A Peek Into My Daily Routine.

I love my job. I honestly do. It allows me to be creative and productive at the same time. I'm in a fun, fast and frantic environment, surrounded by those who are similar to me. Those who love to be creative and be around creativity. There's never a dull moment. But there sure is a lot of ridiculous orders that do come through. And unfortunately, it almost always comes from the client. Yes, I realize that the client has the money that pays the bills. Yes, in the end, its their product and we're here to help them get the best they can get. That is why they hired us: for our expertise. And on that note ... good grief! Trust us and let us do our job! We're may not always on target, but creative direction of any sort is our specialty. We get your message across in an efficient, effective and cohesive manner. Successfully. You can't squeeze too much into a single project, because the end result will be disastrous! Clients often do not realize that a lot of problems can be from their own side! Think rationally and be realistic. Use proper judgement (your secretary or kids don't count!) Review it as a complete panel and make one round of changes, not 25! Give us realistic deadlines! Sheesh! What a struggle! Anywho, here's a clip of a very funny and very accurate slice-of-creative-life. Its funny, because its true. Maybe clients should watch this and see how ridiculous they can be. I love being creative, but nothing kills that buzz faster than ridiculous requests from clients.

Hulk Smash! + I'm Sorry ...

I've been behind on my movies lately, so these last 2 weekends, I (being the comic-book geek that I am) managed to catch up on these two before they disappear.

The Incredible Hulk (Edward Norton|Liv Tyler|Tim Roth) isn't necessarily a stellar comic-to-screen movie adaptation, but it is still very well done. Directed by Louis Leterrier, it is much better than its previous predecessors. The story line and plot is fundamentally simple effective, with emphasis placed on good character development. Instead of Bruce Banner fighting his condition, he seeks to control it, and we get a glimpse into his dedication to achieving that goal. On the other hand, other characters in the movie are obsessed with his curse (to him), seeking to harness it for themselves. Adding in a nemesis that is suitably comparable to the Hulk himself certainly helps make the movie more balanced and believable. The CG effects are much better this time around. Be sure to look out for a cameo from another popular Marvel character. All in all, I was entertained.

Wanted (James McAvoy|Angelina Jolie|Morgan Freeman) was also a lot of fun, thanks to director Timur Bekmambetov. Taking the ordinary office cubicle-monger and thrusting him into the world of an ancient underground society of assassins (The Fraternity) is certainly a very graphic novel approach to things, keeping it in line with its origins. We get to witness Wesley Gibson go through his assassin training and honing his skills before taking on the ultimate mission: to avenge his father. Or at least, that's what it seems like. The effects and stunts are absolutely fantastic, as is Angelina Jolie's performance as Fox. A good twist and satisfactory ending wraps it up nicely. I have no regrets seeing this one in the theaters.

Overall, two movies that I am happy to have watched. More to come. Soon.

周杰伦 | 龙卷风

I have been stressed for the last few weeks. I've been snippy, moody, tired, and a little whiny. I've been binging (BAD!) and shopping. Ugh. I don't know why. Maybe its the full moon. Regardless, I've been listening to this song alot lately. It's old, but it does calm me down. TjMulyadi is even nice enough to put in English translations (if you go to the actual Youtube page). Hope you enjoy some Jay! :)

SquareEnix takes on the iPod.

The iPod is now a formidable gaming platform. Or rather, a potential gaming platform. Using the click-wheel as your controller, Song Summoner - The Unsung Heroes adopts the Final Tactics Advance approach to battles. What's different is that it uses your iTunes Library to create and level-up your characters. The more you play those songs, the stronger your Tune Troopers will get. Its a neat twist. $4.99 at the iTunes Music Store will nab you this portable game. Sadly, my old iPod Nano is not compatible, as it lacks video capabilities. Maybe its time for a new one.

Amidst Tragedy, comes Hope and Unity.

The recent Sichuan Earthquake on May 12, 2008 was devastating. Going beyond Beijing and Shanghai, it left thousands dead, and even more homeless and helpless. The 8-hour long Artistes 512 concert (led by Andy Lau and participated by more than 500 stars and artists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China), donated a huge sum to the victims. Their wonderful song is called Promise (there are 2 versions of the song). You can view the whole concert in parts here. Now Jackie Chan is collaborating with JYP Entertainment and several popular Korean stars and artists to help raise additional funds. The end result of the I Love Asia Project is a melodic, beautiful and dramatic song called Smile Again. I hope you enjoy it. Get your lyrics to Smile Again here. GO ASIA!

《承諾》
多少人 多少幸福被搶奪(jacky cheung)
多少生活在一瞬間被埋沒(karen mok)
一切變沉默(andy hui)
淚光在眼眶閃爍(andy hui + hocc)
塵埃沾滿了失落 的輪廓(hocc + shirley kwan)
(情願是我)(wong ka keung)
不必說(joey yung)
你們背後還有我(joey yung + hacken lee)
未來就是崎嶇也會陪你過(hacken lee)
一個你(eric tsang) 一個我(gigi leung)
扛起不需要脆弱(gigi leung)
前面越走一定會 越寬闊(miriam yeung)
(你還有我)(fama + kin, keung @ the wynners)
* 誰都會有恐懼面對黑暗的角落(andy lau)
為了你我再苦也不躲oh no~(wong ka keung)
我要你重獲 原來的生活(kenny bee + maria codero)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(justin)
不必說(alan tam + kenny bee)
你們背後還有我(kenny bee)
未來就是崎嶇也會陪你過(pakho chau + wilfred lau +louis cheung + pong nam + ying cheong yau)
一個你(at17)
一個我(ivana wong + charmine fong)
扛起不需要脆弱 (joyce cheng + tse ting ting)
前面越走一定會 越寬闊(khalil fong)
* 誰都會有恐懼面對黑暗的角落 (eliza chan)
為了你我再苦也不躲(edmond leung + william so)
oh~no…(eliza chan)
我要你重獲(teddy robin)
原來的生活(teddy robin + eason chan)
原來的生活(adlib by justin)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(anthony wong)
** 縱然山搖地破 也要安然渡過 有你有我 **(eason chan + alan tam + kenny bee)
* 誰都會有恐懼面對黑暗的角落(lam yee sun)
we are the world(george lam)
為了你我再苦也不躲(lam yee sun)
we are the world(george lam)
我要你重獲 原來的生活(law ka ying)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(liza wang)
我要你重獲 (andy lau) 原來的生活(alan tam)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(andy lau + alan tam)
vega acappella………
* 誰都會有恐懼面對黑暗的角落(teddy robin + lam man chung)
為了你我再苦也不躲(girl group#1)
我要你重獲 原來的生活(girl group#2)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(group)
* 誰都會有恐懼面對黑暗的角落(group)
為了你我再苦也不躲(group)
我要你重獲 原來的生活(group)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(alan tam, kenny bee + kin @ the wynners)
* 誰都會有恐懼面對黑暗的角落(group) with khalil fong adlib
為了你我再苦也不躲(group)
我要你重獲 原來的生活(group)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(group)
我要你重獲(alan tam) 原來的生活(kenny bee)
認定了這一輩子的承諾(alan tam + kenny bee)





<조성모>얼마나 아프니 정말 너무 많이 힘들 꺼야
<클래지콰이>어둠 속에서 한줄기 빛도 보이질 않아
<박용하>가슴이 너무 아파 눈물조차도 흐르질 않니
<나르샤,간미연>어디로 갈지 몰라 맴돌다가 주저 앉아 있니

I’ll be on your side 함께 할게
I’ll give you my hand 내 손을 잡고 일어나.
눈물이 마를 때까지
나의 어깨에 기대 서 쉬렴 다시 일어나
웃는 네 모습을 기다릴게.

<성룡>둘러 보아도 아무런 희망도 보이질 않고
<황정민,채연>이 긴 어둠은 끝이 나지 않을 것만 같고
<김동완>하루 하루가 너무 길고 힘들게만 느껴지니
<김아중>일어날 힘도 없어 제자리에 주저 앉아 있니

<신혜성>I’ll be on your side 함께 할게
I’ll give you my hand 내 손을 잡고 일어나.
눈물이 마를 때까지
<손호영>나의 어깨에 기대서 쉬렴 다시 일어나
웃는 네 모습을 기다릴게.

<김태희>잊지마 네가 힘들고 지칠 때 마다
<한혜진>내가 여기 너의 뒤에 서 있다는 것을.
<전혜빈>넌 혼자가 아냐 내가 여기 곁에 서 있는 한
<임정희>Cause I’ll always be here for U

<임정희,휘성>I’ll be on your side 함께 할게
<선예,휘성>I’ll give you my hand 내 손을 잡고 일어나.
눈물이 마를 때까지
나의 어깨에 기대서 쉬렴 다시 일어나
웃는 네 모습을 기다릴게.

<박진영>I’ll be on your side 함께 할게
<장나라>I’ll give you my hand 내 손을 잡고 일어나.
눈물이 마를 때까지
나의 어깨에 기대서 쉬렴 다시 일어나
웃는 네 모습을 기다릴게.

<김연아>다시 웃는 모습을 기다릴게



Special thanks to Aaron for providing me this link.

- 600 for Starbucks.

First it was their products. They brought back the old logo. That caused sparks amongst the conservative group. Then they cut 100 corporate jobs and eliminated breakfast sandwiches. After that, they announced the closing of 200 underperforming company-owned stores. Now its 600 stores slated to be shut down. Such is the life cycle of overexpanding their brand. Too many products. Too many niches. Too many branches. Too many little grubby fingers in too many different pots. Well, in a slumping economy, its fatal. People are buying less due to the insane gas prices. They can't get to the store, and instead forgo their morning lattes. And of course, shipping expenses, rent and utilities for underperforming stores spells big unnecessary expenditure. Not to mention paying the work force. Now, some people view this as just revenge, viewing Starbucks as a giant conglomerate that is hellbent on taking over the world by eliminating the mom-&-pop coffee shops. In some ways, I guess its true. But then again, almost every industry is being hit, and are forced to adopt cost-saving measures. Regardless, I hope the store I frequent doesn't get the ax. That would make my commute to work less pleasant than it already is.

A visit to Mt.Charleston.

I was supposed to hang out with (a different) Scott Friday evening. But it didn't happen because he received some tragic news about a close friend of the family. I gave him all the space he needed. But on Saturday, we got together and drove up to Mt. Charleston for a bit. Mind you, I'm not much of a nature fan, but I enjoyed the visit. Despite only being 30 minutes northwest of Las Vegas, once you get there, you don't even see Las Vegas. The mountaintop views were breathtakingly gorgeous. The roads were clean. The temperature was nice. And there were a lot of hikers this 4th of July weekend, catching the sun and taking a break from the hustle-and-bustle of Vegas. Supposedly, it gets lot of snow and ice during the winter times, so its usually closed unless you have chains for tires. We had dinner at the hotel restaurant there, and then we came back into Chinatown to kill some time. A trip to Walmart and Borders completed the evening. Fun times.

PS. Image courtesy of Wikipedia, since I forgot to bring my camera. Silly me.

CT on the DS?!

Wow, the 4th weekend IS getting better. One of my all-time favorite RPG from my SNES days is making a second comeback...on the Nintendo DS! Renowned for its great (but not overly complex) storyline, Chrono Trigger will make another appearance, utilizing the dual-screen mode and touch-screen functionality. In addition, there's talks of a new dungeon added to add a few hours of gameplay. OK...I need to go geek out and play the Chrono Trigger soundtrack. A feeling of pure geek nostalgia is needed. In the meantime, enjoy this clip from the PSX Chrono Trigger.

FUNi, the Savior.

That's the title I have dubbed the R1 studio known as FUNimation. In a surprise announcement at their AX2008 panel, FUNimation announced that they have struck a deal with (the supposedly defunct) Geneon to market and distribute several remaining titles and licenses that were orphaned. Geneon will still maintain their licenses and will oversee production of the dvds (after all, most of the materials were already completed before their sudden departure from the R1 anime market). In addition, Sojitz, an ex-partner with ADV, has also approached FUNimation. The result is that FUNimation now also owns the rights and licenses of all Sojitz titles previously held by ADV. Bad news for ADV, great news for FUNimation and anime fans out there. That is a huge number of titles added under FUNimation's wing, but I believe they can handle it. CEO Gen Fukanaga has made TONS of fanboys and fangirls wet their pants with this announcement. And AX2008 isn't even over yet! FUNimation FTW! Now the question remains on how these titles will be handled. Will they continue releasing singles for those partially-released titles? Will they just restart the whole title via boxsets? Will we have to double-dip on some titles? Regardless, now I can complete Rozen Maiden Träumend and Red Garden. I am SO excited! Can the 4th of July 2008 weekend get any better?

Smoke and Mirrors Masterpieces.

The Weather Project. Your Black Horizon. The New York City Waterfall. 121Ethopia.
Such are the works of world-renowned artist Olafur Eliasson. Based in Berlin, the Danish-Icelandic artist and his crew of 30+ master crafters utilize natural elements such as water and sunlight to creates fantastic sculptures that evokes consciousness—both of the mind and the environment. Absolutely brilliant. Check out his works in the new book released by Taschen entitled Studio Olafur Eliasson: An Encyclopedia. While you're at it, don't forget to check out www.nycwaterfalls.org and www.121ethopia.org.

Of fireworks and socialites.

The 4th of July holiday weekend sneaked up on me. I realized that it was 7/4, but it didn't occur to my pea-sized brain that my company was not running on Friday. Thus ensued a Thursday of quick-fire chaos as I struggled to finish as much as I could to get out early. Well, I left at 4:45pm, so I guess that's ok. And a coworker gave me a ride home, which was really nice of her.

On Friday, I met up with another fellow Malaysian at my local Starbucks. It was nice to see someone that you have some commonalities and background with. Having come from New York City, he is definitely struggling, and doing somethings under-the-table to live-on. But I am very proud that he is working on getting his paperwork sorted. Having had to deal with paperwork (and still dealing with it today), I can understand his hardship. I wish him the best of luck.

That evening, Don and I went to a charity function for the Nevada AIDS Project, being held at the Las Vegas World Market Center. Its a giant monolith of a building that almost seems like there's no windows or doors. But of course, there are. Strictly B2B for the home furniture and furnishings industry, the public is usually not allowed in. But for special events such as this, an exception was made. And I must say that the building boasts a fantastic view of the ENTIRE Las Vegas valley, Strip and all! Anywho, the fundraiser was alot of fun, with lots of the local gay (and non-gay) community showing up for an evening of social interaction, drinks and fireworks. Of course, there was the auction and vocal singing for the evening. It was fun, and very refreshing to see what little a community we have here come out for an event. After that, Don and I went to Red Rock Casino for some late night dinner. We walked around the casino to walk said dinner after that. Every bit of exercise helps.

All in all, the day turned out better than I expected. That's a good thing. Why? Because I wasn't at home on the computer again, being bored and feeling like I am wasting my life away in my empty apartment by myself.

Picture courtesy of John Gurzinski for The New York Times.