Carnivále

I just finished watching two seasons of HBO's Carnivále.  My gosh.  I'm glad I finally got around to it.  Thank goodness for torrents.  Lol!

Years ago when it was playing on HBO back home, a friend mentioned the show and really encouraged me to watch it. But I never got to watch any episode because I always end up catching it when it was playing right in the middle of an episode already, while I was browsing through channels.

Anyway, years later (this year in fact), I still remember that recommendation and decided to try it.  Well what do you know, it's now my favorite show.  Better than Rome, Game of Thrones, Lost, etc., if not the best.  I can't believe it.  If this show was broadcast at the time of Twitter and FB, etc., I think it may have had enjoyed more popularity.  But then again maybe not.  Many good shows today get the ax and the not so good ones remain.

And the actors were all good - especially Nick Stahl, Michael J. Anderson, and Amy Madigan.  Wow.  It feels kinda bad that Nick Stahl doesn't seem to be too active these days.  It's a pity.  (I also liked Terminator 3 where Nick Stahl was in, vs the second one).

The set and production design alone for Carnivále was worth buying the DVD sets for the two seasons for which the show ran.  It's like I just collected something historical, almost factual, but in very good art form.  My goodness.  I'm just so amazed by it.  HBO's Rome's set design/production effort paled next to this one.  Gosh.  *shakes head*  I liked Rome, Game of Thrones, Lost etc but none of them made me buy their DVDs.  I may have thought it but I never did/decided not to.  But for this show, I did.  Especially when it's probably getting harder to find original DVDs for it as time goes on.  It's a great show.  I wish it went on for more than 2 seasons but it's all right too that it stopped where it did.  Great ending. 

These Made My Day

I saw some robin's eggs one weekend two weeks ago at a friend's place in the country.  I never thought I'd see any, let alone 4 in a nest too, but I have.  Seeing them certainly made my day.

 

the robin's nest in an overturned canoe stored in the garage,

image that's closer to how it looked (without flash)

 

 w/ flash

there they are

Colombia and the Philippines...No Reservations

I'm just now watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations as I get ready to leave later for some little neighborhood shopping (it's soooo sunny hot outside...).  The episode is set in Colombia.  Amazing how many things are similar between Colombia and the Philippines.  It's crazy!

Even the streetside restaurant where Anthony is having his lunch with a local coulde be a streetside restaurant in Manila, in a semi-residential street in Manila's Malate district.  It looked like that part of Manila except the people look different.  Lol!

Then they have these colorful little buses for public transport that's pretty much like Manila's jeepneys except they're buses!  Complete with the barker or guy that shouts the routes out for commuters looking to get on the right bus, the markings of the routes on the buses' windshields, etc.

And then of course, the food.  They went to a local market where there were many different sorts of tropical fruits.  One of which was a caimito that Anthony tried.  Caimitos are also available in the Philippines.  One wonders if the Philippines got those from South America originally or vice versa during the heydays of the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade... a version of globalization for that time.  Amazing!

Another food they have which the Philippines has too is the chicharron, and the chunchullo (Colombian term).  The Philippines also has chicharron, and chunchullo would be the Philippines' chicharon bulaklak.  The latter are fritterlings of pork intestines.  They are yummy but more of a guilty pleasure sort of food, mainly consumed as a snack.   I wonder if Anthony knew just how much bad cholesterol he was chowing on when he had those.  Lol!  I remember some of my older family/relatives trying to shy away from consuming chicharon bulaklak because it's really unhealthy... a pig's internal organs deep fried to lip smacking crackling goodness! Lol!  :D  And dipped in vinegar in the Philippines as you eat them like chips.  

Colombia has empanada as well.  I love empanada!  Gah!  It's kinda obvious we probably got these pork recipes from the Spanish or perhaps once again, because of the galleon trade and the exchange of cultures and goods between Latin America and the Philippines that surely transpired along with it.

The people might look somewhat different but it's amazing how many things are similar between the Philippines and another place thousands of miles away.

The Rainbow Fish

I just got a new pet.  And it's kind of a spur of the moment purchase.  Lol.  A friend and I were out shopping and dropped by a pet store because my friend wants to have fish as pets.  I ended up going home with one for myself.

Meet Harry, my new pet fish.

 just splendid!

That's him in these pics, a male half moon betta splendens fish.  Because he was an unplanned purchase that day, I ended up having to buy a small aquarium for him right away too.  The little tank would be temporary.  If he lasts two months, I'll get him a better-sized tank with heater, a filter, and possibly some new companions like neon tetras.

He was just so cute when I saw him because he wasn't a dark blue nor a red-colored fish.  He's like a turquoise, teal, or indigo fish.  Sometimes blue.  Or whatever color the light reflects on him.  Actually, his color's like the rainbow's.  Lol!  So cool.  So don't forget to click on the pics to see them in lightbox format and larger too.

 

 Harry in turquoise

Harry in other colors

 

the rainbow fish

So now he's just in his little tank.  I'm planning on changing the stones in his tank.  I got a couple of turquoise and frosted white glass stones meant for vases.  I've now put him in the kitchen and away from sunlight.  He goes crazy with sunlight reflecting himself on his tank walls.  Like any betta fish, he flares his fins and becomes quite territorial seeing another like-sized fish in his domain, even if it's just a reflection of himself.  lol.  Decided not to stress out the poor thing the whole day so now he's in the kitchen where I go when I get up, getting ready for work and when I come home from work.

Harry in his little tank

Ski-Doo

On break from work for two weeks.  Spent part of the time travelling, including cross-country skiing.  I loved it.  Lol.

 

 my skis

scenery along the trail

Lazy Day Off - Outtakes

Some pics of other things going on while working on my DIY outdoor pallet bench.

an antique chairback more than 100 years old from which 

used to be my friend's grand-uncle's chair

 stripping paint off the chair reveals better the 

cool design on this wood

 foggy day!

Timmy's..  after buying some other materials for the bench

the housepets

 a sweet 'ol German Shepherd dog

Lazy Day Off - Kinda

Spent part of a chilly day off putting on the finishing touches to a DIY outdoor bench made of pallets that a friend built for me.

I've been wanting patio furniture for my balcony for the warm months but find patio furniture being sold here quite generic-looking or bulky or just not with the design I have in mind (especially a low-seater design), and if otherwise, quite expensive for sure.  You wouldn't believe how expensive they sell such things here.  And to think I took the outdoor bamboo furniture I got back home for granted when it's quite inexpensive compared with the prices of such things here.  They'd be surprised if they knew.  That'd fetch quite some amount here for sure.  'Cause it's pretty good and sturdy bamboo furniture.   *shakes head*  I certainly haven't seen bamboo furniture here of the likes made back in the Philippines.  And one of the chairs has become my pet dog's chair even. lol. 

I just wanted an outdoor seating solution where I can cozy up/put my feet up on the seat as well, with my laptop, or a book maybe, outdoors at a corner of the balcony. Since a side of my balcony faces a park and the front is open sky, not another building or structure, it'd be nice to hang out there in the evenings especially.

I thought I found the right bench at the right price while browsing through the Internet. But, while browsing the Internet, I also saw some DIY pallet benches I liked. Actually, I preferred. However, no one sees pallet benches sold quite commercially. Not very common. If it were, it'd be probably by a really expensive furniture/design store I expect. And it'd be probably cost at least slightly more than an Apple iPad mini or iPhone, that's if you're lucky enough to find one. So I thought I'd settle for the commercial one online. But made of plastic. =(

Anyway I showed it to a friend and he suggested a bench made of pallets. Well, what do you know! He and I are on the same wavelength. Lol. Didn't think I'd know someone else here, especially a guy, who's into design/art, too. Also, it turns out the commercial one's length is longer than the side corner of my balcony where I plan on placing the bench anyway so ultimately I can't buy that bench for that side of my balcony.

What's even better was, my friend works for a company that gets delivered goods on pallets. A-ha! So long story short, I gave him my specifics in terms of dimension and how low I wanted the bench and voila, got my bench now.

readying to spray outdoor/exterior wood stain on the bench

Happy New Year 2013!

Just got back from a new year's eve party. Foggy roads on the way home, and up to now outside my window. Wow. I like foggy nights. It just brings a different sort of mood. There's no snow tonight too. Just freezing temperature.

So foggy that my camera had difficulty focusing right away.

I like the effect though.

Fish & Chips

my plate...  huuge serving!

Went to a seaside town for dinner with some dear companions tonight. Had dinner at a little restaurant called Moby Dick. It was small but bustling even on this winter night. Amazing. Had clam chowder and fish & chips with hot sauce and tartare sauce for dips. Plus ginger ale drink for me. And it was all yummy!! Tee hee

the whale-shaped menu holder on the window sill

British TV Series

I like the music for the opening titles for the British TV series Garrow's Law. Actually I like the show, too; and its cinematography, especially.

I watched/currently watch the following British TV series:

• Downton Abbey
• Spooks or MI5
• Case Histories
• Garrow's Law
• Lark Rise to Candleford

The next British TV series on my to-watch list:

• the current season of Downton Abbey
• Parade's End
• Strike Back
• The Hunted

Happy Christmas 2012!

Happy holidays!

Blinkety blink blink!! That's a shot of my parol or Christmas lantern. Shipped all the way from Manila with my "goods to follow" cargo. Merry Christmas everyone!

Planet Earth

One of those things on my wishlist... DVD or if I had Blu-Ray, a copy of BBC's Planet Earth. hehe.

Anyhoo, I know I've blogged this video before with music by Sigur Ros. I'm just gonna blog it again. :P I love this video. It's among the best and most emotive ones I've seen, and heard. Hope you like it too. Such great visuals. Beautiful. Sigur Ros's song Hoppilolla just slams it home more.

Great Intro

My gosh. I watched this film two nights ago and am so glad I did, if only for this opening/intro alone.




That's amazing cinematography, to the tune of Beethoven's music too. Pretty cool.

The movie itself I liked too. Production design, the cute kid.. so funny really. I wonder if Lee Pace never laughed while doing scenes with her. She's sooo cute!! Sometimes seems like she just said her lines candidly. lol.

Classic Disney Christmas Toons

Lol!  I love these.  They're classic.

My fave Disney character is actually Donald Duck.  He's so funny.  And these videos below are among my favorite Disney cartoons.  Watched these in my childhood and glad to see them again online.






This is another of my Christmas favorites, Pluto's Christmas tree.





Those chipmunks are annoying. I love Pluto. Lol. 

Fave Philippines Video

The Philippines. So beautiful. This Survivor intro did the Philippines justice. The shot of the Banawe Rice Terraces.. gosh! And those animals. And the moving aerial view. I suppose it kinda beats any video the Philippines's Department of Tourism has ever put out.




I haven't watched Survivor in a very very long time. 'Til they shot this 25th season in the Philippines and the opening or intro is truly the best I've come across with Survivor. Makes me wanna go back home (but skip Metro Manila and the rat race and crabs there). Lol!

Then it's got shots of the Survivor participants in slow motion... with true emotion, candidly smiling, or really emotional or just challenged. Pretty cool.

And it's in HD too.  And when seen on a really big screen HDTV... oh wow!

Whomever edited it, chose the right scenes at the right time to the right music. It's just stunning. The best. Well done. =)

Party Mode

Our team just had our annual little Christmas buffet dinner at the pantry last night. Loved the food and the Christmas cracker best of all.  It's my first time to have one!  And of course I wore the paper crown thingie.  hehe!

table top and a Christmas cracker

 my heaping plate beside my Christmas cracker and 

the little toy/spinning top I got from it

 

 my Christmas cracker and little candy cane

      

a funny little note from the cracker

I have about 4 more parties to go to this holiday season.  Gah!!!

Inspired

Amazing runner and inspirational video.  I miss running.

"...pushing out of that comfort zone. 

Makes you realize how lucky and 

how fortunate we are."

"There's lots of different paths you can take. 

Kind of which set of footprints do you take or 

do you make your own path, 

I think that's the same as life.

Kind of if you follow the same path 

you're always gonna be  

making the same mistakes as the person in front of you.

It's about trying to take the right option 

in order to have the best experience and 

make the most of it and 

make that experience a success."

You definitely got that right,  Mr.  Ryan Sandes. hehe!

Add to that, that sometimes, you don't need your gadgets and Twitter and Facebook or what not to be on a high. Teehee! =)

I must say though, the video reminds me of our Himalaya trek guides last year. They could probably just as easily do the running he does, and in Crocs or rubber thong sandals even, honest.

 take note of the footwear climbing the Himalaya, dearie

our Nepali trek guide Hari in his trusty ol' Crocs while 
we were at the foothills of the Himalaya.  

He started wearing the Crocs when his running shoes gave in.

 Kind of made me feel like an utter "highlander" 
in all our gear.  Da hell!  Tee hee!
And he never missed a beat except 
when he had to slow down for the likes of me.  Lol!  
Dhaany baad Hari.  Hehe.

Speaking of trips... I'd like to go on a road trip again some time I just don't know when.  I've done Canada's Icefields Parkway... one of the world's top drives of a lifetime, according to National Geographic.  I certainly agree.  But next, I'd like to try Norway, Iceland, or Scotland.  So many places to see.  I wonder where my next trip shall take me?  Gah.

Where Is My Mind

Beautiful cover of the song Where is My Mind.

Oh, stop
With your feet on the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse

But there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself
Where is my mind
Where is my mind

Where is my mind
Way out in the water
See it swimmin'
I was swimmin' in the Caribbean

Animals were hiding behind the rock
Except the little fish
But they told me, he swears
Tryin' to talk to me koi koy

Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Where is my mind
Way out in the water

See it swimmin'
With your feet on the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse

If there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself
Where is my mind
Where is my mind

Where is my mind
Way out in the water
See it swimmin'
Oh

With your feet on the air and your head on the ground
Oh
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Oh
Oh

Twin Stars on My Desk

http://instagr.am/p/QmUiRdFfYB/

At the Races

At the races with some buds:

I bet on a horse named Winter Bliss.  A white horse and she looked really graceful.  She led the race at the beginning too, but fell behind to 4th at the finish.  Still she was the coolest-looking horse that day.  Lol!