Huh? Is it time for my once-a-month entry already? I hardly even noticed February creep in because I was [see subject heading] ((And I was in 3rd year college when that song was all the rage with the new wave crowd. Do the math if you like.)) with:
1. A website for a very talented Cake Artist. Can’t show you the new site yet but I will soon because I want you to see her beautiful handiwork. UPDATE: It’s almost live, friends. You can take a peek if you like 🙂
2. Another album packaging project. It’s here ((Oh please don’t say we’ve sold out, we already know that. We just never say no to SonyBMG because they’re wonderful people and are like family to us.)).
3. Illustrating and designing for merchandise not just for *cough plug cough* Poptastic ((check out our new Heroes-inspired designs!)) but also for a well-loved blogger/writer who’s coming up with her line of products soon. Sorry but that’s all I can say about that for now. 😉
4. And now that it’s Feb, I have to start working on the layouts for a new publication by the same team that’s brought you Wedding Essentials called “WE Destinations”. Watch out for it in April! 😀
That said, it’s likely that my next “well-planned” ((As opposed to this one which is 90% written from stream of consciousness)) blog entry will be in April.
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Please also watch out for the latest issue of Cast, due out this week –written by Jamie Bautista, drawn by my hubby. I’ve read the issue and it totally rocks! I like the series because it has the feel of Veronica Mars (and I mean that in a good way, you know I’m a fan) only without the murder. Here’s the ad starring some, well, very familiar faces:

Click to launch the ad in a separate window
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And because Arn and I are terribly hooked and cannot (and will not) be stopped from talking about it, here’s a link to the unofficial Heroes blog by director/producer Greg Beeman. Warning: there are a few spoilers in there but it’s worth visiting because of the interviews, behind-the-scenes photos and very entertaining director’s commentary.

Photo swiped from aforementioned blog.
No matter how busy we are, we make it a point to set aside an hour every Tuesday, Pacific standard time, to watch the latest episode ((Hot off good ol’ Isohunt)). Arn’s even gone as far to say that the superhero concept will never be seen the same way again. If you haven’t seen it yet, please do yourselves a favor and watch the first episode on Wednesday at 9pm, Star World. You will LOVE it. 🙂

My favorite 2006 “discoveries” in no particular order.

Photo swiped from this site.
1. Seafood Gumbo at Gumbo (SM’s Mall of Asia and The Block). Yummy — spicy, chockfull of crawfish, crab meat, shrimp and squid — and very filling. Even if you only get the petite serving (P175), it’s more than enough to feed two hungry people. ((It’s so heavy we never finish it and always have enough to bring home for dinner later on.))


Photo swiped from this site.
2. The TV series Heroes. If you liked the X-files, you will DEFINITELY like Heroes. Arn and I first heard about the tv series from our friend Sam a couple of months ago but we never got to watch it until last, last week. ((Some of you might know that I actually already wrote about this here.)) The series, which tells the story of several people who thought they were like everyone else until they woke with incredible abilities such as telepathy, time travel and flight, however X-men-inspired, is not your average teens-with-powers banding together kind of story. Part of the charm is that it’s written and paced like a comic — it’s composed of different story arcs that interlink to form a universal plot. Arn and I have only seen 8 chapters so far but we’ll have to give it 5 stars for managing to boggle the mind, keep us interested for 4 hours straight at a time (we would’ve watched longer if we didn’t have to work on something), entertain, and creep us out (Sylar is the scariest villain since John Doe) all at once. So if you haven’t yet, do yourselves a favor and try to watch an episode — see if you don’t get hooked ((Arn’s fave character is Matt, the telepathic cop, while I like Claire, the spontaneously regenerating cheerleader. And of course we both like Hiro… who doesn’t?)).

3. Elianto‘s Sheer Powder and Lip Treatment Duo. I hardly wear make-up since, well, I hate putting stuff on my face but I know I have to look presentable every once in a while. So I checked out the stuf at Elianto, a Malaysian brand which offers cosmetics and skincare products with the vibrancy and wholesome value of fruits. Their organic and fruit-based skincare line is packaged really nicely ((Yes, that’s exactly how to attract a make-up-phobic art director.)), the powder feels light and fresh, and the medicated lip jellies really work to heal cracked lips *plus* they taste delightfully fruity!

4. Ming Ong and Kathang Kamay. I “discovered” Ming via the Multiply network: she’s my good friend Tippi‘s friend and Tips occasionally gets her to design accessories for her fashion shows. What struck Arn and me about her work is that they’re all intricately done and are very unique and original — there’s nothing else quite like them in the market. Her designs are available at Souk and Mag:net but you can also ask her to make custom, one-of-a-kind pieces for you. Besides being talented, she’s really nice and has since become my friend too. See her work in her gallery and in the latest WE issue 😀
(And speaking of Tippi, did you know that her works were recently exhibited in Doha, right at the time the Asian Games were held there? More info on her site. Way to go Tips!)

5. Veronica Mars, huwat else? I have our friend Lia to thank for introducing me to Veronica Mars early last year — now I am such a huge fan of the series (and so are Nest and Buddy! We had a blast discussing the series when we visited their home yesterday). I love the storytelling, the overall direction, the characters, and the way that each entire season is one big story arc with different twists and turns that, throughout the season, will fall into place like pieces in a puzzle. A soundtrack that includes the Dandy Warhols, Ivy, the Donnas, etc doesn’t hurt either. Do check it out, although I would suggest that you watch it from the beginning because the way it’s structured has a tendency to confuse a viewer diving in midway thru the series. Incidentally, the photo I chose shows Veronica and Logan right before they kiss for the first time — a scene that, in my opinion, comes a close second in terms of “kilig factor” to the Angela Chase-Jordan Catalano Buffalo Tom hallway moment in My So-Called Life. ((I first wrote about it in Multiply too. See our discussion.))
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Sorry for the lack of entries, it seems like the first quarter is turning out to be pretty hectic for us — what else is new? What’s keeping us sane though is the “opening” of our new Cafepress shop Poptastic.

More about it next time and for now, tune in to the accompanying blog for updates on new designs.