1.28.2005

WISH

I forgot to add in my list of must-have DVDs:
  • Ed Wood
  • Empire Records
  • Uncovered (Kate Beckinsale)

BTW, I have been the victim of the awards season in Hollywood. It happens around this time every year where the top films that submit copies to the academy "For your consideration". They are actually really good copies but they are lacking in the special features and usually have the annoying supers like the aforementioned "for your consideration" or "academy use only". The films I have with that are:
  • The Aviator
  • Closer
  • Spanglish
  • Napoleon Dynamite
I usually go to imdb.com to see the latest releases. It's the best bet for the really good DVD copies.

Posted by Jay at 4:17 PM | | Comments

WORK PLACE

It's official.

My job is not fun. It's not fulfilling. It's good money though, so I'm staying on.

My job is now work.

The amount of work I have to do is not the problem. I can do it with my eyes closed. Sometimes, it actually looks that way. (Have to be more careful. I type too fast).

The atmosphere in the office is different lately. The tension seems so thick. Just this morning we were talking about disruptions in the office (the meeting itself was a disruption by the way) and as good as my boss' intentions were, it did open my eyes to a lot of the office goings-on. People who hate it when people talk about on-work matters. People who hate others laughing and joking around. People playing music.

Me. Me. Me.

In all my years of working, I've come across work environments where people compromise and don't complain. My boss (as wise as he is) said that some people do need to be quiet while some people (me) need to be noisy. See? Compromise.

Anyway, I'm so glad that the weekend is here. Hope you all have a nice one!

Posted by Jay at 4:02 PM | | Comments

1.26.2005

GIRLS OF SUMMER

My officemate sent me this link today and to my surprise, it was the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Philippines website showing the candidates. It was an even bigger surprise to see my godsister there as a contestant. She is 32 years old and has two kids (two adorable kids, I might add) and there she is among other candidates who are probably ten years younger than her. To her credit, she's not the oldest one (There's one who's 33). On her behalf (with her prodding and pleading), I'm asking you to vote for her.

Slow week. So slow, I'm actually putting this on my blog.

Posted by Jay at 2:56 PM | | Comments

1.20.2005

DECADEnce II

One of my dearest friends, Nines, is turning 25 this year. She went from planning a big shebang to wanting nothing but a small get-together with her and her boyfriend's family. This led to talk about getting old and feeling it over in our e-group. Of course, eventually, the topic turned to me (being the oldest and closest to thirty) and they asked my take on getting older. I decided to post my reply here:

Somehow, I knew that with all this talk of age, I'd get sucked into it sooner or later. As I see it, the main issues you have to deal with as you approach the big three-oh (like I am) are:
a) What have I accomplished so far?
b) Where am I going?
c) Who will I end up with?

It's funny though, the only time I got a tinge angsty about my age was during new year's as the fireworks were going off all around me and I realized that it was 2005 and then it hit me that I was turning 30.

Imagine that, you haven't just been around for three decades. You're actually starting a fourth.

Somehow, my outlook on life is quite different from Gen's. I don't live a life with people depending on me. I don't live a stressful life either. I don't even have a single strand of white hair (I think). As for the three issues I mentioned, after making it to Magic, I pat myself on the back for making a lifelong dream come true before I turned 30. As for where I'm going, no one can be too sure of that anyway so why stress out over it? Just live life to the best you can every day and you don't have to worry about what the future holds. As for the third concern, let's just say that I'm working on it. This is actually the only thing that affects me, especially when I'm among my high school friends (my constant companions of late). I look forward to the day that I can bring someone to one of our gimmicks and introduce her as the one. Heck, knowing me, I'm liable to marry the next girl who has the misfortune of having poor judgment when I go after her.

To my friends, with age comes wisdom. I'm old enough (and wise enough I guess) to say that my advice is to chill. Life is good. The big questions have no answers. Our trip through life, our journey will lead us to them.

Posted by Jay at 2:24 PM | | Comments

AR6 - Goodbye Jonathan and Victoria

Over the course of the past Amazing Races, there's always been a team portrayed as the "villain" team. The team you love to hate. The team you wish would meet with an (un)fortunate turn of bad luck that would get them and their evil asses out of the game.

In the first season, it was the gay couple Bill & Joe. Then there were Wil & Tara in season two, Teri & Ian in season 3 (though many would agree that it was eventual winner Flo Pesenti), Kelly & Jon in season 4 and Charla/Mirna or Colin/Christie in season 5. While the evilness of these teams is up for discussion, the one thing that people would all agree on is that Jonathan and Victoria from this season take the cake.

They have bickered, shoved, screamed (at each other and at other contestants) all season long and have been nothing but annoying. Especially Jonathan and how he can transition from wife-abuser to cliche-spouting superhero in a snap.

Finally...finally, they were "Philiminated". The moment last night when they realized their mistake and brought only one donkey in a challenge, I think the entire world pointed at their TV sets collectively and laughed. Oh, I did laugh as this team that has been nothing short of annoying (Flo could have been deaf and dumb compared to these two), made the fatal error and arrived on the mat dead last. Thankfully, it was an elimination leg. And now, they're gone.

Jay now sets his eliminator gun on Adam and Rebecca. Well, maybe just Adam. Then Kendra. Then Hayden. Then Lori and Bolo.

I like Kris and Jon though. Kris especially. I hope they win.

Posted by Jay at 11:31 AM | | Comments

1.19.2005

TV PICKS

A few seasons ago, The Amazing Race was in danger of cancellation. Amazingly (no pun intended), it has survived (again, no pun) and has become quite the ratings draw for its network in the States. It has gotten so hot that just three weeks after this season's finale (In February), the 7th installment of the race will begin.

Seeing as to how long it took between races the last time out, this is great news. Of all te reality shows out there right now, this is the only one that can really test and gauge the strength of people and their relationships. Aside from looking forward to what far-off land and different culture and creative tasks these new teams will go through, it is interesting to note that it is rumored that one of the teams participating this time around will be none other than Amber Brkich and Rob Mariano - the couple that made it all the way to the end of Survivor All-Stars (in a finale that culminated in a wedding proposal on worldwide television).

Two of my all-time favorite reality stars on my all-time favorite reality show. How great is that?

INXS: Some other news I found while surfing the net -
    • Richard Hatch, the winner of the first Survivor, is being charged with tax fraud for not reporting his winnings from the show.
    • Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace are leaving "That 70s Show". The show will continue though. That would be weird - a show about Fez...just Fez (shudder).
    • The nominations for the Academy Awards will take place on Jan. 27 and the awards show will be on Feb.27. This means more DVDs out there with "For your consideration" supers on the bottom.
That's that. Signing off!

Posted by Jay at 9:18 AM | | Comments

JARS OF CLAY LIVE

I got this from a friend over Friendster(Yes, Friendster is alive and well. Apparently, they're no longer beta testing.)
Jars of Clay Philippine concert

The phenomenal alternative rock band is coming to Cebu on
28 February (B.R.I.G.H.T Academy) and to Manila (Araneta
Coliseum). Listen to their latest Grammy Award-nominated hit
SHOW YOU LOVE on NU107, JAM 88.3, RX93.1 and
KLite103.5.

Ticket prices are:

MANILA
PATRON A P2350
PATRON B P2050
PATRON C P1650
LOWER BOX P1450
UPPER BOX A SPECIAL P1250
UPPER BOX A P950
UPPER BOX B P500
General Admission - promo price

Available at the Araneta Ticketnet and at all Ticketnet outlets
in SM Branches.

Posted by Jay at 9:08 AM | | Comments

1.18.2005

NEW LOOK

Welcome to the new look of BOUNCE WITH ME.

After keeping the old look for several months, I felt that it was time for a change. It took some extensive searching before I found one that looked and felt like me.

As for the writing, it's still the same old swill, but you still keep coming back to read it so thank you.

Thank you also to the creator of http://blogtemplate.blogspot.com for this new look.

Posted by Jay at 6:29 PM | | Comments

WISH LIST

To all the readers of my blog. Throughout the past 10 months, I have listed on many an occassion, the many new acquisitions I have made regarding DVDs. Despite my extensive collection and thorough search, the following titles escape me. Do any of you have any idea where I can get them? Better yet, do you have them and may i borrow?

Forget Paris (Billy Crystal, Debra Winger)
Always ( Richard Dreyfuss)
Waiting for Guffman ( Christopher Guest)
Pleasantville ( Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon)
Higher Learning ( Kristy Swanson, Jennifer Connelly)
Only You ( Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr.)
Blast From the Past ( Brendan Fraser, Alicia Silverstone)
Indian Summer ( Elizabeth Perkins, Bill Paxton)
He Said, She Said ( Kevin bacon, Elizabeth Perkins)
Cool Runnings ( John Candy)
Bye Bye Love ( Paul Reiner, Matthew Modine)
Revenge of the Nerds (Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards)
Noises Off ( Michael Caine, Christopehr Reeve)
The Accidental Tourist (William Hurt, Geena Davis)
Spaceballs ( Mel Brooks)
Barefoot in the Park (Robert Redford, Jane Fonda)
Soap Dish (Kevin Kline, Whoopi Goldberg)
Ten Things I Hate About You (Julia Stiles)
Il Postino (Italian Film)
New Best Friend ( Mia Kirshner, Dominique Swain)
Stealing Beauty ( Liv Tyler)
Dangerous Liaisons ( Michelle Pfeiffer)
It Could Happen to You ( Nicholas Cage)
Field of Dreams (Kevin Costner)
St.Elmo's Fire (Demi Moore)
The Breakfast Club (Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald)
Stand and Deliver (Lou Diamond Phillips)
Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler)
Billy Madison (Adam Sandler)
The Waterboy (Adam Sandler)
Father of the Bride (Steve Martin)
Father of the Bride II (Steve Martin)

Posted by Jay at 10:00 AM | | Comments

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT

On a lighter note, I just have to announce that William Shatner just won an award as best supporting actor in a TV series for "Boston legal", the "Practice" spinoff.

Wow, Shatner won an award...for acting.

There's hope yet!

Posted by Jay at 3:28 AM | | Comments

POOR ATTITUDE

I always thought of myself as a pretty socially-conscious guy. I taught in TD summer school. I put up SPEED. I volunteer for this NGO that teaches poor college kids how to apply for jobs.

That's why it came as a big surprise to me when I started ranting one night while we were making our way home and passing through San Juan. I seemed to see nothing that night except squatters and squatters and more squatters. I took one look at the tambays at the sari-sari store or the man bathing on the sidewalk, or the mothers watching their horde of children playing dangerously by the street and my blood boiled. I started cursing them and their lot. I then felt for the first time in my life that there was no hope for the poor in the country.

I think it had to do with the news that day that Erap had flown in his personal barber to HK via business class. I thought to myself, "Is that your hero? Spending millions in dirty money and reveling in his evil while you're here doing nothing but breeding?" I wanted to ask them, "What has he done for you?" and if they answered back, "Tinutulungan niya kami," I would have gladly replied "Then why are you still poor?!?"

After the FPJ fiasco and this Erap abusing the priveleges of the court, I lost it. I lost my faith in these people. I wish that somehow, the earth would swallow them up whole.

Posted by Jay at 1:57 AM | | Comments

1.14.2005

BABY TALK

The Bad news.
Last December, one of my best friends Mic sprang it on us that she was pregnant. And that she was getting married. After we were able to push our eyes back into their sockets and retrieve our jaws from the floor, we congratulated her and wished only the best.

Two days ago, she celebrated her birthday and again most of wished her a happy and healthy childbirth.

Unfortunately, God had other plans and took back the little angel He bestowed on her.

I got the text message yesterday. I called her soon after. She sounded weak and there was a definite tinge of loss in her voice. The closest I'd ever seen her that sad was when she had a fight with one of our best friends.

For once, I didn't know what to say. I stammered and muttered out something to the effect that I was sorry and that I was here for her. Little good that would do...she's all the way in Bicol. There was a sliver of hope though when she told me that she was going to try again.

And that the wedding was on. The only thing I can do is pray for her to ease her loss. I ask you to do the same.

The Good news.
On a lighter note, in my requests for prayers for Mic, I got a response from the former love of my life, G**. She first offered her sympathies then we got to talking and catching up with each other over e-mail. It was then that I decided to stop being a baby.

For those of you who don't know, G** is Gen, my former best friend who I loved and pursued for almost four years. It was only when I finally gave up that she figured out that she loved me too (In that way). We tried to make a go of it but things got in the way and we ended on a sour note.

A year later, we made up and she then became the girlfriend of my officemate (they met at my birthday party). Needless to say, I was hurt and really avoided interacting with them for many years.

When Gen and I were talking earlier, it felt nice. And familiar. And comfortable. And I realized that I was in a place and stage in my life that I could be happy for her and her love and maybe we could resume our friendship. I promised her years ago that we would always be friends no matter what.

It's about time I started living up to that.

Posted by Jay at 7:00 AM | | Comments

1.12.2005

THEATRICS

For the first time since Spiderman 2, I set foot in a movie theatre.

(Jaws dropping. Gasps. Looks of disbelief. People running for the hills.)

Got it out of your system? Good.

I brought my brother and his barkada along to G4 to watch a movie last weekend.

Not Ocean's Twelve. Not Blade Trinity. We went to see the best film available.

Stephen Chou's Kung Fu Hustle. Normally, I would recommend a film on DVD and tell you all to get it instead of watching it in the theatre. With this movie, I recommend you see this film in the theatre as soon as possible. Absolute hilarity.

Take this seriously, I don't know when Jay is going to come to his senses. Watch it on the big screen, quick!


Posted by Jay at 2:02 AM | | Comments

1.08.2005

DIRTY POOL

My mom has had our school for the past twenty two years now. At the start of this schoolyear, it faced one of its biggest crises when several parents left and put up their own school. My mom shrugged it off and wished them the best but somehow, they misconstrued her understanding for weakness. What followed were some of the most dirty, underhanded actions I have ever seen. Things I wouldn't normally relate to a school.

First of all, this breakaway group first set out to increase its own population... by raiding the current studentry of my mom's school. They called the different parents (using the directory that we had given them the year before) and began inviting them and their kids to join them citing that my mom's school was going under and the quality of education had deteriorated in the past few years. Thankfully, not a single parent was swayed and we didn't lose a single student to them. But to this day, they continuously call these parents and continue to maliciously spread rumors about my mom's school.

It's funny in a way that they choose to use this tactic. In all their efforts to malign the quality of education that my mom's school provides, they fail to realize that their faculty and staff is made up of the very same teachers and assistants who taught in the school during this so-called "downward trend."

Next thing is I found out that this school tried raising funds during the past holiday season by carolling. Nothing wrong with that except that they claimed that they were doing this in cooperation with my mom's school. They seem to do nothing to put us down but they don't find anything wrong with raising funds for themselves in the name of my mom's school.

Last night, I told my mom that this has gone on long enough. She refuses to go down to their level, but I told her that we need to protect our level. Before I slept last night, I wrote a letter on my mom's behalf trying to inform the parents about the tactics of this other school and reassured them that our school was still unwavering in its standards of academic excellence.

Otherwise, Dr. Ed Dizon of the UP Education Department wouldn't keep referring kids to us.

Otherwise, the Special Education Society of Ateneo would have ended its partnership with the school.

Otherwise, schools like UST and UP wouldn't constantly send its students to the school for practicum training and exposure trips.

We're taking offense and we're taking the offensive now. Wish us luck.

Posted by Jay at 1:34 AM | | Comments