I don't know why I spend so much time online. I spend hours on the net each day, Googling.
That is why it's such a relief to come across something worth shouting about to at least make it worthwhile.
Visit the site. Support is needed.
http://www.rockedphilippines.org/index.html
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Monday, 5 March 2007
Review: The Good Shepherd
Warning: Some spoilers. If you plan on watching The Good Shepherd, move on. Go see it and come back. Nothing interesting here til then.
Jack and I went to our weekly movie date last night to catch "The Good Shephed". I wasn't particularly keen on seeing it because something about its trailer did not sit well with me. It was boasting of its star-studded cast and I was unsure of Robert de Niro as a director. Nothing against Mr. De Niro, but very few have successfully crossed the great actor-director divide. I decided on giving it a chance since I read in a feature in the Telegraph that Matt Damon, the lead actor in the movie, came across the screenplay even before being offered a part in it, when he asked his manager to give him the top 5 best unmade films in Hollywood that time. Ok, so it had big shoes to fill in my book.
The movie had good intentions but I found it meandering at some point. I knew there was something wrong when I distinctly remember thinking to myself, 'This is taking too damn long.' There were a lot of subplots that I knew were designed to enhance the characterisation for Edward Wilson, but it just didn't do it for me. So the movie built up how Wilson transformed from a poetry student who wins his teacher's affection, to a CIA top dog who barely speaks and can watch a man being tortured without flinching. This builds up for most of the movie only to have a final conflict of Wilson having to choose between his work and his son. I felt shortchanged. Don't get me wrong, choosing between family and something else is and will always be a powerful theme. However, I think, it could have been done in an equally dramatic, but more succinct way. Think "Road to Perdition". In The Good Shepherd, there were also some cliches that did not exactly make me wince but made me go, 'eh'. In the end, it can be considered as a good script, not the best in my book, but definitely has the potential of being an unforgettable movie. Now this is where direction comes in. It was a good effort for De Niro but I feel he went a bit ambitious on this one. It made me think how a good screenplay does not guarantee a good movie, which totally opposes my current view. One scene that I felt was particularly self-indulgent was when Matt Damon's character burned his father's suicide letter. All of a sudden it was slow motion up to the point when he threw the ashes complete with swelling background music. So 'Godfather'. So in the end, I concluded two things for the screenplay: one, it's not a good enough script to survive a novice director (harsh, i know) and two, I would love to see another director remake this film.
With my naysaying done, there are several things that I liked about the movie.
Matt Damon, in my opinion did a good job in this film. He has that inherently quiet person look, something, I fear, Tom Hanks doesn't have. Despite this he manages to give humanity to his character.
Angelina Jolie. I particulary liked her performance. Although, I was in doubt if her acting was indeed good or if I was just fascinated by her. What is it about this woman?
The guy who played Damon's assistant. I wished there was more of him. I feel he could've been a better foil character than that Hayes character, or that British spy.
Final verdict:
Top Rating *****
Screenplay ****
Director **
Cast ***
Jack and I went to our weekly movie date last night to catch "The Good Shephed". I wasn't particularly keen on seeing it because something about its trailer did not sit well with me. It was boasting of its star-studded cast and I was unsure of Robert de Niro as a director. Nothing against Mr. De Niro, but very few have successfully crossed the great actor-director divide. I decided on giving it a chance since I read in a feature in the Telegraph that Matt Damon, the lead actor in the movie, came across the screenplay even before being offered a part in it, when he asked his manager to give him the top 5 best unmade films in Hollywood that time. Ok, so it had big shoes to fill in my book.
The movie had good intentions but I found it meandering at some point. I knew there was something wrong when I distinctly remember thinking to myself, 'This is taking too damn long.' There were a lot of subplots that I knew were designed to enhance the characterisation for Edward Wilson, but it just didn't do it for me. So the movie built up how Wilson transformed from a poetry student who wins his teacher's affection, to a CIA top dog who barely speaks and can watch a man being tortured without flinching. This builds up for most of the movie only to have a final conflict of Wilson having to choose between his work and his son. I felt shortchanged. Don't get me wrong, choosing between family and something else is and will always be a powerful theme. However, I think, it could have been done in an equally dramatic, but more succinct way. Think "Road to Perdition". In The Good Shepherd, there were also some cliches that did not exactly make me wince but made me go, 'eh'. In the end, it can be considered as a good script, not the best in my book, but definitely has the potential of being an unforgettable movie. Now this is where direction comes in. It was a good effort for De Niro but I feel he went a bit ambitious on this one. It made me think how a good screenplay does not guarantee a good movie, which totally opposes my current view. One scene that I felt was particularly self-indulgent was when Matt Damon's character burned his father's suicide letter. All of a sudden it was slow motion up to the point when he threw the ashes complete with swelling background music. So 'Godfather'. So in the end, I concluded two things for the screenplay: one, it's not a good enough script to survive a novice director (harsh, i know) and two, I would love to see another director remake this film.
With my naysaying done, there are several things that I liked about the movie.
Matt Damon, in my opinion did a good job in this film. He has that inherently quiet person look, something, I fear, Tom Hanks doesn't have. Despite this he manages to give humanity to his character.
Angelina Jolie. I particulary liked her performance. Although, I was in doubt if her acting was indeed good or if I was just fascinated by her. What is it about this woman?
The guy who played Damon's assistant. I wished there was more of him. I feel he could've been a better foil character than that Hayes character, or that British spy.
Final verdict:
Top Rating *****
Screenplay ****
Director **
Cast ***
Unlocking the Trade
Something has to be said about the cost of services here in the UK. They're bloody expensive!
During our move to the new apartment, we misplaced the key to the storage room of the old flat so we had to change the lock. When phoning around for a locksmith, the cheapest I found was Pro-Mac, who charged £49.99 for callout charge on a Saturday morning. Add to that the price of a new lock which is around 27 quid plus VAT of 17.5%. I was expected to pay almost £100 to change a lock! Now, I may be new to the country but I think it's fair to say that that is @%$&% ridiculous! Fortunately, Tim, the locksmith, had a brain wave and said he could remove the lock pop to the shop and cut me out a key. Also, cutting a key just costs £7. Hallelujiah!
My colleague only confirmed the fact that being in the trade is very lucrative business. He's even heard of people leaving the IT industry, which already has good earning potential, to become plumbers, electricians, etc. Now, I have to agree with P when he says that there's something f@cked up about that.
During our move to the new apartment, we misplaced the key to the storage room of the old flat so we had to change the lock. When phoning around for a locksmith, the cheapest I found was Pro-Mac, who charged £49.99 for callout charge on a Saturday morning. Add to that the price of a new lock which is around 27 quid plus VAT of 17.5%. I was expected to pay almost £100 to change a lock! Now, I may be new to the country but I think it's fair to say that that is @%$&% ridiculous! Fortunately, Tim, the locksmith, had a brain wave and said he could remove the lock pop to the shop and cut me out a key. Also, cutting a key just costs £7. Hallelujiah!
My colleague only confirmed the fact that being in the trade is very lucrative business. He's even heard of people leaving the IT industry, which already has good earning potential, to become plumbers, electricians, etc. Now, I have to agree with P when he says that there's something f@cked up about that.
Me got an iPod!
It's a beautiful little black number, 30gb. Given by my lovely hubby on Valentine's Day. I knew I shouldn't have settled for that cheesy singing card as my gift for him. Oh well, ganyan talaga di ba? Minsan papalya ka talaga sa pagreregalo hehehe.. :) Pero ok lang, it has taught me to be more mindful next time. Bawi na lang sa susunod.
Anyway, he also bought me a £15 iTunes card which I know is a big gesture because we've almost always accessed our music in a different way (ha? ano, pirated? sino may sabi?? uy, orig ang mga opm ko ha..). I was so excited to buy from iTunes but had a difficult time choosing songs to purchase because I knew I could get most of them using torrent. So I ended up buying the music video of Mika's Grace Kelly. Looovve this song. He reminds me so much of Freddie Mercury.
I can see how someone can get addicted to this gadget. What kind of music do you like? Which songs do you listen to the most? The iPod becomes an extension of who you are. For example, I've just realized that the kind of pop music I like the most is of the gay camp variety. Hence, Scissors Sisters, Queen and some Steps songs currently reign supreme in my iPod. Oh, and 1 Aqua song.
Top songs:
1 - The entire Scissor Sisters debut album topped by Take Your Mama Out
2 - The entire Queen Greatest hits album topped by........(sorry, please don't make me choose)
3 - Steps - Last Thing On My Mind, Tragedy and 5,6,7,8
4 - Aqua - Cartoon Heroes
Yeba!
Anyway, he also bought me a £15 iTunes card which I know is a big gesture because we've almost always accessed our music in a different way (ha? ano, pirated? sino may sabi?? uy, orig ang mga opm ko ha..). I was so excited to buy from iTunes but had a difficult time choosing songs to purchase because I knew I could get most of them using torrent. So I ended up buying the music video of Mika's Grace Kelly. Looovve this song. He reminds me so much of Freddie Mercury.
I can see how someone can get addicted to this gadget. What kind of music do you like? Which songs do you listen to the most? The iPod becomes an extension of who you are. For example, I've just realized that the kind of pop music I like the most is of the gay camp variety. Hence, Scissors Sisters, Queen and some Steps songs currently reign supreme in my iPod. Oh, and 1 Aqua song.
Top songs:
1 - The entire Scissor Sisters debut album topped by Take Your Mama Out
2 - The entire Queen Greatest hits album topped by........(sorry, please don't make me choose)
3 - Steps - Last Thing On My Mind, Tragedy and 5,6,7,8
4 - Aqua - Cartoon Heroes
Yeba!
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Mobile Weekend
Jack's due to work in Oxford for the next few weeks so we tried out his driving route yesterday. After covering 30 miles in 40 minutes and marvelling at how 60mph (100kph) still relegated us to stay in the "slow" lane, we reached Oxford and, after a few minutes, his client site for the next few weeks. Pa, magugustuhan mo dito magmaneho. Relatively maganda ang kundisyon ng mga daan :) We really planned on having lunch in the city so we parked and proceeded on foot. Our feet eventually lead us to the pedestrianised city centre in search for some grub. I found a sign saying 'Covered Market' so we decided to check it out.
What a treasure!
Butcher Shop
One of the first stores we saw was a butcher shop. This one had several deer (yes, deer, Bambi) hanging on a hook: head and hooves are chopped off and innards extracted through a clean cut slicing the animal's stomach lengthwise. The animal still sported its coat and was freshly gutted judging from the small pool of blood on the floor. We assume it's waiting to be butchered. Amazing. The shop also sold other game: guinea fowl, partridge, mallard and other interesting birds. The shop also sold other meat such as rabbit and hare. P practically salivated! So we vowed to comeback and buy our fill of game. We had to because our fridge is still sadly packed with Asda supermarket meat.
Cheese Shop - Stinking Bishop
As we moved further along, the smelly of old sweaty socks brought joy to my heart. A cheese store! I wouldn't say I'm a connoisseur but I do like my cheese. Naku, Airyn, you'll love this shop. It was even selling cheese covered in mold! (Uh, Not today, thanks. Maybe never.) As I was deciding whether I wanted an Oxford Blue, I heard a man ask for the Stinking Bishop. I believe it is the favorite cheese of Wallace of Wallace and Gromit fame, thus making it celebrity cheese. Of course I had to have it! Our verdict: it's a split decision. Jack likes it, I don't. I find the flavor to be a little too strong plus it stunk up my bag!
Browns
On to the important business of lunch, we decided on Browns. I had my first ever Shepherds Pie which didn't appear to be any kind of pie at all, to my surprise. What I had was a bit of mushy minced meat dish but I liked the taste of it anyway. Over all, not bad.
Oxford's Covered Market is definitely worth a visit. Next time, I'm going to try one of the milkshake stores and Ben's cookies. Hm, cookies.. Gutom ako hehehe..
What a treasure!
Butcher Shop
One of the first stores we saw was a butcher shop. This one had several deer (yes, deer, Bambi) hanging on a hook: head and hooves are chopped off and innards extracted through a clean cut slicing the animal's stomach lengthwise. The animal still sported its coat and was freshly gutted judging from the small pool of blood on the floor. We assume it's waiting to be butchered. Amazing. The shop also sold other game: guinea fowl, partridge, mallard and other interesting birds. The shop also sold other meat such as rabbit and hare. P practically salivated! So we vowed to comeback and buy our fill of game. We had to because our fridge is still sadly packed with Asda supermarket meat.
Cheese Shop - Stinking Bishop
As we moved further along, the smelly of old sweaty socks brought joy to my heart. A cheese store! I wouldn't say I'm a connoisseur but I do like my cheese. Naku, Airyn, you'll love this shop. It was even selling cheese covered in mold! (Uh, Not today, thanks. Maybe never.) As I was deciding whether I wanted an Oxford Blue, I heard a man ask for the Stinking Bishop. I believe it is the favorite cheese of Wallace of Wallace and Gromit fame, thus making it celebrity cheese. Of course I had to have it! Our verdict: it's a split decision. Jack likes it, I don't. I find the flavor to be a little too strong plus it stunk up my bag!
Browns
On to the important business of lunch, we decided on Browns. I had my first ever Shepherds Pie which didn't appear to be any kind of pie at all, to my surprise. What I had was a bit of mushy minced meat dish but I liked the taste of it anyway. Over all, not bad.
Oxford's Covered Market is definitely worth a visit. Next time, I'm going to try one of the milkshake stores and Ben's cookies. Hm, cookies.. Gutom ako hehehe..
Saturday, 10 February 2007
Another site
Peekvid update: It's not available for now. Some strange message saying they're going into beta. Wha-eva!
But this one, is totally here: www.meebo.com. No need to download any of the IM clients. This site handles 'em all. Check it out. Chat anytime, anywhere.
Again, courtesy of my beloved P.
But this one, is totally here: www.meebo.com. No need to download any of the IM clients. This site handles 'em all. Check it out. Chat anytime, anywhere.
Again, courtesy of my beloved P.
The holy grail that is credit
I've been living in the UK for over a year now. I would say I'm in a pretty good position. I am employed and earn enough to rent a place of my own in the South East which is relatively close to the town centre and rail links to London. That's the reason why I can't believe I'm having such a hard time applying for a credit card! I have been turned down twice: one by Tesco (like their SM Supermarket here). The other by Lloyds TSB, my very own bank with whom I've been banking for over a year! They sure know how to foster customer loyalty.
I apologize for my morose tone but I've just received the decision letter for my appeal (yes, I am not above appealing) and got this:
It would have been ok. I would have just felt indignant for a while and sadly continue to live on my cash-basis world, had Jack not been approved for a credit card by another bank. Ok, he had a token amount for a credit limit (£200), but I would have settled for £100! So I am now seriously thinking of switching banks because of this.
If you've never grovelled in your life and want to try it out, I suggest going to the UK and try to establish a banking relationship from scratch. You'll plead, beg, threaten then beg again.
I apologize for my morose tone but I've just received the decision letter for my appeal (yes, I am not above appealing) and got this:
Thank you for writing to me about your recent request for a Lloyds TSB credit card account. I have reviewed your application, taking your concerns and the additional information you sent us into consideration, but unfortunately I have not been able to reverse the original decision.Now here's my favorite part:
Whilst I am in no way criticising the conduct of your current account, I regret that the information which you have sent us does not carry the weight we would need to overturn the credit scoring result.Don't you just love British English? I'm sure Mr. Whats-his-face is a good guy and is just doing his job. Bless him, he also sent me a personalised letter rather than a 'We said you're rejected, oryt?!' computer-generated, no signature needed rubbish. However, while reading the letter, all I can think of is "I can't believe I got rejected..There are companies offering credit lines to criminals and bankrupts and I cannot get my bank to give a credit card. What is up?!?"
It would have been ok. I would have just felt indignant for a while and sadly continue to live on my cash-basis world, had Jack not been approved for a credit card by another bank. Ok, he had a token amount for a credit limit (£200), but I would have settled for £100! So I am now seriously thinking of switching banks because of this.
If you've never grovelled in your life and want to try it out, I suggest going to the UK and try to establish a banking relationship from scratch. You'll plead, beg, threaten then beg again.
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