» The 2005 Oscar's

Well, if there is one thing I care about this movie awards show, it has to be the visual (special) effects category. Yeah, Million Dollar Baby...Martin Scorsese...screw all that. Best song? Just forget it. Chances are is going to be a Walt Disney, feel good, cutesy movie (well, thank God this year's winner was "Al Otro Lado Del Rio" from The Motorcycle Diaries). Anyway, by the contenders I thought I already knew the winner. The nominees for Best Visual Effects were:

-I, ROBOT (20th Century Fox)

-SPIDER-MAN 2 (Columbia Pictures)

-HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (Warner Bros)

Obviously, the last Harry Potter was out of the competition. Cartoonish effects and although they were seamlessly part of his (Harry's) world, I thought they sucked, especially the Hippogriff flight scene...too chopped. Well, Spiderman. It looked a little too elastic. CGI galore. I mean, bad CGI galore. Could a man, even if he was Spiderman, move like that? I don't think so. Seriously, you can tell it's fake. Ok, maybe "Doc Ock" (Alfred Molina) appeared better, but then he was part machine: which brings me to I, Robot. I believe it's easier to animate machinery. Granted. But here is the tricky part: I, Robot had a machine that looked human. I sweared, that was the winner. It had a fully expressive performer (Alan Tudyk) that could act alongside human characters, instead of one, just jumping around buildings. Not to mention Sonny looked much better than the CGI Spiderman. Ok. I like Spiderman...It wasn't a awful movie either, but it certainly didn't deserved the Oscar for best visual effects this year.

» for ABC News, I'm Giovanni Toninelo

Well, I got the picture. But...WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? I looked in all Denver newspapers, I watched the news on TV, I even searched the internet. Nothing! But it was a mess at the intersection of Park Ave. and Champa St. last Friday. At least 10 cop cars, and the firefighters. Who knows...I guess nobody cares, but I got proof, damn it!

PS. (Mae, nao e nada viu. So uma fotinho da policia sem ter o que fazer. Eu sei que a senhora fica preocupada...Tudo Beleza?)

» Model Railroading Show - Colorado Convention Center

I took a little trip this Saturday. Actually, quite a few. To the Old West, to Minnesota, to upstate New York...even to Alaska and all by train. The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour came to Denver this weekend at the Colorado Convention Center. Man...I walked around for 3 hours and I didn't get tired of looking at the models (railroad models, ok?). So many, so detailed it almost made me cry. I got tons of photos here. If you think it's too much...Damn! I had to choose from more than a hundred pics...Besides, I think my dad will love it!

» Giving Harold a little exposure...

Last year Harold had an eye infection. A really bad one. Apparently caused by bacteria, since he was burrowing himself on humid compost soil. Well, he's doing so great this days. Eating by himself, hunting for crickets and of course, giving me the looks when I bug him: Harold at TurtleTimes.com

» Constantine...

People with imagination disabilities (movie critics) should not see this film...Constantine is all about look, sound and feel. Not much of acting, really. But then, on a film full of demons and special effects, who needs any brilliant dialog? Chas(the cab driver) complains about John mooching rides off him on the comics and I wish i had seen more of that...better interaction. But I left the theater happy. Keanu Reeves is the same, back to his usual monotoned self...which to be honest, it was perfect for the movie. Not a bad movie, but one thing's for sure: it's an mediocre adaptation. I was actually looking at screen shots of Constantine for PS2 and they look awesome...Talking about games, I just bought Breed. $5.99 at Biglots...God, I'm cheap!

» Post category: Random Ramblings

We got our new hot tub last Thursday morning. What a cutie. Friday morning I cured my hangover from Eli's visit, sitting in hot water and sipping cold water (it sounds weird). It fits perfectly in the corner of the court yard. We played with Nate and Joe last night from Born in the Flood. They blew me away! Great song writing and Nate has a voice of an angel. I, in the other hand, played really bad. Man, sometimes you just don't get in the groove. I feel bad for Josh. Actually I feel really bad for whoever came out to see us. Sorry everyone! I'll try harder next time, perhaps a little less bourbon should fix my problem. We made the Kaffeine Buzz Weekly Picks, though. Anyway, I had to do some weekly chores this morning, since I really want to go see Constantine. I took my turtles out in the sun for a soak, and to the yard, where I'll be building an outdoor enclosure this spring:

Seven got his taste of the warm weather yesterday, too:

I'm off to the movies. I posted some photos from the show last night as well. Gotta get the moped started!

» I'm back on business!

I'm ten bucks short, but I'm back on the streets (not bad!). They fixed the tire. At least now I know where to go. And man, the damned thing runs a lot better than when I got it. Jena played with the idle, and I'm able to take of with no sweat when I see a green light.

» Hot Tub on the way!

We went back yesterday for a wet test on our new outdoor hot tub. Jets and bubbles are working fine. No leaks! Tomorrow morning they are coming here to install it. It should be working by night fall. Here are a few pics of the tub at the warehouse:

» Are you kidding me?

After Jena and I dismantled the entire carburator, air filter and the works...we found out that wasn't the problem at all. A freakin' SPARK PLUG, dirty and covered in oil was the cause of engine malfunction on the moped. I have to say I'm a disgrace to my family as a mechanic. My grandfather was a mechanic for the Brazilian Army. Most of my uncles are mechanics, my dad is a autoparts wholesaler and even my brother worked as a salesman for car parts. I admit: I have no idea what happens after you put gas in a motor or engine. I suck!!! Jena rules!!! So this morning after breakfast, moped working fine, I decided to take it for a spin around the block, just to make sure things were like yesterday. "Man, the moped seams a little heavier... "I thought to myself as I pushed it out of the garage. A FLAT TIRE!!! Are you kidding me? So I tried to figure out how to take the tire off the bike unsuccessfully for about 30 minutes. Then I decided to call some places: Do you guys fix flat tires? - Oh, yes! I continue, but not sure: Well, It's not a motorcycle, or a two-wheeler...I have a moped! The guy in the other side paused and said: you know, we are preparing the shop for clean up, I don't think I can do it -Bastards! I hang up. So I push the moped up the street to a Mexican tire repair shop...the mechanic looks at me and says to his partner: usted vio la moto del pequeño cabrito? HA...HA...HA... Man, nobody has ANY respect for mopeds anymore. But they decided to take it in. As I'm here posting, I only hope they are fixing it. I supposed to come back in 45 minutes. Fingers crossed!

» So I'm on foot...

I took this picture on Sunday, before I left for work. It was a nice day and my ride to 17th street was a blast. I worked for 7 hours and I was looking forward for my first trip back to the house at night. It was awful. I could not change to high gear...I drove about 2/3rds of the way, till if finally died on me. Right in front of THE MISSION, which is full of homeless people and Denver's average street bums. It was like they were zombies...walking slowly toward me in small groups: Hey, bud...cute little ride you have...ho..ho... Another one: So, can you spare some change? And my big mistake (I lit a cigarette): Oh, man! Can I have one...Can I have one (in chorus). There was no way to get home, unless I pushed the moped. It would not start. But it was then, that someone driving by stopped: Is everything ok? said the guy in the car. I have a truck two blocks away. I can drive you and the moped home! I nodded and smile. I was thinking to myself if this guys was for real. Minutes later I had the moped in the back of his truck and we were driving to my house. He's name was Erik Velliky(with a k), and he's a broker for Coldwell. That was really sweet. He said he owned 6 motorcycles, and he could not leave someone stalled like that, specially in that part of town. So I made it home safe. And I want to thank Mr. Velliky again! That was SUPER NICE.

The Scooter Shop doesn't open on Mondays. So yesterday I decided to see if I had the "mechanic" blood that runs in my family. I took the gas filter apart, checked the fuel lines...but everything seamed to be fine. It still didn't start. Perhaps a new spark plug...I don't know. Today I'll take it for a tune up.

» Biker Dude!

So I bought the damned thing. A Moped Manet Korado. Super fun to ride and easy like riding a bicycle. I reached 45 km/h going under the Interstate 25 this afternoon...what a thrill (pretty good for 45cc). It's made in Czechoslovakia by PS Manet and it's powered by a Puch Maxi engine, which is actually made under license by Piaggio (Italy). Really comfortable, too. I took it for a trip to work, since I had to plan a route for tomorrow (yeah, I work on Sundays...). Ah...what a sweet little thing. Anyway, perhaps more photos tomorrow:

» Do you think I'm cold?

» Deus Ex (Game of the Year Edition)

Ok. I admit it. I'm a bargain shopper. 4 (four) years after its release, I finally bought Deus Ex. You know, it was only $2.99, I couldn't resist (HAHAHA). You can interact with pretty much anything in this game. Being myself a FPS (first person shooter) fan, I had a bit of a hard time getting use to game play, since on games like Quake and Halflife, the only thing that makes you succeed is how fast you can shoot or move. Here you interact with characters and you have a lot of choices to make. It's like a strategy game, but with a gun in your hands. I can't wait to play the sequels. Actually, perhaps in another four years....

» So January is really over....

My Birthday Week is almost over. I'm back to work today, once again. But that's cool. I went through 34 birthdays, and I'm still 30! How can I complain? Jenny was really sweet last Sunday. I even got a cake. I'm not listing my gifts, 'cause I don't wanna brag. OK? There were even, two boxes straight from Brazil: one from mom and another from my brother. Sweet!

Anyway, new updates on the Zerogerman Turtle Box site. It has now a video tour of the enclosure. It even has a shot of my living room (well, 1/2 of a second). So since I don't want you guys to squint, I'm posting it down here:

On Tuesday, Jenna and I went to look at hot tubs, and we ended up buying one (she did). I should've taken some pictures. It will be here by the 20th of this month. So, pictures then. Mr. Legrand will also be arriving in a few weeks, and that makes me really happy! We can start working at the house a bit more strong. Hardwood floors and the new kitchen will be priority. I gotta get this place together for my parents in April. Talking about mom and dad, here is a picture of my new sweater (mom is really good at knitting):

Sorry. My mom always said don't smile with your mouth full!