7.25.2005

C is for Creepy Guy Fawkes mask
V is for Vendetta, the famed graphic series (read: comic books) from acclaimed author Alan Moore. But what is moore (ha) important is that the movie version, starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman, is in production and a pretty cool trailer has been posted on the official site.

Via Cinescape.
Summer evil
In case anyone has been wondering where I've been for the past month, well, I'll tell you right out (unlike J.K. Rowling who likes to avoid such questions for chapters on end). First, I had to study madly (about 80 hours by my watch) and to successfully pass my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification test. The PMP credential enables you to apply for certain jobs, get instant credibility (I would compare it to becoming a Professional Engineer after you graduate.), and, oh yeah, make more money.

My job has afforded me a lot of spare time, and very little inspiration, so I decided to get something out of the time I've put in here and budget available. In order to even take the test you have to document at least 4500 hours of project work over at least 3 years and 60 hours of training. Then, you get the joy of not only memorizing the PMBOK Guide but the study guide in hopes of cramming a huge amount of data into your head for a 4-hour test filled with nothing but complex word problems. Definitely one of the hardest tests I've taken, but I'm glad it's over.

Anyway, after that debacle was past, I decided to take a week off and hit the beach. No internet access down there, and nothing to do but sleep, eat, exercise, hit the beach, eat again, nap, eat, hit the bars, have Togo's pizza, and then sleep. Rinse off in the shower in the morning and repeat for 5 days. That was my week. Very relaxing.

Finally, as most of you know, it was time (July 20) for yet another birthday, this one for 34 years on the planet. Officially in my 'mid-thirties', but feeling good and actually about 10 pounds lighter than last year. Anywho, enough excusing -- just thought I'd give everyone an update of the activities of the past month.
London falling
There certainly has been some disturbing events occuring recently over in the UK. Two bombings on a mass transit system of late, and a massive hunt for the suspects have kept things pretty much on edge. Police presence has naturally been stepped up, and people are preternaturally aware of anyone moving about suspiciously.

Well, last Friday we had our first report of someone gunned down in a police chase. I had heard that police had chased down an unknown suspect and, after he tripped and fell, they shot him while he was on the ground 5-6 times. Now, while this would certainly sound like an example from a totaliaristic state, in light of what is going on there, I can understand their caution. Suicide bombers will have the explosives on them, and could trigger them at any moment. In order to be safe you have to 'take them down' before they can detonate.

Unfortunately, it turned out that the suspect was an innocent man, but apparently one without much hint of common sense:
    Blair said Menezes had emerged from an apartment block in south London that had been under surveillance in connection with Thursday’s attacks, and refused police orders to halt. Menezes had also been wearing an unseasonably heavy coat, further raising police suspicions.
I can understand wearing suspicious clothing, but I can't understand what would possess someone to run from the police during this tension. The first line that leaped to mind was from Top Gun -- it reminds me of the line Goose quotes when envisioning the condolence letters from their deaths in the mock combat, "The Defense Department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid."