Hmm, interesting. About the 2005 WoW plague and how epidemiologists might use this and other virtual outbreaks to study actual epidemics. Are folks really that invested in their game persona? That makes me wonder…does a VR persona age…then die off? Does the person then sign up to be a new character? I wonder if environmental crises could be implemented into VR…

Kind of reminds me of the peak oil game I read about awhile back.

(link)

I used to love this show. Gary Hobson & his orange cat made my day. Wikipedia entry here.

I don’t think I’ve kept up with a TV show since high school. I just watch the season finales so I know what all the fuss is about.

I have not done a single bit of work today. Off to a bad start already. Tsk.

This is the second year in a row that I’ve had issues getting my keys. The first 2 years I worked for the residence halls, I had no problem moving in 1 week before everyone else.

Last year, 2 weeks before the official residence hall opening, I walked into an apartment that was still occupied. They put me in another building for a week. For those few days, I had a double in the Units.

This year, again 2 weeks before the official move-in day, I am not on the list and my keys are nowhere to be found. After trying 2 sets of conference keys (both of which failed!), they put me in yet another temp room. It’s an oddly shaped triple in a handicap suite.

I just keep picturing my name “disappearing” from official department lists mysteriously. *poof* Haha.

Well, at least the clerks were a lot nicer this time around.

I wish I had a car right now. One that I could fold up and put away in my closet after I finish moving. It’s times like these when I realize how much independence the ability to drive would buy me. Hmpf.

I have a special place in my heart for 80s/90s soft rock. When I listen to KOIT’s “Love Songs After Dark”, I get all romantic. *sigh* I blame it on the fact that I listened to Mix96 in Sacramento for most my elementary years, interspersed amongst stints listening to R&B, then alternative rock, then more alternative rock and a heavy helping of pop.

Oh, Don Henley…your “Boys of Summer” get to me every single time.

Is it any coincidence that KOIT looks like coitus though? Maybe that’s just me…

Edit: So, somewhat along the same vein (i.e. romantic/90s). A grin-worthy scene from Chungking Express (Spoiler? I think.):

I tried looking for the end, with California Dreamin’ in the background, but this is just as cute. No subtitles. Well, he basically asks her out. She says “Why?” He says “Why not? You’re boss said you don’t have to work tomorrow.” She runs into the kitchen saying the Cantonese version of “Crap! Crap! Crap!”

This is what I do to avoid packing…

After seeing James Spader in Secretary, I was just itching to see him in something else. And, by coincidence, he’s doing something kinky again. This time, he gets off on being a voyeur. The whole premise is Graham (Spader), a drifter, returns to his hometown in Louisiana. He visits his college roommate, John (Peter Gallagher), and meets John’s wife (Andie MacDowell). It comes out that Graham tapes women talking about their sex lives.

So, this was one of those low budget, independent movies from the late 80s. It’s shot pretty well. The camera just stays on the actor’s faces for long pauses. It’s mostly just talking throughout the movie, but the conversations felt realistic and awkward most of the time (and, yes, erotic too). I liked the odd humor (maybe even dark humor?). It felt almost voyeuristic watching the movie, which is interesting. I enjoyed the character development, but there’s still that vague, abrupt ending that implies so much yet says very little. I suppose movies need to leave something for the viewer to think about.

Oh, lastly, I had this odd feeling like I was watching a TV series. I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it was the scene transitions or…the way the credits just popped on screen without dramatic music and a long fade…*shrug*

(wikipedia)
(a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes! O.O)

Hmm. This is interesting. Dinner on Tuesday and plane tickets on Wednesday morning?

(link)

Secretary

Originally uploaded by Jordan Scrivner.

I finally got my fidgety, little hands on the movie Secretary, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader (mmm, what a delicious pairing). I think I waited too long and watched the trailer too many times…because, well, I expected too much. Plus, a call interrupted my viewing. I wanted more of the characters to be fleshed out or left out of the movie altogether. For instance, the ex-wife, Peter and Lee’s father. They all seemed to have their own stories and it was a tease to put them in but allow them to say nothing else. How could Lee treat Peter so poorly? That sweet, dorky fool got shafted.

Sadly enough, I did not find myself falling for either of the main characters (though both Spader & Gyllenhaal performed wonderfully), which is my personal indication that a movie did not work it’s way into my heart. It had so much potential, too.

Favorite scenes: 1) Fingers brush as Mr. Grey leans over Lee. 2) “Why do you cut yourself, Lee?” 3) The end! Not to mention, it was worth it to see a sexually frustrated E. Edward Grey slinking around in crisp dress shirt + tie combo. Just lovely.

Update: I just re-watched my favorite 3 scenes. The ending made my heart swell. It’s so sweet. The song (Chariots Rise by Lizzie West) is a perfect backdrop. The lyrics, “What a fool I am, to fall so in love” and “I’ve waited so long…with him I need not pretend”, basically sum it up. It may not be a perfect movie, but, gosh darn, it was fun to watch. Oh *sigh*.