Pensieve: A Year Older, A Decade Wiser

Twelve a.m., June 16th. It's mah burfday.

We often only realize that we are turning a year older the closer it gets to midnight on the eve of our birthdays. We fail to realize that really, it takes a year to turn a year older.

Things really can change in a second, but just think of all the things that have changed in the past year.

In the past year,  I have learned so so much, I have met a slew of interesting and kind and creative people, and I feel that I have grown by leaps and bounds, but have stayed very much the same.

However, I do also realize that I have let moments pass me by, succumbed to the tomorrows and do-it-later's and there'll-be-a-next-time's and I'm-too-tired's. And as I sit here typing, there are still a great many things I want to do or shoulda woulda coulda done.

The message of this post, dear friends, is not to regret the things we should or shouldn't have done, but to remind us, or really to remind me, that on June 16, 2014, another year would've gone, and what is it that I want to look back on?

I make this present-promise to myself, that I will live in the now. That I will make the time and stand by my choices. That I will find my passions and foster them. That I will look ahead but never lose sight of who I am, where I've been, but more importantly where I came from. I wish this for myself, and wish that you all wish this for yourselves too.

So, Geo,

Happy birthday you sexy beast.

Thanks, Geo, and same to you.

«♥«

Image from: http://memegenerator.net/instance/36852735

TV Show and Tell: GoT, the Ka-BOOM Countdown to the Season 3 Finale!!!

First off let me just say:

HOLY MACARONI !!! Wasn't that last episode a whopper?!!?!

Secondly, in case you are waiting for the season to end before watching it, then I suggest you stop reading, this will be full of spoilers for you.

This post is my top ten moments from the season so far. The scenes are ordered in terms of shock value and strength of emotion upon viewing, and the implications of what may happen to the storyline because of it.

Well, let's get to it!

*********

Starting at number ten,

The Torment of Theon Greyjoy

episode 4

It's hard to feel sorry for Theon after he betrayed the Starks, but after his repeated torture from his unknown captors, well, you do feel kinda bad. As one of the few male characters that has given us a full-frontal view of his, uhmm, sword, I'm guessing there'll be no more of that now that he's castrated. Whatta shame...

*********

at number nine,

Laying With Lions

episode 8

Sansa Stark was introduced to us a bratty selfish biznatch, but after the decapitation of her father, may the seven bless him, she has exhibited a silent strength and social wit that has kept her alive so far. As a prisoner of the Red Keep, you couldn't help but root for her.
Tyrion has also become one of my heroes, and he has taken an active role in the protection of Sansa. This new union is of particular interest because it puts Tyrion in an awful position with Shae, with his family and with his inherent drive to do good by Sansa, especially now that she is his wife.

*********

at number eight,

Tumble in the Ice

episode 5

I'm not really a big fan of the Jon Snow-Ygritte tandem, which henceforth will be known by the nickname SnowGrits, but I am a big fan of raunchy love scenes. As proven in episode 9, loyalties and love will be tested—and we know that there are few things more dangerous than a wildling woman scorned.

*********

number seven,

The Deaths of Beric Dondarrion

episode 5

The night is dark and full of terrors, but with the Lord of Light, you can die and come back at least six times as proven by Ser Beric Dondarrion.

*********

at number six.

Kingsblood

episode 8

Naked Gendry, yes please. Love scene, yes please. Leeches on your penis, uh, no thanks.

*********

at number five,

The Kingslayer's Pride

episode 3

I mean come on, one of the greatest swordsmen got his sword hand chopped off. Of course this makes the list.

*********

at number four,

Shattered

episode 8

Now we know that there are other ways to destroy the wights: dragonglass. But of course the bumbling Sam Tarley left the shard in the snow.
Dragonglass... Dragonfyre?
I do sense a change in Daenerys' full title:
"Daenerys Stormborn of house Targaryen, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, Mother of Dragons and Destroyer of Wights"
Yes?

*********

number three,

Craster's Keep

episode 4

Aside from being saddened by the death of Commander Jeor Mormont, the pandemonium that transpired at Craster's for me also marked the possible extinction of House Black and the men of the Night's Watch.

*********

Runner up for Ka-BOOM moment is,

The Fall of Astapor

Episode 4

From the moment Daenerys began to speak in High Valyrian, I knew this was gonna be a Ka-Boom moment. This girl. This girl...

*********

And at number 1,

Treason at the Twins

Episode 9

Seriously, this is the scene of all scenes in the Game of Thrones series so far. Lady Stark's emotions were explosive, the treachery so foul, the misery of Arya, and the loss of Talisa, Lady Stark, Robb and his direwolf, Grey Wind.

I can't find the words to describe how I felt after the screen faded to black. I think I sat unmoving for twenty seconds, and replayed the scene. Yep, that really happened.

I mean...

Seriously... We've lost half the Starks... Only the children are left... and John Snow...

*********

Here are some scenes that almost made the list:

Farewell to Ros

episode 6

My Name is Jamie

episode 5

The Queensguard

episode 1

I am Yours

episode 8

The Wolf & The Hound

episode 7

The Season of the Warg

*********

Agree? Disagree?

Well, three things are for sure.

1. Season three has shaped up to be much much better than season two.
2. I am still NOT over episode nine.
3. The finale is in about three days.


Shi about to get real.

Valar Morghulis.

«

All images are screen caps.

Art Attack x Style Files: FLORIGAMI

I consider myself very lucky to have always been surrounded by very talented, creative, intelligent, funny and driven individuals. Earlier this year, colleague, photographer and friend Kaity Chua, asked me to be a part of a collaborative series: Florigami.

Now, Kaity and I have already worked together and produced some pretty cool editorials (which will probably be blogged about in the future), but Florigami is different, this is by us and for us.

Florigami, Kaity's brainchild, is a true collaboration. I discover that two other colleagues at our day job, Angee Chua and BL Martirez - who respectively handled Hair and Make-Up and assisted the shoots, were also to be part of the Florigami team. I was soon introduced to Vicky Velasco (who I now call the Paper Queen) was to create and supply all the paper sculptures for the shoot. Marco Ortega built the six-foot stool  and swing set as Production Designer.

The planning process was so organic, the idea of a flower headdress evolved into a space-age geisha. At another time Kaity says, "I wanna do a bull-headed biatch layout,". That layout transformed into a punk-rock-matador-Frida Kahlo amalgamation.

You know what, instead of me talking about it, let me just show you.



Friends, I am very proud to present:

*********

During our last day of shooting, the team decided that this will be an open-ended project. If at any time a new concept or layout is imagined, the team would reassemble and make it happen. We want this project to *ehem* keep blooming. Yikes. So yeah, stay tuned. I already feel a few ideas budding (okay that's the last pun I swear...). Seriously, much like the original concepts developed organically, I really do hope that this series grows in a similar fashion.

*********

Special Thanks to our models:

Jessica Yang - the Space-Age Geisha

Eriko Malabanan - the Bull-Headed Biatch

Pauline Prieto - Thumbellina

Nikita McElroy - the Reverse Marie Antoinette
Jasmine Maierhofer - the Mad Hatter

and

Natasha Bautista and Nova Torres: the Swing (Out) Sisters

This would not have been the same without you.

*********

So, Miss Ria Bolivar, see you at the next Florigami shoot?

I wish.

♥♥♥

Art Attack: Half Drag

Team Latrila during the Half-Baked challenge of RPDR All Stars

Drag is an art form. The transformation from one gender expression to another is unbelievable. This is a big part of why I am a huuuuge fan of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Anywho, while searching the interwebs for photos for my Season 5 blog post I came across this amazing portrait series: 

HALF DRAG

by

LELAND BOBBÉ

The series of portraits by New York City-based photographer Leland Bobbé depicts some of the city's drag performers in 'half drag'. You'll get the picture.

Seriously, check out Leland Bobbé's website here. Also check out his Neo-Burlesque series!

Without further ado (but with the photographer's consent) here are screen caps of his jaw-dropping and visually arresting collection. Click to enlarge, and enjoy!

Miss Fame

Vivienne Pinay

Adriana LaGlam

Heidi Glum

Fifi Duboise

Victoria Falls

Sabel Scities

Viki Vilianess

Roxy Brooks

Pixie Aventura

Azraea

Cherra Secret

Crystal Demure

Epiphany

Honey Davenport

Honey LaBronx

Tara Miso Rice

Shequida

Pusse Couture

Jessica Payge Dae

Digna Shae

Kizha Carr

Miss Fame

Maddox Madison

Tina Burner

Onna Rampage

Jordan Fox

Kittin Withawhip

Ladyy Havokk

Maddelyn Hatter

Magnolia Applebottom

Pattaya Hart

Sherry Vine

Titania Steele

Yuhua Hamasaki

Chandelier Period

Holy Macaroni, right!?

The prints are up for purchase at Leland Bobbé's page: http://lelandbobbe.com/

I hope that this amazing series inspires us to re-think our definitions of beauty and gender. It is clear that both are fluid and non-exclusive.

Keep an open mind, an open eye, and an open heart.

«

Don't forget to check out Leland Bobbé's impressive portfolio at:  http://lelandbobbe.com/

Half-Baked Image of Team Latrila from: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/latrila