Tarte Tatin

Trinket Time

2009-04-07T18:33:00.000+08:00

I was at Greenbelt the other day to have a nasty chimple (chin pimple, the cystic kind you get when you're hormonal) injected, when I ended up visiting two of my favorite stores.

One is this place (don't know if it has a name) that sells car accessories on one half of the store and cutesy trinkets on the other. I've been able to buy Disney stamps, keychains, shopping bags, etc, etc, and yesterday I bought paperclip/bookmark magnets:

I was happy to find Chip n' Dale, two of my favorite Disney characters (my mom used to rent Chip n' Dale cartoons when I was a kid). I thought they were different kinds, so I bought both, but upon closer inspection, I bought the same kind but saw the back of the other and thought it was different.

This one made me snort out a laugh loud enough for people to stare. I had to buy it:

I don't know if there really is such a breed of cat as "Mixed Bread." I wonder if they also like to drenk melk (and leck themselves clen).

My other favorite store is the Japan Home Centre. Everything used to be P88 except for some items (I saw a cute toilet paper holder in the shape of a giant toothpaste tube for P350). I end up buying so many useless knick-knacks there because I am taken in by the cheapness of it. My friend Karen just rolls her eyes at me and points to me the logic that P88 times a lot adds up to a lot.

I bought a Twitter bird looking Thermos holder (but it's downstairs and I'm too lazy to get it. Next post na lang.) and I bought this:

It's a giant Hello Kitty placemat. I figure I can use this as a mat to put my kit on whenever I have to set it on expensive surfaces (like when I have to do makeup for a shushaling socialite on her antique dining table).

It's most likely fake, but I don't give a rat's ass. It's cute and it doesn't look that fake:

It's an ID necklace/USB necklace/phone (lightweight) necklace. Wala naman akong ID. I'm still thinking about what to wear it as.

My favorite purchases:

Ever since Tank the poodle chewed on my brother's iPhone cable, we have been fighting over my iPhone cable. This nifty attachment allows you to attach any min-USB to USB cable at the bottom and *poof* you've got an instant iPod/iPhone cable. The one on the left is the same except it's for a Nintendo DS. Suweeeet.

My third favorite store is True Value. They have a lot of cutesy imported goods there if you just get past their cluttered layout.

I bought a 4-in-one mini keychain screwdriver:

and a cute pink Thermos (again, downstairs).

My super winner purchase has to be this:

It's called the iSlice (not an Apple product). There's a tiny ceramic blade at the tip that doesn't cut your finger, never dulls, and slices through paper, and even those goddamn hard to open plastic packaging that gadgets come in (and some memory cards). As in, it sliced through the plastic like it was buttah (you just have to hold it parallel against the surface you wanna cut).

Here's my demo on the cardboard that the fake Toki-kitty necklace came in:

Ta-dah.

Homesick?

2009-04-04T21:57:00.000+08:00

Lately I've been thinking a lot about Paris. I really miss it, and I want to go back.

I plan to tour the city at my own leisure. We were rushing the last time and it was a whole slam bam merci beaucoup type of thing.

Plus now that I have the LX3 the photos will be better. Although I had plenty fun with my pink camera the first time, before I saw the difference.

In the meantime, I keep myself entertained with the photos from last year, taken at Paris, Grenoble & Bordeaux.

Twurprise!

2009-04-04T04:31:00.000+08:00

Do take a peek at today's Super (Twuper!) for a, ehem, 5,000 character piece about celebrities on Twitter by yours truly (section G1).

There's also a short article there about how I'm a Twitter enthusiast (ie addict). :)

Big thanks to Pajammy for the chance to write about a fun topic, it was no trouble writing it, once I realized that she needed only 36 tweets worth of characters, and not a gazillion times more (I tried computing how many tweets 5,000 words were into characters, but I had to factor in symbols and spaces, and it's too early for me to arrive at an actual answer, nix that, I'm too rusty at math to figure that out no matter the hour).

On a side note, local celebs HAVE started Tweeting, but it's still OK (so far), one of them tweets from a Blackberry so she's instantly shala in my book. Plus, she was tweeting about making an itinerary to go to Spain, Portugal etc, etc, so that's double the bongga. And, she's very grammatically correct.

Thanks to Mayzee (of Macy's Fields, one amazing motherbaker. Try it!) for sending me the link to the local celeb's Twitter :)

April Fooling Myself

2009-04-01T19:24:00.000+08:00

Leave it to me to April Fool's day myself.

It started pretty innocently. Last Tuesday was a doozy of a day. I slept at 230 am jailbreaking my iPhone classic running on its jurassic 1.1.4 firmware. Ended up upgrading to the latest (official) version just so I can download Twittelator Pro, a Twitter client that promises awesome features (it does deliver but it's rather confusing).

As luck would have it, my shoot that day was at 7 am, and I had to be up at 530 am to get ready. Gucci has picked up this habit of waking me up at 400 am, where she will step on my hair with her paws and lick me continuously (with Tank eagerly egging her on with high-pitched panicked yelping) until I succumb and let them both out.

It was a good thing that the shoot finished fairly early and I managed to squeeze in a much-needed hour long nap because I had so many errands to run. Do the groceries (since Grace is on maternity leave *sob*) and pullout for a shoot the following day.

It was during this panic period of crossing off things from my mental checklist that I got a text from Pajammy. She wanted me to write an article, would I be willing to?

Of course I was, and I immediately said yes.

Except it was due the next day. And it was 5,000 words.

Still, I said yes, and throughout the day, I kept thinking of how to phrase the article already because I knew that 5,000 words was a LOT.

So much so that I did not, did NOT even think about watching any of my TV shows from Torrent Tuesday. I was afraid to get distracted.

And so I wrote. I typed, I pounded away on the keyboard....until my brain started sputtering at around 2 am.

And I only had 725 words.

I decided to risk it and sleep (since I had an 8 am shoot) and just wake up early and try to finish it (while wondering where to get 4,275 words...did I even have that much in my vocabulary??)

This morning, I couldn't listen properly to the small talk at the shoot because I had a 4,275 word deadline looming over my head. I must've looked stressed because I finally blurted out that I needed to turn in a 5,000 word article.

The editors both looked at me in shock.

"That's like, 10 pages in a magazine, Tatin."

Me: "Really? Well it's for the newspaper....smaller font?"

Editor: "Could it be 5,000 characters?"

I looked at her dumbly. And hurriedly scrambled for my phone.

True enough, there it was in its full SMS glory:

"...............4 to 5k characters....Will you kill me if I ask you to submit tom? :)"

OH. MY. GOD.

I am a ditz sandwich with extra idiot meat stuffed in between.

Here I was about to have a coronary literally thinking "Paano ako i-u-utot ang 5,000 words???" when I had already finished the article without me knowing.

It was like me crossing the finish line thinking it was the starting point. Or going to Dasmarinas Cavite when the venue was in Dasmarinas Village.

Like my friend Marko replied to me in Twitter: "5,000 characters? That's like 36 tweets."

36 tweets indeed.

Happy April's Fool to me. I'm really my own joke box.

ka-Twitter mo na ba?

2009-03-27T18:44:00.000+08:00

Anyone who's had access to Internet knows that Twitter's popularity has been increasing exponentially.

Perhaps this can be attributed to the presence of celebrities from various industries mingling with the commoners, without the shield of a well-phrased soundbite from publicists and managers (or so we'd like to think).

You see the celebs in 140 characters worth of "realness", and somehow, their occasional grammar mishaps (eg Ashton Kutcher's "shooting a fight seen with him") make it all believable.

And it's a nice world to be in. Everyone's amusing, informative, pithy and brings you a peek into the window of anyone's life on some faraway part of the globe.

Which brings me to my worst Twitter fear:

That the enterprising people in OUR showbiz industry join the Twitter bandwagon.

God. I can picture the promotional dialogue already.

1. Kapamilya!! Ka-tweet mo na ba si Piolo at Juday? Follow na!!! (yes I'm sure they are the network who have the financial means and manpower to massachusettize Twitter).

I can also imagine the inane tweets that will follow:

"Hello po, mga kapamilya. Start na po ang taping sa (insert cheesy teleserye title). Pagod pero happy po. Salamat sa suporta!" (or its 140 character equivalent)

"Going to Emba later, it's Lloydie's birthday bash. Don't know what to wear nga e."

"I'm going to practis my left hook later, you know."

Or, God forbid, if Kris Aquino starts Tweeting. Can you imagine Phoem's spiel on TV Patrol?

*teaser: "Krizzie, best friend na nga ba si Demi Moore? Abangan!"*

Phoem's spiel:

Mga friends, narinig niyo na ba kung sino ang bagong best friend ni Kris Aquino? Walang iba kung hindi ang sikat na Hollywood actress na si Demi Moore!!! Nagkakilala sila sa Twitter, isang site na laging pinupuntahan ng mga sikat na taga-Hollywood!"

Kris Aquino's interview:

Oh MY gaawd. Graaabeh no. I joined Twitter and when there's a taping lull, I like, log on with my iPhone 3G!! I just go to Tweetie, it's an app kasi for the iPhone and I just, you know, post mga updates, about Joshie, baby James, my show, basta, anything. And then, I started following Demi Moore, her name there is Mrs. Kutcher!! O diba, kasi asawa siya ni Ashton. So I replied to her, told her I'm the host of Deal or No Deal here in Manila, and OHMYGAAAWD. She replied back. And there, we started replying, and grabe, I swear, she's so nice, best friend ko na siya!!! Sorry, Boy, irereplace na kita!! Who knows, we might even do a Hollywood movie together!!! (peal of loud laughter then pan to Kris's iPhone closeup of tweets).

And later that night, on SNN (Showbiz News Ngayon).

"Isang famous international musician, nililigawan ang isang local celebrity?"

Boy: OK, Kriz, we have a super exclusive here. Isang famous international musician, nililigawan ang isang kapamilyang aktres.

Kris: *claps/jumps/squeals/all of the above* OHMYGAAAAAWD, Boy, I know right? I'm super kilig, grabeh. I'm such a big fan of him pa naman. His songs are sooooo kilig.

Boy: Let's not keep the audience in suspense any longer. Mga kapamilya, aming nabalitaan na may isang relasyong namamalagi sa sikat na musizian na si John Mayer at si Rufa Mae Quinto. Ang mga detalye, now na.

*cue to interview of Rufa Mae*

Voice: So, ano naman tong balita na kayo na daw ni John Mayer?
RMQ: Ano baaaaz, hindi naman noh. Kase, ayun, sumali ako sa Tweeeter. Tapos, fan kase ako ni John Mayer so finallow ko sha. And I said, John, I'm a big fan of yours. I'm also a singer here, in Philippines. And nagreply siya. Tinanong niya anong favorite song kooo, syempre sabi ko "Your Body Is A Wonderland." and then nagpost ako ng picture ko. Tinignan niya, beautiful daw ako. O diba? Charing ka ngayon Jennifer Aniston bwahahahahahaha. Naku, in love na ba ko? Hindi no, friends lang kami. Pero kung meron, why not!!! (more laughter)

*commercial break*

"Gusto niyo bang maging ka-Twitter ang SNN? I-follow, showbiznewsngayon, NOW NA!!"

Please no please no please no.

The Friendship Saver

2009-03-24T20:30:00.000+08:00

One thing I didn't foresee when I bought Pee-pee was the difficulty in finding accessories. Refusing to succumb to the P7,999 leather case (which, incidentally is half the price in the US.) yet, I started searching for alternative cases.

After week 1 of carrying Pee-pee in its styro-like sleeve, I was going nuts. So chaka!!!

I suddenly remembered that Beam, palm-reader and crafty craftsgal makes the cutest accessories out of felt. (http://artwine.multiply.com)

During one of our shoots, I asked her if she could make me a case. When she asked me specifics, I just said "Basta, pink and cutesy."

By our lunch break, I had subtly (or so I thought) forced out her notepad where I specified the type of flap I wanted, the side stitching and its color, the lining, the closure, and the embellishments. Some were doable (a cute beribboned skull), some were impossible (my name handstitched along the flap) (she's not a machine, she's not a machine).

So anyway, I know she was busy and just waited for her to get in touch with me regarding whatever.

A week passed, and at our next shoot, I casually (or so I thought) inquired about it (though I told myself not to).

Everyone who's come in contact with me and my infamous impatience will know that I have been exercising Herculean willpower by not bugging her (that and I'm afraid that she will render our budding friendship immediately over before it even blossomed.).

Thankfully, during one of my aimless trips around the mall, I came upon this at a store in Archaeology at Powerplant (really a place for finds!).

It was being sold for P350 (such a steal!) and it was slightly padded and the zipper was outside which made the inside non-abrasive.

It's manufactured by Risque, and it's probably from their swimsuit line's cloth droppings (or more popularly known as retaso). OK, I think cloth surplus would be a better term than droppings.

Anyway, to be honest the purse (as a purse) wouldn't have worked since it would've ruined the form if you put anything round (like shades or keys) or a fat wallet in it. Plus, it wouldn't exactly be the most ergonomic thing in the world too, nor would it be fashionable clutching a misshapen blob.

Still (let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, shall we?), as a case for the vaio P, it was damn near perfect (except for the poorly-sewn tags which were easily solved by a cutter and a steady hand).

I wasn't too sold on the pattern (not cutesy at all), but beggars can't be choosers. I did check their site for more patterns and even went so far as to check their store at Edge of Light studio. Well guess what? Sarado na pala ang Edge of Light.

I'm going to try and check their other outlets if they have a cuter pattern.

But in the meantime, this makes a nice interim case until I get the one Beam promised me.

*twiddles thumbs*

If you know of a case similar to this, do let me know.

Just so you know, it has been 6 days since I asked Beam about my case. MAJOR restraint.

And so it begins

2009-03-16T16:08:00.000+08:00

I was at a meeting today at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Galleria when my dad called me.

Dad: "I checked Cebu Pacific and all the tickets are sold out."
Me: "Huh? But there were plenty pa when I checked last Thursday, but I checked PAL. Let's check it together when I get home tonight."
Dad: "No, no, better book it now with my credit card."
Me: "Um, I'm not at home right now."
Dad: "But you have your computer with you, diba? My laptop's out of battery already."
Me: *has no more excuses* "Um, OK, can it be in two hours though? I'll just finish my meeting."
Dad: "OK"

I really have no more excuses for not answering stuff anymore. Hehe.

Tokidoki x Hello Kitty

2009-03-13T22:06:00.000+08:00

Look what Kai sent me through e-mail.

Some items from the Tokidoki x Hello Kitty collection will be brought here via special order.

Boston Bag - P8599.75
Cosmetic Bag - P7199.75
Long Wallet - P5449.75
Small Wallet - P4699.75
Carry Pouch - P3299.75

Comes in two colors Black/Pink.

Other terms:

*Goods subject to availability
*10% downpayment required
*For order placements, email: dian@greatgifts-sli.com

Last day for orders is March 17, Tuesday.

I already emailed her my orders. Hopefully I get a confirmation. Let you know how it turns out :)

The Early Bird has a netbook

2009-03-12T08:01:00.000+08:00

I'm at a shoot all the way in a location far, far away.

OK, maybe not really, it's in Antipolo, but for a born and bred Makati kid who thinks Trinoma is the tip of the map, it's like I'm in a Star Wars galaxy. Antipoloans (Antipolites? Antipolians?) don't get offended, I'm really geographically retarded.

So anyway, I get here only to find out that they moved my 11 am call time to 1:30. And I didn't get the message last night.

Sigh.

On the plus side, I am psyched because this means I get to spend quality time with Pee-pee. It makes me feel like my netbook purchase was totally a necessity and not a frivolity, in a totally aren't-you-super-glad-you-bought-it type of way.

On the boo side, there's perfectly good wi-fi here but I am still connected to my Globe broadband dongle because my stupid Windows has settings that do not allow me to connect to the wi-fi here. WTF????

I hate Windows. Die, Windows, die.

I hope Steve-O comes out with his version of the netbook already.

On another note, though, I'm really pleasantly surprised at my shoot today (you know me and my inability to ask for more details). I'll blog about it when I can.

Saving up once again....

2009-03-11T18:19:00.000+08:00

Just on the heels of my prayer for Steve Jobs not to come out with a Macbooklet, rumors start circulating that it is in the works.

I've resigned myself to a fine, the sooner the better attitude. That way, Pee-pee still has enough market value should I need to resell it. Haha, you know I'm not kidding.

But look at this, look at THIS:

I waaaaaaaaant.

The non-sucky Globe Telecom business center

2009-03-10T07:37:00.000+08:00

I took out Pee-pee to meet friends yesterday. The night before I bought myself the relaunched Globe Visibility (now called Globe Broadband Tattoo) prepaid package.

When I was inquiring about it at the Greenbelt 4 branch yesterday, the lady who assisted me all but flat out discouraged me from buying it. The gist of what she said was that the speed was just like being on a cellphone and it wouldn't be that worth it. Still, I wanted to get it, because for me, utopia is being connected to the Internet wherever I am, all the time (oh, plus world peace and a rehabilitated environment).

When I was asking her for more information about the broadband service, I wanted to see the literature off the kit, she hands me their teaser flier and says "Ma'am, this is it na." Still she was being nice about it, so I figured that maybe the Globe Broadband thing was really that sucky. Still, her lackadaisical attitude about her product didn't deter me, and I told her I'd buy one (after all, it's not that expensive at P1,895 and if the Internet does suck, the modem doubles as a flash drive, so at the worst, I just bought myself a flash drive that can be a mobile internet modem).

She said that I should go back to the guard's desk and request for a separate number for the cashier, even though there was no queue at all. And then she left, off to God knows where.

Meanwhile, I went to the cashier and I said that I was going to buy the broadband kit. She said that she needed the kit first from the lady I was talking to before she could process my payment. We waited for her to come back, and when she saw me waiting for her, she looked at me inquisitively, until I reminded her that I was going to buy the kit. She goes "Oh, you're buying it?" and laughs sheepishly. I must've been in a fantastic mood because I didn't get annoyed.

So anyway, I get my kit and I request that we test it there. We wait for the Setup to finish running, and I click on "Connect". The browser takes forever to load and she goes "Ay, Multiply kasi yun ina-access mo, madaming pictures mabagal. Pang-Google lang kasi ang recommended dyan." By then, I was feeling a little bit gypped and disappointed, all my dreams of being connected 24ever (their tagline) dashed.

The next morning, I was at the studio needing to email something urgently, and I pulled out my disappointing dongle (sounds like an alliterative term for erectile dysfunction), and proceeded to log on to my crappy mobile Internet.

It wasn't working. I figured this was normal since the lady told me indirectly that it was crappy.

Until a photographer with one arrived at the studio and started using his Globe broadband thing. And it was fast.

That was when I started whining. For him to fix my crappy Internet. He started spouting off weird Windows-y jargon that I couldn't get, and he said that my computer could be the problem. I felt like I had brought an underperforming child after promises of amazing tricks and entertainment.

Pat arrived and fiddled with it some more, but unfortunately, no cigar.

I decided to go to a different Globe business center and have them take a look. I went to the same one who wasn't an a-hole about letting me apply for another line and showed them my crappy Internet kit. This was at Park Square 1.

Guess what? You needed to activate the SIM first before using it.

Within minutes of my arrival, not only was my Internet working, it was satisfyingly FAST. And Multiply was loading.

This was when I ratted Greenbelt 4 lady out.

You would, too, after all my concerns were addressed to my satisfaction at the Park Square business center vs Greenbelt 4.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of my Greenbelt 4 experience vs. Park Square 1.

Question 1: I'm on an unlimited WIZ wi-fi access account but I noticed that it's very easy to use someone else's account since we all have the same default password, how can I change it?

GB4: Ma'am there's no way for you to change your password. You have to do it siguro via your account.

Me: But that's a major security flaw in your system.

GB4: Uhhhh.....

PS1: Ma'am, yes you can change your password, here, let me give you the site. It's http://visibility.globequest.com.ph. Whenever you want to change it Ma'am, just go here. Here, you can try it on our computer so we can see if it's successful. Here's how you do it...(walks me through the procedure). Of course you can change your password! (he was aghast at what GB4 lady told me)

Experience 1: My Globe broadband kit

GB4: Discouraged me, didn't make it work. Kept telling me that everything I needed to know was on the kit.

PS1: Activated it, taught me how to load the SIM card, explained to me the merits of using a call card to load it vs Autoload (longer validity on a call card), and showed me how to use the texting interface on the computer to check my balance, and showed me a site where I can monitor the speed of my connection.

Experience 2: The iPhone

GB4: A customer entered while I was waiting for my kit wanting to buy the iPhone and was complaining how the keyboard was hard to use. Another lady from Globe (separate from the one assisting me) says "Ma'am mahirap talaga gamitin ang iPhone." WTF??? At this point, I had to nosily intervene (I really couldn't help it) and wax poetic about how the iPhone is God's grace working through Steve Jobs to give us this wonderful gift.

Experience 3: My password change

I changed my password for my Globe Wiz account and found out that it wasn't working. I went back to the Park Square branch, and another very nice lady, Patricia, wasn't sure of what to do. Instead of spouting off some nonsense, she instead called someone who knew what to do. She connected me to George, from technical support, where he again, walked me through the proper procedure again, and gave me a toll-free number to call him once I'm at a wi-fi hotspot so we can fix my problem.

They even wrote down all the important numbers and websites I needed. All in under twenty minutes.

So the next time you need someone intelligent, competent and highly freakin' efficient to answer your Globe Telecome concerns, I highly recommend you go only to the Park Square 1 business center (near Magoo's) and look for either Jun or Patricia.

There was another guy there who tried to help, but I don't like him. Why? When I told him my password wasn't working, he said, "Ma'am, sige, let's try it again," went for the zipper of my handbag and was going to open it to get my phone. HELLO??? Si Mang Cris nga who's been with us for fourteen years has never even attempted to open my bag, siya pa????

Basta, if you need your faith restored in Globe Telecom, Jun & Patricia of Park Square 1 is the way to go.

I'm a stickler for service. I work in the service industry. Everyday, I perform a service, and when someone wants me to service them, I make sure they get full service to their satisfaction, all the time.

When I want to be serviced, you service me good, or you will hear about it.

Happy Birthday To Me, Hello Pee-pee!

2009-03-08T07:00:00.001+08:00

Well, OK, not really, 'cause my birthday's not for another few months, but yesterday felt like a birthday.

That's because I got something I had been jonesing for for a while.

Welcome to the gadget family, vaio P. Luvbunny, Buhbunny, Mr. Mac, Poddies, meet pee-pee.

(side note, wow, I really like how my right eyebrow looks here, haha)

Anyway, so it was finally in stock. Over dinner a few weeks back, my dad told me "When I saw the TV commercial of this, I thought to myself, "Tatin's going to buy this."" At that time, I laughed, but then the next day, in the shower, I thought of the perfect comeback: "I wish you had thought "I'm going to buy this for Tatin."", but dammit, I don't know how to turn back time, so I had to buy it for myself. (For a moment, I actually considered going up to him and saying "Remember when you said.....?") Still kicking myself for not thinking fast enough to have been able to deliver that retort.

I'm going to get a prepaid broadband modem, and ohmygod, I will be on the Internet whenever, wherever (cue Shakira's gyrating hips).

Of course, this means that I don't have the "I'll check it when I get home" excuse anymore, and now I really have to bring my blogging A-game.

I'm so thrilled that I have an article due which I can work on *ehem* anywhere. Yeeeeees. I'm in an article kind of mood so if you have anything that you want me to write, please indulge me haha :) That way I can call this an "investment", the way I call buying make-up "business equipment upgrades." (Well, they are!)

I wish though that I was able to buy the leather case for it. They have one in the most gorgeous camel pebbled leather, and one in gold that looks like an evening bag. Unfortunately, it costs a whopping P7,999. I am going to wait for third-party companies to make one (in pink!) or pray for Marc by Marc Jacobs to come out with a rectangular pouch that can fit it (for P7,999 I'd rather go the Marc by Marc avenue).

I'm so happy that I got it, but now I find myself fumbling like a blind man (woman) because I am like a revirginized Windows user after having been ridden lovingly by Mac, becaue really, once you go Mac, you'll never go bac(k).

Nothing really beats Mac, I swear, and I'm kinda worried to be seen in public with my new pee-pee because they might scorn me for carrying a Windows device. The horror!!

I hope Steve Jobs comes out with a netbook (but I know this is a pipe dream because for him to do so would eat into his iPod touch/iPhone market). But in case you are thinking about it, Steve-O not in the immediate future please, I need to work like crazy to save up again.

Let's go out of town! :) Let's travel! :) Let's blog! :)

Happy Birthday To Me, Hello Pee-pee!

2009-03-08T07:00:00.000+08:00

Awake

2009-03-05T23:15:00.000+08:00

I can't sleep.

I have only two and a half hours left to sleep before I have to wake up for work.

I've got a full day ahead of me later, my mind knows this, and yet I'm super keyed up and thoughts are whizzing inside like a golden Snitch.

I don't know if it's because of the Kindle book I got for my iPhone (yes, the gods have taken pity on me and Amazon has released an app for the iPhone that lets you turn it into a Kindle).

I subscribe to another eBook site (Fictionwise) and I saw that the book I got at the Kindle store was $9.99 (approx P500), while at Fictionwise it was $21.99 (P1000) while at Fully Booked the actual physical book was P1250.

While nothing beats the smell of a real book and the crisp paper and that indescribable smell of ink and pulp, I must admit that I like the disposability of an eBook, you know for the stories that you know you'll only want to read once and not have clutter your bookshelves (this applies to my great fondness for trashy romance novels, which I feel that one should outgrow after a certain age, and yet I haven't, plus the fact that it was pretty much what built up my vocabulary in my teens, as well as provide me with over 50 metaphors for the penile form [shaft, sword, etc, etc].).

So, I really got a good deal off of the Kindle book I bought (of course, me referring to it as Kindle book obviously means I bought a trashy romance novel, and I loved every digital page).

I liked it so much that instead of making me sleepy, it fired up my brain and try as I might, I just kept tossing & turning.

Of course, it could also be the three Excedrin migraine I popped throughout the day. The heat left me with what was promising to be a killer migraine and so I took a caplet every time my temple started throbbing. Since Excedrin's main ingredient is caffeine, I can't help but wonder if this is why I'm wide awake at 4 in the morning, wanting to get started on the ideas bouncing back and forth inside (is this how it feels to be high on uppers, I wonder?)

I know I'm going to be cranky if I don't get any sleep, and since I have four faces ahead of me later, I better try again. Plus, not sleeping won't help the migraine.

I'll just take one last look at the Kindle store for my next purchase and then try to get some shuteye.

Kai the Hero

2009-03-05T18:00:00.000+08:00

Our shoot today was all the way in Far-anaque (Las Pinas to be exact).

We started at 2pm and finished quite late at 8pm. By then my hairstylist was raring to go (even insisted in front of the editor we leave ahead of the shoot to my embarrassment), and as soon as photographer Kai said the word "wrap", we headed out the door and on the way home (plus, I was starving).

Imagine my surprise when Kai called me at home and asked if I had left something behind. Now me, I'm a very conscientious and thorough packer and as far as I know I had packed early and brought everything with me back.

Except, earlier before the shoot, I had been enjoying the Kindle for iPhone app too much and had to charge my battery. I plugged the charger in a corner socket and forgot it, of all the freakin things to leave behind.

I left behind my e-stash.

This is my e-stash pouch. I love the R2R (rags2riches) bag series, btw, Rajo Laurel's livelihood project for underprivileged women. Love the design (it's a bit weighty, though). Anyway, here's what I could have lost if it weren't for Kai.

A backup iPhone battery, my iPod Shuffle, two iPod USB cables, a solar charger for my iPhone, an earphone splitter, an iPhone/iPod AC charger, a heavier-duty backup iPhone battery (my very first purchase during the Paris trip, bought it off the Cathay Pacific catalog on the connecting flight to HK, even in a plane, I am not safe from shopping), a tiny Zumreed speaker, and an iPhone car charger.

Based on the contents of the pouch, Kai kinda figured it belonged to me (was there any doubt?), and by now, you will have figured that I have a pathological fear of running out of iPhone juice while I'm away from an electrical outlet or in the event that I am stranded in a remote island with only the sun as my main energy source.

Sooooooo glad Kai found it. I would've been utterly devastated if I lost my emergency power pouch. Can you imagine? I'd have had to fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong just to replace the Lifetrons charger. And I'd really do it.

Thanks, Kai! I'm now (almost) sorry that I posted Kai is "touching himself, mwahahaha" on your Facebook status when you lent me your phone.

Nintendo DSi

2009-02-25T18:34:00.000+08:00

Check out the new colors of the Nintendo DSi

Source

I waaaaaaaant. Will trade my intellectual services for a DSi. Haha.

Further signs point to an international Kindle - Engadget

2009-02-25T18:28:00.000+08:00

Link

Finally!!!!!

No, Thanks.

2009-02-25T09:21:00.000+08:00

To my dear friends whom I have not seen nor talked to in years,

It is not polite for you to give my number to the following:

1. People soliciting gym memberships
2. People soliciting life insurance
3. People soliciting. PERIOD.

Not only is this rude, but it is a sign of your inconsideration.

If you really feel that the life insurance policy you have gotten will benefit me as well, then by all means give me a call, ask me how I am (for all you know I am now a professional stuntman and my life insured several times over) and THEN ask my permission to give my number to a complete stranger looking for a sale.

If my number in your phone book serves only that purpose, then feel free to delete it.

In the meantime, I will go and search for poso negro services looking for a sale and give YOUR number to them.

Love from your very well-meaning friend,

Me

PS If you know the guy I am talking about, do send him the link to this.

Mallin' Tuesday

2009-02-25T09:12:00.000+08:00

Like lightning striking twice, I found myself finished way earlier than expected with work yesterday (our shoot was supposed to be from 8-11, we finished at 1015).

I ended up at Glorietta + Rustan's this time. I love the mall at mid-afternoon on a weekday, that time when everyone's back at work after lunch, and all the salesladies are more chillax and chatting away at each other, and are so eager to see you just so they can stay awake during this lull.

I didn't go in for doughnuts (stay away, temptation!), but I love how nicely color-coordinated the seats are, and they look really comfy. I wonder if they have free wi-fi because it'd be a nice place to hang out.

Then, I passed by Tickles, and their window display of the wall with the car signs is so attention grabbing, I had to pause and take a look.

Some of the signs were funny, some were baduy (Adopt Me Angelina), there were some that reminded me of people but it's not Christmas so I'm not buying yet hehe.

They also got on the Twilight craze, and check these out:

The "I drive like a Cullen" is funny. I don't recommend the "Bite Me, Edward" because if a guy named Edward sees you getting in your car, well....mahirap na.

I was at Rustan's and these photos were all taken before the guard started harassing me telling me pictures are prohibited unless a permit is shown. Poor bloggers.

For Marley - the Asus EEE will fit here, look how cuuuuute :)

These are so cute. You loop them through a lanyard/key chain and there's a cutout of a shape representing the inspirational thought (a bear for comfort, a clover for luck, etc). Cute!

I love vintage lunch tins and these are adorable.

I've never bought a Kate Spade bag before but the colors from this particular collection are delightfully summery. The only thing I don't like about it is shelling out P15k up for a bag made out of cloth.

I love Longchamp for traveling and for shoots where I need to put my bag down in dirty places since their nylon is weather-proofed and easy to clean, and I wanted to get this when I saw it:

It's bigger than the largest Le Pliage and the zipper in the middle opens up for expansion:

et voila! Look how gigantous!

Not to worry, it comes with a leather strap, although one of my favorite bloggers, Bagaholicboy
says that it might not be sturdy enough given how such cavernous space will surely tempt you to cram it to the fullest extent.

Plus, it retails for P17,500. I think for that price, you can find yourself a nice Samsonite handcarry with wheels.

But still, it's cute to tote around, esp if you're an a) tall supermodel, b) tall gay, fashionista at the gym or c) tall socialite shopping (it's so big kasi that you have to be tall)

Passed by Culte Femme and saw these adorable reversible beach/busy lifestyle bags:

I can also see stylists finding this useful at shoots. Or mommies, or girls who need a baby doggie bag (you can fill the outer pockets with a chew toy, a leash, water bottle, treats, pooper scoopers). P1,650

AJ Olmandac (spell?) of Team Manila also has a collaboration with Culte Femme and made these psychedelic watercolor looking shirts (P595). I thought of Macy A 'cause they kinda sorta look like Audrey K's work.

I wish I'd bought this when I saw it in Paris (although it was pricey there too, expect to spend P10k upwards), the shop was on the way to my hotel

You can change the straps, except I don't know how sturdy they are:

Also, Kooba and other branded bags near that area are on sale now, like almost 50% off. I'm not in the market for a bag so I left hurriedly before my resolve was tested.

That was it. I was going to take pictures of the nice cosmetics sana but the guard started hassling me so I left Rustan's na lang.

Now I'm off to get some codes for pullout, so I guess expect a Mallin Wednesday (3 in a row! Haha) report (this from the girl who couldn't sleep lying down last night because my nose was so clogged up I couldn't breathe nor swallow without my mouth open). I'll be at High Street taking photos of items of interest. Pray for me that no pesky guard will be around to stop me.

Fanciful Makeup

2009-02-25T08:39:00.000+08:00

It seems that makeup brands have gone toon-y.

First was the MAC/Hello Kitty collaboration where they've showed Kitty's naughtier, kinkier side:

Source

Then, Too Faced (a brand not locally available here) came out with the Smurfette collection (timing it with the live action movie, I didn't know there was going to be one)

And then, this year, Stila (another brand not locally available here, such a big shame) is Barbie's partner brand for the year (last year they were with MAC)

The Barbie Loves Stila Collection. Although technically, Barbie is not so much a cartoon as she is a chauvinistic creation to unreasonably raise the expectations of men towards women and women towards themselves (but look how pretty!).

Last but not the least, this whimsical collection from Paul & Joe in collaboration with...Disney!

This collection is already available at Rustan's Makati (the guard there wouldn't let me take pictures. BOO YOU!). Two shades of Meteorites-like powder (Bambi's is peachy, and Skunky, sorry I don't know who he is, is pink, I bought Skunky), the Aristocat (Belle?) is a lip balm (which is out of stock, and I've had myself put on the wait list hehe) and Lady is a hand cream.

When it comes to packaging, Paul & Joe, IMO is very ideal for the dainty girly girl. The Skunky (I really should find out what his name is) powder is very pigmented, just a dab of the powder puff on your face and you'll find yourself blushing like a Disney princess.

Once you use up the powder (which I'm sure will last longer than your desire to find another blush) the paper box will make for good storage of jewelry or tiny keepsakes.

Prices are as follows:

Face Color - P1,800
Milky Lip Balm - P800
Hand Cream - P1,250

Paul & Joe is available (sadly) only at Rustan's Makati.

I'll wear the Paul & Joe blush for a week (or two) if you wanna see how it looks like (if we're the same skin tone, except ask me because I may have had a dugyoty shoot and it may have faded haha).

These collections would make for great entry-level makeup investments, so you won't feel totally adult right away.

And besides, a lot of us pile on the makeup to recapture the suppleness and glow of our skin when we were younger, so I say go for the toony makeup!

Mallin' Monday

2009-02-23T18:33:00.000+08:00

You can tell when a puppy is about to let his urethra/sphincter loose. He runs around, sniffing and circling frantically until he finds the spots, squats and boom.

Observing my attitude at the mall today, I realize that when left alone for a long time there, I too become that frantically circling puppy, searching for a spot to plop my cash and go home with a trinket.

Thankfully, I managed to hold it in today (with the exception of a book, which I need.).

Instead I just took photos of the stuff I would've bought that day if I had bottomless resources.

Like this mp3 player:

I forgot how many GB it is, but the color is called "Luxury Pink" and it comes with an interchangeable case in a lighter pink. But it's P4,999 and it's not Apple.

The INJUSTICE NON-PURCHASE:

This uber-cute teddy bear speaker (sounds comes out from its hind paws), only comes FREE with either an iPod Nano/Touch/Classic purchase. You can't buy it separately. NOT FAIR. Please please please to anyone buying an iPod at the Power Mac center, can I buy the speakbear from you? Or better yet, know the person distributing this to the Power Mac center so I can buy it? I don't care if the sound's crap, look how squeezably adorable. And look how it's hugging the iPod. Aaaawwwww.

Mighty Jelly Mice

I still think computer mice are on their way to obsolescence, but I wouldn't mind if someone gave me one of these cute Mighty Jelly mice from iSkin (in pink please or maybe the white so it looks like a mystical glowing oblong orb.)

The BluePointer

How awesome is this bluetooth headset? It's a laser pointer AND a LED flashlight and the battery supposedly lasts for 6 hours!! While a Bluetooth headset would be practical for me (I can answer calls while doin makeup), I don't think the pointer is, unless I use the pointer as a blogging tool to point out women who have committed major makeup crimes on the street, but then I might be mistaken as a sniper or something.

Aranaz bags

I'm an Aranaz clutch fan and I like how she incorporates indigenous material and still make it look modern and chic. Some of the bags pay homage to some Prada styles (with a native twist, like the bejeweled rectangle weave bag, [not in picture] that's like Prada's SS09). I'm really liking the ruffles on this one, but, I just bought a bag, and according to my cost-effective calculations, I still have to use the bag a lot longer in order for me to maximize what I spent on it.

Very Bare by Sassybax

One of the reasons why I'd rather go commando underneath a backless top is the lack of nice backless underwear. Can you imagine how much of a buzzkill it is for the guy to peel of your freebra that has the consistency of uncooked chicken breasts and the gumminess of slime? Of course, while going commando, I constantly have to talk myself into mentally calming down and psyching myself to thinking "it is not cold, it is not cold", lest I accidentally flip on the high beam switch. Check out how nice looking this bra is, with its smooth and normal fabric. Girls going to the prom, this is a nice thing to have in lieu of borrowing your mom's strapless bra. (Hot Pink Lingerie, 2/F Powerplant Mall)

This one's for J

Found this at National Bookstore. Sorry, J, I forgot to check how much :) I also forgot to check inside the book if he has nude shots hehe :)

The Jonathan line is (almost) here

OK, first of all, this is sort of a weird marketing (yet probably effective) ploy of Watson's to display the Jonathan hair product line and posting a "Not For Sale" sign underneath. I'm assuming they're just waiting for the shipment/pricing/contract to push through before they start selling this. I've heard many good things about this line from different hairstylists, plus, yes, he's the guy with the reality show (forgot what it was called though).

Finally, after my tiring trip around 2 malls, I made it home to find a mini bucket of Maltesers

My abominably low EQ brother's finger in the way of the shot. 3 seconds was all I was asking for. Must run in the family, this whole lack of patience thing.

Incidentally, this is the book I bought at Fully Booked today:

Now this is another entry on its own, but I'm waiting for the videos to upload first. Tomorrow :)

The Road to Revolutionary Hair

2009-02-23T04:35:00.000+08:00

Source

The photos don't show it, but if you're going to watch the Oscars whether later or now, check out her hair. It is bonggang bongga. Fabulosity.

Harper's Island

2009-02-23T03:48:00.000+08:00

A sick puppy, apparently is better than any alarm clock. I awoke before 7 am to a pooping puppy just in time for the pre-Oscars coverage at Velvet.

Given that they are beholden to the live feed, it was understandable how their show promos would get cut off at inopportune times.

However, I felt terribly annoyed when they showed a teaser for an upcoming show. Basically the show's teaser opened up to a girl arriving at her hometown island, an island that she had not visited in a while. She found herself bedding childhood sweethearts, celebrating the wedding of an old friend and basically reacquainting herself with the island she loved so much. And then, cue to another scene when she starts going through an album of newspaper clippings about horrible murders (which probably drove her away from the island). Naturally, their combined presence awakens the dormant killer and he begins killing them off one by one.

I was so intrigued and as the teaser was getting ready to announce what the show was....the Oscars live feed abruptly resumed.

Dammit.

It was a good thing that they flashed a scene of a girl who looked familiar. I racked my brain until it hit me that I saw her in an episode of House as one of the main patients, then I IMDB'd House, went to look for that episode, checked out who she was (Cameron Richardson), and then clicked on HER name for a list of projects that she had appeared in and BOOM.

Check out Harper's Island, a CBS mid-season replacement show coming out APRIL 2009 pa!!! Argh.

It looks nice. I'm a scaredy-cat, but I can't help loving shows like these. PS. Christopher Gorham (Henry from Ugly Betty) stars as well.

Fashion Week Recession

2009-02-22T11:40:00.000+08:00

Photo: Getty Images

I was reading an article about New York Fashion Week and the many changes the recession has brought upon the shows.

I had to laugh at this comment by model Sean O'Pry an in-demand bonggang-bongga model who has been on campaigns for big fashion names like Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Bottega Venetta & Dolce & Gabbana to name a few:

“I’m really excited about the Happy Meal,” the model Sean O’Pry said dryly backstage at the Duckie Brown show last Friday. He was referring to the $10 McDonald’s gift certificate that was part of what models were paid for working the show. (They also got a pair of Duckie Brown for Florsheim shoes.) Read full article here.

An indication that times are hard for them is the receipt of such items such as GC's to McDo.

No wonder the recession hasn't been obviously felt by the fashion industry here.

Before it was in chic, we were already in recession.

Some years ago, the handlers of our local fashion week here booked me to do the portfolio of freshly victorious Ford Supermodel winner Charo Ronquillo. It was to be her submission to New York (I remember this because the photographer kept shouting "Pang New York ito!" while snapping away).

circa Dec '05, and I was just starting then. Awww, memories.

In exchange for services rendered, I was given GC's to Delifrance (worth P1500, just in time to buy boxed pastries as presents to the landlord, and the neighbors).

I've also received P1000 worth of gift certificates to a donut shop for doing a fashion editorial.

So to Sean O'Pry, welcome to the third world. Pa-cheeseburger ka naman (burger, burger, burger).

Candy Hearts

2009-02-15T06:43:00.000+08:00

I was Twittering (my new obsession) and Neil Gaiman posted a tweet that linked to a site that lets you customize candy hearts.

It took me a day before I realized how much fun I could do with it.

My favorite things

...and then I decided to create online valentines for some of my friends.

Online valentines can be found here

My brain got tired halfway (hehe) so I'll just update update :)

Venereal Day

2009-02-14T04:23:00.000+08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Your Vote Needed!!!

2009-02-12T19:56:00.000+08:00

I was at Tiendesitas today to bring the gorillas (Barack + Serena) and Gucci to Doc Raymond (who BTW is the best vet in the world, 635-6895, he'll really text you and ask how your pup is doing and he'll answer your questions and he's gentle with the doggies).

Anyway, a man was looking at Barack & Serena and suddenly described my dad down to a T as well as the vehicle he used that day. Apparently, he was the one that suckered my dad into taking the gorilla twins home.

Unfortunately, I got suckered too.

I put in a deposit for this little guy:

As much as I love my Yang Chow family, I have always wanted a little cuddly puppy that I can carry without throwing out my back and be super affectionate towards me (chows are moody).

Poodles are known as the 2nd most intelligent dog breed (I don't know which one rates first, men? hahaha).

I have 'til Saturday to decide, and I am torn. I really really really want him, yet at the same time am afraid of biting off more than I can chew, like that lady who's being bashed because she had octuplets.

So I'm asking you to vote in below, and let me know.

Is he a keeper? :)

College or Bag

2009-02-12T07:27:00.000+08:00

This? Or a college education? It's going to retail for $4,395.
But look how pretty. It looks like a gift for Tatin .
What do you learn in college anyway?

It's not fair, why is it so expensive?
Akala ko ba recession?
*pout*

The Reunion

2009-02-12T07:04:00.000+08:00

So highlarious! Check it out, it's awesome.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

I heart nooky

2009-02-10T13:06:00.000+08:00

I'm a pretty easy to please person. A day can turn from shitty to awesome with just a little tweaking.

Today, my call time was at 7 am, not a bad hour, and the models turned out to be pretty (though bad skin, models should really work on keeping their skin amazing, and not relying on heavy-duty makeup to cover everything, btw).

Anyway, so here's how my day turned from shit to awesome in a few.

Shitty - my Globe line got cut because I haven't been getting my billing statements and I thought my dad's secretary was paying for them. Imagine my surprise when it got cut. I bitched at Globe's customer hotline (a once in a month thing for me, but that's another entry in itself) and finally had my line reinstated (but not before I had to pay TWO MONTHS' worth of unpaid bills!).

Shitty - I left a check at home to pay for something I was going to purchase, but the bank refused to honor the check because the payee's freakin' second name was not in the check.

Shitty - the dolphins. I actually came to a halt in the middle of my rant to the Globe CSR when I saw the breaking news. 200 dolphins washed up on the shore of Manila Bay (of all the places!) and 3 already dead. I was horrified for the dolphins and alarmed for the human race at the same time, it could be one of many signs of the end of days you know (yes, I do watch a lot of movies with doom signaled by something like this --> Bruce Almighty, The Seventh Sign)

and then the day started to turn itself around:

Awesome - I played with my godson Kimi & his adorable cousin, Ziggy look alike Atreyu.

Awesome - WI-FI at Ocs's studio, meaning I can Twitter, Facebook, Multiply, YM, blog & download Heroes. Major awesome.

Awesome - Ocs's newly rearranged studio. He made it such that he can have three simultaneous shoots at once and in doing so, created an awesome makeup workstation, which I adore.

This was where the makeup table used to be.

He moved the makeup area into that recessed area (which used to be a mini-patio of sorts), and covered the roof with corrugated plastic.

which lets in a lot of light even at 5 in the afternoon (an afterthought, I wonder how it'll be like here on a noon day come summer...hmmm....shyet.)

See how the table fits all the essentials:

Phones, makeup kit (BTW, the word "makeups" as a plural, does NOT exist. Please lang ha.), brushes, and laptop. And I'm in a tiny corner tucked away, typing and wi-fi-ing away. I loooove it.

The downside though is I am majorly distracted.

This is officially my favorite makeup area.

By the way, I have stories about the models. But that's for a private entry...tonight ;)

What's Happening???

2009-02-10T07:15:00.000+08:00

Something bad if we don't do anything soon.

Prom Pretty

2009-02-09T15:37:00.000+08:00

Kids are so lucky now. During my prom, I had a horrid french twist (complete with the puffed up side part) and bad 90s makeup.

But now, teens have got hard-working people in the form of Candy Magazine and their contributors (naks, haha) to make sure that you look good on your P day.

Check out candymag.com's special prom style gallery with nine different hairstyles & makeup looks to suit every hair length, skin type and preference.

Makeup & tips by yours truly, together with Shu Uemura's Angie Cruz & hairstylists Borge Aloba & Ronie Misa.

Photography by Kai Huang, and conceptualized by Candy's dynamic web duo in their first hands-on shoot ever, Macy & Roch (yihee).

Below are some sample looks from the hairstyle gallery.

Model: Camille Romero

Model: Michaela Melania

Check it out! :)

My Bloody Valentine 3D

2009-02-07T19:44:00.000+08:00

I dragged Twin Mimi to watch My Bloody Valentine with me tonight. It was supposed to be in 3D but we didn't watch the 3D version, which was OK because I wanted to watch it for Jensen Ackles (aka Dean Winchester of Supernatural fame).

Well, the movie (predictably) sucked, and I didn't like the plot "twist". Still, Jensen was Jensen and I liked it na rin.

It was also my first movie where I was NOT allowed to cover my eyes. I've never felt so tense in my life. Hahaha.

We went to Xocolat after and I had a sugar-free Dark Chocolate Ganache drink (which is yummy, btw).

Taken with my new iPhone camera app called "Polarock". It's cool, I love it. I have new iPhone camera apps! Can't wait to show you the photos from them again.

I'm so glad the movie didn't scare me as much as I thought it would. I'll be able to sleep tonight and wash my face leisurely. A scary movie usually means washing my face hurriedly, with my eyes open, therefore soap getting in my eyes and stinging. A super scary movie usually means deadma to the face washing and straight to sleep.

Rainy Friday

2009-02-06T16:07:00.000+08:00

I spent most of today in the car.

I had a shoot in the morning, but the subject was one of those. The one who thinks all makeup artists suck because she didn't like what one makeup artist did to her. I know it's not me, but it can sometimes get annoying when they act like you're about to botch the job up even before you open your kit.

She was all nice and bubbly after but the grumpies had already settled in me, and so I just holed myself in a corner with my portable entertainment center:

Taken with Camera Bag iPhone app --> Instant setting. My 160 GB iPod classic is down to 10 GB remaining space. Sniff.

Our shoot venue was all the way in faraway QC, and it took me a full hour to get back home. It didn't help that it started raining. But it was OK, I had my videos to keep me company. Mang Cris was probably weirded out that I'd laugh out loud for no reason in the car.

So, I entertained myself and played around with my lomophone.

Stuck along Greenhills - EDSA (Quad Camera)

Makati Ave (Quad Camera)

Ayala Ave (using Toy Camera)

Rainy car window (Camera Bag - Lolo setting, go figure)

I downloaded three more toy camera like apps for my phone today.

I added several tweeters to my Twitter. I am now following Jason Kyson Lee (Ando), Tina Fey, Imogen Heap (who started following me too!) & Bianca C.

Check out the tweet exchange between Demi & Ashton. They're like lovestruck teenagers.

Twitter is fun.

Tweet Tweet!

2009-02-06T04:30:00.000+08:00

With the plethora of social networking sites, I often have the fear of being too present and having so much accounts that you end up being either redundant or underutilizing one. I believe someone should coin a term for someone with an overextended online presence (an OOP?), while we're there, we should also create a moniker for those with obnoxious online presence as well (oooh, let's call them POOP --> Pompous Obnoxious Online Presence).

Currently, I have Facebook, Multiply (IMO, the Pinoy version of MySpace), a .blogspot address that just receives cross-posts from my Multiply blog, and Twitter.

My friend M got me into Twitter, and at first I couldn't see the point of the thing. For the uninitiated, Twitter is an exercise in brevity, allowing you to post stuff about yourself answering one simple question: "What Are You Doing?" with a 140 character cap. Your posts are called "tweets", and you follow other Tweeters and they in turn follow you.

I signed on and I had plenty of false starts. I found it hard to update and I had few friends who were on it so I had (still have) limited following.

Still, I wanted to give it a try. After all, Barack had a strong Twitter presence (he was campaigning there) and there was one popular news piece about a guy who was in a plane that crashed and managed to beat the newswire by tweeting about it. Some TV shows use Twitter too, The Office, Mad Men & Dr. Horrible have their own Twitter presences where they update you about the latest happenings.

And then, two things happened yesterday that made me realize just how cool Twitter is. I downloaded TwitterFon onto my iPhone, a better, straightforward Twitter client for the iPhone that makes it easy to update and read your following's tweets, and the fact that Hollywood celebs are Twittering too.

I saw from my favorite iPhone blogger that he had Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman of Heroes) on his following list, and Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher (his tweets are funny, see his comments on Christian Bale's recent baleful outburst) are on it too (they send sweets (sweet tweets) to each other!). Musicians are also tweeting like John Mayer & Sara Bareilles (of course, not everyone is probably authentic, or it's their publicity team, but I prefer not to be cynical about this).

The nice thing about Twitter is that you can follow instantly, no need to ask for permission. It is entirely up to you about how personal you can get with your tweets. You can air your political views, what you ate for lunch, what you are thinking of eating for dinner, etc.

And so there. I am giving tweeting another chance. Demi Moore just posted a photo of her being stuck in traffic and it's flooded.

What are you doing? Joining Twitter, perhaps?

214 Itinerary

2009-02-06T03:54:00.000+08:00

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Some guys are already saving up for it, preparing to buy the de rigueur flowers & chocolates, while other guys try to bring their A game and rack their brains for something fresh and unique that will elicit at the very least a high-pitched squeal from their ladyloves that only dogs can hear.

This is also the day where romantic restaurants fill up, as well as certain, erm, bedrooms for rent in the cluster areas of Pasig.

Well, boys and girls, look no further, for I have the perfect venue for you lovebirds looking for that one-of-a-kind love experience for V-day.

Check out the Outdoor Lovemap, a site powered by Google Maps, where the marked places indicate the best places to consummate the burning fires of your love (in plainspeak: go at each other like over-achieving bunnies dosed with Viagra).

The places are arranged from the top 20 places for copulation, rated based on the following criteria: Privacy, Comfort, Legality.

The descriptions are funny because the submissions are from people who have tried the venue, e.g. Koh Chang in Thailand (Privacy 3/5, Comfort 1/5, Legality 3/5) "A beautiful beach on Koh Chang, Thailand. The first place my sweetie and I did it outdoors. The sand is clean but a bit hard. Bring a towel and watch out for locals." Sand up your sandbox. Delightful.

Top 11 place for outdoor nooky is the Matanuska Glacier (I thought it shrivels up in the cold?) in the US, the glacier bit probably explains why it also rates a 1/5 out of the comfort criteria. "Taking part in the activity of your choice on the Matanuska Glacier is quite an experience, with all the ice and rushing water, it's beautiful and otherworldly. The glacier is easily accessible from the Glenn Highway, and just a short walk from the parking lot. Try it on a sunny day. Crampons optional, really." What are crampons? Are they like anti-crabs tampons?

There are no markings for the Philippines, and I think we should add some places there to up our tourism value (the we have beautiful beaches is nice, but c'mon DOT, can't you smell the potential in this baby?)

I'm thinking top Pinoy places to do it in are: (not arranged according to top marks)

Underneath a highway flyover (Privacy 1/5, Comfort 1/5 Legality 4/5) - "Prepare to share space with the residents there. This is a prime spot for doing it here in the third world. That's how they get the babies they use as begging tools in the street."

UP Sunken Garden (Privacy 3/5, Comfort 3/5, Legality 1/5) - "The students there won't bother you, unless you are having outdoor sex as protest against corruption, in that case prepare yourself for a rousing discourse on the abominations running the Philippine government."

The Arneow Meron Lagoon (Privacy 3/5, Comfort 3/5, Legality 1/5) - (does that lagoon still exist)? "Dude, pare, it's an adventure to do it there. Plus, if manong guard catches you, you can make a getaway in a trike."

UST (Privacy 4/5, Comfort 4/5, Legality 2/5) - "Make it quick, madaming mumu (plenty ghosts)"

I've never been inside DLSU, so I don't know where there (but LaSallians, please feel free to post a recommendation in the comments (or send me a PM if you're shy).

I'm sure if Pinoys were to get wind of the Outdoor Lovemap project the tiny map of the Philippines will be peppered to the max with submissions. We have plenty of foliage everywhere (at least the parts the illegal loggers haven't butchered), an abundance of bitches, este beaches, and mystic mountains. Plus, the Pinoys are pretty imaginative. I remember once, during a class beach trip back in high school, a friend's brother regaled me with stories of how he and his girl did it once in a bus going to Baguio (while he was telling this story, I found myself wondering a) why he was oversharing and b) how they did it without anyone noticing).

And there you have it, a cheap, unique, adventurous date for Valentine's Day. Just be sure to bring a blanket (pang-sapin) or you may end up with an infection, or contact dermatitis where you don't want to have contact dermatitis.

Lomo at Last!

2009-02-05T19:59:00.000+08:00

I wrote a post before about my lemming for Lomo. First, I bought a Diana flash & a fisheye lens for my LX3 to turn it into a digital lomo camera, but the bulk of toting the flash and lens kinda defeated the purpose. Plus, the perpetual whine of the Diana flash was enough to drive you up the wall.

Then, I bought a demekin that uses that film that looks like a telephone, and I haven't finished the film nor had it processed, and now it is stashed on top of the printer, with a light layer of dust on top of it from unuse.

The downside to lomo is that it requires tons of patience, which, as my friends can attest, is something that I have never had. Plus the cameras are huge which means I have to tote around a bigger bag and my bag weighs a ton of bricks as it is.

And yet, I found myself utterly kelly-green with envy at the great photos my lomo-fiend friends have produced time and time again.

Pat has promised to teach me how to do lomo effects via photoshop but I haven't had the chance to bring my laptop to shoots and have him teach me.

So, imagine my utter joy at finding a compromise.

An awesome Japanese guy, Takayuki Fukatsu designed 4 applications for the iPhone that tweaks its weak camera and turns it lomo-ish, guaranteed to take photos that are, wait for it...legendary.

The first one, Toy Camera (see more samples here) has several effects. Here's one I took tonight in "Vintage Green"

Fluorescent lighting, with a furry inanimate subject.

And then there's Old Camera, which has several black and white effects.

I think this is in "Rich Black & White", except the lighting conditions are not optimal.

And then Sepia Camera, which is pretty much self-explanatory.

Look how well-behaved the subject is.

And the app that started it all, which I discovered in Geeksugar, one of the best sites in the world, the QuadCamera which lets you take it in several formats (from 4x4, to oktomat style). Plus, as an added bonus, he has a web widget called QuadAnimator that lets you turn your serial photos (which can be taken with a timer whose delay you can set, btw), into animated gifs.

I wish I had eight furry Guccis.

Is it awesome or is it totally awesome??

Like I keep telling you, you need an iPhone.

My Just 'Cause Wishlist

2009-02-05T05:59:00.000+08:00

It's not Christmas, and there's no approaching holiday that requires gift-giving, except Valentine's, but we all know that you have to put out if you're getting a gift, but if these items will be given to me, I may just do that.

In Gadgets:

I saw an actual unit at the Summit Office yesterday unattended, and I had to remind myself of the sixth commandment (oh wait, is it the seventh? or the eighth?). Though I did not abduct it, I did allow myself to stroke it lovingly. Why can't Steve Jobs come out with a MacBooklet or something? That would be soooooo cute.

A Pink Blackberry (Pinkberry). It is just so totally awesome.

In bags:

A pink Sprouse Graffiti Neverfull. They keep pushing the Asian release, and I'm getting inip already. (What is the English word for inip that's not a phrase? Is it antsy?). I wanted the Speedy before but I saw the inside of the Neverfull and the pinkness just won me over.

A Tod's Helmut 09 bag in any of the colors except white. Look how pretty, and look at all those pockets. I love pockety bags.

This Marc by Marc Jacobs tote that's perfect for casual Tagaytay trips or if you're going to visit Bangkok, the Chatuchak market. It is so big that if I want to switch back to the Neverfull, I can just fold it like so,

and voila, I am using two bags at the same time. Magic. It's like Mandy Moore's being in two places at the same time in A Walk To Remember.

In Makeup:

MAC + Hello Kitty. Wouldn't I look so adorable pulling out a Hello Kitty compact from my pink Graffiti Neverfull while out at lunch at the mall? I can't wait to get my MAC + Hello Kitty fix.

Heroes IV: Fugitives

2009-02-03T17:31:00.000+08:00

I had to agree with fans and viewers when they started bashing Heroes a few episodes back. The plot became absolutely convoluted, like a Melrose Place with superpowers minus swapping of bodily fluids (just powers).

Still, I remained a dedicated viewer, despite my eww moments at a naked Mohinder and seeing Ali Larter still alive.

My patience was rewarded tonight after seeing the new installment of Heroes and it was awesome (as you have noticed in my previous post, the word "awesome" has wormed its way into my blogcabulary, mainly because I am now a converted fan of How I Met Your Mother, where the word awesome is a series regular as well).

So anyway, back to Heroes, I now officially hate Nathan Petrelli and Sylar's eyebrows are, wait for it....AWESOME. Not to mention the way he fought off those agent ninjas.

I won't spoil it for you in case you haven't seen it yet, but expect another cliffhanger and a bromantic moment between kawaii bros Hiro & Ando.

I also found this Heroes NFL commercial, and it is awesome (I am like a kid with a toy). I didn't recognize the football players, but some of the Heroes cast have thighs that are never meant to be encased in football tights (see Parkman, Suresh & Hiro).

I love football movies (I cry whenever the underdog team wins and the crowd roars), but sadly I do not know anything about the game except that the goal is a touchdown, they wear pads and the tights are gratuitously weird.

The Pink Stick

2009-02-02T15:57:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, I received a long package from my friend.

I slowly slid it out, excited to find what was inside and saw this:

Ooooooh. A Hotrod. The last time I got something like this was three years ago, except it was tiny and purple. I named it Maynard, but unfortunately, I didn't know how Maynard worked, so he's still at the bottom of my dibidi stash bag gathering dust.

Except Maynard and Hotrod are different in the sense that the Hotrod is veeeery hot, hard, and above all, cutesy pink.

I don't think you'd want Hotrod anywhere near where you think a hotrod should be, because Hotrod is:

*Squeal!!* The cutest, most awesome pinkest professional grade hair straightener/curling apparatus.

Plus, it comes in an insulated sleeve so it's perfect for travel.

Look how pretty!

Be the envy of every girl when you whip out your hard, hot pink hotrod on your next primping trip.

It straightened my bangs quickly (and painlessly) with its ceramic plates and adjustable heat.

I love it already (and not just because it's hard, long, hot and pink --> some of my favorite adjectives in the dictionary, especially when used conjunctively).

If you want to own a Hotrod, let me know so I can tell my friend.

It's beyawesome.

Me an' the hot rod.

I'll be bringing it around on shoots so you can try out the hot rod starting tomorrow :)

Gifty Day!

2009-01-25T16:58:00.000+08:00

I LOVE today because it is a muh-muh-terial world day for me today.

It started at lunch, when I got my bilin from bagong-uwing Dinzo (from Hawaii, his hometown, haha).

None of my friends or acquaintances are safe from my bilin moods. I don't care if you're old, male, female, or gay. If you're going to another country, you will shop for me (pretty pleeeeease!).

So, here's what I asked to be brought home from happy Hawaii (where tax is ONLY four percent!! Had I known this fact earlier....)

Bag pa lang exciting na!

Ta-daaaaaah!!!! I know, I have a lot of brush belts. But when it comes to makeup bags/brushes/belts, I am like Goldilocks, always in search for one that is just right. I saw this months ago on the Sephora website, but it came as a brush set and retailed for a whopping $300 +. For one crazy moment, I considered buying the set just to get the belt, but I really couldn't, in good conscience, because I have more brushes than I do bones in my body.

I like it because the straps are adjustable to fit your waist or your shoulder comfortably. It has a giant nylon flap to cover all the brushes (sometimes, the half-flap design leaves the belt open to spillage and you end up losing a brush)

It also comes with two slots in the middle for kabuki/bronzer brushes, plus a slot for business cards!

Aaaand, after you're done, you can close the flap, fold the belt in half and secure it with the velcro straps.

Ingenious.

After that, I picked up my friend, Bear and we went all the way to Alabang (where it was probinsiya weather!! I love it!) to meet up with my friend who lives in Singapore who's here on Chinese New Year holiday.

Don't laugh, but today was our Christmas exchange gift day. Aside from the gifts I got (a jewelry box, two books (Tithe, not pronounced phonetically, and Blue Bloods, a vampire book by a Filipino author, I think it's like Gossip Girl meets Twilight), a necklace, and chocolate scented soap that really smells like real chocolate) and two pouches from Lia's Korea trip, here was the ultimate highlight of the exchange:

It all started pretty innocently. Lia and I were IM'ing before she left Singapore and she showed me a photo of a bag she had her friend in Japan buy for her for everyday use. It was sooooooo cute, and I showed her what I use for casual days, a white coated canvas bag from Marc by Marc which I love because the coated canvas makes it more resistant to dirt. She liked the Miss Marc version of my everyday bag and asked if I'd buy it for her if she gave me her (still unused) bag from Japan in exchange. I immediately accepted the deal (I'd've shaken her hand if YM had a virtual shake hand emoticon).

It's nylon on the outside and it's lined with black cotton printed with white stars. The tote is roomy for shopping trips, and it comes with this:

A star for a zipper! I loooove it! This lovely exchange makes me wonder why our ancestors gave up bartering for goods. I love bartering!! Lia's promised to ask her friend to bring me another one in another color.

Just when I thought it was over, I got this from Tita Reby (who until now I only knew as "Mama Igot" --> she used to text me back in high school: "Please tell Tricia I will pick her up at 5. - Mama Igot").

Trinkets and chocolates. She knows me too well. I miss you too, Tricky!

I'm so happy. Thanks for all the gifts!! I wish everyday was a gifty day with a bag, I really do!

The Crush

2009-01-25T05:41:00.000+08:00

Lately, I found myself with a giant crush. I can't stop thinking about him, he's so cute. What attracted me to him was how he looked so reliable, multi-talented and professional (not to mention ruggedly cute). I keep thinking if we'd be a good fit together, though I know that he'll take some getting used to.

I've been keeping this to myself for quite some time now, but I think I'm ready to admit it.

I have a crush, and here's his photo:

Look how gorgeous!!! Ever since Pia's friend pulled out a Blackberry from his pocket, and I saw that the little clicky ball in the middle glows white, like a teeny tiny magical crystal ball, or a minuscule alien gemstone, I fell in lust. Plus, he let me try the typing (which is the difficult part) and the system font is soooooooooo cute!!!

I've heard so many amazing things about the Blackberry, how it's even called "Crackberry" among its users because of having the same addictive properties as the drug, except you don't snort it (God, wouldn't that be a sight to see?). [An aside, is crack slang for cocaine or heroin?]

So okay, back to the Blackberry. I went to the website, checking it out, and though the features seem solid, the main drawback is the blackness of the thing. I think though some third parties sell cases for it like this:

I don't know if this was painted or if they sell the back case separately. All I know is if it can come in yellow, it can definitely come in pink.

There's something about holding a Blackberry that makes you all professional and shushal at the same time. If they were to film Legally Blonde 3, I bet Elle Woods would have a pink Blackberry.

Guys who own Blackberries look hotter like this guy:

See? Even if he's a giant douchebag (his douchebagginess ruined all his songs for me.) he looks pretty cute holding that Blackberry (though the white tee, badass tattoos, floppy hair and shades sure help out in that department).

And then, I learned that this guy made ligaw his girlfriend with the use of Blackberry's IM service:

Brody Jenner of Bromance looks like a cross between a younger Patrick Dempsey and Ryan Reynolds. Although he should ease up on the concealer (sana choose a shade that's exactly your skintone, esp for guys.) Although, he could've been wearing some sort of goggle-type eyewear (I hope not while he was getting spraytanned, ick). I'm hoping his tan is not bronzer nor spraytan but it looks too orange. And I hope he didn't curl his lashes deliberately (he does look like a curly guy, see the hair, so the lashes would follow suit). OK, I will stop the makeup analysis. BTW, I've never seen Bromance, is he a douche bag too? (PS. I just watched ep 12 of Supernatural where they bandy the word "douche bag" a lot, and the fangirl in me is now liking the word "douche bag".)

And to prove again how fasyon and tech-savvy Obama is, he has one too:

His Barackberry. Hahahaha. Sorry, couldn't resist. He loves it so much that he fought to keep it. He wasn't allowed it once he became president for security reasons. According to thesun.co.uk, he was quoted to have "[The 47-year-old] had hinted that security staff would have to prise it out of his hands if they wanted him to give the device up." See? It's that good. I think the security guys have relented but they limited the use and beefed up the security on it or something.

My friend says the Blackberry and I are not bagay (which makes me want it more) because it looks too staid for me. But I don't know, it just looks so sexay.

If the Blackberry were a guy, he'd be like a Tom Ford suit, while the iPhone would be worn jeans and a threadbare tee.

I don't have to choose. I can have the suit and the jeans, right?

Bigas Saves The Day

2009-01-22T07:54:00.000+08:00

It's my fault through and through.

First, my laptop table is nothing more than a TV tray. On it rests my laptop, and next to it, a blue perfume gift set box serves as an in and out tray, wobbling precariously because it is laden with notebooks, knick-knacks and cosmetics. On this table, there is a 2x2 square inch of space left at the bottom right corner where I usually set my water glass.

I usually make sure that the glass is gone before I sleep because I am afraid that I might, in my sleep knock over the water glass and prepare for a rude awakening because when the glass falls, it will fall directly on to my side of the bed. I am also afraid that Gucci might knock it over when she leaves the bed.

Last night, I told myself to remove the glass but I didn't. This morning, I told myself to remove it but I didn't. I kept thinking that if I didn't move it it will fall.

True enough, today, when I moved the tiny table, it wiggled, and it fell.

Straight onto the bed where it soaked my pillows, my sheets.....and my PHONES.

Of all the days for me to rest my phones on the exact same spot (I usually don't set it there when a glass is occupying that precarious space, but today....sigh) where the deluge hit.

I had a phone fall into the sewer near our house and I knew the drill.

When your gadgets get wet, the best thing to do is turn it off (to avoid short-circuiting the battery), and place it in a bowl of uncooked rice. The uncooked rice absorbs the moisture (supposedly). Leave it on for 24 hours or more. Except I didn't turn it off because I was afraid that it might not turn on again, but I am thinking positively now to avoid that. I did scream at my friend when she called me to ask how my phone was ("How can I leave it in the bigas when you're calling???!!! Haha, peace!)

I scrounged around for silica gel (for additional moisture sucking), but all I could find was that one measly packet.

So my phones are in a bigas bath, and 3 hours later, my heart is still pounding, my knees weak and hands a little shaky from the incident (obviously, I love my phone that much). I was so fraught with worry I didn't eat when lunch was served, though, so I don't know if I'm shaky from nerves or hunger or both. Ooooh, there's a Chowking nearby. Some siopao, maybe? Haha.

I am now watching videos to distract myself from picking up my phone and checking if it's dry.

Please wish my phone well.

WYLTH gone wrong

2009-01-22T07:20:00.000+08:00

Another obvious WYLTH, but this time, I feel like she got it wrong:

May Pilita factor siya dito. Do you like it?

Di ko feel.

Obamarama

2009-01-22T05:42:00.000+08:00

The best thing about Barack Obama being president is that he comes with fashionable goodies.

Like this bag I'm so crushing on right now by Diane Von Furstenberg. It's sooooo cute.

It's perfect for malling, going to Salcedo market, trips to the bookstore.

I look politically aware with the right blend of fashion savvy. Haha.

US friends, buy me this please? :)

WYLTH # 1

2009-01-21T16:10:00.000+08:00

Wylth (pronounced like Filth with a dubya or MILF with a lisp), my new acronym du jour which stands for - Woman You Love To Hate

photo taken from Fabsugar

A hot man, a hot body (look at her silhouette in that dress), hot bags, hot hair and a flourishing career by just staring almost menacingly into a camera. What's not to hate?

Who''s the fiercest?

2009-01-15T05:26:00.000+08:00

Maybe they're taking their BFF status to a higher level and opted to come out in two separate ads looking almost like each other.

Posh's is for Armani and Katie's is for MiuMiu.

Other photos are here

Whose do you like better?

I love Lainey Gossip.

Why her?

2009-01-14T04:48:00.000+08:00

Li'l J is a alien. I knew it.

I saw this video from my new future addiction, (thanks to Trisca).

No, wait, I know na why her.

Blair, excuse me, does not work out, fat would NEVER dare reside inside a Waldorf's body, and Serena, well, her boobs are too heavy for her to do some fancy wall-crawling, and Vanessa, Vanessa who? Is there a Vanessa in Gossip Girl?

Flying House!

2009-01-14T04:21:00.000+08:00

As a kid growing up on Flying House & Superbook (I personally liked Flying House better), it has always been my dream to live in a flying house.

And now you can! Except you won't be visiting Jesus or the Apostles, and you won't really be flying.

Presenting, the Jumbo Hostel

It's a gutted Boeing 747 which they converted into a hostel of sorts.

They have 25 rooms, with 3 beds inside each room, and they have around 72 beds for occupancy. All the rooms have flat-screen TVs, and here's my favorite bonggang bonggang part of all: "Everywhere in the jet you have access to wireless broadband.", followed by: "All rooms offer a shower & toilet in the corridor, except for the cockpit suite upstairs which boast their own shower & WC."

They also turned the wing into an observation deck, and now Jack and Rose don't have to imagine they're flying on the prow of a sinking ship (Titanic was showing on Star Movies last night, so it is once again unfortunately fresh in my mind).

Jumbo Hostel is located in Stockholm.

Supernatural Love

2009-01-11T09:44:00.000+08:00

When I first encountered Supernatural, I was eager to watch it because I like TV shows that delve into the world of the paranormal and of course, because of these two:

Imagine 40 minutes of screentime with these two boys, wielding shotguns (filled with salt), kicking demon ass in scruffy jackets and occasionally donning a pogi suit or two during their daytime demonic investigations.

However, the special effects during the first season were so, so scary that I always ended up watching like this:

(I drew this on my iPhone, so excuse the crudeness. Although I'm sure it would be just as crude if it were on Photoshop)

Watching Supernatural always had me either cowered behind the couch or ten feet away from the TV with my hands over my eyes (or my eyes squeezed shut and my hands over my ears).

So, I stopped watching.

My Paris friend Magali, meanwhile, was raving and raving about the show, and I wondered if I was missing out on the series.

Last night, I had my answer. Every Saturday, AXN Beyond has a special Supernatural marathon, 5 hours straight of it.

It seems that they have changed the formula a bit, with the show being campier and darkly funny and less of the effects that freaked me out before (although there are still scary scenes that have me hiding under a pillow).

And now I'm officially hooked.

For those of you who don't know the series, it's about two brothers Dean & Sam Winchester following on the footsteps of their demon hunter dad (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan aka Denny Duquette). Their big bad demon is the demon who killed their mom (because I jumped from half of season 1 to the last 5 episodes of season 3, I don't know if this has been resolved yet).

The plot is secondary. Let us talk about the brothers:

This is Dean (Jensen Ackles). He looks familiar because he was in Dawson's Creek & Smallville before. He is the older brother, but shorter and stockier. He's the brawns in the partnership, and he reminds me of a hot Scrappy-doo (I don't know why). He is inappropriately funny, which is why he is my favorite brother.

This is Sam (Jared Padalecki, must be his real last name). If he seems familiar, he was Rory's (Gilmore Girls) first love, Dean. He's the reluctant demon hunter, and wanted to live a normal life. He and his dad have issues. He also has mysterious powers (which may have been revealed in a different season that I haven't watched).

I'm now so excited to go to Makati Cinema Square.

The Retail Thief

2008-12-29T17:19:00.000+08:00

Roch and I were at Rockwell today and while she was pulling out at Sapato Manila, I saw this man of Middle Eastern descent with two bags. He had a calculator and he was punching out figures (converting amounts?), muttering to his companion unintelligibly. He hemmed and hawed and finally told the saleslady that he was going to be back.

I was considering getting this gold faux python satchel that I figured would go well during summer, when I saw the saleslady putting away the two bags Mideast guy was checking out.

I don't know if it was the fact that he was supposedly going back for it, but suddenly, one of the bags (it was the same type, just made in different colors) seemed to flash this giant, neon "TAKE ME! TAKE ME!" sign.

I had this clear vision of me walking around a brightly lit mall in a pale yellow cotton dress and sandals, and slipping my hand inside the bag to pay for my fruit smoothie that I was buying to cool off in the intolerable March/April summer heat.

I asked the saleslady if there was another of the bag I wanted, but of course, it was the last piece, which made me want the bag more than ever.

I asked her if I could buy it instead of the guy (pleeease?), and at first she seemed torn, probably weighing the risk of selling it to me for one sure purchase or wait for the guy in the hopes of having him buy both bags.

In the end, she shrugged and gave it to me (YES!!!), but a part of me felt guilty at stealing the bag away from the man.

"Ok lang, ma'am, pang-gi-giveaway daw niya sa bangko yan e.", the saleslady assured me.
"Sure ka ha? Naku, bilisan mo na yun pagbalot niyan! Baka dumating e! Kung sakaling dumating siya tapos hanapin yun bag, sabihin mo iba bumili ha. Baka awayin ako e."

My summery bag from Coco and Tres. It looked familiar until my brother (my brother of all people) pointed out to me that it was the very same bag I was checking out at L Manila in Greenbelt 5, except it was in Gold/Silver when I saw it there. I'm glad I saw this at Powerplant though because I like this color better.

Shopping with Roch btw is dangerous. She also has little to no impulse control (hahaha), and she talked me into getting this (although with me, talking me into buying something is just saying "it's cute.")

Something for summer too. I am slowly expanding my foot wardrobe into more than Havaianas. Hehe. It came in black and orange, I was thinking of getting the black for practicality's sake, but these were more flattering on the feet (and not just because it's pink).

My last purchase(s) for the year. Food not counted. Hehe.

Takipsilly

2008-12-25T10:09:00.000+08:00

OK, when Macy, Mimi, Marley, Angel and I did that Takipsilim mockup, that was it. a MOCK up. You know. MOCK. Make fun of. Ridicule.

And then Macy texted me that ABS-CBN was coming up with this:

I think we accidentally The Secreted it during our conversation that night. We casted as if it were a real thing, Macy photoshopped a cast photo....and poof. It's (purportedly) happening.

If we did accidentally The Secret it, our most fervent apologies to everyone.

(If my The Secret theory is true, I will gather the girls again and have them The Secret with me my Stephen Sprouse Speedy!)

I must admit, when I saw their own casting lineup (all Kapamilya), I must concede that they chose better in this aspect:

Al Tantay vs our Christopher de Leon.

*A note to Al Tantay fans, upload a picture, he is not on the net.

By virtue of bigote fullness, Al Tantay does have Boyet beat. Sorry, Boyet. Al does look better in a denim jacket with "SPO" embroidered at the back.

Gabby Concepcion vs Albert Martinez.

In the Lucida vs MET battle, I have to say nga, I'm sorry MET, but Lucida takes the point on this one. Di pa nag Lu-lucida si Gabo e mala-bampira na nga ang kanyang kutis.

Brad Murdoch as Laurent

At first, I didn't know who Brad Murdoch was. I thought he was the toothpaste model before, pero na-realize ko na si Brad Turvey pala yun. So, I googled Brad Murdoch, and got this from Ultimate Pinoy Hunks (props on a great site, BTW, waging wagi kayo mga mare)

Here is Brad Murdoch:

Kahit hindi siya racially tugma sa original Laurent, e papayag na rin ako, because he does have the big hair and the androgynous hotness. Mukhang bagay din ang pangil sa kanya.

P.S. ABS-CBN, pwede rin si Brad sa inyong future Jesus Christ reenactment sa darating na semana santa. Kaya lang, from vampire to the Lord, parang blasphemous ata. Sige, wag na lang.

Here's where I don't agree with ABS's casting:

Rayver as Edward

Though he's a nice guy, and he did act fairly well in that MMK episode where he impregnated Maja, I feel that he is not Edward Cullen material. Unang una, di naman sumasayaw si Edward ng breakdance (unless I am once again confusing Rayver with someone else, sumasayaw siya diba?)

Wala siyang world-weariness and he's not brooding enough.

Kung kinakailangan talagang kapamilya si Edward, why not Jon Avila? He may not (yet) have the acting chops for it, but he sure is eye candy. Haha.

OMG.

Buhay pa si Carlos Agassi??

Eto?? Eto ang gusto niyong gumanap bilang James???

Ano baaaaaaaz, ay-bee-eeeeehz.

I still believe that you will be making a huge mistake in casting him as James. Para kang pumasyal sa Greenbelt 5 gamit gamit ang iyong owner na jeep, samantalang may Benz ka naman sa garahe.

Masyado bang mahal ang TF ni sad-nipplies Jake C?

Expression pa lang, pwedeng pwede na.

Baka pag nabili niyo na ang rights to Incredible Hulk at gusto niyo lagyan ng emo twist (si Incredible Hulk ay kumuha ng trabaho bilang danser sa Adonis upang hindi mapukso ang kanyang galit effect), THEN you can cast the amir of rap.

Karylle as Rosalie.

Admittedly, I didn't agree with this at first, but she needs a bonggang bonggang role as a cinematic pakshet ka gesture to her ex who flipped over mermaid tail. So, go, take it take it. Mag-duet pa kayo ni mommy Z sa Hele ni Belya. Kaya niyo yan.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T10:07:00.000+08:00

Love,
Tatin & Gugu

CDGinManila

2008-12-24T13:02:00.000+08:00

Enterprising Lainey, who is taking her PhD in Philosophy in Norway came upon this brilliant idea of taking orders from people who wanted stuff from the Comme des Garcons for H&M line that came out a few months ago.

I found the bag and cardigan really cute, and so I ordered from her.

One Sunday, I casually mentioned to Jigs about how I ordered CDG stuff from a blog, and he goes:

"Oh my gosh. Ako rin!"

We set a date to meet up and get our stuff together, and found myself meeting Cecile face-to-face for the first time. (Though I had put makeup on her adorable son Ben for a video before while secretly checking out his cute dad and wondering what brand laptop they were using to watch videos during shoot breaks.)

Lainey's super shala heights pa-merienda of Godiva chocolates for the buyers.

Cecile's impromptu opening of angpaos when she found an extra pair of pants that she wasn't able to get in Japan.

Jigs getting tempted by a pair of cute shoes (temptation won, BTW).

Cecile, Lainey and CDG everywhere.

So pogi! but, unfortunately for us girls, Jigs really is Comme des Garcons, ie, like(s) boys.

My official I-have-a-non-studio-shoot-and-I-must-bring-anti-dugyot-stuff slash susuwertehin-ka-pag-naka-polka-dots-ka-sa-bagong-taon spacious bag.

I left Lainey's suite replete in chocolates and CDG.

Bisperhassle

2008-12-24T12:35:00.000+08:00

Of all the people in my list, it's usually my dad who is the hardest person to buy a gift for.

Aside from their mutual love of crustaceans, I believe that my dad and Ariel (The Little Mermaid) have something else in common, and that is their possession of everything (I wouldn't be surprised if my dad had twenty thingamabobs too).

Since my dad loves cooking, my friend Macky suggested to me a panini maker. I thought, win-win, if he does have a panini maker already, he will just simply leave said panini maker here at our house, and *poof*! I will have a panini maker.

Because my knowledge of kitchen appliance brands is zero to none, it was a good thing that I asked Macky what a good brand was. She laughed her head off when I suggested "Krups", and not just because the name sounded like a cross between crap and kupal, but because it was a not-so-nice brand. (I guess this is the equivalent of someone giving me an Ever Bilena eyeshadow). She suggested the brand De Longhi, and my mission was set.

Now I had to find the Delonghi panini maker, and that was where everything went downhill. First, I called Anson's this afternoon, while I was going around Rockwell buying my brothers' gift (Guitar Hero World Tour).

The call went like this:

CSR: Anson's, hello.
Me: Hello, good afternoon, mag-iinquire sana about Delonghi.
CSR: Ano?
Me: De-loong-hi.
CSR: Ah, itatransfer ko ho kayo.
*tinny transfer music*
CSR2: Anson's hello.
Me: Hello, good afternoon, ni-refer ho ako dito, ask ko lang kung may Delonghi kayo na panini maker.
CSR2: Ano? Terminator?
Me: (in my head, WTF?), hindi ho. PA-NI-NI MAKER.
CSR2: Ah, itransfer ko ho kayo sa promo.
*tinny transfer music*
CSR: Anson's.
Me: Oo, hello, dito ba yun Delonghi na panini maker?
CSR: Ah itatransfer kita.
Pooooooootah. I felt like that goddamn bouncing square on the DVD player screen. I finally snapped after the fourth back and forth transfer.
Me: Ano ba? Pang ilang transfer ko na to a.
CSR: Ma'am, pakihanap ho yun Elba promo, siya rin kasi ang may hawak nun Delonghi e.
*nth transfer*
CSR2: Ah, Elba, sandali.
*plonks phone down, and I hear her press the mic and say "Paging, Elba promo, Elba promo, phone call"*
Elba promo: Hello, Elba.
Me: Hello, iinquire ko lang yun Delonghi na panini maker.
Elba promo: Ay. Wala hong delonghi dito, matagal na pinullout. Sa Rustan's na lang ho meron.

Putanginangpakyukangshetleche!

I know that it was already out of stock at Rustan's and even Gourdo's (I checked). So, I got my dad a cookbook about sauces.

And then, Rustan's suddenly texts to say that they have one unit left pa pala, and that they were going to hold it for me.

By then, I had already lost all my people patience after queueing up at the bookstore, and that harrowing idiotic phone call at Anson's (whose number I had to get, BTW by calling Ayala Center and THEN getting their number).

I figured, I'll get na lang the cookbook and save the (rather pricey) panini maker for another occasion instead of making the trip from Rockwell to Rustan's and going through the headache of dealing with more people.

However, on the trip home, I suddenly had a vivid guilt trip slideshow of how big the Guitar Hero World Tour box was and how teeny tiny the cookbook was compared to that, interspersed with visions of my dad taking me to Paris, and that one time when he screamed at a McDonald's server demanding he produce a McDonald's belt bag for me that was so uso when I was in Grade 2.

I sighed, girded my loins, and headed to Rustan's, where I learned that they were going to sell me the model unit.

Tae.

They were rushing to reassure me that it hadn't been on display for long, and that it was just a bridal return from a dumb couple who had registered twice for the item.

Whatever.

I pointed out to the salesman that there was a tiny scratch, where the paint peeled off from the handle, to which he replies: "Ma'am, talaga hong matatanggal yan pagdating ng panahon." To prove his point, he then uses his thumbnail to SCRATCH some more of the paint off.

"O, 'to naman, kinutkot mo pa, e di lalong lumaki yun gasgas! Hindi ako magbabayad ng mahal tapos ganyan na itsura no. Ipangreregalo ko yan, nakakahiya naman."

One thing I love about the sales people in Rustan's is that they are unfailingly polite and nice. (too bad the sorry bastards at Shopwise fired a lot of them during the holidays when they closed down Bon Appetit). He apologized for calling me down to the store and wasting my time and then promised to find me a nice one...in January.

Haaaaay. Lecheng panini maker yan.

I was so sad I considered getting this:

It's a Spongebob sandwich maker that....

lets you make Spongebob sandwiches!!! Coolness.

Kaya lang it was P1,550. Mahal, e if you add 400 pesos to your P1,550, you can get this:

A thin, PINK and white dibidi player!!!!! Tamang tama, my old cheapangga dibidi player died eons ago, and now, I have this cuuuuuute pink and white dibidi player. YEAH. It has a USB port pa so you can play your pirated stuff. Bonggang bongga!

So there. I left Rustan's panini maker-less but dibidi player-ful.

Hey!

2008-12-16T18:14:00.000+08:00

I was chatting with Pat and I was telling him how to text something to a guy.

In my example, I told him to text Kai with the details:

"Hey, Kai! We're all....blah blah blah blah."

And he laughed at me. Laughed!

He says guys, correction, MEN don't use "Hey" with their texts messages, as in "hey, name! are we playing basketball later?"

or "Hey, pare! Tuloy ba inuman later?"

Is that true?

I don't believe him.

Let me know, boys.

Testing, testing

2008-12-08T13:23:00.000+08:00

why is my entry not posting?

I got suckered into a premium account tuloy.

and it's still not working.

dammit.

My Christmas Wishlist Part 1

2008-12-04T19:57:00.000+08:00

Though the weather belies it, it is Christmas in 20 days. I have not done any Christmas shopping at all, although, through foresight, I actually have several people crossed off my list (but not enough to make a dent).

I am this close ---> <---- to just donating the Christmas gift money to a charity in behalf of my recipients' name, but if we are to follow the golden rule (do unto others and all that), I do want to receive presents. Gaily wrapped in paper that I can rip.

Here's what's on my Christmas wishlist to Santa or some generous benefactor:

A Stephen Sprouse Speedy in the....pink of course

If it can come with a guy who looks like that, why not.

A Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic shopper

I like bags where I can stash a puppy if need be. This looks ideal for work.

A Mac Book air

I don't care if it's not powerful or blah blah blah. As long as it can surf the net, check email and download my TV shows, I love it already.

Hand Cream
Frequent handwashing leaves my hands uncomfortably dry. I'm still looking for the perfect hand cream that softens without leaving greasy marks all over my bags and comes in packaging that's compact and unmessy and light that I can bring anywhere.

An Amazon Kindle or a Sony eBook Reader in Silver with a Pink cover case

I really want a book reader that uses electronic ink so I can bring a lot of books with me wherever I am.

The Nabaztag

Armenian for "rabbit", it's a Wi-Fi enabled ambient device that can connect to the Internet. I don't know exactly why it needs to connect to the Internet, it can read your emails out loud ata, but the ears move and the lights pulsate to the beat of music ata. I like it 'cause it's cute.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Staples & Studs Slouchy Shopper

I don't have a black bag yet, and this looks roomy.

Hello Kitty + MAC Collection

It's Hello Kitty na makeup. 'Nuf said.

OK. That's Part 1. It's 1 am. I have to take a shower because I have to leave for my shoot in an hour and a half.

Retail Happy

2008-12-04T17:44:00.000+08:00

I recently bought something in an online store to take advantage of the super slashed fall winter sales.

Imagine my utter dismay when the item I bought just a few days ago was further reduced by $85.00.

I felt so despondent, and for lack of a better target decide to go on a live chat with a sales associate to vent on the unfairness of it all.

Imagine my surprise when after showing her the link of the reduced item and her checking my receipt, she immediately replied:

"Since your purchase was within 10 days, we have credited $85.00 back to your credit card."

HUWAAAAT?

That's amaaaaayzing.

Unlike here, where you buy stuff from Zara/Topshop and you find that the shit you bought goes 50% off the next day, and all you get from the saleslady is a shrug. That's happened to me twice, with a denim skirt and a floral dress.

Never shop on a Thursday in Zara/Topshop when it's nearing sale season or you'll feel like crap on Friday.

Takipsilim

2008-11-29T19:23:00.000+08:00

2008 entry to Metro Manila Filmfest, the local cinema adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight", Takipsilim.

Pinangungunahan nila:

Heart Evangelista bilang Bella (pronounced "Belya")
Richard Gutierrez - Edward
Paolo Contis - Emmett
Chynna Ortaleza - Alice
Katrina Halili - Rosalie
Boy 2 Quizon - Jasper

With the special participation of:

Christopher de Leon as Charlie (winner by bigote)

Albert Martinez & Dawn Zulueta as Carlisle & Esme respectively (at sa masinop na paginom ni Albert ng MET, di na siya kelangan makeupan ng maputi)

Marian Rivera as Victoria

Thou Reyes (of Betty La Fea) as Laurent

Jake Cuenca as James (ang nag-iisang gwapo sa movie)

(bakit tila malungkot ang tonguts ni jake c?)

Rainier Castillo as Jacob Black

In the event that Rainier is booked during filming (or on the off chance that nag-MET siya bigla), here are my other bets to play the role of Jacob:

Alfred Vargas

or, in his first cinematic role.....

Kaya lang baka magpumilit si wifey na siya maging si Belya kung siya ang mapiling gumanap. Afraid.

Pis-eye

2008-11-29T09:32:00.000+08:00

This guy, SilieNation sells non-Panasonic accessories for the LXtwee, and I gave in and bought a fisheye lens.

I figured, Diana flash + fisheye lens = digital lomo.

I just got the lens in the mail today (after paying SilieNation yesterday morning via deposit at BPI, he has other options), sent via Air 21.

Here are some of the photos I took using the new lens.

I wasn't sure if I screwed it on right. (That's what she said.)

Is this Barack?

Yes it is. See his little puppy pututuy.

I know now what Pat meant by the border. It can get annoying sometimes.

I had to wipe down the lens after testing it because all the doggies pressed their noses against it.

Serena behind bars (she kinda looks like Rhino in his glass ball. If you don't know who Rhino is, you suck! Haha)

Give Us This Day

2008-11-24T06:45:00.000+08:00

Nike - Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar dela Hoya Print/Billboard Collaterals

Grooming/extreme oiling/body makeup: Tatin Yang
Photography: Tom Epperson
Advertising agency: Ogilvy & Mather

New Kids On The Black

2008-11-16T15:02:00.000+08:00

Today was going to be my bed day, meaning I will only get up to pee.

Found myself immersed in the super funny musings of Chuvaness (more on that in another entry), with the hard, muscular plane that is Daniel Craig in the background.

Tammy said I should've screamed "Anakan mo ako" in French when I saw him at the Lido. She was right. I wanted to take the photo of him making ahon from the beach in baby blue trunks, when my money shot was interrupted by my phone.

It was my dad, and I know he and my brother were supposed to in some gun show.

"Tatin! May cute na dalawang black Chow chow dito sa Tiendesitas. Mura lang."
"Oh yeah? Send me a picture!"
"We're trying, pero di masend e. Wow, ang cute talaga. Kaya lang, we have so many dogs e."

I was still transfixed by the image of Daniel Craig with water sluicing down the abs, so I absently "uh-huhed" and "yeah".

I thought nothing more of it and went back to Casino Royale, when Gugu heard my dad's busina. She immediately hopped down the bed and stood by the door to eagerly await his arrival.

I told my brother that Papa saw a Chowchow, and I joked "Binili niya! Ayan na sila!"

And he goes: "ooooows?"

"Hindi, joke lang"

"Pero si Kev tinatanong kung nasa bahay ako e."

We looked at each other, each thinking the same thing. Did he? Would he?

The baby sensing something was different.

And then I heard a squeal from downstairs (from Grace), and frenzied barking from the non-Gugus.

Minutes later, my dad knocks and says "Buksan ang pinto!"

I knew there was a dog. I knew it. I figured he bought the male.

But he also bought the female.

Meet Michelle & Barack.

My dad claimed naming rights on the male, so he is Barack na talaga. I managed to wheedle him out of Michelle, so the female is still unnamed. ("Barack, Pa? Isn't that racist?")

I wanna name her Cookie, because she reminds me of a dark chocolate Mrs. Fields cookie (she can be Coo-coo, and Gugu). But, in keeping with the racist theme, I figured, maybe Beyonce, but I could just hear Mang Cris & Grace having a field day massacring Beyonce.

Barack, at 2 months old is showing signs of being a barakong malibog. He was humping his sister (incestuous AND horny) already.

Since she let her brother hump her without a fight, I finally decided to name her.............

Serena. After the slutty van der Woodsen, and the machong tennis player.

They still smell like their mother's vagina. Stinky tuta.

All along I thought I got the impulse buying gene from my mother. Looks like both parents have it. I didn't stand a chance.

Uyyyy, selos.

I intend to claim Barack as my own so he'll be patay na patay over me instead of my dad (like Gugu is).

We're really a kennel now.

I tried to take pictures, but they're so black and their faces so tiny you can't see the features so clearly.

They always seek each other out (like super twins, or really sick incestuous siblings). My dad said he got both "kasi kawawa naman yun isa, umiiyak pag nahiwalay" Which was freaky, because that's EXACTLY what I think when I get both dresses in different colors.

Barack is going to be the resident stud (for Serena and Mimi only, Gucci will be virgin forever).

Welcome to the petting zoo.

Barack, having accumulated all the floor's alikabok, and looking like a little chocolate baboy damo.

The Dog Whisperer

2008-11-15T16:12:00.000+08:00

My brother and Gugu were having a conversation the other night.

I came home today to the most wonderful sight:

This is the shiznit. I tasted this on the Seair plane trip to Boracay. I liked it so much that everyone I was with gave me theirs. Grace found it at Landmark while grocery-ing.

Every evening (until supplies last), Gugu and I share a bottle of Yakult. The vet says it's good for a dog's digestive system. I give it to her because it makes her run up the stairs faster than the fastest animal in the animal kingdom, despite her fatness.

Dumb cat thinks it's a real bird.

Oh, Shoot(s)!

2008-11-15T07:48:00.000+08:00

When the lomography craze started multiplying like a zombie colony, I found myself afraid to get bitten. After all, it seemed like an expensive, time-consuming hobby.

Thankfully, I remained an interested purveyor of photos, but never went so far as to acquire a camera and obsessively hunt down film and shoot from the hip.

That explains why it took so long for me to visit mamu Jill's baby, Oh, Shoot! a toy camera shop, located in a cozy little loft above badass gun sellers (it's really a place of shooting).

The place is amaaaaayzing. I only went there for an, ehem, flash, but ended up bringing home my first lomo camera:

A Demekin goldfish eye tiny cam that operates on 110 film. I still haven't figured out the clicky thing. I think it's stuck. It's only good for outdoors, and it supposedly takes golden half frame photos (I really tried to remember what Jill told me, but she sounded Snoopyish too after a while. Yes, I have the attention span of a flea).

You must, MUST, visit Jill's place, especially if you're looking for a present for yourself or for a special someone:

Check out all those goodies. There are more cameras inside the crate.

I brought Gugu with me, but I couldn't carry her up, and the steps were too tiny for her to climb because she couldn't maneuver her fatness up one step (she tried, funnily.). This was her getting impatient, peering up and deciding to try to come up.

"Mama, let's goooo home." She's still wary of unfamiliar places. So adorable.

Oh Shoot! is at 187 Murphy Center Building, Boni Serrano Rd., QC. It's right in front of Centennial Bank, between 13th and 14th sts. It's easy to find. It's inside Guns Empire. Make sure to text Jill Lejano before you go at 0917.830.3078. Oooh, and let me know if you're going, sama ako!

Yesterday too, I got a little tutorial on the basics of photography. Dix taught me how to tweak shutter speed and aperture opening (although I think I need to ask our photographer at our shoot today to teach me again because I forgot the correlation again, hehe).

Usually, when photographers explain to me the intricacies of capturing light, they all tend to sound to me the way adults do in a Snoopy cartoon, all gibberish and I just nod and smile and say "ahhhh" as if I understood.(I also get like this when people give me directions, I pretend to know, only friends who know me give me a quiz to make sure I was listening).

It's a lot confusing! It's like a hard crossword puzzle, and though I'm trying, I'm still slow on the adjusting the camera that by the time I've figured out the setting, the thing I want to take a photo of is gone.

Here are some of the photos we took from our shoot yesterday:

Dix, sume-self portrait

Margox and I

Stylist Sidney workin' it. Dix attached his receiver thingy on my camera so I got to use his light setup.

I want.

Kuya Edwin and Kuya Charlie receiving the latest email blast from Gossip Girlash

Yeah, that's how he dresses normally.

After the shoot, we played around with the best-looking model of the day

We have the album cover ready, all we need are the songs.

Dix let me use the ring flash.

My "serious" face.

On the way home:

Coni T! This is the 2nd time I've seen your (our) crush in this building, I wonder what he does here....?

My favorite subject in the whole wide world (whose eyes are probably smarting from all the flashing)

The cat trying to get away from me.

Have you met our other pets? The non-Gugus:

Gugu's cousin, Ate Mimi. They came from the same puppy farm. We tie her up because she's sneaky, she once ran out the house and made it all the way to the village entrance before Mang Cris caught up with her.

My dad's dog, Mugsy (or as my brother not so affectionately calls him, "Mugshit", because she splattered my bro with her doggie poo on his way to school).

The lola of the house, Kamille (I didn't choose the name). She's been with us for 7 years.

My other pet that's also a brother, Kev

The baby:

Photos are fun.

Gugubear

2008-11-12T06:59:00.000+08:00

This post's for Auntie Mia, hehe

She snores like a man, here's Gugu on semi-snore.

She hates having her paw hair trimmed. We got into an argument because she was rubbing her itchy nose against the bedpost, when she knew she wasn't supposed to. She is very ticklish, even when asleep.

The Sign?

2008-11-11T20:10:00.000+08:00

My shoot today was supposed to start at 6 pm. That left me plenty of time to get a much-needed pedicure in the afternoon.

The model suddenly backed out at the last minute, and I was suddenly left with a free, rainy day.

It just so happened that I got "stranded" at Greenbelt 5.

I figured, might as well pass by a certain camera store to check if a certain camera was there.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) it wasn't. YET.

So, I walked around aimlessly, trying to get a feel of Greenbelt 5 since it looks like a mall I'd love to hang out in.

I ended up in front of a store that sold antique looking traveling trunks. I went inside, and there, I encountered an old, gay-ish man who greeted me. I am a very polite person, and sometimes my politeness leads me to the weirdest encounters. Not everyone who receives a polite, tentative smile views it as such. Some see a "Oddballs Welcome!" neon sign.

This happened to be one of those days.

He kept looking at me as if I were familiar, and I figured that maybe he was one of those old designers I had bumped into some fashion show or some other place of work. As it turns out, he was a psychic (an international, acclaimed one, he claims) and he insists that he knows me.

I was about to leave when he offered me a reading. I demurred at first, saying that I did not have enough cash with me, but he said that he was going to give me a trial reading and that he'd make it all good so that I'd refer him or come back.

I sat down uncomfortably in a chair next to him, where he took out a piece of paper and drew unintelligible squiggles and circles and stuff. He made me choose some symbols, while saying "I am reading you simultaneously as we talk. I see everything, the past the present the future, blah blah blah, pray the Our Father and I will know everything."

I keep an impassive face, getting slightly more alarmed as he starts to make less sense talking rapidly like an announcer in the Sta. Ana race track.

He liked speaking articleless-ly, e.g. "You have line of money, use it well." and stuff like "Nanaginip ka ng simbahan. Nangyari na ba?" (to which I wanted to answer...uh, hello, I was asleep! I don't remember all my dreams.)

I guess he was trying to figure out which buttons to push, what would make my face light up or pale. He did say some things about my personality which were pretty spot on, and he did mention a new car (my dad finally laid our 11 year old Civic to pasture and replaced it last night), so points for him on that.

He said, too, that I have been neglecting Jesus by always going out to the mall with my friends.

He said that while business is good, the lovelife is not, and that body feng shui from him will surely balance it out so that I can have "maraming maraming lalaki ("may isang Pinoy pero maitim siya, wag na yun.").

He also said "You have gift of tongue, pero di mo ginagamit.", to which I wanted to retort, "Paano ko gagamitin, e wala ngang lalaki? Duh."

He said though that someone who owed me money was going to pay me soon (a sign I took to mean as "LX3, LX3"), but in the same breath he said I was "kuripot", na dating "gastador" ("LX3?", "LX3??").

He kept looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to ask questions, but I just let him finish. He was on a roll, and I didn't want to rain on his parade. He did, after all, predict the Gulf War (according to him), and if he says my tongue is gifted, w-ell.

All in all, it was a trippy encounter.

Do you wanna know if you have gift of tongue, too? I have his number. Let me know.

The Writer and The Devil(s)

2008-11-11T08:27:00.000+08:00

I celebrated the launch of authoress Marla Miniano's (naks, full name haha) book yesterday.

It's called "Every Girl's Guide To Heartache", and I'm only on Rule 5, and I'm enjoying every page. I'm rooting for her to end up with the neighbor guy, and I have enough EQ not to look at the back page to see if they do. It reads really well, and there are some lines that are classic Marla (I can actually imagine her saying it).

Read it you must!

You can't miss it in the shelves. It's bright pink with cutesy doodles on the front cover. I got my copy at Powerbooks. Out now! (Congratulations, Marley!!! :))

The whole Candy crew was there, as well as the old, honorary Candy cooties (Pat & Kai).

Aside from Marla's book, two other books were launched/relaunched. Vince O. Teves's Vince's Life and Andrea Pasion's Have Baby Will Date. They all read excerpts from their books (except Vince's which was read by a guy named Eri). The third excerpt (from Have Baby Will Date) was really funny because it was all about the baby daddy (but not husband, so you get the conflict) being taught by a lady how to help the protagonist induce lactation via the massage method or what I like to think would be called by DOH as Oplan Lamas Gatas.

What was actually funnier was Pat's expression during the reading:

Pat with lactation on his mind

Kai came in late, bringing with him the coolest thing on the planet.

It was love at first sight. The Lumix LX3, with a Diana flash attached to it. Suddenly, my pale pink camera, looked, um, paler, in comparison.

I want one EXACTLY like that, even though Pat will have reached his quota of "I told you so's" and Kai will call me "gaya-gaya". Kai even uses it as a conversation piece to pick up chicks. I'll use it as a conversation piece to take pictures of boys to pick up.

It's an avaricious month for me, I'm beginning to notice. First the bag, and then this. I really want one, but I have a camera already (barely even a month old, and I'm already fantasizing about something else. I think I was a man in a past life), and I'm loath to sell my Plinks. And I am again caught in the dilemma of disposing of previously loved pink gadgets, with me being the only girl in the house and my brothers who would rather lose a testicle than accept a pink gadget even if it's gratis. The one time one accepted a pink gadget hand-me-down was my pink PSP.

Pat, in a last ditch consoling effort says to me:

"Hey, your photos in Paris looked surprisingly good with the E1"

Which Kai ultimately ruins by saying:

"Meron isa pang girl pumunta ring Paris, dala yun LX3, SOBRANG ganda nun photos."

Dammit.

The devils at work:

OK. So here's my deal with myself. If I get an ad job (haha parang odd job na barok) in the next fourteen days, then you will be mine, Lumix LX3.

Wushuuuu deal. I can't stop thinking about it, even though it looks like it weighs a ton, it's black, and I can't carry a dainty evening bag for gimiks if I'm bringing that.

I'm thinking if I get that (and the requisite Diana flash, naturally), I'll have some custom paint jobs done.

Aaaaaargh. Dammit.

This was me trying to relove my pink camera on the way home after being with the LX3. Gugu half-blind from all the efforts closed her eyes. (Mang Cris brought her "accidentally". I think it's insurance so I'll come straight to the car and won't dilly-dally over the shops.)

Quantum of Yummy

2008-11-09T19:21:00.000+08:00

The last time I watched a James Bond movie was the one with Denise Richards. I fell asleep ten minutes after the movie and woke up when Denise & Pierce were getting it on, and then end credits thankfully rolled.

After that experience, I never went near a Bond film ever again. I did make an attempt when Madonna was performing the theme song, but that previous film scarred me so much I only watched Madonna's theme song and then I flipped channels.

Truth be told, I only stayed to catch a glimpse of Daniel Craig at the Lido just to be able to say that I saw a big-screen celluloid actor.

I guess it was a blessing that I had seen him in action after seeing him in person or I would have absolutely disgraced myself that rainy night by throwing my panty at him.

OHMYEFFINGOD. Why did no one tell me about how hawt he is??

I just came from a free MTRCB ID screening (thanks, K! haha) of Quantum Of Solace tonight and it was the first Bond film I had stayed awake from start to finish. It was amaaaayzing.

I was torn between wanting to bite Daniel Craig's bicep or thigh (his wardrobe person deserves a medal for putting him in khaki pants that let still let you see whenever his thighs would flex).

Anyone who looks that yummy (and fasyon) in a desert has my undying love and devotion.

Look at those arms.

Must watch Casino Royale.

Boston Blues

2008-11-09T06:26:00.000+08:00

When I learned that I was going to be in gay Pariiieee, I promised myself that I was going to buy a bag there. I had set a reasonable budget (not quite a GK house, but maybe a GK roof) and set off to choose which bag would be it.

T told me I should get the cute speedy with the watercolor pattern in brown, and I had to agree on how adorable it looked.

However, it was already sold out when I got there, because it was a collection from last season. So, I ended up buying myself a regular speedy, which left my budget still open for one more bag. Plus, it IS cheaper over there. Remarkably so.

I saw this cute pink bag from Gucci's cruise collection, and I thought "This is it. It's pink and it's like my dog."
So, I went to Galeries Lafayette to check if they had it in stock. I told my dad I was buying it for a friend (Hey, if I can't be my own friend, then something's wrong, right?). When I got there, the sales associate who looked like Alan Cumming showed me two bags while he was looking for it. A baby pink leather Boston and this:

It was soooooo adorable. I dismissed the baby pink leather immediately because I didn't wanna be stuck with always worrying about baby pink leather in the dustiest country in the world.

Since he found the bag I really wanted, I bought that, though it took me half an hour to choose because I was so torn. I felt to buy both was too excessive, and the Boston was the same shape as the speedy.

So I just left with the pink shopping tote.

Until I got to Hong Kong, and the Internet, and saw how much they were selling it outside of Paris.

I was such a dummy for not buying it! :( And now it's all I can think of.

I really, really, really want it. So much that I've been doing the equivalent of sleeping with other women to get over THE ONE.

Like this:

I got the cornflower blue version. Really cute, but still not MY lavender Boston.

Or this:

I'll use this for out of town shoots or casual days, or when I have workshop, or when I'm wearing boots.

But I still can't stop thinking about the Boston that got away. I've already started bugging friends abroad to check it out for me.

The last time I felt like this was when I was five years old. I remember it well. My mom and I were going around a toy store and I was looking around for a toy to bring home. My mom picked up this white stuffed leopard with black spots that had downturned plastic blue eyes. It looked so sad that I said "No, it looks sad! I don't want it."

Days later, I couldn't stop thinking about how sad that little leopard looked, and I felt that it was sad and accusing me for not taking it home.

On the 2nd night, my mom found me clutching the banister crying when she got back from work. I wanted the leopard so bad that I had waited for her to come home from work so we could go out and buy it (yes, even then my lack of EQ was horrifying, but in those days wala pang EQ EQ).

We got the leopard the next morning, and I think he's still lying around somewhere in the box of old stuffed animals.

There. That's how I feel about the lavender Boston. I really really really really want it. But it's so far away. Sniff.

Touching Base

2008-11-03T12:14:00.000+08:00

Spent my first two days back at..........

The mall.

I am slowly coming to terms to readily admitting that I am a little bit of a shopaholic. I didn't buy anything during my mall trips. OK, just a pair of flip-flops. And two phones, which both belong to my brothers.

Having two brothers who want two expensive things at the same time makes me wanna stick my finger down my throat to throw up all my viable eggs. Having kids is hell on your pocket, not to mention your vagina, I imagine.

Anyway, my dad was up for a loyalty reward thingy for his Globe line, and since brother 1 wanted to replace his broken iPhone with a new one, I told him about it, and he agreed to pay the smaller cash out for the new iPhone.

However, the cash out turned out to be too big for K1 (brother 1), so K2 (brother 2) asked if he could have the iPhone whose cash out he could afford.

I thought, problem solved right?

Well, K1 still wanted the iPhone and got upset that he wouldn't be able to have it. K2 felt bad that he was going to have his iPhone dream snatched out of his hands, and it was unfair that as youngest he'd have to bow out again.

So, here I am feeling all guilty and wanting both happy, I decided to pay for the cash out myself, sell the reward 16gb iPhone, and use the cash proceeds for that to buy them both 8GB iPhones under new phone numbers. Plus, I'd get myself a nice kickback.

Well, Globe girl at Globe Hub in Glorietta turned out to be a little bit of a bitch. She didn't want to approve my application for two new lines because my papers were not financially nice enough to suit her. I couldn't understand why my status as a long-time (12 years!! Hindi pa uso ang text, I only had one textmate at that time!) pay on time subscriber was not only undervalued, I even got judged after she perused all my personal financial information. Talk about customer DISS-service. Instead of arguing and calling her names, I decided to look for a business center with a guy behind the counter.

I found myself at the Globe Business Center in Park Square 1 where the nicest guy named Jun approved my application and processed it in under an hour without any fuss or without telling me I had to make at least (she named a specific amount) in order for my application to be approved. (Globe Park Square 1 rocks, Globe Glorietta Hub SUCKS!!! ). I had this childish urge to trot back to the Glorietta center, wave the phones in her face and stick my tongue out at her, but resisted (barely) the urge to gloat.

So now my two brothers are happy, I'm happy, and we're going to sell their old phones to buy our dad a new one since he gave up his free phone, and we didn't even have to spend anything! I love phone replacement time, it's like sudoku, only funner.

We ate at East Cafe in Rustan's where they have the most a-may-ziiing kamote fries. It's the shiznit.

This is my favorite to order at East Cafe, paired with salmon sashimi. Tsalaaaap.

We also had the creamiest, yummiest strawberry cake which was so good I forgot to take a photo of it before we (I) demolished it. I wonder who supplies the cake to East. I'm pretty sure it's going to be my Christmas cake for Noche Buena, and my future birthday cake.

My brother and I went to Rockwell for our final stop. We went to Lulu Belle, the cutest frozen yogurt topping store and we passed by Power Station. This crane machine made us laugh.

The Teddy Bear gang killing wasteland.

Whoever set this up has a macabre sense of humor. So funny.

***

Spent today at Shangri-La mall to have lunch with Tata aka Tivoli turnover day. Tata asked me to buy her an LV Tivoli PM which was so cute I was super tempted to buy the bigger one for myself. The Tivoli PM, according to (cute) Sebastien at LV Champs-Elysees is one of the hottest selling bags in Paris at the moment, and once they get stock today, it's gone by that afternoon. I knew this to be true because when I got to Paris on Tuesday, the ave Montaigne store had it in stock, and by Thursday, when I got the go-ahead to buy it, it was already out of stock all over Paris. It was a good thing that my dad scheduled a trip to Bordeaux, where I found the ONE LAST PIECE at the LV Bordeaux store. When it's meant to be, it's meant to be.

Scarlett Johansson holding the bigger Tivoli. So pretty (the bag, not SJ, but her boobs rock, if I were a guy I'd probably be a breast man)

Martata and Donna (whom we bumped into on her way to a meeting), checking out the dainty Tivoli. I still want one. Hehe.

I like Donna's rule about buying bags: Nothing that costs more than a Gawad Kalinga house.

I still don't have the shopping betlog to buy a bag that costs more than that. Um, how much is a GK house? Ah, OK, I just went to their site, and yes, I wholly agree. Nothing more than a GK house.

I asked our waiter at Cibo to put us at a table next to Topshop. Cibo is the best restaurant on earth. I could eat there everyday. While waiting for Tata to arrive, I went inside and saw this for GG fans:

A sorta copy of the dress Serena wore at the Eleanor Waldorf fashion show that li'l J "designed" for herself, which IMNEO (in my not expert opinion) sucked.

Topshop is feeling Christmas-y because they put this next to a Red Richie Rich Cherry vintage tee and this sparkly belt:

You know where to go if your Xmas party theme is "Give Love On Christmas Day" or if you sideline as a Santa girl. You can wear tinsel as a necklace, and lace-up gladiator sandals with Christmas lights as the lace-ups. If you're lacking in the bobelles area, you can buy the styro christmas balls at National too and stuff it down your dress. Ooooh, kinky holiday dress-up. Me likey.

I think I have jetlag. I feel dizzy and sleepy and lazy.

I'm hoooooooooooome

2008-11-02T08:35:00.000+08:00

I'm hooooome!

I was picked up at the airport by two of my favorite people in the whole world: Gugu (ok, not a people, but whatever) and Mang Cris in the Altis (who incidentally was celebrating his 47th birthday today. He looks very young for 47, I wonder what skincare he uses...).

I knew I was home the moment I heard the word "erline" ("Those with connecting flights with China Erlines, please proceed to terminal 2") over the loudspeakers.

Ang init, and namimiss ko na yun mga poging mukha. Sniff.

So there, I'll get settled first and then I'll write another post.

I'm hoooooooooooooome.

Oh and the Christmas decors are up already. Weird.

Last Night

2008-10-31T03:01:00.000+08:00

The night before, I made a detailed itinerary for my very last day in Paris. You see, I felt very terrible about not being able to see fully any of the wonderful sights that make Paris what it is. Of the countries I've been to, the only places I know by heart are the malls. I don't have a picture of an elephant in Bangkok, or a mer-lion in Singapore, or Mickey Mouse with Chinese eyes. I do have a 30% makeup store discount card from the former, makeup books and makeup from the latter to remember my trip by.

This time, I vowed to spend the last day taking in the sights. I can't come home and tell people "The boutiques in Paris are nice."

So, my itinerary was going to be such:

AM - change money, buy a bag I the secreted to no end, buy a bag for a friend, buy a 1 day unlimited Metro Pass
NOON - Following Frommer's "One Day in Paris" itinerary, I was going to the Louvre, Pont Neuf, Notre Dame, Concorde and do the 2 mile walk from there to Arc de Triomphe. I was going to have a mini Pain Au Chocolate stay at Jardin des Tuileries while taking Da Vinci Code spots photos for my brother. In the evening, I was going to the Eiffel Tower and then try to squeeze in a Seine river ride tour of the city.

I woke up a little bit later than expected and stayed a bit with my dad while he waited for his plane, so my plans got pushed back.

I was however able to buy the bag I the secreted (it was the first arrival they had and it was only one! Yay!) and my friend's bag which was such a bitch to buy because the store closed too damn early. After FIVE tries (two of them in Bordeaux), I finally managed to catch the store open.

I even had a mini-debate with myself when I complimented the sales associate on her smokin lipstick. She said she got it at the MAC store (it was a Pro shade, not available in Phils), and she gave me directions to go there. I was so tempted to make a stop first at MAC before going to the Louvre.

My self-convo was:

"O ayan na yun stop for MAC, bababa ka ba?"
"Pero sayang yun Louvre! Pucha, lipstick na naman? Worth it ba yan? Kaya ka nga brand affiliated e, diba? Para you have product support. Para que pa yun?"
"E maganda yun shade e"
"Andami dami mong shades diyan pwede mo naman i-mix yun! Atsaka diba bumili ka na ng pang-kilay mo, so may nabili ka na for work!! Go to the Louvre, goddammit!"

And so I did. My inner voice scares me sometimes (not in an "OMG, am I schizo" type of way, but in a moral compass kind of way)

I alighted from the Metro stop, saw the looong queue, and decided to just take photos of the exterior and go sightseeing.

I rushed up to go to the glass pyramid, only to see that it was fucking raining. And not the drizzle type. Fucking RAIN.

While my umbrella was blithely stashed in my bag in the hotel.

So there went my best laid plans up in a cold mist of condensation.

I felt horrible.

Hindi man lang ako nasilayan ng paintings. The only art I saw was the LV monogram (beautiful), and a picture of a soooooooper cute chow-chow clutching a shopping bag (it was a sign I was meant to go to the Louvre.)

Boris the shopping chow-chow

The view of the glass pyramid from inside the Louvre entrance.

I decided to look on the bright side. There must be a reason why it rained enough for my plans to change. Maybe I'm meant to return another time and drink in all the sights.

So, I just took the day as it was. I got stuck under the Louvre exit awning with a cute-ish guy who had a hot looking scruffy beard.

We looked at each other in dismay when we both saw the rain, and while he stopped to smoke, we both looked at the rain and shook our heads. He shrugged, and I said:

"C'est dommage qu'il pleut. J'ai des plans de marcher." (Such a shame it's raining, I wanted to walk).
"Ah ben, moi aussi, mais il faut prendre le metro" (Me too, but I guess we have to take the metro.)

*pause*

"J'aime bien votre cheveux." (I really like your hair).

My hair which I had attempted to soften and control with one measly half sachet of conditioner? With the color half-and-half like a yorkie?

"Ah bon? Un homme de coree a coupe and faire des boucles" (me trying to say a Korean man cut and permed it)
"Ouais, les boucles sembles tres naturel" (Your curls look natural)

God, I wanted to jump his bones. He was telling me he loved my hair! In French! While in a leather jacket! In retrospect, he'll probably be better for my gay friends. Although the beauty of Europe is you can never can tell that a man who does hair for a living MAY be straight. There is hope in the EU.

I finally asked if he was a hairstylist (I mean, he was studying my hair in a way the hairstylists back home scrutinize it too). I learned that he was a hairstylist in one of the "haute coiffure" shops in Paris (he works on French comedians), and if he weren't saying all this in French and wasn't cute I'd think he was a pompous ass.

What are the odds of me meeting a hairstylist in Paris? His name is Paul (pronounced by him as Pawlllluh), and he's been doing hair for 20 years, 15 in Paris and 5 in Provence (which makes him middle-aged). He was really nice and even asked if I was working there, too.

I eschewed all shyness and asked to take his photo for my blog, I told him.

Paul (Pawlllllluh)

Where I took shelter.

I was going to walk down here sana. Sniff.

Another super zoomed photo of the Louvre pyramid

Where I was waiting for the rain to stop in hopes of walking down the Jardin des Tuileries (sounds like a circumcision garden). The stone ceiling had cracks in it though, so I still got wet.

Men in horses.

I decided to try and wait for the rain to stop, and took the Metro back to Champs-Elysees to try the famed Laduree. I learned that while Paris is beautiful, it has no freaking awnings along the boutiques for you to run under when it's raining.

I waited so long in line to get a table. But, the macarons were worth it. I tried the Vanilla, Raspberry, Caramel and Pistachio. Their hot chocolate wasn't bad either, it felt like you were swallowing molten chocolate, but sweet against sweet wasn't a good combination.

Wish I'd ordered this. Looks good even super zoomed.

I found something yummier though. The macaron vendeur who looked a lot like Bryce Larkin (Matthew Bomer in Chuck). I didn't get good photos because the other ugly vendor thought I was taking photos of the macarons and it wasn't allowed. Hel-lo. Picture of cute guy vs picture of macaron???

After waiting at Laduree, I saw that the rain had not stopped a bit. I was debating whether to go back to the hotel to get my umbrella and attempt to take in the sights when the rain started seeping into my cute suede boots (which are now officially ruined).

My feet were cold, my face was cold, and I was getting rained on. My fingers felt like they were about to fall off, my leggings were riding down my butt along with my panties, and I couldn't even take photos.

And then I saw Daniel Craig.

There was a thickening crowd by the Lido theater, and I knew that they were advertising heavily the new Bond flick (Quantum of Solace). It looked like there was going to be a premiere, but I figured, eh premiere.

And then it occurred to me: "Tangina, teka lang. Paris premiere to. Hindi Christopher de Leon ang aabangan sa ganito, Hollywood actor!" (shucks, there was also a premiere of W, a movie starring Josh Brolin last week. Maybe he was there too, dammit.)

So, I waited behind the barricades (I was farther away than the rest, uzi din pala ang mga French, kala ko pa-cool, di pala), and caught a glimpse of Daniel Craig. He was with a woman who looked like Famke Jannssen, but I didn't get a good look because I didn't wanna take my eyes off Daniel Craig. There were other actors, too, pero I didn't know them much. Actually, I've never seen a movie of Daniel Craig, but Daniel Craig is Daniel Craig.

A blurry, zoomed all the way photo of him in the backseat.
The female companion

People with a better vantage point.

Dunno who this actor was but he took long in the "red carpet" because he had a wardrobe malfunction.

He looks exactly like he does in the photos, slightly shorter, and he didn't smile much, but he did sign autographs.

I got my wish to see a Hollywood actor. I saw in a tech blog that Natalie Portman was here last week (they included a photo of her on a park bench), and I was so annoyed that I didn't see her. But then, there are so many hotties here that you don't know if they look like a particular actor or he/she IS the actor.

I didn't wait to see if Judi Dench was there, because I was Judi drenched (har har). You can't see him in the photos I attempted to take because the flash charged too long, and my hands were shaking from the cold and hunger (yes, Pat, I should've gotten the Lumix).

I window-shopped at LV while waiting for the rain to let up, where I pulled an almost Carrie Bradshaw in Dior and slipped on their floor. Buti na lang I didn't fall.

OK, fine. I didn't window shop. I bought an agendallet. It was originally supposed to be a mini agenda, but it was so cute that I added a money clip to it, and now I have an appointment book that is also a wallet. And I just read in the site that since it comes with a chain, you can attach the chain to itself where it can double as a tiny evening pouch. SWEET. It's like I bought a planner, a wallet AND an evening bag for the price of, well, all three. I'm feeling tres tres guilty.

I did learn a little bit of trivia though. While at LV, a cute big bading (there is no other description more apt) asked in a horrified voice if I the bag I had was new because it was raining. When he grabbed the bag from me and said in a relieved voice "Ah, it's not new, thank God.", I learned that you cannot take a new LV bag out in the rain because the leather part will gather permanent watermarks (referring to monogram canvas with leather bits). It's better to "laspag" it before wetting it because apparently the canvas is "Impermeable. Bien sur!" (according to CBB).

I'm naming the agendallet "Chonie" because the lady at the money exchange shop was Pinay and we got to talking. She's been living in France for 20 years now, and she gave me extra for my dollars ("O ayan, konting extra, kasi di kita nabigyan kanina, di ko alam na Pinoy ka pala.") AWESOME. Everyone in Paris is nice!

So ended my last day of sightseeing. I didn't get to see the Notre Dame gargoyles, but I did get to see the new generation James Bond.

Compromise IS nice.

Tomorrow, I leave na. I'm happy because I get to see Gugu, my brothers and my makeup kit, sad that I'll leave coat and boots weather, and sadder that I'm leaving a place that makes you wanna walk with so many drop-dead handsome men.

Next time I'm here I'm getting me one of them 'otties.

Ahhhhhh...Wifi

2008-10-24T20:14:00.000+08:00

I am currently rushing through 20 minutes of free wi-fi at the Gare de Lyon train station. We will be spending the weekend at Grenoble, where my dad will play golf and I will take a tour of the countryside I guess :)

So many stories to tell, so little time, will be boarding in 38 minutes.

I hope my downloads finish by then.

Yes, I am a TV addict.

A bientot! (It looks like ambantot without the proper accents, no?)

Faire Shopping

2008-10-23T02:28:00.000+08:00

Well, whaddya know, my SB (shopping betlog) came out and played today. But only because the stuff I got wasn't heart attack inducing.

I went to Place Monge today to check out some makeup stores. I even ended up at the one I wanted to visit most without me trying (it's really meant to be). The items are fairly priced, and it's a store that caters to professional makeup artists, so you have fake blood, fake bruises, prosthetics and pro makeup. I bought an eyebrow grooming set, powder and blush.

I braved the metro today, and it wasn't half-bad. I appreciate it more without my 40 pound burden. Although it's still dirty and old and slightly smelly. Here's where I snapped my stealth cute guy shot. In person, he was a cross between Adam something, the vocalist from Maroon 5 and Jim Caviezel. It didn't translate so well in the photo (IMO).

Talk about in your face stealth photo-taking. I had to put on my "frowning hard in concentration while "texting"" face, and put my phone on silent to mask the telling "snick" of the camera. I had to squeeze myself in into that corner seat across him just so I can take the photo.

I was surprised to alight at the Place Monge metro right into a small open air market, with flowers, cheese, giant produce and clothes.

Look at that giant gulay. Incidentally, I skimmed my camera's manual and found out that I have a special camera setting called "Foliage". I use it when I shoot plants, to give vibrancy to the colors or whatever.

Lisa, the "melange" (mixed breed, ie askal) dog. So cute. I miss gugu.

Lunch.

More photos of the arena. It was so peaceful here.

These kids were making out heavily. Naka-zoom na yan, takot akong lapitan e. Hehe.

There were so few people at the place that I felt confident to set my camera on self-timer a couple of feet away from me. It may be sunny but it was effing cold.

I love these but the left one gave me a blister (the right fit perfectly naman). I have to buy band-aids first before I can use this again. Thank goodness I found a pair of feeling Uggs (fUggs) at Rue Rivoli for.......29 euros! Whee!

I also saw my first French Mcdo at Rue Rivoli

I *ehem* needed (needed?) gloves, so I bought a pair at H&M (thank God H&M is still reasonable wherever, the Philippines had better keep that tradition), and this cape was calling out to me. I took it home after a lady at the fitting room said "C'est tres mignonne." (It's very cute). Sold! It's my favorite purchase so far, because it's comfy. Oh, and I bought a hat, pero tomorrow na yun with my Thursday outfit.

My dad arrived tonight and I'm moving to his hotel tomorrow. It's way nicer (the type where they leave chocolate on your pillow).

EXCEPT THE WI-FI'S NOT FREE.

I want to ask him if I can stay here instead but he might kill me.

We had dinner at a real restaurant tonight, where the meal cost more than my boots and cape. I wanted to ask if I could just buy something at H&M with my share of the meal, but I was afraid he'd kill me. I had some of his foie gras. Yum. Death by cholesterol.

So tomorrow, we're doing the touristy stuff, and see the Paris sights.

Waaaah. Goodbye wi-fi. Am already looking for a cafe nearby with free wi-fi to get my TV shows.

My hotel seems so much better in retrospect. Never mind the crappy furnishings. Wi-Fi over trappings.

Bonjour!

2008-10-22T08:54:00.000+08:00

It's 4 am here, and officially my 2nd day in the City of Lights. Unfortunately, I went back to the hotel at 7pm yesterday because I was exhausted from the flight and the walking around. Tonight I'll probably get to see the lights.

The flight to Paris was fun because I checked-in online and per my friend Macy's recommendation, I got a window seat at the very back of the plane, so I can recline my seat all the way. Incidentally, my flight apparently was a TWELVE-hour flight.

Well, I guess as a first-timer gift from the heavens, it turned out that the seat I chose had no occupied seats beside me. I had the whole row to myself!!!! Yaaay!

Until some stupid guy decided to sit at the aisle part. Grrrr. Sayang. I think he regretted it though because I was so fidgety and I was restlessly shifting and turning til I got the perfect sleeping spot. Plus, I commandeered both TV screens and was watching two TV shows/movies at the same time. I felt like I was in first class. Haha. I slept fitfully though waking up because it was a bit too warm in the plane.

The Office kept me company on the plane. The in-flight entertainment was so good I didn't even whip out my iPod.

I finally watched half of Indiana Jones and The Crystal Skull. Shia's hair looked full of gel. It was funny! I also watched Sex and the City four times. Except the plane version sucked so much. They replaced the words "fuckin" with "freakin" (Fifty-freakin-thousand), "come" with "yum" (Yeah, OK, I get how they'd be similar, coming is yumming), and "shit" with "did" ("You did it in your pants this year, I think you're done").

After landing in a deserted Charles de Gaulle (the airport looked like a ghost town, HKIA is still my favorite), I was treated to the most confusing layout I've ever seen. I read in sites previously that the best way to get to Paris was by train. (Plus taking the taxi cost around 60 euros. 4,000 pesos?? No way.) I even downloaded an application on the iPhone that mapped my train route for me.

According to "Tube", my journey from CDG - Miromesnil (closest stop to my hotel), it would take me 63 minutes to get to my destination.

Well, no one told the developer of Tube that the train was old, rickety, and stopped for over five minutes at the scariest locations (think ghetto tracks with graffiti, I don't care if it's France, hoodlums are hoodlums). So much so that even though I arrived in Paris at 6:30 am, after getting lost around the airport, and after the numerous train stops, I ended up at the main station at almost rush hour. Meaning, with my giant bag, I had to wait for over an hour for the crowd to thin. And the train station wasn't charmingly dirty either. It was plain dirty. And grimy. And I didn't wanna even attempt to squeeze myself in, especially not since my nose is directly level with most of their armpits. I'd die.

The Metro's walkways were dark and ill-lit, the type that you'd expect CSI to find bodies in. So anyway, after getting to my last stop, I walked up to the exit and found.......STAIRS. Stairs, with a 40 pound bag. It was during this three-hour misadventure to the main part of the city that I found myself missing two things the most: Mang Cris and the Altis. I might have even sobbed "Mang Criiiiiiiiiiiis" when I saw the stairs.

I thought the people would be as rude as the ones I encountered on the train. One smirked at me when she saw my bag, the other shook her head at me when I was taking too long at the escalator, and one shoved a girl out of the way to get inside the train.

The crowd semi thinning out.

However, this cute guy in a suit (OHmyGOD, the men!), took charge and lifted my bag in one hand, one hand! and carried up the stairs. Swooon.

The men here are super nice. One gave me a free pear pie when I bought a sandwich from him, they smile at you all the time, and they open doors for you. And their looks, haaay. Totoo pala na madaming gwapo dito. Even the guy directing traffic was hot. Plus, since they're all dressed in either coats, leather jackets (with stubble and a half-consumed cigarette in one hand, they DO exist), and suits, it adds to their pogi appeal. Except the Chris O'Donnell look-alike who was mabaho.

There are a lot of nice people here, thank goodness!

I got to my hotel after several people pointed me to the wrong direction (it was no joke pulling my bag along the cobbled streets going back and forth). The hotel's exterior was charming, but the inside, well, I'm glad I'm staying here two nights lang. Bathroom's fairly clean, which is a plus, but they didn't even have a free toothbrush! Plus, they put me in the scary room, the type that John Cusack stayed in in 1408. The only important saving grace is....FREE WIFI!!!! So, after I got to watch Gossip Girl, OK na ko. Hehe.

See?? There's a door that you have to open to get to that tiny, tiny hallway. It freaked me out so much, especially when I thought there wasn't a light switch.

Everything here is SOOOOOO expensive. I actually felt my shopping betlog retreat. As in! To prove how expensive it is, I went to Sephora and didn't buy a single thing. I just ogled the cutest Shu Uemura makeup artist there. Soooooooo hot. I took a blurred stealth photo of him with my phone (now this is where a camera phone is important!!). I wanted to buy something from him, but hello, I'm not going to pay for an eyelash curler that amounts to P1,800 when I can get it in Hong Kong for P600!

Shu Uemura hot guy. His arms were wiry and sinewy and he had a cute nose stud. He reminds me of the cute CSI NY guy (with the glasses).

And it's so tiring to keep translating everything I want to say in French first. My brain is really getting taxed. It's good to know though that I apparently know enough French to purchase stuff, to ask where things are. I've only spoken English when it comes to money because I didn't want to lose anything in translation there.

Yesterday, I targeted to check out LV first. I think I must've taken the long route, but it was OK. This is a nice place to go around without a map and just walk about aimlessly. I still ended up at LV without a map. I have an internal GPS when it comes to stores, wherever I am. I got the first bilin done na. The bag I wanted for myself wasn't in stock (pout), so will return when I've found a replacement.

Today I plan to go around the places my dad may not be inclined to go to. More makeup shops and other knick knacks.

Some photos I took yesterday :)

Chanel

Here, I am a cake/turnover. And I am called "tatah" instead of tateen. Hehe

This bird surprised me when it swooped towards me, I almost screamed. Sanay kasi ako sa maya lang e.

My first meal in Paris, a toasted mozzarella tomato chicken panini (that came with the free pie). It was so good. It could be because it was my first bite after three hours of lugging around a forty pound suitcase plus my laptop on my shoulder. I must've had a look of bliss on my face because a lady stopped me in the middle of eating and asked me where she could buy one. P.S. It's not an easy feat taking a self-photo with an umbrella, a sandwich and a handbag.

My boots are made for walking. But I could feel the unevenness of the cobblestones.

I'd hate for Pat to say "I told you so", but I am getting good mileage out of this camera. And it takes such nice photos!! The Easy mode lives up to its name. That or the light here is really nice.

I haven't seen a modern looking building here until I got to the shops. Most of the offices have doors like these and open up to wide courtyards. Even the banks and law offices. The door above is from this company:

Uy, ang galing! May ganito rin sa Pinas. Hahaha.

I'm trying out the Metro again today. Shiver.

All the establishments I've seen so far look like this. No high-rises.

It's sooooooooo cold. It rains intermittently (thank God Pat's Peachy told me, so I brought an umbrella). I hoped there was some sort of nose scarf because I felt like my nose was going to fall off from the cold.

Well, it's almost time for breakfast. I gotta mosey on now. More to come later :)

Stopover

2008-10-20T19:07:00.000+08:00

I'm in my favorite airport (HKIA), to take the flight to Paris finally.

I hope my seatmate doesn't have breath as rank as my seatmate on the flight to Hong Kong. I wanted to stuff the perfume sample page of Allure down his throat (Fancy by Jessica Simpson). Instead, I ended up almost shoving the sample up my nose.

God. I don't think I'll last a nine-hour flight with a stinkmouth next to me. Or worse a stinkpit.

Plus, stupid Globe doesn't seem to have roaming here.

Hey, Globe, read this entry. Give me my roaming, or I will shove my magazine up your butt.

Vive La France!

2008-10-20T15:33:00.000+08:00

I'm thirty minutes away from boarding, waiting to fly.

My iPod is packed with all sorts of TV shows, and I've downloaded Pop Cutie on my DS (a game where you pretend to be a fashion designer and sell your clothes).

I'm excited already, but I'm dreading the 9 hour plus flight. Thank God I'm the knocked out dead to the world type of flyer.

I'm wearing light-red booties and a little hot pink quilted metallic bag (for my valuables), which has been bugging me but I'm trying to pull off as a quirky fashion statement, since the booties are comfy.

I had to do some last-minute shopping today and the past few days because, to those who know me, my wardrobe is definitely not autumn-friendly. I'd freeze my ass off while the French spit on me thinking I'm an Asian hooker (short dress, shaved pits? Sacre bleu! Une putaine!)

But yay, I have two pairs of closed shoes. And leggings. I draw the line at jeans. I've opted to layer my short dresses with leggings and long sleeved shirts inside. God. I have long sleeved shirts now.

I'm soooo excited, though I am missing work. Sigh. I was thinking of cramming one more shoot today, but I figured, overkill. Hehe.

I can't wait to take pictures with my new camera, except I freakin forgot my rechargeable batteries at home. I hope batteries are cheap there. Sana walang mabaho, I know there are a lot of hot guys. I hope I don't accidentally tell them in French that they have a tiny ding-dong (ooooh, maybe that'll make them whip it out to prove me wrong...haha). My hotel, according to Maps, is a street away from all the good makeup stores.

Patay. Hehe.

I'm missing Gugu already! I wish I could've stowed her in my carry-on luggage.

See you in a couple of hours!!

:)

Tatinacious v2.0

2008-10-16T13:34:00.000+08:00

I haven't been blogging for the longest time (though it was killing me not to) because a certain photographer whose identity we shall conceal under the name "Pat" once asked me the day after reading an entry:

"Don't you have a point and shoot camera?"

A not-so-subtle "Your photos suck, it was obviously taken with a substandard camera phone" comment.

Well, it's true. I don't have a point and shoot camera, even though I have, um, slightly more iPods than the normal person (it's not my fault Steve Jobs keeps coming out with irresistible models).

So, I promised myself that I wouldn't blog until I got myself a decent point and shoot camera that has a flash and more than 2 megapixels (my phone's camera resolution). I resisted even though I had encountered several people who were just begging to have their own personal entry.

Of course, it took a while for me to decide because there was no way in hell I was going to have a steel gray something in my bag. Not even if it can take pretty photos.

Thanks to Marla, she told me about this super cutesy Canon Powershot E1 which unfortunately won't be available here 'til December.

It's a tween-oriented camera, which comes in colors like "Vanilla", "Pink" and "Blue", and has blah blah blah blah features. You had me at pastel pink.

Thank God for friends in different countries. I asked my Singapore-based friend Lia to scout the stores for one, and a little over twenty-four hours later.....

Meet Plinks (named after Pink & Lia, my friend who demanded I at least name the camera after her for her efforts). Yes, my lack of EQ is astounding. But to be fair, I did need it before I left for a short trip.

Now, I just have to learn how to use a camera. Seriously, I SUCK at taking photos. My last point and shoot just gathered dust and numerous scratches because my photos somehow didn't come out so nice. It was a Canon Ixus something that I also got at the behest of another photographer. Now it is being enjoyed by my brother.

I like that this camera has really girly settings. It has an "Easy" mode (like me after a couple of cocktails, hahaha), it's an icon of a red camera with a heart in between, where the camera does all the settings and all the photos come out OK:

Easy mode, without flash. I like how I don't look too oily, unlike other cameras.

My favorite mode is "Kids and Pets." I was half-expecting a bone or kibble to shoot out of the lens or for a barked command of "Sit!" "Pose!" in dogspeak to erupt out of the mini speakers, but I think it just makes allowances for the fact that it knows kids and dogs have the attention span of a flea. According to the Kids and Pets setting, it is ISO 250, 1/60 and F2.7, whatever that means.

Here's a sample of a Kids and Pets photo:

Must try it again when the subject is more energetic and actually moving.

*gigiiiiiiiiiil*

So there. I'm back, and with better photos too! Haha.

I like how Plinks matches Buhbunny (the iPhone).

I'm so pink, it's nauseating! I love it!

The X(OXO) Files

2008-09-24T08:58:00.000+08:00

Due to 2 shoots, and an accidental nap yesterday (I dozed off at 6pm and woke up at 11! 11!pm), I didn't get to watch Gossip Girl's fourth episode yesterday.

Naturally, it was on the top five of my to-do list for today (number four after waking up, rubbing sleep from eyes and peeing).

GG addicts CGs (Candy Girls) always keep me abreast (haha breast) of the latest Gossip Goodies around the 'net, and my favorite so far is NY Magazine's Daily Intel blog reviews, where two high-larious bloggers Chris & Jessica dissect the episodes with a fine-toothed comb.

Before I read Intel's take on the fourth episode, I wanna try and see if we saw the same things:

1. Season Two is apparently the season of Blake's Boobs in wardrobe. It started with her bouncy bosom being bra-clad in Summer, Kind of Wonderful, and the blinding bobelle's action has not stopped since.

2. Mama Lily-van der Woodsen-Bass has fantasies of beating her daughter to death. After Serena's impassioned "Don't go for Rufus, because I feel forever with Dan" speech last season, she is now stuck trying to stuff her stuffy hubby in flip-flops 'til death or divorce do them part.

3. And while we're on the subject of Lily, what is the deelio with Rufus's BUTT-UGLEH girlfriend?? Castin' couch pickins runnin' a little slim? I would've bashed her bulbous nose in with the wine bottle Lily brought. And Lily, P.S., you can't have your Upper East Side digs and your Brooklyn has-been rocker booty at the same time. It is too unfair.

4. Not-so baho looking boho Vanessa looks absolutely smashing with her top with the woven trapo epaulets and peacock earrings to match her eyeshadow. Her look for season 2 has been decided as "Colorblind Artist". Plus, she sucks at manipulation.

5. "Google revenge and you get blairwaldorf.com". LOL.

6. Google manipulation and you get chuckbass.com. Incidentally, does a Nairtini really work that fast? Should we send the clip to mythbusters?

7. This episode was a big bonus for us because not only did we see Blake Lively's classic "Blue Steel" pout, we also caught her *gasp* evil "Magnum" look. Buti na lang malaki dede mo.

8. I knew Marcus and the Duchess were going at it!!! The Duchess has a thing for doing it in libraries. And what was up with Lord Marcus suddenly facing the duchess forward? Ayan tuloy, ang ganda ng picture na nakuha ni Vanessa.

9. Dan, di bagay sa yo ang chaleko. Mukha kang sasayaw. Sa Greece.

10. A sign of domination pala is to put one's head scarf onto someone's neck. Akala ko kasi humping. Di na pala.

11. The Duchess's hair was so gorgeous in the breakfast bukingan scene. Props to the hairstylist.

12. The shunning of Dan Humphrey was so Cruel Intentions. Minus the coke and the vengeful ex-virgin.

13. Blair and her dossiers of projects/victims was to die for. I can just imagine the, ehem, Gossip Girl "inspired" TV show now.
*looks down at project wannabe's shoes haughtily while holding a white folder with fastener* "Are you wearing last season's Janylin?!"
*camera pans down to shoes* "I got it at the 3-day sale."

Hahahaha.
There. My two cents' worth, and now I'm off to reading the Daily Intel.

Welcome, Fall TV!

2008-09-13T18:54:00.000+08:00

Forgive me, Bloggergod, for I have sinned. It has been nine whole days since my last post *blows dust off blog*.

Well, all I can say in my defense is that I have been one busy bee, workwise and downloadwise.

Despite the deadline (what's a deadline?) looming over my head, I have conveniently managed to get into the swing of the Fall Opening Season of my favorite TV shows.

I've downloaded the much-awaited follow-up seasons, as well as new shows that may prove to be a future addiction or a forgettable waste of hard drive space.

Do we have the same taste in downloads? Find out below:

Bones - I loved David Boreanaz as a brooding, doomed to be alone vampire with a soul in Buffy, but I love him more as a gun-toting wiseass tough guy FBI officer in Bones. Plus, he and Emily Deschanel have crazy chemistry reminiscent of Buffy-Angel, except less dark and more funny. Though I didn't agree with their move to suddenly turn fellow lab squint Zach Addy into a serial killer's apprentice (blame it on the writer's strike, all TV show plotlines were pushed out like premature births), I still watch the show for its funny, nerdy dialogue. This is like CSI, except with a lot of, um, bones.

Gossip Girl - Oh my effing god is definitely THE fetch catchphrase of the season. From old lady hookups in the passenger seat of cars, to whoring one's self (Nate! I am willing to pay, haha) in an attempt to maintain a posh lifestyle, to the non-stop antics of Dan Hump-rey and Sexrena van der Woodsen (this one's for you, Macy's Fields, hehe), season 2 of everyone's guilty pleasure is proving to be every bit as juicy as the first. We're all dying to see if Blair gets into the lord's skivvies or run back into the arms of the Basstard after he says the three word, eight-lettered phrase that seems to be stuck in Chuck. I already have my, ehem, special invite to the special 8pm screening on Tuesday for episode 3. LOL.

Secret Diary of A Call Girl - Hannah/Belle is back, the prohs-tit-yoot from Lawnduhn who calls herself a nighttime legal secretary. The first two episodes show more masturbatory action from blokes and breast and body doubles (Billie Piper's breast double has nipples so light it's the color of her boobs, blink and you'll miss the nipplies.). Production this season is full of challenges, since the actress is currently pregnant (Goodbye frontal lingerie shots & pumping scenes), so expect to see Belle the British ho in suits, baggy dresses and acting as a mentwhore for newbie aspiring escort "Bambi" (favorite line:"Do you call yourself Bambi because you're doe-eyed? "Oh no, it was because my mother was shot.") This season's all about the Hannah/Belle conundrum. Can Hannah have a proper boyfriend if her not so nine-to-five is her alter ego Belle who blows, pumps and whips her way to the bank?

One Tree Hill - Mushier and weirder with more unbelievable plot lines, the five year fast forward into the lives of the Scott brothers is one story away from becoming a daytime soap. The bitch psycho nanny Carrie is back with a vengeance, channeling Kathy Bates from Misery. Lucas and Peyton have finally resolved themselves after a season of ad nauseam pining and whining, while little Jamie proves to be more adorable each season. I hope Nathan finally makes it to the NBA and I will have a hit taken out on the writers if they split Nathan and Haley up. Here's hoping the season gets better because I hated the first episode.

Californication - Ah, David Duchovny, as a writer who conquers writer's block by sticking his, pen into every available vagina in L.A. Sounds familiar? Try watching this shocking, comical show that may have kicked his dormant sex addiction into overdrive. Though the show is slated to show next week, I managed to catch the first two episodes in advance (not naming my source haha) and I must admit that it takes a very good writer for me to actually not consider it cheating that he accidentally cunnlingated another girl because he walked into a different room, it was dark and he only realized it was someone's else's vajay-jay when he hit clit city. (Hank: "As soon as my tongue touched her clit, I knew it wasn't yours right away, because yours is perfect" --> guys, do not try this line, it won't work unless you ARE David D.)

The Newbies:

90210 - I caught the two-hour series premiere (incidentally, what is it with TV shows and their special "two-hour" season premieres?? Not that I'm complaining, but their season premieres are actually longer than full-length movies.) and while I did like the idea, somehow, it seems like an updated rehash of the old show, with blander characters. An anorexic Annie (Brenda), with her adopted brother (aka token black dude) Dixon (Brandon) play the leads as brother & sister who relocates from small-town Kansas to the glitzy, fast-paced lives of their West Beverly Hills classmates where Mercedes-Benz SUVs become consolation presents for canceled family trips and a first date for a fifteen-year-old guy consists of him bringing his date to a chartered jet to dinner in San Francisco and back just in time for a 10pm curfew. Cameos by the old 90210 attempt to lend this show authenticity (Jennie Garth as a guidance counselor, Shannen Doherty as a play actress, and Nat, as, Nat) but still somehow fall a little bit flat. Here's hoping the show picks up.

True Blood - an HBO TV series from the creator of Six Feet Under, this show is for those with a taste for the undead. Based on the books of Charlaine Harris, this Louisiana based show tells the story of a psychic who finds attraction in the newly outed vampire society because she can't get into their heads 'cause they're dead. Vampires now co-exist with humans because of the Japanese breakthrough "Tru Blood", a synthetic blood supplement that allows vampires to drink it and be sustained without the need to drink from humans. Psychic is played by Anna Paquin with the most grating southern accent ever. Actually, they all have grating Southern accents. The premise is nice, but the setting is a wee bit white trashy. I read the book, and it wasn't half-bad. True Blood is like Twilight, minus the cheesy lines, with more kinky vampire erotica thrown in, and don't expect their Edward to be all that.

These are the shows I've watched so far. I have yet to have the chance to watch the Fringe & Privileged waiting on my iPod, but there seems to be less hours in the day versus the shows I need to watch. I actually begin to look forward to traffic on the way home from work because that's when TV time begins.

I'm also impatiently waiting for Grey's, The Office, Brothers & Sisters & Heroes coming third week of September.

God bless Fall and iPods.

Mmmmm....speaking of iPods......but that's another entry unto itself.

Bili na!

2008-09-03T16:19:00.000+08:00

Everybody! Grub a capy, este, Grab a cupy, I mehn...

Hahaha.

Seriously, please do grab a copy of the September issue of Candy Magazine. It's Candy Cuties season once again and inside you will find a boatload of underage to right age boys to drool over (aka mine and Pat M's portfolio, hehe).

Some memorable moments were:

One looked like a dad. As in a part of me balked a little at grooming him because he was so not going to make it anyway. I was right, but I still did him, of course.

One had the most amazing, softest eyebrows. It was like touching a newly purchased teddy bear's fur.

One came in with makeup already. As in nagpamakeup sa parlor, oh sorry, salon sa kanto nila.

Another came in with makeup (self-applied).

One was uber-late, but he was such a sweetheart, and a cancer survivor to boot.

One was so gigantous he actually looked like a kapre. A kapreng mama whose momma brought him to the shoot, and he stayed a bit because his momma wasn't there to pick him up yet.

Not so little boy Carlos, brother of Bianca, whose photo shoot I missed.

The twice no-show boys who a certain girl na itatago natin sa pangalang Rochelle waited for, but in vain.

The, erm, hummus guy who insulted Marley.

A DLSU basketball player who had an "Arabic" tattoo on his wrist. He gave me a weird look when I started to squeal and move in for a closer look at his tattoo. He said "Arabic", I heard "a rabbit". I was so sorely disappointed at learning he didn't have a rabbit tattoo on his wrist. That would have been way cooler than an Arabic tat.

An authentic Irish boy from my alma mater. Irish pero malutong mag-Tagalog.

Oh, of course, who could forget Patrick M, Roch's archenemy, the top candy cutie..........photographer. Hahahhaa.

Also check out Marla's odes to celluloid hotties. I nearly bust a gut laughing at the rhymes and the wordplay is made of pure win! (my favorite!) haha.

Coincidentally, Beauty 101 was memorable because it was the first time I had to put makeup on a girl who was tweezing her eyebrows, mustache and knee hair, all while I was trying to make sure she looked good for her closeup. She also liked playing "dodge the photographer's light setup" with her energetic dancing

And who could forget our colored fashion ed, where I discovered Milo Soft Serve and we were harassed by security guards for shooting on grass (it's not as if we were smoking it!). It was my first time at Fun Ranch!! I shopped for phone pouches hehe : )

And, thanks to Stephie for the stealth Gugu cutie badge that I almost missed! It's so cuuuuuute, Steph!!! :D

there's gugu! hahaha

Last, but certainly not least, the fastest cover shoot I've been on. AJ always had a ready smile for everybody.

September is officially my favorite month of this year :D

Buy it, buy it, buy eeeeeeet!

:D

Glossarychina chenes

2008-08-09T15:16:00.000+08:00

One of my favorite bloggers, J has sweetly dedicated this post to me.

It's a full Merriam-Websterina's version of gay lingo!!

Some of my favorites from the list:

Halls - oral sex (pwede rin bang Storck? hahaha)

Indiana Jones - hindi sumipot

Julie Andrews - mahuli
(although my first introduction to this term was "Julie Vega". At the time, I thought what the hairstylist meant when he said "Ay Kuya, wag kang dadaan dyan, ma-ju-Julie Vega tayo" was that we were going to die if we passed there because Julie Vega was a popular child star who had died. I later learned (from another gay sage) na pag ika'y na Julie Vega, huhulihin ka ni Jun Polistico (pulis) at lalagyan ka niya ng Gigi Posadas (posas), ahlavet!! Haha)

Manilyn Reynes - malibog (dahil ba sa salitang mani? Hahaha)

chaka, chuckie, shonget, ma-kyonget, chapter, jupang-pang - ugly

jongoloids - bobo

jowa, jowabelles, jowabella - karelasyon, boyfriend o girlfriend

jutay, juts - maliit

kabog, loss - talo!

katagalugan - matagal

katol - mukhang katulong

sudems - never (what is the etymological explanation for this?)

warla - loka-loka, nawawala sa sarili, nababaliw (iba pa ba ito sa pag-aaway as in "warla na ito!" --> galit na kami?)

wasok - contraction ng “wasak pag pasok” (LMAO no pun intended)

akesh, akembang - ako

garapata - vaklush na punggok na majubis (OMG may kilala akong garapata bwahahahaha)

hammer - pakonyo effect sa mga prosti or callboy, “pokpok” (may kilala din akong vaklush na mahilig sa hammer hahaha)

itich-me-how - penis (explain please!)

kyota - bata

kyotatalet - sanggol

shumod, shumodity - erm.. sperm

success story - babae/lalaki na mukhang katulong na may lover na foreigner na masalapi (I call 'em island souvenirs)

krompal - sampal, but with an attitude (kasi may kasamang kuko)

one pokels - piso
one hammer - P 100
one kiaw - P 1,000

P 1,553 - one kiaw, five hammer, at nyifti three pokels (i almost busted a gut over this)

Chorvah has its etymology from the Greek word cheorvamus meaning “for lack of the right word to say”, or “in place of anything you want to express but cannot verbalize”. Ibig sabihin pala, siya ay parang “aloha” sa wikang Hawaiiano, which can mean many, many things. (I am so going to win Gay Jeopardy)

I'm so chorvaed right now!!!

Haha

Dawn Broken

2008-08-04T22:14:00.000+08:00

*for Coni and the other Twilight adiks

I finally got my copy of my pre-purchased hardcover of Breaking Dawn a little after lunch today and finished it after six uninterrupted hours of bliss in the little town of Forks. (I was bummed that Fully Booked sealed the books in their carrier bags, you had to cut the plastic across the handle, rendering the plastic bag unusable since you cut off the handle, which I found to be environmentally unsound :( )

While I do not aim to ruin the reading pleasure of everyone, all I have to say is that if you are a fan, you will love this book the best, because it wraps everything up in one neat, glorious bow.

A reviewer was right when they said SM could've split the story into two more books, but I'm not complaining because the book provided complete utter closure (I loathe authors who leave loose ends).

Though there were some things I didn't like, overall, it was still the strongest book among the four, New Moon being my least favorite (Bella at her whiniest can be very very annoying).

I wonder how they'll turn Breaking Dawn into a movie though. I fear that a recast is very important. Haha.

I'm glad that she kept the sapfest to a minimum this time and I hope to see a spinoff story soon.

If you haven't read it, READ IT!

I'm still hungover and wish that I could stay in their town a little bit longer.

Bold Statements

2008-07-23T19:40:00.001+08:00

It's 11:51 am and I am in a mall in the dirrrrty south waiting for our 3rd layout to commence.

I'm tucked in a bench, trying valiantly not to nod off.

This is part two of a print thingy we're doing for a client and since we finished last week at 5pm after 5 layouts with three talents, I assumed it would be the same format today.

But no, not only are we shooting in two different locations far from each other, I have 4 adult females, 2 males and 1 teenage girl on my roster today, AND, our last shot has to be taken during closing time, and they estimate that we finish 11:00 pm at the earliest.

Groan.

This is my punishment for sleeping at 3:30 in the morning today.

And all because of a sleazy Filipino bomba flick starring Polo Ravales, Francine Prieto and some girl whose name I don't know but looks good in pink blush.

I had the best of intentions last night. After reorganizing my kit to accommodate the logistic hassle plus sans mang cris, I started channel surfing backward to look for my "sleeping channel." Some people like listening to music or crickets chirping, I like the sound of a softly blaring TV to accompany me to dreamland.

I started at CinemaOne preparing to methodically move down, when two giggling, frolicking (braless) girls were running around in a farm setting in the rain.

Naturally, I had to find out why they were frolicking and chasing each other while braless to boot. Were they helping each other to look for their missing mammary support?

All I gleaned from the thirty minutes I forced myself to stay awake to watch it (I wanted to finish it, huhu) was that Rico (Polo R), was a kalabaw caravan wares vendor (the one with the hats and baby baskets hanging on the cart) married to naive, newly impregnated whatserface. Meanwhile, her secretly slutty friend Selya (Francine P) was staying over for a bit and is sneakily eyeing Rico behind whatserface's back. All this was happening in a secluded tiny house in the damuhan.

A Filipino bomba flick has a formula so constant and finite that it is almost a mathematical equation. So of course, you have the requisite scenes of ligo behind the yero with the poso with matching cheesy, horny, sticky gazes; the voyeur scene where Selya eavesdrops and tries to peek in while Rico and whatserface get it on (the director artfully shows this by focusing the camera on their kawawa plywood door while it goes thump-thump-thump rhythmically, ay sorry, asa Pilipinas pala tayo, dug-dug-dug as they go at it, with muffled groans and grunts), the almost lesbian girl-on-girl pillow fight whilst naked action, and of course the neverending montage of scenes of seduction in talahib. Throw in immensely bad acting and unbelievable plot lines (saan ka nakakita ng magsasakang nagdadrive ng kalabaw na nakabraces?), and you've got another takilya topper.

Anyway, so whatserface begins to catch on that Selya and Rico are doing the nasty behind her back, but all she has is a hunch, and no incontrovertible proof. I mean, surely it was plausible that she walked in on Selya and Rico at the old, abandoned hut with Rico shirtless and Selya conveniently wearing his shirt because her top had snagged on a nail while they were, er, hammering.

So, this "may namamalagi sa inyong dalawa, ahas ka" and "wala, wala, nababaliw ka lang" repartee goes on for quite a while until whatserface reaches her limit and sobs (in a way that makes you thankful she lives in the bukid far away from you) until Rico "angrily" sends Selya away while hugging whatserface (meanwhile, Rico is winking conspiratorially at Selya over whatserface's sobbing head).

Eventually, whatserface finally catches them in flagrante delicto inside, of all places, Rico's kalabaw caravan (the kalabaw's rhythmically ding-ding-ding of the bell to their frenzied movements was what gave whatserface the inkling).

She faints, and Rico is so angry at her for snooping that he forbids her to leave the house. Whatserface walks down from her empty papag and sees Rico and Selya spooning in their guest bedroom, and she flips big time.

She stabs Selya and as the UFC banana ketchup fake blood begins to blossom on her white half-slip (this is a rural movie, after all), whatserface goes into a catatonic "what have I done" state.

Rico wraps the dead Selya in their banig/papag bedsheet (100 thread count Bicol abaca hahaha).....and this is where my eyes finally win the battle and I fall asleep.

Dammit.

Now I don't know how it ends and I don't even know what the title of the movie is called.

If I were to guess at what the title is, Susuhan might be a good choice. Apparently, the production designer was given strict instructions that no brassiere may enter the set's immediate vicinity.

I can't believe I lost a half hour of sleep over this. I think I will skip the Pinoy channel tonight because another bomba flick might be on, and, well, I do need my sleep.

Bold Statements

2008-07-23T19:40:00.000+08:00

Regal Shocker

2008-07-11T08:04:00.000+08:00

*dedicated to Ray, Dinzo & Jaykee*

When I was a kid and read a lot, it was inevitable that I'd come across some words whose meaning I didn't understand. My mom, in an effort to build character and independence would always tell me to look it up whenever I'd ask her the meaning of a word (that or she didn't know what it meant, too).

Because of this training, I was always diligent in looking up words whose meaning I didn't know.

Oftentimes, my vocabulary gets stumped when talking to the very inventive gay community and men.

One time, I was waiting for a shoot to begin, and a bunch of photographers were laughing heartily because his girlfriend's kili-kili looked like a camel toe. I laughed along with them pretending to get it, but that night, I found myself Googling "camel toe."

My reaction? Ohhhhhhh.....camel toe. If my boyfriend told me my kili-kili looked like a camel toe, I'd tell him that he might as well pretend his hand was a camel toe because that will be the only action he'll ever get.

Last week, over lunch at Khao Pad (the legendary Mommy's of UP's new haunt, where I had the most amaaaazing barbecue porkchop and spicy squid. I was moss with envy at my companions who were gobbling up the bagoong rice, a treat I am unfortunately allergic to), Jaykee and Dinzo were laughing at Ray's "Shocker" hands (his hands were formed together in a sort of sideways W. They were laughing like little boys with a secret which piqued my curiosity.

The fact that they wouldn't answer us girls when we asked what a shocker was whetted my interest even more (I do love a rousing game of Guess the Dirty Word).

I started to ask my questions:

"Verb, adjective or noun?"
"Verb"
"Ginagawa sa taas o sa baba?"
"Baba"
"Harap o likod?"

After that, all I got was choked laughter, so I reminded myself to Google it that night.

And I did.

Shocking!

I don't know. As kinky as I get, I'd rather have crowded guests pushing against the front entrance because the rear exit is firmly closed (SOLDERED shut, NO entry.). I think I'd rather take a four fingered "toodle-o!" waggle over a shocker anytime.

I wonder how many people will google the shocker today. Or am I horribly behind the perversion lingo and everyone knows (and does!) the shocker? Hehe

The Cub Scout

2008-07-08T07:40:00.000+08:00

Demerits for: Not being able to tie knots, light a fire

Sells cookies (box only, contents already eaten)

Shooting the Messenger

2008-07-06T20:51:00.000+08:00

During a long in-between waiting time between shoots, photographer Cy generously lent me his computer. I learned how to use his mouse that's a pen (which is no easy task, I must say). His generosity, of course did not go unrewarded:

(Photos are courtesy of Bianca and her blog entry where I discovered it. Haha)

I started out slow, here was my opening salvo:and then she managed to guess it was me!!!! I still don't know how she did it.Since the gig was up, I had to try something else:Well, it's true. Who doesn't like long, hard lenses? Although I am torn. While I do love a telephoto lens, there has to be something said about the wonders of a wide-angled one, too. It really gets aperture going or my f totally stopped. Hahahahahahaha. Wala bang tele-angle na lente? ;) Sorry, Cy :) Cy's not really gay (though many a hairstylist I work with gets kilig when they know we're shooting with him), as for the lens...well...why don't you shoot with him and ask him about it? (O ayan, may plugging ka pa!)

Want, Wanting, Wanted

2008-06-29T19:14:00.000+08:00

James McAvoy can certainly curve his bullet around me anytime.

"What the fuck have you done lately?"

"You?" *bats eyelashes hopefully*

speaking of eyelashes, La Jolie's left false eyelash was a bit loose when she was sharing that open-mouthed (lucky beeyatch) kiss with McAhaaay so I wasn't able to see if there was tongue. Haha

Watch it. The action scenes are so unbelievable but so much fun to see!!!

Makes me wanna pick up the graphic novel, just to see what else happens to Wesley Gibson, the pussy who found his kill point.

James McAhaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!

Shit Hits The Fan

2008-06-29T02:32:00.000+08:00

Title not so literal.

I was having the weirdest dream. In my dream, I was transferring rooms because the room I was currently in stank to high heaven. It stank worse than a Singapore metro rail on rush hour (godawful, I tell you, but that deserves its own entry).

In fact, my dream was so horribly mabaho (no English word can quite capture the baho-ness of it) that I found myself squashing my pillow against my nose.

While my dream forced me to wake up (to avoid being in that fucking stinky dreamland), instead of going away, the smell began to get horrifyingly stronger.

True enough, as the last traces of sleep was gobbled up by that stink, I saw that Gucci was in the process of heaving, and looking around saw that she had already a dried-up puddle of sick and a not-dry giant pile of sick puppy shit.

I also found out after this day that I must really love this dog because while I ran from the room screaming for Grace, I was not mad at all at Gugu but super concerned because her dumping all over the room meant that she was feeling that bad. It is a very human trait to discover love in shit.

In my guilt for having woken up Grace and having her clean it up, I tried making conversation with her while she was cleaning it up, but apparently, nothing smells worse than detergent powder sprinkled on shit and I threw up too, but thankfully made it to the toilet.

She thinks that it may have been the tap water Gugu drank that's making her sick, or that "nausog" daw.

If she doesn't get well within the week, I told her she has my approval to bring Gucci to a manghihilot for "tawas", a known folk remedy for "usog."

Laugh all you want, but it's happening.

Who knew that smells can wake you up? Sana next time lang magising ako to the smell of pancakes and not shit.

The Vibe

2008-06-28T07:04:00.000+08:00

In an attempt to reduce my carbon footprint, I have been (almost) diligently using my reusable Envirosax bags (OK, it's not because of the carbon footprint but the fact that they're cute and look even cuter rolled up in my bag waiting to be used). I only have them put my purchases in a paper bag when the paper bag is cuter than my envirosax.

So, in another effort to reduce my carbon footprint, I have been jonesing after a portable solar mobile charger (OK, again, not because of the footprint thing, but because the idea of having a charger that can work for you in the middle of the Lost island with Matthew Fox seems supercool). I was so excited to find out that a local company here has already brought it in, which will save me online shipping costs, as well as satiate my need for instant gratification.

We have been corresponding via email and since they carry three models, I asked them what they would recommend for me and here was their reply:

Dear Ms. Yang,

I think it is much better if you travel with GM30. It's not only stylish, it also looks like a vanity mirror or a press powder kinda thing so it will suit your girly things and its the cheapest too.

?!!!

Gasp!!! It was as if he (I use he because he is obviously male from the "press powder kinda thing" line) was looking into my soul (my ditzy id, haha) or something. Looking back at our previous correspondence, I never used the words cute, excited or even peppered my sentences with multiple exclamation points!!!!!! So what made him think that I'd like the GM30?? (Which, incidentally after his description makes me wanna go over to his office and ask for my GM30 NOW. arriving first week of july daw kasi. *twiddles thumbs*)

I can't wait to get my solar charger that looks like a press powder kinda thing!!!! Maybe I should get a lipstick vibrator to match it so I can be an authentic Bond girl (who will escape sticky situations by masturbating to death on a lipstick vibrator charged with a press powder kinda thing-like solar charger.....oooooh, or maybe I can look for a lipstick vibrator that doubles as a taser. God forbid I use the taser side on me though.)

But, for those whose curiosity have been whetted by the solar charger and for those who REALLY want to reduce their carbon footprints, do check out their site at http://gmsolarcharger.multiply.com

Clitoral Triumph

2008-06-26T20:04:00.000+08:00

There are no words. This is LOVELY. Watch it, watch EEEEET.I love the comment of one dude who said:"I will penis this fight with my clitoris"Wahahahahahahaha.

Slapsticks

2008-06-22T08:38:00.000+08:00

I recently had a craving for Meiji's YanYan, the crunchy sticks that you dip in chocolate. Of course, this led me to reminiscing, about the fact that YanYan has been around for a long time, having it as baon on special occasions when I was still in Mary Janes and pigtails (Yes, at that time, your social stock during recess rose up several points when you either had YanYan or any Willy Wonka candy. Big time ka nun, pare.) and how, after all these years, I still haven't eaten a perfect canister of YanYan, where you use up all your sticks on the chocolate. I usually have too much chocolate left over in my effort to balance it out. (Ooooh, maybe we should have a YanYan eating contest!)

Packaging hasn't changed, it's still the ubiquitous red cone-like canister with the peel off tab and the little well of chocolate and the sticks to one side. Thinking about it now, it certainly isn't environmentally friendly and space-efficient, but it has become its trademark.

Upon opening my YanYan v.2008, I noticed that it now had "fun lines." In traditional Japanese kawaii form, they have now laser etched pictures of animals, as well as sayings about the animals. Cute, fun, and educational, I thought.

Until I saw the first few lines.

I was saving my second canister for better photos, but no chocolate snack lasts here in the house for more than 24 hours until my brother/s ever-so-subtly call my attention to the fact (Kian, holding the unopened canister in a death grip: "Alam mo, ang weird na hindi pa binubuksan tong YanYan na to.")

So, here are some of the fun lines:

and the truly weird ones that make you think the candy developer was on crack:

ang hapon palang chicken e "Kokekokko!" tumilaok, sa atin kasi e "kukuro-ok" (talagang may angking punto pala ang mga Pilipino, ano?)

mas mahilig ata talaga ang mga hapon sa maliliit na hayop kung kaya't squirrel ang kanyang best friend at hindi ang universal best friend na dog. that or he was thinking of his wife and the hot night they just shared with the jar of YanYan chocolate he swiped from R&D. Haha.

Dahil nga naman kung hindi ka yellow chick e ikaw si ugly duckling. malas mo nga nun. ugly ka kasi e.

bat only in the night. yan din ang favorite line ng mga ale sa kanto ng makati ave na kunwari e pumapara ng taxi

PGMA: "I beg to disagree." hahaha

Sayang. Kinain ko na bago picturan yun Cow. Akala ko kasi may isa pa. Yun fun line ng Cow: Muuuuuuu. Hahahaha. May punto rin.

Kung ika'y nalulungkot, mag YanYan na. Not only will the chocolate and carbs provide you with an endorphin laced sugar high, but also the knowledge that while you wanna kill yourself over boredom at work, some dude at the Meiji factory knows what you're going through and is sending you cryptic, crunchy messages.

Slapsticks

2008-06-22T08:36:00.000+08:00

I recently had a craving for Meiji's YanYan, the crunchy sticks that you dip in chocolate. Of course, this led me to reminiscing, about the fact that YanYan has been around for a long time, having it as baon on special occasions when I was still in Mary Janes and pigtails (Yes, at that time, your social stock during recess rose up several points when you either had YanYan or any Willy Wonka candy. Big time ka nun, pare.) and how, after all these years, I still haven't eaten a perfect canister of YanYan, where you use up all your sticks on the chocolate. I usually have too much chocolate left over in my effort to balance it out. (Ooooh, maybe we should have a YanYan eating contest!)

Packaging hasn't changed, it's still the ubiquitous red cone-like canister with the peel off tab and the little well of chocolate and the sticks to one side. Thinking about it now, it certainly isn't environmentally friendly and space-efficient, but it has become its trademark.

Upon opening my YanYan v.2008, I noticed that it now had "fun lines." In traditional Japanese kawaii form, they have now laser etched pictures of animals, as well as sayings about the animals. Cute, fun, and educational, I thought.

Until I saw the first few lines.

I was saving my second canister for better photos, but no chocolate snack lasts here in the house for more than 24 hours until my brother/s ever-so-subtly call my attention to the fact (Kian, holding the unopened canister in a death grip: "Alam mo, ang weird na hindi pa binubuksan tong YanYan na to.")

So, here are some of the fun lines:

and the truly weird ones that make you think the candy developer was on crack:

ang hapon palang chicken e "Kokekokko!" tumilaok, sa atin kasi e "kukuro-ok" (talagang may angking punto pala ang mga Pilipino, ano?)

mas mahilig ata talaga ang mga hapon sa maliliit na hayop kung kaya't squirrel ang kanyang best friend at hindi ang universal best friend na dog. that or he was thinking of his wife and the hot night they just shared with the jar of YanYan chocolate he swiped from R&D. Haha.

Dahil nga naman kung hindi ka yellow chick e ikaw si ugly duckling. malas mo nga nun. ugly ka kasi e.

bat only in the night. yan din ang favorite line ng mga ale sa kanto ng makati ave na kunwari e pumapara ng taxi

PGMA: "I beg to disagree." hahaha

Sayang. Kinain ko na bako picturan yun Cow. Akala ko kasi may isa pa. Yun fun line ng Cow: Muuuuuuu. Hahahaha. May punto rin.

"IT'S my Birthday"

2008-06-10T12:04:00.000+08:00

We were woken up this morning by a frisky not-so-little bear dog licking us. Grace, in a fit of Martha Stewartness (minus the pastels) organized a mini shindig for Gugu's birthday

First, she put a red ribbon around her neck and a tag:

Emphasis on the IT'S.

On our birthdays, she always puts up cartolina, and in pentel lettering writes "Happy Birthday (name here) plus random photos she scrounges up from god-knows-where".

Since none of our Gucci photos were ever printed, she had to improvise:

She decided to cut out from magazines Gucci's most favorite thing in the world: FOOD.

Hotdog. Her attempt at humor perhaps?

San ka pa. May balloons, pandesal, and puto.
She cooked spaghetti and I brought home a mini mud pie (for candle purposes only, I wish they made cakes for dogs though). As in kinantahan namin siya. Hehe.

Tired from the fussing that she probably doesn't understand.

Lust, Lust, Lust

2008-06-10T05:52:00.000+08:00

I LOVE YOU STEVE JOOOOOOOOOOBS!!!

*flings panty at stage*

Yes, he's a rockstar. And yes, he has my money.

Look at THAT. Haaaaaay.

I will also fling my panty (and more) at anyone who can buy me the white version on July 11.

These are the times when I wish I was American, whenever Apple releases new stuff.

If anyone from Globe is reading this, I will do free makeup* for any print materials for six months if they give me a white iPhone.

Sana may pre-selling, parang Harry Potpot.

TAMMYYYYYYY buy me an iphooooone!
PICONEEEEES!!!

hahaha

*hair not included (syempre honest na diba?)

Birthday Girl(s)!!

2008-06-09T21:02:00.000+08:00

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, GUGU!!

di ka na baby. *sniff*

incidentally, a happy happy birthday to coniluscious as well! :D

i can't believe i'm going to miss gugu's birthday party *scowl*

The Office

2008-06-07T21:20:00.000+08:00

Lately, during shoots, I have heard so much about Summit's moving house. I've heard nothing but positive reviews (with Dinzo's status being "...is loving the new office.") that I couldn't wait to see the new digs for myself.

In true Tatin form, I finally saw it today, while shooting boobies and butt in it (note* do make sure to wipe down the library and pantry chair unless you wanna be rubbing butts with a (thankfully) hot girl).

The office was soooooooo PRETTY!!!! It came with cool magnetic walls and the cutest sliding shelf with the cutest lock (and key!).

And the library with all those up-to-date magazines!!! I wanted to stay there the whole shoot but they had to lock it after our layout *pout*.

It looks very, very sozyal. Haha.

If I had gone to interview in an office that looked like that back when I was job-hunting, I might've be convinced to work in an office setting.

I remember not accepting a job offer I had before because the office looked depressing, ill-lit and had the ugliest computers known to man.

In fact, I want to apply there now, just so I can have my own cute cubby and my magnetic wall and lockable cabinet (whose maximum weight is 120 lbs, you can fit a manorexic waifish male model there!!!)

It was like a movie set! Like a perfect setting for woman empowerment movies...or soft porn office fantasy romances (there's an elevator against a brick wall that'd be perfect for this).

haha. I'm so lime with envy (a shade of green indicating slight envy, emerald for extreme enviousness haha).

Let's shoot there again! (Man pecs naman instead of boobies, haha).

Sour Tours

2008-06-07T21:05:00.000+08:00

It's funny how after years of my dad introducing us as his niece and nephews (it's a long story) to his colleagues now suddenly recognizes us as his kids after needing us to take his 21-year-old Thai trainee out to have a good time (my father, the pimp).

In other words, tonight is GRO night for my brothers and me.

I also realized after tonight that I suck at touring foreigners around Manila because the only place I know is the mall, and my brother snottily told me today that guys don't like walking around malls.

Plus, where DO we take him? IMAX? Ocean Adventure? Greenhills? These places are faded copycats of what he has in Bangkok.

So after a cliched dinner at Dencio's (sure enough, it was his second time there as well as his second taste of sisig), we decided (out of sheer desperation) to go bowling.

The shoes don't match my outfit (socks, the horror!!) and I can't hit the pins to save my life.

He, however is a bowling whiz.

After two lousy games, a broken nail and hitting myself
(repeatedly!) on the thigh with a pink bowling ball, I finally called it quits and am now typing this entry on my phone.

On the plus side though, I realized that my brothers have good social skills. And, they speak damn good English (which is a giant, giant relief!! Haha)

I felt actual tears well up in my eyes and suppressed the urge to hug my brother with pride when he talked to Boom (his real name) in straight English.

I also realized that we three suck at selling our country:

Me: So, have you tried using public transportation yet?

Boom: No, not yet.

Me: Well, I suppose it might be difficult especially for you

Brother (pipes in): yeah, it's very dangerous, you know? You can get robbed.

Me: *chokes back laughter*

Brother (adds): They will point a gun at you...or a knife.

And that is why, we leave the touring to Carlos Celdran.