My World

Well, I've not read the book, and generally I'm allergic to hype, so I was going to skip this one... then the Church got involved and started making noises (which were almost certainly blown out of all proportion by the media), and I just had to see it.

The film isn't bad, as such, it just isn't good. I honestly don't understand why this film has got anybody's back up. As far as I can tell the biggest concern is that people might not realise this is all fiction. Yeah right. Even "Batman Begins" had a more plausible plot than this film...

My biggest regret about this film though is that it reinforces the "Box office takings = Success" myth that is ultimately going to destroy cinema, and I suppose by paying to see it I have helped hammer another nail in the coffin.

Rating: 2/5

Is enthusiasm a good thing?

At work, we are trying to create a new speciality, and due to my past experience, I'd be an ideal person to get heavily involved with it. Of course, because it isn't what I was originally employed to do, I was given some time to think about whether I want to do it or not.

Now this would be a great oppurtunity for me. It matches my technical skills and interests, whilst giving me a chance to develop my business, managerial and interpersonal skills.

So, after thinking about it for a few days, I told them I wanted to do it - which they seem pleased with - but I've been told that they'd be happier if I was "more enthusiastic" about it. I even got a demonstration off my boss about what enthusiasm looks like!

Anyway, it got me thinking about the things in my life I have been enthusiastic about it, and the things that I haven't, and by and large there is little correlation between that, and how successful the outcome of whatever it was. For example, I was tremendously enthusiastic about doing a PhD right up until the end of the first week, and then hated it for the rest of the 4 years. Conversely I was not keen on leaving primary school and going to secondary school, but actually it was one of the best moves of my life.

But this isn't about how I feel - it's about how the other people in the firm feel....