Good and Eh...
Went to Robinson's Galleria and watched Gangs of New York with Wella. Three hours later she had dinner at Don Don (small Japanese restaurant), then we both commuted home. After dinner (at home) I finally watched The French Connection on DVD, which confirmed my earlier contention of not buying critically acclaimed classics on dvd, at least not until I've actually seen the film. As with other films made before 1980 there were scenes that, in my opinion, dragged on so much that if the film were made today it'd be on the "deleted" section of the dvd. (Which should make the viewing of the deleted scenes on this DVD interesting. Wonder what they considered "dragging scenes" back then?) Yep, it's another case of "if I knew then what I knew now" I wouldn't have bought it.
Mar 29, 2003
Mar 24, 2003
Enchanted Weekend Update
Saturday: Went to Virramall to look for comics for resale up on Ebay. Got two sets of the last Transmetropolitan story, 2 sets of 6 issues. For my personal collection I got John Arudi's Doom Patrol and Thunderbolts. After lunch I went to SM Centerpoint and watched Chicago. (Was supposed to watch it with Dee but she cancelled on me earlier that day.) Not as spectacular as Moulin Rouge, but a good flick, nontheless. I'd call it great but the film stock I watched looked as if 2 weeks of screening wore it out. Either that or the projectionist was drunk.
Sunday: Went with Sis, Bros and kids to Enchanted Kingdom. Though as prepared as I thought I was with an extra clothes (but, much to my regret later on, no extra underwear), it never occured to me bring sunblock. And was as hot as all-fuck. Good thing Sis brought 2 bottles (kid and adult). Rode the usual rides (Stan Lee's 7th Portal at the Realto was terrible), with the exception of the roller-coaster. Since Wilson and Sis were "the money," plus Wilson wanted to get away from the heat, for the first time I got to eat at one of the restaurants inside EK. Kids were more well-behaved than usual, which is always a good thing. Luck was not on my side at the Log Jam and Rio Grande rides, as I experienced a slight shower at the former but got soaked to the bone at the latter. Worst moment: waiting to get a videoshot of Sis and Boit coming down the Rio Grande for almost an hour, when it turns out I already missed them. Guess the line wasn't as long the 2nd time they got on. Surprising moment: seeing Patty Ragaza (Rachelle's classmate from DLSU) singning with the band playing at the food court. Frustrating moment: us leaving before she finished her set, and 10 minutes before the fireworks display.
Saturday: Went to Virramall to look for comics for resale up on Ebay. Got two sets of the last Transmetropolitan story, 2 sets of 6 issues. For my personal collection I got John Arudi's Doom Patrol and Thunderbolts. After lunch I went to SM Centerpoint and watched Chicago. (Was supposed to watch it with Dee but she cancelled on me earlier that day.) Not as spectacular as Moulin Rouge, but a good flick, nontheless. I'd call it great but the film stock I watched looked as if 2 weeks of screening wore it out. Either that or the projectionist was drunk.
Sunday: Went with Sis, Bros and kids to Enchanted Kingdom. Though as prepared as I thought I was with an extra clothes (but, much to my regret later on, no extra underwear), it never occured to me bring sunblock. And was as hot as all-fuck. Good thing Sis brought 2 bottles (kid and adult). Rode the usual rides (Stan Lee's 7th Portal at the Realto was terrible), with the exception of the roller-coaster. Since Wilson and Sis were "the money," plus Wilson wanted to get away from the heat, for the first time I got to eat at one of the restaurants inside EK. Kids were more well-behaved than usual, which is always a good thing. Luck was not on my side at the Log Jam and Rio Grande rides, as I experienced a slight shower at the former but got soaked to the bone at the latter. Worst moment: waiting to get a videoshot of Sis and Boit coming down the Rio Grande for almost an hour, when it turns out I already missed them. Guess the line wasn't as long the 2nd time they got on. Surprising moment: seeing Patty Ragaza (Rachelle's classmate from DLSU) singning with the band playing at the food court. Frustrating moment: us leaving before she finished her set, and 10 minutes before the fireworks display.
Mar 20, 2003
Mar 18, 2003
Mar 16, 2003
I'm Booked
Got a surprise today in the form of new comics from Albert (at least I think he brought it as I was dozin' at the time). Mostly big hardcovers this time, and no DVDs. Both Planetary books were pretty dented up, though. Hulk hardover stays shrink-wrapped. One surprise was the inclusion of The International Licensing Directory 1993/94, something that looks to be about at exiting a read as a phone book. Wonder what it's doing here?
Oh, yeah, Dad had the real birthday dinner last night at New World Hotel. Spotted Auston See and his family, but didn't recognize him right away, namewise. Kept staring at his sister Suzette 'coz I was equally unsure it was her. After dinner a few of us hung out by the pool area, then got called back downstairs because of a headcount discrepancy when the bill came. Suffice to say it was hard to find one specific "mysterious guy in red" at a Tsinoy dinner party. Turned out to be Raymond who kept jumping seats.
Got a surprise today in the form of new comics from Albert (at least I think he brought it as I was dozin' at the time). Mostly big hardcovers this time, and no DVDs. Both Planetary books were pretty dented up, though. Hulk hardover stays shrink-wrapped. One surprise was the inclusion of The International Licensing Directory 1993/94, something that looks to be about at exiting a read as a phone book. Wonder what it's doing here?
Oh, yeah, Dad had the real birthday dinner last night at New World Hotel. Spotted Auston See and his family, but didn't recognize him right away, namewise. Kept staring at his sister Suzette 'coz I was equally unsure it was her. After dinner a few of us hung out by the pool area, then got called back downstairs because of a headcount discrepancy when the bill came. Suffice to say it was hard to find one specific "mysterious guy in red" at a Tsinoy dinner party. Turned out to be Raymond who kept jumping seats.
Mar 14, 2003
Dad's B-day
Checked out the sale at Ayala malls but got nothing. Ma handled Pa's gift for me yesterday, so no problem there. Ironically Pa wasn't able to join us for dinner because of a dinner meeting at the Sy Association. Not that I'm complaining, as there was barely enough King Crab and Via Mare oysters to go around. Everyone was present for the family dinner, which turned into a gossip session about the househelp, courtesy of Ma, Jocelyn, Sis and Aissa. Frankly I don't think I can run this house in the future with all this backbiting. When Pa finally came home we played around with and kids and their blowing of the sole birthday candle, with Sis and Boit making full use of their newly acquired digital cameras.
Checked out the sale at Ayala malls but got nothing. Ma handled Pa's gift for me yesterday, so no problem there. Ironically Pa wasn't able to join us for dinner because of a dinner meeting at the Sy Association. Not that I'm complaining, as there was barely enough King Crab and Via Mare oysters to go around. Everyone was present for the family dinner, which turned into a gossip session about the househelp, courtesy of Ma, Jocelyn, Sis and Aissa. Frankly I don't think I can run this house in the future with all this backbiting. When Pa finally came home we played around with and kids and their blowing of the sole birthday candle, with Sis and Boit making full use of their newly acquired digital cameras.
On The (Voice) Job
Went back to DLSU yesterday for a new voice job for Wella's (as well as a follow-up session for Reena's) thesis with Rachelle. One challenge on the latter was screaming, as in screaming in fear, something I've never done in my life, well at least not in the way they wanted me to do it. Sure, there's been the occasional startled "Gah!" or the yelling while the roller coaster goes down, but I've never screamed like a woman. Still, I tried my best. Rache was less inhibited about the matter. Then again, being a girl of course she can scream like one.
Went back to DLSU yesterday for a new voice job for Wella's (as well as a follow-up session for Reena's) thesis with Rachelle. One challenge on the latter was screaming, as in screaming in fear, something I've never done in my life, well at least not in the way they wanted me to do it. Sure, there's been the occasional startled "Gah!" or the yelling while the roller coaster goes down, but I've never screamed like a woman. Still, I tried my best. Rache was less inhibited about the matter. Then again, being a girl of course she can scream like one.
Mar 8, 2003
What's Happened So Far...
Late update 'coz the DSL was on the fritz the past couple of days. Parents just got back yesterday from their Southeast Asian cruise via Star Cruise's Superstar Virgo. They got to see Singapore and Malaysia and came back all the oranger for it. Summer heat didn't help.
Two HBO series premiered Thursday on the Solar channel, of all places, The Wire and Oz. The former I was curious to see, though said curiousity quickly waned as I found it boring. The latter was a masterpiece compared to Wire. As proof of how old Oz is Edie Falco of Sopranos fame is in it, looking a bit...healthier then her current role of Carmela Soprano. Wire plays it too straight, while Oz reminds us that, for all its gritty realism the show is still fiction, making use of first person narration and cinematic flashback sequences. The lesson here? Just stick to the critically acclaimed HBO shows. No to Mind of a Married Man, yes to Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Late update 'coz the DSL was on the fritz the past couple of days. Parents just got back yesterday from their Southeast Asian cruise via Star Cruise's Superstar Virgo. They got to see Singapore and Malaysia and came back all the oranger for it. Summer heat didn't help.
Two HBO series premiered Thursday on the Solar channel, of all places, The Wire and Oz. The former I was curious to see, though said curiousity quickly waned as I found it boring. The latter was a masterpiece compared to Wire. As proof of how old Oz is Edie Falco of Sopranos fame is in it, looking a bit...healthier then her current role of Carmela Soprano. Wire plays it too straight, while Oz reminds us that, for all its gritty realism the show is still fiction, making use of first person narration and cinematic flashback sequences. The lesson here? Just stick to the critically acclaimed HBO shows. No to Mind of a Married Man, yes to Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Mar 2, 2003
Here's what I've heard:
There's this Senior student who got in trouble after racking up a huge gambling debt (reportedly ranging from 300K-1M!) from betting in NBA/ college basketball games. After the bookies (also Seniors) couldn't get the money from the student they went to see the Dad. When the Mom found out she told the principal. After a preliminary investigation it turns out a several Juniors and Seniors were into it, but only betting small amounts.
I don't know what's more shocking: the amount the Senior girl owes (yes, the student in trouble is FEMALE) or the very existence of
bookies and bettors in the school. (Then again I was naive enough to think that everyone from our batch would graduate high school still virgins, but's that's another story.)
Bettors and bookies have been identified. Girl (who according to now ex-friends definitely has a gambling problem) initially tried to pay
off the debt with a check that later bounced. Principal asked her not to pay off the debt, as the bookies (and the probably illegal
organization handling the money) don't want to go public with this. School is in a bind about what to do with the girl. She's about to
graduate. They're thinking of having the guilty parties perform community service (as opposed to conduct C, suspension or expulsion)
in school, though what's obviously needed is professional therapist.
Girl's father is no help as he seems to be a gambler as well and condones her daughters behavior ('cept for racking up the huge debt,
of course.) Girl's mother just agrees to what the father says. Girl is stuck on a dangerous path w/c she can't get of because SJCS lacks resources. Man, a lot's changed since I left high school.
There's this Senior student who got in trouble after racking up a huge gambling debt (reportedly ranging from 300K-1M!) from betting in NBA/ college basketball games. After the bookies (also Seniors) couldn't get the money from the student they went to see the Dad. When the Mom found out she told the principal. After a preliminary investigation it turns out a several Juniors and Seniors were into it, but only betting small amounts.
I don't know what's more shocking: the amount the Senior girl owes (yes, the student in trouble is FEMALE) or the very existence of
bookies and bettors in the school. (Then again I was naive enough to think that everyone from our batch would graduate high school still virgins, but's that's another story.)
Bettors and bookies have been identified. Girl (who according to now ex-friends definitely has a gambling problem) initially tried to pay
off the debt with a check that later bounced. Principal asked her not to pay off the debt, as the bookies (and the probably illegal
organization handling the money) don't want to go public with this. School is in a bind about what to do with the girl. She's about to
graduate. They're thinking of having the guilty parties perform community service (as opposed to conduct C, suspension or expulsion)
in school, though what's obviously needed is professional therapist.
Girl's father is no help as he seems to be a gambler as well and condones her daughters behavior ('cept for racking up the huge debt,
of course.) Girl's mother just agrees to what the father says. Girl is stuck on a dangerous path w/c she can't get of because SJCS lacks resources. Man, a lot's changed since I left high school.