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Friday, June 30, 2006

Just for Kicks

Original Article was published June 12, 2006 on the Daily Bruin and can be found here.

This year's successful basketball season boosted students' school pride and spurred spontaneous 8-claps and road trips to Indianapolis to support the Bruins in the championship game.

In a similar display of Bruin pride and support for UCLA's basketball team, Tilles and fellow 1977 UCLA graduate Matt Natalizio helped organize an effort to let fans in Pauley Pavilion know what they thought of the visiting basketball team.

"FUCK 'SC" was spelled in the lights of Sproul Hall and was easily visible from Pauley Pavilion, Natalizio said. "The lights are like a grid and we figured out whose light needed to be on and whose needed to be off if we wanted to spell something," he said.

I would have loved to see that. :) that isn't to say that I haven't seen my fair share of campus sportsman ship and bruin pride. ^^

And my favorite...

One of these former (UCLA) students is the mastermind behind the fake edition of the Daily Trojan that convinced Trojans that USC was ineligible for the Rose Bowl in 1976.

hahahaha. That's a good one. :D

Scents make sense?

Came across this article while I was reading my email. Want to know the secrets of finding your perfect mate? It's in the nose apparently. Check it out.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Honey and Clover 2: Just a little more Honey

Although I've never explicitly blogged about any one anime or made a full on review, Honey and Clover is one I will make an exeption for. I like it that much.

Honey and Clover returns to Fuji TV this summer for a much surprising and yet much anticipated second season. The popular jousei manga turned anime turned live action movie is making a return to the small screen for a short 13 episode run. The first season had 24 aired and 2 unaired episodes.

The following scenes below are from Chapter F, one of the two unaired episodes. Chapter F was released with the DVD Vol. 6. Chapter L, the other unaired episode was released with DVD Vol. 5.

The second season will most likely continue where the first season ended. Takemoto has ended his search and disclosed his feelings to Hagu, Morita has broken another record for the longest stay in college, Mayama follows Rika to Spain, Yamada is still coping with her feelings with Mayama while Nomiya continues to vie for her affection.

Yuki and Suneohair are also reviving their parts as masters of the Intro and Ending themes respectively. Yuki will be singing the opening theme Fugainai ya (Spiritless), while Suneohair will sing Split for the ending. Both singles are said to be released second or third week of August.

The first season of Honey and Clover was originally broadcast on April 14, 2005 and ended October 7, 2005. The second season opens today, June 29th at 25:50 on Fuji TV (normal air time 24:24).

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Crash. It's the sense of touch...in LA, nobody touches you

Have you ever seen a movie that was so profound, that you feel that it will remain burned in your mind forever?

If I were to recommend one movie for anyone to watch about human struggle, the torment of life, political correctness, racism, stereotype, anger and hate and humanity, it would be Crash (2005). I've waited and waited and finally I bought and today I finally had a chance to watch. I am so glad I did.

I personally think that Crash is one of the most underrated and underappreciated movies out there. Though it may have won the Oscar for best picture, surprisingly, not many people know too much about it, and those who know automatically render it as trite and banal. I can't help but gear into my own stereotype of the ever unappreciateive indie elite latte sipping urban film downer socialite.

Crash deserves to be shown to anyone who's ever witnessed, experiences, felt, believed and lived through any form of discrimination or has lost faith in mankind. Though this movie may not be completely novel in it's technique or story, one should not dismiss that this movie does ring very true in our society right now. I may be affected as I am, because we (my family and friends) all live around the areas where the movie took place. We live in the Southern California. Many, if not most of the people I know work, live, play or go to school in West LA, the Valley, Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, Westwood, Brentwood, Glendale, Burank, Studio City, Hollywood and yes UCLA. I really don't understand all the hatred generated towards a film that rings true that speaks the truth. Crash is as preachy as you want it to be, and if you find the msg blase, I doubt your multimillion dollar over produced film will really lose much by not getting a gold statue this year.

This movie angered me, scared me and left an indelible impression on me. This movie shows us of the many things we are too embarassed to even think, too ashamed to say, and regretfully feel. After seeing this movie, I doubt any single one of you will be able to say "I'm not racist" or "I treat and look at every one the same." You know full well that's a bunch of bull.

If there was one thing that this movie showed me, is that we all have some form of discrimination against others. We all have preconcieved notions about others. We can't help it, because that's what we learn from society. No matter what we learn, no matter how much education we get, stereotypes kick in first. That doesn't change. We know the statistics behind it. We know the sociological implications, effects of poverty and destitute areas, living in crime infested neighborhoods. Still, all of it happens and it seems that no matter how much we to better ourselves and believe in others, nothing seems to work. Sometimes, it makes you lose hope and think why should we even bother if, in the end, everything stays the same? We just have to do our best and roll with the punches. Change takes a lot of time, but it happens...just not over night.

As we get to learn more about others, we modify what we already know to fit what we have learned and correct our previous ideas. The term is schema. We all have our own various schemas or schemata of how things are or should be. Just a little psychology there. Crash shows how people become aware of their racism and discrimination and how some people fight it and pretend they are above it and some give in to the hatred and stop fighting. No matter how educated we become, or how tolerant we are, racism and discrimination will always be there and we have to learn how to deal with it the real way. We can't all play hero, we can't always stand up for what we believe in. Sometimes it's better to shut up, and find another way.

In the Bible, it says that we must obey the human laws in accordinance to the laws of God. I think God was also speaking of unwritten laws as well. Not all of them are fair, but they are established and made known to everyone. I think, to a degree, we must follow those as well. The right way, is not always the best way. Sometimes the best way may not even be lawfully right, but in the end, it is a matter of what is most important to you and what is it you are willing to sacrifice. God will the the judge in the end.

Among all the movies I've seen, Crash may not be the best movie ever, but in it's essence and how close it hits to home, it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. You can certainly take everything in here to an even deeper and more complicated set, but in the amount of time they use, every element is taken to it's full potential. You need not add sugar to this coffee. It is best to be taken as is to appreciate the rawness and the flavor if it untouched in its full essence. Additional reviews.

Monday, June 19, 2006

So...

I guess I'm going to Canada next month. Ah, I'm going to be so broke...

Speaking of which, I found out that The Panic Division will be playing at Warped, so I'm definitely going. Speaking of music, thank you sweetie for playing for me. I always had a soft spot for piano. I was so surprised and touched. You played so beautifully. Thank you.

Also tomorrow...in a few minutes will be Monica's birthday, so Happy Birthday Monica! Where are my autographed pictures of Michelle Kwan?! Oh yeah, I also owe you dinner, so let me know when you're free okay?! :D

In other news, the infamous Yakitate Japan! my most favorite bread themed anime series, has ended. The end wasn't bad, but it seemed lacking. It is one of the last remaining long running anime I've continued to watch since it began. (The only remaining anime I somewhat follow is One Piece. At this point, I am about 17 episodes behind primarily due to the ridiculously long arcs. They lost me at Sky Piea. I suppose my anime fix will end there for the Shounen type. I gave up on Naruto a long time ago. I hear they're still doing fillers. -_-) I really can't believe how abruptly (69 episodes), but it was a good run. I will sorely miss the puns, Kuroyan's death defying reactions, Kiddo, Kawachi's hair, and the multiplying mushroom dude. I won't miss the manager's fro though.

On the shoujo realm, my favorite anime series of all time is returning for a second season. Most of us never thought it would happen, but one live action movie later, it was confirmed. Honey and Clover is returning for a second season this summer. And, although the manga hardly has enough material for the second season, I am looking forward to this series return very much. The music in the series that basically made a life of it's own, will be performed, once again by Yuki and Suneohair. Personally, I don't expect these two artists to top Dramatic or everyone's favorite, Waltz, but the music of that series is as much a part of it as the animation and story. So I'm very much relieved that they chose to stick with the artists they originally used for the first in keeping with the tradition of the anime. So, I'll be waiting. Hachikuro 2, comming out in a week :D

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Los Angeles Film Festival

Forget the Sundance for now, the LA Film Festival coming and is going to be held in Westwood once again beginning June 22- July 1st. I promised to promote, for the love of a dying breed (don't worry guys, I'll see you there during the premiere!). All access tickets are $1000 a pop. Note that mostly Hollywood bigwigs and indie film yuppies will be buying these tickets. The cheapest ones are for $100. I don't think I'd like to blow that much on a pair of tickets for a movie screening I am not guaranteed to like. o_O Eh maybe I would if I didn't have so much to pay for ^^;

My friends and I were going to sign up for an internship at the festival this year. Unfortunately for me, I missed the mandatory orientation dates T^T. A few of my friends will be taking part again this year. It has quite a few perks to say the least. Not only do you get to be involved in the whole process artistically, methodologically and even commercially, you also get 4 free passes for 20 hrs of work. Not bad, if I may say, especially if you find out how hard to get and expensive they are. I would have loved to man Intel, or one of the theatres like the Fox just to be part of the whole scene. It would certainly provide me with a little more inside look on the industry that I would love to take part in. Then I'd totally feel comfortable hanging out with my uber cool trendy indie art chick friends ^^; Kidding! all my friends are really awesome :D

As for you indie film buffs/nerds and star stalkers, you should really go to the festival if you haven't decided to go already. Although I walk through this place almost every day, I never get tired of it. It totally energizes you especially when they're having a premiere and a festival like this. It's electric ^____^. There are coffee talks, Gala screenings, panels, summer previews, even George Lucas will be there as a guest. They even have a free screening of An Inconvenient Truth, and my personal fave, West Side Story among others. It's going on all week long in Westwood. Thank God I get free parking XD. You'll get to see a lot of stars and important people in Hollywood and the foreign film industry. So, don't forget to bring your cameras and faces and best foot forward. Who knows, you may get lucky. You may even get a shot of Skywalker himself ^^.

Thursday, June 8, 2006

I am Sunshine

You Are Sunshine

Soothing and calm
You are often held up by others as the ideal
But too much of you, and they'll get burned

You are best known for: your warmth

Your dominant state: connecting

What Type of Weather Are You?

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Stamp me: Click it or parking ticket

I always wondered if people would take note of the date today. Well there's a movie being released conveniently enough. I wonder if they decided to make the movie because of the release date available, or they already had the project in progress or even finished and happened to have the opportune moment?

Anyway, nothing too spectacular happened to day. I did find my favorite ring though. I knew it was with in my grasp, so I didn't bother to worry. Luckily I did find it after it being missing for a few months. Yesterday I went on a nerd binge and bought some stamps even though I didn't need them at the moment.Two sheets of course. One for use and the other for keeps.

Yes I do love stamps, especially pretty ones like the Disney editions they release. I'm not a serious collector, but I do like things that remind me of my childhood. Thus far, I only have Jim Henson's Muppets (I really loved that show growing up), two Disney themed stamps from this year and I think two years ago (everyone who knows me also knows my affinity to classic Disney cartoons), Ronald Reagan (my favorite American president) and Audrey Hepburn (my favortie actress). Among actually used stamps (i.e, not a complete sheet), I have the 50th anniversary 2005 presidential library stamp (I used one or two) and my 2003 Teddy Bear stamps that happened to have a bruin bear in it (used it for my graduation announcements--it happens to be one of my favorites. Lastly, the 2001 love stamp. I would have to say my favorites are the 2001 Love stamp (I only have one unused piece) and the 2003 Teddy Bear stamps. :)

Hmm, maybe I should actually buy an album to put these stamps in instead of randomly putting them between books and folders ^^;

---

The other day I had a chance to finally watch Tales of the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Must say, the wait was well worth it and it was pretty funny. Bill Murray's character was a bit off and his delivery was like "I'm acting, but I don't give a sh*t about it". Although Owen Wilson was in it as well, I would have to say that those two are the on the bottom half of my list. On the very bottom of my list was the reporter. I forget her name, I forget the actresses name....

(interruption)

My sister calls and she says she got a parking ticket >_< Anyway I have to get going cause I have to vote for the primaries. I'll be back. (returns) Okay well that was really lame. My sister and I got the the polls (she got there as I was walking there) with 25 mins to spare and it was CLOSED. Yes friggin democrats closed the EFFING polls early. Freaking bastards. Anyway luckily it's only the primaries so whatever. I'll vote for the actual election. *sigh* (reverts bask to ranting) So much for nothing bad happening today. Well I missed on the voting and my sister got a $35 parking ticket with the date labeled on it. Oh yeah and the police officer was most likely Mexican. Yes officer Lopez. Fricking ay democrat liberal hippied. Get a life. It's really late at night, there's very little cars around. Give he students a break. Well in a way my sister deserved it, but the fact that a Mexican officer issued the ticket really pisses me off. Yeah I'm sounding very racist right now, but that's how I honestly feel. That's despite me having one of my bestfriends as Mexican. Besides, he somewhat agrees with me on the issues. If he wasn't who he was, he'd be Republican too. So I don't hold a grudge against him. Anywho, I'm off. It's late and I found my ring. So that makes me a bit happier :) Politics makes my blood boil anyway. *bleh* OH yeah and before I forget, Dumbo is now on Disney DVD. Yes you know I'm getting it. I wish they had a special edition dual disc thing though instead of the "big top" edition. What the eff is that suppose to be?

And lastly, I must give a heads up that this site is nearing the one year mark. Isn't that crazy? I didn't think I would be renewing, but it is official. As of May 28, I renewed Trendypencil.com for another 10 years. I just didn't like the idea of some jerk using my domain name, a name I struggled to come up with and is wholly MINE! Anywho, I have yet to revamp it, but whatever. It works for me and it's primarily a blogging site and then some. Maybe when hosting gets cheaper I'll buy more space so I can actually upload crap on my server instead of relying on storing my stuff on other places. Well that should be it for now. Sore ja.