Leen meen keen macheen

A local business was having another Keen sale today, along with some Arcteryx, NAU, and Horny Toad things. We went last fall and picked up some shoes and bags for amazing prices. This year I went alone as the wife had already headed out for the airport to pick up some friends.

These are samples, but unworn, and sold for a fraction of their retail prices. I picked up 2 pairs of nice leather shoes (regular retail $100/pair) and a pair of cycling shoes (regular retail $115/pair) for $100 total.

I'm a happy dude...

The 10 Best Movies to Show Off Your Home Theater

I'm not the most qualified person to comment on this MSN story.  Hell, I'm using Harman/Kardon components from the mid-80s, thank you very much, which don't have remotes and relatively few connections in back.  These are very, very antiquated by today's standards.  I've been in a few homes that have home theater set-ups and, by and large, have not been overwhelmed.  Maybe it's the discs that have been show.

In reading the article below, I have to wonder... "Are these really the movies that showcase a home theater system better than most?"  Based on title alone, I'm surprised there aren't other movies that show off the benefits of a nice HDTV and sound system.  I'm not a big fan of the movie, but I'm under the impression that Blad Runner was a great disc for showing off what a great system can do. 

What do you think?

http://tech.msn.com/products/slideshowspecialsav.aspx?cp-documentid=19911797&gt1=53586

HDTV, Check. Great Sound System, Check. Prepare to Show Off!
After you're lucky enough to pull together the moola to buy the components of a great home theater, you know you'll want to demonstrate its finer points to your buddies.
And let's face it -- “Goodfellas” may be a great film, but it won't have people oohing and aahing about the fantastic picture and booming surround sound.

I've put together 10 titles with spectacular scenery, great action and aggressive, subwoofer-heavy surround sound -- the perfect movies for showing off your HDTV, sound system and (if you have one) new Blu-ray player. I've also recommended one or two scenes in each film that will really wow the audience.

The first three -- "Baraka," "2001: A Space Odyssey” and "The Dark Knight" -- are all shot at least in part in large film formats and vividly show what Blu-ray can do. Consider these strictly Blu-ray-only demos.

The next four -- "Casino Royale" (2006 version), "Live Free, Die Hard," "The Fifth Element” and "Wall-E" -- will impress your friends even on DVD, although the Blu-ray versions will impress them considerably more.

The last three titles -- "Chicken Run," "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” and "Richard III" (1995 version) aren't yet out in Blu-ray, but they show what a DVD can do on a widescreen TV and a good sound system.

Of course, you don't want to buy a disc for one great scene, so I've stuck to good movies -- ones that have enjoyed either popular success or rave reviews. Several recent blockbusters are here, but also a cult favorite, a classic, a documentary and even some Shakespeare. So after you've wowed them with a great scene, you can entertain them with the whole flick.
-- By Lincoln Spector, PC World

Bell Bottom Blues

Bell bottom blues, you made me cry.
I don't want to lose this feeling.
And if I could choose a place to die,
It would be in your arms.

(Chorus)
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor to you?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
I'd gladly do it because
I don't want to fade away.
Give me one more day, please.
I don't want to fade away.
In your heart I want to stay.

It's all wrong, but it's all right,
The way that you treat me, baby. Mmm...
Once I was strong, but I lost the fight.
You won't find a better loser.

Chorus

Chorus

Bell bottom blues, don't say goodbye,
We're surely gonna meet again.
And if we do, don't you be surprised
If you find me with another lover.

Chorus
I don't want to fade away.
Give me one more day please.
I don't want to fade away.
In your heart I long to stay.

-eric clapton (1970)

Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) 2009: Secret Film Festival #4

Today's movie was about two hours long.

Can't say much more than that, but I hope you liked my review.

Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) 2009: Every Little Step

The wife and I went to see Every Little Step tonight. It's a documentary about the Broadway revival of the famous musical, A Chorus Line. Interspersed with footage of the tryouts for the 2006 revival are interviews and archival footage and audio recordings of the show's original producers and performers.

We get to see the 3000+ dancers show up for first rehearsals, winnowed down to the last handful of aspirants who eventually get the call. It gives great insight into how much effort each of these hopefuls put into their auditions, and you realize how talented these folks are. Don't fool yourself; people don't just decide, as adults, to become dancers. Professional dancers have been at their craft their entire lives and have sacrificed much to get where they are.

I thought it was a great movie, and it was great to see some of the hopefuls get presented with their job offers - pretty emotional stuff.

Before the show, Adam Del Deo, one of the co-directors, made an appearance to introduce the movie; he also did a Q&A after the show.