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I have retired

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:58:49 GMT

I've retired from Adobe. I left on Wednesday August 22, 2007. I was very touched that about 50 or more turned up at a little cake party to say farewell. That's nice. And I'm working on something interesting for the future. I'd like to be self employed. And I'd like to work a lot less than a full-time job. And I'd like work that's interesting, quite challenging - however projects are short and swiftly completed. I think I've found this nirvana. And when I've researched it a little more, I'll share it on this RSS feed.

Ike - Countdown to D-Day

Robin Mills — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 15:53:51 GMT

We got this one from the video-library. It's not very long and I thought "this was made for TV" because of the way some scenes were linked. Clearly intended for the commercial break.

However with that irritation out of the way, the action and acting is quite terrific. It's pretty clear that the Allies smoked their way to victory - most the action is shot through a thick pall of cigarette and cigar smoke. It's no surprise that a non-smoking, tee-totaller like General Montgomery was passed over as Supreme Commander in favour of the more affable General Eisenhower. The fact that his boss (FDR) was putting up most of the men, machines and money must have figured in his appointment.

Eisenhower was a great Leader of Men and this portrayal does a great man justice. He successfully oversaw the largest military operation in history. An amazing achievement from which he went on to be one of America's most successful Presidents. The action however in this movie is the 60 days leading up to the dispatch of troops to the beaches in Normandy.

I hope the team which made this movie stay together to follow up with the Battle of Normandy and the Liberation of France. Selleck in the title role is quite outstanding and well supported by a very credible cast.

Very highly recommended 4/5

San Jose Mercury News 10k Run

Robin Mills — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:06:17 GMT

Really great day out on Sunday at the San Jose Mercury News 10k. Jean won the Masters and was third overall. Penny and I both improved by more than 1 minute from last year.

Downfall

Robin Mills — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 16:59:40 GMT

This movie is about Adolf Hitler at the end of World War II. We're with Hitler, Eva Braun, Goebbels, Speer and the high command of the Nazis in Hitler's bunker as the Berlin falls to the Russians.

Most of the action is set in the concrete bunker. Occasionally we leave the bunker to see the devastation and mysery being inflicted on the civilian population. Some of the fighting scenes are very explicit and the sound is amazing. This is a "white knuckle" movie. Although we know the final outcome, the drama is very tense. People with heart conditions should avoid this movie!

The portrayal of Hitler is interesting - sometimes he raves like a lunatic with no compassion for the German people. At other times he is sensitive and caring for the people around him.

This is a powerful movie (German language). 4.5/5 (very good, or possibly must see).

Schultze gets the blues

Robin Mills — Sun, 27 Mar 2005 16:50:05 GMT

I fell asleep in this one. It started off slowly and I noticed the lady along the row had fallen asleep. Later she started snoring. About an hour of total boredom later, I slipped off to the land of nod.

Ali liked this. It's a kind of meaning of life kind of movie. It won "Best Movie" at the Stockholm Film Festival - so it clearly has merit which I failed to appreciate.

It starts off slowly, and then gets slower. Not recommended 1/5.

Robots

Robin Mills — Thu, 17 Mar 2005 07:06:04 GMT

This is an amazing movie. The animation has to be seen to be believed.

The overall story is a little weak - it's a kind of "The Wizard of Oz" story and quite predictable. However the detailing is amazing. A corny story is told with amazing music, graphics and humour.

You can see it at the IMax - and it's probably even better there. Ali doesn't like the IMax - makes her feel a bit queezy - so we saw this in the regular theatre.

This is the third very good animated movie I've seen in the last couple of years. "The Incredibles" and "Finding Nemo" are also very good.

This is a must see movie. 5/5

Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind

Robin Mills — Thu, 17 Mar 2005 06:55:20 GMT

We watched this one on video. I believe Kate Winslet was nomiated for an oscar for this and as we missed it in the theatres, we got it from Blockbuster.

This move is quite interesting. I has a very unusual and surprising story. Jim Carey (the Mask) and Kate Winslett (Titanic) in the leading roles are very good. Kate said this was Jim's best performance. He was terrific in the Mask - everything else has been kind of goofy. This is the first time I've seen him acting a credible and straight role.

The supporting roles were mixed. Kirsten Dunst was so-so. I don't even remember Ruffalo and Wood. The doctor guy was good - I think he was in "The Full Monty".

Any way, a good show. Worth watching 3/5.

Mother's Day

Robin Mills — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 12:17:58 GMT

Mother's Day is always in March in England - although the USA and most of the world celebrate this in May. Alan and Jen sent Ali some flowers and a card - and here they are for all to see. Thank you Alan and Jen.

Hotel Rwanda

Robin Mills — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 05:16:20 GMT

This is a very harrowing movie. It's a story of heroism in a sea of human suffering. The depiction of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 is graphic and clear. The story is very tense. Very good acting, effects and sets. This is almost a "must see movie" - however be aware that it's a white knuckle shocking movie. Recommended 4/5.

Finding Neverland

Robin Mills — Sat, 05 Mar 2005 23:05:52 GMT

Ali and I went to see "Finding Neverland" with Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman.

Interesting. It featured in the oscars and Ali thought she'd like to see it. I liked Johnny Depp's Scottish accent - seemed very plausible to me. Stong performances by the leading ladies. It's a long long time since I last saw Julie Christie (Lara in Dr Zhivago).

Dustin Hoffman's part seemed quite unimportant to the story - the movie would have been the same without him. It's a pity he didn't have an English accent - an American running a theatre in Edwardian England didn't seem plausible.

Doug in the office thought this was a "dont worry if you miss this one" kind of movie - and I understand what he means. I'd give it "recommended" 4/5.

Oscars 2005

Robin Mills — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 04:50:59 GMT

I think overall the oscar awards seemed quite good this year. As the show progressed, I though "Ah, the Aviator is going to clean up". Not so. Jamie Fox got Best Actor in "Ray". Clint and crew in "Million Dollar Baby" got Best Movie/Director/Acress/Supporting Actor. Very good. I was a little disappointed that "Sideways" only got a single award. Oh well - nobody understands the decisions of the Academy.

Sideways

Robin Mills — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 18:58:02 GMT

Ali and I went to see the movie "Sideways". This is expected to feature highly in the upcoming Oscars next Sunday. It's very funny - one of the best comedies I've seen in years. It's set in the wine country of California - Santa Barbara County I believe. We didn't know any of the locations, although we've been to similar places. We both really liked it - especially the actress who played "Myra". Highly Recommended (5/5)

Nicholas' birthday

Robin Mills — Mon, 21 Feb 2005 23:30:46 GMT

My Adobe colleague Robert Filippini has a little boy and we were invited to his 2nd Birthday Party. Very nice evening with the following guests:

Geri, Robert and Nicholas Filippini

Ed and Jean Fiala

Doug and Carol McBride

Joan and Bruce Huang

Ali and Robin

Photos from Nicholas' 2nd Birthday Party: click here

Running at San Juan Bautista

Robin Mills — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 23:30:59 GMT

My colleagues from Adobe Norwich - Clive Rees and Daniel Burwitz were visiting San Jose and staying over the weekend. So on Saturday Feb 5, they joined Ali and I for a trip to San Juan Bautista where Robin was running in the Mission 10 mile Run. Also participating were Penny Beeston, Maritza Lew and Jim Poje. Penny's family all came for a reunion with the Poje family. We were all on Vacation at Glacier National Park, Montana in 2004. Dennis and Terri also came to cheer everybody over the finish line.

Some very good running from Jim (68 minutes), Penny (80 minutes), and Maritza (95 minutes). Jim equally his time from last year. This was Penny's first time in this event and she equalled Robin's 2004 time. Maritza was hoping for 10 minute miles and did much better than that. Robin's time (88 minutes) is best not mentioned (I haven't been training). Congrats to everybody. And thanks for your company at lunchtime.

After lunch, Clive, Daniel, Ali and Robin looked around the mission at San Juan Bautista and then drove down to Monterey for a visit to Ghiradelli's Ice Cream shop and a walk to Pacific Grove. Very nice time. Ali and I always enjoy visits from the Adobe Norwich people and today was no exception. Thanks guys, we're always very happy to see you and show off California to you.

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

Robin Mills — Mon, 21 Feb 2005 23:35:37 GMT

We went to see this movie with Dennis and Andrew. Very interesting. It's a documentary about a guy in San Francisco who takes a very close interest in a flock of 45 wild parrots who live about his home in Telegraph Hill. Recommended (4 out of 5).

Robin's Birthday

Robin Mills — Sat, 22 Jan 2005 23:35:47 GMT

Here are photos from my birthday 2005 Photos and last year 2004 Photos

A Ranking System

Robin Mills — Sat, 05 Mar 2005 23:03:09 GMT

Here's how I rank movies, theatre and other public performances:

5/5 Highly Recommended. Please go to see this.
4/5 Recommended. Good. You'll like it.
3/5 OK. Neither good nor bad.
2/5 Poor. I didn't like it.
1/5 Bad. Give this a miss.
0/5 Awful. Don't let anybody you know go to see this.

Most are 4,3 or 2. I seldom award 5 or 1. Almost never award 0.