I had a hard time accepting the fact that Incendies did not get the Oscar it deserved. But after watching "In A Better World," I understand now. This flick had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The subtleties were very provocative. The voyeur-type of cinematography added to the snowballing emotional intensity. One major part that the movie did really well was to put closure on hard-hitting issues. If there is a theatre near you that does second runs, it's worth the walk and the sticky floors.
GTGL8RZ!
...i find interesting facets in the least likeable of things...i'd love to share willy wonka's golden ticket to those who are not afraid to be mean...
5/22/2011
5/15/2011
Mine's not a Kingsize
I've been a fan of Rihanna since the SOS days and it's always nice when she comes up with a "torch song" like this.
This is dedicated to couples who still live together and share one bed but have lost the bedroom's soul. In other words, the romance had a slow death. Really, it's not the size of the bedroom or the size of the actual bed that matters. Who needs a "king size" when you sleep with a snoring log? I'd rather sweat it out on a "single" where my presence is never ignored.
I'm not from California but you get the idea? ;)
I found a great instrumental thru this page and tweaked the pitch a little bit:
TheHMKARAOKEMC
GTGL8RZ!
This is dedicated to couples who still live together and share one bed but have lost the bedroom's soul. In other words, the romance had a slow death. Really, it's not the size of the bedroom or the size of the actual bed that matters. Who needs a "king size" when you sleep with a snoring log? I'd rather sweat it out on a "single" where my presence is never ignored.
I'm not from California but you get the idea? ;)
I found a great instrumental thru this page and tweaked the pitch a little bit:
TheHMKARAOKEMC
GTGL8RZ!
5/08/2011
Sakura 2011
Sakura 2011, a set on Flickr.
Due to the extended cold weather, this year's delicate buds waited for another 2 weeks to bloom. Not all of the trees have opened buds yet though so I'm guessing by the middle of next week, if the temperature does not go lower than 14 C, the blooms will peak.
As always, I never learn to go in the morning for softer lighting so I had to wait for the late afternoon sun for a less than harsh shadow. It also becomes a challenge to get a solitary tree shot without any eager hobbyist clicking around it so I have to think of how a picture will be cropped after.
Other people, of course, brought their cars so there was bumper to bumper traffic going to the park. It's always best to go by public transit or pedal power. I was there for less than 2 hours, got the shots that I wanted and breezed through the crowd to go out.
Maybe I'll try again next week or if not, at least there's something to look forward to again next year.
GTGL8RZ!
5/07/2011
She's Always A Woman Cover
For the only woman who's put up with all my angst and unattainable dreams. A 3-minute imperfect video isn't enough to express everything but I made this with a lot of love.
Happy Mothers' Day, Nanay!
Original song by Billy Joel
GTGL8RZ!
Happy Mothers' Day, Nanay!
Original song by Billy Joel
GTGL8RZ!
5/01/2011
Snowballing
I finally had the time to unbox my new toy. After staring at it for several weeks contemplating if my purchase was necessary, I've convinced myself that a 50% discount for this gadget is worth the extra night of just canned tuna and rice for dinner.
Music by Nic Bommarito "Hymn for 200 Sugar Packets"
GTGL8RZ!
Music by Nic Bommarito "Hymn for 200 Sugar Packets"
GTGL8RZ!
4/10/2011
It Is OK To Sing About It!
I had no clue that the balding, frantic lawyer who did this song on Harry's Law's Season Finale was the same Paul McCrane who appeared on Fame.
If you haven't seen Fame (The Original Movie) released in 1980, this song was actually sang by the character Montgomery, a young and openly gay aspiring actor. The theme is universal though. How many times have we dreamt of actually talking to our ultimate crush? How many make-believe dates have we booked?
I dedicate this song to the hopeful romantics who are in the verge of crossing over to extreme stalking. If all else fails, then it must be a sign to move on.
This cover was created using the following:
1.Canon T1i
2.Garageband
3.iTunes
4.iMovie
If you haven't seen Fame (The Original Movie) released in 1980, this song was actually sang by the character Montgomery, a young and openly gay aspiring actor. The theme is universal though. How many times have we dreamt of actually talking to our ultimate crush? How many make-believe dates have we booked?
I dedicate this song to the hopeful romantics who are in the verge of crossing over to extreme stalking. If all else fails, then it must be a sign to move on.
This cover was created using the following:
1.Canon T1i
2.Garageband
3.iTunes
4.iMovie
3/29/2011
Ramune "Almost Epic" Fail
I discovered a very interesting non-alcoholic beverage while vacationing in Montreal. I've never actually seen it in Toronto but that's partly because I never actively looked for it. But I'm guessing I'd probably find it in Spadina or in an Asian-operated convenience store.
If I were to describe the taste, it's similar to a "flavoured martini" without the actual alcohol zing. If they start selling an alcohol-based version of it, this would be perfect for people who cannot control their intake 'coz even sober guys would have to exert some extra effort just to open the bottle.
GTGL8RZ!
If I were to describe the taste, it's similar to a "flavoured martini" without the actual alcohol zing. If they start selling an alcohol-based version of it, this would be perfect for people who cannot control their intake 'coz even sober guys would have to exert some extra effort just to open the bottle.
GTGL8RZ!
2/19/2011
Unboxing Gary Fong
Here's my unboxing video of Gary Fong's Light Sphere, Power Snoot and the Amber Dome. As mentioned in the video, you will save more if you just buy these accessories in local shops. I learned it the hard way by buying online. You are probably safe from the brokerage fee if you live in the U.S. I have yet to use the new toys but will definitely share my snaps as soon as I get the chance.
GTGL8RZ!
GTGL8RZ!
2/13/2011
Granada
Thank you Bruno Mars for such a tragic song for those broken-hearted who just wanna sleep through February 14. I will ride on the bandwagon with a massive grenade launcher in my backpack!
Obviously, this is not an official music video. For the cheesier original, CLICK HERE.
Happy FREAKIN' Valentine's Day suckers!
GTGL8RZ!
2/06/2011
6:59 PM, Once a Year
It's a deafening explosion of contemporary art in one night. Even if you plan your trip, you will never get to see everything. I don't think I ever saw the "people's choice" winners for 2010, but I still enjoyed the ones that I got to experience. Yes, it's not just a "look-see" kinda exhibit. Most of the installations feed on the interaction with the people, which is why the whole experience is exhilarating. It's sad that there's only one night to enjoy this compendium of creativity and good taste; but then again, art is all over the city 24/7 waiting to be discovered.
Check the Nuit Blanche official website for the 2011 event.
For more of my pics, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
Check the Nuit Blanche official website for the 2011 event.
For more of my pics, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
1/23/2011
Fierté Dans La Capitale
It's not as big and as loud as the Toronto celebrations but it's great that we don't have to stand behind fences to enjoy that amazing day.
CLICK HERE for the link to the gallery on flickr.
GTGL8RZ!
CLICK HERE for the link to the gallery on flickr.
GTGL8RZ!
1/12/2011
Toronto Pride 2010
After 6 months of hibernation, I'm finally uploading most of the contents of my memory cards. It's been a busy 2010 but at least it's a nice way to reminisce and prepare for the next Pride event in Toronto. Enjoy!
CLICK HERE for the link to the gallery on flickr.
GTGL8RZ!
CLICK HERE for the link to the gallery on flickr.
GTGL8RZ!
1/07/2011
Doing The Right Thing
Not very often do I find very effective PSA's; and when I do it's got to be shared with the rest of the world. Here is the ongoing TV spot by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport:
GTGL8RZ!
GTGL8RZ!
1/01/2011
365 Days of 2010
This is a video compilation of my personal project on flickr:
It's "very" long but you can just put on your headphone, turn the volume up, close your eyes and enjoy the music from artists I discovered on AudioFarm.org:
Out Of Control (A Different Mix by no|REAKTION)
Stereofloat - Crashed
Grace - Zichk
bisk - lipstick
P.S.
The tags I used all appear in at least one picture in the compilation. Can you spot them?
It's "very" long but you can just put on your headphone, turn the volume up, close your eyes and enjoy the music from artists I discovered on AudioFarm.org:
Out Of Control (A Different Mix by no|REAKTION)
Stereofloat - Crashed
Grace - Zichk
bisk - lipstick
P.S.
The tags I used all appear in at least one picture in the compilation. Can you spot them?
10/31/2010
Toronto Zombie Walk 2010
A year has passed and the annual compendium of brain hungry corpses is here. I went with a friend who, unfortunately, succumbed to the infection of the undead. So I was left alone to finish the job. Once again, I captured the onslaught of the zombies...
For more pictures of the carnage CLICK HERE
I was lucky to get outta there alive. Until next year...
GTGL8RZ!
For more pictures of the carnage CLICK HERE
I was lucky to get outta there alive. Until next year...
GTGL8RZ!
10/11/2010
Toronto Fringe Candidates?
shutternewbie
Was flipping channels and got lured to what seemed like free airtime of unedited and one-take video clips of people running for the city's top post. It was a little odd but amusing. I had to check the Toronto Candidates List to see if what I was watching was just a sequence from "Air Farce Live." I was wrong. These people are absolutely running for city mayor.
Four of the so called, "fringe candidates," in my opinion, have more edge than the 4 more popular ones, in terms of "interestingness." I am in no way condoning them but their ideas might just be less crazy and less far-fetched than the frontrunners' platforms:
RATAN WADHWA
I found this 2006 article about this fedora-loving guy from Wapedia...
Ratan Wadhwa lived in Mumbai before moving to Canada. He is an actor and Charlie Chaplin impersonator, and the owner of Charlie's Flower Co. in Toronto. He first campaigned for Mayor of Toronto in 2003 at age 48, calling for legalized prostitution and cannabis, free condoms and viagra, and the creation of a red light district. He said that he was trying to develop political contacts rather than win the election, and speculated that he could manage a decent showing if enough people in the sex industry voted for him. He received 121 votes to place 43rd out of 44 candidates. He promoted much the same platform in 2006, and also called for increased helicopter surveillance and bullet-proof vests for police.
This year, he is advocating the construction of casinos and the creation of a red light district.
CLICK HERE for a short Q&A with him courtesy of CP24
(pic from CP24)DAVID VALLANCE
I guess this guy has one of the most ambitious plans for the City of Toronto. Follow this LINK and judge for yourself.
To be fair, David's proposal is in Wikipedia.
Here is his Q&A courtesy of CP24.
CARMEN MACKLIN
Not sure why she is running but on the candidates list her address is at the Waverly Hotel in Spadina and she has Yahoo for email. In her video clip, she mentioned that when she becomes the mayor, she will be available to Torontonians almost all the time except when she has to take care of her mom.
JOSEPH PAMPENA
I am most intrigued by this candidate's look rather than his platform. He appears to have a visual impairment, if not blind, and just kept on yapping about "running the city like a PR office."
CLICK HERE for an article about him on The Star.
(pic from Insidetorontovotes)Here is the Q&A by CP24.
It's good to know that there are other choices in the Toronto Mayoralty race aside from the four, supposedly, frontrunners. The other, not so loud, candidates might not be better choices to run the city but at least they are doing "something" for it...or they are trying to.
GTGL8RZ!
6/05/2010
My Charice Experience
I knew I was gonna be late but I headed to the Eaton Centre anyway. The mini-concert was set at 6 pm and I got there 2 minutes before that. I wasn’t expecting anything and even prepared myself not to see her. I thought maybe I can just do video interviews with the fans that showed up.
Although it was hard to wade through all the people in the mall, my years of experience in flea markets and Boxing Day shopping prepared me for it. Fortunately, there were some technical difficulties on the stage so I had time to be as close to the stage as I could. I am a little vertically-challenged so I had to extend my arms above my head to record her performance in my SLR. I couldn’t really check the viewfinder and the display screen of the cam so I had to rely on my instincts.
Here is a video of what I got. I made it into snippets as most of what I recorded were bald spots and sweaty arms holding cameras:
I am happy I got to experience her live although I’m a little disappointed that I couldn’t get there earlier. Hopefully she comes back for a concert and hopefully I can get time off from work when that happens.
GTGL8RZ!
Although it was hard to wade through all the people in the mall, my years of experience in flea markets and Boxing Day shopping prepared me for it. Fortunately, there were some technical difficulties on the stage so I had time to be as close to the stage as I could. I am a little vertically-challenged so I had to extend my arms above my head to record her performance in my SLR. I couldn’t really check the viewfinder and the display screen of the cam so I had to rely on my instincts.
Here is a video of what I got. I made it into snippets as most of what I recorded were bald spots and sweaty arms holding cameras:
I am happy I got to experience her live although I’m a little disappointed that I couldn’t get there earlier. Hopefully she comes back for a concert and hopefully I can get time off from work when that happens.
GTGL8RZ!
5/05/2010
Read the Fine Print...Always
To those who received this free $100 AdWords card, please read the "terms and conditions" at the back of the letter that came with the brochure.
Part of it says: ...advertisers will need to suspend their ads if they do not wish to receive additional charges beyond the free credit amount...
Enjoy and happy blogging!
GTGL8RZ!
Part of it says: ...advertisers will need to suspend their ads if they do not wish to receive additional charges beyond the free credit amount...
Enjoy and happy blogging!
GTGL8RZ!
3/24/2010
Don't Let Your PayPal Get Phished
In a span of a week I received about 5 emails urging me to check my PayPal account for a certain security breach. I'm just so lucky that it's become a routine to check the "from" section of every email that I get...even the spam ones. I did some screen shots of one of the emails, which I hope can help others be less gullible and stop them from clicking away. Of course, if you don't have a PayPal account, you don't have to worry about anything.
If you look closely, the FROM section has a dubious sounding email address, which PayPal would never ever use...
DON'T click on any links in that email. But, if ever you click on the link that was provided, you will be redirected to this page, which looks almost exactly like the real thing:
DON'T ever log in! You will notice that the URL in the address bar does not start with (www.paypal.com). Also, the tabs and links on the page are unclickable. The phishers have only one goal, which is to get you to log in.
It's a cruel world and one way to survive is not to be overly trustful.
GTGL8RZ!
If you look closely, the FROM section has a dubious sounding email address, which PayPal would never ever use...
DON'T click on any links in that email. But, if ever you click on the link that was provided, you will be redirected to this page, which looks almost exactly like the real thing:
DON'T ever log in! You will notice that the URL in the address bar does not start with (www.paypal.com). Also, the tabs and links on the page are unclickable. The phishers have only one goal, which is to get you to log in.
It's a cruel world and one way to survive is not to be overly trustful.
GTGL8RZ!
1/30/2010
Homeless But Not Forgotten
Did some window shopping earlier and had the urge to light up outside the mall. I rediscovered this memorial, which has probably been there for years, but I never really stopped and actually checked the list.
The memorial had this text posted:
This list includes more than 600 names of men, women, and children who have lived and died on the streets of Toronto as a diect result of homelessness. Stop, pause, and remember all of these people and the many more who continue to struggle as they live on our streets. Then call your local city councillor, the Mayor, your MPP and your MP. Help solve the homelessness disaster.
GTGL8RZ!
The memorial had this text posted:
This list includes more than 600 names of men, women, and children who have lived and died on the streets of Toronto as a diect result of homelessness. Stop, pause, and remember all of these people and the many more who continue to struggle as they live on our streets. Then call your local city councillor, the Mayor, your MPP and your MP. Help solve the homelessness disaster.
GTGL8RZ!
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