Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Répondez s'il vous plaît

Elizabeth and I started with lists of people who we wanted to invite to our wedding. Since we're doing a double wedding, and the reception hall has limited space, we had to cut those lists down: a lot. If we didn't, the fire marshal could come and fine us, or close our reception down (or whatever it is that they do when you exceed the maximum capacity for a building). Needless to say, we're not thrilled to have to not invite people who we wanted to invite, but there's hope: You see, when someone responds to us that they can't come, that, in addition to being bad news, is also good news, because it means that maybe someone else can be invited. However, if people don't RSVP until the last minute (or at all), then we don't have the opportunity to extend more invitations. So please, RSVP. By the way, the limitation on the number of guests is imposed by the maximum capacity at the reception, not the ceremony, therefore, even if you aren't invited, you are perfectly welcome to come to the wedding ceremony. Also, if you were invited to the wedding, and you don't plan on coming to the reception, then letting us know would be helpful.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Madagascar: Back 2 Africa

That's the name of the sequel to Madagascar. I was invited to go to a pre-screening of an unnamed animated feature from Dreamworks Animation SKG, and that's what it turned out to be. I thought it was really funny, and overall a good movie. That's saying a lot, because I didn't particularly care for the first one. The penguins are in it again, as well as the king Lemur. I was expecting some sort of NDA, but the theater was packed full of people, and no one ever asked us to keep anything secret, so at this point the cat is out of the bag, and I guess they figure that those who watched it would generate free buzz for the movie (which I am currently doing) and that it would benefit them. They were of course very strict about not letting anything with a camera in the theater. We all had to go through a metal detector before we went in. The animation wasn't complete: there were parts of the movie that were storyboarded, and parts where the animation was rough, but what was finished looked pretty good. My main complaint about the movie, being an animated feature, is that there were too many crude jokes. There was a feedback survey, and I (as well as some others I spoke with) made sure to mention this on the survey. I hope they clean it up a bit, because no matter how they market it, kids are going to end up watching it.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

First Hike of the Season

This Saturday was the first hike of the season, not counting the igloo trip. Becca's friend Lindsey was in town visiting from Ohio, and given the state-wide elevation spread of 1095 feet, they don't have much hiking there, or at least not hiking as we know it. We decided to go easy on her (and ourselves) and climb Little Si. The weather was perfect, and it was nice to spend some quality time with friends on a Saturday. More pictures here.


Mike, with his ever-present camera. His pictures actually have me in them. I know. It blew my mind too.


Mike, Keisha, Lindsey, Becca


A twisted, moss-covered tree


At the top


Keisha and Lindsey tempting fate


Mike tempting fate