Halloween Parties 2010

Here's a short list of Halloween Parties that will be held tomorrow, 30th October. So take your pick!




Terno Halloween Costume Party
Capone's
A-Venue
Makati City

If you come in your costume, you don't need to pay the door charge. Dancing starts at 10pm.





Planet Republiq Halloween Ball
2F Resorts World Manila
Newport City
Pasay City

Door charge is Php800 (comes with 2 drinks) and party starts at 10pm.




Manor Halloween Party
Eastwood City
Libis, QC

Php350 door charge.

Easy like Sunday morning -- on a Thursday

I can't say that my job is particularly exciting -- it doesn't even allow me to socialise on a personal level -- but it does give me a lot of flexibility with regards to scheduling weekday appointments.

Like yesterday, for example. I had to visit an office in Makati very early in the morning and push papers around. If I worked in an office, I would've had to make an excuse like call in sick or I'll be late, etc. As I work from home, I only needed to call into the office and tell them I'll start work probably after lunchtime.

I expected my appointment yesterday to last the whole morning, but instead it only lasted 20 minutes. I suddenly had the whole morning to myself.




So I decided to lounge around with a macchiato and read a book. This Thursday morning felt like Sunday and it's soooo nice. Simple pleasures -- you gotta love 'em.


And yes, I mark pages on novels. So you can tell this one is good because it looks like a textbook now. Hahaha!

Stone + The Social Network

New movies this week!

Everyone and their grandmothers have, one way or another, heard about The Social Network, so I'm not going to talk about that. Instead, there's Stone. It's rated rotten on RottenTomatoes.com, but I'm an Ed Norton and De Niro fan. So there.




The Social Network
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Max Minghella, Justin Timberlake
Synopsis: A story about the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.





Stone
Starring: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Milla Jovovich
Synopsis: A convicted arsonist looks to manipulate a parole officer into a plan to secure his parole by placing his beautiful wife in the lawman's path. A convicted arsonist looks to manipulate a parole officer into a plan to secure his parole by placing his beautiful wife in the lawman's path.

Changes

At times when your life turns topsy-turvy and everything's become such a big mess, you can't help but change your perspective on life. You either become more cynical or more grateful.



When you look out of your window, what do you see? I see that my windows are mucky and that they need a good wipe!




I'd been looking for signs everywhere lately. So when butterflies started visiting my window plants everyday, I took comfort in it. They are symbols of a new life and here they are -- probably trying to tell me to go get one already!




This one's got a broken wing. You can't see it on this photo, unfortunately. That doesn't stop him, though! (I assumed it's a "him," don't ask me how I know).

So why should I let annoying stuff get me down?

Got 2 Dance UK and Matthew Koon

I was watching the Got 2 Dance Auditions on TV this morning and the story of Matthew Koon's audition caught my attention. He's from an Asian/Oriental family in Manchester and his story is a lot like many Asian kids who want to be artists -- most Asian parents would like their children to pursue careers in sciences or anything that's known to bring financial stability. Art, music, etc are never good options, because they fear that there's no money in it.

Matthew's story was very inspiring. Let's not be afraid to pursue our dreams, people!








On a lighter note, I'm seriously crushing on Adam Garcia (2nd from right) at the mo'!

Blue Valentine: What the heck is an NC-17 rating?!

I love movies. There's not enough time in the world for me to watch all the ones I find interesting, but I'm slowwwwwwly clearing my movie debt. Unfortunately, it just keeps piling up on me!

Just this morning, I've read about one on the news called Blue Valentine. It's an emotionally-charged relationship drama starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. It was one of the most talked about films from the Cannes and Sundance film festivals. Hollywood is all abuzz at the moment because this film got slapped with an NC-17 rating by the MPAA.





Now, what the bloomin' heck does NC-17 mean?! It's the first time I've heard of it, so I did some research.


Apparently, NC-17 means that anybody who's 17 years old and under is NOT allowed to see the film. This rating is detrimental to ticket sales, obviously.

The NC-17 rating also replaced the old "X" rating usually given to films that show graphic violence or sex scenes (incidentally, it is not the rating given to porn -- the "X" or "XXX" ratings on those are self-imposed and don't matter).

However, the rating does get a film talked about. What's more important, then -- money or recognition?

The only movie that I know was given an NC-17 rating that I saw was "Kids," featuring a very young Chloe Sevigny and Rosario Dawson. It was about sexually active, illegal drug-using teenagers during the height of the HIV scare in the mid-90's. The film disturbed me for many days after seeing it and it still gives me the chills now (but that's probably just me and couldn't say the same for anybody else who's seen it.

Chef Arch's Lime, Mandaluyong

I've met a lovely couple named Vinz and Sandz at the Easter Tweetup several months ago. It's funny how fate plays with us at times, because I've been hearing about a restaurant called Chef Arch's Lime in Mandaluyong sometime before going to that event and coincidentally, Vinz co-owns the place!



Lime is a whole-in-the-wall kind of restaurant, converted from a house into a bustling place serving glamourised Pinoy streetfood (e.g. isaw, kwek-kwek, barbecue, etc) and other unique dishes. I personally love their cocktails (if you know me well, that shouldn't really surprise you).

The restaurant is located on 160 San Rafael St., Mandaluyong. How I get there is by taking a left at the Tapa King from Mandaluyong Circle, go straight until you see a Chinabank on the corner then turn right -- don't blame me if you get lost, though. Hehe!

Photos of dishes offered below courtesy of JP.



Mango salad, P150



Crispy Dinuguan, P180



Asian Nachos, P180




Deep Fried California Maki, P155




My favourite Creamy Garlic Tuyo Pasta, P160




Osso Bucco-style Kare-kare, P210




If you like milk chocolate with your alcohol, then the Chocnut Martini (P80) could double up as dessert!

FS Picks of the Week, Oct 12-17

Just when I think about posting, somehow I do it on weeks when there is nothing going on. But I'm really psyched to go out and see The Other Guys at the cinema. Why? Because of this clever little thing *click! click!* --


The Other Guys Motion Poster




The Other Guys
Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Michael Keaton, Eva Mendes
Synopsis: Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops whom they idolize -- only things don't quite go as planned.