Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Top 5's: 2005 Winter Movies
Top 5's is another new installment and like the name suggests, will be a segment of my top favorites of any category imaginable. This time I will have my Top 5 list about the movies I am willing to see this winter. Unfortunately, because I seldomly go to the movie theaters, I might not get the opportunity to watch them all. May the List begin......
1) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (I am a big fan of the series of books and movies)
2) Chicken Little (This is the first CGI movie Walt Disney Pictures created without Pixar)
3) Memoirs of a Geisha
4) King Kong (Might of been a top three contender, but it might focus too much on the CGI effects)
5) The Chronicles of Narnia (Many Christians are willing to see this movie, but it deals with witches like Harry Potter. Why so much hate towards the boy wizard?)
Honorable Mention: Walk the Line, The Producers, The Ringer
P.S. There are two specific movies that I would like to see but it is only being released in select theaters. Brokeback Mountain and Transamerica.
P.P.S. I day after writing the draft to this blog, I found out why many Christians back the fantasy-filled Chronicles of Narnia. Apparently there is a strong Christian slant in the plot, making it obvious why Christian leaders prefer 'Narnia' over Harry Potter (Yahoo! News).
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/30/2005 05:45:00 PM 0 Oranges Left links to this post]]
Torino 2006: It's coming!
The 2006 Winter Olympic games will begin on February 10, 2006, but there is no need to wait that long for me to feel the excitement that the Olympic games (either Summer or Winter) always bring when the cauldron is lit. On sunday, under cloudy Greek skies, the olympic torch was lit, not traditonally because of the lack of sunshine, but it did not stop the priestess from delivering the flame to the first torchbearer, Greek pole vaulter Costas Filippidis (pictured above).
Bottom Line: I am so anxious!!
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/30/2005 05:40:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
The 2006 Winter Olympic games will begin on February 10, 2006, but there is no need to wait that long for me to feel the excitement that the Olympic games (either Summer or Winter) always bring when the cauldron is lit. On sunday, under cloudy Greek skies, the olympic torch was lit, not traditonally because of the lack of sunshine, but it did not stop the priestess from delivering the flame to the first torchbearer, Greek pole vaulter Costas Filippidis (pictured above).
Bottom Line: I am so anxious!!
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/30/2005 05:40:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Nothing Lasts Forever
I just read on Preston London's blog, Wannabeleader, that he is going to abandon the site and retire as a blogger. It was a a huge surprise and shocking that he would decide to give up, but if I had been reading the comments especially the one about advice from Straight men, I would of known it was coming to an end. There were a few that commented, maybe more like unfairly criticsized, his blogging style. I respect Preston's decisions, especially when you are a busy student at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and have better things to worry about. How can I replace what I thought was a very unique and interesting blog? My answer is, "replace" the time I spent reading Wannabeleader with another interesting blog... its Toby's Vividblurry.
P.S. I hope he reconsiders after some time off.
I just read on Preston London's blog, Wannabeleader, that he is going to abandon the site and retire as a blogger. It was a a huge surprise and shocking that he would decide to give up, but if I had been reading the comments especially the one about advice from Straight men, I would of known it was coming to an end. There were a few that commented, maybe more like unfairly criticsized, his blogging style. I respect Preston's decisions, especially when you are a busy student at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and have better things to worry about. How can I replace what I thought was a very unique and interesting blog? My answer is, "replace" the time I spent reading Wannabeleader with another interesting blog... its Toby's Vividblurry.
P.S. I hope he reconsiders after some time off.
UPDATE 5:30pm: Preston decided to come back after all!! Now that he is back, the Jerks will never have their way. Like my mother always say, "If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything!"
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/30/2005 06:02:00 AM 0 Oranges Left links to this post]]
Monday, November 28, 2005
Black Friday was great!
I skipped the lines and hassle behind the "Black" Friday madness. Instead I ordered my iPod Nano on the strike of midnight and went fast asleep, knowing that it was going to be a busy day at work.
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/28/2005 08:57:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Kiss of Death
I read on Yahoo! News about a teenage girl killed after kissing her boyfriend. Apparently, she was allergic to peanuts and contracted allergic reactions after the kiss, who had traces of peanuts after eating a peanut butter sandwich.
According to the article, the number of people with peanut allergies is rising, and experts have only speculated that baby creams and lotions applied to infants and toddlers might have a link to the allergic rise.
Now I know the reason behind the warnings in restaurants and cafeterias describing the possibility of peanut traces on some foods.
I would of never thought that even a miniscule trace of peanut may leave a harmful fate to a person allergic to nuts. I just find it unfortunate and heartbreaking that the boyfriend of the girl meant no harm.
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/28/2005 08:45:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Friday, November 25, 2005
"Fella" Friday: Channing Tatum
This is a newly installed segement I decided to start to showcase my taste in men. Fella Friday will feature one male celebrity (well-known or best kept secret). For my Inagural pick I decided to give the honor to Channing Tatum. He can be found in many catalogs, like Abercrombie and Fitch, he starred in a series of Mountain Dew commercials a few years ago. But most recently, you might of seen Mr. Tatum in Coach Carter playing the role of Jason Lyle.
Enjoy!
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/25/2005 07:59:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
This is a newly installed segement I decided to start to showcase my taste in men. Fella Friday will feature one male celebrity (well-known or best kept secret). For my Inagural pick I decided to give the honor to Channing Tatum. He can be found in many catalogs, like Abercrombie and Fitch, he starred in a series of Mountain Dew commercials a few years ago. But most recently, you might of seen Mr. Tatum in Coach Carter playing the role of Jason Lyle.
Enjoy!
--
[[V.J. Civic; 11/25/2005 07:59:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Turkeys Beware... It's that time of the year
I might not take a day off, but I want to wish to any of my readers, a very Happy Thanksgiving. We should give thanks everyday for the blessings that we get, but it is nice to have a holiday to commerate giving thanks to everyone around us and to the man upstairs.
Don't overeat!!
P.S. Now please excuse me, I will be watching the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade
P.P.S. I'll do a blog about my "Black Friday" experience.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/24/2005 08:31:00 AM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Car service Illiterate
I have been driving my own car since 2004, but after several cars, I never got to tune-up my car on my own terms. Today I got to spend the day changing the oil and changing the brake pads to my 
car (you may guess it is a Honda Civic, because of my fake "last name," but in reality it is not... Its a Mazda Protege). I inherited the 2000 Protege, my third car, from my mother who bought a bulkier 2005 Dodge Durango, so she would be the one that knows everything about the sevices done to the Protege. But, when I was advised to change the power-steering fluid and gave the authority to change it along with a full service oil change, I thought I was doing a great job for my first time. When I called my mother minutes after the job was done, she screetched and demanded to stop the power-steering flush job, little did she know, I was driving to my next destination.
I had to also change my old brake pads, because my car was making noises when I braked, so I drove to the local Pep-Boys to have the job done. But when my mother called me, 90 minutes after giving the keys to the mechanic responsible for my car's service, wondering what was taking long, I told her I was changing my brake pads. Little did I know, she complained that I was suppose to only BUY the pads because one of her girl-friend's husband was going to do me the favor of changing it. I forgot about that fact, so it was my fault, but the guy is busy with the other favors my mom planted on the guy. He has enough stuff to worry about, like painting the interior of our house, I told her when I got home so I won't go ranting about the total cost of my car's maintenaces.
Like I always mutter when I make a mistake, "You Live and You Learn." I am bound not to make the same judgement twice, now that I am more acquainted with my "ride."
[[V.J. Civic; 11/23/2005 07:29:00 PM 1 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
car (you may guess it is a Honda Civic, because of my fake "last name," but in reality it is not... Its a Mazda Protege). I inherited the 2000 Protege, my third car, from my mother who bought a bulkier 2005 Dodge Durango, so she would be the one that knows everything about the sevices done to the Protege. But, when I was advised to change the power-steering fluid and gave the authority to change it along with a full service oil change, I thought I was doing a great job for my first time. When I called my mother minutes after the job was done, she screetched and demanded to stop the power-steering flush job, little did she know, I was driving to my next destination.
I had to also change my old brake pads, because my car was making noises when I braked, so I drove to the local Pep-Boys to have the job done. But when my mother called me, 90 minutes after giving the keys to the mechanic responsible for my car's service, wondering what was taking long, I told her I was changing my brake pads. Little did I know, she complained that I was suppose to only BUY the pads because one of her girl-friend's husband was going to do me the favor of changing it. I forgot about that fact, so it was my fault, but the guy is busy with the other favors my mom planted on the guy. He has enough stuff to worry about, like painting the interior of our house, I told her when I got home so I won't go ranting about the total cost of my car's maintenaces.
Like I always mutter when I make a mistake, "You Live and You Learn." I am bound not to make the same judgement twice, now that I am more acquainted with my "ride."
[[V.J. Civic; 11/23/2005 07:29:00 PM 1 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Carlos Delgado dealt to the Mets
The player, Carlos Delgado, that the Marlins mostly wanted last winter, and prefered over the Mets, was traded to the New York Mets. I read the news this morning and only added salt to the wound left by yesterday's news of the Marlins trade deal that sent 2003 World Series MVP pitcher Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to the Boston Red Sox. Both deals give the Florida Marlins young and cheap prospects for the new season, set to begin in Spring of '06.
Personally, the developments remind me of the nightmare-ish "fire-sale" that the Florida Marlins fans went through in 1997 when previous owner, Wayne Huizenga, sold the most expensive and talented players before selling the team to John Henry, now the Boston Red Sox owner.
The Florida Marlins are also exploring options to relocate to other cities like Las Vegas, Portland, and Charlotte.
Ohh my, It's not a good day to be a Marlins fan, one of the few that seems to exist in a city that does not look like a baseball town.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/23/2005 07:06:00 PM 2 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
The player, Carlos Delgado, that the Marlins mostly wanted last winter, and prefered over the Mets, was traded to the New York Mets. I read the news this morning and only added salt to the wound left by yesterday's news of the Marlins trade deal that sent 2003 World Series MVP pitcher Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to the Boston Red Sox. Both deals give the Florida Marlins young and cheap prospects for the new season, set to begin in Spring of '06.
Personally, the developments remind me of the nightmare-ish "fire-sale" that the Florida Marlins fans went through in 1997 when previous owner, Wayne Huizenga, sold the most expensive and talented players before selling the team to John Henry, now the Boston Red Sox owner.
The Florida Marlins are also exploring options to relocate to other cities like Las Vegas, Portland, and Charlotte.
Ohh my, It's not a good day to be a Marlins fan, one of the few that seems to exist in a city that does not look like a baseball town.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/23/2005 07:06:00 PM 2 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Marriage by another Name
This is what I consider my first post that contributes my duty to fulfil acceptance of Gay Rights in a country that prejudice and intolerance thrive. I visited Andrew Sullivan's blog and read a post that was inspiring and shares my views about "gay marriage." Because I am somewhat religious in the Christian faith, I do not believe that homosexuals should be married by the church. They should, however, be allowed to be married by the goverment to have the same rights as heterosexual couples. One of my reasons is shared by an E-mail from one of Andrew Sullivan's readers:
I'm a straight male nurse. I guess once upon a time that was kind of an oxymoron; of course it no longer is, as nursing has become widely regarded as the desirable profession which it is.
Anyhow ... I work in an ICU in Florida. Recently had an admission, a Canadian fellow about my age (I'm 59) who was vacationing with his partner. Very very sick. For some reason not known--his kidneys suddenly failed. Without the ability to make urine, fluid built up in him and eventually filled his lungs. He'd entered what we call MultiSystem Organ Failure (his kidneys, his lungs) and thinking that the origin of his problem was gangrene in his bowels, he'd had surgery on his belly.
Andrew, I've been in this business 25 years. I've seen families that do well and families that don't. Believe me - this gentleman and his partner were a family that did well. The emotional connection that comforted and strengthened my Pt was as strong as any that I have seen in my career. The responsiblity that his partner took in dealing with 'power of attorney' tasks was wonderful.
With the strength of love behind him, he has made a wonderful recovery. Of course, dialysis and modern medical care worked their magic. But I know the difference that love makes, too. And he had it. These two gay men were so completely "married" that it was inspiring and beautiful to see. It made me want to pass on to you this story. It made me want to add my voice to yours, that "gay marriage" denied is a terrible injury done by our society to a significant group of our brothers and sisters. A decent society would not tolerate withholding recognition and blessings on these unions.
It is worth reprinting in Andrew's blog so I believe the message is worth forwarding to my blog.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/23/2005 06:51:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Sports: Marlins Trade Beckett and Lowell
I am not going to get into the news that much about the trade of two great Marlins that helped Florida to win their second World Series championship since their inaguration in 1993. ESPN reports about the trade that will send both Marlins to Boston, pending on a physical clearnace which is basically the finalized process of the trading deal. Among many other Boston Red Sox prospects, one that the Florida Marlins front office really liked was Hanley Ramirez.
I wish both Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell the best of luck in Boson....
Go FISH!
P.S. First Dolphins misfortunes and now the Marlins. Hopefully the HEAT will bring better news to South Florida.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/22/2005 05:09:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
I wish both Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell the best of luck in Boson....
Go FISH!
P.S. First Dolphins misfortunes and now the Marlins. Hopefully the HEAT will bring better news to South Florida.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/22/2005 05:09:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Red Bull did the job...
But I still did not completely finish the humanities paper because I had this distraction (which I dont blame because I had it abandoned) and I had other homework assignments to complete. The Red Bull energy drink, though, tasted like carbonated medicine, eww!! I would not try to drink that sucker like a normal soda drink, but I won't stop getting Red Bull, that stuff WORKS!!!
[[V.J. Civic; 11/22/2005 05:00:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
An iPOD for Christmas
It may seem odd, but I am not asking my mother nor Santa Claus (for that matter) for the iPod Nano that I am so infatuated with for the 2005 holiday. I am going to buy myself an iPod Nano with some other perks as well as an iTunes gift card so I can indulge christmas morning. I guess, now that I am a youg adult, I would like to depend on myself to get things that I want becuase I know my mother can not afford even the most affordable iPod Nano (which the cheapest cost about $200). Of course, I will accept any monetary gifts, which I will consider as my reimbursement.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/22/2005 05:50:00 AM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
It may seem odd, but I am not asking my mother nor Santa Claus (for that matter) for the iPod Nano that I am so infatuated with for the 2005 holiday. I am going to buy myself an iPod Nano with some other perks as well as an iTunes gift card so I can indulge christmas morning. I guess, now that I am a youg adult, I would like to depend on myself to get things that I want becuase I know my mother can not afford even the most affordable iPod Nano (which the cheapest cost about $200). Of course, I will accept any monetary gifts, which I will consider as my reimbursement.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/22/2005 05:50:00 AM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Monday, November 21, 2005
Sports: Dolphins blanked by the Browns
I know that many Dolfans (Miami Dolphins fans) thought the same thing I did... The game against the Cleveland Browns would be a definite road game victory for the bland Dolphins. But it came to my surprise that the Dolphins not only lost, but we were shutdown 22-0. Gus Ferrorte (or however you spell his name) ended up being replaced by Sage Rosenfels (the second stringer). And also to my surprise, he ended up failing the Dolphins Offense in his golden opportunity many backup QBs wish they had. My team, the Miami Dolphins, have had a QB soul search for a while now, ever since Dan "The Man" Marino retired and became a distant memory of all Dolfans as one of the greatest of the franchise and NFL hsitory. I have all my trust in Nick Saban, but I just hope we end the season in a brighter mood then the historic loss to the also bland Browns. It was the first time we had lost with no points scored since the 2003 NFL season.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/21/2005 11:25:00 PM 2 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
The New Look!
I have changed the look of this blog numerous times because of my discontent with the formulaic templates that seem to be very bland. Blogger only has a few templates that one can choose from ans with the millions of bloggers around the world, you are almost guaranteed to see your template at another person's blog. So I decided to mess around with the codes, I have experience with HTML, but CSS is very different from the older counterpart. That, however, should not discourage any of you from customizing your blog to your taste and uniqueness. Now hopefully this will be a motivation for me to continue blogging with this blog as well as recruit readers from blogs such as Wannabeleader
and Boi From Troy. I have a long way to go, but my main goal is to have at least a more few friends since beginning with this blog.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/21/2005 11:13:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Red Bull(ing) Tonight
Because I am a huge procrastinator in almost everything I do, it is not a surprise that I will pull an all nighter to try an finish my humanities paper (which was due today) and turn it in tomorrow before composition class. When I was walking to my humanities class this afternoon I was enlightened by the Red Bull vending machine that my college installed just a few weeks ago and was motivated to buy a pack of Red Bull energy drink so I can succeed (without sleep) to complete not only my humanities paper, but also come up with a thesis for composition class tomorrow.
Ohh I wish the semester was already over and done with... Now I have to worry about registering for next semester! Thats good for another blog post which I anticipate I will write some more later through the night.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/21/2005 07:38:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
No Time at All
I noticed that I barely have time to write something in my bolg. Its disheartening to see how other bloggers write one to three blogs daily but I only have one written for every two weeks. Well, I guess something that I normally do would have to be sacrificed if I would like to continue with this blog. Besides the normal hectic schedule of a student, I browse the internet by checking personal and college email, check-up on my Yahoo! Fantasy Sports' teams, MySpace, MySpace Blog, and then lastly, this Blog. I promise you, or at least to me, that I will be more active soon! I just have to find time for this.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/21/2005 09:41:00 AM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Clubbing
I can finally say that I have gone out and expereinced the nightlife of the outside world beyond my house. Although I was quite shy and reserved, I had a great time dancing with my friends and, at times, by myself. I was in my acting in my normal ego, which is good but I only has to take glimpses of the guys and no "touch." bummer... But at least I got the chance to have a good time.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/16/2005 01:50:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Thoughts about Blogger blogging
I thought I was going to get at least a comment by now. I have been here almost a month and NO comments. I try to comment on other blogs but they don't return the favor. I guess this was not as easy as I thought, so I proposed to myself that I will go to many blogs even those that are more open towards homosexuality so I can get at least a comment or meet new friends.
Ohh well, If you are browsing through, show some "love" and leave a comment about something related to the blog in general or asking me a question. The last thing I need is spam, and I think I have that under control.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/09/2005 05:44:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
Monday, November 07, 2005
Is it over yet?
I remember when I wanted to begin the fall semester one month before it acctually started. I do not regret the decission and concensus but it has been pretty busy. I have an essay about Metrosexuality and the comaprison to the "perfect-body" ideal for women for Composition class due thursday, a Humanities final paper due November 21st, upkeep in Microeconomics ro rebound from to horrible test results, and complete the lethargic Intro to Horticulture class. Horticulture is so easy yet boring that I end up not completing the work when it is due.
In other news.... I still have not found a guy or a girl worthy to be "friends" with. There is that bisexual guy I talked about earlier but no new developments. In other words, I don't have the courage to confront the guy yet.
[[V.J. Civic; 11/07/2005 05:31:00 PM 0 Oranges Left
links to this post]]
