Rational Madness

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Moving is such a hassle. You think you got it down pat and when it's time to reopen the boxes, some items are missing and you find yourself needing divine intervention to help you find those things. Such was what happened to me yesterday.

We moved to a different location last weekend. I thought I had learned from the previous move five months ago but NO. This time, I thought I lost a $200 check and my Globe prepaid load. Dang! I tried looking for the most obvious places but it wasn't there! So I prayed hard to God to help me find it. $200 is a lot of money, for Pete's sakes!

So it came to me in a dream, where to find it. The next morning, I looked into my wallet and there it was. Fresh and gleaming. Sigh. Thank the good Lord!
Moving Lesson #1: Keep the most important things in one location and remember that you kept them there!

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More to come soon!

she told the story ... 10:25 PM

Monday, January 09, 2006

First of all, let me just state that in my opinion, no movie version can EVER top the book. That being said, I think the movie version of Memoirs of a Geisha is a good enough, entertaining film if you're willing to forgive a few flaws.

I have not finished reading the book, I am ashamed to say. So whatever I come up with here is a product of watching the movie.

I already like the story. There's something mystifying about a geisha. As a child I thought the makeup scary-- like a clown with pretty red lips. As a teenager, I thought it exquisite, precise. But the only thing I really know about geisha is the makeup, nothing more. To actually learn of what they do and their purpose in life is really interesting. This here says so much of what these women do. What I learned in 2 and a half hours beats me poring over books just trying to understand the life and times of a geisha.

Because the movie was mainly shot in a makeshift set in Los Angeles, there wasn't much the cinematographer could do-- nor could you. Mind you, the set was not displeasing. It just gives you a limited vision of an already limited world. However, if you focused on the story, you wouldn't even mind the weak spot in the mise-en-scene.

I have never been a fan of Michelle Yeoh's but in Memoirs, she's definitely a scene stealer. She portrayed a mature, elegant and sophisticated geisha in Mameha. You can really see the former Miss Malaysia in her. You'll be surprised how I also find Nobu's (Koji Yakusho) performance striking. He's got the right blend of stern, stiff shrew of a guy with a pious heart. Ken Watanabe (Chairman) makes for the stark contrast to Nobu. Kind, sweet and the eyes say it all. Ziyi Zhang gives a fair performance as Sayuri, though not my favorite. I was kind of bothered by her Chinese accent in Japanese but American-made movie. But she's alright. And please don't expect her eyes to be as blue as the ones in the poster. It's supposed to be gray but I guess the Photoshop editors thought it looks better if she had blue eyes.

I do not understand the fuss the Japanese actors made about casting other Asian actors in this movie. This is Hollywood, equal opportunity, my friends. If it were made in Japan they can say that, but in Hollywood, star quality counts. Of course, the Chinese accent bothered me admittedly but hey, Ziyi makes for a good Geisha. At least, the American producers did not dare cast white actors as geisha. That would have been truly out of sync.

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Erm, if you're wondering about the title.. let me tell you a little story. There's this b*tch of a lady sitting at our back who kept talking by herself throughout the movie... The people would shush her and she would shush back!!! You do not know how annoying it is to watch a movie with a running commentary on the background saying, "Yes, yes... Emphasize!"

she told the story ... 12:01 AM

Sunday, January 01, 2006

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You know, Filipinos have it good. Really. You do not know how unbelievably boring our New Year's celebration was. You know that whole shebang on Times Square where they count down the time till it's 2006? Well, that doesn't represent what's going on in the country. I think they may be the only ones who were having that much fun in America.

I didn't see any fireworks, didn't hear any firecrackers.. in fact, in the neighborhood, we were the only house that's still alive at 12 am! What the..?! I suddenly miss those blaring car horns, the cans that trail tricycles and those dangerous firecrackers on the streets!

Still we tried to celebrate 2006 as best we can. The year of the Fire Dog should hold a lot for such a one as born on 1982. Mois, included. I hope things just keep getting better.

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1) Was 2005 a good year for you? Good enough
2) What was your favorite moment of the year? Halloween costume party
3) What was your least favorite moment of the year? When I had to leave the Philippines
4) Did you miss anybody in the past year? sobrang maraming marami!
5) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2005? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
6) What was your favorite song from 2005?Hanggang Kailan and Makita Kang Muli
7) What was your favorite record from 2005? Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway
8) How much money did you spend in 2005? More than I ever had in my entire life :D But it's all worth it.. seriously.
9) What was your proudest moment of 2005? Going Live on GKTV newsbreak. Yipee
10) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2005 and change something. what would it be? Everything happens for a reason and whatever happened the past year made me a better person today
11) What are your plans for 2006? learn how to drive, make leche flan and go to a different country/place.

she told the story ... 8:25 PM