Jose Guillermo Naval @ ARTINA

Walking about A.Venue on the nite of the 22nd, before meeting my family for dinner at Barrio Fiesta - we happen upon this Artina - a gallery restaurant which is really nicely done. What really drew us though,as we were not looking for a restaurant were the paintings on the wall... in particular, the one of the boy facing the wall - the painting spoke to both Juliana and I.... for different reasons am sure....

It reminded me so much of being punished by my step-father growing up.... i was always sent to face the corner walls... for one reason or another - little did I know it was more because I looked like my DAD so much and he did not want to be reminded... LOLs....

Anyway, we went in and met with the Ms. Geraldine David, the Manager of the place and she was kind and sweet and very accommodating... we had a few questions about the paintings and the painter which she answered graciously... then she contacted the artist, with answers to a few more queries from us.... Now that is service!!! Juliana and I both loved the painting and decided to get it... since she is the GUEST and it is her first time in MANILA, I graciously let her have the painting....

The following day, we went back to pick it up and found Mr Naval, the artist himself, packing the painting for travel. It was such a pleasure to talk with him... get some insight to his ideas and inspirations... and even got to utter a few words in Spanish with him... AM A FAN, now... and am awaiting to take one of his paintings for my Condo wall, too!
ARTINA is on the Ground Floor of A.Venue. The change their art displays every month and starting the 26th of this month they have another big exhibition going on with a few artists, including Mr. Naval's works. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED place to visit -- to dine and admire the artworks. Ms Geraldine David is very pleasant and sweet to talk with.

Thankful!

I see myself as basically a nice guy.... simple.... friendly... helping in anyway I can, here and there.... and most of all, I ALWAYS TRY SEE see something GOOD & BEAUTIFUL in anything and everything.... no matter where I am... who am dealing with in life.... and with all the things that happens, not just to me but in this world we LIVE in....

Recently, we have SUFFERED a GREAT LOSS.... no one DYING - mind you... more like MONETARY LOSS.... a little over US$20,000 to be exact.... in these trying times, losing this amount is enough to drive anyone crazy or into a deep depression.... It would have been OK, I SUPPOSE, if it was just due to the flailing economy happening all the world.... but it was more DUE to TRUSTING TOO MUCH and being TAKEN by the EVIL PEOPLE of the world....

We have been PONDERING and yes, I CRIED over this for weeks.... and we are basically just now regaining our FOCUS ONCE AGAIN -- DRIVE and DETERMINATION.... Thanks to FAMILY, FRIENDS & LOVE ONES -- we are able to LOOK BEYOND all of this and GAIN BACK OUR POSITIVE OUTLOOK in LIFE...

As friends lovingly reminded me.... there is such a THING as KARMA... and $$$ can be gained once again with hard work and perseverance.... I do still have my HEALTH, my FRIENDS, & FAMILY -- and for this am very THANKFUL.... they are what MATTERS most in LIFE!!!
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So HUG LIFE! HUG your LOVE ONES!! and MAKE every MOMENT COUNT!!!

with FRIENDS like these....

Okay, with Thanksgiving just around the corner - I got to thinking about some of the TRADITIONS I had back in San Francisco... family & friends get-together; touch football with friends; pigging out; and the BEST of all, watching the Thanksgiving Episode of FRIENDS! Each and every season, it is the one episode I try not to miss -- they always come up with something really fun and funny... Thank GOD for youtube - one can always catch them, anytime of the year...

Here's the one that started it all for me, "The One With The Football":

and the HILARIOUS one where, "Rachel Makes Dessert"

7 Weeks To Equality

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We call on all supporters of equality to sustain and intensify the nationwide campaign of mass protests and non-violent civil disobedience, for seven weeks, starting on November 27, 2008, the thirtieth anniversary of the assassination of Harvey Milk, and to then gather together in mass, from all corners of our country, in Washington, DC on the morning of Tuesday, January 20, 2009, to honor the inauguration of our President, Barack Obama.
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We cannot all be there -- but we can take part by endorsing the Petition - pls click below for more INFO and to Do Your Share:
Seven Weeks to Equality

Bernardo Bertulucci's Little Buddha

Little Buddha, inspired by a TRUE STORY, is moving drama from Academy Award-winning director Bernardo Bertolucci. It tells the story of a Tibetan monk known as Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), living in exile in Bhutan, and is searching for the reincarnation of his teacher, Lama Dorje. His quest takes him to Seattle, where signs indicate that a boy named Jesse may be the lama. Cultures collide when we meet the boy's American parents (Bridget Fonda and actor/singer Chris Isaak), who are understandably skeptical about Lama Norbu's excitement. Ultimately, Jesse and his father are curious enough to travel to Nepal and Bhutan (as did Bertolucci's crew), where other candidates have been identified. Throughout the film, Bertolucci cuts to episodes in the life of Siddhartha (Keanu Reeves), whose voyage of discovery 2,500 years ago led to his enlightenment as the Buddha. Bertolucci shoots Siddhartha's journey in rich reds and golds, while the scenes in Seattle--where the Americans seem morose and lost--are muted in cool blue. LITTLE BUDDHA is an intimate story in which an ancient system of belief holds its own in the modern world.

This beautifully filmed, little movie filmed mostly in Thailand, is sooooo moving - and such a cinematic experience for me especially seeing the SIDDHARTHA story line come to life in the big screen... Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is one of my all time FAVE books...

So this movie is really a story within a story of a movie... subtlely and beautifully told -- on all counts. And as an added BONUS, Siddhartha is played by a very young Keanu Reeves.

Could He really Be???

As reported by the Associated Press: People from all over the world are flocking to Nepal to worship a teenage boy who many believe is the reincarnation of Buddha. Followers say Ram Bahadur Bamjan, 18, re-emerged from the Ratanpur jungle, about 160km south of Kathmandu, after meditating without food and water for more than three years.

It is said that he was last spotted in the jungles of southern Nepal in 2005, and is believed to have spent months without moving, sitting with his eyes closed beneath a tree For those who worship such a feat, Ram's appearance was a chance to witness the miracle in the flesh.
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So, is it something to BELIEVE IN??? I would like to, as am sure a lot of people would... I even wish I could trek to Nepal now and see him in person, myself.... It would be GREAT to personally witness him surrounded by a line of Buddhist monks, blessing followers with what the devotees call, the "divine touch", from a podium. I would even try to get blessed -- no matter what religion you follow, one should never refuse blessings.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan, has never claimed to be Buddha, he is expected to address his followers today, Nov. 18, then retreat again into the jungle for meditation.

World AIDS Day!!! Mark Your Calendars...

December 1st is World AIDS Day!!!
Join AIDS.gov to promote this important day!
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Worldwide the estimated number of people living with HIV is over 33 million. An estimated one million Americans are living with HIV.
WAYS YOU CAN TAKE ACTION
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Join the “Facing AIDS: World AIDS Day 2008” Campaign

In four easy steps, you can help reduce the stigma around HIV/AIDS:

1. Take a picture of yourself wearing a red ribbon. Be creative!
2. Add the photo to your social network profiles, Twitter, blog, and/or website before December 1. Leave it up for at least a week.
3. Add your photo to the “World AIDS Day 08” Flickr Group!
4. Encourage your friends to do the same and to promote HIV testing!

Find Out More... CLICK HERE!!!

who says he is NO GOOD anymore???

One day as I was walking from my home to run a few errands, I happen upon this dirty snowman on the side of the street... not too sure is he is being thrown away... or put out to dry to get cleaned up??? I can only hope that it is the latter as he is still pretty much in good shape... with just a bit of washing and scrubbing - he would be as good as new... and will display nicely for the Holidays...

Anyway, seeing this snowman made me think of one of my favorite Children's Book ever, The Velveteen Rabbit. The tale of a stuffed bunny rabbit that was given to a boy one Christmas, loved, and then over shadowed by other fancier toys, and eventually thrown to the side and forgotten. In the end of course, the stuffed rabbit was granted by a magical fairy his wish - to become real.

The book was written and originally published in 1922, written by Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson. I did not become aware of it though till the mid 80's when, for Christmas one year, I was given the Video recording version of the book, narrated by Meryl Streep. I remember loving the story so much that, not only did I play the recording over and over, I also made it a tradition to read the book every XMas from then on.

To this date, I do still have the book, and I do still re-read it each and every Holiday season. It still gives me that same warm & fuzzy feeling each time -- just as all toys of mine will always have a place in my heart... even after I have passed some of them on to friends and loved ones, or donated to children's charities... I can only hope they do love them and take good care of them -- as much as I did....

Bike-A-Thon in TaiBay!!!

Saturday, Nov. 15th: After a whole week of basically NON-STOP rain - starting last Sat. - we finally got to see the sun today... It was blue skies and just the right amount of breeze in the air... Of course it is a NO BRAINER! Right away, after a cup of coffee, we got ready and hopped on our bikes to ride around the DaJia River, same area where we run all the time... Today, we decided to go as far as we can -- and ENJOY a leisurely ride with occasional stops for some photo ops...

The ride, for the most part, is pretty easy as most of the way it was flat... and the bicycle lanes are wide enough for both going and coming back, plus for passing others... and on days like these, you will be needing to pass up a lot of riders, as soooo many families love to ride together in close proximity of each other.... and too leisurely for our speed...

The Route was just beautiful!!! We rode for miles and miles -- reaching Guandu Temple in less than an hour - which would normally take us an hour or so by car!!! Right around the area is a little TOURISTY area where you can get some local delicacies... and that WE DID, of course!!! After getting some food in our tummy, we continued on with our trip... Rode for another hour to reach the end of our destination, Bali Township. Here one can enjoy the Bali Left Bank Park with all types of Cafe's lined up overlooking the water; the Bali Boat Club (where they happen to have a Wind Sailing Event going on); & Shisanhang Shell Mound - the end of the road, where one can reach the waters - too bad it is not a swimming area but fishing is allowed.

Again, such a beautiful route to ride, and it made us realized by looking at the various maps en route, that Taipei is really a BIKE-FRIENDLY place! We got back home after 2PM - it was basically a 6 hour ride - with stops here and there... Our legs are tired... my hands are sun burnt (talk to me about that later!)... but we are two happy campers, bikers really... what a GREAT way to take advantage of a Beautiful Day! This I can do every other week, even once a week if not too sunny... But what is this I see??? Yikes, David is already planning our next route... WAAAAAH!!!!

Quantum of Solace : Movie Review

We went and saw Quantum of Solace last weekend when it Premiered here in Taiwan, am just now getting to write about it as I was feeling very much indifferent about Bond's Latest outing. Yes, Daniel Craig is by far, the Best and most Human of all Bonds over the years. And Yes, the movie was still jam packed with unbelievable action sequences. Somehow though, the whole package to me was a bit underwhelming -- something a Bond movie should never, ever be.

The movie is filled with Great performances: Daniel Craig continues to impress, showing raw emotions without losing an ounce of manliness. He is TRULY the EPITOME of a MODERN BOND, one that is keeping with the times - Metro-sexual & not afraid to let his emotions show. A Bond that more people(young, old, woman, man, straight, or gay) can relate and look up to. The new lead Bond babe, Ukrainian Super Model Olga Kurylenko, is pretty cool too - gritty and tough, even though her emotions get the best of her most of the time. The other Bond babe, Gemma Arterton, brought just the right amount of quirkiness to infuse the movie a bit of a breather, a bit of humour - i liked her a lot - too bad she will not be making any more future appearances (if you get my meaning). And Dame Judi Dench, getting a bit more screen time, as always Superb.

My biggest beef lies in the script -- or what seems like lack of it. Definitely does not live up to the promise and tone set by the first one, Casino Royale. I know that it was supposed to be a continuation of the storyline, and with Bond trying so hard to get the closure he needed in regards to his love, Vesper -- which he did -- but somehow we never really get to see what he was really up against. But the director did really keep the film moving despite having no plot momentum on his side - through stylish and adrenaline pumping action sequences.

...last nite I cried....

...over the news of this Taiwanese girl committing suicide at the age of 23... it is SAD enough when one hears or reads about this kind of thing -- even if you do not know the person formally or informally... but when it is someone you feel you kinda' know - it can truly affect you... and that is just what it did to me yesterday...

Ivy Li (Lee) was the 2nd runner up in the 3rd year of the Popular Taiwanese Show, >One Million Star, and she was my FAVORITE from the get go.... This show has become a favorite of ours and would watch religiously every Friday nite... None more so for me, than in the year that Ivy was on.. Week after week, I look forward to hearing her sing be it Chinese, English, or Taiwanese... She was not a Great Looker, but she had style and charm -- and just the right amount of sweetness when she spoke. Real, not trying... and boy, can she sing!!! I actually wished for her to have been the winner but alas, it was not in the cards... and she came in third. I recall being IRATE each week with a judge or two for faulting her for one thing or another - usually for singing in ENGLISH one week, then being told that she was better the week prior singing in English... Lols... it is just really a matter of taste... and one's personal opinion... so I just watched it to enjoy her performances.. and just knew, that she had a promising career ahead of her...

So it pained me to hear that she killed herself just yesterday... and that it had something to do with Love Gone Bad. Truly upsetting and incomprehensible for me... I understand loving someone too much, being sooo hurt that you feel empty and alone... but to actually kill myself - that is just something I cannot see... But it is different for all of us -- and only we can truly battle our own devils... and we deal with them the way we know how... and for some it is this way...

Am just really sorry and was affected by this LOSS of LIFE... One Million Star shines one less with her passing...

Ivy Li singing (IRONICALLY) "If I Ain't Got You"


Here she sings a Mandarin song from one of her own Idol, A-Lin.

Tori, Tori, Tori

Since we are on the subject of Heroes, I got to thinking about one of my current Heroes: Tori Ewing

Tori is Mary's daughter - first met her at IFDC a few years back.... she was still in High School and doing sooo well academically... I remember during the course of the week, both David and I, felt that she is one of the most mature, most focused, people we have ever met. She did not talk much in crowds, but you can tell she listens and absorbs everything... we also thought how cool it was that she can hang out with her Mom, and her Mom's kooky friends -- US!!! Over the years we get to know her more - through what Mary updates us with, as well as, talking with her in CyberSpace, or other conventions we are both in attendance... At one of the last ones in Vegas, I recall how much fun it was to watch her do the DANCE REVOLUTION that I was coaxed into doing so, too.. I figured, with her next to me, doing it at the same time, am in great hands... it was one of the most fun times I have ever had at a convention. I admire so much in her that she can hold on to her youth, in the midst of all the growing up she has to do -- after all, the transition between girly to a young woman can be very awkward... if she did feel such pressures, she surely did not show it.

Then, suddenly she is in College -- only a year finished so far and already she has accomplished sooo much.... in the coarse of a year, she managed to excel in her classes... take so many electives.... joined and performed on stage with a Modern Dance Company... etc... and seeing her in a couple of her performances with the company gave us such a thrill -- it was as if we were also in the audience, proud as can be.. proud to tell everyone around us that: "That is Tori up there... our firend, our family!"
(FEET OF FLAMES : Tori & Company)

(Modern Dance)
So far, having just started her 2nd year, she has already joined the Girl's Hockey Team and is contemplating now on becoming a Lawyer.... we are sooo excited for her... and know that there is nothing that she cannot do -- from sewing her dollies little dresses to battling it out in the courtroom -- if she sets her mind to it.
(Tori as Speed Racer for Halloween '08 and trying on her Hockey Uniform)