Vehicular Envy

After attending a car show in town, I was sure to find a 1965 Dodge Dart, my absolute dream car. But out of 1001 cars (literally, there were that many), I only came upon a 1969 Dart. Wrong year and model. *sigh* I also came upon several 1969 Dodge Chargers, another hot car which I can totally appreciate as much as the Dart.

But while strolling down the streets in the midst of roaring engines and fresh diesel air, I came upon several models of the Chevrolet line that I just couldn't take my eyes away from--Novas, El Caminos, Camaros, and Chevelles. For the first half my life, Dodge has dominated my childhood, so I never appreciated any other automobile (until I started driving a Toyota). After that car show, I have to say that my automotive aesthetics have jumped a level now that I have seen what Chevys have to offer: I'm loving the 1969 Nova.

One day... one day I will have a muscle car of my dreams sitting in a garage of a house of my dreams... in San Diego.

My Inner Mrs. Smith

I have a fascination with weaponry--knives especially. But tonight, a friend invited me to go to a shooting range.

He had two guns: a 9mm and a 45mm. I liked the 9mm, and this was my best shot:

The Stripper In Me

Yesterday afternoon, a student came to ask for help on the research assignment I had given. We had a half-hour conversation to discuss her ideas and how to organize them when, all of a sudden, my cell phone blared its ring tone while receiving a call. As the phone sang to Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me," my student's eyes widened and she began to laugh.

"What?" I asked.

"You like that song?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"That's a stripper song--" she began. My jaw dropped, but she quickly recovered: "No, I like that song, too!"

"Stripper song?" I gasped with shock. "Nuh-uh. What do you mean a stripper song?"

"I watched them on VH-1, and they said that they wrote that song for strippers. It's their 'stripper anthem.' Seriously! That's what they said."

"I wasn't thinking of strippers when I downloaded this song. I just like the song; it's good rock music."

"I know," she said defensively with a laugh. "I mean, I like it too."

"I was twelve when I discovered their music. The last thing on my mind at twelve years old would be strippers."

"Come on... You're an English teacher. Didn't you read the lyrics?" She proceeds to sing a few words to ruin my innocent interpretation of the song: "Do you take sugar? One lump or two?"

"Stop!" I cover my ears. "A stripper song?" I said with disappointment, and then sighed. "My gosh... how many of my friends--especially guys--have heard this song ringing from my phone and probably thinking I'm a kinky girl? Damn it."

I changed the ring tone already.

Chicken or the Egg?

I'm a season behind, but it's nice to see David Duchovny back in witty form. I'm wondering if this show is good for him, given that he's going into rehab for sex addiction.

Sad Revitalization

I find it disappointing and almost pitiful that most musicians and actors I admired or liked in the '80s are now fodder for the reality shows that plague television. What is the point: our nostalgia for our past, or our eagerness to see our idols fall?

"300"

I saw a sneak preview of "300" this evening. I loved it! I have never seen gore, blood, and violence so beautifully done. I'm not into the whole CG thing, but this film was quite an aesthetic experience.

In comparison with the graphic novel, and the movie does take quite a few liberties with character development, especially with the queen. But it's not the characters that glared so much differently as much as the context. When I read the graphic novel, the whole reason for the war was to protect Sparta from an invasion. While watching the film, I couldn't help but notice that the theme of fighting for liberty was so prominent; it was like war propaganda for Bush. The original comic was published in 1998--well before 9/11 and the Coalition. But to see the story in this time's context, it has a whole different meaning.

But that's the English teacher in me critiquing and analyzing things. The comic geek in me is just so pleased that 98% of the film did not stray from the original comic, and of course, beautiful gore.

New Toy

Reliving My Fanaticism

Early Christmas present to myself.

I bought three DVDs.

Hey, if I'm going to spoil myself, I'm going all out.

Typical Hollywood

When my comic-reading friends would gripe and groan about Hollywood making film versions of beloved graphic novels, I never really understood their "pain," so to speak. My friends would get into long discussions about the politics of comic writers and how their visions become misunderstood when Hollywood is at the helm.

I now share that pain.

My graphic novel: Priest.

A movie is in the works, expected to hit theaters in 2008.

It's a long way off, but I already read a plot summary, courtesy of Internet Movie Database: "A priest disobeys church law to track down the vampires who kidnapped his niece. " First of all, Ivan Isaacs, the title character, was adopted when he was a child. He has no niece.

I shudder to think about this movie. Just the plotline already tells me that I will not be satisfied. There are no vampires in the graphic novel. The comic is about a renegade priest who is possessed and bent on revenge. The story is chockful of Biblical references, good versus evil, fallen angels, heaven and hell, God, forbidden love; not to mention it's total blasphemy to all Christians.

In 2008, I don't want to see a remake of John Carpenter's "Vampires", nor do I want to see a movie that is full of CGI, regardless of how well it will be done. I want a movie that has the same elements of the graphic novel.

I want religious blasphemy, horror, and unattainable tortured love. I want the priest who sins, and a devil who dares to do good. I want beautiful angels who commit murder and savages who salvage humanity.

And not that looks matter, but I want someone else to be Ivan Isaacs. As much as I like Gerard Butler, I think he's too mature and too hunky to play a man of the cloth. Ivan was a young man who became a fighter against his will. He wouldn't have had time to work out and be hunky.

Damn you, Hollywood!

"Wonderfalls" DVD Set

I saw one episode of this quirky show back in 2004 and I was hooked. Unfortunately, it was cancelled after the fourth episode. I bought the DVD set a month ago, and finally had time to watch all of it. I love it!

Next DVD set to watch: AEon Flux (the animated episodes)

YouTube.com

My sister and I were clicking links one evening and found this cute and humorous video:

OK Go's "A Million Ways"

I cannot believe how many high school students actually imitate this video for airband and talent show competitions. I find it fascinating.

Musik Non Stop

The album is old, but it's about time I finally picked it for myself.

Love that J-Rock!

You have redeemed yourself, Gackt-san! I love this new album.

As soon as class was over, I went to the nearest Best Buy and bought Depeche Mode's new album. I had no expectations, but I really like the what I hear. My favorite songs so far are "Precious" and "John the Revelator." And of course, David's voice is so edgy-awesome.

Depeche Mode

In anticipation of their new album, Playing the Angel, I recently went on a Depeche Mode binge and bought four of their CDs: Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion, and Catching Up With Depeche Mode. I'm still waiting for Ultra to be delivered in the next two weeks. I'm reliving my youth as I listen to Violator, but Faith and Devotion is quickly growing on me again. (I can't believe I used to own these albums on tape!) I like David Gahan's voice... haunting rich baritone with a smooth melancholic vibrato.

I can hardly wait until Playing the Angel finally comes out!

Mmmm...

Originally, I didn't have plans to go and see Fantastic Four because I have my doubts, but hopefully, Mr. Fantastic

will make it all better...

Dear Gackt

This albums sucks! I have never been so disappointed as a fan. Please get back to your ROCK roots as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

A devoted fan of seven years

Street Fighter

I went to a Street Fighter video game party last night, hosted by a co-worker who is a fan of Chun Li. She actually owned one of those arcade-style video game machines. I never really played Street Fighter during the height of its popularity, so I didn't know any real combos for fighting. I thought I wouldn't last the first round, but I made it all the way to the finals. I used Chun Li and got bitch-slapped by the host.

I Used To Have a Crush On Him In the 80's

I don't know why James Spader has always been typecast to play smarmy perverted characters, but he does it so well in Boston Legal.

If Only...

There has to be a DVD set of "The Young Riders." There's just gotta be!