Day 109

I think I saw Masi Oka, star of Heroes, while I was stopped at an intersection in Culver City. Assuming it actually was him, you'll be disappointed to know that he was driving a Scion tC, not a Nissan Versa...

Day 108

Exiting the 10 Freeway this morning, I drove past a rather nice looking boat parked on the street with a clever name emblazoned on the stern: Knot for Sail. Right above the bold moniker: a "for sale" sign.




I've decided to start a new list of observations that I'll call Things That Make Me Say, "I Don't Get It." Be forewarned, there are probably a great many things that I don't get... That having been said, onward we go.

Things That Make Me Say, "I Don't Get It" #1: People who wear their Bluetooth headsets in their ears despite the fact that they are not talking on the phone. It can't possibly be comfortable, it's not a very good fashion statement, and you certainly don't intend on answering your phone in the middle of your meeting, do you? Hands-Free Driving by July 1st may be the law, but truth be told, right now you look rather foolish. I don't get it.

Day 107

Apparently The Jackie Chan Strategy for Increased Blog Viewership is not working so well...

I am unbelievably bored right now. So bored that I can't even think if anything interesting to write about. Nope. Just bored.


Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooored.



Wouldn't it be cool if Jackie Chan himself was so bored that he Googled himself to find out what people are saying about him and came across my blog? And wouldn't it be cooler if he left a comment? I would bronze my computer if that happened. Of course, that would make it difficult to continue blogging, and therefore impossible to get more visits and comments from Jackie Chan.

Indirectly relating to Jackie Chan and moreso related to his Kung Fu Panda co-star Ian McShane, I've noticed that several cast members of Deadwood have had guest appearances on Lost. Thus far, having seen only the first 2.5 seasons of Lost, Robin Weigart (Calamity Jane), Paula Malcolmson (Trixie), and Kim Dickens (Joanie Stubbs) have played reoccuring characters. And I for one think that MC Gainey (Tom on Lost) should have had a role on Deadwood -- he seems perfect for western roles. I'm just waiting for Al Swearengen himself to show up on the island...

Day 100!

Whoever says that higher gasoline prices are resulting in fewer cars on the road is obviously not driving on the 10 Freeway.

Day 97

Look! A real Jackie Chan post!

I took my parents to see Kung Fu Panda yesterday as a ... um ... Father's Day activity... True, it was my mother who expressed the desire to see the movie, not my father, but I'm glad he came along because I think he enjoyed the movie more than my mother did (and that's a compliment to the movie, seeing as my mother really enjoyed it, too). My one word opinion of the movie: Awesomeness!

The animation was great, the story was fun, and the voice casting was very well done. I especially enjoyed the opening dream sequence, when Jackie Chan's character, Master Monkey, says to Po, "We should hang out." Good stuff. I really appreciated the way they honored Chinese heritage, used the Chinese language, and made different references to Chinese cultural symbols. My favorite moment, though, came not during the film, but during the credits, when my parents saw that Jackie Chan voiced Master Monkey, and they both exclaimed, "Jackie Chan?!?" That was precious.

We stayed and watched all of the end credits, which I don't recall my parents ever doing before -- that's how I know they really enjoyed the film, as well as the artwork shown during the credits. ... that and hearing my father laughing thoughout the movie ... An all around good time and hopefully a very happy Father's Day for him.

For all of you out there who have not yet seen Kung Fu Panda, go see it! Take your kids, take your parents, take your significant other (I plan on doing just that when I see it again). Also, stay and watch all of the credits -- the artwork is good and there is a short animated sequence after the credits are finished. And be adequately prepared for awesomeness.

Day 90

Indy 4: Not as good as Indy's 1-3, but pretty fun to watch in its own right. Best scene came late in the movie, when Indy, realizing impending doom says, "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Yes, I realize my judgement thus veritably screams that I'm a nerd, but if you actually understand why I think this was the best scene in the movie, you're just as much of a nerd as I am... ;P



Obligatory Jackie Chan/Jet Li Mention: I did not see Kung Fu Panda this weekend, although I do intend to at some point. I mean, it's a fat animal doing kung fu, with Jackie Chan voicing a supporting character -- what's not to like? Ooh, and Ian McShane is voicing the villain. At the risk of corrupting the children in the audience (face it -- that should be the whole audience, seeing that this was a movie made expressly for children), I hope Ian McShane's character calls the fat panda a c********r at some point in the film.

I can already hear you getting you torches and pitchforks out for my saying so...

Day 87

In keeping with my goal to mention Jackie Chan more frequently in my blogging activities, today you shall be treated to a Jackie-themed entry!




Wait for it...




Waaaaaaait for iiiit...



Yesterday I discovered, to my unparalleled amusement, that the aforementioned Mr. Chan owns a chain of Segway Scooter dealerships in Hong Kong. He is also promoting Segway usage in Mainland China as a fuel-efficient alternative to conventional motorcars. Remember the images of metropolitan China from years ago, bicycles flooding the streets? Now imagine those masses on Segway Scooters!

As goofy as I think these contraptions look, if Jackie Chan tried to sell me one, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I hope he rides one in his next movie...

Day 86

As I was walking to the store the other day to get lunch, I glanced up and saw a plane writing a smoke message in the sky. Now I should preface by stating that we Angelenos are not surprised by much, seeing as we live in a city that inhabits the entire spectrum of race, gender, status, worldview and economics – and media incessantly assaults every part of these spectrums somewhat equally. Still, writing messages in the (sometimes) (OK, rarely) clear blue is not common, so I continued to watch the earnest pilot as letters trailed after him/her/it (...like I said, I live in L.A. ...):

“Welcome Home.”

Unsure as to whether or not this message was meant for anyone in particular or simply an ad for new real estate, I looked away to continue my lunch transaction. When I exited the store, I noticed that there were two names written at the end of the message, but the smoke had already dissipated such that I could not clearly read who the message’s recipients were. Perhaps they are soldiers just home from Iraq? Maybe children returning from college? Either way, I thought that it was a sweet thing for the message commissioner to do – a kind gesture made more poignant by the pilot’s futile efforts to quickly etch that last “M – E” in the sky before the first “W” dissolved completely. I imagined proud parents at a backyard party hugging their child, pointing at the heavens and saying to them, “Look what we did for you.” Enough to make the most cynical person smile.

Yesterday while walking to lunch, I noticed another plane flying lower in the sky, this one towing a banner with the same message I saw the day before. The words were much more legible on the banner, thus I clearly read the names of those being welcomed home and realized that it was an advertisement for a reality TV show…

Go ahead, be as cynical as you please.