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!
...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...
5/05/2010
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!
12/06/2009
Coronary in a Box
I've recently graduated from the regular poutine to the more "gourmet." The best so far is from Smoke's Poutinerie. I tried the curry chicken and pulled pork varieties. The place is accessible and clean. It seemed like the one on Dundas is mainly for take-outs, but they have a long side table for those who can't wait to quench the craving. After all, it should be eaten straight from the frier. They don't have seats though, which is fine if you're not planning on having 6 boxes of poutine on your own. The packaging is thicker than the usual chinese take-out boxes and the large box can actually be shared with 1 or 2 more people, unless you have Chris Farley's appetite. I've never been to the one on Adelaide but I was told it's more of a sit-down kinda place. They also have a roving poutine van, which may well be an alternative to the usual BBQ in the summer.
Obviously, this type of food is not for the ones on limited daily caloric intake. Easily, it may have about 1000 calories per small box, but for the taste and comfort , it's worth a try.
GTGL8RZ!
Obviously, this type of food is not for the ones on limited daily caloric intake. Easily, it may have about 1000 calories per small box, but for the taste and comfort , it's worth a try.
GTGL8RZ!
11/22/2009
Pulling Weeds
Something's very odd when the highlight of a commercial movie is a buck naked Gerard Butler. Don't get me wrong, this is like the scalded skin at the roof of your mouth that you'd keep on tounging 'til you're next chai latte burn. Law Abiding Citizen had the potential to be a good movie, only if star power would suffice. Unfortunately, that's not enough.
(SPOILER ALERT...if you don't care, then read on...)
The movie's storyline is not at all unique, although I liked the fact that they explored how a topnotch hired killer defines "an eye, for an eye;" and that's where all the loopholes and crazy set-ups stem from.
For example, the movie begins with the massacre of Clyde's family and the ensuing legal battle. Towards the middle of the film, we learn that instead of Clyde just doing vigilante work, he is, after all, a soulless, high profile killer/spy. Now, if he's so cunning and sly, how can two crackheads with a knife and baseball bat subdue him? How can he miss checking who's outside the door before he opened it? Were the deaths of his wife and daughter just an excuse to bully the law? Was this crime part of his plan as well? We will never know because the movie thrives on the "viewers' perspective" kinda style.
Clyde had 10 years to carefully plan his revenge. He must've had the power to see the future, but then again, he missed the part where he bites the dust unintentionally, so there goes the fantasy/sci-fi twist. There's a part of me that wanted him to succeed just so he can bitch slap District Attorney Rice, because, for me, Rice actually is the villain in a very subtle way.
In the movie, the American judicial system was portrayed as a well-bred horse with permanent blinders, which, when given a chance to roam free, would forget it's entire purpose and just continue running 'til it can't run anymore. The movie also makes you wonder if collateral deaths can be compared to swatting black flies that hover around your pecan pie or maybe pulling weeds to give way to hyacinth bulbs.
Another warning for the highly critical. The screenwriter/s just had to bluntly force the title of the movie in the dialogue, which almost made me barf. Don't you hate it when they do that?
It's not entirely a bad flick. If you really have nothing to do, I recommend watching it instead of spending your good money on cheesy 2012 (and I'm not even spending time to give you a link for that one).
GTGL8RZ!
11/01/2009
Tetsuwan Atomu
This is definitely not the best movie ever but I sure was pleasantly surprised, especially with the quality of the animation. This would have been better if they released it in 3D or IMAX. They totally revamped the birth of Astro Boy and the setting is not in 2030 Tokyo. Too bad, WALL-E already came out with a similar plot, but true fans will be very happy with this version, which obviously sets itself up for a sequel.
I read reviews on the movie before I saw it and they were ranting that it's totally for kids and that adults should get multiple shots of espresso before bringing their kids to see it. Well, it is, of course, not Family Guy and it's supposed to be a little clean. Although, if you think about it, a violent death of a child (Toby's), isn't exactly kid-friendly. The 80's series was a little morbid and dark. I dunno if you will remember an episode where Robio and Robiette get mashed between 2 race cars; now, that's a little graphic for kids.
When I saw the movie, A.I., I thought the idea resembled the original Astro Boy sans the artillery. They have the same themes; that of tragedy and loss, acceptance and deliverance, and so many others. Well, one can argue that they're obviously modern versions of Pinocchio, which I don't contest.
For those who think that this is a big political allegory, well, it is...if you think that Spongebob can potentially be the best president.
I thought the voice casting was good, particularly that of Nick Cage as Doctor Tenma and Nathan Lane as Hamegg. It was just a little weird that they presented Toby as a preadolescent, rather than younger. I think the original Toby was probably 7 or 8 years old. They did not keep the high-pitched voice from the original, so you'll be less than amused if you're expecting a femme boy. So yeah, in spite of the long and curly eyelashes, being shirtless with black tights and red boots, the awkward gait and perkiness, Astro Boy is not gay because he is a freakin' robot. Hmmm...a gay icon maybe?
Here's a teaser for those who are interested:
GTGL8RZ!
10/25/2009
The Undead Are Back!
It has been a year since I received the antidote to stop me from becoming fully infected. I'm on my way to full recovery but the temptation of shooting the undead still has its tight grip on me. So, in spite of the chilly weather and the risk of being maligned because of this odd addiction, I loaded my gear and headed to the supposed pit stop of the howling mob.
I positioned myself where the Containment Team was and aimed my equipment to get some perfect headshots of the zombies...
Here's the evidence of last Saturday's bloodbath...
It was a successful ambush, considering the enormous amount of the soulless corpses that attacked. They will be back next year and I will be ready.
To see more pics of the bloodbath, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
I positioned myself where the Containment Team was and aimed my equipment to get some perfect headshots of the zombies...
Here's the evidence of last Saturday's bloodbath...
It was a successful ambush, considering the enormous amount of the soulless corpses that attacked. They will be back next year and I will be ready.
To see more pics of the bloodbath, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
8/25/2009
AIDSphobic
It was a pretty good day until I stumbled on this article about a very appalling incident in Bangkok:
HIV activist Nicholas Snow catches abusive Bangkok neighbour on video
by Sylvia Tan
Nicholas Snow, who came out publicly about being HIV-positive last year, captures and shares his traumatic experience of being verbally accosted by a neighbour about the former's HIV status last night on video.
Nicholas Snow, a Bangkok-based journalist who publicly disclosed his HIV-positive status in an exclusive interview with Fridae in October last year, was verbally accosted by his neighbour at his Bangkok apartment on the evening of Aug 24.
In a four and a half minute video uploaded on Youtube, the unnamed neighbour - a young Thai man - was seen picking up a knife and attempting to throw several objects at Snow as he yelled across the hallway about Snow's self-disclosure of his HIV status in a “book” (magazine) and on a gay personals web site.
Snow, who is gay, said his neighbour began verbally abusing him just as he was returning home. As the tirade did not stop after Snow had closed his door to his apartment, he picked up his video camera from inside his apartment and opened the door to film his neighbour.
The exchange went:
“I will not be harassed because I have HIV. You are not allowed to treat your neigbhours this way.”
“I don’t want friendly with people with HIV,” said the neighbour when Snow said that he's only being friendly when he greets him or others in the building.
When Snow warned his neighbour that the video would be posted on the Internet, he was told: “I don’t care. You can put it in the newspaper.”
As the tirade went on, Snow retreated into his apartment and revealed that he believes that his neigbour had come to know of his HIV-positive status from his profile on a gay personals website. On the same day, someone has sent him a message asking him to “die” or “go back to (his) own country.” The sender had also correctly identified the name of his apartment building. Snow added that he recognised the apartment, in which the photos on the profile were taken, to be similar to his own apartment.
He further explained that the will post the video on the Internet as an “example of stigma and discrimination that exist around HIV and AIDS.”
“I sorta invited stigma and discrimination to come my way because I wanted to stand up against it.”
Last year, Snow founded ActionEqualsLife.com, a social networking web site created to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, champion "human rights for all" and support equality for all LGBT people.
He also wants to stress that the “behaviour of the individual in no way represents the majority of loving, accepting, hospitable Thai citizens and expats who live in Thailand. However, HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination is prevalent throughout Asia and beyond.”
I guess I will never really feel the gravity of living with HIV/AIDS until I'm actually on the receiving end of such attacks. I dunno the circumstances that led to this incident but I know for sure that this is an unacceptable way of dealing with the issue at hand. Who knows, maybe the Thai guy had a thing with Nicholas and his world crumbled upon learning of his predicament. Or maybe he's just a slob who doesn't have anything productive to do than make people's lives miserable.
Oh well, life goes on...and ignorant people continue to dwell...
Here are some stats for those who are interested:
People living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 33.0 million
Adults living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 30.8 million
Women living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 15.5 million
Children living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 2.0 million
People newly infected with HIV in 2007 2.7 million
Children newly infected with HIV in 2007 0.37 million
AIDS deaths in 2007 2.0 million
Child AIDS deaths in 2007 0.27 million
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
Africa has 11.6 million AIDS orphans.
At the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.
In developing and transitional countries, 9.7 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 2.99 million (31%) are receiving the drugs.
GTGL8RZ!
HIV activist Nicholas Snow catches abusive Bangkok neighbour on video
by Sylvia Tan
Nicholas Snow, who came out publicly about being HIV-positive last year, captures and shares his traumatic experience of being verbally accosted by a neighbour about the former's HIV status last night on video.
Nicholas Snow, a Bangkok-based journalist who publicly disclosed his HIV-positive status in an exclusive interview with Fridae in October last year, was verbally accosted by his neighbour at his Bangkok apartment on the evening of Aug 24.
In a four and a half minute video uploaded on Youtube, the unnamed neighbour - a young Thai man - was seen picking up a knife and attempting to throw several objects at Snow as he yelled across the hallway about Snow's self-disclosure of his HIV status in a “book” (magazine) and on a gay personals web site.
Snow, who is gay, said his neighbour began verbally abusing him just as he was returning home. As the tirade did not stop after Snow had closed his door to his apartment, he picked up his video camera from inside his apartment and opened the door to film his neighbour.
The exchange went:
“I will not be harassed because I have HIV. You are not allowed to treat your neigbhours this way.”
“I don’t want friendly with people with HIV,” said the neighbour when Snow said that he's only being friendly when he greets him or others in the building.
When Snow warned his neighbour that the video would be posted on the Internet, he was told: “I don’t care. You can put it in the newspaper.”
As the tirade went on, Snow retreated into his apartment and revealed that he believes that his neigbour had come to know of his HIV-positive status from his profile on a gay personals website. On the same day, someone has sent him a message asking him to “die” or “go back to (his) own country.” The sender had also correctly identified the name of his apartment building. Snow added that he recognised the apartment, in which the photos on the profile were taken, to be similar to his own apartment.
He further explained that the will post the video on the Internet as an “example of stigma and discrimination that exist around HIV and AIDS.”
“I sorta invited stigma and discrimination to come my way because I wanted to stand up against it.”
Last year, Snow founded ActionEqualsLife.com, a social networking web site created to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, champion "human rights for all" and support equality for all LGBT people.
He also wants to stress that the “behaviour of the individual in no way represents the majority of loving, accepting, hospitable Thai citizens and expats who live in Thailand. However, HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination is prevalent throughout Asia and beyond.”
I guess I will never really feel the gravity of living with HIV/AIDS until I'm actually on the receiving end of such attacks. I dunno the circumstances that led to this incident but I know for sure that this is an unacceptable way of dealing with the issue at hand. Who knows, maybe the Thai guy had a thing with Nicholas and his world crumbled upon learning of his predicament. Or maybe he's just a slob who doesn't have anything productive to do than make people's lives miserable.
Oh well, life goes on...and ignorant people continue to dwell...
Here are some stats for those who are interested:
People living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 33.0 million
Adults living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 30.8 million
Women living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 15.5 million
Children living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 2.0 million
People newly infected with HIV in 2007 2.7 million
Children newly infected with HIV in 2007 0.37 million
AIDS deaths in 2007 2.0 million
Child AIDS deaths in 2007 0.27 million
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
Africa has 11.6 million AIDS orphans.
At the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.
In developing and transitional countries, 9.7 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 2.99 million (31%) are receiving the drugs.
GTGL8RZ!
8/09/2009
Wonder Woman Tattoo
Met up with friends at the Old Nick pub last night and one of them was smiling from ear to ear. He got Lynda Carter to sign his leg over an existing Wonder Woman emblem tattoo. And, of course, as a true fan would do, he had it tattooed.
I guess it was only a matter of the stars' alignment. It was meant to happen. I would do the same thing...but I would go the extra mile and insure my tattooed limb.
GTGL8RZ!
I guess it was only a matter of the stars' alignment. It was meant to happen. I would do the same thing...but I would go the extra mile and insure my tattooed limb.
GTGL8RZ!
7/27/2009
RIP
She seemed restless as portrayed on TV.
I hope her family finds peace.
RIP Alexis Cohen.
For the story on what happened, CLICK HERE.
Found this tribute for her, uploaded after her rant on AI:
GTGL8RZ!
7/13/2009
What the "TOOT"?
I find it amusing that a group of researchers have actually spent time studying "swearing" as a factor that could reduce physical pain. It is pretty obvious that it is part of the fight-or-flight response and I don't think swearing would do any good if you actually cut your finger off compared to just submerging it in ice water.
Here's the actual abstract of the research:
Here's one of the researchers trying to explain the results of the study:
Now, just for pure amusement...here's Christian Bale and Napoleon Dynamite in a heated discussion...
GTGL8RZ!
Here's the actual abstract of the research:
Here's one of the researchers trying to explain the results of the study:
Now, just for pure amusement...here's Christian Bale and Napoleon Dynamite in a heated discussion...
GTGL8RZ!
7/01/2009
Can't Stop, Won't Stop: Toronto Pride Celebration 2009
How do you take great pictures in an event if you don't have a press pass? Well, you don't.
It's hard enough to focus on moving subjects, and when I had to stay outside the barriers during the pride parade, it made it even more of a challenge. But I managed to take some quick snaps in between a puffy mane of a shemale and a seven-footer princess.
It was, mostly, a wet celebration but spirits were high as always. Each year, a large number of people come to share with the fun but I do hope all the bright lights and deafening music won't make us forget of why there's even such a celebration.
To see more pics...CLICK HERE
GTGL8RZ!
It's hard enough to focus on moving subjects, and when I had to stay outside the barriers during the pride parade, it made it even more of a challenge. But I managed to take some quick snaps in between a puffy mane of a shemale and a seven-footer princess.
It was, mostly, a wet celebration but spirits were high as always. Each year, a large number of people come to share with the fun but I do hope all the bright lights and deafening music won't make us forget of why there's even such a celebration.
To see more pics...CLICK HERE
GTGL8RZ!
5/23/2009
yellow cabs everywhere...
It's so nice to have some change of air once in a while. It's not always cheap but it's worth every penny.
I spent a few days in big old NYC. Thanks to a very accommodating buddy, I didn't have to pay for a warm bed and pillow. I played the tourist role and went around Manhattan with my backpack and SLR. The web of rail and bus lines there is overwhelming compared to the simple loops in Toronto. I'm so frugal that there's no chance that I'd take a yellow cab to do my sight-seeing. With the help of hopstop, I completed my itinerary in no time. The nice weather helped me maximize the limited time I have to get some decent shots of the city as well.
There's just one thing though that I couldn't help but notice during this trip. The trash was just everywhere...and, I mean, everywhere. I guess it makes for good urban decay shots. But I never got to do any of that. I was either too busy dodging cars at crosswalks or trying to look local in Brooklyn (I don't even know what I mean by that...but anyway...).
I need to go back and stay longer.
GTGL8RZ!
I spent a few days in big old NYC. Thanks to a very accommodating buddy, I didn't have to pay for a warm bed and pillow. I played the tourist role and went around Manhattan with my backpack and SLR. The web of rail and bus lines there is overwhelming compared to the simple loops in Toronto. I'm so frugal that there's no chance that I'd take a yellow cab to do my sight-seeing. With the help of hopstop, I completed my itinerary in no time. The nice weather helped me maximize the limited time I have to get some decent shots of the city as well.
There's just one thing though that I couldn't help but notice during this trip. The trash was just everywhere...and, I mean, everywhere. I guess it makes for good urban decay shots. But I never got to do any of that. I was either too busy dodging cars at crosswalks or trying to look local in Brooklyn (I don't even know what I mean by that...but anyway...).
I need to go back and stay longer.
GTGL8RZ!
2/22/2009
Sabong
Sabong
A pile of cock cages (not the ones you can buy in sex shops) greeted me as I turned on the tube a few nights ago and caught on the local news broadcast. They were presumably used to keep black-feathered gladiators before a tournament.
Yes, apparently cockfighting has been going on in rural Ontario. I was not at all surprised of these activities as I grew up where such cruelty is considered a sport, and, in fact, part of the tradition. There are even cock derbies advertised everywhere back in the P.I. I wasn't even surprised that some "kababayans" were part of it. What I was more surprised about is the fact that the people behind the proliferation of an illegal assembly have only been busted now, after probably so many years of doping on chicken carnage. If such obvious unacceptable meetings can go on for so long without ever getting noticed, how else would more proliferative form of illegal gambling be stopped around here?
The most disturbing part of the news is that after seizing the live cocks from the barn, the authorities had them "euthanized." Now, that doesn't sound so far-off from the death sentence of the cockpit. Anyone care for some KFC?
To read more on this, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
A pile of cock cages (not the ones you can buy in sex shops) greeted me as I turned on the tube a few nights ago and caught on the local news broadcast. They were presumably used to keep black-feathered gladiators before a tournament.
Yes, apparently cockfighting has been going on in rural Ontario. I was not at all surprised of these activities as I grew up where such cruelty is considered a sport, and, in fact, part of the tradition. There are even cock derbies advertised everywhere back in the P.I. I wasn't even surprised that some "kababayans" were part of it. What I was more surprised about is the fact that the people behind the proliferation of an illegal assembly have only been busted now, after probably so many years of doping on chicken carnage. If such obvious unacceptable meetings can go on for so long without ever getting noticed, how else would more proliferative form of illegal gambling be stopped around here?
The most disturbing part of the news is that after seizing the live cocks from the barn, the authorities had them "euthanized." Now, that doesn't sound so far-off from the death sentence of the cockpit. Anyone care for some KFC?
To read more on this, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
1/24/2009
14 Stations to Number 1
I had an almost tragic accident a couple of days ago and it involved the subway and a pair of tight long johns.
One of the very basic training I got from nursery school is to empty my bladder before going on a long trip. That particularly cold day, I deliberately ignored my conscience and went down the TTC rails with a full amber juice bag. As soon as I sat down and the subway doors closed, I felt the sudden force of uncontrollable urge to open the dam. My tight thermals were only good for the cold and now served as compression stockings, squeezing my internal organs in. I was in dire need of help. I concentrated on slowly standing up, hoping that the lighter pressure would slow down the process...and it did.
I ran up the next station hoping to find a room to swat the urge. Unfortunately, I just got lost in the large station and nobody really knew where the washrooms are. So I got on another train hoping to see a sign of salvation in the next stop. To add insult to injury, the coach I was on was traveling at a speed slower than a seniors' parade. We finally reached a stop where I thought I'm more familiar with. I got off, ran up the stairs and frantically looked for any stick figures sign pointing to a panic room. And there was none. So I went out of the station, ignored the red lights and ran towards heaven...the mall. I spent the next few seconds diluting a blue chemsearch block.
There are several "I should've" moments that evening, but someone needs to experience it for others not to emulate, right? Or maybe I'm just too weak to face the fact that I did some stupid decisions, so crucify me if you will.
For really lazy people who wants everything easy, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
One of the very basic training I got from nursery school is to empty my bladder before going on a long trip. That particularly cold day, I deliberately ignored my conscience and went down the TTC rails with a full amber juice bag. As soon as I sat down and the subway doors closed, I felt the sudden force of uncontrollable urge to open the dam. My tight thermals were only good for the cold and now served as compression stockings, squeezing my internal organs in. I was in dire need of help. I concentrated on slowly standing up, hoping that the lighter pressure would slow down the process...and it did.
I ran up the next station hoping to find a room to swat the urge. Unfortunately, I just got lost in the large station and nobody really knew where the washrooms are. So I got on another train hoping to see a sign of salvation in the next stop. To add insult to injury, the coach I was on was traveling at a speed slower than a seniors' parade. We finally reached a stop where I thought I'm more familiar with. I got off, ran up the stairs and frantically looked for any stick figures sign pointing to a panic room. And there was none. So I went out of the station, ignored the red lights and ran towards heaven...the mall. I spent the next few seconds diluting a blue chemsearch block.
There are several "I should've" moments that evening, but someone needs to experience it for others not to emulate, right? Or maybe I'm just too weak to face the fact that I did some stupid decisions, so crucify me if you will.
For really lazy people who wants everything easy, CLICK HERE.
GTGL8RZ!
1/17/2009
What is there to do on a freezing weekend?
It's been in the minus teens again for the past couple of days and it's a reminder that I'm still in North America every morning as I try to force my body out of bed. People tell me that I'm never gonna get used to the cold but I can make the whole experience less of a hassle. Of course, I'm not going out to run around the oval just across from here. That's never gonna happen!
There are more fun things to do when it's freezing out without even spending a penny:
1. If you have one of those crappy DVDs that you never really bought coz it came free with a new TV or player, try watching it again with the "Director's Commentary" on. Should be interesting, especially if the director sounds so convinced that a shot was amazing, when in fact, it's just a close up of a butt zit.
2. If you're feeling naughty and have been thinking of getting back at an embarrassing prank an old pal did to you, I have a nasty idea. Download a pic from his facebook then upload and start an ad on craigslist's missed connections that says something like "are you the guy who did not flush the toilet after a big dump in the mall?" That should teach him a lesson, and I'm pretty sure you'll get more than a handful of replies. That should keep u busy in the cold night.
3. Dance, dance, dance...this always keeps me warm. To get you started, here's a vid inspired by a song from Jerry Springer, The Opera:
(vid courtesy of BGDVA)
GTGL8RZ!
There are more fun things to do when it's freezing out without even spending a penny:
1. If you have one of those crappy DVDs that you never really bought coz it came free with a new TV or player, try watching it again with the "Director's Commentary" on. Should be interesting, especially if the director sounds so convinced that a shot was amazing, when in fact, it's just a close up of a butt zit.
2. If you're feeling naughty and have been thinking of getting back at an embarrassing prank an old pal did to you, I have a nasty idea. Download a pic from his facebook then upload and start an ad on craigslist's missed connections that says something like "are you the guy who did not flush the toilet after a big dump in the mall?" That should teach him a lesson, and I'm pretty sure you'll get more than a handful of replies. That should keep u busy in the cold night.
3. Dance, dance, dance...this always keeps me warm. To get you started, here's a vid inspired by a song from Jerry Springer, The Opera:
(vid courtesy of BGDVA)
GTGL8RZ!
10/26/2008
Dead Men Walking
I woke up early on a Sunday. I've been anticipating this annual event ever since I missed it last year and the years before that. A bit comfy in my cocoon and high-strung then, plus I never really checked what's going on and when it's going on in the city. Couldn't wait till 3 pm for the Zombie Walk so I spent the hours before that contemplating on whether I should go as an undead Japanese school girl or Liza Minelli on formaldehyde. Wait, Liza is not dead, but she's definitely on formaline. 'Nuff of that crap.
I took the subway to Bathurst and Bloor and walked down to Queen street, just so I won't miss the group as they trek northwards. I was prepared, grande Chai lattè on one hand and my bestfriend B&H on the other. Along the way I met some biohazard control team making sure uninformed people won't get infected, although for sure they got the evil bug before the day ended. I got there right when the zombies were walking out of the Trinity Bellwoods Park. I remember taking my cam out of the bag to shoot the first batches of the undead and then the rest that followed are all now just a blur as I got sprayed by a streaming uncoagulated goo coming out of a jawless zombie. The pictures speak for themselves.
Of course, I was just channelling a diluted version of Harry Mason. It was fun, fun, fun! Being with creative people even for just a few hours, inspires me to do better in what I do, or I think I do. Maybe next year I'll fold and come up with a gory alter ego. But seriously, I was so lucky I got to experience this unique event.
To see more pics, click HERE
GTGL8RZ!
I took the subway to Bathurst and Bloor and walked down to Queen street, just so I won't miss the group as they trek northwards. I was prepared, grande Chai lattè on one hand and my bestfriend B&H on the other. Along the way I met some biohazard control team making sure uninformed people won't get infected, although for sure they got the evil bug before the day ended. I got there right when the zombies were walking out of the Trinity Bellwoods Park. I remember taking my cam out of the bag to shoot the first batches of the undead and then the rest that followed are all now just a blur as I got sprayed by a streaming uncoagulated goo coming out of a jawless zombie. The pictures speak for themselves.
Of course, I was just channelling a diluted version of Harry Mason. It was fun, fun, fun! Being with creative people even for just a few hours, inspires me to do better in what I do, or I think I do. Maybe next year I'll fold and come up with a gory alter ego. But seriously, I was so lucky I got to experience this unique event.
To see more pics, click HERE
GTGL8RZ!
10/12/2008
Zombies in Toronto
Found these bunch of gyrating and moaning infected Torontonians during the Nuit Blanche 2008. I got to College Park early that evening and the number getting infected was increasing as the night progressed. I had to quickly get some shots as the stench of the living dead and human carnage was unbelievable.
About a week from now, the annual Zombie Walk will happen, so this is a perfect primer for a bigger convention of crazy and fun people. I have not actually attended since I moved here but I will definitely not miss this one and I'm seriously considering showing up as a bloated and beat-up piñata.
More pics here...
GTGL8RZ!
9/30/2008
Inukshook
It's my third time in Ottawa and, as before, I discovered something new about the city.
Just near the lake in Parliament hill is what they call "Inukshook" art exhibit. It's a very unique installation as the stone arts get naturally toppled by the water current, so every year the view changes. I found just one person completing his addition to the exhibit when I went there. It's basically uneven rocks and stones balanced on top of each other. Some of them form recognizable images and some simply form random images that looked great even if I din't know what they represent, although they will all look like phallic symbols if you haven't had sex in a while.
The backdrop of the sun's reflection on moving water looked like flowing gold in blue satin sheets. The lakeview looked a bit like the beaches in Toronto sans the rowdy crowd and the over-enterprising kiosks. The only downer with the place is that a herd of geese controls the area and the droppings were just everywhere. It's not too bad if you don't mind getting poop tokens from Ottawa.
GTGL8RZ!
9/25/2008
Where are the rickshaws when you need them?
Had a good cardio workout today courtesy of the TTC.
I was on my regular home route when the choppy PA announced that the subway trip ends in Lawrence, seven stations away from my stop. Oohweeh! I knew right there and then that I would have to go on foot rather than wait in the long line for the buses and bask in post-work stench. So together with hundreds of 9 to 5 people, I trekked the busy Yonge street and spent the next 2 hours dragging my bum and listening to Moby.
Inbetween Davisville and St. Clair, I was wishing rickshaws would show up. Obviously, cabs were all flagged and the full shuttle buses were not even options at that time. But then again, I made it home without even cussing at the subway service, which I should be doing now but, I guess, other people have blogged about it too many times before, plus I'm too preoccupied with Survivor Gabon and Grey's Anatomy season openers.
I'm going to review the alternative routes in the subway system map after primetime TV, which I think is the best way to deal with emergencies like this, especially when there are no other cheap commuter options to go around the city. Or maybe I should buy a lottery ticket and win some bucks for a heli.
GTGL8RZ!
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