I’m not the type of person who always, and by that I mean always, babble about money or my lack of it. Sure, I’m guilty about worrying too much about it at times. Sure I’m guilty of not being frugal most times. But I don’t really dream about getting tons of them. Truly. Just enough would be fine. That’s why it’s funny when I realized that some of the closest friends I have or had, those who had the misfortune to really hear about my life dramas, have offered to give me parts of the fortune they are going to have just in case they win big time in a lottery. Hey, the thought was nice. Not that any of them really place bets or do gambling, even online gambling, and stuff.
People look at money differently. You can argue that that’s the reason why some people are filthy rich whereas some are just filthy (metaphorically speaking, mostly). Well, that’s beside the point of being born into a category. But whether you’re tight about money or you’re more free about it is, for me, a personal preference that desn’t really deviate far from personality deviations. Some people will scoff at the thought of online slots, whereas others might think they’re harmless. I really can’t say much about gambling, because truth is it’s not my thing, but in my mind the important thing is that you know your limits when spending money. It’s about avoiding the extremes in the way that it becomes the center of your life and all your problems. Well, I’m not really one to say anything about financial IQ and intelligent spending, but if my friends did win something someday and just in case they fulfill their promises, then… Wow, it’s nice to dream! Wouldn’t it be lovely?
How perfectly timed it is for me to get wind of the news that Keira Knightley is finally confirmed to play the part of Eliza Doolittle in the upcoming remake of the Audrey Hepburn classic My Fair Lady. I just finished watching Bend It Like Beckham and the latest episode of Glee where Emma sang I Could Have Danced All Night, that’s why.
I like Keira Knightley. I think she’s a great actress, and hearing that she was up against Scarlett Johansson for the part, I’m only too happy that Keira won because I cannot imagine Scarlett in the famous role, albeit both actresses aren’t particularly noted singers. It’s like imagining artificial christmas trees at the middle of the mall in June.
Apparently, Emma Thompson will write the screenplay, with Daniel Craig as the possible Professor Higgins. Joe Wright, who directed Keira in Atonement and Pride & Prejudice, will be at the helm.
I realized that I don’t know how to read a poetry book. Somehow I don’t think I’m expected to read it cover to cover, first page to last. I mean, I love poetry, since beyond the acne days of my youth, but I own only three poetry collections - Rainer Maria Rilke, Robert Frost, and Charles Baudelaire, with Rilke being the ultimate favorite. Although I’ve often wondered if its not Stephen Mitchell (translator) whose words I adore, because I do not find the same kind of “rush” or the same level of awe when I read other Rilke translations.
So, as I always do, I opened my book on a random page today and came up with these lines:
a billion stars go spinning through the night,
blazing high above your head.
But in you is the presence that
will be, when all the stars are dead.
-from Buddha in Glory
For some people, it takes a motivational speech; others are inspired by things and people they see everyday. Its not that I need poetry to propel me to continue on working to make my life worthwhile. But it helps. And these lines reminded me today that there’s still so much to do to make it count.
I was thinking of a totally clever title that is a total rip-off from one of the songs on the Spring Awakening soundtrack. I thought of Totally Stoked, but then I remembered that I wasn’t, after watching the Manila production of this hugely successful Steven Sater (words)/Duncan Shiek (music) musical.
First off, I adore Spring Awakening. I still can’t decide if I love the words or the score better, but I guess that’s really beside the point. Theme, of course, is never secondary. I know the people who I wouldn’t bring with me to watch the play, no matter how much I believe the music will appeal to anyone who is not tone deaf. There was a moment while I was there on my Php1,100 center loge seat, staring at Melchior Gabor (Joaquin Valdes) while he sings to me (well it felt that way at the time) “You watch me, just watch me,” that I thought this must be a typical Filipino parent’s worst nightmare - teenaged sons and daughters having subversive thoughts, (prematurely) exploring sexuality, engaging in homosexual behavior, contemplating suicide - because, really, how far have we gone from the 1890s Germany depicted in the play? Now, I do not intend to write a social commentary; I am merely a musical theater fan who is open enough, and mature enough, to appreciate what is going on onstage beyond the shock factors of nudity, sex, and violence. For one, I do not believe that Spring Awakening champions aberrant behavior among youths nor does it condone irrational restrictions (sometimes deceptions to protect what, to them, is taboo) from adults. Like any other piece of art, it merely imitates life - these things happen … around us … everyday; yes, child abuse and incest even.
I came with a group of friends who have listened to the original cast recording not just a few number of times; I think most of us can sing along word for word. It was curious that, during our post-show discussion (because, really, who watches anything with anyone and do not discuss after?), I realized that we actually had our focus on different things - who isn’t good with phrasing/diction, who isn’t fit for the part, who gave the best/mediocre performance, who has a single facial expression, heck even the actors’ body types - but in the end the verdict was that we were all disappointed by the overall quality of the production. Which is not to say that it doesn’t have its merits because I can tell you that when the company sang Totally Fucked, the level of energy in the auditorium rose to the point that its almost palpable. That, to me, was the best number of all. It was one of the few, if not the only one, song where I felt the cast was in perfect synthesis with one another.
We didn’t come to watch with unrealistic expectations. We didn’t go home regretting what we spent either (well, I’m really speaking for myself here). I just wish that I felt while watching what I felt while listening to the Off-Broadway Cast Recording. I can tell you exactly which parts I didn’t enjoy but let’s not bore ourselves with useless rants. If they stage this again, go watch. If anything, it will make you think about stuff and remind/introduce you to what a beautiful creation Steven Sater and Duncan Shiek came up with together.
Full credits here.
A wife who saw herself with an unknown man who is not her husband; the husband who saw himself return to his drinking ways while trying to solve a larger mystery for the FBI; a man who saw a daughter already lost, alive; a single female agent who saw herself pregnant; another agent who didn’t see anything. These are just some of the characters in the new TV series FlashForward who had a glimpse of the future - their future - when the entire world lost consciousness for 137 seconds due to an unexplained, still unknown, phenomenon. Every vision each person received corresponds to a specific time six months into the future.
Was it caused by man, a global conspiracy? Or was it a mystifying event that cannot be solved without giant leaps of faith? What will you do if you see a future that frightens you because it is different from what you expected; because nothing, not even your belly fat, apparently changes; because it seems too good to be true? What if you didn’t see anything? Would it scare you of your apparent lack of future? How will you live then, until that future arrives? Or would you do everything you can to fight it? These are just some of the questions that this hugely ambitious new series will try to answer. It’s already on its fifth episode this week and so far it has a strong showing. Definitely one of the best things on (American) TV these days.
I know I probably should have called my cellular phone service provider before writing this but I’m trying not to get my hopes up first. Besides, I haven’t heard of anyone who was given a free phone by being “loyal.” Well, there’s someone, who incidentally subscribes to the rival company, but that friend pays four times my usual monthly bill. Anyway, I was looking at my statement of account earlier today and saw that I have more than a thousand “loyalty points”, and I don’t know what the equivalent “reward” would be. I’m hoping a phone (please not Cell Phone Accessories) or at least a better deal when I apply for a renewal next month. I haven’t even started to look for recent models because the truth is, I’m planning to get whatever handset that would be free with my plan. Maybe a Samsung - I haven’t tried one of those cute flip phones. Maybe I’ll need Samsung Accessories to go with it, like a wireless headset perhaps, or other Samsung Rogue Accessories. I guess we’ll see.
I’ve just finished writing some articles about hypertension, high blood pressure, and heart attack, and suffice it to say it all made me want to go and hit the gym today despite the rainshower and gloomy weather outside. These past few weeks, I haven’t been able to play badminton or get any form of exercise because the typhoons got my entire attention - well, watching the news and monitoring and then more worrying, as my last few posts here would indicate. If only worries are effective fat burners for me, then I would be a stick by now. Not to whine, though, the weather won.It’s just too tempting to go back to bed when it’s cold and dark outside.
The past week of worrying about natural disasters depleted my interest in watching TV shows other than national/world news all the while trying to prepare by stocking up on food (just enough for a few days) and other supplies. I also prepared some rugs, not area rugs, because last week my DVDs got soaked by water dripping from the windows (I was a bit oblivious worrying about the rising flood outside).
Anyway, although I didn’t watch any, I did download new episodes of the shows I follow. The fall season has begun and almost all the hit shows have a new season in progress. Three new shows that I’m also going to check out are Glee, The Vampire Diaries, and FlashForward. Follow the Imdb links for now. We’ll get to them later.
Understandably, after a string of calamities that struck Southeast Asia in the past week, people are wondering how worse it can get. Here in the Philippines alone, the damage, material and emotional, has been overwhelming. Although it’s quite nice to see from Internet photos and viral videos that the Filipino is truly resilient and a good number are ready to give a helping hand. It’s a kind of spirit that makes you feel proud and hopeful.
There’s a lot to feel sad about and worry about these days. The new typhoon(s) is bringing such dread that you can see on TV how people are buying more stocks than they actually need. The groceries have been wiped out. I just hope everybody has enough to last the storm. This is no time to worry about weight loss pill. Be safe everyone. Be vigilant.
My mind’s blank now. I’m quite terrified of this typhoon Pepeng (Parma) and what kind of havoc it can bring to an already battered region. I don’t want more floods. I don’t want strong winds. The past weekend has proven that it is no longer a matter of wearing boots to cover your Clarks shoes. Areas previously free from flooding have been inundated. Not to mention the loss of lives and properties. It takes your breath away. I’m still hoping, and yes praying, that this time won’t be as bad.
