somebody else was very into the rainbow arcs that happen when you point the camera directly at a light source.

I think those are called "flares." It's all Haskell Wexler's fault.

kd lang.

just because it is on the amazon wishlist does not mean that it needs to be purchased there

Ah, but what are the chances of someone skimming that and then going somewhere else? And if I have an opposition to Amazon's online shopping, why am I going to use their services?

As for the TV director stuff -- I liked Tim's directing. It felt all Timmy. There were another couple directors I ended up recognising too, because I liked their air.

When you're putting a stylistic stamp on the visuals and pacing of a show, but rotate directors, where is that enforced? Some equivalent of a style book? Exec producers?

The trouble with Dion, Morrissette, McLachlan is that none of them is really that kind that you look at them and say, "Oh, [country]."

Michael J. Fox, Kiefer Sutherland, you can forget they're Canadian until the politics jokes get started. Wayne Gretzky, you don't forget he's Canadian. When he got married, both of the major Canadian brewing companies had to be represented at the reception.

Julia Roberts is like flashing the Coca-Cola sign -- instant branding, instant identification as American.

Salma Hayek was the best I could do for Mexico, although from the Mexican point of view it should probably be somebody like Andres Galarraga, or the woman who played Betty la fea.

Product placement in movies?

Top Gun. IJS.

Country 'Y' was not Mexico.

... and the end-of-year bonus just arrived. $5k, before taxes. $2.8k, after. t reminds self she is a lifelong progressive and the taxes go to things like schools and highways and protecting endangered species and feeding the poor

What should I do with my windfall?

(Amusing side note: the company won't give bonuses to anyone who's been here less than a year, so my VP wrote a personal check to my employee, whom I have to explain this all to when I give her the envelope...)

CLOCKS are being removed from NatWest banks — to stop customers moaning.

ha! this is my London bank. Autopay and cashpoint is the way to go (direct deposit and ATM to us in the colonies)

The trouble with Dion, Morrissette, McLachlan is that none of them is really that kind that you look at them and say, "Oh, [country]."

So Shania Twain isn't going to work either?

Ah, but what are the chances of someone skimming that and then going somewhere else?

I do it cause I get frequent flyer miles at B&N, but not Amazon.

But I am a freak about frequent flyer miles.

What should I do with my windfall?

Tempur-Pedic.