V.M.L.

My Current Melancholy

2010-09-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling lonely these days. Its kind of ironic, really. During the last few months of my time in San Diego, I got so depressed and bitter about some of my interpersonal relationships that I did all I could to avoid going out with friends so I could stay in my house instead.(Its silly that every time one is having problems with their parents, they want to leave their house. Yet, whenever one is having issues with their friends, they want to stay in.) I also deactivated my Facebook account and decided to communicate through letter writing. Moving out to get away from people and whatever personal problems we or I had seemed like a goal of mine. Now that I'm out, I'm finally understanding the consequence of avoiding people.

Everyday my friend/roommate asks "did you make any friends today?" Her mom recently fired back, saying that college should be about learning, not socializing like what my friend does a lot. To me, its an awful question that annoys me. My answer, which I'm yet to tell her: "No, because, unlike you, I'm highly motivated to get my ass into film classes because its industry is very competitive. Yet, at the same time, I feel very lonely. I'm in no rush to make friends. I've always been shy and I'm still overwhelmed in my new environment and by its people."

As a result of the lack of contact with friends, I've also been feeling bitter. Some of my friends I've wrote to like the idea of letter writing, but I'm yet to hear back from them. I get anxious, wondering if they wrote back yet or are going to write back. I get worried about them not having the patience for writing or just me in general, and not sending me anything because of that. I told them that I'll be sending letters on a monthly basis, but I don't think I emphasized enough about me only responding back (quickly) if I actually get a response. (Not getting a response has always been a pet peeve of mine. I hate it when people don't listen to me, especially when I put a lot of energy and thought into what I'm saying. Them not writing back is just as hurtful.) Not hearing from them makes me angry and sad. I keep thinking that they don't care about me and that I need better friends, ones who are more understanding.

(I once sent a postcard to a long distant friend and I never heard back from him. Two months later, I finally asked him if he got it. He then said he liked it and wanted to receive more mail from me. That irritated me because I was expecting to get something back.)

The lack of technology like Facebook and text messaging (which was my parents' decision since they pay the cellphone bills) has turned me into a dinosaur. My sister keeps complaining that I should get back on Facebook and that I could have better interpersonal relationships if I had "texting." Ever since I left Facebook, I've been feeling liberated. Needless to say, I got fed up with it because it turned me into an addict and a stalker, and it was giving me negative attitudes about some people, including those I had no rift with to begin with. I simply had enough of feeling bad about one's thoughts of me not looking cute or being untrustworthy via quiz app. As for not having text messaging, I'm use to it and my distaste for it keeps growing. I'll continue to argue that it makes people anti-social and illiterate. I prefer using the cellphone to, you know, TALK.

I often sit in my classes and overhear my classmates talk about CSUN's film program, saying they're trying to get in or are already in it. Sometimes I feel that they're suppose to be my competition and I should do whatever I can to show my talent is better than theirs. Yet, I've never been a competitive person. Other times I think that I should welcome them, for we're all film students suffering from the same plight and having the same love for our medium. I had this attitude in my film classes before transferring. I ended up seeing my classmates as friends and admiring them, even if their work was better than mine.

Indeed, I am an transfer student and I should be better-prepared for college work. Yet, I've noticed that I've been doing much more work than I did in community college, which I'm still not use to. My professors seem to have bigger credentials too. (If your professor has his own Wikipedia page, you'll know that he matters!) What I don't like is seeing classmates who are dumb. I'm talking about the kind who think Sigmund Freud was a philosopher! You guys are in college, for Pete's sake!

I'm enjoying the movies I've been watching in my film classes. Watching old movies starring Lillian Gish and Humphrey Bogart are escapism for me. Speaking of which, there's a silent film festival taking place this weekend. I plan to check it out.

Northridge, CA

2010-08-25T23:55:00.000-07:00

I am in Los Angeles now. Or you can say I'm in Northridge, which is in the county of Los Angeles. Whatever, you get the picture.

I moved just a week ago. I know my family already misses me. In some ways, I miss them too, and my pets too! I'm living with my friend and her mom. I should be staying until spring semester. I'm on a waitlist for on-campus housing.

I'm taking it easy. I'm going to keep the fun stuff (i. e. clubbing, drinking, exploring, etc) to a minimum. After all, I'm still trying to get to know the area, even though I've been to LA several times before and I've researched it. Yet, I'm going to do film-related stuff whenever I can, such as volunteering at film festivals or even going to test screenings. I want to help my favorite industry.

I'm sick right now, but I'm still attending classes. Its the first week of classes too. I have a cold, but my symptoms could be telling more. We'll see.

San Francisco and the Life I Could Have Had

2010-08-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

Last week I went on a family vacation (minus my sister, since she likes farting around with friends and getting bored by herself nowadays) to San Francisco. Originally the trip was to include an important visit to the Academy of Art University. After being "re-enrolled"at California State University Northridge, the art school tour was scrapped and the trip became a vacation instead.

San Francisco City Hall

My dad and I really wanted to go to Alcatraz, but my mom didn't let us. She claimed that our SF trip was HER vacation and that there's nothing appealing about an old prison. I did buy books about it, including a cooking magazine! Still, going to the same place Al Capone was imprisoned at would have made "Mom's" vacation more exciting.

The taiko-bashi (drum bridge) inside the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park.

Because we have relatives in San Francisco, we also got to see my uncle and cousin. We went to Muir Woods, where my cousin and I separated from everyone and went on a freakin' long hike instead! The next day we went to Japantown, but it was late. I didn't get to do enough anime/manga/junk shopping because most of the stores were closing by then.

The beautiful albino alligator at the California Academy of Sciences (which is also at Golden Gate Park). In case you didn't know, I'm fascinated by albinism. I took photos of this animal but I felt I didn't have enough time to look at it. My parents were rushing to leave at that point.

San Francisco is a beautiful city (minus the booming homeless population) rich in history, diverse cultures, art, and eccentric quality. I kept wondering and fantasizing about what it would be like if I had gone to the Academy of Art University instead of CSUN.

My life and mindset would have taken a different direction. I'd be feeling right at home in a politically liberal and progressive city, although it sometimes feels anarchist, racist, and unsafe, which I don't like. I'd be living with my relatives, which would be challenging since their small and messy house isn't the best place to live in, and their way of life is different than mine. I would have a 100% chance to study and practice filmmaking, a contrast to the competitiveness of just getting into CSUN's film production major. Yet, my family would be spending over $75,000 for me to graduate from AAU, making CSUN look like a 99-cent store. The cold coastal weather and cloudy skies would give me an excuse to dress like an Eskimo on a daily basis, and my skin wouldn't needlessly tan. I would further practice my artistic abilities in a creative environment (consisting of school, my relatives, and the city itself). However, I'd have a hard time traveling to places unrelated to college, such as nightclubs, because I'd be without my prized procession: my car! My parents wouldn't let me have it there, noting that its just not worth having one in a city with heavy traffic, unstable streets, but reliable public transit. (Not to mention, my relatives are just as overprotective as my parents, so they wouldn't let me go anywhere alone without an adult male! I reckon that the words "independence" and "taxi" aren't in their lexicon.) Such a life would give me a greater opportunity to bond with my relatives. Yet, the biggest thing that would make my Bay Area stay special is meeting my longtime online friend Mike, who is studying at University of California Davis, which is about an hour away from San Francisco. I've always wanted to meet him and I could see ourselves exploring the city together, from Japantown to the odd Musée Mécanique at Fisherman's Wharf. Too bad my life won't be taking that route. It will take a long time for us to ever meet.

For better or worst, I'm going to Los Angeles instead.

An update about my current college life and lack of social life

2010-08-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

I'm back in San Diego after a busy day in Northridge, CA. I was there to talk to Cal State Northridge counselors, pay for books and housing (although I'm currently on a waitlist), and other things.

My enthusiasm for CSUN went down. Making your class schedule there is much more restrictive than at a community college, where you're able to take whatever amount of classes at your convience. I'm not use to it. I'm suppose to have more classes than I'm use to. They want me to take 12 units per semester when I work better with 9 units. Because I'm registering for classes late, I'm forced to take irrelevant courses. I almost registered for a class in women's vacation habits, for god's sake! Luckily, I managed to get two film-related (i.e. relevant) courses. I've also been trying to repeat my photo class at CSUN. I took it at my community college this summer and I got a "D." It is also a prerequisite for the film production classes at CSUN. The university is highly restrictive on repeating classes, so I've been thinking of taking it at a local community college instead. The film adviser told me to take it at the college I previously went to, but that's impossible now! I can't go back to SD for that class if I'm attending CSUN! The schools are over 100 miles apart! The adviser also shouted at my parents to leave her office during our meeting! My parents have been nagging at me and stressing me out for weeks about what they want me to do at CSUN, even though I should be the one making those decisions. I was a little glad that she made them leave. Yet, at the same time, I felt very embarrassed and didn't like that she disrespected my parents.

Two things I'll be losing when I transfer to CSUN: my chances to go nightclubbing and drinking. :( My parents and my friend's mom, who's letting me stay at her house this semester, won't let me do those things. I haven't been doing that stuff for a month, actually. I've been avoiding those activities due to depression, anxiety, bitterness, concern for well-being, or lack of money. Yet, I miss clubbing, seeing friends, and meeting new people there. Its good to know that there's an on-campus pub though. Regardless, very lame, indeed. My social life continues to wither away...

Oh look, I'm making an update after months of abandonment!

2010-07-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

Oh wow, where to begin.

Today was a crazy day! I found out that, apparently, I'm still going to Cal State Northridge. I got a D in my English class during spring semester, which, according to the school, canceled my transfer. After getting my summer semester grades, my mom decided to call the school to see if I was eligible to transfer, even though I was suppose to be ready by the end of spring. The lady on the phone said I was already accepted months ago, regardless of my D and the passing grade I got in group communication this summer. (Both classes fulfill the school's critical thinking requirement.) I got confused, saying that the school doesn't accept grades lower than C for those classes. Then she said that D is usually considered a passing grade and that the school itself doesn't follow its own rules! Since hearing the news, we've all been in a rush. I managed to send in my updated transcripts today for overnight delivery. They're due this coming Monday. We also made plans to visit the campus and to talk to my friend about rooming with her for one semester. We have a lot of things to do still. Oh man, after a few months of looking into other schools and planning my life after apparent failure getting into CSUN, now I'm going back to Plan A, my initial goal. I don't want to get my hopes high though. I'm afraid that someone at CSUN will look closely at my grades, play by the books, and tell me I'm not going to the school all because I didn't fulfill my requirements by the end of spring.

Masquerades

2009-11-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

I went to two masquerade balls this year.

One was called Devil's Night Ball 3, which took place the day before Halloween. It was held by Tragic Trantrum, a San Diego cabaret. They also performed and a friend of mine was one of their dancers. There were other performers there, including Zirk Ubu. They did some freaky circus acts, like putting a needle through an arm, having a topless girl ejaculate feathers, and showing a violent shadow puppet show. It was also fun seeing people in their Halloween costumes. I saw Billy Mays, Linguine from Ratatouille, Frieda Kahlo, Wolf from the Star Fox video game series, and Prince Nuada and Princess Nuala from Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Overall, the event was fun and I only wish that more of my friends came to see it.

The other ball was UCSD Circle K's annual masquerade ball. Last night I went there, which took place on a cruise ship. I saw alot of people from Circle Ks across California, Nevada, and possibly Hawaii. There was a dance floor, karaoke, casino games, but not enough food. Also, I was the only person from my school CK to attend. My fellow members couldn't come because they either had family-related business or other plans. Its too bad since they would have enjoyed it. Its a bit irritating though. Nowadays I feel like I'm the only one who represents my college at volunteer events and such. If only there were more active members...

The masquerade also had somewhat of a Sin City theme to it. They gave me this bag of chocolates as a thank-you gift.

Marv: "I don't know about you, but I'm having a ball."

What did I wear to both masquerades? This mask.

I went to a costume shop called Gypsy Treasure. They had a wall filled with masks and I chose the one I liked the most. Too bad I don't have an extravagant ball gown to go with it.

Short Reviews

Last month I went to Eternal/Eterno, a goth nightclub in Los Angeles. I saw a band called Gentleman Junkie. I was actually very impressed with the backup vocalist, even though, obviously, she wasn't the lead singer. Still, they were great. Strangely, I swear, I've heard their songs before at Sabbat, and they're not even a mainstream band.
I saw a Japanese horror film called Audition. Its pretty silly how it starts off as a cutesy romantic movie about a widower looking for a new wife. Then it goes down the creepy feministic-revange route. My friend commented saying that American movies should be more like Audition.
My other friend wanted to celebrate Halloween with me by renting An American Werewolf in London and drinking pumpkin ale. We tried creating a drinking game but she couldn't handle the taste and stopped drinking. I guess she was expecting it to taste like pumpkin pie. (Pumpkin itself doesn't taste like anything but its often given spices to taste like "pumpkin.") I didn't like the taste either but I drank it anyway. The movie itself was amusing, especially because the bystanders near the end ran TO the werewolf instead of AWAY from it! Impressive pre-CGI makeup effects too.

Stickers!

2009-11-08T22:08:00.000-08:00

This entry is all about the stickers I own. I'm not a collector, but I get them anyway and I rarely use them. Actually, I did stick them to letters I'd send to my ex until he became a...never mind!

A little recently, my sister bought me a Little Big Planet sticker book, knowing that I love Sackboys.

I love that stencil graffiti Sackboy (next to cowboy), but I don't know where to stick it yet.

There are illustrated pages of game levels that contain empty spaces. They have clues to which stickers to fill them with.

I bought these Briar Rose/Aurora stickers from the Disney Store, and they were expensive!

I got these scratch-and-sniff stickers when I saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 3-D.

Don't smell the hotdog, unless you want your nose burnt!

Here's some Naruto stickers I bought a long time ago.

From left: A sparkly Sailor Mercury sticker that's peeling off, another sparkly sticker that was a clothing tag, and shiny St. Patrick's Day stickers.

Now this is ancient. When my sister was little, she got dinosaur stickers that had a backing which could be colored and used as a bookmark. Since the picture was of dancing dinosaurs, it seemed appropriate to put the stickers on it in dancing positions. I always laugh at the dinosaur riding on top of the diplodocus (upper left-hand corner). X)

Before the release of Demon Days, the animated band Gorillaz encouraged fans to promote the album by sticking "REJECT FALSE ICONS" stickers onto public places, like graffiti. They tended to be used as public statements against the media and celebrities. I requested stickers but I never stuck them anywhere. The bottom two are of band members 2-D (vocals) and Noodle (guitar and vocals). They came from the limited edition version of their compilation DVD Phase One: Celebrity Takedown. I use to stick these in my locker in high school. I lost some other stickers there too. :(

I found the Noodle sticker attached to a dog tag my sister made me years ago. Its labeled "this is your left" with arrows supposedly pointing at the left side. This was an inside joke my sister and I had, related to the animated series Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

I get a lot of activist junk in the mail. Yes, I believe in gay rights, civil rights, women's rights, saving the environment, etc. I just don't want to pay money. From upper left: Human Rights Campaign (I have another on my car), American Civil Liberties Union, and Amnesty International USA.

From upper left: FM 94.9, an alternative music radio station I listen to; In-N-Out, my favorite fast food restaurant; and The Crypt, a gay, leather, bondage, clothing, sex shop in San Diego.

What's New, VML?

2009-11-06T16:36:00.000-08:00

Life as been a mix of ups and downs. First of all, I want to explain what happened since my last blog entry, the one I posted back in June.

Birth control pills didn't do wonders to me. I got more acne and became more depressed. I could get into more detail but I think that's enough information to post.

I did go to Anime Expo 2009, which was in Los Angeles. I stayed with a friend on the first two days but I ended up staying in a motel during the last few days. Overall, the trip was miserable because I felt lonely. Its ironic because LA has always been my favorite city. Its just not fun going to anime conventions alone. Yes, there were some upsides to my trip. I went with a friend the first day before she left, I took a lot of photos, I got to visit Das Bunker for the first time, and I was able to see my LA friend to give him late birthday gifts. Staying in a motel by myself was an interesting experience too. Still, my trip could have been much better and I was disappointed. Next time, I'm only traveling when I know for sure my friends or travel buddies aren't going to neglet me. I don't mind traveling alone but this was a trip I planned with friends.

Other details:

AX seemed much smaller than prior years. There were less activities going on and less companies visiting. I think its because of economical reasons. The US anime/manga industry is going down due to internet downloading, too many high-priced and unsold DVDs, and too many unpopular manga books not selling. Companies like ADV Films are shuttering as a result of this downward trend.
Another reason AX seemed less active is because of the popularity of Comic Con. For example, Viz Media chose to show up at Comic Con instead of AX. It makes sense since CC gets more attention each year. Still, they should have visited AX since, you know, it is (or was) the biggest anime convention in the US. Then there's that other summer anime convention called Otakon...
At one point, while I was walking back to my motel, a man in a car stopped to ask if I "needed a ride." I shook my head and died inside.
Before I went to Bunker, I needed money. I walked to a nearby 7-Eleven while decked out in my gothic lolita dress, boots, and accessories. People stared at me, of course. Once I passed a group of teenaged guys giggling in the magazine section, they all went silent.

Life as of Now

I'm back in community college. I'm suppose to have two semesters left before I transfer to a university. I already applied to seven California State Universities. I've been eyeing CSU Northridge and CSU Los Angeles. Yet, I'm not going to make my decision until spring time, when they start sending acceptance letters to students. Who knows, I may fuck up this semester and stay in San Diego longer (which I don't want), or I may get pissed at family and friends and go to some faraway place like CSU Monterey Bay, Academy of Art University, or even University of Hawaii in Manoa.

I must say, blogging is relaxing and soothing for me, since I've been feeling stressed out and moody lately.

I'm Still Alive

2009-08-04T02:14:00.000-07:00

I just haven't gotten around to updating this blog.

This is boring! I can't wait to die!

2009-06-08T22:21:00.000-07:00

I had a crappy spring semester. I got two F's, a W, and a B in Total Body Fitness.

I am in summer school now. I'm there to repeat English. I may also take public speaking or repeat theatre later on.

Outside of school, I've been doing some fun stuff. Here's what has happened recently.

My sister and I got whiplashes. The driver behind us was checking her cellphone.
Clubbing is fun. Recently, for my friend's 21st birthday, I took her to a goth club called Sabbat. It was military night too. She had good buzzed fun. I was happy too.
Most recently, I went to a steampunk club/concert with another 21-year-old club-virgin friend. Unextraordinary Gentlemen performed. It was nice, although I wish I had steampunk outfits.
I was suppose to go to Las Vegas last weekend, but my parents cancelled the trip. It wouldn't have been exciting anyway. I would have gone there with my dad only. I don't think he's fond of me going out. Awkward...
I saw Star Trek, The Brothers Bloom, and Up.
Two former classmates and an actress we know started a club. Its for creative people of all sorts. Yet, our biggest goal is to make a short film by the end of the summer.

Now here are some things that will be happening in the future, I hope.

This Friday I'm going to the San Diego Zoo with my Circle K club. I hope other members come too.
I may check out an indie club later on that night, if I have the time. I always wanted to go to one.
I've made plans to go with a friend to see a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening that night too. I've been to one in Long Beach.
I'm looking forward to seeing Moon. I love Sam Rockwell and existential sci-fi.
I'm going to see a preview of (500) Days of Summer! I love Zooey Deschanel. Speaking of which, she and Rockwell were in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy! :D
I'm going to get back on birth control pills. I hope it will get rid of my acne!
Finally, I bought a 4-day pass to Anime Expo, which will be in Los Angeles this year. I'm going to stay at a friend's house for the first two days before she leaves to San Diego. I'm REALLY hoping that my other L.A. friend will let me stay at his place for the other two days. I need shelter and I want to see him again. If that doesn't work, I'll have to find other options, which will be disappointing to me. I'll either have to mooch off of friends-of-friends or people I don't know, stay at a hostel (because I can barely afford a hotel), be a bum, or go back to SD with my friend and waste money on the pass. If I do go back and only be at AX for two days, I'll have to exchange my pass for a 2-day one before June 19th. For now, I have to save money on a train ticket or two, and wait for my L.A. friend to make a decision. He's on vacation right now and internet access is limited for him. That's why I'm waiting for him to get back.

Ugh...I shouldn't have bought my pass so soon...

Zero

2009-05-09T02:39:00.001-07:00

Here's everything in a nutshell:

Bad Luck

I don't believe in bad luck or superstition, but last month I seriously thought I was cursed.

It all started with an argument I had with a friend. He started giving me the silent treatment and I became depressed afterward. Two days later I got really sick. I had a fever, cold, headache, and I felt dizzy whenever I stood up. I spent the day bedridden and curled up on the floor next to the heater. I nearly fainted and blacked out from walking up the stairs! Oddly enough, this all happened on the day of my friend's birthday!

Luckily, my fever lasted only for a day, but my cold and low appetite would continue on.

The next day I was suppose to attend two volunteer events. One of them was a two-day event. I couldn't make it to any of them and I felt unloyal.

Two days later it was school time. I hit a parked car and I didn't know what to do. No dents, only scratches on our vehicles. My sister advised me to park someplace else immediately. I did so, even though I felt very guilty about it.

Two days later I felt too sick and moody to attend classes. I ended up being withdrawn from my English class, which was a bummer. I really liked the professor and the class was interesting. Yet, I was behind in the work anyway.

The next day I got pink eye. I was afraid that it was something more than a side-effect from colds. I had to miss art class so my dad could drive me to the emergency room. The doctor examined me and said there was nothing I could do about it. At least I had no signs of infections.

All of this happened within one week.

Eventually, I got so fed up with feeling moody and sick that I let loose and went out clubbing. I went to a goth club in San Diego and it was my first San Diegan club too. Nice atmosphere for a tiny place, fun people, and good music. I enjoyed myself and I felt much better.

I also saw the nature documentary Earth because my mom kept bugging me to see it with her. It was good. Nature documentaries always make me think as I absorb the natural visuals.

Post-Bad Luck

As of now, I've been coughing frequently. I hate the fact that colds take forever to go away. I also lost 6.5 pounds from having low or no appetite.

My friend broke his silence and we started talking again. We're in good terms now, to say the least.

Ever since I went to the goth club in LA (which I mentioned in my last entry), I've been exploring clubs in San Diego. Eventually I'll find favorites and be a frequent clubber. I like dancing and meeting new people, but its too bad most of my friends aren't into that. (By the way, I'm not a drinker. Therefore, clubbing is inexpensive!)

I'm planning on taking summer classes. I just haven't figured which ones to take. I'm waiting to see my final grades for this (spring) semester. I know that it has been the worst semester ever due to me being lazy, depressed, sick, distracted, busy with other commitments, and tired. At least I'm able to wipe out a bad semester out of my transcript.

In other news, last weekend I made this:

I didn't make this

Nor this

These were all done at the Miracle Mile of Quarters 2009 event. Circle K clubs in San Diego participated in the event. We were given quarters and designed pictures with them.

I have more Circle K business to attend. Later today I'm suppose to go to Fullerton, CA for a conference. I hope that turns out swell.

Fuck Yeah!

2009-03-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna see Lily Allen this Wednesday! I can't wait! :D

Last weekend I went to Woodland Hills, CA for a Circle K district convention. It was fun and interesting. I had to attend workshops about running a club and elect new people to run the Circle K district. (There was one guy who ran for treasurer and he was so shy and stage freight during his speeches that he was crying and not finishing his sentences. I just died inside.) There were also a lot of award receptions that were merely just us patting ourselves on the back. People were shouting, cheering, and chanting like crazy. Hell, the whole theme of the convention was "sounds of service."

I also went to a goth club with a friend. It was a fun experience for me since I've never been to one (nor to any club in general since I turned 21). I was awestruck by my friend's dancing. He's a good dancer! Only problem is that he NEVER DANCES! He only danced to two songs there. He spent most of the time sitting and standing, waiting for a song he liked to be played! >_< I have some volunteer events coming up this weekend.

Next week is spring break. I'm going to take a train to Northridge, CA and spend five days there with a best friend.

I'm behind in my homework. :(

Carnage

2009-03-04T21:37:00.000-08:00

I am fucked. I hate people. They ought to be fucked.

2005 Hyundai Accent 4D Sedan in White

2009-02-17T02:02:00.000-08:00

(Imagine this in white.)

I finally got a damn car...I guess.

Here's what happened. I went with my parents to an Enterprise Car Sales store. The car I chose was a nice 2007 Kia Optima. After I test drove it, my mom realized that it was too nice for me. She believed that if I had gotten the car, my Dodge-Neon-owning sister would get jealous and raise hell. So we made a compromise. The Kia would go to my mom and I would get her old car, a 2005 Hyundai Accent. Basically, I got a hand-me-down that is as basic as but better than my sister's car. Sure, I was disappointed at first but I was okay with the deal. I have plenty of experience with the Hyundai (and other similar sedans) so I'm use to it.

I'm trying to keep this news low profile, just like the times when I got a tattoo, turned 18, turned 21, was working on some films, and got into some relationships. (Hell, even this blog is suppose to be a secret! Shhh!) I haven't told all my friends about the car yet. I know that they'll be going "Ooh ooh! Take me somewhere! Drive me somewhere!" Unfortunately, I told two friends and they're already going "Come visit me at my out-of-town home RIGHT NOW!" I shouldn't have told those two in particular.

In other news, I bought a movie ticket to see a midnight IMAX showing of Watchmen. The last time I've been to an IMAX theater was a long time ago in Canada. Only just two years ago did San Diego finally got an IMAX theater. (Before then, there was only an IMAX Dome at a science museum.) How come it took that long for an IMAX to open up in a major city like SD?

In unrelated news, Chris Brown should be punished for abusing Rihanna. Date violence is always wrong and Rihanna is too gorgeous to be beaten! I can't believe people are supporting Brown and taking this situation lightly! They might as well get beaten by Brown, just to know how it feels. Haha!

I've been a bitter cold-hearted person lately...

Love Lockdown

2009-02-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

In all honesty, I never cared about watching the Grammys. The show is long, the winners are overrated, and most of the performers are just popular people I don't care about. If there is something I want to see from the show, I can always find it on YouTube.

Bottom line: I'm not going to watch this year's Grammys. (Fuck you, Jonas Brothers! You ruined emo style for me!)

No, I didn't watch the Super Bowl. In fact, I totally forgot about Super Bowl weekend. I was in Disneyland last weekend and I had a great time. I don't care about football. The Steelers always win anyway.

Spring semester of college started last week. I have plenty to do.

Lily Allen is coming to San Diego in April. I already bought my ticket. Yay! Its about time I go to a concert with my favorite singer or band performing.

My exes are talking to me again. I'm indifferent about them. I want platonic relationships. Although I'm over my grudges, I still don't care about them.

In car news, my dad is planning on getting me a car in three weeks. Originally, he said he was going to get me one next summer. Then he said sometime during spring time. Then he said that I may inherit my dead uncle's car. Now he's going to buy me one soon! I just hope that I can actually choose the one I want.

In other news, as of now, my sister is at a Katy Perry concert with a friend. Ironically, she hates both people! XD

Leia (AKA Rocket Scientist)

2009-01-22T00:34:00.000-08:00

I've been traumatized by this for days. Sure, I get a kick out of mad scientists but most of the experiments listed are just poor excuses to do something cruel, not for the benefit of science.

Poor doggies. :( Whenever I see something bad happen to a dog, I just want to hug my pet dog Leia. Now I'm more inclined to go against animal testing.

On a positive note, I saw the season premiere of Lost and I'm turning 21 in 3 hours. You see, I was born at 3 o'clock in the morning. Its 12:42 AM as I type this.

Gamma Ray

2009-01-03T03:31:00.000-08:00

Intersession 2009

I'm going to take winter interrrrrrrrrrrrsessiiiiiiioooooooooooooooooooon.

HIST 108-- Early American History

I really didn't want to sacrifice my much-needed month-long winter break. I'm doing it because I need to make myself more competitive.

The California State University system claims that all their schools are impacted, so they will have stricter admission requirements. I just hope that my school will still have a transfer admission guarantee (TAG) agreement with CSU Northridge by this summer.

The ma jor University of California schools have always been very choosy, so good luck with me going to UCLA. I'd probably settle with UC San Diego since my school also has a TAG with them. (I would also consider UC Irvine but they really don't have what I'm looking for. SO WHY DO I LIKE THIS SCHOOL?!) I've been to UCSD several times before and its a nice place with an interesting arts program. Still, as you know, one of my lifetime goals is to major in film at a university in or near Los Angeles.

If I cannot go to any CSU or UC I like, I'll settle with a private school or technical college. I would either transfer to the Academy of Art University, National University, Platt College San Diego, or the Art Institute of California San Diego. Its easy for me to transfer to any of them. In case you didn't notice, the last three I mentioned are located in San Diego. That's because my dad would let me go to a private school as long as he doesn't pay for housing. AAU is located in San Francisco and I have relatives there, so I'd be staying with them if I go there.

The Dilemma of Telling Others My College Goals

There are three common responses I get when I tell people I'm majoring in film:

"Eww, are you trying to be a movie star?"
"Um, no offense but majoring in film is kind of pointless. A degree in film is not going to lead you anywhere..."
"Oh my god! I wanna be in a movie! Can you put me in your next movie, please?!"

Why am I majoring in film? I want to major in something I love. I like making films and studying them. There's more to film than just fame and simple entertainment.

No, I will not cast you in any of my films unless you're truly dedicated to the production. I hate dealing with egotistic, impatient, attention whores who can't act for shit.

Bye bye!

2008 and 2009 in Film

2009-01-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

My favorite films of 2008 were WALL-E and Milk. (Last year's favorites were Ratatouille and There Will Be Blood, in case you're wondering.) Both films were moving, very well-made, and enjoyable. My least favorite was Mamma Mia! Even though it had its enjoyable moments, it was still corny and badly acted. The Las Vegas stage show was much better.

All the films I saw in theaters in the year 2008:

Cloverfield
Be Kind Rewind
Charlie Bartlett
Horton Hears a Who!
Iron Man
Speed Racer (ahead of its time)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Kung Fu Panda (Very good film. I usual expect less from DreamWorks Animation.)
WALL-E*
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (better than the first one!)
The Dark Knight
Mamma Mia!
Pineapple Express
Tropic Thunder
Towelhead (felt weird watching it with my mom)
Sex Drive
Quantum of Solace
Bolt*
Twilight
Milk*
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Spirit

*Films that made me shed tears. :'(

2008 films I saw on DVD:

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
Get Smart
Tinkerbell

2008 films I want to see that are playing in theaters right now:

Slumdog Millionaire
Marley & Me

2008 films I want to see but are not even in theaters yet!:

The Wrestler
Waltz with Bashir
Revolutionary Road

2008 films I wanted to see in theaters but never got around to seeing them:

Teeth (didn't come to theaters here, unfortunately)
The Fall
Wanted
The Duchess (actually, my mom was the one who wanted to see it with me but we never got to)
W. (same reason as above)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Religulous
Synecdoche, New York
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Wendy and Lucy

2008 films I'd watch out of curiosity:

In Bruges
Paranoid Park
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
21
The Life Before Her Eyes
The Promotion
The Wackness
Garden Party
Hell Ride
Death Race (I'd rather see the corny original before seeing this one)
Hamlet 2
Igor (my sister loved it)
Hounddog
Lakeview Terrace (a little off subject: Patrick Wilson is too good-looking to play Nite Owl. Regardless, I'm confident about his performance and I'm looking forward to seeing him play the Watchmen character!)
Appaloosa
Eagle Eye
Miracle at St. Anna
Choke
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
RocknRolla
Rachel Getting Married
City of Ember
Happy-Go-Lucky
Max Payne
Changeling
Australia (my mom wanted to see this movie with me also)
Nobel Son
Punisher: War Zone
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Doubt
The Tale of Despereaux
Valkyrie
Good
Let the Right One In

Finally, here are the films of 2009 I'm strongly looking forward to seeing:

Watchmen (yes, I'm very worried about the whole lawsuit thing)
9 (do not confuse it with Nine, the musical stage-show-turned-movie inspired by the film 8½.)
The Princess and the Frog

Films I'm obligated to see, whether I like it or not (I'm not kidding):

Coraline
The Brothers Bloom
The Pink Panther 2
Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian
Up
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Public Enemies (I've always had a thing for 1920s, '30s, and '40s criminals. Johnny Depp playing one is a bonus. Christian Bale hunting him is an extra bonus.)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Sherlock Holmes
New Moon
The International (Clive Owen)
Duplicity (Clive Owen again)
Star Trek
Bruno
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (MORE BUMBLEBEE, PLEASE!)
Nine (do not confuse it with 9, the computer-animated film adapted from the short film of the same name. One of these films seriously needs to change its title.)

I'd watch these films if they get good reviews:

The Unborn (mostly because Gary Oldman's in it)
Push
Dance Flick
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
Dragonball
The Soloist
Angels & Demons
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Land of the Lost
Inglourious Basterds
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Jennifer's Body
Monsters vs. Aliens
Avatar
The Lovely Bones
The Box
Where the Wild Things Are
Astro Boy
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
A Christmas Carol
Surveillance

2009(?) films I want to see that don't have release dates yet:

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto
I Love You Phillip Morris
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Finally, here are the 2008 things I love that have nothing to do with film:

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack
LittleBigPlanet

and...some bad news that actually makes me worried about MY future! :(

Fall 2008 Grades

2008-12-22T23:40:00.000-08:00

If you want to read a longer and personal version of this entry, go on my Xanga blog.

MATH 120-- Math for General Education: B

This class was "linked" with English 120. They both shared the same lectures. For example, we had to write essays about numeral systems and such.

The "B" in math was expected. I turned in all my homework and I was decent on the quizzes and tests. I got credit for correcting them too. I even got progress reports with statistics of what my grade would be if I got a "B" or "C" on some test. If I had gotten a "C" I would've been disappointed.

ENGL 120-- College Composition & Reading: B

The professor was funny and the class was interesting. Yet, I felt I could have done better in class. If I didn't do assignments at the last minute and if I didn't have film class (see below), my papers would have been much better. I wanted to work on my papers early but when I had the time to do them, I'd already be tired.

MCOM 230B-- Digital Film Production II: A

I take filmmaking seriously, even if I'm working on a shitty production.

The class was divided into groups. Each group had 4 people and one producer-director. I was the producer-director in my group because I took the class before.

We had to make three films. Of course, they ate up my schedule but I didn't care. Only two of our three films are online. Both are on Facebook but only one is for public viewing. It annoys me that my group is too stubborn to post films for public viewing on websites like YouTube. When they're all viewable online, I'll post links here ASAP.

I want to take the class again. I want to work with my cast and crew again.

ES 299-- Fitness Boot Camp: B

This class consisted of:

running
marching
kicking our own asses
praising the class while doing jumping jacks
boxing
me going out of step with the rest of the class during pseudo aerobics
arm workouts with invisible dumbbells (which was useless)
doing push-ups and sit-ups while laying on rabbit poop
the instructor making fun of me for being late all the time

Did I hate the class? No. It was troublesome but it was just another workout class. XD

Spring 2009 Schedule

ART 124-- Drawing I

I miss drawing.

ENGL 124-- Advance Composition: Critical Reasoning & Writing

Same instructor I had for ENGL 110, back in 2006. She's very nice.

ES 006-- Total Body Fitness

I've taken this class several times before. Same instructor I had last year because she's easy-going and not as zany as other teachers. XD

THTR 110-- Introduction to the Theater

I had a choice between this one, art history, and history of rock music. I would have chosen the rock music one but UCLA's film school recommends transfers to take one theater course. This led to two other choices: intro. to theater or an acting class. I've been wanting to take acting classes for awhile because I want to get better at directing actors. Plus, I've seen my acting on camera before and I suck. However, I really don't want people to think I'm trying to make it a profession. I know it can be fun but I could care less about acting on stage or on camera. Also, I don't want to get stuck with theater nerds! >_<

DX

2008-12-19T23:51:00.000-08:00

Procrastination

2008-12-05T00:19:00.000-08:00

Its cramming season. I'm stressed out. I have a paper to write. Its due Wednesday. I feel behind.

I'm currently shooting a third short film for my digital film class. It will be the last project. Also, I'm officially the only female in class. There was another girl but she dropped the course recently. That's unfortunate because I didn't get to know her. Fortunately, I don't have a problem being the lone female. I've gotten along with all the guys in class.

Speaking of film, I saw Milk recently. It was interesting, relevant, cute, and sad. I cried near the end. :( I hate crying in public, regardless if I'm in a theater and people are not looking at me. Emile Hirsch was adorable. (I think he stole James Franco and Diego Luna's cute thunder. XD)

Time for some cute porn.

Daisies Pushed

2008-11-20T22:50:00.000-08:00

Masquerade Cruise

I went to a masquerade ball last Saturday night. It was presented by the Circle K club of the University of California San Diego. It took place on a cruise ship and it had a dance floor, gambling tables, raffles, and a karaoke machine that kept fucking people's singing! XD Here's a breakdown of the event in numbers.

20+
The number of university and community college Circle Ks that attended.

3
Number of states they came from. Most hailed from California but there were some from Nevada and, supposedly, Hawaii.

20-40
The suppose number of UCSD club members that attended.

4
The number of members from our club who attended!

2
The number of masks I had. One on a stick and another with a string attached.

4
Number of people dressed up as the JabbaWockeeZ.

1
Number of people dressed in lolita fashion.

1
Number of people dressed up as the Phantom of the Opera.

3.5
The number of hours the event lasted.

11:30 PM
The event's starting time.

3 AM
The event's ending time.

5:13 AM
The time I went to bed. =_=

In other news...

Shame on you, ABC...

Crap

2008-11-13T07:46:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been very stressed out. I've been doing a lot of things. I keep getting behind in school work and I've been getting overwhelmed about stuff.

In digital film class, we just finished our second film and we're moving on to the next one. Its suppose to be much longer.

I saw the final version of our second film yesterday. It turned out better than the last one, although one of the actors could of done better and the lighting was bothersome.

My school's Circle K, the volunteer club I'm in, made me the president of the club. Its a nice position but its too much work for me. I'm very overwhelmed about it. I'm going to have to spend a lot of time doing things for the club. At this rate, I don't know what to do!

Recently I got a paper back from English and I got a 78 on it. I didn't want it. I spoke to my professor and I told him that I've been so busy lately. I almost cried! Luckily, he was very understanding and told me to email him my next paper so he could help me with it.

That's all. My life stinks right now. I need my stress reliever...

UPDATE:

The new Watchmen theatrical trailer just came out!

I had a lot of concerns about the film, such as the new ending and other possible changes. Yet, I shouldn't be worrying so much because, well, JUST LOOK AT IT! Isn't the trailer amazing?! THIS IS A REAL TRAILER, NOT A TEASER! It shows much more and all of it is amazing! Its all so beautiful! Plus, it plays a song from Muse! :D OMG, BONER!

Now, I shall end this entry with a dashing photo of Robert Downey Jr.

Election 2008

2008-11-05T21:59:00.000-08:00

I just HAVE to post an entry about the election.

Barack Obama

I voted for him and I'm happy that he won. I thought McCain was just another Bush and Palin was simply a bimbo. Yet, I'm not going to spend the rest of this entry insulting them. This is about Obama.

Its fascinating to me that Obama is our first African-American president (AND HE'S BI-RACIAL LIKE ME, in case you didn't know). People keep bringing up the history of African-Americans and their fight for civil rights. It only shows that America is much less a racist country than it was decades ago. I swear, if McCain had won I would have thought most people were still prejudice against blacks!

Heh, that election went by really fast. I thought it was going to be another tight race but this one went by really quick. Obama was obviously more popular than McCain. In fact, early on, I was getting worried about Obama not winning.

Am I hoping for change? Yes I am. Doesn't everyone hope for change? Yet, we're not going to know what Obama will do until January.

Proposition 8

I had been worried for days that Prop 8 was going to pass, banning same-sex marriages in California. I had a good reason to stay worried because it did past! I am devastated with Californians right now. Are heterosexuals too selfish to let homosexuals get married? Did they really believe the lies those "Yes on 8" commercials advertised? Or are they simply homophobic?

Because of Obama's win, people think that civil rights have finally been fulfilled in the US. It has not! The LGBT community still hasn't earned their rights. They have been struggling for decades too. To me, only when they earn the right to marry is when LGBT rights will be established. After all, being attracted to someone of the same sex is what makes them homosexuals.

One thing that gives me hope is the fact that the Prop 8 results, compared to 2000's Prop 22 's, shows that much more people voted against the ban than before. This proves that California is becoming more accepting of the LGBT community than previous years. This change is a good sign. I hope we get better.

My MySpace Bulletin

This morning, after the election, I posted this bulletin:

"That's It!"

I'm moving to San Francisco so I can be as liberal and gay* as I want! I'm tired of being in a minority that believes in gay rights here in SoCal.
I want to be in a MAJORITY!!!

No really, I'm able to go there. Since I'm in community college right now, I can simply transfer to a school there (Academy of Art University because they accept anyone who breathes). Plus, I have relatives there, but I wouldn't want to live with them regardless if I have too...

*I'm not a homosexual. I'm straight but I strongly believe in gay rights.

Halloween Entry!

2008-10-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

I'm really scared right now! Its not because I saw some monsters or scary-looking costumes.

Its because the Church of Scientology of San Diego is moving into my neighborhood!!!

There was a technical college that was two blocks away from my house. It then moved to a new location and the original campus was put on sale. It went into ruins as years passed. People, including me, would break through the fences and stroll through the campus' playground, park, tent, theater stage, etc. At one point an apartment complex was to be built on the location, but the project was criticized and it never went through. Then in May of this year Scientology's SD chapter purchased the campus. I didn't know about this until I received a pamphlet from Anonymous.

Help!!!! I don't want them near me!!! :(

I Eat Toast

2008-10-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

I finally saw High School Musical.

My sister made me watch it. I'm not lying.

Verdict:

Eh, it was okay. However, it wasn't good enough to make me want to see more adventures of East High's Wildcats. In other words, it is not worthy of having sequels, let alone stage shows, ice shows, etc.

I have the same opinion about the Ice Age movies-- the first was okay, but it's sequel(s) was unnecessary. Besides, the sequel was hardly better than the first, save for this scene.

Why make sequels to a movie that was "alright" instead of one that was "THE BOMB!!!"? Oh wait, I forgot--movie studios like to build franchises to subpar movies so they can make billions of dollars. How nice. >_>

At least the incestuous siblings Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) were fun to watch.

Christian Siriano

On Saturday morning I found out that Project Runway winner Christian Siriano was going to be in San Diego! I knew I had to bring my friend along because she is a big fan of his.

Christian Siriano was there to host a runway show for the Simon Fashion Now event at Fashion Valley Mall. There was an autograph session afterwards.

While my friend and I were running towards the autograph line, we passed right by him! He was walking and sipping coffee. When I recognized his face, I wanted to say hi but I knew that it wouldn't be fair for everyone else. Eventually, we met him and got his autographs. Needless to say, he was very friendly. :)

At one point, while he was signing my autograph, I asked if Project Runway was accurate. "Of course it is!" he quipped! Hehe, I had to ask!

Two Pieces of Candy

2008-10-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

Max Payne

When I first heard the news that they were making a Max Payne movie, I wasn't impressed. To me, it was just another popular-video-game-turned-mediocre-movie. I never played the game but I knew that it wouldn't translate into a movie well (unless John Woo directed it, since the games were inspired by his films). Then I saw the commercials and the movie poster.

Tell me if this doesn't look cool.

If you know me, you'd know that I'm a huge sucker for male angels or winged men (not to mention hot men in semi-erotic poses...just don't remind me of the Marky Mark/Calvin Klein years). I saw the commercials and I was like "Oh my god!!! There's an angel!!! I don't remember any angels in the Max Payne games."

Still, I'd only see a video-game-based movie if the reviews are good. So far, I haven't heard a lot of good things about it. I guess I'll see it when it comes out on DVD.

My Life So Far

I've been busy lately. No, I'm not busy surfing the internet and shit. I've been doing a lot of things lately. Volunteering and producing/directing short films for my digital film class. It all eats into my homework time. I've been trying to catch up with my homework. So far, I was able to turn in a major English assignment.

Because of my busy schedule, I've been missing out on fun things, like meeting friends and watching movies at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. :( I'm sure this will continue. Also, I've been getting sick and tired of dealing with people and I've been wanting alone-time. I'm not anti-social, okay?

Watching Iron Man with My Cast & Crew Members

Here's a reenactment of something that happened last weekend. This took place in my classmate's apartment. Before we shot the last scenes of our short film, we had to wait for everyone else to come. To let the time pass, we all decided to watch Iron Man.

Me: I wish Robert Downey Jr. was in all my movies.
Cast Member: ...He is a person, a human being! Not an object to go crazy about!
Me: I'm not a fangirl! I like him as an actor. I'm a fan of his performances! Besides, I saw him at Comic Con!
Crew Member: Oh yeah? I made out with him!
Me: *laughs*

This conversation goes on with discussions about how a crew member/Downey Jr. romance scene would play out, Downey Jr. impersonations, and me laughing my head off.

Proposition 8

I'd like to end this entry by urging California voters to VOTE NO ON PROP 8. If you're not familiar with it, this proposition bans same-sex marriage in California. Do not believe what the "Yes on 8" ads are saying. They're saying bullshit, I swear. For one thing, they claim that kids will be forced to learn about same-sex marriage in elementary schools. True in Massachusetts, but not in California! Also, the "for the children" argument is one of the most commonly used arguments in politics, and its illogical.

Don't complain that I'm shoving a personal belief down your throat. I'm a gay rights activist, what do you expect?

God Loves Atheists! :D

2008-10-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is the best thing I've seen all these past two crappy days.

In other news, I just realized that I left my yoga mat and dumbbells in the school locker room. The staff always say they clean out the lockers every night and trash whatever stuff they find.

Uh...um...oh crap... :\

HEROES Season 3 Expectations

2008-09-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

There is one thing I want to see from the third season of Heroes...

...and that is...

Adam Monroe

He is a badass.

He kicks ass.

He is God.

He is not a douchebag*.

I worship badass characters who kick ass, act like gods, and are not douchebags*.

*Douchebags are people and characters who piss me off.

Never Let Me Down

2008-09-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

I'm back in school. Here's is my fall semester schedule.

MATH 120 - Math for General Education

- linked with -

ENGL 120 - College Composition and Reading

MCOM 230B - Digital Film Production II

ES 299 - Fitness Boot Camp

Some math tutoring class

I was going to take statistics but I chose the general math class because its linked with English. Last time I took linked classes (College Composition with Images of Women in Literature) I got "B's" in both because they were comprehensive and easy, since they taught the same topics. Plus, we went on a field trip to see a musical!

My mom also wants to take statistics. She's a math teacher and she knows everything BUT statistics! Some day we'll take a class together, as long as she doesn't embarrass me!

In digital film production, I'm pretty much THE SHIT in my group. Because I took the class before, my professor gave me the role of producer-director of my group. This means a lot to me because its a high position! I'm pretty much in charge of a group! Plus, I'm working people who know their craft! YIPPEE!!!! Now all we have to do is make good short films!

Fitness Boot Camp is a new exercise course. It doesn't have a drill instructor.

Outside of school, I'm doing a bunch of volunteer work. I'm volunteering at an art festival with my school's Circle K. I'm also going to volunteer at the San Diego Film Festival. I'm going to help promote a documentary called The Pursuit of Equality, which is about the 2004 same-sex marriages in San Francisco. However, I'm yet to set up my schedule and do some of my duties. I haven't had the time yet. :\ Next month I'm going to volunteer at the San Diego Asian Film Fest. I haven't set up my schedule for that either.

Speaking of movies, I want to see Towelhead when it comes out here. No, I'm not insulting anyone! That's the name of the movie and there's a long reason why its called that. Also, it's directed by the guy who screenwrote American Beauty, which was a good movie. In fact, I saw the him during G4's attack of the show!'s Comic Con broadcast when I was in the audience. Oh yeah, good-looking Aaron "Two-Face" Eckhart is in it. He's probably the reason why I want to see the movie! Hehehe! XD

Two entries ago I wrote about a musical called Spring Awakening. Its a rock musical about teenagers in late 1800s Berlin going through sexual awakenings and teenage frustration. Anyway, I saw it and I loved it! Its currently touring the US. (I saw it here in San Diego, of course.) See it when you can!!!

The next musical I want to see is The Drowsy Chaperone. Unlike Spring Awakening, this one is a comedy. I haven't bought my ticket for this one yet. I want to take my parents to this one but I haven't told them about it yet. (This past week, my dad was in Canada for my cousin's wedding. My mom didn't want me to go, unfortunately.) I also need to set up my schedule and shit. Fucking schedules...

"Running Alone"

2008-08-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Last year, in my digital film production class, we made a short dramatic film called "Running Alone." I was chosen to be the director. However, the producer and I both did the direction and I did all the cinematography.

I wasn't told that this was posted online months ago. Just today I found it on the producer's website.

In my opinion, the editing still needs some work, but whatever. At least the editor and the producer did their best. (Our professor didn't want me to help out with editing because it wasn't my duty.)

Anyway, here's the actual film. Enjoy!

The credits are inaccurate. Like I said, the producer should have some director credit. Also, I was director of photography (cinematographer), not PapaMike. He never showed up! Regardless, I guess he was given the credit just to avoid getting him and ourselves low grades.

I hope we make a better movies this coming semester! We're all just learning our craft, you know?

Where It's At

2008-08-18T02:17:00.000-07:00

These past few days haven't been much. I've only been doing simple things. I read, watch TV, surf the internet (which I REALLY hate, believe it or not), watch movies, play video games, listen to music, etc. I'm not lazy or being couch potato-y. They're all simple relaxation activities. XD I usually don't do any of that shit during school time, and I only have a week left of summer vacation. In fact, this has been the shortest summer vacation I've ever have!

Lately, I've also been cleaning and re-organizing my room. I must say that I'm happy about the way it is starting to look. There's more space around my desk and I FINALLY have a TV! I got rid of a bunch of stuff too, like old toys and photos! O_o Now I have space for the useful stuff I WANT in my room, like my spinning CD rack. For years I'd hide it under my desk and it'd collect dust. Now I actually have a place for it where it could spin and be useful! XD

Overall, my room is more media-oriented and less dorky. XD Eventually I'm going to do some redecorating. For now, its just cleaning, organizing, and rearranging furniture.

I'm going to see the musical Spring Awakening this Thursday. I can't wait to see it.

Things I Totally Forgot to Mention in My Last Post

2008-08-09T00:48:00.000-07:00

I didn't buy anything from the exhibit hall. None whatsoever.

My friend and I met Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Gos.

This guy wore this shield with pride.

"COCK BLOCKER"

My sister, my friend, and I went on some scavenger hunt. We got a paper that had some riddles and clues on it. It led us to several exhibit hall booths. Eventually we found the "treasure"--a necklace with a big emerald-thing. We were in awe. I put it on and right after we left the booth, it broke! XDD So much for that!

In case you didn't know, that unicorn picture in the last post was me. We went to the New Line Cinema booth and they had a mini Harold & Kumar exhibit. We cut in line just to get pictures of us riding on that unicorn! We also got Guantanamo Bay detention camp uniforms!

I saw the Chowder panel. The cast were there and they were silly. It was kind of strange to hear them talk in their characters voices, especially from John DiMaggio.

From left to right: Dwight Schultz (Mung Daal), Tara Strong (Truffles), John DiMaggio (Shnitzel), and Carl Greenblatt (creator).

"Dwight Schultz is fatter than [Tara Strong] and smells bad."

But what really pisses me off is that I didn't know until a week later that DiMaggio did the voice of Bender from Futurama! WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME?!!!!!!

Yellow Submarine

2008-08-05T00:35:00.000-07:00

Summer 2008 Grades

MCOM 118-- Media Script Writing: A
ES 028-- Yoga: A
MCOM 110-- Mass Media and Society: A

This has been the best semester EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fuck, this is probably the first time I got all "A's"! :D

I'm lazy right now. I would make a full on write up of Comic Con but I don't feel like it. Instead, I'll supply you with a summary.

Basically, this year's Comic Con was a mix of excitement and disappointments. For one thing, I missed out on the Watchmen panel, which I've been dying to attend. I also missed out on the Pushing Daisies panel due to huge crowds. At least I stood right behind Watchmen director's Zack Snyder's back when he appeared on G4's Attack of the Show's live broadcast from Comic Con.

I also attended The Spirit panel, a panel about costume designers for movies, and the Adventures in Anime panel, staring voice actors Jeff Nimoy and Quinton Flynn. It was pretty funny. Here's of video of them singing their silly song about...yaoi!

On Sunday I attended the panel about the cartoon series The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Chowder, and the upcoming TV special Underfist. Yet, on Saturday I actually got autographs (on a nifty magnet) from creative director JG Quintel and the creator/voice-actor Thurop Von Orman.

(NOTE: My first name has been whited out to keep my identity private.)

Of course, I had to give them my opinions and thoughts about Flapjack. According to Quintel, they put adult humor into the show. Ha! No wonder I'm hooked! XD

Interestingly, I ALMOST didn't get their autographs. That day I was really bummed about about missing out on the Pushing Daisies panel, The Spirit actor signing (which happened on Friday), and the Watchmen cast signing (on Friday too). When I noticed that the Flapjack signing started and that they weren't letting any more people in line, I just wanted to leave the convention. I felt that I had no reason to be at Comic Con if I kept missing out on events. (Okay, that may sound over-dramatizing, but come on, these were things I had planned to see months ahead of time, and I missed them all!) Just before I was about to leave, I looked back at the Cartoon Network booth and saw my friend in line! I came up to him to greet him and he got me a place in line. The rest is history. :)

I videotaped the first portion of the Flapjack/Chowder/Underfist panel. The first portion, of course, is about Flapjack. The cast and crew discuss the show and take questions from the audience. Here are video links to the discussion, the first part of the Q&A, and the last part of it.

Overall, the panel was interesting. During and after the panels I got autographs from Maxwell Atoms, the creator of The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and Steve Little, who's a writer for Flapjack and the voice of Doc Barber from the series. Here's a video of him doing the voice of his character! XD

Okay, so maybe I wasn't very lazy after all!

Things I Learned from THE DARK KNIGHT

2008-07-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

1. Heath Ledger Joker is cute, sexy, and rape-able.

2. Aaron Eckhart is handsome. (I normally don't use "handsome" to describe nice-looking men.)

3. The movie should have been titled "Gordon: The Movie." Shut up. You know it was mostly about him. NOW GIVE GARY OLDMAN HIS DAMN OSCAR!!!

What's my opinion about The Dark Knight? Ask me that tomorrow.

This has been another segment on the world according to V.M.L.

ADVENTURE!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-17T14:29:00.001-07:00

I'm still alive and well. Okay?

My dad is much better now. He got out of the hospital a day after we went in. So I'm happy about him now.

Not much has been happening with me lately. I'm still in summer school. I'm taking a media studies class. I have my yoga final later today. I still haven't studied!

Next week is Comic Con. I'm so going to be there!!!! Yet, the problem is my cosplay. I'm still behind on it! I'm not lazy, I just haven't had time to finish it! NOOOO!!!!! There's going to be Watchmen-related events going on. Its going to be the perfect time to cosplay as Rorschach!

There's going to be other things as well. There's going to be a Heroes panel and one for Pushing Daisies. I like those shows, especially Lee Pace. Such a handsome fellow, especially since he's on the cutest live-action show on TV right now!

(Lee Pace and the lovely Anna Friel)

In case you haven't seen the show, its about a guy who resurrects people by touching them. Touching them again would kill them. He resurrects his girlfriend but they try not to touch each other. Together, and with they help of other characters, they solve murder mysteries.

Oh yeah, there's also going to be a panel about the cartoon series Chowder and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. I don't care much about Chowder, but I have been loving Flapjack. Its hilarious!

(K'nuckles and Flapjack)

As you know, I like animation, but I usually don't watch "kiddie" cartoons. They haven't been addicting since the early 2000s. (That's not to say that they've ALL been badly unwatchable. There has been some good cartoons.) I'd only see them when, for example, I'd walk into the den and my sister was watching them. I thought I grew out of them but now I find myself looking through TV schedules for Flapjack airings!

Now I'm going to post a list of movies I've seen MORE THAN ONCE this year.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

First time: I saw it with my mom
Second time: My dad and sister wanted to see it, so we saw it with them

Kung Fu Panda

First time: I saw it with my mom. My sister was upset and pleaded our mom to see her, as if there was an emergency. So my mom stood outside the theater, waiting to see her. At the film's climax, my mom told me leave. As it turned out, there really was no emergency and my sister was just being overly dramatic. My mom felt so angry that she made me go home with her without finishing the film. I was disappointed, feeling that the whole situation was pointless.
Second time: My mom and I decided to see it in its entirety!

WALL-E

First time: I saw it with three friends of mine.
Second time: I took my mom to see it.
Third time: I saw it with my sister (who has also seen it three times) and two friends of ours.

I'm looking forward to seeing The Dark Knight, but I'm going to have to see it next week. There's going to be too many soldout screenings this weekend. I really want to see it, but not just because its the sequel to Batman Begins and its Heath Ledger's last completed role. The fucking Watchmen trailer is going to premiere!!!!

Now I shall end this posting with the most honest fortune I ever found from a cookie.

UPDATE:
The Watchmen trailer has been posted on the internet!!!!! GO WATCH THE WATCHMEN!!!!!!

Adventures in Screenwriting II

2008-07-07T23:41:00.000-07:00

Before I get into the subject of screenwriting, I gotta post some personal information. This has been worrying me all day. I usually avoid posting personal stories here and I try to reserve them for my other blog, but I feel the need to let it out here.

My dad got hospitalized today. His medicine gave him an allergic reaction. He has heart problems and he takes medicine for that. Yet, my dad has been taking it so long that he has become allergic to it. He's still in the hospital as of now. I'm worried about him. :( I want him to come back home by tomorrow. Also, I'm wondering how he'll manage without the medicine. Is he not going to take it anymore? Is he going to take something else or will he continue to use it? I really want my dad to be healthy. I just don't want him to die from some stupid side-effect! :(

Okay, let's go on to screenwriting...

My class ended last Thursday. My final screenplay was due. Boy, it was tough.

I was suppose to finish it two week before the deadline. While everyone else were typing up the last scene of their stories, I was still on the second scene! It really didn't help that I'd come home feeling tired and I would take a nap. Worst, on days when I wanted to write, my family, sister, or friends would get me to do something or go somewhere with them. They never gave me a chance to write! Also, being at home never allowed me to concentrate, so I'd go to the library instead, only to find myself procrastinating. (This has been happening for a year.) I'd up writing late at night and early morning before school. Writing at midnight and early morning did not help me.

I'd often come to class late, usually by half an hour. Sometimes an hour. Once I came ten minutes before class ended! I even missed class three times! Each time I didn't show up early or at all, I'd get angry at myself. I didn't like missing lectures whatsoever. I'm not a "teacher's pet." I'm saying that because learning about screenwriting is crucial for me as a filmmaker. I want to get better at storytelling and writing screenplays!

Regardless of my tardiness, I thought I was a good student. I payed attention, took my professor's advice, and tried to fix my screenplay. I tried to help my classmates as well.

Then there was something I discovered during the last week-in-a-half of class. It was something that everyone was doing and I wasn't. It was something I should have realized much, much sooner.

I was writing my screenplay THE WRONG WAY.

I remembered my professor telling everyone to focus on descriptions first before dialog, but I didn't know he meant it literally! All that time I was writing my screenplay the wrong way, all because I was writing descriptions and dialog at the same time. It made sense! No wonder I was on the second scene when everyone was on their fifth scene! It was practical too! Writing in both ways would make me lose my train of thought and mood. Writing descriptions and then dialog would help keep the continuity and mood of the story.

I felt stupid afterwards. Why didn't I know this sooner?! I could have been up-to-date with the entire class.

To make a short ending to this adventure, I finished my screenplay during the last few days of class. I also finished another homework assignment at the last minute! I met the deadline, basically. I took the final exam and it was quite easy.

Summer 2008 Grades (as of now)

MCOM 118-- Media Script Writing:

A

Wow.

In unrelated news, I'm no longer on Vicodin (in fact, I stopped taking it two days after my surgery) and I've seen WALL-E three times.

VML on Vicodin (Laugh all you want!) and Understanding WALL-E

2008-06-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

I recently had my wisdom teeth pulled out. My mouth is in pain, my face is swollen (mostly on my left side), and I've been feeling drowsy because of the Vicodin I've been taking. You'd expect me to be acting weird and shit, but its not too bad. The dentist told me to take half of pills because I'm small. Yet, I still get those moments when I'm really drowsy, dizzy, unconscious, and depressed over stupid things.

The day I got them pulled out felt weird. I couldn't eat or drink that morning. I couldn't even have water! My appointment was suppose to be at 12 PM, but they changed it to 2 PM. My mom and I went there, waited in the waiting room, and sat through 10,000 B.C. while I played Animal Crossing: Wild World. Finally they called me.

I was scared when I went there. I've never been sedated before. I didn't know how it would feel and I was slightly afraid of feeling the pain while the tooth removal was in process.

The surgeon told me to hold a tight fist. I panicked.

Me: *thinking in panic* Ah crap, I hate shots! I don't want a shot!

The surgeon shoots my arm.

Surgeon: Whoops, I thought that was a blue vessel.
Me: OH COME ON!

He shoots me again. I freaked out in my head, hating the pain. I had no idea when I would be asleep. Yet, the pain started to disappear and I dozed off without knowing it.

(This is why I can never be a heroin addict. XD)

Just when I thought I was dreaming, I was woken up. A dental assistant, my mother, and the daylight woke me. I was dazed and confused, especially since I was put into another room.

Me: Eh...what happened...? There...was...a wall in front of me...with a picture...and now I'm looking at...a window...
Dental Assistant: We walked you into another room.
Me: I walked?!

Heh, I guess I was so sleepy that I couldn't wake up.

They put me in a wheelchair and I was pushed back to my mom's car. I was really tired.

Eating was a bitch, especially since the dentist warned me not to use a straw. I was hungry but I had to have cold soft food, which my teeth are sensitive to. I was also thirsty and I kept spilling water on myself. My mom got me Jamba Juice but I kept bleeding into the drink! I had to settle with puddings.

On Sunday, I got fed up and started drinking with a straw again. XD I'm a straw person, okay?

End of story.

Now here's the greatest thing that happened on Friday:

I FINALLY SAW WALL-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, finally finally finally, after a year of bragging and gushing about it, which I'm still doing. If you see it, you'll understand why you shouldn't reject my taste in movies. XD Hell, I knew it was going to be amazing way before it was released!

I saw it with three friends of mine. We all liked it. Yet, I was annoyed that they wanted to buy junk food before the film and they kept talking during the film, all while I was trying to soak everything I was seeing.

Before the film, at a Suncoast store:

Friend #1: I wanna buy some Pocky. *takes a box of Almond Pocky*
Me: No junk food! *snatches it*
Friend #2: I want some! Let her get it!
Friend #1: *takes it back* I've been planning on getting it this weekend. Planning ahead is good for dieters.
Me: *sighs*

As you can tell, I'm a Nazi when it comes dieting. XD Yet, I failed this time. I swear, if you eat and exercise the same way I do, you'll lose 10 pounds in two weeks. In some ways, I'm a health freak. XD

ANYWAY, back to WALL-E.

I left the theater feeling mesmerized.

After the film:

Friend #3: Are you okay?
Me: *silent at first but responds* Of course I am! Wow...

Here's my crap review of the film. Believe what the critics are saying about it. It IS perfect. Err, done PERFECTLY! I know it, I'm not mindlessly hyping it without thinking about film aesthetics and mis-en-scene. I mean it, I really feel I can never make movies up to par, and I'm usually a perfectionist (unless I don't care about the project XD). Ah crap, now I feel I can never make videos and films again! XD Shit, I look at the screenplay I'm writing and its a piece of crap! XDDD I'm still writing it though (although it should have been done yesterday!). No, I'm not feeling overly depressed and pessimistic right now. Don't worry. Just enjoy my blog, please!

Story-wise, it is a romantic epic for such a film with a small plot. I loved the romance between the cute robots and the satirical aspect of it. I LOVE satirical, post-apocalyptic, dark comedies. :) I don't think the film was very eco-themed, like what most people say. To me, it was more about what consumerism can do to people and the planet. This is where people complained that it was hypocritical.

As we all know, Disney is a big business that does heavy marketing and sells too much shit for the sake of money. Its to a point where I feel they've exploited their own movies without thinking about the quality of them. (Examples: the "cheapquels.") Yet, I should shut up because I love Disneyland and I buy plushies of my favorite Disney characters. XDD People complain that WALL-E is about anti-consumerism but the film is coming from a big pro-consumerist company.

Allow me to explain this clearly. Pixar is an artist-driven studio. Creativity drives the animators, not the money. In this case, Dir. Andrew Stanton decided to put an anti-consumerism theme to the film. So be it. That's his decision, not Disney's.

Now why did Disney decide to distribute the film as it was without going to Stanton and saying "we don't like your movie because it sounds anti-Disney. Change it and add dialog." Well, ever since Michael Eisner left and Bob Iger became CEO, Disney has been relying on Pixar to make them money. They even promoted John Lasseter, one of the founders of Pixar, to oversee all animated features produced. Disney knows that, even though they don't like Pixar's work ethic, their films make the money. Basically, Iger told Pixar "We don't know how you guys do it. Whatever you do, we want it. We won't touch your movies or else we will mess them up and your movies will flop." (He didn't really say it like that, but it was similar.) This happened during Disney's $7.4 billion acquisition of Pixar.

So basically, Pixar is biting the hand that feeds it. Let's not forget that Ratatouille and Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End had similar themes as well.

However, WALL-E isn't exactly about consumerism. Its mostly a love story about two robots. That love story so happens to take place in a bleak future.

Dark satirical themes are things you usually don't get from popular animated features nowadays. I believe Americans are amazed by this film because they've never seen a mainstream satirical, romantic, animated feature before. That's not to say that there has never been an animated movie that made fun of consumerism. (Examples: Over the Hedge and Shrek 2, to cite a few.) Some people are calling WALL-E an artsy film as if it should have played at art house theaters, which is stupid. (That's like calling independent movies second-class citizens.)

I was expecting this film to get this kind of notice because I knew it was going to be a different kind of Pixar film. I hope people will continue to embrace it. After all, it has a lot of heart in it.

I'm planning on taking my mom to see it sometime this week.

Now, is everyone excited about Beverly Hills Chihuahua?! XDD

Adventures in Screenwriting

2008-06-25T03:01:00.000-07:00

I'm currently attending summer school.

"Eww, why?!"

Because I want to. Haha!

I'm currently taking a class in screenwriting and a yoga class. Later on I'm going to take a media studies class. Since my family and I don't have definite vacation plans, this is the perfect time to get some perquisite classes out of the way before transfer. (By the way, we did go on vacation last month. We went to Las Vegas. I'll post more about that later.) Only problem about school is that its not giving me time to finish my Rorschach cosplay! Comic Con is coming up and it'll be the perfect time to cosplay as him!

Anyway, screenwriting is interesting but grueling. So far, here's what's been happening besides sitting through lectures. We came up with story ideas and did some brainstorming. Recently we have been writing our screenplays and they are suppose to be completed by this weekend.

Now here's the grueling part. The professor wanted us to explain our stories to the class IN CHARACTER. We had to describe scenes and characters while acting like the main character! Classmates would also ask us questions about what are characters feel about things, what they like and dislike, etc. At times it was hard but we still managed. I never expected any acting involved in the class.

My goal is to have a completed short screenplay by the end of the semester. That way I'll turn it into a short film when I take digital film production class next semester. (I'm assuming that the class will be offered.)

I had an idea for a story. Originally, it was going to be about a group of nerdy friends who help their friend go out with a girl who is out of his league. Once meeting the girl in person, the main character finds out that she's not who she seemed to appear. The story was a feel-good comedy with a message. It was about people faking themselves over the internet and the consequences of it.

After telling my idea to the class, my professor suggested that I'd make big changes to it. He thought it was unoriginal. I too thought it was full of cliches and I wasn't exactly confident about it. I took his advice, but I decided use his ideas MY WAY.

The story is now about a girl who, after getting rejected by her crush, hooks up with a guy over the internet. When she meets him in person, she discovers that he's not who he seemed to appear online. His presence makes her uncomfortable and she ends the date early. She then starts feeling paranoid, feeling that the guy is going after her. The story is a thriller with the same theme as the previous story.

It was hard to change the plot and mindset of the original story, but, surprisingly, it didn't take me that long to make changes to it.

In unrelated news, WALL-E IS GOING TO BE IN THEATERS THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SO GOING TO WATCH IT ON OPENING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and Wanted will also be in theaters.

Its HAPPENING!!!!

2008-06-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about the movie. I'm talking about today, Friday the 13th! Its my favorite holiday! :D

Happy Friday the 13th!!!!

Strict Machine

2008-06-09T01:53:00.000-07:00

I like this picture.

No, that's not the purpose of this posting. The days have been rather slow. Still, I've been going to fun places and I'm yet to blog about them.

I start summer school tomorrow. No wait, make that 8 hours! O_O Its passed my bedtime!

Oh shit, I almost forgot to post my spring semester grades!

Spring 2008 Grades

SPAN 121-- Spanish II: C
Wow, this was probably one of the most challenging classes I've ever taken. Memorizing Spanish can be hard, but what made the class challenging was its homework! I had homework everyday and it never gave me time to focus on my other assignments. Worst, my procrastination did a good amount of damage to my grade. It didn't help that I'd often come to class late and the professor would scold me!
I'm soooo not taking Spanish next semester!
ES 006-- Total Body Fitness: A
Yep, I repeated the class and got an "A"!
HIST 105-- Early Western Civilization: B
I was heading towards the "A" direction until I ran out of time during my final. I didn't finish it. :( What frustrated me the most was the fact that Spanish homework was keeping me from studying history! It was unfortunate because the class was interesting and I didn't do enough reading.
CCS 115-- Cross-Cultural Awareness: B
Probably one of the most interesting classes I've ever taken. I learned more about myself! I never knew how "white washed" I was. Its not a bad thing to me, really. By the way, I'm biracial and embrace it more than having to "choose sides."

In sad news, I found out that I still have to submit a portfolio in order to get into CSUN's film program, regardless if I use the TAG! :( I now feel hopeless. No wonder I've been feeling down about college for the last couple of days.

But wait, there's more sad news!

I won't be able to attend Anime Expo this year. Basically, I have no way to get there and no place to stay. I know I seem pathetic for saying those things, but the circumstances are unfortunate because they're stupid and beyond my control. (Hint: it involves a guy who's trying to save money on electric bills by breaking every lightbulb in his house!)

What's so important about Anime Expo? Well, the AX is a very fun, interesting, and exciting anime convention. As an anime fan myself, who've had life-changing memories there, it is a "can't miss." It has become a summer tradition of mine to attend the AX. I've also gotten my relatives and friends to come. Unfortunately, this will be the first time in four years that I won't be attending. *sigh*

At least I'll be going to Comic Con...

In other news, my fuck buddy Mike is spending a month in Japan right now. I miss him but I hope he and his friend will have a very fun time there.

She'd Rather Be with Me

2008-05-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

I have a Spanish exam tomorrow. Everyone else is taking it Wednesday. NOOOO!!!!!

I'm going to Las Vegas during Memorial Day weekend. Yay! My dad asked me to plan out everything, such as the hotel accommodations (Treasure Island, although I wanted a different one) and shows we'll see (LOVE and...). YAY!!! Unfortunately, my mom forced me not to get seats for another show and I'm not 21. NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Now we have an extra day for nothing! I wanted us to see a show that night! :( At least my sister will be having fun because she's planning on clubbing and shit. NO!

I spent $75 on a 4-day Comic Con pass. People keep telling me that I wasted money and that I should have signed up to volunteer. Volunteers get free admission. Am I STUPID, or NOT STUPID? What do you think, shadowy black & white photo of live-action Rorschach (courtesy of Jackie Earle Haley and Zack Snyder)?

"..."

Yeah, I thought so too.

Either way, I have my reasons why I spent $75.

Now here's some good news. In 2010 I'll be transferring to California State University Northridge, without sending an application, portfolio, and any extra application materials.

HOW?

TRANSFER ADMISSION GUARANTEE, baby! :D

I just need to fulfill the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum and be in good standing. Oh yeah, and I'm still applying to other schools.

UPDATE: I'm posting this ultra-cute picture of WALL-E and his cockroach friend! ^_^

I Am a Party Pooper

2008-05-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Remember me mentioning San Diego State University in my last entry? Well, there was a drug bust at SDSU today. 75 students and 21 other people were arrested, which equals 96 arrests! But get this -- most of the students were criminal law majors!

Fucking party school.

At least the new Watchmen video was posted today.

Ridiculous Day

2008-04-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

WARNING: Information may be exaggerated!

STINKBUGS (AKA Darkling beetles) ARE INVADING SAN DIEGO!!!!!! THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!!!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! (Actually, they're pretty cute! ^_^)

But that's not the POINT of this entry!

For days I've been plagued by late Spanish class homework. I worked on it all Sunday and I skipped class yesterday just to finish it. I tried finishing every drop of it last night...but I ended up serenading to Mike over the internet. (He logged off without ever saying anything.) This morning I FINALLY finished (most of) every bitch ass assignment!

When I came to class, my professor was all grumpy and shit. So grumpy, she didn't feel like giving us directions on a class assignment. She told us to teach ourselves. We wasted a lot of paper. We killed too many trees. Then we got into groups and we had to make up sentences about a boy shooting up heroin. At the end of class, I spoke to mi profesora:

Me: *Speaks shyly.* I wasn't here yesterday...and I was at the testing center last Thursday, so I wasn't in class that day...can I still turn in my homework...?
Profesora: You keep coming late to class! *Pauses.* Just leave it on my table.
Me: *Puts it on the table and walks away.*

I was stressed. I decided to buy green tea and kill time at the college transfer center. (University brochures always push me to do my homework!) While I was there, a stinkybug crawled on to my backpack! I swiped it. It came back! I lift it with papers. It came back! I air lifted it. It came back! I grabbed it with my hands. It stunk my hands! Finally, I took my backpack outside and swiped it off. Then I washed my hands.

I came late to my Cross-Cultural Studies class. To my surprise, all the students in the room were taking a test!

Me: *Thinks to herself.* What the fuck?! Am I in the wrong class, one that is assigning a test right now?
Professor: *Makes beckoning hand gesture.*
Me: *Walks towards professor.*
Professor: Did you take the test Thursday?
Me: Yeah.
Professor: Go home. :)
Me: Okay, bye. *Walks away.*

Last Thursday the class was suppose to have a test, but the professor was absent. Regardless, I took the test at the testing center that day. Only when I walked out of class today I realized that the professor wasn't there last Thursday and that the test was postponed to today. Therefore, I had no CCS class today! :)

I didn't go home. Tuesdays are always cleaning days. I always have to stay out of the cleaning lady's way. That means I can't come home until she's done cleaning.

I was hungry and thirsty. I wanted to do my homework in a nice, quiet, air-conditioned place. The people at my college's library and tech mall always bitch at me when I eat, drink, and use my cellphones inside. Therefore, I had to find a peaceful place to eat, drink, study, and use my cellphone. The only place: the first floor of San Diego State University's library. SDSU, out of all places!

I took the bus there and made my way through the campus entrance. All of the sudden, I came to a sex booth! A girl asked if I wanted to throw rings around some dildos. "Sure, why not?" I thought. While standing an "intimate distance" away, I threw the rings at the dildos and I missed all of them! :( Then I signed up for a raffle and was given a condom, condom instructions, bubblegum-flavored lube, a sticker, and Hershey's Kisses, all courtesy of Planned Parenthood's VOX program of SDSU! :D

After that feminist perversion, I walked to the nearest cheap restaurant --- McDonald's! McDonald's, out of all places! In my world, that unhealthy, corporate-ruling restaurant chain doesn't exist. Unfortunately, I was hungry for a meal that wouldn't bust my wallet. Fucking dollar menus!

I came back to SDSU and saw THE GREENPEACE RECRUITERS!!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Fortunately, I avoided them. I often see these people at my college. I strongly support helping the environment and animals, but I don't want to make monthly donations! At least I didn't see that non-stop-talking lady from my college, who was praising Greenpeace last time I saw her. She was probably singing too.

I went to the library and studied my brain to death. Drank energy shit too. I did Spanish homework and read, read, read my history textbook until my brained died. "Please, NO MORE!!!" my brain begged.

I then decided to visit the turtle pond. While I was looking around, there was a turtle that kept crawling out of the pond and into the street! "I WANT OUT OF HERE!!!!!" it yelled. A guy picked it up and dropped it into the pond. "Hell, I'd want out too!" the guy said to me. Then the turtle crawled out again and into the street. I picked it up and put it in the pond.

Me: I know you want to leave, but this [pond] is your home. *Places it in pond.*
Turtle: GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!! *Crawls out.*
Me: *Picks turtle up and places it at the other side of the pond, further away from the street.*
Turtle: FUCK YOU!!!!!!! *Swims and pouts.* This blows!
Fishes: *Point and laughs.*

I sit down and I notice a journal. Someone left it! I peak through the pages. They were all class notes, unfortunately. :( XD Luckily, the owner's phone number was written in the book so I called and left her a message about he journal.

Then my friend calls me, like he does five times a day.

Friend: [Girlfriend's name] and I broke up.
Me: What happened?
Friend: She said it's her, not me, and that she might be in love with another guy.
Me: Blaming it on herself is another way for her to say she doesn't like you. Don't delve on this too much. (You've already been through this before.) *Hangs up.*

Then he calls again.

Friend: Are we still seeing Iron Man this Friday?
Me: Yes.
Friend: Okay. Bye. *Hangs up.*

Then my mom calls me about picking me up. She calls me a thousand times. While she was calling me, the girl with the missing journal calls. I tell her where her journal was and I, unfortunately, cut the conversation short because my mom was starting to get impatient.

Later, I come home. I'm tired and I'm sick of homework. My sister comes and forces me to go shopping with her. She doesn't like shopping alone. While we're on our way to get ale for her boyfriend and buy a pufferfish, my friend calls again.

Friend: I can't get over this. I'm mostly concerned with the guy [girlfriend's name] likes. He's 25 years old!
Me: Don't think about her! Think about Iron Man instead!

Friend: *Pauses.* You want me to fall in love with Tony Stark? You know I'm not gay.
Me: Hey, Robert Downey Jr. is cool! In fact, I'd soooo be gay for him!
My sister: That doesn't make sense!
Me: Shut up and drive!

CUTE TIME: WALL-E Widget!

2008-04-24T23:22:00.001-07:00

I would love to post this on the sidebar but it'll get cut off. :(

UPDATE: I'm posting this because its cute.

Start Me Up

2008-04-20T02:39:00.000-07:00

I'm busy. I'm currently being raped by school work, and its PAINFUL! I only have 5 months left and I feel that's not enough! I HAVE TOO MUCH SHIT TO DO!!!!

TOO. MUCH. STRESS.

MUST. LOOK. AT. CLIVEOWEN!!!!!!

Okay, I'm happy now! :)

RORSCHACH COSPLAY UPDATE!

I was wrong. My mom totally supports my crossplay. She'll help me look manly. XD

My trenchcoat is a smaller size now. I have my white scarf (although its more like a really long piece of white cloth).

Now for the big one --- THE MASK!!!!

I recently got the material for the mask. Its white cotten and spandex shit. I just need to figure out how I'm going to make a mask out of it.

I'm also debating on whether I should wear a suit underneath or not since its going to very hot during convention time.

Hurm...

...oh, look! Its a Rorschach doll! :D

Complete with removable clothes and bendable limbs, like a Barbie doll! XD This one is for the fangirl in all of us!

In other news...

THE SPIRIT Clock-Thing

2008-04-08T01:11:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: The clock-thing has been updated! Its now linked to the teaser trailer! CHECK IT OUT!!!! It also includes a contest. The winner gets sent to Comic Con and will meet the stars. I live in San Diego so its kind of pointless for me to take part in the contest, although I would love to meet Frank and Gabriel! ^_^

Counting the days when Gabriel Macht will make me CRASH AND BURRRRRRRN IN EXTACY!!!!!!! BURNINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep it hot, Frank Miller.

WHAT THE FUCK?!!!!

2008-04-04T02:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to say anything. Just watch it!

I Think I Just Barfed Out NACHOS

2008-03-30T03:12:00.000-07:00

Oh man, when I was a kid I wanted to be an ice skater. Thank goodness I lost interest because this video is just CORNY!

Hey, is that a tribute to Brokeback Mountain? Nah, its just a cheesy squaredance on ice...

Automatic NACHO!

RORSCHACH COSPLAY UPDATE!

I bought a white scarf from American Apparel and I'm hoping that it'll be sent to my house ASAP. The last time my sister bought something from their online store, it didn't come until EIGHT MONTHS LATER!

After searching the internet for a Rorschach-y trench coat, my sister recently pointed out to me that I already have one. Two actually.

One has been in my closet for nearly 10 years and I never noticed! Its light brown, stained, has a hole, has buttons, and has buckles on sleeves and shoulders. Its perfect, just what I've been looking for! The only problems are its size and length. Its too large and too long! Shortening it shouldn't be that hard but I don't know about shrinking it. Its also missing the tie. As I remember, a long time ago I found a tie and I didn't know where it came from, so I threw it away. XD

The other trench coat is this:

(To protect identity of blogger, this photo has been censored.)

Its black and very dress-like. Very unlike Rorschach. Still, my sister insists I wear it for cosplay.

I'm worried that my sister and my sewing-expert mom will push me to wear womens clothing for cosplay. That'll defeat the purpose of cosplaying as Rorschach!

Come on, its Rorschach, not RORSKANK!

Hurm.

Nicotine & Gravy

2008-03-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking of cosplaying at Comic Con this year. I want to crossplay as Rorschach!

Lets see if I can do it better than former-child-star-turned-Oscar-nominee Jackie Earle Haley here

(Watchmen film promotional still)

or this trendy fashion model

("I'm too sexy for this mask...")

No matter what, I'm looking forward to cross dressing this year! XD I gotta start sewing soon...

In other important news, last year at Anime Expo I found a high school school ID of a sophomore girl. I went all around the the convention and over the internet, calling for the owner of the ID. (Thats where the "you can't spell 'idiot' without 'I-D'" in-joke was invented.) Months later, like probably around January, I finally sent it back to the school. They sent me a "thank you" letter.

Today, I finally got a message from the girl herself.

Embarrassingly, her parents saw a blog entry I posted, which featured a picture of the ID. They made fun of her and she asked me to return it. I told her that I sent it to her school and the library has it. She'll now have to get it back from there.

I thought the school gave it back to her but I guess not. Still, I'm glad the ID will FINALLY be given to its rightful owner, after six months of being under a stranger's ownership and being poked fun at. XD

Hurm.

Devil's Haircut

2008-03-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

Here's an update. I'm on spring break now. I only have six days left.

Ummm...what else...oh, Netflix has been very good to me lately. I signed up recently and I've seen seven movies so far, and I have 115 more to watch! FUCK YEAH!

The seven movies I've seen:

L.I.E.* -- watch, IF YOU DARE!
Eastern Promises -- Viggo Mortensen. Naked. Stabbed. Bloody. Messy. Very easy on the eyes! :D Kind of guy who looks hotter when he's a bloody mess and shit. (See Hidalgo.)
The Ballad of Jack and Rose* -- for your pre-There-Will-Be-Blood, pre-Daniel-Plainview-versus-Eli-Sunday viewing pleasure! :D
A Boy and His Dog -- No official opinion as of this time. The dog's cute though.
Lawn Dogs -- My favorite movie out of the seven. Very cute. BONUS POINTS: Sam Rockwell naked and kissing/biting another guy!
The Hunger -- Okay. If you're into vampire girl-on-girl sex stuff, this one's for you. :\
Hellsing Ultimate vol. 1 -- Arucard/Alucard is hot. I'm going to read the manga later.

Maybe I have a thing for crazy guys...

Haha, I was looking for pictures of Alucard and I found this.

Expect to see this at Sakura Con, Mike!

No no! I STILL like Hyuugas! They're science's gift to ME!!!!

HOT HOT HOT!!!

I'm lazy right now. I don't feel like typing anything else.

Have a nice day! I'm going to throw in a picture of Rorschach from Watchmen.

*Paul Dano is in these movies.

A Special Annoucement!

2008-03-17T01:40:00.000-07:00

I created a new blog! I finally made a LiveJournal account.

VML on LiveJournal

BUT WAIT!!!! Before you visit it and befriend me or something, I must inform you that my LJ blog is SOLELY for posting smut pictures. In other words, its only for photospam (and LJ communities). Do not expect to read updates on my life and shit.

Don't fret, for I will still be posting ramblings and shit on BlogSpot.

Now I shall end this entry with a lovely photo of actor Paul Dano.

CUTE BABY WAH WAH LEE!!!!!!!!!! (Official WALL-E Trailer)

2008-03-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

WALL-E IS TOO DAMN CUTE FOR WORDS!!!!!

Preview screenshots:

Stupid News of the Day

2008-03-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

A guy gets arrested and expelled from his high school because of a "threatening" video he made using quotes from Naruto character Gaara.

I'm glad he got expelled. Not because he was threatening the school but because he used someone else's dialog to make his pathetic video threat. Jeez, isn't that plagiarism? Only an angry anime-nerd would copy off quotes from Gaara, thinking they're cool and shit. Hell, if Gaara was alive, he'd scoff and kill him, regardless if the guy was Gaara's #1 fan.

The Most Un-Goth Guy on a Goth Dating Site

2008-03-02T01:22:00.000-08:00

Tell me if this guy looks or even sounds gothic to you. (Hint, look at the photo gallery.)

Discharging

2008-02-24T01:14:00.000-08:00

This sucks. I typed a big ass rant-filled entry only for the internet to lose it all! This site didn't even autosave that entry!

Anyway, here's a few updates about my life right now:

I finally listened to Lily Allen's album Alright, Still. Its sooo good! WHY DIDN'T I HEAR THIS BEFORE?!!!!
I saw the movies Charlie Bartlett and Be Kind Rewind. Both were cute.
I printed an Oscar ballot and I'm marking the films and people whom I BELIEVE deserve to win! Hey, once the ceremony starts, I want to see if the show is going MY WAY! XD
I got a bikini top that looks like my bag (AKA "the world's most boring purse," according to some goth guy). XDDD

They match!

Now here is a stupid story that has happened recently.

In high school, I wanted to go to an art school but my dad said no. He claimed that art schools were just as useless as (this one baseball college called) the All American Baseball Academy -- it will lead you nowhere in life. With my hopes down, I decided to look into private and public universities. However, my dad said no to private universities because they're too expensive and he doesn't want me to get federal student aid. The thought of me receiving financial aid was insulting, since we're not a poor family and that he's been saving money for years, solely for a public university. Since then I've been looking into public universities and have my goal set on the University of California in Los Angeles.

Last year my dad changed his mind because of two incidents.

My sister is a nursing major and she use to go to the same community college as I currently attend. When it lost accreditation from a nursing commission, my parents got worried. They then got my sister into Maric College, an accredited AND private vocational college!

Another time my dad was talking to a coworker and he said that his daughter attended the Art Institute of California in San Diego. After graduating, she got a well-paying job as a graphic designer.

Now my dad tells me that he'll pay for a private college, but only if its the Art Institute. In fact, he doesn't even want me to go to a public university anymore! Isn't that strange?

UPDATE: I was just watching the Academy Awards. There wasn't any surprises and all the winners were predictable. Okay, La Vie En Rose's Marion Cotillard's win was a little surprising, but still not surprising enough. In regards to my ballot, only three of my choices won: Javier Bardem for best supporting actor, Daniel "milkshake" Day-Lewis for best leading actor, and Ratatouille for best animated feature--and those were still pretty predictable!

Heath Ledger's image at the end of the memoriam made me feel uneasy. (And just when I thought I moved on.)

My poor dear Heath Ledger. :(

Not Another Damn Picture Entry!: For MY Consideration*

2008-02-18T23:26:00.000-08:00

EDIT: I came to school at 8 o'clock. My class doesn't start until 9:30. I just realized that I came to school half an hour early.

Here are some "for your consideration" advertisements for films nominated for Academy Awards. Enjoy!

There were a lot of Sweeney Todd ads I wanted to post, but I ended up choosing this one. That's Tim Burton sitting down, by the way.

These Atonement pages go together. Look at them. Saoirse Ronan looks so cute while Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are fucking at the top left corner! XD

The coolest scene in the entire movie Pirates movie.

Best. Hair. EVER.

Aww... ^_^

This is not an ad. It is the Cloverfield monster.

*I care about these movies, not the other ones. XD I'm not an official voter.

So if love is in the air, does that mean I'm breathing it?

2008-02-14T10:47:00.000-08:00

As you know, it is Valentines Day. Yesterday, I was doing the usual groaning about the holiday because I'm single and it gives me bad memories. Now I'm whatever about it. I like getting chocolates, and I already got some today! In fact, I'm going to eat this Hershey Kiss mi profesora gave me. Mmm, yummy.

Movie-wise, I might see a movie on Friday. Actually, I haven't made plans to see any movie this weekend, but I have a feeling that my mom will want to see The Spiderwick Chronicles. I wouldn't mind seeing that, especially since it looks better than Jumper. I'm not too crazy about Jumper because the girlfriend character (played by Rachel Bilson) in the movie seems static. (Then again, I've never seen the movie.) Nowadays I really want to see better portrayals of female characters. We need more movies like Juno!

I'm looking forward to next weekend, because its going to be a great time for movies. Be Kind Rewind and Charlie Bartlett will be out, and the Academy Awards will be televised! Be Kind Rewind looks like a cute silly movie, and it has two great actors starring in it. Charlie Bartlett simply seems like a movie I'd see, even if it didn't have Robert Downey Jr. As for the Academy Awards, I always have to watch it, even if the winners might be predictable or they give awards to people or movies that didn't deserve it (*cough* Crash *cough*).

Move Posters!: A John Alvin Tribute

2008-02-11T21:41:00.000-08:00

If you don't know who John Alvin is, then you don't know your movie posters.

John Alvin was an artist who painted movie posters, especially some that became very well known. Until Adobe Photoshop was invented, he was making gorgeous and dramatic posters. Even when studios stopped hiring painters to make posters, he kept making lovely pictures. He also painted for movie-themed festivals and made film artworks (or fanart) which were sold at art galleries, Disney stores, and through online auctions.

Unfortunately, Alvin recently passed away. However, his art still lives on.

Below are several selected posters and paintings. A lot are concept art, film art, and art that were not used for anything. All are movies I've seen. Enjoy!

To Kill a Mockingbird

The Wizard of Oz

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

The Godfather

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Beauty and the Beast

Blade Runner

Casablanca

The Emperor's New Groove

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Hook

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus and Esmeralda look real. I'm guessing this one is either based on one of the old live-action movies or the German stage production of the Disney movie.

The Pirates of the Carribean trilogy

Mulan

Jurassic Park

Lawrence of Arabia

The Lion King

The Little Mermaid

The Lord of the Rings trilogy

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Nutcracker Prince

Holy fucking shit! Here's an obscure movie I loved when I was a kid!

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

Is this even a painting?!

Pinocchio

Wow, I still remember seeing these Pinocchio posters.

The Princess Bride

The Rescuers Down Under

Biggest fucking eagle ever!

Short Circuit

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Spaceballs

Star Wars trilogy

This was used for a book cover.

Look closely at the sky.

This one is my favorite. XD

Tarzan

Thumbelina

Remember this Don Bluth movie?

"What's Opera, Doc?"

Willow

Okay, I've never seen Willow but I had to post it because it looks like the Underworld poster, which Alvin didn't create. I smell a copy-cat... XD

WALL-E is Finally Revealed (to Non-North-Americans, that is)

2008-02-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

They FINALLY released a detailed WALL-E trailer. Yet, this is the international one. Therefore, this one is much better than the American trailer. Its because international movie trailers are always more detailed about the plot and shit than the American ones. American movie trailers tend to rely more on special effects, action scenes, funny scenes, etc.

They ought to release this trailer in the US so that way people would not get confused and stop making Short Circuit comparisons.

Development NOT Arrested?!?!?!

2008-02-05T01:28:00.000-08:00

I must be dreaming...

because one of the greatest things ever imagined could be a REALITY!

For Your Consideration: THERE WILL BE BLOOD

2008-02-02T01:29:00.000-08:00

Fucking Finally Again

2008-01-31T20:46:00.000-08:00

I got my learners permit back. I can get back to driving now.

Now, on to drivers license!

Winter break got me good.

Last Day of Winter Break

2008-01-27T22:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Winter Break,

The time has come. Spring semester of college is arriving tomorrow and I will be taking classes in the next five months. I have no control of the time, so I have no choice but to bid farewell to you.

It was nice knowing you. You gave me excuses to stay up all night, wake up at 11 AM or later, play video games, watch TV, spend hours on the internet, go to places such as movie theaters and Disneyland, and stay home all day doing needless things. Yet, you were not only a wannabe vacation but also a beneficial experience. Without you, I wouldn't have time to study driving and type my literature, which are activities I never had time to fulfill during school time.

I appreciate the things you gave me, such as time to hang out with friends, "four birthdays," a digital camera, four pairs of black skinny jeans, a DS Lite, and cable for my bedroom. You also got my sister accepted to her college's nursing program.

Yet, the most important gift you gave me was a break from college and stress. I really needed that. Thank you.

Of course, you also left me with some coals. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be stressing over my spring class schedule, waking up too late, getting a crown and white fillings, and suffering from its side effects (headaches, neck aches, and sensitive teeth). The internet connection on my desktop computer would be working and I wouldn't be using my "for school and work only" laptop for internet surfing.

Yet, the biggest coal you gave me was---no wait, it wasn't a big coal you gave. It was you taking a dump on me and spreading shit all over me to a point where I was moaning and groaning in distress for days. I still have excess shit on me to this day. To get to the point, the shit you gave was the death of Heath Ledger, one of my favorite actors. If it wasn't for you, Heath wouldn't have died so tragically and the tabloids wouldn't be exploiting his death. (Just leave him and his loved ones alone, tabloids! Ever heard of the phrase "rest in peace?")

You probably wanted me to make new year resolutions as well. I'm sorry to say but I haven't made any. However, I made a goal during the break. My goal was to get my driving permit back after my last one expired last summer. Have I fulfilled my goal? Not yet, for I made a DMV test appointment for the 31st of this month. Therefore, I haven't taken it yet.

Its already 11:43 PM right now. I must go to bed now.

Thanks again for the gifts you gave me. I'll see you again next winter. Hopefully you'll give me more gifts, no coals, and no tragic deaths.

Farewell.

Sincerely,
V.M.L.

P.S. I attached some pictures on to this letter. I hope you like them.

Bah Blah Blah Blah

2008-01-24T22:40:00.001-08:00

There are rumors that Johnny Depp will be filling in for Heath Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, a Terry Gilliam film what was being made before Ledger's death. As a Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, and Terry Gilliam fan, I'd love to see that happen. In fact, I squealed for joy when I read it.

Johnny Depp has worked with Terry Gilliam before, so it could be possible. I don't find it distasteful, like what some people think.

Unfortunately, The Sun is not a reliable source because it is a tabloid magazine.

I really hope Gilliam can finish the film. He’s had enough bad luck as it is. (Then again, I don’t believe in luck.)

In other news, I saw this:

I just had to post this just because.

RIP Heath Ledger

2008-01-22T17:04:00.001-08:00

When my sister told me the news, I didn't believe her at first. His death was totally unexpected. (It also didn't help that I heard about this on my birthday.)

Out of all people, why did he have to die?! He was a great actor and sexy man. I loved him in 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight's Tale, The Brothers Grimm, Casanova, and, of course, Brokeback Mountain. Brokeback Mountain, man.

Thinking too much about this almost made me cry.

Like what Gary Susman blogged, Ledger's recent roles seem to have reflected his personal life.

His next film is The Dark Knight and he's playing a sociopathic Joker. I'm going to see that movie, especially since Batman Begins blew me away. (After seeing it, all superhero movies suddenly looked fake and stupid.)

Ledger also died during the filming of Terry Gilliam's next movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Too me, that's really a bummer. Gilliam is an amazing director but he has a long history of being plague by production problems, like fighting with Universal Studios over the release of Brazil and having to end production on "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. " I can't help but sympathize with Gilliam. I hope he gets the film done without Ledger.

Heath Ledger will always be one of my favorite actors. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He shall always be remembered as a talented actor who contributed to the cinema world.

Rest in peace, Heath.

1979 - 2008

The Oscars! :D

2008-01-22T11:43:00.000-08:00

This year's Academy Award nominations came out! No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood both have eight nominations.

Some of these movies I haven't seen, such as There Will Be Blood and Eastern Promisies. I want to see those ones though. Other than that, I've seen all the good ones. XD

A bulk of the nominations were predictable and only one surprise or two. There were some noms that I was satisfied with. Of course, there were others that didn't impress me.

Things that I'm happy about:

Ratatouille getting five nominations it really deserved (like best original screenplay, best original score, and best animated feature)
Juno getting best picture, best actress in a leading role, and best original screenplay nominations
The Golden Compass getting a best art direction nomination
Atonement getting nominations it deserved (best picture, best supporting actress, best cinematagraphy, best costume design, best art direction, and best original score)
All the films nominated for best animated feature: Ratatouille, Persepolis, and Surf's Up (which was underrated and didn't deserve to be so).

Things I wasn't happy about:

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street not getting nominations for best director (Tim Burton) and best supporting actress (Helena Bonham Carter, who stole the movie from Johnny Depp).
Ratatouille not getting nominated for best picture, best director (Brad Bird), and some acting nominations (excellent cast, including Peter O'Toole). Yes, the Academy has said its possible for voice acting to qualify for best acting nominations.
Across the Universe not getting nominated for best art direction. It only got one for best costume design.
Grindhouse not nominated for best editing (hey, it deserved it)
No women nominated for best directing, as usual... *sigh*

By the way, its my birthday today. I'm 20 now.

I Mutilate My Exes

2008-01-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

I only have 9 days left of winter break. In some ways, I'm looking forward to next school semester, but at the same time I really don't want my break to end soon. I'm not ready for it to end, regardless if I've been on break for nearly a month.

So far I've been spending break time studying to get my damn drivers permit back. I'm turning 20 soon and I still don't have a license. Isn't that pitiful?

I'm thinking of getting a job during spring time, but only if I have time. I need A's, not C's due to lack of studying.

I think Cate Blanchett is hot as Bob Dylan.

Hell fucking yeah.

Okay, it just hit me. I was going to leave this entry the way it is, but I cannot do that without leaving off something that's been concerning me. I REALLY FUCKING HATE IT when people use boredom as an excuse to do something stupid. For instance, I've met many artists who draw some weird pictures or silly fanart but say that they drew them because they were bored. I just wanna choke them, pull their brains out (like what D.L. did to Mr. Linderman on Heroes), and tell them that they're lying.

I hope you enjoyed my Rant of the Day. :)

African-American Princess

2008-01-12T19:12:00.000-08:00

Yep.

In other news...

I LOVE 2-D!!! ^_____^: The Most Obscure Gorillaz Song

2008-01-07T22:13:00.001-08:00

I don't mean to be cocky but I know something that nearly all Gorillaz fans don't know. There is a song that they made and it has never been released before.

Its called "10000 Leagues" or "20000 Leagues."

During the 2001 Video Music Awards, they were nominated for three awards. Best Art Direction in a Video, Breakthrough Award, and the MTV2 Award. To mark the occasion, MTV asked several nominated artists to remake some opera music (probably Carmen) since the ceremony took place at the the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Gorillaz, Fatboy Slim, and Jermaine Dupri were among the chosen. (I think Jurassic 5 were also chosen.)

The songs were released on MTV's 2001 VMAs website (which no longer exists). They were posted in a news article dedicated to them. Yet, it didn't give good information about the songs. It listed the participating artists and posted the remixes, but it asked the reader to guess who made which song and such. Basically, the songs were not labeled by their artists. Stupid, isn't? Still, I heard them all and, judging by its sounds, it was very clear which one was remixed by Gorillaz. It was "Leagues."

Jermaine Dupri's remix was played extensively throughout the preshow. I guess it was because he was the most well-known out of all and his remix sounded more opera-y.

Gorillaz left empty-handed.

Interesting Fact of the Day (Or Night, since its 1:54 AM as I write this)

2008-01-03T01:53:00.000-08:00

The Kamasutra was written by a virgin.

Open Question

2007-12-31T11:54:00.000-08:00

Is the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks even that good? Its been making a lot of box office dough lately and I've been going "What the fuck?! I thought it was going to flop like what TV cartoon-based movies usually do!"

MY Favorite Disney Princess is...

2007-12-26T01:59:00.000-08:00

BRIAR ROSE!!!

"Why?"

Because SHE SLEEPS!!! I LIKE SPLEEPING!!! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
(You'd probably like it too if you rarely get enough of it because of work, school, not enough freetime, etc. If you're a so-called insomniac, just shut up and read.)

"Isn't her real name Sleeping Beauty?"

No, you dumb ass! "Sleeping Beauty" isn't a fucking name!

"Oh...my bad."

Her real name is Aurora, but I call her Briar Rose.

"Why?"

Because she was cooler and prettier when she was known as Briar Rose. She even spoke and sang like an opera singer!

Yet, once she put on the princess gown and started being referred by her real name, she became boring. Just another princess, you know. *Yawn.*

I saw this framed picture at The World of Disney store. I want it so fucking badly!!!

Last night I dreamt that I saw the film Sleeping Beauty. (*Fake laugh.* Haha, me sleeping and Sleeping Beauty. Isn't that a coincidence?!) Because of that, I got into a Sleeping Beauty mood and, with my Christmas money, bought some shirt with Briar Rose on it. I spent the rest of the money on other clothes and the Across the Universe soundtrack. Bought all that shit over the internet. (I hope I get all of them delivered. Sometimes online merchants don't even send you your purchases.)

I'm bummed out that I spent money on shipping charges. That money could have been spent on other things, like a very good deal on the book Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre. :(

College Update

2007-12-24T19:39:00.000-08:00

I should be posting this shit on my other blog. I'm behind on that one. Anyway...

Fall 2007 Grades

MCOM 230A-- Digital Film Production: C
It was because I didn't turn in my precious script. :( I'm going to do better next time, I swear!
ES 006-- Total Body Fitness: D
I came late many times and I missed a few classes, but I fucking sweated my ass off! I always tried working my heart out. I went berserk everytime some slow ass person got in my way while running! GAHH!!
POSC 121-- Intro. to US Government and Politics: B
I already blogged about this one. During summer I took the course online only to screw up, so I repeated it during fall, in-classroom and same professor.
SPAN 120B-- Spanish I: B
My college made special Spanish classes for slow learners. All they did was separate SPAN 120 (Spanish I, AKA "beginning Spanish") into 120A and 120B. I took 120A last spring and got a "B."

Final Spring 2008 Schedule(?)

CCS 115-- Cross Cultural Awareness
General education course. I heard the professor is easy and funny, so I'm hoping this will be an easy "A."
ES 006-- Total Body Fitness
Repeating this one to replace that "D."
SPAN 121-- Spanish II
All foreign language classes (except SPAN 12oA & 120B) give a lot of lectures and work. They are worth more units than nearly all of the courses at school. That's why I'm not taking any other classes or else I'll die of stress.

I'm also deciding to take Spanish III next fall because most of the public universities I'm interested in require more than two years of Spanish. Then again, I don't know what they consider to be "two years," especially because they run on a quarter schedule while my college goes by semester. (I ranted about foreign language courses in another posting earlier.)

As you can tell, I'm also not taking anything related to my major. I'm going to wait until summer when to take a screenwriting class because the same professor I had in MCOM 230A is going to teach it. He said it is a good lead-in to MCOM 230A and 230B.

The Many Ways You Can Turn On (and Off) VML

2007-12-19T23:52:00.000-08:00

I'm just making lists so I won't forget. I'm going to post film reviews on my other blogs later.

List of (new) films I've seen recently:

Things We Lost in the Fire
Enchanted
The Golden Compass
No Country for Old Men
Atonement

Films I saw at San Diego Film Festival and San Diego Asian Film Festival:

Kabluey
Finding Kraftland (documentary)
Hula Girls
5 Centimeters Per Second
The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief (documentary)
New Year Baby (documentary)

I usually see new movies the week they are released, but for now I want to catch up on the indies before they're out of the theater. Here are the movies I'm planning to see next:

Juno
I Am Legend
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (duh)
Persepolis (reading the graphic novel right now)
There Will Be Blood

Maybe...

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Movies I was going to see but heard they sucked so I didn't (hooray for run-on sentences and bad grammar):

30 Days of Night
Beowulf
Bee Movie (actually I didn't see it because I just hate the Dreamworks formula. Once you see a CG film of theirs, you've seen them all. Except Over the Hedge, which was surprisingly decent and slightly different.)
Hitman?

UPDATE (12-26-07)
As of now, I've seen Sweeney Todd and Charlie Wilson's War. My parents wanted to see Charlie and they dragged me along. As for Sweeney, haha, I dragged my mom to see it with me. She thought it was good, but all the blood made her sick. XD

Big Surprise!

2007-12-18T23:11:00.000-08:00

I'm surprised that I got a "B" in political science! Yay! I swear, I was expecting a "C" or lower, but a "B"?! Even better! :)

I never thought I'd get such a grade. I took the course during summer session and got a "D," so I repeated it this semester. I wasn't reading enough and the tests were very hard, even when I studied. The tests were just like the DMV's written exam: questions worded in such a way you wouldn't understand, even if they're obvious ones! During finals week, I knew the final exam was the last chance to prove myself, so I did a lot of studying. Even though I had forgotten a few things by the time I was taking it, still, I guess that extra (kind-of-last-minute) studying paid off.

I think I also got a "B" because the professor didn't count the test with the lowest score and he felt sorry for me. XD After all, it was the second time I had him as a professor.

I Ain't Happy, I'm Feeling Glad

2007-12-14T14:29:00.000-08:00

FINALLY, I'm out of college for the semester. I was worried about my grades and I tried to study as much as I could for the finals. Yet, by yesterday, I stopped caring. Now I just don't give a damn. I'm still worried about what grades I'll get. I want passing grades but if they're not good enough, I can always repeat them. Sorry but I just don't give a damn anymore. As of now, I'm worn out now and I'm sick and tired of caring. I have more things to worry about anyway. I could really use a break.

No, I'm not a slacker. If I was, I wouldn't be in college to begin with. Besides, I see community college as a chance to fix what I screwed up on in high school (I wasn't dumb, I simply procrastinated).

By the way, I'm ragging. My stomach is also eating itself.

Now I need to go look at Clive Owen.

James McAvoy is Pointing at the Title

2007-12-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

Today I'm wasting precious study time to dedicate a blog posting to up and coming actor James McAvoy. Why am I doing this? I'm doing this to inform you about someone you're going to see a lot in movies later on. I'm also doing this because he's cute in that "runt of the litter" kind of way. XD

Still don't know him? Then let's take a look at his film resume...

He has done several television productions. In fact, he was in the critically acclaimed miniseries Band of Brothers (2001).

Aww, doesn't he look adorable in his military uniform? ^_^ XD

But then he died.

I've never seen the miniseries, BTW.

If you love playing tennis and you're a sucker for romantic films, then you've probably have seen Wimbledon (2004). Did you notice that he was in it too?

You did notice?! Excellent! Here's a trophy!

In 2004 he was also in some movie called Inside I'm Dancing/Rory O'Shea Was Here.

He was very cute in the film. Sorry but I'm a sucker for cute punks. ^_^ XD

In case you didn't know, he was in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005).

"As who?"

As none other than...

Mr. Tumnus! That's right, he was the faun Lucy (Georgie Henley) befriends!

After Narnia, he starred in The Last King of Scotland (2006).

Of course, you didn't hear a lot about him because it was all about Forest Whitaker playing the role of Idi Amin.

Recently he starred with Anne Hathaway in the movie Becoming Jane (2007).

"You have a beautiful neck. May I choke it? :) " XD

He's also in the film Atonement, which has been getting a lot of buzz lately.

Keira Knightly is also in it.

Finally, he will star in next year's movie Wanted (also starring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman).

I saw the movie trailer recently. Its based on a comic book series about an alliance of villainous assassins.

Wow! Isn't that neat or what?!

What I have to say about Wanted: The trailer looks neat and the fact that Timur Bekmambetov is directing it makes me want to see it. Bekmambetov directed Night Watch (Nochnoy Dozor), which was a kickass movie. (I'm yet to see its sequel, Day Watch.) However, there are some concerns I have with the movie.

I hear that the movie is not faithful to its source material, which will piss off some fanboys. (I'm not one, but I feel for them.) The comic is suppose to be about villains (based on well-known super villains of comics) but the movie characters didn't really seem that evil. Yet, my biggest concern is the release date. The movie was suppose to be released in March but it was pushed back to June. It will be released the same day as...

...my film WALL-E. June 27th, 2008. :(

I hope you enjoyed this posting!

Ultimate Waste of a Weekday

2007-12-09T00:52:00.000-08:00

I spent the ENTIRE day on the computer.

"OMG! You have no life!"

You don't understand! I wasn't on MySpace or playing some ass online game. I'm better than that. I don't waste time like that.

"Then what were you doing?"

Looking at which universities on my college list require foreign language and how many years of it. Apparently I have too many colleges on my list...

"...you still have no life."

You really don't understand! Let me explain...

I'm fulfilling the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum in order to transfer to most Californian universities. It has a foreign language requirement that will fulfill the FL requirement of the University of California system.

In high school I had to pass two years of FL in order to graduate. I took two years of Spanish. I thought I sucked in Spanish II, so decided to retake it at community college. I did and I withdrew from it after the first day (way too hard!). So I decided to start all over again by taking Spanish 1A last semester, which was worth a low 2.5 units. (My college doesn't go by a quarter schedule.) This semester I'm taking Spanish IB, also 2.5 units. Next semester I might take Spanish II, which is worth a heavy 5 units.

Universities have their own requirements. Some have no FL requirement while others require two to four years of FL. I was planning on taking all four years of Spanish. All FL classes at my college are worth 5 units each. The average course is 3 units, but 5 means more classwork and homework. My counselor recommended me to take 9 units a semester so I would focus more and not suffer. (9 units is less than 12 units, the full-time load.)

Think about it. If I take all Spanish courses in a row while taking an extra 3 units for an easy class (plus 1 unit for an exercise class) each semester, I would be transferring in four years. I would be done in 2011 or later, when I'm 23 or 24.

Just last week, I re-read the IGETC requirements and my high school transcript. To my surprise, I found out that I already fulfilled the UC's FL requirement! According to the IGETC, two years of high school FL with a grade "C" or higher completes the requirement. I passed HS Spanish I and II with a "C" in both. Furthermore, it can also be completed if college Spanish I or IA&B was passed with a "C" or higher. I got a "B" in Spanish IA but I'm not done with IB (the final is next Friday).

When I found this out, I thought "why the fuck am I wasting my time?! I could be transferring by fall of 2010, or even earlier!" Then I realized something--not all universities allow the IGETC. Like I said, many have their own general education requirements. For example, the University of Southern California requires film-major-transfers to complete more than two years of a foreign language.

I looked at my college list, the list of universities and colleges I'm interested in, and decided to do some research. I wanted to see which ones follow the IGETC, which ones don't, which ones have a FL requirement (and how many years it requires), and which ones don't. It took me all day but now I feel informed.

Ever since I found out, my spring schedule has been changing like crazy. I can't make up my mind whether I should continue Spanish or take other transferable GE courses. I'm going to discuss my schedule with a counselor (again) next week. At this rate, I might have to narrow my college list to universities I'm VERY interested in.

For now, I'm going to bed.

VML is Unintentionally Anorexic

2007-12-04T00:39:00.000-08:00

In exercise class today, we got our measurements and weight. According to my results, I gained body fat (16%, up from 15.6%) but lost weight (103 lbs., down from 106). How could that be?! I thought.

Later, I asked my sister's boyfriend about that, since he's been working out lately. According to him, when people starve, they temporarily(?) gain fat but lose weight. Its because the body eats the muscles.

Yes, I've been eating less lately. Whenever college is in session, I eat 1 1/2 or 2 meals a day. (Come on, I lose my appetite when I sit down too long.) Also, the things they teach you in exercise science scare you into becoming a health freak. Now I'm trying to go vegetarian for the sake of my health and the poor animals. Yet, I still like my chicken and bacon. XD My mom is also trying to become vegetarian, just to lower her cholesterol. (She was vegan for a week but didn't last.) We eat a lot of greens and soy products nowadays.

In case you're wondering, I'm still healthy. My BMI is 19.5, which is good. I don't know my real height though. All I know is that I'm petite. I'm 5 feet and 1 or 2 inches. I don't know.

Doodle Time

2007-11-29T22:28:00.000-08:00

WARNING: This post contains WALL-E spoilers!

My mom, my sister Cristina, and I were screwing around today. Then I started doodling WALL-E...From left to right: a Buy n Large lunch cooler that was turned into a toaster thanks to Mom and Cristina, WALL-E's pet cockroach Hal, WALL-E, a broken heart, Cristina's attempt at drawing WALL-E, and WALL-E's love interest EVE.

Left to right: lines, Trogdor, Tom, "Call Cristina" (my mom wrote that), and my unfinished attempt at ambigram-ing my initials.

In other news...

There's an exhibit on life-size anime figures at the Tokyo Anime Center in Akihabara (article). You can also buy them at the center's gift shop. Talk about an otaku's wet dream...XD

Snoop Dogg is a Nacho

2007-11-28T23:20:00.000-08:00

Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction Closed Captioned
Uploaded by Elodie-74

XDDDDD I can't take this video seriously. Not even the song (nor the rapper!). This is the funniest and corniest thing I've seen all day! They probably filmed it that way on purpose, but still, its fun to laugh at its old school cheesiness.

Certified nacho.

You Make a Grown Man Cry

2007-11-27T13:40:00.000-08:00

Oww!! My arm hurts! I got my second dose of Gardasil today. Now I'm "one less..." like what the girls say (while skateboarding, graffiting the slogan, and talking unrealistically) in the commercials. XD

Anyway, in movie news...

Natalie Portman says there will be no sequel to Leon/Leon the Professional/The Professional/whatever-the-name-is, depending-on-the-country-you're-living-in-and-how-the-studio-wants-to-release it (article ). To some, this is sad news. Yet to me, this is good news. Leon is one of the best films ever made and it doesn't need a sequel. You just don't need to make a sequel to a film that HAS an ending. The end. There. Story is over. You don't need a prequel either. Just enjoy it the way it is. Besides, I don't think director Luc Besson is going to make a sequel since he's French (they treat movies differently than us Americans) and he "retired" from directing. (I do hope he gets back to filmmaking though, because his movies are fantastic.)

Above is a still from the upcoming film Watchmen, based on Alan Moore's graphic novel (article ). Its being directed by Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead remake, 300). I've never read Watchmen but I know that its considered to be one of the most influential comic books ever made.

A film adaptation has been in development hell for years. Movie adaptations of Moore's other comics have been filmed before, but none of them have been made faithfully. (Worst offender: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). Because of this, Moore has made it public that he doesn't want to associate himself and his comics with the film world.

There's yet to be a faithful adaptation to a Moore comic and he's yet to give a film his blessing. From the look of the stills, it seems that the movie is going to be epic and, maybe, faithful. Hopefully it won't be very disappointing.

The person in the still MIGHT by Jackie Earle Haley playing Rorschach. After Little Children, it seems that Haley has gotten his career back.

Cute Time with VML

2007-11-25T03:01:00.000-08:00

CUTEClownfish on the left: Lucy or Nemo. Pufferfish on the right: WALL-E. Lucy/Nemo likes to fuck this other clownfish named Jude, and that drives WALL-E crazy! WALL-E is a sensitive fish who likes to be alone. Whenever he's having his lone time, he gets bothered by the stupid fucking fishes. (He's also blind in one eye thanks to the asshole hermit crab, who is in a "time out" tank now.) This is a rare photo of the fishes together without nipping at each other or being bothersome in some way.

NOT CUTE
"What kind of fish is that?"

That's no fish. That's Milo Ventimiglia from the TV show Heroes. His character use to have longer hair and I hated it. However, I eventually got use to it. Then second season came and he got a haircut. Now I hate his new hair!

NOT CUTE

You fucking 80s douchebags! Mom and daughter douching is NOT cute!

According to the Chinese Zodiac, I Mate and Make Many Babies

2007-11-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

I always thought I was a dragon. Well, my parents were the ones who told me I was a dragon a long time ago at a Chinese restaurant. Anyway, just today, I found out that I'm a rabbit.

At least the description of the rabbit fits me more than the dragon. I usually don't believe in astrological or zodiac signs because I can never relate to them. (I'm an Atheist, what do you expect? XDD) However, Asian horoscopes tend to get it right.

Have a Happy Easter!

Cute Baby WALL-E and Poster

2007-11-24T01:32:00.001-08:00

I can't wait for the new Pixar movie to come out! Its called WALL-E and its going to be in theatres on July 27th, 2008. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND REMEMBER THAT!!! Its going to be in the cinemas the same time Tom Cruise's movie Valkyrie is released! I lost respect for Crusie after he "jumped the couch" and went nuts about Scientology. Yet, since Nazi Germans with eye patches turn me on, I might as well see the movie. I'll only see it if the reviews are good and after I see WALL-E. Maybe my dad will like it since he loves history.

Look at that spankin' new poster! WALL-E is going all "WEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!" on that space ship. Oooh, did I let out a spoiler? Sorry, but I know what the plot is about. If only you knew too, you'd understand why I'm obsessed with this film! ^_^

If you're going to post something about WALL-E looking like Johnny/5 from Short Circuit, fuck off. Go to IMDb.com and whine with your fellow spammers instead. ^_^

Here it is.

2007-11-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

My blog. On Blogger or Blog Spot, whatever its called.

I already have one on Xanga. Its http://www.Xanga.com/VML

I already did a lot of shit to the Xanga one. Even though I don't update as much as usual (I'm just too busy nowadays), I still use it. For now, I'll use this one for whatever.