A Jane Postcard from Jane

Yes, you read it right. You read "Jane" twice.

It was a complete surprise to have received this postcard this morning. It's from Bath! Yep, the place itself mentioned in the Jane Austen novels. It was sent by my ex-boss Jane. No kidding. She's really named Jane. She was at Bath last christmas. Oh, I can't believe the thoughtfulness!

Someday, I'm going to explore the places in the postcard.

Fully Booked

There is just something special about bookstores. They're the kind of place that call to me when I happen to pass by and I would oftentimes not be able to resist the calling. They must have me under a spell because with them, I am powerless.

That's exactly what happened a while ago when I was on my way to Glorietta for a friend's birthday dinner. I walked past Greenbelt 1, then 2...then, upon crossing to Greenbelt 3, I happened to look sideways and saw Fully Booked at the grounds of the new Greenbelt 5! I was mesmerized. It called to me. I had to find a way to check it out.

The store is amazing - all shelves are so well-filled and the displays are so enticing. And Starbucks within!!! Can there be a more perfect combination?

Lovin' it here. ;)

Pencils & Books

There is a price to pay when you don't do your tasks promptly. Early in the week, I knew I'd be needing these pencils (specifically Mongol 2) for an exam today but I kept on postponing buying them. Alas, when I finally did look for them yesterday, the bookstore no longer had those sold in threes. What remained were those sold in packs. But I only needed three!!!

What to do?

The exam was early the next day and it was already early evening, there was really nothing else to do but buy the entire set. Unless I dared go to another mall and buy the threes. But I no longer had the luxury of time nor the will.

And so, for procrastinating, I had to pay for 12 pencils when I needed only 3. Nice.

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Was at Glorietta 5's National Bookstore today, after the exam, and was so impressed with the "spaciousness". There were also so many new titles I wanted to buy! I reigned over the desire, however, because I still have "Blink" to start reading. Ah, but will definitely bite those sea of vampire novels when I'm done with a current project.

But - project or no project, Blink or no Blink, I couldn't resist to pick up this book which I am dying to read:

Outliers

Outliers deserves its bestseller status. Malcolm Gladwell's book offers a fresh perspective on the mechanics of success (uh well, at least to me). That's what books should do. Open your mind, that is.

I especially like the part where it tells that individual merit is NOT everything. I grew up thinking that success can be reached as long as you work hard. Outliers does not dispute this, but boldly adds that hardwork alone will not do it. The opportunities you were presented with are critical factors too.

Bill Gates is a genius, yes. But he also had access to a high-tech computer when he was young, gaining exposure to technology that others in his age and time did not have. The Beatles were great. But they performed extremely well not only because they had been born with extraordinary talent but also because they had the chance to endless practice when they played for long hours in Hamburg (somewhere in Germany). The Jews are generally successful businessmen because their background provided the path for it.

I dare say the book allows losers a scapegoat: if you did not make it, probably it was not you but the opportunities around you that were lacking. Hehe. But the point really is, you have to consider factors outside of you to make things work. I really did not know this much before. But Outliers snapped me out of that old perspective. I like the new one. And I believe it is more reflective of the way things really are.

Pride and Prejudice

I have been running through this BBC series since last night. And I love, love, love it!!!

Revenge of the Sick

I feel like I've been offline for so long (despite that little note I wanted to put in days ago)! Ah, I'm going to make up for lost time. ;)

First off, I'm not completely well. Still have some cough. But at least, no more of the shivers. And as I said a post ago, I value my health more now than a week ago. ;)

Second, DON'T watch this movie. Or maybe it was just me and Popo. We both didn't like it. Gross, flat, disconnected, forced, pathetic. I couldn't wait for it to end.



Third, what a pleasant surprise to hear from someone you thought you'd never hear from again! =)

Fourth, I somehow feel that change has come. For me personally. In a big, intangible way. Maybe, I'm growing up after all. Life is taking such a different turn. Ah, perspective.

And fifth, I've started reading Robert Ludlum's "The Bourne Identity". It's been days but I haven't even got through half the book. It's not the book, I must say. There are just so many other things to do.

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

Best Finds 2008: Twilight Series (Books)

It used to be that the internet has totally gobbled up the reader in me. Before the net became second nature, my free time would be spent lost in a book. But technology has taken over (shouldn't) until Twilight bit me. Big time.

Twilight, and its sequels, brought back what I had long lost - enough interest in a book that I could not put it down. For the longest time, no book I've come across had captured me enough to want to finish reading in one sitting. And I kinda missed the experience. But Twilight cured me of that.

Twilight Musings and Twilight Series (labels) are testament to what the Twilight series have become in my life this year.

Twilight Twice

It's a Thursday-workday-night, and the movie is on its 2nd week, so, imagine my surprise at finding out that there were only a few seats left at a 6:30 PM show this evening. And these seats were mostly the first two rows to the screen!

One of the reasons I wanted to watch again was the theory that maybe, I didn't like the film for itself the first time because I sat too close to the screen. Ah, excuses.

Luckily, I was able to get a seat far enough for me not to be exposed too much to the vamps' powdered faces (make-up: thumbs down). Nothing has changed much from my original opinion of the film but there were some parts that I appreciated more. Those were the parts where I almost forgot about the book and simply let myself get carried away by the movie.

Still, I hope for a better New Moon.

(Regardless of my regard for the film, I grabbed this great CD on my way home. I really love the songs:)

Fave tracks:

1. Supermassive Black Hole (Muse)

2. Full Moon (The Black Ghosts)

3. Tremble for my Beloved (Collective Soul)

4. Eyes on Fire (Blue Foundation)

5. Flightless Bird (Iron & Wine)

Two Words

Low budget. If that still doesn't make sense, here are two more words: artistically disappointing.

I and four other twilighters trooped to Greenbelt last Wednesday to catch the midnight showing of Twilight - the one thing we all have been waiting for. I and the other twilighters left that theater unanimously feeling like we've been had.

The make-up was horrible. The script was flat. The scoring did not score. The special effects were not special. The editing needed more. The acting did not move me. The whole film was amateurish.

Twilight, was, the low budget film that it was. IF not for the books, I may never watch it again, as I will this weekend. ;) [A fan is a fan.] :)

Twilight Musings: Stars

Jasper, Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, Edward Cullen

Did I expect the actors to be anything like the Cullen kids in my mind? Hmmm. Well, I do not think I really had a face for any of them so it was quite easy to fit the actors' faces to the characters'. I had the easiest time with Rosalie, because women who are said to be outstandingly pretty in the books are often portrayed by blondes like the actress playing her. The Bond Girl who played Jane Bennett in Keira Knightley's Pride and Prejudice is an example.

I had the hardest time getting used to the on-screen Jasper (what's with the hair!) but I think eventually, the image stuck and actually gave more character to the character. Haha.

I think Ashley Greene fits Alice so well - the spiky hair, the cool fashion. =) Kellan Lutz, well, that bod explains all of Emmett's love for a good fight.

And Rob? Hmmm, no question on the messy hair - it's character itself. I think Rob is not as striking as the Edward I expected but it seems he did act so well, he gave Edward life on screen. But, regardless, I embrace anything and everything in that movie. Can't wait to finally see it. (The premiere buzz is cruel. My EQ, or what's left of it, is being tested to its limits.) =)

Twilight Musings: Dangerous

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STOP! If you have NOT read the Twilight books, stop reading NOW. This post and posts with this same foreword are my own thoughts on the series. They may contain SPOILERS and I know nobody wants to be spoiled in this respect. I'd also hate to be the one to kill the excitement for anybody who happens to drop by and read. So, in the words (and style) of author Stephenie Meyer: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
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Two things from the final pages of Breaking Dawn have been bugging me: Aro's wedding gift to Bella and Bella's newfound ability to lift her self-shield to let Edward see her thoughts. I feel something sinister about these two developments.

We know how Aro is. A schemer. Power-grabber. Cheater. So why would he send Bella an important jewelry for a wedding gift with nothing in it for him? I doubt he cared for Bella's or the Cullens' affection. Well, it may be possible that he wanted to simply be on their good side but he didn't have to send such a priceless gift. Unless, there's more to it for him.

I distinctly remember his words when he saw Bella wearing the gift at the battlefield. The book did not make a fuss on his words, but I fear that they were lethal: "I should have sent a note along with that gift". What could he have meant? My fear is, the gift is meant to do harm. Aro's comment was filled with sarcasm and malice.

And as for Bella's act of love, i.e., lifting her shield off herself so Edward could see how much he meant to her, I think it's an act of death as well. It's one thing for her enemies to know they could not touch her because her shield is natural and permanently attached to her, it's another for them to know that it could be lifted. It would take just a threat to Bella's loved one's life to get her to unshield herself.

Ah, Twilight can set a dormant imagination loose!

Twilight Musings: Alice

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STOP! If you have NOT read the Twilight books, stop reading NOW. This post and posts with this same foreword are my own thoughts on the series. They may contain SPOILERS and I know nobody wants to be spoiled in this respect. I'd also hate to be the one to kill the excitement for anybody who happens to drop by and read. So, in the words (and style) of author Stephenie Meyer: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
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Among Edward's siblings, I am most fond of Alice. Her special talent is quite useful, yes, but it's the way she uses it that makes her extra special. Her intentions are always to help, be kind, support. In Breaking Dawn, I think that it was her who saved the day, or equally with Bella at least.

I love the stubbornness. She may drive Bella crazy sometimes, but it's those moments of persistence (the birthday party, the clothes) that bring in the affection. She's a classic I'll-get-my-way-no-matter-what girl but it's the kind that let's you like her more because she is so only if she firmly believes getting her way is best for all.

I think, she is the best sister and potential sister-in-law that Edward and Bella, respectively, could have. She welcomed Bella like a true friend and sister, and stood by the lovers in their many times of need. I particularly loved the way she connived with Edward to keep Bella from coming to La Push at the height of the Bella-Jacob story, the fact that she took care of Bella when the latter was recovering from James' attack, and her frustration at Bella's fashion style.

Now that I think of it, though, I cannot recall if Alice's story - past - has been sufficiently told in the books. Ah, I would have to re-read. =)

The Problem

The problem with being teased to the max (see preceding post) is it changes your normal way of living.

As a rule, I don't buy hardbound books. I believe that if I had patience, I could save myself half the price for something that will have the same content regardless of the cover. And so, I usually end up getting myself the paperback.

But --- not this time.

Breaking Dawn has to complete the set. And so, it did:

Eclipse

Got this hardbound gem from Ynnah for a birthday present:

Cool, eh? Ah, there is no escaping the Twilight saga.

I was totally unaware of the books until I chanced upon this weird picture of an extremely pale, seemingly-dangerous, good-looking teener with the especially notable eyes and hair, in another friend's Facebook. I had to ask who he was, what the picture was about and why she was raving about it much. That's when I came to know about Edward.

The first book, "Twilight", was indeed a good read. I couldn't put it down. The thrill of the book for me, is not really the love story (I think Bella sometimes really gets way ahead of what it means to be 'devoted') but the anticipation of what's going to happen next. The book's basic story may be nothing new but unlike other books where you more or less know what's ahead, Twilight abounds with possibilities.

Then came "New Moon" which further made me think Bella is taking her relationship with Edward to unreasonable levels. Still, the book got me hooked. =)

And now, the third installment: Eclipse. Ah, I wonder what awaits.

Thanks, Ynnah.

Love Story

I caught about three-fourths of this 1970 classic at IBC 13 when I was about 13 years old. I felt so sorry for the girl who died and the guy she left behind that I cried buckets, as if it was I who lost somebody I deeply loved. Unfortunately, the channel no longer showed the title of the movie when it ended so I was not able to know what movie it was that really touched me.

But perhaps serendipity truly happens?

Fast forward to one fine day in college: my classmates and I were at a gazebo, waiting for our next class. Then here comes Ariane, returning a book she borrowed from Liza. The latter did not yet want the book returned though because there were a lot of things she was already carrying at that time. I nonchalantly asked what the book was about and finding that the plot interested me, I volunteered to take the book home with me. The book was Erich Segal's "Doctors" (which to this day remains one of my top faves).

The connection?

Erich wrote Love Story, the movie I saw many years back, which, till that day, I never knew the title of. But how was I to know that one of the novels listed in one of the pages of Doctors was the movie I saw years ago?

I don't exactly know. Perhaps there was a short description of it in the book, but I don't remember it being the case. I do remember, however, that something in me just knew that that was it - the movie I saw long ago was Love Story and none else.

I checked the book out and yes, I was right. That movie I fell in love with many years back, was the movie adaptation of the book which I was then reading.

Life really knows how to fix things that were left hanging.

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Lifted from my old blog dated 14 July 2004.

Katipunera and Other Poems

Finally got my hands on the book.

Katipunera and Other Poems was first published when I was in college. We discussed it in our English class right away, and as a culminating activity, we invited the author herself to share her thoughts on the book and her writing prowess in general. It was when we had a talk with her that I came to include her in my list of inspiring people.

Elsa Martinez Coscolluela, "Doc Elsie" as we used to call her, was the VP for Academic Affairs of our school. We did not really know her, unlike perhaps if she taught a subject or two, for then we'd know how she was as a teacher. But as it was, we saw her only by the school corridors (very rarely) and school functions. And so, although we've heard of her literary achievements (the last I heard, she had already won 23 Palanca awards!), and we're proud of her somehow, she was to us, still a figure from a distance - a woman we looked up to but beyond our reach.

That changed the day of the talk. Wouldn't you be amused to know that one of the poems in her book talked about her ex? Would you not understand the toils that go with her success if you learned that for one literary piece she made, she had to pack her things up and go somewhere away from their home (it was to their farm, if I remember right) just to finish her work undisturbed? Would you not be amazed at this woman who seem to be strict and serious about life if you learned that when she was younger, she loved the nightlife so much, she would go to the class she teaches still drunk from the night before?

Ah, perhaps she is the woman she is today because apart from talent, she has a zest for life that enables her to give insights even on the little things that we dismiss as nothing. Her first poem in the book is proof enough: it is about "Cobwebs".

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Lifted from my old blog dated 4th July 2004.

Pride and Prejudice

I'm a late bloomer...when it comes to Jane Austen, that is. I've heard of her, and how revered her works were, but young as I was, I heeded no such encouragements. Austen was a thing of the past and so I thought I did not have anything to do with her, or her books. But, it turns out, I had to eat my words.

I finally got to read her most popular book - Pride and Prejudice - and yes, you guessed right. I was smitten right through my literary core. Austen's keen and honest presentation of the ways of the people in her book was genius. The only aspect of the book that could beat this was the sharp, witty, brutal exchange of ideas between the book's main characters: Liz and Darcy. I really had a hard time keeping myself from grinning, giggling or laughing out loud every time Lizzy and Mr. Darcy threw barbs at each other.

Ah, thank God for the likes of Jane Austen.

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Lifted from my old blog dated 19th June 2004.