as with the rest of the u.s., i have also grown tired of reality shows. i used to watch a lot of them: survivor, the apprentice, american idol, the amazing race, america's next top model.
but now, i'm down to only two, america's next top model and american idol. while i'm still an avid fan of the latter, i'm starting to lose interest with top model that i've stopped downloading it. i just wait for it to air on local tv.
so tonight was the premier for cycle 9. and to sum it up, the aspiring models all look bland.
there are a few (relative) standouts though.
ebony, which many other contestants hate, has good looks, but isn't exactly sticking.
lisa, the last one to be called out as finalist, is a deadringer for jennifer lopez.
and heather, which i'm kind of rooting for, probably because she has a concaved posture and faced insecurity issues all her life ... similar to what i have!
well, i don't know if i'll really spend time to follow the entire season religiously. but let's see. in the meantime, off to my sunday-night guilty pleasure: watching downloaded (latest) episodes of private practice and grey's anatomy.
antm 9: first thoughts
another questionnaire
time, stolen from g:
1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
ze tax bill
2. Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
would love to have a romantic dinner by the sea at sunset
3. Last time you puked from drinking?
never
4. Have you ever gotten drunk and danced on a bar?
i'm always conscious so i never get drunk
5. Name of your first grade teacher?
hmmm... class adviser was ma. teresa subala
6. What are you doing right now?
answering this while watching america's next top model cycle 9 on tvb pearl
7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
a famous newscaster
8. How many colleges did you attend?
one - ateneo (proudly!)
9. Why did you get the shirt that you have on right now?
wanted a cheap cut-off shirt for gym. so i bought this shirt from landmark way way back in 2001, i think. brought it with me when i came over to hk.
10. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you where would you go?
the thought of boracay (or any pristine beach) comes to mind immediately ... i guess, i'm just dreaming of a relaxed, stress-free life, or at least a real vacation ...
11 . First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
it's sunday ...
12 . Last thought before going to sleep last night?
last thought before going to sleep early this morning: i hope i still get decent sleep
13. Favorite style of underwear?
bikinis (the skimpier the better) or square-cut low-rise ones
14. Favorite style of underwear for the opposite sex?
ummmmm ... pass ...
taking stock
so "the baba", the biggest competitor of the company i'm working for (a.ka. "the source"), has unveiled its ipo here in hk.
and since it's the largest e-commerce company in china, everyone just wants a piece of it ... including myself.
yes, this clueless, uninitiated guy is venturing into the risky world of the stock market.
but with great reviews surrounding the ipo (read more 1, 2, 3), why shouldn't i pass off the opportunity to - hopefully - grow some money.
besides, "the baba" seems like a very dynamic company. sort of google-like, if i may add, and very asian. it's chairman is young, warm and charismatic. he doesn't come off stiff, rigid and overly scientific.
all of these, i think, are the secrets of the baba's huge success in china - almost 70% market share compared with only 8% for "the source".
so why wouldn't a stock market newbie like me consider this a good investment?
what's news
'Desperate' Filipino joke draws fire
some say the joke was plain insensitive and a racial slur. others ask why can't pinoys take a joke. i say the joke was in bad taste.
i won't mind if we are subjected as the butt of a joke if there's a hint of truth to it - which will explain the "stereotyping" - but i really know that pinoy doctors are some of the best in the world. and to put that in question - even though it's only an innocent "joke" - is just sad.
now, while the joke was simply in bad taste, the reaction to it is just over the top - an apology on primetime, a boycott, an apology is not enough. so what do you want guys? the joke maybe uncalled for, but let's not look at ourselves too highly.
Cory Aquino a victim of ‘insensitive’ US TV joke
now for this, i don't understand why they're crying foul. yes, madame cory is not a slut slut, but c'mon guys, it's a news parody and a satire. picking on people is the spirit of satire. i haven't really seen the episode (just about to), but i'm sure it's all plain and simple political humor.
Britney: You Snooze, You Lose?
i don't exactly like her. i dread listening to all her bubble pop tunes before her career crashed - well, "sometimes" is still an exception. but what used to be a dislike has turned into sheer pity - on what she turned out to be and what she has made of her now-disastrous life. this girl needs a lot of help.