“Where people are free there is music” – a line from the film ‘The Second Heimat’. Just thought it was nice. By the way, we (Helgi, Jana, Rayk & I) went to the Cornerhouse to watch the film ‘Last Days’. It’s the third of the trilogy by director Gus Van Sant. Loosely based upon Kurt Cobain of Nirvana fame. And we can say this to all, don’t go. Bloody boring, but we managed to get a few laughs out of it. Like how atleast this movie, being the third and final part, had an end to it. But the sufferers who sat through the first and second parts were denied even that pleasure. And you’d expect some decent music in the soundtrtack, wouldn’t you?? No, for some reason GVS thinks operatic music would give a ‘feel’ to his still camera shots. The only ‘feel’ I got was a pain in the old backside from sitting through that interminable film.

Ok, Amsterdam was getting a tad tiresome, so we upped sticks and offed to The Hague. Saw the International Justice building, where a lone guy was standing outside protesting for the release of some guy called Gun Falan or something. I remember reading about him, but I really can’t be bothered bringing up google now to find out the whole story just so I can put it here and seem knowledgable. Saw the prison where Nobel Peace Prize candidate Mr Milosovic was holed up. Also hit the North Sea, great beaches (maybe you’ll see the pics someday) with topless sunbathers all candidates for Miss Blackpool atleast. Back in the Dam managed to fit in some canal trips before settling down at a posh Italian place where I wasn’t supposed to put my elbows on the table, and you get huge plates with no food. But I did love the Ravioli ricotta i spinaci. With butter and sage sauce. Yummax!
(addendum)
it’s Falun Gong, a religious movement in PRC that’s being persecuted by the govt. Surprise me!

Yes, swimming alright! It’s pouring down in Manchester, so I guess we’ll all just get in our shorts and suits and stand outside! Also muscle ache is catching up with some of my WEAKER, WIMPIER comrades! I rushed home yesterday in order to fix myself a meal before settling down to watch Liverpool play CSKA Sofia. The scousers had a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Bulgaria, so they didn’t have to play much. And you bet they didn’t play much! BOOOORIIING! Long balls everywhere, strikers absolutley useless (Commentator goes “Morientes looks like he’s going to explode some time” – To which I say “Yes, but not in this life mate”) Riise looked sharp as usual, but he always has. Garcia on in half-time made a difference, but the fact remains that without Gerrard Liverpool is hopeless. Then I watched a cracker of a film. Described as a horror comedy, ‘Lake Placid’ was neither. A 30+ foot crocodile, 150 years old, living in a lake in Maine. How does it get there, an observant reader might ask. It swam the sea from “another continent”! Now the only salt-water croc I know of is the Australian mugger. So I think it must’ve flown Qantas. Oh, and the lakes in Maine do FREEZE in winter! Here’s a bunch of ‘facts’ I learnt about crocs from this informative movie.

‘Fact 1’ – Crocodiles can’t see very well underwater. ‘Scientific explanation’ of ‘fact’ – They have a nictating membrane that covers the eye. I says – So all those hours watching Discovery where crocs are gobbling up fish willy-nilly underwater were staged? Attenborough’s nasty secret?

‘Fact 2’ – If a croc’s coming at you, dive underwater. ‘Scientific explanation’ of ‘fact’ – Look at ‘Fact 1’. I says – That might be the last thing you’ll ever do then, my friend.

What crap acting as well! Jeeeez! The ingredients used were standard fare.
Actor 1 – Pretty blonde, clever, not afraid of trying although she’s a girl
Actor 2 – Outdoor, woodsy man, “Oh what the heck, let’s DO it!”
Actor 3 – Eccentric rich ‘specialist’ scientist who explains things (like croc behaviour) to everyone (and to us stupid audience)
Actor 4 – Fat sheriff (always value for money)
Actor 5, 6, 7 – To get eaten

As for the plot. Opening scene, people out unaware, sudden tragedy, clue = lots of thrashing in the water. Then progressively we see more and more of the croc monster, (presumably the Special Effects people are getting steadily better) until a final showdown. Interspersed with a few private moments between all the ‘action’ so we can get to know the ‘characters’ better.