Muse

As we sat there laughing, hollering and cheering, as one of my - our -  favorite movies of all time played on the TV, I failed to take note of what was going on. I hadn't noticed it for some time, the past few weeks or so, but when it culminated this weekend, I definitely noticed. 

I was falling in love with you all over again for the first time. And this wasn't the first time.

Your charms were on full display these past few days. I was entranced, enthralled and captivated with everything you did. When you danced, you held me powerless with every sway. As the songs played and you sang along, it was as if the lyrics were written just for me. On the couch we sat together and with your body leaning against mine I felt nothing but contentment. In the car, your presence eased me. When you and I went shopping, it was an exciting kind of mundane. Late night dessert and casual conversation became that much more special, the much more fulfilling, like the hours and minutes together mattered more than they would apart. And every time we touched, every kiss, every time we held hands, bliss.

Thank you for making life so amazing and so beautiful. Until next time.

Thoughts on Last Resort

Who are you loyal to? What are you loyal to?

These two questions drive the new television drama Last Resort, and each episode finds away to make you rethink your answers to those questions. Created by Shawn Ryan (The Shield, The Unit) and Karl Gajdusek, the show centers around the crew of the USS Colorado, a US navy Submarine captained by Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) who is ably supported by XO Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman), Lt. Grace Shepard (Daisy Betts) and COB Joseph Prosser (Robert Patrick). After defying suspect orders to fire their devastating ordinance on Pakistan, they are re-branded traitors and enemy combatants of the United States. Instead of surrendering, the Captain then decides to go rogue and steal the sub until they can clear their names. The Colorado takes refuge on an island (with a convenient NATO radar station), shaking up the lives of the community already living there and begins their righteous quest for redemption and deliverance.

Last Resort has all the makings for a tense and meaty hour of television. A serial like this, you know none of the major characters are going to die or have anything similar happen to them at the end of the episode. So how does it stay afloat? By keeping them around to make more morally-questionable decisions, the stuff we viewers love seeing being played out, but dread actually encountering in real life. And it all boils down to where each of their loyalties lay.

Faced with suspicious orders, Captain Marcus Chaplin must decide whether to follow his superiors or his conscience. The good officer would say "Yes, sir!" without question or hesitation, staying true to his stature as an officer of United States Navy. Which, he almost did, as they came so far as to insert the firing keys for the sub's nuclear weapons. But the good man will pause and take a breath, and think. He will weigh his actions against something deeper than the chain-of-command. Captain Chaplin acted against the wishes of command and in doing so, he set off a chain of events all falling under the umbrella of those two questions posed at the beginning of this article. He put himself and his crew on a path where every choice must now be weighed against those two questions, because failing to do so after that first, seminal act would be hypocritical.What Marcus Chaplin proved is that every decision matters. And if you can convince yourself, and rationalize and believe in what you are doing, you can do almost anything.

What does this say about his loyalty? Can you call a man who disobeys direct orders in the face of the moral questions those orders raise, disloyal? In the show, the COB is of the mind that the Captain and all his supporters are traitors and must answer for their crimes. Sentiments, echoed by Chaplin himself. But not until he gets the truth. It is here that we see that for him, the truth comes before everything else. A hard thing to live by, as evidenced by the fact that the conspirators hold his dead son's body in a morgue, denying the boy of the burial a soldier deserves. The father must grit his teeth as the noble man gets justice.

For the rest of the crew, how do they remain loyal to their commanding officer, when he himself has rebuked his superiors? What gives him the right to expect of them, something he himself has thrown away? Their allegiance is borrowed at best. Some, such as Kendal and Shepard, are faced with the fact that they may never see their loved ones again by following their Chaplin. But because, if nothing else, they believe in their captain's zeal and beliefs, they stand by him and try to maintain order in an impossible situation. Others, such as the COB and his men, just want to go home and wanting nothing of one man's quest to find the truth. Recently, after one of their own tried to force the Captain to surrender by threatening to destroy the boat from within, Chaplin was able to use this instance to win some of the crew back over reminding them that their loyalties are not to their nation, but to its constitution. "How long can he maintain control?" is a question whose answer will surely be a turning point in this series.

For as long as the show continues to make it hard for Captain Chaplin to stick to one course of action and to continue following his beliefs while balancing the beliefs of his men, Last Resort should provide for a lot of exciting television, week to week. When it comes down to it, when a good man is tested, will he bend or will he break? Or will he maybe compromise, and find a way to do both?

Last Resort airs Thursday nights on ABC.

A Song on Repeat

I've been listening to Maroon 5's latest single, Payphone, all day and I am completely confounded by it.

Go ahead, listen to it a couple times. I'll wait.



Finished?

Didn't listening to the song make you want to get up and dance? Grab a pretend microphone and sing-along? Raise your hands and just toss them around without any rhyme or reason? It's zippy, poppy and catchy. The music is just so...happy. And yet, if you listen to the lyrics, the story told is nothing to smile about.

If happy ever afters did exist,
I would still be holding you like this
All those fairy tales are full of shit
One more fucking love song, I'll be sick. One more stupid love song, I'll be sick

Not exactly words you'd expect to find yourself dancing to and the rest of the lyrics are just as bleak. And yet, every time I listen to this song, I can't help but stomp my feet to the beat, do the shimmy-shake in my seat and do my happy dance along to the music.As if under a spell, compelling me to ignore what is being told through the words and just give myself over to the energy and emotion of the melody.

I will not pretend to know what I am talking about, because really, I do not know how a song about so much pain and heartache, and anger and hate even, makes me want to dance, but point is, it's my choice. It's your choice. What you want to hear, that's on you. All it takes is the right song, the right line, the right moment and your whole perception will change. The magic is in the moment and what you hear in that moment. And me, when I listen to this song, this is what I hear above all of it:

If happy ever afters did exist,
I would still be holding you like this

And thinking about happy ever afters, and holding *you* like this? That makes me want to dance.

Right To Assemble

"And there came a day a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes found themselves united against a common threat. And on that day, the Avengers were born, to fight the foes no single superhero could withstand!"

The day is upon us. Finally.

Fanboy dreams go come true.

Hungry Hungry

Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. Gnaw. STOP DAMN IT.

Wouldn't you?

Freedom

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." - Optimus Prime, 2012 Presidential Candidate

Okay, just kidding. But if Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen, natch) were to run for president of the United States, I'd vote for him (so would you), he'd win (undoubtedly) and it will be the greatest thing ever (unquestionably). But I digress.

You see, today was my day-off from work. We had some kooky, only-for-us holiday and my co-workers and I were afforded a free day. Oh how sweet it is.

See, the mere idea of a holiday from work makes me giddy, especially if it comes after a work day. Those last few minutes before the end of the day are a bag of uncontrollable, electric excitement. There's so much energy and love generated by the prospect of no work that you're overcome with joy.

And even that cannot compare to the actual holiday itself. One whole day without responsibilities and burdens and stress? Fantastic! And today I didn't do anything work-related. I just watched TV, used the computer and just relaxed. I had lunch with my girlfriend (something we used to do every day but had to stop because of work) for the first time in a long time and it was grand. Seeing her was definitely the best part of my day.

Of course, even I do not advise having too many holidays (What am I saying?). Too much of a good thing blah blah blah. Sometimes, one can get sick of too much free time (even I admit it). After all, what makes the freedom fun is the fact that you're free of something, and if you aren't beholden to anything, you will never be able to experience that particular kind of happiness.

JINX! A Random Post

Randomly...

I probably jinxed my fantasy team's championship chances after my recent post about how I was good enough to win it all. A few days later, Danilo Gallinari gets breaks his left thumb and I'm forced to drop him. Derrick Rose might be out for longer than expected too. The worst part is, if I want to have any chance at all of winning, I'm going to have to drop Gallo. And I don't want to. Basketball, in whatever form is about love. I've had Gallo since the beginning. He was one of my prized draft picks. And now, because of his injury, if he stayed on my team, he'd end up a non-factor and worse, a liability. I had to drop him. I've done that before but mostly to players who weren't performing well, not one of my stars. Hopefully, when the season is over, I can pick him up again so that he will be part of my final roster (basically, after the season is over, you can still pick-up players just to have them on your team's final line-up) just so I can look back on my team and smile about all the good memories of he (and his stats) gave me. It was fun while it lasted.

Next, I have determined that getting my hair cut is bad luck and leads to bad days. That is all I will say about this topic.

What else? Hmmm. Just found out that the new Doctor Who companion will be played by a relatively unknown actress named Jenna-Louise Coleman. She was in Captain America playing...someone apparently (my money is one of Bucky's girls at the Stark Expo). Well, she's going to be the most Googled/Wiki'd person in all of nerdom over the next few days. Hope she brings the same energy and enthusiasm (also, hotness) that Karen Gillan brought. It's going to be tough replacing Amy Pond but I hope she does well.

I also just saw the trailer for the new Battlestar Galactica show Blood & Chrome. The trailer was fully of Viper-y action goodness which is a good sign, since I Caprica didn't have any of that. I also did not watch any Caprica for that same reason. If the trailer is any indication, B&C should be more well-received from the get go. So say we all!

Also, it's been in the news recently (well, nerd news) that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles under Michael Bay will have a more out of this world origin. Literally, as he plans on turning our heroes in a half shell into aliens. For the love of nerds everywhere, please stop, Michael Bay. You already gave us Devastator balls and racist robots, don't give us this crap as well. There's no good reason to make this change. Aliens and mutants are practically same to the masses. Don't you like mutants, Michael Bay? Also, THEY'RE CALLED TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. The franchise is named very specifically. Ugh. Come on. You almost ruined Transformers for everyone (can't really call anything with Peter Cullen in it, 'crap,' since you know, he's basically the voice of God), don't do it again.

That's it for now I guess. Hope everyone continues having a good week, or if you're having a bad one, that it turns around. Toodles!

Ends

Lately, I've been to focused on the 'ends.' The end of the day. The end of the song. The end of a night. Lately, I've been so focused that I've missed the mids. See, when from the start, you've got your eyes on the end, the journey becomes secondary.

Enjoying the mids is a decision. It is a decision to be in the moment. To move from one moment to the next without seeing it. Without knowing it.

Let the moment play out, don't let the moment end.

That way, moments never end and live on forever.

Winning Time

There's one week left before the fantasy basketball playoffs begin and I currently sit at the no. 3 spot in our 12-team league. I've been top-3 all season and actually spent a number of weeks at the top. My roster, as of today, looks like this:

Derrick Rose
Goran Dragic
Louis Williams
Chandler Parsons
George Hill
Roy Hibbert
Rodney Stuckey
Zach Randolph
Serge Ibaka
DeAndre Jordan
Jared Dudley
Danilo Gallinari
Monta Ellis

This year has been especially difficult what with the lockout and the condensed schedule making injuries a bigger factor than ever before. Less time between games means less time to heal. Players have taken much more of a pounding. The season's early weeks were especially rough as everybody was still getting into game shape. Believe me, percentages were way down and I was willing to drop everyone.

Of course, once things settled a bit, the players I picked up started producing the way I expected them to. Well, mostly (I'm looking at you Raymond Felton). Rodney Stuckey, Jared Dudley and Serge Ibaka started to produce the way I hoped they would and guys like Monta Ellis and Louis Williams were helping me stay afloat. As it stands, I'm pretty confident in my team. The only reason I dropped from first to third was because I played hurt for a good part of the season. Danilo Gallinari missed a lot of time with an ankle injury, I picked up Zach Randolph despite knowing he'd be out until March and Derrick Rose, my number one pick, has been beset with a number of injuries keeping him out of my line-up far more frequently than I expected. However, I've got everyone back now (Rose has missed the past few games but isn't expected to miss much more) and with the playoffs to start in one week, I'm ready to reclaim my crown.

The actual NBA playoffs are right around the corner as well so the title of this post also applies to the real thing. Now is the time for teams to start tightening their rotations with an eye towards the playoffs. Players have to become more focused as mistakes and losses become bigger with each passing day. Currently, my Indiana Pacers are in a 2-6 swoon. Hopefully, Roy Hibbert, Danny Granger, Paul George and co. can right the ship in the next few weeks.

Basketball is life for many Filipinos, myself included. Whether you're playing or watching, for those who truly love it, the game is a matter not just of winning or losing, but life and death. Immortality and oblivion. It's this exhilarating notion that drives some fans (yes, myself included) crazy during this time of the year (the heat is a major factor too). Winning Time truly is the most amazing time of the year.

Done to Death

When everything has been said, everyone has been given a voice, and all ideas are basically the same, then what else is there to say?

To believe in?

To dream of?

To live for?

What is unsaid.

The Days of the Week

I only ever seem to be able to post on Mondays. I guess it's because the American news cycle doesn't really start until Tuesday here in the Philippines (thanks to the time difference) so I get today off to focus on the blog rather than browsing my favorite websites.

I may be in the minority, but I really don't hate Mondays. I know a lot of folks make that claim (and I do too on some occasions) but for me, I don't find the first day of the week all that bad. Maybe it's because of the metaphorical weekend hangover which dilutes the effects of the dreaded day or the fact that there's still enough "new" to keep me blinded from the OH NO IT'S MONDAY AGAIN blues.

Now, Tuesdays are a different story. See, Tuesdays, I don't like. For some reason, probably because of its place in the week, I feel the least amount of hope when I wake up on Tuesday mornings. It's that 'bleh' day when you haven't gotten quite past Monday yet and are nowhere near Friday. On the bright side, the internet is usually a buzz this day since, as mentioned, the American websites are all posting new stuff again.

The midpoint of the week, I argue, really isn't the exact middle of the work week. I tend to see Wednesdays as the third day of the week, automatically making it seem closer to Friday than Monday, even if it's temporally equidistant to both. There's a little more energy in trying to finish the day and get to the next day, which all in all seems to be my favorite day of the week.

Thursdays, for me, represent the most hopeful day of the week. You're on the fourth day of the work week, which makes seem like you've gotten through most of your trials and challenges for the week and are on the cusp of the weekend. If the week were like a marathon, Friday, the finish line would be in your sights. All your hopes and dreams are being fueled by one thought, "It's Friday tomorrow." Plus, how could you not love a day named after the Mighty Thor?

Fri-day! And what some might say the best day of the week. I love the day too; TGIF, right? Sometimes though, I find that there is a manic, overeager pace to the day that often robs it of its potential greatness. Like, we're in a rush to do so many things on Friday that we overexert ourselves and try to do too much in so little time. You have to remember, for most people there is still work on Friday and thus, Friday nights can become a little too tiring. Do too many things and you might just wear your body out, wrecking the rest of the weekend. However, I do subscribe by the notion that you should go out on Friday night. If you really want to maximize your weekend, starting out on a Friday is the best way to do it. Makes the weekend seem longer. At the same time, you avoid "waiting" on Friday night for Saturday to come, thereby wishing that Friday was done sooner. It's preposterous, right? But admittedly, I've felt that way too on nights when I was stuck at home because my plans were for Saturday.

Saturdays are over too quick. The old adage, "time flies when you're having fun" is never truer than on Saturdays when you wish the whole week could be spent with your friends and loved ones. Personally, Saturday is my favorite day because it's when I get to see my girlfriend. The only problem is, after dinner and a movie, you find yourself at the end of another Saturday, wishing that you had more time.

And finally, we get to Sunday, the Lord's day, family day, rest day, and everything else you want to call it. Sunday kinda gets the unfair reputation of being 'the day before Monday.' What is one half of your weekend is treated as an extra weekday because we can't help but see what comes after. Homework and assignments need to be finished; you remember the tasks you left unaccomplished at work last Friday; the realization that another grueling work week is upon you is making you stressed -- All of a sudden, Sunday isn't as relaxing as it should be anymore. And that isn't Sunday. I guess I'm for taking back Sunday (naks) and making it what it was originally intended to be: a day of rest. Resting by relaxing or by doing the things you love. Put off work first, you've got five other days for that.

We seem to live life in manageable week-sized doses. If so, all seven days are blessings and opportunities. Hating on one day and loving the other does not make sense, if our reasons for doing so are their assignments in the order. Each has the same potential for greatness. The goal moving forward should then be to enjoy each one for its own unique characteristics. Love the days because once they're gone, you will never get them back.

Stress Itself

Today, Friday, March 9 of the year 2012, was a day unlike any other, and not in a good way.

For some odd, strange reason, for about an hour or so earlier today, I could not do anything right.

This has to be said, I have to say it, because damn if it wasn't a pleasant experience.

There I was, in front of my desk making mistake after mistake after mistake. E-mails being sent to the wrong people. Using old templates and forgetting to change the details. Failing to properly respond to people's questions. It got so bad that when I was correcting my mistakes, I was still making some. How does that happen?

Taking stock of the whole thing, I'm blaming it on stress. My job can be very stressful. In my line of work, when you screw up, it ain't the end of the world, but the clients' whose assets you're handling are likely to take offense. In some cases, it's not even totally my fault but because I work in marketing and customer service and deal directly with the client, I get the brunt of it.

That can put me under a lot of stress and pressure. And I guess I broke a little today.

You know what? It felt good. It felt good to be out of sorts and angry and scared and a little crazy and manic. It felt good to feel those things but it felt even better to know that I could survive things like that.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right? Guess I gotta believe that.

Is Your Smart Phone Making You Look Dumb?

I have a new phone. It's one of those fancy-pants smart phones (defined by one online dictionary as a device that functions both as a cell phone and a hand-held computer) with a touch screen and "qwerty" keypad.

From it I can take and store pictures, stay updated on what's going on in my friends' lives through Facebook, track NBA games as they happen, read up on my favorite comic book sites and even Tweet my lame jokes whenever I feel like it. I can also take and store pictures, play games and listen to music. Oh, it also sends text messages and makes phone calls. Pretty sweet right? This is my first smart phone and honestly, I was pretty stoked to get it. (Thanks mom!)

I still carry around my old cell phone because after using it for over two years now, I've grown accustomed to both its features and quirks. Dropping it for good in favor of my new phone would not be practical as I have yet to master the nuances of this modern-er device.

So on the way home from work today, I decided I wanted to listen to music on my old phone. However, it was almost out of juice and I did not want to drain the battery. No problem, just sync up my two phones and transfer the songs from one phone to the other. Okay, it worked, where is the file saved? There it is, in the memory card, huzzah! Hey, let's make a new folder where I can put all the songs so that they're nice and organized. Ha! I named it 'Jeri,' how clever of me. Now, let's transfer the songs into the fol- Wait. It's not working. *confused* Maybe I should make the folder first before transferring the songs ergo I will delete everything again and start from scra- Wait. It's not working. Huh?

I could not for the life of me figure out how to transfer songs from my old phone to the new one and save them in a new folder for easy storage. Something as simple that, and I was stumped. A smart phone should be able to do that, right? Was I missing something obvious? If I was, why wasn't it obvious-er? Why make it not as easy as it should be to do something like that?

And then all of the other things I noticed over the first week of using my new phone popped into my head. Why does the screen go blank like some power-saving feature while I'm using it? Why can't I use wifi to connect to surf the web? When I'm composing a message and I want to go back to a certain point, why does it seem not as easy to do so using the touchscreen interface than it would have with a thumb stick or mini D-pad?

Questions like these make me feel as if I'm stupider than I previously thought. Am I not using it properly? Are their secret functions that are just eluding my sensibilities? My old phone, which came out around three years earlier than my newer phone did not have a slick touchscreen interface but never blacked out while I was using it and I could easily edit messages. Surely, this newer phone can do what my old phone did/does? And if it can, then the problem is with me.

Actually no, it's just that manufacturers love subtracting one thing from the older model when they come out with the new one. It's stupid, yes, but they do it. They can't just give us what they want because if they did, we'd stop buying new things. Look, this is a rant, because I don't know why the hell my phone goes dark WHILE I'M USING IT. I mean come on! And would it kill you to have some sort of directional pad on it? The space bar is gigantic for crying out loud!

Well that felt good to get off my chest. I'm going to back to watching Justified now.

The Pacers? We Talking About The Pacers?!

Yes, that would be my Indiana Pacers. Why? Because currently, with a 22-12 record, the Indiana Pacers reside at the no. 3 position of the Eastern Conference. One of basketball's proudest franchises (going back to its ABA roots), this organization was once one of the powers of the NBA during the 90's and early 00's. Recent years have been less than kind to Pacer Nation which is what is making the current season all that much sweeter.

Long-time Pacer fans such as myself have been suffering for the better part of the last decade. Between all the suspensions, negativity, the retirement of the great number 31 Reggie Miller, and most depressingly, the multitude of losses, there hasn't been much to talk about when it came to our favorite team. Sure, there have been some shining moments of individual players stepping up or unexpected wins over league powerhouses, but they were all just fleeting moments of pride. A day or too if "Hey, how 'bout them Pacers?" When it came down to it, the Pacers were not all too good.

Then something funny happened last year. Much to the surprise of the public-at-large, the Indiana Pacers somehow made it into the 2011 NBA playoffs, despite owning a losing record. Many pundits were expecting a meek effort from a team that wasn't seen as a legitimate playoff team, let alone a championship contender. And the Pacers did bow out of the race early, losing their first round series against the no. 1-seeded Chicago Bulls, 1-4. Oh but anyone who watched that series would be hard-pressed to call the boys in Blue and Gold, meek. They displayed toughness and swagger, defensive stops were being made and there were actual good ol' fashioned highlights - from Indiana! The Pacers, who many thought "lucked out" into the playoffs actually gave the Bulls a fight and the world a reason to pause and think, "Hey, these guys might actually be good." Well, in sports, winning and losing are miles apart and for all intents and purposes, the Pacers had "another" disappointing season. Except this time around, there was something to build on.

Due to a failure to come to terms between the owners and the players (don't ask), the NBA's 2011-2012 season started later than usual. But when it finally came around, it looked like the Indiana Pacers were picking up right where they left off. The Pacers started off with a bunch of wins, tacked on more, and more and more and more (including wins on the road against the Lakers, Bulls and defending champion Mavericks) until they found themselves near the top of the standings. To the delight of many sports fans who love hearing about the underdog finally breaking through, this was just another overachieving team. To the Pacer faithful? This was our guys finally doing what we long ago believed (and hoped and dreamed) they could do. This was redemption and vindication. This was sweet and long overdue.

Through a combination of tenacity, grit and poise, the Indiana Pacers have rolled through the NBA picking up more wins than losses at a pace (pun non intended) unseen since 2004. Led by high-scoring swingman Danny Granger, the face of the franchise through these past few rough years, vastly improved big man Roy Hibbert (a participant in this past All-Star game), veteran free agent pick-up David West, second-year stud Paul George (who is going to become a regular during All-Star Weekend and not just on Sundays, bet on it) and steady point guard Darren Collison, the citizens of the state of Indiana (and its transplants all over the globe) have a team to root for again. It's a hardworking bunch that will give you your money's worth most nights playing great team defense (buzz words for good teams) and smart offense (a nicer of way saying, "an offense not predicated around one or two individuals").

The great thing about this team is that they really have grown over the past couple years. Hard lessons were learned and crushing experiences were used to build character. Bad eggs were jettisoned, youngins with potential were cultivated and winning was put ahead of everything. They got sick of losing and found the winning cure.

Expectations are high right now, as they should be. Winning does that. For us fans, it's a dream come true. When Larry Bird started assembling this roster not too long ago, we did not know it would all come together this beautifully. Hope was all we had. Hope that Roy would develop into a true, dependable center (just about there); that Darren could join the ranks of the best point guards in the league (almost there); that we could get lucky and snag serviceable rooks and free agents during the off-season (look at all the additions these past three years: George, West, Tyler Hansbrough, George Hill); and that Danny could finally become the leader we needed him to be. Lo and behold, look at where the team is at now.

Of course, the season is far from over and there's a lot more basketball left to be played. The real challenges of being mentally-tough and being better late in the season are on the horizon, challenges that could easily overwhelm undeserving teams. The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint, as they say, where the importance of peaking at the right time is paramount to ending the season in June rather than April. Well, so far the Pacers have kept pace and are prime in position to make waves in the basketball world. Pacer fans can't wait for the next leg of the race. This team has improved too much to slow down now and the finish line (and first place) has not looked this near in a long time. See you there.

Randomly, I Post

It's Monday, February (I always have trouble spelling this particular month for some reason. Just thought I'd share) 20, 2012 and I am home early enough that I willed myself to start a new post, since I haven't written a new entry in some time.

(Actually, I started this post about an hour ago, but because of certain circumstance (i.e. my hungry wanting its dinner) I had to leave the computer for a while.)

As I type this, I am currently battling an above average headache. These occurrences are not rare and do in fact happen a lot but I usually power out of them (naks) and just will myself to not feel the effects. Eh, I need to write.

Let's see, work's been okay these past couple of weeks. It's nothing I can't handle (naks x2). Just more of what I'm used to (So am I saying, I am not used to it?) so it's not like I've been running around with my head cut off.

My fantasy team is slowly dying. Well okay, I'm still no. 2 in my league despite Derrick Rose and Danilo Gallinari being hurt because Serge Ibaka, Rodney Stuckey and Monta Ellis have been providing me with standout performances but relying on Baron Davis' ghost, Raymond Felton's jelly belly and Mike Beasley's maddeningly inconsistent game won't win this league for me. And I need to win, if only because I don't want to lose to my classmates. We're playing for pride you know?

I watched Justice League: Doom last night, which sadly isn't about the League facing off against Victor Von Doom. It was...average. It's based on a Mark Waid JLA story from the 90's which saw Bats' contingency plans to take down various members of the team should they go dark side get stolen by a villain and used to nearly kill our heroes. I haven't read the story, but I understand that it was very well-received. This movie however failed to excited me beyond hearing the old Justice League Unlimited voice cast (plus Nathan Fillion) reprise their roles from the show. I guess it was because they while JLU used all mostly original plots, adapting a comicbook story, even if I hadn't read it, sapped it of all the excitement I should have felt. It was all plot, no heart. Everything about it felt by-the-numbers. So, there. The new animation style didn't help either.

And yes, I also didn't enjoy it because Michael Rosenbaum, the man responsible for making Wally West my favorite leaguer, was stuck playing Barry Allen. Ugh. Plus, how can we take Aquaman seriously if he was removed from this in place of...Cyborg? God I hate the New 52.

On the other hand, the first episode of the new season of Transformers Prime was everything I hoped for and more. I love this show. Even the kids weren't as annoying this time around! Also, I think I'm in love with Peter Cullen's voice.

Anyway, my headache is getting worse. I'm going end this for now. Hope I can post more frequently in the coming weeks.

TTFN!

The Snail

The picture at the top of this post is of the snail that greeted me as I was about to get into the car early this morning. It's Monday, the start of another week of work, work, work. That's why I think it poignant that I found this little guy. Every second of every day of its life is work, work, work, work, work, agonizing work. You know when your internet connection is really slow and you try watching a video and you stare at the progress bar hoping it miraculously fills up faster to no avail? Watching the snail move was like that, but slower, if that's possible. That happens to a snail every single day.

So at this point, you're probably thinking, Oh right, dude's comparing himself to the snail. Well you're wrong, I'm the car! Kidding. Of course I'm the snail. Anyone who has a job they don't like much is the snail. Anyone who feels like life is meaningless and mundane and boring and a terrible slow crawl into obscurity is the snail. But you know what? The snail will get to where its going eventually. The trick is, you've got to know where it is you're headed first. The snail does. And if we knew where we were going, maybe we wouldn't be in such a hurry to get there.

If we could all be a little more like Sheldon (I named it), then I guess things wouldn't be so bad. Slow down every once in a while and stop rushing. It's hurrying that leads to worrying you know? We'll get there. We just gotta take our time.

The Christmas Wish List in January

So, every Christmas at our family get together, we usually have a Christmas exchange gift. Before the dinner/lunch, we secretly pick who it is we're supposed to be giving a gift to for Christmas. Then, after the eating and the picture-taking, we go open our presents and try to guess who gave us our gifts and basically have a good time searching for hints and tells on each other's faces. This is split into two categories: Adults (Parents, titos and titas) and Kids (My cousins and I). Last December, many of us asked for money or gift certificates (including myself). Well, after we had finished with it, one of my titas said that next year, we wouldn't be allowed to ask for money or gift certificates anymore, to make it more fun and exciting.

And thus, I get to do one of my most favorite things in the world, making lists. Below is the list of things I could ask for, next Christmas. Why do this now? Because in recent years, I've come up with things I've wanted but forgotten to ask for. I don't want to forget this year. Haha. And because, like I said, I like making lists. Time to get crackin'.

1. Ben & Jerry's Half Baked flavor ice cream
2. A bowtie
3. The Back to the Future trilogy DVD box set
4. ...
5. ...

Aw hell, I'll finish this list some other time. Honestly, the only reason I'm posting this is because I remembered how I hid a a pint of Ben & Jerry's Half Baked in the freezer of the grocery earlier today. I hid it, because I didn't want to spend on it yet, since I'm trying to save, and that thing is hella expensive. So very expensive. I haven't had some in a while but I also have a cold so I don't think I'd be able to enjoy it as much. Maybe next time. Or someone else could spend on it for me, next Christmas. Haha. So this is just me, acting out on that. You are welcome. *wink*

If I Could Draw

If I could draw, I'd draw you a picture of our future together, sixty years from now.

I'd draw us old and wrinkly, sitting on a couch surrounded by our children and grandchildren. Family photo-style, with everyone looking their best, the young ones itching to breakaway from the stillness and continue with their playing. It is, after all, a big house with sliding doors and spacious salas and a garden covered in inviting green grass, perfect for seven-year olds to play on. A classical family home with modern amenities and furnishings. Two cars and in the garage (older models but in good condition) and a porch with a swing. There would be a table of sisig and paella and other food somewhere in the background, since we'd be celebrating an anniversary or holiday (I haven't decided yet). You know I'd have to draw the food perfectly, complete with those squiggly lines rising from the dishes for added effect. The pudgiest of our apos will be so intently focused on the food and will be closest to that table. He's so adorably mischievous. Scattered throughout would be pictures of you and me: on our wedding night, our eldest's college graduation, our youngest grandchild's first birthday -- you know, just the important events. Like the one I'm trying to capture now. Of course, before finishing the picture, I'd make sure I got all our faces right. (The youngest, a wee baby, delighted by the flashing light, will be the hardest to draw because I have to capture her glee and astonishment.) Cheerful, smiling and content. Especially, yours and mine. Old and wrinkly and happy.

Wouldn't that be a beautiful picture?

That is, if only I could draw.

Shadows and Promises

Remembering the past is always bittersweet. You're sad because it's over but happy because it happened. The thing they forget to mention about reminiscing about the good old days? It sucks when you know it won't ever happen again.

Case in point, whenever my mind wanders down memory lane (as it is wont to do), and it finds its way to the memories surrounding basketball, a small smile struggles to form on my face. There are a lot of good, even great memories of me playing basketball, from years of playing the game that I love. Enough highlights to last me at least an hour's worth of conversation, I would say. But as these blurry images become clearer and more focused in my mind's eye, they just as quickly vanish, like shutting off the television. Because it pains me to remember what I used to be able to do and realize that in my current state, I can't do those things anymore. It is a defeat more crushing than any of the losses I've endured. So final, so damning. I didn't stop being good; I let myself go. I am not the player I once used to be, a shadow of my former self. (And who I was before wasn't even that good as I have led you to believe, what more now?)

So here we are at the point in the movie where our protagonist has fallen and seemingly cannot get up. Whatever obstacles are blocking his way are there to stay. That is, until our hero decides that they aren't.

This is the comeback. This is the uphill climb. Cue the music, it's time for the training montage. For my own sake, I gotta get back up there. I gotta give it one more try. I've got to, because ever since six months ago, I've got more at stake. Simply put, this is the time of my life where I have to be the best that I can be. I'm in the prime of my life, wasting it would be a crime.

So this is the promise. This is where I gamble and bet on me. This is where I tell you, and begin to show you. This is where I get my Druid on. (For everyone who won't get that reference, read Marvel Comics' Secret Warriors by Jonathan Hickman, you won't be disappointed.) It's in writing now, on the internet, I'm not taking this back. Hear that internet? I'm making a promise and I'm writing it on you. You know I'm serious.

I'm putting this all here so that I can look at it everyday and remind myself that I need to do this. So that if I fail, I know where to look to get back at it again. And so that when I succeed, I'll know when and where it all began.

As I type this, I've already worked out tonight. Let's keep it up. Everyone loves a good comeback story, right? Cheer for me internet. It's time to put on a show.

Destiny

I now understand why my life had to play out this way.

It is clear to me now that this was all part of the plan.

This could not have happened any other way.

No doubt about it.

It was meant to be.

The Comicbook Post

So I picked up my stack of comics the other day. Here's what I thought about 'em:

Secret Avengers #20 & #21
The Warren Ellis series of one-shots on the book concludes with a bang! Since taking over the book back in issue #16, Ellis has told six stand-alone stories that have seen the team take on various threats such as killer trucks, otherworldly dangerous minerals and plain old monsters. The neat trick Ellis and his all-star collaborators (artists for the last two issues were Alex Maleev and Stuart Immonen, respectively) have pulled is that they've infused a great deal of action and heart into as compact a space as possible. There's no room for error for the Avengers black ops division nor the creators and they both succeed at it.
Best moment (#20): The Black Widow mourns the death of one of the allies she picks up along her time-displaced journey.
Best moment (#21): Steve Rogers turning away and letting his colleagues begin torturing the suspects.

Black Panther The Most Dangerous Man Alive #527 and #528
Three words: T'Challa is awesome.
Best moment (#527): Luke Cage and Falcon joining the fight.
Best moment (#528): "Check and mate. Now we take Shadowland and destroy Wilson Fisk."

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5
I love Miles Morales. Making Spider-Man a legacy hero was a great idea, and Miles is showing us why. Great book. Miles' best friend Ganke is the secret weapon of this comic. Every panel with him is gold. Solid writing and fantastic art make for a very good, very poignant read. What more could you ask for?
Best moment: "You're officially Spider-Man." Gets me every time.

Ultimate Comics Ultimates #5
This issue features almost no action whatsoever, which is a welcome change of pace from the blitz of violence and mayhem the first four issues gave us. However, the way we got to this point is a little strange because it feels like the Ultimate shouldn't be taking a break.
Best moment: Nick Fury finds Captain America and asks him to come back.

Uncanny X-Men #3
This book is the professional X-Men book. Not saying the others aren't of that standard, but Uncanny X-Men is the book you want to read for straight up X-Men taking on world-class threats action. The cover is a bit misleading though and the way it ends is too abrupt (especially since it isn't touched on much in the next issue) but I suspect rereading the entire three-part story will yield a much richer reading experience.
Best moment: "Welcome to the danger room."

Uncanny X-Men #4
Saw a review for this issue that was overflowing with praise. I don't necessarily disagree but I was hoping for more with this stand-alone tale. Had less screen time been devoted to the enemy and more of it given to the X-Men (their scenes, I found to be excellent), I think I would have liked this a whole lot more. Enjoyable read though, nevertheless.
Best moment: "I don't need the power, I want it."

Avengers #20
This issue was just alright. In the wake of Norman Osborn's accusations, the team splits up to look for him and as each team investigates a particular location, they don't find Osborn but they do find trouble. Mostly set-up here but at least the action is starting. The art's not that bad either.
Best moment: Captain America being visibly annoyed and troubled by the sudden turn of events as the media have turned on the Avengers.

New Avengers #20
You know what? I loved this issue of New Avengers. In fact, I think this might be one of my favorite issues of the series ever. It's certainly one of Brian Bendis' "fight" issues. To me, every quip was spot-on, the choreography was engaging and made sense, and the conclusion actually had me looking forward to the next issue.
Best moment (tie): The last page reveal that the fight isn't over yet. + Norman Osborn throwing Luke Cage into the ocean.

Daredevil #7
Honestly, after the brilliant first six issues (which I did not pick up initially), this issue was a bit of letdown. The high-octane adventure from the previous arc has taken a break and we have a stand-alone holiday tale. Bummer right? With what the creative team has accomplished with this series, a "letdown" is still pretty damn good. Crisp writing and stunning art are the norm for this book and that is still on fully display here. In the hands of the magnificent Mark Waid and the legendary Paolo Rivera, this issue is another worthy addition to what is being called one of the greatest Daredevil runs (if not all of comicdom) ever.
Best moment: Daredevil is saved by the kids.

Journey Into Mystery #633
This is a very cute, very scary book. Like a fiarytale but without the cuddly animals and more evil fear gods. I love it. Kid Loki is the best new character of 2011 and 2012 looks to be even better for our little god of mischief.
Best moment (tie): The recap page and the diner/milkshake scene.

Scarlet Spider #1
This is the emo-Spider-Man book and I have to say, it's just alright so far. I'll need to see Kaine in action as the Scarlet Spider first but I put this comic on my pull-list because I was hoping it would be starring Ben Reilly. Kaine's going to have to win me over.
Best moment: Kaine swinging through Houston for the first time.

Wolverine and The X-Men #3
This is as close to "family-friendly fun" as the X-men can get. That's the best way I can describe writer Jason Aaron and artist Chris Bachalo's opening arc. The school is attacked by evil kids, the adults prove helpless to stop it, the good kids strike back, they put an end to all the violence and no one dies. This is clearly not Uncanny X-Men. The Schism has really taken effect and its a good change of pace to the all gloom and doom, all the time period before the split.
Best moment: Everyone ignoring Quentin Quire.

Wolverine and The X-Men #4
Solid book by all involved. After the big opening arc, this issue brilliantly mixes character development and "downtime" effortlessly. The students and faculty all get a chance to shine in the context of just another day at school. The glimpse into the future, with the older versions of the student body was great too.
Best moment: Quentin Quire, Idie, Kid Gladiator and Broo as the future X-Men (along with Krakoa and Deathlok) with Genesis having become Apocalypse.


Amazing Spider-Man #676
A full issue dedicated to the Sinister Six? I went into this book thinking I'd hate it but after reading it, I have to say, I'm pleased to be wrong. In fact, this has convinced me that there needs to be a Sinister Six on-going or mini. Spider-Man's rogues gallery is as fun and complex as the hero they all hate and are worthy of our attention. Can't wait for The Ends of the Earth later this year that focuses on these guys again.
Best moment: Sandman and Wizard are about to join forces and go their own way when Doc Ock sends the latter into space.

Amazing Spider-Man #677
Part one of the crossover with Daredevil featuring Black Cat. Good start, but I'll be able to judge this better when I get part two.
Best moment: Spider-Man trying to be cool in front of Black Cat.

Annihilators: Earthfall #4
Space has been the staging ground for some of the best stories Marvel has put out over these past few years. With Annihilators: Earthfall, some of that action has spilled to earth, necessitating a team-up with Earth's Mightiest. This last issue of the mini was the best, but honestly, that's not saying much. Right from the get go, bringing in the Avengers, whom we know are having their own adventures essentially kills all the suspense, because you know nothing so huge is going to happen to upset their status quo. The art hasn't helped either. DnA have churned out better stories so I was expecting a lot more. I think one of the main reasons this mini didn't excite me in the first place was the choice of which space heroes would be interacting with the Avengers. The Annihilators haven't clicked with me outside of their first appearance in The Thanos Imperative. I think I would have been way more excited for this if the Guardians of the Galaxy involved in this, since the quirky group would be more interesting to juxtapose to the Avengers. Plus, that group was way more fun. The back-up Rocket Raccoon and Groot story had great art and a decent enough hook for me to enjoy it more than the main story.
Best moment: Quasar to Captain America: "I am the line."

Defenders #2
Loving this book. Loving the Dodsons' art, loving the cast, loving the writing. This is a very fun book. Can't wait for the next issue.
Best moment/scene: Everything inside the cage. Iron Fist being useless, irritable Namor, creepy Doctor Strange.

FF #13
You know, the art could be better but all in all, I like this book. The Future Foundation's kids are worthy of their own series. Also, Doom.
Best moment: "Because...I am Doom. Destroyer of worlds...What gods dare stand against me?" (So awesome.)

Fantastic Four #601
Johnny Storm is back and it feels like this book is firing on all cylinders. Turning the Human Torch into the Annihilation Wave's leader? Brilliant. Can't wait for the next issue.
Best moments: Johnny lighting the sky with the Fantastic Four signal once again, Ben telling the Kree sentries what time it is, Kal Blackbane referring to Johnny as their leader, "I have my own..." This book is pure awesome. (Jonathan Hickman is steadily becoming my favorite writer.)


Avengers Annual #1
Actually very disappointed with this one. For an annual, there was too little action and too many talking heads scenes (as is typical for Brian Michael Bendis' poorer efforts). I wish we knew what was up with Simon though.
Best moment: Wonderman seemingly disappearing from his energy bubble confinement cell.

The Perfect Food

The McDonald's Cheeseburger.

Magnificence on a plate.

Eating ecstasy.

Perfection.

How could you argue against it?

Juicy, tasty and flavorful.

Affordable and light.

Mmm, I can just imagine eating one now...

Holding it in your hand you notice the bread first. Firm, yet soft, and at the right temperature for proper handling. The first bite is like saying 'hello' to a friend or lover. It's so familiar and warm and reminds you of all the good times you've shared. The next bite comes a little quicker, more eager. The juices coat your tongue and your senses are flooded with salty, meaty goodness. Your next few bites are spaced out, trying to make the sandwich last. Right about this time, you're tasting the pickle, ketchup and onions. Quirky characteristics that set it apart from the rest that others try to replicate either too greedily or too meekly. At this point, the burger has almost been completely devoured - we haven't even gotten to the cheese yet! A smooth, slightly melted sheath of cheese goes a long way on top of the patty. It's such a thin slice, contributing only a fraction to the sandwich's total weight but its presence is so vital and important to its overall success. After all, it is half of the name! And before you know it, you're down to the last bite and have to say good bye. Mournfully, you pick up the remains between your thumb and index finger and unceremoniously deliver it into your mouth. Finished, time to go. All good things must come to an end and yet, you aren't left with a heavy, burdened feeling. Instead, satisfaction and a longing for more, the way any good meal should go. The perfect food indeed.

So the next time the discussion goes to the best food anyone's ever had, and your friends start throwing out foie gras, lobster and truffles (all great too), why not let them in on the secret and present to them your case for the cheeseburger. If they still aren't convinced, hey, that means there's more to go around for you.

Starting Over

So this blog of mine hasn't seen a new post in almost a year. Clearly, this journal has seen better days.

It isn't likely that I'll ever go back to those 3-posts-a-day times, not with Twitter around. However, like my girlfriend (Hee, this is the first time I'm going to mention here, hi babe! So kilig.) has promised to update hers once a week so I'm going to try and match her output.

So yeah, big change, I've found someone. She's awesome. It really feels like we're meant to be...OKAY, I'll stop there before I turn off the two people still reading this (Like, I ever had any readers). Basta, it's been great.

I still read comicbooks. I still don't have enough money to buy all the comicbooks I want. Hasn't stopped me from buying as much as I do, unfortunately. There really is something special about holding a good comic in your hands, flipping through the pages excitedly and getting struck by a profoundly awesome line or panel. All I really look for in a comic is a moment, something I can latch on to, something that I can look back on and smile about because it happened. I know, I'm romanticizing the medium. But I love comicbooks so how could I not?

That's all for now I guess. I promise to post more because I miss writing like this.

To new beginnings. Excelsior!