I've finally finished reading the Timothy James Beck trilogy - It Had to be You, He's the One, and I'm Your Man.

And I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed all three books. I have seen the novels on the shelves of National Bookstore, and later on Power Books, but it was Zandro who made me buy the books. Stupid me for not having picked up the books way before, because they were such good reads.

If I had to rank the three books according to my most favorite to so-so favorite, it would be He's the One, I'm Your Man, and It Had to Be You.

It Had to Be You was an enjoyable read, because it's about starting a relationship. But before that, finding out whether the guy is or is not "one of us." Hehehe! Stories of budding relationships are always an enjoyable read.

I'm Your Man is my second favorite because I could relate to it right now, except for the last few chapters. I don't want to go into the details of the book because I'm afraid of spoiling it for people who read my blog and who plan to read the book.

I guess He's the One is my most favorite because there were twists in the story that kept me turning the page. I mean yeah, I love, love, love the story of Blaine and Daniel in the other two books, but in He's the One, I had to keep on reading to figure out what would happen to Adam. Of all the characters in the trilogy, it was also Adam who I found most adorable because he seemed to be the ideal guy, at least for me. He seems to be mature, but could still be a little boy. He has a beautiful heart, thoughtful of others. He manages his own business. He loves the countryside. He has a good sense of humor. He has a very warm family.

Everything that would really make you say, "He's the one..."

But as I've said earlier, all three novels are great reads. Once you pick up the first novel, you just couldn't wait to finish it so that you can start on the next and the third. The way the novels were written makes you feel that you're reading about the lives of old friends who you can't be with, because you're in another country at the moment. The authors - Timothy Lambert, Becky Cochrane, Jim Carter, Timothy Forry - are able to include the reader in the lives of Blaine, Daniel, Adam, Jeremy, Ethan, Sheila, Josh, Martin, Ken, Gretchen, and the people who surround them.

If you’re looking for a good gay lit read, I highly recommend TJB’s trilogy.

P.S. They also have a new novel “Someone Like You.”

Published Tuesday, August 29, 2006 by Clayman. |

Today, I broke my Sunday routine.

Before I go to what I did, let me bore you with what my Sunday routine is. Hehehe! The entire morning is spent cleaning, rearranging, and fixing stuff in my room, so that I can disarrange them again during the week. Hehe! After lunch, I take about an hour's nap, before I prepare to leave the house. I will attend a 4:30PM Mass in Makati and then spend the next few hours aimlessly wandering around in the mall. By 8PM, I would take one of the blue buses across Makati Stock Exchange to go home. When I get home, I do my evening rituals and then make sure that I'm asleep by 11. Hahaha! So that's how my Sunday has been for the past couple of months.

Today, I texted Thea to ask what she was doing for the day. I guess I was thinking of dragging her into my routine. She told me there was celebration at her house because of her niece's christening. Thea invited me and after a couple of text message exchanges, I was getting ready to go to her house.

Thea lives in Paranaque. I don't remember how to get to her house, but I figured if I can find some remote barangay in Mindoro or in Ifugao (these are true examples), then I could certainly find Thea's house. Hehehe!

So the afternoon was spent with Thea's lesbian circle of friends. It was a somewhat fresh experience since most of the time, I'm in the company of either the barkadings or the girls at work.

I also spent the afternoon with Ken. I really enjoyed his company. I can't remember the last time I saw him, but he has really changed. He's become cuter and less shy.

Hehehe! Before any reactions, Ken is Thea's nephew who's a Grade 2 or 3 student. Hehehe! The last time I saw him, I think he was still a baby. It's funny because when I got to Thea's place, Ken said hi to me. It's funny because Thea told me that she and her friends have a feeling that Ken is "part of the family." So I joked with them and said, "Maybe his heart skipped a beat because he felt the presence of another homo in the area." Hehehe!

Alright, so aside from hanging out with Thea and her friends, my other companion was Ken who I enjoyed watching play with the other kids, before he'd run back to me and sit on my lap. Awww!

I could never have felt more fatherly. I'm not sure how many of my friends know this, but I really want to be a father. I could actually see myself raising a son or a daughter, and I think that to be a father would be my greatest experience in life.

Okay, I won't start talking about fatherhood. Hehe! So basically, that's how my Sunday went. I'm so thankful to Thea for inviting me over to her house, even if it's such a short notice.

And I'm even more thankful because my routine has finally been broken, at least for one Sunday. Hahaha!

Published Sunday, August 27, 2006 by Clayman. |

I'm still on a Devil Wears Prada high, so this entry will be about some of the memorable dialogues from the movie. Hehehe!

Sit. 1: Emily and Miranda

Miranda Priestly: I don't understand why it's so difficult to confirm an appointment.

Emily: I know, I'm so sorry, Miranda. I actually did confirm...

Miranda Priestly: The details of your incompetance do not interest me. Tell Simone I'm not going to approve that girl she sent me for the Brazilian layout. I asked for clean, athletic, smiling; she sent me dirty, tired and paunchy. And RSVP yes to Michael Kors' party, I want the driver to drop me off at 9.30 and pick me up at 9.45 sharp. Then call Natalie at Gloria's Foods and tell her no, for the 40th time, no, I don't want dacquoise, I want tortes filled with warm rhubarb compote. Then call my ex-husband and remind him that the parent/teacher conference at Dalton is tonight. Then call my husband. Ask him to please meet me for dinner at that place I went to with Massima. Also, tell Richard I saw all the pictures that he sent for that feature on the female paratroopers and they're all so deeply unattractive. Is it impossible to find a lovely, slender, female paratrooper? Am I reaching for the stars here? Not really. Also I need to see all the things that Nigel has pulled for Gwyneth's second cover.

That's all.

Sit. 2: Andy and Nigel
Andy Sachs: Doesn't anybody eat around here?

Nigel: Not since two is the new four and zero is the new two.

Andy Sachs: Well, I'm a six...

Nigel: Aha, the new fourteen.

Sit. 3: Emily and Andy
Emily: It's no fair though, I mean you eat carbs!

Sit. 4: Andy and Nigel
Miranda Priestly: [to Andy] Emily... Emily... Emily...

Nigel: [to Andy] She means you.

Sit. 5: Miranda and Andy
Miranda Priestly: ...You have no sense of fashion...

Andy Sachs: I think that depends on...

Miranda Priestly: No, no, that wasn't a question.

Published Saturday, August 26, 2006 by Clayman. |

I haven't been seeing any of the barkadings lately. I've been all work, work, work lately, and the words "social life" are so close to being eradicated from my vocabulary.

So it was such a pleasant surprise for me when Suki invited me to watch The Devil Wears Prada, together with the other barkadings. Though it was a weeknight, I decided to go because I'm sure that if there were any people who'd enjoy the movie as much as I would, it'll be the barkadings.

We watched at Rockwell. Suki and Richie were able to get very good seats. The moment the opening scene began, I got all excited. I knew I would enjoy the movie, and it became more enjoyable hearing my friends laugh out loud, having small chats with Suki to compare the movie and the novel, seeing Vince seated on the edge of his seat and his eyes totally glued to the big screen.

After the movie, we all went to Mati to talk about the film, of course, and to have a drink.

My favorite part of the movie was the one where Miranda would come into office and just hurl her coat and bag at Andy's table day after day after day. Don't get me wrong. I didn't enjoy seeing Andy go through hell. What I loved about it was that no coat and no handbag was repeated. That was really a "high" moment. Hehehe!

I also enjoyed the scene where Miranda gave an in-depth lecture about the two belts, after Andy smirked when a Runway editor showed the similar looking belts to Miranda and said, "This is going to be a tough one."

Uhm, I guess my only slight disappointment was that I thought the movie would be faithful to the novel, but as with most novels turned into movies, it wasn't.

Still, I enjoyed the Devil Wears Prada and I think I'll see it again. Hehehe!

That's all.

Published Thursday, August 24, 2006 by Clayman. |

A couple of days ago, two of my officemates - Carol and Joel - and I were discussing Manny Pacquiao over lunch. I don't know how the guy came up in our discussion, but I remember that we were talking about his last match. Uhm, I'm not really a fan of boxing (or of any contact sport, for that matter). I still can't understand how people can enjoy watching two men beat each other up. On Manny's last match, I left the house to go to the mall while my enter family sat in our living room, their eyes all glued on to the television.

Anyway, a day after the Pacquiao lunch talk, my manager told me that I'd be covering a Manny Pacquiao event. She wasn't sure what the event was. What she did know was that Manny was there, and he'll be raising the hand of one of the Company's people in front of an audience (sort of like declaring the person to be a champion.)

So my Friday night was spent at Baywalk, together with another colleague, Mel, who was just as clueless what the Manny Pacquiao event was.

When we got to the venue, we were told that the venue was Manny's new investment - it's a bar cum restaurant. The name of the venue is Knockout.

While waiting for Manny's arrival, Mel and I just chatted with the other guests and enjoyed the buffet. After about an hour of waiting, Manny arrived. And so did other celebrities - KC Montero, Geneva Cruz, John Estrada, among others.

And along with other press people who were pushing and pressing, Mel and I pushed and press with the others to get a decent photo of Manny. Later on, the Company's guy walked over to Manny and the raising of the hand took place. The guy and his wife clearly enjoyed the presence of Mr. Pacquiao.

After that, there was a min-concert where Manny sang two songs. (Wow, I didn't know the guy could also sing.)

By 10PM, we left the party. I was just tired, and I wanted to go home and enjoy the weekend. I did have a good time at the Manny Pacquiao event. He seemed to be a very nice guy.

Check out his bar cum restaurant if you happen to be in Baywalk.

Published Tuesday, August 22, 2006 by Clayman. |

It's a long weekend.

While I wish I were in some other place besides Manila, I have to be happy with where I am now. Hehehe!

Saturday afternoon was spent at Starbucks, finishing Timothy James Beck's "He's the One." I think I'll rest for a week, before I start on another book.

Tomorrow, I have a meeting in the morning. Yes, it's a holiday and I set a meeting in the morning. Who does things like this??? Hehe!

Okay, quick entry. Hope you're all well.

Published Sunday, August 20, 2006 by Clayman. |

In the latest issue of ICON, we had a feature on porn icon Michael Brandon.

This has got to be one of the best assignments/experiences I ever had from ICON, mainly because it's not everyday that you get to meet a celebrity, who's also a porn icon. (I wonder what my folks would say if they ever do get to read this.)

Anyway, Michael is a really nice guy. I never got to meet him in person, but you can tell from the way he writes his emails that he is a nice guy.

Uhm, after the feature on him came out, Michael said he'll publish the article on his website - www.xxxmichaelbrandon.com. I never got to check it out, until a week or two ago.

Michael has just re-designed his site, and it looks really great.

Should you ever decide to visit his site, check out the interviews section and look for that ICON article. Hehehe!

Published Friday, August 18, 2006 by Clayman. |

Saturday was spent watching and watching High School Musical.

I asked a friend to get me a "copy" of the movie, and I wasn't sure if she'll be able to get me one. When she went to work the following day and handed me the "copy," I kept it in my bag and just waited for the weekend.

Uhm, I haven't really read much about it and that's the reason why I just let the DVD sit in my bag.

After I watched the movie, I was quickly addicted to it. The feelings I had for the movie were the same ones I had for Ever After, The Prince and Me, All Over the Guy, among others. Hehehe! (Which means that I watched the movie five times in two days. Hehehe!)

I guess the reason why I am so in love with the show are the following - great music, great dance numbers, cute lead actor. Hehehe! The storyline is familiar to everyone, but you'll love the movie for the music and the dance numbers.

I loved the movie so much, that I bought the soundtrack immediately the following day. And lucky boy I was because Music One was selling the 2-DIsc Special Edition Soundtrack of the movie.

Check out the movie if you have the time.

Published Thursday, August 17, 2006 by Clayman. |

Suki texted me perhaps one of the saddest news for the week - the house of Rochas is closing.

Yeah, yeah, I know many would say that I'm nuts for feeling sad that a fashion house is closing when there is a war going on between Lebanon and Israel.

(Guys, just because I'm writing about the closure of the house of Rochas, it doesn't mean I don't care about other pressing issues. You'd have to know Rochas and at least, have a thing for fashion to know why Suki, me and a million other fans are mourning its demise.

I was also surprised to find out that this fantastic fashion house is owned by Procter & Gamble, yes, Procter & Gamble. Not even in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined this.

From what I've read P&G acquired the company after the former bought Wella.

To those who are not familiar withRochas, its designer Olivier Theyskens is one of our generation's fashion geniuses. I daresay he's a future Karl Lagerfeld or a Yves St. Laurent.

Season after season, Mr. Theyskens' collection have received nothing but praise and acclaim. The designer himself has been a favorite in the fashion world. He was recently given the International Designer of the Year at the CFDA Awards.

US Vogue editrix Anna Wintour says,"“It is really very unfortunate. It seems Proctor & Gamble was not the right company to capitalise on Theyskens’ design strengths and was not willing to go the extra distance to support him. If he’d been with LVMH or Gucci, it would have been a different story. “He (Theyskens) is exceptionally talented and so brilliant at understanding that fashion success is not just beautiful ballgowns. He can do well-crafted, well-made suits and clothes that women really want to wear.”

So you ask what the issue is then? Well, the pricing of Rochas is quite steep. A jacket can cost around $3,500, while a gown may go as high as $100,000.

Sigh.

The last collection to be shipped would be the Fall/Winter 2006 collection.

After that, Rochas would only continue producing fragrance.

Sigh.

Rochas dates back to 1924, when it was founded by couturier Marcel Rochas. The couturier is credited as the creator of the two-thirds length coat and the first one to put pockets in skirts.

Published Tuesday, August 15, 2006 by Clayman. |

Meet my Sunday afternoon buddies - Mr. iBook, Tom Kavalier and his cousin, Sam Clay, the cast of High School Musical, and the hot men of Dolce & Gabbana.

We all just hung out at Starbucks. They kept me company while I worked.

Hehehe!

Published Monday, August 14, 2006 by Clayman. |

Images via MadeinBrazil

From the world of fashion, Brazilian goddess now invades the Apple world.

According to this article, Gisele Bündchen had a photo shoot with Apple for an ad campaign.

The article reported though that where and when the ad campaign would be released is still unknown.

This I have to see.

Suki, do you have any pegs in mind of how they'll shoot Gisele with a Mac? Hehehe!

Anyway, the photos above clearly show that Gisele, and fellow Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio, are both Mac users.

Cool.

Published Sunday, August 13, 2006 by Clayman. |

If you're one of the lucky ones living in California, check this out.

Mrs. Prada has an ongoing exhibit. What's on display? Skirts.

Look at the e-invitations. I just love, love, love the idea and I love the design of the invitation. It's so simple but very sleek and edgy.

When I found out about this, I told the Zand Man about this exhibit and I'm sort of trying to convince him to go see it since he hasn't really met Mrs. Prada.

He's never really met Mrs. Prada and I told him that if gay men were to be asked to choose one designer to worship, it would most probably be Mrs. Prada.

Haha!

Anyway, I hope this exhibit also travels around the world just like Christian Lacroix's.

Published Friday, August 11, 2006 by Clayman. |

Got this from a random blog. You should try it. It’s really entertaining.

How it goes:

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense. NO CHEATING!

1. How are you feeling today?
Push – Madonna
“You push me to go the extra mile… You push me when it’s difficult to smile…“ Hahaha! Yes, this is SO what I’m feeling today. With a million things to do at work, how can I not sing

2. Will you get far in life?
The World Is Not Enough – Garbage
Hmm, does this mean that I’m going to conquer the world and afterwards, move to conquering other galaxies... Hahaha!

3. How do your friends see you?
This Thing Called Love – Michael Buble
“This thing called love, I just can’t handle it…” Alright, this is getting weird.

4. Will you get married?
Rocket Man by Jason Mraz
If I ever do get married the “traditional” way, I would definitely be singing “I’m not the man they think I am at home.. Oh no no no… I’m a rocket man…” Hahaha!

5. What is your best friend’s theme song?
After the Rain Has Fallen - Sting
”After the rain has fallen… after the tears have washed your eyes… you find that I’ve take nothing… that Love can’t replace in the blink of an eye” Okay.

6. What is the story of your life?
Vogue - Madonna
”Strike a pose… Vogue!” Hahaha! Yes, I want to work for Vogue, even if that means having to be at the mercy of Anna Wintour. Hahaha!

7. What was high school like?
Da Coconut Nut – Smokey Mountain
Yeah, high school was nuts. And I did go nuts over a lot of things during high school.

8. How can you get ahead in life?
See Her Smile – tick...tick...Boom
Does this mean I have to make the Company’s President smile for me to get promoted??? Uhm, that’s kind of a tall order, isn’t it?

9. What is the best thing about your friends?
It Might Be You – Erik Santos and Marinel Santos
Hahaha! I can say this to my friends, and they would probably think I’m crazy.

10. What is today going to be like?
O Fortuna Carmina Burana - Mozart
I have a meeting later with one of the Company execs, and I would probably hear this song playing in my head as I walk towards his office. Yaiks! Is this an omen?

11. What is in store for the weekend?
Cue the Pause to Begin – Queer As Folk OST
Yes, I need that pause to begin on the other tasks I have to do.

12. What song describes you?
Strong – Robbie Williams
Hahaha! “You think that I’m strong... You’re wrong...” Tissue please.

13. To describe your grandparents?
On My Own – Whitney Houston
My grandfather passed away recently, and I guess this song is more appropriate for my Mom and her siblings.

14. How is your life going?
Nothing Hurts Like Love – Daniel Bedingfield
”Broken hearts… Broken dreams … These are just some things that love brings…” Oh yeah, baby!

15. What song will they play at your funeral?
Alapaap - Eraserheads
”Ako’y lumilipad at nasa alapaap na…Gusto mo bang sumama?” Hehehe!

16. How does the world see you?
Thoroughly Modern Millie – Thoroughly Modern Millie
”So beat the drums 'cause here comes thoroughly… Hot off the press! One step ahead! Jazz age! …Whoopee baby!... We're so thoroughly modern” Uhm, am I thoroughly modern? Maybe just moderately. Hello, had my Nokia 6210 not given up on me, I wouldn’t be getting a new phone. Hahaha!

17. Will you have a happy life?
I’m So Tired of Being Alone – Al Green
Yes, I will have a happy life and I have a happy life. Will I ever get tired of being alone? Uhm, I don’t think I’m ever alone. Hehe!

18. What do your friends really think of you?
Happy – Square Heads
See, I told you I have a happy life. “Happy… I’m feeling so happy… Can’t you see I’m happy now?!” Hahaha!

19. Do people secretly lust after you?
Should’ve Never – Jennifer Lopez
“Should’ve never told you that I cared about you…Never thought that it would be, so bad…” Hahaha! This is more like my song for someone else.

20. How can I make myself happy?
I Just Don’t Love You No More – Craig David
Yes, Craig. Acceptance is one key to happiness. Unfortunately, that door of happiness happens to have several other bolts and locks. Hahaha!

21. What should you do with your life?
Push the Button - Sugababes
”If you’re ready for me, boy… you better push the buttons and let me know…” Yep, if you know which buttons to push, then we just might have a good time.

22. Will you ever have children?
Mama – Spice Girls
”Mama, I love you… Mama, I care.” Hahaha! Does this mean I’ll be a Dad and Mom rolled into one?

Published Wednesday, August 09, 2006 by Clayman. |

As promised, here are more pics from the Tagaytay trip last Sunday...

Can't post much this week. Got a lot of work.

Yaiks!

Published Tuesday, August 08, 2006 by Clayman. |

At the Pink Sisters Convent





Josephine's Yummy Food





At Sonya's Garden









I spent morning in Tagaytay together with friends from work - Shy, Tita Sonia and Rose.

We met up at 6 in the morning, and drove to Tagaytay to attend the 7AM Mass at the Pink Sisters convent.

Afterwards, it was brunch at Josephine's. Man, was I hungry.

Then it was a trip to Sonya's Garden, which had changed so much since I went there ages ago.

Back in Manila by 1PM.

After all the "toxicity" from work last week, today's morning trip was such a treat for me.

More Sonya's Garden photos in next post.

Hope you all had a good weekend too.

Published Sunday, August 06, 2006 by Clayman. |

Shooting Front Office...


Some Tricks I Learned from Icon...


Shooting at the Kitchen...


I'm Hungry...


Pastry Lab Location...


Some of the Wonderful Pastry Creations...


Happy Boy After the Shoot...


What has been occupying most of my time for the past week was preparing for a two-day photo shoot.

The company will be opening a school soon, and we did the photo shoot for the marketing collaterals of the school.

Uhm, the shoot was quite an experience because I had to do most of the coordination for the shoot. And let me tell you, location shoots are such a logistical nightmare. (I can imagine Suki saying, "Now, you know.") There were just too many things to take care of, and up until the last minute something happens. For the Friday shoot, our location was in the Company's school in Cavite, while today it was in one of the hotels in the Malate area.

The two-day shoot almost didn't push through, and I was informed of this after I've booked the photographers and the makeup artists, after I've searched for talents (I had to look for talents within the company, because we're doing this on a "thank you" basis. And 15 talents aren't that easy to look for.)

But thankfully, the shoot proceeded and although there were glitches here and there, I'm just glad we're done with it.

I just hope the final deciding person would like the photos as much as we did.

Much thanks to people who helped out, especially Suki and Kate for referring our amazing makeup artists and photographer.

Published Saturday, August 05, 2006 by Clayman. |