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Thursday, March 15, 2007

You know, I do wish sometimes that I was a little more like you. Not caring about what I see as some not altogether proper behaviour.

You are boss for a reason, and if you are not respected for your person, then at least you must be respected for your position, particularly when you're doing it right.

But then, I care. I don't see it as proper, and I don't want to see it again, having seen it elsewhere before. And that had me up longer than I should have been up.

I picture you looking at it with perhaps a little laugh and a sigh. You say it's a guy thing, and that's why you don't get it. Maybe you're right, and maybe you're better off not getting it, because it is rather silly.

Anyone tries something funny and plays too much politics, and he's going to pay for it eventually. True talent will shine through on its own strength.

I love it when you tell me that. It's so... simple! And so... idealistic! Which I like!

And that's why when you told me to go to sleep, I listened.

You've got that touch of magic you might not realize.

Or maybe you do realize it.

Which makes it so much more beautiful, how you manage to just send me to sleep.

I hope I'm wrong on this whole thing.

And I hope you're right.

Because I believe in you.

gambitch [ 12:18 AM]

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Yes, I know it's really weird that I am suddenly listening to any amount of mainland pop.

But this song has a certain catchiness to it, I've heard it now at four different places.

Not to mention the recent bit of poetry I've been reading seems to link up nicely with this in a rather oblique, but totally cute, way.

From Pang Long, then. Two Butterflies.

Funnily enough, while there are tons upon tons of copies of music videos for most other popular artistes, I only spotted one original music video for this song, as opposed to shoots by other people performing the song "home video" style.

For that reason, I apologize for the bad video quality. It's not entirely my fault; there just isn't much of a choice out there.

Looks like mainland pop really takes some work to catch on.

gambitch [ 2:34 AM]

Monday, March 12, 2007

So, you want a shocker in The Amazing Race? Well, you got it, because today, Rob and Amber were eliminated in the fourth leg. You find that shocking? The one ending that everyone will be talking about? I'd say I was pretty shocked about it, except I have been primed for it by the sneak preview announcement last week when they said exactly that. Which kinda, you know, anticlimaxes the whole thing.

Anyway, the point of greater concern for me in this episode was that we still seem to be stuck in South America. Hey, that's quite a while already, for the ones who know this show. Not that the scenery wasn't that poor this time in Chile and Argentina. Although you have to wonder why we're still here. Didn't they use up the options properly in the last few seasons?

But before we get to Rob and Amber, let me just make one little comment about Eric the horny kid. Early in this episode, he tells us that he tries to treat Danielle, his supposed girlfriend, like he would any other guy, "except she has nicer boobs". I'm, like, what? That's a great reason for you to like the girl, I'm sure, but then how are you trying to treat her like any other guy when you pick out this one very girl-y thing about her?

And another little bit about Charla and Mirna. Well, really, just Mirna. We all know how Charla is a dwarf. This supposedly creates all these physical difficulties for her. Yes, we know that. We can also understand how that creates difficulties for people who live with people like Charla in the family, because it's a deviation from simply being able to lead a normal "I don't need to chip in a bit to accommodate other people" kind of life. Like taking care of an old relative who can't walk without the aid of a stick, and even then very much more slowly. Sure, Mirna has to deal with that.

But coming right out on an interview and saying that she has to work twice as hard because Charla can't do anything? What happened to all that affirmation Charla was trying to impress about her being able to do everything like anyone else? That was the Charla we knew from their original season. They've seemed to have ditched that a bit this time, sure, but Mirna coming right out and saying Charla can't do nuts? I'm, like, wo wo whoa! Watch what you're saying again, you weird woman! You're dissing your cousin, not to mention, in case you forget, your teammate on this Race! I would think you don't do that to a person you supposedly love quite a bit because, you know, you've raced with her before!

Anyway, the episode. The Detour was not much in the memory, although it was very nice to see The Amazing Race used as a platform to introduce Magellan's Voyage. Yes, that's the actual voyage the guy took from Seville and went around the world on. Turns out that wasn't a very great choice for a Detour though, because lots of teams sucked at it. The other option, on the other hand, was just too easy.

And that's where Rob starts getting everything wrong. He botched the first Detour choice, turned around and went for the easy one, and still messed it up, thereby putting him and Amber on the tail end of the pack. This is one of those places where you realize that Rob is really quite mortal, and can be just as capable of mistakes as anyone else. Which is a relief in a way, but also a bit disappointing, because I was having Rob and Amber as odds-on to stay long enough for the Final Three without too much effort. This struggle is a bit painful.

But in some way it's really cute to see Rob and Amber not getting themselves way in front for a change, because this creates a chance for all of us to see just how much Rob wants it, and what happens when he doesn't get it. There's a bit of bickering between them both, but it's eventually of the loving kind. Yes, I know, it's a little weird to be sitting down and studying the love between two people who are supposed to make up the most effortlessly competitive team in this Race (sorry Colin and Christie, and Kris and Jon, wish you were here). But I kinda like it.

Too bad, though, things just didn't work out well for these two on this day. They made all the mistakes they usually won't make, and then it's compounded by a complete element of bad luck when they run into a Roadblock that involves them finding one letter in a bag full of them. What's one to do? Kinda like how Lena and Kristy got screwed by those bales of hay in Scandinavia.

So that's how Rob and Amber, one of the best teams on the Race ever (in terms of competitiveness at least), get dumped just four legs in. Can't say much about that, except I'll really miss how they just showed everyone how good they were at this. Meanwhile, Charla and Mirna survive. I'm going to have a few problems with that, especially if they are still in the game by the time they finally go to Asia.

Wait. At this rate, will the season ever go to Asia?

gambitch [ 10:14 AM]

Sunday, March 11, 2007

An extra night of some fun, carrying over from what we did back at Lunar New Year, meant that I had chosen to miss out on another work opportunity. But I didn't mind.

I think I might have found that point where, sometimes, I was willing to turn down work opportunities for some entertainment and recreation of my own. Sometimes you do have to do your own thing.

I asked you if you wanted to come, and I guess you couldn't. I guess this means we have to wait till Mid-Autumn.

I really hope to be able to see you at one of these events. Just so you could see another side of me that comes alive in a different circumstance.

Anyway, the event tonight proved quite productive. I won a few prizes, mostly little books I might have to take some time to read. They appear to be short stories or other various such writing of the mid-20th Century. Not that many of these names ring a bell to me, so I think I will probably read them very slowly, if and when I have the time.

It's not everyday that a bookstore of some decent local repute decides to help with organizing such an event, in conjunction with a book fair of sorts. And that's why I had little hesitation when it came to deciding to come for this one. Truth be told? I like it! Gave me a chance to relax and work my brain in a different way.

Still, tomorrow it's back to work. Yes, I know, it's Sunday. But there's no day of rest in this line.

gambitch [ 12:01 AM]