OLD SOCKS (A poem)
It's strange the way socks
suddenly become lame.
When you first buy them,
you're walking on pillows!
And then
somewhere down the road
at an undisclosed juncture in one's life
they become threadbare.
You forget how they once felt amazing;
Even more... smelled good!
I miss you, fresh socks.
4/27/08
-
MAY 3RD
I'll be in Hawaii on May 3rd, I think. Making the call tomorrow to verify flight times and stuff. FYI.
4/23/08
- I guess I'm going back to Hawaii. I won't TRULY believe it until I have the ticket in my hot little hands.
I never thought I was going to go back, except for a short vacation. I can't say I'm looking forward to
living there again. I loved being here in Washington while it lasted.
Oh, and for anyone that doesn't know... I've probably got a job over there. Income is enough for me to be willing to relocate.
4/20/08
- I saw
Forgetting Sarah Marshall this weekend.
Basically, it's alright for a laugh or two, but not much else.
4/15/08
Last Friday, I went to Guitar Center and saw Satch play for FREE! It was pretty darned awesome.
Then, he did a free autograph signing. This is all to promote his new album.
When he was signing, he STILL had those sunglasses on. So I asked him, "Is it true that you wear those sunglasses because you shoot lasers from your eyes?"
He smiled and said, "Better believe it!"
These pics are VERY hastily taken today between chores that took all day. Typically, I try to have a more interesting use of composition and lighting.
Here's the "error" guitar, signed.
He then signed this free flyer that was passed out without me even asking, so that's cool:
My goal has always been to get my JS100 signed by both Satch and Vai. The only two autographs I've actively considered getting from anyone. I was entertained by the idea, but never thought it might actually HAPPEN.
4/10/08
-
The Story of the Weird Old Man
After about a week back to Washington from my trip to Asia, I was still pretty jetlagged. I couldn't go to sleep, and so at around 1:00AM I went to Shari's, a 24 hour Denny's style restaurant. I relaxed there a bit, had some chow and read a book.
At 2:30, I got in my car. Waiting at the first stoplight, I turned left to head home, and on the long stretch of road going back, there was someone in a car next to me matching my speed. I didn't look to see who it was, I just slowed down a bit to let him speed past. But they slowed down too. I then sped UP, and he did the same. So I looked over, and it's some old man in his Cadillac and he's yelling SOMETHING at me. He didn't look mad, just like he was talking to me in the car, making conversation. I was like, "OK, this is weird." So I sped up to about 50 in the 35mph zone, getting ahead of him. Then at the stop light, I quickly went from the middle lane to the right and took an unexpected right turn.
I looked behind me, and I didn't see his car. It was pretty strange.
For the last 6 blocks home, there is a four way each block. I didn't see any car behind me at the first stop. But I stopped quickly, and sped up to 25 as fast as possible. The SECOND stop sign, I look behind me and there are distant headlights. I thought, "Nah. I don't think that's him."
To be safe, I quickly stopped and sped up at the next three intersections, then quickly turned left and parked my car and turned off the lights and engine. About 30 seconds later, I see in my rearview that a Cadillac is veerryyyy slowly turning around the island at the intersection. I'm thinking, "What the HELL, man?" If I thought it was him, I would not have led him to my place. I was even willing to drive around ALL NIGHT, because I just woke up at that point.
But it IS him. He stops right next to my car. I get out, and I'm ready to kick some ass. He just rolls down his window and says, "You sure know these ROADS well."
He's an old man. I am not going to kick his ass. I had no idea WHAT I should do. So I said nothing. I just got in my car, and drove off. Totally weirded out.
True story.
4/9/08
- I FINALLY rented and finished watching
Basic Instinct 2. I walked out when I hopped in the theater between two movies. Here's the update of my review:
UPDATE:
It's April 9, 2008. I finally watched the last half of the movie. I thought it was an hour and a half, not a full 2 hours. It was more painful to sit through than I had anticipated. At least now, I can safely give it the grade it deserves.
GRADE: F
4/8/08
- I reviewed
The Ruins, the latest tweeny (teens in their twenties) horror movie.
4/5/08 - RIP Charleton Heston
- So, Mr. Heston passed away about half an hour ago.
At least this time, someone dies at the ripe age of 84, and it was somewhat expected since his admission of getting Alzheimer's a handful of years ago. It's unfortunate, but at that age, you can't say he didn't live the good life. Who's next? Kirk Douglas?
4/3/08
- I saw
Run Fatboy Run. Read about my thoughts, if you wish.
3/31/08
- Woah! I have a movie review! I can't ... BELIEVE IT!
Check it out, I saw Neil Marshall's
Doomsday.
3/26/08
- I HAVE to see a movie this weekend. I sure wish the theaters weren't full of CRAP. I do not want to go the whole month of March without going to the movies. When was the last time I did that, excluding stints overseas and what-not?
I don't even remember when I went a month without going to the movies.
Maybe this time, I'll even buy some popcorn.
3/25/08 - "OH! NOOO RLY?!" News of the Day

... Who would have thought? A torso might be MISSING SOMEONE! If I see someone's torso in a suitcase, I'd figure "Hey. I think someone is missing this!" Seems like they'd want it.
3/16/08
- FYI, for those that seriously took my "Dating Profile" as real, it's not. I posted it on one of my favorite forums, and people were actually giving me advice. That was very nice of them, but it was meant as a joke, so people taking it seriously was flattering. I felt a little guilty, but it also made it a bit funnier to me as well.
I really am trying online dating, but not with my profile written like THAT!
3/14/08 - I'm Trying Online Dating
Since I haven't had much luck in the "real world" with dating, I finally bit the bullet and decided to venture out into the Online Dating World. Over the last month, though, I haven't had anyone contact me. I'm a little bummed.
I had to do a profile for myself, and that's supposed to let people know what I'm like. I read a LOT of other peoples' profiles for inspiration. Maybe I just need a little advice and help with it. Here's what my current profile says:
I'm carefree, but also cautious. I am happy, but sometimes sad. I love a lot of things, and hate other things. I'm always optimistic with things, except when I am angry. I am a big fan of going out skydiving, skiing and bungee jumping even though I've never done those things before. But I also like couch potatoes, because I am one. And I love video games because I can talk bad about people on Ventrillo and they can't see me doing it.
Many people say that I'm funny, but I don't think so because I am mysterious. I want to find a girl that is caring, has a sense of humor and likes fat white guys.
I wanted to say more, but I hate talking about how wonderful I am. So I found a random person here in the coffee shop to say something about me:
"My brother is one of the most amazing brothers that anyone could ask for. He's always making jokes about my big nose. I love him."
Oh, and I'm positively HIV negative.
3/13/08
- Biology was a little interesting today. I'll backtrack a bit...
On Tuesday, I did a class presentation on acid rain. FYI, the whole period was spent with each student doing a presentation on their topic for the final report. It seems like acid rain is an idiot's topic, but well, you know... I am kind of an idiot so it makes sense. I was very very close to choosing the biology of death and dying. However, there were a couple of key elements I didn't understand enough about acid rain that took about 3 minutes of reading to get me satisfied on my knowing how it works. At that point, I just thought "ah hell, just do the report on that. If I don't know, then maybe someone else in class doesn't know, either."
For the presentation, one requirement was telling why you chose that topic. So I said that I read a comic called "Batman: Red Rain" where Batman was a vampire, but that's not the point. The real point is that it's called "Red Rain" because the acidic content of the rain was so high that it was the color red. No one could go outside without full protective gear, or it would burn your skin. (Which I made up. That's not in the comic at all.)
I mentioned that I told my friend Paul this, and he said "Casey, you're an IDIOT! That's a comic. You don't take comics as truth, it's a FAKE STORY. Acid rain is when acid builds up and goes into the clouds, so when it rains, it has a high acidic content, and when it touches your skin...
... you get hallucinagenic mind trips." I said, "Woah! That sounds AWESOME!"
That was my way of waking up my classmates and getting them involved. Later on, I mentioned that companies that don't comply with state fuel-burning regulations are "penalized with a heavy assid fine." Hardy har har. I'm a laugh a minute.
Today, people seemed rather enthusiastic about my presentation, which I'm happy about. Except it always feel like I give an impression at school - all through my life - that I'm smart. I don't know where this comes from. We were sent to groups today and both the people in my group were happy that I was in it. My understanding is that they were happy to have a smart brain to help them out. I don't get it. I'm far from the best student in the class.
Then we did a Jeopardy! game where each group was a team. A lady behind me in another team said "If we beat CASEY then I'll be happy!" I don't get it.
I said, "Why am I getting singled out? It makes me feel like people think I'm intelligent or something, but I'm not that smart."
One of the girls in my group said, "It's just because your presentation on Tuesday was awesome and she's jealous." Alright, that makes more sense than my original presumption.
That's my story for today. I haven't typed something lengthy in quite some time. This is because I'm trying to actually pass my class. Chinese 102 is cake, but biology... notsomuch.
Perhaps one of you three reading this will find my intro to my presentation amusing as well? And then you'll laugh at how other students seem to consider me a smart guy. Hey, even I'm laughing about it right now! There's even some snot shooting out of my nose I'm snorting so hard.
3/8/08
- I had hiccups today, and at the gas station where I went to buy some Good & Plentys, the guy behind the counter saw me hiccupping. With his typical 7-11 styled accent (hey, that's what it was!) he says, "here, do this." And he gave me a paper bag. I breathed into it with 4 deep breaths... and my hiccups stopped! So weird!
3/6/08
- I enjoy biology, but on my own terms.
2/28/08
- I've been pretty busy with school and stuff, but I thought I'd get down to reviewing the 5 Best Picture nominations for the Oscars that occurred a few days ago.
I did things a little differently. I just did 5 short reveiws on one single page for each of the movies.
Click here to read my reviews of
Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Atonement and
Juno.
2/25/08
- It's strange how school seems to suck away what little free time one has. I don't even have a job (yet. But I'm trying very hard to find something
beneficial for myself, but that's been tough) but I seem to be lacking free time quite often.
Part of that is my desire to give my mom a sense of her own freedom. So I spend tons of time away from home. But while I'm away, I don't do much. I think I study a lot, but actually I sit and stare at the wall for who Knows How Long thinking about God Knows What. I spent several hours yesterday (1am-6:45am) trying to make a silly video for YouTube. That didn't turn out so well. I posted it anyway.
I had a great time watching all the Best Picture nominated movies yesterday for the AMC theaters promotion. I pretty much hated one of those flicks, and thought two were good until the very end. Michael Clayton was pretty good but I don't think it deserved the Oscar nod. No Country on the other hand was, well... my review says enough. Just as good as the first time I saw it.
Been looking for someone to want to go out with me, but I think "would I go out with me?" and I have to answer with "Maybe... if I was desperate." So that hasn't been going too well.
Bah. I don't know. Not much has been happenin' in all honesty. It's just been some time since I said anything other than "NEW MOVIE REVIEW!" and all that crap.
I guess part of the reasoning behind me not posting blog-ish information is because, well... I live a boring life. It's not ALL bad, but gee if I didn't hope for more interesting things to discuss.
2/22/08
- NEW MOVIE REVIEW!!
Be Kind Rewind.
2/20/08
- I apologize for my lack of updates and stuff. It's just that school is more important than movi-- making daily entries here.
This Saturday I'm doing the AMC Theaters promo, where all 5 Best Picture nominated movies are played back-to-back-to... starting at 11:00am! I think I will be about one of 5 people who will do the whole marathon. OK, I lied, I'm going to use the viewing of JUNO as my chance to get some grub and pray that it doesn't win Best Picture.
I should expect JUNO to win BP at the Oscars this year. It's the worst choice, so it will probably win - and I haven't even seen three of the noms!
2/16/08
- I'm in Richmond, BC. I realize now how boring of a person I really am. Yesterday was cold and wet, just like Seattle. So I didn't do anything. So then today I went out to Vancouver, went to several shops and walked around the heart of the city. I like it. But it's also very expensive now, seeing as how the Canadian dollar is now stronger than the American dollar. It used to be that the $7.40 bowl of pho would equal to about $6 or so. Now, it actually costs me $7.50. Ouch.
Since I'm poor, I can't really afford to have a really great time doing touristy stuff. But that's ok, because it's a fairly relaxing time, and I have less distractions to keep me from doing homework. I've been a little lazy with school this last week or two, so it's a positive being here and POOR.
Another cool thing is that here at my hotel, it's in the heart of New Chinatown. Almost all the Chinese people here speak Mandarin as well. How exciting! I have spoken TONS of Chinese yesterday and today! I go to a restaurant, or a shopping center and chat with people for the heck of it. The front desk receptionist speaks perfect Beijing dialect Mandarin, so I chatted with him for a while as well. This is pretty kewl.
I was thinking I'd take pictures and stuff, but I have mostly been using the bus and walking everywhere because the traffic is horrible and I don't want to search endlessly for parking spots. So I also don't want to be carrying around my cameras and looking like the tourist that I am. The best part of all of this is that I feel pretty laid back. Feels good being calm again for a change.
2/8/08
- I took some pictures of my Fender Telecaster. I tried to make it all hot and sexy, to where guitarists would want to hold her and fiddle their fingers all over her.
Here are pics:
2/1/08
- I decided to go "oldschool" with my color layout. Quick change, since I looked at a
a website archive. It was kinda funny seeing the movie reviews add up. And my boring web design remain basically the same throughout.
1/28/08
- Pooped out another review today. This time it's the 2007 version of
Hairspray.
1/26/08
- I've been trying to recall movies that I've watched over 2007 which I haven't reviewed yet. I tend not to review movies from the previous year once I get a couple months into a new year. Part of the reason being that I don't like spending TONS of time updating on the site. Especially when I have school or work to deal with.
If I am taking a week or two hiatus, I then start to think "I really SHOULD review that movie I watched two weeks ago," and poop out another review. New movies of the new year keep me busy enough as it is.
If I was being PAID to review movies, well then hell, I'd be doing movie reviews all day, and all afternoon, my nights filled with hours of movie watching! I'd make more effort to write more consistently humorous reviews as well!
I can think of four more movies from 2007 to review, but we'll see if I get around to doing so.
With all that said, a new, pretty short review of BUG is up.
1/25/08
- Care for a bit O' the old Ultraviolence? Then do see my most favorite movie of the year so far,
Rambo!
1/23/08
First movie of 2008!
REVIEWED!
Cloverfield.
Oh, and also I saw Halloween today (the Rob Zombie one).
HOLY SHIT HEATH LEDGER IS DEAD
I was at school all day today, so I just now get home. My home page is cnn.com. Headline says "Actor Heath Ledger Dead". I blinked, and my head felt like it was pushing itself outward and I thought, "Is this a joke?"
Ten seconds later, it's sunk in and I just say out loud, "Holy shit."
It seemed like his career was about to jump into the stratosphere real soon here. He was a very talented actor who seemed to be a pretty clean fellow. You'd never hear about him snorting lines off Lindsay Lohan's inner thigh, drunk driving or anything like that. My first thought was that there was a car accident.
He just recently had a daughter, and I was looking forward to many more years of him proving he wasn't just a young fluke of talent. I was expecting ten years from now for him to either stay smart like Johnny Depp, or turn into another Hollywood casualty. But not for him to go NOW.
I seriously have never been so shocked over a celebrity's death. Nor have I felt a regret or sadness over a movie star's passing. Usually it is mild surprise, or I completely expected it.
RIP Mr. Ledger. My sympathies go to his family.
What I expect will happen soon is for the news media to not shut up about it for the next 3 months, and the feelings of sympathy I have for him now will turn to apathy. That's a damn shame, too.
1/21/08
- Gee, I feel a little guilty with my recent reviews. Granted, I've watched a lot of CRAP movies that weren't expected to be that great (Hitman, AvP2, Awake), but then there were a handful of others which I thought had a chance (Waitress, Eagle Vs. Shark, Juno, Smokin' Aces) but I hated. Coincidentally, I saw four of my 7 most hated movies of the year 2007 over the last 30 days. That's impressive. I don't think I've ever done that before.
With that said, I have Ratatouille reviewed.
... and then you can read my review of Sunshine!
1/17/08
- Howdy there, folk! I know it's been a while. I've just been busy watching some movies on my spare time between school, homework, school, and
Team Fortress 2.
I mustered up some time to talk about Eagle Vs. Shark, which I wanted to see because it has half of the Flight of the Conchords in it.
1/7/08
- Check out my review of
Juno if you want.
1/4/08 - CALL OF DUTY 4
I don't talk much about games, but I got Call of Duty 4 a little over a month ago for the PC. My favorite movie site has a large number of people singing its praises. I'm one of the masses pitching it with my love.
I wasn't all that impressed with BIOSHOCK, nor do I have much love for most of the Game of the Year releases that get so much lovin'. This makes CoD 4 a beast of glory.
It's one of the most beautiful games I've ever EVER seen. I bought it because the Counter-Strike server I went to switched to Battlefield 2142 (great game, but I don't want to spend the countless hours required understanding squad leadership, taking command, calling airstrikes, placing UAVs, etc) and CoD 4. So I got CoD 4 because I want to participate in one of the games they provide because they quit with CS, and they are my homies.
However, if you're going to play CoD 4 on the PC, I recommend a pretty heavy duty system. I have the following:
Antec TruePower 650 watt power supply
Asus M32N-SLI Deluxe motherboard
AMD AM2 Dual Core 6000+ Windsor CPU
4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 SLI Ready RAM
nVidia GeForce 8800GTx overclocked to 630MHz
Soundblaster X-Fi Elite Pro with Logitech Z-5500 speakers (AWESOME)
2 500GB Western Digital SATA/300 16MB 7200rpm hard drives.
I am dual booting between XP and Vista Home Premium 64-bit. I use Vista when I play games mostly, for DirectX 10 and also to learn how to use the OS.
With that setup I have everything maxed out, and it runs very smoothly.
When I log onto a server, I go into "I want to make love to the screen" mode because it's so damned gorgeous.
I'm going to mention more about the single player campaign. I'm not knocking the AMAZING OMFG-IT ROXORZ online play. It's almost top-notch, but annoying because I'm not used to the maps yet and get wasted on a Hardcore server faster than I can say "WTF?"
The opening mission on single player is you ziplining off a helicopter in the middle of a storm onto a ship. You blast some dudes, end up in the bowels of the ship and a bomb explodes. So now, you're running through the ship with pipes bursting all around you, your fellow team members are slipping on the metal grates as you rush back to the top. The ship starts listing heavily, so you're literally running SIDEWAYS as explosions are bursting behind you, and the floor is falling apart. You run out onto the water-logged and wave-crashing deck, only to have to jump into the helicopter, almost falling off until your Team Sergeant pulls you into safety.
I was like, "Holy Hell, no way in HELL you can top that!" Then, the game throws in one surprise after another. Yes, it's a very short campaign (probably takes about 6 hours to complete), but each mission is unique and streamlined to be completely packed with no-holds-barred action. You don't have any bullshit in there, such as grab the door key, run to the end of the map only to have it locked because you are THEN notified that you need a BLUE key, not a RED one. Then you go back to the beginning, come back and the video computer voice says, "You must collect 4 specimens of plant to find a cure to the disease. go back and collect them." So you spend several hours of the game shooting baddies on the SAME MAP four times over. CoD 4 does not do that.
Instead of making the game take 20 hours to play because you are given tons of worthless shit to waste your time (and my patience), I'm having a blast taking the guise of several different characters, each one with their own storyline, and not all of them making it through alive.
They put twists and turns, and made upgrades to the First Person Shooter (FPS) genre in ways that I've never seen before. I loved the game so much, that I'm going to play it AGAIN.
That's another testament to its awesomeness.
So if you haven't gotten Call of Duty 4 (which I highly doubt), and you play ANY video games at all, then GET IT. NOW.
1/1/08
- I just reviewed
Waitress. It was terrible.
If you are number
then you are pretty cool!