Best book buys ever!

I hurriedly went to KCC Mall yesterday afternoon with a friend to submit an application form for service crew. We were heading to the personnel department at the 2nd floor when i got a glimpse of this newly opened stall where stockpiles of books grabbed my attention. Bookstores and Book sale always has this certain appeal to me so when we were done with my main purpose in going to the mall, i decided to drop by and take a look at the novels displayed. Unfortunately, i wasn't born to just look at things..

I saw a hardbound copy of Complete Works of William Shakespeare. This classic was hard to let go not to mention rare. it was the only copy they have so I grabbed the book. somehow, i couldn't get a grip of other titles which were also available. i was quite surprised to see that the prices were really really inexpensive for books especially hardbound ones. I wanted to buy more but thanks to my poor status quo, i couldn't afford to add another. The Shakespeare colection was only P275.00 though. Unbelievable, ain't it?

The following morning when i took the exams for the job i am applying for, i went back to the stall. again, i was compelled to find other books i wanted to read to start the summer with. i really had no intentions to buy - at first. but impulsive as i always am, i ended up fighting with my self if i should give away my P238.00 to the cashier. of course, i did pay the cashier - highly predictable. the only thing that consoled me was that i got 3 bestselling novels at that price. nice catch, huh? Here's what i got: A man in full by Tom White (actually, i've been asking a friend of mine to lend me his copy until i finally got my own at P45.00 only), Dracula by Bram Stoker (P105.00) and, my own copy of How Stella got her groove back by Terry Macmillan (P88.00)! it amazed me so much i don't even know if i could finish reading all those given the fact that i'll be such a busy person for the following weeks. Anyway, there were still other books which were being sold at a low, low price. The prices for hardbound books can go as low as P70, all in still good condition and fairly readable compared to the other book sale stall in another mall where they sell twice as much the cost and half less the choices. i've never had this much satisfaction with books i have bought for my collection.

Well, if you do have time, try visiting the place. you might find for yourself stuff you have been wanting to read in your lifetime. :]

Still life...

it conveys more than what the naked eye could perceive. it stimulates the mind to think. it evokes emotions. it vividly captures existence and creation..
when i look at pictures, i can clearly see how life had evolved and developed man's intellectual capacity to invent things. nostalgia always finds its way to my serene thoughts as i once again view moments imprinted on glossy paper.

then i came across http://totolozano.com/ and saw how dynamic and vibrant the world of photogrpahy is. i used to think photography is only the art and science of capturing an image with the use of a camera. but now, to add to tanya lopez's definition, it is action. it tells a story - of people, of occasions, of experiences, of society, of human condition, of the micro and macrocosmos.

it distinguishes the peculiar from the usual. it is hunting for verbs, not nouns. it is more than just mere lens focusing and clicking the shutter... it is also imparting information and the corelation of things. that by taking pictures, we take into account the struggle to face the adversities and complexities of life.

a photographer/photojourn/activist's blog: you'll never know whats in store for you. his blog description, also a description of himself, is one i have rarely seen - direct and simple yet, intriguing. ang maniniyot - the facade of life revolving in pictures and kuno - a humble way of self-acclaiming a profession and in some sense, leading the readers to discover the realities that bite. the background is minimalist in nature, contrasting the surrounding layout of the page. the other page elements such as the links list and archives are well laid out. one thing i like most is the flickr of several photos capturing the vastness of human emotions. the tags would also give you a hint on what you can read on the pages and the main themes of the posts are highlighted by using larger font sizes: Mindanao, photography and of course, his persona. even the ads are not domineering. his choice of green for highlighted items and his header were also great: it fits both for white and black backgrounds so there are only a few colors used enhancing the minimalism effect.

toto's homepage fuses passion with activism. he gives his self away through his love of the art and his calls for social change. his posts, though simple and not really writer-material, can "knock" some social sense especially with the photos speaking for themselves. truly, an image paints a thousand words and a million meanings. with this, i'd like to share Martin Muncaksi's (1963) words on being a photographer on toto's page:

"He, whose aim is the genre photographs,
must be somewhat of a poet in order
to lend his pictures a dash of poetry
and imagination.
and the portrait photographer
must be a bit of psychologist;

the landscaper, a bit of an artist.

and they all must draw well,
to arrive at a perfect composition
with each of their subjects

and finally, the top of all:
news photography
– which requires
beyond all these qualities
the quality of a journalist,

with an instinct for news,
the knowledge of an all-around sportsman
who runs, jumps, climbs,

plus the tact and the wit of a diplomat
that is , to be able to emerge from the most
embarrassing situations with the
best possible shot already bagged."

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