Picnic, Harry Potter and fireworks
Just some highlights of since I have been back:
The plan was to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Saturday afternoon. Andy has 'gone off' HP a while ago (both the books and movies) so it probably down to the fact that I've been away for 2 weeks that he agreed to watch the movie with me, heh. But then I was so jetlagged that we decided not to watch it in case I fall asleep during the movie, which would have been rather annoying. Instead, we had dim sum, bought some things in shops and had a relaxing evening at home.
On Sunday, we went for a free concert at Ron Basford Park on Granville Island. I packed a picnic and it was a perfect summer's day with warm sunshine, cool breeze and funky music from SWARM (a Hyper-Kinetic Percussion group, as they call themselves). Andy had a go at the instruments too during an audience participation piece.
Blueberries, applewood smoked cheddar, Swiss cheese, cherries, ham and Turkish bread
The crazy-haired and tartan-wearing folks of SWARM
Don't you just love the guy on the right holding his kid over a drum?
Andy concentrates
Harry Potter was postponed till after work on Monday. Andy gets off work at 3.30pm these days so there was plenty of time for an early dinner and a 6pm screening, and still get home pretty early. The movie was alright. Quite enjoyable but not as good as the previous ones IMO. The effects were good of course, and there was some really good acting especially from all three of the 'kids' but especially from Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy). Nothing to fault about Alan Rickman (god I love that man) and Michael Gambon, as always. I must say that Dumbledore really looked and sounded incredibly like Ian McKellan's Gandalf in this film, especially when they were at the island (hello Moria).
I think Andy hit the nail on the head in saying that it felt very much like a bridging movie. The whole movie seemed only concerned about establishing four things essential for the next film: Ron and Hermione, Harry and Ginny, Dumbledore's death and what are the horcruxes. Other than that, the characters seem underdeveloped and the plot was hurried along. There is nothing in the story or characters themselves that seemed particular captivating and it felt much weaker as a film to me compared to the previous ones. But then that was a criticism of the book as well so there we go. Rather choppy beginning (some strange editing), picking up very well in the middle which was the best part of the film, and then the ending was a little weak. Still, enjoyable film. I am glad I got to watch it and I love Andy for watching it with me even though he wasn't keen.
Last night, Andy and I went to the beach to watch the fireworks. It is an annual event held at English Bay and goes on for four nights over two weeks, a competition between 4 national teams. We missed it last year as the it was only the second night that we arrived all jetlagged when the last display was on (I remember hearing booms in the night air even within our bedroom on UBC campus). Last night's opening was from Team Canada to the theme of 'There's no place like home'. English Bay and the opposite banks all the way from Vanier Park to Kits Beach to Jericho Beach were filled with people on their picnic blankets or standing around, just waiting with families and friends or having picnics and BBQs. Great family atmosphere. Beautiful display for 25 minutes, and live radio broadcast of the accompanying music. I loved the fireworks that displayed an image of a red slipper, very cool. After the fireworks, it was quite a sight to have everybody leaving the beaches at the same time, crossing the roads, heading for their cars or public transportation. People come out from the suburbs for this so you can imagine the crowds. Thankfully we were home after just walking 4 blocks, yay! We will miss Team Africa this Saturday but plan to watch Team UK and Team China next week.
The plan was to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Saturday afternoon. Andy has 'gone off' HP a while ago (both the books and movies) so it probably down to the fact that I've been away for 2 weeks that he agreed to watch the movie with me, heh. But then I was so jetlagged that we decided not to watch it in case I fall asleep during the movie, which would have been rather annoying. Instead, we had dim sum, bought some things in shops and had a relaxing evening at home.
On Sunday, we went for a free concert at Ron Basford Park on Granville Island. I packed a picnic and it was a perfect summer's day with warm sunshine, cool breeze and funky music from SWARM (a Hyper-Kinetic Percussion group, as they call themselves). Andy had a go at the instruments too during an audience participation piece.
Blueberries, applewood smoked cheddar, Swiss cheese, cherries, ham and Turkish bread
The crazy-haired and tartan-wearing folks of SWARM
Don't you just love the guy on the right holding his kid over a drum?
Andy concentrates
Harry Potter was postponed till after work on Monday. Andy gets off work at 3.30pm these days so there was plenty of time for an early dinner and a 6pm screening, and still get home pretty early. The movie was alright. Quite enjoyable but not as good as the previous ones IMO. The effects were good of course, and there was some really good acting especially from all three of the 'kids' but especially from Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy). Nothing to fault about Alan Rickman (god I love that man) and Michael Gambon, as always. I must say that Dumbledore really looked and sounded incredibly like Ian McKellan's Gandalf in this film, especially when they were at the island (hello Moria).
I think Andy hit the nail on the head in saying that it felt very much like a bridging movie. The whole movie seemed only concerned about establishing four things essential for the next film: Ron and Hermione, Harry and Ginny, Dumbledore's death and what are the horcruxes. Other than that, the characters seem underdeveloped and the plot was hurried along. There is nothing in the story or characters themselves that seemed particular captivating and it felt much weaker as a film to me compared to the previous ones. But then that was a criticism of the book as well so there we go. Rather choppy beginning (some strange editing), picking up very well in the middle which was the best part of the film, and then the ending was a little weak. Still, enjoyable film. I am glad I got to watch it and I love Andy for watching it with me even though he wasn't keen.
Last night, Andy and I went to the beach to watch the fireworks. It is an annual event held at English Bay and goes on for four nights over two weeks, a competition between 4 national teams. We missed it last year as the it was only the second night that we arrived all jetlagged when the last display was on (I remember hearing booms in the night air even within our bedroom on UBC campus). Last night's opening was from Team Canada to the theme of 'There's no place like home'. English Bay and the opposite banks all the way from Vanier Park to Kits Beach to Jericho Beach were filled with people on their picnic blankets or standing around, just waiting with families and friends or having picnics and BBQs. Great family atmosphere. Beautiful display for 25 minutes, and live radio broadcast of the accompanying music. I loved the fireworks that displayed an image of a red slipper, very cool. After the fireworks, it was quite a sight to have everybody leaving the beaches at the same time, crossing the roads, heading for their cars or public transportation. People come out from the suburbs for this so you can imagine the crowds. Thankfully we were home after just walking 4 blocks, yay! We will miss Team Africa this Saturday but plan to watch Team UK and Team China next week.