tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82292132012-02-03T00:16:57.064+08:00for the appreciation of modern visual cultureHippopotamousenoreply@blogger.comBlogger511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-78176900334028042932008-01-04T15:12:00.000+08:002008-01-06T10:31:06.962+08:00

I like Ha Noi.I've been to a number of Asian cities outside the 7,100 islands I call home, and I have to say that Ha Noi is definitely somewhere I would love to stay for a month, just to soak up the flavor of the place and really get to know it better. There's a lot to see, not just from visiting temples and pagodas, but from just watching the city itself live and breathe.Part of it is probably

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-56437805936196161302008-01-04T14:03:00.001+08:002008-01-04T15:08:13.531+08:00

Ok now I know one of the reasons why the people of Viet Nam are so skinny - they're running on jet fuel. Who needs food when you've got cà phê? Don't believe me? Read hubby's blogpost on it.I've always been a fan of typical espresso-based coffee but strangely enough I've taken a liking to this particular alchemy of robusta and condensed milk. Hot or cold, it's good stuff. So it's a bitch when

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-12959644701206397982008-01-01T19:28:00.000+08:002008-01-06T00:18:37.275+08:00

Happy 2008!! New Year in Hanoi is quiet due to the fact that firecrackers are banned, but people had their own little celebrations wherever they were anyway.Day 2 of our overnight cruise through Ha Long bay, we stopped at Hang Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprises) that featured some of the most fantastic cave scenery I've ever seen. Some of the most interesting shapes that we could see were the

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-3230805463583283192007-12-30T22:00:00.000+08:002007-12-30T23:17:33.567+08:00

We arrived in Hanoi to a ground temp of 17 degrees, much colder than it was in HCM, and I was definitely glad of my pashmina scarf and my warm jacket, especially when we decided to take a trek around Hoan Kiem lake, just a 10 min walk from Sunshine 3 Hotel on Ma May in the Old Quarter in Hanoi.Next day we were off to Ha Long bay for the eagerly anticipated overnight Junk Cruise. Ha Long is 5

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-25241215134229714132007-12-28T11:38:00.000+08:002007-12-30T22:45:08.176+08:00

Headed for Viet Nam in around an hour.My husband has been in and out of the country for about 3-4 weeks at a time on a Project in Ho Chi Minh. Between longing for food that tastes like home, and missing my company, we've decided that I should come spend the next few days and the New Year cuddling up together in Hanoi.So we're here at the Centennial wing, whiling the time away breathing in

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-34236085260353195642007-12-28T10:45:00.000+08:002007-12-28T11:21:28.148+08:00

Holykamote has been on hiatus for quite some time, due to work and general exhaustion. I'm pleased to say at least that I'll be able to post a few things before the end of the year. For the moment I'd like to take the opportunity to revisit the charms of all things Tachikoma, the cutest gun-toting AI tank that's ever been created in the history of Anime. Screw you Motoko, your sexiness has

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-42691555276743693822007-09-18T14:59:00.000+08:002007-09-18T15:20:56.569+08:00

I've been on leave from work for a week and a half now, and in that span of time I managed to have one of my cats neutered, the other hospitalized for a bad case of trichobezoar, pay for my insurance premium, monthly mortgage, have my hair cut, and do half a dozen or more odd errands. That probably sounds like a strange way to spend a vacation, but well, I'm not a college student with time to

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-8169806820302703272007-09-06T09:38:00.000+08:002007-09-06T09:52:22.147+08:00

Apple just keeps doing it to us doesn't it? No, that's not the iPhone. Welcome the newest member of the iPod family, the iPod Touch.You have to admit, if you found the iPhone damn sexy, its Wifi capable little cousin just provided proof of Apple's ability to take a great idea and produce yet another lust-worthy product to pick our pockets of another chunk of our paycheck. But then again, there's

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-22707708905945381622007-09-05T17:05:00.000+08:002007-09-05T17:15:28.933+08:00

I've never seen a germ this adorable. It makes me want to hug it.From the upcoming game by Will Wright, Spore.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-39716867283595766712007-09-05T09:28:00.000+08:002007-09-05T17:36:05.670+08:00

Just how far would you go to live the lifestyle?Otaku have a different idea in mind when they say "pimp my ride"Car Decor MousepadsPillowsBed sheetsUnderwearCosplay (of course, Manfaye is on a different plane altogether)As an aside, I just love this Kitty Bento but it may just be too pretty to eat.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-11965351773411822582007-09-03T13:36:00.000+08:002007-09-04T15:59:15.206+08:00

Aaron Stephens as Beowulf's Body (Ray Winstone as Beowulf's Voice)Angelina Jolie as Grendel's MotherI've been wondering just how far technology for fully CG-animated movies can be pushed, considering what video games have been able to achieve. Just take a look at the trailers of Metal Gear Solid for the PS3, Gran Turismo, and NBA 2K8.The entire industry is likely to change once they get to the

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-38250471789713863442007-08-30T17:03:00.001+08:002007-08-30T17:43:18.807+08:00

I'm going to plug PvP today because...um...Scratch told me to. Really. I so want to buy his shirt:I hope people support their animated series, which you can enjoy for a measly $USD 2.95 per month or 24.95 for a year's subscription. You can check out their trailers for free: It's animated by Blind Ferret Entertainment, the same guys who animated that lovely musical number, Slaughter Your World.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-74501082001225804392007-08-29T13:46:00.000+08:002007-08-30T16:44:12.153+08:00

I seem to be on a roll with my posts on mecha-related material. Check out this uber paper sculpt of Bumblebee(movie version). The guy who made it is amazing - he built it from scratch out of scraps of cardboard and paper, with no plans or guides other than images from the movie. The thing is actually poseable, standing 36 cm height with 60 moving joints. Bravo.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-85606189766817672732007-08-28T15:15:00.000+08:002007-08-28T15:32:37.217+08:00

Get a bead on this gigantic Gundam! Built as part of an attraction, it's an impressive 1/1 scale model, and although it's not made of metal, bit of fantasizing goes a long way for fans of the models and the series. You can walk through the thing - even get inside the cockpit.Image from robot.watch.impress.co.jp

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-11889303014104628522007-08-27T08:52:00.000+08:002007-08-27T09:05:02.937+08:00

OMGOMGOMG Yes! Season 2!!!Not only that we also have a graphic novel from DC to look forward to.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-67318124922774814632007-08-26T21:42:00.000+08:002007-08-26T22:00:01.591+08:00

Check out what these Japanese villagers did with their ricefields. Usually it's art imitating life, but in this case it's living growing things imitating art. The people of Inakadate Village have been doing this since 1993, and they do different pieces every year. This year it's Hokusai's 富嶽三十六景 Fugaku Sanjūrokkei (Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji). Compare the images below. Quite amazing.Read more

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-90231550219032656362007-08-23T14:25:00.001+08:002007-08-23T16:31:40.080+08:00

Donald Jackson has finally completed the Saint John Bible, his 9-year labor of love. I've always loved the idea of illuminated manuscripts - there's a mystery and an aura they've got that even coffee table books with the brilliant covers and glossy pages don't have. Mostly because these are books with personality, with all the peculiar markers of the person who made it.The most important

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-46529166964360948022007-08-23T11:53:00.000+08:002007-08-27T10:07:18.768+08:00

If you remember the funky Louis Vuitton bags and wallets that Takashi Murakami collaborated on, check out this ad - totally superflat!If you're not familiar with the term, Superflat "is characterized by flat planes of color and graphic images involving a character style derived from anime and manga. Superflat is an artistic style that comments on otaku lifestyle and subculture, as well as

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-47017207365967890542007-08-23T09:44:00.000+08:002007-08-28T08:54:15.416+08:00

This Insa Dunny is so adorable. Was available on August 23 at Kidrobot but is now sold out at their store. If you like the hoodie you can also get it in human sizes.Still haven't had enough? Have more Dunny.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-83716797982914895632007-08-22T11:59:00.000+08:002007-08-22T12:20:15.228+08:00

Anime-inspired animated gifs anyone? Put enough on your page it may give someone epilepsy if you are lucky. Thanks to Chris and Prixie for this one.Animated Anime Gifs Paranoia

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-71455700217947265782007-08-22T09:05:00.000+08:002007-08-22T15:28:51.497+08:00

I love a good graphic T-shirt. These ones from Inksurge apparel are also cool. They're addictive and, you have the urge to gobble them up like candy.In that same vein I have the urge to pepper myself with these yummy 1" buttons from stereohype O_O.These are some of my favorites:

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-77338937485335622042007-08-21T14:18:00.000+08:002007-08-21T16:07:58.075+08:00

ChuvanescenceHave you seen Bryanboy? You should, he makes me laugh.LFG ComicThe saga continues. It looks like Richard's busy getting his hands dirty.ThrillerYes, the Michael Jackson classic, correctional facility style.The New! Philippine Comics, 1990-Present On the Komiks industry in the Philippines 1990-Present( in Tagalog )Listen to Up Dharma Down. Or you can watch them on You Tube. Good

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-5053921674752298092007-08-21T13:20:00.001+08:002007-08-21T14:01:05.706+08:00

A couple of years ago I wrote a post on Mac Envy, and it seems appropriate that I recall it now that I finally have a Mac of my own.Yes ladies and dogs, I am a convert, and although I don't think Steve Jobs is Jesus, he certainly been doing a good job evangelizing the public. I have no regrets about it, though my wallet feels the cost of my conversion well enough, considering one has to shell out

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1135746079456644152005-12-28T12:24:00.000+08:002005-12-28T13:02:32.446+08:00

I've recently gotten hold of a copy of Black Eyed Peas' Monkey Business and the funky tune of 'Pump It' is rolling around in my head like some bizaare cat toy i can't leave alone. Which is not to say it's worse than having the theme song for Pangya rolling around in it's place.I've grown up with the subtle pressure to take up golf as a hobby because of my dad. Although I've tried the driving

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1135680983723415072005-12-27T18:42:00.000+08:002005-12-27T18:56:23.733+08:00

After nearly a year's hiatus, i've decided to resurrect this blog.Christmas 2005 has come, and gone and it's been a strange year for me. I've been officially unemployed for most of it, and sometime in August we closed our Web Development firm. It's a sad thing, but well, that's the way it is. Currently I'm concentrating on my work for Mango Jam, a manga-style comic magazine for girls. Work for

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1102659858576126042004-12-10T14:17:00.000+08:002004-12-10T14:24:18.576+08:00

I stumbled on this amazing mangaka browsing the net for stuff on Hagaren. I'm usually hooked on by the art when I'm looking for new manga, but Mitsuru Adachi's work caught me hook-line-and-sinker with his stories. His specialty is sports and love, and the way he can keep me hooked through a boxing story like Katsu! is amazing in itself mainly because I'm not even a boxing fan and even so, he's

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1098692384721126292004-10-25T15:20:00.000+08:002005-12-28T12:08:22.853+08:00

Hagaren, or Hagane no Renkinjutsushi was something I'd been waiting to be able to watch.I finally got an English subtitled dvd copy and it's turned out to be worth the wait.Essentially the story's about two brothers - one missing an arm and a leg, and the other a disembodied soul bound to a giant tin can.All Edward and his brother Alphonse want is to find a way to become normal human beings again

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1097115145676781282004-10-07T09:57:00.000+08:002004-10-07T10:32:41.010+08:00

I had been browsing the net looking for interesting alternative comics around a month ago and I came across this one published by Image Comics, and it was interesting to know that some of the artists published here were previously known for their web comics - Enrico Cassarosa of Haiku5-7-5 is one of them. I saw some of the art previewed on the site and I was really hooked but of course, I didn't

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095996950459560872004-09-24T11:35:00.000+08:002004-09-24T11:35:50.460+08:00

I never thought I'd see the day when I'd see this recipe online.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095992038565499612004-09-24T09:32:00.000+08:002004-09-24T10:16:02.940+08:00

I've been a PC user all my life. It's cheap, upgradeable, and although we'd all like to Kill Bill at one point or another, Windows will always be there. Except for the brief blip in my career as a graphic artist where I used a mac for a year. Desipte it's wonderful display I cursed it's stupid OS and swore I would never use a mac again. But like many a fool who's fallen for hunky good looks

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095825995922751692004-09-22T11:56:00.000+08:002004-09-22T12:06:35.923+08:00

I wonder if any of you remember the funnies that you read when you were a kid? Aside from the Bazooka Joe bubblegum strips of course. I remember reading quite a bit of filipino comics though I don't remember the titles or the publications. I do remember My Little Pupung - our household help would buy em and pass them off to me. I also remember the story of the Snake People - triplets born with

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095642403893639852004-09-20T08:17:00.000+08:002004-09-20T10:24:27.300+08:00

Back from our company hoo-ha in Baguio. All in all it was ok, even rather fun, despite the stressful moments we had (1) Finding ourselves lodged in a place that reeked of paint and was under renovation as well as having bunk beds with mattresses the thickness of two slices of rye bread (2) Getting lost looking for another place to stay (3) Getting lost again then stuck in traffic trying to get

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095401688242721692004-09-17T14:04:00.000+08:002004-09-17T14:17:26.476+08:00

I'll probably be entry-less this entire weekend as I'll be off on a company outing to Baguio (Boo! Hiss!). What the hell is in Baguio? It used to be one of my favorite places to spend the hot months of summer, but with the spike in population, pollution and the dearth of interesting places to actually go, this is all I have to say: Ho-hum. At least the company on the trip should be fun. And

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095391826305181142004-09-17T11:21:00.000+08:002004-09-17T12:06:44.603+08:00

syn·di·cate n. An association of people or firms authorized to undertake a duty or transact specific business. An association of people or firms formed to engage in an enterprise or promote a common interest. A loose affiliation of gangsters in control of organized criminal activities. An agency that sells articles, features, or photographs for publication in a number of newspapers or periodicals

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095390862974271102004-09-17T11:08:00.000+08:002004-09-17T11:14:22.976+08:00

Mango Comics is launching MooMoo Hunters on September 19, 2004 at the Museo Pambata, Roxas Boulevard, Manila 2-5 pm, Sunday. Bring your kids, and support our local comic industry!

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095386238534616452004-09-17T09:48:00.000+08:002004-09-17T13:39:17.860+08:00

Living in the vicinity of the Pacific Ring of Fire - which means volcanos, quakes, etc. you'd think it was less of a surprise to semi-wake at 3 am yesterday to feel the floor rumbling beneath me. No, it's not my husband wheeling himself across the floor on his computer chair, it's an earthquake. Unlike Japan though, we don't get that many noticeable quakes in the Philippines despite having a

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095216166650670502004-09-15T10:42:00.000+08:002004-09-15T10:42:46.650+08:00

Read Homanga. It rocks.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095142988927489622004-09-14T14:13:00.000+08:002004-09-14T14:46:17.626+08:00

Check out this neat Sandman poster for this NY book event. Dang. http://www.nyisbookcountry.com/posters/28.html For more stuff on neil gaiman, he's got an online journal. Also, check out Mirrormask, a creative collaboration by Gaiman, McKean and the Jim Henson Company. Woot! News from his journal also is that there's to be a stop-motion film (think Nightmare before Christmas or James and the

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095140957427575982004-09-14T13:47:00.000+08:002004-09-14T13:49:17.426+08:00

Fixed up my link list. I've organized them more sensibly (I hope). I'll be adding more as I clean up my favorites folder.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1095041451310830682004-09-13T09:44:00.000+08:002004-09-14T14:12:42.346+08:00

We were watching Samurai Deeper Kyo over the weekend and I and my husband enjoyed it immensely - there's a lot of action, and the plot had a lot of depth that I didn't expect it to have. I highly recommend it. We couldn't help but talk about the theme on man's fascination with power in the story - how human beings seem to crave it, no matter what race or culture and that it is ingrained in us to

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094782043859348952004-09-10T09:57:00.000+08:002004-09-10T10:14:25.646+08:00

So much to do...so much to do... I took my love and I took it down Climbed a mountain and turned around And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills 'til the landslide brought it down Oh, mirror in the sky -What is love?Can the child within my heart rise above?Can I sail through the changin'...ocean tidesCan I handle the seasons of my life?I don't know.....I don't knowWell I've been afraid

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094716064302983722004-09-09T15:45:00.000+08:002004-09-09T15:47:44.303+08:00

You know you're in the Philippines when you hear christmas songs and they sell Christmas trees at National Bookstore in September. Hay christmas. I'm not ready. But I'm going to be a good girl and start writing my christmas list before Halloween.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094698570273695972004-09-09T10:46:00.000+08:002004-09-09T11:08:46.206+08:00

His dreams are like commercials But her dreams are picture perfect and Our dreams are so related though they're often underestimated Check out Jack Johnson. Gotta love his groove. Check out his album, Brushfire Fairytales. Other stuff I'm listening to: Linkin Park: Numb. Maxwell: Hula Tori Amos: Ruby Through the Looking Glass Dave Matthews: Ants Marching (Live at Red Rocks) Sugar Ray: Is She

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094696256778811102004-09-09T10:15:00.000+08:002004-09-09T10:39:46.213+08:00

One of our friends is having his birthday today. I won't say what age he is but he's a very sweet old (omfg did I say that!!) guy. Wherever you are, have a happy happy birthday! Vocabulary check: Fafi: same thing as fafa/papa. In this case it's an affectionate term for an older male friend.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094694183466635802004-09-09T09:42:00.000+08:002004-09-09T09:43:03.466+08:00

I love my best friend. Hi Prixie!

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094634998704392932004-09-08T16:41:00.000+08:002004-09-09T09:41:50.143+08:00

I hate the local news these days. Nothing good seems to ever come out of it. --- Apparently the latest craze for crime in Laguna these days is to pose as patients at a dental clinic and then hold them up for whatever cash and dental equipment they can get their hands on. Authorities believe that this series of heists is the work of one group. Which one? I guess we've yet to find out. Have gun

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094615474276809252004-09-08T11:43:00.000+08:002004-09-08T12:50:39.060+08:00

We find some of our favorite street food has invaded the malls and restaurants in various forms and are no longer the province of street corner vendors and their charcoal grills. Which is a good thing as it's probably more sanitary and easier to find when the craving hits you. Check out Sizzling Balut at the Megamall foodcourt near the escalators or you can try Dencio's version of this

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094549602157195892004-09-07T17:32:00.000+08:002004-09-07T17:33:22.156+08:00

For those who want to learn filipino, or who ARE filipino. Wag kang siokoy!!

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094543692430604382004-09-07T16:47:00.000+08:002004-09-07T16:11:31.236+08:00

kamote: Simply put, it is a sweet potato. The philippines has a few varieties in different colors like red, violet, yellow and white. It's good boiled, eaten or cooked with sugar, turned into chips, etc. WARNING: Do not eat before or during dates if you don't want to drive them away screaming. Shares similar properties with beans. kamoteng kangkong: It's the dark-green and purple vegetation

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094545803024444952004-09-07T16:20:00.000+08:002004-09-07T17:31:52.226+08:00

You can take a person out of his country but you can't take the country out of the person. In one way or another everyone has at least a passing interest in their roots, and there are always those who want to make sure you never forget where you came from. It's a common phenomenon for the displaced to cling to their roots as an anchor of identity in a sea of anonymity, and filipinos abroad are no

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229213.post-1094544829859762642004-09-07T16:11:00.000+08:002004-09-07T16:20:19.796+08:00

Launchcast is the bomb. It really really is. :D Get it on your Yahoo Messenger.

Hippopotamousenoreply@blogger.com0