TAKE ME AWAY
by Lifehouse
this time all I want is you
there is no one else
who can take your place
this time you burned me with your eyes
you see past all the lies
you take it all away
I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you
take me away
take me away
I've got nothing left to say
just take me away
I try to make my way to you
but still I feel so lost
I don't know what else I can do
I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you
take me away
take me away
I've got nothing left to say
just take me away
don't give up on me yet
don't forget who I am
I know I'm not there yet
but don't let me stay here alone
this time all I want is you
there is no one else
who can take your place
I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you
take me away
take me away
I've got nothing left to say
just take me away
take me away
take me away
I've got nothing left to say
just take me away
Thursday, March 31, 2005
More are leaving the Company
Its kinda sad to know more officemates are leaving. But I am more happy for them considering it means they will be off to new experiences and meeting new people. This world is filled with so many interesting people and moments to share with others.
When I am allowed, will post some pics to commemmorate them and remember them as having been part of my life.
Its kinda sad to know more officemates are leaving. But I am more happy for them considering it means they will be off to new experiences and meeting new people. This world is filled with so many interesting people and moments to share with others.
When I am allowed, will post some pics to commemmorate them and remember them as having been part of my life.
Monday, March 28, 2005
THANK YOUs
After some reflection last Holy Week, I've come to some realizations.
There will always be suffering so long as they are people who do not
care about others more than themselves.
There will always be happiness so long someone chooses to care for
someone else more than themselves.
There will always be tears be it tears of happiness or sorrow.
There will always be Love because God and Love are both eternal.
Had a quiet and somber weekend, with some time spent in prayer, some time spent with my parents and some time spent with my friends. Best of all, I had time to spend with my inner child and had a talk.
My inner child says I've grown up more in the last two years than I have in my whole lifetime. And that it wasn't the good growing up. It was the "growing up means to give up believing in ideals and dreams" kind of growing up. After beating me up with happy memories and tying me down with a wonderful dream, I woke up and realised how right my inner child was.
So now I'm on a mission. I'm going to try to do the creative little things I have neglected for quite some time again. Like my online comics (Definitely. Bangungot and Diliman. Nearly Forgotten will die for now. I think). Or my theater scripts. Even better, my papers and stuff to be admitted to either NYU or USC so I can get back on my feet and work on my Master's Degree (and break into the film industry abroad). I have to win that Oscar soon. My
parents would love to have it for their Anniversary.
As a side note, thanks to Michelle for buying Love and Heartbreak! Its still available at Comic Quest, if anyone is interested. Love and Heartbreak #2 should be done soon.
I hope.
After some reflection last Holy Week, I've come to some realizations.
There will always be suffering so long as they are people who do not
care about others more than themselves.
There will always be happiness so long someone chooses to care for
someone else more than themselves.
There will always be tears be it tears of happiness or sorrow.
There will always be Love because God and Love are both eternal.
Had a quiet and somber weekend, with some time spent in prayer, some time spent with my parents and some time spent with my friends. Best of all, I had time to spend with my inner child and had a talk.
My inner child says I've grown up more in the last two years than I have in my whole lifetime. And that it wasn't the good growing up. It was the "growing up means to give up believing in ideals and dreams" kind of growing up. After beating me up with happy memories and tying me down with a wonderful dream, I woke up and realised how right my inner child was.
So now I'm on a mission. I'm going to try to do the creative little things I have neglected for quite some time again. Like my online comics (Definitely. Bangungot and Diliman. Nearly Forgotten will die for now. I think). Or my theater scripts. Even better, my papers and stuff to be admitted to either NYU or USC so I can get back on my feet and work on my Master's Degree (and break into the film industry abroad). I have to win that Oscar soon. My
parents would love to have it for their Anniversary.
As a side note, thanks to Michelle for buying Love and Heartbreak! Its still available at Comic Quest, if anyone is interested. Love and Heartbreak #2 should be done soon.
I hope.
Friday, March 25, 2005
DELAYED REACTION
Just read this in Jonas' blog:
Camy: Hey! Thanks for dropping by. I made a sort of teaser featuring some of the cast. You can find it here:
http://jonasdiego.blogspot.com/2005/03/its-comingcommminnnngggg.html
Some more additions...
Tobie Abad as Eowyn
Amie Landsborough as Galadriel
Actually, I haven't filled all the parts yet. I'm still considering some people for different roles but I haven't gotten around to asking them yet. :)
By Jonas Diego, at 11:31 AM
OH BOY.... I could just see it already. The famous line will for certain be one of the major punchlines. "I am not a man.." For those who haven't found the comic yet, do check it out! Jonas' Graphic Detail is comic humor at its raunchiest! Check it out now!
Just read this in Jonas' blog:
Camy: Hey! Thanks for dropping by. I made a sort of teaser featuring some of the cast. You can find it here:
http://jonasdiego.blogspot.com/2005/03/its-comingcommminnnngggg.html
Some more additions...
Tobie Abad as Eowyn
Amie Landsborough as Galadriel
Actually, I haven't filled all the parts yet. I'm still considering some people for different roles but I haven't gotten around to asking them yet. :)
By Jonas Diego, at 11:31 AM
OH BOY.... I could just see it already. The famous line will for certain be one of the major punchlines. "I am not a man.." For those who haven't found the comic yet, do check it out! Jonas' Graphic Detail is comic humor at its raunchiest! Check it out now!
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
You are a Character-focused ST. You focus on the
characters and their backgrounds and
motivations to propel the plot forward.
When it's good, it's very good because players get
to immerse themselves in their characters and
play to their strengths.
When it's bad, it's pretty bad because you either
become a non-ST and nothing happens if the
players don't act, or the game becomes too
easy.
What kind of ST are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
characters and their backgrounds and
motivations to propel the plot forward.
When it's good, it's very good because players get
to immerse themselves in their characters and
play to their strengths.
When it's bad, it's pretty bad because you either
become a non-ST and nothing happens if the
players don't act, or the game becomes too
easy.
What kind of ST are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Monday, March 21, 2005
SHARING SOME PICTURES
First of all, HAPPY GRADUATION TO MY SISTER TRACY!
First of all, HAPPY GRADUATION TO MY SISTER TRACY!
Bagong Loveteam: First major shoot for new producer Elaine. The shoot was for the SHOWDOWN OF THE CHAMPIONS concert in Dubai with Erik Santos, Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go, Sheryn Regis and Frenchie Dy. Special guests: Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. Shoot happened in NAIA
32 hours straight working. Work life balance, ano yon?
Interesting dichotomy of the Poor and the Rich. Eye-spotted by Ma-an during her despidida lunch with the advertising team.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
WEEKEND UPDATE
After recovering from a bout of near Trangkaso last Friday, I leapt back on my feet and ran an Orpheus session for Aldwin via Yahoo! Messenger's chat. Its amazing how thanks to little software like that you can now hold games even for those who can't play with you on weekends.
HAPPY GRADUATION TRACY!
My sister finally graduated last Saturday! After the horrible antics of her Thesis professor, she finally made it and walked out of student life and into the real world of money-woes, depression and overwork! Heheheh She even got offered a 2 year scholarship to study in New York (with housing and allowance!) I do hope she considers taking it.
While there, found myself meeting Dong Dantes and getting to chat with him about the value of studying, work, being in showbiz and the joys of knowing your sister is making remarkable accomplishments in her life. Dong was a great guy! It wasn't til after we left I realised I didn't even get to ask him to have a picture with my family. Hehehe, I guess I'm just not that showbiz starstruck like most. Would be great if we get to hang again.
After recovering from a bout of near Trangkaso last Friday, I leapt back on my feet and ran an Orpheus session for Aldwin via Yahoo! Messenger's chat. Its amazing how thanks to little software like that you can now hold games even for those who can't play with you on weekends.
HAPPY GRADUATION TRACY!
My sister finally graduated last Saturday! After the horrible antics of her Thesis professor, she finally made it and walked out of student life and into the real world of money-woes, depression and overwork! Heheheh She even got offered a 2 year scholarship to study in New York (with housing and allowance!) I do hope she considers taking it.
While there, found myself meeting Dong Dantes and getting to chat with him about the value of studying, work, being in showbiz and the joys of knowing your sister is making remarkable accomplishments in her life. Dong was a great guy! It wasn't til after we left I realised I didn't even get to ask him to have a picture with my family. Hehehe, I guess I'm just not that showbiz starstruck like most. Would be great if we get to hang again.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Quickie Fiction: The Our-tist
He hates it when she knows the truth.
Even if the world was no longer the old mudball of ecological systems, animal diversity and warring racial woes, there were some things that never changed. And to him, he was painfully aware one of those was the truth of what love is and isn't.
"She... she doesn't have to know," he mutters a bit too loud even if the implanted jawbone communicators were capable of capturing even whispered words uttered while in a crowded subway. Heck, they could even isolate the words from the chatter of up to thirty other people using their own jawbone communicators at the same time. Perhaps it was the tinge of guilt causing him to speak a bit louder. Or perhaps he was just that stupid at times. "Fucking H. I don't need this right now. I have so many shit to go through. I'm tired okay. I don't want to fight."
"Well fuck you, I didn't start this," she cursed back, though on one could tell but him. The earpiece was grafted to the inner channel of the earlobe, permitting clarity of response without the need for sliding in some form of earpiece. Not after the 2165 finding that earpieces were the leading cause of tubular cancer for men between 18 and 40 years of age. "I thought we were clear from the start. What do you want me to do!? What do you want me to say? I have done nothing but help you through all the shit you've been wallowing in. Christ, can't you even understand what I-"
"This is about him isn't it?" he interrupted her even if he knew very well she hated that. Interrupting someone pretty much broadcasted you didn't care what the other one was saying, whether or not it made a point. Even worse, it made one sound as if he knew what he was saying.
"About who? Oh great, you're bringing that up again?"
Take the advantage. Force her to the defensive. He waited for the pregnant sigh then drove the advantage deeper. The hell with the fact this had nothing to do with the conversation. It would buy him the time and space he needed to twist things around. "You've done nothing but try to make a big issue over it. Can't you just leave us alone? We're enjoying things, you don't have to drag him into this."
"Drag HIM into this? I never even-"
Second interception. Smooth, now dive in for the kill.
"We're happy okay so fuck off and leave us alone. You want to end what ever affair we were having, fine. Do that. I don't fucking care."
She went silent. Then merely uttered, "Fine" and before anything else could happen, he shut the communicator off. The tranquility instantly came. The noise of her voice was gone. The annoying and frustrating nagging of her voice no longer in the air. She was out. He closed the door. He ended the book.
* * *
Barely the day is over.
She ignores the twentieth call from him.
In silence she hopes, "He's calling because he realises now she was right."
But still she ignores the calls. After all, he did want her to leave him and his lover alone. So she's respecting that.
No matter what calls, or poems, or songs he one day crafts to explain himself.
After all, he ended the story.
So why bother looking for a sequel.
He hates it when she knows the truth.
Even if the world was no longer the old mudball of ecological systems, animal diversity and warring racial woes, there were some things that never changed. And to him, he was painfully aware one of those was the truth of what love is and isn't.
"She... she doesn't have to know," he mutters a bit too loud even if the implanted jawbone communicators were capable of capturing even whispered words uttered while in a crowded subway. Heck, they could even isolate the words from the chatter of up to thirty other people using their own jawbone communicators at the same time. Perhaps it was the tinge of guilt causing him to speak a bit louder. Or perhaps he was just that stupid at times. "Fucking H. I don't need this right now. I have so many shit to go through. I'm tired okay. I don't want to fight."
"Well fuck you, I didn't start this," she cursed back, though on one could tell but him. The earpiece was grafted to the inner channel of the earlobe, permitting clarity of response without the need for sliding in some form of earpiece. Not after the 2165 finding that earpieces were the leading cause of tubular cancer for men between 18 and 40 years of age. "I thought we were clear from the start. What do you want me to do!? What do you want me to say? I have done nothing but help you through all the shit you've been wallowing in. Christ, can't you even understand what I-"
"This is about him isn't it?" he interrupted her even if he knew very well she hated that. Interrupting someone pretty much broadcasted you didn't care what the other one was saying, whether or not it made a point. Even worse, it made one sound as if he knew what he was saying.
"About who? Oh great, you're bringing that up again?"
Take the advantage. Force her to the defensive. He waited for the pregnant sigh then drove the advantage deeper. The hell with the fact this had nothing to do with the conversation. It would buy him the time and space he needed to twist things around. "You've done nothing but try to make a big issue over it. Can't you just leave us alone? We're enjoying things, you don't have to drag him into this."
"Drag HIM into this? I never even-"
Second interception. Smooth, now dive in for the kill.
"We're happy okay so fuck off and leave us alone. You want to end what ever affair we were having, fine. Do that. I don't fucking care."
She went silent. Then merely uttered, "Fine" and before anything else could happen, he shut the communicator off. The tranquility instantly came. The noise of her voice was gone. The annoying and frustrating nagging of her voice no longer in the air. She was out. He closed the door. He ended the book.
* * *
Barely the day is over.
She ignores the twentieth call from him.
In silence she hopes, "He's calling because he realises now she was right."
But still she ignores the calls. After all, he did want her to leave him and his lover alone. So she's respecting that.
No matter what calls, or poems, or songs he one day crafts to explain himself.
After all, he ended the story.
So why bother looking for a sequel.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
CONFESSIONS
MALE...
The Male Confessions launch was held yesterday in Eastwood. Only Paolo Paraiso showed up. Talk about an event falling apart. Here's hoping the ones who set it up didn't lose their jobs.
CRUSH...
Well, turns out my office-mate is definitely not single. Too bad. Well, could have been worse eh? Back to just enjoying every day at a time alone with my friends and family.
WORK...
Turns out one of my office-mates has a blog too. Well, actually a live journal. It was kind of interesting to see those days he marked with blind item comments on "idiotic co-workers." I wonder if he realises how much those comments he posts sound at times exactly how many co-workers view him? Its sad really. Near-sightedness can be deadly.
FOOD...
I have decided to stop eating twice a day. And if possible limit the rice to one meal per day too. No its not a diet. Its to accomodate my growing taste for beer.
TRIP...
Flying to Los Angeles this May. Tempted to stay longer than a month, though I doubt I can.
GAMING...
I'm partly tempted to start either a Vampire: The Requiem tabletop game or try for another history spanning game but this time have it touch on different (old) World of Darkness critters. Knowing my gamers, they'd pick the second one.
MONEY...
Need to earn up very soon. Bone and Ivory is coming this week. Forsaken in the next. Argh!!!
ANGER...
I'm not angry at my friend anymore. But I don't want to contact him again anytime soon. Or else I'd just find myself wanting to make his life better, seeing how he doesn't deserve it all over again, and just having another fight. Either I learn to ignore him and just be a detached friend or he wakes up to what the hell he's really doing to his life. And to the lives of those who care for him.
MALE...
The Male Confessions launch was held yesterday in Eastwood. Only Paolo Paraiso showed up. Talk about an event falling apart. Here's hoping the ones who set it up didn't lose their jobs.
CRUSH...
Well, turns out my office-mate is definitely not single. Too bad. Well, could have been worse eh? Back to just enjoying every day at a time alone with my friends and family.
WORK...
Turns out one of my office-mates has a blog too. Well, actually a live journal. It was kind of interesting to see those days he marked with blind item comments on "idiotic co-workers." I wonder if he realises how much those comments he posts sound at times exactly how many co-workers view him? Its sad really. Near-sightedness can be deadly.
FOOD...
I have decided to stop eating twice a day. And if possible limit the rice to one meal per day too. No its not a diet. Its to accomodate my growing taste for beer.
TRIP...
Flying to Los Angeles this May. Tempted to stay longer than a month, though I doubt I can.
GAMING...
I'm partly tempted to start either a Vampire: The Requiem tabletop game or try for another history spanning game but this time have it touch on different (old) World of Darkness critters. Knowing my gamers, they'd pick the second one.
MONEY...
Need to earn up very soon. Bone and Ivory is coming this week. Forsaken in the next. Argh!!!
ANGER...
I'm not angry at my friend anymore. But I don't want to contact him again anytime soon. Or else I'd just find myself wanting to make his life better, seeing how he doesn't deserve it all over again, and just having another fight. Either I learn to ignore him and just be a detached friend or he wakes up to what the hell he's really doing to his life. And to the lives of those who care for him.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
TO SOMEONE SPECIAL TO ME
TEAR IN YOUR HAND
by Tori Amos
all the world just stopped now
so you say you don't wanna stay together anymore
let me take a deep breath babe
if you need me, me and neil'll be
hangin' out with the DREAM KING
neil says hi by the way
i don't believe you're leaving cause
me and charles manson like the same ice cream
i think it's that girl
and i think there're pieces of me
you've never seen
maybe she's just pieces of me
you've never seen well
all the world is
all i am
the black of the blackest ocean
and that tear in your hand
all the world is DANGLIN'...
danglin'... danglin' for me DARLIN'
you don't know the power that you have
with that tear in your hand
that tear in your hand
maybe i ain't used to maybes
smashing in a cold room
cutting my hands up
every time i touch you
maybe maybe it's time
to wave goodbye now
time to wave goodbye now
caught a ride with the moon
i know i know you well
well better than i used to
HAZE all clouded up my mind
in the DAZE of the why
it could've never been
so you say and i say
you know you're full of wish
and your "baby baby baby babies"
i tell you there're pieces of me
you've never seen
maybe she's just pieces of me
you've never seen well
all the world is
all i am
the black of the blackest ocean
and that tear in your hand
all the world is DANGLIN'...
danglin'... danglin' for me DARLIN'
you don't know the power that you have
with that tear in your hand
that tear in your hand
with that tear in your hand
tear in
CASE OF YOU
by Joni Mitchell
just before our love got lost you said,
"i am as constant as the northern star."
and i said, "constantly in the darkness
where's that at?
if you want me i'll be in the bar."
on the back of a cotton coaster
in the blue t.v. screen light
i drew a map of canada
oh canada
with your face sketched on it twice.
in my blood like holy wine
you taste so bitter and so sweet
well, i could drink a case of you, darling
and i would still be on my feet
i would still be on my feet.
oh i am a lonely painter
i live in a box of paints
i'm frightened by the devil
and i'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid.
i remember that time you told me
"love is touching souls"
surely you touched mine
'cause part of you pours out of me
in these lines from time to time.
my blood
my holy wine
tastes so bitter and so sweet
well i could drink a case of you, darling
and i would still be on my feet
i would still be on my feet
i met a woman
she had a mouth like yours
she knew your devils and your deeds
and she said, "go to him, stay with him
but be prepared to bleed"
my blood
my holy wine
tastes so bitter and so sweet
well i could drink a case of you, darling
and i would still be on my feet
i would still be on my feet
TEAR IN YOUR HAND
by Tori Amos
all the world just stopped now
so you say you don't wanna stay together anymore
let me take a deep breath babe
if you need me, me and neil'll be
hangin' out with the DREAM KING
neil says hi by the way
i don't believe you're leaving cause
me and charles manson like the same ice cream
i think it's that girl
and i think there're pieces of me
you've never seen
maybe she's just pieces of me
you've never seen well
all the world is
all i am
the black of the blackest ocean
and that tear in your hand
all the world is DANGLIN'...
danglin'... danglin' for me DARLIN'
you don't know the power that you have
with that tear in your hand
that tear in your hand
maybe i ain't used to maybes
smashing in a cold room
cutting my hands up
every time i touch you
maybe maybe it's time
to wave goodbye now
time to wave goodbye now
caught a ride with the moon
i know i know you well
well better than i used to
HAZE all clouded up my mind
in the DAZE of the why
it could've never been
so you say and i say
you know you're full of wish
and your "baby baby baby babies"
i tell you there're pieces of me
you've never seen
maybe she's just pieces of me
you've never seen well
all the world is
all i am
the black of the blackest ocean
and that tear in your hand
all the world is DANGLIN'...
danglin'... danglin' for me DARLIN'
you don't know the power that you have
with that tear in your hand
that tear in your hand
with that tear in your hand
tear in
CASE OF YOU
by Joni Mitchell
just before our love got lost you said,
"i am as constant as the northern star."
and i said, "constantly in the darkness
where's that at?
if you want me i'll be in the bar."
on the back of a cotton coaster
in the blue t.v. screen light
i drew a map of canada
oh canada
with your face sketched on it twice.
in my blood like holy wine
you taste so bitter and so sweet
well, i could drink a case of you, darling
and i would still be on my feet
i would still be on my feet.
oh i am a lonely painter
i live in a box of paints
i'm frightened by the devil
and i'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid.
i remember that time you told me
"love is touching souls"
surely you touched mine
'cause part of you pours out of me
in these lines from time to time.
my blood
my holy wine
tastes so bitter and so sweet
well i could drink a case of you, darling
and i would still be on my feet
i would still be on my feet
i met a woman
she had a mouth like yours
she knew your devils and your deeds
and she said, "go to him, stay with him
but be prepared to bleed"
my blood
my holy wine
tastes so bitter and so sweet
well i could drink a case of you, darling
and i would still be on my feet
i would still be on my feet
Monday, March 14, 2005
Sneak Peek: Alamat ng Bayan Ni...
After a host of artists who turned the invitation down (including Oliver Pulumbarit and many other Alamat greats), I have found an powerfully creative illustrator to give life to my short story for the (still delayed) Alamat Anniversary issue.
Let me present to you the works of Alex Castro Jr.
After a host of artists who turned the invitation down (including Oliver Pulumbarit and many other Alamat greats), I have found an powerfully creative illustrator to give life to my short story for the (still delayed) Alamat Anniversary issue.
Let me present to you the works of Alex Castro Jr.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
TWO very insightful articles
GDC Session: The dark spirit of Silent Hill
Series producer Akira Yamaoka dissects the craft of interactive horror.
Without warning, the lights fade down inside Moscone West Convention Center, Room 2006. In the ensuing darkness, audience members are treated to a video montage from Silent Hill 4. Rendered in overexposed, grainy black and white, and set to alternately sad and creepy piano ambience, the video flashes a slew of barely intelligible, yet disturbing images.
When it comes to mood and ambience, Silent Hill series producer and sound director Akira Yamaoka clearly knows what he's doing.
In this week's GDC lecture "The Day and Night of Silent Hill" Yamaoka methodically explored a variety of topics, including the core components of horror, the relationship between sound and music, and the psychology of fear.
"I have written horror, Japanese style," Yamaoka reflected. And though he readily admits emulating American works by artists such as David Lynch and Stephen King, Yamaoka explained that the Silent Hill series is still "very rooted in the [Japanese] culture."
"Hollywood-style" horror, Yamaoka argued, tends to focus on shocking visuals and evil spirits, whereas Japanese-style horror relies on un-seeable enemies, a sense of vengeance, and--perhaps most uniquely--a sad storyline. "It's not just a question of surprising someone, or showing shocking images," he remarked. In Japanese-style horror, Yamaoka explained, there is always a pervading sense of sadness, as if the story were "wet with tears."
Yamaoka did agree that "Silent Hill focuses very much on storyline," but pointed out that Silent Hill has an "unclear" story that tends not to be "user-friendly." Yamaoka stressed the importance of this lack of narrative clarity, which not only forces players to "start developing a story themselves," but also "provokes a sense of fear." For instance, in Silent Hill 2, it turns out that the protagonist murdered his wife, though he pretends not to know. Consequently, there is a "destruction of identity" and a resulting unclearness that is deeply unsettling.
In a similar vein, Yamaoka identifies the feeling of uneasiness as a second core component of horror. Experiences that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar, he argued, leads to anxiety and fear. Yamaoka touted the use of fragmented information, commenting that "the creator doesn't need to explain everything." This attitude not only accounts for his heavy use of fog and mist, but also explains why no Silent Hill character is resolutely "bad." Instead, "every character has a multifaceted personality," because such unpredictability provokes fear.
"I think reality is a very important aspect of horror," Yamaoka continued. Nonetheless, he made sure to qualify that his working definition of "reality" is different than merely "looking natural," since people don't consciously notice all visual information conveyed to them. Thus, especially in light of the trend towards greater visual photorealism, Yamaoka urged the need to work on "mechanisms to make the users feel like it's real." For example, in Silent Hill 3, one major design concern was taking advantage of the communicative power of eye movement. If a character's eyes aren't doing anything, Yamaoka pointed out, the interaction lacks a certain intangible something.
Shifting subjects to his expertise in sound production, Yamaoka remarked that he hardly separates general game production from sound production, advising, "You can't look only at sound or only at the game." He elaborated, "Silent Hill doesn't have what we normally know as music," warning that "music tends to be explanatory." For example, traditional soundtracks tend to imply when a scene is scary or romantic. The solution employed in Silent Hill, Yamaoka explained, was to abandon such conventions and use radio static – a sound to which players aren't instinctually attuned--to signify the presence of nearby enemies.
Towards the end of the program, Yamaoka stressed that Silent Hill isn't merely a puzzle-solving game, but rather an emerging form of interactive media in a more general sense. "What we call ‘game' might change," he suggested.
Yamaoka was one of several Japanese speakers at GDC this week, as part of the "Focus on Japan" Global Developer Program initiative. Yamaoka's lecture, which he delivered in his native Japanese, was simultaneously translated into English and broadcast to attendees via special headphone sets.
By Douglas Wilson -- GameSpot
POSTED: 03/11/05 05:47 PM PST
GDC Panel: Keita Takahashi - new kid on the block
Katamari Damacy designer analyzes self, industry, and games in general.
"In a sense, games are an unnecessary thing."
This is a strange sentiment, perhaps, from a highly anticipated Game Developers Conference speaker...a speaker not even one day removed from his 2005 GDC Choice Award in Game Design. Yet in Keita Takahashi’s Thursday talk, this sense of critical self-questioning recurred as a major theme.
Takahashi, the creative brain behind Namco's sleeper Katamari Damacy, addressed a range of topics both serious and lighthearted in nature, always speaking with a distinct air of humility. The one-hour lecture, entitled "Rolling The Dice--The Risks and Rewards of Developing Katamari Damacy," was given in Takahashi’s native Japanese and simulcast in translated English.
"I would like to do something that makes people happy," Takahashi revealed. Betraying a clear sense of progressive-minded idealism, Takahashi wondered aloud if making people smile, even if only for brief periods of time, could help prevent negative behaviors, such as fighting and racial discrimination.
Takahashi recounted his long path to success, constantly thanking the "unprecedented, miraculous" opportunity presented to him. The story goes that Katamari Damacy began when, after several years of working at Namco without finding a project that interested him, Takahashi finally reasoned, "Perhaps I should come up with a project myself."
According to Takahashi, his big break came in the form of a certain computer design curriculum that decided to adopt his idea for a student project. Creating a prototype that would ultimately sell the game’s potential, about a dozen students worked on game art while Namco took care of the level maps and programming framework. After roughly three years of prototype and development, Katamari Damacy was finally released. The rest, of course, is history.
Citing his inspiration from Japanese children's ball-rolling games, Takahashi expressed his opinion that "It's fun to roll something," further asserting that rolling a huge ball around the streets would be "hands down more fun than playing games." Despite initial criticism of his idea as overly simplistic, Takahashi decided to "proactively ignore" the voices of dissent, in large part because he "really enjoyed" rolling the Katamari around using the two analog sticks.
As for the process by which the specific design arose, Takahashi remarked, "... I just basically came up with this idea," and apologized for his lack of a better explanation. He did, however, underscore his "desire to do something new, something that is easily understood, something enjoyable ... something you could only do in a video game."
And although he admitted that Katamari Damacy "is not that sophisticated a game," Takahashi qualified, "I do not mean simple is best." In fact, Takahashi claimed that the simplicity of his design was more the result of necessity, lamenting that he lacks the skills to explore more complex subjects such as love.
Takahashi also noted the connection between Katamari Damacy and his sculpture education at art college. In particular, he looked back on his experiences in which he was forced to focus on the tactile rather than the visual, as well as the enjoyment he got from "being able to feel things with one's hands."
Takahashi did, however, describe a major art philosophy dilemma from which he struggled (and continues to struggle), openly musing, "I often wonder whether [artists] are contributing anything to society." He expressed his fear that artists are only relevant to themselves and remarked that the thought "never sat well with me." Nevertheless, Takahashi did share that he has been able to find self-reaffirmation in the fact that "those who touched my sculpture...at least they smiled."
But Takahashi questioned more than just art. He challenged the very cultural value of video games. "Children would be better off playing outside," he asserted, arguing that video games can potentially waste away the precious and limited time of childhood. "I’m not trying to help people escape reality," Takahashi explained, and clarified that he would rather "make daily life more fun by giving people a fun game to play once in a while."
Takahashi was also harsh with respect to the general video game industry. "I don't think technology has played a huge rule in increasing game content," he stated, dismissing better graphics and sound as "minor improvements." He argued that "as one form of expression, the [video game] field seems to be really narrow," and therefore proposed that we focus on making software richer instead of trying to design the next-generation console.
But the panel wasn't all serious criticism and analysis. Takahashi made the audience laugh more than a few times with his humorous slides. And he even began the lecture by placing a Katamari stuffed doll on an empty speaker pedestal.
Highlighting some of his core design principles, Takahashi stressed that video games need to be stimulating. He stated, "[A video game] sometimes has to be 'rock'; sometimes [it] has to be 'punk' ... if not, [there is] no meaning for its existence." Takahashi also pointed out that stimulation "doesn’t have to take the form of shooting things, killing things." For Takahashi, the "peaceful, mellow atmosphere" of Katamari Damacy stands as one such example.
Takahashi also speculated that if violent games do indeed have tangible negative effects, as some speculate, other types of games might potentially have positive impacts. He did seem to doubt that Katamari Damacy accomplishes anything similar though, admitting, "I’m not sure how much I have achieved my goal."
The audience, in contrast, seemed quite confident of Takahashi's achievement and treated Takahashi to a hearty standing ovation at the lecture’s end.
By Douglas Wilson -- GameSpot
POSTED: 03/11/05 09:51 AM PST
GDC Session: The dark spirit of Silent Hill
Series producer Akira Yamaoka dissects the craft of interactive horror.
Without warning, the lights fade down inside Moscone West Convention Center, Room 2006. In the ensuing darkness, audience members are treated to a video montage from Silent Hill 4. Rendered in overexposed, grainy black and white, and set to alternately sad and creepy piano ambience, the video flashes a slew of barely intelligible, yet disturbing images.
When it comes to mood and ambience, Silent Hill series producer and sound director Akira Yamaoka clearly knows what he's doing.
In this week's GDC lecture "The Day and Night of Silent Hill" Yamaoka methodically explored a variety of topics, including the core components of horror, the relationship between sound and music, and the psychology of fear.
"I have written horror, Japanese style," Yamaoka reflected. And though he readily admits emulating American works by artists such as David Lynch and Stephen King, Yamaoka explained that the Silent Hill series is still "very rooted in the [Japanese] culture."
"Hollywood-style" horror, Yamaoka argued, tends to focus on shocking visuals and evil spirits, whereas Japanese-style horror relies on un-seeable enemies, a sense of vengeance, and--perhaps most uniquely--a sad storyline. "It's not just a question of surprising someone, or showing shocking images," he remarked. In Japanese-style horror, Yamaoka explained, there is always a pervading sense of sadness, as if the story were "wet with tears."
Yamaoka did agree that "Silent Hill focuses very much on storyline," but pointed out that Silent Hill has an "unclear" story that tends not to be "user-friendly." Yamaoka stressed the importance of this lack of narrative clarity, which not only forces players to "start developing a story themselves," but also "provokes a sense of fear." For instance, in Silent Hill 2, it turns out that the protagonist murdered his wife, though he pretends not to know. Consequently, there is a "destruction of identity" and a resulting unclearness that is deeply unsettling.
In a similar vein, Yamaoka identifies the feeling of uneasiness as a second core component of horror. Experiences that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar, he argued, leads to anxiety and fear. Yamaoka touted the use of fragmented information, commenting that "the creator doesn't need to explain everything." This attitude not only accounts for his heavy use of fog and mist, but also explains why no Silent Hill character is resolutely "bad." Instead, "every character has a multifaceted personality," because such unpredictability provokes fear.
"I think reality is a very important aspect of horror," Yamaoka continued. Nonetheless, he made sure to qualify that his working definition of "reality" is different than merely "looking natural," since people don't consciously notice all visual information conveyed to them. Thus, especially in light of the trend towards greater visual photorealism, Yamaoka urged the need to work on "mechanisms to make the users feel like it's real." For example, in Silent Hill 3, one major design concern was taking advantage of the communicative power of eye movement. If a character's eyes aren't doing anything, Yamaoka pointed out, the interaction lacks a certain intangible something.
Shifting subjects to his expertise in sound production, Yamaoka remarked that he hardly separates general game production from sound production, advising, "You can't look only at sound or only at the game." He elaborated, "Silent Hill doesn't have what we normally know as music," warning that "music tends to be explanatory." For example, traditional soundtracks tend to imply when a scene is scary or romantic. The solution employed in Silent Hill, Yamaoka explained, was to abandon such conventions and use radio static – a sound to which players aren't instinctually attuned--to signify the presence of nearby enemies.
Towards the end of the program, Yamaoka stressed that Silent Hill isn't merely a puzzle-solving game, but rather an emerging form of interactive media in a more general sense. "What we call ‘game' might change," he suggested.
Yamaoka was one of several Japanese speakers at GDC this week, as part of the "Focus on Japan" Global Developer Program initiative. Yamaoka's lecture, which he delivered in his native Japanese, was simultaneously translated into English and broadcast to attendees via special headphone sets.
By Douglas Wilson -- GameSpot
POSTED: 03/11/05 05:47 PM PST
GDC Panel: Keita Takahashi - new kid on the block
Katamari Damacy designer analyzes self, industry, and games in general.
"In a sense, games are an unnecessary thing."
This is a strange sentiment, perhaps, from a highly anticipated Game Developers Conference speaker...a speaker not even one day removed from his 2005 GDC Choice Award in Game Design. Yet in Keita Takahashi’s Thursday talk, this sense of critical self-questioning recurred as a major theme.
Takahashi, the creative brain behind Namco's sleeper Katamari Damacy, addressed a range of topics both serious and lighthearted in nature, always speaking with a distinct air of humility. The one-hour lecture, entitled "Rolling The Dice--The Risks and Rewards of Developing Katamari Damacy," was given in Takahashi’s native Japanese and simulcast in translated English.
"I would like to do something that makes people happy," Takahashi revealed. Betraying a clear sense of progressive-minded idealism, Takahashi wondered aloud if making people smile, even if only for brief periods of time, could help prevent negative behaviors, such as fighting and racial discrimination.
Takahashi recounted his long path to success, constantly thanking the "unprecedented, miraculous" opportunity presented to him. The story goes that Katamari Damacy began when, after several years of working at Namco without finding a project that interested him, Takahashi finally reasoned, "Perhaps I should come up with a project myself."
According to Takahashi, his big break came in the form of a certain computer design curriculum that decided to adopt his idea for a student project. Creating a prototype that would ultimately sell the game’s potential, about a dozen students worked on game art while Namco took care of the level maps and programming framework. After roughly three years of prototype and development, Katamari Damacy was finally released. The rest, of course, is history.
Citing his inspiration from Japanese children's ball-rolling games, Takahashi expressed his opinion that "It's fun to roll something," further asserting that rolling a huge ball around the streets would be "hands down more fun than playing games." Despite initial criticism of his idea as overly simplistic, Takahashi decided to "proactively ignore" the voices of dissent, in large part because he "really enjoyed" rolling the Katamari around using the two analog sticks.
As for the process by which the specific design arose, Takahashi remarked, "... I just basically came up with this idea," and apologized for his lack of a better explanation. He did, however, underscore his "desire to do something new, something that is easily understood, something enjoyable ... something you could only do in a video game."
And although he admitted that Katamari Damacy "is not that sophisticated a game," Takahashi qualified, "I do not mean simple is best." In fact, Takahashi claimed that the simplicity of his design was more the result of necessity, lamenting that he lacks the skills to explore more complex subjects such as love.
Takahashi also noted the connection between Katamari Damacy and his sculpture education at art college. In particular, he looked back on his experiences in which he was forced to focus on the tactile rather than the visual, as well as the enjoyment he got from "being able to feel things with one's hands."
Takahashi did, however, describe a major art philosophy dilemma from which he struggled (and continues to struggle), openly musing, "I often wonder whether [artists] are contributing anything to society." He expressed his fear that artists are only relevant to themselves and remarked that the thought "never sat well with me." Nevertheless, Takahashi did share that he has been able to find self-reaffirmation in the fact that "those who touched my sculpture...at least they smiled."
But Takahashi questioned more than just art. He challenged the very cultural value of video games. "Children would be better off playing outside," he asserted, arguing that video games can potentially waste away the precious and limited time of childhood. "I’m not trying to help people escape reality," Takahashi explained, and clarified that he would rather "make daily life more fun by giving people a fun game to play once in a while."
Takahashi was also harsh with respect to the general video game industry. "I don't think technology has played a huge rule in increasing game content," he stated, dismissing better graphics and sound as "minor improvements." He argued that "as one form of expression, the [video game] field seems to be really narrow," and therefore proposed that we focus on making software richer instead of trying to design the next-generation console.
But the panel wasn't all serious criticism and analysis. Takahashi made the audience laugh more than a few times with his humorous slides. And he even began the lecture by placing a Katamari stuffed doll on an empty speaker pedestal.
Highlighting some of his core design principles, Takahashi stressed that video games need to be stimulating. He stated, "[A video game] sometimes has to be 'rock'; sometimes [it] has to be 'punk' ... if not, [there is] no meaning for its existence." Takahashi also pointed out that stimulation "doesn’t have to take the form of shooting things, killing things." For Takahashi, the "peaceful, mellow atmosphere" of Katamari Damacy stands as one such example.
Takahashi also speculated that if violent games do indeed have tangible negative effects, as some speculate, other types of games might potentially have positive impacts. He did seem to doubt that Katamari Damacy accomplishes anything similar though, admitting, "I’m not sure how much I have achieved my goal."
The audience, in contrast, seemed quite confident of Takahashi's achievement and treated Takahashi to a hearty standing ovation at the lecture’s end.
By Douglas Wilson -- GameSpot
POSTED: 03/11/05 09:51 AM PST
Updates
DILIMAN website down
I have no idea why.
Issue fourteen is still delayed by money-earning work.
ONE SHOT RPG a success!
Ran a new World of Darkness Strangewood inspired game for Art and Jurist Gamban with James playing my first mate. Had a great time even if it was pressed for time and was having withdrawal symptoms.
MACROSS: Another Song moves onwards
With the plot now diverging from the real Macross II: Lovers Again plot, I am now exploring a new direction that will inevitably merge Macross and Robotech into one more coherent plot (well at least in my opinion).
NEW RAD SPEAKERS
Thanks to Seth for my new speakers! The sub-woofer really makes listening to Phantom Of The Opera (original musical, no the movie) so much more... heart-throbbing. Love how it brings new life to Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth! THANK YOU!!! Advanced Birthday gift ko ba ito?
DILIMAN website down
I have no idea why.
Issue fourteen is still delayed by money-earning work.
ONE SHOT RPG a success!
Ran a new World of Darkness Strangewood inspired game for Art and Jurist Gamban with James playing my first mate. Had a great time even if it was pressed for time and was having withdrawal symptoms.
MACROSS: Another Song moves onwards
With the plot now diverging from the real Macross II: Lovers Again plot, I am now exploring a new direction that will inevitably merge Macross and Robotech into one more coherent plot (well at least in my opinion).
NEW RAD SPEAKERS
Thanks to Seth for my new speakers! The sub-woofer really makes listening to Phantom Of The Opera (original musical, no the movie) so much more... heart-throbbing. Love how it brings new life to Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth! THANK YOU!!! Advanced Birthday gift ko ba ito?
Friday, March 11, 2005
That was LIBERATING!
Yep. Went through with it. Sadly, no samples to show.
Had my pictures taken and will have one of them in an exhibit this April. We need more willing models (and no, it doesn't matter if your too old, or too fat, or too insecure either. You can ask for only back shots or hands and feet only) to hit a certain ration we plan to hit for the exhibit so do tell me if you're interested!
On stupid news,
It seems some people still think Role Playing Games are worse than terrorism.
Check it out here. And yes, this comic serves as a good response.
Yep. Went through with it. Sadly, no samples to show.
Had my pictures taken and will have one of them in an exhibit this April. We need more willing models (and no, it doesn't matter if your too old, or too fat, or too insecure either. You can ask for only back shots or hands and feet only) to hit a certain ration we plan to hit for the exhibit so do tell me if you're interested!
On stupid news,
It seems some people still think Role Playing Games are worse than terrorism.
Check it out here. And yes, this comic serves as a good response.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
BE COOL
A new movie from John Travolta, Uma Thurman and a host of other cool characters. Pegged as a sequel to Get Shorty! Check it out!
Even more interesting is the contest they had for 5-second films.
Check it out here: Caddilac under 5 Amazing works there. In fact, am now wondering if I should try doing something like this. 5 second films.
Hmm..
A new movie from John Travolta, Uma Thurman and a host of other cool characters. Pegged as a sequel to Get Shorty! Check it out!
Even more interesting is the contest they had for 5-second films.
Check it out here: Caddilac under 5 Amazing works there. In fact, am now wondering if I should try doing something like this. 5 second films.
Hmm..
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Lots of Highlights today
Had a lot of little events going on today. Let's start with this:
Ma-an's Despidida Pictures
Turns out, we had taken over 200 pictures that night! Talk about intense coverage eh? Talo pa yung coverage ng showbiz personalities eh? Anyway, I was sending them over to my e-mail account in hopes of posting a number of them online in my blog only to discover somehow only six of them got through. Maybe the net ate them or something. Weird.
Anyway, check them out!
Donna, Ma-an, Me and Ford
"Bakit Ngayong Ka Lang" Moment, sabi nila
Feeling Candid #1
Me, Ma-an and Andy, the unholy triat
The unholy triat in badtrip mode
Feeling Candid #2
Then,
Saw an old familiar face in the office. I was rushing to meet with Ms. Eugene Domingo when I noticed him sitting on the couch just outside our office. I guess he was handling some consultancy gig with ABS-CBN Interactive (who was just next door). He didn't recognize me or toss a hello, which I assume meant I wasn't someone he was too pleased to see. So I just moved on and focused on work.
Tom, during the good ole days
Still, somehow I wish I could have had the courage to come up to him and say hello. I really miss having him as a friend.
Also,
Realised I wanted to have my new net friends on my blog. These are people in the other side of the world whom have become really good friends of mine. I look forward to each time I can have a chance to talk with them and chat.
Eloy with Julian, Jenn with Gabrielle, and the infamous Chris
Special thanks to Chris for sending me them "hellos" even during working hours! Really appreciate them!
Finally,
Found I had enough money to afford a long distance call to the Middle East. Gave Marco, my best friend, a call and talked about how things were. He sounded a tad tired but happy and I guess that's good to know. I really missed hanging out with him. Marco was the friend of mine who I have practically grown up and learned many things in life with. I miss those times we'd just escape the house to meet up at night, talk beneath a canopy of stars and share our problems and joys.
My best friend, Marco
Marco, may we someday find time to hang out again.
I really miss you buddy!
Had a lot of little events going on today. Let's start with this:
Ma-an's Despidida Pictures
Turns out, we had taken over 200 pictures that night! Talk about intense coverage eh? Talo pa yung coverage ng showbiz personalities eh? Anyway, I was sending them over to my e-mail account in hopes of posting a number of them online in my blog only to discover somehow only six of them got through. Maybe the net ate them or something. Weird.
Anyway, check them out!
Donna, Ma-an, Me and Ford
"Bakit Ngayong Ka Lang" Moment, sabi nila
Feeling Candid #1
Me, Ma-an and Andy, the unholy triat
The unholy triat in badtrip mode
Feeling Candid #2
Then,
Saw an old familiar face in the office. I was rushing to meet with Ms. Eugene Domingo when I noticed him sitting on the couch just outside our office. I guess he was handling some consultancy gig with ABS-CBN Interactive (who was just next door). He didn't recognize me or toss a hello, which I assume meant I wasn't someone he was too pleased to see. So I just moved on and focused on work.
Tom, during the good ole days
Still, somehow I wish I could have had the courage to come up to him and say hello. I really miss having him as a friend.
Also,
Realised I wanted to have my new net friends on my blog. These are people in the other side of the world whom have become really good friends of mine. I look forward to each time I can have a chance to talk with them and chat.
Eloy with Julian, Jenn with Gabrielle, and the infamous Chris
Special thanks to Chris for sending me them "hellos" even during working hours! Really appreciate them!
Finally,
Found I had enough money to afford a long distance call to the Middle East. Gave Marco, my best friend, a call and talked about how things were. He sounded a tad tired but happy and I guess that's good to know. I really missed hanging out with him. Marco was the friend of mine who I have practically grown up and learned many things in life with. I miss those times we'd just escape the house to meet up at night, talk beneath a canopy of stars and share our problems and joys.
My best friend, Marco
Marco, may we someday find time to hang out again.
I really miss you buddy!
Monday, March 07, 2005
DRIFTING
I'm drifting into sleep at work today. Had to come in early to make sure material for an upcoming countdown set of plugs can be produced starting 9a.m. So I woke up early and now struggle against my own body to stay awake.
While in this weird state, I found my lucid dreams suddenly happening with all these interesting twists. In one, I saw myself face-to-face with a former friend whose insensitivities just destroyed any hope of holding on to the friendship. He was telling me about his active sex life and I just laughed. He never did those things before. And now he's sunk for someone far less worthy. Then I blinked and realised it was just a dream. Why'd I'd dream that, I have a few ideas... Another one had me panicking as an officemate I found interesting came up to me and asked, "Tobie, type mo daw ako?" I freaked, tossing explanations left and right as to why I found my oficemate attractive, and fun to be with, before finally admitting "Yes, Type kita." My officemate suddenly leaned forwards, kissed me and whispered, "That's makes two of us then."
Putcha.
Then I woke up.
Sigh.
I'm drifting into sleep at work today. Had to come in early to make sure material for an upcoming countdown set of plugs can be produced starting 9a.m. So I woke up early and now struggle against my own body to stay awake.
While in this weird state, I found my lucid dreams suddenly happening with all these interesting twists. In one, I saw myself face-to-face with a former friend whose insensitivities just destroyed any hope of holding on to the friendship. He was telling me about his active sex life and I just laughed. He never did those things before. And now he's sunk for someone far less worthy. Then I blinked and realised it was just a dream. Why'd I'd dream that, I have a few ideas... Another one had me panicking as an officemate I found interesting came up to me and asked, "Tobie, type mo daw ako?" I freaked, tossing explanations left and right as to why I found my oficemate attractive, and fun to be with, before finally admitting "Yes, Type kita." My officemate suddenly leaned forwards, kissed me and whispered, "That's makes two of us then."
Putcha.
Then I woke up.
Sigh.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Quote I found very thought-provoking
"I know they're fucking behind my back, but I'll just pretend I don't. I love him that much."
Sad how love works in the world nowadays. But I guess that's just how it really tends to be nowadays. I heard this quote from this movie about infidelity and love. Come to think about it, those who cheat do tend to announce it indirectly. I guess the guilt demands the person do something, even if he/she knows it isn't always safe.
"I know they're fucking behind my back, but I'll just pretend I don't. I love him that much."
Sad how love works in the world nowadays. But I guess that's just how it really tends to be nowadays. I heard this quote from this movie about infidelity and love. Come to think about it, those who cheat do tend to announce it indirectly. I guess the guilt demands the person do something, even if he/she knows it isn't always safe.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Another Despidida Party
Ma-an joined us for another night of drinking, singing, dancing and saying hello to old friends and old lovers. With me downing around 9 bottles of beer and stupidly getting mashed enough to admit to certain old friends I once had crushes on them, I think I should have learned to keep my mouth shut. Strangely, though, I don't feel tipsy or intoxicated. Not like those nights I had 3 to 4 beers. God wasn't able to join us, having gotten smashed much earlier in the evening. Nor was Reg, due to work drowing her opportunities to have fun. Miss Beth and Jeff didn't make it either, perhaps opting to maximize their free time and family moments. Direk Topel, Direk Cholo and Direk Lauren were caught up in shoots. Direk Paolo, on the other hand, was suffocated by traffic and rain-checked instead.
Ah..
I know I am definitely going to miss Ma-an.
We were a powerful creative team. True we often got into trouble with the consistent tendancy to be rebellious and bend the rules, but we too did things others barely achieved (like making ads that generated 1 Billion pesos worth of revenue in barely 3 months)... and never got creditted for. Now, Ma-an is free and I can see bright opportunities waiting to be picked up along her path in life.
So, good luck Ma-an! I do hope you keep in touch!
I'll try to post pictures of the party come Monday or Tueday once such an opportunity arises.
Makes me wonder what sort of thing they'd do for me... if I left.
Ma-an joined us for another night of drinking, singing, dancing and saying hello to old friends and old lovers. With me downing around 9 bottles of beer and stupidly getting mashed enough to admit to certain old friends I once had crushes on them, I think I should have learned to keep my mouth shut. Strangely, though, I don't feel tipsy or intoxicated. Not like those nights I had 3 to 4 beers. God wasn't able to join us, having gotten smashed much earlier in the evening. Nor was Reg, due to work drowing her opportunities to have fun. Miss Beth and Jeff didn't make it either, perhaps opting to maximize their free time and family moments. Direk Topel, Direk Cholo and Direk Lauren were caught up in shoots. Direk Paolo, on the other hand, was suffocated by traffic and rain-checked instead.
Ah..
I know I am definitely going to miss Ma-an.
We were a powerful creative team. True we often got into trouble with the consistent tendancy to be rebellious and bend the rules, but we too did things others barely achieved (like making ads that generated 1 Billion pesos worth of revenue in barely 3 months)... and never got creditted for. Now, Ma-an is free and I can see bright opportunities waiting to be picked up along her path in life.
So, good luck Ma-an! I do hope you keep in touch!
I'll try to post pictures of the party come Monday or Tueday once such an opportunity arises.
Makes me wonder what sort of thing they'd do for me... if I left.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Short-term Memory Loss
Just saw Fifty First Dates. Gosh, it really got me both laughing out loud and crying tears of mush. I have to admit that normally I loathe watching Adam Sandler movies simply because I find his approach to humor at times a tad too... typical. For example, I loved Punch-Drunk Love, Anger Management and The Wedding Singer. I really HATED Bulletproof, Big Daddy and (I know, you'll hate me for saying this) Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. So so far, there are more misses than hits for me.
But damn, Fifty First Dates hit me in levels I really did not expect. Damn, its so hard to remain focused and realistic in my idealistic views of love with movies like this.
Of course the riot scenes with Sean Astin ("wet dreams") and Drew Barrymore ("Nothing beats a first kiss") were just icing on the cake.
Just saw Fifty First Dates. Gosh, it really got me both laughing out loud and crying tears of mush. I have to admit that normally I loathe watching Adam Sandler movies simply because I find his approach to humor at times a tad too... typical. For example, I loved Punch-Drunk Love, Anger Management and The Wedding Singer. I really HATED Bulletproof, Big Daddy and (I know, you'll hate me for saying this) Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. So so far, there are more misses than hits for me.
But damn, Fifty First Dates hit me in levels I really did not expect. Damn, its so hard to remain focused and realistic in my idealistic views of love with movies like this.
Of course the riot scenes with Sean Astin ("wet dreams") and Drew Barrymore ("Nothing beats a first kiss") were just icing on the cake.
MACROSS: ANOTHER SONG
Decided it deserved its own website.
So here.
Check it out!
CHANGELING: THE LONG TROD HOME
Director's Cut ain't happening anymore.
No biggie.
At least it ended well, although in some ways felt anti-climactic.
Decided it deserved its own website.
So here.
Check it out!
CHANGELING: THE LONG TROD HOME
Director's Cut ain't happening anymore.
No biggie.
At least it ended well, although in some ways felt anti-climactic.
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