Bahay Kubo, Kahit Munti

Last Saturday, I transferred to a new apartment unit - a LOT better one. *wink*

The place's name is Abode.

It's still on the same area as I was before - Artarmon - but closer to the office AND at least around this area, I got me some premises to wander about and views to ogle at.

Suriin natin ang iba pang perks sa nilipatan kong tirahan (habang iniisip ko ang tagalog ng "perks"):

1. May pool na may heater kaya pag lumublob ka mainit hanggang tiyan. Mula sa dibdib pataas ay malamig. Ganun siya kababaw.
2. May gym na hanggang ngayon tinatamad kong gamitin.
3. May receiving room na fully furnished at kaiga-igaya nang pagdalhan ng bwisita. Actually, bininyagan na namin ito last Sabado nung nag surprise party kami para kay J-Lao. Studio type kasi yung una kong tinirahan kaya ang sala, kitchen, at bedroom ay masayang nag paparty sa isang lugar. At least ngayon tablahan sila dahil may kanya kanya na silang sulok sa bagong bahay.

4. Kumpleto rekados ang mga muwebles at kagamitan. Kung baga sa halo-halo ay jampacked. Minsan nakakalito na kung ano ang remote controller ng ano, at kung ano ang switch ng ano. Buti hindi nangangain ng tanga yung mga kagamitan dito.
5. May veranda slash yosi-tambayan (note: di nako nagyoyosi) slash palamigan ng taong makakapal ang dugo. Etong veranda na ito ay nakaharap sa mismong building ng IBM. Kaya saulado ko kung sino yung mga mababait na nilalang na nag-oovertime para itaguyod ang pangalan ng sikat na kumpanya. Life is short, waste it at work.

6. May washing machine at dryer! Sa wakas, di ko na kailangan mag bayad ng isang dolyar at kalhati para pudpudin ng makina sa kakaikot yung tela ng mga damit ko. Magagawa ko na yun ng libre.
7. Lahat malambot - upuan, kama, unan, comforter, kahit yung lalakeng nag babantay sa front desk lambutin! Ahoohuy!!

8. Ganda ng view kahit saang bintana ka tumitig. Mapapa-"this is life, i love you Earth" ka sabay dighay at himas sa tiyan.
9. Malapit sa Saint Leonards train station. Mas madaling maglakwatsa papuntang siyudad.

10. Mas malapit na ang bus station. Hindi katulad dati na kailangan makipagbakbakan sa lamig ng umaga para marating ang pinakamalapit na sakayan.
11. May malapit na grocery at mga kainan. Kulang na lang bilihan ng kotse, babae, alak, baril, at droga... solve na.
12. Mas astig ang temperature regulator, centralized na. Kaya kahit wansapak ang lamig sa labas, napapanatiling room temperature ang buong apartment at ang mga cup noodles ko.
13. May dibidi player. Kulang na lang nagbebenta ng dibidi at "boss X". Nami-miss ko yung mga suki ko sa Quiapo.
14. Makikita sa isang portable video phone kung sinong Herodes ang dorbel ng dorbel sa ibaba ng building sa kwarto mo. Kung medyo napasama ang gising mo, pwede mo pa i-angat ang telepono at murahin mo siya. Ang lakas ng output, rinig sa buong lobby tingin ko.
15. Mas maayos ang toilet. Babala: Hindi nila alam ang "C.R." dito. Magtanong ka sa mall kung nasaan ang C.R. at titigan ka nila na para kang may ikatlong tenga sa noo.
16. Naka carpet at may combo na vacuum cleaner. E ano ngayon?

Ayun, wala na ko ibang maisip e.

Kapayapaan para sa bagong gising!

Priory of Sion, Pagnilagyan ng Biton?

Syempre, Martes kahapon kaya sugod sa cinema na naman kami. Half the price ang tickets e! Alam mo naman mga Pinoy, basta mura mabenta. Malapit na daw mag snow dito kaya kagabi wansapak ang lamig! Umuulan pa! Pero hindi ito hadlang para sa amin. Mura e!

Usual suspects. Bumili lang kami ng chips, sinilid sa bag ko (bawal magdala ng food from the outside sa loob ng sinehan, pero wala namang nag-iinspect ng bag sa entrance), tapos pasok na kami sa cinema.

"Da Vinci Code". Karamihan sa amin nabasa na yung nobela. Ako, hindi pa. Pero tama ang hinala ko. Mas lamang ako sa pag enjoy ng pelikula dahil hindi ko pa alam ang mangyayari. =)

On with the show!

Da Vinci Code
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

First off, I'm talking from the point of view of someone who has watched the movie but have not read Dan Brown's novel. And prior to watching the film, I've already been hearing a lot of negative opinions about it from those who were avid patrons of the novel. But for me, I believe Da Vinci Code has delivered very well... so well in fact that the film was enough to create a disturbance among the Christian circle.

Being off topic, I see the whole issue as unnecessary and even foolishly protracted. The longer they spend time mindlessly babbling criticisms against the movie, the longer they're just making people more curious and eager to check it out. Debates have already erupted and for what cause, to protect the Christian faith? C'mon, anyone who can pay a couple of bucks to watch the movie knows for the least that the movie's a fiction. If you ask me, those who harboured concerns regarding this effect on film viewers were the ones who have problems on the foundations of their own faith.

Back to the film now.

It started in Louvre, France when after a museum curator was murdered by an Opus Dei fanatic, Robert Langdon - a Harvard symbologist - was implicated to the crime whilst the old man left a series of cryptic clues which he should decipher. On his trail was the French cop Captain Fache who threw all the resources he got to sack Robert. With help from Sophie Neveu, a French cryptologist and grandchild of the curator, he was obliged by circumstance to solve the bizarre mystery surrounding the death.

It was too late though when he discovered that what he was about to unravel was a mystery so significant that it could topple the very foundation of mankind (booohoooo, I love saying that... gives me the creeps!). Seeing that he was too "in" to turn back, Robert seek refuge to an old English friend, Magneto... este Sir Leigh Teabing, who divulged everything about the Holy Grail and its enigma to them.Together, the brady bunch worked their way to a heart-pounding labyrinthine trip across Europe in a quest to find the secret of the Holy Grail. Aided by perplexing clues and jujus, Robert was able to pin down mysteries after mysteries, all the while being chased by Captain Fache and the albino assassin, Silas.

Everything should went as was planned by their real enemy - the faceless power-grabber only known as the Teacher - until the series of events leading to the final climax of the film revealed that Sir Leigh himself is the Teacher. After successfully thwarting the Teacher's nefarious plans, the rest of the movie just mellowed into the resolution of the final mystery: Where is the sarcophagus of the Holy Grail?

Most of the following events after that were simply discoveries that answered the remaining lose ends left along the movie like who's the last bloodline of Christ, what's the real story behind Sophie's family, what's the real purpose behind the Priory of Sion, can Sophie really walk on water (hehe), and stuffs that pretty much wrapped up the whole story.

I say, the first part of the film was really really confusing, and I was talking about those parts when Robert and Sophie were starting to recover pieces of clues from the crime scene (combination for the safe codes, anagrams, symbols, magic inks... hey, that's so much to muster from a dying man, hehe!). I dunno, I believe it was meant that way since everything pretty much fall into places on the latter parts of the movie anyway.

I like how they laid out the scenes that comprised the recollection of past events and explanations of clues. They've been vivid enough to portray them in a way that not-so-avid-fans-of-history won't be too overwhelmed with information overload. Still, although it might sound biased, I believe that viewers who are not in the "ample level of perception" category (ok... pinagandang pamamaraan ng pagsasabing "bobong manonood") would find some events and personalities taxing to understand (Council of Nicaea, Priory of Scion/Sion, Opus Dei, Knights Templars, Leonardo Da Vinci's artworks, Fibonacci series) and frankly, the movie is nothing without at least a hint of comprehension about these things. In "The Da Vinci Code", the pacing is too fast that there's no room to stop and think. You should only either catch up or get confused even more.

Powerful performances came from Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon), Ian McKellen (Sir Leigh), and especially Paul Bettany (Silas). On the other hand, I was not too impressed with Jean Reno's portrayal of "a cop under pressure" (he's too relaxed it seems), same with Audrey Tautou (Sophie Neveu) whose character I wasn't able to connect with. I just can't "feel" any strong emotions that she was supposed to exude. Aye like herr aczent vhough, zo cute vor me. =)

I also think she really looks like Christ, at least the Christ we knew as depicted on the pictures.

To sum up, it was a good experience watching the film IF you haven't read the book. Having read it before watching the movie will only make you grumble of scenes omitted or situations modified or at least it will have an effect on your appreciation of it. But of course, movies have limitations that novels don't have so if I may kindly suggest to the book patrons planning to watch the movie counterpart, appreciate the quality of the film objectively before whining with what's lacking from the books.

One thing of note though: most of Dan Brown's arguments and discussions presented on the film/book were not original concepts and had been around for some time now as vague hoaxes, insufficiently supported claims, and/or regional myths like the presence of Mary Magdalene on Da Vinci's "Last Supper".

Lastly, the movie is cerebral all throughout. Heard that Christian critics? Hello, we need brains here! I'm a Christian myself, raised with a strict Christian culture, and so proud that not a nick was inflicted on my faith to the Saviour I've known after watching the movie. =)

Amen.

Serious Ito, Pramis

Sometimes you have to hurt to make your own hurting subside. It doesn't sound right but nevertheless is agreeable to a certain point of view.

Kaya ang question of the day (at YM status ko siya last week)...

"If you choke Barney, what color does it turn to?"

Maraming tao ang nakiramay. Mga taong hindi ko akalaing naging malalim na parte ng aking buhay... mga taong nandiyan para sa oras ng aking pagkatuliro... sa oras na ako'y naghahanap ng kasagutan sa katotohanan.

Sa kanilang lahat ang taos puso kong pasasalamat.

Sabi ni Michele (Australian workmate ko) *exclaiming*: "I would love to experiment on choking Barney to see what color he turns to!" *with matching gesture of choking*

Sabi ni Jacob, Le Croissant (contributor sa isang local gaming magazine): "Baliw ka na talaga dyan!"

Sabi ni Ayn (empleyado sa isang pamosong international IT company): "Pink?"

Sabi ni April (bagong adik sa SB caramel machiato ): "Si Elmo naman ngayon... kahapon si Barney!" *matapos kong mawaring ipalit si Elmo sa kalagayan ni Barney noong sumunod na araw*

Sabi ni Dan the Flash (Adonis ng Site Support sabi ni Sir Jed): "Naisip mo pa yun pre!"

Nagbigay din ng kanilang dagliang opinyon sina Garrboy (Rick Astley ng Greenhills), DD (...na noo'y nangangating umiskor), at Bubung (...na umumit lamang ng ngiti).

Honestly, on account of my 10 years study of Science in gradeschool and highschool, my best answer to this predicament is "Fuschia". Gusto ko sana "pink" kaso nahanap ko yung spelling ng "fuschia" sa Google kaya "fuschia" na lang para astig.

I had some Arts subjects (Sining at Kultura) too back in highschool and using my best recollection of these lessons plus my years experience with Science and Technology subjects, I reckoned if Barney is dark purple and if choking something makes it turn pale white, I have to trace the gradient pattern of colors running from dark purple to pale white. Mustering my knowledge in typing a query in Google, I was able to locate the necessary tool for my hyphotesis - the ubiquitous color wheel! Alas, checking the colors between dark purple and pale white in the color wheel revealed that my calculated guess is inarguable - fuschia is among the spectrum!

And what's more awesome is that Barney will exhibit all my favorite shades of violet before turning to fuschia!

Verily, nay questions will be left baffling for an inquiring mind ready to use Science as his patron!

=D

Baliw.

Ibalik Nyo Ko sa Earth

May panahon na gusto ko na umuwi. Bukod sa kailangan na ni Nina ng Pinoy Big Brother ng karamay sa pagka vote out niya sa bahay ni Koya, nami-miss ko na din ang UP tambayan pag Saturdays at syempre airsoft Sundays. Not that I'm lonely or bored here in Sydney, don't get me wrong. I'm having a good time here in fact, and iL sure have more fun in the coming weeks (I'm anticipating the snowboarding trip). Pero iba pa din syempre yung nasa teritoryo mo ka. Iba kasi yung gulo ng Manila... iba yung excitement ng anticipation kung anong bagong gimik ng Pangulo... iba yung nakaka-ihi ka kahit saang pader mo gusto.

Ngayon ko lang na-appreciate yung mga bagay na gento.

Pagaya ngayon, nanonood ako ng Aussie Big Brother at trip na trip ko ganda ni Kristal. Pero mas astig di ba kung meron sana silang Keanna na mayaman sa "R" at hindi umuupo sa rocking chair dahil bawal daw gumalaw ng furnitures sabi ni Big Brother.


I'm marking MY new territory. Sinong may sabing bawal umihi sa poste sa Australia? Bawal lang kapag nahuli. Tabi tabi po!

Anyway, I was already nearing my first month of stay here. For posterity purpose, Im'a list what was up during the last four weeks:

1. During our stay, some good souls had been our gimik friends here: Marvin (he's half Pinoy & fluent at that), Cindy (she speaks Cantonese), Tian (he's Chinese), and J.Lao (she's Pinay, half-Chinese though I believe). They're all my workmates based here in Sydney, though in the case of J.Lao it's "had been my workmate in Manila". Together with Bubung, Miss Dynes, and Yuki, (who are like me, sent here for work) let's just call the brady bunch the "Usual Suspects".

2. First trip out was for our first dinner at the city. The usual suspects went to "Zozo", a Korean restaurant with some cute chinky waitresses. Busog na tiyan, busog pa ang mata ni Obi. Hahay buhay! Hehe. Tagging along with us were Blondey (Australian, I guess) and Judy (Chinese-Aussie ?) - Cindy's friends - and April (Pinay yey!), who already went back to Manila a couple of days after our arrival. I dig the food. Yub yub!

3. Afterwards, we went to Viva Karaoke Bar! Syempre, usual playlist ko e mga lovesongs... yung mga pang-inuman songs namin ng Justice League pag may lasingan kila Wacha. Syempre, di mawawala "All My Life". Patentado sakin yung kantang yun pag may videokehan.

4. Next stop, together with J.Lao and Bubung, I went to Games Workshop - Sydney Battle Bunker. Games Workshop (GW) ang company na may pakulo ng Warhammer miniatures na hobby ko. Walang GW sa Manila, mayroon lamang silang distributor dun kaya naka-abot ang konyong laro sa ating siyudad. Picture's in my hobby blog here.

5. Surprise BBQ party for Marvin at Parramata. Unsuspecting that there'll be a party for him, blindfolded Marvs was surprised by his friends Steph, Duk, Dips, Paul, and Regge. The usual suspects sans Miss Dynes and Yuki (who were not yet in Sydney that time), and Cindy were invited to join the "surprise contingent". Cool celebration, I must say. Pils Beer tastes like San Mig Lights. Yub yub!

6. With April, me and Bubung visited the famed Opera House, the adjoining park which used to be a prison complex and the Government House, which is a very old mansion that used to house the administrative governors of Sydney. We've already been there twice now since we showed Yuki and Miss Dynes around after they arrived. We also went to The Rocks. It was among the first penal districts of New South Wales during the British settlement of the area.

7. I met with Oh in Circular Quay. She's a former colleague when I was still working for P&G-HP. She's here for a business trip too. Real name: Pechjarin Kanjanaprasatporn. Hopefully, I'm correct. She's Thai. We walked around the city afterwards and ate in Chinatown (Sunee Thai Delicacy) where Danny (Aussie) - used to work for P&G too - and Henry (American-Singaporean, I think) - HP employee - met with us.

8. April's farewell lunch at Kapitano's Pizza Place. Pizza slices gallore! Yub yub!

9. Anzac Day - Tuesday (Aussie holiday). The usual suspects went to Hoyt's Cinema to watch Scary Movie 4.

10. I went to the Chatswood Branch of Games Workshop and buy me some more hobby stuffs. Argh! Credit card limit, near overdose! Picture's also in my hobby blog here.

11. We walked around Hyde Park where the Anzac Memorial was situated. Anzac's Australia-New Zealand Army Corps. The Memorial houses the war memorabilias of Australia's soldiers.

12. Friday night dinner with the usual suspects at a Japanese restaurant near Chinatown. I ordered Octopus balls. Takoyakudon (?) Yub yub!

13. We played billiards afterwards at this pool place near Central train station.

14. Together with Marvin's friends, we went fishing at Cottage Point. Scroll some entries down for pictures and specifics.

15. Woolworth's convenient store. Buy me some chips, sausages, soda, and beer (sarap ng Toohey's Extra Dry!). Food restock for my apartment. Yub yub!

16. Usual suspects at a Chinese restaurant in Little Hay Street. Rice! Yub yub!

17. Tuesday - Hoyt's Cinema. Usual suspects, watched Mission Impossible Three. Review of sorts, scroll for a separate entry below.

18. Friday night dinner with the usual suspects. Tian's wife joined the fray and another friend of Cindy. Grub time's at Cafe Asturias, a Spanish restaurant at the city. Another videoke night session followed at Viva Karaoke Bar.

19. Darling Harbour hangouts. I can't already count how many times we've visited the place but it's just lovely there. Also, it was here where I introduced April to Starbuck's caramel machiatto and now I can only blame myself. She's hooked! *insert "tongue out" smiley here*

20. Also, every Friday, there are "beer hours" in the office. Beers and chips were served by the end of the day. There are usual soccer games too during lunch times.

21. I met with Annie and Chin (half Pinays) and Natalie (South African). Annie's Roshie's young aunt of sorts. They're so cool to hangout with. They introduced me to Aussie words like skanky and FOB. Haha. Akin na lang yun kung ano ibig sabihin nyan. I finally was able to go to French Riviera with friends to share the humongous ice cream serving. I was surprised it was like 2-ish feet tall with every flavors available in there and fruits! Yub yub! We then went to Harry's and I ordered a hotdog sandwhich with chili con carne. Yub yub part 2!! It's so so hot but really complements the freezing cold weather. Natalie knows Iya Villania. They're sort of surprised that she's this big in Manila. Coool. Thanks a lot you guys!

22. I bought a local simcard (Vodafone) so I could keep in touch with people here.

23. We went to Paddy's Market (Hay Market) as April had his last minute shopping before going back to Manila.

Quick facts:

First meal: Roast beef in Lebanese Roll
Most visited place: Chinatown (...and no, it's not bcuz there's a lot of cute chinky girls there. Hehe...)
Pages consumed reading Dune novel: 445 as of now
Miniature figures painted: 2
Number of times my room had cleaning service: 2
Number of times I had laundry: 2
Train tickets: 10
Bus tickets: 3
Aussie Big Brother bet: Kristal
Phone cards: 2
Favorite sandwich: Chicken Schnitzel
Food left: frankfurts, yakisoba, pancit canton, soda, beer, cheese, lettuce, chips, chocolates... yub yub!
Number of times I exclaimed "Gidday mate!": 13-ish
Apartment number: 709
Most favorite food eaten so far: Seafood Paella
Chinitas spotted na "pwedeeee!": secret pa din.

MAGGIE Q

I watched Mission Impossible 3 with my friends yesterday after work. Astig dito e, kapag Martes half-price lang ang cinema tickets, so we often watch films on Tuesdays. I dunno what's with Tuesdays though.


Mission Impossible Part Tres
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!

Nice casting. Nice story twist. Nice movie magics (FX). Those pretty summed it up.

Ethan Hunt is back in the field of espionage and subterfuge as one of his protege slash close friend, Agent Ferris, who also worked for IMF was compromised on a mission to subdue a tech-kingpin Owen Davian. Taking initiative to rescue Ferris, who later died after their daring escape, Hunt got entangled to a web of scheme after scheme of international magnitude which brought the story settings from Germany to the Vatican to the suburbs of Shanghai. Along with it, he was forced to return to operative service again after the criminal ring got hold of her wife.

The conflict got more complicated as later in the story Agent Hunt and his team discovered an even twisted plot that involved the IMF Director himself, Morpheus... err John Brassel (Laurence Fishburne) as working for Davian. While the story progressed up to Ethan's quest to recover the "Rabbit's Foot" in exchange for her *cough* hot wife, another twist will reveal itself which will contradict eeeevrything that the movie had made us believe from the start.

Twists after twists after twists. I just love films like this which will throw viewers to believe one set of fact, then suddenly another contradicting one will emerge, then another set of revelations will come out, and so on, until the real "truth" will be revealed. It sort of teases the viewers' mind to accumulate questions up until the climax where in an abrupt turn of events all confusion will be answered leaving them awed. Information overload in its finest. =)

The sheer thrill of action was already on even during the early part of the movie. I say, some of the combat scenes are practically impossible to happen in real-life (or the mere cover up to be done by the government after THEIR jetplane and armed helicopter attacked a national bridge!) but on MI:3, it's the outright cinematic effect that's important... on how, viewers will be forced to jolt out of their seats on such scenes.

Regarding its story plot, I can't divulge much on how the story went due to its complexities but I'd rather let you experience the feel of being perplexed with the strings of schemes involved in it. All I can say is that this film made me feel bad for not being able to watch the first and the second parts. Now, I'm expecting that much on its predecessors. Frankly, however, I would have to stick to my opinion that the Mission Impossible TV series still rocks than its movie counterparts. It's classic, man. Can't give any less credit to something ageless. =)

Now the casts... bravo, Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt)! Bravo Michelle Monaghan (wife, Julia), she's hot! Bravo Laurence Fishburne (John Brassel)! Bravo Philip Seymour (Owen Davian)! Bravo Kerri Russel (Agent Ferris)!

All the casts made a good job, as if the synergy is natural. Tom Cruise as usual played his streamline protagonist icon very well. So well, in fact, that sometimes his career's becoming monotonous... something in the line of "Not another Tom Cruise movie".

Got to "special mention" this girl though... MAGGIE Q!!! MAGGIE Q! MAGGIE Q! She's soooo cute that I have to spell her name on caps!! (Hehe familiar tagline). She's the hot hot, pretty pretty Asian girl on Hunt's team of operatives (Agent Zhen). She'd just summed up a guy's dream in one package... a hot babe with a sleek car and a purty gun!!! Alak na lang at sugal, kumpleto na! =D There really is something with girls in guns... Maggie's just dashing on her operative suit and rifle. And I love that part where she pouted before detonating the bomb on her lamborghini. I was like... aawwww poor girl, dunn' worry iL just buy you one. Hahaha. Dream on, man. Dream on. Anyway, she just made it to #3 spot on Obi's Hottest Ladies in the Milky Way. Topped only by Kristin Kreuk of Smallville (#1) and Catherine Zeta-Jones of Zorro (#2). Gotta remind myself to post that list sometimes.


The movie rocks big time whether you're in for the hardcore action fling or you just want to score with your date when the explosions break lose and she'll "accidentally" hug you. *wink* Haha. Either way, you're in for a win.

Nine out of ten gulaman! A must see movie.

Warning: Some lose ends were left unknown... like the true nature of the "Rabbit's Foot".

Amf!

Isang Hamak Na Mangingisda

I've gone fishing last Saturday with my friends here. It was up north and the sight's really fascinating there, reminiscent of our country's Ilocos Norte... autumn-struck trees everywhere (although we don't have an autumn), rolling hills, plethora of bird species, cold-air wisps, and a halcyon river free of human abuse.

The place's called Cottage Point, some thirty minutes drive from our place in Artarmon. Our good friend slash workmate, Marvin and his mates spared us some fishing lines. We fished from a dingy. The guys rented two boats for the afternoon's activity: the four OZ's on the first boat and Marvin, me, Ces, Yuki, and Jhoanna (Filo rulez!) on the second boat. While we moved to find a good fishing spot, we digged in to the pizza Marvin bought for dinner (Pizza Hut... hehe parang asa Pinas lang). It's good to eat before prepping up while we haven't got our hands all stinky yet.

It was pretty warm on that early afternoon. Nice weather for fishing. We used prawns as bait while we throw mashed white bread on the surface to get the fishes' attention. At least that's the theory. Hehe. Just before the first hour of trying our luck, I got a tug from my line. I caught a Snapper! Not of legit size though, so I have to throw it back to the river. A couple of small Snappers after, I was finally able to catch a fish that I could bring home. A Leather Jacket, 25cm long! It was so called because it feels like leather to the touch. Really weird-looking fish, but its edible! There's also this OZ tradition of kissing the fish before throwing it back to the waters. Here's one of my Snapper catch...


...and here's the Leather Jacket (it has an angular head with a stalk sticking out of its forehead, really queer-looking)...


The late afternoon of that day was bloody chilling! Nevertheless, I say fishing is waaaay cool. I could have bought my own fishing line if only I could have some place to fish in Manila... sadly, I never heard of a good fishing spot around the metro. Baka sa probinsya pa. We went to a friend's house in Parramata afterwards to spend the rest of the night. After a sumptuous dinner, the girls glued attention on watching "Swordfish" while we bout it out on FIFA and NBA Live in XBox.

I don't think I can eat the fish I caught. It's just too poor a thing.

=D

Statistics after the day's event:
Fishes caught: Leather Jacket, Snapper, some smaller species (as in tiny small)
Most legit catches: Jhoanna (2 Leather Jackets)
Biggest legit catch: Jhoanna (some 30 or so centimeters long)
Weirdest looking legit catch: Jhoanna (a queerer than queer-looking Leather Jacket, Marvin told us it might be of the "other" gender than our Leather Jackets)
Day's legit catches: 7 (All Leather Jackets)
2 - Jhoanna
1 - Obi
1 - Yuki
3 - Boat Number One (Reg, Paul, Duk, Dips)
Other catches:
Obi - 2 anchors (got tangled up there twice... ye ye, I suck)
Ces - a tree branch
Reg - an even bigger branch (still connected to its tree mind you! hehe)
Marvin - a big lump of rock
Smallest catch: tie between Jhoanna and Marvin's "anchovies" =)
Hooks wasted (locked deep inside fishes' innards): 5
Chinitas spotted: Hehe... akin na lang yun.

Don't Try This At Home

Dahil bored ako ngayon at mahirap magpalipas ng oras.

"Liban"
by Ka Obi

Mahusay ang Batangenyong salita na "liban".
Kasi may dalawa pa itong kahulugan.
Ang una'y pag binasa ito ng may kabilisan.
Ang kahuluga'y nagiging "tumawid sa daanan".

Gamitin natin sa halimbawa,
Para lalong humaba yaring tula:

"Ako'y may alaga, asong mataba...
Kay kulot ng balahibo, kay rikit ng mukha...
Laro tayo, laro tayo, aking alaga!
Liliban ako at susunod ka!
Yehey! Liban na! Liban na ng daan!
SPLAT! PLAK! CRAK!
Si alaga, nasagasaan!"

Ang ikalawang kahulugan naman,
Kapag binasa'y dapat may kabagalan.
"Liii-ban".
"Liii-ban".
"Hindi pumasok" o "hindi dumalo" ang kahulugan.

Basahin natin sabay sabay,
Gagamitin ko ang salita sa salaysay:

"Noong bata ako'y mahilig lumiban.
Sabi ng Mamay, ako'y sadyang batugan.
Bukas may pagsusulit sa paaralan!
Ang batang si Obi... liban.
Bukas may pagsasanay sa talastasan!
Ang batang si Obi... syempre liban.
Ang tanging bagay ako'y hindi liliban,
Ay pag kina Kapitan ay mayroong kainan!"

Ang salitang "liban".
BOW.

Bahay Kubo, Kahit Munti

Last Saturday, I transferred to a new apartment unit - a LOT better one. *wink*

The place's name is Abode.

It's still on the same area as I was before - Artarmon - but closer to the office AND at least around this area, I got me some premises to wander about and views to ogle at.

Suriin natin ang iba pang perks sa nilipatan kong tirahan (habang iniisip ko ang tagalog ng "perks"):

1. May pool na may heater kaya pag lumublob ka mainit hanggang tiyan. Mula sa dibdib pataas ay malamig. Ganun siya kababaw.
2. May gym na hanggang ngayon tinatamad kong gamitin.
3. May receiving room na fully furnished at kaiga-igaya nang pagdalhan ng bwisita. Actually, bininyagan na namin ito last Sabado nung nag surprise party kami para kay J-Lao. Studio type kasi yung una kong tinirahan kaya ang sala, kitchen, at bedroom ay masayang nag paparty sa isang lugar. At least ngayon tablahan sila dahil may kanya kanya na silang sulok sa bagong bahay.

4. Kumpleto rekados ang mga muwebles at kagamitan. Kung baga sa halo-halo ay jampacked. Minsan nakakalito na kung ano ang remote controller ng ano, at kung ano ang switch ng ano. Buti hindi nangangain ng tanga yung mga kagamitan dito.
5. May veranda slash yosi-tambayan (note: di nako nagyoyosi) slash palamigan ng taong makakapal ang dugo. Etong veranda na ito ay nakaharap sa mismong building ng IBM. Kaya saulado ko kung sino yung mga mababait na nilalang na nag-oovertime para itaguyod ang pangalan ng sikat na kumpanya. Life is short, waste it at work.

6. May washing machine at dryer! Sa wakas, di ko na kailangan mag bayad ng isang dolyar at kalhati para pudpudin ng makina sa kakaikot yung tela ng mga damit ko. Magagawa ko na yun ng libre.
7. Lahat malambot - upuan, kama, unan, comforter, kahit yung lalakeng nag babantay sa front desk lambutin! Ahoohuy!!

8. Ganda ng view kahit saang bintana ka tumitig. Mapapa-"this is life, i love you Earth" ka sabay dighay at himas sa tiyan.
9. Malapit sa Saint Leonards train station. Mas madaling maglakwatsa papuntang siyudad.

10. Mas malapit na ang bus station. Hindi katulad dati na kailangan makipagbakbakan sa lamig ng umaga para marating ang pinakamalapit na sakayan.
11. May malapit na grocery at mga kainan. Kulang na lang bilihan ng kotse, babae, alak, baril, at droga... solve na.
12. Mas astig ang temperature regulator, centralized na. Kaya kahit wansapak ang lamig sa labas, napapanatiling room temperature ang buong apartment at ang mga cup noodles ko.
13. May dibidi player. Kulang na lang nagbebenta ng dibidi at "boss X". Nami-miss ko yung mga suki ko sa Quiapo.
14. Makikita sa isang portable video phone kung sinong Herodes ang dorbel ng dorbel sa ibaba ng building sa kwarto mo. Kung medyo napasama ang gising mo, pwede mo pa i-angat ang telepono at murahin mo siya. Ang lakas ng output, rinig sa buong lobby tingin ko.
15. Mas maayos ang toilet. Babala: Hindi nila alam ang "C.R." dito. Magtanong ka sa mall kung nasaan ang C.R. at titigan ka nila na para kang may ikatlong tenga sa noo.
16. Naka carpet at may combo na vacuum cleaner. E ano ngayon?

Ayun, wala na ko ibang maisip e.

Kapayapaan para sa bagong gising!

Priory of Sion, Pagnilagyan ng Biton?

Syempre, Martes kahapon kaya sugod sa cinema na naman kami. Half the price ang tickets e! Alam mo naman mga Pinoy, basta mura mabenta. Malapit na daw mag snow dito kaya kagabi wansapak ang lamig! Umuulan pa! Pero hindi ito hadlang para sa amin. Mura e!

Usual suspects. Bumili lang kami ng chips, sinilid sa bag ko (bawal magdala ng food from the outside sa loob ng sinehan, pero wala namang nag-iinspect ng bag sa entrance), tapos pasok na kami sa cinema.

"Da Vinci Code". Karamihan sa amin nabasa na yung nobela. Ako, hindi pa. Pero tama ang hinala ko. Mas lamang ako sa pag enjoy ng pelikula dahil hindi ko pa alam ang mangyayari. =)

On with the show!

Da Vinci Code
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

First off, I'm talking from the point of view of someone who has watched the movie but have not read Dan Brown's novel. And prior to watching the film, I've already been hearing a lot of negative opinions about it from those who were avid patrons of the novel. But for me, I believe Da Vinci Code has delivered very well... so well in fact that the film was enough to create a disturbance among the Christian circle.

Being off topic, I see the whole issue as unnecessary and even foolishly protracted. The longer they spend time mindlessly babbling criticisms against the movie, the longer they're just making people more curious and eager to check it out. Debates have already erupted and for what cause, to protect the Christian faith? C'mon, anyone who can pay a couple of bucks to watch the movie knows for the least that the movie's a fiction. If you ask me, those who harboured concerns regarding this effect on film viewers were the ones who have problems on the foundations of their own faith.

Back to the film now.

It started in Louvre, France when after a museum curator was murdered by an Opus Dei fanatic, Robert Langdon - a Harvard symbologist - was implicated to the crime whilst the old man left a series of cryptic clues which he should decipher. On his trail was the French cop Captain Fache who threw all the resources he got to sack Robert. With help from Sophie Neveu, a French cryptologist and grandchild of the curator, he was obliged by circumstance to solve the bizarre mystery surrounding the death.

It was too late though when he discovered that what he was about to unravel was a mystery so significant that it could topple the very foundation of mankind (booohoooo, I love saying that... gives me the creeps!). Seeing that he was too "in" to turn back, Robert seek refuge to an old English friend, Magneto... este Sir Leigh Teabing, who divulged everything about the Holy Grail and its enigma to them.Together, the brady bunch worked their way to a heart-pounding labyrinthine trip across Europe in a quest to find the secret of the Holy Grail. Aided by perplexing clues and jujus, Robert was able to pin down mysteries after mysteries, all the while being chased by Captain Fache and the albino assassin, Silas.

Everything should went as was planned by their real enemy - the faceless power-grabber only known as the Teacher - until the series of events leading to the final climax of the film revealed that Sir Leigh himself is the Teacher. After successfully thwarting the Teacher's nefarious plans, the rest of the movie just mellowed into the resolution of the final mystery: Where is the sarcophagus of the Holy Grail?

Most of the following events after that were simply discoveries that answered the remaining lose ends left along the movie like who's the last bloodline of Christ, what's the real story behind Sophie's family, what's the real purpose behind the Priory of Sion, can Sophie really walk on water (hehe), and stuffs that pretty much wrapped up the whole story.

I say, the first part of the film was really really confusing, and I was talking about those parts when Robert and Sophie were starting to recover pieces of clues from the crime scene (combination for the safe codes, anagrams, symbols, magic inks... hey, that's so much to muster from a dying man, hehe!). I dunno, I believe it was meant that way since everything pretty much fall into places on the latter parts of the movie anyway.

I like how they laid out the scenes that comprised the recollection of past events and explanations of clues. They've been vivid enough to portray them in a way that not-so-avid-fans-of-history won't be too overwhelmed with information overload. Still, although it might sound biased, I believe that viewers who are not in the "ample level of perception" category (ok... pinagandang pamamaraan ng pagsasabing "bobong manonood") would find some events and personalities taxing to understand (Council of Nicaea, Priory of Scion/Sion, Opus Dei, Knights Templars, Leonardo Da Vinci's artworks, Fibonacci series) and frankly, the movie is nothing without at least a hint of comprehension about these things. In "The Da Vinci Code", the pacing is too fast that there's no room to stop and think. You should only either catch up or get confused even more.

Powerful performances came from Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon), Ian McKellen (Sir Leigh), and especially Paul Bettany (Silas). On the other hand, I was not too impressed with Jean Reno's portrayal of "a cop under pressure" (he's too relaxed it seems), same with Audrey Tautou (Sophie Neveu) whose character I wasn't able to connect with. I just can't "feel" any strong emotions that she was supposed to exude. Aye like herr aczent vhough, zo cute vor me. =)

I also think she really looks like Christ, at least the Christ we knew as depicted on the pictures.

To sum up, it was a good experience watching the film IF you haven't read the book. Having read it before watching the movie will only make you grumble of scenes omitted or situations modified or at least it will have an effect on your appreciation of it. But of course, movies have limitations that novels don't have so if I may kindly suggest to the book patrons planning to watch the movie counterpart, appreciate the quality of the film objectively before whining with what's lacking from the books.

One thing of note though: most of Dan Brown's arguments and discussions presented on the film/book were not original concepts and had been around for some time now as vague hoaxes, insufficiently supported claims, and/or regional myths like the presence of Mary Magdalene on Da Vinci's "Last Supper".

Lastly, the movie is cerebral all throughout. Heard that Christian critics? Hello, we need brains here! I'm a Christian myself, raised with a strict Christian culture, and so proud that not a nick was inflicted on my faith to the Saviour I've known after watching the movie. =)

Amen.

Serious Ito, Pramis

Sometimes you have to hurt to make your own hurting subside. It doesn't sound right but nevertheless is agreeable to a certain point of view.

Kaya ang question of the day (at YM status ko siya last week)...

"If you choke Barney, what color does it turn to?"

Maraming tao ang nakiramay. Mga taong hindi ko akalaing naging malalim na parte ng aking buhay... mga taong nandiyan para sa oras ng aking pagkatuliro... sa oras na ako'y naghahanap ng kasagutan sa katotohanan.

Sa kanilang lahat ang taos puso kong pasasalamat.

Sabi ni Michele (Australian workmate ko) *exclaiming*: "I would love to experiment on choking Barney to see what color he turns to!" *with matching gesture of choking*

Sabi ni Jacob, Le Croissant (contributor sa isang local gaming magazine): "Baliw ka na talaga dyan!"

Sabi ni Ayn (empleyado sa isang pamosong international IT company): "Pink?"

Sabi ni April (bagong adik sa SB caramel machiato ): "Si Elmo naman ngayon... kahapon si Barney!" *matapos kong mawaring ipalit si Elmo sa kalagayan ni Barney noong sumunod na araw*

Sabi ni Dan the Flash (Adonis ng Site Support sabi ni Sir Jed): "Naisip mo pa yun pre!"

Nagbigay din ng kanilang dagliang opinyon sina Garrboy (Rick Astley ng Greenhills), DD (...na noo'y nangangating umiskor), at Bubung (...na umumit lamang ng ngiti).

Honestly, on account of my 10 years study of Science in gradeschool and highschool, my best answer to this predicament is "Fuschia". Gusto ko sana "pink" kaso nahanap ko yung spelling ng "fuschia" sa Google kaya "fuschia" na lang para astig.

I had some Arts subjects (Sining at Kultura) too back in highschool and using my best recollection of these lessons plus my years experience with Science and Technology subjects, I reckoned if Barney is dark purple and if choking something makes it turn pale white, I have to trace the gradient pattern of colors running from dark purple to pale white. Mustering my knowledge in typing a query in Google, I was able to locate the necessary tool for my hyphotesis - the ubiquitous color wheel! Alas, checking the colors between dark purple and pale white in the color wheel revealed that my calculated guess is inarguable - fuschia is among the spectrum!

And what's more awesome is that Barney will exhibit all my favorite shades of violet before turning to fuschia!

Verily, nay questions will be left baffling for an inquiring mind ready to use Science as his patron!

=D

Baliw.

Ibalik Nyo Ko sa Earth

May panahon na gusto ko na umuwi. Bukod sa kailangan na ni Nina ng Pinoy Big Brother ng karamay sa pagka vote out niya sa bahay ni Koya, nami-miss ko na din ang UP tambayan pag Saturdays at syempre airsoft Sundays. Not that I'm lonely or bored here in Sydney, don't get me wrong. I'm having a good time here in fact, and iL sure have more fun in the coming weeks (I'm anticipating the snowboarding trip). Pero iba pa din syempre yung nasa teritoryo mo ka. Iba kasi yung gulo ng Manila... iba yung excitement ng anticipation kung anong bagong gimik ng Pangulo... iba yung nakaka-ihi ka kahit saang pader mo gusto.

Ngayon ko lang na-appreciate yung mga bagay na gento.

Pagaya ngayon, nanonood ako ng Aussie Big Brother at trip na trip ko ganda ni Kristal. Pero mas astig di ba kung meron sana silang Keanna na mayaman sa "R" at hindi umuupo sa rocking chair dahil bawal daw gumalaw ng furnitures sabi ni Big Brother.


I'm marking MY new territory. Sinong may sabing bawal umihi sa poste sa Australia? Bawal lang kapag nahuli. Tabi tabi po!

Anyway, I was already nearing my first month of stay here. For posterity purpose, Im'a list what was up during the last four weeks:

1. During our stay, some good souls had been our gimik friends here: Marvin (he's half Pinoy & fluent at that), Cindy (she speaks Cantonese), Tian (he's Chinese), and J.Lao (she's Pinay, half-Chinese though I believe). They're all my workmates based here in Sydney, though in the case of J.Lao it's "had been my workmate in Manila". Together with Bubung, Miss Dynes, and Yuki, (who are like me, sent here for work) let's just call the brady bunch the "Usual Suspects".

2. First trip out was for our first dinner at the city. The usual suspects went to "Zozo", a Korean restaurant with some cute chinky waitresses. Busog na tiyan, busog pa ang mata ni Obi. Hahay buhay! Hehe. Tagging along with us were Blondey (Australian, I guess) and Judy (Chinese-Aussie ?) - Cindy's friends - and April (Pinay yey!), who already went back to Manila a couple of days after our arrival. I dig the food. Yub yub!

3. Afterwards, we went to Viva Karaoke Bar! Syempre, usual playlist ko e mga lovesongs... yung mga pang-inuman songs namin ng Justice League pag may lasingan kila Wacha. Syempre, di mawawala "All My Life". Patentado sakin yung kantang yun pag may videokehan.

4. Next stop, together with J.Lao and Bubung, I went to Games Workshop - Sydney Battle Bunker. Games Workshop (GW) ang company na may pakulo ng Warhammer miniatures na hobby ko. Walang GW sa Manila, mayroon lamang silang distributor dun kaya naka-abot ang konyong laro sa ating siyudad. Picture's in my hobby blog here.

5. Surprise BBQ party for Marvin at Parramata. Unsuspecting that there'll be a party for him, blindfolded Marvs was surprised by his friends Steph, Duk, Dips, Paul, and Regge. The usual suspects sans Miss Dynes and Yuki (who were not yet in Sydney that time), and Cindy were invited to join the "surprise contingent". Cool celebration, I must say. Pils Beer tastes like San Mig Lights. Yub yub!

6. With April, me and Bubung visited the famed Opera House, the adjoining park which used to be a prison complex and the Government House, which is a very old mansion that used to house the administrative governors of Sydney. We've already been there twice now since we showed Yuki and Miss Dynes around after they arrived. We also went to The Rocks. It was among the first penal districts of New South Wales during the British settlement of the area.

7. I met with Oh in Circular Quay. She's a former colleague when I was still working for P&G-HP. She's here for a business trip too. Real name: Pechjarin Kanjanaprasatporn. Hopefully, I'm correct. She's Thai. We walked around the city afterwards and ate in Chinatown (Sunee Thai Delicacy) where Danny (Aussie) - used to work for P&G too - and Henry (American-Singaporean, I think) - HP employee - met with us.

8. April's farewell lunch at Kapitano's Pizza Place. Pizza slices gallore! Yub yub!

9. Anzac Day - Tuesday (Aussie holiday). The usual suspects went to Hoyt's Cinema to watch Scary Movie 4.

10. I went to the Chatswood Branch of Games Workshop and buy me some more hobby stuffs. Argh! Credit card limit, near overdose! Picture's also in my hobby blog here.

11. We walked around Hyde Park where the Anzac Memorial was situated. Anzac's Australia-New Zealand Army Corps. The Memorial houses the war memorabilias of Australia's soldiers.

12. Friday night dinner with the usual suspects at a Japanese restaurant near Chinatown. I ordered Octopus balls. Takoyakudon (?) Yub yub!

13. We played billiards afterwards at this pool place near Central train station.

14. Together with Marvin's friends, we went fishing at Cottage Point. Scroll some entries down for pictures and specifics.

15. Woolworth's convenient store. Buy me some chips, sausages, soda, and beer (sarap ng Toohey's Extra Dry!). Food restock for my apartment. Yub yub!

16. Usual suspects at a Chinese restaurant in Little Hay Street. Rice! Yub yub!

17. Tuesday - Hoyt's Cinema. Usual suspects, watched Mission Impossible Three. Review of sorts, scroll for a separate entry below.

18. Friday night dinner with the usual suspects. Tian's wife joined the fray and another friend of Cindy. Grub time's at Cafe Asturias, a Spanish restaurant at the city. Another videoke night session followed at Viva Karaoke Bar.

19. Darling Harbour hangouts. I can't already count how many times we've visited the place but it's just lovely there. Also, it was here where I introduced April to Starbuck's caramel machiatto and now I can only blame myself. She's hooked! *insert "tongue out" smiley here*

20. Also, every Friday, there are "beer hours" in the office. Beers and chips were served by the end of the day. There are usual soccer games too during lunch times.

21. I met with Annie and Chin (half Pinays) and Natalie (South African). Annie's Roshie's young aunt of sorts. They're so cool to hangout with. They introduced me to Aussie words like skanky and FOB. Haha. Akin na lang yun kung ano ibig sabihin nyan. I finally was able to go to French Riviera with friends to share the humongous ice cream serving. I was surprised it was like 2-ish feet tall with every flavors available in there and fruits! Yub yub! We then went to Harry's and I ordered a hotdog sandwhich with chili con carne. Yub yub part 2!! It's so so hot but really complements the freezing cold weather. Natalie knows Iya Villania. They're sort of surprised that she's this big in Manila. Coool. Thanks a lot you guys!

22. I bought a local simcard (Vodafone) so I could keep in touch with people here.

23. We went to Paddy's Market (Hay Market) as April had his last minute shopping before going back to Manila.

Quick facts:

First meal: Roast beef in Lebanese Roll
Most visited place: Chinatown (...and no, it's not bcuz there's a lot of cute chinky girls there. Hehe...)
Pages consumed reading Dune novel: 445 as of now
Miniature figures painted: 2
Number of times my room had cleaning service: 2
Number of times I had laundry: 2
Train tickets: 10
Bus tickets: 3
Aussie Big Brother bet: Kristal
Phone cards: 2
Favorite sandwich: Chicken Schnitzel
Food left: frankfurts, yakisoba, pancit canton, soda, beer, cheese, lettuce, chips, chocolates... yub yub!
Number of times I exclaimed "Gidday mate!": 13-ish
Apartment number: 709
Most favorite food eaten so far: Seafood Paella
Chinitas spotted na "pwedeeee!": secret pa din.

MAGGIE Q

I watched Mission Impossible 3 with my friends yesterday after work. Astig dito e, kapag Martes half-price lang ang cinema tickets, so we often watch films on Tuesdays. I dunno what's with Tuesdays though.


Mission Impossible Part Tres
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!

Nice casting. Nice story twist. Nice movie magics (FX). Those pretty summed it up.

Ethan Hunt is back in the field of espionage and subterfuge as one of his protege slash close friend, Agent Ferris, who also worked for IMF was compromised on a mission to subdue a tech-kingpin Owen Davian. Taking initiative to rescue Ferris, who later died after their daring escape, Hunt got entangled to a web of scheme after scheme of international magnitude which brought the story settings from Germany to the Vatican to the suburbs of Shanghai. Along with it, he was forced to return to operative service again after the criminal ring got hold of her wife.

The conflict got more complicated as later in the story Agent Hunt and his team discovered an even twisted plot that involved the IMF Director himself, Morpheus... err John Brassel (Laurence Fishburne) as working for Davian. While the story progressed up to Ethan's quest to recover the "Rabbit's Foot" in exchange for her *cough* hot wife, another twist will reveal itself which will contradict eeeevrything that the movie had made us believe from the start.

Twists after twists after twists. I just love films like this which will throw viewers to believe one set of fact, then suddenly another contradicting one will emerge, then another set of revelations will come out, and so on, until the real "truth" will be revealed. It sort of teases the viewers' mind to accumulate questions up until the climax where in an abrupt turn of events all confusion will be answered leaving them awed. Information overload in its finest. =)

The sheer thrill of action was already on even during the early part of the movie. I say, some of the combat scenes are practically impossible to happen in real-life (or the mere cover up to be done by the government after THEIR jetplane and armed helicopter attacked a national bridge!) but on MI:3, it's the outright cinematic effect that's important... on how, viewers will be forced to jolt out of their seats on such scenes.

Regarding its story plot, I can't divulge much on how the story went due to its complexities but I'd rather let you experience the feel of being perplexed with the strings of schemes involved in it. All I can say is that this film made me feel bad for not being able to watch the first and the second parts. Now, I'm expecting that much on its predecessors. Frankly, however, I would have to stick to my opinion that the Mission Impossible TV series still rocks than its movie counterparts. It's classic, man. Can't give any less credit to something ageless. =)

Now the casts... bravo, Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt)! Bravo Michelle Monaghan (wife, Julia), she's hot! Bravo Laurence Fishburne (John Brassel)! Bravo Philip Seymour (Owen Davian)! Bravo Kerri Russel (Agent Ferris)!

All the casts made a good job, as if the synergy is natural. Tom Cruise as usual played his streamline protagonist icon very well. So well, in fact, that sometimes his career's becoming monotonous... something in the line of "Not another Tom Cruise movie".

Got to "special mention" this girl though... MAGGIE Q!!! MAGGIE Q! MAGGIE Q! She's soooo cute that I have to spell her name on caps!! (Hehe familiar tagline). She's the hot hot, pretty pretty Asian girl on Hunt's team of operatives (Agent Zhen). She'd just summed up a guy's dream in one package... a hot babe with a sleek car and a purty gun!!! Alak na lang at sugal, kumpleto na! =D There really is something with girls in guns... Maggie's just dashing on her operative suit and rifle. And I love that part where she pouted before detonating the bomb on her lamborghini. I was like... aawwww poor girl, dunn' worry iL just buy you one. Hahaha. Dream on, man. Dream on. Anyway, she just made it to #3 spot on Obi's Hottest Ladies in the Milky Way. Topped only by Kristin Kreuk of Smallville (#1) and Catherine Zeta-Jones of Zorro (#2). Gotta remind myself to post that list sometimes.


The movie rocks big time whether you're in for the hardcore action fling or you just want to score with your date when the explosions break lose and she'll "accidentally" hug you. *wink* Haha. Either way, you're in for a win.

Nine out of ten gulaman! A must see movie.

Warning: Some lose ends were left unknown... like the true nature of the "Rabbit's Foot".

Amf!

Isang Hamak Na Mangingisda

I've gone fishing last Saturday with my friends here. It was up north and the sight's really fascinating there, reminiscent of our country's Ilocos Norte... autumn-struck trees everywhere (although we don't have an autumn), rolling hills, plethora of bird species, cold-air wisps, and a halcyon river free of human abuse.

The place's called Cottage Point, some thirty minutes drive from our place in Artarmon. Our good friend slash workmate, Marvin and his mates spared us some fishing lines. We fished from a dingy. The guys rented two boats for the afternoon's activity: the four OZ's on the first boat and Marvin, me, Ces, Yuki, and Jhoanna (Filo rulez!) on the second boat. While we moved to find a good fishing spot, we digged in to the pizza Marvin bought for dinner (Pizza Hut... hehe parang asa Pinas lang). It's good to eat before prepping up while we haven't got our hands all stinky yet.

It was pretty warm on that early afternoon. Nice weather for fishing. We used prawns as bait while we throw mashed white bread on the surface to get the fishes' attention. At least that's the theory. Hehe. Just before the first hour of trying our luck, I got a tug from my line. I caught a Snapper! Not of legit size though, so I have to throw it back to the river. A couple of small Snappers after, I was finally able to catch a fish that I could bring home. A Leather Jacket, 25cm long! It was so called because it feels like leather to the touch. Really weird-looking fish, but its edible! There's also this OZ tradition of kissing the fish before throwing it back to the waters. Here's one of my Snapper catch...


...and here's the Leather Jacket (it has an angular head with a stalk sticking out of its forehead, really queer-looking)...


The late afternoon of that day was bloody chilling! Nevertheless, I say fishing is waaaay cool. I could have bought my own fishing line if only I could have some place to fish in Manila... sadly, I never heard of a good fishing spot around the metro. Baka sa probinsya pa. We went to a friend's house in Parramata afterwards to spend the rest of the night. After a sumptuous dinner, the girls glued attention on watching "Swordfish" while we bout it out on FIFA and NBA Live in XBox.

I don't think I can eat the fish I caught. It's just too poor a thing.

=D

Statistics after the day's event:
Fishes caught: Leather Jacket, Snapper, some smaller species (as in tiny small)
Most legit catches: Jhoanna (2 Leather Jackets)
Biggest legit catch: Jhoanna (some 30 or so centimeters long)
Weirdest looking legit catch: Jhoanna (a queerer than queer-looking Leather Jacket, Marvin told us it might be of the "other" gender than our Leather Jackets)
Day's legit catches: 7 (All Leather Jackets)
2 - Jhoanna
1 - Obi
1 - Yuki
3 - Boat Number One (Reg, Paul, Duk, Dips)
Other catches:
Obi - 2 anchors (got tangled up there twice... ye ye, I suck)
Ces - a tree branch
Reg - an even bigger branch (still connected to its tree mind you! hehe)
Marvin - a big lump of rock
Smallest catch: tie between Jhoanna and Marvin's "anchovies" =)
Hooks wasted (locked deep inside fishes' innards): 5
Chinitas spotted: Hehe... akin na lang yun.

Don't Try This At Home

Dahil bored ako ngayon at mahirap magpalipas ng oras.

"Liban"
by Ka Obi

Mahusay ang Batangenyong salita na "liban".
Kasi may dalawa pa itong kahulugan.
Ang una'y pag binasa ito ng may kabilisan.
Ang kahuluga'y nagiging "tumawid sa daanan".

Gamitin natin sa halimbawa,
Para lalong humaba yaring tula:

"Ako'y may alaga, asong mataba...
Kay kulot ng balahibo, kay rikit ng mukha...
Laro tayo, laro tayo, aking alaga!
Liliban ako at susunod ka!
Yehey! Liban na! Liban na ng daan!
SPLAT! PLAK! CRAK!
Si alaga, nasagasaan!"

Ang ikalawang kahulugan naman,
Kapag binasa'y dapat may kabagalan.
"Liii-ban".
"Liii-ban".
"Hindi pumasok" o "hindi dumalo" ang kahulugan.

Basahin natin sabay sabay,
Gagamitin ko ang salita sa salaysay:

"Noong bata ako'y mahilig lumiban.
Sabi ng Mamay, ako'y sadyang batugan.
Bukas may pagsusulit sa paaralan!
Ang batang si Obi... liban.
Bukas may pagsasanay sa talastasan!
Ang batang si Obi... syempre liban.
Ang tanging bagay ako'y hindi liliban,
Ay pag kina Kapitan ay mayroong kainan!"

Ang salitang "liban".
BOW.