I just bought my ticket for a tomorrow morning showing of The Dark Knight. I found this iPhone App where you can Joker-ize your photos. Just thought I would share.

Labels: movies, photos, Random

I've decided to change my style a little bit. I love wearing polo shirts and either jeans or a pair shorts, but I think it is time to switch up my style a bit. I really want to start wearing button-down dress/casual shirts but it's difficult for me find shirts that fit properly.

I have broad shoulders/back, long arms and a small waist. If I find button-down shirts that fit my shoulders/back, the sleeves are too long and there is a ton of excess fabric to tuck into my pants. I think they only way to resolve this problem is to have my shirts altered to fit my proportions. I have about 10 button-down shirts I almost never wear because the fit is wrong and I would like to work them into my wardrobe. I am going to send one of my shirts to have it altered, and see if it really makes a difference. I may post before and after pics.

I am also thinking of getting some new jeans that are more form fitting to my body. My waist is 32" but I buy size 36" because I like them to be loose. As a result, there is about 3-5 inches of excess fabric around my thighs. They are really comfortable, but I think they make me look sloppy. I don't want to wear tight pants like Omarion but I want a more fitted look.

Maybe I have been watching too many fashion related television shows, but I think it is time to refine my look. I don't have to dress up for work so I think I have become lazy. So I think it is time to set up my clothing game and get some proper clothes.

Labels: fashion, Random

In my efforts to get back in shape after my long illness, I decided to cut out my drink of choice: Sprite. I am trying to make a conscious effort to cut down on the amount of sugar and high fructose corn syrup I consume. So, instead of sugar for tea I will use honey; and instead of store brand syrup for waffles/pancakes I will use natural maple syrup. This past weekend during dinner with some people I know, I ordered a unsweetened iced tea, which caused some illicit stares. I explained my new "plan" and people seemed interested in what I was doing.

In an effort to find a new drink to tide me over, I decided to go back to the drink of my childhood: Kool-Aid. I went to the store yesterday to seek out my favorite flavor ... red. Red for me is either cherry or tropical punch -- strawberry is not allowed. I found the aisle and I began my search for some red. While searching, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that some people were watching me ... but I am not sure why. I got some red, orange (color, not the flavor), and blue. While walking from the aisle, I ran into someone from my tennis club. We said hello and looked at the items in my hand.

"Kool-Aid?" he asked.

I said yes and explained why I got the drink while he just smiled and nodded. We had a bit of small-talk before saying our goodbyes. As he walked away, he gave me this look. It was the same look that people gave me earlier.

Is there a stigma on Kool-Aid that I am not aware of?

Labels: health, Random

This past Friday was the first day the Apple iPhone 3G went on sale. I thought I would go to the AT&T store a block away from my office around 7:45am to see the length of the line. The line was wrapped around the building with nearly 200 people. I wasn't going to wait so i headed to work.

While at work, I was reading some tech blogs saw some reports that people were waiting for hours because the iTunes server crashed and phones couldn't be activated. Some people were sent home with unactivated phones, and first generation phones were being disabled after upgrading to the 2.0 software. Needless to say, the first day was a mess.

After I finished with tennis I thought I would head to the Apple store on Knox Street in Highland Park, because I figured the line would have died down a bit. I got there around 9:30pm there were about 70 people in line. I was in line for about 10 minutes before a n employee at Apple store store announced to crowd that only the next 50 people were going to be served. He apologized to those waiting in line and those disappointed after waiting line for over two hours could come back tomorrow. I hadn't been there for too long so I didn't mind. I went to grab some food before heading home.

The next day I went to same Apple store around 6:45am and I was the 10th person in line. I brought my iBook and some other provisions to keep myself occupied while I waited for the doors to open at 8am. The people in line were really nice and we all talked about the all the issues that took place with the new iPhones the day before.

The doors opened and I was in the second wave of service. When I finally got in to get my phone I had to make a decision on which phone to get. I initially wanted the black 16gb version, but I changed my mind and got the white version of the same size. The white version didn't show smudges when touched and it looked more chic. I got my phone and was at the register ... and that's when I ran into problems.

I was one of many people at the store having issues with their existing AT&T account. I switched to AT&T 8 days prior and I an employee discount on my account and this cause problems. After talking to AT&T for nearly and hour they could not get my phone activated because of my employee discount. In order to get the iPhone at the $299 price, I would had to leave the store and head to an AT&T store and return my old phone and remove the discount. I was not leaving Apple store without an iPhone, so I asked the AT&T representative would I be able to get the phone if I added a new line to my account and canceled the old line at a later date. She said, "technically, that should work." I tried it out, and it worked and I got the phone for $299. I paid for the iPhone, and it was on to the next step ... activating it on iTunes. The process too about 2 minutes and I was out of there. I headed to AT&T store near my house to return my old phone but I was to forced to use the new number that was given to my iPhone instead of retained the number I received 8 days ago.

So, I got my iPhone and I am enjoying it. I already made a couple of ringtones for it just so I wouldn't have to use the default tones. I asked the Apple specialist if she is getting a free iPhone 3G for being an employee. I was told that she wasn't. I think all Apple employees and the AT&T reps deserve to get one for dealing with the needlessly complicated process.

Due to all of the restrictions, the Apple store I went to only sold about 400 iPhones on launch day. Last year, they probably sold that many iPhones in an hour. AT&T should allowed perspective iPhone owners to pre-register online, print out a receipt with a confirmation code or barcode, and bring it to store. You had to bring a Photo ID and give your Social Security Number, so the process would have seemed secured.

The process is flawed, but it worked out in the end. I will post my review of the phone next week.

Labels: apple, gadgets, iphone

After posing this question over a week ago, I think I know the reason why people lie. I don't believe that lying is not black or white, there are many shades of gray.

There are people who lie to the people they care about in order to make them feel better or spare their feelings -- because at that moment we think we are doing the what is best for them. There are people who are just devious and lie to get what they want despite the damage they could cause to others. There are people who lie to themselves for whatever reason to block out the painful truth. And then there are people who lie to get themselves out of potential negative/hostile situations.

I am sure there are many other categories but these are the ones I could rationalize. I believe at some point everyone has fallen or will fall in each of these categories at some point in their life. I know that I have. But at the end of the day, you have to be culpable for your actions.

I am basing these assumptions on my own personal experiences, so your mileage may vary.

Does anyone have any alternate theories?

Edited:

Here is a story I found interesting:

Will Smith reckons it's healthy to fancy other people when you're married and has no qualms telling his wife when he does.

The actor – who tied the knot with Jada Pinkett Smith 11 years ago – is determined to be honest about how he feels.

"Our perspective is, you don't avoid what's natural and you’re going to be attracted to people," Will explains.

"So sometimes we have the discussion: "Wow, this or that girl is freaking gorgeous". I'm not going to say anything to my buddies that's any different than what I say to my wife."

And Will, 39, reckons he'll tell Jada - and she'll tell him - if they ever feel the need to have sex with others. Read the rest here

This sort of ties into this post.

Labels: feedback

First it was the US, then the UK, then Canada ... now Australia.


Project Runway Australia (PRAus) premiered this past Monday, and after seeing the first episode I think will be watching the entire series. I have watched all the incarnations of Project Runway and I think that the Australian version is the best. I know that is a bold statement considering that I have only see one episode, but until I am proved otherwise, I am going to stick that statement.

With Project Runway US premiering on July 16th, the original show isn't as enjoyable as when it first premiered. I have become indifferent to Tim Gunn because a mentor he doesn't do much to assist the designers on the show. That may be due to editing, but since I have been watching the show I have rarely seen him touch the clothing that is being made or offer assistance to make it better. Saying, "make it work," "that worries me," and "that's a whole lot of look" doesn't really give clear guidance to the designer. As much as I like Tim, he has been reduced to catch phrases.

Mentors Ben di Lisi (UK), Brian Bailey (Canada), and Henry Roth (Australia) and willing to tell the designer what is wrong with the garment they are making, but is the designers choice whether to use the advice. I think that's how things should be. But there has been an issue with a mentor being too helpful. Ben di Lisi, in series 3 of Project Catwalk, was accused by the other designers of giving too much help to a particular designer. Ben got all offended, but not to level of Tyra Banks on ANTM.

I will be watching the rest of the series, but I won't be doing a recap of the show. I may comment on episodes from time to time, but recaps are really time consuming. If you don't live in Australia, you should be able to catch the episodes YouTube at some point or bitTorrent.


If this guy's hair can't convince you to watch, then there is nothing more I can do.

Links:
Project Runway Australia
Project Runway US
Project Catwalk
Project Runway Canada

Labels: project catwalk, project runway, project runway australia, project runway canada

It's funny how one's perspective can change with time. When I first came to Dallas the first guy I went on a date with wanted serious relationship right from the start. He made his intentions clear from the started that he saw me as "husband" material, which was something I wasn't interested in. I thought being in a new city I would date and see what is out there for me. I have started to realized why the guy was trying to lock me down so quickly ... there aren't many good men out there. Now I feeling like I am becoming the they guy that I once mocked.

When I realized I was gay, I never thought about marriage because I never thought it would not be a possibility. It had nothing to do with the legalities of gay marriage, but more with not understanding how a relationship with two men could work. I never met a gay couple (male or female) until I moved to Dallas and since then I met about 15. After spending time with these couples, some whom been together for over a decade, I've changed my outlook. Now seeing gay relationships first-hand I know that it's something that I would like to have. I know that relationships vary from couple to couple. Some couple are monogamous, some allow a 3rd to join periodically, and some are wide open. I prefer a completely monogamous relationship, but understand why others choose other types. Know what I want in/from a relationship the only issue is:

Where do I find my partner?

I discussed my issues with meeting people through dating websites, and I am mostly approached (and fondled) by men (and some woman) who I am not interested in for various reasons. I thought I found that person I was meant to be with, and we had these set milestones that we unfortunately we didn't reach ... however, they are not unreachable.

So where does that leave me?

Don't get me wrong -- I don't mind being single, I just thought I would already be settled in a long-term relationship by now. Someone I know made it his mission to get me "married off" by the end of this year. But he is now in a relationship and I don't see much of him.

So, I guess I have to make this journey alone.

Labels: dating, the ex files

I thought about this En Vogue song during my commute to work. I think it is resonates more now than ever. Also, I never realize until today that the acapella intro is the Jackson 5 song "Who's Loving You." Don't know how I missed that.

Labels: music, youtube

I decided to use the long weekend to see movies that are on my viewing list. With my buddy Paul visiting from Toronto, Onatrio, Canada, in tow we headed the local multiplexes to take in what Hollywood had to offer.

Hancock


I was really excited about this movie because I am a fan of Will Smith, and I was in downtown LA when they were filming some of the action sequences in July 2007. Unfortunately, the movie did not live up to my expectations. The basic premise of the movie was interesting, but the executed was really poor. The acting was sub par, the direction and special fx weren't the greatest, and the storyline wasn't focused. Hancock becomes a very different movie during the second half and the real story should have been PR makeover by Ray Embery (Jason Bateman) and how Hancock handles being the toast of LA. Instead we get a weird, complicated relationship between John Hancock and Mary Embery (Charlize Theron) that doesn't really pay off in the end.

This is not a typical Will Smith considering isn't the stereotypical "good guy" and he uses expletives throughout the movie. Sure, it made a lot of money over the long holiday weekend -- but the movie lacks quality. If you want to see this, I say wait until it comes on DVD.

Wall-E


Wall-E is another movie I was excited to see. I never seen a Pixar movie in the theaters because I didn't want to be the oldest person there without a child. The premise of a movie that stars a robot that doesn't talk was interesting. There is very little dialogue for the first 40 minutes of the film but the robot Wall-E was anthropomorphic character with it is actions and expressions, that you forget that it isn't talking. The movie was odd due to the anti-corporate tone, considering it is being distributed by Walt Disney Company. The movie was really enjoyable with a great message. It is another Pixar classic, even though it is very unconventional. The visuals were amazing and it should been seen on a IMAX or DLP screen, provided that you have either in your area.


Wanted


I didn't plan on seeing this movie, but I heard good things from people I know so I decided to check it out. At the beginning of the movie, I thought I would hate the movie but after 10 minutes I really get into the story. The best parts of the movie is hearing Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman drop the f-bomb multiple times. I see Morgan Freeman as a elegant guy with this regal presence, but hearing him curse made me like him even more. The movie lacked some back story on the assassins known as "The Fraternity," but it succeeds at being extremely entertaining.

The Incredible Hulk


I am not sure whether or not that this movie is a continuation of the first Hulk movie, directed by Ang Lee with Eric Bana as Bruce Banner, or a total re-imagination of the possible franchise. Ed Norton is new David Banner but this new version is nothing like the first.

Hulk is more of an origin story on how David Banner became the Hulk; and The Incredible Hulk is how Bruce Banner is looking to get rid of alter ego. Hulk was more emotional and gave more depth to each character, the new version doesn't really care about character development and just blows things up indiscriminately. These are two different movies with the same main character, but I much prefer the first Hulk movie because it felt like a comic book come to life and had a cohesive story. I didn't hate The Incredible Hulk but one thing bothered me -- why was the Hulk only about a foot taller than the character played by Liv Tyler? [edit: Hulk is only 7ft tall, so this makes sense.] If you plan on seeing The Incredible Hulk, I recommend seeing Hulk as well.

Labels: movies

Anytime?

Labels: music, youtube