(Summer School: Day Five)
Today was completely sacrificed to school and work. Doing an overview for the upcoming Quiz, and updating the public bulletin page for work.
Topics of Conversation: Out of ink, the wrong color of T-shirt, Fullerton is better, the math of evolution, Inspector Gadget, chili addiction, James Bond = martinis and womanizing, smiling Aang, walking away, etc.
-Nate
Showing posts with label Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journal. Show all posts
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Second-Person
Getting a paycheck is awesome, isn’t it?
Its just… its money that’s yours. You earned it. It ain’t addressed to you for no reason. You should be able to have each dollar to spend as you see fit. To invest and throw away to your heart’s content.
Too bad it just isn’t like that.
You got the bills. They get first crack at all your money, and they always want more of it. You always want to give them less of it. Really, if all your debt had a face, you’d kick it’s ass. Friggin’ bills, man…
I’m not sure why I went all second-person on you. For all I know, you hate when people assume what you’ll do. But I’m thinking you’re a creature of empathy, and that we’re on the same page, right? OF COURSE I’M RIGHT.
So anyways, I got a paycheck, which I would spend a majority of on bills, and then went out to catch up with Carissa. She was getting her car smogged, and I figured I could help her out in dealing with this big ol’ scary world. After doing that, I would run out to a bank and deposit my paycheck.
And that’s pretty much how the day went. She got her car smogged, saw how easy it was, we got my check to the bank, which actually took longer than it was supposed to. It was much more harder to find the bank branch in question than I had originally thought. But found it we did, and then food was acquired with said money.
After that, Carissa headed home, and I headed to Lainey’s place to watch yet more Lost. I’m officially getting WAY into it. The 2nd Season isn’t quite as good as the first, but its still better written than a lot of the crap on TV right now. I think the other thing I like about it is the sheer ambition. This is a very unconventional show. And its creating its own mythology with each episode.
Lainey fell asleep. I guess she’s not into the show as much.
(I’m kidding, Lainey! She actually already watched almost the entire season).
Topics of Conversation: Dinosaur people, visual learning, hummus for the day, mangoes, diary shovers, banks, sometimes I think too damn hard about stuff, drinking to anything, 3-second memory, cold show, dreams of repeat importance, getting some good anger going, etc.
-Nate
Its just… its money that’s yours. You earned it. It ain’t addressed to you for no reason. You should be able to have each dollar to spend as you see fit. To invest and throw away to your heart’s content.
Too bad it just isn’t like that.
You got the bills. They get first crack at all your money, and they always want more of it. You always want to give them less of it. Really, if all your debt had a face, you’d kick it’s ass. Friggin’ bills, man…
I’m not sure why I went all second-person on you. For all I know, you hate when people assume what you’ll do. But I’m thinking you’re a creature of empathy, and that we’re on the same page, right? OF COURSE I’M RIGHT.
So anyways, I got a paycheck, which I would spend a majority of on bills, and then went out to catch up with Carissa. She was getting her car smogged, and I figured I could help her out in dealing with this big ol’ scary world. After doing that, I would run out to a bank and deposit my paycheck.
And that’s pretty much how the day went. She got her car smogged, saw how easy it was, we got my check to the bank, which actually took longer than it was supposed to. It was much more harder to find the bank branch in question than I had originally thought. But found it we did, and then food was acquired with said money.
After that, Carissa headed home, and I headed to Lainey’s place to watch yet more Lost. I’m officially getting WAY into it. The 2nd Season isn’t quite as good as the first, but its still better written than a lot of the crap on TV right now. I think the other thing I like about it is the sheer ambition. This is a very unconventional show. And its creating its own mythology with each episode.
Lainey fell asleep. I guess she’s not into the show as much.
(I’m kidding, Lainey! She actually already watched almost the entire season).
Topics of Conversation: Dinosaur people, visual learning, hummus for the day, mangoes, diary shovers, banks, sometimes I think too damn hard about stuff, drinking to anything, 3-second memory, cold show, dreams of repeat importance, getting some good anger going, etc.
-Nate
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
1 Gig of Memory
I went to the comic shop today and hung out with Mark and Lainey, talking about random things. Nancy joined up a bit later, as did Victor and Josh. It was nice to be able to go to the shop, especially with how much harder it might be next week. School will definitely take a bite out of my time at the shop.
I tried the Bagel Thin sandwich at Noah’s Bakery. Its worth the $1 I paid, thanks to the coupon I received from Mark, but I would never pay the $4.75 they had it marked down as for “normal” price. Its small, and the bacon I had on it was tortilla chips at best. Don’t waste your money on it. Go for the regular sandwiches.
After the shop, I headed to Norwalk. It was uneventful, but I learned about an app from Bill for my parents’ Droid cell phone. Its called “Vignette,” and it can add different, cool effects to the pictures that the camera on the phone takes. I can’t wait to try it out, though I’m not sure if my parents will want it for very long.
Lately, my laptop has been lagging in memory. Heh. “Lately.” Lately by the past three years or so. I looked at it and realized that I only had one gig of memory left. What? How is that possible? I don’t download movies, and I only write on it. Were my stories and notes really taking up so much room? I had deleted a few programs that I wasn’t using anymore…
So I started checking.
As it turns out, I hadn’t deleted a single picture I had taken and uploaded to my computer since
2006. 2006. That is madness. At the same time, I thought it didn’t take up that much room. So I started to transfer all my pictures to CDs. I didn’t think it would take that long.
FIVE CD’s later and I’m only a quarter of the way done. Holy cow. This is insane I never thought I had that many pictures, or that it took up that much memory. Looks like I win the Dumb Award this year. I’ve already cleared up 3 gigs of memory just doing this first run at cleaning up the memory. I wonder what number of CD’s I’ll stop at?
Topics of Conversation: Fundraisers, all the crazy people in our lives, concert prostitute, Turok scene explanations, bagel thins and smoothies, Hannah Montana, 1000 hot dogs a day, In Edgar Wright We Trust, security cameras, green Solomon Grundy, stress headaches, etc.
-Nate
I tried the Bagel Thin sandwich at Noah’s Bakery. Its worth the $1 I paid, thanks to the coupon I received from Mark, but I would never pay the $4.75 they had it marked down as for “normal” price. Its small, and the bacon I had on it was tortilla chips at best. Don’t waste your money on it. Go for the regular sandwiches.
After the shop, I headed to Norwalk. It was uneventful, but I learned about an app from Bill for my parents’ Droid cell phone. Its called “Vignette,” and it can add different, cool effects to the pictures that the camera on the phone takes. I can’t wait to try it out, though I’m not sure if my parents will want it for very long.
Lately, my laptop has been lagging in memory. Heh. “Lately.” Lately by the past three years or so. I looked at it and realized that I only had one gig of memory left. What? How is that possible? I don’t download movies, and I only write on it. Were my stories and notes really taking up so much room? I had deleted a few programs that I wasn’t using anymore…
So I started checking.
As it turns out, I hadn’t deleted a single picture I had taken and uploaded to my computer since
2006. 2006. That is madness. At the same time, I thought it didn’t take up that much room. So I started to transfer all my pictures to CDs. I didn’t think it would take that long.
FIVE CD’s later and I’m only a quarter of the way done. Holy cow. This is insane I never thought I had that many pictures, or that it took up that much memory. Looks like I win the Dumb Award this year. I’ve already cleared up 3 gigs of memory just doing this first run at cleaning up the memory. I wonder what number of CD’s I’ll stop at?
Topics of Conversation: Fundraisers, all the crazy people in our lives, concert prostitute, Turok scene explanations, bagel thins and smoothies, Hannah Montana, 1000 hot dogs a day, In Edgar Wright We Trust, security cameras, green Solomon Grundy, stress headaches, etc.
-Nate
Monday, June 14, 2010
Devising
I took a walk today, and I got an idea in my head. I wanted to convert an old idea that I had been working on nearly four years ago into a new idea. I went digging through some old notes, slowly compiling the scattered pieces of the big story arches that I had been devising way back then. I eventually came up with what might be a really fun idea, and some really strong characters. And the overall story can really pay off, especially the big moments I’m planning.
I went to Norwalk as well, and since it was a slow day, I worked on the idea some more. I basically have seven characters that are pretty different, though two might be a little too similar. And the first three story arches build upon each other nicely. And the end result is a world that has supernatural elements, but melds humor enough that having evil, demonic girl scouts fighting the heroes isn’t a stretch.
I know. That’s what I think about when I go on walks?
Topics of Conversation: Russian workout, the environment, busted elevator, hidden lists, art, The Hitchhiker, refrigerators, Neanderthals, bad luck, googling goggles, pasta love, etc.
-Nate
I went to Norwalk as well, and since it was a slow day, I worked on the idea some more. I basically have seven characters that are pretty different, though two might be a little too similar. And the first three story arches build upon each other nicely. And the end result is a world that has supernatural elements, but melds humor enough that having evil, demonic girl scouts fighting the heroes isn’t a stretch.
I know. That’s what I think about when I go on walks?
Topics of Conversation: Russian workout, the environment, busted elevator, hidden lists, art, The Hitchhiker, refrigerators, Neanderthals, bad luck, googling goggles, pasta love, etc.
-Nate
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Half-Assed Journal Entry #07
I was sunburnt and tired from yesterday, so I stayed home and contemplated the movies I could watch.
I also cleaned my car a little more.
And I changed my Summer school class from Environmental Science to Biological Anthropology. Mostly because it would give me even more chance to work on my homework.
Mostly I recovered.
Topics of Conversation: Pandora, the damn Celtics, True Blood’s amazing ability to be both ridiculous and interesting, lasagna, etc.
-Nate
I also cleaned my car a little more.
And I changed my Summer school class from Environmental Science to Biological Anthropology. Mostly because it would give me even more chance to work on my homework.
Mostly I recovered.
Topics of Conversation: Pandora, the damn Celtics, True Blood’s amazing ability to be both ridiculous and interesting, lasagna, etc.
-Nate
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Alternate
I went over to Amy's place to watch a metric ton of Buffy eps from Season 3 with her and Aaron. Other than some talking/texting throughout the day, that's really all I did today. I completely devoted it to all that is Buffy.
But in my defense, these are some of the best episodes to watch!:
Revelations
Lover's Walk
The Wish
Amends
Gingerbread
Helpless
The Zeppo
Bad Girls
The Wish alone is my favorite episode, not only because its already amazing on its own, but for the fact that it is the Alternate Reality episode. Almost every show has done a version of this at some point. Because its fun! Its fun to follow the dominoes that have fallen. How if one thing didn't happen, then something else would have happened instead. And so on, and so on.
And in this version, there was one awesome, dark possibility after another. I tell you, I couldn't get enough. I would be perfectly happy if every season had a "What If...?" episode. But that might just be me.
-Nate
But in my defense, these are some of the best episodes to watch!:
Revelations
Lover's Walk
The Wish
Amends
Gingerbread
Helpless
The Zeppo
Bad Girls
The Wish alone is my favorite episode, not only because its already amazing on its own, but for the fact that it is the Alternate Reality episode. Almost every show has done a version of this at some point. Because its fun! Its fun to follow the dominoes that have fallen. How if one thing didn't happen, then something else would have happened instead. And so on, and so on.
And in this version, there was one awesome, dark possibility after another. I tell you, I couldn't get enough. I would be perfectly happy if every season had a "What If...?" episode. But that might just be me.
I've spent a lot of time (some might say "too much") wondering about how things would have turned out if one factor was taken out. All the way from world wars to turning left at a light instead of right. Its fun to try and figure out where all the pieces could have ended up. Sometimes, this mental exercise can turn into sad, emo yearning for a different path in life, but I'm at peace with most of my choices I've made.
(Except for the "taking a break from school" choice. Argh. I'm paying for that).
As for the night, it was really cool, and we got WAY caught up with Season 3, all in one night.
Topics of Conversation: Waffles, marathon bliss, cabbage, tip toeing around the spoilers, making plans with chicken and zombies, trying to figure out the half-way point between LA and Anaheim, etc.
-Nate
Saturday, May 8, 2010
27
I am 27-years-old today. I am now officially, and by my own standards, in my late 20’s. There is no going back. There is only going forward. But what does that entail? For this year, I wanted to document my own thoughts and experiences. I had actually forgot to factor in the fact that I would be turning 27 this year.
The first thing I did today was go to Zov’s Bistro in Tustin with my parents. My uncle, Jon, met up with us at the restaurant. It was a great meal, though I got short ribs off the bone, when I had thought I had ordered actual ribs. But the food was still delicious.
As a gift, my parents had gotten a cool drawing my friend, Amy, had done of me as a vampire. It was an amazing looking piece, and the frame made it look more official than it had ever looked laying on my desk. I’m a fan of her art already, so it only got the presentation it deserved.
After I got home, I was hit with the realization that I had planned very little for my birthday. I had let my family have first dibs on any plans, but we were already scattered as is with other stuff. So it was something of a blessing that Justin had called to invite over to his mom/nephew’s birthday shindig. Apparently everybody who is anybody is having their birthday in May. Which makes early September the month for lovers. (Do the math from September to May).
I hung out at Justin’s place, talking and partaking of the Filipino hospitality of a plethora of food. At one point we headed out to Borders to catch up on gift giving for the next day. While at Border’s, Jamal called me to see if Justin and I were up to anything. Justin had to head back home for the post-hospitality clean-up. But I was free and headed to Jamal’s. While at Jamal’s place, we grabbed some Del Taco and watched Up In The Air.
Up In The Air was a really good movie, though that was no surprise with Jason Reitman as the Director. He impressed me with Thank You For Smoking, blew me away with Juno, and he didn’t let me down with this movie in the slightest. George Clooney was incredibly charming in this role, Vera Farmiga was sexy and painfully human, and Anna Kendrick was able to get more out her role than I had originally thought was there.
The first thing I did today was go to Zov’s Bistro in Tustin with my parents. My uncle, Jon, met up with us at the restaurant. It was a great meal, though I got short ribs off the bone, when I had thought I had ordered actual ribs. But the food was still delicious.
As a gift, my parents had gotten a cool drawing my friend, Amy, had done of me as a vampire. It was an amazing looking piece, and the frame made it look more official than it had ever looked laying on my desk. I’m a fan of her art already, so it only got the presentation it deserved.
After I got home, I was hit with the realization that I had planned very little for my birthday. I had let my family have first dibs on any plans, but we were already scattered as is with other stuff. So it was something of a blessing that Justin had called to invite over to his mom/nephew’s birthday shindig. Apparently everybody who is anybody is having their birthday in May. Which makes early September the month for lovers. (Do the math from September to May).
I hung out at Justin’s place, talking and partaking of the Filipino hospitality of a plethora of food. At one point we headed out to Borders to catch up on gift giving for the next day. While at Border’s, Jamal called me to see if Justin and I were up to anything. Justin had to head back home for the post-hospitality clean-up. But I was free and headed to Jamal’s. While at Jamal’s place, we grabbed some Del Taco and watched Up In The Air.
Up In The Air was a really good movie, though that was no surprise with Jason Reitman as the Director. He impressed me with Thank You For Smoking, blew me away with Juno, and he didn’t let me down with this movie in the slightest. George Clooney was incredibly charming in this role, Vera Farmiga was sexy and painfully human, and Anna Kendrick was able to get more out her role than I had originally thought was there.
The part that really stuck with me about this movie, was the question of legacies and relationships. The fear of being alone was in direct conflict with the fear of losing one’s freedom. It really brought to the forefront all the contradictory beliefs we all hold self-evident, but in the end, it comes down to what we really want. And that sometimes, the happiness we derive from the things we do, and the way we act, really can’t stand up to intense scrutiny.
So what path do you choose? Is there really only one way to happiness.
The movie was hitting me in a lot of other ways, thanks to the fact that I got older today. Am I the person I want to be? I think I am, in a lot of aspects. The way I handle myself, and the relationships I have with people are things that I’m honestly proud of. My friends are some of the few things that I think I’ve done a good job on. So thank you, for that.
But career and money wise… I have a hell of a lot of paths I need to blaze to make that work the way I need it to.
Topics of Conversation: The future, words said in an alcohol and meds induced haze, geeked out, psyched out, freaked out, subtle office humor, 270 days of travel, a long night and morning of adventure, etc.
-Nate
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Cinco!
It was Cinco de Mayo and I didn’t do any drinking in celebration. Sorry about that. I missed the memo. But I’ll get on it next year.
As for the rest of the day, I spent trying to catch up to my usual schedule. This time with a special cameo appearance by a new friend made at the Anaheim Comic Con: Carissa! Cool lady with a Mustang for a car. Its almost a contradiction, if it didn't seem so RIGHT.
We went to Comics Unlimited to do the comic run shuffle, where I picked up Buffy the Vampire Slayer (#35), Secret Six (#21), The Boys (#42), and Brightest Day (#01). All of these were pretty good reads, though Buffy better start explaining itself soon, or I’m going to go a little bat-s**t on it.
After the shop, I ate teriyaki with Carissa, and we caught up on all the little bits and pieces of the week and month that had gone by. I guess one of my favorite things to do is learn more about my friends, and all the other people in my life.
As I progress along with this, I picture each friend as being in their own version of Memento. With less murder of course. Everyone we meet, we meet them after the events of their lives have already taken place. The big stuff that made them who they are. I’m not saying they’re done growing as people, just that entire movies have already gone by before you join in. From now on, you will be making cameo appearances in their movie, and vice versa. But before you encountered them, they had their own life. And I like finding out what it was before I stumbled upon them.
After lunch, I had to head to work at Norwalk. I dropped off Carissa, and launched myself onto the freeway to another day of occupational responsibility. It was a quiet day there as well. I mostly cable casted and ended making plans to catch up with Lainey for lunch tomorrow.
Topics of Conversation @ Comics Unlimited & the teriyaki joint: Taxi service, better driving through comics, natural evil eye, disasters, when one wishes they were surprised, godmothers, the black hole of hunger, etc.
-Nate
As for the rest of the day, I spent trying to catch up to my usual schedule. This time with a special cameo appearance by a new friend made at the Anaheim Comic Con: Carissa! Cool lady with a Mustang for a car. Its almost a contradiction, if it didn't seem so RIGHT.
We went to Comics Unlimited to do the comic run shuffle, where I picked up Buffy the Vampire Slayer (#35), Secret Six (#21), The Boys (#42), and Brightest Day (#01). All of these were pretty good reads, though Buffy better start explaining itself soon, or I’m going to go a little bat-s**t on it.
After the shop, I ate teriyaki with Carissa, and we caught up on all the little bits and pieces of the week and month that had gone by. I guess one of my favorite things to do is learn more about my friends, and all the other people in my life.
As I progress along with this, I picture each friend as being in their own version of Memento. With less murder of course. Everyone we meet, we meet them after the events of their lives have already taken place. The big stuff that made them who they are. I’m not saying they’re done growing as people, just that entire movies have already gone by before you join in. From now on, you will be making cameo appearances in their movie, and vice versa. But before you encountered them, they had their own life. And I like finding out what it was before I stumbled upon them.
After lunch, I had to head to work at Norwalk. I dropped off Carissa, and launched myself onto the freeway to another day of occupational responsibility. It was a quiet day there as well. I mostly cable casted and ended making plans to catch up with Lainey for lunch tomorrow.
Topics of Conversation @ Comics Unlimited & the teriyaki joint: Taxi service, better driving through comics, natural evil eye, disasters, when one wishes they were surprised, godmothers, the black hole of hunger, etc.
-Nate
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Free Comic Book Day
Today was a day well in the making. It was Free Comic Book Day. And I had been looking forward to this almost as much as a geek could without getting a nosebleed. Yes, perhaps a bit… feverishly. I had even made a Facebook event page that had beat Nancy to the punch.
The plan was that I would treat this as a whole day event. Not only were Justin, Victor, and Patrick coming in for FCBD, but I had some new friends that I had made at the Anaheim Comic Con coming in: Jon, Carissa, Jimmy, Shawn, and Katie. I wanted to hang out with everybody. Throw in wanting to be able to talk to Mark, Nancy, Lainey, and Denise, and my dance card wasn’t just full, but I was starting to write in the margins.
On top of this Katie and Jon brought some peeps of their own.
ROLL CALL!: Juandel, George, Jamie, Anny, and Eddie!
FCBD had some signings from the Sullen Grey creative team, and since one of the artists had drawn a special issue of Shrek for Free Comic Book Day, they had a cool signing going on. The turn out for the shop was very impressive, and I was happy to see the store was very busy every time I either looked up from getting a caricature of me getting drawn or when I was talking nonsense with my friends.
Hunger eventually overtook us, and my crew wanted some pho. So I, Patrick, Victor, Carissa, Katie, Jon, Eddie, George, Anny, Jaime, and Juandel journeyed to nearby Little Saigon. We ate at a place called Pho 79, and the food wasn’t too bad. I liked the fried rice I ordered. After eating, we headed back to the shop to reconvene and let those that needed to take off do so.
The next plan turned into karaoke. Patrick suggested Ding Dong Dang up on Garden Grove boulevard. Carissa had to take off, but everyone else was game. We got a little lost getting there, but eventually found ourselves at the karaoke joint.
We all sang for over 3 hours. Pretty friggin’ crazy. I sang Buttercup, and even felt I owned it a little. Jon and his posse took off half-way through the karaoke list, and we finished the night at Denny’s. Jamie was really in a mood for ice cream… until we got there. Then she revealed she didn’t really care for ice cream.
I would like to clarify that Jamie asked for ice cream over 5 times.
ANYWAYS, Denny’s was pretty good, and we ended the night on some good laughs.
Topics of Conversation @ Free Comic Book Day: Pho, cupcakes, curfews, Power Girl’s creepy eyes, Ding Dong Dang, pimping out my friends, herding cats, pictures of ridiculous cuteness, ice cream, eating Shrek’s face, Victor’s magic trick concerning kryptonite, Lois Lane: Centaur, the “fake High School” experiment, etc.
-Nate
The plan was that I would treat this as a whole day event. Not only were Justin, Victor, and Patrick coming in for FCBD, but I had some new friends that I had made at the Anaheim Comic Con coming in: Jon, Carissa, Jimmy, Shawn, and Katie. I wanted to hang out with everybody. Throw in wanting to be able to talk to Mark, Nancy, Lainey, and Denise, and my dance card wasn’t just full, but I was starting to write in the margins.
On top of this Katie and Jon brought some peeps of their own.
ROLL CALL!: Juandel, George, Jamie, Anny, and Eddie!
FCBD had some signings from the Sullen Grey creative team, and since one of the artists had drawn a special issue of Shrek for Free Comic Book Day, they had a cool signing going on. The turn out for the shop was very impressive, and I was happy to see the store was very busy every time I either looked up from getting a caricature of me getting drawn or when I was talking nonsense with my friends.
Hunger eventually overtook us, and my crew wanted some pho. So I, Patrick, Victor, Carissa, Katie, Jon, Eddie, George, Anny, Jaime, and Juandel journeyed to nearby Little Saigon. We ate at a place called Pho 79, and the food wasn’t too bad. I liked the fried rice I ordered. After eating, we headed back to the shop to reconvene and let those that needed to take off do so.
The next plan turned into karaoke. Patrick suggested Ding Dong Dang up on Garden Grove boulevard. Carissa had to take off, but everyone else was game. We got a little lost getting there, but eventually found ourselves at the karaoke joint.
We all sang for over 3 hours. Pretty friggin’ crazy. I sang Buttercup, and even felt I owned it a little. Jon and his posse took off half-way through the karaoke list, and we finished the night at Denny’s. Jamie was really in a mood for ice cream… until we got there. Then she revealed she didn’t really care for ice cream.
I would like to clarify that Jamie asked for ice cream over 5 times.
ANYWAYS, Denny’s was pretty good, and we ended the night on some good laughs.
Topics of Conversation @ Free Comic Book Day: Pho, cupcakes, curfews, Power Girl’s creepy eyes, Ding Dong Dang, pimping out my friends, herding cats, pictures of ridiculous cuteness, ice cream, eating Shrek’s face, Victor’s magic trick concerning kryptonite, Lois Lane: Centaur, the “fake High School” experiment, etc.
-Nate
Friday, April 30, 2010
A Large Box of Acquired Mess
My room is a mess. This is a fact because I look at it and think, in terms of navigation, “Let’s see, I can step over the box of Anaheim Comic Con swag, but I better be careful or my TV tray will get knocked over… wait, is that last year’s copy of Wizard under there?” So, its getting to the point that I might not be able to live in my room.
I started with consolidating the various items of acquired mess into a large box of acquired mess. This actually helped in tidying the room, but I noticed that the shutters on my window were dirty. Filthy, in fact. It took me nearly two hours to clean off all the dirt that had accrued over the past three years.
It was a relief when Patrick called to see if I wanted to grab some lunch/dinner at a nearby Italian place called Carolina‘s. I had made plans to watch some more episodes of Buffy with Aaron and Amy, so I figured I would combine the two outings. I picked up Aaron and headed to the Italian place. I ordered Chicken Pesto Penne Pasta, since anything pesto is my standard choice for any new Italian place. It was delicious!
I highly recommend the restaurant. Its near Disneyland on Chapman between Harbor and… another street. Sorry, I can’t remember the name. :-[
After lunch/dinner, I headed to Amy’s and we started up Season Three of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! This season is my favorite, because of the Big Bad, the alternate reality episode, and Faith, among other excellent reasons. We watched three episodes: Anne, Dead Man’s Party, and Faith, Hope, & Trick.
I can’t wait till the next eps!
Topics of Conversation @ Carolina’s & Amy’s place: Godzilla vs. King Kong or King Kong vs. Godzilla, Lambic, cat licking, what kind of Henchin Hero would you be?, not being a spoiler-ific audience, etc.
-Nate
I started with consolidating the various items of acquired mess into a large box of acquired mess. This actually helped in tidying the room, but I noticed that the shutters on my window were dirty. Filthy, in fact. It took me nearly two hours to clean off all the dirt that had accrued over the past three years.
It was a relief when Patrick called to see if I wanted to grab some lunch/dinner at a nearby Italian place called Carolina‘s. I had made plans to watch some more episodes of Buffy with Aaron and Amy, so I figured I would combine the two outings. I picked up Aaron and headed to the Italian place. I ordered Chicken Pesto Penne Pasta, since anything pesto is my standard choice for any new Italian place. It was delicious!
I highly recommend the restaurant. Its near Disneyland on Chapman between Harbor and… another street. Sorry, I can’t remember the name. :-[
After lunch/dinner, I headed to Amy’s and we started up Season Three of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! This season is my favorite, because of the Big Bad, the alternate reality episode, and Faith, among other excellent reasons. We watched three episodes: Anne, Dead Man’s Party, and Faith, Hope, & Trick.
I can’t wait till the next eps!
Topics of Conversation @ Carolina’s & Amy’s place: Godzilla vs. King Kong or King Kong vs. Godzilla, Lambic, cat licking, what kind of Henchin Hero would you be?, not being a spoiler-ific audience, etc.
-Nate
Thursday, April 29, 2010
In My Brain & Off the Net
Only one thing was planned today, and it turned out pretty good. I hope it can be repeated with even more fun.
It was a date.
Yes, I know, that’s the kind of stuff that would normally be splashed everywhere on a blog. Especially my blabber-mouth journal. But hey, sorry, folks, them’s the breaks. Some stuff will remain in my brain and off the net.
I will say that the girl in question was funny, cute, and definitely doing me a favor going out with me. No matter what the future holds in store, she’s an amazing lady and hope springs eternal blah blah blah.
Great night!
Topics of Conversation: Cliffhangers, bowling, delays that are needed, the “Hey! Look at that tree!” distraction, embarrassment, the points don’t matter, culinary critiques in one sound, crappy teaching methods, being candid, home life in the hizzay, etc.
-Nate
It was a date.
Yes, I know, that’s the kind of stuff that would normally be splashed everywhere on a blog. Especially my blabber-mouth journal. But hey, sorry, folks, them’s the breaks. Some stuff will remain in my brain and off the net.
I will say that the girl in question was funny, cute, and definitely doing me a favor going out with me. No matter what the future holds in store, she’s an amazing lady and hope springs eternal blah blah blah.
Great night!
Topics of Conversation: Cliffhangers, bowling, delays that are needed, the “Hey! Look at that tree!” distraction, embarrassment, the points don’t matter, culinary critiques in one sound, crappy teaching methods, being candid, home life in the hizzay, etc.
-Nate
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Obadiah Stane
April 28, 2010:
Comic Run achieved! The fates were not against my getting my comic fix, and I went to the shop. Lainey, Mark, and Nancy were there today. The trio was hard at work.
Justin met up with me at the shop. As we talked and perused the shop, we came up with a ridiculous meme. (Though there is a very good chance that it exists already somewhere). Its called the “Obadiah Stane” meme, and is simple in concept and execution, and ridiculous in hindsight. For those of you who have watched the first Iron Man movie, you might recall Stane (played by Jeffery Bridges) berating a scientist for not being able to duplicate Tony Stark’s Arch Reactor. The words he used were as follows (and hopefully correct):
“Tony Stark built it in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
So for the meme to work, you need only insert someone’s name and what they did. For example:
“Nathan wrote this blog in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
OR
“Todd McFarlane created Spawn in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
OR
“Tiger Woods learned how to play golf in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
The combinations are nearly endless with increasing hilarity. I know, I know, is this how I always spend my Wednesdays? No, but this is one of the better ones. Also, for the hardcore among you, and if you are on the receiving end of this recockulous meme, you can respond by saying “I’m not (Insert Name Here).” Happy meme-ing!
I went to work at Norwalk. This night we had a Planning Commission Meeting to tape. It was a quick one, but we got to talk a little more to some of the other people at work at Norwalk. Its odd that we’ve crossed paths so many times, but rarely end up having an opportunity to talk. But I
guess that’s how it can be at work.
Topics of Conversation @ Comics Unlimited & Norwalk: Supernatural intervention, kitty surprise, celestial knee, favorite cuss words, smudges, White Stripes lounge act, go with the flow, our strange sense of humor, etc.
-Nate
Comic Run achieved! The fates were not against my getting my comic fix, and I went to the shop. Lainey, Mark, and Nancy were there today. The trio was hard at work.
Justin met up with me at the shop. As we talked and perused the shop, we came up with a ridiculous meme. (Though there is a very good chance that it exists already somewhere). Its called the “Obadiah Stane” meme, and is simple in concept and execution, and ridiculous in hindsight. For those of you who have watched the first Iron Man movie, you might recall Stane (played by Jeffery Bridges) berating a scientist for not being able to duplicate Tony Stark’s Arch Reactor. The words he used were as follows (and hopefully correct):
“Tony Stark built it in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
So for the meme to work, you need only insert someone’s name and what they did. For example:
“Nathan wrote this blog in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
OR
“Todd McFarlane created Spawn in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
OR
“Tiger Woods learned how to play golf in a CAVE! With SCRAPS!”
The combinations are nearly endless with increasing hilarity. I know, I know, is this how I always spend my Wednesdays? No, but this is one of the better ones. Also, for the hardcore among you, and if you are on the receiving end of this recockulous meme, you can respond by saying “I’m not (Insert Name Here).” Happy meme-ing!
I went to work at Norwalk. This night we had a Planning Commission Meeting to tape. It was a quick one, but we got to talk a little more to some of the other people at work at Norwalk. Its odd that we’ve crossed paths so many times, but rarely end up having an opportunity to talk. But I
guess that’s how it can be at work.
Topics of Conversation @ Comics Unlimited & Norwalk: Supernatural intervention, kitty surprise, celestial knee, favorite cuss words, smudges, White Stripes lounge act, go with the flow, our strange sense of humor, etc.
-Nate
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Half-Assed Journal Entry #06
I did some research on Miniature Golf courses and vegan food. The results were promising.
I headed to work at Norwalk. It was a slow day, but talking with Karmin was fast.
Topics of Conversation @ Norwalk: The Scientific Experiment, casual awfulness, 4 hours of awkward silence, 3 Strikes, the trials of being on the level, drinking buddies, etc.
-Nate
I headed to work at Norwalk. It was a slow day, but talking with Karmin was fast.
Topics of Conversation @ Norwalk: The Scientific Experiment, casual awfulness, 4 hours of awkward silence, 3 Strikes, the trials of being on the level, drinking buddies, etc.
-Nate
It Was What It Usually Is
April 26, 2010:
It was that time again! The City of Lakewood needed me to record a water meeting for the Central Basin. It was what it usually is. That is all that can be said on that.
After the Water meeting, I had some time before the Norwalk would need my charming self, so I headed to Comics Unlimited to do the run that had been denied me by fate. Mark and Lainey were at the shop, and Mark informed me that he was hurt by my not making an appearance last Wednesday. I assured him that it was me, and not him. I think we’re okay, but I will need to tread carefully from here on out.
I grabbed lunch with Lainey to catch up on the past few days that I had been MIA. Hemlock, her cat, had gotten a fixed a day or two ago, and some of Lainey’s crafts were getting bundled up for a big sale in the upcoming weeks.
After lunch, I headed out with my two comics that I had bought: Green Lantern (#53) and Secret Six (#20). Green Lantern was okay, but the new status quo is a little confusing. I’m not sure if I’m going to like it as much. Only time will tell. Secret Six had a great twist and intense set-up. Gail Simone knows how to tell dark stories. I can’t wait to see what happens.
I headed to Norwalk to cable cast. I also spent the time trying to figure out how to invite more people for the upcoming Free Comic Book Day. The multi-tasking was short-lived, as I needed to organize some of the old tapes.
I went home finished up reading Changes by Jim Butcher. I already had another book that I was reading called The Gone-Away World, but Changes was a book that I knew that I couldn’t wait on finishing. And for anyone that hasn’t read any of Jim Butcher’s books, do yourself an amazing favor and start. Its worth it. Cuz this was the 12th in the series, and I can’t wait for the 13th. Wow.
Topics of Conversation @ Comics Unlimited: Stinky and Smelly, faves, prices going up, generic horror, roller derby training, horrible conversations or horrible topics, trying to get the number of someone you don’t even know, tea parties, etc.
-Nate
It was that time again! The City of Lakewood needed me to record a water meeting for the Central Basin. It was what it usually is. That is all that can be said on that.
After the Water meeting, I had some time before the Norwalk would need my charming self, so I headed to Comics Unlimited to do the run that had been denied me by fate. Mark and Lainey were at the shop, and Mark informed me that he was hurt by my not making an appearance last Wednesday. I assured him that it was me, and not him. I think we’re okay, but I will need to tread carefully from here on out.
I grabbed lunch with Lainey to catch up on the past few days that I had been MIA. Hemlock, her cat, had gotten a fixed a day or two ago, and some of Lainey’s crafts were getting bundled up for a big sale in the upcoming weeks.
After lunch, I headed out with my two comics that I had bought: Green Lantern (#53) and Secret Six (#20). Green Lantern was okay, but the new status quo is a little confusing. I’m not sure if I’m going to like it as much. Only time will tell. Secret Six had a great twist and intense set-up. Gail Simone knows how to tell dark stories. I can’t wait to see what happens.
I headed to Norwalk to cable cast. I also spent the time trying to figure out how to invite more people for the upcoming Free Comic Book Day. The multi-tasking was short-lived, as I needed to organize some of the old tapes.
I went home finished up reading Changes by Jim Butcher. I already had another book that I was reading called The Gone-Away World, but Changes was a book that I knew that I couldn’t wait on finishing. And for anyone that hasn’t read any of Jim Butcher’s books, do yourself an amazing favor and start. Its worth it. Cuz this was the 12th in the series, and I can’t wait for the 13th. Wow.
Topics of Conversation @ Comics Unlimited: Stinky and Smelly, faves, prices going up, generic horror, roller derby training, horrible conversations or horrible topics, trying to get the number of someone you don’t even know, tea parties, etc.
-Nate
A Loser Victorious
April 25, 2010:
Patrick called me up to see if I would like to see The Losers today. And though I had already seen it, I agreed. We decided to grab some lunch before the movie. Before I caught up with him, I made a very important call, got some good news, and had a spring in my step the entire day.
I caught up with Patrick at a pizza joint and I had some decent tortellini. We talked, ate, and then we were on our way to the movie. I already did my review on The Losers a day or two ago, but the good news is that I enjoyed the movie the second time around. It was just as fun this time as before.
After the movie, Patrick headed home, and I headed to the Barnes & Noble in Bella Terra. I was in search of any signs of a new Steven Brust books, but there were none to be had. I called up Vic, and made plans to meet up with him at CSULB. We talked and caught up at a coffee shop and, later, a Borders. It was cool to catch up with him after what felt like a week, but was in actuality only a four or so days. Oh well, life feels busy.
Topics of Conversation: Wonderful monster, dust bath, mini golf, a decent plan, the horrible price of a haircut, two weddings, Matt Smith’s little crush, the thrill of being alive, friends that are hard to get a hold of, etc.
-Nate
Patrick called me up to see if I would like to see The Losers today. And though I had already seen it, I agreed. We decided to grab some lunch before the movie. Before I caught up with him, I made a very important call, got some good news, and had a spring in my step the entire day.
I caught up with Patrick at a pizza joint and I had some decent tortellini. We talked, ate, and then we were on our way to the movie. I already did my review on The Losers a day or two ago, but the good news is that I enjoyed the movie the second time around. It was just as fun this time as before.
After the movie, Patrick headed home, and I headed to the Barnes & Noble in Bella Terra. I was in search of any signs of a new Steven Brust books, but there were none to be had. I called up Vic, and made plans to meet up with him at CSULB. We talked and caught up at a coffee shop and, later, a Borders. It was cool to catch up with him after what felt like a week, but was in actuality only a four or so days. Oh well, life feels busy.
Topics of Conversation: Wonderful monster, dust bath, mini golf, a decent plan, the horrible price of a haircut, two weddings, Matt Smith’s little crush, the thrill of being alive, friends that are hard to get a hold of, etc.
-Nate
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The Lakers Got Spanked
I met up with Jamal to not only watch the Lakers game, but to tag along for a house party at his sister’s friend’s place later in the night. Before hand, we moseyed around the Block.
It was Lakers vs. Thunder, and the Lakers got spanked.
There’s no other way to put it. Just about everyone of us got disgusted with the game. The Lakers couldn’t seem to pull it together, and the Thunder were running circles around them. I follow the Lakers sporadically, at best, but I know for a fact that they can play better than they did tonight.
The party was at a house fairly close to where I live. And the turnout was myself, Jamal, Jon, Ben, Kevin, and… pretty much every person of Indian, Filipino, and Cambodian descent in Southern California. I was decidedly the minority, but no big deal. Cuz the food was delish.
We mostly hung around and talked. We all as a group walked into the Garage/Dance Floor, and, as a group, walked out. I wasn’t feeling the music. If it ain’t Michael Jackson or Funk, then I don’t see the point in trying to dance. I didn’t feel like drinking, so the beer tasted extra unsavory to me. I just grabbed some water and pretended it was vodka. Suckas!
All in all, a good night was had.
Topics of Conversation @ The House Party: Eye drops, chocolate, sodium something or other, the plastic bottle opening a beer bottle trick, making a plan, “obits”, Blade 3, dance floor no man’s land, the rocking chair, hot curry, etc.
-Nate
It was Lakers vs. Thunder, and the Lakers got spanked.
There’s no other way to put it. Just about everyone of us got disgusted with the game. The Lakers couldn’t seem to pull it together, and the Thunder were running circles around them. I follow the Lakers sporadically, at best, but I know for a fact that they can play better than they did tonight.
The party was at a house fairly close to where I live. And the turnout was myself, Jamal, Jon, Ben, Kevin, and… pretty much every person of Indian, Filipino, and Cambodian descent in Southern California. I was decidedly the minority, but no big deal. Cuz the food was delish.
We mostly hung around and talked. We all as a group walked into the Garage/Dance Floor, and, as a group, walked out. I wasn’t feeling the music. If it ain’t Michael Jackson or Funk, then I don’t see the point in trying to dance. I didn’t feel like drinking, so the beer tasted extra unsavory to me. I just grabbed some water and pretended it was vodka. Suckas!
All in all, a good night was had.
Topics of Conversation @ The House Party: Eye drops, chocolate, sodium something or other, the plastic bottle opening a beer bottle trick, making a plan, “obits”, Blade 3, dance floor no man’s land, the rocking chair, hot curry, etc.
-Nate
Friday, April 23, 2010
Work and Buffy
April 22, 2010:
I picked up a shift at Norwalk, which was mostly cable casting the different programs: Two religious, one educational, and one insane. The usual Thursday lineup.
After work I headed to Amy’s place to watch the last three episodes of Buffy Season Two with her and Aaron. We started off with the admittedly filler episode Go Fish. Its not bad in anyway, its just not what the next episodes achieve. Which is epic melodrama.
Becoming (Parts 1 & 2) is the two-parter that truly and officially launched Buffy into my favorite shows of all time. Its got action, twists, suspense, romance, comedy, and great moment after great moment. It ends in one of the most amazing ways possible, and glues you to your seat with ruthless efficiency.
Just work and Buffy, really. That’s all that happened today.
Topics of Conversation @ Amy’s place: Pizza, water color vampire Nate, Harry Dresden, Level 42 Pokemon, funny characters are the best character, the shifting of maturity, etc.
-Nate
I picked up a shift at Norwalk, which was mostly cable casting the different programs: Two religious, one educational, and one insane. The usual Thursday lineup.
After work I headed to Amy’s place to watch the last three episodes of Buffy Season Two with her and Aaron. We started off with the admittedly filler episode Go Fish. Its not bad in anyway, its just not what the next episodes achieve. Which is epic melodrama.
Becoming (Parts 1 & 2) is the two-parter that truly and officially launched Buffy into my favorite shows of all time. Its got action, twists, suspense, romance, comedy, and great moment after great moment. It ends in one of the most amazing ways possible, and glues you to your seat with ruthless efficiency.
Just work and Buffy, really. That’s all that happened today.
Topics of Conversation @ Amy’s place: Pizza, water color vampire Nate, Harry Dresden, Level 42 Pokemon, funny characters are the best character, the shifting of maturity, etc.
-Nate
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Over a Hundred Days of my Life
Nothing really happened today. Errands and such. Work. Blah.
So I’m going to hijack this entry for the purposes of talking about this journal/blog. So very meta. So very self-indulgent. Well, there it is, I said it, and I’m going to do it anyway.
I’ve surpassed 100 entries a while back. I didn’t really notice until just recently. By this point, I must at 110 entries. Which is amazing. I’ve never been able to keep up that much an any attempt at a journal before. And I’ve tried at least once a year, with little success. But here it is:
Over a hundred days of my life.
Granted some of them are dumb, quick, or not even finished, but that seems as good a metaphor for me as there’s ever going to be.
At the same time, I’ve had some days here that I really liked. Some stories are in here that actually still make me laugh. Some are telling statements about me (even to myself). And some help to remind me that tomorrow is another day. Another entry. Another attempt at getting a better story.
I’ve needed to write this blog more than you needed to read it. I guess that was the point all along. For vanity and insight, equally.
Well, until the next entry, kids!
Topics of Conversation: Training for high fives, having salt ready on hand, kicking till there’s blood, drink till you drink again, getting things done, big chocolate, etc.
-Nate
So I’m going to hijack this entry for the purposes of talking about this journal/blog. So very meta. So very self-indulgent. Well, there it is, I said it, and I’m going to do it anyway.
I’ve surpassed 100 entries a while back. I didn’t really notice until just recently. By this point, I must at 110 entries. Which is amazing. I’ve never been able to keep up that much an any attempt at a journal before. And I’ve tried at least once a year, with little success. But here it is:
Over a hundred days of my life.
Granted some of them are dumb, quick, or not even finished, but that seems as good a metaphor for me as there’s ever going to be.
At the same time, I’ve had some days here that I really liked. Some stories are in here that actually still make me laugh. Some are telling statements about me (even to myself). And some help to remind me that tomorrow is another day. Another entry. Another attempt at getting a better story.
I’ve needed to write this blog more than you needed to read it. I guess that was the point all along. For vanity and insight, equally.
Well, until the next entry, kids!
Topics of Conversation: Training for high fives, having salt ready on hand, kicking till there’s blood, drink till you drink again, getting things done, big chocolate, etc.
-Nate
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Heh heh heh... "420"
So I should get this out of the way right now, and acknowledge that it’s 4-20. 4:20. Get it? Anyways, I got two completely different stories about the reason as to why that number is so important to a… certain group of people whom enjoy relaxing a certain way.
STORY ONE!!!:
There were a group of stoners who always met up with their dealers at 4:20 in the afternoon without fail.
STORY TWO!!!:
There are 420 known chemicals and components that make up marijuana.
STORY THREE!!!:
The two above stories are completely wrong, and 420 was chosen at random. Which makes a stoner kind of sense.
Anyways, I had a shoot today at PCTA. It was four back-to-back segments of CityWorks, in which we interview what seemed to be every level of City Government. I was on camera, but I didn’t need to do very many movements.
I stopped off at Barnes & Noble to check out the books, since I had some down time. And low and behold I had forgotten that Changes by Jim Butcher had come out! Changes was the newest installment in the Harry Dresden series. The first page grabs you, especially if you’re as big a fan as I am. They even had an autographed copy from April 10th! How’d they pull that off?
After the book store, I headed to Norwalk. It was City Council night, and it was my turn to man the CG titles and names. After the meeting, I hung around with Mike and Karmin and we chatted for a bit before we took off for the night.
Topics of Conversation: Reclaimed water, NOT drinking reclaimed water, weird talks, when something is off, narrowly missing George Lucas, department of heavy petting, gay chicken, make out and grab stuff, “The Generators“ analogy, etc.
-Nate
STORY ONE!!!:
There were a group of stoners who always met up with their dealers at 4:20 in the afternoon without fail.
STORY TWO!!!:
There are 420 known chemicals and components that make up marijuana.
STORY THREE!!!:
The two above stories are completely wrong, and 420 was chosen at random. Which makes a stoner kind of sense.
Anyways, I had a shoot today at PCTA. It was four back-to-back segments of CityWorks, in which we interview what seemed to be every level of City Government. I was on camera, but I didn’t need to do very many movements.
I stopped off at Barnes & Noble to check out the books, since I had some down time. And low and behold I had forgotten that Changes by Jim Butcher had come out! Changes was the newest installment in the Harry Dresden series. The first page grabs you, especially if you’re as big a fan as I am. They even had an autographed copy from April 10th! How’d they pull that off?
After the book store, I headed to Norwalk. It was City Council night, and it was my turn to man the CG titles and names. After the meeting, I hung around with Mike and Karmin and we chatted for a bit before we took off for the night.
Topics of Conversation: Reclaimed water, NOT drinking reclaimed water, weird talks, when something is off, narrowly missing George Lucas, department of heavy petting, gay chicken, make out and grab stuff, “The Generators“ analogy, etc.
-Nate
Monday, April 19, 2010
Kick Assed Journal Entry #00
I was so tired from the last four days that I slept for over ten hours. The nice thing was that my muscles weren’t as sore as I thought they would be. I went to work at Norwalk as well. That is all. It’s a Monday, what did you want?
**********BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!!!**********
I forgot to talk about seeing Kick Ass last Thursday (4-15-20)! I think that movie DEFINITELY deserves a mention and quickie review.
After the Pre-Show day at the Anaheim Comic Con, I headed down to Buena Park to catch Kick Ass with Justin, Victor, Cap’n Josh, Cole, Brooke, Brian, and others. It was a special 10:00 pm advance screening, and the theater got pretty packed. A special surprise was the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World trailer went up before the movie, which was great to see on the big screen.
I’ve read the entire run of comic books that are out are out for Kick Ass. I knew the ending, and I knew the big dramatic beats, and the big reveals. I figured that I knew what the movie would have, with some cinema twists, of course. So I thought I knew how the movie would go.
I was wrong.
There are three HUGE differences between the comic books and movie. I won’t say what, but they definitely threw me for a loop. And the ending is like nothing you would ever expect, even with a movie as out there as Kick Ass. Story wise, you really get to know the characters fairly well, though of course you get to know Kick Ass much more.
The best, most absorbing performance comes from Hit Girl, played by Chloe Grace Moretz. She has an amazing charisma about her, and her actions scenes are incredible. Somehow, some way, she is able to be both a little daddy’s girl that is sweet and innocent AND be one of the scariest people on the silver screen. She kills like she’s playing tag.
But don’t let it be said that she’s the only one doing a great job. Aaron Johnson as Kick Ass is both dumb and heroic, which I guess was the point all along. If he seems a little too pretty to be having the problems he’s having, he at least ACTS like he ain’t that pretty. And I have to admit, the moment he actually succeeds in helping someone, I actually felt it.
Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy is both scary and campy. He does a little Adam West impersonation that works way more than it should. And out of costume, he plays a really dorky, loving father. But you can tell it’s a father that is on the edge. That he’s just barely holding it together. Except when it concerns any interactions with his daughter, whom he shows absolutely nothing but love, even if that love has a few mental issues.
My only issue with the movie is a personal one. It concerns my feeling towards the fact that Hit Girl is killing people left and right. Now, I don’t hate or condemn the movie. At all. But I left the movie feeling uncomfortable. Just with the pure violent joy of Hit Girl. Yes, the point of the movie was that these costumed heroes would have to be crazy to do what they do. They address that fine. But it didn’t always sit well with me. I can’t exactly explain it. Maybe I’m just not crazy about the idea that a kid can’t just be a kid and has to be a monster instead.
For those of you who loved the movie with no problems, then don’t worry. I didn’t hate it. I’m just torn by the movie. I can’t bring myself to love it. I’m of two minds. Let that mean whatever it means.
-Nate
**********BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!!!**********
I forgot to talk about seeing Kick Ass last Thursday (4-15-20)! I think that movie DEFINITELY deserves a mention and quickie review.
After the Pre-Show day at the Anaheim Comic Con, I headed down to Buena Park to catch Kick Ass with Justin, Victor, Cap’n Josh, Cole, Brooke, Brian, and others. It was a special 10:00 pm advance screening, and the theater got pretty packed. A special surprise was the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World trailer went up before the movie, which was great to see on the big screen.
I’ve read the entire run of comic books that are out are out for Kick Ass. I knew the ending, and I knew the big dramatic beats, and the big reveals. I figured that I knew what the movie would have, with some cinema twists, of course. So I thought I knew how the movie would go.
I was wrong.
There are three HUGE differences between the comic books and movie. I won’t say what, but they definitely threw me for a loop. And the ending is like nothing you would ever expect, even with a movie as out there as Kick Ass. Story wise, you really get to know the characters fairly well, though of course you get to know Kick Ass much more.
The best, most absorbing performance comes from Hit Girl, played by Chloe Grace Moretz. She has an amazing charisma about her, and her actions scenes are incredible. Somehow, some way, she is able to be both a little daddy’s girl that is sweet and innocent AND be one of the scariest people on the silver screen. She kills like she’s playing tag.
But don’t let it be said that she’s the only one doing a great job. Aaron Johnson as Kick Ass is both dumb and heroic, which I guess was the point all along. If he seems a little too pretty to be having the problems he’s having, he at least ACTS like he ain’t that pretty. And I have to admit, the moment he actually succeeds in helping someone, I actually felt it.
Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy is both scary and campy. He does a little Adam West impersonation that works way more than it should. And out of costume, he plays a really dorky, loving father. But you can tell it’s a father that is on the edge. That he’s just barely holding it together. Except when it concerns any interactions with his daughter, whom he shows absolutely nothing but love, even if that love has a few mental issues.
My only issue with the movie is a personal one. It concerns my feeling towards the fact that Hit Girl is killing people left and right. Now, I don’t hate or condemn the movie. At all. But I left the movie feeling uncomfortable. Just with the pure violent joy of Hit Girl. Yes, the point of the movie was that these costumed heroes would have to be crazy to do what they do. They address that fine. But it didn’t always sit well with me. I can’t exactly explain it. Maybe I’m just not crazy about the idea that a kid can’t just be a kid and has to be a monster instead.
For those of you who loved the movie with no problems, then don’t worry. I didn’t hate it. I’m just torn by the movie. I can’t bring myself to love it. I’m of two minds. Let that mean whatever it means.
-Nate
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