I need my Google to find my Google so we can go to the Google...

The only reall question here is why did take me almost 12 hours to do a post on this?

So for my tech challenged family just watch the video...

If you are hungry for more details, check out these feature videos...

Sara's long lost brother found!

Tiberius (Tibs to his friends) was hanging out on 9th Ave. His
markings and red color were a dead match for Sara. He had a thicker
build but the same friendly disposition.

K kid runs a k (or less)

I think he might be hooked. C said he ran the whole race and I think
he was intent on winning.

de&gr: Zorba The Greek - Follow Up Post after watching the movie

This is a follow up to a review of the book I did a few days back (here is the wiki entry for the book).

Chris and I watched the movie Zorba The Greek this weekend and I have a handful of observations and interesting findings worth mentioning.

First off, to our suprise we observed one of our favorite beaches near the begining of the film. When the narrator and Zorba travel from the small village to the mine they  walk along a picturesque natural harbor containing an island. 

Chris and I immediately recognized the island and proceeded to watch the whole scene to soak in the details. Of course in the movie there are no buildings, but the said island with its two square concrete slabs (guessing they were left over from WWII) were unmistakable.

You can get a view of the harbour on "My Map" below. You'll likely have to zoom in and then click on the renamed "Zorba Beach" link. A cool discovery none the less..

View Larger Map

A little research using the wiki page for the movie I also realized the final scene of the movie takes place just north of that at a beach called Stravros.

So now on to a continuation of my review and criticism.

Given all the love for the movie about Zorba I was convinced that the film would be substantially more upbeat then the novel. Folks have so much admiration for his character that I was certainly it would diverge from the novel (which as said I read as pretty depressing).

To my suprise the movie was as depressing (and in some cases more depressing) as the book. Anthony Quinn is definitely amazing but amazing for the complexity he brings to Zorba - the manic-depressive of his character. Zorba is the only character to do anything of honor, but even these couple scenes seem overwhelmed by the society around him. The movie wallows in the bleakness of society (especially its treatment of widows).

The narrator's switch to a British character from a Cretan doesn't do anything on improving this character as he seems even more spineless in this incarnation then what was in the book. His writings which give him some drive in the book barely arise to a noticeable level in the movie. "Dandy" came to mind a number of times.

Though I enjoyed the use of locals as extras in the movie their portrait seems harsher then the movie as I couldn't find any humanity in the mob what so ever. The roll of the monks was noticeably less in the movie which was disappointing as the religious commentary was some of the most interesting in the book.

This is certainly a contrary view but I'm quite convinced that peoples reading of both the book and the movie  is very selective. Only seeing the highs of Zorba misses a lot of what is dark in the movie and the book.

The close with only Zorba and the Brit dancing together as if narrator has finally welcomed in the absurd seems just that "absurd."

Hardley a Hundred Harleys

This group was riding in memory of 9/11 (prob firefighters and
police). My best guess places there numbers well over 100, 10ish
blocks long, and taking about 10 min to pass. E and I both thought it
very cool.

Going for the jugular!

Yes this a sonogram. No it is NOT of a baby, but rather arteries and veins in my left arm. I'll explain for those lucky enough to not yet be subjected to the mini freak show on my left arm.

Turns out you can get varicose veins in you arms. For nearly 20 years now I've had this annoying (but seemingly harmless) vain bulging on my inner arm.

For those armchair vascular specialists, we are talking about the left arm's basilic vein (not balsamic).

More recently my arm increasing has blood vessels doing tiny breaks which look even worse the "the bulge" and they often hurt like a bruise.

Hopefully this is the last step before a solution (which should be pretty routine) that can get rid of the freak show and curtailing of the bruising.

Oh you know you want more disgusting details.

PS

The sonogram did actually check my jugular as they needed to insure all them's things were working ok. Cool....

What's cook'n hot stuff?

In the kitchen (and I mean this in a good way) seems appropriate for

this post on Mammie's Birthday today!

Signs of the digital age. I've plenty pictures of Mammie, but only a few of them digitally uploaded.

Less you think my memory is that good, I've Google calendar to help out there.

UPDATE: Apparently Google calendar is guilty of lying to me! Turns out Mamie's b-day is on August 25th (no wonder she never liked any of my gifts since they showed up so late). Who cares though, any excuse to remember her is a good excuse :-)