I figure I should write something here, but I’m not in a write-something mood, so the following paragraphs will be written in a disjointed, haphazard way as I will look back less often for corrections.
I have seen two great movies these last few weeks. They are all by Mexican filmmakers. The movies: Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men and Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth. Both are fantasy pieces, or rather fantasy pieces firmly grounded on reality. Really, this is my type of fiction! Both movies made it to my recent top favorites. Also add Alfonso Cuaron as one of my top favorite filmmakers.
I became addicted to the US version of The Office. It’s been three seasons, and the jokes and the plot and the sexual tension haven’t gotten old yet. Characters are adorable (even the annoying ones), and the ongoing story is engaging – and very unpredictable. The general viewing feeling I get is a cross between watching a guilty pleasure soap and a really cool anime. Kudos to the writers.
I’ve only seen one episode of the original UK version of the show, and it’s very different. The humor is more based on reality, and is nonmistakeably Brit. The US version is more over-the-top and animated, and is easier to get into. I guess the latter is the funnier one for me, maybe because I am already used to American humor. On the other hand, I haven’t really seen enough of the UK series yet.
House, M.D. was at a low point in terms of writing during the arc with that bad guy detective (except for that episode when House starts to become a real asshole and hurt and hate and be hated by his friends. After that episode he was back to his usual smartass self again, unfortunately. Why didn’t they go farther with this, I wonder), but just right after that, and until the last episode so far, the writing suddenly became snappy and interesting again. And playful. I’m liking the show again.
Okay, my friends (esp. my girlfriend) will hate me, but here’s the truth: at this point in time, Heroes is not the series I quite expected it to be. It started out really good, a superb mix of characterization, drama and suspense. Eventually, the show became a comic book – the usual kind. It is somewhat frustrating, because they could have made it into something different, a realistic and gritty drama, maybe. It could have revolutionized the genre. Alas, it fell into the usual conventions of usual superhero fare. On the other hand, the show is interesting enough for me to watch all the way through. It’s just too bad that my appreciation for the show has shallowed.
I am a Guitar Hero man! I have finished all regular song lineups on both Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II, all with 5-star scores, except for two f#$%#g hard songs on the former.
In other gaming news. Finally bought a legit copy of Company of Heroes. Haven’t played multiplayer much, but so far I was able to win one or two games there. I need to find some time to play this more.
Also playing: Tomb Raider Legend and God Hand, both PS2. Both exceptionally interesting games.
I bought a new lens! It’s a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8. It’s one of the lenses I very badly wanted to have when I was just starting out with SLRs, but somehow my priorities changed and I really wanted a 17-50mm or 18-50mm 2.8. But, the lens was a bargain – I bought it for Php10,000 cheaper than a brand new one, and it still looks like new. It should be perfect for covering events, which I am currently doing at my company’s photo club. It’s a bit heavy, though, so it might prove a problem for me during trips to faraway places (I prefer lighter and wider).
I took a side job designing and implementing IT solutions for a certain company here. (a gaming company, very cool because I can play Xbox 360 at my leisure!) It involves setting up Linux servers, among other things. I am very into it, and am very glad to use Linux again as a means to improve somebody’s IT network. It’s working quite well, so far. I have more projects coming up too, because I’ll be working on the sister company’s IT stuff, too.
Contrasting that to my actual day job – a big BORE. If only I did not need to save up for my future trip. Really, I think this is the lowest point of my working here. Nothing very interesting to do at all. I mostly end up just surfing the net (and writing blogs :P). Well, there’s this training in Singapore next month for a week (also, the girlfriend is tagging along, yay), but aside from that, nothing to really look forward to.
Downside to all that watching and working is, I neglect my music life. I frequently miss out playing at my band’s gigs, and I am supposed to already finish mixing this one song we recorded, for public release.
Okay, can’t think of anything else to write. This is the paragraph that ends this post.