June 22nd, 2009 Graig
another burger from the Griffin, with a lamb patty.
“Ripe pineapple, with Mama’s chunky mild curried mango spread”
We learned that the Griffin does use bread crumbs in their patties even the salmon, though, so if you have a wheat/gluten intolerance you’ll have to stick with the chicken or pork (which is an escalope rather than ground).
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June 21st, 2009 Graig
My mom’s chemotherapy has had it’s ups and downs, making her life pretty rough some days, but other days she does pretty well, and I’m exceptionally proud of her strong will and positive attitude. Even losing her hair as a result of the therapy she’s taken with stride and, to even my surprise, she’s not really expressed any sadness over it’s loss (to see the reaction some women have when their hair is cut on shows like “What Not To Wear” I know how important a part of themselves it can be). She’s even made a crack about how nice it is not not really have to concern herself with her hair right now, especially on days she’s not feeling well.
The cancer center up in Thunder Bay offers loaner wigs for patients, but their select, though perhaps decent hasn’t really suited my mom’s fancy. She went out this week to get her own wig and the process involves a fitting of the cap and then selection of styles and colour. Mom’s having a little trouble because she requires a petite cap, and a lot of the styles don’t come in petite, or some of the styles don’t have the colour in petite. (I forgot to ask if the hair is natural or synthetic or if different styles come in one or the other). They can also tailor the cut of to your desired look. Mom’s biggest problem seems to be getting a wig that’s not blonde. She’s naturally a brunette, and she said that most of the darker-haired wigs are really dark, making her look pale, but she doesn’t want a blonde wig, because that’s not her. The wig, she states, should let her feel normal, in a sense, not different, and I think she’d rather not wear one than go blonde (though I’m just assuming on that).
I’m sure if Mom was in Toronto she’d have an easier time, as there’s a lot of wig stores around here serving our Jewish population (as observant Jewish women wear wigs after marriage under Halacha law). The shop up in Thunder Bay has ordered some new wigs for mom to try out, with no obligation, which is nice of them. I hope some of them work out. If not, there’s always the “PK’s Little Sister” wig down in the basement somewhere.
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June 19th, 2009 Graig
I don’t think you can avoid comparing the New Zealand-produced Eagle vs. Shark to Napoleon Dynamite, with this film populated almost entirely by the dry, sardonic, nerdy, socially obtuse archetype of Jared Hess’ unlikely pop culture classic. Only this time, the protagonist is Lily (played by Loren Horsley), an awkward young woman, recently dismissed from her fast food restaurant job, living with her brother in her deceased parents home. She spends most of her time mooning over mulleted, standoffish Jarrod (Flight of the Conchords‘ Jemaine Clement). Lily gets her chance with Jarrod at a costume party where she impresses him with her “Fight Man” video games skills. Their interactions are painfully awkward, but suitable for both of them, and they consummate their relationship with equal awkwardness.
Jarrod is full of dry braggadocio, stroking his own ego to impress, but casually dismissing any compliments or derision. He acts without consideration to the emotions of others, and seems oblivious to anything but his own interests. Jarrod, with Lily in tow, returns to his home town, reuniting with his unusual family, with a focus on facing down his high school bully. Though the story is told through Lily’s perspective, the film is all about understanding Jarrod, and why he is the way he is. He’s nothing like the affable Jemaine from Conchords, and is in fact nearly unlikable, but Lily’s undying affection for him keeps the viewer interested, and though it’s subtle, Jarrod’s raison d’etre is fully revealed and sympathy for him does slowly grow.
Emerging from Kiwi director/writer Taika Cohen in 2007 (three years after Dynamite) Eagle vs. Shark is a genuinely hilarious, sweet movie sitting in the shadows of a Napoleon complex.
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