Another lovely leisurely morning spent mostly in bed. However I also packed my suitcase, called my parents (car window still not fixed – umpteen phone calls, 10 days and counting) and my sister, bought lottery tickets online (may be a very important task) and did some more social planning. Then I met my friend LO for lunch and took a taxi to the airport.
The flight was very civilized. I know I’ve mentioned it before but its so nice to be treated like an actual customer rather than an staff inconvenience, that I want to blog about it
1. Check-in was quick
2. No bag charges
3. There was free drinks, snacks and wireless in the waiting area (I chose Diet Coke and Walkers stem ginger biscuits)
4. Leg-room on flight
5. Food and drink on flight
On the negative side, there was terrible turbulence and I thought we wouldn’t land, but happily we did.
Then I arrived at Midway and wonder of wonders I didn’t have to wait to go through immigration and I only barely had to wait for bags. Then I got on a very empty train to my friends’ house. From Toronto to Chicago, door-to-door in less than 5 hours. Not too bad.
It was lashing rain in Chicago – I rarely remember such heavy rain when I lived here. I was only out in it for a few minutes but my socks were damp and cold. Despite the inclement weather I went to meet my friend IG for dinner. We went to Grand Lux Café where the food is good and the portion sizes really quite ridiculous. I am sure my pot roast could feed a family of four. Possibly not when I was done.
My car window might be replaced tomorrow. But I’m not very optimistic – at least there is no rain forecast for Cork.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Toronto, waiting and waiting, Easy A, 3 stars
I can’t tell you what the morning was like as my day began at noon. After showering, make-up, drinking tea, agreeing what we wanted to do, avoiding the Santa Parade, walking far too far in the cold before getting a tram, it was 14.45 when we arrived in the Italian restaurant. We were seated immediately, order taken, drinks and starters delivered and then we waited and waited for the main course. Finally it arrived at about 15.45 with the promise of free dessert. Finally it was 16.45 when we left. Our plan was to have lunch and then go to Art Gallery of Ontario. We walked from the restaurant in the hope that it might be open later but it closed at 17.30 and we both agreed that $19.75 was too much for 20 minutes however great the art might be. Its closed tomorrow so it will be a treasure for a future visit to Toronto.
Our plans were further cast asunder. We planned to go to Second City comedy in the evening but for some bizarre reason the Sunday November shows are all at 2pm. So we ended up at the cinema again. We went to see Easy A. I had such high expectations
1. The trailer was great
2. Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci were in it
3. The reviews were good
4. My friend CD said she would go to see it a second time with me.
The film was supposed to start at 20.10. It didn’t. Finally at 20.30 somebody went to tell a staff member (I missed this and went to tell the same staff member about 20.31). We all got free cinema tickets and finally the film started. It was good and I enjoyed it but it failed to live up to my high expectations so found myself quite disappointed.
There was a lot of good stuff
1. Every scene with Stanley Tucci
2. Most scenes with Patricia Clarkson
3. Emma Stone – actress to watch for the future
4. Clever dialogue
5. Good soundtrack
6. Some good jokes and laughs
7. Likeable characters
8. Clever concept for film
With all this going for it, why am I only rating it 3 stars. Well for a number of reasons
1. Trailer is definitely better than movie
2. Voice-over style (ala Ferris Bueller’s day off) was quite annoying
3. No absolutely hilarious I can’t stop laughing scene (I think a high school comedy needs this)
4. Sub-plot of love interest wasn’t properly developed
5. Malcolm McDowell sinfully underused
6. Left out complications where they would have added interest (friendship, school) but included them where it was distracting (adopted brother)
7. But most of all not as good as I hoped. Maybe not fair on the film that I punish it for having a brilliant marketing team/trailer editor.
Back to Chicago tomorrow.
Our plans were further cast asunder. We planned to go to Second City comedy in the evening but for some bizarre reason the Sunday November shows are all at 2pm. So we ended up at the cinema again. We went to see Easy A. I had such high expectations
1. The trailer was great
2. Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci were in it
3. The reviews were good
4. My friend CD said she would go to see it a second time with me.
The film was supposed to start at 20.10. It didn’t. Finally at 20.30 somebody went to tell a staff member (I missed this and went to tell the same staff member about 20.31). We all got free cinema tickets and finally the film started. It was good and I enjoyed it but it failed to live up to my high expectations so found myself quite disappointed.
There was a lot of good stuff
1. Every scene with Stanley Tucci
2. Most scenes with Patricia Clarkson
3. Emma Stone – actress to watch for the future
4. Clever dialogue
5. Good soundtrack
6. Some good jokes and laughs
7. Likeable characters
8. Clever concept for film
With all this going for it, why am I only rating it 3 stars. Well for a number of reasons
1. Trailer is definitely better than movie
2. Voice-over style (ala Ferris Bueller’s day off) was quite annoying
3. No absolutely hilarious I can’t stop laughing scene (I think a high school comedy needs this)
4. Sub-plot of love interest wasn’t properly developed
5. Malcolm McDowell sinfully underused
6. Left out complications where they would have added interest (friendship, school) but included them where it was distracting (adopted brother)
7. But most of all not as good as I hoped. Maybe not fair on the film that I punish it for having a brilliant marketing team/trailer editor.
Back to Chicago tomorrow.
Toronto, Life as We Know it, 2 stars
On Friday I flew to Toronto with Porter Airlines. Unlike most airlines they do not charge for checked bags (well the first 2 anyway) and they feed and water you on the plane. It was a nice change but as they mainly fly around Toronto I suppose there won’t be too much Porter airlines in the near future.
I am staying with my friend LO who I have known since primary school (definitely since age 7, possibly before then). She has been in Toronto for many years and I’ve visited her a few times so I have seen the main tourist attractions. This means I can spend the weekend just hanging out.
On Friday we went to the cinema. Despite living very close to the cinema (5-10 min walk) LO rarely goes. Most of the cinema screens were showing Harry Potter so the choice was limited. Also we were adopting a “see how the evening goes” strategy. When we wandered from dinner to the cinema really Life As We Know It. It stars Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel as two people who hate each other and end up as guardians of their orphaned godchild. This being Hollywood, after an appropriate amount of bickering they end up in bed together, then have a falling out and finally reconcile to gleeful domestic bliss.
The general formula does not bother me. Indeed I have spent many happy hours watching formulaic romantic comedies. Additionally I have enjoyed films with both leads (Win a date with Tad Hamiliton and 27 Dresses). On the other hand the reviews were generally neutral or negative. I went with low expectations and they were met.
Things I didn’t like about Life As We Know It
1. The title
2. Katherine Heigl wearing wooly hats as a fashion accessory with summer dresses
3. The way the leads don’t seem to have any friends
4. The baby never gets older until right at the end
5. Josh Lucas (who plays Katherine Heigl’s secondary love interest) is looking a lot less attractive than he did in Sweet Home Alabama
6. The jumpy montage at the beginning
7. Josh Duhamel’s character is called Messer
8. Josh Duhamel’s character is a womanizer who sleeps around and makes booty calls while on dates. Simultaneously he is a good decent guy who wants a family. We all like character arcs but his arc was jumpy and fragmented and completely unbelievable
Things I liked about Life As We Know It
1. Not too long (a common failing of many modern movies)
2. Attractive leads
3. Some funny bits
4. Didn’t take itself too seriously
5. I didn’t really believe in characters
6. LO seemed to enjoy it and I laughed in places
Overall, not as bad as I feared, not as good as I hoped, 2 stars.
Saturday we went to a wine and food show where hundreds of stalls gave us food and drinks in exchange for tickets. Each ticket cost $1 but could only be purchased in $20 increments. There was some good food but generally I felt like I was being charged a lot for small portions on plastic plates. However the worst was the scant numbers of chairs available. It was a deliberate plan by organizers to keep people moving but my feet did not like it. If I were a drinker I think I might have enjoyed it better. Still I suppose anywhere I can consume nutella crepes can’t be all bad
After food and wine we went for dinner and then off to a birthday party. I left about 12.30 long before LO because I don’t have her stamina for partying.
I am staying with my friend LO who I have known since primary school (definitely since age 7, possibly before then). She has been in Toronto for many years and I’ve visited her a few times so I have seen the main tourist attractions. This means I can spend the weekend just hanging out.
On Friday we went to the cinema. Despite living very close to the cinema (5-10 min walk) LO rarely goes. Most of the cinema screens were showing Harry Potter so the choice was limited. Also we were adopting a “see how the evening goes” strategy. When we wandered from dinner to the cinema really Life As We Know It. It stars Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel as two people who hate each other and end up as guardians of their orphaned godchild. This being Hollywood, after an appropriate amount of bickering they end up in bed together, then have a falling out and finally reconcile to gleeful domestic bliss.
The general formula does not bother me. Indeed I have spent many happy hours watching formulaic romantic comedies. Additionally I have enjoyed films with both leads (Win a date with Tad Hamiliton and 27 Dresses). On the other hand the reviews were generally neutral or negative. I went with low expectations and they were met.
Things I didn’t like about Life As We Know It
1. The title
2. Katherine Heigl wearing wooly hats as a fashion accessory with summer dresses
3. The way the leads don’t seem to have any friends
4. The baby never gets older until right at the end
5. Josh Lucas (who plays Katherine Heigl’s secondary love interest) is looking a lot less attractive than he did in Sweet Home Alabama
6. The jumpy montage at the beginning
7. Josh Duhamel’s character is called Messer
8. Josh Duhamel’s character is a womanizer who sleeps around and makes booty calls while on dates. Simultaneously he is a good decent guy who wants a family. We all like character arcs but his arc was jumpy and fragmented and completely unbelievable
Things I liked about Life As We Know It
1. Not too long (a common failing of many modern movies)
2. Attractive leads
3. Some funny bits
4. Didn’t take itself too seriously
5. I didn’t really believe in characters
6. LO seemed to enjoy it and I laughed in places
Overall, not as bad as I feared, not as good as I hoped, 2 stars.
Saturday we went to a wine and food show where hundreds of stalls gave us food and drinks in exchange for tickets. Each ticket cost $1 but could only be purchased in $20 increments. There was some good food but generally I felt like I was being charged a lot for small portions on plastic plates. However the worst was the scant numbers of chairs available. It was a deliberate plan by organizers to keep people moving but my feet did not like it. If I were a drinker I think I might have enjoyed it better. Still I suppose anywhere I can consume nutella crepes can’t be all bad
After food and wine we went for dinner and then off to a birthday party. I left about 12.30 long before LO because I don’t have her stamina for partying.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Mobile blogging
Writing this from Chicago midway airport. Itouch keyboard not really compatible with creative Helen. Also flight is starting to board so best not miss another flight this year. Not sure if 3 is always a charm
Thursday, November 18, 2010
This and that
Just a short post today because its late and I must get up early tomorrow to go to the airport. I am flying to Toronto to see my friend LO. I am really looking forward to seeing her. Not looking forward to security and emigration.
Today I met my friend TC for lunch. I arrived 25 minutes late and extremely flustered as I wandered around an aging industrial area desperately trying to gentrify itself into a high-end business district (my friends, it still has a long way to go). I had a good time and lunch and afterwards I had my first (I hope of many) hot spiced caramel apple cider from Starbucks – yummy!
Then we walked back to his office where I met random former colleagues returning from a special company Thanksgiving lunch. It was nice to see them. They were all jealous of my extended holiday. I can understand why :)
I had dinner with JT and KO. Food was great and JT paid which was very kind – she has moved up my list of people to be nice to when I win the lottery (any day now, people, watch this space)
Today I met my friend TC for lunch. I arrived 25 minutes late and extremely flustered as I wandered around an aging industrial area desperately trying to gentrify itself into a high-end business district (my friends, it still has a long way to go). I had a good time and lunch and afterwards I had my first (I hope of many) hot spiced caramel apple cider from Starbucks – yummy!
Then we walked back to his office where I met random former colleagues returning from a special company Thanksgiving lunch. It was nice to see them. They were all jealous of my extended holiday. I can understand why :)
I had dinner with JT and KO. Food was great and JT paid which was very kind – she has moved up my list of people to be nice to when I win the lottery (any day now, people, watch this space)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I went shopping and I bought
My friend TC called me this morning to postpone our lunch appointment (something about having to work - this work lark seems to interfere with a lot of things). So I took the opportunity to go to the outlets. There are located 45 miles west of Chicago. I would go there occasionally when I lived in Chicago usually with my friend R. However poor R also had to work so I went alone. M&R bought my old car from me when I was leaving Chicago. It was strange to drive it again after more than 3 years. I had forgotten how incredibly easy it is to drive automatic cars and felt sorry for poor Americans struggling with rental cars in Europe
I know it sounds ridiculous to drive more than an hour to go shopping and really I am not the type of person to do that but the outlets are worth it. Everything is so much cheaper there. I took my mother there once. She was raised in more frugal times and she still talks about how good the value was. I remember another time when I bought 8 pairs of shoes in one trip. Today was not that day – I could only find one pair shoes that fit me. Indeed the day was going pretty badly until I found myself in Ann Taylor. I don’t think I have spent so long in a changing room. One of the sales assistants decided I needed help and she made it her mission to help me. She was wonderful, fetching sizes, suggesting styles and colors. At about 5.30 I thought I had about 10-15 minutes left before finishing. I was wrong I didn’t leave until almost 7pm. But there was such value – 40% all discounted styles and I had a coupon for 15% off entire purchase. In the end I only paid more than half price for 6 of the 22 (yes 22) items I bought. No more shopping required.
Packing for the return journey has just become a lot more challenging!
I know it sounds ridiculous to drive more than an hour to go shopping and really I am not the type of person to do that but the outlets are worth it. Everything is so much cheaper there. I took my mother there once. She was raised in more frugal times and she still talks about how good the value was. I remember another time when I bought 8 pairs of shoes in one trip. Today was not that day – I could only find one pair shoes that fit me. Indeed the day was going pretty badly until I found myself in Ann Taylor. I don’t think I have spent so long in a changing room. One of the sales assistants decided I needed help and she made it her mission to help me. She was wonderful, fetching sizes, suggesting styles and colors. At about 5.30 I thought I had about 10-15 minutes left before finishing. I was wrong I didn’t leave until almost 7pm. But there was such value – 40% all discounted styles and I had a coupon for 15% off entire purchase. In the end I only paid more than half price for 6 of the 22 (yes 22) items I bought. No more shopping required.
Packing for the return journey has just become a lot more challenging!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Morning Glory, 3 stars
I am very proud of myself. This is my 8th daily post. Another lovely day in Chicago. I met my friend JB for lunch. We went to an Indian restaurant and ordered the lunch special. Dozens of dishes came and even though we were both hungry and ate heartily, at the end it looked like an anorexic had barely touched the meal.
Afterwards I went to the cinema. Usually I go to the cinema once or twice a week but with my recent travel plans that has not been possible (cue the violins – I didn’t go to the cinema for 3 weeks while I was in Spain). I went to see Morning Glory. I really wanted to like the film – the last film I really liked was Departures a Japanese movie from 2008 but only playing in Cork recently. Morning Glory stars Rachel McAdams as a morning TV show producer who after being fired from her job, gets a new job where Diane Keaton and later Harrison Ford are anchors. It was supposed to be funny and entertaining. I really like Rachel McAdams and have been eagerly watching out for her since her double whammy of The Family Stone and Red Eye – very different movies in which she was really good. She was good as was the rest of the cast. The script was OK but somehow the whole was less than the sum of the parts.
Rachel McAdam’s wardrobe seriously annoyed me – far too often they had her in short tight skirts but this was not as bad as the strapless peach dress she wore to the interview to her dream job. Really, even in the entertainment business nobody is wearing a strappy dress with a cardigan to a job interview.
For the first time since going to see the opera in the cinema, I was the youngest in the cinema by a mile. The cinema was full of pensioners taking advantage of discounted tickets.
I’m giving the move 3 stars out of 5 – not hideous but not brilliant either.
Afterwards I went to the cinema. Usually I go to the cinema once or twice a week but with my recent travel plans that has not been possible (cue the violins – I didn’t go to the cinema for 3 weeks while I was in Spain). I went to see Morning Glory. I really wanted to like the film – the last film I really liked was Departures a Japanese movie from 2008 but only playing in Cork recently. Morning Glory stars Rachel McAdams as a morning TV show producer who after being fired from her job, gets a new job where Diane Keaton and later Harrison Ford are anchors. It was supposed to be funny and entertaining. I really like Rachel McAdams and have been eagerly watching out for her since her double whammy of The Family Stone and Red Eye – very different movies in which she was really good. She was good as was the rest of the cast. The script was OK but somehow the whole was less than the sum of the parts.
Rachel McAdam’s wardrobe seriously annoyed me – far too often they had her in short tight skirts but this was not as bad as the strapless peach dress she wore to the interview to her dream job. Really, even in the entertainment business nobody is wearing a strappy dress with a cardigan to a job interview.
For the first time since going to see the opera in the cinema, I was the youngest in the cinema by a mile. The cinema was full of pensioners taking advantage of discounted tickets.
I’m giving the move 3 stars out of 5 – not hideous but not brilliant either.
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