The White Countess

Nobody told me that Ralph Fiennes starred in a movie called The White Countess with Natasha Richardson and the Redgrave sisters and that this movie was shown last year. My dad bought the DVD last week, and I got coerced to watch it last night. It just goes to show that the hole I have burrowed for myself is really deep and that I need to get out.

Anyway... The White Countess was set in Shanghai in the 1930s, just at the eve of World War II. The title refers to the name of the bar set up by Todd Jackson (Ralph Fiennes), an ex-diplomat who lost his family and his sight in a series of tragedies. The title also refers to Sofia Belinskaya (Natasha Richardson), a Russian countess who was displaced by the Russian revolution along with the rest of the aristocracy, and who was forced to work as a taxi dancer (and probably a prostitute) to support her daughter and the rest of her family.

To me, the movie is full of contrasts. A blind man who sees perfection in a woman supposedly tarnished by the work she does. A woman who faces hard reality squarely to keep a family whose members cling stubbornly to memories of wealth and indulgence, which shall never come again into their lives, from starving. A bar that stood by itself, the realization of a dream of all that is balanced and beautiful, amidst chaos.

The White Countess is told simply, understated and yet poignant. The cinematography is marvelous, sometimes whimsical, sometimes sensual, but never harsh even in the portrayal of hardship. It is a beautiful movie, and I yearn to watch it again.

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Shut Up, Raul Gonzales

I have read this article before, but it is only now that it sinked in: Gonzales: UP breeds destabilizers, naked runners.

You know, Secretary Gonzales, our mothers often teach us that if we do not have anything good to say about someone, it is much, much better to just shut up. You've only just made yourself look stupid, IMHO.

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Horizontal Growth

Ten years ago, I had a 24-inch waistline and 35-inch hips. I could wear skinny jeans without any trouble. But since I was such a nerd at 18, I never gave it a single thought.

You only miss the things you take for granted once they are gone. I would give anything to have a 24-inch waistline again.

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One Million Love Messages

I got a comment from 1 Million Love Messages last month, but only got to visit the site today. Almost unforgiveable, but hey, I've been very, very busy these past couple of weeks or so.

The idea is cool, nonetheless, and hey -- we do need a lot of love in the world right now.

Fill the world with love.

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Are You Better Off Single?

I got a copy of Dawn Yanek's essay entitled "Are You Better Off Single?" from one of the mailing lists I subscribe to, and I just thought to share its highlights here.

• You have a better body. Single people are more motivated to exercise because they "want to be attractive to potential partners."


• You’re more likely to achieve great things. Single people have the time and the lack of familial responsibilities to excel. The essay asserts that the drive to succeed may be biologically programmed as a means to attract a mate.


• You do less housework. "Well, if you leave a sock on the floor but there’s no one else there to see it, does it really need to be picked up?"


• You can do what you want with your money—including keep it. "You don’t have to justify your purchase to anyone but yourself. Once you mix money with marriage, though, things change—and fast."


• You have better sex. “People who are dating have better sex because it’s novel.... Married people have to relearn how to play. It’s natural for singles because that’s the nature of a courting relationship — they tease, they experiment, they explore.”


• You’re better rested and smarter. "[S]ingles generally get more rest — seven to eight hours of sleep a night — than marrieds, which enhances memory, mood and concentration, as well as allows your immune system to recharge."


• You’re less depressed. Single people do not feel the sense of loss of self that married people often do.


• You have better friendships. “Singles don’t rely on just one person to meet their needs. You don’t automatically know who you’re going to spend Friday night with.”


• Your travel tales are enviable. "Being single and relatively footloose certainly allows you to expand your geographical — and personal — borders."


• You know yourself — and what you want out of a relationship. “[M]aturity brings so much, because if you’re able to communicate who you are and what you want, the better your chances of having a successful marriage.”

This may not be entirely applicable to Filipino singles, but this can be something to ponder about, for those who do not seem to be entirely happy nor satisfied with their single-blessedness.

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