How to Plan a Coup.

"Do you know of any other countries where coup attempts are staged from luxury hotels?"
-Jessica Zaffra

I first heard of the attempted coup/mutiny/incident while reading Reyna Elena's blog.
My first thought was "why do something that FAILED the first time again?" I was there in 2003 when the same Trillanes took Oakwood while I was staying at the Intercon. I thought I would have to evacuate and run screaming to the Embassy. Anyway here are some tips for future coup plotters...

1. Make sure you have more than 30 men. In fact, make sure you have over half of the military on your side.

2. Ousting the President would actually mean physically extracting her from the Palace. This means that you and your men have to leave the luxury five-star hotel and march across Mendiola into Malacanang Palace.

3. Be articulate. Not like this:

Trillanes: “Like soldiers, we’re going to face this.”
Reporter: “Sir, how are you going to face this?”
Trillanes: (after a beat) “Whatever.”
From the McVie Show

4. Make sure you have the successor, ie. the Vice-President on board, make sure you have Cabinet Members, Congressmen, and the Middle Class on your side.

5.Have an actual plan.

6.Be prepared to die if necessary

7. Did I mention leave the luxury hotel?

Well, following these simple rules should allow for a successful coup. Remember it's easier to have a coup than to actually govern. If you should fail to meet any of these criteria, I suggest not starting a rebellion.

It's just my opinion.

Politically Incorrect

Only Mel Brooks can get away with this.


This:


This:


And This:


LOL. You can laugh. It's OK.

Hahaha!

This movie is amazingly funny! I saw Blazing Saddles the other night and just loved this song. It's hilarious and it's performed by Madeline Kahn.



This is another Madeline Kahn clip. I imagine this is how Reyna Elena chooses dates. LOL. J/k lang Reyna!



Have a fun weekend!

Table with a View

I love studying at my school's library. It's quiet, secluded, and bright because the walls are all glass. The best part is the view. I gaze out the window in between studying. It really helps me to clear out my head and digest the things which I'm learning.


I can also see the marina with yachts docked. It's really fantastic, especially during sunset.


Where's your "quiet place"?

the Florida Home

I just love these townhouses in downtown St. Petersburg. They're close to the Mahaffey Theater, AL Lang Field, Tropicana Field (where the Rays play baseball), and of course my school.




They're expensive though. One of them will set you back about half a million dollars. But in the current credit crunch, I think you can ask for a discount.

Unfortunately, none are for sale.

Thanksgiving

Every fourth Thursday in November, an annual holiday here in the US takes place called Thanksgiving.

"The U.S. Congress in 1941 split the difference and passed a bill requiring that Thanksgiving be observed annually on the fourth Thursday of November, which was sometimes the last Thursday and sometimes (less frequently) the next to last. On November 26 of that year President Roosevelt signed this bill, for the first time making the date of Thanksgiving a matter of federal law."

-Wikipedia

It's a day when people are suppose to slow down and reflect on their lives, be thankful for what they have, and rest before the Holiday Season. It's really much more than just eating Turkey, watching the Macy's Parade, and pardoning Turkeys. It's about reconnecting with families, friends, and with ourselves. My Dad (Stepdad) loves Thanksgiving and it's his favorite Holiday.


This year I cooked, yet again.

I made Turkey, stuffing, glazed carrots, sauteed peas, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, gravy and even baked my special pecan pie. The recipes were handed down to me from My Grandma Elie and her sister Aunt Jeanie. Their cooking was to die for. I make everything from scratch since I don't like the taste of store bought food and of course, tradition.

One of these years, I'll go to Manila on Thanksgiving and celebrate it there with friends and family and even cook...with the help of a maid of course!

Now here's the most powerful man on Earth...pardoning a Turkey...


Now if you excuse me, I believe my turkey's cooked.

Thankful

First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank all those who emailed me offering their condolences. I am very touched. Thanksgiving this year has been a special one to me. I realized the important things in life--things we often take for granted.
I am so blessed with family and true friends that are always there to support me. Distance is not an obstacle to friendship.
I thank God for having been blessed with so much.

~~
When I was young I remember my Lola telling me how you have to pray the rosary for someone's soul every night for a year so that they can get into Heaven. She did it for my Grandfather, and since I don't trust my half-brother and half-sister to do it, I'll take on that responsibility. Now it's my turn to pray for her soul.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Orchids

My Aunt Hilda and Aunt Maria attended my Grandmother's wake in my stead. I instructed them to buy a wreath of orchids which were her favorite.

Once they got there, my Aunt recounted how the flowers were overflowing around my Grandmother's casket. There was no more room for my wreath.
Someone suggested that it be placed by the door.

My Grandmother's sister, Auntie Dee, intervened.
She said, " Hindi pwede. Galing yan sa paborito nyang apo. Alisin nyo yang bulaklak na galing kay Estrada. Ilagay nyo sa harapan nya. Importante yun para sa kanya."

When I heard about it this morning, I cried. My Grandmother always took pains to include me in the family even after my Dad left me and my Mom. I know I'll always have a place in her heart.

The Death of a Lady

Whenever my Grandmother would walk into a room, the scent of gardenias would fill the air. She wouldn’t dare leave the house with her hair fixed, her clothes ironed, and her half-slip in place. I recall playing with her numerous shoes hen I was a boy and then rummaging her closet in search of her exotic folding fans. When I used to live with her, we would go to mass every Sunday and I would stare in awe at the ceiling of San Juan del Monte Church. After mass, we would dutifully walk to the back of the Church where the cemetery is located. She would light a candle and place it on my Grandfather’s grave.

But don’t get me wrong. She wasn’t serious all the time. She loved to laugh and to joke around. Her infectious laughter would reverberate through the rooms in her house. She took cleanliness seriously and scolded untidy maids who didn’t keep the floor well polished. She had a way of charming those around her. My Grandmother carried herself with dignity and possessed an undeniable air of aristocracy which naturally shone through her demeanor. She was not haughty or snobbish and was always graceful.

Every morning, the daily delivery of Magnolia milk would be at the gate. Fresh pandesal would be waiting at the table along with Anchor butter. Birthdays in her house were celebrated with tables full of food. Christmas and New Years were marked with double effort. It was one of the happiest times in my life.

When I first heard the news of my Grandmother’s death, I was shocked. I didn’t know how to react. At first, I denied it and didn’t believe it. I thought to myself that she’d be in her house in San Juan as always, just waiting. Then I called my Uncle who confirmed the news. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I remembered her smile and her laugh. I remembered the best memories.

Perhaps my biggest regret was not calling her more often or staying in her house during vacations in Manila. I just always thought she would be there and I would do all those things next time. Now, there is no more next time. I can no longer call her, talk to her, and hear her laughter.

She was a lady in all sense of the word.

Someday, I’ll see her again.

C'est une La Tour!

It's Saturday night and I'm alone. At home. Not at Sam's apartment.

Anyway, I'd just like to share some of my favorite paintings. Yes, I used to only like old impressionist saps like Monet, but several art appreciation classes ago, I was introduced to Georges de La Tour.


The Dream of St. Joseph


The Education of the Virgin


Nativity

This is one of my favorites. Since it's close to Christmas, I use it as my desktop image. It's called The Newborn Christ. It's religious, but not overtly religious. It shows simplicity and complexity at the same time. Notice the candle and the hand that shields the light emanating from it. Notice how most of the light is centered upon the newborn as if anointing him. This effect is known as Chiaroscuro. Good stuff eh??

Timing is Everything

Where'd the TIME go? Next week it'll be Thanksgiving and after that Christmas. Thanksgiving really kicks off the star of the Holiday Season here in the US. In fact, the Friday after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's when there are really great sales early in the morning. Only hardcore shoppers--like my Mom--are the ones who really go. She did get great bargains though like a great digital camera for less than a $100 and a laptop for less than $300.

I really should've started my Christmas shopping already and began the process of sending cards. I also have finals, term papers, and a pseudo relationship to juggle. I've been spending way too much time with Sam, and not enough with my Accounting books. Hence, I bombed my last Accounting test. Then there's also work which has kept me oh so busy.

I wish there were 48 hours in a day.

I gotta go and write my paper now about International Financial Institutions and how they act as an informal World government.

But right now, All I can think of is snuggling up next to Sam.

Wish me luck.

Slap Slap!

OUCH!

Se Jie (Lust, Caution)

Lots of critics have disparaged this movie. They say it's too long, too slow, and too shallow. Etc. Etc. I for one, think it's one of the finest. The story is slow because it builds the tension. The sex scenes are intense and realistic. I blushed when Tony Leung "raped" the lead character. He was intense, fiery, and very cold at the same time. During the first sex scene, which was over an hour into the film, I felt extremely uncomfortable sitting there with Sam. the rest of the moviegoers were of an older age group. The cinematography was fantastic and Shanghai was recreated in great detail.

This movie is for those who like slow, intense films. It reminds me a lot of Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood For Love except the sex scenes were really INTENSE.

For those of you who didn't like it, you're in good company. Sam didn't as well. I won't hold it against you.



What I want to see next are:
the film adaptation of Ian McEwan's Atonement


and

the Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men

Too Young

I love this song. I first heard it when I watched Lost in Translation. I heard it again the other night when Sam and I watched the movie. The video's kinda weird though. Dancing in yellow plastic waders?!?! WTF?!?!

Happiness?

I'm writing this while sitting up in bed. The lights are turned off and the TV is silently playing on mute. The temperature is a cool 72 degrees (thanks to airconditioning). My 600 thread count sheets feel so soft.

Most of all, Sam, TB, my special friend is silently snoring next to me. I forgot how nice it is to just sleep next to someone. He looks too gorgeous and dare I say cute sleeping in his boxers.

At his moment I can truly say I an Happy.