This is the first time, ever in my life, I actually pay to watch a movie in cinemas the second time.
I'd never thought I will become a fan of a franchise, cause being a fan is just not me, but it happened.
Yep 2 miracles and those are because of the film - How to Train Your Dragon.
I am not sure what kind of elements they have put into the films but one thing I am sure is that they are films of emotional roller coaster. I loved 95% of the scenes in the first film and 99% for the second.
You know how people gets threatened and they end up giving up the answers after breaking down. Think of a graph with a curve that describes the emotions, it's straight then it goes downhill and stays there.
Well, for this franchise it's the opposite. But it goes up and down and up and down once more then UP FOR THE LAST PART.
Let me describe what my thoughts are about the first film:
• Hiccup realises that dragons have feelings, once he released Toothless from the trap he had shot, because Gobber said a dragon always go for the kill but Toothless did not.
• That 'Forbidden Friendship' scene, it maxes out the emotion because of the soundtrack by John Powell. Once Hiccup raises his arm and Toothless makes that small movement to touch Hiccup's hand, that was it. I cried literally. I can feel that bond, that friendship, that connection from then on from just a slight touch. One can imagine a glow between these two characters when they touched. It's just beautiful, not to mention they used a sunset scene where the lighting really matches the mood. And of course, the soundtrack. Without it, this scene would be like 'what the heck is going on?'.
• How Toothless's pupil of his eye changes from small to huge, showing the emotion of the dragon.
• Then there's Astrid. Her character is really awesome, that tough exterior and soft interior, her fringe covers one of her eye, showing a subtle badass-ness. The way she battles in The Ring, those expressions on her face and eyes. I just like her.
• Well, then also about Astrid and Hiccup. To me, Astrid seems to show a subtle vibe of care for Hiccup (the scene where they were having a campfire and Hiccup left quickly after Gobber ended the campfire then Astrid was surprised). Feels really platonic and lovely.
• How Hiccup learns every bit of dragon from Toothless and using it in The Ring. I don't know, these scenes feel refreshing. You learnt something so make use of it. And how this surprised everyone to their eyes opened really huge. Loved that.
• 'Test Drive' scene, yet another emotional roller coaster scene. First off, when it comes to flight, there's always this SOARING feel. And how does that feel expand out for me? Freedom, yes freedom. That's the high, it feels really really majestic good. What happens after that is Hiccup was thrown off from Toothless, leading to danger. That's the 'OH NO' part. Another high but it's really up and down. After recovering, Hiccup throws away his cheat sheet (THEN THE SOUNDTRACK GOES CLIMATIC), gliding through the rocks without reliance of the cheat sheet. Feels good doesn't it? Feels like you've mastered something and you go AWESOME, YAY! The soundtrack plays a huge role here. NOT TO FORGET the expressions on both Hiccup and Toothless, wow just wow...
• After the 'Test Drive' scene, is the last match in The Ring. This is where Astrid's expressions are really good. Makes me feel attached to the character even more because of this scene.
• Then the part Astrid founds out about Toothless. The lighting put onto Astrid sitting on top of the rock, with the sun shafting and the shadows, midtones and highlights really makes her looks like she's going on a kill streak. Those little details are just worth it and well considered.
• And so the 'Romantic Flight'. Subtle, soft, where picture (emotions and expressions of character) and music takes the lead. The beauty in every landscape and lighting here. (And wow if only getting a girl's acceptance is this simple.)
• After they land, the script and expressions takes the lead. Feels simple yet there's a huge impact somehow. That 'yes' with a straight face from Hiccup, owwwow and causing Astrid's expression to change.
• Then following are the scenes of down mood, where Stoick couldn't believe what was happening and captured Toothless as bait.
• The script for Astrid and Hiccup is quite a game-changer here. Astrid is helping Hiccup to realise that his actions aren't shameful but his warmth for the dragons are well, warming. The part where Hiccup says he is the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon but Astrid replied saying, "First one to ride one though.". - it hit me, it really did and how it actually changed Hiccup.
..... oh man too much to describe.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
App Developed
Well, well.
This accomplishment, so new, so strong.
Ever had many events and wish to remember them?
Ever wanted to jot down what happened on this date?
Ever wish to know how long had happened since that event?
Yep - Eventful is the app!
This accomplishment, so new, so strong.
Ever had many events and wish to remember them?
Ever wanted to jot down what happened on this date?
Ever wish to know how long had happened since that event?
Yep - Eventful is the app!
 |
 |
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
More Programming
Quick summary of what I've learnt for Android development:
• NotificationManager: Basically how to create notifications which appear in the notification window, by using NotificationBuilder or NotificationCompat.Builder. There's more to it though, like running an action after clicking on the notification and many others.
• Alarm: Setting off an action after a certain time. Requires a BroadcastReceiver, and overriding the method onReceive().
• DateTime Picker/Dialog: This one is interesting. There's other requirements for it to work, like Dialog where there are listeners to implement. Calendar class is required too in order to fully utilise the Date and Time.
• ListView with Search
• Custom Adapter + ListView with custom Filter (Search): This is one tough shit! Feels like I am doing my schoolwork all over again. Lots of implementations. The Filter class is the unknown to me, but I guess the longer I use it I could understand better.
Right, so those above are the list so far. The reason for me learning and understanding the last set 'Custom Adapter + ListView with custom Filter' is due to my intent to replicate an app called Time Flies. This app allows the user to jot down an event that happened with a time alongside. Basically like a diary of what-have-I-did or any type of events for that mattered.
Problem with this app is it's old, last updated 2010 (wow). So I am basically trying to update so it uses the > Android 4 interface plus addition of new functionality such as search and more. Of course the app itself is great and does what it has to but once the database increases to more than 200 plus, one's not gonna scroll through the list to find out that event so a search is really required.
On other side of my life, I've put myself into the disconnect mode. I have deactivated my Facebook with the option "This is temporary. I'll be back.". I know, the reaction from people I would get is obviously 'lol'. LOL all you want, but this is just me. I have been trying to reach out with people but it's a no avail type of quest. Although there are successes but these successes are short lived as I don't seem to be the kind to chat with people all day long. So, a disconnect could possible give me a good reason to find myself back on path, which so far it seems good.
As far as connection is concerned, I still use Twitter for feed purposes. Not many interact with me on Twitter so all's good, I use it like Blogger and it's simply a microblogging platform (well that's what Twitter is in the first place). Rant, daily thoughts, yep all posted.
Social media are really just filled with senseless opinions. They want this, they want that and one gets easily influenced and for that purpose, I became a victim. I began to accept some of my addictions, accept that I don't socialize, accept that I am just passive. I can try to change but it always fallback to what I actually am. So just accept... it. Not gonna venture further.
Just me..
• NotificationManager: Basically how to create notifications which appear in the notification window, by using NotificationBuilder or NotificationCompat.Builder. There's more to it though, like running an action after clicking on the notification and many others.
• Alarm: Setting off an action after a certain time. Requires a BroadcastReceiver, and overriding the method onReceive().
• DateTime Picker/Dialog: This one is interesting. There's other requirements for it to work, like Dialog where there are listeners to implement. Calendar class is required too in order to fully utilise the Date and Time.
• ListView with Search
• Custom Adapter + ListView with custom Filter (Search): This is one tough shit! Feels like I am doing my schoolwork all over again. Lots of implementations. The Filter class is the unknown to me, but I guess the longer I use it I could understand better.
Right, so those above are the list so far. The reason for me learning and understanding the last set 'Custom Adapter + ListView with custom Filter' is due to my intent to replicate an app called Time Flies. This app allows the user to jot down an event that happened with a time alongside. Basically like a diary of what-have-I-did or any type of events for that mattered.
Problem with this app is it's old, last updated 2010 (wow). So I am basically trying to update so it uses the > Android 4 interface plus addition of new functionality such as search and more. Of course the app itself is great and does what it has to but once the database increases to more than 200 plus, one's not gonna scroll through the list to find out that event so a search is really required.
On other side of my life, I've put myself into the disconnect mode. I have deactivated my Facebook with the option "This is temporary. I'll be back.". I know, the reaction from people I would get is obviously 'lol'. LOL all you want, but this is just me. I have been trying to reach out with people but it's a no avail type of quest. Although there are successes but these successes are short lived as I don't seem to be the kind to chat with people all day long. So, a disconnect could possible give me a good reason to find myself back on path, which so far it seems good.
As far as connection is concerned, I still use Twitter for feed purposes. Not many interact with me on Twitter so all's good, I use it like Blogger and it's simply a microblogging platform (well that's what Twitter is in the first place). Rant, daily thoughts, yep all posted.
Social media are really just filled with senseless opinions. They want this, they want that and one gets easily influenced and for that purpose, I became a victim. I began to accept some of my addictions, accept that I don't socialize, accept that I am just passive. I can try to change but it always fallback to what I actually am. So just accept... it. Not gonna venture further.
Just me..
Monday, May 19, 2014
Programming and Movies
Have been learning a lot of Android development lately.
Many of it are simply basic implementations, getting to know the SDK.
But well learning it, writing it and then it results in a working input/output really provides a sense of achievement and satisfaction in return.
But here's what I learnt so far:
• Setting Holo Dark theme and Holo Light theme on the fly with an option using just 'this.recreate()', together with 'setTheme(style)'.
• QR Code Scanner - wow this is one is really hard as I couldn't understand how to implement most of the libraries. Most of it are having incomplete documentations... Especially the ZXing's version. But well a friend managed to provide me with a working library and working example where I could implement it with ease.
• Understanding of 'Context' in Android and how passing it to another Class is important to work with the UI.
• Oh with QR Code Scanner I managed to understand slightly on how AsyncTask works with HTTP GET/POST and also onPostExecute method is important to update main thread. Need to dive in more into this to get to know fully.
• Some basic layout properties.
• Facebook SDK! Simple Login to Facebook and getting the username from the Session and Request Me.
On the other hand, I've been watching some movies which I've missed on the big screen:
• Her 2013
• Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit 2013
Other movies are:
• Broken Hill 2009
• Gattaca 1997
Her is best in the list above. And I especially love one of the what-feels-like-poem to me script:
It’s like I’m reading a book
And it’s a book I deeply love
But I’m reading it slowly now
So the words are really far apart
And the spaces between the words are almost infinite
I can still feel you, and the words of our story
But it’s in this endless space between the words that I’m finding myself now.
It’s a place that’s not of the physical world
It’s where everything else is that I didn’t even knew existed.
I love you so much
But this is where I am now
And this is who I am now
And I need you to let me go.
Meanwhile I also loved the story of Broken Hill. Without Alexa Vega, I probably wouldn't know of this beautiful spiritual movie.
Many of it are simply basic implementations, getting to know the SDK.
But well learning it, writing it and then it results in a working input/output really provides a sense of achievement and satisfaction in return.
But here's what I learnt so far:
• Setting Holo Dark theme and Holo Light theme on the fly with an option using just 'this.recreate()', together with 'setTheme(style)'.
• QR Code Scanner - wow this is one is really hard as I couldn't understand how to implement most of the libraries. Most of it are having incomplete documentations... Especially the ZXing's version. But well a friend managed to provide me with a working library and working example where I could implement it with ease.
• Understanding of 'Context' in Android and how passing it to another Class is important to work with the UI.
• Oh with QR Code Scanner I managed to understand slightly on how AsyncTask works with HTTP GET/POST and also onPostExecute method is important to update main thread. Need to dive in more into this to get to know fully.
• Some basic layout properties.
• Facebook SDK! Simple Login to Facebook and getting the username from the Session and Request Me.
On the other hand, I've been watching some movies which I've missed on the big screen:
• Her 2013
• Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit 2013
Other movies are:
• Broken Hill 2009
• Gattaca 1997
Her is best in the list above. And I especially love one of the what-feels-like-poem to me script:
It’s like I’m reading a book
And it’s a book I deeply love
But I’m reading it slowly now
So the words are really far apart
And the spaces between the words are almost infinite
I can still feel you, and the words of our story
But it’s in this endless space between the words that I’m finding myself now.
It’s a place that’s not of the physical world
It’s where everything else is that I didn’t even knew existed.
I love you so much
But this is where I am now
And this is who I am now
And I need you to let me go.
Meanwhile I also loved the story of Broken Hill. Without Alexa Vega, I probably wouldn't know of this beautiful spiritual movie.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Sims 3
I must say I've been quite addicted in Sims 3 after knowing that I could download the Store contents plus many mods which makes the game easier/faster.
I have also made some tuning mods on my own.
I tried to build a futuristic house using the theme of Into The Future and I think I created one which seems fabulous I should say.
Some screens should speak about it:
I have also made some tuning mods on my own.
I tried to build a futuristic house using the theme of Into The Future and I think I created one which seems fabulous I should say.
Some screens should speak about it:
|
Friday, April 11, 2014
Weakness
I compared, I feared, I backed off.
Yes, I was very used to comparing with people, from appearance to intelligence to beliefs and opinions. I loved to challenge and proving I am right.
Till now, I still am but just not so much. It's justappearance, intelligence and beliefs.
Yes, however I see this as a weakness of mine, a very profound one. As I age I know such behaviour is intolerant, therefore I started backing out and pushing people away. I am good at that.
I figured both ways leads me to hell. I couldn't stand comparing with people because I fear I may lose the person close to me. Backing off lay waste to my own benefit where I won't get to know anyone as period goes.
Then again, if I do not compare I feel I may lose out silently and if I don't back out I may end up in a heated argument.
I am still torn in between. Those changes I am dealing with are difficult, really difficult. At the same time I am trying to tear down this damn wall of 'somestrongelement'-ium. At the same time, I want to get in the battle.
So what should I choose? The peace path or the killing path? For which I know I was on the killing path but it did not work out and now I have been trying to walk into the peace path.
Having such characteristic, I tend to think that everyone else is the same. I fear asking for assistance because I 'know' people have their own battles to fight. Such battles to fight using their own skills and knowledge where they aren't eager to impart.
I don't know.
Yes, I was very used to comparing with people, from appearance to intelligence to beliefs and opinions. I loved to challenge and proving I am right.
Till now, I still am but just not so much. It's just
Yes, however I see this as a weakness of mine, a very profound one. As I age I know such behaviour is intolerant, therefore I started backing out and pushing people away. I am good at that.
I figured both ways leads me to hell. I couldn't stand comparing with people because I fear I may lose the person close to me. Backing off lay waste to my own benefit where I won't get to know anyone as period goes.
Then again, if I do not compare I feel I may lose out silently and if I don't back out I may end up in a heated argument.
I am still torn in between. Those changes I am dealing with are difficult, really difficult. At the same time I am trying to tear down this damn wall of 'somestrongelement'-ium. At the same time, I want to get in the battle.
So what should I choose? The peace path or the killing path? For which I know I was on the killing path but it did not work out and now I have been trying to walk into the peace path.
Having such characteristic, I tend to think that everyone else is the same. I fear asking for assistance because I 'know' people have their own battles to fight. Such battles to fight using their own skills and knowledge where they aren't eager to impart.
I don't know.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Health
This is my third time falling sick this semester.
And worse of all it all comes from the same cause - stomach.
First was due to a bowl of laksa from campus. Second was due to some food from campus and third was literally due to no-food day. Yup, it is indeed all stomach alright.
Because of this, I have to, really have to find out the root of this issue as I know a healthy stomach would not have pertain to such resort. This time I probably got it right (hopefully), without the aid of a doctor once again.
Honestly I can never trust a doctor anymore because of the country I live in. Well this reason itself is enough actually but there are others. Like, most medications given doesn't really 'cure' the root of the problem. Of course they do solve the current outbreak, just quicker.
I've realised for the very past years since my Polytechnic days, my first episode of a stomach.. ulcer? flu? problem didn't get me thinking. I just thought oh it came just because I ate some wrong food. However, I must say that was probably the start of all problems.
I love researching, and I did. At first I was told to take Antacid as a solution but hey wait, those are for acid reflux and heartburn mainly which I don't exhibit. The symptoms I exhibited are:
• Bloating stomach (most of the time), even small meals
• Constant burping, even hours after meal
• Gas which smells (talk about embarrassment...)
• Bad breath - this is forever, around since ... ugh
Checked thoroughly with information, and it seems to be LOW STOMACH ACID. With this problem, it leads to protein deficiency. Researched for protein deficiency and I found that the symptoms which I AM EXHIBITING are:
• Excessive Dry Skin
• Ridges in finger and toe nails (in my case only fingernails)
• Constant craving for snacks
It seems to add up alright,
low stomach acid -> protein deficiency -> problems with external areas .
Excessive Dry Skin, yes literally to the fact that holding to a metal pole has NO FRICTION AT ALL.
Well I went out to local pharmaceutical stores to check out for Betaine HCL which is the supplement for low stomach acid but to no avail. Everywhere they are selling Antacid... Resorted to online store iHerb and purchased one, hopefully it will be delivered within 3 days and I could start restoring my health. If all goes right.
And worse of all it all comes from the same cause - stomach.
First was due to a bowl of laksa from campus. Second was due to some food from campus and third was literally due to no-food day. Yup, it is indeed all stomach alright.
Because of this, I have to, really have to find out the root of this issue as I know a healthy stomach would not have pertain to such resort. This time I probably got it right (hopefully), without the aid of a doctor once again.
Honestly I can never trust a doctor anymore because of the country I live in. Well this reason itself is enough actually but there are others. Like, most medications given doesn't really 'cure' the root of the problem. Of course they do solve the current outbreak, just quicker.
I've realised for the very past years since my Polytechnic days, my first episode of a stomach.. ulcer? flu? problem didn't get me thinking. I just thought oh it came just because I ate some wrong food. However, I must say that was probably the start of all problems.
I love researching, and I did. At first I was told to take Antacid as a solution but hey wait, those are for acid reflux and heartburn mainly which I don't exhibit. The symptoms I exhibited are:
• Bloating stomach (most of the time), even small meals
• Constant burping, even hours after meal
• Gas which smells (talk about embarrassment...)
• Bad breath - this is forever, around since ... ugh
Checked thoroughly with information, and it seems to be LOW STOMACH ACID. With this problem, it leads to protein deficiency. Researched for protein deficiency and I found that the symptoms which I AM EXHIBITING are:
• Excessive Dry Skin
• Ridges in finger and toe nails (in my case only fingernails)
• Constant craving for snacks
It seems to add up alright,
low stomach acid -> protein deficiency -> problems with external areas .
Excessive Dry Skin, yes literally to the fact that holding to a metal pole has NO FRICTION AT ALL.
Well I went out to local pharmaceutical stores to check out for Betaine HCL which is the supplement for low stomach acid but to no avail. Everywhere they are selling Antacid... Resorted to online store iHerb and purchased one, hopefully it will be delivered within 3 days and I could start restoring my health. If all goes right.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)