It seems everybody’s into photography these days. With the advanced equipment available and I believe more than a few beginner’s courses out there, I’ve been tempted to dabble more than once. Too bad it’s quite costly.
I’m quite satisfied with having a digital camera (borrowed from my sister) whenever I go to a new place (which is not very often) or have some event to attend to (still, never often enough). For now. I’ve pretty much exhausted my accounts in photo sharing sites. I’ve even received an e-mailinstructing me to order prints from my uploaded albums if I want to continue using the service.
Well, there are quite a number of similar sites online. I found one that offers canvas prints and photos on canvas. They also have works from different artists that you can order. Or you can upload your own photos with the easy-to-use virtual upload system, which lets you see an accurate representation of the image size and allows you to match it with your wall color. The prices are quite affordable and there’s even a Christmas sale going on. A photo on canvas may be a very good gift this holiday season.
Here’s something I’ve been eyeing for months now.
Of course, I’m not likely to get it anytime soon, but isn’t it just so pretty? When I accompanied my sister in buying her laptop, I did quite a few visits to the Sony Vaio booth just to admire this baby. I didn’t even bother to really look into the specs, I was mesmerized by the pink already. I’m sure, though, for its price alone, that the specs are up to par. I hope I get to own one before it gets phased out.
Here’s something to excite the Filipino theater-goers. The Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening will be staged here next year. See details at Gibbs Cadiz’ blog.
I’ve written about this musical here, here, and here (Warning: with a few personal rants).
I hope they get great talents for the lead roles. I’m beyond excited!
I heard the movie will open in Manila theaters next week.
For the benefit of those who will swarm the cinemas, here are a few tips from several media sources:
“Twilight” will probably be a huge disappointment to those expecting a horror film, a lot of good special effects, a kinky, sexual vampire picture or any combination of the above. More time during this movie is spent talking about going to the prom than drinking human blood. The climactic battle takes place in a ballet studio.
Advisory: This movie contains some violence and sensuality. This material also attracts packs of girls with extremely high-pitched voices, who will scream every time their favorite character comes onscreen. Bring earplugs, or sit at least six rows away from anyone female between the ages of 12 and 15. - Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle.
Stewart and Pattinson lack chemistry. Her subtle acting does not serve her well in this overheated setting. As Bella, she seems to have two expressions: blank and slightly less blank.
Pattinson’s native English accent comes through at inopportune moments.
Meyer is said to have been involved in the production of Twilight, but her novel was substantially more absorbing than the unintentionally funny and quickly forgettable film. - Claudia Puig, USA Today
On screen, Twilight is repetitive and a tad sodden, too prosaic to really soar. But Hardwicke stirs this teen pulp to a pleasing simmer. - Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Other reviews:
LA Times: The critics weigh in.
Better yet, go to rottentomatoes.
I finally received the book (The Selected Poetry of Ranier Maria Rilke) I ordered from Ebay, yay! It took a total of 18 days, coming from Louisville, KY, but it was so worth the wait. I almost forgot that it’s a dual-language book, with the German poems on the left and the English translation on the right. I was actually a bit thrown off to see a few of my favorite poems translated differently, but Stephen Mitchell’s translation is generally considered to be the best ones out there so I’m not complaining.
Anyway, let me just reiterate that I love shopping online. Mainly because I find items that I cannot find in local stores, although I must say the last one I bought before the book is a pair of earings - pearls. If you look hard enough, youcan even find great bargains and get your items much cheaper than the store prices. If you’re not iffy about buying second-hand items, you’ll find lots of that too.
The only thing that surprised me about the things people are selling online is that even genuine jewelries that cost hundreds of thousands are available. I wonder how the parties go about such kind of transactions. Anyway, there are legitimate sources if you’re looking for nice stuff online. Like if you want pearls, or if you’re looking for specific types like australia pearls and akoya pearls, there are Web sites that provide secure transactions to keep your financial details safe. Just learn how to spot bogus offers and Web sites.
Our office is finally catching on the Christmas spirit. I’ve been commenting on the fact that in the last few years, the lights have been a bit fewer, the songs a bit lesser heard, and the merriment a lot less apparent. Maybe it’s the economy. It has to be it; it’s just so hard to be fancy these days because that would cost a lot of money, which not many people have now.
Which is not to say people shouldn’t be excited. I still think that to most, the coming holidays still mean a lot and that people still go out there to decorate and have parties; mommies are still looking for Christmas gift ideas for men for their hubbies and toys for the little ones; companies are still giving out bonuses to employees (this is just much wishful thinking on my part).
As for me, December isn’t usually my favorite month. But the many days without work is enough to get me excited about all of it. Plus, this will be the first year I’ll get to attend company-wide year-end celebration,soI guess that counts for something.
Days really go by fast, huh?! In no time, it will be 2009 and it’s going to be new year’s resolution aplenty. Better start making my list.
Sometimes you let yourself look gullible just because you see through other people’s motives. Scratch that. Sometimes I let myself look stupidly amenable when I’m being lied to. It’s just a game I play. Not in a playstation 3 fun kind of way, but in a wait-till-I-can-make-you-see-the-error-of-your-ways way.
Let me tell you something about people who don’t talk too much. Most of the time they think too much. Take that as you will. Truth is, I don’t want to say anything else.
Here’s a new TV show I’ll sure be looking forward to watch - Dollhouse. It won’t premier till February 2009, though.
The show focuses on a group of people known as “Actives” or “Dolls.” These are people who had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas, including memory, muscle memory, skills, and language, for different assignments. They’re then hired out for particular jobs, crimes, fantasies, and occasional good deeds. From the trailer, it has sort of an Alias feel to it, or maybe it’s just because of the missions and handlers, and all that covert operation stuff. I’m expecting fist fights, explosions, and car chases that no car insurance company will be happy about.
I’m pretty sure this one will be a hit. First, it is created by Joss Whedon. Also, the show will be headlined by Eliza Dushku, who played Faith the Slayer in Joss Whedon’s cult classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They’re like two of the coolest people on earth! Ok, I got a little carried away there. Been watching too much Buffy.
After our badminton game last Saturday, my friend and I had our dinner at McDonald’s. Over french fries and spaghetti, we talked about future plans and options. The thing is, we don’t have any. Or if we have, we didn’t really spill them out.
We talked about boys a little and the increasingly bleak hope of finding that one great love thing (that’s mostly me). But I won’t talk about it because it’s just, well, pathetic. Then our conversation shifted to career stuff. We agree that our current job is not going to bring us anywhere special. Most of my friends and colleagues, when faced with this question, point to looking for any form of a small business opportunity to start with. I’m not sure if that road is something I’ll eventually take. But if not, what? I’m too old to be grappling with the question of what the future holds for me. It’s about time I start building my own.
I’m beginning to love Saturdays without overtime work. Now, that’s a first. Believe me.
Saturdays are for badminton and lately things are looking up - I now have friends who regularly play; plus there’s the Tuesday and Thursday morning group I recently found who are no less than welcoming. The only bad thing is that, ironically, I’m having trouble sleeping again so I’ve already missed two weeks of playing with the a.m. gang, and these past two Saturdays, I have been playing almost half the time less than I used to. Which is a pity when I truly believe that this sport can help one maintain weight far better than any fat burner can do. For the uninitiated, I do recommend trying this sport. Badminton is fun, cheap, and did I mention fun? It’s only physically demanding if you’ll choose to “upgrade” your skills. But if you’re just in it for the fun, go get some friends and hit the courts. It’s never too late to learn.
