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Link Updates
Oct0
Here are two articles I’ve recently written:
America’s Next Top Model: Dance with Me - TV Squad
Music Review – AfroSambaJazz: The Music of Baden Powell - BlogCritics.Org
If you could, leave comments on both sites. Comments mean love!
Reviewing Music
Oct0
I’ve recently gotten back into reviewing music. It’s a weird process in my head. You have to analyze, and skew the music trying to figure out what are the merits (and problems) with the album. It’s a lot harder than it sounds.
It’s not that I want to gush over everything, that wouldn’t make any sense either. But in all truths, I can’t fully bash an album. If an album is placed out the thing probably will get an automatic 2/10. There is only one instance that would garner something lower: Compilation albums. If it’s half assed, I will tell you either to buy the tracks individually or the original albums. Compilations don’t make sense if they don’t add anything. I don’t care if it’s music videos, remixes, a special booklet, or instrumentals/acapella tracks for remixers.
Either way, I think I found my ear. Yes!
Hey! A non TV/Music related article.
Jul0
I don’t often post things that are unsensical or frivilious but here’s one:
Gaming on a Dime – Arcades can save a gamer money
I wrote this as my first article into the foray into Associated Content. I’ve had this idea about budget gaming and although I contemplated starting up a website (like budget gamer or something) I realized that there is one website out there that is so much better, so I refrained.
The Ugly Truth Part 2
Jun0
Recently, I’ve seen several friends on Facebook announce messages like “Going to get a headshot,” “Does anyone know any good photographers?,” or “Pick my headshot.” I look at photos and think: Jeez, these people are ugly.
Now I know that there is a stereotype to writers. I’ve addressed that before. But shouldn’t there be a stereotype to actors? Like maybe….they are good looking? Yes I know that talent does come first and play a big part, but when you’re ugly, you’re only going to get typecast roles for “Ugly Best Friend” or “Generic Mall Cop.” You’re not going to be a leading lady. (Click Continue Reading to Continue Reading!)
Such a beautiful day for an error.
Jun0
I’m having website meltdown. At the moment I hate HTML. I really do. HTML, CSS, Javascript. Everything. Why can’t websites be drawn on a piece of paper, scanned, and then mysteriously just work the way you wanted? Of course I have to struggle my way around with my small web bag of tricks, trying to make this webpage as effective as possible.
It’s pretty, but not exactly everything I wished for, you know? Sometimes the image in my head doesn’t match the drawing on the picture.
Anywho, I realized that one thing that websites are supposed to do is increase the length of time one person is on it for a while. How is a personal website supposed to do that? I’m not going to offer games, contests, or giveaways. That’s not my style and I’ve heard from other webmasters that giveaways aren’t as helpful to increasing readership. It causes a spike then disappears again. Moot. That’s what it is.
The Ugly Truth
Jun0
I have this underlying fear that people think writers are ugly. Probably less ugly than radio people, but still ugly. Why is that? Well, it’s because unlike television writers and radio people have a medium to fall behind, become a mask and display their work first before ever even seeing a face. I’m sure people read TV Squad and don’t even think about the person who wrote it.
Personally, I’ve seen the images of writers, radio people, and podcasters and was taken aback. Maybe it’s true. Maybe a lot of these people are the bastard ugly children of successful television and film stars. Even the people on YouTube have good looks and usually only the good looking (or just insanely funny) YouTube videos become the most popular.
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Quick Review – Angels & Demons
Jun0
Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon on the movie poster
I have mixed feelings about Angels & Demons. I feel as though all the pieces were there and yet there was something I can’t put my finger on that I didn’t like. I think that Ron Howard knows how to make a good movie with strong shots, while Tom Hanks both understands Ron Howard and is a good actor in general. Here are some musings about the movie:
I don’t like the whole end twist – It happened in the last movie and they put it in again. Regardless of whether or not it’s in the book, the end sequence is redundant and in both cases makes Robert Langdon just a little dumber.
Credit where credit is due
Jun0
I attempted to apply for a credit card and I got rejected. So I decided to go for a big named website and got instantly rejected. I’m now trying to go for a big named department-store. I was rejected for their actual credit card (associated with Visa/Mastercard/Discover/What have you) and am being under consideration for their less than $500 credit line.
I never had a real steady job. Yes, I get paid for my work writing articles for TV Squad. The unfortunate thing is that it’s not enough to even call it a part time job. The rest of my life is spent looking for other outlets for writing, reviewing music, and writing for other places on the internet (And blogging of course).
I was recently rejected by a website in the Match.com family (don’t worry I didn’t jump the shark and start writing about relationships; it was video game related) and I’m convinced that it’s because I have no credit. None.
(Click Continue Reading for the rest of the story)
Why I like Disney (Part 1 of many)
May0
- I’ve decided that I’m gonna try a continuing blog-thread that will spring up from time to time. I’m often asked why I like Disney. I’ll give one reason each post.
Because I like the man himself.
There’s something you can’t deny about Walt Disney, the person. He has passion, drive, and keen senses. Three qualities that I either want, or need to enhance. If anyone has gone through the One Man and his Dream exhibit in Hollywood Studios (which i normally dub The Studios), you would understand the turmoil that he had to go through (losing Oswald, war time, putting all his money in Snow White, etc.) and he still persevered.
I’m still amazed by what one man’s ideas accomplished. Without Walt Disney, we probably would have a very different view of animation, or even color. Disney was an experimenter; he didn’t want to follow the other movie producers.
I guess I just want to make an impact like Disney did. One day when I am old, I want people to think highly of me like they would of Walt Disney. I’m already convinced that I won’t make a huge impact, but if one person I know (or they read an article of mine) went, “He’s a good (insert noun here)” I would be happy.
Oh Family Guy, I love how nothing is sacred.
Oh and the Family Guy reference (“Are all the Jews gone yet?”) is hysterical.
Crisis of Conscience Part Deux
Feb0
Waiting is a cruel mistress.
I just had dinner with my parents. We drove over to the buffet after my father suggested it. It basically sounded like this:
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Twenty minutes of awkward silence. I was pretty sure it was because my father turned to me and went, “You know, if you want to go back to school and take…say Pharmacy… well, you’re still young and you have the time.” I crossed my fingers and hoped that he was talking to the back of the head of the person on the table behind me.
There were other factors causing the silence. A) Sick people behind me and my parents staring at them, B) My mother sneaking off to the raceway after her seminar. C) The fact that I was floored by the statement.
I get it. I’m probably the only Filipino kid in the group that hasn’t landed a solid job. God knows that I’ve tried with countless business related jobs, and even a few communication based ones to no avail. I turned to one of my strengths and passions: writing. I know that I wasn’t that solid with it for a while (read: writing got traumatic and oddly emotional for me several times between 2000 and 2007). I picked up the Business-Marketing major as a crutch, a fear.
Now I have to wait weeks on end for a response from websites. Often times it’s a, “Thanks for applying, but your writing style isn’t what we’re looking for” (translated by me as: “You’re retarded for even applying.”). I may have gotten a break, but I’d only know if I got responses. After a long string of emails, I finally faxed paperwork recently. Now I wait.
Writing seems like one of the hardest things to explain to parents. At least with IT/Computer Programming, the parents have something to tell to their co-workers. I guess to their co-workers saying that I write for a website is about equal to unemployment
I guess I’m thankful for my sister for calling during the dinner out and my mother actually taking it. Rude, yes, but my salve for the night.
