Another Under the Radar

When I read that a reviewer compared Another Earth to Gattaca, I immediately rented it.

However, the film isn't comparable to Gattaca. I don't think it's as good - unfortunately - but it is poignant. Painfully so, at times. There are some achingly good camera angles. This is a film that does not need action. Fifty words need not be used when a look will suffice or indeed exceed. In a sense, the revelation - as all films need them - is not surprising. This film reveals its secret, but as so often missed, it's the journey that's breath taking. How a story is told, not what the story is about. Another Earth isn't even all that much about another mirror earth: the science fiction angle is used as a prop, not a crutch. A prop to mirror the protagonist's self.

I jumped straight here after watching the film. It put me into an introspective, ponder-ing, mood. I come to conclusion that I prefer films where you see characters as humans: at their shambolic worst, idle, picking their nose, unable to conquer their demons, standing at the cusp of love to turn back in self disgust, selfish, giving, hating, grieving... 

What happens when backyard soil is used..

So I've already talked about planting dandelions. I guess the side effect of saving money and using backyard soil is that there can be contamination. Witness:

Now I have no idea what is what. There's some grass (I think) growing at the left most corner. But what are the rest? There are at least 5 different types of plant growing here. I guess time will tell. I should probably move them into a larger/deeper pot at some point.

Lesson to be learned? It's fun to use random soil.

Dandelions + Container = Easy House Plant

I was out walking when it occurred to me that I could grow dandelions as a house plant. Why would I want to do that? A little Google-fu will tell you that (young) dandelion leaves make for a good salad and that dandelion roots are good as a coffee substitute when roasted and ground into a powder. Let us not forget the humble 'Dandelion and Burdock' fizzy drink. They're also phenomenally easy to grow. Just mix a load of the seeds into the topsoil of pot of garden soil (don't waste your money with potting soil), water it to keep it moist every few days and you'll find a few little saplings within 2 weeks.

If you really cared about the dandelions, you could use potting soil and liquid plant feed. They actually prefer a sunny spot on your window ledge, with soil that has good drainage (c.f. your garden lawn).

These popped up overnight after being planted for just under a week. I used the macro lens of my compact camera to capture the image. Each leaf is only a few millimetres across.