Ich, ich, ich, ich, I can hardly speak

Vee's random ramblings on books, movies, music, and cats.

[vxrated]

Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn

Unlike the other Philippine Martial Law Lit and realist Lit, I found Dogeaters very entertaining. It could be on my faves list. The narrative of the story helped ease that draggy typical Martial Law story—actually, one would not feel that it was a Martial Law story at all (is it even or am I making assumptions?). It is more like of a peek into the lives of different Filipinos.  The characters felt very much alive, and continues to shock the reader with their actions. I breezed through its comedic and dramatic tales and witty narration. I think it does capture the Filipino society quite well.  

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Gun Dealer’s Daughter by Gina Apostol

I was very happy when I finished reading this book. I started reading it in 2012, and I kept dropping it because it was a bit difficult for me then—probably even not enjoyable. I would restart reading it after a few months, maybe years, only for that vicious cycle of restart reading-drop to continue. 

But 2018 Vee was finally ready for the book. For some reason, in this year’s reading, I was not able to drop it. It took me two and a half days to finish the book—and I even had a class. 

The play on the names and the dialogues were very enjoyable. I understand that the younger Vee did not understand this, and it was not the time for her then. 

The narration of the events was what actually kept me going. In it’s first person point of view, there is a distrust on the narrative, yet at the same time, it is what captured me. In some sense, I find there was a hypocrisy in all of it—which could be the main point of the novel. I loved how in the end, it was all a bit of a hear-say for every other character in the novel aside from the narrator. As well as how the “love story” (if it could be called that) ended. At some point, it gave me that hollow feeling. Though I did find the entire meeting in New York rather corny. 

Reading it now was truly a pleasure—it was an exhibit of words. 

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Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Admittedly, I found this to be a hard read. I am frustrated at how short the novella (I think) is, yet it took me two months to finish it. On top of school work as an excuse, I found the book a bit too much—too much sadness, too much Kurtz. 

I would have to re-read this again to fully understand it. In my case, the story-telling technique was really good, yet it made it difficult for me. Or maybe my heart was not in it. 

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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

This book is truly amazing structure-wise and image-wise. I am in awe at the complexity of the narrative which reminds me of a mirror placed in front of each other, reflecting each other’s image, seemingly never-ending in their dimension. For me, Victor and the monster seem to be like that. 

I really enjoyed reading it, and was moved a lot of times in the story. I must admit I was surprised at how easy it is to read despite the centuries of difference in English. But I also have to admit I find some parts of the narrative rather corny/cheesey—but it could have something to do with its romantic inclination. Still, it was a journey I loved. 

[theghostwasblue]

Took my african dad to see Black Panther

*no spoilers*

He does not like superhero movies and normally he falls asleep in the cinema. But not this time, he was on the edge of his seat and he said that he didn’t wanna miss a single moment. He absolutely loved the movie, the first thing he did when we got home was to call his african friend, yelling at him to go watch it as soon as possible. The second thing he did was ask me when the sequel will be out.

I asked my dad what he liked about the movie and he said everything. He loved that almost everyone was black and that they spoke Xhosa. He was so happy that they captured what life is actually like in many african cities in those scenes when they were walking around in wakanda. Seeing the people sit in cafes, buying food from food stands, kids running around with school bags, just people living their everyday life all the while being unapologetically african. He said he felt as if he was back home. And he was so happy that there finally was a movie where africans weren’t starving, or warlords, or dealing drugs. He told me that this is the kind of movie he has wanted to see for years, not alluding to the superhero stuff but the fact that they portray africans the same way that most if not all movies portray white people and not criminalize or dehumanize them but uplifting them. He loved every single character and especially M’Baku but his absolute favourite was the Queen mother Ramonda because she was so calm and collected while simultaneously being this strong queen. My dad, coming from a culture that really uplifts and value mothers and holds them above all, felt like the movie really captured that in Ramonda and that’s why he loved her.

He loved the soundtrack and how they mixed in djembe drums and traditional african singing with modern western music and he loved the costumes because a lot of the clothes look like the things people are wearing at all the african parties we go to.

The only complaint my dad had was that the sound was to high, which was his own fault for insisting that he sit at the end of the row right next to one of the speakers.

So yeah, representation do matter. I’ve never in my life seen him so happy about a movie. And he wanted to talk about it after it had ended which never happens normally. We joked around with the idea of him being a wakandan wardog stationed here and we did Shuris and T’Challas little handshake saying that is the only way we will now greet other africans. This movie gave my dad pure joy and happiness and it gave us a bonding opportunity because we finally have something that we both could geek out about.

[geekfeminist]

representation fucking matters.

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My Books of 2017

aka the rest of the books I read that I would write my thoughts on in the future.

1984 by George Orwell

Great Philippine Jungle Energy Cafe by Alfred Yuson

Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata

A Canto of Summer by Ibrahim Jubaira

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

I am two books short from my target of twelve books a year. Though I did start Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and stopped it to read The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov—which I did not finish because I have a lot of reading for school (though it should not be an excuse).

I have to say I am still proud of the variety of my 2017 Reading List. 

[sister-sunday]

What if I slept a little more and forgot about all this nonsense.

Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis (via v-edo)

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February, March, April 2017

Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff Vandermeer

It may be cheating that I am writing about the trilogy in one post. I find it unfair too, but I’ve other books (and stuff) to write about (!!!). And also, it’s so hard to react to each one without putting the others into context. And also possibly, cause I’ve on reaction to the series: I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

Never have I thought that I am capable of loving another book after Salman Rushdie’s Luka and the Fire of Life!!! Yes, it is a different genre altogether, but still, the series is now one of those titles I think of whenever I am asked the dreaded question of ‘what is your favourite book’ (since it’s so hard to decide!!!). My motivation to read it was to distract myself from my own life. I said I need a series to keep me sane. I thought I need more science fiction in my life.

The Southern Reach Trilogy is a science fiction, mystery, thriller, and so much more, maybe. But mostly those three. While reading the books, I was thinking about how many lenses can it be looked at: ecocriticism, philosophy of human, feminism, race-ism. . . What I love about the books is that it does not spoon feed its reader. The narrator assumes the reader to be smart. The narrative presents the clues to the mysteries, but it never really said anything to its readers directly, unlike the typical mystery of knowing who/what did the case. It is that medium of storytelling that made the books hooking. Another, is the presentation of the narrative itself aka plot. The narrative knows where to cut to excite its readers. It is one of those books that one reads until the sun is already up. Admittedly, I procrastinated in reading the start of Annihilation because it is too slow. But when the action started, I couldn’t drop it. And it just kept on getting better and better! Of course, the third book is my favourite.

100/10 recommending it to everybody I know, and don’t know, even those who do not read.

Also, in the midst of reading it, it was announced that Annihilation will be made into a movie. I love the actors and the makers, and I’m looking forward to it. PS: After almost four months, I am still thinking about it. I may re-read it next year! 

[pepesalot]

‘Gamer Room’ 🎮🌸

I finally finished this! I hope you like it. Her room is a mess but It’s full of little details of some of my favorite games and consoles.

Soon available as a print in my Storenvy.

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At the Kafka Museum

At the Kafka Museum stood a staircase encased in glass. Up the staircase was a room. I wanted to see it. For five minutes I stood in front of the staircase with the desire to ascend it. Then I walked on and gave it up.

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January 2017: Post Office

Post Office (1971) by Charles Bukowski

I started 2017 with this book. I read it because a boy I really liked recommended it to me. We were trading reading lists then. In exchange for this (shitty) recommendation, I lent him my Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel García Márquez (the book was given to me as a despidida gift by my Korean blockmate, who went back to Korea for military service — it’s almost June and the book is yet to be returned to me).

Bukowski never really attracted me even in my Literature major years. He was not even mentioned in any of our classes. When I read him, I understood why. One gay friend of mine described Bukowski’s writing as ‘Literature for straight boys’. At least my friend called it Literature. When I finished Post Office, I understood why my friend referred to it that way. I think I will never read anything by Bukowski again.

I understand the appeal and the context. I can only imagine how revolutionary it was in his time, maybe. But Hemingway also wrote things so straightforwardly. I don’t like Hemingway, but I respect him. But with Bukowski. . . I guess, the thing with Bukowski is his vulgarness. But still, the ‘Literature for straight boys’ description nailed it. Keep it plain. Keep it simple. Keep it crass.

But that’s the thing. I don’t like my prose like that. I ranted to the boy about it. It’s so boring and tasteless to me. I probably insulted him when I sent him this quote straight from the book: ‘Sartre and Genet have called him (Bukowski) "the best poet in America,” and asked how. I mean, the guy’s his favourite author. But I can’t — for my love life’s sake even — see how his writing is poetry (the boy sent me a lot of his poems to convince me).  



To save the book: yes, I did laugh at some parts, felt sympathy towards some of the girls (Betty, mainly), and even Henry Chinaski. I even felt sad when I finished it.

Just now, I tried to find my PDF copy of Post Office. I may have deleted it. The boy may have deleted my number. But do these matter now?

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SPRINT 2017

That’s my motto/slogan for this year. 2016 was such a terrible year for me. It had its ups, but I really can’t remember them. So 2017, I said I will do the things necessary for me, and move to be the person I want to be, whoever that might be – most likely Joni Mitchell. 

In his lecture in the ‘Writing The Classroom’ Conference (27 May 2017), Dr Jeremy de Chavez says that happiness has always been portrayed in movement, and he even refered to Pharrell’s Happy MV. Bed days are over, and 2017 is — so far — making me miss my bed.

I decided to move by reviving my blog to share my experience on a certain art (eg books, movies, and mangas, music, or other stuff). Though they may sound like a rant (I swear, I try to like things), well, I feel the need to reclaim my Tumblr from these reblogs. Also, I want to get back to writing, as grad school made me realise how much I missed it. And really, this is just writing for me. And I’ve been wanting to do this since 2015, but I had no idea how to go about it.

At the start of the year, I aimed to read at least one book a month. I also told myself to start watching one movie in the cinemas a month, if money permits it (cause I booked plane tickets more than my salary could finance). I also said I’ll limit myself to one beer a week — and nope. I can’t do the last one. The rest, so far, so good.

Cheers!

[skinnytrying]

20 tricks that should help you

1.!!!!!!!Never eat bites off of other people’s plates!!!!!!!! the calories add up quicker than you would expect. 2.Never eat more than 300 calories in one sitting 3.Water, green tea and coffee are your only friends (no sugar or creamer): they all help boost your metabolism 4.NO DIET DRINKS: studies have shown over and over that diet soda makes your body retain fat 5.Chew gum: its scientifically proven to help you lose weight 6.DO NOT BINGE, binging leads to purging which is awful for you (more so than starving yourself) 7.Laxatives and diuretics are shit. Yes they make the number on the scale go down but you’re not actually losing any fat 8.These will leave you feeling full: Salad, Hot sauce, Skim milk, Oatmeal, Green tea , Tofu, Vegetable soup, Water, Eggs, Apples, Coffee, Almonds 9.Take B6 and drink apple cider vinegar to help boost your metabolism 10.Don’t eat while distracted (like watching TV) you’ll unconsciously eat more 11.Drink a glass of water before and after every meal 12.Chew your food at least 20 times before you swallow 13.Don’t go too long while restricting because you’ll be more temped to binge later on 14.Use smaller bowls and plates. It’ll trick you into feeling fuller faster 15.Do not eat after 6 or 7pm your body will burn more fat while you sleep instead of using that energy to digest your food 16.COUNT EVERY CALORIE 17.Make sure you get enough sleep! Less sleep= lower metabolism 18.Swimming is one of the best ways to burn calories plus it’s low impact 19.Always take the stairs 20. Try to avoid unnecessary fats, salts and sugars.

I ate too much today :( @skinnytrying (some blog)

[star-plasma]

Leo // northern lights [prints available] 

[allthingseurope]

Canterbury, UK (by kimprowley)

[wapiti3]

AURORA BOREALIS

Ben Hattenbach photos (Alaska)

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[lovequotesrus]

Everything you love is here