Upcoming Movies
Friday, April 13, 2007
Shrek the Third
This show is a classic. I fell in love with Shrek and it has been one of my all time favourite movies. When Shrek 2 came out, I indulged myself watching it at least 3 times in the cinema. This series is really comedy at its best, with plenty of references to other movies. I've been blown away by how they manage to slot in modern day nuances to a fantasy medieval show like Shrek, and puns are a dime a dozen. It's witty, hilarious, and ultimately, entertaining beyond what you could ask for. It's not as silly as a Jim Carrey show, and it actually requires you to have your brain with you to fully appreciate the show. Shrek the Third tells the tale of how the king of Far Far Away is dying, and Shrek would have to become king. That doesn't suit him very well (ok, at all), so he sets of to find another king to replace him. Incidentally, the candidate happens to be Arthur. Also, Shrek is about to be, brace for it, a FATHER. The horror doesn't end there. Our favourite villain, Charming, is back, and he's got every wicked and evil character in Far Far Away behind him, and he's after the throne. All this cumulates into what looks to be an extremely exciting show, one in which I do NOT want to miss. Look out for hilarious quirks from the Gingerbread Man, Pinocchio, Puss and who could forget, Donkey. I'm putting this VERY HIGH on my MUST WATCH list.
Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End
I must say I'm looking forward to this show almost as much as Shrek 3. The first movie was absolutely amazing, although the second one left much to be desired. Still, it was not unintentional, since the 2nd movie of any trilogy usually doesn't accomplish much except set the stage for the finale. (Think Matrix and LOTR) That said, after watching the trailer and a teaser about "Captain's Quarrel" I'm very impressed with what I saw. The wit and charm of the characters have not been lost entirely, and it looks to come back with a bang this time around. The story involves an epic sea battle, one that would more than rival any seen on the big screen before. It's filled with witty jokes, one liners and the best part is, we still have Johny Depp pulling them off. I absolutely adore the kind of jokes that are bound to appear, and the wittier it is, the better. This is another of the movies on my MUST WATCH list.
Spiderman 3
The third installment of this web-slinging hero is a must watch for fans of the comic book. It features Spidey's all time rival, Venom, and that alone is reason enough to catch it. There's enough information about this movie on the net, so I'll just concentrate on the trailer. It was provoking and portrayed just how difficult it is to be a superhero. Not to reveal too much of the plot, but suffice to say, having to struggle against three different people after his life is definitely going to make this show very exciting. I certainly hope it lives up to its hype.
Ocean's 13
Carrying on with the '3' trend, we have the third installment of this utterly magnificent show about conmen. It's one of the few shows where a plethora of high profile actors and actresses come together and actually put on a REALLY COOL show, and Ocean's 13 doesn't seem ready to disappoint. It's going to be intrigue after intrigue, con after con, life after lie as they try to pull of yet another heist, although what exactly I'm not entirely sure. We'd have to catch the show to find that out ourselves. Besides, what we *think* they're doing may not actually BE what they're doing. That's what makes this series so great! I'm keen to watch this show, although the trailer doesn't really tell me much.
Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
This is the fifth movie of the Boy who Lived, and it's a very dark movie; at least if the book is anything to go by. The actors and actresses have grown up (much to the delight of every Emma Watson fan out there) and they're going to be battling Lord Voldemort in any way they can. The trailer itself portrays the frustration Harry feels throughout the entire book, and I'd think the movie would too. I'd say the hype factor is, like Spidey 3, very high, but like so many over-hyped movies, they have a tendency to flop. The book itself doesn't give a very satisfying ending, and I have a feeling that the movie will do that too. After all, they'd need to leave you wanting more so you'd see the next one.
The best part is, I'm going to have my 3 months break in which I can try to catch these shows. Hopefully, they won't disappoint. By the way, HD trailers are huge! But the quality of the shows are just so amazing, it's perfectly understandable. Try it sometime.
Technorati Tags: Movies, Shrek the Third, Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean, At Worlds End, Oceans 13, Harry Potter, Order of Phoenix, High Definition
Powered by ScribeFire.
Anime Series Recommendations
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I checked through some more recent series that might be worth watching, and came across a few that seemed to draw my attention. I should start with Hataraki Man, which tells of a workaholic female editor and the problems she faces as a stressed out, working professional in a society like Japan. While it may not be extremely entertaining IMHO, it does have a lot of insightful views on the working class and even some tips as to how to handle yourself when you work in a stressed out environment. It's very real, and although lacks entertainment, contains a lot of depth. Check it out if you want a less silly, more 'content' type of Anime.
Next up, we have Hayate no Gotoku! It's the opposite of Hataraki Man, with it's playful, un-serious, crazy antics. It really reminds me of Suzumiya Haruhi, Excel Saga and FLCL, although the level of 'craziness' isn't that extreme. It DOES have a story unlike Excel Saga, and it is extremely entertaining. It's funny with a lot of absurd ideas, but still with enough story to keep things interesting. The narrative style of the series is pretty cool, and although I've only seen two episodes, I'm already loving it so much! Do check it out if you enjoy watching something that doesn't require a lot of brain power.
So what's replacing KIBA? Probably Busou Renkin which is kind of like a mix between FMA and *insert any battle type Anime here*. It's interesting enough the first few episodes I've seen. It tells about a guy who supposedly died, but somehow keeps living with an alchemical artifact as a replacement for his heart. This gives him the ability to use an alchemical weapon which he uses to battle homonculuses. These aren't the same type of homonculus as in FMA, though, but they can get pretty mean. It's entertaining to watch, and although I haven't gotten all that much into the story, it's still a pretty OK fighting Anime. Check it out if you're tired of the same old same old Naruto / Bleach neverending episode runs.
For a darker Anime, I'd recommend Darker than Black, a brand new Anime that features humans (well, at least they look human) who have extraordinary abilities. No, it's not mutation or genetics, and we don't know for sure what it is, although we do know it's somehow related to the stars. I've only seen the first episode, and although it left me hanging (there are a lot of unanswered questions), there's something tantalizing about this series that somehow makes me want to watch more of it. It starts off by throwing you into the middle of a chase and leaves you with more questions than answers. (Reminds me of how the original Men In Black movie started). Still, I'm keeping my eye on this one, and hopefully it'll grow into a very VERY interesting series. Check it out!
The description of Nagasarete Airantou is enough to make me think his series is worth checking out. I haven't even watched it yet, (it's in the pipeline ^^) but it seems to be yet another 'harem' type Anime; it's your typical one male many females type of show. It seems interesting enough so I'm giving it a mention, but since I haven't seen it, don't take my word for it. Still, it doesn't hurt to at least try watching an episode or two.
Well that's the list of ongoing Anime that I think will be interesting. Fortunately, they release only periodically, and not all at once, so I won't be caught in a crazy marathon chasing one episode after another... At least not until after my exams.
Technorati Tags: anime, Hataraki Man, Hayate No Gotoku, Busou Renkin, Darker than Black, Nagasarete Airantou, New Series
Powered by ScribeFire.
Lousy Parenting
Friday, April 06, 2007
It's called Lousy Parenting.
Children today are spoilt. They do what they want, and largely get away with it. Most parents simply couldn't care less about what their children do. I was appalled when I saw that girl hitting the man carrying her (presumably her father) and trying to hit her mother standing next to him. They kept telling her that "everyone was looking at her", in a vain attempt to get her to stop. When I was younger, I NEVER cried in public. To create a scene by kicking and screaming would warrant disciplinary action from my parents (usually a slap on the face and then daring me to cry again), of which I am now grateful for. My parents were a lot more considerate to others when handling their children in public. I truly believe that the parents I saw on the train utterly FAILED to discipline their child. Now, I'm not advocating abuse, in that you severely beat your child or take your anger out on them, but if you as a parent cannot teach a child from young to be considerate, then you have FAILED as a parent.
Let's face it, children cry when they don't get what they want. It's a natural impulse. This however, does not mean we give in to their cries, or that we merely tolerate it. It's a nuisance, especially when done in public. Hearing a child scream and yell in public is painful for everyone else to hear, and they will no less realise just how much of an utter failure you are as a parent. Teach your child not to scream when they don't get what they want. If they want to cry, fine, but make sure they do it quietly and do not disturb the peace of others.
"But we can't control our children from screaming..." This is an excuse, an excuse for parents with poor parenting skills, and who do not even want to work hard at bringing their children up right. There are a lot of children who are trained not to cause a racket whenever they are in public, and they get there not by 'natural talent', but by proper disciplinary actions taken at the appropriate age. "But disciplining a child is cruel... I don't have the heart to beat him/her... " Let me say this, if you can't raise your hand to discipline your child, you don't love him/her enough. If you choose not to discipline your child, you're taking the easy way out, and chances are, you're going to have a very rebellious teenager in the future. Choosing NOT to discipline a child isn't a sign of love and patience, it's a sign of negligence and fear. If you're scared to do it, then you're not fit to be a parent.
As I thought about these things, I also came to realise that the problem might run a little deeper. At the risk of blatantly generalising, I'd wager that MOST cosmopolitan families have a problem when it comes to disciplining children. I've seen or read cases where parent blame everyone and everything but themselves for a child's bad behaviour. Sometimes, it is the school which gets the blame, when the truth is that the attitude of the child was NOT formed from the school, but from the homes in which they were brought up. Many children are no longer raised by their parents, but by nannies and maids at home, who seldom scold them for any wrong, if at all. Parents ought to take a lot more interest in their children's life, and not just comply to their requests as compensation for time not spent with them.
A fine balance has to be maintain when it comes to discipline. It is NOT to release your anger, but to train a child to understand the wrongs that he/she has done. I won't delve into how you should parent your child, since I'm not a parent yet anyway. However, I can share my own experience growing up, and my views on what poor parenting and good parenting is.
When I was younger, I got scolded, and caned a lot. They were done with the sole purpose of teaching me the difference between right and wrong, to have me learn about life and how to live it right. I was also shown the right amount of love, in which my parents would tell me frequently how much they love me, and spend time with me, especially after a disciplining session. I grew up trusting them a lot. As I grew up, they gave me more and more freedom, although always availing themselves if I needed them. I remember particularly that in my High School years, my friends and I used to head out to LAN shops to play games in the afternoons. I ALWAYS told my mother that I was going to play games, and NOT to study or any other lie, just to get her to let me go. She even sent me there (public transport where I grew up was very VERY pathetic). In return, I promised to be home on time, and I kept my word. This freedom was given to me only when they felt I was mature enough to use it responsibly, and I'm proud to say I didn't let them down. My results in High School was not perfect, but it was near the top and I always tried to do them proud. Unfortunately, this isn't the case nowadays. I see children given the same freedom when they were hardly 10, and abused it in the long run. As they grew older, it had become second nature to them, and their parents don't even know it.
I am a very strong advocate of the cane. I grew up in a time where caning was normal even in schools, and I turned out just fine. I also understand that some parents refuse to use the cane, but choose instead to talk to their children. While this may work when they are older, it would be too late as some attitudes would have already been formed in the earlier years. Furthermore, the lack of discipline in the earlier years would cause children to be less respectful of their parents. If your child does not respect you (not FEAR you), "talking" will get you nowhere.
Choosing to discipline your child does not show that you do not love him/her. Instead, it shows just how much you DO love him/her, although he/she may not understand at that point. I am very glad my parents did what had to be done, even though it probably hurt them too each time they hit me. In the end, it was all worth it. To go back to the incident, the girl finally stopped crying and the parents continued to console her. While peace was finally returned to the train, I sincerely worry for the child, because if her parents don't start being more firm, she'll end up walking all over them, causing a huge commotion every time she doesn't get what she wants. It would be fine if it were to stop there, but it might also be an indication that the child would eventually lose all respect for her parents, and we'd have yet another rebellious youth in the making.
As if we didn't have enough already...
Technorati Tags: parenting, discipline, children
Powered by ScribeFire.
Geek news
Friday, March 30, 2007
It all started when I decided to check out Google's offerings, and came across a little something called Google Reader. I never subscribed to any RSS feeds previously because there really wasn't anything that I wanted regular news of, except of course my weekly Anime fix. I went through what Google Reader had to offer, and decided to try out their geeky and tech channel. What followed was a barrage of interesting news from sites like LifeHacker, TechCrunch, Make Magazine, Penny Arcade, Engadget, Slashdot and the infamous Digg.
It can be quite overwhelming to be receiving updates from these gargantuan sites. I realised that there were actually quite a number of interesting issues currently going around in the 'geeky' world. Some of them include the RIAA backlash, 3rd Generation Console War, Apple vs PC, Linux vs Windows, Google vs Viacom and many more. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are also plenty of articles like latest releases, new plugins, software and other cool stuff that might just be your thing. I must admit I've learned a lot more about Firefox Extensions to increase productivity, Linux software to increase 'coolness' of the desktop and various other Windows gadgets that make my XP look like Vista or MacOSX. It also tells you about online services available, like Scribd and NetVibes.
So I've really been following these type of news closely for the past few weeks. It's interesting and doesn't burn a hole in my pocket. It's informative and insightful, especially since I'm into IT. I've learned quite a few things, some really important (like resume writing and the importance of an online profile) to some really fun but perhaps not so beneficial things (like The Paperang). Time doesn't allow me to delve too much into it though, and I really choose what I want to read as reading EVERYTHING would be time wasting.
Sure beats wasting time on an MMORPG... although if I DID find a good one...
Technorati Tags: Google Reader, rss, Digg, Tech blogs, geek, Tech news
Powered by ScribeFire.
Downloading not Illegal?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Now piracy is illegal. I'm not saying anything about the ethics behind it, but the law clearly says it's illegal. However, to equate downloading to piracy requires deeper inspection. The issue is that downloading involves a bunch of ones and zeroes somehow making its way to your computer, which may turn into something useful. I use the word MAY because UNTIL you have downloaded the file, you cannot guarantee that what you download is legal or illegal. Let's say you downloaded a file with the name "Introduction_To_Quantum_Physics.avi", which CLAIMS to be an un-copyrighted educational video and found out after you downloaded it that it was, in fact, a DVD rip of Spiderman? Or let's say we TRY to download a file called "The_Matrix.avi" and find that it is actually a text file filled with random garble or repetitive phrases? You can't really tell until you've opened the file.
The point I'm trying to make, is simply that to equate downloading to 'piracy' seems a little unfair. I could simply set up a website claiming to offer the latest mp3s and actually send them mp3s of a recording of me farting being played over and over again for three minutes, and there might be a chance that SOMEONE might get sued for downloading it, if nothing else because of the file name. Now this could probably not happen if people actually monitor the files and can somehow check that they really ARE copyrighted material. Unfortunately, it seems that till now, that's not happening. I mean, do the RIAA actually check and make sure the 'songs downloaded which are being stolen' are really copyrighted songs? How do they do it?
The fact remains that downloading and obtaining a file does not equate to 'stealing' the file. It is not the act of downloading that is illegal; it's when what is downloaded is proven to be illegal, and STILL kept that it becomes infringement is it not? Is this illogical or is this making sense? Wouldn't this be the right way to handle these cases?
I do not claim to be an expert in the law, but copyright infringement is a highly controversial topic which many people feel strongly about, particularly in this new age of iPods and HDTVs. It is important to spell out the guideline for which one should follow in internet downloading so that people don't mistakenly fall victim to draconian law.
Fair use is a tricky issue, of which many people are blatantly ignorant of. While there are some people who abuse it, many others simply enjoy the convenience it gives. I for one, like to rip my CDs into mp3s so that I can listen to them without spoiling or scratching the disc. I usually skip albums and buy only compilations since they have a higher number of songs that I enjoy listening to instead of only one or two. No, I don't open up Limewire or Ares to share my music; it eats too much of my bandwidth anyway. BUT to impose DRM on all media is going to make me stop and think twice about buying ANY CD. It's going to be troublesome and chances are, I'd rather just not listen to the song. After all, it's just a song. If I can't use it the way I want to after I buy it, I'd rather not have it.
In relation to this, here's my personal experience with downloads. I have a compulsive streak where I WILL go and buy originals when I really enjoy something. There's something about owning originals that's simply irresistible. For example, I watched Gundam SeeD Destiny by downloading the fan subbed Anime. However, I STILL went and bought the original because it was simply too good a show. If it weren't for watching the downloaded episodes, I wouldn't have even heard about the show, much less buy the DVD. The same goes for music. I enjoyed The Calling's Wherever You Will Go, and when I found an Alternative Rock compilation album from HMV, I bought it! If I'd just walked into the store without hearing the song before, I'd never have done that.
I'm not advocating that people ignore intellectual property rights. I'm just asking for a little more thought into policy making when it comes to protecting your rights. It HAS to be a case of give and take, and so far, the consumers have been doing all the giving. I'm still waiting for a better resolution to this issue.
Technorati Tags: download, RIAA, copyright, piracy, intellectual+property
Of compositions, opinions and narratives
Monday, March 19, 2007
Yes, you heard me. Unlike the huge number of people who shun or dislike essays, I actually feel I have an affinity with them, particularly if the topic is something that I feel strongly for. The whole reason why I even bother to blog is because I like to 'pen' down what I think, and they usually cover from a whole spectrum of things. As you've probably noticed, I'm very interested in things like God, Technology (or Geek stuff), Anime, Digital Art, and Social Issues. Just take a look at my bookmarks and you will see that they are categorised into things like Computer Development, Anime, Games... which is probably similar to a lot of guys. All my blog posts can be put in any one of those headings, or perhaps in two or more of them. I enjoy writing about them. It's the telling of my experiences and stories, of my interests and life. It's addictive!
I could probably attribute my innate affection for compositions to my innate tendency to enjoy arguments; Arguments in the sense of "Philosophy of reasoning" and not necessarily the arguments in the sense of "verbal abuse or fights". The difference lies in the fact that the former involves premises, logic and justification, whereas the latter focuses more on the emotional aspect. I like to structure my thoughts logically and present them as a 'case' for others to consider. I imagine my writings to be able to at least make an impact or leave an impression on the reader, and not just to be a garble of text. This motivates me to write better, clearer, more logically and with better flair than I normally would. Having the drive to do it makes things really simple.
Language is of course, an important aspect in writings. My command of English is far from masterful, but it is at least strong enough to allow me certain advantages when creating a composition. For starters, I verbalise the sentences I type, testing them to see if they sound right if I spoke them out loud. Inevitable, I make a lot of changes as some of the sentences need to be rectified. I cannot explain grammar, because to be honest, my command of it theoretically is next to none, as I have no idea what rules a 'past-participle' ought to follow. Instead, I merely 'test' the grammar by reading the sentence in my head to see if it SOUNDS correct. This probably has to do with the fact that I REALLY enjoyed reading A LOT when I was younger. I will never forget Enid Blyton. Eventually I graduated to authors like Tom Clancy, Jeffrey Archer and Isaac Asimov. I devoured books like crazy, and even now, I take roughly a day to complete a book like the Da Vinci Code. No, this doesn't happen because I read fast, it happens because I just can't put the book down. Getting addicted to a book is really bad for me, especially when there are other things to do, like homework. In any case, if anyone ever asks me why my English is above average, I'd confidently say that there is only one reason, I loved to read.
All in all, these various aspects come together to 'explain' just why I enjoy writing so much, whether it's an essay, a narrative, or an argument, I simply don't find it difficult to write as long as the subject matter is interesting. (My interest only goes so far for SOME topics) Of course, I still have a long way to go, and there are many areas to improve my essay writings. It does make me wonder whether I made the wrong choice of my major though, considering I seem to do pretty well in arts modules, especially those involving argumentative style essays. I probably need to find my niche, but that's the problem with a person who dabbles in a little bit of everything: You become the Jack of all trades, but master of none.
Technorati Tags: essays, compositions, opinions, naratives, arguments, writings
powered by performancing firefox
Ubuntu display fixed
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver_xorg
The configuration itself wasn't difficult. The key points to take note of was my monitor's horizontal and vertical refresh rates as well as the native resolution. Oh, and choosing "Vesa" as the original driver first was the smart thing to do since I hadn't gotten my NVIDIA ones yet.
With this done, I could finally launch xserver with "startx", but it was a disappointing 1024*768 even with all the work done so far. I needed to get new drivers for the display to work properly. Still, at least I could SEE the desktop, and it wasn't a garble of colours running all over the screen.
Using the command line, I successfully downloaded and installed Envy using the following commands. I guess I could've gotten it the easier way by using Firefox, but surfing was a problem because scrolling on the screen took AGES.
wget http://albertomilone.com/ubuntu/nvidia/scripts/envy_0.9.1-0ubuntu3_all.deb
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -f
sudo dpkg -i envy_0.9.1-0ubuntu3_all.deb
Again, some things to take note of. I couldn't execute the last command initially to setup Envy because of dependency issues. I solved it by manually configuring the software repositories using
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
I effectively removed all comments for the required repositories and saved the file. Since I was modifying it anyway, I changed the source to NUS' mirror, which would be a lot faster since I AM on campus. I then updated and did an install -f, which solved my dependency problem. Installation of Envy was a breeze.
After that, I merely followed the setup instructions on Envy's website. After the reboot, things just turned out beautifully!
This experience has taught me a bit more about Linux and how it worked. I'm quite happy I managed to solve it myself, although it's probably not that hard a problem. Hopefully someone else might just benefit from my experience. For the record, my graphics card is a NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT and my monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster 940BW with a native resolution of 1440*900.
Problem solved!
Technorati Tags: Linux, Ubuntu, Envy, Install, Display Error
powered by performancing firefox
Ubuntu problems
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The settings for Ubuntu were not to my taste either. I didn't like that the default setting of GRUB, I'd prefer to have Windows on default because like Ubuntu was supposed to be more for development. Till now, I'm still trying to find how to fix that. I didn't have this problem when I used SuSe.
AND, there's little or no support for my widescreen monitor. I checked through the forums and tried some fixes, but they only caused my Ubuntu to crash at X startup and now I have to reinstall Ubuntu. I guess there is a good reason why some people simply won't even consider Linux. While Ubuntu is supposed to be the most user friendly, it's a far cry compared to SOME of the simpler things Windows offers. For one thing, I didn't have to reinstall Windows when I first got my 19" widescreen. It hurts my eyes to stare at a 4:3 screen in Ubuntu and until I can FIX that, I won't be using it much.
That's been my Ubuntu experience. Honestly, I should probably have stuck with SuSe, at least I didn't face as many problems. I'm still hunting for the solutions to the three simple (IMHO) problems which have yet to be solved. I wished I was either a lot better with Linux or I never heard of it.
Technorati Tags: Linux, Ubuntu, Grub, rant
powered by performancing firefox
Google not so original
Sunday, March 11, 2007
BUT, I will say that having to sign in to ONLY Google to access all its services is ONE advantage it has over NetVibes. After all, I can access many different Google services by signing on to only one account. Although NetVibes DOES support GMail and has a whole list of RSS/ATOM feeds pre-configured, it basically requires ANOTHER sign-up to customise it. I already have a GMail account, so why is would I want to sign-up if Google is offering the same thing with just one account? Admittedly, I didn't discover this earlier, although if I did, I'd probably have used it.
Nontheless, I thought Google Home was Google Inc's brainchild, something that was original and innovative. Seems I was wrong. On reflection though, I'm thinking that probably NOTHING Google has to offer is significantly innovative... They merely come up with superb improvements, building on the ideas of others. They provide QUALITY service, centralising all the cool stuff on the net in one place. I guess they deserve credit for just doing that. It IS much simpler and more 'productive' to work this way...
After all, Google is one huge giant on the internet, and NOBODY can rival it just now... Sorry, IMHO, Yahoo falls REAL short.
Technorati Tags: Netvibes, Google Home
powered by performancing firefox
300 the movie
The first thing I noticed when I first saw a poster of 300, was that it was gory... Very gory... Watching the trailer emphasized that point, and the moment I saw it, I thought 'Sin City'.
Frank Miller has done it again.
I just caught the show and it is definitely worth the watch. It was rated M18, largely due to the fact that it has very gory scenes (decapitated heads are just the beginning) and nudity as well as sexual content (not explicit of course). Personally, it wouldn't have made a very big difference if it was censored, but to finally watch a FULL movie in the cinema without the sudden cuts was refreshing.
I came back and immediately checked the storyline because it intrigued me. Surprisingly, the story was quite accurate. Wikipedia explains History of Sparta and Leonidas. If you don't know the history, perhaps it would be better not to read it before you watch the show, since it's so accurate it might just spoil it.
The show itself was amazing. In the same flavour as Sin City, the scenes were 'cartoonised' and thus less upsetting. It was totally interesting throughout. I'm amazed by just how well they manage to portray characters that are both distinctly human, and cartoonish. Just watch the trailer and you'll see what I mean. It adds real depth to the movie. Also, there were a lot of Matrix like scenes, lots of blood and flying limbs, artistic nudity and cool effects to boost the experience.
The story itself was obviously modified a little for entertainment. It was politics, betrayal, deception, courage, valor, sacrifice, and pride all wrapped into a neat package of about 2 hours. The story was believable, engaging, and historical, which made it seem even more real. Numbers were exaggerated of course, as it was not a million vs 300, but it was certainly exciting to see a small army stand up to a much larger one and take down a significant number of them.
For eye candy, let's say that girls will be drooling all over the
Still, the movie has its flaws. For one thing, the whole movie has only one 'setting', typical of Frank Miller I suppose, but it can get a bit boring to see only scened and scened of war cries and splattering blood all in the same gloomy like background of mostly brown. It can get tiresome.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the movie. It's a good watch, lots of excitement, lots of energy, it's not TOO emotional, and with cool effects and sound, it's probably already worth the money I spent. It could've been better, but then it wouldn't be a Frank Miller.
Technorati Tags: 300, movie, review
powered by performancing firefox
Linux Distribution Chooser
Friday, March 09, 2007
On another note, Google Desktop seems a viable option to those who are sticking with Windows XP. Windows Vista is expensive and as of now, still unsupported by most applications, so I'd recommend putting it on hold. Still, perhaps when it stabilises, in about a year or two... we'll see...
On a personal note, had two midterms yesterday, and another one tomorrow. That's enough from me for now. Hope tomorrow will turn out ok.
Technorati Tags: Linux, distribution
powered by performancing firefox
Google Goodies
Well, apart from the usual Google offered services, there are quite a few Google goodies that you can find. Most notably, some Firefox extensions to fully maximise the awesomeness of Google. You can start here. There are also services to synchronise your Google Calender with either your phone, pda or Microsoft Outlook. (Check here) Really nifty.
If you're wondering where I get my news from, RSS feeds from Google Reader obviously. Really informative. Try it out too!
Edit: I also failed to mention, I've discovered some cool stuff lately. Some of them are really interesting. For starters, consider AllPeers said to be the next big thing, utilising BitTorrent technology but comprising individual (read: PRIVATE) networks. Also, if you thought YouTube was cool, wait till you see Scribd In time, you're going to be able to find just about any book available...
Copyright holders will be screaming their heads off when these services become mainstream...
Technorati Tags: Google, online services
powered by performancing firefox
RIAA
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Now I'm not saying piracy is right; Legally it's not. However, just because it's legal doesn't mean it's ethically right. Just read more about it by checking the links with regards to the RIAA on the right. While they may seem to be doing the 'right' thing, it definitely doesn't help to threaten consumers to get their way.
I believe they ought to learn a lesson or two from the Anime community. Sure, sites like Narutofan.com still exist, but Viz (the license holder) doesn't seem to have a problem with them. I remember reading once that Viz monitors the online Anime community to make corporate decisions simply because working in tandem with the fans leads to increased revenue. Viz does not press charges and claim that millions are lost because people are downloading Anime. In fact, an upper executive once conceded that they do NOT take action because all these "pirates" do is generate publicity and gain the interest of millions of fans around the world. This in turn increases the revenue generated through the sales of the DVDs, Soundtracks, Models, Comic books and the like. Perhaps the RIAA and MPAA could learn a thing or two from them.
I watched part of a documentary on piracy in Canada, and I noticed that the head of CRIA (The Canadian Recording Industry Association - Canadian version of the RIAA) mentioned that music 'sharing' is not sharing at all since "you don't lose anything by this type of 'sharing'". I'd probably agree, and put to him that since you don't lose anything, then it can't be "stealing". If there was a way I could produce a duplicate of anything I touched, and I went over to your house and touched your Ferrari thus making a duplicate of it, would you come yelling at me for 'stealing' it? I doubt so.
The ethics of intellectual property isn't a simple matter. True, people need to get paid for all the hard work they put in. Unfortunately, treating your consumers as criminals and using threats isn't the right approach either. Neither is forcing consumers to pay for what they've already paid for again and again by disallowing them to use the products they buy in the way they like.
I personally still feel that if there's something which I really like or enjoy, I'd go out and buy the original. Why not? At least I don't have to worry about it getting lost when I reformat my PC, or that the file doesn't become corrupted in time. Let's face it, the quality of even MP3s aren't perfect, and I'd pick owning a CD to just an MP3 any day. The last two CDs I bought I bought because I liked the songs in them, and I won't be ashamed to say I ripped it to my PC so I won't have to use my CD to listen to them. Also, unlike the USA, the price of music, movies and software are so high here that it's not always affordable. Maybe they ought to lower the price of original stuff in Asian countries if they want people to even CONSIDER buying them. After all, if the price difference between an original and a pirated copy is 95 bucks, how can they expect people to NOT buy them?
These are just some of my thoughts. I still think the RIAA are going about this the wrong way, but they can do what they want... After all, the worst that could happen was that NOBODY ever buys ANYTHING from them... EVER...
Technorati Tags: RIAA, copyright, legal
powered by performancing firefox
Post CNY
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
I had a pretty enjoyable time this CNY. Family get together in Ipoh was quite ok I guess. Betting sessions were fun though, since for the first time in many years, our resident dealer lost big time, and mostly to his pre-teen daughter and her cousins. Ouch.
Food was abundant and we stuffed ourselves a lot during the week. I even brought back some extra. Somehow, I didn't feel the CNY joy when I left, and I also didn't feel in the 'study mood' when I got back. It was a bit of a slow start, but thankfully 3 assignments are done and the last one is due next week. I still have time for it, so I won't kill myself doing it just now. I got a midterm this coming Friday so that takes priority.
Rhazzmatazz was pretty enjoyable last night. I know there were some hiccups in the organising, but I think it turned out fine. It was very enjoyable, and the performances were much better than I expected. I was pretty impressed especially by all the talented first years who put up many different performances, and they were fantastic. It's quite nice not having to be involved in a production for a change. I wouldn't have minded doing it I guess, but I appreciate the time I saved. It wouldn't do to kill myself...
I've been reading a bit on what's been going on in the tech world lately. In case you haven't noticed, there's a nifty new gadget on the right side of the blog now, catering to inform you of some of the interesting things I'm reading about. I expect my blog doesn't get as many visitors anymore, but hey, I'm still updating it when I find the time.
Picked up a good book over the weekend and I must say, it has been a real blessing to me. I think I'm being freed from some of the things that held me back previously. I'm finding the courage to look up even more, and to set my heart right in everything I do, so I guess it's a worthwhile investment. I certainly hope some of my other investments pay off, particularly since I spent quite a bit on them...
My sister will be getting married this year, so this was the last time our family would be together, in a manner of speaking. Hope to spend more time with her here over the next few months. ^_^
February the 14th
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The 14th of February has never been a very happy day for me. As far back as I can remember it was always a time where a particular 'missing' part in my life becomes much more pronounced. I'm not saying that this is always bad, or that being single means I'm imperfect or 'unwhole', but life could be better no? I received a revelation lately, about how in the Bible, there were many women who were barren, and they cried out because of their barrenness. It didn't mean that it was wrong to 'want' something more and better in life. Isn't God enough? Isn't just having Him in your life sufficient? Yes, but He has meant for us to be joined and not alone, and to fully experience the promises He has for us, that means finding that someone too.
Going back to the main issue, the 14th of February isn't particularly the happiest day of my life. It probably wouldn't be so bad if I weren't reminded of how there have been many times where it was just a day of futile, fruitless effort, marked only by impending failure. Guess I'm not as lucky as some people. This isn't a self-bashing session, and no, I'm not feeling totally down and out. I sometimes just wonder whether these efforts amount to anything... Food for thought...
This year, the 14th of February is more than just a sad, lonely day. It will mark the day I lost my only grandfather as well. It's not easy even though I'm not extremely close to him. I feel really bad, because I didn't get to see him before he went. I'd have liked to have seen him once before he went... He wasn't perfect, but he was a good man. I hope that everyone will be able to get through this, particularly my mother. So much for a 'happy', 'prosperous' Chinese New Year...
I don't really have the mood to write lots and lots about this, but suffice to say, I don't see a particularly happy 14th Feb for me anytime soon...
Handball Match
Friday, February 02, 2007
Finally, the first match will be tomorrow. Nothing much to say except there have been delays and FINALLY there's a chance for us to play. I have mixed feelings about it, but in the end, I guess I'm looking forward to it. Praying for protection against injury and that nothing will go wrong. Hoping for a win against EH.
Got a small part in a government advertisement with some lines. Apparently they'll call me. Yes, it's a MINOR role, so they won't pay all that much... I thought they'd pay more but well... at least I'm getting paid... >.<
Rev. Dr. A. R. Bernard's message last Saturday was one to remember. It was on the 28th of January 2007 and the message was about how your greatest value in life is your value to God. It really hit the spot after what I shared with sis just before attending the service. I really felt that message was specifically sent by God for me. Thank You so much! And no, I'm not blind or ignorant, so I will accept it if it is what You want. Don't worry, I'll still hold my head up! Thanks for putting up with me...
Well, calling it a night. I unfortunately can't keep very far ahead of work since most of my lecturers have a 'last minute put out tutorials and notes' habit. 3 hour lecture tomorrow...
New Year Resolution Tag
Thursday, January 25, 2007
It's UBER late, but I guess I should articulate (or rather, write down) some goals to pursue this year. Tagged by Shimmer.
1) Get straight 'A's. I've never gotten it before in university, and although it seems like an impossible task, I'm aiming high. At least if I miss the sun, i'll still get the moon. >.<
2) Retire from hall activities. Not that I don't want to be involved, but it would be quite sweet to actually ENJOY the things that are happening instead of always being INVOLVED in them.
3) Handball IHG gold. Group effort, but the least I can do is resolve to play like I'm winning it. That's what I'm aiming for.
4) Make more wallpapers. I enjoy the work and although it's not exactly well recognised, I'm satisfied by looking at how people can actually use my work on their own screens. It's a great way to improve photoshop skills too.
5) Find 'her'. This one I'm least focussed on simply because it's the case of "if it comes, it comes"... still, no reason not to put this in... regardless of how 'unlikely' to happen it may seem...
There. My five resolutions this year. I honestly think I'll aim for some other things too, but they might not be of as much interest to most people... Hope you guys have your resolutions too!
Due
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
It's been awfully long since I last posted. I've been busy with trainings as IHG is coming, but I think I can squeeze out some time to post a little.
Things have been going pretty ok these few weeks. Training is ok, studies aren't too bad, hall life is manageable (although very much lacking lately...), cell has been fun... I don't have all that much to rant about. ^^
In any case, I've recently purchased a new mouse to replace my old one. This one is very cool, being wireless and portable, I can sit on my bed and use it. Really handy to watch movies / anime.
Some of the latest animes I've been chasing include Sokou no Strain, Code Geass, Gantz, Ikkitousen, and History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi. I get about an episode a week at most, so it's not that bad. They're a mixture of exciting, funny, mindless, mecha and thought provoking stories. I'll save my comments till after I finish the series.
I've decided to get the MG Strike Freedom for S$48. Unfortunately, it's not the Full Burst Mode, but I might get it some other time... when the price is more affordable. Getting it directly from Japan seems to really cut the cost, so if there's anyone going to Japan please let me know ASAP. Here's what I want to get and here's what I'm getting. I'd get the Full Burst Mode straight if they were in stock.
In any case, life seems to be droning on. I'm hoping I'll have much more to share. The sermon these past few weeks have been really good, and I'd like to download them if possible. The Cultural Mandate is truly something we all have to try to achieve. Catch the webcast if you want to find out what I'm talking about.
Well, that's it. Hopefully I'll post again soon...
What strength is
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
I always thought strength was being able to face challenges. Strength is the capability to overcome where others could not. Is that all it is?
Apparently not. True strength is the ability to pick yourself up over and over again. What this means is that despite your apparent tendency to fail, you still pick yourself up and try again and again regardless of how hopeless it seems. Sometimes, we only agree to 'play' when we can 'win'. We already give up when we think we can't win. The bible tells us to do everything we possibly can, and when we have done just that, to STAND. I'm guessing that God won't always 100% give you success even if you follow every single one of His principles. The fact that there is a 'chance' it might not go the way we want it to, or the way we THINK it should go, is the reason we need FAITH.
In any case, this was the sermon last Sunday. I picked up quite a lot from it, and I truly believe it applies to every area in life: Studies, work, ministry, and yes, even relationship. Go check it out at the CHC website and you'll know what I mean.
On another note, congratulations MOKS for successfully graduating from SOT and winning the award for "Best Minister". I'm not surprised you won and you probably deserve it. God bless you!
Purveyor of ponderings
Sunday, December 03, 2006
So what do you do when you have a few days of nothing to do? I personally don't know. As usual, you always seem to have a lot of things to do before your exams end, but once they do, you find that nothing interests you enough to inspire you to do them. Perhaps it's because we're so tired that we can't seem to find the strength to do it, but honestly, it's probably just a natural thing that happens. I learned fairly early that one ought to list down everything that needs to be done BEFORE the end of the exams, all the things you want to do, the movies you want to catch, the errands you've been putting off, the hobby you decided to stop pursuing... Alas my list is short and I still haven't started on it...
A celebration (post exams in this case) would only truly be a celebration if it was not alone. Let's face it, even though my exams are over, if there's noone to share in my joy, then there's basically no difference is there? It's times like this that you wished you had someone standing by you... alas, I don't seem to have that privilege. Lamentations as usual... but of course, that does not mean I am desperate for one...
Recently, Pastor Phil Pringle's sermon really hit the mark. It seems a lot of us (well, I'll speak for at LEAST myself), have deviated from focusing on Jesus, and not on anything else. It's so easy to say "I'm doing this for You, Lord" or "Lord, I pray for A, B, C, D, E and F. Thanks, Lord. Bye." I was convicted because although I didn't just pray for blessings in my life, I didn't really try to seek Him. I was being selfish in that sense. Sure, I could justify and say I was praying for someone else, for my family, for world peace even, but really, isn't God what it's all about? The one phrase that comes back into my mind at this point:
KEEP the MAIN THING, the MAIN THING!How very apt indeed. Again we are reminded of Mary and Martha. Noone is saying that serving is bad, or that doing things for God is wrong, but what is the attitude in which we do them? Is it birthed from our worship, or is it birthed from our desire to prove something? Perhaps it might even be to gain acceptence? Pride? God wants us to put our relationship with Him first and foremost, and I think very often we are guilty of failing in this area.
So I repent. I don't wish to continue sidelining Him. I want to put Him FIRST, and have only Him on the throne of my heart. I want to seek Him above all, to spend time with Him, to get closer to Him... It's not easy I know, and wouldn't be surprised if a little down the road, I realise AGAIN that I've maligned Him... BUT, at least for now, I'm going to try to make this right.
Matt 6:33 tells us that if we seek Him first and His righteousness (which means to also constantly want to be more like Him) then everything else will work out. The revelation I got from this verse is simply this: Seeking Him comes first, but seek not just a relationship with Him alone, but also to pursue Christlikeness... to be more and more like Him each day. This is an important criteria if we want to be blessed. Most of the time, we get the first part intuitively, and it has also been drilled into us. Sure, we have to seek Him first, to worship Him, to honour Him, but we must also not forget the second part, which is to also seek after His righteousness. I am grateful for this revelation, because I believe sometimes I focus too much on this area; trying always to be more like Jesus, but not necessarily trying to be close TO Him. They ought to go hand in hand.
Alas, it is late, and I have to wake up early tomorrow. Undoubtedly my tiredness has not gone away since I didn't exactly sleep all that much after my exams. I pray for strength tomorrow to run with more vigour. Signing off...
.png)
