about last night... at the oscars... and the bets...

I practically lifted the very list from my an earlier post just to expand on it. Whatever is listed first after naming the category, is what was predicted by Entertainment Weekly. If I agreed, I left it alone. If I had other opinions, it's in bold parentheses... although on some I sort've agreed anyway to what the predictions were. Those that are underlined are the winners.

Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Director, Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Actor: Sean Penn, Milk (the Comeback Kid Mickey Rourke or the Underdog Richard Jenkins)

Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader (too close for me to call, haven't seen any of these but if not Winslet, then Streep or Hathaway.)

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Supporting Actress: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (I'd like to see a surprised Taraji Henson)

Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk (I <3 Wall-E, honorable mention for In Bruges)

Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

Animated Film: Wall-E

Foreign-Language Film: The Class -LOST- Departures (Japan)

Documentary: Man On Wire

Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire (The Dark Knight just for kicks)

Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Costume Design: The Duchess (Do period pieces from this era always seem to win... or am I wrong?)

Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Score: Slumdog Millionaire (I want to give this to Wall-E, but it's the only movie I've seen)

Song: "Jai Ho," Slumdog Millionaire

Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (I want to mention The Dark Knight for Two-Face, since most of the action on screen was barely CGI, according to the director. But I equally visually enjoy every special effect in Iron Man so this is a tough call for me)

Sound: The Dark Knight (Wall-E)

Sound Mixing: The Dark Knight (Wall-E... I mean c'mon... the sounds and the dude behind them?) -LOST- Slumdog Millionaire

Short: Spielzugland (Toyland)

Animated Short: Presto -LOST- La Maison en Petits Cubes

Documentary Short: The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306 -LOST- Smile Pinki

Overall, if I were to actually bet money, I would've lost 4 categories. Regardless, it's fun. And if you watched the telecast, you were either entertained, confounded or bored. Award shows aren't for everyone, but I thought it was different and enjoyed most of it except the length. I haven't figured out how to get my live-Tweetings to post on here... but I wouldn't torture you like that. I think I might've posted close to 100. Maybe. Instead, it's much more fun, and funnier, to watch professionals do it. I recommend to look around EW's Oscar page for more fun and recaps, especially if you are into that kinda thing and you want to know more of what happened last night.

a wonder (and) full weekend

Last week was pretty busy and a little on the rough side for not only me, but my family, church and a few friends. I don't normally get into the person aspects of my life, but I do see the Indoob as somewhat of a documentation. But in retrospect, I must say that some positive things came out of such a long week, and I felt the need to recognize them.

For most of the week, I've been doing some much needed work on my church's website. You can check it out if you want, but as you'll see, I haven't updated it in a long time. It hopefully will be fully updated by Thursday, or Friday. And I'm no pro at web design, I just know the basics and that's all that is. Besides, I'm the only one my dad knows that is capable and I currently work for free.

Thursday, my friend whom I shall codename as "Kitten" (although she probably wouldn't mind if I used her real name) dropped off a gift of appreciation for just being her friend. Internally, I felt like weeping, but really I just don't know how to handle unexpected niceness like that. I think it's a guy thing. Pineapple is my favorite fruit... so...


My first chocolate covered fruit!



And check out this sentimental special note that almost surely brought the tears.

In case you are struggling to make out the words, it says "Thank you for being there for me. You really are the best friend anyone could ever have." She's awesome.

Friday night, the Kitten and I met up with my other best friend whom I've affectionately dubbed "Dearest" and had dinner at a buffet that Kitten and I actually ate at for lunch. So yes, I went to the same buffet twice in the same day. No judging, thanks. Anyway, we met Dearest's boyfriend whom I heard so much about, and now I can officially approve. But the highlight for me was to have two awesome, beautiful women who happen to be the best friends I've had for some time, share a table with me. Another minor note, we seem to share a love for discussing poop. Buy that book, it'd be awesome to see that on a best seller's list. You know you're curious. Anyway, the Dearest mailed me a letter I recieved possibly a couple days late, also telling me how great of a friend I am. Look at the time she put into writing me! This is what I love about my friends... the time they take to show me that care is worth so much more than what money could buy.


Saturday I watched an awesome movie called The Notorious Bettie Page. I knew very little about the real life person, and Jaden at ScreenwritingforHollywood indirectly recommended I look into it. I fell in love with the way the movie was shot, that's the first thing. Secondly, between the actress playing her and Ms. Page herself? Absolutely beautiful. Before the movie was even over I was at my laptop writing up a draft of a treatment to a brand new story this movie inspired. The interesting this it has nothing to do with Betty, pin-up models, or anything that movie dealt with. It really doesn't have a title, but it's about a young man who moves from the city to an old southern country town and converts a run down barn into a makeshift movie theater. I was going to use this set up as a way to showcase several short films that I, or others have written and filmed. But the concept took on a life of it's own as I started fleshing out who this guy was and why he was there and things like that. Honestly, that's my favorite part about storytelling.

I finished with great timing... Kitten wanted to go out to dinner as well as test her car in the snow. I live on a hill so she had trouble getting to my house, but she made it just as I wrote the ending sentence. We ventured out to Friendly's which closed early. Too bad for them.

During service on Sunday, I was happy to see some people hadn't seen in a while. That's always nice. It also struck me, while someone was talking, not to hold grudges which apparently I think I may be doing. So later today, I will fix that error. Nobody's perfect, but if there is something wrong with ourselves that we are aware of, why not get it right?

Afterwards the entire family went out to the Olive Garden--where everyone is family. Good times. Dame (my brother-in-law) told me about an idea that he (and my sister, his wife) had been thinking of for sometime. Basically, he'd like to start a production company with me, mostly to help out around the church but to eventually branch out and help others. I'd take video and graphics duties, while he did mostly audio work like recording and sound production. He's the church's keyboardist and wrote a few songs. So we'd be a dangerous combination. So we chatted about that later that night while also discussing some recently favorited songs, or styles of songs. I'm currently getting into Go-Go music, similar to this:


The night got better with a phone call from not just a best friend, but one I consider a brother-from-another-mother. We chatted for a while, and for once, about me and my life. It was nice to get some of my own drama out even if I hate admitting I have it. But even while I was telling him my story, it came out as a comedy because it made him laugh. Imagine that.

Lastly, one of my newest friends who doesn't have a nickname yet, I chatted with online as we watched the last hour of the Golden Globes. Woot woot for 30 Rock and Tina Fey. I've been strongly recommended to see Slumdog Millionaire and have even been given a website to watch it for free. But I have morals. And if the movie business is something I want to get into, then it's like robbing from myself. It'd be different if it were a legit site, like, Netflix, Hulu or something. But 'twasn't. Yet I do want to see this movie really bad.

Oh, and now Sam is back and fully functional. There's a picture of him being towed away, but I'm too tired to do that right now. There's more than enough links and pictures to make this a fully interactive post, no?

So, my lesson to all is that although things may look bad, they could always be worse. Appreciate everything and reflect on the positive because who wants to sit around being sad and depressed?

the nice-ities in life

Ya know what I like? A glass of ice, cracking open a can of Sprite, and pouring my beverage into the glass from a ridicuously high point just to watch it streamline and crash and slash onto the ice below. And of course to witness the bubbles and foaming. I think that's part of the soda expereince. I'm sure there are quality control department personel devoted to this part in the enjoyment process, with clip boards in hand and little rulers measuring the fizz level, timers to see how long it stays bubbly, and microphones tune to hear the crackling and popping. I'm sure of it. They do that for Starbucks coffee. Apparently I watch too much History Channel.

So I got a promotion today. I think I keep saying this... but a lot has happened in the past year. I held 2 jobs for about 4 months, I was in a play on TOP of those 2 jobs. I had went from being a temp to being hired full time with a raise and benefits. I transitioned to a new department. Then I transitioned to work at home. Then I wrote a script in a month! (Thanks Jaden) Then I baked some cookeis and ordered pizzas. Then I saved a bunch of money by switching my car insurance POLICY. (Same company, and it helps to talk to these people instead of ignoring their calls. And no, I'm not with Geico. Or AIG.) Then I ordered my new iPod. I made it back to gym finally, again. Then I got a thngy in the mail for attending a meeting that I didn't attend. (There will be a seperate post about that later.) Then I got promoted with a raise. Then my friend will take me out to lunch to celebrate even though she doesn't know yet. But she's offering to pay, and she's got a strong craving for the buffet with incredibly lower prices than if we went there for dinner. She's a crazy person. In a good way, of course.

Tonight will be some fine entertainment. Biden vs. Palin. I'm starting to think The Office won't be on. But that's okay... there are so many ways to catch TV shows you missed, I love technology. Speaking of shows, I have pretty much every night planned at 9PM. Wanna know my TV schedule aka when-not-to-bother-me-unless-you-are-watching-the-same-thing?

Monday: Heroes.
Tuesday: Fringe. (If I can help it, I'll catch House, although How I Met Your Mother is a pretty funny show.)
Wednesday: Ghost Hunters & Destination Truth.
Thursday: 30 Rock & The Office.
Friday: (I think) Hole in the Wall... until Psych comes back on in January. But that's at 10. So I'd watch Monk just because.
Now some of these times or shows are subject to change, and I'm not always home at 8PM to watch whatever may be on at that time. And Fridays are always gambles because I like to remind myself I have friends or a life outside of my house. Or movies.

Well I need to get back to work before it's lunch time. I'm not where I want to be with my quota just yet. I must make sure I stay worthy of my promotion, ya know? I better get more Spite.

bad news, good news, new news, old news, ...new olds?

To make a long story short, my uncle didn't show up on Saturday at the big family reunion picnic gathering thing. Honestly, I'm not that bummed about it. Yes, I was let down, but I feel so much better knowing I was prepared and had that groovy feeling of accomplishment. There's nothing quite like it. Needless to say, I'd much rather wish I had the chance to meet my uncle and show him my work. But in due time. The other reason I'm not too bummed about it is because I'm considering the circumstances he might've went through--like the happy rain storm known as Hanna. Apparently he lives in New Jerser or Long Island... which either way is an area that got hit a little worse than us. So due to incliment weather, I can understand why he didn't show up. Plus he's a big time executive and might not always be able to leave willy nilly. Then again, that may hurt his case, and I'm still on his side.

As for the reunion... I honestly will admit I was pretty bored. I met a bunch of people I probably won't see for another year or so, if that. One of which I do hope to meet again and work with. More on that later.

As for work... So far so good. 27 files down, and we'll just say... 23 to go... and 2 days left. Woot.

My parents and grandmother tripped down to Virginia for the rest of the week. They left a few hours ago and now I have the house to myself. Partytime? Oh yeah, baby! Evey night! Heh... Not quite. Pretty much everytime I have the house to myself for more than a few days... I haven't been home. Like I suddenly turn into an anti-homebody. Odd? Some seem to think so. But the other thing is one of my best friends is on vacation and will also be gone for the week. So that's one less person I can wreak havoc with. I need some more local friends.

Speaking of important people in my life, I'm starting to watch TV a little more this fall. In fact, as I type I'm watching Fringe. I can't say if it's good or bad since it's only the first 30 minutes... However I am impressed whenever they show a location, the words/names are floating and sometimes the camera flies through the letters. It's like the words are actually there! It's awesome. I want floating words in my neighborhood! Not necessarily location devices, but just random words. What might I have? "Squishy." Or maybe "onomatopoeia."

Between the commercial breaks, they actually say how long until they return. If only every show did that. This show has some humor to it too that I appreciate. It was either this or Wipe Out... which I do watch. Later, another new show, on BET no less, called Somebodies is coming on that I want to check out. This is the 3rd show that sounds like the premise or the exact college themed sitcom I wanted to do. The other two is Undeclared and some show I saw on Hulu.com called Dorm Life. I haven't seen it yet... But one day. I keep a lot of my big ideas to myself, but I'll let the title out on this one--Academic Probation. Sigh... I won't say much more about it though.

I do hope a new show called Valentines get's cancelled. I feel bad for saying that, but an idea I have for a movie trilogy involves Greek mythology very similar to how that show is doing things. I do not appreciate it. Alas, this was an idea I would bring up when I was more established, and had the chance to meet the great Andre 3000.

Well, I'm going to go off and cause a lot of trouble.

being black on CNN

I was asked if I watched the CNN special about being black in America. I said no. Honestly, I had forgotten all about it even though the person reminded me the day before with an email.

From the beginning, I didn't plan much to "attend" the event in front of my TV. It's not that I don't appreciate my heritage or care about my people, it's just that sometimes I feel over-saturated with pro-blackness and hearing stories of overcoming struggles and beating the odds as a person of color. Again, I support them and I'm glad and proud of my race. i jsut feel there are mroe important issues at hand. Maybe a special on those struggling with the economy, the poor folk, or the homeless. And not the recent poor folk and homeless either.

I know there are some documentaries out there that discuss those other issues, but they don't get much advertisement much less airplay, so no one really knows. And it's too bad.

I think I might enjoy a series of these specials, like being Asian in America, or Hispanic in America... and of course, being of Middle Eastern decent in America. It would paint more colors on the canvas that is America. Will it happen? Who knows? In the meantime, I like to strive more on the diverse culture and if I can help it, mix as much cultures as I can in any productions I have control over to do that. It's like that in real life, at least mine. So why not in the media?

I will watch the black special eventually. They do like to show them repeatedly like MTV does their award shows and VH1 does the I Love... shows which I'm still upset with until they let me on one of them. I'm still mad they did a millennium addition when there is 2 years left. C'mon now. I hope something huge happens that will make the producers be like "Wow, we should've waited." But we all know what's going to happen. 2010 or 2011 they will make I Love the Millennium 2.0. You heard/read it here first, folks! I called it! That also means I have 2-3 years to at least get on the E or D-list so I can be considered to be on the show. No offense to the contributors on the show now. At least they are on it.