Archive for January 17th, 2011

13

Kao wants you to be open-minded about his film

I don’t think we need to be, but okay. Thai politicians are making it out to be more than what it is. It’s a teen flick, it shouldn’t be that controversial. Just watching the teaser, I don’t think it is going to win any Supanahong Awards (Thai Oscars) or the Thai Film critics awards, let me reiterate, it’s a teen flick about love, raging hormones. There are worst things. Then again, I grew up in the US, the ‘almost’ kissing scene in  the”Love Julinsee (Ruk Man Yai Mak)” teaser is nothing compared to what I have seen. The teaser shouldn’t be banned because they showed teenagers kissing and some where wearing their school uniforms.

I been reading some of the comments at Manager news website, many seem to agree, the ban is appropriate, kids shouldn’t be kissing. Kao is too young to be kissing in films, said several.  A peck on the cheeks is more than enough. He has committed career suicide even before he got started, said another

At the Kom Chad Luek awards, Kao defended the film from criticisms from Thai netizens.

“From the internet discussions, it is the personal opinions of the viewers. It’s alright. I can accept everyone’s opinions. I do want people to consider, there are many types of love. In this film, it is showing one type. You should try it and wait to see what happens. The discussion on the internet saying the film was too risque, I have read some of them. There were comments like that. Some comments said it wasn’t too risque. There are some teenage love like this. It’s not strange. The film made it realistic as possible.”

Kao said he doesn’t know if this film will ever have a light of day in theaters or whether scenes will be cut to accommodate the Thai censors.

“I don’t know if this film will air or not, but right now, they are in a rush to cut scenes. As of now, I don’t know how much has been cut out. I just know this it the responsibilities of the elders to edit the promotion. I don’t know what they will use and how they will use it. I don’t know anything about the news. My thought is that it is a scene in a movie, just one scene, because in a film you have to have a lot of moods. You have to be able to play every part. In the film, that is not my only part, I have many, I want everyone to watch it first. Regardless, I gave my support to the film crew.”

To the public, Kao begged them not to prejudge the film, watch it first, then judge.

His female co-star he kissed in the film, he did have a rumor with her but denies any romantic ties. He is too young to have a girlfriend and she is just a friend, he told reporters. Sure, they all say that. It’s okay Kao, you can have a girlfriend. I wouldn’t be surprise if you did.

Lastly some have even said this film is the kids version of  “Namtan Daeng (Brown Sugar)”, last year’s erotic film produced by Sahamongkol Film International. Below is the teaser to “Namtan Daeng”.


25

Financial woes: Do you balance your checkbook?

Nothing about lakorns here, nothing about Thai celebrities, just a personal question about your finances. I been getting the impression lately from some of my co-workers and a few friends that I am abnormal for always balancing my checkbook. In a way, my methods are old-fashion.

I  bounce my checkbook to the penny. There is no ifs or buts or any form of procrastination, I just do it. Every time I make a payment or use my debit card, I balance my checkbook. I mark everything down, I know exactly how much I have in my checking account at all times. A trip to Walmart, to Giants Supermarket, to Old Navy, to the Gap, come home, put my purchases away, and start going through the receipts. I have always thought this was a common practice amongst everyone.  After speaking with some of my co-workers, apparently, it’s not.

In today’s modern world, we have online banking, we have a technology that does our banking for us, thus a few of my acquaintances do not bother to balance their checkbook. Being a penny or a few dollars off is no big deal.  And they wonder why they overdraft on their checking accounts. “I have an idea how much I have,” I heard from someone. “The ATM balance is always right,” said another. Seriously dude?

I remember a former college classmate telling she overdrafted on her checking account because a check she wrote took forever to clear. And I thought what does that have to do with anything, don’t you mark it off once you write the check, cause I do. She gave me a disapproving uncomfortable look and said no, once the check is cleared then she would mark it off. O_o

To me, once you write a check, that amount on that check is no longer yours, you best mark it off before you forget and suffer the consequences of a potential overdraft fee.

More info about my finance habits, like the rest of the world, I don’t write checks often. Writing a check has become an archaic practice, sometimes I do feel weird writing one. I write about 6 checks per year–two for my biannual car insurance payment, 4 for our water bill that comes every 3 months. I don’t carry cash either, I use my debit card only. I do use online banking and I also have a paper checkbook (as you already know) to verify everything and compare.

I just want to know, I can’t be the only one. Do you? Balance your checkbook to the penny always??