Spotlight - Woody Harrelson

Just revived my movie blog today. I realized that I couldn't just let go of doing this. Especially now that I learned that blogging is one way of releasing stress. Not just blogging though, anything that you do outside work, where pressure, deadlines, scorecards are totally none of your concern. So here I am, filling up this site with movie contents. It doesn't matter if someone reads this or none, although it's a plus point if someone does hehe..

Anyway, my first article for this week would be a regular section on this site. I called it "Spotlight". It really sounds mediocre, but I don't think there are other words to use as this word relates to light of the camera focusing on something or someone in which as the title implies, this section would talk about an actor, director or perhaps writer or producer that has been contributing to movie industries. And my first ever Spotlight Victim is Woody Harrelson. Why him?'Coz I just watched his latest movie "Defendor".

Mr. Woody Harrelson is the actor who has the most movies that I've watched this past 365 days. And the irony of it, I just came to know him in Roland Emmerich's "2012" movie. Since then, I watched most of his latest films, though just got them in videos. And I'm telling you this guy is really versatile. He can be a crazy jackass or a very serious and scary person. No wonder he got 2 Oscar nominations both for leading and supporting roles.

The following are the movies of Woody Harrelson that I've watched this past 365 days:

1. 2012 - Who would forget Charlie Frost in this box-office disaster film. He played the radio announcer who predicted the end of the world. Acted alongside John Cusack and Amanda Peet, this is his highest grossing film with a world wide gross of $769.7.

2. Zombieland - played as Tallahassee, the zombie slayer alongside Jessie Eissenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. This movie opened at number 1 in North America with $24,733,155. The highest opening for Mr. Harrelson as the lead actor.

3. Management - this movie was released in late 2008 but got the chance to watch it early this year. He played the husband of Jennifer Aniston in the film and a pain-in-the-ass of Steve Zahn who is crazily in love with Jennifer.

4. Seven Pounds - I watched this film last 2 years ago. But I didn't know that he was in that film, 'coz I didn't know him yet 'til I have watched again the film in HBO. He was the blind man whom Will Smith shouted at over the phone but eventually donated his eyes to when he knew that he was dying.

5. The Messenger - Played the role of elite Captain Tony Stone whose task was to train the messenger (played by Ben Foster) in informing the departed families of soldiers who died during the war. His role in this film earned his 2nd Oscar nomination as Best Actor in Supporting role.

6. Defendor - his latest movie, that really made him more as one of the best actors in Hollywood. He played the title role as a hero-wannabe in this comedic film. Played alongside Kat Dennings.

Aside from the films above, you can also see Mr. Harrelson in these known films: Semi-Pro, No Country for Old Man, North Country and Anger Management. And he has several movies in production including the sequel foe Zombieland, movies with Josh Hartnet and Demi Moore to be out late this year and an animated film with Owen and Luke Wilson called "Turkey" next year.

A Book and a Shirt

I just got myself a new shirt and a book.I didn't really plan to buy some new stuff I just decided to go out awhile back supposed to eat chowfan and halo-halo from Chowking in Robinson Pioneer Mall. But before eating, I noticed that National Bookstore was on sale. Books are as low as Php 99.00, so I passed by and saw a book that really captured my interest. Its from John Robert Marlow called "Nano". Its a suspense/thriller book with ICT theme which reminds me of Michael Crichton books. I also saw the latest book of Michael Crichton called "Next", the last book he wrote before he died. But its still expensive, need to save for it. I also want to buy the books of Paulo Coelho. Looks like I really need to save a lot for books next time.

After eating in Chowking, I walked around the mall and found myself entering to a department store where shirts were on sale. I saw again the Dickies shirt that I really wanted. I couldn't believe that the cool black shirt that I fitted last 2 weeks was still there, and it was still on sale, just for 300 bucks. It was really meant for me, so I decided to fit it again and it really feels comfortable. After a few seconds of thinking of my budget this month, I decided to get it and I'm so happy that I did. It's my first Dickies shirt by the way and I'm so excited to wear it next week to work.

Pay time this week with three-day off straight

Got lucky with the transition of schedule this week. After being screwed by the-one-whoever-did-the-schedule last week and was given only one off for the entire week, I was given three days straight off this week, Its pay time I guess, but I was NCNS (no call no show) last time and intentionally used another SIM for my phone so that no one could call me and it was unpaid hehe... So this week, looks like I got a long vacation but haven't gone anywhere since Friday. Although I went to Genie's place in Ayala to get my PC but I think that doesn't count. Since then I just stayed home and only left the house to buy food. Haven't gone to a mall or meet some friends. Its my second day, on Tuesday 2 am I'll be back for work again. I have to move my limbs at least before going back to put my headset on and deal with irate customers. I just spent time chatting with friends, updating blogs, and offcourse downloading and watching movies.

I downloaded a lot of movies since yesterday (The Wolfman, Chloe, The Messengers, Fame, Carriers, Valhalla Rising and Babe I Love You) but I only managed to watch only three films, Miss You Like Crazy, Carriers, and just ended The Wolfman. I still have a lot of films I downloaded last week that I haven't even watched and I won't stop downloading 'til my hard drives fit them hehe..I'm planning to watch The Messengers, but I'm thinking to go out and take my lunch instead in Robinson Mall in Pioneer. I think I need to see things outside this house too, to exercise my eyes and relax my mind from radiation perhaps. I also texted Kaye, the friend of Genie (although she didn't reply yet) if we could go on swimming tonight in their place tonight. We've been planning it for more than a month now and I think tonight is the right time. My former coach, Coach Melai is also inviting me to watch Shrek 4, but I'm not sure if I'm going 'coz that's another activity punishing my retinas with dozes of radiation.

Though it doesn't sound really like a real plan for someone having three days off but it is for me. That's how I enjoy my rest days. 'Coz I really believe, whatever you spend your rest day with or with whom, whether with your family or alone, as long as you enjoy it, that's what really matters. Just be sure after those days, you are ready to start your week productively when you are back to work.

Excited to Leave the Country Soon

Just reviewed my itinerary online with Cebu Pacific Air. Can't wait to see my sister this July 30th and that's two months from now. I wonder if I could save by the time I'm leaving. Right now, I only have two thousand pesos saved. I hope my application for credit card would be approved next month. I know it's not that easy to manage it, but I think it's more of a self discipline. I will only use it when it is really needed. What excites me more in going to Malaysia is that, my younger sister from Zamboanga City would go too. And we would meet our eldest brother finally. Me and my younger sister never meet him yet. He left Philippines when we were young and we can't remember it. We only saw his pics and heard his voice over the phone. So its a family reunion at the same time.

Extraordinary Measures

My eyes are a bit red because of watching the film "Extra Ordinary Measure". It would really send you to tears. It may be too embarassing to admit but I will say it anyway, I cry sometimes when watching movie. I know it's rare for a guy to cry over films but I do, just can't stop myself. I have weakness for stories about family especially for a mother to thier children relationship (i don't cry for love stories for crying out loud,just wanna stress that out hehe..). Watching this extra ordinary film really widened my eyes to the fact that anything can happen. May it be considered as miracle but as long as you do everything and your heart is in it, nothing is impossible.

The movie is about a father, John Crowell (played by Brendan Fraser) who hoped for a miracle in saving his two kids from Pompe Cancer. He convinced Dr. Stonehill (played by Harrison Ford), a naive and too tough scientist to put his theories about the cure for Pompe to reality. John funded him a lab where he can work on his theories but realized that they were running out of time 'coz his kids only got less than a year to live if not cured. He eventually teamed up with other scientists who were working on the same cure. Faith and patients of John and his wife (played by Kerri Russel) were tested along the way...Don't wanna spoil the rest of the stories, but it's something worth watching. And what's good about it, is that, the movie is based from an extra ordinary true to life story. Really amazing!

Patient is a virtue

Finally got the itinerary for my trip to Malaysia yesterday. I thought I was going to waste a 3k pesos for the round trip ticket. I booked the ticket online last 19th and didn't receive any itinerary or confirmation from the Cebu Pacific, and the worst is, I couldn't even check it online because the confirmation number was not working (only to find out that I was using the wrong number lol). After calling them for three times the representative told me that I had to wait for 24 hours. Just when I was ready to call them again and I was really irate, I decided to check my mail and there was my itinerary. It went through after 24 hours. Patient is really a virtue. Now I understand our customers more in at&t why the are so irate sometimes. And as a customer too, I just need to trust the representative, although I wasn't told at first that it takes that long to confirm a flight using a debit card. I'm glad that I can visit my sister in Malaysia this July 30th. It would be my first time to fly outside the country and hopefully it would be a great experience. My coach filed my leave yesterday as I requested from July 29th to August 6th and he assured me that its gonna be approved. Can't wait for that day, God is so great!

Its Lecel's birthday today and as I wanted to make her day today, I couldn't think of something sweet or more special. Maybe because, what's between us is just limited to being together with no commitment or or not even close to it (at least for now). However, I really wanted her to know that she is so special to me, so I bought her a cake from Red Ribbon and a little dog stuff toy (she really loves dogs). After our shift this morning, I accompanied her to the bus terminal 'coz she went home to Pangasinan to spend her birthday with her kid and her family. Although we didn't have much time to talk, it made my day when she said "thank you, that's so sweet, and I really appreciate it". All I want to do is to make her happy all the time. I don't mind if she has a kid or she has different faith, I like her and I want to take time knowing her and be her man. Hope the perfect time comes where she would feel the same way. And if that would happen, I'll be the happiest man in the world.

Woke up by the tone of my phone ringing this morning. I answered the phone and heard an unfamiliar voice of a woman. It was my sister, Lai in Malaysia . She was sick and she just had a surgery last nigh that's why she sounded different. I was worried 'coz I know she was pregnant. She told me that the baby that she was carrying grew outside her ovary and had to be removed.The ovary had to be removed too. I feel so sad for my sister 'coz she really wanted to have a second child now that her first baby, Putri is already 5 year-old. I'm so glad my dearest brother-in-law always loves her and always takes care of her. He is the best brother-in-law the world for me (seriously). I really miss my sister. The last time we saw each other when she came home to Philippines last 3 years ago. I'm really hoping that I can visit them in Malaysia this year.

Thanks for all the blessings

Just had a cup of chocolate drink with Spanish bread and hot pandesal, my morning will never be complete without this for breakfast and it excites me to go home every morning after shift. Speaking of "shift", last night's shift was one of the easiest I've ever had. I got less calls, easy issues most of the time, no irate customer, it was a smooth night for me. And most of all, what made my night was when I awarded for the Sales Incentives for last month. I was the only one qualified for the incentives because of not having any absences or tardiness. The mechanics was just to perfect the attendance for the month and you just need to get at least 10 upsells or upgrade for the customers. I got 13 upsells for 2,000 bucks, it could have been 3,000 if I have made up to 15 upsells, but I ran out of time hehe..Anyway, I'm ok with it, that's a lot for me, I'm gonna share the money with my team this Sunday for team building and I will keep the rest, additional savings. My goal this month is to save 10,000 bucks. That's almost impossible since I'm only receiving 15,000 for a month. I just need to cut down expenses like eating too much outside, spending for stuff that are not important like movie rentals, celphone loads, cinemas perhaps (but not this month i guess, 'coz a lot of biggest movies are showing this month hehe).

God's blessings are beyond measurable sometimes, although I came short with my surveys (although it could have been an additional incentive if iImade it) from the customers, my other metrics are met, some exceeded plus the unexpected 2,000 bucks additional. Thank you Allah for all the blessings. Please keep on showering Your blessings to me, my family and friends and to my team. I'm looking forward for a better month this May.

Always hope for the best but expect the worst

"Always hope for the best but expect the worst" as they always say, which is really true. Things are not always work the way how you want it to be, you thought you play it cool, safe and fair, but still it doesn't end up how you planned it.

I'm not trying to sound so desperate 'coz i'm not, i'm just a bit frustrated, not being pessimistic but just stating facts. Where are all these coming from? Well, let's say at work, I was trying to pass all the metrics this month, it was all green in my scorecard, 'til one metric, which is a major metric went red on the 29th ('coz of two zero surveys from customers, they could have been responded to it on May 1st). Too bad right?i was trying my best to hit all green maybe for the first time, although it's not easy to do it, but there are people in our work who could. I want to be one of them, i don't want to be a mediocre. But anyway it's just one metric, over-all i did great, I don't need to wait my coach or anyone from the work to tell me that, 'coz i know i'm good. Perfect attendance, with exceeding the number of sales and expecting incentives this month, what could I ask for?..

Also at work, the girl that i talked about in my last post, I don't know if she and one of my co-agents are together, I'm so pathetic that I couldn't tell her how I feel. I saw them together yesterday which I knew they would go home together that's why I went home without telling her (i used to leave her a message on our messenger before leaving the office). I was trying not to see them but I still saw them from a far, there was a bit of not so good feelings, but I have to deal with it. Although there is no confirmation that there are official but it still hurts especially people at work tease them together. But that's ok, this is just one of the things i have to deal with, and i know i'll be over it soon, I'm not giving up just yet, one day she will be mine, i just got to prove to myself and to here that what i feel for her is real so not to compromise everything.