The Quest for The Perfect Green Canvas Jacket.

My closet is jam-packed with knitted sweaters only slightly varying in color and button size and aside from the fact that probably my whole wardrobe needs a consultation from fashion guru Rachel Zoe, I am strictly focused on obtaining the perfect green canvas jacket (hence the title of this post).

Everyone gets it by now. I love greys, beiges, blacks and whites. When I'm feeling risky I'll most likely court some mild yellows and opaque blues. This time around I'm really not venturing too far off with the faded green. But let's face it I might as well be the original girl next door with the utmost minimal urge to express herself vibrantly. On the other hand what's wrong with classic subtlety? Alright I'm getting off topic here. Back to the jacket.

Why the green and WHY canvas? If you have picked up any fashion magazine within the last five years, I can maintain on firm grounds that green canvas jackets were almost never out of style. The sturdy and dependable style perhaps got lost in the belly bearing phase as well, but only for a short moment. I am sure that quite possibly the Lady GaGas of the world would detest such plainess but I don't care.

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This was an old post, I forgot to publish. Happy to say I found my green canvas jacket in a thrift store from Melrose for 11.00 dollars and nothing more! Fabulous deal, I have to say!

RPG METATONIA - FIRST FILIPINO 3D ANIMATED FILM

(photo: courtesy of abs-cbn and ambientmedia)

I may have stumbled upon this news much later than other Filipinos out there, but still a timely story since its release date is Christmas Day of this year!

Filipino cinema has often received harsh criticism for its outdated filmography, redundant dramatic and/or romantic storylines and sometimes questionable acting. But recently ABS-CBN in partnership with Ambientmedia, has taken a huge leap forward into the 21st century and has found itself proudly side-by-side with the likes of Pixar, thanks to RPG Metatonia.

RPG Metatonia is a 3D animated movie that follows an 11-year old Filipino boy named Nico who is consumed by online video games so much so that a game (Metatonia) consumes him as well as his fellow computer comrades. Finding themselves in so-called a "digital Disneyland," thrilling adventures unfold and challenges are faced; making a delightfully roaring action-packed movie. Rated E - for everyone!

However, with its forward transition into better cinematic quality, it manages to stay true to the Filipino audience by maintaining relevance to the Filipino culture through dialogue and casting direction.

Congratulations to the evolution of Filipino Cinema and may it continue to grow broadly and strongly throughout the globe!

ATTEMPTING A COMEDIC RANT.

DIG IN.

Dig Jelly is an up and coming band that has been sharing their music with the local communities of Los Angeles and across Asia for seven years. Having recently been signed under Myspace records, the modern-rock artists are beginning their climb to the top with their second CD "Predicate," under their wings and future endeavors with Interscope records in the horizon. I spent a few hours with Rayko Dig, the lead singer of the band to shed light on the inner workings for her mind. In this extremely brief interview, she touches a bit on her past and how her passion for music led her to the best decision she ever made: DIG JELLY.

Enjoy.

To Wed Now or Later?....That is the question.

(Photo: Courtesy of LaTimes.com)

It's been a long time coming for same-sex couples to formally cement their lifelong committment and it looks like avid Prop 8 groupies will still be raining on their parade.

Same-sex marriages in California was made legal last Wednesday when U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker decided Prop 8 was unconstitutional. Today he made recent additions to the ruling citing that gay couples will be permitted to wed next Thursday August 18, if plans go without a hitch.

The hitch being ---interference of the appeals court.

Gay marriage opposers have asked the appeals court to halt gay marriages while the case is still pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court.

Walker initially provided permission for Prop 8 supporters to appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before 5 p.m. that day.

Walker doubts that the opponents of his state law have any rights to deny his state ruling when the california governor and district attorney sit at his right hand in support of the controversial overturn.

However, it is fitting to say that Prop 8 supporters are riding on the "power of the people," ideal to successfully execute their case.

In a public statement, lead trial attorney for protectmarriage.com Charles Cooper says "The decision whether to redefine the institution is for the people themselves to make, not a single district court judge, especially without appellate scrutiny."

If prop 8 supports are victorious in delaying the gay and/or lesbian legal marital ceremonies, the case could be passed onto the U.S. Supreme Court which would leave homosexual couples waiting rather impatiently indefinitely.

Out With the New Ear in the With the Old Ear.

(photo courtesy of AP image)

Everyone goes through a fashionable trend in hopes of obtaining full assimilation or self-identification. But after the puberty wears off and the cliques disappear all that is left is the "real world."

This is a world that does not care about one's newest form of physical expression, in fact it expects less of it. Upon realizing this, today several young people are finding themselves at odds with the job market and are searching for ways to undo what has been done.

And no, I'm not talking about tattoos and laser treatment. Ear plugs are the latest form of common regret.

Ear plugs have been and still is one of the main accessories for young men and women. However when the time comes to find a corporate job, A good chunk of America's youth finds itself with some required reparation; reparation of the ear lobe that is.

As "cool" as these ear plugs might appear, without them in tact all that is left is a huge hole in one's ear. Of course, one would need to have spaced out the hole several millimeters for that to happen. Nevertheless, walking around with a noticeably large hole in a very exposed body part may become uncomfortable for the employee and his or her work environment. Above all, a massive absence in the ear lobe would be deemed unacceptable in most work places.

So where do you go to sew that ear right back up? Dr. Brian S. Glatt is his name. Brian S. Glatt has seen numerous young individuals come and go from his office for this specific procedure.

The procedure consists of him cutting around the hole then slicing the earlobe into two pieces and sews the pieces back together while trimming the excess skin, of course. The procedure does leave a scar.

Also, he notes that smokers heal slower than non-smokers and that the procedure cannot be done if the hole exceeds 6 millimeters.

A Different Kind of Fork In The Road

(photo courtesy of AP image)

12th and Delaware, a documentary currently broadcasted on the HBO network, discusses the two sides of abortion also known as pro-choice and pro-life . Although there have been various controversial discussions concerning the popular debate, none of them compare to the street corner of 12th and Delaware; where the realty of abortion has never felt more consequential.

Picture this, a pregnancy care center on the left and a small abortion clinic on the right. Then imagine yourself to be a young woman unexpectedly expecting and completely unprepared in all aspects of life standing right in the middle of it all. Whose life is more important you ask yourself--- mine or the baby's?

On your left is a community believes that you can take care of this baby. No, rather it is your moral obligation to give birth despite your short-comings. Without hesitation they show you what your fetus looks like on the day of your visitation and provide ultra sound copies with phrases such as, "Hello Daddy and Mommy." When they leave you to think things over, a swarm of anti-abortion pamphlets surround you chanting quotes like, "Abortion causes breast cancer." Did I mention that they buy you lunch?

(On a personal level, I was truly bothered by their propaganda. Let it be known that there is no evidence proving that an abortion causes cancer.)

Now on your right is a small abortion clinic run by a married couple who tell you it's your body and no one else can take away your rights. They calm your anxiety and promise that the extraction of the fetus does not hurt and is not anyway a "bloody mess," like the picketers depict on their posters. They may not buy you lunch but they do offer discounts depending on the age of the baby and financial status of the mother.

(I thought, do they really care about you or are they just trying to make a dollar?)

Note, some of these unexpected mothers-to-be or in this case, not-to-be are at least 15 years old. It is interesting to witness the emotional trauma they experience as they are confronted by two institutions who have mastered the power of persuasion.

7 year- old entrepreneurs beware of the infamous "Restaurant Inspector!"

(photo courtesy of AP image)

Selling lemonade on a hot summer day is definitely not how it used to be when a 7 year- old from Portland gets confronted by a health inspector for being professionally unequipped. Has the recession really brought out such disgusting negativity?

7 year-old Julie Murphy was threatened to be fined up to 500 dollars if she continued selling her "unauthorized," lemonade at 50 cents a cup at the local arts fair. However despite incredible support from the other vendors who urged Julie and her mother not to leave the fair, the sweet little lemonade lady left in tears after an additional inspector arrived.

Upon witnessing such a ridiculous citation, locals complained to County Chairman Jeff Cogan demanding a formal apology to the Murphy's.

Cogan responded instantly saying "A lemonade stand is a classic, iconic American kid thing to do...I don't want to be in the business of shutting it down."

He also noted that the inspectors were merely responsibly doing their job and instead of a threatening citation, perhaps a break would have been most appropriate.

The fight is not over yet. Several fair vendors are planning a "Lemonade Revolt," where multiple lemonade stands will sell lemonade without authorized licenses. "When you got lemons, make lemonade," has taken on a whole new meaning thanks to Ms. Julie Murphy and her little American dream.

THE IPAD IS HOT HOT HOT

Avid Apple fans across the globe would not dispute the fact that the iPAD is a "hot commodity." But to be taken literally, poses a challenge for the renowned nationwide computer brand. Evidently Apple's new edition to its product line has to wait in the shade for awhile before it can lay out on the coast of Palm Beach.

Three iPAD consumers are highly unsatisfied with its portable electronic device as it requires a "cooling session" before further use after a mere few minutes out in the sun. Jacob Balthazaar, Claudia Keller and John Browning have filed a complaint with the Oakland Federal Court on July 23 citing that the iPAD "does not live up to reasonable consumer's expectations created by Apple." Several other accounts of the iPADs overheating soonafter sunkissed, have been recorded. Here are three examples.

• On April 4, Max Fisher of The AtlanticWire did a round-up of several accounts overheating iPads. Fisher noted The Next Web's statistics — operating temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
• On April 3, iPhone developer Elliot Kroo tweeted that his iPad overheated after only 10 minutes in the San Diego sun.
• PC Magazine editor Zach Honig also tweeted about his iPad failure — after only 10 minutes in the New York sun, his iPad shut down. However, he put it in the fridge for a minute and it quickly came back around. (Courtesy of MSN.coom)

Such a situation is unfitting as it is mainly an e-reader; an electronic portable item that downloads a plethora of literary texts for the enjoyment of the on-the-go reader. What use is it if a reader cannot read on a sunny day in the park or the beach? Back to paperback novels, I guess.

Anyway, bookmarks are cute.

So the FCC won't let me be Or let me be me so let me see They tried to shut me down on MTV But it feels so empty without me

F-U FCC.

Constant media censorship has been a controversial topic as it delicately compromises with the American constitutional right of freedom of speech. Nevertheless, costly consequences from the Federal Communications Commission has proven effective enough to maintain a level of speech regulation throughout media broadcasts. Certain award show f-bombs and Superbowl performances have proven this in recent history.

However a recent ruling from the New York Federal Court has proven that however tight the leash may be, a dog will still find a way to play.

The FCC's indecency policy which was constructed in 2003 prohibits the usage of profanity and indecent behavior on the airwaves but was deemed "unconstitutionally vague," by the New York Federal Court. Such a rule forces broadcasters to face a hefty ultimatum; do not air controversial programs or pay a 35 million dollar fine causing immediate submission without enough options. Therefore, a definite prohibition against expressing profanity at the cost of highly inflated fines and elimination of special programming officially does not and will not exist.

King Kobe Takes the Throne Again.

The Lakers won the 2010 NBA Championship but the rivalry remains---even in my family. :)

Pick a side...any side.

Don't Want Cancer? Go to Starbucks.

USA Today has announced that there have been more recent scientific findings that suggest that a delicious columbian grind and adrenaline booster can prevent cancer-head and neck cancer to be exact. I'll have a cup of coffee please. Make it a venti.

Researchers have discovered that daily coffee drinkers who consumed at least four cups a day were 39 percent more likely to not develop cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx. Also, an experiment conducted in December at an AACR conference found that men who enjoyed a cup of joe daily were 60 percent less likely to possess prostate cancer.

However, such statistics should be taken with precaution. It is not concluded or widely advised that at least four cups be consumed or that coffee should be consumed at all in avoiding cancer. A healthy lifestyle including clean eating and exercise override any caffeine high.

But in support of the pro-coffee campaign, coffee is contains an abundance of anti-oxidants which seem to be common denominator in helping fight any type of cancer. Therefore despite the fact researchers have not been able to reason why coffee is linked with the prevention of cancer exactly, it does prove one thing; coffee isn't that bad after all.

Japanese Robot Baby?

(picture courtesy of physorg.com)

It cries, sleeps, eats, and sneezes. But it isn't real. Unlike most robots known from sci-fi films and novels, this new technological creation is not designed to produce mass destruction or take over the human race. Instead its main goal is to multiply the human race. What kind of messed up psychological agenda is this? It's not as much morbid as it is necessary according to a few Japanese engineers at Tsukuba University.

The infant-like robot, Yotaro, was made as a strategic effort to further population in Japan as the nation confronts a demographic crisis; a pervasive low birth rate.

Witnessing the robot behave like a newborn baby provokes parental instincts: protection, compassion, and perhaps in some cases love. Aside from its behavior, its own texture, temperature and facial expressions play a significant role in the experiment. The robot is made of silicon to emulate a baby's soft skin and its "skin temperature" is warm similar to a real infant. Yotaro's facial expressions are due to a computer animation projected onto its silicon canvas. Yotaro is capable of projecting happiness, hunger, sadness, and etc. Facial expressions along with physical reactions are caused by amount of attention it receives from its parental figures. The more loving attention one provides, the happier Yotaro. The opposite is true as well.

The interaction between its volunteer parents and the robot instantaneously forms a relationship between the two parties. It is that specific relationship that is expected to spark a society's genuine interest in familial growth.

Dancing Machine

This bright star is one of my two best girls, Carolyn who is a strong possessor of passions and a "jill of all trades." But of all her extra curricular endeavors the art of dance seems to satisfy her most. Therefore I have used, once again the advantage of photography to capture her at her most delightful moments in self experession. Enjoy. This is an ode to dance.

oh i just can't wait to be KING!

Back when the VHS player was the sign of the times, The Lion King over-exhausted itself having been replayed, rewound, and fast forwarded millions of times. This time around--even in adulthood--I took it upon myself to witness The Lion King come to life at the Orange County Pacific Arts Theater with a couple of friends. Although based on a children's cartoon film, the reenactment manages to entertain individuals of all ages as it incorporates quite a bit of modern day humor and contemporary music. In short, it was an amazing performance and would recommend everyone to watch it.

close up.

In this post I have included portraits of two fireball free spirits who are currently in the midst of self discovery in its truest form. Both are born of spontaneity and liberation and moved by the persuasion of emotion while leaving questions and answers to be determined at a later date. I managed to capture them in moments of stagnation and quiet calmness where the loud sounds and visions of nightlife scenarios are left behind.

a few notes from mexico.