Can you be techy without the tech?

The other night, a friend of mine brought up something that was quite interesting. She said, "... I am surprised how you know so much about technology yet I don't see you with a blackberry or iPad?"

Which brings the question, "Can you be a techy/geek without the technology?"

In my own opinion, Yes, someone can be technology savvy without the technology devices. How is that possible? Well nowadays, nothing is almost impossible especially with the World Wide Web at our fingertips. We can easily learn about a device without even having one by just scouring the Net for product information. 

When I have time, I would usually read articles in Wired or Gizmondo about the latest devices that are coming out on the market almost every other week. And once the device has been 'leaked', multiple website are created for a single purpose - to provide information on the device. These websites contain the devices benefits, drawbacks, how-tos, owner opinions and even how to hack to these devices.

You can also learn from other people who have the devices because of their hands-on experience with those devices. Most of my friends have the latest smartphones - Blackberry, iPhones, Androids - yet I have a flip phone that is worn out that the faceplate are cracked and scratched. Yet most people would asked me questions about their smartphones because they have perceived me as a tech guy. And if I don't have an answer for them during that time, they know that I will have an answer for them after a day or so.

So I guess you can be a techy without the tech. What do you think?

Cosmic Gate

Cosmic Gate, the German duo of Nic Chagall (Claus Terhoeven) and DJ Bossi (Stefan Bossems), visited New York City last Friday, January 21, and definitely got the crowd dancing throughout their three and a half hour set.  The duo played at the legendary Pacha Nightclub and the dance floor was just packed from the start.

Nic and Bossi aka Cosmic Gate at Pacha

Cosmic Gate played a good mixture of house, vocal and progressive trance tunes. They open their set with Aruna with Mark Eteson's Let Go (Nic Chagall's Remix) and sure got the crowd pumped. They also played tunes from the current album "Back 2 the Future - the classics from 1999-2003 remixed" such as Back To Earth (Jochen Miller Remix), Fire Wire (Back 2 The Future Remix), Melt To The Ocean (John O'Callaghan Main Room Remix) and Exploration of Space. They also played some tunes such as Oceanlab's On a Good Day, Ilo's Rapture, Vincent de Moor's Fly Away (Cosmic Gate Remix), Susana's Frozen (Nic Chagall Remix), Ferry Corsten's Made of Love as well as their own tunes such as F.A.V, Analog Feel and Barra. For the grand finale, the duo drop Oceanlab's Sirens Of The Sea (Cosmic Gate Vocal Mix).

Cosmic Gate at Pacha

This surely is one of the best sets that I have attended. The place wasn't as packed which allows me to enjoy their set all night long.

Cosmic Gate: website | Myspace | Facebook
Twitter: @RealCosmicGate

Golden Globes

The 68th Golden Globes was held last night at Beverly Hills Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA. Ricky Gervais came back this year as the host and he was just at it from the beginning until the end. He started off with "It's goinf to be a night of heavy drinking,... Or as Charlie Sheen calls it breakfast...He picked up a porn star, paid her to have dinner with him, introduced her to his ex wife – as you do – went to a hotel, got drunk, got naked, trashed the place while she was locked in a cupboard ... and that was a Monday! What did he do New Year's Eve?"

He sure got the crowd laughing and some "not so" with his "no holding back" jokes mocking everyone from Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp to Bruce Willis and Tim Burton to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Phillip Berk. I really hope he comes back next year because he is the reason why you can watch an awards night that last 3 hours. If you want to see his Opening Monologue, click here.

Anyway, the biggest winner of the night was The Social Network. The movie about Facebook won Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin), Best Original Score (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross), Best Director (David Fincher) and Best Picture. Now I don't know how they beat Hans Zimmer (Inception) for Best Score though.  The other big winner was Glee which won Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical beating out 30 Rock, Modern Family and Nurse Jackie. Glee stars raked in two awards - Best Supporting Actor and Actress in Series, Mini-Series or Made for TV for Chris Colfer and Jane Lynch. My surprise winners were Jim Parsons for Best Actor in a TV Series - Comedy or Musical beating out Alec Baldwin and Steve Carell; And Paul Giamatti for Best Actor - Comedy or Musical besting Johnny Depp, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kevin Spacey.

Anyway, here is the list of winners:
Best Film, Drama - The Social Network
 - Seems like it was a given since it won Best Screenplay and Best Director as well
Best Director - David Fincher for The Social Network
 - Upset? Maybe especially if you are beating the likes of Christopher Nolan (Inception) and Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
Best Actress, Drama - Natalie Portman for Black Swan
 - Truly deserving, Natalie gave a stunning performance in Black Swan. And I like her speech especially the line "Mila 'Sweet Lips' Kunis" in reference to a scene in Black Swan. Also Natalie and Mila look stunning in pink and green dresses respectively.
Best Actor, Drama - Colin Firth for The King's Speech
 - I think Colin Firth truly deserved this award even though James Franco (127 Hours) and Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter) gave great performances in their respective film.
Best Supporting Actress, Drama - Melissa Leo for The Fighter
 - I really didn't have a favorite for this category except that I know Mila Kunis gave a great performance in the Black Swan.
Best Supporting Actor, Drama - Christian Bale for The Fighter
 - Truly deserving especially with the way he portrayed his character by losing all those weight to get into it.
Best Film, Comedy or Musical - The Kids Are All Right
 - I didn't really see any of the films in this category but beating out Alice in Wonderland must be an upset.
Best Actress, Comedy or Musical - Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right
 - The veteran actress beat her co-star and other actresses included in this category. And Robert Downey Jr.'s presentation speech was funny. (See it here)
Best Actor, Comedy or Musical - Paul Giamatti for Barney's Version
 - This was truly an upset as he bested out Johnny Depp (Alice in Wonderland), Jake Gyllenhaal (Love & Other Drugs), Kevin Spacey (Casino Jack) and Johnny Depp (The Tourist). Yup, thats not an error, Johnny Depp was nominated for Alice in Wonderland and The Tourist.
Best Screenplay - Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network
 - Aaron Sorkin did an amazing job with this film even though I thought Christopher Nolan (Inception) would have won this category.
Best Original Score - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for The Social Network
 - This was also a stunning upset. I really thought Inception's score was much better and work will with the film.
Best Original Song - You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me, Burleque
 - Pretty interesting tune
Best Animated Featured Film - Toy Story 3
 - Toy Story 3 was my favorite to win this category besting Despicable Me, How To Train Your Dragon, The Illusionist and Tangled.
Best Foreign Language Film - In A Better World (Denmark)
 - Nothing to say here, I really don't know much about the films in this category.
Best Television Series, Drama - Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
 - It was between Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire and Atlantic City beat Madison Ave. Boardwalk deserves the award though because the series is truly fantastic.
Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama - Katey Sagal for Sons Of Anarchy
 - Beating Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) and Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) must be an upset as well.
Best Actor in a Television Series, Drama - Steve Buscemi for Boardwalk Empire
 - Steve finally got recognized playing a major character after playing supporting roles in the past. He played his role really well and truly deserving of this award.
Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical - Glee (FOX)
 - Wasn't surprise here as it was a Glee year last year.
Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical - Laura Linney for The Big C
 - Beating Toni Collette (United States of Tara), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) and Tina Fey (30 Rock) must be something.
Best Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical - Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory
 - This was really quite a surprise with Jim Parsons besting out Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) and Steve Carell (The Office). All I could say are "Geek Rules" and "Nerd Power"
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV - Carlos (Sundance C)
 - I would have thought The Pacific (HBO) would run away with this award but sadly not.
Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV - Claire Danes for Temple Grandin
 - Claire Danes as always give a great performance.
Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV - Al Pacino for You Don't Know Jack
 - Al Pacino is an amazing actor and truly deserve this award. And he even got a standing ovation for this award.
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV - Jane Lynch for Glee
 - I think it was really between her and Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) but it was the year of the Glee last year and Jane or coach Sue was just phenomenal.
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV - Chris Colfer for Glee
 - Amazing win for Glee again and Chris Colfer deserve this award. He also had a great speech.
Cecil D. DeMille Award - Robert De Niro
 - versatile actor, I didn't know he was in 70 movies. Speech was awesome

So thats most of the major awards. For best dressed, I would say Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Olivia Wilde, January Jones, Julia Stiles, Megan Fox, Leighton Meester, Dianna Argon, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sofia Vergara, Johnny Depp, David Strathairn, Chris Colfer, Christian Bale

Golden Globes website

Laidback Luke at Pacha

Laidback Luke at Pacha

Last weekend, I headed to my first gig of 2011. The act - Laidback Luke. The location - Pacha NYC.

Because of the snowstorm the previous day, I was afraid that Laidback Luke will not be able to make it to the gig but luckily the storm didn't cause a lot of delays and cancellations and he arrived in New York with plenty of time to spare.  

Junior Sanchez at Pacha

So I got to Pacha and it was already getting crowded. Junior Sanchez opened for Laidback Luke (LBL) and he played a mix of house, hip hop and pop tunes and got the crowd pump for LBL. The only problem with Pacha is that it gets really too crowded especially if they have a DJ who plays mostly House and Electro. 

Laidback Luke at Pacha

As the night progress, I got separated from my friends but was still in the middle of the dance floor head bopping and fist pumping to Junior Sanchez's set. Then it was Laidback Luke's time and his started off really strong as the crowd converged into the dance floor making it really hard to move and do anything other than going with the flow of the crowd. There will be instant when you the crowd tapers off only to be squeeze back again. But this didn't deter me again from enjoying LBL's set. I think he really played into the crowd with his set compose of house, techno, electro, hip hop and pop. One of his tune was a mashup of Nirvana's Smell Like A Teen Spirit and Fedde Le Grand's Back n Forth (see it here). He ended his set around 3 in the morning and Junior Sanchez came back to close out the night. Me and my friend did leave early because Pacha was over crowded that they wont even let us go down during the time we want to leave to get our coats because, according to the bouncers, "it was too packed." I really had the feeling that they oversold tickets for this event. 

First Snowstorm of the Year

Last January 7, New York experience its first snowstorm of 2011. New York did not really get as much as the one we experienced during the holiday season, which dump almost 20 inches. Anyway, here are some pictures after the snowstorm.

We got another snowstorm today (Jan 12), hopefully its the last one (which I doubt it)...

Movie Review: The Red Cliff

Courtesy of Red Cliff website

A little disclaimer first. This movie was release internationally in 2009 as a single film unlike in Asia where it was release in two parts - Part 1 in 2008 and Part 2 in 2009.

Red Cliff is based on a 208 A.D. battle that ended the Han Dynasty.  The movie begins with Prime Minister turned General Cao Cao (Zhang Fengyi) seeks permission from Emperor Xian (Wang Ning) to eliminate the southern warlords Sun Quan (Chang Chen) and Liu Bei (You Yong) which the emperor reluctantly agrees to. With a massive army, Cao Cao attacks Liu Bei's town. Liu Bei's generals Guan Yu (Basen Zhabu), Zhao Yun (Hu Jun) and Zhang Fei (Zhang Jinsheng) tried to hold off Cao Cao's advances as Liu Bei facilitates the retreat of his people. Sensing a defeat, Liu Bei's strategist, Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) orders a retreat and to protect the people.

After the battle, Zhuge Liang heads to the Southlands to convince Sun Quan to join forces to defeat Cao Cao. After some convincing, Sun Quan decreed that they will join forces with Liu Bei to defeat Cao Cao's army. He sends his army along with his best men, Gan Xing (Shido Nakamura), Huang Gai (Zhang San), and Grand Viceroy Zhou Yu (Tony Leung). After getting his army defeated by the alliance on a ground attack, Cao Cao decided to do a naval assault. And they targeted one place - Red Cliff, where the alliance is making a stand. Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu must devise strategies in order to defeat the vast army of Cao Cao and drive them back to the North.

This movie is amazing and kept me glued you to your seat. And with John Woo at the helm, you know that the movie would be just packed with action and adventure. The storyline, which is Mr. Woo based on Records of Three Kingdoms, was easy to follow and straight-forward which won't confuse movie goers with any twist in its subplots. The acting was superb with most of the major characters giving a A-plus effort in the roles that they play. Of course, the action sequence was just amazing and remain realistic. The setting and landscape were breathtaking especially the scene to which Cao Cao's navy set sail towards Red Cliff. If you are an action-adventure junkie, then I highly recommend that you watch this movie.

I give this movie: 5 Stars

Red Cliff website

My Top Trance Tunes of 2010

I should have posted this last week but I really had to think about choosing my Top Tunes of 2010 since there were so many good tracks that came out.  So here goes my Top Trance Tunes of 2010

- Andy Moor ft Carrie Skipper - She Moves Link
She Moves was one of the biggest vocal trance that came out this year. When the song is played, you just want to start singing and dancing. And of course, Andy Moor was a superb DJ live. I saw him twice this year and met him once which was one of my 2010 memories since he handed me his drink.
- Shogun ft Emma Lock - Save Me Link
Just love this tune, Shogun's unique blending compliments well with Emma Locks' angelic voice. They also collaborated on two other tracks - Imprisoned and Run to My Rescue. I always thought that if they make a music video, they could make it a storyline using the three tracks.
- Jon O'Bir ft Fisher - Found A Way (Joint Operation Centre Remix) Link
I was so surprised that Found A Way didn't make it to the Top 10 of any radio show because this tune was always played during live DJ sets. For the gigs I've been too, this tune always gets the crowd going.
- Yuri Kane - Right Back Link
Right Back was also one of the tunes that got massive airplay during live set. But mostly the remix version which I like. But I like the Original version more.
- Luigi Lusini  - Who We Are Link
I first heard this tune during 445th episode of ASOT and fell in love with it. This is my wake up call every morning since.
- Filo and Peri ft Audrey Gallagher - This Night Link
Heard it first during ASOT 450 celebration and love it.
- Gaia - Aisha Link
- Juventa - For that Special Girl Link
So much emotion in this track
- Rank 1 vs Jochen Miller - The Great Escape Link
This tune just gets me pumped! And is always played back to back with Right Back.
- tyDi ft Audrey Gallagher - Calling Link
- Swedish House Mafia - One Link
Definitely the tune of summer 2010
- Velvetine - Safe (Wherever You Are) (Rank1 Remix) Link
The original version has nice beats but Rank1's remix is just catchy
- Arty - Hope Link
It was the year of Arty. His captivated us with mixing skills and trance-y themes which allow his tunes to be part of some big name compilation. Rush and The Wonder were part of Above and Beyond's Anjunabeats Volume 8 while Hope was included in Ferry Corsten's Once Upon A Night album.
- Ali Wilson - Pandora Link
All I can say is "oy yaya"
- Roger Shah pres Sunlounger ft. Zara Taylor - Found Link
This is like a follow up after Roger and Zara collaborated two years ago with Lost. The keyboards and beats are truly a Balearic sound.
- First State ft. Relyk - Cross the Line Link
Very melodic tune with up-tempo beats.
- Dash Berlin - Never Cry Again (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix) Link
Who said trance is all about pumping beats? This tune is very emotional and romantic. Always want to make you shed a tear especially the chorus "I'll never cry again when you come home to me"
- Oceanlab ft. Gareth Emery - On a Good Day Metropolis Link
- Faithless - Not Going Home (Armin van Buuren Remix) Link
Out favorite tune to sing out loud during the live sets' last call.
- DNS Project ft. Johanna - Mindful Link
- Gareth Emery ft. Lucy Saunders - Sanctuary (Club Mix) Link
Just an amazing tune from Mr. Emery. The beats, the vocals, just lovely.
- Markus Schulz - Rain Link
The beats and rhythms of this tune is just wicked. It will keep you on your feet from beginning to end.
- Markus Schulz ft Justine Suissa - Perception Link
This was a remake of Cass & Slide tune but Markus sure made it feel different.
- Skytech - Comet Link
The synths on this tune is just superb
- W&W - Alpha Link
The bassline is wicked
- Vast Vision ft. Fisher - Behind Your Smile (Suncatcher Remix) Link
- Simon Patterson - Miss You Link
A mixed of uptempo beats and blissful melodies.
- Armin van Buuren - Coming Home Link
Part of his new album - very emotional tune, I have a feeling I would shed a tear when I hear this tune live.
- Andy Blueman - Florescence Link
This might have been the last tune that Andy Blueman has produce since he just announced that he is quitting making trance tune and concentrate on film music. He is a big lost to the trance community
- Daniel Kandi pres. Timmus - Symphonica Link
The breakdown on this emo tune is just awesome
- Nitrous Oxide ft. Aneym - Far Away Link
- Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Faith - Angel Link
Giuseppe initially played this during ASOT 450 and I just loved it. If you listen to the Original version, you wont think its a trance tune.
- Marc Simz - Forbidden City Link

Honorable Mentions: 
Yuri Kane ft. Melissa Loretta - Daylight; D-Mad - She Gave Happiness; Bart Claessen - Hartseer; Stoneface & Terminal - Don't Give A F*ck; Arnej - The Strings That Bind Us; Leon Bolier ft Fisher - By Your Side; Alexander Popov - Revolution in You; Marcel Woods - Tomorrow; Sebastian Brandt - 450

Restaurant Review: Kumo Sushi and Lounge

170 S. Main Street
New City, NY, 10956
(845) 708-5825
(845) 708-5826 - Fax

Japanese
$2 - $46
Dine In - Take Out - Delivery

Monday - Thursday 11:30AM - 3PM; 4:30PM - 10:30PM
Friday - Saturday 11:30AM - 3PM; 4:30PM - Midnight
Sunday 1PM - 10PM

This was the last restaurant I went to before the New Year. Kumo Sushi and Lounge is located Clarkstown Mall property in New City, Rockland NY. It just opened not so long ago and the only reason I found this place was seeing a street sign about their grand opening.

If you have not notice, Sushi places have suddenly pop out everywhere as people became adept into eating raw food. And New City is no exception, Kumo is the fourth Sushi place in this town. I thought at first that this would be just another Japanese restaurant but surprisingly its not.

Kumo's Dining Area

Two heavy glass doors opens up to a very classy and modern setting with lightly dark motif. The bar - which covers the length of the place will surely make you look twice. If you look closely, its made up of pennies. Yup, those one-centavo bronze-colored coins that a lot of people just toss on the street has been made into a bar in Kumo. I wonder how many years and pennies it took to build this bar. Anyway, the place is divided to two areas by brick patterned wall with cuts so you will still have a view of the other area. The bar itself with some smaller tables and flat screen TVs on one side and a dining area that was like an art deco room with patterned tables and stylish cushion seats that are very comfortable.

Once we were seated, the hostess handed us two menus. The grey one is the usual menu that has all that have to offer while the gold menu is the chef's specialty menu or the specials of the night. Anyway, the menu is pretty extensive and quite impressive. It had hot and cold appetizers, special rolls, raw bar menu, entrée and even cooked rolls for those who are still not used to eating raw food. Our friendly server came over and took our order.

Tuna Tartare

The service was quick, now it could just because we were the only ones there at that moment (it got quite a crowd before we left). For appetizers, we got the usual Miso Soup and Green Salad with Ginger Dressing. Then had Tuna Tartare ($11) and I was surprised when it came out. It was quite the big chunk, which is quite unusual based on my experiences ordering it on different restaurants. The tuna tasted fresh and the sauce (a mixture of soy sauce and something else) was pretty good.  I practically devour the tartare since my friend forgot to let me know that they don't really have eaten raw food before. It was good though since the tartare was excellent.

Rolls

Next came our rolls, we ordered Green Mountain Roll ($11.95), Angel Roll ($11.95) and Shrimp Tempura Roll ($8.50). The presentation of the rolls were simple yet quite pretty. The Green Mountain Roll, a Kumo special cooked roll which is made up of tofu skin, lettuce, avocado & asparagus wrapped with soy bean paper had a unique sumptuous taste. The Shrimp tempura was pretty good with the shrimp so crisp that I even ate the shrimp tails. The Angel Roll was my favorite, the roll is one of Kumo's special roll composed of tuna topped with eel, salmon and avocado. I could easily distinguish the taste of tuna and salmon and the eel was very crisp.

Lastly was the Nabeyaki Soba ($16) which is buckwheat noodle soup with tempura, egg and mixed vegetables. The ingredients were cooked al dente but the broth was not very tasteful - almost watery. The server did offer to add more broth to our soup and the taste sure change. With all the food we had, I didn't have room for dessert.

This place is definitely worth to go too with its tasty dishes and artsy interiors. As their menu states, Kumo has "Exotic Japanese Flavors, Elegant French Style." It's a nice place for friends, families or even bringing a date. I would surely be going back to Kumo.

Kumo's website - website still under construction
New City, Rockland County