Secret Project Status

Damn! I know so much on my "secret projects" but I can't share the output with my colleagues! I'm currently bounded by a high level confidentiality agreement.

Project TAAL is now on Phase 2.
Project CUPID just finished Phase 1.

I know so much i know so much i know so much i know so much... but what's the sense of knowing all of these if I can't make kuwento to my colleagues?

Must...Control...Myself...

3-Things-That-I-Want-To-Do-and-Can-Afford-To
but am controlling myself:

1. Go to Singapore and watch the Oasis concert
2. Buy an HP Notebook R51
3. Get a tattoo

and-why-I-can't-do-them:

1. I'm saving all my vacation leave allowances for a US or Australia trip this summer.
2. I cannot justify it's necessity to my current work-and-play lifestyle.
3. I don't know where to put it.

Can somebody help me decide? :D

Memoirs of a Narnian Flux

Hahaha... this recent weekend was a totally couch-potato experience for me -- I found the time to watch three films.

A. Memoirs of a Geisha

Interesting enough. I'm partial towards Japanese-based films, and more brownie points to the movie if it's a period film. I haven't read the book, but I think the movie is pleasing enough to give the non-reader a good overview of "Memoirs".

After seeing the film, I think I now understand why some of my Japanese-lady friends have that pasttime of "catch a man with just one look". It's a geisha skill. Kairi often does this, hehehe.

In my personal rating scheme, I'd give Memoirs of a Geisha 7.5/10 rating. It could hav been an 8.5 max, but the English dialogue is too thick with the Asian accents (making it hard to catch some of the conversations) and the transition among the 3 parts of the movie was done a bit awkwardly.

B. The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Wahooo! Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings!

Okay, I'll admit that I wouldn't bother seeing "Narnia" if I haven't come across Carmela's post at her blog. You see, based on my impressions of her (and her intelligence), I think Carmela's opinions value a lot when it comes to film and literature critiques. Plus, I tried skimming as early as two years ago (at that time, I was searching for a new series to collect) through C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles" and I wasn't really impressed.

Fortunately, the film version was a "two thumbs-up" pleasure for me. The cast selection was good, the settings were great and the visual effects were splendid. I wouldn't argue on the plot because that (I assume) is a given.

Best scene: what else, but the war scene. The Witch was astounding in her battle gear and polar-bear driven chariot. The fire arrow that became a phoenix that became a fire-line was also great.

Personal rating: 8.8 out of 10.

C. AEON FLUX

Three things:
* Charlize Theron can kick ass.
* Futuristic environment.
* The concept and plot is good but the fight scenes were mediocre.

Best scene: cover-fire provided by snipers

Personal rating: 7.1 out of 10.

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

In Calvin's viewpoint, this is the reason, hehehe.



I love this kid. Just bought for myself "The Complete Collection of Calvin and Hobbes". =)

Year-ender Closing Credits

Thanks to the following for making 2005 fun, if not bearable. Hope that all of you will be still around in 2006!

0. The whole Cruz clan
1. Quito and Maqui
2. Fishy-fishy gang: Chard, Tin, MJ, Mond.
3. Badshots Group
4. Weekend warriors: Tito Gabs, JJ, Roroy, Alex, Macky, Tin, Mad, Chie, Nikko, Dee, Bettina, Ru, Annelle
5. Team Mission Specific: (patay, di ko memorized lahat ng names nila hehehe..) Nikko, Ru, Bettina, Dee, Keysa, Mon, Tin, Mad, Jumar, Jon, Roms, Seggy, Lean, Lennard, Usman, Mikko, Rhichie, Berns, Kara, Syo. May nakalimutan ba ako?
6. My coffee partners: Ube, Denise, May and Weng. =)
7. Phuketeers: Tin, Mad, Chie, Carmela, Roms, Chard
8. Hannah
9. Gym group: Kaye, Jackie, Jourdan
10. Tabangao Bachelors group
11. Wan-or-tu regulars: Emer, Glenn
12. Chito Flores and Kaye Legasto
13. RBG Mercenaries
14. College buddies: John, Tom, Fiel, Pin, Mats, Shierry
15. Lissa Sumpaico
16. Power-up Climbers: Mad, Chie, Bambi, Onyok, Jeff, Tin
17. Ka Paqui and Tita Cels Duenas
18. Tito Pip
19. Mrs. Balocating
20. Pao, Maloy, Elips, Choy, Ruel, Toyang, Alglyn, Rely, Tante
21. Ms. Lynn Elsenhanns
22. Andrew Castueras and Brandy Brandares
23. Batangas Airsoft Team
24. Maroon5
25. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Square-ENIX, Konami
26. Apple Computers and JBL Sound systems
27. Linang and Allan for the DVD supply
28. Papa Jun - favorite gunsmith
29. Team SOE + Kasmot + Boo and Teriboo + Caloyski
30. Shell Badminton Club

Thanks to all of you!