"Dubai is like an oasis. It is an illusion, not real. You think you have seen water in the distance, but you get close and you only get a mouthful of sand."
*** From the Huffington Post.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
there will be blood
After more than a year, I'll be reading something other than Harry Potter. I haven't been "reading" for a while now. I know I should considering all the free time that I've been getting lately. I admit, I spend way too much time on the web and watching telly. And so before I completely run out of brain cells, it's time to feed me some food for the brain. Yesterday, I visited the local library to borrow some books. I picked up Clive Barker's Mister B. Gone and Ryu Murakami's Audition. Both of the horror genre and promise to deliver bloody (pun intended) good stories.
The plan is to read the two books in 3 weeks. Reading a chapter or two before I hit the sack and if I can, just before getting out of bed. The books should be interesting enough to keep me hooked. But with so much distractions around, even the best laid plans can go awry. So help me God.
What's your bedside reading?
The plan is to read the two books in 3 weeks. Reading a chapter or two before I hit the sack and if I can, just before getting out of bed. The books should be interesting enough to keep me hooked. But with so much distractions around, even the best laid plans can go awry. So help me God.
What's your bedside reading?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
hp 6
Like a true Potterhead, I watched the new Harry Potter film on its first screening day. Together with a few friends, avid Potter fans like me, we trooped to the cinema last night.
I've always treated the HP movies different from the books. Personally, I like the books better. Only because when you read the books, you let your imagination go wild and interpret the words and stories in whatever way you want it to be. But I like movies too. I'm a visual person, first and foremost. So it is a treat for me to watch the stunning details of other people's interpretation of the book.
Before we forget anything, The Harry Potter movies are films based on the novels. It says so in the credits of the film. Knowing this, we must accept that there will be stuff from the book that won't be in the movie. The newest installment is just that. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the filmmakers' interpretation of the book. And I liked it.
Here are 15 things I thought when I sat the entire 153 minutes of the film.
1. The visuals are great; the special effects superb. This is the most picturesque HP film to date.
2. And the most magical film too. The details, omg! From Slughorn's wrecked house to Weasleys' wizarding shop, amazing!
3. They've all grown old. Too old to be 16 year- olds. I mean, is that Neville Longbottom? He looked like somebody else's dad.
4. Question: How tall is Draco Malfoy?
5. In the previous films, I didn't think the filmmakers understood what Quidditch is. In this one, however, they finally got it. And it's bout time because there is no Quidditch in the final book. The Quidditch scenes are probably the most enjoyable parts of the movie. Fast-paced and full of action, an exhilarating experience.
6. Lavender Brown is Stifler's mom.
7. Was the script written by a stand-up comic? There are more laughs here than the first 5 movies combined.
8. Answer: Draco Malfoy must be at least 10 feet tall.
9. The Siege of the Burrow is stunning. S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!
10. Bellatrix Lestrange is wicked. Helena Bonham-Carter's performance is so good, it's evil.
11. Jim Broadbent shines as Professor Slughorn.
12. Note to Harry: Wear heels if you're standing next to Ginny.
13. After about an hour and a half, you'll slightly feel it to drag a bit.
14. If you didn't read the book, you wouldn't understand why he was called the Half-Blood Prince.
15. The battle of Hogwarts there wasn't. Bummer.
I've always treated the HP movies different from the books. Personally, I like the books better. Only because when you read the books, you let your imagination go wild and interpret the words and stories in whatever way you want it to be. But I like movies too. I'm a visual person, first and foremost. So it is a treat for me to watch the stunning details of other people's interpretation of the book.
Before we forget anything, The Harry Potter movies are films based on the novels. It says so in the credits of the film. Knowing this, we must accept that there will be stuff from the book that won't be in the movie. The newest installment is just that. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the filmmakers' interpretation of the book. And I liked it.
Here are 15 things I thought when I sat the entire 153 minutes of the film.
1. The visuals are great; the special effects superb. This is the most picturesque HP film to date.
2. And the most magical film too. The details, omg! From Slughorn's wrecked house to Weasleys' wizarding shop, amazing!
3. They've all grown old. Too old to be 16 year- olds. I mean, is that Neville Longbottom? He looked like somebody else's dad.
4. Question: How tall is Draco Malfoy?
5. In the previous films, I didn't think the filmmakers understood what Quidditch is. In this one, however, they finally got it. And it's bout time because there is no Quidditch in the final book. The Quidditch scenes are probably the most enjoyable parts of the movie. Fast-paced and full of action, an exhilarating experience.
6. Lavender Brown is Stifler's mom.
7. Was the script written by a stand-up comic? There are more laughs here than the first 5 movies combined.
8. Answer: Draco Malfoy must be at least 10 feet tall.
9. The Siege of the Burrow is stunning. S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!
10. Bellatrix Lestrange is wicked. Helena Bonham-Carter's performance is so good, it's evil.
11. Jim Broadbent shines as Professor Slughorn.
12. Note to Harry: Wear heels if you're standing next to Ginny.
13. After about an hour and a half, you'll slightly feel it to drag a bit.
14. If you didn't read the book, you wouldn't understand why he was called the Half-Blood Prince.
15. The battle of Hogwarts there wasn't. Bummer.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
15.
The outcome was the inevitable but getting there was definitely an amazing surprise. Roger Federer's history making win was nothing short of a classic.
Federer had to work hard for more than 4 hours to seal the victory against Roddick which was contrary to what experts predicted. Pundits expected annihilation from Roger but it didn't come. Instead spectators were treated to a marathon match as the two players matched each other's shots, strides and massive serves.
ARod, the runner-up, played the match of his life and he still came up second best. And I feel sorry for him because the 5 set thriller is dramatic proof how he worked hard to be there. A lot of people already dismissed him and said he was already done and yet he kept on fighting. He displayed a tremendous amount of resilience most especially after the disappointment in the second set. Deep down in mind I know Federer was going to win but as the match progressed, Roddick pulled enough tricks to make one think that he could pull a Nadal. And I'm sure the 15000 people inside the Centre Court wouldn't have minded. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Roddick sure had a few chances, especially in the second and a couple more in the last set but Federer was just too good and produced big shots when it mattered. It just goes to show what sort of player Roger Federer is. He is a true champion and unbelievable player; and his latest win further bolsters his argument for Greatest Of All-Time status. Congratulations.
And to Roddick, a big hand. I hope he wins another title in the future. History proves that the brave is always rewarded, perhaps not today but hopefully soon.
one great photo.
Federer had to work hard for more than 4 hours to seal the victory against Roddick which was contrary to what experts predicted. Pundits expected annihilation from Roger but it didn't come. Instead spectators were treated to a marathon match as the two players matched each other's shots, strides and massive serves.
ARod, the runner-up, played the match of his life and he still came up second best. And I feel sorry for him because the 5 set thriller is dramatic proof how he worked hard to be there. A lot of people already dismissed him and said he was already done and yet he kept on fighting. He displayed a tremendous amount of resilience most especially after the disappointment in the second set. Deep down in mind I know Federer was going to win but as the match progressed, Roddick pulled enough tricks to make one think that he could pull a Nadal. And I'm sure the 15000 people inside the Centre Court wouldn't have minded. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Roddick sure had a few chances, especially in the second and a couple more in the last set but Federer was just too good and produced big shots when it mattered. It just goes to show what sort of player Roger Federer is. He is a true champion and unbelievable player; and his latest win further bolsters his argument for Greatest Of All-Time status. Congratulations.
And to Roddick, a big hand. I hope he wins another title in the future. History proves that the brave is always rewarded, perhaps not today but hopefully soon.
one great photo.
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