The Object of my Kasungitan. Poor Quarkipoo.. See? The poor boy actually looks scared to be in the same shot for fear his head will be bitten off. :P  

darn.. it comes in hot pink!

I am by no mean a technojunkie, though I'll admit I'm a bit of a gadget girl.

Eep. Steve Jobs just unveiled the newest batch of iPod upgrades - and the new aluminum-cased, 8GB Nano comes in HOT PINK!!! Waaaaah...

Now, everyone knows I'm a big fan of Macs. (Go MacBook. Ha!) But I absolutely DETEST having to carry multiple gadgets, which is why I've held off buying an iPod for ages.

But it's in HOT PINK. And it doesn't look like it'll break if you drop it.. Argh..

Dilemma, dilemma.. Multiple gadgets, hot pink Nano.. Grrr..

The writer (and cinephile) in me was compelled to post this hilarious article I read in LATimes.com on "God's Top 10 Movie Messages to the World."

Now, I do have a sense of humor and have profound respect for people who express wit so eloquently (David Sedaris, for one) but I will make a disclaimer just the same. I DO NOT condone the thoughts of this writer any more than I took to heart the ideas in films like Dogma and Saved!, or theories as presented in books like The Da Vinci Code (or 'The Vinci Code' bwahahaha), although I will admit that I was very entertained by them. One thing I will agree on, however, is this:

(on screenwriters) "We change the world. We affect the way people think and how they act. We use our dreams and ideas to mold society."

Precisely why we should ‘tame the tongue,’ eh? ;) Words can be very powerful indeed and we must always be careful with the things we say (and, as I’ve learned the past week, even how we say them). :P

So.. I encourage you to take a break, and indulge in a little laughter today. It’ll be good for you. :)

___________________________________
Never Doubt the Power of the Screenwriter
September 10, 2006
By Hal Dresner
Hal Dresner is a screenwriter whose latest novel, "Nobody Sleeps Well in Casablanca," will be published next year.


I am proud to be a Hollywood screenwriter. Why? Well, not for the art or the money or the ability to have agents return my calls within weeks. No, it's because since the dawn of talkies, writers have always been the uncrowned kings of Hollywood, the secret titans of Tinseltown, the underground reel royalty.

I didn't always feel that way. Forty years ago, when I first came to L.A., I'd heard disparaging remarks about "schmucks with Underwoods" and jokes about the starlet so stupid that she slept with the screenwriter. But since then I've learned that's just backbiting from envious producers, jealous directors and impotent studio heads, all of whom wish they could do what we do.

And what is it that we do, besides grow hair, pace around a computer for a few hours, have lunch and watch movies?

We change the world. We affect the way people think and how they act. We use our dreams and ideas to mold society. And when you look back at it, it has always been that way.

Back in the '60s, we were proudly promoting social unrest. (And I was doing my part by writing a movie about a guy who leaves his wife and kids for his boss' wife.) In the '70s, we were subversively selling sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. (And I was in step with a hallucinatory horror film about a man turning into a snake.) In the '80s, we were almost solely responsible for more sex, crime and greed. (I was in the vanguard with a comedy about a homosexual bandit.) And in the '90s, when no one else was stepping forward, we were flooding screens with gratuitous violence. (And I was in sync with a spec script about a guy inciting domestic chaos by leaving his family.)

But those are only the contributions that you know about. Finally, it can be told that, for decades, we humble scribes have been using our skills in the service of a great cause: promoting God.

You're laughing, right? Writers are supposed to be agnostics or atheists, rebellious, independent thinkers who take the road less traveled—except if the other one leads to the open bar. That was just our cover. In reality, we have been part of a noble conspiracy to bring the Word of the Almighty to movie audiences everywhere. While you thought you were just enjoying mindless entertainment, you were, in truth, receiving The Truth.

So now, revealed for the first time, are God's Top 10 Movie Messages to the World, as channeled through the Writers Guild of America, West:

10. On His forgiveness: "Nobody's perfect."
9. On His unwillingness to condemn: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
8. On our lack of faith: "What we have here is failure to communicate."
7. On our ability to please Him: "Go ahead, make my day."
6. On the rumor that He was dead: "I'll be back."
5. On what we are doing to the planet: "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore."
4. On our denial of His power: "You can't handle the truth."
3. On our failure to pray with conviction: "You talking to me?"
2. On our persistent spiritual unconsciousness: "Snap out of it!"

Yes, for decades writers have been trying to help us forge a better relationship with The One. Unfortunately, up to now, we haven't been paying attention. But He isn't giving up on us. Rather, He sees each day as a new chance. Why just the other night on a late show, I heard Him say:

1. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."


So producers, directors, studio heads, agents and starlets take note of this important tenet for the Hollywood Rulebook: Don't ever underestimate screenwriters. Because we have friends in very high places.

the cutest little green guy around 

things i learned from yoda

When Marj texted me this morning one of my favorite Yoda quotes (ever), I knew I HAD to write something on the Star Wars trilogy – in particular, The Empire Strikes Back. Let me get this out of the way before they release the limited edition DVDs (this September, woohoo!), and maybe a few more people will be a little more “enthusiastic” about the Trilogy marathon I’ve been harping about. Hehe.

Now, because I’m a big fan of happy, sappy endings, The Empire Strikes Back isn’t my favorite film in the Trilogy. But can you imagine having Neapolitan ice cream without Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry? Exactly. If not for The Empire Strikes Back, we would never learn of Yoda, Lando Calrissian, or even get to see Luke have his arm chopped off. ;)

And so, without further ado:

5 Lessons I Learned From Yoda


“Do or do not.. There is no try.”

A lot of us are content leading half-baked lives because we’re afraid of failing. There are times when I’m faced with a major decision and fear gets the better of me. Still, no regrets diba? It’s either you do it or you don’t, decide to take that jump and choose to fall. That’s the beauty of free will – that your decisions are your own. The point is, choices MUST be made.

“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?”

It annoys me when people judge me because I’m, herm, “petite.” I suppose the reason why I’m a little defiant is because I want people to take me seriously. People automatically assume that because I’m small, all girlie-girl and bubbly I’m such a ditz. So I always try to break the stereotype by being competitive, strong, and self-reliant. This doesn’t always work to my advantage because then I become “an intimidating scary little girl,” a deranged Little Red Riding Hood of sorts. I suppose this all points to a deeper insecurity that I need to get over, one that really requires the grace of God, especially since the only opinion that really matters is His and not of those around me.

Luke: What’s in there?
Yoda: Only what you take with you.

Baggage.

I remember being so affected by last Sunday’s lesson on Faithfulness, especially when Pastor Joey started talking about how some men will promise you the sun, moon and stars.. Ouch. I suppose my recent “anxiety attacks” only serve to validate my fear of vulnerability, of being susceptible to hurt. :P Everyday, my struggle is to acknowledge that people can be trusted, relied upon, and that they can and WILL come through for you. To trust without abandon is a scary thing indeed, and that’s why you need faith. :)

Luke: Is the Dark Side stronger?
Yoda: No no no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.

It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, a lot of will-power and self-control to do the things you’re supposed (and ought not) to do. That’s why “Do or do not.. There is no try” diba? It’s so much easier to leave your heart unguarded, be crazy and reckless with your life, and enjoy all these worldly pleasures without having to care who gets affected. This is about choices. The choice to live a good life, a “holy” life is never easy. No one is perfect, and do we every wonder why that is? Not because temptation is stronger than our will-power (that's why there's grace!) but because we usually go for “quick-fixes.” On the other hand, the satisfaction you get from making quicker, easier choices is usually more fleeting.

Luke: I can’t believe it!
Yoda: That is why you fail.

Sometimes, all it takes is FAITH. Anything is possible. Matthew 17:20 says “.. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." All we need do is BELIEVE.

That goes for X-Wings as well. ;)

life stories and the people who tell them

Everybody has a story to tell.

I LOVE walking to work. Seriously. Yes, there are days when the trip becomes routine and unexciting, but it’s never boring.

I am an “observer.” Sometimes, I just like to watch people, watch them interact with others, and try to understand their “motivations.” It’s true that observance can be quite superficial, often tainted by subjectivity, and because a single fact can be interpreted in a million different ways. Still, don’t you ever wonder why the people who cross your path do the things they do? Dress a certain way, have that particular expression.. What about their pace? Everyday, I come across people who are hurriedly going up and down the steps, people who lazily chat with companions, call center kids converging in groups. I am amazed at the diversity of the people who co-exist within such a small geographic location and yet are virtually unaware of each others’ presence.

I remember watching this episode of Scrubs, where Zach Braff’s character was having a bad day. Whether he realized it or not, his “bad mood” actions spurred a ripple effect into the lives of people who didn’t seem the least bit connected to him. We act and we act, but do we ever really consider the weight of our actions – whether seemingly small and trivial or one with gargantuan implications? And this isn’t limited to the bad stuff we do either. Even the little kindnesses we do can have a great effect to the people who receive them. Whether it’s a (literal) pat on the back, a few kind words, or something as simple as a smile, all of them are integral to the life stories of those who surround us.

In film, there’s a term called Mis-En-Scene (or “what is put into a scene”) that explains how a particular setting can serve to add more depth and awareness to what the director or whomever is trying to convey. In a way, that also applies to the "setting" of our own lives. Human beings are relational, after all, and how we interact with our surroundings (whether people, places, objects.. you get the picture) affect our own “stories” in one way or another. What surrounds is isn’t merely a prop. We are where we meant to be at the moment, with the people we come across at this point in our lives, having what we have (and this means not having as well!) because these “scenes” in our stories of our lives serve to teach us something, and ultimately will reveal something about us to others (ourselves included).

Now, this isn’t at all about “judging.” And I’m not trying to be all “smarty-pants” about loosely substituting the words “judging” and “interpretation” either. All I’m saying is, well, SOMEONE’S ALWAYS WATCHING. :) Maybe not in the voyeuristic sense but someone will always be affected by the things we do, whether we choose to acknowledge that or not. Oh, and this isn’t about “pleasing other people” either! At the end of the day, how you live your life is your choice, and it’s really your story to tell. We are all accountable for our actions, after all. ;)

discovering the beauty of cross-posting, soundtrack to a beautiful day

I have just discovered the beauty of cross-posting. ;)

Amazing how technology allows for more streamlined processes, yet at the same time also makes things more complicated. It also brings people closer together, while driving them apart. (Flashback: Sitting in comm class, listening to Mark Escaler's take on how technology separates us.. Really good stuff.)

But all that doesn't matter right now.. No more cluttered tabs, no more multiple log-ins. I can update everything from a single page. Woohoo!

--------------------------------------------
Today is a beautiful day.

I am sooo.. HYPER, so happy, so alive. I finally snapped out of my anxiety. Thank God. :) My enthusiasm is compounded by today's lovely soundtrack (or what we shall dub Music For A Deliriously Carefee Day):

R.E.M – Stand In The Place Where You Live
The Apples In Stereo – Better Days
Shonen Knife – I Wanna Be Sedated
The Lemonheads – Mrs. Robinson
Letters To Cleo – Here And Now
Leona Naess – I Tried To Rock You But You Only Would Roll
The Sundays – Here’s Where The Story Ends
Weezer - Uptown Girl
The Pixies – Where Is My Mind?
Richard Ashcroft – Come On People (We’re Making It Now)
Placebo – Every Me, Every You
Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun
Iggy Pop - Lust For Life
Ben Folds Five - Philosophy


Goodbye, gloom.