Sam's favourite movie of all time.
9pm: Stacy [2001] -- Japanse film about teenage school girls who start dropping dead and becoming zombies. Let me repeat: "Japan", "school-girls", "zombies"... need I say more?

Again, try to RSVP if you can. We like to have an idea of numbers. And since no one bothered to way in on the Pop Fund issue there has been little pop at the last couple screenings, so let us know what you want!

Also, if possible try to keep Thur Oct 30 open as we are looking into planning a larger scale Halloween event at Placebo Sofa Cinema. Details to follow.

~Later my Lovelies
Meeko

Which Jhonen Vaquez character are you? By EmReznor.

Film Festival Reviews (finally)

The Day My God Died: As to be expected of a movie about child prostitution in Bombay where the HIV rate is 80% among 100,000 kidnapped girls, it was a downer. There were four or five girls featured ranging from 14 to 21, each being kidnapped between the ages of 7 and 19 and forced into prostituion (and not forced in the bribe way--much worse than I'm comfortable discussing here). Down sides include Wynona Ryder's poetry recital which stopped the movie everytime she read a piece of a poem written by retrieved girls, and at times the pacing was slow, even for a documentary. On the upswing of this dreary presentation was the groups that are active in protecting theses girls from becoming a part of the pile. Definitely inspired activism. If I were giving it a percentage, I'd say about a 71% mark.

The Ressurection of the Little Match Girl: Probably my favourite movie so far this year (none have made me super excited), it encapsulates the 108 Buddist deemed human sins, a Hans Christian Andersen fable (he was the dark Mama Goose), VR Video Games, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Matrix fighting styles, cheesey CG and a fish gun called the "Mackerel". Absolutely amazing in its non-stop stuff happening. I'll probably be watching this seven or more times to get all of it in. Readings to take in before next screen will include: those 108 sins, The Little Match Girl itself (which Grae was using for his marking surface, oddly enough), and I really need to find out what movie had the digital butterflies that symbolized entry into VR (I theorize that it was eXistenZ, but I am not certain) and find out where that originates from). 85%

Gozu: Uh... Uh... If you don't like Takashi or DoA3, don't go. You won't get it. I didn't and I love the guy. 82%