(no subject)

[jaala]

If you're wondering why they aren't any updates about my life, it's because very little is happening. I handed in my visa application a while ago and rejoined the church choir. My freezer and bed arrived and I installed them in my apartment. I've chatted a bit on IM. I've watched a bunch of movies on my 13" TV/VCR. I've listened to the Quandary Phase of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I watch TV on Tuesday evenings. And I've developed a Tom Baker Doctor Who addiction. That's about it.

Oh yes. I finally managed to inflate my bicycle tires to the proper pressure (as indicated on the tire). And as soon as I got back from grocery shopping the front tire burst.

* * *

Now, a word about Star Wars. I enjoy the original trilogy, so I went to see Episode I when it came out. When Episode II trailers started showing, I decided I shouldn't see it for two reasons:

1. I was seriously underwhelmed by Episode I.
2. I laughed whenever Hayden Christensen appeared on screen... because he went to my high school. (I still can't quite believe it when I see his name in celebrity gossip columns.)

Is Episode III good enough that I should make the effort to see it?

Comments

[chillit.livejournal.com]

YES!!

I loved it!! LOVED IT!!

I didn't know that he went to your high school? Was here there at the same time as you?

You should be forewarned...there is a moment when he has no shirt on. Just warning you ;)!!

[jaala]

Okay, then. Anybody in Kingston want to see it with me? (There's almost no one I know who's still here.)

Yes, Hayden and I were at the same high school at the same time for several years. I sat next to him for a while in Grade 9 math and he was involved in the musical in Grade 11. I didn't see much of him because I was in the music concentration; I think one fellow music student did date him at some point. He moved before graduation, I believe.

Hayden had a bit of a reputation--initially because he was a geek and later because (so I heard) he grew rather full of himself, but we got along fine in math class.

When I saw an announcement in the paper that he had been cast as Anakin, I seriously laughed for at least twenty seconds. Just because it was so strange to think how famous he would become.

[chillit.livejournal.com]

That is so funny! I knew he was Canadian..had no idea he had lived in Kingston! Small world ;)

Dan Akroid and Anakin Skywalker!

Kingston's a hopping place ;)

*ahem*

[jaala]

Actually, I'm not from Kingston. I went to Unionville High School in Markham. Hayden is usually referred to as a "Toronto actor" but since he went to that school he must have lived somewhere in York Region at the time.

*ducks*

[chillit.livejournal.com]

I've got Kingston on the brain! *L* Sorry :(

Sad thing is that when I met you for the first time way back in 1999, you would have been there and not in Kingston - so I have absolutely NO excuse ;)

*slaps my own hand*

[jaala]

*slaps my own hand*

Hey, no need to overreact! :-)

[sherbear82.livejournal.com]

You got to do a music CONCENTRATION in high school? Wow.

[gridlockjoe.livejournal.com]

I've developed a Tom Baker Doctor Who addiction

Have you been watching the new series (Tuesdays on CBC)?

[jaala]

Yes. I really regret that I struggled so much with academic and personal issues in high school and didn't get to take full advantage of all the opportunities the program offered. It was still a great experience though, and a fantastic preparation for university music study.

(In fact, the whole school was a good preparation for university in general. Yeesh but the academic standards were high...)

[jaala]

If you can believe it: there were a whole lot of people at UHS who had attended an elementary school with specialized arts concentrations.

My elementary school had a concentrated arts program for Grades 6 to 8 but everybody in it took the same courses... and, much to my disappointment, the program had basically been dismantled by the time I was in Grade 8 due to a shortage of funds and accusations of "elitism". But really - if you didn't get in the first time and were determined enough to audition twice, they admitted you on the basis of enthusiasm.

[jaala]

Yup. I've meant to watch the "classic series" for a while now but it was my fondness for the new series that finally impelled me to investigate. I thought I might as well begin with most people's favourite Doctor. (And whoa, was he ever fantastic in The Talons of Weng-Chiang...)

I still can't really believe that it was intended as a "family show" (i.e. suited for children). My parents used to watch Doctor Who when I was a child and I fled in terror at the opening credits alone! They might have tried to get me to watch the actual show--I don't remember--but I never had any sustained exposure to it.

[sherbear82.livejournal.com]

That's really amazing. There was one music course each year in both of the high schools we went to. When I was in OAC, we went through three teachers before they brought in a woman who didn't even have her grade eight piano and had never been to teacher's college and who didn't take music at university. Her qualifications? She helped out with the music festival each year, and was the only one who would do it.

Episode III

[flutepicc.livejournal.com]

I just saw it yesterday. Much better than the last two were. And actually Episode II was a huge improvement over Episode I.

I still had some issues with it. One really major plot issue and then just similar things to the last two. One of which being Hayden Christensen's acting (my friend says she's seen him in other roles in which he was a kickass actor so I can't understand the performance in these movies...), and some rather poor dialogue.

But on the other hand it was really neat to see the events that lead up to the original movies. See how everyone gets where they are and becomes who they are.. All that. So I enjoyed the movie enough to be glad I went.

Re: Episode III

[jaala]

Cool. Thanks.