Castle Shima

Mitchell's the man. I'm the idiot. You're the screw-up. And we're all losers. Welcome to Music Town.
-- Joe from Empire Records

I always wondered why some bands make several video versions of their song. For example, U2's song One has at least 3 types that I am aware of. Abit ironic considering the name of the song.

I guess its partly creativity and partly marketing. After all, some different visions appeal to different people.

While I was rummaging around abit, looking for the video to Open Up Your Eyes by Tonic, I stumbled on this version, which I could only call "The Pretty Version."

Of course there is the more known, more popular roller skating version.



I wondered if this one was thought up by some corporate suit in order to make the song more memorable. I guess it worked since its the video I found more often. The band even have it displayed on their site.

It was just one of those silly things that made me go "Hmmm."

You can never correct your work well until you have forgotten it.
-- Voltaire

I posted this long ago and said the name wrong. The song was Polska Gra by the Polish girl band, Queens.

Regardless, this is the real reason why its called The Beautiful Game. Heh.

They could score on me anytime they like. Err... But in a good way.

The quickest way to a man's heart is through his chest.
-- Rosanne Barr

Tonight was the first game of the intermural soccer season. My team, BC United, was matched up one of the AC teams, of which the name escapes me. We just knew that they were good and they were ready. Most of them played in the local leagues around town. Even for a 7 vs 7 squad, we were just hoping for a good outing.

The things we had going for us: a good, experienced goalie and a good, experienced defensive back. Well, that and almost a full roster. Ok, maybe that and their forwards couldnt get back to play defense while we typically had four or five on defense and clogged the passing lanes.

Ok, maybe it was the fact it was the first game of the season and most of their group hadnt worked together in awhile. In our case, we had most of the same group from last year. And we've been playing in almost every scrimmage since last year.


Now I can understand why soccer is called The Beautiful Game. For all the running around and gasping for air, everything still seemed to move in slow motion. You could watch as forwards fought to get in position. The ball sailing as a group fought to head it in a different direction. A pass fired just in the right spot so your team-mate can head the ball in past the unsuspecting keeper.

It became even more beautiful as we won our first match 3-0 against a team that we just wanted to keep the game close.

To show for our effort, we all came away with aches, pains, and a lot of sweat. I took so many bounces off my chest, for a little while there, it appeared as if someone had given me CPR.

But what we really took away from this, was lots and lots of fun. Regardless of the score, both sides gave it their all and left it on the field. Thats all that really matters.

I am a sun, certainly. But he is Dream. They say Death is kinder than he is.
-- Sto-Oa from The Sandman: Endless Nights

I've said in the past that Neil Gaiman has been one of my favorite writers for as long as I can remember. Ever since his stint with the comic books The Sandman and Death: The High Cost Of Living, I've always enjoyed his wit and imagination.

Now another of his stories has been made into a full length movie: Coraline.

Damn, I cant wait. After Neverwhere, Stardust, MirrorMask, and Beowulf, I know I wont be disappointed.



I wonder when American Gods will make it to the big screen.

Serendipity: I'm responsible for nineteen of the twenty top grossing films of all time.
Bethany: Nineteen?
Serendipity: Yeah, the one about the kid? By himself in his house, burglars trying to get in and he fights them off? I had nothing to do with that one. Somebody sold their soul to Satan to get the grosses up on that piece of shit.
-- from Dogma

Mermaid and I are at lunch and somehow the coversation turned to shit. Literally.

We had talked about various videos on YouTube where people had accidents. About the incident where a homeless guy defecated in front of a store. About how a scuba diver let loose in the water.

Yeah, it was really a great topic to have while over food.

But then it reminded me about the Bristol Stool Scale which measures a patient's stool sample based on its form.



Its just like doctors to figure out exactly how full of shit we really are.

You can't teach people to be lazy. Either they have it or they don't.
-- Dagwood Bumstead

This damn song has been kept going thru my mind today. Guess I was craving cupcakes. Snack attack!

Lazy Sunday by The Lonely Island


Its all about the Hamilton's baby.

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
-- V from V for Vendetta

This kept coming into my mind today. Well, that and some very unpolite statements. Heh.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I can think of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

You're a woman of many parts, Pussy.
-- James Bond in Goldfinger

Who says classical music doesnt rock? I might have paid more attention in music class if there were girls like this.

Hmmm. Probably not.

Explosive by Bond

There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
-- Stephen Wright

Here is one of my favorite vids from Weezer. After all, the Muppets will probably be around longer than any of us.

Have fun!

Keep Fishin' by Weezer

You know how much money the average jizz mopper makes per hour?
-- Randel from Clerks

I know the feeling... err... I mean I've heard about such matters. *cough*

Jizz In My Pants by The Lonely Island


Hat tip to Shannon. This is her fault.

Its never too late to have a happy childhood
-- Tom Robbins

Today was the typical lunch time soccer game which I fondly call recess. It was raining. It was cold. The field was muddy.

It was absolutely brilliant.

We ran around in the freezing rain, flopping thru mud, and flying thru puddles. We didnt even want to take a halftime break so that our muscles wouldnt cool down. We were all covered in mud, laughing hysterically. I couldnt even feel my fingers until twenty minutes after we were done playing. People that walked by on the sidewalk were under umbrellas, pointing at us, calling us crazy.

But isnt this what we watch our kids do? Go out. Have fun. Enjoy life. Enjoy their friends. Play.

How does the saying go? Oh yeah...

You dont stop playing because you get old. You get old because you stop playing.

Merlin: It's not for you, Uther. Hearth and home, wife and child.
Uther: To kill and be King. Is that all?
Merlin: Perhaps not even that.
-- from Excalibur

Ever since seeing Excalibur, its been one of my favorite movies and an influence on my imagination. The Arthur legend was always in my memory, but the movie pulled it all together. That and the song O Fortuna has lasted generations long before the film was created.

O Fortuna,
velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis nunc obdurat
et tunc curat ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.

Sors immanis et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus semper dissolubilis,
obumbrata et velata
michi quoque niteris;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.

Sors salutis
et virtutis michi nunc contraria,
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora sine mora
corde pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!

Yes, I do know what the translation is. The Latin seems more fitting.

Don't you think dreams and the Internet are similar? They are both areas where the repressed conscious mind vents.
-- from Paprika

I've been a fan of anime since I was young, but as I grew older, it was harder and harder to find good anime. Time and responsibility became a factor as well as what was available here in the US. There are alot of anime dvds available at your local Best Buy, but the majority of it are tv series aimed towards the teen sector. I may be a kid at heart, but even I have my limitations. So my search for anime dwindled.

Then while flipping channels on the tv, completely by accident, I found one of the best anime movies I had seen in a very long time. The latest full length feature by acclaimed director Satoshi Kon known as Paprika was on. Based on the novel, this film is definately what I have been craving.

Paprika is not meant for kids. Very similiar to Kon's earlier works like Perfect Blue, the story is an intriguing mix of sci-fi, psychology, and mystery. It touches on a variety of questions. What are the differences between adulthood and childhood? Between dreams and reality? Is the person you see in the mirror really you?

Or are you the reflection of them?

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.
-- Angela Monet

Ever wonder what rock stars do at home?

Well wonder no more. The one and only Cynical Tyrant shows exactly what they do.

She says it was an accident. I think it was to prove that she had more talent than the original artist.



Yes, CT. You rule YouTube and I am one of your peons.

Now there are more overweight people in America than average weight people. So overweight people are now average. Which means you've met your New Year's resolution.
-- Jay Leno

Happy New Year to everyone. Most folks have some sort of resolution for this time of year. But then, how many of them truly follow up on them? Weight loss, more exercise, etc. All of which tend to be forgotten by the second week.

I typically dont have any sort of resolution. I would prefer to have some goal to have done by the end of the year.

My goal for last year was change. Some sort of change. As I've said before, I dont know if I could measure it but I sure can feel it.

This year's goal is to follow the motto of the clothes company, Nike: Just Do It.

For too long I've been sitting here, being way too complacent for my tastes. So now its time to do something. Anything.

So I'll start with the simplest thing. I'm finally updating the blog.

With YouTube having its legal issues, alot of the stuff I like to show isnt allowed. With Blogger's constant changes, using one of their basic templates was a good way to go. So there will be changes being made as time goes by.

I've kept the original in storage, just in case. Besides, old things have this bad habit of coming back around.

Now I just need to stick to my resolut.. err.. goal. Perhaps have a little resolve.

Resolve by Foo Fighters