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laurainlimbo at 11:19am on 07/05/2006
laurainlimbo at 11:19am on 07/05/2006well I had an exciting day utilizing the Chicago public transportation system (the CTA), and I was thankful that the weather was nice and clear since I had to do quite a bit of walking. though it was quite chilly and I should have worn a warmer jacket or a sweater. the weather here in Chicago is quite changeable, even more so than Japan, I think!
I went to the bank today and found out that getting a car loan is really out of the question since they will start with a minimum of $10,000 - and I just can't - and don't want to - pay back that amount! So, I guess I'll be taking out a cash advance on my credit card in order to buy a used car. what fun! But tonight I got a call from Lindsey, the guy Masahiko will be playing music with, and he said that he might be able to help me find a good, used car! I hope that works out, since I was wondering how I would go about finding a car here in this big city, all by myself!
I've been watching some great movies this week, thanks to my new Netflix membership. Tuesday when Allison and Jim were here, we watched "Broken Flowers" with Bill Murray. Directed by Jim Jarmusch (a brilliant independent director), it's a subtle comedy about a guy who gets a letter one day telling him that he has a grown son (from one of his ex-girlfriends). So he sets off on roadtrip to see if he can figure out who sent him the letter (and who would therefore be the mother of his "alleged" son). Bill Murray is the king of understatement, and I love the way he can show so much emotion just by not showing any expression at all. Anyone who has seen Lost in Translation knows what I mean - he is just a brilliant actor! The supporting cast is awesome too: Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton, Francis Conroy and Sharon Stone play his exes, and they are all very unique and interesting. Since it's not a fast-paced movie, it might not be for everyone; but if you love quirky characters and unusual situations, then I highly recommend it.
Two nights ago, I watched "Disco Pigs" with Cillian Murphy. It's one of his earlier Irish films, and it's actually quite difficult to find - though you can get it through Netflix. this film tells the story of two babies born minutes apart in the same hospital who share a very close bond. As they grow up into teenagers, the boy and girl (nicknamed "Pig" and "Runt") become even closer, and they share many things together. However, their parents decide to separate them, fearing that the relationship is not healthy, so "Runt" is sent away. "Runt" grows apart from "Pig" and decides that she wants to experience other things and other relationships, but "Pig" doesn't accept this and he goes crazy. A very interesting concept, and a very unusual film. But it requires another viewing, so I'm going to watch it again tonight or tomorrow.
Finally, tonight I watched another movie with Cillian Murphy called "On the Edge" - another Irish film from 2001 with Steven Rea and a host of other good Irish actors. It's the story of a young man whose father dies, and he attempts suicide by running a stolen car off of a cliff. He is put into a psychiatric hospital in lieu of prison (for the stolen car), and there he falls in love with one of the other patients, and becomes friends with another really troubled young man who accidentally killed his brother in a car accident. Steven Rea plays the psychiatrist, who is very calm and low-key, and who tries to help Jonathan (Cillian's character) to appreciate life. I really enjoyed this film - it was funny and sweet, and not overly dramatic or sappy like some other movies that deal with the same topic. Plus it had a great soundtrack, though I couldn't find the soundtrack for sale on amazon.com - I wonder if it's even available. I highly recommend this movie for anyone - it's a very positive, and life-affirming film - and Cillian (who is amazingly gorgeous in this film) does a brilliant job as a sarcastic, and slightly lost young man who really wants to live, but doesn't really have a reason to until he meets the people in the hospital. The actress in the film, Tricia Vessey, is also quite good; I didn't recognize her (though I guess she was in the movie "Bean" which I did see - and "Ghost Dog" which I also saw), but she is really quite beautiful and talented.
well, its almost 10 p.m. and for once I'm not ready for bed. I might actually stay up and watch the download of "Six Feet Under" or "Howl's Moving Castle" - that is, if my Mexican neighbors have finished with their little party outside - they were playing very loud salsa music a little while ago, and I had this strange feeling that I had somehow ended up in Mexico, rather than Chicago!
tomorrow I plan to upload my last photos from Japan and post them onto photobucket! I miss Japan a little bit - and I really miss my husband...
happy Sunday everyone!
I went to the bank today and found out that getting a car loan is really out of the question since they will start with a minimum of $10,000 - and I just can't - and don't want to - pay back that amount! So, I guess I'll be taking out a cash advance on my credit card in order to buy a used car. what fun! But tonight I got a call from Lindsey, the guy Masahiko will be playing music with, and he said that he might be able to help me find a good, used car! I hope that works out, since I was wondering how I would go about finding a car here in this big city, all by myself!
I've been watching some great movies this week, thanks to my new Netflix membership. Tuesday when Allison and Jim were here, we watched "Broken Flowers" with Bill Murray. Directed by Jim Jarmusch (a brilliant independent director), it's a subtle comedy about a guy who gets a letter one day telling him that he has a grown son (from one of his ex-girlfriends). So he sets off on roadtrip to see if he can figure out who sent him the letter (and who would therefore be the mother of his "alleged" son). Bill Murray is the king of understatement, and I love the way he can show so much emotion just by not showing any expression at all. Anyone who has seen Lost in Translation knows what I mean - he is just a brilliant actor! The supporting cast is awesome too: Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton, Francis Conroy and Sharon Stone play his exes, and they are all very unique and interesting. Since it's not a fast-paced movie, it might not be for everyone; but if you love quirky characters and unusual situations, then I highly recommend it.
Two nights ago, I watched "Disco Pigs" with Cillian Murphy. It's one of his earlier Irish films, and it's actually quite difficult to find - though you can get it through Netflix. this film tells the story of two babies born minutes apart in the same hospital who share a very close bond. As they grow up into teenagers, the boy and girl (nicknamed "Pig" and "Runt") become even closer, and they share many things together. However, their parents decide to separate them, fearing that the relationship is not healthy, so "Runt" is sent away. "Runt" grows apart from "Pig" and decides that she wants to experience other things and other relationships, but "Pig" doesn't accept this and he goes crazy. A very interesting concept, and a very unusual film. But it requires another viewing, so I'm going to watch it again tonight or tomorrow.
Finally, tonight I watched another movie with Cillian Murphy called "On the Edge" - another Irish film from 2001 with Steven Rea and a host of other good Irish actors. It's the story of a young man whose father dies, and he attempts suicide by running a stolen car off of a cliff. He is put into a psychiatric hospital in lieu of prison (for the stolen car), and there he falls in love with one of the other patients, and becomes friends with another really troubled young man who accidentally killed his brother in a car accident. Steven Rea plays the psychiatrist, who is very calm and low-key, and who tries to help Jonathan (Cillian's character) to appreciate life. I really enjoyed this film - it was funny and sweet, and not overly dramatic or sappy like some other movies that deal with the same topic. Plus it had a great soundtrack, though I couldn't find the soundtrack for sale on amazon.com - I wonder if it's even available. I highly recommend this movie for anyone - it's a very positive, and life-affirming film - and Cillian (who is amazingly gorgeous in this film) does a brilliant job as a sarcastic, and slightly lost young man who really wants to live, but doesn't really have a reason to until he meets the people in the hospital. The actress in the film, Tricia Vessey, is also quite good; I didn't recognize her (though I guess she was in the movie "Bean" which I did see - and "Ghost Dog" which I also saw), but she is really quite beautiful and talented.
well, its almost 10 p.m. and for once I'm not ready for bed. I might actually stay up and watch the download of "Six Feet Under" or "Howl's Moving Castle" - that is, if my Mexican neighbors have finished with their little party outside - they were playing very loud salsa music a little while ago, and I had this strange feeling that I had somehow ended up in Mexico, rather than Chicago!
tomorrow I plan to upload my last photos from Japan and post them onto photobucket! I miss Japan a little bit - and I really miss my husband...
happy Sunday everyone!
okay
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