Kramer v. Kramer

I watched this award winning movie from 1979 again this week. And it is still really good. I just love Dustin Hoffman - especially when he wears tiny, little highwater jeans and polo shirts. He looks even tinier. There is something so sensitive and compassionate about him as an actor.



90%

Nuptuals

Some men are very demanding...

Dinner with the ladies

Saturday 2/18/06 continues. After bowling and Muy Thai kickboxing I went out to dinner with the ladies.




Thanks for the great idea, Nicole! Sorry I bailed on further shenanigans. My steam had petered out.

Bowling with Muy Thai Fanatics

OK, so we aren't really Muy Thai fanatics - but after Svi's fight (see below), we went to SeaBowl in Pacifica to let off some steam.


Lucy


Byron and Sam


Pat and Johanna


The Muy Thai master showing good form.

Muy Thai

Our friend Svi had his first ever Muy Thai kickboxing match. It was on Bryant street between 5th and 6th. It was rainy out and in the fighting place it was hot and sweaty.

There were lots of people there



We had to sit through 3-4 matches before the big fight (well, just Svi's fight)


There he is! I couldn't get any good photos as the place was packed (see photo above).





The fight was a draw as Svi is a 'bleeder' and had a cut under his eye. When asked if he was excited about doing it again, he said yes. Next fight: March 2006.

St. Hell...

Last weekend my parents were in town to visit my grandmother in St. Helena. I have some strong aversion to going to Napa. It just rubs me the wrong way.


The 2.5 hour drive up. No matter what time of day there is traffic and for some reasons all of the asshols in the world love driving up to Napa.


My grandmother's phone was busted. Papa fixed it.


Most of the weekend went like this. Driving around in our fat whip, the Ford Focus.



I loved seeing my family - but wish my grandmother had stayed in Mill Valley. It is much closer to San Francisco.

Where I wish I was today...

I wish I was once again lounging on this beach with my pal and some brews. I miss vacations.

Ordering pizza in the future

Large Pepperoni

Bored

I am incredibly bored today by life in general. I am also very exhausted.

Plus I hate my job, but sadly don't think I will ever like any job. The problem is is that I am resentful that I have to spend so much time at work when I would rather be napping, reading, travelling, etc.

I need a nice cool brew.

The USA is going to hell...

Woman investigated for "Sedition"

Johnny Montana

I don't know if you realize but the San Francisco Independent Film Festival is currently happening. I usually like to see a few movies every time a festival comes as you often get to see gems you will never have a chance to see again (The Nut Lady, Other People's Pictures, etc). This year was no different. I went and bought my 5 movie pass in anticipation of great or semi-great independent cinema. I review the catalog and select the movies I want to see. My first mistake was not sticking to my guns and seeing those movies. Instead I made my selections based on what other people were seeing.

This is how I came to be sitting in a theater last night watching 'Johnny Montana'. Perhaps one of the worst movies I have ever seen in a movie theater (see Naisu No Mori below, that was also awful and part of the festival). It is shot guerilla style, which I guess is supposed to make it cooler. Well, it was nothing but painfully awful. The lead character was not believable as a gigolo as he was unattractive and unbelievably stupid. The story was a tired one - boy sells soul for money (or body in this case), finally gets pretty neighborhood girl, sees error of his way, admits fault, loses girl, movie ends. Blah.

10% (the 10% is for it only being 90 minutes as opposed to 3 hours).

A/K/A Tommy Chong

A/K/A Tommy Chong is a documentary about the recent case, Operation Pipe Dreams, that singled out Tommy Chong (of Cheech and Chong fame) for his online glass pipe business. Although over 50 other people were arrested in the sting, the US Government used Tommy to get publicity for the case. It explores both the fame of Tommy and the issue of the war on drugs in an incredibly tight and entertaining film. The theater was packed and at points jokes were missed because so many people were laughing. If you weren't a fan of Chong before, this documentary will surely make you one. He makes for a great subject.

100%

(available on DVD soon, if you don't catch it a film festival)

Dave's not here, man.

Naisu No Mori: The First Contact

150 minutes of wierdness. Highlight - guitar brother and babbling girl doing the worm under a coffee table. Low point - the rest.

I wanted to leave after the first hour as did my 'date' (who actually fell asleep).

30%

Ben finds the love of his life

Ben went on a boat this weekend and found the love of his life... ten times over.




Look at the love in his eyes.

Should I be worried?

Dog Show!

Matt and I went to the Golden Gate Kennel Dog Show last Sunday.



There were dogs there.





I found myself mostly interested in the 'Livestock Man of the Year' photos






All the breeds had different displays. The chihuahua display was the best:



I think I need a chihuahua.

Match Point - you lose

I went and saw Match Point, Woody Allen's newest film, last night. I couldn't wait for it to end. It went on for what felt like a lifetime and the lead actor seemed like he was reading lines off of a cue card. Scarlett Johansen was average, I don't understand how she is nominated for an Oscar for this role. The rest of the cast, aside from the wonderful Rip Torn, were bland. There wasn't enough character development, the story wasn't well developed, it wasn't very interesting visually and it was boring.

60%

Elephant Seals Rule

So Carley was given 4 passes for a tour at Ano Nuevo State Park for her birthday by the man who she housesits for. We had to get up at 5:15 in the morning for this - so our spirits were a little low. Thankfully the elephant seal tour is the most kick ass thing one can do at 8 am on a Saturday.



They tease you with these artist renditions of elephant seals. These paintings don't do the beasts any justice


Matt brought his camera to capture the magic...


A large resting elephant seal bull




More elephant seal lumps.


Michaela was a little nervous about this guy


He was a little nervous too. This photo has no zoom, this is how close we were.


He kept on grunting loudly at us. Elephant seals are known to mate with anything, including logs. We had reason to be nervous (plus they can travel on land really fast by doing the worm)


The gang with our tour guide Mel. His theme for the tour was 'Utilize your state parks.' So, for Mel, I tell you to utilize your state parks.


Carley looking a little bored



The two above-photos are large groups of harems. This is where the females (cows), babies (pups) and alpha-males (bulls) hang out. While these photos make everything seem calm - those beasts are constantly squabbling, biting, fighting, and the pups are sleeping.


Click here to reserve your own walk.