20130131 - CNY & Creating Art

Its the New Year on the Lunar Calendar! Happy New Year! So I have my annual lucky pot set up. The main features of the pot are bowl of rice, red pockets and fruits. A bowl of rice to represent food for the new year. Red pockets and coins obviously for financial stability. The Fruits, I don't know what the fruits are for. The lucky pot is the tradition I have always kept up and made sure to make one every year. The new clothes tradition... usually I just wear 1 new item of clothing. There are a lot of tradition for New Year, like firecrackers which is already banned and that is a bit depressing. Today, we are going to relatives to 拜年 which is just to visit for the New Year nothing special its like when you visit relatives at Christmas except you get a Red Pocket if you are single.

 

 

So another New Year, another start. I have been playing with a new app on the iPad called Brushes 3. Its a drawing/painting/sketching app which ever you want to call it. Its a fairly effective drawing app. It has layers like Photoshop, you can create your own brush, choose color, set transparency and all those stuff. So far there is one limitation I found, you only get make to 10 layers. I have created a couple of drawings with this app already almost 10. In the beginning because I was not used to not feeling the coarseness of the paper and pen (you know? The friction) so its difficult to find the spot I am working on. But on the 3rd or 4th painting my works looks better already.

 

 

Another feature of Brushes 3 app that trigger my creative brain to start a new YouTube/Web series which I call "Creating Art" - I am Cholesterol Mind and this is how I create Art. Ok. So what is this feature on Brushes App? It records the process of the drawing. So every stroke, eraser and layer manipulation are record, well it doesn't record you pressing undo which is good. Its a fascinating video to watch, from a blank white screen and slowly evolving to my fabulous artwork. I had some struggle trying to extract the video but in the end I had to purchase an app called "Display Recorder". It records the iPad screen. Then with some iMovie manipulation, and we have a video. I will be honest this first episode is very simple because it iMovie for iPad; I promise better video manipulation on later episodes. The first episode is Creating Southern Bell. I know its missing an "e" but Bell is really my original idea for this drawing. The best thing about watching these videos is that you will see my original concept and how it slowly evolves and turn into a different more beautiful product. So expect new episodes every Friday, I haven't figured out a time yet because I can't tell when I am free to upload but Friday is definitely the day for uploading. And now enjoy episode 1: Creating Southern Bell on my new The Cholesterol Mind Channel.

 

 

So thats it for today, I will be getting ready to go out.

 

The Cholesterol Mind

20140115 - Milk

Let quickly get to business!

 

Today I tried buying a Red Rice Phone by Xiaomi. I pre-registered, I waited until 12:00 today for the shopping event to start. I got in, put in the security code verification. Then WTF!?! It said I put the code incorrectly and after 3 seconds they sold out. Its an epic Fail and WTF history! Its basically a very cheap phone. Android. Quad-core. For just HK$999. The price is the selling point. Anyways... I didn't really want the phone that much but getting that close is still a real bummer moment.

 

 

Next item of business. RPDR6! The trailer is finally released! After watching it, the strong personalities from the Meet the Queens video didn't seem to have made it that far. Its either that or their footage got cut out. From the Trailer seems Laganja, Adore, and Gia (I hate Gia BTW, She's asian and all, but She has an annoying way of talking) made it far. The Big guns that I was thought was gonna make it far didn't have much footage like Bianca, Kelly, Courtney and Ben. Kelly, Trinity and Magnolia seems to be the first few to go home because there was only 1 of their look that was shown. Vi survived the early episodes I think but I reckon only up to the early half. The latina... April I reckon is in the early leavers group as well. The fat one! Darienne I reckon is also in the middle group. I have my favorite already for this season and it is Milk. The bitch is hysterical and I love her humor but there was also not much footage from upcoming later episodes. I hope she does make it far if not win. I love her matador-clown look arriving to the workroom, very weird and interesting matched with the subtle lips... I live!

 

 

What else have I been watching? I'm re-watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and upt ot his day I still hope I have that close bond with friends who I hang out with when I'm not working... But I don't, sorry 'bout it! I also saw Comedy Central Special, The Roast of James Franco. Its a lot of fun. I will be honest I wasn't too sure who James Franco was but I follow him on Instgram. Then I found out he was on The Wizard of Oz and The Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It didn't occur to me but I mistaken him for other actors like James Deen (I guess porn is still acting), one of the Jonas brothers... etc. The Roast was alright except for the Indian guy who obviously was pretending to be laughing when they were roasting him... F-ing hypocrite. I couldn't watch his bit; 1 he has annoying voice, 2 he has an annoying face and 3 he is obviously a leech. Sarah Silverman and Adam Sandberg were the best really funny. Most of the jokes are centered around his being always asleep, his sexuality (see picture below) and bombing as Host of the Oscars.

 

 

Music! I'm a bit late on the new Lady Gaga Album "Artpop". My final review? I'm not impressed. Unlike her previous albums were I liked about more than 60% of the album. This album... Um sigh... I only like 2 songs and the rest were the style of the songs that I didn't like from her previous albums. I like Applause and Fashion, that's about it.

 

 

Weather is colder and I am having a cold. But I was able to draw from iPad.

 

 

The Cholesterol Mind

20140108 - Chalice of Life

The cow in the meadow goes Moo. The cow in the meadow goes Moo. Then Farmer hits him in the head and grinds him. That's how we get Hamburger. Oh I miss Regina Filangé... Err... I mean Phoebe Buffay. She was supporting character but she is my favorite and for me she is lead character. I mean she is funniest and coolest. Although, she was a bit dumb but that what made her character work. I've been watching her best bits on YouTube, its more Phoebe less other stuff. Its a very good of relieving stress especially now that the weather is bringing me down.

 

 

Anyways back to reality, I won a Chalice courtesy of Stella Artois. I got 3rd prize which is he normal Chalice not the fancy crystal with christmas design and shit. At least I won and free stuff is free stuff. I can use it to drink beer, sparkly/bubbly or other beverage. It has very exquisite design. A star on the handle or base, gold detail on the edge of the chalice and the Stella Artois Logo.

 

 

Back to YouTube, I've downloaded my old videos to prepare to upload them to my new Channel. I'm no Vevo with all those channels and shit. I mean seriously, they probably are ripping off the actual artists' Google/YouTube profits. Anyways, its their contract so their problem. So I got my old videos down, now is to plan how to upload them like in which order. I got a poor broadband connection so uploading is a blast! Like, a blast in the past! Such BS of a service.

 

I guess thats it for now. Ciao ciao!

 

 

The Cholesterol Mind

20140107 - New Beginnings and Ugh!

I'm feeling very well tonight, I must've caught something from the office but I hope it goes away quickly. Of course it doesn't stop me from doing stuff. Tonight I made a new YouTube Channel, after I got a second strike warning I did thought of using a different provider but I thought maybe give YouTube one more try whilst I go for another. Its like mutually dating 2 video sharing sites. Ok. So I created a new channel, The Cholesterol Mind Official YouTube channel. What does this mean? Easy! More work, goddammit! Re-uploading of videos, resetting playlists... Updating my website's links... Ugh! I also have a new G+ page for this YouTube Channel. On a lighter note, I can make a new start and standardised everything. I like working this imaginative world that I created, not much people visit this being I created but its a good medium to express myself and guide me to an epiphany of who I really am and who I want to be.

 

 

What else happened? I started jogging again last night; but not tonight because I'm a bit light headed. I might collapse and fall at the park I jog at. So I will jog tomorrow night instead. At least I got that objective started. Bills... Last week of the month is great, I get my salary, my bank has money again! I'm not broke! First week of the month is hell! Bills to pay, and another bill to pay then more bills to pay... Ugh! I hope I get over this hurdle some day. So many dreams and wants, not enough energy, enthusiasm and guts to take the risk... WTF!?!

 

 

Not much going on lately, I've been listening to some old songs in the 90's. Speaking of the 90's, I have been watching YouTube Videos about TLC's biopic movie that tells their beginning, the bankruptcy, their climb back to the top and something... I dunno I haven't watched the movie yet. So now it becomes a he said - she said kind of story where the manager Pebbles says that it was false story blah blah blah. Its fun to watch them throwing accusations. It made me watch ANTM cycle 13 again because Li'l Mama, who was a guest on ANTM, played Lisa "left-eye" Lopes. I love my Nicole Fox, she made continue to watched ANTM Cycle 14 because Allison Harvard lost the cycle previously. I stopped watching the show because too much of Tyra's self-obsession. The last cycle I watched was Cycle 17, All Stars, because Allison Harvard losing twice was enough!

 

Obviously, I just spitting out jibberish so I will stop here and Que Cera... sara??? Whatever! LOL

 

The Cholesterol Mind

20140105 - Focus for 2014

So... like I said I don't have or will make New Year resolutions; I will make New Years Objectives/targets. What should I try to achieve in 2014? Let's try to look back in the past, stuff I tried to achieve... But before that some life events.

 

I went out, had dinner with friends from old work. Friday I have dinner with my previous team mates. We had Sushi/Japanese Buffet at Mong Kok. Its a 2-hour limit eat all you can buffet. They have order tickets, you tick/check what you want to eat. They range from Sashimi, Sushi, fried stuff, and hotpot.

Someone bailed even though he said he was free Friday previously... Anyways, the fishes taste good and fresh... Well not super fresh but at least not smelly. Last night, I had dinner with former officemate and friends from Malaysia. We had Chinese Food at Crystal Jade, IFC. The food was alright, and first time I had Tam Tam Min. Its noodle soup, spicy, sour and has peanut flavor. It was good but may not favor to most people because it has very mixed flavors.

So back to 2014 targets, let us start mostly are obvious and repetitive. First, health. I gotta start managing my weight, I need to be serious about this one because I've gotten pretty... PRETTY HUGE! Second, career move. I can't say its a target but more of decision making, whether to keep going on or just call it a day and just concentrate on where I am. Third, new language. I've downloaded a free app called Duolingo. Its Appstores best app of 2013. It teaches European languages, such as French, German and Italian. I've thought of learning either French or German. I've started before but never followed through... Just like my attempt to lose weight. LOL. I've started to think I have commitment issues.

What else? My projects and artwork. I haven't drawn in awhile... Or started and new project, which I should actually do alot more and promote my so-called online identity. LOL. Speaking of online identity, Youtube is starting to be a pisser... I will need to upload my videos somewhere else. Something I need to look into. What other online stuff have I been doing? I've been sharing a lot of songs from Accuradio. Not much online action, so to speak LOL.

So that are some oft he target points I have to focus on. I just hope I pull through and have more positive outcomes.

 

The Cholesterol Mind

20140101 - and the Calendar goes back to the start again

First day of the year, I honestly don't know what to write but it is the first day of the year and its obligatory to write a post for online identities. So let the random stuff begin! Beginning with a random pic my own Bear-band group picture.

 

First random gibberish, Resolutions. I have no resolution, no longer do any. I did try to make a list back in highschool, but I never followed any of it so after that I decided; no more resolutions. Other than not being able to stick to the list, it can also make you feel sad because it reminds you of what is wrong with you, or at least what society dictated that is standardly incorrect. So rather than dwelling on what is wrong, fuck it! I will just move along.

 

 

Second, NYE. For those who doesn't know what NYE is its New Year's Eve. I didn't do anything for NYE. I stayed home. I watched videos. I slept by 22:30. I just didn't bother. Friends weren't available and I didn't want to be a third wheel so stayed home by myself. There was supposed to be a huge fireworks show over at Wanchai Convention Center but after last year, I wasn't interested, because it was low and wasn't really much of a show. So scrap that. I didn't even have dinner I just had a bag of nachos and called it a night. Today, NYD, I got my first diamond. My mom got excited I reckon when she found out I pierced my ear. She is obviously against it up until I really did it. My dad I don't think mind. So she help me get a 0.18c diamond ear ring with 3 arms, at least I call it the arm, to clamp it in place. She got it like last Thursday or Wednesday... I forgot. I will get something bigger but maybe later in the future.

 

 

Third, American Horror Story. I finished the 2 seasons; I want to watch the 3rd season but its still running so I decided to wait until they finish so I want be left hanging. What do I like about this series? First, the story is different from the first to the second and event he third. So its the same set of actors but playing different characters and different story. The first season was like the movie "The Conjuring", a family moves into a haunted house and all these ghosts starts to terrorises them. What's better about this series than the movie is that *spoiler alert* everybody dies except for one. Even on the second season, everybody died except for one. The second season was about an insane asylum circa 1960's when crazy experiments can still be carried out and church was still relevant. By the way, I love their version of the Angel of Death. I love her, shew as depicted as an olderly woman in glamorous black clothing and her wings show up when she kisses people so they die. In conclusion, its a good series and worth to watch.

 

 

Fourth, another tv show its a Japanese one; 世界の怖い夜！ 今夜はサンタも絶叫SP. Its the latest one on the franchise. Its a collection of scary/ghost videos around the world. Most of the videos are fake but the shock factor or value is definitely there. In this special, like the previous one, they also had celebrities go to haunted places and sort of prove a point. So they went to an abandoned school again and they delivered of course! In the last part of the segment, they had a female celebrity hide in one of the cupboards to see if any activity will happen and of course it did! A black spot was seen sliding across the floor, looks fake but why not. There was also something that rattled the door of the cupboard that scared the shit out of her! Another thing they do is investigate local houses reported to have ghostly activities. They did it as well the best bit of the segment was when a door to the sort of attic... Its on the side and not the top so I don't know if its called an attic... Lets call it storage room. So the door opened by itself, and when the crew went in and film the door... IT CLOSED BY ITSELF! I finally found a copy at Youku, China's version of Youtube but I don't know how to make a copy from it. I also had a lot of trouble trying to make it stream because its sort of region locked to Mainland China. Anyways, at least I get to watch it.

What else? Video games, I've been playing Duck Tales Remastered. I never played the original 80's game but I remember seeing demoes at stores when I was a kid. So its a side scrolling game, You know? Megaman-ish but like Mario too because you have to stomp on enemies to kill them. Its a bit similar to the Chip & Dale Rescue Ranger Game. I wonder is they will remake it as well because its a good game. So back to Duck Tales, the main Character is Scrooge McDuck uncle to Donald Duck... But then the triplets also call him uncle as well as Donald Duck but the latter also call Scrooge as uncle. So I dunno where the family tree got lost there. So its a fun game, difficult I guess I recently got sucked playing video games maybe because I don't play as much. So the game is quite competitive, you go around the world trying to collect treasures, thats the objective of the game.

 

I guess that's it. Let's end with "All This Time" by Tifanny. That's all.

 

 

The Cholesterol Mind