April 25, 2003 (a little late because yahoo's web stuff has been down all day)
I'm still working overtime over the weekends but this should be my last weekend. It's been a month since I've gone out on a Saturday night, but at least I'm getting paid. It's wearing on me though...

Better Luck Tomorrow opens everywhere today.

I'm not sure how long this will last, but here's a free subscription to Maxim Magazine. It's supposed to also extend current subscriptions for those of you who already subscribe.

April 23, 2003
Check out Honda's innovation at work... I hope this becomes a commercial sometime. Note: it's all real... even the tires rolling up hill (weighted at the top). Rube Goldberg would be proud.

Looking ahead to the weekend... Better Luck Tomorrow opens everywhere. It had already been scheduled to open at a couple of theaters here in Hampton Roads, but the good turnout at the other cities has prompted MTV Films to distribute the film to over 400 theaters on Friday.

Saturday night, ODU is hosting Campus Chaos. Known last year as All Skool, this is actually a conglamerate of events. Last year, it was a bunch of concerts that ranged from Rock to Hip Hop, this year they are adding a sporting side to it, a car show, and a b-boy competition. There will be skaters and bikers and a bunch of other extreme sport guys to go along with the music. The music acts slated don't exactly compare to the caliber of last years acts but there are some can't miss groups. For the rockers out there, the Used ("Buried Myself Alive") will be performing . If you know rock, you know this is BIG.

And for the hip hop side, Skillz, Lil Flip & the DMP will be there. Skillz was once known as Madd Skillz, but as his forthcoming album states "He ain't madd no more". Virginia's own, he has become hip hops best kept secret for a while. Hopefully we'll get to hear his classic "Ghostwriter" with the names put in. His crew, the Supafriendz, will be in the building and will probably give a surprise performance. DMP is a nationally known rap group just on the start up coming out of norfolk. They feature superproducer Nottz & Boogieman. And Lil Flip is out of houston and you may have heard his song on the radio "This is the way we ball".

If you plan on going, I suggest getting there early. They are expecting a lot of people and they will stop selling tickets when they reach capacity. This event is HUGE!!!

April 22, 2003
Happy Earth day everybody. I guess as the saying goes...everyday should be earth day, but my calendar says it's today.

For those of you who are bored and have about 10 minutes to spare check out the 80's Quiz!!. It's a pretty thorough quiz and it's 100 questions. The first half is all about TV shows, then it hits on movies, music, and potpourri. It's really nostalgic because they really hit on some stuff I just forgot about. I got a 68, and I should have done better, but some of the questions are so specific that I didn't want to think too hard. I love the 80's.

April 17, 2003
Not much going on today. On the Lenten tip, it's holy thursday.

Nike is kicking off some new "freestyle" commercials soon featuring a stick man. The neptunes provide the music and it's as if Pharell is the stick man. You can download the music and commercials at the Nike Freestyle Website (warning: the flash intensive site pretty much takes over your desktop). I don't know if they will air all of these commercials here in the states, since they never aired the former soccer or skateboarding commercials here - and they were cool as they mimicked the famous basketball commercial, the one where they make music with the bouncing balls and the squeeking feet.

And if you watched Michael Jordan's last game, Nike brought back Mars Blackman back one last time. The commercial can be found here.

April 16, 2003
Today is the final day of the NBA regular season, more importantly, it's Michael Jordan's last game. Tonight at 7pm, the great one takes to the court for the last time against Allen Iverson & the 76ers, and I'm pretty sure it's definitely the last game. Too bad they didn't make the playoff, otherwise, I would have went out of my way for tickets to the MCI center in DC. I've never been to a playoff game (on my list of things to do) and this would have been an opportune moment. Oh well, I'll at least be cheering for my beloved Lakers.

BulletProof Monk opens today. I've seen an early version of it and it sort of sucks.

April 15, 2003
It's TAX DAY!!! I did mine back in February, now I'm just waiting for my refund.

It's a big day for DVD releases. First, a trio of movies from renowned Japanese artist Hayao Miyazaki including Spirited Away, one of my favorite movies of last year. His movies are cartoons, but Spirited Away is not exactly aimed at children. Adults will probably get way more out of it than kids. Definitely worth it. His other movies Kiki's Delivery Service (which many believed redefined Japanese anime) and Castle in the Sky are also released today.

The Transporter, featuring Hong Kong Starlet Shu Qi (and former soft porn actress), is also released today. Lots of action and lots of fun, just don't try to criticize the plot and take it as it is - mindless entertainment - and it becomes extremely enjoyable.

The very surprising Drumline is a release today. Surprising because of the good reviews and big box office draw. I haven't seen it though. I'll rent it sometime soon.

Rabbit Proof Fence - I've been waiting a while for this one. It took forever for this movie to get to Hampton Roads. And guess when it did show up - about 3 weeks ago. I just decided to wait for the DVD. Lots of praise for this movie.

And finally, if you can find it, Ran, the masterful movie from directing genius Akira Kurosawa. Unlike his other works, this one didn't get the Criterion treatment and that's probably what will keep me from buying it. I just love the Criterion Collection!!!

Those of you who want to buy an Xbox cheap, HURRY HERE!!!

April 11, 2003
I've got a big headache today. I don't feel like thinking about anything right now except for some sleep. I'm in the second week of my three week overtime agenda. Again, no Saturday night out for me as I'll be going to work. I'll appreciate it more on payday I guess.

If you like Stuff magazine, here's a free subscription. And don't worry, you don't get junk email or anything. Or if you like the new Radar magazine (another guy magazine), you can get a free subscription here. Lots of people get these free magazines, you just have to fill out the little survey about your j-o-b. Don't worry too much about being accurate either. Shoot, here's more free magazines (Razor, Jane, etc...). I'm not too sure about this company though and how they work. I don't know anyone who uses them. You don't need to give a phone number or credit info though, and you can always give a fake email, so what the heck and give it a try.

April 10, 2003
I just want to remind you all that if you'd like, there will be a free dinner buffet at Time Lounge tonight. Just tell them you're with Elbert at the door.

I can't believe how much rain we've been getting this week. And it's cold too. At least all this pollen in the air is getting washed away. We're in the middle of a noreaster, with strong winds and flooding.

On April 15, GM is starting a new procedure for test driving cars, they're letting you take the cars home overnight for free. Now I can go out in style. What should it be tonight? Hmm...the Hummer or the Escalade or maybe the Cadillac CTS. I won't have to rent a truck either when I pick up that mulch or lumber at home depot either.

Speaking of free...here's some free protection. Please, use your own name and address.

What's your cereal name?? I am Sugary Crustedbran...

...Happy Birthday Esther Lapid!!!

April 9, 2003
First off, I'd like to invite everyone to a free dinner buffet tomorrow (thursday, april 10) at Time Lounge from 6-9pm. They will be serving beef tenderloin and shrimp coctails among other foods. All the food is free, drinks will be discounted. Just let them know at the door that you're with Elbert Porteria's party and you should get in for free, and be given the VIP treatment. Also at Time Lounge, the newly formed Young Filipino Americans of Hampton Roads will be meeting for their monthly social. We're expecting lots of people. Hope to see you guys there. FREE FOOD!!!

Okay, now I've been spending the past few weeks watching a lot of DVDs. I'm averaging 3 american movies and 3 Hong Kong movies a week. Hopefully, I'll be able to log some kind of synopsis or review on everything. Wow, I never expected this netflix thing to be so time consuming. So many movies, so little time. And whenever I'm not watching something, I'm engaged in my GameCube fantasy Zelda world as I manuever Link to his lost sister. I just can't stop playing! And the rest of the time, I'm at work. (notice that sleep isn't part of my everyday routine)

While I'm on movies, let me speak of new movies that are opening soon. First, and most notably, is Better Luck Tomorrow. BLT is a movie with an all asian cast that has been getting rave reviews at all the film festivals, including a Big Thumbs Up from the big guy himself, Roger Ebert, at the Sundance Film Festival. MTV films has picked up the film for distribution and is opening the movie in limited cities this weekend. It's so imperative that the movie does good in these cities so that they can open the movies in other areas (like Virginia Beach). I got an email from MTV personality Suchin Pak explaining the importance of this weekends Box Office totals. I'd be happy to forward it to you if you want, just ask, it's a pretty long email. If you haven't heard of BLT, check out the website, it's been garnering much respect from all asian communities and now being noticed by the movie community. This can hopefully open doors for more movies with Asian casts.

Now another movie that some consider an asian movie is Bend It Like Beckham. It was featured at last months Asian Film Festival in San Francisco. Already open in several cities, it's opening here this weekend. Lots of hype around this one. It's about a girl from India (considered as an asian country) and her dream to play soccer like her Idol David Beckham (Mr. Posh Spice to the non-soccer fans). I tried to catch it while I was in SF but never got around to it. Hopefully, this will start a good trend in Soccer movies as we prepare for the American release of Shaolin Soccer later on this year.

Finally, I just want to mention a movie that opens in selected cities next week (but, again, not in Virginia Beach). A Mighty Wind looks like it's going to be another hilarious movie from Christopher Guest. He is the genius behind This Is Spinal Tap, and then went on to direct and star in Waiting For Guffman and Best in Show. I've been waiting for something from him since Best in Show and it looks like it was worth the wait. He has got the whole cast back together again for this one and that's a good thing because they work off of each other so well. If you didn't know, his movies have no script, it's all ad-lib. In Spinal Tap, he satired heavy metal music. This time, it's folk music. It's just funny to know that the same heavy metal artists known as Spinal Tap are now folk singers known as the folksmen. Just the website itself is hilarious. Funny stuff.

Okay, I've got to get back to watching the war on TV. A bunch of Iraqi people are trying to take down a Saddam statue. This new "War on Iraq" reality show has some riveting stuff.

April 5, 2003
Don't Forget - Daylight Savings starts tonight. Set your clocks 1 hour forward. I've got to work overtime tonight, so I lose an hour of overtime...damn.

This weekend on HBO, Def Poetry Jam is featuring one of my favorite poets, Beau Sia. He may look familiar because he's always making appearances on TV. He's a chinese american but while growing up, all his friends were filipino americans. He really has emotion in his poems. I've been following him for a while and he's really been making waves lately, winning poetry slams, acting in movies (he gets his @ss kicked in the movie "Slam") and developing workshops all over the place. Beau is also featured in the Broadway version of Def Poetry Jam . If anyone is planning on going, let me know because I can hook you up with a BIG discount.

April 4, 2003
This past Sunday, we had a chance of snow and temps in the 40s. The past few days have been in the 80s. It's nice weather and all but it's been messing with my allergies in a big way. I've been sneezing a lot and my eyes are just itchy all the time. And this is on top of the fact that I haven't been feeling too well lately (let's just say that I've had lots of time to think in the bathroom). Well, I've gone to medication to deal with it (and I hate taking anything).

Have you guys been keeping up with the AniMatrix shorts? If you haven't, you've been missing out! Well the new part hasn't yet been posted on their main website, but you guys can catch it here - Detective Story. You can also wait for the official launch on the website which should be sometime this weekend. Only a little more than a month before the Matrix: Reloaded hits the big screens (may 15). I've been trying to find a 3-D holofoil Reloaded poster, but I can't find one cheaper than $40 (a little too much for a poster).

And while you're in download mode, check out the trailers for the new Transformers G1 PS2 game.

April 2, 2003
The first American conscientious objector from the Iraq war is half-Filipino.

New Yorkers now have to learn how to smoke outside. At least they waited for the spring to pass the law, considering the amount of snow up there this year.

For those of you who just can't get enough caffeine, you can rejuvenate while you shower. And this is for you guys who want caffeine the OG way.

This is for you guys who fantasize about producing music, but with a Bruce Lee Twist.

Guys, watch out for them girls who smell like Lily of the Valley.

And an early reminder... this weekend is the start of Daylight Savings. Clocks go forward on Saturday night.

April 1, 2003
It's April Fools Day. I decided not to put up something stupid in attempt of some kind of inane joke just because it's the first Day of April. I'm not against April Fools Day, I just hate stupid pranks. If I could have thought of something clever, then I would have done it, otherwise, internet jokes don't cut it. Timing is everything.

It's payday for me, so I'm spending some money. I've already picked up the new White Stripes CD "Elephant". This ones just as good, if not better than their first CD. It's only $9.99 at several places, but I'm sure it'll go up in price in a week or two, so I'd buy it now if you were thinking about it.

Def Jam Vendetta comes out for Playstation and GameCube. I wasn't going to buy this, since I've been spending every available moment with Zelda, but after seeing the demo and the "making of the game", I'm really interested. I'm not a big Def Jam fan, I'm tired of hearing DMX's grunts and barks, I could care less about NORE and I can't stand Funkmaster Flex yelling over every song, but the game looks smooth. It's made by EA BIG and I've liked pretty much every game they've put out.

On the DVD movie front, a bunch of good DVD's come out today. Notables are Far From Heaven, Secretary (freaky kinda lovin), West Side Story, Friends Season 3 (now starting at a lower price), and Red Dragon. BestBuy is having a deal where they are selling a select bunch of DVD's at 3 for $30. It's a good selection, but if you only want one or two of them, they are charging $14 each, but you can be slick and get them for $10 each if you buy them through Bestbuy.com (they don't make you buy 3)and just pick them up at the store instead of having them delivered. I'm picking up Amelie later today.

Here's a coupon for Free M&M's.