Celine

Just learned that the fiancée of a very close friend of mine has cancer. Cancer of the tongue. Prognosis is bleak. She is 26. Makes me feel ridiculous with my little health problems, always whining for nothing. My prayers go out to you Celine. Be strong.

Apocalypto

Apocalypto is a very good movie. When you seat down to watch it you’re in for a wild ride. Gibson does an incredible job at sending us back in time, in a merciless jungle filled with reeeeeally scary locals. And for me that’s what cinema is all about. Seat back, relax, forget about reality and enjoy. It is a moving story, the action is breathtaking, you really feel for the hero, the actors are great, the score perfect and the images mesmerizing. The vision of the Maya city is just haunting. Finally it raises some very interesting questions about the rise and fall of civilizations, what makes them great or evil. For all that I gave a thumb up and I’ll probably go see it twice. BUT, the movie is not perfect, it could have been but it is not. I’m talking about two gore, over the top images (not even scenes) that pull you back into reality. When you’re about to bite your nails to bleeding from anxiety and tension then, you’re suddenly thinking special effects and stunt puppets: there is a jaguar literally tearing off the skull of a guy, and another guy whose head gets slashed and starts spewing blood like a geyser. At that moment, the audience goes beurkkk, ah ah ah. … this is too much, we don’t believe you, you’ve lost us, we didn’t need it. There are more ultra violent moments in the movie but there are “ok”, credible. Those two are not. I recommend this movie, but not for everybody.

Maya decadence

I’m Jewish and I’ll go see Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto. First of all because I’m a big fan of the guy and his work, but also because I’m fed up with all this hysteria against him. Give the man a break! Sure, he screwed up and I didn’t appreciate the remarks but he has apologized many times since last July. So… it’s fine with me and I don’t think he is an anti Semitic sob. As of today (opening week end), Apocalypto is number one at the box office. I’ll go see it tomorrow and you’ll have my review right afterwards.

WTC Cough

I saw a great documentary on Discovery about the people who worked near or at the WTC on 9/11 after the towers collapsed. The workers who cleaned up Ground Zero are still complaining (five years later) of respiratory problems. Apparently they inhaled some very toxic stuff from the debris – like lead, mercury or asbestos. Their illness has even a name now, it’s called the "World Trade Center Cough." But it is not a simple cough and things could get worse according to doctors. The high level of metal found in the lungs of some patients could possibly lead to cancer.

Weather

It was one of these days in LA… I didn’t even think about my asthma. The air was so dry, not a cloud in the sky, everything was limpid, I could perfectly breathe, it was beautiful. I love this city. I jogged for 20 minutes and went to my yoga class. Not a good day for my writing though. Hard to concentrate, lack of inspiration. There is this little scene that's been bugging me for two days. Very frustrating because I know that when I'm done with it, everything is just going to flow.

Rivalries

It was the week end of all rivalries in LA and a good week end for me since my favorite teams won. First UCLA beat the crap out of USC in college football. It was soooooooooo good to see the sorry faces of the Trojans and their fans. We ruined their season. They won’t play for the national title, YEAAAHHHHH!! Then the Lakers won their second game against the Clippers. I’m quite amazed by their level of performance so far, we may have a good surprise with them next spring. Finally, there was a hockey game, LA vs Anaheim. LA lost but I don’t care, I’m not really into hockey.
What else??? I've improved my golf game: a short back swing and a good follow through can give you the edge, at least it works for me.
And... I was eating my rice pudding on my couch yesterday afternoon, watching Fox and thinking that this is the best period of the year for football fans, Sundays are heaven. Go Colts, this is the year.