I love movie trailers that get me all excited inside. I love movie trailers even more when they can get me excited about something I never, in a million years, thought I'd get excited about. For example, when my wife Catharine and I started dating, I took her to see Spellbound, a documentary about spelling bees. I thought the trailer looked really interesting and I wanted to show her that I had some varied interests. She laughed throughout the whole thing, not because it was funny (which it was) but because she couldn't believe I'd take her to a documentary about spelling bees. What really should have been a relationship killer turned into what I like to think was the catalyst for a fantastic relationship, a fulfilling marriage and a beautiful family that I never imagined I could have. Who would have thought anyone could make a movie about spelling bees so compelling, dramatic and entertaining?

Documentaries as of late have been experiencing a surge of popularity, being adopted by mainstream audiences (much to the chagrin of some hipsters I know). I'm not sure why this is but I have a theory. Three in fact: first - the quality of dramas/comedies have declined in recent years. It's harder to come up with original stories and movie studios are relying on the quick buck that sequels tend to bring in. They are essentially dumbing down movies and unfortunately many audiences buy into it regardless. Second - with the creation of "The Internet", YouTube, Vimeo, and Reality TV, people are really digging "fact"-based stories over fiction. Real is the new fake. Third - Documentaries are just better than they used to be. Maybe that's because of the filmmakers, maybe it's because of the technology they're using or maybe it's because the topics are more varied and engaging. Who knows? Maybe it's all of it. Maybe I'm way off base.

Anyway, this brings us to "Indie Game". I don't know how the entire movie is going to turn out but if it's anything like the trailer, I say "game on". I'm not a big gamer myself. I've got a PS3 and some games but as much as I've tried, I've never gotten into any of them. The great thing about the trailer is that in a matter of minutes, it draws you in to the world of game development from the points of view of the developers. It shows just how much of themselves they put into their work and how much is riding on their work's success. Winnipeggers, Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky have obviously put a lot of passion into this film and I for one can't wait to see it.

The snark, formally referred to as the point d’ironie, deserves serious consideration for a punctuational revival. Originally used in the 16th century, and more recently in 1899 when French poet Alcanter de Brahm suggested its return, the snark signifies what it’s name suggests - sarcasm.

Come to think of it, there are a lot of punctuation needs that have emerged through our increased use of the written word for day-to-day social and professional interaction. It’s not a need to clarify wording, but the need to convey the intended tone.

I would love a visual cue I could use for the follow up email, something that emits the feeling of being desperate to know when you’ll get what you need, understanding of the difficulties the other person faces, but clearly and politely running out of time.

I don’t know what that would look like, but if it’s anything like those ridiculous sideways winky happy faces, forget it. When I was a six year old girl I didn’t dot my i’s with hearts and I’m not about to start now.

So bravo to Henry Hitchings, who, in the Wall Street Journal, suggested revisiting lost and struggling punctuation candidates from the recent and distant past. We need linguists, graphic designers, bored desk jockeys and keyboard manufacturers to suggest and deliver snarks, interrobangs, their cohorts and their offspring to add depth and contrast to the monotone landscape of texting and email.

:) place snark here.

This is one of those pieces of work that you come across once in a long while that feels full and complete. I love it when I experience something like this because it happens so rarely. The Spike Jonze and Olympia le-Tan co-created Mourir Auprès de Toi, is a beautifully torrid little love story that fits humour, suspense, tragedy and love into the span of a perfectly paced few minutes that leaves you walking away from the table fully satisfied while at the same time wanting more. Thanks to Ed Huot for posting this on Facebook and introducing me to Nowness which will surely become one of my regular web haunts from now on.

I just came across some super fantastic street installations by an artist from the UK that goes by Slinkachu. He's been creating these 'little' scenes since 2006. I don't know how I have never seen these before. These are just a couple of them I found most amusing but, there's more on his website which you'd be silly not to check out. http://slinkachu.com/little-people

In honour of the man himself, I am going to keep this short and sweet. Check out Funny or Die for more Ron Swanson tributes.