Thursday, June 30, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

Doesn't matter what happens. She's always a woman to me...

She's Always A Woman To Me
by Billy Joel

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me
She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth, but she'll never believe
And she'll take what you give her as long it's free
Yeah, She steals like a thief, but she's always a woman to me

CHORUS:
Ohhh... she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time
Ohhh... and she never gives out
And she never gives in, she just changes her mind

And she'll promise you more than the garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you and laugh while you're bleeding
But she?ll bring out the best and the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself 'cause she's always a woman to me

CHORUS

She's frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool
And she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you,
But she's always a woman to me

CHORUS


.:My Baby's Back!!!:.

I missed my laptop soooooo much. But I'm not a geek. Not at all.

It's finally back to tip-top shape, thanks to Sacha's wonderful, wonderful help.

It was initially a disappointing day, as I didn't get to collect my check, and repartitioning had to be done when Open Office found itself on Ubuntu instead of Windows (Very, very sneaky...), but it was no big deal soon enough, as I ended up not going to the movie premiere anymore and instead going back to Sacha's place with Clair and JM (Nuninuninu...), and ice cream and a bit of sleep all helped me get myself up and at 'em once again soon enough.

For now, I'll leave my day at that. It was very eventful, and I was glad to be in the company of great friends who picked me up amid a nasty bout of depression... it's all good, I guess. I was exceedingly catty with some of my comments, though. Ah, well.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

Was singing this a lot last time I heard it...

Lost In Your Eyes
by Debbie Gibson

I get lost in your eyes
And I feel my spirits rise
And soar like the wind..
Is it love that I am in?

I get weak in a glance
Isn’t that what’s called romance?
...and now I know
’cause when I’m lost I can’t let go

Chorus:
I don’t mind not knowing what I’m headed for
You can take me to the skies...
It’s like being lost in heaven
When I’m lost in your eyes

I just fell, don’t know why
Something’s there we can’t deny...
And when I first knew
Was when I first looked at you

And if I can’t find my way
If salvation seems worlds away
Oh, I’ll be found
When I am lost in your eyes

(Chorus)

I get weak in a glance
Isn’t this what’s called romance?
Oh, I’ll be found
When I am lost in your eyes


.:Excuses, Excuses:.

Got hit with the flu, which explains why I'm posting only now. I was so sick I took Tuesday off from work. Oh, well. On to business as usual...

And don't worry, no Jasmine Trias shenanigans from me. For today. =P

Nonetheless, I have quite a few new things to post about, but I'll tie them all into my (delayed) Suman post, due most likely tomorrow or Friday, due to the fact that my laptop is still with Sacha, as she was kind enough to help me reformat but we didn't have enough time to finish the whole procedure when I was there at her place last Monday. Nonetheless, things were going so well for me afterwards when I went to meet Pomelo that day. Regardless, we haven't quite managed to see eye to eye on a few things, but I don't really care. I want to go the distance with Pomelo, if God is willing to let me.

Anyways, I'd like to reiterate my thanks to Diane and Sacha for all the help with fixing my laptop. My thanks to Pomelo for being such a blessing to me. Though we don't see eye to eye on a few things, you still make my world go round...

.:Retro Post: Bushed:.

Hardly got any rest after a meeting for WAVE last Thursday right before my three-hour class on Ricoeur. Nonetheless, it was a good Thursday, as I managed to get some problems about my work out of the way, as well as talk to Donald and Ray here and there after class. It was all good, although I really don't feel like going into detail at this point. Regardless, it was all in all a very good day, to say the least.

.:Retro Post: Carnivore Night:.

I met up with Pomelo before getting soaked to the bone due to the horrible rain before I got to Kathy's house for the so-called “Carnivore Night” party. Ching was there all the way from Singapore, which made me the unwilling subject of a lot of ribbing, although it was pretty obvious I was shrugging the whole thing off with a lot more ease this time, as I simply wasn't interested anymore. That didn't stop me from freaking Hrbs out, though, as I happily declared that I was an “Hrbivore”. Lol.

In any case, the people there were JM, Clair, Dang, myself, Chips and his girlfriend, Lui, some of Ching's friends, and of course, the Chuas. I bought some lamb chops which Kathy cooked. I think Kathy makes an excellent cook, actually. All in all, it was a very fun time for everyone concerned. Kathy never let up on making jokes about me with regard to someone, though...

Went spinning at the rooftop afterwards, all the same. I was cracking lots of corny jokes, but all in all, people were mostly in a good mood, as I was personally pleased as punch about the whole setup, and I could imagine a lot of other people were, too. I finally saw the Snake wicks at work, and they looked really stunning, to say the least. I really can develop a liking for those wicks... no neck wraps, though. Sacha was extremely giddy, but it wasn't for herself, to say the least. When I heard about it, I felt pretty excited about the whole deal as well.

I then went home with Clair and Dang, as we were all headed in the same direction. Nothing much to detail, really. Too bad we didn't get to finish H2G2, though... ah, well.

The food was great. I repeat: the food was great.

.:Retro Post: Saturdate:.

But of course. Then again, there's nothing I can possibly detail about it, I guess. Heh.

.:Retro Post: Sigh...:.

To be honest, I don't quite know if I'd want to come back if my family took me back in.

So there I was, dropping by my house to get some system discs for my laptop, and it just really felt surreal to see my stepdad and my mom so civil to me after the last time. Regardless, it made me realize all the more that my appreciation for them deepens when I'm away from them, and I'd rather keep it that way.

I hope I can support myself financially when the time comes. I really want to just get away from them already. Marriage isn't the answer. Self-sufficiency is.

.:Retro Post: Another Tournament:.

It was pretty frustrating, really. I ended up being fifth place in yesterday's tournament, and ended up not making the cut to top four. I guess all things considered, Pithing Needle is simply put, a card that I definitely would need in my deck, no questions asked. It'd make my life so much easier against Landstill decks and other similar opponents with Wasteland and Strip Mine.

Nonetheless, I had fun playtesting Death Long. Worked pretty well for me, although I guess there's room for improvement as far as my playstyle goes. I think I'm doing pretty well with the list, though. If I went up against myself as Doomsday with my decklist, I would've won easily, in contrast to how Mike ended up losing to my Doomsday because of Force Of Will. Defense Grid makes sure that doesn't happen.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

Perfect song to sing a duet by yourself... heh.

Please Be Careful With My Heart
by Jose Mari Chan and Regine Velasquez

If you love me like you tell me please be careful with my heart
you can take it just don't break it or my world will fall apart
you are my first romance and i'm willing to take a chance
that 'til life is through i'll still be loving you
I will be true to you just a promise from you will do
from the very start please be careful with my heart

I love you and you know I do there'll be no one else for me
promise i'll be always true for the world and all to see
Love has heard some lies softly spoken
and I have had my heart badly broken
i've been burned and i've been hurt before

So I know just how you feel trust my love is real for you
i'll be gentle with your heart i'll caress it like the morning dew
i'll be right beside you forever I won't let your world fall apart
from the very start i'll be careful with your heart

you are my first *and you are my last* romance
and i'm willing to take a chance *i've learned from the past*
that 'til life is through i'll still be loving you
I will be true to you *only to you*
just a promise from you will do
from the very start *from the very start*
from the very start *from the very start*
from the very start please be careful with *i'll be careful with* (*my your heart*)


.:Coinkidink:.

While Pomelo and I were going to the MRT, we ended up running into Clair, who was obviously in high spirits. It was fun, really. I haven't seen her in ages, and she was just really a dynamo of stories while Pomelo and I gladly listened. I'm glad Pomelo's getting along well enough with my friends. It makes it so much better for me that things are that way.

In any case, I'm glad to have met Clair after a long time of being out of touch with her because of my new schedule in WAVE. Nonetheless, I am certainly grateful for the opportunity, and she's been nothing but a wonderful friend to me for almost as long as I've known her.

I'm glad to see you happy, Clair. You deserve to be happy. You really, really do.

.:Small Joys:.

As I was in Cubao and having my phone repaired, I went to get a drink from a stall, which turned out to be Ranoosh, a Shawarma stand. Small talk with the owner made him realize that I knew him from ADMU, as he also had another branch there. He and his apparent wife were all smiles, and then gave me a small discount on the drink I bought, as I didn't have small change on me.

It's no big deal, truth be told. But you just have to admit that small gestures like that go a long way. The same goes for the nice people who fixed my phone. It's been working like a charm, and they even gave me a calling card in case something happens to the phone again.

Small gestures like these make you still have faith in the goodness of the human person. :)

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

.:Let's Talk About...:.

... stereotypes.

One thing I definitely despise is the concept of stereotypes. There's just something about depersonalizing a group of people by classifying them derogatively. Whether it be a joke, or a plain snide opinion about people, stereotyping inhibits people from seeing other people as something more than just the sum of their parts.

It happens in daily life. The Atenean is arrogant. The La Sallian is stupid. The Benilidian is more stupid. The UP student is an activist. Virgins are a rarity in Miriam. The Assumptionist “makes tusok-tusok the fishball”. The AMA student is a big Jolina Magdangal fan. The San Bedan is gay. All these stereotypes have pervaded in the mindset of a lot of people.

While generalizing in the broadest sense can help in making heads and tails about people when dealing with them, stereotyping does no such thing. It tramples on sensibilities, and amid all the clamoring for political correctness, it does make sense, after all. These student stereotypes are so persistent that it's hard to break free from them. You see a La Sallian and you automatically think less of their intellect, despite them outstripping you in every exam you both take. You get chummy with a San Bedan, and in the back of your head, you fear ever sleeping over with him because you're both guys.

If you feel outraged that I'm using the word “you” when I give examples about stereotypes, then I applaud you. It would appear you're not one of them. This isn't even a stereotype about people who stereotype. I frankly don't know how to lump them all so impersonally.

The difficulty about writing against a stereotype is that you are likewise guilty of making some generalizations in the course of your elucidation. Despite that, I think what sets apart generalizations from stereotyping is that while all stereotypes are generalizations, not all generalizations are stereotypes. As I said, stereotypes are hurtful because not only are they impersonal, they tend to be derogatory. It's the higlighting of what seems to be a common flaw in a certain group of people, caricaturizing it to become true for all of these people, and then taking it in as gospel truth. While at first it's meant as a joke, it subconsciously becomes far more than that when given due time.

Let's think a little bigger and put stereotyping on a grander scale, and see how inane it actually is. Newsflash: Not every Indian is engaged in usury. Not every Chinese person can't pronounce “r's” properly. Not every Muslim enjoys declaring Jihad on non-Muslims. Not every African-American likes hip-hop. Not every German is a Nazi.

And on a personal note, not every Filipina is a domestic helper.

First of all, there's nothing wrong with being a domestic helper. As is my opinion with usurers, there's nothing wrong with that, either. However, as is the case with Indians, while there really isn't much wrong with usury if you view it as a means of profit, not every Indian is one. I hear so many jokes about how Indians stink, or how they love riding motorcycles, and while I can observe those things every now and then, it's also obvious that not all who stink are Indians, and not all who ride motorcycles are Indians. Again, there's nothing wrong with a Filipina being a domestic helper, and there are some adverse situations that could be considered if a Filipina is likewise a mail-order bride or a prostitute, even.

But that's not all they are about.

You talk about Filipinas, and I automatically think diversity. Close to four centuries of Spanish occupation, four decades of American occupation, and half a decade of Japanese occupation, plus extensive diplomatic relationships with the likes of the Chinese have certainly given this nation a hodgepodge of different viewpoints that blend more than conflict. It's a very observable development of how cultural ties have certainly instilled some sensibilities into the Filipino culture.

Filipinas are no different in their being different. From the music industry to the information industry, Filipinas have made their mark in society, and while the Filipino-Filipina gender clash does exist, it is far less pervasive in this society than it can be in other societies. Historically speaking, the high regard of women has been present since pre-colonial times with the Babaylan, further accentuated by notions of chivalry during the Spanish era. Clearly, the Filipina has plenty of opportunities, including, but not limited to, being a domestic helper.

There was an editorial I once read about how when someone in the States talked about having such a great little maid who did everything so well, one of the guests remarked without any malice whatsoever, “Oh! You have a Filipina?” The author felt outraged because of the assumption that being a “great little maid” is all Filipinas are good for, while the guest probably just thought it was that way. Similarly, my best friend was assumed to be male just because she was good at computers, and was assumed to be American due to her impeccable English and, as one of the people she talked to put it, “I didn't even know you guys had Internet there!”

Newsflash: we don't live in trees anymore. At least, if some of us did, that's still a minority.

Inasmuch as these stereotypes persist and persist in trying to bring the Filipino down, the Filipina is even more affected because of the whole domestic helper scenario. Again, there's nothing wrong with being a domestic helper, but if the assumption is that is all you're good for, then that certainly becomes a different story. Although we'd like to change that notion, how can we start? Well, for one, making our voices heard and telling everyone not to be a little too hasty to judge the Filipina is a good way to get the ball rolling.

Some might tell me “why don’t you concern yourself with the issue poverty first?” That just doesn’t fly with me. I can’t do anything about that. Even Jesus Christ Himself didn’t (There will be poor always/ pathetically struggling/ look at the good things you’ve got… - Jesus Christ Superstar).

But there’s something I can do about this kind of stereotype.

Yes, uplifting the Filipina image is quite higher up in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs than food, clothing, and shelter, but it’s still a need, nonetheless, bordering on metaphysical. It’s a need that I, as a Humanist, am well capable of addressing far better than I could address the lower, more primal (But definitely no less significant!) needs of the ladder.

Filipinas are far more than the sum of their parts. While as a Humanist, I certainly can say that for just about any person or group of persons, I would want to pay some special attention to the Filipina for the obvious bias I have: I'm Filipino, and being one, I, more than anyone else who's not, can and should mind.

I can’t really speak for everyone, because doing that would make me presumptive. But yes, I mind. If only because my female counterparts are far more than just what they are commonly known to be, I do mind. Not everyone thinks that way about Filipinas, granted. But neither is everyone a thief, but the police are always there, neh? I have no Messianic delusions that I can single-handedly uplift the Filipina image just by writing about it. That’s exactly why I’m not alone.

I mind. Do you?
.:Today's LSS:.

I can't help but have this song as an LSS. I just love the beat, and it's hard to get it out of my head.

Constantly
by MYMP

I knew it was there
Though I tried to hide it
The feeling just kept on shining through
Haven’t known you that long
So I try to deny it
But the feeling was much too much too strong

Could this be love
Deep down inside
Tearing me apart
I feel it in my heart

Chorus:
Constantly, you’re on my mind
Thinking about you all the time
I can’t sleep no matter what I do
I just keep on thinking ’bout you

Why do I feel this way
When I know you have someone
That you’re seeing each and every day
Should I play this game
Of just being your friend
When I know that’s not where I want it to end

How could this be wrong
When the feeling’s so strong
Tearing me apart
I feel it in my heart

Chorus 2x

No I don’t want to start no trouble
Between you and I and your lover
But I must tell you what I’m going through
Everytime you walk by I see love in your eyes


.:Wrapped Around Your Finger:.
a Story Fragment, Part VII of the Not-So-Unsent Series, and an installment to the Suman Sa Latik Webring

(Would this be better in first person, or is third person just fine? What do you think? - Marcelle)

It's been two hours, and they've been walking around the mall all this time. There's so much to talk about. There's so much going on right now that just seems to be a complete blur. Everything's been going in hyper-time since the moment they last met up, and the way they've gone around the mall, you'd think they were lost. It was a slightly amusing scene.

Martin offered a snack Choco Nut, as both of them felt rather bushed with what seems to be an unproductive meeting for the both of them so far. Sandy smiled and went with him. They made a few orders and resumed talking.

“Sandy,” began Martin. “I don't know how to begin to tell you how I feel. I've given this much thought...”

Sandy fidgeted uncomfortably. She was always this nervous whenever Martin started getting serious. Martin was incredibly flustered as well, which may very well be a first. Sandy piped up. “What about the whole episode with Geneva? Maybe you're just settling for someone else?”

Martin shook his head furiously. “O-of course not! I... I... I'm sorry. I just don't quite know what to say right now. Hard to imagine that I'm struggling for words for once...”

Sandy smirked at how out of character all of this was for Martin. She was usually the one who was always struggling for words. As the hustle and bustle of Choco Nut continued, Martin thought to how this whole thing started, and how it started with a restaurant with Geneva as well. The whole whirlwind that happened had undoubtedly changed him, and he realized that Sandy, in spite of the short time they've known each other has helped him get out of the qagmire he found himself in. Unrequited love is a curse he didn't have to saddle himself with, after all.

But he couldn't speak. Each time he tries to open his mouth, words get in the way of what he really wants to say, until finally, their orders arrived. In a moment of inspiration, Martin suddenly talks.

“Sandy, I realize how soon this might seem to you. But I really want to take a chance. I want to be able to be there for you, to go against the odds, and to be someone you can call your own.”

He opens up his snack and looks at it carefully. “Sandy, I'm like suman to you.”

Sandy blinked. Suman?”

“Yes. Suman.”

“But how?”

Martin noticed Sandy grinning uncontrollably at the idea. “No, it's not a pha... err... it's not what you think.”

“Martin, when it comes to you, it's always what I think.”

“No. Hear me out. You see this suman? It's wrapped up. Like a present. But you know it has so much to offer when you open it up. I've held myself back for so long. I have so much love to give. But only you had to courage to unwrap me. Nobody else did. For that, I thank you. You made me feel something I never thought I could possibly feel.”

Sandy raised an eyebrow but still smiled. “You realize this analogy is getting incredibly disturbing, don't you?”

“It doesn't matter. You know what I mean. You have me wrapped around your finger. The beauty of it all is that you knew how to unwrap me. You knew how to make it right. And now, I know one thing for sure: I love you. I am so in love with you. You're suman I love so much. I thank you for seeing within me all the love I had to give, and it's you I know I truly love.”

Sandy suddenly stopped smiling. Martin felt a pang of concern. “Martin,” she began. “Notwithstanding the fact that your analogy is rather disturbing, and notwithstanding the fact that unlike this suman, I won't eat you, I'm still the brown sugar to your suman.”

It was Martin's turn to look incredulous. “Eh?”

“Martin, we go so well together. And though I know you have so much love to give, I know I can't quite say it, but the mere fact that I'm here and I'm so sweet to you all the time, you just know I feel the same way. Like the sugar to the suman, I'll stick with you.”

“Umm... is that a yes? Tayo na?”

Tayo na.”

Martin held Sandy's hand and smiled. A calm serenity came over him, a sort of redemption in knowing that he truly has someone to love now. Someone who is special in her own way. At this very moment, nothing but Sandy matters. His world revolves around her now. He has found an Earthly center.

“Thank you, Sandy. I'm happy...”

“I'm glad you're happy. But that analogy was just scary!”

“Ha! Wait 'til you hear my popcorn analogy...”

“The thought of it alone sends shivers down my spine...”

The End?

.:What The…? (Part III): The Origin Of Batman!:.

I’ll give a couple of sample images from Jay Pinkerton’s website, and you tell me if this stuff isn’t funny. I love his sense of humor. If you want the full story, check the site yourself.

And as usual, tell me what you think. I don’t know what Jay Pinkerton is smoking, but I’ll have some of that, too. =P

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The fight on crime begins.

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Hmm… that gives me ideas…


.:The Incredible Frustration:.

New schedules for the jocks in WAVE have happened, and I'm particularly annoyed. It seems that the new jock is in prime time, with Robi. What gets to me is that I'm still stuck in the graveyard shift after all this realignment going on. It's just crazy, to say the least. I don't particularly like how the turn of events have worked out, and I feel particularly left out with how this has been going as of late.

I just wish things would get a bit better soon enough... I'm so bushed with work already. The least they could do is just not add to my troubles any longer...

.:The Effort Is Unbelievable:.

She now calls me by name whenever the opportunity presents itself. It makes me feel exceptionally happy to see how much she wants to make this work.

Heaven knows I do, too…

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

... is Jac's fault. It's stuck, I tell you! Stuck! To think I only know the chorus...

Don't Phunk With My Heart
by Black Eyed Peas

No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart
(Yeah)
No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart

I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be in love, baby (in love, baby)
I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be in love, baby (in love, baby)

Girl, you know you got me, got me
With your pistol shot me, shot me
And I'm here helplessly
In love and nothing can stop me
You can't stop me cause once I start it
Can't return me cause once you bought it
I'm coming baby, don’t got it (don’t make me wait)
So let’s be about it

No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart

Baby, have some trustin', trustin'
When I come in lustin', lustin'
Cause I bring you that comfort
I ain’t only here cause I want ya body
I want your mind too
Interestin’s what I find you
And I'm interested in the long haul
Come on girl (yee-haw)

(come on)

I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be in love, baby (in love, baby)
I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be in love, baby (in love, baby)

No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart

Girl, you had me, once you kissed me
My love for you is not iffy
I always want you with me
I'll play Bobby and you’ll play Whitney
If you smoke, I'll smoke too
That’s how much I'm in love with you
Crazy is what crazy do
Crazy in love, I'm a crazy fool

No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart

Why are you so insecure
When you got passion and love her
You always claimin’ I'm a cheater
Think I'd up and go leave ya
For another señorita
You forgot that I need ya
You must’ve caught amnesia
That’s why you don’t believe

(uh, yeah, check it out)

Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, baby
Cause you know you got me by a string, baby
Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, baby
Cause you know you got me by a string, baby

Baby girl, you make me feel
You know you make me feel so real
I love you more than sex appeal
(Cause you’re)
That-tha, that tha, that-tha, that girl [5x]

(overlapping)
No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart [2x]
That-tha, that tha, that-tha, that girl [2x]

I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be in love, baby (in love, baby) [4x]

Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, baby
Cause you know you got me by a string, baby
Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, baby
Cause you know you got me by a string, baby


.:What The...? (Part I):.

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Is that Kasumi from Dead Or Alive? No wonder! I could recognize that hairstyle from anywhere... =P



.:What The...? (Part II):.

Everyone knows my stance on religion as I'm a pluralist, so THIS just really gets my goat...

What do you guys think? This is from the same website that broughts us the famous "D and D is Teh Satan! OMG! Ban! Ban!1!1One1!" schtick...

.:The Weekend…:.

… Has been spent mostly playing Age Of Mythology and Rise Of Nations. I stayed in throughout Father’s day, as it was a pretty quiet day and all. Nonetheless, I definitely enjoyed my time…

However, Saturday was pretty interesting. Pomelo went out with a bunch of friends, my tournament plans got ruined, and we decided to meet up instead, as she was at Eastwood, which was precisely where I was staying.

And so we did. And it was just amazing. We just spent time together talking, and getting lost into each other’s eyes. I don’t think I can think of a better way to spend two or so hours…

Pardon me if I don’t go into detail. There really isn’t much else to see if you’re not in a mushy mood, so move on along… =P

.:Monday Was Fun:.

Still no word about the job I was hoping to get. Regardless, it’s all good.

Had dinner with Jac and Ranulf at Tokyo Tokyo. It was pretty fun, considering how it all worked out. We noticed a lot of crazy fascinations wrestlers had about @$$3$. I guess you get that way when you’re half naked in the ring with another half-naked guy for all the world to see… or you can do anything you want if you maim other people for a living, so nobody can really question you about it.

Jac induced a crazy LSS with me, though, which explains the song up there.

.:Thank You:.

I know it’s not easy to normalize, and both of us know it.

But I know she’s trying. And so am I.

I really want this friendship to work. I really, really do…

Thank you for trying. It means so much to me. I hope it means something to you, as well.

I’ll admit I made a mistake, but (I hope) we can still be friends.

Friday, June 17, 2005

.:Film Review: Batman Begins:.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

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Batman Begins
Batman lets the light come shining in… who knows where the road will lead us now…

If I’m going to be as quick about my review as humanly possible, I’d just say this movie was leaps and bounds better than “Batman And Robin’.

But that wouldn’t saying a lot.

“Batman Begins” follows Bruce Wayne prior to becoming Batman, as he traveled the world in hopes of finding a way to fulfill his vow to his murdered parents. He ends up training in the arts of ninjitsu under Ra’s Al Ghul, the leader of the League Of Shadows. In the end, he realizes that he cannot cross the line of murder, and turns down the chance to lead the League in destroying Gotham City, and his actions result in the apparent death of Ra’s, while he saves the life of his master, the man who trained him all this time.

He then returns to Gotham city and it turns out that his company is going public. He makes some last-minute adjustments to this, but also develops a bond with Lucius Fox, a scientific genius in his company, whom he begins to turn to for equipment as he starts himself on the quest to become Batman.

Meanwhile, his childhood friend Rachel is now the assistant District Attorney, and her fearless demeanor is getting her into trouble with Jonathan Crane, aka the Scarecrow, who is being backed by one of the top mobsters in Gotham City. Little do any of them know that Crane has been secretly performing illegal experiments on his inmates in the loony bin. He has developed a fear toxin that can drive people insane.

For the longest time, the water supply of Gotham was slowly being contaminated by Crane with the fear toxin. However, its potency is only realized in inhaled form, and as such the water supply of Gotham would need to be vaporized first before the toxin could cause its trouble. Ra’s Al Ghul, apparently still alive, masterminds a device that would execute this dastardly deed, and it’s up to Batman and Sergeant Gordon, one of the few good cops left in the GCPD, to stop this plan.

And that’s where my storytelling ends, and where my sheer admiration for the movie’s brilliance begins.

First of all, there were admittedly liberties taken with the script in contrast to its continuity. For one, the killer of Bruce’s parents in this film is different from the killer in the first “Batman”. Secondly, the Joker in this film was already the Joker. The whole episode where he was still Jack Napier before Batman accidentally knocked him into chemicals is completely bypassed.

In spite of that, this movie is chock full of amazing action, brilliant scriptwriting, and well-placed comedy. I especially liked the scene where Bruce and his mentor were trying to fight each other in the middle of ninjas who wore the same uniform as they both did. It was a pretty impressive “fight” scene, as it really gave you a good insight into how Bruce Wayne’s resourcefulness can take him places. Michael Caine as Alfred was pretty good, although I wouldn’t have minded seeing the old Alfred from the past four Batman films. I was hoping the Scarecrow had more of a costume, but he only had a mask. Ra’s Al Ghul as a villan was positively brilliant, though. No Talia and no Lazarus Pit, but it didn’t matter. The character was portrayed very well in making him a manipulative megalomaniac.

Regardless, this movie is definitely worth watching. I personally enjoyed seeing Christian Bale as Batman, as I felt that he did justice to the role arguably second only to Michael Keaton (Although Bale was obviously a better Bruce Wayne.). As you can tell, I tried being light on the spoilers with this one, but I’m sure you’re going to enjoy the movie. It was definitely a throwback to the Tim Burton vision of Batman, and I can’t help but think that Scarecrow looked like Johnny Depp…

I loved this film, and it goes really well as a stand-alone movie, due to its lack of continuity. I just wish they didn’t fudge Batman’s code of ethics with the line “I won’t kill you, but I don’t have to save you.”

Other than that, this movie is something you just have to watch if you’re remotely interested in Batman.

“Fun” Evaluation: A+
“Critical” Evaluation: A+

.:Today’s LSS:.

Last words of a fool…

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda
by Brian McKnight

Baby, can you put them bags down
Just wait hold on for a minute
Gotta say a couple things before you go
Even though I know that we're finished

I don't want you to leave without knowin'
Just where I'm comin' from, babe
I just wanna say I made a big mistake
And now I gotta face the fact that I

Chorus:
Shoulda been a better man
The kinda man that you needed
Woulda been better off
If I done right by you
I coulda done this, I coulda done that
But I know I can't go back
'Cause now it's just too late
I'm sayin' shoulda woulda coulda, yeah

I can tell by the look on your face
You ain't tryin' to hear what I'm sayin'
Maybe you done heard all of this before
To her this ain't no game that I'm playin'

This may be the last chance I ever have
To talk to you before you go
So I gotta say I made I big mistake
Girl, you know it's killin' me that I

(Chorus)

I should have done my best to love you, baby
I should have placed no one above you
And now it's killin' me more than you know
Letting you, that's why I...girl, I know that I shoulda

Shoulda been a better man (Coulda been a better man to you, baby)
The kinda man that you needed (Shoulda been there for
you every time you needed me)
Woulda been better off (Every time you called me)
If I done right by you (And you know that I coulda done this)

I coulda done this, I coulda done that (Coulda done that, yeah)
But I know I can't go back (You know I can't go back, baby)
'Cause now it's just too late (All I know need to know
is, girl, all I need to know is)
I'm sayin' shoulda woulda coulda, yeah (Do you love me
like you used to, baby)

I know I shoulda, yeah
I know I woulda, yeah (All the things I coulda done)
I know I coulda been a better man (All the things I shoulda done)
Said I shoulda woulda coulda, yeah (Sayin' shoulda
woulda coulda, yeah)

I know I shoulda, yeah (Yeah)
I know I woulda, yeah (Cooulda woulda shoulda)
I know I coulda been a better man
Said I shoulda woulda coulda, yeah (Yeah)


.:Guess What?:.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Guess who’s premiering this film?



.:My First Day At School:.

After getting a nice little bonus from work, it turns out that I can afford my tuition for this semester. Perfect.

So there I was, going to Ateneo, when lo and behold, I run into Kip Oebanda. He’s taking masters in Economics. Okaaayyy… talk about coincidences.

My class is Paul Ricoeur, under Dr. Leo Garcia. I must say that this class seems very promising to me, and I definitely enjoyed the class, considering how some of my old friends, Dr. Locker, Jack Jacinto, Ray Hernandez, and PJ Mariano were in the class. Ricoeur seems to be a rather interesting person to talk about, and his parallelisms with Levinas as a contemporary are rather interesting, as this more or less means barring Kierkegaard, all the individual personalities I took Philosophy classes for are all connected to one another: Heidegger, Levinas, and Ricoeur.

I then had dinner with Ray, and we had interesting conversations. I have to say that I’m pretty glad we managed to thresh some ideas out, and telling me that I’m doing things right with how I’m handling my interactions with Pomelo so far. Oh, well. I think Ray was taken aback by the abrupt attitude adjustment. It’s all good, I guess. And the food at The Barn was pretty good, really…

.:Can I Just Vituperate Again? More Annoyance…:.

-----Original Message------
From: “Meilan” (Gwapito69@hotmail.com)
To: (wave891@wave891.fm)
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 4:14 AM
Subject: What’s Wrong With Your DJ?

>ok I’ve’d (sic) been listening today june 16, 2005 at 400am and when they start playing wherever you are by side border (sic) they start playing with it. It’s not even funny. I like the musics (sic) but the stunt that the DJ did with that song and the song after that is so Effing annoying, so please tell your DJ not to play with the music. He start’s (sic) slowing the music down and fast forward it then slowing it down and fastforwarding it!!! (HUH?)


Now that I’ve more or less shown you the contents of the letter, can I just say this?

Whoever wrote this letter makes me so ruddy sic. (Lol)

I mean, really now. The ruddy bastich can’t even string a full paragraph together without no less than FIVE grammatical gaffs, not to mention the fact that he doesn’t even know the difference between Side A and South Border. For him to throw an accusation like this in my direction is just plain mind-boggling first, and insulting next.

Let’s see how it’d be impossible for this indiscretion on my part to have happened…

1. First of all, I don’t know how to “slow down” a track. I can skip some parts, but “fast forward” doesn’t exist in our player. I’m sorry, but we’re not using a cassette, nor are we using a CD. That is clearly a lie.

2. Secondly, the log on the computer says “Wherever You Are” by South Border was last played on June 13, a Monday. The letter claims I “played with the music” on June 16, a day when the song was never even played. So where the Hades did that idea come from?

I don’t know what gwapito69@hotmail.com is smoking, but that sure is some pretty strong stuff. If you have nothing better to do than besmirch my name with your petty complaints, then maybe you ought to get a life instead, because it’s just inane and annoying.

I have a sneaking suspicion that gwapito69 is one of two things:

1. Someone who was listening to another station and mistook it for wave, or

2. A complete nincompoop who probably didn’t get his request played... sounds familiar.

The last thing I need is someone lying his way to dent my career. You don’t mess with my career.

Eff you.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

Have I posted this song yet? Doesn't matter. I like the song, though I can't quite relate.

Why, When, How
by Justin Timberlake

Do
do do do doooooo
dooo doooo
oooo
mmmmm

You're still captivating
even though it's been so long
you used to love me
tell me baby what went wrong
cuz now you march to a beat of a different song
I try to understand that we needed space
but everywhere I turn I see your face
and I've been wating for you to come home
'cause I don't want to be alone
Still Love you

Why did you take away your love
When did you think to just give up
How am I suppose to carry on now
with you
you were my life

I have changed girl since I last saw you
when you left you don't know what you put me through
But my heart still racing just being next to you
I can't escape the magic in your eyes
Is there a way to make you realize
There is no one more special to my heart
but you want us to be apart
Still Love

Why did you take away your love
when did you think to just give up
How am I suppose to carry on now
with you

You were my world
You ment everything to me
Your the air I breathe,
the song I sing
You were my queen
I was your King
But if we can try to work it out
We'll show the world what love is about

Baby come home
cuz I can't no more
of this loneliness and emptiness

Why did you take away your love
When did you think to just give up
how am I suppose to carry on now
without you

Why did you take away your love
when did you think to just give up
how am O suppose to carry on
without you
you were my life


.:The Battery Of Tests:.

Went through a series of tests for the ABS-CBN job today. Hopefully, I did well enough. Wish me luck, jabronis.

.:Registration:.

Admittedly, a slight pang of sadness hits me when I realize I’m no longer a teaching assistant, and I walk into the Philosophy department and see my former colleagues.

I have two loves as far as my career goes: Communications and Education. I’m heavily into the former at this point. My future in the latter is unclear. Inasmuch as I know why I lost my position as a Teaching Assistant and inasmuch as I know that the tradeoff was well worth it, I still can’t help but feel how much I miss being a Teaching Assistant. It was my only ticket to finishing my Masters without any hitches as it saved me a huge deal of money from paying my tuition in full.

Currently, I can barely afford three units, and this setback has certainly reared its ugly head upon me while I was trying to get enrolled yesterday. I didn’t even have enough money, and only today’s paycheck can possibly help me cover it. IF I get it, that is.

In any case, it doesn’t really matter much. I could actually take a leave this semester if I wanted to, but I may as well push myself to do this, assuming I can afford it. Finances are a bit tied up, but I definitely want to finish my Masters as soon as I can, so every class I take before next schoolyear helps me speed up that process.

For myself.

More importantly, for her.

.:ECW One Night Stand:.

I just have to say that this is one Pay-Per-View that I want to get my hands on, bar none. The ECW PPV was just incredible, from all the reviews left and right, and from the pictures I saw of the event. If you’re a wrestling fan, even if you never knew what ECW was all about, it doesn’t really matter. This is ECW showcasing why it was a hit in the mid-90’s, and I don’t know how the Hardcore Homecoming worked out, but the WWE outdid themselves with this one, which just might end up being the PPV of the year for them, and not their Wrestlemania or Summerslam.

.:Another Meme:.

From Ekai:

List five songs that you are currently digging . . . it doesn't matter what genre they are from, whether they have words or even if they're any good but they must be songs you're really enjoying right now. Post these instructions, the artist and the song in your blog along with your five songs. Then tag five other people to see what they're listening to.

1. What Might Have Been, by Lou Pardini: What part of I’m ready this time/ I know that I’m/ No longer undecided/ Don’t want to be/ A fool wondering/ What might have been wouldn’t I love? This song just really hits the spot when I’m looking for a song that has a message that just echoes my sentiments.

2. Unwell, by Matchbox Twenty: This has been one of my two anthems for the past two or so years. I’m a huge fan of this group, and I definitely loved the sentiments of the song.

3. Mariposa, by Sugarfree: It’s a really good song, and primarily the song that got me hooked on Sugarfree. I really love it, to say the least.

4. The Man I Was With You, by Jimmy Bondoc: I love this song. I once misintroduced this in RX as a song from Paolo Santos, which was really funny. Nowadays, I guess this song somewhat still hits me from time to time.

5. Fallin’, by Teri Desario: One of my favorite songs on Waveback. There’s this, “Stay”, “Never Let Her Slip Away”, and “We Could Be In Love”. However, “Fallin’” is really one of my all-time favorites, and “Stay” is a close contender to that as well. I guess I’m just a romantic sap, really.

Hot damn. I wish I could’ve done ten songs. I have so many songs I just love right now, and I haven’t even gotten into the likes of Hale yet…

Let me tag…

Clair, because we have similar tastes in music.
Markpoa, because I’ve never heard him talk about music before.
Grace, because I know she’s a music nut.
Jonsi, since his distance might change his music tastes.
Ryan, as I haven’t heard from this guy in a while.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

Maybe not?

Can We Still Be Friends?
by Todd Rundgren

We can’t play this game anymore
But can we still be friends
Things just can’t go on like before
But can we still be friends
We had something to learn
Now it’s time for the wheel to turn
Grains of sand, one by one
Before you know it, all gone

Let’s admit we made a mistake
But can we still be friends
Heartbreak’s never easy to take
But can we still be friends
It’s a strange, sad affair
Sometimes seems like we just don’t care
Don’t waste time feeling hurt
We’ve been through hell together

Can we still get together sometime
You know life will still go on and on and on

We awoke from our dream
Things are not always what they seem
Memories linger on
It’s like a sweet, sad old song


.:Wish Me Luck:.

I went through a battery of interviews with ABS-CBN thanks to Ms. Jill Toledanes' kind offer for me to apply for a voice-over position with their new anime channel. It was interesting, really, as one of the guys who interviewed me took note that my e-mail address was @otakumail.com, which caught his eye. He apparently was a big anime fan, and so we got along on that wavelength.

Hopefully, I can land this job. I'm a big anime fan, and this is my little way of paying that industry back, if only for all the memories I got from the different series I loved, from Rayearth to GTO.

Wish me luck, jabronis. I don't want to go into much detail right now, lest I jinx it.

.:Batman Begins:.

I ran into Mario and Clair on the way to Greenbelt after meeting up with Pomelo in Glorietta. Pomelo was just so gorgeous last night... you have no idea.

In any case, I met up with Ranulf, Sacha, and Kathy, and we had a bit of a spot of trouble since we didn't get the tickets I asked for. After a short while, things got smoothened over, and we got in. As usual, there were a lot of annoying people behind us who kept on making a racket while watching the movie and really annoyed the Hades out of us to the point that Kathy got up and moved to a different seat. We enjoyed the movie. At worst, it was a film that was much better than Batman and Robin, although the whole idea of changing continuity from the first Batman film definitely took me aback.

After the film, we went ahead and met up with Mario, who wanted to talk to us about some things. And then the innuendo kicked into high gear, as if raising the retractable armrest between me and Ranulf wasn't enough... heh.

Ranulf: I'm more than KFC, eh.

Kathy: You're more than KFC? That's just wrong.

Marcelle: Grab a plate, Kathy! He's a man-buffet!

And then we hitched a ride to KFC with Kathy, and I was in between Mario and Ranulf. Kathy promptly made sharp turns to throw me into the other two guys... what a pal, what a pal. There are no armrests this time... heh. =P

When Mario finds out I have work right after the premiere plus a test to take plus enrollment...

Mario: Wow, you're so hardcore, Marcelle!

Kathy: That was just wrong.

Mario: I mean, he's so hardcore at not sleeping.

Kathy: Keep digging.

When we got back to the Chua residence, a few conversations went on. Pretty nice time, really. Can't believe Sacha is leaving in a bit over a month...

.:Annoying Callers...:.

It's amazing how persistent some callers can be. You give in to one request, soon enough they're going to just dictate your entire playlist, and they'd even get annoyed when you don't grant their requests, after having had five of them played in rapid succession.

I just had to tell off one of them...

Sana naman hindi mo kami pinapahintay sa kanta kung hindi mo naman itutugtog. Nakikinig kasi kami, eh.

Alam niyo, medyo hindi niyo ako binabayaran para itugtog yung mga kanta niyo, so puwede, huwag kayong umaabuso sa kaka-request...

.:Four Hours Of Waveback:.

I definitely love Waveback Wednesdays, and my new timeslot means I get to do it for four straight hours. Whee!

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

It just feels so empty without me... doesn’t it? ;)

And no, I’m not editing out the expletives just this once…

Without Me
by Eminem

Obie Trice, real name no gimmicks

Two trailer park girls go round the outside;
round the outside, round the outside
Two trailer park girls go round the outside;
round the outside, round the outside

Guess who's back
Back again
Shady's back
Tell a friend
Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back
guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back...

I've created a monster, cause nobody wants to see Marshall no more
They want Shady, I'm chopped liver (huh?)
Well if you want Shady, this is what I'll give ya
A little bit of weed mixed with some hard liquor
Some vodka that'll jump start my heart quicker
than a shock when I get shocked at the hospital
by the doctor when I'm not co-operating
When I'm rockin the table while he's operating (hey!!)
You waited this long, now stop debating
Cause I'm back, I'm on the rag and ovu-lating
I know that you got a job Ms. Cheney
but your husband's heart problem's complicating
So the FCC won't let me be
or let me be me, so let me see
They try to shut me down on MTV
But it feels so empty, without me
So, come on and dip, bum on your lips
Fuck that, cum on your lips, and some on your tits
And get ready, cause this shit's about to get heavy
I just settled all my lawsuits, FUCK YOU DEBBIE!

Chorus:
Now this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
Cause we need a little, controversy
Cause it feels so empty, without me
I said this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
Cause we need a little, controversy
Cause it feels so empty, without me

Little Hellions, kids feelin rebellious
Embarrassed their parents still listen to Elvis
They start feelin like prisoners helpless
'til someone comes along on a mission and yells BITCH!!!
A visionary, vision of scary
Could start a revolution, pollutin the airwaves
A rebel, so just let me revel and bask
in the fact that I got everyone kissin my ass {*smak*
And it's a disaster, such a catastrophe
for you to see so damn much of my ass; you asked for me?
Well I'm back, na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
{*bzzt* Fix your bent antenna tune it in and then I'm gonna
enter in, endin up under your skin like a splinter
The center of attention, back for the winter
I'm interesting, the best thing since wrestling
Infesting in your kid's ears and nesting
{*bzzt* Testing, attention please
Feel the tension, soon as someone mentions me
Here's my ten cents, my two cents is free
A nuisance, who sent? You sent for me?

(Chorus)

A-tisket a-tasket, I go tit for tat with
anybody who's talkin this shit, that shit
Chris Kirkpatrick, you can get your ass kicked
worse than them little Limp Bizkit bastards
And Moby? You can get stomped by Obie
You thirty-six year old baldheaded fag, blow me
You don't know me, you're too old, let go
It's over, nobody listen to techno
Now let's go, just gimme the signal
I'll be there with a whole list full of new insults
I been dope, suspenseful with a pencil
ever since Prince turned himself into a symbol {*knife slices*
But sometimes the shit just seems
everybody only wants to discuss me
So this must mean I'm dis-gus-ting
But it's just me, I'm just obscene
No I'm not the first king of controversy
I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley
to do black music so selfishly
and used it to get myself wealthy
(Hey!!) There's a concept that works
Twenty million other white rappers emerge
But no matter how many fish in the sea
It'll be so empty, without me

(Chorus)

Chem-hie-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la (2x)

Kids!



.:And Just Like That...:.

... Marcelle is back.

There was something a friend of mine told me two weeks ago that stuck to me, and it's that nobody can hold me back.

How true.

What stopped me from blogging for quite a while? Was it fear? Was it guilt? Was it sheer burnout? I know the reasons all too well, but I frankly don't care at this point.

Redemption is not up for me, or anyone else, friend or otherwise, to determine. Redemption lies in the hands of the Redemeer, and as such, I don't see the need to wait for a redemption to come: one that is not up for me to label as redemption, as it's clearly not in my power to do so.

In short, let sleeping dogs lie, and live and let live. I have no grudges to keep, and everyone knows why.

.:Mad Weekend:.

This weekend has gotten to be quite a hectic one, truth be told.

I was see-sawing between going to this lunch date my grandparents set with my family in Libis, but seeing as how I was only sent a message collaterally, then I guess it was far better for me to skip it. I don't really feel like seeing my family anytime soon. Years of alienation have made me cease to recognize them, to begin with. Maybe that'd change. But it sure wouldn't in one meeting, so I can afford to miss out on that meeting.

I didn't get to enroll, but I prolly will this coming Wednesday. Ate Maan has offered very kind and encouraging words to me over the aftermath of the loss of my teaching assistant position, and I can only hope to be back at it by next schoolyear, if not earlier, considering how one of the assistants might be leaving in the middle of the year. I can only hope, I guess.

In any case, I've been fairly underslept due to all the trouble I've been going through, but the weekend I suppose somewhat made up for that. That, plus Dead Or Alive Extreme Volleyball Challenge has become quite an addictive and amusing game to play... heh. Been having fun times completing all of Lei Fang's swimsuits and stuff...

Need to get my phone fixed again. It's definitely giving me a lot of problems.

.:Today's Quick Board:.

I was watching Discovery Channel in the conference room before I boarded, as the sign on is 4:30AM on Mondays. The title of the show was “Night Crime”, so anyone who can lead me to more information about the series, I'd really like it. I was in the middle of a cliffhanger story where there was an old man who was killed by gunshots and his body was found when neighbors discovered his house with a week's worth of unclaimed papers at the front porch. I'd really want to know what happened next...

But in any case, Robi arrived pretty early. We had a few bits of conversation, and it was really interesting. I for one am glad to see the man back.

Boarwork went quickly and smoothly. I hope tomorrow will be better, though, once the callers come pouring in again.

And, oh, wish me luck on a job interview tomorrow. Here's hoping I'd do well enough...

.:Hush?:.

Where can I find it online? I'd really like to read it...

Friday, June 10, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

A song I hope someone dear to me can relate to... hindi naman siguro masamang mangarap. =)

Never Wanna Say Goodbye
by Jojo

Never been in love
Cause a girl like me
Never had someone to care for
Never thought there could be
Someone special for me
And now I'm all in love
Cause a girl like me
Waited patiently for someone
Someone to care for me
And there will never be

CHORUS:
No more lonely, no more just me
I've been there before
Ain't goin no more
And now that you're here I
Never wanna say goodbye love
Never wanna be without you
No more cryin, no denyin'
I'm in love with you
And now that you're here I
I never wanna say goodbye love

Now it's time for me
To find out what the first time love could mean
Little scared but its cool
Cause it's worth it
Now I finally fell in love
And I know that it
Gots to be for real (So real)
It's the way that I feel
So come share my world with me
So there will never be

(CHORUS)

So I'm standin here
Arms open wide
Ready to give my heart
I'm sure this time
Love's gonna last for life
Baby I know things change
And there might be some rain
But the clouds are gonna clear
And the sun is gonna shine again
Shine light on our love baby
So let's make it last forever

(CHORUS)

Da da da da da
Oh


.:Following The Trend…:.

1. Reply with your name and I will write something I like about you.
2. I will then tell what song/movie/icon reminds me of you.
3. If I were to apply an o'clock to you, it would be...
4. I will try to name a single word that best describes you.
5. I'll tell you the most memorable moment I've had with you.
6. I will tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll then tell you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. Put this in your journal.

.:A Second Interview:.

From Sean, this time...

1. You've just been cast as the lead actor in an international movie, and as a result, you get your own trailer. What items or services do you expect to be waiting for you in your trailer once you arrive on set?

If it's going to be splurging time for me, I simply would want a computer with internet access, expert shiatsu masseurs, and ample food. I'm not too demanding. =P

2. Does one get wetter walking through the rain, or running through the rain? Why do you think this is the case?

One gets more wet running through the rain than walking through the rain, as experience has told me. This is mainly because running through the rain means your body is anticipating raindrops far more frequently than while walking. Then again, it could also be the fact that when you run, you're also more inclined to step into puddles that would splash you, so even more reason for you to get wet.

3. Why is it that we cannot eat just one piece of popcorn? Give concrete justification if possible.

One piece is just never enough. Popcorn is a substance meant to be taken in bulk, and taking just one is definitely not going to do you any favors. The flavor of popcorn is rather dispersed, if you think about it. For instance, I love cheese popcorn. But try getting just one piece, and realize that because of the small size of popcorn in contrast to French Fries, the popcorn definitely absorbs far less cheese powder than the fries, explaining why you need more pieces of popcorn than fries to get the taste of cheese to register strongly enough. Similarly, butter has the same effect.

4. Is there any particular philosopher you've studied whose theories and musings would best apply to being a DJ? Why?

I'd normally go the route of Kant, but let's have a change of pace and answer someone else. Emmanuel Levinas, in talking about the Other, is definitely the one, barring Kant, who would definitely influence my works as a DJ. You see, unlike most philosophers such as Heidegger, Descartes, and Sartre who put emphasis on the self over and above anything else, Levinas turns to the opposite hyperbole and insists that any human being has a responsibility to the Other.

In being responsible for the Other, as a jock, I end up being a lot more careful with what I say. I'm not just a person talking to empty space, contrary to what the radio booth attempts to make me feel. I'm a person talking to hundreds, maybe thousands of people at a given time, regardless if it's 2 in the morning. If I were to regard the Other to a point that my self is completely expunged in the equation, I end up following Levinas' line of thinking. To him, it's not just Others first. It's Others only.

Levinas' thoughts can be very provocative, insofar as I'm a person schooled in his touted rival, Heidegger.

5. What genre of music do you dislike the most? Why? What do you feel is your most favorite song in this genre?

I'd have to say I dislike Country for the most part. I haven't heard enough of House or Metal to really dislike either genre, but I've heard enough from Country to say I really don't feel much for it. There's just something about Country music, be it the monotone guitars, or the repetitive themes (Rap is guilty of the same thing, but it's a lot catchier.), but something about Country music just really grates on my ears. I would've joked and said "Achy Breaky Heart" is my favorite, but now that I think about it, "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes counts as a Country song, so I'll go with that.

'Sides, it's not my country we talk about when we call it "Country" music, neh? ;)

.:A Few Ideas...:.

If I'm going to go for portions that can turn into downloadable content, I have to play to my strengths.

For one, Korean films are definitely going to be quite an advantage for me to talk about. Films in general, actually.

Another topic could be Philosophy. I definitely should corner the market on that as well.

A third idea would be to play up on professional wrestling. That'd be way cool, if I can pull it off.

My only problem is how I can ensure that it doesn't become just another trivia portion, which seems to be something Anne and Jada already have covered. That being said, I'm going for making it information on demand, really. Hopefully, it'd be a good idea for me to pull through with this...

As for my caller ringback tone, I decided to go for either Philosophy or that idea Abby ran by me the other day.

.:I'm A Zombie:.

Being awake from 2 to 6 in the ruddy morning does take its toll on me. My body is still far from accustomed to the new sleeping setup, and I'm having significant problems because of it.

Hopefully, I can really go full-time in WAVE, and then I get to have that work-from-home writing job. It'd definitely solve my financial problems in a jiffy. I've already learned how to save money by going to the grocery and picking up big cans of sardines and biscuits, resulting in almost a week-long food supply for a mere 78 pesos. All I have to do is stay away from eating with Ranulf and Jac at restaurants, and I'd be all set. And if ever I have no choice but to do so, I have to make sure I spend under a hundred bucks...

Oh, yeah. I have to stop playing in arcades, too. Somebody stop me! Hehehe...

.:My Thanks...:.

I thank everyone who has been there for me lately. I know I can't mention all of you by name in one go, but you know who you are. You've made me proud of the people I chose as friends, and I thank you all for believing in me in telling me that I can go through this.

Things have been going relatively well, as I told Abby when I met up with her yesterday. She works in Summit now, so I guess it's all good for me to be talking to her at this point. She had some good ideas to help me out, and I'm glad that after all has been said and done, she cares more about my present and future than about my past, of which she knows an awful lot.

.:Four Tickets:.

Four tickets for Batman Begins. One goes to me, one goes to Ranulf, one to Sacha. Hmm... Gyn can't go. I wonder who else wants this...

I know to whom I could've offered this ticket to, but I doubt that person would want it, knowing the ticket is from me. Pride kind of does that to you... oh, well.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

I've been looking for this song's lyrics for ages...

Hallelujah
by Bamboo

Anong balita sa radyo at TV
Gano'n pa rin, kumakapa sa dilim
Minsan naisip ko nang umalis na lang dito
Kalimutan ang lahat, lumipad, lumayo, oh

Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan huwag magalit
Alam naman natin kung sino ang tuso
Sa bawat sumpang umiiyak, singil ko ay piso
Sa bawat lumuluhang dukha, alay ko'y dugo

REFRAIN
May kasama ka kapatid, kaibigan
Hangga't ako'y humihinga, may pag-asa pa

CHORUS
Hallelu, hallelujah
Sinong sawa, sinong galit
Sumigaw ngayong gabi
Hallelu, hallelujah
Halellujah

Run the blood of mine to convey
To see these faces in front of me
Yes, we have, and we begin
We are the scars from within
I'm ashamed of what I become in the mirror
The face of my one true enemy
Hallelujah, some music
Let's take control
If I have to take this message door to door
See myself in every soul
With the mission, I'll make this my personal mission
Set me from the fire, from the fire
Set me from the fire

Ngayong gabi, ako ang sundalo mo
Habang ika'y tulog, ako'y gising nakabantay sa iyo
Kasi mahal kita, kita mo
Pag-ibig ko sa 'yo lamang

[Repeat REFRAIN]
[Repeat CHORUS]


.:Isang Buwan Na Rin Pala...:.

Isang buwan na rin pala mula nang naging kami.

Isang buwan na rin pala mula nang nag-umpisa ang gulo dahil sa nakaraan.

Sa harap ng lahat ng mga pagsubok, sa harap ng lahat ng pighati at dalamhati, alam kong hindi ako pababayaan.

Mahal na mahal ko siya. Hindi ko sukat akalaing mamahalin din niya ako.

Sa ating pagdiwang ng isang buwang pagiging tayo, nais ko lamang ipaalala sa iyo na ang puso ko, ang kabuuan ng aking lakas at mga damdamin, ay iyong-iyo lamang.

Anumang mga balakid ang kahaharapin natin, kakayanin sapagkat magkasama tayo sa luha at ligaya.


.:Because I Got Interviewed By Elbert…:.

I like being interviewed, so sue me. So if you want to ask me five more questions, feel free to reply to this post with those questions.

Conversely, if you want to be interviewed, feel free to also tell me so in your reply.

1. For your Asian Fetish: a Chinese girl who you really like and who you are fairly convinced could really be The One has, unfortunately, parents who don't like you because you're not Chinese. Defend yourself, and persuade them to accept you as family. (Would you even bother, and if not, why?)

First things first: the “Yellow Fever” has been officially dead since May 5. But yes, my girlfriend is Chinese. I’ve thought about it before, and I will definitely fight for a relationship with her even if her parents would go against me. I would simply have to tell them as politely as I could that love has nothing to do with race, and for them to see me as a person before they become so quick to judge my capability of making their daughter happy. At this point, I have given it quite a bit of thought, but I haven’t really come up with anything concrete to tell them. Hopefully, learning Fookien might help me somewhat.

2. I've invented a time machine (worship me!), enabling you to travel through time to meet and have tea (or sodomize) with a great philosopher. Who do you visit and what do you talk about?

Interesting. I’m torn between meeting up with Heidegger, Kant, Sartre, Kierkegaard, or Confucius. I’ll go for Kant, as he really is my favorite. I’d want to talk to him and see what his thoughts on religion happen to be. I’d also like to toss some of the common ways his Philosophy has been repudiated by other thinkers, and see what he has to say about it. Kantian morality has a lot of enemies throughout history and the poor man never got to defend himself against most of these criticisms.

3. Is getting into a relationship with someone just because there's no one else around unethical? Explain.

I would think so. Mainly because one person has become as good as the other. Admittedly, if my going for a girl were merely a result of my erstwhile “Yellow Fever” instead of something far more significant and far more concrete, then the person I would go for is nothing more than a mere means to my end. Going for someone just because there’s no one else, settling, to put it more bluntly, is unethical in that you are liable of just using that person as a means to your end. Turning that person into a meantime girl/boy definitely doesn’t ring as ethical to me, and it doesn’t take any amount of brilliance to figure that out.

4. Is the term "common sense" an oxymoron? Explain.

Not really. “Common” sense is actually quite common. It’s just ironic that the smarter people get, the less they seem to have it. Fret not, there aren’t that many smart people to speak of…

Seriously, I don’t think it’s an oxymoron. It takes a while, but people do “get it” eventually, no matter how deficient they may seem to be of “common sense”.

5. Is there such a thing as an ethical crime? Explain.

Of course there is. Ethics, morality, and law are all different things. One can do things legally but unethically. For instance, it’s not against the law for a principal to campaign for his own son for student council president, but it’s obviously unethical. Conversely, it’s illegal for one to lie while under oath in the courtroom, but it can be argued that it’s ethical to do so if the life of your family is under threat.

There are a lot of crimes that can be “ethical”. It all revolves around knowing the difference between what can be done (Legal.) and what should be done (Ethical.).

.:Diary Recap, Monday, 06 June, 2005:.

It's times like these when you realize who your true friends are. I'm infinitely grateful to every single person who has been there for me in these trying times.

After acting like the living dead with how little sleep I had during the Jazz festival last Friday, I at least had a decent amount of sleep going into my first day of the graveyard shift...

... Only to find out that the station signs on at five in the morning on Mondays.

In any case, I caught a nap, then did my regular boardwork, although my microphone wasn't working for a good chunk of the show. Nonetheless, I think I can get the hang of doing the show at such an ungodly hour....

After hanging around Robinson's Galleria for a while when it opened and talking to JayBee after the longest time, I went back to the station, and the meeting was set to begin in a few minutes at China Star. It was a lunch meeting, and all things considered, the meeting answered a lot of questions for me.

For one, Robi was indeed coming back, and so was Rye. However, Robi was going to now work in tandem with Anne, while Rye will probably have George as a partner. Jda and Gia are going to be working together so that Gia can further improve herself, while I'd be doing the graveyard shift from 2 to 6 in the morning because that'd ensure I can't do chatting too much. Pretty clever of them.

In any case, I asked them about the possibility of going full-time under them, and hopefully, it'd all work out well. I'd really rather work eight straight hours in WAVE than four hours there, and work elsewhere for another four after a three-hour gap from 6 in the morning to 9.

All in all, it's a fairly safe bet that things will be very different from this point on... I'm just grateful I won't have to be alone going through all of these changes.

.:Diary Recap, Tuesday, 07 June, 2005:.

So technically, this is really my first day in the graveyard shift, and I must say that I enjoyed it a lot.

I've had a voracious appetite for reading up on comic books news as of late, but I guess I just can't muster up a budget to collect House Of M or Infinite Crisis, really. That being said, I still can't begin to understand why so many Avengers had to be killed off, and if there really is no chance to bring them back. Hawkeye, for instance, wasn't so bad... I could be wrong, though.

Nonetheless, my first day went smoothly. I decided to be nice and take in callers off-air, and they just came pouring. I seem to have a female demographic cornered, and that being said, I'd definitely want to play up to that. It was really fun hearing from the listeners, and I especially appreciated what they had to say, as some of them either tell me stories or ask me for advice. Felt like a mini-Love Notes for me, which wasn't so bad, except sir Joe has that market covered already... heh.

In any case, I really enjoyed my boardwork, and most of my songs were all requests I made way for. It was definitely enjoyable for me to cater to them all... hopefully, this kind of enthusiasm keeps up, and I'd definitely want to be able to find my niche with this show...

Saturday, June 04, 2005

.:Today's LSS:.

Inasmuch as I'd like to go the low road and say nasty things in my own private space all the time, let this song be a promise for me to not do precisely that...

Man In The Mirror
by Michael Jackson

I’m gonna make a change,
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right . . .

As i, turn up the collar on my
Favourite winter coat
This wind is blowin’ my mind
I see the kids in the street,
With not enough to eat
Who am i, to be blind?
Pretending not to see
Their needs
A summer’s disregard,
A broken bottle top
And a one man’s soul
They follow each other on
The wind ya’ know
’cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have
Been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
(if you wanna make the
World a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and
Then make a change
(take a look at yourself, and
Then make a change)
(na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)

I’ve been a victim of a selfish
Kind of love
It’s time that I realize
That there are some with no
Home, not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me,
Pretending that they’re not alone?

A willow deeply scarred,
Somebody’s broken heart
And a washed-out dream
(washed-out dream)
They follow the pattern of
The wind, ya’ see
Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me
(starting with me!)

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
(ooh!)
I’m asking him to change his ways
(ooh!)
And no message could have
Been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
(if you wanna make the
World a better place)
Take a look at yourself and
Then make a change
(take a look at yourself and
Then make a change)

I’m starting with the man in
The mirror
(ooh!)
I’m asking him to change his ways
(change his ways-ooh!)
And no message could’ve
Been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
(if you wanna make the
World a better place)
Take a look at yourself and
Then make that . . .
(take a look at yourself and
Then make that . . .)
Change!

I’m starting with the man in the mirror,
(man in the mirror-oh yeah!)
I’m asking him to change his ways
(better change!)
No message could have
Been any clearer
(if you wanna make the
World a better place)
(take a look at yourself and
Then make the change)
(you gotta get it right, while
You got the time)
(’cause when you close your heart)
You can’t close your . . .your mind!
(then you close your . . . mind!)
That man, that man, that
Man, that man
With that man in the mirror
(man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
That man, that man, that man
I’m asking him to change his ways
(better change!)
You know . . .that man
No message could have
Been any clearer
If you wanna make the world
A better place
(if you wanna make the
World a better place)
Take a look at yourself and
Then make a change
(take a look at yourself and
Then make a change)
Hoo! hoo! hoo! hoo! hoo!
Na na na, na na na, na na,
Na nah
(oh yeah!)
Gonna feel real good now!
Yeah yeah! yeah yeah!
Yeah yeah!
Na na na, na na na, na na,
Na nah
(ooooh . . .)
Oh no, no no . . .
I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good!
Come on!
(change . . .)
Just lift yourself
You know
You’ve got to stop it.
Yourself!
(yeah!-make that change!)
I’ve got to make that change,
Today!
Hoo!
(man in the mirror)
You got to
You got to not let yourself . . .
Brother . . .
Hoo!
(yeah!-make that change!)
You know-I’ve got to get
That man, that man . . .
(man in the mirror)
You’ve got to
You’ve got to move! come
On! come on!
You got to . . .
Stand up! stand up!
Stand up!
(yeah-make that change)
Stand up and lift
Yourself, now!
(man in the mirror)
Hoo! hoo! hoo!
Aaow!
(yeah-make that change)
Gonna make that change . . .
Come on!
(man in the mirror)
You know it!
You know it!
You know it!
You know . . .
(change . . .)
Make that change.