brrr...

Being pessimistic ensures that you don't get too dissapointed when bad things go your way, and when good things do happen you'll just get mildly surprised.
On the other hand, optimists never really do get to feel down because they always look at the brighter side of things.

It's already the -ber months...

NeXt

NeXt by Michael Crichton is a certified bestseller and is already available in International (paperback) Edition. It is a techno-thriller that delves into biotechnology and gene therapies in the points of view of its many players (patients, research animals, researchers/scientists, policy-makers, lawyers, etc.) There are lots of technical terms in the book but it is not at all difficult to read or understand. The chapters are short and interspersed with "news clippings". The story revolves around several characters which are eventually interrelated. The whole theme and events in the book are actually based on current issues in gene-related technology facing the U.S. today. As Crichton put it :"This novel is fiction, except for the parts that aren't." Crichton then enumerates some of his compelling thoughts regarding the theme of his book at the end of the novel.

...Today there was a lunar eclipse, and according to the news, astrologers say Pisceans are among those profoundly affected by this heavenly phenomenon. Really? Well, that could explain (partly) the mixed emotions i'm currently feeling. :-p

depressed..

I have been depressed lately, more so the past few days. Going into the details of that would be boring. I have been trying to do a lot of things in order to cope and forget about it. These are some of the things that I have gone into, or did..
1. watch TV/channel surf - lots of good shows lately, just simply watching the news sometimes is enough.
2. watch movies

Evan Almighty is supposed to be a sort of sequel to Bruce Almighty but there really is no continuity except for God. The movie is quite funny, kind of inspirational too in a way.
3. listen to music - Sarah Geronimo's 4th album, as well as Sitti's new album, are easy to listen to.
4. indulge in food - as in expensive, fine dining. Grappa's is an italian resto that is not that expensive but the food is good enough.
5. ice cream - Dairy Queen has been getting a lot of visits from me. Blizzard!
6. drink/alcohol - I don't exactly get drunk but drinking San Mig Light at National Sports Grill sure feels cool and relaxing.
7. sex - uhm, no comment at this point, this is a General Patronage blog. :-p
8. date - okay, I admit I would be a real bore at this point so I dont do this. #7 and #8 are not exactly complimentary and can be exclusive of each other..
9. talk - not exactly to talk about my problems, just to talk in general about things and whatever with friends.
10. write/blog - which is what i'm doing right now.
11. read - currently finishing NeXt by Michael Crichton. High-tech read about biotechnology and gene therapies.
Fantastic Four by J. Michael Straczynski compiles issues 527-532 and is a good read.

12. clean/organize - things at home, throw away old stuff and the like.
13. exercise - too lazy to do this, but maybe soon. :-)
14. shop - buying shirts at Lacoste and books at Power Books and NBS, I finally realize how come this is therapeutic to women most of the time.
15. playing videogames - NBA Live 2007 is a great game, time flies fast when I get engrossed playing it.
16. surf the net - for whatever is interesting, usually sports & entertainment news.
17. pray/attend mass - well, I don't exactly understand why what happened happened, and what I can do at his point, so a little guidance won't hurt...

Getting depressed sure is costly. Bottom line is to GET BUSY while also PLANNING for the next steps.

Bourne Ultimatum

It is a great end to the Bourne series based on Robert Ludlum's novels. The movie is fast-paced and suspenseful from the start until the end. Lots of action but the movie requires you to listen and to think. (I answered a text message during the movie and I was almost completely lost when I got back to the movie.) There are some questions left unanswered, but I don't think there wil be another sequel to this one.

Power Books is on sale until the end of the month. National Bookstore is on sale until mid-September.

movies...

The Simpson's Movie is simply the TV series stretched to movie-length proportions. Same humor, same artwork, same outrageously insane Homer and Bart.


Rush Hour 3 is as hilarious as the first two. Bringing back Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker for a third movie proved successful again, based on box office tallies and reviews. The two of them have really good (comedy) chemistry. The movie has lots of unforgettable funny scenes.

I plan to watch The Bourne Ultimatum next...


Daredevil: Decalogue is volume 12 of the Daredevil TPB graphic novel/compilations. The story is quite good, but I did not like the art very much (too dark). There is not much action in this compilation, and the theme and aspects of the story make it too sensitive for younger readers. Daredevil has grown(?) into a much darker figure from the one that I had read when I was a kid.

Ratatouille, etc.

Funny movie! It was not that great or magical overall. but it was still a good movie to watch. The moral of this movie, I think, is that the truth always comes out in the end and that "anyone" can cook. :-)


There are new rules for taking liquids and other stuff through security onto international and domestic flights at the airport. These rules took effect last Aug. 1. Brochures were being given in the entrance to the airport. Basically, liquids, aerosols or gels should be 100mL or less and placed in a clear, transparent plastic bag no greater the 1L capacity in size. A person is only allowed 1 bag. Other stuff that are greater than 100mL should be surrendered, although you could place them in your check-in baggage beforehand. There are no new restrictions on what you can pack into your check-in baggages. For more information log on to http://www.miaa.gov.ph

It really is scary riding an airplane through rain... The whole cabin shakes and you can see the rain spattering the windows (aside from that, visibility is really poor). It does'nt help if your mom who is travelling with you is so frightened. :-p

In my previous blog entry, I wrote about the prayer for rain after every mass in catholic churches. It seems that it was quite effective what with the recent typhoons bringing about rain (and floods in certain areas). I actually got stuck in Bulacan for around 5 hours when the bus I was on could not continue because of severe flooding in several areas of the national road. We had to wait for the floods to subside somewhat. We were fortunate enough because by the time we got through Bulacan, the traffic was already so severe that several buses were already going back from where they came from.

anong meron?

latest trend... pagdarasal para bumuhas na ang ulan (lalo na sa mga lugar na may tag-tuyot) pagkatapos ng bawa't misa; 2007 census ng NSO...

celebrity sightings... sa Glorietta: Sen. Miguel Zubiri at asawa niya, sa Phil. Star photo exhibit; former PBB Teen Edition housemate Brenda Fox na walang kasama, tangkad pala niya...

shirt tales... babae na may t-shirt na ang nakasulat: " Coffee.. Chocolate.. Men.. some things are just better RICH!"... babae na naka-Nike shirt na ang nakasulat: "I like being on TOP!"

bagong labas... ikaapat na album ni Sarah Geronimo na pinamagatang Taking Flight; album ni Sitti na My Bossa Nova...

bagong kainan... Butter Diner sa may Araneta Center, sikat sa kanilang mga butter na may iba't-ibang lasa tulad ng Strawberry at Mango, na maaring ipatong sa pancakes o toasted bread...