Monday, January 29, 2007

Haven't Posted in a While

Generally pissed at how my Advertising Class is going. Sometimes you are just doing the wrong thing even when you feel it to be right.

Now the only saving grace is for our group to win the advertising competition next month to get an A for our workshop grades... God help us, we need the grade.

That being said, I'm dreading...well not really dreading just miffed at Mondays all the more. Hay...

Not much stuff going on with Magic, no major tournaments until next month.

Rehearsals are going ok, will post show details in my next post, nuod kayo ah!!! :D

Sunday, January 14, 2007

stuff to do

as was suggested by tiff and furthered by my irrate mental state right now

movies to watch : (discluding obvious blockbusters and mainstream new movies)

1. equilibrium
2. battle royale
3. 2 french art films
4. 6 kurosawa films (pacing myself)
5. monsoon wedding
6. the last emperor
7. the talented mr. ripley
8. the emperor's club
9. the black dahlia
10. house of flying daggers
11. chunking express
12. gods and monsters
13. space balls (oh yeah we love you mel brooks!)
14. say anything
15. a clockwork orange
16. cyrano de bergerac

books to read

1. saramago (they are begging to be read...)
2. some computer software self-help stuff
3. america's boy
etc. (these are what i have)

what i do not have but want to read
1. umberto eco
2. latest john grisham novels (nakakamiss talaga minsan)
3. gabriel marquez (what the hell, 100 years was a pain to read but it was magnificent! why not the rest)
4. drawing fantasy characters and monsters-kev walker (mtg people, kilala niyo siya!)
5. the tipping point

a lot to do... a lot to do...

slightly pissed at my performance today. 3 misplays, good lord what is wrong with me. they cost me extreme board positional losses and 2 game losses. hay ano ba yan! extremely pissed at some people. really miffed at the existence of such a brainless deck ie oath.

i don't want to say it but if you can't beat them... join them... WTF kill them roflcopter. hay...maybe next time. baduy kasi magoath nakakburat lang talaga maglaro ng auto-win. but we'll see. i'm getting sick of losing to the same deck. had fun today though, played a rather diverse set of games like madness, salvagers/masknaught (oh the oakleys!), oath (powered, i lost...go figure...), bw disruption (argh my creation! well somewhat haha), semi-powered dragonstorm, fcg. not bad. quite diverse this country is rofl. sad though that mainstays like fonzi and marco and marcelle and johan weren't there, it was eerily quiet, though nigz' presence compensation package.

til next time!

vintage forever!


can anyone help me secure copies of these movies and books?

Friday, January 12, 2007

very disappointed, well pissed

Reality checks come by and slap me in the face from time to time.


When am I going to learn that not everyone operates the same way as I do? That not everyone has the same principles, same or even semblance of decency, morality, and culture? I mean I’ve read it already, from psychology to socio-anthropology, yet why am I still disappointed, why do I keep expecting?

Next time, I’ll take an initiative. I'll take my own advice as I aptly told a friend of mine before, “be a bitch once in a while.”

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

Gigantic rock? Beautiful ring? What you may not know about your best friend is how it began and how it travelled to the stores, on display, to woo each and every woman. After all, a diamond ring is to some circles a penis. But i digress. I just watched Blood Diamond today with Leonard, and I was blown away.

The story is amazing. It brings the audience to another side of the world, to another culture, to another set of politics. Several juxtapositions of Africa and London/developed nations make the movie all the more effective. Also, the numerous Americanized situations in Africa enforce the ignorance of the desire for the diamonds. The scenes are graphic and tastefully directed. Throughout the movie, the idyllic scenery shots belie the horrors of the goings-on in the country. the movie, in itself carries a lot of themes and symbolisms. The cyclical reference to the earth versus the ambitions of a young man, brilliant, just brilliant! The father and son scenes are very well directed so as to wet the viewers' eyes, that being said the script and music couldn't be better. Leonardo di Caprio once again shines in his role. He is cool and practiced, but all of his being unravels when he senses his imminent death. His face changed so much in that scene, it was beautiful. From when he resigned himself to his fate, to his talk with Jennifer Connelly! Golden!

The child army scenes were very effective in telling the viewers the modus operandi of the RUF. Children toting guns is a very scary sight. The movie speaks a lot about desire. The movie itself revolves around three main characters who reluctantly are polarized to each other with each his/her own goals to pursue. And each of those goals are complex, different; all the more to give the characters more character and to profoundly expound their positions in the movie.

The blood diamond, a diamond with a pinkish tint, and in the movie around 100 karats, symbolizes our rare bouts of success. Finding it is extremely hard, with roadblocks along the way, but as Leonardo learns in the movie, one might not have the longevity to use that which he fights to gain. It was an unfortunate fate, but as he resigns himself and says, "i'm where I belong," we can see that the journey has changed his life, his perspectives.

I'd highly recomment you guys to watch this film! It's a bit long though, I'm not sure whether or not they could've removed some scenes but I like it the way it is.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

randomness of doom

there are a lot to talk about. rather there was a lot to talk about. there was some topics i wanted to discuss but for some reason i can't remember anymore.damn that back to back sa and eco long tests. brains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well since the only thing i can remember right now is wasting my time watching a jacky chan movie, here goes. as most of you know, my dad is a die-hard jacky chan fan. as long as it is jacky chan, we will watch it, as a family. it didn't matter when or where, as long as it's jacky chan, we will watch (yeah couple years back perio week, jacky chan movie.)

well jacky's latest movie rob b hood is a gigantic disappointment. but since it is a pure chinese film i guess i shouldn't be expecting too much. the humor was slapstick, retarded, and just really dumb. there were several inappropriate dialogues, dumb-ass cracks--"i'm from brokeback mountain" WHAT THE HECK?! the direction spoon fed the audience all the way. the acting was ok, well let's just say the characters did as they were told. music, terribly annoying, a permutation of auld lang syne was playing in most of the scenes. the fight scenes were what you would expect for a jacky chan flick, except they really make most of the cool stuff nonchalant now. youtube the fight in their house to understand, great stuff. the story was...off. just a bit off.
in the end i guess if slapstick is your cup of tea, this is for you. but it's jacky chan so yeah...

interesting is the not-so-blatant advertising of pepsi throughout the movie. it's just so random to have the side of an apartment complex painted with a pepsi mural.

in the end, it really is a bundle of laughs, slapstick or otherwise. get a dvd, it just isn't worth the money to watch on the big screen.

the trailers, were the redeeming part of the trip. hm...sounds like doa all over except doa had babes. but here is one of the most brilliant comedy trailers i have ever seen.

throughout history, God had appeared to his chosen few

Abraham
Moses
Joan of Arc

BRUCE
(at this point i was pumping my fists into the air!)

and... Evan Baxter. remember the demon tongued anchor? haha i have to watch this movie!

another trailer that got me excited (spiderman is a given) is 23. it sounds really interesting, it's a thriller starring jim carey. yeah! lot's to be excited for. oh and pirates 3 is slated to come out on may!

as we left the theaters i saw a poster of babel. which i meant to blog about early on.

i just saw it last week or so, via dvd from metrowalk. it's a very interesting film. it's like 4 short films packed into one. they are threaded together by relations and deeds. the movie opens with a man selling a rifle to a father and from then on, the events start chaining (or rather unweaving) themselves to the viewers. the scenes are masterfully poignant, the screenplay and photography are brilliant! the music accentuating every scene. the stories of each group of characters are fine in themselves, they represent so much. the themes of miscommunication are visibly seen from the couple's squabbles, the father and his children's upbringing (you killed an american! not only that his sister lets him peep while she takes a bath!), language and culture with regards to the tnt maid and the most heart-rending frustrations of the deaf-mute japanese girl. from my perspective the movie shows a lot of american bias, perhaps to signify the power america has over the world and that each exercise of power america has brings apart another group of people. there are several scenes that really strike me, the japanese girl in the disco with the flashing lights with music turning on and off give us a picture of the color, or lack of color she sees. we see her exhibitionism, her frustrations with her everyday encounters, why is she sex-starved? did she mean to kill herself? the film is beautiful and imaginative. tastefully done and embraces the audience into a world of culture. seriously, the juxtaposition of each scene is a form of art in itself! you guys have to watch this movie!

and after i decided i'd say this the tones of reality hit me. my usual gang of moviegoers has fallen apart. kester has moved to sta ana where he is most inaccessible and well...howell...dear howell...is now in america. we will miss you buddy. thinking about the good times we've been having. i remember our overnights, silly jokes, philosophical discussions (how i miss these). there have been several brilliant times we have had with each other. and now you are embarking on to write your own story in the book of life. we will await your return, your stories and your brokebacking...with maxi... the unholy trifecta might see the light of togetherness again, bring carlo in a balikbayan box! it is as if a portion of my life has been lost, legarda seems meaningless to me now. well first street... hehe. movies, our bonding time. cheese. pingpong. everything. sunset sunrise. we will miss you man! see you when we see you!

Friday, January 05, 2007

meme

stolen from marcelle's blog. i'm bored.

PLACES:
1) PLACE YOU HUNG OUT THE MOST IN THIS YEAR:
bola's house, howell's house, fish's house, rsf (so sad...pesteng virus), gateway, koine one acts.

2) FAVORITE NEW PLACE YOU DISCOVERED:
koine one acts.

3) PLACES YOU WENT ON DATES:
greenbelt, gateway, rcbc plaza

4) FAVORITE VACATION SPOT FOR THE YEAR:
i have no idea

5) PLACES YOU MADE OUT IN (OR MORE) THIS YEAR:
la deeh dah. does beso count? or random touching?

PEOPLE:
1) PERSON/S WHO TAUGHT YOU ALOT THIS YEAR:
direq niel de mesa, a certain female, my uncles

2) AN OLD FRIEND YOU REDISCOVERED THIS YEAR:
...i'm not sure...

3) PERSON/S WHO TOLD YOU THE NICEST THING ABOUT YOURSELF:
direq niel de mesa, my uncles

4) PERSON WHO DID SOMETHING REALLY GREAT FOR YOU (AND WHAT):
i have no idea.

5) PERSON YOU SPENT THE MOST TIME WITH THIS YEAR:
MF, Howell, Leo, MANI, Kix

6) PERSON YOU DID SOMETHING REALLY GREAT FOR (AND WHAT):
i don't want to remember, sometimes things just go unappreciated...

7) SOMEONE YOU WISHED YOU TALKED TO THIS YEAR:
L. P.

8) SOMEONE WHOM YOU STARTED A GREAT NEW FRIENDSHIP WITH:
let's just say may drinking partner ako :D and mayor

9) OLD ENEMY/S YOU MADE PEACE WITH THIS YEAR:
None. dumami.

10) SOMEONE YOU LOST THIS YEAR:
not lost lost, but my sister...

11) PERSON/S YOU KISSED THIS YEAR:
does beso count? and family.

12) PERSON WHO MADE YOU LAUGH THE MOST:
myself. for all the shit i've done. MANI, Leo and Howell and Kix

13) PERSON WHO MADE YOU CRY:
it's personal.

14) PERSON/S WHO YOU DISLIKE WHEN THE YEAR BEGAN BUT ENDED UP BECOMING GOOD FRIENDS WITH:
None

15) PERSON YOU HAD A CRUSH ON THE ENTIRE YEAR:
L.

16) SOMEONE YOU WISHED YOU APOLOGIZED TO:
they aren't very receptive.

17) PEOPLE YOU WENT OUT ON DATES WITH:
basta

18) FRIENDS YOU WENT OUT WITH ALOT:
MANI, BarkadaInc, Howell, Kix

19) COOLEST PERSON YOU MET THIS YEAR:
Direq

STUFF:
1) CLOTHING ITEM YOU WORE MOST THIS YEAR:
jeans.

2) NICEST PRESENT/S YOU GOT THIS YEAR:
money.

3) FAVORITE SONG FOR THE YEAR:
you had a bad day

4) COOLEST EVENT/S FOR THE YEAR:
me performing

5) NEW HOBBY YOU PICKED UP THIS YEAR:
acting, though hobby needs to be defined

6) BEST BOOK/S OF THE YEAR:
erm... 100 years of solitude :D santrock psych 7! yeba!

7) BEST MOVIE/S:
The Prestige, The Departed.

8) MOST SHOCKING NEWS HEADLINE OF THE YEAR:
"i'm sorry"

9) FAVORITE FOOD FOR THE YEAR:
guama's lo ba

10) FAVORITE NEW ARTIST THAT CAME OUT THIS YEAR:
iunno

LESSONS:
1) WISEST THING YOU DID THIS YEAR:
believe.

2) STUPIDEST THING YOU DID THIS YEAR:
not think long and hard enough.

3) BIGGEST CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE THIS YEAR:
this is just so sad...

4) BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF THE YEAR:
getting by

5) SOMETHING YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY:
epal talaga ibang tao. may mga ahas sa magagandang lugar.

6) GREATEST LESSON YOU LEARNED ABOUT:
real life. bitches.

7) BEST JOKE YOU'VE HEARD ALL YEAR:
howell pointing at me and saying, "watashiwa gay des!"

8) BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR:
my failures.

9) BIGGEST BLESSING OF THE YEAR:
acknowledging my shitty little existence

10) BIGGEST THING YOU DISCOVERED ABOUT THE WORLD:
you are my oyster.

11) BIGGEST THING YOU DISCOVERED ABOUT PEOPLE IN GENERAL:
wolf in sheeps clothing, everybody is.

AND LASTLY:
1) GOALS/DREAMS FOR THE NEW YEAR:
get a life. be a bit m......... have more real friends

2) PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEXT YEAR:
i will be very very lucky. if shit happened last year, things can only get better.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
get paid to act.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
HAHAHAHAHA

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
...

5. What countries did you visit?
...

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
money, real friends, time

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
my show dates, a particular lecture, December 24

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a professional actor.

9. What was your biggest failure?
giving too much

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
don't think so

11. What was the best thing you bought?
a set of drains.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
howell. you're going far dude.

13. Whose behaviour appalled you and made you depressed?
you are a viper.

14. Where did most of your money go?
MtG.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
tournaments. haha so sad...

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
you had a bad day

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? the same dammit, i need to gain weight.
iii. richer or poorer? poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Sleep. Talk. Socialize.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
talk.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
with family! YEAH!!!

where's #21?

22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yes.

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favourite TV program?
Lost (thanks Ren), Arrested Development (thanks Abi), FMA (animax!)

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
marami.

26. What was the best book you read?
100 years of solitude.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
APO Hiking Society, house/trance music like Sunset Daze

28. What did you want and get?
some cardboard and paper.

29. What did you want and not get?
hehehehe $$$

30. Favorite film of this year?
The Prestige, The Departed.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
hung out with friends after a theo exam by the infamous crisostomo. drinking merit.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
fulfillment.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
tshirt+jeans

34. What kept you sane?
rationalizing. escaping from time to time.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
jessica alba?

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
scammers

37. Who did you miss?
none

38. Who was the best new person you met?
mayor

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
experience is the best teacher

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

basta you had a bad day.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

i'm sorry for the lack of discretion

i'm sorry for the lack of discretion. there was a lack of comprehension, sensitivity and intellect that therefore causes me to bitch about it here. i may come off like a prick, but most of you know that i don't act or talk in this way often so there is a perfectly good reason behind this. i'm seriously ticked off. also note that the word "fuck" was meant to have been liberally spread in between sentences but i decided to clean up my tongue because i wouldn't want to sound like you. if you didn't understand that, i wouldn't be surprised, heck i've had enough surprises that distasteful and wasted day. i'm not looking for sympathy. i don't give a shit. what i want is an apology. a real one. [hint]

bonus! SPELLING IT OUT FOR YOU!

i hope that the people whom i wrote this post for may read the following text in a light-hearted (that is to say, don't cry like a baby) manner and possibly read it without recognizing the angry subtext (shouldn't be too hard cause you aced it the first time [i just really needed to vent]) and take in the meaning and intention of my actions and finally do what is necessary.

i also hope that my fellow partners-in-crime (which you would call us) take a stand and say something about the crap
things that you sent us. whilst i do not want a full blown separation of our fond gang, i just don't want to take any more shit than i have to.

also this is between us, so don't go around showing this to other people. ie people who would side with you. much explicitly your parents. (my readers wouldn't give a shit. they don't know you.)

to common friends, there must be a polite way to say that this is none of your business, but the words escape me right now. that being said, please do stay out of the way and enjoy the prose (oh yes i know, i'm a prick. but they were prickier [is there such a word?]) that will ensue. i ask that your perception of x and y not be changed because of what you may have heard or read because each person is entitled to a life without prejudice. judge them when you meet them. judge me when you meet me. own up to our actions.

i hope that you all thought about what you wrote first before writing. i know i did and i do. spelling doesn't count kiddies, i'm playing my cards right. i hope you were fully digesting them before you send them in response to me, but if you insist that you have then read on. if you want to rewrite your message in a manner more respectable and correct (yes i have the balls to say this because i know we were wronged that day) then please don't read this yet. rephrase your communication and if the wronged party still isn't satisfied, then read the entry.

starting...

namnamin ninyo ang mga disclaimer bago magbasa. i mean it.


the nature of apologies is quite strange. it gets stranger when you expect it. you're really supposed to earn it. the nature of my apology was quite subtle. it really meant nothing but the letters "o" "r" "s" "s" "y" juxtaposed in such a way that they form the word "sorry" (vocab, please do learn what it means.) [don't say that i'm an asshole because you don't seem to understand the nature and etiquette behind it.] that being said, we have something to earn and you didn't earn it.

vocab 1. SORRY

i did no wrong. whatever you may pinpoint i will have a counter argument. let's give it a try? the only remotely wrong thing i did was go off and do my thing when you had to decide. but then again you and deciding just don't go together that well now do you (laugh about it, it's funny. i'm not kidding.) in the short (very short compared to what you did) time that i spent doing my thing, you could've decided to do something. whether or not it would be the right or wrong thing is another paragraph (oh yes, the nitty-gritty.) if you had decided to take your selfish route then you should've told us so we could've argued over it, and resolved it that fast. by delaying the inevitable you made matters worst. your saying that there will be a chance later on but knowing full well that you will be saying no is disgusting. your reasons for not joining us are subject to much debate in logic and maturity. but then again it is an acceptable and feasable argument that everyone is entitled to their beliefs. and i respect that. (no, this is not a quotable with which you can trap me.) that could have been the case whilst we were at the planning stages. but it is clearly not the case anymore is it?

vocab 2. commitment, next time/second chance

in case you don't remember, this thing was a commitment. we gave our word. also, this was the next time/second chance. remember last year? shall i dig up our communication before to prove my point? (19 but not ulyanin i hope, or selective memorization.)

the 19 argument. act like it.

vocab 3. maturity

done reading? no? seriously? ok, let's continue (don't tell me i'm immature by doing this, if i am, i !@#$king deserve to act this way)

BONUS! SUBTEXT (understand it, it will help.)

i meant for you to think about what you did and said. unlike most men that you know, i actually rethink about what i say. so rethink before your finger goes on auto-pilot. be mature and own up to your actions instead of crying (figurative and literal) and redirecting the blame to the most convenient figure.

granted my expectations were blatantly dashed to pieces, i still believe that there is a future. in short...

grow up.

you are 19, act like it. no dearie, crying doesn't work.

vocab 4. cry

i've seen a lot of people cry. real people with their real problems. they cried because of their frustrations with their dreams. they cried because they lost family. they cried because they lost opportunities. they cried because life was hard for them. you had no right to cry. get out of your comfort zones. stop believing everything you watch (in short, cut down on anime, it affects your reasoning. [just you.])

i'd like to try and understand you guys. i can put myself in your shoes. i can see how you were brought up (this isn't condescension.) you may have been used to getting things done your way, or seen it happen and now want to try it. but in the real world (not that sheltered environment you call home) it just doesn't work that way unless you are filthy rich and insanely smart.


peace the fuck out. (if you don't get this [i'm sorry dear readers but i must guard myself from future arguments] ... it'd just be really sad.)


you know what you have to do. if not refer to HINT. it's the right thing to do. again, if you think about any counter-arguments, rethink. 2nd floor? WTF? the entrance isn't even there. we didn't have to sound angry/act that way? there might be a case for it but remember we were wronged. and oh what, do you need to be babied? then i'm sorry i sounded angry (i guess speaking straight english with a firm voice is angry. don't watch CNN, it might be too hard for you.)

again since we finish here. please try and read beyond the angst, i'll deal with my own disappointment. you start crafting an apology. a decent one, because when everything comes down, it was your fault. your fault for not telling us earlier is the most lenient error we can impose on you.

if not let your guilt eat you up. remember, there were many things that we could've done that time (specially me, you know it.)


so swallow your pride and apologize.

we can "forget" together. vocab pa ba.

[by the way if you insist on carrying on with this charade then refer to the communication we have sent before and see if there is anything you would like to comment on with m statements. i know i'd like to comment on yours. but i was trying to be the bigger man.]

vocab 5. bigger man

it's hard. i've been through a lot of shit recently i don't need more shit from you so let's fix this and be over and done with.

acknowledge that you were selfish (vocab pa ba?) and insensitive to us and overly sensitive to yourselves. think about it before you choose to do another thing. kasalanan ninyo talaga, admit it and do the right thing. the last time mukhang one half lang sinabi ninyo (ginawa? i'm not sure.)

reread your stuff, it has spoiling for a fight written all over it. this latest one is different as the intentions are different and it is more personal (it's my blog) so excuuuuuse me if i sound angry NOW.

again, tapusin na at tapusin na. at

remember, remember, the 26th of december,
i don't think anyone should forget
of wrongs left to foment
of rights shadowed by selfishness.

this isn't cute. it just really sucks because i was supposed to write a review on a brilliant movie i saw and then i read the 2nd communication. nakakasira lang talaga ng diskarte. (no not v for vendetta :D)

well, i've rambled on long enough. thanks for reading, i hope it was fun. (it could've been a lot more insulting, believe me.)

in the end, i'm not angry. i don't hate any of you. i'm just really really disappointed.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

along the road

i have only 1 class every wednesdays so i was really tempted to skip today's classes but we had to do an interview for com160 so there...that ended (meaning i got back to ADMU) at around 5 then i stopped by NB to get some art supplies and took the train home.

on the station i met a friend so the next 20 minutes went by happily and for lack of a better term more excitingly.

then i decided to walk home, it was at benavidez that i ran into kimberly tsai, an old friend back in SJCS. so we chatted for a while on the street before heading to tasty's for a quick bite, which turned into a meal, to catch up on each other.

so over porkchop rice we talked about SJCS, our lives, our futures (separate our), college, goals, dreams, trivia, life in general. it was fun. and quite odd. where has the time gone? she'd already graduated and was now working. it was odd in the sense that the future decides to stare at you in the face. what is life after college? where will i be? will i still be around binondo? randomly running into friends? it happens ie kathleen, warren, mayen, kenev's bro, etc. or will i get some semblance of the life that i desire? where am i going?

i ask the same question again and again. i do not think i am making progress, i am living life as with my previous sems, day by day and look how splendid it turned out.

things don't look bleak, they don't look anything. men weren't born equal, life isn't equal, the world isn't flat. i have to play the cards that i have been dealt. and it seems like i've been betting on the wrong hands.

poker metaphors. damn.

it was fun. good times. hope i run into more of my friends who i like next time :D