Naaalala niyo pa ba ito?

I was looking for a particular CD this morning. Next time, I should put the labels on my CDs. Its hard for me and for my computer (or any computer for that matter) to open each CD. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this picture. Whoa! It's been a long time. hehehe.

Alter My Ego

http://www.xanga.com/worthyhabla
Another inside of me.

A Ship Called Doulos

There was once an announcement of the return of one of the famous vessels to sail the waters of the world. They call themselves the floating United Nations for you could clearly see the representation from each continent. It was a wonderful sight, giving you hope for the possibility of Utopia, if certain things were met.

Enough of the philosophical introspection, just to keep it straight, I'm talking about MV Doulos. More than five years ago, I was a giddy student who wanted to visit that ship. An avid book collector, I was not one who would let go of the prospect of going to a floating bookstore. In fact, I really don't mind if it were a floating, flying, running, bouncing or even digging bookstore. As long as it has books of good value, expect me to be there.

Two years ago, my wish was fulfilled twice. I was able to visit the floating bookstore twice in a week and was able to buy a great volume. But being a common warm blooded sinful human, you get to ask for more.

So there I was again. I stepped on the planks of MV Doulos yet again for another trip to dreamy land. To those who have not yet been there, the bookstore is no ordinary bookstore. It contains precious volumes of inspirational material enough to have you rationalizing for a whole century. Its vast stores of books range from children's coloring and activity books to self-help books to references to inspirational and religious books including Bibles. But those who are not really into books are not forgotten, music with labels ranging from Hillsong to Sixpence non the richer, bags of different styles and colors, and souvenirs and other paraphernalia were sold as well. (Take note: I was not paid to advertise the bookstore, OK?)

So we went there. There was me, my sister and my cousin. Amidst the bustling crowd most of which were there for the heck of it and not for the books, we squeezed in and out of every bookshelf checking on some of the volumes. I, for one, checked, rejected, enjoyed, dreamed and drooled at some of the volumes that I could see there. It was some sort of a haven for the knowledge seekers and book lovers.


The ship is docked at pier 13 behind the Manila Hotel and will be there until the end of the month and if you happen to see me there, don't just holler, buy me a book for a change cause chances are my head is already in a book and I don't want to go out.
 

Habang Atin Ang Gabi

Ang daming taong pumunta ng MOA. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero ang haba ng pila na dati naman ay wala. Dun ko lang naisip na Eheads concert nga pala.

Wala naman akong balak sumama. Hindi naman ako ganun ka-fan. Kaya kung naging masaya ang mga tao sa concert na yon, mas masaya kami.

Nang gabing iyon, sampung kalalakihan ang nagbubunyi matapos makapaglaro sa basketball court ng PAC. Puro tawanan at kalokohan ang laro na dalawang linggong naudlot dahil sa kung sino-sinong tao. Pero nung gabing iyon, sa amin ang gabi.

Nagpapawis. Nagpatakbo-takbo. Nagpatalbogtalbog ng bola. Nanghagis ng ilang bola na hindi naman pumasok. Tapos tatawa nalang. Napakasaya. Walang seryosohan, laro-laro lang.

Maraming salamat at nakalaro na tayo sana next time ganun ulit. Tayo-tayo lang.

Ito yung ilang moments bago ang laro... Ayos... ehehehe....
http://vinzmatias.multiply.com/photos/album/123/Basketbol?replies_read=12

Unreachable Volume

I have a new craze right now. I learned that aside from playing computer emulation games, I can browse the net while writing patient reports (yeah, it's bad I know!)

Just today, I had the mind to look up the websites of some of the famous bookstores in our country. Those ranging from the specialty bookstores to bargain bookstores. Of course you may expect the names national bookstore, powerbooks, books for less, fully booked, and booksale to appear. They all have websites that would definitely make you drool, especially if you're a book worm like me.

I browsed through their vast collections and make myself want to empty up my wallet, my savings (I have one? I don't think so), sell my computer, our house, our vehicle and everything else just to acquire those volumes.

Man! why are books so expensive?

I tried to make myself feel good. So I still browsed through their titles. I tried to look up those books that are already standing in my book shelvesssss (mind the S's). I have a fairly vast collection so imagine how much time it took (I'm guessing it's the whole morning for just one shelf).

Anyway, I found some of the fond titles that I really treasured. From the classics to the modern best sellers, I tried to recall the plot of each and tried to stop myself from writing a book review about those volumes myself. Apparently, I was successful in stopping myself stop my self from stopping myself. Get it?

I stood up to look at my copies and tried to compare. Some changed others didn't. But what really shocked me were the price differences. Sadly, I now wonder how the teens nowadays who had the flair to read but had no money like I was a few months back afford these titles? Imagine a 50-75 peso difference could mean a lot. What more with those Filipino titles that I managed to acquire (by hook or by crook, hahaha). Most of the good titles were waay more expensive than the foreign publications.

Haaay, the cost of good books is so high nowadays. It seemed unlikely for the next generation to use these books for book reports. e-books anyone?