tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-130269582024-03-07T01:17:01.157-08:00Mau's Semi-Regular BlogMauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-67106966981285029892015-12-23T20:38:00.002-08:002015-12-23T20:38:26.846-08:00YepI'm going to revive this old thing.
More soon!Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-68786054768612262962008-07-07T21:32:00.000-07:002008-07-07T21:50:04.362-07:00Livres du moisSo... <span style="font-weight: bold;">His Dark Materials</span> trilogy was.... nice. Extremely well written. I see why Pullman won awards for it. And that's about it... I never really understood how the supposed significance of some characters came into play. Bah...<br /><br /> I also finished <span style="font-weight: bold;">Across the Nightingale Floor</span>. This is the 1st book of the Tales of The Otori by Lian Hearn. It was extremely entertaining and very very easy to read. Now, I have to finish some other books I had on hold before I jump back to this series. But I'm really looking forward to reading <span style="font-weight: bold;">Grass for His Pillow</span> (the 2nd part).<br /><br /> Right now I'm about a third of the way through <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Black Dahlia</span> by James Ellroy. Very good and also very graphic. Unfortunately some of the "cop slang" from the 40's is lost on me... But so far... a very intriguing story. This is the same author who wrote <span style="font-weight: bold;">LA Confidential</span>... which I haven't read, but might if the Dahlia delivers as I have been promised...<br /><br /> And this weekend, a good friend let me borrow <span style="font-weight: bold;">El Juego del Angel</span> by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. An amazing Spanish author who wrote <span style="font-weight: bold;">La Sombra del Viento</span>. An excellent read.<br /><br /> So there! I hope everybody had a good 4th!!!Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-33280526207088897242008-05-02T08:51:00.000-07:002008-05-02T09:22:09.531-07:00Books update!Trying to get the blog going a bit more....<br /><br />For the most part, I find traditional Japanese literature quite hard to grasp. Specially since, as with most Japanese cultural aspects, the subtleties and nuances of the work represent and/or mean something else. And my lack of proper knowledge on understanding these subtleties still gets me lost.<br /><br />Luckily, a good friend of mine and his wife pointed me in a very good direction with contemporary author Haruki Murakami. INCREDIBLY smart writer. He balances fictional and factual remarkably well. I'm impressed with this guy.<br /><br />I bought:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MDE9NVX3LsIv48yNN24LBoUgiBC6d_CaxmlhFhUxjENXRIMRhczWFcejVKro04vY4HzXvP84Yw7kszbDkwLYHEIGlYAIm8NHsKbjqBoCmr3swYZbltfHCBeuV_QDhRiS7njH/s1600-h/murakami.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MDE9NVX3LsIv48yNN24LBoUgiBC6d_CaxmlhFhUxjENXRIMRhczWFcejVKro04vY4HzXvP84Yw7kszbDkwLYHEIGlYAIm8NHsKbjqBoCmr3swYZbltfHCBeuV_QDhRiS7njH/s320/murakami.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195811623871374594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is a small collection of short stories by Murakami. An excellent introduction to his work. I haven't enjoyed a book from a Japanese author so much since I discovered (by accident) Kawabata's <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Thousand Cranes</span>.<br /><br />So, strongly recommended.<br /><br />Also, I'm 3/4 of the way done with Pullman's <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Golden Compass </span>from the His Dark Materials Trilogy of books. Yet another gifted writer. Good flow, engaging and entertaining. I'm having a lot of luck with books this year!<br /><br />I should say I was forewarned about the trilogy not being as engaging as a whole, but I reserve judgement until I'm done.<br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/MAURICIO/LOCALS%7E1/TEMP/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><br />READ!<br />m.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-65208743799240588202008-04-07T23:20:00.000-07:002008-04-07T23:43:49.450-07:00Recent Mention-worthy Musical Discoveries...<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">1)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Paramore - RIOT!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/mvl2112/riot.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This girl can SING!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">2)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> The Hives - The Black and White Album</span><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/mvl2112/bnwalbum.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Really, what else do you need in your player?</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">3)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Trilok Gurtu & Robert Miles - Miles_Gurtu (COLLABORATION)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/mvl2112/miles_gurtu.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This is a bit of an acquired taste... but it's amazing non the less.</span><br /><br /><br />...to be continued.<br /><br />*edit: I <span style="font-weight: bold;">can't</span> wait for third (by Portishead) ... I have high expectations for that one!Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-90037463642361655902007-09-11T11:17:00.000-07:002007-09-11T11:25:25.026-07:006 Years<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIETgb3G48wy_jbLTd5JVcdPOWVBp0UQYW8q6k6uvxlCuoaIQ1tkHS4I6ngPDhSDErDCU3t_8awiKKVamCEnQNzdJvj6flDSVPASpGLvj5ryYH4HM_iJHdvXQ7U_KD_K6EKHXL/s1600-h/black+ribbon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109014183894826498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIETgb3G48wy_jbLTd5JVcdPOWVBp0UQYW8q6k6uvxlCuoaIQ1tkHS4I6ngPDhSDErDCU3t_8awiKKVamCEnQNzdJvj6flDSVPASpGLvj5ryYH4HM_iJHdvXQ7U_KD_K6EKHXL/s320/black+ribbon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> It's important to me, since I grew up in a country that had to deal with terrorism for decades, to pause for a moment and reflect about the meaning of Sept 11th. Also, to think about what has really happened here and abroad since that horrible morning back in 2001.</div><br /><div> But mainly, I hope this is a date will always remind people of the things that really matter: tolerance, understanding and the ability to learn from others and their perspectives.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Mau.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1647771373393781902007-05-30T20:46:00.000-07:002007-05-30T20:58:33.138-07:00So...This year has been a year of change. Good ones at that!! Went home after waaaay to long... Saw Machu Picchu for the 2nd time in my life and it's still as AMAZING as I remembered it. Got to see almost all of my closests friends. Most of them looking quiet grown up! Also, Kim and I are going to Ohio to visit my in laws in Sept. And I'm still clinging to my idea of going to Japan in Nov (wallet permitting...)<br /><br />The main change has been the professional focus. I decided some of my personal goals were being pushed back too much based on finances (arrrrg money!!) So I made up my mind and switched back to my 2nd trade, which is business. So far it has worked out INCREDIBLY well. And it has allowed me to reconsider the actual possibility of buying a home in CA... which is, by today standards, no small feat.<br /><br />Animation is still a passion and I am not willing to give it up. I just rather do it on my own... to full fill my own visions and prospects, rather than working on somebody else's goals. And all this tumult has kept me away from the blog, the artistic circle and from posting on other people's blogs. Some of those blogs are no more! And that was sad to see... but hey, we've all got things to do and sometimes the internerd needs to be pushed back... Life goes on.<br /><br />Regardless, I want to post some tests I have worked on. I'll put them on youtube and then I'll share them here. That way I can force myself to stay "sharp". Art can be so ungrateful when you neglect it...<br /><br />In the meantime, my little "semi-regular" blog goes on...Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-70472073983525151252007-05-29T21:53:00.000-07:002007-05-29T21:58:38.962-07:00Long time no see... or write<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnys4vw-gvHK7IstOR5sPuCE8C_SeKisAIKKX50yj26rxes6m2DMDmLw0jOxIAwh89uOkQ8e1vICkbC932HUYsPIr7tErOCThHf6jj6jkGigUI9fqgeKXayKuiyeoYfmfUp39/s1600-h/small.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070213663937577954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnys4vw-gvHK7IstOR5sPuCE8C_SeKisAIKKX50yj26rxes6m2DMDmLw0jOxIAwh89uOkQ8e1vICkbC932HUYsPIr7tErOCThHf6jj6jkGigUI9fqgeKXayKuiyeoYfmfUp39/s320/small.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've been away for a good while, but updates are coming!<br />PROMISE!!!</div>Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-33666606335391683692006-12-30T20:19:00.000-08:002006-12-30T20:21:16.068-08:00Happy New Year!!!May 2007 bring peace, joy and success!! (and good music, good movies, good concerts...etc etc etc) Speaking of good movies, finally saw Happy Feet... LOVED it.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-53095365536728270332006-11-21T20:05:00.000-08:002006-11-21T20:06:22.559-08:00Said it for a while...#1 at the box office?<br /><br />Happy Feet.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1159382568794908622006-09-27T11:42:00.000-07:002006-09-27T11:42:48.813-07:00Always back to the basics...I was struggling with a bit of work last week and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why on earth it wasn't "working"... I liked the timing, the spacing was good... but something was wrong... it felt wrong. So I left the scene on stand by for a couple days (it's always good to keep your eyes <span style="font-style: italic;">fresh</span>).<br /><br /> When I went back to it I figured out why. And yet again, I had to slap myself in the forehead. I wasn't paying attention to the rules. I got caught up in the details and forgot the structure. My contact poses were not hitting on a straight. Bah!<br /><br /> So today's reminder is... legs always hit contact positions on a straight...<br /> Gotta love animation.<br /><br /> mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1159381579937429202006-09-27T11:19:00.000-07:002006-09-27T11:26:19.953-07:00Oooohh Yeah!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/1600/Portishead%20Logo.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/320/Portishead%20Logo.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Their 3rd album is coming!<br /><br />It's a happy happy day!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.BethGibbons.com">Clicky</a><br /><br />mauMauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1158351131175439202006-09-15T13:08:00.000-07:002006-09-15T13:12:11.196-07:00Pretty in Pink<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/1600/Avon%20Walk%20tshirt%202006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/320/Avon%20Walk%20tshirt%202006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Kim and I volunteered as crew for the 2006 Avon Breast Cancer Walk. We will be part of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Gear and Tent Team</span>. It's pretty exciting and I'm really looking forward to it! Even though we start tomorrow at about 5am and pretty much don't stop until Sunday night. Definitely worth it though. Hopefully there will be time to snap some pics.<br /><br />mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1157992589526990522006-09-11T09:34:00.000-07:002006-09-11T09:36:29.540-07:00Do Not Forget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/1600/black%20ribbon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/320/black%20ribbon.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Never forget.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1157052594801415242006-08-31T12:28:00.000-07:002006-08-31T12:29:54.816-07:00James Baxter Rough AnimationThis is some of the work of my teacher's teacher.<br /><br />!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WcydhJ-_eu0"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WcydhJ-_eu0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />mauMauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1156973921719474362006-08-30T14:38:00.000-07:002006-08-30T14:38:41.746-07:00This is awesome!<br /><br /><a href="http://dslrblog.com/blog/chris-garrett/animated-long-exposure-photographs/">clicky<br /></a><br />mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1154641087012310142006-08-03T14:37:00.000-07:002006-08-03T14:38:07.033-07:00I've been saying it all along...This movie is going to be amazing~!<br /><br /><a href="http://www2.warnerbros.com/happyfeet/">Happy Feet</a><br /><br />Go check Trailer #3<br /><br />mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1154639463850539912006-08-03T14:10:00.000-07:002006-08-03T14:11:03.863-07:00Oh man...This is hillarious<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5blbv4WFriM"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5blbv4WFriM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />thx JKrewMauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1153199923097243022006-07-17T22:17:00.000-07:002006-07-18T08:58:52.470-07:00One of the things that's been keeping me busy<span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.mauriciovasquez.net</span><span style=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /></span>It's not too fancy, but I'm happy... for now.<br />Besides that, que calor!!<br /><br />mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1150476089069142512006-06-16T09:38:00.000-07:002006-06-16T09:41:29.096-07:00VAMOS VAAAMOS!!!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/1600/argentina2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2689/1129/320/argentina2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Argentinaaaaa!!!<br /><br />6-0!!!Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1150131537856039022006-06-12T09:58:00.000-07:002006-06-12T10:43:11.183-07:00Japan - AustraliaWhat a Game!!!<br /><br />Australia scored 3 goals in the last 6 minutes!!!<br /><br />amazing.<br /><br />mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1150131372894542652006-06-12T09:51:00.000-07:002006-06-12T09:56:12.896-07:00CARS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/mvl2112/stuff/cars_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/mvl2112/stuff/cars_small.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Movies like this remind me why I love my career so so much. Pixar hasn't lost it's touch! Not to be a fan boy but they are as great as ever!! And One Man Band was amazing too!!<br /><br /> Go see CARS!!<br /><br />Now!!<br /><br />Go!!!!!<br /><br />mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1150130641961297312006-06-12T09:40:00.000-07:002006-06-12T09:49:48.810-07:00Temescal Canyon - Pacific Palisades -<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29675195@N00/165775294/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/68/165775294_948461c159_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><br />Kim and I went for a really cool hike yesterday morning at Temescal in The Palisades. Click on the picture to check out the album!<br /><br /> If you live in LA you HAVE to do this one. It's by far the coolest one we've done so far. We did the Ridge Trail, which is mostly uphill and quiet long. But the views were worth the trip.<br /><br /> Check the pics!!<br /><br />mauMauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1149978847582253212006-06-10T15:30:00.000-07:002006-06-10T15:34:07.593-07:00Long week!This last week and a half has been long. I took up on some extra (and welcomed) work. I don't think I'm allowed to talk about the projects but they were cool. Plus going back to Shadedbox for a bit was nice. Catch up with the guys and get some good work done.<br /><br />Besides that, I'll have a couple more posts in a few days. I am still dealing with some unfinished work. In the meantime, Argentina won it's first match!!! Not the most impressive 2nd half I've seen, but a win non the less!<br /><br />mau.Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1148713682720956722006-05-26T23:43:00.000-07:002006-05-27T00:08:02.733-07:00In my humble opinion...<p class="MsoNormal"> First of all, you can never...EVER, trust critics. In particular, movie critics. I am sure there are 20 billion arguments that could be presented and argued in their favor, based on god knows what. In any case, experience dictates that I just don't necessarily see movies the way they do. So yes, I don't trust critics because I like to be able to create my own, non-biased opinion. I'm entitled to my opinion after all. And it just happened again tonight with "The Code".<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /> I am not a conspiracy fanatic, as a matter of fact; I try really hard not to be a fanatic about anything. Sometimes I fail, sometimes I succeed. The reason I liked The DaVinci Code, was not because I necessarily believe that this fiction is plausible. I liked the book because it was a good read. It entertained me, quiet a bit. Did it spark a doubt in my mind about the veracity of its plot? Well... maybe it made me wonder a thing or 2, but I am not willing to change my views solely based on the fictional work of a relatively new author.<br /><br /> The movie, in my humble opinion, is a really good depiction of the book. The book is not a thriller by a long shot. The book, as I recall it, is pretty much a succession of events. Plain and simple. The cool factor is the meticulously woven plot. And the movie, in my eyes, delivered just that.<br /><br /> Many things can be argued about this book, its subject and the movie. I am for now just saying that I (again) do not agree with critics. I liked it. I thought it was true to the book. Maybe one of the very few films in the last few years able to honor a book, just like LOTR's did (to a whole different extent of course).<br /><br /> Do I have an opinion about the ridiculous and boisterous religious reactions to the movie? (not only from roman catholics, but from organized religious institutions in general) Of course I do, I think it's just that. Ridiculous. Why blow up a movie into such a big deal? What's all the fuss about? It's a F I C T I O N!!!! Geez.... Sometimes you really need to pick your battles people...<br /><br /> Being offended by every single thing that crosses your path or contradicts you in any way is such a waste of time... It almost makes it look like you suffer from an inferiority/paranoid complex of some kind... Unless of course, you are complaining because the "fiction" rings a bit too much like a possible truth... I guess we will never know.<br /><br />mau<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13026958.post-1147218264573320772006-05-09T16:41:00.000-07:002006-05-09T16:46:39.673-07:00Unexpected Visitors<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29675195@N00/143699767/" title="photo sharing"> <img src="http://static.flickr.com/44/143699767_eb2b81d9bd_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29675195@N00/143699767/"><br /></a></span><p>California's wildlife still amazes me. These 2 were right outside my apt. today... chilling in the courtyard.</p>Mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805204650798384174noreply@blogger.com2