The Whoas!, Ooops!, and Acks! of a less than ordinary individual who would want to live a more than special life in the Philippines.

30 August 2007

Heroes and Beyond Heroes

I'm hooked on Heroes, the TV series. So hooked that I have to have my Heroes fix now!

Well, for those like me, and haven't really stumbled into it, NBC released some graphic novels. Short stories that happened in between episodes. Instead of linking the official NBC site, try the Wikipedia site, I like how the layout of the chapters there better...
"This is a list of issues of NBC's Heroes webcomic, which supplements the television drama of the same name. The comics, which NBC refers to as graphic novels, are made available on their official website each Tuesday.[1] Written by the show's writers and drawn by Aspen Comics[2], they are generally 7-9 pages long, the first page of which is always an advertisement for the Nissan Versa, one of the sponsors for the series. The comics give additional character background and plot information not shown in the television episodes...."
Blame it on the Tiger. I mean, after constant badgering, I caved in. I watched Heroes. And what can I say?

Don't get me wrong, I geek out, albeit seldom. There's Firefly, Doctor Who, Red Dwarf, Kevin Smith, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings (but we do know what the REAL trilogy is...) and a smattering of others. I'm mildly and I mean very mildly into Star Trek. I'm not into Lost, 24 (1st two seasons was ok... kinda have to get back into the groove.. but Nina rocks! too bad she was killed), Prison Break, Battlestar Galactica, etc. etc.

I mean, I'm very selective.

So it is a surprise that The Tiger, showed me something I really went for. Really. Hehehe.. I mean, we have Christopher Eccleston who played Doctor Who as Claude, the Invisible Man. A cameo of Stan Lee as the Las Vegas Bus Driver when Hiro and Ando parted. Even Kevin Smith (Chasing Amy, Clerks) wrting and directing an episode of Heroes: Origins. I'm hooked. I keep repeating that, don't I?

Anyway, the graphic novels are uber cool. Too bad the art isn't by Tim Sale, the guy who does Isaac's paintings and comic book. It's up to chapter 48 now and does expand on the TV series. Plus, it's free. So why not take a gander. If you are into Heroes, go check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Tell em The Tiger sent you... hehehe


28 August 2007

Send SMS Messages thru Yahoo Mail


"...it's the text messaging feature that's making waves. Under the “Compose” option at the top of the Yahoo Mail sidebar there will be a new option to send a message via SMS to numbers in India, Canada, the Philippines and the United States. To use it, just enter a contact’s name, type in the mobile phone number, and then send the message. SMS threads appear in talk bubbles next to your chat avatar in the Yahoo Mail window..."


Wow. That's one up against GMail. Well, not counting the unlimited storage already available in Yahoo Mail. Imagine, sending SMS messages thru email. And the Philippines is included even!

As you know, the Philippines is one of the top SMS users in the world. To send SMS messages thru Yahoo Mail, will boost up the usage factor here a lot.

Although honestly, I'd still use my GMail more. I find the interface a lot more easier than Yahoo.


26 August 2007

Chasing Amy

"In love, you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
It's comprehension of the past - not condemnation - that neutralizes insecurity..."

Holden McNeil
Chasing Amy

All my friends know how I truly love this film. If I were to be asked which one movie help change me on how I deal with relationships, it's this one. And everytime I feel that I'm on the verge of an emotional collapse because of one, I watch this movie. And believe me, I'm always on that brink most every month for the past couple of years.

In Chasing Amy, Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) meets fellow comic book artist Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) who turns out to be a lesbian. In time, Holden and Alyssa fall for each other.

Movie plays out the relationship's twists and turns what with Holden's best friend, Banky Edwards (Jason Lee) against the romance and also with his own insecurities about Alyssa's past.

For me, the movie's message is that as long as you truly love the person, what's important is the here and now. not the then and past. How one person's sacrifice can be easily trivialized with the other person's insecurities. Why trust, faith, and honesty should be always the forefront of love.

When in that situation where the insecurities creep in and you think you can't handle it anymore, watch this movie. I have seen this lots of times and I don't get tired of it.

What can I say? The movie centers me.


20 August 2007

An Homage to Malu Fernandez

First thing I do when I wake up is to take a shower. I notice when I'm clean and dandy, I don't attract flies. I mean, no use lugging around Baygon and Lysol disinfectant around. Plus of course, I don't have to use real expensive cologne to hide the stench.

Good old soap and water will do the trick.

Got ready for breakfast and lo! and behold! On the table was a steaming bowl of soy custard with tapioca and a very generous dash of caramel syrup! Courtesy of the uber-vendor Manong Tisoy. If you haven't tried Manong Tisoy's Taho, you have not been to breakfast heaven. I so swear by it. Oh the joy! the joy!

Meanwhile while I was enjoying my breakfast, I decided to give the The Tiger a call and ask her what we could do the day. We decided to go over Greenbelt 3 and hang out. Since living in the south, I usually take the bus over at Roxas Blvd. The trick is to take the Don Mariano Bus. Granted it isn't air conditioned or anything, but it flies like the wind, the seats are wide that only an elephant would have a hard time sitting down, not to mention the view I get from the window seat. One time I even I saw a black toyota sedan that for some reason, flies were following. And someone inside was busy spraying baygon out the window. hmmm...

So after like a fifteen minute walk (I like walking, it helps me lose weight so I won't look like a beached whale with tons of makeup on, not that I use makeup, but you get the drift), I got to Greenbelt 3.

Boom! Suddenly my world turned. Walking by, voices around were swirling with twang. Lots of people with noses so high up, you'd need a crane to look into their eyes.

"Dude! Pare! I saw you at Bora last week..."

"I usually prefer Mediterranean cousine over Spanish. Spanish has too much pork, gives me a feeling I'm eating my own kind..."

"Oh my god! Have you seen the latest Haviannas? I soo don't like em, they sooo accentuate my cankles..."

"Deepak Chopra is my ultimate fave writer. He sooo gets me..."

"Mac is soo yesterday, it's the era of Shu Uemura..."


I was lost among a sea of elitism. I felt so small and inconsequential. I nervously chewed my gum hoping I can get thru it like Moses parting the red sea. I was even almost squashed by this person who seemed like she was carrying 17kg of makeup with her. I felt sorry for her, since the bag was so heavy she was sweating like she just came from the desert. I suddenly noticed flies around. I was contemplating texting The Tiger to hurry but I remembered I hardly have any cell phone load left.

After hooking up with The Tiger, we decided to go around and just window shop. I love to window shop. It's like foreplay without the sex. Heck, I'd go for the sexy time over shopping anytime. Who wouldn't. I have this weird theory that actual shopping, and I mean heavy shopping, is a substitute for actual sex for women. Hence the term when the kitty is dry, the kitty goes shopping. Those really desperate kittys even shop outside the country when they haven't had any for ages.

So, five or six stores later, we were ready for lunch. We had tons of choices. There was Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, etc. etc. After a brief discussion, we decided to splurge. We headed over to Jamaican Patties and proceeded to stuff ourselves. Total cost? A little under P300. I know, I know, we have to control our budget. But hey! Jamaican Patties? Well worth it.

We went over to National Bookstore afterwards. We went over rows and rows of books. I mentally took note of those that interested me so I can wait for when the movie comes out. Movies are cheaper than books, faster too. Specially when you come around the pirated DVD version. Funny though, I saw one book priced at around 300 or so which in another high end store was priced at 600. I silently laughed, who would be so stupid enough to shop in a high end bookstore for books that are priced higher than National?

Nothing much happened after that. The Tiger and I watched a movie, we had a brief snack at the McDonald's (McDonald's coffee just gets me thru the day. Cheaper too...). It was pretty much a normal affair. By late afternoon, I was dead tired. We pondered whether to take the MRT or the bus to her place. But being the gentleman that I am. I was stern in my decision. We would do the half and half. To the uninitiated, the half and half means taking the MRT to the closest point to one's house and then taking the cab from there.

So all in all, it was a fun day. I know I kind of messed up the budget and all but when with the person precious to you, you just pull out the stops. And for that whole day, you just can't beat spending time with someone you truly love.

To know the real story click the following:

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3


19 August 2007

Blogging in the Philippines

I should file this under Foot In Mouth. That should absolve me of any faux pas or get into a head to head fight with people of strong opinions. Hehe...

Well, it seems I missed out on a real roller coaster of an issue about Philippine bloggers. Only when I paid a visit to the ever strong and resilient Ca t did I find out. Too bad it's over and apologies have been made. People starting to go back to their keyboards and worrying about their carpal tunnel syndrome.

And here I am worrying about ring burns but that's another story...

Where was I? Oh yeah, Ca t's post.. hehe. Let me get this out in the open first. And mind you this is my opinion:

BLOGGING IS AN "ALL ABOUT ME" PROJECT.

It's not for the greater good of the masses. It's not for world peace. Not even for the reinstatement of Firefly. It's about sounding off one's own views about an issue or whatever. You want cold hard facts? Go visit Wikipedia. Although that site seems to be the target of subjective minded individuals as well.

Now, if you want your intestines (big AND small) to be ripped from your gut and laid out end to end in exquisite pain and blind numbing rage or get you into that yes-I-have-found-one-of-my-own -kind-and-of-my-own-thinking-ahoy!-ahoy! kind of feeling then go to a blog.

I mean, you can't get as subjective as a Bill O' Reilly, Arianna Huffington or even a Carlos Celdran. And that's what I like about blogging and visiting blogs. The diversity of thinking around just blows one away. As long as you are respective enough of that person's opinion.

And heck! I respect probloggers and all but I can't really get into that kind of groove. You know what I mean? I maintain this small and inconsequential form of a blog because I like to blog. That's it. Make money out of it, sure. But to put earning from one and prioritizing that ahead of enjoying the pure bliss of writing is somewhat a sacrilege for me. I'd rather join the latest get quick rich pyramid scheme than blaspheme this little spot of virtual earth that I have.

Oh wait.. I did join a pyramid scheme. Hmm.. Maybe I should get into problogging now.

My take on this blogging conference, seminar, etc. etc. is that it's a soapbox to stroke one's ego. I have met people who after introducing themselves follows it up with their URL. Waiting for the obvious, "Oh! So that's you!" kind of reaction.

"Yeah. Hi! I'm Joe Smith. iamabloggodworshipme.com? And oh, here's a photocopy of my google adsense check so you know I'm earning from this too. Kneel before me! Kneel before me! You are not worthy you inconsequential blogger you..."

Ugh. Please.

I mean, what does take place in a blog seminar? What would be more useful would be a blog grammar seminar. I mean, have you seen some of the stuff out there? Ugh. Whip out your third grade teacher for a little corporal punishment.

No one person or group can claim authority about blogging in the Philippines. It can't happen. It's like saying one is the noodle specialist of Chinatown. It's all over and most a person can muster is a very small and minute percentage of bloggers out there and make it appear that they are legion.

It's all about the marketing. It's all about the moolah. It's not about the blogging.


16 August 2007

Everything

"...You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here..."

Everything
Alanis Morissette

You see everything, you see every part...

I wonder if a drowning man can distinguish when he's drowning or when he's being saved. There's that split second when you think you're dead in the water floating lifelessly amidst your mistakes, fears and failures but suddenly, that bright light at the end of the tunnel is just that sun of a smile shining bright on you.

You see all my light and you love my dark...

I've gone thru a lot of changes these past months. I don't know when it's going to stop or if it has even ended already. But one thing constant amidst all this is you, Tiger. You never gave up hope in me. And you being a wee sprite of a tiger cub, you carried me.

You dig everything of which I'm ashamed...

It's comforting to know that there is someone willing to be with me INSPITE of me being me. I can be so insensitive, immature and inconsiderate at times. And I just adore the honesty, candor and understanding you give when I am that person. "You're bad..." You're mean...", "What did I do to deserve this....", the way you say it just tugs at my heart. You balance me. And I won't even mention the smile or two I see from you when I get that way. You enjoy it sometimes.

There's not anything to which you can't relate...

We all have problems. Who doesn't. And the one thing that really gets me thru the day and make me want to get up the next is your belief in me. I don't know what you see in me but the way you do, inspires me to get up and make it a better world. For us, the both of us.

And you're still here...

I know who I love. And I know where I'm loved. It's you and with you.


15 August 2007

Mall Day

I haven't had a Mall Day in ages!

By mall day, I meant just hang around a mall in one whole day with no other reason but to just waste time there. Oh, there is one other reason but.. hehehe...

Ironic to have a mall day since I'm still in my Kevin Smith mode from watching Clerks II, so now I'm just going thru my Mallrats phase. By the way, I'm still in fanboy heaven with that movie.

So.. where was I? Oh yeah.. Mall Day.

The Tiger and I went to Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Philippines. It's this new upscale mall in the area. For a day, we were Mallrats!

Trinoma is a nice place. It's done by the Ayala corporation. And that being said, just like any Ayala mall, Trinoma's layout is downright confusing. Seemingly small alleys suddenly opens up to wider areas, Mall directories are hard to find, the overhead signs hardly help, etc. etc. It's a mall forager's dream.

And it was truly fun fun fun. From lunchtime to around 8pm, we had a really great time. We went in most of the shop just to see their wares. Me, being me, I always had a thing to say about each store. Good thing Tiger was there to balance off my sarcastic side.

I won't have second thoughts going back there and spending the day again. Of course, the highlight of the day was my 20 minute nap inside Starbucks with Tiger doing her work.

Points of note:

1. Most stores although big, aren't that well stocked. Maybe it's because the mall is in soft operation mode yet.
2. The Starbucks at the top level, although big and spacious has a real rowdy crowd. Better hang out at the Starbucks on the 3rd level, a more discreet and well behaved area.
3. There's this eerie store where you stuff your own umm... stuffed animals. Unstuffed furries resembles dead animals. Freaky.
4. The Apple store rocks! Although better wait for September when the new models come in.
5. McDonalds forever!
6. I like the movie seats! They recline and the armrests can go up.


14 August 2007

Clerks 2! Goodbye, Horses...



Those who know me umm.. know I keep talking about movies. Specially Kevin Smith movies like Chasing Amy(My absolute fave), Mallrats, and hehe.. CLERKS!

Well, I'm one year late but I got to watch Clerks II! And heck, it's great! I don't want to sound like a rabid fanboy here but dang, Mr. Smith just nailed it. I see aspects of my life in all his movies. Specially now with Clerks II. I know, it sounds sooo cheesy and cliche'.

Go see the trailer and if you do stumble upon the DVD, pick it up, you won't be disappointed. Really. And I mean, really, really.

Oh and that Jay parody of Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs just takes the cake.

Can't wait for another ten years for Clerks III.. hehehe

And here's a treat. A clip of Randall, The Star Wars Geek, going head to head with Elias and another Lord of the Rings Geek. Absolutely hilarious. Check it out.


13 August 2007

Changes

I have maintained this blog for more than 5 years now. And it has gone thru many changes as I have gone thru changes in my life.

Well, it's time for another one.


12 August 2007

Graphika Manila

With the purpose of getting a quick dose of the IT Multimedia culture, I went to the Graphika Manila Design Conference yesterday. It was neat.

Quick hihglights:

Caught the HP presentation. For awhile there, I was wondering why Harry Potter would be interested in printers. Although, the presenter reminded me of Hufflepuff.

The MK12 film was also interesting. Although after watching Sin City, A Scanner Darkly and those old Ralph Bakshi movies, it doesn't seem as ground breaking as it should be. The complicatetd shots kind of wowed me but I don't think the audience got it.

Asylum was great. That was the kind of presentation that made me want to get into the creative visual arts. Really. And the great thing was, the guy from Singapore was named Christopher Lee! I was laughing my head off but since I was in a different world, no one got it. Really. I'm talking crickets chirping in the background, here.

Anyway, overall, the whole thing was great. Like I told Tiger, it was fun to be exposed to that subculture, the people and to the art.


11 August 2007

Coming Soon

A conversation in a Spanish Restaurant:

Tiger: You know, you should set up a food blog.

Me: Hmmm?

Tiger: You know a lot about food and restaurants. Why not write about them?

Me: Hehe.. I know good food. I like to eat good food. What I don't know is how to write about good food.

Tiger: You should.

Me: I'll think about it. Ummm... you gonna take that last piece?


IT BLINDS USSSSS.....


Talk about leading parallel lives.

Thanks again Tiger for that dose of sunshine. I'll get used to it.


10 August 2007

Comic Day



For some reason, I went thru my daily webcomic grind and heck! Coincidentally most of em were umm... coincidentally what I went thru today. Did i just say "coincidentally" twice?.

Of course, specially with the Sandwich incident and the coffee overload.. this day was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Finding the perfect sandwich or even the best coffee here in the Philippines is a chore but we did it.. hehehe

Thanks tiger. For that bit of sunshine on this cloudy day.


Mashup Madness


Talk about an infectious groove. I've been listening to this one for days on end. And somehow it just makes me get up and dance.. ugh, I know, I know, bad image there but it is truly rockin'.

Really, really.

I mean, we have Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend, Unk's Walk it Out, and Toni Basil's Hey Mickey! Play the video and start dancing! Oh and the links umm.. link to the original videos if you want to see em.. hehehe

Here's the original mp3 version from the creator, DJ Lobsterdust. As well as the ipod video version if you want to take the video on the go.


09 August 2007

Reuters Guidelines on Photoshopping Images

Photoshop is a highly sophisticated image manipulation programme. We use only a tiny part of its potential capability to format our pictures, crop and size them and balance the tone and colour.

Materially altering a picture in Photoshop or any other image editing software will lead to dismissal.

THE RULES ARE:
• No additions or deletions to the subject matter of the original image.
(thus changing the original content and journalistic integrity of an image)

• No excessive lightening, darkening or blurring of the image.
(thus misleading the viewer by disguising certain elements of an image)

• No excessive colour manipulation.
(thus dramatically changing the original lighting conditions of an image)


Hmm... I wonder if Philippine media also has guidelines on Photoshop use...


03 August 2007

The Simpsons Family Values

A cartoon family whacked America's funny bone in 1989, eventually becoming the longest-running TV comedy ever. As The Simpsons jumps to the big screen this month, not everyone involved—including the writers, the voices, and Rupert Murdoch—agrees on what has made it a pop phenomenon...

...In January 1992... George H. W. Bush made a commitment to strengthen traditional values, promising to help American families become "a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons." A few days later, before the opening credits rolled on the animated sitcom's weekly episode, The Simpsons issued its response. Seated in front of the television, the family watched Bush make his remarks. "Hey! We're just like the Waltons," said Bart. "We're praying for an end to the Depression, too...."

Watched The Simpsons Movie and I haven't laughed out so loud in a long time. Really. I was laughing even BEFORE the movie started. I mean, I saw parents bringing their 5 year olds to watch the movie. Only in the Philippines.. hehehe




Oh and that avatar? Well, I've been Simpsonized!!