Cute little puzzles

While at work, I'm bored by not doing anything. (If you're my boss, please stop reading now and yes, I've finished the weekly report!)

So I surfed through the net and searched for time killers. I found several puzzles that might annoy people but at least it will take up your wasted time. So I've answered a few of them brain teasers. It's actually fun until I saw puzzle.

I knew this is not a puzzle; it's too easy to be one. Yet, somehow, it intrigued me. Whoever is behind this got the interest out of me. Haha. Good job there, strategy guy!

Anyway, here's the puzzle for your perusal!

MRT Experience!

Put the blame on my alarm clock, I'm now forced to take the MRT.

OK, haha. Sorry, but let me just explain my situation. I'm claustrophobic and really, I can be a withheld Hulk when put in a very cramped situation. So to go to work on time, I must leave the house quarter to 6 and take a bus ride. Even though it's long and pricey, it's worth it than punching people around you (who sometimes is also pushed to push you).

Anyway, my alarm clock (and yes, I'm sticking with "it's his fault") did not wake me up. To reach the office on time, I must take the faster MRT in rush hour for the FIRST TIME from North Avenue station. I dread to do this since everytime I pass by this station, I can see the line going all the way down the streets. (I'm actually writing this while waiting in this LONG line.) I really salute Filipinos for being so masipag and matiisin for their families and work. But, hey, I'm now one of them! Or not.

The siksikan starts from the streets. Good thing MRT management decided to let passengers by batch so the station doesn't get too crowded and dangerous. Although, this now makes long lines and creates very eager passengers that result to siksikan and ipitan.

I have long been thinking of a solution for this and recommend to President Aquino. Haha. But seriously, I can't think so far of an immediate solution even just to ease the long lines and siksikan. Adding trains could be a solution, but I think MRT already has enough trains since trains come one after the other. Seriously, for the passengers, it can really be degrading naman if the situation is always like this. I hope the administration would find a solution and my alarm clock would wake me up on time.

Hey, that's my stop!

Hope fades?

Remember me telling you that given a one-film budget, I would watch Hope Springs? Well, i just found out that it's not in the cinemas anymore! Not even SM or Ayala Cinemas. I'm planning to watch it this weekend since that's my only free time this past weeks. But now, while waiting for the DVD copy, I'm forced with The Campaign or Expendables.

It's really sad. I mean Meryl Streep averages like one film per year and it's really a mission to definitely see this one also in cinema. (As I mentioned in my previous blog, I really am sold to films with best actors and actresses. You don't need to sell me the best visual effects or the beautiful faces/body, just the story and the actors in it.)

My theory, and this I have observed, is Hope Springs did not sell as it should be. Like StepUp 3 (and even our own flop, cheesy films), which some of its cinema slots was pulled out days after its grand opening, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones (even with Steve Carell) didn't appeal to the Filipino public.

It's natural that Filipinos would want a film they would enjoy for their hard-earned money. It's just sad that this changes our general taste for films. Even with a cliche, so-so story and unable actors, basta there's kilig or fad it banks on, people watch it.

When was the last time we had a great award-winning film like Himala or Markova that's also available mainstream for people to see? Almost all of the great films are now in the indie film cinemas and only few can watch it. Film, like painting and singing, used to be an arm of art expression and is valued therefore on its relevance and quality. Don't even get me started with our local award-giving film bodies and singing contests.

I'm still hoping for Hope Springs, though. :D

Chose to be Snow White than a Vampire

Hey, whatever happened to the Robert Pattinson-Kristen Stewart brouhaha? It came at us shooting through the skies then disappeared like a comet in a glance.

Last time I checked, Robert would try to patch up things daw. So not Kristen?

Come to think of it, adultery and dishonesty set in a relationship tone should be a big deal for everybody. Especially here in the Philippines where we strongly believe in monogamy and trust. But weeks after the news popped, it's as if almost nobody cares anymore. (Well, add to the fact that it's Robert and Kristen and nobody really seem to care.)

Also, it's the double standard system playing here again. We so look at the girl's fault that we overlook that there's adultery at play here, too. If Rupert Sanders (director of Snow White and the Huntsman) remained faithful to his marriage (which is more binding than a bf-gf relationship), she would not be tempted to cheat.

There are people who say that Stewart has the control of the situation the time it arose. She's the girl kasi so she should have stopped Sanders, or at least dropped any signs that show motive. Hey, what about Sanders? Isn't he liable, too...and should take the blame more than Stewart since he is married? And what about him being a director? Does he really go around, using his position to sleep with the cast or staff? And who knows if this was not the first time? Some would argue, "he's a guy kasi." That's it? We would relieve some blame from Sanders because he thinks with his penis and is supposed to act that way?

Hey, hey, hey! I think I need to defend the guys here... I...

Anyway, haha. After all that ranting, my view here is this is just a staged issue to promote their upcoming movie Breaking Dawn part 2. Let's accept it (though I am not a big fan of Twilight books or films) that people have created this magical couple (with Stephanie Meyer's help) loving each other forever so they both have to be vampires. If the real-life tandem is experiencing some troubles with their relationship, the fans would be sympathetic. Then at the end, maybe they will try to patch up things and the ending of a love-is-sweeter-the-second-time story is the finale of the film in November. 
Wow, a nice imagination you have there, huh! If this is true,  that's a helluva lot sacrifice just to promote the film. :D

Blogging about Blogging

Hello!

Our first time here at the writing world! (don't worry, it'll get better :D)

So since, we're new here, let's talk about blogging itself.

Wow ha, how clever for a first article. We blog about blogging? Haha. Well, admittedly, the reason I want to blog because I want to read and recognized. Maybe some of the bloggers had this reason, too. But of course, the "reason" is to 'influence lives" and "share two-cent ideas that may enlighten others". Haha. :D

Yeah, coz nowadays, bloggers are quite being popular. Some of them are that influential with what they blog, they get treated as a celebrity.

But breaking pieces here, what really make them very famous? I think, the way they critic everything negatively, then just comment one or two good items so they have that "exquisite taste". Or they're just good. :P

Maybe, they had a following na right before they started blogging. Or blogging is a way they thought to be effective in communicating with their following.

There are those who really start from scratch. I mean, going to a number of food places and restaurants to become a food blogger or traveling a lot and posting pictures to their travel blogs. You must be prepared for the money you'll be spending! Haha, it's so expensive to create a following. But once you get *that*, oh, you can even close a store with a nice whipped article.

Bloggers are being invited to parties and conventions and sometimes, they're viewed as more powerful now than printing press writers. Gone are the days that people buy newspapers for the hard-hitting comments and nice reviews. Those can be accessed with few clicks and a good connection. (which I'm having trouble about now)

Us? We're starting from scratch and we may never have that power to influence your dinner plans our your weekend getaways. But no matter what, we'll just say anything. :D We'll comment on anything. After all, we all think of blogging as our own editorial column.

Haha, first article... Should get better, honey. Haha, we'll get better. Then we'll just laugh about this.

Film: New Year's Eve

Quick lang, Steph. Haha, I just thought that our font size should be smaller. Wow! OC sickness it is! But hey, I looked at it, it's really small naman.

Anyway, haha. I'm a big fan of star-studded films. I mean, films that really feature so many actors like Valentine's Day (which I've already seen) and Love Actually (which I'm dying to see). You don't have to sell me the "sikat" celebrities in a film. With just a few really good actors and a story, I would love to spend my hard-earned money to watch it in cinemas. Just to illustrate, given a one-film budget, I would definitely see Hope Springs than Bourne Legacy or that teen chick-flick GMA had produced. Hey! I want to watch Just One Summer! You're totally biased! Haha.

This may be a super late review but I just watched it. Where was I during the time this film was shown? I don't know. Still, not late to talk about it. You just watched this? So how did you find the film, grandpa? :D

Although it's cliche, the story of intertwined lives affected by a single holiday event (very much like Valentine's Day) still sells for me. Not only did it involve the traditional kissing at midnight (Why can't we have that tradition here?) and unfulfilled love stories, but it also included familial and friendly relationships.

Robert De Niro is a classic. To think that he has nothing to do but lie down and talk sickly, he did a pretty amazing job portraying the role of a dying father who may have achieved everything in life but has earned a few regrets on the way. Add to the ensemble Michelle Pfeiffer who did splendidly the role of Ingrid, a regular employee who wanted to fulfill a list of resolutions.

I'm surprised to see Jon Bon Jovi. I'm a big fan of his music, but not of his acting. Still, it's a relief to see him in a new light. I just met Katherine Heigl in the Ugly Truth but I never thought how beautiful she is until I saw her in this film. Not a stunning performance but she definitely added value in the film. So is Halle Berry. A far cry from Catwoman days and 007 lady era.

Sarah Jessica Parker was the mom she needs to be for the role. I just didn't like the "Sex-and-the-City" ending where she came in very high heeled shoes and glittery dress as Josh Duhamel's partner.

Ryan Seacrest definitely added some star value and comic relief, but then again he's a spectacular host, so no surprise there. 

I can't comment any further! I forgot the film na, it was like ages ago... :D

This was also full of songs (maybe because of the inclusion of Bon Jovi and Lea Michelle). One song I liked is Michelle's version of Auld Lang Syne. Lea and Josh look so cute! I think all the 'love' love in this film was centered on them.

I like the twists and the stories intertwined in this film. From competing expectant mothers to a teenage puppy love even to the depths of understanding the essence of New Year and how it's done in Times Square.
Speaking of which, this made me crave more to see (even live in) New York. Or maybe I'm watching too much Hollywood films and Friends.

To cap it off, I have one word. Hope. New York, or even the US, is living in a very fast-paced life that sometimes, people forget to stop and reflect. And as the ball drops, a new year starts with a must of a new hope.