This posting is a little outdated. We say GI Joe the weekend it opened and it was the most guy or guy-ness movie you can imagine. I thought Melissa would suffer through it but she actually enjoyed it and more importantly understood it. Though at the end she was a bit confused by the villains. Who was Cobra and what was a Destro?
I was fortunate that I did remember GI Joe from my tween years when it was a cartoon on TV. However, true to guy fashion my son and all 3 nephews had no problems whatsoever relating to the guy-ness that was on full display throughout the movie. The story was not too bad but the acting (apart from Marlon Wayans) had the same effect as a plywood.
Pretty boy (whatever his name was) who played the lead role "Duke" was nothing like the cartoon character (which was closer to Arnold or Van Damme) and he gave the impression of a real pussy! We are so short of action movie heroes. Where is Arnold, Bruce Willis, Sly, Jean Claude Van Damme, Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan of the 21st Century?
Instead we churn out wussies like Freddie Pince Jr, Channing Tatum, Shia LeBeouf and names you can't blinking pronounce!!! Come on!! These guys look either too sleepy to fight the bad guys or too stoned or just too busy ensuring their manicure and face foundation are not disturbed.
Anyway, apart from what I thought was a hero disappointment, the hi-tech gadget and weaponry was veyr creative and totally appealed to the guy sense of destruction and mayhem. It's just sad that there weren't too much blood and gore and flying body parts like Blade or 300. It's another summer blockbuster in the making, just like Transformers 2. You leave your brains behind and just watch ass being kicked! I totally enjoyed it (seeing that I hardly take my brains anywhere).
Ladies, if you really want that Ferragamo bag or Gucci shoes or Longines watch from your other half, this is the movie to take him to. You will want to tear your hair out but the brownie points earned will be worth it. Just ask Melissa.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Men's rules and standard - let's see you try this
I wrote extensively about how us guys are always fumbling about when it comes to social graces and why we are made out to be barbarian by women magazine's like Cosmo. That's because women wrote the rules and standards. The rules are way too incompatible with the guy DNA. That is why we fumble. So this Chindian is starting a guy liberation movement by telling you about the guys' rules and standards. Let's see you try this for a few decades!
These are our rules! They are not mine per se since I got this from a very good GAL friend.
Please note.. these are all numbered "1 "
ON PURPOSE!
1. Guys are NOT mind readers. We never have and we never will be.
( FIRST & FOREMOST RULE )
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Weekend sports; It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just tell us what you want!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question..
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one
1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials...because we don't disturb you while you are watching your soaps and serials.
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we. Furthermore we have GPS now.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We all do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will ! act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle. !
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Racing or Football.
1. 1 You have enough clothes.
1. 2 You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape! Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;
But did you know men really don't mind that ? It's like camping..
So there you go. We will commit to follow women's rules and standards if you try to live by ours. Any takers?
These are our rules! They are not mine per se since I got this from a very good GAL friend.
Please note.. these are all numbered "1 "
ON PURPOSE!
1. Guys are NOT mind readers. We never have and we never will be.
( FIRST & FOREMOST RULE )
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Weekend sports; It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just tell us what you want!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question..
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one
1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials...because we don't disturb you while you are watching your soaps and serials.
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we. Furthermore we have GPS now.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We all do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will ! act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle. !
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Racing or Football.
1. 1 You have enough clothes.
1. 2 You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape! Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;
But did you know men really don't mind that ? It's like camping..
So there you go. We will commit to follow women's rules and standards if you try to live by ours. Any takers?
M&M in the first newspaper appearance!
The David kids, Mikey and Mandy making their first newspaper appearance. Not bad eh? Can someone translate for me?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Harry Potter vs Manny and Co
It was another weekend of movie binging. It was animation against the very powerful "magic" of Harry Potter. Our new cinema of choice is that of Tropicana City Mall at SS2. It is convenient, new, ample parking space and more importantly; its 3 minutes from home. There are new restaurants opening at the mall too. Furthermore, we discovered that if you ordered something that was not ready at the time, they will bring it to your seat in the cinema! Pretty cool huh!
So on with the show.
Harry Potter
I should remind you that I am a HUGE HP fan. The moment I read the books, I was hooked. However, The Half Blood Prince, I thought was the most boring of the 7 books. So I didn't have high expectations going into the movie. Actually I think they adapted the book rather poorly even in the earlier films. While I thought the casting wasn't too bad, the script for the movie was poor. It's like they want to tell too many stories and so end up telling a bit of everything without any coherrence. It also makes the movies rather shallow.
So this sequel was one of the poorest. It did have its moments like when Ron was in the spell of the Love Potion or when Harry was under the influence of the Felix Felicis (that's a Good Luck potion for those of you who are devoid of life and imagination). I was postitively tickled by that. Other than that, it wasn't the best way for me to spend 2 1/2 hours.
Ice Age 3
The logic of it is not sound but its animation right?? It's already illogical for a mammoth, sloth and sabre tooth tiger to be friends, let alone meeting a mammoth who thought she was a possum! I won't give too much away so you will have to see it for yourself and see you it, you should. This is a show you shouldn't miss. It was hilarious and it managed to keep us very entertained for a 3rd sequel (unlike Shrek. Remember him?).
There was a new character, a weasel which had a British accent but was truy remarkably entertaining. The voice talents didn't disappoint, it was very good wholesome fun for the family and you shouldn't watch it in 3D. Nothing worth 3D-ing at.
So whether you are on for some magic or travel back in time to see talking animals drive the Ice Age crazy, you have some good choices for you. Next stop....GI JOE!!!
So on with the show.
Harry Potter
I should remind you that I am a HUGE HP fan. The moment I read the books, I was hooked. However, The Half Blood Prince, I thought was the most boring of the 7 books. So I didn't have high expectations going into the movie. Actually I think they adapted the book rather poorly even in the earlier films. While I thought the casting wasn't too bad, the script for the movie was poor. It's like they want to tell too many stories and so end up telling a bit of everything without any coherrence. It also makes the movies rather shallow.
So this sequel was one of the poorest. It did have its moments like when Ron was in the spell of the Love Potion or when Harry was under the influence of the Felix Felicis (that's a Good Luck potion for those of you who are devoid of life and imagination). I was postitively tickled by that. Other than that, it wasn't the best way for me to spend 2 1/2 hours.
Ice Age 3
The logic of it is not sound but its animation right?? It's already illogical for a mammoth, sloth and sabre tooth tiger to be friends, let alone meeting a mammoth who thought she was a possum! I won't give too much away so you will have to see it for yourself and see you it, you should. This is a show you shouldn't miss. It was hilarious and it managed to keep us very entertained for a 3rd sequel (unlike Shrek. Remember him?).
There was a new character, a weasel which had a British accent but was truy remarkably entertaining. The voice talents didn't disappoint, it was very good wholesome fun for the family and you shouldn't watch it in 3D. Nothing worth 3D-ing at.
So whether you are on for some magic or travel back in time to see talking animals drive the Ice Age crazy, you have some good choices for you. Next stop....GI JOE!!!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Lesson learnt
Some teachings and observations in life!
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
The Baby day draws near...Omigawd!!!
I talked a lot about naming your baby well so pls pay heed else you may end up with a homicidal serial killer on your hands! If you are still unsure, then you can use the methods that Native Americans use. Like "Dances with Wolves" or "Stands with a Fist" or "Shits while Standing". This method is simeple and easy to apply. There are 2 ways that you can use. First, when your baby is born, look around for the first thing that inspires you and second, is to give your baby some weeks and see what inspiring event happens that shapes your babies first actions.
So in the first method, you could look around and see your wife feeding your baby for the first time and name your baby "Woman Bares Tits" or "white Milking Tits". Other events could be like "Cuts Wrong Cord" or "Waterful Placenta", you get the general idea.
For method 2, some samples are "Screams at 2 hours" or "Baby Pukes on you" or "Drools like always". You can wait a year and get names like "Walks into walls" or "Kicks your Groin". So you are not confined by some name like John or Mary or Jill or Chastity; you know, stuff like that.
Now you are ready to get the baby stuff. Yep gone are the days where its just buying some napkins, some baby clothes and a basket. I mean how much clothes do they need? Are they going to a ball, the office, an important client meeting, to the football for a game? All they know is to lie down, cry, drool, cry, sleep, drool, eat, sleep, cry, drool and...oh wait....sleep. But new parents don't think that because they think their newborn is having the same life and thought process they have.
"What will people think if I dress my baby is this outfit? What will the other babies think?". Here's the answer, "Where is that tit?". They aren't into fashion but you new parents are going to some store like "Toys R' So Overprice You Have To Commit Felony To Afford Our Stuff and you will buy WHATEVER the store person tells you. You have no choice because the ads and baby industry will make Genghis Khan seem like Maria in Sound of Music compared to you, if you don't get the bottle-warmer, the diaper that absorbs more water than a hippo or the sterilizer or the steamer or liquid detergent that was developed in a secluded mountain in Switzerland so that you baby's skin will glow like those of angels.
Well, if we survived without it, our kids don't really need it. But I am was no better. I had spent so much that I believe was equivalent to the GDP of a small Latin American country. I can't confirm it without my auditors but it would be close. The object is to spend so much that your bank account is committing suicide. That way, you will feel justified that you have bought everything needed. If you have to take out a 2nd mortgage on your house, you have gone too far. That's for the 2nd child and only if you have twins.
So for now, enjoy your false alarms of labour. Your wife constantly going to the loo and you having to constantly remind her that she is gorgeous even when she has a durian doughnut stuffed in her mouth. Welcome pal, you are a husband!
So in the first method, you could look around and see your wife feeding your baby for the first time and name your baby "Woman Bares Tits" or "white Milking Tits". Other events could be like "Cuts Wrong Cord" or "Waterful Placenta", you get the general idea.
For method 2, some samples are "Screams at 2 hours" or "Baby Pukes on you" or "Drools like always". You can wait a year and get names like "Walks into walls" or "Kicks your Groin". So you are not confined by some name like John or Mary or Jill or Chastity; you know, stuff like that.
Now you are ready to get the baby stuff. Yep gone are the days where its just buying some napkins, some baby clothes and a basket. I mean how much clothes do they need? Are they going to a ball, the office, an important client meeting, to the football for a game? All they know is to lie down, cry, drool, cry, sleep, drool, eat, sleep, cry, drool and...oh wait....sleep. But new parents don't think that because they think their newborn is having the same life and thought process they have.
"What will people think if I dress my baby is this outfit? What will the other babies think?". Here's the answer, "Where is that tit?". They aren't into fashion but you new parents are going to some store like "Toys R' So Overprice You Have To Commit Felony To Afford Our Stuff and you will buy WHATEVER the store person tells you. You have no choice because the ads and baby industry will make Genghis Khan seem like Maria in Sound of Music compared to you, if you don't get the bottle-warmer, the diaper that absorbs more water than a hippo or the sterilizer or the steamer or liquid detergent that was developed in a secluded mountain in Switzerland so that you baby's skin will glow like those of angels.
Well, if we survived without it, our kids don't really need it. But I am was no better. I had spent so much that I believe was equivalent to the GDP of a small Latin American country. I can't confirm it without my auditors but it would be close. The object is to spend so much that your bank account is committing suicide. That way, you will feel justified that you have bought everything needed. If you have to take out a 2nd mortgage on your house, you have gone too far. That's for the 2nd child and only if you have twins.
So for now, enjoy your false alarms of labour. Your wife constantly going to the loo and you having to constantly remind her that she is gorgeous even when she has a durian doughnut stuffed in her mouth. Welcome pal, you are a husband!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Michael's first public appearance
Don't say I didn't warn you but when he is famous, just remember that you saw it here first and a Chindian brought it to you.
Michael on the Internet
Michael on the Internet
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Goodbye MJ
It took a long while to sink in....but the King of Pop is no more. When you grow up with an icon, they are indestructible and they are immortal. Though there were very visible ad obvious signs of the strains of the public eye on him, MJ would live forever. It was very difficult to accept that he is gone. Very difficult to look at the situation and have that little voice say that this is not possible.
Maybe it's a hoax. Maybe it's a publicity stunt. Maybe Michael just wants to see if he is still loved. Whatever it was, it cannot be that he is dead.
You then see the reviews, the post-mortems, the news and culminating in a memorial service which was touching and slightly inappropriate. Gold casket below a stage where every sang and danced. Not very Asian. But after all that, we now have to get use to a life without Michael Jackson.
Like most poorer kids in my generation, we didn't really get a chance to enjoy music until our teens. Our parents weren't exactly music people and I didn't have a radio at home until I was 13. It wasn't those mini-compos which were a real fad then but those cassette players that has a dial for radio and everything was button and levers. No electronics, nothing fancy. It was junk and looked like junk but it was our radio.
The first songs I heard was Abba "One of us" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". I hated it and still do. When "Beat It" was played later, I remembered that it was sung by this whiny voiced pansy guy called Michael Jackson who sang a terrible song "Billie Jean" but "Beat It" was kinda cool. So they song I paid attention to, blew my mind literally. I was hooked on "Thriller". At that time, the music was called New Wave and the world was preparing itself for a second British invasion after the Beatles.
We had Duran Duran, Wham, Howard Jones, The Police, Nik Kershaw, Yazoo, Kajagoogoo (I am not making these names up. These were really band names that we were really into). MJ stood out and resisted the British invasion sweeping awards after awards. I remember watching "Thriller" music video at a very popular CD outlet called Victoria Music Station in Sg Wang after school which we snuck out to. I just couldn't move away. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen!
I began to seriously pay attention to MJ then and I was hooked. He went on to become a huge megastar with people going crazy over him! Crying when the saw him and having all these emotions flooding towards him.
Sadly though, that didn't last. To reasons only known to him, MJ became....."weird". For all his shortcomings and all his doings, he will remain forever an icon for perfection, artistry and philanthrophy. Very few people come into the world and leave with the knowledge that they have made a difference. MJ is one of them. We will miss him and his music and we won't be the same again. God Bless and rest in peace.....finally.
Maybe it's a hoax. Maybe it's a publicity stunt. Maybe Michael just wants to see if he is still loved. Whatever it was, it cannot be that he is dead.
You then see the reviews, the post-mortems, the news and culminating in a memorial service which was touching and slightly inappropriate. Gold casket below a stage where every sang and danced. Not very Asian. But after all that, we now have to get use to a life without Michael Jackson.
Like most poorer kids in my generation, we didn't really get a chance to enjoy music until our teens. Our parents weren't exactly music people and I didn't have a radio at home until I was 13. It wasn't those mini-compos which were a real fad then but those cassette players that has a dial for radio and everything was button and levers. No electronics, nothing fancy. It was junk and looked like junk but it was our radio.
The first songs I heard was Abba "One of us" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". I hated it and still do. When "Beat It" was played later, I remembered that it was sung by this whiny voiced pansy guy called Michael Jackson who sang a terrible song "Billie Jean" but "Beat It" was kinda cool. So they song I paid attention to, blew my mind literally. I was hooked on "Thriller". At that time, the music was called New Wave and the world was preparing itself for a second British invasion after the Beatles.
We had Duran Duran, Wham, Howard Jones, The Police, Nik Kershaw, Yazoo, Kajagoogoo (I am not making these names up. These were really band names that we were really into). MJ stood out and resisted the British invasion sweeping awards after awards. I remember watching "Thriller" music video at a very popular CD outlet called Victoria Music Station in Sg Wang after school which we snuck out to. I just couldn't move away. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen!
I began to seriously pay attention to MJ then and I was hooked. He went on to become a huge megastar with people going crazy over him! Crying when the saw him and having all these emotions flooding towards him.
Sadly though, that didn't last. To reasons only known to him, MJ became....."weird". For all his shortcomings and all his doings, he will remain forever an icon for perfection, artistry and philanthrophy. Very few people come into the world and leave with the knowledge that they have made a difference. MJ is one of them. We will miss him and his music and we won't be the same again. God Bless and rest in peace.....finally.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Transformers 2 - Revenge of the Brainless!
You may have read that this sequel really bombed. Then you may have read that it has grossed USD400MM worldwide in 2 weeks, making it one of the most successful films ever! It's opening weekend was only overshadowed by "Dark Knight". So you will be blamed if you are confused. How the heck did a movie that has gotten so rotten reviews absolutely EXPLODED at the box office?!?!?!? Defies logic? Actually not really.
The Star made it very clear in its publications today. Transformers 2 was made to entertain audiences...not critics. You see, some movies are made for critics that will say how artistic it is, how certain actors bring out the best in themselves by displaying a variety of emotions that totally brings out the talent in them. Then there are movies that just defies logic, pure fantasy, uses sexual charm or comic to mask the poor plot and of course uses extensive special effects. This is such a movie.
Going into the movie with a low expectation really helped. So what I did was to leave my brain outside and THOROUGHLY enjoyed the movie. It's a guy movie meaning there are lots of action, destruction, guns, really big guns, coolest planes, big huge mother robots, sexy girl, comic relief and huge explosions at the end.
What is there not to love?!?!?! But its a guy movie.
Don't get logical with it or try to reason because you are not going to get it or win. There are no fantastic talent being showcased here and you can pretty much guarantee that no one is going to be nominated for Oscars.
There are new robots which will make Hasbro and Toys R' So-overpriced-you-have-to-sell-your-spleen-to-afford even richer. There is one that looks like a dog one which is a monster truck transformed and one into a SR71 Blackbird. So its a merchandizer heaven. And we as responsible 21st century parents, will go out and invest more into these toys than our retirement funds and the GDP of Haiti put together.
I don't want to reveal too much. Just that there are more robots, Megan Fox is hotter (it that is at all possible), there is a female transformer, some comic relief and lots and lots of action. 2 hours 30min worth of non-stop, hard breathing action.
My suggestion, forget about the critics. Just see it, get it over with and enjoy.
The Star made it very clear in its publications today. Transformers 2 was made to entertain audiences...not critics. You see, some movies are made for critics that will say how artistic it is, how certain actors bring out the best in themselves by displaying a variety of emotions that totally brings out the talent in them. Then there are movies that just defies logic, pure fantasy, uses sexual charm or comic to mask the poor plot and of course uses extensive special effects. This is such a movie.
Going into the movie with a low expectation really helped. So what I did was to leave my brain outside and THOROUGHLY enjoyed the movie. It's a guy movie meaning there are lots of action, destruction, guns, really big guns, coolest planes, big huge mother robots, sexy girl, comic relief and huge explosions at the end.
What is there not to love?!?!?! But its a guy movie.
Don't get logical with it or try to reason because you are not going to get it or win. There are no fantastic talent being showcased here and you can pretty much guarantee that no one is going to be nominated for Oscars.
There are new robots which will make Hasbro and Toys R' So-overpriced-you-have-to-sell-your-spleen-to-afford even richer. There is one that looks like a dog one which is a monster truck transformed and one into a SR71 Blackbird. So its a merchandizer heaven. And we as responsible 21st century parents, will go out and invest more into these toys than our retirement funds and the GDP of Haiti put together.
I don't want to reveal too much. Just that there are more robots, Megan Fox is hotter (it that is at all possible), there is a female transformer, some comic relief and lots and lots of action. 2 hours 30min worth of non-stop, hard breathing action.
My suggestion, forget about the critics. Just see it, get it over with and enjoy.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Naming the offspring - so that they don't become homicidal killers
This is a HUGE problem and you wanna take your time on this one. Remember, names last FOREVER, that's a tad longer than ETERNITY. If you name your child well, they may grow up normal or even extraordinary. If you name you child 50 cents or Chainsaw, they going to jail.
Now in Malaysia, we have a syndrome called the national education system. What this means is that 99% of the educators in Government schools are rural folks who have not watched a single Hollywood movie. What that leads to is that they will be unable to pronounce names like Sage (tell them to pronounce sausage but without the "sau"), Matthew (will sound like a Cantonese swear word), Elliot (will pronounce idiot) or new age psychedelic names like Destiny, Mother Earth or Toad Excrement.
The other reason why you want to name your child well, is so that they won't get teased all their school life and end up losers or worse, homicidal serial killers! You see those TV news reports that say, that this kid was a quiet, polite kid and no one understands why he suddenly took a gun and starting shooting up his school. No one can give an explanation why this should happen to a kid like Ballwhacker Jones.
So you wanna be EXTRA sensitive about this. Malaysia also has another problem where we have multi racial implications to the names. So we have to ensure that the names don't mean something else in another language. For me it was doubly hard as I had to make sure our Japanese-occupation, tapioca-eating , 10-miles-to-schoolwalking, kerosene-lamp-reading and being constantly under fire parents could pronounce our babies' names. Secondly we had to make sure it didn't mean something different in any language to the best of our knowledge.
So we decided to play it safe and take common names with a nice flow to it.
There is also the occult way where you wanna see if the numbers in the names align to the person's birth date, the day the peed for the first time, etc. I didn't want anything to do with that so we just stuck to the normal English language names. I always like the name Sean and how it was pronounced despite its spelling. Then I looked for the most suitable and well meaning name and I came upon Joseph and Michael. Michael meant who is like God and the captain of God's Angels is St. Michael the Archangel. How much cooler can you get!!!! That's like the leader of Transformers, Justice League, G.I. Joe all rolled into one, a million times over!!! Also Michael Sean had a better ring to it than Joseph Sean.
So Michael Sean it was.
With Amanda, it was a lot tougher. Primarily because the saints' names are either very biblical or ages you. Names like Agatha, Mary, Catherine, Caroline, Bridgette, etc. That made it difficult as I don't want her sounding like a 60 year SOOO soon! Eventually the Christian name I chose was Grace since it was the same meaning as Mary but a lot more chic. That was the middle name. I chose and shortlisted these first names, Amanda, Nicole and Stacy. I gave these names to my colleagues and asked them which girl name they would date.
The majority was on Nicole with Stacy coming in a very strong second. Then my Chindian colleague (you can always trust a Chindian to make things easy for you), Joseph commented that Nicole sounds hot and dirty and Stacy sounds like a porn star's name. You never seen me move as fast as I did when I wrote down Amanda and drove to the Registration Dept to submit her name. Flash Gordon would have been proud!
So hence the names Michael Sean David and Amanda Grace David. I am glad to know that there is only one other kid I know in his school named Michael and Amanda was just as uncommon. So much for it being TO common. So Mikey and Mandy or M&M got their names through very meticulous method of selection which followed these principles:-
1. It has got to have no vulgar or ridiculous meaning
2. Doesn't represent any body parts
3. Easy to pronounce even by one certified to be clinically dead
4. Doesn't turn you one (for a girl's name)
5. Doesn't sound like a porn star
6. No or minimal teasing with the names
7. Doesn't spawn nick names that can be used in rap videos or prison
So there you have it. Algernon Constipated Charles Weedshaker III is a no-no. Please! You might as well kill the boy. Keep it simple, has a good, strong meaning. Gives your kids confidence.
Hey! Maybe try something like Aquaman or Optimus Prime or The HULK!!!
Now in Malaysia, we have a syndrome called the national education system. What this means is that 99% of the educators in Government schools are rural folks who have not watched a single Hollywood movie. What that leads to is that they will be unable to pronounce names like Sage (tell them to pronounce sausage but without the "sau"), Matthew (will sound like a Cantonese swear word), Elliot (will pronounce idiot) or new age psychedelic names like Destiny, Mother Earth or Toad Excrement.
The other reason why you want to name your child well, is so that they won't get teased all their school life and end up losers or worse, homicidal serial killers! You see those TV news reports that say, that this kid was a quiet, polite kid and no one understands why he suddenly took a gun and starting shooting up his school. No one can give an explanation why this should happen to a kid like Ballwhacker Jones.
So you wanna be EXTRA sensitive about this. Malaysia also has another problem where we have multi racial implications to the names. So we have to ensure that the names don't mean something else in another language. For me it was doubly hard as I had to make sure our Japanese-occupation, tapioca-eating , 10-miles-to-schoolwalking, kerosene-lamp-reading and being constantly under fire parents could pronounce our babies' names. Secondly we had to make sure it didn't mean something different in any language to the best of our knowledge.
So we decided to play it safe and take common names with a nice flow to it.
There is also the occult way where you wanna see if the numbers in the names align to the person's birth date, the day the peed for the first time, etc. I didn't want anything to do with that so we just stuck to the normal English language names. I always like the name Sean and how it was pronounced despite its spelling. Then I looked for the most suitable and well meaning name and I came upon Joseph and Michael. Michael meant who is like God and the captain of God's Angels is St. Michael the Archangel. How much cooler can you get!!!! That's like the leader of Transformers, Justice League, G.I. Joe all rolled into one, a million times over!!! Also Michael Sean had a better ring to it than Joseph Sean.
So Michael Sean it was.
With Amanda, it was a lot tougher. Primarily because the saints' names are either very biblical or ages you. Names like Agatha, Mary, Catherine, Caroline, Bridgette, etc. That made it difficult as I don't want her sounding like a 60 year SOOO soon! Eventually the Christian name I chose was Grace since it was the same meaning as Mary but a lot more chic. That was the middle name. I chose and shortlisted these first names, Amanda, Nicole and Stacy. I gave these names to my colleagues and asked them which girl name they would date.
The majority was on Nicole with Stacy coming in a very strong second. Then my Chindian colleague (you can always trust a Chindian to make things easy for you), Joseph commented that Nicole sounds hot and dirty and Stacy sounds like a porn star's name. You never seen me move as fast as I did when I wrote down Amanda and drove to the Registration Dept to submit her name. Flash Gordon would have been proud!
So hence the names Michael Sean David and Amanda Grace David. I am glad to know that there is only one other kid I know in his school named Michael and Amanda was just as uncommon. So much for it being TO common. So Mikey and Mandy or M&M got their names through very meticulous method of selection which followed these principles:-
1. It has got to have no vulgar or ridiculous meaning
2. Doesn't represent any body parts
3. Easy to pronounce even by one certified to be clinically dead
4. Doesn't turn you one (for a girl's name)
5. Doesn't sound like a porn star
6. No or minimal teasing with the names
7. Doesn't spawn nick names that can be used in rap videos or prison
So there you have it. Algernon Constipated Charles Weedshaker III is a no-no. Please! You might as well kill the boy. Keep it simple, has a good, strong meaning. Gives your kids confidence.
Hey! Maybe try something like Aquaman or Optimus Prime or The HULK!!!
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