harry potpot

Perhaps it was too long between movies, or maybe I don't really like the book, but I was not particularly enthralled by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Just like the book, I believe it only serves to further the story before the exciting events of books 5 through 7. What other films did Mike Newell direct? I'm not a big fan of his, really, although there is only so much you can do to a story with beginnings in a three-inch thick book. This is the movie that I like the least, it has the most disappointments, although it is visually excellent. The Tri-Wizard tasks, the dragons, the Dark Water and merpeople, and the maze were beautifully done. I also liked, with morbid fascination, the scenes of the Death Eaters wreaking havoc on the Quidditch World Cup, as well as the resurrection of Voldemort. I just knew the Death Eaters would look like the Ku Klux Klan, only in black! The Beauxbaton Veelas, though, were particularly disappointing, especially Fleur Delacourt, who looked like, well, Claire-effing-Danes. She's supposed to be almost ethereally beautiful. Feh. They should have used the effect of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow on the girls. Meanwhile, Viktor Krum was actually handsome, in fact, more appealing at times than Cedric Diggory. Haha!

Watching the movies in succession is like looking at kids' photo albums, those of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. You see them graduate from their awkward adolescent phases (were they ever? Maybe only Rupert) into young adults. Ron Weasley now has defined biceps, and Hermione Granger is now a beautiful young woman. In this installment, Harry and Ron's friendship hits a snag, they have their first dates (the most successful being Neville and Ginny's) and they learn the niceties of media and how the press can twist events. (Note: Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter was wonderful!)

There are many times I'd rather watch a movie than read the book. Cases in point: Be Cool, The Pelican Brief, Terms of Endearment. Even the Lord of the Rings (because I'm tired of reading "Gimli, son of Gloin..." ad infinitum). But in J.K. Rowling's case, there always seems to be a certain magic (hee!) that she brings to her writing, wry allusions, puns, and trivialities, that make the series fun to read. Sadly, most are abandoned on the big screen because of time constraints and artistic license (hence, no Quidditch matches). Although true to the spirit of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, I'd much rather read the book once more than watch the movie again. Just saying.


PS Whatever you might say about the greasy hair and the somber mien, I still heart Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. Snape in Book 6! Exciting!

the mother-unit is another year wiser

Happy birthday Ma!

my brush with identity theft, part deux

A few weeks ago I received a letter from Citibank advising me that they considered the previous transaction charged to my credit card from the dubious Kochujang Restaurant in Pasay as a valid transaction. They also sent me a copy of the sale slip and recommended that I send the dispute letter by a certain date or else they would charge me the full amount, plus finance charges and a sale slip retrieval fee of P250.00.

I took a look at the sale slip and froze for a few seconds. I had thought it might have been an erroneous transaction, but there, staring back at me in black and white, was a manual transaction slip (the one with the carbon paper and the 'plantsa') with my signature on it. Well, it wasn't my signature, but a shaky and bad forgery. The card was a fake! There were obvious differences between it and my actual card, which was in my possession: the spacing of the letters was different, the positioning of the Visa initial, as well as the Member Since date. I've pointed these out to Citibank's billing dispute department and am just awaiting their response on the obvious fakery and forgery. I've since cancelled the card and requested for a new card.

Meanwhile, I saw a recent episode of CSI Miami regarding identity theft. The thief went through a woman's trash and got her social security number. I thought that there were more stringent laws regarding identity theft and fraud thereabouts, but apparently if you haven't been caught in the act, there's basically not enough evidence to book you; especially if you cover your tracks. I'd like to think criminals in the Philippines are less sophisticated, but maybe not. It's downright scary, especially since you put so much faith in technology that might not have that much security, hence coming around to bite you in the arse.

Lessons learned: Always account for your credit card spending instead of just routinely paying the bill. This goes twice for people like me for whom credit cards are the default mode of payment. For smaller transactions, especially at dubious restaurants, try not to use credit cards anymore because they bring the cards to the back for payment--you don't know what they're doing to the card while it's away. Take all precautions for keeping your personal information private. Transact on the internet only on secure and reputable sites; shred (or, in my case, since I am a closet pyromaniac, burn) all past statements and transaction slips. Also, one shouldn't be hassled when cashiers ask for further identification--this should be status quo. Although licenses can be easily faked too, at least it would help. There should be better legislation regarding identity theft, that much is true. When this happens to you, there's nothing to feel but indignant yet thoroughly helpless. Let's not make it easier for criminals to take advantage of us, then.

Last Song Syndrome : Soul to Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers

turning thirty

Turning thirty only happens once in a person's life (given, of course, that one never lies about one's age). A milestone, it seems one has to suddenly become more mature, and think about babies and retirement plans. At thirty, I am still unmarried, not yet at managerial level, and retaining quite a large amount of body fat. I am also less impetuous, more pensive, and more easily drawn to mirth than myself in previous times. I am a little more friendly, a little less shy, and a little more empathetic. I have let go of a lot of hurt, I have let in a lot of love. I am still striving to be less ill-tempered, less snappy, more considerate, and more pious. I know that I have a long way to go.

My thirtieth birthday was uneventful, peaceful, filled with contentment. Since last year when I started celebrating my birthday with small gatherings of close friends, it's been stress-free and less tiring. Previous birthdays saw scores of people, up to seventy or eighty, cramped in my pad and the garage, partying 'til 3am. Those friends that filled those spaces are now mostly just old friends and acquaintances, relics from a past life where the music was loud and the beer was overflowing.

Now the music is more restrained, my friends have to leave early to be with their children, and there is no alcohol. This year I had twenty people, including my sisters and their boyfriends, some Glider friends, the SO's two closest friends and their fiancees. Since we're supposed to be saving up, I decided not to spend the usual five figures and decided to go North Park. I'm glad that it seemed that for my friends where I treated them or how much I would spend--I'm just glad that they granted me the pleasure of their company for the evening. Those absent were especially missed.

One thing though, about me and my friends: we love giving gifts, even just little tokens of friendship and affection. Receiving is also quite fun. Bespren D gave me a set of very fragrant candles (the better to banish the smoky smell in the bathroom after a nicotine encounter); Mands provided a beautiful pair of earrings; Gelpren and her boypren gave me a Spoofs shirt proclaiming "The Amazing Face". Hee. Maleen, Rea and JP gave me the CD that I wanted, The Corrs' Home (yes, inspired by old Irish folk songs, as if all my Celtic-inspired CDs weren't enough). DaMike recalled an old blog post wherein I mentioned that Aquaman in the new Justice League series was quite smokin': I received an Aquaman doll (is not an action figure because it is not pose-able, is it not?). [I also left with the knowledge that my mint-condition Two Towers Legolas 6" action figure was now worth P1,200.] Bespren M, who was all the way in Adelaide (and ! now in Sydney), sent over very very cute lingerie: twas a bit early for a bridal shower, but it was not very racy, after all (thanks, M!). Among other things received were a pashmina shawl from Jhon and Beanne, a pouch and two more pairs of funky earrings from the SO's friends, a funky necklace from Vicky's merchandise, a picture frame from Edoods and Jenny, and food from the zeesters--a Sugarhouse cake and a Chili's gift cheque. The parental units gave me cash with specific instructions to buy a watch.

But I reckon the best gift I received came a few weeks ago, when I mentioned to the mother-unit what if we couldn't afford an extravagant wedding at a hotel and everything. Immediately she answers, "I don't mind if you get married just in front of a judge!" and then thinks a minute and suddenly takes it back: "Ay no, you have to get married in church." But the implication was there, and I hope that she's true to her word. Suddenly it felt as if a great weight were lifted and maybe, just maybe, things will turn out alright.

Last Song Syndrome : Crazy for You - M.Y.M.P. live on MUP

Vows

Re-read the Dragonlance saga and still teared up at Riverwind and Goldmoon's marriage vows. Don't know if it's the hormones, the stress, or the fact that someday I'm planning to do my own and hope to be able to capture all that I want to say. I like its message that despite there being much bigger things going on in life (dragon war vs. EVAT), the promises between a husband and wife are still utterly important.


Goldmoon looked into Riverwind's eyes and began to speak softly.

Wars have settled on the North
and dragons ride the skies,
"Now is the time for wisdom,"
say the wise and the nearly wise.
"Here in the heart of battle,
the time to be brave is at hand.
Now most things are larger than
the promise of woman to man."

But you and I, through burning plains,
through darkness of the earth,
affirm this world, its people,
the heavens that gave them birth,
the breath that passes between us,
this altar where we stand,
and all those things made larger by
the promise of woman to man.

Then Riverwind spoke:

Now in the belly of winter,
when ground and sky are gray,
here in the heart of sleeping snow,
now is the time to say
yes to the sprouting vallenwood
in the green countryside,
for these things are far larger than
a man's word to his bride.

Through these promises we keep,
forged in the yawning night,
proved in the presence of heroes
and the prospect of spring light,
the children will see moons and stars
where now the dragons ride,
and humble things made large by
a man's word to his bride.

the workarea

This is where I've been spending 12-hour days and some all-nighters. It's not much but for now, it's home. I wasn't able to take a picture of the mobile cabinet, which, come Monday, is always stocked with snacks and what-not.



Now playing : Putumayo - Samba-Bossa Nova

My Brush With Identity Theft

Early morning one Saturday a few weeks ago, I checked my credit card balance through the internet. It was over four thousand pesos above the balance I was expecting and a panicky thought ran through me. Despite the fact that my annual fee was charged, accounting for PhP1,200 of the extra balance, there was an additional transaction for PhP2,900 charged by a restaurant (Kochujang restaurant in Pasay--I know, I've never heard of it either), last Tuesday. I wasn't even near Pasay on Tuesday (obviously was in the office most of the time), much less spending three thousand bucks in an unheard-of restaurant that could very well be a GRO place (heck, it's Pasay). Needless to say, it was a bad start to my Saturday morning.

At 7am (on a Saturday!) I was on the phone to my bank's call center. At least I do know that they provide 24-hour service. Although the customer service rep was nice enough to file a dispute for me, I still had to fax a letter of dispute, which I hurried within the day. I have been using my Equitable card for almost 10 years now, but I haven't experienced something like this. This card, I have been using for less than a year (I just activated it when we went to HK last year and I didn't have money). Is their system less secure than Equitable's? Or have I been swiping this card in non-secure places? Aside from Cash and Carry and Rustan's, I used the card last week at Heaven n Eggs. I would wonder, if indeed one of them were not secure, which one it would likely be.

The folks at the credit card company have temporarily reversed the charges, but it's still under investigation. It still strikes a chord of paranoia with me, especially after watching the weird TV movie about identity theft starring Kimberly Williams as the victim, and Cynthia Gibb as the identity thief. This could have come at a better time; I've been less than frugal lately, what with the impending transfer and the extra expenses with spending more time in the office and then playing hard afterwards*, and have accumulated quite a large bill (hence the checking of the balance on the internet). I hope that all's well that ends well. I wouldn't want to deplete my savings because of a useless matter such as this.

*Spending more time at the office gives you the notion that you owe yourself more, hence spending more on little rewards to yourself. Sigh. I know it's wrong but it makes me feel better.

silent all these weeks

it
is
great
to
blog

Typing stuff that isn't email, or test scripts--it's a joy. This is the first time in three weeks that I've been able to blog. I've been able to email, and I've surfed, but I couldn't find the time to sit down and create a blog entry. It's nice to be in the blogging world, if only for the meantime.

You see, today is probably the only respite that I'm getting from the hoopla that is User Acceptance Testing at GeeksForHire. Users in the foreign office are testing the finished product and we are providing the support. Unfortunately, this means late nights, some overnights, and weekend work. So there, I'm glad to be home in front of the PC on a Tuesday evening. This, after logging 80 hours of overtime on a fortnight. That used to be my record for a month at StingyCo. And to think that time, my salary just about doubled. For this I get a measly allowance and the hope of a project bonus. Well.

6610 is gone. I sold it in a fit because of intermittent signal loss. I still got 3,500 for it, not bad. Bought some pDVDs and stuff at Book Sale. Now the SO and I are going to try out those dual SIM packets that are must smaller and lightweight than the old variants.

Lost is done. The heck with that season ender! When does it start again?! Hee. House MD is proving quite entertaining. Nins is viewing the first season of Gilmore Girls and I think she kinda likes it. I don't have any affection for it, though.

Finally, the transfer. We moved too slow on the nice place nearby and it was snatched up by the owner's friend. Instead, we found a place along Pililia near the Makati LTO. The father-unit was able to haggle and we're getting it for a reasonable price, and without the 1-year requisite terms. So if the house is done in 8 months (the target is 6 months), we can terminate the lease straightaway. We're psyched because there's a two-car garage, one really big masters bedroom and two regular sized bedrooms, a mini-garden when we can place the dogs, and a good-sized maids room. My friend said it's a steal for the price, especially since the owners are going to repaint (not just repair and clean), and refinish some stuff. Can't wait to move in. Because of the incessant rain and the roof being beyong Vulca Seal salvation (and of course, us not wanting to spend any more on what's going to be torn down in two weeks), there are mushrooms sprouting in my room. You have to see them to believe it.

Last Song Syndrome : Shoebox - Barenaked Ladies

short takes

Saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Were the Oompa-Loompas supposed to look like that? I preferred Gene Wilder's Oompa-Loompas. I think I expected too much from the movie. It was nice, but it wasn't that nice. And Johnny Depp reminded one more of Michael Jackson (oh come on, don't you see the resemblance? pale skin, white even teeth, and invitations to kids to come hither?) than Marilyn Manson on whom fafa Johnny said he based his characterization.

Been on a used-magazine buying spree, although I will only consider them if they're worth less than PhP150. I just think that you don't really have to be up-to-date on international home decor magazines since the "styles" usually trickle back here after a season or two. Besides, we're looking towards a modern classic interior, instead of a trendy one, so the magazines I've bought have been basically Romantic Homes, Better Homes and Gardens (and their tons of spin-off magazines), Victoria and Traditional Home (more for the mother-unit), and House and Garden. Is fun, especially when you consider that you've bought 8 back issues for the price of one current issue. I'm clipping away!

More on the homefront: the parentals are finally going to visit the apartment which zeester#1 and I have already checked out. It's owned by this nice Indian lady who lives in Magallanes. I think it's a good find for 20k a month in the Makati area, four bedrooms, two baths, and lots of storage space for all the things that we're packing. Speaking of packing, I've now sorted about 30% of my books and donated about a dozen to this "reading club" about three blocks away from our house. Some of them will be sold, especially the Tom Clancys and Danielle Steels that I've received as gifts but never bothered to read. Some are in mint condition and will sell for about 40 bucks each to this girl I contacted through Bidshot. I'm still taking about two travel boxes' worth of books along, including almost all my Dragonlance books and about 20 new books that I haven't even torn the cellophane off.

Am reading the eBook of Anne Rice's Blood and Gold during breaks in work and during lulls elsewhere. It's both on AchTung Baby and my work PC (It-That-Must-Not-Be-Named, lest I get attached). The character or Marius really interests me, but I wasn't in any hurry to buy the paperback (seeing as there are still around 20 books that I haven't unwrapped). Of course, I still ended up reading the eBook, even before giving much attention to Jonathan Strange, or 2004's Best Fantasy (although I had to read Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Nameless House of the Night of Dread Desire... whew!).

cellphone suicide

I know it. The 6610 wants to be let go. Today it jumped of its own accord into the trashcan under my workarea. I tried to find it for 10 minutes and when I checked if it could have fallen onto the floor, lo and behold, there it was. Sigh. I think this weekend I will bid it farewell and trade it in for a 6020.

Last Song Syndrome : Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

the search continues

The house-hunting continues. Found a good one on T Street near the contractor's house and David's. The mother-unit will inspect later. Strange Indian landlords, but it's the cheapest 4-bedroom this side of the fringes of Makati. And a lot of storage space too for all our junk stuff. I've emptied half a cabinet and I've already filled a "travel box" (the one you can buy from SM at 69.75, sturdy enough).

The house-hunting was made more urgent by the fact that like ursula_lear, I had the roof "fall" in my room... a portion of the right wall (which was my creative aspect, per feng shui) started leaking from minimal rain, drenching most of the stuff on my table including my high school yearbook, various books, and pictures. Honestly, I cried. Because my yearbook was quite ruined (one that I had worked on myself), and so were the pictures, some of which were irreplaceable. Fie upon leaky roofs and delayed house renovations!

Last Song Syndrome : The Day You Said Goodnight - Hale
Can't get that frigging song out of my head!

topsy-turvy

Things are a mess right now. Literally and figuratively. Packing has started for the move to the apartment, because I have so much stuff (taking comfort in objects and all). A box of books and another box containing clothes and (memorabilia? knick-knacks?) and will be parked at the SO's house temporarily. The temporary living quarters will be quite cramped. Adding to that, the gutters in my pad finally gave way yesterday with minimal showers at that. A lot of stuff that wasn't packed yet were, basically, drenched, including my high school yearbook, some pDVDs, and a lot pictures. Yesterday afternoon was spent basically fixing up after a mini-flood at my place, and then looking at apartments within the vicinity. Goodness!

So there. Add to work, some stress, and unpaid bills... I need Stresstabs or something. Hehe!

Last Song Syndrome : Cool - Gwen Stefani

one day in hp

Because the SO was meeting his friend at said friend's condo along Vito Cruz, we found ourselves at Harrison Plaza. I haven't been to this place in ages; the last two times were just at the Village Square's Seattle's Best (with Bespren J while she was studying for the US boards, and with G! on his birthday two years ago (has it been just two years?!) when I had just broken up with the SO and C!&G! were just starting to get together).

Is a fun and funky place... where else can you find a tattoo booth right beside Rustan's, people getting away with smoking inside the mall, a good-sized chapel, an SM Light Shop with a myriad of lightbulbs on display, tons of bargain/surplus stores, little tiangges sprouting everywhere, dibidi-dibidi stores and an off-track betting site? You go, HP!

Was able to scour Booksale and bought home decor magazines (Maleen's and my current passion) and a Simple Wicca book (was pretty, and, well, Wicca). There's also something to be said about the Rustan's in HP which stocks more pedestrian garb than the other branches. And of course, there's SM. 'Nuff said.

bye bye little boy
Zeester#2 found a better home for Dallas. He was causing the mother-unit's asthma attacks, so he had to go. It was sad, after being attached to the little guy for more than a month despite declaring that his only use was being cute. Any suggestions for a cute, small, but short-haired dog with a good temperament? We don't like mini-pins nor chihuahuas. Do Jack Russells have good temperaments?

the other little boy
Wasn't sure if it was a Freudian slip but I was talking to the SO about G!, but I ended up saying the little boy's name. SO was on my case for a whole minute. And then, well, no more. He's great like that, although sometimes I wonder if it's percolating somewhere within, just waiting to blow. Anyway, about the little boy, I read this testimonial that he wrote on friendster about this girl, and he reused the parting words on my testimonial for him! Haha!

Last Song Syndrome : Across the Universe - Fiona Apple (thanks boi_bitch!)

sick again

Sir Nick had ominous words during my going-away dinner at Zong a few weeks ago: "take care of your health." I thought that was a jibe at my constant sick leaves (which was to take care of my employment requirements at GeeksForHire). Well now it seems it was some sort of hex. I've been sick a whole lot more often now compared to before. Oh well. I hope it's not true that sickness is a manifestation of ill feelings and suppressed desires or rage. I think I like my work now, I'm happy with the SO... if anything it would probably be caused by stuff at the homefront. Oh well. I'm not well.

Listening to : Putumayo - Celtic Tides

not incommunicado for long

Somebody was bound to die, again. Once more, one of my favorite characters. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince started out sluggish, definitely, but momentum and tension built until that ending that left us shaking and teary-eyes. What can I say? Rowling has definitely left us hungry for more. Personally, Prisoner of Azkaban remains at the top of my list, but this story, with its romantic subplots (oh yes, at 16 the Hogwarts barkada should definitely be thinking about romance) and its little jokes, was thoroughly entertaining. It was also thinner than Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix, making for an easier read (I think I took 5 hours, give or take some breaks).

People weren't lining up for it like before, though. By 7:45am, the "crowd" had thinned at Powerbooks Greenbelt 4. Of course, stalwarts like myself had to be there early, if only to read about how -bleep!- ended up kissing -bleep!- and that -bleep!- was (surprise!) the Half-Blood Prince. Hermione does a little cheating, Ron's place on the Quidditch team is tenuous, and Harry, well, Harry has been anointed "The Chosen One". Neo, much? There is still some politics, Percy is still the hated Weasley, Draco is still sinister (even more so that his father is in Azkaban), there's a new Minister of Magic, and there's a whole lot more Fleur Delacourt and a lot less of the Dursleys, although not enough Luna Lovegood. Hee!

Harry is definitely older, not much wiser (unfortunately), but altogether, the penultimate book does not disappoint. It is, however, definitely reading like the first act of a two-part ending. Rowling! Give us book 7 soon!

incommunicado

Between two birthday parties, overtime work, mom in the hospital and Harry Potter, I'm going to be pretty incommunicado this weekend. Meanwhile, here's some form of "deeper insight" into my personality based on my birthdate (yeah, duh):

Your Birthdate: October 30

Your birthday on the 30th day of the month shows individual self-expression is necessary for your happiness. You tend to have a good way of expressing yourself with words, certainly in a manner that is clear and understandable. You have a good chance of success in fields requiring skill with words. You can be very dramatic in your presentation and you may be a good actor or a natural mimic. You have a vivid imagination that can assist you in becoming a good writer or story-teller. Strong in your opinions, you always tend to think you are on the right side of an issue. There may be a tendency to scatter your energies and have a lot of loose ends in your work. You may have significant artistic talent and be very creative.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

don't you worry 'bout a thing, baby

One of the team leads over at GeeksForHire went impulse-buying and got herself a P910i free with a Globe G-Max plan. Myself, I've got an 800-peso plan that I maximize, although I don't think I would be able to handle the 1,200-peso plan. Got a Motorola E398 to go along with it.

Got to thinking about how many cellphones I've had over the past few years. I started out with a heavy-duty batuta-like Nokia (analog) when I got my Smart line ages ago; then I graduated to a slightly smaller although equally batuta-like Nokia 200 I believe, the phone that Globe was giving free with a 250-peso a month subscription with, yes, free text. From then I went through a Nokia 5110, two 6110s, a strange Motorola one-liner that was so hard to use (that I think belonged to A.), a 6210, an 8310, and now a 6220 and a Motorola E398 (hello Moto!).

It's funny, these phones. They're like ex-boyfriends the way I remember some of them. There were forgettable ones (like that Motorola); there were cherished memories (loved the 6110). [Although now, I have two phones... but I've never had two boyfriends at once!] I know a friend who just recently gave up his well-worn, ages old 3210; much like he just recently gave up his well-worn, ages-old love for his ex. Like me, he sometimes waxes sentimental, but we both like what we have right now.

-oOo-

Am dreading the end of the month because season 5 of C.S.I. (the original is always the best) is coming to a close, although it's also a highly-anticipated season finale directed by none other than Quentin Tarantino. Much fun is expected to be had!

-oOo-

pDVDs gathering dust on my shelf which I should be watching sometime soon:

Earthsea

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

I (heart) Huckabee's

Robots

Angels in America

-oOo-

Great going for the Anglican Church, which has allowed woman priests and are now voting for the installation of woman bishops in Britain... Per BBC, at present only Anglican churches in the United States, Canada, Polynesia and New Zealand have women working as bishops. Still, yay for them. Er, Catholics? CBCP?

-oOo-

Have been given different tasks at GeeksForHire because I finished the previous ones on time, relatively. The new project-within-a-project is something new and a bit more challenging than what I was previously doing. I had settled into a good schedule with what I had been doing, and was looking forward to coasting a little this week; instead I'm looking at more than a few overtime days and maybe work on the weekend. Feh. The other geeks on my team are still doing what we were originally scheduled to do. This is the price I pay for being efficient, then.

And the work goes ever on...

Last Song Syndrome : Don't Phunk With My Heart - Black-Eyed Peas

new look

And now I've had to go and change my template. Something was wrong with my old original template (huhuhu... two years old na yun!), pushing the text of the first post down below the sidebar. This new template is temporary although knowing me this will last for quite a while.

Uh-huh, two posts in one day. Am I back or what? Hehehehe! I guess with everything that's going on in the world, our embattled President (I still stick with you, Madam President... at least for due process), the London bombing, the break-up of Kristine and Diether... blogging makes for a sense of normalcy. Besides, I haven't been able to write in the longest time. I miss it, terribly.

Last Song Syndrome : Untitled - Simple Plan

hiatus

The supposed "comebank" post was a week early. I just really had to greet the Ger-ber on this medium because of the, um, shared history (heh!). I've been told to stop and smell the blogs, er, roses every once in a while, so here this is. I haven't been able to go online for ages, but I'm going to try to do so more often.

Things I did while on blogging hiatus:

Started actually working for GeeksForHire. Imbibed some of the culture (it's easier to imbibe denim Fridays than, say, having to log all your hours for your billable work).

Actually attended a training thingy, within one month of being with the company (which was actually equivalent to the training I attended with StingyCo in four years).

Looked for freelance work. Failed. Still looking.

Adjusted to twice-a-month salary payouts. Is actually quite convenient. Of course it helps that the salary is also relatively higher. Am still earning less than USD1,000 a month though. Grrr!

Had our househelp (who happened to be gay) up and leave us, stealing the life savings of his fellow househelp, her jewelry, bags, my cousin's expensive shirts, and a whole lot of my dad's shirts and pants. Seems he was also planning dognap Dallas (huh!). It wasn't nice because some people in the vicinity made prejudicial comments regarding the third sex and I thought it wasn't fair. However, I do abhor what he did. After we trusted him (well, sort of).

Bought a Rottweiler (actually half, she's shared with the SO). Her name is Heart. Hee!

Tried to be more understanding of the SO, and I think I succeeded. Although I'd have to ask him.

Was glad to be back in the loop now that the work email can receive YahooGroups mail. Yay!

Made a complete and utter mess of my room. It's easier to do that when you have a sister-roommate who has five times as many shoes and bags as you do. I've had to cram all my stuff into half of what was once my room. Hayy!

Got the old Duron up with the help of the SO. At least zeester#2 will have a workable PC for school stuff (and not bother us for the laptop, heh).

Looked for a contractor for the house that would give us what we wanted for the demolition and rebuilding within our budget. No luck. UncleArchitect's detailed plans were apparently too detailed and very expensive. We're looking into just giving the contractor the floor plans and do as you wish within x.xM pesos.

Gained weight. Just a hypothesis but with all the eating out (hazards of being in a relationship) and with all the fricking food at GeekForHire (it's worse than StingyCo! everyone has food!)...

Speaking of the hazards of being in a relationship... watched roughly a movie a week since getting back together. In one weekend we watched both Hitchhiker's Guide and Sin City. Interesting.

Saw papa Neil Gaiman at PowerPlant. Just yesterday. Sigh... Actually was a star-studded day at PowerPlant (saw John Estrada, Brad Turvey), but papa Neil and Jojo Lastimosa in one day...?! Just wonderful.

to my first blog-friend

Thought it was fitting that I post my "comeback" post on the birthday of the person who got me involved in blogging in the first place.

Happy Birthday Ger!

Last Song Syndrome : Same Ground - Kitchie Nadal

smokin', rockin' geeks

I went a week without nicotine. It was a promise, that I would give it up, but I could not sustain it. At least I tried. The last time I supposedly quit, I was nicotine-free for three months. It was easy to not be around the smoking buddies at the time, but now that the SO is back in my life, it's harder to quit. And I actually experienced what seemed to be withdrawal symptoms. Sitting here now, online with Tori Amos in the background and a cigarette in hand, is like sitting with an old friend that you're glad just to hang with.

I'm not sure who posted this in the Pinoyslayer blog, but this site rocks.

I miss working at StingyCo. Rather, I miss not working during work time at StingyCo. Things were a bit laid-back before I left, no major projects. I would leave at 5:15 and not have work left over. Now, at IntlConsultingFirm (which milks you for what you're worth... much like a--factory?!), the earliest I leave is 7pm. Granted, we're in the middle of a project, but I'm starting to get sucked into this vortex of late nights, even if I'm one of the first people to arrive each morning. The strange thing is, I'm starting to really get into it. Today was heavy testing day and I did a case with 45 parameters. It's challenging. Geeks for hire, anyone?

Filched this from Deepa:

You Belong in London A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-) Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Last Song Syndrome : Hallelujah - Bamboo

iq daw o

Your IQ Is 135

Your Logical Intelligence is Genius Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Exceptional

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

all anew

First new blog post in two weeks. Full of new stuff. Promise.

new job
Finally started an IntlConsultingFirm. Am still undecided on a sobriquet. Maybe when I get to stay there for a month. Am still trying to adjust. It's a whole different culture from StingyCo; and I came in the middle of a hectic season when days bleed into nights, with a new system and a whole different set of methodologies to learn. It's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

new old SO
Old news, but still. At the risk of sounding mushy, am loving him more and more each day.

new member of the family
After a looong trip to Novaliches, we came back with Dallas.

Some dogs exist merely to be cute, eh?

new text-stalker
Someone started texting me vulgar texts about wanting to f*ck me badly. The scary thing is this person knew my name and that I worked for StingyCo. Sigh. As of the moment he or she (I can't discount that it's a she, after all, some people's girlfriends have stuck it to me worse) has stopped texting but if things get worse I may have to consider changing my number. The SO is just concerned that this person might graduate to actual stalking, although I feel it's highly unlikely.

hectic weekend

Am getting ready for a teambuilding session at Palms with the new department at IntlConsultingFirm. It was a blessing in disguise (thank you Lord!) that the partner for the intercompany badminton tilt backed out. And then tonight the gehls have a night-out at the baywalk and ovenight at the Grand Boulevard Hotel to take advantage of Helen's free stays. I really hope we don't get a shitty room like last time. After the overnight, tomorrow is Star Wars day with the SO. I wonder when I'm going squeeze in the groceries, IntlConsultingFirm requirements, and other general tasks. Oh well. Things will work out.

by the way
Last weekend we celebrated the new lawyer in the family via thanksgiving dinner. Much fun was had. And thanks to my favorite godmother for continually stroking my ego despite the fact that I've gained 20 pounds since she last saw me.


Last Song Syndrome : Sunrise - Norah Jones (my "discreet" ringtone)

trip to jerusalem

Finally. Got to watch Orli's supposed starmaking vehicle, Kingdom of Heaven. Okay, okay, so there were also Liam, Eddie N and papa Scar. It was Alright. It wasn't spectacular. It wasn't all that bad, either. I agree Orli needs some workshops (naks, parang Evil Empire workshops yan amyslayer) to work on his depth. I found Eva Green annoying, sorry. But the supporting cast of seasoned actors from Liam to Jeremy to Brendan Gleeson and David Thewlis were quite superb. Edward Norton was wonderful. A lesser actor would have made Baldwin a caricature. Lab yu, Eddie.

What I appreciated, though, was the take on religion, tolerance, and fanaticism.

Anyway, a Trip to Jerusalem is actually musical chairs, right? And as the chairs decrease... well, let's just say that it can be termed American Idol. And last night was quite frankly, Bo's night. Sigh. From that great rendition of Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, to that stunt of singing a capella, and finally to the jumping around for Satisfaction (I don't care what Simon says!)... I hope this guy is going to the finals. Honestly. One of the girls is going. Hee.

Last Song Syndrome : Lonely No More - Rob Thomas

bugger this skycable

One lousy thunderstorm. I pay, what, almost ten thousand bucks a year for your cable service, and one lousy thunderstorm knocks it out for 12 hours (and counting)! You should be ashamed of yourselves.

why did i *know* i was han solo?!

Star Wars Horoscope for Scorpio

You are a powerful character. You tend to be possessive and lusty - which explains your greedy nature. You feel threatened when people try to order you around or control you. You are prone to suspicion and jealousy - but your resilience and passion get you what you want. Star wars character you are most like: Han Solo

What is Your Star Wars Horoscope?

I really knew. When I clicked the button I thought to myself, "Gaah, I'm going to end up Han Solo." And I did. I didn't even like him at first. But I guess I don't really like myself much, either.

Last Song Syndrome : Closer You and I - Gino Padilla?

double takes

Both double takes involved the Myx Daily Top Ten... and the Carter brothers...

Double take #1. Is that Aaron Carter singing to a Britney Spears lookalike in a taxicab? Nope, it's Jesse McCartney. Gaah. Who can tell these kids apart?!

Double take #2. Are those the friggin' BACKSTREET BOYS?! They are alive? It doesn't seem like them, but yes, it's still them. Grown up. A little edgier but... still them.

PS That song Hollaback Girl grows on you huh? I'm seriously considering getting a copy of love.angel.music.baby.

PPS Gaah! Just saw the #1 song, Mariah Carey's We Belong Together. She is marrying Eric (bro of Julia) Roberts, but ends up running away with uber-cutie Gage the Fish Boy Wentworth Miller! I knew that guy at the end of the It's Like That video looked damn familiar. Of course only Buffy fans will get the Gage reference; he also appeared as the young Anthony Hopkins in The Human Stain and as a doctor dude in Underworld. Ay, fafah!

Last Song Syndrome : Both Sides Now - Sharon Cuneta

filmick...

Ger threw over this movie meme. Had a really good chat with him too. Sa uulitin, kiddo, with less depressing topics...

total number of films i own on DVD/video:
Do you count pDVDs? Because if it's only legit stuff then I have... 8. Including contraband: 180+?

the last film i bought:
Legit: The Cutting Edge (! Hee!)
pDVD: Being Julia

the last film i watched:
In the theater: Hitch
On video: LoTR RoTK extended edition
On HBO: Jawbreaker

five films that i watch a lot or mean a lot to me:
Ger isn't the only cheater:

LoTR - the pinnacle of my romp through fantasy as a teenager became the most outstanding fantasy movies

The Flight of Dragons - sometimes I think I'm the only one who likes this movie

The Princess Bride - Wesley and Buttercup and Inigo Montoya, ROUSes and dread pirates and raising the dead... it's a helluvalot of fun! Not to mention Robin Wright was actually still beautiful...

Some Kind of Wonderful - "I'd rather be alone for the right reasons"

Stand and Deliver/Dead Poets Society - I wanted to become a teacher because of these films but unfortunately that wasn't meant to be...

Jerry Maguire - sigh...

10 Things I Hate About You - ok, insipid teen movie at times, but Heath Ledger is very lovable and there are times when you just need brain candy

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels/Snatch - pure fun, thinking fun!

Good Will Hunting - Matt and Ben did something right with this movie...

and there are a whole lot more, of course...!

to which 5 people am i passing the baton and why?

Rea - my film buddy... ok, so she doesn't have a blog... so scratch that...

Oliver - because he does reviews and loves movies more than I do

JDJ - he has waaay more videos than I do and I would like to see the interplay of math and movies

Jennie - because the videoke queen might have extended her realm to video

Sunshine - another moviephile, who needs a break from all the stuff going on in her life

And finally, a cheat: pinoyslayer-dom - because I always like to hear what they have to say

Last Song Syndrome : Get Me - M.Y.M.P.

everybody's changing

The ankle is healed, although a little tender. The heart is, well, healing, but still also "tender". There are a lot of issues involved with getting back together with someone you've hurt deeply in the past. It also doesn't help that there are other parties involved, because you were both embarking on new relationships when chance brought the two of you together. Oh well. I guess you really have to work at it to make it work.

Anyway, there are so many changes happening right now, what with a now-active so-called lovelife, Bespren J's own well-traveled love connection, the transfer to IntlConsultingFirm (since I haven't started there yet, I haven't coined it's "proper" name), feeling bad that I can't volunteer properly for either the PinoySlayers or CharmedPinoy at New Worlds 3, trying to deal with my white hairs, trying to adjust to life without Bespren M just a local phone call away...

Sabi nga ng Keane:

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same

i'm a buffy girl...
Filched from martea_scryer and magnifique_f8:

Which Buffy Girl Are You? Find out @ She's Crafty

writing fini

Today I will file my resignation from StingyCo. Wish me luck.

I still have loads of work to do, and tons of work to turnover. Sigh.

convalesce

Day 2 of sick leave begins. The ankle is still swollen, although feeling a lot better. Unfortunately, I cannot get more than a few paces without pain shooting up my leg, so the order of the day is working at home with my left foot (whee, Daniel Day-Lewis) elevated on three fluffy pillows.

The SO spent the day with me yesterday, although half of the time he was asleep (graveyard shift does that). I was wheeled around Makati Med by really thin interns, I wonder if they had a hard time, big girl that I am. The x-ray came back normal, although it was a sprain, no doubt about it. The thing I feel bad about the most is not being able to play badminton tonight, and the inter-company league coming up. At least I am allowed my nicotine fix.

my geekiness quotient
Credit where credit's due: Thanks, blogthings!

Your Geek Profile:

Internet Geekiness: High

Movie Geekiness: High

SciFi Geekiness: High

Academic Geekiness: Moderate

Fashion Geekiness: Moderate

Geekiness in Love: Low

General Geekiness: Low

Music Geekiness: Low

Gamer Geekiness: None

How Geeky Are You?

Last Song Syndrome : Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani (B-A-N-A-N-A-S!)

immobilized

Had Mothers' Day dinner at this Chinese place called Skyhigh in Malate. Yummy! Unfortunately on the way home, I failed to notice a little crater in the mosaic-like pavement they had installed in front. My heel shoots perfectly into the little round basin and I am thrown off balance. I fall two steps and land on my gluteus maximus. I know I hit someone along the way, sorry na lang po. I try to block everything out because of the pain (it was like having my breath knocked out of me, I swear) but I heard some bystanders going "ay ang ale nahulog!" and "ano ba nangyari diyan"... Well, curiosity isn't concern, and I don't care what these people are thinking while I'm sitting cross-legged on a Malate pavement. Took both zeester#1 and zeester#2's boyfriends to help me up.

So there, my ankle is twisted. Last night it was swollen, a little like the 'manas' of a pregnant woman, and a quick call to Doctora Anj yielded a command to "immobilize and ice". Thanks, good doctor. Anj, I feel, is an epitome of the essence of motherhood for our generation... Hee!

As of this morning, the ankle is not that swollen anymore although it hurts tremendously if I walk, even with a cane. Any movement hurts. I'm taking it to the hospital later this afternoon (take advantage of free hospital care). Meanwhile, my fingers are not affected--therefore, I blog.

the announcement
It had to come sooner or later, but officially, beginning last Friday (and unofficially beginning around mid-April), the ex-SO is now the current SO. I know, I've eaten my words. I like words. They taste good. Hee!

I am happier now than I have ever been in the last two years, with the exception of the post-Employee of the Year glow. Actually I think I'm happier now because I've found that people do grow even if they're apart; and things always seem to work out if they're meant to work out.

By the way, ex-SO is not Little Boy. Therefore...

the little boy chronicles
Are concluded. I think I was chronicling this because I knew that it was superficial and trivial. Meanwhile, the other thing going on in the background was complicated and real, and therefore remained private. Until now, that is.

Let's write a new chapter with a returning character. A long one. With hopefully this returning character sticking around til the end of the story. That would be nice.

#1

on most of the current pop charts, I believe.

Same Ground
Kitchie Nadal

My love
It’s been a long time since I cried
And left you out of the blue
It’s hard
Leaving you the way
When I never really wanted to

Self denial
Is a game so strange I never really should’ve wanted
Til there was you
Cause I have learned that love was beyond
What a human can imagine
More it clears
The more I gotta let you go

‘Cause what I don’t understand
Is why I’m feeling so bad now
When iI know it was my idea
I could’ve just denied the truth and lied
Now why am I the only one standing stranded
On the same ground

My love
It’s been a long time since I cried
And left you out of the blue
It’s hard
Leaving you the way
When I never really wanted to

Self denial
Is a game so strange I never really should’ve wanted
Til there was you
Cause I have learned that love
Is a word just thrown
A little bit too much of this
Excuse to fill this infinite of desire
And never ever have to fade

Cause what I don’t understand
Is why I’m feeling so bad now
When I know it was my idea
I could’ve just denied the truth and lied
Now why am I the only one standing stranded
On the same ground

If all else fails
Would you be there to love me?
When all else fails
Would you be brave to see right through me?

N.: perhaps?

the pleasurable acquisition of reading material

The patterns are established after all: when I'm feeling depressed, confused or just totally want to escape, I either smoke, binge, or buy things. I like buying things. Not clothes, or shoes, or any other items of clothing. Or make-up. I like buying books, CDs and (at least before) pDVDs. Well, put together the current confusions with IntlConsultingFirm, the little boy, and ex-SO, with the Powerbooks sale and that book baratillo near Papemelroti in Glorietta 3, I ended up with more than a few new books.

The book sale near Papemelroti had boxes of hardbound books selling from Ps.29 to Ps.49. If you had the time, physical capability, and the will to go through those boxes, you'd end up with some really good finds. I'm not that into James Michener's sprawling epics anymore, but I saw more than a couple of copies of Alaska, Chesapeake, Poland, The Covenant, and what-have-you, selling for Ps.49 each (and these are the big hardbound copies, mind you). I ws really looking for a copy of Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave to complement the hardbounds of The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment, but the search was in vain. Instead a got a couple of books that were in great condition that they could be given as gifts; a copy of Cause Celeb by Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding (Ps.39); The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy; The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold; and Tolkien's Unfinished Tales. Six hardbound books for Ps.254 is Not.Bad.At.All.

But of course that wasn't enough, because there was a sale at Powerbooks. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get there in time to get a copy of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Collected Stories, but I was able to get the following: The Dragon Quintet (dragon stories by Orson Scott Card, Mercedes Lackey, et al); a compilation of Irish Folktales; Bite, a vampire anthology; The Art of War (been meaning to buy this for a long time); requisite fluff reading in Plum Sykes' Bergdorf Blondes; and a paperback of The Princess Bride (squee!) by William Goldman. That was fun.

So there. I'm still a bit confused, but I'm feeling better about it. Hee!

Kevin Smith on Revenge of the Sith
Great link from Oliver: Kevin Smith geeks out on 'Sith'. Lots of spoilers, so beware. Enjoy.

Last Song Syndrome : Motorazr commercial theme

terminate me

At this precise moment, HBO is playing Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and Star Movies is showing Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Wow, how fun.

anniversary
Happy Anniversary DnA!


fugi
Ang fugi naman ni papa Neil!

the little boy chronicles
I've ended up calling him "little boy" to his face, sometimes. And then one time he heard me call Mocha (me little doggie) "little girl". Haha.

tragedy

First, the real one. Former Philvolcs chief and current PNRC governor Punongbayan was killed when the helicopter he was riding crashed. Most everyone else on the chopper also perished, including people I think were close to my aunt, former executive secretary for the Red Cross. It's sad when people die in war, and even worse when people die in projects such as this, as they were on their way to survey sites for the Red Cross when the craft crashed in Nueva Ecija. God rest their souls.

Now, for the more flippant side... Unfortunately for millions of gurls, smoldering idol Constantine Maroulis has been booted out of American Idol. Sorry Bespren D and Appleby. Nins and I really thought that Scott would go. And then when it was down to Anthony the Wonderboy and Constantine, I really thought A-Fed would go. But it was Constantine. Where were his legions of fans? Did they get tired of voting? We were really hoping for a Bo-Con showdown in the final two (hihgly unlikely but we could dream). No matter, I believe that Constantine will enjoy his moment of fame--further fame, post-Idol. Just hope it doesn't disappoint like Tamyra Gray's career. That girl could still go places, though.

meanwhile
Things are not yet back to normal. I haven't caught up on other people's blogs. Just dropped by Fast Fingers to see what was up. G-boy's Fables 3 and 4 are also with me, but I haven't had time to finish them (of course I already read 3-Storybook Love, because Snow and Bigby are gonna get it on! haha!). IntlConsultingFirm and I are locked in negotations and it looks pretty favorable... a 25% increase for a lateral move with opportunities for travel looks good indeed. No overtime pay, though. Ha! Will be in seclusion for the next few days because I have an exam coming up on May 9. If all goes well, this might be my last exam for the industry org--because I'd then be shifting industries. Oh well. Who knows? Fingers crossed.

Last Song Syndrome : How You Remind Me - Constantine Maroulis

rob and amber... ang bidang kontrabida

The New York Times > Arts > Television > On TV, Reality Loves a Villain

I have fun watching Romber romp through The Amazing Race 7. They are scheming, conniving, manipulative, and also very street-smart, think fast on their feet and have a good grasp of psychology. I can't say I'm not rooting for them to win, because of the remaining teams (aside from Joyce's voluntary head-shaving) I think they deserve to win. Go Romber!

after.math

An ultimate geek and keeper of a multitude of my secrets, JDJ goes online (finally!) with aftermath. Meanwhile, J&J's wedding site is here.

back in business

Office internet is back up. I just hope NewTechDude doesn't go all dictatorial and take it away again (especially since I went through a few weeks' worth of LJ backlog today). Blogging from the office. Just like the old days.

josmiyo
Spending more waking hours at the office than anywhere else is taking its toll. I just realized this a while ago, when I used the restroom and started unzipping my pants before entering the cubicle. Feh. What the hell was that?

my inner European

Your Inner European is Italian!

Passionate and colorful. You show the world what culture really is.

Who's Your Inner European?

Last Song Syndrome : Linger - The Cranberries

books!

80% off on imported pocketbooks at Goodwill. I bought five, therefore, for the price of one. Stocked up on those strange collections of sci-fi stories that I only find in Goodwill, adding KnightFantastic and PharaohFantastic to my CastleFantastic, CatFantastic, and other titles. Also got Single White Vampire Seeks Same (been eyeing that for a while) as well as a Harry Turtledove book (Departures) and Secrets of the Ancient Goddess. Brain candy.

Here's the book meme I got from g!
you're stuck inside fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
Why would I want to be stuck inside Fahrenheit 451? Well if I would burn for being a
book, it would have to be either as the Bible (seriously!) or, on a less serious note, it would have to be The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Wala lang, fun.

have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Of course... Legolas Greenleaf (based on a special edition illustration in 1991); then of course there's Sirius Black; and Jules Bartolome (and then Piolo went and played him and all was lost). And Spike. Nuff said.

the last book you bought is:
@BookSale: Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper, per aurie_slayer's recommendation
@PowerBooks: Irish Girls About Town
@Goodwill: see above

the last book you've read:
I hate to admit it but it's The Time Traveller's Wife. I haven't had much time to read... :(

[Too lazy to look for links now.]
what are you currently reading:
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, Irish Girls About Town

what will you be reading next:
It's on the list at the right -->
[And then, if the G-boy lends me his new Fables books (and I agree, graphic novels are books), those would be next on the list. Whee!]

next 5 books on your To Buy list:
1. Collected Stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
2. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
3. Amber and Ashes by Margaret Weis
4. Friends: The One with All Ten Years
5. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene

five books you would take to a deserted island:
1. Robinson Crusoe
1. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
2. Ulysses by James Joyce (I might finally get to finish it there)
3. Books that Changed the World (I know, I'm cheating)
4. One Hundred Years of Solitude
5. the Harry Potter series (including the upcoming Half-Blood Prince)... hey if g! can bring the entire Sandman series...
[wala bang Complete Idiot's Guide to Surviving on a Desert Island?]

who will you pass this quiz to:
pinoyslayer-kind.

it's all over but the haggling

IntlConsultingFirm said in no uncertain terms that they wanted me on board. We are haggling though because although StingyCo is StingyCo, it is also JP, Maleen, Rea, Direk, Dencio, Helen-a, Bang, JennyVi, Lei, Cath, Kath, Bunsoy... not to mention pension vesting, profit sharing, and something that has been very comfy for the last five years. This requires a great deal of thought. There are some things that a rightly nice compensation package cannot compensate (hee!) for. Shyaks.

Last Song Syndrome : Bulong - Kitchie Nadal

sing it, baybeh

Happy Birthday, Videoke Queen!

for the first time

I actually thought Constantine gave a better performance than Nick Stahl Bo. He had a little Faramir thing going with the hair too. These two guys are both my age, huh. That's a thought. And we are as old as Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird and Bohemian Rhapsody. I think Bo's going to be in the bottom 3 this week. I hope I'm proven wrong. Bottom 3 forecast: Nadia, Carrie and Bo... three of my early favorites. But Appleby, I'm still not rooting for your lust-object Constantine.

the big break
CSI Las Vegas' night shift is officially broken up. This was a good episode. And of course Jason London was guilty. Guy as cute as that...? Well, next week's episode looks like it's going to rock. That Ecklies dude is such a snake. Hee!

the little boy chronicles
Little Boy suddenly had to go to the province because it was BigShotTito's birthday and he had to drive his political parentals (nice ring!). Apparently he had forgotten about this when he said he would come with me to J's party on Friday. It's not that it's going to be difficult to get there; it only throws a wrench on some plans. Well. No expectations. And be prepared for curveballs.

Last Song Syndrome : Eternal Flame - M.Y.M.P.

my sister, the lawyer

Bar exam results came out late Friday afternoon and squashed among the throng at the Supreme Court was 85-pound zeester#1. She passed.

The Bangkok trip we planned a while back now becomes celebration#1, while celebration#2 is still being planned. Apparently it's going to be a rather big event, somewhere along the lines of my initial plans for my wedding with ex-S.O. Haha. Seriously, since I will probably be event coordinator, I am not amused.

Last Song Syndrome : Harana - Parokya ni Edgar

work is a four-letter word

The other day, I played hooky. Even if I'm not actively searching for other employment, I went on a job interview at IntlConsultingFirm, which, should negotiations fall through, will up my annual compensation by a significant 30 percent. After the interview, which ended by 3pm, I met with Mader at Greenbelt 3, and stayed there until 7:45pm, when the zeester was to be picked up from her nearby office. That was almost five hours of... bumming around, consuming a ton of nicotine and balancing that (!) with fruit juice, bemoaning the lack of eye candy, watching the set-up for the Ayala Merchant Awards and Sybil doing a soundcheck. It was a whole lot of fun. I've been doing that a lot lately, bumming around: going on leave for interviews, half-days off to help with the preparations for that golden founding anniversary thingy, going home early to see the little boy, chatting 'til the wee hours of the morning, staying up to visit graveyard shifters or watch the American Idol and CSI replays, leaving home in the nick of time and sometimes actually being late for work (a rarity, for those who know my working hours and my supposed-morning-person-ness).

Whereas I regularly log about 15 to 20 hours of overtime within a month, this month I've so far only logged two. I know that the lady in Sales is doing all she can to stop herself from wringing my neck because of an issue we have not yet resolved. There are outstanding items to which I haven't replied, something I could not have imagined myself doing a few months ago (yes, employee of the year and all that crap). Some aspects of work have definitely deteriorated and become bland for me; aside from the internet withdrawal symptoms, the eyestrain from countless hours in front of the monitor here and at home, the growing dependence on caffeine and nicotine, and the frequent trips to 7-Eleven for junk food trips, work has even become quite unhealthy. I would rather veg out in front of the TV or re-arrange my room yet again than work sometimes. Heck, most of the time.

I know: I'm whining. And I'm bored. I sure hope it's just a phase that will dissipate soon. The thing is, for the past few years, I've let my work define me; and it goes against everything that I believe, in totality, in spirit. It doesn't help my self-esteem that my work pretty much sucks sometimes. [I believe] I'm underpaid but I haven't done anything concrete about it, until of course this series of interviews with IntlConsultingFirm. If anything, I've been complacent, mainly because I've grown accustomed to and comfortable with the motley blend of camaraderie, eccentricity, bellyaching and mirth that I experienced everyday here at StingyCo--Reg's antics, Pretty Girl's cute kasungitan, JP's obsessions, cigarette breaks with Direk. Sometimes a bright idea or a novel project comes along and I attack it with gusto, and at those times, I love my work. I would work without being paid... er, no, not really. They say that if you could find work that you love enough to do without getting paid and actually get paid for it would be perfection. Meanwhile, I find that to do the things that I would love to do, I still have to work the daily grind, and work hard at it. Come to think of it, it's not that bad--only, I have to remember that I am not my work, and I am much more than this.

Things to remember when I'm feeling this way:

I am not my work.

Have I offered my workday to God today? If so, what is this crap I'm offering?

There is that exhilarating spark upon the completion of certain projects or tasks that makes me feel real (ala-Velveteen Rabbit).

Despite everything, this job keeps food on our table and SkyCable on our TVs.

Going on leave sometimes and just fooling around are essential to remaining sane.

Remaining sane is not essential to working, but rather is essential to enjoying life.

Despite all the whining, I know that it is in me to make the most of where I am and what I'm doing now. Sometimes I just forget.

Last Song Syndrome : Leaving You Now - Session Road
[Again, another song applicable to the little boy.]

remembering the vinyl

When I was a kid, we had a turntable (which self-respecting music lover didn't? so my dad had one). The turntable would alternate with the television; one of the two was always on. In between his LPs of Matt Monro, Engelbert Humperdinck, ABBA, and Shirley Bassey, they would play songs for me too. By the time I was in first grade, I had memorized the multiplication tables because of this series of 45s (the small vinyl records, with the bigger holes, the ones that you had to have that plastic attachment to play--I have to explain for the younger generation?), this series of 45s that each had 1 multiplication table. And so each day I would go through at least three numbers. It was pretty catchy, and up to now I can still recall that sing-song chanting of "six times one equals six"...

Another album that they used to play was something like Children's Songs from Around the World. This song was one of my favorites, and at least by the time I was five, I knew what a solar plexus was:
O Senor Don Gato was a cat.
On a high red roof Don Gato sat.
He was there to read a letter,
- (meow, meow, meow)
where the reading light was better,
- (meow, meow, meow)
'Twas a love-note for Don Gato!

"I adore you," wrote the ladycat,
who was fluffy white, and nice and fat.
There was not a sweeter kitty,
- (meow, meow, meow)
in the country or the city
- (meow, meow, meow)
and she said she'd wed Don Gato!

O Senor Don Gato jumped with glee!
He fell off the roof and broke his knee,
broke his ribs and all his whiskers,
- (meow, meow, meow)
and his little solar plexus
- (meow, meow, meow)
"Ay Caramba!!" cried Don Gato.

All the doctors they came on the run,
just to see if something could be done.
And they held a consultation,
- (meow, meow, meow)
about how to save their patient,
- (meow, meow, meow)
how to save Senor Don Gato.

But in spite of everything they tried,
poor Senor Don Gato up and died.
No, it wasn't very merry,
- (meow, meow, meow)
going to the cemetary,
- (meow, meow, meow)
for the ending of Don Gato.

But as the the funeral passed the market square,
such a smell of fish was in the air,
though the burial was plated,
- (meow, meow, meow)
he became reanimated,
- (meow, meow, meow)
he came back to life, Don Gato!

And so multiplication tables and a reanimated cat, not to mention a whole lot of ABBA, were an integral part of my formative years. Wonderful. I can see what that got me.

farewell, john paul ii

In 1981, John Paul II made his first papal visit to the Philippines. My sister had just been born and looked like a little Caucasian siopao: we joked that the Santo Papa was her grandfather. During the World Youth Day celebrations, we camped out at Roxas to catch a glimpse of him and hear him say Mass.

The world mourns the passing of a great man. It is the end of an era, and the Roman Catholic Church has lost one of its greatest Popes. Some say it was like losing a family member, a beloved patriarch. The Lord has called back his shepherd—we are all mortal, after all—but in the end, Karol Wojtyla became one of the world's greatest men, who became the staunch, reforming, unifying leader of a sometimes-wavering faith, and he will always be remembered as such. He was the only Pope I knew, and his impact on the church and on individual lives will be felt for ages to come.

Last Song Syndrome : the Breakfast theme

when it comes to little boys

Sometimes it's hard but I think I'm learning: Don't expect. Don't assume. Don't give in. Don't let yourself fall.

Had a good evening with the little boy. Made up for the fiasco yesterday. If I don't over-think, I actually have fun.

Last Song Syndrome : that last Christina Milian (a.k.a. Linda Moon) song from Be Cool

exspeak

The ex-SO (N.) and I have been talking a lot lately. It really helps that he's purportedly in love with somebody else, and I don't feel his stalker tendencies anymore. I really didn't relish receiving alternately mushy and angry texts. Anyway, N. has fallen, apparently, for this girl Chinky. Chinky has a boyfriend, whom she tells N. she doesn't love anymore, but she can't seem to break up with him. She says she reciprocates N.'s feelings though.

There must really be people like that, right? Those who can't break up with their significant others even if they've fallen out of love? It wasn't a problem with me, and N. won't let me forget it. Seems Chinky is the better person... or is she? I keep on wondering if she's really in like at least with N. Sometimes I feel like she's using him because she has a computer shop in their province and N. is her free technician. Today he passed by the computer store and a kikay store to get things for her because he's going to her province during his days off next week.

Maybe it really is love, but if it is, why does it seem like she's stringing him along? Seems like it's just convenient. But that's just me. According to him, he's willing to wait--something he also told me before. I'm just really glad that he's not waiting for me anymore and that he's moved on, but somehow this strikes a chord of discontent, and wariness. I don't want him to get hurt again; but I'm glad that he's found this sliver of happiness. I can't say that I don't care for him anymore, and it's because of this that I hope that it's the real thing with Chinky. I really hope that she can own up to her emotions if she really wants to be with him, for both their sakes. Is she waiting for the two guys to fight over her? At this point in time, I still think of her as a sigurista though, and not worthy of N.'s devotion. But that's just me. Only the best for my (ex-)boy!

idolmunatayo
I agree with Simon Cowell. I find that I agree with him most of the time anyway. Scott (or Anthony) deserved to be eliminated more than Jessica, at least in my book. And peyborit Bo got his first bad comment from Simon, who thought Constantine (heaven forbid!) was better than Bo was. Bespren D (a.k.a. Constantine fangirl) is ecstatic.

oliver
...is a freelance writer, a fan of the Whedonverse, a friend of the Amy, likes Celtic-inspired music (I think), and has this rocking drawing he's entitled Marleina. Read his alternatural thoughts.

[The little boy? Is no more. I don't exactly enjoy his company right now. I'm glad we had that one meeting and I realized that although he has a lot of things going for him, he really doesn't do it for me cerebrally. And I think he has Attention Deficit Disorder, or maybe he just wasn't paying that much attention to me because I wasn't a GRO dudette--whose company he was enjoying one time when he wasn't answering any calls. Egad! This guy freaks me out now!]

words

"Yes, there is something brutal and hurt inside of me, and I wander alone, refusing the cup of anger, choosing silence rather than angry words."
- Marius the Blood Drinker, in Anne Rice's Blood and Gold

Last Song Syndrome : Always on My Mind - Elvis Presley
Am listening to the Practical Magic OST.

just a few things before i turn in

Little Jelly Belly bags are now available pre-packed for about a hundred bucks. What fun looking at each individual Jelly Belly marker! I love almost all of the 20 flavors in this particular pack, except for coconut and licorice (white and black, how fitting). I'm still finishing up the pack right now, with a lot of pink stuff floating around (the absolute favorites: bubble gum, cotton candy and strawberry daquiri). The sugar-free version (which I should be munching on) is a little more expensive at PhP127.50. I wonder how sugar-free cotton candy will taste...

The clean-room project hit a snag because the mother-unit and zeester#2 started packing and looking for stuff. And now I'm back to around square 1.5 (because I did get some stuff done anyway).

Blasts from the past are sometimes all they're made out to be, but sometimes they're also confusing, as are strange little boys who murmur sweet nothings and then suddenly disappear...

Bye Mikalah! Zeester#1 was right about this elimination, while I was wrong about Bo Bice being in the bottom 3. Come on, if you're gonna be my favorite, stop singing Jim Croce songs!!!

Just got back from bringing the mother-unit and zeester#2 to the airport. I love driving at this time of day/night.

Finally, the Blue Paint Killer is nabbed on CSI. Gil finally gets his man. And it was really disturbing too. Talk about sordid.

Adieu, adieu! I shall wake early this morn because we will go to Alabang and hide Easter eggs for the little nieces and nephews.

Last Song Syndrome : Honey - Bobby Goldsboro
Don't ask me... it was the last song playing on the radio on the way home.

maundy thursday musings

I don't wash other people's feet (figuratively) as often as I should. I believe I do my family's, but there is still always something more that can be done.

I have too many things. Objects. I think I find some form of comfort in these (e.g. when A and I broke up I went on a CD-binge, about 20 CDs in 2 weeks). I have to stop. I have countless books I still haven't read; and a ton of pDVDs I don't watch anymore. Today I'm going to try to purge some of the stuff. Let go and let God, probably!

If people don't need drugs medicinally, or for some form of escape, what do they need them for? How come some people cannot function without a fix? What if I were to try?

If I were to meet someone, I need a man, not (still) another boy.

I've started the filthy nicotine habit again. Stress, work-induced, as well as yet-another-little-boy-induced. Sigh.

and now that i've started
the purging, I've found one of my most beloved CDs, Sinead Lohan's No Mermaid. Nice music to declutter to.

for the (yet-another) little boy
Lift your head up out of your hands, love,
I can't take you anywhere.
Sometimes you give me all you've got to give me
and sometimes you act like you don't care.
- Don't I Know, Sinead Lohan

Last Song Syndrome : Disillusioned - Sinead Lohan
In agony we drew a circle with a stone.
What's the colour of the raindance, I don't know.
When it closes in, I know you'd rather be alone.
In the day's disguise, night's howling at the moon.

a day of nothing

Just finished reading a TWoP recap of the episode of C.S.I. that aired last Wednesday. I missed a certain part because G was taking full advantage of Sun's 24/7. Haha. Anyway, the episode (in which papa Gary D. was utterly yummy)... ANYWAY, the episode centered on an idyllic upper-class suburban community which engaged in sexual swap-meets. It was funny because I didn't realize that the family names used were family names from various sitcoms. The woman who dies in the episode is surnamed Keaton (Family Ties!), the party hosts are the Bradys (hee!) and another couple are the Cunninghams (Happy Days was before my time, but they showed reruns a few years ago which zeester#2 insisted on watching). Wasn't that fun? The other families daw were the Huxtables (Cosby Show!), the Seavers (Growing Pains!)... and I don't know who the Jeffersons and the Bunkers are... who's Archie Bunker anyway?

Also watched Ocean's Twelve a little earlier. [Sidebar: Thanks to Dread Pirate Roberts (whose identity shall remain hidden), I'm still able to get my twice-monthly fix of -ahem- contraband, while not having to go out and brave the crackdown. A wee bit pricier but it's more convenient.] Anyway, Ocean's Twelve was a terribly fun movie, although I don't regret not watching it at the theater. Like Ocean's Eleven, which I just watched on HBO a year ago, I think. Everyone just seemed to be having so much fun; and of course, the added bonus of Vincent Cassel (squee!).

I just realized I missed the first episode of Lost. I don't know what I was doing last Thursday night. Probably sleeping. Thank heavens for AXN's (and StarWorld's) weekend replays. Bravo!

After meeting Dread Pirate Roberts, I brought zeester#2 to Ortigas and ran into uber-foul traffic on EDSA. Somewhere near EDSA-Crossing, the private cars' lanes merge into one (read and weep: ONE!) lane. Traffic was stopped up from Guadalupe onward. That was great, just great. I have so much time to waste, after all. On the way back, inspiration strikes and I decide to go to the mall. Ayala Center. With the second day of Double Midnight Madness. Madness it was, indeed. Picked up a couple of books but no main goal (shoes). Oh well. I was able to get a copy of Irish Girls About Town (seemed like fun reading), replacement copy of Einstein's Dreams (lost mine), A Brief History of The Celts, and a box of postcards for 300 bucks (15 bucks each for really pretty cards, not bad). Oh well.

[Well actually, there's something. I feel like I'm being dragged deeper every day and I allow myself to be carried by the current, but I know that I'm setting myself up for a fall. But it's fun, this freefalling and not knowing. I'm weird like that. Cy told me to stay away from that particular crew. Sorry, Cy.]

Last Song Syndrome : L'Appuntamento from Ocean's Twelve

things to do at 2am

...when you're frantically applying updates to your antivirus and downloading anti-spyware because suddenly you can't connect to the internet...

listen to Mojofly, Kitchie Nadal days (even then I was in love with her voice)

replace grip on badminton racket, which had been put off for two months now, thank you

convince myself that there are neither intentions nor sparks between me and G

list down stuff to buy tomorrow (Irish Girls About Town, Phillips earphones with case, toilet paper, toothpaste)

think about starting to work on latest Factory freelance job

end up playing Warfare on AchTung Baby

blog for the first time in two weeks about (go back to top)

Ah well. Such is life. Prevention is definitely better than having to go through all these (yes, JP, I have learned my lesson).

Last Song Syndrome : Another Day - Mojofly

the weirdness in me

_pagan helps unleash the weird:




Last Song Syndrome : Anak ng Pasig - Geneva Cruz
(ok now tell me that isn't weird...)

celebrate life amidst acts of death

I'm glad I'm alive. I'm glad that no one in my immediate circle was in the vicinity of the Ayala-Edsa blast (don't know how close y_slaybelle was though), nor the GenSan and Davao bombings. I cannot imagine how those who lost their loved ones could feel. Unlike the Rizal Day bombing of 2000, I was nowhere near the area, as we were wary of the commercial district on Valentine's Day. When we got home, however, it was on the news, and I can't help but condemn groups like these, which make it their business to sow terror in the common tao without any notable or worthwhile (well at least not to us) goals.

However, in the midst of the shock, there was jubilation. The former boss, who now works in the Singapore office of StingyCo is finally pregnant, after trying for more than eight years. I remember everything about her life being so perfect except for that one aspect that she and her husband really wanted. Their prayers have finally been answered, thankfully. And then of course DaMike is turningthirty today, this huggable, moody-yet-lovable, action-figure-collecting good friend of mine. My wish for him is that he remains that strange blend of childlike and cynical; and that his lovelife will finally be sorted out.

Events like the bombing as well as Ms. R's answered prayers and turningthirty make you re-evaluate your faith, both in people and in your Higher Power. How can we be happy with a life about to burst forth when they will be entering a world with soulless bastards that bomb anonymously, killing husbands, wives, fathers, friends? But we are, because in the midst of despair, new birth always signifies hope.

[Congratulations, Ms. R. You will now be in my prayers often because a first pregnancy at 42 is quite difficult. Heck, stress nowadays contributes to difficult pregnancies at any age. But I'm sure that your exultation regarding this welcome news will more than make up for that. Here's to life!]

viva geneva
One officemate asked, "Kailan?" and then JP and I simultaneously burst into song: "Kailan, kailan mo ba mapapansin ang aking lihim?" Hahahaha! Viva la Smokey Mountain! The songs of our youth come back to haunt us at the strangest times.

Last Song Syndrome : Kailan - Smokey Mountain

the ones that weren't guessed

Thanks to amyslayer for the reminder to post those songs that weren't guessed. I had meant to do this last weekend but between Phantom, A Very Long Engagement and a visit to DnA, I didn't have time to blog over the weekend.

Anyway here they are:

4. A clouded dream on an earthly night / Hangs upon the crescent moon / A voiceless song in an ageless light / Sings at the coming dawn - The Mystic's Dream by Loreena McKennitt. Also the theme of the Mists of Avalon miniseries, which though a bit disappointing was nonetheless heartening that they would dramatize Marion Zimmer Bradley's book.

5. Lately it’s occurred to me / That I’ve had enough of that / And lately I’ve been satisfied by simple things like breathing in and breathing out - Not In This Life by Natalie Merchant. Anthem.

6. Oh, that boy of mine / By my side / The silver moon and the evening tide
Oh, some sweet day / Gonna take away / This hurting inside - Blue Bayou, Linda Ronstadt. Hee. Just a simple, nice, old standard.

8. Time casts a spell on you, but you won't forget me / I know I could have loved you, but you would not let me - Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac. Baby, I don't wanna know. You go, Stevie Nicks!

10. Always I am mistaken / I look for love I find a stone / Of all the seasons winter befriends me - Momentum by Vienna Teng. Is beautiful.

13. I've no more ways to hide that I'm a desolate and empty, hollow place inside - Jezebel by 10,000 Maniacs. Natalie. I love this desolate song. Was in my head for most of 1997 and I'm still listening to it now. "I know your feelings are tender, I know inside you the embers still glow... but I'm a shadow, I'm only a bed of blackened coal."

16. I draw a jackal-headed woman in the sand, sing of a lover's fate sealed by jealous hate then wash my hand in the sea. - Verdi Cries, also by 10,000 Maniacs. Am such a fangirl.

20. With an aching inside / I'll watch as her body is raised from the tide...
Her life has been taken, and I'll never know why / But I feel in that moment, a part of me died... - The Shores of The Swilly, Sinead O'Connor singing. Have a lot of Celtic-inspired songs playing.

22. When there was just a gang of us / Storming the town by train and bus
A moment of thought this heart sends to old friends - Old Friends, Everything But the Girl. Tracey rocks. This is one of my favorite EBTG songs (memories of high school) aside from Didn't Know I Was Looking for Love, Missing and Talk To Me Like the Sea.

A lot of these are really favorite songs because the playlist I used was the AchTung Baby playlist, and my memory card is only 128MB.

Last Song Syndrome : The Shores of the Swilly

you go, girl

Highest point of the 2005 Grammys, aside from a fun-fun opening number, was Joss Stone and Melissa Etheridge belting out Janis Joplin's Piece of My Heart. Love the song, love the people who were singing. Especially Ms. Etheridge. She was openly lesbian, and she didn't care what other people were saying. She was diagnosed with cancer middle of last year, but still she rocks. My kind of woman.

my playlist meme

Filched from ballerynna:

Step 1: Get your playlist together, put it on random, and play!
Step 2: Pick your favorite lines from the first 25 songs that play!
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song the lines come from!
Step 4: Cross out the songs when someone guesses correctly!

1. How do you measure a year in the life?

2. Bye bye baby, don’t be long

3. Here’s a photo I’ve been looking for / It’s a picture of the boy next door

4. A clouded dream on an earthly night / Hangs upon the crescent moon / A voiceless song in an ageless light / Sings at the coming dawn

5. Lately it’s occurred to me / That I’ve had enough of that / And lately I’ve been satisfied by simple things like breathing in and breathing out

6. Oh, that boy of mine / By my side / The silver moon and the evening tide
Oh, some sweet day / Gonna take away / This hurting inside

7. I'm not depressed / I don't get down that much
I'm not despondent / I am not dark as such

8. Time casts a spell on you, but you won't forget me / I know I could have loved you, but you would not let me

9. Just before our love got lost you said, I am as constant as a northern star / And I said, constant in the darkness, Where’s that at? / If you want me I’ll be in the bar

10. Always I am mistaken / I look for love I find a stone / Of all the seasons winter befriends me

11. Dear Marcus, you rocked my world / You had a charismatic way about you with the women / And you got me seriously thinking about spirituality

12. Years go by / Will I choke on my tears / Till finally there is nothing left
One more casualty / You know we're too easy

13. I've no more ways to hide that I'm a desolate and empty, hollow place inside

14. Since I’m only dead to you, I’m saying stay away

15. I’ll let it pass and hold my tongue / And you will think that I’ve moved on

16. I draw a jackal-headed woman in the sand, sing of a lover's fate sealed by jealous hate then wash my hand in the sea.

17. Please don’t say “I love you”, those words touch me much too deeply

18. I’d rather you be mean than love and lie / I’d rather hear the truth and have to say goodbye

19. What exactly do you do? Have you ever thought it's you that's boring?

20. With an aching inside / I'll watch as her body is raised from the tide...
Her life has been taken, and I'll never know why / But I feel in that moment, a part of me died...

21. When her days are grey / And her nights are black / Different shades of mundane

22. When there was just a gang of us / Storming the town by train and bus
A moment of thought this heart sends to old friends

23. Today is gone but tomorrow will be okay

24. I might want to marry you one day if you watch that weight and keep your firm body

25. Well, I’ve been afraid of changing ’cause I’ve built my life around you / But time makes you bolder / Children get older

Last Song Syndrome : all of the above

texts, dermot, batteries and the chumscrubber

The other night, I was jolted out of my late-night-just-about-to-sleep reverie by a sudden text from Co-conspirator. We’re way past booty calls (or booty texts, for this matter), so I wondered what the ‘favor’ was. Apparently, CC the office lothario was looking for KP’s phone number because he ‘accidentally deleted it’. Puh-lease, how lame can you get? (Okay, benefit of the doubt.) KP was one of his first frustrated conquests in the office, although I know for a fact that they’re getting friendly now. I still gave him the number. I don’t know how KP will react to that but they’re both adults anyway, and reputation notwithstanding, I still think that CC is a nice enough guy to understand the word no, if ever. Who knows, maybe KP with her sassy, independent woman, devil-may-care attitude is just what he needs…

After that, I couldn’t seem to lull myself back to sleep. Thanks to that though, I caught Dermot in-which-backwoods-have-you-been-hiding Mulroney on Conan. Apparently, he and Debra Messing have a movie together called The Wedding Day. I then flip channels and land on AXN where, hehe, I catch the ending of My Best Friend’s Wedding. Dermot’s still yummy, even with the salt-and-pepper hair thing going. Still looks like Stallone, but who’s complaining.

I’m reading through what I’ve written and I’ve been hyphen-happy. Hee!

-oOo-

At Glorietta last weekend, PhotoWorld 2005 was underway. Browsed through various booths such as those for Kodak, Epson, Canon, and photographers such as Passion Photography and John Mateos Ong. The Apacer booth was particularly interesting because their 60X 512MB SD cards were selling for PhP3,000. Unfortunately they did not accept charge transactions so I’ll have to wait until (a) next payday or (b) sudden windfall from Factory jobs (still no word on that matter). I was able to get a 4-pack of 2300mAH rechargeable batteries for PhP348 only, though, and that made my trip a good one already. I remember the last time I scouted for 2100mAH batteries, a pair was about PhP400.

-oOo-

The Chumscrubber recently premiered at the Sundance film festival and I'm quite excited about it being shown over here. Billy Elliot's Jamie Bell plays a suburban kid taking on the craziness of suburbia, with a cast composed of (swoon) Jason Isaacs and Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Richard Gleason, Allison Janney, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lauren Holly, Rita Wilson, John Heard, William Fichtner, and cute little Camilla Belle, in a film that tackles the "hypocrisy and muted subjects of our times", said the director in a post-screening interview, using comic book superheroes as an allegory. What fun.

Last Song Syndrome : Pippin's song for Denethor