October 31, 2003
This year halloween fell on a weekend... You know what's up if you can keep going with that line. It's halloween today, but I'm not doing anything for it this year. No dressing up, and probably, no partying. Just chilling. I have been eating a lot of M&M's this week. A whole lot. I think I'm about to OD on them.

It's payday, and I've been good all week. I'm probably gonna splurge a little this weekend.

Timbaland's "Indian Flute" is the jam of the moment. but I don't understand a word that you're sayinggg!

Okay, back to some ssx...I can't stop playing...

October 28, 2003
The NBA season starts tonight. I thought it would be a dominating season for my beloved Lakers, but lately I've been having my doubts. The team is stacked this year, but Kobe's had his problems and now Shaq & Kobe are at it again. They are having another one of their media squabbles. They need to grow up and just play basketball. They play Dallas tonight, a team that has probably made the best moves during the offseason. If the Lakers don't win it this year, I'm picking the Mavs. Their egos don't seem to get in the way with their game.

The weather has been crappy but I wouldn't know it. I've been staying indoors. I've been catching up on my DVDs. I watched Talk to Her yesterday and I was surprised at how good it was. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to the end. I can't believe I slept on it until now. I was worried it was a chic flick, and in a way it is, but the main stars of the movie are the males. Great movie, even though I have yet to figure out if it was a dark comedy or a drama. I love it when I like a movie unexpectedly.

I'm also playing a lot of video games. I seem to have stocked up the past few weeks on more games than I can play. That's partly due to Toy's R Us having a buy 2 get one free sale. I couldn't pass that up. But it's keeping me busy now. I didn't even notice the huge storm that past through yesterday. I've bought 5 games in the past 2 weeks and I've already got money saved up for Mario Kart's release in a few weeks. Hopefully, that'll be it for the rest of the year because I've already starting thinking about Christmas shopping.

I'm currently in the process of making my Christmas list, so it's a good time to be getting on my good side if you want to make the cut.

October 23, 2003
One of the worst feelings in the world - seeing flashing po-po lights in your rear view mirror and getting pulled over for speeding or running a red light or speeding to beat a red light and not making it.

One of the greatest feelings in the world - having a cool @ss cop letting you go with just a warning.

October 22, 2003
Monday night I watched an NBA preseason game here at ODU. It was the 76ers and the Hornets. It was a blowout by the Hornets and the game was never close. The excitement factor was non existent. Everybody was there to see Allen Iverson. He had been away from the team for a few days but came back for this game, I'm guessing because it is in his hometown. But he was rusty and it showed. But he was still more exciting than anyone else on the team. If they continue to play like they did at ODU, it's going to be a long season for them. The Hornets on the other hand were pretty impressive, and they were without their main guy, Jamal Mashburn. But Baron Davis put on a show. I've always liked his style of play, but I think I'm a fan now. They look like they'll be a contender this year, but they've got a new coach, Tim Floyd, who took Chicago nowhere.

CD Sale from BMG. A lot of CD's for $6.99 with no shipping & handling (no tax either for most). And don't worry, you're not joining the club. I think they're just trying to unload some of their surplus stuff. This may also be an effect of some of the major CD companies agreeing to lower the prices of albums (that's why we're seeing a lot of $9.99 CDs at Best Buy and Circuit City). I have read some complaints about it taking a month to receive the CDs, but what do you expect with free shipping. I think it's a good deal if you're willing to wait for them.

Ahhh... I luvs this girl right here!! (sort of work friendly, that is if you're work let's you look at half naked women). Even though she's her new movie, "Honey" looks really bad, I may still watch it just to see her on the big screen. Or maybe I'll just buy the magazine instead. She's my weakness right now...
More from the Dark Angel
another one
And another
Can't get enough
Goodness
One more

This morning, I think I'm headed to the links (or do we have links in VA, maybe i should say, to the flat fairways). It's starting to get cold and I've got to get a few more games in while I can, I still need a lot of work.

XMODS are now available at Radio Shack. These RC cars came out last week and I picked one up and I've been having a ball with it ever since. I'll write more about my upgrades and stuff later on this week, but I suggest you get them now while you have the chance. Once the popularity grows, it'll be selling out everywhere. I predict it'll be one of the hottest Christmas toys this year.

October 17, 2003
These baseball playoffs have been the best I have ever seen. I feel for you Cubs and Red Sox fans. So close...so exciting... I'm a Met fan, but I silently cheer for the yankees (in baseball, they were my first love growing up...reggie jackson...willie randolph...dave winfield).

I haven't yet elaborated on my take of kill bill (other than me telling you to see it), but there are reviews everywhere on it. Being the asian movie aficionado that I am, I'll eventually put together my little "primer" on the references to other movies and what I believe should be watched in accompaniment with the movie to enhance the experience (and some movies such as battle royale and shogun assassin should just be seen by everyone). But for now here is an Interview with Tarantino that explains several of the references and homages throughout the movie. Very informative.

Also, here is the HKflix take on the movie and their guide. They offer a lot of the movies for sale.

I'm going to busch gardens tomorrow for Howl-o-scream. Anyone and everyone is invited to come along. The more the merrier, or in this case, the scarrier (i know that's not a word...but it rhymes).

October 15, 2003
I'm feeling really sick today. I'm coughing & sneezing, my chest is congested and I've got a fever. This sucks. I'm going to try to sleep it off.

October 14, 2003
I saw Kill Bill the other night. Great movie!!! But I am a little biased because I am such a huge fan of asian cinema, which is referenced to all over the movie (shaw brothers opening, shogun assassin decapitations, master of the flying guillotine weapon, battle royale chic, kato mask). I can go on and on about the film, it's massive violent streak, and subtle details, but I'm tired right now, so I'll give a more detailed review later. But for now, I highly recommend it, so go see it, unless you don't like the sight of blood.

I've got a busch gardens trip planned for this saturday if anyone wants to come along. The more the merrier. Actually, since we're going for Howl-O-Scream, the more the scarier (I know that's not a word).

The sniper trial begins today here in Va Beach. I haven't been summoned for jury duty, so I'm glad. Well I should rather say that I haven't yet been summoned, they are talking about bringing in up to 1000 people to find 12 jury members. But even if I got called, they probably wouldn't let me sit in the jury. I think homie is guilty as sin and I propose we give him the death penalty, and probably do it old school style since we're in VA and recreate some salem witch trial hangings.

October 9, 2003
I've been really busy for the past few days. Really busy = no sleep. It's been busy at work and then I get home to more stuff. We're getting new carpet in all the bedrooms of the house. This means we've had remove everything from every room and stick it wherever we can until the new carpet gets laid down. So basically, it's a big mess everywhere. Only the kitchen has any kind of room to manuever in. Also, the computer had to get moved, and so went the internet for a few days.

But the carpet was laid down yesterday, and today I've got to move everything back. And that will take a lot longer. When moving stuff out, I just took anything and everything and just threw it all together and put it wherever. Now, when I put stuff back, I've got to find where things belong.

And this has to be done today, because we've got out-of-town guests coming by this weekend for our town fiesta.

Oh yeah, we've got a fiesta this Saturday at St. Gregory's and everyone's more than welcome to stop by to get something to eat and join in the festivities. I should be there pretty much all day. I guess you can just call me for details, or email me, or just show up.

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Congratulations to Chadwick & Monaliza for bringing into this world Chadwick Quimen Edralin II.

October 4, 2003
School of Rock - A really well done "feel-good" movie. There is lots to like about this movie, from the kids to the music to Jack Black himself. You know the plot, some rock guy decides to take on a role as a 4th grade substitute teacher and ends up teaching them everything about rock music. The plot isn't the important part of this movie, what is important is the chemistry between Jack Black and the kids.

The movie does start off sort of slow, but once Jack Black gets to the classroom, the movie takes off. Jack Black is funniest when dealing with the kids, but it doesn't come off as cheesy, cheap comedy. You get the feeling that this is really what he would be like with any group of kids. And he doesn't treat them as kids but rather as peers, and so we don't get kid jokes about farting or other stupid jokes just for kids. And when Jack Black goes in depth on the history and importance of rock and roll, it seems like Jack Black - member of Tenacious D - speaking and not the actor. That is what I loved most about this - the music and the importance of good music vs. crap. He delves so much into it that some of the funny lines went over the heads of the audience and only a few people would actually catch several jokes about Pink Floyd or ACDC. There would be times when I'd be laughing and realize that noone else around me caught the joke.

But the focus of the movie is the music, and these kids rocked for real. And it really is them that is playing the instruments, and that adds so much to the film. I can't stand watching a movie where actors are pretending to play instruments, because it comes off so fake, but the kids really shine when they are in the spotlight.

The plot does have many problems, mainly the fact that none of this could ever really happen, and if it did, someone would be going to jail. But that point is moot. Oddly enough, this movie was directed by Richard Linlater, known for his off-the-wall and really "out there" films like Dazed & Confused and Waking Life and the screenplay was done by Mike White (who's also in the film) and he's known for darker comedies like the Good Girl and Chuck & Buck. But this one is for everybody. Just enjoy it for what it is, and for the music, which continues on even while the credits roll.

October 3, 2003
Although I don't care too much for him, I bought my JTim tickets this morning. Why am I going then? Because how much easier is it to take a girl out than when you've got tickets to this show. And it was easier than expected. Because of the lack of advertising for the show (it was announced 2 days ago via a short email list and then it just happens to just pop up on ticketmaster's website) there was hardly a line for the tickets at the Norva. The 21+ age limit helps too. They were even checking ID's just to buy the tickets. As of right now (11am Friday morning) it hasn't sold out, but I expect it to as word gets out. I did meet a nice girl in line. I may have met her before though, I don't know. But she was cool. Made my wait a bit more enjoyable.

I'm going to see School of Rock today. I'll let you guys know how it is. I'm excited though because I've got a high respect for Jack Black when it comes to music. His group, Tenacious D, although comical, is musically sound. And Jack Black is one big reason I enjoyed High Fidelity so much. So now he's in his element, a comedy about music from someone who knows his stuff.

Last night was really cold, and I'm getting even sicker. I'm now sneezing a lot and my nose is stuffed up. I'm going to buy some medicine today.

Not much on my schedule for the weekend. Maybe if the weather is nice, I'll work on my golf or tennis. Otherwise, I'm bumming it for the next few days. I'm also thinking of taking some time off from work soon, I've got so much leave saved up that I've got to use some before I lose it. I need a plan, I need suggestions on stuff to do.

October 2, 2003
Quick Lu update: Luan is spending the week in Anaheim for some Nuclear Medicine conference and the whole thing is funded by the Stanford Hospital. The conference is in one of the hotels at Disneyland but lu booked his room at some other, cheaper hotel. He now realizes he could have just booked a room at Disneyland at the expense of his hospital. He'd like to go to Disneyland one day, but he's upset that he didn't get some ticket special that went along with the conference. Now, how can you visit anaheim without going to Disneyland? Knowing Lu, if he doesn't get a discount on tickets, he's not going.

If you missed A Wedding Story yesterday, or if you just want to read more about Grace & Dave, here are a few links to the show and their story -
Behind the scene pictures,
their story,
a short article.

It's october, and this month is Filipino American History Month.

October 1, 2003
More news about the JT concert in norfolk. Tickets are $55 each + surcharges. At first I thought that was too much, but then people are spending $100+ per ticket for his last tour with Ms. Aguilera. And the Norva is small enough that there isn't a bad spot to be at. Another note: the concert is 21 and up only. That may sound like good news to those who think they have a better chance at getting tickets, but now, instead of 20,000 people trying to get one of 1500 tickets, there are now about 12,000 people. Tickets onsale Friday, October 3, at 10am at all ticketmaster outlets and the Backstage Cafe.

Another concert of note - Chris Rock is coming to ODU. Tickets also go on sale Friday, but I got the hookups. You can get in on the ticketmaster presale today with the password -"ambition". The show is on Thursday, November 6.

Reminder - today at 2pm, check out Grace & Dave Alegre on TLC's A Wedding Story.

The weather is starting to get cold. And I think I'm starting to get sick.