Cid_MCDP

Watched The Book of Eli last night. It's not bad, I think I sort of came in expecting too much- with the Hughes Brothers directing, Gary Oldman and Denzel doing their thing in a post-apocalypse setting, I had really high hopes, but it left me wanting a bit. I've thought about it on my way into work today because I couldn't exactly figure out what I didn't like about it some last night after I finished watching it, and I think it's just sort of a weak script. It's not horrible, but without trying to give a ton away, it's just sort of a weak idea to begin with. Could be this movie was the victim of an overzealous editor or a studio head trying to keep a budget, I don't know... the things the movie gets right... I guess what I'm saying is it's hard to believe that the movie gets some things (some very small things like, "Let me see your hands" to detect Prion disease thus ensuring cannibals are detected), so very right, yet misses such a big target later on. Saying that, it's beautifully shot, the main actors do a good job with what they're given to work with, and the action sequences are well done. It's worth watching, but I'm having trouble with why a bunch of the people I work with think this is the greatest movie ever. FWIW, yes, there's religious (read: Christian) overtones to the movie, but I don't agree with some of the reviews that it's all ham-fisted for Jesus or whatever. Saying you can't get through this movie because there's too much God in it is sort of like saying you didn't like Goodfellas because you hate criminals- it's an integral part of the story.

Cid others might be able to help you with sites and books but personally I wouldn't bother with the classes. Your missus has the perfect opportunity for subject matter with the bairn. It's all about practice and experimentation. And with digital cameras there is no excuse not to take as many shots of the same subject. Without spending a fortune buy her a camera that she can manually over-ride focus/exposure and preferably with changeable lenses, that way you can up grade it over time into a kit, not just a camera. Make sure it is a mainstream lens mount, canon/nikon and not something like an m42 screw mount - not as readily available therefore more expensive. Something like this: Canon EOS Rebel kit Photography classes are a waste of time IMHO, the source of info available on the net like youtube and photography forums is much better, especially for the basics when starting out, I've done landscapes for over 3 years now and moving onto the strobist side of things for portraits, would post a few shots but I deleted my Flickr/Redbubble account recently when I lost my mojo. THIS book is highly recommended of in the tog world Thanks to the both of you!

You all know of any good sites/ magazines/ books that explain the guidelines for composition and whatnot? The wife has developed a flair for photography and is hinting around that she'd like a nicer camera for Christmas this year, but I'd like to see her refine the raw talent she obviously possesses a bit more and see if it's something she's going to continue to be interested in before I shell out the bucks, y'know? There's a couple of university's around that I'm sure do photography classes, but with the young 'un and both of us working, the odds of her making a regularly scheduled class for a semester is fairly slim.

I'd like to say I bring an American viewpoint to things, but that'd be inaccurate as fuck as my views represent roughly 0.001% of my fellow countrymen. I like to think I bring the funny occasionally. Haven't been on much since we had the kiddo and I pulled maintenance for a month. Hopefully things will slow down a bit for me and I can spend some more time on here.

Hughton adopting a 6-1-2-1 then? Bold...

I've completed season one and I have to say the finale was impressive, and quite sad. Slightly apprehensive incase the next season can't meet the standards to be good as the first. Hoping so anyways, got Season two and three ready to watch and looking forward to it. Have to say though Rita's a bit creepy. last season is great, really worth getting through season 2 to get to it This. Season 2 is the worst season of Dexter, but saying that, it's still better than 95% of what's on TV (at least over here, anyway). Season 3 though? Holy mackrel. One of the best seasons of a television show I've ever seen. Wow. I'm soooooooooooo friggin' excited that The Walking Dead is going to be a TV show on AMC this October. I absolutely cannot wait!

I've been having to fill in as line maintenance the past month and a half and finally got back to my normal job this week. I ran across this on the news but didn't have time to post it, but I knew it'd be an interesting bit for this thread, so I emailed it to myself. http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599200088000 This is why when I hear somebody banging on about change or hell, even voting, I just kinda shake my head. The people of this country have practically no say in how she operates anymore. It's effectively completely out of our hands at this point.

Only applies to certain Commonwealth countries I think. And not ones that opted out in the 18th century There's always a catch...

Is it just me or is this like the most awkwardly titled thread on the boards? iTunes, btw.

Where'd you get the beauty scar, tough guy?

Somebody tell me more about this ancestry visa. I got my mom a subscription to Ancestry.com for her birthday back in March and it turns out part of my family (direct ancestors on my mom's side) are from around Wiltshire and Chippenham.

Yeah, right. Just like all those rich Alaskans in 1989... You gotta be joking.

Slovenian inversion?

You say that like it's a bad thing...

Gutted.

What kind of fucked up bizzaro world did I wake up in today? Stevie asking for a Yank ref? Thank god he put ref at the end, eh? Lols!

What kind of fucked up bizzaro world did I wake up in today? Stevie asking for a Yank ref?

That'd give them the whole of Switzerland to knock it about in. Watched Uruguay v South Korea earlier. Wouldn't mind facing up against either of them assuming we get by Ghana today.

Brazil not starting Robinho against Portugal?

I really wish I could take off tomorrow to watch Brazil v Portugal and Chile v Spain. Figures, the one month I have to fill-in as maintenance it's friggin' June. Typical.

Somebody mention an offsides goal?

It very much depends on where you're playing at. Certain areas of the country (St. Louis is probably the biggest one) have massive support for their youth leagues and are affiliated with the USMNT/ US Soccer. Those leagues are for reals. Most of the country though, it's basically just recreation or activity for the kids to keep them off the couch. I'm not going to make my kid play any sport, but if he chooses to play football, Evansville has a US Soccer sponsored youth development league that starts teaching the game to them at a very young age. Again though, that's probably mainly because football is a big deal at the local university. Most towns in the US, it's just going to be farting around most likely. It is changing though. There's this weird mechanic over here in some kids' leagues where the parents don't want their kids to feel like failures, so they don't keep score. I know, I know. Those are the kinds of places you see shit like rolling subs and everybody playing every position and all. Just as USMNT sponsored youth leagues aren't really the norm for the majority of the country, I'd say those goofball feel-good leagues aren't the norm either, but they are out there. Oh my goodness. No wonder it's treated like a wuss's sport over there. I was watching King of the Hill in an episode where Bobby takes up football. The teams are given weak, boring names like 'the wind', the shorts are tiny and draws are celebrated like wins. Despite being fully aware that it's a comedy I kept saying "It's... It's Not like that at all!" It isn't just football, they do it in baseball too I know. Some people over here are stupid, man. They think pro wrestling is real, NASCAR is a sport, and football is for pussies. I can't explain it and don't even really attempt to anymore. As far as the immigration comment, I don't think that many Italians and Germans are coming here anymore, although the hispanic and latin folks that are emigrating to the US in large numbers do bring their love of the game with them... I think that's the real reason all the rednecks hate the Mexicans coming here so much- those dudes don't play American football, they play the other kind. I don't know how long American football has been around for. I'm sure there's a Wiki on it. I think the pro league(s) started up in the 40's or the 50's. Out of the 4 main American sports, American football always appealed the least to me. I was really into baseball as a kid, then the NBA and NHL in high school, then I sorta got bored with the NBA once the draft eligibility got all stupid post Kobe Bryant. The NFL I just follow enough to be able to strike up or participate in conversations. Still follow the NHL rabidly.

That's not a new thing though. It's been the number 1 participation sport for ages. The system over there will still send the cream of the crop into the basketball, baseball and egg-chasing for the foreseeable. It's basically played by posh kids (private schools are well into it as the insurance for 'football' is way too high) and lasses. Two things that make it slightly different this time though is there's a fairly legitimate professional league here now and the sport is actually on TV. I played as a kid, but honest-to-God, I don't think I ever actually saw a match on TV until World Cup '94. Obviously you gotta play and have good coaches and whatnot, but I'm a firm believer in you have to see people playing on TV to get better, and although MLS is probably about 10th in league competitiveness compared to the rest of the world, at least it's a league, at least the teams that are still around seem to be making some money, and at least it's on TV. I tell ya though, and Parky will love this, but as this country's economy gets more and more in the toilet with every passing year, you're going to see more American kids playing football simply because their parents can't afford all the gear and league fees for the other sports. Guy I work with here at the plant has absolutely no interest in football, but his kid brought home a sign up sheet for baseball (which my co-worker loves) and a form for football. He hated to do it, but he signed his kid up for football. It was $50 cheaper and obviously the equipment purchase made even more economic sense. I LOLed. If America/ns get into football in the right way as per your personal predilictions etc, I don't have a problem with that, after all it is a game the whole world should enjoy and to a degree all the fifa bullshit about it bringing people together has some truth to it. What I don't want is the sport being harmed by any wierd rule changes to accomodate America (like 3 half an hour halves to accomodate advertising) or somesuch shit like that. For me I think at some point in the not too distant future American sides will be on an equal footing with African sides, like Mexico, Japan and SK have gone up a gear this world cup and the last decade. I agree. The sport's been basically the same for over 100 years, I'd hope we'd leave it alone. I have some hope for this happening. To my knowledge, MLS doesn't have any strange rules to try and satisfy the North American audience, really the only thing strange about that league is the season and that's because some of those teams still play in NFL stadiums, so they try not to conflict with American Football (more however, are finding it profitable enough to build their own stadiums, which is nice). The only thing I'd say has a real shot at getting added would be some kind of video replay/ review for recent and obvious reasons. Again though- it's just a chance. I'd be very surprised to see any massive rule changes simply because it makes it tougher for us to compete on the world stage or in international club competitions and while there might be enough money to make somebody think about justifying some goofy change, if we're not good enough to be in those competitions or don't have a shot in hell at winning, people generally won't watch, so it becomes a moot point anyway.

It very much depends on where you're playing at. Certain areas of the country (St. Louis is probably the biggest one) have massive support for their youth leagues and are affiliated with the USMNT/ US Soccer. Those leagues are for reals. Most of the country though, it's basically just recreation or activity for the kids to keep them off the couch. I'm not going to make my kid play any sport, but if he chooses to play football, Evansville has a US Soccer sponsored youth development league that starts teaching the game to them at a very young age. Again though, that's probably mainly because football is a big deal at the local university. Most towns in the US, it's just going to be farting around most likely. It is changing though. There's this weird mechanic over here in some kids' leagues where the parents don't want their kids to feel like failures, so they don't keep score. I know, I know. Those are the kinds of places you see shit like rolling subs and everybody playing every position and all. Just as USMNT sponsored youth leagues aren't really the norm for the majority of the country, I'd say those goofball feel-good leagues aren't the norm either, but they are out there.