The Prefect

Finished "The Prefect" by Alastair Reynolds. It is set in Glitter Band before the melding plague. It tells the story of Panoply field prefect willing to bring the perpetrators to the justice no matter what. It gives interesting look into Demarchist society before its downfall. It is good addition to Raynolds' Chasm City series.

Inglourious Basterds

Watched "Inglourious Basterds" over the weekend. I have mixed feelings about this movie. It is ok. Although it was 2.5h movie it didn't feel like it, there was always something happening on screen.

Kitchen Confidential

Finished "Kitchen Confidential" last week. It is autobiographical book, tracking Anthony Bourdain's career. It gives interesting insight into the industry. It is quite interesting read.

Also I want to thank mister Bourdain for breaking into my kitchen and getting rid of my tin knifes ;) I am really happy that I got a nice chef's knife. It is so amazingly easy to do those paper thin slices with it. It is light and despite its respectable length is quite easy to use.

Labor Day Weekend

Went to see friends in Washington, DC.

We did some stargazing. Haven't done that in a while. Saw again Jupiter (you can see its bands) and its four biggest moons; a globular cluster (M5); the moon. Astronomy used to be hobby of mine :)

Visited National Museum of Art and the Aerospace museum. Saw more airplanes and rockets then in my whole life :)

Went to see Mount Vernon Estate. It is a huge beautiful estate; most of the buildings are rusticated and I really liked the mansion. It was interesting to see another side of a great politician.

District 9

Saw "District 9". It was quite interesting sci-fi drama. The film has intentionally rough I would say documentary style and is actually a social narrative. It is essentially a story about segregation and oppression. Based on real events that took place in Cape Town, South Africa during apartheid.

Oh and by the way Wicus is just corporate drone, nothing more. Sure he is not trigger happy as the mercenaries, but still he is not a hero. He is short-sighted and always thinks about himself. His only redeeming quality is that he came back for Christopher. While Christopher and his son were in for their people. Worked slowly and methodically all the time; got almost thwarted by Wicus and choose to honor his end of the bargain.

And yup it doesn't matter if you are human or alien, you can still be stupid and cruel or smart and compassionate it is all your your choice.

Whitewater Rafting

Went to whitewater rafting on Housatonic River with friends yesterday. We booked with Clarke Outdoors and they provided us with equipment and transportation.

Started close to Fall Hills, CT and paddled downstream toward Cornwall Bridge (about 10 miles). It was an easy one, which was ok considering that most of the group was newbies (including me). I liked it and it had several quite beautiful views (next time will get a water-proof camera and take pictures). It was great despite the rain.

Note to myself: Need to try higher difficulty level :)

500 days of Summer

"500 days of Summer" is quirky and delightfully entertaining romantic comedy movie. Haven't been pleased so much since watching Stardust and Juno. Summer is relatively direct and completely honest. Tom's slew of mistakes are so funny. He is immature, insecure, absolutely clueless and failing to reciprocate. He is programmed for failure from the very begining. Long sieges rarely win woman's heart. He is lucky that he made it even to friends with benefits state.