WAR

I've been avoiding subtitling Training. I don't know why. But that's delayed sending it out to film festivals. I haven't even begun researching on film festivals. But today, after an easy morning, a quick trip to the gym, and a spaghetti lunch from Pancake House, I went home, sat down, and watched an episode of Generation Kill.

I made a list of 25 Things About Me on FB, and I forgot to mention that I love war movies and shows. I like World War II stuff like Band of Brothers and Memphis Belle. But I like modern wars too, shows about a small group of men trying to make their way through a mission or a whole damn war, like M*A*S*H or The Unit. And then lately, because of a discussion about The Wire, I've found Generation Kill.

It all started when Zig mentioned liking the gritty, realism of The Wire over the idealistic and lofty The West Wing. And it's true, The West Wing is so noble and inspiring, you know it all can't be true. Not wanting to miss out on another supposedly great series, I planned on watchng The Wire too. But five seasons of dense material daunted me. But in Wikiing the show up, I've found out that the writers (David Simon, Ed Burns) have a new show out about a battalion in the second Iraq War. Also, it's a 7-part miniseries. Bite size.

So it's really good, and actually funny. In the way that war is absurd funny. And like Band Of Brothers, you spend the first ep figuring out who's who. But after that, it gets rolling, literally. But after five eps, I figure, the dialogue might be more street and rough, but I don't think this is how soldiers talk either. Essentially, people on TV talk a whole lot more than people in real life. In the end TV will be TV. That doesn't mean it can't be great TV though, and it only becomes a bad thing if you confuse it will real life.

Anyway, like I said, I sat down and saw an episode. I eventually got to starting on Training. But right as I was about get a lot done, I get a call from an agency contact asking for my portfolio by tomorrow morning. So I spend the next couple of hours cobbling together an updated folio, rushing off to Fuji Wilson to have it printed (traffic) and getting back in time for an 830PM shoot.

But it's all good. In between the rush print job and the 830PM call time, I've found time to have a meal at North Park, and to write this thing down.

the first album

Corporate Lo-Fi, a sort of superband/side project, announced it's March 09 album release on their FB group. Coming from guy who has no idea how to appreciate hip-hop, I hope it says something when I say that I'm looking forward to this one.

And you know, if that is the album art, it's pretty neat work.

I got rhythm, I got music

I've never been a gamer. Well, not the hardcore type, at least. My list of games played would include the following: Mario Bros, Contra, Battle City, Galaga, Command & Conquer, Rainbow Six and, my all time fave, Sim City. I like them either mindless and easy, or slow and methodical. Also, none of these games have been in vogue for some years now. I usually let my brother get into them first and then I borrow the installer CD.

So I'm rather late on this whole Wii/Guitar Hero thing. But I got to play it today, and good God, I need a home theater because I want to buy and install the whole thing. I will get the drum kit and bass guitar too. It is awesome. It's the only way I can live out my rock star dreams.

Friends who know me know that I can't clap in beat to save my life, so playing any of the instruments in Beginner mode was already a challenge for me. But I want to play it. I know I can do it.

friday

Well, there was traffic to begin with.

And then we found out that there wasn't a single ping pong table in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Which, by the way, also houses the Philippine Sports Commission.

Then we got pulled over by a cop on a bogus traffic violation.

But we got to bowl at MCS, and in between games, we had an awesome Japanese meal (my second for the day) at Little Tokyo. And I found out, after my meal and after feeling a bit warm, that my Japanese grapefruit soda was actually a beer with high-calorie content. It was on the packaging, I just couldn't read it. It might also be considered a girl's drink in Japan.

photo from this guy's drink review

Then we couldn't get enough players for a poker game.

But I got home early, found time to read, and got enough sleep. All in all, a good day.

Yes We Can!

Obama is almost President Of The World and suddenly everyone's feeling optimistic.

A bunch of former employees (op-managers, IT specialists, engineers and chemists - geeks, really) are making a bid to resurrect Polaroid, sort of. They've acquired the equipment, leased the factory, and have given themselves exactly 12 months to make something happen. They even have a countdown on their site.

They've called it The Impossible Project, for chrissake. It's hope we can believe in!