New Series to Watch: Falling Skies

Forget the back story and go to the action!  That's what the two-part pilot of "Falling Skies" was all about. 

The aliens came and conquered and humanity is in for a revolution to reclaim the world.  It's Terminator with six legged aliens supported by mechanized bi-pedal robots.  Wooooo!  That got my testosterone on overdrive!  Hey, what can I say---I'm into the man vs. alien genre!  Walang siraan ng trip!

Noah Wyle (who is more popularly know as John Carter of hit series ER) plays the role of Tom Mason, a Boston history professor forced by circumstances to be part of the revolutionary group the 2nd Massachussets to fight against the invading aliens.  He has 3 sons, Hal (the eldest), Ben (the middle child and who was captured by the aliens), and Max (the youngest).  The rescue of Ben plays as the subplot of the series.

Unfortunately, the series does not air yet in the Philippines (good thing there's torrent).  But I'm sure it's coming real soon.

Blake Lively as Carol Ferris

Blake Likely looks better as a brunette!

Happy Father's Day!

I have been going through this note for some time now and I have not had anything substantial to say. So allow me to just blabber on.

Many fathers are built like carabaos---hard working and mum to complain. Fathers are mainly the doers with little or no words to spare---definitely not the one to talk to when things get serious and---well. "fatherly". This is usually true for blue collar dads who, after a whole day’s work, are famished when they get home. However, it does not mean they love their family less (why toil for those you do not love, right?).

I try to veer away from this stereotype by breaking the barrier with my children. Small kids only have simple issues like pasalubong, toys, go to the bathroom, and man the controls of Modern Warfare4. When they become older, it gets more complicated and believe me, it’s hard to get started on the different topics that needs to be discussed for their guidance. I can’t just call them around a bonfire and start yapping about how to best go about life’s journey, can I? So, I try to emulate the people that would make up for the best dad combination.

1. Noah Levinstein (played by Eugene Levy in the movie American Pie)? Sex talk got into another level with this guy.

2. Cliff Huxtable (played by Bill Cosby in the Cosby Show). Life wisdom from an educated father. The ideal father for such a large family. Smooth as silk can get.

3. Tim Taylor (played by Tim Allen in Home Improvement). He may be the cocky, accident-prone know-it-all with the most flippant of humor but he sure knows how to make amends in the most fun of ways. Funny to the extreme! Plus, he’s a car dude! MORE POWER!!-Grunt! Grunt! Grunt!

4. Charles Ingalls (played by Michael Landon in Little House on the Prairie). The conventional father figure: full of wisdom, just, equitable, loving, and caring.

It’s a struggle to be a father to your children. But I guess it’s in the struggle that makes a good father. So I trudge on in life and pray for God’s guidance to lead me to become the best father I can be.

Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers out there!

Grand 3-Motoring Event @ the SMX Convention Center, May 26-29, 2011

Nothing like seeing classic cars come to life!  I especially love those from the 1940's like the Oldsmobile, Chrysler Saratoga, Ford Continental, Porshe 356 and the 60's muscle cars like Pontiac GTO Coupe, the Chevrolet Camaro, Impala, and the Ford Mustang.  So it was a real treat for me when these vintage cars were put in display during the Grand 3-Ring Motoring Event at the SMX Convention Center. 

The event was actually a 3-in-one show---The 1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show, the 20th Transport Show, and the 4th MSCC Concours 'd Elegance.  It was an automotive Nirvana!  Car enthusiasts were practically salivating oggling 'em cars!  Sweet rides!

Abby Poblador @ the 2011 Transport Show

Phoenix Lubricants got the most number of pit stops from the car show patrons with Abby Poblador manning the display.

Book Review: "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" by Stephenie Meyer

Finally finished the book.  It was a short one I can tell you that! 

It was one straight narrative with no chapter separation but it was vintage Stephenie Meyer---very addictive and hard to put down.  You'll feel as much empathy for Bree as you felt for Bella.

The story covered the events that happened a week before the Victoria hatched attack on the Cullens at the end of "Eclipse".  The story was told in the perspective of Bree Tanner, one of the vampires created by Victoria, to form her "vampire army".  Bree relates the tumultuous relationship of the newborn vampires, the politics, and her shortlived second life friendships.  The book also provided the unspoken communication by Bree and Edward during Jane's interrogation. 

This book may also be the precursor to a series of Twilight offshoots with the introduction Fred, Shelly, and Steve who were to break away from the Victoria created coven.

Entertaining read!

"The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" by Stephenie Meyer

Here's the post-Twilight novel of Stephenie Meyer!  Well, blame it on the leaked manuscript, it's not "Midnight Sun", the Twilight saga in the perspective of Edward Cullen, as highly anticipated by many die-hard Meyer fans.  Instead, Stephenie focuses on the life of the newbie vampire, Bree Tanner, who was the lone survivor in the epic battle between the werewolf supported Cullens vs. the Victoria bred vampire army.  Unfortunately, Bree did not survive the Volturi. 

The novel deals with Bree's short life as a newbie vampire and the events that transpired until her unfateful death in the hands of Jane.  It's a short life, hence, a short novel.  I just started reading it today and hope to finish it in two days.  Based on the first couple of pages it looks like an interesting read.  Feedback when I'm done.