It's not my fault I'm critical.

So I was reading the news the other day, and I came across an article pertaining to Schoolyard Bullying - or as Channel 10 news would pitch it, "A modern day battlefield for school kids".

Apparently, in Australia, there are laws that protect Teenagers from being bullied by creating large monetary pay-outs when schools fail to stop a child from being bullied.

The particular case I was reading on was about a teen named Ben Cox.

The story goes that Ben Cox was six years old when, for two years, he went through a phase of intense bullying and terror at the hands of a fellow student two years older than him.

12 years on, Ben is now seen as potentially never being able to enjoy the fruits of life, such as "...the satisfaction of employment..." He is said to be unable "to form any relationships, romantic or platonic." and as the Judge says "He has no friends and is unlikely to make any."

The truth is harsh.

Now, how much was this kid "rewarded" as part of his payout?
$400,000 Australian Dollars + A weekly pay-out for the rest of his life.

Now, why do I care so much about this kid who got bullied?

I can see why he got bullied, you know, he's just a funny looking fellow.

But that isn't why I laughed at this article (Its not his fault he looks like that, don't laugh!!)
Its because of the tag line below the image.

It says "Hurting : Ben Cox leaves the Supreme Court"
I can hardly see how this guy is hurting at ALL after having won such a substantial amount of money. And, being the kind of person who tries to back up the majority of his shit, I proved he was smirking with the use of photoshop!!

The general consensus is that when people smile, especially fat people (Like me), you will see a ridging upon the cheeks of the person. This ridge is hardly noticeable to humans, but when you take photos, you will leave slight shadow marks. This poor attempt at uncovering the fact that Ben Cox is in fact not really hurting is thus proven!! This guy smiles!! He's HUMAN!!


Some of you guys are currently questioning if I've gone mad that this isn't a very funny topic to talk about. I know. But I also couldn't help but see this guys face and think of one thing. One thing that serves as a constant reminder to laugh everyday of my life.

I swear, I knew I saw Ben Cox before.

Randomosity is a word?

Anyway, I wanted to talk today about a few things...

Like...
Whats been up?
Not much.

How's life?
Same same.

Why no update?
Playing my with my PS3 to much since I've moved it to my Computer screen for the HD port...

Cool, is it fun?
Yup.

Is it lame writing this out?
Yup.

Realllllyyyy?
As lame as a crippled man with one leg.

Phew~ Good we got that outta the way.

So anyway,

Who here feels that the new "Where the Wild Things Are" movie is gonna be rockin?

I think the movie looks so cool, I just can't wait for it to be released!!

The funny thing was, I never actually read the whole book as a kid (Yeah, I know its a short book, but I have my reasons...) but the main reason was that they looked creepy as hell!!
I mean, come on - The yellows eyes man!! They have some serious cataract issues...

Anyway,

If you have never read the book, do so.

But the book is in the kids section!!
How can I read the book if its in the kid's section if I don't wanna pass of as mentally retarded or a pedophile?!

If your like me, over 18 and way pass his expiration date at child hood, there is hope!! and it doth come in the form of...

YOUTUBE!!

Click the link for the animated audio version of the book!!

Where the Wild Things Are

God Bless technology!!

Anyway, why the sudden love for the Where the Wild Things are?

A) The trailer song for the movie is AWESOME!!

Arcade Fire is THE BEST!!

I knew about them from School actually, because of this website...

Its the Neeooonnn BBBIIIBBLLllleeee

Took me awhile to find out who on earth sang the song cause I forgot the link to the site. I've tried every word that you could possibly think that goes in front of Bible, except Neon...

But anyway, the song they played for the Trailer was a remastered version of one of their most well known songs, Wake Up.

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

Such an awesome song...I love it!! I wish they could tour Australia again...

B) Because I, once again pixel art'd something on MS paint and later thought how lame it was...but still enjoyed it deep down...

Click the image for the full size.

Anyway, as the great Bug's Bunny once said...

Thats all folks!!

Oh but wait, there is more!! (No, not really...)

Here are a few links to get hyped up for Where the Wild Things are :)
Where the Wild Things Are (Film)

PS : Did anyone notice how much more flawed the Wild Things are in comparison to the book from that trailer?! When did Wild Things cry?! I liked it when they were old school...you know...swaying their heads side to side and roaring at inanimate objects. (Hehe see Pathetic Fallacy)

Off-Road Segways are stupid.

Random post of today!!

Wanna know what weighs about 50 kilos, goes at about 12.5 mph (20 kph) , costs around $5500 US dollars and has a max travel distance of 19 kilometers? Introducing, the most useless invention of all time,

THE SEGWAY X2!! (People not included)

I just think the idea of the off-road Segway x2, or as some purist would probably say "THE MOST EXTREME SEGWAY OUT THERE", is just such an idiotic concept. I just cannot justify how someone could spend this much money on something so...so...pathetic!!

I can list 10 reasons why the Segway X2 is stupid.

10) You could not out-run a bear.

9) If you did out-run the bear, you could only run for 19 km. The bear could chase/stalk you for days.

8) I can't see someone doing extreme ramp jumps on this thing.

7) As the famous quote goes,
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
This applies for Segways aswell.
"If a Segway breaks down in a forest and no one is around to hear you, did you make sound?"

6) You can't do an epic escape like Vin Diesal in Triple X (xXx) where he gets caught by some Cuban Drug-lord Gurellias and literally messes their shit right up after. If Vin says it ain't cool, it just ain't cool.

5) Your gonna get involved with Physics nuts who will discuss how the idea of the Segway as revolutionary and the use of the gyroscope was stupendous. You know what else is revolutionary? The Jaffel maker. Whos the bloody genius who made it, huh?!

4) Your not Adam Savage of Mythbusters.

3) A bicycle could do all this...AND MORE!!

2) A motocross bike could do EVEN MORE than a bicycle, and goes beyond the call required by offering to do it faster, better and more Xtremely!!

1) Your gonna end up on YouTube like these cows one day...



Ok, I'll be fair. I do think maybe the Segway i2 (non-extreme version) is pretty radical. Hey, who wouldn't want to run over dog-poop whilst going round the corner for some lunch, or maybe you could just run over some poor person's foot and get away with it cause you'd have an epic escape. However, I would not pay for one, though, there is only ONE way in which I would want a Segway, and that is to...DO IT MY SELF!!

So, after lots of writing, and just ranting on how stupid the Segway is, I was so offended at the concept of the Segway X2, I drew one on MS paint to show my love for the piece of shit on two wheels, inspired by watching those cows face plant themselves (As shown above).
I notice that the image is really bad, but I can't fix it because I accidently saved my .bmp file over with a shitty .jpg file. I'm just as pissed as you are at the bad quality of the image.

WITH MUCH LOVE,

Randall.

PS: If your on Facebook, click ("View Original Post" at the bottom of my note to view the YouTube video).

Deadpool Movie Confirmed!!

HAHAH For those who read the post prior to this one (Iron Man 2 blah blah blah)

Here is another new post!!

DEADPOOL THE MOVIE IS CONFIRMED!!

Woots!!

Again, sourced from the Marvel newsletter.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVN'T SEEN THE MOVIE, BE WARNED!! ****SPOILER ALERT****

For those who have seen the Wolverine movie, READ ON!!

I think to leave the death of Deadpool as a mystery to the viewers of the recently released X-Men Orgins : Wolverine, would have been pretty gay. HOWEVER!! The secret ending after the credits in Australia DO NOT HINT THAT HE SURVIVED!! In the US, the after credits ending clip showed Deadpool picking up his head. Australia got jibbed with some bullshit Hugh Jackman in Japan drinking Sake and ends with a corny ass conversation of...

Women : Are you drinking to forget?
Wolverine : I'm drinking to remember~

Oh you suave bastard.

****END SPOILER ALERT****

So yes!! I think Ryan Reynolds maintains the role of Deadpool.

Go Van Wilder, go!!

Iron Man 2!! 7th May 2010.

For those who loved the first Iron Man as much as I did, get ready for 2010!! Why? because Iron Man 2 is on its way!!

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Iron Man.

Iron Man 2 Sneak preview Picture -Singular- <-- Click.

I reckon its cool how in the background, you can see all the Iron Man suits. Neat!! Can't wait for it!!

It sometimes pays off to maintain an online newsletter subscription of Marvel Comics since you were 12 :P

Oh and X-Men Orgins : Wolverine was pretty cool. Typical action movie filled with fighting, corny one-liners and awesome super powers!! Probably the best movie in the X-Men series that I've seen so far. Also, stay after the FULL LENGTH for a short ending clip. It varies in different countries, so what Australia got differs from what viewers in the US got. Lets just say, Australia's post-credit ending sucked. Bad. That is all.

Peace.

Easter? It was there...somewhere...

Salutations friend!/?

As with most people, I just had my Easter Holiday, which was quite a healthy mix of Stress and Enjoyment :D

I haven't updated in a while, maybe I'm just running out of material to write on. Or maybe I'm just to busy playing with my new PS3. Hrmm...

Well!! What weird and exciting things did I do over my "break"?

I've been sleeping everyday at 4:56 AM and waking up at 11:32 AM OR at 1:45 AM precisely. I generally wake up at 11:35, only to tell myself a couple more minutes, only to wake up at 1:45 PM. You know life is exciting when you can do that. Last time this has been happening was when I used to sleep at 2:24 AM and wake up at 10:11 AM when I finished high-school!!

Family came down!! My cousin Isabelle was here, hanging out with her 'cool' cousins and just relaxing with family. In the short 10 days that she was here, she was offered a Hair Modeling Job, went to Westfield Shopping town almost everyday, played DotA and dominated some biznitches, went jogging and ate pancakes :O I wish my 10 days of Easter holiday was as fun as that :(

Also, I've been having nightmares every time I've eaten Steak for dinner during this Easter!! Damn, now I have to add this to my list of "Nightmare inducing foods & drinks". Funnily enough, Whiskey is up there as well.

I've just realized how time consuming drawing is. I've drawn for 5 hours strait and not realize it. You know your that sad when you miss a South Park episode to finish a drawing of a an idea you have in a Lecture of a T-Rex with Machine guns and rocket launchers, because you were THAT bored. If your amazed at my drawing, should have seen the reaction of the guy sitting next to me in my lecture as I drew out a sketch. I couldn't tell if he was displaying a face of congratulatory awesomeness for my contribution to mankind or how stupid my idea seemed. I think its the first option, but I just like to think optimistically.


PS : I know its a shit drawing. That's what happens when you have no awareness what so ever about shading or depth. Remember kids, stay in school and go to art class or you'll end up like me D:
PPS : I will post a finished product on my DeviantArt account, which you can find the link on my Blogger Side-panel. Or you can clink on the link -> Cartenman DA Account
PPS: Hold shift and click on the image to see it in a larger form.



Annnnddd thats all for now :P Not much I feel like blogging about besides getting a new hair-cut, shaving and my new (well, 1 month new) camera (review coming soon!!).

Oh and I was reading in the news about a man (I think this was in Italy or some European Country) who had a tree growing inside him.
Apparently he had somehow inhaled a sapling and it lodged itself within his lungs and started growing.
He thought it was a tumor (and so did his doctors), but it ended up being a tiny little tree.
Hehe chest busters.

Peace!!

Randall.

Movie Review : Shinjuku Incident

YES!! Another movie review. Because I'm the only guy who would devote his time over sleep to please the unknown number of readers who read my blog because I am THAT awesome*.

*Actual number may be ready as negative.

Shinjuku Incident. To date, Jackie Chan's best movie in my honest opinion.

What is there to expect in Shinjuku Incident? Drama, Action, Comedy, Pain, Yakuza, Fighting, Assassinations, and Jackie Chan TRYING to cry.

I've been a fan of Jackie Chan since god knows when, I watched a good chunk of his movies growing up. Police Story, Police Story 2, Police Story 3, Police Story 4, Who am I, Island of Fire, and just alot more then I can even remember. Besides Jackie, I always loved watching films with Bruce Lee, Samo Hong, Jet Li, Batman, Robocop, Rambo etc... just to name a few. Rambo was a personal favorite.

Ok, some of you people in the Western World might not have heard of Shinjuku Incident, I mean, fair call!! Who here has seen Ip Man? Who here has heard of Dragon Tiger Gate? These are just a few movies I can think of that the average Westerner probably wouldn't know about untill a local release 6 months later, and even then, It'll probably just show on the local TV station on SBS about a month after at 11 PM. I'm happy to have heard that Shinjuku Incident was a global release. That means that I would have seen the movie the same time as some other goon in South America or Britian or...Hong Kong even!!

I personally see this as a good thing!! It brings attention from a totally different audience that there is a whole WORLD of creativity and absolute mind blowingly good shit out there that you can watch on your TVs or Computer Screens. I mean, want to know an example of a shit movie that incorporates Eastern scenery and acting? Babel. The sad part is that you get these art fart bastards who go "Oh, but its refined cinematography and strong emotional focus helps to promote a sense of awareness for deaf sexually deprived Japanese girls, lets award it!!". I mean, seriously, stfu before you overload my brain with your deprived social lifestyle bullshit!! Shinjuku Incident is just awesome. Its like a Chinese movie, done right, but also a Japanese Movie done EVEN MORE RIGHT. It incorpates two things I love. Fighting. And Blood. And Killing. Ok thats three, so maths obviosuly isn't one of my favorite things. But anyway, You KNOW it has to be good.

Ok, enough of my ranting crap, here is just a general movie synopsis I made up on the spot. A kind of "Write-and-go" style.

The setting is somewhere in the 1990's. "Steelhead*" (Jackie Chan) is a Tractor mechanic working somewhere in Northern China. He is in love with a girl called Xiu Xiu who is planning to leave to Japan to follow her dreams. One day, contact with the Xiu Xiu is lost when she is in Japan. Concerned, Jackie Chan illegally leaves China and makes for Tokyo, Japan. He meets with his good friend, and overall timid, good natured guy, Jie who helps him to settle down into Japan and to learn the lifestyle. Eventually, tired of being chased around, and being treated like crap, Steelhead and his gang of Chinese migrants forge their destiny and work for their dreams, along the way attracting attention from the local Yakuza and Taiwanese gangs. Eventually, Steelhead is embroiled into the lifestyle of the Yakuza and finds out that there is no turning back on his people.

*Direct English translation, Also, its a Nickname.

The movie is epic. The fights, are awesome. The movie really didn't hold back on just the sheer brutality of some of the scenes (An example being a guy getting his face literally sliced open). Nothing overly graphic, besides a few chopped limbs, but the movie is obviously, not centred for children. There is a sense of realism aswell in the story. Its none of this "I'm Jackie Chan, I can fly" crap. Jackie Chan plays less of his normal Kung Fu Master, and dons the role of just a normal guy, who is just trying to carve out his own piece of the world. However, no movie is complete with a few bad eggs and there are SOME truly awkward scenes. I won't name them, as it might wreck the effect of the film for others, as this is just MY opinion. How you feel may differ entirly from what I felt.

What do I give Shinjuku Incident?

To date, its my FAVORITE Jackie Chan Movie, and IMO, probably his best.
I give this movie a solid 9.6/10.

Watch the trailer to get a feel for the movie!!



PS: If you can't see the trailer, click on "View Original Post" Or go to

www.cartenman.blogspot.com <-- Copy and Paste.

Peace!!

Street Fighter meets Sumo Wrestling

I don't normally like corny home videos with over done graphic effects. There are the odd ones here and there which get my attention and I'm kinda like "Meh, pretty cool" and just move on.

This video is on a whole new scale. When my bro showed it to me, I almost fell out of my chair. It made me feel like the first time I played Street Fighter at the arcade. It was epic.



If you cannot see the video, clink the following Link.

Real Sumo Wrestling 1-4

But the BEST fight of all?

Hakuho vs Asashoryu!!
This is one EPIC showdown...



One again, if you can't see the video (Cause your on FB) either visit my blog at

www.cartenman.blogspot.com (Copy and paste)

OR

Clink the "View Original Post" button at the bottom of the note.

OR

Click the link...

Real Sumo Wrestling Episode 8

Randall.

RRROOOOADDD TRRIIPPP!!!

Thats right. I want to road trip. For some time, I've just had this feeling of needing to go out of the normal. To step out of home and just go for (As the Aboriginals say) "A walk about"...or in my case "A drive about".

Why?

For a few reasons...

1 - I want to test my new Camera
2 - It'll be a good experience for my driving
3 - I want to actually explore Australia
4 - I go back to Malaysia way to much
5 - Cheaper than flying home
6 - Puts me out of my comfort zone.

Where?

The Sunshine State, Queensland.
I'm planning to meet these towns...
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Fraser Island
- Whitsundays (Closest to Great Barrier Reef)
- Cairns
And anything in between.

If your around Queensland, contact me and I'll try meet you.

This list is not final, so if your interested in joining me on the trip and want a specific place to go, we can work something out.

When?

This trip is to take place in the mid-year holidays. Around the...

27th June to 17th July.
3 Weeks. Starting from the 27th. Arriving back in Melbourne on the 17th.

Note : These dates are estimated for around then. The trip could be shortened for reasons unforeseeable (Somebody dies...which would not be a nice thing, for example).

How?

Well, the title states the obvious, driving there should be interesting.
Its 1371.21 KM from Melbourne CBD to Brisbane CBD. The route itself could make that distance somewhere around 1700? I'm estimating. Or am I? Ok I'm not. road distance sourced from www.sydney.com.au.

Note : The distance is just an approximation also, but I'll take an intelligent guess that its around there. Road conditions may change that distance. I'd also have to take into consideration the speed in which the world rotates, air density, moisture on the ground, space, time and other unimportant aspects of life.

The drive up to Cairns MAY pull the distance traveled to about 3000 KM or more, or so I've read so far.

The time it takes to drive to Brisbane first, estimating I maintain a steady pace of 100 KM/Hour (Australian road rules suck). If I drove for...9 hours a day...I should reach there within 2 days. That is A LOT of driving. But realistically, knowing that I will break here and there for lunch with friends and various piss breaks...3 days. Around 5-6 hours a day driving*.

*My maths may be all wrong. Correct me if I am.

The most important part of the road trip? The What?

What are we gonna do day by day of being in Queensland?

I wanna see how it is going gung-ho all the way to Queensland.

I'm in the process of planning out a rough itinerary for when we are IN Queensland.

SO!!

I'll take this as an opportunity to express that this is an open invitation to join me on the ride!!

If you have a car, you are more than welcome to join me, in fact, I would say it were a crime that you DIDN'T join me!! Its like saying NO to free tickets to an Eric Clapton Concert with Eric Clapton himself!! Foolish.

But yeah, I'll be looking for certain characteristics to join me~
As I'll probably be driving the X5 (Or if I get a more economical car by then *hint hint mum and dad*) there will only be space for 4 people + Me. Hence, if someone else who has a car and is interested in joining, more the merrier :)

What am I looking for?
- People who can DRIVE!! (I mean, I can't drive ALL the time...)
- Good company. I don't want any of this egotistical bullshit and whiny attitudes. Nobody likes a bitch. I'm looking mainly for people who are pretty relaxed and good conversationalist. Critical assholes are not welcome.
- Self-sustainable people. I ain't gonna pay for your meals.
- People whom I know. No randoms please, although, good friends of good friends are welcome.
- No smokers would be nice. Nothing against you people who smoke, your choice, but I can't stand smoke in an enclosed area for to long. Makes me feel sick.
- Male or Female, I don't care.
- Age? Old enough. Old enough for what? To party.
- NO DRUGS!! I WILL NOT SUPPORT THE USE OF DRUGS.

Note : This list is not ENTIRELY final. I might grow immune to the menial effects of cigarette smoke because I am so awesome. You never know.

SO!! Read, reply, and accept my message. I want feedback please guys!! It would be great if I can confirm and get this trip off the ground by May.

Thanks for reading.

Randall.

Pay It Forward.

For those of you who don't know about my recent "Jum for Joyyy" moment in life, here is the general synopsis...

I had been inspired by my three Uncle's (two are my Mum's brothers and one my Dad's brother in law) to get an SLR for quite a while (All of which are avid hobby photographers. My mum's side both use the D700 Nikons I think. My dad's side is using the D60 Nikon). My friends Daniel Tan (a professional part-time photographer. I think he's using a Canon EOS 5D) and Paul Koh (A full-time professional photographer who is on a journey to climb the 7 top peaks of the world and has won multiple competitions. He's also got really small eyes. Hehe "love ya bro!! Not gay ahh not gay"...I also think he's using a Canon 1D...or 5D MK II) also inspired me to start photography.

After much deliberation as to what I really wanted as a victory prize for finishing 1st year and passing my exams I had chosen a 40D Canon. A piece of technology some would say was either a generous or humble start to my hobby photographer life. The choice of the camera was quite tough for me, being an avid gamer and graphics junky, I didn't really know a WHOLE lot of photography, however I always have appreciated good photographs and appreciated their art style. I also debated on the importance of obtaining my own images for Multimedia Design (which actually turned out to be the right choice!! They do require me to get my own images. Ball breakers...). It was either a PS3 + HD TV or a new Desktop. There was also the option of a fully built up Nissan S15 with an unlimited budget. Nah just joking. You must have been thinking "Camera or sick ride? Obvious answer...". But anyway!! If it weren't for my inspired state, I might have actually choose the first option.

So, after passing my exams and feeling awesome, I discussed with my dad the chances of getting an SLR Camera. To my surprise (My father by nature is a very macho styled man) was also an avid photographer back in his young days (Like me~) and thus supported my choice. Its a surprise for me to even think my father liked photography and knew so much about it. Its like finding out your favorite band was also a super-hero team that fought on different planets killing aliens and monsters and rocking out in style!!

Two days later, I get a call from my father saying he's found something even better...

My father was friends with a marketing head from a company called Compugate.
My father asked him for a cheap price on a Canon 40D with lens.
The marketing director gave him a better deal.
He offered to buy me the camera for absolutely nothing.

WHEN THE HELL DOES A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY MARKETING HEAD DECIDE TO BUY AN SLR CAMERA TO A RANDOM UNI KID?!?!

I am honestly touched and honored that a person I've never met would do such a random act of kindness.

Oh, and instead of a Canon 40D, I received a Canon 50D + kit lens.

From this day onwards, I will honor this kindness by never charging for my pictures taken with my 50D, if I were ever to get so good. This is just to share the kindness that was shown to me by Compugate.

Pictures to follow when it arrives on the 26th of March from Malaysia.

PS: This post kind of answers my current FB state. I'll be honest and say that I didn't know the story 100%. I would probably say I knew 75%. After some research and some...insider information from someone who has seen my Camera before it arrived to me, I now throughly have pieced together a more solidified scenario of what happened. This is the long story. Even though Compugate is one of the main distributors of Canon in Malaysia, sorry for the false love Canon. I <3 Compugate now.