deeper and deeper....

I could not wait to get my hands on the movie Elizabeth after reading all three of Philippa Gregory's novels about this young queen and how she came to be.... Only to be disappointed, big time. 

The story was slightly different from the novels, which I do not hold against the film at all.  Without any formal knowledge on the proper historical background myself, both the film and the novels could be wrong or right for all I know.  What threw me off was how unconvincing the love between Sir Robert Dudley and the young Queen was, and how coldly Elizabeth was portrayed by Cate Blanchett.  I could not feel her passion as I did in the books, nor did I like the way her sister Queen Mary was made out to be a senile, spineless Queen waiting for her death. 

Perhaps I'm prejudiced from reading the book first, or that the film simply just tried to pack too much into a 2-hour film... In any case, the flim did not live up to my expectations, maybe other than the costumes.

This is the second time I've been disappointed by the film version of a great story on paper.  The first one being A Girl With Pearl Earrings.  I can only hope that when Memoirs of a Geisha comes out, it will shine through.

A nice, relaxing Sunday afternoon, spent in front of the computer, watching my newly downloaded j-drama.  Life couldn't be any more perfect..... except for that one little detail..... a BIRD POOP shooting outta nowhere and right into my window!~  A mixture of water, green-murky stuff splattered all over my desk,  smearing little dots on my bills, keyboard, and windowsill..... o god...

.... good thing it doens't smell.....

It's been years since I last saw a Broadway show, but after seeing the legendary Phantom of the Opera today, I felt like I never left the theather.  This was actually only my second show I've ever seen, the first one being Les Miserable.  Having seen the movie version first on a 14 hour trip on the airplane, this was definitely a better experience, way better. 

Since I already knew the plot, I had more energy and time to focus on the acting and appreciated the show from a different level.  Throughout each scene, every actor had his/her role to play, and every detail was carried out as if they were really living the characters' lives and the audiences were just bystanders traveling through time spying from the sideline.  Whether it be the young dancer listening in on an important conversation or flipping through notes sent by the ghost; or a line of ballet dancers practcing their routine in the background while the leading lady sings to her Angel of Music.  What amazed me even more was how realistic the underground cave scene seemed as the phantom and Christine rowed through the river.... mist clouded the whole stage as multiple candles rose up from the river, illuminating the whole stage. 

By the end of the show, I was so touched by the emotions and the storyline that I found myself wishing I was somehow in their world and sharing their lives...

But alas reality called, and as I sat in the theather, looking around me I saw all kinds of people... obivous tourists mixed with relaxing locals.... which made me realize that I'ved lived here for so long but never took more advantage of what our city has to offer... Well at least I've got the rest of the summer to work on it... :)

How is a girl supposed to stick to her diet plan and keep her figure in a city that's filled with nothing but deliciousness at every corner?!  With places where desserts are known as "Frozen Hot Chocolate" and burgers are topped with cavier, not even the most restrained person can put up much of a resistence.

And so goes my night of sins:  Cavier burgers complimented by handful of fries with mustard and ketchup, topped with fresh slices of cucumbers with a drop of chive-sprinkled sour cream and chopped onions.  That was only entree.  Let's not forget dessert--the "Forbbiden Broadway Sundae", featuring soft-baked dark chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, topped with generous pile of whipped cream with chocolate shavings; Strawberry Field Sundae comprised of cheesecake on top of big scoops of strawberry ice cream with frozen strawberries and whipped cream--and a giant strawberry sitting right on top.  And last but not least.... the Frozen Hot Chocolate!

O God, punish me, punish me now!~

Just when I thought I had worked up enough determination and pure hatred for the all mighty Apple Inc.--BOOM!  They give me a working replacement of my 40gig iPod!  How lucky of me!  How generous of them!!!  All hail Steve Jobs!~ 

After months of not being to make my $400 little monster function normally, I've finally had it-I brought it to the young and hip Apple store and attempted a refund.  Little did I know that iPods are non-refundable after 14 days of original purchase!  How sneaky of me!  Having paid $400 for something then trying to return it to a publicly listed company when it doesn't work!  My only option now was to get replacements--which was fine with me.  I took home my first replacement (yes I numbered them since this was the first and certainly not the last), and tried it out right away.  And of course, the little monster's evil twin did not agree with me and kept giving me an evil eye that came in the forms of a folder with an exclaimation poin that was not curable after endless attempts posted on the Apple discussion board.   Fine.  I can deal with this.  I may have just gotten another defaulted iPod.  And so back to the mall it was again, only this time they were out of stock of replacements and I had to wait.

*9 days later*............

Mom: "so where's your iPod?"
me: "I can't use it, I'm waiting for another replacement."
Mom: "o.. but it's been a long time hasn't it?  Do you think you wanna call them about it?  I mean you did spent a lot of $$$ on it, you shouldn't just leave it at that.  You have to finish everything that you started.... blah blah blah"
me: "....... "

That was the end of my patience.  $400 spent, 3 trips to the mall, 0 results--I did NOT need anymore pressure added on by parental naggin'. 

So being a perfectly frustrated customer that I definitely was-I marched my non-working evil twin.. um, iPod,.. to the mall yet again and was determined to get a full refund of my hard earned cash.  All this time tho, I was nervous as heck and had no idea how I could put all my frustrations into words without sounding like a ridiculous-McDonald-suing person trying to (god forbid) take advantage of Apple Inc.  After 10 minutes of waiting in line, 13 minutes of unsuccessful discussion with the sales person, I was referred to the manager.  And after some very nice yet very clear expression of my disappointment exchange of words with the manager, he got right to the point-- "What would make you happy today?"  That was all I needed. 

And so, me and the manager agreed that as soon as the next replacement comes, if it still doesn't work then, I will be granted a full refund.  Horray!~

And waddaya know?  few days later I got my replacement and now it works like a charm.  I mean, perfecto!! *kiss fingers*  But now that everything's fine and dandy with this one... I'm already thinking of how long it will be until it breaks down....................................And that's one scary thought.

*sigh* 

I hate apple.. I love apple.... I hate apple.. I love apple.... I hate apple.. I love apple.... I hate apple.. I love apple.... I hate apple.. I love apple.... I hate apple.. I love apple.... I hate apple.. I love apple....

Damn you Apple for coming
out with color screens! 
damn you!

dang you Flushing!~  why can't you open up heaven too?

忘すれない....

Such a strange feeling... to be back in my "lazy bum" element yet still feeling totally out of it.  I always thought that I'd be so much happier if I could just go back and taste the carefree that is student life, with nothing but school and grades to worry about and long relaxing weekends at home.  This weekend was relaxing indeed, yet it felt strage, and off balance.  It was exactly what I wanted when I was stuck in the ac'ed office, typing away nonsense and collecting paper cuts.  Yet I came out of it feeling deprived.  Was it too relaxing? *laugh*  Or was it the sudden onslaught of events and feelings that caught me off guard and unprepared?  Am I living backward again?  Is it really necessary to discard everything that is the past to live the future?.... No I am not ready yet.  .....

but one thing is for sure... I seriously need to go have a "good talk" with the "good ppl" at Apple about my forever damned iPod.... and come back home and enjoy my "Engine" some more.... :)

Should I smile, should I forgive
Should I turn a blind eye and never get hurt again

Should I confess, should I make amends
Should I curl up and cry myself to sleep

Should I hold on, should I forget
Should I hide in old memories for comfort

Should I accept lies, should I seek my own truth
Should I learn to be free and innocent again

Should I love.....