I marvel at what people can now do on the internet. We can now call and see the persons we are talking to and we can send documents in seconds. Although the internet is very useful in some cases, sometimes it is not so great. Just think of what other not-so-nice things the internet is being used for. Through the internet, some people can be blackmailed, exploited and exposed.

When I am bored, I usually turn to my computer. I look at photos in multiply, I catch up with friends on YM, and I see what is new on Youtube. Youtube’s catchphrase is “Broadcast yourself”. I do not really like it, because for me, it does not have a nice implication. To me, it sounds like you are selling yourself. Although I am sure Youtube did not mean for people to think this when they finalized that phrase and although I myself go on Youtube – usually to see what my friends upload, I still find it quite disturbing when I think about it.

Lucy Kelson: What did I tell you that defines an emergency?
George Wade: A large meteoroid, severe blood loss and uh... what was the other thing?
Lucy Kelson: Death! And you're not dead!

George Wade: Before you came into my life I could make all kinds of decisions now I'm addicted I have to know what you think. What do you think?
[holds up cufflinks]
Lucy Kelson: I think your the most selfish human being on the planet.
George Wade: Well that's just silly. Have you met everybody on the planet?

Of course, no one has ever met everybody on the planet. That is one of the things I really liked about this movie. Hugh Grant’s literalness in everything he said and did in the movie was not the slightest bit annoying. Well, who could ever find Hugh Grant annoying anyway?

Going back, I have heard of people who only watch romantic comedies and the like for fun or to kill time. This, I think is because people only find violence and cruelty interesting. Just like in the myths in media, it is like saying that the world is dangerous and this false truth is what people are really interested in.

If you were only going to watch this for fun or to kill time, I think that your perception on romantic comedies would change. The movie, for me, delivered beyond what I expected. Sandra Bullock is really very good in comedy. Even after watching Two Weeks Notice, just remembering quotes would make you remember how she delivered them as well and you would find yourself laughing all over again.

...you meet...people.

If you plan on getting good advice about life, having a laugh and learning a legend or two, you should watch this movie. It makes you learn a lot about different races and nations. It also gives a few hints on how people were back then.

The movie has many different things one can look forward to. Jackie Chan never fails to entertain the audience with his humor and complicated stunt choreography. Steve Coogan is actually quite funny too. Plus, Cecile De France is a refreshing character in the movie. She makes everything light.

Around The World In Eighty Days is a fun film to watch. It is one of those movies that can make you forget about your worries, even for two hours.

With time, the film industry has progressed and taken great leaps. I love it that the special effects do not seem so phony anymore because they look real. As for the animations, I say the opposite for some movies.

I particularly miss the way the Disney movies were made back when I did not have whole day classes. I like the first parts of the Disney movies. Cinderella was better than Cinderella II. I actually liked her happily ever after, and I did not think Disney could add anything more to that. I say the same for Little Mermaid.

It think Disney made sequels for every cartoon movie they have ever made. They have one for Bambi, Atlantis, Mulan, Tarzan and many more. Although the follow-ups somehow lived up to the originals, I still like the first movies better. They remind me of my childhood, and nothing can surpass the wonder the little Mindy felt while watching the originals.

I used to love this cartoon. I had a big bias towards Jerry.

I remember wondering why Tom never died (even though cats supposedly do have nine lives). He never died even after smashing into brick walls, nearly choking himself to death trying to enter the little mouse hole and being tortured by dogs and his owner. He did not die after being landed on by a grand piano, growing ten billion lumps on his head (on the same spot in every episode, by the way) and falling from the top step on the stairs.

I think that this show is bad for kids. Children will be misled, no doubt about it, when they watch this show and get used to it. There are a lot of wrong things in this cartoon. They are wrong with regard to facts, and with regard to values. One, even if you inject a whole gallon of adrenaline into a mouse, it will never be able to carry and balance a billiard ball on a billiard stick, or any other item, for that matter. Next, animals actually die. No one can live through all Tom’s trauma. Lastly, violence is always wrong, and it becomes degrading when you go after something thirty times smaller than you.

Cartoons are a part of a person’s childhood, but I wish that parents would spare their children from this particularly crazy one.

VS

The Philippines is a very musical country. We love the arts, and this is seen in the many dances, songs and traditions we practice during the many feasts and parties all over the country. We all have talents, and we cannot deny that fact. We also cannot deny that our country is well under the United States. We had been imperialized before, and, it is sad to say that it has not ended since it was started. We care too much. Do we really try to be American?

I think it is safe to say that American Idol is much more favored by our nation over our very own Philippine Idol. Although, think about it and you will realize that the two shows are the same. Both have judges beyond credible, participants undergo the same process of elimination, and even both hosts are named Ryan. Do we find Americans more interesting? Do we think Americans are better than Filipinos?

We are all the same. We just let ourselves get swept by the trends Americans set. Friends, in truth, we just need to realize that economies make do not the difference.

Call me westernized, or say that I do not listen to OPM that much and that that is the reason why I am not that interested in Pinoy bands. I will not deny it. It is all true. However, in this case, I have a different argument.

Most remakes are better than the original versions. Well, I guess you could say that that is why they were made in the first place, right? They were made to make better the songs, and put new styles. I like it that people are given chance to improve another person’s music, but I cannot say the same for the bands that came up with Kami nAPO Muna. I also have a few things to say about the way people received this tribute. I know how much the Pinoy bands are being patronized by our country and that explains the response this album got from its audience. However, I wonder a lot about the reasons why the youth liked the album. Is it because of the lyrics, the melodies, or the rock that overwhelmed the songs? APO is legendary, and I find it really weird that their songs have only been recognized by the youth recently.

I think that it is safe to say that the majority of this tribute’s audience liked the rock better than the musical components of the songs.

I get irritated while watching this show. I get irritated because of what stereotypes are being emphasized. I find it sad that the show is implying that beauty and brains cannot exist in the same person.

Yes, the show does try to change that impression, but, the process by which they try to change it is disturbing. Well, if I were one of the beauties on that show, I would hate for my “stupidity”, for lack of a better word, to be rubbed in. On the other hand, if I were to be a geek on the show, I would hate for people to imply that the capacity of my brain is not enough for me to be treated like any other person, because I am not pleasing to the eyes. I would understand the girls in some cases though, since not all the guys take interest in the things included in the social definition of normal. Some find joy in planes, robots and collecting other “weird” stuff, but there are also surgeons, medicine students and the like in the show.

I find some parts of Beauty and the Geek sad. Despite that, I love the fact they all leave the house with new friends, new perspectives and new looks.

The first semester is over. Say hello to the third quarter.

Last quarter I said I wanted to know more through the media. That is exactly what I want to do. I am keeping a promise. I wish to realize more as I react, criticize and simply go over the different parts of media this quarter.

The previous quarter was a bit tough because I had to react on things under only one theme. It was a bit difficult, but I still want to keep a theme. To make things easier on my part, I will be writing about different topics. Then, when I reach my summary, I will tie them all together.