Phil's G.I. Joe Page
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Tuesday, May 31, 2005
It's been busy, busy, busy in the land of Phillip recently. Well, not so busy that I've been pressed for time.... I spent the weekend doing pretty much nothing. I did take a few hours on Friday to work on my electronics class final project, but other than that, zilch. I don't have the specs on my practicum paper finalized yet, and I'm essentially done with my scripting class. Justin had a few papers to write, but I was hoping he'd get them done soon enough that we'd have a day to go to Disneyland and hang out. Well, he got the papers done by Sunday, but at the last minute he had to set up a meeting with his scene partner in his acting class on Monday. See, he flew off this morning to another state to attend an acquaintance's graduation ceremony and won't be back until the day of his scene performance. Monday is the only time he has for that last practice session. So I drove home Sunday night to go to Disneyland the next day alone. I know, I know, I'm heartless. I picked up some cases of soda for the apartment while I was at home, so Justin stood to benefit from this anyways. When driving home that night, a song playing on the radio really got me feeling sad. It was some slow song about the choices we make in our lives, or something. I'll probably elaborate on that in a future post. I spent a few hours at Disneyland yesterday, and then had about an hour free before Mike got off work. We caught the 8:30 showing of Star Wars (Mike hadn't seen it yet, whereas I was on my third viewing!), and I left for San Diego after dropping Mike off back home. I had to go back to SD last night because I was Justin's ride to the airport. I'll be his ride from the airport, too, come Thursday. So Monday being a holiday, I didn't have my electronics class this week. It only meets on Mondays. I got to UCSD a little early today to put up some flyers to sell some of my furniture when I move out. I go to my practicum class like usual, and what do I find out? I'm done! I don't need to go to my lab hours this week. So apparently, all I have left is my paper. And since I'm done with my scripting class, I don't need to attend classes this week for that class either, really. I am allowed two unexcused absences, and I haven't missed a class there yet.... I'll probably still go. There are some attractive ladies in that class! So now I've got a whole hell of a lot of free time. I do have to sort out my 30 day notice of leaving my apartment, a situation complicated by the fact that Justin is now thousands of miles away, and I need his signature. I think I'll be okay, though. I'll work it out somehow. In the meantime, I'll catch a run-through of one of the plays I was helping out on the costuming for. See? Like I said, busy, busy, busy. Friday, May 27, 2005
I'm still in San Diego this weekend, though damned if I know why. I was supposed to help with a movie Justin wanted to make, but the plans for that have sort of fallen through. Mom wants me to attend a graduation ceremony for a friend of my father's while they're out of town this weekend, but truth be told, I'm not even looking forward to my graduation ceremony. I can barely sit through others'. Thursday, May 26, 2005
I'm done with one of my classes! Woo-hoo! I read my final script in my class tonight, thus completing all obligations for Vis 177. We have no final to do, so I'm pretty much just sitting around doing nothing next week. No complaints, other than I'd like not to spend six hours this way. Wednesday, May 25, 2005
There's a reason Monday's post was so late, and its name is VMK. The Virtual Magic Kingdom. It's kind of a low-res online game based on Disneyland and its sister Magic Kingdom parks. There's a few mini-games and some quests to do, and it's a fun way to kill time. It's still in beta testing, and I've encountered a few errors, but I think I'll stick around there for a while. Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Today's classes just seemed to drag on for an eternity. In practicum, I sewed on some black cloth to two tailcoats to cover up some red fabric. This necessitated using a form mannequin and careful pinning to prevent any bunching up, and it was a long process. In the end, I only finished two of the four coats I had to do. I know what I'm doing tomorrow in that class. My scripting class was nothing but students reading their scripts followed by discussion of said scripts. I nearly nodded off a few times back there. Monday, May 23, 2005
Justin's birthday was yesterday, so I drove back to SD earlier that day. We went with his parents out to lunch on Coronado island. Afterwards, we went back to the apartment for a night of uneventfulness. I've got the Explorer right now, because the Jetta had some engine trouble. Nothing major, just some parts that need replacing. Saturday, May 21, 2005
Yesterday I saw Star Wars again with some of my Troy friends on a digital projection at the Irvine Spectrum. Episode 2's digital projection had an alternate shot that the film print did not, so I was on the look out for any changes this time around. I really couldn't find any, and to be honest, I didn't see much difference in quality between the film and digital screenings. Thursday, May 19, 2005
I just got back from the movie, and my take? Definitely the best of the prequel films, by far. There were a few groaner lines, especially between Anakin and Padme, but most of those can be ignored. I'm actually surprised by how much of the film I didn't know, given that I knew the end result. Oh, and when I got back into the apartment and went to get my mail, the fire department arrived. I let them through the gate. And judging by the sirens I'm hearing right now, they're just leaving. Wednesday, May 18, 2005
I've been called out by a few people at school for not going to a midnight screening of Star Wars, but to be honest, I don't like midnight screenings. You wait for hours on end to be first in the theater, then try to stay awake as your body shuts down for the night, and you still have to drive home half-asleep! And for what? Bragging rights to having seen a movie before others? Why should I care, especially when the time difference between the midnight screening and when I go to see it is less than a day?? Tuesday, May 17, 2005
I got a book about the life of George Lucas a while back. You can read about it here. Mostly I bought it for the detailed descriptions of the early drafts of Star Wars. While I now may have found a way to actually get an early draft of the movie, this was the best option available to me at the time. It really is something of a comfort to see just how much of what Lucas made into his prequel trilogy already existed back in the day. I guess it's just nice to know that he's not pulling this all out of his ass. Except for Jar Jar. That was total ass-creation. Anyways, while I've been killing freetime until I see Episode III, I've been reading more of the book. It actually is a pretty interesting read. Monday, May 16, 2005
I have a paper due tomorrow in my scripting and editing class. The assignment is to compare the book of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five to the script and movie. I talk about the differences, similarities, why I think they did them, blah blah blah. So naturally I'm procrastinating. Hell, my class today was cancelled, so I had another three hours to procrastinate! Friday, May 13, 2005
So I guess the countdown's on for Episode 3 now, huh? I've had my ticket in my wallet for about two weeks now. I had the toys since April 2nd. And I've pieced together the story for about 10 years. It's very odd going to see a movie when you pretty much know exactly what's going to happen - Anakin falls to the dark side, starts chopping up his friends, and along the way someone puts his head through a cheese grater. And yet, I still wanna see it. I know the film will be dark and depressing. I know Darth Vader's gonna kick Jedi ass. I know Episodes 1 and 2 weren't that great. But I still want to see this film! Thursday, May 12, 2005
Once again I'll be in San Diego this weekend. I may go down to Disneyland again on Sunday, but I'm really not sure at this point. I'd have to drop by my house to pick up my annual pass if I did, though. And quite possibly I would stay the night at my house. But that's beside the point. I'm in SD tomorrow and Saturday, that much I know. I really have no idea why I'm bothering to post this. Wednesday, May 11, 2005
For last Monday's electronics class, I needed to have an idea of what to do for my final project. It took me a little while to think up one, but I do feel I have a pretty feasible idea. Off the net I purchased a C.A.T. II tank from the G.I. Joe toyline. The tank is motorized, so it can move under battery power. To turn it only uses one of the treads at a time. This leads me to believe that the tank just disconnects power to the other tread when it's set to turn. From that I feel I can use my new sonic sensor to determine the distance from an object and have my stamp tell the tank to turn. Thus, I'll have a self-guiding little robot tank! Cool, huh? Tuesday, May 10, 2005
In my scripting class today we saw Slaughterhouse 5. I'm actually halfway through the book. Once I finish, though, I'll start reading the script. This is all so I can write a paper due next week for the class, comparing the book to the script to the final film. I just have to get motivated enough to read all this crap and not put it off until Monday night. Monday, May 09, 2005
Thank god for Disneyland's Lost & Found. A representative of the resort called today and let me know that my annual pass had been found and turned in. They'll be mailing it to my house later this week. Sad to say, but this isn't the first time I've lost a ticket. In 1997 or '98, I misplaced the paper ticket for my annual pass that you turn in for the real one. Luckily enough, that too, was found and returned to me. I'm just no good at holding onto my stuff, I guess. Saturday, May 07, 2005
I drove back home yesterday morning and before I knew it I was in Disneyland with mom, who was playing hooky from work. We were there from about 1 in the afternoon until closing, and I took more pictures that day than I ever have previously. The only problem was that I left my digital camera back in San Diego, so I was stuck using dad's. It's alright, but not the greatest. Mike dropped by for a few hours before work, and he got to see the newly revamped Jungle Cruise. All in all mom and I went on 13 rides or attractions by park's closing. Now I just have to get back the annual passport I lost around dinnertime! Thursday, May 05, 2005
Having listened to the whole of the Family Guy CD last night and this morning, I'm actually a little surprised by the whole thing. First off, the album is done up as if it were a live recording of a Las Vegas stage act, complete with audience laughter and surprise guests. But what's most surprising is the fact that they're not restricted to PG-13 level language here. F-Bombs drop left and right! It's a little off-putting, to be honest, but I got used to it after a while. It's certainly an enjoyable CD to those not faint of heart, and even has some of the more enjoyable background characters appear. Quagmire even gets his own song! Wednesday, May 04, 2005
There wasn't much to do today for me, so after my class I went with Justin to Target to hunt down a Mother's Day present for mom. Yeah, it's this Sunday in case you forgot. I think I bought her something she'll enjoy (that's the idea, right?), but I also used the opportunity to pick up the Family Guy Live in Las Vegas CD. I only saw one copy in the store, so hopefully it's selling well. Tuesday, May 03, 2005
The kickoff to Disneyland's 50th anniversary starts tomorrow, when the park closes to the public and lets in all the press to cover the event. Officially, the event starts Thursday, but this allows news crews to walk around the park without filming all the foot traffic that would normally be present. I probably won't make it there until sometime during the weekend, and even then I don't know if I'll go on any rides. The park will probably be crowded, but that's okay. I'll just look at all the pretty stuff and take lots of pictures. Monday, May 02, 2005
Of course Justin and I caught Animation Domination on Fox last night. Simpsons may not be as great as it was, but I still find it entertaining. I think this second episode of American Dad was much better than the first, but it still could use some improvement. Of course, Family Guy was rough around the edges when it debuted, too. And speaking of Family Guy, last night's episode was awesome. I remarked that they seemed to cram as much into this episode as they could, since it was almost like a second pilot episode. I was actually amazed at how thoroughly accurate they got their G.I. Joe public service announcement parody to be. I even loved that they got the original voice actor to reprise his role as Flint! |
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| The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of Phillip Donnelly. Unless explicitly stated, all statements are those of Phillip Donnelly. So there! |
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