I Kept My Promise… Don’t Keep Your Distance

It has been over a year since I made a promise to a friend of mine. A
promise to take her out to dinner–my treat. And last Friday, the 28th
of October, I was finally able to keep my promise. After a week of
getting in touch with each other online and exchanging numbers, Chai
and I had our date.

Charisse Ann Enerio is one of my friends from PeopleSupport, where I
used to work as a call center agent, and for some reason I ended up
pledging a dinner date to her. Neither of us now recall what that
reason was.

Anyway, our date didn’t become a dinner date, as my schedule wouldn’t allow me one, but I think it went really well.

We had lunch at Bigby’s (Ayala) where some unexpected "intruders"
intruded in what was supposed to be a quiet meeting between friends
(another post and photos to follow). We updated each other with our
E.L.E.s–eminent life events–but mostly hovered over the "relationships"
department. She also mentioned plans of going abroad for work and how
she’s looking forward to spreading her wings in a new environment. I was
excited for her.

Lunch was tasty–I ordered Bigby’s Chix Ahoy and Chai had their Seafood
Kebab. We both ordered shakes for our drinks. We talked some more and
even toyed with the idea of telling the waiters that one of us celebrated
a birthday that day just so we could get a free cake and a happy
birthday serenade, but we never got around to doing that.

After lunch, we watched the second screening of The Legend of Zorro
(read my review) and I think we both had a good time watching Antonio
Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones team up again on the big screen. But I must say I think
it was Rufus Sewell’s character that took most of Chai’s attention–the
French guy! The French guy. =o)

We parted ways after the movie but not without reminding her that she
still owes me dessert. She said she’d keep her in of the deal. I sure
hope so. ;o)

This was a long overdue date and I guess I could say it was worth the
wait. After all, it’s not everyday I get to spend some time with a
classy, sassy lady. I’m glad I kept my promise.

Chai, I wish you the best in all your endeavors and I pray that you
find success in all the plans you have. Just remember to always look to
the Lord for anything and everything that you need–He is always there
for you. And when you do get abroad, don’t forget to keep in touch and
make the distance between us disappear. Take care always. God bless
you, girl!

Maximum Spider

I’ve always been able to incorporate bits and pieces of my artistic side to my everyday life. One of the ways I do so is by trying to come up with new ways of tying my shoelaces. I’ve actually come up with a few interesting ones.

This is my "Maximum Spider". I called it so because once I finished perfecting it, it reminded me of a spider and of the special action move Spider-Man has in the arcade games Marvel Superheroes and Marvel Vs. Capcom called–what else?–Maximum Spider, where he criss-crosses around, above and allover his opponents.

Here’s how the shoelace design looks like…
[click to enlarge]

The Legend of Zorro

One of the very few sequels to top its original. I enjoyed The Legend of Zorro
for its not-so-serious, yet not-too-light overall tone. I immensely
relished this film for its sense of adventure, for its humor and sheer
amusing quality.

Antonio Banderas again shows off his underrated comedic skills in this movie, and his chemistry with Catherine Zeta-Jones is just as good as in the original, The Mask of Zorro.

Director Martin Campbell,
who helmed both films, managed to maintain the air of excitement that
defined his first foray into the world of Zorro. He really knows his
way around the action-adventure genre.

Also check out Adrian Alonso,
the kid who plays Alejandro and Elena’s son, Joaquin. He’s really fun
to watch playing the feisty, mischievous, slingshot-toting son of
Zorro. He also shows a wide range facial expressions, which is a good
thing for an actor his age.

And as expected, Rufus Sewell makes good with his bad guy role.

Plenty
of genuinely funny moments, with some touching ones as well. Very, very
entertaining and definitely not a waste of your movie-going time. =o)

In Tens: Great X-pectations

I’m heavily anticipating the third X-Men film, which comes out next year (May 26). It’s even overtaken my anticipation for the Superman Returns film. Here are 10 reasons why I’m so eager to see them mutants again:

1. The development (or evolution, if you will) of Famke Janssen’s character from Jean Grey to the Phoenix [in photo]. Screenwriter Simon Kinberg said Ms. Janssen will blow minds away in this movie–I’d like to see that for myself

2. The rumored "bigger role" for Halle Berry’s character Storm (I hope this includes herself flying and more spectacular use of her weather controlling powers)

3. The appearance of many more mutants (even though some might only be making cameos). Rumored to be seen are Omega Red, Dazzler, Multiple Man and (I think, and I hope) Psylocke

4. The supposed deaths of important characters.
I can’t say who they are (I’m not even sure of the rumors flying around
the Internet are true) but if they do die, it’s really gonna make big
ripples in the universe of the X-Men movies

5. Director Brett Ratners take on the world of the mutants.
I wanna see how he keeps the tone of the film in tune to Bryan Singer’s
first two X-movies and how he makes his own mark as the new director of
the franchise

6. I wanna see more powers on display. I wanna see a grand battle sequence where all the mutants are fighting all at once–like they do in the comic books

7. Looking forward to new cast members Kelsey Grammer, Ben Foster and Shohreh Aghdashloo bringing life to Beast, Angel and Kavita Rao (rumored) respectively.

8. There’ve also been rumors of Sentinels in the movie. That in itself is worth waiting for.

9. Explanations. I want to have some questions and theories–from X-Men and X2: X-Men United–answered and proven true in X3,
like the Liberty Island incident having an effect (after all) on the
mutants exposed to Magneto’s device. I would love to have it tied up to
Jean’s evolution as Phoenix or Rogue’s ability to fly (longshot but I
can dream!). That would be exciting.

10. Juggernaut! ‘Nuff said!

Seabiscuit

This was one of 2003’s Oscar nominees for Best Picture and having seen it on disc last month, I finally knew why.

Seabiscuit had a great story to begin with, but putting those talented actors together (Academy Award nominee Jeff Bridges, Academy Award winner Chris Cooper and Tobey Maguire) in front of Gary Ross‘ camera enhanced the depth of the story.

It’s
a poignant tale of three down and out characters–and one down and out
horse–who find each other and give each other a chance to realize one
another’s potential. I liked how the lives of the main characters were
interwoven from four separate circumstance into one. Good directing
from Gary Ross, who was also nominated for Best Director that year.

I
saw a different side to Tobey Maguire in this film (a fresh break from
always seeing him as Peter Parker/Spider-Man) and his portrayal of Red
Pollard shows that he’s got more to show than mere ‘heroics’ and
looking good in a spandex suit–there is an actor inside!

Nice
character interactions also, thanks to the well-written screenplay!
Very touching. It’s one of those sentimental period films that leaves
you feeling good at the end.

The Eleventh Hour

I’ve always been a firm believer that good things come to those who wait. And a day after my birthday a few days ago, I got as a present a much-awaited CD, "The Eleventh Hour" by Jars of Clay, courtesy of my friend, Gay.

Would you believe it’s been a three-year wait to get to this moment?
Yes it has! I don’t know why I never got around to buying this album
for myself or why it never occurred to me to ask this as a gift from my
friends, but it sure feels great having it now.

I’ve only heard two songs from this album since it debuted in 2002–I Need You and Disappear.
And as I’ve said in an earlier post, I Need You has become the current
anthem to my life, while Disappear echoes my desire to get more
intimate with my God (I’d really love
to know. I’d really love to climb my way into your heart and see what I
could find. I’d walk into your skin, swim through your veins. See it
from your eyes. Cause I’d really love to try).

This is one album I’ll be wearing out really soon. This is one band
that I feel really challenges me to draw closer to God, and whose songs
have become the soundtrack to my life (or at least most of my adult
life, anyway).

God bless the boys of Jars of Clay and I hope their music ministry touches more lives.

And thanks for the gift, Mislegs!

I Need You

A song by Jars of Clay
Taken from the album "The Eleventh Hour"

The current anthem to
my life and my heart’s cry. I’ve always felt that I can relate to (Jars
of Clay front-man and songwriter) Dan Haseltine’s lyrics and to the
emotions he lays down on his songs, but with this song it’s like he
took the words out of my mouth.

There is just no other way for me say it any clearer: Lord, I need You, I need You, I need You. You’re all I’m living for!

= = = = =

Strangely out of place, and there’s a light filling this room where none would follow before.
I can’t deny it burns me up inside.
I fan the flames to melt away my pride.
Do I want shelter from the rain or the rain to wash me away?

I need you, I need you, I need you.
I need you, I need you, I need you.
You’re all I’m living for.

I might sound like a fool, but I think I felt you moving closer to me.
Face to the ground to hide the fatal cut.
I fight the weight, I feel you lift me up.
You are the shelter from the rain and the rain to wash me away.

I need you, I need you, I need you.
I need you, I need you, I need you.
You’re all I’m living for.
I need you, I need you, I need you.
You’re all I’m living for.

Face to the ground to hide the fatal cut.
I fight the weight, feel you lift me up.
I can’t deny it burns me up inside.
I fan the flames to melt away my pride.
I only had a second to spare, but all the time in the world to know you’re there.
You are the shelter from the rain and the rain to wash me away.

I need you, I need you, I need you.
You’re all I’m living for.
I need you, I need you, I need you.
You’re all I’m living for

Birthday blessing

One of my best-friends, Gay, sent me this birthday greeting earlier:

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one  another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

It’s a blessing to have godly friends for they encourage and strengthen you and lift you up with their prayers!

Thanks, Mislegs!

Three Decades. Still Alive.

<–click me

I turn 30 today (the 20th). Wow! I’m three decades old. Three decades. Thirty years on the third rock from the sun.

When I was younger I expected to accomplish certain things when I got
this old–getting married and having one kid; completing the Star Wars
saga (watching the movies and getting copies of the films); having a wonderful
job; living in a very nice house.

But being this old has taught me one thing–one thing the Rolling Stones knew
full well: "You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes, well you might find you get what you need."

Of those expectations I had, the only one that I accomplished was
watching the entire Star Wars saga, with only one more movie (Episode
III) to go to complete my collection.

I haven’t married yet and apparently I don’t have a kid either. I have
a job, which is good, but not quite there yet. And I still live with my
parents in a house that has a lot of potential but still needs a lot of
work.

This is not really the "ideal" that I had in mind. This isn’t what I
wished for. And some days I wish I could "do something" to get me to the
idyllic life that I’ve always envisioned I’d have at 30.

But you know what? Despite the fact that I didn’t get what I want,
despite the truth that my life is miles apart from the picture perfect
scenario that I’ve painted in my mind, being three decades old proved
the Stones correct: you can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes you get what you need.

And I did! I got to learn that not getting what you want teaches you
contentment. I learned that not getting what you wished for all the
time teaches you patience. That being unable to achieve some things you
think are necessary in your life can teach you that you are not the one in control.

Most importantly, not having things go your way all the time teaches
you that God has better–no! the best–things planned for you and that His ways are
foolproof and infallible. And that you can’t really lose going that way.

Thirty years. I’ve gone through a lot of changes in my lifetime–from
being a kid to growing up; from changing looks (notice the picture. i
had to mention it here somehow. hehehe); from being a scrawny spiritual
baby to a grown up (and still growing) man of God who knows that getting what he needs is way better than getting what he wants.

Three decades. Still alive. All by God’s grace!

Here’s to the next thirty years!

In Tens: In the now

Ten things occupying my mind right now…

1. the excitement of seeing my pastor [Joe Di Sarno] back from his US "sabbatical"

2. the anticipation of the Sunday morning worship service

3. the craving for more sleep [again that "sleep issue"]

4. the challenge of finishing the visuals for our Christmas cantata

5. the thrill [and all the implications] of turning 30

6. the fulfillment of a promised dinner date to a friend [you know who you are, sweetie. we'll dine out really soon =o)]

7. the fun, healthy and sweaty results of playing table tennis [i've been playing a lot lately since a ping pong table was set up at work. thanks to Greg for the pointers ;o)]

8. the missed communication with a friend in New York [Juce, kumusta na man ka diha?]

9. the prospect of changing my day off to Tuesdays instead of Fridays
to be able to join the revival service [soaking time with the
congregation, baby!]

10. the mystery of God’s ways, the paradox, the mind-confounding aspect of it all [His ways are higher and His thoughts are greater!]