January 1st, 2008
You are currently browsing the articles from Review and Things written on January 1st, 2008.
On the way from Calgary, AB to Kelowna, BC; we decided to take a lunch break at the Smitty’s restaurant in Golden, BC. We have occasionally eaten at the Smitty’s in Calgary and have always been pleasantly surprised by the good service and palatable food for a diner of its caliber.
The food at Smitty’s in Golden was good, as usual, however ther service was something else. Our waitress was freindly, but truly “out to lunch”, she didnt hear half our orders, and forgot the coffee, and took away plates while wer were still eating out of them. Since this was just a pit-stop it was ok, we were fed, and on our way again.
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Restaurants and Reviews.
This afternoon we decided to go eat at De Dutch Panekoek house in Kelowna. We had been eyeing it for a while and decided to indulge in some authentic dutch food.
Having checked the website beforehand we realized that food was not going to be authentic dutch however they did have a dinner menu which sounded promising.
Well, this particular De dutch restaurant (address below) closed everyday between 2-3pm, so we wondered if they would serve the dinner menu. It turns out, they didnt offer any of the dinner menu infact the only thing that was authentic were the pancakes, everything else was pretty standard to any run of the mill Canadian diner.
The food was tasty, but we were left wanting of authenticity. The service, unfortunately was not great, seemed like anyone who worked there was under 20 years of age, and simply didnt know what customer service was all about.
De Dutch - Kelowna - Dilworth
2385 Highway 97N
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1X 4H9
Telephone: (250) 868-0817
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Restaurants and Reviews.
Interestingly, i was hoping to write this in a story, however I got scooped. Its fine since what I wanted to say is for a good cause and I am glad someone said it.
I was in the movie theater the other day, and what I thought was a trailer for a scary movie started up, it turned out it was a commercial for something simple- saving water when brushing your teeth.
People (me included) often leave the tap running when brushing their teeth, many thoughts seems to justify this behvior (i wont be brushing that long, the sink can get clean in the meantime, the water will be the right temperature when I am finished, etc. etc..). There is NO reason not to TURN OFF the tap when brushing. The amount of water this simple excercise would save is unsurmountable. Since all of this wasted water is drinking water, it would probably be enough to quench several thirsty people on a hot day of drought. Think about it, the same goes for wasting water in the shower, and flushing toilets too much. Read more about low flow shower heads, and low flush toilets. In Europe, its possible to buy toilets with a half and full flush system which saves water.
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Help the Environment and Things.
Directed by Steve Bendelack, this movie lacks both a punch or a storyline.
Rowan Atkinson, better known as “Mr. Bean” wins a church raffle to travel to Cannes by Eurostar via Paris. Along the way, he not only manges to lose his luggage, miss his train, misplace his passport and ticket, but also to make friends with a young Russian boy, and a pretty French girl. Together they have many an adventure, and finally he does make it to Cannes.
Rowan Atkinson is funny as usual, however the movie lacks direction, and seems like a bunch of his older tricks re-played and strung together with no relvence or connection.
Rent only if nothing else is available. I would even go as far as to say pass on this movie altogether.
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Movies and Reviews.
An highly acclaimed 80’s film by Richard Attenborough, describes the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political leader who managed to free his country from the British rule using non-violent means and thus giving hope and inspiration for generations to come.
When Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi first set foot in British India, he had already been to Britain and South Africa, and had created quite a stir for the betterment of the people. But in India, he realized that he had first to live the life of a peasant to understand what it is to be an Indian. This resolve will lead him to shed his westerners clothing, and don a simple loincloth, be subjected to racial slurs from none other than Winston Churchill (Half naked Indian Fakir); Mobilize awareness of local industry and less dependence on imported clothing and material; the historic stick march for withdrawal of the salt tax; a fast unto death to stop the virtual slaughter of British troops by irate Indian mobs; and be imprisoned several times. His resolve was to work with stalwarts such as Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Sardar Valabhbhai Patel, Professor Gokhale, J.B. Kripalani, Maulana Azad, and Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru to ensure first of all to get the British to quit India, and then run an Indian Government under the Congress party. Gandhi will soon realize that it is not enough to be just an Indian, for India has many facets - Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, and Christian. The British relied on these many facets as an excuse for their continuance as they wanted to ensure that the minorities are not oppressed by the Hindu majority. Concerned over the inroads made by Gandhi to unite the Hindus, Muslims, and all others under a common umbrella, the British invited Jinnah for talks, and it is here that a seed was laid for a separate country called Pakistan. When Gandhi came to know about this, he pleaded with Jinnah to unite the Muslims, even take over as the first Prime Minister with his choice of Muslim candidates for Parliament, but separatist Jinnah had already made his mind. The World Wars of 1914 and 1944 having taken it’s toll on Europe and Britain in particular, the weary British finally decided to leave India in 1947 - not the India they had conquered - but an India that was ready to be divided in East Pakistan and West Pakistan. Now after the much awaited independence was the real test for Gandhi - a test that will make him or break him - as he started a fast unto death to try and stop the violence that was threatening to break out into a civil war, not realizing that he had indirectly fanned Hindu extremists, into taking the matter directly in their hands to ensure that Muslims are kept out of their India forever.
This must see film provides a gentle reminder that no matter how the world revolves, all can be conquered by peace and love for oneself and for all those around us.
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Movies and Reviews.
Absoutely hilarous movie, that is if you like the Adam Sandler type of humour.
Directed by Dennis Dugan, this movie has a simple storyline. Two straight, single Brooklyn firefighters (Sandler, James) pretend to be a gay couple in order to receive domestic partner benefits. In this double life they live, they meet interesting people and run into famous adventures. They end up in court, where all is settled, and end up finding real love with beautiful women in the end. As usual Sandler has an message through the whole movie, which of course, is sent out in the typical Sandler-ish humour wrapped parcel.
A movie to rent or pick up in the bargain bin.
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Movies and Reviews.
This recent movie directed by Francis Lawrence, promises big but doesnt really deliver.
Will Smith plays (as far as his character knows) the last man on earth, our hero, Robert Neville, a sole survivor of a world dominating virus created by man, that initially takes out 588 million people in 2009, and was originally created to somehow cure cancer. In 2012, Neville (a former scientist) dedicates his life to surviving for the sake of the human race, since he’s somehow immune to the virus and those who have been infected, and attempts to find a cure. In order to find a cure, he seeks out the infected beings at night, who seem to have completely forgotten how to act human, their instincts and survival skills have become non-existent, and either takes them out to survive, or in some cases, drags them to his underground lab for research purposes, in hopes of correcting humankind’s mistake.
Lots of questions go unanswered, and Will Smith in his own repetitive style plays the hero who single handedly saves the world. I would suggest renting this movie or picking it up in the bargain bin, not worth paying full price at the box office.
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Movies and Reviews.
This is such a heart wrentching yet eye-opening, and educational book.
Stephanie Nolen, a journalist for the Globe and Mail, has in simple yet poweful words described the vastness of the AIDS/HIV epidemic which is rapidly killing off hundreds of thousands of people in the African continent. She has written stories about 28 people whom are living with AIDS in Africa, one each to represent the 28 million people living with AIDS in Africa today.
The immediate thoughts that come to mind when reading this book are: Courage, hope, and a sincere motivation to become personally involved in helping however one can.
A must read!
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Books and Reviews.
This book is a timeless classic. Although not as famous as the other acclaimed Austen books such as ‘pride and predujice’ or ‘Emma’, its a masterpiece in itself.
The story is simple and revolves around the heroine ‘Catherine Morland’ whom is visiting Bath with her neighbours Mr. and Mrs. Allen. In Bath she meets many interesting people including the Thorpe family, of whom Isabella Thorpe and she come to become best friends. Interestingly on her first night in Bath she meets Mr. Henry Tilney whom captivates her heart and keeps her on her toes, anticipating their next encounter. As the story unfolds, many new frinedships are made, some to last, and others to result in dissapointment. Eventually, Catherine is invited to visit Northanger Abbey where she is under the constant supervision of General Tilney, where she experiences exhilaration and betrayal.
All in all, a lovely book. I highly recommend it.
Written by Smriti on January 1st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Books and Reviews.