Sunday, February 28, 2010

Plushenko Versus Lysacek, the Long program

**EVAN LYSACEK'S LONG PROGRAM SCORE***
Total Score<----Executed Element<----Factored Program Components
167.37<----84.57<----82.80

Executed Elements---->Base Value---->GOE---->Score
Triple Lutz + Triple Toeloop---->10.00---->1.40---->11.40
Triple Axel---->8.20---->0.60---->8.80
Triple Salchow---->4.50---->1.00---->5.50
Circular Step Sequence 4---->3.90---->1.20---->5.10
Flying Sit Spin 4---->3.00---->0.80---->3.80
Triple Axel + Double Toeloop---->10.45---->(-)0.56---->9.89
Triple Loop---->5.50---->1.00---->6.50
Triple Flip + Double Toeloop + Double Loop---->9.13---->(-)0.40---->8.73
Triple Lutz---->6.60---->1.40---->8.00
Double Axel---->3.85---->0.80---->4.65
Fly. Change Foot Sit Spin 4---->3.00---->0.50---->3.50
Straight Line Step Sequence 3---->3.30---->0.90---->4.20
Change Foot Combination Spin 4---->3.50---->1.00---->4.50
Totals Executed Elements---->74.93---->****---->84.57


Program Components---->Unfactored Score
Choreography/Composition---->8.35
Transitions/Linking Footwork---->7.95
Interpretation---->8.40
Performance/Execution---->8.50
Skating Skills---->8.20
Factored Program Components---->82.80


***EVGENI PLUSHENKO'S LONG PROGRAM SCORE***
Total Score<----Executed Elements<----Factored Program Components
165.51<----82.72<----82.80

Executed Elements---->Base Value---->GOE---->Score
Quad. Toeloop + Triple Toeloop---->13.80---->0.80---->14.60
Triple Axel---->8.20---->(-)0.36---->7.84
Triple Axel + Double Toeloop---->9.50---->1.00---->10.50
Triple Loop---->5.00---->0.60---->5.60
Flying Sit Spin 3---->2.60---->0.14---->2.74
Triple Lutz---->6.00---->0.60---->6.60
Change Foot Sit Spin 4---->3.00---->0.70---->3.70
Circular Step Sequence 3---->3.30---->0.80---->4.10
Triple Lutz + Double Toeloop---->8.03---->0.00---->8.03
Triple Salchow---->4.95---->0.80---->5.75
Double Axel---->3.85---->1.00---->4.85
Straight Line Step Sequence 3---->3.30---->1.00---->4.30
Change Foot Combination Spin 4---->3.50---->0.60---->4.10
Totals Executed Elements---->75.03---->****---->82.71

Program Components---->Unfactored Score
Choreography/Composition---->8.20
Transitions/Linking Footwork---->7.25
Interpretation---->8.75
Performance/Execution---->8.80
Skating Skills---->8.40
Factored Program Components---->82.80


In the long program, both Plushenko and Lysacek actually have the same Program Component score for artistry. It was Lysacek who scored better in the technical elements. His GOE (grade of execution) was much better than Plushenko. He landed his jumps and did his footwork cleaner and better. This proves to Plushenko that it takes more than just landing a Quadruple jump to win an Olympic. You have to perform better in all the other jumps, spins and footworks. Somehow Plushenko still thinks he can just come back and sweep the gold like he did 4 years ago. What he did not realized was other skaters have learned to make their program more technical without having to actually do a Quadruple jumps. The math says it all. This sports is judged by a combination of athleticism and artistry.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Plushenko versus Lysacek, the short program

***EVGENI PLUSHENKO'S SHORT PROGRAM SCORE***
Total Score<----Executed Elements<----Factored Program Components
90.85<----51.10<----39.75

Executed Elements---->Base Value---->GOE---->Score
Quad. Toeloop + Triple Toeloop---->13.80---->1.00---->14.80
Triple Axel---->8.20---->1.80---->10.00
Triple Lutz---->6.00---->1.20---->7.20
Change Foot Combination Spin 4---->3.50---->0.80---->4.30
Circular Step Sequence 3---->3.30---->0.70---->4.00
Flying Sit Spin 4---->3.00---->0.40---->3.40
Straight Line Step Sequence 3---->3.30---->0.60---->3.90
Change Foot Sit Spin 4---->3.00---->0.50---->3.50
Totals Executed Elements----->44.10---->****----->51.10

Program Components----->Unfactored Score
Choreography/Composition----->7.85
Transitions/Linking Footwork---->6.80
Interpretation----->8.25
Performance/Execution----->8.65
Skating Skills---->8.20
Factored Program Components---->39.75


***EVAN LYSACEK'S SHORT PROGRAM SCORE***
Total Score<----Executed Elements<----Factored Program Components
90.30<----48.30<----42.00

Executed Elements---->Base Value---->GOE---->Score
Triple Axel---->8.20---->1.20---->9.40
Triple Lutz + Triple Toeloop---->10.00---->1.00---->11.00
Triple Flip---->5.50---->1.20---->6.70
Circular Step Sequence 4---->3.90---->2.20---->6.10
Change Foot Sit Spin 3---->2.60---->0.60---->3.20
Flying Sit Spin 4---->3.00---->0.70---->3.70
Straight Line Step Sequence ---->3.30---->0.70---->4.00
Change Foot Combination Spin 4---->3.50---->0.70---->4.20
Totals Executed Elements---->40.00---->****----->48.30

Program Component---->Unfactored Score
Choreography/Composition---->8.50
Transitions/Linking Footwork---->7.95
Interpretation---->8.75
Performance/Execution---->8.60
Skating Skills---->8.20
Factored Program Components---->42.00


As one can see above, Plushenko obviously out-skated Lysacek in the technical elements while Lysacek scored better in the artistic program component side. In the technical elements, Plushenko has a higher scoring combination jump which garnered him more points but Lysacek's circular footwork and spins were more superior resulting to higher points. Although Lysacek has a lower base point triple-triple combination jump, he did it well enough resulting to a smaller points margin of difference between the two combination jumps.

Also, Plushenko's program felt like his music does not belong to all the frantic jumping and skating he was doing. It felt like he just randomly selected the music to a set of jumps, spins and footworks.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Get real dude.

I have logged enough hours online in Gay.com to know what I am talking about. The chat rooms (Chicago or Chicago burb chatrooms) are usually quite. Oftentimes people enter the chatroom and just sit there not chatting. I am one of those people actually. Once in a while there would actually be people involved in some banter. Besides the usual banter, sometimes you get people looking for hook up/sex. 8 out 10 times, the guys in gay.com that are blatantly propositioning for sex in the chat rooms are the ones without a profile pic. Or if they had one, it is hidden as a private pic or some headless shot of their torso/dick/ass. These people are either closet case or physically undesirable. So how do they realistically expect to attract another person online if they do not have a posted face picture of themselves? Surely if they are in the bars, they would not be drawn to another with a paperbag over the head. So why do they think headless shot would be enough? And of course, these headless pictures are probably photos of somebody else with the head photoshopped/cropped. These guys need to get real for they only look like a fool by their actions.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Is it the Truth really?

I saw The Ugly Truth this past weekend. The premise of the said "ugly truth" in this movie is that guys are mostly just interested with getting laid when they pursue a woman. Guys love women with pushed up breast and long hair along with being agreeable to whatever the man wants. But is this really the truth about what straight men really want from a woman? I am a gay man, but a man nonetheless, and I do not feel that I am just interested with good looks from a guy. And definitely I do not like a guy who is pretty much mindless and always agreeable. In as much as sex is a big part of a man's psyche when they pursue a partner, it is not always just about sex for me. Perhaps gay men are different with this regards to straight men because we are more in touch to our feminine side. Dunno...

Going back to the movie, it was a fun romantic comedy to watch despite the weakness and predictability of the story line. Katherine Heigl as the romantically challenged TV producer Abby was apropos for this role. Abby was pretty and corky and almost naive in a way. Gerard Butler as the almost male chauvinist bearer of the ugly truth TV talent Mike Chadway, that Abby has to deal with, offers that comedic conflict and romantic tension consummately. He exuded that know it all confidence of really knowing what men wants in an annoying but very sexy kind of way. And Eric Winter as the hunky Orthopedic doctor Colin was just plain gorgeous. No wonder Abby was initially lusting for him.

Entertaining but nothing to rave about. 3 stars out of 5 in my book.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Political sarcasm

- Just because President Obama is still unable to undo in 1 year the 8 years of mess President Bush did does not mean we are better off with Bush.

- If it was up for those rich upper class people in government who resist change (the kind of progressive changes Pres. Obama is proposing) cause the status quo favors them, the likes of Rosa Parks would still be riding at the back of the bus.

- Why haven't those who opposed Obama's Healthcare bill have not done anything about our broken healthcare system 8 years ago when they were the majority in Congress?

- Those who does not bother to vote should shut their pie hole if they do not like how the government is run.

- American Tea Party Movement: if it quacks like a Republican, is it one?

Friday, February 19, 2010

Snow Boarding, Checked!

I am the type of person who wants to experience as many fun and uncommon activities out there before I die. Minus of course the illegal, lethal and idiotic activities. But for the most part, I want to try and have tried things like sky diving, water skiing, bungee jumping, snow mobiling, rock climbing, snow skiing, horse back riding, ATV riding, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing and white water rafting. Still more in my list of activities to do/try but it is now one less. That is Snow boarding, checked. Although I must say that first time snow boarding will probably be the last time I will do it. I fell so much that it's appeal to me is now dead. I will stick to my downhill skiing.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

75% talent, 25% luck

It is Winter Olympic season which means I am eagerly watching figure skating. Winning Olympic figure skating sometimes takes 75% true skill/talent and 25% luck. It happens only once every four years and if the skater really had a lucky and good night, he/she can win the Olympic gold. But this does not mean he/she is a true champion. The mark of a true champion is consistency and longevity. A true champion should have won or medalled on several international events consistently for a span of several years. One gold performance on an Olympic event does not trump winning several international events for several years. It is just the rarity of the Olympic event that makes it seem more important and valuable than a yearly international event.

One of these talented and also very lucky past Olympic figure skating champion is Sarah Hughes. Besides the Olympic gold, she has only won one other international event (Skate Canada). She has not even won the US Championship or Worlds Championship. For me, she had a very lucky night during the Olympic while the other top contenders had an unlucky night. Retiring after winning Olympic Gold without having proved herself to be a true champion was just kinda lame.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Congrats China!

China won gold and silver tonight in the Pairs Figure Skating competition of the 2010 Winter Olympic. And I am glad that the Russian did not medal and ended their dominance in this sports. I started rooting against the Russian after the 2002 Winter Olympic scandal when the French pairs judge was accused of bargaining with the Russian ice dancing judge to favor the Russian team in pairs if the Russian judge favors the French ice dancing team. You know what they say, if there is smoke, there is a fire. I think karma came to bite the Russian on their ass tonight for "cheating" 8 years ago. Congratulations China for winning.

Haven't met you yet - Michael Buble

Michael Buble is a sweetheart. He is so cute in a regular guy kind of way. Not supermodel type but definitely somebody you could bring home to meet mom. And this song is my mantra now. I just have not met my Michael Buble yet.



I'm Not Surprised
Not Everything Lasts
I've Broken My Heart So Many Times,
I Stop Keeping Track.
Talk Myself In
I Talk Myself Out
I Get All Worked Up
And Then I Let Myself Down.

I Tried So Very Hard Not To Loose It
I Came Up With A Million Excuses
I Thought I Thought Of Every Possibility

And I Know Someday That It'll All Turn Out
You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Mmmmm ....

I Might Have To Wait
I'll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Timing
And The Other Half's Luck
Wherever You Are
Whenever It's Right
You Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Baby Your Love Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Possibility

Mmmmm ......

And Somehow I Know That It Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

They Say All's Fair
And In Love And War
But I Won't Need To Fight It
We'll Get It Right
And We'll Be United

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Being In Your Life Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Single Possibility

Mmmm .....

And Someday I Know It'll All Turn Out
And I'll Work To Work It Out
Promise You Kid I'll Give More Than I Get
Than I Get Than I Get Than I Get

Oh You Know It'll All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid To Give So Much More Than I Get
Yeah I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Oh Promise You Kid
To Give So Much More Than I Get

I Said Love Love Love Love Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Saturday, February 13, 2010

3 Holidays in one!

This weekend we celebrate 3 holidays. On the 14th of February is Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day and the 15th of February is President's Day. None of these holds significant value to me cause I do not celebrate any of them. I have no BF at the moment so there is no Valentine's Day for me. I do not really celebrate Chinese New Year cause I am far from my Chinese relations who celebrates it somewhat. And President's day? I have work every President's Day so what kind of celebration is there to be had?

But for those who value any of these 3, Have a lovely Valentine's day, an auspicious New Year and a memorable President's Day.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Trying out match.com

Don't get me wrong, I am fairly happy being single. I am able to do whatever I want whenever I want. One thing that I do not care about being single is being singular itself. This means nobody to do things with for the most part. There are also the holidays being alone. Anyways, I do not have a tribe of friends or family close by and those that I care to do things with are not always available. And there are many shows, places and things I still want to experience. I am not exactly the person who like to do things alone (well except for a few unmentionables) or travel alone. And sometimes, I can not do things all by myself. One obvious advantage of having a bf is having somebody to do fun things with. Somebody to travel with. Somebody to ice skate with. Somebody to help me turn the mattress. And most importantly, somebody I care to do things with.

So with that in mind, I have decided to try match.com. It may cost me 100 bucks but what the hell. Money I can make easily, opportunities I can not. So since I did not renew my gay.com premium subscription, I can funnel that money to match.com. People who are in match.com, who have invested real money, will most likely be more serious about meeting people. And there won't be any fake profiles in match.com unlike in gay.com. Gay.com is free so anybody can make a profile and pretend to be somebody.

Now I just have to wait and see how this pans out for me.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Too dumb to be President

Sarah Palin is in the news and spotlight a lot lately that makes the media wonder if she is priming herself to be the next Republican Presidential candidate. The thought of having her as our next President scares the bejesus out of me. I am sure she is street smart and intelligent enough for an average American but she is not smart enough to be our next President. Come on, she is just not adept enough about international and national affairs to be an effective President. She may have appeal and charisma but a good president needs more than those. I am sure the Republican have other smarter guys out there to be Presidential candidate. Not just Sarah. One dumb President for 8 years was enough.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

East Side Story (2006)



East Side Story is a simple and rather predictable tale about a gay latino coming to terms with himself and finding love as well. The main character Diego (Rene Alvarado), got dump by his closet lover Pablo (David Beron), then finds love in the arms of his white attached gay neighbor Wesley (Steve Callahan). Of course conflicts ensues that renders comedic and dramatic touch to the story. Most of the main character are quite goodlooking, specially Diego. Not only is he very pleasing to the eye, his character was very likeable and symphatetic making this low budget movie a surprising find. The acting from the cast was realistic and not over the top. Enough skin and love making scenes were shown but not at all vulgar in anyway. The story also incorporated a subtle social commentary on gentrification, racism, family conflict, homphobia and self homophobia which added depth to this quaint movie.

I give it a 4 stars out of 5.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Little Ashes



I placed this movie on my netflix queue because it was advertised by gay.com as having a gay angle. And of course it helped a lot that Robert Pattinson starred in it. You know me. I want my men goodlooking and the story gay.

Little Ashes is about the famous spanish painter Salvador Dali (Robert Pattinson) and the famous spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca (Javier Beltran). It starts off when both of these men were in school, where they met, leading to the time when they were distinguished older artist.

After watching it, I was sort of disappointed a little. The gay angle of the story was lame and untitillating despite some nude swimming scenes. Robert Pattinson looked weird and behaved eccentrically in this movie. I suppose he was portraying Dali true to form but it was not appealing to me. Javier Beltran on the other hand was very akin to the likeness of Lorca. It was also odd to see them portraying as young adults and as middle aged men for they looked the same throughout. On the positive side, many of the sceneries shot were very beautiful and it captured that early to mid 1900 era of Spanish history very well. The picture quality and costumes were superb.

Fairly forgettable movie I say and I give it a 2.5 stars out of 5.

Monday, February 08, 2010

disenfranchised eh?

This nation is a country of immigrants. So it is natural that we have recent immigrant that do not know how to speak english. And as a compassionate society, we do our best to accomodate these non-english speaker by providing them interpreters, having signage in different languages and having TV/radio shows in different languages. And the law does not require that they learn english. But are we doing them a favor by accomodating their needs and making them complacent? These people do not bother to learn english because they know they can get by without it. They have been here in this country for years and still can not speak english. And they use this excuse as being disenfranchise for their failures and woes. They could not get a good job cause they do not speak english. They did not get the best care at the hospital cause the nurses could not understand them. They got a ticket unfairly because they could not explain to the police properly what happended. Well whose fucking fault is it? Seriously, I almost feel they deserve what they get. For I know that those who really want to live a better life here will learn english somehow. If there is a will, there is a way. Those who are complacent, then they can stay poor and disenfranchised.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

competition and friendship

I know two people who I think in paper could be closer friends with but are not in reality. I share many things with them that could really bond us as greater friends but somehow the friendship is not blossoming. I have tried to be better friends with these two by keeping in touch and initiating activities but I feel I am getting the lack luster response. I am not 100% sure of the reason behind it but upon further analysis, I think one good plausible reason is competition. These two people I am referring to probably feel I am competing for the attention that they prefer to have. I swear I am not trying to compete with them on purpose. They just probably feel I am competing with what they want whether consciously or subconsciously. In one of the person I am referring to, I feel he finds me as a competition for the men he would rather attract. In another person I am referring to, I feel he finds me competing for the attention of our friends that he would rather have to himself. I know I sound egotistical by saying this for I am well aware that they may actually find me abrasive. They could have a very good reason for resisting better friendship with me but upon greater analysis of their relationship with people that they are better friends with, I came up with this plausible explanation. I guess I would never know for sure. It is all conjecture from my end here. Oh well. Nothing much I could do if they do not really want to be good friends with me. Que sera sera. Cest la vie. I have nothing to worry if they would see this blog for I am sure they care not to read my blog.

I hate following that big thing.

Many of us like to know what is in our future. At least there is a curiosity for the future. That is the reason why many of us do not like following behind a bus/truck/big SUV/van because it obscure our view of the traffic in front beyond the big vehicle. Knowing the condition of the traffic in front helps us plan our speed and course of action. Should I stay in this lane or move to the other? Should I turn here now or the next block? Should I slow down now in anticipation for the red light or should I speed up so I could catch the green light before it turns red? Life is much like driving in this regard, knowing what is ahead of us is a comforting notion. Many of us just like that option of being able to act accordingly to what we see or forsee ahead.

Friday, February 05, 2010

cute and yuk

Here is a video I came across in my friend's facebook profile. The title of the song is "It's You" by Super Junior, a Korean boy band. This reinforce my belief that long androgynous hair is popular with young guys in North East Asia. The guys in the video are mostly cute but their hair are just yukky! I like a manly clean cut hair!

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Avatar was not a disappointment at all




Everybody hyped about this movie so I was reluctant to watch it. As it was in the past, the much hyped show almost always fall short of my expectation and I end up getting disappointed. But I must admit Avatar pleasantly surprised me. The story was simple but effective in evoking strong emotions in me. The story operates in the proven formula of good triumph over evil. Righteousness prevail over greed. The underdog defeats the mighty. It is about a lost soul finding his place and finding love along the way. So who would not like that story? And of course it does help a lot that Sigourney Weaver always give a stellar performance and Sam Worthington is super hunky cute. And what really made the movie positively entertaining and awe inspiring was the special effects. Everything looked so crisp and real with the 3D. I heard they will do a sequel so I am psyched about it.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Facebook friend deleted

Ever since I joined facebook, I have accumulated a total of 122 friends on my list. some are intimate friends and family that I constantly keep in touch with via emails or profile page comments/greetings. But majority of the people on my list are old classmates, acquaintances or relatives I am not close with. And for this majority, I rarely comment on their profile page and vice versa.

One of those acquaintance on my friend's list commented on my profile the other night. I made a post in my profile about being sad to see Ping exit from Project Runway later that evening after watching the evening rerun of the show. This acquaintance was not pleased to read that post about the show's result and said "thanks for ruining it for us who Tivo the show" sarcastically on my profile. He never comments on my profile nor did he respond to my "Happy Thanksgiving" greeting but that night he was compelled to make a negative comment. So to save him any future vexation from any of my post, I removed him from my friend's list. People like that who I am not close with for starters and only finds time to make negative comments do not need to be my cyber friend.

I do understand his point of annoyance. I did ruin the surprise for him. But at what point in time after the show has been aired is it acceptable to make a comment? In the same token if a guy recorded the NFL Superball, are we all suppose to keep quite about the result till he has seen his recorded game? Are people in the street suppose to not show revelry in case this guy happens to see them and finds out which team won? Are the stores supporting the winning team suppose to not display congratulatory signs in case this guy sees it? Nobody is suppose to show their joy by posting online? There will always be somebody out there who has not yet seen the game they recorded and somebody's surprise will somehow be ruined regardless of when the win is posted online or shown in public. If he really cares so much about not knowing who won, he should watch the show live like everybody else.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Atchara - Jon's style

This is an appetizer that is super appetizing and guaranteed to make your mouth water. Just not meant to be consumed in large amounts.

Ingredients:

2 pieces of bitter melon
1 long daikon
4 pieces of tomatoes
1 red onions
2 cup of vinegar (any kind)
6 table spoon of sea salt (or iodine salt)

Procedure:
Dice the bitter melon and sprinkle 2 table spoons of sea salt then mash and squeeze the bitter melon for 1 minute. Drain the juice well.Dice the daikon and sprinkle 2 table spoon of sea salt then mash and squeeze the daikon for 1 minute. Drain the juice well. Dice the onion and tomatoes and mix with the bitter melon and daikon. Add the remaining 2 table spoon of sea salt and vinegar and mix well. Let it stand for one day in the refrigerator. Mix every so often to assure the top part gets soaked in the vinegar.

Voila, you got yourself an appetizer that can also be called atchara in the Philippines.