So another New Worlds convention has passed... without me. Sigh. Never mind that. I'm just happy TPTS pulled off another major event without as much trouble as the previous ones had (wala nga ba?). Anyway, if interested, here are some links (mostly albums) related to New Worlds 3.

An article by a TPTS member
New Worlds 3 pictures (lots of them!)

When will NW 4 be, I wonder. Here's hoping I'll be part of it.



Neil Gaiman news: My friend said Fully Booked will be sponsoring Neil's signings and readings during his stay here from July 9-11. Each fan will be allowed to bring 3 books for him to sign. Coincidentally, the Smoke and Mirrors paperback (Neil's compilation of short stores) has been released in the Philippines. If your pocketbook/purse permits, buy it when Neil comes to guarantee your place in one of the readings.

Chicago: Neil will be coming to Chicago for his Anansi Boys tour!!! Oh please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please let me meet him!

More news: Gaiman-iacs in the Philippines are invited to subscribe to the Fullybooked mailing list for the Neil Gaiman signing.



From Neil Gaiman's blog: A collection of postcards containing secrets from people all over the world. Very interesting. Most of these postcards, or rather the secrets within, are very strange, and very... I dunno... human, I guess. It's like a showcase of the very best and the very worst in all of us.

One of my friends asked me to accompany her to a Keane concert in Chicago. I'm not much of a music fiend but I totally trust this friend of mine to have great tastes when it comes to music. My summer schedule wasn't at all interesting so I figured a concert would be enough to spice up an otherwise uneventful and boring summer. I've never heard of the band, and even though I'm wary of trying out and listening to unknowns, I decided to go. It's funny though, because when we went to the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago for the concert, I was unprepared, like a student finding out there's a pop quiz for that day. I never had the chance to listen to their new album. I didn't even know their names and who plays what, much less the lyrics to their songs. That's how unprepared I was. It was kind of embarrassing, to say the least.

Anyway we were one of the first people to arrive, hence, we got the best spots -- right in front of the stage. It was exciting -- my first concert ever and I'm right where the action is. We also found out that they were going to record the whole show for the band's upcoming DVD/new album. Since we're in front, we get first dibs. There was one moment when I panicked because I know the cameraman would like someone who can sing along with the band, dance to the music, or both. Of course, I had to do the dancing since I didn't even know the titles of their songs, much less the lyrics! Had to divert the cameraman's attention right? Picture me, mouthing words I'm not sure are correct, while undulating to Keane's majestic tracks. Lord have mercy.

Hilarious antics aside, I truly enjoyed seeing them onstage and joining the throngs of fans in screaming Tom's name and rocking along with them. I would surely attend another concert, if the opportunity arises once more. I even downloaded their album off of Limewire (and if the budget permits, I'm sure I'm going to grab their albums off of ebay *snicker*).

Lucasfilm, Ltd., 20th Century Fox, Mellow Touch 94.7FM, Hard Rock Cafe, and the New Worlds Alliance, in cooperation with Neutral Grounds, Level Up!, Jollibee, LG, Fully Booked/Simon and Schuster, IBM, and GlobeQUEST bring you "NEW WORLDS EPISODE III: THE 3RD PHILIPPINE SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY CONVENTION". This event, hosted by Star Wars Philippines in celebration of the release of "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith", to be held on May 23-24, 2005 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Ayala Center, Makati, promises to be an exciting one for science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.

Day One, May 23, is Star Wars Day! Attendees will get to witness and participate in many Star Wars-themed activities, and feel the Force of one of the greatest science fantasy sagas to date. Hard core Star Wars fact-philes may want to blast away the competition and bid for galactic supremacy in the "Grand Moff Trivia Game". Witness the heart-stopping live lightsaber fight demonstrations by trained members of Star Wars Philippines. Sit back and relax as you watch fan-made short films in the Star Wars Fanfilm Festival, featuring the works of talented local amateur filmmakers, plus the premiere of the fanfilm, "Twilight Jedi." Enrich your Star Wars knowledge by attending various lectures and discussion forums with topics ranging from costuming, collecting, visual effects in film, mythology, and literature. Feast your eyes on the works of local comic book artists, sculptors, painters, and diorama makers in the Star Wars exhibit; join the on-the-spot Star Wars Art Contest; and watch as a huge Star Wars mural to be created by Alfred Galvez and other mural artists, unfolds before your very eyes! Star Wars is also known for its elaborate costumes and the Convention is the perfect opportunity to wear one yourself! Come to the Convention in
costume and join the Star Wars Costume Play contest. If you are feeling competitive enough to win a podrace, you can also participate in demonstrations and tournaments for Star Wars trading card games, role-playing games, and various video games. Exercise your Jedi reflexes and watch out for more contests and activities to be featured throughout the day!

Day Two, May 24, is Science Fiction and Fantasy Day! This time, other members and guest groups of the New Worlds Alliance: Via Astris - The Star Trek Club of the Philippines; Pinoy Harry Potter; The Philippine Tolkien Society; The Pinoy Slayers - The "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Angel: The Series" Fan Club; The Pinoy X-Philes; The Alliance of Eclectic Gamers and Interactive Storytellers (AEGIS); The Matrix Philippines; Arkham Philippines; The Philippine Highlander Society; Mechapinoy; Science Fiction Philippines; The Philippine Order of Narnians; CharmedPinoy; Wheel of Time Philippines; and Artists' Den; take centerstage. These groups have prepared
many fun activities and performances for followers of their respective fandoms. Attendees are in for a treat as more groups showcase their creations in the New Worlds Fanfilm Festival. If you are up for various challenges and if you think you can outrun the competition, then sign-up for the New Worlds Amazing Race! Catch your breath, then check out the Murder Mystery Role-playing Game, swordfight demonstrations, filk singing session, the Sci-fi and Fantasy Character On-the-Spot Art Contest, the Harry Potter Trivia Game, another batch of enlightening lectures and forums, and showcase your best live-action sci-fi and fantasy costumes by joining the New Worlds Costume Play Contest!

Level Up!, one of our event partners, will launch its upcoming games during Day Two: "Rising Force" and "ROSE Online". Level Up! will also be hosting an On-the-Spot Art Contest and the Ragnarok Online Cosplay Contest. Visit www.levelupgames.ph for more details on these and other upcoming Level Up! activities.

Hopefully, the Force is still strong in you on May 27, so you can join us for a rockin' good time at the Hard Rock Café for "The Revenge of Mos Eisley Night". Drink some blue milk while listening to the performances of Twisted Halo, Narda, Silent Sanctuary, Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man, and The Purplechickens. Make sure to keep your energy level on a high for the New Worlds Dating Game, and a Charity Mural Auction. Free entrance for those who come in Star Wars or any New Worlds costume.

In an effort to bring joy to less-fortunate Filipino children, the New Worlds Alliance is encouraging Convention Attendees to donate toys for the first ever New Worlds Toy Drive. We will be accepting new and used toy donations at prominently-located drop boxes at the Activity Center for the duration of the convention. These toys will be donated to Jollibee's children's charities.

For details of activities, contest guidelines, and more information on New Worlds Episode III, log on to: www.newworlds.ph

May the Force be with you all.

I'm done... well, for Spring '05 anyway. *looks at previous posts* Wow it's been a while since I've updated this blog. It just goes to say this has been the busiest time I've ever had ever since I started the program. Glad it's over... for the next three weeks at least. After that, it's back to school again. I'll be attending two classes this summer so good-bye to beach resorts, theme parks, and even movies (although I guess I can squeeze one or two movies in between classes hehe). *sigh* I miss having a real summer vacation. Next year, I'm hoping I can spend it in the Philippines. *wink*

Good news, btw. My family is finally coming over! Their papers are now being processed and if things continue to look up in the way they are doing at the moment, I'll be with them next month. However, it's not all good news. My sister, who celebratd her 21st birthday last January, will be left behind. There are a lot of options we're thinking of but none of them appeals to her. Well, we'll see. We always get past this sort of problems. I just wish we can do it this time.

Scene 1: Mom (my aunt) and daughter* (my cousin) arguing over household chores

Mom: You know, all I want is for you to obey me... to follow me.
Daughter: We don't want to follow you. Look where you ended up.
Me: *stunned* *thinking* What the hell...?


Scene 2: Dad (my uncle) and daughter* (my cousin); Dad scolding daughter for saying what she said (Scene 1) to Mom

Dad: We give you everything you want! Even the vacation trips!
Daughter: We don't want that anyway! It's you and mom who wants to go on those stupid f*cking trips! If you don't want us, then don't have s*x, don't have us!


Straight from the horse's mouth. God, what an ungrateful brat! I pity this kid. She doesn't know the sacrifices her parents made for them just so they can have the things they need and want. I don't know if she doesn't care or she's just mad when she said that. Then again, I've been hearing these stuff from her ever since I came to live here. Pity, that.

_______________
* In case you didn't know, this cousin has been known to throw tantrums, insult people, and belittle FOBs (fresh off the boat -- a label she uses to call Filipinos na bagong salta).