David Sedaris - Part Deux

Now that Christmas is over and Joe's opened his new favorite gift ever... I can now tell the story of how I came to find out the most mind-blowing fact of the year (see previous entry).

I went to another DS reading and I bought the Onion book he recommended (so I could have a book signed for me) and I said that the book was a rip-off bec it didn't' include my country, this was how our exchange went (imagine it with his voice):

DS: What country are you from?

Me: The Philippines

DS: Yeah, it's there... check the index

Me: (Flipping the pages) Oh yeah, it's there!

DS: I like the Philippines.

Me: W-w-what??? You've been there?

DS: Yes, in fact, I even went to Wowowee... it's pretty entertaining.

Me: (mind-blown)


So, I know they say, "if there are no pictures, it didn't happen," but whatever... he also said that he went to Hobbit House in Malate which I do wish I have a picture of... Macy*s Christmas Elf in the Hobbit House = WIN!

Reminiscing

When I was attending college in Manila, I always stopped by National Bookstore in the famed Harrison Plaza shopping center and browse through rows and rows of magazines (mostly of the teeny-bopper kind, please don't judge). I have always had an insanely huge crush on Elijah Wood since his "The Good Son" days. It was so insane that I sent him two fan mails through his fan club. I never got a reply back, but that didn't make me hate him. Anyway, I remember committing a crime in NBS when one day, in a corner of a page of Big Bop magazine, I eyed the image of Elijah and just tore it off and kept it in my wallet. I don't know what made me do it. Raging hormones, I guess.

That said, I saw this cover of Elijah Wood while passing Barnes & Noble the other day. I was smitten.

But no, I did not tear this cover off. As you can see, the pic is a bit blurry. It's due to the guy who was sitting right next to this shelf who saw me taking this shot. I had to rush out of there before he reports a lurker (me) to store security.

Editor's Note: Harrison Plaza was the first shopping mall in the Philippines? Get out of here!

Oh BTW, my heart was broken... AGAIN

After I read this, I heard my heart shatter into tiny little pieces afterwhich I then imagined Michael Bublè collect the bits and grind it further before snorting it up his nostril.

At least it's with Emily Blunt. I like her. Not that he needs my approval.

And that's how I ended my birthday month.

"Fairplay to those who dream..."

The 80th Academy Awards concluded a couple of hours ago, and in a couple more hours, I will be reading innumerable posts about said awards show: winners, highlights, red carpet reports and such. For me, it was an awesome installment of an otherwise tired annual award ceremony. It was still very Hollywood, yet very refreshing (I don't know, it's probably just me, but the the recent conclusion of the writer's strike made this Oscar's special in a way). There were no American winners for any of the acting awards. Tilda Swinton, a Scot, got the nod for Best Supporting Actress; Javier Bardem, a Spaniard, won Best Actor; Marion Cotillard from France won Best Actress and Irish Daniel Day Lewis, unsurprisingly received the Best Actor trophy. I'm not sure if I'm placing unnecessary significance over this turn of events, but it made the show a lot less Hollywood (I know, I've already said that but hello? Cameron Diaz? Again?! and creepy Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus) and more about the celebration of films, or movies (whatever).

One of the highlights for me (I have two) was another Irish winner, or should I say winners: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, taking home the golden boy for Best Song, Falling Slowly, from the movie Once. I told myself to write something about this movie. It's one of my favorite movies that came out last year (although I only saw it two weeks ago). I like simple things and nothing can be more simple than a story about a guy and girl who met and made good music together. I don't know what else to say... IT'S FUCKING BRILLIANT! (it's an Irish movie, I think it's OK to say this). Here's them performing "Falling Slowly":

And the other highlight for me is Jon Stewart giving an extra minute or two to Marketa to give her speech, as she was abruptly cut-off by the musicians before she could ever say her thanks. I love you Jon Stewart, you've one-upped Stephen Colbert in my book on this special night.

There was really one thing that I skipped as soon as I saw it on TV, it was this guy. I don't know, it's probably just me, but I don't like Jerry Seinfeld... maybe because I never got really into the nothingness of "Seinfeld" (oh, btw, I don't like Jason Alexander and that guy who got heckled... I'm on the fence with that lady who has a rich dad). It might also be that I got sick from all the Bee Movie shorts they showed on NBC. The downside of skipping that was that I never found out who won Best Animated Film, short or full-length (it also doesn't help tuning in late to the show). Oh well, I'm sure I'll find out in a bit.

Ed's note: So, apparently, it wasn't Jon Stewart who decided to bring Marketa back (it was the producer), nevertheless, I still heart him.

Heath Ledger

It has been almost two weeks since the death of actor Heath Ledger. I did not really want to write about him. News of his death were everywhere: online, TV, radio. I thought in my little way, I am respecting the wishes of his family by staying away from all the hoopla so they can grieve privately (you know, in my own little way). But then, I saw this:

My heart broke at this image of father and daughter. :(

It is such a tragedy to lose a brilliant actor who has not reached his peak yet. He is one of the few actors who is always amazing, whatever role he takes on. Daniel Day-Lewis dedicated his SAG award in his honor last Sunday, a great actor paying tribute to another great actor, they could've been part of the same project someday. Sigh. He surely will be missed on the silver screen.

Heath Ledger
4.4.79 - 1.22.08