Pre-July Thoughts

I lost my happy thought. I don't know if it's just the time of the month or because of the fact that tomorrow's July already. That means I'm gonna get pretty... pretty OLD. I guess I have to take this one day at a time... or one event at a time.


I'm just glad we're gonna have a family movie viewing again on Sunday for "Superman Returns". Next weekend, I'll be spending it with some friends who are probably wanting me to get drunk (for the first time in my life if, and only if, they succeed). Then I'll not be working on my birthday! Happy, happy, joy, joy! Then the weekend after that, would be the awaited New Worlds convention. Fully booked huh? (Pun intended). After the con, I'll probably be breathing easier and would be spending the next weekend after that with another group of friends whom I haven't seen for a long time.


July has always been a good month for me. I hope it continues to be.


P.S.
Gifts are now welcome. Hahaha!

Fictional Boys

Superman Returns today... But I'm not just gonna march to the theaters and drool over Brandon Routh. Not yet anyway. I still have work tonight. So, I'll be saving up goosebumps and drool bucket for this weekend. Let me just content myself with this:



Brandon Routh


In other news, there has been rumors spreading in the online Potter-world about author J.K. Rowling planning to "kill" Harry in the 7th and last installment of the book. As quoted from this site:

Author J.K. Rowling notes that killing the main character would keep others from writing sequels.

Any thoughts on that, Harry Potter fans?



Daniel Radcliffe


Oh, before you start sending any hate-mail to Ms. Rowling, please do read between the lines and read the complete interview. :)

A Broken Time Machine

Another con pimping...





The New Worlds Alliance and Fully Booked present:
The First Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards
July 15, 2006 * Rockwell Tent, Power Plant Mall


***

The New Worlds Alliance, Fully Booked, PLDT MyDSL and Level Up! present:
New Worlds 4: A Broken Time Machine
The Fourth Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention
July 16, 2006 * Rockwell Tent, Power Plant Mall





Mark your calendars - JULY 15, 2006 (SATURDAY) at the Rockwell Tent. Join us as we exhibit the best works in fiction and comics, and award the best of them with a grand cash prize of P100,000!!!


Everyone is encouraged to show up with an originally created MASK, in line with the theme of FILIPINO FANTASY. Prizes shall be given out that night to the best original masks.


Writers' Panel


Philippine Fandom is not just about going crazy over foreign shows. Filipino fans are also about appreciating works that stir the imagination and open the heart to the possible.


There are those among us who have done this and taken fandom to the next logical step. They have become creators in their own right. Get to meet them at New Worlds 4: A Broken Time Machine ? The 4th Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention. Chat with them and find out what drives them to take this leap of faith, and what it took them to do it successfully.


Convention Auctions


An exciting addition to this year's convention is the New Worlds Auction, which will feature fan memorabilia, collectibles, and general merchandise at great prices. The New Worlds Alliance counts hundreds of dedicated science-fiction and fantasy fans among its ranks, so expect a wide and colorful selection of items.


This will be a silent auction. Participants will be able to keep track of the auction by watching large bulletin boards set up at the auction booth and at various places in the convention area.


New Worlds Amazing Race


It's a race against time and other geeks as the teams scurry through challenge after challenge to win the New Worlds Amazing Race.


Last year, 10 groups posed challenges to 7 teams. In the semi-finals, teams PHP, PHS, VA and PTM competed to be part of the finals, but the face-off was between Isab and Hershey of PHP, and Ranulf and Sasha of PHS.


Last year, the Hogwarts students bagged the victory through Isab's award-winning handstand. Due to the success of last year's race, most of the NWA member groups clamored for a reprise for New Worlds 4. The challenges are more outrageous, the race is more exciting, and the finale will be a bigger surprise than before.


Parties interested in participating in this year's race are encouraged to brush up on their knowledge of science fiction and fantasy. Who knows? Knowing how to spell the name of that obscure race in the Star Wars universe may pay off. Who will win this year?


Cosplay Contest


Every year, many convention visitors look forward to the Cosplay Contest, where fans dress up as their favorite science fiction and fantasy characters. The crowds flock to see blue or green skin, androids, Jedi, Sith, Federation officers, and in some cases, even vehicles!


This year, the Cosplay Contest will be held during the Masquerade Ball, at 6PM on July 16, 2006.


Masquerade Ball


The Masquerade Ball is a grand event intended to cap off another great convention. The Masquerade Ball will include the cosplay contest, the finale of the NWA Race, and musical numbers of a science fiction and fantasy flavor.


Masquerade Ball Program:
I. Parade of Royalty
II. Parade of Ball Cosplayers
III. Parade of Science Fiction and Fantasy Cosplayers
IV. Photo Shoot on Stage
V. Musical Number
VI. NWA Race Finals
VII. Awarding of Caption Contest Winners
VIII. Awarding of Cosplay Winners
IX. Awarding of NWA Race Winners


***


The New Worlds Alliance (NWA) was founded in 2003 by seven local science fiction and fantasy fan groups: Via Astris - The Star Trek Club of the Philippines, Star Wars Philippines, The Philippine Tolkien Society, Pinoy Harry Potter, Pinoy X-Philes, Pinoy Slayers, and The Alliance of Eclectic Gamers and Interactive Storytellers (AEGIS). Its aim was to provide a venue for Filipino science fiction and fantasy fans to interact, hold activities, and express themselves and their love for their respective fandoms. (read more about it here.) In March of that same year, Via Astris hosted "New Worlds: The 1st Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention," at the Premiere Cinema Complex to celebrate the release of "Star Trek: Nemesis".


In January 2004, it was The Philippine Tolkien Society's turn to host "A Long Expected Party: The 2nd Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention", to mark the end of the Lord of the Rings movie saga and the release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King". The original seven Alliance members groups were joined by The Matrix Philippines, Arkham Philippines, Pinoy Fremen, The Talon, and the Philippine Highlander Society in the two-day event at the Powerplant Mall Parking Quad.


With the advent of "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith", Star Wars Philippines organized "New Worlds Episode III: The 3rd Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention" in May 2005 at the Glorietta Activity Center. Four new groups were inaugurated into the Alliance this year: Mechapinoy, Sci-fi Philippines, The Philippine Order of Narnians, and CharmedPinoy. Wheel of Time Philippines also participated as a guest group.


This year, the NWA and Fully Booked present "New Worlds 4: A Broken Time Machine," in celebration of Neil Gaiman's First Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards.


The awarding ceremony will be held on 15 July 2006, and will coincide with the Fourth Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention on 16 July at the Rockwell Tent, Makati City.


For more info go to New Worlds.


Photo Caption Contest (week 1):




Darth Teller : Express Cash

Quiz: My Soul

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are very passionate and quite temperamental. While you can be moody, you always crave comfort. You are not a very grounded person. You prefer dreams to reality. For you, it's all about possibilities. You see yourself with pretty objective eyes. How you view yourself is almost exactly how other people view you. Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now. For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

Love Actually

This movie, Christmas or not, never fails to make me swoon. I am such a hopeless romantic, I still get goosebumps after the nth time of watching this movie! Geez! I just watched a rerun on TV. I would love to own a sound track of this. I still find Karl gorgeous! Yumyum!



Rodrigo Santoro played Karl


This is going to be my featured song of the moment from this movie. Lovely!


Artist: Joni Mitchell Lyrics
Song: Both Sides Now Lyrics


Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere, i've looked at cloud that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things i would have done but clouds got in my way.


I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions i recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.


Moons and junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; i've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show. you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.


I've looked at love from both sides now,
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions i recall.
I really don't know love at all.


Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "i love you" right out loud,
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, i've looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say
I've changed.
Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.


I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions i recall.
I really don't know life at all.

chameleon

scribbled between 4:30 AM to 5:30 AM 22 June 2006


"Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are."


What if you get along with almost everyone that it would difficult to "label" you.. just like a chameloen changing colors according to its surroundings? The camouflage is nature's gift to survive and cope, but sometimes, not having a definite "group" to belong in is difficult. I mean, you can be a part of the plastics one day, then the geeks the next day or the losers or jocks the next and so on and so forth... the people may call you a hypocrite. I mean, what is it with "labels"? Don't individuality and identity exist without them?


Thank God there is family. You'll always belong with in it whatever happens.

My Date

I had a date with the television yesterday that's why I wasn't online. I rarely get one-on-one bonding moments with the TV. Haha!





I watched My Date with Drew as it was highly recommended by my sister. It was funny, touching, real and very inspiring. Makes me wanna find my lost dreams and make them all come true. It just goes to show the path may be as fulfilling as the destination or maybe even more.


Carpe diem!





Check out the website here. Haven't seen it yet? Catch it on June 25 at 5:45 PM, or June 28 at 5:50 PM on Star Movies (Philippine time).


P.S.
More of my (sort-of biased) movie reviews in my Multiply site.

Quiz: Communication

You Communicate With Your Ears

You love conversations, both as a listener and a talker. What people say is important to you, and you're often most affected by words, not actions. You love to hear compliments from others. And when you're upset, you often talk to yourself. Music is very important to you. It's difficult to find you without your iPod.

How Do You Communicate?

But I don't have an iPod. Hehe! I think I'm more of a visual learner. I need to read the words and see pictures to understand things more. That's probably the reason why I love to write as well.


Today, I visited the updated PostSecret and this week all post cards sent are about fathers. Some post cards made me cry. I realized I'm very lucky to still have my Papa with me and I'm gonna try my best never to take him for granted. I had a talk with a friend a few days ago and she told me she was never that vocal to her parents and couldn't imagine saying "I Love You" to her dad. I, too, am shy to say those words but I see to it that I always send him text messages with "I Love You" in it. I may not be vocal about it, but that's my own way of saying he's loved.


Changing the topic, this song by Paul McCartney is tempting me to buy the OST (official sound track) of The Lake House:


this never happened before
paul mccartney


i'm very sure
this never happened to me before
i met you and now i'm sure
this never happened before


now i see
this is the way it's supposed to be
i met you and now i see
this is the way it should be


this is the way it should be for lovers
they shouldn't go it alone
it's not so good when you're on your own


so come to me
now we can be what we wanna be
i love you and now i see
this is the way it should be


If you've seen the movie, you'll know what I mean. You just wanna slow dance whenever you hear this. :)

Papa's Day

For the greatest Papa in the world, Happy Father's Day!


Same goes to all fathers out there and all fathers in your family. We bought him a gray (with lavender-ecru vertical stripes) collared, button-up shirt and a matching hanky. Glad he loves them! :)



The Lake House


Looking forward to a quiet Sunday at home. Like I promised myself last friday, I'm just gonna create memories and yes, I'm still doing that. I watched "The Lake House" with my sister yesterday. It was so romantic! I realized it does feel great to fall in love. Too bad the ideal picture of true love only occurs in fictional stories. Hahaha! If only I can live in a lake house with someone willing to wait for me. *sigh* Watch this, preferably with your "significant other" or if you love either Sandra Bullock or Keanu Reeves or both of them or if you just wanna gush and melt into a puddle of goo. :)

Fly By

My parents are home now! Yay! Finally, I can be online again. Haha! I spent yesterday after work just cleaning the house, feeding the pet turtle and washing the laundry. I was so tired BUT it felt wonderful to exercise when I'm in the mood for it (though the feeling's probably just an effect of endorphins and all that). If I hadn't just finished an almost 10-hour shift, I would have extended that feeling but I was just sooo tired. Good thing I am such a water person that I like frolicking in it. Yes, even when doing the laundry.


Here's one pretty thing my sis caught on mobile cam while doing the laundry:



dragonfly


TGIF. Just one more work shift before the weekend. It's Father's Day this Sunday and I still can't think of a gift that wouldn't cost too much but that my father would appreciate. Hmm... I know the weekend will just fly by, like that dragonfly above, but I'm going to try savor it and create moments worth remembering.


P.S.
For Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans, the New Worlds 4 site is up! Check it out!

Quiz: Sociopath

You Are 28% Sociopath

From time to time, you may be a bit troubled and a bit too charming for your own good. It's likely that you're not a sociopath... just quite smart and a bit out of the mainstream!

Are You A Sociopath?

ASS+U+ME

Dr. Hannibal Lecter said "to ASSUME is to make an ASS out of U and ME" and I did some assumptions today that, I think, made me look like an ass. Sheesh. I'm tired and I promised myself not to go online but here I am. I just need to post today as one of those days that I need to remember. It's a bit disappointing.

Men...

This morning's cab driver en route to my house is, I think, the most impatient driver I have ever encountered. He kept on complaining about traffic and wished he were home. I wondered why he wasn't home instead of ruining my perfectly calm morning. He said oil prices are too high if he knew it was traffic he wouldn't have worked today. Well, he's in Manila and traffic is a part of everyday life. Duh.


The ironic part is that amidst the nagging, he was playing a religious praise/song in the background and sometimes sang with the music. Oh I do hope he prays to God for more patience. I was so tempted to put my payment of old Php20 bills in his mouth so he can just shut up and give me some peace and quiet.


Now, who's saying that only females nag?


Neko sent me this SMS:


MOODS OF A WOMAN:
An angel of truth and a dream of fiction,
She's afraid of a wasp, will scream at a mouse;
But will tackle a stranger alone in the house.
Sour as a vinegar, sweet as a rose;
She'll kiss you one minute, then turn up her nose.
She'll win you in rage, enchant you in silk;
She'll be stronger than brandy, milder than milk.
At times she'll be vengeful, merry and sad;
She'll hate you like poison and love you like mad.


MOODS OF A MAN:
Hungry. Horny. Sleepy.


No, I am not a hard-core feminist and no, I am not a man-hater. LOL! :)

Officially Single?

scribbled in my bedroom, 4:10 PM, 10 June 2006





Where is the moment when we need it the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue sky's faded to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carrying on*


I don't even know what a "cool off" means. This is my first. As I understand, it's like suspending a relationship for an indefinite period of time. Probably including communication. But there is no set of rules on how to do it so I'm kinda lost right now. They say it allows "breathing space" or "taking a break". I say, what for? If the relationship is precious enough, one would drown oneself in it and would never entertain the thought of breaking away from it. If there's a problem, fix it. Don't avoid it. If it doesn't work, then let go. Easy as that.


Now that I'm in the situation, I learned that it's really not as easy as that. There are lots of factors to consider and reasons to weigh out. I'm scared to break off because I don't know what will happen, but I'm too tired of always trying to sort everything out.


ayoko na munang makita ka
ayoko na munang makasama ka
gusto ko sanang mapag-isa
'di na yata tayo masaya
'di na yata kakayanin pa
gusto ko munang mapag-isa**


It would have been best to face him while asking for a "break", but due to different priorities we still couldn't agree on meeting. So, I'm preventing myself from looking at our pictures and all those (used to be) sweet messages he sent all saved in a special folder. Ever felt a lump in the throat? No, I don't wanna cry. Geez. But that felt like a long time ago.


Our 39th month tomorrow and out of those 39 months we probably only spent less than a quarter of that together. But he's not agreeing to my request. He wants to "talk things out" and wanted me to sleep first. I've been awake for the past 20 hours and he thought that decision is only brought about by stress and lack of sleep. This is not another threat. It's been bugging me for months now. I doubt that talking would do wonders.


ayoko na munang lapitan ka
ayoko na munang makausap ka
gusto ko sanang mapag-isa
'di na tayo magkasundo
sumisikip na ang ating mundo
time out muna tayo**


So, am I officially single? No. Not yet.
Am I going to be an available bachelorette? I doubt it. I would like to enjoy single blessedness again.
For an indefinite period of time? Who knows? Maybe for good.
It's like a day before the monthsary and a month before my birthday. Ironic, isn't it?


siguro'y ito na nga
intindihin mo na
kailangan lang natin ng pahinga
palayain ang isa't isa
kung tayo, tayo talaga**


* "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter
** "Cool Off" by Session Road

Tag (2 of 2)

Tagged by Rob again:


Instructions:
The tagged victim has to come up with 8 different descriptions of their perfect lover.
He/she needs to mention the sex/gender of their perfect lover.
He/she must tag 8 more people to join this game and leave a comment on their respective sites anouncing that they've been tagged.
If tagged a second time, there's no need to post again.


Gender: Male

• He has to put up with my moods.
  
  
  
• I am very sensitive so he has to be sensitive enough for me.
  
  
  
• He has to have somehow similar interests as mine. It's nice being able to talk about things we have in common.
  
  
  
• He has to have a romantic bone in his body because I'm a touchy-feely and showy person and I would really appreciate it if it is being reciprocated.
  
  
  
• He has to be open-minded about everything. It's a major turn-on if he respects other people's opinions despite having a different opinion himself.
  
  
  
• He must have a sense of humor when needed.
  
  
  
• He has to be mature enough to face life and have the balls to face problems.
  
  
  
• He must be caring and considerate and must love me for who I am without reservations.
  

I tag:
Beejay, Jaz, Loryces, Liza, Miao, Joyce, Marc, Ago

Tag (1 of 2)

Tagged by Rob:


Instructions: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so.


1. Wifely Steps
2. Superblessed
3. In My Pocket
4. Surreptitious Travels to the Moon and Back
5. :: scribbles ::


Next, select five people to tag:
Gene
Loryces
Liza
Lei
Marhgil


And now the questions...
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Probably getting ready to be in third year high school. I was 15 then and it's June so I guess I was looking forward to another school year.


What were you doing 1 year ago?
A year ago, I would be working in the company for only 3 months, probably adjusting again to working in the graveyard shift.


Five snacks you enjoy:
cookies and cream ice cream, oatmeal and raisin cookies, double stuff oreo, Pringles, halo-halo


Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Flying Without Wings by Westlife
Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5
214 by Rivermaya
I'm With You by Avril Lavigne


Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
travel around the world
invest in a business
buy a house and lot for myself and my parents
buy all the movies, books and gadgets I want
befriend Oprah and Bill Gates


Five bad habits:
procrastination, impulse buying, my "security blanket", laziness, moodiness


Five things you like doing:
watching movies, reading books, surfing the Internet, blogging, doing nothing


Five things you would never wear again:
really tight "baston" jeans, neon-colored tops, white socks on black shoes, chunky earrings, blouses with shoulder pads from the 80's


Five favorite toys:
my cellphone, our PC, our turtle, CD player, my books

Fade Away

My day was good, let night fall.*


My parents will go home to the province (Bacolod City) this weekend (despite the tight budget). Another parent-less weekend for the three of us. Party time? Nah. That means more laundry for me, more cleaning for my sister and more cooking for my brother (the official house cook). One of my parents' closest friends died yesterday, after celebrating his birthday last Monday. He was bedridden for a long time due to stroke.


For Tito Ben-- father, husband, godfather, friend and teacher.
May your soul rest in peace.


You want to know if the heart of a man or a woman can contain enough love for more than one person?... I think it's perfectly possible as long as one of those people doesn't turn into a Zahir.*


The good thing about infatuation is that it easily diminishes thus making life a little less complicated... Or doesn't it?


* lines from Paulo Coelho's "The Zahir"

Quiz: Tarot Card

Taken from Miao.

You Are The Lovers

You represent ideal love: innocence, trust, exhilaration and joy. You demonstrate the harmony of opposites, two sides coming together. At times, you also represent the struggle between what is right and what is tempting. Control is an issue for you, especially when you don't know your reasons for choosing something. Your fortune: You have an important choice you need to make about love, and it will be a difficult choice to make. You are likely struggling between the love you crave and the love that is right. In the end, you will choose what you crave, even if it's bad for you. Because without what you crave, you will feel empty and incomplete.

What Tarot Card Are You?

Denial

It all started with the word "unfortunately" and I knew I couldn't get a loan. I have been denied several times for any credit application and it's not even my fault. My mother has bad credit and it's affecting me as well. I guess that's just a lesson for me to stop "borrowing" money (although I know I can afford to pay it myself). So much for my dream mobile phone I'm wishing to get before my birthday. *sniff*sniff*


On to the not-so-gloomy side of my day... I just decided I am going to take this one day at a time. I'm enjoying the company and the small talks and I won't let any guilty feeling bring me down. Don't get me wrong, I try not to pursue. I'll leave that to the other girls. I'm not that desperate.


Sorry if I lost you on this post. Let me put it this way, just imagine you liked someone very, very much for a long time now. But as of the moment, you're in an relationship (however "unstable" it may be it still IS a relationship). Personally, I don't think it's too big of a deal knowing that it's just a crush. But what if the object of your infatuation is becoming a (really cute) friend? Are you gonna deny yourself that?

Quiz: 36% Cynical

You Are 36% Cynical

Generally you give people the benefit of the doubt. But there are exceptions. You buy into many of the things that mainstream society believes, but you're not anybody's fool.

How Cynical Are You?

Before noon...

...today I finished a tiring shift. I had a *special* breakfast with some *precious* friends from work. I had lunch with him. I went home and set the record today as my earliest time to go home after a Friday shift for the year 2006. I met my aunt and my nephew (son of my first cousin) from the province whom I haven't seen for 12 years. I met my first cousin whom I haven't seen for ages (I lost count! She now has three kids!) and I met one of her kids, a witty 4-year old girl nicknamed Joey.


Oh happy day! Happy weekend everyone! :)

LSS

Did another futile attempt to add spontaneity to an otherwise stale relationship.


I wanted to turn you on...
My favorite song...
Wanted to be near you but...
"241" by Rivermaya


So much for my happy ending.

Still Single?!

A friend sent me this through text earlier:

Reasons why women find it hard to find their man:

• nice men are ugly
  
  
  
• handsome men are not nice (*uy! may kilala ako... suplado nga sya!*)
  
  
  
• handsome and nice men are gays (*ouch!*)
  
  
  
• handsome, nice and straight men are married (*too bad*)
  
  
  
• men who aren't so handsome, but are nice have no money (*double ouch!!!*)
  
  
  
• men who aren't so handsome, but nice and with money think women are only after their money
  
  
  
• handsome men without money are after the woman's money
  
  
  
• handsome men who aren't so nice, but straight don't think the woman is beautiful enough
  

Now, who the hell understands men?!

LOL!