General

Chick Flicks

Saw my umpteenth chick flick (I was coerced, your honor). and it’s just amazing how they haven’t changed. They ALWAYS follow the same age-old formula: girl meets guy, they don’t like each other (either that or the girl hates the guy’s guts), girl finally figures out that hey this guy is cool after all (doink!), guy does something stupid (why is it always the guy? Girls do stupid things, too) that he didn’t mean (make it more endearing, no?), girl comes to a [slow] realization (double doink!), eventually they mend things, and on to the happy ending. Freakin’ boring. Should have just looked for DVDs of these movies. Heck, Rambo IV would have been more entertaining.

Trust And The Economy

My boss mentioned that the level of economy is proportional to the level of trust. Thinking about it, it does make sense. For every business transaction, you would add the cost of contracts, lawyers, and the risk premium to cover for the probability of your partner not meeting his obligations. Not only would this cost you money (but definitely enrich those lawyers) but this would also cost you time. Is this why this country lags behind its neighbors? I remember when I went to Thailand, Migs and I encountered this tailor and we decided to have 3 shirts each made. After picking the cloth and style and having our measurements taken, we paid. But he said he doesn’t give a receipt. Just his business card. We were taken aback but we decided to say the heck with it and paid. I wrote it off already but that night, the shirts were actually waiting back at the hotel. Amazing.

Rei Ayanami Is Here!

Joy gave me joyous news today: Rei Ayanami has arrived from the land of the rising sun! After a long long wait she’s finally here! I lost no time and met up with Joy and Lem for lunch and, of course, to pick Rei up. But I didn’t open the box right away. I wanted to document the unboxing. And this morning I finally did.

So what can I say? She’s gorgeous… drop-dead gorgeous. She’s primarily vinyl with some ABS parts. Definitely, designed for mass-production. Molding and paint job is top-notch though. There is no mistaking her for anyone else.
As expected, she’s eminently poseable being equipped with Kaiyodo‘s Revoltech joints. To aid in more life-like poses, she has four spare hands. There’s also a stand for those unstable poses.

Sadly, she only has The Spear of Longinus as an accessory. But then again, if you’re Rei, do you need anything else? Go see the anime if you don’t know what I mean.

All in all she’s great. There are many like her (including Joy’s). But this one is mine and she’s the best :P

Thanks again Joy-joy!

Check out the photos here.

Hapy New Year!

I haven’t had a New Year resolution since forever. But this year, at Cez‘s suggestion, I have these:

  1. Reach French level B1 by the end of year. This means I actually have to study!
  2. Read more books. Specifically literary classics but maybe I’ll throw in a contemporary book. Maybe also one in French.
  3. Take cooking or dance classes.
  4. Take advanced photography classes.
  5. Watch F1 in Singapore on September 26 to 28. Shanghai would probably be nice but I heard it will be way crowded. Singapore will hopefully be less so. Besides, I like F1 more than most Olympic sports.
  6. Go on a road trip. Maybe Pagudpud. You’ll probably be driving more than you actually staying there but in this is a road trip. It is really about the journey! Question is who shares this philosophy? :))
  7. Go surfing in Zambales or La Union.
  8. Go hiking and camping in one trip.
  9. Resume wargaming whether via paintball or airsoft.
  10. Be less patient with people. You read that right :D

Plans more than resolutions :P