The Mob Gives Me Comfort and Why

“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” – Henry Hill, Goodfellas

As far back as I can remember, I am amused with anything mobster. Most especially with mobster movies. With my profile as a single young woman living and working in the city, it’s easy for anyone to stereotype me as someone who’s more into Julia Roberts-romantic-comedy-kind-of-movies.   Not that I am against it, it just doesn’t fit me. I can never be at My Bestfriend’s Wedding but rather at Don Vito Corleone’s daughter’s wedding.

That’s just how it is.

Thanks to Coppola and Scorsese (to name a few), I am brainwashed with memorable scenarios and lines from their movies, which gives me insight to my dilemma at times. My dad should be given credit for this too. He used to rent this kind of movies in Betamax / VHS tapes way back. Now we have all the DVD versions of these films, which can only mean one thing, I can watch it over and over again. So much for my mom screaming at me because of our rising electrical bill. But that’s not our topic.

Right now, I'm running down some of the best lines from my all-time favorite mobster movie, The Godfather. It’s practically my bible whenever I want to have clarity on something. It may be weird to you, but if you’re down and confused, The Godfather can never refuse.

Not in particular order. Ok, ok, I jumbled it a little bit based on experience. Yeah. 

Rejection

“Mr. Corleone never asks a second favor once he's refused the first, understood?” – Tom Hagen, The Godfather

One of the main reasons why I’ve never been blunt about asking for favors because I’m uneasy about being rejected. It is true for most of my relationships, be it long-term or short-term. It’s simply like this, “Kung ayaw mo, wag mo. (Pero humanda ka rin pagkatapos. Hehe.)”  Mismo.

Hope

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." – Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather

Minus the gun pointing on one’s head, this line translates to me that anything in this world is possible. Better yet, if a woman tells this to her object of affection, we know what that means. But I don’t use this a lot although this may come in handy someday.

Revenge

"It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes." –Clemenza, The Godfather

I am actually consoled by this particular scene in the said movie where raw fishes are wrapped in paper and sent to the Corleones. It gives me an idea that I can even send a subtle message to the guys (who rejected me in their own little way, thankyouverymuch) without me being so straightforward. At least I have options.

Note: Yeah, I get rejected too.

Moving On

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli." – Clemenza, The Godfather

This is probably one of the best lines from the film because it can translate into any given situation. I remember this line too from "You've Got Mail" movie where Tom Hanks cited this to Meg Ryan over the phone (or through chat?). With my current state of mind (and emotions), I'm interpreting this as moving on with what's ahead in the future instead of dwelling on the past, the bad past. Besides, who doesn't like anything sweet? That's why I’m taking the cannoli instead.

We all have different ways of coping whenever an emotional conflict gets on our way. Some people resort to friends over a cup of coffee and let it all out. Others write (I do, obviously) or do anything creative to take the mind off the confusion even for awhile. As for me, I do some marathons. Mobster movie marathons. It’s practically fool-proof for me, I always get better. After all these years, with happy moments and heartbreaks switching in between, I found my own little friend through these movies.

Besides, you will never sob, when you love the mob.

© 2008 Cat Ramos

Nothingness and More

And now on the topic of nothing to write about.

My life seems to be in a happy, jolly state right now so I think I’ve reached the dead end of writing something interesting. No confusion, no dilemma, no emotional tug-of-war that seems to be occupying my whole being in the first and almost second quarter of this year. I’m acknowledging that I’ve turned into a boring person lately but it’s not a problem really so I’m moving on to this subject regardless of its triviality.

With nothing to blog, to write, to ponder, to whine, to care (oh really) about, I’ve decided to alter my day-to-day rituals into other variations. This is sort of like a New Year’s resolution but it’s accomplished already or still in the process of doing it. Plus June is fast approaching; a half-year status report on my life’s progress would be a good topic to work on. Bear with me. If you’ve read this far, then proceed to the succeeding paragraphs. Otherwise, abandon this now because this is getting boring, even I can feel it. My writing sucks today. Just a few of my nothingness list begins here:

1. My favorite FX shuttle terminal near Shangri-La Makati has been relocated so I had to find an alternative ride after work. I now take the jeepney these days. I like it better since I love long trips and sight-seeing. Ok, I’m exaggerating this part. Financially speaking, it’s better by a few pesos.
2. Prior to my FX shuttle commute days, I ride a regular-metered taxi on my way home. Not anymore. I offset my cab fare to my snack break expenses. My snack break usually consists of a Chocquick hot chocolate drink and V-Cut Potato Chips bought from your friendly neighborhood Mini Stop Convenience Store which I think will topple Jollibee or Starbucks in terms of number of branches (yes, Starbucks, ang dami na eh). I rarely take snack breaks before, now I do.
3. I seldom watch movies in theater now. Not to mention the scarcity of a movie buddy that digs my kind of movies, my theater houses of choice have been cruel to my 150-peso budget. They are now charging an average of 170 bucks per movie. Rockwell and Greenbelt 3, I hate you…for now. But babawian ko kayo pag naging Makati Senior Citizen na ko, aaraw-arawin ko kayo dahil it’s gonna be free in Makati. Oh yeah!
4. I wear a black eyeliner lately. Nothing really, I just had to write it down. Maybe because I’m a punk princess.
5. I stopped watching TV all together for the past 3-4 weeks now. I hardly ever read the papers nowadays. With me being a visual person and always affected with what’s going on in the world, disasters here and there, I really don't know how to take bad news that well. It stresses me out and it makes me sleepless at times. I’m abandoning it for the meantime until more good news comes along. I’m not sure when.
6. I’ve stopped communicating with a friend whom I used to consider as a worth-keeping friend in the past year. I’ve decided to disconnect any tie that binds us together just a couple of weeks back. My reason? I have no “fair-weather friend” criteria in my circle of friends. Therefore, there is no room for this person.
7. I’ve been watching too much Ghost Hunters on YouTube that it makes me so wary about possible ghostly encounters in our home. Our TV turned on and off for no apparent reason one time and it’s actually one of my reasons why I also stopped watching TV (as written in my no. 5 entry here). Haha.

Oh anyway, this is really getting long and boring already. My mind suddenly went blank or maybe I was just hurrying up to finish this piece because it's getting late and the topic of ghosts is brought up, unintentionally.

Or maybe this piece is just boring.

Yawn! Zzzzzzz.

© 2008 Cat Ramos

Lomomanila together with Bonifacio Global City presents LOMOVISIONS

On Display at Bonifacio High Street

May 9-31, 2008

Participating members :

Jolo Santos, Kitkat Rodrigo, Liane Ng, Jennie Castillo, Faye Marcos, Sherwin Tolentino, Maico Gravidez, Jim Abao, Patricia Faytaren, Gabby Cantero, JC Gepte, Ginomatic Arcinas, Angelo Gian De Mesa, Burton Raya, Chino San Diego, Christian Carolino, Guiki Espina, Ian Calalang, Lorenz Visco, Rossy Yabut, Tin Ang, Glai Jacinto, Bryan james mandario, Renel Macapagal, Ron Cruz, Rollie Valenzuela, Zel Zalamea, Kharen Santia, Romer Aguirre, Corn Agudera, Jonas Asistio, Jed Quiambao, Bibay Cordero, Oliever Talusan, Olive David, Honey Marcos, Eric Belbis, Valerie Tenorio, Joven dela Cruz, Francis Inton, Thea Napa, Tara Almario, Edgar Allan Yap, Chris Yambing, Alex Ezequiel, Mariel Sunit, Michelle Dellota, Che Evangelista, Eugene Fabian, Marge Francia, Jimmy Hilario, Bam Cocjin, Dennis Pagulayan, Jun Marcelino, Lawrence Bersales, Mark Domingo, Lianne Bacorro, Charissa Dumaraos, Mon Guinto, Bong Rojales, Ian Roxas, Risa Halaguena, Fozzy Castro, Chips Dayrit, Cat Ramos, Jill Lejano, Gab Cheekee, Pam Pastor, Jason Magbanua, Giff Ricarte, Ruby De Vera, Chrissie Capicoy, Felice Capicoy, Francis Gaerlan, Ian Ysip, Caloy Soliongco & Richard Remulla

* digital photo by rossy yabut
* text by bong rojales

Here are my 3 photos that got included in the lomowall:


Visit na sa Serendra! =)

Of Cars and Dreams

I just bought a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X more than a week ago. It’s red and shiny. And it’s now parked on top of my favorite shelf at home.

I still do not have a car (that is bought with my own money) but I have a car collection. I may have given you the wrong idea about this but when I say ‘car’, it’s a diecast car, a smaller version of the real thing. First, I need to give you a background about this passion of mine.

The movie “The Fast and the Furious” and its succeeding sequels provided me interest on cars but it never really provoked my desire to collect then. Maybe because it was overshadowed by my love for Vin Diesel and Paul Walker (who played their roles like true racewar drivers) at that time. I started collecting seriously when I had finally completed watching the Initial D anime series sometime last year on DVD. I did not want it to end that soon so I needed more. I realized I couldn’t watch it over and over again. Otherwise, my social life would be dead. With the Internet being a best friend of mine, I became engrossed in researching anything about it and if I could buy something with Initial D on it, it could probably cure my Initial D complex. I was wrong. I started googling for any memorabilia I could find and voila! There are diecast versions of the cars from the series. And so the hunting began.

Toy Kingdom and other toy stores have been my sanctuary during the first few months of my buying frenzy. The cars were hard to find way back. I was a late bloomer when it came to that, I admit. The car I wanted to get hold of the most was the series character Ryosuke Takahashi’s Mazda RX-7 FC3S. I accidentally found the last stock at SM Toy Kingdom in Makati during my first 2 weeks of hunting; it was a diecast with a scale of 1:64 (a little bit larger than a Matchbox or a Tomica). No more other Initial D cars left because the Initial D phase has passed. They say I got lucky maybe because I was a newbie collector. Buena mano. My first few collections were in bigger scales of 1:24 (size is a little smaller than an average landline phone unit, to give you an idea) and I completed the four cars that were featured in the anime series in a month’s time because the stocks for this scale were still available at most department toy stores. These cars were: Toyota AE86 Trueno, Mazda RX-7 FD3S & FC3S, and Nissan Skyline GT-R32. I was happy and unable to stop looking for more. I got hooked.

The web was a nice place to shop (at first) and it was a good thing that there was Ebay Philippines already. I had a chance to buy a yellow Toyota Trueno (not from the series) through ebay.ph from a fellow diecast collector who also introduced me to a diecast collection association here in the country, I did not know that we had one here. I joined Diecast Car Collectors of the Philippines (DCPh) last July 2007 and I’ve learned a lot from the group by browsing or transacting through the group’s online forum and attending the quarterly swapmeet (which I consider as a haven for diecast, by the way) whenever I have the chance. Through this group, I’ve made a lot of collector friends and acquaintances, also my growing number of collections do not evolve around Initial D alone anymore but on other Japanese cars as well because I’ve completed the main six cars featured in the series in scale 1:64. This group also helped me expand my items. However, there are still remaining ‘holy grails’ that I have to find and the excitement of hunting is a motivation for me to continue collecting.

As of this date, I have approximately 100+ car items on my shelf and storage boxes. I collect Japanese cars that are tuned or used for drifting, similar to the cars featured in “Tokyo Drift” and yes, Initial D. Mostly bought, some given in RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) by my fellow group members and friends. At first it was a bit intimidating to meet other collectors who have vast collections. Being a newbie like me, it cannot be helped to feel insecure with my small collection and limited knowledge on cars. Being a female is also one thing because like some cars, female diecast collectors are rare. But the collectors have been supportive to me and I'm grateful for the encouragement.

Most people do not really understand this hobby of mine. If it were dolls, I bet they would appreciate it more. But with cars? Well, it takes a lot passion to be involved in this kind of hobby. They say it’s a waste of money and does not really fit my profile because I’m already an adult and do not have kids to share it with yet. But I do not really mind because it brings me unexplainable joy whenever I buy something uncommon or new, not to mention I’m forever a kid at heart. It just gives me something to look forward to in the future and who knows, this dream may even result to the real thing. So I never stop collecting.

Got my drift?

© 2008 Cat Ramos

My Lomo Photos @ Digital Photographer Philippines Magazine

A few of my lomographics have been included in the latest issue (Issue 19) of Digital Photographer Philippines (DPP) magazine. The issue features "The Art of the Plastic Fantastic - Lomography". I just had to document it here on my blog since I am guilty of stacking reading materials (magazines included) and forgetting about it when a new one arrives. Good thing I know how to operate a flatbed scanner, I can make electronic copies of it.

With me being a lazy lomographer and switching from film-digital-film-whatever, the results of some of the shots, well, I consider as chamba-wamba. I am flattered that some of my photos have been included in the DPP mag, a publication I consider almost like an "in-flight" magazine for photographers and photo enthusiasts. It's quite intimidating for a photo hobbyist like me but I learn a lot from the magazine.

The 2 images on the left were featured in the Reader's Gallery. The photo with lights was taken at EDSA sometime October 2007 at around 2:00 am. While the photo with STOP was taken near my office in Makati, lunch time, on my way to buy food at one of those jollijeep stalls. Wala lang talaga ako magawa minsan.

There's also a short description on the person who took the photos (I wrote the photographer's profile, actually. Hahaha! But of course they edited some lines), it reads:

Photographer: Cat Ramos
Cat Ramos is a self-proclaimed lomographer. She admires lomography because she finds the images similar to the look and feel of her favorite Wong Kar Wai movies - improvised, nostalgic, and spontaneous. Her day job as a specialist in the field of systems, methods and procedures doesn't stop her now from shooting with her LC-A lomo camera.

Another photo of mine (the one with geometric patterns below) was also included in the lomo love article of the magazine. It's the roof of the underpass in Makati Ave. and Allied Bank.

.

You may view the images in their original files here:

• EDSA 2:00 am
• STOP
• Underpass Roof

Thanks for looking!

DPP Mag cover photo by: Burton Jay Raya

PS. Thanks to Bong Rojales, Aly Reyes, and Jay Jallorina for the encouragement (lomos and DPP) Cheers!

Can I Shortcut My Life?

I failed my first duty as a godmother to my 6-month old niece today, that is, show up at church for her baptism. Blame my sleepless holy week activities, I woke up late. And what’s even worse, I didn’t even hurry. Instead, I took my time, brushed my teeth longer than usual, read a book while doing the number two, and showered like we own the Maynilad Water Company.

However, I am like most people, guilty of skipping the ceremonies (weddings, baptisms…) sometimes but eager to go to the reception. Don’t get me wrong here but with a lot of goings-on in life these days and the convenience of 3-minute pancit canton noodles, instant messages, and e-mails, who wouldn’t dare try the shortcuts? Which brings me to another topic of shortcuts. Around two or three years ago, I came across this book called the “The 10-Day MBA” by Steven Silbiger at National Bookstore in Glorietta while waiting for my then significant other after work. He was based in Ortigas at that time and had to take the MRT so we had to meet somewhere neutral and that would be this bookstore. Most of the time, I go there earlier so I could browse on books and read a few pages then come back the next day to continue reading again. I was actually trying to preview some books before buying them. Anyway, there was this MBA book that I mentioned, it caught my eye even before I entered the store since the cover was bright red in color. I don’t usually judge books by the cover, as the cliché goes but I began to get curious right away. I rushed over the store and picked it up and boy it was heavy, literally speaking. The price was heavy too, I guess it was a couple of hundred less than a thousand pesos, it was expensive for me. I scanned some pages and it was interesting really. It gives you the basics on how to read financial statements, how to do marketing, the works. It was pretty much like one of those Dummies books.

And so the pondering began. My mind was weighing it if it was worth buying the book or just enroll at a graduate school and go through it like most people do. A part of me wanted to buy it because I just want to refresh what I’ve learned in college, it was sort of like a review on my part now that I’m sort of like enjoying my career, a refresher wouldn’t hurt. I am only after the knowledge. But then again, there is no diploma involved here so the thought of enrolling at a graduate school seemed like a better idea. You cannot put this MBA book as a reference on your curriculum vitae, right? However, if I happen to be an Indian national, I would most probably indicate it there anyway. Kidding.

So what was my conclusion to my confusion at that time? I didn’t do anything. I neither bought the book nor I enrolled at a graduate school. I procrastinated instead. Two or three years later, which means now, it’s haunting me again because I suddenly have the drive to enroll some graduate courses. I know there are no shortcuts when it comes to these things because it’s a lifelong factor, a commitment of what you will do, who you are someday. But arguing this thought again, what you do doesn’t define who you are. Or something like that. This reminds me of the dialogue from one of my favorite movies, “Across the Universe”:

Max's Father: Goddammit, Max! Get serious, for once! What are you going to DO with your life?
Max: Why is it always what will I do? "What will he do", "What will he do," "Oh, my god what will he do", Do, do, do, do, do. Why isn't the issue here who I am?
Uncle Teddy: Because, Maxwell, what you do defines who you are.
Max: No, Uncle Teddy. Who you are defines what you do. Right Jude?
Jude: [awkward] ... Well, surely it's not what you do, but the, uh... the way that you do it.

With that aside, I am trying to prepare for this first before making a decision again, does this mean I’m procrastinating one more time? Not really. I am just cautious about this because time (and resources of course) is a problem for me these days. I have so many things going on with my life, most of the time, hobby-related. I thought of reviewing GMAT first but not really take the exam but I hope to use it as a background or reference should I decide to finally take up a graduate course. I can use it even on the graduate school entrance exam. It’s a good training, I think. Or more of like a diagnosis if I’m fit for the business. If I’m fit for the business, let me repeat that.

Ok, I’d like to come clean here. I am a true Gemini. I like to do several things at once and I admit am more on the creative side than on the business side. Deep down, I want to enroll some Spanish or French language class, just for me to balance my life. My day job is corporate and from time to time (well, most of the time for me), what I need is a breather from the usual formalities and business / tech stuff. That’s why I immerse myself with things that really interest me, photography, drawing, writing. A new language would be a thing for me now since I love playing with words. I write a lot, most are immortalized in my stacks of notebooks/journals since grade school. Writing fiction plus poetry has been a big part of my life and I’m missing it terribly because creative writing has been overshadowed with my day job, that is writing business. Which brings me to enroll at a creative writing course instead of the grad school I was pondering on earlier. Change of priorities, huh. Oh, that is the usual me.

Now back to my topic of shortcuts, is it possible for me to shortcut my life? To fast track everything so I could get there, wherever that is, sooner? I am getting older each day and I don’t think a shortcut to anything is a good idea for me now. I cannot rush my life. Speeding it up may mean I’m rushing to my future. And the only thing certain in the future is death. I cannot die yet so I’m slowing it down, taking one day at a time, enjoying things as it comes, changing my mind, sorting my priorities, living my life, doing the things I want. One of those things is to fulfill the rest of my duties for my new goddaughter.

© 2008 Cat Ramos

Nazi Movies and German Measles

Achtung!

These past few days have been hard for me. Suprisingly, it’s just physical because I am tired of all the emotional dilemma I’ve been having lately. So this is a new one, huh. I am down with a flu virus, which may also be a Rubella (or German Measles) according to the doctor who attended me at my HMO clinic and yes, my favorite physician, Google.

I have all the symptoms. Headache, tiny red spots on my limbs (but it’s beneath the skin surface), aching joints, back of ears / neck swollen, sore throat, and a little fever. I still have most of the symptoms as of this writing (no more tiny red spots though). Holy week is a friend this week. No work, all rest.

I am not sure if this case of German Measles has got something to do with the DVD (yes, DVD and not dibidi….I got some at last Friday’s Midnight Sale) marathon I had last weekend. What’s with the DVD? If you’ve seen movies about Nazi all day and night and still get to watch DW (Deutsche Welle) programs afterwards, who wouldn’t get German Measles? I started with Schindler’s List then La Vita E Bella (Life is Beautiful) then slept. These movies have been about the German occupation during the World War II and both movies have won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Foreign Film respectively. I’ve seen it before but I was itching (I mean that figuratively, it has got nothing to do with the measles) to see it again. The next day, the boob tube was surprisingly switched on to DW channel and it makes me wonder about Germany again. All those times, my head was throbbing more because of the German accent I’ve been exposed to.

This piece is pointless. I am just updating my blog. I will most likely be updating more because I am under house arrest by the Germans…(err, yeah measles). Nothing to do.

Oh anyway, I better go take a nap now so I could get better a little bit. When I wake up, I think I’ll watch The Pianist.

© 2008 Cat Ramos

It's Midnight Sale in Ayala Center but i got home just now, past 10pm. But i had a chance to watch "Robots" in Greenbelt with Dennis. The movie is very entertaining and the animation details is very good. I also had a chance to watch the preview of "Ice Age 2". It will be shown next year and i can't wait to watch it. The same studio/production of Ice Age 2 created Robots and it's worth it. Although the 1st movie on Ice Age had more depth than Robots, it's still worth watching.
Well, this is it for now, my eyes are tired. I had a pretty long day. 3 meetings in one day, it's very exhausting. On the wonderful side, i bought another calligraphy pen and some paper to practice my calligraphy. Wish me good luck! ;-)

Nothingness. My word for the day. I just got home. My cousin from Iloilo is here and it's nice to reconnect with family i haven't seen for so long.
I'm planning to watch a movie tomorrow, i'm thinking about the movie "Confidence". I like Ed Burns. He reminds me of someone i used to know. Well, he looks like someone i used to know. I'm blushing.
My day is a little bit dragging and my mind is overworked from all the meetings at work. Thank God, tomorrow is Friday. Wooohooo!

Oh well, such a lazy Sunday evening. Just watching a movie on cable. I'm not moving, just staring and think about something else. This is getting nowhere. I'm not too keen about tomorrow, it's Monday and i can't watch the Oscars because i have a meeting at work. Haaay :-(

Yes, I'm alive.
I've been busy lately, too many projects than I could ever handle. But I'm in the mood for the Holidays, Christmas parties here and there. I've been practicing my vocal chords for our choral group at work. Hah, we're joining a choral competition later. Hark the Herald...lalalala....or O Come All Ye Faithful (dedicated to the Players..it's New Year, be loyal to your girls, jerks).

Anyway, things have been better for me lately, I hope the year would be over, I've had a very bad year in terms of relationships. Blame the Year of the Horse. They say this year is terrible for all couples, they would break it and not make it. But as soon as the next year comes (I'm no sure what animal year), everything will be okay (weddings, engagements would probably be in demand). If the couple survives the 2002 year, things will be better for 2003. Hay naku, I'm sounding like a Kung-Fu, este, Feng Shui Master. I better cut this out.

Ask me if I'm happy. Well, I hope I am. Everthing's okay with me. Work, family, money (not too much, I spend everything, haha but seriously, I'm trying to save more again starting next year..really really save).

My plans for 2003 (is it too early to make plans for next year...nah, I should have planned it when I was 18 years old!):
1. Save more.
2. Save more.
3. Earn more money.
4. Read more Self-Help books, I need help for myself, haha.
5. Find a guy who is not a jerk. He must be:
> Loyal to me.
> Honest to me.
> Must not date around.
> Must be romantic (but not overly romantic, I hate mushy men. For me, ROMANCE = PROPOSAL hehehe kidding)
> Stable. With a decent job, and must be a hardworker...he must value work and the money he earns. He must also value time (minimal tardiness, minimal absences...because for me, you can measure a responsible man through his dedication at work and time)
> Must be loyal to me (did I mention that already?)
> Good looks and height, of course.
> Not gay.
6. Do yoga.
7. Go to Enchanted Kingdom (seriously, I haven't been there..haha)
8. Study driving (really study driving even though I don't have a car..hell, I've been procrastinating that for a looong time).
9. Be slimmer...errr, I'll really try, okay?
10. Watch more movies (with or without a movie buddy...hey, I'm used to watching movies alone, I don't like movie buddies who doesn't watch my choice of movies. I hate them, dump them for a new movie buddy instead haha)

Oh well, I guess this is it for now. I'm still in the mood to relax and dream of a White Christmas.
Merry Christmas, people! And see you again next year!

It's been a long time!
I'm backkkkkkkkkkk!

Too much load at work, can't really write everything down. So many things has happened last month...next week, we're moving out of our old place and yeah I'm so excited to move in to the new place.

I'll keep you posted as soon as everything has been set. :)
Bye for now, gotta finish a project...aaarrgghh!

A newfound pal has just given me the light, made me think somehow of my situation, name is Peter James Zielinski.
Check out his site, Dependent Films.

Triple X

No, I'm not talking about your usual porno flick. It's Vin Diesel, Triple X, his latest movie. I've seen it a week ago. Sorry, I really didn't have the chance to write about it. I've been too engrossed in picking out another movie to watch (just watched "Insomnia" yesterday). Enough of the other movies, I'm talking about Triple X here. Vin Diesel kicks ass, I'm telling you and watch out James Bond (calling Squad, you there?). My friend told me awhile ago that after he watched Triple X, he lost interest with James Bond. He feels that this guy Bond, James Bond, will definitely look like a sissy in front of Triple X. Very true. I feel the same way, Bond will definitely look like gay. While Bond grabs a guy's butt in a party, Triple X will kick ass! Oh yeah.

Kick-ass Vin Diesel

I've been subscribing to a poem website. They have been sending me poems through e-mail for the last two years. The following poem really caught my eye when I opened my e-mail. I know anyone who has gone through the trials of a relationship can relate to this one:

Please... Don't ask me to Comeback
(c) by dhyana

Please,
don't ask me to comeback,
if when you left,
you never looked back,

why you come crying,
if all the time you were lying,
is kind of late now,
for us there is no tomorrow,

if you can't find no one to
fill my place,
you should never had played,
and gamble with fate,

love is like a bird,
this I said before,
if you are not careful,
It just fly away,

if I hurt,
I can't deny that,
yes I cried every night,
and also when I woke up,

How can one bring back,
yesterday,
how can you un-walk the road,
if the prints are on the dust,

I know you can't forget me,
I told you that before,
is hard to forget,
one who knows how to love,

keep walking pilgrim,
I blessed your cheating heart,
love is a teacher,
some pass, some have to take the test
all over again.

My movie buddy never really liked foreign films. He says it bores him. I like all sorts of movies, Hollywood, chick flicks, Tagalog, art films, everything. I'm not really classy like what another friend has told me when he read this blog about me watching art films. My interest in these films doesn't say that I am an art film wannabe. I just appreciate good films. I appreciate bad films too. I appreciate everything that entertains me. Too bad, my constant movie buddy does not appreciate what I appreciate. Maybe I should look for a replacement movie buddy.

So, if you like movies just like me, let me know. It would be nice if we split the bill. It would be better if you treat me.

My frustration. I had no chance of catching this film in Cinemanila last time.

A friend forwarded me this funny e-mail. Read on.

Typical Male-Female Conversation:

Man ~ Galit ka ba?
Woman ~ Hinnndiiiiiiii!
Man ~ Eh bakit galit ka?
Woman ~ Hindi nga ako galittttt! Ano ba??
Man ~ Eh kung hindi ka galit bakit ka ganyan?
Woman ~ Anong bakit ka ganyan?
Man ~ Bakit ka ganyan ang sungit mo?
Woman ~ Eh anong pakialam mo?
Man ~ Oh kita mo na, Bakit ka ba talaga galit?
Woman ~ Tinatanong kita, wag mo akong tanungin! Anong paki mo?
Man ~ May pakialam ako dahil kinakausap kita.
Woman ~ Ayaw kitang kausap, please lang!
Man ~ Kung ayaw mo akong kausap bakit mo ako kinakausap?
Woman ~ Namfutcha! Puede ba!
Man ~ Anong puede ba?
Woman ~ Puede ba, tantanan mo ako?
Man ~ Hindi puede!
Woman ~ Bakiiiiittt
Man ~ Kasi hindi puede! Ayaw ko! May reklamo?
Woman ~ Alam mo, walang kuwenta itong usapan natin!
Man ~ Really Duh!
Woman ~ Kahit kelan, wala ka talagang kuwentang kausap!
Man ~ Same to you!
Woman ~ Ah ganon!
Man ~ Yes, Ganooon!
Woman ~ Ganoon pala. So, Anong gusto mo, away?
Man ~ Ano sa palagay mo?
Woman ~ Grrrrr! Asarrrrrr! Bad trip ka!!
Man ~ Manigas ka!
Woman ~ Anong manigas? Ikaw ang manigas!
Man ~ Wag kang bastos!
Woman ~ Ikaw ang bastos!
Man ~ Anong sabi mong matigas?
Woman ~ Sabi ko manigas! Manigas ka dyan!!!
Man ~ O sige na nga!
Woman ~ Anong sige na nga?
Man ~ Love you!
Woman ~ Love you rin pooooo! *LOL*

I was late for work.

With a plastic bag on my left hand and umbrella and handbag on my right, I tried hailing a taxi for work. It was raining, my feet and legs were somehow drenched with the rain. My white jacket almost gray. The sight of a taxi coming my way brought some sigh of relief, I won't be late for work (I thought so). With all the things in my hands, I managed to open the door, put my things on the backseat, sit, but I just couldn't manage to close the door. Then, *SLAM*, the door just closed. When I looked outside the window, I saw these two American Mormon missionaries. The other guy smiling. I just smiled. The guy waved at me, so I waved too. Two angels. My life was made a little bit easier, this Tuesday morning. But I was still late for work.

Two boys.

I had two separate chances of watching two good movies last weekend. Let me tell you about “About A Boy” first. You see, I was wrong, it was not all right to compare this movie to Nick Hornby’s other book which was also made into a movie, “High Fidelity” . “About A Boy” was pure heart. I think Hugh Grant’s character, Will, was especially made for him. I can’t imagine Brad Pitt flashing his perfect smile with that kind of role. It would come on too superficial. With Hugh’s crooked smile, fluttering eyes, and confused reaction, I can definitely say, it was Will alright. Marcus, the boy, was wonderful too. Not too cute, not too ugly, just the right kid to play the role.

Then I had this chance to watch one of Cinemanila’s featured films, “Una Casa con Vista al Mar (A Room With a View of the Sea)”. It’s a Venezuelan film about a peasant father and son trying to cope with the bad times (the movie started off with them burying the mother) just before harvest time. With the boy having blistered feet because of his old boots, the father trying to ask a favor on the richest haciendero just to not let his son go barefoot in front of other people. This film talks about pride and ended up with the father killing the rich man. Talk about our local soap operas. I bet most of our fellow Pinoys will like this. The boy’s performance in this movie was intense, you may actually believe he’s really poor in real life. But then again, you may wonder, if he’s one of those “Tabing Ilog” boys in Venezuela. Ok, the boy’s cute, I admit.

Well, these two boys. They capture your heart, you sympathize with them, you cry with them. They are you.

P.S. I’m looking forward to watch “In The Mood for Love” , a Chinese movie set in the late 60s. I’ve seen this trailer before in Glorietta 4 and it’s nostalgic. When you see this film, you will definitely remember your grandparents’ or parents’ pictures in that generation. Mala-Gloria Romero-Luis Gonzales film.

P.P.S. MY friend and I were frustrated, we didn’t get a chance to watch “Y Tu Mama Tambien” by Alfonso Cuaron. Tickets were sold out yesterday at around 5pm. And the showtime is even 9pm. The next possible showtime was 1am, I’m not that idiot to watch that late. I’ll just wait for it to be released commercially.

I'll be watching a movie later. It's a Hugh Grant movie, "About A Boy". I'll see later if this one is as good as "High Fidelity", the other book by Nick Hornby which was also a movie starring John Cusack.