Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Happy Holidays!

There's a lot to tell, but I haven't had time to write anything. If you think about it it's actually a good thing. I'm busy and I'm happy. Things are starting to look better for old Ponch :)

Just wanted to wish all my non-existent readers a Merry Christmas. Enjoy your dinner, don't get bummed if it's not as big as last year, things will get better in 2009 (I've always hated years that end with an even number, odd years rule).

Have fun, get hammered and say hi to your family for me.

P

Friday, November 21, 2008

El 8

I know I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy. Yeah, you heard correctly. I'M BUSY NOW!! I'll tell you all about it when I'm not SO busy.

Just wanted to post a quick link to a blog opened just recently. The blog of one of my all time heroes: El "Maestro" Carlos Reinoso. Arguably, Club America's best player ever.

He usually gives his opinions on the Mexican Soccer League and the Mexican National Team. In this post, he tells us what he thinks is wrong with it.

El Rincon del 8: Mexico contra Honduras

Have a look and don't hesitate to comment. He'll surely read it and hopefully answer soon.

Talk to you later.

Ponch. (Who uses number 8 in soccer because of Reinoso)

PS. While you're at it, join HazzSports.com would you? It's my new job :D

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Part I

So, taking a little break from the movie reviewing thingie, I've started reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. I know it's a great book, but I also hear it's fairly complicated...

Anyone read it?? Do you recommend it?? Anything I should know before reading it??

Thanks!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

12 Angry Men

Something great happened to me today: I didn't have to go to work. Some idiot didn't renew my access permit, so if I can't enter the premises I can't work. Right?

Since I don't like what I do, I'm the complete opposite of a workaholic. I just LOVE my leisure time. My mind's wallpaper is like a huge beach with a movie theatre on the side, hehe.

So, I just finished watching 12 Angry Men.

WOW.

You know how some people say that movies and TV destroy our imaginations?? Well, they haven't seen this one.

It's about a jury in a murder case. But don't think for a second that you'll see a detailed recreation of the murder scene. Hell, you won't even see the accused. When the jury starts to deliberate, you know absolute zero, but they're 100% sure that he's guilty...

Except for one man.

All of the movie takes place in a very small room with no air conditioning (not sure those existed back then) in a very hot day. That's where they have to decide if they send the alleged murderer to the chair. And that armed only with their recollections of the trial, the defense of a very sucky lawyer, a very determined but pacient Henry Fonda, and a WHOLE lot of prejudices...

This leads to a movie that lets you take a stand. A movie that lets you imagine the murder scene, the murderer, the victim, the witnesses, and even the trial. All of this results in one of the most intense experiences I've ever had while watching a movie.

Needless to say, it's totally recommended.

The updated list:




1.9.1
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)369,399
2.9.1
The Godfather (1972)315,551
3.9.0
The Dark Knight (2008)258,393
4.9.0
The Godfather: Part II (1974)178,804
5.8.9
Buono, il brutto, il cattivo., Il (1966)105,210
6.8.9
Pulp Fiction (1994)309,197
7.8.8
Schindler's List (1993)204,814
8.8.8
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)155,660
9.8.8
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)215,898
10.8.8
12 Angry Men (1957)75,615
11.8.8
Casablanca (1942)131,288
12.8.8
Shichinin no samurai (1954)74,178
13.8.8
Star Wars (1977)256,542
14.8.8
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)274,322
15.8.7
Goodfellas (1990)168,753
16.8.7
Rear Window (1954)88,345
17.8.7
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)192,834
18.8.7
Cidade de Deus (2002)110,845
19.8.7
C'era una volta il West (1968)51,017
20.8.7
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)303,980

I'm really enjoying all these movies, hehe. I wish I could watch them all with you guys. Please discuss!

1 Angry Ponch

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Have you seen these?

Hey everyone (?).

As I've already told you, movies are what keep me going lately. Since the summer season is over and most of the movies at the theatre right now pretty much suck (except Tropic Thunder, go watch that one), I've decided to start watching movies from IMDb's Top 250 rank.

The thing about old movies is that it's hard to START watching them. Most of us have gotten used to seeing explosions and shit in the opening scene of a movie. These movies usually start slow, veeeeeery slow. But once you pass the 20 minute mark, get ready to have your mind blown. Forget about special effects, what you get is amazing actors and a plot that will leave you staring at the wall for hours. I just love it.

Here's the Top 20.




1.9.1
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)369,399
2.9.1
The Godfather (1972)315,551
3.9.0
The Dark Knight (2008)258,393
4.9.0
The Godfather: Part II (1974)178,804
5.8.9
Buono, il brutto, il cattivo., Il (1966)105,210
6.8.9
Pulp Fiction (1994)309,197
7.8.8
Schindler's List (1993)204,814
8.8.8
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)155,660
9.8.8
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)215,898
10.8.8
12 Angry Men (1957)75,615
11.8.8
Casablanca (1942)131,288
12.8.8
Shichinin no samurai (1954)74,178
13.8.8
Star Wars (1977)256,542
14.8.8
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)274,322
15.8.7
Goodfellas (1990)168,753
16.8.7
Rear Window (1954)88,345
17.8.7
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)192,834
18.8.7
Cidade de Deus (2002)110,845
19.8.7
C'era una volta il West (1968)51,017
20.8.7
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)303,980


Marked in green are the ones that I've already seen. The list will be updated very soon, I hope.

Have you seen any of these??? PLEASE COMMENT!!

PMDb

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Testing iphone ping.fm

Nice huh?!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Iphone Blog test

Just checkin if this works. I'm throwin in a beautiful picture too.

You iphone users (if any) can use this as al wallpaper. A shot of the great Estadio Azteca, mostly empty in a Socio Águila game.

Enjoy!!



PS. Yeah, I took it.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Movies keep me going

You guessed it. I haven't been posting since my life is boring, uninteresting and dull. I know, those are synonyms, but it makes the line longer and, hopefully, gives it more impact... Yep.

The only fun and rewarding thing that I have been doing lately, is going to the movies. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Kung Fu Panda, Get Smart, and (above all) Wall-E. This last movie gave me a nervous breakdown at the end. It made me remember that I chose to study Computer Systems because I dreamed of working at Pixar. Instead of that, I'm working at a fucking bank, one that treats people as recyclable objects or "resources". Pixar is still doing magic. And it's doing it without my help.

I simply don't know what to do. My job is boring, but the worst thing is that I'm learning absolutely nothing. It's more than obvious that I just don't enjoy being a Software Engineer, but here I'm getting worse at it every day.

Should I leave? Should I look for another job in Software? (risking to do the exact same thing but a two hour drive away). Should I look for projects on my own? Should I keep trying to get a job in production, earning nothing/almost nothing?

I'll probably stay in the bank till I rot...

There, I posted something. You asked for it!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Apologies

Sorry, I haven't had much time to write lately. Since I don't have Internet access at work (and, because work is a monotonous dull activity) it has been hard for me to write anything. I promise to try to get back to it as soon as I can.

Meanwhile, why don't you tell me what have YOU been up to. HA! Didn't see that one coming did ya'!

Ponch, the busy dull one.

PS. One relevant thing: America passed to the quarter finals of Copa Libertadores!! AWESOMEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Friday, April 04, 2008

No Fun

Well, first surprise about working for a big company that handles money: they're completely paranoid.

I cannot enter the building with USBs, CDs, DVDs, iPod, Palm, nothing... Which means no music, which means no "whistle while you work" or "spoonful of sugar" or anything like that... If they try to take my Blackberry I'll quit on the spot... I think.

To make it worse, I think some guy of my team screwed up at some point and now we don't have the password for the proxy, which means NO INTERNET!!! Soooo I better start learning the Java API by heart, that should be easy... Btw, I know, no Internet also means no instant messaging...

Will I get used to this total lack of contact to the outside world?? Make your bets!!!

PS. I'll try to post a lot more from that cool phone publishing feature I discovered a while ago. Feedback will be necessary in order to avoid insanity.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Ok, I give up

Couldn't stand it anymore.

The unbearable lack of activity (and money) forced me to take desperate measures and take a job as a Java Web Developer/Analyst. The job is not that bad, it will allow me to learn a lot in areas that I know I suck at, and probably will allow me to get the knowledge needed to start a company in the future. Who knows, I might even get to like it...

For now, that's all I'm asking for: to learn a lot. I'll have to put my dreams on hold...

Monday, March 24, 2008

Hurley Blue Man Group Stamp

You know, I'm a LOST fan and thought this was pretty funny, hehe.

As featured on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (Friday, March 14 show). One of the fake US Postal Service's stamps, presenting Celebrity Members of the Blue Man Group, haha. Awesome!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Film School

After just turning down an important job offer today, I find this.

A few hours ago, my Mom said: "everything happens for a reason". I really REALLY hope this is it.

It's expensive, it's hard. It's perfect. Short enough to let me find out if I really have a shot at this; important enough to actually let me learn the stuff I need to find out.

Currently I don't have two cents, and I'm not sure I'm getting support to do this... So, any ideas? I have a couple of months to get semi-rich.

Ponch, will dance for tuition.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Phone Test

According to this, I can publish posts directly from my blackberry which is pretty cool. This post is a test to see if its true or I fell for those damn gipsy tricks again...

ECHOOOO!!

XNA

I'm getting kind of bored of doing nothing. By nothing I mean not having a fixed activity, because actually I have a bunch of things to do and read, but this lack of order gets old... Who would have knew.

My old sasquatch-looking friend, Maycotte (whose blog inspired this blog and you can read by clicking on the link to the right), made me discover some awesome framework for video game development called XNA (Microsoft). Game development was the reason I studied Computer Systems in the first place, so this could be a good thing. If you ask me, Video Games are the perfect balance between computers and movies.

There's a little problem: my laptop's a Mac. I can't carry XNA code around... I knew this would backfire sooner or later!

If I get to study it deeply and do something nice, I'll show you right here.

By the way, watch L O S T. It's just too awesome to be true. And download some Les Luthiers songs, that will make you happy.

Ponch,
The increasingly desperate one.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Cover Letter

Not much has really happened since my last post. My life is pretty much on hold since the totality of my short-term future was centered around the infamous interview. So, my time is pretty much dedicated to: a) Looking for a job that makes me happy, b) Watching American series & Talk Shows, c) Learning jQuery (a very cool AJAX framework), d) Eating like a pig. In that order.

Of course, of all these things, the only one that really matters is looking for a job. I know I'm in no position to be picky, but before I'm pushed to take the first offer that comes my way, I'm looking -as you already know- for something in production, and very much preferably in the US.

Looking for a job in the US is no easy task, specially when you're not an American citizen and you have virtually no experience in the field. So, if you want to stand a chance (and even then, it's a long shot), you have to write one hell of a cover letter. For those of you who are not familiar with the term, a cover letter is a brief text that tells the employer why you want the job and why would you be any good at it. Sometimes, it will be the difference between even LOOKING at your resume and throwing it out.

So, I wrote a cover letter which I hope will allow me to get a Production Assistant position. I present it to you:


Dear Hiring Manager:
This letter is to express my interest in discussing the Production Assitant position posted on (whatever).

As you will see on my resume, I have recently obtained a B. Sc. in Computer Science. Being a person that likes to finish what is started, I completed school successfully, graduating with honors. But now I’m looking to follow my lifelong dream of working in Production.

This opportunity is very appealing since it will allow me to learn a lot and prove my skills, expecting to become a very valuable asset. I strongly believe that working hard and paying one’s dues are the keys to success. Hopefully you will find that my creativity, energy, motivation, and skills will make me a very competitive candidate for this position.

The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Creativity in generating new ideas, as well as in problem solving
• Remarkable attention to detail
• Great eagerness to learn new things
• Enthusiasm and easy-going personality
• Organizational skills, due to project management studies
• Never-ending passion for anything involving production.

My experience is limited to a little amateur writing and producing, but be sure that I will learn whatever’s necessary to be the best at this position. Please refer to my resume for additional information.

I am 100% willing to relocate and travel as necessary. I can be reached anytime via my cell phone, (bla bla bla). Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity.

Sincerely,
(Ponch, the desperate one. )



So, please tell what do you think! Is it any good? Would YOU hire me? Should I change anything? Comment!

Sincerely,
Ponch, the twice as desperate one.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

RSS

Well, I figured since you'll all be reading my very updated blog very frequently, then you might as well subscribe with an RSS Feed reader!!

I strongly suggest Google Reader, which has changed my life over the last few weeks. It keeps me informed in an obsessive but subtle way.

Here's the link for GReader, and right there on your right, next to the T-Rex you can find the big RSS icon to subscribe.

So go ahead and subscribe!! I'm not kiddin'!!!

Monday, January 28, 2008

A.C.

Almost a year ago, a fellow named Ponch wrote the last of his blog posts knowing that no one would read it. After getting no comments, he thought to himself: "I think this is the last time I do this, if I want to talk to myself I might as well talk to my bedroom walls", so he stopped writing for a long long time.

Many things happened to him since then: he won a trip to Venezuela for the Copa America, he learned that he was interviewing with Microsoft, he graduated from college, he went to one of the greatest concerts he has ever seen, courtesy of Mr. Billy Joel; he went to Argentina, where fulfilled a lifetime dream of his, seeing Les Luthiers live; and finally, amongst many other things that aren't as important, he went to Seattle to undergo the above mentioned interview process...

...which didn't go very well. This made Ponch very sad and make him feel very very stupid, he wanted to blame everyone and everything. He wanted this so bad and was gonna be great for him in oh so many ways. But the worst part is that he had a terrible feeling that he let everyone down, since everyone was so sure that he was going to do great... except him of course.

In the middle of this depression, and in the process of updating his resumé (you know, to start sending it around the next day) he entered the web page of Junior Achievement Mexico to search for their address, yes, the ones that he had worked for years ago as a writer and TV show host for the International Entrepreneurs Forum (FIE). "Wow, they have a YouTube channel", he said to himself, "I wonder if they uploaded my videos..."

Enough with the third person narrative. I came across these:







See I wrote those, all by myself. I am the narrator in all three of them. I did the voices, the sound editing and you might say the directing too. That's me also presenting videos 2 and 3 (yeah, I used to be thin too). You know what? I looked at this and at first they made me smile, then they made me laugh (yes, like watching a comedy video done by anyone other than me) and then they made me cry.

When I had the time, when I wasn't a Computer Systems Engineer, when my future did not depend on learning graphs and binary trees, I did this. I also wrote songs. It didn't come to me THAT easy, but I enjoyed every single step of the way. Yesterday, when I looked at these, I was free of the indifference that has taken over me about EVERYTHING in the last few years. I was happy. This is what I want to do with my life.

Now the question is: how?

This is what I'll be focusing on from now on. I'll do anything on my power to do this kind of stuff and earn some money doing it. Don't get me wrong, I don't plan to flush my major down the toilet, so I'll keep studying just in case something good comes by. Maybe flunking the interview wasn't so bad, maybe it wasn't the right time, maybe I'm supposed to do something else, or prepare a LOT better. But be sure of this, I WON'T let this old creative Ponch die... More creative, funny, happy to come.

Any suggestions on how will I be achieving this dream of mine, please don't hesitate to comment. SO COMMENT!

Regards and the best for 2008.

Ponch, AC. (After Creativity)



PS. The graphics, the editing and the invaluable final touch of the videos were provided by my Guatemalan friends Pedro, Gerardo and Eddie. Which I very much hope to work with again someday.
PS2. The videos, are parodies (with all due respect of course), done for FIE. Salón del Empresario, Coca-Cola, and larger than life Jaime Santibáñez. Enjoy :)
 
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