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

Testing iphone ping.fm

Nice huh?!

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.

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!

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!!!!!

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.

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...

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!

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.

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.

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.

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'!!!

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 :)

Shaking things up

A big earthquake hit Mexico City today at 00:42, and since I have THREE exams tomorrow, I was obviously up and on a big rush of modafilin studying and reading. When the earthquake struck, I was doing an assignment about reading thee two articles (1) (2). And after that, I made this little report which I think turned out kinda funny and wanted to save and share with those of you who don't have access to Abdul's web page. If you don't understand it, read the articles. If you don't understand the articles: be ever-so-happy, you are a free human being!!

---

Reading this two articles took me two whole hours: 20 minutes on the first, 10 on the second, and an hour and a half pulling myself together from that nasty earthquake.

The first article, Back to Basics, really shook me to the core; this is the second article that we get to read on this course that brings down to the ground the educational paradigm that we receive at Tec: Java sucks. We know, we know... But the very VERY true statement here is: Making Java your programming foundation sucks even more.

Seriously, how many of you trembled just as watching the function malloc() or just looking at that scary '*' after char. I know I did. The thing is, we didn't start off with that, ergo, every day we are more like Shlemiel. Can we really become expert programmers in 10 years if we skipped the kindergarten of Computer Science? You may say that Vega, Escárcega or Muñoz mentioned it, but how many of you really learned it right? Did you consider it important at the time? Let that oscillate on your mind for a while...

Right now I have two new Java frameworks I have to learn and apply by tomorrow (Hibernate and Spring), and on the process of learning Aspect Oriented Programming. But, as one of my classmates said, it's until today that I know what malloc means.

Maybe that was the cause of the earthquake...

Coldplay

I know, I know. It's been MONTHS since my last post.

This terrible abandonment is pretty much due to lack of free time, and the little I get I use it to rest, watch some TV Series and such. But the real actual reason is that I haven't had any REAL motivation to write... Of course lots of things happen in my life, but none of it has been really relevant or life changing... 'till yesterday.

Some time ago, after going to Shakira's concert (whom I've always pretty much hated), I thought to myself: "I've been to a bunch of concerts, but never of an artist or group that I REALLY like", so I wasn't very familiar with the thrill of hearing your all time favorites performing up the stage, killing the audience with their every move.

Well, now I do.

I don't want to babble too much about this, cuz' I know from experience that nobody reads really long posts. I just wanted to share my experience with you readers readers readers readers readers ... huh, echo again!

I found out that Coldplay, my favourite (yes, I stuck a 'u' in there cuz, u know, they're British) band was coming to Mexico thanks to their great newsletter, that really paid off, cuz the tickets where out at 11 a.m. the next day and at 11:01 I already had mine so, GREAT GREAT SEATS. Actually, I thought they were 3rd row, but due to the seats placing, it was more like FIRST, I was as close to the stage as anyone could get.



I've always thought that Coldplay didn't give much of a show, since they don't really change their songs much when singing live... I WAS WRONG (John Locke, LOST). They're such great performers, Chris Martin sings, dances, jumps, swings, falls, and oh-so-many-more things up stage. They played songs that I NEVER thought they would play (such as Sparks, which is one of my all-time favourites). And I'm just gonna say that after, I felt as good as I've never felt in my life.

I took a bunch of up close photos such as the one above, you can take a look here.

I hope you enjoy, and if you have a chance to go today, GO... FOR ALL THAT'S SACRED, GO!!!

I'd love to hear comments from you.

Ponch, the one that flies at the Speed of Sound.


PS. Yes, I took ALL of those pictures!

Coming Soon

I have made two very interesting trips in the past weeks, one to Los Angeles and one to Guadalajara. I've been trying to write a lil' something about them, but I have less and less time by the day. So, my non-existent readers, I will have to hand you a raincheck and just tell you that I'll tell you my "Tale of Two Trips" soon enough!

Complaints on the comment box, please.

Ponch, the procrastinator.

Quickie

I don't have much time (not cuz I'm running away from someone, like Rachel Blake from The Lost Experience, or anything like that) but because I have TWO TESTS TOMORROW!! And also, because the talented author of those tests is none other than Dr. Bárbaro Ferro (yeah, I know, sounds spooky... WELL IT IS!!).

So, I just add this quick post to thank my regular readers (and not so regular ones) for their hearty comments. I really appreciate that you take the time to write a lil' somethin'; makes me want to keep writing!

By the way, congratulate me! I have just been promoted to System Administrator in the Spanish version of LOSTpedia. Yay!!!!

Regards,
Ponch, the Ferro-fearing administrator.

PS. I love you too, gorgeous ; )

Blog v2.0

So, it's settled! Ponch's Blog starts as of this day a new era in Internet history (?). By being written in English, I am hoping that MORE than three people will read my thoughts, ideas and hapennings (all of them with my 20 year-old grizzled touch) and that those nice readers will also want to comment on these posts (great, now I can use the word post-posting with impunity hehe) and give me some cool retro!!

So, I will keep you up to date.
See you again soon!

Regards.
Ponch, the history-maker.

Spanglish

Dado que es época de cambios en este blog, me he planteado una pregunta a mi mismo ya que carezco totalmente de visitantes (me lo indica el contador que está hasta abajo) y básicamente no se mete nadie que no sea de México, aunque hay uno que otro visitante perdido por ahí.

Bueno, la pregunta es la siguiente:

¿Debo seguir escribiendo este blog en español o cambio a inglés con la esperanza de que Blogger me vea y me mande más visitantes?

Para qué quiero más visitantes?? No se, por ego quizá. Pero es bonito que si uno se toma el tiempo de escribir estas madres, por lo menos alguien lo lea.

Tomen esto como una encuesta, espero sus opiniones en los comentarios.

Saludos
Ponch, el one que no can decidir.