Victor de la Cruz, Author at My Geek Wisdom

“There was a HOLE here. It’s gone now.”

From: Silent Hill 2

Genre: Video games

Who said it?: Unknown

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from, Silent Hill 2, a Konami game that was released before the company was still heralded as one of the best in the industry and before the entire #fuckonami movement. The game revolves around James Sunderland, a recent widower, who receives a letter from his deceased wife, Mary, to return to the town of Silent Hill. Of course, the instant James enters the town, things go frighteningly wrong.

The quote comes early in the game. James explores Silent Hill and comes across Neely’s Bar. In the bar, he gets a vital item that helps him push through in the game. But also, scrawled on the newspaper covered windows, is the quote.

Side Note: When I played Silent Hill 2, I can vividly remember going to Neely’s Bar in the “Otherworld” first. I do recall seeing a hole on that very spot but James didn’t want to go through it. This is why I returned to the bar after returning to the “normal” world. This was when I saw the quote… and it really creeped me out because it was like the game knew what I wanted to do!

Geek wisdom: Things change. Landmarks and old hangouts you used to love going when you were a younger may not be there anymore when you get old. You can drift away from family and friends you were close with before. We never thing about the possibility they may be gone in an instant.

Cherish the time you have with the people and places you love. Enjoy spending time with them while they are still on this earth… and not the Otherworld.

“The best place to be is here. The best time to be is now.”

From: Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan and, together, they are Wyld Stallyns

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, which is a sequel to the highly successful late 80’s movie, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. In this movie, instead of travelling through time like in Excellent Adventure, Bogus Journey has the duo of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan touring the afterlife.

The quote comes from the very end of the movie. During their final concert, the Wyld Stallyns give a short speech detailing how they’ve been all over time and even to different spiritual planes. After saying that, both of them deliver the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all like to reminisce about the past and the good ol’ days as well as look to a brighter future and all the places we’ll go. However, we always tend to look at the present. We sometimes feel that the best times are all behind us and we can even postpone our own happiness until we achieve something. We can forget that the past and future don’t really exist; the only time we have is the present. So, make the present the best place you can be in.

“Now this is a story all about how…”

From: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Will Smith

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 90’s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The show starred Will Smith. Yes, the same Will Smith you see in a lot of blockbuster movies like The Pursuit of Happyness, Men in Black, Bad Boys and many more. But before he was a Hollywood superstar, Will Smith was part of the rap duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (which is where part of the name of the show came from). Will Smith was approached by Quincy Jones to star in the sitcom, which became a smash hit and started Will Smith’s ride to stardom.

The show became popular to no small part of the show’s extremely catchy theme song. In fact, if you mention the quote, which is the first line of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s theme song, there’s a good chance that people will instinctively start rapping the entire thing from memory.

Geek wisdom: You can be millionaire that managed to claw their way out of poverty. Or a political official that managed to climb up from an impoverished neighborhood. These may seem like success stories but it will be all for nothing if you forget where you came from. Always remember your roots and where you came from.

“Whatcha talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”

From: Diff’rent Strokes

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Arnold Jackson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Diff’rent Strokes. The show was a very successful sitcom that ran from 1978 to 1986. In the show, businessman Mr. Drummond takes in two African American kids from Harlem, Willis and Arnold and adopts them. The show follows a classic “fish out of water” scenario wherein Willis (played by Todd Bridges) and Arnold (played by Gary Coleman) as they try to adjust to living in luxury as well as trying to fit in with high society.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of Arnold as he says it multiple times in the show. He doesn’t necessarily always question Willis and he does substitute different people at times. But since he usually questions his older brother, the quote is usually mentioned as such.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, you just need to get some clarity on a situation. There are times when we say that we understand something even though we really don’t. Whether it be because we don’t like to ask questions or we don’t like to look stupid, it doesn’t, and it shouldn’t matter. Clarify and ask questions while it’s still early.

“Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.”

From: Mass Effect 3

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Mordin Solus

The story behind the quote: This is my second quote from the Mass Effect series by Bioware. And, much like my other quote from the series, not many people quote it even though it’s poignant and memorable. In all fairness, however, it’s possible that, due to the branching story paths you can take throughout the Mass Effect series, it’s possible some gamers may not even encounter the quote.

The quote comes from the third game of the series. Mordin Solus, one of Commander Shepard’s squad members, has developed a cure for the krogan genophage, a disease that prevents the krogan race from bearing offspring. However, in order to disperse the genophage cure, Mordin would have to go to the top of a tower, which is on the verge of collapse. It does mean sure death for the salarian but he’s okay with it as he was one of the people involved in the creation of the genophage in the first place.

While Shepard is sorry to see his comrade leave, Mordin says that he isn’t…

Geek wisdom: We like to pretend that we aren’t involved in the world. We like to say we have no voice in important matters. Yet, we love to complain when other people mess things up. If we really want to set the future in the right path, we have to make sure that things get done properly. After all, there’s a chance others will get it wrong.

“Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today!”

From: Phineas and Ferb

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Phineas

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the Disney animated series Phineas and Ferb. The show revolves around Phineas and Ferb, two brothers who, thanks to their inventive minds as well as engineering skills, manage to create and build various fantastical object in order to enjoy themselves during their summer vacation. Their sister, Candace, always wants to “bust [her] brothers” by telling on them to their mom. However, Phineas and Ferb’s creations usually vanish before their mom arrives. This is usually due to some mishap, usually caused by their pet platypus, Perry, who also a secret agent, and his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

The quote is usually spoken by Phineas, who, in each episode, exclaims it to his brother Ferb when he comes up with a plan on what their plans are for the day.

The clip below actually comes from “Rollercoaster: The Musical”… because I couldn’t really find a good clip where Phineas delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We just love to postpone things. We always come up with various excuses why we don’t do our chores or start that project we’ve always dreamed of doing. We like to say we don’t have the time or we want to get all our ducks in a row before we do it. However, things will never get done unless we start it.

Actually, this blog is a testament of biting the bullet and actually starting it. I envisioned My Geek Wisdom a long time ago and, after months of contemplation, it was released roughly five years ago on September 4. I wouldn’t be doing this for five years already if I hadn’t started then. So, don’t waste time and seize the day!

“Aaaaand… it’s gone.”

From: South Park

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Unnamed Bank Clerk

The story behind the quote: South Park is an animated cartoon on Comedy Central. The show revolves around the small Colorado town of South Park and each story usually revolves around Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick and Eric Cartman. The creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, usually use the show to parody and satirize current events and to show how ridiculous things really are.

The quote comes from Margaritaville, the third episode of the thirteenth episode of the show. Stan received a check of $100 and his father encourages him to put it in the bank. However, instead of putting the money in a normal account, the bank clerk preemptively invests the money in a mutual fund, which was not a great idea…

Geek wisdom: It’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we have all the time in the world. Whether it be objects we cherish, our loved ones and even the time we spend on this earth, we believe that it’ll all be there tomorrow. But we usually regret it when these things are taken away from us without notice. We regret not spending time with the things we cherish until it’s, well, until it’s gone.

We have to treasure the time we have here as well as the things we love. That’s because we never know when it will be taken away from us.

“Who loves orange soda?”

From: Kenan and Kel

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Kenan Thompson and Kel Kimble

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Kenan and Kel, a live action sitcom on Nickelodeon that came out during the mid-90s. The show focuses on two teenage boys. Kenan Rockmore (played by Kenan Thompson) is a generally good-natured kid but dreams of getting rich quick. His best friend, Kel Kimble (played by Kel Mitchell) is energetic but rather dim-witted. Each episode has Kenan trying to cook up some get rich scheme with the assistance of Kel but they manage to bungle it up at the end.

The quote is actually one of the catchphrases of the show. Essentially, Kel really enjoys the fizzy, artificially flavored citrus drink and is not ashamed to let everyone know about it.

Geek wisdom: Life can be extremely tough nowadays, with problems popping up here and there. So, sometimes, it would be a great idea to escape the pressure of everyday life and just enjoy the better things life has to offer. There’s nothing wrong with indulging the some of the comforts in life.

“Hakuna Matata!”

From: The Lion King

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Timon and Pumbaa

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the animated Disney film, The Lion King. The film is about a young lion cub named Simba, who, after years of self-exile, decides to return to his homeland to assert his birthright as the king of the Pride Lands. The Lion King is one of Disney’s most successful animated films and has actually become the basis for a Broadway musical as well as a couple of animated series, one of them featuring Timon (voiced by Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (voice by Ernie Sabella), the characters that delivered this week’s quote.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. After Simba leaves the Pride Lands, he comes across Timon and Pumbaa, a merekat and a warthog. The duo, feeling sorry for the young lion cub, decide to take him in and teach Simba their own personal motto of having no cares… in a rousing musical number,

Geek wisdom: Like the song says, Hakuna Matata means no worries. There are going to be problems but that doesn’t mean you have to fret over them. You either can do something about it (which means there’s no need to worry about it) or you can’t (which means it’s useless to worry about it).

“Happiness is a warm puppy.”

From: Peanuts

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Lucy Van Pelt and the rest of the Peanuts gang

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from one of the most celebrated newspaper comics of all time, Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. The strip generally focuses on a neighborhood of kids with very distinct personalities. The strip did evolve quite a bit from being extremely simple gags to having some really long stories.

The quote has actually become a slogan for the entire Peanuts gang. But the first time it was uttered in the strip comes from one particular early comic. Lucy, the neighborhood “crabby” person, sees Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s dog, and pets him. She then bends down to give the dog a hug before delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Some of the most simple joys in life are free. People tend to forget this and try to fill their lives with material objects that may give them temporary happiness but these things aren’t exactly fulfilling. Try to find something simple and pure that give you joy.