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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Miscellany
- Hits: 1698
I've had talks with the boy regarding drugs. Marijuana, specifically, he's recognized the scent at the Calgary Folk Festival a couple of years ago.
I'm non-judgmental, just give him the facts, let him make up his own mind. In my experience, limited as it is, this is the best way. And Marijuana, despite what the media would lead you to believe, is common. Very common.
I tell him what I know, that it's fine, sure, but be where you want to be. It destroys motivation. I'd smoke it, sure, why not?, but it makes me sick and nauseous, and this puts me off it. Otherwise I have no prejudices.
Once I allowed him to practice rolling "joints" with my old cigarette butts, explained that this was a vital party skill. He practiced. I thought of buying some dope to have him smoke when i was around, together even (but, really, I'm not pot guy and it doesn't agree with me at all), it never happened, I realized some things he'll have to do on his own. I've given him books that reference that, that will prepare him, no need to ruin it with my encouragement...
He's pretty conservative. A reaction, I suspect, to my liberalness.
But the other day he caught his Mother and her husband smoking dope. They invited him to join him, wanted him to try it in a safe environment...
I understand. I've considered the same, but as it's me and not them I refrained, didn't want to be the "too liberal" parent. And how much fun could it be to smoke dope with your parent/s?
He declined, he has his prejudices. He's had chances at school, decided it wasn't for him. This impresses me, it's a good thing.
So after the busting of his Mom (successful, University Teacher/MBA/Chartered Accountant) she's talking with him, and he parrots my views, that it's fine if you're happy with where you are, but most stoners are at a fixed place in their life and it's something to do when you have no intention or ambitions of moving forwards....
With rare exceptions (always those damnable exceptions) I believe that to be true. From my limited experience with pot I'm not an exception.
She takes this, for a minute, then tells him: "You know I got that pot off your father..."
He's told me the first part of the story, I laughed, the second part he tells me looking at the table. I laugh, feel like a heel, can't believe I've been sold out like this. Yeah, it was a couple of years ago, I bought some off someone at the restaurant, tried it, didn't agree with me as before, passed it on to his Mom as I knew she didn't have my prejudice/reaction to it. It's funny, I'm laughing, he is too, I'm not against his knowing this but I'm wondering at his mom selling me down the river so readily, as if it were somehow all my fault, I explain again that it's not my thing, I tried it again, passed the leftovers on to his Mom (and I knew it was her thing), it's not the end of the world, but somehow I feel I've been sold out...
Marvel's Avengers - 3D
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Film
- Hits: 1671
We wanted to see "The Raid - Redemption", but it had stopped playing, and so we were looking for something that might come close.
Nothing came even slightly close.
So we decide upon "Marvel's The Avengers", because he doesn't want to see "Bully", because, really, who would?
Tickets, it's sold out, 2 hours until the next show. 2 hours killing time in the mall.
I wanted to see "The Raid", could have seen it, but he's had school commitments all week and wouldn't have been able to make it. So I've saved it for the week-end, but as luck would have it it's no longer playing.
And this, The Avengers, it's popular, and so we kill time in the mall waiting for it to start.
At 10:10 we try to get a seat in the theatre, but there's a line, we're about #150 in line. Nerds. The line is filled with Nerds.
I have no expectations, none good, anyways, I know the Ironman (Robert Downing Jr) is in it, otherwise I'm not comic guy. I know nothing. But I'm not hopeful. No expectations, easily pleased.
"93% on the Tomatometer" the boy tells me, and I take his word that it will be passable.
Line, trailers, finally film. 3D Glasses, I'm impressed by the 3D ness of it all, better than I remember 3D. Amazing. But after 4, 5 minutes amazing is off, the effects are taken for granted, and your focusing on silly things like dialogue and plot.
Oooops.
The film is shit.
I'm not comic guy, the plot confuses me, the hulk, the black widow, the Ironman even, it's all a bit confusing. The introduction of the Norse gods Thor and Loki is especially confusing. But if you're comic guy/girl, you get it. The jokes are obvious, and the plot points are predictable. The Ironman, Robert Downing Jr, has about 5 minutes of dialogue, the rest is all CGI, I'm embarrassed for him and explain to the boy that he probably didn't read the script, and if he did he's probably in desperate need of a couple of Kilos of blow.
The 3D glasses, in the end they're there to prevent you from gouging your eyes out with a spoon. They should have provided earplugs as well. The laws of imaginary physics are rewritten and violated at least a dozen times. This 3D action spectacular is more 1D adolescence than anything I could have imagined. Even the boy feels it, slouches, knows he's in for a roasting.
And it drags. Over 2 hours, on my own I would have left after half an hour, indifferent to the plot or outcome, but with the boy along I feel obliged to stay. I find out later he shares my thoughts.
****
I fucking hated it. Inane, shallow dialogue, plot, it was a load of shit. The audience , on the other hand, seemed to love it. How it got 93% on the tomato-meter is beyond me. It was bad. Bad even by comic-book standards. They had Gwyneth Paltrow, but she only had at most 3 minutes of screen time. But this was the same for all the actors, Captain America, The Hulk, etc. The rest was all CGI. The plot, shit, the dialogue, true to a comic I never read but imagined was written for illiterate 9 year olds. Fail fail fail. 93%? How I ask? The people that would see it would be biased in it's favour, true, but even then 50% seems generous.
In summary, "Marvel's The Avengers" - No bananas, leave early and do something productive with your life. Or simply don't go at all. Complete, utter, load of shit.
Things We Forget
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Link of the day
- Hits: 1373
Little inspirational post-it notes. Some are quite good. Like 863: "Want Something You've Never Had? Do Something You've Never Done."
Link: Things We Forget
The Last Supper
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Miscellany
- Hits: 1798
Finally, and what a night. Apparently I'm not held to working Monday.
Tonight we're busy, the book filled to overflowing, the owner has been relentless in his taking of reservations.
We're overbooked. A full flip, and then some.
It's been a long day, the early morning for garage sales, trivial chores throughout the day.
The last day, I suspect.
At work, J (former waiter, friend of owner's) has picked up a case of sausage for my final meal. We have this and rice, the sausage is delicious, it's a treat.
And the owner corks a bottle of champagne, cheap bubbly, and his skepticism aside toasts and wishes me well on my quest.
This is leaving as it should be, good terms from the restaurant where no one leaves on good terms. My second time, and somehow I feel I've earned a medal. The champagne's a nice gesture, but given my lack of sleep and the busy, busy night ahead I can't relax.
The set-up done, nothing to do but to wait.
M gives me a present, a fine bottle of Scotch, I'm touched, he didn't have to. He shouldn't have. But I like the gesture. Z promises to take me for lunch, Indian buffet, he's Muslim but wants me to drink. I don't need to drink, need to drink less. But the lunch is a courtesy.
People are decent.
The night progresses as anticipated, the slow degeneration, people waiting at the door for 45 minutes on reservations, tables that were given out times lingering far beyond their allotted - and informed - slots. Crazy busy, and this is the shift to fire me out the door. The nephew is with the customers, complete pains but they tip well. I'm for the principal, if you're told you have to leave, admitted on the condition your have only so long to dine, then leave. And let others take your seat. But not all of our customers agree.
It's a long, long night. Midnight, late, especially for us. And when finally we lock the doors, I've returned the keys, given the farewell hugs to all and sundry the Nephew, G and I are off to the bar.
A few drinks, more hugs, laughs, recollections, I'll see them again before I go to pick up my cheque.
This is the last supper.
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