Lo Ling; listening to: myself saying "fail" repeatedly in my head; Dec 2nd, 08 --01:12 PM (thats 12 minutes too late); the benches off the grass in Court of Sciences; feeling: unopportunistic (and obviously creative because i just made that word up.)
Today
Today was my last chance to visit Professor McAwesome one last time this quarter. His office hours are taking place right now, as I speak...write. Whatever. Rm 2---, somewhere through Young Hall, down a few stairs, after turning a few corners...
But where am I? Not Room 2----. Not even in Young Hall for that matter. Just the bench. Outside. What a loser.
12 minutes ago (actually now it's 19); 19 minutes ago, (19 minutes too late), I was making my way down. Down that hall in Young, down the stairs to the right, soon turning that corner on the left, and making my way down. Only a few minutes before that, I had carefully been preparing the two questions that I would present to this guy, this celebrity, this GENIUS. Two questions that weren't just your average, "How do you do #2 on the problem set??" or "What's the answer to #1??" No. These questions, my questions, they would show him I could think. That I payed attention. That I cared.
So I made my way. I couldn't WAIT--but I also couldn't deny I was terrified. Terrified that I'd turn into a muttering mumbo jumbo as soon as I walked in. If I made it in. Maybe I'd run into the door. Maybe I'd run into the door on my way out.
I don't get it.
The theme of this class is overall how biology and the way that we have evolved have everything to do with the will or the need to constantly improve our "fitness". Fitness in this sense meaning your ability to produce a number or surviving offspring, moreso than the next guy. Examples of us having evolved in relation to increasing our fitness would be like in the way we love fatty foods, and foods high in sugar. Evolutionarily speaking, in the world our ancestors lived and evolved in, y'all never knew if you'd get food the next day or not. That's why the people that had a predilection for fatty foods and gobbled that up (fatty foods and carbs being our highest sources of energy) lasted longer than those that didn't "invest" in themselves the same way, and thus had more kids, and thus the gene for fatty is now prevalent in us simply because when we evolved this was significantly beneficial to our fitness. The same would be like with sex. Those that had the gene for not liking sex obviously didn't reproduce... didn't increase their number of surviving offspring (any offspring..) and thus their fitness was low and that gene didn't evolve in us and now we are all predisposed apparently to love sex. Maybe I made that part up but I think you get the point of how our antics are supposed to help us succeed in increasing fitness.
SO THEN MY QUESTION IS
I know I'm not the only one that gets nervous around this person I am completely smitten by. In fact I think it happens to a large MAJORITY of us around the objects of our infatuations. And my question is, what the HELL kind of evolutionary benefit to our fitness is there to completely FREAKING OUT around the person you wouldn't mind reproducing with!? (I don't really mean reproducing with, I'm speaking in evolutionary terms here. )
Right.
So. That wasn't either of the questions I was planning on asking Professor McAwesome by the way.
But with the two questions that I had so carefully prepared, I made my way down to that office. Down that hall in Young, down the stairs to the right, turning the corner on the left, follow through, keep going, past the bathroom, there's the storeroom,......crap I just made the wrong turn, take these new set of stairs, wave to that kid i know, down this hall, hey that was my Life Science 2 TA..., oh this poster looks familiar, I think I'm there, few more steps, yes I'm there, snaps there's his office-- aaaaaaaaaaand
STOP.
Didn't I say I couldn't wait, but I was terrified-?
Terrified all right. To my complete HORROR I halted about 10 feet away from the door of Rm 2---, only to see students. Students trailing into the hallway from that door, sitting crosslegged on the floor of the hallway, there were so. many. people.
Without taking another step closer I just stood there paralyzed. What the hell do I do now. Judging from the purple packets everyone was holding I knew it was a "How do you do number three??" fest.
Without taking another step closer I just turned around and left.
So now I'm sitting here on this bench outside feeling like a complete idiot because of multiple reasons. Some of them I just came up with after writing all this down.
a. I totally could have gotten there 12 minutes BEFORE instead of after. This is UCLA and it's best to assume everyone is a "pre-med whore" as I have a friend who lovingly refers to us as so.
b. Because I really had no GOOD reason for why I turned around and left, except probably to just be dramatic. Like... why wouldn't I go in there just because it was crowded and everyone was asking questions about the packet? Because I felt like I would be wasting their time? There was an entire HOUR. Seriously people. Learn from me. Don't let petty roadblocks get in the way of your goals. And don't put drama on your side. I didn't get anything out of dramatically "turning around and leaving" "without taking another step closer." Well, except maybe this blog. Hahaha. But well now I just feel pathetic but its okay. Never doing THAT again.
So. Of course I don't REALLY feel pathetic because hello. I'm Lo Ling. But my point is that I hope the same thing never happens to you and my further point being that I am in love with Professor McAwesome.
End.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Name:
Name: Lo Ling
Age: 20
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115 lbs.
Residence: Los Angeles County
Dream job: talent scout
also check this guy out: http://www.youtube.com/user/doggettbm
Age: 20
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115 lbs.
Residence: Los Angeles County
Dream job: talent scout
also check this guy out: http://www.youtube.com/user/doggettbm
Monday, November 10, 2008
Hello Ms. McKeil ! from your old student Lo
Dear Ms. McKeil,
I truly hope that after almost seven years since I was in your 6th grade Humanities class that you remember me. I'm sure you do, in some way, shape, or form.
I'm not sure why today of all days I decided to search up your email address and send you this email, but it feels really good to be doing so! Plain and simply, Ms. McKeil, you have been one of the most influential teachers in my life, and I just wanted to see how you were doing. I don't know if you remember, but we had a couple of emotional (and might I say life-changing) talks afterschool while I was in your class. I clearly remember two of them, and I know that what you said to me during those events have played a significant role in who I am today. At the moment I didn't know how important those times were, but as I grow and grow, your words never cease to resonate with me, subconsciously playing a part in the person I'm proud to be.
The last time I visited you and the rest of our core teachers, like Mr. Reuzl, was probably during my freshman year in high school. I remember you mentioning a change in career plans for you, or that you were considering retiring. I couldn't find your contact information on the Chaparral Middle School directory, so I'm guessing that's what you decided to do. You deserve it!
Something I remember from our classroom was that you had a poster of UCLA football and a large blue sock (or at least that's what I remember it as) with a Bruin bear in it. I remember never really knowing what a Bruin was. In fact at that time I don't think I even knew what UCLA was. Well fast-forward to my freshman year in college and guess where I am! Yup, a UCLA Bruin! I'm not superstitious or anything Ms. McKeil, but I kind of think that your influence on me had some strange karma-tic way of working itself out like that.
...
Clearly I remember much from 6th grade Humanities, and On My Own, but I'm trying to remember now if it was "Beat Suzanne!" that you always chanted, or if it was "Beat 'SC!", or maybe both ;)
Well, I really hope this email reaches you and that you respond, if possible. I'm already a third year at UCLA, and I don't think any of my professors will have as profound an effect on me as you did. To close things off here's something I found on an ooold blog post of mine that I thought would be nice to share with you as this email comes to close:
Monday, June 12, 2006
"...
I found the little stuffed animals and samplers we had done in Mrs. McKeil's sixth grade On My Own class. I loved that class, and I loved Mrs. McKeil. She loved me too. I miss her and I want to visit her. I heard she was retiring. I really hope she didnt retire. I owe her a lot. Mrs. McKeil was the first person to ever tell me to share in class. One time i got back an essay that i had written in that class, and her comment at the bottom was to see her. So i saw her. We ended up crying together. She said that I wrote very well, and the things I wrote were very insightful. She really wanted me to speak up with these things in class, that the class discussions needed me. I was ... I didn't know what to do when she told me that. What do you do? We cried together. I love Mrs. McKeil even today. I will always remember that.
If you know me now, I speak up A LOT in class. And I don't just say anything either. And I have Mrs. McKeil to thank. I wonder if she knows that.
Thinking of Mrs McKeil leads me to think of Mr. Reuzl. He was another great man. I wonder how he'd feel knowing that I'm going to major in Biology.
I really hope they all remember me.
Going on, I found a bunch of fake money and coins..."
Here's the link to that post if you are interested in the rest: http://savedxsamiah.blogspot.com/2006/06/two-shoeboxes.html
Thanks again Ms. McKeil,
Love and Sincerely,
ll
I truly hope that after almost seven years since I was in your 6th grade Humanities class that you remember me. I'm sure you do, in some way, shape, or form.
I'm not sure why today of all days I decided to search up your email address and send you this email, but it feels really good to be doing so! Plain and simply, Ms. McKeil, you have been one of the most influential teachers in my life, and I just wanted to see how you were doing. I don't know if you remember, but we had a couple of emotional (and might I say life-changing) talks afterschool while I was in your class. I clearly remember two of them, and I know that what you said to me during those events have played a significant role in who I am today. At the moment I didn't know how important those times were, but as I grow and grow, your words never cease to resonate with me, subconsciously playing a part in the person I'm proud to be.
The last time I visited you and the rest of our core teachers, like Mr. Reuzl, was probably during my freshman year in high school. I remember you mentioning a change in career plans for you, or that you were considering retiring. I couldn't find your contact information on the Chaparral Middle School directory, so I'm guessing that's what you decided to do. You deserve it!
Something I remember from our classroom was that you had a poster of UCLA football and a large blue sock (or at least that's what I remember it as) with a Bruin bear in it. I remember never really knowing what a Bruin was. In fact at that time I don't think I even knew what UCLA was. Well fast-forward to my freshman year in college and guess where I am! Yup, a UCLA Bruin! I'm not superstitious or anything Ms. McKeil, but I kind of think that your influence on me had some strange karma-tic way of working itself out like that.
...
Clearly I remember much from 6th grade Humanities, and On My Own, but I'm trying to remember now if it was "Beat Suzanne!" that you always chanted, or if it was "Beat 'SC!", or maybe both ;)
Well, I really hope this email reaches you and that you respond, if possible. I'm already a third year at UCLA, and I don't think any of my professors will have as profound an effect on me as you did. To close things off here's something I found on an ooold blog post of mine that I thought would be nice to share with you as this email comes to close:
Monday, June 12, 2006
"...
I found the little stuffed animals and samplers we had done in Mrs. McKeil's sixth grade On My Own class. I loved that class, and I loved Mrs. McKeil. She loved me too. I miss her and I want to visit her. I heard she was retiring. I really hope she didnt retire. I owe her a lot. Mrs. McKeil was the first person to ever tell me to share in class. One time i got back an essay that i had written in that class, and her comment at the bottom was to see her. So i saw her. We ended up crying together. She said that I wrote very well, and the things I wrote were very insightful. She really wanted me to speak up with these things in class, that the class discussions needed me. I was ... I didn't know what to do when she told me that. What do you do? We cried together. I love Mrs. McKeil even today. I will always remember that.
If you know me now, I speak up A LOT in class. And I don't just say anything either. And I have Mrs. McKeil to thank. I wonder if she knows that.
Thinking of Mrs McKeil leads me to think of Mr. Reuzl. He was another great man. I wonder how he'd feel knowing that I'm going to major in Biology.
I really hope they all remember me.
Going on, I found a bunch of fake money and coins..."
Here's the link to that post if you are interested in the rest: http://savedxsamiah.blogspot.com/2006/06/two-shoeboxes.html
Thanks again Ms. McKeil,
Love and Sincerely,
ll
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
"See Jesus, see Judas, see Caesar, see Brutus"
And after a while
they're all the same
Like the heroes that conquer
as soon as they came
Every heart jumped a beat
at the sound of their name
Every heart jumped a beat-
but now they stop
Every heart jumped a beat
but now they stop.
Ya see, heroes don't last me
they rise and they drop
What's the honor without glory?
as if We're worth the cat-as-troph.
What's the honor without glory?
he thinks You're better off
What's the honor without glory?
he thinks You're better off
Down here We're crying too
save Us when We asked You to stop
I thought a man would save Us-
"... It's lonely at the top"
I thought a man would save us
but it's lonely at the top.
I thought a man would save us
but it's too lonely at the top.
it's lonely at the top
it's lonely at the top
and now drop.
they're all the same
Like the heroes that conquer
as soon as they came
Every heart jumped a beat
at the sound of their name
Every heart jumped a beat-
but now they stop
Every heart jumped a beat
but now they stop.
Ya see, heroes don't last me
they rise and they drop
What's the honor without glory?
as if We're worth the cat-as-troph.
What's the honor without glory?
he thinks You're better off
What's the honor without glory?
he thinks You're better off
Down here We're crying too
save Us when We asked You to stop
I thought a man would save Us-
"... It's lonely at the top"
I thought a man would save us
but it's lonely at the top.
I thought a man would save us
but it's too lonely at the top.
it's lonely at the top
it's lonely at the top
and now drop.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Airport Jazz
listening to: babies crying, some airport jazz; July 27th 5am California time, but 4:40 pm Singapore time; Singapore airport, waiting outside the actual waiting room; feeling: like I want to jump of a cliff
Sometimes at UCLA (which I really miss right now…) I’d reluctantly drag my eyes to the electric green stare of the digital clock above me and find the time 3 or 4 in the morning, looking punishingly back at me. Well I didn’t need that son of a gun timepiece to tell me what time it was. I could feel it. Half past three in the morning and my body became a battlefield on which my brain and my eyes were waging a war over whether to close and remain shut or glazed over yet still open as I pretended to actually be absorbing information. This is the hour,--I can’t sleep. —but I can’t stay awake... --! What a strange and uncomfortable feeling—in between being mercilessly stretched from both arms while at the same time being constrained in a small box made of elastic walls. I don’t mind being in between two emotional states. Most of the time we juggle plenty. But juggling the multiple physical states of 3 or 4 “in the morning”, with the darkness of the night, with my eyes wanting shut with my brain wanting open with my brain wanting shut with my eyes wanting open and the pencil in my hand but the slackness of my fingers and the pillow on my seat but the rigidity of my shoulders and the darkness of the night and the promise of the morning and my eyes wanting shut or did they want open - - - - !!!!
Damn.
So that's how I feel right now.
Oh Singapore. This will be a long night.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
America's Best Dance Crew - My "Mock" the Title Challenge
First off I would like to say that I enjoyed Lil Mama's variation on her ponytail this episode. I saw that done in Seventeen magazine I think four years ago... (I mean her variation on the ponytail, not the cutting a hole in your hat and sticking the ponytail out the top.) I always wonder if Lil Mama cuts the holes in her hats herself or if Randy Jackson pays someone to take care of that for the show. But anyway, I liked the new 'do Lil Mama, you really "turn't it out" with that one... or is it "turn't it up"... ugh she has a 12-word vocabulary on the show and I still don't know what she's saying.
So this episode was supposed to be a throwback to how last season's crews "performed the most astonishing illusions on stage." That's for sure-- and even after watching this episode I have yet to believe that any of these crews deserve the title of America's Best Dance Crew over any of the finalists from last season. So sorry.
However, I still find this season to be equally entertaining. This may be just because Mario Lopez and Layla Kayleigh have gotten even more annoying, Lil Mama makes even less sense, and the dance crews have gotten ugly-- and that's always entertaining when you're watching the show with a bunch of haters and their comedic minds. Me included.
The challenge this week was called the "Rock the Title Challenge," where the crews were asked to "physically transform to visually illustrate the title of your song." I consider this to be the long-awaited, first real challenge this season. In general, the crews "turn't it out" I'd say. Hahah oh Lil Mama..
First up was A.S.I.I.D. with the assigned song of "Roll" by Flo-Rida ft. Sean Kingston.
In general A.S.I.I.D. is on my "Save" list (as opposed to my "Shit" list), for the simple fact that their crew name isn't like almost all the other crew names on this season that simply consist of a superlative followed by some noun. In my mind or even during casual conversation, I still find it hard to quickly differentiate between all the completely unoriginal, indistinct crew names and place the faces to them. Not only do So Real Crew, Super Cr3w (ewww c'mon... l33t??), Supreme Soul, and Phresh Select all sound the same, but also their crew names don't really do much in terms of capturing their auras and attitudes. That's if they even have their own attitudes this season... which to me so far most of them don't. It's safe to say that last season each crew came with a unique crew "personality" that endeared us to them and their singular journeys through ABDC-- highlighted by their original crew names. There were the JabbaWockeeZ, Status Quo, Kaba Modern, Break Sk8, Fysh n Chicks, Live in Color, Iconic, and the Femme 5, none of which sound the same and each of which I can still clearly remember. As this season goes on I'm getting better at connecting the names with the faces, but the personalities just aren't there this season. And unfortunately I don't think that can be developed. As told to Layla Kayleigh backstage this episode (because that's the only place she ever is..) by some dude in So Real, "We're So Real, and that's so real.." Uh. Yeah...
Back to A.S.I.I.D. I really like that they don't call themselves "Awesome Crew" or something so highly creative like Super Cr3w. You know. Cuz throwing a 3 in there is so creative.
And I appreciate that with their unique name comes an original style unlike many else's. Later you'll see that I do find some similarities in choreography between some crews-- but not A.S.I.I.D. Their routine this week wasn't as good in my opinion as the last couple, but they still might be the one group that I like as much as I liked last season. The short girl "Meme" Wortham--hot, (more proof of that here.) Lil Mama surprised me and actually made sense today-- it was "sloppy," and after seeing how a lot of the other crews really banked on their song titles, it didn't feel like A.S.I.I.D. really did with the rolls-- but Shane liked it, and the one dude with the hearing aid and the big hair pulled some MEAN (and i mean niiice and sexy) body rolls so I was happy.
Next up was So Real Crew dancing to "Snake" by R. Kelly
As Mario introduced them he did his signature semi-shoulder-dance...thing... again. If I wasn't annoyed enough by you already, I would be now. Either go big or go home. Harlem shake or don't. It's even worse for me when you add the "hard" face to your semi-dance-I-don't-even-know-what-you're-doing every time ABDC returns from commercial breaks... please stop. We know you wish you could be a JabbaWockee, but, anyway I'll hate on you later-- back to So Real Crew (They're..."so real, and that's so real..."!)
Hahah I don't mean to hate on them at all because So Real Crew is a DAMN GOOD CREW this season. That's for sure. Although I can't tell them apart from other crews in looks except that they have two girls, again like I said, no distinctive personality, they kill it when they're on stage, except for the minor mishaps last week (which was a HOT performance-- I kept watching that over and over the entire week). I really liked their performance this episode-- they never left the theme ("Snake"), and were highly innovative with their moves-- lots of little details, such as the girl snake wranglers that J.C. highlighted, and overall good performance.
J.C. called their intro a little slow, and I noticed that this season is entertaining on another level-- alllll the passive aggression between the judges this season. J.C. tells a crew they're not dancing, Shane tells them that breaking IS dancing. JC tells a crew that their intro was slow, Shane tells the crew that a slow intro makes for a big ending. Dra-ma. I have to agree with J.C. on the not enough dancing comment he made to Super Cr3w last week though. I love b-boys, but this is America's Best Dance Crew not America's Best Break Crew. Throw some choreography in there, please.
Speaking of which, the next crew to perform was Super Cr3w... to which I say "3w". Actually let me just say ew, and receive a lot of hate mail from everyone out there that seems so unabashedly smitten by them. To be honest, I think everyone likes them just because they have a hand sign. Big deal, you could use that same hand sign (its your fingers in the formation of the superman "S") for S-upreme Soul. S-o Real Crew. S-hane Sparks. You could even use that hand sign for me, my name. I'm not completely dismissing Super Cr3w though, that would be S-tupid (throw up a hand sign!!!). That B-Boy stuff they do is not for the faint of heart, and they are definitely highly skilled breakers. That is pretty much all I can give them though. Their choreography is always on the S-imple (hand sign!!) side, I haven't seen much innovation in their transitions-- to be honest they remind me of S-tatus Quo (hand sign!!!!) from last season. I've been comparing them oddly enough to status quo, and the fact that there is a guy in Super Cr3w named "Do-Knock" and we know of the notorious guy from Status Quo named "E-Knock"-- I was having a riot. Both teams are similar in that they pull of some AWESOME STUNTS, and amazing tricks. This is what sets them apart, makes them good. But just like Status Quo, after a while there seems to be no method to the madness, not enough thought behind how to display the stunts, and ultimately, a crew like JabbaWockeeZ that bank on their creativity and intelligence when it comes to choreography and gluing the stunts together ultimately will prevail. Silly Super Cr3w, tricks are for kids. This comparison to Status Quo shouldn't be a disheartening one by any means though, after all Status Quo came in second place last season... (What the HELL was that...)
Anyway. Ben's air-flares were hot, Shane is too biased "for the breakers", entertaining performance for sure, and all of a sudden, just when I thought Mario couldn't get any more annoying, he starts talking... over J.C.!
I counted a total of three times that he interrupts J.C. during his commentary on Super Cr3w's performance, only to tell us that "I LOVE that they made it rain!!!"
Mario.
Mario Mario Mario. When did Randy Jackson make you a judge on this show?? Look, babe, there's a reason why he picked A.C. Slater and not Zack Morris to host the show. It's because you are to remain in the background. If you MUST tell us what you're thinking, try holding the mic away from your face. Thanks.
For a crew that I don't even like that much I sure spent a lot of time on Super Cr3w. Moving on to Boogie Bots.
Their assigned song this week was Lil' Flip's "Game Over."
Not much to say, I like the Boogie Bots. I don't think they are the best crew ever, but I think they are playful and deliver solid performances. Not the best performances, but they're solid. Of course, continuing on his stream of "let me take a more proactive role as the host of this show and start interjecting in places where I shouldn't", Mario juts in after the Boogie Bots' performance exclaiming, "You know for a second there, I thought I was taken back to like, the Ms. Pacman days!! Right!??"
At this point they pan over to the judges' table. I'm not sure if they meant to make it look as if they were ridiculing Mario as much as I am, but it was a sight--
JC: I'm just gonna stare at my notes and pretend I didn't hear that
Lil Mama: does a series of hand gestures completely implicative of "I don't understand where people get off thinking I'm the one that don't make sense-- I'm the voice of the young people!!"
Shane: smiiile and nod... JC please finish your "notes" and say something..
Mario Mario.
I liked the synchrony in the Boogie Bots' performance, that had that going even with the guy crouched down on the controller. Shane thought the outfits were hot-- really Shane? You didn't think they were seizure-inducing? Because I did. And then they had to pull the strobe lights on us-- how about that for seizures. But I'll give them that for innovation.
Alright I'm just gonna throw it out there that I love DJ Rasheeda. And I can't believe that I haven't mentioned how much I despise Layla Kayleigh. Next blog don't you worry.
And next up was Fanny Pak, dancing to "Toy Soldier" by my homegirl Britney Spears.
...
I LOVE FANNY PAK.
And so far so do the judges. The thing about Fanny Pak is that with all I had been saying earlier about the crews not having distinct personalities and unoriginal crew names that don't even relate to their attitudes-- Fanny Pak is the one crew that got all of that right. They came in with a unique sense of who they are and what they represent, and this never gets lost in their performances. Their performances are not the most tricked out or the most complex, however, they are, in my opinion, one of the most original in choreography and aesthetically innovative. J.C. called them "artists," and there's no way that I can't respect that. Fanny Pak to me is never boring, and the fact that I can remember them goes a long way in my book. They stand out. I'm sold. --Plus they got hyphy is this episode's performance and I. LOVE. THE. BAY.
In each episode, before the crews perform they show a back-bio of the crew as they come up with their routine-- and this season seems to be obsessed with creative mini-trauma-dramas for each crew in every episode. So a guy in Fanny Pak hurt his knee during rehearsal and we have to hear about it for like a good 20 seconds... really!?
And again, as J.C. is about to mention Linda's jump, Mario goes on with his interruptions, yelling "INCOMING!!! It was amazing! She was like Rambo right there!"
Randy can we please get a muzzle on this guy.
Shane said, "I love the fact that the army girls got sexy on me" ...oh you would Shane. I was surprised that wasn't the FIRST thing he said. Every time a crew pulls a minutely sexual move in the routine, I call out that Shane will call THAT out during his commentary-- and he never fails me.
Let me take a moment here to say that no matter what fun I make of Shane, I like this guy. I love how he shut down Status Quo and overpraised the JabbaWockeeZ last season, I love how he wishes he could be a JabbaWockee, I love how he catches all the norcal allusions, because I love norcal, and I love how he always points out the sexy stuff because guess what, I love the sexy stuff, and don't tell me you don't enjoy all the replays either. I love crazy Shane.
So speaking of the bayyy... next up was Supreme Soul, whom I didn't like particularly from the get-go, for the simple reason being that I felt they were riding on their loose association with the JabbaWockeeZ (gods). Um. I don't care if you battled the Jabba. III could have battled the JabbaWockeeZ. Doesn't mean a thing. And if I'm gonna be talking about that, I better be able to back it up. Supreme Soul's first performance was a supreme suck. However they have been making it up in previous performances. And I will say... I will say, that their performance was probably one of the best ones this episode. Yes.
I do think the guy that played Omarion in last week's episode is a cutie, and they are from the Bay, which through my newfound bay-area associations that i've made at UCLA, I have noticed has a distinct (and irresistible... to me haha I love the Bay so help me!) swagger to it, which is prevalent in Supreme Soul's routines-- and that's hot.
Their challenge song was "Elevator", by Flo-Rida ft. Timbaland. Like I said, I liked, good detail good choreography, good outfits--- I guess.
The outfits each episode last season were much more appealing and visually appeasing than any of the outfits this season. What's up with all the grays and the grays and the... grays... please people. Looks like all unused glitter just keeps going to Lil Mama's outfits. Use it... please... she already sounds like she has A.D.D...
I love Lil Mama. I swear! How else would Supreme Soul know they they had to "swerve it in"!? ..
I loved when during her commentary Lil Mama called Antoine, "Kevin"... for those of you that didn't catch that, Kevin was the guy in JabbaWockeeZ... hahah, they wanted to relate to Jabba? They got it! My brother and I were having a riot with that one.
J.C. thought it was very "unselfish" of this cocky group to let someone new "shine" each week in their routines. J.C., how fitting of you to say that, what with spending a near decade in *N Sync being outshined by JT. It's okay J.C., I always liked you better. Well, that was until you came out with the song "All Day Long I Dream About Sex"...
Finally it came down to the bottom two, which would be Phresh Select and Extreme Dance Force.
Hahaha-- OKAY! I don't know what it is, but every male I have talked to has been haaating on Extreme Dance Force-- and no one can really tell me why. I mean, they aren't horrible dancers, and it's not like they are especially any uglier than some of the other crews on here. I don't geeet it. But it's hilarious. If my brother was a drinker he'd have popped a champagne bottle just for the fact that Extreme Dance Force was in the bottom two. He even went as far as to say that given a choice he likes Sass X7 better than them... AND THAT IS SAYING A FLIPPIN LOT. (Sass X7??? Really!!?) If I had to put my finger on it I think everyone hates them because of the done eyebrows.
When the remaining three crews were waiting to see who would face off in the bottom two against Extreme Dance Force, everyone looked unnaturally calm. I'm guessing they were all thinking, "Oh! Us against Extreme Dance Force!? "
As I stated the choice was Phresh Select, dancing to "Big Things Poppin" by T.I. There was another drama/trauma episode before the performance, something to do with personalities clashing... Randy Jackson let me remind you that you are producing America's Best Dance Crew, not The Hills alright. Tell these guys to shut up and dance!
I thought Phresh Select's choreography was simple stuff, unoriginal... similar to what Super Cr3w had done. Nothing really different about either of their routines except that Super Cr3w does all the stunts. Eh.
Extreme Dance Force danced to "Earthquake" by Tech N9ne. And again of course you get another trauma drama episode that no one cares about... Nick is "Extreme"-ly sick... haha.. pun intended... he "might not be able to peform"... but of course he does -___---
So anyway as they get into some tall, complicated looking, 3-D formation of a building to start their performance, my brother after all his trash talking flips and starts panicking, "OMG it's actually gonna be good, it's actually gonna be good"
which it was... for them, hahah. There were moments I liked, and it was sad because the judges barely did any, if at all, replays of their routine. After a while though I think Extreme Dance Force started interpreting "Earthquake" as an earthquake induced by King Kong or something, because they started to get barbaric and overly intense... and then the "sick" guy, Nick, ripped off his shirt and the routine ended a few seconds later with all the guys pantsing themselves and Nick barechested in the center trying to look hard. With his eyebrows done.
I'm guessing they were trying to get on Shane's good side by attempting to induce his regular praise on choreography of the sexual nature, which didn't work out this time. I'm pretty sure its because whatever they were trying to do ended up being more disturbing than anything else. And of course Mario pipes in again for the ninth time this episode, telling us that "In general I think the crews did a --" WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK MARIO gaaaaaashhhh. Go hang out with Layla Kayleigh in the back or something. Can we have DJ Rasheeda host? Where's Zack Morris??
Unfortunately for Extreme Dance Force, I think they had the worst run of all the crews ever, combining this season and last season. They weren't even that bad but they just got NO respect. BOYS-- DO NOT DO YOUR EYEBROWS! I really think that's what it was.
On the bright side for Extreme Dance Force, J.C. said he respected the risk they took in pulling down their shorts at the end...
I think only then did I realize what a big risk that really was. Haha..
All in all I think my favorite part this episode was then Mario was stalling on announcing the last remaining crew and some girl from the audience shouted above everyone else "Just HURRY UP"
I think she should be the host.
Anyway, to wrap it up, Extreme Dance Force was judged off, Layla Kayleigh's still popping out of her clothes, and Lil Mama called "Philly" a state.
..
-_______------
So this episode was supposed to be a throwback to how last season's crews "performed the most astonishing illusions on stage." That's for sure-- and even after watching this episode I have yet to believe that any of these crews deserve the title of America's Best Dance Crew over any of the finalists from last season. So sorry.
However, I still find this season to be equally entertaining. This may be just because Mario Lopez and Layla Kayleigh have gotten even more annoying, Lil Mama makes even less sense, and the dance crews have gotten ugly-- and that's always entertaining when you're watching the show with a bunch of haters and their comedic minds. Me included.
The challenge this week was called the "Rock the Title Challenge," where the crews were asked to "physically transform to visually illustrate the title of your song." I consider this to be the long-awaited, first real challenge this season. In general, the crews "turn't it out" I'd say. Hahah oh Lil Mama..
First up was A.S.I.I.D. with the assigned song of "Roll" by Flo-Rida ft. Sean Kingston.
In general A.S.I.I.D. is on my "Save" list (as opposed to my "Shit" list), for the simple fact that their crew name isn't like almost all the other crew names on this season that simply consist of a superlative followed by some noun. In my mind or even during casual conversation, I still find it hard to quickly differentiate between all the completely unoriginal, indistinct crew names and place the faces to them. Not only do So Real Crew, Super Cr3w (ewww c'mon... l33t??), Supreme Soul, and Phresh Select all sound the same, but also their crew names don't really do much in terms of capturing their auras and attitudes. That's if they even have their own attitudes this season... which to me so far most of them don't. It's safe to say that last season each crew came with a unique crew "personality" that endeared us to them and their singular journeys through ABDC-- highlighted by their original crew names. There were the JabbaWockeeZ, Status Quo, Kaba Modern, Break Sk8, Fysh n Chicks, Live in Color, Iconic, and the Femme 5, none of which sound the same and each of which I can still clearly remember. As this season goes on I'm getting better at connecting the names with the faces, but the personalities just aren't there this season. And unfortunately I don't think that can be developed. As told to Layla Kayleigh backstage this episode (because that's the only place she ever is..) by some dude in So Real, "We're So Real, and that's so real.." Uh. Yeah...
Back to A.S.I.I.D. I really like that they don't call themselves "Awesome Crew" or something so highly creative like Super Cr3w. You know. Cuz throwing a 3 in there is so creative.
And I appreciate that with their unique name comes an original style unlike many else's. Later you'll see that I do find some similarities in choreography between some crews-- but not A.S.I.I.D. Their routine this week wasn't as good in my opinion as the last couple, but they still might be the one group that I like as much as I liked last season. The short girl "Meme" Wortham--hot, (more proof of that here.) Lil Mama surprised me and actually made sense today-- it was "sloppy," and after seeing how a lot of the other crews really banked on their song titles, it didn't feel like A.S.I.I.D. really did with the rolls-- but Shane liked it, and the one dude with the hearing aid and the big hair pulled some MEAN (and i mean niiice and sexy) body rolls so I was happy.
Next up was So Real Crew dancing to "Snake" by R. Kelly
As Mario introduced them he did his signature semi-shoulder-dance...thing... again. If I wasn't annoyed enough by you already, I would be now. Either go big or go home. Harlem shake or don't. It's even worse for me when you add the "hard" face to your semi-dance-I-don't-even-know-what-you're-doing every time ABDC returns from commercial breaks... please stop. We know you wish you could be a JabbaWockee, but, anyway I'll hate on you later-- back to So Real Crew (They're..."so real, and that's so real..."!)
Hahah I don't mean to hate on them at all because So Real Crew is a DAMN GOOD CREW this season. That's for sure. Although I can't tell them apart from other crews in looks except that they have two girls, again like I said, no distinctive personality, they kill it when they're on stage, except for the minor mishaps last week (which was a HOT performance-- I kept watching that over and over the entire week). I really liked their performance this episode-- they never left the theme ("Snake"), and were highly innovative with their moves-- lots of little details, such as the girl snake wranglers that J.C. highlighted, and overall good performance.
J.C. called their intro a little slow, and I noticed that this season is entertaining on another level-- alllll the passive aggression between the judges this season. J.C. tells a crew they're not dancing, Shane tells them that breaking IS dancing. JC tells a crew that their intro was slow, Shane tells the crew that a slow intro makes for a big ending. Dra-ma. I have to agree with J.C. on the not enough dancing comment he made to Super Cr3w last week though. I love b-boys, but this is America's Best Dance Crew not America's Best Break Crew. Throw some choreography in there, please.
Speaking of which, the next crew to perform was Super Cr3w... to which I say "3w". Actually let me just say ew, and receive a lot of hate mail from everyone out there that seems so unabashedly smitten by them. To be honest, I think everyone likes them just because they have a hand sign. Big deal, you could use that same hand sign (its your fingers in the formation of the superman "S") for S-upreme Soul. S-o Real Crew. S-hane Sparks. You could even use that hand sign for me, my name. I'm not completely dismissing Super Cr3w though, that would be S-tupid (throw up a hand sign!!!). That B-Boy stuff they do is not for the faint of heart, and they are definitely highly skilled breakers. That is pretty much all I can give them though. Their choreography is always on the S-imple (hand sign!!) side, I haven't seen much innovation in their transitions-- to be honest they remind me of S-tatus Quo (hand sign!!!!) from last season. I've been comparing them oddly enough to status quo, and the fact that there is a guy in Super Cr3w named "Do-Knock" and we know of the notorious guy from Status Quo named "E-Knock"-- I was having a riot. Both teams are similar in that they pull of some AWESOME STUNTS, and amazing tricks. This is what sets them apart, makes them good. But just like Status Quo, after a while there seems to be no method to the madness, not enough thought behind how to display the stunts, and ultimately, a crew like JabbaWockeeZ that bank on their creativity and intelligence when it comes to choreography and gluing the stunts together ultimately will prevail. Silly Super Cr3w, tricks are for kids. This comparison to Status Quo shouldn't be a disheartening one by any means though, after all Status Quo came in second place last season... (What the HELL was that...)
Anyway. Ben's air-flares were hot, Shane is too biased "for the breakers", entertaining performance for sure, and all of a sudden, just when I thought Mario couldn't get any more annoying, he starts talking... over J.C.!
I counted a total of three times that he interrupts J.C. during his commentary on Super Cr3w's performance, only to tell us that "I LOVE that they made it rain!!!"
Mario.
Mario Mario Mario. When did Randy Jackson make you a judge on this show?? Look, babe, there's a reason why he picked A.C. Slater and not Zack Morris to host the show. It's because you are to remain in the background. If you MUST tell us what you're thinking, try holding the mic away from your face. Thanks.
For a crew that I don't even like that much I sure spent a lot of time on Super Cr3w. Moving on to Boogie Bots.
Their assigned song this week was Lil' Flip's "Game Over."
Not much to say, I like the Boogie Bots. I don't think they are the best crew ever, but I think they are playful and deliver solid performances. Not the best performances, but they're solid. Of course, continuing on his stream of "let me take a more proactive role as the host of this show and start interjecting in places where I shouldn't", Mario juts in after the Boogie Bots' performance exclaiming, "You know for a second there, I thought I was taken back to like, the Ms. Pacman days!! Right!??"
At this point they pan over to the judges' table. I'm not sure if they meant to make it look as if they were ridiculing Mario as much as I am, but it was a sight--
JC: I'm just gonna stare at my notes and pretend I didn't hear that
Lil Mama: does a series of hand gestures completely implicative of "I don't understand where people get off thinking I'm the one that don't make sense-- I'm the voice of the young people!!"
Shane: smiiile and nod... JC please finish your "notes" and say something..
Mario Mario.
I liked the synchrony in the Boogie Bots' performance, that had that going even with the guy crouched down on the controller. Shane thought the outfits were hot-- really Shane? You didn't think they were seizure-inducing? Because I did. And then they had to pull the strobe lights on us-- how about that for seizures. But I'll give them that for innovation.
Alright I'm just gonna throw it out there that I love DJ Rasheeda. And I can't believe that I haven't mentioned how much I despise Layla Kayleigh. Next blog don't you worry.
And next up was Fanny Pak, dancing to "Toy Soldier" by my homegirl Britney Spears.
...
I LOVE FANNY PAK.
And so far so do the judges. The thing about Fanny Pak is that with all I had been saying earlier about the crews not having distinct personalities and unoriginal crew names that don't even relate to their attitudes-- Fanny Pak is the one crew that got all of that right. They came in with a unique sense of who they are and what they represent, and this never gets lost in their performances. Their performances are not the most tricked out or the most complex, however, they are, in my opinion, one of the most original in choreography and aesthetically innovative. J.C. called them "artists," and there's no way that I can't respect that. Fanny Pak to me is never boring, and the fact that I can remember them goes a long way in my book. They stand out. I'm sold. --Plus they got hyphy is this episode's performance and I. LOVE. THE. BAY.
In each episode, before the crews perform they show a back-bio of the crew as they come up with their routine-- and this season seems to be obsessed with creative mini-trauma-dramas for each crew in every episode. So a guy in Fanny Pak hurt his knee during rehearsal and we have to hear about it for like a good 20 seconds... really!?
And again, as J.C. is about to mention Linda's jump, Mario goes on with his interruptions, yelling "INCOMING!!! It was amazing! She was like Rambo right there!"
Randy can we please get a muzzle on this guy.
Shane said, "I love the fact that the army girls got sexy on me" ...oh you would Shane. I was surprised that wasn't the FIRST thing he said. Every time a crew pulls a minutely sexual move in the routine, I call out that Shane will call THAT out during his commentary-- and he never fails me.
Let me take a moment here to say that no matter what fun I make of Shane, I like this guy. I love how he shut down Status Quo and overpraised the JabbaWockeeZ last season, I love how he wishes he could be a JabbaWockee, I love how he catches all the norcal allusions, because I love norcal, and I love how he always points out the sexy stuff because guess what, I love the sexy stuff, and don't tell me you don't enjoy all the replays either. I love crazy Shane.
So speaking of the bayyy... next up was Supreme Soul, whom I didn't like particularly from the get-go, for the simple reason being that I felt they were riding on their loose association with the JabbaWockeeZ (gods). Um. I don't care if you battled the Jabba. III could have battled the JabbaWockeeZ. Doesn't mean a thing. And if I'm gonna be talking about that, I better be able to back it up. Supreme Soul's first performance was a supreme suck. However they have been making it up in previous performances. And I will say... I will say, that their performance was probably one of the best ones this episode. Yes.
I do think the guy that played Omarion in last week's episode is a cutie, and they are from the Bay, which through my newfound bay-area associations that i've made at UCLA, I have noticed has a distinct (and irresistible... to me haha I love the Bay so help me!) swagger to it, which is prevalent in Supreme Soul's routines-- and that's hot.
Their challenge song was "Elevator", by Flo-Rida ft. Timbaland. Like I said, I liked, good detail good choreography, good outfits--- I guess.
The outfits each episode last season were much more appealing and visually appeasing than any of the outfits this season. What's up with all the grays and the grays and the... grays... please people. Looks like all unused glitter just keeps going to Lil Mama's outfits. Use it... please... she already sounds like she has A.D.D...
I love Lil Mama. I swear! How else would Supreme Soul know they they had to "swerve it in"!? ..
I loved when during her commentary Lil Mama called Antoine, "Kevin"... for those of you that didn't catch that, Kevin was the guy in JabbaWockeeZ... hahah, they wanted to relate to Jabba? They got it! My brother and I were having a riot with that one.
J.C. thought it was very "unselfish" of this cocky group to let someone new "shine" each week in their routines. J.C., how fitting of you to say that, what with spending a near decade in *N Sync being outshined by JT. It's okay J.C., I always liked you better. Well, that was until you came out with the song "All Day Long I Dream About Sex"...
Finally it came down to the bottom two, which would be Phresh Select and Extreme Dance Force.
Hahaha-- OKAY! I don't know what it is, but every male I have talked to has been haaating on Extreme Dance Force-- and no one can really tell me why. I mean, they aren't horrible dancers, and it's not like they are especially any uglier than some of the other crews on here. I don't geeet it. But it's hilarious. If my brother was a drinker he'd have popped a champagne bottle just for the fact that Extreme Dance Force was in the bottom two. He even went as far as to say that given a choice he likes Sass X7 better than them... AND THAT IS SAYING A FLIPPIN LOT. (Sass X7??? Really!!?) If I had to put my finger on it I think everyone hates them because of the done eyebrows.
When the remaining three crews were waiting to see who would face off in the bottom two against Extreme Dance Force, everyone looked unnaturally calm. I'm guessing they were all thinking, "Oh! Us against Extreme Dance Force!? "
As I stated the choice was Phresh Select, dancing to "Big Things Poppin" by T.I. There was another drama/trauma episode before the performance, something to do with personalities clashing... Randy Jackson let me remind you that you are producing America's Best Dance Crew, not The Hills alright. Tell these guys to shut up and dance!
I thought Phresh Select's choreography was simple stuff, unoriginal... similar to what Super Cr3w had done. Nothing really different about either of their routines except that Super Cr3w does all the stunts. Eh.
Extreme Dance Force danced to "Earthquake" by Tech N9ne. And again of course you get another trauma drama episode that no one cares about... Nick is "Extreme"-ly sick... haha.. pun intended... he "might not be able to peform"... but of course he does -___---
So anyway as they get into some tall, complicated looking, 3-D formation of a building to start their performance, my brother after all his trash talking flips and starts panicking, "OMG it's actually gonna be good, it's actually gonna be good"
which it was... for them, hahah. There were moments I liked, and it was sad because the judges barely did any, if at all, replays of their routine. After a while though I think Extreme Dance Force started interpreting "Earthquake" as an earthquake induced by King Kong or something, because they started to get barbaric and overly intense... and then the "sick" guy, Nick, ripped off his shirt and the routine ended a few seconds later with all the guys pantsing themselves and Nick barechested in the center trying to look hard. With his eyebrows done.
I'm guessing they were trying to get on Shane's good side by attempting to induce his regular praise on choreography of the sexual nature, which didn't work out this time. I'm pretty sure its because whatever they were trying to do ended up being more disturbing than anything else. And of course Mario pipes in again for the ninth time this episode, telling us that "In general I think the crews did a --" WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK MARIO gaaaaaashhhh. Go hang out with Layla Kayleigh in the back or something. Can we have DJ Rasheeda host? Where's Zack Morris??
Unfortunately for Extreme Dance Force, I think they had the worst run of all the crews ever, combining this season and last season. They weren't even that bad but they just got NO respect. BOYS-- DO NOT DO YOUR EYEBROWS! I really think that's what it was.
On the bright side for Extreme Dance Force, J.C. said he respected the risk they took in pulling down their shorts at the end...
I think only then did I realize what a big risk that really was. Haha..
All in all I think my favorite part this episode was then Mario was stalling on announcing the last remaining crew and some girl from the audience shouted above everyone else "Just HURRY UP"
I think she should be the host.
Anyway, to wrap it up, Extreme Dance Force was judged off, Layla Kayleigh's still popping out of her clothes, and Lil Mama called "Philly" a state.
..
-_______------
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Oh, Mercy Mercy Me
Lo Ling; listening to: the fan hum, and my brother letting his musical genius go on his guitar; 1:10 PM; my room; feeling: concerned but jubilant
"Oh, mercy mercy me; Oh, things ain't what they used to be no, no; Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas; Fish full of mercury"
So. Does it freak anybody else out that there has been a statement just released about the very realistic possibility that oil might reach $200 and gas $7 in the coming years? I don't even drive and I am wildly disconcerted.
While this does put a new perspective on my rationale as to why my "overprotective" parents never let me out (clearly they weren't being overprotective, but rather preparing me on how to survive these days soon to come when we will all be tied to our homes given that it will cost too much to GO anywhere! Ha.. -__---), it puts and even more new and unsettling perspective on the so-far-so-blessed lives we have been living as Americans.
I never thought I'd see the day, in my lifetime or anyone else's here, when the risk of "energy-related crime" would be added to the list of our concerns. According to a recent L.A. Times article, "Restaurant owners are complaining that thieves are helping themselves to used barrels of cooking oil, which can be home-brewed into biodiesel fuel." I don't know if that's the cherry on top or if its the increase in ads for locking your gas caps.
...
YOUR GAS CAPS!!
I know a lot of us already lock our gas caps, but I've always thought it to be done out of formality. You know? You lock your gas cap to keep your gas IN. Pretty soon we'll be locking our gas caps to keep somebody OUT.... of your GAS SUPPLY!? I don't know if you understand the reason for my disbelief.
Locking gas caps? Stealing cooking oil?
It disturbs me that our luxuries aren't what the "thieves" are soon to be targeting anymore. A picture has been painting in my head, reminiscent of third-world countries and prehistoric times, with humans in a race against their own neighbors to simply survive, some resorting to or being victimized by kleptoparasitism, all in a battle over basic resources,... your energy!
So that's really bothering me. In some ways, though this thought may be completely extreme, I feel as if we've reached the brink of the end of the world. And say we haven't, well in that case I still feel as if though we've reached the brink of the brink... of the brink of the fall of this country. And according to us, Americans, whom I love, throwing that in there for the feds, that really is the brink of the brink of the brink of the end of the world. And I'm scared.
Never really thought, that I'd ever think, that I might see that day.
"Oh, mercy mercy me; Oh, things ain't what they used to be no, no; Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas; Fish full of mercury"
So. Does it freak anybody else out that there has been a statement just released about the very realistic possibility that oil might reach $200 and gas $7 in the coming years? I don't even drive and I am wildly disconcerted.
While this does put a new perspective on my rationale as to why my "overprotective" parents never let me out (clearly they weren't being overprotective, but rather preparing me on how to survive these days soon to come when we will all be tied to our homes given that it will cost too much to GO anywhere! Ha.. -__---), it puts and even more new and unsettling perspective on the so-far-so-blessed lives we have been living as Americans.
I never thought I'd see the day, in my lifetime or anyone else's here, when the risk of "energy-related crime" would be added to the list of our concerns. According to a recent L.A. Times article, "Restaurant owners are complaining that thieves are helping themselves to used barrels of cooking oil, which can be home-brewed into biodiesel fuel." I don't know if that's the cherry on top or if its the increase in ads for locking your gas caps.
...
YOUR GAS CAPS!!
I know a lot of us already lock our gas caps, but I've always thought it to be done out of formality. You know? You lock your gas cap to keep your gas IN. Pretty soon we'll be locking our gas caps to keep somebody OUT.... of your GAS SUPPLY!? I don't know if you understand the reason for my disbelief.
Locking gas caps? Stealing cooking oil?
It disturbs me that our luxuries aren't what the "thieves" are soon to be targeting anymore. A picture has been painting in my head, reminiscent of third-world countries and prehistoric times, with humans in a race against their own neighbors to simply survive, some resorting to or being victimized by kleptoparasitism, all in a battle over basic resources,... your energy!
So that's really bothering me. In some ways, though this thought may be completely extreme, I feel as if we've reached the brink of the end of the world. And say we haven't, well in that case I still feel as if though we've reached the brink of the brink... of the brink of the fall of this country. And according to us, Americans, whom I love, throwing that in there for the feds, that really is the brink of the brink of the brink of the end of the world. And I'm scared.
Never really thought, that I'd ever think, that I might see that day.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Lo Ling; listening to: the refrigerator hum; 11:38 AM; DB; feeling: like I want to know more
Alright.
So recently Barack Obama opted out of the federal system, turning down the $84.1 million in public financing for the last stretch of this presidential campaign. Well, with the “hundreds of millions” of dollars in private donations he is estimated to be racking up*—I guess I couldn’t blame him.
Or could I?
I guess the big deal here, besides that he is the first major-party candidate to do so in the 32-year-history of the federal system (that’s CHANGE for you), is the simple fact that he had at one time “committed to public financing” ** in a campaign questionnaire last November.
So what, right.
--So before I go any further please let me say, it is only so long before voting day, and by now most everyone I talk to (who cares) has made up their minds on who they support—but I haven’t. And as with all things, I want to know that when I finally do make that decision, it will be sound and just. So as I continue in a second to lay out my concerns and qualms and comments on this recent development, I hope that you take the time to give me your thoughts and opinions on this matter, because that is really what I am asking for with this. Like I said, I haven’t made my decision, so I can’t be writing this to persuade you in any which way. And I’m not asking to be persuaded either. I want your opinions, your information, honest and hopefully fair, so that I can make my most informed decision.
Alright. Obama switched to private funding.
So what, right.
So…
For me that’s kind of a big deal.
When it comes to me and who I am to the people around me, I like knowing that someone can trust what I say as exactly what I mean (jokes and sarcasm aside), without having to worry about whether my actions will show themselves in a completely opposite way. That’s just me. What’s making me uneasy isn’t that Barack is choosing private funds. It is that he said he would not—and now he is.
Again, I’m putting this out there because I’m asking for different perspectives. Should I really be concerned? After all, his decision to go with private funding does show that this guy is go-gettin’, willing to do what it takes to win this thing. And at this point that’s what it’s about right, winning. So I gather that I can trust that this man sees his ambitions out to the end, including all his campaign proposals. That’s promising…
Except it gets less promising for me when I’m reminded of his statements made in 2004, when he claimed that “he and Bush didn’t have "much of a difference" on Iraq,” only to later focus much of his presidential campaign on his “pre-war opposition to the conflict.”***
Is it unreasonable for me to ask for consistency in political campaigns? Is he just the better candidate because he knows what to say when? Do I place too much value on sticking to one’s commitments? Was this that big of a commitment? But should that matter? (Okay the fact that Word didn’t catch the error when I had written “too one's" instead of “to one's” is making me nervous…)
I just feel that I am being led to believe that Obama is showing himself to be of a capricious nature. Though I respect this in the antics of my friends and close compadres, whose only capricious decisions vacillate between rushing off to some kickback or showing up at my house with a variety of props for a haphazard photoshoot, —when it comes to running things of a more serious nature I’ve always looked for constancy and reliability. But again—if you realize you are being constant with a bad decision maybe there is no use for that constancy at all. I am so good at refuting myself. -_- I guess that’s what makes me fair. I’m okay with that. Okay enough tangent talk.
On the one hand I feel that sure, quick as he is to change his mind, or “go back on his word” (the more loaded, hyperbolic way to state this haha,) again, this shows his dedication to achieving that which he has set out to accomplish.
I’m still not sure how honorable this is, given the context. Like McCain said, (hahah) "He has completely reversed himself and gone back, not on his word to me, but the commitment he made to the American people."
I guess my biggest unsettlement (I just invented that word and by process of roots you still know what I mean =) ) lies in whether this is a question of honor at all. Hello, this is politics…
All in all the more I talk about it the more it seems to me that this isn’t that big of a deal. (Or is it!? AH!) Given Barack's position I’m sure many of us would do the same thing. If I did, though I’m not how sure I would, but if I did, I’d at least send out an apology. Hahah. I realize that like I stated before, this capriciousness is not on the scale of a makeshift photoshoot but rather concerns the future of a nation. My conflict is if by not seeing this as a big deal I am compromising the value I hold to the weight of one’s words. Barack had claimed a commitment, meaning that he wouldn’t go back on his word. Again. Loaded. Who’s to say McCain wouldn’t do the same given he had billions of funding. Or would he. Which brings up another point. Would I respect, or trust Obama more knowing that he had the opportunity to spend millions more changing the electoral map (most of his money will be going to campaigning in red states), fighting for a win, but instead chose to stick to his commitment to the federal system?
On a more certain note,
IN THE END I’m pretty sure that if John McCain sticks with HIS proposal to end the federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling…
That is one example of where I don’t give a rat's ass (yeah I said it!) that you’re sticking to your word. Because “end the federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling” are some damn ugly words that in my opinion deserve NO SUPPORT WHATSOEVER. But that is for another blog.
(Here’s some professional opinion on that.)
Oh.
And it is very interesting to me to see how when it comes to something this big, like presidential elections, how so many small things like how your campaign is being financed becomes such a big deal.
But I’m asking you, is it?
*http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-campaign20-2008jun20,0,7252813.story
**http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-campaign20-2008jun20,0,7252813.story
***http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-holmes21-2008jun21,0,6482475.story
Alright.
So recently Barack Obama opted out of the federal system, turning down the $84.1 million in public financing for the last stretch of this presidential campaign. Well, with the “hundreds of millions” of dollars in private donations he is estimated to be racking up*—I guess I couldn’t blame him.
Or could I?
I guess the big deal here, besides that he is the first major-party candidate to do so in the 32-year-history of the federal system (that’s CHANGE for you), is the simple fact that he had at one time “committed to public financing” ** in a campaign questionnaire last November.
So what, right.
--So before I go any further please let me say, it is only so long before voting day, and by now most everyone I talk to (who cares) has made up their minds on who they support—but I haven’t. And as with all things, I want to know that when I finally do make that decision, it will be sound and just. So as I continue in a second to lay out my concerns and qualms and comments on this recent development, I hope that you take the time to give me your thoughts and opinions on this matter, because that is really what I am asking for with this. Like I said, I haven’t made my decision, so I can’t be writing this to persuade you in any which way. And I’m not asking to be persuaded either. I want your opinions, your information, honest and hopefully fair, so that I can make my most informed decision.
Alright. Obama switched to private funding.
So what, right.
So…
For me that’s kind of a big deal.
When it comes to me and who I am to the people around me, I like knowing that someone can trust what I say as exactly what I mean (jokes and sarcasm aside), without having to worry about whether my actions will show themselves in a completely opposite way. That’s just me. What’s making me uneasy isn’t that Barack is choosing private funds. It is that he said he would not—and now he is.
Again, I’m putting this out there because I’m asking for different perspectives. Should I really be concerned? After all, his decision to go with private funding does show that this guy is go-gettin’, willing to do what it takes to win this thing. And at this point that’s what it’s about right, winning. So I gather that I can trust that this man sees his ambitions out to the end, including all his campaign proposals. That’s promising…
Except it gets less promising for me when I’m reminded of his statements made in 2004, when he claimed that “he and Bush didn’t have "much of a difference" on Iraq,” only to later focus much of his presidential campaign on his “pre-war opposition to the conflict.”***
Is it unreasonable for me to ask for consistency in political campaigns? Is he just the better candidate because he knows what to say when? Do I place too much value on sticking to one’s commitments? Was this that big of a commitment? But should that matter? (Okay the fact that Word didn’t catch the error when I had written “too one's" instead of “to one's” is making me nervous…)
I just feel that I am being led to believe that Obama is showing himself to be of a capricious nature. Though I respect this in the antics of my friends and close compadres, whose only capricious decisions vacillate between rushing off to some kickback or showing up at my house with a variety of props for a haphazard photoshoot, —when it comes to running things of a more serious nature I’ve always looked for constancy and reliability. But again—if you realize you are being constant with a bad decision maybe there is no use for that constancy at all. I am so good at refuting myself. -_- I guess that’s what makes me fair. I’m okay with that. Okay enough tangent talk.
On the one hand I feel that sure, quick as he is to change his mind, or “go back on his word” (the more loaded, hyperbolic way to state this haha,) again, this shows his dedication to achieving that which he has set out to accomplish.
I’m still not sure how honorable this is, given the context. Like McCain said, (hahah) "He has completely reversed himself and gone back, not on his word to me, but the commitment he made to the American people."
I guess my biggest unsettlement (I just invented that word and by process of roots you still know what I mean =) ) lies in whether this is a question of honor at all. Hello, this is politics…
All in all the more I talk about it the more it seems to me that this isn’t that big of a deal. (Or is it!? AH!) Given Barack's position I’m sure many of us would do the same thing. If I did, though I’m not how sure I would, but if I did, I’d at least send out an apology. Hahah. I realize that like I stated before, this capriciousness is not on the scale of a makeshift photoshoot but rather concerns the future of a nation. My conflict is if by not seeing this as a big deal I am compromising the value I hold to the weight of one’s words. Barack had claimed a commitment, meaning that he wouldn’t go back on his word. Again. Loaded. Who’s to say McCain wouldn’t do the same given he had billions of funding. Or would he. Which brings up another point. Would I respect, or trust Obama more knowing that he had the opportunity to spend millions more changing the electoral map (most of his money will be going to campaigning in red states), fighting for a win, but instead chose to stick to his commitment to the federal system?
On a more certain note,
IN THE END I’m pretty sure that if John McCain sticks with HIS proposal to end the federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling…
That is one example of where I don’t give a rat's ass (yeah I said it!) that you’re sticking to your word. Because “end the federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling” are some damn ugly words that in my opinion deserve NO SUPPORT WHATSOEVER. But that is for another blog.
(Here’s some professional opinion on that.)
Oh.
And it is very interesting to me to see how when it comes to something this big, like presidential elections, how so many small things like how your campaign is being financed becomes such a big deal.
But I’m asking you, is it?
*http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-campaign20-2008jun20,0,7252813.story
**http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-campaign20-2008jun20,0,7252813.story
***http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-holmes21-2008jun21,0,6482475.story
Saturday, June 21, 2008
"The best way to make your dreams come true-
(taken from B.M.'s blog)
props
props to the boston celtics for wanting it more than the lakers, i am a laker fan but boston's effort has actually kinda inspired me to have a different attitude to the things i do. i mean cmon, you gotta respect how much more obvious it was that the celtics wanted the title and it showed blatantly in game 6.
also props to george sampson.
this kid also inspires me to work harder and become better in everything i do. what a G. true comeback story right there.
also props to george sampson.
this kid also inspires me to work harder and become better in everything i do. what a G. true comeback story right there.
|
Friday, May 2, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
if only
the story i'm about to share would apply too to my chosen career path of medicine.
Haha ha...
I've recently experienced sheer contentment and I wanted to share this with you, since I have been sharing with you the source of this sheer contentment all along the way anyway!
I need to get back to studying for my O-chem midterm so I'm going to have to rush through this, but I might come back and pretty it up later to keep with the quality standards i set for myself here... and everywhere =p
This past Friday, after a long day of class I headed into the Bruin Store to check out if they carried any mustard colored Vans that I could splurge my Karaoke night winnings on.
They didn't.
But with what happened next I seriously did not care!
I ran into my photography teacher, which was cool because I hadn't yet apologized to him for missing class last week.
He took the apology very well. He responded by accolading my pictures and telling me that in every class he gets those people that are just in there, pointing and shooting and catching nothing. But my pictures were actually something to look at, and if I want to, I should really pursue photography.
I kept saying thank you and smiling. It felt/feels really good to know that I've created images that are worthwhile-- the validation of even a hobby skill is still really appreciated.
So yeah I was very content.
What a lame post. My apologies =)
Haha ha...
I've recently experienced sheer contentment and I wanted to share this with you, since I have been sharing with you the source of this sheer contentment all along the way anyway!
I need to get back to studying for my O-chem midterm so I'm going to have to rush through this, but I might come back and pretty it up later to keep with the quality standards i set for myself here... and everywhere =p
This past Friday, after a long day of class I headed into the Bruin Store to check out if they carried any mustard colored Vans that I could splurge my Karaoke night winnings on.
They didn't.
But with what happened next I seriously did not care!
I ran into my photography teacher, which was cool because I hadn't yet apologized to him for missing class last week.
He took the apology very well. He responded by accolading my pictures and telling me that in every class he gets those people that are just in there, pointing and shooting and catching nothing. But my pictures were actually something to look at, and if I want to, I should really pursue photography.
I kept saying thank you and smiling. It felt/feels really good to know that I've created images that are worthwhile-- the validation of even a hobby skill is still really appreciated.
So yeah I was very content.
What a lame post. My apologies =)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Hello Heart, Welcome to College! Part III --
"The Birds and the Bees"
So while I sit here enjoying myself and the air and the grass and the trees and the squirrel that came THIS close to me to find something in a hole in the hill that I was well-fated enough to be sitting by... a pair of hummingbirds enters the scene, swooping down from somewhere up above (where all birds swoop from) haha.
Well it's a pair of hummingbirds, and it's springtime, so you can probably guess what the conclusion is here.
But that's nothing I'm going to comment on.
I saw these hummingbirds, and then I noticed the couple a few meters away from me down the hill who had also noticed the hummingbirds. They had clearly taken an interest in this scene from the Discovery Channel, but from the slightly (and I wish I could describe this in other terms) immature looks on their faces, I could tell they weren't taking interest the same way say, an archaeologist takes interest in the Discovery Channel. Or the way my brother took interest in a pair of butterflies when he was a kid..
I was reminded of a time when my brother and I were playing together way back when. He must have been in elementary school and I think I had just entered Middle School. It was Spring Break, and we were running around in our back yard when a couple of butterflies flew over us, dancing around each other.
My little brother noticed them first, and he pointed out to me something he must have just learned in school, and in such a tone of wonder and amazement,
"Look! They're courtship dancing!"
...
It's funny because I remember the way I felt at that exact moment, and I feel it again and again every time I recall that memory. And usually in life the moments you most remember are the moments that evoke strong specific emotions, happy, sad, guilt, pride. But I remember this because of all of the different emotions I felt all at once. All driven by this little statement from this little guy. I was overwhelmed with respect and longing, for that sheer and untouched sense of innocence and wonder that children are really blessed with. "Look! They're courtship dancing!"He had said. --He was so amazed by this little ritual of nature, he was so purely happy to see in living color some little thing his teacher mentioned in class, to know what it was and have a chance to point out his newfound knowledge to me. I felt so good to be reminded of that in that moment, that sense of respect and awe, and so happy to see it in my brother, knowing that he was really living his childhood in that way, through wonder and admiration for the world. As good as I felt then, at the same time my knowing heart ached a little. Because nothing lasts forever and that was when I realized this. Me at that time, in middle school, I knew how kids could get. For some reason more kids laughed when we watched the "sex ed" video in 6th grade than in 5th grade. Dunno why that was and I'm not saying it's wrong to laugh, but I'm just saying that after a while that sense of wonder and innocence leaves some people. And maybe the sense of wonder does stay, and innocence stays, but the context of childhood doesn't, and again that thought just breeds a lot of mixed feelings.
But anyway, I really like that memory, and the feeling I get at the remembrance of taking so much enjoyment in learning new things and having respect for them. "Look! They're courtship dancing!" I'll never forget it.
So while I sit here enjoying myself and the air and the grass and the trees and the squirrel that came THIS close to me to find something in a hole in the hill that I was well-fated enough to be sitting by... a pair of hummingbirds enters the scene, swooping down from somewhere up above (where all birds swoop from) haha.
Well it's a pair of hummingbirds, and it's springtime, so you can probably guess what the conclusion is here.
But that's nothing I'm going to comment on.
I saw these hummingbirds, and then I noticed the couple a few meters away from me down the hill who had also noticed the hummingbirds. They had clearly taken an interest in this scene from the Discovery Channel, but from the slightly (and I wish I could describe this in other terms) immature looks on their faces, I could tell they weren't taking interest the same way say, an archaeologist takes interest in the Discovery Channel. Or the way my brother took interest in a pair of butterflies when he was a kid..
I was reminded of a time when my brother and I were playing together way back when. He must have been in elementary school and I think I had just entered Middle School. It was Spring Break, and we were running around in our back yard when a couple of butterflies flew over us, dancing around each other.
My little brother noticed them first, and he pointed out to me something he must have just learned in school, and in such a tone of wonder and amazement,
"Look! They're courtship dancing!"
...
It's funny because I remember the way I felt at that exact moment, and I feel it again and again every time I recall that memory. And usually in life the moments you most remember are the moments that evoke strong specific emotions, happy, sad, guilt, pride. But I remember this because of all of the different emotions I felt all at once. All driven by this little statement from this little guy. I was overwhelmed with respect and longing, for that sheer and untouched sense of innocence and wonder that children are really blessed with. "Look! They're courtship dancing!"He had said. --He was so amazed by this little ritual of nature, he was so purely happy to see in living color some little thing his teacher mentioned in class, to know what it was and have a chance to point out his newfound knowledge to me. I felt so good to be reminded of that in that moment, that sense of respect and awe, and so happy to see it in my brother, knowing that he was really living his childhood in that way, through wonder and admiration for the world. As good as I felt then, at the same time my knowing heart ached a little. Because nothing lasts forever and that was when I realized this. Me at that time, in middle school, I knew how kids could get. For some reason more kids laughed when we watched the "sex ed" video in 6th grade than in 5th grade. Dunno why that was and I'm not saying it's wrong to laugh, but I'm just saying that after a while that sense of wonder and innocence leaves some people. And maybe the sense of wonder does stay, and innocence stays, but the context of childhood doesn't, and again that thought just breeds a lot of mixed feelings.
But anyway, I really like that memory, and the feeling I get at the remembrance of taking so much enjoyment in learning new things and having respect for them. "Look! They're courtship dancing!" I'll never forget it.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Hello Heart, Welcome to College! Part II --
"The Grass is Greener on This Side"
Lo Ling; April 4th; 3:45PM; the grassy hill to the right of Janss Steps (going up); feeling: content
(So I'm typing up a post that I wrote out during the day on the back of my EEB 100 lecture notes that I was attempting to study while experiencing "the grassy hill" for the first time)
(Part I is coming soon) (Yes I know... I'm pulling a "Star Wars"... releasing episodes 5 6 and 7 before 1 haha-- but it works out!)
So it's Spring 2008, my 6th quarter at UCLA--
and I'm finally REALLY enjoying this place. Maybe it's the weather.
I got out of class today at 2, and making my way back to my room I realized,
there is no way I'm going back to my room when outside it looks like THIS.
As I slowed my pace to bide myself time to figure out exactly just where then I would be spending my time, I noticed... the hill. The grassy hill that slopes gently down between Janss steps and the walk extending from Bruin Walk.
I step over the curb and wa-la, here I am. That was easy. I pick a spot-- which is easy given the vast expanse of green hill around me, and set myself down along with my stuff. It's definitely getting a little chilly and I'm sitting in the shade, but once I'm here, I realize that sacrifice is worth it just to be in this place where everything finally does seem to be a little slower, brighter, better. Greener.
I've been "studying" ahem... pleasantly enjoying myself and the grass beneath me for a while when I get a phone call from Rachel, and I mention where I am. Immediately she expresses how she's always wanted to do that, and be "one of those people" just laying out on the grassy green hill right next to Janss Steps. She just can't muster up the courage though, she admits.
Wait... Courage? To take a step over a 5-inch curb?
For a while I don't understand what she means by turning what I am doing, along with my hill-hugging peers, into a test of courage. But as the bells in Powell ring a signal of the hour, a rush of students finally free from class enters the scene, and what she's saying makes total sense.
I see it now as they come down the walkway, looking ahead, me looking over at them. Here's me and there's them, just a few meters away. We're in the same place, ... but we're really not. It's true, all that separates the grassy hill from the walkway up to class is your basic, everyday, completely nonthreatening curb, around five inches wide, low to the ground, barely there. But the crazy thing is, no matter which side of it you are on, in your mind there is much more to that curb. You know what it's really separating. On one side, it's the rigidity and structure of the stairs and the neatly paved walkway with a straight path leading to class... versus, the grass that grows freely in every which direction under the sanctuary of the trees, and while everyone on the other side is rushing to and from somewhere important to go with focused and somewhat sterile looks on their faces, on this side here you sit, in an island of vibrant green in the midst of ever-so-appealing relaxed looks and comfortable, eased body positions of the ones here finally able to feel the breeze of the air they breathe. That curb sure isn't just a curb anymore, its the border into another world. And just like the courage it takes to step into any unknown territory, yeah! I can see how taking that small step takes courage. Lucky lucky for us, the challenge in this lasts only a second or two as you lift one one foot over the curb and then the other, and then... now you are on the inside, looking out. And that is really how it feels. And that's really how long it takes.
Just a breath and a step and then you're there and it wasn't that bad at all. And now you're here in a place where you get to be the one happy, fresh, vibrant yet relaxed, looking out at the line of student bruins marching to Bruinwalk, while the squirrels frolic around you... haha. Actually I'm serious about the squirrels.
Lo Ling; April 4th; 3:45PM; the grassy hill to the right of Janss Steps (going up); feeling: content
(So I'm typing up a post that I wrote out during the day on the back of my EEB 100 lecture notes that I was attempting to study while experiencing "the grassy hill" for the first time)
(Part I is coming soon) (Yes I know... I'm pulling a "Star Wars"... releasing episodes 5 6 and 7 before 1 haha-- but it works out!)
So it's Spring 2008, my 6th quarter at UCLA--
and I'm finally REALLY enjoying this place. Maybe it's the weather.
I got out of class today at 2, and making my way back to my room I realized,
there is no way I'm going back to my room when outside it looks like THIS.
As I slowed my pace to bide myself time to figure out exactly just where then I would be spending my time, I noticed... the hill. The grassy hill that slopes gently down between Janss steps and the walk extending from Bruin Walk.
I step over the curb and wa-la, here I am. That was easy. I pick a spot-- which is easy given the vast expanse of green hill around me, and set myself down along with my stuff. It's definitely getting a little chilly and I'm sitting in the shade, but once I'm here, I realize that sacrifice is worth it just to be in this place where everything finally does seem to be a little slower, brighter, better. Greener.
I've been "studying" ahem... pleasantly enjoying myself and the grass beneath me for a while when I get a phone call from Rachel, and I mention where I am. Immediately she expresses how she's always wanted to do that, and be "one of those people" just laying out on the grassy green hill right next to Janss Steps. She just can't muster up the courage though, she admits.
Wait... Courage? To take a step over a 5-inch curb?
For a while I don't understand what she means by turning what I am doing, along with my hill-hugging peers, into a test of courage. But as the bells in Powell ring a signal of the hour, a rush of students finally free from class enters the scene, and what she's saying makes total sense.
I see it now as they come down the walkway, looking ahead, me looking over at them. Here's me and there's them, just a few meters away. We're in the same place, ... but we're really not. It's true, all that separates the grassy hill from the walkway up to class is your basic, everyday, completely nonthreatening curb, around five inches wide, low to the ground, barely there. But the crazy thing is, no matter which side of it you are on, in your mind there is much more to that curb. You know what it's really separating. On one side, it's the rigidity and structure of the stairs and the neatly paved walkway with a straight path leading to class... versus, the grass that grows freely in every which direction under the sanctuary of the trees, and while everyone on the other side is rushing to and from somewhere important to go with focused and somewhat sterile looks on their faces, on this side here you sit, in an island of vibrant green in the midst of ever-so-appealing relaxed looks and comfortable, eased body positions of the ones here finally able to feel the breeze of the air they breathe. That curb sure isn't just a curb anymore, its the border into another world. And just like the courage it takes to step into any unknown territory, yeah! I can see how taking that small step takes courage. Lucky lucky for us, the challenge in this lasts only a second or two as you lift one one foot over the curb and then the other, and then... now you are on the inside, looking out. And that is really how it feels. And that's really how long it takes.
Just a breath and a step and then you're there and it wasn't that bad at all. And now you're here in a place where you get to be the one happy, fresh, vibrant yet relaxed, looking out at the line of student bruins marching to Bruinwalk, while the squirrels frolic around you... haha. Actually I'm serious about the squirrels.
weekly image
i really like this picture and it kind of looks pixel-ly in the sidebar so I'm reposting it
my friend rachel grabbing a water somewhere way up north campus
Monday, March 31, 2008
using only one sheet of paper
was the only rule
for the entries for this art contest at the Hirshorn Modern Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.
(reload if the pictures don't show up at first)
for the entries for this art contest at the Hirshorn Modern Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.
(reload if the pictures don't show up at first)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
I don't believe in bad weather
I believe in grabbing a jacket, in getting over yourself, and going to Venice Beach.
That is all.
That is all.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
gifts!
i almost forgot!
*brainmelt heaven
(that's where i'm watching The OC!)
and
so on one of my last posts a few of you expressed that i was basically going against everything i stand for by posting pictures of cigarettes on my side panel.
after being in denial about the whole thing,
i can't anymore.
so now "the ashtray" is not named so for a collection of cigarette portraiture but rather for the gray pigmenture of the collection of black and whites that i have collected over the years. i'm kind of excited about this because now i can share a lot of other good stuff i have with you that DOESN'T involve cigarettes, and that's always nice.
=)
Love,
Lo Ling
*a few things I should clarify:
-yes, all those asian language character are supposed to be there, this isn't an american website
-just type into the top search bar and search away
-enjoy!
*brainmelt heaven
(that's where i'm watching The OC!)
and
so on one of my last posts a few of you expressed that i was basically going against everything i stand for by posting pictures of cigarettes on my side panel.
after being in denial about the whole thing,
i can't anymore.
so now "the ashtray" is not named so for a collection of cigarette portraiture but rather for the gray pigmenture of the collection of black and whites that i have collected over the years. i'm kind of excited about this because now i can share a lot of other good stuff i have with you that DOESN'T involve cigarettes, and that's always nice.
=)
Love,
Lo Ling
*a few things I should clarify:
-yes, all those asian language character are supposed to be there, this isn't an american website
-just type into the top search bar and search away
-enjoy!
"Welcome to the OC, b**ch"
in other words
(i had actually accidentally typed out "in order worths"... lol)
I need to stop being so judgmental towards shows encapsulating sex drugs and beautiful rich people.
This is coming from the girl who loves to watch The Hills and Gossip Girl.
Who am I. What am I doing. What am I saying. What the heck.
Well let me start here. Or there. Okay I need to stop... and go (SORRY!) OK here i go!
I don't like
HYPE.
And I think that may have been the reason I never got in to the hit tv show, "The OC". This post really is going to be about my first encounter ever with The OC (the tv show), which was only as of last night, which I know I know... is probably years after the OC time already. I'm so behind. But I'm not. I just take my OWN time. I really believe there is a difference.
But let me get back to what I was saying (I'm sorry that this post is so windy and maze-like, I'm sure this is reflective of the internal state that I am in. And we will never go there here because that only goes in my personal diary. The depths of me to which no one will ever know. Why am I still talking like this?)
What I was saying was that yes, this post will be about The OC, but let me just say a few words about hype.
I've noticed a pattern in my life. It goes like this: something arrives, something is hyped, i dont understand the hype and i dont get into it, then the hype goes, the thing goes, and then i "discover" it (for myself) (on my own time) (with no outer influences such as... hype) and then i either really love it (sadly after the "trend" has passed, but not so sad to me because i like it without the trend or the hype anyway) or leave it. This was how it was with those "power bead" bracelets, and even with ... yeah! My signature CHUCK TAYLOR's CONVERSE ALL STARS. Maybe I'm just slow but the thing is, I like the "!" moment of discovering something on my own time and realizing that I really like it (or don't) for what it is. and not because it's being sold to me by billboards and magazines and your word of mouth. So anyway, back to The OC...
I'm not sure what it was that so randomly led me to search up online episodes of The O.C.
Whatever it was-- I'm so glad
ha ha ha
So I don't have too many things to say as of yet, except that after watching Gossip Girl Season 1, I see a strange parallel between these two shows. There's always an "upper class" girl in love with a boy from "another world". Does that sell more than the upper class boy in love with a girl from the barrio? I don't get it. But whatever.
So now I will summer-ize (hahaha "lame joke" ...ooh did you catch that? "lame joke" was at the end of the first episode), some before-and-afterthoughts after watching the first couple episodes of... The O.C. ...
before:
mischa barton is pretty
after:
DAMN MISCHA BARTON IS REALLY PRETTY!
before:
rachel bilson is cool whatevs
after:
okay summer roberts is really annoying.
will she start doing anything but drinking and making the girl-gasp noise?
before:
i remember all the girls loved "seth" i wonder who seth is
after:
ew that's seth?
i dont see why he was in everyone's binder sleeve thingamabob in high school. but his lines are humorous.
before:
this ryan character (no opinion could be formed "before" because there wasn't enough... haha.. "hype" around him-- i'd barely even hear about him from my "omg did you watch the oc last night!???" friends)
after:
wow. ryan. must be THE coolest character ever. i definitely do NOT understand why there was little to no hype around RYAN. SETH??? what! whatever
and i really like sandy cohen's character he's cool
ok i need to finish episode three
and here's a limited time only present from me to you. me making a fool of myself muaha
Love Song
(i had actually accidentally typed out "in order worths"... lol)
I need to stop being so judgmental towards shows encapsulating sex drugs and beautiful rich people.
This is coming from the girl who loves to watch The Hills and Gossip Girl.
Who am I. What am I doing. What am I saying. What the heck.
Well let me start here. Or there. Okay I need to stop... and go (SORRY!) OK here i go!
I don't like
HYPE.
And I think that may have been the reason I never got in to the hit tv show, "The OC". This post really is going to be about my first encounter ever with The OC (the tv show), which was only as of last night, which I know I know... is probably years after the OC time already. I'm so behind. But I'm not. I just take my OWN time. I really believe there is a difference.
But let me get back to what I was saying (I'm sorry that this post is so windy and maze-like, I'm sure this is reflective of the internal state that I am in. And we will never go there here because that only goes in my personal diary. The depths of me to which no one will ever know. Why am I still talking like this?)
What I was saying was that yes, this post will be about The OC, but let me just say a few words about hype.
I've noticed a pattern in my life. It goes like this: something arrives, something is hyped, i dont understand the hype and i dont get into it, then the hype goes, the thing goes, and then i "discover" it (for myself) (on my own time) (with no outer influences such as... hype) and then i either really love it (sadly after the "trend" has passed, but not so sad to me because i like it without the trend or the hype anyway) or leave it. This was how it was with those "power bead" bracelets, and even with ... yeah! My signature CHUCK TAYLOR's CONVERSE ALL STARS. Maybe I'm just slow but the thing is, I like the "!" moment of discovering something on my own time and realizing that I really like it (or don't) for what it is. and not because it's being sold to me by billboards and magazines and your word of mouth. So anyway, back to The OC...
I'm not sure what it was that so randomly led me to search up online episodes of The O.C.
Whatever it was-- I'm so glad
ha ha ha
So I don't have too many things to say as of yet, except that after watching Gossip Girl Season 1, I see a strange parallel between these two shows. There's always an "upper class" girl in love with a boy from "another world". Does that sell more than the upper class boy in love with a girl from the barrio? I don't get it. But whatever.
So now I will summer-ize (hahaha "lame joke" ...ooh did you catch that? "lame joke" was at the end of the first episode), some before-and-afterthoughts after watching the first couple episodes of... The O.C. ...
before:
mischa barton is pretty
after:
DAMN MISCHA BARTON IS REALLY PRETTY!
before:
rachel bilson is cool whatevs
after:
okay summer roberts is really annoying.
will she start doing anything but drinking and making the girl-gasp noise?
before:
i remember all the girls loved "seth" i wonder who seth is
after:
ew that's seth?
i dont see why he was in everyone's binder sleeve thingamabob in high school. but his lines are humorous.
before:
this ryan character (no opinion could be formed "before" because there wasn't enough... haha.. "hype" around him-- i'd barely even hear about him from my "omg did you watch the oc last night!???" friends)
after:
wow. ryan. must be THE coolest character ever. i definitely do NOT understand why there was little to no hype around RYAN. SETH??? what! whatever
and i really like sandy cohen's character he's cool
ok i need to finish episode three
and here's a limited time only present from me to you. me making a fool of myself muaha
Love Song
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
i love reading the newspaper
world news must be one of my biggest interests of all time. some things in some places are some of the most interesting i've ever heard of. today i've posted an article that was in today's issue of the L.A. Times. I found it all really interesting, and I might share more of my personal thoughts later-- as of now I've bolded all the lines/statements that really struck a chord with me. As always, feel free to share your opinions please!
COLUMN ONE
COLUMN ONE
Democracy by royal decree in Bhutan
The tiny Himalayan kingdom moves, albeit reluctantly, toward people power under monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who prefers evolution rather than revolution.
THIMPHU, BHUTAN -- In this idyllic Himalayan country that measures progress by its "gross national happiness" index, the stoplight just didn't cut it.
Residents here in the capital complained that Bhutan's one and only automated traffic signal was too impersonal. It got taken down. Now, a white-gloved police officer gracefully directs motorists.
A lone man in charge: That's what most Bhutanese want when it comes to how their entire country is run, not merely a single intersection. But their beloved king, the man in question, has other ideas.
On Monday, Bhutan is set to become the world's newest democracy, with the first general elections in the history of this isolated Buddhist kingdom. At the heart of this brave new world lies a paradox: It is people power by royal decree. The Bhutanese are choosing their leaders because, essentially, they were told to by their king.
He intends to bow out as an absolute ruler and turn Bhutan into a modern constitutional monarchy. But the changes afoot have produced deep ambivalence in a traditional, largely rural populace more inclined to see democracy as a Pandora's box apt to bring dissension and other nasty influences to their placid, cohesive society.
"I feel maybe we're too early for democracy," said Wangchuk Wangdi, 47, a tour operator who was dressed for work one morning in a colorful striped gho, the traditional knee-length robe worn by Bhutanese men. "Till now, we've been under five kings. All have been good."
Few people here seem particularly thrilled about the prospect of governing themselves, preferring to remain subjects under direct rule by the Golden Throne, which has guided the Land of the Thunder Dragon for the last 101 years. But spurred by devotion and duty to the king, they say they will do their best to fulfill his vision of a shiny new Bhutan.
"We are reluctant democrats," said Sonam Tobgay Dorji, a candidate for parliament. "It's been forced on us, and we have to embrace it."
In many ways, the carefully planned transition to democracy is the most daring leap into modernity for a country whose diplomatic and physical isolation had, in the eyes of most residents, been pretty splendid for much of its history.
Sandwiched between Asia's two giants, India and China, Bhutan has fiercely guarded its independence and held itself aloof from the rest of the world, establishing ties with only a handful of nations, which do not include the United States. Its population of fewer than 700,000 citizens lives in an area barely twice the size of Vermont. Most are devout practitioners of a form of Buddhism believed to have been introduced to Bhutan in the 8th century by a guru who arrived on the back of a flying tiger.
Television, including satellite channels, and the Internet were gingerly allowed in only in the last decade, and only after great debate. Even then, authorities banned MTV and a sports channel that broadcast professional wrestling because of their potentially deleterious effect on youth.
Protecting Bhutan's spectacular natural environment -- glacial lakes, fertile valleys and towering forests of blue pine, oak and cypress -- is one of the pillars of public policy here. So is preservation of its cultural heritage, which includes the elegant native dress, the Dzongkha language and, many say, the Buddhism-inspired social harmony that is now under threat from the evils of Western-style party politics.
"It frightens me," said Dorji Yangki, 18, as she hung out with friends in the main square in Thimphu. Like many youths here, she likes her fashions new and hip, such as bluejeans and sneakers -- but not her politics.
"Democracy is just starting right now," Yangki said. "We can see the candidates fighting, and it's just the beginning."
Newspapers have shuddered at the negative campaigning between the two new parties: the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, or DPT, and the People's Democratic Party, or PDP.
But even Bhutan's gloves-off politicking seems more akin to a sandbox squabble than the vicious mudslinging common in the West: A typical dispute centers on one party's use of yellow in its logo, which the other side indignantly points out is the king's color.
In reality, very little separates the two parties. Neither dares deviate from the blueprint for increasing "GNH" -- gross national happiness -- laid out by the king, based on sustainable development.
"Bhutanese politics is still without ideology," said the Harvard-educated Sonam Tobgay Dorji, a candidate for the People's Democratic Party. "So basically, what people are looking at is what candidates can deliver."
The politicians' promises are of the usual kind in the developing world: more roads, reliable electricity, better sanitation, safe drinking water.
But to an electorate afraid of change, both parties also preach stability. The DPT, whose slate of nominees boasts five former ministers in the royal government, promotes itself as the safest hands for an uncertain time, while the PDP projects a younger, more dynamic image, a party able to "walk the talk," as its slogan goes. The leader of the party that wins a majority of the 47 parliamentary seats will be Bhutan's first elected prime minister.
This may well be one of the most micro-managed elections on Earth, with officials eager to regulate almost every aspect of the process to ensure the smoothest, most harmonious outcome possible. They even held a mock election last year to prepare voters.
There are rules on fund-raising limits, the size of posters, where they can be displayed, what goodies can be handed out to voters, how the parties ought to treat each other (only "constructive criticism," please). Candidates must have a college degree, which drastically shrinks the available pool. Monks are ineligible to vote, in order to keep religious institutions and figures remain above politics.
The parties are also barred from campaigning on matters of "security" or "citizenship" -- code words for Bhutan's most intractable issue, its population of ethnic Nepalese. A crackdown on "illegal immigrants" by the king more than a decade ago resulted in tens of thousands of Nepali speakers fleeing the country.
Independent observers are monitoring participation in the election process by ethnic Nepalese who stayed behind.
No one knows with certainty why Bhutan's fourth "Dragon King," Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decided a few years ago that the time had come to limit the monarchy and impose democracy. (The monarchy was established in 1907 after centuries of feuding between chieftains and religious leaders.) Turbulent experiments in democracy -- and dismal results -- in some other South Asian countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh were less than encouraging.
On his nationwide tour to explain his decision, some of his subjects wept and begged him to reconsider. Almost to a person, the Bhutanese credit the king's wisdom and ability for the impressive strides in literacy rates, life expectancy and other social indicators the nation has made since he inherited the "Raven Crown" as a teenager in 1972.
New hydroelectric projects, partly funded by energy-hungry India, which buys up all the power, are bringing in much-needed revenue to what remains a fairly poor country of mostly small farmers who plant rice, wheat and other crops. Annual per capita income is more than $1,400 -- high for the region but low by international standards.
Some speculate that the example of another Himalayan kingdom may have triggered the push for democratic reform. In April 2006, a violent popular revolt forced the king of Nepal to end absolute rule; that country now stands on the verge of abolishing the monarchy altogether.
In Bhutan, the royal palace has, in effect, opted for peaceful evolution now rather than possible revolution later. After setting the democratic process in motion, the fourth king abdicated in December 2006, handing the throne to his Oxford-educated son, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, then 26.
"We are blessed to do this peacefully, literally as a gift from the king. Everywhere else it's at the point of a gun," said Ugyen Tshering, a candidate for the DPT in north Thimphu.
For 10 days, Tshering hiked and rode horseback to visit the more remote parts of his constituency, pressing the flesh in three far-flung villages with about 300 voters, out of an overall roll of 4,888.
"Every ballot is going to count," he said one afternoon while out canvassing a hillside of whitewashed mud-and-wood homes just a few miles, as the tiger flies, from central Thimphu. Campaigning "wasn't something we were used to. It took a little time to get into the rhythm of it."
Now, putting aside the characteristic Bhutanese modesty that frowns on self-promotion, he waves down passing cars and motorcycles to introduce himself. He shakes hands. He sips tea in living rooms. At a silversmith's house, he gamely climbs a narrow staircase that is little more than a hollowed-out tree trunk.
Everyone who receives him is unfailingly polite. Some are bewildered. Few give any inkling as to what they think. There are no opinion polls.
"The Bhutanese people are consummate diplomats," said candidate Dorji, who is running in south Thimphu. "They listen to both sides, but none of us can get inside their minds."
Wangdi, the tour operator, has not been impressed with any of those who would be his new leaders. "People can yap and convince and talk," he said, "but when it comes to the realities, we don't know if they can handle it."
He hasn't made up his mind which party to support, but he plans to cast a vote Monday anyway.
It's what the king would want.
henry.chu@latimes.com
Residents here in the capital complained that Bhutan's one and only automated traffic signal was too impersonal. It got taken down. Now, a white-gloved police officer gracefully directs motorists.
On Monday, Bhutan is set to become the world's newest democracy, with the first general elections in the history of this isolated Buddhist kingdom. At the heart of this brave new world lies a paradox: It is people power by royal decree. The Bhutanese are choosing their leaders because, essentially, they were told to by their king.
He intends to bow out as an absolute ruler and turn Bhutan into a modern constitutional monarchy. But the changes afoot have produced deep ambivalence in a traditional, largely rural populace more inclined to see democracy as a Pandora's box apt to bring dissension and other nasty influences to their placid, cohesive society.
"I feel maybe we're too early for democracy," said Wangchuk Wangdi, 47, a tour operator who was dressed for work one morning in a colorful striped gho, the traditional knee-length robe worn by Bhutanese men. "Till now, we've been under five kings. All have been good."
Few people here seem particularly thrilled about the prospect of governing themselves, preferring to remain subjects under direct rule by the Golden Throne, which has guided the Land of the Thunder Dragon for the last 101 years. But spurred by devotion and duty to the king, they say they will do their best to fulfill his vision of a shiny new Bhutan.
"We are reluctant democrats," said Sonam Tobgay Dorji, a candidate for parliament. "It's been forced on us, and we have to embrace it."
In many ways, the carefully planned transition to democracy is the most daring leap into modernity for a country whose diplomatic and physical isolation had, in the eyes of most residents, been pretty splendid for much of its history.
Sandwiched between Asia's two giants, India and China, Bhutan has fiercely guarded its independence and held itself aloof from the rest of the world, establishing ties with only a handful of nations, which do not include the United States. Its population of fewer than 700,000 citizens lives in an area barely twice the size of Vermont. Most are devout practitioners of a form of Buddhism believed to have been introduced to Bhutan in the 8th century by a guru who arrived on the back of a flying tiger.
Television, including satellite channels, and the Internet were gingerly allowed in only in the last decade, and only after great debate. Even then, authorities banned MTV and a sports channel that broadcast professional wrestling because of their potentially deleterious effect on youth.
Protecting Bhutan's spectacular natural environment -- glacial lakes, fertile valleys and towering forests of blue pine, oak and cypress -- is one of the pillars of public policy here. So is preservation of its cultural heritage, which includes the elegant native dress, the Dzongkha language and, many say, the Buddhism-inspired social harmony that is now under threat from the evils of Western-style party politics.
"It frightens me," said Dorji Yangki, 18, as she hung out with friends in the main square in Thimphu. Like many youths here, she likes her fashions new and hip, such as bluejeans and sneakers -- but not her politics.
"Democracy is just starting right now," Yangki said. "We can see the candidates fighting, and it's just the beginning."
Newspapers have shuddered at the negative campaigning between the two new parties: the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, or DPT, and the People's Democratic Party, or PDP.
But even Bhutan's gloves-off politicking seems more akin to a sandbox squabble than the vicious mudslinging common in the West: A typical dispute centers on one party's use of yellow in its logo, which the other side indignantly points out is the king's color.
In reality, very little separates the two parties. Neither dares deviate from the blueprint for increasing "GNH" -- gross national happiness -- laid out by the king, based on sustainable development.
"Bhutanese politics is still without ideology," said the Harvard-educated Sonam Tobgay Dorji, a candidate for the People's Democratic Party. "So basically, what people are looking at is what candidates can deliver."
The politicians' promises are of the usual kind in the developing world: more roads, reliable electricity, better sanitation, safe drinking water.
But to an electorate afraid of change, both parties also preach stability. The DPT, whose slate of nominees boasts five former ministers in the royal government, promotes itself as the safest hands for an uncertain time, while the PDP projects a younger, more dynamic image, a party able to "walk the talk," as its slogan goes. The leader of the party that wins a majority of the 47 parliamentary seats will be Bhutan's first elected prime minister.
This may well be one of the most micro-managed elections on Earth, with officials eager to regulate almost every aspect of the process to ensure the smoothest, most harmonious outcome possible. They even held a mock election last year to prepare voters.
There are rules on fund-raising limits, the size of posters, where they can be displayed, what goodies can be handed out to voters, how the parties ought to treat each other (only "constructive criticism," please). Candidates must have a college degree, which drastically shrinks the available pool. Monks are ineligible to vote, in order to keep religious institutions and figures remain above politics.
The parties are also barred from campaigning on matters of "security" or "citizenship" -- code words for Bhutan's most intractable issue, its population of ethnic Nepalese. A crackdown on "illegal immigrants" by the king more than a decade ago resulted in tens of thousands of Nepali speakers fleeing the country.
Independent observers are monitoring participation in the election process by ethnic Nepalese who stayed behind.
No one knows with certainty why Bhutan's fourth "Dragon King," Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decided a few years ago that the time had come to limit the monarchy and impose democracy. (The monarchy was established in 1907 after centuries of feuding between chieftains and religious leaders.) Turbulent experiments in democracy -- and dismal results -- in some other South Asian countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh were less than encouraging.
On his nationwide tour to explain his decision, some of his subjects wept and begged him to reconsider. Almost to a person, the Bhutanese credit the king's wisdom and ability for the impressive strides in literacy rates, life expectancy and other social indicators the nation has made since he inherited the "Raven Crown" as a teenager in 1972.
New hydroelectric projects, partly funded by energy-hungry India, which buys up all the power, are bringing in much-needed revenue to what remains a fairly poor country of mostly small farmers who plant rice, wheat and other crops. Annual per capita income is more than $1,400 -- high for the region but low by international standards.
Some speculate that the example of another Himalayan kingdom may have triggered the push for democratic reform. In April 2006, a violent popular revolt forced the king of Nepal to end absolute rule; that country now stands on the verge of abolishing the monarchy altogether.
In Bhutan, the royal palace has, in effect, opted for peaceful evolution now rather than possible revolution later. After setting the democratic process in motion, the fourth king abdicated in December 2006, handing the throne to his Oxford-educated son, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, then 26.
"We are blessed to do this peacefully, literally as a gift from the king. Everywhere else it's at the point of a gun," said Ugyen Tshering, a candidate for the DPT in north Thimphu.
For 10 days, Tshering hiked and rode horseback to visit the more remote parts of his constituency, pressing the flesh in three far-flung villages with about 300 voters, out of an overall roll of 4,888.
"Every ballot is going to count," he said one afternoon while out canvassing a hillside of whitewashed mud-and-wood homes just a few miles, as the tiger flies, from central Thimphu. Campaigning "wasn't something we were used to. It took a little time to get into the rhythm of it."
Now, putting aside the characteristic Bhutanese modesty that frowns on self-promotion, he waves down passing cars and motorcycles to introduce himself. He shakes hands. He sips tea in living rooms. At a silversmith's house, he gamely climbs a narrow staircase that is little more than a hollowed-out tree trunk.
Everyone who receives him is unfailingly polite. Some are bewildered. Few give any inkling as to what they think. There are no opinion polls.
"The Bhutanese people are consummate diplomats," said candidate Dorji, who is running in south Thimphu. "They listen to both sides, but none of us can get inside their minds."
Wangdi, the tour operator, has not been impressed with any of those who would be his new leaders. "People can yap and convince and talk," he said, "but when it comes to the realities, we don't know if they can handle it."
He hasn't made up his mind which party to support, but he plans to cast a vote Monday anyway.
It's what the king would want.
henry.chu@latimes.com
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
"Stam"
is the pseudonym i have likened to my good friend who i shall now owe the rest of my happy days to. thank you for telling me about this.
i have been known on more than one occasion to exclaim my great desire to be in a movie. i have these images in my head of old friends coming of age losing their grip on life only to realize through a panoramic moment the love and the simplicity that IS life. i see them climbing over to the better side of the hill and laughing, pushing, falling, smiling, jumping and then standing together to watch the sun go down.
i think i'm starting to realize that this isn't just the kind of scene in a movie that i would like to take a hand in creating, but rather, these are the moments in life that i would like to be living. i dont think i would need a story to my movie. i think i'd just want many clips of us sewn together in a gray tinted movie grain accented with nostalgia, a package of our moments of truth and youth for an eternity. i think i'd just want a music video.
that being said
the link, if you have not discovered by now, is the link to Jason Mraz's newest video, to his not so newest song, "I'm Yours."
I don't remember ever being more content with anything I have ever seen. I really don't. Not even "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". And you know how much I love "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". And as much as I wanted to watch this video a second time, I didn't, because-- well, I knew that I'd probably start crying at how much I liked it.
You know all those images that float around in my head of all the happy scenes in my "movie"... it was like I had seen them all come to life in this video. or at least the very precise idea behind them all. it really was just everything that i've ever wanted to see, and experience, and be, presented to me in this beautiful form for this beautiful song-- which already means a lot to me. (as i'm sure the song does to so many other people i mean c'mon who am i kidding LoL.)
Anyways. Goodbye, YouTube favorite-ed "Garden State" movie clips. I've found the real deal. And I have an idea. I hope that I'll be able to share it with you all very soon.
i have been known on more than one occasion to exclaim my great desire to be in a movie. i have these images in my head of old friends coming of age losing their grip on life only to realize through a panoramic moment the love and the simplicity that IS life. i see them climbing over to the better side of the hill and laughing, pushing, falling, smiling, jumping and then standing together to watch the sun go down.
i think i'm starting to realize that this isn't just the kind of scene in a movie that i would like to take a hand in creating, but rather, these are the moments in life that i would like to be living. i dont think i would need a story to my movie. i think i'd just want many clips of us sewn together in a gray tinted movie grain accented with nostalgia, a package of our moments of truth and youth for an eternity. i think i'd just want a music video.
that being said
the link, if you have not discovered by now, is the link to Jason Mraz's newest video, to his not so newest song, "I'm Yours."
I don't remember ever being more content with anything I have ever seen. I really don't. Not even "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". And you know how much I love "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". And as much as I wanted to watch this video a second time, I didn't, because-- well, I knew that I'd probably start crying at how much I liked it.
You know all those images that float around in my head of all the happy scenes in my "movie"... it was like I had seen them all come to life in this video. or at least the very precise idea behind them all. it really was just everything that i've ever wanted to see, and experience, and be, presented to me in this beautiful form for this beautiful song-- which already means a lot to me. (as i'm sure the song does to so many other people i mean c'mon who am i kidding LoL.)
Anyways. Goodbye, YouTube favorite-ed "Garden State" movie clips. I've found the real deal. And I have an idea. I hope that I'll be able to share it with you all very soon.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
it is a good time
when the sun hangs neither high or low, but rather suspended--a little bit under that marginal area we like to call "the middle", straight ahead, warm like the yolk of an egg, soft and even, like it spilled over the peel of an orange-- and harmless, sublime like a slice of mango as it radiates in one hue, the shielded flame only glowing in orange not burning to blue, remaining tasteful, safe and warm like the yolk of an egg. the blue is bright around the sun in a light cerulean dream and this is the sky, streaked with clouds that run pink, creating stripes that hug each other like the stripes that hug a zebra's skin, fading in and out from pink to carnation, melon to mauve - clouds, pink, streaks, bright like a neon sign against this clear cerulean sky even in the light that is the sun. this is a good time. and i am awake in the orange incandescence that marks this moment in the afternoon-to-night, from the sun suspended in that middle, straight ahead, i know she's in your eyes as you drive. but she's not in mine. and in twists and turns and patterns of pillars and highways and byways and straight ahead the pink is there, the blue is there, the glow is there, my sphere held in an orange embrace like the peel that holds the slices, the slices of that orange globe fully encompassed. i like to see it, in and out, under the bridge, greeting us all again as it returns from its 2 second trip from behind the widest pillars that all hold up the other cars that too have somewhere to go, this sight to see. this time to feel. and then i am again straight ahead, i hope she isn't in your eyes anymore. and the trees and trees rise up in jet black silhouettes and i can see the pink of a cloud and the clear of the blue sky through every tiny space outlined in the black of a thousand branches creating the pattern of laced lines in a design known only to God, in a state of art and beauty known to me, and to those around me, looking out their window as they go, go, and go. a graphic artist's dream i think. an urban modernity i never knew to be drawn in this parallel and inspired by that which is holding me now. i know now and am glad. the slides of silhouettes continue to move with me as i move with the car, black trees like paper cutouts turning into black buildings all shapes and sizes, like a bouquet against the sky. buildings really are beautiful, the way they look right now. decorated by dots of light from within them, an electric lime, a laser lemon, an unmellow yellow. it is a good time and buildings are beautiful. which men designed this scene who placed that building there. who added the tall one by the short one, like a florist that put the daisy by the daffodil. it is so beautiful. i never knew but those buildings sure are beautiful tonight. i know now and am glad. i move forward, the black silhouette, the bouquet of buildings behind me, another bridge another pillar. cars pass beside this one. all orange in the glow. pink are the clouds that still run in streaks, and the sky is now a deeper blue. and it is a good time tonight.
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