Zodiac!

i was looking through my facebook wall and lo and behold! something new to talk about: the 13th zodiac sign: Ophiuchus! read the article from huffington post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/new-zodiac-sign-dates-oph_n_808567.html#s223890&title=Edyta_Blaszczyk

Now, the reason why I even looked at this, is because I could see it trending on twitter and in my wall, so many people made it their shout outs.

And it got me to thinking, of all the things that are happening in the world (wars, shootings, floods, natural disasters, dying fish and birds), why is this change in zodiac sign, such a big deal?

This is by no means scientific, but my observation is that people feel slighted by a change in their zodiac sign. You can check the link I posted above and see the twitter reactions.

Why are we feeling so slighted? I think it is not just because a lot of people do follow their horoscope everyday. I think it's more like we are relying on outside insight to find out more about ourselves. Astrology exists because people want to know who they are and what the future will be.

Thinking further, is it also because we have derived our own personalities and identities from our zodiac signs?

If we are told by the stars which were dominant during the time we were born, what kind of person we would be, and somehow, what our destiny would be, then does that shape how we view ourselves and our world?

And now that there is a new sign in the zodiac, does this mean that we were following the wrong destiny all along? And now, we can re-calibrate ourselves and follow our real destiny?

All questions that are valid, but kind of made me have a headache.

But I will leave you with this: destiny is how we have shaped it to be. It's all up to us, guys. Go out and live your lives! :)

I am apparently newly avant-garde. Must know what that means. :)

book vs movie: Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Before going into detail about this book vs movie review I am writing, I'd like first to tell you about my relationship with books.

Me and Books are fine friends. I try to read every night, it's my unwinding method and escape. After all my nightly seremonias, I open up the book on my bedside table and read a chapter or two before turning the light off and really going to sleep.

Bookstores love me. I am that nerd who stays a whole hour or two just roaming around the store, looking for new books to read. I have discount cards for both Fully Booked and Powerbooks. When I am meeting friends, I always suggest meeting at the nearest Fully Booked, Powerbooks or National Bookstore.

I have a "To-Read" pile which I am desperately trying not to add to yet. It's becoming too unmanageable. Soon, I will need to have another book case made. I can't seem to resist, it's like a magnetic force. "Read us, buy us, love us" creepy chanting.

OK, so now let's go to Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist.

Most of the time, the book is better than the movie. Which makes sense, because the characters have more room to spread and make themselves known in a book, the plot unravels in the right pace in a book.

Not in this case.

First off, I got kind of lost in the book. The story has a lot of different layers, sub stories to the main story. My average reading time of a book is a week. Because I just read around 2 chapters a night and more during the weekend. So usually, reading a book for two weeks for me, means it's a really thick book or that I fall asleep before my average of two chapters.

A main strength of the Swedish movie here is that it cut out a lot of the fatty layers of the small stories. It went for the jugular, right to it. And it made it more understandable and less complicated.

In my opinion, Stieg Larsson made one of the greatest female characters in all bookdom in the character of Lisbeth Salander. She is well-thought out, three-dimensional. A real person with real feelings. Even other character's reactions to her behavior is very real. I am not sure if Mr. Larsson based her on a real person (and we can't ask because he has passed away) but, I would not be surprised if he did.

She kind of reminds me of Scarlett O'Hara. Someone who will do anything to protect herself and people closest to her. A flawed heroine.

I don't want to spoil the plot for those who will read the book or watch the movie but one thing that I must say, I wish they did not change the title.

The original title is "Men who hate women": i think this is more apt to describe the underlying message of the story but I understand why they changed it. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is more mysterious, more positive in a sense.

But after you go past the first 100 pages, you will find it easier to read and more compelling. The story is intelligent, not your usual fiction thriller.

Mikael Blomkvist, the male character, who is kind of like the main protagonist of the story, is also a great character. You instantly root for him. He is also a very three-dimensional kind of character. The casting of the Swedish movie, I think, was spot on. Michael Nyqvist brought depth to his character.

You also see that the book is underpinned by different types of human relationships: homosexuality, open marriages, affairs. The movie doesn't dwell on that. It was interesting to read in the book, but I agree that the way the movie was made, it was bare-bones story, the other themes would be lost.

My recommendation is: watch the movie. I'm not saying the book is not great, far from it.

Get the story first, watch the movie. To enrich your experience and get the full effect, after watching the movie, read the book. :)

I heard that the movie is going to be made Hollywood style. I don't know when it'll be out. I want to see how they will do it.

Stats:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson

English, translated from Original Swedish

P335.00 at Powerbooks

463 pages

I am currently reading the next book in the Millenium trilogy (3 Larsson books): The Girl who Played with Fire. I am enjoying this one actually.

Until then...

Adjö´ så lä´nge! so long!

song for the day: Nirvana - Come as You Are (Live Acoustic) HD

As I was dressing up to go to work today, I was thinking of how when artists get their fame, they suddenly lose their original steam and angst.

I saw a paparazzi picture of a pregnant Alanis in a bikini and I couldn't really reconcile that with the angsty artist she was in the 90s. Don't get me wrong, everyone deserves happiness, even if it means no more angsty brilliant music.

Kurt Cobain, was another thing. I don't remember the specifics of his suicide, I don't even know if he even told people why. I remember Courtney Love reading the letter outside their home. Maybe the suicide was a way to finally get out of the pain. He left the music that will remain his legacy. (No paparazzi photos lounging on the beach)

This is one of the most brilliant songs that they did. Unplugged, which started the "acoustic" genre that we have now.

on jellyfish and bach

Spent the day at the Manila Ocean Park and I found inspiration in the colors and grace of the jellyfishes.

First off, the Ocean Park people, made a whole area for jellyfish (genius! this was probably copied from somewhere in the world, but still, loved it). They put different types of jellyfish (pictured above, these are the actual jellies there) in aquariums and put different colored lights at the bottom. Then, they synched the lights with soothing classical music. It was Air in G String, Bach. Beautiful!

I had a hectic past few weeks, and hearing Bach as background to the gentle, languidity of these beautiful creatures was just the right thing. I was so lucky to have been given a chance to see and hear this.

Do stop by Manila Ocean Park when you have the chance. :)

Oh, and we were there because of my nephew's, Santi, birthday. He loved the fishies and sharks and jellyfish. all in all, great day.

Song for the Day: Take That - Back for Good [Original HQ]

Heard some unsettling news this morning and i was thinking about it when i was buying breakfast.

To you I say, Come back please?

But, my favorite philosopher, Paulo Coelho, has said in his blog that we should strive to close things that are really finished in this life. Because probably, these things do not fit anymore in our lives.

That's a lot of crock!

I love you Paulo, but sometimes, what you say gives me a headache.

I will hum this song in my head na lang, until my headache subsides.

my fort bus adventure

being a quezon city girl and newly-minted makati girl, i don't usually spend a lot of time in BGC or The Fort, as it was called before. but two days ago, i had to go to The Fort because i was presenting my project to my classmates in our Ateneo Digiwiki class. (if any of you classmates are reading this, hello!)

those who know me, know that i hate to drive. rickymartin (my car) is a great car but i just have no stomach for driving. anyway, so i decide, hey, why don't i just ride the Fort bus? ok, so that didn't turn out as one of my best ideas to date, but it's not all bad:

surprisingly, the Fort bus stops are evenly spaced around BGC. that one is quite good, it's all very civilized, everyone queueing.

the kunduktor (bus conductor) already collects money from those in the line and gives change, so no more scrambling around in the bottomless pit that's my bag for loose change. he also is a great person to ask about the bus route, which as it turns out, is like a snake, winding through the beautifully cemented streets.

the wait though is quite long, because i was riding the bus that would bring me to EDSA, demand was high (it was around 6:30pm). the waiting shed is makeshift though, a tent with tarp on top so that you won't get wet, if it rained.

i was able to sit at the very back of the bus, and i noticed my busmates, all in suits, with ears plugged with ipods or iphones. very high end for a bus. the guy beside me was playing on his iphone 4.

i think that everything is bearable, until i get to the end of Mc Kinley, time to get off the bus! i wasn't prepared for the sheer number of people lining up to get back inside BGC, and at the other end of the street, people lined up to go into makati.

If i wanted to get back to Makati fast, i should walk and cross the overpass on EDSA. not to make any excuses, i was tired, my laptop is heavy so i decide to queue for a taxi. It took me a long time to get a taxi but i was able to get back.

All-in-all, i was able to get from The Fort to Greenbelt in an hour and 15 minutes.

i know that the bus has made BGC somewhat more accessible, but i think if they really want to succeed as a hub for business, transportation should be made more available.

as i write this, i remember a friend of mine who lived in Forbes before. He would walk from our office in Ayala, all the way home. Ok, so i should not complain na noh?

i leave you with Adele, Chasing Pavements. Purrfect for a pedestrian like moi!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBmwdlBFs1s

song for the past 3 days: lady gaga, poker face

album for the past three days: Lady Gaga's album. where: in the van from makati to sucat. in rush hour traffic. on a friday night.

have you ever been trapped in a van that played lady gaga's album for morning til night, for three days?

well, i have. and now, my head is ringing with poker face and paparazzi.

i wish i could say that i have an appreciation for her songs now, but i can honestly say that i do not.

i still think she's unique.

brings new meaning to captive audience.

i end with this thought: buti na lang may dogs sa video na ito.