lazyotter

Today didn’t get off to a great start. I’d left a large piece of paper on the kitchen table with “LUNCH IN FRIDGE” written on it so I’d see it at breakfast and remember to take the spaghetti with me… Somehow I failed to notice this and instead managed to pick up a tin of soup. At least dinner was ready when I got home, but a shame it was the same as yesterday.

This evening I watched “The Golden Compass” having held off for a number of weeks until I’d finished the book upon which it is based - “Northern Lights”, part of a Philip Pullman trilogy named “His Dark Materials“. With the last pages of the book so recently in my head I was at first somewhat disappointed with the movie. As with LOTR, at times it felt very fast moving indeed, where one brief scene had been translated from a few chapters in the book. This was frustrating for me as I’d taken my time over the book and a lot of the best bits seemed to be missed out. Another gripe I have was that they swapped some of the chapters around (very confusing having just read the book) and even missed out the very last part (not saying any more). And where the book seemed to be a darker almost adult-like affair, the movie seemed to be in lighter spirits.

But hold on! This was still a good film. It did manage to encapsulate the ambiance of the parallel world in which the book is set. And the acting was very good too. But the best thing about this movie is that it looks great - excellent computer generated characters, fabulous sets and costumes. I kept wishing they’d slow the thing down so we could appreciate and savour all of this, but it just kept rushing along at 100mph.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this movie if you’ve not (or not recently) read the book.

Did the rather comically named “Three peaks of Runcorn” run today, which is basically a 6.23 mile route with three hills in it.

Ever have one of those days when you get up and pour the juice onto the cereal and the milk into a glass, try to have a shave with hair gel, then drop your toothbrush into the toilet, obviously before flushing… Say no more. I really should stop having these late nights.

Watched “I am Legend” this evening. Bit scary in places but amazing suspense and atmosphere. Very much enjoyed it. I was very sad when his dog got the virus

I watched Clerks 2 tonight. Haven’t seen it before but it was ace and even better than expected

Inspiration can come to us in all manner of forms, any time any place. It’s funny, but I wasn’t expecting to get any deep inspiration from this movie. But one thing that stood out for me - when Dante and Randall are arguing (after getting locked up in jail) Randall accuses Dante of just being like a sheep, following the rest of the herd and doing what everyone expects him to do, i.e. not thinking for himself and making those big decisions. How true this can be.

It’s so easy for us to keep our head’s down and carry on doing the same thing, going with the flow and infrequently reviewing our position - just like sheep. And choosing to pass over issues or problems and pretend (or even subconsciously train our minds to ignore) that they don’t mean anything… Like living in a place you don’t really want to be in, or doing a job you know isn’t right for you, or leading a lifestyle that you know is bad for you… There’s always a choice. It just takes guts, sweat (and possibly tears) to make it right.

So when’s it going to happen…