life's too short for the wrong job

I received a forwarded email that really hit me... it was funny, witty. I liked the concept... but at the end of the attachment, all I could do is... SIGH...haayy...

haayyyyy talaga...

The Worst Starbucks Experience

Early Monday morning, I was on my way to a friend's place when I passed by the Starbucks Tektite branch. I stopped and thought I have 6 more stickers to go so why not make it 5. I am not in a hurry after all. I was surprised as I advanced to the entrance, there were already people, about to go to work, waiting. I thought it was weird, they usually open at 7:00 AM and it's almost 7:30 so I asked one of the man standing at the door, "what time do they open?". He gave me a sarcastic answer "7". Apparently, he's been waiting longer than it seems. I was startled, I never expected punctuality issues with Starbucks. What was annoying about it was, there were already "partners" inside. They were doing some stuff, I'm sure they are oblivious to customers waiting outside, they could've let us in and wait in the couch, after all, the store is OFFICIALLY open. The store finally opened after 10 minutes, but that's not the end of it. I know that Starbucks is one of the company affected by the global economic crisis, but they don't have to show that to their customers. It's not that hard to smile. Come on, this is Philippines, we laugh at our problems here! Now for the worst part, my short cafe mocha was obviously RUSHED. The whipped cream was missing, it was lukewarm, WTF! For once, I forgot that it's a Starbucks coffee. It was so early in the morning and I'm not a complaint freak so I let it go with a thought that I'm never going back there ever again.

The redeeming thing, though, was the lady put the sticker to the wrong category. She put it in the featured beverages section (featured drinks are more expensive than the regular ones). She was on a rush, of course... tsk tsk.. Remember, it's Tektite branch...

The Name Game

I heard that my first (thru a sibling) niece's name is

Romana Rubiosa Milagrose

I'm not sure if that's the official spelling but when I first heard of it, I thought it was expected from Richard. Romana was taken from my mom's name, while Rubiosa was from his mother-in-law.I told my mom, she should be happy, but she disapproves. She said that it can be a source of mockery in the future and I jokingly told her that there's nothing she can do, she's not the parent hehehe...

My personal opinion about it is, it's too long. I mean Romana is fine, Romana Rubiosa is acceptable, but add another one is just too much for me. Another niece of mine, Jona's daughter, is named Tessa Almira Miel (TAM for short). What's with these parents? Why give your child three names? I understand the uniqueness reasoning but have they ever thought of the burden it can cause their children for their future school years? Imagine they'll have to write the long name almost everyday for a minimum of 14 years!

well, I'm a lazy pig to the bone...that's me. But my mom is right, weird names can be a cause of mockery among children. I myself, admit that funny names never failed to catch my attention.

Last night it was the moon, now unusual number of stars are visible. What a beautiful sky. I wish I could show it here in my blog. Earlier, my sister-in-law gave birth to my niece. It was also Mike's birthday. Today my mom turns 58, she's still as beautiful as ever. I'd probably buy her a cake later... everything, everyone, moves forward... and so should I.

Have you seen the moon tonight? It's not a full one, but it's unusually BIG and bright.What can I say, it's beautiful! It made my weekend and I thank God for that.

It was a heavy day for me since I made a TOUGH! decision not to go to Glorieta Midnight Toy Fair and Rihanna concert. Realization hit me that I have no right to spend just because. I've been buying this and that, fercrissake I have no place to store them! That I've been promising myself for NNNTH TIME not to buy any toys or comic books until... -sigh- it's hard...it's very hard I swear.

And it's definitely not right wanting to see a concert just because I'm currently addicted to "Disturbia" LOL! I am not a fan of Rihanna or Chris Brown, I'd like to make that clear. Thank God I realized this...

Oh yeah, another reason why I wanted to go to the concert was to try the binoculars I borrowed from Frances. I'm having so much fun using it that I compromised to go to Tanay Dike Lighthouse every morning and convinced myself that I am a... watchamacalit? A look-out? of a pirate ship... whatever, my sister told me that it's just a gossip tool. Now that reminds me, I never thought that my neighbors are... bzzzz...LOL! No, I would never do such a thing. I'll watch out for the next worth seeing concert =)

The problem with an insomniac like me is when a time when I'm so pissed and I really feel like cursing the world, there's no one out there to turn to. Oh why is that when people need me, I'm always there yet when I'm the one in need, nobody seems to care... that is so unfair... I wish I had a car so I can drive out. I'll drive as fast as I can and I won't stop until it ran out of gas. Then I'd be stranded in a middle of a highway where no one can see or hear me. And then... I'd shout as loud as I could... OH WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO MEEEEEEE????!!!!!

yeah I wish...

The Tradition Begins

I just got my first sticker for the 2009 Starbucks Planner with a Short Classic Hot Choco, this is the cheapest that I can buy at Starbucks. This year, the planner is less glamorous but the required stickers were also reduced. Last year, the elegant leathered planner can be obtained for 24 stickers, now it's only 16! I wonder if it has something to do with the global economic crisis. I was able to get the planner last year for a record breaking 6 days! I forced my friends to buy coffee, that's why hehehe. Now, I'm all alone in this battle so it'll definitely take time. My friend Aristurtle, who's also celebtrating his ??th birthday keeps on updating me thru SMS the progress of his sticker collection. At 4:00, he told me he already had 7 stickers. By 5:00, he informed it's 6 stickers to go. At 6:00 it went down to 2. And by 7:00 he already got the planner! Hmp! so he broke my record! So what, the planner is not that MUST to get anyway... but I was really dying of envy huhuhu

As a Filipino Catholic, I've always found myself celebrating Nov. 1 in Tanay Municipal Cemetery together with my kins (maternal side) to commemorate our Grandparents, Uncle Tony, Great grandmother and other relatives who passed away. Where was great grandfather buried by the way?

Over the years, I, again, noticed how times have changed with the way we celebrate this supposedly All Saints Day. When I was younger, it was like an extension of our playtime. We held this unofficial competition of making balls out ot of melted candles. The biggest ball gets the spotlight. There was no prize but I guess it determined our competency hehe. It was also a time when we get to listen to scary stories and I remember how we looked forward to Magandang Gabi Bayan's All Saints Day special usually aired on the first Saturday of November. We had no Halloween parties, trick or treats or whatsoever. And yeah, it was always raining on November 1.

The last November 1s had become a forum of what's new or what's hot. Who got married or who got pregnant. Expressions of work grievances... plans to get the latest cell phones... etc.. etc... And yesterday, I didn't get to see most of my cousins and aunts. Plus I've noticed that the number people were significantly lesser. They must be very busy or something. Not that it's a big deal, I'm not getting emotional over something like this. But why is it that the older we grow the more it seems that all days of the year have become nothing more than regular days.

Here's another text message that reminded me of the Oooold days and made me smile from ear to ear!

"They said that you didn't pass childhood if you didn't have a taste of Santan's nectar"

Bwahaha! Why is that I asked? I don't remember starving to death. Why in the world would I go for a raw flower's nectar. Maybe because of my brothers. Tsk! They had so much influence over my behavior. I haven't seen any Santan flower since high school...

blog plug

I found myself drawn to engrish.com ever since I received a forwarded email from my brother. It archives (since 1996) pictures of poorly translated signs, menus, and instruction manuals to bizarrely worded ads and strange, t-shirt, and slogans. It had become a routinary stop whenever I had the opportunirty to access the web. The funny thing about it is that those grammatical, typographical or spelling errors give another whole new meaning to the phrase. And yes, they sounded really silly hehehe. I hope I don't look silly laughing out loud all alone because of these hehehe:

I'm sure I won't buy it

They grow up fast!

Okay I don't want to grab everything there. Better if you'll check the site. The blog section is also worth the check. Okay that's it, I can't stop laughing!

Don't you think it's amazing that Filipinos are very good with English?

80s and 90s thingie...

I received a forwarded text message from a friend that goes on like this:

Are you part of the late 80s and early 90s era?

- you know Shaider, Bioman, Maskman, Masked Rider Black and Optimus Prime

- you know the Nano-nano jingle

- you played 10-20

- you know the universal song "uwian na" (it's time to go home")

- you danced Macarena and Boombastic

- you know the meaning of "time first"

- you put Pritos Ring in your fingers

- you have a pencil case with so many buttons to press

Then that means you're old!

Hell yeah I'm getting old and I don't realy deny it. I have to admit that I hate it though. What makes this notion really depressing for me is the fact that at this age, I'm still a nobody. I haven't achieved anything that I can really be proud of. Oh well...

I'd like to put some other details about the text message though

- I also watched (and liked) Turbo Ranger, Fiveman, Machine Man, Poseidon and various Ultraman series

- I really liked the Nano-nano candy especially the purple, orange and green flavor. They tasted like umeboshi (sweeeeeet, sour and salty....what it does to meeeeehhh... nano nano, nano nano...)

- I also played chinese garter despite the fact that I really sucked on it hehehe

- I didn't dance Macarena or Boombastic but I know the dance steps since they were really popular that time

- Damn those pencil cases, they were like a status symbol of the students LOL!

I also realized that before I got addicted to anime, I've watched a lot of them during this era (Voltes V, Daimos, Cedie, Mary and the Family Bontrap, Sarah, Remi (boy version), Peter Pan, Heidi, Georgie, Charlotte, Poly Anna, Anne of Green Gables, Romeo, Marco, Julio & Julia, Robin Hood, Zenki, B't X, Saber Marionette, Sailor Moon, etc.)

Oh yeah, I've got addicted to komiks other than Funny Komiks before. I just can't remember the titles because I don't really follow any series back then. I read one shot stories. I remember when I was in grade 4, I save at least P1-2 from my allowance so I can go to the public market after school and rent komiks. There were stalls in the public market where you can sit and read various selection of komiks for only 50c/issue. But I cheated because I read more than what I paid for since there's really no way that the vendors would know because there are too many customers. Back then I really enjoyed fantasy stories. I think I owe my knowledge about the Philippine myth icons (manananggal, duwende, engkanto, tikbalang, etc.) from komiks.

It's a little frustrating that this form of Phil. Lit have died. I think cable TV killed it. There are a lot of local comics available nowadays but most are really trying hard to capture the manga (art and story) style. I'm addicted to manga but what's wrong to use our own style? I mean the komiks style.

My friend, who is a teacher, tells me how she could feel the generation gap between her and her students. She told me how different students are nowadays. They hardly ever read the books for their assignment, they always realy on the internet and that they are too caught up with their mobile phones and gadgets. When we were on higschool (we're not classmates but we're from the same era), the bonding moments of different groupies would be playing guitar and singing. And who can forget the "songhits". I never bought one back then but I remember borrowing from my classmates hehehe....

How can life be so simple back then?

Rain rain rain...

Yay it's raining. A lot of people hate it because of so many adversities it brings. But what would a light rain do? A surge of mixed emotions fills me specially when I'm alone when it rains dramatically. It makes me want to do a lot of things..

have a hot cup of coffee
make pancakes
listen to slow music
write my journal
write poem
lie in bed all day
day dream dream dream
reminisce... ahh why do good things in the past have to be associated with rain...

but most of all... I want to...

My laptop is broke and it really depressed me to the bone -super sad face-...It just won't turn on and I have no idea what happened. Why of all things, does it have to happen to my laptop? It could have been my phone, or -thinks other owned gadgets- my phone? Well that's life. I haven't taken it to the ASUS service center, I'm afraid it'll really cost me huhuhu. Now my only gateway to the newest manga is temporarily closed. How can fate be so cruel to me despite my everyday generosity??? (Ren: echos!!!) -sigh-

Anyways, I'm really thankful to this mushrooming Tokyopop manga bargains. My consumer impulse increased to 100% and I develop the need to visit every National Bookstore and Booksale in town despite their crappy customer service. I wish Booksale would drop down their prices for the manga because they have better titles than NBS. The only bad thing about this is the greater chances of manga going mainstream in the Philippines. It's actually a good thing in a way, but I would still prefer it be just a subculture -meanie me!-

I've been wondering why after a series of trivial dreams -a friend playing Scrabble with my kins, a 5 year old Japanese girl which I don't even know if she exist, a not so possible scene from a popular American TV series, myself waiting for a cab in front of our house at 6:45 AM- ended the week with a very heavy dream -United Nations announced that we're officially having a World War 3! That's not really good for -ahem- a pacifist like me. In the end, I can only associate it with my recurring dreams of apocalypse theme. Dreams that made me pray and repent the moment I wake up. Then last night, as if Mr. Sandman was trying to make ammends with me, I dreamed about a particular scene from Cooking Masterboy which stimulated my appetite for Crab Omelette all day long. As of this moment, I'm still thinking about TRYING to make a Crab Omelette. One of these days I swear...

Don't you think it's amazing how dreams can affect one's behavior for a certain period of time? I've been writing down these dreams in my planner, who knows, they might be pieces of puzzle to my soul searching mission. Right Morpheous?

Manga, manga, manga!!!

I started my otakuness with anime but for the past couple of years, I feel like I am more addicted to manga. It really happens, a lot of fandoms (here) practically started from anime. What about manga, it doesn't really make any difference does it? The thing is, I feel like I can't enjoy an anime based from a manga that i have RECENTLY read. Okay that's exaggerating, not that I can enjoy, but it's not as exciting if I watch anime without a manga background. Or, the new policy would be to give it sometime for me to wash the memory before I watch the anime version. However, there's a big difference if it's the other way around. If I watch the anime version first, I am guaranteed to enjoy the manga version with the same level of reading it for the first time like I have no idea what's gonna happen. Perfect examples are Rurouni Kenshin, Yuyu Hakusho, Card Captor Sakura... I can't remember how many times I watched these animes before I got a hold of their manga version and there are very slight differences in storylines, but damn, when I was reading them, it was as if I never knew what's gonna happen.

Does it make any sense?

What an introduction, when all I wanted to say was that I'm so happy that I finally get to download the recent releases of TRC and XXX Holic... And that I'm so sad that HXH haven't returned from its "NTH" hiatus ='(... It's really depressing because it doesn't feel like the story is near its conclusion yet it had to undergo with so many breaks. It was said that it was due to Yoshihiro Togashi's uncertain illness. Whatever it is, I pray that he recovered completely...

back and ugh!

Now that I finally have time back in my little hands, I suddenly can’t think of anything to talk about. Except that just now I hated my older sister, Pipay, for being such a KJ for changing the radio station and tuned to something that plays contemporary music. C’mon, it’s Sunday afternoon and it ought to be 70’s! And that my brother Oli keeps looking at my monitor. Damn, don’t you hate it when somebody is reading every single word that comes out of your mind? I mean I don’t mind my siblings reading my blog but not when I’m on the process of generating thoughts. It’s annoying that I have to minimize the window whenever he’s at my back!

But anyway, the last weeks were indeed busy for me but it was also a blast that I didn’t notice that Christmas is around the corner… AGAIN! Christmas used to be exciting when I was younger, but now I felt like it’s the time to burn a (BIG) hole in my pocket –sigh- . But it can’t be helped. I loved the feeling of looking forward for presents and celebrating when I was a kid so why won’t I let the kids in my family feel it. After all, I have all the things to be thanked for – a healthy and intact family. AMEN. Money is just a thing that comes, goes and don't worry because it keeps coming back. The smile of a child for this important time of the year is much more important and priceless.
Mom: so why don’t you give your toys to your nephews this Christmas?
Kid: NO! That’s a different issue!!!

Events reports:

The latest one I went to was the 29th Manila International Book Fair. It’s my 4th time in the country’s biggest book fair. Ever since my first attendance I made a pledge to attend every year not because I love books, but because I’m cheap. I’m just after shopping for (good) bargain books and comics which takes less than 2 hours. They have a long program of activities which I never attended because I’m not really onto it.

This year, what do you know, they included cosplay contest and lecture in the program. When I learned of it, all I could ever say in a flat voice was “wow”. My feelings for cosplay have become neutral. I’m still interested in dressing up as an anime character in the future, but I am more than content to be just a spectator by now.

Back to the book fair, aside from manga shopping, what makes this event worth coming are the free bookmarks by exhibitors. I have big use for them I swear. At the SMX lobby, they exhibited popular characters of Philippine literature like Ibong Adarna, Juan Tamad, Tipaklong and Langgam, etc. made of rubber. There are some characters that I didn’t recognize and I suppose that they are from new stories. They are cute though. Too bad my camera is not in good condition anymore. I wish next time there’d be classic komiks on sale, that’d make me feel that “hey, it’s a Phil. Lit. event”.

Eraserheads Reunion Concert:
Okay, I know this is a super late post-facto, but hey, can I say that it’s one of the best concerts I’ve ever been. Honestly, the performance of the group is nothing special to me. In fact, at the onset of the show, it was all over Ely’s face that he’s exhausted and not feeling well. I’m sure a lot of people noticed that. Still I applaud because despite the stress, he still pulled it off. The level of excitement of the people was really moving, it penetrated my bones. The concert was cut short but I do not regret coming. Who knows it might be the last concert of the BEST PINOY BAND ever. The group is very positive for a 2nd round, but will Ely’s medical condition allow it? I’m not being pessimistic here or anything, I just know that heart illness is not something to be taken lightly. Suppose a repeat does happen, I’d still go. My only frustration is that they haven’t performed some of my favorite songs –Maselang Bahaghari, Ang Huling El Bimbo, Magasin, Hard to Believe, Spolarium, Para Sa Masa, Minsan, Tindahan Ni Aling Nena –sigh-

And yeah, I was in the general admission section and we can only rely on big screens to see what's really happening on the stage. But hell, hearing the live performance is enough...

Plays...

I watched an Asian version of Tosca - a Puccini Opera, at PETA Theater last August 29. It's a collaboration of PETA, Black Tent Japan and Nottle Korea. Whenever I'd see operas in movies, they seem old (of course, duh!) and... boring. But I never thought it could be really engaging in live performance or maybe it was because of the modifications -they injected some humor, current issues, pop culture to make it more relevant to Asian audience. I am looking forward to seeing more stage plays, if only it'll be a little cheap.

----

And the other things that made me busy... ugh! I'm back to hikkikomori mode...that's all

busy days gone by...

You'll know when a person is busy when he hardly updates his blog hehehe. I've been up to a lot of things and I have a lot of to report. I've been expecting a BREAK sometime soon so chill readers =)

random stuff...

I have an alarming situation here. When I flipped my laptop, a bunch of ants loomed before my sight. They seemed to find something sweet in the edge of my computer, just below my screen. The blow of the fan disrupted their organized flow and my cruel fingers reflexively crushed every single red ant that didn’t vanish from my sight. Poor ants, nothing personal, but they are threat to my comfort. Then I smelled my computer. Then I though that was strange, I don’t sense any signs that any food partied at my computer. Are they after the chips? Man, everything seems to be evolving except me!

Anyway, I’m all alone at the house right now. My mom and dad are on a vacation (or is that an nth honeymoon???) and will be away for 3 days. Rose went to work and Ivy went to look for one. So I was left all alone. It’s a little sad but there are also perks of being alone. For one thing you got to do everything you want without any objection from anyone and I got the chance to watch my yaoi videos hahaha! Bad kid! But I didn’t do that, to be alone and free from distraction is the best time to be productive, so here I am in front of my computer to do sensible stuff…whew!

Our Guava Tree

Earlier I was staring at my simple neighborhood and I noticed our Guava tree. I am truly amazed that it managed to grow, survive and bear fruits despite the limited soil it got. Even trees have a sense of resourcefulness, I should learn from our Guava tree. I looked at the fruits that fell on the ground and regret that they are all over ripe. The "just right" guavas are situated too high, I don’t stand a chance to get them. I wish we have a long hooker so I can get those two fruits that stimulated my appetite –sigh-

Gacha Vending Machines (sequel to Pokemon Gashapon Vending machine)

Whenever I go to the mall, it has become a must for me to check the Gashapon Vendors to check if there are other series of mini-vending machines. Of course I found some, and to date, I have 5 representatives from different series! I got Pokemon, Nobita from Doraemon, Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Emily from Thomas the Train. They are really cute and they drive me crazy LOL. Okay that’s exaggerating, but hey they are really cute. Check this out!

At first I got frustrated that I got Minnie Mouse when I wanted to get Dumbo, but I realized that the pink vending machine is cute. Plus I love strawberries!

From this series (other characters are Mickey, Genie, Cinderella, Stich), I wanted to get Genie but I got Winnie the Pooh –sigh-. Now I have nothing against Pooh-chan, it’s just that when I was in college, my classmates thought that I was a Pooh fan because I have many Pooh shirts and I wore a Pooh pajama during one of our retreats. Mind you, they were all given by my sister and cousin who happened to be the real fans. Now if my college classmates see this toy, it would confirm their theory! But this toy is really cute =)

Believe it or not, the mini-capsules also have toys inside. No they’re not super mini vending machines but it would be great if they are hahaha.

If you see other series of mini-vending machines other than what I have mentioned, pls. inform me ASAP.

Dog beggars???

I went to Manila last Saturday. When I got off from the train at U.N. Avenue station, I was surprised at the sight I saw.

I found these poor dogs at Taft avenue corner U.N. avenue and though they looked cute I can’t help feeling sorry for them. Imagine holding those baskets all day long under the heat of the sun. They wore clothing articles and it must have been uncomfortable for them. According to Fars, sometimes they wore shades and other stuff. I don’t know what others think, I’m not particularly an animal rights activist, but would you do this to your pet? Or your friend?

888

Today is the start of the 2008 Olympics at Beijing. I’m not a sports fan but I’m wishing Team Japan and Team Philippines the best. Go for the Gold! Yeah!

Feline themed dream

I was walking in an unidentified mall, the closest I can associate it with is Adriatico Wing of Robinson’s Place Ermita. I was walking endlessly. I don’t know why I was there, I can’t remember the purpose but it’s just like any ordinary day at the mall. Then suddenly, a weird stray cat looms before me. It’s actually an ordinary cat if you’d look at the size, the way it walks and the way it meows. But what makes it weird is the color scheme. It’s black and white, STRIPES! It looks like a cat cosplaying as Zebra! But nobody seemed to bother. It looked like it’s nothing out of ordinary. Our paths crossed in matter of seconds and it was gone. I moved on when I saw another cat with weird color scheme. This time it has the scheme of a Panda. And I was like, WTF?!? But anyway, being a Panda fan, I followed it, but I lost it when it mixed with the crowd gathered at the Ice Monster stall. When I gave up looking for it I saw another cat, and this time it’s has the color scheme of a Siberian Tiger. That day at the mall felt like a day at the zoo. I saw different sorts of animals– Dalmatian, Cheetah, Crocodile, yellow duck - in the form of a cat…those are what I could remember. When I finally accepted the fact that it’s a normal thing to see, I suddenly realized that I am being followed by the king of the jungle. No it’s not a big cat, in a Lion color scheme. It’s a real lion this time. It was following me silently, more like stalking. I walked as fast as I could to disappear from his sight but he noticed it and he started calling his allies. Then every lion was after me. I felt like a fugitive and yes I’m still in the mall. I can see lions riding escalators and the people didn’t really mind. But these lions were after me! How could anyone not care! I ran as fast as I could, the lions were not chasing after me, but everywhere I ran to there’s a lion stationed waiting for me. Then I started to lose the anxiety. I grinned and told myself, heh it’s time to fly! I started to lift myself from the ground. I suddenly smell candies. Yummm!!! I looked up and realized it’s raining gummy worms. I’m starting to have fun when I suddenly heard Doraemon’s Tagalog voice saying “ANG MAHIWAGANG MENSAHE!!!”

-sigh-

It was my cellphone’s message alert tone. I picked it up and read the message. It was Nagi, greeting me good morning –sigh- I wonder what happened to the Panda cat…

Asian College of Science and Technology 2008 Acquaintance Party

My sister works at the said school and she invited me at the said event because they featured Pinoy bands – Sandwich, Imago and Kitchie Nadal. I like Imago so I decided to go but I never thought that the party is anime themed! I was surprised to see there were cosplayers, of course they were students. And that reminded me how common cosplaying had become nowadays. Nagi told me how she hated the idea of cosplay going mainstream and I couldn’t agree less. 8 years ago, cosplay is a new and cool thing that only devoted anime fans did it but now, as anime went mainstream too, cosplaying had become a normal activity for normal people. But as I told Nagi too, there are ways to make you feel it’s as exclusive as ever. For one thing, the cosplayers I’ve seen in the party are very amateur. I had a very hard time identifying the characters considering they are portraying popular anime characters. The colors of their costumes are not very powerful. Plus, they can’t do a skit that would identify them. It’s highly acceptable though since it’s not an anime or cosplay convention. There are so many good cosplayers nowadays but only few justify the characters they portray. Back to the party, I didn’t have to remind myself that I was there for Imago and the cosplay thing was just a bonus. And yes, Imago ROCKS! Woot!!!

When I was watching the cosplay parade though, I realized that it would be wonderful to hold anime conventions on a stadium. It’s big and everyone gets the chance to watch cosplay while sitting. Booths can situate at the flat form, I think that would be fare enough.

Over the years, I feel like the organizers are not very sensitive of the audience’s convenience. The average admission fee for an anime convention is P100 and what do you get? No freebies, no loot bags or whatever. The main attraction of conventions is the cosplay catwalk but even cosplayers are asked to pay the entrance fee. Everything’s done for money, there’s no way you could feel the “from fans to fans” spirit. IMHO…

Bonbon Candies

Sherry gave me this Sakuma bonbon candies. Now I don’t know if this stuff is as popular as Pocky but this tin can played a very important role in “Grave of the Fireflies”. When I saw this can, the first thing that I thought of was “Barefoot Gen” and I don’t know why Sherry and Mike agreed, but it’s a different film. Maybe because it’s also a story about a child during World War II. According to Isao Takahata (director of “Grave of the Fireflies), Sakuma bonbon candies were popular during that time but it was scarce due to war. In the film, Seita put Setsuko’s ashes in the tin can and took it with him until the day he died. It’s a very sad story, just looking at the can made me want to cry. The candies were really tasty though.

Rubix Cube

I’ve always forgot, but I’ve been wanting to blog about rubix cube. For sometime, whenever I’d go out, I’ve always seen rubix cubes almost everywhere – bookstores, toy stores, bazaars, sidewalk vendors. It’s a very old toy, but for some reason it has become sensational again. I don’t really know how to play it, there’s a technique but I don’t have the patience to learn it. They say playing rubix cube can enhance your IQ but who cares. I’m not a rubix cube hater, I just can’t understand why all of a sudden it’s everywhere. Can somebody explain?

Here’s my very own Gashapon vending machine. It came from a Gashapon capsule. Yes, the world turned upside down, so it’s the other way around now. Just kidding, but don’t you think it’s cute? It’s a Pokemon Gashapon model. Take a closer look, it does have capsules! Gashapons are amazing. The greatest challenge is putting it back to its capsule. Try it if you have a lot of time to spare hehehe.

The Waiting Hours

Last Sunday I went to see “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” together with Sherry, Mike, and Lester. We were at the mall as early as 12:30 PM but we didn’t get the tickets for the 2:00 PM screening so we had to wait until 6:00 PM, the release of the tickets of its 2nd screening. Then after we got the tickets, we had to wait for another 2 hours because it was scheduled to play at 8:00. During the time we waited, I realized that sometimes it’s not very healthy to have all the time in the world when you ran out of things to do. Thank God I was not alone!

But anyways… “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” is about Makoto, a normal (as always) high school girl who accidentally gained a power to travel or as the title suggests, leap through time. On a not so lucky day, the day she was destined to die, she bumped to a “time” device from the future, which gave her the power to time leap, thus she prevented her untimely death. Having this kind of power, she went back and forth on days she experienced mishaps and changed them in accordance to her satisfaction. But later she realized that the misfortunes she avoided diverted into somebody else and her intention to help other people made things worse.

I know that one should never play with destiny but given the chance that I will be given of such power, I will do the same thing. It’s a very selfish act, but c’mon, everyone has his own share of regrets over the past. The good news is, no matter how great the technology will advance, a time machine is an impossible creation. No such thing can ever manipulate the events from the past. I will bet my life on this one.

Coffee Prince

I just had a Coffee Prince marathon. It’s not anime but a Korean drama series. This is the first time I got interested and watched Korean stuff. I learned about it when my sisters are watching it. Sometimes I watched with them but it’s not like I always had the time to do so, besides I prefer the original version. Korean names are so hard to remember though (at least for me).

Honestly I was drawn to this series because of the androgynous Eun Chan. This girl “pretending to be guy” is nothing new to me. It has been used in anime and manga many times – Hanakimi, Rose of Versailles, Mint na Bokura, Pretty Face , etc. But this is the live action video that made me believe that this girl can really pass as a boy. I’ve seen the Ashiya of Hanakimi (Japan and Taiwan version), Jill of Jack ‘n Jill (played by Sharon Cuneta), and there’s this Hollywood film I’ve seen, I forgot the title and story already, but the main character pretending to be a guy looks like Ralph Machio (Karate Kid). They are good actresses but they didn’t really look like CUTE BOYS. And of course, I find Coffee Prince funny too. I’m just not so satisfied with the ending. I dunno, everyone ended up happy but I still feel something’s missing. My emotions were really pouring throughout the series, but when I saw the ending, all I said was, “oh that was it?” Maybe it’s because it ended the way I expected or maybe it was Eun Chan’s hair, LOL! I was hoping for something that would come out of the blue. But a never ending series is much more boring so I guess it was better that way. In general, it’s really a good series.

And just to share, these are things I’ve learned about Korea from watching Coffee Prince:
- there are both right had drive and left hand drive cars in Korea (but I still need to verify this)
- Asuji is uncle
- Oscar of Rose of Versailles is popular among Korean teens
- they also celebrate Valentines day the way Japanese do
- they also celebrate White Day

And speaking of Oscar, when I hear of him, I mean her, the image of Genma Saotome in panda mode in Oscar get up pops in my mind. Oh Panda-chan I want to see you!

Baby Talk

I visited my cousin and nephews in Marikina yesterday. I’m so happy to see the newest member of the clan, Mighael Cean. Weird name don’t you think? His mother has a tradition of naming her children with 2 names that starts with “M” and “C”. When she was thinking what to name her 4th son, she consulted everyone in the family, she ran out of ideas. I suggested calling him Mon Charlie, because I really wanted it to be Momon Cha, but Mon Charlie is the closest hahaha. She refused =( She wanted a unique name that sounds good. Sure, Mighael Cean is unique but I’m pretty sure not everyone will get the correct pronunciation the first time (migheyl syan). He’s 3 months old, so small, so soft and so cute. He’s currently the apple of the eye of the family. Babies are so cute and therapeutic! His brother, Marcus Curt, who just turned 2 today, is also cute. He’s still a baby of the family, but you know, as you grow old, you lessen your cuteness and charm hehehe. Let’s just say his popularity rank went down when his brother came. I can see how jealous Curt is now that his mom is much more attentive to his baby brother. I caught him bullying Cean when his mom is not looking hehehe. Kids…

My sister-in-law will be giving birth in 4 months and everyone in the family is really excited. So in a few months, Cean’s popularity will also drop hehehe. My parents think that May will bear a son. Any gender is fine, but I still prefer a baby boy because it’s much easier to play with them. To date, I have 7 nephews and 3 nieces (all from first degree cousins) and I don’t really mind if the male species would dominate our clan hehehe.

When old ones passed away one by one, babies started to pop one by one too. It’s just like the old ones never really went away instead they changed and became much smaller and cuter. Reincarnation, yeah. I don’t know if I would believe it, after all it’s a Buddhism principle. But no living person would ever know what really happens after D, if they do, then they’re dead. Of course I’m sticking to my belief in heaven after life, that’s why I’m doing my best to be good.

I used to be much more normal and dreamed of having kids too. I wanted a mini-me so I wanted a husband that looks like me also. Some thought of me weird and narcissistic for having such standards. But that was then. A friend told me before, that as you age, you change your priorities. I have nothing against children and giving birth, but now, I think it’d be best not to have one anymore. Honestly, I feel sorry for the new generation. It’s saddening but the world is becoming less and less safer and suitable place to live in. Increasing rate of poverty and crimes, degrading quality of education and health, dreadful diseases sprout one after another, global warming, warring nations, corrupt leaders… imagine how the future would look like. But I don’t want to. After all, the most important thing is the present. For now, it’s still wonderful to live and see children grow up.

People of the earth, let’s do our best for the babies of today who will be the people of tomorrow.

Ren

I saw this while browsing Theme magazine…

Caption: Ren (verb) - to suffer something difficult or continue existing despite disadvantageous conditions.

Then I suddenly remember my good friend Ren and smiled. How I wanted to show this to him and tell him how his name perfectly suits his current situation. But he’s strong and I’m glad. I know that whatever hardship he’s going through right now, he’ll be okay.

I miss you ‘ol buddy…

Simple Things I hope to Acquire Before the Year Ends (a.k.a Wishlist 2008 XD)

Manga:
- Miyuki-chan in Wonderland
- Watashi no Suki na Hito
- Platinum and Pastel
- Sandman vol. 6-10
- Death: Time of Your Life
- Rurouni Kenshin vol. 20, 22, 25, 26 (longest running wishlist LOL)

Toys:
- Perfect Grade Wing Gundam Zero Custom
- Perfect Grade Wing Gundam Zero Custom, Pearl Mirror Coating Ver.
- Death mini bust
- 5" Shaider Die Cast
- CLAMP Chess Board and Box
- Special CLAMP Chess Kings (Kero and Spinel)
- Master Grade Gundam Seed Destiny Extreme Blast Mode
- Chrono Cross Action figures

Books:
- Tokyo Suckerpunch by Isaac Adamson
- Kinki Lullaby by Isaac Adamson
- The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami
- Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
- What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
- Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
- Thousand Cranes by Yasunori Kawabata
- Bundori by Laura Joh-Rowland
- The Samurai's Wife by Laura Joh-Rowland

Videos:
- Leiji Matsumoto animes (Space Captain Harlock, Yamato, Ginga Tetsudo 999, etc.)
- XXX Holic TV series 2nd season
- Kodomo No Omocha TV series
- Classic sentai series (Maskman, Shaider, Fiveman, Turbo Ranger, Mask Rider Black)
- The Wonder Years season 2-6
- Gake No Ue No Ponyo
- Blade of the Immortal TV Series

Others:
- a new pair of Adidas sneakers (blue)
- the Happy Days' Shaider shirt
- shades, shades, shades
- a geniuneLouis Vuitton wallet (I'm serious ok hehehe)
- 2009 Starbucks Plannes
- PSP
- SE K770i
- tons of new socks!
- a Samsonite laptop backpack

-sigh- too many stuff, so little money... Life is challenging indeed!

Have a great weekend (",x)

Eraserheads (finally) Reunite

I just learned that Eraserheads will be reuniting... for ONE NIGHT ONLY, 45 minutes to be exact. On August 30, 2008 at CCP Open Grounds. Now if there's any local band I love, it's Eheads! I think that they are the BEST PINOY BAND EVER. I assumed that every Eheads fan knows that their disbanding rooted from personal reasons, so I never thought they would ever play together again. But now it'll be happening. See, WE SHALL OVERCOME SOMEDAY hahaha (see my previous blog post on Eiga Sai). I am definitely looking forward to this rare event. I've been searching, on how to get tickets. I even signed up at the Marlboro Red List to get the latest updates. If you know if the tickets are already available pls. inform me ASAP.

Great great news!

Halelluiah! My mom is coming back earlier than expected and I just can't express how happy I am. I miss my mom and her cooking. The past 2 weeks was the worst meal I ever had. I wanted to go on hunger strike but I can't blame anyone. Nobody in the knows how to cook and it's just frustrating. Last night we called our mom while having our dinner and she asked what our dinner is, and I gloomingly answered "tapsilog"... She replied "oh you poor babies, don't worry I'll start cooking for you again" -tears- I wish I could learn the art of cooking. I make good pancakes though =)

How Joe Hisaishi made my (early) morning

It’s 3:32 in the morning and I’m really feeling restless from a not so pleasant dream. I stupidly tried bothering people but they are wise enough to ignore… so I end up talking to my best friend - my laptop. I need to calm myself. I browsed my file looking for a powerful music and I just have what I need – Joe Hisaishi!

I’m not really in a position to talk about Hisaishi. My words can never justify the greatness of his music but I’ve always think that his music is one of the great contribution why Miyaki’s films were successful. It’s amazing how the serene and mystic note blend with every scene. It takes my heart and mind with the scene. I don’t need a holographic effect to feel I’m part of the movie. Just now, I’m listening to Piano Stories II: The Wind of Life and I feel like I’m in the spirit bath house that Chihiro worked. Now I feel like sleeping again with a wish of dreaming a Hayao Miyazaki world…-yawn-

Kokology: The Stolen Berries

Here's another kokology from Kokology by Isamu Saito and Tadahiko Nagao. Play along, this is fun (",x)

Everyone likes a nice person and most of us try to be good in our own lives. Why is it, then that there are so few people in the world who are good all the time? As hard as you may try, there are always those rotten days of moments and weakness where it just feels better to be bad. Whether that takes the form of driving too fast on the highway, cheating on a test, or "liberating" a box of pens from the office, we've all done things we can't be proud of or justify. The key to becoming a truly good person is in accpeting the bad parts of your own personality and admitting that you're not perfect, not in trying to act like a saint while the devil on your shoulder whispers in your ear. We all succumb to temptation sometimes. But in the next scenario you might just get caught...

1. On a stroll through the countryside, you come across a field of delicious-looking strawberries. Your stomach starts to rumble, and there's no one else around. Only a fence stands between you and a free lunch. How high is that fence?

Kid: the fact that I saw the strawberries means the fence won’t obstruct my view. Maybe as tall as my neck.

2. You sneak into the garden and begin to help yourself to the fruit. How many berries did you eat?

Kid: I love strawberries so I’d probably eat all I can, maybe a basket of berries?

3. Suddenly the farmer whose berries you're stealing appears out of nowhere and starts yelling at you. What do you say in your own defense?

Kid: I’m sorry sir, I was just really hungry. I’ll just pay for the berries I ate.



4. After all is said and done, how did the berries taste? And looking back, how did you feel after your berry-stealing adventure was over?

Kid: If I never paid for it, I’d feel guilty. But If I did, then I’d be satisfied.

The Results..

Strawberries -seductively juicy and red - are common symbol of sexual attraction and desire. The way you envisioned this scenario helps us to understand your attitude toward forbidden romance and stolen love.

1. The height of the fence you imagined around the field is a measure of your own level of self-control and resistance to sexual temptation. The higher the fence, the greater your own defenses. People who imagined a total enclosure exercise admirable restraint. Those of you who said it was only a string tied around some be at about knee height run a higher than average risk of getting burned by the flames of love.

2. The number of berries you said you would steal is the number of people you can believe yourself in love (or lust) with at any given time. If you said you'd quit after eating just one, you're likely to be faithful in your own love life as well (or at least a devoted serial monogamist). Those of you who got onto double digits may need to think seriously about applying the brakes to your libido. Nobody can keep that pace up forever.

3. The excuses you made to the farmer represent the way you'd defend yourself if you got caught having an affair. What was your excuse?

"I'm so sorry. I promise I'll never do it again" Sometimes a full confession and a promise to behave is the best way to get yourself off the hook.

"They looked so good, I just couldn’t help myself" Well actually you did help yourself – to somebody else’s berries. But honesty is the best policy. After all, it worked for George Washington, didn’t it? If you keep it up, maybe someday you could be president too.

"Hey those berries were great! Do you have if I have a couple more?" Farmers have shotguns. Spouses have lawyers. Fortunately you still have a chance to reconsider your choice of words.

4. The way you described the experience and the taste of the berries gives an indication of how you imagine yourself feeling when looking back on a past affair.

"Actually, they didn’t taste good as they looked. The whole thing wasn’t even worth the effort" All too true for most affairs. Chalk it up to experience and put it behind you.

"So sweet! So juicy and delicious! I’ve never tasted anything like it!" Uh, let’s just say you’re addicted to love.

"The berries were nothing special, but all in all it kind of fun" Statistically speaking, you’re in the high-risk group for repeat offenders.

Kid: LOL! Really now?

Reunion X Eiga Sai X Takoyaki X DVD Window Shopping X Mcdo Happy Meal = Looonnng Saturday

I was surprised when I received a call from Sherry last week informing she already got back from Singapore. Apparently she quit her job due to a conflict with her superior. I was surprised because all along I thought she was having a great time with her job, plus she never informed me beforehand that she’s coming home (duh like I’d prepare something hahaha). Anyway, the first thing I did when I got in touch with her was invite her to Eiga Sai and she agreed in an instant which I find unusual, usually she’d say "I’d think about it" which more often than not means "NO". Yay I smell reunion! I smell chocolates and omiyage!

I anticipated July 13 – Saturday with excitement that I went off very early without realizing traffic is less likely during weekend mornings. I arrived at Megamall as early as 10:30 AM, our call time was 12:00 NN. Damn! I hate being early in mall rendezvous. When I start to get bored, I start to look around and I start to see things I like and I start to spend. Just to share, my favorite quotes for the last 3 months: NEVER BE A LOSER and STOP SPENDING. I immediately informed Sherry to hurry. While waiting for her, I did my best to stay away from toys and comics.

I went to St. Francis Square. I rarely go there, but this place reminds me of Greenhills’ Shoppesville cheap clothes, Cellphones, bootleg toys, Pirated DVDs. These stuffs don’t give me potential to spend. Hold it right there! Did I just say Pirated DVDs??? Oh my, it’s been a long time since I went for DVD shopping and I really missed Quiapo. I looked around to check and reminded myself, "JUST 2-3 TITLES OKAY". The good thing with Anime DVDs nowadays is that you’ll get the whole series in one disc, depending how long the series is. But nothing caught my interest. There are tons of anime titles to chose from, but I guess I’ve really grown up when choosing a title to buy. Before, anime in pirated DVD was RARE so I ended up buying every anime title I saw. And that explains why I bought titles with no subtitles and loose episodes (Houshin Engi Vol. 3, Tokimeki Memorial Vol. 2, etc). So I support pirated DVDs? So what? It’s cheap, that’s why! One thing that caught my attention is that the new DVDs are in blue and red packaging with labels "Blue Ray" and "HD DVD" and I stupidly thought to myself – WTF! So now there are pirated Blue Rays and HD DVDs??? When I asked one of the vendors he told me that they are just "blue ray" copy but the discs are still in regular DVD format. Whew! But it would be good if Blue Ray would be pirated too don’t you think hehehe.

Sherry arrived with no chocolates or omiyage, but I don’t really mind. The first thing I asked was to eat Takoyaki at the food court. There’s this Takoyaki stand in Megamall that I really love – Chito’s Takuyaki. Their takoyaki is the only food that made me eat veggies because they don’t taste like one when they’re inside the takoyaki balls, and Sherry loved it too. She was surprised to see me eat the whole takoyaki without separating the vegetables, really, it’s that damn good. Plus I get to drink my favorite buko shake. It was the best meal I had that week (mom I really miss you) –tears-

At 1:00 PM we started to move to the venue, the Shang Cineplex. We were lucky that we didn’t experience queuing for the tickets. The ticket lady informed us that the screening would start at 2:00 PM. So that gave us time to talk. She told me what happened at work. She now has friends in Singapore and she told me how much she wanted to go back. She started looking for job again through the internet. Then she showed me pictures of her stay there and the conversation went on something like this:

Kid: (looking at the pics on the phone) is this a penguin?
Sherry: Yep!
Kid: How did that happen? They don’t snow in Singapore
Sherry: It’s synthetic of course. Oh yeah, they (Ocean World) housed Polar Bears too. Look!
Kid: No way!!! (looks at the video of a swimming polar bear)… but they’re not cute when they swim, I like them when they’re dry so they’ll have this fluffy look.
Sherry: Oh really…
Kid: Yeah! (raise an eyebrow) BTW, did you see a Panda too???
Sherry: Uhm, no. Unfortunately… I wanted to see one too..
Kid: Hah! As long as you haven’t seen one, I won’t feel envious bwahahahaha! Look I’ve seen one (brags my phone)

Sherry: LOL! Panda your ass! This is not a real one
Kid: Of course it is! LOL!

-sigh- I want to see a real Panda…

The other things we did while waiting for the show to start – drop at Kid’s Station, answer some Kokology, CAMWHORE (this has been a regular activity whoever I'm with hehehe)… Then I saw Neitaro, she never changed. She always have this upbeat energy during events that would make you want to shout "hey" "woi"… Finally, when the show was about to start, I saw Chris but he doesn’t have the ticket yet. He went to get some and we followed him to check - and surprise - Aish and Duston were also there. Wow! Unfortunately, they were not able to get the tickets for the first film. So Sherry and I went ahead to watch the first film – Linda, Linda, Linda!

This film about youth is set in modern-day high school just outside of Tokyo. In the days just before the school’s culture festival, a girl’s music group is facing a dilemma. They planned on playing an original piece of music but, three days before the festival, the guitarist appears to have broken her finger (actually she doesn’t want to break her nails) and an argument breaks out between the vocalist and Kyoko. They need to find a new guitarist and a new vocalist. While the remaining three girls are pondering who to ask to be the new vocalist, they hear the song, “Linda Linda Linda” by the famous Japanese rock band Blue Hearts and decide they want to sing it instead of an original song. A Korean exchange student, Song, is sitting in the next room and they take the chance to ask her to be their vocalist. Her Japanese is not perfect, and she’s never sung in front of an audience, but she just happens to be listening to the Blue Hearts song. They practice and practice but they don’t seem to be improving. They spend a lot of time at Kei’s ex-boyfriend’s studio and at the school practicing late into the night. They are really tired, but a deep friendship develops among the four girls. The night before the festival, they practice late into the night and exhaust themselves. They suddenly wake up the next morning and realize that they are late for the festival. They arrive at the school just as the festival is finishing and perform as the last act. The audience loves them and the four girls play their hearts out.

-taken from Japan Foundation Manila Office (JFMO) Eiga Sai 2008 flyer

At the end of the film, we were both singing Rinda, rinda, rinda! I loved the film. Funny and endearing, this film made me remember my college days again. My favorite scene was when a certain Maki confessed to Son, the way he tried to speak in Korean and Son barely understand what he was saying, then she’d reply in Nihongo. A Japanese speaking Korean and a Korean speaking Japanese. A major BWAHAHAHA! I always find it funny to hear Japanese try to speak other languages particularly Filipino. Here’s a classic line I’ll never forget – tutugutogu kami – the Nitta Oyako saying "tutugtog kami" during their self introduction at the Tsugari Shamisen Play last October 2004, and they said that many times! This film made me want to check Blue Heart’s music, I liked the soundtrack!

When we got out of the movie house, there’s already a line for the next film and the tickets available are for the 3rd film already. I was planning on watching all the four films but it was impossible because by the time you finish the film, tickets for the next film were already "sold out" (admission is free, but for my lack of term hehehe). We queued for the tickets of the 3rd film that lasted an hour because they won’t release them for some reason.

After we got the tickets we decided to eat. I never told Sherry that I was feeling sick due to lack of sleep but at that time, I wanted to have some soup so badly (this is an indication that I’m sick hehehe). I was tight with my budget so I asked her if we could eat at Jollibee because I want their macaroni soup and she agreed. Now that reminds me, 8 years ago we’d go anywhere just to avoid eating at Jollibee hahaha. When we got there, the first thing that caught my attention was the happy meal toys. They featured Inuyasha! I got excited but sherry told me that Mcdo featured Conan Meitantei. I got more excited that I forgot I’m feeling sick. I inspected the Inuyasha toys and I found the details unsatisfactory so I told Sherry, "let’s eat at Mcdo instead hehehe". We both ordered happy meals and Sherry was kind enough to give me her toy. They are not action figures like the Inuyasha toy but a variety of puzzle games. Not bad, I love Conan more than Inuyasha anyway hehehe. I completely felt refreshed after eating and we were ready for the next film –We Shall Overcome Someday.

This film takes place in 1968 in Kyoto, Japan. The background of the film is the turmoil of the 1960s and the relationship between Japanese and Koreans in Japan. The story begins when members of the karate group of a Kyoto high school insult two girls from a Korean high school. A war breaks out when the Korean girls get the boys from their school, led by a boy named Lee Ang-son, to seek revenge. The Japanese boys are reprimanded by their teacher, and two boys, Kosuke and Norio, are told to go to the Korean high school and make a peace offering: to have the two schools play a friendly match of soccer. While they are at the school, Kosuke hears the sound of a beautiful song of Ang-son’s little sister, Kyung-ja, a non-violent, peaceful, 2nd year high-school student who is part of a band. He finds himself drawn to the young girl and the sound of the Korean folk song, “Imjing River.” He steps over the ethnic divide and becomes friendly with Ang-son and his rough-neck gang. Ang-son has plans to go back to Korea and has unknowingly gotten his girlfriend pregnant. Kosuke then find’s himself part of the group until an accident kills one of the Korean boys and Kosuke bears the brunt of the family’s anger. Kosuke begins to understand the anger felt by the Korean community toward the Japanese community through the music and words of the folk song. Ang-son finds out he is going to be a father and realizes he has to grow up.

-taken from JFMO Eiga Sai 2008 flyer

There were also funny and heart warming moments in this film but my general feelings were really heavy. After I watched this film I noticed something. The two films featured Japan-Korea friendship theme. So are these films part of Japan’s attempt to atone for its past mistakes with its neighboring Asian countries. "We Shall Overcome Someday" reminded me that Japan really started it all – all those hatred. I can’t blame those Korean kids for assaulting the Japanese’ high school bus since some Japanese highschool boys started picking on some Korean high school girls. If only the sense of revenge doesn’t exist… But as the title suggests, it also showed how the new generation can make up for the sins of the past. I find Kosuke and Kung-jya’s relationship as a perfect example of hope for a grudgeless truce among warring nations. World peace is still a far fetched dream, but I truly believe that we shall overcome someday. After all, the film concluded with a happy ending.

When we got out (again), I finally saw Chris, Aish and Duston queuing for the next film. We approached them and stayed for a little while. Chris said that film they saw is not really good, it was long and boring (no wonder the 3rd film started late). I informed them about the Anime Matsuri on July 26, JFMO will be showing classic anime Films like Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, but just as I thought, they are well aware of the event. According to Aish, the Doraemon film was heartbreaking but I can’t imagine myself crying at a Doraemon movie hehe. But that’s something to look forward at the end of the month. When the line started to move, we bid goodbye. Sherry and I eventually parted our ways.

It was a long Saturday and it was really tiring but it was fun. As soon as I got home, I slumped in my bed with a happy sigh.

Sad Dreams Lead to Sad Thoughts

As stated. Last night I had a sad dream that made me think of sad things that happened. It went like this:

I just returned from abroad, the country I went to was not stated but it appeared that I worked overseas for years. That was the premise but the scene showed that I was actually standing beside a tree in a vacant lot. I don’t have any idea where that was, but it’s definitely in the Philippines. Under the shade of the tree, I started to dig. I was looking for something. After about 1 ft deep I started to feel something. Yes that was it. A big capsule, typical drug capsule as big as an average size of a pineapple. Guess what, it was a time capsule. I opened it and a stack of letters loomed before me. I started reading one of the letters and I was shocked to see words of hatred addressed to me. I read one after another and I couldn’t believe it, they were all hate letters! There was no sender for each letter but it seems like they came from different people. I never realized being hated could feel so depressing….

Back to reality.

When I woke up, I knew it was one of those weird dreams. But I can’t help feeling lonely. It made me think of all the people I’ve hurt in the past, friends and relatives alike… it’s not like I really wanted to hurt people. I never intended to hurt anyone, but I know I did it. But in the process, I also got hurt. I wonder if they’d ever realize that they were not the only ones who bled. I’m also human and I have the right to have a fragile heart. Thinking about those things made me want to cry. Am I the only one to blame for everything that has happened, were they all my fault? Maybe… Maybe not. If only I was a little wiser, if there were more options, if I was a little more mature… but everything had been said and done and there’s no way to bring them back. No what ifs and regrets can change the present. I can never correct my mistakes, but I can atone for them. I can start anew and be a better person. But I don’t have to change. If people can accept me and my frailties then that would really be great… but if people can’t bear the real me then that’s fine. I just have to be more mature. Surely, I’ll get through this…

What 80s Movie Does Your Life Resemble Most

Pretty in Pink Your life mostly resembles Pretty in Pink. You have some financial difficulties, but because of them you are more creative. You are prone to having a sidekick who follows you everywhere because you are so cool. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

WTF!!!! I've never seen any of those films before...

What is Your Social Dysfunction

Your Social Dysfunction: Normal Being average in terms of how social you are, as well as the amount of self-esteem you have, you're pretty much normal. Good on you.

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com Please note that we aren't, nor do we claim to be, psychologists. This quiz is for fun and entertainment only. Try not to freak out about your results.

O! Walang kokontra!!! I'M NORMAL hehehe

What is Your Hidden Talent?

You have a sexual hidden talent You have a sexual hidden talent. You might not look it but you are a dynamo in bed. Most of your lovers think that it is from years of practice, but really, you were just born with it. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

HAHAHAHA!!!!

733+ 5l”3@!<

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hehehe

In my search for a chess board for my Clamp chess pieces pictorial I came across that ‘ol treasure chest. I hardly pay attention to it although it’s just beside my abubot boxes, but now I’m looking at it with sheer interest. It’s antique! I wonder how much I can sell it. I can buy the Perfect Grade Wing Zero Custom Pearl Mirror Coating Version (I wish there’s a nickname for that) Bwahahahaha!!! But then a voice echoed “forget it kid, you’ll never know who’s gonna haunt you” hmmmm…-shivers- okay… Anyway, I went ahead and opened it hoping to find the chess board but luck was not on my side (it never was damn it). Instead I found yearbooks, photo albums, loose old pictures, old letters, old junks… It is a TREASURE chest indeed!

I browsed the loose pictures, laughed at how silly we look back then and realized something from this picture…

Notice the girls with same dress and boys with the same shirt design. Yes that’s me and my siblings, together with our parents and first degree kins. (to my cousins involved, sorry if I had to post this embarrassing photo hehhehe)

I wonder if your parents were the same as mine, but it seemed that they are obsessed in making their kids look so much alike by sporting the same hair cut and clothes. Yeah when, we were a lot younger, I have the same hair style as my sisters and we always go to mass with the same design/terno clothes. Whatever happened to man’s struggle for individuality… grrrr…. But this will never happen again, I’m glad hehehehe

And here’s another one… BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

By the way… it’s Killua Zoldick’s birthday! Happy Birthday baby, muah!

anticipations...

The other night my uncle came to pick my mom up for her flight. While waiting for my mom he had a little chit chat with me and my brother Oli. He told us what happened with his son Valjun that afternoon. He asked Valjun to go to SSS Antipolo to run some errand. Apparently, my cousin went off with exact money for fare only and he did not anticipate that the trike rate in Antipolo soars like a dragon! To make the story short, he rode the tricycle with insufficient funds and ended up loaning P50 from the SSS security guard, so Oli and I ended up rolling on our stomach laughing. But then, that brings me… hey, it happened to you before! Oh yeah… I think it was a couple of months ago –blush-

I was in Megamall and was about to go home when I felt the craving for fries. I have P100+ cash in hand left. I settled for fries and drinks at Mcdo and it me left with P58. The FX fare to Tanay is P60. I was not worried because ATMs are all over the place anyway. After eating, I went to the nearest Metrobank ATM, errr ET (electronic teller).

When I’m almost there and saw MB ET from the distance, I was surprised to see that there was no queue at all. Hmmm, there could only be one reason – it’s OFF LINE. No panic yet. Okay, I’ll have to settle for Bancnet ATMs which will cost me P10. No big deal. I tried China Bank and what did I get – Error 91: Cannot complete transaction, issuer is down. Still no panic. I tried City State, same error. BDO, error 91… Okay, I’ll settle for BPI, which sounded painful since it’ll charge me P100. I had no choice. But I got the same error message! Then I started to worry.

I went to Shangri-la and checked Metrobank. It was also off line. I tried GE and UCPB. When I got the same error message I knew I was already in trouble. I wish I didn’t eat fries. I went back to Metrobank and asked the guard what time will the ATM be online. Just as I expected, he told me it’s off line nationwide because the systems were down. I asked him if I can do transaction over the counter but apparently they were not accepting any transaction. Don’t you get it kid, THE SYSTEMS ARE DOWN! WTF! That’s bullshit! This is the BIGGEST bank in the country and they don’t even have a backup support?!? Or can’t they do it MANUALLY?!? Hah! People should not rely on technology alone. Finally I asked for a manager, customer relation officer, whatever I am a customer and I need MY money! So a manager loomed before me but it was like I don’t exist at her front at all. Whoever she was, she doesn’t deserve to be in her position. Dr. Mapa, Mrs Chan, Mr. and Mrs. Ty, the very cute Sir Alfred Ty, if one miraculous day you come across this blog post, pls. fire her. She’s an A-hole! Yes, the bank manager at Shangri-la branch. She was all on her paper works and the scene looked like a brat whining to a machine. I asked politely, Ma’am is there anyway I can withdraw money over the counter because I’m literally out of cash and I need to get home. All she ever said was “the mainframe of the system crashed and there’s nothing we can do for you. You can TRY to your branch, they MIGHT be able to help” What a very nice statement of ASSURANCE. What was Metrobank’s tag line again? YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS with… Whatever, I’m not keeping with this shit anymore. I was thinking at that time, as soon as your systems are up and running, I’ll get all my money and transfer to BPI, BDO, whatever, I’ll never do business with that bank again! (duh, like I am a loss hahaha)

Huhuhu, my money was short of P2… How will I get home… I was very far from home and I can’t think of calling anyone. At the very last moment I don’t want to impose. So I did the inevitable, as soon as I get to the terminal I asked the dispatcher that my fare lacks P2 because Metrobank is down and I can’t withdraw a cent. The dispatcher was really nice and said that it’s perfectly okay. He even told me that even if I don’t have money at all they’d let me ride the transpo –tears of joy-. There are still hospitable Pinoys after all. I promised I’d return the P2 next day which I did but he refused to accept –sigh-

It was an embarrassing experience but I also learned something. The incident was not purely on Metrobank’s end. I should always anticipate something like that when I go out. I also relied on machines alone for not keeping emergency cash. And of course, never prioritize your appetite! In the end I didn’t transfer my money to other banks. My angst ended the moment I received a simple altruism from the dispatcher and I also realized that I owed my college education from Metrobank, I do have a sense of gratitude so let’s just call it quits hehehe.

Momonji went to Hong Kong together with my uncle and aunt. She left yesterday and thank God she arrived there safe and sound. She’s staying there for 3 weeks. I’m happy for her. I know she always wanted to travel abroad and now she finally had the chance to do it. Hong Kong is not much nowadays. Even highschool kids can go there but still, it’s overseas and you have to ride the plane to go there so I know it means a lot to my mom and I’m really happy for that. I hope she can enjoy her stay even with limited funds she got. On the other hand, I’m a little sad. I can imagine what my lunch and dinner would be for the next 20 days - canned goods, frozen delights, salted egg, Ka Millet’s BBQ, Andoks, Jollibee, Tapsilogan… haay, I will be deprived of home cooked meals for 20 days and that’s equivalent to 40 meals (lunch and dinner) –tears-. Breakfast is my only saving grace – I love Gutierrez’ pan de sal! And dear lord what will happen to my… uhm… clothes? My mom would definitely expect a 3 weeks worth of clothes… I’m so helpless, sue me. And of course, home’s not complete without my mom around…

Good news, today I finally completed the Clamp No Kiseki, yay! Sandy of Comic Odyssey gave me great discount on vol. 6 and vol.12. He’s so nice. By the way, ever wonder if there’s any connection with the other comic store Comic Quest? I highly doubt if the 2 shops are in anyway owned by the same person or group, there’s a big difference in prices. But what’s with those names?! Maybe I should put up one and name it ‘comic journey’ or ‘comic trek’ hahaha! Cheesy me hehehe. But I definitely prefer buying from Comic Odyssey. Aside from cheaper price, the owner and staff gives me discount and are very accommodating. Unlike the people of Comic Quest, they seem to be nice to REGULAR customers only. You know, the typical “customer service”.

Back to CLAMP no Kiseki, it’s a 12 volume publication that exhibits CLAMP’s works from 1989 to 2004. It’s a celebration of CLAMP’s 15th year in commercial manga scene. Each volume showcases exclusive interviews, artworks, short manga, essays and –deep breath- limited edition collectible chess figures. I don’t know how to play chess but I am a CLAMP fan so I decided to collect them. It’s a MUST have for fans! I learned a lot about CLAMP team from this publication and I became more obsessed with them hehehe. I learned that they are heavy drinkers and a bunch book worms. Despite their high profile, they were very friendly and approachable. Bunch of gullible also, right Takashi Yamazaki-sensei? Kidding hehhehe. But what really amazed me is that they are obviously more than just a team. They are very good friends. They used to live together but now they live separately, their cats Kakyou and Kogane, stayed with Ohkawa-san and the other 3 CLAMP members always visit them. It’s very rare to be colleagues and good friends at the same time without getting into huge conflict (case in point: Eraserheads). I’m pretty sure they have a smooth relationship otherwise they won’t stay together that long. It’s already their 19th year and they are still doing very well in the industry. Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles and XXX Holic are still ongoing and they have a project with Dark Horse Comics in 2009. CLAMP-sensei I love you!!!!

The bad news, no issue comes with a chess board and I haven’t heard that there’s an official release yet. Damn I can’t find the fuckin’ chess board! I need it for the pictorial! By the way, in Japan, if you completed the set, you’ll also get a Keroberos and Spinel as alternative Kings…. Too bad, I have the US version T_T

Oh yeah I know you're not asking, but I want to say that my favorite chess piece is the white king Shaoran and the black knight Nokoru. They are the apple and strawberry of my eyes, kawaiiii!!! 0_0