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Here are pictures of a rival language center's billboards. These are photographed near my apartment on Silom Road.

Wolf Creek (DVD)

Thank you, Peter, for giving me this DVD. This is the first Aussie horror movie I have ever seen.

I really enjoyed watching this movie. The tension was just right and there were some unexpected moments. It was nice guessing who the lead is but you really will never know until the end.

The performances were good although how I wish the producers did not use the Freddy Krueger or Hannibal Lecter bits in marketing this movie because it can stand on its own.

The makeup and effects were also convincing. It was actually not obvious that it was a low-budget movie until I watched the supplementary disc. The commentary track was entertaining but sometimes it would have been nice if the production team were separate from the actors. They talk at the same time and they are not talking about the same thing.

Anyway, you really should watch this Aussie horror flick.

Befriending straight males

The first pic was taken some years ago during a Long Yang Club-Manila activity. I was drunk then. The second pic was taken a couple of months ago in Maikol's new rented house.

I have known Maikol for at least four years and it was not a perfect relationship with him but I can say it is one of the more productive ones. I, myself, am surprised that Maikol is the only friend I have in the Philippines who have consistently stayed in touch with me. I actually expected this from my gay friends but it is Maikol who was there.

It has been difficult for me to form real friendships here in Bangkok and I think it is because I may be limiting myself too much. I think it is about time again that I should give straight men a try. It is an ideal environment: clean slate with no sexual tension. There is no hidden agenda. There is no risk of stealing each other's hook ups.

I wonder if the straight men here in Bangkok are open though. I have yet to see a real mixed-sexual preference friendship here.

Magnifico (DVD)

I saw this movie on Philippine cable TV first and was shocked by the ending. This is my first time to view this movie in its entirety and it is not as shocking unfortunately.

I have seen so many technical flaws but those are forgiveable. The material is just very good. A few of the actors are not that good but Jiro Manio's performance and maturity have saved this movie.

It is only last night that I noticed how morbid this film is right from the start. So the shock at the end did not really come out of nowhere.

I just wish the DVD was not this bad. Some of the lines were incorrigible and than can be corrected by authoring the audio properly.

This movie is not one of the best that the Philippines has produced but it is certainly unique.

Six Feet Under: 4th Season (DVD)

Like the third series, the fourth season has its own mega surprise and that is the "That's My Dog" episode where David Fisher gets abducted by an attractive young man. The role is hauntingly played by Michael Weston. I was actually waiting for my root canal when I watched this and I totally forgot that I was in for a very uncomfortable dental procedure.

All of the charactes have developed greatly and none of them is boring (well, except for Federico but it has more to do with the actor's bland acting than the writing). This is the moment where I cannot relate anymore to Claire as she falls in a life of drug use.

The commentary tracks are very useful in enriching the viewing experience. But they sometimes give spoilers of the next season and I do not appreciate that. I have to wait for more than half a year to get the final season. In Thailand, it is super expensive so I will buy it in the Philippines instead.

And now we are back to individual reviews of movies.

3rd visit to DJ station

Of course, this soi dog does not live on Silom Soi 2. Actually, it was taken on Rama 4. I just want you to see how big street dogs are in Bangkok.

Anyway, my third visit to DJ station was the same. I did not go home with anyone. But I was surprised that I only recognized a few people. That means on Wednesday night, most people who go there are just tourists.

It was not as crowded but there where still Asians who took their shirts off. And of course, I didn't.

Next time I will bring a date so I won't have to dance by myself.

Eleksyon 2007

I just arrived from the Philippine Embassy. I cast my vote there. I was not able to interact with any of the Filipinos because my tummy was acting up.

It was too early in the morning to do anything serious. I was able to write down 9 names under the senators' list. Many of the candidates were old politicians. Some are worthless movie stars and some are unknown.

I was supposed to cast my ballot by mail but as always, Comelec fucked up. My ballot did not arrive so I had to go to the embassy this morning.

Silom Stash

I was walking around Silom last week and found things that I did not expect that I would see.

I found a very sturdy tiny tripod and bought it for 200 Baht only.

I also found two gay porn magazines for 20 Baht each. It was from a major Bangkok bookstore. If you want to know where it is, just ask me.

Six Feet Under: Season 3 (DVD)

It was only on the third episode of this series that I realized that everything was real. I could not believe that Brenda was out of the picture and that Nate went with Lisa. And it was a year after the surgery. This is the most impressive first episode of a series I have ever seen.

I am impressed that the characters are no longer stereotypical compared to the first series. They are more complicated and sympathetic. I do not know what the producers did but the actors are a lot better than they were. Maybe because they have a better material to work on.

Ruth's character is very interesting and wonderfully portrayed. But Claire still steals the scenes for me because she is very truthful and she is now having adult problems.

It is very depressing. The last episode was intense. I will start the fourth series tonight.

2nd DJ Station visit

I am writing this a few minutes I left DJ station. But let me tell you a bit about my first visit here in November 2004: I made out with a Laotian and a Colombian at the same time on the dance floor. I took my shirt off and danced like a convulsing pop corn. But tonight it was different.

I saw guys I had sex with. I saw guys I go to the gym with. I saw guys who I fantasize having sex with. I even saw someone living in the same apartment building. Many people were familiar.

I went home alone and that is because of many reasons. I know my close friends will kill me for writing this but I do not feel I am as good-looking as the guys there. My insecurities were overpowering my desire to hook up. And another reason is I am too shy to let myself go because I have to face many of those people the following day.

I really do not understand myself sometimes. I know I sound I am contradicting myself. I am so fucked up in the head.

I am not sad though. I am just fucked up in the head.

First Year Anniversary in Bangkok

It is my first year of living alone. I arrived exactly last year at past midnight. I was by myself and I was so afraid and yet full of hope.

Everything is better than I expected. I've got a good job and I have a very comfortable lifestyle. My employer sees every race equally. I go to one of the most expensive gym in Bangkok and I live in one of the most expensive areas. Everything that I need is only a few minutes walk from my building and that includes the hospital.

I cannot say that I am 100% happy but I am 101% satisfied with what I have accomplished. I am still getting used to the place. I am still getting used to the locals and the other expats. It is a different world out here and I cannot wait to explore the others.

Peter Holmes

Peter Holmes and I have known each other for at least six years. We had our fourth vacation together and we'd always have a great time visiting different places and meeting gorgeous men. It was his first time to stay at my own place and it was really different.

Peter is someone I completely trust because he is a great guy and very honest. There are not that many people in the world.

My point is I want my friend to get hitched: he is an extremely intelligent Aussie living in Canberra and Sydney. He is very much secure and very much available. He loves collecting stamps and listening to classical music and Broadway musicals. He is a perfect gentleman and his email is 2007CE@gmail.com

Spiderman 3 (movie)

I cannot say that this is the best Spiderman movie because they are all different. One thing is for sure: the first movie sucks. Anyway, I am digressing.

I am disappointed that this installment is not as sexually charged as the first one. The pants are not that revealing and I was not able to see Tobey Maguire's nipples. I also thought that the Sandman would not have a shirt on.

The script is multi-layered. It is actually hard to count how many stories there are. The action sequences were good and were easy to follow.

The villains are the best in this movie. The character development is clear and they are not really two-dimensional. The best performance is Topher Grace as Venom. Tobey's performance is very cliche. I cannot believe that I actually admired this guy in "Pleasantville".

Unlike the other Spiderman movies, this does not give the audience a glimpse of what is going to happen in the next installment. The Green Goblin is already dead. What is next?

Six Feet Under: Season 2 (DVD)

It took me some time to finish the second season of this series because I was enjoying my time with my friend, Peter, who is the first person who mentioned this series to me.

To my surprise, the characters are evolving to more realistic ones. They are starting to resemble people and not just caricatures. Brenda's character's complexity is very intriguing and I cannot wait to see her in the next series. Now I really know why I like Claire and that is because I can relate to her and her need to express her emotions through art.

The extras were nice, especially the commentary tracks. But there is one thing I dislike: they have some spoilers of what is going to happen next season.