Spring Cleaning

Well my weight loss is not going as well as I would have hoped by this time. I can’t seem to get below 167lbs. I know that I’m hitting the harder part of this diet, and I’m going to have to eat a lot less at dinner, and that is going to be difficult for me, I have become very accustom to big dinners.  So this week will be the start of my new dinner plan.

On to other life news, this weekend we spent the day’s spring cleaning, and moving stuff into the basement, from upstairs, so that the carpet can be changed. I hate spring cleaning, but it will give me the opportunity to re-design my office. So next weekend, after the carpet is done, I’m going to look at some new stuff for the office, and re-wire the house.

Technorati tags: weight loss, diet, spring cleaning

Idol

OK, I now know why Bush won his second term in office, ok, I’m being a little tongue and cheek, but if you saw last night’s American Idol you will know where I’m coming from. Yes I’m one of those people that watch American Idol, I love to see the bad signers with the good, and there is always something to complain about. Well this year it is Sanjaya, and how he should not be there. And now Simon said that he will quit the show if Sanjaya wins. Well Simon you were one of 3 people that let him though, so stop crying. But he is one of the poorest signers to make it through to the final 12.

Well, watching Idle got me thinking about all the good singers out there, and so I began to try and find some of their best performance, on YouTube. Then it hit me; Super Bowl; American Anthem. When that song is sung well, it can send chills up your spine (Don't get me wrong, I still love our Canadian Anthem, however, it's a big deal to perform the US one, so they go all out). Tell me who you think is the best:

Whitney Houston - Star Spangled Banner(I love this one)

Dixie Chicks National anthem (this one was so good)

Beyonce superbowl 2004 (this one good, I think too)

Marvin Gaye sings American National Anthem

Destines Child National Anthem

Kelly Clakrson - American Anthem

Clay Aiken - Star Spangled Banner - National Anthem

Kellie Pickler sings the National Anthem

Elliott Yamin - National Anthem NBA Finals Game 2

Ayla Brown - American Idol sings National Anthem

And the best for last Rosanne Barr Star Spangled Banner

If you find others; others that you think are better tell me, I want to see them.

Technorati tags: YouTube, National Anthem, American National Anthem, American Idol, Sanjaya, Bush

The Blue Screen of Death is Back!!!

OMG Windows Vista really sucks!!! I now hate it, and I’m the real windows lover. I was under the impression that Vista was the OS for games, and if you want to play games, you can move from XP to Vista with little worry. Well that is far from true, only new games work well with Vista. But it’s not just older games that have problems with vista, it’s just that vista sucks! Last night I was browsing the web, using tab browsing; looking at some YouTube videos; downloading some podcasts, and that was all. Doing all of this made my computer come to a halt. I could not believe that those tasks would kill this laptop, now I don’t have the best computer, but it’s not that bad.

I have a 2.13GHz Processor, and I know that is slow for today, but, Vista said it was good to go with that. oh well.

Now today I was trying to run Lineage II, and it was not working, so I tried to run the game as administrator, then it happened, THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!! Well that is what I get for jumping into Vista.

Ok I’m going to wipe my computer and install Vista clean, and see if run into the same problems. If that does not work, I will go back to XP, and really start to look at getting a Mac, and I’m one of the few people that don’t like apple (long story, tell you about it some other time).

Technorati tags: Windows Vista, Vista, Blue Screen of Death, Apple Computers, Mac, games for vista, games for windows, computer crash, windows xp, xp, dell xps

Getting Back into the Gaming

A good time has passed since the last time I have played a good video game, a game that I just could not stop playing. I would have to say that the last game that I really had fun with was Def Jam: Fight for NY, I really loved playing that game.

Now I'm on the hunt for my next game. I just installed the demo for Supreme Commander; I was really looking forward to this game, it was going to be my next Starcraft (the best real time strategy game of all time ). Well to my surprise, my computer is not up to spec, and the game is really choppy, witch makes it not fun to play . I so disappointed, I was really looking forward to this one. Now I have to get a new computer; maybe I will ask for one for my birthday

Right now, I'm installing Lineage II, and I don't know how it is yet because it is taking forever to install. A friend of mine is playing it right now, and is loving it. I really don't know if I will like it, but I said I would give it a try (there is a free 14 day trial). I really don't like the idea of paying to play a game each month, however I did play both World of Warcraft, and EVE online, and I liked them both. The problem I found with those two games is that it took a lot of time to play, and I found them both repetitive. But I did stick with World of Warcraft a lot longer than EVE.

OK, the install is now done, talk to you later.

Technorati tags: video games, xBox, PC Games, online games

Facebook

I just have to say that I'm starting to really get into this FaceBook thing. I like blogging, but I'm starting to love FaceBook (don't know how long this will last). Yesterday a co-worker called me and asked me "What is this FaceBook thing? and why are people sending me request to sign up?" So I told her about it, and she said that she will look into it. Well today she told me that she is now addicted to it, and that she just found a family member that she has not seen in a few years.

Well have been on the site for 2 weeks now, and I have already did a look up of people in my email list that might have a facebook account, but inspired by my co-workers encounter, I decided that I will try it again and see if anything comes up. Well in those 2 weeks 8 people on my email list have made a new facebook account, and one of them was a cousin from Trinidad, that I have never seen in person. This facebook thing is growing so fast!

Also today, I had a good time in spinning class at the gym. The instructor said that it was the best he has seen me spin to date, I was really feeling good.

After work, went out for drinks and conversation with some friends, and got home a bit late. Most nights Dan would have just called me and headed off to bed, however tonight would have been better if I had gotten home earlier. Dan wants to change the carpet upstairs and maybe put in some hardwood as well, and tonight the guys that were going to do the work came by with the samples. Now I really didn't want to change the carpet this year, however Dan really wants to do it now, so now we are having the carpet changed. Blah. Oh well, I guess it will make the house look better.

Technorati tags: gym, carpet, facebook

What is this BMI Crap?!

BMI (Body mass index). Well, last week was not a good week for me and my weight loss program, I have been up and down with my weight all week. So then I went and did something really dumb, I looked up my BMI, at this site http://www.halls.md/body-mass-index/av.htm. Thinking that I have now lost 12 lbs, and at lest my BMI would say something good; No it said that I'm my BMI is 26.4, and that is OVERWEIGHT for my height and weight (STFU!!!). Sometime I feel that the weight loss thing is just not worth it, and I wish it was faster and easier, oh well, back to the Slim fast.

On that same page there is an "Ideal Weight calculator", it told me that I should be 158lbs, so that means just 10lbs to go. I hope this time I can keep the weight off.

Technorati tags: weight loss, diet

300

This was a good and full weekend, and I did not get too much sleep. I will talk about; how I lost my money in poker, and volleyball in a later post, right now I wanted to talk about the movie 300.

I was really looking forward to this faithful adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel, after seeing Sin City (which was not my favorite comic book movie; however it was fresh and new). Well 300, does not disappoint (at that level), the look of the film was amazing, and I was really dawn into the story, because of the look, and presentation.

And now for my complaints, and I have a few. First, I wish that this sorry was not a true story, in our history, which we know a little about; the Battle of Thermopylae. I did not know of this battle and I’m a bit upset that this distortion was my first look at this event in history. Now I understand that all movies that are based in fact are made to entertain, and not educate, but there was so much fantasy, it started to take away from my enjoyment of the film; I wished it was just a comic book story.

I also felt that film makers were worried about how this movie would be perceived, with all the men running around with little on, looking like a gay man wet dream, so they put in a few gay bashing comments. Also the made Xerxes (The Persian ruler) an androgynous 8 foot tall monster (We know that in history that he was evil, or at least tyrant). But it just did not stop with that, the film almost looked like it was making the point, if you are different; deformed; perceived ugly, that you are evil.

I loved the look of the film, and how it turned chopping off heads and limbs into art, but I can’t get passed how it portrayed the Persians as evil monster; and how it rewrites the past. I don’t think that we should take history, and twist it like this. I would ask people to read up on the Battle of Thermopylae, and the events before and after, then see the movie, as mindless entertainment. I know that most people will disagree with me, and most people will love this move, and say that it's comic book, get over it.

4.5/10 Looks really good, but I can't recommend it.

Hmm.... I don't see myself as James T. Kirk

James T. Kirk

An impassioned commander with more respect for individuals than for authority, you have a no-holds-barred approach to life and its obstacles.

I don't believe in the no-win scenario.

James is a character in the Star Trek universe. STARTREK.COM has his Starfleet record.

Which Fantasy/SciFi Character Are You?

To take the test, select an answer for each of the questions below, then click Score Results. There are no right or wrong answers, merely virtues and traits you most adhere to. You will then be matched with the fantasy or science fiction character that you have the most in common with.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Well I finally sat down and watched this movie, and it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, this was not a good film, however I did not hate it. I think it was ok for what it was. This was a good looking film, with a really bad story. Also, I feel that if I knew more about the Tokyo street racing scene, that I would really hate this movie. I would say this was better then the second one at least. This is one of those films that if you don't say that it is crap, then you must be stupid, well I just can't fall in line with that line of thinking ( it does not belong in this list ).

5.5/10 Not good, but not horrible. You can skip this one if you want.

Tokyo Drift Reviews

Technorati tags: movie review

Breach

Back to the theaters, to see a movie with some friends; the company was good the movie was just ok. The first thing I would say about this movie is that you don't need to see this film at the theaters, it was not that good. The Acting was good, the story was interesting, and it was told in a very realistic format, and I'm afraid that its realism was the problem for me. I found myself boarded, or just not taken in by the story; however I can't say what they could have done better. One main problem was that they told you the end, at the beginning, and that works with some movies, however with this one (for me anyways) it's took way the punch line. OK I did not love the film, however, most people did; take a look at reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

5/10 hmm.... I don't really know, good, but not good.

Dinner afterward was fun.

Kinky Boots

Ok, when did drag queen stories become old and tiered? This movie seemed to do all the same things that most movies before it did; the outcast in the strait world trying it fit in, ho hum..... Then the outcast makes people like him, bla bla bla......

Well this one was just a little better than that. Writing and acting make all the difference, and you can see that in this film. I did not see anything outstanding or new, it was just a nice story that was presented well. Ok the ending was a bit over the top, but it fit I guess (you will have to see it, to find out what I'm talking about).

6.5/10 Not a must see but ok for what it was.

Technorati tags: movies reviews

Toronto Snow Storm 2007

OMG, what a day, things were going so well too. Well not that well, but good enough. The morning went by (still working on a programming problem but hope to get it fixed soon), then at 1pm I went to the gym with some co-workers for a quick workout, and got back just in time for the snow storm to hit. I was not thinking to much about the weather, not yet anyway's, however people in the office were all gathering around the windows. Then Dan called me, tell me I should head home, and right after that my mother called saying the same thing. Then the Office sent out an email saying that we should all leave, the weather was looking really bad. Now I did not want to go, I wanted to play volleyball tonight, but I decided to heed people’s warnings and head out. 

Well I was so wrong; I should have stayed at work. I left around 3:30pm and thought I would get home around 4:45pm. On a good day it takes me about 20 to 30 minutes to get home, and on a bad day, 45 minutes. Well today it took me 3 hours! Yes 3 hours, and to top it all off, Toronto has been hit with worse weather.

My foot was starting to hurt; I needed to go to the bathroom, and traffic was not getting any better. I was thinking that I should get off the road, find a washroom, and get something to eat, but I stayed on the road (stupid move). Well I was going to pull into a gas station just to top off the tank, and find a washroom, but the gas prices are at 99.3¢/L that like $3.15/G

Well I did make it home without an accident, and Dan did the driveway for me, which was nice of him, but I missed my volleyball game. I should have stayed at work, oh well.

Here I go again, another Blog

Well I'm trying out another blog, VOX, and I'm liking this one. Hethos told me that this site, was made by the people that created LiveJournal, and I'm finding this kick at the can much better.

That is all I have to say for today, nothing new is happening; gym work home, and TV. Blah.

The Last 10lbs are Always the Hardest

I did not reach my goal of 169lbs last week, and I really don't know why. I thought I was doing all the right things; going to the gym, playing volleyball, eating the right foods, I just could not hit the 169 mark, Well at lest this morning I hit the 170.0lbs, so I was happy about that.

I'm Still playing around with FaceBook, and I'm finding that I'm really liking it. The only thing I don't like is that it's mostly designed for people that you meet off the net, and it's not good for talking to people that may have the same interest as you on the net, but you have not seen in person. So I'm going to stick to all my other blogs, and use faceBook too.

I would like to thank Peter for correcting the errors on my last Blog entry, thanks again.

Technorati tags: diet, facebook, social networking

I have been Negligent in my Blogging Duties, (Poker and other things)

Well, I have not done too much in the last few days, and I have not had too much to talk about (not really, I'm just lazy).

Last Wednesday I saved someone's life, yes, I really saved someone's life. It happened in my early morning spinning (cycling) class. Class was just getting started, and we where all just getting warmed up. When the guy beside my bike tipped over without warning, and he fell into me. The only thing he was able to grab onto was me. I was startled, but I was glad I was there, if not he would have went right into another bike, and the floor. Well maybe saying that I saved someone's life might be over stating things, but it makes me feel good, heheheh Like a super hero.

Speaking of super heroes, I have been feeling like Black Lightning lately; no no more like Static Shock . The air is so dry in my house that I go around shocking everything I touch, it's starting to become annoying. and I'm afraid that I'm going to fry my Dell Notebook, or something.

Ok Now getting to the good and the bad of the weekend. Well it was mostly good; for me anyways, heheheh. Saturday Night was poker night, at Rods place, and I would say that we all had a good time. I was getting good hands most of the night, however most times people were getting better. Hethos was cleaning up all night, and she said that she sucks at poker, BLAH!!!. And when I got a hand with 4 of a kind, Rod goes and gets 5 of a kind. You would think that after all of that, things would start to go my way, well no....... legostargateman had to call the evil and hate game of "In-Between" (click the link if you don't know this game, that way you will know never to play this evil game! ). we were stuck on this one game for the next hour, and I lost so much money (oh, how I hate that game). But it was ok, by the end of the night (2am) I had won my money back, and walked away with an extra $15, not a bad night if I do say so my self.

Next poker night is at My place, looking forward to it.

Oh and one last note, someone at work has pointed me to another online social networking site FaceBook. I think that it is nice and clean, so I have set up a page.

Technorati tags: poker, static shock, gym, facebook, social networking

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer

This morning, I received an email from a friend telling me that her sister-in-law is fighting breast cancer, also, just last week, I found out that a co-worker is also fighting cancer. I also lost my aunt to breast cancer, so when I got this email from my friend asking for money, for a breast cancer walk, I was happy to give. I you feel that you can help, click here.

Thanks

Technorati tags: cancer, breast cancer

The Good, The Bad.... that's it

The Bad

Saw the movie, "Scary Move 4", god, it was so bad. Now I love to watch Anna Faris in any movie, and I really liked her in this movie, she was funny, as always. How ever I don't Have too much to say about it this movie. The first two movies were good, and funny, the third one was just ok, and this last one was just bad. Oh, and I also liked Regina Hall, she is also really funny in this movie, other then that, it just sucked.

4/10 I only gave it a 4 for for Anna Faris, and Regina Hall,

Today was not a good for my diet, I just could not stop eating. I'm really going to have too work hard this week, to lose the weight I put on today. My goal for the week is to get down to 169lbs.

The Good

Things started off really good, on Thursday we had a big win in volleyball. We were behind 14 to 24, we ended up winning 25/24; Keith and Sahar, both had 5 serves in a row, it was an amazing.

My weight was really starting to go down this week, I reached 171lbs, and I started to get some help on line; like from Peter (thanks again peter, for the document you sent me).

My favorite show just got good again; Naruto. We have had a year of crap, and now start the new story line, and it started off so good, I can't wait for next week episode. If you like Anime, and have not see Naruto, you should give it a try. I love how the show is now moving forward, kids are growing up and things are getting serious.

Technorati tags: naruto, anime, movies reviews, volleyball, diet, weight, weight loss

Brain Evolution (Were do I start, with Training my Brain?)

Today I'm bit discouraged and baffled. This year I'm trying to change a bunch of things in my life; it was my new year’s resolution, things like, losing weight; be more active; improve my English writing skills, stuff like that. One thing I'm starting to look into, is to improve my mind; my cognitive thinking, and memory, I finger that it will help me with my writing. Now that I'm looking into some ways to train my brain, I'm finding out, that people don't have too much respect for the concept of training your brain, however they have no problem with the idea of training/workout your body; I find the reaction strange. It's not that people are rude about it, it's just that their reactions or more a look of pity, or they give me that look, that says, (are out of your mind?). I'm going to try not to let that discourage me too much; I will just have to do the training with support.

I really don't know where to start with brain training, exercises. I the first thing I have found, and like to do, is play Spb Brain Evolution game, I found at Spb Software House (they make software for Pocket PC). I was disappointed with the score I got when I first started to play the games in Brain Evolution, but Now I can see that I'm getting better at it. And I love the fact that it's on my phone; I always have it with me and I can play the games any time I want.

I really wish that hypnosis was real, and it really worked, I think I would try it. Oh well I guess I have to do things the hard way.

Technorati tags: hypnosis, brain, mind exercises, pocket PC

Cool Fan Art

I love this fan art. If you know the Simpsons, and Sounth Park, and you like manga or anime, I think you will like the work as well. I would love to be this good.

Simpsons:

Source URL: http://www.spacecoyote.com/art/fanart.php

Source URL: http://www.spacecoyote.com/art/fanart.php

South Park:

Source URL: http://www.stallonezone.com/main/2007/01/brett-dexters-fan-art.html

Source URL: http://www.stallonezone.com/main/2007/01/brett-dexters-fan-art.html

Source URL: http://www.stallonezone.com/main/2007/01/brett-dexters-fan-art.html

Source URL: http://www.stallonezone.com/main/2007/01/brett-dexters-fan-art.html

Source URL: http://www.stallonezone.com/main/2007/01/brett-dexters-fan-art.html

Technorati tags: South Park, The Simpsons, fan art, Anime, manga, art

Mondays

So today I had to deal with Dell again, and I have to say that I happy with them. My power bar for my XPS notebook was starting to fall apart, and I needed a new one, and since I got the 3 year warranty for the notebook, I called them, so that I can get a new one.

Now I thought it was going to be a fight to get it replaced, however, it was fast and easy. I called them on Friday, and I got the new plug and power bar today. I think I will stick with Dell, for now

On another note, my weight lost plan, is not going as well as I would like, and I'm now going back to Slim Fast ; I'm finding that it is the only thing that works. Below is my weight lost chart so far.

As you can see I keep going up and down, and it's starting to become frustrating. Now I know that I should not be frustrated, because the over all trend is down, I just hate waking up in the morning, finding out that my weight went up. It puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

NOTE: If you are like me, and have a hard time staying away from McDonald's, you should try using their on-line nutrition calculator. I did it today, and it helped me pick items that I would like, but all under 1000 Calories.

This is what I had.

Yes, Yes, I had way too much, I know but I was hungry, and my total calories for the day was under 1600, plus I'm going to go and play some volleyball, so I think(hope ) I'll be ok.

Technorati tags: weight, diet, Dell, notebook, nutrition calculator, McDonald's, slim fast, warranty