The Beginning of the End…

And so it has begun, the first official trailer for the finale of the Harry Potter series has been released and people’s reactions are simply overwhelming. Kudos to whoever’s in-charge of creating the trailers. They surely know how to catch the viewers’ attention. I felt the same thing when the trailer for Half-Blood Prince was released

 

Windows Live Writer

Test post from my Windows Live Writer software. Thanks to Little Miss Kessa’s entry, it had me tinkering immediately with my laptop trying to figure out how to access it on my end. I have a lot of catching up to do in the world of blogging. I’ve missed two Team Carnival entries already so I vow to make up for it this week.

My previous week just had been so busy. I interviewed for a internal job hiring just out of gut feeling. Man, I forgot what it felt like to be interviewed again! ^_^ I had butterflies in my stomach the entire evening that I thought I’d pass out. Here’s hoping this week will be a stress-free one.

Te quiero, Xabi!

I'm catching up on Xabi Alonso's clips on YouTube. Man, I love guys with accents! He's just so cute when conversing in English that it reminds me of Puss-in-Boots. Haha! But yeah, finally got to see that infamous long-range goal he had back when he was still with Liverpool. Whether it was pure luck or a strategized game plan I can only imagine the excitement of the viewers who were watching the game at that moment. Oh Xabi, is it too much to ask for a repeat performance in this year's World Cup? ^_^ 

Write-ups always say he looks like Jason Bateman but I think he's more of a cross between him and Eric Mabius. And yes, he's married. Good thing I'm no longer a teenager who can be very territorial over guys they fangirl at.

Victoria & Daniel: A Royal Wedding

How can you not love royal weddings? Aside from having me wishfully thinking I was a member of royalty myself, I find the "true love conquers all" mood generally appealing. So when Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden got married over the weekend to her fiance of eight years, Daniel Westling, I just had to google photos of the event. Sadly, the royal guests were mostly in their mid-thirties and I highly doubt anyone from Carl Philip and Madeleine's age group was present. Too bad the British princess (William and Harry) were off in South Africa for the World Cup, eh? :)

Blame it on the vuvuzelas?

My favorite World Cup teams are losing their steam! With Germany's loss last night to Serbia, this ballgame has become totally unpredictable. The underdogs have managed to outwit the favorites while my favorite players haven't really stepped up. If Brazil and Spain don't get their act together in their remaining matches, Argentina is getting an easy ticket into the finals. I wouldn't want Diego Maradona to have that satisfaction though. :)

My new World Cup crushie, Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso

What a chauvinistic move, CBS!

I'm not even sure I'll look forward to the 7th season after reading about this yesterday from Ask Ausiello. Seriously, CBS? The show's strength lies on its ensemble acting and I don't think the dynamics would ever be the same if it's merely the guys who are running the show. Drop the spin-off if you must, but keep JJ and Prentiss.

Oh, and perhaps fellow fans might want to sign the petition too? 

Waka waka!

I do not claim to be a football fanatic. I barely even know squat about the mechanics of the game. But now that the whole world is caught in the euphoria of the 2010 World Cup, I am so excited to be rooting for the teams of my favorite players. While my sister is all for Team Korea, I shall be rooting for Team Brazil and Team Spain (maybe Team Italy too, just because Gigi Buffon is one awesome goalkeeper).

But like a typical Pinoy whose idea of sport is either basketball or boxing, my dad is apathetic to our FIFA fangirl tendencies. He'd rather watch the NBA Finals than figure out who'll score a goal first in a football game. :)

Yes, I am a couch potato...

images from Amazon

For my first Team Carnival entry, allow me to share with you 5 TV shows I wouldn't mind watching over and over again on DVD. Nowadays I tend to gravitate more towards procedural dramas because I'd like to think I have the brains for it (I wish! ^_^). But back then, I was just like your regular couch potato who was after the eye candy and believed in happily ever afters. Making it to my Top 5 are two shows who have been renewed for the next season and three who have long-ended their run on the boob-tube.

DAWSON'S CREEK - Way back when Katie Holmes was still likeable and Joshua Jackson was still Charlie Conway (and soon, Pacey Witter)  for everybody . This, was a staple Tuesday morning discussion at school during my college years. Nevermind if Tabing-Ilog "sort of" ripped-off its concept. Come to think of it, this show most likely introduced me to the concept of 'shipping wars way before Harry Potter ever did. I mean, who among you here were on Team Dawson? or Team Pacey?

CHARMED - Ahhh, The Power of Three. What I loved most about the show was how it dealt with sibling issues together with the advancement of their powers. Who wouldn't want to be part of the Halliwell sisters? The girls managed to juggle good looks, awesome jobs and hot guys with their lifestyle as witches.

FRIENDS - Six people with distinct personalities stuck with each other for ten years to show us just how far friends go for the people they love. I watched this mainly because of my love for Mondler. But one can never deny that Phoebe Buffay was the real scene stealer.

GLEE - Despite the continuity issues and the hype surrounding it, I love Glee for making me remember what it was like to be in high school again and to be so idealistic in achieving what you want from life.

CRIMINAL MINDS - Unlike CSI, the team is not after the evidence but rather the behavioral background which prompted the unsub to commit the crime. Profiling is my dream job. So much that I like practicing it on my officemates or just anyone at random. I love what the team does for a living and the fact that they get to help solve some crimes is an added bonus. Too bad we have no Behavioral Analysis Unit in the country... or is there one that I don't know of?

I really have a lot of favorites, but these are shows I can actually sit through an entire season of. How about you? What are your favorite TV shows?

Of chick flicks and Chuck Bartowski

In an effort to turn my brain into mush, me and my sister watched The Proposal (finally!) on DVD a few days ago. Sandra Bullock & chick flicks FTW! Despite the age difference, she and Ryan Reynolds (lucky ScarJo!) managed to make their chemistry work. While I swooned over how Ryan made Andrew Paxton's character so charming, my sister was more amused by Mr. Reynolds' sense of humor. A guy with good looks and comedic chops certainly ranks high in our hotness meter. Not to be outdone with equally hilarious scenes in the movie was Betty White who played Andrew's grandmother. Her agility had me wishing I'd be as graceful and upbeat when I reach that age.

My only peeve was that three days was too short a time for the two leads to fall in love. Had this been a Korean drama, all those angst over the fake marriage would've been stretched to 16 episodes. But hey, suspension of disbelief for the hopeless romantics at heart! This is totally going to my must-have DVD collection.

Speaking of hot guys with comedic chops... who knew Chuck Bartowski Zachary Levi could carry a tune? I chanced upon the video of his duet with Katharine McPhee while browsing some Mark/Lexie thread at Fanforum and it swept me off my feet instantly. Yes, I am a sucker for cheesy lovesongs. Haha! Terrified has been enjoying constant airplay on my phone for weeks now. I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to it. Listen for yourself!

Moving On

It is quite alarming how, lately, people are handing resignation letters faster than you can say "snap!". Sad isn't it? If this continues within the next few months, our team will be sitting ducks due to understaffing and demoralization issues. TPTB couldn't care any less. If I didn't know any better, I'd say a hostile take-over was in place with all those external hirings she's clamoring for. Perhaps it's about time I move on as well? Things are getting pretty cramped inside my comfort zone. Ohhh resume, where are you?!?

The Ogre’s final curtain call

The fourth and final installment of the Shrek film series more than made up for the disappointment that was Shrek The Third. (*cough*lame Camelot reference*cough*) In Shrek Forever After, viewers are treated to a what-if scenario had our favorite ogre not existed. It's chaos in the alternate universe but not even the diabolical Rumpelstiltskin can stop our gang from gravitating towards each other albeit in different circumstances.

Of course, the movie's dynamic duo once again steals the show with their effortless banter. The subtle reference to Zorro never gets old ("Giddiyap, Donkey!") even with Puss as a fat tabby while Donkey reminds us more and more of our pet dog. This got me hysterically laughing over the scene where Donkey was complaining about being compared to a bloodhound because, according to him, he was no dog.

I will definitely miss the series. It has been a good ten years with Shrek and the gang. But fans will be pleased that a prequel is in the works for Puss-in-Boots (I want one for Donkey, too!). Over-all, Shrek Forever After is a fitting swan song for a movie that taught us fairy tales aren't just for children after all.