Attention to detail

     Today, Jen decided that she wanted to try watching dr who, which, understandably rocks my socks. She mentioned her concerns to me about changing lead actor partway through, and I spent a good little bit trying to convey why it worked. That of course, got me thinking about what makes Dr. Who such a great show. So, I will try to explain what it is, and it's something that happens in another of my favorite shows, How I Met Your Mother: Continuity and attention to detail. How I Met Your Mother isn't quite as good at it, but it works out really well in both, so here I go, trying to explain it.

     Dr Who spans millions of years and millions of planets, and when the timelines line up, they never let you forget. The Writers are so good at remembering everything they've written already that they can drop tiny little notes all throughout the story to let you know they're paying attention. In my mind, they have a small room somewhere, with sixteen filing cabinets sitting in the middle, two bookcases full of history books, and walls covered in sheets of paper, post-it notes and string, and in the middle is a small table with a lamp, where they write. At any moment during their writing, they can look up, grab a string, follow it through three story archs, and find the joke they were looking for. Usually, The things they give are a subtle little joke, or a tiny nod at something that's going to happen next season. That, I guess is what I'm getting at, is that they are paying so much attention to what they are doing that they know what will happen two seasons ahead, while a lot of shows seem confounded looking two episodes ahead. Dr, Who has a plan, whether or not they tell us, and if you're paying attention, there are hints, everything is so well mapped out that nothing ever really feels out of place, and That is what makes Dr. Who so great.

Oh, and the time travel, quirkiness, and incredible character-driven story lines, but that's a given, I think. ;)

Thoughts on 3d

     So, today, after much delay, Jen and I found ourselves with an open day. The first time we've really felt like we had a completely free day, so we went ahead and decided to see Harry potter again, this time in Imax 3d!

     Unfortunately, I have trouble shutting off the ole' brain, so I spent some time making observations on 3d movies. First of all, those things are stupidly expensive, too expensive, in my mind, to justify the advantages. Then there's the big issue I have with 3d, which is going to take a bit more explanation.
     The way I look at it, there are two types of 3d elements. First of all, there's the most identifiable type of 3d moment, the "In your face" aspect of 3d. This is of course, the most prominent element, and the most enjoyable sort. Okay, I should clarify that last statement. I personally like a blend of both elements, but when something reaches out and snaps at your face, that's the moment when you feel that it's 3d.
     The other type of 3d element is the subtle one. The subtle one is what gives everything the true depth, the layers of background, characters and foreground. this element is what really gives 3d the feeling of wholeness.
My issue with 3d is this: I don't think anybody is doing it right. There are a few points to be made about this. One, when the in-your face elements are overused, you feel like the 3d is a gimmick. If, on the other hand, the entire movie is done only with the depth element, you will eventually tune it out, and not really get your money's worth.
    Another problem with 3d (yeah, I thought it was two, but now the ball is rolling, so strap in!) is that people are not making movies with 3d in mind. Most of the movies being released in 3d are not created in native 3d, they're being modified into 3d in post-production. What ends up happening (and did happen in harry potter) is that sometimes the movie, the 3d ends up looking like a bad green-screen element. At one point in the movie, Neville sits up right into the camera, filling most of the frame. Meanwhile, because of the 3d editing, neville has been pulled into a foreground level, with oddly sharp edges between himself and the background, like he has been superimposed onto it.
     Finally, on the point of people not making movies specifically with 3d in mind, is focus. In traditional movies, when the director wants you to change depth of field, he shifts the focus of the camera. Often, this is used in a situation where, for example, two characters are having a conversation in the background, while something rests, blurry, in the foreground. Suddenly, the conversation shifts, and with it, the focus, revealing that the blurry mass is actually a gun. Dun Dun DUN! However, in 3d movies, the whole point is to create the illusion that the viewer is in a truly 3d location, which means that their eyes, and not a camera, are in charge of focus. Trying to create the illusion of three-dimensions, without the element of focal control, ruins the illusion entirely. In real life, we can focus our eyes to look at the pistol, and not wait for the camera, but 3d movies don't allow us that.
     Now that I have rambled for a day, I'd like to say that really, the problem with 3d isn't that it is inherently bad, rather, that 3d is like a gun, it's dangerous in the wrong hands.

Hard wine!

I promise, this is not a post about collecting urine.

     Wednesday, after several months of neglect, I remembered about my wine! I took about twenty minutes siphoning the wine through a strainer, and gathered it up in one pot, and two bowls. In total, we ended up with seven and a half quarts of tangy, pungent wine!
     It tastes a lot like grapefruit still, but it's very dry, with a heavy dose of vapor behind it. My mother had about a half of a glass, and three hours later, she mentioned losing her buzz. Apparently, this stuff will knock you on your ass! I've personally only sipped at a few shotglasses full, but afterwards, I definitely breathed some hefty flames! Keep your ears open for my next wine-making project, the plan is to make about twice this amount out of oranges and fresh cranberries!

Random acts of generosity ( I hope)

     Okay, readers, here we go, getting back into the groove of sharing thoughts.
I had an idea earlier this year that I did not get the chance to act on, but I figured since the tap has been dry here for so long, I'd share the idea with you, and ask for your opinions on it.

     I have a chainlink fence, five feet high on all sides of my yard, and for the most part, it does its job well, keeping dogs in and unwanted guests out. However, the chainlink fails in one critical field: Privacy. So, we've been pondering for awhile here about what plant we could grow to cover our fence, and prettify the yard. Local ordinances won't let us replace it with a board fence (there goes the white-picket american dream). Anyway, my idea is this: Plant my front fence with hops and tomatoes. The I could use the hops to try my hand at microbrewing (which is on my to-do list). and as for the tomatoes, that's where the title of this post comes in. I'd like to post a sign that says "Free if you pick them" by the tomatoes, and smaller signs identifying the types of tomato. Tomatoes grow pretty fast, and while they don't fruit all year long, they would cover the fence for a good half of the year, longer if i tend to them well. I think it'd be interesting to see if the neighborhood (and any pedestrians walking by) would stop and pick tomatoes. Maybe I'd leave a pouch full of plastic grocery bags (recycled of course) hanging on the signpost.

     So, readers, what do you think? Is this idea something people would take an interest in? Would the neighbors enjoy the tomatoes, or are people too distrusting? Are there any other concerns I am overlooking? Let me know in the comments section!

Are you still there?

     Oh, dear readers, how I have neglected you! I've been working on this play day and night, and have forgotten, consistently to update this blog for you. I've also forgotten meals, showers and sleep, but now, finally, the show is up and out of my hands! Soon, I will have a great deal of new projects and insights to share with you, I pinky swear! In the meantime, for those of you who live in southern california, come to CARTOON!
     It's a really great show (not to brag) and the cast is doing a fantastic job!