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[Denise and] Denephew

A pregnant woman gets in a car accident and falls into a deep coma.

Asleep for nearly six months, she wakes up and sees that she is no longer pregnant. Frantically, she asks the doctor about her baby.

The doctor replies, “Ma’am, you had twins! A boy and a girl. The babies are fine. Your brother came in and named them.”

The woman thinks to herself, “Oh no, not my brother… he’s an idiot!” Expecting the worst, she asks the doctor, “Well, what’s the girl’s name?”

“Denise,” the doctor says.

The new mother thinks, “Wow, that’s not a bad name! Guess I was wrong about my brother. I like Denise!” Then she asks the doctor, “What’s the boy’s name?”

The doctor replies, “Denephew.”

It’s a good thing my sister didn’t get into a car accident, get into a coma, had twins, nor relied on her brothers for the baby boy’s name. And so denephew was named Ioan.

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The Da Vinci Code

I’ve always had an interest in the history of religion, particularly that of the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the most powerful unifying and at the same time one of the most divisive forces known to mankind. Empires had risen and fallen. Wars had been fought, won, and lost. All because of religion.

Something as powerful as that would be a natural subject for writers of both fiction and non-fiction. I got started on the latter through the encyclopedia where I got my fill of the Church, the Crusades, the Knight Templars, etc. I got started on the former through David Morrell’s Fraternity of the Stone and Covenant of the Flame. The books, with their with shadowy militant religious orders, captured my imagination. Thus, when Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code came out, I immediately read it and found it reasonably good. It was also controversial because of its subject.

Of course, it’s just a matter of time when movie version comes out. But when it did, I was reluctant about watching it for two reasons: it has Tom Hanks (don’t ask me why) and I’ve already read the book. But I eventually relented for the sake of camaraderie :P

From what I’ve seen, it seems the movie would be a little confusing for those who did not read the book. On the flipside, it is too like the book. So much so that it got a bit dragging and somehow succeeded in becoming boring. Hank’s wooden performance didn’t help either.

Notwithstanding those who always compare the movies to the book and how the movie should be completely faithful to the book, this movie is an argument for keeping the two distinct. The book is a book, the movie is a movie.

One good thing about watching the movie though is that you get to see the things and places in Paris and London mentioned in the book. But that’s about it.

Rating: 2/5

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Why I Need An iPod

I’ve been listening to the car stereo while driving more often these days. I’ve realized how frustrating the experience can often be. First there’s the ads. These aren’t exactly the world’s best radio ads so it’s really not worth listening to. Then there’s the less-than-entertaining DJs. No matter what station you switch to, they all talk and sound the same. Then there’s the crap they force you to listen to. And it’s the same no matter where you go. Case in point, lately they’ve been always playing Barbie Almalbis’ stupid Summer Day. I switch to another station and it’s also the song being played!!! And worse, it is inevitably followed by Kamikazee’s equally stupid First Day High! Argh!!! I need control on what I’m listening to! I need an iPod!

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2006 May 6 to 8 Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Some classmates from MBA and I flew to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for the weekend. It was my first time to Puerto Princesa and my first out-of-town trip for the summer. Needless to say, I was pretty excited. So was everybody. Except for Val and I, they had already gone ahead on the 5th. Val and I were supposed to just catch up with them on the 6th.

Early in the morning of the 6th, I jumped out of bed and drove off to pick up Val. However, when I got to her place, I learned that due to last minute changes in her schedule she won’t be able to make it. It’s a bummer but there’s nothing that can be done about it. So, I went back home, picked up a few things I’ve left behind and then drove to Park ‘N Fly (nice service) where I parked. They then shuttled me to the airport terminal.

Upon checking in at the counter, I learned that the flight was delayed due to a temporary closureof the airport for some government thing. After a looong and boooring wait at the pre-departure area, it was finally boarding time. A short and thankfully uneventful flight later, I was in Puerto Princesa.

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Stardust

Coming from the maker of the Sandman series I was a bit apprehensive about Stardust. But it came highly recommended so I made an effort to turn the cover and then the first page. Then time passed and surprisingly I was at the last page. I guess what I liked about the book is that it evokes, even if only a bit, a sense of wonder and awe that, for example, the Harry Potter series wasn’t able do. Or perhaps it was the fact that I watched instead of read them :P In a way, it’s almost a children’s book if it were not dark and twisted at times. But then the Fairy Tales by the brothers Grimm were also like that, so who am I to say it’s a children’s book? It’s also pretty clever, without appearing contrived. I can’t wait to read Neverwhere and Coraline.

Rating: 4/5