LAST CHRISTMAS

Sunday, December 20. 2009

I’m home from college after the fall semester, and I repeated my Christmas tree impression one more time for the family. I’m now down to business doing the gift shopping, which is always a challenge since fall semester usually ends less than a week before the holiday.
I’m feeling nostalgic, as this will be my last Christmas before Fenton and I start our own family. No, it’ll just be the two of us for a while, but still, things will be different next year. I’m paying more attention than usual to the little Dewclaw family traditions we have: Kell crying at old movies on TV, Dad eating the mistletoe, Rudy attempting to buy earrings that Fiona doesn’t already own and Coney trying to sneak downstairs in the middle the night on Christmas Eve only to encounter nocturnal me guarding the presents. I’ll miss all that.
Yes, I know, I’ll be living within Tree just down the street, at the bottom of the hill. The thing is, I’d always planned on going to graduate school and getting a Ph.D. I can’t do that here in Domain. This whole graduation business came upon me suddenly, and in five months, it’ll be here.
What do I want for Christmas? Time to make decisions that’ll impact my entire life.
Now Fenton and I are off to see “Avatar.” It’s about a herbivore mentally controlling the body of a blue predator. Today's question for those of you who saw the movie this weekend, what did you think?

Posted by Lindesfarne at 02:04 | Comments (37) | Trackbacks (0)

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I think it's Dances With Wolves, but with blue people. Here, they seemed to be omnivorous. They're predators there?

#1 Selina Grace on 2009-12-20 02:18 (Reply)

I saw it... BEST MOVIE EVER

#2 Velani (Link) on 2009-12-20 03:22 (Reply)

all i can do is wish you lucky and tell you have faith. all of you plans may not pan out but you were raised but a strong loving father and an very empowering stepmother you'll be fine

#3 e_voyager on 2009-12-20 04:28 (Reply)

Rip off of Call Me Joe by Poul Anderson, right down to the paraplegic using an avatar. Call Me Joe didn't have the whole Nobel Savage mem that's been around since the discovery of the Americas - and which not all that many people who were actually in the Americas had much use for. As someone who possibly has Native American blood, who's spouse has Native American ancestry, I can say that. My other observations of the plot is of a more political nature, which are best left off the page.

The graphics, while stunning, remind me of a video game. Perhaps nice to watch on IMAX, but on a small screen it'll just look like someone's YouTube video made from HALO or World of Warcraft.

Feh. I think I'll reread Call Me Joe. Better plot, better premise, and all the more amazing when you remember it was written in 1957.

#4 Harry on 2009-12-20 09:47 (Reply)

The human version was a bit different from what you've given us, Lindesfarne. The plot is: Centuries in the future, a (human) mining corporation wants to harvest a valuable mineral from a planet. Trouble is, everything on the planet seems to be out to get them, notably the ten-foot tall race of aliens that inhabit it. Even with Stone Age Weapons, they can give the company trouble. Their solution: create an "Avatar," a kind of living robot of the aliens, and have a human control it and infiltrate them. They hire a disabled human, saying if he does his job, they'll make him able to walk again. But he doesn't count on falling in love with one of the females. And when the company decides to attack the aliens, he faces a tough choice.

Because of the groundbreaking special effects, this has been quite literally the most expensive movie ever made, taking almost half a Billion to make. But just about everyone loves it, a visual masterpiece. There have been a few minor complaints about "the same old big bad corporation as the villian" in the plot, and there are a few jokes comparing the blue aliens to the "smurfs" of kiddie cartoons. But most everyone puts those aside and like it. It looks like this will be the movie of the year.

#5 Bixyl Shuftan (Link) on 2009-12-20 10:52 (Reply)

Yeah, I liked it. On a historical level, the comparisons with native americans were fairly obvious. However, things were changed from how it happened here, so it gave me a certain satisfaction to see certain scenarios played out.

History geek aside, the visuals were incredible.

#6 Koronak on 2009-12-20 12:48 (Reply)

I haven't seen it yet. So far, I've only seen the various trailers and such from YouTube. Like others have said, it looks stunning, but the plot leaves a lot to be desired; It's been done over and over. And who was the genius that came up with the name "unobtainium"? Geez!

I still want to see it, but I'll catch it at a matinae since I'm only seeing it for fab SFX.

#7 Mortar on 2009-12-20 13:22 (Reply)

'Unobtainium': The first time I heard the word was in a silly movie called The Core. It was the name applied to the material used to make the body of a ship designed to reach the Earth's molten core... and I make no guarantees that it was original there, either!

As for Avatar I hadn't intended to see it anyway. I hate to say it, but Cameron's 'killer' SFX reminded me of the PC game MYST. I'll wait until April or so when it comes out on DVD.

#7.1 CharlieG on 2009-12-21 08:58 (Reply)

There are a lot of images that reminded me of "Myst"..particularly the Edanna section of "Myst: Exile."

Still, seeing it on a small screen will rob it of much of its power.

#7.1.1 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-21 10:02 (Reply)

OK I admit "unobtainium" is a bad name, but I'm willing to forgive that considering that it's nothing more than a plot device. It's an excuse for the R company to go to Pandora and start strip mining. What it does and what it's called is secondary to the fact that R wants it so badly that it will take this huge undertaking in the first place.

And is "unobtainium" as crazy a name as "adamtantium" or "impervium" or "quintstone"?

#7.2 Alverant on 2009-12-26 20:28 (Reply)

Why can't you get a Ph.D. after you are married?

#8 Fran on 2009-12-20 13:54 (Reply)

The problem is one of location. If I live in Domain, it would be difficult doing post-graduate studies. There's no university close by.

#8.1 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-20 14:52 (Reply)

You'd be surprised. My cousin got her Ph.D. after her marriage.

#8.1.1 Harry on 2009-12-20 15:28 (Reply)

Probably a very stupid question, but have you talked to Fenton about this? I can't imagine him not willing to move with you if this is something you really want but both of you have so many strong ties to Domain that this really seems to be something you should talk about.

#8.1.2 Ytsken on 2009-12-20 16:41 (Reply)

Before I raise the topic with him, I have to get things sorted out within my own mind.

#8.1.2.1 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-20 16:48 (Reply)

Can't you go online to earn your PH.D. I was under the impretion that the college wanted you as a teacher their after your graduation.

#8.1.2.1.1 Steven Brams on 2009-12-20 18:18 (Reply)

I know it's possible to get a Masters and a Ph.D. online, but I want to get the full experience of a hands-on education.

#8.1.2.1.1.1 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-20 22:50 (Reply)

I remember a talk you had with your counciler. She to wanted you to graguate soon. I think she wanted you for undergraduate work. Would that have you still in the university the folowing year.

#8.1.2.1.1.1.1 Steven Brams on 2009-12-21 18:46 (Reply)

The university wasts to hire you as a Graduate Assistant when you graduate. Are you going to take them up on their offer. Can you work on your masters degree then your PHD will doing this.

#8.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Steven Brams on 2009-12-22 14:40 (Reply)

Lindy-

Sometimes the best sorter of the mind IS the spouse either future or present. And it is a decision that effects both of you so both should be involved from the gitgo.

And depending on the degree there is plenty of reputable online universities even working on the Masters and occasionaly the Doctorate.

Thing of it is Lindy , he may see things that you have not seen since a man definitly thinks differently and sees things differently.

And he may be able to cut the clutter in your mind where you are not able to...also remember that time may be of the essence, so the sooner you decide the better you make like the decisions. Never did like a decision that was forced.

DaDrone

#8.1.2.1.2 DaDrone on 2009-12-21 10:50 (Reply)

I know it's sad leaving behind your old family traditions when you start a family of your own (and yes, I know this means just the two of you at first), but you'll make your own. And the first few years before you have kids, you'll probably be walking down the street to see your mom cry at old movies, your dad eat the mistletoe, etc...
Merry Christmas Lindy, and Happy New Year.

#9 Steff on 2009-12-20 18:08 (Reply)

Our first Christmas together, my wife and I realized we were making our own family traditions, and went from there. They were derived from our family traditions of the past, but they were our own. Our experience wasn't bittersweet at all.

#9.1 Harry on 2009-12-21 00:01 (Reply)

While I've little advice to give in the way of relationships and school, I wish you well in figuring this out.

On a lighter note, how was your version of Avatar?

#10 Koronak on 2009-12-20 18:55 (Reply)

Visually, it was amazing, like all of Cameron's films. In fact, the images were so strong that the movie could have been experienced without any dialog at all.
And considering the dialog Cameron writes that may not be such a bad idea.
But definitely, see it.

#10.1 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-21 00:44 (Reply)

Considering how I think your location maps, there is the equivalent of Emory where much has been done in genetics and its application to the medical field. Even closer is the Mercer Med School and Athens (ugh!) is not that far.

#11 Fran on 2009-12-20 19:46 (Reply)

Getting a PHD is sometimes easier than a MS, I have been told.
PHD does original research, MS just passes classes.

Lindesfarne,
Do you want to set up your own lab, teach and research, or join a corporation?
Each path choice will change your current action and goals.
Otterly Me

#12 Old Prof. Otter on 2009-12-20 22:58 (Reply)

Actually, Professor, it depends on the type of masters degree. Two of my boyfriends (both bears) had to complete original papers/original research in their respective fields to get their masters degrees; both didn't finish their projects, for very different reasons. One was studying electrical engineering, and the other was in statistical anthropology...erm, I guess it would be something like the study of ecosystems on the human side of the portal? I never did get the name of the degree quite right.

#12.1 Terri the Tiger on 2009-12-21 09:53 (Reply)

I laughed when heard "unobtanium". Along with "Handwavium" it means a metal that does not exist. Other than that, it was like Smurfs of the Future.

#13 Handwavium on 2009-12-22 14:56 (Reply)

actually, unobtanium means any material that we don't know, but can figure out what it would be like. for example, we haven't found any elements with the atomic mass of 300 yet, but we can determain it's charicteristics and such based on that alone, based apon stuff we do know. it's basically "we haven't obtained any yet" stuff.

handwavium is any material that works entirely apon "wave your hands and ignore the man behind the curtain" principles. it's stuff that is completely impossible, but is used as a mcguffin (another term for plot device) to allow some other thing in the story to work.

to use star trek as an example, large quantities of antimatter are unobtanium as of yet, since we know the principles of it but can't produce more than a few antiparticle at a time. Dilithium on the otherhand, is pure handwavium.

presumably the "unobtainium" in avatar has some connection to the floating islands in it. possibly some natural superconductor or something. (superconductors are known science, but we've yet to obtain ones useful in normal shirtsleeve temps). calling it "unobtainium" was probably either a joke on the part of the writer, or to avoid having to explain some new name.

#13.1 mithril (Link) on 2009-12-23 18:41 (Reply)

I laughed at that point too, mainly because I spend waaaaaaaay too much time on TV Tropes. I found the movie to be pleanty awesome. Sure it wasn't the most origonal story, but it was well told.

B.T.W. I'm guessing "Dances with Wolves" was a musical in your would.

#13.2 Alex on 2009-12-23 22:24 (Reply)

Just popping in to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Lindesfarne! Hope the holidays won't be too hectic for you!

#14 Patch O'Black on 2009-12-23 12:58 (Reply)

Merry Christmas from the Northeast, Lindesfarne!

Just set out some carrots for Santa......
...... well, I'm sure he won't mind if I take just one 7@=Q

#15 Lucius Appaloosius on 2009-12-24 21:10 (Reply)

As it's been said, the plot has been done before several times. But this time it's done *well*. It was well thought out, creating a new, very believable, ecosystem and culture. You have to suspend disbelief a little bit (like what does "unobtainium" DO that makes it so important a company is willing to go to such links to mine it), but if you let yourself relax mentally a little bit you'd find it's a great movie. My brother picked the movie time which wound up being the normal (non-3D) version and I want to see it again in 3D. It's probably better this way because now I can enjoy the effects instead of focusing on the story.

And not to give away any spoilers I think you'd be happy to know there's a strong female protagonist who saves her mate twice during the movie's climax.

Yes, it is a little political if you think that it's political to portray a large company as willing to do anything for a profit even if it hurts others.

#16 Alverant on 2009-12-26 20:22 (Reply)

I rented "Battle for Terra" recently; then soon after I saw trailers for "Avatar". I immediately had a "didn't I just see this movie?" moment, and decided I probably won't see "Avatar" (plus I was already mad that Cameron stole the airbender movie's title

#16.1 Patrick Haggood on 2009-12-27 12:05 (Reply)

If it's anything like ours, the visuals will be almost indistinguishable from reality, the storyline will be excellent, but some of the situations and characters will be used as a political soapbox. It tries too hard to be relevant, but comes off as a strawman.

I'll be interested in hearing how the alien predators map to the storyline on our side. Us humans are omnivorous predators. The civilized ones act like a herd, not a pack, preferring to turn those "brutish" instincts to more symbolic pack behavior, such as sports and politics.

#17 BlueNight on 2009-12-27 02:52 (Reply)

I haven't seen it, but the premise makes me think of an RPG called Albion.

#18 Ritrat8 on 2010-01-04 02:23 (Reply)

FYI all... "Unobtainium" was a word invented by Isaac Asimov, a major science-fiction and popular-science writer of the 20th century. It was, originally, a joke. I think Mithril at 13.1 has the right idea, though the authors of the movie "Core" used it for a metal alloy stronger than any we know, so theirs was essentially handwavium. In the "Avatar" movie, it is supposed to be a room-temperature superconductor that also generates its own magnetic field. Some years back here (in the human world) people discovered a ceramic material (yttrium-barium-copper-oxide) that was superconducting at liquid-nitrogen temperatures, and High School science labs all over the country were making samples of it to demonstrate how it could levitate a magnet through the Meissner Effect. So, lots of unobtainium in the rocks would explain the floating mountains.

#19 John B Hodges on 2010-01-04 02:28 (Reply)

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