(i'm giving my box of a computer the disk defragment right now, so while waiting -- what seems to be more than an hour now -- i decided to type my advanced post.)

i spent my sunday without going out, which hasn't been done in about 2 months now. (no movie, so stay in the dog house!) isn't it incredible? at least i can lay it low and relax, look for a good pursuit (i cooked hotcake muffins!), and well, do nothing (again) but in a more austere day -- heck, it's a SUNDAY! i also got to watch two shows i'm pretty interested on (when channel-surfed in occasionally on weekdays) on MTV:

1) boiling points

i don't exactly like the concept of this "hidden camera” show, because it's quite annoying"

an actor from the show poses as some employee (say, on a movie theater).

the impostor then bothers the heck out of an unsuspecting customer/victim by messing up things (say, doing orders wrongly).

there's a time limit for all the nuisance (say, 6 minutes.) when the victim jerks off, he's out.

the victim who manages to keep his composure till the end of the time limit wins $100.

i certainly don't want to be a victim of this show, I might fire up immediately because I have (I think) a low tolerance for pesky pranksters. I have seen "boiling points" around 4 times already, and while in the start I told you I disliked it, the whole thing was (actually) irresistible to watch! (it's like exposing my 'bitch' side: i indulge at watching other people's miserable encounters, though I'll kill the dopeheads if it happens to me! ... BUT in truth I'm a very mild-mannered person.) you get to see how these unsuspecting customers react within the time limit (some bear 'em, others whack it out and shout expletives), and once they're told they've been taken for a ride, they register two seconds of shock ("oh ****, I'm on national tv!) and just laugh it off (and if you're the $100 winner, you look more bewildered, smile wider and laugh louder. I noticed.) i wonder if the show is even for real.

but anyways, "boiling points" plays on their motto, "it pays to be patient." i have seen one this very sunday where a male customer in a retail clothes shop tried out some items, and when he took them back to the saleslady (I think he's buying one), she said that he has to pay also for the items he fitted. it's the 'policy' of the store. he relaxedly said, "no way. i have been in the retail business, and I've never heard of a policy like that." she was going to charge him $25 more, she had his credit card, and it's her "right". the whole charade went on for the 8 minute-limit, and he didn't show a hint of annoyance or anger towards the woman throughout. he remained cool and composed, just insisting calmly that it's not right to charge him for clothes that isn't even his size. and when the act was foiled, he just blinked and said, "really?" and smiled with the dough. Whether the whole thing was genuine or for show, his behavior was certainly admirable and ought to be an example (for me & you), that you don't have to be confrontational (or turn into the Hulk) given a very blasted situation. hulking-it-out won't make matters sit well, it only aggravates everything else. be as serene as Gandalf, darling. you might even win a hundred bucks. ;)

2) pimp my ride

here's a more light-headed show. just don't get the "pimp" word here wrong:

a whacked-out, faded, eyesored automobile gets a snazzy makeover.

and I think it's for FREE.

i absolutely LOVE "makeover" shows, more inclined on rooms and houses. and now, I'm into pimped-out rides. it's the thought of turning some ugly living spaces into some haven of elegance and personal style. permanently. (unlike "people makeovers" that fade away and test subject's back to being a geek 24 hours later.) like the types of "knock first" and thom filicia's magic in "queer eye for the straight guy". ...hmm... i fancy thom giving my "compost pit" of a room an "architectural digest"-type of a bust lift... with satin curtains and a cool surround system, and a small hang-out bar. dream on! :p

"pimp my ride" is hosted by xzibit, a rapper/actor, and he digs out the sore-eye of a car (of the winning vhs-sender?) to this company called west coast designs to refurbish. it's fun to look at how the "before look" looks like, with the paint chipping on the bumper and broken stereos & windows to the occasional must-be-rat-eaten upholstery. in wcd, they've got a team of 'car stylists' (that's how i'd like to call it) to whack the car to its cool side. they sort out a new way to make the car look like a dang good ride, and they also include the consumer's taste (like what's his hobby, sport or personal dig) to the ubermobile. the results usually are AMAZING... the cars look so brand-new (even if it's a chevy '65 model or something), they've got the state-of-the-art sound system, and some car kitsch to enhance the megadrive. you'll ogle at the car and smile (maybe enviously) at the screaming, "i can't believe it!" car owner. he's just so lucky.

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