The Best Wedding Ever
It was the best wedding I've ever seen. It wasn't at all perfect, not like the fancy formal church ceremonies or the sunlit garden weddings filled with teary-eyed relatives. The sky was dark with clouds and it was raining fiercely. Only the groom's father was there, and even he was standing well away. There were no flowers, no fancy clothes, no bridesmaids and a best man, not even a ring. But there they were, the couple standing in the middle of the torrent, shouting their vows over the noise of the falling rain, and sealing it all with a kiss,heedless of the raging world around them even as if all was already coming to an end.
And all of this happened aboard a ship under attack by the Flying Dutchman.
Yes, I'm talking about that scene from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End where Will and Elizabeth get married amidst the raging battle aboard the deck of the Black Pearl. I've gotta hand it to Jerry Bruckheimer and the rest of the PotC producers, for they outdid themselves with this one. It was spectacular to put it lightly, with the rain, the whirlpool, the CG creatures, the sword fighting, the cannon blasts and the flying chunks of wood.
All of this elements combine to make a scene reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings and it's "the-world-is-ending-so-we-do-what-we-can" dramatic vibe. It's sort of a weird mix of an adrenaline-pumping battle scene with a sudden mushy lovefest amidst it all that makes your (fine, my) heart warm before throwing you back into that adrenaline pool. It's a sanctuary from the action that you share with the characters, that for a brief moment, you see their perfect wedding where all there is is their love, even as the world around them is falling to an end, so to speak. It's the best wedding I've ever seen I tell you. By the way, sorry for the mushiness, I just enjoy romantic moments :P
SPOILER WARNING
It's kinda sad though that Will has to do his time as the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. For those of you who missed Davy Jones' explanation, he has the job of ferrying souls who died at sea to the other side of...well I guess the sea and do this for ten years, where every ten years he has a chance to step on land for 1 day. 1 day, every ten years - sucks ain't it? That's why Davy Jones is so bitter. Now if you connected the dots that means the cute couple of Will and Elizabeth can only meet once every ten years, as seen in the post-credit scene where Elizabeth walks to the shore with her 9-yr old son and see Will green-flash his way back into the mortal world.
Don't worry, the writers of the PotC says, for there was a deleted scene where Davy Jones continues his explanation that if Calypso met him on that day, his term of service aboard the Dutchman will be broken -the why poor ol' Jones is heartbroken. Now since Elizabeth met will that day, his curse was broken, and so presumably they lived happily ever after, well, until they make Pirates of the Caribbean 4. They just had to make do of a ten year separation -I guess that's better than nothing.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
No such thing as a free lunch...or is there?
Julius was just here a couple of hours ago doing a sales pitch to my mom. For those of you who don't know Julius, he's my business-oriented blockmate who joined this networking company, Quest.net, who also wants me to join said company. I'll break this down for you the simplest way I can.
Quest.net is a company that sells different products like gold. Julius joined as an "independent representative (IR)", like an insurance salesman I guess. He earns his commission by selling the products of the company plus by getting those people to join the company too as IR's (=networking). To join the company you have to either buy something expensive like a $600 gold coin collection or sell a company product to two people. The bottom line is that the promise is as long as you remain active, you will continue to earn and if you are passionate, then you are paving your way to your own early retirement.
It is easier to buy something from the company than to get two people to buy something from a company you don't belong to to join. But that will mean shelling out a lot of cash to do so. That's where Julius comes in.
He said a client of his bought a product. That means he has the opportunity now to join the company, however, he doesn't want to take it. Now Julius is looking for someone to take this opportunity before it becomes wasted, and he is looking at me, or rather, my mom. You see, since last year he has been bugging me to join his company, and to be honest more than once has the thought crossed my mind of actually joining. Arwin and I even had the "December plan", the get-$600-somehow-and-join-Quest-by-December-2006 plan, which kinda lost steam along the way. But now Julius is offering the chance to join for FREE.
Sad thing is that I'm not yet of legal age, i.e. 18 to join legally. Oh how it's so fun and sad to be young. That's why Julius tried to pitch it to my mom instead, do that when I do become legal she can pass it on to me. But my mom is reluctant to join. I said just join for me and I'll do all the work.
I really want my mom to take this opportunity. As Julius says it, it's risk free AND totally free. I'm ready to take that challenge on. What attracts me is the for FREE part, but to be honest when I think about the work attached to it, the seminars, the training, the sales talks, I get discouraged and I hear a voice in my head goes "I don't want to do that". But that's why I like to take it now. The "for free" offer is only for a limited time, and scraping together Php30,000 to enter the company is something I'm not really keen on doing, given a much cheaper alternative is already on my doorstep.
Besides, that's how I get over my inhibitions and second thoughts. I stop thinking it over, close my eyes and just jump into it, head first risk and all. That's me, volunteer like hell and don't think while I'm doing it. So I hope my mom says yes. I see the opportunity dangling in front of my face and there are no strings attached. It really looks like a free lunch to me.
Julius was just here a couple of hours ago doing a sales pitch to my mom. For those of you who don't know Julius, he's my business-oriented blockmate who joined this networking company, Quest.net, who also wants me to join said company. I'll break this down for you the simplest way I can.
Quest.net is a company that sells different products like gold. Julius joined as an "independent representative (IR)", like an insurance salesman I guess. He earns his commission by selling the products of the company plus by getting those people to join the company too as IR's (=networking). To join the company you have to either buy something expensive like a $600 gold coin collection or sell a company product to two people. The bottom line is that the promise is as long as you remain active, you will continue to earn and if you are passionate, then you are paving your way to your own early retirement.
It is easier to buy something from the company than to get two people to buy something from a company you don't belong to to join. But that will mean shelling out a lot of cash to do so. That's where Julius comes in.
He said a client of his bought a product. That means he has the opportunity now to join the company, however, he doesn't want to take it. Now Julius is looking for someone to take this opportunity before it becomes wasted, and he is looking at me, or rather, my mom. You see, since last year he has been bugging me to join his company, and to be honest more than once has the thought crossed my mind of actually joining. Arwin and I even had the "December plan", the get-$600-somehow-and-join-Quest-by-December-2006 plan, which kinda lost steam along the way. But now Julius is offering the chance to join for FREE.
Sad thing is that I'm not yet of legal age, i.e. 18 to join legally. Oh how it's so fun and sad to be young. That's why Julius tried to pitch it to my mom instead, do that when I do become legal she can pass it on to me. But my mom is reluctant to join. I said just join for me and I'll do all the work.
I really want my mom to take this opportunity. As Julius says it, it's risk free AND totally free. I'm ready to take that challenge on. What attracts me is the for FREE part, but to be honest when I think about the work attached to it, the seminars, the training, the sales talks, I get discouraged and I hear a voice in my head goes "I don't want to do that". But that's why I like to take it now. The "for free" offer is only for a limited time, and scraping together Php30,000 to enter the company is something I'm not really keen on doing, given a much cheaper alternative is already on my doorstep.
Besides, that's how I get over my inhibitions and second thoughts. I stop thinking it over, close my eyes and just jump into it, head first risk and all. That's me, volunteer like hell and don't think while I'm doing it. So I hope my mom says yes. I see the opportunity dangling in front of my face and there are no strings attached. It really looks like a free lunch to me.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Eureka!
For those of you who don't read the newspapers, here is an interesting article from the Science/Health section of today's issue of the Inquirer that I'd very much like to share. The column is titled "Eureka!" and the author is Queena Lee Chua, who again for of you who don't know is a professor of math and psych at Ateneo. Let me share you the interesting parts of the article.
Math and Literature:Here is a poem by Mike Keith, a software engineer in the United States
Poe, E.
Near a Raven
Midnights so dreary, tired and weary.
Silently pondering volumes extolling all by-now obsolete lore.
During my rather long nap - the weirdest tap!
An ominous vibrating sound disturbing my chamber's antedoor.
"This", I whispered quietly, "I ignore".
Perfectly, the intellect remembers: the ghostly fires, a glittering ember.
Inflamed by lightning's outbursts, windows cast penumbras upon this floor.
Sorrowful, as one mistreated, unhappy thoughts I heeded:
That inimitable lesson in elegance - Lenore -
Is delighting, exciting...nevermore.
Ominously, curtains parted (my serenity outsmarted),
And fear overcame my being - the fear of "forevermore".
Fearful foreboding abided, selfish sentiment confided,
As I said, "Methinks mysterious traveler knocks afore.
A man is visiting, of age threescore."
Taking little time, briskly addressing something: "Sir," (robustly)
"Tell what source originates clamorous noise afore?
Disturbing sleep unkindly, is it you a-tapping, so slyly?
Why, devil incarnate!--" Here completely unveiled I my antedoor--
Just darkness, I ascertained - nothing more.
While surrounded by darkness then, I persevered to clearly comprehend.
I perceived the weirdest dream...of everlasting "nevermores".
Quite, quite, quick nocturnal doubts fled - such relief! - as my intellect said,
(Desiring, imagining still) that perchance the apparition was uttering a whispered "Lenore".
This only, as evermore.
Silently, I reinforced, remaining anxious, quite scared, afraid,
While intrusive tap did then come thrice - O, so stronger than sounded afore.
"Surely" (said silently) "it was the banging, clanging window lattice."
Glancing out, I quaked, upset by horrors hereinbefore,
Perceiving: a "nevermore".
Completely disturbed, I said, "Utter, please, what prevails ahead.
Repose, relief, cessation, or but more dreary 'nevermores'?"
The bird intruded thence - O, irritation ever since! -
Then sat on Pallas' pallid bust, watching me (I sat not, therefore),
And stated "nevermores".
Bemused by raven's dissonance, my soul exclaimed, "I seek intelligence;
Explain thy purpose, or soon cease intoning forlorn 'nevermores'!"
"Nevermores", winged corvus proclaimed - thusly was a raven named?
Actually maintain a surname, upon Pluvious seashore?
I heard an oppressive "nevermore".
My sentiments extremely pained, to perceive an utterance so plain,
Most interested, mystified, a meaning I hoped for.
"Surely," said the raven's watcher, "separate discourse is wiser.
Therefore, liberation I'll obtain, retreating heretofore -
Eliminating all the 'nevermores' ".
Still, the detestable raven just remained, unmoving, on sculptured bust.
Always saying "never" (by a red chamber's door).
A poor, tender heartache maven - a sorrowful bird - a raven!
O, I wished thoroughly, forthwith, that he'd fly heretofore.
Still sitting, he recited "nevermores".
The raven's dirge induced alarm - "nevermore" quite wearisome.
I meditated: "Might its utterances summarize of a calamity before?"
O, a sadness was manifest - a sorrowful cry of unrest;
"O," I thought sincerely, "it's a melancholy great - furthermore,
Removing doubt, this explains 'nevermores' ".
Seizing just that moment to sit - closely, carefully, advancing beside it,
Sinking down, intrigued, where velvet cushion lay afore.
A creature, midnight-black, watched there - it studied my soul, unawares.
Wherefore, explanations my insight entreated for.
Silently, I pondered the "nevermores".
"Disentangle, nefarious bird! Disengage - I am disturbed!"
Intently its eye burned, raising the cry within my core.
"That delectable Lenore - whose velvet pillow this was, heretofore,
Departed thence, unsettling my consciousness therefore.
She's returning - that maiden - aye, nevermore."
Since, to me, that thought was madness, I renounced continuing sadness.
Continuing on, I soundly, adamantly forswore:
"Wretch," (addressing blackbird only) "fly swiftly - emancipate me!"
"Respite, respite, detestable raven - and discharge me, I implore!"
A ghostly answer of: "nevermore".
" 'Tis a prophet? Wraith? Strange devil? Or the ultimate evil?"
"Answer, tempter-sent creature!", I inquired, like before.
"Forlorn, though firmly undaunted, with 'nevermores' quite indoctrinated,
Is everything depressing, generating great sorrow evermore?
I am subdued!", I then swore.
In answer, the raven turned - relentless distress it spurned.
"Comfort, surcease, quiet, silence!" - pleaded I for.
"Will my (abusive raven!) sorrows persist unabated?
Nevermore Lenore respondeth?", adamantly I encored.
The appeal was ignored.
"O, satanic inferno's denizen -- go!", I said boldly, standing then.
"Take henceforth loathsome "nevermores" - O, to an ugly Plutonian shore!
Let nary one expression, O bird, remain still here, replacing mirth.
Promptly leave and retreat!", I resolutely swore.
Blackbird's riposte: "nevermore".
So he sitteth, observing always, perching ominously on these doorways.
Squatting on the stony bust so untroubled, O therefore.
Suffering stark raven's conversings, so I am condemned, subserving,
To a nightmare cursed, containing miseries galore.
Thus henceforth, I'll rise (from a darkness, a grave) -- nevermore!
-- Original: E. Poe
-- Redone by measuring circles.
http://users.aol.com/s6sj7gt/mikerav.htm
Now for those Literature savvy ones out there, you would notice that it mirrors the tone and rhyme of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which I'll link here later here for reference. What's amazing about the above poem is that's a "constrained" poem, meaning poetry that obeys one or more artificially-imposed rules. Indeed what's amazing about it that it's constrain is that the number of letters in the words are equal to the digits of Pi; yes, that number in math we use to compute circles with that goes 3.1415-something. You can see it from the title already, 'Poe(3)E(1),Near(4) a(1) Raven(5)". Count every one if you don't believe me, though that is Pi to the 740'th decimal. Here's a link to a copy of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" since it will be too long for me to post.
http://www.heise.de/ix/raven/Literature/Lore/TheRaven.html
~~~~~~~
Xkcd - self-labeled as "A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language", this website contains one of the most intellectually romantic comedies in comic-style stick-figure drawings. Its the place for those romantic geeks out there like me (100% romantic, only 50% geek FYI). Here is my favorite
For those of you who don't read the newspapers, here is an interesting article from the Science/Health section of today's issue of the Inquirer that I'd very much like to share. The column is titled "Eureka!" and the author is Queena Lee Chua, who again for of you who don't know is a professor of math and psych at Ateneo. Let me share you the interesting parts of the article.
Math and Literature:Here is a poem by Mike Keith, a software engineer in the United States
Poe, E.
Near a Raven
Midnights so dreary, tired and weary.
Silently pondering volumes extolling all by-now obsolete lore.
During my rather long nap - the weirdest tap!
An ominous vibrating sound disturbing my chamber's antedoor.
"This", I whispered quietly, "I ignore".
Perfectly, the intellect remembers: the ghostly fires, a glittering ember.
Inflamed by lightning's outbursts, windows cast penumbras upon this floor.
Sorrowful, as one mistreated, unhappy thoughts I heeded:
That inimitable lesson in elegance - Lenore -
Is delighting, exciting...nevermore.
Ominously, curtains parted (my serenity outsmarted),
And fear overcame my being - the fear of "forevermore".
Fearful foreboding abided, selfish sentiment confided,
As I said, "Methinks mysterious traveler knocks afore.
A man is visiting, of age threescore."
Taking little time, briskly addressing something: "Sir," (robustly)
"Tell what source originates clamorous noise afore?
Disturbing sleep unkindly, is it you a-tapping, so slyly?
Why, devil incarnate!--" Here completely unveiled I my antedoor--
Just darkness, I ascertained - nothing more.
While surrounded by darkness then, I persevered to clearly comprehend.
I perceived the weirdest dream...of everlasting "nevermores".
Quite, quite, quick nocturnal doubts fled - such relief! - as my intellect said,
(Desiring, imagining still) that perchance the apparition was uttering a whispered "Lenore".
This only, as evermore.
Silently, I reinforced, remaining anxious, quite scared, afraid,
While intrusive tap did then come thrice - O, so stronger than sounded afore.
"Surely" (said silently) "it was the banging, clanging window lattice."
Glancing out, I quaked, upset by horrors hereinbefore,
Perceiving: a "nevermore".
Completely disturbed, I said, "Utter, please, what prevails ahead.
Repose, relief, cessation, or but more dreary 'nevermores'?"
The bird intruded thence - O, irritation ever since! -
Then sat on Pallas' pallid bust, watching me (I sat not, therefore),
And stated "nevermores".
Bemused by raven's dissonance, my soul exclaimed, "I seek intelligence;
Explain thy purpose, or soon cease intoning forlorn 'nevermores'!"
"Nevermores", winged corvus proclaimed - thusly was a raven named?
Actually maintain a surname, upon Pluvious seashore?
I heard an oppressive "nevermore".
My sentiments extremely pained, to perceive an utterance so plain,
Most interested, mystified, a meaning I hoped for.
"Surely," said the raven's watcher, "separate discourse is wiser.
Therefore, liberation I'll obtain, retreating heretofore -
Eliminating all the 'nevermores' ".
Still, the detestable raven just remained, unmoving, on sculptured bust.
Always saying "never" (by a red chamber's door).
A poor, tender heartache maven - a sorrowful bird - a raven!
O, I wished thoroughly, forthwith, that he'd fly heretofore.
Still sitting, he recited "nevermores".
The raven's dirge induced alarm - "nevermore" quite wearisome.
I meditated: "Might its utterances summarize of a calamity before?"
O, a sadness was manifest - a sorrowful cry of unrest;
"O," I thought sincerely, "it's a melancholy great - furthermore,
Removing doubt, this explains 'nevermores' ".
Seizing just that moment to sit - closely, carefully, advancing beside it,
Sinking down, intrigued, where velvet cushion lay afore.
A creature, midnight-black, watched there - it studied my soul, unawares.
Wherefore, explanations my insight entreated for.
Silently, I pondered the "nevermores".
"Disentangle, nefarious bird! Disengage - I am disturbed!"
Intently its eye burned, raising the cry within my core.
"That delectable Lenore - whose velvet pillow this was, heretofore,
Departed thence, unsettling my consciousness therefore.
She's returning - that maiden - aye, nevermore."
Since, to me, that thought was madness, I renounced continuing sadness.
Continuing on, I soundly, adamantly forswore:
"Wretch," (addressing blackbird only) "fly swiftly - emancipate me!"
"Respite, respite, detestable raven - and discharge me, I implore!"
A ghostly answer of: "nevermore".
" 'Tis a prophet? Wraith? Strange devil? Or the ultimate evil?"
"Answer, tempter-sent creature!", I inquired, like before.
"Forlorn, though firmly undaunted, with 'nevermores' quite indoctrinated,
Is everything depressing, generating great sorrow evermore?
I am subdued!", I then swore.
In answer, the raven turned - relentless distress it spurned.
"Comfort, surcease, quiet, silence!" - pleaded I for.
"Will my (abusive raven!) sorrows persist unabated?
Nevermore Lenore respondeth?", adamantly I encored.
The appeal was ignored.
"O, satanic inferno's denizen -- go!", I said boldly, standing then.
"Take henceforth loathsome "nevermores" - O, to an ugly Plutonian shore!
Let nary one expression, O bird, remain still here, replacing mirth.
Promptly leave and retreat!", I resolutely swore.
Blackbird's riposte: "nevermore".
So he sitteth, observing always, perching ominously on these doorways.
Squatting on the stony bust so untroubled, O therefore.
Suffering stark raven's conversings, so I am condemned, subserving,
To a nightmare cursed, containing miseries galore.
Thus henceforth, I'll rise (from a darkness, a grave) -- nevermore!
-- Original: E. Poe
-- Redone by measuring circles.
http://users.aol.com/s6sj7gt/mikerav.htm
Now for those Literature savvy ones out there, you would notice that it mirrors the tone and rhyme of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which I'll link here later here for reference. What's amazing about the above poem is that's a "constrained" poem, meaning poetry that obeys one or more artificially-imposed rules. Indeed what's amazing about it that it's constrain is that the number of letters in the words are equal to the digits of Pi; yes, that number in math we use to compute circles with that goes 3.1415-something. You can see it from the title already, 'Poe(3)E(1),Near(4) a(1) Raven(5)". Count every one if you don't believe me, though that is Pi to the 740'th decimal. Here's a link to a copy of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" since it will be too long for me to post.
http://www.heise.de/ix/raven/Literature/Lore/TheRaven.html
~~~~~~~
Xkcd - self-labeled as "A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language", this website contains one of the most intellectually romantic comedies in comic-style stick-figure drawings. Its the place for those romantic geeks out there like me (100% romantic, only 50% geek FYI). Here is my favorite
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
300 ways to kill boredom
I
just like to share an insight I had lately. I have been watching 300
over and over again (yes, that exaggeratedly awesome movie involving
300 Spartans and 10,000 abs), studying battle scenes and combat
choreography just because I had nothing better to do. Now to me this is
one if not the best movie I've ever watched, and its not just because
of jaw-dropping visual effects and fantastic moves. It, if you watch
carefully and look past the towering mountains of men they call those
hunks of abs with legs, also incorporate elements of a good story and
fantastic film I got to know from Literature class, Movie review
lessons and Reflection essay writing from Sir Serrano. Now I don't like
to go into a lecture, but to me this film is deeper than the man-gore
fest it appears to be.
One aspect of this film people
criticize is the presence of hideously deformed or mutant people, like
the hunchback traitor Ephialtes and the monster-like Immortals (seen
when a mask was knocked off). I've defended that this doesn't really
affect the story, but now I've gotten a better defense.One is that they
are symbolisms, caricatures of characters deformed by their corruption
(like the corrupt Priests of the Oracle or the Immortals). The better
one I have is that you will notice that parts of the movie are narrated
by the Spartan Leonidas sends home, Dilios I think his name was.
Regardless also note that this narration is the recollection of events,
events that he tells to the Spartan army before their charge at the
end. Now, recalling Sir Serrano's lesson about memory; memory takes
alot of artistic freedom. It can be affected by emotions and is
entirely subject to the interpretation of the person doing the
recalling. You get where I'm going with this?
The battle itself
is the narration of events as seen by Dilios, and therefore through
this narrative exaggerations like 1 Spartan pawns 10,000 Persians and
frightful enemies can be introduced without destroying the realism and
relative historical accuracy of the movie.
Lolz, applications of lessons, I never knew I'd see the day.
just like to share an insight I had lately. I have been watching 300
over and over again (yes, that exaggeratedly awesome movie involving
300 Spartans and 10,000 abs), studying battle scenes and combat
choreography just because I had nothing better to do. Now to me this is
one if not the best movie I've ever watched, and its not just because
of jaw-dropping visual effects and fantastic moves. It, if you watch
carefully and look past the towering mountains of men they call those
hunks of abs with legs, also incorporate elements of a good story and
fantastic film I got to know from Literature class, Movie review
lessons and Reflection essay writing from Sir Serrano. Now I don't like
to go into a lecture, but to me this film is deeper than the man-gore
fest it appears to be.
One aspect of this film people
criticize is the presence of hideously deformed or mutant people, like
the hunchback traitor Ephialtes and the monster-like Immortals (seen
when a mask was knocked off). I've defended that this doesn't really
affect the story, but now I've gotten a better defense.One is that they
are symbolisms, caricatures of characters deformed by their corruption
(like the corrupt Priests of the Oracle or the Immortals). The better
one I have is that you will notice that parts of the movie are narrated
by the Spartan Leonidas sends home, Dilios I think his name was.
Regardless also note that this narration is the recollection of events,
events that he tells to the Spartan army before their charge at the
end. Now, recalling Sir Serrano's lesson about memory; memory takes
alot of artistic freedom. It can be affected by emotions and is
entirely subject to the interpretation of the person doing the
recalling. You get where I'm going with this?
The battle itself
is the narration of events as seen by Dilios, and therefore through
this narrative exaggerations like 1 Spartan pawns 10,000 Persians and
frightful enemies can be introduced without destroying the realism and
relative historical accuracy of the movie.
Lolz, applications of lessons, I never knew I'd see the day.
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