BOOK: Calvin & Hobbes - It's a Magical World

Found this book by chance at National Bookstore while looking for manga. It was piled among the disregarded books at the back shelf and at a discount price. I immediately grabbed and paid for it. One of the best book purchases I've made.

I've been a fan of this comic strip by Bill Watterson ever since I first read it in some newspaper a long time ago and since have read every comic strip it circulated through the internet. It grabbed my attention because it can be understood in different ways. You could take it as it was written, an adventure of a irritating and joyful kid who has a love/hate relationship with is toy tiger. Or it can be understood philosophically, reading between the lines and reading that their is some logic to the rants to that little noisy kid. Later, I found out that the title of the book refers to two philosophers. And that we also share the same birthday. A great book indeed.

Need to be Next to You

Right here with you is right where I belong

I lose my mind if I can't see you

Without you there's nothing in this life 

That would make life worth living for

I can't make it if you're not there

I can't fight what I feel any more

Cause I need to be next to you...

The Rain Keeps on Going, Going, Going...

The river kin front of our house is on the verge of overflowing due to constant rain which started early this morning. And based on the weather satellite picture, it will go on until early this morning.

The threat of calamity when heavy rains occur is now at a high point because of the recent disaster in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City due to Typhong "Sendong". Everyone needs to be vigilant because it happens quickly and most often without warning.

Let's hope that all are safe in their homes even with the heavy rains.

Merry Christmas

Have a blessed Merry Christmas to Everyone.

Let's share.

BOOK: Pugad Baboy 23

Another Pugad Baboy has been added to my collection. It's 23rd part of the series. More Laugh Out Loud moments for me, to the irritation of my brother. Until the next collection.

My 1st Flash Gun: Nissin Di866 Mark II

My flash gun or external camera flash has arrived earlier this week. This would be my 1st time using it. I've yet to explore its uses aside from the automatic flash setting. Being a newbie in using this device, i have to read more about its proper use.

I've learned that this is best used off-camera but I have no spare change to buy a remote transceiver. For now, I have this to occupy my time.

This is a new frontier for me and I have to learn to use it fast. A wedding is waiting for me to cover in just two weeks.

MOVIE: Watchmen (2009)

Note: A repost from an article I wrote in March 20, 2009 in a blog that i've discontinued.

Who watches the Watchmen? That would be Me.

Two weeks ago, I went to another town to watch the movie Watchmen since we have no cinemas here. That was not my real intention but Plan A didn't materialize so I resorted to Plan B which is just to watch the movie adaptation of the graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN.

I was enthralled by the movie because of what I have heard of the graphic novel since I am an avid comic book fan of both Marvel and DC. Truth be told, I already had an electronic copy of this graphic novel years ago but failed to ready it. I got most of my information about the novel from Wikipedia and other websites after my friend gave a copy, saying that it was one of the best comic book ever made.

Even with all that information from the internet, I wasn't able to fully comprehend the story of the novel until I watched the movie adaptation. Since the 12 issue graphic novel cannot be all incorporated into a 2-hour movie, I'm currently revisiting my copy of the comic book to fill-up some gaps not found in the movie.

Nevertheless

We cannot change the painful past or bring back our loved one; nevertheless, we can live with gratitude for the love we had and for the life we shared – even though that love and life ended too soon. How will we live with the grief that has rocked our world? Will we get stuck in yesterday with the words “if only” or will be move ahead toward tomorrow with the word “nevertheless”?

Daniel T. Hans

It's the Season of Giving

In an unfair and unjust world, show a little kindness. It goes a long way. 

What better way to show it than this season of giving, Christmas. 

Share your blessing with another, maybe it will be the best present you could give yourself.

BOOK: Pugad Baboy X & XX

Pugad Baboy X

Pugad Baboy XX

I've read every collection released and will continue to do so with future releases. Sadly, some of my collection have been lost while I was still in college. And I plan on purchasing those old books in the future.

Pugad Baboy is a great addition to any book collection. It's funny, witty and contains great observational comedy.

Gaze at Each Other

"...What they do is the couple comes in and they kneel down in front of the
 whole congregation, and they just stare at each other, and nobody says a word 
unless they feel that God moves them to speak, or say something. 
And then after an hour or so, of just, uh, staring at each other, they’re married."

from the movie "Before Sunrise"

MOVIE: Ghost Town (2008)

Note: A repost from an article I wrote in May 13, 2009 in a blog that i've discontinued.

I've just finished watching the movie Ghost Town, starring Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear & Tea Leoni and found it quite remarkable. It's a comedy with clever jokes and a wonderful storyline featuring a different take on the idea of a ghost's "unfinished business". However, in this movie, we find out that it is not ghosts who have "unfinished businesses" but the people they left behind. Sort of the "letting go" idea.

I like the part of the movie where Gervais' character found out that she was in love with the woman that she haven't noticed before even though they lived in the same apartment building. It's that sort of realization that strikes me because I can actually happen in life. Maybe, I'm sentimental about that kind of idea but it was wonderful presented in the movie that it didn't seem like a cliche.

What do Birds Eat?

Can you see the bird?

It's helping itself to a mound of corn. 

RC Airplanes

I was transported back to my youth when I saw these radio-controlled aircraft, or RC Planes are it is commonly known. Upon looking at the planes and their sizes, i was completely amazed. These are not the one you seen in the mall. They're huge. Its almost as tall as me.

Since I was a child, I dreamed on having these as my toys, upon seeing them in movies, but I can't afford it. I had the chance to talk to a builder of these planes and inquired about the cost of these airplanes and they're still expensive but I could afford it now. However, after thinking about it, I decided that I still can't afford it because even if I could purchase one I couldn't afford the costs associated with it like maintenance, fuel, repairs, etc. It's still a toy for the rich boys.

For now, all i can do is appreciate and watch them soar through the skies. Maybe someday, just maybe.

Calvin and Hobbes: I Like to Set Kites Free

Freedom is a Right

Uniqueness in the Unimpressive

Genius is recognizing the uniqueness in the unimpressive. It is looking at 
a homely caterpillar, an ordinary egg and a selfish infant, 
and seeing a butterfly, an eagle and a saint.

William Arthur Ward

Private Conscience

Note: a repost from an article i've written in May 20, 2009 in a blog that i've discontinued

I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos. 

from"A Man for All Season"

I am watching once again the 1966 movie of Fred Zinneman about the Life of Sir Thomas More entitled " A Man for All Seasons". It a wonderful movie about standing one's group over an issue even at such insurmountable odds and dire consequences.

Dark Chocolate

Take a bite &

Unleash your dark side.

MOVIE: Beyond the Clouds (1995)

Note: a repost from an article i've written in December 30, 2008 in a blog that i've discontinued

Al di là delle nuvole (Italy)

Beyond the Clouds (USA)

Jenseits der Wolken (Germany)

Par-delà les nuages (France)

Beyond the Clouds is a film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and Wim Wenders (who directed Wings of Desire) released in 1995. This is the last film of Antonioni, who was a brilliant Italian director.

It is composed of four short stories linked by a journey of a film director played by John Malkovich, while thinking of his next film in Europe. The stories take place in Ferrara, Portofino, Aix en Provence and Paris with each story centered on a woman. They are Ines Sastre, Sophie Marceau, Chiara Caselli and Irene Jacob, four of the most beautiful women assembled in one film.

Each story at each end doesn’t explain the reasons by the characters became as such or why they acted that way. I think it invites as to speculate, to wonder why they are what they are.

I would define each story as, 1st – Unfulfilled love over time, 2nd – Meeting a person with Intriguing Personality, 3rd – Chance encounter leading to Infidelity, and 4th – Love at First Sight vs. Divine Love.

Of the four stories, I was struck by the first and last story.