Memoirs of a Linguist: Year 7

Eating Portland in a Food Cart

2012-02-13T08:44:00.003-05:00

I recently spent 4 days in Portland, Oregon. It was a city that I have visited before, back in 2009, when I spent a week in Seattle and Portland for vacation. I remember enjoying this hip and cool city, so I was looking forward to it this time around. And sure enough, it didn't disappoint. Especially with the food. Portland is known for its abundance of food carts. In fact, I later learned that food carts are really big in Portland, that there's even a place called Cartlandia! If ever I get to Portland again, I will definitely try to visit this place.

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Jet Lag

2012-02-11T08:44:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it is a curse of mine that I have a very well-establishment biological clock. I usually get up at the same time every day. I am very much a morning person, and can get up say at 6 AM and that is not a problem. Most of the time, that is a blessing, but sometimes, that can be a curse.

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Book Review: Death is Not an Option by Suzanne Rivecca

2012-02-10T08:43:00.003-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Death is Not an Option by Suzanne Rivecca on Blogcritics.org.

Do you fancy a collection of stories about tragic lives of females and children? If so, then this book is for you. Death is Not an Option is a collection of short stories that center around this theme.

I find it funny and intriguing how the author thought of this theme to unify these stories. One story involves a school teacher who obsesses about one of her students as the student constantly feature scratch marks that seem to be only explained by child abuse. Another story features a writer who wanted to rent an apartment, only to find out that the landlord is a sexually obsessed fan. In another story, a girl is featured bidding farewell to former classmates in a Catholic school who constantly bullied her.

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The Grotto

2012-02-08T08:33:00.010-05:00

Last month, I was in Portland due to a conference. I presented a talk, and that was good. But of course, it never prevented me from getting my camera with me, and shooting some pictures while I was in town. And for this time, I went to The Grotto.

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Book Review: Liquidation by Imre Kertész

2012-02-07T08:43:00.004-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Liquidation by Imre Kertész on Blogcritics.org.

Have you ever wondered what a metaphysical novel would be like, in just 120 pages? If so, then read Liquidation, because this is one.

This novel is a story that revolves on a few characters that are inter-related. There's the writer B (Bee), who commits suicide. His close friends are shocked. And the novel actually focuses on how each of his friends deal with the loss. Kingsbitter goes on a mission to uncover the "lost novel" that he thinks great writers like B should leave before committing suicide. Other characers like Sarah and Judit slowly are revealed to be interesting figures that have sexual liaisons with the other folks in the novel.

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Slicing the Population

2012-02-05T08:42:00.001-05:00

Flying definitely gives me the opportunity to see a slice of the population that I usually do not see often. After all, in my regular waking hours, I usually am only familiar with the university crowd, and that can be very different from the rest of the population.

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Book Review: Luminarium by Alex Shakar

2012-02-04T08:42:00.003-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Luminarium by Alex Shakar on Blogcritics.org.

Your twin brother is in a coma, your family is dysfunctional, the company you have founded is being taken away from you, your girlfriend abandons you, and you're dead-broke: what would you do if every person in the world is dead-set against you? This is essentially the premise of Alex Shakar's novel entitled Luminarium, where the topic of human despair interfaces with modern technology.

The narrative centers around Fred Brounian, the protagonist, who, together with his twin brother George, and their younger brother Sam, founded a software company that deals with computer programs pertaining to virtual realities. So far, it's been a hit: the novel is set in 2006, and with the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars going on 5 years after 9/11, it is said that the war industry has taken interest in their virtual reality software in order to train soldiers in simulated combat.

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Eldridge Street Synagogue

2012-02-02T09:00:00.009-05:00

One of my last out-of-town trips I did before 2011 came to a close was when I went to New York City for a half-week visit to my sister. I also had a few errands to run, visiting some consulates for visas. But I still found some time to get my camera out and use it. That was when I decided to visit the Eldridge Street Synagogue.

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Electric Shocker

2012-02-01T08:42:00.001-05:00

I usually don't hate winter. After all, I like the changes of the seasons, as it definitely makes things very interesting. I really think that the same weather all year round is a little boring, so spicing it up a bit makes it more interesting. However, the thing I don't like with winter is that I become an electric shocker.

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Embassies and Consulates

2012-01-30T08:38:00.001-05:00

Growing up as part of the diplomatic corps is a unique experience. One gets to live in various places, and see various things. One gets immersed in local culture, and learns to speak other languages. That has been the story of my childhood, where I was usually behind the counters and behind the scenes.

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St. Michael's Cathedral

2012-01-29T08:58:00.008-05:00

The last time I was in Toronto, I visited a Hindu temple, and in conjunction with that, I also visited a cathedral. It's funny that an atheist would visit these religious sites, but honestly, I find it fascinating to observe people so devout in their religious beliefs, that I find myself sitting there, observing them to no end.

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Book Review: The Curfew by Jesse Ball

2012-01-27T08:38:00.003-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: The Curfew by Jesse Ball on Blogcritics.org.

A father and daughter in an Orwellian society: what will you do if it is normal for people just to disappear, never to be seen again?

William Drysdale is a single father, taking care of Molly, his mute daughter. As the story progresses, it is slowly revealed that he is a former virtuoso violinist, and that he had a wife named Louisa. Life is good, until Louisa disappears, never to be seen again.

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Duplicity in Christian Metal Music

2012-01-26T08:37:00.005-05:00

One day, I was listening to my metal station in Pandora, when a song was played, and it caught my attention. It turned out that it was called Start Again, by the band "Red". I liked the music overall, that I have decided to check out the album as well.

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Book Review: Henry and June by Anaïs Nin

2012-01-24T08:47:00.005-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Henry and June by Anaïs Nin on Blogcritics.org.

Is it possible to love mutliple people at once? Can one really devote oneself to several people all at the same time? Polyamory, in its various different forms, is just one of themes that run through this exquisitely written diary of Anaïs Nin.

In order to do this review proper justice, I should begin by stating where I am coming from. I am a fan of Henry Miller, and I have read both Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Both books mesmerized me, with its unusual narrative, blending fact and fiction, narrating about the escapades of Henry Miller in Paris. And of course, through the course of reading those books, I encounter Anaïs Nin, one of Miller's companions. It made me think what would it be like to be a companion of Henry Miller, this author who seemed to be sexually charged like no other human I have encountered.

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Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

2012-01-23T08:54:00.007-05:00

When I was in Toronto a few weeks ago, I decided to visit a Hindu temple. It happens that the largest Hindu temple in Canada is just near the Toronto airport. So, armed with my day pass, I decided to take my camera and pay it a visit.

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Martial Arts in the Shower

2012-01-21T08:47:00.002-05:00

So a few weeks ago, I bought bodywash in the supermarket. I really have no brand I stick to all the time, I usually buy what is on sale, or what is the brand in which I have a coupon for, or what is the brand that costs the least given my supermarket shopper's card. Bodywash isn't something I am picky on.

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Book Review: Lies by Enrique de Hériz

2012-01-20T08:46:00.005-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Lies by Enrique de Hériz on Blogcritics.org.

How much do you care about the truth? How far are you willing to go to uncover the truth? Conversely, how far are you willing to cover up a lie? These are just some of the questions that this multi-layered complex book tries to answer.

This book is the story of Isabel Azuera, who is an aged anthropologist, and her family. At the age of 69, she suddenly announces to her family that she is heading to Guatemala. While in Guatemala, an accident happens, and it is reported to her family back in Spain that she is dead.

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Pillitteri Estates Winery

2012-01-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

When the weather was just starting to become cold, my good friend Puku visited me for a bit. The next day, we decided to cross into Canada and visit a winery. We ended up visiting the Pillitteri Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake, as it was near, and they were still giving tours even though the summer wine season is already over. We made it just in time for the tour.

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Ch'ing·lish

2012-01-17T08:45:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was in New York City, and my sister and I decided to see a play. This time, we picked Ch'ing·lish, which is a play by David Henry Hwang, running on Broadway.

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Oh Buffalo: Connecticut Street Armory

2012-01-15T09:05:00.000-05:00

Back in October, when the National Trust for Historic Preservation had their conference here in Buffalo, there were plenty of places that were usually closed but opened its doors to the public. One of these places were the Connecticut Street Armory. I have to admit, but I never even knew this place existed until I saw the brochure for the event. And the good thing is, the tour was free.

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Diplomatic Carnival

2012-01-14T08:45:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was in New York City to visit a few consulates. I had to get a stamp from one consulate, saying that I do not need a visa to enter. In addition to that, I had to get a German visa in order to enter and give a talk in a conference in February. That made me think of the various consulates and embassies I have been to, and how different they can be.

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Customer Care

2012-01-12T08:44:00.000-05:00

This past month, I realized that Starbucks is awesome. Why?

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UB Percussion Ensemble

2012-01-11T08:44:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I attended a concert by the UB Percussion Ensemble. I've always made it a point to attend the concerts of this group, as I happen to be a fan of Tom Kolor (the director), and somehow, I like modern and avant-garde music. It is fortunate that this university houses a stellar cast of performers that have the talent and ability to handle music that is rather difficult to execute.

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Dissertations and the Scenery

2012-01-09T08:44:00.000-05:00

So I have been working on this dissertation for quite a while now. I am finally in the writing phase, as I am slowly working and plonking away on my laptop, writing chapters and chapters of research. Most of the time, I am found in my office, but sometimes, I need a change of scenery.

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Oh Buffalo: Buffalo Central Terminal

2012-01-08T08:42:00.000-05:00

This past summer, I have been exploring this city that I have come to live in for the past 6 and a half years. I loved what I have seen, and there's still more. For this latest installment of my Oh Buffalo! Series, I am blogging about the Buffalo Central Terminal.

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Pittsford, NY

2012-01-06T08:31:00.001-05:00

When we went to Ithaca a few months ago, we stopped by in Pittsford on the way back. This town is actually a short hop outside of Rochester, and we stopped there to grab some dinner on the way back. It's actually a rather quaint and pretty town, and so I didn't hesitate on taking some pictures.

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Book Review: The Wandering Falcon by Jamil Ahmad

2012-01-05T08:55:00.000-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: The Wandering Falcon by Jamil Ahmad on Blogcritics.org.

What happens when tradition clashes with modernity? What happens when one's nomadic life suddenly becomes hindered by modern concepts such as international borders and policy? This new novel by Jamil Ahmad, entitled The Wandering Falcon addresses these issues, using very wonderfully written prose.

As a short synopsis: this book tells the tale of Tor Baz -- the "black falcon" -- who is a boy, from one nomadic tribe living in the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. His parents are shot in front of his eyes by other nomadic tribes, which triggers his own nomadic lifestyle, by being passed along from one tribe to another, gaining several foster parents along the way, and ditching them whenever circumstances force him to. Using just nine chapters, the book narrates his childhood, his adolescence, and adulthood, as he transforms from fugitive, to prisoner, to servant, to adopted son, to informer, to wife-buyer.

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Chamber Music Recital

2012-01-03T08:43:00.000-05:00

Last month, during the last week of classes, I decided to attend several concerts from the Music Department. One of the concerts I attended was the Chamber Music Recital. Overall, I think I actually liked it.

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Ithaca Excursion: Cornell University

2012-01-02T09:19:00.001-05:00

When we went to Ithaca, not only did we hike Buttermilk Falls, but we also visited Cornell University, one of the Ivy League universities here in the United States. I must say, it was quite impressive to stroll the beautiful campus of one of the premier learning institutions of this country.

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Looking Back: Year 2011

2011-12-31T08:32:00.000-05:00

The Year 2011 is about to end. So as my last post of the year, let me review what has happened to me, at least. I've done a post like this before last year, and hopefully I have enough to write about again this time around.

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Eating Toronto

2011-12-30T08:56:00.003-05:00

So I am in Toronto, once again. Having friends in this city is awesome, add to that the fact that it is just a short hop across the border, that it makes it easy for me to visit it every now and then. I've been here for a few days, and so far, all I have done, aside from hanging out with my friends, is eat.

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Ithaca Excursion: Buttermilk Falls State Park

2011-12-28T09:12:00.000-05:00

When the weather was warmer, and the leaves were still there, we decided to do a road trip one fine Saturday. We headed to Ithaca, which is this college town that is said to be centrally isolated. That is so true, because it is located in the middle of the state of New York, and yet there isn’t a big city that is nearby.

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Book Review: Palace of Desire by Nagīb Maḥfūẓ

2011-12-27T08:55:00.000-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Palace of Desire: The Cairo Trilogy, Volume 2 by Nagib Mahfuz on Blogcritics.org.

What happens when an idealist becomes cynical and jaded? What are the events that might trigger one to abandon one's hopes and dreams and instead face the world with pessimism and hopelessness? This book is an exercise in this thought experiment, as it follows the al-Jawad family, in the Nagīb Maḥfūẓ's second book in his Cairo Trilogy, entitled Palace of Desire (For a review of the first book, entitled Palace Walk, head over here).

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Statistics and Math

2011-12-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

There was a time when I thought I hated math. I just didn't want to do anything with it. And so, when it was time to pick a major in undergrad, I decided to pick Linguistics (because Music was unavailable to me, at that time, but that is a different story), since this major only required me to take Math 1 (Math Appreciation) as a General Education Requirement, and nothing else.

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Cavorting in Chile: Valparaíso

2011-12-24T08:43:00.000-05:00

This post will be my final installment for my Cavorting in Chile Series. It has been a great visit, and it was nice that even though we went to Santiago for a conference, we were also able to see some sights in the city as well. For this final entry, I am talking about Valparaíso, which is a city about 2 hours by bus from Santiago, next to the Pacific Coast.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 30 - Your Favorite Song at This Time Last Year

2011-12-22T08:54:00.000-05:00

I really don't keep track of my favorite songs, as they come and go. However, I do remember really liking this one last year. So yes, as the final entry of this 30-piece meme, I am putting this video of Snuff, which is a power ballad by the heavy metal band Slipknot, released in 2009, as part of their album All Hope is Gone.

(Big Rock Fixture, from my Machu Picchu Series)

The Anticipation of Flight: Version 2.0

2011-12-21T08:40:00.002-05:00

About this time last year, I announced it when I was heading to a vacation in Mexico City. It was fun. It was worth it. This time, there is another announcement.

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The North Korean Personality Cult Vacuum

2011-12-19T08:46:00.001-05:00

So, the news recently announced that Kim Jong-Il has passed away. Normally, whenever government leaders die, the country goes into mourning, but the after the mourning period, everyone pretty much just resumes what they have been doing. However, with this case, it is special. After all, what happens when a demi-god dies?

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Vegetarianism and Self-Discipline

2011-12-18T08:39:00.001-05:00

I've dabbled in vegetarianism before, and somehow, I have the desire to dabble in it again. However, there are times when I am just so tired that I don't want to think at all with respect to what I eat, and therefore I just go ahead and cook meat, which is something I can do without thinking.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 29 - A Song From Your Childhood

2011-12-16T08:39:00.001-05:00

I don't remember much about music from my childhood. But, I do remember watching the MTV Music Awards for 1985 on VHS; I borrowed it multiple times from the public library in the city in Japan when we were there in the mid-90s. I'll make that count as music from my childhood. This is Don Henley singing The Boys of Summer, first released in 1984, from his album Building the Perfect Beast.

(Dirt Path, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Oh Buffalo: St. Joseph's Cathedral to the Statler Towers

2011-12-15T08:46:00.008-05:00

For the last part of this walking tour, we begin by heading to St. Joseph's Cathedral. This is the church that is found behind the Buffalo Police Station.

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Cavorting in Chile: Barrio París-Londres

2011-12-13T08:48:00.008-05:00

West of the Artisan Market and east of the Presidential Palace, one can find this small neighborhood, the Barrio París-Londres. This is named after two small cobblestoned streets, París and Londres. There is a church that anchors this neighborhood, which is the Iglesia de San Francisco.

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Tübingen!

2011-12-12T08:38:00.001-05:00

Some good news: I am heading to Germany!

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 28 - A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

2011-12-10T08:38:00.000-05:00

It's a song about sex, I know. Should I be prude? But isn't sex part of what makes us human? So yes, I know this is a R-18 song, but hey, I still like it. This is Sex Therapy by Robin Thicke, from his album of the same name, released in 2009.

(A Peek, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Oh Buffalo: Brisbane Building to Guaranty Building

2011-12-09T09:26:00.012-05:00

Our walking tour continues. For the first part, I narrated the walk from the Market Arcade to Lafayette Square. This time, we will be picking up from where we left, and move on.

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New Shoes

2011-12-07T08:37:00.001-05:00

I recently bought new shoes. The thing is, I have been noticing that the balls of my feet somehow ache, and when I looked at the pair of shoes I usually wear to school, I realized that the soles were so worn out that they were so thin, and not enough to support my feet.

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Cavorting in Chile: Correo Central to Estación Mapocho

2011-12-06T09:22:00.006-05:00

Santiago has so many small establishments to see, that one can string them together and design a walking tour that leads oneself from one to the other. And during our stay, that was what we usually did: I had a map with me, and I planned what we would be seeing as we explored the city on foot.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 27 - A Song That You Wish You Could Play

2011-12-04T08:37:00.002-05:00

Yes, I know that this day asks for a song that I wish I can play. But this one is close enough. I wish I were a tenor that I can sing this song, but alas, I am a baritone. This song ballad just has too many notes that are too high for my voice to reach. This is Daniel Bedingfield's If You're Not The One, released in 2002, as part of his album Gotta Get Through This. The highest note in this piece is Eb5.

(Stone City, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Oh Buffalo: The Market Arcade to Lafayette Square

2011-12-03T08:42:00.008-05:00

While the weather was still fine, I decided to embark on a walking tour of downtown Buffalo. The thing is, this part of town isn't the prettiest, given how urban flight has deteriorated this place. However, if one knows where to look, there are still interesting places that are worth seeing. Needless to say, I brought my camera with me.

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Book Review: Life of Pi by Yann Martel

2011-12-01T08:36:00.003-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Life of Pi by Yann Martel on Blogcritics.org.

It is always a rare event that I stumble upon a book and upon reading it, makes me think what had just happened. Life of Pi by Yann Martel is one of those. It is a fantasy adventure story, but with an underlying theme that I never expected.

But first, let me provide a brief synopsis. This is the story of Piscine Patel, nicknamed Pi, and his misadventures. He is a young teenage Indian boy, son of a zoo owner. Importantly, he is a practicing Hindu, Christian, and Muslim. His experiences growing up with animals, his family, and his faiths is the main topic of the first part.

The second part of the book is about his misadventures at sea. His family decides to immigrate to Canada, bringing most of their zoo animals with them to sell to other buyers in North America. They board a cargo ship, but the ship sinks, and he spends a total of 227 days floating in the Pacific Ocean, with a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger for company. The first three animals die one by one through one reason or another, but the tiger and Pi survives until they float and reach the Mexican shores. This is the longest and in my opinion, most gruesome part of the book.

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Hedda Gabler

2011-11-30T08:36:00.001-05:00

The other day, a friend of mine and I watched Hedda Gabler, which is a play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. I haven't been to the theatre recently, so I was quite looking forward about this.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 26 - A Song That You Can Play on an Instrument

2011-11-28T08:35:00.001-05:00

You may or may not have noticed it, but this song actually samples the chord progression of Pachelbel's Canon in D. Since my musical performance training was mostly concentrated in the classical genre, I had a little bit of a hard time answering this question. I usually hated playing popular music, for its hard syncopated rhythms and so forth. Anyway, if there is some song that I could play on an instrument, then it would be this one. This is Vitamin C's Friends Forever, released in 2000.

(The Skyline, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Cavorting in Chile: Plazas in Santiago

2011-11-27T08:43:00.000-05:00

During our stay in Santiago, there were plenty of places that we went to and saw. Most of the time, we were busy participating in the academic conference, yet there were times when we had a little bit of time and therefore, we took the opportunity to go out and see the city. For this entry, I am showing pictures of a couple of open spaces in Santiago, centering around two plazas, the Plaza de Armas and the Plaza de La Constitución.

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The Mastermind

2011-11-25T08:35:00.001-05:00

The other week, we held an emergency mobile lab. The thing is, my research involves doing experiments, and in order to do experiments, one needs participants. Most of the time, I do experiments with the Psychology Department; my research interests being very inter-disciplinary, I collaborate with the folks in the Psychology Department, and use their subject pool in order to do my experiments. However, there are times when there are more experiments to run than participants. That is when we decide to recruit from other sources. And that is when the mobile lab comes in.

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East Otto Excursion: Griffis Scupture Park

2011-11-24T09:05:00.010-05:00

When the weather was still warm, we decided to drive out to rural Western New York and visit East Otto. East Otto is a town south of where we live, and it was about an hour drive from the city. So why did we head down there? Well, there's the Griffis Sculpture Park, which is this wide open area full of sculptures that one can gawk at.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 25 - A Song That Makes You Laugh

2011-11-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

There is something with this song. I don't know what, but everytime I hear it, I just smile and laugh. This is Jason Mraz, with I'm Yours, released in 2008 as part of his album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.

(City of Stones, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Book Review: Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation by Olivia Judson

2011-11-21T08:34:00.005-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation by Olivia Judson on Blogcritics.org.

It is a rare event that I pick up a non-fiction book and actually enjoy reading it. Based on my track record, non-fiction usually results in disappointment: my previous experiences were mostly based on reading memoirs where I just didn't sympathize with the authors. It thus failed to provide a temporary escape from reality, which I should say, is one of the major reasons why I read.

But, this current one is an exception. It is rare in many different ways, one of them being the fact that I had to go to my university's Science and Engineering Library to borrow this one, which is a location that I rarely go to borrow books to read for fun. Another quirk is that this book isn't your regular non-fiction read: it's not a diary, not a memoir, nothing like that. Instead, this is actually a science book. But it's not your regular science book; it's a science book about sex, written in the format of an advice column.

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Cavorting in Chile: Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago

2011-11-19T09:07:00.009-05:00

As much as I do not believe in religion, I believe in the cultural role that religion plays in society. Religion has been the pivot of most social concepts: it has moved people to immigrate, it has moved people to congregate, and it has moved people to kill. Extreme cases aside, religion also gives reason for nice architecture.

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Book Review: Turbulence by Giles Foden

2011-11-18T08:34:00.003-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Turbulence by Giles Foden on Blogcritics.org.

If you're in the middle of a war, and you're planning a major attack against your enemy, then presumably, you would want to know what the weather is going to be like, during the day you are planning on doing it, right? That is the core question that surrounds the narrative of this latest book by Giles Foden, entitled Turbulence.

The story is centered on the character of Henry Meadows, a British meteorologist who grew up in Africa. His actions are followed by the narrative, as he tackles several tasks. His first task was to befriend Wallace Ryman, a brilliant meteorologist, but who also happens to be a conscientious objector. The reason for this is that Ryman seems to be brilliant enough to have discovered the "Ryman number" which supposedly predicts turbulence and other weather patterns with extreme precision. Obviously, such a mathematical equation is useful for wartime activities, that the British government wanted to have it for their own use.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 24 - A Song That You Want to Play at Your Funeral

2011-11-16T08:33:00.001-05:00

I do not believe in living forever, or the afterlife for that matter. And yet I realize that living is such an awesome thing, that people just want to continue living forever, if that were possible. People don't want to die, I get that. Perhaps that is why people came up with all these ideas of heaven or paradise. And people wrote songs about it. So yes, as much as I do not believe in the afterlife, I wish people would live forever, but unfortunately, that is not the reality of things. And I'd rather face reality than hide in some fantasy. That being said, when I die, I want this song played at my funeral. This is My Immortal, by the band Evanescence. This was released in 2003, as part of their album Fallen. I prefer the acoustic version of this song, not the one with the rock interlude, as featured in this video.

(Ruins of a Balcony, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Extending the Week

2011-11-15T09:18:00.001-05:00

This is one of those times in which the semester goes so busy, I would want to extend the week by having 9 days instead of 7. Because really, given the amount of things I need to do, I feel like I need more time.

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Oh Buffalo: Garden Walk Buffalo

2011-11-13T09:17:00.000-05:00

Once a year, there is an event in Buffalo where homeowners can actually opt to open up their properties and showcase the wonderful gardens that they have. This usually happens on a weekend, and for this year, Garden Walk Buffalo happened on July 30 and 31, 2011. Needless to say, I went ahead and brought my camera, hoping to see some things I usually do not see.

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Functional Morality

2011-11-12T09:18:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, my friends and I have engaging discussions that usually are not really related to what we do as graduate students. So, a few weeks ago, I had a discussion with a close friend of mine about whether I have morals or not.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 23 - A Song That You Want to Play at Your Wedding

2011-11-10T09:18:00.000-05:00

If there is a song that I want to be played at my wedding, then it would be this one. I admire Sebastien Lefebvre; as much as he can be a punk rocker (when he is part of Simple Plan), he can croon too. Like this song, entitled I Fall For You, released as part of the EP entitled You Are Here/Vous Etes Ici. This was released in 2009, and I downloaded it, listening to it every now and then. I also loved the video that goes with it, showing all the various sides of love.

(Outlines, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Cavorting in Chile: Baquedano

2011-11-09T09:19:00.010-05:00

Baquedano is actually a big area: it's an area of town that is one metro station away from where we were staying. And there are plenty of things that can be seen. This post is thus a collection of various things that I found in and around that area.

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Book Review: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

2011-11-07T09:17:00.005-05:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides on Blogcritics.org.

Bizarre, abnormal, and tragic. That is how I would characterize this book. See, I picked this book from a friend's collection, as I should say, the title is intriguing. And as I progressed through the book, I found myself having various feelings toward the book, from disappointment, to frustration, to admiration. Yes, it is one of those things where I felt that the book starts bad, but ends up as a grand tour-de-force of fiction.

But first, a synopsis.

This is the story of five sisters, the Lisbon girls: Cecilia, Lux, Mary, Bonnie and Therese. It starts the story by narrating the events that led to the suicide of Cecilia, and the year that follows. As the title suggests, there isn't a single suicide in the book. In fact, all the sisters die, eventually. The group suicide forms the climax of the story, but what I think is amazing about this book is the way the events leading up to the mass suicide are narrated.

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Oh Buffalo: Allentown Historic District

2011-11-06T09:26:00.007-05:00

If I had the choice, I probably would want to live in this neighborhood. The Allentown Historic District is one of the prettiest and funkiest parts of Buffalo. Designated as a local preservation district in 1978, it was included in the National Registry of Historic Places in 1980.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 22 - A Song That You Listen to When You're Sad

2011-11-04T09:17:00.001-04:00

I actually had a hard time finding the song for this theme. I do get sad, yes. But whenever that happens, music isn't actually the first place of comfort for me. Instead, I find solace in books. Yup, when I am sad, I compartmentalize those bad thoughts, put them in a safe place somewhere in my head where I can forget about them for the moment, and I go to my happy place. I get there by reading. But sometimes, I do listen to music. And this is one track I can listen to. This is It Ends Tonight by the All-American Rejects. It was released in 2005, as a part of their album Move Along. Listen and enjoy.

(Former House, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Cavorting in Chile: Basilica de la Merced

2011-11-03T09:26:00.006-04:00

As with any Roman Catholic country, there were plenty of churches to visit in Santiago. I remember visiting at least three of them. One of them, however, stands out to my memory, and this is the Templo Basilica de la Merced. The thing is, we visited this church at night, after coming back from a restaurant. I think I especially liked the lighting and how this church glowed, given the night sky.

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Groupthink

2011-11-01T09:16:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, things happen and I see them, which makes me wonder why some people cannot seem to think for themselves.

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Oh Buffalo: Hoyt Lake

2011-10-31T09:15:00.011-04:00

When I went to the Japanese Garden the other day, I also crossed the street and went to Hoyt Lake. After all, Delaware Park is rather big, and there are plenty of different sections to it. Hoyt Lake is another one.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 21 - A Song That You Listen to When You're Happy

2011-10-29T09:15:00.000-04:00

I listen to many different songs when I am happy. But this is one of them. This is Regina Spektor's Us, released in 2004 with her album Soviet Kitsch. It was also used in the movie (500) Days of Summer.

(The Top, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Cavorting in Chile: Cerro Santa Lucía

2011-10-28T09:07:00.009-04:00

A visit to Santiago will never be complete without paying a visit to the Cerro Santa Lucía, which is a small hill right in the middle of the city. It borders the main avenue of the city, Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins. A metro station is nearby, and so was the hostel that we were staying while we were there.

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Book Review: A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman by Margaret Drabble

2011-10-26T08:38:00.008-04:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman by Margaret Drabble on Blogcritics.org.

I don't have plenty of good experiences when it comes to short stories. I suppose the reason behind this is that I have a set of expectations when it comes to reading, and short stories are just the wrong genre to fulfill it. The last time I have read a collection of short stories was when I picked up The Insufferable Gaucho by Roberto Bolaño, and I remember not fully liking it either. I suppose this is about the same.

The different thing for this one, however, is that there is a theme to it. This is a collection of short stories about women; each story features one. And they are interesting women as well. In "Hassan's Tower", there is the hard-headed female tourist who drags her husband all across town in Morocco to see archaeological relics, while navigating the numerous touts that plague the tourists. In "The Merry Widow", there is the woman who is finally overjoyed now that her annoying husband is dead. In "Crossing the Alps", the story tells of a woman who drives a sick husband across Europe. Women seem to be strong characters here.

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Carmina Burana: Take Three

2011-10-25T08:34:00.002-04:00

So a few weeks ago, we attended the season opening night of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. I happened to get some tickets for it, so we decided to make it a night by getting dressed up, having dinner at a little fancy place, and attending the performance.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 20 - A Song That You Listen to When You're Angry

2011-10-23T08:32:00.000-04:00

I rarely get angry. But in the rare instances in the past, I've always found myself listening to this track, over and over again. It's sort of soothing, in a way. This is Chop Suey! by System of a Down, released in 2001 as part of their album Toxicity.

(Room in the Sky, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Oh Buffalo: The Japanese Garden

2011-10-22T08:39:00.003-04:00

I've always knew the existence of the Japanese Garden; I've seen pictures of it before, some people told me that it exists, and so on. However, for the longest time, I haven't been there, and never actually knew where it was exactly located. So this past summer, I decided to find out.

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Gaddafi is Dead

2011-10-21T08:34:00.000-04:00

I interrupt my regularly scheduled posting rate of 2 posts per 3 days, for this rather important news. Muammar Gaddafi is dead.

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Book Review: The Crime of Father Amaro by José Maria de Eça de Queiroz

2011-10-20T08:30:00.003-04:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: The Crime of Father Amaro by José Maria de Eça de Queiroz on Blogcritics.org.

I haven't written a book review in a while, and that is because I had been preoccupied with reading this massive work by José Maria de Eça de Queiroz, none other than his most famous novel, entitled The Crime of Father Amaro. And after reading it, I was blown away.

Well, tradition dictates that I narrate a brief synopsis of the book, and this is relatively easy. A handsome priest becomes the new parish priest of a community that is dominated by women. Several ladies act as pillars of society. Among them is a young woman, Amelia, who becomes close to the parish priest. In fact, she becomes too close that she falls in love with the handsome priest, Amaro. Not surprisingly, Amaro also falls for her. However, conflict lies ahead, and this is where the book's plot lies.

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Portland!

2011-10-19T09:28:00.004-04:00

Some good news: I am heading to Portland!

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 19 - A Song From Your Favorite Album

2011-10-17T09:27:00.002-04:00

Once upon a time, I only listened to classical music. That was because I was living in Japan and J-Pop really didn't appeal to me. Perhaps it was also because I didn't understand the Japanese language much at that time. Add to that the fact that I was taking classical piano lessons as well.

Anyway, when we moved to Guam, there was MTV. And this song was one of the first songs that I liked and stuck to me. Released in 2002 as part of the album Gravity, this is a single by Our Lady Peace, entitled Innocent. I liked the album overall, but apparently, some OLP fans thought that this was a significant departure from their original style.

(Green Borders, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Cavorting in Chile: Barrio Concha y Toro

2011-10-16T09:19:00.005-04:00

For this episode of my Cavorting in Chile series, I will present a series of pictures of a rather funky neighborhood. Nothing much happens in this neighborhood, but it's a little enclave in an industrial area. The neighborhood sits around a small neglected fountain, surrounded by mansions that are of the beaux-art and art deco architectural styles. I don't have much to say about this area, so I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

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Oh Buffalo: The First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo

2011-10-14T09:14:00.007-04:00

Sometime in the summer, as I was strolling along the various neighborhoods of the city, I found myself in Symphony Circle, which I have blogged about before. While in the same circle, I wandered into the First Presbyterian Church.

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Roland E. Martin Faculty Recital

2011-10-13T09:25:00.001-04:00

The new season for musical performances has begun! It's always a great way of relaxing and unwinding after a long and busy day, and since the university has a rather stunning music department, we have various performances that we can attend throughout the year. And the first performance I attended this year is Roland E. Martin's recital.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 18 - A Song That You Wish You Heard on the Radio

2011-10-11T09:23:00.001-04:00

Next on the list is a song that I wished I heard more on the radio. And for this one, I bring this English alternative rock band, Keane, into the list. Here is their song Somewhere Only We Know, released in 2004. I loved this little emotional song, and loved it more when Glee decided to cover it. I have to admit though, that I was impressed with the way Glee covered this piece, to the point that I sort of prefer their version.

(In the Midst of the Ruins, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Foreign Students and Culture Shock

2011-10-10T09:21:00.002-04:00

So I am here in Buffalo for my seventh year now. I have seen several people come and go. And during the beginning of the academic year, there are always new faces on campus, such as new foreign students that are arriving in time for their new environment.

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Cavorting in Chile: Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

2011-10-08T09:21:00.005-04:00

During one of the days in which we were in Santiago, we decided to check out the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, or the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. It is located in a building in Bandera Avenue, the Palacio de la Real Aduana.

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Oh Buffalo: The Buffalo State Asylum

2011-10-07T09:14:00.008-04:00

One day, I decided to join a walking tour of a prominent building in Buffalo. It is none other than the H. H. Richardson Complex, but more commonly known as the Buffalo State Asylum. It is a rather imposing building, and it looks creepy too.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 17 - A Song That You Hear Often on the Radio

2011-10-05T09:19:00.002-04:00

I am supposed to put a song that I hear often on the radio for Day 17. Now that sucks, as most of the things I hear on the radio are songs I don't usually like. It's always dance music, pop music, all those bouncy stuff. Oh well. But, sometimes I get less picky, and I do enjoy some music in this category. So here's an example. Enrique Iglesias' Tonight (I'm Lovin' You), released in 2010. This is the clean version of this song. Enjoy.

(Smooth Walls, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Murphy and the Return

2011-10-04T09:26:00.002-04:00

So the other day, I was wondering about bad things, unfortunate events, unlucky occurrences, and so forth. Not that I believe in luck or anything, but sometimes, bad or undesirable things can definitely pile up one on top of another. In fact, I remember that this exact thing happened when we were flying back to the United States from Chile.

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Cavorting in Chile: Cementerio General

2011-10-02T09:18:00.003-04:00

One of the places we visited in Chile was the Cementerio General. We visited it one cold morning, which perhaps made the experience more spooky. But at least, it was a great glimpse at Chilean society, as somehow, even after death, social divisions are preserved, as my following pictures testify.

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Oh Buffalo: Symphony Circle

2011-10-01T09:08:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, I decided to take a stroll around Symphony Circle. The weather was great, and I figured it would be a great way to explore the city. I've been in this area before, but most of the time, it was during the evening, and the surroundings are already dark. The reason is because Symphony Circle is where Kleinhans Music Hall is located, which is the home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 16 - A Song That You Used to Love But Now Hate

2011-09-29T09:26:00.002-04:00

Should I even try explaining this? I need to put a song that I used to love, but now hate. Therefore, I am putting this song entitled Dirrty by Christina Aguilera, featuring Redman. This was released in 2002 with her album Stripped, and at that time, I liked it. But now, I don't like it anymore. Just watch it and you'll understand what I am saying.

(Ceremonial Rocks, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Book Review: The Haunting of L. by Howard Norman

2011-09-28T09:25:00.001-04:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: The Haunting of L. by Howard Norman on Blogcritics.org.

For a rather compact book, I was impressed at what this novel was able to accomplish. I never expected that such an intricate and dense story would come out of this work. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me write a few words about what this book is about.

This book presents the story of three people: Vienna Linn, who is a portraitist; his wife Kala Murie, who is a spiritualist who believes in spirit photography; and Peter Duvett, a photographer's assistant who is employed by Vienna, and who in turn becomes Kala Murie's lover. It is therefore a story featuring a love triangle, and yet, the conflict is less along the lines of romance but more along the lines of murderous psychological thriller.

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The Dissertation Update

2011-09-26T09:25:00.001-04:00

I realized that I haven't talked about my dissertation for the longest time here. I looked it up and apparently the last time I used dissertation as a tag was back in May. So let me provide a little update.

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Cavorting in Chile: Centro Cultural Matucana 100

2011-09-25T09:13:00.008-04:00

We have spent almost two weeks in Santiago. Of course, there was a conference that we attended and presented, but we also had days of sight-seeing before and after the event. And we pretty much saw everything that one can see in Santiago. One of those is the Centro Cultural Matucana 100.

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30 Day Song Challenge: Day 15 - A Song That Describes You

2011-09-23T09:25:00.000-04:00

I'm supposed to put a song that describes me. So for that reason, I am putting Boston, by the band Augustana. This was released in 2005, from their album All the Stars and Boulevards. Give it a listen and perhaps you'll see why I think it describes myself.

(Lone Tree, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Book Review: Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant

2011-09-22T09:24:00.002-04:00

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant on Blogcritics.org.

What happens if you decide to write a novel that features seduction, intrigue, and ruthless social climbing? You end up with Bel Ami, which is a novel written by Guy de Maupassant. It has been a while since I have read classical fiction, so I figured I pick this one up for a change.

And what is it about? Well, the novel revolves around the activities and adventures of George Duroy, who is an aspiring journalist returning from French-occupied Algeria. He decides to try his luck in Paris, and for some reason, his luck is stellar. He meets one man, who gives him a job as a small-time travel writer for a newspaper, but that blossoms into him slowly going up the social ladder in Paris, to the point when he is a powerful political journalist in one of Paris' leading newspapers.

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Oh Buffalo: St. Paul's Cathedral

2011-09-20T09:18:00.008-04:00

For my latest entry in my Oh Buffalo! series, I am posting about St. Paul's Cathedral. This is a church that is located downtown, in a triangular lot, which actually makes things interesting, from an architectural point of view. This is the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, and not only that, it is also considered a US National Historic Landmark. It was built in 1851, and Richard Upjohn was the architect, who also handled the construction of Trinity Church in New York City. And as such, this church is also a church under the Gothic Revival style of architecture.

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Preserving Buffalo

2011-09-19T09:24:00.002-04:00

I have been living here in Buffalo for more than 6 years now. And only recently have I actually been putting an effort to get to know my city. You may have already seen the various different places that I have visited, and there's more. But for today, I have something else to talk about, and that is about preservation.

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