The Third Muse: January 2009

Mega Atrium adventure

>> Friday, January 30

I'd like to try the new restaurants and cafes at the Atrium -- megamall's recently completed extension (like the mall wasn't big enough already!) and so far, the only fresh Atrium restos I've checked out are Pizza Hut Bistro and Bigby's. Since Pizza Hut is already a "too familiar" dining experience for most, if not all of us, then today's spotlight shines on Bigby's...

There's a homey feel about this restaurant's interiors... it's somewhat reminiscent of T.G.I.Friday's, Chili's and the like, only smaller. There are framed curios on the walls (from the owners' past leisure and academic travels, I was told),

cool ceiling lamps lined with magazine pages, and several other whatnots that are interesting to look at while waiting for the food to arrive. But then again, it's typical of similar eateries (in the US, Australia, etc..) to display conversation pieces all over to somewhat encourage customers to probe deeper into the history of the place. And probe, I did.

The owner of the establishment-- a kind and surprisingly young Filipino-Chinese entrepreneur gamely chatted with me to find out what I thought of their restaurant, food and ambiance. I found out then that Bigby's first branch is in Cagayan de Oro. They have seven branches so far (if I remember correctly) and they're located mostly in Mindanao.

The branch at the megamall is their first Manila store. It's called Bigby's because they serve big portions good for sharing. OK, on to the food:

I thought the entrees were a little on the expensive side but when he mentioned that their portions are actually for sharing then the prices didn't seem so bad.

Profiling Bigby's regulars: Just like TGIFriday's, it is pretty much a dining place for the career crowds, as well as high-budgeted romantic and family affairs. A group of what looked like senior office managers were dining there when I arrived. They seemed well-acquainted with the menu.

I tried the battered cream dory fillets with lettuce rolled in a round flour tortilla, sided with crunchy nachos, lightly seasoned greens and...was that tartar sauce? I am unsure but it was okay. The fish was good. i suggested they serve whole wheat flour tortillas for those against white flour. The owner agreed to take that suggestion into consideration. My meal cost me Php195 for the sandwich alone, even if that particular fish wrap wasn't meant to be shared as the fish portion was kinda small. So I guess I was right the first time, ya? Their food may well be a tad too pricey.

Having said that, I still look forward to returning there with the hubby. Hopefully, Bigby's will finally be serving whole wheat tortillas and brown or red rice by then. Now that would be a hallelujah day for me at that over-sized megamall. Shopping there is, after all, a cardio workout in itself.

Happy Moo Year!

I found these cute pins at a mall in Ortigas first week of January and decided I should get a few pieces to be used as giveaways for a new year party held at my place early this month. Less than half the invited guests arrived so I'm stuck with a few more "ox' pins to spare. They're crazy cute and super small, I figured I'd post pictures of them here. I thought they'd look cuter wrapped in thin black paper... I call them "black dim sum" heheh... They're now "official" souvenir pins handed to friends who visit us at home :)

To all my Chinese-Filipino friends, happy year of the Ox! (better late than never, right? ;) Long live Chinese food!!!

Salt&Pepper Squid, Garlic Fish Fillet, Chicken Mami and Hot Prawn Salad ...Forever! heheh

Laugh and live longer

>> Wednesday, January 21

It's a wrong hour in the morning to still be wide awake. Since I'm tasked with waiting for my eldest (my husband ;-p) to arrive, I decided to dig some photos up so we can all share a laugh. I got these from an email my friend Maryrose sent me some time ago. Enjoy!

Lemmeguess... he pays the bills whenever his wife goes shopping . hehehe

I know a few faces that'll go well with that noose :D

I dunno about you but I was spooked by this one. hahaha
~

wait...one...minute....

:D Don't stop smiling, friends!

A Gift Of Time & Music

>> Monday, January 19

for Charlie and Tina

a Gift of Time & Music
from the Curse of Cupid © 2008
by The Third Muse Erato

You hold upon your wedded hands
a gift of time and music
that baits eternal bliss to dance
with hearts that seek to use it

Careful Cupid has set your clock
to milestones inked in pages
of hours that bless your souls to flock
with love across the ages

For ever faithful and ever true
are the songs that share the reason
you stayed with one another through
the shifting of the seasons

Sing then lovers, do not forget
together, none can break you
your curse from Cupid shows no regret:

*
YOU SHALL LOVE FOREVER TRUE

Eco-friendly Electronic Ad debuts in NY

>> Thursday, January 15

A solar and wind-powered billboard recently debuted in Times Square, making it the glitzy intersection's first eco-friendly electronic ad. A first for New York, this nature-powered 126' X 47', 35,000-pound sign advertising Ricoh Americas Corp is only the third in the world. The other two are Pacific Gas & Electric’s in San Francisco and Ricoh’s original eco billboard in Tokyo.

Powered by 16 wind turbines and 64 solar panels, the sign is expected to save $12,000 to $15,000 per month in electricity costs.

Ricoh, an office equipment and document storage supplier, estimates the sign will also keep 18 tons of carbon out of the environment. The billboard will be lit by floodlights rather than light-emitting diodes. It won't have a backup generator, so it could go dark during a long period with little wind or sun. Ricoh officials claim, however, that the sign's turbines will probably be able to keep the billboard lit even after four days without breezes or bright sun.

Neat, right?

Well, back to home base. We have all the sun (& wind) in the Philippines. Eco-friendly ads will remain lit here for...ever.

Watchmen Music

Watchmen Music

You can now pre-order the VERY limited edition 12" picture disc version of My Chemical Romance's cover of Bob Dylan's classic "Desolation Row" from the upcoming Watchmen soundtrack through:

http://www.mychemicalromance.com/store/?eml=0109/watchmenpre/mcrlist

The vinyl picture disc comes with artwork from the film, and is available for a special price of only $11.99. The B-side is the instrumental track ³Prison Fight² by Tyler Bates from the film.

Orders will arrive on or around January 27th. Get it at:

http://www.mychemicalromance.com/store/?eml=0109/watchmenpre/mcrlist

Direct your questions (on the disc's local availability) to: Warner Music Philippines

Radiohead's Grammy Nominations

RADIOHEAD: IN RAINBOWS NOMINATED FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR GRAMMY

Nods In Six Other Categories

Radiohead's In Rainbows has been nominated for the highest honor at the 51st annual Grammy Awards: The Album of the Year category. Additionally, In Rainbows has been nominated for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Boxed or special Limited Edition Package.

The track "House Of Cards" has received nods in the Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals and Best Short Form Music Video divisions, while producer Nigel Godrich is up for for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical for his work on the album, bringing the tally to a total of seven nominations.

Additionally, Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood's There Will Be Blood has been nominated for Best Score Soundtrack Album. (Source: radiohead.com)

Best Booze in the Business

>> Tuesday, January 13

Jan/Feb issue of Entrepreneur Magazine features

Patch Caballero and his Booze Mobile Bar

A cult of sorts is burgeoning in the social drinking scenes of Metro Manila. It is visionary, ultra-creative, and--pardon the pun--increasingly intoxicating. One highly publicized revolution (overdue, in my opinion) is the influential social staple known by many as Booze Mobile Bar. Yes, this would be the same BOOZE MOBILE BAR mentioned in glossies, broadsheets, and online, even. Obviously, words cease to rest when something this addictive comes along. ;-)
~

Though it's true that there are numerous mobile bars playing "gods" of the local meet and greets, mostly because they are backed by age and experience, we have yet to find one that truly invokes FUN + FAB as well as the uber-youthful BOOZE does. A spinal tap on the who behind the what reveals the laid back, charming, and undoubtedly in-control Patch Caballero -- the backbone and "Bond" of booze.
~
Patch stresses that his liquor variation will have to always be plentiful, of high quality, colorful, imaginative, entertaining, reasonably-priced and focused-- clearly reflecting what Booze Mobile bar represents. This daring, well-taught aficionado pushes forward the mobile bar fad, virtually liquefying anything that crosses his path. Since Booze Mobile Bar's emergence, drink mixing and flair tending pilgrims have been appearing in the metropolis, creating in Metro Manila a mecca of innovative mobile bar tending.
~

In the current issue of Entrepreneur Magazine, Patch acknowledges facing increasing competition from lower-priced rivals, but nothing fazes this young business man. He is well aware that mobile bars offering lower rates are able to do so because they use local ingredients while Booze Mobile Bar has been consistent in using only imported elements. This year, however, Patch envisions cost efficient corporate packages without compromising the premium bar tending services that Booze is known for. This means service discounts to grab and enjoy as the year progresses! Of course, The signature flat table that makes Booze Mobile unique will carry on in 2009, allowing guests an instructive and interactive view of how the drinks are made, making this party accent entertaining as it is thirst-quenching.
~

Add suave, style, and inspiration to your next get-together. Booze Mobile Bar is the simplest way to get that done.
~

Visit http://boozemobilebar.carbonmade.com/ or http://boozemobilebar.multiply.com/ for... well... the best booze in the business.

VODKA - The Magic Elixir

Here's another interesting email I got from my friend M:

VODKA - The Magic Elixir

1. To remove a bandage without pain, saturate the bandage with vodka. The stuff disolves adhesive.

2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.

3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.

4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade
soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

5. Spray vodka on wine stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.

6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.

7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp,removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.

8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle with vodka and spray bees or wasps to kill them.

9. Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water into a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshing ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes.

10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter,
then apply the tincture to aches and pains.

11. To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.

12. To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.

13. Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.

14. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin.

15. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.

G'night Tree!

>> Wednesday, January 7

I woke up with a master plan -- photograph my tree and holiday decors that should've been taken down last weekend, post them here and... take...them...down already.

Picture taking early in the morning's the easy part. Packing the decors, Christmas lights, and that big black tree... now, that's zero fun.

It took me a good week to get Sammy (the house) Christmas-ready and I did that late in December. This means I've only had my decors up two and half weeks. It sucks that I have to box 'em up again today. Or maybe tomorrow. Probably even Saturday morning. =)

In any case, I've immortalized my 2008 yuletide setup through pictures so I can enjoy the holiday spirit a wee bit longer. One big smile to the joys of reminiscing, coming right up to sit itself down beside me.

First thing's first, sitting silently before me (dead center) is breakfast. Thought I might "document" what I had as well.