The Oscars 2014

I must admit, I have not watched the other Oscar films that I said I would by now. Guess life caught up with me...

But if I did watch those movies before the actual ceremony, I would have declared that:

1. I don’t think Leonardo Di Caprio would win, perhaps, because I thought the Wolf of Wallstreet was a movie that was lacking. I thought Matthew McConaughey would be a strong contender for best actor because his movie was better (based on critic ratings).  
2. I was on the fence whether Jennifer Lawrence would bag her Oscar this year because as a whole I found American Hustle to be a disappointment.  And, apparently the movie also was a disappointment at the Oscars overall as the film didn’t win anything. I still like Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams though.
3. I think Jared Leto would win. I mean, with that role, he just seemed like such a shoe in. (Yes, I still remember him as Jordan Catalano and think that his eyes are just scary but I must admit he is such a good fit to be a trany with those super blue eyes.)
4. Cate Blanchett might win, depite Blue Jasmine (which I have seen) being a relatively less buzz-y movie vs the others. 

So the Oscars this year:

Ellen as a host was great. I have other favorites, like Jon Stewart perhaps (just because i like him) or Hugh Jackman. But I am very happy with Ellen. No one else can do selfies and pizza the way she can.

Ellen's Selfie broke twitter. Enough said.

So, Jared Leto’s speech… Wow, it was really good. Didn’t expect that from him because, you know, I still think of him as Jordan Catalano. But it was really really good. It was heartwarming (w/ his words about his mom).  His speech even covered Ukraine and Venezuela (and they way he said it, he didn’t seem to be pretentious at all). And, he dedicated his win to the AIDs people and why not? That’s what his movie is about. Might have been a long speech but it was really good.

I've always thought Jared Leto's eyes were scary.

I liked Lupita. I love her dress, so pretty on her. Nice, real and ernest speech. And, did you know her dad is a Kenyan senator? (I googled her).

I have always liked Cate Blanchett. Not entirely sure when I started liking her. Maybe it was when she played Queen Elizabeth? (As I do tend to have a thing for watching and reading random things about the Tudors) Anyway, her dress was lovely. I like it. It was pretty and sparkly and she looked good in it. Loved her as Jasmine. Her speech was pretty kickass. Smart. Substantial. Had enough humor in it. Thanked (a lot of people) as well as paid tribute to her roots. Very eloquent overall. Oh yeah and she told Julia Roberts to suck it.

Alright. Alright. Alright.

And, Matthew McConaughey: I once had a crush on you (circa A Time to Kill) and since then you’ve taken some weird surfer dude level roles and other similar unimpressive roles. I did like The Wedding Planner and How to Lose a Guy in 10 days so I forgive you (and accept you) for those but do you remember this horrible movie called Failure to Lauch with SJP? BUT now that you are back and with an Oscar win to boot, I think I will like you again! (Hey, you weren’t so bad in Magic Mike.) Alright, alright, alright!

I was thinking I was going to watch an Oscar movie tonight. I was choosing between Dallas Buyers Club or 12 Years a Slave. But since 12 Years a Slave won and since I was just reminded that Michael Fassbender and Benedict Cumberland is in it, I will definitely watch it after writing this.

See there they are: Benedict Cuberbatch and Michael Fassbender

And oh Sherlock, you steal the show in your own way. Benedict Cumberbatch and his antics (photobombing everywhere)…  Love them. So cute. So so so cute.

Sherlock photobombs U2 and friends

Also, must be said (though I am not sure why)… Kudos to Frozen! It was a very cute movie. Brought me back to the time of Disney princesses. And yes, I love singing to Disney princess songs. I love Idina Menzel (though why John Travolta wouldn’t know how to pronounce her name properly is beyond me). I also love Kristen Bell so I am very happy Frozen won for best animated film and best song.

I am still contemplating if I will ever watch Gravity. Now I am actually considering seeing Captain Philips because I think the Somali nominee seemed  pretty cool and (embarrassingly) I didn’t know that the movie was about Somali pirates. I thought it was some lame-o Tom Hanks navy story. (I do not like Tom Hanks and whenever I see that he's in a movie, my mind's first instinct is to dismiss it. Sorry.)

I am also considering watching the nominated documentary The Square because I saw an interview of the filmmaker on Fareed Zakaria's show and I want to see her take on the events in Egypt.

Oh, also, Baz Luhrmann’s wife won for the costumes of The Great Gatsby. I truly loved (love love love) all the dresses in that movie (so much so that I know they are from Prada and Miu Miu) and so I just want to say congratulations to Mrs. Luhrmann!

ON OTHER OTHER THINGS:

Roger Federer won in Dubai, beating out Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych along the way! I just need to slip that in… because, to me, this is something to definitely cheer about!

Also, Ukraine is in turmoil…. Wheeling and dealings… Technically, unidentified boots on the ground abound… Intimidation, misinformation, and world leaders are working it… What happens now, we don’t yet know...

And also the Oscar Pistorius just started. Everytime I see Reeva Steenkamp's pictures, I am still blown away on how gorgeous she was. She was a TV personality and she was also a lawyer. I think of how such an accomplished and glamorous life has been wasted and it just is sad.

Disclaimer: images used in this post are obviously not taken by me.

Stan is the Man!

I had a semi full schedule last Sunday, or as full as it could be for Sunday afternoon to night time. I was going to go do yoga, hit the shops with a friend (she needs a dress for an event), and have dinner somewhere new. I begged my friend to adjust our schedule so that I could potentially rush home to watch the Australian Open Men’s finals (This was post Stan’s win over Djokovic and Pre Nadal’s win over Roger).

I had been hoping for an all Swiss final (what a treat that would have been – and if that did happened, I won’t even be upset if Stan wins over Roger) but hey, Nadal played so much better against Roger (semis) vs his level of play against Nishikori and Dimitrov (4th round & quarters). So, no all swiss final.

Stan, Federer’s buddy, was in the finals and since Federer had believed in his friend's chances, I decided to be supportive and watch the game as well. (It should be noted though that of all the predictions, analysis, and articles that I read before the finals, only 1 person said Wawkrinka had a chance against Nadal and that person was Roger Federer).

To be honest, I had perhaps believed Stan’s chances of winning were at about the 25%. That is, I thought: If Stan played as good as he did against Djokovic and if Nadal played at a lower level than he did against Roger, then Stan will have a chance.

And this is what actually happened for the first set and a half of the match. That part was what I had deemed the only legitimate part of the finals and the rest of it, I don’t know, I will just call it a freak occurrence. It was so bizarre that for a while there I think Wawrinka got confused and suddenly wasn’t sure if his initial game plan against a fierce Nadal should be tempered so as not to look too brutal against an injured Nadal. (I suppose he was thinking that at first he was the underdog then suddenly he was not?)

That was the sad part, the “injured” Nadal. I wanted Stan to win convincingly and given his performance during the first set, I believe that he really deserved a better victory. I wanted him to win but not like that.

I respect Nadal’s talent and his impressive come back from a major injury and from months of being out of the tour. What had always bothered me about him (and not just against Federer but against everyone) was his consistent grey-area on court behavior: time delays tactics / violations, (suspect) timeouts, coaching violations and everything else that he does (such as touching himself in all places before he finally serves).

What happened last Sunday wasn’t pretty. Yes, Nadal might have really been injured (was this just a sudden cramp thing or did he just break something there or was this an old problem, who knows?) but the way it all panned out, it just felt iffy.

Headlines then read that Wawrinka won over an “injured” Nadal, which just takes so much out of Wawrinka’s well deserved win, which is just unfortunate because I believed that even if Nadal hadn’t been injured Stan could have won anyway the way he was playing.  Stan had really really really been that good in that first set. If things progressed the same way, then Nadal would have lost justly, sans all this injury drama.

It should be noted though that instead of retiring, Nadal stayed in there to let Stan finish the match, which is a nice gesture and which is also what I would have expected him to do.

photo from the ausopen.com

BUT no matter, a win is a win. Again, we must remember that this is Stan’s moment.  At the end of the day, you’ve won a Grand Slam #Stanimal! Congratulations, you deserve it! I am happy for you!

Notes on Roger (even if this is Stan’s moment):   

Roger played unbelievably well this whole Australian Open vs. his not so great performance of last year (or the last few years). This fact alone gives me enough satisfaction. This gives me some hope. This makes me happy. (I am a fan of his so why wouldn’t I be?)

He is a 32 year old guy who still plays this good, who can still beat top ranked guys, and who still brings so much to the tennis world. He has worked for it too. How can he not, when all these odds against him now? He may not be #1 but he is still this good. It is what it is. (Haters, stop raining on this parade please.)

Also, forgot to comment about this: VERY VERY VERY Happy for Li Na! 

photo from the ausopen.com

I like her. I still remember her as being this semi good, semi consistent, Chinese player who played at the time of Kim Clijster and Justine Henin.  Well, she’s still here and she’s come a long way. She’s so funny and so real. She’s a good representative of the Asia Pacific (as the Aussie Open is the Grand Slam of the Asia Pacific, is it not?). She is Chinese, 31 and still competitive on tour, her story is definitely one of the good ones!

This is one of those tournaments wherein I’m happy about both the men’s and women’s champion.

The Pork Files Continues

Just an understatedly brief recap, sometime last year this happened: 

Yes, that was Miriam playing at being Katniss Everdeen. It's gimmicky but, I suppose, it served its purpose. Nice touch (?) that Miriam went young, trendy and (I don't know) revolutionary with this one.

Meanwhile, Enrile was playing Bejeweled. Enough said.

Yesterday, this happened: 

Is this an unfunny standup comedy show? Oh, no, it's not.

If I needed further confirmation (which I really don't) of my assessment of his character and intelligence, this is it.

My 2 major memories of Bong Revilla Jr. now are: 1 - His equally ridiculous anti-Hayden speech and 2 - this delusional (unbelievable / bizarre / cheap / desperate / insulting / embarrassing  - insert preferred adjective)  scene.

Old trapo style politicians may have been comforted by the idea that even if they can't fool the literate part of society, they could always fool the masses with showbiz tactics. Well, I just overheard our household staff discussing the issue a while ago and they were also in complete disbelief with Revilla’s statements. That's a slice of the people's mind right there for you, senators.

I suppose, as can be deduced, their camp's game plan goes like this: 1 - Muddle the main issue with so many other random issues (to hopefully confuse/distract everyone), 2 - Immediately counter-accuse your accuser (hindi ako, ikaw noh, hindi ako, ikaw din noh!), and 3 - Pull all the cheesy shenanigans you can think of (and hope for the very best).

ALSO, I would like to repeat this: If you keep on saying that you were bribed to vote against Corona and you subsequently did vote against him then this would also mean that you are ADMITTING TO A CRIME and are, in fact, INCRIMINATING yourself. (facepalm)

2014, this blog is waking up (for a while at least)

Ok, things have come and gone without (my) comment…

I have also caught up with a whole lot of TV last December. You’d think that would have been depressing but it actually wasn’t that bad. You’d think I’d hate that the Game of Thrones strayed too much from the books but I actually have forgotten enough of the books to not be a nitpicker about it. 

And, who would have thought that The Mindy Project is a very good companion for the holidays. It cheered me up so very much! (What does this say about me?!)

So, moving on…

Last week the Golden Globes just happened (it's award season time!) and the Australian open just started.  

I should have been happier about all this though. I don't know, it's not doing it too much for me this time. Maybe my mind is telling me that I no longer like being a couch potato (yeah, right).

So, yes, I did watch a ton of tennis last week. Basically, the TV was on while I did a bunch of random things like updated websites, typed documents and experimented on products (yes, I’m a multi task-er that way). 

The Aussie Open

So far though, things are moving along at the Aussie open. Serena Williams is out. (Yey! Because while I acknowledge her talent and everything, I don’t really like her.) Del Potro is out (No reaction. Though partially glad because the bottom half of the men’s draw is really really crowded). Bryan brothers are out (sad). Maria Sharapova is out (sad). Ana Ivanovic is just out (sad but happy as well because at least there is some semblance of hope that she will be moving up).  I am happy as well for the 19 year old Canadian who beat Ivanovic. She seemed nice. (Even if she said she wanted to date Justin Bieber - what is up with that?) 

Djokovic is out. Gasp! (I don't particularly dislike him but I just prefer to cheer for Roger’s friend Wawrinka so the result makes me happy. Amazing game. Well-deserved win.) 

Happy For Stan! (pic from the official website)

And, what else? Roger is still in. (Yes! Just crossing my fingers for now though. Well, what else am I going to do otherwise?)

The Golden Globes / Oscars

I have watched The Wolf of Wall street. Wasn't really impressed but I already expected this based on the reviews I’ve read. I have also watched American Hustle. To be honest, I was slightly disappointed partly because I had super high expectations of the film. I still like Jennifer Lawrence even if her role as a semi narcissist crazy woman touched too close to home, which scared me a bit. I also got some copies of other Oscar movies (12 years a slave, Blue Jasmine and the Dallas Buyers Club). I am looking forward to watching these soon.

Still reserving my judgement on the other movies until after the Oscars and one of them wins something. I mean, I know, a lot of people have raved about Gravity but I'm still turned off by the whole space thing.  

It should also be noted that the Wolf of Wallstreet is the only Oscar nominated film that’s not rated 90+% on rottentomatoes.com. It’s just at 70%, I think. In fact, after watching the movie with my dad, he said this: the movie with the freezing we watched the other week was better than this. That is, that movie was the animated film Frozen. (Actually, Frozen, if I'm not mistaken, got 89% on Rotten Tomatoes so he’s not wrong there.)

I don't have particularly have much to say about the TV section of the Golden Globes. I don't know, do I not watch award winning TV anymore? I am happy for Amy Poehler though. I love Parks and Recreation. 

LOVE them! (pic from TV.com)

Also, I truly truly love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting the Golden Globes. Just had to say it.  

- 

So my January has been somewhat eventful and yet it feels like nothing had actually happened. The new beginning that I had hoped to be taking place is not yet happening…

Oh well.

New Year’s Resolutions      

1. Exercise More / Eat Healthier ( = look better)

2. Earn More…

3. To be able to Live Life

Seriously, for the past few years or so… this has been more or less my list. What does this say? (Ok, I don’t want to think about that). 

Moving on…  I will try to do them this year...

It's still pretty early. I still have 11 1/2 months to go you know. 

Yolanda, The Strongest Typhoon Ever

Well, we all know what happened and we all know what is happening. During the first night, when it when all the electricity and communication lines were out – we had no idea what was going on. 

We knew it was a big one and warnings were relatively early. The president made a public announcement warning the country. 

However, no one have imagined how extreme the effect of Yolanda (aka Haiyan) would have been.

For days, I have been tuning into the news and have been treated to more and more horrible pictures, videos and coverage. Just when you think you already got it, how bad it is and everything, more sad news comes along.

There are criticism, there are complaints. People are angry. People are desperate. There are a lot of things that are said, can be said and that people keep on saying... 

It’s such a large typhoon, the greatest one ever, that spanned from east to west. It is not just 1 province that was vastly damaged, the typhoon covered 2/3 of the country. Tacloban, though it is so famous now, is not the only place that has been hit. In hard hit areas there are: No electricity. No communication. No access.

So, it is what it is. It is a catastrophic natural disaster. It is a tragedy. It is a crisis. It was just that bad. That is the point. 

It has been said that the first responders themselves are victims hence there isn’t even enough people to restore order.

I heard on the news that out of the 290 policemen of Tacloban only 22 showed up for work – where the others are (are they dead or looking for their loved ones?), who knows? I also heard that the leader of the soldier group stationed at the airport was also washed away to sea and was found miles away, after being at sea for 6 hours.

It is a mess. It is a bad situation.  

So, people should just stop saying things and doing things that are really not relevant and not particularly helpful.

And, just go out and help!

I am glad that the country is having all this international news coverage. There now seems to be an outpour of help coming from around the world. The fact that there are so many notable CNN correspondents that are in the country right now alone (I heard Anderson Cooper is here somewhere) has given the country so much airtime and this is good.  

Still, watching all the coverage has been very sad and depressing. Yet I still watch. 

I have been told by friends, who are not particularly the dramatic kind, that they actually cried while watching the news. People are saying that they feel traumatized just by watching the TV, thinking that as a Filipino, this has happened and is still happening to other Filipinos. 

All the tragedy, just gives you pause to think about issues of humanity, tragedy and survival, I suppose. 

After all, it was one crisis and tragedy after another - the Zambo incident, the Bohol earthquake, the Napoles issue.... and the list goes on. 

On this note...  Filipinos has always been thought of a resilient and happy group of people...

As sentiments like these around the net has been said... 

Let us all put our chins up and hope for more positive things to come.

Here's hoping for more bayanihan and less of these people who are exploiting a bad situation for their own gain...

(I am not talking about those victims who stole food for survival. I am talking about alleged rebel groups who shot at relief convoys and hi jacked the supplies and about those who looted items only to them sell them at high prices).

#StrongerPH

Napoles Senate Probe

I wasn’t expecting much. This idea has been preempted by TV guests. She was kept away for so long from the senate probes and then it was said not to expect too much from her. So, ok… I wasn't expecting anything and what we really got was... well, nothing. 

Pulis ba ako? Hindi ko alam... Wala pong scam...

Watching the hearing, I was just wondering about what the strategy was of either side – of the Napoles’ camp and of the senators who were questioning her. I can only guess but who will confirm my guesses anyway?

Well, Miriam obviously stole the show.  You can always count on her for entertainment, theatrics and some loud revelations. She never fails to keep it interesting. 

The thing is, obviously, Napoles knew of these things that she was asked about but she kept saying she didn't. What is the whole point of her oath, if she will just blatantly lie? I don't know what the plan there was but she certainly didn't endear herself to anyone. As you know, Filipinos do like to sympathize with underdog or whoever is seemingly being bullied, even if they are the "bad people". Image-wise though, she didn't look the least bit pitiful the way she presented herself out there. Just saying... 

AND... the big message of the day was Enrile’s DNA revelation: He is the evil mastermind after all…!?

What?! But I am innocent.... 

Ok, old guy... whatever you say. 

Meanwhile....

Somewhere in another part of the world... Jinggoy allegedly is having some medical checkup. 

And so... Abangan na lamang ang susunod na kabanata... 

I hope Napoles and the NGO scam issue will not be forgotten amidst the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. 

Word to the Wise, Clichés, Self Help and Other Words of Wisdom

1. What I have learned (and unfortunately have forgotten) and have relearned recently is this:

Most people who keep on trying to put you down and make you feel bad about yourself, are usually people who are projecting their own insecurities and issues on you.

They are just so busy convincing themselves, and you, that they are better than you. Do not allow them to do so. Do not allow them to make you believe there is something wrong with you, when there is none.

2. People have different definitions of success, happiness and making it. 

People should stop making other people feel bad about themselves just because what they want out of life is different from theirs.

“To each his own” as they say.

3. Respect – is another word these people need to learn to live by. 

4. More listening, less judging, please.

5. People who can’t handle looking at other people should just stop looking.

Stop the envy, the jealousy, and the bitterness. Most of all (again), stop projecting your own insecurity or whatever it is you are dealing with to others.

Growing up, I’ve had relatives and classmates who always felt that they should be better than me. Whatever I had or did, or was, they had to be better or they had to beat it.

Half of the time I fought back, simply because they were annoying. Like what is up with these people who can’t even give you anything? They had to always have it all, don’t they?

Half of the time, I just wanted them to stop. Like, leave it be, please. Can’t I just do things without these people hovering and thinking of ways on how they can beat me out of whatever it is? Seriously, I just want to exist on my own, in peace, and not be some mark that these people have to measure themselves against on all the time. 

I’ve always thought these people will never "win" because there will always be someone who is better at something in everything and so they won’t stop and won’t ever be truly happy.

However, I still wish that these people would learn to just leave you alone. You don’t want to be their yardstick. You never volunteered. It's not like you knowingly and willingly engaged in these competitions against them.  

Or, if they want to keep using you as their yardstick, can they just please do this in silence, alone, without bothering you? No sabotaging, no backbiting, no back stabbing, no putting you down, no bad vibes…  

If they can be bitter in silence, far away… Ok then, they can do that. It’s a free world.

6. People should learn to be happy for others.

Simply: I’ve always wished that more people would learn to truly be happy for others despite the status of their lives.

   

7.  More Words:

Schadenfreude is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. 

The Buddist concept of mudita "sympathetic joy" or "happiness in another's good fortune," is cited as an example of the opposite of schadenfreude

Alternatively, envy, which is unhappiness in another's good fortune, could be considered the counterpart of schadenfreude.

Completing the quartet is "unhappiness at another's misfortune"—which can be called sympathy, pity, or compassion. 

8. Stop wearing the victim shirt.

There was a time in my life when things were down and I would always say: I refuse to be a victim. Sometime a few years ago, due to various reasons, I forgot I was the same person.

My friend was telling me about this self help book that she was reading and one of the steps told her to stop wearing the victim shirt.

I agree, this is true. People should stop wearing the victim shirt.

Though the book talked about various types of victims. One of them is the valid victim that refused to let things go.  In any case, valid of a victim you may be, you will continue to be one if are unable to let go. And so you have to.  

9. Learn to embrace yourself. Learn to love yourself.

Cliché as this statement might be, all I am saying that if I am able to completely embrace and love myself, I think, there (would have been, and ) will be a world of difference. 

10. Well... 

I suppose,  it is a person's choice if he/she decides to be successfully miserable in life.