Some people just have no patience for their Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The World Health Organization says that a good diet should consist of no more than 10 percent sugar. Lobbyists for the sugar industry disagree. They maintain that you'll be fine as long as no more than 25 percent of your food and drink contains their favorite product. Regarding your current needs, Virgo, I disagree with both assessments. Since you're in a phase when you need to toughen up, strengthen your will, and think leaner and meaner, I believe you should temporarily limit your sugar intake to 3 percent or less.

Easy enough, I don't have that much candy, and not that much fruit, problem solved.

Anyone who has experienced a normal graduation should try and attend a less than normal one. We flew kits and had a picnic. What a nice day to graduate.

After seeing Hulk, I'd have to say I was incredibly impressed with the graphics. The acting wasn't all that bad either. Headlining this nice troupe of actors was Mr. Eric Bana. It's amazing, I think the Australians are taking over the leading man role in the States.

For all of you that regularly surf the web, it might be interesting to note that Time Magazine has listed their choices for the Top 50 Websites. My favorite happens to be Snopes.com, a site that debunks or confirms urban legends. I swear I could spend a whole day just looking at the Disney section.

Do you like Parker Posey? Most people do. As a matter of fact, a lot of people seem to like her. Especially those in touch with the indie movie crowd.

OK, so the Marvel movie fad is just beginning. Up next happens to be a rather dark character named The Punisher. For a first look, check this out.

Do we like Radiohead? Yes, we do, very much so. How interesting are they? Quite interesting, especially because they tend to be quite opinionated.

I pray every nght that I will have enough time in the day in order to avoid these bands. A good list by all accounts, although I have no way to know if what they say is true. U2 would be awesome live.

Who's da man? Harry Potter is the man.

Massive update to be saved for tomorrow. Check back in 24.

Quick notes on the Tuesday artist. Darick Robertson is a most unassuming artist. One would skim through his pages and find themselves nonplussed at his seemingly simplistic lines. Upon a more detailed reading, Mr. Robertson's work presents itself as supremely trained and extremely technical. His body of work speaks for itself, having done high profile work for both DC and Marvel. His character designs explode out of the page and give their depictions that which they're known for: character. Some may find his linework unattractive, but I tend to find his work impressive.

Moon Day yet again, and it's my last full week of work at before taking off to what my boss calls "Engineering Heaven." Really excited about the change. I feel like I've accomplished what I set out to do here, which is learn a ton about being an engineering professional, but I've also learned what it means to be a professional in general. Working with people is fun, but it can also be a royal pain.

It was a banner weekend. I'm not just saying that because we saw Hulk on Friday either. I actually escaped the confines of Los Angeles county and took an ultra-short boat ride to the misty island of Catalina. I hadn't been there for YEARS, so it was great to be there again. Campsite was spectacular, and the hike was relaxing, if not long. It was good to just shut down my brain for a couple of days before going back to the weekly grind. Too bad the sun decided to pick this weekend to be bashful.

Back to Hulk. My initial impression was to go in with no expectations at all, so as not to be disappointed. I have this much to say: I wasn't disappointed. The first half lagged a bit, mired in simple dialogue and lacking in any sort of excitement. It did a good job establishing characters and relationships, but didn't do much to keep people from checking their watches. The second half more than made up for it with a seething fireball of enraged action. It may have contained some glaring plot contrivances, but I enjoyed the experience. Strange contradiction, but wholly true. See it if you're curious, but decide for yourself what to think of its merits.

Ah, almost a whole week without a post, I thought I'd make this a worthy one. I'd like to discuss Radiohead. This is of particular interest to me since I recently picked up their latest effort, "Hail To The Thief." I'll say this much, it's more accessible than "Kid A," but if the casual Radiohead listener is expecting "Creep," they'll be sorely disappointed. This album is challenging, not just in its structure, but in its lyrical content as well. Piecing together the entire spectrum of songs, I felt a seething frustration being vented by Mr. Thom York and co. unleashed upon the world. One second the music will be crashing merrily away with recklesness, the next it's dredging up a net full of repressed emotions. I think it's better to experience the record a few times before actually making a judgement.

Along with this album, I finally managed to acquire a copy of "OK Computer" as well. These two albums couldn't be more different. The subject matter of alienation runs rampant, but missing from this record is their tendency to mix unsettling rythms and noises together for an overall mood. Mr. York's dedication to lyrical complexity, however, remains consistent, and I found myself analyzing the liner notes for its inner complexities. Definitely the most listenable album of theirs to anyone, I'd argue it's one of the best I've heard in a while. I don't claim to be a longtime Radiohead fan, but I'll admit openly to liking them now, even if I get lambasted for "jumping on the bandwagon." Check either of these albums out if you want a different taste of what rock has to offer.

Complete You Haiku

Have at thee, you cur!
Draw your blade, fight like a man!
And one more thing, "Arrrrrr!"

Take your Free Will Horoscope around the track a couple of times:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
If an astrologer from the old school were writing this horoscope, he might tell you that now is an excellent time to advance your ambitions through gossipy manipulation. But since you and I are in the business of creating a new civilization based on values that feed the soul, my take on your imminent future is different. I say it's a perfect moment to engage in uplifting gossip that serves the greater good. I suggest that you praise unsung heroes and name everything that's working well. The irony is that for people like us, dissing people always hurts our ambitions. One of the best ways to enhance our own possibilities is to use our power of speech to promote others' chances for happiness and success.

Spread gossip for the good of humanity, sounds like a great idea. Now we should just find a few things good to say about people. Not too hard.

Lots of interesting stuff going on in the past week. I like only having to post news one day a week. More time to work on stuff and less time goofing off. It also makes the interesting content seem more exclusive since it only comes around once a week. Take this article for instance. Could have posted it on Monday, but then what would you have to look forward to on Wednesday?

Do you like Rock music? I'm not talking about the kinda music that you listen to when you're all pissed off with no one to shout at, I'm talking about rock music that seems relevant. More specifically, I'm talking about the band Radiohead. If you haven't heard of them, you better get out from under your rock in that cave. I mention them this week because they've just released their latest and greatest onto our shores from theirs, gracing us with some interesting musical stylings. Check out what they have to say for themselves. Or you can see what they have to say here as well. I'll post a short review sometime later.

Speaking of music, we have the flip-side of things, music that's just meant for fun. The most prominent example recently has been Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. What makes them so prominent is not the fact that their albums have sold like hotcakes, but the fact that they have the gall to go on tour together. Rake in the dough while you're young. Sounds good to me.

Sorry to end on such a somber note, but it's no secret that Japan has the highest rates of suicide in the world. Many could blame it on an emotionally repressed society, or on technological isolation. Even so, that same technology that isolates also brings them together, but not how one might think. Unfortunately, it's fast becoming the new outlet for suicide, so says a recent disturbing chain of events. Frightening to imagine people going to such lengths.

When I try to describe what Jim Lee's art means to me, it's best to begin with how he started in comics. Mr. Lee left a chemistry degree, and a budding career in medical school to pursue something he loved, art. Most definitely a brilliant man, Mr. Lee's early work doesn't compare with his current masterpieces. No doubt, he has a very strong work ethic that I admire, because no matter how good his art looks, and no matter how high a profile his projects are, he still continues to try and improve his skills as an artist. It is his work that brought me back into reading comics again after a long absence from the form, and his work that drives me to try and improve my drawing skills to this day. It just reminds you that no matter how good you are, you can always make yourself better, and his success is a testament to that statement. Check out this website for more images.

I never did mention that we saw Coldplay in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Awesome concert, but much too short for my tastes. They still are a tremendous act to see live, but I felt like I wanted to see more and more. Guess that's the sign of a good live band, eh? Damn the Hollywood Bowl and its city ordinances.

I really have no other complaints though. I was incredibly impressed with the new material they played and I certainly loved their rendition of "The One I Love" which is a rare gem. Most amusing were the looks on the crowd's collective face when Chris Martin broke into "Rock Your Body" towards the end of one of their songs. Classic.

Most definitely, I'd see them again. Closer, louder, and longer (hopefully).

You ever notice when you go to the gym, everyone becomes your close friend? I've come to notice that. I'll be working out at a machine, or on the treadmill or something, and a guy will come up and say, "Hey buddy, almost done?" or, "Any more sets to do, pal?" Must be some sort of communal thing I don't quite understand. Maybe it's because I didn't do any scholastically organized athletics. Something about slapping each other on the butt has got to make people closer in some way, and I'm sure it makes the atmosphere much friendlier. A gym teacher of mine once accused us of goofing off and playing "grabass." It might have something to do with that. My bet is it has something to do with protein-shakes and performance-enhancing drugs a lot of these guys seem to be drinking/taking/ingesting. Makes your mind a little more placated. I'm assuming that's much better than the steroid-induced rage some people have been known to succumb to.

Actually, I bet it's just people trying to be friendly and courteous. Kinda like when people call me "sir" or "Mr. Navarrete." When that happens though, I just end up feeling old.

Take that! Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): "Nothing worse could happen to one than to be completely understood." So said pioneer psychologist Carl Jung. If you think what he said is true, take action immediately, because you're in imminent danger of being well understood by at least two people. If you're confident you can handle the odd sensation of being seen for exactly who you are, do nothing other than what you're already doing.

Who really wants to be completely understood. I think I'd get bored within a few days and lose all sense of self.

If you've ever wanted to drink like the gods, then now's your chance. Newleywed couples are getting the chance to test out an aphrodisiac by some scientists. We'll see if it really works by the end of the year and we'll also find out if their HONEYmoon's turn out to be SWEET.

Is your contact list context-sensitive? Now you have the chance to find out, at least if you have WiFi that is. Check out Trepia for further details.

Let's celebrate our heritage. Actually, I guess it's just the hispanic heritage right now. The fabulous group Culture Clash are putting on a show at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. "Chavez Ravine" is a story about the small community surrounding Dodger Stadium near Cesar Chavez Blvd. If any of you don't know who Cesar Chavez was, then perhaps you don't want to see this show.

You know, it's not a good thing these days to bad mouth our president, but sometimes he gives us reason to doubt him.

If we can't have completely clean air, we may as well have a taco or two to keep our sanity.

At least one thing remains the same, I'll keep highlighting artists for people to gawk at. One artist I believe I'll always gawk at is Mr. Alex Ross. Mr. Ross revolutionized the painted comic book format with the now-classic mini-series Marvels. This birds-eye take was cemented by the photo-realistic renderings of Mr. Ross and ever since he has been one of the most in-demand illustrators of late. You will find his work not only plastered on many a comic book cover, but also on promotional materials. Most notably in the last few years, his art has graced promotional posters for the Oscars and conceptual material for the movie Unbreakable. Not only are his visuals incredible, but his technique is stunning. Running through what goes into a single image reminds you why he's as good as he is. Check it out.

Item of note: I just saw the Pixar film, Finding Nemo this weekend and all I have to say is that those computer guys and artists at Pixar sure know how to make a movie. Not only was it fresh with characterization, visually stunning, and gripping, it was funny as well. I'd say that a certain large-scale animation studio may have a thing or two to learn from the commitment to character Pixar has shown. It's not just about a formulaic setting, and some throwaway visuals, it's about a protaganist you can identify with and sympathize with. Not only that, but the theme was a little less heavy-handed than you would believe. Accessible to both children and adults alike, Nemo is a film I urge everyone to go out and see if they're going to see any movie at all this summer. You won't be disappointed.