Dean Learner

This is another great character by Richard Ayoade (who plays Moss in IT Crowd)called "Dean Learner". Here are some funny bits from his show:

IT Crowd - Lady Problems

This is pretty funny.

"Fight Science" on Nat'l Geographic Ch.

I watched this show on Sunday that's part of a series about the science of fighting. The episode I happened to catch was the one focusing on Mixed Martial Arts fighting. It was really cool.

It tells you about a lot of different things like how some Muay Thai fighters kick their shins up against tree trunks. This causes the nerve ends to deaden and their bones to calcify and become stronger. Or how a good punch is a result of kinetic energy - therefor the force of the punch isn't solely from the arm but the whole body.

My only complaint about the show is that it was only an hour long. I really enjoyed it.

Is Santana Coming to NYC??

Santana is a pitcher for the Twins, ever since the baseball season has ended, the topic of where this coveted pitcher goes has been greatly discussed during the winter trade talks. In a piece written for ESPN.com a writer speculates that Santana will be traded within the next 10 days and he may well end up with the NY Mets! I'd prefer the NY Yankees - but better a Met then a BloSux member (sorry Hillary, if you are still a fan of the Red Socks).

But maybe the writer is wrong and he's going to become a Yankee because the Yankees are said to have the best deal on the table for him. The Twins really need to make this trade because Santana will soon be a free agent and they will no longer be able to use him as a bargaining chip to get younger players to supplement their team. I hope he becomes a Yankee 'cause we really need better pitchers. But, then again, players (in general) do well in other clubs don't necessarily flourish under the hot spotlight of the NY Yankees. The pressure and attention is on a whole other level they aren't used to so they don't play as well. Takes at least a year for a player to adjust to becoming a Yankee and all that goes with it. And some never make the adjustment (e.g. J. Contreras, R. Johnson).

I can't wait for baseball season to start and see how the team does under new management. I think Girardi will do a great job!

Strange Hillary Holloway Pics on the Net

Imagine my surprise when I decide to search Google for other people named Hillary Holloway - when I see a link saying "Strange Hillary Holloway Pictures". Esp. since every Hillary Holloway link is actually about my sister and not somebody with the same name. With bated breath I open the link, wondering what strange pics of my sister are lingering around the internet. The the link opens - phew! It's a picture combining Hillary Clinton and actor Josh Holloway. (wipes brow)

Tax Refund on the Way!

I finally got my W-2 from my job on Saturday. I'm really excited because this means I will be getting my refund soon. What's great is my job let's us use Turbo Tax for free and this year e-filing will be easier since last year's return is already saved in the Turbo Tax system. I'm not sure how fast e-filing will get the money to me - but it's gotta be better then anything else.

Most of my money is going to go toward paying off bills. I am also going to buy a new box spring and mattress. I inherited the bed I have now from my daughter's grandmother - and when I got it 8 years ago it was already 25 years old. Will be great to get ride of the saggy, creeky old thing.

I will buy some things fun for myself - I need new clothes, both for office and for home. Jazzmin needs clothes too. She also needs a new taekwondo outfit - the one she has now looks totally like high waters. Maybe next year I'll get a couch. We'll see.

*************UPDATE***************

Mon., 1/28/08

Just e-filed my taxes this morning (didn't want to risk doing it at home with my unreliable dial-up connection) and it turns out that I should get my refunds by NEXT FRIDAY (2/8/08)!!! Yeah me! Broke days are over (for now)!!!

This week on Netflix...

Princess Hours, Disc 1: I have watched this entire series already but I liked it so much the first time that I wanted to see it again. I was wondering if I would enjoy it as much the second time - since I already knew what was going to happen. Fortunately, that was not the case - I still enjoyed watching it.

I know I already posted regarding what this drama/comedy is about. But just to recap - it's about supposing Korea had a constitutional monarchy (as England does). And the story revolves around an arranged marriage between Crown Prince Shin and Chae-kyeong (a commoner). The marriage comes about as a result of a promise the late king made to his best friend (Chae's grandfather). Shin and Chae don't get along at first but they grow to like each other as time progresses. What gets in the way of that is Shin has always been a loner and doesn't know how to express himself. And while, at times, he's able to clue her in on how he feels - he often pushes her away unintentionally. He also struggles with her friendship with his cousin Yul because Yul makes it plain that he wants to break up the marriage so he can be with Chae. Another problem is Shin's ex who wants to get him back - though Shin never expresses wanting to be with her. But he still considers her a good friend.

Brenda is watching the series for the first time - she doesn't like Shin. I don't think she understands Shin's jealousy over his wife's friendship with his cousin is a sign that he's developed feelings for her. Which excites most viewers - but causes Brenda to greatly dislike him. We'll see what she thinks as the story develops.

Monarch of the Glenn, Disc 1: Just to break away from my preoccupation with Korean dramas - I decided to 'mix it up' and start watching a British series. I periodically forget that I don't generally like modern day British dramas. Love British period shows/moves and some of the comedies are fun to watch. But modern day dramas couldn't be more boring. I could barely get through the first episode and chose to turn it off. I guess you win some and you lose some. The first episode, at least, was about a son returning to his rural home where they had this beautiful manor. He went back because his father hand a minor accident - whom he doesn't get along with. In returning he finds out that his parents are deep in debt and he was willed the manor a while back but was never told. ZzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzz The characters have nothing engaging about them - not sure how they could hold anybody's interest.

Stained Glass, Disc 3: Netflix has some sort of conspiracy against me - I wanted to receive 2 discs this week but they only sent me 1. It seems these Korean dramas are in great demand and had to be shipped to me from out of state.

The thing about these dramas is that you know that everybody is going to live happily ever after... eventually. But still the story is woven in such a manner that you're still on pins and needles when there is an obstacle in the couple's way and relieved when things seem to be going their way - despite knowing the inevitable outcome. What is also great is the story takes twists and turns you can't predict. They also develop side stories that are part of the main story but also have their own thing going on. What starts off as a snow ball of a storyline turns into a huge boulder as the story goes on - more things get added, drama builds and you just love it.

So when I left off in disc 2 Ji-Soo (girl) and Yuichi (boy) had just embraced and were kissing passionately. I foolishly thought that this meant they'd start to be in a relationship. But when I started watching disc 3 she pulled back and felt he was only interested in her due to pity. Gi-Tai (boy) is still being overbearing with his pursuit of Ji-Soo. He realizes that Ji-Soo has feelings for Yuichi but thinks he can force the issue and make things come his way. Ji-Soo and Yuichi have several moments where they enjoy each other's company and you know they want to be together but things with Gi-Tae just get in the way.

In an effort to break up the tension of the 'love triangle', Ji-Soo moves out of Gi-Tae's family's house. Around that time Gi-Tae finds out his half-brother died in an accident and now he's no longer the black sheep of the family. His father asks him and his mother (as Gi-Tae was the product of his father's infidelity to his wife) to move in and to have Gi-Tae take over the company. Gi-Tae is happy because now he thinks he'll be worthy of Ji-Soo since he's a rich heir like Yuichi and he might gain favor with Ji-Soo as a result. Like the thick headed dope he is - he's wrong.

I can't really do this show justice - because there is so much going on. Not to mention the bits going on in the side stories. But I am loving the story and can't wait to see the unexpected twist and turns this story takes.

Avoiding work, like the champ I am, I decided to post some cute photos of Jazzmin.

The first photo is of her at 16 months old. At McDonalds (that's right, nutrition - nothings too good for my daughter) eating McNuggets - to this day she still eats the "skin" first and then the inside.

Second photo at 24 months(?) with Michael Stuart's (my fav. singer) brother Tommy. She was already crying and fussy at this point so he joked around when posing for the photo and pretended to roar.

Third photo is of her at 108 months with her Dad (isn't it annoying when people refer to their children's age in months well after it's appropriate?).

@Family - bet you never knew that Brenda was secretly a black woman who sang motown tunes in the 60s. Oh.... there is so much I don't know about my sister....

"Little Britain" skits

Some skits from this show called "Little Britain" - I think they're funny. Maybe you will too??

Meow

Starting Audio Book "Water for Elephants"

I started listening to a new audio book on Tuesday called "Water for Elephants". I haven't listened to an audio book in a while because I was so turned off by the last book I listened to "Jack Maggs".

"Jack Maggs" was supposed to be as well written a story and in the manner of a Charles Dickens book. From the beginning it was rather boring but I kept listening in hopes the story would become engaging and I would see why it was given such rave reviews. Hours into the book I realized that moment was never to come. I kept listening to the book because I feel obligated to since I did pay good money for the book. Always feel like I should get my money's worth and listen to it in it's entirety.

But when I was a little past halfway through (entire book is 12 hours) - I just couldn't bring myself to listen to it any longer for fear I would slip into a deep coma. The premise of the book is Jack Maggs is a criminal and was, as a result, banished from Britain as part of his punishment. He returns to Britain anyway in search for somebody. In the interim he gets hired as a footman. This writer discovers he's there illegally but promises to keep his secret if Jack lets him hypnotize him as fodder for a book. Jack agrees. While hypnotized it's discovered the brutality Jack has endured and a demon that haunts his subconscious. Throughout the book they drag on about the demon Jack is haunted by (but I didn't discover why) and why he came to Britain looking for this particular person (didn't find that out either). The book would've been better if they had an interesting side story to go along with it. But, no dice.

"Jack Maggs" was one of a few books that really disappointed me. Then there are books that are only mildly entertaining. Or books that are interesting but aren't exactly light reading/listening - such as "The Sociopath Next Door" (about why people are/become sociopaths and how to spot them) or "Sex, Time and Power" (about a women's ability to reproduce, etc. and how it affected human evolution and our survival as a species). So I've been kind of avoiding listening to my audio books lately.

The only book I really enjoyed out of all the ones I've listened to was "Double Play". A fictional book about a guy who ends up becoming Jackie Robinson's bodyguard Jackie's first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The book was more about the bodyguard then it was Jackie Robinson.

The story was entertaining and engaging throughout and I looked forward to plunking on my earphones when I got on the train. It accomplished everything it intended with suspense, action and a little romance thrown in. I tried looking for other books by this author but I'm not convinced that I'll be interested in the subject matter of the other books. I should probably give one of them a shot since I really enjoyed "Double Play".

So, anyway, I'm about 1.5 chapters into "Water for Elephants" and it seems like it might actually be good. Crossing my fingers!!

Kim Jeong Hoon aka John Hoon

While watching the Korean show "Princess Hours" I started to research the actors because I liked the show so much. Turns out that one of the actors is a famous singer in Korea and all over Asia. His Korean name is Kim Jeong Hoon but in Japan he goes by John Hoon.

He is actually very good with his R&B vocals. In his Japanese songs he throws in English verses so at least you'll understand some of it. Next time I have some extra moola - I plan to by a couple of his Japanese albums.

Below are some videos of his - take a chance and listen to them. You may not understand all the lyrics - but you will still enjoy the song. I tried to get Brenda to listen to his music but she wasn't open to the idea. :( I guess she's aware of the rare phenomena of instantly bleeding out the ears and going deaf if one tries out new music in a foreign language.


"SAD SONG" BY JOHN HOON


"SIRUS" BY JOHN HOON

Netflix Presents.....

Every weekend I watch my Netflix movies - primarily Sunday mornings because I get up so early (6:30-7am) as dictated by my body. I'd sleep in later but that's when I wake up and can't get back to sleep. So I usually pop in my DVDs and watch. Thought I'd share my little critiques.

The Year of the Dog - This is a 97 minute PETA commercial that misses the mark regarding what it sets out to do. It's obvious that the makers of this film wanted it to be about a woman who loses her dog, to which she was very attached to. Through a series of events she becomes involved with animal rights activism which involves: stealing from her boss to support charities, ruining her in-law's 4-5 fur jackets and bringing her 6 year old niece to a slaughter house to "scare her straight" regarding eating meat which brings her niece to tears. In the end she feels she's found her niche in life as an animal activist and quits her job and rides off into the sunset happy that she's found her purpose. I don't know if it's Molly Shannon's acting, the script or both but they just made activists look completely nuts.

My Little Bride - About a 16 year old girl and a 22 yr old man who grew up together as a result of their grandfathers being so close. The grandfathers had always said they'd be in-laws one day but they both had sons. So the grand kids are asked to participate in an arranged marriage because the grandfather isn't in good health and he really wants this. The family is kinda reluctant and the kids refuse to do it. So the grandfather comically fiddles with the heart monitor controls to "scare" them into getting married for his sake. Which works. Long story short, they end up finding they actually do care about each other and it's a love match. The pairing just seemed a little creepy to me. That aside - it was as good as any American romantic comedy you see.

Stained Glass, Disc 2 - Really liked it - have 4 more discs to go! About these 3 kids who meet in an orphanage (Ji-Soo [girl], Gi-Tae [boy] and Yuichi [boy]) and what transpires when they become adults. (see post about Korean dramas to see premise of story) Fortunately they don't drag out the 3 of them getting together and realizing Yuichi isn't dead. And am really glad that they didn't drag out Yuichi stepping aside so Gi-Tae can be with Ji-Soo - even though she has never claimed any romantic feelings for Gi-Tae. At the end of the disc, Ji-Soo and Yuichi engage in a passionate make out session and Gi-Tae is being sent to study abroad by his father (whose company he works for). The show is really, really good - can't wait for the next disc!

Songs That Remind Me of Mom & Dad

I was thinking about Dad this weekend. I carry his license in my inside pocket of my coat. I was also thinking about the 2 songs that make me think of how sad the loss of my (our) parents is. The one that makes me think of Mom is Phil Collins' song "Against All Odds". It was in rotation on Mtv the summer after she died when I was staying at Brenda's house. I instantly cry whenever I hear this song - even to this day. I know the song is about a love triangle - but if you think of it in terms of someone you love dieing it truly encompasses how I feel about losing Mom.

PHIL COLLINS - "AGAINST ALL ODDS"



The song that makes me think of, I guess, how I feel about the loss of Dad is probably an odd choice. It's "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd. I've never seen "The Wall" but ever since I heard it when I was a kid I've always felt it to be the saddest, loneliest song. I know what it's supposed to be about but I've imposed my own interpretation to it (as I did with the "Against All Odds" song). My reaction to it has less to do with the specific lyrics then the over all tone and feeling conveyed.

PINK FLOYD - "COMFORTABLY NUMB"


I miss them both very much.

Result of My Taekwondo Promotion Test

I had my belt promotion test this weekend, in taekwondo, to be promoted from yellow to orange belt. An apparent well kept secret of the taekwondo school is the belt promotion day referenced in the calendar only refers to the children's promotion and the adult promotion (not noted in calendar) is always the Friday just prior. So here I was ready to take the test on Saturday and hoping to get a little coaching in the Friday class. But when I show up to the Friday class, most of the students are wearing their white uniform (which you have to wear for testing). I was nervous because I wasn't sure how ready I was for the test. Esp. since he may randomly expect me to have one of the virtues memorized (which I was planning on studying that night).


Fortunately the teacher allowed me to take the promotion test even though I wasn't wearing the proper gear. This is my first full fledged promotion test, as last time I did a make up promotion test. He made us do 100 of each exercise (jumping jacks, mountain climbers, crunches, etc.) and 50 laps around the matt. What makes it extra fun is my having asthma - I'm just lucky, what can I say? Then finally we were tested on our forms and techniques which I did fine, despite my lack of extra practice.

The last part of testing is the board breaking. We don't get any practice time to try breaking these 1" thick boards. You do it the day of the test - you get as many tries as you want, but you have to break it in order to be promoted. Being promoted from white to yellow was easy 'cause I got to choose the hand and kicking techniques (have to break 2 boards, 1 with hand - 1 with foot). I chose the easy 'hammer fist' and 'axe kick' (see kick photo) then. But this time around I had to break the board with my hand stretched out like a chop (see first picture, if you double click on it you can see the animation). But instead of chopping down - I had to break it while it was being held vertically on my left side. I was nervous about that. But fortunately I broke it on the second try - but my hand hurt afterwards. I got a bump on the side of my hand that lasted a couple hours afterward. I still got to choose the kick so, of course, I chose the axe kick - since it's the easiest.

Needless to say - I was promoted and am now an orange belt in taekwondo. Soon my hands will need to be registered as lethal weapons.

Jazzmin's Mambo Class, Jan. 19, 2008

This weekend was parent observation day for Jazzmin's mambo class. The photos didn't come out great due to the fact I was foolish enough to trust the "auto" feature of my camera. I also recorded 2 videos - the better one is on the top. The one on the right is a little shakey 'cause I was trying to show her whole person and fancy foot work.



The other video is apparently too large a file to upload - which is crazy since it couldn't be much larger then the one I was able to post. ::sighs::

Tomorrow I have a belt test promotion in Taekwondo. I'm a little nervous. While I feel I know all the parts I need to - I'm afraid I may not know them well enough to perform them even while nervous. Also I have heard of these super hard promotion tests he's done in the past and am worried about experiencing it. It really depends on his mood re; how hard he makes the test. I'm going to try and get extra help tonight to verify that i know all that I am supposed to with proper form.

WISH ME LUCK!

2 Dodos and the One I Actually Like

Just felt like showing of some cute photos of my cat Nova - aka the 'normal' cat, the one my daughter and I like. I adopted him when he was 7 weeks old and now he is almost 2 years old.

I had previously adopted 2 cats from the ASPCA named Azucar and Arecibo. I thought it'd be good to adopt 2 cats so the could keep each other company. Being that the ASPCA was requiring Azucar & Arecibo go to the same household - we chose them. Figuring I was doing the 'right thing' and adopting cats that were going to be harder for the ASPCA to place. We were not told that they had any particular emotional problems, etc.

But I soon found out that they have profound trust issues and must've been abused in prior households. Arecibo (cat in foreground of photo below) is uber-afraid of everybody and stayed under my bed while I was home for the first year I had him. The only time I saw him is when he'd come out from under my bed after I had turned out the lights to go to sleep. My daughter and I would tactically get him out from under the bed to pet him. He'd fight us like his life depended on it. But once you get him into a small room, like the bathroom, he is still scared but happy to let you pet him. Purring and all. But that's the only time he feels comfortable being held or pet. I will say, though, ever since we got Nova he's been a lot more social... in his own way. As long as we don't have any guests at our house - he doesn't go under the bed. But he hangs out a good 15 ft. away from me. When he feels that Jazzmin (my daughter) is not likely to show up - then he'll get closer and hang out 2-5 ft away from me. And he'll give me loving, happy expressions.

Then there is the "queen" of the household, Azucar (left w/Nova trying to get her to play). She won't ever let you pick her up - no matter what room. She loves to get pet while she's eating - she will devise strategies just to get you to go to the food bowl so she can be pet there. But away from the food bowl she has major issues. She'll let you pet her - but only when she feels like being pet. Being the true diva - it has to be on her terms. She has this funny idiosyncrasy of drooling out the sides of her mouth when she's particularly happy about being pet. She also was positively affected once I adopted Nova. She finally learned what the cat toys were for. Before she wouldn't have anything to do with them, but was happy to play with a piece of scrap paper on the floor. But after Nova came she figured out the toy situation and now likes to play with the toys. She and Nova also have developed an affinity for wrestling with each other. But Nova has to be in the submissive position for Azucar to play - otherwise she can't be bothered. As soon as it appears Nova has gotten the upper hand - she runs off under the couch. It's at that point the game stops being fun for her. But Nova is always happy to oblige - so it's usually not a problem.

I kinda regret getting Azucar and Arecibo because it's like having all the work and expense of the pet but none of the actual enjoyment. That's why I opted to adopt Nova (even at the risk of looking like 'the cat lady'), because I wanted at least one normal cat that wasn't emotionally damaged by previous owners. Nova was also a rescue cat - he was one of a litter of kittens found abandoned on the streets of Brooklyn. He has been a delight from the very beginning. He's loving, sweet, playful and trusting. If I could get rid of my other 2 cats, I'd do it in a heart beat. then I'd get 1 other cat just to keep Nova company.

Sometimes I feel like bringing Azucar and Arecibo back to the ASPCA but I don't want to go in there looking like a schmuck for taking on the cats and then returning them. sigh. And I know it's not very charitable of me to not be understanding of the fact that Azucar and Arecibo have likely had hard lives. Ah well. At least I have Nova - he's such a sweetheart!

My Korean Drama Obession

This is part of the reason why I like Netflix so much - you're tempted to try things you normally wouldn't at a video store due to the per video pricing. Netflix has this feature where they suggest movies you might like based on prior ratings you've submitted.

The first movie I took a chance on was "Save the Last Dance for Me?" which is about a rich heir who loses his memory as a result of being injured in a robbery. Then he gets taken in by a father and his daughter who allow him to help out with the running of their inn until he is able to remember who he is. The daughter and heir fall in love and end up getting engaged. The heir ends up bumping his head again and remembering who he is - but forgets about the father/daughter at the inn. He returns to his old life while she goes searches for him. She ends up taking a job in Seoul where the heir works hoping he'll remember her, etc. There's this big love triangle that ensues and there is a lot of romance, action and suspense. It's hard to describe the entire plot without writing "a book" about it. But trust me - it's very engaging and leaves you waiting by the mail box for the next DVD.

The next bit of fodder for my addition came in the form of "Princess Hours" which imagines what it would be like if modern day Korea had a monarchy the way they do presently in the UK. I discovered this through Netflix's recommendation vehicle also. I've come to find out that this tv series was a raging hit all over Asia a year or so ago. And they were even considering a second season, despite the fact Korean shows rarely (if ever) have a second season. Apparently they are not like Americans who want to keep a show going as long as possible. They're dramas (aka k-dramas) are more like mini-series in that way. This show is packed with humor, romance and suspense. The main story is really about this girl who participates in an arranged marriage which her grandfather and the then King agreed upon. She did this to save her family who was deeply in debt. The crowned prince ends up being this kid Shin who she happens to not get along with in school. As the romance blossoms - Shin's ex and his cousin Yul seek to break the relationship up as Shin's ex wants him back and Yul has fallen for the newly anointed crown princess. A lot of scenarios ensue and it's just a really great story!

The drama I am watching now is called "Stained Glass", so far I have only seen disc 1 of 6. The story is about these 3 kids who meet in an orphanage when they were kids. One of the boys gets taken down stream in a river and is presumed dead. But, in fact, was discovered by a Japanese couple as he lay lifeless near the river. Being that the kid doesn't remember his name or where he lives (though remembers his friends) the Japanese couple take him in and raise him as their own. The girl and other boy grow up as close friends. But it is obvious that the boy wants a romance with the female lead. The girl unknowingly meets the boy who had been taken down the river as kids. A death she mourns even as an adult. It certainly seems they are setting things up for their to be a romance between them. And, of course, I am sure there'll be a love triangle. I really like it and can't wait for the next DVD.

I don't know if I am doing these shows justice. But if you like drama/romance then you will love these. Just give them a shot! There are only a handful of these Korean dramas on Netflix. It's going to suck once I've reached the last of them. :(

Starting a new blog

I have a blog on another website but saw how nice this blog looks and have decided to start one here. Perhaps I will just copy and paste to ensure that both blogs are the same. We'll see which I prefer. :) Two of my sisters and my neice have blogs and it seems like a good way to keep family and friends up to date on what's going on.

This blog is only intended for those I send the link to - so please don't forward to anybody else.