Happy Day-After Thanksgiving!

Is it sacrilegious that I am not participating to the nouveau Thanksgiving tradition of getting in line at Best Buy to buy a $400 laptop? Then call me a heretic. I woke up late today and happily drove myself (traffic free!) to work today. I mean, I'd really much rather sleep in and stay in my jammies the whole day, but between going to work or doing the Black Friday shopping, I'd pick work, hands-down.

Anyway, Happy (day-after) Thanksgiving!

Ed's note: Seriously people, it's just shopping. No one should die while shopping, or working in retail, for that matter.

A Trimester's Gone By...

It has been a while since I last posted. I'm happy to share to my reader(s) --- myself, that I am still around and able to write. So what's happened in the last three months?

- I've started my third term in my graduate (but not-quite graduate) program
- Summer's over!
- TV's fall season has started: The Office is back!
- The beast, that is, the credit collapse, has reared its ugly head
- The US is $700B poorer
- Tina Fey was the break-out star of the presidential campaign
- We've elected Barack Obama as the 44th Prez (yay!)
- Prop 8 passed (Hwaaah!)

I've also seen a couple of movies, finished anime a couple of anime series along the way. Saw a band play in Napa. Signed up in Facebook (I don't know why)... and many more that are probably not-so interesting. Anyway, I'm back. Just thought I should pop in and say hello.

Feist and I have something in common...

We both love counting to FOUR.



For me, it's FOUR more days until the Feist concert in Berkeley. Yay!

Bonnaroo Recap: Thanks Joe!

I have so many things going on right now, and since Joe's always been the better writer and photographer, I'm pretty much just stealing his recap of the Bonnaroo awesomosity!

Please click here (or to the side) to traverse to Joe's blog.

match.com: if only the hotness were real

After checking my e-mail for the 20th time today, I noticed the ad to the right hand of the "breaking news" (to me, at least) that Angelina's going to give birth to the hottest twins on the face of the earth very soon (much to my sister's disappointment). The ad was from match.com, I was about to click on it when I realized, "guys who are that cute won't go to match.com"... I retreated my finger from the clicker and cursed match.com for all their lies.




Ed's note: TBH, I'm more a Matt Damon fan than a Ben Affleck fan, but this guy looks like Ben with the friendly demeanor of Matt, so I say win-win!

Ed's note 2: Also, I think he's watching some girl doing something naughty on the webcam. Pretty pervy, me no likey.

Claire, I'm just waiting...

So, I just got done watching the second season of Lost. It's an awesome show (more on that some other time). I do have my favorites and Claire isn't one of them. Seriously, I am just waiting for her to say "The dingo ate my bay-bee!". In my head, I think the writers/producers intentionally made the Australian chick the pregnant one, just so they could hear her say "bay-bee" over and over and over again. It was making me pretty crazy that I wished the polar bear would come eat her baby and say something like, "Who are you calling a dingo now?".

If I had a drinking game with myself everytime she uttered the word "bay-bee" throughout the second season, I probably won't be writing this entry because I'd be off to my twice-a-day AA meetings.

Ed's note: I am aware that Claire may or may not be dead now. I still have two seasons to catch up to. Cut me some slack.

Best. Post. Ever.

As I was perusing my favorite Webby award-winning celebrity/fan site, I came upon this little gem of a post. I suggest that you click on the link to the original article... it's HIGH-larious!!! No number of exclamation points can translate how I feel about this article.

Never mind that it's from 2003. The Doody's will always remain The Faggot Family in my heart.

Ed's Note: This thing is so much funnier if you're not Brit and if you have a humor of a 12-year old.

Bonnaroo or Bust? Definitely the former.

Just got back from my trip through the Midwest and the South. I don't know how else to explain the experience, other than it being AWESOME!!!

Will post pics (and thoughts) soon.

Memorial Day Weekend Eye-Popping Extravaganza

What did I do over the long weekend, you ask? (No? I'll share it anyway.)

I devoured eight 1-hour episodes of the first season of Lost. After several seasons of hearing mostly good things about the show, I have decided to see what the fuss is all about. My verdict: Good. Not great, but good. My main issue is the acting, but it was the first couple of episodes into the first season, so I'm sure the actors have gotten better as the season/series progressed. Story-wise, they sure know how to reel viewers in (a polar bear? in a tropical island? WTF? Are you there Dr. Moreau?). Oh yeah, and Boone is a hot pretty boy, but I think he's going to die, or is he??? (du-du-dunnnn)

So, after eight straight grueling hours (for my eyes, not me per se), I decided to take a break from Lost... and started watching anime (i know, poor eyes).

I borrowed several DVD's from the SSF Library before the long weekend and I grabbed one anime series entitled, "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge" or "The Wallflower" (I am not entirely sure what the Japanese title translates to, there seemed to be more to it than just being a wallflower). The DVD were episodes 1-5, which I've finished prior to the eye-popping extravaganza, so to break-off from mood that was set by serialized/scripted Survivor-slash-Fantasy Island aka Lost, I finished the remaining twenty 30-min episodes in The Wallflower series. My verdict: OK. Not bad, not exceptional, OK-good. I think I've mentioned it before, but when I watch an anime, I place a lot of weight on the graphics, ink work done on it. This series has so-so graphics. I have several other issues, but I think I will post a separate review to elaborate further.

That pretty much is my long weekend. It's pretty lame, and by lame I mean awesome.

What happens when two of my favorite things in the world are put together?

How did I miss this??? I knew Steve Carrell was hosting, but I guess I just haven't been used to watching SNL for a while now, which explains why I missed this short (I heard most of the show sucked).

Anyway, enjoy --- this is like a dream come true for me:



Question: I know Anglophiles are people that love everything English, but what do they call Japanese culture-obsessed peeps like me? Nipponphile?

Movie Review (DVD): Half Nelson

What is a "Half Nelson"? After finding out that no one was named "Nelson" in the movie, I seriously wondered what the heck "Half Nelson" meant. So I quickly ran to the internets to look for answers.

According to this forum entry, a "half Nelson" is a wrestling term "when a wrestler who is behind his opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of his opponent and locks the hand on the back of his opponent's neck. A struggle between two opposing forces ensues". It's a wrestling term? How did I not know that?

Anyway, in the movie, Dan's (Ryan Gosling's character, who is a middle-school history teacher) class lectures were pretty much about "half Nelsons", and I think really, he's just talking about himself. He is battling his own "half Nelson", so to speak. LOL. How long can I go on with "half nelson-ing" this entry to death, I don't know... but me likey. And you know who else me likes? Super-cracked-up hottie Ryan Gosling.

OK back to the movie review: I like this movie. It was kinda slow, but I did not find it dragging. The whole movie was like prepping it's audience for some kind of payoff at the end (i.e. some sort of redemption), which never came. I think this made it more raw and realistic (but then, who wants/expects movies to be realistic nowadays?). The movie was unlike most movies with the "teacher of inner-city kids" tag on it --- no contest was won against the private school, the school didn't get prettier, no special award from the city was given. He was the cool teacher, he taught outside of the prescribed curriculum, his kids seem to like him but that was it. He pretty much left it to the kids if they want to make something of his class. I thought his purpose was more self-serving, teaching was his therapy, the school was his rehab. He found an ally in Drey, one of the kids in school and a budding crack dealer herself, if anything, she needed someone who could help her get out of the crack-dealing cycle in her life. What she got is a crack-using mentor. In the end, all the half nelson-ing within Dan pretty much made him give up. How can he talk someone into leaving Drey alone, when he has nothing better to offer Drey?

Like I said, I'm not much of a "thinking" movie-viewer, but this made me think (at the risk of making my head explode). In the end, I was rooting for Dan and Drey, that they may find a better path for themselves.

Ed's note: The pic posted is very self-serving. Me happy.

What's New?

Nothing much really. I am taking a Business Law course for the summer, and it has taken a lot of my blogging time away --- this is actually a good excuse, if only it was true. The summer course is very true and real, except that, whatever time I'm suppose to spend reading the material, plus writing the case briefs I devote somewhere else... TV! Movies! Sleeping!

Speaking of TV, I haven't even seen The Office season finale. Thursdays are a pain as I don't get home 'til past 10pm (class ends at 9:30)... the good news is that the season is over and there won't be episodes to miss for the time being.

It's been freaking HOT here in the Bay Area... I heard it's going to cool down the next couple of days. Good news.

Fred the bunny scratched my right arm last Wednesday. I now sport two fairly long scratches, one on my left arm and one on the right, looks like I've been cutting myself again. Bad news.

This weekend - Bay to Breakers - I am going to miss it again this year. I have finals the next day. School sucks.

Movie Review (DVD): Eastern Promises

I love movies. I think I've mentioned that a couple of times but I just realized that I've never really done any thorough review of movies (or films, if your one of those types) that I have seen (and I have seen quite a few). The reason is this: I don't know how. I mean, maybe I do, but I do not know how to go about doing it. I'm not a thinking-type, I'm more of the "take-it-as-I-see-it" type. I know it's good when I think it's good (i.e. "think" used here very loosely). So, for my first-ever movie review, I'll keep it simple. OK, here it goes... (the following may contain spoilers)

I like Eastern Promises. Good acting all-around. If not for Naomi Watt's and her mom's (in the movie) English accents, I wouldn't have known that they were in London, which was great because it gives us a London that is seldomly seen. Despite the tatoos and the awful hair (which was researched), Viggo Mortensen is still hot. Favorite scene: the bathhouse scene! I had to laugh at myself for being such a juvenile, but every time some bits of Viggo was shown on-screen, I just had to stiffle a giggle --- I guess I'm no different from those pre-pubescent kids who saw their first boobies in American Pie. Also, it reminded me of my childhood in that scene in Blue Lagoon where the guy (all grown up) was swimming and you could see the shadow of his bits in the water --- but I was actually a kid when I saw that, so that's my excuse for giggling back then. Back to the movie, from the very start, it gave you the feeling that Viggo was a nice guy and he was different from all the other vors. As it turns out, he was working undercover. My issue with the movie is the ending was that it was sort of abrupt. That was it??? The baby (the evidence, pretty much) was saved, Semyon got charged for rape and went to prison, Nikolai took over everything (like he knew he would) since Kirill is a big buffoon... and it was an ending worthy of a "happily ever after"? I wanted more.

So yeah, good movie. Saw the special features and apparently David Cronenberg is into existensialism and other philosophical stuff. He's a "deep" person, that's probably why I didn't get the ending.

WTF! It's May already???

It's been a while since I last posted. I don't really know why I haven't written anything. Not that I don't have anything to rant or rave about (I didn't even do an Office recap!), but I don't know, maybe I just wasn't feeling it. So, here are some of the highlights of things that have happened since Earth Day (I say highlights, but they're really just the stuff I do remember, I think I'm getting old):

• I had two final exams on 4/24, when all of a sudden, the instructor for the other class moved one of the exams the following day. I had to cancel work that day (Yes, it's sad that I am saddened by not going to work --- I sure will miss folding those sweaters). Exams went OK, could've done better. Went out for drinks with classmates after, first time I've had a cocktail in a looooooong time.
• Planned to see Baby Mama or Forgetting Sarah Marshall... ended up seeing Harold and Kumar 2. Loved it. John Cho's hot. Am still planning to see the formers.
• So stoked about the 0.31 cents per scoop promo at Baskin-Robbins. I had four. Four scoops. All of them delish. Jamocha Almond Fudge. World Class Chocolate. Tax Crunch. Maui something-something (it sounded good too). All for $1.29. YAY!
• Bonnaroo trip with Joe made official. There's no backing out now Pipi.
• Registered for Summer classes... missed deadline for Fed loan app. Truly bummed.
• Aunt's birthday. Binge-ate. Ate my feelings because that's what depressed girls do. Or shop. I eat. Indigestion is a bitch.
• Cinco de Mayo. I don't celebrate it. Should've gone to Taco Bell for lunch. I had Tocilog instead.

Well, that's it. I'm sure more things happened... and I'm sure I'll remember them all one of these days. Didn't include important news bits from around the world. World is too crazy now: Daddy is the baby daddy, horsey euthanization and more crazy stuff. My hometown in TV Patrol... again.

Until next time.

Happy Earth Day!

To celebrate this day, let me share a composition from Kirk McGowan --- a real estate developer and cracker extraordinaire. Enjoy!

My Occupation on Earth Day

We build single family homes.

Or maybe I should describe it as - we desecrate nature's beautiful and delicate perfection by gashing and gutting the fruitful and feral earth, ripping flora and fauna from its life source, entombing the ground with a cold, hard impenetrable smashed rock, castrating the virile soil from cradling the untouched seedlings and unsoiled greens. By haphazardly hammering together these boxes composed of tree corpses and unnatural material we oust, we expel, we evict the cute and innocent four legged, two winged, and slimy skinned fellow inhabitants from their protective and pristine homes. Yes, that's right we smash, bash, and shatter; we beat, blow, and pulverize. We demolish, demean, and consume with a rakish smile.

And so we erect these abominations that frivolously shelter garbage bearing, noise supplying, fume yielding, nauseating, repugnant, vile, shameless humans just so these repulsive, gross, foul, vulgar, stinking humans can scrape the landscape by driving their metal contraptions, their vibrating cans of destruction farther and farther from necessity.

But I like to think of what we do is rearrange the chaos in a more organized manner; that's right, we finish the job that god started; basically, what I am saying is we tell mother nature to go back to the kitchen, we're setting the table.

And no, he doesn't buy the whole "global warming" thing... and yes, he used to be a champion swimmer in his glory days. He is Libertarian... which I think explains everything.

Get well Didi!

I haven't been posting for a while now. Didi is sick and I have been spending my extra time tending to her needs. I do have a lot of things to share, to post about, but I do not have time to do it because my little one needs me now more than ever. Also, I have been commuting to my sis' (where Didi is) to medicate her... and that has also been cutting my blogging time.

Please pray for my beautiful and sweet Didi.

Need a paper bag...still hyperventilating

OMFG!!! ---> not trademarked by Gossip Girls yet, so I'm still free to use it. Maybe I should start a new acronym... hmmm, interesting thought.

Anyway, again, OMFG!!! I know I skipped on doing the recap last week and I'll try to work on that, but this one I have to let out before my heart bursts out of my chest (what a pretty picture).

Summary:

Michael and Jan called it quits. Michael was trying to find a new office chair in the supply catalog. He sees something he likes --- the chairmodel! He asked everyone to open their own catalogs and turn to the page where the chairmodel was. He asked everyone to use her as the template... for the ladies they will be setting him up with for dates. Everyone diligently follows, Toby gave an exasperated look. Andy and Kevin are deeply affected by the walk from the satellite parking lot to the office (Andy says 10 mins, Kevin says 30). They arranged for a meeting between the five top dudes from every office in the business park, Michael was so busy with the lady-hunt and entrusted Andy and Kevin to figure things out. Pam sets up Michael with her landlady. It did not turn out well. Jim hinted that Pam might be kicked out of the apartment. They tease each other back and forth about moving in together. Pam said she won't do it unless she is engaged. Jim asked her if he has not proposed yet. She says no. Jocular Jim said it was coming. She asks when. He won't tell, but she has been forewarned. Camera shows the weird, almost terrified look on Pam's face. Dwight takes Michael to the chairmodel's final resting place (oh yeah, Dwight found out she died of an accident). Michael does an impromtu re-working of "American Pie". Andy and Kevin successfully wins the parking lots back. *SQUEE ALERT* Jim and Pam walks toward the satellite parking lot. They were trying to figure out where to go for dinner. Jim suddenly goes down on one knee... Pam has a shocked look on her face... Jim opens his mouth and says, "Hey Pam, will you wait for me one second while I tie my shoe?". MUKYA!!! Pam says she hates him and embarassly walks away. Michael and Dwight jams through dusk.

This is nice, light episode compared to last week's nice but really dark and awkward one. Then again, Michael is not Michael without the awkwardness and we do witness that in the coffee shop scenes with Pam's landlady. This is totally a woman's episode, something of a mini-chick flick, if you will. I am glad I was at my sister's (she has DVR) because I was able to go back and forth, back and forth to the really cute Jam scenes. I think I did that four times.

Some other favorites from this episode:
- Kevin wanting to win so bad (my heart broke a little)
- Michael calling Oscar, "Oscar Mayer, wiener lover"
- Creed wanting Pam's chair so he can have two of the three he wants.
- Creed knowing Pam's name.
- The only time we see Toby on screen and he's shaking his head
- Andy's dance in the parking lot
- The exchange between Jim and Pam on their walk to the parking lot -- very real
- Andy whining about losing a penny in his loafer
- Andy's speech on the working man's need of a good parking spot

I give this episode a B+ for satisfying my Jam cravings!

Let me make this short and sweet...

The Office. Is. Back. Tonight. 9pm. NBC.

Swimming 101

Tomorrow's a BIG day -- It's my first day of swimming lessons at the City Park and Rec. Sure, I'm nervous. Who wouldn't be? I've been living for almost 29 years and never learned how to swim. It's not like I'm afraid of the water (I'm not), I just never learned how to tread water. I've been thinking of stuff I'll be needing tomorrow and I think this is what I'll end up looking like:

No, I won't forget my swimming cap and goggles, thanks for your concern.

How do they promote TV shows in Japan?

Forget US late night talk shows hosted by the likes of Letterman and Conan (OK, even Leno)... how about a chimp? Then how about a chimp named Gomes Chenbalin?

In my ongoing quest to find out as much as I can about the stars of Nodame Cantabile (ok, mostly about Hiroshi Tamaki), I stumbled upon this clip of him promoting Nodame in this talk show hosted by Gomes Chenbalin, a suit-wearing chimp who apparently speaks very good Japanese. I'm talking about a talk show where the guest is challenged by the host to an obstacle course... a freaking obstacle course! Complete with timer and matching track suits for both guest and host. Totes Brill Paxton.

I think Tamaki got robbed, he clocked in at 1m30s while they stopped the clock for Gomes under 1m even if he was still eating his yogurt (?). Then again, who would like to point this out to a chimp who hosts his own show? Yeah, I don't think so.

Gyabo!!!

"Gyabo" is just one of my two new favorite words, the other being "mukya". I don't exactly know what the hell they mean, still they're fun to say. Of course, these words I picked up from watching my new favorite J-dorama, "Nodame Cantabile". As an avid viewer I should know which came first, the anime or the live-action series... but at the same time, as an avid viewer, I could care less since I enjoyed both versions very much.

I finished watching the live action series, plus the two-episode special this weekend. My verdict: LOVED IT! Can't get enough of it! I heart Nodame and Chiaki Senpai! Mukya!!! (sorry, had to throw that in there). The series was so funny, very cartoony, and the music was great. It just made me want to start learning Japanese again (I already have one and a half classes under my belt)... and playing the piano... or not (on the latter).

This show is HIGHLY recommended... to girls 12-17, otaku's, or single ladies who still get a kick out of a good rom-com [like me].

How Asian Am I?

The result is in:

I guess I'm not THAT Asian as I thought I am. Maybe because I said no on the question on "Slurping"... I'm sorry, but in the very-Asian home I grew up in, we were taught that slurping is bad manners. I guess learning better table manners makes me less Asian.

Let me see, if I have to place a bet on it, my friend Joe would probably score between 20% to 40%.

Honey and Clover

It has been a while since I last posted. I have been busy in my spare time traversing* the internets watching my "Honey and Clover". Yes, it is an anime, a [sigh] beautiful anime. Its setting is an art school in Tokyo... the opening credits are very creative and fun, and it weren't only the illustrations that were attractive and well-drawn, the characters and the story affected me the same way. So what if it follows the young-adult drama formula of: close friends+love triangles+struggles in life, it is still WAY better than any Dawson's Creek or One Tree Hill** or Saved By the Bell (oh wait, not that).

Anyway, I'd like to thank for anime-addicted sis for the heads-up on this show, she knows me too well.

*They use this word a lot in the English-subbed versions.

** I have never seen this show. I know a young adult-type melodrama... I just can't come up with this type shows that I actually watched... oh wait, Felicity... but I liked Felicity.

Turtle-mania...

My co-worker said that I probably looked like this after my fall last night:

But I disagree, this was more like it:

My backpack... my HERO!

I moved out of my sis' place almost a year now, but I still stay with them over the weekends. This means that on Monday nights, after I come home from school, I have to unload bags and bags of stuff from my weekend sleepover. Last night was not an exception... up until the moment I realized that I could have died! Or suffered a head injury... whatever it is, I'll never find out.

To illustrate (in three doodlistic frames):

So with that, I thank my backpack for saving my life OR keeping my head free from any injuries. I loved you at first sight, I will love you more (if that is even possible). Also, thank you Listi for not laughing at me, but then again, you wouldn't have known about my fall if I didn't tell you about it.

Ed's note: Yup, I fell backwards. I made a few steps back because I was clearing some space so I can push my car door with my body. Also, I had more bags on me. The doodles above are just a simple representation of what happened. I also have a face, hair and wear clothes (and glasses).

Doodle of the Day

This is kinda stealing a concept from someone else's blog... but I did say that I like to doodle, and what better way to display my doodling talents than to post my doodles here.

Doodles from the past to follow.

Ed's note: One of my greatest doodling weaknesses is the hand-doodling... those hands are supposed to be "jazzy" not little person-ish and thuggish. Just had to clarify.

The lights are still on...

A couple of weeks ago, my fave blog Best Week Ever asked all its readers to sign a petition to keep Friday Night Lights on air (there was even an issue about it). To be honest, I have never seen the show, but I have heard so many great things about it (Jenna Fischer loves it!); in the future, I'm sure I'll watch it on DVD. And it doesn't hurt that Kyle Chandler is in it, I lurvd him in Homefront (I still think he was too cute for Ginger).

The good news is, it's back on. So, I'm taking this out, no need to have this around (not like anyone clicked on it):

Happy Birthday Mommy!

It's my mommy's 61st birthday today, yay! She's in the Philippines, so it already concluded for her about five hours ago.

Oh Sappy Day!

The last couple of days were just a myriad events. So many things to talk about: there's my family, burying another beloved family member; a day in the city, concluded with a nice lunch at the Ferry Building; the extra day we had this month (February 29th!); new Bleach episodes, etc. Also, there's the Super Tuesday Jr. happening today which is touted as the make or break deal for Hillary. I mean, I could talk about politics, but it isn't my strong suit (do I have one?) so I won't even bother. I could talk about how much crab legs I had last Saturday, but I called-in sick to work that day, and me having the time of my life gorging myself with sweet, succulent crab meat won't be interpreted as being sick at all (for the record, I was already recovering when said crab-fest commenced). I could talk about my new crush, this cute guy in class --- and how I won't be surprised to find out that he's actually gay (it won't be the first time). But in the end, I decided to pay special tribute to Solomon, who was killed off in last Saturday's episode of Blood+. I was devastated to say the least. I shed no tears, which came as a surprise to my sister, because she knows how I can be overly emotional. Call me sappy (and I am), but my heart broke for Solomon. [Sob]

I was going to do a an elaborate recap which will include screen caps, but that would be too much work (I won't work THAT hard, even for Solomon). Anyway, I'll miss Solomon. I know Saya liked him too, and I wish they showed him dying in her arms or something --- now that's sappy.

Ed's note: I just realized, I'm writing about a freaking anime. Yup, I'm a loser, I'm sure you've picked up on that. Also, my tribute to Solomon is by no means disrespecting the recent passing my grand-uncle, I merely want to lighten things up a bit. No one wants to hear another lamentation.

The soothing effects of Ira Glass

Last weekend, I gladly took on the responsibilty of house-sitter and dog-sitter for one of my aunts. My aunt has Jack, a Maltese mix, who is very cute and friendly. He's one of those dogs who would open the door for burglars if they could. Thank goodness for the canine's lack of opposable thumbs and the ability to walk upright.

On my last night at the house, after many unsuccesful attempts of watching TV and in the process, missing the return of "SNL" (can't deal with those HDTV's, damn you controllers!), I decided to tune in to NPR. It was only almost-10pm and I was just in time to catch the re-broadcast of "This American Life" and later, my favorite, "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me...". Let me say again that Jack is a very happy and VERY active dog, but as soon as Ira Glass started talking this started to happen:

And right before the first act, this happened:

I don't remember much after I took that picture, I woke up at 1am cuddled next to Jack.

"Fairplay to those who dream..."

The 80th Academy Awards concluded a couple of hours ago, and in a couple more hours, I will be reading innumerable posts about said awards show: winners, highlights, red carpet reports and such. For me, it was an awesome installment of an otherwise tired annual award ceremony. It was still very Hollywood, yet very refreshing (I don't know, it's probably just me, but the the recent conclusion of the writer's strike made this Oscar's special in a way). There were no American winners for any of the acting awards. Tilda Swinton, a Scot, got the nod for Best Supporting Actress; Javier Bardem, a Spaniard, won Best Actor; Marion Cotillard from France won Best Actress and Irish Daniel Day Lewis, unsurprisingly received the Best Actor trophy. I'm not sure if I'm placing unnecessary significance over this turn of events, but it made the show a lot less Hollywood (I know, I've already said that but hello? Cameron Diaz? Again?! and creepy Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus) and more about the celebration of films, or movies (whatever).

One of the highlights for me (I have two) was another Irish winner, or should I say winners: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, taking home the golden boy for Best Song, Falling Slowly, from the movie Once. I told myself to write something about this movie. It's one of my favorite movies that came out last year (although I only saw it two weeks ago). I like simple things and nothing can be more simple than a story about a guy and girl who met and made good music together. I don't know what else to say... IT'S FUCKING BRILLIANT! (it's an Irish movie, I think it's OK to say this). Here's them performing "Falling Slowly":

And the other highlight for me is Jon Stewart giving an extra minute or two to Marketa to give her speech, as she was abruptly cut-off by the musicians before she could ever say her thanks. I love you Jon Stewart, you've one-upped Stephen Colbert in my book on this special night.

There was really one thing that I skipped as soon as I saw it on TV, it was this guy. I don't know, it's probably just me, but I don't like Jerry Seinfeld... maybe because I never got really into the nothingness of "Seinfeld" (oh, btw, I don't like Jason Alexander and that guy who got heckled... I'm on the fence with that lady who has a rich dad). It might also be that I got sick from all the Bee Movie shorts they showed on NBC. The downside of skipping that was that I never found out who won Best Animated Film, short or full-length (it also doesn't help tuning in late to the show). Oh well, I'm sure I'll find out in a bit.

Ed's note: So, apparently, it wasn't Jon Stewart who decided to bring Marketa back (it was the producer), nevertheless, I still heart him.

Quest for the Best Crab Cake - Issue No.1

I wanted this first issue to be special, was originally planning to write it over the weekend -- but due to some previously-contracted obligation, I will be strapped for time and unable to make this first review as in-depth as I want it to be. Anyway, I guess that's fine, the reality is, this is the best that I can do writing-wise so really, I was just BS-ing. Moving on.

Last Wednesday, my department treated out a customer to lunch. It was his birthday a couple of days back and since he is a pretty OK customer, my boss decided to take him out. I was there for the free lunch, of course. We went to this place:

It's a cool place... it has decent water views, patio dining, and has been in business for a bit (Oracle is nearby so it's never short of people on business lunches or dinners).

On to the really good stuff, so I ordered "Fresh Dungeness Crab Cakes". It has organic greens, crab-avocado salad, organic cherry tomatoes and "Louis" dressing. The sad part was that I didn't get to take a picture of the [spoiler alert] scrumptious meal. I guess I was a bit embarrassed to do it since it was kind of a business lunch.

The presentation was great. Two crab cakes (drizzled with the "Louis" dressing) were placed on top of the bed of greens, a good scoop of the crab-avocado salad sat between them. Crab-avocado salad was great. Very light and the avocado was the right amount, not too overpowering with it's creaminess. The crab cakes were utterly delightful. The crust was perfect, the crab meat "almost" perfect. The dressing was great (a little goes a long way). And yes, I did clean my plate pretty well... not a morsel of anything left. One big negative though: they didn't use lump crab meat. I guess that's the most they can do with with mostly frozen Dungeness crab available in the market. Oh well, I still have to take points off for that.

Verdict:


May I also suggest their Shrimp bisque. It was so good. I personally will go back and try the other seafood dishes.

Simpsons Alert!

If you're a Simpsons fan. You better check THIS out... or else, um, nothing really, I just really want you to take a look at it. That's all. I just thought it's cool and all. Ktnxby.

Crab cakes and me

On my profile, I mentioned that I like crab cakes. Let me retract that, I don't just like crab cakes... I LOVE crab cakes. And with this love for crab cakes, I thought I should go on a quest to find the best one out there. Well, "relatively" the best one, since it would be the best according to my taste alone.

I have been planning to formally document this quest and thanks to this blog that no one ever reads, I will have the ability to grade crab cakes on an ongoing basis... until I croak, probably (unless my kin wants to take on the daunting task). Anyway, I like keeping things as simple as possible, so I figured that I should grade the crab cakes on a scale of one crab for awful to five crabs for excellent.

The lovely crab*

And for the worst of the worst, the most dreadful crab cake, a special grade of imitation crab would be awarded:

The despicable imitation crab

*I had to make my own on MS Paint... I initially used this thing that I got off Google but I think he sells it to people, so to avoid future lawsuits, I decided to draw my own. The same cannot be said about the imitation crab... I can't draw junk like that.

My first review will be posted soon. I just had a big lunch earlier with people from work. Review to follow.

My night with Barry...

I wish I could've been more creative with the title, but it's hard to come up with words to explain what happened Friday night. Awesome? Yup. Delightful? Most definitely. I guess I'll just let the pictures do the talking. Oh, and besides the stage view, all the pictures were taken after the event. We were running late (what's new?). Anyway, without further ado:

Glitter animation a must do!

The Venue

My view from the top

Ok, so about the crowd. I think there were five major demo groups (not necessarily exclusive of each other, i.e. they may overlap in traits) in this musical event: 1) Our beloved senior citizens; 2) Baby boomers; 3) Our gay friends; 4) My Filipino brothers and sisters; 5) Kids who were forced to be taken along for the awesome ride because of the lack of babysitters. Also, the plethora of walking aids were obvious, I was glad Mr. Manilow got to lure them out of their usual confinements.

Enjoyed your popcorn much?

I tried to brush by her.

Some ladies in red hats. I think they're part of a mob or something.

The Fanilows

I tried to take pictures of the other demo group I mentioned, but I was not able to do so. And, even if I didn't get to purchase any souvenirs (because I'm broke), I took pictures of these things I will be looking forward to purchasing... 20 years from now:

And the pièce de résistance:

All in all, it was a great evening. I got to sing a long to most of the tunes... got kinda teary-eyed with a couple of them.

Pwede na pala ang Filipino...

I don't get it. What difference does it really make? Like, I can always start rambling in "Filipino", pero wala naman sigurong mangyayaring kakaiba. Huhulihin ba ako ng punong blogger ng Blogspot para ipatigil ang aking ginagawa? I don't think so. Anyway, it's just weird. But then again, I am really a novice at blogging and I am not computer-savvy as well. So this might have something to do with settings... and I never get anything "customized". Templates are fine by me.

But if anyone can hear me, what does this really mean???

Happy Hearts Day!

moar humorous pics

A prayer has been answered, now a dream has come true...

This is turning out to be one of the best days ever. Ever.

Friday. HP Pavilion, San Jose. My countdown to "My Night with Barry" officially starts now.

Watch out!

My prayers have been aswered...

No, I have not met Mr. Right yet, but this is even better:




I can't wait for The Office to come back on air!

Diff topic: A friend just got engaged!

Common Denominator: Happiness all around! YAY!

Super Anime Saturday!

I haven't been watching as much animes as I used to. Well, to start with, my sister watches more anime than I do. I am very particular with the anime I watch: the drawing should be cute, good story line, with of course, the blushingly adorable love story. Yes, I watch that kind of anime. I mean, I don't mind Ghost in the Shell, I actually like it, but I LOVE the ones that are lighthearted... and cute... with the cute guy characters. :P

Anyway, I did mention that I was kind of out of touch with the latest anime releases out there, but three weeks ago, I stumbled upon The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya DVD on my weekly rummaging of DVD's to borrow at the library (it's free and you keep it for a week!). I watched it with my sister and we LOVED it. It's so kooky and weird and cute. The DVD, unfortunately, was only Vol. 1, I searched the library collection if they have the rest but they didn't... and because I am a resourceful anime fan, I signed up for Netflix' 2-week free trial period so I can watch the rest of the volumes. My sister and I had a marathon last weekend, and Suzumiya and crew did not disappoint. We want more!!! (Unfortunately, there is no vol. 5 yet)




Anyway, on to tomorrow night's back to back anime extravaganza.

WOW. Can Death Note be anymore intense? I don't really know how to root for since I am constantly looking forward on who's going to make the next move. It's like a master's chess game. Last week was such an amazing episode, esp. the phone scenes. L is so awesome, Light is so evil. We'll see tomorrow.





How about Blood Plus? I loved that Saya did not reject Solomon outright, how she said that there isn't really time for dreaming about la-la land or what-not, something to that effect. I suggest that Saya should just get it on with Solomon so she could be pregnant like Diva is with Rikuu's babies. That will be awesome, but I don't think they'll do that because they don't want Haji's character relegated to the side of the Solomon and Saya show. Don't get me wrong, I love Haji, but Solomon's just... um, how do I say this... hotter?




Now, if I could just learn the Haruhi dance.

Super Duper Tuesday!

Today is so super, I even added an extra "duper" to it. It is my first time (as a freshly-minted US Citizen) to exercise my right to vote, and I am so excited about it, super duper excited, if I might add. As a registered Democrat, I will be choosing between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as to who will represent the party in the Presidential election that will commence in the fall (super duper excited about tha too!).

Here's an artist rendition of the super duper-ness:

Stay tuned.

Super Bowl Highlight: That's my cousin on TV!!!

It has happened many times before, I cheered for the losing team. Getting into Sunday, who would've thought the undefeated team would lose? I usually get behind the underdogs but I like Brady, he's from the Bay Area and I (generally) support people who is from this wonderful area of California. Also, he's the prettier version of Matt Damon in my opinion, and I heart Matt Damon, very dearly that anyone that remotely looks like him is showered with my love as well.

The game was awesome, despite my team losing. The ads: not so much (awesome). I did have one ad that I was looking forward to seeing, it was the Pepsi Max ad and my cousin was in it, I'm so excited for her. She was awesome at pushing that serving cart. The. Best. Ever.

Here she is:

I wish she'd make me her P.A. when she gets really famous, like the new Lucy Liu or something (which other Asian girl is famous out there anyway?).

Heath Ledger

It has been almost two weeks since the death of actor Heath Ledger. I did not really want to write about him. News of his death were everywhere: online, TV, radio. I thought in my little way, I am respecting the wishes of his family by staying away from all the hoopla so they can grieve privately (you know, in my own little way). But then, I saw this:

My heart broke at this image of father and daughter. :(

It is such a tragedy to lose a brilliant actor who has not reached his peak yet. He is one of the few actors who is always amazing, whatever role he takes on. Daniel Day-Lewis dedicated his SAG award in his honor last Sunday, a great actor paying tribute to another great actor, they could've been part of the same project someday. Sigh. He surely will be missed on the silver screen.

Heath Ledger
4.4.79 - 1.22.08