atonement

Let's start this off by saying I wanted to cry. I needed a good teary-eyed cinema experience, as I hadn't had one in a while. So. Picked him up, made our way into Coquitlam for some eats, and headed back to the theatre to buy our tickets and wet our cheeks. Error one: He beat me to the fastpay machine, which subsequently charged him before developing a printer error. No worries, we'll sort it out after the film. Error two: The film Atonement must now use it's namesake in repaying the emotional disappointment I experienced. Error three: The manager was kind enough to refund us for the earlier printer error in the form of 2 movie vouchers, but my guilt-ridden self felt like I was scamming him to give us free stuff. When really all he did was repay the tickets we doubly paid for.

<< jupiter | Main | lunar >> 10:52 PM by Rob

Am I a robot? I'd heard people say it was one of the cockiest films to hit theatres in a while, claiming to be big and grand and emotional.. I didn't know the characters. Sure, they said they were in love, but that doesn't prove anything, and it certainly doesn't create a bond between character and movie goer. After realizing they were "in love," it seemed like nothing much happened until the credits started rolling. Save for, and I use the word save quite deliberately, the wonderful audio art in the soundtrack composition, and the make-me-giddy 5 minute-long continuous shot along the beach. That took some planning right there.. and I felt a total nerd for even noticing it. And more of a total nerd for pointing it out to him about it as it was happening. Him, who was lucky enough to require some wiping of the cheeks near the end of the movie. Not robot me. Robbot robo.

* * * *

'Twas the third day of classes today. Monday I had Italian, Tuesday I had a simple business course to fulfill a lingering credit (Introduction to computers and information management... I know, I know... I said.. easy credit.. computer what now?), and today I had an upper level computing science course I wasn't overly looking forward to.. until class started, and prof began speaking. It turns out it'll be more of a sociology style course, looking at the implications of the spread and adoption of computers and technology. Complete with 20 paged essays and formal debates. Can I hear a sarcasm-free "fun!?" (really, it will be fun). Now all I have to do is make it through the design studio course tomorrow, and onto the 5hr-long italian history course on Friday. Here's where I wish I could pretend to desire coffee.

* * * *

I've decided I'm going to be a downright nasty father (when needed). When I was younger, I thought it would be fun if my chillun's addressed me as "Sir." Since I've grown, it's become apparent that although that may have been accepted or encouraged many many (many) years ago, it'll likely seem a little out of date by the time my loins prove useful. At least I wouldn't be using a whistle? Although if they're anything like younger sister, a whistle may be necessary.

The folks were out in Saskatchewan visiting family this past week. I was invited to sleep in their room (as opposed to my dark, storage-littered basement room) so I could enjoy some sunlight and the benefits of an ensuite. I took them up on the offer, so today, in preparation for their return, I washed the sheets, vacuumed the room, tidied everything, and made it all perfect. This was followed by vacuuming and tidying most of the rest of the house, more laundry, cleaning dishes and/or starting the dishwasher, and asking younger sister if she could simply wash the bathtub, empty the dishwasher when it finishes, put the towels in the dryer when they're finished washing, and vacuum and tidy the remainder of the family room. She said it was a bit much, so I eliminated the dishwasher, because I'm nice like that.

Off I went down the transcanada to pick them up from Abbotsford International... the tiniest non-airport ever, the image of which was not assisted by the back-up power on which they were running when i arrived. This was only the second time I'd seen the place.. nice impression. It saved the folks $15 flying in there instead of Vancouver International. The terminal is one small building, containing one departing bay, one arriving bay, and 2 small luggage carousels. It was quaint. People greeted each other by name as they came to wait for loved ones. The flight arrived, I greeted ma n pa with hugs, as is customary in airports, retrieved their luggage, and we returned home to find that the vacuum hose was sitting in the laundry room hallway, the dishwasher was full, the bath was not cleaned, miscellaneous sister belongings were still strewn about, and the offender herself sat, on the telephone, in front of the tv.

All together now... "dub-tee-eff?"

The girl is 21.

I'd told her specifically about the bathtub because I know how the mother works, and I know she likes a warm bath after a long day (especially one spent on an airplane and a 5 hour-long transfer in Calgary). I told her numerous times, beginning last night. I cleaned out the rest of the bathroom... the least she could do would be to clean out the tub she was the last to use? Even when we were all talking and mom said how she'd like to have a bath, and began asking sis to clean the bathtub so she could have a bath and get to bed, it took about half an hour of convincing before she finally did it.

Now.

It's a good thing she's my sister and not my wife, otherwise the house would be mine and she'd be on the street (or in the cuckoo's nest, being interviewed by dr. phil)

'nuff said.

.. in related news, I'll be moving out with a couple friends into one of the many glass towers that make up downtown Vancity come February! (though only for 4 months or so, until I depart for Italia, after which i'll return, broke, homeless, carless, and in massive student loan debt. Word.)