When a Stranger Calls (2006)

I don't know why I keep letting my sister drag me to scary horror films. It's like when you cross your heart and swear to god that you'll never drink again after a bad hang over but then can't turn down a really tasty cocktail the next week….

I'm totally a big baby when it comes to super-scary, disturbing flicks and I have nightmares after each one for days. That said, I can't seem to turn down a chance to go the cinema with Rhonda and have a blast. I definitely needed cheering up Friday night and this movie did the trick.

I have to say, as far as horror films go, it wasn't as gory as the 80's slasher flicks or as disturbing as the recent Japanese imports like The Ring and The Grudge (which, by the way, traumatised me and ruined my sleep pattern for nights on end).

No, for most of this movie, nothing much happened. This meant my hiding behind my hands and peeking through the cracks of my fingers was a total waste of time (an automatic reaction every time I hear creepy music and they don't go down until someone says, "it's okay now").... On top of it, the whole cinema was full of young teenagers who laughed and screamed like girls in all the right places, taking away most of the anxiety and potential psychological damage :-). I thought this was FAB but my sister was intensely irritated by it, saying it ruined her experience.

The film was filled with stupid decisions by the teenager….like after deciding she really was being harassed by some scary guy on the phone who could see her through the windows, she then makes a long, mad dash through the woods to the pool house to check out a shadow she saw behind the curtains…...STUPID. Also, she never bothers to call 911 at all….she just waits for the scheduled patrol car coming in 20 minutes because she originally said it wasn't an emergency. Double-stupid.

All in all, one has to take this film for what it's not…..it's not original, not imaginative, and neither clever nor deep but it does manage to make you jump in the right places and since I haven't seen the previous version, I can't comment on whether it was better or worse….

Joanna Jameson : 08 Feb 2006 14:15 |  Tags: Film |  Comments (7) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Dilbert and Philosophy

I love the idea that a comic can question the construction of normalcy and absolutes….

Joanna Jameson : 28 Nov 2005 11:58 |  Tags: Random Thoughts |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Green Day and Compilation CDs

In order to move home to Canada last November, I had to liquidate my whole library of DVDs, CDs and most importantly, books. The whole collection was far to heavy (and therefore costly) to ship and many of the DVDs were Region 2. While some may regard getting rid of personal possessions as therapeutic, I found this material shedding particularly painful. In the end, I'm back at home and my whole music, literary and film collection of the last seven years has disappeared and is sorely missed. :-(

Consequently, I've had to begin collecting again. I've learned that rebuying one's whole CD, DVD, book collections from scratch is an impossibly expensive task and I've therefore decided to buy CD compilations of bands where I can. Now, this does make the heart bleed if you look at your CDs as trophies or a chronological life journal of sorts. You do feel a little fake, buying compilations and not having the seperate records…something like those who jump on a bandwagon without the appreciation of an artist's history of production. But in the end, who cares? Having said that, I've recently purchased Greenday's International Superhits in an effort to replace my Dooky, Nimrod and Warning collection. This 22 track collection is FAB and Greenday is number one on my top-five-all-time-greatest-bands-ever list. While you may miss out on lesser songs you remember from the individual albums (like "Misery" from Warning :-( ) you do get all the cool tracks up until they released American Idiot on one disk to play in your car, legally…...Great disc….Superb band.

Joanna Jameson : 07 Nov 2005 20:45 |  Tags: Music Review |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

A Brief History of Mine

Well, it's been a long time since I've blogged and I definitely felt withdrawl pangs for months. Extremely brief history to bring you all up to speed:

Made it to Nova Scotia, had hard, cold winter with loads of snow, had difficult, hot summer with loads of heat and now we are slipping into November. It's been a rough year for a whole myriad of reasons. Abby and I are now on our own.

But wait!! Abby's party was in September! What better time to be had in the world?! None! I threw another huge cool B-day for my sweet-pea Abby. This year's event was a family-only occasion and since I have one of the largest families ever, all living within one county, you can bet it was a busy day. Abby's theme this year was a Dora the Explorer Mexican-type fiesta. For all those lucky people out there who do not have a toddler or preschooler, Dora the Explorer will be nowhere on your radar (and be thankful for it!). Pics soon to follow.

Here is Abby in all her Canadian Autumn glory….what a doll.

Joanna Jameson : 07 Nov 2005 16:17 |  Comments (6) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The Last Days of a Weary Temp

Well the past week or so has been so incredibly busy, hectic and stressful that I very nearly had a minor breakdown. We seem to be running around like chickens with our heads cut off but things don't seem to be getting done. Actually, we've come a long way since a month ago and everything is bound to get done in the end (one way or another). We've battled through a comedy of errors that would have been comic had they been happening to someone else but now we just have nearly four days to go before we're off to London for two nights and then on to Nova Scotia. Hoorah! The only thing left to go wrong is the immigration hassle at the border….....watch this space.

Anyways, today will be my last day at E-lab and I just have to say how much I've enjoyed my time here. While I was working here, I did my Masters degree, had a baby, sold our property up near Nuneaton and moved house to Coventry and had Abby's first birthday party! With Karen Mortimer as my supervisor, I've been able to learn and help with interesting things that were completely outside my educational background and they proved to be fun as well. I do have to say that the people who make up E-lab are fantastic. I've never worked with a more professional and friendly bunch of colleagues. I started here as a part time temp in February 2002 and I have never once woke up in the morning and thought "God I don't want to go into work today...." I've always loved my time here (even more so after Abby was born because it gave me a break away!).

I'd just like to thank everyone I've worked with here. It has been really lovely and if anyone ever wants to visit Nova Scotia on holiday and needs a tour guide, let me know. Take care.

Joanna Jameson : 04 Nov 2004 10:17 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Lovely Moggy finds new home!!!!!!!!

Follow-up to One more plea from The Pale Cast of Thought

YAY!! I just have to report that my lovely, tubby moggy has found a new home with a cat-loving older lady who has a large family and a terrific garden. I nice lady named Angie recommended her (thank you so much!).....

This means that Tuppy will not have to be put in the RSPCA (thank goodness for that) and that we can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with big issues about the move!

I do miss her though :-(

Joanna Jameson : 26 Oct 2004 09:04 |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

One more plea

Follow-up to Two lovely cats need a home from The Pale Cast of Thought

Hello out there!

This is one last plee for anyone who knows of a possible good home for my moggy cat named Tuppence. We're emmigrating and can't take her with us (see previous article) but I'm running out of time and can't find a home for her! The Coventry Cats Protection League told me they are full and have a waiting list and I don't want to give her to the RSPCA because they might put her down….

If you know of anyone that would love an older, very sweet (but plump) black and white moggy, then please let me know…please see my previous article and my cats gallery .

Thanks!

Joanna Jameson : 05 Oct 2004 13:38 |  Tags: My Cats |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Trackbacks (1) |  Report a problem

This week I will be mostly reading…..

I'm in the middle of this novel and have decided to make a comment on how good it is, even before I reach the end. This narrative is expertly crafted to bring alive a mythical world of medieval China. At the centre of the tale is a secret association of women called the Jin-Shei, the membership of which crosses class and social boundries. The women have a secret language and owe an oath to each other before all other things. Alma Alexander has dream-like, poetic prose that draws a beautiul world of complex loyalties, protocols and friendships which affect the future of this royal Chinese empire.

I highly recommend this text to anyone wanting a novel full of beauty, intrigue and friendship and I will definitely be writing a follow-up review to let you know if the ending is as good as the beginning.

Joanna Jameson : 05 Oct 2004 09:32 |  Tags: Vcb Very Cool Books |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Abby's new coat

Well Julian decided to buy Abby a new coat since we're going over to Canada and have to suffer a cold winter. I think he's gone over the top:

Joanna Jameson : 04 Oct 2004 16:13 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Darnnit.

Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view

Darnnit!!!! It's sold already!
GRRRRR….i really had a "feeling" about this one.

Joanna Jameson : 29 Sep 2004 16:46 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem