Rock Star stars Mark Wahlberg (previously Marky Mark, brother of Donnie(sp?) of NKOTB and leader of the Funky Bunch back in the 80's) and Jennifer Aniston (Rachel of Friends).  He's this loser who is obsessed with this rock band (Steel Dragon).  He sings the songs, wears the clothes and is the lead singer of a Steel Dragon cover band (he insists it's a "tribute" band).  When the lead singer of Steel Dragon leaves the band, Marky Mark is drafted to replace him and the story goes on.. etc. etc. etc.  Think Van Halen.  All throughout the movie I kept thinking of the similarities: it's like the Van Halen story or something.  Anyway, it's really good.  I didn't think it would be, but I liked it.  It even made me cry.

I haven't seen Rock Star. I'm not even sure if I ever saw a trailer for it. What's the premise? Maybe I can remember if you reminded me.



Thanks for the invite Ching, but my 'puter is too slow. You'd be waiting for next move forever. It would not be worth your time.



I have a question for everyone. How did each of you run across Chingay? Were you just surfing the net? And since we seem to be the survivors of the Chingay Yahoo! Club what made you persist?

My bestfriend is really Sheryll.  She lives in the Philippines.  You can find out more about her on the SMEAGHE Today page also.  Pia is a really, really, really good friend of mine.  I'm able to stay in touch with her better than I can with Sheryll because she lives in California.  Pia and I have known each other since grade school -- so we've known each other for over fifteen years, by my estimation.  I met Sheryll during my first year in high school (American translation: seventh grade) and we've been the best of friends ever since.



I'm glad that you like the look of the page Glee.  I'd been tinkering around with it for the past few weeks and I think I've found a layout that I'm happy with.  Hey, you're a word freak, aren't you?  You should go to games.com and play me Scrabble.  It's tons of fun!



Has anybody seen Rock Star yet?  It's actually pretty good.  I was surprised.

Daf here.

I'm in Michigan.

Pia's photo is on Ching's SMEAGHE page - beautiful girl. Y'know, I didn't know any Filipinas growing up. Who knows how things might have changed - all y'all are gorgeous!

I'm sure I'd have still wound up with Kim, though - can't imagine me staying with anyone else.

Daf

Net, wish those were real smackaroos, could use them right about now. Gleetv222 was online that night. You just missed her by a coupla hours. What's your AIM?



Why don't they create sculptures in the likeness of those who were involved? I don't care if they were all White. Cities should hire more latino, black, and other people of color as firefighters. When these people of color get involved in another historical event, then they rightfully deserve their own commemorative sculptures.



Pia is Ching's best friend if I remember correctly.

Glee, is that your final answer? You are correct again Glee for 25,000 web clogger dollars. Im in NY. Who is Pia? Ive never seen her post anything. Gleetv222 must be online during the day. I dont see her tonight. =)


Heres a thought to ponder, Some people here in NY want to erect a memorial for 911. It would comprise of those firefighters raising the US flag on Ground Zero only instead of their actual skin color one will be Black, another will be Latino, and the third White. In actuality there were no other firefighter in that situation that was black or latino. Why is it that when one wants to erect a sculpture of art, some people want to add hints of color? The sculpture by-the-way is going to be in bronze.
Net

Ching, the web page looks great! Even one of those little characters on the top right hand corner kinda look like me. Well, you wouldn't know. I never sent you my photo. You're gonna hate me for telling you this, but I did send two of my photos to another internet chum, and I even sent a videotape of myself to another internet chum. Yeah, yeah, I know. I've known you longer than those two, and you deserve seniority priveleges. But I sent you my favorite books and xeroxed pages from my diary, that should count for something, dammit! Oh, I'm tendrilling (a word I stole from Susan Swan's novel, The Wives of Bath, it means rambling). I like the book list segment. You trust my judgment that much to give it its own section? ;)



BTW, Ching, read the latest two entries of my last adventure in the City at OD.



Vince, I'm sorry for the belated response to your offline Yahoo Messenger message. I hardly use YM. I tend to use AIM as Gleetv222. You can put me on your Buddy List for both YM and AIM.



April, I didn't know you are in TX. Jay, remind me where you are located. Vince, you're in the East Coast, right? Was it NY? Pia is in CA last that I remember.

I loved A Beautiful Mind.  It made me cry.  It reminded me a little of Bicentennial Man..  Probably because the recognition did not come until several years later.  I hope you don't mind my sharing this.  I thought that since it's based on a true story, most of you would know about it and how it ends.  Kind of like if I told you that they all died at the end of The Perfect Storm, it wouldn't really be a spoiler because that's a given.  I have not seen Shine (and I know I should; Brian has and says it's very good) so I cannot make a comparison.  I guess the similarity to Good Will Hunting is that they are both math geniuses and the college campus setting..  But that's about all that they have in common.  The story that ABM tells is way different.  You'll have to see it.  It's really good.



We went to see Black Hawk Down this afternoon.  It's really good.  I liked the movie.



By the way, Glee, next time you post something click on the "view web page" link on the left.  You have your own special section on our blog.  Check it out!

I love sinigang and adobo also. :) (For Christmas, my friend Amy bought me a book called Sarap. It was a collection of essays about the history and customs of Filipino food.)



Wowzah! You look beautiful in those gowns, Ching! I wish I could attend cuz I have known you for years. I feel like I know you even though we haven't met in person. But, alas, I have to save what little scratch I have for when I move. :(



I want to see Beautiful Mind. I heard it's a cross between Shine and Good Will Hunting. What do you think?



I promised you a reading list. I don't know if you're in the mood to read novels, but that's what I've been reading lately so these are what come to mind:

Some Girls by Kristin McCloy

Like Being Killed by Ellen Miller

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, writing as Claire Morgan

Indigo by Graham Joyce

Po Man's Child by Marci Blackman

Have you guys seen A Beautiful Mind yet?  It is soo good!  Definitely a must see.  Blackhawk Down came out today.  That's another movie on our to-watch list.  I'm hoping that we'll get to see it sometime this week.

The date of the wedding is August 10th, Saturday.  The venue is Prairie Prines Christmas Tree Farm in Northwest Wichita.  They've got a cozy, garden setting with a small pond in the back.  That's where the ceremony will be held.  It would be great if you guys could come!

Ching, when is it?

Daf

It's okay if he sees them because I didn't pick any of those dresses..  I might post pictures of the dress that I actually picked, but I'm still trying to decide if I really want to post them or not.  I'd like to invite you guys to the wedding, but I can't guarantee accommodations.  My mom has a small house, we have a small house and we don't have any money.  Besides, I don't want to obligate any of my online friends to come.  I don't want to be too pressumptuous.  For one, I don't want to assume that any of you will actually take time out from your work/life to attend a wedding of someone you hardly know and have never-ever met in person.  Secondly, Kansas is pretty boring.  Other than the wedding and reception, there's really not much to do here.  I'd be totally thrilled if you all came, but don't blame me (for the rest of your life) if you get bored and don't have any fun.  I'm telling you now, if you're planning on any kind of partying during your stay, the night life is non-existent.



All that aside, if any of you are interested in attending though, just email me your address and I promise to send out an invitation and rsvp card.

hey, chiNg, i see how u are!

u doNt iNviTe mee jst bec iM aLL d way heRe in tx!

i LOVE sinigang baboy!



i agree wid daf, u look so schweet! --ingit ako-- heehee, u look like a princess!!! aLL LooKd LoveLee on you. *** just make sure dat brian doesNt see 'em. just wondeRin', but i didNt see any headpieces... btw, when is d wedding?

Thanks, Daf!

Ching, you look great! Dresses are nice too, but you ... you look mahvelous !

Daf

I posted pictures of the gowns that I tried on but didn't pick in the other blog.

http://www.geocities.com/smeaghetoday

We saw Driven when it first came out in theaters.  You've got Brian pegged, Vince.  He could not pass it up.  Then when it was released for DVD rentals, we rented and watched it again at that time also.  And guess what.  He got it as one of his Christmas presents.



I took the day off today to clean the house.  We are having company over.  It's feeding time at Brian and Ching's.  You all know how much we've come to love entertaining.  We are a couple of suzie-homemakers.  Richard and I are making chicken & pork adobo.  And I am making pork sinigang with leafy stuff (I don't know what it is called, I normally don't eat vegetables) & bamboo shoots.  I even borrowed my mom's big rice cooker so we'd have enough rice for everyone!  We'll take some pictures..  After all, this is our first official get-together for 2002.  I'll have to post it in my personal blog.

weLL, mah hoLidays couLdve been better. i waNTed to liTe sum fireworks, since we finaLLee live ouTside d ciTy Limits. however, mah bros aLmost had an entry to "ReaL TV." let's just say that iM not proud dat they caLL me ate. heehee.
as usuaL, i didNA get a gift from my mom or mah sibs =o( dat reaLLy made my xTmas...

as for movies, LOU & i saw "Kate & LeopoLd" on xTmas day. Twuz reaLLy kewL. i refuse to waTch "ALi" or "BEAUTiFUL MiND" because aLL d hoopLa about 'em made my inTeResT go.

eniHoo, i gotz to log-oFF cuz mah stuPeed sis...
^^^^see dat cza?
woNt let me stay on d net any longer.

urs truLy,
pathetic in TeXas

I just finished watching DRIVEN. Man I never seen racing that razor sharp.. the graphics was fabulous. My heart was racing till the end! I didnt watch it in the movies due to mixed reviews but this was awesome. Brian would want to watch this film. Oh and if you will watch this in surround sound it will sound like WHOA!!! =)

Ching, are you going to wear a crown or a tiara? My sister wore one on her wedding. I thought it was a finishing touch to a perfect day.



This is my second NEW Year's that I have not made the ER's top ten alcohol poisoning story. I made it through my brother-in-law's party without drinking a single alcoholic drink inspite of the taunting and temptation. I did get into the Merengue and Cha-cha sessions.


My coworkers have told me that security in TIMES SQUARE was strict and extreme. You could not even get a back pack in the area. Im glad the party when on without a hitch.



HERE's to a wonderful NEW YEAR ~

Brian and I saw Lord of the Rings together, but he went to see Harry Potter all by himself yesterday.  He got the day off and I had to work!  =P  Brian and I both want to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch..  Thanks for the heads-up.  I'll try to rent it here.  I hope they didn't ban it or anything.  I hate the bible-belt!



All reading recommendations are welcome.  I'm working on my sister's copy of The Unmade Bed right now.  It's an anthology of erotic stories.  So far, the stories have been pretty good.  I sometimes read to Brian when the mood strikes.



Brian and I bought The Fast and the Furious.  He loves that movie!  The effects were great!  And I love Jordana Brewster!  She's so hot!

Wedding plans are slowly creeping along.  We anticipate to finalize the guest list and order the invitations next week.  My second fitting for my wedding gown is on the 27th -- and I am very excited.  The gown fits like a glove!  As though it was made for me.  My mom was teasing me about it.  She said I can't gain weight between now and the wedding because if I do, my dress won't fit!  It really fits so perfect!  The only aspect that needed altering was the length -- as can be expected.



P.S. My holiday and gift stories are posted in my online journal (http://ching.i85.net)..  There's lots of pictures, too!  Don't forget to check the archives!

I saw Lord of the Rings on Christmas and Harry Potter on New Year's Day. I enjoyed both immensely.


Ching, I don't know if I already told you, but Hedwig and the Angry Inch is out on video. I saw it in the new release section at Hollywood Video. With all the activity that's going on, I'm not sure if you have any leisure time to do any reading. But I do have a few recommendations if you're interested. How far are you coming along w/ the wedding plans?


How was everyone's holidays? Any good stories or presents to mention?

I'm taking a breather from those little tests. Not by choice though. My source of all those tests, opendiary.com, is going under reconstruction. They are cleaning their archives. I hope my diary survives their purging process.

Many blessings for the new year! Yippee!

Net and I are alike!!

Which Evil Criminal are You?

Happy new year everybody!!

~Net

I don't go looking for 'em, but if you put 'em here, I'll have a go.

Take the Which Beatle Are You? Quiz.

You tend to confuse people, especially yourself. It doesn't matter, though, because you enjoy life as it's thrown to you, whether you're doing the right thing or the wrong thing (which most of the time you're not sure of). You've a friendly nature, but sometimes you're pretty damn overwhelming, you freak.