Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

The Last Airbender

Hehehe…

Summer 2010

In the mood for

Rock… Yep… Hahaha…

It begins…

Borrowing the title from one of the more popular forumers at what was once my favorite forum – The Wheel of Time Book Forum – I cannot wait to lay my hands on this book.

First review about the new WoT book – The Gathering Storm.

If you will permit me (and I hope the author will pardon me) to quote a few of the things he said:

“The Gathering Storm is, in my opinion, quite easily one of the most intense and exciting books in the entire Wheel of Time series. Yes, you read that right. I avoided writing this review right after I finished reading. Instead, I purposely waited some time to let the initial rush and enjoyment wear off. It certainly has cooled a great deal, but I can still say with grounded and sober confidence that the book is outstanding. I would rank it up there in the top 4 in the series along with The Shadow Rising, The Fires of Heaven, and The Great Hunt. Pacing-wise, I would agree with Brandon Sanderson’s statement that it’s similar to books 4-6 in the series.”

Did your interest in the WoT just got piqued again? I would hope so. Normally, I don’t rely on book reviews, only on book synopsis and summaries and use my own judgment in deciding whether to buy a book or not, or whether to classify a book as worthy to read or worth it’s value.

This time around, I will violate my own rule…. Why? Because I have been so thirsty for any news about the Wheel of Time series. These books are one of most engaging fictional stories I’ve ever read – and believe my, I’ve read a lot – with it’s finely crafted universe and characters.

“So now the other burning question: does this feel like a Robert Jordan novel? Does it have his “voice”? Well, truthfully, I thought the prose stayed very true to previous novels. But ultimately you’re going to be the judge on that. Brandon Sanderson has gone on record several times saying that he is not trying to mimic Robert Jordan’s voice. That doing so would just be parody. What he set out to do, and what I think he accomplished, was to tap into that font of story and events in the universe that previously had been experienced and documented by Robert Jordan. Rather than trying to make himself and his style like RJ, it seems like Brandon put himself into the heart of the saga and allowed himself to be its vessel and storyteller. The result is that this book is clearly and undeniably a novel which belongs in the WoT series.”

See what I mean? Now that my expectations have been set. I will make sure to follow the author’s advice.

See you at the book stores… the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, after all.

President Cory and Climate Change

Got this from Greenpeace Philippines. I don’t know the author’s name but all credits go to Greenpeace (and the author, of course):

President Cory

I was planning to write this at the time when I first heard that President Corazon (or President ‘Cory’ for most of us) Aquino has passed away. But it seems that words to express my sentiments are somehow hard to come by…

…By this time countless articles, blog posts, documentaries  and other likewise tributes that are far better than this post have been published, exhibited, broadcasted and put up online.

However I think for the most part as part of an organization that upholds nonviolence as a philosophy and strategy for environmental and social change, President Cory in a way stands hand-in-hand with the likes of Gandhi and Martin Luther King as a stalwart for the application of the principle of non-violent direct action here in the Philippines especially in her pivotal role in the peaceful uprising that has become known in history as the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Who would have known that a series of nonviolent and prayerful mass street demonstrations in the Philippines that occurred in 1986, will eventually be the inspiration for subsequent non-violent demonstrations around the world including those that ended communist rule in Eastern Europe; or that of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

Those who are familiar with Greenpeace are well aware of our core value that is nonviolence, wherein we employ non-violent confrontation to raise the level and quality of public debate or at times do a direct in order to prevent environmental destruction in hopes that those who have the power to implement meaningful and lasting change would be stirred into action.

President Cory along with the over 2,000,000 Filipinos who faced tanks and toppled a 20-year dictatorship are examples of what can be done if all of us would be stirred with a passion for change.

Now in the face of global climate change, what could be a more fitting tribute to President Cory than to once again stand up and join the global community in turning the Earth, by asking our world leaders to personally make the right deal for the climate this December.

Our best chance to take action against global warming is coming up in December, when the nations of the world gather for a UN Climate summit in Copenhagen.

The world is looking for leaders like President Cory to usher in a new dawn in the struggle to combat climate change.

Join the global movement to save the climate. YoU-Turn the Earth!

This article was first posted here.

I Want

Island of Dreams

I know this is a fictional song about a fictional land… but it’s how you’ll actually feel when you visit the Philippines for the first time (well… most of the time, hehehe)

(I’m so sure about the original lyrics nor the translations. I just got them from here so I can’t possibly be 100% certain)

Yozak’s signature song… Hahaha…

Vandarvia ondo.

[1] Shima no otome ni koi wo surya Vanda kazan mo daifunka Tomo ni umi wa watarenedo Miageru sora ni onaji tsuki (Akorya~) Van Van Vandarvia yume no shima Ichido kitanara wasurarenu~ [2] Shima no musume ga namida surya Vanda ga hama ni nami shibuki Koi no touge wa kosarenedo Miorosu umi ni utsuru tsuki (Akorya~) Van van vandarvia ai no shima Nidome kitanara hanararenu~ [3] Shima no onna ga ai wo shirya Vanda onsen daifunsha Ikina anta wa tabi no hito Jiyuu kimama no nagare boshi (Akorya~) Van van vandarvia yume no shima Sando kitanara kaerarenu~ [4] Shima no wakoudo yume wo mirya Vanda hatoba ni fune ga tsuku Itsuka itoshii ano ko nimo Misete yaritai niji no hashi (Akorya~) Van van vandarvia ai no shima Yottsu de toutou torawareru~ [5] Shima no meoto ga musubarerya Vanda kaidou hanazakari Ureshi hazukashi soineshite Tomo ni miageyo onaji tsuki (Akorya~) Van van vandarvia takara jima Yumemi gokochi de hito odori~

[1] If you fall in love with a girl from the island Vanda volcano will also greatly erupt Saying that she can’t cross the ocean with you To the sky we look up is the same old moon (Hey~) Van van vandarvia island of dreams Once you come you’ll never forget~ [2] If the daughter from the island cries Vanda will splash waves on its shore Having to pass the ridges of love Overlooking on the ocean is the reflection of the moon (Hey~) Van van vandarvia island of love The second time you come around you’ll never be able to stay away~ [3] If the woman from the island falls in love Vanda hot springs will greatly spray You, who is of purity, is a traveler A shooting star of freedom and willfulness (Hey~) Van van vandarvia island of dreams The third time you come around you’ll never go back~ [4] If the youngster of the island has a dream A boat will dock at its Vanda wharf One day to that beloved brothel girl A rainbow bridge that you’re dying to show her (Hey~) Van van vandarvia island of love By the fourth time you come around, you’ll be captivated~ [5] If the married couple of the island tie the knot Vanda highway will be in full bloom Happily and shyly sleeping together Let us look up together at the same old moon (Hey~) Van van vandarvia treasure island Let us dance with the feeling of having a dream~