what the f...

True Story:
A dentist from the Bavarian town of Neu-Ulm is now under investigation for assault and theft after arriving at his patient's home with his medical instruments to perform an unwanted surgery on her. According to police, the dentist knocked on the door of the 35-year-old woman on Monday evening and without saying a word forced her into her living room and tied her hands. He then forced open her mouth and removed the £320 worth of dental work which the woman's insurance company had refused to pay. According to the victim, he never said a word.
"The dentist is being investigated for assault for the way he forced open her mouth, and theft for taking the bridges," said Christian Owsinski a police spokesman. "The woman was in pain when she showed up at the police station." Mr Owsinski said the dentist, who has not been named, had not been arrested. If convicted he could face discipline from both the health insurance company and the dental association that could jeopardise his practice.
(From the Telegraph.co.uk)

... this world is full of weird sick people. let's move to mars.

oldies but goodies

NBA season start date is fast approaching. as fantasy geeks, we had our 8th annual cervini boys yahoo fantasy draft last sunday afternoon. here are my picks (c/o johnb).

allen iverson
marcus camby
vince carter
ray allen
troy murphy
peja stojakovic
thaddeus young
brook lopez
andres nocioni
rodney stuckey
maurice evans
stephon marbury

it’s funny that seven of my players are dinosaurs, 30 years old and above. i also have nocioni and murphy on my team who are 29, and 28 year old respectively. completing the line-up are three low profile players in their early twenties (there could be hope, haha). imagine, my core group’s average age is 31. fucker. good luck to me then. but I’m still hopeful. the ball is round, and these oldies may still have some juice left in them. go zamboanga rebels!

elephant vanishes

...currently reading Elephant Vanishes ... it is a collection of 15 short stories from popular japanese writer haruki murakami. like most of his works, it's engaging, dreamy, amusing, mind-bending, reflective, and cautiously philosophical.

reading murakami is like solving a puzzle… in the end, everything seems to fit but not quite… it’s either the last piece of the puzzle is missing, or the entire picture is completely far off from what you have in mind.

his works are generally futile attempts to answer questions… questions that are thrown to the reader in heaps… but will never be completely answered… however, it doesn't matter. we still end up satisfied… the process of questioning is rewarding enough.

some say that his characters, stories are absurd, and most of the time way way off reality. i say yes... but it's closer than you think.

facebook alert

they say that a relationship is never officially over until you change your status on facebook. a profile update ended in murder for a couple in england. i know it's odd, but unfortunately it's true.

a 35 year old man actually killed his wife after she updated her relationship status on her facebook to single. the husband moved out of their home four days before the incident. the couple was spending time away from each other due to personal and financial spats. the husband, who was drunk and high on coke the night of the murder, drove 35 miles to their home and stabbed his wife while she was sleeping.

this is a strange case that validates that the virtual can be as real and certain as death and taxes.

note: actually, let’s not blame facebook. it is actually pretty useful, especially to busy people like me. it’s our window to the world, on what’s happening out there. facebook is also a buffet for gossipmongers. hehe. I guess let’s just be more conscious and discerning on what we actually announce to humanity. one of my friends actually describes facebook as the post-it of the new generation. he said that status updates on facebook is like writing it on a million post-its and sticking them to everyone’s desktop monitor. now i'm tempted to cancel my account. kidding. it serves tsismis on a silver platter. why cancel? hehe.

beer beer beer

if you're looking for good beer and price is not an issue, here are my recommendations...

1) Chiefs Restobar - Ortigas Home Depot Complex, Julia Vargas Ave.
they have great american brews like rogue, ballast point, and gordon bierst. i'm actually surprised that americans can now make good beer. i highly suggest that you try rogue mocha porter. rogue (an oregon brew) is now in my list of all-time favorite beer.

2) Murphy's Irish pub - Citiland Condo III Building, 105 V.A. Rufino Corner Estaban Sts., Legaspi Village
authentic irish food and of course irish stouts. my fav stout, guinness, is always available here.

3) Beers Paradise - 36 Polaris St, Makati city
limitless choices, over a hundred!!! mostly belgian brews... like good belgian chocolates (also belgian gals, e.g. ms. belgium 96), you just can't get enough of them.

4) Mickey's Delicattesen - 144 Jupiter Street corner Orbit Street, Bel-Air 2 Village
if you're a fan of german brews like erdinger, konig pilsner, etc., this is the where you should hang out.

5) Fiesta San Miguel - Lobby, Dusit Hotel Nikko, Ayala Center Makati
this is the place where you can find the freshest san miguel beer - light or pale. your choice.


drink up! worry about the beer belly later. hehe.

surf's up

The most consistent surf spot in the Philippines has just been exposed by the Philippine Surfing Academy! And it’s right here in Manila. This spot is great for surfers of all levels. With no jelly fish, sea urchins, rips and undertows, beginners wouldn’t find a safer and easier spot elsewhere. For the more advanced surfers, it’s the best workout for your surfing fitness and you will get rides, but don't expect anything scary. It’s also a very effective way to improve your paddling and wave catching skills. With left-hander and right hander waves at a push of a button, this place is the most consistent surf spot of the country delivering waves every second! And its 30 minutes away from Ortigas Center!

experience and learn how to surf properly.
for bookings and inquiries please contact:

Paolo - +63920-9005589
Lorraine - +63917-8441981

for more information, please visit http://surfingacademy.multiply.com/

note: we had the chance to ride the waves at club manila east yesterday. i'm stoked. imagine that there's waves every 2 seconds. fun. fun. fun. i can't wait for my next surfing adventure.

the graveyard book

nobody owens is somebody we will remember for a long time... i hope there will be a book two, and maybe a three and a four. i'm crossing my fingers.

neil gaiman's latest novel is now available at fully booked.

poetry time!

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for at the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

"The Road Not Taken”
by Robert Frost

i'm not really into poetry. maybe because i suck at it. haha. but anyway, i came across this beautiful piece while doing research for my literature class back in college. i was drawn into it for some reason.

i remember this conversation i had with beng via yahoo msgr a long time ago. she said that this piece reminds her of how neil gaiman described this character named destiny in the sandman series. he holds his secrets. he never tells what is ahead… and his garden is full of mazes. in his garden, when you look ahead there's only darkness and uncertainty... when you look back the maze is gone, it only shows one path, the path you chose to take.

not knowing where the path leads or what the path is like further on... it is not hard to regret something with unknown results. that’s why some people end up saying "sayang, if i chose differently SIGURO iba ang buhay ko ngayon". but it is still uncertain right? the life you have now can actually be the better one.

you got it right beng.

why i love calvin & hobbes

hmmmm. five reasons why i'm crazy about Calvin & Hobbes...

...i recognize myself with calvin as a child. as a young kid, i remember that there were times that I felt out of sync with the rest thus I ran away to the world that I create for myself in my mind.

... it can make us laugh til we cry and at the same time we identify with it

... even though it's just a comic strip, it has an uncanny ability to invoke a whole range of emotions

... it deals with everyday stuff that we experienced as a kid like going to school, swimming lessons, haircuts, disagreeing with our parents, playing with food, complaining about homework, etc.

... admit it or not, maybe calvin is a certified brat or a pain in the ass... but he is a smart kid. even smarter than some 20 year olds i know. hehe.

greatest tom cruise movie ever

drum rolling.......................................... tropic thunder.

i had a blast watching this kick ass flick. haha. i'm pretty sure i'll also get the dvd version once it's out.

top calvin & hobbes quotes - part two

I go to school, but I never learn what I want to know.
~
Hobbes : "Do you think there's a God?
Calvin : "Well somebody's out to get me!"
Calvin : "Do you really think Bogeymen exist?"
Hobbes : "I'm not sure, but if they do, I think this is where they live…"
~
"The world isn't fair, Calvin."
"I know Dad, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favour?"
~
"Too bad the world will be ending soon."
"Beg your pardon?"
"Halley's Comet. Comets are harbingers of doom."
"No they aren’t, that’s just superstition."
"Really? Guess I'd better write that book report."
~
"This article says that many people find christmas the most stressful time of year."
"I believe it. This season sure fills *me* with stress."
"Really? How come?"
" I *hate* being good..."
~
"I wonder where we go when we die?"
"...Pittsburgh?"
"You mean if we're good or if we're bad?"
~
I think life should be more like tv. I think all of life's problems ought to be solved in 30 minutes with simple homilies, don't you? I think weight and oral hygiene ought to be our biggest concerns. I think we should all have powerful, high-paying jobs, and everyone should drive fancy sports cars. All our desires should be instantly gratified. Women should always wear tight clothes, and men should carry powerful handguns. Life overall should be more glamorous, thrill-packed, and filled with applause, don't you think?
So basically, this maverick is urging everyone to express his individuality through conformity in brand-name selection.
In my opinion, television validates existence.
~
"Here's a movie we should watch."
"Who's in it?"
"It says 'Japanese Cast'...two big rubbery monsters slug it out over major metropolitan centres in a battle for world supremacy...doesn't that sound great?"
"And people say that foreign film is inaccessible."
~
Hobbes : "It says here that by the age of 6, most children have seen a million murders on television."
Calvin : "I find that very disturbing...it means I've been watching all the wrong channels."
~
H : "What are you doing?"
C : "Being cool."
H : "You look more like you're bored."
C : "The world bores you when you're cool."
~
To make a bad day worse, spend it wishing for the impossible.
So the secret to good self-esteem is to lower your expectations to the point where they're already met?
It's only work if somebody makes you do it
~
Calvin: Our top-secret club, G.R.O.S.S.-- Get Rid Of Slimy girlS!
Susie: Slimy girls?!
Calvin: I know that's redundant, but otherwise it doesn't spell anything.
I'm looking for something that can deliver a 50-pound payload of snow on a small feminine target. Can you suggest something? Hello...?
Girls are like slugs - they probably serve some purpose, but it's hard to imagine what.
~
We are a fierce and dirty band of cut-throat pirates! Keep a sharp lookout matey, we don’t want any sissy girls on our ship!"
"We *don’t* like girls???"
"Of course not dummy, we're a murderous bunch of pirates, remember?"
"Who do we smooch then?"
~
"There's a new girl in our class."
"Well, what’s her name?"
"WHO KNOWS?"
"Is she nice?"
"WHO CARES? Not me!"
"Do you LIKE her?"
"NO!"
~
"Hello Susie, this is Calvin. I lost our homework assignment. Can you tell me what we were supposed to read for tomorrow?"
"Are you sure you're not calling for some other reason?"
"Why else would I call you?"
"Maybe you missed the melodious sound of my voice?"
"WHAT? Are you crazy? All I want is the STUPID assignment!"
"First say you missed the melodious sound of my voice."
"THIS IS BLACKMAIL!"
~
"Do you like being a girl?"
"It’s gotta be better than the alternative."
"What’s it like? Is it like being a bug?"
"Like a WHAT?"
"I imagine bugs and girls have a dim perception that nature played a cruel trick on them, but they lack the intelligence to really comprehend the magnitude of it."

cinemanila time

it's cinemanila time again... these are the required readings... hehe.

http://guides.clickthecity.com/movies/?p=3848
http://guides.clickthecity.com/movies/?p=3853
http://guides.clickthecity.com/movies/?p=3874
http://guides.clickthecity.com/movies/?p=3867

see you at gateway!

after dark

if you’re looking for something to read while waiting for your flight, or visa interview, try to get hold of murakami's After Dark. it's a really short novel, about 2 to 3 hours to finish. in my biased opinion, this 244 page novel is way more satisfying than the entire twilight series combined. hehe. it's trademark murakami intensified by the phosphorescence glow of the characters he created against the novel's backdrop, the darkness of the night. read it, and you'll know why.

sometimes, less is more.

tribute to mr pink

Reservoir Dogs is definitely one of my most favorite quentin tarantino films. it's way up there in my list together with Pulp Fiction.

this blog entry is my tribute to Reservoir Dogs... and Steve Buscemi(mr pink). he is one hell of an actor. this guy really cracks me up.


1 INT. UNCLE BOB'S PANCAKE HOUSE - MORNING
Eight men dressed in BLACK SUITS, sit around a table at a breakfast cafe. They are MR. WHITE, MR. PINK, MR. BLUE, MR. BLONDE, MR. ORANGE, MR. BROWN, NICE GUY EDDIE CABOT, and the big boss, JOE CABOT. Most are finished eating and are enjoying coffee and conversation. Joe flips through a small address book. Mr. Pink is telling a long and involved story about Madonna.

MR. PINK
"Like a Virgin" is all about a girl who digs a guy with a big dick. The whole song is a metaphor for big dicks.

MR. BLUE
No it's not. It's about a girl who is very vulnerable and she's been fucked over a few times. Then she meets some guy who's really sensitive--

MR. PINK
--Whoa...whoa...time out Greenbay. Tell that bullshit to the tourists.

JOE
(looking through his address book)
Toby...who the fuck is Toby? Toby...Toby...think...think...think...

MR. PINK
It's not about a nice girl who meets a sensitive boy. Now granted that's what "True Blue" is about, no argument about that.

MR. ORANGE
Which one is "True Blue?"

NICE GUY EDDIE
You don't remember "True Blue?" That was a big ass hit for Madonna. Shit, I don't even follow this Tops In Pops shit, and I've at least heard of "True Blue."

MR. ORANGE
Look, asshole, I didn't say I ain't heard of it. All I asked was how does it go? Excuse me for not being the world's biggest Madonna fan.

MR. BROWN
I hate Madonna.

MR. BLUE
I like her early stuff. You know, "Lucky Star," "Borderline" – but once she got into her "Papa Don't Preach" phase, I don't know, I tuned out.

MR. PINK
Hey, fuck all that, I'm making a point here. You're gonna make me lose my train of thought.

JOE
Oh fuck, Toby's that little china girl.

MR. WHITE
What's that?

JOE
I found this old address book in a jacket I ain't worn in a coon's age. Toby what? What the fuck was her last name?

MR. PINK
Where was I?

MR. ORANGE
You said "True Blue" was about a nice girl who finds a sensitive fella. But "Like a Virgin" was a metaphor for big dicks.

MR. PINK
Let me tell ya what "Like a Virgin"'s about. It's about some cooze who's a regular fuck machine. I mean all the time, morning, day, night, afternoon, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick, dick.

MR. BLUE
How many dicks was that?

MR. WHITE
A lot.

MR. PINK
Then one day she meets a John Holmes motherfucker, and it's like, whoa baby. This mother fucker's like Charles Bronson in "The Great Escape." He's digging tunnels. Now she's gettin this serious dick action, she's feelin something she ain't felt since forever. Pain.

JOE
Chew? Toby Chew? No.

MR. PINK
It hurts. It hurts her. It shouldn't hurt. Her pussy should be Bubble-Yum by now. But when this cat fucks her, it hurts. It hurts like the first time. The pain is reminding a fuck machine what is was like to be a virgin. Hence, "Like a Virgin."

The fellas crack up.


i love this opening scene. i can actually see myself and my crazy friends as MR. WHITE, MR. PINK, MR. BLUE, MR. BLONDE, MR. ORANGE, MR. BROWN, and NICE GUY EDDIE CABOT discussing madonna over a few bottles of superdry. haha.

long live mr pink.

vista solution

i’ve heard endless of complaints regarding windows vista. that’s why i decided to stick with xp. to my friends who want to get the most out of their pcs/laptops with vista installed, check out this article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/technology/personaltech/09basics.html?em

hope that this helps. good luck.

hamilton vs massa

i have a penchant for underdogs. so obviously, my vote goes to massa. massa is currently seven points behind his rival in the standings. but don't fret yet. remember last year... hamilton had a two-point advantage going into the last three races... even stretching it to 12 with a win in japan... but he choked big time at the last race in brazil… thus losing the championship to raikonnen.

when you look at their machines, they are equally matched. ferrari is quicker when dry, however mclaren is the epitome of engine reliability. so that leaves the quest for glory up to the drivers, their crew, and of course the weather. hamilton will definitely have a considerable advantage should it rain in japan, china, or brazil. he is still the undisputed wet-weather master. massa, on the other hand, is always in his best form at his home track in sao paulo.

this will really be exciting.

watch out for these dates.

Japanese Grand Prix, Fuji, October 12
Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, October 19
Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo, November 2

el violin

despite the busy week, i was successful in fixing my schedule to accommodate another dose of fantastic cinema. last tuesday night, we were supposed to watch the 7pm movie. however it was already sold-out by the time we got to gbelt. so we decided to just watch the 930pm movie since we're already there, without even knowing what it's all about... and i commend myself for this very wise decision.

El Violin is shot in black and white... which i personally think was very effective in setting the tone of the movie. it actually gives an impression of a documentary film from time to time. the documentary vibe it exudes further draws the audience to be involved, as if whispering to them that this is something that has happened or is happening in this fucked up world.

the casts are all great. of course, Plucarto (played by Don Angel Tavira) is the focal point, center of it all. i have a feeling that director Francisco Vargas wrote the screenplay with Tavira specifically in mind as the lead character. he is just too perfect for the role. he possesses the sincerity and wisdom ripened by years of hardships and yearning.

the opening sequence also is something. it brings the audience to the edge of their seats, wondering what incoming events will lead to this particular gruesome sequence. effective story-telling by first time feature film director Francisco Vargas.

El Violin is actually a short film, only an hour and half tops... even without much graphic and loud drama... the film is very successful in moving the audience... sending out a universal message... that resonates in our minds... even long after we left the cinema.

"the music is over."

of love and other demons

i feel bad about not being able to write anything on Of Love and Other Demons. i actually finished reading it a few weeks ago. it's only the third book of gabriela marquez that i've finished... but i’m utterly convinced of this guy’s genius. he is part-writer, part-magician. his unique inventive style is apparent from the first to last page. not an easy read, but definitely worth every minute, every hour you spend on it. highly recommended.

pulp fiction

most memorable Pulp Fiction moment….

“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men.

Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his bother’s keeper and the finder of lost children.

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and story my brothers! And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee. “

i’ve recited these lines aloud a countless of times (mostly when drunk)... and it has always been a pleasure. samuel jackson is the man!

pelicula

Película, organized by the Instituto Cervantes in Manila, is the yearly showcase of the best of Spanish and Latin American cinema in the Philippines. Its first edition was launched in 2002 and, since then, has been bringing the latest and greatest of Hispanic cinema to the Philippines. Now at its seventh installment, Película is the biggest and most anticipated festival of Spanish film in Southeast Asia.

for more information, check out http://www.pelicula.ph/

Note: i've always been a fan of spanish films. actually, one of my all-time favorite directors is pedro almodovar. if you have time this week, try to check maybe a couple of spanish films at gbelt3. it's only 65 bucks, cost a lot less than a starbucks coffee.

i'm glad that i got to watch 7 mesas de billar francés and fados last weekend. it was time well spent. i will try to free up some time this week (i highly doubt it though) for more dosage of quality cinema.

yummy

i’ve been really “matakaw” lately... and i’m sick of fast-food. good thing that there are still places around makati that serves good food without really hurting my wallet.

here’s my list of 5 value-for-money places to eat.

SOMs – Rockwell
they serve authentic thai food. make sure that you get to try the red or green curry, spring rolls, pad thai, and the bagoong rice.

Amicci – Pasong Tamo
everything on the menu is a treat, but my personal favorite is the rosemary chicken with any of their pasta on the side.

New Bombay – De la Costa St. and Columns condo
for me, indian food is underrated. people should try it more often. good shit.

Pat Pat's Kansi – Sampaloc St. , San Antonio Village
the best bulalo in town! ilonggo style!

Chili Peppers – Valero Street
a gigantic serving of baby back ribs under 200 bucks? unbelievable right? you better try it asap.

it’s 130pm, and i still haven’t eaten lunch. writing this makes my tummy complain more. i can actually hear it grumble. i’m thinking of going to amicci. hehe. ciao.

hmmm...

is the human brain similar to a hard drive? is it as fixed and finite?
do we have to delete old memories in order to create new ones...

oktobeer

there’s no doubt that one of the greatest inventions ever is beer. in tribute to this fact, let me present my list of top 5 beer havens in makati. these places may not be top notch but they do serve reasonably priced beer (and the ambiance is not bad at all). in makati, booze priced below 50 bucks is such a rarity.

1) Good Earth Roast - Rockwell
nice ambiance... actually reminds me of boracay for some reason... the tofu steak is a must-try...

2) 121 – Leviste St.
used to be our week night tambayan (when i was working in makati)... cheap beer, great food, convenient location...

3) Grilla – Kalayaan Avenue
our favorite friday night hang-out when we were in our early twenties... we still feel at home here until now.

4) Coco Cabana – Kalayaan Avenue
they have really good pulutan… especially the nachos… i like the beach vibe too.

5) Grappas – Gbelt 3 and Nicanor Garcia St.
you should definitely try all of grappa's pilsner brews - classic, dark,and weizen. good shit.

that's all folks... chug. chug. chug.