Category Archives: Entertaining Angels

525,600 Minutes

RENT

525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes – how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes – how do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? How about love?
Measure in love. Seasons of love.

I thought I’d go all cliche with the start of this post and quote the most popular song (is it?) from the musical to start this post. I’ve heard this song so much for how many years but I never knew where it came from until my best friend told me about it. Yes, I’ve been hiding under a rock.

So yesterday, my friends and I glammed up and headed to Carlos P. Romulo theater in RCBC Plaza in Makati to watch 9works Theatrical’s staging of Rent. Okay, so I glammed up — I just felt like being girly because I was at the theater. It’s just right to wear a dress for the theater, right? :P

Dress up :P

But anyway, that’s not the point of this review.

I’m not exactly a longtime fan of Rent, so I went to watch the play with no expectations. I didn’t even read about the story, and all I knew about it was there was a group of people renting an apartment. I didn’t know who the characters were. All I know what that song up there. Because of these known facts, I don’t really think I can give a full-theater review of Rent (then again, I’m no theater expert anyway), so I’ll just write them all down in bullets for easier reading:

  • The Story. Rent is definitely not a play for kids, with all the serious issues that it discusses within the musical. I had a hard time digesting/processing what the story was about at the first half of the play because I had no idea what it was about, but as the second act came, I started to understand the story. Lots of issues came up: AIDS/HIV, homosexuality, drugs, relationships, and ultimately, love.I remember my mom telling me that the only cure for AIDS was love. Back then, I thought love could be bottled up and be given to the people with AIDS to drink (like paracetamols or colon cleansing pills) — I know it’s kind of cheesy — and be healed, as in be rid of AIDS forever. Of course love couldn’t be bottled, but until now I believe that people with AIDS need love first and foremost. I think that’s what the story of Rent tells us: that these people need love. Hence the song, right?Although the story wasn’t as lighthearted as Avenue Q, I enjoyed the story of Rent. My heart broke for Angel, and I got frustrated with Roger and Mimi, and overall, the ending gave me a good and positive feeling inside.

    Favorite scenes/songs: Another Day, La Vie Bohème, Seasons of Love, Without You

  • The Characters. Rent showcases a colorful cast of characters — from the preppy observer Mark to the rocker Roger, to the prim and strict Joanne to the wild Maureen and Mimi, to the somewhat inconsistent Benny. It’s the first musical I ever watched that had both gay and lesbian couples, and “parents” on answering machines.I really liked the character of Mark, who acted as the narrator/observer among the cast of characters. Mark may seem like an outsider as he films/comments on things, and it may seem like he has no issues in life until his roommate Roger brings it up. However, I kind of like that he didn’t seem to have too many hang-ups, especially about romance, even if his ex Maureen did leave him for a woman.

    But the favorite character there? Hands down, it was Angel. He/she is the character that is everyone’s friend, which makes him/her more important and his/her absence feels more poignant over the other characters.

  • The Manila Cast. I’m always in awe of theater actors because acting onstage is not as easy as it looks. It always amazes me how much effort comes with every performance, which is always fresh and on the spot, unlike for movie/TV actors. That said, I think the entire cast of Rent in Manila did a great job with their performances. Granted, there could still be things to improve on — like maybe the chemistry of some of the cast with one another, or maybe a way for some of the cast to “rise” above the others so they wouldn’t be overshadowed by the other characters — but it’s still a good show, nonetheless. I would still urge you to catch its last run this weekend. I’m not exactly raving about it like I did the Altar Boyz, but the fact that I actually took the time to blog about it means I liked it a lot. :)

So yeah. Rent was good. :) Watch it — there are still shows this weekend. I’m serious, don’t miss it.

Up next on the shows to watch list: Avenue Q (another run whee!), and possibly Legally Blonde on June. See where my money is going? Heh.

Love Song

I love this song. Seriously, seriously love this song. This song can bring a smile to my face, eliminating the need for any of the best face cream. It’s such a cheerful song, but means a lot deeper — something I can relate too, as well. :P Thank you, Jana, for telling me about this. :D

Love Song
Sara Bareilles (Little Voice)

Head under water
And you tell me to breathe easy for a while
The breathing gets harder, even I know that
Made room for me but it’s too soon to see
If I’m happy in your hands

I’m unusually hard to hold on to
Blank stares at blank pages
No easy way to say this
You mean well, but you make this hard on me
I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you asked for it
’cause you need one, you see

I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you tell me it’s
Make or break in this
If you’re on your way
I’m not gonna write you to stay
If all you have is leaving I’m gonna need a better
Reason to write you a love song today

I learned the hard way
That they all say things you want to hear
And my heavy heart sinks deep down under you and
Your twisted words,
Your help just hurts
You are not what I thought you were
Hello to high and dry
Convinced me to please you
Made me think that I need this too
I’m trying to let you hear me as I am

I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you asked for it
’cause you need one, you see
I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you tell me it’s
Make or break in this
If you’re on your way
I’m not gonna write you to stay
If all you have is leaving I’m gonna need a better
Reason to write you a love song today

Promise me that you’ll leave the light on
To help me see with daylight, my guide, gone
’cause I believe there’s a way you can love me
Because I say
I won’t write you a love song
’cause you asked for it
’cause you need one, you see

I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you tell me it’s make or break in this
Is that why you wanted a love song
’cause you asked for it
’cause you need one, you see
I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you tell me it’s make or break in this
If you’re on your way
I’m not gonna write you to stay
If your heart is nowhere in it
I don’t want it for a minute
Babe, I’ll walk the seven seas when I believe that
There’s a reason to
Write you a love song today

Happy weekend, everyone. :)

God Gave Me You

I was all set to sleep last night to start my early day today, but this tweet woke me up:

God Gave Me You

That certainly woke me up. Guess who immediately went to iTunes store and bought the track?

A.D.D. Moment: I love that my dad has a US iTunes account that I use and is linked to his Paypal (where most my blog earnings are going). :D It gives me access to these music and I can support the artists I love.

In a few minutes, I was listening to his new song and swooning. If we weren’t about to sleep, I would have been squealing like an idiot too. :p I think I played the song five times last night until I fell asleep! Ah Dave, I love you so. ♥

Gaaah. I can’t wait for the new album. This will definitely give me more reasons to look forward to April!

Now excuse me, I’ll go back to listening to the song for the nth time. :P

God Gave Me You - Dave BarnesGod Gave Me You

Dave Barnes
Album: What We Want, What We Get (out April 6, 2010)

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
& I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could baby, never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you.

EDIT! I still can’t get enough of the song, and because of that, here’s a video. ♥

[youtube Ym5HqErLgYQ]

On "Legion" and Why It Bothered Me

When I first saw the poster of this movie, I was curious. Angels and the apocalypse and all that? Hm, this should be a good and interesting movie, right?

So I finally watched it today and I came out of the cinema, and all I could ask was, “HUH?”

Quick background on the movie: God is fed up with humans, so he’s sending the angels to exterminate the people. Archangel Michael defies this order and goes down to protect the baby that Charlie, a waitress in a dusty middle-of-nowhere diner is having, because this baby will save humanity.

If you’ve seen the trailer, it pretty much showed the entire story. There were lots of possessions, lots of guns and fancy flights and fights of Michael and Gabriel.

And that’s just about it.

I wish there was more, but really, that’s it. It was nice to see the angels, but everything else was, well, bad.

For one thing, I felt that a lot of things weren’t explained to me in the movie. So okay, Michael went down to make sure the baby lives. Why is the baby supposed to die? Why should he live? What’s going to happen if he lives? I didn’t get any answer at all, except that Michael tells Charlie, “Show him the way.” Then he tells Jeep, “Read the books, look for the prophets!” What? That just left me scratching my head when the movie was finished. Huh.

And what really bothered me there was how Michael seemed to be more “loving” than God. He said something about how he didn’t lose faith in humanity even if God did, and at the end, when he gave God what he needed. I’m all, “HUH?” I know this movie is just fiction, but how God was portrayed bothered me immensely. The God I know and believe is not like that, and none of His angels, even if it were St. Michael, cannot be more loving than He is.

Come on now. Besides, I don’t think Michael would defy God…and I don’t think God would ever make an order like that. Not the God I know and believe in, the one who sent Jesus to die for our sins. There’s just no way.

Sorry, that just bothered me. It’s not a movie I’d recommend to watch, but if you’re curious with the story and you want to watch lots of guns and weird zombie-like possessed people, well, go ahead. :P In all fairness, Paul Bettany did good in his role, and that’s just about it. I still think they could have done a better story.

Okay now that I’ve written a blog post about the movie, I can now sleep. :P

First Quarter Pauper

Hi, I’m not so sick anymore. *cue cheers here* I even managed to get a work out today, hurray!

So today, while I was taking a shower, I was thinking of getting a new MacBook Pro. Why? Because…well, it’s comparably cheaper than it was a few years ago — heck, the 13″ in MacBook Pro is even cheaper now than when I bought my black MacBook back in 2007. So I was thinking of selling my MacBook and buying a new one (still naming it Aslan because I love that name) and…that’s it. Why? Well, just because. I know, I know, not so smart; it’s just a want, not a need.

But after much thinking, I realized that I don’t think I’ll be able to afford it this year. Okay, I may be able to afford it, but it’s just not prudent to do so this year (did I use the word correctly?). There are all these other expenses that I need to attend to first, like getting new clothes (yes, it’s a need now), paying off debts, sponsoring another child, trips with friends, and there’s my brother’s wedding this year too, where I promised to pay for the flowers. So…it’s really not wise to buy something that expensive when the one I have right now can serve me just as well as a new one can. Plus…okay, I don’t really need it anyway. I use it only for my stories other personal stuff, and I have Teo to use while I am at work — laptops provided by companies that provides IT Jobs are pretty powerful too, if you ask me.

I decided then to put it off one more year and just get it for myself on my 25th birthday in 2011 (gasp!), if I still feel like getting one. Things could change, you know.

Then I thought of what’s one thing we need at home? Aha! A PRINTER! The old printer we have at home is not really working anymore, plus I hate that when one of the cartridges runs out of ink the printer won’t print anymore — EPSON, why so? I don’t really do much printing at home, but my mom does, especially when my dad sends stuff. Plus it would be nice to print the right stuff correctly at home and not anywhere else, if you get what I mean.

Oh and I’d like to print my novel too, when I get it done. And put it in a binder and have an actual printed copy I can go through and edit after.

So how much are HP printers nowadays? I like HP because the draft setting of their printers doesn’t look like draft at all, but like normal print. I know, HP cartridges can be very expensive, but then their inks last a long time, right?

But you know what, that isn’t really the point of this post. Heh, got you there. I just felt like rambling.

After thinking of all those want-to-buys and fueling my gadget thirst this early in the year…I realized I need to focus on the immediate things first, which are the things I have decided to splurge on in the next two months. I have to stress the “splurge” because it’s not a need…or wait, it can be a need, since it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I mean…well, it’s hard to justify, but it really is a once in a lifetime thing and I don’t want to miss these.

First off:

BACKSTREET BOYS IN MANILA IN FEBRUARY 27.

Backstreet Boys

If you don’t know these guys, it means I’m getting old. Or you’re just young. But anyway, it’s Backstreet Boys! They’re the first band I really liked, Nick Carter was my first biggest celebrity crush, and I wrote stories about these guys. The last time they were here (still with Kevin), I missed the concert because I had a  YFC planning that night and I didn’t have the money. I can’t miss this now.

Of course, tickets are expensive:

  • Patron VIP (Reserved Seating) P4,760
  • Patron (Reserved Seating) P4,280
  • Lower Box (Reserved Seating) P3,810
  • Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) P2,860
  • Upper Box B P960
  • Gen. Admission P480

But it’s not like I need to see them up close. Okay, maybe I want to, but I’ve grown up from the last time I fangirled over them, and honestly, Upper B is okay, just like when I watched Lifehouse in Manila two years ago.

Fine, laugh all you want. It’s the Backstreet Boys, and 90’s music is not the same without them!

I justified this expense for myself by the way: it’s my post-Valentine’s Day gift for myself. Yay. Grace, Jana, lessgooooow!

And next.

PARAMORE IN MANILA ON MARCH 9.

Look how cute they are here There is no way I can miss this one. How many times have I just listened to Paramore songs all day? When I work out? When I’m feeling angry? When I’m feeling emo and melancholic? Sometimes when I’m even cheerful? Heck, I was listening to Paramore’s Brand New Eyes when we were cleaning the house after Ondoy!

So there is really no way that I’m missing Paramore’s first concert in Manila. I’m even willing to splurge more for this. Look at these ticket prices:

  • GOLD: Php 3,950.00
  • SILVER: Php 1,550.00
  • BRONZE: Php550.00

I’ve been to MOA’s concert grounds during the Katy Perry/Mae concert, and it’s free standing, so to get the really best place there, you really have to be early. Even early enough to hear their sound check, right Happs? ;) There’s no way I’m settling for less with this concert — Gold all the way! :)

Oh, and there are VIP tickets available for this concert…but I don’t think it’s worth it for the price.

Two other things about this concert: (1) it’s on a Tuesday night and (2) How many Twilight fans do you think will watch this concert all because of Decode?

Hm.

Oh and justification for this concert? My early birthday gift to myself. :)

So see, the first quarter of 2010 is kind of making me a pauper already, just thinking about it. Not to mention there’s the Century Tuna Run on February, Avenue Q on March…and what else? Ah see. I think I’m going to start bringing lunches to work, and stop riding cabs. And stop impulse buying on books when I don’t really need them (yeah right).

Sigh. I’m happy though, because it means I can afford these things and it means I’m being provided for, and it means I’m blessed enough to be single (yes!) and have the finances to pay for these things…and enjoy life. Jehovah-jireh, right?

You know what, I should get back to work. :P

Hello, Hurricane

Hello, world!

I meant to post soon again after my last post, but work and my new shift got in the way. When the weather is like this, I like being on day shift, but my body clock is making it hard for me to adjust. I realized when I was looking in the mirror after my work out earlier that the dark circles under eye are back. Hello, eyebags.

On another note, Switchfoot released their latest studio album last week, entitled Hello Hurricane. Remember those Mess of Me CDs that I hid a couple of months ago (where did those go, anyway?) ? This is where this song is included.

Hello Hurricane
I bought the deluxe version of the album through iTunes (of course, get the real thing!) when it was released and listened to them in passing. Then I was distracted by Mae, so it took only today to really listen to this new album.

Then I read the story about what the title track was about from Jon Foreman himself…and guess who almost started crying? (Emphasis mine, btw)

This is a subject matter that I speak of with holy reverence. Having grown up on the East Coast I know firsthand of the houses lost, of the dreams turned into nightmares. I take my shoes off and recognize that this is a matter that is dear to our nation, especially of late- with every passing hurricane season. Last year, with Habitat for Humanity we helped to build a house for a woman who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane had taken her city, her house, and her leg. As she relocated to Baton Rouge and learned how to walk as an amputee, her mantra was this: “I walked out of my house and my life in New Orleans on my own legs, I’m going to walk into this one the same way.” This is the spirit that I wanted to capture with this song, and moreover with this record. The storms of life might take my house, my loved ones, or even my life- but they cannot silence my love.

Yes, the reactionary impulses of hate, fear, and despair really are defenseless against the storms of this life. And yet, this selfless love really might be stronger than death. Perhaps, the kingdom of the heavens really is at hand, ready to give, ready to love. And with this love as my song I will overcome. In surrender to divine love I will find my strength. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love another.”

After everything that has happened, this song is just so fitting. Hello hurricane, you’re not enough, you can’t silence my love.

If you haven’t gotten the album yet…well get it! :-) Seriously. I hope the CDs get here to the Philippines, everyone could use the hope that Switchfoot sings about in this album.

Hello Hurricane
Switchfoot, Hello Hurricane

I’ve been watching the skies
they’ve been turning blood red
not a doubt in my mind anymore
there’s a storm up ahead
hello hurricane
you’re not enough
hello hurricane
you can’t silence my love
I’ve got doors and windows
boarded up
all your dead end fury is
not enough
you can’t silence my love
every thing I have I count as loss
everything I have is stripped away
before I started building
I counted up these costs
there’s nothing left for you to take away
hello hurricane
you can’t silence my love
I’m a fighter fighting for control
I’m a fighter fighting for my soul
everything inside of me surrenders
you can’t silence my love
hello hurricane
you can’t silence my love

Happy Switchyear!

Day 10This night two years ago, I was in Cuneta Astrodome, screaming/singing my lungs out as Switchfoot rocked the house. :D I was also very tired that day, from lack of sleep and lack of food, because we had to arrange everything for the concert. Wait, let me correct that — I was tired for almost an entire month because of all the ticket selling too! But then again, I don’t think I felt the exhaustion until after the concert.

Switchfoot in Manila (Photo by Andy Barron)
Switchfoot in Manila (Photo by Andy Barron)

So. Where were you last September 10, 2007? :)

* * *

It’s been two years and that night still ranks as one of my favorite nights. There’s something about the rush of the event, the excitement and the busy-ness of a concert night, not to mention really nice and humble and awesome artists to make a night memorable, you know?

I’m listening to their albums right now, and I have to say — I missed them! Their stay here two years ago was just too short, plus I haven’t been listening to their albums for a while, so this is the right night to listen to them again, me thinks.

And what do you know, they’re releasing a new album soon!  Hello Hurricane, out November 10, 2009! :)

As a treat, Switchfoot has been hiding copies of their first single, Mess Of Me around the world. I was wondering how it would get to the Philippine shores so I tweeted to them…and what do you know, they’re giving away the single on Twitter, too!

But, there’s a catch. Once they send you the track, you should burn it in a CD and hide it in your area for other people to find and do the same thing too. Kind of like a modern scavenger hunt, only with one item. :)

Mess of Me :D
Mess of Me :D

I was thrilled to get a direct message from Switchfoot, but it took me a few days before I actually got to burn CDs and hide them. Sorry, it’s been a long time since I last burned CDs, and work was horrendous. Anyway, I finally got to burn some CDs before the long weekend. And I only got to find it a hide all of them today (yeah, I know):

The Hunt for Mess of Me
The Hunt for Mess of Me

Left to right, top to bottom, the CDs are:

  • In the back issue magazine stand in a small Booksale branch in Sta Lucia East Grand Mall — look for the Jonas Brothers. :P
  • In between two Stargirl books in National Bookstore Cybermall, in Eastwood, Libis.
  • Near the beverage area in the Fitness First lounge in Robinson’s Metro East (you’d have to be a member to get in, though).
  • In the Bearista basket in Starbucks, Eastwood Mall.

I wish I could’ve gone to more places to hide the CDs, because I really wanted to have more people have them, but alas, I am challenged with the transportation. Oh well. But I know more people has them, so keep your eyes peeled, you might just get a free CD. :)

But if you can’t find them, fear not. The guys have made a video for the song and you can watch it here:

[youtube]y9lg7Utdnyk[/youtube]

Told you they’re awesome. :)

Manila misses you already Switchfoot! Come back soon! :)

10/30.

09-09-09

Day 9I really planned to do something special today, just because it’s 09/09/09…but I can’t find anything special in my day at all. Except maybe taking another route on the way to work. Or eating at Jollibee again after…what, a month and a half? Or…hiding another CD of Switchfoot’s Mess of Me (more on this tomorrow :D).

I don’t know…I guess my lack of spontaneity makes me suck at things like this. Or, maybe it’s really just the rain that makes me too lazy to think of things to do.

These days are what digital cameras are made for, you know to document the days. But if there’s nothing special happening on that day…what do you do?

Ho-hum. This Tina, whattabore.

Then again last year’s 08-08-08 entry was kind of a bore, too. But at least I had pictures…except I didn’t have any pictures of me.

I swear, 10-10-10 will be different.

But anyway. In the spirit of it being 09-09-09, here are 9 things that…well…just 9 things:

  1. Noynoy to run for president in 2010. This is something I kind of expected already (even if something inside of me is wishing he’d say no…just so it would be more interesting, I guess). I’ll reserve whatever opinions I have for another post. I’m not always apathetic, you know. Which reminds me, I still plan to write more about my being a registered voter.
  2. I Has A Hotdog and friends declared this day as “A Day Without Cats“. I Can Has Cheezburger is not hearing of it though. ;) I’m more of a cat  person, really, but I’d choose another path today and go for…foxes. Sorry, this image is just too hilarious not to share:

    Firefox Rejects your Search Request

  3. The salad I’m supposed to have for dinner is wilting, I think. I’ve switched to eating salads for dinner because I tend to eat a lot at dinner, and my nutritionist advised me to focus on veggies and fruits for my last meal of the day. I’ve done good so far…I think. I’ll know my results tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll break the 10-lbs weight loss goal by tomorrow. Wish me luck. :)I should eat this salad now, I think.
  4. This is probably the funniest discovery for the day: The Drama Button. We’ve been playing this randomly for the day — what a way to spice up conversations. :P
  5. Stop and ListenBethany Dillon, one of my favorite female singers, released a new album today! It’s been a while since her Waking Up album, and I can’t wait to hear what she has for this one. Another album I’m looking forward to being released this month is Paramore‘s Brand New Eyes.  I’m in dire need of new music. It’s been a while since I loaded some new songs in my iPod. What albums are you waiting for to be released now? Any recommendations? :)
  6. Speaking of songs…here’s a song suggestion from my friend Cors. Talk about complimenting my waiting posts. Hah.

    [youtube]xyzuMqNwJoQ[/youtube]

    Lyrics here. But, I will choose to not feel sorry for myself, even if I can relate to the song. In God’s perfect time. Amen.

  7. Speaking of hope, and something like that…here’s a happy little image from icanread. :) It is a happy thought, don’t you think?

    Happy Thought :)
    Happy Thought :)
  8. I just remembered, there’s something else to look forward to during September: Manila International Book Fair! Wohoo! Bookworm’s dreams! Strangely enough, I don’t really have any to-buy  books. I’m just planning to go to MIBF this year to scout stuff and see if I can get good deals on some books that I don’t really have to have. Did that make sense? Anyway, while we’re at it…any book recommendations? :) Post away!
  9. Wow, we’re at the ninth item. I didn’t know it was that hard to think of 9 things. :P Since it’s been raining so much lately, here’s a little quote for everyone — I heard it from Lifeteen.com‘s Sunday Sunday Sunday podcast (which you should subscribe to, because it’s awesome :D):

    Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s learning how to dance in the rain.

    True. :)

And…that’s nine things. :) There’s only two hours of 09/09/09 left in the Philippines, but I know other parts of the world are just starting their 09/09/09. Wherever you are, I hope you had an interesting one. :)

9/30.

Lovable Oddballs

day1One thing I forgot to mention on my gushing rave review about Pixar’s Up was the new short animated film that played before the movie: Partly Cloudy. In case you didn’t catch it, here’s a video:

[youtube]O0JdaUiPmQU[/youtube]

In case that doesn’t load for you, or if you’re too lazy to watch (gasp! Don’t be!), here’s the story of Partly Cloudy (skip this part if you don’t want to read).  It’s about cloud people who creates babies, puppies, kittens and all kinds of nice and sweet baby stuff and the storks who deliver them. Out of all the cloud people, there’s a darker cloud named Gus, who creates the babies who are, well, less lovable. Like a baby crocodile, or a baby bighorn sheep, or a baby porcupine (thanks, Wikipedia). His delivery stork, Peck, gets stuck with all the deliveries and grows wary with every delivery, and seems envious with his fellow stork who gets to deliver the cuddly and safe babies. When Gus creates a baby shark, Peck flies away to another cloud, as if to leave Gus behind. Gus throws a fit, but then Peck returns with protective gear, proving that he won’t be abandoning Gus.

To be honest, this part of the short film almost made me cry. There was something so lovable about Gus, about how proud he was with every baby he makes. The way his eyes lights up with excitement with every baby, the way he seems to be genuinely happy in creating the little oddballs that other people would think is harmful or icky or scary.

And there’s also the way he hugs Peck, how his eyes widen with concern everytime Peck returns and looks distraught. I guess Gus must have known that he’s giving Peck a hard time with the deliveries, but he still can’t stop making the little oddballs he makes because that’s what he’s supposed to do.

I think it’s sweet. Peck’s return was the clincher in the short, like he’s saying, “I’m not leaving you, buddy.” Which he probably is, if he could speak. And even if what Gus handed him next still managed to hurt him, he was still there to stick by Gus, no matter what.

Ah, to have someone (or some people) who will stick by you, regardless of whatever odd things you do. If you have at least one person in your life like that, well, you’re very blessed. :)

Okay, someone’s being a bit too mushy, I think. It’s probably the hormones speaking now. :P But we could all learn a lot from Gus and Peck up there. :)

1/30.

Up (2009)

The Cast of Pixar's Up
The Cast of Pixar's Up

I watched Up earlier today with Gel and Cors (thanks again Gel, for earlier :D), and I asbolutely loved it. I’m a big fan of Pixar films, and most of my favorite movies are Pixar animated films — Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, Cars, Wall-E to name a few. But Up just blew me away.

Up‘s trailer really does not do justice to the film. I was expecting something just simply comical, like what you see is what you get type after I saw the trailer and nothing really with the story. I was prepared to be amazed at the animation, and the funny moments and just that. But Up has a cute little story, and solid story arcs for each of the characters in the movie that it all just blends together beautifully. I can’t even decide which of the main characters is my favorite…but I’d have to say I’m partial to Dug the dog. Especially after you hear him say this after Carl drives him away by telling him he’s a bad dog:

I slept under your porch because I love you.

It makes me want to hug my pet dogs again. :)

It’s just simply wonderful, including the little background music they play everytime Carl remembers Ellie. :) Awww, to have a love that lasts like that. ♥

And this is probably the second Pixar film that made me tear up (first was Cars)! Not only once, but twice! It’s such a great movie, really, and I can’t wait to watch it again in 3D this weekend. :) If you haven’t watched it yet…well, what are you waiting for? Watch!

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