Game of Thrones Season 3: Valar Dohaeris

The most awaited date has finally arrived! We are all in for an Easter treat, a brand new episode of Game of Thrones season 3 (based on George RR Martin's first half of A Storm of Swords) has just landed and I bet all eyes were on their torrents awaiting their downloads lol.

Here are some of my thoughts about the Valar Dohaeris episode (too soon?) in pictures:

Not the ugly face I envisioned in my head but I guess Peter Dinklage's face needs to be recognized for those who need recognizing. lol.

These two! Get together already :))

I love the Onion (not the flaking skin though) who puts some sense in the shrouded wits of Stannis Baratheon.

Not too dick in this episode. Perhaps next?

O HAI Ser Barristan Selmy!

Images nicked from here.

Dany and the Unsullied (who are waaay well-dressed and armed than they have any right to be). But that's why it's called an adaptation :)

Oye. Can't wait for the next 9 episodes.

Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie Are Home

My Jessica Darling series is finally completed! There's a good story behind this. I started reading Sloppy Firsts in Powerbooks Shang until I finished the whole book. And that did not happen in one sitting. I had to come back often to finish the story. I forgot how long it took me but finish it I did.

I was so in love with the character of Marcus Flutie more than the idea of him falling for Jessica Darling that I naturally started having daydreams with my own version of Marcus Flutie. Lol. Lakas maka-bagets.

I think I only got to read up to the third book and I was already in a denial state at that time because Marcus and Jessica's relationship aren't exactly the same gummy candy sweetness that they were 2 years before. Suffice to say when the fourth book in the series came out and reading from the book leaflet that Jessica and Marcus have broken up (they were already in college) I refused to read The Fourth Comings. Hahaha, and I haven't really read it yet. I thought that was the end of the series but Megan McCafferty played again with our hearts when she announced that there'll be a fifth and LAST book. The catch is it won't be out til after 2 years!

So I made a deal with myself that if Jessica and Marcus ended up being together in book 5 I'll buy all the books.

And after 3 years, here they are, finally complete.

You. Yes. You.

Trailer: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

"We accept the love we think we deserve."

67 Books Every Geek Should Read to Their Kids Before Age 10

I got this link from Jessica Zafra's blog post which inspired me to continue my quest of expanding my mini library, not only for myself but for the future little dweebs should I decide to have them (16 - 20 years worth of tuition fee education, allowances, clothing and parental nuisance scares the bejesus out of me not to mention the act of giving birth).

I'll add these recommended books and more to their reading list, have them start at an early age so by the time they hit puberty they'll be super readers. That is my one great wish, to have dweebs that are in love with reading and always hungry for more knowledge.

I already have the Tolkien books (near complete set), Coraline, The Graveyard Book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, A Wrinkle in Time, From The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Where the Wild Things Are and Curious George (still expanding the collection). You got that right. I, too, am a sucker for children and young adult's lit.


#Photo credits from the same link. 

Oscar Nominee Film # 1: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

So I finally resolved myself into watching my first Oscar Nominee for Best Film category: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The film was adapted from international best-seller novel by master espionage author (who was once employed by British intelligence services MI5 and MI6) John le Carré.

This film is not an easy one to watch as I constantly have to educate myself jargons about secret services and general background about the novel so I can have a better understanding of what's going on and not just obliviously sit there with agape expression and a thousand questions sprinting thru my brain.

Although I haven't read and seen that many spy films/novels, I am actually a huge fan of this kind of genre. Imagining the secret lives that these agents lead, the scandals, classified informations and all that shiznit excites the hell out of me. I remember the thrill and action rush - albeit only inside my head, in my own bed - I felt while reading Rober Ludlum's Bourne trilogy. 

However, for people thinking that this spy film is a la James Bond 007 secret agent, you might be disappointed to find that it isn't nowhere near to Ian Fleming's kind of espionage. There are no heart-stopping action scenes, lavish spy gadgets, sleek cars and beautiful women. 

In fact, the mood is very drab and melancholic, probably a great justification of the Cold era. Amidst it all is George Smiley, an intelligence officer who was pulled out of his forced retirement to investigate and reveal the identity of a double secret agent sitting inside the Circus - the in-house name for MI6.

Director Tomas Alfredson used nonlinear narrative technique to tell the story of how George Smiley unmasked the mole inside the British intelligence with the help of course of a few other agents (such as Ricki Tarr and Peter Guillam).

So, who was the mole? Was it Percy Alleline [Tinker], Bill Haydon [Tailor], Roy Bland [Soldier] or Toby Esterhase [Poorman] (George Smiley was Beggarman himself, the codes being assigned by the former Circus chief, Control). Watch the film and find out for yourself.

From left to right: Poorman, Tailor, Tinker, Control, Beggarman and Soldier.

Guilt-Free Shopping

New, as well as old, gems giving me the natural high oye!

New Year's Resolution #1

Catch up on reading.

Ever since I went back to work force I haven't lifted a book again except for the Harry Potter and Wicked e-books I read in my iTouch.

It is very unhealthy I know, especially since I still have loads of books I haven't read from long ago sales when I hoarded 'em like there's no tomorrow.

I'm starting with Neverwhere, Vertigo Comics' version. Yay!

On a Deathly Hallows High

I reckoned it's not a great idea to read the book before watching its film version because I ended up spoiling the movie for myself counting the bits of details where they changed some details in the movie as opposed to what's to be found in the book.

But other than that, I have nothing against this film. The bleak and gray color was apt. It just makes me freaking sad every time I think that it'll be over soon. And ooh, that Tales of the Three Brothers was pretty brilliant!

Prepare for Harry Potter spam!

Who knew? But darn right!

Deathly Hallows will always have that heavy-on-the-shoulders effect on me.

LOL

Dobby owned that scene

Why not Won Won

YES!

So fetch!

My future bookshelf!

I really, really hope so! So preeety no? Got it from here.

Worm

I do, I do, I DO! Myversion of heaven would be one huge bookstore/library/anything as long as there's tons of books in it.

Bleak

I remember finishing this book in a bookstore. Very dark. In the sense that it is an apocalyptic novel. Such a sad ending.

On Meeting Neil Gaiman

Last night, perhaps, is another one of those nights that will be forever etched in my memory, and in a good way. I dragged the Cheese to Rockwell Powerplant Mall (though I know very well that he has work later that night and he hasn't slept a wink yet) to watch the 3rd Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards where Neil Gaiman himself will grace the stage and hand the awards to all the winners.

When I decided to go to Rockwell, I was somehow content with the thought of just seeing Mr. Neil Gaiman himself even from afar. But then when he said that Fully Booked will choose 100 lucky individuals for free book signing after the awards show via electronic raffle, of course a sudden surge of hope enveloped me. I can have a chance. Just register at the entrance and pray with all our might that our name be called.

My name was never called. But the Cheese's name was. Lucky number 36. And I SUPER thank the Lord for that. Of course the Cheese gave the number passes to me after claiming it.

I was sooo nervous, excited, happy and scared all at the same time as the line to Mr. Gaiman's table got shorter and shorter. All around us hundreds of fans were milling around, looking and sometimes begging for some random person whom they can give their books/comics for Neil to sign to and I am happy to report that there was no shortage of kind people that night.

Most of my other Gaiman books were on loan so I only have Good Omens with but at the last moment, since I believed that there will be no other chance quite like this in the near future, I shelled out what little money I had that night to buy the comics version of Neverwhere.

I was amazed that when my turn finally came, I didn't buckle nor melted on the floor like what I've been imagining all throughout the line. I actually made a small conversation with Neil and had the courage and boldness to ask him to hug me because I know that if I don't I can never forgive myself for being a wimp. Ha!

My I-can't-believe'I'm-hugging-Neil-Gaiman moment.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you dear Lord for granting a chance, thank you to the Cheese for coming with me to that event, thank you Mr. Neil Gaiman for coming back, for accommodating all your fans, for being terribly and genuinely nice and pleasant and for reading those poems to us last night. You're right, we owe it to each other to tell stories.

After recently coming down from the boondocks, pretty much detached from the outside modern world, I was surprised to find out that Mr. JD Salinger died last January 29. I loved him because he never wanted Holden to be portrayed by some crappy-actor-who-wouldn't-quite-catch-up, I loved him because he is so unlike other writers: he never wanted to be famous. He wanted Holden Caulfield to be where he should be, in our deepest imagination, not for Hollywood to feast on.

The Glass family: quirky bordering on insanity. Must read it again to freshen memories.

Must finish. Never got to the last few pages.

Teenage angst? Ultimate questions? Holden Caulfield became a literary hero for a lot of readers. A literary must-read. Everyone should read it, I mean everyone!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This one's for you Sars. :) Bibili na nga ko nung DIY book ASAP!

A Brilliant Find

Finding a good book that doesn't cost an arm, a leg not even a pinkie, certainly ranks there in my top three winning/best moments in life. I found 1000 Places To See Before You Die in a place where not too many people take second glances, where the musty smell of books equate to one's most cherished memory, an idea that does not even cross many poeple's head nowadays.

After paying (see where my point finger goes), I almost danced my way out of the store. Good thing I don't know how so I was also saved the embarrassment (hey fair deal!).

You and me, my little square friend, are gonna be one helluva friends. :)

Tumataginting na AMEN

“Hikayatin mo lahat ng kakilala mo na magkaroon ng kahit isa man lang paboritong libro sa buhay nila. Dahil wala nang mas kawawa pa sa mga taong literado pero hindi nagbabasa.”

~~Bob Ong

Remembering Frank McCourt

'Tis was the first McCourt novel I read. Not even the best-selling Angela's Ashes. But still, before I knew there was Angela's Ashes, I already fell in love with this guy, even if his way of writing was kinda erm, unique. I immediately read Teacher Man right after it was released or that time I finally found it on the book shelves. It was entertaining, funny and touching. The whole time I was reading it, I always picture my own grandmother, who was a retired teacher too. I was so amused with his family that even his brother Malachy's novel, I bought and read.

With Mr. McCourt's death, I guess it's about time to start leafing through, and relived days with Angela. Funny how I've always have the book but never got to reading it.

On the bright side, you are now in the company of the best writers in the world. Have an intellectual but fun conversation with 'em!

Supertramp!

Currently watching Into the Wild in HBO. Ackkk! Super apple <3.

Potter Disappoints

First thing first. Poster courtesy of the Leaky Cauldron site.

This is supposed to come out as one of the best among the series seeing that it is the penultimate, but that was not the case. As my middle-aged seatmate said after the credits came up "is that it? no explosions?". Gotta agree. It lacks a lot of things. But action is on the top of it. Teen hormones are flying everywhere (I dunno if Harry is just torpe or doesn't really know anything!)

Some comments/observations:

* Ginny is taller than Harry.
* The first scene in the movie was not in the book at all, one of the many deviation from Mr. Yates.
* Horace Slughorn is not TALL for cripe's sake!
* Where were the other characters? They were elsewhere, nowhere and in the background.
* In connection with above, where was Fleur and Bill?
* Really, Death Eaters in Hogwarts yet nothing happened. Again, where were the actions?
* I wish Daniel Radcliffe could cry.
* Rupert Grint was good in this one.
* While everyone wore puke-able gowns, Hermione is stunning with her own. I don't wonder why.
* Quidditch game was fun!
* Converse rules!
* Dumbledore's death was ...
* Maybe it's just me but I think I'm having a glimpse of a good Snape this early. Ha!
* I bloody wish Deathly Hallows won't be anything like this one. :(

Too many comments.. must stop now..

Got It!

Super delayed post. Got it last, last weekend in which a major drama ensued. I am omitting the drama of course because it's not worth mentioning.

This is the fruitcake 2008 edition. So christmas-y. Thanks Miss Z! :)