Gonna drink wine, eat Steak and take pictures with my new lens... who's excited? I Am!!!

So what has been going on lately with me? Well, as most of you probably know by now, I'm moving out this weekend, and in with Steph, so that's pretty exciting - new place, and with Steph, and no more basement! Other then that, I just bought a new tv - 42" LCD, with full HD support, and it's pretty awesome, so you should all come over for movies. Other then that, my boss just bought me a new laptop today - 15" Macbook Pro, and it should be here in about a week. Other then that, we released the new networking library that I've been working on at work for the last 2-3 months just last night, so that's pretty exciting. Other then that - well not too much else. I'm sick and I have to pack / move so that kinda sucks, but whatever. -Pat

Ok, time for an update. So, the past 10 days, for those of you who don't know, comprised the 7th annual Calgary International Film Festival. Basically a showcase of local and international independent film. It's one of the few 'artsy' things in Calgary that I get myself involved in, and get involved I did. You see, Steph's really in to the festival, and ended up volunteering massively, and then working at the box office for the past month, and because of this she got all sorts of free stuff, which essentially got her into unlimited films for free - and essentially got me into unlimited films for free. So, over the last ten days, I went to 17 features, and 2 collections of shorts comprising 21 short films, and one Gala.

And here they are:

Sharkwater: This is a preachy film that was written, produced, directed, filmed, and edited by one guy - a guy who is totally obsessed with sharks, and spends the film trying to convince us that if they die, then we will die, because humans rely on sharks for survival. I was a very cool film, with tons of amazing underwater shooting, that took this guy on a crusade against the shark fin industry in Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. I would recommend it.

Linda Linda Linda: This is a Japanese (with English subtitles) movie about 3 Japanese schoolgirls and their Korean exchange student, who form a rock cover band to play at the end of year talent show. Basically a feel good movie, about friends, school, love, life, and everything in between, mixed with good music and a nice dose of humour. A fairly normal, but well done flick. I would recommend it.

Familia: This is a French film (with English subtitles), filmed in Montreal, about a mother and her daughter, who are on their way to California (but never actually get there). Lots of crazy kid stuff here, and the mother who gambles everything away, and lives with her friend. The daughter (14) ends up pregnant, and they end up in the trailer park - sounds not so nice I know, but it was quite well done and well acted, and despite everything, was not a depressing movie. Lots of friend stuff, and the ending wasn't sad. I'd recommend it.

4th Dimension: This film touted all sorts of interesting quantum physics, and time travel issues, and of course 4th dimensions, which is why I wanted to see it - sounded kinda like an interesting sci-fi. It was not. Turned out to be a black and white experimental about the inner mind of a schizophrenic, who fixes clocks. Just generally not interesting, and not remarkable. I would not recommend.

L'Avion: This is a French film (from France/Germany), that did not have subtitles, so I had to try and wing it, as I don't really know French. I wanted to see if I could figure it out, as it sounded like a very good movie. I have to admit that I felt a little out of place in the theatre full of French speakers, all talking in French... I'm just glad that nobody tried to talk to me. Anyways, the film is basically about a kid, whose dad gives him a model plane, and then dies. A little bit later the place comes to life, and the rest of the film is about the military trying to get their hands on it, while the kid tries to keep it to himself (the plane turns out to be his father reincarnate). Definitely a very good film, I would recommend.

Circus of God: This is a crazy film that follows the Christian evangelical movement, as they set up massive tents and preach to whoever will listen. But these ministers are like none I have ever seen. The one guy claims that he can essentially create miracles and he spends his time walking among his followers, and righteous and worked up, tapping them on the heads, and having them fall into convulsions - apparently overcome by the presence of God. The climax was when he was brought a baby with a missing intestine, and he asked God to create a new intestine for this kid. I don't have a problem with religion - and people can believe whatever they like, but honestly, where do you find so many gullible people that will believe in this stuff?? Go see it if you think humanity is not dumb.

The Puzzling World of the Enigma: This is a film about The Enigma (the guy with full body puzzle tatoos). We get to hear his rational for being to different, listen to his music, and watch him do some of his crazy tricks (hammering a 6 inch nail into his head trough his nose, pumping windex into and then out of his own stomach, shoving condoms through his nose, etc.) Some pretty gross stuff to be honest. Not sure that I'd want to see it again.

Sam's Lake: This was a extremely well done thriller / horror, that I believe was filmed locally - around Canmore, about the typicall group of friends that go out into the woods and get killed. Fairly obvious generally, but some good twists, and they do keep you on the edge of your seat - something not easily done with me. I would recommend.

Radiant City: A film about urban sprawl, by the Director of Waydowntown (Gary Burns), mostly filmed in Calgary, using non-profesional local actors. Just really an amazing film, I would definitely recommend it. I was a bit insane getting in, as the Director, cast, crew and friends all showed up unexpectedly and so a lot of people who pre-purchased tickets didn't get in (though I did :-) ) - saw this one with Jamie and Steph.

Find Love: This is a amateurish looking film about two people (non-single) randomly meeting and how they intertwine. Not bad, but I wouldn't really recommend.

Mojave Phone Booth: This film is about the lives of various people, that end up intertwining over the use of a Phone booth that's situated in the middle of the dessert. Some people liked it, I did not - boring and hard to sit through.

Mutual Appreciation: This is the best film that I saw at the festival. It was shot in black and white 16mm, and has a VERY independent feel, basically about a musician in New York, and his friends and journeys, but with a feel of authenticity in the dialogue that I've never seen before. These characters are real, and they capture their subculture as perfectly as could be done. Go watch the trailer: http://www.mutualappreciation.com/

Westworld: This a is 70's sci-fi Western about a resort town, occupied by androids, that recreated an 1880 western town. Of course the point being that androids can be killed and fucked without moral objection. As expected, the androids go crazy and kill most of the guests, but still a cool movie. I'd recommend.

Tillamook Treasure: This is a family film about a girl and her messed up family living in a logging town. She spends her time looking for (and eventually finds) treasure. Saw this one with Steph and Laura, and the cool part was that the family that make the film was there - so the main acresses, and their parents - who directed and produced the film. It's just cool to be able to see the real people behind the movies, and talk to them. I'd recommend (as a family film).

Snow Cake: This is a film that was made in Wawa, that actually had some 'real' (known) actors in it. Very very well done. It was kinda funny because I've been stuck in Wawa because of a car accident myself, so it was interesting to see a movie with the same underlying theme. This was the film connected to the wrap gala that I went to (with Steph, Daley, Heather and Jamie), and honestly, it's the best time I've had in a long time. We started out in the tents, which was ok - a couple of free drinks and some food that wasn't half bad - but the music was a bit too loud and I couldn't hear what people were saying. We then proceed, via Steph, into the VIP area - Opus on 8th, where we drank, ate, and talked until about 2. The food was amazing (AMAZING), and for some reason, free, the drinks were good, the company was awesome, it was just a very good time.

I Am: This is a film that I went to knowing nothing at all about it. Turns out that it's Polish (with English subtitles). About this kid that runs away from the orphanage and ends up living in an old boat, and his adventures and friendships. Very well done, and amazingly beautiful cinematography. Also a feel of a different world, I'm not sure exactly what is it, but there is definitely a very different feel to life is Poland as compared to life here. I would recommend.

Lovesick: This is basically a documentary about Zumanity (the Cirque du Soleil sex show in Vegas). I was not as good as I thought it might be and to be honest, simply reaffirmed that I really don't want to see that show when I go back, even though I am a Cirque du Soleil fanatic. Oh well.

As for the shorts... I don't feel like writing another 21 synopses. The one that stands out is about a guy that lives under a bridge where people tend to kill themselves (by jumping!). It's just very funny and very well done. Fun times.

Now, if anyone is still reading this I'd be amazed, but I wanted to talk about the last week. Of course at this point I'm pretty much dead, so I'm going to make an effort to actually sleep for the next week, which should be nice.

Anyways, bed time
-Pat

So, A magazine from New Zealand asked me today if they could print one of my photos on Flickr in their next issue. Now, I just think that that's really cool, so of course I said yes. So now I get a photo printed in a New Zealand Magazine, credited with my name of course. Very cool. Too bad it's a gardening magazine :-P oh well.

In other news... not a lot going on. I've been going to the Film Festival a bit - saw 9 films over the weekend, and I expect this coming weekend to be just as busy. We're going to a Gala on Saturday night which should be fun. Lots of cool stuff happening at work. But.. I'm not in the mood to type much, so I will update again tomorrow.

-Pat

So what's with all the hype anyways? I mean - Snakes on a Plane? Come on. On the other hand, I'm gonna go see it. That's all folks. -Pat

Well. as many of you know, this past weekend was Steph Grad and Birthday. This of course entailed much partying. Which of course was awesome. I, and others, took many photos, which as usual I have posted. I've also decided that it is time to get a pro account with Flickr - which basically means that I can put up more than 200 shots at a time, and also I can put up the original full quality versions. Which is nice for some. Anyways - my main Flickr page is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrickmcneil/

The party photos are here

Also have a look at the coolness of sets here

I've been uploading old photos, as you may have noticed - including a bunch from H.P. so keep a lookout, as I'll probably add more as time goes...

Enough about Photos. The weekend, well except for some rockier areas, it was generally awesome. First Friday with Steph's grad, and her family dinner - which incidentally lasted for 4.5 hours and had us all tipsy enough that we took a cab home - a first for Steph's family at least in my experience. Next day - Saturday, was the real party, and awesomely enough, the weather was very good, so we managed to spend almost the entire time outside. Lots of fun with Frisbee and ball. Overall just a really good time. Glen brought along his girl - Melissa, and she's an awesome photographer, so she had my camera for most of the evening - any of the really good shots were probably done by her :-P

Anyways, night
-Pat

A frog leaps out of the magical forest where he has lived all his life and into a real forest. Since he lived in the magical forest he has magical powers. He sees a bear chasing a rabbit and thinks to himself, this isn't right, everyone should live in peace. So he stops the bear and rabbit and tells them that if they stop chasing each other he'll give them both three wishes.

The bear thinks for a second and wishes that all the rest of the bears in the forest were female. Poof, all of them are female. Next the rabbit wishes for a crash helmet. The bear looks at the rabbit wondering why he would want a crash helmet.

The bear thinks for a second making sure he makes a good second wish and wishes that all the rest of the bears in the country were female. Again -- poof -- all the rest became female. Then the rabbit wishes for a motorcycle. Now the bear steps back and looks at the rabbit in amazment. How dumb is this rabbit he thinks to himself. All he had to do was wish for money and he could buy all the motorcycles he ever wanted. This has to be the dumbest creature the bear has ever seen, he thinks to himself.

It is time for the bear's final wish and he takes a second to think and makes sure he doesn't waste it. After a minute he wishes that all the other bears in the whole world were female. And again poof they are all female.

Next the rabbit puts on his helmet and jumps on the bike. He turns around and smiles. Then he says, ''I wish that that bear is gay.''