His Dark Materials

I finally got it over with a couple of weeks back. Apologies to fans of Philip Pullman, but I found the trilogy too much of a drag. It didn't help that my copy is the 3-in-1 paperback that was so bulky I developed biceps from carrying it around.

Just offhand, I thought the attempt at religious subversion was so unsubtle it felt crude. It's possible that my traditional Christian sensibilities were ruffled a bit, thus my less-than-glowing review. But then again, this isn't the first book I've read that challenged the givens of the Christian faith. I just think this one lacked finesse.

So angels fall in love with each other like gay men? Okay, granted, Balthamos and Baruch probably didn't have sex, but their devotion to each other was clearly different from that of regular friends. I won't call it Platonic either because it went beyond the intellectual level. There was obviously something homoerotic there. Only a lover would pine away for a dead beloved like that. It reminded me of vampires, particularly the Antonio Banderas character in Interview With The Vampire who got so taken with the Brad Pitt character (sorry their names escape me now) it broke him when the latter left.

Now this gay thing between angels is probably a jibe at Roman Catholic priests. Not entirely undeserved, true. But was there a need to play it out that much? Did Balthamos have to be depicted as cantankerous and sarcastic, and given to bouts of emotional meltdown, like a stereotypical elderly gay man?

But why am I so hung up on Balthamos and Baruch? I don't know. A lot can be said about the storytelling technique in general, but it's the gay angels that stand out in my mind. Oh, and the 'Ancient of Days' depicted as an aged angel so shriveled up he's like a grotesque-looking baby. I thought that was somewhat funny if not overdone.

The fantasy elements--multiple parallel worlds--were nicely done. The science behind the plot felt solid. The philosophy, although it felt flawed to me, was strongly presented. The language was in keeping with the complexity of the plot, but at some points seemed uppity. If this was written for young adults, I'm not too sure it succeeded to connect. That there's an effort to reach adult readers is obvious to me. But I'm not about to take that against Pullman. It's not easy to write for kids and still impress their parents. That's why reading His Dark Materials affirmed my fanhood for J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter.

On the whole, I give it 3 out 5 stars (5 being the Harry Potter series).

Homicidal in Manila

My sunburn from our Gigantes and Guimaras weekend is not even peeling yet, but already I can't stand it in Manila. The sticky heat, the horrible traffic, the pollution--they stir up my inner Kraken. I don't know where all this rage is coming from. I feel like acting it out on an overcharging cab driver. Maybe I just need to run tonight. Yeah, I'll do that.

The Mortal Instruments

Despite the fancy series title, this trilogy (as of this writing, although a 4th installment is said to be in the pipeline) by Cassandra Clare reads nothing like our regular dark sci-fi/fantasy fare. Unless, we consider a gay warlock with a demon-slaying teenage boyfriend dark. Or the sexual tension between two attractive teenagers tortured with the knowledge that they could be long-lost siblings.

Homosexuality and incest are not themes that often find their way into the young adult genre. But most of this story happens in New York, and I can imagine that being the excuse for such themes to significantly figure here. Never mind that except for the boyfriend of the gay warlock, all the other protagonists are under 18, including the whip-wielding girl-warrior with a penchant for heeled boots who dated many a Downworlder.

What I liked about it? That it read like a protracted teen-magazine story is one. Very readable. No pretensions or aspirations for the National Book Award. Just good, old storytelling.

The sexy characters is another. They kick demon ass in black, figure-hugging elastic outfits. They wear skin art, but not tattoos. They're called runes, markings burnt onto the skin with an instrument called a steele to give the warrior power. They have weapons with angel names, with which they slay demons lurking in the shadowy corners of Brooklyn. They can do all these, but they're not even legal yet.

I love that the story is supposed to happen right at the heart of New York, the gray, cynical city of corporate headquarters, and the people they employ. I love how the fantasy elements are woven into the urban texture of New York life, almost like a juxtaposition.

What I didn't like about it? Let's just say that Clare, although she is said to have written Harry Potter fanfic, is no J.K. Rowling. I'll leave it at that.

I'm not anybody

That's why there's no reason for you to read this blog. There's nothing in here that can shake your world. If you're looking for something, please leave this page now because it's not here.

I attended Alf's Creative Non-Fiction workshop the weekend before last. From there I learned that unless you're somebody to anybody, nobody's really interested in your 'distilled realizations,' or your opinion of the shitty world we live in. No one.

Which is just perfect for me. Hence, I continue to write this blog. There is no attempt at coherence here, or even logic. So if I'm not anybody to you and you've read this far, geez, get a life!

I watched the whole Season 2 of 'The Big Bang Theory' over the weekend. Laughed a lot. Can't wait for Season 3. It'll end this May, so I expect I could torrent all the eps by June.

Currently reading three books:

1. 'The Amber Spyglass' (3rd in the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy) - I read this in bed because I find the plot a bit too uppity and somewhat subversive for the young adult genre. It throws around terms like 'experimental theology.' In short, it's pretentious, and helps me sleep.

2. 'City of Glass'(3rd in the 'Mortal Instruments' trilogy) - I read this when I get some slack time at work, or when I'm killing time at a coffee shop. Too adolescent actually. The protagonists are all under 18. But there's a lot of action and the language is simple and fast-paced. Plus there's a formulaic moody, bad-boy-in-a-sexy-way (albeit too young) hero. It tackles themes like homosexuality and incest--that's something new at least.

3. 'The Last Olympian' (5th in the 'Percy Jackson' series) - I love this 5-book series. The hero has ADHD and dyslexia, and this is fleshed out in his thought patterns, language and actions. As someone working with words, I find the language exquisite in its simplicity. There's humor and a lot wit. Very subtle but effective. Rick Riordan, please don't stop writing.

All the wretchedness

My neighbors are having a party. I wasn't invited but they're generous enough to let me listen to them belting out 'vocally challenging' numbers. By that I mean the carotid-bursting, falsetto-heavy songs of Martin Nievera, Aegis, and Journey. They're throwing in the videoke classics--ABBA, BeeGees and Barry Manilow--to concoct the perfect formula for making my life hell. Not even the loud groaning of my AC can provide me adequate shelter from this auditory onslaught.

What did I ever do to you people?! Why do you do this to me?

Welcome back, Mr. McDonald

That's the title of the ironically funny movie I saw today. It's Japanese with English subtitles. It's a tongue-in-cheek take on the "video killed the radio star" theme, as it examines the creative process in producing radio dramas in the age of CGI.

I felt for the scriptwriter character who thought she was finally getting her moment because her script was going to production, only to find out that her script was the only entry in the contest she supposedly won.

I felt for the producer whose job it was to make sure the talents and his superiors were happy, and therefore had to compromise on artistic integrity.

I felt for the talents who were desperately holding on to their fading stardom, fully aware that radio is losing its relevance.

I felt for the whole production team, because they were hitching their dreams and aspirations on a dying entertainment medium.

I thought the movie was really tight. I highly recommend it.

Love, and that sorta thing

Yep, this closet cynic believes in love. That's probably the only thing I have in common with my hopeless romantic split.

And because I believe in love, I also believe in magic. And the magical world. And the unseen dimension. And creation. And God.

I won't argue with those who say love is a function of the hypothalamus. Because I also believe in oxytocin. And pheromones. And those other unidentified hormones that make humans fall in love. And multiply.

That these hormones play together in perfect biochemical harmony is the thing I find magical. And logical.

Love is chaotic. But in the higher schema of things, it's orderly. Perfectly logical. If there's such a thing.

If it's not obvious by now, this is my Valentine's post.