"...the knowing animals are aware that we are not really at home in our interpreted world." - R.M. Rilke
December 16, 2009
December 14, 2009
The plane's the thing
I absolutely love anything to do with air travel. I love airports, airport lounges, airport bars, etc. So with the news that Boeing is launching its new 787 Dreamliner tomorrow it got me thinking, oddly enough, about another related love of mine, the airplane disaster movie.
Now these two loves should be incongruous. For some reason I have always loved the sub-genre of disaster flicks that is the airplane drama.
Here is my list of the best airplane disaster/drama movies:
"Airport" (1970)
This is the best adaptation of the Arthur Hailey disaster novel and it spawned some awful copycats such as "Airport 1975" (1974) and "Airport'77" (1977).
"Flight Plan" (2005)
The tension in this movie is almost unbearable, as Jodi Foster tries to figure out if her daughter is missing somewhere on the plane or whether or not she is actually travelling alone. A real nail-biter.
"Die Hard 2" (1990)
Bruce Willis returns as the indefatigable "John McClane" who gets caught up in a plot by a band of mercenaries who take over Dulles Airport in Washington, DC.
"Air Force One" (1997)
Harrison Ford does what he does best as a U.S. president who takes matters into his own hands when a terrorist cell takes over Air Force One.
"Passenger 57" (1992)
Wesley Snipes is a cop who takes on a terrorist on a domestic flight.
"Con Air" (1997)
Nicholas Cage and John Cusack take on convicts who have taken over a plane transporting them.
"Snakes on a Plane" (2006)
Samuel L. Jackson unintentionally lampoons himself as he portrays a FBI agent transporting a witness for the prosecution who has to battle a plane full of poisonous snakes. Yes, it's terrible but it's a riot and some of the best fun to be had within the genre.
***Special Mention***
"Airplane!" (1980)
This movie is actually a hilarious spoof of the movie "Zero Hour!" (1957) and ranks #10 on the American Film Institute's list of best American comedies. It is packed with politically incorrect humour, slapstick, and perfectly-timed deadpan performances from veteran dramatic actors Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Robert Stack, and Leslie Nielson.
December 6, 2009
December 6, twenty years later
The events struck close to heart as the targeted victims were female university students, not unlike my new friends back at Queen's. As it turns out my core friends who sustain me and who are my most intimate and trusted circle are all women I met at Queen's.
So when December 6 comes around each year it is these incredible and special women that I think of and cherish just a little bit more than usual. I can't imagine losing any of them in such a brutal and horrific manner.
I wonder about the people left behind on December 6, 1989. I wonder about how they were robbed of these precious 14 women. I wonder about what the future could have had in store for these young women, instead of being wiped out on a fateful day near the end of term on a cold December evening.
20 years later and we ought to cry in remembrance but also promise ourselves that we will do everything we can in our own lives to stop violence against women.
December 4, 2009
100 Years of Les Habs
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team.
Winner of 24 Stanley Cups, the Canadiens are the NHL's championship leaders.
Take a look at their storied history here.
December 2, 2009
What would we do, baby, without love?
Meredith Baxter, my all-time favourite TV mom, has come out today as a lesbian.
The actress, known mostly for her role as Elyse Keaton in the smash hit sitcom "Family Ties", revealed that while she had been married to men three times before, she "was never comfortable with herself." Now, she feels like she's "being honest for the first time." You can watch her interview here.
Go Gaels Go (Part 2)
November 30, 2009
Queen's wins Vanier Cup
November 25, 2009
Just the news, ma'am, just the news
For hardcore U2 fans only
Muppethemian Raphsody
November 20, 2009
If U2 build it, they will come
The neverending mosaic
OK, so this is freakin’ awesome. Click on U2 mosaic
November 10, 2009
Subscribe to Stacy
November 9, 2009
"...tear down this wall!"
November 8, 2009
CBC takes a stand
The unsinkable Nancy Pelosi
November 7, 2009
Yates Bound
November 6, 2009
Happy 40th!
November 3, 2009
Yours truly presents...
Avoiding Financial Crisis: Money Management 101
Date: | November 10, 2009 |
Time: | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Location: | Ellis Auditorium Queen's University Kingston, ON, Canada, |
Cost: | This is a free event, but space is limited so register now! Register here. |
Details: | This session will be presented by Stacy Kelly, Artsci'93, who will be speaking about budgeting, credit cards, credit scores, and strategies to prepare you for the next stages in financial planning.
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RSVP By: | Nov 9, 2009 |
The worker in the mirror
According to Douglas Reid, Associate Professor of Global Business at Queen’s School of Business, employees in recession-era workplaces typically fall into the following behaviour patterns:
• The Terminated: while not physically present in the organization, their memories linger and affect those that stay.
• The Fearful: these employees believe they will be cut next. They are ready to search for a new job but cling tenaciously to whatever certainty their existing situation affords.
• The Indifferent: this group is watching the recession occur and believe it is going to affect someone else.
• The Delighted: high performers who delight in the improvement in their situation relative to the average consumer via sales and discounts in the marketplace.
• The Apocalyptic: a small group that believes that the recession presents a necessary “reset” for a myriad list of failures in the existing system of capitalism.
• The Longers: Hoping for a severance package and optimistic they’ll obtain rapid alternative employment.
• The Engaged: The core of a company’s renewal efforts. They understand the consequences of the recession and what needs to be done to help the business recover.
October 29, 2009
October 27, 2009
[UPDATE] Biggest concert, EVER
October 25, 2009
Coming Soon
Ouch!
October 22, 2009
Queen's makes the grade
Queen’s received more A+ marks than any other university in the Globe and Mail 2010 Canadian University Report.
The survey of over 38,000 current undergrads at 53 schools gave Queen’s the highest grades in 10 categories, including quality of education, academic reputation, libraries, university atmosphere and diversity of extra-curricular activities. Overall student satisfaction is an "A". You can read the full results for Queen's here.
October 21, 2009
Got Paper?
October 20, 2009
How long must we sing this song?
October 17, 2009
What a nail biter!
October 15, 2009
40 Years of Hilarity
October 13, 2009
Queen's Football 6-0
October 12, 2009
Do Ask and Do Tell
October 11, 2009
October 8, 2009
Top of the Pile
October 5, 2009
Queen's Football moves to 5-0
September 29, 2009
Remastering a Masterwork
September 26, 2009
Queen's Football 4-0
Queen's Football Gaels, at the hands of outstanding QB Danny Brannagan (pictured), clobbered the visiting York Lions 67-0.