BEDA 5: The Orphanage and necessary errands

Hello everyone

Today started better then the previous two, weather-wise, even got to see the sun. I don't know why that is but I feel more tired and lazy when it gray and rainy outside and don't feel like doing much. I need the sun's energy to revitalize me.

Ran a couple much needed errands, I desperately needed to get a new brake for my rollerblade. I went for a ride last week and noticed that it was time to replace the break, I was a little afraid I wouldn't be able to stop at some point which would not be good.

I also got myself new wrist guards, again much needed, as my old ones were not looking too good, I have had them for at least 3 years now so it was time for a change.

Now I am all ready for rollerblading season if only the weather would cooperate and the rainy, windy, coldish days would end. RAWR.

I stopped by a game store, and I tried the rock band that was only display. To my dismay it was xBox. Ewww Microsoft product, had to wash my hands more than once to remove any microsoft germs and traces that I actually touched this system. lol RAWR. By this comment, I am sure you can guess that I am not a fan of anything microsoft. I mean it really showed it was microsoft too, it took forever to load just like Windows and I bet it is subject to viruses and those updates and re-updates and re-re-updates.

Despite the microsoft system, I found rock band kind of fun as in an awesome party game but I am not certain I would really want to own that game. I am not the greatest musically-speaking. Mind you I am trying to teach myself guitar but it is going at a snail-pace, still love guitar though.

I thought I was doing good until I realized that we are required to sing along. I did not want to do that especially since I was in a store and let's face it I cannot carry a tune to save my life which would have probably resulted in customers running out of the store. :) LOL

I made this Easy basil sesame noodles for dinner, found on an old blog, check out the recipe here:
http://recipe-binder.blogspot.com/2009/03/recipe-9-easy-basil-sesame-noodles.html
It was pretty good and quite healthy, I added some chicken, cauliflower, green onion and mushrooms. I rarely follow the recipe as it is written, always like to experiment and add something new to it. All in all it turned out pretty good aside from the fact that I miscalculated the chicken-veggies-noodles ratio and ended up with more noodles than chicken and veggies. It was still good.

I finally watches The orphanage by Guillermo Del toro.

I have been saying I wanted to see this film ever since I saw the first movie poster about it and never got around to it. I am uber glad I finally watched it.

For those of you who would not have heard of Guillermo Del Toro, he is a mexican film-maker who directed the fantastic fantasy movie: Pan's Labyrinthe or El labyrinto del fauno. A brillant movie with some references to Alice in wonderland.

Unfortunetaly for the ones who are not fast readers the movie is in spanish with english subtitles, meaning you need to pay attention and read a lot or may need to pause in order to make sure you do not miss any important details.

I cannot recommend this movie enough especially to anyone who likes Del Toro's style. The Orphanage, same as pan's labyrinthe, forces you to go back and reexamine the plot to wonder what is real and what isn't. There is also a reference to peter pan (peter and wendy) and the lost children. As in pan's labyrinthe he used Alice in wonderland references. Genius. It makes it quite interesting.

Del Toro keeps the viewer in suspense until the end of the movie, and leaves much of the true reality or unreality of the plot open to interpretation and creates an experience that lingers in your mind long after you have watched the film, making you think, wonder and talk about your own interpretations.

The film is considered horror but not the free blood, gore and violence that we normally see and I personally find it refreshing to see a true gem of a film, such as this one, keep you on the edge o f your seat wanting to know what will happen next.

I especially liked the fact that it dealt with some paranormal aspect and skeptic characters along with believers.

In retrospect, I absolutely loved the film and I would recommend this to anyone who loves or even has never heard of guillermo del toro. Simply brilliant and fantastic.

I was going to put more specific things about the movie, but I realize some people may not have watched it and I did not want to spoil it for anyone would would want to see it.

As I promised I would always add my art tip of the day here it is:

Art tip of the day:

PROPER WAY TO HOLD A PENCIL WHILE DRAWING
The pencil is the artist's main tool of expression, and by applying varying degrees of pressure, the artist can make a wide variety of lines. When you write, you hold the end of the pencil to make small marks of similar size. When you draw, however, you must be able to make small marks as well as long, free-flowing lines. Resting your hand on the paper and holding the pencil near the middle is a more conventional and correct way to do detailed drawing. If you want to make a broader range of marks, you should hold the pencil near the blunt end. Doing this will leave you free to draw from the elbow.

If you want to draw a more sweeping line, just grasp the pencil comfortably with your hand relaxed. The fingers should loosely support rather than grip the pencil. Try not to force the movement; let it occur naturally. Use the method that feels most natural and comfortable for you.
- John Cleary

BEDA day 5 down, see you tomorrow.

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