Ebay-sive Action
A couple of days ago after establishing a "base of operations" (Joceyln's brother Jeff in California), I starting bidding on items on Ebay. Like the first time I experienced ordering comics online, a small twinge of excitement came over me. This feeling had to be coupled with self-control as I wished to avoid going overboard. Cheap or not, I'm still paying with dollars that I technically don't have as it still has to be converted into pesos when the bill comes. And there's the risk of making what I call purchasing mistakes: stuff that looked cooler in the "catalogue" that it did in real life (i.e. Superman hardcovers, B&W indy comics and other things I regretted buying in the end).
It wasn't that easy setting up. For a while I considered acquiring the services of Johnny Air Cargo, with it's (what I thought was) enticing price of $9/lbs. per shipment. Turns out that price excludes other freight charges, which totaled $20 minimum. Suffice to say that would wipe out any cash I sought to save, not to mention defeat the purpose on shopping online. I opted for looking for a kind sucke...uh, soul who'd let me use his/her address in the US to drop the stuff at. And of course there's my relatives in Canada, as well. After registering at Paypal I was (almost) ready. (As of this blog entry I'm still 4 membership numbers short of completing my registration, no thanks to Paypal for taking so freaking long to send it to me.)
As with real auctions there's the matter of being outbid. Orange on Ebay is quickly becoming my least favorite color as it's always that dreaded orange text that tells me I've been OUTBID BY ANOTHER BIDDER. Personally I couldn't believe that someone else online wants that copy of Going Simpsonic with the Simpsons CD as badly as I do. Why I Hate Saturn was giving me trouble too. Not surprising, though, considering that it's currently out of print.
My real goal? Getting good quality DVDs cheap. Ironically from all the stuff I'm currently bidding on not a single DVD is among them. Hey, with all the piracy that's going on I've yet to establish what constitutes as "cheap," particularly for the complete 1st and 2nd season set of Sopranos DVDs.
* * * * *
Just finished watching the premiere episode of Project Greenlight on Cinemax. Cool stuff so far, in an I-was-a-film-student-so-I-can-relate sort of way. I do not envy these guys' (and girl, the co-president of production on Miramax, which made her the biggest kahuna of the bunch) job of having to pick out 10, then 3 then 1 screenplay from literally thousands of entries. I already knew who won but it was still fascinating to watch the process, particularly because it was like my screenplay thesis all over again. Same wrecked nerves, same deconstruction and intense scrutinizing of the screenplay in front of the finalists, same hey-it-sounded-cool-at-first-but-in-the-end-it-wasn't-actually-that-great ideas and vice versa. Brian Bendis was right on one thing: this is all a crapshoot. The right script and the right time get you the job. So that simultaneous feeling of envy and contempt (like I feel for Tim Yap) is around a lot for winner Pete Jones. His screenplay (from what I can tell) would probably mesh well as a Hallmark movie, but it was his zeal (and necessary arrogance mixed with enthusiasm), coupled with his felt-scripted-but-was-probably-the-editing speech to the panel at the end that got him the job.
Rachelle doesn't get Cinemax. I should tape this for her.
Jul 27, 2002
Jul 22, 2002
Ass of U and Me
It's 8PM and I'm still at the office because Boit failed to pick me up...because Bebot called him telling him Ma was in the Makati area...so he just assumed I was going home with Ma. All of this would make more sense if any of them told ME about it. Granted when Bebot called I was at the gym sans the cell phone. But the point is: when I want someone else other than Boit to pick me up I DO THE CALLING. I make the request. When everyone starts assuming that one person talked to the other except to the person they should've talked to this shit happens. If it seems like I'm babbling it's because I'm "stranded," pissed and hungry.
It's 8PM and I'm still at the office because Boit failed to pick me up...because Bebot called him telling him Ma was in the Makati area...so he just assumed I was going home with Ma. All of this would make more sense if any of them told ME about it. Granted when Bebot called I was at the gym sans the cell phone. But the point is: when I want someone else other than Boit to pick me up I DO THE CALLING. I make the request. When everyone starts assuming that one person talked to the other except to the person they should've talked to this shit happens. If it seems like I'm babbling it's because I'm "stranded," pissed and hungry.
Jul 21, 2002
How I Spent My Weekend
SATURDAY-- Scheduling a date with Annette was about as easy as organizing my own birthday party: never works out as planned. Russell was supposed to join us for dinner at Country Waffle, but in the end scheduling conflicts (and the fact that she was too pooped from walking around all day after her appointment with her dermatologist) made it impossible. I opted to drive the 'rents to a wedding reception at Gloria Maris, instead.
As the evening dulled itself away, the maid of honor approached me and said she recognized me from college and said we were once classmates. She was cute, so who was I to doubt that claim. I thought finally, a reason to be glad I came here. I thought about asking for her phone number. I thought about wanting to get together with her in the future. I thought about how her friendliness to me that night was either an "exclusive" thing or just in her nature. I thought about a lot of things. Never did a goddam thing about it in the end, but it's the thought that counts. Right.
Driving home I slightly panicked while driving through floodwaters and made mini-tsunamis along E. Rodriguez Avenue.
SUNDAY--
Philip and Erson drop by with Philip's Caucasian friend Dee (also deaf) after flying in from Vancouver last night. Erson didn't have any extra comics at hand, which reminded me to strangle Delwin when I get my hands on him. Stayed home all day watching Time and Tide (convoluted Tsui Hark movie), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO sitcom starring Larry David, the inspiration for Jerry Seinfeld) and more Alias. I resolved to "reserve" spots for future downloads of Alias and Six Feet Under.
SATURDAY-- Scheduling a date with Annette was about as easy as organizing my own birthday party: never works out as planned. Russell was supposed to join us for dinner at Country Waffle, but in the end scheduling conflicts (and the fact that she was too pooped from walking around all day after her appointment with her dermatologist) made it impossible. I opted to drive the 'rents to a wedding reception at Gloria Maris, instead.
As the evening dulled itself away, the maid of honor approached me and said she recognized me from college and said we were once classmates. She was cute, so who was I to doubt that claim. I thought finally, a reason to be glad I came here. I thought about asking for her phone number. I thought about wanting to get together with her in the future. I thought about how her friendliness to me that night was either an "exclusive" thing or just in her nature. I thought about a lot of things. Never did a goddam thing about it in the end, but it's the thought that counts. Right.
Driving home I slightly panicked while driving through floodwaters and made mini-tsunamis along E. Rodriguez Avenue.
SUNDAY--
Philip and Erson drop by with Philip's Caucasian friend Dee (also deaf) after flying in from Vancouver last night. Erson didn't have any extra comics at hand, which reminded me to strangle Delwin when I get my hands on him. Stayed home all day watching Time and Tide (convoluted Tsui Hark movie), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO sitcom starring Larry David, the inspiration for Jerry Seinfeld) and more Alias. I resolved to "reserve" spots for future downloads of Alias and Six Feet Under.
Jul 17, 2002
Yeeeeooooowtch!
What could be worse than having a painful, ugly gaping wound? Try having to shave the surrounding hair on that same painful, ugly, gaping wound. From removing ingrown hair popping zits on places other than my face, it seems self surgery is turning into a specialty of mine. With a high pain threshold (the secret: tell yourself it will all end soon) my now bald left knee is just begging to be soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Actually the shaving was less painful than expected as more hair than flesh (as well it should be) came off.
For lunch my co-worker Drake Co's girlfriend Giselle Uy treated all staff to lunch at the 18th floor in celebration of her birthday. At 25, she said she's been occupying office space for quite some time, since her parents work there. Cubicle (as opposed to Army) brat. She's only been an official employee for 3 years, give or take. Her desk has no computer, which has me wondering how boredom hasn't driven her insane yet. It's not like Drake's the most exciting guy in the world, either. Maybe she likes things quiet.
What could be worse than having a painful, ugly gaping wound? Try having to shave the surrounding hair on that same painful, ugly, gaping wound. From removing ingrown hair popping zits on places other than my face, it seems self surgery is turning into a specialty of mine. With a high pain threshold (the secret: tell yourself it will all end soon) my now bald left knee is just begging to be soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Actually the shaving was less painful than expected as more hair than flesh (as well it should be) came off.
For lunch my co-worker Drake Co's girlfriend Giselle Uy treated all staff to lunch at the 18th floor in celebration of her birthday. At 25, she said she's been occupying office space for quite some time, since her parents work there. Cubicle (as opposed to Army) brat. She's only been an official employee for 3 years, give or take. Her desk has no computer, which has me wondering how boredom hasn't driven her insane yet. It's not like Drake's the most exciting guy in the world, either. Maybe she likes things quiet.
Jul 15, 2002
Saving the World Before Bedtime
Watched The Powerpuff Girls movie (after getting a long delayed haircut) and as I expected, it was cool. Shorter than I expected but cool. The Dexter's Lab cartoon "first act" was very Bill Wray in terms of animation, almost a departure from past (and current) DL cartoons. ANYway, the movie's not really there to impart social lessons to kids. It's more for the devoted fans, like yours truly (hope that doesn't come off as kinda gay). When I entered the cinemahouse it was full of parents and kids. I worried about these parents that equate PPG (and Cartoon Network in general) as to "safe kid viewing." Then again I may be underestimating a kid's intelligence when it comes to being able to tell that the PPG's beating up of malevolent super-monkeys bent on world conquest doesn't mean that violence solves anything.
In the end, it's all make-believe. The Parental Guidance kind, mind you, but make-believe all the same.
And to end on a stupid note: I tripped badly while getting off the jeepney on the commute home. Left knee now a freaking mess. Ma doesn't think x-ray is necessary. Easy for her to say.
Watched The Powerpuff Girls movie (after getting a long delayed haircut) and as I expected, it was cool. Shorter than I expected but cool. The Dexter's Lab cartoon "first act" was very Bill Wray in terms of animation, almost a departure from past (and current) DL cartoons. ANYway, the movie's not really there to impart social lessons to kids. It's more for the devoted fans, like yours truly (hope that doesn't come off as kinda gay). When I entered the cinemahouse it was full of parents and kids. I worried about these parents that equate PPG (and Cartoon Network in general) as to "safe kid viewing." Then again I may be underestimating a kid's intelligence when it comes to being able to tell that the PPG's beating up of malevolent super-monkeys bent on world conquest doesn't mean that violence solves anything.
In the end, it's all make-believe. The Parental Guidance kind, mind you, but make-believe all the same.
And to end on a stupid note: I tripped badly while getting off the jeepney on the commute home. Left knee now a freaking mess. Ma doesn't think x-ray is necessary. Easy for her to say.
Jul 13, 2002
True Faith for Free
Tonight (and by that I mean a few hours ago) Lynette invited me to watch a True Faith concert at Onstage in the Greenbelt Mall. Ma wasn't too enthusiastic about the idea as it was raining hard again and the concert would most likely start and end late into the evening, so I might end up stranded. I was able to convince her otherwise. The show wasn't too bad (front row seats), as I found myself familiar with the band's songs but unable to muster up the proper amount of excitement I would have had, say, The Corrs been performing. The real fans went nuts. Three women even went up onstage and boogied (or jiggled, to be precise) to lead vocalist Jun Dizon's (had to look his name up) rendition of Satisfaction and Just Can't Get Enough. Thelma came, as well. Ryan Agoncillo was the only "celebrity" sighting of the evening. I missed the one last encore song (slow one) just as Ma came to pick me up. Close calls with the floods on the drive home but (obviously) we made it.
Earlier in the workday Rachelle showed up to audition for the Touch Mobile voice icons. For a mousy voice she sure can do sexy. Charmaine came in the day before for the same. Little off in comic timing but otherwise okay.
Tonight (and by that I mean a few hours ago) Lynette invited me to watch a True Faith concert at Onstage in the Greenbelt Mall. Ma wasn't too enthusiastic about the idea as it was raining hard again and the concert would most likely start and end late into the evening, so I might end up stranded. I was able to convince her otherwise. The show wasn't too bad (front row seats), as I found myself familiar with the band's songs but unable to muster up the proper amount of excitement I would have had, say, The Corrs been performing. The real fans went nuts. Three women even went up onstage and boogied (or jiggled, to be precise) to lead vocalist Jun Dizon's (had to look his name up) rendition of Satisfaction and Just Can't Get Enough. Thelma came, as well. Ryan Agoncillo was the only "celebrity" sighting of the evening. I missed the one last encore song (slow one) just as Ma came to pick me up. Close calls with the floods on the drive home but (obviously) we made it.
Earlier in the workday Rachelle showed up to audition for the Touch Mobile voice icons. For a mousy voice she sure can do sexy. Charmaine came in the day before for the same. Little off in comic timing but otherwise okay.
Jul 11, 2002
Drowning in Books and Loving It
When I got home yesterday a bunch of trade paperbacks and graphic novels were on top of the filing cabinet waiting for me. Eleven books, half of year's worth of orders from the Discount Comic Book Service Shop December to May. Books that would've arrived earlier had my cousin Delwin not mixed them up with the comics I gave him to put up on Ebay for auction. But I can't bitch about that now 'coz the books are here! Sweet was all I could think of. Sweet. As usual though when I'm faced with this many comics I can't get worked up to read any them right now. Information overload.
Let's see, there's Powers: Roleplay, Murder Me Dead, Safe Area Gorazde, Captain Britain, Jar of Fools, You Are Here, Queen and Country, The Complete Copybook Tales, Definitve Goldfish, Definitive Jinx and Spider-Man's Tangled Web Volume 2.
Sweet.
When I got home yesterday a bunch of trade paperbacks and graphic novels were on top of the filing cabinet waiting for me. Eleven books, half of year's worth of orders from the Discount Comic Book Service Shop December to May. Books that would've arrived earlier had my cousin Delwin not mixed them up with the comics I gave him to put up on Ebay for auction. But I can't bitch about that now 'coz the books are here! Sweet was all I could think of. Sweet. As usual though when I'm faced with this many comics I can't get worked up to read any them right now. Information overload.
Let's see, there's Powers: Roleplay, Murder Me Dead, Safe Area Gorazde, Captain Britain, Jar of Fools, You Are Here, Queen and Country, The Complete Copybook Tales, Definitve Goldfish, Definitive Jinx and Spider-Man's Tangled Web Volume 2.
Sweet.
Jul 9, 2002
Rain, Rain, Go Away....No, Just GO.
Make that 4 days of almost non-stop rain. The gusty winds creeped me out for fear it would take the power out...and I was right. From 1:00 to 8:45 yesterday we had no water or electricity. (In an off-topic peeve, my downloads of Six Feet Under won't play properly if I adjust the video's brightness. It only plays right if I leave the original screen setting, which in this case is Too Freaking Dark. My guess is either I'm using up too much disk space, or anything that's 300MB up won't play well.)
Fortunately the power came back before 24 was about to air. The series is gripping with suspense, probably because I let my guard down and allow myself to fully enjoy it, meaning I might freak out if a miss a single episode. I do the same with Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Who's Line is it, Anyway?: shows where I actually laugh out loud.
Unfortunately the DSL was out, but while in the midst of trying to watch the too freaking dark download of SFU on the computer I saw a tail sticking out of the crevice of the office air conditioner. Instinctively I grabbed, and it turned out to be a mouse. (Gotcha!) To keep it from biting and crawling on my hand I twirled it around like a bola until I pinned it under the office chair (the one without the wheels) and crushed its thorax like a rolling pin.
...What? They're filthy.
Make that 4 days of almost non-stop rain. The gusty winds creeped me out for fear it would take the power out...and I was right. From 1:00 to 8:45 yesterday we had no water or electricity. (In an off-topic peeve, my downloads of Six Feet Under won't play properly if I adjust the video's brightness. It only plays right if I leave the original screen setting, which in this case is Too Freaking Dark. My guess is either I'm using up too much disk space, or anything that's 300MB up won't play well.)
Fortunately the power came back before 24 was about to air. The series is gripping with suspense, probably because I let my guard down and allow myself to fully enjoy it, meaning I might freak out if a miss a single episode. I do the same with Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Who's Line is it, Anyway?: shows where I actually laugh out loud.
Unfortunately the DSL was out, but while in the midst of trying to watch the too freaking dark download of SFU on the computer I saw a tail sticking out of the crevice of the office air conditioner. Instinctively I grabbed, and it turned out to be a mouse. (Gotcha!) To keep it from biting and crawling on my hand I twirled it around like a bola until I pinned it under the office chair (the one without the wheels) and crushed its thorax like a rolling pin.
...What? They're filthy.
Jul 7, 2002
Rain and RAN, RAN and Rain
Large storm clouds hover over Luzon, bringing almost non-stop rain for 2 days now. Stuck at home, not that I had other plans to begin with. Wonder if the SJCS Alumni Bowling finals pushed through today.
Asian Cinema premiered last night on AXN, featuring Ran by Akira Kurosawa (Shadow of the Vampire was on the night before last, but I missed the first "screening" and just recorded the second). Compelling, if ultimately depressing, movie. Lady Kaede was one evil (or vindictive) bitch. After some research I found out that Ran was based on Shakespeare's King Lear. I thought the story felt familiar. Honestly, though, I have no right to say that since I've never read Lear. Not even the Classics Illustrated version.
Something about rainy days (or the inability to leave the house) compels my mother to start cleaning out the bodegas. As with my organizing my plastic bags and backing boards, if not done quickly I lose interest in it just as quickly and just toss everything back in. Status quo. This time we managed to label some boxes ("plumbing equipment," "porcelain decors," etc.) and shred some office documents before I started to get bored. By this time I should be working out (soreness in neck almost gone now) but the treadmill's acting up. That makes it 3 whole days of no proper exercise. I feel my gut expanding as I type. 'Course it might be the fish fillets I had for dinner.
Large storm clouds hover over Luzon, bringing almost non-stop rain for 2 days now. Stuck at home, not that I had other plans to begin with. Wonder if the SJCS Alumni Bowling finals pushed through today.
Asian Cinema premiered last night on AXN, featuring Ran by Akira Kurosawa (Shadow of the Vampire was on the night before last, but I missed the first "screening" and just recorded the second). Compelling, if ultimately depressing, movie. Lady Kaede was one evil (or vindictive) bitch. After some research I found out that Ran was based on Shakespeare's King Lear. I thought the story felt familiar. Honestly, though, I have no right to say that since I've never read Lear. Not even the Classics Illustrated version.
Something about rainy days (or the inability to leave the house) compels my mother to start cleaning out the bodegas. As with my organizing my plastic bags and backing boards, if not done quickly I lose interest in it just as quickly and just toss everything back in. Status quo. This time we managed to label some boxes ("plumbing equipment," "porcelain decors," etc.) and shred some office documents before I started to get bored. By this time I should be working out (soreness in neck almost gone now) but the treadmill's acting up. That makes it 3 whole days of no proper exercise. I feel my gut expanding as I type. 'Course it might be the fish fillets I had for dinner.
Jul 4, 2002
Ze Pain, Ze Pain!!!
Woke up this morning with an excruciating crick on my neck (and a slight tingling just below my right shoulder). After dismissing the possibility of this being karma for not going to the office (telecommuted today), I tried getting up. God, did it hurt. There's never one of those neck braces you see on TV around when you need one, or the Batman mask that prevented Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney from moving their head. Two Salompas plasters and Tiger Balm provide little relief. I moved like a malfunctioning C3PO. Couldn't lie down without going, "Ungh."
After lunch, Pa brought me to a manghihilot (part masseuse, part physical therapist without the license) in Binondo. After slapping on the massaging oil the old man worked on my back and right arm, and his (I assume) knowledge of pressure points almost did me in. For an old guy his fingers sure moved fast, like Jacky Chan's mentor in Drunken Master. I didn't pass out from the pain, but I was ticklish on the arm and was wincing and giggling at the same time. It was like being speed-pinched by The Flash. After the session I was thinking how all that muscle kneading would've made a good torture technique.
Now I'm supposed to take some Alaxan tablets and not shower for today. Great. In pain and smelly. Worse, if I get better I won't be sure what did it: the drugs and the speed pinching.
For good news (not related to me): Russell's wife Beth gave birth to a healthy baby boy. C-section.
Woke up this morning with an excruciating crick on my neck (and a slight tingling just below my right shoulder). After dismissing the possibility of this being karma for not going to the office (telecommuted today), I tried getting up. God, did it hurt. There's never one of those neck braces you see on TV around when you need one, or the Batman mask that prevented Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney from moving their head. Two Salompas plasters and Tiger Balm provide little relief. I moved like a malfunctioning C3PO. Couldn't lie down without going, "Ungh."
After lunch, Pa brought me to a manghihilot (part masseuse, part physical therapist without the license) in Binondo. After slapping on the massaging oil the old man worked on my back and right arm, and his (I assume) knowledge of pressure points almost did me in. For an old guy his fingers sure moved fast, like Jacky Chan's mentor in Drunken Master. I didn't pass out from the pain, but I was ticklish on the arm and was wincing and giggling at the same time. It was like being speed-pinched by The Flash. After the session I was thinking how all that muscle kneading would've made a good torture technique.
Now I'm supposed to take some Alaxan tablets and not shower for today. Great. In pain and smelly. Worse, if I get better I won't be sure what did it: the drugs and the speed pinching.
For good news (not related to me): Russell's wife Beth gave birth to a healthy baby boy. C-section.
Jul 1, 2002
Bored, From Manila, It's Saturday Night!
As a mentioned before, trying to get a date was about as enjoyable as picking on an ingrown hair on your chin. Seems I used up all my good fortune after finding my driver's license and that hard-to-find issue of Top 10 #9. Everyone I asked had other plans ('cept for Caren J. Sy and Robbylyn So, who didn't reply at all). Out of a whim when my sister called the house I asked her if she wanted to watch Amelie with me. Surprisingly she said yes, but I had to drive. Fair enough. With our secretary Bebot, we picked up Sis at her place and headed for SM Manila.
The cinema was almost bare (w/c irritates me since Sis had me buy balcony tickets), but at least that meant I could put my feet up. The film was quirky but nice, though Bebot and Sis called it weird, I term I'd reserve for David Lynch's films.
As a mentioned before, trying to get a date was about as enjoyable as picking on an ingrown hair on your chin. Seems I used up all my good fortune after finding my driver's license and that hard-to-find issue of Top 10 #9. Everyone I asked had other plans ('cept for Caren J. Sy and Robbylyn So, who didn't reply at all). Out of a whim when my sister called the house I asked her if she wanted to watch Amelie with me. Surprisingly she said yes, but I had to drive. Fair enough. With our secretary Bebot, we picked up Sis at her place and headed for SM Manila.
The cinema was almost bare (w/c irritates me since Sis had me buy balcony tickets), but at least that meant I could put my feet up. The film was quirky but nice, though Bebot and Sis called it weird, I term I'd reserve for David Lynch's films.