I went to see Hitman this weekend, in spite of awful reviews. As a standard action film, it's good. As a videogame adaptation, it's incredible. (Granted, I've never played Hitman, but I have seen my friend Dan play bits of it.)
They incorporated a couple aspects from the games that I liked, most notably Agent 47's use of costumes to slip past guards.
Action scenes were well-directly, particularly the train fight scene. You can actually *see* what people are doing in a fight!
The humor is cynically dry, and at times parodies James Bond in cheesiness.
Timothy Olyphant plays his lines, which can be cheesy at best, splendidly.
I also really liked that they kept Agent 47 true to his nature, and that the potential love-interest ended up being a friend and potential rasion d'etre at the end of the film. It's really nice to see a film not succumb to infatuation these days.
They screened a trailer for The Other Boleyn Girl before the movie started. While I'm not a fan of chick-lit historical dramas, I'm completely captivated by Natalie Portman's performance in the trailer. She is such a dynamic actress and it's breath-taking to watch her act. I'm interested in seeing how sympathetic the film ends up being to Anne. Not to mention I find Eric Bana more-than-acceptable eye candy. :)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Cold Remedies
I caught a cold this weekend. It's not bad, but it makes me think this is why I've been tired the past few weeks.
I have a few tricks I use when I get a cold, they usually at least make me feel better. I don't know if they make the cold go away sooner though.
Cold-Eeze. This stuff has been proven to shorten colds, when you start taking the lozenges at the first sign of a cold. I think I might have caught it soon enough this time, I just don't get sick often enough to know if I'm just feeling under the weather today, or if I should dig out the cold fighting arsenal.
Sinus Irrigation. Seriously. It's the weirdest, grossest thing most Americans can fathom, but it does make you feel better. Not to mention clearing out virus particles that your body now doesn't have to. Plus, breathing easy when you have a cold just feels good. I usually gargle Listerine afterwards as well.
Make a potion. Mine contains freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, and candied ginger steeped in hot water. My mom steeps cilantro in hot water and honey. Then drink copious amounts.
Eat. Eat plenty of good food and make sure you're not ever hungry. And put down that chocolate chunk brownie! I said *good* food! Anything you're in the mood for. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, egg drop soup, chicken noodle soup, pasta, steak, mashed potatoes. . . anything to keep the nutrition-heavy calories coming.
I'm up for trying anything new that sounds like it might work, as well. Comment your thoughts away!
I have a few tricks I use when I get a cold, they usually at least make me feel better. I don't know if they make the cold go away sooner though.
Cold-Eeze. This stuff has been proven to shorten colds, when you start taking the lozenges at the first sign of a cold. I think I might have caught it soon enough this time, I just don't get sick often enough to know if I'm just feeling under the weather today, or if I should dig out the cold fighting arsenal.
Sinus Irrigation. Seriously. It's the weirdest, grossest thing most Americans can fathom, but it does make you feel better. Not to mention clearing out virus particles that your body now doesn't have to. Plus, breathing easy when you have a cold just feels good. I usually gargle Listerine afterwards as well.
Make a potion. Mine contains freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, and candied ginger steeped in hot water. My mom steeps cilantro in hot water and honey. Then drink copious amounts.
Eat. Eat plenty of good food and make sure you're not ever hungry. And put down that chocolate chunk brownie! I said *good* food! Anything you're in the mood for. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, egg drop soup, chicken noodle soup, pasta, steak, mashed potatoes. . . anything to keep the nutrition-heavy calories coming.
I'm up for trying anything new that sounds like it might work, as well. Comment your thoughts away!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Bricked iPod
I bricked my iPod a few weeks ago at the gym. I was running on a treadmill that didn't have a secure place for water bottles, keys, etc. and the iPod made a happy dive onto the treadmill belt.
It seemed OK until I tried to upload music to it a few days later, and it's been very sad ever since. I even tried to reformat the disk and everything.
One of my friends from work pointed me to this NY Times article about a blog post that may contain magic information that will get the iPod working again.
I'm actually not opposed to buying a new iPod (I've been looking at the iPod shuffle, since I mostly use my iPod at the gym and the clip-on functionality is kind of cool), but I need a better computer to run the latest-and-greatest version of iTunes, signifying a greater investment than I feel comfortable with right now. On the other hand, I could always dig up old software and try that with new hardware, but that is a daunting path to take.
Anyway, I'm going to try this insert-business-card method this weekend and see if it works. If not, I'm out an hour and a business card.
It seemed OK until I tried to upload music to it a few days later, and it's been very sad ever since. I even tried to reformat the disk and everything.
One of my friends from work pointed me to this NY Times article about a blog post that may contain magic information that will get the iPod working again.
I'm actually not opposed to buying a new iPod (I've been looking at the iPod shuffle, since I mostly use my iPod at the gym and the clip-on functionality is kind of cool), but I need a better computer to run the latest-and-greatest version of iTunes, signifying a greater investment than I feel comfortable with right now. On the other hand, I could always dig up old software and try that with new hardware, but that is a daunting path to take.
Anyway, I'm going to try this insert-business-card method this weekend and see if it works. If not, I'm out an hour and a business card.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Movie Review - Beowulf
So I watched this new adaptation of the great heroic epic last night. In 3-D. An interesting juxtaposition of the old and the new.
I'm not sure how well it turned out. Visually, there's a lot to be said about the film in 3-D. Spears, flames, arrows, hands, etc. literally pop out at you from the screen. And to see Angelina Jolie dripping with liquid gold is a treat. Not to mention more seductive than ever, even though I was unconvinced that she could basically flick her finger and force kings and heroes to submit to her will.
Maybe I underestimate how easy it is to seduce a man. Especially when the lady in question is offering eternal glory in return for a golden horn.
The motion capture technology has improved somewhat, although I think most of the time the characters look cartoonish and wooden. They don't quite look alive, so there's definitely some uncanny valley effect going on, although not quite as bad as the effect for the Heavy Rain demo.
Regardless, I think I'm much more lenient on this film in regards to "historical accuracy" than I would otherwise be - this is a fairly loose adaptation. I think my leniency is due to the idea that Beowulf is, like Homer's works, an oral tale by tradition, and we humans like to weave yarns. I'm also in favor of anything that raises the general public's awareness of great stories like this.
There are some very thinly-veiled innuendos, and an odd fight scene where Beowulf is running around nude. Not sure what I think about that, although they did give Ray Winstone some killer abs ala 300 fame.
There are some pretty chewed-over ideas that they've brought to the film. Basically, they've made Beowulf an unreliable narrator for sake of glory. That kind of tarnishes it a bit, don't you think? I like the ideas they used for the dragon as well (even if it's a pretty run-of-the-mill dragon). I think my favorite ideas they used were for Grendal's Mother. There's a lot to be explored with her, I think.
A few ideas that I liked (or extrapolated) that they used for Grendal's Mother:
1) She is this seemingly immortal supernatural being. I think, in the context of this film, she represents man's internal struggle against temptation and desire for glory. The three men she seduces fail their saving throws vs. seduction. Doesn't say much for humanity, does it?
2) The offspring from her efforts at seduction I think represent some hidden side of the fathers. I'm not sure if that was something the director had in mind when he made the film, but I think it's something interesting to talk about. I don't want to give too much away, even though it's pretty obvious if you've read some interviews.
3) Finally I think you have this really interesting concept of male vs. female going on here. In this film, Grendal's Mother is, without a doubt, the strongest character in the entire movie. She's a foil to God and to Odin, because she makes an already famous name legendary. Without her guarantee, it's possible Beowulf would not have become the great hero.
So there you have it: an intellectual excuse to go see a pretty standard action film, even with the plot holes.
I'm not sure how well it turned out. Visually, there's a lot to be said about the film in 3-D. Spears, flames, arrows, hands, etc. literally pop out at you from the screen. And to see Angelina Jolie dripping with liquid gold is a treat. Not to mention more seductive than ever, even though I was unconvinced that she could basically flick her finger and force kings and heroes to submit to her will.
Maybe I underestimate how easy it is to seduce a man. Especially when the lady in question is offering eternal glory in return for a golden horn.
The motion capture technology has improved somewhat, although I think most of the time the characters look cartoonish and wooden. They don't quite look alive, so there's definitely some uncanny valley effect going on, although not quite as bad as the effect for the Heavy Rain demo.
Regardless, I think I'm much more lenient on this film in regards to "historical accuracy" than I would otherwise be - this is a fairly loose adaptation. I think my leniency is due to the idea that Beowulf is, like Homer's works, an oral tale by tradition, and we humans like to weave yarns. I'm also in favor of anything that raises the general public's awareness of great stories like this.
There are some very thinly-veiled innuendos, and an odd fight scene where Beowulf is running around nude. Not sure what I think about that, although they did give Ray Winstone some killer abs ala 300 fame.
There are some pretty chewed-over ideas that they've brought to the film. Basically, they've made Beowulf an unreliable narrator for sake of glory. That kind of tarnishes it a bit, don't you think? I like the ideas they used for the dragon as well (even if it's a pretty run-of-the-mill dragon). I think my favorite ideas they used were for Grendal's Mother. There's a lot to be explored with her, I think.
A few ideas that I liked (or extrapolated) that they used for Grendal's Mother:
1) She is this seemingly immortal supernatural being. I think, in the context of this film, she represents man's internal struggle against temptation and desire for glory. The three men she seduces fail their saving throws vs. seduction. Doesn't say much for humanity, does it?
2) The offspring from her efforts at seduction I think represent some hidden side of the fathers. I'm not sure if that was something the director had in mind when he made the film, but I think it's something interesting to talk about. I don't want to give too much away, even though it's pretty obvious if you've read some interviews.
3) Finally I think you have this really interesting concept of male vs. female going on here. In this film, Grendal's Mother is, without a doubt, the strongest character in the entire movie. She's a foil to God and to Odin, because she makes an already famous name legendary. Without her guarantee, it's possible Beowulf would not have become the great hero.
So there you have it: an intellectual excuse to go see a pretty standard action film, even with the plot holes.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Restaurant Review - Sompun Restaurant
I was here the other night - it has fantastic Thai food if you're looking for a mellow, inexpensive place to have dinner. It wasn't that busy the night I went, but I heard it fills up for lunch.
I had their Mint Noodles with beef. It was an excellent combination of spicy, refreshing, and rich beef flavor. Service is excellent.
Sompun Restaurant
4156 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 661-5350
(323) 669-9906
I had their Mint Noodles with beef. It was an excellent combination of spicy, refreshing, and rich beef flavor. Service is excellent.
Sompun Restaurant
4156 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 661-5350
(323) 669-9906
Magic Mountain, Revisited
I went to Magic Mountain with a friend last night. It was another private party from work, and because it was cold and not very crowded we were able to go on all the major rides that we wanted to go on.
It was definitely worth going back to ride Tatsu and X. I really liked Tatsu, that thrilling feeling of having nothing under you is great. You really feel like you're flying, no kidding.
X was interesting, but I'm not sure I liked it so much. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be thrilling or terrifying. Such is the problem when riders don't know what's going to happen next.
I still think the Batman ride and The Riddler's Revenge are among the best roller coasters at Magic Mountain.
It was definitely worth going back to ride Tatsu and X. I really liked Tatsu, that thrilling feeling of having nothing under you is great. You really feel like you're flying, no kidding.
X was interesting, but I'm not sure I liked it so much. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be thrilling or terrifying. Such is the problem when riders don't know what's going to happen next.
I still think the Batman ride and The Riddler's Revenge are among the best roller coasters at Magic Mountain.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Lakers vs. Pistons
I went to the Lakers game at Staples Center last night. It was a good experience. The seats I had were near center court, but they were really high up (next to last row). I still thought they were good seats.
It was interesting to watch a basketball game and not hear commentary the entire game. I also liked watching the Laker Girls do their routines. I miss cheerleading a lot, and I miss dancing. I'd like to say I can appreciate watching a well-executed dance routine.
Lakers won 103-91 and it was a close game the whole night.
I'm not a sports fan per say, but I enjoy watching live sports. I enjoy the experience of going to the stadium or arena and watching a game.
I also like the experience of identifying with a team. I'd like to say I can identify with living in Los Angeles, and that real feeling of "I support the team that hails from my town" is a good one.
It was interesting to watch a basketball game and not hear commentary the entire game. I also liked watching the Laker Girls do their routines. I miss cheerleading a lot, and I miss dancing. I'd like to say I can appreciate watching a well-executed dance routine.
Lakers won 103-91 and it was a close game the whole night.
I'm not a sports fan per say, but I enjoy watching live sports. I enjoy the experience of going to the stadium or arena and watching a game.
I also like the experience of identifying with a team. I'd like to say I can identify with living in Los Angeles, and that real feeling of "I support the team that hails from my town" is a good one.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Fuel Efficiency
I track the fuel efficiency of my new car online at this website. Partly because I'm incredibly curious as to how efficient my car is with gas, and partly because I'm slightly anal retentive.
I'm doing slightly better than the EPA's MPG estimate, by 2-4 MPG. This makes me happy.
I don't think I'll be able to get 40 miles a gallon in my little car, even though I'd like to think I'm a fairly conservative driver. I just don't think that's possible to do in the city.
Even so, I hope it continues to do better than the EPA estimate, and I hope that I'll be able to consistently get at least 5 MPG better than the estimate some day.
I absolutely love my little car. The reason I haven't gushed on it here is for privacy reasons. (But, for some reason, it's absolutely OK to bare my soul, the garbage in my life? I sense a discrepancy here.) I guess I just don't want any stalkers/crazy people tracking me down. I get enough of those in real life already without adding people from the internet.
I'm doing slightly better than the EPA's MPG estimate, by 2-4 MPG. This makes me happy.
I don't think I'll be able to get 40 miles a gallon in my little car, even though I'd like to think I'm a fairly conservative driver. I just don't think that's possible to do in the city.
Even so, I hope it continues to do better than the EPA estimate, and I hope that I'll be able to consistently get at least 5 MPG better than the estimate some day.
I absolutely love my little car. The reason I haven't gushed on it here is for privacy reasons. (But, for some reason, it's absolutely OK to bare my soul, the garbage in my life? I sense a discrepancy here.) I guess I just don't want any stalkers/crazy people tracking me down. I get enough of those in real life already without adding people from the internet.
Bleeding Roses
There's this painting that Salvador Dali did in 1930, called "The Bleeding Roses". (Spoiler alert - the painting involves a full-frontal of a woman. Don't say I didn't warn you.) I saw it at the exhibit I went to last weekend. It took my breath away. Who ever knew that a little oil paint could produce the sense of depth this painting has? The image does not do the original justice.
I think it's magnificent.
What this piece of art says to me may not be what it says to anyone else. It may not be the message that Dali intended to send with his painting.
"The Bleeding Roses", to me, is a painting of what it means to be a woman. That human life is intrinsically tied to a woman's ability to menstruate. And that fact is beautiful.
I think it's magnificent.
What this piece of art says to me may not be what it says to anyone else. It may not be the message that Dali intended to send with his painting.
"The Bleeding Roses", to me, is a painting of what it means to be a woman. That human life is intrinsically tied to a woman's ability to menstruate. And that fact is beautiful.
Monday, November 12, 2007
My Favorite Tolkien Quote
Page 156 of my paperback copy of Return of the King, at the bottom of the page. Aragorn, Gandalf, and Eomer are hanging out in the Houses of Healing, and Aragorn says this of Eowyn:
For she is a fair maiden, fairest lady in a house of queens. And yet I know not how I should speak of her. When I first looked on her and perceived her unhappiness, it seemed to me that I saw a white flower standing straight and proud, shapely as a lily, and yet knew that it was hard, as if wrought by elf-wrights out of steel. Or was it, maybe, a frost that had turned its sap to ice, and so it stood, bitter-sweet, still fair to see, but stricken, soon to fall and die?
For she is a fair maiden, fairest lady in a house of queens. And yet I know not how I should speak of her. When I first looked on her and perceived her unhappiness, it seemed to me that I saw a white flower standing straight and proud, shapely as a lily, and yet knew that it was hard, as if wrought by elf-wrights out of steel. Or was it, maybe, a frost that had turned its sap to ice, and so it stood, bitter-sweet, still fair to see, but stricken, soon to fall and die?
The Same Mistake
This song is really touching to me for some reason. I listen to it on repeat sometimes.
I'm not sure how pathological that is. I feel like I may glean some additional knowledge from Blunt's words.
I feel like my life is like this song sometimes. Some nights I just can't get to sleep, and I'm not sure what the reason for that must be. And there are no stars that I can see.
I feel like my love life is going in circles. I don't know how to break out of the cycle.
My ex-boyfriend doesn't want to feel bad. My best friend here wants to be "right", whatever that means. They both say they're worried about me.
I'm starting to think I'm ruled out of compassion, even if I'm not completely altruistic. I'm also starting to think that's a rarity in this world. If either of them were so worried about me they wouldn't be so busy trying to "not feel bad" or "be right" about my situation. I'm really annoyed by that.
I feel like everyone is selfish and everyone else's selfishness trumps my selfishness, every time.
Everyone has their problems.
I'm not sure how pathological that is. I feel like I may glean some additional knowledge from Blunt's words.
I feel like my life is like this song sometimes. Some nights I just can't get to sleep, and I'm not sure what the reason for that must be. And there are no stars that I can see.
I feel like my love life is going in circles. I don't know how to break out of the cycle.
My ex-boyfriend doesn't want to feel bad. My best friend here wants to be "right", whatever that means. They both say they're worried about me.
I'm starting to think I'm ruled out of compassion, even if I'm not completely altruistic. I'm also starting to think that's a rarity in this world. If either of them were so worried about me they wouldn't be so busy trying to "not feel bad" or "be right" about my situation. I'm really annoyed by that.
I feel like everyone is selfish and everyone else's selfishness trumps my selfishness, every time.
Everyone has their problems.
And maybe someday we will meet,
and maybe talk, and not just speak
walk out the door and up the street
look at the stars
look at the stars fall down
and wonder where did I go wrong?
LACMA - Dalí: Painting & Film
Saturday, instead of going to a Marine Corps Ball or some such other Leatherneck event, I went to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) to see their exhibit of Dalí: Painting and Film. I think it goes until the 6th of January, so if you haven't seen it I recommend checking it out.
It was really very enjoyable. I don't go to enough art museums, although I like the feeling of having my mind kneaded by art.
It was also incredibly crowded! Wow! The first room was the worst, but after that it was OK. It was really refreshing to see a crowded art exhibit too; the stereotypical impression I have of art musuems is that "no one goes to them".
I don't actually know much about Salvador Dalí, but I do feel like I know a little more about him now than I did before. I also expected to see more melting clocks at the exhibit, but the only one I saw was The Persistence of Memory. There may have been another painting or two, but it's possible I didn't catch it.
Also on display is a Lobster Telephone; now that I've read the wikipedia article, I'm much more amused by it. Although I think the way the lobster is placed is appropriate; it would just look weird if it was facing the other way.
There were also films at the exhibit; Un Chien Andalou (the first film you find in the exhibit), the dream sequence from Spellbound, Destino, among others. My favorite was Destino, which was an animated collaboration with Disney. There's this incredible shot where a woman sees the shadow of a bell on sand, then dives into the sand. The shadow of the bell turns into a dress on the woman. I'd like to get it on DVD if/when they ever release it.
One of my favorite paintings from the exhibit was The Bleeding Roses, which depicts a woman with four roses on her abdomen that are bleeding. The sense of perspective is incredible; I really felt that the roses were coming out of the painting.
I definitely recommend checking this exhibit out - it's definitely worth the $15-$20 admission. It's $5 to park in their parking lot (I think it might be free after 5:00 PM), and there's lots of places to eat near the musuem.
It was really very enjoyable. I don't go to enough art museums, although I like the feeling of having my mind kneaded by art.
It was also incredibly crowded! Wow! The first room was the worst, but after that it was OK. It was really refreshing to see a crowded art exhibit too; the stereotypical impression I have of art musuems is that "no one goes to them".
I don't actually know much about Salvador Dalí, but I do feel like I know a little more about him now than I did before. I also expected to see more melting clocks at the exhibit, but the only one I saw was The Persistence of Memory. There may have been another painting or two, but it's possible I didn't catch it.
Also on display is a Lobster Telephone; now that I've read the wikipedia article, I'm much more amused by it. Although I think the way the lobster is placed is appropriate; it would just look weird if it was facing the other way.
There were also films at the exhibit; Un Chien Andalou (the first film you find in the exhibit), the dream sequence from Spellbound, Destino, among others. My favorite was Destino, which was an animated collaboration with Disney. There's this incredible shot where a woman sees the shadow of a bell on sand, then dives into the sand. The shadow of the bell turns into a dress on the woman. I'd like to get it on DVD if/when they ever release it.
One of my favorite paintings from the exhibit was The Bleeding Roses, which depicts a woman with four roses on her abdomen that are bleeding. The sense of perspective is incredible; I really felt that the roses were coming out of the painting.
I definitely recommend checking this exhibit out - it's definitely worth the $15-$20 admission. It's $5 to park in their parking lot (I think it might be free after 5:00 PM), and there's lots of places to eat near the musuem.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
IT
I'm a big believer in the whole relationship/soul mate bond. I believe that when you find it, it's the most beautiful thing to have in the world. Because it means that, no matter what happens, you have it to fall back on. You can survive anything because of it.
Single people, especially single people without an extensive network of close friends, don't have it. You can't duplicate it with close friends, even if they are your Best Friends Forever.
I see couples and families that have it, though. They have that bond and it's beautiful.
I don't have it, and I want it. I want it because I think it would make my life better, that it would make the good days sweeter and the bad days less bitter, that it would make my life experience all the more warm and wonderful.
I don't think it is all that common. That's a travesty.
I thought I had it at one point in time, earlier this year. I was lying to myself. I've never had it.
Single people, especially single people without an extensive network of close friends, don't have it. You can't duplicate it with close friends, even if they are your Best Friends Forever.
I see couples and families that have it, though. They have that bond and it's beautiful.
I don't have it, and I want it. I want it because I think it would make my life better, that it would make the good days sweeter and the bad days less bitter, that it would make my life experience all the more warm and wonderful.
I don't think it is all that common. That's a travesty.
I thought I had it at one point in time, earlier this year. I was lying to myself. I've never had it.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Comfortable
Whenever we go through something life-changing, it changes us. We grow, we adapt, we realize things about ourselves that we never knew.
I realize that it's OK to be single, and not want a boyfriend. It's also OK to hope for something that might be something someday, just not today or tomorrow. Or next week or next year for that matter. Patience to heal and respect to wait for new attachments to form is OK.
It's OK to not want to go out on dates, even though you may have many offers.
It's OK to go home on a Friday night after work and sleep until Saturday afternoon.
It's OK to be comfortable with being oneself, and it's OK to do something, than say "I never thought I would do/feel that!"
It's OK to make mistakes, as long as they're ones you can learn from and remind yourself not to make them again.
It's OK to hope, to breathe again. It's also OK to miss what might have been, or what one thought one had, but not to miss what you can't have anymore.
It's OK to know you're not ready for something you want, and be OK with that.
Maybe I'm not as broken as I thought I was. The strong, wild, ambitious qualities compensate for the vulnerable and the tender. Now I'm someone different, and yet the same.
I realize that it's OK to be single, and not want a boyfriend. It's also OK to hope for something that might be something someday, just not today or tomorrow. Or next week or next year for that matter. Patience to heal and respect to wait for new attachments to form is OK.
It's OK to not want to go out on dates, even though you may have many offers.
It's OK to go home on a Friday night after work and sleep until Saturday afternoon.
It's OK to be comfortable with being oneself, and it's OK to do something, than say "I never thought I would do/feel that!"
It's OK to make mistakes, as long as they're ones you can learn from and remind yourself not to make them again.
It's OK to hope, to breathe again. It's also OK to miss what might have been, or what one thought one had, but not to miss what you can't have anymore.
It's OK to know you're not ready for something you want, and be OK with that.
Maybe I'm not as broken as I thought I was. The strong, wild, ambitious qualities compensate for the vulnerable and the tender. Now I'm someone different, and yet the same.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Table For One
I always feel a little like a freak when I go to a restaurant by myself.
Sometimes the wait staff is extra nice/attentive to me, other times I feel like they resent me. I always feel like they're trying to rush me though. I do try to tip well though, at least 20%.
It's frustrating. I can't really resent the wait staff, though. A table serving one person isn't going to generate the kind of income a table serving two or more will.
What's even more sad is that I've been solicited for dates, from men who truly seem like attractive, nice guys (with stable jobs). So it's not like I have to eat alone. They want to take me to that Thai place up in Hollywood that shows movies while you eat, to the Huntington (which I just can't go to just yet), etc. And yet I freeze when they ask me out. "Uhhh, can't we just commit to coffee, and go from there?" (And even coffee dates seem like a huge commitment to me) Maybe my body/mind is trying to tell me I'm not ready to be hitting the meet market just yet. Even though I so desperately want to get dressed up and go out dancing. I'm too timid to go out dancing alone. I think that's just not safe for me to do. Even though I know a place in Hermosa that would be fairly safe for me to go to. Strength in Numbers, or rather, Strength in Friends. There's nothing quite like a male friend you can dance with that's as successful a deterrent to potential suitors.
And another thing. If you have my number and it happens to come up as "restricted" when you call, please have the gall to leave a message. Otherwise I default to "oh, it must be So-and-So who called me once and the number came up restricted" and then I make an embarrassing call to So-and-So.
Nevermind. Scratch that. I'll just not bother with calls from restricted numbers unless the caller leaves a message. So just don't call me three times in an hour and not leave a message if your number comes up as "restricted" on my phone. That just makes me worry about my friend So-and-So. So-and-So thinks I have stalkers that call me, but I'm very choosy with who has my number.
Sometimes the wait staff is extra nice/attentive to me, other times I feel like they resent me. I always feel like they're trying to rush me though. I do try to tip well though, at least 20%.
It's frustrating. I can't really resent the wait staff, though. A table serving one person isn't going to generate the kind of income a table serving two or more will.
What's even more sad is that I've been solicited for dates, from men who truly seem like attractive, nice guys (with stable jobs). So it's not like I have to eat alone. They want to take me to that Thai place up in Hollywood that shows movies while you eat, to the Huntington (which I just can't go to just yet), etc. And yet I freeze when they ask me out. "Uhhh, can't we just commit to coffee, and go from there?" (And even coffee dates seem like a huge commitment to me) Maybe my body/mind is trying to tell me I'm not ready to be hitting the meet market just yet. Even though I so desperately want to get dressed up and go out dancing. I'm too timid to go out dancing alone. I think that's just not safe for me to do. Even though I know a place in Hermosa that would be fairly safe for me to go to. Strength in Numbers, or rather, Strength in Friends. There's nothing quite like a male friend you can dance with that's as successful a deterrent to potential suitors.
And another thing. If you have my number and it happens to come up as "restricted" when you call, please have the gall to leave a message. Otherwise I default to "oh, it must be So-and-So who called me once and the number came up restricted" and then I make an embarrassing call to So-and-So.
Nevermind. Scratch that. I'll just not bother with calls from restricted numbers unless the caller leaves a message. So just don't call me three times in an hour and not leave a message if your number comes up as "restricted" on my phone. That just makes me worry about my friend So-and-So. So-and-So thinks I have stalkers that call me, but I'm very choosy with who has my number.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Blackout
I find it slightly embarrassing that I actually *like* the new Britney Spears' CD. Especially against my better judgement, and in light of articles like this:
What exactly is Britney Spears trying to tell us?
I don't really think she is trying to send out a message or tell us much of anything. I think she's a product of Jive Records. She's a figurehead, a symbol, and nothing more (I think it's this very reason she's been having so many in-the-spotlight personal problems). I do believe she had some vocal talent, in her pre-Mickey Mouse Club days, but her voice no longer has the range or the strength of her earlier days.
That's why the only thing she can do is exploit herself even more. Can you imagine the backlash if she had actually done something musically substantial? I don't think the public would ever expect that of her.
The CD will be successful because overproduced pop, as much as we hate to admit it, is a staple of clubs and radio.
What exactly is Britney Spears trying to tell us?
I don't really think she is trying to send out a message or tell us much of anything. I think she's a product of Jive Records. She's a figurehead, a symbol, and nothing more (I think it's this very reason she's been having so many in-the-spotlight personal problems). I do believe she had some vocal talent, in her pre-Mickey Mouse Club days, but her voice no longer has the range or the strength of her earlier days.
That's why the only thing she can do is exploit herself even more. Can you imagine the backlash if she had actually done something musically substantial? I don't think the public would ever expect that of her.
The CD will be successful because overproduced pop, as much as we hate to admit it, is a staple of clubs and radio.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Love Isn't Blind
Freudian slip - when I was typing the title of this post, I accidentally typed, "Love Isn't Blond".
I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I look for my next heartbreak.
Love Isn't Blind
I like this article, but something tells me they don't quite have a complete picture of healthy love or how to get it.
I'm starting to notice that a lot in those self-help books you pick up in the bookstore. They're really revolting.
The other revolting self-help genre: Female Empowerment.
I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I look for my next heartbreak.
Love Isn't Blind
I like this article, but something tells me they don't quite have a complete picture of healthy love or how to get it.
I'm starting to notice that a lot in those self-help books you pick up in the bookstore. They're really revolting.
The other revolting self-help genre: Female Empowerment.
Movie Review - The Reaping
I went to a friend's house and watched The Reaping last night.
I'm so glad I didn't spend the money to see this in theaters. I'm typically not one for horror films, and even then I'm more apt to see something like Shaun of the Dead than a "typical" horror film. I guess I find most horror films to be full of cheap plot and visual tricks and not at all scary.
This is a good, "turn-my-mind-off-please" film. Probably a good make out film because you don't need to really watch all that much. It's probably better if you don't pay a lot of attention to the film.
The best opportunity to have something horrific/gory happen on screen was cut-away from. While I'm generally not a fan of gore, the whole point of the horror genre is to horrify and gross out the audience. In that sense, From Hell is a more successful horror film than "The Reaping", although the first Saw should be crowned king of gore.
In terms of creepiness/shock factor, I still think the thriller What Lies Beneath is one of the scariest films I've ever seen.
I'm so glad I didn't spend the money to see this in theaters. I'm typically not one for horror films, and even then I'm more apt to see something like Shaun of the Dead than a "typical" horror film. I guess I find most horror films to be full of cheap plot and visual tricks and not at all scary.
This is a good, "turn-my-mind-off-please" film. Probably a good make out film because you don't need to really watch all that much. It's probably better if you don't pay a lot of attention to the film.
The best opportunity to have something horrific/gory happen on screen was cut-away from. While I'm generally not a fan of gore, the whole point of the horror genre is to horrify and gross out the audience. In that sense, From Hell is a more successful horror film than "The Reaping", although the first Saw should be crowned king of gore.
In terms of creepiness/shock factor, I still think the thriller What Lies Beneath is one of the scariest films I've ever seen.
Articles Like This Make Me So Angry
The Feminine Critique
Maybe it's just the environment I work in, but I always get the feeling that women are as competant, if not more so, than men. There are still a majority of men in the office, though. The idea that the company values the amount and quality of work a worker can output, regardless of gender.
It's so frustrating to me, that there's this perception that men and women can't deliver the same amount/quality of work, that men and women aren't level in that way. It also irritates me that there's this idea that men and women aren't equal in leadership abilities.
I don't have a solution for what I perceive as a huge problem. I just believe that women should disregard these stereotypes and go for what they want. If they want a leadership position in the company, they should do things that would set them up for that, regardless of the "how you should dress" and "how you should act" models.
I also think that the "first impression" studies aren't quite that accurate. If a woman can dress "provocatively" in the workplace and also do a good job with what she does, then who is to dictate how she dresses? I definitely think it's possible to be a successful career woman and not be tied to a way of presenting oneself.
It's maddening.
Maybe it's just the environment I work in, but I always get the feeling that women are as competant, if not more so, than men. There are still a majority of men in the office, though. The idea that the company values the amount and quality of work a worker can output, regardless of gender.
It's so frustrating to me, that there's this perception that men and women can't deliver the same amount/quality of work, that men and women aren't level in that way. It also irritates me that there's this idea that men and women aren't equal in leadership abilities.
I don't have a solution for what I perceive as a huge problem. I just believe that women should disregard these stereotypes and go for what they want. If they want a leadership position in the company, they should do things that would set them up for that, regardless of the "how you should dress" and "how you should act" models.
I also think that the "first impression" studies aren't quite that accurate. If a woman can dress "provocatively" in the workplace and also do a good job with what she does, then who is to dictate how she dresses? I definitely think it's possible to be a successful career woman and not be tied to a way of presenting oneself.
It's maddening.
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