Monday, February 25, 2002

Ok, I admit it -- I'm an Olympic junkie. I think all Korean people are. You see, the '88 Seoul Olympic was (and still is) the biggest thing that has ever happened to Korea (ok, so there was the Korean War, but let's concentrate on the *positive* events), and we all got sucked into the whole Olympic fever thingy during the 80s because 1) we didn't really have a choice with the Korean government forcing it down our collective throats, and 2) well, frankly we didn't have much else to celebrate. I'm an Olympic junkie and I'm proud of it. Now, where is *my* parade?

And that's why I'm especially pissed off at NBC for ruining my Olympic experiences for 2 consecutive games now. Have they not learned anything from the debacle that was Sydney? Sports events, especially ones of this magnitude, are meant to be televised live, not tape-delayed. Do they not realize people have access to something called the internet these days? Um, we don't have to wait until you show us the results to find out who won, you know. Is 3 hours that big a gap that the people on the westcoast have to suffer through these lame-ass, tape-delayed events devoid of any suspense and drama? And what the fuck does "recorded *live* from an earlier event" mean? As opposed to what? "Recorded from an earlier tape-delayed event"?

Some more random thoughts:

Can we just stop saying "this Olympic was the best ever"? Best ever? Says who? The Russian judge? I mean, has there ever been a Olympic that wasn't "the best ever"? Kudos to IOC President Jacques Rogge for promising never to use that phrase.
If I see one more shot of Jimmy Shea pulling out a picture of his grandfather from his helmet and flashing it in front of the camera, I swear I'll puke. Maybe I'm just overly cynical, but I didn't find it all that touching the first time they showed it. And seeing it 5 million times over the span of 2 days sure hasn't changed that.
Of course, all this didn't stop me from watching the closing ceremony (which, BTW, was tape-delayed on the westcoast). It was lame as hell though. Anyone else notice how bad Christina Aguilera was at lip-syncing?
Watching Kurt Browning, Ilia Kulik and Scott Hamilton during the closing ceremony, all dressed "normal", made me wonder: how come the guys in competition don't dress like that? Do they really have to look like they just raided Siegfred & Roy's closet? Oh, I forgot -- they need them for "artistic merits". Puhleeeze -- if anything, they should be penalized for crimes against fashion.
My favorite memory from the 2002 Games: Our Canadian men kicking USA's asses in hockey. Take that, Brett Hull!
Just curious... Did having Wayne Gretzkey as the GM really make any difference though? Any Canadian with a 50 IQ could've put together that team. Whoa, he had to decide between Brodeur and Roy? Man, what a tough job he had.

Friday, February 22, 2002

First the Canadians, then the Koreans, and now the Russians. Jesus fucking Christ. Hey, I've got an idea -- why don't we just give *everyone* the gold just for participating? That'd keep everybody happy, no? Geez.

Don't get me wrong. I am disgusted with the corrupt judges and biased rulings too, but c'mon -- is everyone going to be protesting *every* result from now on? Enough is enough. Life ain't fair. Learn to fucking deal with it.

Friday, February 15, 2002

A memorable quote from The Virgin Suicides:

(after Cecilia's failed suicide attempt)

Doctor: What are you doing here, honey? You're not even old enough to know how bad life gets.
Cecilia: Obviously, doctor, you've never been a 13-year-old girl.

Nathan: You're straight -- you don't know anything.
Donna: I'm black. And I'm a girl. Try that for a week.

Wednesday, February 13, 2002

Yesterday at work, there was a huge email thread about the Oscar nominations, mostly about Memento being robbed. So what? Big fucking deal. I mean, when was the last time the Academy got anything right anyways? I refuse to get upset because some old farts (who, BTW, don't even bother to see all the *nominated* films, let alone all the *eligible* films), in their infinite wisdom, decided that a cheesefest like A Beautiful Mind was superior to one of the most innovative, original and intelligent films in recent memory.

On a lighter note, here are some pictures from "Night One", courtesy of Señor Frito. (Or, is it Mr. Trouserteam now?) Um, nice moustache, Scott.

Monday, February 11, 2002

Apparently, I'm an ISTJ (Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging). No, wait -- the 2nd test says I'm a INTJ (Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging). Having read the profiles, I think I'm closer to the former, but there are some traits of the latter that perfectly describe me as well. Hmmm... I think I'll just call myself I?TJ.

What are you?

Friday, February 8, 2002

Just came back from the fishbowl series for Phantom Planet. Jason Schwartzman (yeah, the guy from Rushmore) is the drummer of the band, and they were actually pretty good. They even handed out free CDs which I got Jason to autograph after their quick 4-song set. Here's my brief encounter with a Hollywood "star":

Jason: What's your name?
Me: Hansol -- H, A, N, S, O, L.
Jason: Do you get "Hansolo" a lot?
Me: Yeah, that and "Hansel and Gretel"...

(awkward silence while he signs the CD)

Me: Um, you were awesome in Rushmore, man.
Jason: Oh. Yeah. Thanks.

Monday, February 4, 2002

In addition to being an annoying prick who wastes taxpayers' time and money, Tim Eyman is also a liar and a thief. I say we start a new initiative that would kick him out (and keep him out) of the state of Washington.

I haven't touched alcohol in exactly 6 months now. No cigarettes in about 2 months. I'm also going off Z in 2 days. From now on, I'll just stick to the intravenous injection of hard drugs.