Rebel Chef

This Sunday will mark the second season's premier of "The Next Iron Chef".  I haven't really looked at the competitors but, I am very curious about the renowned chefs who joined this year. 

Last year's winner was chef Michael Symon,  owner of restaurants Lola, and Lolita in Cleveland, Ohio, and Roast in Detroit, Michigan.  I have not gone, yet, to any of his restaurants to try his food.  :-(   Though I have been to Michigan multiple times to visit relatives for different reasons and occasions, I somehow always miss to sneak some time to go to Detroit and eat at Roast.  That will be one of my agenda next time I'll be in Michigan, the other is to go to the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island.  Maybe I could pay a visit to my aunt and cousins in Cleveland then eat at Lola or Lolita.  I just hope he opens one in New York or Las Vegas.  His blog Symon Says keeps me updated with his stuff, and recently he won a James Beard Award.

I religiously watched last year's TNIC and I was rooting for Symon since the beginning.  Well, aside from the fact too that I have watched him before at Food Network's Melting Pot where he is one of the rotating hosts, his rebel personality really sticks out from the pack.  This 40 year old biker, golf enthusiast and culinary rebel made me curious to see the different tattoos he has.  I still wanted to try his chocolate covered bacon.  Dare?

Enter Sandman

It's late and I am not sleepy at all. I have watched the series I recorded earlier to somehow feel sleepy if I get tired. Apparently, it did not work as I find myself blogging.

Searching through my mellow collection of music, I was hopeful that it will magically send me off to sleep. I came across some of my most played songs, Astrud Gilberto's "A Certain Sadness", Jason Mraz' "Mr. Curiosity", Shane Mack's "Lie To Me", and Metallica's "Enter Sandman". Well, Enter Sandman became more of a wish than a song.

Here! Films' "Shelter" is one of the few movies I've watched more than once. Soundtrack has a cool vibe of a laid back, relaxed sound of the California surf. The movie is really good too. I guess that was subjective. The film was quite true to its emotions.

I don't think I have the time to watch Shelter again because I really wanted to sleep but, I have searched if Shane Mack finally has his own album out. What a bummer!! None!

Expat

I received a notice from the post on my birthday for a parcel from the Philippines. I got excited to get my gifts from my brother and sister. 

The brown bag contained a shirt with a Philippine map embroidery, a Philippine flag jacket, and a statuette of Mary, Help of Christians.  I had a big smile on my face.  My brother took notice of my remarks with the jacket (it was intentional).  Thank you for the gifts!!!

Last May, I watched my first concert of Lea Salonga with a friend in Las Vegas.  I have watched her in a musical before with "Baby: The Musical" in Manila.  Well, my friend is  more of the fanatic and it was just right for me to accompany her in this trip (as she kept me company with two of mine).  She has watched  a lot of her concerts that she already knows some of Lea's small talks after a song.  She's heard it all before but she was still very happy to witness the concert.  The song "Taylor, the Latte Boy" was sung for days after she heard it. 

Concert tickets, plane tickets and hotel accommodations were bought at least 6 months before the date.  We were well prepared.  What we were not aware of was the fight of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton that will be held in Vegas a day after the concert.  We really tried very hard to secure some tickets but the only available ones were $1K and up.  I do watch boxing from time to time, and I have hosted a couple of boxing parties during a Pacquiao fight but, I will not spend one grand to watch the match live.  We went over to MGM Grand an hour before the fight.  We saw some celebrities with their entourage, and Filipino politicians with their goons spending taxpayers money that night (Objection to strike the statement from the records.. it's just speculation).  The MGM Arena was packed, so we headed our way back to Caesars Palace where I had earlier reserved for dinner at Iron Chef Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill.  News on Pacquiao's win after two rounds was flashing at the casino screen while I was enjoying my coffee crusted filet mignon.  Hatton hit the floor during the second round, I had no regrets not watching the game live.

It was very noticable that a lot of Filipinos were wearing a Philippine flag jacket by Adidas during the fight.  I just came to know that those were banned in the Philippines and Adidas has to pull them out of the stores because wearing the flag was illegal and unconstitutional.  Martin Nievera's version of the Philippine National Anthem was criticized too.  Oh well, I guess I won't be serving 20 years in New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa for wearing my jacket.  I'll push my luck.

Aftermath

News of tropical storm "Ondoy" (international name: Ketsana) already left the Philippines but took with her almost 100 lives and thousands of families in perish. 

I called my mom after I heard of the news yesterday morning from a friend.   As usual, our town gets flooded when big storms like these hit Pampanga area.  I still remember the awful way of dealing with flood.  Barely any means of transportation, nowhere to go, hoping electricity is not interrupted, slowly getting bored to death.  Waiting patiently until the water subsides. The best way to deal with flood I think is to move! 

Rain makes me sad.  I don't know why.  Something about the way the skies are dark and gloomy washes away the smile on my face.  Clothes get wet and it really messes up your look. The only time I remember enjoying the rain was when I palyed one on one basketball with a friend.  It was a dare.  He was thirteen, rich and had a homecourt advantage.  I was fifteen, playful and stupid.  LOL.  HE won the bet.  Defeat was a milestone, a vivid reminder of the things I should only do once.  I resolved not play again in the rain.  Hmm, didn't I just say that I enjoyed playing in the rain?  Until now I still cannot make up my mind.

Series

Lately I found that I have been recording a lot of TV programs in my DVR.  A lot of good ones that I have been watching have started or will start their new season -- Project Runway  (US and Philippines), Oprah and Ellen Degeneres,  So You Think You Can Dance, America's Next Top Model, Dancing With The Stars, Modern Family, Cougar Town, Lie To Me and the one that I have been waitng for this weekend - Desperate Housewives.   Lame choices!  Don't get me wrong... truly they're funny and entertaining but, I don't think it will be a good topic for conversation when you try to impress my target age group.   I guess I should just stick to The Soup with Joel McHale, and Chelsea Lately for my weekly dose of laughs. 

Nothing compares to two of my choices this week in the big screen.  The movies I watched focused on the future... on how boring it will be.  One of them is Surrogates.  I have raved to watch this on its first day of showing only to be disappointed with the pace of the story.  Bruce Willis was just... well, I'll just say one of his forgettable ones.   The better of the two was 9... not!  Geez, I just made an old joke in there and it was not even funny to me.  9 was a yawn but the Occupational Therapist and I managed to get some laughs out of it.

I promise to stay away from the big screen until I get a good review of a movie that I would really want to watch. 

Last August, when I was in Michigan, my uncle asked me if I have a  favorite movie. It just dawned on me that I really have no favorites.  Being a Libra, I have to be fair and play no favorites.  No friend of mine will believe that.  LOL.

Aftershock

Birthdays should always be happy.  I guess.  I hope.  Mine was a blast....  (?)

For the first time, I worked on my birthday.  I usually reserve this day to relax and unwind.... maybe get myself drunk until I lose track of my age.  Nevertheless, it was a very unusual day.  I started my day, of course, thanking the Lord for another year of cherished good and not so good days which made my past year a collage of bittersweet memories that will definitely make my future shrink rake a fortune.  Every year I am getting up the ladder of becoming a saint...  LOL!

Family from the Philippines called to greet me (as they have been doing since Sunday).  I packed my overnight bag as I planned to spend my day with people.  I was laughing with regret while I was on my way to my car.  I can't believe I did not plan a better way to celebrate the day!  What was constant in my mind was that I will have a better time this coming weekend meeting my friends. 

The first person I met that day was my AIDS patient.  How remarkable!  Questions kept lurking in my mind...will it get any better?!  Well, my schedule included seeing an apathetic patient.  I swear I almost collapsed after I was enveloped by the rabid fumes coming from his mouth.  Next was a sweet lady with shortness of breath.  I was hyperventilating by the time I finished teaching her breathing exercises.  Following that was a visit which has always felt like an audition for the theater guild in high school (that was the 6th week! the longest audition I ever had).   To top it all, the last visit was a joint evaluation with the fill-in Occupational Therapist.  A visit which required the presence of the patient's daughter.  The patient was demented, combative, and aggressive - verbally and physically.  The patient called me a FAKE!  I really wanted to ask her how she saw through me.... she was really good!  LOL.  The highlight of the visit was when the patient attempted to hit me!  I have never appreciated my tummy as her fist bounced.  It could only get better!  I really wanted to burst in laughter when I saw the patient attack the OT!  Certainly, the climax of the visit.  The caregiver rushed to intervene.  I was anxious, excited to end my work day.

Dinner was definitely better.  Japanese food with the first set of friends I met when I came in the US, and a couple of new ones.  As a birthday treat, the restaurant gave a complimentary dessert and my lone shot of alcohol for the occasion.  Satisfied.

Finally, I ended my day wringing my brain to finish the paperwork on the person who abused me on my birthday!  What have I done to deserve this?!

Trivia:  for two consecutive years now, I have spent my birthday with two topnotchers in the Philippine Occupational Therapy Licensure Examinations... in the same year!

Gift

Countdown's over!!!  Another year older.  Age is just really a state of mind.

They say this is a time to reflect and renew your mantra.  I think that's overrated.  LOL.    I will just enjoy today as it comes while doing my usual routine of work.  No travel plans, no broadway shows.  That's a first!

Share

I have just received news about the how successful the medical mission was in my hometown in San Jose, San Fernando, Pampanga.  My brother single-handedly spearheaded the program through the Federation of the Knights of the Blessed Sacrament in Pampanga.  The medical mission was held yesterday, September 19, coinciding with the birthday of the late founder of the KBS in Pampanga.

Mom said there were more than 400 people who had their medical check up with a handful of volunteer doctors, my uncle included,  who devoted their time and support.  My family backed my brother's program as my sister, a nurse, worked endless hours sorting the donated medicines from pharmaceutical companies and donors, and my mother headed the feeding program for the children. 

I have always felt jealous of the time my brother spends with the Federation specially when I call during the weekends.  I guess I just miss him a lot.  Being a proactive member of our Parish was something I never did but, this would have been an exemption, and I, too, would have supported by brother's program.   I have never been more proud of him!

Garfield

It was an impulse.  I left a comment on a picture my friend posted on his facebook account.  His rebuttal to my comment was that I was still looking at his pictures and very much updated with his posts.  LOL. I cannot dispute that.  I was caught red-handed.

I have not seen him for a long time after graduation in high school.  There was one time though, we were on the same bus coming from Manila to Pampanga.  I  was with my sister, and he was at the back of the bus asleep.  I did not bother to acknowledge him that time.   Years after that, in 2006, during the 50th anniversary of our high school Alma Mater, he mentioned that incident to me. I did not even know that he was aware I was on the same bus. Nevertheless, that started being in contact with him again. 

Almost three years in the US, I still somehow keep in touch with him.  Actually, we've just hung up the phone.  He is currently reviewing for the Philippine MD Licensure Exams in February.  I wish him the best of luck!.

The Lost Symbol

A couple of days after its release, I finally bought my copy of Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol".  Quite excited to read it. 

I was brought up in a Catholic School from Kindergarten to College.  My formative years were very much influenced by the priests and nuns.   Being  a Catholic, I do enjoy reading Brown's work.   I keep an open mind to his creativity but it doesn't rock my faith.  I guess my religion teachers will be very pleased to know that.  LOL.  (Trivia... I was best in religion when I was in my Fourth Grade... then came temptations)

I have a few days left with my vacation.  I hope I will finish the book this weekend.  :-)

America's Choice

Well, America's got their winner with the 35 year old, unemployed,  ex-chicken catcher from Kentucky, Kevin Skinner.  Kevin won the hearts of the Americans after his very emotional rendition of Garth Brook's "If Tomorrow Never Comes" during AGT's audition.   Truthfully, I'm not into the country music myself  but, if I hear a good song, I would appreciate it.  That was one of them.

Kevin continued to rise in popularity singing country songs.  His very country southern accent on those heartfelt lyrics and his acoustic guitar worked wonders.  I just didnt have that same fondness though with his last song, Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing".  Nevertheless, here's to his win, and better opportunity in the Sin City.

Imelda Factor

Recently, after watching Logan Neitzel wear his silver John Varvatos high top Converse shoes, I remembered wanting to buy the same shoes online on Saks Fifth Avenue early this year.  What prevented me?!  $145 + tax + shipping.  LOL.  Probably procrastination too, which often happens.  Anyway, these were limited edition shoes and I cannot find them anymore online, at least in my size.  :-(  I guess I have to settle for the low cut ones, or a different color, or something classic.

Logan is one of the designers competing for Project Runway season 6 aired on MyLifetime network.  He is the only fit and good looking designer to grace the show  this season.  His designs are edgy, and rock and roll except for the last one where he made a 50's blue dress with black lace complete with a feathered hairpiece... reminiscent of an 80's prom dress.  His was one of the worst 3 but, he was not eliminated.

Tomorrow's challenge will be to create a design using newspapers.   Interesting.

Surrogates

One of my favorite actors of all time is Bruce Willis.  Definitely got a thing for him specially after his movie "Color of the Night".  :::blush::: 

I have not watched a movie for a while and I would want to see Surrogates. 

Real time chatting

I am so happy right now.  I am currently having a wonderful time chatting with my friends from the USA, Philippines and UAE.  Everybody is talking about my weight!!!  I promise I will try to lose some weight.  My treadmill should be used more often... or maybe it should just be used (period). 

I need a motivation... an inspiration.  Shouldn't my health be one?  LOL.   Yeah, yeah...  I should start meeting people again so I'll have the drive look better.

QAF

Nostalgia.  I am doing my own rerun of QAF.   Can't do without playing the best gay thumpa-thumpa song from Kristine W.  

Dell

Funny how I am starting a blog with a new computer.  I have all my old files in my old dead laptop.  A few weeks ago it started to die slowly on me.  Symptoms include screen not lighting up, slow connection, and sudden turning off.  Everytime I try to revive it, it gives me that soft light on the screen before it closes again.  It's like dying... only I put a whole lot of epinephrine shots to keep it alive, and then shoving an endotracheal tube, respirator, full life support, CPR, defribrillator when it already has dilated pupils.... time to let go.  I felt like I was just hurting it everytime I try to restart it.  Waiting for a short burst of light on the screen.  Supernova. 

OMG!!!  How in the world will I get all my old files back?  The poems I have been creating everytime there is an overwhelming blunt thug in my life are all gone!  The hundreds of pictures I have painstakingly scanned one by one when I didn't know how to use a scanner and I have to ask my brother a thousand times to complete just 5 steps are all gone!  My pattern for my resume is gone!  All the contact numbers and e-mail addresses of my high school batchmates are all...  well, I think you get the drift.  (It's just my drama.)  I do not give up hope anyway.  I know some thin, awkward looking boy in nerdy glasses and flannel checkered long-sleeved shirt buttoned up to the collar will find a way of retrieving my old files.  Until then, I have to suffice myself in my new computer that fits my budget.  Was I surfing porn when my computer died?  Nah.. I don't think so.  But if I were, I'm sure my computer died a happy death.  :-)

I can't wait until I get all my files back.  Salvaging  the important contents of my computer so I could transfer and use it.  Gee, isn't that like... organ donor?

Green Light

WOW!!! I finally started the blog which I have been wanting to do for the past few months. Just an outlet to express my opinion on anything. Create another time-consuming activity to prevent me from constantly committing one of the seven capital sins --- sloth! And then of course, add the other six!

Green light... my journey begins.