Building a Library

Living here in the province didn't stopped me from buying great classics and bestsellers at low low prices. Thanks to the availability of Booksale, I am able to accumulate books I feel are worth reading in this lifetime. My latest finds are seen in the aforementioned picture and most prices ranged from P44-70 except for the Kenzaburo collection of four novels which was priced a bit higher. As to when I can read them, only time will tell. And as long they're there stocked high among my shelves within reach of my fickle mind, then I can sleep well.

The books I try getting are those whose settings are NOT in America, whose timeline does not fall within this age of consumerism and whose themes must reflect the ironies of human frailties. The only exception to my choices is the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Martin Dressler. This I haven't researched on yet, but if such book bested the whole 1997 lot of American Fiction, then at p44, it was a steal.

And newly adopted books from Booksale are then herded to my mini-library (as seen below) where they'll await their duly appointed time. I hope to expand my collection to fill an entire wall of the house so long the wooden floors wouldn't give in.

Must Love Crocs

My dad was a shoe fetish. I am not. My pairs are his hand-me-downs and the product of hours of trawling inside factory outlets. But today, I received a package from mi hermanas in North America. Inside a plastic bag were two pairs of Crocs, a khaki colored one and a navy blue with an orange strap.


Though their designs are left to be desired, their function as wardshoes are perfect. Why?

1. When working long bestial hours (8 am until 5 pm the next day), a health professional's feet eventually develops edema (swelling due to water retention) and thus must rest. But with Crocs, the orthopedic softness of the material cushions each footfall which means less pressure. With less pressure, fatigue is somewhat diminished.

2. The design has vents to facilitate the release of noxious fumes coming from bacteria and fungi respirating from one's feet. Thus, such ingenuity will eliminate bad odor.

3. Because the material is plastic (and is designed primarily for the beach), they are durable against constant use and abuse. I can use it in the rain, in the wards, in the ER, or even kicking Dr. Caprice's corrupt ass.

4. The shoes have an easy slip-on mechanism wherein at the front it looks like a decent closed-toe shoes but upon seeing the heel, one will discover that it is more of a sandal instead. Thus, comfort and convenience are achieved. With a little compromise in the dignity departmant, that is.

5. Biggest reason to wear crocs is this:


I can't believe I've devoted time and space for this! I guess a "shoe fetish" can indeed be inherited after all.

Tie-In Movies

There's nothing greater than seeing the works of your favorite writers on the silver screen. I have read them, enjoyed them and breathed each phrase and syllable. Such sublime works should never be missed in one's lifetime. Although such choices are arbitrarily picked, they are mine, so others must have theirs too.

As for screen adaptations, my opinion is that though it saps your imagination by toeing your mind to the photos of the sets, nevertheless, such incarnations provide a feast for the senses, a tangible ambrosia for the eyes and the ears. So if one would like to have a first impression, read the book before watching the film. This shall ensure that one exercises their brain before the film lush cinematography fills one with that of the director's.

So far the ones that have been shown since last year are these: (click on the title to access their literary form)

Patrick Suskind's Perfume


W. S. Maugham's The Painted Veil


Upcoming films this year:

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in the Time of Cholera (Nov. 2007)


The making of the film:



http://www.stonevillagepictures.com/film/inprod/litc.php

Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner



The New York Times article...