Weapon or Warrior – Where Power Comes From

Why hello there my fellow readers! It seems that I have returned from my long hibernation, also known as laziness, to bring you an out-of-the-blue update. I find it interesting how I'm more willing to type out a random online article instead of writing down lecture notes. I guess we all have our own ways of taking study breaks. 

So what could possibly bring me out of the darkness? Doctor Strange. This unique and powerful Marvel hero got me thinking a lot about what I find appealing in a super-powered character. Do I prefer the heroes who rely on their own strength, and whose powers come from themselves? Or do I find something tantalising about a character who relies on gadgets and artefacts, and builds themselves up from nothing? Please join me in this brief "thought progression debate" as I compare heroes like Doctor Strange, Batman, and Ironman with the likes of Superman, Edward Elric, and Goku. 

The 14th of February... and Every Other Month

It happened in one of the many bubble tea shops in the city. My date and I had just had dinner at the Korean place down the street, and now we were enjoying a refreshing dose of bubble tea. 

"Look around you," she said, "do you notice anything different than usual?" 

"Hmmm?" I replied, head tilted and confused, "I don't see anything strange." 

"Keep looking." 

"Perhaps—Oh, everyone here is—" 

"A couple," she concluded, "that's because it's Chinese Valentine's Day. The 14th of every month is another Valentine's Day." 

After some research it seems that Chinese Valentine's Day is something else entirely, an event celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. However, it is true that every 14th of the month is special. It's all part of an intricate courting and dating "schedule". I am here to explore this interesting artefact of culture with all of you. 

"And yes, there might be a poem or some form of 'elegant prose' at the end."

My New Year's Resolution: Grow

With 2015 coming to a close it seems almost compulsory for me to do a sappy "2015 in Review" post. Instead of doing that, let us all be hipsters together and look towards the future: 2016. I'll be looking at my resolutions and goals for the new year, and hopefully you can strive for some of the same goals too. 

If you really want to see my year in review, why not check out my post about "2015 in Film". I briefly comment on all the films I have seen this year, and give them each a score out of ten. Some of the results might surprise you. For now, let us continue with our look-forward on 2016. 

An Awakening for the Next Generation - A New Hope for the Old

Firstly, this is a non-spoiler review of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. So please feel free to read this post to your heart's content. This will be a very short and simple review - a first impression if you will. Without further ado, here's my review for The Force Awakens. 

"The Force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. My sister has it. You have that power too." 

8 of My Favourite Feelings

Binge watching YouTube can lead you to many dark and dangerous places. My subscriptions are filled with the usual gaming highlights, magic tutorials, and cooking videos. One day the "recommended" section at the end of one of my videos had me listening to Hank Green talk about his favourite feelings. It got me thinking about my own favourite feelings, and I was surprised at my own personal preferences. It turns out that feelings you love don't have to be lovely, happy, or even empathetic. I decided to take a leaf out of Mr Green's book and have all my favourite feelings right here for you to read. 

"Let's get sappy shall we." 

Two Dates. Two Films. Two Scores.

It turns out I have begun to realise that going to the movies is an expensive habit. Over the past two weeks of break I managed to catch over four different films, two of which were actually the same. 

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation was a solid 7/10 for me. Having gone for multiple viewings I am confident in my original critique that it was a basic Tom Cruise flick. The only thing I got out of the film was that IMF stands for Impossible Missions Force. While it was definitely a fun flick, the story seemed all too convenient for my own expectations of a spy movie. The plot moved along smoothly, but only because everything fell into place when it needed to. It was almost clinical. However, the brother, the lady friend, and the bro-friend all seemed to like this film little more than me, with each of them ranking it a star higher. All film is subjective I guess? 

"Hold on, the title says two films, but you've mentioned three? What are these two films?" 

Here are my reviews on Southpaw and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. 

Burger Burger Newmarket

Looking forward to seeing how the Burger Burger franchise is holding up. Although I prefer the OG Ponsonby outlet, this city joint isn't that bad. 

Ensemble? More Like, Assemble - Avengers: Age of Ultron Review

Despite getting this film a whole week before the states, I decided to wait a week before chugging out a review. Some might say I was just incredibly lazy, and they would be totally and utterly correct. All you need to do is just look at the timestamps between this and my previous post to understand how good I am at chugging out content. However, Avengers demands my attention since it is probably going to be the biggest film of the year. At least that's what I expect until Christmas comes. Superheroes, evil super robots, mindless action; it would seem impossible for me to dislike this movie. In actual fact, I do love this movie, but not as much as I thought I would. To know it all, here is my review for Avengers: Age of Ultron. 

"How do you hope to stop me?" 

A Poem for the Fourteenth

Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to dish out some poetry. I usually write something every year for this occasion, and yes I have written stuff for girls before. One instance in particular comes to mind. I like to think that she was so puzzled by my poetry that she was left speechless. 

Here's what happened. There was this girl that I really liked so I decided to tell her exactly how I felt. I wasn't sure how to do it, but since valentine's day was around the corner I decided to get her some chocolates, a necklace thingy, and write her a poem... 

"There was this girl..."  

This is a Thing - Indomie Burger

I used to be hopeless in the kitchen. Creativity and innovation were words that didn't correlate with the food part of my brain. It's true that I was able to fry an egg by the age of nine, and I was able to boil kettles of water at the earlier age of seven, but that was the extent of my abilities. It was only a matter of time before I arrived at the instant noodle phase. Yes, the phase of life where you discover the wonders of cup noodles and three minute miracles. However, you get sick of instant noodles. 

"Then everything changed when the fire nati- I mean, when I started using the internet..." 

With many years of training, and countless hours of practise and determination, I bring you the secrets to enlightenment. The true path: The Indomie Burger.

A New Season

It is amazing how fast we can change gears and move along into the new year. I mean it wasn't too long since we were busy singing carols and eating lots of ham. The season of christmas ends with christmas day. That has always been a bit of a downer to me. Why stop when the party had just started. I guess all festivities need to end at some point, what with the year ending and all that jazz. 

There are good things that come with endings and conclusions. Can you guess it? It's real cheesy, but with every ending we open doors for new beginnings. Unless you die... You can't really do anything once you're dead. 

"I know it's been a while, and it'll be a long while more..." 

Twisted, Just Twisted - Gone Girl Review

It's been a while since I've been to the movies. Mid-semester break came by and the only thing I actually got to watch was Lucy... Let's not talk about that wreck. The weeks went by and I found myself too busy with university and sports to actually chill out at the theatres. However, I'm happy that my return to the cinemas had me sitting in on this beautiful film by David Fincher. Gone Girl is one of the best movies I've seen in a long while. This is a good film. It's not the fun, popcorn shovelling, night out with the gang sort of good, but more like the theme, mood, character, acting, plot, pacing, directing, academy-award level analysis sort of good. Not only does the story contain many twists and turns that leave you guessing till the end (I'm sorry if you counted that comment as a spoiler), but the twisted nature of the characters and themes will leave you evaluating humanity during the credits. This is my review of Gone Girl. 

"Nick Dunne, you're probably the most hated man in America right now. Did you kill your wife, Nick?" 

I Talked To a Stranger Today

I listen to my parents quite a bit. As much as they will deny it, I always check my actions across their advice in a great sequence of vicarious learning. One thing that we've all heard  our parents tell us is, 

"don't talk to strangers..." 

Well today, or rather a few days ago, I decided to completely ignore that rule. While waiting for my food during my lunch break I had to share a small table with a stranger. He was a young man, well dressed, and seemed a tad timid. Personally, I'm really good at socialising with people in a situation where socialising is the given norm. At parties, uni clubs, and even in lecture halls I find myself comfortable with producing random phrases out of my mouth to initiate and maintain a conversation. However, I am much truer to my introverted and shy demeanour when I am out in public places. As sociable as I am, I am not the type to start up a conversation with a stranger. This was the perfect opportunity to further develop my social skills, and it was quite an experience. 

Space is Cool Again - Guardians of the Galaxy Review

If you haven't seen this film, go watch it now. I should've posted my review ages ago, but due to internet issues I've been put back a week. From advanced screenings in 3D to re-watching it in 2D, I always come back to one conclusion: this movie is awesome. Marvel was taking a risk when they decided to put a talking racoon and a walking tree in a live action movie. Thank goodness the risk taking paid off. Under the helm of director James Gunn, GOTG gives us a quirky, comedic, exciting, and most of all, dramatic movie-going experience. All of you DVD renters and illegal downloaders listen here, "this is one for the big screen. Do not miss out!" 

With that gigantic plug out of the way, it's time to get to the point. In a quick and punchy fashion, here is my review of Guardians of the Galaxy. 

"Citizens of Xandar, behold your guardians of the galaxy! What fruit have they wrought?" 

Impulse Buy? Make a Fish Pie

Let's try something new today. I've been doing a lot of writing recently but very little showing. Today I'm going to take you into the kitchen once again as we explore the wonders of making a fish pie. Let me say this now, 

"make sure you have lots of space to throw pots, plates, and pans around because this one is a messy one." 

You've got a preview of your main components above: Fish seasoned with lemon zest, nutmeg, basil, and salt and pepper; prawns "cured" with lemon and salt; potatoes and carrots; and a simple white sauce too boot. Let's do this! 

I Want to Thank the Me Before Me Now

I have just received my first semester results from university. Even after almost failing my midterms I manage to bounce back and string together straight A minuses. Now I'm here at the end of the mid semester break; I'm ready to start the next semester, but how did I get here? Did I bring myself here? Did the me now, help me get to this point in time. I am certainly not the same person I was a few months ago, and I have to give that guy some credit. In fact, I have to give all the past me's some credit. Are you confused yet? Get ready for some new age gratitude as I reflect on the seeds of the past and bask in the consequences. 

Three Movies, Three Sequels, Three Scores

22 Jump Street - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 

Everyone needs to have a movie buff buddy so that they can go watch ten films a week every week. Sadly, I only went out for three movies this week, but boy were they some good ones. As a frequent movie goer, I accumulated enough points to score two free movies! In fact I could've easily seen Apes on Horses for free, but free tickets don't apply to new releases. Even so, I would've happily paid my hard earned money to see all of these films. I'm going make a quick fire review of each film and hopefully that'll be enough to convince you to watch them. Let's go! 

"From drug busters, to dragons, to friggin' apes on horses, this has been a good week." 

Five for Five - Pros and Cons of Living Alone

The parents are away on holiday and the brother is off for an Ultimate tournament. That leaves me all alone at home. In this new segment I look at five benefits and five detriments of living alone. I will give the following disclaimer: "I am not talking about living on your own, which would imply paying bills, earning money, and all that jazz. I am simply talking about this wonderful coincidence where I have my family home all to myself." With that disclaimer out of the way, let's get on to it! 

"The true test of independence is seeing if you can survive on your own for a week." 

First Impressions - Transformers: Age of Extinction

Exams are over and I want some mindless action. Michael Bay seems like the perfect fit. Babes? Check. Explosions? Check. Gigantic transforming robots? Check. Gigantic transforming robots with big swords riding gigantic transforming dinosaur robots? You got yourself a movie. Here are my first impressions for Transformers: Age of Extinction. 

"Autobots, transform and roll out!" 

Chicken Nuggets and Examinations

I was on my way home from Ultimate, and my brother needed to do some shopping. This was the perfect moment to buy some groceries to satisfy my hungry impulse. Tonight would be the night I made, Chicken Nuggets. 

"I should be studying..."