coming of age films

I watched Mean Creek last night, and I've come to the conclusion that, in general, coming of age films are the best. I'd say that coming of age films rank #1, gangster movies #2, and then everything else at #3. This is an inexact science, but it seems to work to my tastes.

But on the subject of me liking coming of age films above all (or quite a bit, if we want to be less general), it made me reflect on what this says about me. Do I miss my childhood and wish for these type of relationships to still exist? Or do I regret my childhood, that I think it was boring, and long to have the type of adventures/experiences (ok, they almost always end in someone dying, so we'll say up until that point) to draw from my memory? Tough question. It's probably a bit of both, but I find it worth exploring. I suppose in either way, I do long for my childhood back; or at least these movies make me wanna believe I do.

So, if you have a chance, watch Mean Creek sometime. Great movie, great character exploration especially. The plot is predictable, but the layers these characters have... it's strikingly real to me.

Off to Saskatoon, then!

Hoop dreams

As some of you know, I helped out the LCBI boys basketball team this year, after coming back to Outlook in January. I did it because I could, and just to see what it was like on the other side of things. I played ball in high school, but wasn't that good. But if there's one thing that I've learned, 'coaching' is quite different. I wasn't the real coach, but a pseudo-assistant, helping Paul Engen out.

Anyways, the team underachieved for most of the season. Mainly made up of grade 11's, there was a lot of things the players had to learn... over and over and over again. It's amazing how players can make the same mistakes. Never truly appreciated what coaches must go through.

So, entering the Districts weekend, we were a team on the bubble despite being fast and pretty good outside shooters. We needed to win to secure a spot in regionals, which is the tourney to get into Hoopla (provincials). Out of nowhere, the team starts executing. They're running the teams out of the building. They're moving the ball around with purpose, finding guys inside for easier hoops. They demolished both teams they faced, including Asquith in the final by over 30 points. The bench guys were playing them even.

So, on the Monday, we get the rankings and the regional draw. We were ranked 9th of 16, and go to Porcupine Plain who are ranked #1 to face VCA (Osler) in the first game. VCA is ranked #8. Asquith, who we just beat by 30, are ranked #10. We're feeling pretty good about ourselves, thinking we're peaking and that the rankings don't reflect really how good we are. We go to Porcupine Plain, and play a good game against a beatable opponent (VCA). Well, they have this one player that just gets hot. Our best player fouls out, one of the fouls was ridiculous. The refs didn't blow down the play in time when the initial foul (against us, just different player) is committed, and then they call it when our best player gets a clean steal as a makeup call. Also, there was a scorekeeping error that costs us a hoop. We lose by 4 (officially), fielding a lineup of all Grade 11s by the end (our two Grade 12 starters fouled out). The boys deserved better, and they did have the game in their hands with about 2 minutes to go (tied and had the ball), but they couldn't get a hoop.

You can't imagine how shitty everyone felt after that loss. The season was over, except for a meaningless game against the other loser (Vibank) in the regional. The guys did everything they could, include come back in the 4th after being down by 11. We were the better team. I wanted to be able to say something to them that made them feel like kings. It was incredibly depressing. 4 out of 5 times, we win that game. Anyways, I figure the only thing I can do for them is rent a movie for the team (a couple guys said they wanted to see Big Fish, so I picked that up). The next day we have to play a game nobody wants to be in. They play awful, and are only up by 3 at the half against a lousy team. After having a few words with them, the team starts playing well and we open up a huge lead. Unfortunately, Steven Knutson lands badly on his ankle and has to be taken to the hospital. Got a 2nd or 3rd degree sprain, we thought it might be broken. Still bad. I got to take over as coach as Paul dealt with Steven, which was fun (easy, considering we were winning and the game was meaningless, but still fun).

Anyways, later we find out that Asquith almost beat Canora (#7 seed) in their game. We consider what could've been. The guys will be very good next year.

I highly recommend to anyone the chance to coach/teach an extracuricular activity. You get to see things in kids/teenagers that you don't get much opportunity to do. It's amazing to see the results. They've got such an odd collection of personalities/issues; but when you see them out there on the court, really working hard and executing plays, it's a great feeling.

Anyways, basketball season is over. Which sucks. It was my only outlet here in Outlook for any kind of activity, really. But there you go, there's a sliver of my experience with the team.

Colds suck.

Amen, brother. (Yes, I do realize that I'm saying 'Amen, brother' to my own statement)

So, I'm watching Kill Bill Vol. 1 last night and realize something... how did Bill end up with Beatrix's daughter? Did Elle Driver (Darryl Hannah) kidnap her when she went to the hospital to kill Beatrix, only to have Bill abort the mission? If that was the case, and Elle was supposed to take the daughter with her, then you'd think Bill would mention something in the phone call with Elle...

I mean, it's not like Bill could claim custody of the baby without tons of questions being asked by the hospital... like, you know, the name of "The Bride/Jane Doe" that is in a coma, and how he knew she was there, and everything. It had to be a kidnapping, not anything legit. Some things we'll never know, I guess, unless it comes up in the sequel (not Vol. 2). They're apparently considering making a next generation Kill Bill, where Copperhead's (Vivica A. Fox) daughter comes back to get revenge on Beatrix for murdering her mother right in front of her. I'd assume Beatrix's daughter will have something to do with that story as well... maybe something about a kidnapping will come up, I dunno.

Other little things I enjoy immensely about Vol. 1: Sonny Chiba throwing the knife into it's spot behind the counter; the fact that the 5, 6, 7, 8's are playing barefoot; the fact that Sophie's ringtone has not changed from "Alud Lang Syne" in 4 and a half years; the sound effects in the GoGo fight with the mace; and of course, the loud scream given by the General of the Crazy 88's when he enters the club.

Still haven't bought Vol. 2, which is an obvious neccessity that should come about sooner rather than later.

I have also decided I will do a series of "Top 10" lists, just for the sake of doing that. They will be music related for the most part.

Now that basketball season is over, I have absolutely nothing to do in Outlook. Literally, nothing at all. And it's cold outside. Truly amazing. I think I'll do a seperate post on the basketball team, actually. This one is long enough.

"If on your journey, you should encounter God, God will be cut."

Funny...

Highlights of the 2004-05 NHL Season

Love McSweeneys. Love hockey. Good combo. Sad circumstances. Still funny, though.

And to my Liverpudlian sisters, Annie's album has not been released here in Canada, and the Kills' new album (out today) was not due to arrive in Saskatoon stores until next week. Sorry. All other CD's requested are 'go'.

And, as an update, my bobslieghing friend Ken Kotyk finished 3rd at the World Championships two weekends ago in Calgary with his teammates in Pierre Leuders' 4 man Canada 1 entry.

That is all for now. I will likely blog more often starting next week when I don't have to fight for computer time...

The list.

You wanted it, you got it. Here is my list of the 50 top albums for the years 2000-04. I quickly realized that there are many good albums not on this list, and that I could've easily expanded this list to be 100. Scary. Anyways, if certain album isn't on the list, then it probably is in a top 100, or else you have bad taste.

And, about being called toy_soldier, I came up with that while watching TV and opening my account there. Simple as that.

Click away.