Whenever I listen to sports radio, besides the interviews and sports talk, I always try to pay attention to the contests because there's always a chance I could win something. The problem is, that out of all the contests I've entered, I've never won anything. I've tried online, through texting, etc. The only one I haven't tried is calling, but I'm either too scared to call, or the contest takes place when I'm busy, like in class. I suppose I can't be too angry, especially if they're national contests like the one I've been trying to do for the past week, but it's so frustrating. I'm a diehard listener to the station, and am always one of the first people to text in the code word. I know the winner is chosen at random, but C'MON! I've never won anything in my life, so it would be nice to win something for once.
Of course, I can keep complaining and complaining, but the only thing I can do now is keep on trying. Here's hoping to me being a winner someday!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Model Behavior
Did I get your attention?...
No, I don't know Kate Upton (though it would be awesome if I did) or any other supermodel, but something I've noticed is how harsh society is on models, despite the fact they appeal to so many people. This isn't the first time I've brought it up how society treats women, but it is the first time I've talked about models. To be honest, I don't pay much attention to them or many celebrity women in general since it's unlikely I'll ever meet them, and I don't know what type of people they are personally, but I have to say, Kate Upton is one of the most attractive women in the world. She's obviously a beautiful woman, but she seems like a good person, that has worked hard her whole life to get to where she is. Even if you don't like her, or think she's unattractive, you have to respect that.
One thing I don't like though, are those people who ogle at models or any other celebrities, but criticize them at the same time, or don't care about them? I don't understand the point of that. How can you truly get enjoyment from something you barely know? Or how could you not care about them as human beings? Like I said above, I don't know Kate Upton, but I wouldn't want to see her get injured, stalked, or hurt, like during a photo shoot. But there are always those people who don't care, and just want to stare, which is wrong. Models are people! They're just doing their job. They don't deserve to be dehumanized just because they're good looking. If you act that way, then maybe you should stare deep and hard at yourself.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Donald Sterling Thoughts
With the NBA playoffs being in full swing now, the league should be thriving with ratings and positive publicity since the product has been great so far. Even a diehard fan such as myself has been surprised with the blowouts, buzzer beaters, clutchness, and overall play of every team from seeds 1-8. It's a great time to be following the NBA. That is, until yesterday, when Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling made many racist comments recorded on tape about minorities, how he didn't want them at games, thought of them as animals, etc. I'm giving the lighter version of it since I can't sum it up with the phone message being so long, and listening to this guy speak is just sickening.
Usually, I wait for all the facts to come out when I judge a person, but I won't this time because Donald Sterling has a history of being a bigot. Ask former players like Elgin Baylor and Baron Davis who used to play for him what type of person he is, and they'll tell you how they used to get scrutinized. In the year 2014, I know that racism is alive and it still exists, but I like to think that we've made some progress from the past, when racism was running rampant. The NBA markets itself as a global game for everyone, and I think they do a good job when you see all the different types of players in their game today. They've come a long way since then, which is why it's a shame what Donald Sterling said came to public since it makes the league look bad. Not to mention, his comments make it seem as though he views minorities as animals, saying you can "feed them" or "sleep with them", but not bring them to games. What an ignoramus if that is how he truly feels! We're all human beings! And even though the Clippers players are all mixed in terms of race and ethnicity, I'm glad they're all outraged because it shows how strongly they feel, and shows that racism has no place in sports. It might be a few days until we figure out what the penalty is for Donald Sterling, but hopefully the penalty is severe, or as another Donald says, "YOU'RE FIRED"!
One last thing I want to interject (which is my own opinion) is everyone disses baseball for there being a lack of African-American players, but you never see stuff like what happened with Donald Sterling happen in baseball. I'm not denying it doesn't happen; I mean, look at Marge Schott or how often the race card was played whenever Barry Bonds was questioned. It exists, but I feel like the culture in baseball doesn't promote as much discrimination currently. Look at the NBA and NFL, the race card is played all the time, they say the N-word like it's nothing, and there's gang affiliations. I'm not saying having those things makes sports worse because I still love those sports, but I think when a sport has all those things, we shouldn't be surprised of anything anymore. Racism shouldn't have a place in sports, but Donald Sterling isn't the only one who feels the way he does. And sadly, it still exists in the world, which I don't think will ever change.
Usually, I wait for all the facts to come out when I judge a person, but I won't this time because Donald Sterling has a history of being a bigot. Ask former players like Elgin Baylor and Baron Davis who used to play for him what type of person he is, and they'll tell you how they used to get scrutinized. In the year 2014, I know that racism is alive and it still exists, but I like to think that we've made some progress from the past, when racism was running rampant. The NBA markets itself as a global game for everyone, and I think they do a good job when you see all the different types of players in their game today. They've come a long way since then, which is why it's a shame what Donald Sterling said came to public since it makes the league look bad. Not to mention, his comments make it seem as though he views minorities as animals, saying you can "feed them" or "sleep with them", but not bring them to games. What an ignoramus if that is how he truly feels! We're all human beings! And even though the Clippers players are all mixed in terms of race and ethnicity, I'm glad they're all outraged because it shows how strongly they feel, and shows that racism has no place in sports. It might be a few days until we figure out what the penalty is for Donald Sterling, but hopefully the penalty is severe, or as another Donald says, "YOU'RE FIRED"!
One last thing I want to interject (which is my own opinion) is everyone disses baseball for there being a lack of African-American players, but you never see stuff like what happened with Donald Sterling happen in baseball. I'm not denying it doesn't happen; I mean, look at Marge Schott or how often the race card was played whenever Barry Bonds was questioned. It exists, but I feel like the culture in baseball doesn't promote as much discrimination currently. Look at the NBA and NFL, the race card is played all the time, they say the N-word like it's nothing, and there's gang affiliations. I'm not saying having those things makes sports worse because I still love those sports, but I think when a sport has all those things, we shouldn't be surprised of anything anymore. Racism shouldn't have a place in sports, but Donald Sterling isn't the only one who feels the way he does. And sadly, it still exists in the world, which I don't think will ever change.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Anime Length
I'm no expert on anime, but in a way, I suppose we all were at point in our lives, because as kids, we watched cartoons that were really anime. We just didn't know at the time that they were dubbed (unless of course you were really smart). I remember as a child thinking the U.S. was the best because they created all the shows I watched; then I realized that Japan created them. I wasn't disappointed, just surprised that one place could create so many shows I loved like Pokémon, Digimon, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc. My love of those shows still carries over to now, but now that I'm older, I don't watch as much anime anymore. Now, I just watch cartoons or regular sitcoms.
That got me to a conversation I had with one of my friend's recently. He's big into anime, but doesn't watch any series that are very long, which makes sense in theory, but if that was the case, he would miss out on classic shows like Dragonball Z, Gundam Wing, Naruto, Pokémon, etc. I understand the rationale behind it, since people rarely have time to do things, but what do you think about that? Do you think animes are too long, and if you had had a choice, would you have wanted a show from our childhood to be shorter?
That got me to a conversation I had with one of my friend's recently. He's big into anime, but doesn't watch any series that are very long, which makes sense in theory, but if that was the case, he would miss out on classic shows like Dragonball Z, Gundam Wing, Naruto, Pokémon, etc. I understand the rationale behind it, since people rarely have time to do things, but what do you think about that? Do you think animes are too long, and if you had had a choice, would you have wanted a show from our childhood to be shorter?
Friday, April 25, 2014
South Korean Ferry Disaster
I won't summarize the details, since it's not my place to tell what happened when there are still so many unknown facts. And out of respect to all the victims lost, and those who are still out there somewhere. It's always sad whenever an accident happens, but when it happens to innocent people or because of neglect, that's when it is a shame and tragic because it could have been prevented if things were done a little differently. Then again, it shouldn't have even happened. Those kids were out there because they were on a field trip; it wasn't supposed to turn into what it did.
A few people have been harsh and rude about the accident because it's Korea, and they believe it's evil because of North Korea, but those people are wrong to generalize everything. North Korea is different from South Korea, and when it comes to accidents like this, it doesn't matter where it happened, just that it occurred, and that we as people should care. It doesn't directly affect us, but we all know what it's like to go through something tragic/traumatic, so let's pray for all those innocent people hurt during this ordeal, and hope that there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Choosing A Side
Today, I had my first ever debate in school, which seems hard to believe considering how long I've been in school, and how the media portrays debates as frequent, but it's true. I was very nervous for it because the subject was about children and IPV, along with the fact that I wasn't sure if I had done enough research on the material, but once the debate started, things calmed down. I didn't talk as much as I would have liked because the questions I focused on weren't asked, but I still gave my two cents about something, which gave me credit for showing up in the first place.
One thing I realized from my debate was that if you had the easier side, the debate was better for you, since I noticed that the other team was confused with their answers and questions. I felt bad for them since they all didn't choose the side they were on, but I was happy my side won. And I can tell you, the previous week, my team and I were busy keeping in contact and doing research. A debate is harder than it seems though. You think you're just going to talk, but you need to answer the question, be direct, and have sources when necessary, which is a lot of pressure to have on a person. If I had to do it over again, I think I could do it better; I just wish debates didn't always have to be political and stick to one side, when it seems most of the time, people are split down the middle on an issue. But, that's just the way life is for the things we care about.
So all in all, I probably focused on the debate for my class more than I should have, but better to be prepared than not at all. And in the end, it paid off choosing my side.
One thing I realized from my debate was that if you had the easier side, the debate was better for you, since I noticed that the other team was confused with their answers and questions. I felt bad for them since they all didn't choose the side they were on, but I was happy my side won. And I can tell you, the previous week, my team and I were busy keeping in contact and doing research. A debate is harder than it seems though. You think you're just going to talk, but you need to answer the question, be direct, and have sources when necessary, which is a lot of pressure to have on a person. If I had to do it over again, I think I could do it better; I just wish debates didn't always have to be political and stick to one side, when it seems most of the time, people are split down the middle on an issue. But, that's just the way life is for the things we care about.
So all in all, I probably focused on the debate for my class more than I should have, but better to be prepared than not at all. And in the end, it paid off choosing my side.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Buying A Booster Box?
The more I've been playing Pokémon cards, the more I've been wanting to buy packs of them. I've always traded and bought single cards, but it's not always easy trading, and after awhile, paying a lot for rare single cards is just too expensive. That's why recently, I've been looking at booster boxes of cards. In Pokémon, their boxes usually cost around $100 for 36 packs, which sounds like a lot, but when you consider that normally a pack costs between $4-5, the savings adds up. It's just such a huge investment, and for someone like me who is a casual gamer and low on funds, I wonder if it is worth it? Part of me says no, but a large part of me is excited at the possibility of opening so many packs. Especially if I decide to get the Plasma Blast box or the Wild Blaze box, which isn't coming out till May. The Plasma Blast set has Genesect EX and Virizion EX, two of the best and rarest cards, that I would want if I made a grass themed deck, but if I got the new one, I'd have a chance of getting the new Charizard EX cards, which I could add to my deck. A tough decision for sure, but what would you guys suggest I do?
 |
| A booster box might be in my future, but which one should I get? |
Finishing The Year Strong
Because of the marathon yesterday in Boston, it was a busy/hectic weekend, but for everyone in the city, it was an event to behold. I didn't actually get a chance to go to the marathon this year because of homework, but I watched some of it on TV, and still had a great weekend, seeing some old friends, ordering food, and just relaxing as a whole. With the day off yesterday, I think I enjoyed the holiday too much, but now that there's only two weeks of school left, I'm ready to buckle down to the finish line. There are a few things left that worry me, such as a debate I have tomorrow and a few essays I have due, but I know I can handle them; I just need to believe and stay composed like I have been this semester, and I'll be fine.
Also, I'm sorry I haven't blogged much the past week. I've been so busy, but I will try to more now that the semester is drawing to the close. Best of luck to everyone as school is reaching its end!
Also, I'm sorry I haven't blogged much the past week. I've been so busy, but I will try to more now that the semester is drawing to the close. Best of luck to everyone as school is reaching its end!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
My Favorite K-Pop Music Video Reactors
One of the best things about K-Pop, besides the artists/idols, fashion, and music are the dedicated fans. There's obviously the fans in Korea (who are great), but I always found it cool that their music stretched to all corners of the globe. And that most artists and groups have fandoms, such as Hottest for 2PM. But another thing I love about K-Pop fans is when they make music video reactions. I like to watch people do things, such as play video games, but usually, I can't stand watching someone watch something, but with K-Pop, it's different. Maybe it's the music that attracts me to it, but regardless of the reason, I love watching them because it's a chance to see how other people feel about something I enjoy. Not to mention, the various personalities, which are entertaining, and the fact they're all doing it because they love K-Pop too. I still consider myself new to the music, but it's great to see people so dedicated because it makes me realize that K-Pop is more than what it is.
So here's a list of a few of my favorite music video reactors (in alphabetical order). I hope you check out their work if you can because they're all great, unique, and add something to K-Pop with their knowledge and diehard loyalty. My favorite reactors are...
So here's a list of a few of my favorite music video reactors (in alphabetical order). I hope you check out their work if you can because they're all great, unique, and add something to K-Pop with their knowledge and diehard loyalty. My favorite reactors are...
- 2MinJinJongKey
- Beemelon Ful
- FreshlyFlipped
- heyitszaners
- JREKML
- KingZodi16
- KPOP DERPS
- KSpazzing
Sleeping Habits
Sleeping habits are something that have always interested me. Is that weird? Some might say yes, but I say no, since we all sleep differently. There are those people who pull the all-nighters that require very little sleep, those who always nap, and then there are those like myself who are in the middle. I need sleep like everyone, but as long as I get a few hours, no matter how little, I can always force myself to get up, no matter the time of day. I know that isn't healthy, but in college, it helps to have that sort of internal clock. Although, it is annoying waking up minutes or seconds before the alarm when that little bit of time can make all the difference.
This is on my mind because the past few nights, I've had trouble sleeping, which can be attributed to a number of things. I've been napping for a few minutes a day, which always ruins my schedule, and the warm weather has made my room so hot, I can't sleep whether I use a blanket or not. I'm happy winter is over, but if there's anything I liked about it, it was that I had a much easier time falling asleep. Now I feel tortured, staying awake, hearing the same things on the radio. I suppose it isn't the worst thing in the world since at least I can sleep compared to others with insomnia, but it's not a habit I want to develop. Hopefully, things change, or else these next few weeks are going to be tougher than they already are.
This is on my mind because the past few nights, I've had trouble sleeping, which can be attributed to a number of things. I've been napping for a few minutes a day, which always ruins my schedule, and the warm weather has made my room so hot, I can't sleep whether I use a blanket or not. I'm happy winter is over, but if there's anything I liked about it, it was that I had a much easier time falling asleep. Now I feel tortured, staying awake, hearing the same things on the radio. I suppose it isn't the worst thing in the world since at least I can sleep compared to others with insomnia, but it's not a habit I want to develop. Hopefully, things change, or else these next few weeks are going to be tougher than they already are.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
One Year Ago...
A year ago today, one of the most unforgettable moments in my life happened when the Boston Marathon bombings went off. In one aspect, I can't believe it's already been a year since then (when the memory still seems so vivid), but at the same time, I'm not surprised because as people, we have the ability to put the past behind us. What I remember vividly from that day was that I was in Amherst, visiting my high school friends at UMASS for the weekend. It was a great time, but because we had been traveling and going out every night, the last day, we all decided to stay in and relax. That's when I got the first text from my sister, telling me what had happened. I'll be honest, that I didn't take what she said seriously because I was half asleep, and thought it was just a joke; I mean, the marathon is usually so guarded, I didn't think anyone could ever set off a bomb, but within' minutes, the news and social media exploded, confirming that what had happened was real and serious.
After realizing what had happened, I called my dad because he was at the marathon scene with one of our friends, but luckily, he wasn't hurt. After that, I did the only thing I could do, and watched the news, trying to figure out what really happened. News was slowly coming, so I had to act like it was a normal day, when it was far from it. My friends and I ate dinner that night, and I took the bus back through Boston the next day, but things were so different afterward; I could tell. The city was silent, extra police were everywhere, and people didn't look happy. Our city was hurt.
Within' the next few days, we found out major news that helped solve the case. Footage from the cameras caught something, two boys were spotted leaving the scenes without bags, and from there, one of the biggest manhunts in Boston history happened. I remember trying to go to the bank that day to open a bank account, but once city officials were sure the bombers were in the area, the whole city was closed for hours. The hunt took over half the day, and left a few people dead unfortunately, but Boston police did their job and caught the bomber.
I won't go into detail about all the rest because you can find that information anywhere, and I'm not the most equipped to talk about it, but now that a year has past, I'm so glad that our city has found a way to recover a little. We'll never be able to forget what happened, and unfortunately, we'll never be able to help those that were hurt/killed, but we can do what we can as a city to stand together. I know the bomber will get his justice, but I just hate the fact a few people caused it when it hurt so many people. Something like that seems to major, so the fact a few idiots did it is asinine. If it was up to me, he'd get the death penalty, but that's another post for another day. The important thing is that what happened last year is in the past, and now it's time to move forward and make positive memories. I'm so proud of how we, as a city, have come.
Boston Strong!
After realizing what had happened, I called my dad because he was at the marathon scene with one of our friends, but luckily, he wasn't hurt. After that, I did the only thing I could do, and watched the news, trying to figure out what really happened. News was slowly coming, so I had to act like it was a normal day, when it was far from it. My friends and I ate dinner that night, and I took the bus back through Boston the next day, but things were so different afterward; I could tell. The city was silent, extra police were everywhere, and people didn't look happy. Our city was hurt.
Within' the next few days, we found out major news that helped solve the case. Footage from the cameras caught something, two boys were spotted leaving the scenes without bags, and from there, one of the biggest manhunts in Boston history happened. I remember trying to go to the bank that day to open a bank account, but once city officials were sure the bombers were in the area, the whole city was closed for hours. The hunt took over half the day, and left a few people dead unfortunately, but Boston police did their job and caught the bomber.
I won't go into detail about all the rest because you can find that information anywhere, and I'm not the most equipped to talk about it, but now that a year has past, I'm so glad that our city has found a way to recover a little. We'll never be able to forget what happened, and unfortunately, we'll never be able to help those that were hurt/killed, but we can do what we can as a city to stand together. I know the bomber will get his justice, but I just hate the fact a few people caused it when it hurt so many people. Something like that seems to major, so the fact a few idiots did it is asinine. If it was up to me, he'd get the death penalty, but that's another post for another day. The important thing is that what happened last year is in the past, and now it's time to move forward and make positive memories. I'm so proud of how we, as a city, have come.
Boston Strong!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
The Purple Rose Of Cairo
The Purple Rose Of Cairo (PG)
Grade: A+
- Directed by: Woody Allen
- Produced by: Robert Greenhut
- Screenplay by: Woody Allen
- Starring: Mia Farrow (Cecilia), Jeff Daniels (Tom Baxter/Gil Shephard), Danny Aiello (Monk), Edward Herrmann (Henry), Milo O'Shea (Father Donnelly), Dianne Wiest (Emma), George Martin (Movie Audience)
- Cinematographer: Gordon Willis
- Music by: Dick Hyman
- Distributed by: Orion Pictures
- Released: March 1, 1985
- Running Time: 82 minutes/1 hour and 22 minutes
- Language: English
"I want what happened in the movie last week to happen this week; otherwise, what's life all about anyways?"
-Moviegoer
Roses are red, violets are blue, but in Woody Allen's film, "The Purple Rose Of Cairo", the rose is purple, and being searched for by an archaeologist named Tom Baxter in Egypt. He's a cheerful guy, liked by everyone, so he is brought to the states where the film commences. But that's not what the film is really about. That's what is happening in the film Cecilia is watching. She's a nice girl, but she's clumsy and naive at work, always dropping dishes and daydreaming. While at home, she constantly faces the abuse and ridicule of her husband Monk. There's no good situation for her, so she goes to the movies to find solace, only to one day have Tom Baxter leave the screen to join her in the real world, causing all sorts of trouble for Cecilia and Gil Shephard, the actor who plays Tom.
Woody Allen's films always touch close to real life because his films are about themes we deal with, whether it's love, friendship, sex, etc, but in this film, he is literally having the character in the film of a film come out into the real world of his film (sorry if that didn't make any sense). It's genius because of the idea and the fact that isn't done very often. We all dream that we could connect more with the film we're watching, but how often do we see that happen? Never, which is why this film is so refreshing. In "Zelig", Woody Allen went into his film, but in this one, he has a character come out of his. It's a testament to how much Woody Allen loves films because we want to truly feel them, but "The Purple Rose Of Cairo" shows the negatives that can occur if that happens, which is very true of real life. Films have that power, which Woody shows us on an artistic level, but through Cecilia, he is simply showing us how watching films can bring so much enjoyment to a person, which they have for me as well.
In terms of what doesn't work in this film, there isn't much I don't like besides the ending, but I'm not going to say what happens because then I'll spoil in. As for the positives, I loved the set design of certain scenes because they set the mood for the film, which was very old school, and reminiscent to the time of cheap black and white films. Mia Farrow as the main character deserves praise, as does Danny Aiello for being memorable and simplistic in such little screen time, but the true star of the film is Jeff Daniels because he is so believable as the character who leaves the film and the actor he portrays. He shows anger and happiness, but his actions are so subtle that you don't even notice he's just acting. Not to mention, he's hilarious, and his dialogue is fantastic. But then again, it's always like that for a Woody Allen film. And lastly, I can't forget the music from the film, which was a mix of classical, jazz, oldies, and classic songs from film like "Cheek to Cheek" with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, one of my favorite songs ever from film.
There's been a lot of unfortunate publicity in the news recently with Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, and their family, which is understandable, but I hope people don't judge Woody Allen without first knowing all the facts. But I won't judge you if you dislike him. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just know that this man is a true artist, who like the quote above says, wants to show real life in movies. What would happen if the same thing happened all the time or the way we expected? Life might be better, but it'd be boring, which "The Purple Rose Of Cairo" truthfully shows, a reality that all of us are afraid to face at times. It's tough to see, but that's what makes the film amazing.
After watching "The Purple Rose Of Cairo", and realizing how much I enjoyed it, I'm disappointed I put it off for so long because my dad bought it for me months ago, but other things in life got in the way, and I had the preconceived notions that even if it was good, it couldn't touch Woody's best films for me, which are "Manhattan", "Hannah And Her Sisters", and "Crimes And Misdemeanors", but this is close to being one of my absolute favorites. It has all the charm of his best films, and high repeatability factor. I'm not much of a flower person, but give me a purple rose, and I'll go to the movies with you any day.
Woody Allen's films always touch close to real life because his films are about themes we deal with, whether it's love, friendship, sex, etc, but in this film, he is literally having the character in the film of a film come out into the real world of his film (sorry if that didn't make any sense). It's genius because of the idea and the fact that isn't done very often. We all dream that we could connect more with the film we're watching, but how often do we see that happen? Never, which is why this film is so refreshing. In "Zelig", Woody Allen went into his film, but in this one, he has a character come out of his. It's a testament to how much Woody Allen loves films because we want to truly feel them, but "The Purple Rose Of Cairo" shows the negatives that can occur if that happens, which is very true of real life. Films have that power, which Woody shows us on an artistic level, but through Cecilia, he is simply showing us how watching films can bring so much enjoyment to a person, which they have for me as well.
In terms of what doesn't work in this film, there isn't much I don't like besides the ending, but I'm not going to say what happens because then I'll spoil in. As for the positives, I loved the set design of certain scenes because they set the mood for the film, which was very old school, and reminiscent to the time of cheap black and white films. Mia Farrow as the main character deserves praise, as does Danny Aiello for being memorable and simplistic in such little screen time, but the true star of the film is Jeff Daniels because he is so believable as the character who leaves the film and the actor he portrays. He shows anger and happiness, but his actions are so subtle that you don't even notice he's just acting. Not to mention, he's hilarious, and his dialogue is fantastic. But then again, it's always like that for a Woody Allen film. And lastly, I can't forget the music from the film, which was a mix of classical, jazz, oldies, and classic songs from film like "Cheek to Cheek" with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, one of my favorite songs ever from film.
There's been a lot of unfortunate publicity in the news recently with Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, and their family, which is understandable, but I hope people don't judge Woody Allen without first knowing all the facts. But I won't judge you if you dislike him. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just know that this man is a true artist, who like the quote above says, wants to show real life in movies. What would happen if the same thing happened all the time or the way we expected? Life might be better, but it'd be boring, which "The Purple Rose Of Cairo" truthfully shows, a reality that all of us are afraid to face at times. It's tough to see, but that's what makes the film amazing.
After watching "The Purple Rose Of Cairo", and realizing how much I enjoyed it, I'm disappointed I put it off for so long because my dad bought it for me months ago, but other things in life got in the way, and I had the preconceived notions that even if it was good, it couldn't touch Woody's best films for me, which are "Manhattan", "Hannah And Her Sisters", and "Crimes And Misdemeanors", but this is close to being one of my absolute favorites. It has all the charm of his best films, and high repeatability factor. I'm not much of a flower person, but give me a purple rose, and I'll go to the movies with you any day.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Noisy Neighbors
If you've ever lived anywhere in the world, unless it's a desolate area, or the closest home/person is a few miles away, odds are you've had a neighbor. I've had one my whole life, including at school, but since I live in an apartment/boarding house during the school year, I feel as though I have multiple neighbors. It's not the worst thing in the world since they're all nice people, and more people around makes the place feel more safe, but there are times when they get on my nerves. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike them; I've certainly had worst in the past, but it's the subtle things they do that annoy me. Like always using the bathroom when I need to (and taking forever to do it), leaving lights on, not controlling their pets, letting their kids run around, making lots of noise, etc. I want to tell them to behave, but I know it's not the nice thing to do. Then again, I wish people were more courteous or aware that when you share a house with someone else, there are other people who live there too. I know this is all part of life, and one day, when I get my own place, I'll have new neighbors I have to put up with, but at least then, I'll have some quiet. Now, it's always hectic. I don't know what to do about the situation, but all I'm going to do is put some headphones in, and blur out the noise until it's gone.
Less than a month to go, and I won't be a neighbor anymore...
Less than a month to go, and I won't be a neighbor anymore...
Friday, April 11, 2014
Mom's Just Don't Understand
With Mother's Day being a few weeks away, I should be more appreciative of my mom (and believe me, I am with everything she's done for me). But like everyone who has a mom, there are just times when she drives me crazy. Like today, she calls me just to ask if I've been eating? I tell her of course I am, but she wants me to keep eating more, since she thinks I'm losing too much weight. Her point is valid since I have been trying to lose weight, but I've been doing it to lower my blood pressure. I thought she would understand because for years she hounded me about losing weight, but now she wants me to gain it all back; it makes no sense, and stresses me out to the point that I think even if I was ideally healthy, I'd still have high blood pressure because of everything I'm dealing with. I know my mom is only looking out for what's best for me, but I wish she would see down the middle more, since if she did, she would understand how I really feel.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Reconnected
Yesterday, I reactivated my Facebook account for the first time in about 3 and a half years. It was a momentous occasion because it had been so long, but I remembered why I left in the first place: because of personal reasons, it distracted me from school, and it was starting to get boring to the point that I wasn't even interacting with my friends anymore. That was why I left, but I decided yesterday now was the time to come back. And after waiting the mandatory 24 hours it took to reactivate my Facebook account again, I was back online.
My first thoughts were on the new format, since the last time I was on, timeline didn't even exist yet. It took forever to get used to everything, but after hitting a few buttons and moving some things around, I think I'm getting used to it. Although, like many, I'll always like whatever the previous format was better. After doing that, I un-friended about 230+ of my 320 friends, which was harsh because some of the people were people I really liked or used to talk to, but that's the point. We used to talk and be friends, but not anymore with everything that's happened, and all the time that has passed, so for Facebook to truly be mine and personal, I had to give many people the ax. Hopefully, they don't take it personally. It feels weird having so few friends, but it feels so right too. I'll always have issues and worry with privacy when it comes to social media and anything online, but this is a step in the right direction, and having only the people I want know about me.
With it being over 24 hours since I've been online, I have to say, it feels good to be back on Facebook, being caught up with the world, and my friends, who are always going to be the most important people in the world (besides family). I've been so overwhelmed with the likes and positive comments I've received, thatI could cry. Is Facebook still distracting? Yes and no. Yes, because it's social media, so like anything involving people, it will distract, but the time away has made me realize I don't need to be on it all the time. And with the new format, that isn't too hard to do. You've been gone from my life for awhile Facebook, but I think now, I'm here to stay.
My first thoughts were on the new format, since the last time I was on, timeline didn't even exist yet. It took forever to get used to everything, but after hitting a few buttons and moving some things around, I think I'm getting used to it. Although, like many, I'll always like whatever the previous format was better. After doing that, I un-friended about 230+ of my 320 friends, which was harsh because some of the people were people I really liked or used to talk to, but that's the point. We used to talk and be friends, but not anymore with everything that's happened, and all the time that has passed, so for Facebook to truly be mine and personal, I had to give many people the ax. Hopefully, they don't take it personally. It feels weird having so few friends, but it feels so right too. I'll always have issues and worry with privacy when it comes to social media and anything online, but this is a step in the right direction, and having only the people I want know about me.
With it being over 24 hours since I've been online, I have to say, it feels good to be back on Facebook, being caught up with the world, and my friends, who are always going to be the most important people in the world (besides family). I've been so overwhelmed with the likes and positive comments I've received, thatI could cry. Is Facebook still distracting? Yes and no. Yes, because it's social media, so like anything involving people, it will distract, but the time away has made me realize I don't need to be on it all the time. And with the new format, that isn't too hard to do. You've been gone from my life for awhile Facebook, but I think now, I'm here to stay.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Air Jordans
You'd think I would be satisfied after using so much money on a pair of shoes, but I didn't learn my lesson because I bought another pair of Jordans online the very next day, the Jordan SC-3, which are red and black. After making such a large purchase, I usually hold off before buying anything new, but I saw the shoes in person, and they were too good to pass up. Not to mention, I love the colors, which are a mix of my favorites. Hopefully when the shoes come, they meet my expectations.
Right now, I feel pretty happy about having 2 new pairs of Jordans, and just having new shoes overall since I really needed some. But at the same time, I wonder what's the point? I know having footwear is important, but I could have saved money, and it's not like I'm going to wear them everyday. Not to mention, I never cared about them badly enough to buy them before, so why now? The answer to that question is, because as a child in school, I was always teased for not having name-brand shoes, so now, I want some. Being older, having Jordans now won't ease the pain I used to feel, but it feels cool having something I really want, when there's so few material things in life I do want. Will they truly make me happy? I don't know, but as I find out, I'll have the footwear to find out and reach that goal. One thing's for sure, I know this will not be the last pair of Jordan's I buy...
Saturday, April 5, 2014
My Dream K-Pop Groups
As I've been listening to more and more K-Pop, I've come to a few realizations.
The first 2 realizations are probably pretty obvious if you follow K-Pop, but the 3rd one is one most don't usually expect because of the stigma of being an idol (especially a pop one). But to those naysayers, I ignore them because being a K-Pop idol is great. You sing, dance, go on tours to different countries, get lots of royalties, etc; it's something I dreamed about to some degree as a child since after loving the Backstreet Boys, I always wanted to be in a group myself. Yes, there are negatives like the so-called "slave contract", and idols virtually have no free time or privacy, but it's not like that for everyone, and most look like they enjoy that lifestyle. Alas, I know that will never happen to me. I'm too old, can't sing, and can't speak a lick of any other language.
This got me thinking though, if I couldn't be in a group, what if I could make dream groups assembled with my biases/favorite members? I know my dream groups could never be assembled in real life, but even if they couldn't, it'd still be cool to think about, so I thought of my dream male and female idol groups. I have to admit, since I'm still relatively new to K-Pop, the lists and groups are small, but it's a start, and it gives you a taste of the groups that I like.
My only criteria is that I can't pick more than one member from a group, which is tough since I like multiple members from groups, but that's the only way to make it fair, and keep the members at a reasonable total. Usually I have explanations for the choices I make on lists, but not this time, since these people are all my biases, which explains why I chose them in the first place. With all that being said, here are my dream male and female K-Pop idol groups.
Male Group
Question: What are your favorite K-Pop groups, and if you could make a dream group, who would you pick to be in them?
- K-Pop is awesome and a mixture of just about every genre.
- I'm surprised more people don't like it.
- I wish I could be a K-Pop idol.
The first 2 realizations are probably pretty obvious if you follow K-Pop, but the 3rd one is one most don't usually expect because of the stigma of being an idol (especially a pop one). But to those naysayers, I ignore them because being a K-Pop idol is great. You sing, dance, go on tours to different countries, get lots of royalties, etc; it's something I dreamed about to some degree as a child since after loving the Backstreet Boys, I always wanted to be in a group myself. Yes, there are negatives like the so-called "slave contract", and idols virtually have no free time or privacy, but it's not like that for everyone, and most look like they enjoy that lifestyle. Alas, I know that will never happen to me. I'm too old, can't sing, and can't speak a lick of any other language.
This got me thinking though, if I couldn't be in a group, what if I could make dream groups assembled with my biases/favorite members? I know my dream groups could never be assembled in real life, but even if they couldn't, it'd still be cool to think about, so I thought of my dream male and female idol groups. I have to admit, since I'm still relatively new to K-Pop, the lists and groups are small, but it's a start, and it gives you a taste of the groups that I like.
My only criteria is that I can't pick more than one member from a group, which is tough since I like multiple members from groups, but that's the only way to make it fair, and keep the members at a reasonable total. Usually I have explanations for the choices I make on lists, but not this time, since these people are all my biases, which explains why I chose them in the first place. With all that being said, here are my dream male and female K-Pop idol groups.
Male Group
- Jun. K (2PM)
- Bang Yongguk (B.A.P)
- L (Infinite)
- Key (SHINee)
- Jo Kwon (2AM)
- Hyolyn (Sistar)
- Suzy (Miss A)
- Amber (fx)
Question: What are your favorite K-Pop groups, and if you could make a dream group, who would you pick to be in them?
Google Nexus 5
 |
| My newest and first smartphone |
I have to admit, after having a Blackberry Bold for 3-4 years, it feels good to have something with power that can keep me entertained and up to date with everything. I still stink with gadgets and any other technology, but I'm getting used to it, and even have a few helpful apps (no games though, since they're a waste of time). The long term effects of me having a smartphone remain to be seen, but with all the stresses I have, it's nice that I have something to cheer me up or take me away from the world when I don't feel good. Now that I have that, sky and internet are the limit. Let's see what awaits.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Adios Móvil!
Forgive my use of Spanish as the title of this blog post (if you don't understand it), but I have Spanish on my mind since I'm studying for a test tomorrow. I seem to have most of the material down, including the vocabulary, which is good since I know it'll be a large portion of the test, so wish me luck! I'm writing this post to say that after 3 years of having a Blackberry Bold, it's time to join the modern generation and get a smartphone because my phone is broken; it still works, but I can't text anyone. Even if it wasn't broken, though, I would probably get a new one anyways since it's just that time. All my friends have one, and even my parents who are more technologically deficient than I have one. If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is.
It suppose it will be good to get a new phone, but at the same time, I'll miss my old one. It was slow, and there were so many things I couldn't do on it, but it did all the basic functions I needed it to, had buttons, never broke, and was uniquely mine. Not to mention, it survived all my numerous drops on the ground. I don't know if my new phone will be able to do that but I guess I have no choice, but to welcome it with open arms, or fingers, in the case of smartphones.
It suppose it will be good to get a new phone, but at the same time, I'll miss my old one. It was slow, and there were so many things I couldn't do on it, but it did all the basic functions I needed it to, had buttons, never broke, and was uniquely mine. Not to mention, it survived all my numerous drops on the ground. I don't know if my new phone will be able to do that but I guess I have no choice, but to welcome it with open arms, or fingers, in the case of smartphones.
 |
| So many smarthphones out there, but which one is the right one for me? |
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Baseball Tease
The Red Sox season began yesterday, which I couldn't be more happy about being a diehard Sox and baseball fan. Granted they lost, but it was a close game, and after last season, when they won the World Series, I'm not complaining. I'm just happy they're back. One thing I'm not happy about though, is the off day right after the first game for most teams. I understand why Major League Baseball does it because of fear of rain delays, and in the Sox case, they're visiting the White House, but you've already hyped up Opening Day, so why kill the excitement with an off day? Not to mention, if they're playing the same team, it seems pointless to give them a day off so early. Save those days for later in the season when players actually need it. I know this rant is very dumb, but I can't help it. I love baseball, and as much as the average person thinks it's boring, I can't get enough of it.
Baseball, why do you have to tease us so? Oh well, I'm sure you'll make it up with an exciting regular season. Here's hoping! And here's to the days of summer!
Baseball, why do you have to tease us so? Oh well, I'm sure you'll make it up with an exciting regular season. Here's hoping! And here's to the days of summer!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)