I have dated a few guys in the past who were miserly (skin-flints, stingy, whatever). It is a deal-breaker for me. It is literally a personality trait that I find revolting - one whiff and all attraction, physical and otherwise, evaporates. Generosity with money is part of a bigger mind-set, that is often linked to empathy. Ever date a relatively wealthy guy who invites you out to something he knows you cannot afford (or ought to know), then doesn't think to offer to pay? Ever had to reach into your wallet for an extra $10 at the end of the evening because your companion wouldn't leave an adequate tip? What about someone who clearly thinks you are sucker for buying fresh flowers once a month? Who never treats to a nice restaurant, but is happy to eat if you're paying? Yuck.

I've got friends who are sarcastic, neurotic, unreliable, and obnoxiously self-centered. I can live with these faults because lord knows I've got my own. Bottom line though, they're also smart and generous. If I know a friend is broke, I don't hesitate to call them up and treat them to a meal or a film, or a phone bill payment, and I know that they would reciprocate if I hit on hard times. Best of all, they never leave me wondering who didn't tip when we settle up at the end of the evening.

I want to be clear that I do not include those who are 'frugal' either by necessity or inclination. My mother is frugal in the sense that she lives a pretty moderate lifestyle but she is also generous to the core, and has no problem splashing out on occasion.

Don McKellar spearheaded the adaptation of Blindness, getting approval from the author and subsequently writing the screenplay. He has written a few so-so films (Last Night, Highway 61), but he also won a Tony in 2006 for the musical The Drowsy Chaperone. I think that McKellar is generally focussed on entertaining, and, as for Mireilles, I have complete confidence in his ability to avoid an excess of artiness. I am looking forward to this film!

I've been a fan for ages, and it warms the cockles of my heart to see him getting the accolades he deserves. His performances in Chaplin, Two Girls and a Guy, The Singing Detective, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Zodiac stand out as among the best I've seen on screen. His non-conformist nature shines through his eyes, helping him to trancend even the odd bits of dreck. He is talented, beautiful-looking, and, hopefully, around for years to come. The fact that he has wrestled with and conquered heroin addiction just makes me admire him more.

I'll be checking this out (with my Aunt who is also a fan) on the weekend. Can't wait.

First off, I love Le Guin, and will read this as soon as I'm finished my Bar Ads. And I love the name Ursula K. Le Guin. I've always assumed that her last name is pronounced Luh Gwin. It sounds positively aristocratic to me, especially with the old fashioned first name and the impressive initial. Maybe I'm just partial because I think she's a genius...

It was excellent - it kicked off with a bang, and ended with a quirky laugh. What really surprised me was the great chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Paltrow is no favourite of mine, but is remarkably well-cast as the efficient girl-friday with a heart of gold and an ascerbic wit to match Stark's. And Robert Downey Jr. does not play Tony Stark as a caricature. He really does have an epiphany about how short life is and the impetus to leave a legacy other than death and destruction, and his face reflects both horror at the evil wrought with weapons he created, as well as a newborn fervour to use his massive intellect to do good. RDJ is a superb actor and this is some of his finest work.

But it seems like it must be relatively easy to accept when one is blithly unempathetic in the face of injuries to animals. The jockeys, they seem to accept this as well. The veterinarians who work in the industry, and the breeders, too. Funny how it can be easy to accept the cost of a pleasurable endeavour when it comes out of the pocket of a dumb mute creature.

You don't understand the revulsion, or you would feel it too.

I love Liberty brand organic yogurt from Quebec. Full-fat yumminess, especially the lemon flavour, which is a bit hard to find. The sour cherry is good too.

Forget Steven Spielberg. Arnaud Desplechin, Philippe Garrel Meirelles, Kaufman...So many chances to maybe see some great cinema! I am green with envy. I think you've been to Cannes enough times Andrew, whilst I, film buff that I am, can only dream of grey rainy days on the Riviera. Bah. Have fun.

And found this:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/05/18/iraq.honorkilling/index.html

It contains a link to video footage of the stomping/stoning 'honor' killing of 17 year old Dua Khalil. You see, in between kicking the girl in the head and pounding her with rocks, some of the men and boys thought to pull out their cel phones and record the murder. Fucking disgusting psychopaths. I really have no words.