What's in a name?

チュース！

I don't know what it is. I get inspired to blog about something, then get distracted completely and then forget what I wanted to post about. Then I come up with another idea and soon forget, because I remember what I wanted to blog about but get distracted again...It's a vicious cycle...

Having recently being lured into another internet-based-meet-your-friends-give-out-info-create-your-own-stalker-site known as Facebook, I'm yet to be convinced that it's as addictive as people claim it to be. But then again, I've never really been "into" these types of sites.

What I did find though, was an amusing time-filler on Brenna's page (see her blog to the right).

What you do is use the list below to see what statements correspond with the letters in your name. The statements are meant to describe the type of person you are. It's quite funny. =P

A : You like to drink.
B : You like people.
C: You are great in bed.
D : You like to drink.
E: You are easy to fall in love with.
F : You are dead sexy.
G : You never let people tell you what to do.
H : You have very good personality and good looks.
I : You are great in bed.
J : People adore you.
K : You're wild and crazy.
L: Everyone loves you.
M : Best kisser ever.
N : You like to drink.
O: You are an awesome kisser.
P : You are popular with all types of people.
Q : You are a hypocrite.
R : You are easy to fall in love with.
S : Fuckin crazy.
T : You're loyal to those you love.
U : You really like to chill.
V : You are not judgemental.
W : You are very broad minded.
X : You never let people tell you what to do.
Y: Best friend anyone could ask for.
Z : Always ready.

Incidently, I'm great in bed and am popluar with all types of people. I am popular with all types of people and I'm easy to fall in love with. Oh by the way, did I mention I'm great in bed? =P

It's an fun little procastination tool. Give it a go. What does your name say about you?

またな。
I.

Humour inside...

Another random/bored post...

I don't know how many of you have seen 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' (see the link to the right), but it's one of my favourite "funny" movies. There are a lot reasons but the main one is that there are a lot cameos, and they all make fun of each other and/or their past work.

Which you have to admire.

From Jason Biggs complaining about how he's only known for his 'dick in a pie moment', to Shannen Doherty reacting with a stern "Dick!" after being called "Brenda". Both play themselves in the movie.

These are all inside jokes, mind you. If you don't know what they are talking about, it's probably not funny or sound totally random. (For those that don't know, Jason Biggs is the star of the first three 'American Pie' movies and Shannen Doherty was the star of the cheesy 90s soap-drama 'Beverely Hills 90210' in which she played a character called 'Brenda')

But the cake goes to the two lovebirds, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. They are in one of the funniest scenes of the movie, again playing themselves.

The scene is set, on the set, of a sequal to Good Will Hunting (yes, WTF? lol). There are few things that occur that are funny but the funniest is this exchange of dialogue...

Matt Damon: Just take it from "It's a good course."

Ben Affleck: Oh, now you're the director.

Matt Damon: Hey shove it, Bounce-boy. Let's remember who talked who into doing this shit in the first place. Talking me into Dogma was one thing, but this...

Ben Affleck: Hey look, I'm sorry I dragged you away from whatever-gay-serial-killers-who-ride-horses-and-like-to-play-golf-touchy-feely-picture you're supposed to be doing this week.

Matt Damon: I take it you haven't seen Forces of Nature?

Ben Affleck: You're like a child. What've I been telling you? You gotta do the safe picture. Then you can do the art picture. But then sometimes you gotta do the payback picture because your friend says you owe him. [They both take a beat and look at the camera]

Ben Affleck: And sometimes, you have to go back to the well.

Matt Damon: And sometimes, you do Reindeer Games.

Ben Affleck: See, that's just mean.

It's basically the two dissing each other over notoriously bad (critically) flops that each of them have made previous to this one. It's hilarious! And you gotta respect them for doing that.

(note: I still don't like Affleck, but no longer hate him...)

much love, I.

Back in the ring for Round 2...

(cue the Rocky theme music...)

(the room is darkened, and mist appears at the entrance way. The spotlight beams down and a lone figure can be seen...)

...

Clearly, I used to watch too much wrestling. =P

Putting the stupid "boxing/wrestling/whatever" analagy to the side. It is almost time for my final exam in the cra...I mean the "great" institution known as RMIT.

The date is June 14th. Location, MSAC (table tennis courts). 9.15-12.30.

I have already accumulated 31 of a possible 35 marks. All I need is to pass the exam (that's get 32.5 of 65) And I'd still pass with a credit level. Having failed by just two marks, I told myself I wouldn't be satisfied unless I got a HD. But meh to that. I'm gonna go for it, but the greatest reward will be being done with uni.

The hard part is after that...

But as I dust of the gloves in preparation for the exam in about a months time, first things first.

VS

Wish me luck? =P

much love, I.

Money...or Prestige?

Taking a break from hurting my brain to remember what I did last summer, and before I get to the post, a few minor changes/insertions to my blog.

As you can see, along the right, I now have a many a links, mostly concerned with movies. You know I love talking about them, so leave me a comment regarding anything and I'll post back.

Agree? Disagree with any of it?

The visual DNA thingy is quite interesting. Give it a go yourselves and compare.

If I've got any of your locations wrong, please let me know. I'm only going by "last known location".

I've also finally gotten a hold of some pics from my travels to Japan. Check them through my Flickr.

Now, onto the post...

This came on the back of reading an article in Empire Magazine (not so much an article, but a section. and YES, it's a movie mag. =P). It was comparing two actors. Both talented in their own right, both are big earners and both are black.

Denzel Washington. Will Smith.

Now, it's not a matter of who's better (we'd all have our opinions on that) or who's made better films (same thing again). The comparison outlined their CVs, so to speak. And it made me think...who would you rather be? Or rather, in which situation would you rather yourself in?

Denzel has had only 2 movies that have raked in $100Million+ at the box office (The Pelican Brief(really?) and Remember the Titans). But from 5 Oscar nominations, has won 2 (Glory, Best supporting actor, and Training Day, Best Actor). He's probably the most critically acclaimed black (African-American) actor in history.

Will on the other hand has had 10 (!) movies that have raked in $100Million+ (Independence Day, Enemy of the State, Wild Wild West, Men in Black 1 & 2, Bad Boys 2, I, Robot, Shark Tale, Hitch and The Pursuit of Happyness). His had 2 Oscar nominations, but has failed to win one as yet. He's probably one of the most likable/charismatic guys ever. Can also rap...well, kinda. =P

Now in the modern era, when Box Office returns count for sooooo much. Hypothetically, who's shoes would you rather be in? The money and "big star" status that Will Smith has? Or the prestige and accolades of being recognised as one of the modern eras greatest actors?

It's food for thought...

And I know you might think, "doesn't being an Oscar-winner make you a big star?" Well yes and no. Best case example would probably be the lovable Tom Hanks. He's won at least 2 Oscars, yet is lucky enough to continue to be able to churn out Blockbusters. Then on the other end of the scale, you have Adrien Brody. Adrien who?...you may ask. Well, that's my point. (He's the dude that smooched Halle Berry when we won and got away with it.) A fine actor in his own right, but what has he done lately? There's also Johnny Depp, but he's an anomaly. =P

I also know that actors don't usually get to choose. Or rather most aren't even lucky enough to get to this point. That's why it's a hypothetical.

In my humble opinion, I would take the prestige. Being recognised as the best at what you do, I think is the highest honour that anyone could have. You might be out shined or over shadowed by the more "flasher" stars, but knowing you are the best (or one of the) in the game is something that's going to be priceless.

I guess, it would also depend on why your in the game in the first place. The fame and fortune or the art?

much love, I.

Whirlwind stop over...

It's been a long time coming...and lets see if I can remember...

On my way to, and from, Japan, I had a 5+ hour transit at Singapore's MASSIVE Changhi airport. Now, it used to be that I would happily spend that time in the airport, making use of:

• the sleeping area: with our luggage held tight, in a bear-like grip.
• the free net: on annoying 15minute intervals, but they didn't have this five years ago.
• the endless shopping: had I had more cash, probably would have come away with more than what I did (Chivas, cologne, cookies)
• the food: it's not a matter of trying something 'different' because they also have the stock standard.
• the TV/lounge area: usually often packed. And TV playing irrelevant sports...argh...

But this time it was different. I decided to spend almost two days, on the way, and the transit hours, on the way back, there. All thanks to a great friend being able to show me around.

I arrived in Sing-sing at about 8pm? I think. Went my separate ways with my mum and sister, who were spending the transition hours at the airport, before heading straight to Japan. I went through customs and had a random convo with the officer about my cap (Nike tracker LBJ cap) and how he couldn't find one like it in Singapore. I was like WTF? but okay...

Aaron WAS meant to meet me at the arrival lounge but, surprise, surprise, he was no where to be found. I took a wonder around, exchanged a few Aussie dollars for Sing dollars (go the exchange rate!) and waited. Eventually he showed up with his cheeky smile... AND I brought him some goodies as well (2kg worth of NUTS and Johnny Black).

Let's see, what did I do...

• Had Asahi black! It's just stout beer I think. But it was pretty good.
• Had a Singapore Sling! I really can't remember how it tasted...
• Had SOOOOOOOOO much to eat, it wasn't funny...it seemed like every place we went, I was eating something. But it was sooooo cheap and it was all good.
• Met a few AIESECers. Didn't really talk to them though...
• Bought a phone! Which I will no longer use, because I don't need it. lol. EBay anyone?
• Got caught in the infamous Singapore tropical down pours! It came from no where and we were eating kakigouri (Japanese-style, ice shavings with syrup, mmmm) at the time. Lucky I didn't catch a cold.
• Had really good Arabian food (I think that's what it was). Unique but it was fantastic. Found the place randomly as well.
• Went to a really cool bar in the style of a villa. The atmosphere was awesome, but I remember it closing early...
• Met up briefly with Heidi for lunch.
• Wondered randomly in the streets, through markets or something...
• Had tea and sheesha on Baghdad street (see picture above).

That was about it. Quite a random collection of memories, scatter-brain that it is...

Oh, oh. One thing I can't forget is the Singapore taxis. Each time I saw one, I thought that was a real person and freaked me out (see below). lol. Never got used to that and still amuses me to this day. =P

Much love, I.

"What movie has had the most impact on you?"

I was recently asked this question and it kind of took me off guard...

I love my movies. I appreciate the art behind it, the skills involved and foremost the escape that it can offer.

To date, I've seen countless movies. Quite literally, I've seen so many movies sometimes I get plot lines confused. I wouldn't call myself a movie buff, I simply got into it too late to be a full fledged one, but I like to think I know a thing or two.

But this question, made me think...I've seen a lot, but have any of it really made an impact on me? Be it negative or positive? The others quickly mentioned the movies that have had negative impact; Closer (for its up front dialogue and general theme of relationships), Irreversible (for its shocking violence and rape scene) and Trainspotting (for its...well, general disturbing-ness).

The only movie that really came to mind was King Kong.

Now, before you laugh your heads off, hear me out.

As I told the others, as an "aspiring" film person (director/producer/the whole sch-bang), the 2005 version of King Kong was...magical.

I had just seen the original King Kong, before seeing the new, which probably helped a lot. In the new King Kong, you can see the little touches that Peter Jackson (the director) has added in reference/honour of the original. Be it a line of meanless dialogue, some set pieces clearly inspired by the original or amped up sequences of the original. And further more, technology has allowed Jackson to tell a better story as you can really see the emtion coming from Kong himself and the actors. (In the original it was made in the 20s or 30s, so the only emtion from Kong was a raise of the eyebrow, in which we are lead to believe "love conquered him". What love are they talking about?)

I guess as a stand alone movie, it's not as great as I claim it to be...

And maybe I'm the only one that feels this way...

It doesn't really matter. But THAT question... I'm still thinking it over...

much love, I.