January 31, 2003
I've been busy the past couple of days trying to get my car in order. Nothing major, but a bunch of little things, and I still have a couple more little things to do. The thing is that my state inspection is due this month and *looks at calendar* hey it's the last day of the month. Well I got it checked out by a "fair" mechanic yesterday and passed, well after he changed my brakes and a few lights. I was going to let it fail and then bring it back next week so I can have a February inspection sticker, so I can put it off for another month next year. That's what happened last year, but the car is old and I don't know how much life it has left. I need a newer car.

With fooball season over with some of you have going through a little withdrawal. To sort of fill that void check out these pictures of sports injuries. ( Warning: they've got porn advertising in huge font, so it's not exactly suitable for work. Warning #2: The pictures are really gross.)

You Joe Millionaire fans have probably heard the news of one of the final girls being in bondage and foot-fetish soft porn videos. What's funny to me is not that someone on these reality shows has done that, but rather the fact that these videos exists. Check out the article that broke it all at the smoking gun. They've got pictures from the videos and they just make me laugh.

Take this test to see how great your color vision is.

January 28, 2003
The Super Bowl is over with and, in a laugher, the team once commonly known as the Yucs are the champions.

As for the Advertising War, the commercials were so-so. A few of my favs were the Willie Nelson in a tax ad; the Castaway parody where the unopened FedEx package had a GPS phone, water purifier, and some seeds; the Bud ad featuring the mom with the Big Ole' Butt; the Bud ad with the clown drinking out of his ass and then asking for a hot dog; pretty much all the beer ads. But my favorite, and soon to be classic IMO, is the Reebok Terry Tate: office tackle ad. "YOU NEED A COVER SHEET ON YOUR TPS REPORTS!!!" - that line alone won me over, and I still LMAO thinking about it quoting one of my favorite movies of all time. They've actually ran a couple of them a while ago in Atlanta but it seems that Terry Tate's hit the big time now. He's got a series of commericials already lined up for the upcoming year. But you all have got to check out the "director's cut" of the commercial, a 4-minute uncut version not suitble for children. It is classic. You can see it at his Website, which is basically the Reebok website. You do have to sign up to be a part of his hit squad. If you don't want to sign up for anything, you can check out the lo-fi version here (Windows Media Player required).

It's a pretty weak Tuesday in terms of New Releases in the music and DVD field (unless you actually liked the Banger Sisters or Master of Disguise). But if you feel like you must buy something, Devil May Cry 2 and Black and Bruised are supposed to come out today for the PS2.

Hungry for some KFC chicken? Here's a coupon to get an 8 piece for $4.99. Thing is the coupon is only supposed to be for the Chicago/Indiana area of the country, but the coupon doesn't say that. You can print it and try it out, just beware that it might not be taken. Just look for the person at the counter that looks the most "out there".

January 25, 2003
Let's talk about movies...

New pictures of the hulk are now posted on the internet. Also a sneak preview of the Super Bowl trailer are now out. It looks like some heavy CGI work on the green monster, but in my opinion, not exactly on the level of Gollum. But it's only a trailer and Ang Lee usually doesn't dissappoint. He may be the reason this movie might work. And it's cool to see the Hulk launch a tank clear across the desert.

The Episode 3 rumors are starting to spread. To see them, use the invisi-text technique and highlight everything. Also check out the spoiler forums while you're there. People are starting to talk and we've only got a few years to wait. Who cares if you didn't like the previous two prequels, I'm a star wars fan and I live for this ish. One rumor that will hopefully change is the title - Episode 3: Circle of the Force.

And on the subject of trilogies, the end of the one trilogy you've all been dying for. Nope not Lord of the Rings, it's Grease 3 (click this for virgin eyes or those at work - same thing without pictures of someone undressing). It looks like this one is actually going to be made with Olivia Newton John and John Travolta returning to good 'ole Rydell High for their 20 year reunion with their daughter...Kylie Minogue? Just as long as we get some more karaoke songs we can sing for the next few decades, I'll be happy. Wham Bam, Bangalanga Bang She Bop

Not sure if you want to see the new thriller Darkness Falls, well Yahoo is showing the first 10 minutes online (may take a sec to connect). Decide after if you still want to see it. You can even watch it with commentary. Cool.

January 24, 2003
Temperature outside = 11 degrees and it's windy. While I let my nose defrost, I get to watch on TV all the festivities going on in sunny San Diego. With the Super Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium this weekend, the city seems to be the center of the world.

With the airing of the Super Bowl on Sunday we also get the airing of the new commercials. The line up of companies are all set and here are a few notables to look out for (or even preview now):

Watch Ozzy Osbourne (and kids?) in a hilarious Pepsi Twist commercial.

Monster.com's action packed commercial on an out of control semi.

Yao Ming is popping up everywhere. Now he's with Visa (only a quick preview, but I can't wait for the rest). He's really starting to show up in more and more ads like the apple & got milk ads.

Micheal Jordan has two commercials: the gatorade one where he plays with himself (ahu..ahu..ahu circa Beavis & Butthead) and one with Jackie Chan and the new Haynes tagless shirts (they haven't posted the new ad yet).

Preview some of the Anheiser Busch beer commercials. (Some are only quick previews - no endings, the ones at the end are complete though).

Pepsi Co is popping off with a Diet Coke commercial about concert mud people, the afforementioned Pepsi twist Osbourne commercial, and 2 Sierra Mist commercials. Sierra Mist is letting you choose the ending to one of their commercials. But the ending is about 2 seconds long and the commercial is so-so. The fire hydrant one may be a little better.

And then there are the new movie trailers: Terminator 3 , Matrix Reloaded , The Hulk , Xmen 2 , Daredevil , Bruce Almighty , Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle .

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Want more commercials, unrelated to the SuperBowl? Check out the Ikea Commercials (click on the TV). They always have funny ones. And lots more at Ifilms.

Think Warm thoughts....

January 23, 2003
Temperature outside = 17 degrees. Wind Chill Factor = -2 degrees. And the snow is coming down hard. Schools are closed and I got off of work an hour early. The snow is the powdery stuff, so I can't make one of my detailed snow sculptures today. It looks like a day at home for me, time to catch up on DVDs I haven't watched. Cool thing is that they closed ODU so the 7 hours I worked today (before any snow fell) is just extra pay for me and add that to the holiday I worked and I should make a killing for this paycheck, hopefully I'll get that money before my trip to California on February 26.

If you are going to work or coming from work in the snow, take it easy and be careful. I spun out once on some black ice one year and I wasn't going that fast, but now I'm one of the slowest people out there. I couldn't care less about how many people are trying to pass me, I take it slow and steady.

Dave Chappelle started his new show last night. He's one funny guy. His movies seem to bomb though. Check out his Apple Switch Parody to get a feel of what the show is like. Hilarious...

Has anybody bought any CD's from a retail store during the period of January 1, 1995 through December 22, 2000. That might be just about everybody. Well, we're all entitled to about $20. Here's a website that explains some sort of Settlement with the recording industry conglamerates where you can file a claim. It should be true since it was posted this past weekend in several national newspapers.

January 21, 2003
I know I've started falling into a rut of not updating here everyday, but I've really got nothing going on right now. One thing on my mind is how effin' cold it's been lately. After a cold weekend that included the coldest day in 5 years, it's starting to snow outside right now. And another big snow storm is on its way this Thursday.

The Super Bowl is set and it should be a decent game. I'm not expecting a blowout but I think Oakland's got the edge on Tampa Bay. I could write a whole essay on the big game, but you can just read about it on all the other sport sites. I just want a good, exciting game. Where are my San Diego peeps at with my Super Bowl tickets? I can still make it there by Sunday. At least by watching it on TV I'll get to see the commercials. Hopefully they'll make more commercials with Kitana Baker *caution to those at work.

Speaking of going to Cali, I'll be going back to the Bay Area. I'll be heading out west on February 26 until March 8. It'll be Lu's last week there and we're gonna live it up. It's still more than a month away and anyone is welcome to join us. I got a pretty cheap ticket with all the airlines having sales and good deals right now.

Here are some good deals you can check out yourself:
Here's a GREAT DEAL on a leather massage chair for $55 shipped from Office Depot.
Instructions:
Go HERE and enter "16006100" to activate $25 off $75.
Next search for "308099" to find the chair for $80.
Final price is $80 - $25 coupon = $55 w/ free shipping (Free for all orders over $50).

$5 coupon for Old Navy (from Seventeen magazine, and no I wasn't surfing their website).

It's starting again tonight with a two hour episode, and probably the funniest. I'll try not to speak on it too much this time, but I can't promise anything.

R.I.P Simmon Tefara aka DJ Teddy Bear aka Ruck Spin

January 16, 2003
It's the middle of January and it really feels like it. It is freakin' cold outside. Yesterday was so cold, the roads all iced up and the morning commute was hell for everyone. And it's supposed to snow big time tonight.

Finally!! is the theme now.

Louie Ona is finally getting married this coming saturday in Florida. Check out his wedding website(it looks like a lot of work went into it) and feel free to leave a congradulatory message in his guestbook. Those of you that know him are aware of how monumental this is. Good Luck you two!

Speaking of weddings, the holidays were kind to a couple of close friends. Gerry Reyes finally proposed to his girlfriend of several years, Katrina Peneda. Looks like another wedding to prepare for.

It's finally been announced. Jocelyn Enriquez releases her third album on February 14.

Finally, after what seems like a long two weeks,It's payday for me!!!

Ladies, see if you can help my little homey out. He's in a little dilemma. Maybe the mullet he's rockin' isn't working.

January 14, 2003
I made a quick run to IKEA this past weekend (weird how a 3 hour drive is a quick run) and I picked up some stuff. IKEA, you gotta love it. I can go on and on about the place and how you end up buying way more than you planned. Those swedish just seem to be living the good life. Swedish women, swedish meatballs, the swedish chef and IKEA - what more could you want?

Okay, my internet at home has been sort of sporadic lately so I haven't been online as much as I'd like and that's prevented from adding stuff here, so I'm just adding a couple links for you to peruse for your enjoyment (all along the filipino theme):

Makati Mall Police- the fearful filipino mall police.

Filipino American Musicians - check out Malyssa, Sharyn Maceren, and Forte.

Interesting artwork at BreastPals.

Mountain Brothers - one of the best underground groups out there, regardless of race. New EP has just been released in anticipation of the sophomore CD later this year.

Angry Little Asian Girl- i need me an angry little asian girl (alag).

Asiatic Theory Online - Check out the history section, then check out the music.

MaArte - making you think critically in a filipino state of mind.

January 9, 2003
Today, Doug Clarke opens his gallery art show in Charlotte, North Carolina. It's his first solo show and he's got lots of his drawing and paintings on display (and also for sale). Check some out at his newly redesigned website, LiquidMethod.
Here is the info for anyone who is in that area and wants to check it out.

I'm going to have to start boozing it up a little more now. New reports show that drinking alcohol, any kind of alcohol, a few days of the week can help reduce the chance of heart disease. A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

The new Star Search sucks. Arsenio isn't funny, the judges don't know what they are doing and the performers are weak. Right from the first competition you could tell that the show would suck. They had a kid rapping a lil Bow Wow song against a young girl opera singer who performed Ave Maria. The boy rapper just copied the bow wow rap, anybody could have done that and the young girl had some real talent, but the judges thought "Ave Maria" was boring and the young rapper had talent. It's a good thing that the online judging worked out in favor of the girl because it would have just be a total travesty to see a kid rapping to lil Bow Wow (something about a million other kids can do) win over a vocal-trained singer. After that I pretty much hated the show. I'm not wasting my time with that junk anymore.

If you're really board, check out this RealPlayer video of the Tunak Tunak (warning: really stupid and cheesy video). In my opinion, it should be the next big dance craze, at least better than that stupid Las Ketchup thing. Put this guy on Star Search, then we'll have a good show.

January 8, 2003
Yesterday I check out the Lady Monarchs of ODU against the powerhouse of women's basketball, the Volunteers of Tennessee. The actual game was a blowout for Tennessee, usually it's ODU blowing teams out, but this time it was all Tennessee. Now I expected ODU to lose big, so why did I go? First of all, it's free. A limited amount of free tickets are handed out to students, but the people here just don't go to basketball games, and it is also winter break so most of the students aren't on campus, leaving plenty of unused free tickets. I can't complain about free ish. Next, the new building really makes the games seem "big time". And there is lots of entertainment. Not only is there a halftime show, but they are now copying the NBA and adding shows and contests during every time out. This sometimes adds up to more free ish. And I can't forget about the cheerleaders. They've added 3 asian girls to the team this year and I'm a sucka for a cutie in a cheerleader outfit. I spend an equal amount of time watching them as I do the actual game since they stick the students right behind them.

While I was walking around before the game, I was on the phone in the "hall of fame" area. There are lots of pictures and awards and trophies but the trophy with the most prestige for an individual player is probably the Naismith Trophy, handed out to the best basketball player in the nation every year. ODU has one for Anne Donovan from the early 80's I believe. Well I turn around and there is only one other person around and this person is checking out the trophy. Turns out it's Anne Donovan herself, just staring at the trophy. It's like the first time she's seen it, but I think she's just making sure it's been polished. I thought about going over and making some witty comments, pretending I don't know who she is (as if I wouldn't recognize a woman about 6'7" in height), but I thought better of it and just let her be. It may have been her first time there as she was looking at everything.

I noticed a bunch of people in the huge crowd, mainly a bunch of former basketball players. One notable one is the filipino girl that played for ODU in the early 90's. I can't remember her name right now, I think it was Marie or something.

I thought I had a good seat to watch the game, in the second row, basically on the floor (in fact during the game, one of the Tennessee girls pretty much ran into me). I usually sit behind the cheerleaders (where I can stay distracted), but with the near sellout crowd, my seat was changed to the other side of the court. It was a good seat until the guy in the next seat arrived. He's this drunk looking guy who calls himself "the Noisemaker" (he actually wrote that on his shirt). He drew 2 blue lines on his face and he yelled the whole game. I mean yelled, he really lived up to his self proclaimed moniker. I usually don't mind this stuff, but this guy was in his late 40's probably and the stuff he yelled was really stupid. I'm not sure but there may have been something mentally wrong with this guy, but I'm just betting that he was just really STOOPID. I can't describe the stupid stuff he was saying, but this guy talked like he didn't have an elementary school education. In fact, there were a couple girls behind us that were around 11 or 12 years old and they started joking with/at him. He started arguing back and it seemed that the girls had the better argument. Just really stoopid. Everyone else was just laughing at him for being so dumb, but I had to sit next to the fool. And since he's yelling and jumping the whole game, he's working up some serious odors. This guy, who obviously hadn't showered in days, really stank. I thought maybe he was homeless or something but when he was arguing with the girls, he was arguing about how he watches more TV than them so I figured he's got a home. Next time, I'm going back to my seat behind my girls.

January 7, 2003
Things are finally getting back to normal for most people as we are back into a 5 day work week. Even Congress is reconvening today. But here at home this morning's trek may be tough due to the surprise snow storm we had last night. All the tv meteorologists said that we may se a little flurry but it was not likely and all of a sudden we get a lot of snow. It doesn't bug me that the snow storm was so sudden, it's just that all of the local news stations brag about the technology they have to predict the weather and how they've spent millions of dollars so they can predict the weather first and most accurately. They talk about it all the time and yet they missed a big snow storm. I hate the amaturish local news anyways. At least I've got a lot of sweaters from Christmas.

This past weekend had to be a dream for football fans. First we have one of the greatest college games of all time to decide the championship. Then we have two playoff games on Sunday that come down to the final second. The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the Redskins, have always been a favorite of mine since their glorious days in the 70's. I remember Mean Joe Green riding on the Great Space Coaster, and Lynn Swann showing how men can be ballet dancers in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. So it was cool seeing them eek out a win in dramatic fashion on Sunday. And then in basketball, a 40-year old Micheal Jordan decides to drop 41 on the Pacers in an overtime nail-biter. I went to see the Wizards play the Pacers last year at the MCI center and we get a mediocre Jordan who gets into a fight with Jalen Rose in a blowout. It sucks though that all the sports talk this morning is about a blown call in the 49ers-Giants game where the refs admitted they missed the call.

And this morning the Grammy's announced their list of nominees. I'm really caring less and less about these every year. In fact I really don't care for them at all. I'm not going to get into it because I can go on and on, bitchin about so much from the various categories to the fact that the people nominating don't really listen or know much about the music, especially the rap categories. Just check the lists, and those who know the music, will see that the grammy people just don't know. Charli Baltimore as a grammy nominee??

January 4, 2003 or 1/4/3
Cool date isn't it? It happens once every hundred years.

It's a saturday and I'm here at work. Oddly enough, I've got to work "normal people hours" today. I've got an 8am-4pm schedule today and it's sort of throwing my daily "rhythm" off. But that's been screwed up anyways for the past month. I haven't been able to get a normal daily routine down since I've moved back home. I used to get off work at 8am, go home, cook breakfast, watch morning tv while I eat, mess around on the computer, then fall asleep. Or I would get off work, do some early morning shopping (you couldn't believe the deals you can get at 8:30am, I guess it's something about an early bird and a worm) then go home and sleep. And that was all sort of interchangable. I could do something else and just fall back into routine easily. But now I just haven't been able to do the same. My sleep patterns are all off again and everyday has been different and stuff I've been meaning to do just isn't getting done. Oh well, I'll just give a few more days.

Working today did give me last night off and I got to see one of the best college football games ever. It ended after midnight, so on a normal night, I would have had to leave for work just when things are going good. And it's real hard to get into college football when your own school doesn't have a team. At least we have women's basketball.

I know some of you have made "getting in shape" an New Years Resolution. Those of you in Houston should have that one on your list since it was just named the fattest city in the country. Those of you in Virginia Beach don't have to worry, we made the top 10 for the most fittest cities coming in at number 8. We were number 6 last year. The magazine says the drop is because we watch too much TV. I think it's because we've got a lot of buffet restaurants. (and i'm eating an egg mcmuffin as I type this). Check out the other cities rankings.

January 2, 2003 or 1/2/3
Cool date isn't it? It happens once every hundred years. This morning at 4:05:06 am was 1/2/3 4:5:6.

I know this page has been on a holiday for the past 2 weeks, but now I'm back and in full effect. I just had too much stuff to do over the holidays to think about doing anything on the web aside from the occasional email. But things are starting to get back to normal and hopefully I'll be able to keep you guys entertained with the World according to Elbert. Maybe now I can finish unpacking my stuff.

Hope everyone's holiday was a safe and joyous one. I've got lots to tell and news to announce, but I for now I just wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone and hopefully we'll all have a safe and productive year. Life is short, so we've got to make the most of it now.