Break: Behind The Scenes

I've had bouts with insomnia all throughout college. Lab reports. Homework. Exams. Games. Long nights out drinking. Road trips. Chilling with friends. And even streaming Lost or The Office. Tonight is just another one of those sleepless nights on another muggy summer night. Now, most of my use for this blog is mainly to record my thoughts about food, politics, movies, sports, music, games, etc. But like in all fantasies and realities, there are thoughts and ideas which drive them from Point A to Point B. After staying up late hanging out and then watching a movie, I came across another idea. A movie is just a movie.

In the past, my obsession with Natalie Portman (as well as Ha Ji Won, Jessica Biel and Michelle Rodriguez) was nothing more than just an obsession. I didn't really know who she was until she was Queen Amidala/Padme in Star Wars Episode 1.



But then, I started to notice her more and more. 'V for Vendetta' really caught my eye because it showed different sides to the story.



Yes, she actually shaved her hair for the movie. During that scene she cried and showed a lot of emotion tied to the movie. Sacrificing her hair just to get a point across to the audience really sets her apart from some people - except for G.I. Jane. But for the most part, her acting still is a lot better than most.



I admire the fact that Natalie Portman not only has a different sex appeal and can really act, but she is also a very intelligent woman! She is also quite the rapper.



This Natalie Portman tangent does have a connection to the title of this post. What many people see in a movie is a bunch of actors and actresses. Much of a movie has to come from some source, some thought, some idea. The directors, producers, writers, and other crew members help set the movies direction. But the actors and actresses are being paid a large amount of money to entertain their audience. A modern day Shakespearean play recorded by a camera. The audience watches the movie and awaits the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story. Some of these movies end up having no explicit ending and leads to sequels, or even a trilogy.

Due to the rising sun and bright lights entering my room, I will cut short and go right to the gist. Much of the acting we see is just acting. In essence, a movie is just a movie - a story told using an actor's ability to play through the thoughts and ideas of the behind the scene crew members. A lot of people have to analyze Shakespeare's plays and lines in English classes. Compared to movies, people apply an extension of dreaded homework assignments using movies.

It is now time for me to sleep. Stream of consciousness. Yay!!!

People should not analyze movies beyond what they see. A movie is just a movie. An actor is just an actor.

Take 6

First off, eating food is essential to life. To enjoy it to its fullest, you need someone who really knows what they're doing. I've always been a big fan of Harold's Chicken, but I have finally found its match. Crisp's fried chicken is so good. The key to it is frying the chicken which is prepared in a Korean style and dipping them in random (soy) sauces. The Seoul Sassy tastes like fried rice and fried chicken and bulgogi (Korean beef) and green onions all at the same time. DELISH! The Crisp BBQ has a spicy tang to its smothering BBQ sauce. It isn't actually all that spicy, but imagine rotisserie chicken combined with baby back ribs. The Plain Jane is pretty plain - highly unrecommended. The best chicken there has to be the Bud's Buffalo, which comes in mild, hot, or suicide sauce. It's comparable to Buff Joe's. Actually, it isn't. Crisp definitely gives you more chicken with more flavor. You can buy chicken either in half or whole. If you buy a whole chicken, you can mix-and-match two flavors. I recommend getting Crisp BBQ and Bud's Buffalo. Also, try out the appetizers (fried mushrooms, in particular). Be ready to eat the best fried chicken EVER. However, also be prepared to spend a decent amount of money because a half chicken is not enough for one guy, maybe a girl.



I have to thank McDonald's for this one. The Super Size option has made America one big piece of lard the past 50 years. Combined with technology and lack of manual labor, Americans can now fulfill our future role as astronauts!



(Pho Xe Tang) Tank Noodle House is delish! The biggest bowl of pho noodles with an assortment of meat can satisfy any man, woman, or child. Lo and behold, these Vietnamese noodles are quickly gaining more and more fame with all kinds of people. The Tank pho noodles (the super size option) comes in a bowl about as big as half of a basketball. The broth is amazing. Vegetables are optional, but they make the whole meal taste better. What's amazing is that the noodles seem endless right until you reach max capacity. Be careful to ration the noodles proportionally with the meat! Driving to Broadway and Argyle might seem like a waste to some, but to truly experience different cultures requires some transportation. It's so pho king! Amazing!



My Mexican obsession has not ended. Taco Burrito King is not the best Mexican restaurant, but it does the job. I tried the Fish Taco meal, which came with two tacos covered in cheese, sour cream, and lettuce and the traditional rice and beans. What made this experience all the more gratifying was that there is a bar inside the restaurant. Who knew getting tipsy on a hot afternoon and eating fish tacos was such a good idea?



Now, now. I think my food binge is done. More food to come!

Take 5

So Inception is definitely the best movie of this summer. I watched it for the second time and I enjoyed the little details that I forgot. The fight scenes were cooler. The foreshadowing was written all over it. It was amusing to watch The Chemist in the movie. I'll give you a hint - 7/11 funny. Now the best part was that I was spacing out at the end, already realizing what was about to happen and what already had happened in the movie. I continued to space out and then I came to my own realization. There was a time when I thought I really knew something. An idea that was solidified as fact. Religions are all based on leaps of faith. And at the end of our lives, someone will be there to say, "and we'll be together." That idea which makes you snap out of reality when you realize you're not actually at the end of your life, but only in the present reading this blog. Funny, huh? So the reality of it is that I thought was once between the godfather and the godson. With all the advising that took place, the godson realized he was not advised, but controlled. Controlled into pushing away the one thing he cherished the most - love. Fischer then believes what he should do next. And then ending plays out.

On the drive home, it was freaky as hell driving down a road surrounded by forests, from which the town was named (Elk Grove). It was comforting to know that there could be elk (or deer) were roaming the streets. By the end of the road, I become immersed under the artificial light coming from the hunchback poles and I realize it's safe. Haha, corny. I can't believe that was my attempt at a faux-Inception experience. Well, back to reality. It was crazy thinking that at any given moment, you could realize that everything was once a dream. Lifting your head up. Seeing the professor continue with his mundane lecture. Only to realize you were dreaming within multiple realities. Haha, I did it again. Back to reality.

There's a good ass song out by Wiz Khalifa (Hey Girl) and it keeps playing in my head. So chill.



The Cubs traded Theriot and Lilly? Damn it. The Bears season can't come any sooner. I can't wait to see that new offense and replenished defense. The Bulls season looks to start off great. They're mentioned on marquee days for the NBA. Seems like there's gonna be more hype on the young team. Hopefully, they don't crash and burn (especially if they sign TMac).

What skips in this logical gap? Reaganomics was supposed to give the rich tax cuts so they can spend more money to create jobs. Now, under this cycle's effect of the conservative economic policy of the government has come full circle. Especially with the profits increasing and not a lot to show for it, people start to become enlightened by a liberal policy that the rich paying the government to pay for the poor's plight. The working class doesn't suffer after receiving aid from the government. So the tax cuts come to haunt the constituents. The rich get a needless break during a recession, while the rest are still in need. Now when jobs are demanded, the rich do not have any jobs to offer even after receiving large tax cuts. Essentially they have no money to invest in the common people. Instead, they hold on to it and choose a globalized policy which saves money and increases profit. Where is the irony?

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Meh, I'm being an insomniac. Didn't need to rant, but getting to know the "rich's plight" has suddenly become tiresome. That progressive radio talk is quite entertaining. They do the exact same things they criticize about the conservatives. I wonder why they didn't look like the same before? Boring.


I wish I knew what to say...

Taco Bell came out with tacos with onion and cilantro!?! I forget what they're called, but it seems more authentic. Can't wait to try!

If no one's heard this song yet, they should really get out more often.