VIDEO: WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTION AFTERMATH

Hey everybody! I hope you all have been having fun and living life.

I got my wisdom teeth removed last Friday. Fun stuff. What happened afterward was even better.

I wasn't really nervous about getting them removed. Lots of my friends have had theirs taken out, and I knew I had to get my taken out soon because they were causing my teeth to crowd. Stupid impacted wisdom teeth. I probably am going to need some sort of corrective stuff for my teeth, and I am not going back to braces. Bleh. I prepared myself for the removal by watching countless wisdom teeth extraction aftermath YouTube videos, including the classics: David After Dentist and Unicorn After Wisdom Teeth. I enjoyed watching many of Ellen DeGeneres' viewer submitted videos as well as videos of sibling wisdom teeth extraction aftermaths. I didn't think I would ever act like those people, but it would be awesome if that happened.

I remember going into the oral surgeon's office, signing some stuff, and going into the operating room. It was entirely too awkward before the surgeon came into the room because his assistants were just standing near the walls. No talking. Dead silence. And I'm just sitting on the creepy dentist chair looking at all the syringes and needles and drugs and stuff that are just lying on a nearby table. This silence went on for a good five minutes.

Finally the surgeon came in. My blood pressure and pulse were taken. They found a vein to put the IV in (which surprised me because I always have trouble giving blood because they can almost never find a good vein). The last thing I remember being told was, "You'll be out in no time." And I really was out. That stuff works fast! Meanwhile, my mom waited for me in the waiting room where people wait.

I remember being wheeled into another room after my surgery was done, but everything was hazy. I can barely remember trying to pull out my phone from my pocket to videotape myself because I wanted to make one of those "David After Dentist"-like videos. My mom came in the room and waited for me to recover. I'm glad she recorded my craziness. There was at least 40 minutes of quality video of my just rambling on about random things. And the car ride home was fun too. My mom told me I even called one of my friends. I have no recollection of any of this. But I watched all the videos that were taken that day and laughed my butt off. Almost laughed too hard to where the stitches in my mouth came loose. I didn't realize how "pop culture" oriented my rant was. I mentioned many a celebrity. Ellen DeGeneres, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Alicia Keys. I talked about UNICORNS too. Fun times.

And finally, here is one of the videos from that day:

Enjoy and have a great day! Live life!

-Vivevitaphilia

Adventures of a Snowboard Newbie

I guess I forgot to post about my Spring Break a couple of weeks ago, but my family and I went to Colorado. I went snowboarding for the first time ever, and man, was it an adventure! My siblings and two of my cousins went along with me on this crazy experience. I've posted a series on YouTube titled, "Adventures of a Snowboard Newbie." You should check it out at http://www.youtube.com/mhcmusickid812. Here is the basic description of the four videos I have up in the series:

“For Spring Break 2012, my family decided to go to Colorado. These are the adventures of my first time snowboarding. It was an interesting experience... We went to the Eldora Mountain Resort in Nederland, CO about 20 miles from Boulder, CO.”

Here are the videos I have so far:

Stay tuned for more in the series!

Have a great day and live life!

-Vivevitaphilia

THE HUNGER GAMES: OPENING DAY!!!

The Hunger Games has set a non-sequel midnight record! The film opened to an estimated $19.7 million at the midnight premiere, ranking seventh all-time behind the last three Harry Potter and Twilight movies. Find out more HERE.


Here is a video compilation of my experience at the midnight premiere:

I went to see the movie again with two friends who didn't go to the midnight premiere. We went around 3 PM before kids got out of school, and we were lucky because after we walked out the movie, all showings for the rest of the day were sold out. I enjoyed the film again. It was just as good as the first time I saw it. I guess I'm kind of a freak for seeing it twice within a span of 24 hours. But that's what fans do. At least I didn't have to wait in line or scramble for good seats like I did at the midnight premiere. I was less stressed this time around, and I felt more capable of enjoying the movie more this time.


I guess I didn't catch some things in the movie the first time around. The second time I saw the movie, I caught some things that were different from the book. Here are some things I didn't catch the first time around or I forgot to post in my previous blog post:


Many citizens of District 12 looked considerably healthy in the movie. They didn't look malnourished or underfed like they are described in the book. Haymitch wasn't present at the Reaping Day ceremony. The internal thoughts of Katniss were not as emphasized as they were in the book. The parachutes included messages from Haymitch, which differed from the book because Katniss had to figure out for herself how to get Haymitch to send the parachutes and what Haymitch's intentions were in sending the parachutes. I thought Rue was speared when she was in the net, but I may be wrong on that one. Rue didn't take the spear out of her in the book, but she did in the movie. Katniss didn't receive the bread from District 11. Peeta wasn't brutally attacked by the dog muttations. Peeta also did not lose his leg in the movie, which is understandable because it would be difficult to present his lost leg as a prosthetic in movie sequels. That would take a lot of special effects. There are probably many other things that were different in the movie, but I can't recall them right now.


One addition I extremely enjoyed was the rebellion in District 11 after Rue's death. I had chills during that scene, and the funny thing is that I had chills both times seeing the movie. It was inspiring and motivational. It made me feel like I do when listening to the song "Dare You To Move" by Switchfoot.


I enjoyed the film both times I saw it, especially because I caught things in the movie the second time around watching it. I guess I was too excited and stressed out during the first time I saw the movie because I missed some things which flew over my head the first time around. 


I do not have a sonnet to share with you all, but I will post some more funny parody videos of the Hunger Games:

Have a great day and live life!

THE HUNGER GAMES: MIDNIGHT PREMIERE!!!

Three words. THE HUNGER GAMES.

Wow. I am almost speechless. I just watched the Hunger Games movie at a midnight showing. I waited with friends for 5 hours in line. Waiting in line was an adventure in itself. But let's avoid that craziness. I was already jumpy throughout the entire day. I woke up and wished myself and millions of fans out there a "HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!" The night before, I went through important parts in the book to refresh my mind. After we got our seats, I could not wait any longer for the movie to start! We had to wait an hour inside the theater for the movie to begin. And once it began, everyone was silent. It was a wild adventure. I cannot type everything I thought about it on here. But it was unforgettable. Right after the movie, I searched "Hunger Games" on Google and looked for the news results. I found a post by E! Online. The link is HERE.


The post asked viewers of the movie what they thought about it, and here's what I said in the comments section:


"Michael C. Fri, Mar 23, 2012, 12:54 AM


I thought the filmmakers did well for the first movie in the series. Of course the movie can never be the same as the book, but they did a good job editing the film and still including the important parts. Jennifer Lawrence did a stellar job on portraying Katniss. I enjoyed the chemistry between Haymitch and Effie. It eased some tension during the scenes. Josh Hutcherson also did well in portraying the very likeable Peeta. Gale got the sympathy card, of course. The "girl on fire" outfit was not what I expected it to be. The special effects were satisfactory with the "girl on fire" outfit, but they weren't perfect, which is still okay. I am a huge fan of the book series, and I very much enjoyed the movie. The Capitol attire was done very well. I thought the Capitol would be an Emerald City like in the Wizard of Oz. Some filming in the arena reminded me of Cloverfield, but it added to the action and suspense. The mockingjay pin change-up was more heart-warming between Prim and Katniss."


Fans need to understand that the books will never match up perfectly with the movie. If they did, the movies would last for days. Sometimes, you have to separate the book from the movie as different works of art. I think doing this allows you to appreciate both the book and the movie. I've already heard from friends that the movie wasn't as good as they expected it to be, but I'm fine with that. For the first movie in the Hunger Games series, the filmmakers did extremely well.


At the start of the movie, I already heard people whispering during parts that didn't match up with the book. Prim's goat cheese was left out. Buttercup the cat wasn't as ugly as I thought he would be. The fence that surrounded District 12 wasn't a chain link fence. Peeta and Katniss didn't gorge themselves on the train in front of Effie. Where did Madge go? The Avox girl wasn't included. The prep team for Katniss wasn't as emphasized. There are many things that were left out of the movie. And there were many changes as well. Katniss bought the mockingjay pin from the Hob and gave to Prim who gave it back to Katniss before she went to the Capitol. I thought the movie did a good job in allowing people to make sense of the matter because Prim giving Katniss the pin is more sentimental that Madge giving Katniss the pin. Prim and Katniss are very close sisters, and you felt the bond between them grow when Prim returned the pin to Katniss. The Cornucopia was a lot different from what I pictured it in the book. Rue's death was a little bit different from what I thought it was going to be like, but of course, it was a tearjerker. I heard people around me sniffling for at least fifteen minutes after Rue's death. I think that's a bit funny because people who read the book knew that was going to happen. The muttation dogs were a lot large than I thought they would be. They were horrifying though, but I wished the movie put more emphasis on the muttations' eyes. But anyways, the movie ended differently than in the book. Cato's death was different. He didn't have his armor. And he didn't die in the Cornucopia in the movie. I appreciated the way Seneca Crane died in the movie. That was intense. If the movie did end in the same way as the book, I think non-readers of the book would end up angry at the movie's end. I'm kind of glad viewers didn't see the final scene between Katniss and Peeta.


Overall, I enjoyed the film. I cannot wait for the next movie to come out. In the meantime, I need to reread the book series so I can pick up on things that I did not pick up on before. I'm going to skip posting a sonnet tonight, so I have time to think and write well-developed ones about the Hunger Games as well as my Spring Break trip to Colorado and my trip to New Mexico before that.


As a side note, I did watch some funny parodies of the Hunger Games on YouTube before heading to the theater. I'll post two of my favorites here:

Have a great day and live life!

Lenten Sonnet #7

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't been posting. I was on Spring Break in Colorado, and I didn't have a lot of time to get on here and blog. But now that I'm back, I'll make up for the time lost. This post is going to have several of my sonnets. Technically, I have to post 15 sonnets, but I don't think you all want to read 15 sonnets. I'll post a few to make up for the days I didn't blog. Here it goes!


Life is a Mystery (5/3/10)
Living in a world full of mysteries

Forces one to search for the right answers;

Do we know about others’ histories?

The unknowns of the earth grow like cancers;

What is the meaning of this well-known fact

That so many know but can’t understand?

Why did he commit that murderous act?

We cannot force the truth; do not demand

Others to explain it to you clearly

Because opinion means nothing to you;

The act of discovery is merely

A small answer, incomplete and in lieu

Of the more comprehensive thought ingrained

In the mind of the thinker still untrained.

Line (8/31/10)

A simple figure can be so complex

As perception distorts its plain meaning;

The topic, as natural as reflex,

Gives way to another’s intervening.

Strict and straight, or curved, or in a spiral,

Or connected in such a way as one;

Can be quite harmless or even viral

Like the rays of the serene setting sun.

Leaving you there, only a starting point,

From Position A to Position B;

Colliding from two ways, making a joint

Decision, upon which, hard to agree.

Nonetheless, directing you is a path

Toward tranquility or enraged wrath.

Seven Days (8/31/10)

Every Sunday, I go to Church and pray.

I will drink the wine and consume the host.

Waking up Monday just gives me dismay

Because it is the day I loathe the most.

Sometimes Tuesdays give me gladness and GLEE,

But other times I feel indifferent.

Wednesdays, at the top of the hill I’ll be

To tumble down while drifting to the tint

Of Thursdays. I’ll watch my favorite shows.

See the horizon and its setting sun.

And then Monday’s chaos will decompose

As Friday is all about having fun.

Saturday is bittersweet for Michael

Since he knows he will repeat the cycle.

Tissue Box (8/31/10)

Sigh and cry: that was all she did that day.

No friends, no family, no one present

To guide her through the confusion and mess

That clouded her sight and the world around.

Lying down on her bed all afternoon,

Refusing to see the light and get out;

All she had with her was a tissue box

That meant more to her than her colored socks.

Ready to express her anger and SHOUT,

She needed to run outside very soon.

The necessary help she quickly found.

With pen and paper, began to confess;

To the house of the one she hurt, she went.

Asked for forgiveness to make things okay.

NoSeparation (9/1/10)

Givethemsome s p a c e; it’sgettinghardtobreathe

Withyoualwaysstandingrightbesideus.

Youragitationcausesustoseethe,

Andyou’realwaysmakingsomecrazyfuss.

Step away; perhapstwoorthreemeters

Shouldbeenough,soyoucanlive alone

Forawhile.Wearesurelynotcheaters,

Sodonotkeepcallingusonthephone.

Wewantyoutoliveyourownlife apart

Fromthelivesyoutendtostaysocloseto.

Offeryourselfasurprisingrestart,

Andthenallowyourselftotravelthrough.

You’ll learn that s e p a r a t i o n is not bad

When you maintain connections you once had.

I have run out of sonnets that I have written in the past, so it's time to write new ones! Get excited!

Have a great day and live life! - Vivevitaphilia

Lenten Sonnet #6 + COLDPLAY & PARADISE!!!

How's everyone doing today? I'm going to share a sonnet that I got published in a book called Stars in Our Hearts: Musings by World Poetry Movement. I entered a poetry contest last summer and luckily, my poem was chosen to be in the book. Here it is:

Common Sense (8/30/10)

It is not proof, but it makes sense for us

To hold the door for someone who’s behind.

Do not jump out right in front of a bus.

Surely don’t let the drug mess with the mind.

Please throw away the milk when it goes bad.

Turn off the lights when they are not in use.

Know the difference between mom and dad.

Do not confuse discipline with abuse.

To be funny and then to be a jerk

Is going from friendly to so shallow.

When to sleep, when to eat, and when to work

Are very important for one to know.

But do not keep these “secrets” to yourself,

Please pass the knowledge to somebody else.

I also uploaded a new video to YouTube, but for some reason, it is blocked in 220 countries, including the United States (but good news: it's available in 27 countries). I guess there are some copyright issues because I made a little amateur music video just for fun with Coldplay's song "Paradise" playing in the background. I'm posting it on my blog sometime later on (probably in the summer) because the Internet at my college is pretty slow. Sorry for the inconvenience. If I get to upload it sooner, I'll let you all know!

And here's the video link (public video on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151136265621085&saved

Here's the description for the video: "I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen this past weekend. I went on a trip to New Mexico to the Guadalupe Mountains with a group from my college. We visited Carlsbad National Park, Guadalupe National Park, and Slaughter Cave. It was a neat experience. Back to the sunrise, I got up early in the morning, climbed out of my tent, and hiked up a small mountain near the campgrounds. I passed the boundary line and trekked to the top of the mountain. The morning before, I saw a family of white-tailed deer. It was amazing (and it reminded me of "Bambi"). A friend of mine hiked with me up the mountain, but I stayed a little while longer to enjoy God's creation all around me. Watching the sun rise put me in a peaceful, tranquil state. Standing on top of the mountain, I thought of the song "Paradise" by Coldplay. And so I made a little amateur music video."

Have a great day and live life!

Lenten Sonnet #5

I'm posting three sonnets tonight about two of my close high school friends. I'm glad we still get the time to hang out even though we go to different colleges. I am so blessed right now for all the good friends I have, and I am thankful that I go to a considerably small university because it was so easy making a family here. God is so good and he works in many ways, especially through the human race. Here are the sonnets:

Future Happenings (3/11/10)

Is Hannah Patton going to the lounge

Where all the free will gather with their friends?

The hungry people will begin to scrounge

Even though the good times will never end;

Is Hannah Patton next to Teresa?

Or is she distracted by someone else?

The great picture of the Mona Lisa

Will be the eyes watching over herself;

But never mind the unimportant things

That tend to pull the mind from the body;

We all should wonder what the future brings

And, in the spirit, it will embody;

Hannah Aleece Patton will I do scoff

When she loses to me at our dance-off.

What She Leaves Behind (3/11/10)

Teresa Gully, she flies to the sun

And grabs a handful of bright, shining stars;

She gives her best friend Hannah Patton one

And then takes it away and flies to Mars;

Teresa Gully leaves Hannah crying

But we all know this will not last for long;

She will always do her best in trying

In making those around her very strong;

But when will she return to planet earth,

Since she left all her good friends behind?

We can just hope for all that it is worth

To prevent ourselves from becoming blind;

We wait for Teresa to come back home,

So we will no longer have need to roam.

Transition of Love [Everything Will Be Alright] (4/9/10)

I am aware that you have not been well

Because things have not gone the way you planned;

As your problems begin to grow and swell,

You shut everyone out of your life and

Keep to yourself like a young lonely lamb,

So naïve, so vulnerable, so stressed,

The reason you no longer give a damn

About the things you already confessed

To the one you loved, the one you enjoyed

In your company. But there is a turn

Of warm blessings that you will not destroy;

You deeply wonder what your heart will yearn

For there are brighter days ahead of you,

Waiting for the perfect one to break through.

I hope you liked those! Have a great day and live life!