Not of dungeons but of dragons

Ever since I have heard of this new book hitting the bestsellers list written by a new and very young author in 2003 I wanted to read it, but then other books got in the way and I have never dared to pick it up from the book shop. Come 2005 and after the July hoopla of the 6th Harry Potter book, the sequel of this book came out, still I just looked at the cover and never had the courage to bring the first and second book to the counter. Last quarter of the 2006 came and the movie adaptation of the first book was released, I'm not sure why I still wasn't enticed, I still didn't buy the book and didn't watched the movie.

After months and months of not reading any fictional book at all, I finally felt this hunger to read. The hunger to read about stories that will take me away to such a foreign place where things happen that would seem impossible in the real world; I'm in dire need of escape. So finally, I picked up the book Eragon; immersed myself into it and loved it. After finishing the first one, I got the second Eldest and even fell in love with the story more. The Inheritance Trilogy, a three-part story where these two books are part of, is written by Christopher Paolini. The third book has not come out yet, neither its supposed to be title was ever announced or the publishing date, and so I wait.

This is a story of the second rise of dragon riders in a fantasy land very reminiscent of Middle-Earth of The Lord of the Rings, where elves and dwarves live together with humans, of vile creatures such as Urgals (more like orcs but more intelligent), of Ra'zac mounted on a winged creature terrorizing the land (similar to Ringwraiths but not quite), and with a feared mad-man Galbatorix (may not be as comparable to Sauron, but close to). The Inheritance Trilogy is not as complicated as The Lord of the Rings and some of the parts are very much like Star Wars, but still it is an engaging story to read, considering that this was first conceptualized by a young boy still in his teens.

Now that the DVD is coming out, maybe I should get myself a copy, but I wouldn't keep my hopes up as book fans didn't like the movie adaptation.

Bangkok Express

Herman and I went to Bangkok last weekend with some friends from Maybank. I left the office early Friday night to catch our flight out of Singapore. By 12:45pm (Singapore time) we have already checked in our hotel and dumped our things and went out to get a look at the night market. But to our disappointment most of the stores are already closing, even the food stalls. So we went back to our hotel rooms tired and hungry. Herman, however, checked if he could get some room service; surprised that the hotel meals aren't that expensive, he ordered his tom yam soup and stir fried shrimp.

Breakfast buffet wasn't that bad either, and so our "amazing race" tour began. Going to Bangkok is like going home to Manila; walking down one street in Bangkok could make you feel like you're in Sta. Mesa; traffic may be terrible and is comparable what we have in Metro Manila. Tourists were warned of possible pickpockets in crowded areas, but if you've lived in Manila, it was no herculean task. We went to their temples and saw the buddas; while I was busy taking pictures, Herman was making himself busy by checking all the food sold in the stalls.

Everything is quite cheap; we took the cab to go around the city and fares normally rage between 60 to 80 baht, which is around 3 to 4 singapore $. I love the food! Thais and Filipinos almost have the same taste in food, although they like their food with a lot more chili. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Bangkok is the best place for a good bargain; but better train yourself in haggling.

Our expedition was so much fun; from buying an over-priced ice cream from a street vendor, taking a cab to a place the driver doesn't know, to haggling too low that the vendor told us to go home. After two hectic days, we're back in Singapore by Sunday 11:30pm. We want to do it again... We'll definitely do it again.

umiPIG's day out

Hello, Banker! Is it a deal or no deal?



As the year of the porker comes, let me great you a smokin' good natal day! Don't forget that you have every right to make a complete pig of yourself. May you have more blessings for this new year.

Do you know who this young man is?

What a great physique! I remember him as a boy, who had donned those famous black-rimmed round glasses; the lucky boy chosen among thousands to be "the boy who lived". This is our Harry Potter beneath the Hogwarts' black robes and those loose shirts and jumpers.

The first time I saw this picture (click the pic to see it in its full glory) I could not believe my eyes, and then I saw a few more from the same photo shoot and I was sold: he really had grown into such a fine flesh of meat young man. Those photos are not for the latest Harry Potter film but for the promos of a stage play Equus.

Daniel Radcliffe is one lucky kid; when child stars begin to fade when they enter the awkward age of teen hood, Dan's career flourished instead. With this play about a troubled young man getting his kicks with horses, Dan is establishing himself as a real actor and not just some lucky pretty young thing.

Are you ready for the Deathly Hallows?

Do you know where you're going to be at the early morn' of 21st July and what you're going to be doing that exact time? I do. It's not like I have a crystal ball and had a glimpse of the beyond nor do I have a time travelling machine that brought me to the future. This is all due to the news that came out February 1st that rocked the fandom which I am proud to say I am a part of.

The last Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is coming out on that early Saturday morning, as announced inconspicuously at the official JK Rowling website. I remember last December when a week before Christmas I checked that site everyday in anticipation of a surprise gift from Jo. And when that "door" opened, I was so overwhelmed seeing the title of the very last book after so many tries.

So on 21st July before 7 am, I'll be on queue just a little outside Borders at Orchard Road. If you're a Harry Potter movie fan, you'll be in for a treat a week before that when the fifth film releases on 13th July.

Now, time to visit Borders and pre-order the book.