Weekend Meme: Shuffle Music Meme

This week's Meme is brought to you by Erik at Gambrinous with Griffonage.

Just a few days ago, under CuteCub's encouragement I started cleaning my CDs and collecting ones that I don't need anymore and traded them in for store credits. I got roughly 80 CDs. Something happened in CuteCub's life and we've got closer than we've ever had although I don't want to say anything to jinx it, especially now that he reads this blog. Well, maybe it's just me playing games with my own head.

Anyhow, I like music and consequently I like music meme no matter how much it doesn't make sense. But here we go:

1. Put whatever your digital music player is on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

What is your Motto?
Angel (Ne-Yo)

What do your friends think of you?
La Vie Boheme (Rent)

What do you think about very often?
Love 2 Love (Janet Jackson)

What is 2+2?
Whatever (Jill Scott)

What do you think of your best friend?
American Boy (Estelle)

What do you think of the person you like?
Glamorous (Fergie)

What is your life story?
Music in Me (A&C versus Kiki Dee)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Please Send Me Someone (George Michael)

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Sugar Water (Cibo Matto)

What do your parents think of you?
Sam's Town (The Killers)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Precious Things (Tori Amos)

What will they play at your funeral?
Bridges and Balloons (Joanna Newsom)

What is your hobby/interest?
Taxi Driver (Stephen Lynch)

What is your biggest secret?
Bowtie (Outkast)

What do you think of your friends?
My Favorite Mistake (Sheryl Crow)

What’s the worst thing that can happen?
We Have All The Time In The World (Louis Armstrong)

How will you die?
But Not For Me (Ella Fitzgerald)

What is the one thing you regret?
Stars (Les Miserables)

What makes you laugh?
I Learned From The Best (Whitney Houston)

What makes you cry?
Disappointments (The Cranberries)

Will you ever get married?
All Time High (Rita Coolidge)

What scares you the most?
Come Away With Me (Norah Jones)

Does anyone like you?
Little Girl Blue (Nina Simone)

If you could go back in time, what would you change?
Tomorrow (Brandy)

What hurts right now?
Fantasy (Timbaland feat. Money)

What will you post this as?
New Blowtop Blues (Deborah Cox)

Have a great weekend!

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Hell Explained by a Chemistry Student

The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid term.

The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well :

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following:

First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today.

Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.

This gives two possibilities:

1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it?

If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, "It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct... leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting "Oh my God."

This student received an A+..

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Um... Beggin For Bacon?

I was flabbergasted when I saw this at Joe.My.God. I mean it's so Two Fat Ladies. (I remember they made a meatloaf lined with bacon before) It's pure indulgence and I'm pretty sure it can't be healthy for you. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that such culinary extremes exist, especially in this country.



Latticed bacon strips sprinkled with BBQ rub wrapped around sausage and more fried bacon. The whole thing rolls into a sushi, baked and smothered with BBQ sauce. The finished product looks like a giant turd. Not that I'm not tempted to try a small slice between burger buns with lettuce and tomatoes.



What's worst is this. Another bacon roll stuffed with melted cheese, I can just imagine my arteries clogging up just watching they make it. No, not even burger buns can help this one.

What's next? A latticed bacon strips topped apple pie? Maybe I should bake one just for experiment's sakes. I think bacon with go well with apple and cinnamon, what do you think?

The bacon log also reminded me of this, sorry...

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Viral Videos: The Gay Alphabet & Cadbury's Dancing Eyebrows

Saw this one over at Towleroad:



It's cute, but D is definitely not for Dancing, nor E for Elton John, while K can still be for Kylie, Julie Andrews is a bit outdated and so are Tank Tops and WTF is an X-dress? I do believe that Zucchinis might be the best one can come up with, but it's a bit of a stretch. Let's see what I can come up with...

A for Attitude, B for Back Rooms, Barebacking, Bathhouse, Bi Guys, Body Building, BravoTV, Britney, Bears, C for Craigslist, CondomsCloset Cases,
D for Dicks, Dildos, Diva, Drama Drag Queens, E for Ecstasy, Electronica, Erections Equality, F for Faggotry, Fisting, Folsom Fag Hags, G for Gloryholes Gay Pride,
H for HIV Tests, I for Ice Skating (How True...), J for Jason Stackhouse (hot!),
K for K-holes, L for Lube Lesbos, M for Manscaping, N for Nude Beaches, O for Obama, Oprah Online Chats, P for Parenting, Penises, Poppers, PnP Prostate Massages, Q for Queen (the band), R for Rainbow, S for Sadomasochism, T for Transgendered, Tearooms, Tea Dance, Truck Stops Twinks, U for Urinals Undies V for Viagra, W for Watersports,
X for X-tube, Y for Youth Pastors Yellow Brick Road, Z for Zak Spears.

***

This next one had been online for a few days, it's a commercial for Cadbury but it doesn't really have anything to do with chocolate. I guess a successful commercial is now measured by how many people have seen it instead of having anything to do with sales. It doesn't make me want Cadbury any more than Ghirardelli or Hershey's. But the eyebrow dance is awesome, I think the boy with the protrude eyebrow bones make it much more dramatic than the girl with the rounded flat face.



They are so cute.

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Memory Lane is Now Available Online

One of my most vivid dreams when I was a kid was riding a magic carpet roaming the streets of London. Why London? I don't know, I've only been there once in my childhood, but I guess it must have made quite the impression in my mind. That's what I really like to do, roaming streets at night, places that I've visited before and places that I've never been. It's just thrilling.

That's what I like about Google Maps. It doesn't provide you with a night view but it let you roam free. I was looking for the street where I lived in Paris, and all the sudden I realized that there is a street view function to it. So I immediately clicked on it, I find that after 23 years, the building I lived in still look pretty much the same.



I lived on the first floor unit on the right hand side. I remember one time, my mom forgot her keys so we went up to the bushes and she held me up so I can climb up the railing and go in the apartment and fetch the keys.

The neighborhood looks much improved. Some new buildings here and there. The patisserie across the street where a bully took my handheld electronic game is no more. I traced the street where I walked to go to school and find my old school still intact. I wish I could have took a peek inside.



I also found the shopping mall where my father's restaurant is located and another place where my mom's friends lived and the restaurant they owned and where my mom went to play cards and Mahjong after hours. I wonder if they're still there. I remember they had a Chinese shrimp and black fungus salad that tasted very good. In fact I might try to recreate it later. It should be good for my low carb diet.

My old place in Providence is painted anew, I wonder my landlord still lives there. I remember his crazy bunny farm which produce dozens of bunnies annually and the kids in the neighborhood would climb in his yard to "take" some. Cute animals really, little baby bunnies set loose to terrorize the whole garden. I also found the restaurant that had the best Buffalo Wings I've ever tasted, I do wonder if it's still the same quality though.

Too bad they don't have Asia set up for viewing, or else I'll be able to see where my friends live and maybe show you guys where I lived.

Google Maps is really lots of fun.

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Happy Year of The Moo

Well, yup. It's Chinese New Year. Happy New Year everyone! If you didn't start on working items on your resolution list, consider this a second chance.

Chinese New Year is my second favorite holiday of the year. (X'mas is more fantastical) We used to get red pocket with money from our elders, when I was back in Hong Kong. In my opinion that's the only reason why we would respect our elders. Of course, you can't expect everyone to give out a nice sum, but the going price was about HKD$10 per envelope 10 years ago which is about USD$1.30 (Us brats will shun upon anything less). And each year we'd earn More than USD$100, some lucky ones might even get USD$500 in mere two weeks. (You'd have to go to all the friends and relatives your parents know but money is money. lol) I wonder what the going rate is now, maybe going back and making my round would pay my rent, but then as I'm getting older there's not much elders left and I'm too old to get red pockets now.



So Year of the Cow, I've read in some fortune telling book that's it's gonna be a good year for me but I sincerely doubt that the whole populace born in the same year will suffer the same fate. Still, I can't help but hope. People born in the year of the Cow is said to be dependable, responsible, hard-working, truthful and patient, although at the same time, they are stubborn, petty and materialistic.

Are you a cow? (Honestly, you dizzy cow)

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Music Invasion: Shakespear's Sister's "Stay"

I got reminded about this group and this song by yesterday's meme. It was a big deal in 1992, well for me anyway. I was a fan of Bananarama (yes, for shame), and Siobhan Fahey left and formed Shakespear's Sister with Marcella Detroit. The group decidedly went for a much darker and more offensive approach, it's way less pop princessy as Bananarama which is way more refreshing to me than anything.

This song here had me sold. Marcella's soprano is amazing and I think Siobhan's voice complimented hers harmoniously. It's like the ancient struggle between good and evil. I sing this song sometimes and try my damnedest to hit the high note. Too bad the group didn't last long. (Both members are now about 50 years old)



Stay

If this world is wearing thin
And you're thinking of escape
I'll go anywhere with you
Just wrap me up in chains
But if you try to go alone
Don't think I'll understand

Stay with me, stay with me...

In the silence of your room
In the darkness of your dreams
You must only think of me
There can be no in between
When your pride is on the floor
I'll make you beg for more

Stay with me, stay with me...

You'd better hope and pray
That you'd make it safe
Back to your own world
You'd better hope and pray
That you'll wake one day
Back in your own world
Coz' when you sleep at night
They don't hear your cries
In your own world
Only time will tell
If you can break the spell
Back in your own world

Stay with me, stay with me...

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Weekend Meme: "Finish This Sentence" Meme

This week's meme is stolen from Chris at My 2 Cents who stole it from Judd at Sunday Stealing.

1. My uncle once took the whole family to a camping trip and got us lost for hours.

2. Never in my life have I imagined that I would end up living in Philly. It could be just a stop and I'd eventually move on, but maybe with the right elements, I would stay.

3. When I was five my parents sent me to Southern France to my Tonton Albert's place for the summer.

4. High school was the best time of my life. Tons of friends, tons of fun and parties, tons of laughs.

5. I will never forget to wipe my butt after I go to the toilet? I hope so.

6. Once I met this guy who taught me what love can be, too bad he has to go back to Argentina.

7. There’s this boy I know who was my high school classmate, he's about the same age as I am and his car got out of control and fell off the cliff six years ago. He's the first to go amongst us.

8. Once, at a bar, I sucker-punched my stalker exboyfriend who was taunting me and my date and got thrown out of the bar.



9. By noon, I’m awake. Yes, even though at times I wake up before noon, I usually and not fully there until 10:00 at least.

10. Last night I got invited to a party but it was too short a notice so I didn't go.

11. If only I had won the lottery, well, one can dream.

12. Next time I go to church, it would be because I'm forced to, against my will. Maybe for love... that would be a better reason.

13. What worries me most is that I won't change. How would anything improve?

14. When I turn my head left I see a pot of split pea and ham soup.

15. When I turn my head right I see an unfinished painting. I have to finish it some day.

16. You know I’m lying when I pause to think hard, blink and give short answers.

17. What I miss most about the Eighties is family life.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be I don't know... Can I just be honest and say that I haven't studied Shakespeare to know that? Ask me about the Shakespear's Sister.



19. By this time next year I will have a job. Let's hope so, if not, I don't know what to do.

20. A better name for me would be the great procrastinator.

21. I have a hard time understanding selfish people. Maybe that's why I'm not getting anywhere.

22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll try to learn something for real.

23. You know I like you if I say I do. I'm honest that way and I do like most people.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be my grandma. I think my life would have been very different without her.

25. Take my advice, never do anything against your values. Life is short, why live with a guilty conscience?

Have a great weekend!

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Every Child Deserves a Mother and a Father

I goes on The Stranger Slog for news sometimes. I will honestly classify The Stranger as one of the liberal media even though the drawback is that they are based in Seattle, and most of what they blog about is local. The star of Slog for me would be Dan Savage and while I like most of what he writes, he does a regular segment that's called Every Child Deserves a Mother and a Father.

The title is meant to be sarcastic. Since Dan have two children with his partner, he meant to give examples on how wrong to prevent gay people to adopt. Heterosexual couples don't make better parents just because it's composed by a woman and a man. Most parents don't know better until they learn, and orphans is not better off in an orphanage than be with a gay couple.

The example he raised are from local news and often sad and outrageous.

Texas:

A San Antonio couple is accused of trying to trade sex with the woman’s 5-year-old daughter for an apartment, a used car and child care for her 10-month old daughter.

Jennifer Richards, 25, and her married boyfriend, Sean Michael Block, 40, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Stein Nowak on Friday…. According to an affidavit, the investigation began when an informant told the FBI about a text message allegedly sent by Block reading: “Nice piece 5 yrs old belongs to my gf and she wants to sell it.”

Richards and Block crafted a deal that, in addition to the apartment and used car, included child care for Richards’ 10-month-old daughter, whose sexual service the couple intended to sell later, Rex Miller, the FBI’s lead agent on the case, testified.

Georgia:

A couple has been charged with beating and torturing a 12-year-old boy. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said the boy’s mother and stepfather were arrested Thursday. Their names were withheld to protect the child’s identity.

Investigators believe the boy was shot with pellet guns, pepper-sprayed and was handcuffed to a coat rack in a closet.

Louisiana:

A man who initially told police gunmen kidnapped his 2 1/2-year-old son was arrested Saturday, accused of committing an "extremely hideous" murder because he was ordered to pay child support, Police Superintendent Warren Riley said....

"He had said he would kill either his wife or his child before he paid child support," which he recently had been ordered to do, Riley said.

Riley said he did not know the amount of child support and would not describe how the boy was killed, saying the coroner would do that after the autopsy was complete. The coroner's spokesman did not immediately return a call. "The mother is in a safe place," Riley said.

Although he had visiting rights, Platt, 22, of New Orleans, had never visited the boy until he picked him up Friday, Riley said.

Given they are all tragedies and rare cases but I still feel vindicated. Maybe some day when I'm in a much better position, I'd adopt.

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Music Invasion: Audiobullys ft. Nancy Sinatra "Shot You Down"

Bang Bang/Shot You Down was a song popularized by Kill Bill a few years ago, but I think I knew it before I saw the movie. It's not something that got stuck to my head but I have a problem coming up with material nowadays, so out of sheer laziness, here goes.

I have a hard time deciding whether to post this or to post its original version. This is a bit too much and the other while beautiful it's a bit too tamed. A mixed version of both would have been perfect.



Shot You Down (Bang Bang)

I was five and he was six
We rode on horses made of sticks
He wore black and I wore white
He would always win the fight

Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down

Seasons came and changed the time
When I grew up, I called him mine
He would always laugh and say
"Remember when we used to play?"

Bang bang, I shot you down
Bang bang, you hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, I used to shoot you down

Music played and people sang
Just for me the church bells rang

Now he's gone. I don't know why
And till this day, sometimes I cry
He didn't even say goodbye
He didn't take the time to lie

Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down

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Resolutions Update

I have finally started to look for jobs but since I've been in the non-profit world for so long without proper training, I find I lack the confidence to apply for things that are too technical. Still, I put in my resume in for half a dozen of jobs today. For the dozens I've applied before I've never heard anything back, so the chance of me getting any of them seems minimal, but one can hope. I understand now that success is not measured by contemplation but by action, and it doesn't make me an intellect because I reflect a whole lot and do little.

One of my resolution items was to get to know more people, I have trouble going about this one. I think it'd be better if I can pick up a hobby and go meet people that way. Bridge, maybe? There used to be a gay bridge group in Philly somewhere, I wonder if they still do exist and if everyone that goes are all older folks. Maybe I can go out to the bars even though I can't drink much and start learning to cruise or just awkwardly start a conversation with strangers. I can't imagine myself doing it.

It occurs to me that it is a good thing that my taste of men goes beyond my own race. The Asian community in Philadelphia is not so big. Even my Asian straight friends either find love when they were in school or going out to Chinese restaurants. My barber for one found his wife when she was waitressing in a Chinese buffet, and A & Y met when Y was serving dim sum in another restaurant. Even my gay friend told me that a waitress told him the time she's getting off work before. I guess that's how things work in a small community.

I have yet to join the gym but I'm losing weight, so I can check that off my list. No, not really. With the lack of carbs and sugar, all I can think about is to have a piece of chocolate cake. The sugar-free jello is really not doing it for me. Thank god my diet ice teas are helping. Still, Chinese new year is coming and I'm supposed to go out for a banquet dinner, so I won't be able to control what I eat then. Oh well, might as well get my sugar fix.

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Sweet. Dull. Pain.

Sweet

So we kicked out the old president and got ourselves a new one. I rarely watch these political event, but it's very historical to have a first African-American president. People might shun that they are all the same and they might be, but I still thing it's pretty sweet. Every gay guy's eyes were on Michelle and her outfit worrying that she might repeat her last disaster, but she came out with a gold and white lace number with a sash to echo her daughters' outfits. It's quite precious, although it stands out a lot in the cold and everyone else was wearing some tamed colored coats. Rick Warren's prayer was severely written in the spirit for acceptance, I guess he got whipped into shape.



I know we shouldn't put so much expectation and pressure on Obama, he couldn't honestly fix everything in 4 years, especially the harm done by Bush was so severe. But if he can really do what he promised in his speech, America will be in a much better place. You do have to love how he made a speech about how bad a shape the country is in and how bad a job the former president had done and then sit right back next to the now ex-president. I do wonder what Georgie is thinking seeing that many people cheer for the new guy with that much enthusiasm, probably more acceptance than he had gotten for years. Maybe he also noticed that everyone was happy that he's leaving?

Funny thing for me was people cheered very loudly when they hear Yo-Yo Ma's name. I guess out of the minority quartet (Jewish guy, Black guy and a Hispanic girl), he's the better known one. That tickled me a little. Dick Cheney in a wheelchair just make him look so much more evil. me and my friend were wondering weather that walking cane had a gun or a blade inside, I thought it could be mustard gas. He's looking more and more like the Penguin in Batman. The poet was a miss for me though, we were wondering where Maya Angelou is and my friend yelled "Damn Cheney!", I like to imagine that Ms. Angelou fought bravely and rendered Cheney in that chair with her wooden spoons Kill Bill style. Despite my concerns, nothing bad happened so hopefully the country can start a brand new chapter.

Dull

Life is dull, or rather my life is dull but I'm not talking about that part now. Rest assured that I'm taking measures to change it. During a cold last week, I was caught by a smell in my apartment. I thought it was burnt PVC coming from my radiator, maybe some wire was caught around it and melting. Until I remember that I have encountered this smell before when I was around 20 in Hong Kong. It's a rather dull sweet smell, a bit waxy as if it's beewax and the oddest of things, it comes from me. I remember how the smell followed me for weeks driving me insane but it eventually went away and I have no clue why it has come to be. I mean I'm a sweet guy, but not this literal. Signs of diabetes, nasal cancer? Or maybe I just ate something wrong and it's some kind of reaction? I have no clue, although it had subsided a bit since then.



I've been casually on a low carb diet, not intentional. I was talking to CuteCub about a low carb recipe that I liked and I made it, and afterwards I thought might as well continue in this regime. Somehow I've lost 10 pounds. It could be due to a combination of diet, being sick and dehydration, but hey one of my resolutions have been fulfilled. I have been on it for roughtly 10 days but it was blown to hell during a day of Mahjong, they bought hoagies and then we went out for Chinese food. I think I'll resume my diet for a while and see where it leads. If I lost 25 more pounds I'd be in the best shape of my life.

Pain

I think morose would be a more appropriate word. I guess I assigned too much importance in my relationship with CuteCub and I'm paying for it. Sure, I can't expect anything to cater to me but when I'm blown off again and again without telling me ahead of time and have me waiting like a fool and then avoid communications afterwards. I think I have the right to be upset no matter how self-inflicted it is. He could be just having a bad week but I hate feeling unimportant. It's true that I like the guy a lot and maybe the circumstances around us are not ideal, so maybe it's best to put it aside. If it cannot be something mutual, it'll be unfair for one or both or us. If the time comes that he finds himself to be alone and needs someone to care for him, I'd like to be there for him.

So my heart is heavier now.

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Tanks In My Memory

A nice musical summary of George W. Bush's legacy via Joe.My.God. 8 Years, finally over and am I ever so glad. There ought to be a parade.

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Adele's Concert 01/16/09

Remembering Adele has a concert this weekend, I went on their site to check and luckily found the price coming down from the former $200. I snatched the very last one and decided to go after getting blown off yet again by CuteCub. It was around $50 but they have to gore to charge me $20+ even the ticket was e-mailed. Whatever, I wanted to go to the concert since before X'mas and I'm happy to feel that I can afford it.

I got there a little late and snatch the last good spot. I would have wanted to rush to the stage and since I was alone, I guess I could have but I settled around the balcony for a good angle. I was determined to have a good time and I was pretty excited because I love Adele and her music.

Right around 9, a cute itty bitty girl named Angel Taylor opened the show, she's not too bad. She's got a great voice and I think I would buy her album. She knows how to play the guitar and the piano and she's been writing songs wince she was in the 10th grade. I was quite taken by some of her songs, but after half a dozen maybe due to the limitations of instruments, her songs start to sound monotonal. Maybe the arrangements in her album would be better? Well, I'm sure she'll mature up to showcase her talents better.

By the time Adele came out the whole place was packed. She opened with Cold Shoulder, the crod went wild, everybody sang along. And then went right into Melt My Heart To Stone, this song which is my favorite and her most personal. By this time, I realized that I have the camcorder function on my phone and I've never used it. There won't be a better reason than this, so I tried.

Much like all the other concert recordings online, the sound and picture qusalities are not that great. Also I learned that I rather be watching the show and get in the moment than paying attention to my trembling hands. But I still enjoyed the concert a lot. Can't help but sung a long during the encore Chasing Pavements, which can be heard in the video. (Embarrassed.) If you're interested they're here. And here's Best For Last:



After the show, I stood outside in the freezing cold (-1F) and waited around for about half an hour. But good things come for the ones who waits. Adele came out and we had a picture together. Too bad the picture came out fuzzy, she's taller than I thought.



I should be happy...

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Weekend Meme: The Five Greatest Joy of Nature Meme

Saw this over at Spo-Reflections and I knew I have to do it myself. I love picture memes, graphics are pleasing and there's nothing better the sceneries.

1. Wind



You can't see it but it's powerful. It can generate energy, but mostly it's the feeling. The pressure, it's like a hug from nature. It teases, it manipulates, for Wild is The Wind.

2. Storms



I don't know why but I feel happier when it's raining or storming. I enjoy the rain and I'm not afraid to get wet. I also like watching it from indoors, nothing makes me safer, cozier than sitting at home with the rain outside. If everyday is a good day, how do you know it's still good? Also back in Hong Kong, we don't have to go to school when a typhoon approach, so I'm excited when it does.

3. Snow



It's like rain, and I'm also excited when it comes as back in college it's a day off. But snow have other amazing properties. It's a beautiful sight, you can play with it and it covers all the imperfection and griminess of Philadelphia. (Hiding trash cans and all) I love hopping around on a blanket of snow. I guess not needing to shovel it helps my enjoyment as well.

4. Fire



You've got to appreciate it. Yes, I have a little pyro in me. It's beautiful. But then it's very useful. I like to cook, and there's little I can do without fire. Just have to respect it and not to abuse it.

5. Trees



Love the greens even though they don't love me. The leaves, the change of color, when they fall and leave the trees bare. They are pretty to look at year round. And they also produce useful wood, nuts and fruits.

So what are your top 5? Have a great weekend!

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TV (Late) Review: Mad Men

I know it's kinda late for Mad Men, but out of curiousity for their Golden Globes, I torrented two seasons (26 episodes) and went to town. I didn't know what it was about, I thought it was The Sopranos in a 60s setting but found out it wasn't.

The story started with young Peggy Olson's, a naive girl from Brooklyn, first day at Sterling Cooper, an advertising agency on Madison Avenue, Manhattan. Peggy was assigned to Creative Director Mr. Don Draper, the genius behind the agency. It's an exciting time, the boys came back from WWII (not the video game, I swear the Japanese made up Wii to make people forget that war) and becoming men, JFK had been elected president, the sanctioning of Cuba and the Cold War is still in the background. Viewers are confronted first hand on how inequality persist in those days. After Peggy was introduced to his boss, she was shooed away to a doctor who introduced her to birth control pills while the doctor told her just because she now has a mean to avoid pregnancy doesn't mean she has to be the village pump. (Why? Thank you Doctor!) Sure enough the whole office tried to have a go with the young girl. (I was reminded about this post.)



But not Don Draper. He's a married man with a beautiful wife who could be mistaken as Grace Kelly, he also has a young daughter and a young son. ( I actually wondered is little Bobby Draper grew up and inspired this series) But then Don Draper is no saint, he sleeps around with different women, and as the series went on, Don is not really who he says he is. Everywhere you turn there's someone smoking or drinking hard liquor.

The show is sexy in a very unique way and I admired the effort for authenticity. The hairdo and makeups, the furnitures, cars, home decor, TVs all strives to represent US in the 60s. The colors are vibrant. There is an obvious racial disparity that makes me glad I'm not in the US back then (Although there was an Asian waitress that spoke perfect English), but being a minority means being Italian or Irish, members of other races were doing menial jobs. The Civil Rights movement was commencing but equality wasn't ther just yet. There was also a homosexual sub-story with the Art Director named Salvatore Romano who's played by Bryan Batt, I recognized him from gay flick Jeffrey (1995) and I'm ever so glad to see him employed in such a prominent series. He demonstrated how life for a closeted gay man was. There is also a very distinct feel about Class and the upkeep of it as it's deteriorating. Don is always coming in and out of parties and clubs that one might expect Roger Moore would come through as James Bond.

I totally love the red-headed, sassy, queen bee office manager Ms. Joan Holloway (played by Christina Hendricks). Vicious, calculating abuse her powers at times, but she thought she was just offering help. One such person would go far in modern world, she's absolutely gorgeous and knows it and uses it to her own advantage. Don Draper's wife Betty (played by January Jones, what a parculiar name that is) is also very beautiful, she struggles for perfection and even though she knows deep in her heart that her husband is sleeping around, she keeps up the appearance of the perfect marriage and perfect family until she has psychosomatic episodes. As the series commence you'll see her flirt with various strangers and act appalled when the strangers flirts back. And although I can't quite put my finger of Don Draper who's played by Jon Hamm, his smoldering gaze and his hairy chest does intrigue.

I wonder what will happen to this series though. Since they got quite a few awards, the whole cast and crew is negotiating with AMC for a higher fee I'm sure but who watches AMC? I thought they only plays American Movie Classics (aka old films that I don't watch) So how do they generate enough revenue to produce shows like this? There were news that this series stopped production until the negotiation is over. I would think one of the major networks might pull this up. It's better than most shows on TV. Hell, I'll say I like this more than Six Feet Under. The writing is not unbelievably witty but reflecting a period is intriguing. (i.e. Swingtown)

It actually reminds me of a Manga Series that I read, about working in a big Japanese Electronic company, called Salaryman Kosaku Shima. It's like 40 books of it from him being a clerk and slowly work his way up to be the president. The series started publishing in 1983 and the guy is still working his way up. But much like Mad Men, it shows the era and things that were happening and it also shows new concepts and teaches the inner working of the company. I've learned quite a bit from it. At the same time you can't help but want the protagonist to succeed.

One memorable scene in Mad Men is during a picnic, they were preparing to go home and after taking the basket and toys back in Don's new Cadillac Coupe de Ville, Don just stood up and waved his blanket around and let all the trash fall to the park lawn and left. Did people really just do that? Who did they think will clean up after them? I was shocked.

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Silliness

I know there's a plane on the Hudson river and all, but everyone is safe and Philly is a hub for US Airways so there's really nothing much I can do. Hope the passengers weren't too scared and can think of it as an amusement park ride. I'm sure they'll get a settlement or complimentary free ride for life.

Since everyone else online is Obamarizing themselves, I thought I'll join in the crowd:


"Hope" because I need some. Make your own here.

I also came across this clip on Towleroad that made me laugh and laugh. So hope you guys enjoy it too.



*** Update ***

Also a friend found this gem:



Very silly indeed.

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Baby, You're Hot!

From BBC by the way of the Savage Lovecast:

'Penis fire' suspect is charged

An Australian woman has appeared in court in Adelaide charged with murdering her husband by setting fire to his penis.

Rajini Narayan, 44, is alleged to have doused her husband, Satish, with a flammable liquid while he was sleeping.

When she set him alight, Mr Narayan jumped out of bed and knocked over the substance, causing the fire to spread.

Mrs Narayan told the court she had not intended to kill her husband but to punish him for his alleged infidelity.

Prosecutor Lucy Boord said Mrs Narayan had confessed to her neighbours, telling them she was a "jealous wife" and believed her husband was having an affair.

"I just wanted to burn his penis so it belongs to me and no one else, I didn't mean this to happen," Ms Boord quoted Mrs Narayan as saying.

The fire, on 8 December 2008, caused damage to the couple's house estimated at 1m Australian dollars ($715,000, £490,000).

Mrs Narayan was initially charged with arson and endangering life - including the lives of her three children who were in the house at the time.

The charge was upgraded to murder after Mr Narayan died from his injuries last week.

She has been held in police custody pending the results of a psychological assessment.

Mrs. Narayan caught her husband cheating and she thought as a punishment, she thought she'd light her husband's penis on fire in his sleep. The husband awakened and horrified by his burning penis knocked down the lighting fluid that his wife used and cause the fire to spread further. He died in the fire.

For men, I don't think there's anything worse than waking up finding your penis aflame. What happened to cutting it and flushing it down the toilet or putting down the meat grinder? Dan Savage suggested the CB 6000, a male chastity contraption that allows a lock and key. But I thought if the husband can probably force the wife with force for the key. Or the thing can be broken easily. (With a hammer?) Maybe someone should invent a fireproof condom or flame retardant boxers.

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The 8th Annual No-Pants Subway Ride

From Improv Everywhere:



I just can't believe they did this on a snowy day.

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NAMBLA Commercial?

Just saw this commercial recently on TV and I'm a bit perturbed. It's not clear about its purpose and the line "100 of boys like me are in the waiting list ready to offer our wisdom and friendship as a little brother, if you're a man..." disturbed me quite a bit.

Did they not hire someone to review the commercials for them? I wonder how a child molester would feel watching it.

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Music Invasion: Dinah Washington's "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby (Remix)"

Feeling especially lazy these days. Having a cold and lying on my death bed. There's no reflections, no feelings, no observation but dread, a stuffy nose and coughing. I'm not going out but to get groceries, not having fun with friends and not having fun with others. The only bliss is Nyquil. At night instead hearing my humidifier battling my radiator, Nyquil offers me undisturbed sleep.

Just read the second installment of the vampire chronicles from Anne Rice and it mention evil as observations with no action and that the meaning in life might not be revealed with death, its meaning is what one makes of it. I think I'll take on Ms. Rice as my spiritual guide, she's successful enough for me to trust her instinct. Secretly I'm afraid of getting old now, with this unaccomplished life and no love in sight. In about 10 years, my face will rapidly deteriorate like all the other middle-aged Asians. It's quite a scary thought. Maybe I need to save up for Botox. Becoming a vampire should be so much easier, no sickness, no getting old, glamouring people for sex, money and blood, but then how high can a fat vampire hover?

This song come from the Verve Remixed album from 2002 that I loved, I even loved its sequel but then afterwards the choice of popular songs got scarce and the quality is questionable. I was intrigued by the grammar and the beat and of course Dinah's voice is just so classic.



Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby

(I got a man who's always late
Every time we have a date
But I love him
Yes I love him

I'm gonna walk up to his gate
See if I can get it straight
Cause I want him
And I'm gonna have him

Say is you is or is you ain't my baby?
The way you're actin' lately makes me doubt
Yous is still my baby-baby
I guess my baby's found somebody new) x2

Is you is or is you ain't my baby?
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true?

Now is you is or is you ain't my baby?
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true?
I guess my baby's found somebody new

And I better get right up and go out find me somebody true
I said I'm gonna find, find me somebody true

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Weekend Meme: The McDanger Meme

Took this meme off Chris at My 2 Cents who took it from Judd at Sunday Stealing. Yes, we are all meme thieves and I won't be able to provide answers as smart and funny as Chris but here we go:

What are your nicknames? Growing up I had been called "French Guy", "Photosynthesizer" (Don't ask), "Dai Law" (Not gonna translate that), and "Bebo" (Principe though it was cute).

What TV gameshow or reality show would you like to be on? I like The Price is Right
, but it's really hit or miss when it comes to prizes. I like Family Feud but then I don't have the whole crew with me and I don't think they would be good at it. For prizes, I'll go with Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader or Deal Or No Deal. (People should learn to give up when they hit 5 figures, unless they are doing one of those multi-million episodes.)

What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD? First movie, eh? Could be Seven.

What is your favorite scent? Lavender is good, for soaps I use a Calendula scent, and my favorite cologne is Polo's Blue.

If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on? Popular question, a duplex. Not cheap but a million should cover the place, the decor and maybe condo fees.

What is one place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to? When I've traveled to a place and like it, I usually wants to go back. If I can only name one place that would probably be London.

Do you trust easily? No, not at all.

Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think? I think AND procrastinate.

Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? A few, there's always something. Mostly I just need to take some measures to change but like I said, I procrastinate.

Do you have a good body image? Nope, but it's improving. (I mean my image, not my body... hehe)

What is your favorite fruit? Sugar apples. Pineapple, watermelon and lychee are really nice too.

What websites do you visit daily? All the websites on my blogroll if they update it.

What have you been seriously addicted to lately? IMing with CuteCub, who's reading this blog now... Let's see what else, reading Vampire novels?

What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Ne Me Quitte Pas by Nina Simone.

What is your favorite thing to wear? If I need to single out one thing, it'd be my sandals. Not wearing them in winter but the tan lines won't fade.

Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy? They could be, the ones that are shaped like a bar, right? The Chinese have something similar made with nuts and honey. Taste great.

What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground? Pick it up and put in my pocket. It'll go for groceries.

What items couldn't you go without during the day? Money/Wallet, Cell Phone (Last week has been grueling), Keys (Tired of breaking down my door), Watch and iPod (Music is my life).

What should you be doing right now? Looking for a job.

Anyhow, have a great weekend!

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Propaganda 8

Borrowed from Joe.My.God:

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$1,000 House

Came across this story when I was on Yahoo!:

Radical cheap: $1,000 homes

The real estate market is so awful that buyers are now scooping up homes for as little as $1,000. There are 18 listings in Flint, Mich., for under $3,000, according to Realtor.com. There are 22 in Indianapolis, 46 in Cleveland and a whopping 709 in Detroit. All of these communities have been hit hard by foreclosures, and most of these homes are being sold by the lenders that repossessed them.

"Foreclosures have turned banks into property management companies," said Heather Fernandez, a spokeswoman for Trulia.com, the real estate Web site. "And it's often cheaper for them to give these homes away rather than try to get market value for them."

In Detroit for instance, Century 21 Villa owner Randy Eissa has a three-bedroom, one-bath bungalow of about 1,000 square feet listed at just $500. It's a nice place with lots of light, but it needs a total rehabilitation inside, which Eissa estimates will cost between $15,000 and $20,000. But that's not bad, considering that the home last sold for $72,000 in late 2007, according to Zillow.com.

With prices this low, lenders aren't looking to make any money on these deals. They just want to get these houses off their books, so they don't have to bear the cost of maintaining them and paying property taxes.

In fact, the $500, $1,000 or $3,000 that a buyer forks over often goes straight to the real estate brokers as a commission. And often the lenders have to kick in extra cash to make it worthwhile for a realtor even take the listings, according to Eissa.

"Usually these homes are bank repossessions that the lenders have already tried to sell on the market, perhaps then put up for auction without success and then re-listed," he said.

Fixer uppers

These houses are almost always small fixer-uppers. Wiring, plumbing and heating systems have to be replaced, walls and ceilings sheet-rocked, plumbing and light fixtures installed and new kitchen cabinets and counters put in. Few come with working appliances.

Often buyers are legally required to rehab these homes to bring them up to code. In Detroit, buyers are required to sign Affidavits of Compliance Responsibility, which obligates them to make repairs outlined in an inspection report. Only after that can a certificate of occupancy will be issued, which makes the house legal to live in.

But even factoring in these costs, they're still bargains.

And as the housing crisis drags on, there are more and more four-figure listings popping up, as lenders try to unload their repossessed properties.

Cleveland is another city with many incredibly inexpensive homes. On Ardenall Avenue, in East Cleveland, McMullen Realty has a listing for a four-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath house for $1,900. It's been vandalized inside, but the outside is in good shape.

It features a deep front porch with Doric columns, double dormer windows and a separate garage. It's an excellent opportunity, according to agent Tonya Stoudamire. The last time it sold was in March of 2008 when it went for $16,677, according to Zillow.

"East Cleveland has a beautiful housing stock," she said. "These houses just need someone to come in and love them a little."

Another property for sale in Birmingham Ala. is priced at $1,900. The one-bedroom, one bathroom home was built in 1923 and has major fire damage, according to its listing broker, Tom Murphy Realty. The listing states that "Rooms are hard to distinguish."

But it's on a nice-sized lot, about 0.38 acre, close to downtown and transportation and has all utilities. Nearby, comparable homes in good condition sell for about $100,000, according to Zillow.

Rehab money

Most of these $1,000 homes can be renovated relatively inexpensively, and buyers can actually get government help to finance these repairs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a special loan program for just such purchases.

Its rehabilitation mortgage insurance, available through FHA-approved lenders, was designed to encourage banks to issue a single, long-term loan to buyers that covers both the acquisition and rehabilitation of a property, according to HUD spokesman Brian Sullivan.

He adds that there may also be grant money available from the $4 billion Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which was a part of the massive housing rescue bill passed by Congress in July, to assist buyers with grants for down payments.

Buying homes like these is certainly a leap of faith; they're generally not in the best of neighborhoods and they're often surrounded by many other vacant and deteriorating homes. Still, some of these neighborhoods may turn around and provide residents with good, dirt-cheap housing.

"It's a sad time," said Stoudamire. "But it's also a time of opportunity, especially for low and moderate income people."

I didn't expect anyone to read the whole thing, hell I didn't, but I wonder want kind of a house you could get for $1000. Probably like a car that you can get for $200. Maybe this is one of the rare opportunities that happens once every couple decades where one can acquire properties, too bad I'm not in the position to invest.

A few nights ago in the $200 car, my straizian friend was explaining to me that actually most people acquire wealth by saving like mad, buying a property, paying it off fast and buy another one and rent it out. The details elude me. I think people weren't kidding about saving 60% of your paycheck in the bank and I haven't done so for the past decade. One of my friends actually does it and own a couple properties in South Philly, probably with the help of his parents. Also he's an accountant and does some side business. The discipline of it is what I admire. Principe actually had a very similar dream, he said he'd love to buy an apartment building and rent it out, then he won't ever need to work again. I never thought it was achievable.

Anyone feeling like moving to Detroit?

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Getting Back On Track

I titled this entry "Getting Back On Track" because that's what I need to do. I have not been working for quite a few months now and I'm getting into the habit of putzing around. Going online, checking things out, meeting friends, writing, reading, playing video games, getting groceries and cooking. One of my new year resolutions should be breaking up my routine, do something out of the ordinary everyday. Or simply get into the mindset of work, I have to start incorporating job hunting as part of my routine.

One of my major problems for the past week was not having a working phone. I was expecting it to arrive early this week but I waited and waited and didn't see it. So I went online to find that it has got to the local post office for a few days. Even I didn't get a notice in my mail, I walked there and got my phone from them. Happy. Although my old phone is not working at all, so I lost all my numbers. It's very annoying, I have gotten some numbers from some folks that I doubt I'd ever get them back again. Also the new phone was really confusing because I didn't know it was partially touchscreen and didn't come with a manual. It took my 20 minutes to figure that part out. I'm sure it'll take me a while to get used to it.

If there's anything I got from Benjamin Button is to stop talking about it and just be about it, but why is it so hard? It's January, it's after the holidays. I should really cease that momentum and start changing my life for the positives.

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Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The second half of my double header belongs to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I think I saw the preview of it some months ago and I was intrigued by the plot; A man born old and growing younger. It looked like a good film, my friends were worried about the film being too much of a chick flick while I was hoping it to be a bit more Forrest Gump-y. The end result is a moderate medium.

While Brad Pitt is not quite my type, he's not bad to look at and I doubt that anyone will kick him out of bed, even the presumable straight guys. But then I have not been putting him in the ranks of serious actress like Cate Blanchett. Brad plays Benjamin Button who was born in a rich family in New Orleans 1914 as a old baby. His mom died during childbirth and the father was horrified and abandoned him in the front step of an old folks home. (The opening reminded me of Wicked, minus the musical number. Did the birth of Penguin of Batman suffers the same fate?) The owner (?) of the old folks home is a devoted African American Christian lady who accepted Benjamin and his condition and raised him as her own. He met a resident's granddaugther Daisy and fell in love with her throughout his years. The audience watch as Daisy grows older and Benjamin gets younger and younger.

After Daisy gave Benjamin a daughter, Benjamin realized that he will not be able to be his father and Daisy might not be able to raise two kids and he decided to leave. At that point, the narrative got a bit poignant. Benjamin observed that there are people who waste time to hope for change but never actually do so (like me), and it is up to anyone who seize their opportunities. Instead of waiting idly, people should just do what makes them happy. I think I'll have to concur.

There are some awkward moments in the movie, such as Cate Blanchett's narrative in her death bed, you can't have a long narrative while dying, it's very uncomfortable to the ears. The New Orleans Katrina backdrop is unnecessary and distracting. And it's never quite clear on what happened to Benjamin's sister. The film is too involved in the relationship between Benjamin and Daisy that the era and history around them got ignored. It has the potential to make it a lot greater, but it didn't get there.

If they were aiming at an Oscar, maybe Cate will get a chance. I don't think Brad's range was demonstrate in here anymore than he was in Meet Joe Black. It could be so much more. Although, maybe the make up people would get an award somehow. It's a good film, but when I was in a party celebrating my friend CL's birthday. I was asked if it's worth going to the theater to see the film. I'd say rental would be just fine. B

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Movie Review: The Spirit

I was thinking since everyone was supposed to go back to work yesterday and I didn't need to, I would go to the matinees and watch a double-header. So that's what I did. I went down to the Riverview Stadium, the one that a shooting recently happened; a guy got shot for talking during the movie. I thought I had it set, it was THE work day so there were only a handful of people in the theater, there was a recent shooting in this particular theater, and the shooting is for talking during a film. Wouldn't you know people are still speaking loudly during the film? I guess the theater could have done some measures to remind people not to talk or plainly reminding them of the earlier incident by implementing metal detectors or leave some traces of the yellow police tapes but I guess in this economy, they could use every ticket sale they can get. Oh well. I'll just pull up my hoodie to drown out the noise and hopefully looking like the unibomber can weird those folks out into shutting their traps.

First, I have to point out that I've not been a Frank Miller fan. At least I haven't purchased any of his comics, but I do enjoy the visual styling of the movies that he lend his name to. Sin City was quite visually superb and I don't mind 300 either, especially with all the chiseled half-naked bodies, CGI or no CGI. Even so, I find The Spirit lack some luster.

I mean, when I was watching Sin City, the story was divided into a few segments, there was more substance. 300 had some historical background and a lot of actions. The Spirit didn't deliver as much at the substance side. The story is a bit simple, good ol' cop and bandit. Indestructable superhero hunting down a supervillain, the plot is as old as it gets.

Generally, The Spirit reminds me very much of Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy. It's artfully styled with certain color schemes, staged in the same era. It's about cops and villains and there's also vixens. Eva Mendes plays the Spirit teenage sweetheart turns big-time robber was really magnetizing. There are also a few other pretty girls in the film. Gabriel Macht is not quite convincing as the superhero, we never ever see his face, although his bare chest did show up a few times. The worst has to be Samuel L. Jackson playing a black Nazi mad scientist supervillain named Octopus. It's like he was imitating Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker, badly. There's no building of the character or his background, his catch phrase is that he doesn't like eggs on his face. You just can't take that guy seriously and we don't have a clear view of how evil he really is. So he wants to be god, but who doesn't? Scarlett Johansonn plays the Harley Quinn to Samuel L. Jackson's Joker, regretably she was quite forgettable.

The funny bit that I like is The supervillain Octopus produces some crones and he named each of them with a name ending with "os". These crones are his muscles and their names are displayed on the white t-shirt they're wearing and Octopus goes through these crones like crazy. So during the start of the movie, we have high-brow names like "Pathos", "Ethos" and "Logos", by the end of the movie we have "Huevos", "Rancheros", "Adios" and "Amigos". That was very cute.

I'm not saying that the movie sucked, it's still a pretty decent one. It's just most of the things have been done, the story is quite predictable and doesn't quite pack a punch, the characters lack some oomph. It didn't inspire, it didn't introduce any new concepts. The styling is pretty. It's like some brainless pretty boy at the bar. I don't hate it, but it just didn't quite measure up. C+

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Lessons I've Learned Since 2009

1. Don't go to eat at any Chinese buffet, and if you do, try to avoid any seafood and anything oily. Basically it means to either not eat or go for the salad bar. If not prepare to stay in the bathroom all night. Not to bash an establishment of my people but I couldn't in any good conscious endorse Chinese buffets, seriously not the healthiest thing one can eat. (Japanese buffet doesn't count, they're great!)

2. Selling things on Craigslist is doable but troublesome. A lot of people like to bargain for a lower price, some don't follow through. Some are running scams and ask you to mail the thing to their sons in New Zealand or somewhere in Africa while paying you via PayPal. With certain patience and time investment, you'd eventually sell your stuff, but you'll wonder if it's ever worth your time.

3. Having friends is great. After putting my cellphone through the washer, one of my Straizian (as oppose to Gaysians) friends lend me her old cell phones and now I can be in touch in the duration of waiting for the eBay one to come along. They even offer to walk me for my iPod Touch transaction as my bodyguard. It's a great feeling to be accepted.

4. Buying a car for $200 has its drawbacks. Not that I even know how to drive, but one of my Straizian friends who drives me around have a car that requires half and hour of warming up time. And it even died midway in bitter cold nights. It's nerve wrecking and I wonder if I have to get off to push it a few times. On the plus side, it goes so slow that I think I'd borrow it just for my driving exam if I ever get around to one.

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Weekend Meme: End of The Year Meme

I've been feeling a bit blah about posting these few days. I think this not working thing is overrated, so if I ever win the lottery while having a job, I might be one of those assholes still insist on working. You've got to have a hobby somehow.

Found this very introspective meme from Ur-Spo at Spo-Reflections, I think it'd be useful to reflect on the past year so I can scheme for a better one this time around. Let's hope it works.

Happiest Event of 2008?

Getting to know a bunch of new friends that actively fill my weekend schedules.

Worst part of 2008?

Getting laid off.

Most unusual activity I participated in during 2008?

Receiving money (Unemployment Compensations) for not working.

Most enjoyable trip I took this year?

Going to San Francisco for Folsom was one of the most memorable things.

Most exciting theater experiences?

Theater experience? Not much this year. Does Margaret Cho's Beautiful Tour counts?

Most Embarrassing?

Let's see... Haven't shitted my pants, not this year anyway... I guess getting laid off still.

Best Movie?

Haven't had much strong cinematic experience. I think I like Iron Man the best, even though I knew the plot ahead of time, seeing it on the big screen with convincing special effects is still really nice.

Best CD?

Adele's 19. Even though I didn't give it as high a mark as Duffy's Rockferry or John Legend's Evolver but it just grows and grows on me.She's got a great voice and her songs are so personal and relatable. I would have said Jill Scott's Live in Paris too, but that was around 10 months ago and my memory fades.

Most Exciting Night?

Hmm... sex aside. (which is always exciting) The most exciting night of the year would be split between getting to meet Margaret Cho and Liam Sullivan in person and going to the Henri David Halloween Ball in costume

Biggest Disappointment?

The various boys who are taken, unavailable and incompatible.

Were New Year Resolution(s) kept?

I didn't have any, so... nope.

Were there any major house changes this year?

I think it's still the unemployed thing. Other than that it's business as usual.

Blogging 2008; any high or low points?

My post numbers have increased 83.5%, in average I post almost more than once a day.

I changed to a blog template that I like. If I can only get an unique photo for my header, it'd be perfect.

My blogroll has more websites now and I get to know more and more folks, which is good. I also got to meet Sue. Got linked for event pictures, some other blogs even published some of my pics which is flaterring.

Started the weekend meme format (including posts like this one) for sheer laziness. Yeehaw!

The low points would be losing all the data from transferring templates, so I've lost counts of my visitors and website data, but oh well, who need those?

3 Wishes for 2009?

Get a job, find a boyfriend, move out.

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