Mind Travel

Been talking colleges and universities this weekend. My nephew is on his last year of high school and in a year would be embarking on higher education. (Which is code for fraternities, booze and college bunnies) As early as now we are shopping for schools.

On that note, I don’t think I was ever this excited when it was my time. Never the mind when, but marked difference is that now we can download the application forms (for the more progressive colleges anyways, some archaic schools still haven’t heard of PDF.) I remember Witty and I travelling to the universities of our pick and lining up just to get the forms. And all those fees! Gawd. I should really think about putting up a school. Seems like a good business. The entrance exams fees are unbelievable.

Anyhoo, we listed down the schools of choice for my computer obsessed nephew:

1. University of the Philippines – Of course. Can be Los Baños or Diliman. Although I can bet my left arm (And throw in my leg there) that my nephew’s more inclined towards LB. No surprise there. No more curfews, no more sermons. (5 days out of 7 anyway. Seems like a good deal.)

2. De La Salle University – I’m having a stroke now. But they do have a great ICT program. (Excuse me while I faint. Just the thought of the tuition fee is enough to make my already high blood pressure soar some more.)

3. Mapua Institute of Technology – Seems like a good idea. Needs to get me more info. I know they’re good with Engineering, dunno with computers though. Have to research.

4. University of Sto. Thomas – Go Tigers! (Tama ba?) This seems inevitable. Bumabaha pa rin ba dun? Makapagtanong nga.

5. Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Yey! I can happily live with this. I think my social and financial standing (Naks!) can take this.

We have a few more in our list, but for the most part I’m happy if he passes at least 3. That’ll be decent.
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Speaking of lists, here are some of my current faves and my acerbic, sometimes moronic, but definitely simplistic, comments and views on the body of people creating it.

The EW 1000

They listed the New Classics. Top 100 Music, Movies, TV shows in the past 25 years (1983-2008) that influenced pop culture.

I say bull. Here’s why:

Number 5 in the movie category is Toy Story, trumping Schindler’s List and the Fight Club. Number 10 is Moulin Rouge, again in a better standing than Schindler’s List and the Fight Club. Lion King is number 20 with no mention of The Little Mermaid (chuckling here) and then Speed was at 40. I swear we would have benefited more if Keanu was on speed during the filming. Then he wouldn’t have looked so bored during the scenes. It was such a waste of space. I agree with The Breakfast Club and the Scream. Kinda iffy with the Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind (Bored, had to watch it at least 3 times before I got it), good thing I just watched Y Tu Mamma Tambien last night. Commendation on putting Dazed and Confused and Clueless. One question though. Where’s St. Elmo’s Fire? If we’re talking about influences on Pop Culture, I think it deserves a mention in the 100 list. (Along with 16 Candles, maybe) I mean, shoot, the Naked Gun was listed at 52. Go figure.

Then the TV category didn’t have the cult classics like the A-Team, In Living Colors, Perfect Strangers, Doogie Howser, Murder She Wrote, or even kiddie classics like The Great Space Coaster and Fraggle Rock. I swear this list is bunk. And they dare include Lost and The Wire? WTF? Who the hell created this list? And let’s not forget the soaps that created the phenomenal (And totally mystifying) fad for shoulder pads. Where were Dynasty, Dallas, Falcon Crest and Knots Landing in the top 100?

Under the videogame list, I think they missed out on Counter Strike. Although is this considered as a videogame? And I don’t care who disagrees but I think when the Family Computer was just priced at PHP 999.99 I got addicted to Battle Tank, Gattaca, and Karateka with purpose. And why is Crash Bandicoot not in this list? Why!?! I know my nephew has been sniggering his ass off ‘coz I am totally addicted to this in his Playstation. But heck?! Seeing that Tasmanian thingy running, jumping and swaying his puny butt is enough to me happy on a cloudy day.

Now, on to the music category. When you see a list you always go for the music part first. Music is universal dude. It heals. It creates peace treaties. It transcends death and taxes. But then when Britney Spears gets listed in the Top 100 albums of the past 25 years, you know your leg is being pulled.

I stopped reading.

And yes John, I don’t know what being “digg-ed” is too. But if I ever am, I’ll celebrate with random shots of Absolut Berroca slash Extra Joss and blog about the momentous event. Maybe I'll put the digg logo everytime I create a post and see what happens.

Nah.

Haw-Haw.

Ok, so I just fell in love again. He sings, he plays the guitar, the piano and gawd knows what else. He has a bod that would put Beckham’s Klein posters to shame, and he has really great teeth.

His name is Gavin DeGraw. Hehe. Gotcha there.

I was watching a Jay Leno rerun and saw him singing. He’s… hmmm… That’s it! The weird thing though is if you listen to his music, the voice doesn’t really match up to the image. He is such a poster child for an all-American-hunk but his voice is Steven Tyler-ish. It’s disconcerting. Oh well, he’s still cute.

I attended our team building two Saturdays ago and had a blast at Villa Mapue. (As usual) The food was great. But it was too much for us to finish. I didn’t even get to taste some. I was too happy with the salads, the huge shrimps and the humongous crabs. It was heaven. Everyone was taking their allergy meds just to enjoy the food. Vinnie decided to experiment and bastardized our drink. Introducing the Absolut Berroca. It was bleh. I take Berroca when I’m hung over from a night of drinking. Now I can’t even smell it without remembering the taste of it mixed with vodka. It was one of the ickiest drinks I’ve ever tried. I like Ron’s version of “I Died” better. (Red Horse, Extra Joss and Grape Juice. I know, yuck!) But it got us drunk, so I guess it’s fine.

Here are some pics to commemorate the occasion. (I lurvs my new phone!)

The Beauties and The Asa Pa

Emote Ang Mga Lola And Ang Tatay Ng Future Inaanak Ko

Ang mga Goody-Goody at Pa-Goody-Goody with Boss Goodie (Daw)

Di-(DAW)-Nalalasing na Sales Lead Vinnie With Kahit-Hindi-Naka-inom-Mukhang-Lasing Peers

The Group Enjoying The Food While Yaya Grazie Looks After Fonzie

Hay naku, I just bet someone's hitting the print screen button right now. Haha!

'Till the next Team Building! (Kuno)

Why is it that when what life gives us falls short from what we expect that’s the time we turn to a higher power? It seems to me, only a sudden fall from grace has people bending their knees these days. It just seems too contrived when you suddenly start sprouting all this quotes and thoughts when your other hand holds a cig and you’re swigging a beer. Newsflash, just because you say you believe does not necessarily mean everything would come up roses. I commend you if you’re doing it for the right reasons, but if you’re only practicing because it seems like the thing to do at the time, well… I think you just lost the objective.

Just food for thought.

I wish I can have Angry John Seller’s life. I’d love to be angry all the time and be able to say it. Or write it down. That way, the sweet and really peaceful moments would be phenomenal.

On that note, I was watching CNN the other day and heard this ridiculous comment from Chris Danielsen from the Federation of the Blind. Apparently, the Hybrid and Prius (You know, the environment friendly cars? If you’ve never heard of this that means it’s time to get out from under the rock you have been living in.) causes a problem for the blinds since it’s too silent. They are now requiring the cars to make noise.

Hmm. Such a dilemma. I swear, if there’s no hunger, poverty, rising oil prices and overpriced commodities, this would be on everyone’s list as number 1.

And then I read Details and was subjected to John Sellers article about The Hollywood Gross-out Girls. I mean, it was nicely written, but I swear, the garbage that is/was/will be! And I like JS too. This was beyond tongue-in-cheek. It was too discriminatory to almost be funny. I know he was aiming for passé’ prose that would sound like a literary snot. But this one bordered on bad taste. With more than 90% of the world population being average looking, he goes and zeroes in on the Hollywood “IT” girls and their disgusting habits like it was status quo. I dunno if I’m making sense. I’m still trying to catch my breath. I’m too PO’ed. (I’m gonna find out the reason after much soul searching later, other than I’m part of the 90%. That seems too lame an excuse.)

I found a gem too in all this murk today. The list of Web’s 10 Most Hated People.

Number 10 is Rachel Ray. That was news to me. I know she can be irritating with her quips, but I really never hated the gal. Anybody who can cook in 30 minutes while talking a mile a second gets thumbs up from me.

Now, remember the Pinay who migrated to Hawaii and blogged about hating Filipino products like Eskinol? With her bad grammar and circa-late-1980’s photo shoot? Now… that one’s for the books. Or the polls. Whatever.

Speaking of polls, the primaries are over and Obama was declared as the Democrats’ bet for the 2008 Presidential run. With that said I want to share an article that had me chuckling, clacking (is there a word?) and heaving with dry laugh before I go home.

Here you go.

Background and Excerpts:

“As far as history goes and all of these quotes about people trying to guess what the history of the Bush administration is going to be, you know, I take great comfort in knowing that they don’t know what they are talking about, because history takes a long time for us to reach.” - Fox News Sunday, Feb10, 200

Guess who said that? Come-on guess? Give up?

It’s no other than George W. Bush, himself.

Now, another pop quiz: Did you get it? Did ‘ya? Did ‘ya?

HNN did a poll and asked what’s been the worst US Administration ever. It does not take a genius to figure it was Bush Jr’s. Here are some comments:

"Glib, contemptuous, ignorant, incurious, a dupe of anyone who humors his deluded belief in his heroic self, he has bankrupted the country with his disastrous war and his tax breaks for the rich, trampled on the Bill of Rights, appointed foxes in every henhouse, compounded the terrorist threat, turned a blind eye to torture and corruption and a looming ecological disaster, and squandered the rest of the world's goodwill. In short, no other president's faults have had so deleterious an effect on not only the country but the world at large."

One more time:

"Bush does only two things well. He knows how to make the very rich very much richer, and he has an amazing talent for f**king up everything else he even approaches. His administration has been the most reckless, dangerous, irresponsible, mendacious, arrogant, self-righteous, incompetent, and deeply corrupt one in all of American history."

Here are the graph for visual learners. I am a Trainer after all.

And another: (To drive the point accross)

Sorry auditory folks. Have a good friend read you the article. It’s a hoot! Good thing GMA only has the SWS do surveys here. And peeps don't pay that much attention to it too.

So that’s it before my 3 day weekend. Maximizing resources since my Internet at home is kaput. My nephew vacationed with me for a week and shot my phone bill to hell. I had to have the internet disconnected to teach everyone a lesson. (Including me.) I’m gonna get the Smart Bro kit later and go pre-paid. Better for my wallet.

For now, ciao bella! Happy Independence Day!

I read an article in Details that says telling people you’re tired is not nice. Then I guess I’m not nice then. I can live with that. Rather than tell people “I’m ok” or “I’m good” when I know and feel I’m not. What’s the point of answering them then?

Note to all: Don't ask if you don't want to know.

I think it was only last night that I told my Mom that I’m tired. So, that must mean I’m rude to my Mom. Fine. Again, if that’s the kind of rudeness that I can express, I can live with it.

Good thing it’s a long weekend. Time to re-group.

Do you know the adage: “When you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all.”? I am consciously practicing this. Sometimes there are lapses pero most of the time talaga naman pinid na lang ng bibig rather than comment. I try to do it pag mga little things that doesn’t matter naman ang mga usapan. Pero pag big things na, then I can’t help but spew really bad garbage. I swear minsan kahit ako gusto ko na busalan ang sarili kong bibig. Sana I can learn to just mentally and verbally say “No comment.”

I also hope that others would do this too. I have this friend who we’d call “Nega” na whenever you tell a story, di ka pa tapos, meron na agad syang negative comebacks or negative comments. For example, you tell Nega, “You know this gorgeous guy that I saw in this show, blah, blah, blah…” and then Nega would suddenly say “Ay, yun? He has really nasty breath and nasty yadda,yadda,yadda…” and the list goes on and on. So, I have no recourse but to just shut-up and not continue with the story. Kasi what’s the point? Wala na naman sense eh.

There’s this other friend naman na always on “up-at-arms” mode. We’ll call this friend “Shaun”. Every time you say something, si Shaun may comeback na agad na pa-bark. With matching voice inflection and taas pa ng kilay yan. Minsan ang hirap nang magsalita kasi alam mo naman na babarahin ka lang.

You might ask why they’re still my friends. Kasi Nega and Shaun didn’t used to be that way. Nega used to be so sweet and so open to kwentos. That’s one of the things I liked about Nega. Sobrang ganda ng mga bonding moments namin. Si Shaun naman has been a person who I used to tell everybody has a “good soul”. Shaun is always on the search to self improvement and always looks at the good things in life. Either sa personality ng isang tao, or sa situations. I used to love talking to Shaun about everything kasi Shaun makes me think. Ngayon, whenever I talk to either Nega or Shaun, napapapagod ako.

I know I’m really loud and sobrang brusko magsalita and gumalaw, so I wonder tuloy kung katulad din nila ako. You know… birds of the same feathers and all that sh*t. I really need to delve into this more. Baka mamaya, the same stuff that gets to me kanila Nega and Shaun, ganun din pala sa akin.

I told a friend these and he said maybe Nega and Shaun has been jaded in life na raw. I wonder if that’s it. Maybe they’re getting tired and can’t see the good things already. Maybe so many bad things are happening and they got tired of looking for the silver lining. ‘Coz eventually, they get disappointed. Is that it?

If yes, then I need to refocus. I don’t like people mentally and physically getting tired when they talk to me. I hope I never get jaded by life. I’d always like to believe there’s good in people, there’s a positive in every situation and that eventually, if you just work hard enough, things would turn out alright.

AMEN.

This made my day. And I badly needed the laugh too.

I saw the Sarah Silverman’s video with Matt Damon a couple of months ago. I though it was funny. But then I saw the revenge of Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Affleck and hand’s down it’s the winner. It was a big time production. Imagine having Brad Pitt deliver a cake with icing that read “Congratulations on f*cking Ben Affleck” on it. Or something to that effect. And Cameron Diaz making obscene gestures or Harrison Ford giving the new couple a flying kiss. It was hilarious!

That scene with Ben and Jimmy gazing out the window is class A, great script. And those hideous clothes! It was “Hagibis” meets “Freddie Mercury” meets “Richard Simmons”.

For those who have not seen it, go to YouTube now! Start in this order:

Where It All Started

Sarah and Matt’s Great Idea

Jimmy and Ben’s Revenge

Put it in you favorites, bookmark it and play whenver you need a laugh.

Enjoy!

Aubs showed me a trailer a couple of months ago of an indie film entitled Shelter. I finally got to watch it when I got this kick-ass link from Buquee. So here's the story. So for those of you who wants to watch, not read, don't continue down then.

It was about a guy discovering his first real love. The story is simple. Guy falls in-love with his bestfriend's brother, they get drunk, they kiss, he walks out, he comes back (couldn't help himself) they roll around the bed a couple of times and then when his bestfriend comes back from vacation, he suddenly got the scardy-cat running around his brains. It has all the cheesy twists and turns of another typical gay movie.

The differences though is marked in it's simplicity. First, he's one of two siblings and he is trying to be the father to his sister's son. He put's his dream of being an artist on hold to help his sister around the house. A sister who doesn't want the other guy around "influencing" her son. Another unexpected twist is when his best friend found out about the relationship it didn't suddenly turn into a tele-novela with fistfights and swearing. He actually started asking about their sex life after declaring it's weird that he's doing his brother. And then he gets jealous about loosing the friendship because they don't talk like before. He ends the conversation telling him they're still brothers, he hugs him and he fades out of the picture. It was a poignant moment.

I think the only character that I felt needed more dimension is the sister. She was bland and lacked the necessary fire. But it helped a little because she seemed unconscionable in her insistence that Zach’s (the lead) dreaming a pipe dream with his art. And that she needed to be with her man and if she needs to leave her kid behind for a year or so, then that’s what she’ll do. It really was a self-centered and selfish decision. But it woke up Zach into realizing that he won’t get anywhere if he doesn’t follow his dreams.

In the end, the dilemma hit too close to home. Setting aside the gay twist, the weighing scale of trying to decide with family on one side and dreams on the other is I think the biggest draw of this story for me. We as Filipinos take the family route more often. I don’t know if it’s cultural, but we tend to stand by our family through most decisions. They are THE priority. Love life and dreams be damned. But the end twist was nice. Turns out the sister wasn’t that much of a heartless bitch. She gave her son to Zach and his partner to be raised. So, all’s well that ends well.

Although I have to say we should all be so lucky when it comes to accepting our own sexuality as Zach did. It seemed almost too easy.

Well, (I have to remind myself) after all, at the end of the day, it is still JUST a movie.

Hail! Gale is back! And in the most unexpected venue too. He is now part of the Domestic Housewives roster of men. He's Susan's honey. Saw the teaser here during the season finale. He was on for about 10 sec. But it bodes well. I'm just not used to seeing him in a straight role. It'll take some getting used to.

The write up said, Gale's character is "a quick-witted, charming and buttoned-down suburbanite." Whatever that is. Cannot wait for DH's next season! I last saw Gale in Grey's Anatomy and he was perfect as a racist pig. I always liked it when he plays the ass-roles. Let's hope he is secretly part of a cult or of the mob who's into money laundering in DH. It'll be a waste if his characters turns out to be a goodie-goodie.

Finale of American Idol Season 7 was beyond great. The start with the two Davids wearing white looked so good. Then they opened with the Top 12. It was great seeing everyone together again. This time I have to say that I can tolerate Barbie more than that mumbling rocker-chick-wanna-be. The least she could have done was faked a smile for the benefit of the millions watching! Jason singing Hallelujah relaxed was a treat. Seeing MJ and Carly’s performance was surprising. They look good together. Too bad they're both married. (And I love hubby Tat Boy) Seal and Syesha looked volcanic howt dawg! (Channeling Randy. Ewwers.) And Brooke was, as always, trying to hurry a song. You got game girl? Slow down a bit next time.

The ZZ Top and David Cook performance was amazing. Cookie showed off his talent with the guitar. It’s still disconcerting to see him playing ‘coz he’s a leftie. But it’s worth it. The duet with him and Arche was good. But it was too obvious who dominated that performance. Arche looked and sounded like a mouse next to him. Poor fetus. Read that somewhere and thought it was hilarious. Another blogger calls him The Puppy. Hmm… I call him deer-caught-in-the-headlights. Gosh, I’m gonna be bashed now. Along with Mark Harris. It just might be worth it.

Some guest show highlights:

Can I just say that GM looked dry. (Moisturizer please!) but he’s still great. I love his song Praying For Time. It was the same one Carrie U. sang in IGB night. I loved his “pumipilantik” fingers. He is uber gay. And still uber fierce.

The montage with Glady’s Knight where the “chuwariwap” boys, Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Iron Man Robert Downy Jr. danced and sang was hilarious. Cracked me up. They are bringin’ sexy back. Watch out JT!

Donna Somers’ hydraulics dominated! The girl can still disco with the best o’ them. Go girl!

Reynaldo Lapuz was backed up by a marching band with matching cheer leaders. And he didn’t stop singing even when the music was already gone. Career. That’s why I love being a Filipino. I’m so proud. No. Really. And did Malubay gain a few? Hmm…

Speaking of gaining, I was mesmerized with Jordin’s dress. BIG BLING-BLING! I was holding my breath when she started skidding–running-skipping across the stage. I was so afraid she’ll break a heel and fall flat on her BIG BLING-BLING. ‘Nuff said.

Carrie U. was a vision. I was waiting for her blazer to pop open and do a Janet Jackson on live TV. I was so distracted I didn’t hear the lyrics of the song ‘till the middle. Carrie, what would Jesus say? He might take the wheel and run you over you naughty girl.

The duet with the guy apologizing and Arche was agonizing . I didn’t get it. They looked so mismatched and so off. Again, poor fetus.

And the big mistake of having Millie Sirus, ehem, Mylie Cyrus (Hope I spelled that right) during IGB night was replicated with her male counterparts, The Jonas Brothers. One of the brothers looked like a stick-thin piñada. With ruffles to match. (Yaya! The kurtina!) Well, at least he didn’t fall on his face this time. Literally. Like what happened in AMA a couple of months ago. Metaphorically, that’s another story. S.O.S. anybody. Put them out of their misery pulleezzz.

But after all the bad dancing and laughable fiascos, it was all worth it at the end. Cookie won! I cried, I jumped and shouted all the way. And out of all the 7 season finale’s that I’ve tracked, stalked and obsessed about, this is my fave. It’s only once you see the most talented and gorgeous idol sharing the winning song, the stage and the limelight with all 10 contestants. Congrats Cookie! Well played.

And on that final note, I bid adieu to my addiction. I am now readying myself for my withdrawal stage.

July 29 folks, Chris Daughtry, Eastwood. See you all there!

As for Idol: ‘Till January 09!