Last night I finally heard it. I was waiting for it, waiting for it, waiting for it, and finally it came. Last year I mentioned my two favorite Christmas songs, Bing Crosby and David Bowie's Little Drummer Boy and Live-Aid's Do they know its Christmas, 1984 Version. Well I forgot one: Last Christmas by Wham! (featuring George Michael). One of the few catchy tunes that I dont mind listening to over and over again. It just makes you feel good inside, doesnt it?; good times. I finally heard it playing during my midnight grocery shopping at Dunnes Stores. And that was the Pavlovian bell. I need to do my Christmas list. Now I will apologize, because I have slightly bit off of my arch nemesis, Oprah from her annual "Oprah's favorite things" show (you know the one, where the middle age ladys in the audience go hysterical, like certified lunatics. Another shining example that proves a universal point, all women are nutjobs; exempt are the intelligent and exceptionally fine women that read this blog of course. Considering you will be buying me gifts n all) So here it is, the annual list of the coolest, lastest, and greatest things ever, my Sears Catalogue wish list. Ive also added hyperlinks, because Im here to help you.
(Also dont forget its my Birthday too. December 23. I turn {cough} 21 {cough,cough})
- Burberry Boxer Shorts, size M.
- Neiman Marcus Cashmere Socks (like if you gonna give socks and underwear, do it right)
- Bill Simmons new book
- Muhammad Ali Zaire '74 Robe (Like the one he wore into the Rumble in the Jungle. How cool is that? Go to Mens Apparel - Originals. Actually anything on that web page would be cool. Feel free.)
- Adidas Originals Super Skate High Top Sneakers. Size 9.5 (Same webpage. Go crazy)
- Nudie Jeans - Loose Frank with Dark Blast or Heavy Holes wash. size 32/32
- Tinikling Set
- Nike Dry Fit Socks (I LOVE these things, Im going to ask for them every year. So money. Short ankle versions only please)
- Veronica Mars, Season 1 DVD (KIDDING! I did that one for the reaction)
- Ride Havoc 159 Snowboard" (RIGHT MJ!!!!!)
- Banana Republic Scarf (My neck gets cold, and I have sensitive skin)
- M.I.A. Arular CD
- Goldilocks Leche Flan and Casava Cake (And for the longest time, I thought it was Leche PLAN)
- Reflexology Gift Certificate, with post use of ozonated pool and eucalyptus steam room (No Chinatown cheapies, please)
- Tumble Time Tigger
- Volvo V50
- Abercrombie Ezra Fitch Hand Knit Cable Sweater, Size M (Or similar)
- Taken out to Gotham while Im in Vancouver for Christmas
- Banana Republic Wool/Cashmere Pajamas
- Wife
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Something for Nothing
Went to a great concert last night. The Bravery were playing in Dublin on Friday, and totally threw down putting on an amazing show with great energy, great stage presence, and the added situational comedy of the lead guitar player playing the crowd, rockin it way too enthusiastic, often taking center stage like hes really important or something (I love this phenomenon). The Bravery opened for U2 during some of their tour dates this year, and I guess are kinda part of the newest retro New Wave stream, with hints of New Order and the Cure, if you were to compare for reference. These guys are really good live though, superb and pumpin; if you ever get a chance to watch one of their shows, definitely go. I want you to. "Honest Mistake" is currently one of my favorite songs at the mo...
... and youd be interested to know that the aforementioned lead guitar is the spitting image of long haired Steve Nash... with a moustache. High comedy.
(Steve Nash with Moustache not pictured below. You can find him at Phoenixsuns.com)
... and youd be interested to know that the aforementioned lead guitar is the spitting image of long haired Steve Nash... with a moustache. High comedy.
(Steve Nash with Moustache not pictured below. You can find him at Phoenixsuns.com)
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Downtown Chinatown
Hello boys and girls...
- follow this thread: Noli moves to Ireland for Job -> Noli misses out on the newest North American entertainment and becomes sad -> Marty informs Noli of new TV show Entourage, in exchange for all of Noli's past mentoring -> Noli downloads some Entourage shows and goes nuts over them -> Noli goes home Xmas 2004 and receives the remaining Entourage shows from Marty -> Noli smiles lots -> Months and months pass and season two starts on HBO unknowingly, life goes on in Ireland -> More months upon months pass, then Noli goes to China / Hong Kong for work -> Noli comes back with Quasi-illegal Entourage Season 1-2 DVD set, bought at a night market for the equivalent worth of Jack's magical beans -> Noli spends a few week nites with only 2 hours sleep going through DVDs rewatching the first season and going through the new second season, with the perpetual excitment of an 80s kid during Saturday morning cartoons. Absolutely brilliant show, even though E pisses me off huge, that little non deserving leprauchaun. Complete horse shit, if we are to believe he would ever hook up with Emmanuelle Chriqui, Holly Valance and Samaire Armstrong ever... no freakin way, hes barely taller than them like. And if you have no clue what Im talking about, talk to me when Im home in Vancouver Dec 16-Jan 5. I have 7 DVDs of Entourage goodness, with Chinese subtitles even, for my friends of that persuasion.
- Not that I didnt expect this or anything, but this last trip to China, I was treated to more of "Marty in Taiwan" treatment. Most conversations went someting like this:
Chinese Person: "Ching ching ching chow ching?"
Me: " Huh?"
Chinese Person: "Can ching Gah low wah?"
Me: "Huh?"
Chinese Person: "Oh you no chinese? So sorry.. he he he he" (females covering mouth during the "he he he he" part, embarassed like)
- As predicted the Chinese Imperial Army, Internet division, prevented me from updating my Blog in China, for fears that I may be backing Falun Gong or something. Stupid Chinese. (I kid I kid! Dont Kung Fu me) I could of updated when I was in Hong Kong I guess, but I was more interested in taking the escalator up steep hills. I think all steep hills should have these.
- While in China, I was also pleasantly surprised by the rash popularity of Yao Ming haircuts
Yeah so the trip was pretty okay apart from some constant confusions. Like the time I ordered Tsing Tao beer at the restaurant, but they brought back green grass Tea instead. Not good times, sober times. Been back for about a week now, and I do say, I miss the Dim Sum every morning and rice with every meal. And I wanted to bring back a rice cooker, cuz I dont have one here, but all I could find were the Chinese Restaurant size / Filipino Family size ones. What can you do.
Also I was hoping to have pictures to post as well. I took a ton, especially some really cool ones at dawn, with old seniors holding weapons in the monkey stance during their daily routine tai chi. Somehow though my CompactFlash card got corrupted in Hong Kong... I was so dissappointed.
- follow this thread: Noli moves to Ireland for Job -> Noli misses out on the newest North American entertainment and becomes sad -> Marty informs Noli of new TV show Entourage, in exchange for all of Noli's past mentoring -> Noli downloads some Entourage shows and goes nuts over them -> Noli goes home Xmas 2004 and receives the remaining Entourage shows from Marty -> Noli smiles lots -> Months and months pass and season two starts on HBO unknowingly, life goes on in Ireland -> More months upon months pass, then Noli goes to China / Hong Kong for work -> Noli comes back with Quasi-illegal Entourage Season 1-2 DVD set, bought at a night market for the equivalent worth of Jack's magical beans -> Noli spends a few week nites with only 2 hours sleep going through DVDs rewatching the first season and going through the new second season, with the perpetual excitment of an 80s kid during Saturday morning cartoons. Absolutely brilliant show, even though E pisses me off huge, that little non deserving leprauchaun. Complete horse shit, if we are to believe he would ever hook up with Emmanuelle Chriqui, Holly Valance and Samaire Armstrong ever... no freakin way, hes barely taller than them like. And if you have no clue what Im talking about, talk to me when Im home in Vancouver Dec 16-Jan 5. I have 7 DVDs of Entourage goodness, with Chinese subtitles even, for my friends of that persuasion.
- Not that I didnt expect this or anything, but this last trip to China, I was treated to more of "Marty in Taiwan" treatment. Most conversations went someting like this:
Chinese Person: "Ching ching ching chow ching?"
Me: " Huh?"
Chinese Person: "Can ching Gah low wah?"
Me: "Huh?"
Chinese Person: "Oh you no chinese? So sorry.. he he he he" (females covering mouth during the "he he he he" part, embarassed like)
- As predicted the Chinese Imperial Army, Internet division, prevented me from updating my Blog in China, for fears that I may be backing Falun Gong or something. Stupid Chinese. (I kid I kid! Dont Kung Fu me) I could of updated when I was in Hong Kong I guess, but I was more interested in taking the escalator up steep hills. I think all steep hills should have these.
- While in China, I was also pleasantly surprised by the rash popularity of Yao Ming haircuts
Yeah so the trip was pretty okay apart from some constant confusions. Like the time I ordered Tsing Tao beer at the restaurant, but they brought back green grass Tea instead. Not good times, sober times. Been back for about a week now, and I do say, I miss the Dim Sum every morning and rice with every meal. And I wanted to bring back a rice cooker, cuz I dont have one here, but all I could find were the Chinese Restaurant size / Filipino Family size ones. What can you do.
Also I was hoping to have pictures to post as well. I took a ton, especially some really cool ones at dawn, with old seniors holding weapons in the monkey stance during their daily routine tai chi. Somehow though my CompactFlash card got corrupted in Hong Kong... I was so dissappointed.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
"There are 9 million bicycles in Beijing...
...Thats a fact. Its a thing we cant deny."
Can you believe thats an actual song... Lyrics to an actual song, yep. And as camp as it sounds, its actually kinda catchy. Its by Katie Melua, who if you dont know who she is, is the Russian Georgian-born, Belfast-raised UK fusion of Natalie Imbruglia / Nelly Furtado/ Vanessa Carlton... with curly locks. Think about that for a sec, thats quite the exotic combo. When you google her (and I know at least all the dudes will), youll find out how insanely cute she is. Charlie-Uniform-Tango-Echo, CUTE to the extreme, rock the mic like a vandal, light up the stage, wax a chump like a candle.
Anyways I brought it up cuz tomorrow Im going to China. Not Beijing exactly, but Guangzhou, which is just north of cash money Hong Kong. So I dont know if Ill be blogging in the next week or so, because the Republic of China monitors and regulates all media in China, including the Internet. I dont know if Ill get proper access or not; or if the Chinese authorites will censor my anti-establishment messages. :) We'll see, but really all I want is to bike around like everyone else... Im easy I know.
Anyways 9 millions bicycles in Beijing. Thats a fact. More or less. Thats a lot of freakin bicycles.
Kay Gotta pack again. I SO hate packing. I need to hire migets to pack for me. What will that cost me, like 5 bucks? After all, I need to hand them my hanged shirts that they cant reach.
Can you believe thats an actual song... Lyrics to an actual song, yep. And as camp as it sounds, its actually kinda catchy. Its by Katie Melua, who if you dont know who she is, is the Russian Georgian-born, Belfast-raised UK fusion of Natalie Imbruglia / Nelly Furtado/ Vanessa Carlton... with curly locks. Think about that for a sec, thats quite the exotic combo. When you google her (and I know at least all the dudes will), youll find out how insanely cute she is. Charlie-Uniform-Tango-Echo, CUTE to the extreme, rock the mic like a vandal, light up the stage, wax a chump like a candle.
Anyways I brought it up cuz tomorrow Im going to China. Not Beijing exactly, but Guangzhou, which is just north of cash money Hong Kong. So I dont know if Ill be blogging in the next week or so, because the Republic of China monitors and regulates all media in China, including the Internet. I dont know if Ill get proper access or not; or if the Chinese authorites will censor my anti-establishment messages. :) We'll see, but really all I want is to bike around like everyone else... Im easy I know.
Anyways 9 millions bicycles in Beijing. Thats a fact. More or less. Thats a lot of freakin bicycles.
Kay Gotta pack again. I SO hate packing. I need to hire migets to pack for me. What will that cost me, like 5 bucks? After all, I need to hand them my hanged shirts that they cant reach.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Fantasy Island Part II
I cant believe they killed off Shannon. Im very upset. Obviously they dont know the rules; you cant kill off hot girls! Its just not allowed its not done! There are rules, very strict rules. Its okay to kill off the new character who you never met before (the Star Trek rule), or to kill off the coloreds (the racist hollywood establishment rule), or the ugly and the obnoxious( my rule)... but not ever EVER the hot honies. Im as pissed off as Siyed! He gets no more lovin now. Maybe they have invented a new George Bush rule, that no matter how hot you are; if you kiss and have missionary sex with an Iraqi, your DEAD. I hate that rule.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Fantasy Island
Im built on some addictions. I like being addicted to Pop Culture, it kinda defines me. Im addicted to new clothes, new shoes, new words without sounding too much like a poser (A definite skill, and its mastery is all in the context and intonation), new cities, new accessories, new toques, new gagets, new sunglasses, new cologne (Armani Black Code and Gaulter II y'all), new electronics, new books, new music, new clothes, new shoes, new young hot emerging yet undiscovered actresses, new movies, new stores, new hats, new Snapple flavours, new cars, new girl bands, new dance like youre gay songs, new cry me a river songs, new clothes, new shoes, new toys, new videogames, new videogame systems, new sports seasons, new jackets, new socks, new iPods, new cloths, new shoes and last but not least new TV shows. And most recently, Im addicted to Lost. Its got me. Im helpless. And this is what I do to get my fix, I download 350 Meg episode files from the internet, minutes after they air in North America, cuz, yup, Im addicted, and I gots too (dumbass Ireland is too slow and wont start showing the 2nd season until probably April. Fuck that.)
Now heres the interesting thing; for the first time, I get to play Drug Dealer, too, and its fun. You have no idea how many Clients I have at work, looking for the next weekly hit. If I was smart, Id sell this shtuff, and make 10s. Instead, though, I do it for the popularity, because Im insecure. On that note, its almost midnight, and I just finished downloading Episode 6. I need to watch now. And tomorrow, distibute my flash memory stick, watching the eager Irish faces as they copy my contraband. Im buying friends.
But just let me rant on one thing: who are these people that pretend they dont watch TV, or dont need TV because they think that Anti-TVism is the new cool, the new socially correct cachet? Everyones experiences it, especially when you meet someone new and youre into that "just met you, gotta sound cool" conversation, theres almost always an instance of the "nah I dont watch much TV" line drop. Like what the fah? Bah Humbug. Screw that. Im proud to watch TV. Good TV. There aint nothing wrong with it (or double negatives for that matter). This is the way I see it; TV along with movies and music, provides the single most sought after commodity known to man; escapism. People need dreams, need escapes, and TV, along with the more socially acceptible music and cinema cousins, allows that. Enrique Iglesias once sang " You can run, You can hide, but you cant escape my love"... which has nothing to do with my thesis, but Enrique is my hero, so it was a good excuse to be random yet related. And also get a song stuck in your head. ha ha!
Okay Im becoming incoherent... but one last thing, Ive heard great things about My Name is Earl... if anyone knows of a download forum for it, please let me know, because I wanna see what all the hype is about..
Okay enoughs enoughs... I need to find out who they are going to kill this episode... lates yo...
Now heres the interesting thing; for the first time, I get to play Drug Dealer, too, and its fun. You have no idea how many Clients I have at work, looking for the next weekly hit. If I was smart, Id sell this shtuff, and make 10s. Instead, though, I do it for the popularity, because Im insecure. On that note, its almost midnight, and I just finished downloading Episode 6. I need to watch now. And tomorrow, distibute my flash memory stick, watching the eager Irish faces as they copy my contraband. Im buying friends.
But just let me rant on one thing: who are these people that pretend they dont watch TV, or dont need TV because they think that Anti-TVism is the new cool, the new socially correct cachet? Everyones experiences it, especially when you meet someone new and youre into that "just met you, gotta sound cool" conversation, theres almost always an instance of the "nah I dont watch much TV" line drop. Like what the fah? Bah Humbug. Screw that. Im proud to watch TV. Good TV. There aint nothing wrong with it (or double negatives for that matter). This is the way I see it; TV along with movies and music, provides the single most sought after commodity known to man; escapism. People need dreams, need escapes, and TV, along with the more socially acceptible music and cinema cousins, allows that. Enrique Iglesias once sang " You can run, You can hide, but you cant escape my love"... which has nothing to do with my thesis, but Enrique is my hero, so it was a good excuse to be random yet related. And also get a song stuck in your head. ha ha!
Okay Im becoming incoherent... but one last thing, Ive heard great things about My Name is Earl... if anyone knows of a download forum for it, please let me know, because I wanna see what all the hype is about..
Okay enoughs enoughs... I need to find out who they are going to kill this episode... lates yo...
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Catchup on Photoblogging
Trying again to photoblog more. First bit is photos from Japan. And NO I did not take a picture of the stupid Dennys.
Ill try and do more in the next few days.
Mt. Fuji, sometimes know as the "Tika-tika-tika-tika-tika-tika-too" big wrestler lady on G.L.O.W (The Glorious Ladies of Wrestling)
Shinjuku Area of Tokyo. Or at least I think so... Mike, Hermes will correct me if Im wrong
Temple Garden in Fuji City
Ill try and do more in the next few days.
Mt. Fuji, sometimes know as the "Tika-tika-tika-tika-tika-tika-too" big wrestler lady on G.L.O.W (The Glorious Ladies of Wrestling)
Shinjuku Area of Tokyo. Or at least I think so... Mike, Hermes will correct me if Im wrong
Temple Garden in Fuji City
Saturday, November 05, 2005
On the couch Saturdays
- Having a lazy day. Spent the bulk of the day in my apartment this Saturday, with the only goal being to clean the bathroom. So far we can call it an unproductive saturday (Theres always sunday).
- Late in the evening, Irish TV was playing "The Gift" on TV3. Lads, you know the one. Just by chance catching the beginning of the movie while I was randomly flicking channels, I knew I had to run errands so I had to time this perfectly; I drove into downtown Dundalk, went to the new shopping mall that just opened to check it out, bought some groceries, returned some DVDs I rented and got back JUST in time to watch the key scene late in the movie, where Katie Holmes goes topless, flashing her marvelous boobs. Now missing that would of been devestating. Most guys would keep it safe, stay the course and wait, suffering through the movie. Not me. I think I have a new superpower: time scheduling.
- Speaking of Katie Holmes, Im wondering, cuz we all know that Tom Cruise is not the father of the baby in her belly, like comeon, hes gay; so i wonder who the real father is of the so called "immaculate conception". It could be one of those invetro jobs as well. Im betting on that.
- Pussycat Dolls. Just goes to show a band of hot girls with hooker personas can always squeeze out at least one hit song. Especially when its a song that encourages infidelity in relationships. But you know the front singer? Nicole? The Filipina. Woah... like woah... shes has potential to push on; more Justin Timberlake, and less JC Chasez...
-After the Gift, I was stuck with this difficult choice between Saturday Nite TV movies... it was either Fear, the crazy boyfriend Mark Whalberg to Reese Witherspoon movie, or Center Stage, the Ballerina movie. Mark Whalberg overacting, or slender girls dancing in tights that can do the splits. Hmmmm... tough call...
"Ballerina, you must of seen her... dancing in the sand...And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand " - Elton John
- Late in the evening, Irish TV was playing "The Gift" on TV3. Lads, you know the one. Just by chance catching the beginning of the movie while I was randomly flicking channels, I knew I had to run errands so I had to time this perfectly; I drove into downtown Dundalk, went to the new shopping mall that just opened to check it out, bought some groceries, returned some DVDs I rented and got back JUST in time to watch the key scene late in the movie, where Katie Holmes goes topless, flashing her marvelous boobs. Now missing that would of been devestating. Most guys would keep it safe, stay the course and wait, suffering through the movie. Not me. I think I have a new superpower: time scheduling.
- Speaking of Katie Holmes, Im wondering, cuz we all know that Tom Cruise is not the father of the baby in her belly, like comeon, hes gay; so i wonder who the real father is of the so called "immaculate conception". It could be one of those invetro jobs as well. Im betting on that.
- Pussycat Dolls. Just goes to show a band of hot girls with hooker personas can always squeeze out at least one hit song. Especially when its a song that encourages infidelity in relationships. But you know the front singer? Nicole? The Filipina. Woah... like woah... shes has potential to push on; more Justin Timberlake, and less JC Chasez...
-After the Gift, I was stuck with this difficult choice between Saturday Nite TV movies... it was either Fear, the crazy boyfriend Mark Whalberg to Reese Witherspoon movie, or Center Stage, the Ballerina movie. Mark Whalberg overacting, or slender girls dancing in tights that can do the splits. Hmmmm... tough call...
"Ballerina, you must of seen her... dancing in the sand...And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand " - Elton John
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Pop the Cork
This weekend was a well deserved bank holiday long weekend; Well deserved I say, especially after a 70 hr work week (Sometimes working till 3AM 3 days in a row is fun in some perverse manner, but actually Im really fishing for sympathy) Bank holidays, though, I love them. What an invention. Random days during the year where apparently banks shutdown? so everyone else does as well, like a big national game of simon says. The closest I can think of that comes close to it were the professional days we got in elementary school which I remember so fondly (as if school teachers didnt receive enough time off during the year already; along with the excellent health benefits, that profession really gots some stroke, I tell ya). So yeah, bank holidays, God bless em. We got Monday off.
I went down to Cork, in Southern Ireland with my flatmate John... staying at his parents house. And there I went with John, Miriam, and his brother Ted to go kiss the Blarney Stone. As you may know, kissing the Blarney Stone as legend has it, helps you acquire subtle eloquence and convincing persuasion, "the gift of the gab". It is also said that the Irish piss on the stone when tourists arent looking, but I think thats why the stone is so smooth. I wasnt too worried though, cuz John and Miriam went to kiss it too. FOR THE FIRST TIME. And John grew up like 5 minutes away from Blarney. Thats like living in North Vancouver all your life and not to going crossing the Capilano Bridge like ever... uh, which is totally normal actually.
Miriam going up the stairs to Blarney
John going down the stairs from Blarney
Me kissing the Blarney Stone
I went down to Cork, in Southern Ireland with my flatmate John... staying at his parents house. And there I went with John, Miriam, and his brother Ted to go kiss the Blarney Stone. As you may know, kissing the Blarney Stone as legend has it, helps you acquire subtle eloquence and convincing persuasion, "the gift of the gab". It is also said that the Irish piss on the stone when tourists arent looking, but I think thats why the stone is so smooth. I wasnt too worried though, cuz John and Miriam went to kiss it too. FOR THE FIRST TIME. And John grew up like 5 minutes away from Blarney. Thats like living in North Vancouver all your life and not to going crossing the Capilano Bridge like ever... uh, which is totally normal actually.
Miriam going up the stairs to Blarney
John going down the stairs from Blarney
Me kissing the Blarney Stone
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
