Inception: Are you an optimist?

The first attempt of seeing the movie Inception failed miserably at the opening night.  This time 3:00 in the afternoon 2 weeks after opening, space is ample.

Although there are multiple level of dreams, the movie is very easy to follow.  The scenes are so different that there is no mistake in figuring it out where you are.  Occationally, you will have that question of "Wait, Who's subconscious are we going through exactly?"  But it doesn't bother you because you can still follow the plot just fine without knowing the answer.  None of the long boring nonsense talk at the end of Matrix movie happens in this movie.  The movie introduces the concepts of the inception  cleverly as a teacher to a student will.  Just give one little bit of infomation at a time,  with reviews of the previous concepts through different character reiterating them in a seamlessly natural conversation.


After seeing the bad acting of the Last Air Bender, all the characters in this movie win their charm.  Some actor, because of their memorable roles before, still feel weird at first, such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays Tommy, in third rock from the Sun.  However, in the gradual development of the character, he starts to lose the shadow of Tommy, and start to become the calm, somewhat serious, but still humorous Arthur,  who apparently is as skilled in his profession as his partner, Cobb, starting Leonardo DiCaprio.

While I am never a fan of DiCaprio in his Titanic years,  he really has done many good serious movies over the years.  I am really surprised he hasn't win any Oscar yet.  Through out the movie, there is this desperation and constant pain written in his face, reflecting the turmoil inside.  Unlike other characters in the movie, Cobb, has a real motivation.  Others are just along for the ride.

 The movie does not fell short of special effects either.  There are plenty of explosion, building collapse and fighting, if you feel that is what gets your money worth to go see a movie in the theatre. I felt the visuals, however,  are more intellectual than thrilling, especially after you start to mess with gravity and dimension and visual illusion.  The movie, not only comes with a 3D Imax version, but also in some selected theater, there are D-Box seats that would let you experience the same falling as the characters taking the plunge.  I opt out on both due to the time constraint.  Children's are waiting at home for dinner.

However, this movie is more psychological .  The greatest danger facing the dream manipulator, whether they are doing inception or extraction, comes from the difficulty of losing itself in the dream.  What is reality and what is a dream.  This ever asking question dated back as early as 286 BC when the Great Chinese Philosopher Zhuang zi ask "I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man? " （原文：《庄子.蝶梦》:“昔者庄周梦为蝴蝶,栩栩然蝴蝶也,自喻适志与,不知周也。俄然觉,则戚戚然周也。不知周之梦为蝴蝶与,蝴蝶之梦为周与。） It hasn't been solve for 2000 some years, I doubt anyone can answer that now.

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So what is keeping our hero sane? His guilt.  The guilt of his wife's suicide might be from the idea that he plant inside her.  When he was able to finally confront his guilt and let it go,  is he saved and swim back to his reality, or did he lose his final defense and sunk into an even deeper dream that can never be woken.  Is the mission accomplished, or is it that part of the dream, or is the whole mission is some part of dream. When he finally say to the projection of his diseased wife "I have to let you go", did he instead let go of his final chance back to reality?   I could not help wonder if the entire premise of the story is from a coma patient in his dream with his wife's every failing attempts to revive him.  After all, having the father-in-law bring the children to him even though he was wanted for his wife murder is a much easier solution than taking up a whole dangerous mission to dive to people's subconscious, not to mention the whole team of talented people went along with him without a compelling motivation. There is simply no "elegant solution for keeping track of reality" when the director doesn't want to show you the totem.

It all depends on what you believe.  Are you optimistic enough to believe that everything is fine at the end?

I am not an optimist, as much as I wish for a good ending,  I felt unsettled and anxious at the end.   The uneasy feeling lingers long after the movie ends and I couldn't stop from searching back to my memory for the details that might give me some clue.

Vote: which shoe?

Endless's bing cashback is at 40% right now.  With such deal, I just couldn't resist.  I like gladiator shoes because a) they are flat, b) they are casual.  It has the same appeal as JCREW's embellish T-shirt.

Now the question is which one?

I was going to submit this outfit to Cat's work outfit post at anthrosdottir, but then Evelyn just glue to my leg after the ballet class so I have to include her.  Now I'm not sure if I should send this or not.

Top: Anthro Blueberry Peplum Blouse
Cami: Gap lace cami
Bottom: JCREW linen pants
Cardi: J CREW jackie cardi.  (yes, i wear it a lot )
Shoes: Born
Bag: Coach handbag and Lancome free bag (for carrying ballet shoes and change cloth and snack etc.)

End of 21 for 21

I'm so glad that the 21 for 21 challenge for me is finally over now.  Although I can still go on with the permutations of that 21 items, I am ready to wear something different.  At times I felt happy about how the 21 for 21 simplifies my life,  other times, I get so bored with it.  Especially at the end I didn't even felt like taking a picture any more.  So here is OOTD, still more or less of the same cardi and boots, but at least I get to wear some different color.

Dress: Anthro Burgeoning Latitudes Dress Cardi: LOFT wrap cardi Legging: DKNY legging, Shoes: Dansko military boots

I spent some time cleaning out the things that doesn't fit any more after redoing the closet.  I have always optimistically hoped that I will have a successful diet one day so I may fit back in to the old cloth.  Guess what,  it hasn't happen ever. Years after years, they sit in the closet takeing up valuable space and making finding the things I really need difficult.

There are several good deals going on right now. J CREW has an extra 30% off its final sale.  However I didn't see anything I am dying to get.  I am tempted to get one of those cashmere sweaters but on the other hand, I really don't need another sweater.  One thing I have learn from this 21 for 21 is to not buy just because it is on sale because there will always be another good deal down the block.  I'm also not very impressed with JCREW's new arrival for the fall either.  Maybe my taste has changed.

 My lust list mostly comes from the things I didn't get but had try on before.

Daily Gathering Dress  from Anthropologie:  I usually don't like summer dress that are black and I don't like jersey dress in general.  I used to have a jersey dress from Banan Republic and after a few wash, it retires to Pajamas because it lost its shape.  But I saw this one at Anthro for $29.99 and I had to try it on for such a bargin.  Turns out it is very flattering and the material is so silky smooth. I had splurge on a bailey 44 tank before and really love how flattering and comfortable they are.  Anyhow, after thinking I got a super deal, at the time of checkout, I was told that it is mis-tagged.  How disappointing is that? So I had to let go.  I have been missing it since.

Kenna-T Leather Military Jacket

The jacket although is leather, is actually very soft and thin.  My mom didn't even know it was leather when she see me try it on.  It has a more destructed look than the picture, so the black is not as black., but more of a faded black in real life.  The surface also have a crinkle feel to it.  I am always drawn to the biker looks.  I try it on and really love the feel of it and it fits perfectly in size S.  It is probably very versatile because it would work with skinny jeans and I happen to have the a skirt on when I try it and they went well together too.

Juicy Couture 'Feather Graphic' Scarf

This scarf come with 4 colors.  I like the gray and the blue.   I think the gray one will go well with the military jacket in early fall. The material has a jersey type of feel that a lot like the daily gathering dress.  They are rayon, which dislike by some as cheap material, but it doesn't bother me much.

Finds under $50

guirlande sandals original at Anthropologie for $68, now $29.99 at piperlime, I am not sure that qualifies for 25% bing cashback or not (bing keyword, gap cashback)

Kate Spade Dragon fly pendant necklace $46.90

I love all weddings

Friday night I was going to try on the dress and the accessories together for wedding next day.  Then I realize the strap is too long on the Tea and Sweet dress. I couldn't hide the Bra without tugging and I am sure if I have to take my daughter along this tugging is just not going to work.  So I took out some of my old cocktail dresses from the days when companies still give good Christmas parties.  Guess what,  I gain weight.  I can manage to squeeze into them, but I am afraid after that, something is going to be torn even with a simple sneeze.  Panic!!!!

The wedding ceremony is at 1:00 so I figure a floral dress might do the job anyway. Can you tell by the picture where the wedding is?

What am I wearing? 

Dress: Anthro Botanical Stroll Dress
Shoes: LOFT nude flat
Bag: Banana Republic Braid
Jewelry: J CREW beaded perl necklace.
I did bring a cardi along, but end up not needing it even inside the church.

My daughter really likes the dress when she went shopping with me at Anthro.  I had bought the dress twice, first time I bought it out of impulse, then I return it.   I even past it after it went on sale on line, but finally caved in after trying it on the second time in the store.  My daughter asked if she can wear mine when she grew up, so I bought her this similar one when it was on sale at Nordstrom.  When she see me putting on the Botanical stroll dress,  she decided she will wear her version of it.  I seriously think she looks better :-)

What is my daughter wearning:
Floral dress from nordstrom
Hello kitty Glitter Ballet flat from target
Legging from Hello Kitty
Begin to see a trend now? Yes, Hello Kitty rules, so does princess

The church is very beautiful with the painted window.  My daughter ask me about it and I am so bad at bible story, I end up telling her to ask Ms Apple when she goes to school.  Despite being beautiful, this church has a problem with its acoustic.  There is a ring to everything the priest said made it very hard to hear.

My daughter although behaved the whole time, doesn't really understand what was going on.  To be honest, neither do I because I can't hear anything clearly.   When the couple finally kissed each other, My daughter was sipping water from her water bottle.  Then she ask, "when are they going to get married?"  

The reception dinner is at 6:00, so we had sometime to take a nap.  I change to something darker for the night. Ritz at half moon bay is pretty cold.  But since it is mandated valet parking, I figure I will be inside most of the time.

Dress:  Anthro Asters Everywhere Dress Cardi: Anthro Cover in Cables Cardi Boots:  J-41 Ankle boots Necklace: Hibiscus Couplets Necklace (Anthro) Bag: Kate Spade "Claverly Maryanne" Bow Shopper

It was a beautiful reception.  My friend and her bride planned this for 9 month.  He has always been a perfectionist and always do everything with 100% effort and this wedding is no exception.  They put a lot of details into the reception to make the night special.  Like this ice sorbet in between the course.  The star ice sculpture is so beautiful and romantic.  

It is interesting to see people after all these years.  People on my table are from our high school.  I even did a dance with them in the school Chinese culture performance.   However, I don't remember them and they don't remember me either. Haha.  After some chatting, I started to recall their faces.  Two of my college classmates had just became proud new fathers.  It was the first time I meet their wives too since two years ago.

The girl next to me ask me how long I have been married.  I have to pause because I have lost count.  After telling her it has been 12 years, she ask me, what is the secret of long marriage.  Is 12 years really that long? It certainly doesn't feel that way. Our wedding day just seem only yesterday.

While waiting for the food, my daughter draw this card for the couple over the menu card.

She was eager for the bride to come visit our table, the same way she was waiting for the princess to arrive at Disney's Ariel's Grotto.  She want to give the bride this little card and had to check on it every how often.  We put it away for a while, because we were afraid she might smear food on it.  When the bride finally came over, she was too shy. She quickly gave the card to her and ran back to us before we can even snap a picture.  When she doesn't see the bride holding her card, she ask with great concern: "where is the card I gave to her".  I told her not to worry because the bride's brother was holding it.


The night ended with a ice-cream lollipop.  It is the first time I had this.  My daughter had the strawberry flavor and I had coconut.  The girl behind the stand dipped the lollipop into the dark chocolate we desire.  After that, my daughter has nuts on top,  and I had nuts on one side, chocolate chip on the other side.  Yum Yum, so good...

Day 15-17

My shopping ban is near the end.  I have a feeling that I will go into full rebound once the ban is lifted.  There are so many things I have been eyeing on.   If I do that, I will have to go into another ban.  This is almost like a bad diet, you refrain yourself only later to eat more.  I would also need to make an exception for Saturday not to wear the 21 items as I have a wedding to attend.  I had miscalculated the date.  Another mistake, I didt realize that the wedding ceremony and the reception was so far apart.  Wedding is at 1:00 pm but the reception is not till the evening.   Does that mean guest will get to change to evening appropriate outfit from the ceremony?

Day 15:  JCrew day
Top: JCrew  Coralie Cami  
Bottom: JCrew Watercolor floral pastiche pencil skirt
Shoes: JCrew Lily pump.  
My foot was so tired that I end up ripping everything off as soon as I got home and change to my PJ T-shirt and shorts. So no pictures for the day.

Day 16: Swing to the casual side.  I have to stand outside of my daughter's ballet class, no way I am wearing the pump no matter how comfortable it gets.
Top:Jcrew appliqué mum art tee  
Bottom: LOFT Linen Capri 
Cardigan: LOFT Wrap Cardigan 
Shoes: J-41


Day 17: So here is my last item of the remix replacing the destructed jeans.  I end up not choosing a dress as I originally planned.  The weather gets pretty cold in the morning and my feet are tired too.  So I end up with the short boots I often wear when I need to do a lot city walking.

Top: Anthro Brewed Bean Shell


Bottom: Anthro Embroidered skirt.  
Legging: Anthro Legging.  
Shoes: Dansko military boots
Carigan: JCREW Jackie Cardigan






Also my birthday gift from my mom came today.  What do you think? The picture is kind of weird angle. Does it remind you of a cask for a broken leg with the buckles?

And here is the half finished new closet! Hubby installed it today.  Still have not replace the old drawers yet, but I they are good enough so maybe we won't need the drawers.

Seattle

To be honest, Seattle was not #1 on my list of travel spot.  I do have to save a little after blowing up big money on the Maui trip this April.   My original thinking was taking the kids Hotel hopping in Las Vegas.  One of my friend brought up the concern of smoking so I changed my mind and another friend suggested Seattle.  My first reaction was "What is in in Seattle"?  In my mind, it is just like San Francisco.  After looking at the incredible pictures of Mt Rainier and San Juan Island, Seattle all the sudden became very attractive.  The time I book is too short, or I would love to go to Mt Olympia too.

Airfare is comparable to going to Vegas, and 4 star hotel downtown runs $164 for one of the day and then weekend is only $99, couldn't believe it.    However I couldn't find any place to stay on San Juan Island.  It seems to be a place full of bed and breakfast.  Having two kids and one of them having a very restricted diet, bed and breakfast just doesn't seem to be a good idea.  In fact most of these bed and breakfast place doesn't even welcome kids under 12. I end up calling all night and didn't find anything too ideal.

So I guess we will just have to stay in Seattle and make day trip then.  Ferry would be fun for the kids.  Who wouldn't like to ride on a big boat!

The good news, it looks like the hotel we book is 2 or 3 minute walk to Anthropologie at downtown Seattle. I will be sure to stop by the store there and check it out.  These days I am less and less likely to explore new stores.  Mabye because I am always so constraint with time, so I want to be fruitful when I do go shopping.

So after all the travel planning, I realize, hey, there is a Anthro sale today.  I didn't even thought of checking it out.  Oh, wait, but I am on a shopping ban.  Never mind.