Finally, I’m Back

After a long hiatus, i’m finally back to posting here again.    Been quite busy in other networking sites like facebook and twitter that somehow i find it hard to spend time updating this blog.    However, i will do my best to sneak in some once in awhile.   

Anyway, to start the ball running, i’m going to talk about 2 of the films i recently watched the past 2 days:   

1.    Ants in the Pants (2000) (German title: Harte Jungs)

A German comedy very similar to American Pie.   It’s about the coming of age of a boy whose “peter” is quite talkative and driving him nuts.     A handful of boobies galore to emphasize the point about what teenagers’ see when their hormones act up.     However, the movie failed to illicit any laughter from yours truly.    It however emphasizes an old point that love may be staring us in the face when we least expect it.     However, i would recommend you watch other movies with similar themes instead rather waste time on this.    

2.   Battlestar Galactica (The Original Series)     

starring:   Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict

Was a bit curious to watch this since i’m a fan of the recent reincarnation of the show.      While the characters’ names are familiar, i’m not used to them being played by different actors.      The DVD i got may have been a very condensed version of the series, I find it quite boring and lacks the believability factor the current one possesses.    Another bad choice for me.    *sigh*

TV Series I’m Watching Right Now:   24 Season 4    still a long way to go as i’ve only finished the 5th episode.   

Until then….

The 39 Clues

Imagine yourself to be a member of the most powerful family in the world and you’re in the hunt for the source of the family’s vast power.   This can only be done by assembling 39 clues scattered around the world.   The hunt is on….

Boy, upon seeing the premise and reading the 1st book, i can say that I’m hooked.   Given the multimedia setup that Scholastic has created, i can say that it has succeeded in hooking up the youth who are fond of reading books, collecting cards and surfing the net.    Add that to the fact that you have to have some skills in decoding, analyzing and remembering historical data, and you got yourself a successful franchise in the making.   Oh, did i forget to say that Spielberg has the 1st book filmed already and is in the bag for a 2009 showing.     With all this going on, I can say The 39 Clues is on track to follow the footsteps of Harry Potter.   

I chanced upon this book in the recent book fair at St. Jude and I must admit, from day 1, i had already set my sights on this book.     But of course, the collector in me wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to buy some card packs also. (i bought 2 sets)     I also found some time to log in to the website and updated my cards.    I also found out that you can play some games and gain some more clues there.    My oh my, having read the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew while growing up and following the adventures of The Dark Knight Detective really help piqued my interest in grabbing a copy of this book.    Well, in case you still haven’t catched on to hunting for clues, i think now’s a great time to do so.    Book 2 is soon to be out (December 2) and I can’t wait to get my hands on it 

Blue vs Green

As fate would have it, the Ateneo Blue Eagles clawed their way to the championship crown in the 71st UAAP season. Who better to contest the title with than our fabled rival the De La Salle Green Archers. But of course, this season proved to be a good one for the Blue Eagles since we’re much more potent with our offensive and defensive weapons. And true enough, after the buzzer has sounded, there can only be one victor. However, an ugly side of the battle is fast becoming the talk of the town. The Archers, particularly their coach, Franz Pumaren is claiming that the officiating practically handed over the crown to their arch rival. Furthermore, those who witnessed the game whether live at the Big Dome or in the comforts of their home saw how unsportsmanlike their action (or non-action) was when called upon to receive the runner-up trophy. Might as well change their school name to DSLU (or d sore losers university) since they once made that mistake already remember (the infamous AL SALLE cheering squad fiasco). Anyway, let’s not fan the flame of an already decades-old rivalry. What is important for me is to express my satisfaction and happiness that Ateneo won and that good things happen to those who wait. Pana-panahon lang din naman yan—sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. and as is fast becoming a favorite expression of mine in this blog: parang life di ba?

Court Rivals: The Game of Life

I thought nothing else in the world would make me get hooked.   TV shows failed to do that, neither did my favorite comic book characters.    only perhaps an ateneo game excites me this much.   So it really came as a surprise when i got hooked almost a month ago.   As the popular line of the Pringles ad aptly put it:   “Once you pop, you just can’t stop.”    (thanks to my bro-in-law, Mik, for always bringing this line up)  

A brother-in-law of mine (thanks, reagan) introduced this game to us.   At first, i was reluctant to join or play the game since it’s no fun to do it alone.    Finally, when Mik was convinced to join, we embarked on a journey that got us hooked.   So what really is court rivals?     It’s a random simulation game where you get to become the basketball player you dream to be by training him with the attributes needed to succeed in the game.    There is a gym there where you train almost everyday (and every minute of it at times) and a game is scheduled daily (10:05am mla time) against teams from all over the world.    The feeling of victory is so sweet you’d be grinning from ear to ear once the results are out and the euphoria it creates among your teammates is quite real.   It’s as if you were in an actual game with them.    However the agony of defeat is too hard to swallow also that sometimes you may feel despair reigning over your mood even if the game is just a simulation.    

It’s really quite fortunate that i was able to form this team in about a day or two.   I contacted relatives, friends and even a neighbor and his friend to join us.   And before i know it, the Galactic Titans was born.    At first, we were kinda lost since this is all a first for us…(just like a group of teenage virgins).    We kinda lost our 1st 2 games but when we tasted victory on our 3rd game, boy, it was exhilirating.     Over time, we got to know each other and relied on one another to help train the players especially when our busy schedules prevent us to do so (or in my case, a lack of internet access at home).     But defeat has an ugly side to it and before we know it, bickerings can be felt and heard among ourselves.    What can we do?   We’re not really the titans of lore.   We’re all human beings, hoops fanatics to be exact, with feelings and emotions that can swing both ways, wherever the tide dictates.    In the end, we have to remind ourselves, it’s all just a game.   A stupid game in fact.   Until now, none of  us know how to win games the right way.    None of us are assured that our training will reap the success we all dream of.    It is the randomness that somehow makes this game addicting.    We don’t know what tomorrow really brings—a victory or a loss, it’s anybody’s ballgame really.   All we can do is just prepare.   Parang life di ba?   

And so the people who have journeyed with me in our inaugural season at Court Rivals:  thank you for the companionship and camaraderie we all learned to share.   We may not see each other, some even have not met before, yet when given a chance to see one another, i’m sure there’ll be stories to retell, and the bond that we shared in this journey can somehow be likened to siblings or old friends.    Yes, Court Rivals may just be a game, a stupid one at that, but if it brought us together and made life an interesting one, there may be more to it than meets the eye.

Life As I See It Now

I don’t know if it’s coincidence or if the hands of fate have a way playing a practical joke on me, but weeks before my bday, I’ve been taught some serious lessons about life.    Yeah, birthdays remind us of our mortality and somehow, of all the days in life where you can be reminded of this, why does it have to be on the day you were born.   

Anyway, first off was a book my father-in-law lent me:   The Last Lecture.    It’s about a dying man who wanted to leave a legacy to his children the possible way he could—give a lecture.    Somehow we have negative connotations of what a lecture is, and none of them pleasant, but this one’s different.    Randy Pausch talked about life and how he wished he would have more time to spend it with his children.    

The 2nd reminder came through the movie The Bucket List.    As a frequent downloader of movies, and of the hundreds (if not thousands) of films i can watch at home, i really don’t know why i chose this one starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.     Well, this buddy movie saw to it that one can still enjoy your twilight years especially before you kick the bucket.   

So what have I learned from these two reminders.    Well, life is indeed very short and that we should live life to the fullest.    Cherish each moment we have with our loved ones for we’ll never know what tomorrow will bring.    Time is running fast as evidenced by how fast my children are growing up.    Sooner or later, they’ll have their own lives to live already.    

*Sigh*   Life as we know it is indeed very complicated.    But as they say…Gather the roses while you may….indeed i will go my merry way

Recent TV Shows

It’s been awhile since i last saw a tv series on real time.    In fact, it’s really quite long, i can’t even remember what the last show I watched was.    But the advent of new technology (the internet and torrents) made me become updated and thankfully, with a new gadget at my disposal (ipod video) I finally got to watch a few of these shows.      Unfortunately though, the writers’ guild strike didn’t actually fit in to my new found interest, and some of these shows never really lasted that long.    Nevertheless, I still feel blessed to have found some of these cool shows:   

1.   CHUCK — a geek who works in a Buy More store got hold of a top secret file called the intercept and his world has completely turned upside down.     With the CIA and NSA watching and guarding his every move, you’d really feel for Chuck and what he is going thru.    Oh did I tell you that the agent guarding him is a babe!      Can’t wait for season 2!   

2.   BIG BANG THEORY — follow the crazy antics of a group of nerds and a babe.    This show is so hilarious I kept on laughing while driving (coz i was watching the show, ooppps, ahh err…. listening to the show is more of the proper words).      By the way, what’s with all the nerds coming out this year….but who’s complaining…bring them on!   

3.   HEROES — well, season 2 did cause a stir due to its shortness (12 episodes only or is it 13?) and more questions.    The climax leaves you wanting for more but we just have to wait for season 3.   

4.   JOURNEYMAN— this show kinda combined a lot of elements from past shows like quantum leap, early edition, among others but i got hooked.    The suspense was kinda killing me that i couldn’t wait for the next episode to come out.    But unfortunately, the show itself got killed and the journey has finally ended.    

5. REAPER — How does it feel working for the devil.     Sam just so reminds me of Jason biggs and Adam Sandler combined.    Sock reminds me of Jack Black.    So what do we have—a combination that could give you an hour of laughter and excitement.    Good thing, it finished it’s full route of the 1st season…and there’ll be back for more.  

6.   PUSHING DAISIES—what will you do if you’re blessed with a power to bring the dead back to life?  Well, you think this may be a creepy show but that’s a farcry.   This show has combined a lot of elements people liked about tv shows and the unique combination has kinda guaranteed a return next season.   Too bad the 1st season only had 9 episodes, if i’m not mistaken.   

7.   MOONLIGHT—a vampire show reminiscent of Forever Knight but not that creepy.    Well, word has it that daylight has evaporated all hopes for its return and fans are agonizing over the network’s decision.     I love this show too but I don’t really know what I’m feeling over its cancellation.    Maybe, there really are no rooms for vampire shows these days.   

8.   NEW AMSTERDAM—immortality until you find your one true love, hmmm, kinda hard being torn in that kind of decision points.    Unfortunately, the network that introduced it also decided that immortality be damned and so we bid farewell to this show…with or without its true love.    

But of course, who can ever pass up on perennial favorites:   Smallville and CSI.    

Well, as of the moment, I am still finishing up on Battlestar Galactica season 3 as well as season 2 of 30 Rock(although i’m not really sure if i’m enjoying it or annoyed by it;   it’s really not the same like Big Bang).    I’m not really worried that i’ll run out of shows to watch, in fact, i think i have a list that will last me thru my retirement years   

Battlestar Galactica

I don’t know what prompted me to buy the season 1 bootlegged copy of Battlestar Galactica.    I was never a fan of the original although i have heard of it.    Maybe because sci-fi always does have a soft spot in my heart.    Or maybe it’s just because of the eye candies aplenty in the show.     Well, whatever the reason was, I finally managed to watch it and once it pops, you can’t stop    

I find the show more than just your average sci-fi show where special effects abound and the highlight is one helluva dogfight in space.    Battlestar Galactica is deep, very profound in fact, as it tackles a lot of issues concerning religion, philosophy, what it is to be human, love, etc.    I feel for the characters and when the audience is involved, I guess, the affinity itself will make you want more.  

Am now in the middle of the season 2, but have not yet finished downloading all the episodes (as well as season 3).    The show is airing its 4th season already in the States and the producers say that it’s on its last run.    Too bad it’s happening right when i just discovered the joy of watching it.     For now, i’ll content myself with just enjoying every minute of it without analyzing (or even over-analyzing) it.     I’ll find time in the future to look back and reflect on the issues brought about by the show.     I hope you’ll find time to watch Battlestar Galactica also so we can share some thoughts about it.    

So say we all !    

Idol Gives Back

I just finished watching Idol Gives Back last night.   Yeah, it’s a little delayed but that’s how i enjoy my idol episodes      Anyway, I couldn’t control myself while watching some of the portions of the show.    To be honest, I couldn’t help but shed a tear or cry a bucket even (while driving at that!).     Hearing (in my case since it’s in my ipod video and doing it while driving) the situations of countless children around the world trigger these emotions within me.     “What could I do?”  seems to echo in my mind and in my heart long after finishing the episode.     Sometimes, images from our very own Metro Manila substitute the images I saw on American Idol and the same feeling would envelop me.    Can it get any depressing than this?     I don’t know.    I really feel helpless.     A part of me wants to help, but I really don’t know how.   Another part says, what can I do?     I have enough problems of my own and with my own family to support.     Anyway, this is just me thinking out loud   

 

Face to Face

It was one of those days that i was really excited to go to work.    How i’d wish time would really fly fast so it’ll be 4pm already.  The reason?    Well, i’d get to meet 2 people i consider very much a part of my life for the very 1st time.    If that doesn’t make one excited, i don’t know what will.    

It began years ago when on the way to school, I kinda chanced upon 2 very bubbly people over the fm radio.    In between playing the current hits, they had the top 10 and their quips and banter really help brighten up one’s day, considering that their timeslot is 6 to 9 am.    When they launched their album, I bought it.    When they had a tv show, I watched it.    When they transferred to another station, I stuck by them even if i don’t like where they went.    They accompanied me to work every day hence i feel that they’re part of my circle of friends already even though we never met and I’ve always been a silent rusher.   

This was the moment I had been waiting for.     We managed to get them to host our event and I really can’t hide my excitement.     I wanted to make sure that i will have a chance to have my photo taken with them coz i know that I may never have this golden opportunity.    I am forever grateful for this once in a lifetime encounter with 2 of my idols:    Chico and Delamar of RX 93.1’s Morning Rush.    

 

Across The Universe

 

I don’t know if it’s just a coincidence that after watching 2 episodes of American Idol featuring the songs of Lennon & McCartney and The Beatles, I get to watch this film which features their songs.   

IMDB describes this movie as:   An original musical film, Across The Universe is a fictional love story set in the 1960s amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, the struggle for free speech and civil rights, mind exploration and rock and roll. At once gritty, whimsical and highly theatrical, the story moves from high schools and universities in Massachusetts, Princeton and Ohio to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Detroit riots, Vietnam and the dockyards of Liverpool. A combination of live action and animation, the film is paired with many songs by The Beatles that defined the time.

To be honest, I didn’t quite like the story as it was very convoluted for me (and my taste).   But the songs were nicely arranged and sung.   Well, due to the American Idol episodes, I couldn’t help but picture the contestants singing the songs while they were being sung by the actors.    Kinda made me think:  what if the contestants interpreted the songs the way they were sung in the movie?   Would the results be any different?   Would America still vote the same way?     Hmmm…makes me wonder

Anyway, there was a part in the movie that kinda stuck on my mind.  The scene is:     While in the dining table, the uncle mentioned something about:     “What you do defines who you are. ”  The nephew immediately shot back:   ”Who you are defines what you do.”     When asked, his friend answered:    “It’s not what you do but the way you do it”.    

Which one do you think is correct?