Friday, February 27, 2004
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It's been three months since I've been there. A place where I know only a handful of people. A place where I don't even really speak the right language. A place where I don't even have a home. But something seems to be drawing me back. Maybe I should ask the Emperor if he can send me back.... It would probably feel so good to escape there again.... The sea, the sand, the isolation.... *sigh*

 

Riddle Me This...

Why would moi, self-confessed Russell Crowe-basher, be watching "Gladiator" years after it has been shown? And no, it's not Oscar Awards research!

 

Gaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!



 

The Typewriter Guy!

Darn it, Lifey! :) Now you've got me running to the almighty Google! Heheh. So THIS is the Typewriter Guy you mentioned. He's the one who teaches letters of the alphabet by typing them up on his own keyboard and giving examples. Cool!

Oh, and his name is not "nuninuninu". He's just... well... Typewriter Guy! :D



Boy, wasn't life simple in Sesame Street. Just watch the Typewriter Guy type up some letters, and you'll know virtually all you need to know about the alphabet. *sigh*

But he's cute, ain't he?...

... though not as cute as y.o.u. :p

===

The Lenten Season has officially started, and I'm hoping they're gonna show "The Passion of the Christ" soon. This Mel Gibson film has been getting good reviews (with the occassional bashing regarding its supposed Anti-Semetic stance). From the trailers and the photos on the website, I love the look of the film, and casting Jim Caviezel as Jesus is a good call (at least to me). I read in the website that Mel Gibson asked that the look be based on the paintings of the Italian Baroque artist, Caravaggio. Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel sure did a good job with capturing that. I also heard that certain parts of the dialogue were in Aramaic, Latin, or Greek, which was a nice touch because it lends more authenticity and atmosphere to the whole thing.

There was one significant thing I've read about the movie that I couldn't forget. In one review I read, posted in the TPTS forum, the writer revealed: "Mel Gibson stated he did not appear in his own movie, by his choice, with one exception: It is Gibson's hands seen nailing Jesus to the cross. Gibson said he wanted to do that because it was indeed his own hands that nailed Jesus to the cross (along with all of ours.)".

EDIT: Direk tells me the entire movie is actually in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. Whoa.

Thursday, February 26, 2004
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What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity

I took a break from my usual late night TV line-up of "That's So Raven", "Mr. Bean", "Art Attack", "Hey, Arnold!", and that random food or travel show, to watch "Gladiator" (thanks sa CD, Az!). Yeah, yeah, so it's so several-years-ago, but the Internet hasn't been very cooperative with me in my costume research. (What costume research? nuninuninu... :p )

I had only one misgiving about watching this movie. Russell Crowe. For some weird reason, I just don't like him. Kinda like my reaction to Orlando Bloom *insert whistling smiley here*. I don't know why, so don't ask. Just one of them things I can't explain. It seems I have a lot of those lately....

Thankfully, the story got me before the urge to cover Russell Crowe's face on the monitor did. Don't get me wrong, though. He was good. Unchanging facial expressions, very cool. Heheh. Kidding!

Siriusly, it was a great movie. End of review. :D

Weeelll... okay. Several notes.

- I didn't know Albus Dumbledore used to be the Emperor of Rome.
- It was great watching Djimon Hounsou again. :)
- Beheadings. Bloodsport. Ack.
- The boy who played Lucius, Lucilla's son, oddly enough, reminded me of Draco Malfoy. Must be the look and the manner of speaking. hrmmmm... Lucius. Draco. Odd. *shrug*
- Fabulous soundtrack. :)
- Commodus' character would make for one great psychological study. He's... interesting... in a Freudian sort of way....
- I like Lucilla. :) Connie Nielsen is cool. :)

Back to figuring that costume out....

===

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
The world is full of color
Because of you.

===

Thought for the day: Butterscotch is no substitute for chocolate.

Someone please end my chocolate misery.....

Monday, February 23, 2004
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Oooohhh....

.... three posts in one day! I must be bored. :p

Am still in the office trying to write my post-training report. Of course, the operative word is trying. Yeah, I've heard Master Yoda's teaching a million times, but sometimes, trying is the best you can do.

If the Emperor didn't hover around the office while I was writing the report, it would have been a lot easier. As it is, he's adding to the pressure I'm already feeling because I have to finish the report by tomorrow.

I think I'd better go home...

... and wish there is pasta at home.

... or maybe even chocolates....

===

The Imperial Prom is just several days away. How in the world am I supposed to put together that costume in 4 days? Hrmmm... *mace windu chin scratch*

Fairy godmother!!!!! S.O.S!!!! :p

 

I guess I wasn't dreaming...

.... when I heard this Italian chef guy say he's cooking pasta with vodka sauce. Hrmmm. At first I thought the guy was bonkers. Then I thought I was just hallucinating since I was watching Discovery Travel and Adventure's Taste of Travel (all food anywhere in the world!) at 1am. But people cook with wine, so why not vodka? Bet they do it in Russia all the time! Needless to say, I got curious. If it's something about pasta, then I'm gonna go hunt the recipe down. So I surfed the trusty world wide web and found this: (posting especially for Prettyboy Malfoy, who loves vodka. :D )

===

Pasta With Vodka Cream Sauce

1 lb Linguini or pasta of your choice
½ Cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ tsp. Crushed red pepper
½ Cup Russian or Polish Vodka
20 oz Italian plum tomatoes, drained and seeded
¼ Cup Parmesan cheese
¼ Cup heavy cream
Salt & pepper to taste

Cook pasta in large pot as per package instructions. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add oil. Sauté garlic and red pepper for 1 minute. Add vodka and reduce 25%. Add tomatoes and cook lower heat. Simmer 15 minutes. Add cheese, cream and salt and pepper. Mix well. Mix in drained pasta and blend well. Serves 4.

Got this recipe from this website. This would probably be better if you add in some seafood. Ya know, pasta marinara, vodka style? Heheheh. But if you're not adding seafood, then it would be a good idea to replace linguine with penne. Something I picked up from them cooking shows in Discovery Channel. Don't ask.

Darn it. I should stop watching them food shows....

 

Wireless Woes

I miss hearing "Love Theme from Attack of the Clones" in my old phone. :( Going polyphonic is not exactly geek friendly. i don't have a single geek polyphonic ringtone. And not hearing the Imperial March whenever the Emperor calls.... waaaaahhhh! How boring is that? Other ringtones just don't convey the same sense of urgency.... and terror.... *sigh*

===

I woke up this morning,
The sun shone anew,
And my very first thoughts
Were all thoughts of you.

Saturday, February 21, 2004
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It's been a week since Valentine's day and....

I still want those chocolates,
My valentine's was blue,
And it was even bluer
Because I don't have you.

===

The Emperor unexpectedly sent me to the Imperial Academy for a week. At least it was a pleasant experience, although I might say that my patience and skills were really put to the test. But I guess that's part of the training. :)

===

A Week In The Imperial Academy: Notes

Day 1: It's not enough that I got sent to the Academy alone. I had to have a classmate who's working for my company's certifying body. But hey, on second thought, this is my chance to create some connections! Looking at the 13 other people in the room.... guess it's going to be one hell of a week. My only complaint is... errr.... why isn't there a single cute available guy in the room? :p Note: lunch was fabulous. Finally had dark chocolate but still want Lindt Pistachio. No sign of it in grocery. Darn it.

Day 2: After hearing horror stories about other auditors' experiences, I think I'm suddenly getting cold feet. And what the hell do I know about Purchasing? And Accounting? I can't even create a working budget. :p But I guess it's the knowledge of the standard that counts. Had to stay until 10pm to finish audit checklist. Why couldn't they have at least provided hotel accomodation? Oh well. Note: at least lunch and dinner were great too.

Day 3: Two words. Information Overload. *sigh* Oh, and buffet lunch. What is this, a dead man's last lunch? Zoiks. Live audit tomorrow. Must dress nice. Must create good impression. Must not be late. Must not faint.

Day 4: Was not late. Dressed nice (I think). Created good impression (I hope). Did not faint (yippeeeee!). But had mental block when it was my turn to ask questions. Forgot audit trail. Forgot what documents to ask for. Totally forgot line of questioning. Aaaarrrggghhhh! At least performance of whole group was good. Good calls on all findings. I feel that I could have found out more... if only I didn't forget what I was supposed to ask. *sigh* No. I have no hopes of being an actress. Must now go home to sleep. And study.

Day 5: Transferred to Garden Wing function rooms. Cool place with view of garden and pool. Cool. No. COLD place. Jacket useless. Still shivering. Must be the idea of that ultimate exam later in the afternoon that will determine my fate. It's pass now or retake the whole course in 12 months... which will probably earn me a whole day of being tortured by the Emperor with Sith Lightning. Exam easy enough... if only we were given at least 3 hours. Open book and open notes and open standard? As if that helps! Time. Need more time. But at least I think I have a good chance of passing. *whew* Classmates calling for a round of beer. Beer? I don't drink. Will pass. Goodbye. Meet Cai. Chat with Cai. Go home. Sleeeeeeep.

Saturday, February 14, 2004
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All I want for Valentine's Day is....

... a bar of Lindt Pistachio (or Traditional Swiss Dark Chocolate)...

... and you.

 

Adventures in Tolkien Linguistics: Episode III

I amar prestar aen

Since I awoke to this awareness,
My world has changed.
I look back at the past,
Look at the memories,
Look at the feelings I have hidden so well,
Look at all that I thought was right...
I look back, only to discover
You were hiding in the mists that clouded my mind.
Hiding... seemingly forgotten...
but undeniably present.
You may not see me,
You may not hear me,
You may not think of me,
You may forget me....
But now I know.
Gwannach o innen ului.
Ú lû erui, ului.

The world is changed.

Thursday, February 12, 2004
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Further adventures in Tolkien linguistics

Having consulted with the great Master RashBold (a.k.a. VV, you can find some of his works here and here), I'm re-writing my earlier Sindarin inspired poem, with the last four lines translated in Quenya:

You are my haven.
You are my refuge.
I feel your hurt.
I feel your pain.
I share it.
I am here.
I'll always be here.
Let me help ease the hurt.
Let me help ease the pain....
Sin yasse teluva.
Sin yasse yestuva.
Antanyel melmenya.
Alaharyan melmelya?

:o) almeldiel | february 4, 2004


Cool! Ready for submission to "Jewels In The Mist" a.k.a. Volume 2 of "Elenion Hyelle: Mirror of the Stars". :)

===

Aside from Sindarin and Quenya, another language of interest to me is Rohanese, because as most of you know, Éowyn is my favorite character in that saga, and the Rohirrim are an interesting people who played a significant role in The Lord of the Rings.

In the Extended Edition DVD of The Two Towers, Éowyn sings several lines in Rohanese (translated into Old English) during the funeral of her cousin Theodred:

Bealocwealm hafaõ fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende

on Meduselde Þæt he ma no wære

his dryhtne dyrest and méga deorost.

Bealo...

Translated:

'An evil death has set forth the noble warrior
A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels

in Meduseld that he is no more,

to his lord dearest and kinsmen most beloved.
An evil death...'

I haven't seen this scene myself (no DVD! Ack!), but I sure would like to see it sometime. (hint hint). :)

===

As if singing wasn't enough, let's start praying too. *wink wink* Again, more translations into Old English, this time from Matthew 6:9-13, courtesy of Master RB:

Fæder ure Þu Þe eart on heofonum;
Si Þin nama gehalgod
to becume Þin rice
gewurÞe õin willa
on eorõan swa swa on heofonum.
urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us todæg
and forgyf us ure gyltas
swa swa we forgyfaõ urum gyltendum
and ne gelæd Þu us on costnunge
ac alys us of yfele soÞlice

Wednesday, February 11, 2004
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Falling In Love Without Taking A Step

... seems to be the sudden realization that someone who used to be just "someone" in your life has just become someone important. It seems to be that sudden awareness that you care more than you normally do... or should... and sometimes more for that someone than you do for yourself. The sudden fussiness over the smallest details that don't normally matter to you. The sudden galactic "ping" (with matching illuminated lightbulb) that you hear inside your head just when you get that one answer to the hundreds of questions you've been asking yourself for days. The sudden change in your view of the world. That newfound courage to take risks. The sudden rush of a myriad of emotions that you do not understand and that you cannot contain. And that sudden uncertainty about what will happen when you take the first step after the fall.... if you decide to put one foot forward at all. But what is to be gained from falling if you do not get up afterwards? Put one foot forward. Allow yourself to take that next step.

===

Oh well. Back to work here in the Death Star... and back to more Tolkien linguistic adventures... Maybe I can go back to studying Quenya again.

No, not maybe. I should. :)

Tuesday, February 10, 2004
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In Vino Veritas

"In wine we trust". That sure would have been my motto if I had been an alcoholic. But I'm not.

If I had been an alcoholic, I would have downed one bottle by now. If I had been suicidal, I would have been standing on a ledge at the top of a building. If I had been a psychotic, I would already have left a trail of dead bodies. But no. I'm just... me. Which means, whenever the emotion calls for it, I write. Or in this case, I blog.

===

I knew it. It's just too good to be true.....

===

"In Vino Veritas" is the motto of the Mafiosi in "The Triplets of Belleville", which I got to watch during the 1st Philippine Animation Festival. I was alone (waaaaahhh!!!) but the movie was great, so at least, to a certain extent, it was worth the trip.

Sylvain Chomet did one hell of a job with this animated film, I have a feeling it will actually win the Oscar. No real dialogue, a plot that can actually be called absurd, old drawing style, old French feel, the weirdest characters imaginable. Sound bad? No. it actually is good. The music was distinctly French, and really complimented the action on-screen. Best of all, even if this is a French animation film, you don't really need to be able to understand one word of French to understand the movie. :)

My favorite character would have to be Souza. The grandmother and hero of the story, despite the title being "The Triplets of Belleville". She's really cool. :) And it was weird, she actually seems.... errrr.... I dunno, real. Relatable. Her mannerisms were actually... believable. Weird. And of course, the Triplets themselves were hilarious. Wait a minute.... I never did get the names of those women.... Hrrrmmm....

If you ever get a chance to see it, do watch "The Triplets of Belleville". Fun.

 

I have internet connection problems here in the Death Star, so forgive the blog if it looks messy right now.....

Monday, February 09, 2004
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Some LOTR Fun...

Just wanted to share this with those who are not members of TPTS. :) And no, we don't really know who wrote it. :)

Why Middle Earth will win the NBA Championship (or as our main man Kenny Smith would say, Why Middle Earth will win the 'Chip)

I may have gone crazy and jumped off the bridge but right after watching the final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I came to the conclusion that if Middle Earth ever joined the NBA, they would?ve won it all and truly be the lords of the ring. Why?

Front Office. They've got a wily, crafty head coach in Gandalf- who can also be the GM for he put the team together. Coach G got the D locked down tight like Riley while running an O so complicated they could run triangles around JackZen. GM G. White did a Vandeweghe and swiped off a page from the legendary Cuban & Nellie Playbook of Chemistry & Alchemy (12 volumes prior to the King James Playbook, Can I Get A Lay-Up) and assembled a team from far-flung lands.

Offense. They've got a legit, go-to guy in Aragorn. Franchise player. MVP. Drops a double-double every night. He understands the game, trusts his teammates, sacrifices the most for the sake of the team. He sees the court, breaks down defenses and scores at will. Nothing fazes him, not even the ghosts of superstars past for in his veins flows the same noble blood found in the high House of Erving.

Defense. They've got a lockdown shutdown specialist in Gimli. That wide, immovable presence down low discourages any punkass from waltzing into the lane. He'll block your shots and count 'em out loud in yo' face.

Dagger. They've got a sweet sharp shooter in Legolas of Mirkwood. Just give him the rock and he'll bomb from any point beyond the arc. A close relative of Steve of Kerrwood whose long daggers had caused one too many ballaz from the high slopes of Utah down to the flatlands of Dallas to book a flight home too soon.

Bench. They've got a bench mob of "P-Dub" Pippin and the "Doc" Merry . Erratic at times but when the playoff crunch starts, they deliver faster than you can say 10:30 the next day. Nobody parties better either. That Longbottom Leaf's got to be of the highest grade this side of Portland.

Mind Game. They've got the head case in Boromir. Beneath the nut job exterior beats the heart of a gritty warrior. Proud kinsman of Princes Rodman and Artest.

6th Man. Then they've got Sam the Super Sub. Provides instant O and D when the 1st unit runs into a Gollum-like double team. Crowd favorite. Humble descendant of the Houses of Kukoc and Jackson.

Drama. And then they've got Frodo. Kobe. For each believes that the burden of carrying the team lies with him and him alone.

Middle Earth will probably top the Central Division and own it with a projected record of 65-17, leading the League with:
.575 FG%
.476 3-pt FG%
.921 FT%

Honeys. And as icing on the cake, fair ladies Vanessa, Joumana and Vanessa got nothing on the fine Queen Arwen. Woman touched no drop of collagen and she's pushing 3,000. Gangsta.

EA already signed up Peter Jackson as chief consultant for NBA Live 2004.

===

Most critics say that "The Love Letter", a movie released, if I'm not mistaken, in 1999 or thereabouts, is crappy. They say the only redeeming factors are the wonderful performances of actors like Kate Capshaw, Ellen DeGeneres and Tom Selleck. But critics will be critics. Personally, I thought it was okay. One thing I liked about it is the "feel" of the movie. It's set in a quaint New England town, and the movie captures that very well. :)

Yes, I guess you can tell I went on a movie marathon yesterday. And since love is in the air (talaga?) because it's Valentine's season, I guess a week-long romantic movie marathon would at least lessen the irony of the fact that this year's Valentine's day will again be blue. Ugh. Last year it's week-long filking, this time, it's movies.

===

"Some people know what they want. They may not know how to get it, but they know what they want."
--- a line from the movie, "The Love Letter"

How true. I know what I want. But how the hell am I supposed to get it? Damn imperial entanglements.

===

Would anyone care to recommend a more reliable free tagboard service? :)

Saturday, February 07, 2004
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Post Rerun

I've posted this before, but... I don't know. It just seems appropriate.... *winks at DADAProf* This is from Smallville, Season 2, Episode 16: "Fever". Chloe's letter to Clark.

“I want to let you in on a secret. I’m not who you think I am. In fact, my disguise is so thin, I’m surprised you haven’t seen right through me. I’m the girl of your dreams masquerading as your best friend.... My dad told me there are two types of girls. The ones you grow out of and the ones you grow into. I really hope I’m the latter. I may not be the one you love today, but I’ll let you go for now, hoping one day you’ll fly back to me because I think you’re worth the wait.”

===

I refuse to let all the disappointments and troubles and stress of the past 3 or so days dampen my spirits. Things are going well elsewhere. This is not worth all the emotional exertions. It's time to get back to my zen state.

===

Sorry about the tagboard, folks. Sometimes, you really can't avoid things like these. It's a free service. There are bound to be glitches. It will be fine soon. :) Meanwhile, just use the regular comment feature. Ciao!

Friday, February 06, 2004
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I need a hug. :(

Thursday, February 05, 2004
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The happpeeee castle is baaaack! Shoo, dementors! Go away! Expecto patronum!

 

Where art thou, Aberforth?

And what happened to the castle? Heheheh. Impatient, aren't I?

===

Wheeeeee!!! A pensieve!!!! Cool. New toy! Heheheh. I love it i love it i loooove it!

Head on to the right side of the page. You may tag when ready. :)

===

Hrmmm.... I really have nothing else to write about. But I just felt like posting. I think I'm reacting a little weird to my own Sindarin-themed post last night. *sigh* Did I really write THAT? Did I really write those things and mean them?

Gawds! I think I actually DO mean them. Darn it. It's worse than I thought. "Le annon i veleth nin"?!?!?!?! Sheeeeep. I'm a dead duck. I'm doomed. So this IS really happening to me again. I never learn. I never learn. I just never ever learn.

Somebody should probably slap me in the face and call me stupid. Darn it.

Wednesday, February 04, 2004
------------------------------------------------  

Pedich Edhellen? Heniach nin?

It's not fair. Really, it isn't. Just when I thought things were going well..... *sigh*

But amidst all this conflict I have found my haven. My refuge. Let it not be that circumstances will again force me to flee. I've been fleeing for far too long. And this is where I want to be. By the grace of the Valar, this is where I will be. Even if it takes time. Even if it hurts.

You are my haven.
You are my refuge.
I feel your hurt.
I feel your pain.
I share it.
I am here.
I'll always be here.
Let me help ease the hurt.
Let me help ease the pain.....
This is where it will end.
This is where it will begin.
Le annon i veleth nin.
A im ú-'erin veleth lîn?

 

Message Board Withdrawal Syndrome

Our Hogwarts Philippines Castle was just invaded by Dementors, and it has now become necessary for the cyberwizards to transport it to a more secure, unplottable location with apparating wards. It has also been confirmed that the Dementors were acting upon Voldemort's orders. He was later found to be hiding with other Death Eaters in Brazil. Aurors have been dispatched to attempt to apprehend the wizard.

I want to be back in the castle!!!!!

I miss the Gryffindor Common Room. I miss the Faculty Room. I miss my classroom. I miss the comfy chairs by the fire. I miss the people who constantly give me sports news. I miss playing the forum games. I miss the "Do You Not Know" thread. I miss the For Witches Only forum. Hell, I miss the whole castle!!! But most of all, I miss..... errrrr... never mind. :p

===

And since I can't bother the other witches and wizards with my favorite pics from New Worlds 2, what better place to post them than here? :D



Jango Fett: Beneath the Helmet. Photo by Paolo Dolina.



Ryan does the Daniel Radcliffe Poster Pose. Photo by HMCherie.



'Nuff said. :p Photo by Paolo Dolina.

Monday, February 02, 2004
------------------------------------------------  

The Ring is ours... the burden is ours...

Last night, at the New Worlds Alliance Victory Party, The Philippine Tolkien Society handed me and Star Wars Philippines, the One Ring.... and the burden of putting up the 3rd Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention.

It has now formally begun. The climb to Mount Doom.... and Anakin's fall... and the Jedi Purge... and what should be the biggest sci-fi and fantasy convention here. :)

But the precioussss... it's really so shiny.... so beautifullllll....

===

Talked to Tita O. about the possibility of her financing my proposed trip to Celebration III.... and she said YES! Yippppeeee!!! Now all I have to do is get the papers in order in time. May the Force be with me. :D

===

This is a carry-over of watching "Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood" and talking to Joran...

From now on, I shall be known as "Her worship, Padmeann, Geek Goddess."

You may laugh now. :p