because Associated Content is gay.
Basically, I put my anime rocks and disney world pieces here before I put them on Associated Content. Apparently that's a no-no if I want to be paid, even though this is my blog. So in the meantime, I've taken them down until they get reviewed again by Associated Content and their bot doesn't see the pieces.
Jun 27, 2008
Jun 22, 2008
Let the Video Odyssey Begin
If anyone reading this post happens to be coming from my YouTube page or has seen any of my videos, then you're lucky because this is an update on my video progression.
I started these videos last summer out of boredom and the urge to try out iMovie since it was just wasting space sitting there nonchalantly in my dock. I haven't been able to upload as much as I've wanted during the school year, so as a result, I feel I need to make as many videos as I can during the summer.
As of right now, I am nearly finished shooting a five facts video. After that, I will definitely be doing something about Disney. No, it won't be what you're probably thinking. I can almost guarantee you'll learn something new. After that, nothing concrete is planned specifically what the video topic will be, but I have certain ideas that I would like to create over others. Looking at my idea sticky note, I have 17 ideas not including the two I previously mentioned. Maybe I should create a poll. Y'know, just for fun to see if the extremely low traffic I get on this blog would actually vote in it. :)
I started these videos last summer out of boredom and the urge to try out iMovie since it was just wasting space sitting there nonchalantly in my dock. I haven't been able to upload as much as I've wanted during the school year, so as a result, I feel I need to make as many videos as I can during the summer.
As of right now, I am nearly finished shooting a five facts video. After that, I will definitely be doing something about Disney. No, it won't be what you're probably thinking. I can almost guarantee you'll learn something new. After that, nothing concrete is planned specifically what the video topic will be, but I have certain ideas that I would like to create over others. Looking at my idea sticky note, I have 17 ideas not including the two I previously mentioned. Maybe I should create a poll. Y'know, just for fun to see if the extremely low traffic I get on this blog would actually vote in it. :)
Jun 15, 2008
Happy Unbirthday!
I really don’t understand some people when it comes to birthdays. Even now at my still very young age of 20, my peers dread the prospect of turning another year older. Well, unless it’s turning 21, then they love it, but that’s another story. This all goes back to the way I live my life, easy-going and not worrying so much about things. Time is an uncontrollable continuum that we all must travel through, so there’s no reason to become worked up over it like many do.
People seem to act differently on their birthdays. They seem more excitable and temperamental. They hate the fact that they have stepped one year closer to their grave, but become upset when others fail to acknowledge their “special” day with a “Happy Birthday” greeting. They obviously can’t see the irony of their emotions. If they hate the thought of turning one year older so much, why do they wish to be reminded of their approaching date with Death?
I suppose it is the fact they feel the need to be loved by others. Does that cancel out their feeling of dread when they discover that new wrinkle on their forehead? Perhaps, but when it is close friends or family, I feel that saying “Happy Birthday” is hardly required. They shouldn’t have to say that certain thing on that certain day for that certain person to feel loved. If they do say it, does that negate all other instances during the year when compassion and love were needed, but not delivered?
This is precisely why I don’t like it when people “wish” me a “Happy Birthday.” I don’t need to be told this certain thing on this certain day for me feel accepted or loved. I already know that I am. To be recognized as special for something as trivial as living another 365 days is unsettling for me. Why am I being congratulated for simply living? It’s almost like people think they’ll receive some sort of karma boost out of wishing someone “Happy Birthday.”
Granted, I don’t mind being told “Happy Birthday” (much) by people I hardly see. Many times they’re just being polite. They heard from a friend of a friend and see me walking down the sidewalk and casually say “Happy Birthday” as I walk by. What more can I think or do but to say, “Oh thanks.”
With all that said however, I am certainly not above accepting gifts and favors from people on my birthday, I just won’t enjoy them…much.
People seem to act differently on their birthdays. They seem more excitable and temperamental. They hate the fact that they have stepped one year closer to their grave, but become upset when others fail to acknowledge their “special” day with a “Happy Birthday” greeting. They obviously can’t see the irony of their emotions. If they hate the thought of turning one year older so much, why do they wish to be reminded of their approaching date with Death?
I suppose it is the fact they feel the need to be loved by others. Does that cancel out their feeling of dread when they discover that new wrinkle on their forehead? Perhaps, but when it is close friends or family, I feel that saying “Happy Birthday” is hardly required. They shouldn’t have to say that certain thing on that certain day for that certain person to feel loved. If they do say it, does that negate all other instances during the year when compassion and love were needed, but not delivered?
This is precisely why I don’t like it when people “wish” me a “Happy Birthday.” I don’t need to be told this certain thing on this certain day for me feel accepted or loved. I already know that I am. To be recognized as special for something as trivial as living another 365 days is unsettling for me. Why am I being congratulated for simply living? It’s almost like people think they’ll receive some sort of karma boost out of wishing someone “Happy Birthday.”
Granted, I don’t mind being told “Happy Birthday” (much) by people I hardly see. Many times they’re just being polite. They heard from a friend of a friend and see me walking down the sidewalk and casually say “Happy Birthday” as I walk by. What more can I think or do but to say, “Oh thanks.”
With all that said however, I am certainly not above accepting gifts and favors from people on my birthday, I just won’t enjoy them…much.
Jun 10, 2008
Graduations: Places of Rowdiness?
I went to my sister's graduation ceremony a few weeks ago, and it was very unenjoyable. It wasn't the uninspired, cliched speech the Ivy League-bound valedictorian gave, or the exhaustingly long wait to hear my sister's name called. I was prepared for these things. I was expecting those. But when every called name is followed by a painfully loud volley of shrieks, whistles, and chants, the ceremony became less a ceremony and more like a rodeo filled with howler monkeys on crack. If I didn't know any better, I wouldn't think I was at a graduation ceremony. What gets into people at these things anyway?
I understand that if you're a parent or close family member, you're excited that your son/daughter/nephew/niece/brother/sister is graduating, but act respectful. Technically, you're not even supposed to clap until all the names have been read. I'll excuse clapping, but yelling and chanting? Unacceptable. I find it very disrespectful to every other student, and above all, it's annoying.
If your going to be rowdy, at least go the whole nine yards and bring a blow-horn, throw confetti, sing a song with the graduate's name in the chorus. Everyone else, just shut up please!
I understand that if you're a parent or close family member, you're excited that your son/daughter/nephew/niece/brother/sister is graduating, but act respectful. Technically, you're not even supposed to clap until all the names have been read. I'll excuse clapping, but yelling and chanting? Unacceptable. I find it very disrespectful to every other student, and above all, it's annoying.
If your going to be rowdy, at least go the whole nine yards and bring a blow-horn, throw confetti, sing a song with the graduate's name in the chorus. Everyone else, just shut up please!
Jun 3, 2008
Jun 1, 2008
Anime on the Big Screen
I recently viewed Spirited Away, on a large projector screen for my Asian Humanities class. Even though I had seen the movie a bunch of times on my home television sets, I was blown away by the animation when I saw it in that classroom. The experience raised issues with me about the treatment and marketing of anime films in the US.
Princess Mononoke was the first movie out of Disney's deal with Studio Ghibli to come to the American Theaters, they appeared to go all out and hired an all-star Hollywood cast that included, Billy-Bob Thorton, Gillian Anderson, Jada-Pinkett Smith, and more. However, the film was poorly marketed and the film was only seen in select cities. After the "failure" of the film's showing in the US any other theatrical releases of Ghibli's films was put on indefinite hold.
What did they expect? I never once saw a commercial for Mononoke back in '99 when it came out here. It's truly a shame, because this is one of the best animated films of all-time. You would think a movie of that quality shouldn't have failed in the hands of Disney, but it did. Which led to the subsequent treatment of Miyazaki's next film, Spirted Awat. Again, poor marketing and a limited viewing window caused the movie to "fail." Which made everyone more surprised when the film won the 2003 Academy Award for best animated film. The very next day, theaters rebooked the film and promptly doubled its sales in just two weeks.
The execs at Disney and other distributing companies say that it is too risky to heavily market anime, but it doesn't even seem they are trying to reach out to even the core audience who wants to see these movies. I never had the opportunity to see Spirited Away on the silver screen, because I wasn't anywhere near one of the selected cities. Fortunately, I was blessed to see Howl's Moving Castle in a local theater, and I hope Disney and America have learned their lesson, but I'm not holding my breath.
Princess Mononoke was the first movie out of Disney's deal with Studio Ghibli to come to the American Theaters, they appeared to go all out and hired an all-star Hollywood cast that included, Billy-Bob Thorton, Gillian Anderson, Jada-Pinkett Smith, and more. However, the film was poorly marketed and the film was only seen in select cities. After the "failure" of the film's showing in the US any other theatrical releases of Ghibli's films was put on indefinite hold.
What did they expect? I never once saw a commercial for Mononoke back in '99 when it came out here. It's truly a shame, because this is one of the best animated films of all-time. You would think a movie of that quality shouldn't have failed in the hands of Disney, but it did. Which led to the subsequent treatment of Miyazaki's next film, Spirted Awat. Again, poor marketing and a limited viewing window caused the movie to "fail." Which made everyone more surprised when the film won the 2003 Academy Award for best animated film. The very next day, theaters rebooked the film and promptly doubled its sales in just two weeks.
The execs at Disney and other distributing companies say that it is too risky to heavily market anime, but it doesn't even seem they are trying to reach out to even the core audience who wants to see these movies. I never had the opportunity to see Spirited Away on the silver screen, because I wasn't anywhere near one of the selected cities. Fortunately, I was blessed to see Howl's Moving Castle in a local theater, and I hope Disney and America have learned their lesson, but I'm not holding my breath.
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