Buster Machine

Saw on a CNN report where they featured a survey which showed that more than half of the respondents said that they are more afraid of recession than another terror attack on U.S. soil. The report went on to say that most still consider terror attacks as still isolated cases. I find these interesting and at the same time it reflects what do we value most. 

It shows we value more our families, that if recession comes full bloom, we won't have enough money to support our families, that mortgage rates would sky-rocket and we won't have a roof over our children's heads. 

But if the survey was done on a different country, for example, in Iraq,  I think people would fear terror attacks rather than recession.  Their economic state is something they don't dwell upon for they live poorly compared to us here in America, their struggle to actually live another day is stronger than us.

Bottom line, it all comes down to where we live and the values we live for.

Are you in or out? Most people are really excited on who is going to win in American Idol's season finale. I've been watching it from time to time but for some weird reason, i've been hooked to it for some time now. If you've watched the audition screening prior to the contest, you will notice that, that part is the funniest of 'em all!

But watch this, it might be the funniest video you've ever seen in American Idol's history. Of course, William Hung is now phased out and is considered ghetto if you know what I mean. I hope Mariah donesn't get insulted.

I only got my hands on Electronic Arts' latest version of their Need for Speed blockbuster series, Prostreet yesterday and I spent all day playing it and felt the need to share my experience.

Here, you have to build the ultimate battle machine,take it to multidisciplinary showdowns and pit your skills and reputations against the world's best street racers.  The Need for Speed Prostreet is a racing experience like no other. For the first time, you're designing and building a car, compete in iconic locations from around the world and battling in four distinct racing styles, grip, drag, drift and the all-new speed challenge.

The atmosphere is electric, complete with energetic crowds, photo-realistic vehicles and billowing smoke - all designed to embody the pressure and intensity of the gladiatorial challenge known as Show Down.  Prostreet is the realization of the power,aggression and rivalry that embodies street racing culture.

This is a momentous moment for the gay rights movement but how will the rest of America react.  California is one of the biggest states in America and now has finalized that same sex couples can get married. 

I have nothing against gay people but I distinctly remember a time where Bush strongly was against same sex marriage so much that he actually said that it is against God’s will.  There is also no doubt that we will be hearing from Rosie O’ Donnell. 

I also expect that although this issue has been around for some time there will be debates and discussions about this especially from our Presidential hopefuls.  We will see how it turns out.  Although Governor Schwarzenegger has also stated that he will not veto the decision, will he buckle under pressure if the pressure arises?  We shall see….

Have you seen the news? There was this huge earthquake in China yesterday, and around 3000 people are dead. Along with the other catastrophes happening recently I can't help but think that maybe the end days are approaching... I wonder if that December 2012 conspiracy is true after all? 

This is embarrasing, but recently I've been spacing out for a few minutes. Sometimes while on the middle of doing something I just stop and do nothing, and it's been bothering me for a while. Anyone else out there spacing out like this? In any case I think it's harmless but it's quite annoying. Good thing it doesn't happen when I'm with people, otherwise I'd die of embarassment.

Then again, I guess it could prove useful sometimes, like for joining this staring contest.

At the moment Jessica Alba got the top spot, though I can't blame her, she's so cute. :D

A new show premiered this spring season called "Toshokan Sensou" (Library Wars). I just got into this show recently and it's really good. Production I.G. was in charge of the animation and they made everything looks crisp and somehow different than the usual anime.

The story takes place in near future Japan, where a Media Improvement Act is passed to crack down on items that violate civil liberties and disturb public order, and censorship is enforced by a special committee. On the other hand, another law was passed at the same time, Library Freedom Act, where libraries attached to the local government can claim jurisdiction over books and documents to protect free speech, and to do so the libraries employed their own self-defense forces. Eventually, the struggle between the two factions have escalated into armed conflicts. It might seem outrageous but in today's world, it might actually become reality.

 It's definitely one of the best shows this season and I'd like everyone to give it a try.

Here's the trailer:

This might sound unbelievable but, as I was strolling the park earlier I saw a guy being mugged. I froze in panic but good thing someone was able to call the cops and they were able to catch the muggers. It's easy to say that times have changed and it's a normal facet of life nowadays but seeing it with your own eyes makes you want to do something about it... we definitely need change in this country.

My mom just called and told me that they'll be coming over for the weekend. I haven't had my folks coming over for almost half a year now so I'm pretty uncomfortable at the thought, even if I miss them a lot. I just hope she won't nag me over these anime figures and DVDs. 

How did your parents watch movie at home back then? No downloaded movie in hard discs, no CD’s, heck! It was even expensive to own a home video movie viewing system! Thank God for digital video discs! We don’t need to head to our nearest video rental store to rent out those gigantic shiny Frisbee looking round things called laser disc. When VHS tapes were released back then, we thought that it was the coolest thing to happen to movie videos, superseding the now-defunct betamax tapes.

Laser disc players sold like hotcakes even if one unit would cost a high price tag of 600 US dollars. It dawned the era of streak-free and nose-free home video viewing and at the same time, one-click shuffling from one stage to another was called chapters.

It was not convenient as it seemed because unlike your current DVD player, you have to flip the disc from side A to side B to finish watching the movie. Although there were some models with auto-flippers, it would cost you another arm and leg.

Video rental shops sprouted like mushrooms all over the metro! You can easily locate one if you were finding one back then. Each overnight rent would cost around $2.50 depending whether what you have is a single or double disc. Overnight means, you have to return it the next day or face the stiff penalties imposed which could be as costly as your rented video.

That is not it. Another caveat is that you have to handle these delicate laser discs with utmost care. Having them just lying around the house with kids, animals or sunlight in its path would increase the chances of your laser disc being damaged and I am sure that you would not want to do that!

A single crack on the disc would cost you to buy the whole disc regardless how small the crack is. They will forcibly let you purchase it since other customers won’t be renting that damaged disc anymore. It would cost around $60 bucks per disc.

Before, higher class people managed to save up and purchase this ridiculously priced laser discs for their home video collection. Now, they are just collecting dusts in their shelves. Sadly, those people spent a fortune on them.

A lot of movie buffs feasted on renting laser discs and copying the movies on VHS tapes for home viewing and video rental purposes. This is also another kind of piracy back then, which evolved now to DVD’s. It was called laser copy and now, the term burning is used when copying discs.

Although Laser discs are not relics per se, there are still some who watches laser discs to revive the old feeling they had when DVD discs were no where seen in the future. Don’t worry, the now famous DVD discs would be a relic in the near future. Do you remember the first DVD or CD you ever bought? If you now own a huge collection of DVD’s, enjoy it because change is constant.