Had a terribly depressing weekend, the only good thing about which was the two films I watched Sunday evening.

Once upon a time in the West directed by Sergio Leone, the last of his westerns where he took his directing skills to another level. Argued by some to be the greatest western ever, IMHO shits all over The Good the Bad and the Ugly, which don’t get me wrong I still enjoy heartily. Henry Fonda as the villain Frank and Charles Bronson as Harmonica, more than make up for the lack of Van Cleef and Eastwood. Heck I shouldn’t even be comparing the two films, since Once upon a time in the west is in a different league of film, perhaps only kept company by Once Upon a time in America. Shows that cinema can be art not just a vehicle to make money.

Bubba Hotep Excellent film that transcends the genres it mixes up. Is it a horror b-movie, an alternative Elvis biopic, a comedy, a statement on the plight of the old? The answer is greater than the sum of these parts. Plot is well thought out too, despite the thrown togetherness of the elements. An aged Elvis Presley, a black JFK and a cowboy Egyptian mummy. A classic which deserves more recognition.

Well last week sucked big balls. I usually don’t post unless I have something pleasant to say. But tonight I’m breaking that rule.

Mum’s visit was cool. She was her usual self-centred cantankerous self, managed to anger Rachel up not once but twice, but it was good to see my old ma, since we hadn’t seen each other in the flesh in over a year. However the europhoia gradually disappeared as the week went on, as I realised we aren’t out of the woods yet on my mother being even half way normal front.

Work is tense, since our boss has disappeared admist moving responsibility of line managing half our team to our network manager (who just wants to be a techy nerd not a manager type). I’m weaselling to the new IT support team, since I’m at the end of my tether with my present boss. Suffice to say our so called “Team leader” has no idea what his job entails, and is winding people up right left and centre. Plus I have a couple of tight deadlines coming up, with no support from aforementioned team leader. Joy.

Rach is working nights which is a load of crap. I’m not sleeping well, as the lateness of this post suggests. Self deprivation is an interesting experience. Saying all this It was nice to see her this weekend.

On the plus side, I’ve just bought The Burning Wheel Rpg”, which is a classy set of books which is revigorating my interest in my hobby, and tonight I’ve watched Once Upon a Time in America and Bubba Hotep.

This coming week better be easier than the one gone, or else I’ll cry.

At this present time I hate everyone, my self first.

“Every bitch cockroach, like you, you should know. Never mess with the King!”

Or if you still haven’t got it

“Its been two presidential elections since I had a boner like that!”

Or

”
‘….Ask not what your rest home can do for you, Ask what you can do for your rest home.’

‘Hey you’re copying my best lines’

‘Well let me paraphase one of my own. Lets take care of business’
“

Not exactly Wuxia, which is outlandish chinese swords and sorcery and my usual Hong Kong film genre of choice, but Kung Fu Hustle rocks! Well good, laugh out loud funny, with some good Kung-fu and mystism.

On a less thrilling note, watched House of Flying Daggers recently and thought NAH! I found it too obvious, on both the fight and plot fronts.

Tried to watch a Touch of Zen, but failed to make it thorough the plodding first hour, despite lush visuals, an excellent sword fight and the man with the biggest teeth in wuxia. Shame because it is critically acclaimed and apparently the inspiration behind Croutching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

And just if you are wondering here is the man with the biggest teeth in wuxia, hiding them;

Aye at 4:30 this afternoon my Mother arrives in Leeds for a weekend of chucklesome fun. Well thats what I plan anyways. Things could always go ary though, since Castle Von Newport is a tad small and the lack of personal space is always an issue when we have visitors. However the weather looks as if it is holding up, which is good since the plan is tommorrow Leeds city centre and Sunday is historical York.

Right now….must tidy the house. You know what moms are like about dust.

Hurrah my snotty cold is clearing up! HURRAH HURRAH HURRAH.

Was completely miserable yesterday because of it. Ok not completely miserable, downloaded and watched the penultimate episode of Rome (where Titus Pullo got into yet another kick ass fight!!) and a couple of games of Multilayer COD2, which is silky smooth in a WW2 FPS sort of way (and shites all over DOD Source).

Quickly nipped to B&Q to pick up a wooden pole for our “For Sale Sign” and then had great fun putting it up with Rach.

The day ended on a bit of a downer. Rach’s Grandma fell and fractured her leg, in the same way as Foz did in his infamous Skateboarding accident. No this for an 85 year is going to lead to all sorts of complications. We might be moving to Oldham sooner than anticipated, to house sit Rach’s parents house as they move into Rach’s Grandmas to give her full time support. Watch this space sports fans.

Well I’m still with cold, and its got worse if anything else. So I’ve taken today off. I’m determined to be as productive as possible, while getting the right amount of rest. Which probably means doing stuff this morning, and having a nap this afternoon.

I’m getting a tad concerned that since the onset of Autumn, I’ve been hit repeatly by a series of stinky colds. It probably has something to do with giving up going to Kung Fu, which was getting unmanagebale due to the commute to and from Manchester (where I work) each day. This was my only form of exercise and a bloody good one at that!! When we’ve moved I’ll be able to get to an exercise class of some form. In the mean time its upto me to do what I can, eat sensibly, get enough sleep, keep up with my meditation and chi-kung.

“I said before, but I’ll say it again
We all believe what we want to believe
Don’t just question authority
QUESTION EVERYTHING!”