And we have a winner!
Congratulations, Uh-Huh Girl, MD! That was really quick!
Please post your number below (I won't publish it), so I can contact you regarding claiming your prize.
Here are the answers to the questions, in case Kara San wants to refute the winner. :)
1. What does the Hehe complex evolve to if left untreated?
The Haha Complex.
2. Which TV phenomenon did the director of Lead Character's 5th favorite Glee episode create? (Clue: This TV show had a 7-season run. Its 8th season was in comic book series form.)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
3. In the episode "Return of Merchandise," what sari-sari store item did the VENDOR refuse to replace after Lead Character complained that it was bad?
Egg.
4. How big was the stool sample did Lead Character hand over to the Medical Technologist in the episode "Medical Exam: A Horror Story"?
Almond-sized.
5. List the books that Lead Character hasn't finished reading yet as of the writing of the episode "Impulse in the Time of Flatulence."
"Rant" by Chuck Palahniuk
"The Pretenders" and "My Brother, My Executioner" by F. Sionil Jose
"God Is not Great" by Christopher Hitchens
"The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie
Again, congratulations to the winner.
Stay tuned, everyone, for more contests in the future! :D
25 December 2010
24 December 2010
Five Questions
Since the winner of our previous contest, the LIKE the Lead Character Chronicles Facebook fan page contest, forfeited his prize, I am now including the bottle of Jose Cuervo to this content's winning prize: a Starbucks 2011 Planner!
How to win?
Simply answer these five questions correctly (thanks to JabberedOnion for this idea). If you've been reading this blog, then this should be easy breezy. The first person to get all the answers right wins!
1. What does the Hehe complex evolve to if left untreated?
2. Which TV phenomenon did the director of Lead Character's 5th favorite Glee episode create? (Clue: This TV show had a 7-season run. Its 8th season was in comic book series form.)
3. In the episode "Return of Merchandise," what sari-sari store item did the VENDOR refuse to replace after Lead Character complained that it was bad?
4. How big was the stool sample did Lead Character hand over to the Medical Technologist in the episode "Medical Exam: A Horror Story"?
5. List the books that Lead Character hasn't finished reading yet as of the writing of the episode "Impulse in the Time of Flatulence."
Note: The bottle of Jose Cuerva tequila can only be awarded to those who are in Cebu. The Starbucks planner, however, can be shipped out to anyone in the Philippines. So if you win and you're not from Cebu, you can get the Starbucks planner but the Jose Cuervo would have to be given to someone here.
If no one answers all five questions correctly on or before December 29th, 11:59pm, both prizes will be additional prizes for the next contest.
Good luck to all of you!
----
Update as of 12/24/2010:
Thanks, Kara San for your attempt. But you got one item wrong. I will not post your comment as others might simply copy.
Don't worry, you can still review your answers and see which item you may have gotten wrong.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
----
Update as of 12/25/2010:
Kara San: I admire your efforts. However, you changed an already correct answer, which is still correct, by the way, after you changed it. The one item I'm referring to is something that you might have misunderstood.
Please, review your answers again, because I want you to win as well. Because for sure, you're going to donate the bottle of tequila to us when we meet up. ;)
How to win?
Simply answer these five questions correctly (thanks to JabberedOnion for this idea). If you've been reading this blog, then this should be easy breezy. The first person to get all the answers right wins!
1. What does the Hehe complex evolve to if left untreated?
2. Which TV phenomenon did the director of Lead Character's 5th favorite Glee episode create? (Clue: This TV show had a 7-season run. Its 8th season was in comic book series form.)
3. In the episode "Return of Merchandise," what sari-sari store item did the VENDOR refuse to replace after Lead Character complained that it was bad?
4. How big was the stool sample did Lead Character hand over to the Medical Technologist in the episode "Medical Exam: A Horror Story"?
5. List the books that Lead Character hasn't finished reading yet as of the writing of the episode "Impulse in the Time of Flatulence."
Note: The bottle of Jose Cuerva tequila can only be awarded to those who are in Cebu. The Starbucks planner, however, can be shipped out to anyone in the Philippines. So if you win and you're not from Cebu, you can get the Starbucks planner but the Jose Cuervo would have to be given to someone here.
If no one answers all five questions correctly on or before December 29th, 11:59pm, both prizes will be additional prizes for the next contest.
Good luck to all of you!
----
Update as of 12/24/2010:
Thanks, Kara San for your attempt. But you got one item wrong. I will not post your comment as others might simply copy.
Don't worry, you can still review your answers and see which item you may have gotten wrong.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
----
Update as of 12/25/2010:
Kara San: I admire your efforts. However, you changed an already correct answer, which is still correct, by the way, after you changed it. The one item I'm referring to is something that you might have misunderstood.
Please, review your answers again, because I want you to win as well. Because for sure, you're going to donate the bottle of tequila to us when we meet up. ;)
19 December 2010
Best Christmas Episode
Every year, American TV shows typically air a Christmas (or for political correctness, Holiday) episode right before going on their holiday hiatus. More often than not, they make their episodes encompass the holiday spirit, one that is full of love and joy despite situations in their fictional world that make the audience doubt if their characters would have any of it at all.
This year, Community (one of the best TV shows of today that you're not watching) showcased their characters in stop motion animation in an episode called "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas." Community has always been bold in coming up with out-of-the-ordinary episodes (you'll know what I mean if you've seen their paintball episode, and the one with the zombies, and their homage to Goodfellas that explore the power struggle surrounding the supply and demand of chicken fingers in the school cafeteria), and their Holiday episode just proved that they can pretty much kick the butts of every other TV show out there.
Lead Character watched "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" three times, enjoyed it each time, and felt that he was ready to deem it the best Christmas episode of any year, especially that it purported that the meaning of Christmas is the first season of Lost, a metaphor for something with great buildup but with no payoff (classic!).
But then The Good Wife happened.
In an episode called "Nine Hours," The Good Wife showed that a Christmas episode does not have to be set during the holiday season.
The story kicks off with Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) receiving a phone call from a Court of Appeals clerk about the habeas petition she sent out just the night before for their client Carter Wright (Chad Coleman--Lead Character remembers him from The Wire), a convicted arsonist and murderer on death row . The clerk wants to know if she's filing an addendum before that night's execution. Alicia freezes, composes herself, and then asks the clerk to repeat what he just said, to make sure that she heard the word "addendum" right. After confirming, Alicia tells the clerk she'll call him right back. She then calls Senior Partner Will Gardner (Josh Charles) about the call from the clerk. Will himself is surprised about the call, and he immediately phones another Senior Partner, Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski), who also freezes at the idea that the clerk is asking for an addendum. Since Lead Character does not have any idea what an addendum is, he is immediately sucked into the story.
Lead Character learns that the addendum was something they missed to add in the appeal that could very well save their client from meeting his fate at midnight, and the clerk telling them that it exists even without telling them what it is is already breaking the rules. And so the search for that one tiny detail begins, and they have exactly nine hours to turn in the "last Hail Mary appeal."
You must be wondering now how in the hell could Lead Character possibly deem this as the best Christmas episode if it doesn't even seem like a Christmas episode. The answer is in two words: Jesus Christ.
Whether the writers were aware of it or not, Lead Character could not help but notice the parallelism. The story is about a man who is about to get executed. Didn't Jesus Christ die in the same inhuman way? Well, probably not as inhuman, since lethal injection is perhaps an act of kindness compared to scourging and crucifixion, but just the idea that you are being deemed not worthy to be alive, regardless of what you may have done, is cruelty beyond Lead Character's comprehension.
What Lead Character comprehends, though, is that Christmas is not so much about the birth of Jesus as it is celebrating his legacy. He is perhaps the grandest symbol of hope and kindness and sharing and love for humankind out of all the characters in popular fiction. Say what you must, but despite Lead Character's beliefs, he still thinks Jesus is an inspiring character. Jesus had him at "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Lead Character is not really a fan of preachy materials, but even if "Nine Hours" somewhat preached against capital punishment, it was able to pull it off with enough subtlety that it barely pressed on his gullet. The result: a touching episode that reminds us that Christmas, just like any other time of the year, is for all of us to be kind to one and all and not kill.
This year, Community (one of the best TV shows of today that you're not watching) showcased their characters in stop motion animation in an episode called "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas." Community has always been bold in coming up with out-of-the-ordinary episodes (you'll know what I mean if you've seen their paintball episode, and the one with the zombies, and their homage to Goodfellas that explore the power struggle surrounding the supply and demand of chicken fingers in the school cafeteria), and their Holiday episode just proved that they can pretty much kick the butts of every other TV show out there.
But then The Good Wife happened.
In an episode called "Nine Hours," The Good Wife showed that a Christmas episode does not have to be set during the holiday season.
The story kicks off with Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) receiving a phone call from a Court of Appeals clerk about the habeas petition she sent out just the night before for their client Carter Wright (Chad Coleman--Lead Character remembers him from The Wire), a convicted arsonist and murderer on death row . The clerk wants to know if she's filing an addendum before that night's execution. Alicia freezes, composes herself, and then asks the clerk to repeat what he just said, to make sure that she heard the word "addendum" right. After confirming, Alicia tells the clerk she'll call him right back. She then calls Senior Partner Will Gardner (Josh Charles) about the call from the clerk. Will himself is surprised about the call, and he immediately phones another Senior Partner, Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski), who also freezes at the idea that the clerk is asking for an addendum. Since Lead Character does not have any idea what an addendum is, he is immediately sucked into the story.
Lead Character learns that the addendum was something they missed to add in the appeal that could very well save their client from meeting his fate at midnight, and the clerk telling them that it exists even without telling them what it is is already breaking the rules. And so the search for that one tiny detail begins, and they have exactly nine hours to turn in the "last Hail Mary appeal."
You must be wondering now how in the hell could Lead Character possibly deem this as the best Christmas episode if it doesn't even seem like a Christmas episode. The answer is in two words: Jesus Christ.
Whether the writers were aware of it or not, Lead Character could not help but notice the parallelism. The story is about a man who is about to get executed. Didn't Jesus Christ die in the same inhuman way? Well, probably not as inhuman, since lethal injection is perhaps an act of kindness compared to scourging and crucifixion, but just the idea that you are being deemed not worthy to be alive, regardless of what you may have done, is cruelty beyond Lead Character's comprehension.
 |
| Carter Wright passing through the prison hallway and getting a few seconds' glimpse of his daughter accompanied by his lawyer, Diane Lockhart. |
Lead Character is not really a fan of preachy materials, but even if "Nine Hours" somewhat preached against capital punishment, it was able to pull it off with enough subtlety that it barely pressed on his gullet. The result: a touching episode that reminds us that Christmas, just like any other time of the year, is for all of us to be kind to one and all and not kill.
15 December 2010
2010: A Year That Was Not So "Kay Ganda," adj. So Beautiful
Another year of the Gregorian calendar is almost over. For most people, it's high time they looked back into the year that was and see how the next year can be tons better, the way they all do every year (the success rate of which is so low it's disheartening).
For Lead Character, however, his year was so uneventful it's not worth writing about. The only highlights were his travels, all the weight he gained exponentially (for having worked two jobs at the same time), and the plummeting peso-dollar rate, which, if you work from home and get paid in US dollars, hurts like a motherfrakker. So Lead Character instead would like to examine the year that was for other people, because life is much more fun that way.
For those who got their hearts broken this year, it's high time you pushed yourself up from that dark corner you're in, fix yourself, and use next year to exact revenge--not directly to the person who broke your heart but to anyone at random. Yes, Lead Character suggests you break hearts next year. If blessed people can pay kindness forward, then cursed people can pay curses forward, too. This is to keep things balanced, to avoid karmic warming, which is the socio-spiritual equivalent of global warming.
For those who broke hearts this year, next year would probably be smooth sailing for you. If you feel guilty about having broken someone's heart, then you've paid your price--guilt is awful enough a feeling. Shake that guilt off now and enjoy next year with the freedom you've acquired from breaking someone's heart. If you never felt guilty, then you're either a bad person, or the person whose heart you broke is the bad person. Either way, spend next year with caution.
For those who didn't break hearts nor had their hearts broken this year, chances are, you will have the same experience next year. It's either you're physically unattractive or socially awkward. Or both. Your only saving grace now is money. Use next year to start your hefty savings for both the sunny and the rainy days. Yes, Lead Character does not advocate just saving money for emergencies but for luxuries as well. Buy that iPad you don't really need, or that expensive watch that can make people think you're rich.
For Katrina Halili, it's high time that she examined her life and see how the next year can be spent more fruitfully. Is she going to pursue another attempt at making Hayden Kho pay for what he did? Or is she going to pull a Maricar Reyes, be a big person, and just move past a mistake that she shared responsibility for? As per the Pasig Regional Trial Court's ruling, there was insufficient evidence that she was unaware she was being filmed while getting it on. Unless you are peripherally blind, girl, just admit that you knew you were being filmed. Of course, you can't be peripherally blind. If you were, you wouldn't be as bad an actress as you are now (read: unaware of the camera = natural acting).
For P-Noy, it's been quite a year, huh? From the Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking to the RH Bill to the fracas surrounding the Department of Tourism campaign. Lead Character didn't vote for you but he didn't think you were going to be a lousy President. Thank you for supporting the RH Bill. Please, continue acting on your intellectual moral code and not on the church's.
For those who oppose the RH Bill because of the Holy Spirit, it's high time that you shut the fuck up. However, if you oppose the RH Bill for other reasons, say, it does not really prevent overpopulation and that it's an extravagance that affects the national budget, then by all means continue fighting for what you believe in. Lead Character has respect for you.
For the team that makes up the Department of Tourism, here's an idea for a tourism campaign: "Pilipinas kay Happening!" Why? Because things are happening in our country. It's not about beauty anymore; every country claims the same. Selling our country as beautiful is too generic. Besides, it's not completely true. So to make us stand out, why not say that things are happening here? And once the tourists come pouring in, let's start making things happen. What kinds of things? Ask help from the gays!
For Lauro Vizconde, Lead Character cannot even begin to imagine how you're feeling right now. For Lead Character, our justice system is a joke not because Hubert Webb et al. were acquitted by the Supreme Court but because no one present has been found guilty. Two of those that were convicted by the lower court remain at-large. What is going on here? Lead Character was in grade school when the heinous crime took place, and since then he couldn't help but be bothered by how it must be like to lose your entire nuclear family in just one night. You must no longer be looking back into the year that was and look forward into the year that is to come. Rather, you're probably thinking of those 15 years without your family beside you, and dreading another 15 years of justice not being sought. What for most people is the season to be jolly, yours is the season to be grieving yet again. What for most people is the new year for a new life, all you have are memories. Irrelevant as this may be, please take this post as a dedication to you and your family. May you find peace in a place where we promise tourists beauty, but we cannot even provide our countrymen the same.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
For Lead Character, however, his year was so uneventful it's not worth writing about. The only highlights were his travels, all the weight he gained exponentially (for having worked two jobs at the same time), and the plummeting peso-dollar rate, which, if you work from home and get paid in US dollars, hurts like a motherfrakker. So Lead Character instead would like to examine the year that was for other people, because life is much more fun that way.
For those who got their hearts broken this year, it's high time you pushed yourself up from that dark corner you're in, fix yourself, and use next year to exact revenge--not directly to the person who broke your heart but to anyone at random. Yes, Lead Character suggests you break hearts next year. If blessed people can pay kindness forward, then cursed people can pay curses forward, too. This is to keep things balanced, to avoid karmic warming, which is the socio-spiritual equivalent of global warming.
For those who broke hearts this year, next year would probably be smooth sailing for you. If you feel guilty about having broken someone's heart, then you've paid your price--guilt is awful enough a feeling. Shake that guilt off now and enjoy next year with the freedom you've acquired from breaking someone's heart. If you never felt guilty, then you're either a bad person, or the person whose heart you broke is the bad person. Either way, spend next year with caution.
For those who didn't break hearts nor had their hearts broken this year, chances are, you will have the same experience next year. It's either you're physically unattractive or socially awkward. Or both. Your only saving grace now is money. Use next year to start your hefty savings for both the sunny and the rainy days. Yes, Lead Character does not advocate just saving money for emergencies but for luxuries as well. Buy that iPad you don't really need, or that expensive watch that can make people think you're rich.
For Katrina Halili, it's high time that she examined her life and see how the next year can be spent more fruitfully. Is she going to pursue another attempt at making Hayden Kho pay for what he did? Or is she going to pull a Maricar Reyes, be a big person, and just move past a mistake that she shared responsibility for? As per the Pasig Regional Trial Court's ruling, there was insufficient evidence that she was unaware she was being filmed while getting it on. Unless you are peripherally blind, girl, just admit that you knew you were being filmed. Of course, you can't be peripherally blind. If you were, you wouldn't be as bad an actress as you are now (read: unaware of the camera = natural acting).
For P-Noy, it's been quite a year, huh? From the Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking to the RH Bill to the fracas surrounding the Department of Tourism campaign. Lead Character didn't vote for you but he didn't think you were going to be a lousy President. Thank you for supporting the RH Bill. Please, continue acting on your intellectual moral code and not on the church's.
For those who oppose the RH Bill because of the Holy Spirit, it's high time that you shut the fuck up. However, if you oppose the RH Bill for other reasons, say, it does not really prevent overpopulation and that it's an extravagance that affects the national budget, then by all means continue fighting for what you believe in. Lead Character has respect for you.
For the team that makes up the Department of Tourism, here's an idea for a tourism campaign: "Pilipinas kay Happening!" Why? Because things are happening in our country. It's not about beauty anymore; every country claims the same. Selling our country as beautiful is too generic. Besides, it's not completely true. So to make us stand out, why not say that things are happening here? And once the tourists come pouring in, let's start making things happen. What kinds of things? Ask help from the gays!
For Lauro Vizconde, Lead Character cannot even begin to imagine how you're feeling right now. For Lead Character, our justice system is a joke not because Hubert Webb et al. were acquitted by the Supreme Court but because no one present has been found guilty. Two of those that were convicted by the lower court remain at-large. What is going on here? Lead Character was in grade school when the heinous crime took place, and since then he couldn't help but be bothered by how it must be like to lose your entire nuclear family in just one night. You must no longer be looking back into the year that was and look forward into the year that is to come. Rather, you're probably thinking of those 15 years without your family beside you, and dreading another 15 years of justice not being sought. What for most people is the season to be jolly, yours is the season to be grieving yet again. What for most people is the new year for a new life, all you have are memories. Irrelevant as this may be, please take this post as a dedication to you and your family. May you find peace in a place where we promise tourists beauty, but we cannot even provide our countrymen the same.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
09 December 2010
And the Winner Is. . .
A lot of thanks to those who joined!
Even bigger thanks for the support of Lead Character's friends: JabberedOnion, Joy Bee, Braille, and Punky! :D Much love! Much love!
Stay tuned for more contests in the future.
07 December 2010
And The Prize for the First Ever Lead Character Chronicles Contest Is...
This bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila!!!
To join this contest, simply "like" the Lead Character Chronicles Facebook fan page (click here to go to the page or see widget on the left-hand side of your screen). On December 8th, 11:59pm, Lead Character will officially close this contest. A raffle will be drawn on December 9th, and the winner will be announced that evening.
So what are you waiting for? "Like" the Lead Character Chronicles Facebook fan page now (desperate! desperate!) and get the chance to get as drunk as Lead Character almost always is!
And oh, the prize can only be handed to someone who's in Cebu. If you're not from Cebu, you can still join the contest, but in case you win, the prize will have to be given to someone you know, like, or love.
So what are you waiting for? "Like" the Lead Character Chronicles Facebook fan page now (desperate! desperate!) and get the chance to get as drunk as Lead Character almost always is!
And oh, the prize can only be handed to someone who's in Cebu. If you're not from Cebu, you can still join the contest, but in case you win, the prize will have to be given to someone you know, like, or love.
Jay-R!!!
Last Saturday, December 4th, Lead Character had the chance to be at the Passionata Gleek Squad Showdown, a show choir competition held at the Cebu Doctor's University Auditorium. obviously inspired by the TV show "Glee."
The first contestant, The UCLM Choir, did "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was actually quite good that Lead Character almost cried, making him miss being at events like Passionata. It was indeed an inspiring celebration of music, even if most of the numbers were not that original.
It was the guest stars of the evening that proved to be much more noteworthy. Jay-R (of the "Bakit Pa Ba" single-hit-song fame) was delectable. The Asian Troubadours kicked ass with a certain level of musicality that Lead Character thinks deserves an audience at the Carnegie Hall.
In between performances, the organizers held a contest which involved members of the audience dialing a phone number, and whoever was lucky enough for his/her call to get through first, s/he would win the prize. Lead Character had 3 chances of winning, but his calls never made it through, which is fine, because the prizes never got as lucrative as a laptop, anyway. Or a Winnebago. Or a pet kangaroo.
To those who never made it to the show, here's a montage of a few highlights of what was without a doubt a night to remember for a few days. Lead Character would like to apologize beforehand for the video quality because all he had was his phone to shoot the performances with.
The first contestant, The UCLM Choir, did "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was actually quite good that Lead Character almost cried, making him miss being at events like Passionata. It was indeed an inspiring celebration of music, even if most of the numbers were not that original.
It was the guest stars of the evening that proved to be much more noteworthy. Jay-R (of the "Bakit Pa Ba" single-hit-song fame) was delectable. The Asian Troubadours kicked ass with a certain level of musicality that Lead Character thinks deserves an audience at the Carnegie Hall.
In between performances, the organizers held a contest which involved members of the audience dialing a phone number, and whoever was lucky enough for his/her call to get through first, s/he would win the prize. Lead Character had 3 chances of winning, but his calls never made it through, which is fine, because the prizes never got as lucrative as a laptop, anyway. Or a Winnebago. Or a pet kangaroo.
To those who never made it to the show, here's a montage of a few highlights of what was without a doubt a night to remember for a few days. Lead Character would like to apologize beforehand for the video quality because all he had was his phone to shoot the performances with.
05 December 2010
If You're Ever in Iloilo, part 4
Season 2 Episode 08
If you're ever in Iloilo, buy your pasalubong from Deocampo Barquillos. Not that Lead Character can say they have the best barquillos and butternuts and pinasugbos, etc., because he hasn't tried any from other stores, but what Lead Character likes about Deocampo is that its pricing is the same in every branch, even in the one at the airport.
If you're ever in Iloilo, try the "biggest" burger at Perri Todd's, because Lead Character, Joy Bee, JabberedOnion and JabbereOnion's friends from the Cebu Bloggers Society tried it and they weren't disappointed.
For a detailed review of Perri Todd's, you might want to check out Rabsin's food blog called iSwallow (sharp, huh?). He hasn't launched it yet, but at Perri Todd's, he pulled the manager from his office and initiated an interview--a classic example of Applied Learning. The day before, they all joined the Visayas Bloggers Summit where Lead Character himself learned quite a handful of useful things about blogging. You might want to check out JabberedOnion's account of the event once she's gotten out of her writer's block. (A memo to JabberedOnion: Please post your entry about the event already, bitch!)
If you're ever in Iloilo and just had a taste of a Perri Todd burger, you might want to hold a contest among your peers: Who can mimic the Perri Todd mascot pose the best?
For Lead Character, he only managed to mimic successfully the mascot's double chin. JabberedOnion captured the eyes. Rabsin got the mouth and the left hand. Joy Bee, most disappointingly, never really tried hard enough.
If you're ever in Iloilo, be sure your stay there is more than just for one weekend. Lead Character only spent a weekend there and he didn't get enough. It's pretty much just like Cebu but with more good-looking waiters, something that almost became Lead Character's undoing. Thankfully, he was able to hold it together. By the time he boarded the plane that was to fly him back to his beloved city, he vowed, just as General MacArthur did, "I shall return."*
*Just so we're clear, Lead Character is not returning to Iloilo to destroy the Japanese. He just wanted something artsy-fartsy for an ending to a four-part series, and he doesn't really have the time nor the intellectual capacity to come up with something better.
If you're ever in Iloilo, buy your pasalubong from Deocampo Barquillos. Not that Lead Character can say they have the best barquillos and butternuts and pinasugbos, etc., because he hasn't tried any from other stores, but what Lead Character likes about Deocampo is that its pricing is the same in every branch, even in the one at the airport.
 |
| JabberedOnion browsing the goods, rather very mechanically, probably also making mental notes of her budget for the trip, and how everything's gone awry. |
 |
| Even the burger itself is salivating. Casa Verde's "biggest" burger is actually bigger, but this looks a lot more enticing. |
 | |
| Lead Character pretends to be taking first dibs with a hint of aristocracy. (Photo taken by Rio.) |
If you're ever in Iloilo and just had a taste of a Perri Todd burger, you might want to hold a contest among your peers: Who can mimic the Perri Todd mascot pose the best?
For Lead Character, he only managed to mimic successfully the mascot's double chin. JabberedOnion captured the eyes. Rabsin got the mouth and the left hand. Joy Bee, most disappointingly, never really tried hard enough.
If you're ever in Iloilo, be sure your stay there is more than just for one weekend. Lead Character only spent a weekend there and he didn't get enough. It's pretty much just like Cebu but with more good-looking waiters, something that almost became Lead Character's undoing. Thankfully, he was able to hold it together. By the time he boarded the plane that was to fly him back to his beloved city, he vowed, just as General MacArthur did, "I shall return."*
*Just so we're clear, Lead Character is not returning to Iloilo to destroy the Japanese. He just wanted something artsy-fartsy for an ending to a four-part series, and he doesn't really have the time nor the intellectual capacity to come up with something better.
04 December 2010
Cakewalker's Caffé: A Sanctuary for Med Students and Telecommuters
For about two years now, Lead Character and his friends have been frequenting a quaint little cafe called Cakewalker's Caffé, located at The Strip along Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City.
Lead Character used to wonder why it's called Cakewalker's, and why Caffé is spelled as such. He never really got the chance to ask the owner, but based on his online research, he learned that Caffé is cafe in Italian, and that cakewalk either means (a) n., a strutting dance performed by minstrels or (b) n., an easy accomplishment. Lead Character is not sure about the Italian part, because their menu is very Filipino-American, which includes bacon and egg with rice, and a clubhouse sandwich. As for the definition of cakewalk, he'd like to propose a new dictionary entry:
Cakewalker's Caffé does not really offer the best coffee; Lead Character still prefers Starbucks and the brewed coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, but it has a couple of standouts, like its selection of Caffé Signature Drinks. It does not offer the best cakes as well (which made Lead Character suspect right from the beginning that the name Cakewalker's might not have anything to do with cakes at all). Recently, though, Lead Character was able to try a slice of what he can only describe as effing decadent.
That being said, the one thing that makes Cakewalker's better than any other coffee shop in the city is its customer service. Its baristas are polite and proactive. When they catch you smoking outside, they take the initiative to bring you an ashtray. When there aren't any more electrical outlets available for you to charge your laptop, they lend you an extension wire. They also say "Thank you for coming" in the most natural way. Starbucks baristas can get phony sometimes, nauseatingly overzealous with their work. At Mr. Coffee, it sometimes feels like they don't care whether you're a customer or not. At Figaro, their demeanor gets lost in their good looks. And don't even get me started on Brown Cup--they complain when you hand them a five-hundred-peso bill and what you ordered is just worth Php100. One time, a Brown Cup barista called a customer a "bitch." Not cool.
Aside from grade A customer service, the ambiance at Cakewalker's is relaxing, like your very own home on a rainy afternoon; you just want to stay indoors and curl up with a book, or browse profiles on Facebook. Several times Lead Character has slept in one of its couches, without having to worry about being judged.
So in case this is the first time you've heard about Cakewalker's, do drop by, order a cup of coffee, just let go, and for the first time in your life, cakewalk.
Lead Character used to wonder why it's called Cakewalker's, and why Caffé is spelled as such. He never really got the chance to ask the owner, but based on his online research, he learned that Caffé is cafe in Italian, and that cakewalk either means (a) n., a strutting dance performed by minstrels or (b) n., an easy accomplishment. Lead Character is not sure about the Italian part, because their menu is very Filipino-American, which includes bacon and egg with rice, and a clubhouse sandwich. As for the definition of cakewalk, he'd like to propose a new dictionary entry:
cakewalk, v., to spend hours at a cafe, whether productively or not, to:
1. escape the drudgery that is your very own lower middle-class home and work (this is if you're a telecommuter like Lead Character and JabberedOnion)
2. review for the medical board exam with your study group (this is if you're med students who enjoy throwing medical words at each other)
3. discuss your legal options with your lawyer (this is if you're a call center agent who just got fired--as witnessed a few months back by Lead Character's friend, who couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation)
4. eavesdrop on other people's conversations (not that Lead Character can help it--yesterday, a recruiter was quite loud describing how interested candidates can work in the UK, with special mention of how the job could change their lives forevah)
Cakewalker's Caffé does not really offer the best coffee; Lead Character still prefers Starbucks and the brewed coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, but it has a couple of standouts, like its selection of Caffé Signature Drinks. It does not offer the best cakes as well (which made Lead Character suspect right from the beginning that the name Cakewalker's might not have anything to do with cakes at all). Recently, though, Lead Character was able to try a slice of what he can only describe as effing decadent.
That being said, the one thing that makes Cakewalker's better than any other coffee shop in the city is its customer service. Its baristas are polite and proactive. When they catch you smoking outside, they take the initiative to bring you an ashtray. When there aren't any more electrical outlets available for you to charge your laptop, they lend you an extension wire. They also say "Thank you for coming" in the most natural way. Starbucks baristas can get phony sometimes, nauseatingly overzealous with their work. At Mr. Coffee, it sometimes feels like they don't care whether you're a customer or not. At Figaro, their demeanor gets lost in their good looks. And don't even get me started on Brown Cup--they complain when you hand them a five-hundred-peso bill and what you ordered is just worth Php100. One time, a Brown Cup barista called a customer a "bitch." Not cool.
Aside from grade A customer service, the ambiance at Cakewalker's is relaxing, like your very own home on a rainy afternoon; you just want to stay indoors and curl up with a book, or browse profiles on Facebook. Several times Lead Character has slept in one of its couches, without having to worry about being judged.
So in case this is the first time you've heard about Cakewalker's, do drop by, order a cup of coffee, just let go, and for the first time in your life, cakewalk.
02 December 2010
Like Me!
Due to its increasing popularity (over 4 hits a day! Epic!), The Lead Character Chronicles now has its own Fan Page on Facebook!
Click here to get to the page. Or simply hit the LIKE button on the left side.
Ugh!
Click here to get to the page. Or simply hit the LIKE button on the left side.
Ugh!
30 November 2010
If You're Ever in Iloilo, part 3
Season 2 Episode 07
If you're ever in Iloilo, it is a given that you should party at Smallville. Smallville is a vast stretch of road with establishments ranging from coffee shops to restos to bars that cater to economic classes A, B, C, D, E, and well, as you might have already guessed, Koreans. Lead Character learned that the A and B crowd is mostly seen at Ice, and at the area where The Venue is, as Lead Character himself witnessed. Classes C and D go to Pirates, which is where Lead Character and his friends would have definitely belonged if Smallville were in Cebu, but since they're "tourists," they first settled at Mexicana Cantina, hoping to get some shots of cheap tequila. To their dismay, Mexicana Cantina didn't serve Mojitos, leaving them with no choice but drink Jose Cuervo. It's better to go broke than never get drunk at all.
If you're ever in Iloilo, it is a given that you should party at Smallville. Smallville is a vast stretch of road with establishments ranging from coffee shops to restos to bars that cater to economic classes A, B, C, D, E, and well, as you might have already guessed, Koreans. Lead Character learned that the A and B crowd is mostly seen at Ice, and at the area where The Venue is, as Lead Character himself witnessed. Classes C and D go to Pirates, which is where Lead Character and his friends would have definitely belonged if Smallville were in Cebu, but since they're "tourists," they first settled at Mexicana Cantina, hoping to get some shots of cheap tequila. To their dismay, Mexicana Cantina didn't serve Mojitos, leaving them with no choice but drink Jose Cuervo. It's better to go broke than never get drunk at all.
If you're ever in Iloilo, be sure you party with the people. Actually, wherever you are, always make sure you have a night allotted for partying with the local folks, to meet new friends, and really get immersed in their drunken culture. Unfortunately for Lead Character, they hung out instead with fellow Cebuanos. An old grade school friend of Joy Bee's, JP, caught up with them at Mexicana Cantina, followed by JP's friend, JR. (Guys who go by their initials. . .quite interesting. Lead Character considered for a second going by LC, but he realized people might mistake that for Lauren Conrad, and a sentence using LC referring to Lead Character might make Perez Hilton's head spin, i.e., "LC has just been spotted shopping at Tita Guapa." But we digress.)
If you're ever in Iloilo, be sure you party with the people. Lead Character can't quite stress this enough. Because aside from hanging out with fellow Cebuanos, he and his friends didn't go party with the people. They instead went karaoke at the Annex. Karaoke! Something that can be done back in Cebu with fellow Cebuanos! Dagnabbit!
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| Photo courtesy of JabberedOnion. |
This isn't saying Lead Character didn't have fun. JP and JR were extra fun to hang out with. And the Annex, after all, served Mojitos, which was all that Lead Character and his friends ordered for the Php1,200 (consumable, 3 hours worth) that they were charged for for the private videoke room that the Annex staff described as the small room. Lead Character, however, thought it could house two non-abstaining Catholic families. JabberedOnion then contacted her friends, Rabsin and Rio, from the Cebu Bloggers Society. The result was a night full of drunken singing of duets and ambitious solos.
By the time the Annex closed, Lead Character was already out by the bushes puking nothing but bile, saliva, and throat cells, with well-dressed twentysomethings behind him laughing (at him or at something else, Lead Character will never know).
And that, ladies and gents, is how you should not spend a night out in Iloilo. Lead Character would have really preferred bumping and grinding with the people. But then again, remembering now how the night went, Lead Character remembers it was him who might have suggested they go karaoke.
Stay tuned, for there might or might not be a 4th installment.
29 November 2010
If You're Ever in Iloilo, part 2
Season 2 Episode 06
If you're ever in Iloilo, you should know that there's this charming little hotel called Highway21. Out from the main street, it seems like a sleazy motel that couples and trios (depending on your sense of adventure) check into for 2-3 hours of reckless abandon, because it seems to be secluded that way. However, once you see its facade, you'll realize it's actually for decent, fun-loving tourists.
If you're ever in Iloilo, you should know that there's this charming little hotel called Highway21. Out from the main street, it seems like a sleazy motel that couples and trios (depending on your sense of adventure) check into for 2-3 hours of reckless abandon, because it seems to be secluded that way. However, once you see its facade, you'll realize it's actually for decent, fun-loving tourists.
After their horrendous experience at City Corporate Inn, Lead Character and friends decided to take some action. Lucky for them, Highway21 was suggested. They didn't have free wi-fi; they charge Php100 for every 24 hours, and the connection wasn't really that fast, but it was miles better than having no connection at all.
Lead Character and friends got a small room that was good for two persons only and just had an extra bed added--both for economic purposes and because Highway21 had no other rooms available.
What surprised Lead Character was the food that the hotel served. For the usual price of around Php150, you'd get huge servings--almost double, in fact. After a night out at Smallville (all the dirt will be exposed in the next installment) where they downed shots of tequila, Lead Character and friends ate the whole day. First was at 12nn. They ordered a bowl of soup that they thought was enough for one person, but turned out to be enough to feed eighteen wrestlers. They also had chicken and pork adobo and chicken curry that they couldn't finish even after their second meal at 4pm. At around 8pm, Lead Character ordered a plateful of spaghetti bolognese that had so much meat in it JabberedOnion couldn't help but dig in herself, despite her assertion that she was not hungry.
Stay tuned to find out how Lead Character and friends partied on a Saturday night in the city of love.
If You're Ever in Iloilo, part 1
Season 2 Episode 05
If you're ever in Iloilo, do not check into City Corporate Inn!
Lead Character and his friends decided to fly to Iloilo for the Visayas Blogger Summit, which Lead Character hoped would improve his sitcom-blog's ratings and thereby avoid getting axed.
The only hotel they found online that had free wi-fi in the rooms at affordable rates was City Corporate Inn. But much to their dismay, the experience was horrific.
There was no Internet connection in the room. They can get into the wifi network, but Internet access was nonexistent. The person-in-charge (or whatever her job title was, as Lead Character thought at first she was the VP of Staff Members Who Do Not Love Their Jobs--she only smiled once; the rest of the time she looked like she was contemplating suicide) went up to their room to show Lead Character and his friends, JabberedOnion and Joy Bee, that she can browse on her laptop. Lead Character wasn't convinced because even his phone could not pick up the Internet connection, as well as JabberedOnion's laptop and iPhone. But as shown in previous episodes, Lead Character doesn't really have the personality to be bossy, so he kept quiet about it. Thankfully, JabberedOnion is a raving maniac when it comes to bad customer service, so she told the alleged VP of SMWDNLTJ off that the Internet was the main reason they chose their hotel. Unfortunately, the issue remained unresolved.
Another shitty thing about the room was that even if it featured a mini-fridge, it had no outlet close by to be plugged into. Joy Bee had to drag the mini-fridge right outside the bathroom, which had the only sensible electrical outlet available.
And just when you think all the terror ends there, you're wrong. Lead Character and friends couldn't find the remote control for the TV anywhere. When they asked Room Service where it was, they were simply told that they were to pay Php 200 for having lost it.
Well, isn't that just icing on the cake.
Stay tuned to find out how Lead Character and his friends found a much better hotel to stay in when you're in Iloilo.
If you're ever in Iloilo, do not check into City Corporate Inn!
Lead Character and his friends decided to fly to Iloilo for the Visayas Blogger Summit, which Lead Character hoped would improve his sitcom-blog's ratings and thereby avoid getting axed.
The only hotel they found online that had free wi-fi in the rooms at affordable rates was City Corporate Inn. But much to their dismay, the experience was horrific.
There was no Internet connection in the room. They can get into the wifi network, but Internet access was nonexistent. The person-in-charge (or whatever her job title was, as Lead Character thought at first she was the VP of Staff Members Who Do Not Love Their Jobs--she only smiled once; the rest of the time she looked like she was contemplating suicide) went up to their room to show Lead Character and his friends, JabberedOnion and Joy Bee, that she can browse on her laptop. Lead Character wasn't convinced because even his phone could not pick up the Internet connection, as well as JabberedOnion's laptop and iPhone. But as shown in previous episodes, Lead Character doesn't really have the personality to be bossy, so he kept quiet about it. Thankfully, JabberedOnion is a raving maniac when it comes to bad customer service, so she told the alleged VP of SMWDNLTJ off that the Internet was the main reason they chose their hotel. Unfortunately, the issue remained unresolved.
Another shitty thing about the room was that even if it featured a mini-fridge, it had no outlet close by to be plugged into. Joy Bee had to drag the mini-fridge right outside the bathroom, which had the only sensible electrical outlet available.
Well, isn't that just icing on the cake.
Stay tuned to find out how Lead Character and his friends found a much better hotel to stay in when you're in Iloilo.
12 November 2010
20 October 2010
Lead Character Learns Absolute Truths at a Wake
Season 2, Episode 04
LEAD CHARACTER’S distant uncle, who wasn’t that much older than LEAD CHARACTER so he considered him his distant cousin, recently died of a heart attack. At the wake, LEAD CHARACTER is herded by his MOTHER here and there to introduce him to relatives he can no longer recall as having been part of his early years, except for the godmother who used to give him presents every Christmas day.
After the litany, LEAD CHARACTER walks up to the coffin to view his dead cousin. Dead people look very peaceful, something that LEAD CHARACTER envies. People who are left to live usually have things in their heads bugging them, be it something as painful as losing a loved one, or something as wonderful as finding one, or something as mundane as getting a new haircut for a job interview. For LEAD CHARACTER, as long as you’re alive, you’ll always be bound by time—ghosts of the past, challenges of an undecided future, and the strenuous feat of keeping it together for the present. But when you’re dead, you transcend time. There is no past, no present, no future. LEAD CHARACTER wishes he were dead.
However, LEAD CHARACTER’S rumination on death is interrupted when a group of men and women walk in with guitars and sheet music and Bibles. Everyone at the wake is then asked to take their seats. LEAD CHARACTER thinks for a moment that they’re going to have another round of prayers for the dead, but he’s wrong. The arrival of the group of men and women is not for the dead, but for the living. The group, it turns out, is there to proselytize.
After a couple of praise and worship songs, the group’s leader, who looks a lot like German Moreno (thus from hereon will be referred to as GERMAN MORENO), starts his talk with verses from the Bible that state absolute truths about life. They’re absolute truths because they’re from the Bible. Apparently the Christian Bible is as infallible as the sun rising in the east.
Absolute Truth #1: People die.
LEAD CHARACTER is stunned. He thought some people are immortal, like Madonna. But then again, maybe Madonna is already dead. She just looks alive these days because of Adobe Photoshop.
Absolute Truth #2: We’ll never know when we’re going to die.
LEAD CHARACTER is even more stunned. He thought he knew exactly when he’s going to die: October 27th, 2012, 4:38pm.
Absolute Truth #3: There is hell.
LEAD CHARACTER is impressed. Apparently, GERMAN MORENO has been to hell and back.
GERMAN MORENO: Now, if you want to avoid going to hell, whose fires are black, which are a lot more painful than yellow and blue fire, all you need to do is accept Jesus as your personal savior. Now let us all close our eyes and bow our heads. . . .
LEAD CHARACTER looks around. Pretty much everyone is hesitant. Who knows what will happen if everyone had their eyes closed? GERMAN MORENO will still steal a wet kiss from an unsuspecting person?
After a few more urging, everyone bows their heads. LEAD CHARACTER bows his head but keeps his eyes open, keeping close watch on his crotch to make sure nothing untoward will happen to it.
GERMAN MORENO: Now, I would like you to raise your hand if you want me to include you in my prayers.
LEAD CHARACTER knows exactly what is happening. If he raises his hand, GERMAN MORENO will acknowledge that LEAD CHARACTER has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, thereby making him go to (gasp!) heaven, a place full of baby harpists in golden diapers. That, for LEAD CHARACTER, is creepy.
GERMAN MORENO: OK, we only have one person here who hasn’t raised his hand. Young man, don’t you want to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior?
LEAD CHARACTER panics. He’s pretty sure GERMAN MORENO is referring to him.
GERMAN MORENO: Young man?
LEAD CHARACTER doesn’t move an inch. He pretends to be asleep.
GERMAN MORENO: Young man, do you want to go to hell?
Yes, LEAD CHARACTER thinks. Hell is full of oiled musclemen screaming. Yes, I’d like to go to hell please.
But LEAD CHARACTER doesn’t respond. Apparently, pretending to be asleep is not helping. LEAD CHARACTER pushes the envelope and pretends to be dead.
LEAD CHARACTER’S distant uncle, who wasn’t that much older than LEAD CHARACTER so he considered him his distant cousin, recently died of a heart attack. At the wake, LEAD CHARACTER is herded by his MOTHER here and there to introduce him to relatives he can no longer recall as having been part of his early years, except for the godmother who used to give him presents every Christmas day.
After the litany, LEAD CHARACTER walks up to the coffin to view his dead cousin. Dead people look very peaceful, something that LEAD CHARACTER envies. People who are left to live usually have things in their heads bugging them, be it something as painful as losing a loved one, or something as wonderful as finding one, or something as mundane as getting a new haircut for a job interview. For LEAD CHARACTER, as long as you’re alive, you’ll always be bound by time—ghosts of the past, challenges of an undecided future, and the strenuous feat of keeping it together for the present. But when you’re dead, you transcend time. There is no past, no present, no future. LEAD CHARACTER wishes he were dead.
However, LEAD CHARACTER’S rumination on death is interrupted when a group of men and women walk in with guitars and sheet music and Bibles. Everyone at the wake is then asked to take their seats. LEAD CHARACTER thinks for a moment that they’re going to have another round of prayers for the dead, but he’s wrong. The arrival of the group of men and women is not for the dead, but for the living. The group, it turns out, is there to proselytize.
After a couple of praise and worship songs, the group’s leader, who looks a lot like German Moreno (thus from hereon will be referred to as GERMAN MORENO), starts his talk with verses from the Bible that state absolute truths about life. They’re absolute truths because they’re from the Bible. Apparently the Christian Bible is as infallible as the sun rising in the east.
Absolute Truth #1: People die.
LEAD CHARACTER is stunned. He thought some people are immortal, like Madonna. But then again, maybe Madonna is already dead. She just looks alive these days because of Adobe Photoshop.
Absolute Truth #2: We’ll never know when we’re going to die.
LEAD CHARACTER is even more stunned. He thought he knew exactly when he’s going to die: October 27th, 2012, 4:38pm.
Absolute Truth #3: There is hell.
LEAD CHARACTER is impressed. Apparently, GERMAN MORENO has been to hell and back.
GERMAN MORENO: Now, if you want to avoid going to hell, whose fires are black, which are a lot more painful than yellow and blue fire, all you need to do is accept Jesus as your personal savior. Now let us all close our eyes and bow our heads. . . .
LEAD CHARACTER looks around. Pretty much everyone is hesitant. Who knows what will happen if everyone had their eyes closed? GERMAN MORENO will still steal a wet kiss from an unsuspecting person?
After a few more urging, everyone bows their heads. LEAD CHARACTER bows his head but keeps his eyes open, keeping close watch on his crotch to make sure nothing untoward will happen to it.
GERMAN MORENO: Now, I would like you to raise your hand if you want me to include you in my prayers.
LEAD CHARACTER knows exactly what is happening. If he raises his hand, GERMAN MORENO will acknowledge that LEAD CHARACTER has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, thereby making him go to (gasp!) heaven, a place full of baby harpists in golden diapers. That, for LEAD CHARACTER, is creepy.
GERMAN MORENO: OK, we only have one person here who hasn’t raised his hand. Young man, don’t you want to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior?
LEAD CHARACTER panics. He’s pretty sure GERMAN MORENO is referring to him.
GERMAN MORENO: Young man?
LEAD CHARACTER doesn’t move an inch. He pretends to be asleep.
GERMAN MORENO: Young man, do you want to go to hell?
Yes, LEAD CHARACTER thinks. Hell is full of oiled musclemen screaming. Yes, I’d like to go to hell please.
But LEAD CHARACTER doesn’t respond. Apparently, pretending to be asleep is not helping. LEAD CHARACTER pushes the envelope and pretends to be dead.
05 August 2010
Fringe Benefits of Having No Sense of Direction
A lot can be said about people when falling in line at the order counter of McDonald's. There are those that know what they want to order; others change their minds at the last minute; and an unfortunate number cannot afford what they really want, so they're stuck with something else. I have been all three. It's a beautiful day when I crave for a quarter pounder and that's exactly what I get. It's a mess if I crave for a quarter pounder and end up getting the chicken-spaghetti meal, just because the pictures made me change my mind. What would happen is, even if I got satisfied with the chicken and spaghetti, I'd always wonder how I'd have felt had I ordered the quarter pounder that was in my mind in the first place. It's hell if I want a quarter pounder and all I can afford is a cheeseburger (not the cheeseburger meal; just one cheeseburger).
In life, there are people who end up exactly what they've always wanted to be; there are those that wanted to be this, but discover later that they want to be something else; and there are also those that could never be what they want to be, because they do not fulfill the necessary requirements to attain that goal. I have been all three. However, to avoid embarrassing myself, I will not divulge what it was that I wanted and successfully attained, what I thought I wanted and ended up satisfied with something else, and what I could never be or have. Besides, that is not the reason why I'm writing this anyway.
I'm writing this because after having been all three, I am now irreversibly one of the fourth type of people waiting in line at McDonald's. These people are perhaps rare to come across, but not as uncommon as you think. These are the people who, while they might be in line, are not really intent on ordering. They're just there because it's a necessity to eat, and not because they crave for a specific meal. In life, these are the people who have no sense of direction. And I (yes, bitch) am one of them.
It isn't all that bad. When you have no sense of direction, you are in no particular hurry. When you are in no hurry, the less things upset you, if at all. When nothing upsets you, people think you're wise, that you're above them. In a way, you are above them. People sometimes bitch about not getting the correct change at the counter, or being asked to wait for their order, but you, you don't care. And when you finally get your turn to order, you can either ask for something instantly or take your time, oblivious to the people behind you, because you can never hate yourself whether you get a quarter pounder or spaghetti or chicken or end up stepping out to see what Jollibee has. In the same regard, you can write something totally pointless and not even fini
In life, there are people who end up exactly what they've always wanted to be; there are those that wanted to be this, but discover later that they want to be something else; and there are also those that could never be what they want to be, because they do not fulfill the necessary requirements to attain that goal. I have been all three. However, to avoid embarrassing myself, I will not divulge what it was that I wanted and successfully attained, what I thought I wanted and ended up satisfied with something else, and what I could never be or have. Besides, that is not the reason why I'm writing this anyway.
I'm writing this because after having been all three, I am now irreversibly one of the fourth type of people waiting in line at McDonald's. These people are perhaps rare to come across, but not as uncommon as you think. These are the people who, while they might be in line, are not really intent on ordering. They're just there because it's a necessity to eat, and not because they crave for a specific meal. In life, these are the people who have no sense of direction. And I (yes, bitch) am one of them.
It isn't all that bad. When you have no sense of direction, you are in no particular hurry. When you are in no hurry, the less things upset you, if at all. When nothing upsets you, people think you're wise, that you're above them. In a way, you are above them. People sometimes bitch about not getting the correct change at the counter, or being asked to wait for their order, but you, you don't care. And when you finally get your turn to order, you can either ask for something instantly or take your time, oblivious to the people behind you, because you can never hate yourself whether you get a quarter pounder or spaghetti or chicken or end up stepping out to see what Jollibee has. In the same regard, you can write something totally pointless and not even fini
19 June 2010
Lead Character's Top Ten Glee Moments (Season One)
10. Jesse St. James's first appearance. When Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff) first appeared, Lead Character gasped. He is a big fan of Spring Awakening, and seeing a Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff reunion made Lead Character burst into song, specifically "Touch Me". Now, how about a Duncan Sheik guest appearance in season two?
9. It's My Life/Confessions, Pt. 2 Mash-Up. There's no question that Glee introduced the concept of Mash-Up, and they started it well: the boys singing "It's My Life" (Jon Bon Jovi) and "Confessions, Pt. 2" (Usher). Of course, it's been done before, but not everyone knew it had a name. Lead Character didn't know it had a name. And now Mash-Ups are everyone's new way of singing in the bathroom. As of this morning, Lead Character's shower mash-up (and also while taking a dump) is "Killer Queen" (Queen) and "Killer Queen" (Travis).
8. Kurt comes out to his dad. We should have been spared from this cliché in television, but it's undeniable that this was still a touching scene. "I'd known since you were three. All you wanted for your birthday was a pair of sensible heels... I love you just as much." Aww.
7. Mr. Schue and Rachel sing "Endless Love". In what is probably the funniest first five minutes in any episode of Glee, Mr. Schue's overacting pays off.
6. Brittany teaches the group how to do a Hairography. "Just pretend you're being tasered." Classic! "It's like cool epilepsy." Classicker!
5. Artie's Safety Dance. Because Joss Whedon is a genius and he directed this episode. And Jollibee appears in the background, proof that the Glee kids are not in Lima, Ohio, but in California. Hee hee.
4. Idina Menzel and Lea Michele sing "I Dreamed a Dream". Here, I do not see them as Ms. Shelby and Rachel. I see them as Idina and Lea, power women in theater who can pull off such a touching scene through their voices. Also, Joss Whedon is a genius and he directed this episode.
3. The Glee members sing "Ride Wit Me". Live singing (correct me if I'm wrong), no lip syncing, pure fun. Glee should do all their numbers this way.
9. It's My Life/Confessions, Pt. 2 Mash-Up. There's no question that Glee introduced the concept of Mash-Up, and they started it well: the boys singing "It's My Life" (Jon Bon Jovi) and "Confessions, Pt. 2" (Usher). Of course, it's been done before, but not everyone knew it had a name. Lead Character didn't know it had a name. And now Mash-Ups are everyone's new way of singing in the bathroom. As of this morning, Lead Character's shower mash-up (and also while taking a dump) is "Killer Queen" (Queen) and "Killer Queen" (Travis).
8. Kurt comes out to his dad. We should have been spared from this cliché in television, but it's undeniable that this was still a touching scene. "I'd known since you were three. All you wanted for your birthday was a pair of sensible heels... I love you just as much." Aww.
7. Mr. Schue and Rachel sing "Endless Love". In what is probably the funniest first five minutes in any episode of Glee, Mr. Schue's overacting pays off.
6. Brittany teaches the group how to do a Hairography. "Just pretend you're being tasered." Classic! "It's like cool epilepsy." Classicker!
5. Artie's Safety Dance. Because Joss Whedon is a genius and he directed this episode. And Jollibee appears in the background, proof that the Glee kids are not in Lima, Ohio, but in California. Hee hee.
4. Idina Menzel and Lea Michele sing "I Dreamed a Dream". Here, I do not see them as Ms. Shelby and Rachel. I see them as Idina and Lea, power women in theater who can pull off such a touching scene through their voices. Also, Joss Whedon is a genius and he directed this episode.
3. The Glee members sing "Ride Wit Me". Live singing (correct me if I'm wrong), no lip syncing, pure fun. Glee should do all their numbers this way.
2. The football team dancing to "Single Ladies". Of course, Glee will always be remembered for having a football team dance to "Single Ladies". It's illogical, forced, corny, but this scene was probable the most talked about after the episode aired.
1. And of course, the best Glee moment is in the following video. This number just makes me want to jump in my seat and celebrate the love of our Almighty God.
08 June 2010
31 March 2010
Lead Character Almost Misses His Flight
Season 2 Episode 02
LEAD CHARACTER hops into a cab and tells the CABBIE to take him to the airport, fast, as he’s running late. His flight is at 4:20pm. It’s already 3:10. The CABBIE smiles as he steps on it.
CABBIE: Who’s your President?
LEAD CHARACTER: Huh?
CABBIE: Your President … who are you voting for?
LEAD CHARACTER: Yeah, I know. I was just wondering why you want to know.
CABBIE: You know, people who are in a hurry are usually mocked by Fate. You get all sorts of interceptions along the way and you might end up missing your flight.
LEAD CHARACTER: OK! I’m voting for Noynoy.
The cab accelerates.
CABBIE: I’m voting for Villar.
LEAD CHARACTER: OK.
LEAD CHARACTER manages to stop his face from throwing out a look of disgust. He thinks Villar is full of shit. Villar’s campaign revolves around having grown up poor in order to appeal to the masses. LEAD CHARACTER doesn’t believe any of it, and he’s annoyed that people actually buy it. With Villar in his TVC are really poor children (or child actors portraying poor children), who sing that only Villar can take them out of poverty. If that's the case, why not showcase the children as rich already? Is Villar only planning on making them rich after shooting the commercial, or after the elections, in case he wins? And what if he doesn't win? Will those children stay poor?
CABBIE: Why are you voting for Noynoy, anyway?
LEAD CHARACTER (squirming in his seat): It’s just a family consensus. My mother wants our votes to be uniform.
The truth is, LEAD CHARACTER is still torn between Gibo and Noynoy. Gibo for he’s such a cutie, and Noynoy for having come from a decent, historically-relevant family. Yes, per LEAD CHARACTER’S standards, Kris Aquino is decent, and she herself is historically-relevant—all by herself. (Who else kept an entire nation glued to the TV screen to hear her recount having contracted a sexually transmitted disease?) LEAD CHARACTER is yet to vote for a dream president, though. His dream president would have to have a no-bullshit campaign that encourages a certain belief system that LEAD CHARACTER would have to delve deeper into in another episode as it’s neither here nor there.
Later, they get jammed in traffic. The CABBIE turns to LEAD CHARACTER and winks.
CABBIE: I told you. Interceptions.
LEAD CHARACTER sinks in his seat.
They arrive at the airport at 3:50pm. There should still be enough time. LEAD CHARACTER sprints to the Check-In Counter. There are around 4 people huddled around it. A SECURITY GUARD notices LEAD CHARACTER.
GUARD: Where are you off to?
LEAD CHARACTER: Kalibo.
GUARD (panicked): Oh Em Eff Gee!!! (to the counter) We have another one for Kalibo! This isn’t good…. (to LEAD CHARACTER) Give me your papers! Quick!
LEAD CHARACTER feels like throwing up. He hands his itinerary and ID to the GUARD.
Weird enough, LEAD CHARACTER gets his boarding pass first. The 3 or 4 people queueing, which include a kindly nun, have not gotten their boarding passes yet.
LEAD CHARACTER heads to where he’s supposed to pay for a terminal fee. It’s closed. He doesn’t know what to do. He starts to think how nuns bother him. Nuns immediately get good impressions for wearing a habit. People inevitably think of them as cool and gentle because of what they wear. Even LEAD CHARACTER thinks of them immediately as kind and cool and gentle. Even the nun earlier at the Check-In Counter who moved at a glacial pace seemed nice and readily likable. But the other civilians in line, Lead Character would have to size them up first for the way they speak, the way they dress, and, if possible, see if they were Mac or Windows users.
GUARD: What are you doing? Go to the next one! You’re lucky you were allowed in. The plane’s already cruising….
LEAD CHARACTER runs. He runs his chubby ass out to the gate, zooming past the waiting area, straight to the tarmac where, from a distance, under the piercing heat of the sun, men in yellow point him to where his plane is. Looking ahead, he sees three planes lined up, and he doesn’t know which one the men are pointing to. He takes his chances and goes up to the first one. FLIGHT ATTENDANT 1 is standing over him at the top of the ladder.
LEAD CHARACTER (panting): Is this for Kalibo?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT 1: Why, yes, Sir.
LEAD CHARACTER, relieved like crazy, steps inside and finds that … lo and behold … he's all alone, except for FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2, who smiles at him earnestly.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2: LEAD CHARACTER, you’re the first to arrive.
LEAD CHARACTER hops into a cab and tells the CABBIE to take him to the airport, fast, as he’s running late. His flight is at 4:20pm. It’s already 3:10. The CABBIE smiles as he steps on it.
CABBIE: Who’s your President?
LEAD CHARACTER: Huh?
CABBIE: Your President … who are you voting for?
LEAD CHARACTER: Yeah, I know. I was just wondering why you want to know.
CABBIE: You know, people who are in a hurry are usually mocked by Fate. You get all sorts of interceptions along the way and you might end up missing your flight.
LEAD CHARACTER: OK! I’m voting for Noynoy.
The cab accelerates.
CABBIE: I’m voting for Villar.
LEAD CHARACTER: OK.
LEAD CHARACTER manages to stop his face from throwing out a look of disgust. He thinks Villar is full of shit. Villar’s campaign revolves around having grown up poor in order to appeal to the masses. LEAD CHARACTER doesn’t believe any of it, and he’s annoyed that people actually buy it. With Villar in his TVC are really poor children (or child actors portraying poor children), who sing that only Villar can take them out of poverty. If that's the case, why not showcase the children as rich already? Is Villar only planning on making them rich after shooting the commercial, or after the elections, in case he wins? And what if he doesn't win? Will those children stay poor?
CABBIE: Why are you voting for Noynoy, anyway?
LEAD CHARACTER (squirming in his seat): It’s just a family consensus. My mother wants our votes to be uniform.
The truth is, LEAD CHARACTER is still torn between Gibo and Noynoy. Gibo for he’s such a cutie, and Noynoy for having come from a decent, historically-relevant family. Yes, per LEAD CHARACTER’S standards, Kris Aquino is decent, and she herself is historically-relevant—all by herself. (Who else kept an entire nation glued to the TV screen to hear her recount having contracted a sexually transmitted disease?) LEAD CHARACTER is yet to vote for a dream president, though. His dream president would have to have a no-bullshit campaign that encourages a certain belief system that LEAD CHARACTER would have to delve deeper into in another episode as it’s neither here nor there.
Later, they get jammed in traffic. The CABBIE turns to LEAD CHARACTER and winks.
CABBIE: I told you. Interceptions.
LEAD CHARACTER sinks in his seat.
They arrive at the airport at 3:50pm. There should still be enough time. LEAD CHARACTER sprints to the Check-In Counter. There are around 4 people huddled around it. A SECURITY GUARD notices LEAD CHARACTER.
GUARD: Where are you off to?
LEAD CHARACTER: Kalibo.
GUARD (panicked): Oh Em Eff Gee!!! (to the counter) We have another one for Kalibo! This isn’t good…. (to LEAD CHARACTER) Give me your papers! Quick!
LEAD CHARACTER feels like throwing up. He hands his itinerary and ID to the GUARD.
Weird enough, LEAD CHARACTER gets his boarding pass first. The 3 or 4 people queueing, which include a kindly nun, have not gotten their boarding passes yet.
LEAD CHARACTER heads to where he’s supposed to pay for a terminal fee. It’s closed. He doesn’t know what to do. He starts to think how nuns bother him. Nuns immediately get good impressions for wearing a habit. People inevitably think of them as cool and gentle because of what they wear. Even LEAD CHARACTER thinks of them immediately as kind and cool and gentle. Even the nun earlier at the Check-In Counter who moved at a glacial pace seemed nice and readily likable. But the other civilians in line, Lead Character would have to size them up first for the way they speak, the way they dress, and, if possible, see if they were Mac or Windows users.
GUARD: What are you doing? Go to the next one! You’re lucky you were allowed in. The plane’s already cruising….
LEAD CHARACTER runs. He runs his chubby ass out to the gate, zooming past the waiting area, straight to the tarmac where, from a distance, under the piercing heat of the sun, men in yellow point him to where his plane is. Looking ahead, he sees three planes lined up, and he doesn’t know which one the men are pointing to. He takes his chances and goes up to the first one. FLIGHT ATTENDANT 1 is standing over him at the top of the ladder.
LEAD CHARACTER (panting): Is this for Kalibo?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT 1: Why, yes, Sir.
LEAD CHARACTER, relieved like crazy, steps inside and finds that … lo and behold … he's all alone, except for FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2, who smiles at him earnestly.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2: LEAD CHARACTER, you’re the first to arrive.
THE END
23 February 2010
The Gospel According to Lead Character - Noah's Ark
This will be a new section on here, something which Lead Character wishes to enlighten his viewers/readers with every week.
For this week, the Gospel According to Lead Character* is the story of Noah and his famous Ark.
* Please note that this section is inspired by Stewie Griffin of Family Guy. He once told Brian Griffin the story of when God asked Abraham to kill his son Isaac, and Lead Character thought it was genius.
For this week, the Gospel According to Lead Character* is the story of Noah and his famous Ark.
* Please note that this section is inspired by Stewie Griffin of Family Guy. He once told Brian Griffin the story of when God asked Abraham to kill his son Isaac, and Lead Character thought it was genius.
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