My 1st LULU and Dhl experience

Hello!

I'm here to write a short post regarding my LULU and DHL experience!

First off, LULU.com (USA and Australia) is a print on demand service that provides printing services from books, calendars and photobooks. I decided to try out their PHOTOBOOK printing for my 20-page portfolio project. (to be submitted next year) and it cost me:

• $10.99 - Printed soft cover, 20-page photobook
• $68.99 for International Express shipping (I'm from the Philippines remember?)
• Then I used a coupon code that gave me $3.30 discount

TOTAL: $ 76.68 USD (yeah, the shipping is pretty expensive)

After placing my order and paying through paypal, I started reasearching LULU's forum for fellow international users who have used the service. (yeah, I know that I should have done this first) and I was worried when some of them, or should I say most of them, were complaining about the shipping information of their purchased books. Most of them were complaining about the tracking code they have received since LULU didn't specify in their notification email where to use the tracking code (ie UPS, USPS, DHL or FedEX) I have experienced this too and I visited all of them until I found out that they used DHL, and this happened.

DHL tracking info for my book

To make the story short, I ended up waiting for the magical DHL yellow van this afternoon (from 2 - 5:30 pm) and I happily received my item, in which I had to shell out another Php 548.00 ($13 USD) for the custom fees and everything.

My verdict? I wish LULU.com would take time and resolve the tracking issue. As for DHL... well, I wish they could fix their custom fees, as far as I'm concerned, a lot of people are complaining about this.

it's freaking here!!

That's all. Happy holidays!

Ciao!

-Den

My early design years

Finally, I am here to write a design post! Though I'm here to share some of the school plates I've done since I entered college.

Thinking about it now, I never thought that I'll dream of becoming an industrial designer someday. I mean, sure I love to draw and see cool and awesome stuff being made. But I only learned about what Industrial Design was four years ago, and one of the reasons why I took the course was the fact that it sounded cool.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some of my works.

Copper wire Scorpion model (special credit to my friend Juris for helping me on this one)

Toy Project. It's actually a "pachinko" (made from some of my old toys and bristol board)

Paperboard sandals (yes, you can wear it and walk around on it...just don't jump!)

1:1 model of a handrill made of wood and finished with spray paint (a group project)

1:1 model of a rice cooker made of bristol board

CATERPITRUCK: Retractable garbage truck (my 3d capabilities was still amateurish in this one, and I'm proud to say that I have greatly improved!)

CAMARO (told yah my 3D capabilities have improved!!)

And my favorite plate/project of all time! PLAYSTACK: Modular furniture for kids

I LOVE BEING AN INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER!

Ciao!

-Den

Evening 2007

I watched the movie "Evening" last night and I'm disappointed to say that it didn't end up in my top 5 favorite movies of all time list. (though I think it's somewhere between 6 and 10) The movie was great, considering my two favorite actresses are there namely the great Meryl Streep and Natasha Richardson. Not to mention that the legendary Vanessa Redgrave was there as well as Claire Danes.

What I liked about the movie except for the star studded cast, was the songs. I've noticed that I'm starting to appreciate old songs and I must say that I'm currently having an LSS (Lat song syndrome) for Time after TIme (Ella Fitzgerald's version) though I think I like Claire Danes's version much better. I also enjoyed "I've got the world on a string" though it was a Michael Bubble version, and I kinda hate that guy after I learned that she cheated on Emily Blunt! (the latter being one of my favorite actress) and I don't really like Frank Sinatra as well. 

Anyway, I've got some things to do so I'll just leave you guys with a short clip of Claire Danes singing "Time After Time" from the movie. Enjoy!

Ciao!

-Den

Missing Natasha Richardson

Natasha is currently my favorite actress next to Meryl Streep. I just wish that she's still alive to make more great movies.

I've watched the film Asylum (2005) last night and I really love her performance. I know that it has already been two years since the ski accident, but I still feel sad whenever I think about her untimely death. Anyway, I've decided to watch some of her movies like Patty Hearst and Evening (with her mother Vanessa Redgrave and close friend Meryl Streep) I would also love to watch her as Mary Shelley in the film Gothic (1986) but I kinda hate watching horror movies (especially old ones) so I guess I'm going to have to skip that one.

That's for now.

Ciao!

-Den

Bossypants love!

Hello!


If you haven't read Tina Fey's autobiography entitled "Bossypants," you might as well read it! It's really funny and it will keep your eyes glued in every page. 

Bossypants includes some funny stories about her childhood, her sudden rise to fame and some personal facts about herself and her experiences in the show business.

I especially like her "Mother's prayer for Its daughter" post which goes on like this.

The Mother’s Prayer for Its Daughter

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the

FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer

coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered,

May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half

And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools,

walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing

on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance.

Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get

outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You,

because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her

Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.

Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long,

For Childhood is short—a Tiger Flower blooming

Magenta for one day—

And Adulthood is long and Dry-Humping in Cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever,

That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers

And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister,

Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends,

For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord,

That I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored,

and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My

mother did this for me.” 

And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and

she will make a Mental Note to call me.

And she will forget.

But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen

I actually loved her more after reading this book. :)

Ciao!

-Den

Robin Scherbatsky got to me

Hello.

I know that I've already written a short post regarding my response after watching the latest How I met your mother episode (Symphony of Illusion), but waking up this morning still devastated for what happened 

to my beloved fictitious tv character, made me realize that I have more to write regarding the subject.

If you're an avid fan of the series and you were able to watch the episode, you'll surely understand what I'm talking about. But if you haven't watched the episode, I will suggest that you stop reading now, 

unless you're okay with spoilers.

5-6 minutes into the episode, I was actually feeling very happy seeing Robin's two kids from the future. I was even more amazed (and was actually smiling ear to ear) when she referred to Barney as the "father" of the kids. I was like, "oh yeah! It's going to be a Barney-Robin team up alright!"

Robin and Barney's future kids

But sadly, the celebration was shortlived when it was revealed that Robin will never be able to get pregnant. I remember waiting for the punch line after that revelation, but nothing came.

I really feel bad for Robin. Especially when she decided to keep it to herself for fear that her friends might start worrying about her. 

Robin has always been a strong and independent character through out the series, which was also one of the reason why she's my favorite character. Seeing her devastated had devastated me as well. (yeah, I 

find it weird... or I'm just sympathizing with her.)

Robin devastated on Christmas... :(

I really think that what the writers did with Robin Scherbatsky's character was unnecessary. I mean, what's the point? Sure she doesn't want to have children and the story can end that way with everybody happy, (even if she doesn't end up with Barney... darn) Seriously?! 

Why did they have to do it? And during the Christmas season? What a nice Christmas gift that is! (thick sarcasm)

It's a good thing Ted was there to cheer her up (despite him having no idea what Robin's problem was)

how about a Ted - Robin team up?

Overall, after watching the Symphony of Illumination episode, I felt that the Barney-Robin team up looks kinda impossible now. Barney would definitely want to have kids, and with a new character showing up as 

his new love interest, well, you can do the math.

And by the way, Cobie Smulders did a great job with Robin! I hope to see her in more movies soon (can't wait to see her as Agent Maria Hill in the upcoming Avengers movie)

That's for now.

Ciao!

-Den

UPDATE Aug 29, 2012

WEEH! IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A BARNEY-ROBIN TEAM UP AFTER ALL!! CAN"T WAIT FOR SEASON 8 PREMIER AT SEPT 24, 2012!

Symphony of sadness

Bazinga!

I just watched the latest episode of How I met your mother season 7 entitled, "symphony of illumination," (yes, I was able to watch it the same day as America even when I'm in the Philippines!) and I must say that it was the saddest episode I've watched so far... What the hell is happening? Robin Scherbatsky is my favorite character in the series and seeing her distraught makes me feel sad...

Oh well, I'm still hoping for the Robin and Barney team up.

BTW, you might be wondering what I've been doing for the last couple of weeks, (or maybe not at all) I'm actually working with the prototype of my thesis project and I'm excited to see it once it's done.

Anyway, have a nice day ahead folks!

Ciao!

-Den

The one when I was in Singapore

I know it has been a long time ever since my last post, and my only excuse would be the generic "I was busy," statement. Yeah, I know it sucks. Anyway, I've decided to share some of the photos I have when I visited Singapore with my family last year. (May 2010)

Singapore Changi Airport

Sentosa's Merlion

View of Singapore through the Tiger Tower

TOM YUM!!! minus the shrimps

IO mall at night

it was raining, hence the grainy image

SENTOSA

me and a hershey stuff toy

Ciao!

-Den

Halloween and my animosity towards costume parties

Today’s my least favorite holiday of the year. Maybe it has got something to do with horror movies in the cable and brightly lit Jack-O-Lanterns that would have been better off as pumpkin soup. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate Halloween, I just don’t like it. But I do hate horror movies especially gory ones. It’s not that I scare easily, it’s just I don’t find it entertaining to see a movie that’s trying hard to scare people with camera effects and bad lighting.

One thing I’ve also noticed about Halloweens are the parties that include costume parties. There’s nothing wrong with them, and I don’t object them but as far as I’m concerned, Halloween was supposed to be spooky and scary. So I don’t see the point of dressing kids as fairies, water hydrants or zoo animals. I think it would probably better to create a separate costume holiday. That way, you can be whatever you want to be without looking out of place, because seriously, whenever a Halloween party comes and the partygoers are advised to be in their spooky/scary costumes, you’ll never fail to see a butterfly or a fairy!

Anyway, I think I’m starting to sound like a Halloween hater so I might as well end this post before I end up writing things that I consider inappropriate for Halloween…just kidding.

Enjoy your costume parties!

-Den

My best buddy Queen Victoria

For starters, the title was just a joke. There is no way a real best buddy of the Queen could write a silly blog post on this blog. (or maybe...)

Second, this blog post was not written as a satire for the great Queen. So if you expected otherwise, you are very much welcome to leave this blog.

So, as the title goes, this post is about the great Queen Victoria. I have been introduced to her (though not literally) by my being a fan of Emily Blunt. I have always admired the young actress ever since I saw her in The Devil wears Prada. Watching her play as the Young Queen solidified her status in my top five favorite Hollywood actress of all time, which includes Meryl Streep, (of course!) Jodie Foster, Natalie Portman and Cobie Smulders a.k.a Agent Maria Hill though she is better known as Robin Scherbatsky or Robib Sparkles. (Let's go the mall everybody!)

Anyway, back to the topic. I have always loved watching English period dramas which made me love The Young Victoria at once. I know it had got something to do with Emily Blunt being the main cast and the handsome Rupert Friend as the Prince Consort, but the movie was just great! There were some historical errors as well like Prince Albert taking a bullet from saving the Queen and Sir John Conroy showing up in Buckingham Palace after Victoria turned Queen, but it's just a movie! You can't honestly expect them to be accurate.

Overall, watching the movie had made me curious about the real Victoria, which led me to researching her on Wikipedia. (I know!)

Hopefully though, I was able to download an e-book copy of her biography written by Giles Strachey and another one by Grace Greenwood. What I read satisfied my curiousity and surprised me at the same time.

I have always marveled with Victoria and Albert's love story. I actually thought that it was too good to be true. Only to realize that Albert didn't really loved Victoria romantically as I imagined. Actually, Victoria idolized him, which was actually not real love.

As I read the biographies further, I was even surprised on how the English society had treated Albert. Sure he was a foreigner, and that the power was held by his wife, but they should at least give him credit for his accomplishments! All throughout his life, save for some Prime Ministers and people who actually knew him, the Prince Consort was treated as an outsider.

Victoria on the other hand was not exactly how I expected her. I am aware of the famous saying, "don't judge the book by it's covers," but I thought that Victoria was an ice queen due to her photographs, (I'm not implying that she's scary or anything, but she looked like a stern disciplinarian... which I think she also was) but having read her life (supposing it wasn't greatly exaggerated) made me realize that she was a good and loving Queen to her subjects. It actually made me want to return to the past and meet Her Majesty!

I am actually only halfway through Greenwood's book (though I've finished Strachey's the other day) and I'm hoping to learn more about the Queen. So with that, I'm going to resume my reading and I'll have to bid adieu for now. (I really suck at closing a blog post)

-Den