highlights

dear blog,

sorry for the neglect. you must feel absolutely livid with me right now for totally ignoring you this long. despite the many things that have been happening since my last entry, i am afraid i just could not find the time, nor the energy to write. work as you may well know (or not, since i really don't write about it) has practically taken up my days and since it's a family business, duties extend way beyond your standard (and humane) 9-5 hours. my social life is obviously suffering due to this shift in my routine but like a mantra we have in the business, everything comes with a price (even with discounts, the price is still high). i still have vestiges in my day to enjoy non-work related activities, or so i call them, like go the the hardware store and buy locks and tiles for my OTHER job, or enjoy a cup of java at 1am on a weekday while battling sleep and trying to have some QT with my folks. but i really shouldn't complain. work is only just work, and family will always be a bit more lenient than the typical slave-driving boss. i really shouldn't ask for more... SO. to appease you for my very unforgivable absence, dearest blog, allow me to give you a synopsis of the highlight of my days.

* * * * *

i was able to watch ANGELS & DEMONS last tuesday, miraculously considering how late i leave the office, at trinoma with the cousins. had a sinful dinner comprising of spinach and cheese penne with uber deadly granny smith apples and cream courtesy of my gourmand aunt before rushing to the mall to hopefully catch the second to the last screening. we arrived 15mins before the show. fell in line at probably the slowest ticket queue ever (i'm not exaggerating, it was ridiculously slow) and got to our seats just before they finished showing the trailers. the theater was packed despite it being a weekday. it was supposed to be a stress-free evening, enjoying a good movie; savoring still a good meal; in the company of cool family. stress free... that was, until the entire row behind us suddenly decided it was their God-given duty to give a point by point commentary on the movie, as the plot unfolds. NOT ONLY DID THEY COMMENT LOUDLY WITHOUT EVEN BOTHERING TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THE WHISPER (which, in a movie house, i still would never encourage), THEY ALSO DECIDED IT BE THE PERFECT TIME TO GOSSIP AMONGST THEMSELVES WHEN A MEMBER OF THEIR "HERD" GOT THEIR ORDER FROM THE FOOD KIOSK WRONG AND WAS THREATENING TO "SUE" THEM FOR THE INCONVINIENCE THE CAUSED. i swear, sharp looks and "shush-es" could not quench their disrespect. a bazooka maybe, too bad i left mine in my other bag! these people had hides thick as the great wall of china and the conduct of nicaraguan howler monkeys... um, maybe not. i really shouldn't be so mean.... the howler monkeys don't deserve it. UGH!

* * * * *

notice currently that some young boys (and men who think that they're boys for that matter), in lieu probably of the latest hip hop craze that i really never bother myself with, wear these uber designed baseball caps and have them "float" on top of their heads. i mean float, since they don't really wear the caps, just have the lightly rest on top of their heads as if they have something large hidden underneath. this new manner of dress give these fellows an extra umph to the heights of their craniums, probably paying homage to the classy pouf madame marcos made vogue before, or even marie antoinette before that. anyways, though i really shouldn't comment on other people's fashion (or lack of it) sense, i have to draw the line if said sense becomes the major cause of me not enjoying my stress-free night. as if the row of turkeys sitting behind wasn't enough, we had to also contend with this moron who sat in front of us and his utterly inconsiderate cap. dude.... it's PITCH BLACK, no one will take notice if you have a bad hair day, or even if you have any hair to begin with since its, well.. its PITCH BLACK! also, the theater is the last place for one to try to look fashionable, unless it's a premier and if you're a celeb worth people's attention. now, since we are NOT at a premier and you are NOT a celeb, and that no one will give a rat's smelly ass that you are trying (desperately) to look cool since the theater is PITCH BLACK, explain to me why instead of robert langdon zipping in and out of rome, all i see is this mountain of a pain in the form of your cap in front of me? besides the fact that you are a moron?

explain here ..........................................................................................!!!!!!!!!!

* * * * *

we had a last supper of some sorts for my cousin, who is now back in the land of maple leaves, last wednesday at the cafe at ACE WATER SPA here along del monte. the food was so-so but the facilities of the place, after giving it a brief scan, i have to say is pretty impressive. the water spa of a european concept and according to my friend, is similar to this facility in bali wherein to go along a series of pools where jets of water massages you and practically, wash all your worries away. i wasn't able to try it out yet since i didn't have my swimming gear with me (you have to be in skin tight trunks, no shorts and shirt for the more discreet here) but i definitely wouldn't mind giving it a try in the future. most especially after that trinoma experience....

* * * * *

due to my utterly stubborn sheer shin, i am afraid i have to hang my running shoes for now and put my dreams of running a full marathon on hold. i have been suffering this sharp ache on my tibia for almost 2 months now and have done almost everything i know to get rid of it, from resting; taking anti-inflam meds; deep tissue massaging; even buying a new pair of shoes. unfortunately, like it's owner, it too doesn't know when to quit. so with the risks of suffering more serious injury if i choose to ignore the pain, i go on a marathon hiatus. my heart breaks when i see people run and my limbs now bear withdrawal symptoms of running long distances, but such is life. it was fun when it lasted.

* * * * *

since i now have no sport to challenge my endurance, i'm deciding to resurrect an old fascination of mine again, kickboxing. i had my first session of yaw-yan, or filipino kickboxing, last night at sarreal boxing gym here along banaue and almost died from my trainer. he was this short, lean, cut little bugger with the stamina of a bull! despite the fact that i couldn't understand him most of the time (he's a bit poor in giving uncoordinated people, like me, instructions) he was still able to have me do everything he wanted to knock the holy wind out of my lungs, that and probably half my weight in water since i was dripping wet by the end of our 2 hour, one-on-one session. did i mention this was my FIRST SESSION?!!! needless to say, i really did enjoy the workout. sure i was exhausted near to delirium, sure i was bruised and scratched and blistered from all that punching and kicking, sure i was wondering how i could get myself down 4 flights of stairs, sure i was apprehensive if i could manage to drive myself home, but the adrenaline and endorphin rush i was in was all worth it. can't wait to go back!

so there you have it, blog. the few highlights of my days. the same ones i have not had the time to document since, like what i should be doing now as i write, i should be working.

really.... i should.


lovingly yours,

jamie, the polar bear

winner

she won... thank goodness she won. i was gobsmacked on my seat, in disbelief of what i had just witnessed.

"holy.... CRAP! what the hell was that?" was all i could think about as ralph fiennes' voice faded into the background, just before they started rolling the credits for "the reader". it was a spur of the moment choice, this movie, since my friend and i originally wanted to watch "watchmen". however, this being the first weekend it was out, plus that we got to the cinema late, it was no surprise that all the good seats at the good times were already taken. left with either watching john lloyd and sarah get mushy or this oscar award-nominated piece, the decision obviously wasn't that hard to make. (for me that is. my friend on the other hand looked like he still needed some convincing. "iiwan kita!!" my words eventually did the trick. hehehehe)


i had tried reading the book countless times but never seemed to manage getting through the first few pages. the narration bored me. but after seeing the movie now, i will try to give it another shot.

the movie, minus the really distracting and POOR editing, butchered probably to comply with archaic MTRCB regulations, was needless to say, beautiful. heartwrenchingly beautiful. so much, that i had to distract myself with nonsensical, technical dialogue on how kate winslett deserved her award just to keep myself objective enough from wailing like a 4-year old, pig tailed girl!!! the story, the characters, the actors who portrayed them, the score, the cinematography... i was captivated from beginning to end. it almost felt like i was in astral flight, going forward and backward in time in post-war germany, perusing into the lives of michael and his hannah.

i'm getting goosebumps just thinking about the movie again while writing this post.

there was a moral to this story, i am sure. i tried to process it in my head yet i could not grasp the wisdom in it just yet. i tried wording it out to my friend but i don't think it came out right, a result of physical fatugue and emotinal overload i guess. i recall saying hannah was "very practical", refering to how she contributed to the killing of hundreds during the holocust. "PRACTICAL!!!" i screamed in my head... how soooo... CHINESE!!!! ahahahahaha! my comment obviously did not suit my friend as i felt he gave me a strange look after hearing it and found myself now sharing a very awkward moment.

word vomit aside, there is still much to digest from this spectacular film. so much so that i will go and watch it again.... kuya got sold with my reaction, "ay ang ganda! OH. MY. GOD. kuya..... wala akong masabi.... si kate winslett, WINNER, as IN!!!"

hehehehehe.... i could not help but be convincing.

* * * * *

fast forward to the next day... sunday.

i had a deja vu of a day, well, deja vu in reverse since i had dinner after the movie and not before, like i did on saturday... ANYWAY. so there i was, giddy with kuya since i was watching a movie again, a day after i saw it. i don't know why, the idea just tickled me, like it was the ultimate form of spoiling, to do exactly what you did the day before.

tickets bought, kuya and i say on the seats just on the opposite end of the seats me and my friend sat the previous day. another detailed that amused me. opening credits started, ralph fiennes entered.... that was as far as the magic of the movie went for me. there were near-emo moments here and there but i just never got myself to that point SINCE there was this group of IDIOTS sitting beside kuya.... a fugly guy, his equally fugly girl, and her possy of bitches.... everytime the story would pick up, they would go on a giggling frenzy. i swear... i ITCHED to create a scene and just tell them off.

why do some people have no sense of courtesy and consideration? WHY? i gave some of the girls the evil look and i knew that they saw me eye them. nothing... i doubt my implied irritation didn't even mark a dimple of their calloused hides! i am quick to temper really, quicker now since i have noticed how stupider people seem to have become, but sitting beside kuya, exercising the patience of a saint made me reconsider unleashing the wrath of god onto these individuals. kuya just sat there and enjoyed the movie. he laughed at the sweet moments, and remained silent as the mood became serious. i tried to emulate his calm... tried. but my peace had already been disrupted and i soon found it more entertaining devising unspeakable ways of eradicating pests like these kids off the face of the earth!

giggle, giggle, mumble, mumble.... they just wouldn't stop. i heard someone shush them but it only hindered them for like, 2 seconds. as the movie ended and the credits rolled, kuya got up and started walking down the aisle even before the theater lights went on. i followed suit. in chinese he remarked to me how sad the movie was.... and how irritating those kids were. he hoped that they were UGLY! hmmm, not necessarily the wrath of god, but the comment, plus the smile it gave me was enough for me to forget bazooka-ing their eff'n faces. but now that i think of it, i should have done it still. would have done a lot of people a lot of good i think.

the curious case of benjamin button

i first heard about this movie from kuya a few weeks ago after he chanced upon its trailer. i could not fully recall what he was saying except that he kept repeating how beautiful cate blanchett was in the movie (he knows i'm a fan) and how interesting the plot of the story was. i didn't even recall what the title of the movie was even after i personally saw the posters plastered all over Davao when i went to visit last month. by that time however, my attention had already been captured since the title of the movie carried a very mysterious lure to it, coupled with that fact that cate blanchett (kasi fan nga ako, diba!?) was also a main character, for truly, the curious case of benjamin button was indeed, curious.

watching the last full show last night at greenbelt was a bit too indulgent if i may say so but i sincerely could not prolong the wait any longer. risking the ire of a dotting, over protective mom for inconveniencing ourselves and others for coming home so late just for a movie... i bought the tickets anyway for the 11:15 screening.

people i knew had already seen it when it came out on thurday and from their strained looks, i also knew they were just DYING to tell me the story and how much they loved it. at the risk of instantaneous DEATH by decapitation with my machete, i have forewarned them all about spoiling it for me. i am very protective of my movie viewing, more so since i have no other "vice" besides that. the escape movie watching provides for me is one that i relish with gusto, a guilty pleasure, though not as guilty as having *toot* inside the *toot*, it serves it's purpose still as i come out of the theater, fully satisfied. it of course needs to be said that i become even more excited when the experience involves majestic cate blanchett and hearing uber thick voice. some of my friends laugh at my misplaced fervor... then i show them my machete. hehehehe.

the movie was as how i had expected it to be.... simply beautiful. it was sweet, tender, lovely, touching, and just riveted with great acting! from beginning to end i was captivated. brad pitt was superb, though i have always thought he simply gets by with his looks, his performance in this movie was definitely spectacular. cate blanchett was impeccable as always, i knew this much already. her style, her grace, her presence was utterly mesmerizing, even if buried in heavy make up! i just wished i could have heard her beautiful diction again. i missed it in the movie. tilda swinton, though her part was short, was equally magnificent. i recall keanu reeves saying once how he wanted to play opposite her in constantine... this is why. she won an academy award last year, this is why. i know only so few actors who by simple exercising a brief stare could freeze you in your seats. tilda can execute such a stare. the talk, the walk, the way she handles herself on screen was just perfect.

as the credits rolled after the movie ended, i found myself dumbfounded and speechless. a few moments later as kuya started to stir in his seat, equally awed, the words "oh... my... GOD!" finally escaped from my mouth. i swore if i wouldn't have looked like an idiot for doing it, i would have clapped and whistled (even if i don't know how) when the lights went on after the movie. i was in ecstasy! it has been a LONG time since i have experienced watching a well made movie. it has been even LONGER since i have seen one made as well as this, the english patient was the last one.

apart from the great acting, the superb actors, the cinematography and all the other technical aspects of the film, what i liked probably the most was the story. despite the complex plot and rather intriguing premise of a child being born old, who grew younger as he aged, the story felt surprisingly simple to digest. it was a story about people, everyday, ordinary people (yes, i bump into pygmies regularly!) and about the lives we lead. it told the story of our joys; our pains; our hopes; our regrets; our dreams; our realities; our loves; our losses; our humble beginnings, and our eventual ends. it was a story about the earnest pursuit of living.

ahhhh, lovely.

a series of (un) connected events

i originally fell in "love" with the actor, who wouldn't with a face like that? but found myself falling in love with the story more, who wouldn't with a plot like that?

"If we can love someone so much,
how will we be able to handle it one day
when we are separated?
And if being separated is a part of life,
and you know about separation well,
is it possible that we can love someone
and never be afraid of losing them?
[Or,] is it possible that we can live our entire life
without loving at all?"

though not really the drama queen people think i ought to be, i couldn't hold back the emotions while i sat in my chair and watched "love of siam" for the first time last weekend. i guess it felt rather appropriate since it voiced out a lot of the anxieties i have tried to bury in. anxieties that, in my moments of disinhibition, surface and just leave me all messed up.

one of my issues finally found its outlet and this movie got it full out in the open. it was rather a handful to handle quite honestly, too much for a weakling like me to bear in one go. that would probably explain why i found myself yet again, "running away" to the mall, the largest the country could offer, to loose myself. but with revelation comes clarity i suppose. with one cat out of the bag, one finds more room to actually move around, and breath, and think... think better. see clearer.

****

i found a message left by angkor last night. he said he was having a bad day. i sent him an SMS asking what was the matter (... peanut butter, irritatingly corny but an effective way of defusing anything). as i figured, it was work related. our worlds are becoming more and more parallel by the day.

we chatted for a bit, being "briefly" interrupted by my client calling me on my mobile.

he teased me that maybe my client had the hots for me. i responded that he's just jealous that my appeal is for mass patronage :) out of the blue, he asked if i watch pink films, to which i replied, yes. i told him about "love of siam" and how i simply just loved the movie. turns out, angkor was in love with it too. like opposite reflections touching the surface of a still pool, we connected. once again, we were on common ground.

****

"hello? dih ti to-loh lo ah?"
(where are you now?)

"tayuman. ka-nah?"
(tayuman, why?)

"bo-ah. qui dit bo tih'ia tio di e sya. di be' toh lay beh? di be kih gym pa ba?"
(nothing, just haven't heard from you the entire day. are you on you way home? are you still going to the gym?)

"hoh. pero gua be to kih tze."
(yes, but i'll go home first.)

"ok."

"ok."

mom doing what she uncannily does best, being (over) protective of her brood. her sense of smell for things amiss is legendary. i was fine, but she just needed to hear it from me. i don't think she believes me though.

****

on every seventh year, the israelites celebrate the sabbath year, the year of rest. understand this, a FULL year of rest. after seven sabbath years (49 years later), they celebrate the year of the jubilee (year 50), heralded by the sounding of a ram's horn on the tenth day of the seventh month, the day of atonement. on this year, all men in slavery were set free and all lost inheritance was returned to him.

"in present significance, to celebrate the year of the jubilee is to live each day without anxieties, no worries, no lack, no shortage, no sickness, no calamity, no problems. but rather, having all benefits and all things satisfying to our hearts. this for God is our daily jubilee. Christ had freed us from slavery and have made Himself as our everlasting inheritance to enjoy. "

a friend texted this to me this morning. just found it rather timely.