Sabado

Started the day late today. I normally start writing assignments as early as 7am. I got home from Terno night around 3AM this morning so I've decided to extend my snooze time to 10AM. Sony VAIO and tips on Google keywords are among the things that I need to research on. Now for some inspiration for today’s writing and research marathon: Joseph Gordon-Levitt. 

I would love to write a lot about why I LOVE this guy, but that would be another post. Stay tuned.

Benefits

Medicare plans have just been renewed at our office. Or was it a different plan this year? The renewal was a bit late. We did not have health plan for a couple of days. Sounds a bit risky since anything can happen on those couple of days. But who am I to do something about it, anyways. The great thing was it got renewed.

5 Inception Levels, 4 Dream Levels

Been contesting and repeating Inception’s key scenes in my head for the last three days after seeing the movie. I was a hundred percent sure that Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and company were in 4 dream levels, not until yesterday when I tuned in to The Morning Rush on the radio while on my way to work. Chico, one of the jocks, said they had 6 levels, and not what I thought. Now, wait a sec…

Before I continue the never ending mind-debate I am having since last night, allow me to share with you my thoughts about the film.

I saw the trailer of this new Chris Nolan flick online at FirstShowing.net. Writing  a short article about how to sell textbooks for the past couple of hours was a bit of a drag so I decided to get my fresh film fix for the day. It was tagged as a ‘must watch’ on the website and has a short description of how a mind-boggler the next film of the famous Batman director will be; I knew I just had to watch.

Who knew big time espionage can be done by literally sleeping on the job? Stealing secrets that could make or break huge business moguls and other notorious clients by illegally invading their dreams is what Cobb, whom we should call the director of dreams, and his team does best. His team consists of Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the point man or the assistant to the main director of dream land; Yusuf, the chemist who concocts powerful tranquilizers and sleeping potions; Eames, the forger and Ariadne (Ellen Page), the Architect who creates the dreamlike world full of mazes and other  things in the dream world. The process of stealing secrets while in dream state was called Extraction. The movie only showed a wee-bit part of how they do Extraction with their most recent target, Saito played by Ken Watannabe.  The process of Extraction is very interesting because the team who extracts the dream can choose into which ‘dream environment’ they would do the risky task. The deal with Saito was successful as Cobb was able to retrieve the ‘secret’ from a locked safe (which is I think always is the case).

The Inception part begun when Saito had a proposal with Cobb: to perform the opposite of Extraction – Inception. Instead of stealing, or taking away a secret or an idea, this time Cobb needs to plant an idea to someone’s head by invading their dream. Kinda’ like brainwashing but, waay more complicated. The most part of the movie was dedicated to how Cobb’s team planned and implemented the Inception.

Been reading a couple of blog entries about the movie, and everyone seems to be in a debate on which part of the film was reality and a dream. While I was watching the film, I really got confused at some point because of the sequences of the scene shift. But the beautiful thing about Nolan’s storyline was it was very engaging. You will definitely be hooked with the story from the first second the film started up to the last second of it. I mean I was, or else I wouldn’t enjoy it. Watching Inception is like reading a book; you’ll keep turning the page to see what happens next. And once you started to get really into the movie, and really CONCENTRATE on what is happening, you will get through with it and would say, ‘Yeah, I get it.’

Technically and visually-wise, the movie doesn’t disappoint.

About my earlier thoughts if how many dream levels they need to conjure for the plan to succeed, I’d still stick to my original answer which was 4. The poster explains it all :)

A lot of people have been debating about the conclusion of the film. Whether it was the reality or Leo’s character was still dreaming. My opinion on this? I believe he’s already in the reality and not dreaming. He woke up in the plane where they started the Inception. As he explained in the movie, dreams can be a mixture of both memories from reality and the subconcious. Some say it must be still a dream since the kids are still wearing the same clothes and doesn’t age. Him seeing the same image of his kids all through out the movie must’ve been a product of his subconcious and not his memory, that’s why he still saw the same scene when he went home he finally sees and hugs his kids.

Would I recommend watching Inception? YES. But you have to be prepared, have a fully-rested mind and really concentrate while Nolan eff-ed with your mind.

First SONA

The 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines will be delivering his first State Of The Nation Address this coming Monday. He's been a president for almost a month now and I think everything is going smoothly as planned. I am really looking forward to on what he has to share with us. His plans must not be as tough as diamonds this early in the game, but one thing's for sure: I believe in this President. I know, by his leadership, this country will be better.

Letterhead

Have not written any entries for the past week because of two main reasons: Basyang and Plants vs Zombies.
My youngest brother is the one to blame for my sudden off-work writing hiatus. Hehe. He downloaded a copy of Plants vs. Zombies last week. Been hearing about the game since late last year from friends and was only able to play it now. And man, is that game addicting or what?! I mean, I was hooked and determined to kill every gory flavors of Zombies the game had. The first day I played it, I finished 5 levels. My brother gave it to me Sunday, I finished the Adventure section of the game by Saturday. I only had a couple of minutes to play during weekdays because of work. was thinking of bringing the game with me at work. Thought I’d play if in between tasks. But good thing I didn’t or I’d definitely be given a memo for killing Zombies instead of doing what I am supposed to do.
The Internet was down for almost a week after typhoon Basyang hit the whole of Metro Manila and Region 4. And for some reason, Blogger is now blocked at the office. So I only have time to really write and update my blogs when I am at home and renting at a cafe shop is out of the options since I normally come in at home late because of the bad traffic.

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My crankiness is getting worse. Maybe it’s one of the signs of getting old. I am 27, three years away from the big 3-0. And there is something about that age that makes me both pressured and frustrated in a way. Pressured, that I think I need to learn more than what I know, and frustrated because I’ve reached this age and have only learned so little.

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Two of the things I do not like are a ruined plan and inconsiderate people. Good thing there are kind-hearted souls who give a damn to dampen the bad vibes it caused.

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Inception. Saw it last Tuesday in Greenbelt 1. Thinking of watching it again, but this time in 3D. Chris Nolan’s latest film had MIND FUCK plastered all over it. Might write a review here. Or maybe not. Or maybe…

Fab Sinks

Kitchen is my mother's most favorite place in the house. Well, my father's the one who's been spending a lot of time in front of the stove these days, but my mother's comfort zone will always be the kitchen. Been looking at these I found online and thought it would be a perfect anniversary gift for my parents. My mother noticed some leaks with our 10-year-old sink and hopes she and my father would find time to shop for a new sink. I found a website that sells high-quality kitchen sinks: Shopsinksandfaucets.com. The online store boasts of their quality undermount kitchen sinks. Shopsinkssndaucets.com will take care of all of your sink and faucet needs. Their mission has always been to provide superior quality products to all their customers at an affordable price. They offer the best quality undermount kitchen sinks and other great kitchen and bathroom sinks. The conpany offer items for both kitchens and bathrooms ranging from modern to traditional styling to match any décor. They manufacture our own sinks and send them directly to the customers. The company have been very successful in bringing a wide variety of quality sinks to thousands of satisfied customers, so visit the online store now for more information.

Online Leisure

I do not know how many times I have written about online casinos on my blogs. But by the number of people asking me about in via e-mail or on Twitter, it’s popularity is still undeniable. One asked me if there are websites that only concentrates on Poker. There are different kinds of poker games and he asked if there was a website where he can easily find all of them without jumping into one website to another. Another asked if it was possible to play virtual slot machines online. These are some of the questions I have been getting since they read something about it on one of my blogs and still want to know more. There are various websites that lists down all the popular and user-friendly online casinos on the web. It’s like a directory of online casino games grouped into categories, populatiry and game types. Looking for poker rooms where you and your friends can virtually play poker without leaving the comfort of your own rooms? These online directories also gives information and instructions on how to avail these kinds of  online services. They are even grouped depending on the countries the games are available in too.

Wheels

I love these power wheels! Why didn’t we have these kinds of toys when we were younger? :|

This battery-operated truck would’ve been perfect for me. I love driving around the neighborhood using my bike. I remember my younger self always marveling at cars and how it would be more fun driving around with one of those.

The Runaways

Just finished watching The Runaways. Dakota and Kristen really did one hell of a job playing Cherie Currie and Joan Jett. It was a bit bitin though. One minute the band's all rock and roll, in the middle of their tour, and I am starting to sort of be involved with the characters...and then boom, Cherie suddenly quits and goes back to her old life. I also wished they could've highlighted a bit about the other band mates. The movie is about The Runaways anyways. It's about the band, and not just Joan and Cherie.

We’re they really that cool and that rock-and-roll when they were 15 or 16? That was what I was wondering while watching the movie. It made me think what was I doing when I was 15. Or what I wanted to do when I was 15. Definitely being a rock star must’ve been one of them. Haha. But how cool and lucky they were to have that much freedom and guts to do the things they want and fight for what they believe in.

After watching this movie, I therefore conclude that the 70s is the coolest era. I love everything the girls wore on this movie. The high-waisted jeans, the personalized shirts and overalls, the hairstyles! I mean, wow.

This movie really is a must-see, specially for fashion and rock and roll fans. It doesn't disappoint.

5 Things: Issue #1

So I decided I would do this regularly -- list five things about me. Five random things that would make you readers, and me as well, to know more about me. For those of you who are reading this, yes I am that narcissistic that I started to write something like this. This is my blog after all, so if this is too “self-centered” for you, better stop reading now. And for you who’s still reading this, thank you and I would really like to meet and learn about you too :D

For my first list, I have decided to list down the things I wish I have learn and to learn more about. These are the five things on top of my head:

• How to cook. Ok, don’t laugh. I only know how to cook (not perfectly, but ok to devour on) three things; rice, Sinigang na baboy and Sarsiadong tilapia or galunggong. I would also love to learn how to bake like my friend Olive does. :)
• How to drive both a motorcycle and a car. I have been asking my father to teach me how to drive. When I was younger, I tried to learn how to ride a bike and have succeeded. But it wasn’t enough for my father to consider that I, could in fact, learn to drive. I get him, though. He doesn’t want his only girl doing a very manly chore of driving, LOL. I love you, Papa,
• How to decently play a guitar. I know some tunes (puny ones, hehe), but I really want to play the more complicated ones. My guitar-playing is so mediocre, I could cry.
• How to dance. One of my lifetime frustrations. I am fan of dancing, particularly street dancing.
• How to use the sewing machine. Another frustration of mine – creating and personalizing my own clothes.

Holga 135

Lomo. I'll be always in love with this type of photography. If ordering films for Holga 120s is as easy as how to order Phentermine, then I wouldn't have decided to let it go. I sold my 120 lomo camera to some cool dude I met on Tumblr. At least he has time to hunt down or order those elusive and quite expensive 120 films. I found out late last year that they've released a 135 version of Holga. At least, the film for that plastic camera wouldn't be hard to find.

27

…and I still suck at writing. That was one of the few first thoughts when I woke up today. I’m never going to be as good as my peers. I know everyone expects me to, and I am doing my best to be as close as I can be to be like them. But I am always going to miss a wrong spelling, or wrong usage, or missing punctuation marks or whatever it is – there’s always going to be something wrong with what I do. But I am not giving up, though. I am still going to practice as hard as I can to be worth working with the best.

My friends have been nothing but generous these past few days. Them remembering my birthday is enough, but them giving me two presents was epic. I know I am not on my best mood most of the time. That I tend to shut everyone out, be really masungit and just be my moody self.  I know it sometimes seem I don’t, but I will be forever grateful to have been blessed with friends like you. Thank you Sherwin, Olive, Kuya Rey, Gene, Sandy, Ony and Nicko.

Also, thank you, Armi for your surprise gift. I wasn’t expecting that. I’ve never felt so pampered and felt so girly. I am still admiring my gray-painted nails as of this writing. I really hope to see you soon.

My Mama cooked my favorite champorado for today’s merienda. That’s my secret birthday wish; to see my Mama in the kitchen again. Champorado is her specialty. There’s no special ingredients to her recipe, but no champorado can beat my Mama’s.

Thank you, God, for another year.

Tubs

Heard the new neighbor will be bringing as much things as they had from the old house. The noise the construction guy’s been making these past couple of weeks have been pretty much what breaks my day, and finally it came in to a halt when the family decides to postpone the construction of the huge gazebo. Crazy as it may seem, but I have never seen that much furniture fit in a small house before. From huge LCD screens, different kinds of DVD and VCR players, huge baking oven, satellite dish, to huge stylish hot tub; name it, they have it. A lot their stuff are really fancy that me and my mother can’t help but be curious on where they got their neat stuff from. The friendly new neighbor, after a week-long of rearranging and trying to figure out where to put things and what needs to be, finally had time to greet the neighbors (that’s us), sit down and have a little chat. Their family was originally from Sta. Mesa and she was on her first retirement year. Teaching for almost 28 years the thing that our new neighbor is proud of. She was able to send all of her kids in school. All of them our now married; two are in the U.S. and the youngest now lives in Makati. She and her husband decided to buy a lot here since our place is far away from the busy life of the city where they used to live. We asked her about the great things they’ve brought along with them, like where they get hottubs and their LCD screen TV. She said most of them were given by their children, who does most of their shopping online. Then everything was just delivered in their doorstep.

Pretty Little Liars

The producers picked a perfect timing to premiere Pretty Little Liars. Most of the popular series like Glee, Gossip Girl, 90210, One Tree Hill etc., were all on season break. Not that there’s nothing great about this new series, but I think if they launch the series and goes head to head with the other series that I mentioned, it wouldn’t gain as much popularity as it has now. I was researching something about curvatrim when a friend from Twitter posted a message about the show. And he was a guy. He also posted a pic spam over Tumblr. Of course, he was really for the eye candy, but I got curious and read a couple of articles about the show. The story is based from a widely-popular book series. When I say popular, the characters of the book has their own doll versions.

The first episode starts with all of the girls inside a barn having a “sleepover” when suddenly one of their friends disappear. Fast forward to a year later, the four remaining girls are haunted by their lost friend. Each of them have been getting spooky messages from a certain A.

Watching the show reminds me a lot of the first season of Veronica Mars, where she solved the case of her best friend’s death.  Pretty Little Liars is on their 4th episode this week. I like the show’s script and direction. It must be an eye candy at first but this show has its own spunk to it. I think the each cast is doing justice with their respective roles. I sort of got really excited that I Googled “Who killed Ali in Pretty Little Liars”?” to find out who killed the mysterious spooky message sender. I’ve predicted the twin sibling twist, but the whole twist was really interesting.

Instant Essays

A lot services online are providing students of services to help them with their school work. One that I am very surprised and very curious about is custom paper services. I've been browsing OverNightEssay.com, which offers custom essays and term papers samples writing services. The website boasts that they can completely write assignments in 3-12 hours. A 24/7 professional live support, and experienced UK and US writers are the people behind the company. They also promise a plagiarism-free report and unlimited revisions with each order. Students can use their professionally written assignments with affordable service fees. Another thing I am more surprised about is they offer thesis writing. College student’s ultimate test, for me, is being able to write and create your own thesis. The countless sleepless nights of reading, researching and conceptualizing defense topics for advisers to accept your theories and results are the rewards of hard work and dedication. I am not saying students nowadays are lucky, but they are privileged to have a lot of options when it comes to academic assistance. Most of the students have internet access at home, so availing these services are only clicks away. But of course, nothing beats a paper that is a result of one’s hard work and creativity.

Early Presents

I don’t know if I said thank you enough but I really appreciate what the Docs team + Ony(?) + Nicko did for me. I came in this morning and found a gift, all with its red glorious ribbons, on my desk. Opening the gift was by far the happiest moment of my day. Or I thought it was. Then they handed me a another box, now wrapped in pink with pink and purple ribbons. I got not one, but TWO birthday presents!! WOW.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.