I Can't Believe My Eyes

Boston Dynamics Big Dog




do you see that????

I mean really, DO YOU SEE THAT?!?!

damn.


next up --





- jv

Video Mapping on 3D Objects

I bet this required a SHITLOAD of math & programming







WOW. WOW. and WOW.



- jv

Nirvana

growing up, i would've done ANYTHING just to sit through this show!!!!!

note: this is a REHEARSAL and not the actual MTV Unplugged version that aired...





amazing!!

- jv

Proposition 8 -- The Musical ALL STARS!

My buddy Mike Mendoza brought this to my attention...it's GREAT!!!


- jv

Jack Black, John C Reilly, and it also has Neil Patrick Harris, Craig Robinson(darryl from the office), Maya Rudolph(SNL), Sarah Chalke (elliot from scrubs), and Jenifer Lewis(Aunt Vy from Fresh Prince)...she's the one who keeps saying "Obamanation" lol
-- Mendoza


ENJOY!

Plaxico Burress

hahahah dumbass



The New York Giants wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the leg on Friday night, FOXSports.com has learned, not long after being ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Redskins with a hamstring injury IN THE SAME LEG.

He spent the night in the hospital and the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The team is still trying to gather further information on the incident.

New Albums

I currently have some ENTIRE ALBUMS circulating on my playlist right about now..don't you love when the WHOLE album is good as opposed to buying a CD and only liking the single and maybe one or two other tracks??

Right now in rotation I have Kanye West's 808's & Heartbreak, The Killers' Day & Age, Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs, and Kings of Leon's Only by the Night. I mean, it's not just one or two songs but each and every song on these albums are really really good.

What I feel these albums have in common are that they are different then the albums prior, and I feel that the music and lyrics are evolving. The artists have taken steps forward and are working towards breaking new ground. And I know that not everyone will agree with me, but I applaud these artists for doing what they do. As cheesy as it may sound, I feel that they have poured their blood, sweat & tears into the creative process that went into these albums and it reflects in the music.

I'd love to know what you think, so check em out and get back to me!


Standout tracks:
Street Lights, Robocop, Heartless, Amazing, See You in My Knightmares


Standout tracks:
Losing Touch, Human, Joy Ride, A Crippling Blow


Standout tracks:
Cath..., No Sunlight, I Will Possess Your Heart, You Can Do Better Than Me


Standout tracks:
Closer, Use Somebody, Sex on Fire, Revelry, I Want You


- jv

My Ultimate Rock Playlists

Okay so after about 2 weeks of researching, collecting, and compiling I've managed to get a decent playlist of two genre's of music I love -- FIST PUMPING ROCK and MONSTER BALLADS!!!

Here's the lineup:

Fist Pumpers

1. AC/DC - Back In Black (4:14)
2. AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long (3:30)
3. Aerosmith & Run-D.M.C. - Walk This Way (5:10)
4. Aerosmith - Rag Doll (4:24)
5. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell (4:47)
6. Billy Squire - The Stroke (3:38)
7. Black Sabbath - Iron Man (5:26)
8. Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze Of Glory (5:35)
9. Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer (4:11)
10. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son (2:20)
11. Deep Purple - Space Truckin' (4:33)
12. Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me (4:53)
13. Duran Duran - Wild Boys (4:20)
14. Europe - The Final Countdown (4:00)
15. Foghat - Slow Ride (3:58)
16. Guns N' Roses - Paradise City (6:46)
17. Heart - Barracuda (4:22)
18. Joan Jett - I Love Rock and Roll (2:54)
19. Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (4:09)
20. Judas Priest - Breaking The Law (2:34)
21. Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone (3:34)
22. Kiss - I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night (4:05)
23. Loverboy - Hot Girls In Love (4:00)
24. Motörhead - Ace Of Spades (2:49)
25. Mötley Crüe - Live Wire (3:14)
26. Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2:52)
27. Warrant - Cherry Pie (3:19)
28. Poison - Talk Dirty To Me (3:43)
29. Queen - We Will Rock You (2:01)
30. Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize (4:49)
31. Ram Jam - Black Betty (4:01)
32. Ratt - Round And Round (4:24)
33. Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane (4:12)
34. Sum 41 - Pain For Pleasure (1:45)
35. Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock (3:03)
36. Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It (3:39)
37. Van Halen - Panama (3:31)
38. Whitesnake - Here I Go Again On My Own (4:36)


Monster Ballads

1. Aerosmith - Angel (5:07)
2. Bad Company - If You Needed Somebody (4:21)
3. Bad English - When I See You Smile (4:21)
4. Bonnie Tyler & Meatloaf - Total Eclipse Of The Heart (5:28)
5. Boston - Amanda (4:16)
6. Cheap Trick - The Flame (5:38)
7. Cinderella - Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) (5:55)
8. Damn Yankees - High Enough (4:18)
9. Damn Yankees - High Enough (4:18)
10. Enuff Z' Nuff - Fly High Michelle (4:16)
11. Europe - Carrie (4:31)
12. Extreme - More Than Words (5:33)
13. Faster Pussycat - House of Pain (5:46)
14. Firehouse - Love of A Lifetime (4:48)
15. Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is (5:04)
16. Giant - I'll See You in My Dreams (4:45)
17. Great White - The Angel Song (4:52)
18. Guns N' Roses - November Rain (8:56)
19. Jon Bon Jovi - Always (5:53)
20. Journey - Open Arms (3:20)
21. Kiss - Forever (3:50)
22. Kix - Don't Close Your Eyes (4:17)
23. L.A. Guns - The Ballad of Jayne (4:33)
24. Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne - Close My Eyes Forever (4:41)
25. Meat Loaf - Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are (10:14)
26. Mötley Crüe - Without You (4:26)
27. Mr. Big - To Be With You (3:20)
28. Nelson - Only Time Will Tell (4:16)
29. Night Ranger - Sister Christian (5:05)
30. Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn (4:21)
31. Poison - Something To Believe In (5:30)
32. Queensryche - Silent Lucidity (5:47)
33. Saigon Kick - Love is on the Way (4:25)
34. Scorpions - Winds of Change (5:12)
35. Sheriff - When I'm with You (3:55)
36. Skid Row - I Remember You (5:14)
37. Slaughter - Fly to Angels (5:07)
38. Steelheart - I'll Never Let You Go (5:06)
39. Stryper - Honestly (4:06)
40. Tesla - Love Song (5:23)
41. The Dan Band - Total Eclipse of the Heart (2:23)
42. Warrant - Heaven
43. White Lion - When the Children Cry
44. White Snake - Is This Love
45. Winger - Headed for Heartbreak
46. Winger - Miles Away


So I know the lists aren't perfect and I still think of new songs to add daily, but you know what? The lists are so large that I can't honestly sit there and listen to the entire playlist one song at a time, back to back...

Ya, I'm content



Poison

- jv

He's here to save us all!

Superman really has arrived!












- jv

Jollibee in Moreno Valley!

For those who don't know, Jollibee is like the Filipino McDonald's.

Seriously, the moreno valley mall's food court has become the Filipino Embassy hahaha

For two days in a row, its like a who's who of the mv, perris, riverside Filipino community up in there... we comin up!!


- kuya jv

Collection of THE BEST fist-pumping ROCK!!

Can you help me!?

I wanna put together THE ABSOLUTE BEST & GREATEST mixtape of FIST PUMPING, PARKING LOT PIMPIN' ROCK!!!!

my list so far --


1. AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long (3:30)
2. Aerosmith & Run-D.M.C. - Walk This Way (5:10)
3. Black Sabbath - Iron Man (5:26)
4. Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me (Historia Video Edit) (4:53)
5. Foghat - Slow Ride (3:58)
6. Guns N' Roses - Paradise City (6:46)
7. Heart - Barracuda (4:22)
8. Joan Jett - I Love Rock and Roll (2:54)
9. Kiss - I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night (4:05)
10. Loverboy - Hot Girls In Love (4:00)
11. Motörhead - Ace Of Spades (2:49)
12. Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2:52)
13. Warrant - Cherry Pie (3:19)
14. Queen - We Will Rock You (2:01)
15. Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize (4:49)
16. Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane (4:12)
17. Whitesnake - Here I Go Again On My Own (4:36)


whats cracken?!?! I want more more more!!!


- jv

Spidey 4 & 5 news!

taken from yahoo! news


Los Angeles (E! Online) – With its director and star in place, Spider-Man 4 is about to snare a Pulitzer Prize winner in its web.

David Lindsay-Abaire, the playwright who won the nation's highest literary achievement for his 2006 drama, The Rabbit Hole, is in final talks with Columbia Pictures to pen the latest superhero sequel, per the Hollywood Reporter.

Both director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire signed on last month to the fourth and fifth web-slinger flicks, which will reportedly be shot together à la The Lord of the Rings to keep the budget down. No word yet on whether Kirsten Dunst will be back as Mary Jane Watson.

The plot of the fourth installment is being closely guarded. Lindsay-Abaire will be the latest acclaimed writer to board the blockbuster franchise, following veteran screenwriter David Koepp (Jurassic Park), who wrote the first Spider-Man back in 2002; fellow Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon, who helped craft the story and wrote an early draft of 2004's Spider-Man 2; and two-time Oscar winner Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People, Paper Moon), who wrote the final drafts for Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3.

Rabbit Hole starred Cynthia Nixon and Tyne Daly and won four Tonys, including Best Play. Lindsay-Abaire is adapting a movie version, to star Nicole Kidman, and is also working on the book and lyrics for the upcoming Broadway musical Shrek.


Possible future looks/story lines?? EXCITING!!














- jv

Introducing Mr and Mrs Emil Bacalia

I've been to five weddings this year, and this was the most fun hands down!

Largely because I was INCLUDED in the wedding party and NOT employed as a photographer!

The wedding took place at St Patrick's Catholic Church and the reception was at the beautiful Pomona Valley Mining Company which sits atop a mountain overlooking the city, providing us with an amazing look at the city as we wined and dined the night away! A stretched Hummer Limo took us from the church to the UCR Botanical Gardens (for a quick photoshoot) then to the reception venue, and it was fully stocked with alcohol. It was great to see a lot of our close friends together in one room celebrating and having an awesome time. Singing, laughing, drinking, dancing -- we did it all and had fun doing it!

There was also a Halloween costume party in the club downstairs and we joined in the festivities along with the other party-goers.

Emil & Jennifer are my first close friends to get married! It's really a sign of how we're all growing up! I wonder who's next..

Everyone had a memorable night, and it makes me wish that people got married every month just so we can throw a huge get together and party it up!

Photos from the limo ride and reception can be found here --
Bacalia Wedding Party Pics!

The Bride & Groom








the last one sorta resembles The Last Supper doesn't it?? haha


- jv

So Powerful!!

Surfing along YouTube, I came across this little gem..

It brought me back to my old mixtape days!! I had this recorded on casette back in the 90's and played it over and over..it's so powerful!!




Meatloaf

Objects in the Rearview Mirror May Appear
Closer Than They Are


only he can give a song that title and make it fucking work!!!

too bad this isnt the REAL album version
(clocking in at a little over 10 minutes long with a suuuper rock instrumental)

ENJOY!


...and YES he is Robert Paulsen from Fight Club




- jv

Hooray for Birthdays!

WOW!!

I really appreciate all the love I got today

phone calls, text messages, myspace comments

you guys are awesome, thanks again!!

you make me feel like this --






- jv

Nerd Alert!

Captain America spotted in The Incredible Hulk DVD!!

Taken from the alternate opening sequence

(which was cut OUT of the original film)

pay VERY CLOSE attention, he's frozen in ice










- jv

For Once In My Life

Oh what a day...
For those tough times, Stevie has all the answers --



For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
Somehow I know I'll be strong

For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Oooh Someone warm like you
Would make my dream come true

Yeah yeah yeah

For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it hurt me before
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore

For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me

HE He He Hey yeah
ooh baby ooh baby

For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it hurt me before
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore

For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
Long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me

For once in my life
Yeah Somebody like my
Ooh baby


- jv

This Weekend

Damn these allergies!!

I've been sneezing, sniffling, snot rocket-ing, coughing and cussing up a storm because of this damned allergy induced whatever it is! ARGH

Sinus pressure buildup right behind my eyes and nose, and it's affecting my hearing..I feel like I'm listening to everything from behind a door. Seriously I'm over it, FUCK YOU SINUS PRESSURE!!!

Anyway this weekend is gonna be awesome, we will be celebrating Emil's bachelor party on Saturday and my birthday on Sunday!! Hopefully my head cold clears up in time to enjoy it all.
Fingers Crossed!!

Congratulations MUFUGGA!!! It's your last weekend as a free man!




- jv

The Dark Knight on DVD!

December 9th!!!
TWO Different Boxes!





Joker Version



Batman Version



and the Blu-Ray comes w/ this cool Bat Pod model






yay!

we should all be each other's Secret Santa's and make this the present, then everybody wins!


- jv

What a Beautiful Day

WOW, I stepped outside to run some errands and realized how nice and pleasant it was outside -- the weather is absolutely gorgeous!

Makes ya fall in love with life =-)

The perfect song for the perfect day --



Jason Mraz
Live High

Enjoy your day!

- jv

My Beatiful Nieces Alyssa & Kaylana!

Good Times with my favorite Twins!!

(click to enlarge)
















- Uncle John

JVPhoto in Studio!!

I know I haven't posted in a little over a week, but I've been busy busy busy!

Thanks to my buddy and fellow photographer Rob V I've had the chance to learn how to setup and practice studio shooting (almost 100% of my shoots are outdoor, I love the on-the-go feeling). Since the sun sets a lot earlier during the fall/winter seasons, I feel that this would be a great time to learn!

So I made a few phone calls and got some of my lovely friends to drop by and help me practice =-)

(click to enlarge)

Ila




Joy




Elnaz




My Mums, Ben & Faithy






Rob V Himself


Rob & Faithy



It was fun and I look forward to spending some more time in the studio, I still have a lot to learn!


- jv

Angels Baseball, WTF??

Seriously, a suicide squeeze with only ONE out at the end of a tie game??
It was a stupid gamble taken at the absolute wrong time, and now their season is over.

Oh well, the Lakers are back TONIGHT!!!
(vs the Jazz @ the Honda Center)





I know its only pre-season but its still exciting!! The only real LA team that I root for!!

GO LAKE SHOW!!!!!!


- jv

WaMu Noooo!!

DAMN, my bank got pwned!! (literally AND figuratively)

These are some tough times we're all going through, will it ever let up?

- jv



taken from CNN.com




A road to collapse

WaMu had been one of the most hard-hit banks during the financial crisis after it bet big, like many of its competitors, on the strength of the housing market -- only to see its fortunes sour as housing prices fell.

Following several ratings agency downgrades this week and a freefall in the company's stock, many analysts were speculating that the endgame for the embattled savings and loan was imminent.

Those fears sent WaMu (WM, Fortune 500) shares 25% lower in Thursday trading. Shares of the company fell another 73% in after-hours following the announcement.

In a press conference held late Thursday, Bair said WaMu was under "severe" liquidity pressure. As a result, its fate needed to be addressed this week, even as Congress and the White House attempted to hash out a bank bailout plan.

Bair added that the company was on the FDIC's latest so-called "problem bank" list for the third quarter, which has yet to be published.

All told, Bair said four banks made bids for WaMu but JPMorgan Chase ultimately won out when the auction was held Wednesday. Several other large institutions, including Wells Fargo (WFC, Fortune 500), Citigroup (C, Fortune 500) and HSBC (HBC), were poring over the company's books, according to news reports last week.

JPMorgan Chase won because they were "the highest bid and the lowest cost resolution," Bair said.

"It was our cheapest option," she said.

Part of the $307 billion in assets that JPMorgan Chase will absorb are WaMu's toxic subprime and option-ARM mortgages. JPMorgan Chase said it would recognize projected losses on the loan portfolio upfront by marking down the value of the loans by a whopping $31 billion.

Quite possibly the biggest losers in Thursday's deal are WaMu's stock and debt holders, who were effectively wiped out.

Among that group was the private equity giant TPG, which was part of a consortium of investors that acquired a stake in WaMu for $7 billion in April.

JPMorgan Chase reportedly had made a previous bid for WaMu around that time for about $8 a share which was snubbed by WaMu, according to news reports at the time.

Tough times for banks

The fall of WaMu is the latest turn in a dizzying two weeks that have seen the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) and the near collapse of insurance giant AIG (AIG, Fortune 500).

The widening credit crisis has prompted President Bush to seek from Congress extraordinary authority to spend as much a $700 billion to bail out the nation's financial system by purchasing toxic assets from banks.

President Bush, in a televised address on Wednesday night, said the nation is in the middle of a "serious financial crisis" that threatens the economy. "The market is not functioning properly," Bush said. "There is a widespread loss of confidence. America could slip into a financial panic."

Regulators acknowledged they were encouraged to get a deal done but JPMorgan Chase's Dimon stressed to investors that a potential bailout by the government was not a factor.

Nice Comeback!

Well would you look at that?
The PC/Windows guys finally strike back at the Apple ad campaign.






- jv

The Summer is Officially Over

So the Fall Season is here, and it's my favorite time of the year. The weather is just right, and the trees and flowers are brown, yellow, orange and red. I consider it the most colorful time of the year. And I'm only in California, I'd love to see how it is on the east coast where they get a whole array of colors!

The fourth quarter of the year is also my favorite because of all the birthdays in October (a bunch of my friends, including my mom and brother as well as my own) so it's a time of celebration..almost every day in October belongs to someone! We also have our holidays coming up - Halloween, Turkey Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve. It's like four months of straight celebration!

On Sunday, we had a nice get together at Zach's house for the First Annual End of Summer Barbecue, hosted by Zach & Joy. It was nice to see a lot of my friends at the same place just hanging out, relaxing, and catching up.

Photos can be seen HERE.









Thanks Zach & Joy!

- jv