Browse Month: May 2006

kick-ass movie

ongbak.jpgA few months ago, my dad was raving about a Thai movie that came out on DVD. He gave it to Jes to make a copy for him and we now have it on our hard drive downstairs. Last night we were browsing through our collection and rediscovered it. It’s called “Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior”. Jes seemed pretty pumped about it so I thought I’d watch and translate a bit of it for him. It turned out to be a movie with lots of muay Thai that was brutally awesome. The fight scenes seemed straight out of Street Fighter with super high flying kicks and a crazy elbow-on-the-top-of-the-head move that made me cringe each time I saw it. Supposedly they didn’t use any wires or CGI to produce the movie…pretty amazing.  Ah…Thai people rock.  I don’t know if they have a version with sub-titles but you really don’t need to know what their saying to appreciate the movie. It’s your basic good vs. evil with some silly sidekicks and a hero to cheer for. By the way, this Tony Jaa guy (main character) is ripped!

Didneelan!

IMG_3405.jpgOn Sunday, I went to Disneyland with my mom, dad, and brother. I actually can’t remember the last time all four of us went together as a family. All I know if that many things have changed and yet somethings have remained the same. For example, my dad went home after lunch…that’s the same. My mom actually rode and survived Space Mountain…that’s different. We bought churros…same. Johnny and I have to look out for our parents now…different.
The brother and I spent much of our day taking random photos throughout the park. I’m sure we looked like silly Japanese tourists but that’s how you improve your photog skillz, right? I played with the exposure compensation button, my aperture priority, and even dabbled in some long exposure shots. It was extemely overcast that day so lighting was really tricky.
Oh yeah, Disneyland gipped us royally by cancelling the fireworks show that we waited around for. It was due to high wind conditions. Oh Pahleez! With the ridiculous ticket prices, they should have developed technology that would turn off the wind by now. Heck, Disneyland should be placed in a little bubble with a switch to turn the sunshine on during the day and turn it off at night for the stinkin’ fireworks. I just wanted to see the 50th anniversary fireworks show…*sniff*
Here are the photos.

Project 3: Super Duper Coin Purse

Ta Da!! After finishing my 3rd coaster, I learned how to make a button hole and voila…a coin purse!!

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It has a fully-functional button and button hole and will hold a chunk of change!!

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I’m soooo taking this to Disneyland tomorrow! Penny Arcade, here I come!

I’d like to file a complaint.

For those who have been to my house or know my husband, we have a house filled with gadgets, gizmos, and random hard drives and do-hickeys lying around the house. Let’s just say my “Network Administrator” may need to be fired. Here are several examples:

When my dad comes over and wants to watch tv he sits on the couch with a puzzled look on his face. Why? Well, it’s because we have 4 remote controllers sitting in a glass vase like a bouquet of buttons to push. Well, it usually takes holding down one particular button to get the tv/cable to turn on. But, if you don’t live here you would never know that.

Most people have speakers or something that they can plug their iPod into so they can enjoy their music at home. We have something like that…sort of. It usually involves turning on my laptop, connecting to the network, using some random url that changes frequently, and learning a new “iTunes-type” program to play my favorite songs. *sigh* Just two minutes ago, I was happily listening to the Black Eyed Peas to find it cut off abruptly. I look over at the Admin and he says, “the network will be down momentarily for rebooting”. Once again…*sigh*. Oh yeah, did I mention that I would also need to find the special button among the bouquet of remotes to switch the input on the dvd player so I can hear my music? Yes…another step.

Anyone have a printer that’s connected to their computer at home? Well, we have three printers upstairs in our “library”. One of them usually works. The other two? Questionable. It depends on whether the network is working properly or if the server is turned on or not. I admit that it’s pretty cool when everything is working but that’s been pretty sketchy lately.

Ever been to my house on a lazy Sunday afternoon? You’ll find me digging in the backyard or doing some laundry and the Admin comfortably seated on the couch hacking away. We sort of have a “fun with compiling” song and dance now. I don’t really understand Linux but apparently it takes a bit of trial and error and lots of compiling for it to all work. If my Admin ever gets up to do something productive in the house (i.e. take out the trash or walk the dog), it means his laptop is running a long string of letters and numbers that I don’t understand and he’s just looking for a way to kill time. Interesting.

Oh what fun it is to live in the “Futuristic Gadget House of Tomorow”. I need a new Admin.

Project 2: Super Duper Stripey Coaster

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There you have it ladies and gentlemen, my second finished knitting project. I call it the Super Duper Stripey Coaster! It’s a variation from Project 1: The Super Duper Coaster except I had to learn how to start a different colored yarn…more complicated than it sounds. Yes, it’s a little crooked and the stripe isn’t really very even but I made this with my own two hands and will use it with pride!
You too can have your very own if you give me a little time to let my fingers recover from his fiasco. Ah, this renegade Hobby #2 is really kicking butt. There’s so much you can do with a garter stitch (i.e. coasters, bookmarks, dishrags, scarves, etc.)…the possibilities are endless!

Maguro Yama…wha?!

Jes and I had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Irvine. It’s called Fukada and it’s a little restaurant that serves healthy authentic Japanese food. While we perused the extensive menu, we decided to try the Maguro Yamakake…we thought, “hm…tuna with some mountain potato…sounds alright…let’s try it.” Haha, what a bad idea. I’m sure it’s an acquired taste similar to that of kimchee or fish maw but I’m not sure we’ll order it again.
Basically it was tuna sashimi (which I love!!) buried under a glop of white goo that was slimy and flavorless. They were kind enough to include a side of wasabi and a sprinkling of shredded nori but I’m not sure it really helped. It was like eating tuna sashimi with something that looked/felt like what a potato would regurgitate. It’s actually a Japanese yam that is grated so fine that it turns into a glutinous mess. Hm…go figure. Other than that dish, we walked away happy and satisfied as usual.