Friday, October 31, 2003 :::
 
Revenge of the Movie Nerds, Vol. 1

There has been a fair amount of controversy over this movie. I'm not referring to the bloodshed, or the Uma Thurman critics, or the Tarantino critics. I'm just talking about the two basic camps set up around this film. They are the "hated it" and "two snaps" camps.

I belong to the latter. I don't feel it was a perfect film, but it was a beautiful piece of work & truly entertaining. An ultimate ride for those who are obsessed with films. And I could sense that there were so many things Tarantino paid hommage to in KB that went over my head...simply because he's a bigger obsessive than I am.

People whose opinions I respect disagree with me, saying (in one way or another that) the film sucked big time. While I was watching it, I know exactly why they didn't like it. But I don't feel the need to get into that right now since they have their own blogs. No rotten tomatoes here! Furthermore, whether they liked it or not, people are talking about this movie everywhere. So you'll hear both sides one way or another. Stick around for a spoiler-infested account on the upside. :-)

But before I go on, I HAVE to go off on a tangent first and say...

OH. MY. GAHD.

They played the Return of the King trailer before Kill Bill started. I thought to myself, "If I end up not liking this movie, at least I can say that I saw it for myself. And that I got to see the ROTK trailer." LOL

When I got home, I did what any movie nerd would do. I went to the LOTR website and planned on getting a second look at the clip. But I was distracted by a link that said "Click here for frame by frame insights." I nearly lost my mind when I linked and saw this.

Talk about a movie nerd's fantasy!

Note that with the word out about the new trailer, thousands of geeks like me all over the world are dying to see it too. So the download will take time. But it's worth it. LOL! I recommend saving the file because it takes the same amount of time as loading the QuickTime video and you get to keep it. Reminds me of the Phantom Menace hype - people used to come to the old apt just to see the clips.

December 17th baby, woohoo!

Now, back to Kill Bill...

I have just realized *sigh* that we fucked up. By we, I mean me, Mike and Luke. If we had been the usual true movie nerds and not tired people, we woulda seen an epilogue after the credits that is about as rewarding as the hidden trailer for Matrix Revolutions. Looks like we're gonna have to see it again soon, 'eh?

(Matinee though. Freakin AMC and their $9.50 Nazi shiet. Although I'm not sorry for spending what I spent to see Kill Bill.)

Ok, my alarm is scheduled to go off in about 4 hours and 10 minutes. :-( I'll continue this later... TGIF and Happy Halloween!

11/2/03 - I've noticed that I have this tendency to drop topics cuz I'm tired and then *poof* they dissolve into thin air...and I end up writing about something else. Today's date has me distracted, as it is every year. So for closure's sake (no pun intended), the best way to echo my sentiments is to read the Ain't It Cool review by Harry Knowles. Although he tends to be equally excited about every new movie, his KB review is pretty much right on the money.

::: posted by sugar at 1:38 AM



Wednesday, October 29, 2003 :::
 
Rest In Peace
Steven Rucker of Novato.

He died today while fighting the fires in Julian. Thanks to him and the many many many other brave souls who work so very hard to keep us safe.

AND much overdue post...

Rest In Peace
Michael P. Brennan, Sr.

Thanks to him, I was blessed with my friend Mikey. Love and prayers to Mikey and the rest of the Brennan family during this difficult time.

::: posted by sugar at 11:04 PM


 
blue sky...

...is a wonderful thing.

it's a bittersweet feeling. for the first time, i can open my windows and breathe. i can see the sky again. but i'm saddended to think about the people that lost their lives in the fires, and continue to risk their safety. i think about ppl like Dr. Alexander and his family, who lost their home without warning or recovery. the ash in the gutters and on the street remind me that this isn't over yet. there are still fires burning across the county. i pray that there will be no more casualties, and that the worst is over.

i have more feelings on this subject but i'm afraid that sleep wins over all this time.

good night moon. it's great to see you again.

p.s. -

with all this fire coverage, my...avoidance of tv news has been put on hold. i see faces i've tried to put out of my head, and looked at things through a familiar pair of eyes. seeing jill wearing her fleece, i couldn't help but remember how comfy those things are. i didn't realize that my "cousin" had switched from 8 to 5. good for him.

moosey said to me once...

Denial is a powerful force meng.

i have good friends. i'm lucky to hear smart stuff like this when i really need a kick in the head.

[good night moon, for real this time.]

::: posted by sugar at 10:44 PM



Sunday, October 26, 2003 :::
 
The winds have died down, but the "campfire" smell is stronger. The air is so dry, and so...still. It dries your throat, your eyes, everything.

We tried to go out and look for a place that sold those face masks (like the ones you wear when you're in surgery or painting houses or something)...but no one was open. All the shopping centers were ghost towns, and the mini marts don't sell that sort of thing.

It's weird not having the window open. I think this is only the 2nd or 3rd time it's ever been closed since we moved downstairs. When we lived upstairs the stats were about the same.

I worry about the commute tomorrow, and what it's gonna be like at work. It's so damn HOT out there in El Cajon! *bleh*

The Salvation Army community center down the street has been opened as an evacuation center. Several hotels in the county are offering free rooms for families who lost their homes, and half off for displaced families from forced evacs. All of this goodwill is really comforting. I suppose all the disasters over the last few years have really created a sense of care and humanity.

Some weird trivia: the last time a serious fire broke out in the county, it was the night before the Chargers played at home on Monday Night Football. Well, this (more serious) fire(storm) started just after midnight on Sunday morning, and the Chargers were scheduled to play at home on Monday Night Football tomorrow. For you non-football fans, the game has been moved to Arizona for tomorrow. (Sucks for all my friends who had tickets.)

boo: hi boo
me: hi boo!
me: did you hear about all the fires here
me: i'm skeered
boo: I heard
boo: good thing your not on a plane
me: i know
me: can you believe that
me: i woulda been trying to fly in tonight
me: i totally overlooked that detail all day

This is true. I was originally going to fly home this past weekend. Weird.

::: posted by sugar at 11:49 PM


 
Well...the skies are still dark, if not darker, thanks in part to the sun setting. But also, sadly, the fires have not been contained and the ash cloud is still overhead.

It's just all so...eerie. Highway closures are increasing every time I look online. Every single freeway has been affected and/or shut down except for the 805. Traffic is gonna be a mutha tomorrow. In a way it's good that there's no TV at Luke's cuz I'd just stress out.

Whoa.

Are we seriously expected to go to work tomorrow?! I'm a little nervous about going to El Cajon, which is within visual distance of the fire...and let's not forget the entire WAREHOUSE of pure oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon... *eek*.

I hear sirens in the distance and wonder where they're going. I wonder how they plan on containing the problem when there are other fires raging through LA, San Bernadino and Long Beach.

My dad just called. I worry about worrying them, but at the same time I'm freaked out. Mike thinks I'm paranoid. But I'd rather be proactive and informed rather than reactive and surprised. I hear helicopters and hope that they're filled with that pink firefighting stuff.

I don't know where to go if this gets worse. I live about a dozen miles west of where one of the fires is right now. Luke's house is in Chula Vista, where I am now, but there's now a watch on our area as well because one of the fires is jumping in our direction. Mike's place is the only other place I'd feel safe, since he lives smack in the center of the county. I hope none of us have to be evacuated. I know a lot of people that have had to leave their homes as a precaution. :-(

Let's just see...

*Strength and speed to the emergency workers.*

::: posted by sugar at 5:54 PM


 
Fire

There are fires burning all over the county.

I woke up to the usual sun in my face, except it was..orange. I looked out and saw that everything was tinted orange/amber. The air felt weird, and there was an actual wind blowing unassisted into my window. About half an hour ago I finally got up and took a peek out the window, seeing the ORANGE sun and some dark clouds. But not rain clouds...I could see blue sky right behind the swirling black.

I've only seen that once before...in 1991. And my fears were confirmed when I started to see ash floating down from the sky like snowflakes.

There are huge fires burning as we speak across the county. Evacuations are going on everywhere. The Santa Ana winds are blowing up to 30 mph. This is all so strange because I don't think people really realize the severity of the situation. Hundreds (thousands) of homes have already burned over thousands of acres. 2 people have died. The skies are getting worse as I'm typing this out and taking breaks to make phone calls and watch the news. I don't know what's going to happen, and you can see the nervouness behind the stone faces of the media.

The skies are orange and grey, and getting worse.

This is too weird. The fire department has put up a red flag alert, which is a HIGH alert that is very seldom put up...meaning an extreme emergency.

*Says a prayer for people in harm's way.*

God bless the firefighters and volunteers.

::: posted by sugar at 10:39 AM



Saturday, October 25, 2003 :::
 
"Just a day, just an ordinary day...just trying to get by..."
-Vanessa Carlton

[Kinda weird that I'm posting this a week after my bday, but I figured I'd just post the beginning part of the original blog for the sake of memories...]

Happy New Year!

Another birthday survived. Another chant of "I'm never drinking that again." Another reminder that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

So as I sit in the afterglow/aftermath of all the festivities...I don't really have much emotion about it. Naturally, I've been asked "So did you have a good weekend?" "Did you have fun?" And for whatever reason, I wasn't driven to say "I had a great time" or "I had the best time" or even "I had a shitty time." For once it really felt like any other day. With bonus moments.

Although I spent it with a lot of very caring and special people...and missed even more caring and special people.

::: posted by sugar at 7:50 PM



Wednesday, October 15, 2003 :::
 
Quote of the minute

"you try to be cultured and but your lack of money gets in the way. sux."

courtesy of the mind of AppleMa. couldn't have said it any better.

[hee]

::: posted by sugar at 9:47 PM



Sunday, October 12, 2003 :::
 
Man oh man...

Now that I'm slowly getting back into TV again, I'm realizing the error of my ways...

I resisted watching Alias because of all the hype. Since I'm infamous for being anti-hype. LOL Another paradox we can explore later.

But I'm here to swallow my words and say that this a damn good show. The only reason why you wouldn't like it is because:

1) you're anti-hype
2) you're anti-Jennifer Garner
3) you don't like complicated shows with lots of characters.

If you do NOT fit these criterion, please do yourself a favor and RENT/BUY THE FIRST SEASON ON DVD. Please note *cough-hint* that it is also on my Amazon wish list and that *cough-hint* I will be turning 26 on Saturday. (mwahahhahaha...)

::: posted by sugar at 9:21 PM


 
Something to think about....

As much as a blogspot/livejournal/whatever is used as a journal...the fact that we're posting it on the internet doens't make it private anymore. Sure, Xanga and even Blogger give you the option to keep your writing private. But isn't that a paradox?

I admit that I'm one to check and see if there are actually comments on this thing. It's nice to see what people have to say about my writing. Yet I have only given out the address to this site to a small minority of people. So I'm basically waiting for my friends to comment on my life?

This is an interesting article. It talks about how people try to increase readership and one of my favorite quotes is from some housewifey blogger: "I don't sit in front of my computer all day thinking about what I'm going to do to get more readers," said Elizabeth Thielke, a mother of three in Nashville, who writes The Busy Mom Blog (www.sugar-plum.net/elizabeth). "But at the same time, people who say they don't care whether anyone reads it are probably lying."

I know I've told this story at least once before, but who's counting?! When I first started this site, I exchanged a handful of emails with someone named Paul. His remarks were somewhat critical of me, what I was saying, and what I was going through at the time. One choice question of his was "Do all Americans listen to only American music?" I never accused him of being judgemental, but he did apologize for just that. He said that he apologized for trivializing my life and that he would never comment on someone's blog like that again. Nor would he contact me ever again. I can't recall if I replied to that message or not, but I do remember how shocked I was to hear him say these things. I never really took offense to the things he said (ok maybe a little when he critiqued my writing)...but I suppose my long and detailed answers to his questions made him feel bad? Ironically, I never deleted the emails he sent me.

Ever since then, I've been kinda hesitant about posting up on those "hot or not" blog lists, blogrings, etc. Besides, the virtual public is just like the general, "real" public - they rate blogs and the people who create them primarily on appearance. I don't have all sorts of fancy code and the server space to host images (all of my images are borrowed from other places, lol). So go figure.

I'll still be writing, since anyone who knows me knows I've got plenty on my mind. *wink*

::: posted by sugar at 8:39 PM



Saturday, October 11, 2003 :::
 
Can I get a HELL YEAH?!

I got a job damnit!!

Well, not an official one just yet with benefits and all that. I'm on a trial basis at first. Then they'll see about hiring me on for reals.

Accounting and collections again, similar to what I was doing at Metabolife.

I start Monday, woohoo!

When ppl ask me if I'm excited about the job, I can honestly say "I'm excited about the paycheck." I'm working in a trailer at the back of what's basically a welder's and gas supply store. Gas as in tanks of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc. They do a ton of business in the county so I'll have plenty to do. Would I have agreed to this job if I wasn't so desperate to work? Hell the phack no. Am I sick of being home and struggling for a few bucks?

Hell the phack yeah!

::: posted by sugar at 12:14 AM



Thursday, October 09, 2003 :::
 
Artist of the Week

Lillix

::: posted by sugar at 5:10 PM



Monday, October 06, 2003 :::
 
Eek

"Ashton" and I did a lot of hugging/arm-around-the-shoulder/hand-grabbing-for-emphasis this weekend. I hope no one noticed. Well I hope he noticed.

Sorta.

::: posted by sugar at 2:11 PM


 
Hmm.

"Comedy, it has often been said, is tragedy plus time."

First, why have I never heard this one before? Second, it's actually pretty insightful when you think about it. But at first read I'm going "Hmm...?"

::: posted by sugar at 10:43 AM


 
Hot.

"Wow, you smell so good."

[LOL, it sounds better than it looks on blog. Especially when a hot guy says it.]

::: posted by sugar at 12:26 AM



Sunday, October 05, 2003 :::
 
"Like Butta"

Ladies and gentlemen, Darren Hayes, the main voice behind Savage Garden.

::: posted by sugar at 6:27 PM


 
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Doesn't anyone say THANK YOU anymore? Am I the only conscientous person left in San Diego county?

::: posted by sugar at 1:55 PM



Saturday, October 04, 2003 :::
 
Swan Song

Last nite was the traditional E Street party. Felt weird that this is gonna be the last one I'm gonna attend as a staffer, and my status as that is pretty much gone too. The crowd was so different from previous years. Although it was nice to see the sevenohfive guys, Joy, Karin Anna and Keiko. The future [Asian Am] Hollywood elite, damnit!! :-) Well, they're pretty elite to me, anyway. Hee.

It was weird not being accredited. Very weird. I used to be so proud of my badge cuz I know I worked for it. I'd float in and out of screenings, private receptions...being a VIP is a sweet drug. So not having it made me feel kinda...naked. And somewhat useless. I'm in this weird limbo cuz I'm not "in" anymore, but I'm not "out" either. Although I managed to get more drink tickets. LOL

Having me, Sophia and Ben together was really great. I will miss those two so much when I move away. And to be able to have Sophia at a party with us finally was nice, hehe. I still have to remind myself that she's only 21, and recently at that. Jinah's face was a great one to see. I have a vague memory of first seeing her, (and the screaming, hehe) and then Darryl shows up, gives me a hug and kiss - it happened so fast that I don't know where he was aiming but he hit my cheek. [If I were sober I woulda just backed away.] I immediately felt like I had to get the hell out of there, so I picked that moment for a bathroom break. Just untangled from under his arm and walked away.

I got into the stall and just stood there thinking three things: 1) "I CAN NOT let him ruin my good time", 2) "how should I handle this", 3) "f*ck, you hurt me so bad". I don't remember if it was before or after I went in to the stall, but Jinah had followed me and we talked for a while. It was really good to see her. I know that I will always consider her my friend, and that nothing her brother did will change that.

He called me this morning on my cel and I missed it. The voicemail asked me to call him when I got the message. What the hell does he want from me? Considering the fact that he had all this time to call me and picked the morning after the incident (if you wanna call it that), it's prolly some sort of "Hi how are you, we're ok right?" kinda convo. I hate to admit it but I was playing with the idea of calling and what would happen if I did. But of course, I didn't. I called Jhoc instead, LOL. As usual, she helped put things in perspective. She reminded me that I didn't owe him a callback, much less anything at all. He lied all that time, he left, end of story. He wants to feel better about what he did and is hoping to hear me say that I've forgiven him. I talked to Mike about it too. He said he wishes he could just go up to him and say something, but obviously that wouldn't go over well. LOL, so he says "Can't Luke talk to him?" Mike agreed with Jhoc and said I'd better not call him. OK, done deal then. I may be crazy overall, but I'm not crazy to act this way.

So why did I think about calling? I guess I didn't feel clear about the idea of moving on. Moving on does NOT have to include me being friends with him. Civil, sure. Friendly, no. A handful of ppl have said to me "just move on." OK, I can do that. But it doesn't mean I gotta play nice. I'm out of the game.

OK that was a figure of speech. I'm not out of The Game!! LOL Just with him.

Speaking of which...I got all in the zone last nite...hahaha...had the 'fit, the hair, the dancing, the buzz, the game. I hadn't felt that good about being at a party in a while. Shiiiieeet. With all the eye candy and the usual suspects that I only see at the festival every year...any girl in my position woulda flirted her ass off! Plus those certain people that you always test the limits with. OK fine, person. LOL. What does it matter, he's leaving the country. Sigh.

Met this one guy on the main dance floor towards the end of the nite. He had the kind of approach I like, not too aggressive and in your face, but not like Winston where you're waiting a hundred years for something to happen. He has been added to the list of "dance PARTNERS" - as in those chosen few that are just IN SYNC with you on the floor. Very impressive. Pretty damn cute too. My dumb ass didn't get his name, but he didn't ask for mine either. I was prepared to just walk away, and he asked for my number. So I gave it. If he calls, dope. If he doesn't, at least I have that hour or so to remember. LOL And for the record, he passes the 2-second assesment. LMAO!

The night overall was great. I'm happy that I'll have it in my memory.

OK, gotta get ready to head over to the fest. Let's just see what kinda trouble I can get into today...hehe...

::: posted by sugar at 2:43 PM



Friday, October 03, 2003 :::
 

Courtesy of NobodyDied.com

Other noteworthy sites include FreewayBlogger.com, where a lot of these "sightings" are put together, and F*ckedcompany.com, where there are actual internal memos posted of companies and news is up on senseless lawsuits and layoffs that keep certain people at home blogging and filling out job apps all day long.

"Stop the insanity!"

::: posted by sugar at 10:45 AM



Thursday, October 02, 2003 :::
 
"world outside my window"

it's really interesting to see the stuff i hear outside my window. growing up we used to have this crazy alcoholic neighbor whose name we didn't know, but we all knew she had a son named david cuz she was always screaming at him. and her damn dog named buddy. when i moved to the madeline st. apt., my window faced the parking alley and there were houses on the other side of it. so it would be couples arguing or saying goodnite or people's house parties. one of the homeowners had what sounded like a pack of wolves on their property, because you'd hear them bark like crazy when you got home. after living there for a while, they'd only bark when you brought company home. the worst though was when they'd all get togther and howl. this could happen during the day or night, there was no escape. and of course, since every window facing that alley was a bedroom window..you'd hear mini pornos goin on if they were the loud types.

the main reason why all these memories came to mind, do you ask? well with all the insomnia, plus the fact that my (1st floor) bedroom window faces the parking lot, i've just been observing a lot of interesting details. or at least putting the patterns together. like how that one stupid lady has the old benz with that gurgling engine (anyone that's familiar with 70s MB's knows the deal) that needs A SMOG CHECK!!!! biyatch blows that carbon monoxide into our windows on the regular.

or the cars that leave at strange hours. hee hee.

or the cars that arrive at strange hours. they hover outside for a while cuz you hear the engine idleling...then you hear a door open and close, and the car rides away. ah, memories of the kiss goodnight. once upon a time. hee hee.

anyway you get the deal. i realize that not everyone pays attention to these kinds of things. hell, i know i hear way more than i intend to, i really think it's the musician in me that is able to isolate sounds. subconsciously or on purpose.

ANYWAY...i'm actually getting sleepy *yay*. we will be going off the air for a few hours and in the (later) morning we will return to your regularly scheduled blog. today (er, yesterday) was a pretty good day overall.

g'nite. [4:01am]

::: posted by sugar at 4:01 AM

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