A great movie but a bad choice to watch last night was “Leaving Las Vegas”.  I’d seen it long ago and again was mesmerized by simply brilliant performances by Nick Cage, for which he won the Oscar, and Elizabeth Shue, who was nominated. But this is one of the most depressing films of all time.  I also learned that the writer of the book on which this movie is based – a loosely autobiographical account of the destructiveness of alcoholism – killed himself about 2 weeks into the production of the film. 

My problem with this?  I’m off to Vegas in a few days for the MIX06 conference. MIX06 is Microsoft’s effort to gain some traction in the growing mashup/Web 2.0 space.  It’s at the splendid Venetian Hotel and I’d rather be marvelling at the architectural extravagances and enjoying the huge MS party at “TAO” than worrying about how many of the people walking the street are doomed to untimely and lonely deaths at the hands of their obsessions.