welcome

this is my new life...

join me in my oddventure
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driving down 110 made me think about a lot of things...

1. There's no excitement in my life right now. I think I have set myself so much to prepare for this type of life that I have no feeling of giddyness on whatever is happenning.
2. I need to do something new. Im fed up and tired of the regular life... Do I need new friends? Well, this doesnt mean that I'd forget about my friends, but at least find a new set here. Friends here in LA.
3. I realized how people here in LA have big time car crashes... The freeway travelling speed does not go down below 100 kms/hr

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not enough excitement... are my adrenal glands not working anymore? are they already worn out? damn...

Naa... I think it's still the same reason... It's me-I'm still suffering the repercussions of choosing not to feel. I didn't know that if you choose to turn it off (feeling) that it wouldn't go back on by itself. What would help me turn feeling back on again... Wait, feeling wasn't totally turned off... the part where I whould feel good, excited, like a kid for christmas or next day's friend trip...

There's a key... there should be one. It's there, waiting. I need to figure it out. I'd like to feel excited about stuff again. To be fun! To have my heart thump in preparation for something good... To feel excitement for something.

Is this old age creeping up on me?

Sunday-woke up at 6am to bring Li to work... He's starting school tom.. That should be something new. Well, for him... Kim and Leslie are staying at Burbank, it would be nice If I'd show them around....probably sa Getty Museum...

Lunch with everyone... a little like before but not totally.

Hmmm... I need something to do. something productive...

Im starting a new day

Had a glass of milk and several chocolate chip cookies

I really would like to visit Getty before I go to toronto...at least kick start my musuem hopping escapade - yeah, I plan to visit most of the mesuems here in LA, then Toronto and lastly New York.

Damn I'm bored... I do hope a stranger would knock on the door and throw me in her car and we'll drive off to - uhm...anywhere...haha
Yes, her haha..too much to ask?

The movie directed and produced by tony Scott empolys the trademark visual effects that he and his brother Ridley Scott playfully use. The stunning graphics intertwined with great music (Hans Zimmer) expresses what words cannot siffice with in a film.

In this movie, he again works with Denzel Washington (Crimson Tide), both brought out the most human in the character of Creasy and Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning, I am Sam). Gripping-would be the best word to describe the viewing experience of this film.

Stunts or special effects are not the elements that will grip you, rather, the acting and cinematography that should be blamed.

Viewers, however, would remember much of the music of Gladiator and the visuals of Hannibal in this film. It is not suppposed to prevent one from appreciating the film. Some viewers who would like to critique would say that he just used the same style or immitated it from the two movies mentioned. This would be an immature reaction to Man on Fire. These factors are necessary in bringing out what the director wants to bring out. These are signatures, these are styles... These are somethings that followers of the Scott brothers look for.

Yesterday, well, it wasnt so much as a very memorable day... Although I drove 20 miles to see Mardy down at Hacienda Heights later that night. The drive was therapeutic, the meeting was refreshing. I got home and went online for a while. It wasnt so "not memorable" after all...

In the morning, around 30 minutes ago, I called up Jas to greet her a Happy Birthday. It was more refreshing, and more therapeutic to hear their voices and talk to them. I can Imagine KA's door closed just for the PhotoS. I can't imagine them all, having fun... that many people. It's so exciting to think about.... Hoo hummm... sometimes, it gets to me and, well, it gets me... I suddenly feel a little bad that I'm not there. There's no one else to pick me up now but myself. Extra effort from now on.

Damn I miss them... I'll see them soon. Again... soon enough

A bit tired, A bit dry, A bit excited - just a bit... Sorry

Well, I'll be seeing my cousings and my nephews and niece in less than 24 hours. Toronto! Whoopie! A new country on my list...

Well, Ive heard they already have an IT for me... As long as there;s a musuem there, then it will be complete...

I cant wait for New York though... get to go on the train again... see the Big Apple. hmmm...

And then what?

I havee a little over two hours before my flight. Im feeling a ittle uneasy. I need to find a nie comfy space to read my book and drink my juice. It would be nice tp hat on the phone with some friendly people. might just call a bunch before they all get into that sleeping mode. later today I'll be in toronto, leping forward in time. I wonder what khatz is doing now, or Kriset, or the PhotoS people or Jaja after that nice message she sent me... what Madel and Kathy would be busy with? Or the Diamond gurls...
I miss them, thats why im asking

Headache loomed in the horizon before I woke up... I felt like mr roboto having to go straight to the washroom and get ready for the flight. The drive along the 110 freeway with ryan seacrest on the radio was that of a toothache when your most hungry... Unecessary and you just can't get rid of it... My mom likes Ryan seacrest.

Tips when travelling (especially international):
1. Bring a nice jacket...one with many pockets...then you would not need to use your real pockets (pants and shirt pockets). This would be easier when going through all those security checkpoints coz then you wouldnt neet to empty all you pockets...just remove your jacket and shove it the oven like x-ray machine...aside from being a wear-on bag, the jacket can also warm you up when it gets a tad bit cold...
2. Wear nice comfortable shoes... ones that you can easily take off (when on the plane or while waiting for your next flight). No need to wear those trendy laced up shoes. slip on slip off shoes are the best. Plus, you'll be walking and standing most of the times... would those skethcers really be nice on the feet? I dont think so.
3. Bring water or juice... keep it in you carry on luggage...you'll never know. You might build up a thirst due to the changes in the climate or when on the flight.
4. Bring a nice book (that book that you've always wanted to read but cant find time to.
5. When reading is not your cup of tea, a discman or an mp3 player. Some airlines acually charge you to use their earphones. So, how will you watch that in-flight movie? It not fun guessing what their saying on your personal monitor sets.
6. Once past the security checkpoints, check first where your gate is... not on the map silly... walk towards it so that you can check personally how long it will take for you to get to your departure gate from starbucks... you dont want to miss that flight you know.
7. Try to have loose change or your VISA card...you'll never know what compulsive buying attacks...

That should be it...well, besides the normal stuff like dont forget your passport and boarding pass. Keep them in one pocket... always...so that you wont lose them. know the address and tel. no where your staying overseas...

You know ow those international carriers have their seats designed? When its reclined all the way up, its like your spine and neck is arced so that your actually facing your feet. and as much as you'd like to recline your seat, there isnt a conmfortable way to travel... darnit.

I did get to see an amazing sunset while on flight...

Then I saw Orion while hovering above Ontario... It was peaceful.

Oh! And, the plane that I took from Houston to Toronto was a tiny jet plane. A 50 seater that was damn fast. Since its smaller, its shakier than the bigger planes.

Hmm... My thoughts are incoherent now. My neckis aching, im a bit sleepy and I think Im tired... I think i better sleep. I'll be doing some uncle-ing tom to Little Jade and Joshua... my nephew and niece... Might go see the incredibles. Hehe... I'll load pics as soon as I can.

Thankx for reading!

After a few hours of sleep, I forcefully made myself start the day without a hint of sleepyness...

My cousin Godwin and I, toured downtown Toronto... It was awkward at first because he didnt speak Tagalog, I didn't speak Bisaya. We ended up having him speaking in Bisaya and me replying in Tagalog because all we can do is understand each others native toungue.

CN Tower was one of the first destination. The tallest man made look out point, or sumthing like that. Boy it was tall... And Boy, its cold here. It was windy and cold! Good thing Win lent me his jacket. My performance and porma jackets were no match to the cold winds of Toronto... And to think winter hasn't gone into full gear yet.

I know Im not supposed to be afraid of heights, being a mountaineer and rappel instructor, But I always argued that fear is one of the main factors Im still alive after countless rappels down several heights. Fear makes me more careful. Uncontrolled and self-inflicted (mindset)fear is scary... Fear is just a reaction-it's normal.
There's a part in CN tower called the glass floor. You look into a litterally glass floor onto a 1000 ft drop! Crazy... no doubt.

Walking around after two weeks of bumming in LA kinda put a toll on me. But them power naps helped!

Toronto, specially downtown, is alot like some of the small cities in the US. It reminded me of Cleveland and Little Rock. Cleveland had pride in their local baseball team... Little Rock was able to hold on to the old architecture that made them into a modern city a few decaes ago. Toronto had several teams in the sports industry of which they are proud of. The skydome, the CN tower, the old Municipal hall, Ethon center are a mixture of the old and new. The Downtown district is lined with traditional archaic and neocolonial buildings which are lined together with Neopolitan and modern buildings.

Toronto is a cozy place to go to. A touch of history, the metropolitan life or local pride is something that one would sense. Well, people crossing in the middle of the street, swerving drivers and the absence of our Latino friends would almost make Toronto like a US city. No offense to Canadians of course.

All in all, a good place to go back to.

Joshua, our very first nephew from our generation is smart, friendly and very athletic. His Dad is very proud of him being a good basketball player if not the best for is eyes. The trademark eyes of a Juico is very evident on his eyes. He reminds me of Yoyo, my brother, when he was this small.

Jade, the amazing niece is very very smart. She Acces her quizzes in school, and for a four year old is very attentive to conversations. She has her own brand of comedy that makes one think that she is actually thinking about everything that goes on around her.

Carlos, Kuya Lords son is undeniably their kid. You can see that the faces of her parents have merged to form this hyperkid. Shy at first, I think he's not used to having a new uncle visiting.

Yesterday, Lord and Godwin, together with Hazel and Carlos, brought me to the gunclub. The weather in Toronto was damp and calm. Getting off the car, the serene setting was shatterd by gunshots inside the Gun club.

I felt excited, and a bit scared. This would be the first time I'll be firing a gun. A .45 caliber and and HK model. Both accurate and very very deadly. Inside the Firing range, Lord showed me how to load and some of the other safety tips. Point, and shoot. The first gunshot was a good feeling. Just like what they have been telling me. I finished around 40 rounds I think. Ranging from 10 yards to 20 yards. They told me that my shooting was not bad considering that I was a first timer.

After lunch, The Codineras and I wento to the mall and then to this place called Playdium. A lot like our Glico's back in the day and Timezone. Then we went to go see The Incredibles with more kids than expected. haha it was great...

And now, off to Niagara Falls... cold...cold... brrrr

500 meters away was American soil. In my backpocket was my passport and greencard. What was in between us? Water...
The mighty Niagara...

Yes, I was a tourist. A tourist that took pictures all over the place.
Good thing Josh and Jade we're there, then Id look like an oof posing by myself...sheesh...

Besides being fridgidly cold, I felt power...awesome power pouring out of the waterfalls that was in front of me. Ferdy told me that the american side was ugly...the nice side was the Canadian. Then I realized, when your on the canadian side, all youll see is the American side...therefore Ferdy, the nice side was American, it's just that americans will need to cross the border to really appreciate their side of the water.

Casino was something that I did not imagine myself doing. But, with dollars in the pocket and Godwin beside me, he toured me around a Casino...telling me where and what to do in the Casino. The one armed bandit just finished adding me on its list... dammit!

Visiting the Royal Ontario Museum gave me a realization that the Philippines strives really hard to be on the world map.
After figuring out the railway system of the greater Toronto area, I finally got off the station where the musuem was.
The main exhibit was about pearls... Yes, pearls. Well, I was already there?! Why complain? tell meis there is a man alive that wears pearls? It's us men who do the diving and culturing and women end up wearing em... sheesh...

Well, that was yesterday...

Today, Ate Jay, Joshua and Jade took a day off... Yes, J is the magic letter-you had to read back didn't you?

We went to the doctor to get the kids checked up and to the Science Museum...nothing to report, do I need to compare the Science centrum in Pedro Gil? hmmm... why?

Anyways, discovery discovery..I started missing the classroom. A tad bit of history and loads of Science stuff... General Information wasn't this fun...

about the title of this entry?

The largest pearl ever found in the world (the size of a man's head) and the longest snake (Boa Constrictor) was found in Palawan.

Plus! the greatest pearl divers in the world, the Badjaos dives to a depth of 125 feet! more than regular scuba divers, with just swimming shorts and home-made goggles...

I left my camera... of the things I could leave, I had to leave my camera...accidentally of course!
When I was in the Union station getting ready to board my train, I realized that my digital camera was not where it was supposed to be?! in my jacket pocket... Then, I searched my backpack...it wasn't there. Damn.

The train was scheduled to leave at 9:40 am. It did, on the dot. The seats we're far larger than the economy seats on a regular plane. It was more like the seats on the Business class. It came with a foot rest and it was also like a lazy boy! It had that thing that popped out from underneath to give your calves a rest.

On next two stops after leaving Toronto, I was all alone. No one was seating beside me. I was on the 81 chapter of the Da Vinci code when a lady in blue jeans motioned if the seat beside me was empty. Even if it were, I think I could have said it wasn't. She had brunette hair and gray eyes and a rosy white cheeks. Typical caucassion girl in the cold. I helped her bring her big luggage up on the overhead compartment which sparked the series of conversation which was occasionally paused by trips to the washroom (CR, restroom, Banyo), to the eating car (where they searve food, but I'm sure they call it by another name) or when she starts working on her scarf whcih she is graciously knitting or when I beghin reading the Da Vinci code, and the magazine that was supposed to help me understand it.

Here is a list the conversations one might want to bring up when in transit with an attractive person of the opposite sex.

1. Where she's coming from (obviously this one's from Buffalo New York, coz that's where she boarded). I asked her if she was from Buffalo. She said "Yes". End of conversation.

5 minutes later

2. "Where are you going/headed?" This time, she was the one who asked. "New York..." "all the way to Pen Station?" she followed. "Yes" I politely answered. "Oh". end of conversation.

A few feet of scarf and several chapters later

3. Going home or out for the holidays?
4. Nice/stupied weather.
5. What's that? (if she's reading a book, knitting, looking at pictures) show interest in what she's doing... make sure you won't approach annoyingly.
6. Do you have the time?
7. Talk about the other passengers.
8. Comment on the comfort/or lack of confort of the trip.
9. Hunger
10. Tell her that you'd love to have a taste of good coffee or tea right then and there. SHe will most likely reply "Yeah, sounds good." then end the converstation.

Before you know it, you both will be having a funny conversation (Avoid saying too much about yourself). Then, you'll be getting her number and name.
As for me, I got her name, Brittney. I didn't bother to get the number, although we both we're T-mobilers... But that's all it.

Arriving at Pen Station, I had to help an old lady with her baggages. The number of luggage she was carrying was enough for two grown men!
I was confused to which tunnel to take to get to the R train that will bring me to Queens. So, I did the next logical thing. Go up the streets!
The Pen station entrance was littered with all the nationalities of the world! You name it, Im sure in a square mile, you'd find it. Teenagers dressed (kinda, they were almost wearing table napkins) in the their skimpiest go get her outfit. Made me glance once or twice. Or thrice.

Thwn, looking like the tourist that I am, I looked for the subway entrance with a Yellow circle with an R on it.
On the train to Queens I listenned to an array of familiar tunes. I popped in the Side-A CD. Thoughts ran through my minds, images of the passed made me smile, so did images if imagined future. Then, from time to time, a reality of things that is materializing in front of me. I'm in New York, the Big Apple, Ground Zero...

Waking up a bit late and openning the TV just in time to see the Thanksgiving parade winding down, I found myself back in a place where I have dreamed of going, when I was a kid.

After a brief brunch, I proceeded straight to the Subway. I got myself a 21 dollar week pass and headed straight to the heart of New York City-Manhattan's Time's Square.

People were everywhere, as expected. People with cameras darted from every direction. It was the melting pot for cultures, a veritable prism of skin tones. Italian, Spanish, Indian, Tagalog, Bisaya, Russian, European, Brooklyn and Redneck English whizzed through my ears as I tried to manage my way through the flood of people creating chaos on the streets of Manhattan.

While walking, I felt a type of alienation, a kind of loneliness... I did the next best thing: called up the people I would have loved to be with at that time.

My friends!

They were at the CAfe', memories of our past and their images soon came rushing in my mind, side by side with daydreaming of how it would be like to go around Times Square with them by my side. A loud "sigh" was in my heart.

It was as if the gods we're trying to make an MTV out of my lonely Manhatten sightseeing. The music of David Gray played from my earphones. His cool, quick beated yet light tones contrasted with the fast paced movements of the living Time's Square. The gods made the heavens pour rain on the dirty Manhattan streets, as if washing away the grime that was created from the mornings Thanksgiving Parade. Alone, walking on the drenched 42nd street, with the background music the rain and thoughts of friends was too much.
I had to get out, escape-get in...

...Get in the AMC 25 theatre and go see National Treasure. A brief reaction: If you've read the Da Vinci code, I think the screenplay was haphazardly created to get a hold of the plot and storyline to create a film that resembles the advenures of Langdon and Sophie against Feche, before anyone else could. Conspiracy, an academic, a beautiful woman and the Law tailing them, was enough for me to figure our the semblance.
All in all though, the movie itself, with Nicholas Cage, is not such a bad movie. Anyone who has not read Dan Browns Novel would find it original and witty... Anyone who's read the Novel or is a Member of the Order of Masons would be interested in seeing it. In the end, the movie wins.

On the way back home, True Faith has accompanied me through several Subway stops of daydreaming. Daydreaming of that day when I would get to go back to Manhattan and show everything to...hmmm

For Dinner, I had a 12 ounce New york strip steak, Uncle Andy had veal, Turkey and Sangria and Auntie Mercy had a pound and a quarter of Lobster. Afterwhich we zigzag around Manhattan for the Andy style tour of the city.

goodnight

You will love it here. Going around the shops along 5th avenue, kahit wala tayong pera. Sitting sa Central Park feeding the pigeons (which reminds me of Antigone) and the curious squirrels. Watching people walk their gorgeous dogs and kids hehe... Walking quietly in the different museums. Posing in the middle of Times Square, in front of that half naked-guitar playing-cowboy, or posing under a maple tree with all its bright yellew leaves. Going to the Petting zoo, and taking your pictures there... Going on the USS Intrepid, the aircraft carrier and take pictures there as well. Going around the city on the subway... mapapasyal pa kaya kita dito the way I just described it? The way I imagined it... Sana, it would be a most happy day for me.

I have to admit, I'm missing you terribly. I dont know the consequences of me telling you this or if it's gonna make an effect whatsoever. I just wanted to tell someone how I feel. Who more fitting than you right?

I miss making you smile, laugh, react with that trademark "he-he"... Making you do stupid things that just makes us feel free... I miss holding your hand when we sing Ama namin in church... I miss sitting beside you on the second to the last benchs of the middle benches at St. Therese. I miss glancing over my shoulder in the CAfe' and see if your still there, still enjoying yourself and friends.
I miss playing True Faith and The way you look tonight sa Cafe' and know that I only dedicate the songs for you, hoping that you'd hear each and every message.

I still play True Faith, on my CD player. It's actually playing now.

No, this is not about me paying rent. It's about the broadway musical RENT by Jonathan Larson who was responsible for the Lyrics, Book and Music. In a twisted turn of Fate, Lason died the night before the Debut of his world broadway show. It was sais that he committed suicide but the General story was that he died of aortic aneursym.

The story of Rent is about Bisexuals, Drugs, AIDS, the homeless, Anarchy.. Anarchy? With an interesting story line that attracts the younger audience, but would not fail to get the ire of the older broadway going audience, RENT will continue to life a ripe old age on the streets of 41st street.

The Nederlander Theatre is home to this awe-inspiring production. It's raw portrayal of homosexuality, personal trial, man against man brought it to greater heights that would make it's unforgetful lines echo in the Thetre world for years to come.

"525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love."

Familiar? it's Seasons of Love from the 2nd act of the play. The company will send tingles up ones spine and leave goosebumps all over your body after the Company's set...

A must see whn one goes to Ne York City, RENT makes a theatre person proud enough for being what he is, a thetre person. I'm not making any sense anymore...

The last line, "No day but today" basically left a mark on myself. Life really is about today... today is a product of what decisions one has made the day before and today is a precrsor to tomorrow...

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/rent/seasonsoflove.htm

http://www.siteforrent.com/