Update XXIV: Snow

I'll go chronologically, since that makes the most sense.

As may be inferred from the previous post, I went with some friends to watch Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on opening night here. Subsequently I've read a number of reviews by both professional and casual critics, and they have been overwhelmingly negative. Personally, my verdict is that if you like giant robot fights, vehicles and explosions, are willing to overlook silly humans and a few vulgar jokes, and are a fan of Optimus Prime, watch this movie. Otherwise, set your expectations low and/or don't bother watching it. I'll say this much, though - it was a far better sequel than Dead Man's Chest. I enjoyed it as a mindless action movie with sprinklings of good characterisation and stunning visuals, and will probably pick up the DVD when it comes out.

Over the weekend another friend took us to a ski trip to Mt. Buller. It was a good three-hour drive, but I enjoyed all of it, especially at one point where we were far enough from civilisation for the night sky to fill with stars - and not just the major constellations, but the spraypaint-like distant stars as well. It was magnificient. We stayed a delightfully rustic lodge at the base of the mountain, and drove up in the morning to the ski resort. Skiing, I must say, is a tiring activity and requires physical strength (especially in the knees and thighs) as well as coordination, balance and pure recklessness. The ski-lifts were fun though (except the part when I got off and promptly fell on my rear) and I loved the snow. It is unlike any other material on Earth. Being the massive nerds we were, we made a snow PCR machine and subsequently took a stab at a Snow Optimus.

At evening we headed back down for a pasta dinner and some relaxation. We had mulled wine over a wild game of house-rules UNO - and let me tell you this, there is nothing like playing UNO with six people, especially when the rules have been tweaked to make the game faster-paced. The game made us properly tired for bedtime. I had previously called dibs on the loft bed, and retired well-buried under a pile of blankets, pillows and a stuffed shark.

By the next day my muscles were aching and my feet hurt where the ski boots had pressed against them, so I stayed back and explored the small settlement around the lodge. I found a beautiful little creek, and managed to get a photograph of a rather bold kookaburra. I'd have made Anzac cookies too, but was defeated by a lack of baking soda in the otherwise well-stocked kitchen. I did explore the interesting collection of books in the house, which included recipe books, Agatha Christie's autobiography, an embroidery reference book and a collection of essays in the area of life sciences, such as the Gaia hypothesis and selfish genes. It was a pleasant holiday, and I was rather sad when it ended.

Naturally, living away from civilisation with no television or internet does tend to remove one from current news. But we did have a working radio, and it was from this ancient machine that we learned Michael Jackson had passed away.

Jackson has been a controversial character in recent times. But if we look impassively at his work, especially his early songs, it cannot be denied that he was a superb dancer, and that many of his music videos contained ground-breaking ideas. Furthermore, it is clear that he has contributed greatly to popular culture. I'm sad that things happened the way that they did, and I mourn the loss of another brilliant singer. Rest in peace, Mr. Jackson.

Today was a working Sunday, an attempt to restore normalcy after two days of holidaying, to let the muscle aches subside, and more importantly to get some much-needed grocery shopping done. Chocolate was purchased, music was listened to, the day wound down back to reality.

Tomorrow will be another day.