slacking, drinking, skiing, Bond, and squirrels.

Hello, vast readership of approximately three.

My term is complete! I took my 30 minute oral exam and proudly handed in my paper (18 days late, a new personal best) on Friday. Celebration began immediately, as I went to the grad lounge to pre-drink before the departmental Christmas party booze-up, which was excellent. I had about a dozen beers over the evening, and failed to drink enough water that night. I was drunk enough to forget if I made a complete ass of myself (which is likely), which is fine by me: I don't even want to know. The hangover on Saturday was not quite bad enough to prevent me from joining friends going to Sunshine Village for skiing, but was bad enough that I had to insist that Jason pull over and stop as quickly as he could at one point on the drive there. Powerade at lunchtime saved the day.

The skiing was fantastic. The mountain was virtually empty, the snow was 'decent' quality (counts as excellent quality back east) and the weatherwas perfect. It was between 0 and +5 or so all day, glorious! Plus the mountainous view is more impressive at Sunshine than any other ski hill I have ever been to; and the light through the thin clouds was incredible. I was kicking myself for not bringing my camera. I had rental skis which were virtually untouched because they replace them all at the beginning of each season, and were terrific. They carved like you wouldn't believe and I was amazed every time at their ability to turn sharply.

The most unexpected part of the day was on the last run, the ski-out to the parking lot, when against all odds I struck a small squirrel. The crazy creature basically fell down a tree on the right and bolted across the thin trail. It was most of the way across then doubled back. It would have made it back again too, but when almost off the trail it doubled back again. It froze just in front of me, then doubled back again, right into my left ski. I lifted it quickly but the impact was distinctly audible. Either not seriously injured or on adrenaline, it ran off in the other direction across the trail and into the woods, cutting across the woman behind me. She and I looked at each other, absolutely shocked. We were both lost for words. As I waited for my friends on the next rise I wondered if it was some sort of omen. Don't we have a deal with the squirrels?

Next day I got a much needed haircut and then went for roast-beef dinner with a (now graduated) doctoral student of my father's. There were five people there and the meal was excellent, although I felt conspicuously young by at least 10 years.

Then yesterday (Monday) I went to see Casino Royale. It is excellent, I've read the book (it's the first one Fleming wrote) and the film sticks fairly well to the plot in the book, with changes made to reflect that the Cold War is over. Craig's Bond fits much better with Fleming's decription of how he should look and behave than any prior Bond: much more cold, serious, and gritty than the suave pun-spewing Bonds of earlier films. He's like Timothy Dalton, although I wasn't a fan of Dalton.

They've rebooted the series (it's Bond's first mission as a double-O agent); and they're starting over with modern film technology and a revised concept of who Bond is and how he operates. It is actually rather refreshing, and it all seemed believable and tangible so long as you understand the departure from continuity in the series. I can't say I'm going to miss the cartoonish exploits of some prior Bond films, as I always found the more reasonable plots more entertaining (eg Goldfinger, Octopussy).

I think Craig works well as Bond, although his flappy ears are at times amusing to behold. He's also the most athletic Bond since Connery (although they didn't "show off" Connery like they have done with Craig; it's not obvious in those early films how built Connery was, he was in contention for Mr. Universe in 1953). I think I miss the flippancy and wit shown by the Bonds of Connery, Moore, and Brosnan, but regardless I think this is the best Bond since Goldeneye, and very possibly better.

The car (2007 Aston Martin DBS) is utterly amazing, and they do feature an iconic DB5 as well. But in a nice departure from the recent films, there are no missiles, machineguns, mortars, or howitzers in the car. Nor does it go invisible, although with no Q we don't get a rundown on the gadgetry, we only see the medkit including a portable defibrillator. The sound of the DBS engine was like hearing God himself. I can't wait till the Top Gear guys get their hands on one!

A couple of weeks here to organise my desk, book my probe time next term, and select what parts of what thin sections to zap with electrons. Home on the 21st (evening), but leaving for England on Christmas day (~9 pm from Halifax) and not back until the 3rd. Then I return to cowtown on the 7th. Hopefully this will be enough time to meet up with most of you at some point. Book now to avoid the rush!