Something you just can't carry with you

One thing sucks about changing phone is that there are things in your old cell phone that you can't take it with you. I am not talking about contacts because that is a non-issue with me since I have been using iSync to sync between my previous Sony Ericsson phones and my Mac, so all the contacts are the same as my address book in my Mac. I am talking about the text messages. It wasn't a problem last time because I was still using the same network and pretty much just switch to a newer model of SE phone. But this time around, I am switching not only the phone, but also the network. I can't do what I did last time by saving text messages on the SIM card and carried them to another phone. I can't print, I can't send them via bluetooth, there is no way of getting them anywhere. Not that I have any huge monumental messages that I need to keep, but there are some crazy, silly but cute messages from A that I carried over from my old old phone to my last phone. I do want to keep them if it's possible. I can't move them to my iPhone, I can't move them to my computer. It's not even in the phone's memory, it sits in the now inactive SIM card waiting to be forgotten. Then again maybe I should just let it go, it's not like they really mean anything.

A Letter to my iPod

Dear iPod,

I know you must be feeling anxious and jealous of the newest member in the family - iPhone. Please don't be. Your feeling however is perfectly normal - just ask your big brother Powerbook! He went totally nuts when iMac join the family! But soon he realize iMac isn't here to replace him, it's just here to serve a different function. Not to mention I still constantly using Powerbook, so eventually he know he's still very much in my heart. Now you should do the same because iPhone isn't here to replace you! It's here to replace Sony Ericsson W800! You and iPhone serves totally different function for me. Granted when I first got iPhone I loaded it up with a thousand songs and listen songs on it, but it was purely experimental! I was just trying to see how the music organized on it! Now half to the songs are taken out and more will go as I put more videos in. iPhone will be mainly a phone and an mobile internet device, just like my old walkman phone. (remember him? he was capable of playing music too! but he never took your place!) You on the other hand, will always be the one I go to if I want to listen to music~ And you know how many hours I listen to music everyday! so you know you are as important to me as ever and I don't see how our relationship will change~ You have 10 times more storage than iPhone! if anything he should be the one that's jealous of you! He don't have any special songs in my heart, all he got are new songs! It's true that I do watch video on him because he has such a big screen, but I am sure that functionality will move back to you once I upgrade you into the next generation soon~ (After Steve make announcements next week!) I assure you that you will always be important to me. Now play me some good songs!

Japanese commercial

Don't we all love American stars in Japanese commercial? Sometimes we'll see wacky stuff but sometimes it's just plain sexy and cool~ This one here well, what can I said? Hair wax and Orlando Bloom - I love it!! Thanks for WinterValley for this sexy discovery~~ :)

A Puppet Show

I found this while lazily laying on my bed using the iPhone to surf YouTube~ It's adorable! It's liek watching "Smile Time" episode of Angel~~~ Harry Potter fans will be delighted!!

Sing along!!


Watch out for Harry and Snape's ipod playlist and a surprise guest!


Dumbledore! I knew it! hahaha~

iPhone observed

I have been playing with the iPhone every opportunity I got even before I have my own, so by the time I have my own, there really isn't much that I don't know about or haven't try it yet. But of course there are something that you will notice once you have your own. Here's what I noticed:

1) The calendar icon is "live", it displays the actually date! - shouldn't be such a big deal unless you are a Mac user - the icon of iCal on the Dock in your Mac will only display the appropriate date when iCal is opened, otherwise it is just a static icon always displaying Jul 17~ if iPhone can do it, why can't the OSX that it's based on do it??

2) Apple implementation with Yahoo mail runs surprisingly well on the iPhone because Yahoo was actually providing "Push email" style instead of just regular POP access. It's instant, it's better than the implementation of Gmail on the phone (Gmail put everything in the inbox even the mail you sent) and maybe even better than Apple's own .Mac mail. The experience is even better than the actual Yahoo!Mail!! that is just sad~

3) Applications on the phone does crash - but the operation system is as solid as its big brother, so if an application crashes it will just close and bring you back to Home screen, usually no harms done. Of course it's still annoying, but with two bug fixes in less than 2 months and more to come, i think Apple will fix it in no time.

4) iPhone will make you lazier!! In my room, if I need to surf the web, even though my desk and my iMac is right next to my bed. Sometimes I would be a bit lazy and bring my laptop on my bed and sit up and use it there instead of reaching for my wireless keyboard of my iMac. Now, I found myself don't even want to sit up and use the laptop in bed. I would just surf the web using the iPhone while I am just laying there, not even sitting up!

5) People keep on complaining there are no native third party apps allow on the phone unless it's access through the web. So far I found the web apps are actually pretty good, my favorite so far are meebo's iPhone interface, iTrain - which access MTA info, iTweet - might not look as good as a desktop client like Twitterrific, but it's really good on the iPhone, Cool Gorilla - Phone Talking Phrasebook, I can now talk German without actually saying a thing!

6) #5 being said, I strongly think iPhone needs a native feed reader app!! Google Reader mobile and iBloglines are just not working for me! I mean it works, but the experience is still lacking.

iPatronus

Introducing iPatronus, not only it drives away Dementors and their negativity, but it also is a safe and secure communication device!

People who read or watch Harry Potter would know what a Patronus is, but what exactly is iPatronus? Why it is the name of my iPhone! Wait a minute didn't I say I was gonna wait til October? Yes, but my resistance was wearing thin and eventually today I was utterly defeated and surrender my wallet to the gods in Apple store.

The activation was ridiculously simple and smooth, the whole process took me less than 10 mins and it's already up and running - and I was porting my number from another carrier! then it's syncing and updating the software, the update of software took less than 2 minutes while syncing take longer since I was pretty much filling all 8GB full with stuff. But in an hour I was out of my house and enjoying my iPatronus!

Twitter-rific

I have officially open up an account in Twitter after much consideration~ (you know me, very cautious and much like a true Libra and always do lots of research and consider the matter at every angle possible before making any moves~) So whoever got Twitter please let me know so that I can "follow" you!

One nature of all things Web 2.0 is that you can bypass the desktop and work directly at the "cloud"~ But I think desktop clients will always have a place. Just look at this free app Twitterrific on the Mac! It's elegant and sexy and cute, if I am in front of a computer I will definitely interact with Twitter using it instead of the website or instant message~

Cashback

You won't see Cashback in theater, it was showed for like merely a week and then disappeared out of the thin air. It's an independent artsy type of movie from Britain. Without a big name star or a director, this type of treatment is expected I suppose.

The story is about an art student Ben, played by our favorite Quidditch captain Oliver Wood (Sean Biggerstaff), developed insomnia after the breakup with his girlfriend. To pass the extra time, he applied for a night shift in a supermarket. He imagined a world frozen in time where he can capture the beauty in his paintings.

It is an imaginative film, and you don't need to apply logic on how someone stop time because you know it's all in his imagination. There's a lot of female nudity in this film, Ben is a guy and a painter, you'll just know what he's painting. When the bodies are motionless frozen like a statue, it does cross over to become somewhat artistic - just like what this film intended. He also used his "stop time" ability in other occasion as well such as having fun in the supermarket or taking a break in a football match. And as the film progressed Ben find love and career and is able to sleep again.

Really Random Thoughts

I starts working today at 12:30, so I went to lunch early before that. Sitting alone in Zaiya, the following random thoughts ran rampage in my head:

"Unnatural hair colors come so natural on Japanese girls, i wonder if they are born with it."
"It's scary that I can tell the exact model of the headphone that person is wearing all the way over there. He's using a V-moda Vibe Red for his ipod nano."
"I would look weird if my hair is blond"
"OMG, that guy have a solar-panel backpack!!! Can I date him? wait for me environmental-conscious cute guy!"
"Will any of my friends that works near by walk passed here today? It would be weird if they saw me zoning out by the window~"
"Tegan and Sara's music is so weird and yet so appealing."
"When is A gonna call me? Will I understand his Ger-lish? The reception of this cell phone better not suck this time!"
"I have a craving for chicken this whole week! why do i order this thing that i don't want to eat? I want some chicken!"
"Why do I have a craving for chicken? Ooh now I know!! it must be that book I just read - the Chicken Emergency in Hoboken!"

At that moment I know I finally see a reason for me to open up an account in Twitter.

Parallels and games

I have been trying to make various Zoo Tycoon 2 expansion packs work on my computer. I installed Parallel so that it can run a virtual machine Win XP, but even after I successfully install the games, I couldn't get them working correctly in terms of graphic. I knew I am just a small step until i reach my goal, so i have been tinkering Parallel's setting this whole week. Finally!! I got it working!!!! I didn't have the correct setting of DirectX support!! that was the problem! damn! Took me a while to figure that out~

Loading Parallel's virtual machine is slow - that damn XP took forever to load every time and whenever that windows startup chime come up, it scare the hell out of me! seriously I don't think i heard that sound for like years!!! (since work computer don't have speakers and at home I am all mac out~) I am so unfamiliar with that sound that it just sound alien to me~

Zoo Tycoon crushes a few time, but so far it's kinda stable once i tune up the memory setting. I am still not able to get Civ 4 Beyond the Sword expansion pack working though, the great leaders - well, let's call them ghost leaders because most of them only has eyes moving around or a mouth - with invisible skins!!! eewww~ Not to mention the map is almost a mess, so I guess I'll have to settle on just playing Zoo Tycoon 2 instead of Civ for now~

Still, I am happy~ I can finally breeding penguins and training dolphins on my computer! woo-hoo!! :)

Gun-carrying Dinosaurs

According to this post, the next Jurassic Park (yes, there will be another one!) will feature gun-carrying dinosaurs as if they are not deadly enough on their own! Wait, this image just pop into my head - Dr. Evil's love of sharks with laser beam attached to their heads! Talk about stupid idea! I actually like the first Jurassic Park, I mean who doesn't like watching dinosaurs come to life on screen~ it just brings you a sense of wonder! The original novel was actually more sophisticated because at least Michael Crichton was decent enough to throw in a whole lot of techno mumble-jumbo to dress up a thriller. but now the series has become just another monster/murderer movie with a beat to dead plot of introducing a whole bunch of characters and then guess who get killed next.

Even though I am so not sold on the idea of this yet another sequel. In a way it is kind of neat (I am not talking about the machine gun bounded T-rex~) - Each of the main characters from the first film headlined a sequel. Dr. Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) headlined the second film, Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) lead the third film, while this upcoming fourth film will be lead by Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern). I just find it interesting this way because I don't think there is a film series like this. Usually sequels means most if not all characters come back or none at all with fresh new faces, rarely one by one like this as if we are exploring each individual characters through subsequence films. It's like a spin off - except that in this cast all the main characters has spin off of their own.

As for the god-awful plot of gun-carrying dinosaurs. Why don't we replace it with what happens now when the dinosaurs got integrated into our ecosystem? (it was hidden in the last 3 movie that some dinosaurs escaped to the wild in the mainland) deal with the consequences of it? It will make a fascinating study that's best for a book rather than movie I suppose. But imaging some extinct animals now live among today's animals is an intriguing idea. Will they go extinct again? will they adopt and evolve? will we have them as pets? (not a T-rex of a raptor of course~) You all know I have my eyes on the Pleo~ hehe~

Stardust

Stardust was a straight-forward light-hearted fantasy adventure. It's not a complex tale like LOTR or Harry Potter. When I read the book I felt it's a good and easy read. But at the same time I don't think it will work so well on screen because of the structure of the story and also because of the "light"ness of the plot, i just don't think it has a heavy moment that anchor the climax of a film. So when I found out it's being made into a movie, I was skeptical about it. Then I saw the cast, the poster and the trailer, that really give me something to hope for because it has a strong cast and everyone looks likable. But my worries is still there. Well, I am happy to report that the movie works really well! the small touches they put in and the minor change in story and structure make it way better than I could imagine. Not to mention it's really funny! That I did not expect at all! You can just tell the cast are having fun playing their roles, especially Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. Claire Danes was literally glowing in this movie, she's perfect for the role. Newcomer Charlie Cox as Tristan and his dad - when younger in prologue - played by Ben Barnes are totally charming and dreamy. (BTW Ben Barnes will be Prince Caspian in the next Narnia movie! awesome!) The movie even have the best voice to narrate this type of movie - Sir Ian McKellen! Who else is better to narrate a fantasy film than Gandalf?

I have to mention you have never seen Robert De Niro like in this role before! It was a surprise that worked really really well! The only complaint I can think of in the film is the fight scene between the unicorn and the witch isn't as spectacular like I thought it would and Rupert Everett didn't have enough screen time. Other than that, a very very good movie~ totally enjoyable and just pure fun to watch~ highly recommended.

Another store coming soon

The area near my job has been getting all kind of big stores ever since I started working here, we have seen the opening of Barnes & Nobles and Bestbuy, H&M is still scheduled to open (although later than they originally advertised.) And now, right at the corner of the street where I work - used to be an Office Max - they are opening a Circuit City!!!! Totally awesome!! I don't think my lunch hour is long enough anymore for me to go through this many stores!! hehe~

Favicon

After the big launch of version 3.0 of this blog, I am announcing I just added something to the blog, something very very small. You might not even notice it. It's about 16 pixels x 16 pixels big. You guess it right! it's favicon! The choice is obvious, what's better to represent Harry Podder who lives in the Big Apple and Love Apple than the shape of lightning and apple? The main decision comes down to the color combination. I might change the color later, but so far I am leaning toward this light shade of purple and yellow.

Giant Clam

I never have an Aoyagi Sashimi before, but look at this picture and the good review given by Gothamist. Here's a quote from them:

"One of the advantages of the aoyagi's size is that it can prepared several ways in one serving. On the left are ribbons of clam meat, which had a slightly crunchy texture and tasted of the sea. In the center is some chopped clam that had been mixed with soy sauce and had a little dollop of crazily good green pepper paste. The tiniest dollop of this yuzu-infused paste transformed the clam entirely. Lastly, on the right are tender medallion-like pieces of clam that had a pleasing sweet flavor."

I am totally sold on the idea and want to try! I never thought of ordering an entire giant clam, cos the idea of it is just a little bit out there even for someone like me who eat Japanese food pretty much every meal.

I have been to the East chain midtown location a couple times before since it's right downstairs from Yakitori Totto, and nearly every time we just couldn't stand the long waiting time of Yakitori Totto and eat downstairs instead. But next time around, I think I will go straight to East and try their Giant Aoyagi~

G4 ditching

Apple's ditching of G4 has already begun. I got iLife'08 and iWork'08 today. To my surprise when I install it on my Powerbook, i got a message saying that iMovie'08 will be not installed because it require either Mac with intel inside or PowerPC G5. Luckily I have my intel iMac, otherwise i would be quite pissed since it really wasn't well advertise that part of the iLife suite is now G4 incompatible.

I knew Apple will stop supporting G4 sooner or later, but I didn't know the process started this soon. My Powerbook isn't even 3 years old yet. By the time iLife'09 come out in another year, I bet there will be more apps that doesn't work on G4...that's the fact of iLife I suppose~

I'll report more on my experience with the two new suites later, but so far I am loving Keynote's new text effects, especially the one called flame and sparkle! Seriously, where did they get the idea from? a gay bar? lol

Stuck in an oven

People who knows me know that I need air-conditioning to survive. Hence surviving day 4 of no air-conditioning at work seems like a miracle. (it's actually day 2 for me, cos I was at another site on Tuesday and yesterday I was stuck home because of the subway disaster.) Still, just 8 hours in a no fresh air, top floor of the building with heat up to 84 degree can drive people mad. Today luckily I found a fan in the conference room and immediately claimed it as the library's property. I hope they get the AC fixed tomorrow - if not, well, i do have a short 5 hours day, maybe i'll survive another day before I have a complete melt down.

Virgin America

From my limited flying experience, I found that I like Virgin Atlantic the best. It's not just comfortable and great entertainment and food, there is just something about it, maybe it's British? or the fact that their CEO Sir Richard Branson is the only other "Rock Star"alike Businessman other than Steve Jobs? The only problem is they only fly across Atlantic and mostly to Europe only, so unless I am flying to London to meet with J.K. Rowling, I can't really use them if I am flying local or to Asia. That is why I look closely at the development of Virgin Atlantic's sister airline - Virgin America. There were times when it seems like it's not gonna happen - regulations and stuff because it's a foreign airline, but finally this month they are allow to fly. I am quite excited to see Virgin's service extended to America. It should bring the same quality service across the pond. Today is their inaugural flight from NY to SF. So far the destination choice is limited - NY can only fly to SF or LA. Hopefully they will add other cities soon. It will be even better if Sir Richard Branson can start Virgin Pacific, then no matter where I fly I will have an awesome red plane instead of some sucky airline.

Then again I haven't fly to anywhere in like 2 years already, but it's always good to know that i have this nice choice to fly when i can afford it.

Subway? nah, it's underground water

There was a tornado in Brooklyn and heavy rain drowned New York last night. It was a very intense rainstorm, but still, it's not a hurricane or anything! Look what happened to the subway? the entire system is down!!! I knew the rain was intense so I look up MTA site befor i go out, but it indicate no delay or anything, so I assume it's fine. I walk out this morning at 7 something to the G train, swipe my card and walk down to the platform, and people are walking back to the surface - I knew something was wrong, so I walked back, and it's true, the train is not running. Luckily I have an unlimited metrocard - how lazy is it for the MTA worker in the booth to not put up a sign and tell people train is not running?? Can't they stop people from paying their ride and then realize they can't ride?

Anyway, so I walked up to the street and wait for the bus - along with about 60 people or more. 4 buses passed us by without stopping because they are all packed. I give up, walk back home and look at the MTA site again, still no mentioning of G train, but many other trains are now not running according to the site, and by many, i mean like almost all of them! All the East river crossing subway lines that i could use - E, L are not running, I heard from people that the 7 might not either. I figure i'll wait for another hour it should be back to normal - yeah right, not a chance~ I called work, and look at MTA site once in a while, by 9ish, even the MTA site isn't working anymore! Luckily I know about the CityRoom blog from NY Times and NYC site like Gothamist that provide latest update. Look at the screenshot of MTA alert site i took after 1pm! a majority of the lines still not working! This is insane! how long does it take to pump out water??

Outdated

My 9 months old baby iMac is now outdated by the iPhone colored skinny new generation! :(

The new metal enclosure seems nice, but it doesn't make me lust over the new generation machine. The brand new chic keyboard is another matter~ I really like the design. I hope the Apple Store has it on display as soon as they can so that I can play with it!

The thing I am most excited about for today's announcement is actually not hardware but the software that Apple introduced today - iLife, iWork and .Mac improvement. These are the things that I actually can use and can directly benefit from. Let's start with iLife and .Mac, the .Mac Web gallery does look totally cool with Coverflow and Mosaic views and all the customization a viewer can do. You can tell it's AJAX heavy so it's really smooth. I will surely use it when I get iPhoto '08. The other .Mac announcement is storage FINALLY bump up - now to 10GB~~

iMovie looks really easy to use, I tried iMovie '06 with my baby Harry and Apple clip, it wasn't hard at all but the new iMovie looks even easier and I might try to make more video when I get my hands on it. iWeb is the other app that I will surely use. The old version of iWeb was very limited even if it was easy to setup - mostly because it lacks the way of inserting html codes, the new version finally bring the support in plus Google map build in. I guess now I have reason to work on that website of mine that I haven't touch for about a year. Garageband and iDVD i played with it everytime when Apple update them, but soon i will never open those two apps again, we'll see if they can change my habit this time around.

The other suite is iWork - which I actually use it a lot more than iLife suite because of my job. Pages helps me with my handout to the students in class and Keynote helps me with my presentation. Keynote with one addition that didn't even gather any attention but was the top of my list - voiceover presentation! Powerpoint has narration, but the previous generation of Keynote has always omitted that feature. I need that feature to make online presentation quicktime movie for my lecture. Now I might finally ditch Powerpoint for good~ :) Of course I haven't even talk about the much bigger additions like instant removing background of a picture and Action Builds and the dazzling new text and transition effects. Just watch the demo at Apple, they speak for themselves. As for Pages, I most looking forward to their new templates because i think it's time for me to update the designs of my handout~ hehe

Unexpected night at a bar

After hanging out with Scott at his place, he had to meet up his friend in a bar, I have nothing to do at night so I went with him. I guess I am really not a spontaneous person, for the day my plan was just to hang out with Scott playing Wii at his place, so when I was in the bar I really feel like I was out of the element. I feel like I wasn't mentally prepared. It might sound silly but every time I go to a bar or any places I might be meeting new people I need to mentally prepare myself - remind myself to keep a smile on my face, be open to the idea of talk to strangers, don't be a wallflower, be aware of the present of people and the environment instead of drifting in space thinking about Apple or anything that pop in my head, etc. Since I didn't prepared myself this time, you might think "Uh-oh, Harry probably end up acting all socially awkward and didn't enjoy the time and end up going home being all sad about it~" Well, that didn't happen, I was actually doing okay, I was drinking, I was dancing a little, I was keeping a smile on my face and chatting with Scott and his friend. But of course old habit can't change in one night. I am still the same silly geeky person. When something unexpected happened, it's not like I know how to handle it....

While we were dancing, there's this one cute guy walk next to us and he asked me if the door right behind me was an exit, does it open to somewhere. I said I dunno, I don't come here often so I don't have any idea. He smiled and then just dancing next to us. Scott immediately giving me an eye and telling me to talk to him. Here's what went through my mind - I swear to you I am really that silly and stupid - I was thinking he was asking me a question only, why would anyone think there is more to it? The guy danced a little more and than start fixing the cushion of the sofa behind him. His action is just very odd to me, so I asked him, what are you doing? are you looking for something there? He smiled and said no, he need more space to dance. Scott was giving me even more "look"~ I was seriously puzzled and thinking what? I just thought he's odd so I asked. After sometimes of dancing and he smiled at me and I smiled back, and still wasn't aware what exactly is going on, he walked passed me, smiled and left.

The whole time my simple mind was thinking that the cute guy only talk to me because I was next to the door. It never occurred to me that there's anything more to it. To me he's just one of the many cute guys in this place, why would my friend want me to talk to him, that's silly~ It wasn't until after my friends were gone then I start questioning the event and my non-sense logic - why would anyone come up to someone and ask if the door is an exit in a place like this? and when he got the answer that it is not he just simply stay around and dance? if he was actually looking for an exit he would have continue looking! So it could have been a line to talk to me? that the guy walk over to this area of the place to talk to me? only by this time I realize how silly I am for not noticing there could have been more immediately. I guess I was neglected for so long that I never recognize anything anymore.

I wasn't upset at myself for being stupid or anything afterward. I actually was feeling pretty okay. I was flattered. Recognizing what it was is a feel good moment that is good enough for me already. To have a cute guy talked to me and there is a chance that he was there talking to me because he wanted to talk to me is way more than i expected for an unexpected outing. Maybe I am pathetic to be so easily satisfied but after waiting for something to happen for so long, I am too jaded to believe.

Wii games

I finally have a chance to play Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix on Wii since Scott got it. I heard the reviews wasn't keen on the game because you basically have to walk around Hogwarts A LOT. I guess it appeals more to diehard fans, to me it's a lot better than the earlier HP games which are way too kiddie like. I love exploring Hogwarts and it's surrounding because you don't get to do that watching the movies nor reading the book. The interactive element here is priceless especially when the whole Harry Potter world is faithfully recreated. Another really awesome thing is about casting a spell, since you need a wand to cast spells and the Wii controller is a perfect fit for that purpose. Some spells are hard, I was having trouble, but over all it was really fun. Another good thing about the game is that the content is not limited to the movie itself, it included plots and people and places in the book, as well as previous movies and books. You really get to enter the entire Harry Potter universe. Some tasks you have to accomplish are a little tedious, the camera angle sometimes is annoyingly in your way, but overall I really like it~ I hope I can go back and play another time~ :)

I also get to play Mario Party 8. I never played Mario Party before, i gotta said it's really fun. First of all it's like a broadgame, so that's fun for me! I love computer broadgame just because you don't have to clean up afterward like real broadgame. Throw in some really cool animation and tons and tons of minigame, it's awesome. That being said, the game require you to have luck on your side! I didn't, so I was constantly losing. (Not an excuse that I sucked!) It was true that Scott is a lot better at it than me, but listen to this: the last game we played I was 1st place for the majority of the turns (7 stars), I was leading with a margin too. However, at the absolute last turn, the 4th place computer player Luigi (0 stars) knowingly no matter what he does he still won't be winning, he still stole the hotel from me which cost me 2 stars! Who end up winning when not doing anything? 2nd place Scott (5 stars but has more money) and his pink alter-ego!!!!!! He won by such an narrow margin!!! I was so pissed! I have no luck!!! Damn you Luigi!!

The Simpsons Movie

I am not a fanatic when it come to the Simpsons, I can't recite every lines from all the seasons or remember exactly what happened in which season. But just like everyone else, I am familiar with them well enough to know all the side characters in Springfield. When I first heard about the movie I wasn't that excited, that is until I saw the trailer. Afterward I was just dying to see it. And indeed it was well worth the trip to the theater (twice!) because it was so super funny! All the characters that I know of make an appearance, including my favorite show within a show characters Itchy and Scratchy! Most characters get to do their trademarked action or catch-phrase. Except Mr. Burn, which I am hugely disappointed that he didn't get to say "Excellent!" Ralph always steal the show for being silly and stupid. While the plot focused on the Simpsons family (Ned got a lot of screen time hough), the star of the movie is definitely Spider pig~ lol~ I thought I would not be laughing after seeing Homer singing that song in the trailer so many times, but no, it's still funny when you see it in the movie!

I heard there's a lot of scenes and guest voices got cut, I hope we'll get to see those in the dvd later in the year.

Dream: Pillow Stairs

I was back at the old college library, the enormous red building with glass staircase in the middle. I was being my old geeky self again, carrying a giant laptop bag on my shoulder, walking slowly because of the weight. I was going upstairs but my knees especially the left one suddenly give in. I just lost the strength to walk up the steps and being right in the middle of the library, everyone saw it and teased me. Someone yelled out, "I dare you to compete in the Steps Race!" Because of my sudden pride, I agreed and head to the shopping mall/hotel complex across the campus.

On my way over, I run into a few girls from the past such as Ka and Co, all of them refused to help me carry my laptop, not even want to watch me compete. Finally one guy was kind enough to watch over my laptop bag, with that out of the way, I walk to the race. From the corner of my eyes I can see most of my friends rush down the stairs to the basement for food, leaving just a couple people watching the race. We are in the middle of the mall with giant stairways and structure that are made entirely out of pillows and cushions. It was a few stories high. It was an amazing piece of art, with the elegance look and the purple and the red, it's just not what you would expect to be the setting of such an unusual race.

The objective of the race is to climb the stairs all the way to the top of the pillow tower, then walk across the pillow bridge and then leap off the cliff and onto the top of the smaller pillow tower on the other side. No one else dare to participate except this huge Korean girl named Lee. Lee was ambitious and determined to win the race. With many people come back to watch the race, the mall is now packed. Everyone's focus is on me and Lee. It was overwhelming. Thunder was sounded and the race is now begin!

Despite her size, Lee climbed the stairs fast, soon she's out of my sight and on to who know how many floors up. As for me, I have trouble even with the first few steps because my left knee is now completely give in, it's like there's no bone inside my left leg. It seems impossible but I was determined to prove to the others than I can do this, and that I don't have any problem with my leg! I walked on, using my hands as well to move myself up the steps one at a time. I moved from one pillow to another slowly while Lee is so far ahead that she's on top of the tower already. There is no way I can catch up, but I will never give up! I won't let that happen! I keep going and going, using all my strength to climb the stairs until I reach the top. I drag myself across the bridge even though the height was frightening. Then at the edge, I jumped. I landed perfectly like an Olympic gymnast on the top of the smaller tower, the tower crumbled and fell. When I stand back up, I was in a sea of pillows.

The announcer screamed out the score, me: 110, while Lee got 609. Despite that I lost, but the fact that I was able to complete the entire race earned me respect from everyone, including Lee, she come up to me, gave me a big hug and said "Good game!" My guy friend come to me with my laptop bag and kissed me. Other friends were surrounding me and having fun in the after party. I walked out of the crowd and found my parents. I told them the truth about my knee and that I need to go to the doctor.

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Another bizarre dream, not sure what to make of it. Staircases made out of cushions and pillows?? well, it could be fun to walk on, but a race? i don't know about that~ And what's happening to my knee? that's just strange. I found it comforting to see some of my usual elements in this dream despite the fact that there's no magic and fantasy element this time. Which elements? We got a shopping mall again, and we have a library, not to mention my trustworthy Apple laptop was with me and was taken care of by my guy friend.

Road Sign

John sent me this today~ I thought I'll share it with everyone.

I think the sign implied that a giant sticky ball will be rolling around in the area, beware! don't get rollover!!

LOL~ awesome!

Zenkichi

I finally finally have a chance to try out Zenkichi in Williamsburg after finding out about it a year ago. Inside is as mysterious as outside. You would constantly have the feeling of where am I when you are inside. If not because of all the hostess and waitress in the restaurant, you will definitely get lost! Interior is very secluded that it really feel like you are in another world. Each table is separated by wooden walls and bamboo curtains so that you would have your own private area. (Awesome for dates, or if you are having an affair and don't want to be seen in public. :p )

Don't expect to fill your stomach here. It is similar to Bozu (actually even more so~) that you should half fill your stomach first before you come here. It is a Japanese Tapas place, they have a tiny selection of food that are mainly to be order along with your sake~ Sake menu is like 3 times longer than the food menu. However, the food is excellent! Nagoya Teba Wings are like the best tasting fried chicken wings that I ever tasted. I dunno what kind of recipes they are using but boy that was good - and I don't usually like fried food! Next up is the chicken meatball. Similar to Yakitori Totto, it's not round but a long shape. It's not on skewers but in a half open bamboo, so it's kind of cool. It's as tasty as the one in Yakitori Totto. You dip it in egg to eat. Then we have the oh so very soft Grilled Saikyo Black Cod. It is marinated with Kyoto miso, again, it's good even though none of the above was large portion.

The last thing we have is the only one that I wasn't satisfied - and it happened to be the only one that I took picture of~ (go figure~) It's Grilled Riceball! Now i thought I was ordering something that was the most ordinary, but it's not! Look at the picture! it's served in a bowl of soup! riceball floating in the middle of a sea of seaweed! Inside the riceball is mushrooms. The problem with this dish I have is that it has a very difficult to describe smell with it, I didn't really like it, not to mention it's quite unusual when you are expecting a regular riceball and it come in a bowl of soup~ That's a little unusual for me.

Anyhow, it's a very neat place with some very good food - once again you need to eat before you come here though.