The Vintage Contemporaries Reader

My book # 2 for 2007 is The Vintage Contemporaries Reader. I''ve already read some of the stories here elsewhere, like the the opening chapter from Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City, which I really liked. There's also David Guterson's "Piranhas" and excerpts from Sandra Cisneros' House on Mango Street.

But I'm really pleased with my new discoveries, however admittedly late in the game, like Ann Beattie's "What Was Mine," where a man goes to pick up some things which an "uncle" left him in his will. What amazes me is the economy and fluidity of the story. How it builds a world and the relationship of the people in that world.

I also liked Raymond Carver's "Why, Honey?" where a mother recalls the acts of a son which were suspicious at the time, but she didn't have the heart to confront him. Now that she's in danger, there's that palpable sense of threat and she can only ask why though perhaps it's already too late.

The anthology gives you a good look at the fiction produced in America in the last couple of decades, and I suppose it's just fitting that it closes with a story from McInerney, "How It Ended." It is a fitting end, though the story asks you to really suspend disbelief about a former golden boy who has escaped drug dealing and prison in Cuba and now wants to be a lawyer. All in all, a very good read.

Blow

Don't look now--or maybe you should look now, and be careful--but blow drying is back "after the big hair boom of the early 80s."

This Guardian article by Paula Cocozza traces the blow dry's fall from grace since then: the introduction of the shampoo+conditioner in the late 80s designed to speed up the trip from shower to street, to the rise of grunge, then came the gradual sneaking in with Jennifer Aniston's Rachel haircut. Cocozza says that the Rachel isn't really about the cut itself but the styling--the focus is on straightening, not volume.

I suppose on this side of the universe, the straightening aspect is more pronounced. There's also rebonding trend since the early 2000s, which I think caught on because of a certain group of Taiwanese boys, and now we have been rebonded to death. But now, I see more girls with curlier hair, or if not that, a more obviously stylized look.

Now don't ask me why I know all this. I myself am not given to sitting down in salon chairs. But every once in a while, it does feel nice to have someone else take care of your own hair. And it's better if the entire thing can be done in the span of time that one conducts a quick text conversation. Danier Hersheson credits the return of blow drying to convenience, a kind of "hairdressing meets Starbucks." The moment a person leaves that chair in a "hair spa," what she gets is her dream hair-something that she didn't think she even had. A blow dry without shampooing costs a hundred in a neighborhood parlor, more if you go to a more established place. But if you are determined, you can find a place that can give you a good hair day for the amazing price of fifty pesos. We acquire glamour for a short period of time and at a good price. Cocozza calls this "the commodification of hair - hair that has been given a name, turned into something we can buy."

The article ends with how to do a great blow dry at home. Cocozza warns us: "Don't touch blow-dried hair." It's as if it will blow up if you do touch it. But if you really must, then proceed with caution as though you're dealing with a landmine: "If you need to get it out of your eyes, flick it by moving your head. If you must touch it, put your hand under the back of your hair and flick from underneath."

200 calories

What does 200 calories look like? Some wise geeks opened their pantry and clicked their digicams and this is what we get.





I heart my chocolate too. Too bad they don't have photos of what I really eat.



I'm just like any girl who likes her donut, especially since Krispy Kremes came to town. But looking at their selections, which seemed like you take one bite and all your arteries will freeze and you'll keel over. Anyway, will stick to the glazed, and leave one bite on the plate for an exact 200 calories.

Seven Signs of the Anti-Aging Apocalypse, Not

I was about to pick up this tube of eye cream when someone tapped my wrists. "What did you do that for?" I said.

"What do you need this for?" my friend said.

"Dark circles under the eyes? Look," I said.

"I don't see anything," she said. "You don't need it." This coming from someone with an entire closet full of skin care products.

Perhaps she's on the right track. Apparently, dermatologists are now advocating a "cosmetics restriction diet," which means going back to basics: get a mild cleanser and an effective sunscreen, then if you're really paranoid about the skin around your eyes or spots, then perhaps a product that caters to that.

Meanwhile, scientists have also identified that part of our brains which tell us we should buy the product. It's the same voice that convinces us that it's not just about having fair enough skin. Now they get you into the program by telling you skin aging starts as early as 23. Sounds effective, because every other ad on television is meant to battle the seven or eight--whatever--signs of early aging.

Heck, it's not even a battle anymore: it's a full scale war. It's not just about skincare products. Everywhere you look, there's bound to be an ad. It's inescapable. What are we to do?

Maybe we should just all close our eyes and say yes to the sunscreen. Nyar.

The History of the Burgis

Because it's 3am and I'm still up and restless, I decided to post the first book I read for the year: "The History of the Burgis" by Mariel Francisco and Fe Maria Arriola. I got this in one of the bookshops in Cubao X, aka the Marikina Shoe Expo. I've been eyeing it for quite some time, but the price tag kept me off it, until last month I gave in and got it.

Traces the history of social injustice in the country, the evolution of the classes and how the datus became the principalia became the ilustrado became the professional became the burgis, etc etc. Very informative, very fun, with lots of illustrations and stand alone articles. Useful political commentary. Huge chunk devoted to post-war, especially the Martial Law years. May seem a bit outdated since this came out after the first Edsa Revolution, but the non-surprising thing is that most of it still holds: 90% of the population is still poor, and the top 2% still controls the wealth of the nation.

Interesting bit: the peso to dollar exchange rate at the time of Diosdado Macapagal was Php2 = $1. Because of the conditions of the IMF/WB, the peso was devalued to Php3.90 = $1. Why does this sound so familiar?

Giant Squid Live!

A team of Japanese researchers had successfully filmed a live giant squid in the waters of Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo. The female squid measured 24ft. long and still not fully grown. The scientists, lead by Tsunemi Kubodera of the National Science Museum, said it was relatively small in terms of giant squid standards. "The longest on record is 60 feet," Kubodera said. (O di ba may kung beauty pageant ito ng mga giant squid di siya mananalo dahil bansot siya. Shyet.)

According to this report by the Associated Press, giant squid (genus Architeuthis) are the "world's largest invertebrates. Because they live in the depths of the ocean, they have long been wrapped in mystery and embellished in the folklore of sea monsters, appearing in ancient Greek myths." The giant squid is perhaps related to the myth of the Kraken, or the many-armed sea monster.

The Japanese team's video is said to be the first. There weren't too many sightings of these giant squid, although its existence is accepted in the scientific community. The researchers also said that the giant squid aren't really going to be extinct, just hard to document since they live really far from the sea surface. But this particular squid they got by following a sperm whale. The report from Washington Post also said that by finding an area where whales fed, he believed he could find the animals. He also said that, judging by the number of whales that feed on them, there may be many more giant squid than previously thought. Here's a photo of a sperm whale fighting off a giant squid:



The news of the squid's capture (and eventual death) brought back memories of reading Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." And since it really just had to be Japanese, it made me think of Godzilla or even Shaider. Or the Biomen. Anything with big monsters fighting robots or boys in huge flying mechanical parts.

You can also read more about giant squid sightings here.

Looking for Satrapi

After devouring Art Spiegelman's The Complete Maus (and previously Pekar's American Splendor), I find myself wanting to explore the comic book as autobiography. But just when I've finally decided to get the Marjane Satrapi books, Powerbooks and Fully Booked pulled them out of their shelves. Usually if it's just out of stock, they would ask you to leave your contact number in case they find a copy in another branch. But this time they told me the books are gone because they're not selling. So sad.

In case you know where I can find available copies of Persepolis, Embroideries and Chicken with Plums, please holler or leave a message here.

I Heart Naydah

Just in case you missed the show last Thursday, some people have already posted snippets from this year's Faculty Follies on YouTube.

Jovy Peregrino did a very awesome job as La Diva. Watch the opening here. He had several costume changes.

The Dean's office was the first to perform, with Galileo Galilee doing "Blue Jeans." By sheer cuteness, he won the year's search for KALkaibang Idol.

The department of Art Studies had a political allegory with Gloriyah singing "My Way."

"I Heart Naydah" 1, 2 is the Department of English's take on (sac)religious Abba and Shaider medley. This is your only chance to see department chair Dr. Naida Rivera singing songs by Abba, Dr. Consolacion Alaras dancing to the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps," and the junior faculty taking off and waving around their brassieres to the tune of the Pussy Cat Dolls' "Doncha." Some wiseass said that the performance should have won Best Portrayal of the Triumph of Women. Nyahaha.

In "Paris, that's hot" the Department of European Languages envisions what would happen to Paris Hilton should she get poor and start working in a call center. Prof. Erwin Bautista dons a blonde wig and four inch heels while sashaying to "Nothing in this world." Fun fun fun, and their call (center) girls can shake it like there's no tomorrow. They won the "Putogenic" award entitling them to a year's supply of puto. But I think they should win for Best Use of Office Equipment.

The Department of Filipino traces the rise and fall of Vina Te, a former porn star trying to stage a comeback. Vina Te was rumored to be actually a man and s/he tries to disprove it by singing Tuesday Vargas's "Di Ako Bakla."

The office of the college secretary had Rhicky Marthin. Ten years after swinging his hips to World Cup theme, he reprises this role amidst a stage full of young men.

The Department of Speech and Theater Arts represented the military with Rambeleena, an operatic diva. They won Best Production for their yards and yards of wavy cloth which covered the entire stage.

All in all, it was a fun (though tiring) experience. Both shows played to a full house, with lots of people sitting in the aisles and laughing their heads off. Our thanks to everyone who supported and helped us with the show, especially to Vlad who tirelessly directed, shot, edited and scored the video and Fairlycloudy, who did our fabulous makeup.

Today with Jolina and Marvin

Around noon, butch_lives messaged me he was having a jologs day. He ate lunch in SM North's food court and saw Jolina Magdangal.

Late in the afternoon, it was my turn to message him. I was having early dinner and I saw Marvin Agustin hanging out outside Sumo Sam, a restaurant he partly owns at the 6th floor of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

For some reason, I can't imagine Marvin Agustin prior to his button down shirt and slacks look. On the other hand, I know she cut her hair and now sports a "glam rock" look, but in my mind, Jolina will always be the girl with bangs and multi-colored hair. They seem to have a lot of fun together, and I suppose that rapport was what made "I Love NY" bearable, if not enjoyable for some people.

Too bad Jolina and Marvin weren't in the same place at the same time for a full 90s flashback.

Faculty Follies 2006

It's been a very busy two weeks. I seem to be part of every committee there is at work. My latest undertaking is the College of Arts and Letters' annual Faculty Follies. This year, they've decided to do a Philippine Idol thing. It's interactive and people get to vote for their idols.

Our group represents the religious sector. Sor Naydah Piñacoolasa sings that the hills are alive with the sound of music, climbs hills, chases tractors, is chased by weird people and does cartwheels around the campus. See your favorite English teacher strip down to the barest essentials. For this, I'm still stitching beadwork on my costume and it's already past midnight.

Please watch the show later at 3pm and 6pm, Thursday, 14 December 2006, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall in UP Diliman.

We'll be very happy if you'd all vote for us. Text "SOR" to 09196087838. Since we're doing so much work for this, we might as well win. We'll be very grumpy next year if we don't win.

PS. Two people from Team Angas have cameos in our video. That's another reason why you should go watch the show, and do vote for us. :)