One More Chance

Being the cineaste that I am, and being the Ebert apostle that I am, there wasn't a minute in the movie that I wasn't criticizing the script, the storyline, the scenes, the cinematography (there wasn't any) and basically the whole storyline. Very much the reason why I don't watch Pinoy films anymore, save only the worthy Indie. But hey, after a day of work and routine, a cheesy feel-good "Life is like a fairytale" flick suddenly deserves a two-thumbs up.

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But it wasn't about the movie.

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There's nothing like strolling the mall with her arms around mine, passing by countless clothing stores. There's nothing like hearing her ask, "Aw, the dress looks good on me" and me re-assuring "Yeah. It sure does". There's nothing like telling myself "I don't have money now, but I will buy her that soon." Nothing like her realizing that.

There's nothing like when you dine and catch up on things. Nothing like how the corniest jokes told can suddenly replace painful longing. Nothing like being a clown really does feels appropriate and funny. Nothing like the greatest isolation in the world. Nothing like us, together, just the way we were.

There's nothing like the cinema. Nothing like the glare of the big screen on a pretty face. Nothing like the faint glow in her eyes. Nothing like sweet nothings whispered. Nothing like how two center seats voyage into universe. Nothing like the two of us in the greatest dark of the world.

There's nothing like how movies bring two people together. Nothing like how a romantic comedy hits close to the heart. Nothing like watching her laugh, cry, cry and laugh again. Nothing like her being the greatest scene of every minute. And no movie can make me cry last night. I was beside her and there it was, One Last Chance.

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"Cute W/O the E"

PIERCED

I got my lip pierced the other day. Not much thought given, cold steel on my lips just feels appropriate. So in stills, let me walk you thru the ordeal I've undergone. But before you scroll down, be warned that the images you are about to see are visceral and haunting. Definitely not for the faint-hearted...

kiss kiss bang bang

"Lord, satanist ata sya. Help me po."

Tj: "Dude, this is not how it said in Wikipedia."

Beelzebub: "What the fuck is Wikipedia?"
Tj: "It's an online encyclopedia that enables it users to modify erroneous information."

Beelzebub: "I will pierce your throat and leave you bleeding to death if you won't shut up."
Tj: "My bad, my bad. Here sir, take my cellphone."

Cold steel, insert here.

finish product


Yeah dude I'm like so extreme and hardcore pare!

To be honest, it really didn't feel painful. You'll certainly feel the pierce upon contact, but that's all. It's no different from an ear pierce. The pain deviates as seconds go on. If anybody of you is strong enough, just like me, contact artist Joey @ 0921 7265471.

So, yeah. I'm now the emo kid with a pierce. Very mature of me. Anyway, skin and body art are alternative ways of expressing one's self. Although I don't need much, a lip pierce could serve as reminder. Wounds tell of pain and anguish. Inevitable as time does tell, wounds heal and grief is forgotten. But like wound self afflicted, I relinquish mine and forever never forget.

Stoked and Happy Days

This is exactly what I need..

Yeah. Surf's up.

This surf competition by Stonemoney is perhaps the event of the year. Well, for surfers at least.

Solar Sports and Studio 23 will be there to cover the event (read: Reema Chanco). 100+ dslr's would be capturing the waves and 100+ of their riders. Celebrities and VIPs have already flocked to Pundakit (read: Jericho - blurp! and Heart - witwiw!). San Mig Pale Pilsen would be providing booze for the nights. There's a music festival tomorrow and on Sunday and guess who's gonna be playing.. ChicoSci. On mornings, the best of the best from Zambales, LU, United Pinoy, ASRAI and many other groups would battle it out in the and represent their home breaks. Hundreds of freebies will be given and 2 surfboards are up for raffle.I will get to experience it all. Check out the skeds.

On my previous emo posts, I mentioned that I wanna drown, well out of depression that is. I sure hope that won't happen, hehe. Well, I happened to be a strong swimmer so screw death. Anyways, I'm so stoked and although its raining like hell, happy days are on the forecast. I'd be surfing and dancing at the beach. I'll smoke a joint or two. I'll pig out on bbq and drink ice cold beer. Best, Salee my love is coming and we'd be cuddlin' and kissin' all day long. Happy days indeed...

Happy days.

PS
my wallet was found. our condo neighbor found it laying peacefully in front.. of our front door.

PS
i am stupid.

PS
i am stoked.

PS
happy days :)

Photoshoot: Behind the Scenes

Here's how the photo came to be...

I left the office at around 9:00pm, Maxi sent me a message and said that his "ETA" was 9:30 to 9:45. Great I thought. The office is just 15 minutes away and I left early to assure the guy that he won't have to worry about me being late. After all, Maxi is coming from Las Pinas. I don't know where that is but it sure sounds far to me. "Megamall nlng pare, txt nlng pag dating. Punta nko dun." Message sent.

ZZzzz... Ice Hockey is cool sport, literally. Man, if I ever became a hockey player all women will drool over me. They'll faint every time I score a goal and soon, I'll become MVP. Then eventually I'll become a matinee icon being interviewed by MTV and on the front page of Candy magazine. Yeah, see that goalie over there.. I'm gonna hurl pucks down his throat he'd wish he was playing badminton instead. There's no sports I can't conquer.... I'm the greates.... ZZzzz...

So that's me staring down at the skating rink for what seemed like an eternity. I can't believe it was happening to me. I was the king of lates but the now the tables were turned. After walking like a zombie through the vast Mega, I decided to stop over and wait in the cursed stands. It was all too familiar.

"Teej ortigas nko." Maxi replied. My eyes gleamed, nasa Ortigas na sya, Lord nasa Ortigas na sya! Salamat, salamat! I bought a Mcfloat and lit a cig outside the fast food where we decided to meet. "Teej and2 nko, St. Francis Jolibee. Wala na pala Mcdo d2." "Yes Maxi wala na Mcdo dyan. Nandito ako sa El Pueblo. Sabi mo Mcdo. Ang galing mo chong idol kita."

Ok. J Ortigas Blvd was the location, the streets being the subject. The night was perfect for capture for it just rained. There was a damp feeling to it. The streetlights lined up giving a somber glimmer, some building floors were lit telling there's life to it, cars were flying past by. I stood at the sidewalk with my fingers doing the photographer scale, "Maxi shoot it like this."

We had so many outtakes considering we only had one concept in mind --> I'll sit in the sidewalk and look at the cityscape around me. It's either that there's a taxi or there's too much of a crowd walking. So ok, photography isn't as simple as it looks. Good thing Maxi knows a lot about his stuff.

Nope, there's a taxi...

Nope, I look like a gay hobo with LBM

Wacky time...

"Maximus Grime"

Hmm.. this should do it..

Great, it was done. After being given puzzled looks from countless call center agents, I finally realized that the semi-wall I was leaning on was actually their yosi spot. Kaya pala madumi. "Maxi take the tripod and were off to another location." Exit, stage left.

Next spot was the overpass at the same street. As I had a top view of the crossing, a concept came to me. "Maxi stand there. I'll go down and you shoot."

Yeah something to that effect...

The last guy on earth.

Finally were done. It's about 12:30 and I'm really really tired. To be honest, I wasn't really satisfied with all the photos but they'll have to do. After all, its just me and my tomfoolery. Maxi and I decided to call it a wrap and shook hands before we parted. After getting a feeling of importance with the attention that comes with being photographed and all, I started the long, lonely walk home. Again, it was all too familiar.

The very morning of the next day, Maxi sent me the photos. I showed it to an officemate and she liked it, said it was surreal. Yeah, it turned out alright. There's only one problem left, what do I do with them.

Good thing Ronan, the most talented graphic artist the country has to offer, is available for some favors. I sent him the files, he opened photoshop and alapeanutbuttersandwich the layout was finished. It is done.

Half the World Away

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I'm not really sure what my issues are, but these are the kinds of images that fascinates me. Empty streets, dark pathways, lonely cityscapes, streetlights, rainy days and all relative. I like things bleak. I dwell in its calm. Astig.

Half the World Away blog makeover

I guess its time for Half the World Away to get an upgrade. It's beginning to look like the abyss of the blogosphere.

So that's why I decided to contact the best digital photographer the country has to offer, Maxi Adrian. Actually, he's the only photographer I know who would be ignorant enough to be fooled by my evil pursuits. I'll pay him McSaver coupons and he'll take cityscape pictures for me.

I can't help notice that my blog sucks. All black and dull like my soul :p... Anyway I sure hope that the photos will turn out ok as my heading.

My Half the World Away blog is not the all too common sugar coated page with glittery widgets and cluster maps. After all, what I wanted is a place where visitors can read. If I made an impact, they'll come back, if not, then fine... it's all good.

Dear Hair

OK. We're gonna give this another try but this time were hoping for the Zac Efron look. We almost nailed Ashton's if not for that dimwit faggot who trimmed you neat. Very well, grow hair grow.

(sori im so mababaw)

Tj Cafuir

I recently changed my blog url from tjisme.blogspot to tjcafuir.blogspot mainly because I want to see my name first page on top of the Google search results. Hey I'm self-centered. Another thing that bothers me is this... There is another TJ Cafuir on planet Earth.

Yes. I thought I'm the only one.. but no. A Friendster account secondly emerged with the name TJ Cafuir and guess what... it isn't mine.

This Tj is from Cavite. Where is that?

Now, I happen to remember what my aunt told us kids decades ago. "We have relatives in Cavite and they actually have a learning center named after our royal surname." Oh that's just great. Fine really. The thing is this "kabitenyong" TJ is older, meaning he got hold of the initials first and I'm just tail gaiting. Also, according to his profile, he is an aspiring surfer and surf photographer. Freaky as it may sound to me that we share the same interests as we also share the same name, I cannot deny the fact that we share the same blood.

Well there has to be a barrier. You rule Cavite, I rule the Blogosphere. That's the only way it should go. One TJ Cafuir in this world is disaster enough. And if ever you'll ever venture in this side of the Internet region, please don't name your blog TJ Cafuir. It would be too much for me to take.

I wish all the best in life TJ but let me tell you this. When it comes to surfing, brother, you can EAT MY CUTBACkS! Ahehe he...

I Am A Pirate

"Thank goodness for that because if I wasn't, this'd probably never work."



My friends this is not fanaticism, it's Idolatry.

I Live the Ultimate Life (again, not really)

So how's weekend? Oh you all watched Spidey 3 huh.. Depressing right? Yeah I already watched it on opening day. Well actually I was in San Juan Surf Resort in La Union for the weekend, you know surfin' and just kicking it slow. We grilled fresh seafood and drank booze just after getting out of the surf. Just another weekend I thought as I watched from my longboard the cool local surfers chillin' as the sun begins to set. I love my life.

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Coolest Playlist Ever (not really)

There can't possibly be a minute that I don't listen to music while working. Music inspires me. So just to share it with you here's some of the songs I routinely listen to.

my Get up and Kick Keyword Ass

1. Be Quiet and Drive – Deftones

2. Generator – Foo Fighters

3. People = Shit – Slipknot

4. Drag the Waters – Pantera

5. Cigaro – SOAD

my Eyes Closed Stress Relievers

1. Fake Plastic Trees – Radiohead

2. Last Goodbye – Jeff Buckley

3. Sleep All Day – Jason Mraz

4. Hero of the Day – Metallica

5. Spolarium – Imago

my I Miss My Girlfriend Lullabies

1. Kissing A Fool – Michael Buble

2. Fast Car – Tracy Chapman

3. You Were Meant for Me – Jewel

4. The Space Between – DMB

5. Walking After You – Foo Fighters

my Caribbean Island Daydream Playlist

1. What's My Number – Toots and the Maytals

2. Place Your Hands – Reef

3. Island In The Sun – Weezer

4. All Mixed Up – 311

5. One Drop – Bob Marley

There you go. I didn't include some favorites like Britney Spears' Sometimes and Vanessa Carlton's A Thousand Miles because they would massacre the coolness I exude. Oh *ucker, why did I mention this, ...., shit backspace won't work...C'mon keyboard, work dammit work! iamsocorny