The Small Update!
I updated my online photo album with 2 new photo albums...one on E3 and one album devoted to all the pictures I have taken during my volunteer work with SDAFF. Check them out here:
E3: http://public.fotki.com/namofni/e3_2k2/
SDAFF Volunteering: http://public.fotki.com/namofni/adventures_in_volun/
As well, I have added two new friend's blog to my Friend's list. Check out the wonderful adventures of Slukas and HighRol HP. Tell them I sent ya!
Instant Messaging
Those may be wondering why I haven't been on Instant Messager programs lately? Well...that's because my work place is attempting to block it. But I have recently been able to get my ICQ and my AIM to work, but not my MSN or Yahoo...In fact, TRILLIAN doesn't work at all! I am forced to used separated instant msger programs! Yikes!
Friday, May 31, 2002
Monday, May 27, 2002
The Big Update!
Okay...time to finally put down what I did in the last week leading up to E3...which started on Saturday June 18 (and in classic Densetsu point form!):
Saturday: A Pinoy College House Party
--so, I was invited to attend my San Diego State friend's birthday party at his friend's place in Otay Mesa. It was BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer) so I brought some alcohol to share.
--Otay Mesa a part of SD that is very close to the border, and VERY far from me
--though I didn't get lost getting to the area, it did take me awhile to find where the party was, because there were other house "parties" in the area.
--case in point, I actually walked into the WRONG house, and into somekind of Hollywood costume party. I asked if this was the party and Elvis walked up to me and said this was his party! It was very bizzard (another funny note, as I walked out of the house, I noticed a lot of motobikes parked outside. Yup, it was a Hollywood Biker party!)
--I also passed a house in which they had an inflatable fun house in the front. I really didn't know if that could be his party as well.
--Finally found the house. Realize I was there a bit too early because no one was really there yet.
--It was cool though. I got to really meet and hang out with some of my friend's closest friends. They were really cool and made me feel welcome.
--It was a small house with a fairly big concrete backyard. There was a DJ spinning there too. The DJ was this really big white guy who looked a lot like Bubba Sparxxx. In fact, all through the nite, he kept playing Bubba Sparxxx.
--though it was very empty at the beginning, it soon picked up, almost immediately and all of the sudden! Droves of "kids" soon came thru the front door and the party commenced!
--we had a small bar of alcohol in which was IMMEDIATELY gone as soon as the "kids" arrived. Even though it was BYOB, none of them brought their own (because they were mostly underage/cheap).
--there was a lot of concern that there were a lot of ppl here and a lot of them were ppl we didn't know, especially with some "gang banger" wannabees. Luckly, nothing bad happened. This is what you should expect with these college parties.
--This party was really jumping. Tons of beautiful girls and great beats. And stupid drinking games! These were the type of parties that SD State students were famous for!
--I unfortunately left a little earlier than usual. I was a bit tired and had to drive another hour just to get home. It was fun, nevertheless.
Sunday: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Asian Pacific American Film Fest Night I
--Alpah Kappa Delta Phi was a sorority at UCSD (University of California, San Diego). They were hosting a film fest for the next 4 nites. I volunteered to promote the SDAFF (San Diego Asian Film Festival) for the next 3 nites.
--I got there early as usual, but my co volunteer didn't. And he has all the stuff (flyers). So, I couldn't set up. Instead, I spent the nite actually watching some of the films.
--each nite had a different theme in which the films shown would be based on. Tonite was based on stereotypes.
--the films were cool. The first film I saw had an impact on me because it was a Canadian film, filmed in Toronto. In fact, it talked about a murder that happened right in my old neighbourhood.
--about 3 films in, my partner in crime finally showed up. He was delayed because he had to dye his hair and pick up some ppl that tagged along with him.
--so we set up and I ended up outside the theatre with table of flyers, ready to promote. It was kinda boring since everyone was inside watching the films.
--luckily, I was outside with those friends of his. There were a couple of girls from San Diego State in which we spent all nite talking about Planet of the Apes, having periods, abortion and working at In N Out burgers (!) Listening to those girls about In N Out and the idiots who order there was hilarious! They should make a movie about that.
--there was also this guy there who we found out makes a lot of money playing the stock markets. Though he wouldn't tell us how much, I really think he's a millionare, even though you would never tell by looking at him.
--the film festival (the first nite anyways) was kinda dead. Not too many ppl showed up, and those who did were mostly from the sorority (who were all damn cute).
--it was kinda disappointing, not just for promoting SDAFF but for ppl to come out to events like this. Its sad, really.
--at least there were sorority girls.
Monday: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Asian Pacific American Film Fest Night II
--afterwork I quickly headed down to UCSD to meet with the person behind this film fest and to help set up for it.
--she was one of the nicest person I have ever met (and extremely cute too). She helped me not only to set up, but to help me find free parking at UCSD. Parking there really sucks.
--she is also someone who was very passionate about what she is trying to do with this film fest, despite the low turn out.
--Tonite's theme was racism thru time. They showed very powerful films about Chinese in San Francisco on Angel Island, Korean Comfort Woman (basically, sex slaves for the Japanese army during WWII) and a reunion of Japanese kids (now grown up) who grew up in Japanese Intermin Camps during WWII.
--I got to watch all 3 movies dued to the fact that we had no table to set up our flyers, so we set them up ontop of desktops in the lecture hall in which the films were being shown.
--despite how powerful these films were, the turn out was less that stellar. More ppl should have seen these movies.
--damn there are a lot of cute sorority girls.
Tuesday: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Asian Pacific American Film Fest Night III
--last nite of the film fest to me (it was into continue tomorrow but I had to drive up to LA then)
--parking at UCSD was much easier, due to the fact I had obtained a temporary parking pass.
--tonite's theme was much more uplifting. It was about "Rising to the occasion". There were films about young Philipinos entertainers in SF and the Indian/Sri Lankian/Pakistian/Nepalian/Bangladeshian community in New York.
--all the films were very entertaining and informative to watch.
--the turn out was better, much better this time around.
--there were also much audience participation which was lacking in the last couple of showings (in fact, before tonite, I was the only one who said anything about the films, which doesn't include my before the show announcement of the SDAFF).
--did I mention there were cute sorority girls?
Wednesday: Pre E3 Night
--got off work and drove to Orange to meet my friend who I was going to stay at during E3
--E3, btw, stands for Electronic Entertainment Exposition. Its basically the huge video game trade show in which every developer in the world shows the world what will be available for Xmas this year.
--anyways, I thought I would be staying in LA (at his parents place) but instead, I was going to stay in Orange at his place.
--for dinner, we went to this Japanese Ramen Noodle place. Basically, its one of those place where you buy a bowl of Ramen Noodles with soup. Eat all the noodles and if you still have soup, you can order an extra set of noodles for a buck.
--this place had a special offer in which if you can have 6 more sets of noodles, you get the extra 6 noodles you ate FREE. You also get your picture taken and bragging rights amoungst your friends.
--we decided to take the challenge. It was on.
--okay, I ate the most. I had 4 extra bowls of noodle. I could have more, but I really didn't want do this to myself just to impress my friends. But not going thru it till the end sure made my bill for a couple bowls of noodles really expensive.
--we all finished off our meals with awesome homemade Green Tea Ice Cream
--sorry, no sorority girls :(
Thursday: E3 Day 2
--time for the Day 2 of E3. It started on Wednesday but because of work, I could have only come on Thursday. No worries. I read everything about E3 on the net before hand, so I know what to see.
--needed to wait for another friend before we can drive up to LA. Had awesome Mexican while we waited.
--left house around 10am (in my car, though I wasn't driving). Didn't get to LA Convention Centre till like 12! DAMN LA traffic!
--the show was great! Despite the lack of booth babes and free sway (giveaways), this year's show will go down as one of the best because of all the great games there.
--Mario Sunshine, Metroid, Zelda, Panzer Dragoon, Shinobi, DOA Extreme Volleyball, Red Dead Revolver! It was all good!
--while I was at the show, almost every hour, I was with a different group of ppl, mostly of ppl I haven't seen for awhile.
--hanged out with SF crew and had lunch in Hollywood at Zankous Chicken. So much chicken for so little! Damn.
--then hanged with some of the SDAFF crew that was there, including a guy who was a Dance Dance Revolution freak! He was there demonstrating the game for the masses. He had cool hair too.
--next, I hanged with my buddy from Toronto. He always makes the trek every year to LA, usually with his gf. But this year, she got sick of E3 and he ended up coming up with hackers from Germany
--after that, I spent some time with some of my co workers at the Rockstar Games booth, which I had access to free alcohol and drinks. Very relaxing after a hard day of E3ing.
--then it was time to meet with the crew I was staying with. The show was ending for the day and we needed to go eat or something.
--headed to Chinatown for some geek shopping.
--couldn't decided where to eat, so we ended up driving to Alhambra and eating chinese food (even though we were JUST in Chinatown) at Regent Cafe. So much food.
--since were losers and had no tickets to any of the parties tonite, we drove back to Orange where I watch ppl play Counterstrike all nite. Yeah...great fun :(
Friday: E3 Day 3
--okay, my friend who I was staying with didn't want to go to E3 today, so I ended up driving by myself.
--once again, left around 9, didn't get there till 11. I hate driving in LA.
--today was a more mellow day at E3. It definately was less crowded, possibly from the lack of ppl still recouporating from the Sony Party last nite.
--I spent a good part of E3 by myself because I couldn't find anyone. I was really hoping to hang out with a friend who I knew was there, but she never called :(
--I tried to play more of the games at E3 but I just couldn't. I had no patient to wait behind someone and I just couldn't stay watching really bad players play the games. AGGGRRRR!
--I actually got to see my old friend/teacher at Nintendo. Unfortunately, he had to go to a meeting with Mr. Miyamoto (creator of Mario and Zelda) so I only was able to talk to him for 5 minutes. It was good to see him but then I got to see some old Digipen classmates at the Nintendo booth, in which I got to hang out there for awhile. Free Smoothies, anyone?
--last day at E3, and it ended early. Didn't get crap for free stuff this year. I remember a time in which I got like 15 free t shirts. This year, only 3 (actually 4, but I gave one away...I am that nice).
--Ended up hanging with some old Digipen classmates for dinner at Rossco's Chicken and Waffles. Never ate there. The place was really ghetto with flies all over the place but the food was DAMN GOOD!
--drove up to West Hollywood to stay with my friends who were staying at the Le Montrose Hotel. It looked like condos from outside, but it was really a hotel. It was a really cool place.
--was going to go "booking" tonite at some Korean nite club, but that fell thru. Started researching on what to do tonite only to find my friends started to pass out. They were dead tired. So, we did nothing on Friday nite. *sigh*
Saturday: A Day in LA
--had breakfast in West Hollywood at some french bakery. Good food.
--walked around West Hollywood looking for a bookstore.
--noticed alot of billboards with gay people in it. Fasinating. Never saw gay advertising in the open like this.
--later that day, went to down to San Monica and cruise the famous Promenade retail street.
--one the guys with us was from Seattle, and had never been here before. Had lunch at Fatburgers (which he never had) and he also bought this little RC car (called Bit Char G...I have one, btw) that he never saw before. He was utterly memorized by it.
--had to drive this guy back to the LAX airport from San Monica.
--later drove up to Alhambra to meet up with our friend (who I stayed with in Orange)
--took us a long time to get there. Did I mention how much I hate LA traffic?
--hanged out at the famous Pak Mann arcade in Pasadena and ate at Hooter's there too. (for the hot wings of course)
--later decided we wanted to go see Star Wars Episode 2 at Universal CityWalk, because it was being shown DIGITALLY.
--got there. Sold out! ended up just walking around boring Universal CityWalk (think a walking theme street with tons of stores selling crap and tons of ppl)
--later that nite, went to eat at Noodle Planet. This ia a tradition that we do everytime the 3 of us are together.
--okay, originally, we were supposed to go JetSkiing on Sunday. But that fell thru. Because it didn't we decided to not stay in LA and instead drive home to SD. We got home around 2am in the morning.
Sunday: First Annual Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
--back in SD on Sunday. Nothing to do. Decided to head to this First Annual Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Festival in Balboa Park in Downtown SD. Takes about a 40 minute drive.
--I was going there because there was some volunteer work I could do. I didn't sign up for it but since I had nothing else to do, I thought I help out.
--Balboa Park was PACKED for this Memorial Day weekend. It took me 20 minutes to find parking and I could only find parking at the zoo (which was really far from where the festival was taking place).
--so, did some promoting work for the SDAFF. There were a lot of ppl at this fair and a lot of ppl volunteering too. Got to meet some of the volunteers. Everyone is soooo cool.
--there were also some great food all over the place. I had some Korean BBQ while I was there.
--there were a lot of ppl who were interested in the film festival and got a lot of emails too to join our mailing list.
--after the festival, headed back to home to go watch Star Wars Episode 2 again. This time, at the digital cinema in my area.
--watching digitally was great. There is a differences. The picture is much clearer and you notice little things that you couldn't see before.
Monday: Memorial Day
--today is a holiday in the US
--yet I am at work
--chipped my teeth during lunch. Doesn't hurt, but there this really annoying gap I have in my mouth now (which is unnoticable, but my tongue knows its gone)
--damn, I hate going to see the dentist.
Okay...time to finally put down what I did in the last week leading up to E3...which started on Saturday June 18 (and in classic Densetsu point form!):
Saturday: A Pinoy College House Party
--so, I was invited to attend my San Diego State friend's birthday party at his friend's place in Otay Mesa. It was BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer) so I brought some alcohol to share.
--Otay Mesa a part of SD that is very close to the border, and VERY far from me
--though I didn't get lost getting to the area, it did take me awhile to find where the party was, because there were other house "parties" in the area.
--case in point, I actually walked into the WRONG house, and into somekind of Hollywood costume party. I asked if this was the party and Elvis walked up to me and said this was his party! It was very bizzard (another funny note, as I walked out of the house, I noticed a lot of motobikes parked outside. Yup, it was a Hollywood Biker party!)
--I also passed a house in which they had an inflatable fun house in the front. I really didn't know if that could be his party as well.
--Finally found the house. Realize I was there a bit too early because no one was really there yet.
--It was cool though. I got to really meet and hang out with some of my friend's closest friends. They were really cool and made me feel welcome.
--It was a small house with a fairly big concrete backyard. There was a DJ spinning there too. The DJ was this really big white guy who looked a lot like Bubba Sparxxx. In fact, all through the nite, he kept playing Bubba Sparxxx.
--though it was very empty at the beginning, it soon picked up, almost immediately and all of the sudden! Droves of "kids" soon came thru the front door and the party commenced!
--we had a small bar of alcohol in which was IMMEDIATELY gone as soon as the "kids" arrived. Even though it was BYOB, none of them brought their own (because they were mostly underage/cheap).
--there was a lot of concern that there were a lot of ppl here and a lot of them were ppl we didn't know, especially with some "gang banger" wannabees. Luckly, nothing bad happened. This is what you should expect with these college parties.
--This party was really jumping. Tons of beautiful girls and great beats. And stupid drinking games! These were the type of parties that SD State students were famous for!
--I unfortunately left a little earlier than usual. I was a bit tired and had to drive another hour just to get home. It was fun, nevertheless.
Sunday: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Asian Pacific American Film Fest Night I
--Alpah Kappa Delta Phi was a sorority at UCSD (University of California, San Diego). They were hosting a film fest for the next 4 nites. I volunteered to promote the SDAFF (San Diego Asian Film Festival) for the next 3 nites.
--I got there early as usual, but my co volunteer didn't. And he has all the stuff (flyers). So, I couldn't set up. Instead, I spent the nite actually watching some of the films.
--each nite had a different theme in which the films shown would be based on. Tonite was based on stereotypes.
--the films were cool. The first film I saw had an impact on me because it was a Canadian film, filmed in Toronto. In fact, it talked about a murder that happened right in my old neighbourhood.
--about 3 films in, my partner in crime finally showed up. He was delayed because he had to dye his hair and pick up some ppl that tagged along with him.
--so we set up and I ended up outside the theatre with table of flyers, ready to promote. It was kinda boring since everyone was inside watching the films.
--luckily, I was outside with those friends of his. There were a couple of girls from San Diego State in which we spent all nite talking about Planet of the Apes, having periods, abortion and working at In N Out burgers (!) Listening to those girls about In N Out and the idiots who order there was hilarious! They should make a movie about that.
--there was also this guy there who we found out makes a lot of money playing the stock markets. Though he wouldn't tell us how much, I really think he's a millionare, even though you would never tell by looking at him.
--the film festival (the first nite anyways) was kinda dead. Not too many ppl showed up, and those who did were mostly from the sorority (who were all damn cute).
--it was kinda disappointing, not just for promoting SDAFF but for ppl to come out to events like this. Its sad, really.
--at least there were sorority girls.
Monday: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Asian Pacific American Film Fest Night II
--afterwork I quickly headed down to UCSD to meet with the person behind this film fest and to help set up for it.
--she was one of the nicest person I have ever met (and extremely cute too). She helped me not only to set up, but to help me find free parking at UCSD. Parking there really sucks.
--she is also someone who was very passionate about what she is trying to do with this film fest, despite the low turn out.
--Tonite's theme was racism thru time. They showed very powerful films about Chinese in San Francisco on Angel Island, Korean Comfort Woman (basically, sex slaves for the Japanese army during WWII) and a reunion of Japanese kids (now grown up) who grew up in Japanese Intermin Camps during WWII.
--I got to watch all 3 movies dued to the fact that we had no table to set up our flyers, so we set them up ontop of desktops in the lecture hall in which the films were being shown.
--despite how powerful these films were, the turn out was less that stellar. More ppl should have seen these movies.
--damn there are a lot of cute sorority girls.
Tuesday: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Asian Pacific American Film Fest Night III
--last nite of the film fest to me (it was into continue tomorrow but I had to drive up to LA then)
--parking at UCSD was much easier, due to the fact I had obtained a temporary parking pass.
--tonite's theme was much more uplifting. It was about "Rising to the occasion". There were films about young Philipinos entertainers in SF and the Indian/Sri Lankian/Pakistian/Nepalian/Bangladeshian community in New York.
--all the films were very entertaining and informative to watch.
--the turn out was better, much better this time around.
--there were also much audience participation which was lacking in the last couple of showings (in fact, before tonite, I was the only one who said anything about the films, which doesn't include my before the show announcement of the SDAFF).
--did I mention there were cute sorority girls?
Wednesday: Pre E3 Night
--got off work and drove to Orange to meet my friend who I was going to stay at during E3
--E3, btw, stands for Electronic Entertainment Exposition. Its basically the huge video game trade show in which every developer in the world shows the world what will be available for Xmas this year.
--anyways, I thought I would be staying in LA (at his parents place) but instead, I was going to stay in Orange at his place.
--for dinner, we went to this Japanese Ramen Noodle place. Basically, its one of those place where you buy a bowl of Ramen Noodles with soup. Eat all the noodles and if you still have soup, you can order an extra set of noodles for a buck.
--this place had a special offer in which if you can have 6 more sets of noodles, you get the extra 6 noodles you ate FREE. You also get your picture taken and bragging rights amoungst your friends.
--we decided to take the challenge. It was on.
--okay, I ate the most. I had 4 extra bowls of noodle. I could have more, but I really didn't want do this to myself just to impress my friends. But not going thru it till the end sure made my bill for a couple bowls of noodles really expensive.
--we all finished off our meals with awesome homemade Green Tea Ice Cream
--sorry, no sorority girls :(
Thursday: E3 Day 2
--time for the Day 2 of E3. It started on Wednesday but because of work, I could have only come on Thursday. No worries. I read everything about E3 on the net before hand, so I know what to see.
--needed to wait for another friend before we can drive up to LA. Had awesome Mexican while we waited.
--left house around 10am (in my car, though I wasn't driving). Didn't get to LA Convention Centre till like 12! DAMN LA traffic!
--the show was great! Despite the lack of booth babes and free sway (giveaways), this year's show will go down as one of the best because of all the great games there.
--Mario Sunshine, Metroid, Zelda, Panzer Dragoon, Shinobi, DOA Extreme Volleyball, Red Dead Revolver! It was all good!
--while I was at the show, almost every hour, I was with a different group of ppl, mostly of ppl I haven't seen for awhile.
--hanged out with SF crew and had lunch in Hollywood at Zankous Chicken. So much chicken for so little! Damn.
--then hanged with some of the SDAFF crew that was there, including a guy who was a Dance Dance Revolution freak! He was there demonstrating the game for the masses. He had cool hair too.
--next, I hanged with my buddy from Toronto. He always makes the trek every year to LA, usually with his gf. But this year, she got sick of E3 and he ended up coming up with hackers from Germany
--after that, I spent some time with some of my co workers at the Rockstar Games booth, which I had access to free alcohol and drinks. Very relaxing after a hard day of E3ing.
--then it was time to meet with the crew I was staying with. The show was ending for the day and we needed to go eat or something.
--headed to Chinatown for some geek shopping.
--couldn't decided where to eat, so we ended up driving to Alhambra and eating chinese food (even though we were JUST in Chinatown) at Regent Cafe. So much food.
--since were losers and had no tickets to any of the parties tonite, we drove back to Orange where I watch ppl play Counterstrike all nite. Yeah...great fun :(
Friday: E3 Day 3
--okay, my friend who I was staying with didn't want to go to E3 today, so I ended up driving by myself.
--once again, left around 9, didn't get there till 11. I hate driving in LA.
--today was a more mellow day at E3. It definately was less crowded, possibly from the lack of ppl still recouporating from the Sony Party last nite.
--I spent a good part of E3 by myself because I couldn't find anyone. I was really hoping to hang out with a friend who I knew was there, but she never called :(
--I tried to play more of the games at E3 but I just couldn't. I had no patient to wait behind someone and I just couldn't stay watching really bad players play the games. AGGGRRRR!
--I actually got to see my old friend/teacher at Nintendo. Unfortunately, he had to go to a meeting with Mr. Miyamoto (creator of Mario and Zelda) so I only was able to talk to him for 5 minutes. It was good to see him but then I got to see some old Digipen classmates at the Nintendo booth, in which I got to hang out there for awhile. Free Smoothies, anyone?
--last day at E3, and it ended early. Didn't get crap for free stuff this year. I remember a time in which I got like 15 free t shirts. This year, only 3 (actually 4, but I gave one away...I am that nice).
--Ended up hanging with some old Digipen classmates for dinner at Rossco's Chicken and Waffles. Never ate there. The place was really ghetto with flies all over the place but the food was DAMN GOOD!
--drove up to West Hollywood to stay with my friends who were staying at the Le Montrose Hotel. It looked like condos from outside, but it was really a hotel. It was a really cool place.
--was going to go "booking" tonite at some Korean nite club, but that fell thru. Started researching on what to do tonite only to find my friends started to pass out. They were dead tired. So, we did nothing on Friday nite. *sigh*
Saturday: A Day in LA
--had breakfast in West Hollywood at some french bakery. Good food.
--walked around West Hollywood looking for a bookstore.
--noticed alot of billboards with gay people in it. Fasinating. Never saw gay advertising in the open like this.
--later that day, went to down to San Monica and cruise the famous Promenade retail street.
--one the guys with us was from Seattle, and had never been here before. Had lunch at Fatburgers (which he never had) and he also bought this little RC car (called Bit Char G...I have one, btw) that he never saw before. He was utterly memorized by it.
--had to drive this guy back to the LAX airport from San Monica.
--later drove up to Alhambra to meet up with our friend (who I stayed with in Orange)
--took us a long time to get there. Did I mention how much I hate LA traffic?
--hanged out at the famous Pak Mann arcade in Pasadena and ate at Hooter's there too. (for the hot wings of course)
--later decided we wanted to go see Star Wars Episode 2 at Universal CityWalk, because it was being shown DIGITALLY.
--got there. Sold out! ended up just walking around boring Universal CityWalk (think a walking theme street with tons of stores selling crap and tons of ppl)
--later that nite, went to eat at Noodle Planet. This ia a tradition that we do everytime the 3 of us are together.
--okay, originally, we were supposed to go JetSkiing on Sunday. But that fell thru. Because it didn't we decided to not stay in LA and instead drive home to SD. We got home around 2am in the morning.
Sunday: First Annual Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
--back in SD on Sunday. Nothing to do. Decided to head to this First Annual Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Festival in Balboa Park in Downtown SD. Takes about a 40 minute drive.
--I was going there because there was some volunteer work I could do. I didn't sign up for it but since I had nothing else to do, I thought I help out.
--Balboa Park was PACKED for this Memorial Day weekend. It took me 20 minutes to find parking and I could only find parking at the zoo (which was really far from where the festival was taking place).
--so, did some promoting work for the SDAFF. There were a lot of ppl at this fair and a lot of ppl volunteering too. Got to meet some of the volunteers. Everyone is soooo cool.
--there were also some great food all over the place. I had some Korean BBQ while I was there.
--there were a lot of ppl who were interested in the film festival and got a lot of emails too to join our mailing list.
--after the festival, headed back to home to go watch Star Wars Episode 2 again. This time, at the digital cinema in my area.
--watching digitally was great. There is a differences. The picture is much clearer and you notice little things that you couldn't see before.
Monday: Memorial Day
--today is a holiday in the US
--yet I am at work
--chipped my teeth during lunch. Doesn't hurt, but there this really annoying gap I have in my mouth now (which is unnoticable, but my tongue knows its gone)
--damn, I hate going to see the dentist.
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
A Big Update Coming Soon
Okay...a lot of ppl have been harassing me about updating my site. Sorry...I got really busy, and will be busy thru Memorial Day weekend. But when I am ready to write, I have a lot to say about what I have been doing. So look out for my adventures at a Pinoy College House Party, 3 straight days of Asian American films, and dont forget about E3, which I will be at tomorrow in LA. Also expect a lot of new photos too...
I just can't wait. But I hope you can...
Stay tune!
Okay...a lot of ppl have been harassing me about updating my site. Sorry...I got really busy, and will be busy thru Memorial Day weekend. But when I am ready to write, I have a lot to say about what I have been doing. So look out for my adventures at a Pinoy College House Party, 3 straight days of Asian American films, and dont forget about E3, which I will be at tomorrow in LA. Also expect a lot of new photos too...
I just can't wait. But I hope you can...
Stay tune!
Thursday, May 16, 2002
A Non Work Day
So, my day started off in the morning. Instead of going to work, I took the morning off to attend the Asian Pacific American Cultural Fair which was being held at Miramar College in Mira Mesa (a part of SD). I will there in attendance to help promote the San Diego Asian Film Festival. We had a table there where we can distribute flyers and sign up ppl for our mailing list. This event started at 9am and would run till 1 pm. I would be there til 12 noon, so I can get back to work.
Because of the traffic of driving down to SD during rush hour, I was late...REALLY late. I arrived there at 9:45am only to find our table COMPLETELY empty of anyone (as well, the fair was very small and also completely empty). I called one of my teamates that was supposed to be there and it turns out I just woke him up. What was worst, he was in charge of being in all the flyers and signs for our table. I had nothing. He got up and got ready to get to come to the fair. So, I waited.
The table was very bare, but luckly I had a few postcard flyers in my bag about the SDAFF. So, I set up 2 small piles of flyers on my table. The table was still bare. And it look kinda pathetic next to a information table set up by a health clinic and covered with flyers. Luckly, the place was kinda dead so it was okay and I knew my crew should be coming with the stuff. So I waited.
It wasn't till 11am when he showed up with stuff. We set up all the flyers and we were ready to go. But that didn't seem to matter, the place was still dead. WIth only 2 hrs left for the fair, I was kinda disappointed with the whole fair. Yes, it was very small fair, with only a no. of tables and booths, but the turn out was just so minimal. Yes, they also had someform of entertainment, of music and angry spoken word reading and dancing but even that was kinda weak. It was a disappointing morning.
Anyways, I left around 12 noon to get back to work. When I got to work, there was no work. My team had planned a trip to the local movie theatre to watch:
--Movie Review: Star Wars Episode 2: The Attack of the Clones: 4.0 Denstars (out of 5)
About a pair of "jedi knights" and their battle to find out scheme that threaten the universe and the balance of the "force". Oh yes. The movie we all been waiting for. The movie that final explains what happened to the little boy Anakin, about his relationship with that Natalie Portman chick and his slow descent into the "dark side". The movie that also explains the origin of Boba Fett, the powers of the Jedi's and the start of the "Clone Wars." After numerous trailers and that horrible first movie, it is finally here. And was it worth it? Yup...Much better than the first, great excitement and action. I had a really good time. From the car chase in above a city to Ewan vs. Jango to the Jedi vs. Droids vs. Clone warriors to, of course, the great Yoda match, it was all wonderful. And the CG was great too. Though, there were parts that looked really fake, it wasn't as noticing or distracting as in Spider-man. The only disappointment was the whole falling in love part...seem too forced and badly acted. I wish someone who fall in love with me after I commit genocide. And why is Anakin such a whiney bitch? Oh well. Can't wait to see it again, on a digital projector, though.
So, my day started off in the morning. Instead of going to work, I took the morning off to attend the Asian Pacific American Cultural Fair which was being held at Miramar College in Mira Mesa (a part of SD). I will there in attendance to help promote the San Diego Asian Film Festival. We had a table there where we can distribute flyers and sign up ppl for our mailing list. This event started at 9am and would run till 1 pm. I would be there til 12 noon, so I can get back to work.
Because of the traffic of driving down to SD during rush hour, I was late...REALLY late. I arrived there at 9:45am only to find our table COMPLETELY empty of anyone (as well, the fair was very small and also completely empty). I called one of my teamates that was supposed to be there and it turns out I just woke him up. What was worst, he was in charge of being in all the flyers and signs for our table. I had nothing. He got up and got ready to get to come to the fair. So, I waited.
The table was very bare, but luckly I had a few postcard flyers in my bag about the SDAFF. So, I set up 2 small piles of flyers on my table. The table was still bare. And it look kinda pathetic next to a information table set up by a health clinic and covered with flyers. Luckly, the place was kinda dead so it was okay and I knew my crew should be coming with the stuff. So I waited.
It wasn't till 11am when he showed up with stuff. We set up all the flyers and we were ready to go. But that didn't seem to matter, the place was still dead. WIth only 2 hrs left for the fair, I was kinda disappointed with the whole fair. Yes, it was very small fair, with only a no. of tables and booths, but the turn out was just so minimal. Yes, they also had someform of entertainment, of music and angry spoken word reading and dancing but even that was kinda weak. It was a disappointing morning.
Anyways, I left around 12 noon to get back to work. When I got to work, there was no work. My team had planned a trip to the local movie theatre to watch:
--Movie Review: Star Wars Episode 2: The Attack of the Clones: 4.0 Denstars (out of 5)
About a pair of "jedi knights" and their battle to find out scheme that threaten the universe and the balance of the "force". Oh yes. The movie we all been waiting for. The movie that final explains what happened to the little boy Anakin, about his relationship with that Natalie Portman chick and his slow descent into the "dark side". The movie that also explains the origin of Boba Fett, the powers of the Jedi's and the start of the "Clone Wars." After numerous trailers and that horrible first movie, it is finally here. And was it worth it? Yup...Much better than the first, great excitement and action. I had a really good time. From the car chase in above a city to Ewan vs. Jango to the Jedi vs. Droids vs. Clone warriors to, of course, the great Yoda match, it was all wonderful. And the CG was great too. Though, there were parts that looked really fake, it wasn't as noticing or distracting as in Spider-man. The only disappointment was the whole falling in love part...seem too forced and badly acted. I wish someone who fall in love with me after I commit genocide. And why is Anakin such a whiney bitch? Oh well. Can't wait to see it again, on a digital projector, though.
Wednesday, May 15, 2002
Vegas...AGAIN!
Looks like I will be going to Vegas again. This time on June 7th weekend and I will be rollin' with that SF crew that I love so much. I forsee lots of clubbing, drinking and gambling. Hooray!
Now should I drive up or fly up?
If there's anyone else who would like to come up to Vegas with me, let me know! I promise you a good time.
I Am Such a Geek
Guess what? Looks like I will get to be a Beta Tester for that new MMORPG pc game, Star Wars Galaxies! Woohoo!
For those who don't know, Star Wars Galaxies will be the Star Wars equivlant of Everquest, that online game that sucks the very life out of everyone who plays it. Sounds like fun, right?
I dont really play PC games and I have never really played an online game, but I am really looking forward to trying it out. But it looks like I would have to upgrade my computer to play it (new graphics card, more RAM).
But not only that...thru my incredible connections, I may even get to beta test another MMORPG. How about Worlds of Warcraft, kiddies?!
At once, I could almost hear all ya pc gaming scream at the same time...
Looks like I will be going to Vegas again. This time on June 7th weekend and I will be rollin' with that SF crew that I love so much. I forsee lots of clubbing, drinking and gambling. Hooray!
Now should I drive up or fly up?
If there's anyone else who would like to come up to Vegas with me, let me know! I promise you a good time.
I Am Such a Geek
Guess what? Looks like I will get to be a Beta Tester for that new MMORPG pc game, Star Wars Galaxies! Woohoo!
For those who don't know, Star Wars Galaxies will be the Star Wars equivlant of Everquest, that online game that sucks the very life out of everyone who plays it. Sounds like fun, right?
I dont really play PC games and I have never really played an online game, but I am really looking forward to trying it out. But it looks like I would have to upgrade my computer to play it (new graphics card, more RAM).
But not only that...thru my incredible connections, I may even get to beta test another MMORPG. How about Worlds of Warcraft, kiddies?!
At once, I could almost hear all ya pc gaming scream at the same time...
Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Surprise SF Weekend
So, this past weekend, I drove up for the very first time (by myself and at the last minute) from San Diego to San Francisco. That's a 8 hour drive, folks! And I must say, it was an interesting, if not fun, drive up. Why? Because it was my first time doing it, because I manage to stay behind the wheel of a car for 8 hours straight and because, it was a beautiful drive up in which I got to go like 90 mph most of the way :) Of course, I did encounter a few "issues" driving up, which included the following:
--NEVER drive thru LA on the 5 on your way up to SF, on a Friday Afternoon (or any afternoon). YOU WILL be stuck in traffic for at least an 1 hour!
--during my traffic jam, I REALLY need to use the bathroom but I didn't want to get out of traffic to find a restroom and then try to merge back into it. So, I waited...I REALLY waited! I must have held it for close to 2 hours before I saw an openning, got out the closest exit, found a Del Taco and pissed like I never pissed before. And oh yeah, I had lunch there too.
--okay, when I drive I usually drive with my big fat wallet in my back pocket which is not very good. So, for this trip (since it was going to be long), I had enough sense to remove my wallet before driving. After my first pit stop though, I accidently put my wallet back in to backpocket while driving. Boy, did that start to hurt my ass! After like 3 hours, I couldn't take it no more. I had to remove my wallet but it was REALLY difficult while driving. I was definately swerving back and forth attempting to do so. After a good 1/2 of struggling, I manage to get it out. What a relief that was. Of course, at my next pit stop, I accidently put it back in. DOH!
--after removing my wallet from my ass the second time, and about hour 7 of my trip, I started getting phantom "wallet in my ass" pains. Wierd..
--every radio station, no matter where you are, will play the same stupid song over and over again. Next time, I need to bring my own music (I just ordered my new MD player today!)
So, will I do this drive again? Probably... Will I enjoy it as much? Probably not. Hmmm...next time I may go up the very scenic Coast Highway up to SF, though it would be a MUCH longer drive up. Next time I will bring a friend too.
So, why did I drive up at the last minute to go SF? Well to see Jon and Denny, of course! They were having a BBQ at their place and it was a good opportunity for me to get some free food. The BBQ was great (I was the chef, of course) and all the cool usual suspects showed up. It was like seeing my second family. Good food with great ppl.
Quote of the Day: "Koreans dont play drinking games! We just DRINK!"
Second Quote of the Day: "If a guy from the South is calling you racist, then you must be REALLY racist!"
I just put up my photos from that BBQ in my online photo album. Check it out here:
http://public.fotki.com/namofni/a_sf_bbq/
After the BBQ, we ended up going to this really cool loft for a house party to celebrate some Canadian's birthday. When we got there, everyone was expected to take their shoes off in the house, which kind of pissed me off, cuz everything thought it was a "Canadian thing" to do that! It wasn't, but I could win the argument :(
The place was extremely nice. Incredibly HIGH cellings and spaceous rooms. I can REALLY see myself living here.
I got to meet the birthday girl and immediately, she knew that I was Canadian as well. Must be our Cana-dar! (or the fact that I was wearing a shirt from Roots).
Anyways, it was a cool party but we didn't stay long. Why? Sausage fest. Nuff said.
On Sunday, I hanged out with Jon and Rie in Chinatown and Downtown SF before my long drive back to SD. I got home around 12 midnite.
So, this past weekend, I drove up for the very first time (by myself and at the last minute) from San Diego to San Francisco. That's a 8 hour drive, folks! And I must say, it was an interesting, if not fun, drive up. Why? Because it was my first time doing it, because I manage to stay behind the wheel of a car for 8 hours straight and because, it was a beautiful drive up in which I got to go like 90 mph most of the way :) Of course, I did encounter a few "issues" driving up, which included the following:
--NEVER drive thru LA on the 5 on your way up to SF, on a Friday Afternoon (or any afternoon). YOU WILL be stuck in traffic for at least an 1 hour!
--during my traffic jam, I REALLY need to use the bathroom but I didn't want to get out of traffic to find a restroom and then try to merge back into it. So, I waited...I REALLY waited! I must have held it for close to 2 hours before I saw an openning, got out the closest exit, found a Del Taco and pissed like I never pissed before. And oh yeah, I had lunch there too.
--okay, when I drive I usually drive with my big fat wallet in my back pocket which is not very good. So, for this trip (since it was going to be long), I had enough sense to remove my wallet before driving. After my first pit stop though, I accidently put my wallet back in to backpocket while driving. Boy, did that start to hurt my ass! After like 3 hours, I couldn't take it no more. I had to remove my wallet but it was REALLY difficult while driving. I was definately swerving back and forth attempting to do so. After a good 1/2 of struggling, I manage to get it out. What a relief that was. Of course, at my next pit stop, I accidently put it back in. DOH!
--after removing my wallet from my ass the second time, and about hour 7 of my trip, I started getting phantom "wallet in my ass" pains. Wierd..
--every radio station, no matter where you are, will play the same stupid song over and over again. Next time, I need to bring my own music (I just ordered my new MD player today!)
So, will I do this drive again? Probably... Will I enjoy it as much? Probably not. Hmmm...next time I may go up the very scenic Coast Highway up to SF, though it would be a MUCH longer drive up. Next time I will bring a friend too.
So, why did I drive up at the last minute to go SF? Well to see Jon and Denny, of course! They were having a BBQ at their place and it was a good opportunity for me to get some free food. The BBQ was great (I was the chef, of course) and all the cool usual suspects showed up. It was like seeing my second family. Good food with great ppl.
Quote of the Day: "Koreans dont play drinking games! We just DRINK!"
Second Quote of the Day: "If a guy from the South is calling you racist, then you must be REALLY racist!"
I just put up my photos from that BBQ in my online photo album. Check it out here:
http://public.fotki.com/namofni/a_sf_bbq/
After the BBQ, we ended up going to this really cool loft for a house party to celebrate some Canadian's birthday. When we got there, everyone was expected to take their shoes off in the house, which kind of pissed me off, cuz everything thought it was a "Canadian thing" to do that! It wasn't, but I could win the argument :(
The place was extremely nice. Incredibly HIGH cellings and spaceous rooms. I can REALLY see myself living here.
I got to meet the birthday girl and immediately, she knew that I was Canadian as well. Must be our Cana-dar! (or the fact that I was wearing a shirt from Roots).
Anyways, it was a cool party but we didn't stay long. Why? Sausage fest. Nuff said.
On Sunday, I hanged out with Jon and Rie in Chinatown and Downtown SF before my long drive back to SD. I got home around 12 midnite.
Monday, May 06, 2002
The Necessary Spider-Man Review
--Movie Review: Spider-Man: 3.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About a guy (Tobey Maguire) who gain superhuman powers of a spider and his battle against crime, a flying green dude and confronting this one girl. FINALLY, not only a good comic book movie, but a good Spider-Man movie! The action sequences were really good, even though it was really noticable what was CG and not. The drama/character building stuff was great, when Peter Parker was still in high school, but got kinda jumbled and disoriented after that. William Defoe as the Green Goblin was kinda weak. Usually the supervillians in superhero movies usually steal the movie but he definately didn't. He was completely uninteresting and seem a bit out of place in the whole movie. Nevertheless, a good movie to go see and veg in the theatre. See it now, if you haven't already! ($114 Million in one weekend! Wow! Wonder how Episode 2 will do?)
Vegas...the Second Opinion!
Wanna know more about my Vegas trip? Head over to Densetsu's Chronicles and read his entry about the trip. I can't believe how much he did remember of the trip. I always thought he was drunk the whole time ;) Check it out here:
http://www.densetsu.net/chrono/
As well, Ward FINALLY put his photos from vegas into the my online photo album. Check it out here:
http://public.fotki.com/namofni/nzs_vegas_birthday_2k2/
Two photo worth noting:
This photo was taken at a Blackjack table. In Vegas, you are not allowed to take pictures in the casino but we managed to get the Pit Boss from behind the table to take the picture. She really liked us, I guess.
This photo was NOT taken in Vegas but introduced Boxy! It was one of those stupid stories we told during Vegas. You had to be there.
--Movie Review: Spider-Man: 3.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About a guy (Tobey Maguire) who gain superhuman powers of a spider and his battle against crime, a flying green dude and confronting this one girl. FINALLY, not only a good comic book movie, but a good Spider-Man movie! The action sequences were really good, even though it was really noticable what was CG and not. The drama/character building stuff was great, when Peter Parker was still in high school, but got kinda jumbled and disoriented after that. William Defoe as the Green Goblin was kinda weak. Usually the supervillians in superhero movies usually steal the movie but he definately didn't. He was completely uninteresting and seem a bit out of place in the whole movie. Nevertheless, a good movie to go see and veg in the theatre. See it now, if you haven't already! ($114 Million in one weekend! Wow! Wonder how Episode 2 will do?)
Vegas...the Second Opinion!
Wanna know more about my Vegas trip? Head over to Densetsu's Chronicles and read his entry about the trip. I can't believe how much he did remember of the trip. I always thought he was drunk the whole time ;) Check it out here:
http://www.densetsu.net/chrono/
As well, Ward FINALLY put his photos from vegas into the my online photo album. Check it out here:
http://public.fotki.com/namofni/nzs_vegas_birthday_2k2/
Two photo worth noting:
This photo was taken at a Blackjack table. In Vegas, you are not allowed to take pictures in the casino but we managed to get the Pit Boss from behind the table to take the picture. She really liked us, I guess.
This photo was NOT taken in Vegas but introduced Boxy! It was one of those stupid stories we told during Vegas. You had to be there.
Saturday, May 04, 2002
Movie Review City!
To commemorate the start of the summer movie season (I will probably (finally) go see Spider-Man tomorrow), I bring you a repository of movies reviews of movies I saw in the last couple of weeks since the last time I wrote a review, that I never got around to put into my blog. Let the summer movie season begin:
--Movie Review: Blade II: 2.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About Mr. Passenger 57 himself and his battle against a horde of super vampires. This was a lame and boring sequel to the much more superior original. How is it the main vampire group sent to help Blade are a) AWESOME fighters with swords, but take the swords away for the rest of the movie and give them guns, and they SUCK!; and b) a team who trained to for a couple of years to hunt down Blade, only defeated in one nite! Agggggggggrrrr! Okay, the main chick in the movie was hot and some of the CG "vampire wrestling" part was cool but it still suck.
--Movie Review: Panic Room: 2 Denstars (out of 5)
About Jodie Foster and her battle against the "panic room" she is locked in, and the burgars outside it. Boy, I was REALLY disappointed with this movie. I really wanted to like this movie because the trailers I saw looked awesome and creepy and terrifying and ITS A DAVID FINCHER MOVIE (and I like Forrest Whitaker)! It was just plain boring. No really suspense, no real terror. It didn't have any of those "Oh no, dont go there!" moments in which this type of movies SCREAMS it should have! I have to admit that the Dwight Yoakam was really good in the movie...cool, calm and totally unrecognizable with the mask, chaotic, angry and psychoic without it! And of course, those Fincher-esq CG cameras. And lets now forget that we get to see Jodie Foster pee in this movie! YEAH! Hmmmm...I wonder how that scene came to be...hmmmm...:
David Fincher: Alright Jodie...in this scene I want you to sit on that toilet and pee for me...
Jodie Foster: ...
David Fincher: But when you pee...I dont want you to aim into the water. Try to "blast" the porcein so we can really hear you pee...
Jodie Foster: uhm...
David Fincher: and ACTION!
--Movie Review: Ocean's Eleven (in flight movie version): 4 Denstars (out of 5)
About a group of "11"guys and their battle to steal from a major casino in Las Vegas. I saw this movie on a plane back to Toronto so I was a captive audience but I really enjoyed this movie. I guess its something to do with heist films and their incredibly elaborate plans, but this movie's plan went a little TOO well to be believable. Oh well...but it was still a fun movie to watch with some great characters. I would really like to see this movie again, but in its normal, unedited form. And I wouldn't mind seeing the original one too.
--Movie Review: Death to Smoochy: 3 Denstars (out of 5)
About a "goodie two-shoes" children's TV star (Edward Norton) and his battle against the networks, the mob and a former children's TV star (Robin Williams). This was a movie I saw while in Toronto when we had nothing else better to do and nothing else was on to watch either. Needless to say, it was an okay movie, with a lot of drag on in parts of this movie. Both Edward Norton and Robin Williams were great (especially Robin Williams when he gets to do "dirty" improv) and that Katherine Keener, boy does she look and act a lot like one of our secretaries from work. Just ask anyone at work who saw Being John Malkovich. Oh, and lets not forget the Elvis Stojka's choreographed skating sequence ending!
--Movie Review: Shiri: 3 Denstars (out of 5)
About 2 South Korean cops and their battle against a sexy but deadly North Korean female assasin! This was the "breakout" film that helped put Korea into the high production, action movie scene (as well as broke the box office record in Korea, set by Titanic). It was an alright kind of movie, with a such a OBVIOUS twist in the movie, that was SOOOO obvious that I couldn't believe it was until I saw it. And this twist in the movie, isn't even one of those clever twist where you can watch the movie again and realized it was suppose to be like that all the time. All I will say is that Koreans sure know how to make one violently bloodly movie with a sappy love story thrown in. I look forward seeing more movies from Korea, but without the obvious twist. Check it out. It should be on DVD.
--Movie Review: Kate & Leopold (in flight movie version): 3.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About a man (Hugh Jackman) from the 1870s who is brought in our present time and his battle to fit into 21st century while trying to woo this chick (Meg Ryan). Another "captive audience" (plane ride back to SD) movie and yes, I did like it. I just couldn't stop watching it! I just found the Hugh Jackman character so interesting, and after seeing this movie, I think he is a wonderful actor. Plus I am a sucker for time traveling movies, I guess. A chick flick definately but a guilty pleasure for me. Now, excuse me while I go watch some hockey! :)
--Movie Review: Freddy Got Fingered: 1 Denstars (out of 5)
About Tom Green and his battle to continue to shock everyone who see his work! I grew up watching Tom Green in Canada (before MTV) and I always wanted to watch this movie but never got around it until I saw it on my DirecTV. And boy, am I glad I didn't pay movie to see this movie. This movie was REALLY bad. Its pretty much all his "streeter", annoy ppl comedy put into a movie form and throw in some really tasteless gross out bits. Less really funny parts, more disgusting parts that really push the limits of what can or should be shown. It was like a train wreckless in which I couldnt stop watching no matter how bad it was. But as horrible this movie is, there has never been anything like it, and for that, Tom Green has done it again.
--Movie Review: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: 3.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About Jay and Silent Bob and their battle against Hollywood and internet geeks alike! I am a big Kevin Smith fan but I think this is his worst movie so far (okay...running neck to neck with Dogma). I really wanted to like this movie and though, it entertained me and there were some great clever moments, it just wasn't as fun as I wanted to be. Too me, I think Kevin Smith is just trying WAY too hard to do a movie that makes fun of itself. Its almost like Kevin Smith doesn't know what to do when he has a big budget or something. Recommended to those who like Kevin Smith movies or those who are movie geeks like me (though most Kevin Smith fans ARE movie geeks!)
Damn...I watch a lot of movies!
To commemorate the start of the summer movie season (I will probably (finally) go see Spider-Man tomorrow), I bring you a repository of movies reviews of movies I saw in the last couple of weeks since the last time I wrote a review, that I never got around to put into my blog. Let the summer movie season begin:
--Movie Review: Blade II: 2.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About Mr. Passenger 57 himself and his battle against a horde of super vampires. This was a lame and boring sequel to the much more superior original. How is it the main vampire group sent to help Blade are a) AWESOME fighters with swords, but take the swords away for the rest of the movie and give them guns, and they SUCK!; and b) a team who trained to for a couple of years to hunt down Blade, only defeated in one nite! Agggggggggrrrr! Okay, the main chick in the movie was hot and some of the CG "vampire wrestling" part was cool but it still suck.
--Movie Review: Panic Room: 2 Denstars (out of 5)
About Jodie Foster and her battle against the "panic room" she is locked in, and the burgars outside it. Boy, I was REALLY disappointed with this movie. I really wanted to like this movie because the trailers I saw looked awesome and creepy and terrifying and ITS A DAVID FINCHER MOVIE (and I like Forrest Whitaker)! It was just plain boring. No really suspense, no real terror. It didn't have any of those "Oh no, dont go there!" moments in which this type of movies SCREAMS it should have! I have to admit that the Dwight Yoakam was really good in the movie...cool, calm and totally unrecognizable with the mask, chaotic, angry and psychoic without it! And of course, those Fincher-esq CG cameras. And lets now forget that we get to see Jodie Foster pee in this movie! YEAH! Hmmmm...I wonder how that scene came to be...hmmmm...:
David Fincher: Alright Jodie...in this scene I want you to sit on that toilet and pee for me...
Jodie Foster: ...
David Fincher: But when you pee...I dont want you to aim into the water. Try to "blast" the porcein so we can really hear you pee...
Jodie Foster: uhm...
David Fincher: and ACTION!
--Movie Review: Ocean's Eleven (in flight movie version): 4 Denstars (out of 5)
About a group of "11"guys and their battle to steal from a major casino in Las Vegas. I saw this movie on a plane back to Toronto so I was a captive audience but I really enjoyed this movie. I guess its something to do with heist films and their incredibly elaborate plans, but this movie's plan went a little TOO well to be believable. Oh well...but it was still a fun movie to watch with some great characters. I would really like to see this movie again, but in its normal, unedited form. And I wouldn't mind seeing the original one too.
--Movie Review: Death to Smoochy: 3 Denstars (out of 5)
About a "goodie two-shoes" children's TV star (Edward Norton) and his battle against the networks, the mob and a former children's TV star (Robin Williams). This was a movie I saw while in Toronto when we had nothing else better to do and nothing else was on to watch either. Needless to say, it was an okay movie, with a lot of drag on in parts of this movie. Both Edward Norton and Robin Williams were great (especially Robin Williams when he gets to do "dirty" improv) and that Katherine Keener, boy does she look and act a lot like one of our secretaries from work. Just ask anyone at work who saw Being John Malkovich. Oh, and lets not forget the Elvis Stojka's choreographed skating sequence ending!
--Movie Review: Shiri: 3 Denstars (out of 5)
About 2 South Korean cops and their battle against a sexy but deadly North Korean female assasin! This was the "breakout" film that helped put Korea into the high production, action movie scene (as well as broke the box office record in Korea, set by Titanic). It was an alright kind of movie, with a such a OBVIOUS twist in the movie, that was SOOOO obvious that I couldn't believe it was until I saw it. And this twist in the movie, isn't even one of those clever twist where you can watch the movie again and realized it was suppose to be like that all the time. All I will say is that Koreans sure know how to make one violently bloodly movie with a sappy love story thrown in. I look forward seeing more movies from Korea, but without the obvious twist. Check it out. It should be on DVD.
--Movie Review: Kate & Leopold (in flight movie version): 3.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About a man (Hugh Jackman) from the 1870s who is brought in our present time and his battle to fit into 21st century while trying to woo this chick (Meg Ryan). Another "captive audience" (plane ride back to SD) movie and yes, I did like it. I just couldn't stop watching it! I just found the Hugh Jackman character so interesting, and after seeing this movie, I think he is a wonderful actor. Plus I am a sucker for time traveling movies, I guess. A chick flick definately but a guilty pleasure for me. Now, excuse me while I go watch some hockey! :)
--Movie Review: Freddy Got Fingered: 1 Denstars (out of 5)
About Tom Green and his battle to continue to shock everyone who see his work! I grew up watching Tom Green in Canada (before MTV) and I always wanted to watch this movie but never got around it until I saw it on my DirecTV. And boy, am I glad I didn't pay movie to see this movie. This movie was REALLY bad. Its pretty much all his "streeter", annoy ppl comedy put into a movie form and throw in some really tasteless gross out bits. Less really funny parts, more disgusting parts that really push the limits of what can or should be shown. It was like a train wreckless in which I couldnt stop watching no matter how bad it was. But as horrible this movie is, there has never been anything like it, and for that, Tom Green has done it again.
--Movie Review: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: 3.5 Denstars (out of 5)
About Jay and Silent Bob and their battle against Hollywood and internet geeks alike! I am a big Kevin Smith fan but I think this is his worst movie so far (okay...running neck to neck with Dogma). I really wanted to like this movie and though, it entertained me and there were some great clever moments, it just wasn't as fun as I wanted to be. Too me, I think Kevin Smith is just trying WAY too hard to do a movie that makes fun of itself. Its almost like Kevin Smith doesn't know what to do when he has a big budget or something. Recommended to those who like Kevin Smith movies or those who are movie geeks like me (though most Kevin Smith fans ARE movie geeks!)
Damn...I watch a lot of movies!
Wednesday, May 01, 2002
Vegas...the Pics!
Okay, I wanted to update this blog with happenings with my Vegas trip, but I thought it would be better to do with pictures instead. So my online photo album has been updated with new album devoted to our Vegas trip. Check it out here at:
http://public.fotki.com/namofni/nzs_vegas_birthday_2k2/
All 200+ pictures were provided by myself, Densetsu and NZ. Ward should be putting up his pics soon too.
As you can see, it was a ton of fun. Probably the best time I have ever had in Vegas. I dont think I have ever laughed so hard whenever I was just chillin' with my boyz and telling "Denny Crying" stories.
Anyways, I should write something about Vegas. You can read about it below...
Vegas...the Highlights!
--arrived Friday nite at 9:30pm, after a 1/2 hour delay and some idiot who took my seat while I was using the bathroom ON THE PLANE (I was flying Southwest). Okay...I shouldn't call the guy an idiot, cuz I dont think it is his fault. Its the JERK who sat next to me/him who didn't save my seat while I was gone. I bet he didn't say a thing! WHAT A LOSER! I kept giving the evil eye while we flew to Las Vegas.
--arrived at the Palace Station Hotel, which is WAY off the strip. I was staying with both Jon and Denny. This place was kinda ghetto...its filled with mostly old people but the food there wasn't half bad. At least it had a Krispy Kreme.
--Interesting moment of the friday nite: so, we are riding a mono rail from one hotel to the next (can't remember which) with this drunk guy in the back. He starts talking and muttling to himself. I dont really know what he said but something about foreigner and those not born American should get out. This offended the one of the guy in are group (he was Asian) and a shouting argument began. As quick as it began, our friend then mentioned that two months ago, he was in Afghanistan defending this country. Boy, did that shut that drunken guy up! (and everyone else on the moving monorail). It was going to be that kind of nite.
--on friday, we decide to go to a club at the Palms Hotel called Rain. According to my cab driver, it was the HOTTEST club in Vegas currently, and he wasn't joking. Outside, there were a large crowd of ppl trying to get in. Turns out, they were trying to get the RIGHTS to come in and LINE UP in order to pay a $20 cover to get in.
--since I was rollin' with my SF crew, we were going to get in. Not only did we get in, we bypassed the crowd, the line AND the cover fee! We had a friend with us who worked as a pool watress at the Hard Rock Hotel, and she knew the bouncer very well. Yup, it was going to be that kind of nite!
--this place was jumpin! Cool lighting and even fire spouting from the ceiling. Great music and sound system too. And of course, very beautiful babies all around.
--during the day time of the weekend, most just gambled or stayed by the pool at the Hard Rock. I spent my time shopping around the Balagio, Caesar and Aladdin look for gifts for friends back home, as well as checking that Star Trek Experience. Damn, I felt so geeky that day!
--the big nite was on Saturday, where we all hanged out at a bar on the strip called Se7en for NZ's bday. It was kinda a ghetto place but there was no cover, plenty of room for us 30 guys and easy to get drinks during the nite. And oh, there was a bacheurlette party next to us as well.
--that nite, I can honestly said I got really drunk but I had a blast. I got to hang out with all my digipen brothers (jon, denny, NZ, pornstarr, pennya and kydd!) and I got meet all of NZ's friends and they were all cool (except for that guy who kept humping other guys. He's cool but not when he does that).
--I GOT TO MEET UNCLE SHITSY! and he got to tell us the whole story about how he got his nickname over and over that nite. I dont think I can ever get tired of it. In case you are interested, here's NZ's version:
9.20.01
Bryan comes in from chicago. mac and i pick him up from the airport, and take him downtown. he's in awe by our city. he looks around at the girls like i first did when i got here. ahhh, yes, i remember the novelty of it all! He has to go to the bathroom, while we're downtown, so we take him to the cleanest bathrooms on the strip, Buffalo Billiards. he's surprised that we know which are the cleanest, but then, quite relieved that we do. As we leave the bar, i begin to talk about Pornstarr, and he says 'man, i want a nickname, everyone down here has one, i want one. i say "you can't just get one, you have to earn one". mac says 'and you better start doing something crazy, 'cause so far your nickname is 'uncle shitsy'!'. (hahaha, i still giggle when i say it) lucky for him, that name stuck!
--during that saturday nite, we were also suppose to hit a club called Light at the Balagio where we were going to meet at team of 30 female volleybally players. But it was never meant to be. Actually, we waited at Light for awhile before we decided to go, only to find out we missed them by 5 minutes! Doh!
--during the weekend, I had soooo much fun and laughed so hard! The best times were when we chilled out together and just started talking about the old days and how we were assholes to each others. Some of the best stories told were:
1) Denny and Boxy!
2) The Spooning Incident with Denny!
3) The "Dont Have Sex on my Bed while I was gone" Denny Story
4) Uncle Shitsy!
5) Denny and the Canadian Shoe Incident!
6) Denny and his Box of Chocolate!
7) How Denny used paper towels for notes in class
8) And the whole farting incident on NZ plane to Vegas!
--Oh Denny! We all love you man!
--one of these days, someone has to commit these stories to paper (Ward?!)
--DAMMIT. I HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME! Though I didn't really gamble, it was fun watching everyone gambling and losing so much too ;) The best was the last nite in Vegas, at the Hard Rock, watching NZ and Denny together playing Blackjack. They were having such fun with each other, all the other player, the dealer and even the pit boss there. We even got the pit boss to take our picture at the table!
--I cant wait to go back again or at least go see NZ in Austin. Oh yes, I will show up!
Vegas...the day after!
Okay...I already mention in an early post that I left Vegas REALLY early on Monday morning, so I can get back to work, only to realize how dead tired I became so I went home. What I didn't tell you was that Kahn, was back in town (he flew up for a music concert that weekend) and wanted to see a small group of us for dinner that nite.
We all had dinner at this really nice Italian restaurant in Encinitias. There was 11 of us and we all took turns asking Kahn what he has been up since he has left SD. He's been travelling up the west coast, to as far as Vancouver, BC, Canada and taking a lot of pictures along the way (in which he proudly showed that nite). It was a good dinner and a good nite of catch up. We were all glad to see him one last time before he moved back to Philly, and I am sure he felt the same.
I took pictures of that nite too. You can check them out here, here, here and here (or the last page of the Friends Photo Album).
What a long weekend!
Okay, I wanted to update this blog with happenings with my Vegas trip, but I thought it would be better to do with pictures instead. So my online photo album has been updated with new album devoted to our Vegas trip. Check it out here at:
http://public.fotki.com/namofni/nzs_vegas_birthday_2k2/
All 200+ pictures were provided by myself, Densetsu and NZ. Ward should be putting up his pics soon too.
As you can see, it was a ton of fun. Probably the best time I have ever had in Vegas. I dont think I have ever laughed so hard whenever I was just chillin' with my boyz and telling "Denny Crying" stories.
Anyways, I should write something about Vegas. You can read about it below...
Vegas...the Highlights!
--arrived Friday nite at 9:30pm, after a 1/2 hour delay and some idiot who took my seat while I was using the bathroom ON THE PLANE (I was flying Southwest). Okay...I shouldn't call the guy an idiot, cuz I dont think it is his fault. Its the JERK who sat next to me/him who didn't save my seat while I was gone. I bet he didn't say a thing! WHAT A LOSER! I kept giving the evil eye while we flew to Las Vegas.
--arrived at the Palace Station Hotel, which is WAY off the strip. I was staying with both Jon and Denny. This place was kinda ghetto...its filled with mostly old people but the food there wasn't half bad. At least it had a Krispy Kreme.
--Interesting moment of the friday nite: so, we are riding a mono rail from one hotel to the next (can't remember which) with this drunk guy in the back. He starts talking and muttling to himself. I dont really know what he said but something about foreigner and those not born American should get out. This offended the one of the guy in are group (he was Asian) and a shouting argument began. As quick as it began, our friend then mentioned that two months ago, he was in Afghanistan defending this country. Boy, did that shut that drunken guy up! (and everyone else on the moving monorail). It was going to be that kind of nite.
--on friday, we decide to go to a club at the Palms Hotel called Rain. According to my cab driver, it was the HOTTEST club in Vegas currently, and he wasn't joking. Outside, there were a large crowd of ppl trying to get in. Turns out, they were trying to get the RIGHTS to come in and LINE UP in order to pay a $20 cover to get in.
--since I was rollin' with my SF crew, we were going to get in. Not only did we get in, we bypassed the crowd, the line AND the cover fee! We had a friend with us who worked as a pool watress at the Hard Rock Hotel, and she knew the bouncer very well. Yup, it was going to be that kind of nite!
--this place was jumpin! Cool lighting and even fire spouting from the ceiling. Great music and sound system too. And of course, very beautiful babies all around.
--during the day time of the weekend, most just gambled or stayed by the pool at the Hard Rock. I spent my time shopping around the Balagio, Caesar and Aladdin look for gifts for friends back home, as well as checking that Star Trek Experience. Damn, I felt so geeky that day!
--the big nite was on Saturday, where we all hanged out at a bar on the strip called Se7en for NZ's bday. It was kinda a ghetto place but there was no cover, plenty of room for us 30 guys and easy to get drinks during the nite. And oh, there was a bacheurlette party next to us as well.
--that nite, I can honestly said I got really drunk but I had a blast. I got to hang out with all my digipen brothers (jon, denny, NZ, pornstarr, pennya and kydd!) and I got meet all of NZ's friends and they were all cool (except for that guy who kept humping other guys. He's cool but not when he does that).
--I GOT TO MEET UNCLE SHITSY! and he got to tell us the whole story about how he got his nickname over and over that nite. I dont think I can ever get tired of it. In case you are interested, here's NZ's version:
9.20.01
Bryan comes in from chicago. mac and i pick him up from the airport, and take him downtown. he's in awe by our city. he looks around at the girls like i first did when i got here. ahhh, yes, i remember the novelty of it all! He has to go to the bathroom, while we're downtown, so we take him to the cleanest bathrooms on the strip, Buffalo Billiards. he's surprised that we know which are the cleanest, but then, quite relieved that we do. As we leave the bar, i begin to talk about Pornstarr, and he says 'man, i want a nickname, everyone down here has one, i want one. i say "you can't just get one, you have to earn one". mac says 'and you better start doing something crazy, 'cause so far your nickname is 'uncle shitsy'!'. (hahaha, i still giggle when i say it) lucky for him, that name stuck!
--during that saturday nite, we were also suppose to hit a club called Light at the Balagio where we were going to meet at team of 30 female volleybally players. But it was never meant to be. Actually, we waited at Light for awhile before we decided to go, only to find out we missed them by 5 minutes! Doh!
--during the weekend, I had soooo much fun and laughed so hard! The best times were when we chilled out together and just started talking about the old days and how we were assholes to each others. Some of the best stories told were:
1) Denny and Boxy!
2) The Spooning Incident with Denny!
3) The "Dont Have Sex on my Bed while I was gone" Denny Story
4) Uncle Shitsy!
5) Denny and the Canadian Shoe Incident!
6) Denny and his Box of Chocolate!
7) How Denny used paper towels for notes in class
8) And the whole farting incident on NZ plane to Vegas!
--Oh Denny! We all love you man!
--one of these days, someone has to commit these stories to paper (Ward?!)
--DAMMIT. I HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME! Though I didn't really gamble, it was fun watching everyone gambling and losing so much too ;) The best was the last nite in Vegas, at the Hard Rock, watching NZ and Denny together playing Blackjack. They were having such fun with each other, all the other player, the dealer and even the pit boss there. We even got the pit boss to take our picture at the table!
--I cant wait to go back again or at least go see NZ in Austin. Oh yes, I will show up!
Vegas...the day after!
Okay...I already mention in an early post that I left Vegas REALLY early on Monday morning, so I can get back to work, only to realize how dead tired I became so I went home. What I didn't tell you was that Kahn, was back in town (he flew up for a music concert that weekend) and wanted to see a small group of us for dinner that nite.
We all had dinner at this really nice Italian restaurant in Encinitias. There was 11 of us and we all took turns asking Kahn what he has been up since he has left SD. He's been travelling up the west coast, to as far as Vancouver, BC, Canada and taking a lot of pictures along the way (in which he proudly showed that nite). It was a good dinner and a good nite of catch up. We were all glad to see him one last time before he moved back to Philly, and I am sure he felt the same.
I took pictures of that nite too. You can check them out here, here, here and here (or the last page of the Friends Photo Album).
What a long weekend!
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