A review... There might be a post later...

If I hadn't had to watch it for class, I probably never would have picked up Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. Even if I'd known it existed, flipping over to the back and seeing the running time (224 minutes) would have probably made me put it back. After all, running time is the biggest reason I haven't seen Sunshine yet. But it was assigned, and so I watched it, and since I liked it, I thought I would review it.

Lagaan is by no means original or surprising. It's an underdog sports movie, with a cultural love triangle, discernable familial and cultural conflicts, and a very strong nationalist sentiment. Does the fact that it reminds me a little of Canadian films mean that the post-colonial experience is Empire-wide? I have no idea. But although there were parts of the culture that flew by me, I identified very strongly with the Indian characters and their struggle with identity and power.

I was, of course, watching it from a post-colonial theoretical standpoint. But whatever else it might be, Lagaan is an easy-to-watch sports movie, where the sport is cricket, and something more important than bragging rights are on the line. And in the same way as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon can make people believe they speak Chinese, this one almost made me believe I could speak Hindi. It's well acted, well conceived, and even the musical numbers (yes, there are some) are believable in context.

That said, it's FOUR HOURS LONG! There are some scenes that are repetitive and could have been cut or rewritten to introduce something novel to the story. But it could have been a lot worse. I've seen two-hour movies that are a lot worse, actually...

I do recommend it, if you have the time and inclination. It really is an enjoyable watch.

I was right...

...sleep is definitely low man on the pole. I'd best get used to it, I suppose. But no reading tonight, Ness, no matter when that book is due back at the library!

2005

Happy New Year! These are my wishes for a joyous and prosperous 2005 for one and all!

I rang in the new year with jazz and good company. Despite the less than ideal seating and the at-times interminable wait for food, I had fun. Now, however, I'm looking forward to settling into some kind of routine for the next four months. I have a feeling that sleep will be the low man on the totem pole, unfortunately. So many other things will take precedence.

In other news, I've been asked for anecdotes of myself behaving in a less than angelic manner in my youth, and I'm having trouble coming up with some. I think I was always the good girl, but I must be wrong. I must have behaved somewhat badly at some point in my past. I must have just blocked them all out. If anyone has any examples for me, please email me or post them in the comments.

The "We" Thing...

It's such a complete paradigm shift, really. "Going out this weekend? I don't know, let me check our plans." "We had a lot of fun yesterday." "Would you like to get together with us?" It's been so long since I was concerned about an us. A very long time since someone else's plans, feelings, wants, and needs were suddenly melded to my own. It's not unpleasant. It is... different. Can anything more be said? I'm so not single anymore...

The Definition of the Perfect Weekend

Being told Friday afternoon that, no, you don't have malaria, and no, you don't have to get blood taken to test for it. Hallelujah!

Spending two hours talking poetry and theory with three other people from class.

Not feeling like you bombed either your midterm or your quiz retake Saturday morning.

Being told by your professor that she thinks you belong in the graduate program. Reaffirmation!

After drinking too much alcohol and too much caffeine, having something much more pleasant to think about than just, "I wish I could sleep."

Extending Sunday night far, far, FAR past the time you should be in bed, simply because you don’t really want to kick the company out.

Falling asleep smiling Sunday night, and waking up smiling Monday morning.

Such is bliss, my friends. Such is bliss...

Ten vacation thoughts

Things I learned on vacation:

1. As fun as people are, sometimes you just want to do your own thing.

2. The Dominicans love their music. In fact, they love it so much, they don't really believe in background music. It all has to be discotheque-loud, no matter where you are.

3. Taking a vacation from being in charge of anything (anything at all) is not as easy as it sounds, and requires a great deal of conscious thought and a good sense of humour from yourself and those around you.

4. The world is far, far too small. What other explanation could there be for me ending up as a guest at the wedding of friends of a friend with two people I went to Junior High with?

5. Disposable underwater cameras are a waste of money. Memories are better.

6. I really, really love the wind, except when I'm trying to sunbathe on the beach. Even then, I'm only minorly annoyed with it.

7. Tropical fruit is so much better in the tropics than in prairie grocery stores.

8. Rum is a good thing.

9. Packing too many books on vacation leaves one with a sense of something unfinished upon return. It's better to pack too few.

and 10. Vacations are nice. Coming home is better.

Forgive the previous and following lack of consistent posting. For the next two weeks, I'm studying my ass off for my midterm and quiz rewrite on December 4. I will pop my head back out after that and provide a more detailed update.

Wardrobe

Sunday afternoon, Sheila and I went through my closet. I have become increasingly dissatisfied with it, and Sheila came across a lovely book called The Pocket Stylist, so with measuring tape, book, and an eye to be ruthless, we went at it.

The pile of clothes that we deemed completely unsuitable was larger than the pile of clothes that were fine and the pile of clothes that could be kept for emergency purposes put together. I knew before that I had few clothes in my closet that I was comfortable wearing. Now, I just have few clothes in my closet.

I can't decide whether I'm happy about this or not. On the one hand, my weight has stabilized, so I can actually go and buy clothes now and expect them to fit for a good long while. Huzzah! On the other, I've had to toss over half my closet. Hmmm... Part of me decries the waste, but I never really wore any of it, and I never felt comfortable when I did.

My task is now to pinpoint what pieces I need to add to the clothes I have left to make a functional wardrobe. Wish me luck!