I Can Has Nothing Better To Do

Comment to this post and I will give you 5 subjects/things I associate you with. Then post this in your blog and elaborate on the subjects given!

tech-challenged

Dear tech-savvy people,

I want to buy an external HDD.

I know what I want. I want a cheap but durable HDD with at least 160gb capacity. BUT - I don't think I can just walk into a computer shop and say those words without putting a big "DUMB" advertisement across my forehead. Or get lost in tech-talk and buy something I really don't need.

Uh, a little help to make this stupid person look halfway techie, please?

What's the difference between an external HDD and iHDD + enclosure, anyway? Any brand suggestions? I'm torn between Seagate and Western Digital (but only because I kept reading about those two) but if there's another alternative, let me know.

Will HDD work with DVD players with USB slot?

Any other things I should know about? Helpful hints, comments, suggestions? Free HDD?

Love,
Stupid non-techie person

Yin and Yang

Taglish muna, I'm just going along with my thoughts right now, ayoko ng ipagpabukas or magdraft ng something na English. Ganon din naman eh, magra-ramble din ako at hindi niyo din mage-gets.

Ang tagal na mula ng huli akong makaramdam ng anything, something close to... resentment. Dapat masaya ako ngayon, pero bakit parang palaging may kulang. Or, mas correct, wala namang kulang, tama naman lahat sa buhay mo pero may makikita ka, or madidinig at maiisip mo, "gusto ko yun".

Pero hindi naman ata resentment ang tawag dun. Ewan ko, sabi ko nga tina-type ko lang yung naiisip ko. Resentment was the first word that comes to mind nung na-feel ko tong... feeling na ito.

Ayokong i-second guess yung mga naging decisions ko. There's nothing wrong with my life, there's nothing with who I am now, but why won't other people let me be happy about myself?

Tapos makikita mo yung ibang tao, and you wonder why they had it so easy. Although I'm sure they have their own struggles, pero I can't help but feel jealous. They don't have to give up so much to get what they want.

You want something so bad pero parang ang hirap maabot. So you give up on your dreams and after awhile feel liberated and happy na this time, you don't have to try so damn hard. At binago mo yung direction ng buhay mo, kasi nga you're no longer living for that dream.

And then biglang nagbago ang ihip ng hangin. Naisip mo yung dream na iniwan mo at naisip mo gusto mo pa din. Gustong gusto pa din. Pero paano ka magsisimula uli kung bumitaw ka na?



Bwisit. Bakit ba ako bumalik sa pagiging ma-angst na blogger? Ayoko ng mag-blog hopping, kung ano ano ang nababasa ko.

Death by TV

All of a sudden, going to Lovapalooza - you know, that event on Valentine's Day when lovers are allowed to kiss in public to set a world record - seem such a WONDERFUL IDEA than staying at home, never mind that I'm not feeling well and is very much a single and will be in the company of lovers, lovers, and more lovers kissing.

What changed my mind?

I'm not even watching TV now but I can hear what they are watching - this Aga/Anne Curtis starrer in which Anne is such a hot, lovable, independent, hot, beautiful, intelligent, hot, rich and did I mention hot Mary Sue who falls for Aga because OMG he is the only one who loves her as much as her father does. And did I mention she was reluctant at first to start a relationship with him because OMG he loves her so much because she's hot, independent, hot, beautiful, whatever and did I mention hot and she will just hurt him because she can't love him as much as he loves her? And did I also mention that she suddenly was all sad and pining and her loyal friend was surprised that she's acting this way because other guys have gone crazy over her hotness but she never acted that way?

My head's aching.

(thank you Bom for the tickets. I really wish I was at the event and not just because of Anne. *sniff*)

14 Days To Love - Day 14

Julia: The right one, ah... I always envisioned the right one being someone I could see myself growing old with.

THE WEDDING SINGER (1998)






Notes:

What better way to end this project than by quoting my favorite romantic comedy film? :)

There's nothing complicated or angsty or flashy about this line, but it summed up what I always believed in about love - that the right one is someone you can see yourself growing old with, the one who's with you even after the flash and pomp and fireworks have gone, to be replaced by the ordinary and the mundane, and yet still make you feel excited and grateful for each day that you are together.

14 Days To Love - Day 13

Domyouji: Makino have you ever eaten a fig?

Makino: Huh?

Domyouji: What do fig tastes like?

Makino: Aren't they sweet and sour...

Domyouji: When you cut a fig in half, it looks like a heart, so some say its bitterness is like love... But to me, the flavor of love... tastes like the lousy cookie you made.

Jela: *flails madly*

HANA YORI DANGO, Season 2 (2007)







Notes:

My previous post was from Season 1, okay, so technically this is a different jdrama. And no, the last part you will not find in the drama (unless you'd react the same way I did then change the name to your name).

Again, the dialogue, while quite funny, can't convey enough how awesome the exchange was. After Domyouji said the last line, he gave Makino this look, part-sneering, part-puppy-eyed-please-love-me-again look. And it's just so wonderful! Love confession, ALMIGHTY Domyouji style! I'll tell you I love by criticizing the cookie you gave me, the cookie I preserved and kept near my bed for one year before taking a bite of! (what he really wanted to say: Love me! Love me! Choose me! Let me make you happy!)

Anyway, after that beautiful ending in season 1, season 2 presented various roadblocks to the Domyouji/Makino romance, much of which is due to Domyouji's stubborness (I invariably want to stab him and hug him and tell him everything will turn out right). So of course, an arrogant declaration of love would solve their problems. Yeah right.

It's still romantic, though.

Got V?

I received a lot of emails today with the subjects “Advance Valentine’s Day!” or “Advance Happy Hearts Day!” and each time I mumbled to myself, “Advance? Did they intend to send these yesterday and forgot and are now too lazy to change the subjects?” and immediately deleted the messages. (If you’re among those who send me a V-day email, sorry that I didn't read it, it’s just I’ve received the same kinds of emails before (not minutes ago but years ago) and already know and don’t care about the gist of the message).

Then I realized that today is only the 13th and tomorrow is the Valentine’s Day. Oops.

In my defense, the mix up is forgivable because I’m already seeing too many flowers and balloons and chocolates and couples being extra sweet with one another today that I overlooked the date. And yes, that means I’m still going to see the same things tomorrow. How… exciting.


Before I greet you, let me first unstab my heart that’s been abused by songs my officemates deem appropriate to listen to on the eve of Valentine’s, including but not limited to:

• Broken Vow (Lara Fabian)
• Almost Over You (Sheena Easton)
• Steep (Lauren Christy)
• Beauty and Madness (Fra Lippo Lippi)
• Is There Something (Christopher Cross)
• Hard Habit To Break (Chicago)

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone.

14 Days To Love - Day 12

Domyouji: I know you’re happy.

Makino: No way…

Domyouji: You liar. You’re in love with me.

Makino: I AM in love with you. You’re stupid, selfish and self-centered. I’ve fallen in love with…


HANA YORI DANGO, Season 1 (2005)








Notes:

The best, the BEST part about that exchange needs to be seen with your own eyes. Makino couldn’t finish her sentence because Domyouji, after hearing her say that she love him, suddenly hugged her. HE hugged her. He HUGGED her. He hugged HER. Excuse me, I need to stop myself first from squeeing.

Okay. Squeeing not quite over, how awesome was that scene from Hana Yori Dango? Domyouji, who love Makino unconditionally but had to endure her rejections, suddenly found Makino running after their private plane after she learned that he’s leaving for New York. Makino was crying while angrily berating Domyouji for being stupid, for going away without saying goodbye to her, and Domyouji FINALLY got a clue – Makino might just be in love with him. So while she was fuming and weepy, Domyouji had this little smile on his face. When he said “You’re in love with me”, he uttered it as a statement, but you can still see the uncertainty in his face. So when Makino AT LONG LAST admitted that she does love him, he hugged her and that hug said a million things more than the actual conversation. His face was OMG killing me – it’s a mixture of happiness, relief, gratitude and some sadness because he has to leave after. A very satisfying, fitting parting scene. Eeeee!

Don’t get me started on their kiss after that embrace. Eeeeee!

14 Days To Love - Day 11

Shan Cai: Dao Ming Si, we had a deal about the time. If we can still not be together then we will give up. And you will accept what your family has arranged for you… Ok?

Dao Ming Si: Why are you giving up?... If I can give up the first time we broke up, I would have given up already. I don’t even want to think that. We will be together.

Shan Cai: … I got it. We will be together.

Dao Ming Si: I miss you so much.


METEOR GARDEN, Season 1 (2001)





Notes:

OMG this scene! Conversing behind closed doors! Say what you want about Jerry Yan’s acting skills (or lack thereof), but here is one scene where his acting was understated and surprisingly good.

After he was locked in his own room by his mother and after F4 failed to rescue him, Shan Cai went to see Dao Ming Si. His mother only let her talk to him outside his room. Shan Cai was worried for Dao Ming Si, which is why she asked him to give up so we he wouldn't have to suffer. But Dao DOESN’T WANT TO. Aww.

Dao Ming Si might be physically strong, but his greatest strength is his utter conviction in his love for Shan Cai. So much so that it hurts so bad each time Shan Cai rejects him or waffles in her feelings between him and Lei...

...which brings me back to this scene. After Dao Ming Si said he’s still not giving up on her, Shan Cai finally understood Dao’s conviction and for the first time, stood up to fight for him. It was a quiet but effective moment; they weren’t being dramatic about their plight, Dao wasn’t even screaming, each was trying to be strong for one another. At the end when Dao said “I miss you so much”, he teared up a bit and you feel how much he means those words.

The Missing Piece

Can you tell what's missing here?

I'm serious here guys! My "J" stuff toy is missing! I was gone from the office for just 2 days and it's no longer there! It's not like it's expensive (it's a McDo Happy Meal toy), but my "E" stuff toy is missing its partner! It made no sense for it to exist!

Somebody better put it back in its place.

Was That A Game, Or What?

This is going to be a short post, but let me congratulate Talk and Text for capturing the Philippine Cup championship against Alaska Aces, 93-89. The championship series has been, well, dramatic (quite an understatement), and the tightly fought game 7 was a fitting ending for the conference.

I haven't been following PBA as religiously as before. It kinda got boring for me, plus I don't have anyone to discuss it with (like that actually prevents me from discussing my other obssessions, but still). The last time I watched a live PBA game was too looong ago.

Congrats to Chot, boo to Miller for missing those crucial free throws (good for me since it sealed the doom for Alaska, but I expect better pressure play from a former MVP).

14 Days To Love - Day 10

Takemoto Yuta: There were so many four-leaf clovers inside, though I could only find one of them after searching an entire day... During spring two years ago, we met in a place which seemed like a miracle... I was happy just being with her... But, even though she was right in front of me, the way I couldn't reach my hand out was always irritating... The person that I was, telling myself I would never obtain it, and staying quiet while doing nothing, always made me angry... The thing that made me realize this was Hagu-chan's kindness. The thing which pushed the cowardly person that I was Hagu-chan's strength... Until now, I always wondered if there was a point to a relationship which failed. I wondered if something which disappears and something that never happened were the same thing... But, now I understand that there was a meaning to it. Because I met Hagu-chan, the person I am today is here now. The day that everything will turn into memories will eventually come... However, I probably will remember the priceless time we spent together.



HONEY AND CLOVER, episode 11 (2008)







Notes:

Oh gosh. I couldn't watch this jdrama in one marathon session - every episode made me cry so much. But I love, love this drama! It's not quite as popular as it should be, others were bored by it, but I like its quiet appeal and the cinematography and the theme song and of course, Toma!

By now, you should have realized that I don't watch much happily-ever-after movies or dramas. The quote above was from the last episode of the drama and it never fails to tear me up whenever I watch it. Takemoto started out as this loser with an unrequited love for Hagu-chan (who in turn has romantic feelings for his friend Morita). Anyone who has ever had an unrequited love can fully sympathize with Takemoto - how it hurts to be so near that person and yet not find the courage to say what you feel. It's mostly a story of varying degrees of unrequited love among friends, but it's Takemoto's story that was the focus of the drama. Despite him becoming a better person after his personal journey, he still couldn't let go of his feelings for Hagu-chan. Maybe Takemoto will call that cowardice, but to walk away from those feelings, that takes a certain strength of character.

14 Days To Love - Day 9

Qiluo: I'm sorry. I asked you to model. In the end, it's forcing you to hurt yourself. I don't want you to model for me any more. I don't want to keep hurting you.

Ling: It's okay. It's you. I don't mind at all. I'm a little afraid, but I still want to see how I'd look in your painting. Before, I always thought there was nothing to be afraid of in this world. But ever since I met you, I've got a lot of things to be afraid of. Now what I'm afraid of most, is when you sit on the backseat of my motorcycle. I absolutely can't make mistake; I can't lose you like that.

Qiluo: You won't lose me.



MARS, Episode 4 (2004)







Notes:

Mars is a Taiwanese drama that I HIGHLY recommend to those who are fans of Vic Zhou (to those who are not, this is a good place to start). He is so hot, hot, HOT in this drama. That alone would have sold me on this, but he and Barbie Xu rocked their respective roles. I wouldn't recommend this, though, to those who like their dramas happy and fluffy, because this is one angsty drama that will tear at your soul.

But despite this drama being riddled with emo moments, I love that the leads were actually right for one another. It's not a star-crossed lover story - it made sense for them to be together because they brought out the best in one another. Ling (Vic Zhou) inspired a timid Qiluo (Barbie Xu) to be stronger and to rise above her horrible past and Qiluo provided the daredevil Ling a fresh purpose in life.

14 Days To Love - Day 8

Joey: How would you know what I need?

Pacey: You're probably right. I'm sure I don't have any idea what you're going through. How hard it is to let someone go. How painful it must be to know that as right as you two are for each other, it doesn't mean you're right for each other right now. I wouldn't know a thing about that. About how it makes you want to scream, or hit someone... or cry.

DAWSON'S CREEK, Season 3 (1999)

14 Days To Love - Day 7

Rose: When the ship docks, I’m getting off with you.

Jack: This is crazy!

Rose: I know! It doesn't make any sense. That's why I trust it.

TITANIC (1997)

14 Days To Love - Day 6

Sebastian: You spend all your time preaching about waiting for love. Well here it is. Right in front of you, and you're going to turn your back on it. So I guess we're just f***ed. I'll move on. But you are going to have to live the rest of your life knowing that you've turned your back on love. And that makes you a hypocrite. Have a nice life.

CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999)

Let Me Explain Myself

I KNOW.

I cheated on my 14 Days project. But no one's keeping score, right? So just enjoy the quotes I selected. :D None of it are really mushy (which is why I removed that word from my title) but don't worry, one day I'm going to give you a movie quote that isn't about hearts breaking.

(And yes, I know I quoted High Fidelity again but this is from the film, okay? Last year the quotes were from the book!)

I was feeling a bit depressed yesterday for a shallow reason.

I've been writing a short story (well, more like, putting words in a piece of paper hoping that the combinations of words and phrases will one day make sense). It's not a complicated story, really, more like a-day-in-a-life setting with a pseudo stream-of-consciousness kind of narration (yes, that's a literary device and yes, I don't think I'm using it the way it's supposed to be applied; that's why I put the "pseudo" part).

Yesterday, I got this idea to throw in a bit of conflict among my characters based on a song I was listening to. So for a few moments I was busy jotting down ideas on paper and drafting the speaking lines.

So what's making me sad? Well, while replaying the story in my head, I just feel a sadness for my characters. Imagine that - a story I created in my mind about fictional people with fictional stories and fictional conflicts is making me tear up inside! How lame! I have to buy Twix just to cheer myself up.

I think I'm going to revise my short story and make it a happy one.

14 Days to Love - Day 5

Iris: I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn't know you had inside you. And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door.

THE HOLIDAY (2006)

14 Days to Love - Day 4

Rob: It made sense to pool our collective loathing for the opposite sex, and while we were at it, you get to share a bed with somebody at the same time. We were frightened of being left alone for the rest of our lives. Only people of a certain disposition are frightened of being alone for the rest of their lives at the age of 26, and we were of that disposition.


HIGH FIDELITY (2000)

14 Days to Love - Day 3

Vada: Weeping willow with your tears running down, why do you always weep and frown? Is it because he left you one day? is it because he could not stay? On your branches he would swing, do you long for the happiness that day would bring? He found shelter in your shade. You thought his laughter would never fade. Weeping willow, stop your tears. There is something to calm you fears. You think death has ripped you forever apart. But I know he'll always be in your heart.


MY GIRL (1991)

How To Slowly Kill Yourself

Watch Marian Rivera's latest telenovela.

I tuned in for the LOLZ factor. What I didn't realize was the LOLZ factor wasn't even funny, it's headache-inducing.

1. Dingdong Dantes solves giant jigsaw puzzles and plays the saxophone. Are we supposed to believe that those make him deep? Not to mention that Domyouji Tsukasa solves jigsaw puzzles and Hanazawa Rui plays the violin in Hana Yori Dango, so yeah, plus points for nicking ideas.
2. I hear instrumentals of It Might Be You in the background. Vomit.
3. Of course the leading man's girlfriend is cheating on him. Of course they're only together because they're both from rich families. Of course the villanious girlfriend chainsmokes and wears slutty clothes. Of course she refers to her paramour as "bebe". Vooomit.
4. For someone who's playing a mysterious character, Marian leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. She's mysterious because she sneaks in at other people's houses with no apparent motive? Watch me not care. Yaawwn.
5. And the way she speaks? More vomit.
6. And the way she seduces Dingdong? Cringe. Gag. Vomit. Pass out. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

14 Days to Love - Day 2

Dan: I fell in love with her, Alice.

Alice: Oh, as if you had no choice? There's a moment, there's always a moment, "I can do this, I can give into this, or I can resist it", and I don't know when your moment was, but I bet you there was one.

CLOSER (2004)

14 Days To Love - Day 1

Geoffrey Chaucer: There she is, William. The embodiment of love. Your Venus.

William Thatcher: And how I hate her.

A KNIGHT'S TALE (2001)






Notes:

I did not promise romantic, okay? But hey, this IS romantic. Funny, too.

At first I wanted to quote William's "My dearest Jocelyn" letter, but after rewatching this movie, I decided the dialogue above is more awesome.

William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) is a con-knight and Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) is his strong-willed damsel. He tried to impress her by vowing to win the jousting tournament for her. She challenged him to LOSE the tournament, instead, to prove his love.

To the surprise and horror of his loyal band, he voluntarily lose his first match. Jocelyn then requested that if he really loves her, he will NOT LOSE any more matches. Hence, the lines above!

For me, the way William said "And how I hate her" is romantic precisely because he doesn't really hate HATE her. It's merely frustration that he got caught in her spell and that she knew it and knew how to use it to her advantage. And face it - women can be hard to understand sometimes, and men in love are only too willing to go with what will make their ladies happy.