Thursday, July 31, 2008

My Father Knows His Geography..

I worked up quite a sweat this morning while moving boxes around, and my father astutely announced: "You sweat Brazil, huh?"

Flashes of Carnival in Rio, women in dental floss bikinis and tropical sand being kicking in the mid-day sun sprayed into my mind. But why would that make any sense at this moment?

With my puzzled look, my father goes ,"I meant your shirt. Your sweat looks like the shape of Brazil."

How my father would see my perspiration of a country in South America is my dad at his best. Though, if I had sweat a picture of Jesus, that would have made for a more interesting tale... ;)

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Whoa, Haven't felt THAT in awhile...

Living in "Earthquake Country" is like living with an explosive blood clot in your head -- you're never really sure when it'll blow, but when it does, it'll either kill ya or make you stronger.

After living in California for so many years, you'd think I'd be used to it by now.

But I'm not.

I've survived a few major earthquakes, jolts and tremors, but today's Chino Hills quake was the first time I was actually able to do something about protecting myself.

I remember the Whittier quake vividly because it happened while I was in the toilet. Believe me, that is the WORST place to be during a rolling jolt. Suffice it to say, going to the bathroom the next few days gave me a bit of anxiety.

During the Northridge quake, I was asleep and quite paralyzed by fear. I could feel the room shake like a giant baby's rattle, yet I couldn't move to duck and cover. I simply stared at the ceiling, awaiting whatever was going to happen. In the end, I got lucky - the only thing that broke in the whole house was a lamp that sat by my bedside. It lept over a bunch of toys and paper, only to crash and scatter all over the carpet.

Today I was awake and working at the computer when the "pre-shock-shock" sent my Spidey-Sense into overdrive. I know what it feels like when a big heavy truck drives by.

This was no truck.

I dove under the desk, my heart running faster than my brain. Staying calm was an easy montra to remember, but repeating it over and over and over again just to convince myself was an exercise in self-control.

And just like that, it was over. The news says there's been like 27 aftershocks, but I haven't felt them. I've become a quake snob -- if it's not over a 4.0, I don't give a shit.

Mom and Dad are all right, and I'm still here typing. And looks like LA is getting back to being it's usual crazy. Can't ask for much more than that... ;)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

My Brush With The Dark Knight...

A few months ago, I had gone to China on vacation in Yunnan (see archives for the pics if you want to check that out), and after the tour we also made a stop in Hong Kong. Guess who was in town at the same time as me?

I couldn't have planned it better. Here's a pic from the local
news: Mr. Shawshank Redemption and Mr. Memento
in the flesh.

They were in town for a few days, so I thought - what the heck? Shouldn't pass this up!

Most of the interiors and night shoots were in a part of Hong Kong called Lan Kwai Fong, a tourist area filled with ex-pat bars, dance clubs and a portion of the business district. A real "Word Hard, Play Hard" kind of area.


Here was the name the production was under during
the shoot.


From what I can piece together, this was the hotel
that the stuntman jumps from in the movie. Interiors for
the crimeboss capture were also shot here as well, but
don't quote me on that.


Here's me with the other onlookers trying to get a glimpse
at the production. Since this night was mostly for interiors,
the only person we got to see was Nolan.



This was taken minutes before director Chris Nolan
stepped out of the black Mercedes. I still regret not
having a telescopic lense that night to get the shot.
By the time I recognized him, he was already inside the
lobby.


The white van carried a bunch of the crew that was
working on set.

Security was pretty tight-lipped, considering that they were
trying to keep this thing a secret in one of the biggest little cities
in the world. The crowd was roudy, but polite -- which is
not typical of Hong Kongers at all...




I don't know if it's in the movie or not, but the news said
that Morgan Freeman also shot a dialogue scene here,
on the longest escalator in the world. Eh, I guess they
figured that if they made it this far, might as well
feature this thing too.



NOTE: This escaltor was also featured in the film
Chunking Express by Wong Kar Wai. It's used in the plot,
and I won't give it away here.

And just like that, after a few days, they were gone.
I still didn't get to see Bale or Freeman, but hey, it was all
fun.

The Dark Knight opens nationwide tomorrow.
Okay Warners, I've plugged the film. Where's my money?... ;)

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Shanghai 2008: The Art of Everywhere, and Heading Home...

Shanghai Siesta

Cut-outs

Glamor Galore



Doing their part

Olympic Fever







Icon Blast from the Past


Expo Fever





Mac Attack

Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts







Ming Dynasty meets "Ka-Ching" Dynasty



Handle with Care



Homeward Bound







How to end a tale from a "tail"

Monday, July 14, 2008

The Truncation of Phrased Expletives...

My father, ever the wordsmith, has created a word that sums up FUBAR better than FUBAR sums up itself.

"Shituation"

Shit-u-a-tion (shit-oo-ey-shuh n) - noun


1.manner of being poorly situated; location or position with reference to an unwanted and or hostile environment: The shituation of the house allowed for a great view of a brick wall.

2.poor condition; case; plight: He is in a desperate shituation.

3.a state of dire affairs of special or critical significance in the course of a play, novel, etc…



God, I hope this makes it into the lingual-lexicon... ;)

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Shanghai: Soup, Anyone?...

Okay, here it is: Me trying turtle and seahorse soup. You've been warned:




Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Shanghai 2008: Hungry For More...

When in Shanghai, soup dumplings are a must. This spot
is a happening joint for just such a delicacy.

This version is first steamed, then deep-bottom fried, giving an
interesting crunchy texture, and soooo very bad for
your health.

Caution: You will lose the roof of your mouth no matter what.

Next version: Regular steamed dumplings. This place is
located in Yu Gardens, another must-see place.

This woman can separate the pieces with her eyes closed,
always the same shape. She's awesome.

Opting for the small order of 12 steam dumplings, again,
just so you know I was there...

The only thing I ate in Shanghai that required a knife
and fork.

Ah, the famous turtle and sea-horse soup. I have video
of me trying this (wait 'til later).

Thai cuisine, Shanghai-style. Consuming this much white
bread at one sitting, even if it's covered in spicy curry,
does not make it a healthy choice...

The good news: Spicy Shrimp is tasty. Bad news:
I couldn't feel my tongue. Still worth it.

A genuine Starbucks knock-off.



A wine bar that serves BBQ with its Pinot-Grigio. An
interesting combination that's easy to overlook.

Believe it or not: Fake Vegetarian Braised Pork, made
with tofu and wheat protein.

Meatballs made with potato-paste and tofu.

Ah, the requisite fast-food shot.

Actual size of a Shanghai Happy Meal.

What happens when you bring Bruce Lee and fried chicken
together. It'll knock the taste right into you.

Living in an alternate reality where Pizza Hut is a revered
eatery. Like Taco Bell in the movie "Demolition Man".

It's a smaller pizza, but packs 4 times the flavor. Everything
tastes better in Shanghai.

Yes, this was the only time where the baristas understood
me perfectly. Venti? No Problem!







Honestly, I have no idea why the top row of drinks are
upside down. But I though you'd like to ponder that
for yourself...

Stay Tuned:
Video of me eating sea-horse!