Deluge

Amazing how a lot of things can happen in one day. How a deluge of emotions can pass through the hours. How new thoughts can run in your head.

Today ---

I worried. Something unexpected came up. I hope it's not what it appears to be.

I was pleasantly surprised. The owner (I think, because he acts like one) of the Fiorgelato/Fior Cafe I've been raving about gave me a red rose. Perhaps for my growing loyalty (was there again for lunch today!). Unusual marketing gesture, but cool.

The rose, pictured against my laptop's desktop.

I got angry. Cable news today (forgot which one) reported about a 70+ year old man coming back to work as a greeter in a grocery store. Because he and his wife lost their entire savings/retirement money (USD700,000+) to Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme. Grrr. Madoff is staying in a million-dollar residence while his investors are picking up pieces of their lives he so knowingly shattered. Grrr.

I felt sad. Because.

I feel triumphant. After days of battling the irritating virus on my laptop, I've finally found a way to terminate it. Hah.

I Love You Because

"Synopsis

A modern day musical re-telling of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice with the genders reversed.

I Love You Because is a musical comedy about how Mr. and Ms. Wrong try to resist falling in love. Together they explore the nuances of dating and learning how to love someone, not in spite of their differences, but because of them.

It tells of the adventures of two brothers, one a stiff greeting card writer, the other free-spirited pedi-cab driver, and the women they date, a flaky photographer and an actuary."

I am reserving any thoughts till I get to see this tomorrow night.

Valerie, thanks for the heads up. ;)

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Photo and synopsis credit: Repertory Philippines

Fiorgelato

I think I have found a new refuge. Fiorgelato is just across the street from my workplace and although it opened last year, I never really got to check it out long enough to savor what it has to offer. Not until yesterday, that is.

My colleague Chao and I were on our way home when the idea of dropping by Fior popped up. Since she was game, we headed to the place and found ourselves pleasantly surprised. The food was good, and the coffee great. The prices were affordable and the ambience cool enough to hang around a little longer. I was so taken with the pancakes and coffee that I came back for them at lunchtime today. Hah. =)

I think, a lot more trips to the place are to be expected. I intend to try most in the menu. ;) (Oh, diet, where art thou?)

The Taylor Chronicles: Search

You just know that something is truly special if it makes you walk the extra mile. Or in this case, walk through record stores after record stores looking for only one thing: Taylor Swift's self-titled debut album.

I did not expect to be disappointed. I did not expect to find no such CD...or blank faces from store attendants when I would ask if they got Taylor Swift's CD. And as if their reaction isn't telling enough, attendants would then ask how her name is spelled. Whattttt? Where in the world have you been?!! Taylor...you don't know Taylor!?!

But then, if you go to stores after stores (Music One, Odyssey, Astro Vision, SM) and they tell you the same thing and display the same I-don't-know-her expression, you kinda learn to get the point. Taylor Swift's CD was NOT sold in the country. Will it ever be? The attendant I asked says she's not sure and gave the store's number for me to call in case I wanted to check again. (What a way to get rid of me! =)

When Taylor's second CD came out, I tried checking stores again. Maybe, local stores will finally catch on and carry her music. After all, didn't she just get triple platinum on the first one?! Apparently, the stores haven't heard that little bit.

I have tried other means possible. I checked online stores. However, though I am an avid fan, I am still a reasonable consumer. Shipping cost is twice the freakin' price! Why would I buy?! Besides, there were other ways. Such as, asking a friend from the States to get me the CDs (haven't seen him back in the country). Or asking a colleague who took a trip to Singapore to check if stores there sell Taylor's CDs. Apparently, the CDs are not carried in Asia at all (Asia isn't big on country music, I gather).

THANKFULLY, however, another colleague went for a vacation in the States and was gracious enough to get me the CDs I have been dying for months to get my hands on. And so, today, the above sought-after CDs came to me early in the mornin' and completed my day right then and there.

Juvi, thanks, thanks, thanks!

Best Finds 2008: Pride, Prejudice & Rain (Music Video)

It's already February but I believe I must add this one to my best finds last year. It's such a pleasure to watch. That Pride and Prejudice scene and the song and the way both were tweaked to come up with the vid... is genius.

Hope

Mama's Flowers

Something to remind me. That life is good. That this world is a beauty. That there is hope. (And that my new camera is quite good. Hehe.)

Gossip Boy

I don't know why but I really like this picture of Gossip Girl's Penn. I like his character in the series, but I'm not really a fan, so, the wonder. Hmmm.

Blast from the Past

I think I was in grade school or high school when I wrote this "poem". It basically talks about the time I was so anxious for a cousin to come home because I especially asked that he bring me the book I've been dying to read that time (the book was one of the "Anne of Green Gables" series).

When the Waiting's Almost Done

Time seems to tease you

When it very well knows

You have been there waiting

And waits for the coming.

The wind is blowing hard

And it is very cold

But still you sit waiting

Till that lonely train comes.

One by one, the others leave

Too cold, they can't stay

But you sit still and wait

You have to be there.

Time passes by swiftly

When you begin to realize

Time teases more

With possibilities you rather ignore.

It starts to dawn on you

The "what if...what if...what if..."

What if the train is never coming?

What if your love will never be there?

With hands shaking, lips quivering

Tears falling unchecked

Through the mist the awaited comes

The waiting is almost done.

Fast-forward to NOW, and I'm back in the same situation.

A colleague is coming back from the States in a couple of days and I am so looking forward to the day. You see, I asked her to buy me the CDs I couldn't find here in the country. Selfish, I know. But I think she knows it too (how excited I am for the CDs) and she doesn't mind. Hehe. I think I was able to demonstrate enough how much these CDs mean to me.

Ah, counting the days... (thanks in advance, Juvs). =)

Keepin' Me Posted #1

A week (or more?!) without a post. Wow. Must describe the kind of week I had. Hehe.

A couple of Great Finds have done really well recently and round-ups like this post are going to be a regular here to tell their (continuing) story (good or bad):

Taylor Swift's Fearless album topped Billboard 200 for 8 weeks (non-consecutive)! An amazing and rare feat, last I heard. Apparently, she's all over magazines and TV shows now (even Katie Couric is all praises). And, her 2009's almost all lined up for her tour! But hey, she's also going to perform at the 2009 Grammys! And, she's appearing on CSI this March! Dang.

On the other had, Tina Fey won the 2009 Golden Globe for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series-Musical or Comedy”. And again, her speech was the color of the night. ;)

Way to go, Great Finds!