Unfortunately, I haven't had the nerve to purchase my web domain yet. I'm a terrible procrastinator and utter perfectionist, so it's hard to get these things off the ground. You can attribute it to laziness, but I like to think that I may not be as passionate about it as I once thought. Ultimately, I do want to get something off the ground and running so that I'll have some place to post drawings, writings, and photographs, perhaps it will just take the proper motivation. Buying the domain itself is half the battle.
Another obstacle for purchasing the domain is the actual domain name itself. People have been imploring that it needs to be catchy, simple, and easy to remember. Unfortunately, marknavarrete.com isn't really that simple, or catchy to tell the truth, but it's sure easy to remember it's my domain! I'm still pondering a few other verbal puns, but the non sequitorial-ness of it all may be confusing. But since I've always been a scant random, I'd imagine it could be appropriate.
Once that gets off the ground, then comes the acquisition of a host, and then comes the actual design of the website. I have something in my head right now, but it'll probably take some major software education. Then, I'll have to determine an appropriate theme. This is probably seeming more complicated than it needs to be, which I think is a tendency of mine, so I'll probably start small.
Plans for the weekend: Relax. Next weekend and all next month are going to be full-blown social marathons. Let's have at some sleep before the big June Summer Explosion.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Monday, May 24, 2004
Week 2 of Summer Movie Mayhem continues with a group screening of Shrek 2. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Mike Myers and the whole cast has returned for another helping of green-skinned computer generated comedy. And I'm sure they got paid much bank for making the return trek to the voice recording booth and a good 2-3 weeks of work. How painful that must have been!
Back to the movie, I'd say it was just as much fun as the first one. Most impressive was the obvious leap forward in technology. Textures, hair, and backgrounds were much more detailed, and therefore, more believable. Content-wise, the story was pretty much what I expected. Shrek meets Fiona's parents, they have it out, and all gets resolved in the end. I did manage to catch a few touches that made it more interesting, but still not terribly complex. That's the beauty, I imagine, since Shrek is marketed for everyone. Parents, children, and probably even the family pet.
Given this, I still believe that DreamWorks has a long way to go before it will ever match the quality and creativity of Pixar. Although I enjoyed the movie, it troubled me that their next movie Shark Tale looks like Finding Nemo Lite. Final score: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Back to the movie, I'd say it was just as much fun as the first one. Most impressive was the obvious leap forward in technology. Textures, hair, and backgrounds were much more detailed, and therefore, more believable. Content-wise, the story was pretty much what I expected. Shrek meets Fiona's parents, they have it out, and all gets resolved in the end. I did manage to catch a few touches that made it more interesting, but still not terribly complex. That's the beauty, I imagine, since Shrek is marketed for everyone. Parents, children, and probably even the family pet.
Given this, I still believe that DreamWorks has a long way to go before it will ever match the quality and creativity of Pixar. Although I enjoyed the movie, it troubled me that their next movie Shark Tale looks like Finding Nemo Lite. Final score: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Since I haven't had a chance to visit the alma mater for a while, I get to read up on it every now and then. Although there has been a pretty big sports story, which I'll discuss later, I felt that there was another story worth mentioning.
Although one would assume that many of the students in Palo Alto don't need public transportation, it's not uncommon for most students to need a convenient ride. Well, Stanford has become one of the first universities to try out the new CarShare program. Through this one example, it appears to be successful, and even looks like it may be a long-term success. They have a healthy rate of usage by students and others in the community, and have even been able to gain a surplus in funding. For one, I think it's a great idea, mostly because renting a car can be quite costly. The other matter is, even though Stanford is considered to be a bay area school, the stellar public transport that San Francisco enjoys does not extend that far south.
Having been carless for 3 years of school, I can remember what a chore it was, and how hard it was sometimes, to find a ride to buy supplies for classes, or even just to go downtown for dinner. Even worse is the feeling one can get for asking people for rides, and almost feeling like you're using them just for their car. Fortunately, I had some really good friends, always willing to help out someone in need. I wish they would extend the BART all the way down to San Jose and through the Silicon Valley area, and it looks like there could be a possibility of this in the future, but you never know how Bay Area politics will play through. Especially with Palo Alto citizens unwilling to devalue their property. Pfah.
However, CarShare looks like a valuable addition to the ways Stanford has been looking to improve public transit for its students. Grouped with the Marguerite and CalTrain students might actually be able to escape the bubble.
Although one would assume that many of the students in Palo Alto don't need public transportation, it's not uncommon for most students to need a convenient ride. Well, Stanford has become one of the first universities to try out the new CarShare program. Through this one example, it appears to be successful, and even looks like it may be a long-term success. They have a healthy rate of usage by students and others in the community, and have even been able to gain a surplus in funding. For one, I think it's a great idea, mostly because renting a car can be quite costly. The other matter is, even though Stanford is considered to be a bay area school, the stellar public transport that San Francisco enjoys does not extend that far south.
Having been carless for 3 years of school, I can remember what a chore it was, and how hard it was sometimes, to find a ride to buy supplies for classes, or even just to go downtown for dinner. Even worse is the feeling one can get for asking people for rides, and almost feeling like you're using them just for their car. Fortunately, I had some really good friends, always willing to help out someone in need. I wish they would extend the BART all the way down to San Jose and through the Silicon Valley area, and it looks like there could be a possibility of this in the future, but you never know how Bay Area politics will play through. Especially with Palo Alto citizens unwilling to devalue their property. Pfah.
However, CarShare looks like a valuable addition to the ways Stanford has been looking to improve public transit for its students. Grouped with the Marguerite and CalTrain students might actually be able to escape the bubble.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Crikey, the Summer Movie Season is officially here! I'll attempt to keep up with all the movies that will be released this summer and give a little review/rundown, but since work's been fluctuating between busy and slow for the last couple of weeks, it may be sidetracked in the future.
Since the movie season actually started a couple of weeks ago, you'd think the reviews would be behind, but NO. I managed to catch two movies this weekend, and I'll dispense with them in the order seen:
Starting on Saturday, a group of us saw Troy at the luxurious Grove Theater. Settling ourselves into the supremely laid-back seats, I first grabbed some refreshments from their quite modern EZ pick-up concession system. A great system as I didn't even have to wait in line! Back to the movie, it started out with promise and delivered on all counts. The performances by the actors (including Brad Pitt) were quite good. More Sean Bean as Odysseus would have been great, but the distinct portrayals by both Pitt and Eric Bana, as Achilles and Hector respectively, anchored the film. The film's divergence of the Iliad was obvious since the gods were excluded from the action, but I think it served to make a better film. It would have been less serious, and campier as a result, I think. With the right actors, though, it could have been pulled off grandly. I will say, however, that the movie's old soundtrack is an improvement. 4 out of 5 stars.
The day afterwards, I saw what some have described as "The Worst Film Of The Decade": Van Helsing. To tell the truth, I disagree with that statement, it was surprisingly a lot of fun. My main gripes were with the actors playing Frankenstein and Dracula. The monster was too weepy, and the vampire had a generic accent and was not menacing at all. Effect-wise, I was impressed. It may have had something to do with the digital presentation I saw though, which was in itself very impressive. Big Newport never fails to deliver. Hugh Jackman was serviceable, but should stick to Wolverine. Kate Beckinsdale, on the other hand, can do no wrong in my eyes. Well, except for her over-the-top accent as well. 3 out of 5 stars.
More to come...
Since the movie season actually started a couple of weeks ago, you'd think the reviews would be behind, but NO. I managed to catch two movies this weekend, and I'll dispense with them in the order seen:
Starting on Saturday, a group of us saw Troy at the luxurious Grove Theater. Settling ourselves into the supremely laid-back seats, I first grabbed some refreshments from their quite modern EZ pick-up concession system. A great system as I didn't even have to wait in line! Back to the movie, it started out with promise and delivered on all counts. The performances by the actors (including Brad Pitt) were quite good. More Sean Bean as Odysseus would have been great, but the distinct portrayals by both Pitt and Eric Bana, as Achilles and Hector respectively, anchored the film. The film's divergence of the Iliad was obvious since the gods were excluded from the action, but I think it served to make a better film. It would have been less serious, and campier as a result, I think. With the right actors, though, it could have been pulled off grandly. I will say, however, that the movie's old soundtrack is an improvement. 4 out of 5 stars.
The day afterwards, I saw what some have described as "The Worst Film Of The Decade": Van Helsing. To tell the truth, I disagree with that statement, it was surprisingly a lot of fun. My main gripes were with the actors playing Frankenstein and Dracula. The monster was too weepy, and the vampire had a generic accent and was not menacing at all. Effect-wise, I was impressed. It may have had something to do with the digital presentation I saw though, which was in itself very impressive. Big Newport never fails to deliver. Hugh Jackman was serviceable, but should stick to Wolverine. Kate Beckinsdale, on the other hand, can do no wrong in my eyes. Well, except for her over-the-top accent as well. 3 out of 5 stars.
More to come...
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Since I haven't posted one in a while, I thought it would be worthwhile to give everyone a Free Will Horoscope to check out.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It just ain't natural for a Virgo to be a spectacular exhibitionist. We astrologers might be forgiven, then, if we've wondered how the singer Beyoncé could possibly be a member of your tribe, as she claims to be. Recently, the mystery was solved. In an interview with the Star, Beyoncé revealed that a character named Sasha takes over her body onstage. "There's no way I'd wear a short little dress and dance like that in front of all those people," she said. I bring this up, Virgo, because I'd like you to consider acquiring your own alternate personality. He or she could help you fulfill your current cosmic mandate, which is to climb to a rooftop or mountaintop or tabletop and do a song and dance dedicated to the person you want to be five years from today.
Let's see, shall I name my alternate personality Francois? Or maybe Reynaldo?
Let's see, shall I name my alternate personality Francois? Or maybe Reynaldo?
This is something new. Blogger has gone about throwing things around the barn and have overhauled the look and feel of their blogging system. One of the new features is a commenting system. Does this mean no more Enetation? I guess we'll have to test out a few posts before that becomes definite.
Friday, May 07, 2004
Yes, oh yes, it's Friday.
We're planning on celebrating Cinco De Mayo on Ocho De Mayo this year. Last year I think we actually celebrated on the 5th, but this year's been crazy as far as social events go. There's a period right now where everyone wants to be doing SOMETHING with SOMEONE over the weekend, and what's really amazing is that most people have been wanting to do SOMETHING with EVERYONE. Lots of love out there to be had apparently, let's keep it that way.
Yesterday, unfortunately, I spent the day moping about my apartment, sick as a dog. Lovely, in that I wasn't at work, but not so lovely in the fact that I was SICK. Interesting thing is, I've been recovering a lot more quickly from illness than I have in the past. Must have something to do with the extra sleep, less stress, more exercise, and better diet that's been prevalent lately. Whereas I use to spend at least a week being sick, and maybe a couple of days getting over it, it's been a day of being sick and a couple of days getting over it. Pretty nice in that I don't have to worry about lost time at work, I'm starting to feel invincible. That is, until I get struck by a 16-wheeler.
New Music that I just listened to in its entirety, Franz Ferdinand. Those of you who know them can attest to their fusion of new wave and funk. This isn't a whole new trend folks, ever since The Strokes burst on to the scene with Is This It? there's been an overwhelming trend of garage band indie music with a decided nostalgic flavor muscling its way into the limelight. I believe it's a welcome change from the Nickelcreeds and Three Puddles Down that have been insanely popular on modern radio. Damn you Clear Channel for forcing mediocrity down our throats. But I digress, Franz Ferdinand is infectious. Three tracks in, I was tapping my foot along with their latest single "Dark Of The Matinee." Download it, or visit their website and give it a listen, you might like what you hear.
And damn Ryan Seacrest too while I'm at it. If there's anyone to blame for mediocrity and for the oversaturation of the word "metrosexual" he has to be responsible as well. I don't care if he's got 5 different colors in his hair and he gets "manny-peddys" with his women-friends, that neon-blonde smile of his drives me up the wall.
We're planning on celebrating Cinco De Mayo on Ocho De Mayo this year. Last year I think we actually celebrated on the 5th, but this year's been crazy as far as social events go. There's a period right now where everyone wants to be doing SOMETHING with SOMEONE over the weekend, and what's really amazing is that most people have been wanting to do SOMETHING with EVERYONE. Lots of love out there to be had apparently, let's keep it that way.
Yesterday, unfortunately, I spent the day moping about my apartment, sick as a dog. Lovely, in that I wasn't at work, but not so lovely in the fact that I was SICK. Interesting thing is, I've been recovering a lot more quickly from illness than I have in the past. Must have something to do with the extra sleep, less stress, more exercise, and better diet that's been prevalent lately. Whereas I use to spend at least a week being sick, and maybe a couple of days getting over it, it's been a day of being sick and a couple of days getting over it. Pretty nice in that I don't have to worry about lost time at work, I'm starting to feel invincible. That is, until I get struck by a 16-wheeler.
New Music that I just listened to in its entirety, Franz Ferdinand. Those of you who know them can attest to their fusion of new wave and funk. This isn't a whole new trend folks, ever since The Strokes burst on to the scene with Is This It? there's been an overwhelming trend of garage band indie music with a decided nostalgic flavor muscling its way into the limelight. I believe it's a welcome change from the Nickelcreeds and Three Puddles Down that have been insanely popular on modern radio. Damn you Clear Channel for forcing mediocrity down our throats. But I digress, Franz Ferdinand is infectious. Three tracks in, I was tapping my foot along with their latest single "Dark Of The Matinee." Download it, or visit their website and give it a listen, you might like what you hear.
And damn Ryan Seacrest too while I'm at it. If there's anyone to blame for mediocrity and for the oversaturation of the word "metrosexual" he has to be responsible as well. I don't care if he's got 5 different colors in his hair and he gets "manny-peddys" with his women-friends, that neon-blonde smile of his drives me up the wall.
Monday, May 03, 2004
Surviving this weekend in Coachella in 100+ degree heat surrounded by thousands of screaming rock-and-roll maniacs will definitely put this weekend in the books. Not because of the heat or because of our camping conditions, but because of the phenomenal performances unveiled before my eyes. What's been said about Radiohead before doesn't need to be repeated, but I will say that it was even better than the last time I saw them. Awesome.
The first act we saw was Q And Not U. We caught the tail-end of their performance right before my main man, Beck, and I'll say what we heard was impressive. First, I thought they sounded like any other punk band, but after a longer listen, the groove set in and I was drawn in. Drawn in enough to warrant checking out their stuff later on. Tower Records anyone?
Following our alphabetical (or syntactical?) experience, Beck played a solo acoustic set for a crowd of apparently 8000 in the smallest tent at the venue. I had no idea there were that many people until I read the Times article this morning chronicling the unpleasant experience of those outside. Lucky us, we got shade under the roof and a great show to go along with it.
Sunday we caught a couple of great acts that I had never heard before. The emphatically named !!! started off Sunday with a full-frontal-funkdafied assault of the senses. From a distance, we couldn't see much, but their musical performance was captivating. Another new catch for me that I'll check out later. Next up was Belle And Sebastian. Not bad, but I guess not entirely my cup of tea.
Ultimately, the most mind-blowing discovery this weekend was Muse. Their musicianship alone was enough to hook me on their sound. Blending piano in with some violently aggressive guitars may sound quite odd, but they pulled it off, and then some. If they're ever in LA, I'm going to see them perform on their own. They have a new fan here. Highly recommended to check out if one has the time.
Air put on a great show filled with a terrific mood and a visually stunning array of musical talent by their drummer. Having listened to a couple of their CD's, I was wondering what a performance would be like and how it would come off live. The answer: flawless transition. They showed utter devotion to a warm vibe, but I now have to re-listen to their discs to see if the lead singer really has that thick of a lisp.
Unfortunately, after descending from outer space in a giant bubble onto the crowd, Wayne Coyne and The Flaming Lips played a short and somewhat disappointing set. Depressing.
Call me a sell-out, call me a non-fan, but I was so looking forward to The Cure that I imagine expectations were set too high, and I left feeling a little underwhelmed. Either that or my ass was too fatigued to enjoy it. Not only that, but the dude tripping on E next to me was not fun either. Yech. Robert Smith put on a show you have to experience to appreciate. Atmospherically, the darkness may have been too much to handle, but that aspect of their songs was pretty amazing. Closing their performance with "Boys Don't Cry" though: Genius.
Unfortunately due to scheduling I didn't catch Death Cab For Cutie, Basement Jaxx, Paul Van Dyk, and Ferry Corsten. Hopefully they'll be in the LA area soon, I'll catch them then.
Next year? Maybe I'll do one day. So tired...
The first act we saw was Q And Not U. We caught the tail-end of their performance right before my main man, Beck, and I'll say what we heard was impressive. First, I thought they sounded like any other punk band, but after a longer listen, the groove set in and I was drawn in. Drawn in enough to warrant checking out their stuff later on. Tower Records anyone?
Following our alphabetical (or syntactical?) experience, Beck played a solo acoustic set for a crowd of apparently 8000 in the smallest tent at the venue. I had no idea there were that many people until I read the Times article this morning chronicling the unpleasant experience of those outside. Lucky us, we got shade under the roof and a great show to go along with it.
Sunday we caught a couple of great acts that I had never heard before. The emphatically named !!! started off Sunday with a full-frontal-funkdafied assault of the senses. From a distance, we couldn't see much, but their musical performance was captivating. Another new catch for me that I'll check out later. Next up was Belle And Sebastian. Not bad, but I guess not entirely my cup of tea.
Ultimately, the most mind-blowing discovery this weekend was Muse. Their musicianship alone was enough to hook me on their sound. Blending piano in with some violently aggressive guitars may sound quite odd, but they pulled it off, and then some. If they're ever in LA, I'm going to see them perform on their own. They have a new fan here. Highly recommended to check out if one has the time.
Air put on a great show filled with a terrific mood and a visually stunning array of musical talent by their drummer. Having listened to a couple of their CD's, I was wondering what a performance would be like and how it would come off live. The answer: flawless transition. They showed utter devotion to a warm vibe, but I now have to re-listen to their discs to see if the lead singer really has that thick of a lisp.
Unfortunately, after descending from outer space in a giant bubble onto the crowd, Wayne Coyne and The Flaming Lips played a short and somewhat disappointing set. Depressing.
Call me a sell-out, call me a non-fan, but I was so looking forward to The Cure that I imagine expectations were set too high, and I left feeling a little underwhelmed. Either that or my ass was too fatigued to enjoy it. Not only that, but the dude tripping on E next to me was not fun either. Yech. Robert Smith put on a show you have to experience to appreciate. Atmospherically, the darkness may have been too much to handle, but that aspect of their songs was pretty amazing. Closing their performance with "Boys Don't Cry" though: Genius.
Unfortunately due to scheduling I didn't catch Death Cab For Cutie, Basement Jaxx, Paul Van Dyk, and Ferry Corsten. Hopefully they'll be in the LA area soon, I'll catch them then.
Next year? Maybe I'll do one day. So tired...
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