As another quarter comes to an end, so does my media log. I had fun this quarter, as I always did. What I learned in this quarter is that media greatly affects my mood. If I see a certain show or listen to a song it can make me happy or sad or whatever. Especially Filipinos who are very receptive and emotional, we are easily affected by what we see, hear, feel, etc. But just because we are like that doesn't mean that we should believe and follow everything. But that doesn't necessarily mean that all forms of media are bad, we just need to choose and be careful.

"The Curse of Curves"
BY CUTE IS WHAT WE AIM FOR

I've got the gift of one liners
And you've got the curse of curves
And with this gift I compose words
And the question that comes forward
Are you perspiring from the irony
Or sweating to these lyrics
And this just in
You're a dead fit
But my wit won't allow it
The inside lingo had me at hello
And we go where the money goes

I want someone provocative and talkative
But it's so hard when you're shallow as a shower
And from what I've heard with skin you'll win

Her bone structure screams
"Touch her! Touch her!"
And she's got the curse of the curves
So with the combination of my gift with one liners
And my way, my way with words
It seems I'm too hip to keep tight lips
And you're on the gossip team
You're making something out of nothing
And jealousy is the cause, the causing of grieve
The inside lingo had me at hello
And we go where the money goes

We all have teeth that bite underneath
To where the reality grows
Yeah, that's where mine go
The reality grows...
From what I've heard with skin you'll win
And from what I've heard with skin you'll win

Cute Is What We Aim For is a band that belongs to Fueled by Ramen, an independent record label that also handles bands such as Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, The Academy Is..., etc. I first heard them yesterday watching CD Usa at Channel V, wherein they performed their song, "The Curse of Curves". I already liked this after hearing it for the first time even though I had no idea what the song was about. So I decided to find out what the song really means by finding out about its lyrics.

Its lyrics are written well, my favorite line is "Jealousy is the cause, the causing of grieve.", I like it because it's self-explanatory and because it's true. In my opinion, what the song says is that there is a guy who is good with words (I'm thinking that the guy is the singer of the band.) and a girl who contains outer beauty also sexy and a girl who has opinions of her own and probably a good conversationalist. This is what the guy is looking for in a girl, but since he's shallow, he'd rather chase after girl who are just sexy and beautiful, no brains. I don't know why, but he's getting the short end of the stick. Well, that's what I think the song is about. Maybe it has another meaning or what, but this is what I get from the song.

Sometimes I really have a hard time understanding songs and poetry. They make use of every figurative language there is and then make use of words with multiple meanings. Finding out the real meaning of a song or a poem could go on forever with all the words we have. But even though it could take a while, I'd still try my best to understand it and find out what it's really all about.

Lyrics taken from Sing365

"Ready to Fall"
by RISE AGAINST

I can't really classify myself as an activist, but an activist or not you will really get affected by this video. Rise Against is a band known for having ideals about politics and their society. Of course, they're from USA and they're not that well known here in the Philippines, just saying. Anyways, what I have observed in the video is that Tim McIlrath, the lead vocals, has heterochromia! It's a condition wherein your irises have different colors. Kidding aside, what really grabbed my attention in the video is how the animals suffered. Also, I have known that there was still an uncut version of this video, which is more graphic, so I decided to stay with the edited one. (Who knows what will happen to me if I watch it?)

This video is sort of a testimonial to vegetarianism. I know for a fact that the band Rise Against are active supporters of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). To give you a rundown on PETA, it is the largest animal rights organization in the world, according to PETA, itself. Being an animal lover I have considered joining this organization but unfortunately, I can't live without meat. Although I love vegetables, I just can't resist a juicy cheeseburger once its served before me. So seeing this video made me feel guilty, if you look at the animals in their poor condition you'd want to go there and do something like tell the people off. (Oh, the poor animals.) Also this video removes the stereotype of rock stars being "bad". Rise Against are rock stars who care for animals and they spread that message through their music. I bow down to them. (TRIVIA: Their album where the song "Ready to Fall" is in is titled: "The Sufferer and the Witness". Makes you think, right? Animals=Sufferer, Us=Witness)

"Lying Through Your Teeth"
HEAD AUTOMATICA

Everybody knows you're a liar, why don't I?
I just heard about your lovin' on the side
You're telling tall tales girl
Spinning webs to big to climb
Everybody knows you're a liar, why don't I?

I always knew you were a fraud

You're lying through your teeth
You're not at all, not at all what you seem

Girl your love's so cheap, we been passing you around
There's cheating on your lips and you've been the talk of my town
Fix your mask girl
It's crooked on the side
Everybody knows you're a liar, why don't I?

I can't get enough of this song, the first time that I heard it. I don't know why but it's such a fun song even though it's talking about a girl cheating. I like the song and I like the lyrics, but I can't say the same for the video though. It looks like a Hey Ya* rip-off. Hey Ya, the song by Outkast which had a video similar to this, except it was cooler because of Outkast's different personas. This is actually the first video of Head Automatica that I have seen, all I have of them are mp3s, so this one being a first, I sort of had big expectations. But, oh well, it's just a video and the music is really what it's all about.

Note to self: Next time don't expect too much from music videos. You like the song in the first place, not the video. Again, music is really what it's all about.

Lyrics taken from Azlyrics

* If you want to view Outkast's Hey Ya to see the similarities click this.

SUDOKU

I don't really know where and when the Sudoku fad started here in the Philippines but all I know is that it's spreading. At newspapers there is a daily Sudoku puzzle differing from difficulty day by day. I think it has even replaced the Sunday crossword on newspapers. There are Sudoku puzzles you can download for free care of the Internet. In almost every bookstore there are books on Sudoku that you can purchase. With Sudoku being almost everywhere, people are sure to take notice. I don't know who created this but from the name itself, which is Japanese, let's just think that a Japanese created it. (Another Japanese wonder, from Hello Kitty to anime and now to Sudoku.)

Sudoku is solved by filling all the 9x9 grid and the 3x3 boxes with the digits 1 to 9. Seems so easy, right? But I myself, haven't even finished a single puzzle, I decided to leave it to those who has the patient and the logic to solve one. So instead of sulking and not doing Sudoku puzzles I resolved to just finding more about it and not giving up. So thanks to UNCYCLOPEDIA I have found a way to solve Sudoku in 9 easy steps.




"It's very easy to solve a Sudoku puzzle. Let's start with a simple puzzle."

















"First, you begin by filling in all the ones."

"Then you fill in all the twos."



















"Then you fill in all the threes."



"Then you fill in all the fours, fives, sixes, sevens, eights, and nines. Easy!"











Now, why don't you try a Sudoku puzzle?

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

Well, the title doesn't exactly roll of the tongue but then again it can be shortened to "Ned's Declassified" but I feel as though it's incomplete. Anyways, this show which is aired on Nickelodeon is about Ned Bigby (Devon Werkheiser) who faces a lot of problems in his school together with his best friends, Moze (Lindsey Shaw) and Cookie (Daniel Curtis Lee). The reason why there's the word, guide in its title is because Ned gives tips about a certain situation that almost any teenager can encounter, e.g. Crushes, Picture Day, Dares, Rumors, etc. That's why I'll admit that I'm hooked to it.

This show contains a lot of characters that help make the show livelier. There are bullies, popular kids, nerds, jocks, the usual teenage cast. But there were the unusual kind, like the future lawyer, backpack kid, a girl who can only use 23% of her sense of smell, well it's a jam packed cast. This show also makes use of a lot of popular cultures, like in one episode there was a reference to Scooby Doo, wherein a character was made to look like Velma and the classic line at the end, "If it wasn't for those meddling kids!" Also they have a format where a scene is like a sports report.

At the end of the day, I would like to recommend this show for a student who's done doing her homework at the weekends and for a night of a few laughs and giggles.

SIMPSONS CHRISTMAS

I found this video on YouTube attempting to have the mood for our Christmas Party later. It's not that I'm not in the mood for Christmas but it's just because I'm tired and sleepy and I don't want to ruin the Christmas party with my mood. So I thought to find something Christmas related. I tried looking for a song but our Christmas songs CDs seem to have disappeared. Well, since we have technology, I decided to go online. Instead of songs, I just searched videos, and where else to search but in YouTube? But the results that I had when I typed "Christmas" were disappointing. Then I thought of The Simpsons (I don't know why.) and a lot of results came and the choosing was up to me.

I stumbled upon this video wherein Bart makes his own version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Knowing The Simpsons, I knew that there would be a twist in this poem, and well the video takes the cake. It was classic Simpsons style, very humorous and really catches your attention. So after this watching this video, with a few giggles and smiles, I guess I was in the mood already.

SHINOBI: HEART UNDER BLADE

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade is a movie about the rivalry of two ninja clans, Iga and Koga. Yet, their land has been unified and peace reigns until Tokugawa Ieyasu, the highest ruler of Japan, schemes for their destruction in order to achieve total domination. He sees the ninjas as a great obstruction in his plans and therefore thinks of a plot to intensify the rivalry of the two clans. He summons the two clans to have their 5 best warriors to have a fight to the death. Unfortunately star-crossed lovers, Oboro (Nakama Yukie) from the Iga clan and Gennosuke (Odagiri Joe) from the Koga clan were chosen to be the chieftains of their clan. Oboro and Gennosuke who were secretly married are opposed to the plan that Tokugawa has for them, leading to Gennosuke's decision to go to Sumpu together with the other 4 great warriors of Koga in order to find out the reason for their fight, with the Iga clan following. Although Gennosuke's pursuit of peace has begun his comrades on the other hand are keen on fighting. Saying they are of no use once peace reigns stating that they are weapons. There was no way for them to ever attain peace in their clans, they gradually accepted their fate and the soon deaths of their comrades transpired. Until they were the only ones left, they had no other choice but to fight with each other. Gennosuke chose not to defend himself allowing Oboro to win while Tokugawa sent his armies to go and destroy the ninja villages. Oboro begs for him to stop the attacks and to let them live peacefully, knowing about her skill, "The Eyes of Destruction", Tokugawa declines. To show her sincerity, Oboro blinds herself, destroying her most powerful weapon, with that act Tokugawa finally agrees. Oboro has saved both villages and the ninjas continued to live peacefully, according to the movie, their descendants continue to live on until today. (Scary, eh?)

This movie in my opinion had a lot of talented artists. Take Nakama Yukie for instance, she portrayed Oboro, a soft and kind hearted person misplaced in a battlefield who just wants to be with her lover. She had some scenes wherein all that was showing emotion was her face, her body void of motion. Gennosuke, portrayed by Odagiri Joe, also impressed me when he hugged Oboro, (the image in the middle) the scene was so sweet. Although it was just a hug, I really felt how much they loved each other. There was also Hotarubi, the girl in the pink kimono, portrayed by Sawajiri Erika, who just wanted to protect Oboro because Oboro was the only person she's got and the only person who cared for her. There's also Yashamaru, portrayed by Sakaguchi Tak, who had no lines only expressions and amazing fight scenes. The cinematography of this movie is amazing. The landscape shots were breath taking, that it made me want to go to Japan or wherever they shot. The fight scenes were mind-blowing and I was already expecting that, since after all, it is made in Japan, need I say more? All in all this movie was a great balance of action, history and romance. It got me researching about ninjas and all that jazz. Like Hattori Hanzo who was also featured in Kill Bill fictionally. The setting was appropriate for this movie not to mention it got me salivating, I'm envious of the fact that Japan really takes good care of Mother Earth. The costumes were flamboyant, which is a good thing, since ninjas have been stereotyped wearing black jumpers with masks, etc. but they have evolved! Colorful kimonos and fur (Although I am anti-fur), obi belts, scarves, etc. If I was to rate this movie I'd give it 8.5 sushis out of 10 sushis.

Pictures taken from SaruDrama

P.S. Yashamaru is that guy on the left, he seems a bit androgynous but I was attracted to him none the less! Odagiri Joe also gets on my good side.

Full House

A story about love and heartbreak, sadness and self-preservation. A naive, cheerful albeit, somewhat of a recluse writer, Han Ji Eun (Song Hye Gyo) is swindled out of everything she owns. Not by strangers, but her best friends! Stranded in another country, she is determined to get home with the help of an actor, Lee Young Jae (Bi). She borrows money from him and plans to pay him back after landing in Korea, only to find that all which is precious to her has been sold. In an attempt to get her possessions back, she has entered in a contract marriage with Young Jae for three months. It is quite simple, until feelings start to develop. Everyone around them test the "love" Young Jae and Ji Eun have for one another. In spite of it all, Ji Eun manages to be humorous and endearing - even when her heart is breaking. (Taken from Wiki D-Addicts)

This show was aired last two summers ago but I've only watched it recently. See here, I have a thing for popular media, I end up liking them when everyone's forgotten about them. Kind of weird, but that's the way I am. So moving on, this Koreanovela is actually known all over Asia. That's the power of Korean Wave or as they like to call it, "Hallyu". Anyways, the male actor, Lee Young Jae, played by actor, singer, dancer, Rain or Bi, is a person who is weak when it comes to expressing his feelings, I mean, he only got to say "I love you.", to Han Ji Eun (Song Hye Gyo) at the final episode! He has his own special ways in showing how much he cares for a person, like calling her names, making her clean his house and anything else that a slave driver would do. Han Ji Eun, on the other hand would follow his beck and call and clean every nook and cranny inside his house, or rather her house that her deceased father built for her. That's where the name of the series comes in, Full House, a house full of love. But how can it be full of love when they entered themselves into a contract marriage? Well sooner or later, Ji Eun realizes her feelings for Young Jae and even said, "I think I like you.", with Young Jae responding with a laugh and saying, "You're really funny." Of course in a drama it wouldn't be complete without an arch nemesis, namely Young Jae's best friend, who he couldn't even confess his love to, named Kang Hye Won (played by Han Eun Jung), who loves another man who is also Young Jae's friend, Yoo Min Hyuk (Kim Sung Soo). But then Min Hyuk has no intentions of having Hye Won as a partner which then results to Hye Won going to Young Jae and Min Hyuk falling in love with Ji Eun. But later on, Young Jae couldn't seem to stop himself from getting jealous whenever he sees that Ji Eun goes on a date with Min Hyuk, not realizing it himself until the time came when Ji Eun left for a trip and he suddenly calls Hye Won, "Ji Eun". Since I want you (Yes, you, Ms. Platon :P) to watch this series, I won't reveal everything but all in all it's such a good story and it makes you want to hug someone after.

What I liked from this series was first of all (in no particular order), the dialog. There were lines that were cheesy but you wouldn't really care if they were like, "Promise me that you won't let go of my hand until I let go of yours." or, "From now on I'll make you happy. I will protect you.", "She is the most important person for me. She taught me the meaning of happiness. She is the woman I love the most." and, "I love you too much that I think I'll explode." Second, is the plot. As I said before, Koreans have a way of making simple gestures seem so sweet. I mean look at it an actor in a contract marriage with an ordinary girl, living in the same house even before they were married. It doesn't really sound good but Koreans have a way of making it look sweet. Third, is the music, although I pretty much don't understand it and it completes the dramatic and romantic scenes. Except for the song "I Think I" the song was explained to me indirectly by a Korean and says that at first they don't even have the slightest feelings for each other but in the end they start to fall for each other, hence, "I think I love you". (TRIVIA: Last year at the T.H.E. week, II-Banaag sang "I Think I" from Full House, I was included and we won!)

It brings me great joy that after a hard day in school, by 8:00 pm I laze around the couch and hear, "In The Street" by Cheap Trick which signals the beginning of That '70s Show. This sitcom revolves around a group of teenagers who live in Point Place, Wisconsin, (which does not really exist) and tells about their lives and mishaps, which spells comedy. Anyways, Eric Forman (Topher Grace) is the main character with his parents, Kitty and Red Forman (Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith) who lives next next door to Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon) his soon-to-be girlfriend, with his friends, Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson), Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) and Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis). Their group is full of character, Eric, who is whipped by his da; Donna who is Eric's feminist girlfriend; Hyde a rebel and a stoner that you can't seem to hate; Kelso, an unintelligent yet handsome guy and Fez, the foreign exchange student who adapts to American culture.

"Son you don't have bad luck. The reason bad things happen to you? Is Because you're a dumbass."
- Red Forman

What I like about this show ultimately is its plot. Talk about a blast from the past even though I'm not an American I like it (Maybe it's because of our colonial mentality...). It shows what Americans citizens were up against during the '70s in a very comedic manner, like how Eric, Hyde, Kelso and Fez planned to streak in former President Gerald Ford's campaign. What I also like about this show are its elements. They have the split screen effect, which according to Wikipedia, "involves two characters talking to each other about the same topic as two other people with foil viewpoints: almost disturbingly similar but differing in a few major key points for comic effect". They also have "The Circle" in which Eric and his friends do to just talk about life with several jokes on the side. They also use the deadpan humor in which a character delivers a comedic line or action without his expression changing which puts the icing on the cake with their great and sometimes nonsensical dialog. Another thing that I like about this show is that it showcases the music from the '70s, which I, of course, am in favor of and adore.

This show is a great stress reliever and great when just need a time to laugh. Unfortunately I haven't watched all its 8 seasons yet, and I am only on season 2 since JackTv is my only source for watching it. Watching this show made me realize how I like Topher Grace better than Ashton Kutcher.

Addicted to Love

Good-natured astronomer Sam is devastated when the love of his life, Linda, leaves him for a suave Frenchman named Anton. He therefore does what every other normal dumpee would do; go to New York and set up home in the abandoned building opposite his ex-girlfriend's apartment, intent on winning her back and waiting until she decides to leave her current lover. What Sam does not count on is being joined several weeks later by ultra hip tomboy Maggie, a photographer and motor-cyclist that is determined to get revenge on Anton, her ex-fiance. Hostile at first, the two of them eventually join forces in an attempt to separate the couple, and ruin Anton's life. However, complications ensue when Sam and Maggie start falling for each other. (Taken from Amazon)

When I was in third grade I watched this movie together with my mom, since she's a big Meg Ryan fan. I remember rambling about Meg's movie, French Kiss, but I couldn't get to find a copy of French Kiss, so we settled with this at HBO. As a third grader who had nothing to do in a couple of years I forgot all about that movie. Until several days ago I got the chance to watch it again. I was doing my homework, while watching TV (Yes, I know its bad but with the TV on the more I get ideas and the initiative to do my homework. Please don't scold me, Miss Platon. :D) and I got drawn to it. Memories came back of the time when me and my mom were watching it. At the start of the movie I saw the cast overview and I saw the name. "Matthew Broderick". The first that came to mind was Simba from Lion King, second was Sarah Jessica Parker's husband. So I don't really know much about him. But it was a good thing that I watched this movie again, I had no idea when I was in third grade how good it is.

Meg Ryan for me is such a beautiful actress. (My mom's like for her must have rubbed off on me.) I fell in love with her character, Maggie, in this movie. Maggie was a woman scorned and out for revenge. As the saying goes, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Matthew Broderick, who plays Sam, was for me a kind man but a clingy lover. I was entertained by these two vengeful stalkers who have nothing better to do than spy on their ex-lovers and I wonder whether they should be jailed or institutionalized. But all in all, the plot was very original and it gave laughs and sometimes it made you really feel sorry for the French guy that they duped. I was impressed with their acting and now I know that Matthew Broderick isn't only just Simba's voice over. As a fan of romantic comedies I vouch people to watch this movie again and again as I would.

Once again a new beginning comes to my humble media log. I'll be having fun in giving out my critiques and opinions of different media content. Like the image above which was actually taken by... (drum roll please) Mindy Balatbat! Yes, Mindy has a hidden and now known talent for photography. I was amazed by the image since it was taken just out of the blue since we were in awe of the round flower vase and we decided to prod Mindy into taking a picture of it. So after taking the photograph we were speechless and since it was my camera she used I got the photograph for free. This picture almost seems like something taken from a photo album, but if I were the photographer in this case, I wouldn't have been able to produce a nice photo as this one. Which leads me to one conclusion which is related to media, that in the hands of another person media can be easily altered and it won't be the same as it was. (Darn!)

To sum up all I have written for this quarter is that media can be perceived with different meanings. I have realized that it is quite difficult to create forms of media when you know that the whole world can react to it differently. It's not really a big of a deal once it's just a clash of personalities or what but when it comes to really serious things like the values and morals are ignored and MTRCB prepares to get their hands dirty. Now you know that you're in trouble. As a person who is influenced by the media every single day, what I should do is to be careful. I should keep my values and morals intact.

"For Blue Skies"
Strays Don't Sleep

It's been a long year since we last spoke
How's your halo?
Just between you and I
You and me and the sad lights
I never believed you I only wanted to
Before all this what did I miss
Do you ever get homesick?

I can't get used to it, I can't get used to it
I'll never get used to it, I'll never get used to it

Remember that night among those same stars
We're in a red car you were sleep at my side
Going in & out of the headlights
Could I have saved you?
Would that have betrayed you?

I want to burn this film you alone with those pills
What you couldn't do I will

I forgive you
I forgive you
I forgive you
I forgive you

For blue blue skies
I forgive you

People can have different interpretations on this song. But if ever you hear it, you'll probably think of a sad and depressing event. The song is beautiful, and I'll confess that I cried when I first heard this song. It wasn't a boisterous song that could immediately grab your attention, but once you got to hear it you'll appreciate it for its sheer beauty. It is a very simple song, there were no guitar solos and no belt-out vocals, actually what I really heard in this song was the solemn notes from the piano.

What really interested me was that how a lot people debated over the internet what this song meant. One said it was about redemption and forgiveness, hence the line, "I forgive you". Another said that forgiveness was the theme, but the forgiveness of what or whom? Continuing on their train of thought one concluded it was forgiving a loved one who committed a suicide. The lines that lead him to his conclusion were, "How's your halo?" and the name of the song, "For Blue Skies", because skies usually represent heaven. For me, I think this song is really about forgiveness, but not exactly forgiving a person who committed suicide. For me, it was about forgiving a person to bring back the original state of their relationship. But unfortunately their relationship couldn't get back to its original state and the result was both of them can't get used to it. But I guess it was better to still have each other rather than losing the relationship itself. Well, that's my opinion.

Once again, media rears its unpredictable head. What I'm really bothered by is a lot of things have lots of meanings. Like how a kiss always means something, quoted from Peyton Sawyer. You can't kiss a person just for the heck of it, right? Media is so confusing since we have lots of interpretations of it. That's why probably organizations like the MTRCB are made. Media practitioners can't really force the viewers to think on the same line as they do, that's just wrong. Darn.

Credits to:
www.songmeanings.com
www.google.com

BOY MEETS WORLD

Mr. Feeny: The tragedy here, Mr. Matthews, is not about a dumb girl or the boy who kills himself because of her. It is about the all consuming power of love and the inevitability of its influence on each of our lives.
Cory: Are you aware that I'm only 11 years old?

This line was taken from the pilot episode of Boy Meets World. Basically what they're talking about is Romeo and Juliet, which in my point of view for a sixth grader is too much. I remember when I was in sixth grade that I already knew about Romeo and Juliet, but too study it, not so much. He was staying after school because of detention for attempting to listen to a game while Mr. Feeny, his teacher, was discussing the great value of love in people's lives. The reason why Cory tried to listen to the game was because he felt rejected after his brother chose a girl instead of him to take to the game. Well, if I were in his place, I'd guess I'd feel the same thing, too. But as the episode progressed it tells how his brother failed miserably at his date since he kept on tripping and had nothing to say. Instead of just giving up, Eric, Cory's big brother, was encouraged by Cory to call back the girl and try again. Cory then learned the importance of love and family.

Once again, this show was shown at Disney Channel, but when I was in third grade. I have to say that my memory is quite good, since I remembered the pilot episode, but the lines I didn't since I got them from www.tv.com! This show's target audience, that I just got to know recently, was kids. I can say that they were effective since when I was in third grade, right after the first episode I couldn't wait for tomorrow to watch the next. In my previous entry, I wrote about Fred Savage, who is the brother of Ben Savage, who plays Cory in this show. Boy Meets World focuses more of the dramedy (drama and comedy) side while The Wonder Years showcases serious events that wouldn't exactly make you laugh but is still appreciated very much. Throughout this episode, it introduced each of the characters in a span of time, like Mr. Feeny, who might start of as a teacher who you wouldn't really want to listen to, but at the end you'd see how Cory really does listen and takes into account what Mr. Feeny teaches. It was a great way to start a series.

Credits to en.wikipedia.org for the image and www.tv.com for the quotes.

I remember watching this show together with my family at Disney Channel when I was in sixth grade. The reason why my parents liked it was because it featured the historical background of America during the 1960's up to the 1970's. On the other hand, the reason why I liked it was because it wasn't your usual teen show about peer pressure and raging hormones. This tv show features the life of Kevin Arnold, who is played by Fred Savage, who is now a director, who is also the brother of Ben Savage, the star in another renowned show called "Boy Meets World.

This show fascinates me since during that time I watched it, I could relate to it. During sixth grade, that was the point in my life where I found true friends and people I can really rely on. Kevin Arnold is just a normal boy dealing with problems a teenager usually encounters. Also I liked the way how there is an older and more mature Kevin Arnold narrating his experiences. It has a sentimental feeling to it, going back and reminiscing the past. It just makes you think how someday you'll definitely do this, too. Actually my favorite episode was where Kevin and his best friend Paul both had feelings for Winnie Cooper. But in the end, Winnie confessed to Paul that she had feelings for Kevin not for him. It was a typical scene that I could sometimes see in dramas but its charm was where they played this song called "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker. It was a good scene and the song fitted perfectly because even though Paul got dumped by Winnie because of Kevin they were still best friends.

The reason why this show was really successful, in my opinion, because the storyline was relatable but not that cliché and it also featured events that really happened, like the Vietnam War. Also it catered to the audiences from my age during that time, which was 12 years old up to I think, 40 something. Also the songs are amazing, think 60's and 70's and right now, everyone loves those things. People love the classics.

Credits to en.wikipedia.org for the image above.

Broken
by Seether feat. Amy Lee


I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph and I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away

'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

You've gone away, you don't feel me, anymore

The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

You've gone away
You don't feel me here anymore

Basically what intrigued me in this song is how differently people view it. One person I know sees it as, of course, a dejected break-up song. Another one views it as a song for unrequited love. And the answer that I found weird and disturbing was it was a stoner longing for drugs. Okay then.... But for me, this song doesn't necessarily tackle your boyfriend or girlfriend or whatever, but vaguely a loved one. If I was to dedicate this song, I'd dedicate this to a person I met recently. He isn't a boyfriend (don't worry, Ms. Platon, :P) and it's not a song expressing my unrequited love and I'm definitely not a stoner. I'd offer this song to Lola Domeng, the person I met during our outreach activity a while ago. She told me her life story, in which I cried buckets, and even though it made me really sad, it made me think how lucky I was. I think her sharing was right on time, since I was feeling pretty pissed off at the direction my life was going, but after hearing her open up I felt horrible thinking how cursed my life is. I really want to express my gratitude to Lola Domeng, but unfortunately they don't have computers there and I doubt she'd even like the song I'd chosen for her.

All in all, a certain form of media might just express a single idea, but different people interpret it differently. That's why the media can be rather a double-edged sword. It can portray good ideas which can me misunderstood by others. We really have no control of this and all I have to say is that we got to keep our values on check.

Credits to www.azlyrics.com for the lyrics and www.impactlab.com for the image.

Taiyou no Uta
(Song to the Sun)

This Japanese Drama, or jdorama, is about a girl who suffers from a sickness called xeroderma pigmentosum, which may be described as an allergy to the sun and is not allowed to be exposed to sunlight, according to Wikipedia. Therefore, she doesn't live a normal life, since the only time she is allowed to go out is at nighttime. Yet, even though she lives a life like this she continues to dream on becoming a singer. When she was 16 yrs. old while she was in the hospital, every 4 am she would see and observe a boy who is always carrying a bento (lunch box) and one day she saw him throw away his guitar. On her whim, she decided to get the guitar and through that her love and desire for singing sprung all thanks to that boy that she will eventually meet in the next 2 years.

The plot might seem cliché but what interested me in the first place was the illness called xeroderma pigmentosum (xp). I never knew that there was such thing. Which is one of the reasons why I watched it in the first place since most of these type of scenarios often involved cancer, cancer, and cancer and don't forget cancer! But then again, as told on the disclaimer of this show, the sickness varies from person to person and can cause an early end to one's life, in her case at 20 yrs. old and the show she's currently 18. But I haven't finished the show yet and I'm still on episode 2, so who knows? She might still live.

Overall, what I like in this show is the plot, at least they gave cancer a break and I don't know maybe Jdorama's just get to me. Also the thing that I really like is their instrumentals. I love hearing those and thanks to those sounds it helps to emphasize the sadness or joy of a scene. For me, Japanese composers are great, they need no words, and besides I couldn't understand what they're saying if they had lyrics.

Credits to http://www.wiki.d-addicts.com and http://www.d-addicts.com/forum for the pictures

"Stay Together For The Kids"
Blink 182

It's hard to wake up, when the shades have been pulled shut
This house is haunted, it's so pathetic, it makes no sense at all
I'm ripe with things to say, the words rot and fall away
What stupid poem could fix this home, I'd read it every day

So here's your holiday, hope you enjoy this time, you gave it all away.
It was mine, so when you're dead and gone, will you remember this night?
Twenty years now lost. It's not right.

Their anger hurts my ears, been running strong for seven years
Rather then fix the problems, they never solve them, it makes no sense
I see them everyday, we get along so why can't they?
If this is what he wants, and it's what she wants, then why is there so much pain?

So here's your holiday, hope you enjoy this time, you gave it all away.
It was mine, so when you're dead and gone, will you remember this night?
Twenty years now lost. It's not right.

So here's your holiday, hope you enjoy this time, you gave it all away.
It was mine, so when you're dead and gone, will you remember this night?
Twenty years now lost. It's not right.
It's not right.
It's not right.
It's not right.

Whenever I hear this song, I don't know whether to feel pissed off at the parents or to commend them for "staying together for the kids". This song was sung by a band which I thought was unlikely to make a song like this, but still a band I am a big fan of. Since Blink 182, in my eyes, is a band that has the devil-may-care attitude and the ones who could most probably get away with murder. But surprise, surprise, they can compare notes with issues like this.

I have a friend who is in the same situation as the entity in the song. She's definitely a friend, she's not me, since she's an only child and I'm the middle child (complete with middle child syndrome...)! Moving on, my friend is already expressing how painful it is for her knowing that her parents aren't happy staying together. According to her, her parents want to stay together so that she wouldn't have to go through a life of having separated parents, and well we all know how a big a deal that situation is. I'm not a big fan of separation, but what's the use of staying together if they still fight?

Their anger hurts my ears, been running strong for seven years. Rather then fix the problems, they never solve them, it makes no sense. I see them everyday, we get along so why can't they? If this is what he wants, and it's what she wants, then why is there so much pain?

No matter how sad and painful this song can be, it's still one of my favorites. I guess its honesty is part of its charm. There aren't any unfathomable words, but stringed together the words look intricate, also a lot of kids can relate to it and I like punk. Through this song, I feel as if I've gone through this, but thank goodness, I haven't. Whoever's going through this though, has all my prayers and my empathy which is the only thing I can do right now.

Credits to www.eastcorkcameragroup.ie/members/gallery.album03

America's Next Top Model Cycle 4

Do you have what it takes to be America's Next Top Model? Obviously this reality tv show is about women aspiring to become the next top model since Tyra Banks has retired. I have watched about 3 cycles of this show, cycle 3, 4 and currently watching cycle 5. My favorite is cycle 4, because I like the contestants and whenever I watch them I sometimes think of being a photographer. Moving on, every week there is definitely a photo shoot since that's what models do and in between there are catfights and the judging/criticizing, etc. Basically I guess this show was made for teenagers who wanted to see the glamour in modeling and to inspire teenagers who wanted to be models.

While watching this show, I sometimes think Tyra Banks is too much. I know that she is a great model but having this show gave me the feeling that without her the modeling industry would have a great shortcoming or something, well, this is my opinion. Anyways, I really like how the challenges Tyra and the other producers make the other models do like a photo shoot of the 7 Mortal Sins shot in a coffin. Also in when they were photographed wherein they had to be of a different race, their makeovers were amazing and I am left in awe of the make-up artists. Imagine an African American turned into a Korean, that's the power of make-up. After all it is a show involving fashion and somehow I get tips at least.

All in all what I have to say about this show is it's addicting. Also, everyone is pretty much interested about the high-fashion life and all that jazz so that's why a lot of viewers support them. Not to mention, Tyra Banks is there! So why not watch it? I may sound sarcastic but she is one the reasons why I watched the show in the first place. So thanks to media and their popular personalities I now know that if I ever go into advertising or something is that I shouldn't look down on the celebrities' power.

Credits to wikipedia.com for the image above.

Eiji Onizuka, a graduate from a third-grade university cum a gangster head, has always wanted to be a great teacher. An opportunity has come when a school is short of a teacher and he happens to get employed! Although his gangster status and attitude create lots of headaches for many, his warmth towards teaching gradually touches them and gains their acceptance.
(Summary taken from http://www.jdorama.com/)

This drama hasn't aired yet in the Philippines, but thanks to my reliable source I got to watch it. Of course, it wasn't dubbed, so I had to rely on the subs, which was fine for me since I wanted to hear how Japanese people conversed and how they pronounced their common phrases, like "Sayonara" which I have often heard in an American accent. Anyways, I found out about this series, since I saw the anime on Animax, so there.

What drew my attention to watch this show was its plot. It wasn't ordinary and it was surprising, I mean, come on! Can a gangster head really be a teacher? But I guess that's what drew me and the Japanese viewers to watch this. Well, since he is a gangster, there weren't any boring parts seeing how he used his brute force and clever tactics to show his students how much he cares for them. Like in my favorite episode wherein there was this genius student who didn't want to go to school anymore, since the lessons there for him are mediocre and out of his league. Yet thanks to Onizuka, who showed him how in school you just don't learn facts, you learn lessons in life which could not be read in books and in school you gain friends, which is one of the most important factors. Also in another episode where he literally broke the wall separating the mother and father of one of his students, which actually mended the relationship of the family, isn't he so cool?

I guess the Japanese really have a way of showing how important teachers are. The way they treat their "sensei" is already integrated into their systems but still this show has garnered a lot of attention or rather ratings. This is already part of their culture and for me it would be a good way for us to be enculturated with it. I'm not typing this to suck up or anything, but the teachers we see aren't the only teachers around. So whenever someone gave us new knowledge, learnings, etc. we should be thankful and show them respect. (Right, Miss?)

Credits to google.com for the pictures and jdorama.com for the summary.

Twins Gillian Chung Victimized by Spying Paparazzis

(Credits to Karazen Staff and Min Lee of Canadian Press)

HONG KONG (AP) Aug 24, 2006 - The cover of a Hong Kong magazine that shows a photo of a local pop star adjusting her bra while changing backstage has stirred an outcry, with critics denouncing the display as despicable.

The current issue of Easy Finder magazine shows Gillian Chung of the Hong Kong female pop duo Twins fixing her bra backstage at a concert at the Malaysian entertainment resort of Genting last week. Her breast is not revealed. The second, smaller cover photo shows Chung naked shoulder up. The headline reads, "Ah Kiu releases bra near back window," using Chung's Chinese nickname.

The voyeuristic photo has drawn protests from the government, editorialists, journalists and members of the public who filed hundreds of complaints against the cover to government regulators. Easy Finder didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

The exact situation remains unclear, what’s confirmed is that a hidden pinhole camera was planted in the changing room for TWINS concert in Genting Highland, and pictures were taken of Gillian naked without her knowing it.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association said in a statement the photos violated professional ethics and "seriously" violated personal privacy. "The association believes reporters should respect personal reputation and privacy. They should avoid violating privacy when reporting on a subject's private life without his or her consent," the statement said.

The respected Ming Pao Daily News said in an editorial Thursday the cover "can only be described as dirty and obscene." "These magazines, for the sake of galvanizing readers and spike circulation, have stooped to a level where they use illegitimate means, and anything goes," it wrote.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Joseph Wong was quoted as saying in Ming Pao, "taking photos secretly is always wrong." "The wording in magazines is getting increasingly obscene and gross," Wong told a private gathering with reporters.

Chung's record label EEG is seeking legal advice, it said in a statement.

Hong Kong's in-your-face paparazzi tactics have drawn fire before. Eastweek magazine was shut down amid the backlash after publishing on its cover a photo of a visibly distressed, seminude female star, widely reported to be Carina Lau, in October 2002.

http://www.karazen.com/news/2006/AUG/gillian_08_22.php

Sometimes, people don't know what their limitations are. When I read this article, I felt pissed off at whoever took those pictures since it was a complete violation of one's privacy. Gillian Chung, whom was mentioned in this blog earlier, or at least seen, starred in the movie, House of Fury. So at least I was bit familiar of her when emphatizing, since if anyone would experience anything like this, celebrity or not, I am pretty sure they would be mortified.

People just love gossip and probably our love for gossip is what amplifies the entertainment magazines to resort to these obscene measures. People are waiting for something to stir up their lives and make it more interesting, but I hope that this predicament won't ever happen again. I have heard celebrities saying that rumors and gossip are the lower-end to their bargain but having the paparazzi while you're naked isn't such a bonus. Good thing there are people, most of them are fans, who sympathize with Gillian. Thanks to their efforts in leading a petition, the pictures were put down at least and legal actions are still being discussed. So I hope that Ms. Gillian Chung will receive due justice. So beware of changing rooms with windows!

ARMOR FOR SLEEP

"The Truth About Heaven"

Walk past my grave in the dark tonight,
Saw the stone in the note you left for me,
To answer your question I just had to leave,
I just had to leave.

But that's not why I'm here,
I came down here to tell you it rains in heaven all day long,
I wanna find you so bad and let you know
I'm miserable up here without you, miserable up here without you.

Found my way back in the dark tonight,
Couldn't wake up not right next to you
I'd trade forever to just hear you say the sound of my name.

But that's not why I'm here,
I came down here to tell you it rains in heaven all day long,
I wanna find you so bad and let you know
I'm miserable up here without you, miserable up here without you.

Don't believe that it's better when you leave everything behind,
Don't believe that the weather is perfect the day that you die,
Don't believe that the weather is perfect the day that you die.

I came down here to tell you it rains in heaven all day long,
I wanna find you so bad and let you know
I'm miserable up here without you, miserable up here without you.

Don't believe that the weather is perfect the day that you die.

Armor For Sleep is an alternative rock band whose latest album, What To Do When You Are Dead, loosely talks about life and death. The song above, The Truth About Heaven, definitely has some elements of death and the surprisingly expected topic, love. Anyways, if you just read the lyrics and without the melody and the vocalist singing, you will realize that it is so cheesy. Now I have realized why rock bands are worshipped everywhere and have their groupies, it is because they make the cheesy things sound so cool.

Ben Jorgensen, the lead singer, wrote this song and I am pretty impressed with the way he wrote it. He wrote it as if he had already experienced death. I am positively sure that he is still alive and kicking and currently he has not gone through any near-death experience, so why did he already have this idea of heaven? The good thing about it is that no one can defy him of what he wrote since no one living in this world has experienced this sort of thing. Maybe this heaven is just a hyperbole but with the way he wrote it, whenever I hear this song I visualize heaven as the dictionaries describe it. But setting aside the real meaning of heaven, this song tells how a person would rather come back down than stay in heaven where his loved one is not around. Man, it is so cheesy, but cool in a way! Whoever Ben's girlfriend is must be a pretty lucky lady since he tells her heaven is not the paradise that everyone talks about if he is there all alone.

The reason why I am so obsessed with music is that I find it amusing how people of different aspects view life in a different way. Also how rock stars get away with being branded as cheesy and how the emo genre suffers from this. Oh well, if I did not have music in my life, I guess it would not be as nice as it is now.

Thanks to azlyrics.com for providing me the lyrics and google.com for the picture.

This is another new beginning or maybe a page of my media log. I will be definitely typing about the forms of media I will encounter. I would probably type a lot since I never stop watching tv, I never get banned from using the Internet, I always have easy access to books and other reading materials and the radio is within my reach. So I will have nothing to say or rather type. I guess that's just the way I am since I am a mouthful, really.
Anyhoo, the sunshine above, which sort of looks like a sunset, is a symbol of course for a new beginning. It's not that I'm completely shunning away my former entries, but there are a lot of new things springing up from everywhere and I need to catch up. So I guess, I have to start right now... or maybe in a few days.

Thanks to sunshine_beach.com for the image above.

What I have realized in typing my entries is that, media is really poweful and that I can't live without it. Media is something that keeps me going, believe it or not, after a hard day's work, or studying, media is the thing that I can rely on. It keeps me sane, it helpsme relax and makes me happy. Though, I think that sometimes I have too much exposure, but what is too much and too little? Media comes in all shapes and sizes and little by little I live a life so engrossed in it. It seems such a bad thing but when I think about it, I can't help it! Also, a lot of people are even more obssessed with it than I am. So, in conclusion, what I'm trying to point out is, media is a huge part of my life. Also, I realize that it helps make me what I am today.

"After you've had it. There isn't even life without drugs..."

This book, rather diary, Go Ask Alice, is about a nameless fifteen year old who experienced the horrors of drug addiction. I first saw this book while mindlessly roaming around National Bookstore looking for a Chick Lit., but I found this. Even though it is about a girl, it is definitely not along the lines of Chick Lit. The protagonist in the story typically starts out as your normal everyday teen, with insecurities and all. Although her life in drug addiction begins when her drink was laced with LSD, and because of that a lot of things have been happening to her, from sexual abuse to drug pushing and to running away from home. But in the climax of it all she decided to start a new leaf and live a clean life. Well, she did for a short period of time but after 3 weeks of just starting out, she passed away.

This book was published in 1971, but the events that transpired, happened in the 1960's, and during that time, people were very interested in drugs. This book was actually criticized saying that a fifteen year old couldn't have experienced these things. But who knows? Drug addiction can attack anybody and from the quote above, we can see how hard it is to stay clean after you've tried to. This book shares about the harsh realities in life and this sort of humanized me more. I really appreciate this book and think that this is one of those kinds which I'll read again and again. Even though it is scary, at least it opened my eyes to what drug addicts really experience. All in all it's a great read and once I finished I realized that I am lucky to not have any contact with drugs.

"But I think when a person gets older she should be able to discuss her problems and thoughts with other people, instead of just with another part of herself as you have been to me."

References:
www.bn.com
www.sparknotes.com

New Police Story

Okay, this is another one of those Chinese movies with Jackie Chan acting in it. This movie aired for like more than 2 hours but I never got bored from it. It has martial arts in it of course and a lot of guns and a bit of killing morbidly. Well, of course, I watched it together with my dad again this story was an attention-grabbing and unpredictable one. The story is about the Inspector of the Hong Kong Police staff (Jackie Chan), who was very successful at first but then lost his whole team because miscalculated event.



He couldn't accept it and he ended up as a drunkard until one day a young man vows to help him to solve the case and avenge his men. Well, you know how it happens, he saved the day of course. But it was such a good movie and if only I didn't have a 15-sentences limit I would have gone overboard, really. Now, I am in love with Chinese movies, specifically the ones from Hong Kong. They have really outdone when it comes to action movies and if you were to ask me they can even surpass the Westerners, but that's just my opinion. The plot was amazing and the actors and actresses were good. The special effects were breathtaking and I swear that I couls watch this movie tons of times.




Thanks to Google and www.imdb.com for the pictures

My dad happens to like Chinese movies a lot, mostly the ones with Jackie Chan in it. When I mean a lot, I mean a lot. So because of his dominant genes, I have inherited his love for Chinese movies, or maybe it was just because I was copycat. Anyways, I have to say that the previous Chinese movies that I watched were mostly about martial arts and the sort which I was pretty impressed. I know for a fact that Jackie Chan does his own stunts, so as an ordinary uncoordinated girl, I was left flabbergasted. So that is why I picked up this movie because Jackie Chan produced it and thanks to this me my dad got to bond together. Anyways, I am envious of the way Chinese can showcase their culture through movies which can be shown worldwide. Martial arts is something they're really passionate about and because of that they can also make millions. So in short, thanks to their culture they can earn millions. The media really is so powerful that thanks to a movie they can achieve a lot.

Credits to Google for the image above

The Perfect Score

I am a fan of book turned into movie and vice versa. I guess I like it because I like to see the difference from the written material to the visual material. But actually, the book and the movie are the same, only that the book is more detailed but nonetheless, I could have just watched the movie at HBO instead of spending 200 php on the book. Anyways, what caught my eye was the book was published by MTV, so you know how it goes. After reading the book, I wanted to watch the movie itself, thinking it will be more exciting or whatsoever. So thanks to HBO, I got my wish. But after watching it personally, I felt this movie was a bit unfulfilling. I liked the way they ended it but during the beginning and the climax of it I felt really disappointed. Maybe it was because I got the impression that I was cheated since I read the book, but thinking right now, it was because of how the movie just fell flat. The comedy in it wasn't exactly a laugh-out-loud emoticon, maybe just a smile. The actors weren't as good as I expected them to be, although they fit my imagination when I visualized them, most of them were just boring. It was too bad for the plot was interesting and they had a nice soundtrack and MTV produced it! But I guess, it will only be a great book than a blockbuster film. Boo hoo.

Credits to www.imdb.com for the picture above.