BALIKBAYAN

2 lang ang ibig sabihin sa akin ng salitang balikbayan: 1) maraming pasalubong at 2) tataba nanaman ako...

In a way, gusto ko na may balikbayan na bumibisita sa aming tahanan, kasi minsan ako ay nakakapag tour guide. Libreng biyahe patungong probinsya, o kaya naman ay raket sa iba't ibang mall. ANg punto ko eh, kahit papaano ay nabibiyayaan ako ng maliit na halaga sa pagiging likas na utu-uto ko. Tapos ibig sabihin din nito ay makakalibre nanaman ako ng either a) bagong t-shirt b) bagong pabango o kaya nama'y c) libreng toothbrush kit mula sa airline na sinakyan ng aming bisita. May isang beses pa nga, ako'y nabigyan ng headset na may tatak na Northwest (wala akong pagsusuksukan nun kasi tatlo yung panusuk dun sa adaptor).

Natutuwa din ako kasi nagiging maingay ang tahanan namin, lalo na kapag may batang kasama. Naaaliw akong panuorin ang nanay ko, pinsan, lola at kung sinu-sino pa na halos dumugo na ang ilong sa kakatry mag-inggles (have you been eaten already?). Kahit na minsan ang bisita nami'y mas magaling pa sakin magbisaya.

Nakakatuwa rin na may nakikilala akong mga kamag-anak na bago pa man dumating ang mga kapamilya namin eh hindi ko alam na nabubuhay pala. Kasi madalas eh may party sa bahay para sa mga bisita. Nakakatuwa siya kasi nga, minsan ang mga kamag-anak na iyon eh may kaya pala at pwede kang ipakilala sa mga taong dapat mong makilala. Pero minsan din eh nakakainis, kasi kahit ako na hindi balikbayan ay inaarboran ng mga taong ito. May mga ambisyoso pa na pati pabangong bigay sa akin eh hinihingi pa (pasensya na pero madamot talaga ako sa pabango).

Medyo nakakatakot lang kung ang bisita eh isang binata na kapareho ko ng hilig dahil ibig sabihin nito ay hindi ako makakatulog dahil sila'y nasa kuwarto ko at naglalaro ng video games buong magdamag. Noong Bagong Taon nga, ilang araw din ako lumiban sa trabaho ko dahil sa puyat dahil ang mga pinsan ko na ang goal sa pagbisita sa'min eh tapusin ang Gears Of War at Dead Rising... nang hindi nagpapahinga!!!

Pero di lahat ng tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng bisita mula sa ibang bansa ay nakakatuwa. Minsan kasi, ito ang dahilan na ako ay tumataba. Paano ba naman, kelangan araw-araw ay espesyal ang hinahain na pagkain sa mga ito. Kaldereta, beef with mushroom, grilled chicken, pork steak, pasta, cake, ice cream (mga pagkaing usually kapag Pasko lang hinahanda). Idagdag mo pa ng sandamakmak na tsokolate, cookies at kung anu-anong imported na palaman. Sabay kapag paalis na sila... sasabihan nila akong "papayat ka ha, tumataba ka na!" Eh kasalanan niyo to!!! Sanay akong adobo at minsa'y tinapay lang ang kinakain ko sa bawat araw!!! Tapos kayo nagbibigay ng ilang supot ng tsokolate na nakapangalan lang sa akin, na parang wala kayong ibang kamag-anak!!! Sino naman ang pagbibigyan ko nun?!

Tapos nandyan pa ang walang katapusang katanungan kung may girlfriend na ako at kung kelan ako mag-aasawa. Pakialam niyo ba?! Di ko naman kayo imbitado kapag nangyari yun. Atsaka para namang gagastusan niyo ang araw na yun, di ba? Pero di ko pwede sabihin yun, kasi baka sampalin ako ng nanay ko.

Hindi ako nagrereklamo... Gaya ng unang sinabi ko, maligaya ako na madalas tirhan ng mga balikbayan ang aming tahanan. Wala rin naman akong gustong baguhin sa ugali at pakikitungo sa akin ng mga taong ito. Sino ba naman ako para magreklamo eh ako na nga ang nabibiyayaan nga ming mga bisita. Napapansin ko lang yung mga pangyayari sa tuwing tumatanggap kami ng mga bisitang matagal nang di nakakarating sa ating bayan.

WHY I HATED HIGH SCHOOL!!!

For some of the people, high school was the best four years of their lives (five for a very fortunate few). While mine had it's high moments, it never really registered anything significant or great or life changing. While some of my firsts happened during those times, it didn't have to do anything with school.

It actually makes me wonder if the movies portray high school life accurately. Because for me, most of what I see in movies or tv shows, happened to me in college. Or probably I was too much of a loser back then.

• For one thing, I was placed in the best section where almost all of my classmates were smarter than I was. WHile it did help that I get to copy from some of the most intelligent people I know, it didn't do anything good to my ego because I wasn't an honor student anymore. And all of my classmates have very strong personalities, that my being introvert back then drowned among the sea of colorful kids.
• My friends from primary school and I grew apart during these four years. When our interests started veering away from comic books, cartoons and kid stuff, our friendship started to thaw as well. It's sad that I only get to speak with only a handful of my high school friends. Thanks YM and Friendster!!!
• I was in an all boys school!!! Sometimes I think high school would've been better if I went to a co-ed school. I wanted to go to CSA back then, but my parents wanted me to stay there because it was convenient. I did not know how to communicate with the other sex until after I graduated college.
• I hated doing my assignments!!! Imagine during my 3rd and 4th year college, for our Asian and World History classes, we have to rewrite what was on our book in our big-ass notebooks, and at the end of the year, we have to design it creatively because it will give us 10 freakin' additional points.
• Math!!! Four years of mathematics and all of it's different incarnations: geometry, trigonometry, business math and calculus. I seriously have no idea how I became a straight-A student having studied the subject.

But like I said, I don't totally hate high school. I had good friends back then. I was well-liked by my peers, and at times was handpicked to be a classmate's closest friend. I always had something to do all those four years (and not just rewriting the WOrld History books), I was active in the school paper and yearbook, and I was a member of a few orgs. So that was fun.

I loved listening to my classmates when they make fun of our teachers and a few classmates. Oh, and back then, the telephone was more useful in our household. And I got to tutor some kids. Yeah, they were huge pains in the backside, but it's for credits, so that's fine. And my bonding moments with my friends then were always worth remembering. I couldn't imagine 10 teen-agers fitting in my small room. On weekends we play Dance Dance Revolution at home with the then-popular Playstation.

I really liked college more, if only because I became smarter then. And I only had to deal with 3 Math subjects. Two of which I actually was exempted for final exams.

ON MEREDITH, MYSPACE AND MY FRIENDS

I've seen a couple of films this past week, but I don't want to write another movie entry on my blog, because that's what I've been writing about the past few weeks. I'll probably compile all the summer flicks being shown this year by the end of the season. But just so you know, I watched Kung Fu Panda and The Incredible Hulk.

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I've been given permission by a few friends to feature them on my blog. This will be something new here. Probably, by the end of this week or early next week you'll be seeing my first featured friend.
She's pretty, and she's single... So there's something for the guys. As for my female readers, I've got a couple of guy friends already lined up... and hopefully, if he agrees, I'll have one of last year's 69 bachelors from Cosmo show up. So cross your fingers ladies!!!

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Last Sunday was a day spent with my former housemates in Marikina because it was my friend's birthday. A reunion of some sorts, and for the first time since March, we were complete. Of course there were singing and a lot of drinking. And because of the day's events, the next day gave me a major hang-over!!! I'm really not built up to drink more than a couple of bottles of any alcohol drink. Not even isoprophyl.

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These past few days I've been reacquainting myself with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I don't have a lot to do these days, and have no budget to do whatever, so I'm trying to learn how to read books again. While blogging have been good distractions, there's nothing bad about reading good stories every once in awhile.
It's either this or Love In the Time of Cholera, but I want to be able to rest my eyes after a few pages, which I can't do with the late great Gabriel Garcia Marquez's offering.

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My myspace site is fast becoming a fan site, where most of my contacts are comic book writers, and celebrities like Olivia Munn, Kevin Perreira, Colbie Calliat and Oli Pettigrew. I'm the one adding them, because I don't know a lot of my real friends who own a profile. So everytime I see a familiar face, I add them, and then there are others like Skottie Young (a phenomenal artist, by the way) who requested me to add them... so that's cool.
And I'm actually happy that these celebrities are really nice people who accept friend requests from regular folks such as myself. Unlike other people I know.
I'm just not sure if these sites are really owned by the real McCoy.
If you have one, don't hesitate to add me, by the way. I'm a nice guy in need of real people on my myspace page

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Ahh, last night I stayed up late to watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. I was actually planning on watching the last episode on Studio 23, but the ending was so good that I can't wait another week to see what happened.
The finale was the best episode this season as there are a lot of good things that happened...
SPOILER WARNING!!!'
Meredith and Derek finally got back together. Izzy is the new head of the Denny Duquette memorial clinic. Erica Hahn and Callie (George's ex-wife) hooked up!!! Richard (Seattle Grace chief) got back together with his wife Adelle (one of the most touching scenes of the episode). And Christina finally got her groove back (the best scene was where she told Hahn to shut up and let her do the heart operation).

ONLY CHILD

I've known quite a number of people who are like me... an only child. And I've noticed that there's only two kinds of personalities that are prevalent among solo kids... The really quiet ones, and the really loud ones.

I fall on the quiet type. I'm naturally an introvert because I grew up mostly alone at home. While I do know how to mingle with people, that's a trait I only learned outside school.

These are two extremes, I realized that, but it's true at least with the people I know (including myself). But I'm proud to say that a spoiled brat is very rare for people like us. I admit, we could be a bit difficult, and sometimes have our own world. But most of the time that's because there's already a notion attached that being an only child equals being a brat.

I really don't know where that belief originated. But some of the solo rich kids that I know are the most generous people I've met (me included). I guess it's our need to belong that drives us to be that way. Oftentimes to a fault.

I envy those who grew up to become extroverts even as only children. Those are kids lucky enough to have grown up with cousins or relatives of the same age. It's like they have real siblings. Unfortunately for me, there've been a few years gap between my birth year and those of my cousins. It's either I'm a few years younger or a few years older. So, when I'm with my cousins, we don't really mesh well together.

Don't get me wrong, I get along with my cousins, it's just that we're not as close as we should be.

Anyway, this entry supposedly is about getting to know an only child better. I'm no psychologist, I'm only saying this purely from my observations of kids like me.

• If we seem to be selfish, you have to understand we grew up not sharing our food, toys or whatever with other people. We aren't naturally selfish, it's just that we're not used to people grabbing our fries without permission. We are willing to share things, just ask first.
• If we don't talk alot, it's not because we're stupid. A number of the smartest kids I know are only children. But socially, a little bit handicapped. Growing up alone, it's either we only talk about what our parents want to talk about or we don't get to talk with anyone at all. We depend on you to steer conversations, but as long as we have the same interests, I don't think talking isn't going to be a problem.
• If we have a strong personality and seem like a brat, that may be because we're not really used to have someone challenge what we believe. It's not like we're never going to give in. You just need to be patient in explaining why some things need to be done another way.
• If we seem to be too competitive, it may be because we're used to having all attention given only to us. It may be our need to be on the spotlight that's why we strive to be number one. Whether you see it in a good way or a bad way depends on how open minded and truly mature you are.

So cut us some slack. The last thing we want is to be misunderstood. We may lack the maturity and level-headedness of first borns, or the natural sweetness of the youngest children. But inherently, we are very good listeners and very loyal friends.

I am not generalizing children without brothers or sisters, because in the end, how you grow up to be depends on how well you are raised. Like I said, have an open mind about us solo kids. Just think about this, we're the sole heir to our parent's wealth and fortune.

REQUIRED READING: WANTED

I don't know when this movie will be showing here in the Philippines, but I'm very excited about this film. The trailer looks action-packed and Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy... sexy!!!

If you must know, this movie actually is based on a comic book written by Mark Millar (Civil War) and with art by the amazing JG Jones (Final Crisis). Now looking again at the trailer it's quite obvious that the story is not going to be really faithful to the comic, but if you're just like me who's looking forward to watching this film, but is pretty much clueless as to what it's about... read on.

Before I go on with the comic's story, let me first point out the big difference between the movie and the comic book. Again, watching the trailer it's obvious that this film is about a brotherhood of assassins, the comics is actually about a fraternity of supervillains in a time after they have disposed of all of the superheroes in the world. I think Hollywood is just being smart about this film, because it would really be difficult putting into film, characters like Shithead or Fuckwit.

Anyway, Wanted the comic book is actually about Wesley Gibson, your typical loser with an unfaithful girlfriend, an ass for a boss and a life of quiet desperation. Mostly, a little bit like me... the only difference is that, he is actually the son of the world's most powerful assassin. Now this assassin died, and for Wesley to inherit the millions of dollars his father worked for, he has to become a villain.

Enter the Fraternity led by Professor Solomon Seltzer. This is a brotherhood of supervillains who is currently running the world after they effectively destroyed all of earth's superheroes and turned them into a memory only remembered through comic books. Apparently, there's some sort of a power struggle between two of the five leaders Seltzer and Mr. Rictus.

This is where things turn for the worse for Wesley Gibson and his mentor/partner The Fox. And if that wasn't enough, there's a huge twist at the end that will change how you'll look at our lovable loser.

I am a huge fan of Mr. Millar's work ever since I grabbed a copy of his Ultimate X-Men a few years ago. That title actually brought me back to reading comic books. He's the Michael Bay of the comics industry with his knack for action, and this mini-series is chock full of it. This is a mature readers title, so it's full of sex, violence and a lot of the f-bombs, so I think only wusses would not like this title.

The art by JG Jones is perfect. The action looks so real, I love the violence depicted by his pencils, and the way Wesley changed from the loser that he was to the killer he turned out to be is so believable. While it's obvious that he actually based some of the characters from celebrities, it's not distracting and made me think what if Eminem and Halle Berry were the ones who played Wesley and the Fox in the film. That would've been cool.

The only criticism I have is the sort of anticlimactic ending. Millar actually made it work, but I really do prefer that the twist in the end not happen. I think they'll do this in the film as well, as it's actually central to the story, but it really came out of the left field, that while interesting, wasn't really necessary... at least for me. But like I said, somehow the writer made it work, and gave a reason for Wesley's existence.

Final word: The comic book is cool. Makes me hope that while it's obvious that over-all it won't be like the series, I do hope that they at least will be loyal to the story. I can actually see how they could turn characters like Shit-head, Dollmaster, and the Council of Five be more realistic. And the curbing of the bullet is actually way cooler than what's in the comics (Wesley actually shot the wings of flies in the book).

SCORE: 8.9 out of 10.

MY TOP FILMS: SCARIEST SHIT EVER

Welcome to the 3rd installment of my favorite films. And this time I'll list down my favorite suspense/horror films. You may not find alot of ghost stories in this category, as this list actually contains movies that got me covering my eyes or almost made me wet my pants with horror.

I don't actually think that ghosts are scary, but when executed properly they could be spine-tingling. Well, the supernatural is really frightening if you think about it, but what's more frightening is finding out what real live people can do. Obviously, you'll find slasher films here as well.

Now with the recent success of Asian horror films (which I personally don't find scary at all), there seemed to have been a rise to sucky horror/suspense movies. And unfortunately, I've seen alot of them. If you've browsed through the archives, you'll find I've written a few of it here in my blog.

I know some of you may not agree with what's on the list and say some of the old horror films like Carrie, Psycho, The Exorcist, or the Shining should be here. I've seen them all, and honestly I didn't get scared. I actually slept through all of these films, and I guess because of the lack of technology back then, the scary films aren't as scary as if done now.

Anyway, my introduction's gone long enough now, so let's go on with the list shall we...

10. FENG SHUI: Why this one and not Sukob or Ouija? I know this is Purefoods Chunkee the movie, but it's actually really scary if you look at it. Specially the scene where all the ghosts appeared to Jay Manalo and the kids. I remember everyone at the cinema screaming the entire time. Yeah I know alot of the killing scenes are silly (Lotlot and the red horse because she was born year of the horse), it's actually funny. I guess, I just like this one better than Sukob or Ouija (even if they're both far better storywise).


9. FATAL ATTRACTION: This is not a horror film, more of a psychological thriller kind of film. But for married guys (who has a mistress), this could possibly be the scariest shit they'll ever see. You see Michael Douglas got tempted to cheat on his wife by a sultry Glenn Close, only to find out that the woman is actually a psycho bitch. I like these kinds of films. Proof that sometimes you don't need ghosts to scare people.

8. HOUSE OF WAX: If only for the scene where Vincent pummels Paris Hilton's face with a huge stick. Yeah, alot of people cheered during the death scene of the overrated heiress. But that's not the only reason why this film is on the list. There are alot of gruesome scenes from this movie. Eliza Cuthbert's mouth being glued, the waxed Jared Padalecki, Vincent's face. The fact that a town full of wax figures is already eerie, add the fact that all those people were once alive makes this scary.

7. SIGNS: Yes, there's only about 2 or 3 scenes that are scary in this movie, but all those 2 or 3 are REALLY scary. While War of the Worlds focused on the alien invasion in a worldwide perspective, Signs actually focused only on one family and how they dealt with aliens who wanted to take over. Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin and a very young and very cute Abigail Breslin gave chilling performances that actually made me believe how truly frightening aliens could be.

6. THE SIXTH SENSE: "I see dead people... everywhere." This is the movie that made M. Night Shyamalan a household name. While his films so far are a hit and miss, this movie is definitely a huge hit. Just like with Signs, there really aren't a lot of scary scenes on this movie, but when the ghosts finallys show up, you can't do nothing but cover your eyes. What fascinated me with this film was the twist ending. I did not expect that. The way the film was done, is very VERY brilliant. It was done intelligently.

5. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: The version with Jessica Biel is the one I'm talking about. I don't know how many times I've screamed at the cast to "run" or "look behind you!" when I first saw this film. I actually still do it when I catch in on cable. Leatherface is the scariest motherfucker I've ever seen. I loved the gore, and cheered at Biel for doing what she was pushed to do by the maniacs that's been trying to kill her and her friends. This is definitely one of the best slasher films I've seen.



4. SCREAM: But the best slasher film for me goes to Scream. This is the original whodunnit movie, and definitely the best among the trilogy. It is the mother of all slasher movies and even is the mother of spoof films (Scary Movie was based on Scream, as if you didn't know). This is the only movie by Wes Craven that I truly enjoyed. I was in high school when this film was first shown, and I was really shocked about who the killer turned out to be. This film is surprising in more ways than one. And I only watched the film because I was then a fan of Friends and Party of Five.


3. THE OTHERS: To be honest, this movie is not really as scary as The Sixth Sense, but what Sixth Sense originated, this film perfected. The plot twist at the end was definitely something I never expected. I only thought that this was originally just about Nicole Kidman's weirdo helpers, but by the end it's something different. It's actually a beautiful film, not overrated or overdone. Just enough to make you think if you're actually still alive.


2. WHAT LIES BENEATH: If it still isn't obvious to you, I am a huge fan of Michelle Pfeiffer. At first, it may seem to be just another ghost story. But as the story goes on, there really is something more about the house that she and her husband lives in. Like I said, ghosts aren't as scary as knowing what live people can do.



1. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: So what's scarier than ghosts, Leatherface and serial killers? Hannibal freakin' Lecter!!! Thomas Harris' creation comes to the big screens and he went on to earn himself an Oscar. What other scary movie did that? The fact that in this film, he's not even the real killer is much more scarier. Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins' Lecter both gave chilling performances and the dialogues between the two are so good, that I never get tired of watching this film over and over again.

SOUNDTRACK

It's been a long time since I last wrote about music, so I thought this would be an appropriate time for me to do this again. As with writing an entry about this, it's also been awhile since I last listened to good old fm stations. So I'm not really familiar with what's current.

Anyway, my taste in music really varies as I like songs that sounds good to the ears. Most of them right now are upbeat (I like songs that kind of resembles an opening score for a feel-good movie). And thanks to the blogging community that I discover artists that really make a lot of these kinds of songs. I actually think that my life always has a soundtrack. Every important moment in my life somehow finds a song attached to it.

Too bad really that I'm not a techie because I'd really like to post the music here in my blog as well. I'm just too schtyupeeed to know how to do it here.

I don't know if you'd be familiar with some of the songs that I'll be listing here as I don't think I've heard these songs on the radio ever. Or maybe because the stations that I get to listen to, are just those sucky trying-hard-to-be-funny radio stations (alam mo na yan!!! kelangan pa ba imemorize yan?!)

MATT WHITE, LOVE: I play this music everytime I walk home from work (and no I don't walk from the office to my home!!!). It's kind of upbeat, and the piano is just so effective (I can't find the right word to describe it), that it somehow makes me want to burst into a song and dance number.

COLBIE CALLIAT, KISS THE GIRL: It surprised me to find out that she made a cover of this Little Mermaid song. While it lacked some of parts that I loved in the original version, this was definitely a very good remake. I'd really like to compile these songs and play this during a road trip.

CHUMBAWUMBA, TUBTHUMPING: If you've been watching How I Met Your Mother, you remember that Barney has a song that gets him pumped up. While his is Bon Jovi's 'You Give Love A Bad Name', mine is this World Cup soundtrack. Yep, I know this is old, but I don't get tired of listening to this music. Plus, this is the only song in the original Dance Dance Revolution that I can follow perfectly.

BEATLES, I'VE JUST SEEN A FACE: The version that I'm actually referring to, is the one from the movie Across The Universe. It' upbeat, it's fun, and it's about love at first sight (I think). Jim Sturgess sang this while they were bowling in the film, while not necessarily the best scene in the movie (nothing would beat the Let It Be scene), this was my favorite. And the song just got stuck in my head.

THE DIVYNILS, I TOUCH MYSELF: Yeah, I wrote an entry about this a couple of months ago, and it still is playing in my head. Well, actually it grew on me. While it sort of has a sexual overtone to it's lyrics, it's kind of good. I haven't actually played this song while I do... you know... it... but I think it might be fun to do it.

MATT WHITE, THE BEST DAYS: His songs occupy the most space in the memory of my phone. I love it because it's really upbeat, and listening to his music sort of brightens my day. It has an effect similar to what Tubthumping does for me.

JOSS STONE, SUPER DUPER LOVE: Going back to upbeat songs, this one I like to listen to alot. I don't really know why, but it's the type of song that grows on you. Or it could be Joss Stone's brilliant voice or the lyrics. I imagine playing this song while I'm on a date. A fun activity kind of date. Weird, but I do.

THE CORRS, LOVE TO LOVE YOU: Sometimes I like to be cheesy. And this is a good song to listen to when I want to be that way. Yes, this is old, and I like to listen to old songs. It reminds me of some fun moments when I was in high school (eventhough I was miserable during most of my years then). I'd add this one to my mixed tape as well.

YAEL NAIM, NEW SOUL: So how did I find out about this song? From Pilipinas Game Ka Na Ba? They don't play this anymore, but I really liked the beat and it's a happy song. Who doesn't like happy songs?! I play this song every morning. It's a nice way to start a day.

U2, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU: This song, I play if I want to wind down and relax. I think it's a sad song. I am a lyrics guy, and eventhough this is already a classic song, I haven't really listened to the lyrics fully. Just the chorus. I know regardless of my not knowing what this song is truly about, this is a very good tune to save on my player. Bono's vocal is so haunting that it leaves an effect on me that gives me inner peace.

KEITH URBAN, YOU'LL THINK OF ME: This is my bitterness song. A song to everyone that came and gone into my life. I just recently discovered this song, but I deemed this a good emo song. I know the people who left will think of me... and I'm going to be alright. I normally don't like country music, but this song is slow and the lyrics somehow rings a truth to it (at least for me). A good song to listen to if you're having a hard time moving on.

SNOW PATROL, SIGNAL FIRE: Among all the songs released by Snow Patrol, this song I loved the most. It came from the soundtrack of Spider-man 3. It's about a guy whose life would be nothing without his signal fire. His hope. His love. Someone thought that this would make for a good wedding song... and I agree 100%. Great song, this one.

JOSS STONE, AT LAST: The opening with the violins, Joss Stone's very beautiful vocals, the lyrics. This is MY WEDDING SONG. Nuff said.

WHAT'S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

By definition, a guilty pleasure is something somebody enjoys despite it being seen as something negative by majority of the world.

I have a lot of those, and as much as I don't want to write it down here, I really don't have anything much to put here. I have not forgotten about the rest of the films that I like. It will be posted soon, but I don't want to write it so close together because there's a lot, and it would seem like I'm a loser with nothing productive to do with my life.

So going back to the topic at hand, yeah this entry is dedicated to my guilty pleasures and I'll start with the obvious...

• DRAMEDY SHOWS: No, not the Philippine telenovelas... US Dramedy shows like Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and even Brothers & Sisters. I liked to be touched sometimes, and alot of the storyarcs being put out by these series actually tug some emotional strings in me. Plus, it doesn't hurt that all of these shows are also very funny. It's not dragging like most of the Filipino series, and you actually learn something by watching it. It also doesn't hurt that some of the quotes I forward came from lines uttered by some of these unforgettable characters.


• GOSSIP: Admit it, guys gossip alot. It's just not as obvious as when girls do it. What's funny, is that sometimes during our drinking sessions with my housemates and friends back then, I find myself hearing about the latest intrigues from local showbiz talk shows. It's been a year since I left the company, and until now I am updated with the people that I left. Honestly speaking though, I'm sort of happy in hearing that the program's not doing as well as when I was it's Supervisor. It's sort of mean, and I'm disappointed that there are issues that's much worse than the worst period during my term.


• PORN: By now, I've already outgrown the period of buying magazines and videos on a regular monthly basis, and I've actually thrown 99% of my collection. But hey, I'm single and I'm a guy. Enough should have been said already. I'm not going to be a hypocrite to say I don't enjoy these sites, videos or reading materials anymore because I do. But I realize that doing it with a live person is so much better than just using your imagination. Much better.


• VIOLENCE: Not the real thing, but the virtual kind of violence. My favorite game right now is Gran Theft Auto IV, and if you've seen how I kill bystanders, you'll never see me in the same light ever again. I love shooting people in the head. Stabbing them even if they're already dead. Running them over until cops catch me. I think I have anger management issues. I usually let my anger out on those virtual people. It's a good outlet. God knows what I'd do if I find out where my dad hides his gun. For now, I'm content with video games and torturing ants.

That's all that I can think of. I'm sure there are more, but my head's starting to ache looking at the monitor.

What's your guilty pleasure?

OH JOY!!! AT KUNG ANU-ANO PA...

Wala lang... walang magawa sa buhay ngayon eh, di ko alam ang gagawin ko, kaya eto, nagsusulat muli ako. Mga senseless na bagay na marahil ay walang katuturan sa inyo, pero maaaring makatulong para ako ay lubusan ninyong makilala.

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Ang titulong Oh Joy ay nagmula sa taong aking pinagnasa- mali... actually, may gusto ako sa kanya dati. Marahil noon ay naging matalik ko siyang kaibigan, at paminsa'y nakakasamang lumabas. Pero nung nagtapat ako nang pagtingin ko eh medyo nagbago na ang pakikisama niya sa akin. Parang kapatid lang talaga ang turing niya sa akin. Okay lang. Masakit, pero mas mabuti nang ganun kesa tuluyan pang masira yung pagkakaibigan namin kung ipilit ko pa ang sarili ko.

Hindi na kami ganoon kaclose ngayon kumpara noong mga araw na pilit kong itinatago ang tunay kong nararamdaman sa kanya. Pero ayos lang. Nagkaroon naman ako ng relasyon matapos sa kanya, so medyo naka move-on na ako. Gusto ko lang isulat ngayon kasi sa tingin ko nararapat lang na mailabas ko na ito. May ilang taon na yata mula nang mangyari yon. Nakakapanghinayang lang na medyo namantsahan yung pagkakaibigan namin, pero sa mga bagay na ganyan mo naman talaga makikilala ang mga tao na may dapat espesyal na kalalagyan sa puso mo.

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Ayoko magsulat nang isang buong entry na para lang sa mga nais kong ipangalan sa mga magiging anak ko. Kaya dito ko na lang isisingit. Ang mga pangalan ang frustration ko, kasi ako ay nabigyan ng isang mahaba at Pilipinong-pilipino na pangalan. Nainis lang ako sa nanay ko kasi daw dapat Jeffrey ang ipapangalan sakin. Pero sinunod daw niya ang lola ko.

So ngayon ayaw ko na ang mga supling ko eh magkaroon ng ganitong damdamin sakin paglaki nila. Kaya kung sakali man na magkaanak ako eh ito ang mga pangalang napili ko:

Sebastian Vincent
Nikki Marie
Etienne Alain
Claire Iain

Yung una, kahit simple eh dahil gusto ko nung nickname na maaaring makuha sa pangalan niya... Seven. Yung Nikki Marie naman, wala lang, maganda lang pakinggan. Etienne ay isang French na pangalan. At ang Iain ay pronounced na Ayen.

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Natapos ko na nga pala ang listahan ng mga paborito kong mga pelikula. Siguro mahigit 50 yung nagawa ko. Sa mga susunod na linggo eh ilalathala ko dito ang mga iyon. Nahati lahat sa iba't-ibang kategorya. Dadagdagan ko pa ng isa. Ang paborito kong klasikong pelikula.

Para lang masabik kayo (as ip), may pelikula doon sina Christopher Reeves, Will Smith, Sasha Baron Cohen, Steve Martin, Julia Roberts, Edward Norton kahit si Sharon Cuneta, Rico Yan at Vilma Santos ay nakatagpo ng lugar sa listahan ko.

Ganyan ako sobrang walang magawa sa buhay ngayong mga nagdaang araw.

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Mukha nga palang lumalabo na ang paningin ko. May mga oras kasi na sobrang nahihirapan na akong magbasa ng mga nakasulat sa computer ko. Minsan nga eh, tinatamad nakong magbasa ng blog ng ibang tao dahil medyo masakit sa ulo ang titigan ang mga ito.

Dahil siguro eh buong araw akong nakaharap sa monitor ng computer ko, sa bahay man ako o wala. Tapos kung di ako nasa harap ng computer, ang paglalaro naman ng Gran Theft Auto IV ang inaatupag ko. Napapagod na siguro ang mga mata ko. Kelangan pagpahingahin. Kung alam ko lang ang dapat gawin para mangyari yun, eh gagawin ko agad yun.

Pero okay lang, medyo ayos naman ang hitsura ko pag nakasalamin ako... lalo akong nagmimistulang isang matalinong bata. Na hindi nerd!!! Dati nagsasalamin ako... pamporma lang, kaya lang yung nabili kong salamin (sa i2i ata yun) eh parang may grado, kaya medyo sumasakit ulo ko pag suot ko yun. Siguro panahon na para totohanin yun (although dalangin ko na huwag naman sana). Sayang naman kung di na 20/20 vision ko.

MY TOP FILMS: ANIMATED/FANTASY

I've been browsing some blogs the last couple of hours, and I noticed that there've been some people who posted their favorite films in their sites... if you'd allow me, I'd like to join the bandwagon. I don't want to make a countdown of my all-time favorite films as it's been done before by yoshke on his blog, although it's not yet finished.

So to make mine different, I'd list down my favorites by genre. I've already done this before with comic book movies last month. And in keeping with my childish favorites, I'd list here my top animated/fantasy films. Somewhere down the road, I'd also list down my favorite action, comedy, thriller, drama, adaptation, guy and (gasp!) chick flicks.

Before you react with some of the choices here, it's animated/fantasy. So not all of the films here are drawn or computer generated. Okay? Just so you know. If you have a problem, make your own list.

11. ENCHANTED: Ahh the magic of Disney. This list is dominated by the children's company, as a lot of my fondest memory as a kid involved somehow a movie created by them. Although this one is really new, it still came from Walt Disney. This is the story of Giselle, a fairytale princess who was sent to the real world by an evil queen, only to find true love with a man who no longer believes in fairy tales. I like this film because it's funny, although a bit cliche but nevertheless it's interesting. I didn't get bored watching the movie. And it's the type that I can watch over and over and over... and over.

10. ELLA ENCHANTED: Two words: Anne Hathaway! This is a sort of modern version of another Cinderella story, the only twist is that Ella is cast under a spell of obedience. She has to do everything everyone tells her to do. It's not really a film that you can call a classic, but it's a cute film. I liked it because this is where I first heard the song Somebody To Love originally sung by Queen. Anne's version is so good, that everytime I watch this movie, I have to pause and rewind on that scene. Anne sang that beautifully.

9. CARS: While cars by itself is already interesting, Pixar brought them to life. Lightning McQueen is a brash race car until he gets stranded in a desolate town where he learned that life isn't just about racing. Definitely much more superior than Speed Racer by a mile. I admit, the scene on how Radiator Springs lost it's visitors got me teary-eyed. Before watching this, I was a firm believer that cartoons are made to make us laugh and not to make us cry.

8. RATATOUILLE: As with most of the people in the world, I hate rats!!! When I was a kid, when we see one we always try 101 ways of how to torture rats. I'm not saying that after watching this movie, my mind changed about these filthy critters. Nope. I still have 200 things in mind on ways of torturing them. But for about an hour and a half, it made me believe that rats can be cute and cuddly and charming. Remy is a rat who is a genius in the kitchen, who decides to help bumbling kitchen help Linguini.

7. FINAL FANTASY: ADVENT CHILDREN: If you're one of the five regular readers of my blog, you'd know that I'm a huge Role Playing Game fan. And one of the best rpg games ever made is Final Fantasy VII. Now when the people behind the game decided to create a movie about it, I literally fell from my seat. I never expected to hear from Cloud, Tifa, Cid and company after the ending of the game. But I'm very happy that I did. This is an action packed film, and my jaw dropped in every fight scene that was in this movie. Story-wise it's not that great, but if you're really a fan of the titles, this will give you goosebumps... and fond memories of high school.

6. THE LION KING: This was a traumatic film for me when I first saw it as a kid. At the beginning of the film, I witnessed the murder of Simba's father by his Uncle Scar. I think this is where animated films started to mature. And I'm happy to have been there when it happened. Who knew that children's films could also be dark, and at the same time perky. This was one of the last good 2d films made by Disney in my opinion, as after this, I didn't enjoy the movies they made as much.

5. ALADDIN: Who could ever forget about Aladdin, Genie and Princess Jasmine? I think I was in 5th grade when this movie came out. I remember that people wanted to watch this movie for the sole reason that Lea Salonga was the singing voice of Jasmine, only to find out that she only sang one song in the movie. But I wasn't really disappointed because the movie was very well done. I loved the comedy brought about by Robin William's Genie, and there were alot of Easter Eggs in the film. Who else screamed like a little girl when they saw Sebastian (the crab from The Little Mermaid) in one of the musical scenes of the film.
4. WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?: This was I believe the first movie where they fused animation and live action together. And it was brilliant!!! I loved this film, because it's the only movie where you'll see Disney and WB characters interact. I especially liked the scene where both Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse came out. This is the only place you'll see that happening. Until now, I'm still looking forward to the day that that happens again. Wishful thinking of a kid at heart, I know.

3. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Ahhh... For me, this is the best old school animated movie. I think as a kid, I saw this movie in the theater 5 times. I had to lie to my aunts and cousins about not having to see this to be able to watch it again. Admittedly, after watching it in the cinema, I've only seen this movie again about I think only twice. The reason is simple, I don't want to get tired of watching this film. Because for me it's special. I can't explain it, but there's something about my seeing this film that makes me happy.

2. SHREK 2: This is high in my list because there's no other movie in this list that made me laugh so hard that 2 days after I saw the film, I still can't stop laughing. Definitely the best among it's franchise, this film follows the life of Shrek and Fiona after they got married. I loved especially the soundtrack. The music definitely was chosen by people who grew up the same time I did. While the music is only a little part of what makes this a great movie, the story and the script and Puss In Boots made this a classic.

1. FINDING NEMO: As much as I wanted Shrek 2 to be my number one animated/fantasy movie of all time, I still love fishes. I'm allergic to seafood, but it didn't hinder me from loving this movie. Nemo got separated from his father and was sent to Australia, and it's up to his father and Dory to save and bring him back home. Like the prior movie, this is also laugh out loud funny. Most of the time when I watch the video at home, I skip to the scenes of Dory, as it's brilliantly depicted by the very funny Ellen Degeneres. The fact that this is heart-warming, funny and adorable all at the same time is what made me decide to put this film on the top of my list.

ME AND MY MAGIC 8-BALL

I had this for years, this is one toy that I often show-off because it's fun. I like the answers they give to my very serious questions.

AM I GOING TO GET MARRIED?
-As I see it yes

WILL I MEET THE ONE THIS YEAR?
-Reply hazy try again

HAVE I ALREADY MET THE ONE?
-Yes (hmmm... interesting)

HAVE I LET GO OF A GOOD THING?
-As I see it yes (I'm not going to elaborate on this... but too bad)

AM I A GOOD GUY?
-Signs point to yes

AM I AN EXPERT IN RELATIONSHIPS?
-Very doubtful (from now on I'm not going to give relationship advise)

AM I GOING TO HAVE LOTS OF MONEY?
-Outlook not so good (uh-oh!)

WILL J AND I EVER GO OUT AGAIN?
-My sources say no (ahhh... crap... I really need to let this go)

This toy's nice to me today... so it's not that funny. When I bring this to work, this becomes a hit
with my colleagues. They'd even go as far as to kissing the thing before they ask their questions. It's funny because there are people who take the answers from it seriously. And some of the answers aren't that serious.

This is a good stress buster if you don't take it seriously. If you want to ask a question to my magic 8 ball, just let me know. I'm sure you know how.

REVIEW: GRAND THEFT AUTO IV

After over a month of searching for a copy of this year's most anticipated video game, I finally snagged a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV this week. And damn!!! This game is so good!!!

I haven't finished the game obviously as there are a lot of missions that I have to finish and a lot of easter eggs to find. I've only played about 7 hours of the game, but I can't find a reason to switch off my console.

As of writing, I've already killed a couple of mob bosses, banged my sort of girlfriend three times, rode a train, expanded my circle of friends, got my apartment burned and ran away from the cops several times. There's literally a million things to do in Liberty City and a lot of places to see.

Nico Bellic is the star of this game. An immigrant from probably Eastern Europe. He bunks with his cousin Roman who owns and operates a taxi service, and unfortunately have some very bad people as friends. Initially, you drive around Roman's friends and help them out with their problems, and eventually get paid. As the game progresses these customers become your friends, operating with you in some missions, letting you in on some weapons store and giving you money. I love this game.

Like I said, there's a lot to do in Liberty City. You can surf the internet, shop for clothes, read blogs, drive around, watch television shows, kill people, and bang some chicks. Plus the setting, a virtual copy of New York City, beautiful. So far, I've been to this game's version of Coney Island, Queens and the Bronx. Manhattan will come in later in the story, but I can't wait already. I can't wait to be able to fly a helicopter and go to the Statue of Happiness (the game's version of Statue of Liberty).

The game is obviously for adults as it promotes violence and isn't tame with regard the language. But I don't know anyone who won't enjoy playing this game. The controls are easy to get acquainted to, and there's no dull moment. Listening to familiar music from over 10 radio stations will keep you from going out of your stolen vehicle. I love this game.

This is the superior game among all the installments of the game that came out. I'm talking in terms of everything. From gameplay to story to visuals and control, this is the finest. Driving is a breeze, and shooting and aiming is more precise than the previous games.

I feel that this game will further keep me from having a social life again, but it doesn't matter. I'm cool with it. That's how much of a geek I am. I'm even starting to talk with the Russian accent. Aaaagh! So far, among all the games in my library, this is already becoming my favorite. To hell with Halo 3 and Oblivion.

By the way, I'm playing the XBox 360 version of the game.

SCORE: 10/10

SERIOUSLY, WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING SINGLE?!

Seriously?

I admit, being in a relationship has its perks. But then again, there's some sort of freedom you're never going to get when you're tied up with someone else. I don't think a lot of people realize that.

Your money is your own.

Forgetting someone's birthday is not an unforgivable sin.

You don't have to ask for permission to have fun with your friends.

I'm not promoting promiscuity, but you have that option.

You're not forced to endure hours and hours of window shopping.

Yeah, there's no kilig and you don't get to hold hands with someone and yeah it's nice when you wake up and you're still beside the person you slept with, but that shouldn't stop you from being happy.

There's a reason why we make friends with other people. So that we'll never be alone. And if you chose the right people to be friends with, then loneliness is not going to be a problem.

I read this whole entry back, and I know I kind of sound like a selfish brat. It's just that I'm enjoying being a free man. And it's not going to take away the things that will make me a great partner or boyfriend. My being happy as a single guy does not mean that being the other half of a couple will make me miserable. Like I said, sometimes we need to feel the jitters.

I'm just making the most of what life hands out. I decided that I don't want to spend the last years of being in my twenties feeling miserable. Sulking is for superheroes. And I'm not a fictional character.

TRIBUTE TO MY FRIENDS

I was really lucky to have been hired by the second company that I've worked for. It was there where I met most of the friends that I consider as my family. About 200 people came in and left our little program, and a lot of them left huge marks in my life. Some gave positive impressions on me, and there were few who left a bitter after taste. But there are a handful that I consider my really good friends... people who I would never want to cut lines of communications with. And this entry is for them.


MAYBE: Closest I have to a sister. I bully her, and sometimes I make her cry. But she's always been patient with me, and I can talk to her about anything. She's a nice person, and she deserves all the good things that's coming her way.

HANSI: My kuya, the older brother I never had. He's the person I talk to if I'm confused. If I wanted advise, I can always count on a mature one from this guy. And he always instigates the group's gimmicks.

SHAMAI: Never a dull moment when I'm with this girl. She never runs out of stories to tell, and all the juicy gossip about the company after I left that I heard, mostly was told to me by this girl. One day, our plans of going to Oceanarium will push through.

MORRIS: A natural born leader, I never thought we'd be close until we lived together. He's a natural born leader, and for his age, he's really a deep thinker. He's one of the people who took over after I left the company, and is one of the reasons why I am confident that I'm leaving the program in good hands.

RYAN B: I learned to love Granma because of this guy. And I love his pasta. God!!! During the kidnapping days, his house was always welcome to us piss-drunk friends. His house as well as Hansi's were the reasons why I'm not going to be lost in Quezon City.

LESTER: He's an example of a bad boy that turned good. While I still think that our group's the reason why his horns aren't totally cut off from his head, his little speeches about his experiences and beliefs makes me think about turning to God full time.

RYAN C: His daughter's one of the few goddaughters that I get to see from time to time. I'm proud that I was part of some of the highlights of his life. He's our group's bunso.

SUGAR: I admit, at one point in my life, I had a huge crush on this girl. If I wasn't so torpe I would've courted her already. But I guess we both know that we're better off as friends. Maybe someday. Time will only tell.

JOANNA: This girl... she's already a senior, and because of that, I know that I can trust her when I tell her my secrets. She's got a bubbly personality, and that makes her adorable. A little irritating at times, but we're so close that I don't mind writing it down here. I love her.

JAJA: She's like my little sister. My rich and successful little sister. Ha! She's the only person we rarely get to see these days as she's enjoying travelling the world. I'm proud to be her friend, makes me believe that there really is a good life outside of the call center industry.

PADZ: The eldest in our group. When he's drunk he's the most serious, and our source of stories and experiences.

There are a lot more: Malou, Gel, Eric, Steph, Karl, Ingrid, Roy, Mitch, Beth, Lui, Rossan, Karla, Francis(I'll make one for you next time...I'm sorry). They're always present everytime I invite them over for a house party, and I hope in the future they'd still be.

This is my little group of brothers and sisters who I dearly treasure. And although, some of us have already moved on, I'm happy that we still keep in touch. And I don't think any of us want to cut communications as we all know we'll never meet another people like these again.

REQUIRED READING: IMMORTAL IRON FIST

THE 7 CAPITAL CITIES OF HEAVEN:


First of all, an introduction to Iron Fist. As per Marvel: Orphaned billionaire Daniel Rand was raised in the mystical city of K'un-Lun and grew to become it's champion. After defeating the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying, Danny was granted extraordinary powers, enhancing his mastery of the martial arts and allowing him to achieve a superhuman level of strength, speed and fighting prowess. Now Danny - a captain of industry a hero on the run and a member of the underground New Avengers - stands between the innocent and the unstoppable hordes of evil and wicked men as THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST.

Now I'm sure a lot of you don't know who this guy is, as until recently, Iron Fist was never a mainstream superhero. He was created during the 70's in the wake of blaxploitation and kung-fu films. He was Luke Cage's partner in Heroes For Hire, and just recently joined the Avengers as part of the superhumans against Super Hero Registration. And he's the star of one of the most hailed Marvel series, The Immortal Iron Fist.

While the entire run of Ed Brubaker (Captain America) and Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man) is critically acclaimed, I wanted the maiden entry for my comic book reviews to be about their second story arc titled The 7 Capital Cities of Heaven (issues 8-14).

Danny Rand, the Iron Fist of this generation finds himself a weapon of his city K'un-Lun in a tournament between 6 other mystical cities vying for passage to Earth. The game... a kick-ass kung-fu tournament that makes Jackie Chan and Jet Li films look like amateur circus acts.

What's really interesting is that the entire tournament is less than half of the entire story, we also are thrown in the middle of a brewing war against corruption in Rand's home turf. Oh yeah, and a terrorist cell called Hydra is targeting the invisible city to turn into rubble and dust.

If I were to nominate a title that will get people to read comics, The Immortal Iron Fist will definitely be on top of that list. I believe that these characters will be myths in the future, just like the Greek, Norse and whatever gods we're so into these days. Brubaker and Fraction are weaving a great mythology for the character that makes him so interesting, and this title so hard to put down.

Where else can you find characters whose names are so cool, you'd hate your parents for naming you Michael or Jason? Fat Cobra? Bride of Nine Spiders? Dog Brother #1? Tiger's Beautiful Daughter? Steel Serpent and Prince of Orphans? If you could only see their looks and their moves, your jaw would drop to the floor just like mine did. Sumo Thunder Stomp, Whirlwind of Impending Doom, Burning Chi Thunderfoot, The Black Milk of Hell, Jawsnapper in Twilight and The Stabbing Newlywed are just some of the cool moves each player made throughout the entire run. If I wrote all of it here, I'd have no more room for the review.

This series is peppered with coolness, that each issue you're going to say 'wow' several times. Every character had a moment and the writers effectively wrote them that you'd care if something bad happens to them. Just like this line by Misty Knight (she's Danny's on-again-off-again girlfriend):

"You're all cold. You're all tired. And you've got to protect Momma Hogarth while trying not to get yourselves killed. My partner has a way with the blade. And clearly I'm unafraid of a tussle or two. Now, you might manage to bring down one of us, or maybe even both of us. But I promise you that--before we die--we will blind one of you. We will kill two of you. And three of you will never have children. Ever."
-BRILLIANT!!!

The comic book is mostly perfect, but there's only one thing that kept me from truly enjoying the entirety of this book. David Aja was not able to complete this story. I'm pretty sure not all people would appreciate the art, I know some prefer a manga style of drawing when reading comic books. But I really loved Aja's style. I don't know how you call it, but I've really warmed up to it. It has this European style which is detailed and conveys emotion effectively. And his action sequences are the bomb!!! I was wondering how he would've interpreted the scene where Iron Fist punches a train (yes, you read that right!!! That's how cool Iron Fist is). Anyway, his replacements Tonci Zonjic, Clay Mann and Kano did the best that they can, and were able to keep the art competent in Aja's absence.

There's a lot to love about this book and I'm not ashamed to profess all of it. I've got a man-crush on Iron Fist!!! There, I said it. This is the best and only kung-fu comic book in the market. I am not afraid to recommend it to non-comic book readers out there. This book won't let me down, mind you. This has got everything you need, action, suspense, great dialogue, great characterization, and a whole lot of kung-fu fighting. Definitely a classic!

RATING: 9.5/10

I WORK FOR THE REAL STATE INDUSTRY

Am I finally free from the call center industry? Well, technically yes. In a sense I'm no longer working for a call center company. After 4 years of working there I'm finally free. But then again, the job that I have now still involves working on the phones. But this one I'm really really REALLY excited about.

I work for the real state arm of one of the (if not the) richest man in the country. I'll actully be pioneering this particular department along with 10 (although we're not complete yet) other people.

The projects that are lined up are so good I don't think we're going to have a problem selling each property. Hearing stories about how Account Managers are closing sales everyday gets me excited in closing one as well (even if I'm not full-time on the phone). 2% commission of the property I sell, can't do me no wrong. This could possibly be the best career change, and possibly the riskiest thing I'll do. But you know what, I'm an optimist, so I'm seeing good things for me.

Yeah, I deleted the last post, as it was a result of my being negative a few days ago. I changed my mind. Although I still am looking for people for my team. Anyway, it was not a good post, more like desperate, but I'm okay now. Just enjoying facing the challenges that come my way.
If I don't do good and not make sales, being in an office full of good looking people's reward enough for me.

STOP TOUCHING IT!!!

Reading the title, I'd say you're thinking this is about how someone (a girl perhaps) telling me to stop touching them. Wrong! Number one, I don't touch anything without asking for permission... (maybe that's what's wrong with me)... and two, I just needed something catchy to write so you'll read this entry.

So what's this entry all about? I am on 'guy-giving-advise' mode today and would just want to share the things that we guys don't want other people touching. Whether you're a girl or a guy, there are just some things that are off-limits unless given proper authorization. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any problems sharing things. It's just there are things you should be careful before you lay your soft hands on or something. Men, particularly boys tend to go berserk if they find out that something's changed or different with these precious things.

CELLPHONE: I have seen relationships destroyed because the girl can't help but open her beau's phone and read his messages. This has something to do with the issue of trust. And probably guys who avoid lending their phones have something to keep from others. I'm sure guys won't have a problem lending it to you if you ask first. I know I don't. Seriously, this could also be for your own good. I mean, what would you do if you find out that his phone contains videos or pictures of him doing it with his ex?

WALLET: Look at your parents. Have you ever seen your mother open your dad's wallet. Even if she needs the money, and his wallet's lying there she still asks the man to give her the money. They know the silent rule between men and women that wallets are always off limits. I know sometimes it doesn't contain much, but whatever 'much' this leather treasure chest contains only
we understand. We don't have a problem sharing our money with you, but sometimes it's our decision to keep some for ourselves. Don't assume that because we're already intimate that we're already ready to share everything with you. It's all about respect.

HAIR: Remember Samson and Delilah? What happened after the bitch played around with the guy's mojo? He flipped and turned suicidal destroying some tower along with himself. This may not be accurate, but I guess you're smart enough to follow my drift. Our crowning glory!!! The only thing we are willing to spend 30 minutes just to fix. The only thing that completes our look. Yeah, I know when girls play with our hair, you'd still see us smiling after... but I'm telling you deep inside we want to punch the living daylights out of you. Respect the work we've put on our hairstyle no matter how outdated this look happens to be.

CAR RADIO: It's fine as long as you ask permission first. We understand if Love Radio is not your favorite fm station or that you don't like the house music cd that your guy's got in his player. Heck, we'll even sing-along with the cheesiest love songs if you want just as long as you tell us you want to change the tune. An awkward date will really go south once this happens, a normally jolly guy can become quiet and brooding when he hears something different inside his kingdom that is his car.

That's four things that are off limits from other people's hands. Everything else, you're free to touch and play with. And there are some things we want you to touch and play with. And this time I mean what I mean. Wink Wink!!!

NOT AN AMERICAN IDOL ENTRY

Nah, I don't want to join the bandwagon of writing another American Idol entry. There's around a thousand blogs out there that's already said everything that needs to be said about the show and it's contestants.

So now my dilemma is, I can't think of a good entry to write about in this online journal of mine.

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In my quest to find a new career, I stumbled upon this budding real state development company. I came from the call center industry and have never experienced anything other than that kind of job professionally.

What's interesting is, although it's a little new, it is a big company. A company that's connected to one of the country's richest person. It's a leadership job, so that I have experience in, and I'm hoping in some way that what I did and who I am will be enough to land me the opportunity of a lifetime. I mean from what I've heard during my interview last week is that this will be very satisfactory financially for me.

I guess, I just need to do good with my interview with the President of the company on Saturday. My readers, please wish me luck!!!

Oh yeah, and I visited their website today, and day-emn! I want to own my own condo unit and island house!!!

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I've been visiting a lot of blogs lately, and I've found a lot of really interesting sites. For sure one of these days I'll be advertising these people's blogs and other websites that I've been frequenting when I'm not doing anything.

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Speaking of future entries that I'll be writing here... Lately, I've been cooking up some things about my being an only child that I notice are similar to other people like me. It's just that when I re-read it, it got a little pessimistic and depressing (maybe because it became a story about me). I'm just going to edit it, no actually it needs a total overhaul before I post this here.

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The past few days, I've been going to sleep at around 4am. One evening it's because I've been reading "Love In The Time Of Cholera." (haven't got far though, still on page 83). The other day it's because I was playing "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion." And then of course the other day it's because of drowning myself in alcohol.

I guess the point here is, I'm still losing the fight against insomnia. ANd I drink milk!!! A lot!!!

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Oh yeah, I'd also like to take this time to write about the first short story I've posted here... FX DIALOGUES... just scroll down if you haven't read it. This was a story I wrote 5 years ago. It was originally entitled "Stoplights and Wedding Rings." Obviously I've changed some of the dialogues between Francis and Diane, because on the original it was really shallow and long.

Anyway, I've written about 10 short stories during the time when I recently graduated. I was actually hoping one of those would get published. This is the closest I'll ever get to being printed. At least I'll be reaching a wider audience here. Right?

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I'll end my post here on this note. And if you're interested as to who I want to win AI... Cook.

LASENGGO

After siguro ng 2 buwan, eh kagabi nakipag-inuman nanaman ako. Hindi sa mga usual na kasama ko uminom na kaibigan mula sa dati kong trabaho, ngunit sa mga maton kong kapitbahay na mula pagkabata namin eh nakakasama ko na.

Hindi ko na nga maalala kung bakit ako napasabak sa inuman naming iyon kagabi. Marahil ipinagdiriwang namin ang graduation ng isa, o ang despedida ng pamangkin kong uuwi na sa isang linggo. Di bale na, okay lang, basta wala akong ginastos kagabi, ayos na yun. (Hindi po ako kuripot, hindi lang ako gumastos)

Tang'na sumuka ako!!! Sa buong buhay ko eh hindi ako sumusuka kapag ako ay umiinom. Makakatulog, babagsak pag naglakad... makikipag-away sa mga kasabay kong pasahero, magsasalita nang kung anu-ano, yun nagagawa ko. Pero ang sumuka... Shiyet!!! Buti na lang at dito sa bahay namin yun ginawa kaya okay lang na magkalat ako, pero ayoko nang ganitong pakiramdam!!!

Gumising ako kanina na walang laman ang tiyan ko dahil iniluwa ko lahat nang nakain ko kahapon. Hanggang ngayon nga eh medyo lasang Jollibee pa bibig ko. Nagsipilyo na ako niyan. Kung maaari nga lang akong mabusog dun sa lasa ng laway ko, pero wala eh. Nanghihina na ako. Mahirap talaga na wala kang kasama sa bahay. Hmm... parang gusto ko tuloy buksan yung isang kwarto para iparenta... baka kasi multuhin ang bahay namin.

Pero para malaman niyo, hindi po ako lasenggo. Minsan lang mangyari ang mga ganitong bagay kaya napagbibigyan kong makipagtagayan ng Lola, Generoso at Emperador, sabayan pa ng pulang kabayo. Kahit nung nasa Marikina pa ako nakatira, eh behave ako. Ang sa akin lang, wala namang masama na malagyan ng alcohol ang katawan ko (basta hindi lang ethyl o rubber alcohol). At hindi ang inuman ang mahalaga kundi ang klase ng bonding na nagaganap sa mga ganitong patitipon.

FX DIALOGUES part 2

"I've always wanted to walk there" pointing at the trees adorned by the yellow blinking lights. "I think it's romantic. You and the one you like, walking hand in hand. It's like in the movies. I've always wanted for a movie scene to happen to my life."

"What's stopping you from doing that? You're a beatiful girl. I'm sure a lot of guys are competing to give you that scene." deep down I'm starting to want to be that guy.

She just smiled. The picture of her smiling face beside those colorful lights will never be erased from my mind. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was magic.

"You're doing it again... the grin?" she interrupted.

"I'm sorry. I guess I do this a lot when I see something enticing."

"Ah. The cheesy type."

"Cheesy type?" I asked curiously.

"I have met a lot of guys, as I'm sure you're already aware. And I noticed that when they're talking to me they sort of turn into 2 types. The cheesy types and the challenging types. The cheesy guys are guys who try to woe me with sweet words. And then there are men who when I talk to them, they challenge me. Makes me think."

"Okay. So which one do you prefer?"

"Hmmm. No one really asked me that before. I don't really know. I mean it's great if you learn something new that you haven't known before. But it really feels good to know that someone thinks I'm worth stealing the moon and the stars."

You really are, I thought. She was smiling again. She's thinking to herself. We didn't say anything anymore for the rest of the ride. As we were getting nearer to where I'll be dropped off, I knew it's time. I need to get her name and number before I go.

"I'm about to get off. I really enjoyed talking to you. Thank you for making this evening a little more interesting. My name is Francis by the way." I gave her my hand to shake, and she accepted.

"Diane. It's nice to meet you Francis."

Her hand was soft. The softest hands I've ever touched. I really don't want to let go at this point. But then one of my fingers touched something cold. Something hard. A ring.

I looked her hand and saw a ring made of white gold on her ring finger. "That ring looks nice."

Her cheek turned red. She smiled looking at the ring. She played with it for a little. "Yeah. This is my wedding ring." Outside it started to drizzle. Light rain. On television, when something surprising is revealed to a character, you notice the camera immediately zooms in to the character's face to see their reaction. I felt I had that kind of moment.

I got off a few moments later. She said goodbye as I closed the door. As it turns out she's a passenger that I need to forget about after all. The light rain washed away all desire I had for her, as I started my long walk home.