Religion, Science and Brunch

The sun was shining today, despite all the dire predictions from the forecasters.

The lovely and talented muffyjo and I made it to First Church for worship to hear the incredible heliopsis preach about religion and science. He has found amazing ways to connect these disparate parts of his life and he is excellent at explaining it. It boiled down to "the truth is good, and both science and faith are about truth in their way, and God likes Science, so there" with wonderful personal examples tossed it to make it understandable for us non-scientists.

The entire service was about science and religion...sciency hymns and readings and prayers, and even a photo of the Hadron Collider on the cover of the bulletin! There was a list in the bulletin of the scientists affiliated with the congregation - 22 of them! The Infectious Diseases Epidemiologist used the passing of the peace to show how diseases spread. Heh. And there were lots of big words like "Helicopter Turboshaft Engine Thermodynamics and Test Engineer!" Wheee!

We dashed off to brunch at Orleans. I need to remember that their Hollandaise is just too watery so I should order something else. They weren't crowded at 11:30 am on a Sunday, which was a blessing for those of us with things to do this afternoon!

Avatar - Second time is the charm

Avatar, Take 1
I finally got to see the blockbuster movie, Avatar, on Wednesday night at the IMAX theater at the Aquarium in Boston. My sister had been campaigning to get me to go ever since it came out, and we finally found a time four months later.

I was worried about the 3-D making me ill, since a number of my friends reported having trouble and I get motion-sick in extreme circumstances, but figured I could coast along closing my eyes now and then. No such luck. I lasted about 30 minutes, then spent the rest of the time desperately trying not to throw up. Closing my eyes didn't help...I had to cover them completely and I still felt like I was being tossed around in a clothes dryer! But I wanted to get the story, so I stayed. I thought once I got out of there, I'd be fine. Nope. My head was still spinning until half an hour after I got home and took to my bed!

But I thought it was a great movie! And I wanted to find a way to see it.

N. and I went to get groceries on Thursday, and discovered that the DVD had just come out. Shaw's was selling it at $15.99, with a free box of microwave popcorn and a box of Hersey's candy. I don't buy DVD's, but I couldn't resist that. I'd have another chance to actually see it, and show it to N. With chocolate!

Avatar, Take 2
So we spent this evening camped out on the coach- it's nearly three hours long! And it didn't make me sick! Hooray! Of course, it is very different on the small screen...none of the 3-D effects or vibrant colors or depth. But I could watch it all and pick up a lot of nuances.

I watched a bunch of the "extras" online which helped me understand what an innovative method Cameron used to create the film. Especially the motion capture, so the CGI is not animated, but laid over the motion and expressions of the actors. I had that feeling that "Star Wars" gave me in the theater many moons ago...the "special effects" were too good...you couldn't remember that it was all "fake." It made me wonder why the Oscars went with some random war movie over this milestone film for best picture.

And I finally understand Ben Stiller's jokes during the Oscars!