deebeedee

I’ve been meaning to post this sooner. Last Sunday in San Francisco, I met with Mark of ClickMoMukhaMo.com and Gerry (aka Ibalik) of Dekarabaw.com. Gerry was in town for a short vacation. It was nice to finally meet these online friends in person.

We rendezvoused at the entrance of the Metreon then proceeded to walk past the Powell Street cable car turnaround up to the recently renovated Union Square. We checked out the new obelisk in the middle which had an inscription about the Spanish-American war that played out in Philippine shores in 1898. It’s funny how we all busted out with our cameras as soon as we got there. We felt like tourists.

We all hadn’t had lunch so we looked for a place to eat. We ended up in a Japanese restaurant in Chinatown.

  

After eating, we headed back to South of Market. We got our cups of coffee and sat atop the upper level of Yerba Buena Gardens where we chatted a bit more. Seemed like we didn’t run out of things to talk about. But alas, the meeting had to come to an end. Mark had a train to catch back home, Gerry had a later commitment to attend, and I had to get back home to help the wife study for her finals.

« Hide

Speaking of the Wittenburg Door, here’s their take on The Da Vinci Code, doggy-style!

Bad Judas–bad! Bad!

Here’s one internet theologian’s snarky take on The Da Vinci Code book/film juggernaut in Q&A form. Quite Wittenburg Door-worthy!

Yup, it’s from the same guy who gave us the cheat sheet on modern Christianity.

WARNING: Some spoilers ahead

I saw The Da Vinci Code last night with my co-workers (free for all of us - thanks, boss!). I liked it. I’m puzzled why it got such a low Tomato Meter rating of 17%. That’s like Deuce Bigalow territory. I mean a lot of reviewers thought it was bad. I could say, in keeping with the spirit of the movie, that it’s a conspiracy! The Opus Dei used their long reach and influence to coerce film critics in giving it a bad review!

But seriously, I’m thinking the reviewers, especially the ones who read the novel, had such high expectations that the movie just fell short. I guess that happens. I haven’t read the novel myself and maybe that’s good. I bought the paperback book for $4.95 at Costco last week but I haven’t had the time to read it. As a mystery movie, it was decently made. As for the controversial claims made in the book, yes, they were all there (or so I’m told by a co-worker who’s a big Dan Brown fan). But you know what? The claims were made by a character who turned out to be a nut job. So the feeling I got, and I’m thinking others did too, is why believe this guy? In addition, the protagonist lecturer played by Tom Hanks was presented as the level-headed one who somewhat countered the outlandish claims made by this person.

The main complaint of movie critics is that the movie was tedious and too long. To me, Audrey Tautou’s pretty countenance sure made it easier to bear. As for Tom Hanks, doesn’t he resemble Kyle MacLachlan in In Justice?

Although I haven’t read the book, I have a feeling Ron Howard did the best he could in adapting the book to film. He used enough cinematic devices to move the film along. It would’ve been better fitting if Oliver Stone directed the movie though. He’s no stranger to putting forward conspiracy theories. And if his film tanks, he could always blame the fundies.

Today was the Bay Area’s Bike To Work Day. I should know – I just recently designed SVBC’s* two blogs.

So did I bike to work today? Sadly no. But I did bike to the convenience store from work to get myself a snack. I hope that counts. This is what I used, my trusty old folding bike:

Since we became a two-car household, I’m no longer “forced” to commute by bus, train and bike to and from work. But in order to get myself a little exercise now and then, especially that it’s warmer, I thought of lugging around my folding bike in whatever vehicle I’m driving, then use my bike on trips to nearby places to eat during lunchtime. It’s less distance than I’m used to but I’ll take whatever physical activity I can get. I’m still carrying my winter fat. *sigh*

*yup, the top-level domain site needs work. Its redesign is soon coming down the pipeline.