WeatherGirl’s Station

Current favourite programme title sequence - Medium. Cool visuals with super cool audio track. The colour palette used is stunning as is how the visuals morph from one thing to another, visually suggesting a variety of elements without having to illustrate them all literally. Even if the show doesn’t appeal you should check out the opening title sequence.

What’s with those dead bodies on the mortuary slab in NCIS? For some reason this show feels obliged to have naked bodies on their slabs but makes the genitals ‘disappear’ by unknown means. (They seem to be using de-sexed manikins and lighting effects.) I have no problem with them actually not showing a corpses’ genitals but they could handle the issue more adeptly. All they need do is use cloth draped across the body. It seems more appropriate to have a ‘modest’ corpse than a corpse that is anatomically incorrect. The morgue scenes are made more freaky by this strange treatment of the bodies.

Project Runway is over for the season (apparently there will be another since this one has done so well!) and Jay has been declared the winner. Based on the final three collections I think the judges made the right decision. Wendy wasn’t really in the running though she did a lot better than many expected but she wasn’t in the same league as the others. Kara must have been the favourite going into the final round but her collection was overly fussy and she broke the rules by getting a contact to make free shoes to match her collection. Jay’s collection was the most interesting of the three and had a clear vision and personality.

Current temperature 7F/-14C

Lori and I taught a bookmaking class at the PRCA. Both of us have a lot of experience in making books but we’ve never tried to teach anyone else how to do this.

We chose to make a simple accordion book because it’s a very versatile format and a project we could work through in one three hour session. We met for a full three hour session before the class so we could practice constructing the book we were going to teach. That way we would know we could do it, we would know what to say and we would say the same thing.

On the big day we had 6 students, all at different levels of ability and experience in handling materials. By the end of the day we had 7 completed books (Lori and I made one as we demonstrated each technique) and 6 pretty tired but happy students.

It was a great experience for me and I hope for all who participated. Lori and I hope to teach more classes. There are many book types that can be taught in a single session but the more intricate and interesting book challenges need multiple sessions and consequently need more of a time investment from the students and cost more.

Current temperature 16F/-9C (windchill 1F/-17C)

Saturday, late afternoon, snow started to descend, very dry polystyrene like flakes. It kept slowly falling until sunday morning. It has made the landscape look beautiful again with a crisp white blanket of about 3 inches. I spent an hour or so shovelling which went surprisingly quickly given the amount and weight of snow. For some reason it shovelled well and a few hours after I was done the pavement was nicely bare.

In other parts of the world, Mr Bush is apparently asking for greater trans-Atlantic unity. Perhaps he might try talking to and working with the European leaders instead of demanding they do what he wants and going it alone when his powers of persuasion fail him.

Current temperature 16F/-9C (windchill 10F/-12C)

I’ll confess I’ve been sucked into the phenomenon that is Project Runway showing weekly on Bravo. Initially tempted by TVGuide giving it a 10 out of 10, I keep tuning in for a whole slew of reasons. Primarily there is a great deal talent and skill on display as the competitors create the various outfits that vie to avoid elimination from the competition. Also seeing the application of art in the production of a practical product is quite pleasing.

On the down side some of the personality clashes and hystrionics are annoying but, courtesy of Tivo, I just zip through the really annoying stuff.

Listening to the insider judges is fascinating, half the time I think they’re off their rockers the rest of the time I’m cheering them on in their pithy analysis. Peeking inside the fashion business reafirms the belief that within the industry there are some talented people who’ve sold their souls to mammon and keep promoting some pretty miserable ideas about who and what women are. Riveting stuff.

Current temperature 37F/3C (windchill 31F/0C)

Yesterday Janet and I began our second tap routine! The first routine is going pretty well and just needs a little spit and polish. With luck, by the time the studio recital comes along, we should be in good shape. I’m not sure what we’re going to do about costumes though, that’s going to be very interesting.

This class is proving great fun. We laugh and giggle our way through the very speedy hour. Our teacher is marvellous and, boy, is it great exercise. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to get their legs into shape and get ye olde heart going! Great for the body, great for the soul!

Current temperature 30F/-1 C (windchill 20F/-7C)

Brilliant. I was a little ambivalent about seeing this movie. I thought I knew something of Howard Hughes and did not see the connection with a movie called The Aviator. Plus I can’t say I’m the biggest Martin Scorsese fan so I went to the cinema hoping for the best but not expecting too much. A speedy three hours later and, wow, we came out of the theatre quite elated and chatting about what we had just experienced.

The biggest surprise was Lonardo Dicaprio’s performance, which was excellent. He captured beautifully the highs and lows of his character’s life. He certainly elicited a sympathetic response from me as Hughes shows the early signs of his mental decline. Cate Blanchette was equally excellent as Kate Hepburn. In fact all aspects of the production were well served by its crew.

I’d certainly recommend this movie as three hours well spent. Check out Phi’s views here.

Current temperature 10F/-12C (windchill -5F/-21C)

Having watched almost no American Football in the 2004-05 season we gathered with friends for the grand finale of the season. Much unhealthy food and soda was cosummed. The conversation was great with much hilarity experienced as commercials entertained us. The general feeling was for the Eagles. Sadly they lost.

Current temperature 10F/-12C (windchill -6F/-21C)

On Tuesday the three of us attended the convocation that kicked off Black History Month on campus. The speaker was one of the Little Rock Nine who braved a fearsome mob and faced the daily abuse of their white peers so that they could attend a desegregated school in 1957.

Brown Trickey was an inspirational speaker who spoke eloquently of her experiences. It boggles the mind the treatment meted out by the people who opposed the nine students’ entry into the school of their choice. And all based on the colour of one’s skin? Human beings can be pretty appalling for the most asinine of reasons.

For Phi’s reaction to the talk click here.

Current temperatures: 34F/1C (wind chill 26F/-3C)

As temperatures have dropped so has the humidity upstairs in our house. It’s been quite a shocking time. For some reason this year has been particularly bad with the static flying pretty wildly and with some serious punch. The sparks are pretty spectacular. Before touching any of the electronics I have to ground myself so I don’t blow out the stack of media equipment.

So in an attempt to make our lives a little less shocking we’ve invested in a humidifier. The first tank of water was basically inhaled in one gulp by the room it was so thirsty. We look forward to a less painful tomorrow!

Current temperature 30F/-1C (windchill 23F/-5C)