This morning started out great.
I woke up around 8:30 am and felt restless. Haven't been out of the house for couple days now and I am way overdue for a walk/jog. After the bladder letting, I put on my tennis shoes and head out to great the brisk morning air. The sun was out and moving steadily towards 12, perfect. A few minutes of walking then I started my slow but nonetheless jog around the neighborhood. My lungs thanked me for breathing in fresh air. After a good 40 minutes of cardio, I came back to even better news.
The medical clinic called me back! It turned out that after the gastroenterologist reviewed the 20+ pages of medical records I faxed last week, he has decided to take my dad's case and set him up with an endoscopy to check out my father's recovery progress!
Awesome! Perseverance pays off and it never hurts to try. Sometimes, human kindness surprises us. Good surprise, definitely good.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Way Too Relaxed
I just realized that it's been over a year since I started this blog. Happy blogannsery!! Yeahhhh... happy happy joy joy happy happy joy joy.
Now that celebration is done, back to the present. I actually went out this last couple of weekends. It's dangerous to lead a normal weekend life. Why? Cuz it spills out to the weekdays. For the last 2 weeks, I've been a total slacker in both work and personal items to get done. Like balancing accounts, finish writing resume, call relatives, and call grandma. Bad very bad. I just feel so lazy and look at the freaking time! It's only 1 AM!! What the hell is happening.
TV and soap occupied most of my time. There's just too many shows available over the internet these days, I don't even need to move an inch to watch my fav shows now. Click click click, launch.. and viola, it's on my LCD screen.
Weather's been turning colder.. hmmm maybe that's one of the reasons I am feeling so lethargic.. maybe I am cold blooded and like snakes I need to just lay and rest. Walking has dwindled to like 2x a week. Burrr.. instead I've started to do situps with twists too. The bulging stomach will be reigned in.
Look at me, I look like a racoon. But why won't I just go to bed? I should just go to bed.
Now that celebration is done, back to the present. I actually went out this last couple of weekends. It's dangerous to lead a normal weekend life. Why? Cuz it spills out to the weekdays. For the last 2 weeks, I've been a total slacker in both work and personal items to get done. Like balancing accounts, finish writing resume, call relatives, and call grandma. Bad very bad. I just feel so lazy and look at the freaking time! It's only 1 AM!! What the hell is happening.
TV and soap occupied most of my time. There's just too many shows available over the internet these days, I don't even need to move an inch to watch my fav shows now. Click click click, launch.. and viola, it's on my LCD screen.
Weather's been turning colder.. hmmm maybe that's one of the reasons I am feeling so lethargic.. maybe I am cold blooded and like snakes I need to just lay and rest. Walking has dwindled to like 2x a week. Burrr.. instead I've started to do situps with twists too. The bulging stomach will be reigned in.
Look at me, I look like a racoon. But why won't I just go to bed? I should just go to bed.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Brain Storming Sessions Kickoff
Tonight was the first (hopefully weekly) brain storming session. There are 4 of us total and all at one time co-workers.
Communication was taken care of using:
Voice conference: conference phone number
Document sharing: www.writely.com
Hopefully we'll be able to move off conference number and move to using either Skype or Yahoo Messenger as soon as the conference plugin is released.
For the first session, I thought we did fairly well. In that one hour, several ideas were thrown out and constructive arguments were made. Nice. The goal of these sessions is that we all want to do something on the side (for now) while keeping a day job. Hopefully we'll be able to come up with some viable business venture ideas.
Gooooooooo brains!
Communication was taken care of using:
Voice conference: conference phone number
Document sharing: www.writely.com
Hopefully we'll be able to move off conference number and move to using either Skype or Yahoo Messenger as soon as the conference plugin is released.
For the first session, I thought we did fairly well. In that one hour, several ideas were thrown out and constructive arguments were made. Nice. The goal of these sessions is that we all want to do something on the side (for now) while keeping a day job. Hopefully we'll be able to come up with some viable business venture ideas.
Gooooooooo brains!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Little Miss Sunshine
We decided to use our free movie tickets on Little Miss Sunshine after seeing the rare 90+ rating on RottenTomatoes. The movie gotta be at least decent to go watch right?
Little Miss Sunshine is about a family and all those ups and downs that binds us together. We can call them dysfunctional, troubled, or down on their luck, or maybe just a dramatized version of the average family unit on earth. We got the rebellious teenager, the old crazy grandpa, the innocent little one, the embarrassing family relative, the dad who has to spew out wisdom in every single sentence, and the mom whose just trying to keep sane.
The ball (or car, you'll see) starts rolling when the little girl finds out that she's a finalist in a beauty pageant. The entire family piles into the old van and off they go towards the competition in California. What can happen when you pile 6 very different individuals across different generations into a confined space?
A lot.
It's a good movie with some scenes that'll cause you to laugh and snort. Another dramady. Well.. I would say slightly more comedy than drama so make that comdrama.
Little Miss Sunshine is about a family and all those ups and downs that binds us together. We can call them dysfunctional, troubled, or down on their luck, or maybe just a dramatized version of the average family unit on earth. We got the rebellious teenager, the old crazy grandpa, the innocent little one, the embarrassing family relative, the dad who has to spew out wisdom in every single sentence, and the mom whose just trying to keep sane.
The ball (or car, you'll see) starts rolling when the little girl finds out that she's a finalist in a beauty pageant. The entire family piles into the old van and off they go towards the competition in California. What can happen when you pile 6 very different individuals across different generations into a confined space?
A lot.
It's a good movie with some scenes that'll cause you to laugh and snort. Another dramady. Well.. I would say slightly more comedy than drama so make that comdrama.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Invincible
Thanks to American Express Membership giveaways, I was able to watch Invincible tonight with my free ticket. Watching a movie on a week night definitely has its perks.
1 - The entire theatre is practically yours.
2 - No big heads in front of you.
3 - No obnoxious people talking throughout the movie.
Back to the movie...
Invincible is based on the life of Vince Papale. Director Ericson Core took his time telling the story of how a 30-year old devout fan of Philadelphia Eagles went from watching the game to playing on the field. I liked that. Most sports movies these days are more about giving more screen time to the action on the field rather than allowing the audience to learn and hopefully care for the characters.
Like most Disney movies, there's a underlying theme of the human spirit (whether it's depicted through animated animals or humans), which makes these movies feel good movies and entertaining to watch. Mark Wahlberg is really wise in his pick of roles. His acting is sincere and genuine and you find yourself rooting for the man, chanting, don't listen to others, you can do it.
Now couple of things that caught my attention. First the opening credits. It's been so long since I've see the Magic Kingdom splashed on the big screen. When it came up with the shooting star, I couldn't help to let out a little "yeahh! Disney!" Disney make more films!!
Second, the music and montage of life in southern Philly during the 70s was very well done. It established genera, pace of life and struggles during the time all by the time the 3 - 5 minute song was over. Brilliant.
Last, the first scene that introduces Vince and his pals as they watch a dismal game up on the stadium benches. It's a snowy day and obviously cold but I don't see no frosty air as Vince chatted with his friends! That was quite a distraction for me for at least good 5 minutes.
Good movie. If you like character development, Invincible did a great job.
1 - The entire theatre is practically yours.
2 - No big heads in front of you.
3 - No obnoxious people talking throughout the movie.
Back to the movie...
Invincible is based on the life of Vince Papale. Director Ericson Core took his time telling the story of how a 30-year old devout fan of Philadelphia Eagles went from watching the game to playing on the field. I liked that. Most sports movies these days are more about giving more screen time to the action on the field rather than allowing the audience to learn and hopefully care for the characters.
Like most Disney movies, there's a underlying theme of the human spirit (whether it's depicted through animated animals or humans), which makes these movies feel good movies and entertaining to watch. Mark Wahlberg is really wise in his pick of roles. His acting is sincere and genuine and you find yourself rooting for the man, chanting, don't listen to others, you can do it.
Now couple of things that caught my attention. First the opening credits. It's been so long since I've see the Magic Kingdom splashed on the big screen. When it came up with the shooting star, I couldn't help to let out a little "yeahh! Disney!" Disney make more films!!
Second, the music and montage of life in southern Philly during the 70s was very well done. It established genera, pace of life and struggles during the time all by the time the 3 - 5 minute song was over. Brilliant.
Last, the first scene that introduces Vince and his pals as they watch a dismal game up on the stadium benches. It's a snowy day and obviously cold but I don't see no frosty air as Vince chatted with his friends! That was quite a distraction for me for at least good 5 minutes.
Good movie. If you like character development, Invincible did a great job.
Monday, September 18, 2006
dirty filthy love
My tears are still drying as I write this entry, but I've got a smile on my face.
I've just finished watching one of the best DVDs that I've rented in a long while - dirty filthy love, thanks to the recommendation of the local Blockbuster employee. Sorry to disappoint some but this is not a porno flick.
This film revolves around a man named Mark played by Michael Sheen. We discover along with Mark that he has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and also Tourette syndrome through the help of Charlotte (played by Shirley Henderson).
The film gives the audience a look-see into Mark's struggle with the disorder and his attempts to get his wife back. The director, Adrian Shergold, along with the two leading actors are fantastic. It's one of those movies that makes you cry one second but can't help to bust out laughing the next knowing very well you shouldn't be laughing.
It's a film that provokes emotions. Brilliantly acted and brilliantly directed.
A story well told. Rent it.
I've just finished watching one of the best DVDs that I've rented in a long while - dirty filthy love, thanks to the recommendation of the local Blockbuster employee. Sorry to disappoint some but this is not a porno flick.
This film revolves around a man named Mark played by Michael Sheen. We discover along with Mark that he has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and also Tourette syndrome through the help of Charlotte (played by Shirley Henderson).
The film gives the audience a look-see into Mark's struggle with the disorder and his attempts to get his wife back. The director, Adrian Shergold, along with the two leading actors are fantastic. It's one of those movies that makes you cry one second but can't help to bust out laughing the next knowing very well you shouldn't be laughing.
It's a film that provokes emotions. Brilliantly acted and brilliantly directed.
A story well told. Rent it.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Freshmen at College
Remember what it was like? That very first year where you meet so many different strangers whose lives will cross yours for the next 4 years of your lives?
Quite a change, at least for me. Coming from a small, mostly white town to a 40,000 undergrad state university was an experience for me. That first year I met friends who are still my friends 10 years later. That first year I also found others who were just like me. It was the year to explore so many different things and reaffirm others. Such as my distaste for rowdy places or to get drunk. Alcohol in the blood stream never had the tipsy affect on me. It just puts me to bed.
A refresher down memory lane came tonight while I was chatting with younger, distant cousins. It's their first month in college and gauging from their responses, sounds like overall they are having a great time as well. Good for them.. Freshmen year was the most memorable and my most cherished year out of the 5 years I was at school. All the others were just a blur, labs after labs, sleeping in the labrooms, sleeping on the common room benches.. and a heck of a lot of frustration and swearing, and then came the awful coffee incident that prompts me to politely reject coffee offers.
Quite a change, at least for me. Coming from a small, mostly white town to a 40,000 undergrad state university was an experience for me. That first year I met friends who are still my friends 10 years later. That first year I also found others who were just like me. It was the year to explore so many different things and reaffirm others. Such as my distaste for rowdy places or to get drunk. Alcohol in the blood stream never had the tipsy affect on me. It just puts me to bed.
A refresher down memory lane came tonight while I was chatting with younger, distant cousins. It's their first month in college and gauging from their responses, sounds like overall they are having a great time as well. Good for them.. Freshmen year was the most memorable and my most cherished year out of the 5 years I was at school. All the others were just a blur, labs after labs, sleeping in the labrooms, sleeping on the common room benches.. and a heck of a lot of frustration and swearing, and then came the awful coffee incident that prompts me to politely reject coffee offers.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Goodbye Note
This morning started out great!
I received a goodbye note from a fellow co-worker who will soon be leaving the company. Since it's his goodbye note, I am not going to paste the whole thing in .. but the gist of it is that he had better days being hit by cars than traveling cross country to perform validation tasks.
HA!!!! I bursted out laughing and banged the table it was that good. Awesome goodbye note. Well I guess he's never planning to come back to work for big blue or at least not the current division.
hehe.. *sigh* when will I write mine? Even when I do write mine it won't be as funny cuz I am not planning to burn any bridges. Hmmm on second thought, will I ever come back to work once I leave? Probably not.... hm still.. probably better just to keep my sarcastic remarks to myself in the official goodbye e-mails. Chicken!!!! I know.
I received a goodbye note from a fellow co-worker who will soon be leaving the company. Since it's his goodbye note, I am not going to paste the whole thing in .. but the gist of it is that he had better days being hit by cars than traveling cross country to perform validation tasks.
HA!!!! I bursted out laughing and banged the table it was that good. Awesome goodbye note. Well I guess he's never planning to come back to work for big blue or at least not the current division.
hehe.. *sigh* when will I write mine? Even when I do write mine it won't be as funny cuz I am not planning to burn any bridges. Hmmm on second thought, will I ever come back to work once I leave? Probably not.... hm still.. probably better just to keep my sarcastic remarks to myself in the official goodbye e-mails. Chicken!!!! I know.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
What's Your Dream?
Lucas Rossi, for those of you non Rockstar Supernova fans out there, is the ex-Hooters employee turned super rockstar as announced in the season finale.
What's your dream? Lucas got his. Who knew with his porcupine hairdo, eye shadowed (sometimes glittery) eyes, his signature raspy, a lot of times indecipherable voice will win over the voters and the band members. Lucas got the edge alright and he can sing! I have to say I did enjoy his performances the most, just fun to watch him, with his crazy dance and expressions.
Favorite performance by Lucas is week 7, his rendition of Hero. Now that's a song for Batman!
There's not many other countries in the world that allows one to propel from a restaurant worker status to instant super stardom. Only in America.. Only in America..
What's your dream? Lucas got his. Who knew with his porcupine hairdo, eye shadowed (sometimes glittery) eyes, his signature raspy, a lot of times indecipherable voice will win over the voters and the band members. Lucas got the edge alright and he can sing! I have to say I did enjoy his performances the most, just fun to watch him, with his crazy dance and expressions.
Favorite performance by Lucas is week 7, his rendition of Hero. Now that's a song for Batman!
There's not many other countries in the world that allows one to propel from a restaurant worker status to instant super stardom. Only in America.. Only in America..
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Elvish Sideburns
It's been more than a month, maybe even 2 months since I last received a haircut. So a trip into Flushing, NY it is. A train, a subway, and an hour and a half later, I arrived in Flushing and headed up to my usual haircut place to see Gary - the haircut guy. He didn't earn the right to be addressed as a hair stylist and never will, not from me at least.
The place wasn't that crowded today so the assistant spent at least half an hour washing my hair. It was starting to hurt before she took me to the rinse station. Thirty minutes later, I ended up with the same haircut I get every, freaking, single time! Gary has no creative abilities when it comes to styling a look. I ended up looking 25 years younger, not particularly a fitting look when I am approaching my 30th birthday. Along with the short bangs, I also got a pair of elvishly long sideburns/bangs. Lovely.
The rest of the day turned out much better. A friend met me at Flushing Mall foodcourt where we giggled like animated Japanese girls when we smelled the familiar food and saw boards of neon lit menus. The feeding frenzy continued for about 2 hours until we were stuffed and can eat no more.
Parted in the afternoon, I headed to visit elder family friends. I was treated to a homey casual dinner and in return they found my lack of sports understanding unbelievable.
On the train ride back, I finally got to the last chapter of my most recent reading, trying to understand where is the next energy boom. Whoooohooo! Overall a very productive day. Oh, and did I mention it was gorgeous weather?
The place wasn't that crowded today so the assistant spent at least half an hour washing my hair. It was starting to hurt before she took me to the rinse station. Thirty minutes later, I ended up with the same haircut I get every, freaking, single time! Gary has no creative abilities when it comes to styling a look. I ended up looking 25 years younger, not particularly a fitting look when I am approaching my 30th birthday. Along with the short bangs, I also got a pair of elvishly long sideburns/bangs. Lovely.
The rest of the day turned out much better. A friend met me at Flushing Mall foodcourt where we giggled like animated Japanese girls when we smelled the familiar food and saw boards of neon lit menus. The feeding frenzy continued for about 2 hours until we were stuffed and can eat no more.
Parted in the afternoon, I headed to visit elder family friends. I was treated to a homey casual dinner and in return they found my lack of sports understanding unbelievable.
On the train ride back, I finally got to the last chapter of my most recent reading, trying to understand where is the next energy boom. Whoooohooo! Overall a very productive day. Oh, and did I mention it was gorgeous weather?
Friday, September 08, 2006
Power of the People - Power of a Fan Base
Don't ever under estimate the power of the people.
We got a first hand look at the power of a fan base on the FOX Celebrity Duets results show tonight with the surprising elimination of Lea Thompson as the next celebrity to get booted off the show.
Come on! She was definitely a better singer than Cheech Marin and Carly Patterson. But the fans of the other 2 celebrities voted and Lea's supporters didn't. That or she didn't have much of a fan base to begin with. By the way did Lea Thompson looked like she was about to cry when she was kicked into the bottom three or was it just me?
Like I keep saying, the executive producers of Fox's Celebrity Duets is smart. They went after the gay population this time. Casting 3 gay icons on the show, Fox is going after viewers not quality. We can all be honest here. The singing and content caliber is no competition for CBS's Rock Star Supernova, but what the heck it's for charity they are not signing the singers after the shows. So with todays results, this confirms my belief that Lucy Lawless, the Xena warrior princess will be one of the last ones to be kicked off the show. Yep, mark my words. The fan base for Xena/Lucy is GIGANTOUS. Xena the show, inspired thousands of uber fan fiction and it's still going. As a side bar, Lucy Lawless changed her wardrobe strategy today. I have to say it's a much better improvement than the previous form fitting gowns she wore. It made her look like she was in a beauty pageant or something. Tonight she really flaunted it.
Those tassels were just going round and round.. swing baby swing! ya! Hmm.. sorry a bit of Austin Power just slipped in.
Anyways, where was I, oh yes. The loyalty of followers should not be overlooked in any fashion or form. Even though Lucy Lawless is not the best singer on the show, what do I care. She's Xena, and Xena will get the votes. Life ain't fair so stop the bitchin. What would make Celebrity Duets even sillier and more transparent as the real viewer hoarder as it is now, is to have casted Patrick Stewart.
Who cares if Captain Jean-Luc Picard can sing or not!
He can be rehearsing his lines and I am willing to wager that Trekkie fans will still vote for him! Hell Captain Picard might actually win the show!
It basically comes down to loyalty/image doesn't it, for choosing one thing over the other. Grocery shopping is a good example. How many of us will walk down the cereal isle and go for the brand name boxes instead of the generic grocery store versions of the same cereal?
We got a first hand look at the power of a fan base on the FOX Celebrity Duets results show tonight with the surprising elimination of Lea Thompson as the next celebrity to get booted off the show.
Come on! She was definitely a better singer than Cheech Marin and Carly Patterson. But the fans of the other 2 celebrities voted and Lea's supporters didn't. That or she didn't have much of a fan base to begin with. By the way did Lea Thompson looked like she was about to cry when she was kicked into the bottom three or was it just me?
Like I keep saying, the executive producers of Fox's Celebrity Duets is smart. They went after the gay population this time. Casting 3 gay icons on the show, Fox is going after viewers not quality. We can all be honest here. The singing and content caliber is no competition for CBS's Rock Star Supernova, but what the heck it's for charity they are not signing the singers after the shows. So with todays results, this confirms my belief that Lucy Lawless, the Xena warrior princess will be one of the last ones to be kicked off the show. Yep, mark my words. The fan base for Xena/Lucy is GIGANTOUS. Xena the show, inspired thousands of uber fan fiction and it's still going. As a side bar, Lucy Lawless changed her wardrobe strategy today. I have to say it's a much better improvement than the previous form fitting gowns she wore. It made her look like she was in a beauty pageant or something. Tonight she really flaunted it.
Those tassels were just going round and round.. swing baby swing! ya! Hmm.. sorry a bit of Austin Power just slipped in.
Anyways, where was I, oh yes. The loyalty of followers should not be overlooked in any fashion or form. Even though Lucy Lawless is not the best singer on the show, what do I care. She's Xena, and Xena will get the votes. Life ain't fair so stop the bitchin. What would make Celebrity Duets even sillier and more transparent as the real viewer hoarder as it is now, is to have casted Patrick Stewart.
Who cares if Captain Jean-Luc Picard can sing or not! He can be rehearsing his lines and I am willing to wager that Trekkie fans will still vote for him! Hell Captain Picard might actually win the show!
It basically comes down to loyalty/image doesn't it, for choosing one thing over the other. Grocery shopping is a good example. How many of us will walk down the cereal isle and go for the brand name boxes instead of the generic grocery store versions of the same cereal?
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Bridging The Distance With Google Talk
Hey I did something productive today -- teaching my mom how to use Google Talk to talk to my aunt overseas. Now that's an accomplishment!
Ever since I signed on with Voiceral, I've been doing 3 way calling between parents and relatives overseas. Saves money and the call quality is much better than phonecards. But as soon as I got my mom connected with my aunt tonight, she's like "well we are good now, don't need you as our bridge anymore!" Ha!
It's all good they can talk for as long as they like. Technology can be such a wonderful thing. Now...only if I can setup my grandma with a laptop.. now that would be cool..
Ever since I signed on with Voiceral, I've been doing 3 way calling between parents and relatives overseas. Saves money and the call quality is much better than phonecards. But as soon as I got my mom connected with my aunt tonight, she's like "well we are good now, don't need you as our bridge anymore!" Ha!
It's all good they can talk for as long as they like. Technology can be such a wonderful thing. Now...only if I can setup my grandma with a laptop.. now that would be cool..
Monday, September 04, 2006
The Crocodile Hunter Has Fallen
On my drive back from Maryland, I heard on the radio the unbelievable news of Steve Irwin, better known as "The Crocodile Hunter" died from a stingray barb piercing his heart.
What a freak accident. I am genuinely saddened by the news. I liked watching Steve Irwin's show. Althought he can be a bit over the top sometimes, but that's what makes his show different from others and it was educational and entertaining at the same time. I think like many of his fans, we have learned a lot about our fellow creatures through Steve.
He lived his life doing what he loves and probably has no regrets. But to die from a stingray and esp pierced in the heart is a especially rare, freak thing to have happened. My thoughts goes out to his wife and two young kids.
Thank you Steve Irwin for bringing forth the magnificent creatures that live amongst us. You'll be missed.
What a freak accident. I am genuinely saddened by the news. I liked watching Steve Irwin's show. Althought he can be a bit over the top sometimes, but that's what makes his show different from others and it was educational and entertaining at the same time. I think like many of his fans, we have learned a lot about our fellow creatures through Steve.
He lived his life doing what he loves and probably has no regrets. But to die from a stingray and esp pierced in the heart is a especially rare, freak thing to have happened. My thoughts goes out to his wife and two young kids.
Thank you Steve Irwin for bringing forth the magnificent creatures that live amongst us. You'll be missed.
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