Adelaide's Picnic in the Park 2008

I was very excited to be in this event and my expectations were met. Holding hands with Steven and kissing him did not grant us extra attention. We saw other people kissing and cuddling and nobody cared. We felt normal as we are supposed to.

Steven and I met some of our friends. He saw some of his straight friends. In fact, there were a lot of straight couples going around. I guess it is because there is nothing much to do in Adelaide so some people just go to places where they can just relax.

Even before entering the venue, dogs caught our attention. There was a dog show and we were very ecstatic to see the wonderful dogs. Included in this posting is a photo of us holding a Jack Russell. Her name is B and we got a lot of attention because of her. She is just lovely.

Quantum of Solace (2008, movie)

First things first, the Marion cinema is boring, small and old. The curtains squeak very loudly. The seats do not recline. Customers are not able to see the floor plan before they buy the ticket. At least, it was not too cold inside.

OK now the movie--it was cool but the first Daniel Craig version is better. "Quantum of Solace" has a lot of car chases, mano y mano fight scenes and dramatic scenes. I do not mind that it has fewer gadgets and sex scenes but I do mind that Daniel Craig is only half-naked in this one (top part ho-hum!).

The stunts are daring and Daniel's suits are amazing. Those pants really hug his muscular buns really nicely. The visual effects are more believable than the other Bond films but that does not mean they are not over the top. They still are.

I just wish that we get to see Daniel's bare buttocks in the next movie.

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann speaks against Prop 8

I am very much in love right now and it scares me that there are things that will keep me apart from the person I love. But it scares me more that these things are beyond my control. To make matters worse, it is up to other people to decide who I want to spend my life with.

I am still reeling from the result of the Proposition 8. More than half of Californians have decided that their own people have no right to be with the person they love. More than half wants to meddle with the very personal lives of other people.

I am very glad that non-gay people are supporting the gay community and questioning Prop 8. It does bring tears to my eyes that gay people are not alone in this fight.

And eventually, in every state, in every country in the world, we will win it!

Wildlife Kiss

This time it is a video of me and Steven walking on the wooden path inside the Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary. Notice how peaceful it is there.

Warrawong Sanctuary

After all the stress of looking for a job in Adelaide, I went to Warrawong wildlife sanctuary with Steven.

It was almost an hour drive from the city but it was very nice to share it with this man. We saw a few kangaroos sleeping under dry trees. There were some ducks and geckos enjoying the sun. A couple of emus approached me because they thought I was going to give them some food.

It is disappointing that we did not see a platypus or a koala but it was fun spending the day with a man I am in love with.

Dexter has a boyfriend

Yes, you read it right. I am sure many of you did not expect that it would happen but it did. I have a boyfriend and it is not just dating or going out--I have a boyfriend!

Steven was introduced to me online by my friends in Adelaide in July. We had been calling, emailing and sending SMS to each other since then. We are looking for the same things in a partner and that is why we clicked immediately.

Here is a photo of us taken a few days ago in Semaphore Beach near Port Adelaide. It was fucking cold then but it will warm up very soon so I will be able to take more interesting pics in the next few days.

Kangaroo Sausages

Yes, that is right: I am now hooked to kangaroo meat. I bought this pack the other day because it was very unusual.

The taste is rich. I am sure if Aussie parents raise their kids eating kangaroo meat, the world will be a better place and people will be healthier.

I am sure Filipinos would love this with fresh tomatoes.

Dexter Cooks Kangaroo Steak

Last March, Peter cooked a kangaroo casserole for me and I thought it was beef. It was lean and very tender.

Yesterday for lunch, I cooked my own kangaroo steak. It was already seasoned so I only had to cook it. Like other steaks, I seared it on a pan and cooked it some more in an oven.

The taste and smell are strong but it is not really bad as many of my Aussie friends claim. I may still prefer beef for my steak but kangaroo meat is still tasty as a casserole dish.

So here is a picture of my medium rare kangaroo steak. Yum yum!

Dexter does the Pokies

After ordering a huge mixed steak at the local pub, the waitress gave me a dollar so I could try out the pokeys (or slot machines). I could have kept the money for myself but my host Kerry wanted me to try it out. Kerry also gave me his free dollar.

I have to say first that I did not grow up in a household where the parents tolerated gambling. My father hated it so much that he never allowed playing cards inside the house. His influence is so great that even up to now, I still do not know how to play cards.

Anyway, so there I was infront of a pokey. I played 5 cents for each spin (I am not sure if I am using the right terms). I won one dollar so I spent it again. Then I lost it.

After that, Kerry made me try Keno. It is like a combination of Bingo and the lottery. I also lost.

Honestly speaking, gambling is boring because it is not intellectually or even physically stimulating. I do not see myself getting addicted. At least now, I can tell people that I tried it.

Congratulations America!

I was with my friends when this was officially announced. I felt it is a start of a new day for America and for the world as the US president is the most powerful man in the world.

It has been a long time since the world actually approved of Americans' choice of president. But it is only recently that the world had recently desperately wanted one particular person as the president.

After having the least popular American president in history and amidst tons of economic and political challenges, Obama has a difficult presidency ahead of him. He has to deal with wars that he did not start. He has to deal with an economic structure that does not really support most of his people with corporations breathing down his back.

I believe Barack Obama will make it. I am sure he will be one of the greatest Americans in history.

I Hate Qantas

Ok ok I have to tell you first that I arrived in Adelaide in one piece. I know it is not nice to use the word hate but that is exactly what I feel right now. I hate fucking Qantas!

Last April, I ignored the fact that they didn't have movies on demand on my flight from Sydney to Bangkok. I also ignored the fact that there were numerous technical failures in Qantas flights in the past several months. A few weeks ago, a Qantas plane dropped so fast that it caused spinal cord injuries in some of its passengers.

On 2nd of November, I was supposed to fly at 5:25 PM but we boarded the plane half an hour late. I thought that is OK--I would still be able to make my connecting flight to Adelaide. But that was only the beginning.

The pilot announced that there was an engine failure and that they were testing it. Hours passed and they mentioned they have to replace some parts. Three hours have passed and yet we were still cooped up in the airplane. I was getting delirious because I was extremely hungry. And then I saw them serving some food but my jaw fell open when I found out that these were only ice pops.

4 1/2 hours later, the pilot announced that we were going to fly. Keep in mind that we were still inside the fully-booked plane. Many of the passengers had connecting flights so the pilot assured the passengers that sound ground crew would assist us in getting to our connecting flights.

I asked a flight attendant for an arrival card but he never gave me one. I wanted to explode when I got off the plane but Qantas thought that I could take some more beating.

On the ground, we were greeted by two staff members. It was a fucking 747 plane with most of the passengers leaving Sydney and yet they gave us only two fucking idiots!

I spent 45 minutes at customs. I found out from a Vodafone shop clerk that my connecting flight was actually in a different airport. The idiots did not mention this.

So I found the check-in desk. I was also surprised that I had to check-in again and it took me 45 minutes to do it. Obviously, I missed my connecting flight and had to wait two more hours for my flight to Adelaide.

Finally, I arrived in Adelaide at 4:05 PM. I was supposed to arrive at 10 AM. Great job, Qantas!

Rambling OFWs (overseas Filipino workers)

I am now counting the days until I leave Bangkok. I have been meeting one set of friends after another. It is very nice to feel important but I think my waistline is growing.

Here are Phet and Jennifer. They work for the same company but at a different branch.

The traffic was slow on the way to the Japanese restaurant. I got bored so I decided to film them.

Thank you ladies for agreeing to post this video.

We'll Kill Ya

The US Americans will be voting for their new president in a few days. Hopefully, they will vote for Obama.

Before Obama starts a new day for this country, we should pay tribute to his predecessor, the honourable Bush Jr.

Returning to Oz part 5

(one of my first photos at work. That is Rotem--she looks so much different now)

One more week to go and Bangkok won't see me for a very long time. As each day passes, I realise that I am going to miss a lot of things in this city.

All of my friends know that I am in love with Thai food. Every dish explodes with taste. Fruit and vegetables are almost always fresh and they are included in many of their everyday meals. I actually surpass the daily requirement of 5 servings of fruit or vegetables.

Some people are making it difficult for me to leave the country as well. Some of my students are emotional that I am leaving. I have known all this time that somehow, we have gone beyond the student-teacher relationship. Some of them have become friends. Some have become my adoptive parents.

And then I have friends who I will miss a lot. I will miss all the ramblings and the rantings. I will miss the meals together and the late nights. I will miss the gossips and some personal revelations.

But it is nearly my time to move on.

No On Prop 8

A huge percentage of my visitors on this blog are Americans and many of those Americans live in California. Plus I am sure many of you reading this right now know someone from California. I am appealing to all of you to say "no to Proposition 8".

It is sad that private citizens have to shell out millions of money to uphold a human right. It is sad that there are people legalising discrimination.

I know I am not an American but whatever the outcome of this affair will have its effect on gay politics around the world. This will set as a precedent to many states and many countries in the world whether to reject or accept gay unions/marriages.

Please vote No on Prop 8!

Check the official website: http://www.noonprop8.com/

Thanks Bangkok

(photo taken on my first trip to Bangkok in 2004)

It was hot and humid on the 16th of October. There were not that many tourists around but there were several people who were mourning for the King's sister. I visited Wat Phra Kaew maybe for the last time.

Amidst the mourners, Buddhists and stubborn Western tourists (who refuse to remove their shoes), I tried to talk to whoever is powerful. I had to thank him/her for all the blessings I received in this wonderful country.

I have no huge complaints when it comes to the people. I just find many of its tourists and foreign residents disgusting. This country has blessed me with a wonderful job and experiences that taught me I can reach any goal I want. This is a wonderful life and there are so many great things I can do with it.

It is time for me to move on.

Passed the IELTS

I know I have been quiet about this because it is embarassing to admit that I had problems with this test. I took the test twice but I did not the scores that I needed in both takes.

When I found out that I failed the re-take, I was furious and immediately asked for a remark. Everything comes at a cost so it makes the ordeal more painful. Anyway, I waited and waited and I thought I would not get the results until my return to Adelaide.

But I was wrong. I got the scores that I need to qualify for a teaching license in South Australia. Of course, this is just one of the first hurdles and I am sure there will be tons more.

I am extremely happy and grateful and I want to thank all of my friends who believe in me. I can never live without my friends.

Tongue-tied Dexter 3

Guess who's back.

I mentioned in two posts (this one and that one) that I have a crush on someone in the gym. He is bald, dark-skinned and very muscular. We had a lot of staring sessions in the gym until one time I mustered enough courage to say that he is cute. But then I chickened out and ran off.

I saw him in a different branch of my gym and he is bigger now. I even saw his butt--the mounds are glorious. Like before, I chickened out. I do not think he saw me but I saw him and I still did not talk to him properly.

I am not sure if there will be a next time.

Za za

This is a video of the new puppy in my apartment building. I think she is a Shih Tzu.

She adores me and follows me around. She loves chewing on my bag, my sandals and my fingers. She is very tiny so it cannot do any damage.

I hope you like this tiny fluffy bitch.

I Deserve To Vote

I am not sure if this is a fresh idea or not but I believe this is a legitimate concern. Every person around the world should vote in the US presidential election.

The US is the richest country in the world and it has placed itself as the most important country in international finance. That means every decision that the US makes, we get affected.

If the US calls for a war, the Filipino government is forced to support them because we are going to face financial ramifications if we go against it. If the US stock market falls, outsourced jobs in the Philippines are affected as well.

I am sure this is not unique to the Philippines.

Ridiculous as it may sound, I believe I should have the right to vote for this coming US election. Whether or not I like it, I am going to be directly affected by any decision the next president will make.

Dexter learns Math

Last week, I bought some Australian dollars in preparation for my vacation in Adelaide. The rate back then is 1 AUD= 27.7 THB.

But how would I know that the Australian stock market would also take a nose-dive?

Today's rate is 22.7 THB. I could have saved around 10,000 THB.

I am desperate to take advantage of this situation so I will try to buy more Australian dollars tomorrow. I hope the banks won't keep them from me!

The Old Dexter

This is an old profile picture that I took more than a year ago and I got a lot of guys from it. It has been almost a year since I removed my pictures and personal information from my gay profiles. There were times that I thought I was going to miss it but I honestly have not.

I have so much time for myself now. I take a lot of photos (not for gay profiles of course), I watch a lot of TV series and I hang out with my friends. I no longer tell them "Oh I can't join you because I have a date."

I think I can make my friends feel more special now. I think I am making myself feel more special now. I do not need to fuck to feel good about myself and I do not need to fuck people to make them like me.

I wonder where this is going to lead.

Slacker Uprising (movie)

I have been idolizing Michael Moore since I read "Stupid White Men" (thanks Peter) but I will try to be as objective in this article as possible.

This movie is downloaded for free from Michael Moore's website www.michaelmoore.com but you have to be in north America to do so. If not, you can go to http://www.mininova.org/get/1834422 but you need a Torrent client to make it work. Do not hesitate to ask me if you have more questions on how to get this free movie.

This movie was shot four years ago as Michael Moore visited several states. Some of the talks were organized smoothly and some were made difficult by rich Republicans. Although he was encouraging "slackers" to vote, he was obviously promoting John Kerry.

Many of the scenes and speeches are filled with emotions. Democrats are portrayed as being intelligent and proactive. Republicans are portrayed as being stupid and rowdy. But then how can you describe people who join in a huge mob of people who are totally against their beliefs?

The celebrities, soldiers, families of soldiers and other private citizens mainly talked about the war in the Middle East. The issues were much simpler back then but now it is more complicated because the US economy is about to collapse (although they are still in the same war plus others).

If I were American, I would be proud of Michael Moore and the Americans in this movie who want a change. I just hope that they get it.

Afterthoughts on 2008 Bangkok International Film Festival

Many of the major awards in the Bangkok International Film Festival 2008 were won by the Filipino films and I am happy for them. It is good that my fellow Filipinos are being recognized recently in many film festivals around the world.

But this does not mean I am crazy about their work.

I do not mind the real-time storytelling, the absence of high-tech equipment and the use of unknown actors. But I mind when they hyperextend their movies. They show no respect to their audience. I do not know anyone alive and sane who can sit through a movie that is more than four hours long. We have better things to do.

I do not mind seeing naked people on screen but do people really have to see sex acts up close? I am really upset that most Filipino movies that appear on DVDs overseas are only porn flicks with a storyline.

Who are their audience anyway? Do they make these movies to satisfy their egoes or their little circle of film making buddies? Or the little ego that they have below their waist?

I hope they will be more honest when saying that they are making their socially-relevant films and not films that will be appreciated by their colleagues and libido only.

Return to Oz part 4

In four weeks, I will be back in Adelaide and I am going to be there for two months. I have to vacate my apartment because I do not want to spend 2 months' rest while I am not here.

I bought two storage boxes and each one of them is as big as a suitcase. I need them to store in my belongings. Believe it or not, one of them is already full because of my DVDs. I weighed them and they are 25 kilograms.

The other box will be used to store in my clothes. Of course, not everything is going to fit in there so I have to get rid of a lot of stuff.

Dexter is like a girl

I have a huge crush on an internet porn star Chris Geary because he is hot and perverted in his videos. He also plays with ordinary-looking blokes so I am hoping that I will be one of them in
the future.

I predicted that he would be in the 2008 Sydney Mardi Gras and he did not disappoint me. I saw him and his Filipino partner Erick De Chavez wearing bikinis and tiny shirts.

This is a fuzzy video of him walking on the street but that is not the reason why I posted this video. Make sure you have your audio on though.

Desperate Housewives Season 3 (TV)

Again, I am amazed at how well-written this TV series is. The storie makes me think that nothing in life is really constant. The ones who are up eventually goes down. And the ones who are lost are found.

I have been forgetting to mention in the past reviews about the excessive use of plastic and botox in this TV series. What's wrong with Teri Hatcher's eyes? It seems she cannot open them properly. Nicollette's boobs are always higher than her own shoulders.

There are two episodes in this TV series that went out of its traditional formula. One of them is "Bang", the supermarket hostage. It was extremely tense and dramatic. It makes me realize how life can change in one instant.

There are a couple of funny incidents in the film: one of them is Marcia's pregnancy. They hid her tummy with the TV, tables, layers of blankets and also used a few body doubles. James Denton is also terribly thin in this season. I wonder what happened to him.

Some performances of the supporting cast should be mentioned. Kathryn Joosten as Karen McCluskey is adorable. She can be funny and very sad at the same time. I love her character a lot and her stories are heart-wrenching. The other good supporting actor is Kiersten Warren Nora Huntington as the manipulative bitch who wants the best for her daughter. Her exit in the TV series is extremely sad.

The ending is great. It is good that Edie is becoming more and more real. I am very much interested to find out what is going to happen to her in the next season although I doubt if it would be a lot. This will be the season where they had the writers' strike.

Now Showing (movie)

(Third movie I saw at the Bangkok International Film Festival)

There are so many Filipino independent movies out there that are running extra long. Some are 9 hours and "Now Showing" is 5 hours.

I do not understand why this movie has to be that long. Why would a film maker challenge his audience's bladder and stomach acid just to watch his movie? Why would one torture his/her audience?

I think it is being elitist because the film maker knows that a conventional movie goer won't watch a 5-hour movie that is not well-publicised. So why limit the people who are going to watch it?

Is it laziness on his part to edit his work?

The performances are amazing and the theme is fresh but is it really worth the possibility of getting sick by the time the movie ends?

My answer is NO.

Serbis (movie)

(Serbis is the second movie I watched in Bangkok International Film Festival 2008)

This is the most graphic Filipino movie I have ever seen in my life. And this is the most graphic film I have ever seen on the big screen. Unfortunately, I cannot see any reason why the film has to be this graphic. It reminds me of the Filipino "pene" movies (short for penetration) in the 70s. It shows erect dicks, vaginas, boobs, blowjobs and yes, closeups of all those things I mentioned.

I thought I was unshockable but I was shocked in this movie. I am used to seeing erect dicks on my computer but not on the big screen. Thai censorship is much much stricter than Filipino censorship and I was really surprised that it was given a go-signal here.

The only reason why I think those scenes are there is to create controversy and make people watch the film or buy the DVD.

Gina Pareno is superb as always but she cannot save this movie. It is very shameful.

FYI: I admit that I have been to a few movie theaters like this one when I was much younger. They are as despicable as the one in the movie.

Years When I Was A Child Outside (movie)

Bangkok International Film Festival 2008 is showcasing 6 Filipino movies and "Years When I Was A Child Outside" is the first one that I watched.

Like most independent movies, I was able to see some familiar faces--people in my university's performing arts circles. I also saw my mentor's name, Vim Nadera. I won't say anything anymore about my frustrations.

Back to the film, this one is theme-based so people should not expect a plot nor a definite character development. Some of the audio were recorded live and some are done in a studio. Some of the audio are inaudible and I have to thank the subtitles to help me out--that is not good.

Anyway, the film maker was gracious and very sincere in answering the questions given by moi and other people in the audience. Of course, most of the non-Filipinos do not know the political and historical references in the movie.

This is not a movie that should be shown commercially. It is really an art for art's sake movie and should be shown to the director's own circle of film makers.

Ever-Changing Look of My Blog

Last March, I had my heart broken and I did not mention anything about it on my blog. And I still will not mention the details of that experience. I just want to share something that came out of it.

On our second date in December, the man gave me violet-coloured orchids and I found the gesture very sweet. I put the flowers underneath the glass top of my dresser. The stems, the leaves and the blossoms dried out but they retained most of their colors.

Months have passed and yet the gift still bears a lot of emotions and I was very afraid to let go of it eventhough I do not feel the same anymore for the person who gave it. I have to move out of my apartment and I could not bring the flowers with me.

This is why I decided to take pictures of it and it inspired the new look of my website. I know I still do not have a fixed idea of what this blog will be about but I believe I am getting there.

Maybe, my blog reflects what I am right now and it will change as often as I change. And I hope that is for the better.

Japanese Bitch In My Apartment Building

Every night, I come home and see a Japanese women in her 50s leafing through newspapers and of course, oftentimes, I would see her reading Japanese newspapers. But that is not all: she also reads English language papers. At first, I thought I was going to demand a Tagalog-language newspaper until I noticed that she also reads Thai newspapers.

The fucking bitch is at least a trilingual!

Of course, this reaction has more to do with me than with her. I really never lifted a finger studying the language of my adoptive country. I could not even order in Thai. I could not even count in Thai.

10 Top Shabu Shabu Buffet Tips

All my friends know that I am the expert when it comes to fine dining and I define "fine dining" as leaving the restaurant with a stomach full of food that will last you for two days. I am a huge fan of Shabu shabu, a setup in a restaurant wherein food are put on conveyor belts to be consumed by generally couples who want to date but they do not share a common language (quite common in Bangkok). And this is where they have an excuse to shut their traps for 75 minutes.

1. Be prepared. Make sure you have enough money for the meal and a cab ride home. You might not be able to fit in the driver's seat. You might also be too stuffed to walk to the train station or bus stop. Tip the cab driver if he has to carry you to your doorstep.

2. Eliminate the competition. Do not invite a date or even a friend. If you are seated beside a person you know, you might feel hesitant in grabbing the food that is already in his hands. Be guilt-free: go to the restaurant alone.

3. Feel the fire in your stomach. Skip breakfast. Or better yet--make sure you have not eaten for at least 12 hours so you can make up for the food that you were craving for. Nothing beats an stomach full of acid. It will also ensure that the food you are going to put in there will be digested easily.

4. Timing is everything. Do not go there during the lunch hour and definitely avoid it during dinner time. Best time to go there is from 2 PM to 4 PM.

5. Dress appropriately. Wear pants that have elastic waistlines and a shirt that is two sizes bigger. These will ensure you have room for everything.


6. Location location location. Survey the scene and find out where the kitchen is. Position yourself on the side where the food comes out so that you would have the first pick of everything.

7. Don't settle for second best. Stay away from the rice because you can get rice from 7/11. Don't even think of getting the veggies because you can grow them in a pot. Pick only the fish, beef, chicken and pork. Money is more important than your cholesterol level.

8. Don’t flush your money down the drain. Do not drink water or any liquids unless you are choking but then you can ask an attendant for a Heimlich maneuver. Liquids are there to make you feel full so avoid them at all costs.

9. Keep your eye on the goal. Do not talk to your seatmate because it is very probable that the restaurant has hired him to keep you from eating their food. Stay focused and keep your mouth full.

10. No pain no gain. Do not leave your seat until your time is up (in some restaurants, it is 75 minutes). During the last five minutes, stuff as much as you can in your mouth. Again, make sure that these are meat items. If you are a sushi fan then probably you can also stuff in any raw meat in your mouth. Then rush to the cashier and pay for your meal. Remember: do not purge!

Desperate Housewives Season 2 (TV)

I am starting not just to like this TV series but to love it. The stories are heartfelt but not cheesey. They made me learn something without being preachy. I found myself shedding a tear in some of the scenes and that no TV series has done that to me.

The characters are evolving meticulously. I am sure some of you may find it surprising but I find Susan Meyer's character very despicable. She is as ruthless as Edie Britt but the former hides behind a sweet innocent-looking face. At least, Edie is honest--she is just a bitch. Bree's relationship with her children are very touching. Most of my tears for this season are for her. Alfre Woodard has a very commanding presence in the small screen. Eventhough Betty Applewhite role is not that interesting, she made it real and relatable.

Peter and I have been discussing about the writers and I do not think they are all gay. I am sure some of them are mothers because I cannot imagine gay men knowing about the pressures and stresses of motherhood. Those women's concerns are too alien to me and it is nice to learn about them.

I wonder if there are more gay men in the next season.

Desperate Housewives Season 1 (TV)

I have already watched this season in the Philippines and I still find the program very funny and clever. The characters may be colourful and stereotypical but the theme is actually extremely dark and morbid. The combination is not forced though. It makes me wonder: are people really happy with their lives?

The clothes and makeup are great although not as flamboyant as the single women in Sex and the City. Many of the characters use tailored clothes and I do not think the look will get old easily.

The actors are very funny and talented. Marcia Cross as Bree may be over-the-top sometimes but I can imagine such a person existing. She is a conservative Republican--someone I hate in the real world but she is also someone I can relate to. I want everything in my life to be perfect and I do not want to settle for second best. Cody Kasch as Zach Young has a tremendous task of portraying a possibly psychopathic teenager.

The writers are ridiculously good. The lines seem effortless but of course, they are calculated. I wonder if there is any effect on this TV series during the writers' strike.

Short 12: 12th Thai Short Film & Video Festival

It is strange that two Filipino movies featured in this film festival use two colonial languages: Spanish and English. But then it was deliberate as both movies present bitterness towards the colonizers.

The first one "A Short Film About the Indio Nacional" was a project from my Alma Mater (University of the Philippines) and it narrates the experiences of Indios in the hands of a culture, religion and circumstances that are not really theirs. It is sad in some parts and hilarious in others. The ending and some of the moments near the end present blood-curdling anger.

The second movie "Bontoc Eulogy" was made by a Filipino-American who is trying to re-construct the history of his Ifugao grandfather. The latter was sent to the US to participate in an exhibit showing native lives in other countries. Their traditions and culture were not respected by the Americans so there were incidents of violence. This movie has touched me because I am an expat myself and in living far from my country, I am learning more about it.

I have seen some of the entries and they are really bad so I am proud that the entries from the Philippines are really good.

My First Pole-Dancing Class

I have been working out in gyms for about ten years now and I am bored with it. I just cannot quit and forget it because I do not want to acquire my mother's diabetes nor my father's heart problems. But something spiced up my gym work outs and that is pole-dancing.

I have been waiting for this class for several weeks and finally, it matched my schedule. I went there a lot earlier than I would allot any other class and I was welcomed by smiling instructors (most of which are male homosexuals for obvious reasons).

There were around 8 students and two are men (including myself) but the other guy was too distracting. He was too handsome--he should have been barred from attending the class. I could not spin the way I am supposed to because his gyrations are too distracting.

Anyway, I did not think it would be very strenuous. I thought my shoulders would get dislocated because we had to carry our own weight lots of times. I am sure tomorrow my arms will be as stiff as the pole I was dancing with.

Pole-dancing does not feel sexy for the dancer but I am sure it does for the spectator. I hope this will help me get laid. Hmm...where can I get my pole? Hmmm...I can practice while I am riding the Skytrain!

Applying for a Thailand Police Clearance

I found the information on where and how to get the clearance from the Royal Thai police online. It looks simple and easy and I thought there will be some problems when I get there but it was a lot more than I expected.

I was impressed beyond belief. I found the huge compound easily because it is near my office (a commercial area). Most of the Thai police at the gate do not speak good English and yet they tried their best to give me directions. And they did it with a smile.

I found the office and it was really comfortable inside. It was air-conditioned and they had rows of clean desks with smiling employees. They asked sensitive questions in a professional but friendly way. Then they took my picture. And they did everything with a smile.

Most of all, everything is free! Beat that Philippine National Bureau of Investigation!

Google Chrome

This is my first tech review. I am doing it because I was wowed the first time I used it and it is only the beta version.

I heard about Google Chrome on CNN and was surprised that my favorite email, my favorite search engine, and my favorite blog will also be my favorite browser.

First of all, I am amazed at how fast it loads. It is even faster than Opera and Firefox (both installed on my computer). But it slows down a bit when I add several tabs. But that is a given already.

Second, it is easy to migrate from FF to Chrome. It actually lets you import your bookmarks, usernames and passwords while you are installing it. It is very probable that it will enable users to import from other browsers as well.

Thirdly, it looks very simple and easy to use. The title bar is automatically a search bar. Frequently visited websites are available as soon as you open the program or a new tab. You can also customize the look of the browser.

There are still some compatiblity issues but I am sure most will be solved by the time Google launches this fantastic browser.

You can learn more about this nifty program here: http://www.google.com/chrome

Lost Season 4 (TV series)

This season has 13 episodes only and I am not surprised. They are hyperextending the idea already and they are at a risk of boring their audience. I am sure they have thought of giving Vincent the dog some flashbacks or back stories as well.

I have a feeling that they changed some of their writers because the style has changed a bit. They also have flash forwards aside from flashbacks. (Edit: I just found out that the production suffered from the last writers' strike in Hollywood.)

There is one thing that I have noticed in this series for a very long time is their use of gun (rifles and hand guns) butts to knock other people out. They have used this to women, men, young and old. I am surprised they have not used this technique on children (especially the baby Erin) and on Vincent the dog.

They have a few fancy fight scenes. Sometimes, it makes me feel like I am watching a judo match.

Matthew Fox is actually becoming better in this series. Or maybe in real life, he is just a tortured soul. I have noticed that he has been going to the gym and spending time having his body waxed. In the first season, he was hairy and somehow on the island, a professional made him baby-smooth.

The final season will be aired early next year.

Lost Season 3 (TV series)

Why do people waste their time watching silly TV series like this one? Why am I watching this story of how a group of plane crash survivors endlessly look for a way to get off a weird island? Why am I even writing about this?

I believe that once in a while, it is OK to just have fun and chill out. I do not need an intellectual stimulation every hour of the day. Sometimes, it is healthy just not to think.

So I will go back writing about this TV series. The third season of Lost is again spent on finding ways to get off the island amidst people and things who want them to stay in the island. I feel that the flashbacks used are already fillers. They do not fit in anything anymore.

Are there memorable performances in this season? None really. The character of Michael Emerson (Benjamin aka Henry Gale) is becoming bland. There are no more twists and turns in his decisions. He is just one mad leader trying to control a brainless herd.

Production-wise, it is still not impressive. There is one episode that was supposedly shot in Phuket and I cannot tell the authenticity of the setting because I have not been there. But the Thais in that episode definitely have an American twang in their speaking.

Shlosh! Shlosh! My brain has turned into a goo.

Lost Season 2 (TV series)

I love pork scratchings and fried pig intestines not because they are good for me. I eat them because they are delicious. In fact, they are actually bad for me and I could feel my cholesterol shoot up everytime I have one.

This TV series is like that: it entertains me but I could feel my brain cells melting away. I probably won't stop watching it.

Lost has some good elements though. One of which is the high production value and scheduling. I am just amazed by the number of the cast and how they are able to schedule all of them in different scenes. Some of the scenes are obviously shot in a sound stage and others are on location.

I love Michael Emerson as the mysterious Henry Gale. I could not keep my eyes off him because he is just so commanding. He is both scary and sympathetic. Too bad many of the main actors are not really very good.

Off to the third season!

Me love you long time!

I have always been mistaken as a prostitute here in Bangkok and this one of the reasons why I really want to move out of here. I know myself and I know I should not feel bothered but when it happens everytime I go out, it gets to me.

I visited DJ almost everyday of his stay here in Bangkok. I am OK if the reception asks me for my ID but last time, it really went too far.

There was another guest at the reception. I already handed in my ID and the female staff of the Regency Hotel (near Phrom Pong station of the BTS) asked me the most horrible question:

"Long time or short time?"

I wanted to sink my fingers in her eye sockets but I calmed myself down and replied "We are going down immediately."

I should have said "Short time--I have another appointment in three hours!"

My BF wins gold in Beijing

Oh yes, my current boyfriend, Matthew Mitcham, wins gold in the 10 meter platform dive. If you have been living under a gargantuan rock, he is the young Aussie Olympian who outed himself before he flew for Beijing.

I wonder if he is ready to bear my kids after the competition. We are going to have very beautiful mongrels.

I love you, Matt!

See you in Australia, DJ

I am not really sad that DJ is now at the airport waiting for his flight to Korea. We have had a lot of fun exchanging stories the past few days. It is like having an extended all-girls party but we have penises.

DJ, you are a fun guy to be with and I am sure you will find your man soon. I was not able to take a picture of you on this trip so I hope you do not mind this one that I took of you in Manila. We had a lot of fun there as well, right?

I am crossing my fingers that you will come to Adelaide next year. You will love the people, the food and the fantastic beaches. Plus there are tons of Asians there and no money boys!

Return to Oz part 3

The Australian Embassy in Bangkok called me yesterday to tell me that I was granted the visa. I have yet to pick up my passport on Wednesday.

I have booked my ticket already and I am going to leave Bangkok on the 2nd of November. I will be in Australia for about two months.

Thanks to Peter for supplying some of the documents. Thanks to all of my friends in Adelaide who are helping me with this namely Kerry and Chris.

I have never met anyone (apart from my family) who is this excited to see me. And I am also excited to see them.

Fight Club (DVD)

Despite the title, "Fight Club" is not the most violent movie that you will ever see. I actually think it is "Schindler's List" but we are not going to talk about that now.

"Fight Club" has more testosterone than any porn flick available. It is not all muscles but pure machismo and posturing. It is very entertaining to watch yet it does not make you feel that you are stupid. The twist in the end is much more interesting than any M. Night Shyamalan movie.

Helena Bonham Carter is fun to watch as Marla Singer although she does not have a perfect American accent. Edward Norton's role is very difficult but we have already seen him in many violent movies. Brad Pitt--well, he will always look good but that is about it. Meatloaf, together with his udders, is a scene-stealer.

The action sequences are of course, bloody. But the CGI scenes will age well in my opinion because they are not really there to impress. They are not there to show the latest digital imagery but they merely show a good storyboarding.

The DVD is not really full of extras although I like the commentary tracks of the main actors and directors. I wish they were together in one recording session though. Better yet, they should be in separate audio tracks.

This is actually a perfect Saturday night movie with some mates and not with a date.

Dexter (Season 2)

Please do not ask me how I was able to watch this TV series with my limited budget right now.

Dexter Morgan is still looking for answers surrounding his past. Some of them have been answered but there are some more questions that were also "uncovered". Dexter is becoming a celebrity that is both feared and admired and some new characters want to share some of that.

The visuals are still gory but I am no longer affected by the scenes. I am not sure if the concepts are scientifically correct but that did not deter me from understanding what they are talking about.

The new actors are good especially Lundin (played by Keith Carradine). I must admit he is handsome even if he is really old. His ass is still up there. Jaime Murray as Lila is effectively scary and sometimes, scarier than Dexter. But her surgically enhanced face sometimes bother me. She tries very hard to have variety in her expressions because she had taken too much collagen. She could not even squint. And her lips look like beaks already. They are way too firm.

I can understand why this series has been getting a lot of complaints as the producers decided to show it on broadcast TV. I did end up rooting for a serial killer. Whether or not people are subconsciously affected by it, I really do not know.

Wall-E (movie)

Wall-E may not be really intelligent but he is all heart.

This latest film from Pixar takes adults to the time when we are not jaded. It is a time where everything will be OK as long as there is love. Some people may say it is naïveté but I call it purity.

The story is very simple. It is about two beings that are very different from each other. One romanticizes love and finds it and the other one finds it even without looking for it.

The love theme is the most obvious but there are other themes here that viewers can learn from. One of them is commercialism and the effects of it. When it is the most powerful, commercialism will dictate our lives and our future. It will cut us off from each other and prevent us from appreciating the simplest things in life. We only want to have more and more.

I am sure it was a challenge for the animators to portray emotions through steel but it was very successful. The characters (even the smallest ones) are very unforgettable.

I really love Pixar movies. It is only a shame that the Disney name is already attached to it.

30 years of Dexter Mejia's existence

I know, I know. I look 20 years old but I am already 30. What is there to look forward to?

Some people say that you are an adult once you turn 30. You will have a midlife crisis when you turn 40. You will be quite secure of yourself when you turn 50. But what about this 30?

Is it a milestone? One thing is for sure, I feel more secure about myself. I celebrate my strengths and I try to improve my weaknesses. I think I am a better ambassador of myself.

Or is it just a number? Anyway, thanks for all my friends who remembered.

Special thanks to Bob who took this picture with my own camera. I cannot wait to show Australia what he gave me. It guarantees everyone will suck a cock even if it is a straight man.

Contact (Special Edition)

The first time I saw this movie is on TV and I really regretted missing it because it is a moving film. I know it is science fiction but the message is bigger than the genre. It is like a discourse on faith.

I won't spoil the whole story.

Anyway, Jodie is extremely believable in this movie because her character is flawed. Tom Skerritt is also very good and his character extremely flawed but better than Jodie's as a politician. The power struggle between these two characters remind me of a huge dilemma--your ideals getting in the way of your dreams or sacrificing your ideals to reach your dreams.

The movie is 11 years old but the visual and sound effects do not look outdated. I am sure Warner Brothers has already come out with a dignified BD version of this movie.

The extras in this single-disc release is very good. It did not have outtakes but it has a full-length commentaries from Jodie Foster and Robert Zemeckis on different audio tracks.

Damn, when can I afford a BD player and a HDTV

Lancer, 13

Lancer was given to my brother 13 years ago. He was our first dog so my mother was totally against him living with us. I attended to Lancer during his first few years as my brother was too busy working.

Lancer was well-travelled. He had been to our property in Rizal (one hour from Manila) several times. He also went with us on a 7-hour trip to Atimonan, Quezon. He enjoyed swimming with my father in the saltwater there. I know he was extremely happy then.

He also loved our tricycle. He knew how to enjoy the sights while riding it. He barked whenever he saw other dogs because he knew that those bastards wouldn't be able to catch up with him.

There were times we thought we had lost of him. A car ran over him and he survived. He had an ear infection and he survived. He was a small dog and fought with other dogs and he survived. He would sometimes return home from days of fucking bitches in our neighborhood. He always came back home.

Today, he passed away. I am terribly sorry that I was not there. I miss you, Lancer.

Where do I put my DVDs?

I will be gone for two months so it is practical for me to leave my apartment. Problem is I already accumulated a lot of things in two years. Another big problem is I brought all of my DVDs here in Bangkok so I am faced with the huge task for storing them.

It sounds silly but you have to see how big my collection is. It is more than a suitcase! These are not clothes but discs and cardboard so it is really really heavy.

Yesterday, I updated my catalogue and it is more than 220 titles. I am not talking about the number of DVDs because some of the titles can have as many as 4 discs. I am sure this is heavier than I am (on a good day).

What do I do?