sagicaprio's Xanga

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:22:48 GMT

Wanted- Bloody, Trashy but Brilliant

It is quite a coincidence that one of my good friends from Thailand just mentioned about this movie in the morning and another good friend here asked me to watch it in the evening.

Wanted is based on the comic book miniseries Wanted by Mark Milar. The main character shares similarity to the movie Matrix. An ordinary white-collar guy who lacks a passion in life and always get pushed around by people around him but one day, the situation forces him to stand up, discover his ability and take control his own life and destiny.

Two hours of watching Wanted, my adrenaline level must have hit the roof. Even though the first twenty minutes is a little too slow because the movie tries (too hard) to portray how messed up of Wesley Gibson’s life is before he becomes a killing machine, the rest of all is just stunting. The special effects are so superb that there are many times I am just in awe and sometimes I have to say “eww” aloud particularly the killing scenes, it’s just too real. My favorite scene is when Fox (Angelina Jolie) curves a bullet to kill the entire circle of assassins, including herself. I just love Angie, she is so hot!

Shooting scenes in Wanted reminds me of the Hong Kong movies in 90s when a man in rage ran through hundreds of villains with a never-run-out-of-bullet gun and finally killed them all. The car chasing scenes look like the movie Fast and Furious but Wanted has far more stunting special effect.

From what I know, the story in the movie is quite different from the original comic books and I think that what makes it brilliant. My favorite part of this movie is its raw humor especially at the end when Wesley says to the audience, “This is me taking back control of my life. What the fuck have you done lately?”

Everyone in the theater just laughs and applauds.

Tae Athi

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:25:43 GMT

Dinged By A G-String?

After reading this latest lawsuit against Victoria’s Secret, I laughed my butt off. 52 year old woman with a low rise v-string thong? How much of the probability of that little metallic piece happened to fly right to her cornea and “to affect her the rest of her life”!!

So no more thong lady or just pick a plain one, no decorative metallic piece on that little thing. Next time it might hit something else.

Dinged By A G-String?

Woman, 52, sues Victoria's Secret, claims injury from defective thong

JUNE 17--As she was attempting to put on a Victoria's Secret thong, a Los Angeles woman claims that a decorative metallic piece flew off the garment and struck her in the eye, causing injuries and a new product liability lawsuit against the underwear giant. Macrida Patterson, 52, alleges that she was hurt last May by a defective "low-rise v-string" from the Victoria's Secret "Sexy Little Thing" line, according to a lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court. A copy of her June 9 complaint, which does not specify monetary damages, can be found below. Patterson's lawyer, Jason Buccat, told TSG that a "design problem" caused the decorative piece to come loose and strike Patterson in the eye, causing damage to her cornea. He added that the eye injury, which caused Patterson to miss a few days of work, will be "affecting her the rest of her life." Patterson is a traffic officer with L.A.'s Department of Transportation. Prior to the lawsuit's filing, Victoria's Secret officials asked to examine the garment and the decorative piece, but that request was rejected by Patterson's counsel. For those unfamiliar with "v-strings," the undergarment is the Victoria's Secret variant on the "g-string," which has long been favored in the battle against visible panty lines.

From http://www.thesmokinggun.com

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:31:28 GMT

A Night with Bill Clinton : The Mind that Move the World

Thanks to my dear friend, Oates, I had an opportunity to listen to Bill Clinton’s speech last night at the Radio City Music Hall. The event was a part of the series called “The Mind that Move the World.”

It was so refreshing to listen to Bill Clinton talking about the global issues, environmental issues and some politics. His global initiatives to help fighting world poverty and diseases especially in Africa are very admirable.

He did not talk much about the past Democratic primary or criticize Obama, and I did not expect him to because it would be totally off the topic, plus he would jeopardize an opportunity if Hillary might be picked up as a running mate.

The Q&A section was pretty awful. The moderator did not appear prepared and follow up the questions. At the end, I think, the moderator tried to fire up the audiences by asking Bill Clinton to give advices to George W. Bush what to do after he departs the White House. Bill Clinton was gracious enough not to criticize Bush. When asked about Bush’s legacy, Clinton said Bush’s (good) legacy would be his generosity to give more money to help fighting AIDS (after his holy base, Evangelical churches, had changed their stand on AIDS issue) and Malaria. But of course, Bill Clinton did not mention about Bush’s awful legacy that would be from huge deficit, tax cut for the wealthy to the Iraq war disaster.

Watching news today, I think another Bush’s legacy should be his relentlessness to open ANWAR (the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) in Alaska for oil exploration. He has pushed the Congress to give a green light to his friends in the oil business since the first year of his presidency. His argument was to lower gasoline prices but the fact is he wanted to drill Alaska since the crude oil price was still below $40 per barrel.

It seems to me Bush has no other idea to solve the energy crisis besides drilling more oil. What about the alternative energy sources? Or the energy efficiency?

Having listened to both Clinton and Bush, the former’s mind can certainly move the world while the latter cannot even move pass his Texas ranch.

Tae Athi

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:45:00 GMT

When Changes Prevail Establishment

Watching Hillary Clinton gave the speech last night, I was a little disappointed but very proud of her.

I was a little, just a little, disappointed because I wish she had conceded last night. The race is over and she needs not to ask her supporters what to do next. Instead she should have graciously moved on, endorsed Obama and united the party.

But I am very proud of her effort, toughness and courage. Other people might have dropped out of the race a long time ago but she keeps fighting until the end. In fact, she has done an excellent job and has made a history of being the first viable female to win the Democratic Party’s Presidential nominee. Her commitment to her life mission of providing the universal healthcare to every American and lifting the lives of millions of poor children are so admirable and inspiring. I believe she is very sincere to her causes and would make it happen if she won the White House like she has been doing it for her entire political life. Unfortunately, people have chosen changes but not experience (which is equal to the establishment). I guess people have been so fed up with the old politics with a lot of partisan bitterness and empty promises from the politicians. There is no hope and inspiration but Barrack Obama’s charisma seems to fill that void.

By watching Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton among the audiences last night; I think they are very proud of her as well.

I absolutely agreed with Obama when he graciously praised Hillary Clinton during his speech in St.Paul, Minnesota last night, “ And you can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country — and we will win that fight — she will be central to that victory. When we transform our energy policy and lift our children out of poverty, it will be because she worked to help make it happen. Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton.”

After both great candidates finished the speech, I was thrilled and I am very happy to see this great battle over with grace and hope. Who would have predicted that just only forty years since the Civil Right movement, this country has come this far to have a black man and a woman ran against each other to be the Presidential nominee?

Tae Athi

Monday, June 02, 2008

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:01:48 GMT

The Amazement of Brain

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist, a PhD from Harvard. She gave an amazing and inspiring speech at Ted’s Talk about her massive stroke experience that almost killed her in 1996. I am always intrigued in the function of brain and how it plays the most important role in our daily life, how we perceive things as an individual and even a collective perception of the whole humanity. Listening to her, it amazes me how brain, in fact, control both our life physical functionality and consciousness. It also reminds me of the essence of the Buddha’s Teachings that indeed when we look deep into the molecular level, everything is empty and temporary. All the forms and egos are created from our brain and unawake consciousness. We are not our thoughts.

Not like I want to experience her massive stroke in order to have a glimpse of nirvana, but having listened to her interview with Oprah, on the bright side, she has survived and is sharing her amazing story about her life after massive stroke and how she has to start over to learn to speak, read and survive again. The best news is she has gained spiritual awareness.

Sometimes we need a huge earthquake in our life to wake us up from dreams and illusions.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Thu, 29 May 2008 23:19:15 GMT

Movie Inspired Tour in Kimji Land (Part I- To Nami- Winter Love Song)

My intention for my trip to Thailand this time is to take my mom for vacation in Shanghai, China but she told me she wanted to visit Korea.

“I saw from the Korean movies, it’s very beautiful”, my mom said.

For the past years, Korean pop cultures have heavily influenced the Thai culture through their movies and music. Everywhere I turn, I see the Korean movies and pop stars. Inevitably, Korea has become one of the top destinations among Thai people.

Korea has never been in my list of the countries I want to visit but since my mom wants to go so what can I say?

Initially, we have just three people, me, my mom and my sister, in the group but when my aunts and my sister’s friends heard we are going to Korea, everyone wants to go as well. Since it becomes a big group so we have to pick the time that everyone can take days off from work, and that means the Thai New Year. I think it’s a bad idea to travel at that time because there will be tons of people everywhere and the price is jagged up around 20 percent more. But again what can I say?

As expected, there are tons of people waiting in the airport terminal. There are around 35 people in our tour group, it takes us almost three hours to check our luggage and the flight is two hours late. The only good thing is our seats (my mom and I) are upgraded to the business class but I give it to my aunt and instead I sit by myself. I have to say the Korean Air’s seats are so uncomfortable and small. I wonder what people who are bigger than me would do if they have to travel by this airline. I think I am not that picky about food but the omelet they serve is the worst omelet I have ever had. Fortunately, one of my best friends drove all the way to my house just to drop me a book about Korea called “Two Shadows in Korea” before I left so I have something to read. The story is about a Thai guy who was traveling in Korea by himself and happened to run to a Thai girl who also traveling by herself, and the situation gave them an opportunity to get closer. Even though they had to say goodbye at the end, they left the unforgettable footprints in each other’s life.

We arrive at Inchon International Airport around 9.30 am the next day. The whole day plan is messed up by the delay. We are supposed to be at Nami Island in the morning and to Chang In Lake and hot spring in the evening. It turns out, almost the whole day we stay on the road because of the accident on the way to Nami Island. Since it is already 2.30 pm, our guides decide to take us to lunch first. The lunch is called Stir Fried BBQ Chicken with Korean sauce. They have half-finished stir fried chicken and some vegetable on the pan, what we have to do is to put the sauce and rice in there and mix them together. I heard this menu is also in the Korean hit TV series named “Taccabi.” Oh well, I have to say the food pretty sucks. I think they should find a better restaurant.

After late lunch, it takes another one and half hour to Nami Island which is named after the 15^th century General Nami whose body is buried here. Nami Island is well-known for Thai people as a location where the super romantic movie named “Winter Love Song” was filmed.
Since we arrive here really late so we have just one hour to explore the whole island, as a result, we do not even have time to go one fourth of the Island. So for what I can see, Nami Island is like a natural park for family to picnic and lovers to propose. I can imagine how romantic it would be when not too many people there like today. I wish I had more time to explore or bike around.

On the way back to the main land, the line of tourists waiting for the ferry might have stretched more than half a mile and it takes us 30 minutes to take the ferry back.

Then another long ride begins.

Since I have spent most of my day on the bus, I have seen at least two Korean movies. Even though I think Korean movies are very cheesy, I have to say I am hooked with a movie called “200 pounds Beauty”. It is about a very fat Korean girl who has such a beautiful voice but instead of pursuing her dream of being a singer herself, she has to lend her voice behind the scene to a beautiful singer who does not know how to sing. Plus she has a big crush on her handsome manager. So one day she decides to have an extreme makeover and, magically, the surgery totally changes her from the obese girl to a super model and it changes her life ever since. I guess what I really like about this movie is the songs they use in the movie like Stand by Me, Miss You Much by Janet Jackson and the song that really gets me hooked is Maria in Korean language. With the movie scene of the main actress is singing this song, I am thrilled with her voice and performance. Thanks to YouTube, I cannot stop listening to this song ever since.

We stop at a restaurant for dinner but to find out that the restaurant is full and we are forced to move to another restaurant next door which is totally empty. It’s fine, I guess at least our Korean traditional dinner called “Posod Shabu” (it’s like a regular Shabu Shabu) is not that bad.

Our group checks in at Shanbo Chosun hotel around 10 pm. The hotel is not that bad but too bad the hot spring in the hotel is closed, if not I would have relaxed there. I am so exhausted, after taking a shower I fall to sleep right away.

Tae Athi

Watch my favorite Maria in Korean here

Friday, May 09, 2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:08:45 GMT

Ordinary People

Watching short documentary about a Thai female worker’s life, I am saddened by the current situation of ordinary Thai people. The show followed her life from the time she woke up, commuted to work, worked and went back home. Her wage (minimum wage) was 211 Baht but at the end of the day, she spent 212 Baht although she chose the cheapest mode of transportation and meal. The only way she could afford some basic needs (let alone her son’s education) was to work over-time. She said she had never dreamt of saving, just to get by day by day, she was happy.

But I am not!

Travel into the city every day, I spend, just for the commuting cost, more than 100 Baht. More and more every day, I wonder how people here can afford to live and survive.

Back on May 1^st, Thai workers were asking the government to increase their minimum wage, roughly 2-3%, but it was turned down. Of course the government does not care about the poor although they receive votes from them, but they are more concerned about the rich who give them money because at the end of the day, they can use that money to buy back those poor voters anyway.

The government easily gave in to the demand from the sugar manufacturers and the rice producers to increase price because of the skyrocketing oil price. But they did not give the green light to the workers to increase their minimum wage as if the oil price did not affect the ordinary people and as if the poor were invisible in this society. Unfortunately, the labor movement has long died down, here or all around the world. Watching another piece of news from BBC about the widening gap between the rich and the poor and how the poor find it hard to afford to live in Germany, it makes me wonder if the people who live in this leaning welfare state cannot survive, how can the people who live in this poor country can?

Ordinary people around the world are being attacked from all sides. They are suffering from the high cost of living while their wage has been stagnant for years. They are being attacking by consumerism which is creating fake needs through advertising. Some people cannot afford a cell phone but they buy iPhone and some people do not need a car but they buy it anyway.

Observing all of these situations, I wonder how long this current unjust social structure can carry the world community or how long the poor can absorb all the burdens that the rich give to them before the whole system crumbles. I guess it is the same question that how long our Mother Nature can bare all the toxins that the human beings have thrown at her before she will fight back.

Every time when I see these ordinary people struggling so hard to get by each day, I think about the life of the next generation.

It is very scary.

Tae Athi

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:48:31 GMT

Food Crisis and the Opportunity

Been in Thailand for three weeks, besides the news of the skyrocketing oil price, food crisis seems to dominate the news here. From the local news to CNN, everyone seems to worry about the current food price crisis. More than 40 countries have stopped exporting rice to make sure they will have enough food to feed their own people. The price of rice here is increasing as well and a lot of people are complaining the government that they should stop exporting rice or at least reduce the amount of the export in order to make sure we will have enough rice to feed our people or to keep the price stable. But some people believe the high price of rice will make Thai farmers’ life better which I really doubt if it turns out to be true. I do not really think that the ordinary farmers will gain the benefit from this crisis as much as the middle men or the manufacturers.

Come to think about it we are entering the dangerous world, we are facing both the high price of oil and food. Riots are happening in several countries particularly in Africa because people just cannot afford food anymore. Several reasons cause the recent food crisis but the skyrocketing oil price plays a big role. When the oil price increases, the cost of everything increases including food. Plus the high oil price motivates a lot of farmers to grow corns, which is the main ingredient to produce ethanol, instead of growing the key food like rice or potato. As a result, while the demand for food has increased, the supply goes south.

Why oil price is so high nowadays? Traditional theory to explain this phenomenon is the economic explosion of both China and India that drives the thrust for oil to the roof. It indeed plays a major part of this problem but a big part of it is also from those speculators and hedge funds which help fanning the fire. And of course here it is OPEC. World Bank, a tool of the rich countries to control the poor ones, urges the farmers from developing countries not to switch from growing food to oil substitute plants and urge those countries not to stop exporting food. But World Bank does not urge the OPEC countries to produce more oil, the big oil companies to reduce price or the speculators to go easy on the oil demand in order to curb the price and hit at the heart of the problems.

I think the developing countries should turn this crisis to be an opportunity. If the rich oil countries can form one of the most powerful gangs on the planet to control the precious black gold, the developing countries like Thailand, Vietnam, India or Brazil should be able to form their own group to control the demand and supply of food especially rice.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:33:42 GMT

NAFTA and Pennsylvania Primary

Since Pennsylvania has a big portion of blue collar workers who have been suffered from any economic agreement especially NAFTA, both Clinton and Obama have promised to amend the deal if they are elected president.

Although the Democratic Congress has successfully blocked the trade deal between the United States and Columbia, I really doubt if they can (or are willing to) reverse this world’s largest trading bloc which is running around $930 billion last year.

I think any blue collar workers who believe any candidate would do anything about NAFTA if elected president are kidding themselves. Washington has been under the big corporations’ control. All those powerful commerce groups will be able to put a lot of pressure on both sides of Congress not to touch NAFTA. The Democrat base particularly those labor unions are getting smaller and much less powerful.

Instead of worrying about the job the American have already lost, both candidates should talk about how they are going to create more jobs, how to protect the workers’ right and when they are going to raise the minimum wage like their party has promised to American people two years ago.

Tae Athi

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:14:53 GMT

Real Mid Life Crisis?

According to “Is Well-Being U-Shaped Over the Life Cycle?” mentioned in the Atlantic this month, according to a recent study of 500,000 Americans and Europeans, the researchers consistently found a “turning point” in midlife: happiness falls as we progress from youth into middle age, bottoms out in our 40s, and then rises again into the golden years. The authors estimate that American men are least happy at age 49, and American women at age 45. The decrease in happiness between ages 20 and 45 equals about one-third of the drop a person would report after losing a job. A range of theories may explain this “U-shaped curve.” Perhaps older people can better count their blessings, or maybe they know themselves better in maturity and can “adapt to their strengths and weaknesses” without getting carried away by the dreams of youth. The data suggest that rather than buying a Harley to shake the midlife blues, 40-somethings might head to Europe: while Americans have grown grimmer over the past century, Europeans report feeling happier and happier.

Besides those explanations, I would say the golden age years happen when their kids have finished the college, the house mortgage is paid, they see their own mortality and become more spiritual.

Tae