Wii Fit absolutely amazing if you can squeeze it into your life
November 29, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
What a crazy morning. I woke up at 6:00 a.m. today to stand in line at the local Toys R Us store to pick up a copy of Wii Fit, which is a fitness training program by the wizards at Nintendo. Wii Fit has actually been out for a few months now, and I’ve seen it around until the recent holiday rush. Now Wii Fit is very difficult to find and is going for more than double its retail price on eBay. Unlike most of my reviews, it will be difficult to give Wii Fit a score, as its true test will be how it incorporates itself into my life and the results I gain from using it.
Over the past few years, I have gained around 20 pounds following a period of little to no physical activity due to a major vehicle accident. I’ve been trying several different ways to get back into shape including playing sports nearly five times a week and hiring a personal trainer this summer. Nothing has really seemed to work, though I have stopped the downward spiral that landed me near 160 pounds. I am now closer to 150 pounds at the start of my Wii Fit experience.
My initial impression of the Wii Balance Board that came with the game is that it is very sturdy (this is Nintendo after all) and does an amazing job of detecting balance. There are four core training areas included: Yoga, Strength, Aerobic and Balance Games. I have taken Yoga in the past and have also had minor strength and aerobic training. The Balance Games are a nice touch as well and the four games unlocked so far have gotten me off the couch and into physical activity.
For me, the most powerful piece of Wii Fit may just be its tracking ability. Today I am listed at 151.7 lbs. with a BMI of 24.38, which is in the normal range, though it’s closely bordering on overweight. My Wii Fit age, which is a measure of my current age with my weight and fitness abilities taken into account, is currently at 42 years old, which is rather terrible.
Wii Fit comes with 40 exercises and activities total, though only a few are available at the start. While some reviewers have faulted Wii Fit for this omission, I think it’s actually one of the better design choices. Harder exercises aren’t unlocked until gamers show they have advanced to that level. Even the easier exercises restrict the number of reps until you show you can handle more. I look forward to advancing and unlocking more and more activities.
Thus far, I LOVE the Yoga included. Even at a real Yoga class, the instructor is not able to so accurately pinpoint my balance deficiencies. Strength training exercises are rather difficult, and this is me performing the exercises without weights. Once I am more proficient and add weights, I am sure to get even more benefit.
I’m not really sure how I will document my time with Wii Fit as yet. I’ll see how my time holds up. For now, I will submit this review and at the very least write a follow-up review on how I am doing in regards to my goals (I have to lose 14.28 pounds in two months).
Thus far, I think Wii Fit is absolutely brilliant and the below score reflects my current feelings, though this score may change as I use the program more and more.
Review Score: ★★★★★
Why am I so boring at my dayjob when I’m paid to be funny at night?
November 24, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
I went to a work outing tonight at a local pub, and I was incredibly boring. I mean, totally, completely no personality at all. It was almost exactly like I was at my dayjob. It’s strange, because I know that having personality can be quite helpful at work, and it’s not like I don’t have personality (otherwise, why would I be a stand-up comedian?).
I think my mindset comes from my inclination to compartmentalise different aspects of my life. The way I am at work is similar to how I am around my parents. The way I am on stage is similar to how I am with my friends. It would be helpful if I could find some middle ground between my ghetto personality and my boringness at work. In fact, more than a few people at work have said I need to come out of my shell (these people of course did not know much about my night life).
When I’m in a party situation, and also when I’m on stage, I have enough personality to take over an entire room. It’s basically my job to do so, and it comes rather naturally. My nickname in university was “The Vong Show,” because I basically brought the party with me wherever I went.
It’s a shame then that working in media where there are a ton of personalities, I can’t seem to express myself other than being 100 per cent business-like at all times. There’s no easy fix, as my behaviours are ingrained, but I do hope that someday I can come off as something in the middle: not boring and not the centre of attention but someone who’s interesting.
Welcome to winter in Winnipeg as well as in Toronto
November 20, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
Snow has officially arrived in Toronto. It feels kind of strange to be welcoming in winter, as I already welcomed winter a couple of weeks ago in Winnipeg. I quite enjoy a bit of a chill, but that’s probably because I grew up in Winnipeg. A bit of frost makes me feel good after playing sports.
I’ve got to shop for some new winter clothes. My sweater collection is starting to run a little low, and I need to find warm clothes that are business appropriate. I usually shop a season behind when clothes go on sale, but I suppose I’ll have to make an exception this year.
Quantum of Solace is fun but sparks originality of Casino Royale
November 16, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Quantum of Solace for a while now. It is easily the biggest movie of the 2008 holiday season now that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been delayed until next summer.
I went in with fairly high expectations, as I am a huge fan of Casino Royale’s reboot of the 007 franchise. Don’t get me wrong, I totally loved the Pierce Brosnan films, but Casino Royale was definitely more in line with where movies are headed nowadays with a lot more grit. Quantum of Solace delivered for the most part.
Read more . . .
Eagle Eye a solid action vehicle for new star Shia Labeouf
November 13, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
I went to see Eagle Eye when I recently visited my family in Winnipeg, and I had a pretty good time. Eagle Eye stars Shia Labeouf from Transformers and Disturbia, and he is becoming quite the movie star. Unfortunately, it seems like every movie, he looks greasier and greasier, but I guess some people like him that way. It’s difficult for me to see, though, because I’m used to him from his clean days in Even Stevens.
Eagle Eye delivered on what it promised, hardcore action throughout. The majority of the movie involved running, running and more running, followed by explosions. Unfortunately, the plot didn’t work out quite as well.
Read more . . .
Being in Winnipeg reminds me not to be too wrapped up in myself
November 11, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
Being in Winnipeg the past couple of days has reminded me of how easy it is to get too wrapped up in myself. When I’m in Winnipeg, I’m a brother, I’m a son, I’m an uncle. I have responsibilities and am part of a larger community.
Now, I tend to be fairly ego-centric in nature anyhow. I’ve always been better at singles sports like badminton and tennis. My career dictates that I concentrate on myself for many hours: both for writing and for performing. That being said, it was indeed very nice to have to worry about something and someone other than myself.
My parents are very likely going to move to Guelph in the coming year. Hopefully, this will help keep me centred. Either that or I’ll have to visit Winnipeg more often.
Vongizzo from Winnipizzo returns to the ghettos of Winnipeg for vacation
November 10, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
I’m on a quick four-day visit to my old ghetto in Winnipeg. It’s been about a year since I have been back, and I always love coming back to visit. All my family and friends are here, and I’m reminded of just how lucky and loved I was growing up. I was able to build up such a large network of life-long friends here, and I would definitely be living here if Toronto hadn’t beckoned me for career reasons.
I arrived just after a huge winter storm. I guess it’s for the best, as this is how I remember Winnipeg anyhow. I have been on a whirlwind tour of family and friends, and I’ve just about fit in everyone I was hoping to see, especially my newly born nephew Jack.
The kind of sad part of my trip is that I also came here to grab my karaoke equipment for my upcoming party in Toronto. I’m about to go into my sister’s storage to look for it. I hope I don’t get charged extra for bringing the equipment with me on the plane.
Facebook to fame, how free ads have resulted in good traffic
November 7, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
I received $50 of Facebook advertising credits when I recently switched my web host to GoDaddy.com. I never really thought about advertising on Facebook before, but now I am totally hooked. In fact, I’m already starting to budget some money toward Facebook advertising each month after my free credits run out.
The great part about Facebook advertising is that I can target specifically the audience I want to reach. It’s amazing how much detail people will give in their Facebook profiles. This information then helps advertisers like me target our audiences specifically. For instance, I can have my ads served only to people who have listed “Stand-Up Comedy” as one of their interests. This way, I know that I am not wasting my advertising dollars on people who aren’t comedy fans.
To coincide with this new campaign, I have also started a Facebook page at the below URL. The Facebook page allows my fans to follow my career by clicking “Become a Fan.” If you haven’t done so, please visit my Facebook page and “Become a Fan.” The more fans I have, the more chance that my page can spread virally throughout Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vong-Sundara/38315545624
My first target is to reach 100 fans. After 100, I’ll re-evaluate my goals and hope to move up in the listings. The great part about having fans is that I can send messages directly my those who sign up regarding upcoming performances and television appearances. This way, I know that the people who are supporting my career are going to be the first to know about important information regarding my career.
Multiple turning points as Barack Obama elected president
November 5, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
Yesterday was a huge turning point for the United States, as Barack Obama was elected President. I’m also hoping for yesterday to be a turning point in my comedy career as well.
I went down to the Rivoli yesterday to congratulate Zoe Randall on her final show as producer after 12 years. It was the first comedy show I’ve been to in many, many months. I’m hoping that yesterday will be the catalyst for me to turn around my career with some much needed hard work and focus.
I am determined to make it out to at least one comedy show a week from now until the end of the year. This goal used to be fairly easy for me, as I was performing an average of three shows a week. Now it seems like making it out to one show a week is difficult. I definitely have to turn this ship around and quickly too.
I’m really happy about the launch of this website and the traffic it has been generating. My past motivations on stage were closely tied to my success in the online world, and I am hoping for history to repeat itself.
VS
More to learn about web design since re-launching my website
November 4, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned from my recent escapade back into web design, it’s that it’s really important to not fall behind. Since re-launching last month, I have continued to study web design and am always incorporating new elements each week into my website.
Today, I am adding Twitter functionality. I have to admit that I don’t quite know what Twitter was until a couple of weeks ago, but now I am addicted. Twitter gives me a way to update my status on my website. It’s like when I have a moment to update but don’t want to write a full blog post.
VS
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