Celebrating with Family
Posted on June 17, 2007 by Ching under Family, Flickr.
Here are some select pictures from our family gathering yesterday. We were celebrating Brian’s birthday, his grandmother’s birthday, and Father’s Day all in one. You may view all the photos here.
Everyone met up at B&C BBQ for lunch. Everyone being Brian’s grandparents, Brian’s parents, Chad, Brian and I. Mom and dad came, too. So that was nice. It usually takes an act of God to get dad out of the house. I’m really glad they could make it.
We gave everyone their gifts which Brian and I purchased and wrapped almost a month ago. We went the easy route this time and just got movies for all the dads. We got Happy Feet for grandpa, Smokin’ Aces for Dave, and The Greatest Game Ever Played for my dad. Since everyone is getting into golf, Logan and Jen included, we figured it would be appropriate. Plus, it is such a great movie. (more…)
7 Comments
Curse of the Golden Flower
Posted on June 16, 2007 by Ching under Movies, Reviews.
“Who told you this movie is good?” That was Brian’s first reaction upon watching Curse of the Golden Flower. I guess he didn’t like it. I liked it, though. If you think your family is dysfunctional, you ought to watch this movie. It will make you feel better. LOL.
Hey, at least this movie is dubbed in English so Brian didn’t have to endure reading subtitles. Unlike Pan’s Labyrinth. Brian’s main complaint on that one was that it should have been dubbed in English. I’m sure they’ll release an English-dubbed version eventually.
Despite having to read subtitles, Brian paid enough attention to the movie to recognize the religious references. He commented about Ofelia’s true father, the king, being a God-like figure; her mother being a metaphor for Mary; and her infant brother being a representation of the baby Jesus. While his observation is on a more literal or physical level, I observed something similar. Taking it a step further the story line itself reminds of biblical, religious stories about the origin of man I was often told as a child. Only this time, you add fantasy and special effects and turn it into a fairy tale.
Princess Moanna, the daughter of the king of the underworld, ventures to the human world above to experience what it is like to be mortal. While living on the surface, she forgets about her previous life. She grows old and dies as a mortal, but the king believes that her spirit will return someday. Her spirit returns in the form of Ofelia. Ofelia has to pass several test in order to prove that her “essence is intact” before she can return to live with her father in the underwold.
Basically, Ofelia represents the children of God–mortals like you and I living in this world. We came from the heavenly kingdom but now we are here. Before we can return to heaven (for those folks who believe there is such a thing), we must prove ourselves. We face trials and tribulations each day of our lives. These are like the tasks or tests that Ofelia had to complete. Our choices demonstrate what we are made of, whether we have moral fortitude–whether our “essence is intact” so to speak. In the end, how we have lived our lives determines if we are worthy of returning to our Father in the heavenly kingdom.
Anyway, I was telling this to Brian and his reaction was “Have you been smoking dope and why aren’t you sharing?” Of course, I haven’t. The parallels just seemed glaringly obvious to me. Watch the movie and you’ll see what I’m talking about. It makes perfect sense.
Beyond the surface of the movie (a fairy tale loving child with a wild imagination cannot cope with the environment that she has been cast into and has gone completely insane) there is a definite religious tone. I think the closing throne scene with the mother, father, and baby–how the scene was costumed and presented–hammers this idea home. Like, if you don’t get the moral of the story we’re going to hammer it into you real obvious-like.
I don’t know. You watch the movie and tell me what you think.
2 Comments
Frustrations
Posted on June 12, 2007 by Ching under Life, School.
Here goes.. I asked Brian yesterday if he could stop by books to go to pick up a used copy of International Financial Management by Jeff Madura, the required textbook for my International Finance class. The Wichita State bookstore has used copies listed for $113 so I asked Brian to go to Books-to-Go instead. Books-to-Go advertised a price of $99, which is considerably less than the WSU price.
When I called him to confirm that he bought my book, he informed me that yes he did but he got me a brand new copy. Books-to-Go did not have any used copies available so he purchased a new one, still in shrink wrap for $140. I almost popped a gasket. Why would you buy a new copy if WSU has used ones for $113? Holy mother of God! I had flashbacks of the time I sent him to Wal-Mart for a router and he came home with a hub.
Naturally, I went ballistic. Well, that’s an exaggeration. But I did send him to WSU to pick up a used copy for $113 and back to Books-to-Go to return the brand new copy for a full refund. Granted that difference in price is not that much, but it is a lot to one who is on a tight budget as I am.
I’m not sure what possessed him to spend $140 on a book that I didn’t want to buy to begin with. That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of. I guess this isn’t completely like the other situation I described. He did, after all, follow instructions. I sent him to Books-to-Go and that is exactly what he did. I figured he’d have enough sense not to buy the book and check the WSU bookstore first, though.
I guess I need to give more specific instructions from now on. Probably in IF-THEN-ELSE format. You’d think I was talking to a freakin’ robot!
2 Comments
El Laberinto del Fauno
Posted on June 10, 2007 by Ching under Movies, Reviews.
After watching Pan’s Labyrinth
The film has elements reminiscent of me of Legend
Anyway, I highly recommend this movie. It is well worth enduring the subtitles.
Comment on This
A Dream of Better Art.
Posted on June 8, 2007 by Brian under News, Toys, Wishlist.
For the longest time I have dreamed of owning a Cintiq 21UX, its got to be one of the coolest Digital Tablets on the market to date. It boast an interactive pen display that combines the advantages of an LCD monitor with the control, comfort, and productivity of Wacom’s most sophisticated patented cordless, battery-free tablet technology. By using a pen directly on the screen, I can work much more quickly and naturally.
The Cintiq 21UX has an 21.3″ high-resolution display and a dynamically adjustable stand that allows the display to be rotated, inclined, and even quickly removed for in-lap use. To further enhance your comfort, the Cintiq 21UX comes with a cushioned Grip Pen for use directly on the screen allowing you to create in the most natural way possible.
If you know who I am then you know that i am an artist at heart and will draw anything that i feel if I have the time to sit and do it. I think with this I would probably do more and would eventually improve on what i consider to be a really good resume. However, with a jaw dropping price of $2400 big ones, it puts it a little out of my scope of purchase. At this point in time I just have too much else that needs attention. It makes me sad but I know that if i am patient then good will come of it. Just think, in the next 2 years technology could improve to the point that all new computers will have this feature and will automatically come this way. If thats the case then i will be glad that i waited so that i could just upgrade to something new all around and then start my art again from that point.
For know I am content with drawing my art the old school way and scanning it into the computer. I will eventually get caught up technologically and then i will surprise the world with my flavor of art and style. Till then, you will just have to find me, befriend me and ask to see my many portfolios.
Comment on This
