Bit Disappointed

Had big expectations for the book "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" being a winner of Pultizer Prize and all. Maybe I got lost or something. Maybe I didn't get the message the author wants to convey. I didn't like that he used a lot of Spanish words that I do not know the meaning. If he tries to stress out a point by using non-English words or phrases, well, I didn't get them. I'll try to search for reviews or study guide, on how they have understood it and maybe I could appreciate it more.

Picked up the next book by Douglas Coupland - "Generation X". Another tough read. I thought I would breeze through this one. However the author used big words that I do not easily get even based on its context. He seemed to be coining new phrases as some of them are defined in the sides of the pages. If by the middle of the book I still could not understand it, I might skip this one out.

Getting Ready for the Waterworks

Finished the "For Whom the Bell Tolls". I didn't like it. After reading all those pages, the ending seemed a bit dull for me. The only interesting part was when one of the characters Pilar narrated what happened when they took over one town and killed the pacifist in an almost barbaric ways. Would not recommend this book at much as say "A Tale of Two Cities".

Now, I have picked up the book "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao". (Thanks to a friend for leading it to me.)



So far, it is interesting. There are a lot of references to 70's and 80's stuff which I can relate to. I am only in the third chapter of the book and its drama has already building up. Better ready the hanky because it seems like this book is a tearjerker.

Status Update

It's been a while. I haven't updated my blog with my latest endeavors. I am still reading the book "For Whom The Bells Toll". It is the type of book that you need to read slowly in order to understand the story. I am almost done, hopefully by today. There are a lot and I mean a LOT of books already in queue after this.

The other project that I have been working on is the setting up of our condo. So far, we were able to place some applicances particularly refrigrator, water dispenser and air-conditioner. Maybe I can post some pictures here.

That's all for now. Keeping positive...

Hear Them Live!

Due to the recent success of the Tears for Fears concert here in Manila which very unfornately I was not able to watch, I looked back on those times when I was lucky enough to watch them. I just want to list all of those I have seen, just that I would not forget them. (Everybody ages..)

The concerts that I have seen, not in any particular order...

Jars of Clay (one in SixFlags, NJ and another in Araneta Collesium, Manila)
Duncan Sheik (Aliw Theatre)
Jason Mraz (Aliw Theatre)
Lea Salonga (PICC)
Nickel Creek (twice at Bowery Ballroom, NY)
Howie Day (Bowery Ballroom, NY)
Nine Days / Nelly Furtado (Rutherford Stadium, NJ)
Mutual Admiration Society (Nickel Creek and Glen Philips) (Mercury Lounge, NY)
Switchfoot (SixFlags, NJ)
Mike Francis/Fra Lippo Lippi (Araneta Collesium, Manila)
Vanessa Carlton (Glorietta)
Debbie Gibson (SM Megatrade)

Wow, I didn't realize that I have a good share of concerts watched. Still I would really like to add more to the list. Concerts bring you to a different high. Your ears may ring after but it was worth it.

Hear The Bells Ring

The winner is "For Whom The Bell Tolls"! So that's my next. Still on the reading project, not advancing on the other ones. I think I will finally going to finish this book. I have surpassed the chapters that I have read before. I hope I could finish this one before work begins to pile up again.



Go, go, go!

What's Next?

Done reading "Possible Side Effects" by Augusten Burroughs. It first I thought it was a novel. But after three chapters, I realized that it was a compilation of essays from the author. Every one of them is a snippet and a reflection of an event from the author's life. Some of them are funny. Some of them are a bit cruel in terms on how they would behave towards their parents. And it is a bit sad on how they would use drugs and booze as a way of life.

I did not learn anything from reading this book. I always like discovering something new while reading. Something that would stick to my mind and I could carry it as useful information until I grow old and lose my long term memory. So far, the only thing that learnt from this book was that Jodie Foster is a lesbian.

So what's next? Should I read another book for my project? I wish I could do something else. I am considering reading again "For Whom the Bells Toll" by Ernest Hemingway. I was not able to finish it, forgotten the page where I have stopped and what the story was about. It is a book that is a bit difficult to digest. You have to concentrate to understand the story.

I am also thinking of getting a copy of Dante's Inferno, inspired by the last book that I read, The Gargoyle.

Still I would also want to advance on my other projects. I am thinking of creating some paintings. Or make a short video. Let's just see what I would decide on...