Taking Lead Now

Read Stephen Greenblatt's 'The Swerve: How The World Became Modern' & Be Compelled to Endure Reading Lucretius Carus' 'De Rerum Natura'

2011-11-17T23:34:00.000-05:00

This book continues to bring ideas to my mind on how precious books had been to people who lived a long time ago, and even to my tastes on books after I've finished reading it; it's actually worth your book reading time if you're into culture, books, history. It even gave me ideas on pursuing Latin language studies so that I'll be able to read the original 'De Rerum Natura' in Latin, which authors, including the author of this book, have been talking about for its wonderful writing from Lucretius Carus. I was surprised to read a lot about killings (legal executions) of persons who have lived at least 500 years ago because they've come to read contents of 'De Rerum Natura' which Greenblatt's book talked about in his narrative. Very disturbing. I wonder how I would have fared during those periods---but I'm glad I'm alive today and able to pursue my interests. And I have to give credit to the efforts of those very brave individuals who lived before me so that I'll enjoy freedoms in today's period. Some of them died, and were not given any chances to think differently. Similar situations continue somewhere right this minute---I'm saying a prayer so that change continues to take place that will allow nature to take its natural course.

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I never heard about this book before I saw it on the NYT's list, and decided soon that I have to find time to read this one on my Kindle reader. It led to my discovering of Lucretius Carus' "De Rerum Natura," which I'm still reading as of this writing ('it's not an easy poem to read, by the way'). I even have its prose version in English from my online bookstore, which I'll read one of these days. And earlier, I read about this book's winning a National Book Award (non-fiction category), which totally delighted me.

What I like most about this book has been the curious, very intriguing narrative it shared that provided the context on how books (that include the mind boggling 'De Rerum Natura', which is a looong poem at that!) dangerously go about changing people's way of thinking and subsequent behaviors. And this book has got me into thinking that elites (at least, those members of society's elites who find time to read and write, of which there are so many kinds, depending on wealth and knowledge they have access to in their respective lifetime) make use of books, in general plus among other tools, to overhaul structures in society. And I suppose this continues to this day, although not many have been aware of the intriguing process because so many take book reading for granted, plus given distractions of all kinds these days that compete on people's attention.

I got very curious in discovering from this book how the fabled Alexandrian Library went down and gone in a matter of a few generations after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine, which political development resulted to the eventual out-lawing of other forms of religions in the Western World, including those considered under 'paganism' (which was really an evolved mockery term for something considered not Christian). And I felt bad about how a very progressive female mathematician/philosopher/scientist, who happened to be pagan, was murdered by the extremist members of Christianity then. This kind of event actually happens eerily up to these days, although not in exact forms. You see and read about them from extremists among the Muslims, Jewish, Christians, Hindus, etc (not necessarily in that order---extremists are everywhere these days and they behave hysterically because they can't tolerate change, which, by the way, is among the main topics of 'De Rerum Natura').

Actually, and also based on what I've read so far about 'De Rerum Natura,' the world-changing ideas covered in this book that discussed Lucretius Carus' only known surviving work (as most of the books prior to destruction of the Alexandrian Library are now considered mostly 'remnants') are nowadays so-common. You'd wonder 'what's the fuss all about?' And why write about a book that's very difficult to read, in the first place? But note that in those years before 'De Rerum Natura' was brought to light again, those ideas were considered subversive. And espousing those ideas would even cost you your dear life as what happened to so many pioneering individuals who could not be tolerated by elites and their followers who felt their very lifestyles were being changed and threatened (which they would soon discover that they can't go against with, because that's part of nature, as 'De Rerum Natura' expounds).

Among these ideas include the mortality of soul, which 'De Rerum Natura' explains 'will die as soon as the mortal body dies.' And that there's 'no life after death.' And that religions espouse cruelty, the most disturbing example has been the practice of sacrificing one's own children for religious reasons. Also, it talked about atoms, which we learned from school or even watch on TV shows. Plus, the main purpose of life is seek pleasure, which implies, among other things, watching from a pleasurable distance how your co-humans suffer in the absurd forms of their fears and unhappy existence. Go figure the implications of these ideas out now. We've probably gone far, but we're never sure if the same is true with some groups of people. And disturbingly, we discover that a lot among our midst have yet to be reached by the light that came from 'De Rerum Nostra' (among other books) when it showed up again during Renaissance time centuries ago.

View all my reviews

Recalling My Reading Experience of Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood'

2011-10-26T13:51:00.003-04:00

If there's a book that you'd like to spend reading on a long weekend, Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood' should be among your choices. Its cool matter-of-fact narrative will make you think about those daily dose of crime shows you have on TV & on paper these days. It's got understated reporting of details ('controlled sensationalism', if you may allow it) by including views from the murderers themselves, thus making you think if they've done something morally right in the process in the court of public opinion. And I'm thinking it's Capote's book that strongly inspired today's writers to tell their crime stories as if they happen every minute of the time, and we all just move on with our lives, despite the horrifying experiences we gain, sooner or later.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book many years ago while still in high school (I got curious about the title, i.e., why the 'cold blood' description, which to my mind brought nasty thoughts about warm, icky blood droplets). And this book created an early memorable impact to my efforts to get into writing works and in choosing my reading preferences, and would make me wonder how I could write in a style similar to Capote's (his name, incidentally, means 'raincoat' --if I recall my Spanish now). I would even go researching about and reading on Capote's other works. All these years, I've yet to watch its movie version (I heard about it from other reviewers here).

What continues to catch my interest even after so many years had passed since I read this has been about its being considered a non-fiction work. With this book, there seems to be a thin line that separates fiction from what's considered non-fiction, which got into my thoughts when I read this book with relish. The quality of writing Capote has shown in this book is uniquely his own from start to finish, although it almost reads like a very well-written extended police report (i.e., minutely factual, almost-cold blooded in tone, and as if written by someone who's very literate, well read and very comfortable in dealing with the details of a bloody crime). And the creative process he followed in coming up with this work becomes more intriguing because Capote wrote, too, in other genres using distinctive styles (read his "Music For Chameleons; Other Voices, Other Rooms") you seldom experience in reading other well-known writers.

I had even doubts if Capote added elements that he thought would make the book more elaborately understated in narrating what's usually and expected to be violent and over-the-edge when written works like this are made into movies. Murder is murder from any angle you view it, directly or indirectly, which give your thoughts about violence, dying and blood. Capote must have done (and had fun doing) so many interviews until he was satisfied that he had enough materials with him to write a book. The narration of the murders was not as violent as your initial thoughts were, which was the case with me.

Capote did so well in researching for what details should be included in this book. And with this book, I felt like I was watching any of those mind-boggling crime shows typically found on cable TV nowadays. It's not the strength of the underlying story itself that got me into finishing this book -- it's the elegant, direct but unpretentious (i.e. 'look at me, I'm writing good!') style Capote used to narrate his take on those murders that took place many years ago somewhere in MidWest USA.

View all my reviews

Interested in architecture? You may want to read & study 'Lectures on Architecture'

2011-10-06T12:19:00.000-04:00

Lectures on Architecture by Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-Le-Duc
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book (and the other volume) from HousingWorks here in NYC; I told myself that if it's being recommended by the eminent Frank Lloyd Wright as the only books worthy of reading (and learning from) about architecture, then I should find the time. And yes, I have to say it was, even if it took me some time to finish reading it (as I would usually read many other books within the same period). I have to say the author's style is rather sonorous---you have to help yourself to stay awake while reading at least 5 pages at a time particularly if you're not an architect. Look at this comment in the context of being with someone like myself who once dreamt of becoming an architect (but changed plans midway).

I love studying structures generally, and I would usually tell myself questions on how people go about constructing, building edifices and having them last lives of most people. They're quick symbols of what is great and awesome in the human spirit---just take a look at the pyramids both in Egypt and in South America. And I remember having been in awe just walking on the terraces that were built by 'uneducated' tribes of pre-Spanish period people in the uplands of Luzon island in the Philippines---and I'd learn about how these ancient people taught themselves how to make terraces that would last for thousands of years.

And with this book, I learned, among so many detailed facts, about how the Greeks are considered the most talented artists in the world, particularly in the field of architecture (encompassing a lot of areas, actually, including drawing, design, logistics, construction, finishing, etc. etc.). Their influence continue to be felt when you see structures that were put up during the Byzantine period, which to most have been not known.

I also learned about how the Romans were among the most grandiose when it comes to architecture --- they built massively well using their armies of colonized people, such that up to these days, professionals refer to their works when they want to construct something really grand and humongous looking. Just study why the Coliseum in Rome make curious onlookers gawk at its details these days after its builders have been gone thousands of years.

The book brought some laughs from me as I read about the author's disdain toward the rather stupid styles of a number of French architects he studied and thought their works are all 'on the surface' works that are meant to impress but not really designed for people to live, do their work and go on with the other activities in their lives. Many chapters in this book got me into thinking about the florid-ness in design built into old (as well as new) buildings that are actually useless and do not contribute to the integrity of the buildings themselves. All these because their architects foolishly wanted to emulate what's found on the surface and would not study underneath what's conveniently seen by the eyes.

The book got me into thinking about the primacy of architecture among the arts, whereas I'm biased because I love writing and the cinema. Yes, come to think of it, the most excellent, most moving samples of artworks (although they were not meant to be such, except that their designers took pains to recognize what's innately beautiful to human senses --yes, there are, indeed, such things in our lives!) in our midst are those that recognize our common needs and wants that begin from the need to create something beautiful and functional (hopefully, at the same time) in the confines of spaces where we can do what we want and seek for. We experience these emotions when we something as elegantly beautiful as the Chrysler Building in NYC. We see other samples all around us, which we don't even recognize as art works, per se. We just recognize them as great looking. By reading this book, I got my eyes more open about all the other important but generally unappreciated details found in structures in places I've been to.

I'll really have to work hard for now so that I'll get to read, understand and finish the second volume.

View all my reviews

Wondering why http://www.livebite.com is piggybacking on my postings?

2011-08-04T23:41:00.001-04:00

Just like other bloggers and web content writers, I'd go about checking who has been visiting and reading my postings so I'd know which ones I should focus on when writing new postings or when improving what I've already posted. Lately, since almost noon of August 2nd (Tuesday), http://www.livebite.com with IP address of 50.16.239.# has been popping out of the list of links that visitors and readers would be hitting and viewing to get into details of my postings. What happens is that my own pages are not opening anymore correctly. Do I make sense with this? And I've been wondering why? I could only smile and been telling myself my posting efforts must have been effective such that this site would dare piggyback on my links? What the fuck?! Can someone advise me how to go about telling them to stop this madness right away?

Thanks, but no thanks!

Why I Got Engrossed by 'Pulupot' (Clingy)

2011-07-22T13:08:00.000-04:00

'Pulupot's (or Clingy, which I think could have been translated to 'Entanglements' or even something like 'Gordian Knot') story runs very similar to other films that dealt about one familiar film character who actively seeks for passionate, truthful human love but always ends up with someone who’s not exactly who is sought out in the first place. Sounds complicated? Yes, and this is because the situation is inherently complicated. We learn from actually doing what we have in mind, and learn from the mistakes along the way – in the meantime some people we meet get hurt and thrown out in the process. But what makes Pulupot different from similarly-story-lined films has been its application of this familiar storyline in the intriguing world led by transsexuals, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people. I don’t remember seeing lesbians in this movie, which could have made this film unique as far as I can remember.

As its writer Lex Bonife shared us, this indie film’s shot in a total of 2 days (or if it went beyond that number of days, it would have not been made at all). As such, we admire the outcome, which looked clean and neat, well-edited, and just tight for all actors, sceneries, the basic design, tropical colors, and the whole love-seeks-love-story that all fall into just the right place. I just didn’t like seeing some members of the crowd who were looking straight into the camera and not in sync with the rest of the scenes --- they’re onlookers who happened to be around during the film shooting. But these are all forgive-able mishaps because there are more to be credited about the main offering of this film, which has dealt bravely on several characters we’ve met one time or another in our actual lives. In fact, we know better how the respective stories of the similar characters in real life have gone through different, at times surprising, directions. I remember knowing many bar strippers, homophobic gay people plus transgendered people (one of whose kind was deeply involved with my life for many years before) - some of the types have been my good friends being very real people as they are. The characters in this film, needless to say, are just so familiar, and I did have much glee watching how the characters unfolded details of their lives on film before my then-sleepy eyes (without me being actively involved, i.e., getting harassed with what I see in the process). And they’re warm, love-able and funny actually in their respective unique ways, which is a credit to the writer’s ability to develop their mini-lives on screen.

I could not really convince myself if the main character’s a real woman or a transgendered. Lex, the writer, said he didn’t get a definite response when he asked him / her about it. But [s]he has to be given credit for credible acting for someone who is a tyro (if I’m not mistaken). Also, I noticed how a number of faces in this film looked like the daughter of the late Helen Vela (Princess Punzalan). Is that the most stereotypical good-looking face we could bring into our minds when we think of the usual pretty woman from the Philippines? Also, I enjoyed watching more unusual, untypical faces (with great looking bodies) act in this film – they’re all awesome looking to say the least. There are just enough nudity that will tickle (and even help arouse your senses to some degree) that this film shares - it must be the version we saw that night. I don't think it's the same version shown in most public screenings. But other than the nudity, there are stronger reasons why 'Pulupot' is worth watching, which could be due its being light and easy to the eyes - catch any of its screenings to be hosted by other event organizers and film marketers in the international film circuit when you get the chance.

Musings on Jonathan Franzen's Bulky But Very Absorbing Book 'The Corrections'

2011-07-19T13:40:00.001-04:00

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I felt somewhat dizzy reading many parts of this book, which included a lot of very specific details on medicines, technical researches, engineering projects, finance, the sciences, and cuisines. At times, I thought I was reading the book of Numbers in the Bible; I was thinking 'what the f_ck!' with all these highly detailed descriptions that switched in between the minute-details of the lives of the many characters involved in this novel. But I continued reading this thick book up to the end and have no words but complete admiration for Mr Franzen's work on this epic of a novel. I've not read that many pages on novels, excepting Fyodor Dostoevky's fiction works. This is also to say: the book's meant to be read by voracious book-readers and a must-read for all fiction writers whatever their personal preferences are.

I'm totally surprised at how knowledgeable, it seems to me, Mr. Franzen has been about the details of lesbianism and bisexualism (of the female type), which lifestyles have been graphically described in this novel. Well, I have to add and emphasize that his descriptions are very tasteful - I got curious myself and has been somewhat illuminated with those lifestyles myself (considering the kind of alternative lifestyle I lead myself LOL). And yes, there were a number of highly interesting narratives of sexual acts between straight people, too.

I recall one of my patients whom I've participated on a part-time basis in providing caregiving when he was still around (and until his death). Yes, I can verify from my own experiences how Mr. Franzen went about researching extensively to present a very credible picture in one's mind out of the sick and dying Lambert paternal head (who could be symbolizing someone in American culture, of which I'm not so sure having been born and raised back in the Philippines). My deceased patient had similar health problems - I was even waiting for Mr Franzen to describe what happens when a patient has to be lifted and positioned and he gets into a dead weight stance because of his disease and the one lifting him would have to muster all his strength to do his assigned task. If those details were added here, the Lambert maternal head would have certainly died instantly. But that didn't happen. She was really an interesting character herself such that her life was given another opportunity to become more meaningful. And as such, I can imagine that there can be a continuing volume about her life and those of her grown-up children that Mr Franzen may write about in time.

View all my reviews

Weekend Kayaking on Croton and Hudson Rivers with Sundance

2011-07-12T21:39:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, I joined Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society for its kayaking trip that started at Croton-on-Hudson. I counted at least 17 others who showed up at the train station, where we took a quick drive to the nearby park (Croton Point Park) along the shores of the Hudson River. It was a great, sunny day! We were soon met by kayakers from Hudson River Recreation, and were fitted into individual boats that would suit our individual heights.

Most of the boats were yellow in color, although I soon learned that the kayakers-guides from Hudson River Recreation would be using red color boats.

I noted how the red and yellow colors contrasted against the water.

We're all then in the river when I thought I had to take a picture no matter what; it stressed me out to think that my camera would get wet or worst submerged in the Hudson. Earlier, I saw someone capsized while we're still very close to the shore so I was careful not to repeat such an unwanted act for myself.

I'm not sure who this person was; I just thought I'd make the shot while we were paddling our boats on our way back. We must have paddled for at least 2 hours by this time. Some of the group had to stop at the shores close to where the Croton and Hudson Rivers meet. I decided to proceed even if I was already getting tired and thirsty. I soon found out that the point where the two rivers cross each other would be so choppy such that I had to work myself out to maneuver my boat toward the Croton River direction; I was just grateful I made it with the instructions from one of our leaders. My boat's rudder wasn't working but I still managed the boat nevertheless. Things could have been worst, for all we know. Our kayaker guides also taught us some tips on what-to-do in case someone's boat capsizes that [s]he has to be helped to get into the boat safe and alive - I learned a thing or two and told myself, I hope I won't need to use the freshly learned info. When we had to go back to the area where some of our companions took their rest, I chose to keep close to the bank, which was also tricky but somehow helped me in maneuvering back to Hudson River.

We all managed to go back to the point where we all started. The river became too wavy on our way back. I was actually tired and remembered my first time to do kayaking at least 5 years ago back in the Philippines, which I remember doing for 5 hours ---that stretch actually got me so exhausted I promised myself not to do kayaking anytime soon. Yes, it helps to learn important techniques to kayak more efficiently and not be exhausted at the end.

Yes, I got so elated from joining this kayaking trip, which my good friend Jeff E mentioned to me way in the middle of the week prior to the trip. I enjoyed meeting and being with all the participants of this trip. And I agree that Croton-on-Hudson is really a beautiful place to visit as most published materials would say.

'Bakal Boys' Could Have Been More Fascinating

2011-06-27T20:17:00.000-04:00

This movie's enigmatic ending where you'll be shown a young boy swimming in the murky waters of Manila Bay Bay of Reckoning: the 1898 Battle of Manila Bayin the evening will make you ask aloud if he actually wishes to die or if he thinks only him can locate the dead body of his good friend who was not found anymore one time their group went out swimming and to scavenge for iron and metal scraps at the bottom of the sea. Such story commonly takes places in communities based along the shores of Manila Bay, where people's livelihood sources are usually what they can gather and hold around the places where they happened to live for many generations now. The film's a great introduction to how people lead their lives in these areas, where you'll see them who prefer to be left on their own making their own living rather than expecting others would come and help them.

The fragments of the lives shown in this movie look happy, calm and innocent; they look poor on the surface but they actually look contented although probably could be hungry at times. They even have opportunities for entertainment. They don't even seem to blame the lack of good government in their midst for the kind of lives they have, at least in the form of getting sources of potable clean water, the construction of paved roads, etc. And they can find time to help each other whenever tragic events take place in their communities, i.e., they would spend hours searching for a lost boy whose body was never found. Among other types of people, their communities also include the minorities, including Muslims who I believe have been increasing in numbers in Metro Manila all these past few decades.

There's an interesting Muslim The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and That Veil Thing character portrayed here by a veteran actress, Gina Pareno, who was credible as usual in her role as someone who'd leave to Allah the fate of her lost grandson. But I thought her scenes were, rather, brief. You could actually feel sorry for her grief over the loss of her grandson's body that still has yet to be found despite their efforts; the scenes where she hugged the other young boy without saying lines were effectively touching.

Also, I enjoyed observing the underwater scenes where I noticed a lot of small fishes swimming around the camera's span. This means there are lots of fishes that live in the dark waters of Manila Bay, which body of water has been serving both as a sewage system and a dumpster for many families in Metro Manila. This gives me some hope that Manila Bay The Battle of Manila Bay: The Spanish-American War in the Philippinescan turned into a major resource for other forms of livelihood for more numbers of families including those who live more inland and far from the shores.

As an afterthought, I do sincerely hope that free quality education will be provided to the youth in these communities - it's such a waste of human resources to just let them lead the kind of lives they're having now without them going to school and to learn how to explore other opportunities in life. Chances are, they'll always end up being among the dregs of society, and experiencing disadvantaged lives until they die.

A Few Thoughts on the Filipino Indie Film 'Happyland'

2011-06-27T16:48:00.001-04:00

Actually, the trailer's far more interesting than the movie itself, which I found to be rather full of loosely attached strings to the main rope that links together what I believe what make up its story line: how to save poverty-stricken youth from engaging in dangerous activities, and make them learn and play football instead. This could have been made by some groups doing advocacy works for disadvantaged people living in poorest sections of Metropolitan Manila area but I would rather watch movies about these poor people depicting them as to who they really are (and not what others think of them from a certain favored perspective). Of course, we see a lot of promising, talented, strong people from their ranks, but we can also see real, authentic ones who know what they want and are working against all odds to accomplish what they want in their lives. In this movie, I felt I've missed a lot about these people, most of whom acted as if they're happening to be passing by while a movie was being shot in the place where they live.

A lot of interesting characters were introduced in this movie but whose characterizations were left hanging and thus doubtful and not very convincing. I wonder who the Spanish priest was exactly; who was that Brother from a certain religious group (must be the Jesuits, I believe); who were those other people who showed up in this movie that I wish I would have known better. The film's really almost chaotic, which was somewhat saved by the prevailing theme of learning and playing football. I had a feeling that I was watching a draft of a movie that needs more editing so that its story would grow tighter and compact and let me focus on what exactly its filmmaker has in mind. I could have ignored this major fault if the movie was grandly photographed but this element was also lacking (e.g. Terrence Malick's 'The Tree of LifeThe Tree of Life' comes to mind now, which was beautifully photographed but had a very poor storyline that it looked like I was watching one of my badly treated dreams when I'm resting and sleeping). Well, I do certainly hope the filmmakers or those involved in making this movie would take more steps to save it somehow -- it's got the feel of an amateur film as of the time I saw it here in NYC.

Well, some people can help out to come up with much-needed improvements on this film, which strongly suggests that Filipino youth interested in sports to engage in football instead rather than in some other team sports where they don't have built in advantages. Yes, I fully agree with that admonition.

My Book Review on David Sedaris' 'Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim'

2011-06-25T13:35:00.000-04:00

Ever Believe in Soul Mates?

2011-02-02T22:51:00.000-05:00

I know 2 good friends who adamantly refuse to believe in soul mates - but I have no problem nor issue with that. I still respect and have them as friends despite differences on this issue. However, I still hold on to this belief as it's based on what has happened to me personally. Moreso, even in the Bible, you'll read in one of gospels this remark about the helpless cripple who was born already cripple (as if he was cursed!). People even thought of him as having acquired this defect because of the sins of his parents (or some of his ancestors). I remember that Jesus didn't respond to this but went about his way of healing the said cripple. The concept of soul mates is connected with the concept of karma, of being reborn until the soul is perfected in another life, in another time.

I've written an article on 'Soul mates: Do they really exist?' where I described my experience one time I attended a seminar by Jaime Licauco back in the Philippines. What's strange is that another classmate I had back in college told me she also experienced the same. She even remarked so oddly about her recollection of the seminar. She said:
I could very well relate to your experience as I attended one of his seminars as well. That guy is amazing!

yup! but after the spiritual travel experience, i don't wanna do it again, i thought i was just imagining things but my partner in that session confirmed to me that my description of her house was very true... the red leather couch, the rice field, the poultry, the pig pen, the fish pond and the humongous leafy tree beside their cottage-like brown house... and she was a complete stranger to me until that day!

Please do share your own experiences if you happened to be at a similar seminar. I'm not in any way connected with Jaime Licauco, by the way.

My Book Review on 'Living Well Is The Best Revenge' by Calvin Tomkins

2011-01-26T14:05:00.003-05:00

Note: I just sold my copy of this book thru my Amazon.com store:

Living Well Is the Best Revenge by Calvin Tomkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is something very aptly highlighted about the title of this book that in turned prompted me to spend time reading it. It's actually a brief book that I finished in a less than a week during my trips to and fro the city. It's a memoir about persons whose lives were the inspiration of the characters in Fitzgerald's 'Tender Is The Night' - it would have helped me a lot to appreciate this memoir better (or put things in a perspective) if I read before that Fitzgerald book or even took time to watch the movie version. But of course, I didn't. I just decided that I have to read this book largely on the basis of its evocative, supremely wise-sounding title that I could imagine myself saying to certain friends who are now enemies or out of my life (thankfully). But that's going too far for this review.

Read this book and you'll be reminded of your own mortality even for a brief moment. Whatever your age now, you'll see how youth can be a glorious period in your life after you read this book. It also would remind you of things that you could have opted to do when you were younger and with much more power and energy and with less fear - but now you see that period is gone forever. I can just imagine how the couple whose lives were narrated in this book would have become the heavy-weight celebrities that they could turned out to be if they kept on leading their lifestyle when they were in France when Picasso, Stein, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, MacLeish, among others were around as their friends. This is the kind of lifestyle that PR Practitioners or marketing guys/gals would dream for their clients or even themselves. It felt glamorous and dramatic all at the same time as I read this book. But people change lifestyles eventually, as disasters, deaths, ill-health, tragedy, poverty take place in due time. All these near-momentous periods happened in the lives of the Murphy couple and their children. But, still, there's something so charming, nonetheless, with the way this book presented their lives. The charm is all about those nostalgic periods of the 1920s up to the 1940s. We could only see them in pictures, in old movies and in well-written memoirs like this one.

View all my reviews

My Book Review on 'Assuming the Position' by Rick Whitaker

2011-01-20T19:12:00.002-05:00

Assuming the Position: A Memoir of Hustling by Rick Whitaker

This book maybe found interesting by those who are curious about what goes on in the daily lives of hustlers. Or this can be a handy reference guide for those who are pondering on getting into the hustling business, given challenges of looking for jobs, even part-time jobs in today's economic environment. It is not in any way encouraging others to get into the trade, given its inherent difficulties (found in most businesses) plus the attitude of most people in society who may not know any better about hustlers except from those movies or TV shows they've seen. The author, who himself went into the ~~hustling~~ prostitution business, was candid in describing his experiences - nothing prevents the reader from imagining how things go about during these commercial transactions. The author may have looked like any of those goodlooking fellows you've met on the subway. It is to his credit that he decided to find meaning and substance from what he went through while engaged in the hustling business.

The book is not graphic at all in describing what maybe considered 'sexual' but enough can be read to get a poignant feel of the business. It's surprising to read about someone who has been into the trade and at the same time able to write very well about his hustling experiences. The book's not at all dramatic by design - it's actually an honest cautionary tale. It's about those who have chosen the path to make a business out of their physical assets that are deemed marketable by those whose ideas of youth and beauty are defined by what's generally shown in regular media outlets.

View all my reviews

Take Lead by Learning To Speak Competently In a 2nd (or a 3rd) Language

2010-12-31T13:06:00.001-05:00

There are certain activities that I've been engaged most times in my life, and one of them is "learning a second language." It's one of best ways to take lead in any given social situation.

Actually, I've been a devoted student of languages, but I prefer to do it myself and with some people who have the same interest. But I don't like studying these languages in a classroom - I prefer to pursue my efforts in my own time and keeping away from being 'academic' with the approach which can hamper down my motivation at times. I'm usually 'internally motivated' such that I've always known I work most efficiently when I'm able to motivate myself best in my own terms as I continue facing life's varied challenges. It's not fun if you're learning and at the same time having to manage with the the respective 'ego's' of your classmates and teachers in a typical classroom. Based on my experiences, I've come up with some 'Tips for learning a second language tips'. Currently, it's ranking at the bottom - out of 5 articles written under the same title on Helium. But I don't honestly mind. You can't do much if other writers think your work is not at par with their own works he he he. I'm just very grateful a good friend, Chito Atienza, an awarded ESOL teacher by the New York Times (here's another article I have on him, as he also collects old religious icons and statues) gave me a wonderful, really helpful feedback about the said article:

good tips jerome..in fact i use some of them to my ss like films. i made a curriculum to teach english through films. we've been using it for two summers now. 'mama mia' is one of the movies followed by 'spanglish' and a classic film 'rear window' by hitchcock. i really enjoy reading this article...

There you go! What more can I ask for? Praise God!

Study Medicine Only When Your Heart Is Fully Into It

2010-12-21T16:57:00.000-05:00

I happened to belong to a family where several relatives are doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical technicians. Actually, some close relatives even own several hospitals back in the Philippines. I almost took up Medicine after I finished my undergraduate degree but decided against it --- looking back, I certainly didn't make a bad decision. I would have made a good doctor if I was able to pursue Medicine but life throws each one of us with different sets of choices to make. Gratefully, I got the opportunity to write about this decision under this title Reasons not to study medicine which you may want to peruse and give some feedback on your thoughts. A good friend posted the article, too, in her Facebook account and several people took the time to 'like' it and to add in their thoughts as quoted here:

How true, (name deleted). Doctors invest a lot of time studying, (8 years undergraduate and graduate schools) + another 4 to 6 years of residency training and fellowship a total of 14 years! The hard works and lack of pleasure time put many in their graves earlier than the general population. The love for humanity and the desire to save people's lives are the only consolation price. That doctors make a lot of mullah is a myth.

I agree, Dr. (name deleted)! My son is, and still single at the age of 28. Started to go to play school at the age of 3 1/2 finished internship at the age of 24. one more yr. to get his consultancy and my oh my still burning his eyebrows. Wow, i guess being a doctor it takes so much love for the professions in order to be one.

Feedback? Please feel free to share them here.

How-Do-You-Cook: Beef Bulalo

2010-12-17T16:20:00.002-05:00

‎My highschool classmate Marita Victorino says:

...just boil the cut beef pata and bulalo bone in a slow fire for about 3 hours, then add salt to taste , leeks, whole paminta and petchay tagalog...hmmm sarap.....

I've always been amazed on differences taken by cultures, separated by geographical locations, in preparing meals from the same set of food ingredients. In this case, my curious question on "How to cook beef bones" has generated surprised answers from those fellows I happened to ask. Most of them thought that I was just asking about "how to make beef broth," which is as basic as you are sure to imagine. Apparently, beef bones are treated differently in many cultures when it comes to cooking. I know for sure they're known as "Beef Bulalo" back in the Philippines, as least in the provinces of BatangasDive Travel - Anilao Mabini Batangas, Philippines and Cavite.

Here's a YouTube on how to prepare "Beef Bulalo" (mostly in Tagalog), in case you have all the ingredients on hand

How-Do-You-Cook: Chicken Scarpariello

2010-12-17T16:05:00.000-05:00

This recipe I wrote Italian food recipes: Chicken Scarpariello becomes memorable because I was told it became famous because it's one of those meals being regularly made and prepared by Frank Sinatra's personal chef. Hence, you'll see the Italian sounding name attached to this recipe. It's actually a variation, which I learned from my Italian-American landlord who used to own and run an Italian-American restaurant for many years. Again, this one entails some baking and other cooking techniques, the details of which you can find in my recipe.

You can also opt to view how it's prepared using another recipe from this YouTube vid: