Difference between working hard at a relationship and idiocy?

Last night, I had a sushi dinner with my friend *Raoul, the one who dates *Rupert. I have no problems with Raoul, he's a great guy, and I enjoy his company. I just have issues with Rupert.

We were having some conversation at the table and the subject of relationships came up. Raoul proudly stated that he's working hard at the relationship (or "relationship") with Rupert and it's not always easy.

I know that relationships aren't easy, and that they take work. However, for me there's a difference between keeping the relationship going through hard times, and being an idiot about the relationship. If one of the two partners get laid off and the budget is tight, dumping the person would not be appropriate (although I'm sure it happens) and you get through this together. That would be an example of keeping the relationship going through hard times. Apparently, Raoul's brother doesn't like Rupert and told Raoul that he could do better. Raoul's sister doesn't like Rupert and told Raoul that he could do better. I know that Rupert is not a good partner for Raoul, and so does my close friend.

When so many different people from different aspects of his life think that his choice of partner is poor and that he could do better, keeping the relationship going because of "hard times" is just idiotic, no? Perhaps it's just me and my naive view of relationships?

The Sanctity of this place has been fouled!

If you play Diablo as the Sorceror, you'll hear that phrase when he enters the church in the first stage. I think this phrase is very fitting for what I need to comment on, though there needs to be some change:

"The sanctity of this institution has been fouled!"

Why? Because *Raoul and *Rupert are trying to get into a common-law couple status.

I believe that the common-law relationship requirements are that the two partners must have lived together under the same roof for a year and a day. However, I do not know the exact details, so someone could correct me on that. However, the proof of this is very weak... Apparently, you just need a bill with both names on it from about a year ago, or a series of twelve bills. Technically speaking, I could just put someone's name on my cable bills for a year and then that person would have common law status with me, even though they have never lived with me. What type of bullshit is this? For me, to prove common-law relationship, you need either a copy of the lease with both signatures there or a copy of the joint mortgage arrangement.

Of course, Raoul is not considering this to show his affection. Though personally, him declaring his and Rupert's relationship as common law does disservice to all other loving couples who have this (or will have this) labelling. Raoul is considering this option because then he could show the army his common law status, and he could reap the benefits of that. (If they do post him to another base, then they have to pay him to do that, as part of the benefits when your common-law partner is your dependent).

I know that a lot of couples abuse this law to get the benefits without actually being a couple. However, I don't think that's right. I also think that the pioneers who fought so hard to get gay marriage in Canada and recognition of same-sex couples as a possibility to the common law relationship have taken several giant steps back based on this consideration.

The Reader

On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, I went to see the movie The Reader. This movie features Kate Winslet, David Kross and Ralph Fiennes.

The movie is about Michael Berg, played by David Kross when he was a young man, and Ralph Fiennes during the later parts of the movie. Berg has an affair with Hanna Schmidt, played by Winslet, who is a woman twice his age. Their affair finishes, and it ends with Hanna leaving her apartment in a huff.

Later, we discover that Berg pursues a career in law and he re-encounters his lost love at a trial where she has been accused of a war crime.

We develop from there. This is truly a well acted film. Certainly, Winslet stole the show, and definitely deserved her Oscar, but the other actors also gave their characters a lot of depth. I believe that the director for this film should have won best director at the Oscars, not the one from Slumdog Millionaire.

Last Chance Harvey

On Tuesday February 17, 2009, I went to see the movie Last Chance Harvey featuring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

The story is about Hoffman's character, Harvey Shine, who has a pretty bad day. He gets laid off from his job, he is forced to go to his daughter's wedding where he has to see his ex-wife, he learns that his daughter prefers to be given away by her stepdad... Lots of bad stuff. He meets someone else, who also has a relatively tame life. The two hit it off... I'm not going to say too much, because it may spoil the movie.

This movie was classified as a comedy and romance. It was very well done. I thought that there was a good amount of romance, but the comedy was all there, and it was very nicely done.

Lesson learned - thankfully not one that cost a lot (update)

Turns out that someone at the mahjong club picked up my CD and is keeping it in his care. I'm quite happy. I will still be more aware, so I still learned the lesson, but I don't have to buy it new.

Lesson learned - thankfully not one that cost a lot!

Yesterday, I went to Cafe Pi to play mahjong. I had picked up a copy of Nicola Ciccone's CD - Storyteller used at a shop before going there. When I got to the cafe, I put the CD in my jacket pocket, and I put the jacket on the ground.

Anyway, I discovered that this morning, my CD was nowhere to be found. It's partially my fault anyway, I should have kept a better eye on my jacket. I just thought that since this is a cafe where mathies hang out (the major pass time at this Cafe is Chess!), they'd know not to take anything that is not theirs. However, we are dealing with people, so I am not at all surprised.

I will check with the Cafe to see if someone brought it to the front, or when they were closing up, found it somewhere, and I'll also check with the person who runs the mahjong club to see if in the haste of packing up, someone else picked it up, but my guess is that someone else walked off with it.

Lesson learned, next time around, I'll keep a closer eye on my belongings. Thank goodness it was only a used copy!

Slumdog Millionaire

On Tuesday February 10, 2009, I went to see the movie Slumdog Millionaire. This is one of the contenders for the best picture.

The premise of the story line is this kid who lived in the slums has won 10 million rupees on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. He gets accused of cheating and the police investigate. As the police ask him questions as to why he knew all the answers, we flash back to his childhood and understand why he knows the answers.

I don't know why this film was nominated. It's not a good film at all. It's two hours of my life I'll never get back. The kids in the movie were better actors than the adults!

Don't waste your time on this film. I love Bollywood music/dance sequences... Even that at the end of the movie didn't save it for me.

Bride Wars

On Tuesday, February 3, 2009, I went to see the movie Bride Wars. It features Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway as the two main stars.

The premise of the movie is simple. The two childhood friends get engaged at the same time. Their dream was to be each others' maids of honour and also to have the wedding at the Plaza Hotel. They both get engaged around the same time, and well... They booked two different days. However, the assistant booked both of them on the same day, which started the whole charade.

A light and funny film. The message is also good as well.

Why do tabloids like to do do this?

I just read this article on Michael Phelps.

Why do tabloids publish these pictures that do nothing but harm?

What would this accomplish if the Olympic committee decided to strip away his Olympic medals? (Luckily, they didn't)

Phelps is young, he's allowed to make mistakes. That's part of what being young is about, you learn from your mistakes... Despite the fact that he's a role model for winning eight Olympic gold medals.

Also, he might also lose endorsements... Great.

I hope that the person who decided to run the picture is able to sleep at night. This was an absolutely useless move.