tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35394852027669170162024-03-19T12:35:11.224+08:00bearbrick loveBearbrick Blog and Picsbearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-84033174418087556542013-03-31T16:01:00.000+08:002013-05-06T00:09:55.611+08:00pretty mug shots<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQLpY7juGB_T_rr0ESYnqMUW9N_edjvjcyz1Kv5vGxPdFGF9iT0w9i0nylThQlrbWnGvtr-ySeGZ0PkckPxi2KvkQ4hrrJhue3XklDbbddStK9uKN3RqWi7XquJFC2L58BtwUeCCSqIU/s1600/adlerbearbrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQLpY7juGB_T_rr0ESYnqMUW9N_edjvjcyz1Kv5vGxPdFGF9iT0w9i0nylThQlrbWnGvtr-ySeGZ0PkckPxi2KvkQ4hrrJhue3XklDbbddStK9uKN3RqWi7XquJFC2L58BtwUeCCSqIU/s400/adlerbearbrick.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I was born in a province known for its <i><a href="http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/kapeng-barako-liberica-coffee-from-batangas">coffee</a></i>,
and like many other kids from my hometown, I started taking it when I
was only 7 years old – yes, I got addicted to caffeine early in my
childhood! I grew up even pouring it over rice topped with crispy
fried meat or fish, as it was common practice. To this day, I have not heard of any place in the
world where that was done, but I swear I loved the taste of it! :-P<br />
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During
the many times my siblings and I stayed at my grandfather's farm on
weekends, we would wake up to the strong smell of morning dew and
freshly brewed coffee. My grandfather was a very simple man who owned no fine china, so we
simply drank coffee from plain white tin cups with blue lids which
looked like <i><a href="http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2006/08/memories-in-tin-cup.html">this</a></i>. I tell you, those cups were a far cry from today's stylish coffee mugs – especially the ones designed by American potter/designer <i><a href="http://jonathanadler.com/about.php">Jonathan Adler</a></i> (below).<br />
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Adler's philosophy of maximalism is completely opposite my grandfather's very basic style. In fact, in his company manifesto, there are three points that I believe summarize the Adler aesthetic:<br />
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"WE BELIEVE that minimalism is a bummer.<br />
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WE BELIEVE that colors can't clash.<br />
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WE BELIEVE in irreverent luxury."<br />
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Well, I believe that when it comes to coffee drinking, a pretty little mug can't hurt. Especially if you get them on sale at <i><a href="http://jonathanadler.com/">jonathanadler.com</a></i>.<br />
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<i>(Top pic) This colorful, patterned Bearbrick was created by <a href="http://jonathanadler.com/about.php">Jonathan Adler</a> (in cooperation with Barneys Creative Guru <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Doonan">Simon Doonan</a>) for the 2011 opening of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Barneys New York</a> in Fukuoka, Japan.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWowCQD-95E8wsvxFkK_TZRGNTshNhJOBNaSE5WS5NfDiUO8T3bm2v_nnlGdYPX5bxwHnwlvwOqTfkYdsXXp6Ny5pLPR82IiJB5aF912Pm2K12ZbL66yQOaCKmy7S3TeNQg-b7vGA5qc/s1600/adlerpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWowCQD-95E8wsvxFkK_TZRGNTshNhJOBNaSE5WS5NfDiUO8T3bm2v_nnlGdYPX5bxwHnwlvwOqTfkYdsXXp6Ny5pLPR82IiJB5aF912Pm2K12ZbL66yQOaCKmy7S3TeNQg-b7vGA5qc/s1600/adlerpic.jpg" /></a><i>Adler (left), whose <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/manifesto.php">design philosophy</a> reflects a vibrant/retropop/eclectic vibe, launched his first ceramic collection at Barneys New York in 1994. Five years later, he opened his own home furnishings store in Manhattan</i>. <i>Today, he owns over twenty boutiques around the world and a very successful online store</i>.<br />
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Bearbrick pic and digital imaging by Yours Truly. Copyright Bearbricklove March 2013. Photos of Carnaby Collection Mugs and manifesto excerpts from <i><a href="http://jonathanadler.com/">jonathanadler.com</a> </i>/ Info from<i> <a href="http://hypebeast.com/2011/8/fukuoka-barneys-new-york-x-medicom-toy-100-bearbrick">hypebeast.com</a> </i>/ Adler pic from <i><a href="http://apartmenttherapy.com/">apartmenttherapy.com</a></i>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-35139159046163378452013-03-24T00:03:00.002+08:002013-05-06T00:10:33.469+08:00a klaus encounter with imagination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesJcL8GhKnYH3BQ39wLpQNy0Y8f25vjVUcuy4tDJpltH1qDTwPh5sXmWgGeK4GjgomgsBFbMqSfRhRcG5YfGvbi9LQFaxrt_0LsVTyaWC4lYY75jh1YwDEdEfmEhb9a0MTsY6CfGW-r8/s1600/bearbrick.ariel.comia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesJcL8GhKnYH3BQ39wLpQNy0Y8f25vjVUcuy4tDJpltH1qDTwPh5sXmWgGeK4GjgomgsBFbMqSfRhRcG5YfGvbi9LQFaxrt_0LsVTyaWC4lYY75jh1YwDEdEfmEhb9a0MTsY6CfGW-r8/s400/bearbrick.ariel.comia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>"Honesty and truthfulness are overrated. I mean that in the sense of
factual truth and precision. They don’t bring that much new to the
world. If I think of the best storytellers, it was not honesty that made
their work great. It was imagination. I think imagination is underrated!"</i><br />
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<i><b>– Klaus Haapaniemi, </b>Finnish Designer</i><br />
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In creating his "secret" Series 25 Bearbrick (above), it's obvious that Klaus' imagination was in full force, judging from the exuberant shower of color, detail, and patterns. <br />
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The original 15cm ceramic owl from which the design was based (below) is available for sale on his <i><a href="https://www.klaush.com/">online store</a></i> for about $225.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWdoqJxcRsHhvxURPX29r_iqDcdCH8PN9PVqgcE7NdSZudAdNs4YwnGZYwM2ebIk5BqlTLOJKk6T6Lb1AVn9w0Fubd7BkmiSdlIyrmfdlewKcHdj6T9eoFZY8zjEe4qLCpRTO_GyOqno/s1600/ceramic.bearbricklove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWdoqJxcRsHhvxURPX29r_iqDcdCH8PN9PVqgcE7NdSZudAdNs4YwnGZYwM2ebIk5BqlTLOJKk6T6Lb1AVn9w0Fubd7BkmiSdlIyrmfdlewKcHdj6T9eoFZY8zjEe4qLCpRTO_GyOqno/s400/ceramic.bearbricklove.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
The owl is a widely popular motif in design. Because of its striking
silhouette and distinct features, it has been interpreted in many
inventive ways in <i><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=owl+illustrations&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=aIv&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=wxhNUeifBYaEiAeHqoDQBA&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1243&bih=604">illustrations/graphics</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=owl+illustrations&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=aIv&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=wxhNUeifBYaEiAeHqoDQBA&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1243&bih=604#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=Jda&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=owl+jewelry&oq=owl+jewelry&gs_l=img.3..0l4j0i5l6.45486.46962.0.47321.7.7.0.0.0.0.120.772.0j7.7.0...0.0...1c.1.7.img.jSMRCOlIkYM&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44158598,d.aGc&fp=3830f69d62c33422&biw=1243&bih=604">jewellery</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=owl+illustrations&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=aIv&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=wxhNUeifBYaEiAeHqoDQBA&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1243&bih=604#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=Xea&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=owl+decor&oq=owl+decor&gs_l=img.3..0l7j0i5l3.46374.48115.4.48881.7.6.1.0.0.0.136.693.1j5.6.0...0.0...1c.1.7.img.jwzEWtjZBVg&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44158598,d.aGc&fp=3830f69d62c33422&biw=1243&bih=604">decor</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=owl+illustrations&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=aIv&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=wxhNUeifBYaEiAeHqoDQBA&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1243&bih=604#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=Xea&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=owl+decor&oq=owl+decor&gs_l=img.3..0l7j0i5l3.46374.48115.4.48881.7.6.1.0.0.0.136.693.1j5.6.0...0.0...1c.1.7.img.jwzEWtjZBVg&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44158598,d.aGc&fp=3830f69d62c33422&biw=1243&bih=604">fashion</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=owls+toys&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=dwO&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lJ9NUbXCD82jiAfrrICYCA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1243&bih=604">toys</a></i>, etc. But Haapaniemi's owl design, with its intricate and ornamental patterns characteristic of <i><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=finland&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=jg3&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vJZNUdeGDY-ciAefzoCwAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1243&bih=604#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=UMO&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=scandinavian+folk+art&oq=scandinavian+folk+art&gs_l=img.3..0l2j0i24l6.76757.80412.2.81459.12.12.0.0.0.0.248.1690.4j6j2.12.0...0.0...1c.1.7.img.h7nEXuCMZcM&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44158598,d.aGc&fp=3830f69d62c33422&biw=1243&bih=604">Scandinavian folk art</a></i>, stands out and overwhelms.<br />
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That is why I think Klaus' bearbrick is the best of Series 25. Find more of his beautiful work <i><a href="http://www.bigactive.com/illustration/klaus-haapaniemi/general-portfolio">here</a></i>.<br />
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Like Haapaniemi (left), I see that more and more, imagination is taking a backseat to truth. Today, people have become obsessed with reality entertainment. On the Internet, the abundance and accessibility of shared personal experiences in social media and blogs have overshadowed creative fiction, written or filmed. In YouTube, home videos rank higher in viewership than short art films. And celebrities' mundane tweets have earned more following than everything else online.<br />
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So what do you think? Is the age of imagination about to end? Or is it that truth has become more interesting than fiction?<br />
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<i>Bearbrick pic and digital imaging by Yours Truly / Copyright March 2013 Bearbrick Love </i><i>/ Haapaniemi Ceramic Owl pic and flower details from <a href="http://klaush.com/">klaush.com</a> /</i> <i>Klaus Haapaniemi interview excerpt from <a href="http://blancajuti.com/blog/klaus-hapaniemi/">Blanca Juti</a> / Haapaniemi pic from <a href="https://www.iittala.com/Designers/Klaus-Haapaniemi/c/Klaus%20Haapaniemi">iitala.com</a></i> <br />
<br />bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-7099151606697190432013-03-12T22:35:00.000+08:002013-05-06T00:24:10.042+08:00designed by nike's ceo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XmBabAsEwbPSoOpkqipKJ1ZEr3GC6i-LarHoP5j5CFFF2H-qx423n91QJkWMu2vV0vaFhu08kQ8SC1IYceFMj-UjfwVtZVyYc8p-NXQSHF5hgkhLaMj0rYUQHL1uDXKljEemzXiUzQ/s1600-h/mparker.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037780522743857298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XmBabAsEwbPSoOpkqipKJ1ZEr3GC6i-LarHoP5j5CFFF2H-qx423n91QJkWMu2vV0vaFhu08kQ8SC1IYceFMj-UjfwVtZVyYc8p-NXQSHF5hgkhLaMj0rYUQHL1uDXKljEemzXiUzQ/s320/mparker.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a>You've seen this little Be@rbrick in one of my earliest posts. But I'm devoting an entire entry just for it for two reasons:<br />
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1. It's my favorite Bearbrick. The edginess, the color palette, the rich and varied textures. Awesome!<br />
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2. It's designed by Mark Parker, the Chief Executive Officer of Nike Worldwide. Cool!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3g4o1H0xI4lL9PDpVLopi_MS0wonFpHDV41QjE4oQ74Oh6pjCQhbp4PGO8NxgHybMCf_raAE5BZ8QcCr2qUQBk0qrXZJ218hidn4HqoqWOqSbrWzYbif5lmfwQsSuLZXH5RvSWiU6g/s1600-h/parker.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037784486998671522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3g4o1H0xI4lL9PDpVLopi_MS0wonFpHDV41QjE4oQ74Oh6pjCQhbp4PGO8NxgHybMCf_raAE5BZ8QcCr2qUQBk0qrXZJ218hidn4HqoqWOqSbrWzYbif5lmfwQsSuLZXH5RvSWiU6g/s200/parker.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0;" /></a>After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at Penn State University in 1977, Parker (left) joined Nike in 1979 as a footwear designer. After 27 years, his visionary leadership (he was the driving force behind Nike Air) has put the company at the forefront of the multibillion dollar sportswear and sports equipment business.<br />
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Wow, sounds like one of those guys who kids wanna be when they grow up... a billionaire Be@rbrick designer!<br />
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<i>Bearbrick pic by Yours Truly / Copyright March 2013 Bearbrick Love / Mark Parker pic from Wikipedia</i> bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-43397357056754201292013-03-07T16:45:00.001+08:002013-03-21T23:58:19.771+08:00Cheers to 24!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbpbDYMXCBpC-PeJLpziVAvU4zP-eWkPPq5q2XBc-yNP-xiCFKqoB853rYhqhD-JpiWsIYHn8E_fHyLRDzQ5lALV1gXcceTBXNJyKKhcvFT-G7Vk4jYse1ocUjMjbhCGvYTvuUNS-xNA/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbpbDYMXCBpC-PeJLpziVAvU4zP-eWkPPq5q2XBc-yNP-xiCFKqoB853rYhqhD-JpiWsIYHn8E_fHyLRDzQ5lALV1gXcceTBXNJyKKhcvFT-G7Vk4jYse1ocUjMjbhCGvYTvuUNS-xNA/s200/flag.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
While I was doing my research for Series 24, I was struck by the beauty of the Flag bearbrick. I had no idea which country it represented and had to Google it using the key words "flag" and "dragon".<br />
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It turned out to be the flag of <a href="http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/" target="_blank">Bhutan</a>, a landlocked kingdom at the eastern end of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayas" target="_blank">Himalayas</a>. I also found out that according to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Week" target="_blank">BusinessWeek</a> survey, Bhutan is considered the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiest_country" target="_blank">happiest</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiest_country" target="_blank"> country</a> in Asia and the eighth happiest in the world. After doing another Google image search and seeing how it looked, I understood why. Check it out <a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=bhutan&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3kE4UYKBLtGXiQeq5oDoAg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1257&bih=604" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Well, next to Bhutan, I suppose the happiest place can only be... Bearbrickland! Presenting the complete Series 24!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dmALAI2anmWI4Sumhp7Z3TQWedBTpmRyW3MArMjWcMwylq6-h6THWt2AncVtle-jLc68lnf2SMlCBjQa5d8Pb1mciC0wHD1rJQOY2yPr3D92nPoZlG2r3kmcYYXQC6ibmaFG6qz8ihM/s1600/24basics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dmALAI2anmWI4Sumhp7Z3TQWedBTpmRyW3MArMjWcMwylq6-h6THWt2AncVtle-jLc68lnf2SMlCBjQa5d8Pb1mciC0wHD1rJQOY2yPr3D92nPoZlG2r3kmcYYXQC6ibmaFG6qz8ihM/s400/24basics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Upper row, left to right:<br />
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Basic (<a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=beetle+green&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=0ob&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_lg3UYUfx5SIB5DZgZAE&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1257&bih=604#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=JVw&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=metallic+green&oq=metallic+green&gs_l=img.3..0l10.19031.22578.7.23082.14.12.0.2.2.0.215.1541.1j10j1.12.0...0.0...1c.1.5.img.XuEoNN71GgU&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.43287494,d.dGY&fp=3dabffb33fdbb6e4&biw=1257&bih=604" target="_blank">Metallic Green</a>)<br />
JellyBean (<a href="https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=cola+color&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=klg3Ue_TC6TeigePrYH4DQ&biw=1257&bih=604&sei=olg3UfyXCc3tmAXenoHIDw#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=cola+ice+on+glass&oq=cola+ice+on+glass&gs_l=img.3...20097.21615.6.21822.9.9.0.0.0.0.137.995.1j8.9.0...0.0...1c.1.5.img.zLiBaxCeLnI&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.43287494,d.dGY&fp=3dabffb33fdbb6e4&biw=1257&bih=604" target="_blank">Cola Soda</a>) <br />
Pattern (<a href="http://www.gossipgirl-tv.jp/index.html" target="_blank">Gossip Girl</a>)<br />
Flag (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Bhutan" target="_blank">Bhutan</a>)<br />
Horror (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica" target="_blank">Madoka Magica</a> – <a href="http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Charlotte_%28Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica%29" target="_blank">Charlotte, the Dessert Witch</a>)<br />
Cute (<a href="http://www.peanuts.com/" target="_blank">Peanuts</a> – <a href="http://www.snoopy.co.jp/" target="_blank">Snoopy</a>)<br />
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Bottom row, left to right:<br />
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Animal (<a href="http://felixthecat.com/" target="_blank">Felix the Cat</a>)<br />
Hero (<a href="http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/dvd/" target="_blank">The Dark Knight Rises</a> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman" target="_blank">Batman</a>)<br />
Artist (<a href="http://kyary.asobisystem.com/profile/" target="_blank">Kyary Pamyu Pamyu</a>)<br />
Artist (<a href="http://tarout.net/" target="_blank">Tarout</a> – <a href="http://www.tarout.net/?s=brickun" target="_blank">Brickun</a>)<br />
Artist (<a href="http://www.neighborhood.jp/index_e.html" target="_blank">Neighborhood Technical Apparel</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQDnay_2CI5U1YkRHvwWXMO_L9qFsavbZDYo1aO7hJxpxdw9eeqvpNOkK74MtJSUMHw1Okqe539GdSNlKCRDFr4tS9b9hx3VQvZ98GWkduBXykKyYI0Bjy0hUXI_qqtcqLRp4k1VE1ew/s1600/24secrets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQDnay_2CI5U1YkRHvwWXMO_L9qFsavbZDYo1aO7hJxpxdw9eeqvpNOkK74MtJSUMHw1Okqe539GdSNlKCRDFr4tS9b9hx3VQvZ98GWkduBXykKyYI0Bjy0hUXI_qqtcqLRp4k1VE1ew/s400/24secrets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Upper row, left to right:<br />
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Secret Hero (<a href="http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/dvd/" target="_blank">The Dark Knight Rises</a> – <a href="http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Catwoman_%28Selina_Kyle%29" target="_blank">Selina Kyle</a>)<br />
Secret Horror (<a href="http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Gekidan_Inu_Curry" target="_blank">Gekidan Inu Curry</a>)<br />
Secret Cute (<a href="http://monstock.blog105.fc2.com/" target="_blank">Monstock</a> – <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffueki.co.jp%2F" target="_blank">Fueki Kun</a>)<br />
Secret Artist (<a href="http://tarout.net/" target="_blank">Tarout</a> – <a href="http://blogs.elle.co.jp/tarout/2012/12/bearbrick-brickout-02-03/" target="_blank">Brickie</a>)<br />
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Bottom row, left to right:<br />
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Secret (<a href="http://zariganiworks.co.jp/" target="_blank">Zarigani Works</a>)<br />
Secret (<a href="http://www.aaequal.com/" target="_blank">AA=</a> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeshi_Ueda" target="_blank">Takeshi Ueda</a> <a href="http://hokurikuticket.com/photo/00002824.jpg" target="_blank">Pic</a> )<br />
Secret (<a href="http://www.phantacico.com/" target="_blank">Phantaci</a>)<br />
Secret (<a href="http://www.yuukikuroda.com/" target="_blank">Yukikuroda</a>)<br />
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So which bear of the bunch makes you smile?<br />
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<i>Pics by Yours Truly / Copyright March 2013 Bearbrick Love </i>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-16892427990210458592013-03-03T10:47:00.000+08:002013-03-21T23:58:50.566+08:00the be@rbricklover be@rbrick<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmd58x91A3-tuGIU2xGtuGWfG32QsA9aZxXFj4Lh3o6TFwasfzxL6dfwfBAmRRsKXGZtDXsKVct5agcJGTJvLCQ7f1C19Wxr5RPt51uVjF_EKBXMqrPGX042weEJNLojvoSHUZJzXZO0/s1600/ariel.bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmd58x91A3-tuGIU2xGtuGWfG32QsA9aZxXFj4Lh3o6TFwasfzxL6dfwfBAmRRsKXGZtDXsKVct5agcJGTJvLCQ7f1C19Wxr5RPt51uVjF_EKBXMqrPGX042weEJNLojvoSHUZJzXZO0/s400/ariel.bear.jpg" width="400" /></a>When I celebrated my birthday last year, the guys at the office surprised me by designing a bearbrick in my likeness. It had my signature black eyeglasses, shaved head, and wore an exact replica of my then favorite Armani Exchange dotted black shirt. And if you looked closer, you would also notice that it had speckled shoes on, a representation of my <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=giacomorelli+studded+loafers&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=dz4yUa_UMbGciAeM84DwBQ&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1239&bih=636" target="_blank">Giacomorelli loafers</a> with metal studs! </div>
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But that's not all. They also created bearbrick lookalikes of everyone in
the office and made a banner (below), cake and face masks out of them! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HSlUki7bZEZCZdanSQI3oPqcqDQwN9OaF0OuODZGiW6QRhz8N59EOpz6TLdnIPrZg7EK7U4hd7bi2DpGZo-otB8h6hcFJ_3BmjPuPVGEKbCT_W1r62V4zRPIam8_Vbwaa1s9LqTor3s/s1600/ariel.bear5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HSlUki7bZEZCZdanSQI3oPqcqDQwN9OaF0OuODZGiW6QRhz8N59EOpz6TLdnIPrZg7EK7U4hd7bi2DpGZo-otB8h6hcFJ_3BmjPuPVGEKbCT_W1r62V4zRPIam8_Vbwaa1s9LqTor3s/s320/ariel.bear5.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">My hand-painted custom bearbrick came in a special edition box, with the logo of its creators, Ray X Dan, two of the youngest and most talented art directors in our office.</span><br />
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I tell you, the best thing about being part of an advertising agency is the amount of creativity that surrounds me. Everyday is refreshing, inspiring.</div>
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And every birthday can be truly extraordinary! :-D</div>
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<i>Pics by Yours Truly / Copyright March 2013 Bearbrick Love</i></div>
bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-71936486586940316442012-01-15T23:30:00.000+08:002013-03-18T22:28:09.444+08:00pretty pleasing in pink<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2hMCrIlMCYuRWZ4kJ9T2t-4wa4vQZZUEPxYcdRgxTI4pEzqYZjjsREmPOPjLE1nPfpRfHxNJZ_5BLyLhbVPbJ0bTisIXx3SHdpb7z6pOwMwfRo_yNa21IjgVcMuJc7JRaZTJKjdc0EY/s1600/beams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2hMCrIlMCYuRWZ4kJ9T2t-4wa4vQZZUEPxYcdRgxTI4pEzqYZjjsREmPOPjLE1nPfpRfHxNJZ_5BLyLhbVPbJ0bTisIXx3SHdpb7z6pOwMwfRo_yNa21IjgVcMuJc7JRaZTJKjdc0EY/s400/beams.jpg" width="400" /></a>Someone I know who recently attended a business seminar said that their speaker gave them a very important success tip: "There is a particular shade of pink which, if worn to a business proposal presentation, would ensure the wearer of an approval."</div>
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Since I make a lot of sales/advertising/creative pitches myself, I scoured the Internet for pics of men in pink, so I could get an idea of what shade that might be. Check them out:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1aYedUKIEPUHRY0IT6kP7XBJ54EWWliFnnEP4CJyvbnvO_20cOYIN2vuRguHoPWOjC1BztIkXoL4uscP7nsIPSFgVrZ7fbHxfCSRzzd-LYH27ss4DBkzGvD-vFMdw-cniLfdX8axIvI/s1600/catani.football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1aYedUKIEPUHRY0IT6kP7XBJ54EWWliFnnEP4CJyvbnvO_20cOYIN2vuRguHoPWOjC1BztIkXoL4uscP7nsIPSFgVrZ7fbHxfCSRzzd-LYH27ss4DBkzGvD-vFMdw-cniLfdX8axIvI/s400/catani.football.jpg" width="400" /></a><i>Players in Pink:</i> The <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catani,_Victoria">Catani</a></i> Football Team (above) and the <a href="http://www.middlesexccc.com/"><i>Middlesex Country Cricket Club</i></a> (below) dress up in support of breast cancer awareness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6ZzCSfRfyGLPg_BCzTDV0Oz12QoAfACFbdzqX7H3tmy1hbKDqAiGJAiFVOmIOzwkM_P5BD-pi8UpanUNgieCr-9AI2LOVFOg7uggfRBfXNlG4bQ6y4Zqufcz47qc1Qso6SBZfKLRJwg/s1600/murtagh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6ZzCSfRfyGLPg_BCzTDV0Oz12QoAfACFbdzqX7H3tmy1hbKDqAiGJAiFVOmIOzwkM_P5BD-pi8UpanUNgieCr-9AI2LOVFOg7uggfRBfXNlG4bQ6y4Zqufcz47qc1Qso6SBZfKLRJwg/s400/murtagh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Posing in Pink:</i> Men on the street, from Asia to the U.K.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k5GqVSJJ5b0_DO6IUCg375n0c_I6luTgGR-n7Kdsol6u9KxEHehgTTXuvP6kiibgQ0Bm1F38CwKK5XHA8ZpM-tTC6LnHAw36s6R9S0XeYsAeAvj4l2gQ5mN0u3OFOQ7Ht6_lBrTdjq8/s1600/pink.men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k5GqVSJJ5b0_DO6IUCg375n0c_I6luTgGR-n7Kdsol6u9KxEHehgTTXuvP6kiibgQ0Bm1F38CwKK5XHA8ZpM-tTC6LnHAw36s6R9S0XeYsAeAvj4l2gQ5mN0u3OFOQ7Ht6_lBrTdjq8/s400/pink.men.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Pop Group in Pink:</i> Japanese boy band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arashi"><i>Arashi</i></a> during their Around Asia Tour 2008.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscFIWidXPrIwA492IgF6l9p6lWYLqh_T3AwCnsp81hAnU4ipxZ02b_LOqcaRZoqJABc_msSmTd3hjTQlJr-heKvasJx75X-TLK7hjCb4FyCIwLMq45U_5kf49V32zm03J_KZrdFzF-Hc/s1600/arashi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscFIWidXPrIwA492IgF6l9p6lWYLqh_T3AwCnsp81hAnU4ipxZ02b_LOqcaRZoqJABc_msSmTd3hjTQlJr-heKvasJx75X-TLK7hjCb4FyCIwLMq45U_5kf49V32zm03J_KZrdFzF-Hc/s400/arashi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Prickly in Pink:</i> <i><a href="http://sprockettes.org/merchandise/">Sprockettes (All-Ladies Mini Bike Dance Troup) tees</a></i> look cool on angry-looking guys.<i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GvN6bNAVh3ajAWfJOk4WT7Bt0_gmJG_TfCvYLvI2ys3WymTdSk9R2EPXO84HpJJ0GhTfXq_R1-4fbWtoGxryIkodFOkg5dFc9qtbwHgAHcfaZnlaP5kA4PRzQkAIXxa7z60TTTfd3qY/s1600/mens.shirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GvN6bNAVh3ajAWfJOk4WT7Bt0_gmJG_TfCvYLvI2ys3WymTdSk9R2EPXO84HpJJ0GhTfXq_R1-4fbWtoGxryIkodFOkg5dFc9qtbwHgAHcfaZnlaP5kA4PRzQkAIXxa7z60TTTfd3qY/s400/mens.shirts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Pumped-up in Pink:</i> Wrestler <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Batista"><i>Dave Batista</i></a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWE_Diva"><i>WWE's Diva of the Year 2009</i></a> (where he did a <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uELkRqvY3A">"Kenya West"</a></i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1407838477">)</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmlKIv0-yB0OkrlzWFw1h1P_GHb3gAaOKGoYKRKd8xfrB-DtHCcRSEZ06GLitvB2_BNBg9MERil48KPZzB674nsGNGLgYq7pA_umNU3UYT2OVdzpj69yLZzuW7nZMzoXdrWuc4JXLxAY/s1600/batista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmlKIv0-yB0OkrlzWFw1h1P_GHb3gAaOKGoYKRKd8xfrB-DtHCcRSEZ06GLitvB2_BNBg9MERil48KPZzB674nsGNGLgYq7pA_umNU3UYT2OVdzpj69yLZzuW7nZMzoXdrWuc4JXLxAY/s400/batista.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Prisoners in Pink:</i> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio"><i>Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio </i></a>introduced pink fashion to disgruntled inmates.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ezIaZ9WRvsyQ0RsKW658QBXomndU-y_hAHC6Jst1is9TYOd07gntQ_cbliZ_MGu96oD7wKai1THNK145wfdK0VD0d5RDnO9_vwOtxuLvB9gFE1G9t0IhRSYOC9vKP-rbgMECsnSnogQ/s1600/SheriffArpaioPrisonersPinkShirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ezIaZ9WRvsyQ0RsKW658QBXomndU-y_hAHC6Jst1is9TYOd07gntQ_cbliZ_MGu96oD7wKai1THNK145wfdK0VD0d5RDnO9_vwOtxuLvB9gFE1G9t0IhRSYOC9vKP-rbgMECsnSnogQ/s400/SheriffArpaioPrisonersPinkShirts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Baby pink, medium pink or hot pink? Which shade made you like (or trust) the wearer more?<br />
<br />
The way I see it, any pink shirt can make a tough guy look tame, and a hardened criminal appear harmless.<br />
<br />
But beware, it can make guys look <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/01/carleton-v.html"><i>downright silly</i></a>, too!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">(Top Pic) The pink <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujio_Akatsuka">Fujio Akatsuka</a> Bearbrick was created by the </span><a href="http://shop.beams.co.jp/" style="font-style: italic;">Beams retail chain</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> in Japan to promote </span><a href="http://shop.beams.co.jp/tag/?tagid=2889" style="font-style: italic;">Mangart Beams T</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, the new line of Manga-inspired Tees at their concept shop in </span><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beams.co.jp%2Fshop%2F&sl=ja&tl=en" style="font-style: italic;">Daikanyama, Tokyo</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">The bear is based on the Iyami character created by </span><a href="http://www.fujio-pro.co.jp/english/fujio/index.html" style="font-style: italic;">Fujio Akatsuka (1935-2008)</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, a famous Japanese </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga" style="font-style: italic;">manga</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> artist. You can check out his official website </span><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.koredeiinoda.net%2F&sl=ja&tl=en" style="font-style: italic;">here</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Bearbrick pic by Yours Truly / Other pics from <a href="http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/04/08/68785_country-footy.html"><i>weeklytimesnow.com</i></a>, <i><a href="http://dailymail.co.ukhttp//www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-1033337/Murtaghs-men-tickled-pink-Oval-Middlesex-form-outfits-Breast-Cancer.html">dailymail.co.uk</a></i>, <i><a href="http://bamboolounge.friedeye.com/2009/09/whats-wrong-with-pink.html">bamboolounge.friedeye.com</a></i>, <a href="http://a-man-fashion.blogspot.com/2008/09/man-fashion-pink-color-for-men.html"><i>a-man-fashion.blogspot.com</i></a>, <a href="http://ynaoblivious.livejournal.com/55018.html"><i>ynaoblivious.livejournal.com</i></a>, <a href="http://sprockettes.orghttp//sprockettes.org/merchandise/"><i>sprockettes.org</i></a>, <a href="http://wrestlegasm.com/category/strut-pose-turn/"><i>wrestlegasm.com</i></a>, <a href="http://themormonworker.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/thousands-protest-brutal-immigration-raids-az/"><i>themormonworker.wordpress.com</i></a>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-65393113418961608172011-10-17T23:30:00.000+08:002013-03-18T23:58:40.350+08:00what's in a name?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwCVH6XuEfGllphxBM6M0Hc46yMcJDuzgn4IyrB0hYxzqgCWHaSDvK_KhhL8CmKVEaBd8Eud9Lx4waonZGN6ydbx-yBk-ps0eapuqLKr1gbQcUR-MQjipdLtOWAL_ZJ9MoYsl66ISe0w/s1600-h/fujio2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414735928607266466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwCVH6XuEfGllphxBM6M0Hc46yMcJDuzgn4IyrB0hYxzqgCWHaSDvK_KhhL8CmKVEaBd8Eud9Lx4waonZGN6ydbx-yBk-ps0eapuqLKr1gbQcUR-MQjipdLtOWAL_ZJ9MoYsl66ISe0w/s400/fujio2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>All my brothers' names, including mine, start with the letter "A". Antonio, Ariel (me), Armond, and Achilles. I don't know if the letter had any significance to my parents – it never occurred to me to ask them.<br />
<br />
What I was told, however, was that my grandmother (who was into names and numerology) made sure we had lucky names. According to her, the letters in people's names corresponded to numbers. And these numbers all fell under four different fates: Buenas (lucky), Penosa (painful), Peligrosa (dangerous), and Muerte (death). Now, don't ask me if this is a fair segregation – apart from one, all the others seem to suck.<br />
<br />
Do I believe in this kind of thing? I don't know. But I sure got fascinated by what people said about the name of Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxer who is currently the world's best. They say his name is very lucky indeed: "Manny" sounds like "money", while "Pacquiao" sounds like "pakyaw" (which means "to get everything" in the Filipino language).<br />
<br />
Interesting analysis, for Pacquiao now ranks 6th in Forbes.com's list of <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/17/top-earning-athletes-business-sports-top-earning-athletes_slide.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">the world richest athletes</span></a>. :-)<br />
<br />
So parents, how about naming your baby "Euro", "Dollar", or "Gazillionaire"? LOL<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">(Top) The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujio_Akatsuka">Fujio Akatsuka</a> Bearbrick with the letter "A" on its chest was created by the </span><a href="http://shop.beams.co.jp/" style="font-style: italic;">Beams retail chain</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> in Japan to promote </span><a href="http://shop.beams.co.jp/tag/?tagid=2889" style="font-style: italic;">Mangart Beams T</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, the new line of Manga-inspired Tees at their concept shop in </span><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beams.co.jp%2Fshop%2F&sl=ja&tl=en" style="font-style: italic;">Daikanyama, Tokyo</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">The bear is a representation of </span><a href="http://www.fujio-pro.co.jp/english/fujio/index.html" style="font-style: italic;">Fujio Akatsuka (1935-2008)</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, a famous Japanese </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga" style="font-style: italic;">manga</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> artist who created many famous cartoon characters such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensai_Bakabon">Daddy Bakabon</a> (see t-shirt below). You can check out his official website </span><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.koredeiinoda.net%2F&sl=ja&tl=en" style="font-style: italic;">here</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Fwq1vZLRlFLBuRqhiMBuKl9xOcU7oi69aG_mNPR4FvDBmu_cNWbvfU57EUPirGrCdVQ-RIUmPe0JIW_m7G2Yvjjrflwo6OFCcmQIBQ59suxdTehzz6007UgOQvwDiCMbeHe15B_sut8/s1600-h/akatsuka.tee.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414729811579159266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Fwq1vZLRlFLBuRqhiMBuKl9xOcU7oi69aG_mNPR4FvDBmu_cNWbvfU57EUPirGrCdVQ-RIUmPe0JIW_m7G2Yvjjrflwo6OFCcmQIBQ59suxdTehzz6007UgOQvwDiCMbeHe15B_sut8/s400/akatsuka.tee.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-51438542626474844862011-07-05T00:12:00.004+08:002012-01-11T13:25:25.182+08:00ode to 22!nothing's more addicting<br />
than bearbrick collecting<br />
hundreds, thousands, or more?<br />
it's so hard to keep score!<br />
<br />
there's no end to the obsession<br />
till the last one's in my possession<br />
i can't explain the lust<br />
it's bearbricks or bust!<br />
<br />
fast forward to july<br />
a new series to buy<br />
can't find them at the mall?<br />
i say eBay them all!<br />
<br />
guys, here's series 22!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsOhPRIst8U9mJvshyYeQUR_2LhmojfQqCXyV1aqxS2eetm16D_1AlCFBxhFgk1gT8IqyM1izxqo69D4iQqNLzfv18kAxK7Xzl5Ew4Sk7XT-Zwwq68x2ohZARkzxi_666JkEUGyktpy0/s1600/series22.bearbrick.a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsOhPRIst8U9mJvshyYeQUR_2LhmojfQqCXyV1aqxS2eetm16D_1AlCFBxhFgk1gT8IqyM1izxqo69D4iQqNLzfv18kAxK7Xzl5Ew4Sk7XT-Zwwq68x2ohZARkzxi_666JkEUGyktpy0/s400/series22.bearbrick.a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Upper row, left to right;<br />
<br />
Basic (@ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_%28color%29"><i>Gold</i></a>)<br />
Pattern (<a href="http://letsplayuno.com/"><i>Let's Play Uno</i></a>)<br />
Secret Pattern (<a href="http://letsplayuno.com/"><i>Let's Play Uno</i></a><span id="goog_377476321"></span><span id="goog_377476322"></span>)<br />
JellyBean <a href="http://www.google.com.ph/search?q=pastel+colors&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=hXb&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&noj=1&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=XdIOTrqhG4yhmQW_rJyqDg&sqi=2&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1138&bih=596">(<i>Pastels</i></a>)<br />
Flag (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Jamaica"><i>Jamaica</i></a>)<br />
<br />
Bottom row, left to right:<br />
<br />
Hero (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lantern"><i>Green Lantern</i></a>)<br />
Cute (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cars_2"><i>Cars 2</i></a>)<br />
Horror (<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_On_Stranger_Tides">Pirates of the Carribean/On Stranger Tides</a></i>)<br />
SciFi (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rock_Shooter"><i>Black Rock Shooter</i></a>)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQzWQCsLENIRPzNI_VwR5T5CrKTAhPeMUXdVuZtQA50Vdj6Tn7p5Sh28P3Abbf5sg37NJKbntZ7LN25hQngDDDuBr6HI9fdnUyKAXaMMY1kgJ9fF3q2tfWXzuYolrJhbJRMlzA_SZ2zg/s1600/series22.bearbrick.b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQzWQCsLENIRPzNI_VwR5T5CrKTAhPeMUXdVuZtQA50Vdj6Tn7p5Sh28P3Abbf5sg37NJKbntZ7LN25hQngDDDuBr6HI9fdnUyKAXaMMY1kgJ9fF3q2tfWXzuYolrJhbJRMlzA_SZ2zg/s400/series22.bearbrick.b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Upper row, left to right;<br />
<br />
Animal (<a href="http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpirameki%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DumG%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divns&rurl=translate.google.com.ph&sl=ja&twu=1&u=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/pirameki/piramekidzania.html&usg=ALkJrhhDDWYLMjQldH_NnGyDVBmZ1qpk7Q"><i>Pirameki</i></a>)<br />
Secret (<a href="http://translate.google.com.ph/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/&ei=PtYOTrLNJOSfmQWEqvWZDg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFsQ7gEwCQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmedicom%2Btoys%2B15th%2Banniversary%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DP8G%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1138%26bih%3D596%26prmd%3Divns"><i>Medicom 15 Years</i></a>)<br />
Secret (<a href="http://www.bape.com/"><i>Bape</i></a>)<br />
Secret (<a href="http://www.longclothing.com/"><i>Long</i></a> X <a href="http://www.boylondon.com/"><i>Boy London</i></a>)<br />
<br />
Bottom row, left to right:<br />
<br />
Secret (<a href="http://translate.google.com.ph/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.hanakuma.com/&ei=PNMOTtfQA6rKiALX1YDrDQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwww.hanakuma.com%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DIbb%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divns"><i>Hanakuma Factory</i></a>)<br />
Secret (<a href="http://happysocks.com/"><i>Happy Socks</i></a>)<br />
Artist (<a href="http://www.myspace.com/houseofpain"><i>House of Pain</i></a>)<br />
Rare Artist (<a href="http://www.sasquatchfabrix.com/"><i>Sasquatch</i></a>)<br />
<br />
it's quite hard to decide<br />
which bear i'll set aside<br />
as my favorite of the lot<br />
it's the gaudy gold one – not!<br />
<br />
the colored camo's striking<br />
and black stripes are to my liking<br />
need a bit of time to think...<br />
hmmm...<br />
the happy socks in pink!<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pics by Yours Truly / Copyright Bearbrick Love July 2011 </span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></i><br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-11841881995498012312011-02-14T22:30:00.000+08:002013-03-18T23:54:23.736+08:00i heart eavesdropping<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZzbIl_QIMUR6G-tQ4IiGaWsjKMKcnOlhMgzLU77qeTxcc76FNU0rnFbxIe31_cqH9ky8ixnOnnPYFG5B2F7y_Fo6p23JFjmpmZ5aXYISmEYYfdEG0TXDx4cLXs0Fu29BDEEXK03ATrA/s1600-h/reas.bwwt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435374718516877506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZzbIl_QIMUR6G-tQ4IiGaWsjKMKcnOlhMgzLU77qeTxcc76FNU0rnFbxIe31_cqH9ky8ixnOnnPYFG5B2F7y_Fo6p23JFjmpmZ5aXYISmEYYfdEG0TXDx4cLXs0Fu29BDEEXK03ATrA/s400/reas.bwwt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Last weekend, I paid a visit to my chiropractor, Dr. P. I wasn't in any kind of extreme pain, really; my back just felt a bit stiff and I thought the doctor could simply snap my misaligned bones right into place.<br />
<br />
While I was waiting in my cubicle in a pale blue examination gown with packs of hot compresses on my back, I suddenly heard voices. They were coming from the next cube – that of a father (who I imagined was in his thirties and an American, judging from his accent) and of his son (who sounded like a lovable 3-year-old).<br />
<br />
The dad spoke first. "Now, you just keep still there while Daddy gets a massage, okay? Can you do that? Then after we're finished here, I'm going with you to wherever you want to go."<br />
<br />
The boy replied, "Okay, I'm going to sit here and... and wait for you. Then... then I want to go where you want to go, too, 'cause I love you... I love you all the way to Pluto!"<br />
<br />
"Really? Well, I love you all the way to Pluto and back."<br />
<br />
Not to be outdone, the little one quickly said, "I love you to all the way to Pluto and... and... to all the planets in the world! All the planets!!"<br />
<br />
At that point, I was smiling and waiting for his dad's answer. There was a bit of a pause, then dad let out a very slow and breathy "Wow!" I could almost see him smiling, too.<br />
<br />
After an hour, I walked out of the clinic feeling better, thanks to Dr. P's healing hands, and the infectious love between an anonymous father and son. Some say laughter is the best medicine; I say it is love, too.<br />
<br />
It's Valentine's Day. Share the love, people! :-)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">(Top pic) The Bearbrick with the heart icon was designed by New York grafitti/graphic artist and illustrator </span><a href="http://www.toddjames.com/about.html" style="font-style: italic;">Todd James</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> a.k.a. </span><a href="http://www.reasinternational.com/index.html" style="font-style: italic;">REAS</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. It was one of ten (10) Bearbricks from the Bearbrick World Wide Tour (BWWT Set B).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Pic by Yours Truly. Copyright 2010. Background painting detail by Filipino contemporary painter Popo San Pascual.</span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-42731578332291443472011-01-02T11:36:00.021+08:002012-01-11T13:25:43.807+08:0021 in 2011Somebody wrote to me last December 5, 2010:<br />
<br />
<i>Hello Mr. Comia. I am writing to wish you well and was wondering if everything is all right, as I haven't seen you posting on your Bearbrick blog for quite some time. I enjoy reading and looking at all of your beautiful pictures and frankly am quite jealous of your extensive collection. I send you positive energy and well wishes for a happy holiday and a blessed New Year.<br />
<br />
Sincerely, A</i><br />
<br />
I wrote her back, telling her how touched and thankful I was for her inspiring email, and that I would be blogging about my new Series 21 very soon. Well, A, as promised, here they are!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCnmJP6B9_FSYdTAp5bzozFq7KrUDYSWSX8HnYRevHnesJ910bdGsi9f-FNrwrlEdJOQ4t4y1FA0yLKmeUrtgmzaBSGqVE2F7Z5b8pNlMBv9V_s4ptdIoGg-yDj8P8U5StbYCkFH7OAc/s1600/Series21a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCnmJP6B9_FSYdTAp5bzozFq7KrUDYSWSX8HnYRevHnesJ910bdGsi9f-FNrwrlEdJOQ4t4y1FA0yLKmeUrtgmzaBSGqVE2F7Z5b8pNlMBv9V_s4ptdIoGg-yDj8P8U5StbYCkFH7OAc/s400/Series21a.jpg" width="400" /></a>Upper row, left to right:<br />
<br />
Basic (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_sign"><i>@</i></a>/Metallic <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red">Red</a></i>)<br />
JellyBean (Pale <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lime_%28color%29">Lime</a></i>)<br />
Flag (<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Mexico">Mexico</a></i>)<br />
Animal (<i><a href="http://translate.google.com.ph/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.karelcapek.co.jp/&ei=GCggTczNFsHWrQflzKC-Cw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCQQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkarel%2Bcapek%2Btea%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Dr5I%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divnso">Karel Capek</a></i>/<i><a href="http://waltpanorama.blogspot.com/2008/01/shop-karel-capek.html">Buzzy the Bee</a></i>)<br />
Secret Animal (<i><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fkarel-capek.cocolog-nifty.com%2Fsweets%2F&act=url">Karel Capek</a></i>/<i><a href="http://waltpanorama.blogspot.com/2008/01/shop-karel-capek.html">Cotty the Ladybird</a></i>)<br />
<br />
Bottom row, left to right:<br />
<br />
Pattern (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prodigy"><i>The Prodigy</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invaders_Must_Die"><i>Invaders Must Die</i></a>)<br />
SciFi (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104001/"><i>Tron</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daft_Punk"><i>Daft Punk</i></a>: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy-Manuel_de_Homem-Christo"><i>Guy Manuel de Homem Christo</i></a>)<br />
SciFi (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104001/"><i>Tron</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daft_Punk"><i>Daft Punk</i></a>: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bangalter"><i>Thomas Bangalter</i></a>)<br />
Cute (<a href="http://www.barbie.com/"><i>Barbie</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie"><i>Original Swimsuit</i></a>)<br />
Secret Cute (<a href="http://www.barbie.com/"><i>Barbie</i></a>/<a href="http://www.google.com.ph/images?q=barbie+and+pink&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1163&bih=617"><i>Pink</i></a>)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw5pHMW_AHPlpV4zusJlABn2NcpVaccaxmgIr8FxQ_QEfZNaVecvtutymgOpjdQk-H2LrHkPS6WKawtyQ-8QGyeUvrMup5itwLh1qire0FsCggJrFUsG0opK4dgqnRQ-r12szbgYVizY/s1600/Series21b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw5pHMW_AHPlpV4zusJlABn2NcpVaccaxmgIr8FxQ_QEfZNaVecvtutymgOpjdQk-H2LrHkPS6WKawtyQ-8QGyeUvrMup5itwLh1qire0FsCggJrFUsG0opK4dgqnRQ-r12szbgYVizY/s400/Series21b.jpg" width="400" /></a>Upper row, left to right:<br />
<br />
Horror (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks"><i>Twin Peaks</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Palmer"><i>Laura Palmer</i></a>)<br />
Secret Horror (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks"><i>Twin Peaks</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Cooper"><i>Dale Cooper</i></a>)<br />
Hero (<a href="http://www.dccomics.com/dccomics/"><i>DC Comics</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman"><i>Batman</i></a>)<br />
Secret Hero (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics"><i>DC Comics</i></a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman"><i>Superman</i></a>)<br />
<br />
Bottom row, left to right:<br />
<br />
Artist (<a href="http://www.interhaze.com/hazemain.swf"><i>Eric Haze</i></a>)<br />
Artist (<a href="http://www.i-love-holiday.com/"><i>Holiday Japan</i></a>)<br />
Secret Artist (<a href="http://www.markwardstudio.com/"><i>Mark Ward</i></a>)<br />
Secret (<a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackrainmusic.com%2Fkaikigesshoku%2F&act=url"><i>Black Rain Music</i></a>/<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh_VKlaLAUw"><i>Kaiki Gesshoku</i></a>)<br />
Secret (Rubber)<br />
<br />
There you are, 19 Bearbricks from Series 21.<br />
<br />
Did you notice that aside from <i><b>Basic</b></i>, <i><b>Jellybean</b></i>, <i><b>Flag</b></i>, <i><b>Animal</b></i>, <i><b>Pattern</b></i>, <i><b>SciFi</b></i> (SF), <i><b>Cute</b></i>, <i><b>Horror</b></i>, and <i><b>Artist</b></i>, there is a new category called <b><i>Hero</i></b>, as represented by the Batman and the (rarer/secret) Superman bearbricks?<br />
<br />
While those two choices seem predictable (they are not the first issues of those characters), I won't complain; it is a brand new year, a time to inspire hope and encourage change. Certainly, the addition of heroes of any kind is most welcome!<br />
<br />
Let's make it a happy and heroic 2011, Bearbrick lovers! <br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pics by Yours Truly / Copyright Bearbrick Love January 2011 </span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks, <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/rareak/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340">Rareak</a>, for helping me complete this collection. </span></span></i><br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-56852657709206717722010-07-30T21:00:00.007+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.692+08:00first steps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM8GcK86Ztrf-6JAZGhMQMW0gRhFyW0KJbj47lNR3G5qXZlJlGl6skwxoBJ3vNIDv2ejSzkS3DWhnH4Pl_xby2X976zx3HLLmR6rPWPk88CB1n3zDMrzs73dHFj6EXC2e_m93INd4NWY/s1600/basic20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM8GcK86Ztrf-6JAZGhMQMW0gRhFyW0KJbj47lNR3G5qXZlJlGl6skwxoBJ3vNIDv2ejSzkS3DWhnH4Pl_xby2X976zx3HLLmR6rPWPk88CB1n3zDMrzs73dHFj6EXC2e_m93INd4NWY/s400/basic20.jpg" width="400" /></a>Yes, it finally walks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM6M_y7HNhrew6REzBPKUZfOSGceOBI7dBWOvTqJZxx7zrJT0C4hbuZdbNpNEdwkoxm2p62dUk0yrd34HgXpCVvOUY1Jv7EhXzcd5u-asoMeWhO0cNIlA4m4vouvnnFVUsuub-ewmxYo/s1600/basic20.back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM6M_y7HNhrew6REzBPKUZfOSGceOBI7dBWOvTqJZxx7zrJT0C4hbuZdbNpNEdwkoxm2p62dUk0yrd34HgXpCVvOUY1Jv7EhXzcd5u-asoMeWhO0cNIlA4m4vouvnnFVUsuub-ewmxYo/s400/basic20.back.jpg" width="400" /></a>No batteries needed, just wind it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGu4puItUH59hECIcqUwosDqE8WTIO6AT5LRjM5yEmRN0CuUbc9cMyRL1t2qq34Eb6lZw7kQ_cqK4I_BOCXWryJVvgzMf0I8b_Wy8bA9C2vqxFI1BD7S6UWmp53hjO8LrUPYpFf8PNnk/s1600/basic20.feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGu4puItUH59hECIcqUwosDqE8WTIO6AT5LRjM5yEmRN0CuUbc9cMyRL1t2qq34Eb6lZw7kQ_cqK4I_BOCXWryJVvgzMf0I8b_Wy8bA9C2vqxFI1BD7S6UWmp53hjO8LrUPYpFf8PNnk/s400/basic20.feet.jpg" width="400" /></a>What big feet! I guess this is <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2007/01/chiuck_ducken.php"><i>evolution</i></a>.</div><br />
Wanna see it in motion?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzb7Tniy-dclHf9PgTOJ08tSeP69JuYnhhJC5LMbrk6wwX6PUWGxtHLImrqiJsrvTWdrgG2I8i3yLtbzLnQlA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or slooooow motion? LOL</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wonder what's next. Tumbling bearbricks? Talking bearbricks? Like those <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6bpN6A6yc8&feature=related"><i>freaky dolls on Youtube</i></a>, will they start peeing, too?! Oh well... as long as you don't forget about design, Medicom! Hint: industrial designer <a href="http://www.starck.com/"><i>Philippe Starck</i></a>, fashion designers <a href="http://www.dolcegabbana.com/"><i>Dolce & Gabbana</i></a>, shoe designer <a href="http://www.manoloblahnik.com/"><i>Manolo Blahnik</i></a>, illustrator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takashi_Murakami"><i>Takashi Murakami</i></a>, graffiti artist <a href="http://www.banksy.co.uk/"><i>Banksy</i></a>... my wish list goes on and on... and on.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Series 20 Basic @ Bearbrick pics by Yours Truly / Copyright Bearbrick Love, July 2010</i></div>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-76627362955601256662010-06-20T22:30:00.012+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.742+08:003 X a lemon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDHiWVFi6IcMlUs0aoe_n5c6L104Sd8PR9-AYnKdonGec4-GH0WOMwEZrw5U2brt-NflJk0aHGM7ZefKj87wyQonkoypcxcoSWeUdF5zRAwldv5GEgE3EBHgPFlptlrMW7E8rNBC4Cok/s1600/bmw.bearbrick.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484711196710645554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDHiWVFi6IcMlUs0aoe_n5c6L104Sd8PR9-AYnKdonGec4-GH0WOMwEZrw5U2brt-NflJk0aHGM7ZefKj87wyQonkoypcxcoSWeUdF5zRAwldv5GEgE3EBHgPFlptlrMW7E8rNBC4Cok/s400/bmw.bearbrick.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lemon 1:</span><br />
<br />
About four years ago, I had to drive myself to a meeting because my driver, Guido, was on sick leave. After I parked on the street, I rolled down my car window to pay the attendant (who walked over to collect the parking fee). As I got my receipt and pressed the switch to close the window, I suddenly heard the sound of shattering glass! It was loud; I quickly turned around to see if any other car had hit mine. Nada. So I continued to close the power window. But the glass wouldn't roll up. Wouldn't roll up!?!! I had never heard of a car window crashing like that before. And it was a BMW, for heaven's sake – a German-engineered car!<br />
<br />
Since I couldn't leave my car – open window and all – on a busy city street, I never made it to my meeting. :-/<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Lemon 2:</span><br />
<br />
Just recently, two friends and I decided to meet up for cocktails. One of them, C, was unusually late. The excuse? Her sports car's window slid down and wouldn't roll back up – just like mine. She had to go home and switch rides! Yes, it was a <a href="http://arworld.net/articledemo/readArticle.php?articleId=2" style="font-style: italic;">BMW</a>, too.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Lemon 3:</span><br />
<br />
Then C told me a about her lady friend who drove across Quebec in a BMW. Same thing – the window crashed. But since it was a long journey, the window had to be patched with plastic and packing tape for the rest of the trip. A BMW with plastic-covered windows!?!!<br />
<br />
Well. That's why today, I drive a <a href="http://www.mercedes-benz.com.ph/content/philippines/mpc/mpc_philippines_website/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/c-class/w204.flash.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">different car</span></a>. :-P<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">(Top Pic) The </span><a href="http://www.bmw.com/" style="font-style: italic;">BMW</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> Bearbrick. The blue sky and white clouds imagery stands for its claim of "less emissions".</span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-81655886506412625242010-05-30T15:00:00.011+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.760+08:00the best seats in barcelona<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWrPNgC-RRnZ5DEcPR2Ov553lGUQgf9Q23SU2xb5DKWiHbpVpakksp9DwB8kyiu9sxqJ6PF3iIHaxE4k1k-l_Ja48m0UeoI3xY6oTKYXoNoi9m34iSUK5IOMiKiIII4RV5QUWytdlEpY/s1600/barcelona.bearbrick.2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWrPNgC-RRnZ5DEcPR2Ov553lGUQgf9Q23SU2xb5DKWiHbpVpakksp9DwB8kyiu9sxqJ6PF3iIHaxE4k1k-l_Ja48m0UeoI3xY6oTKYXoNoi9m34iSUK5IOMiKiIII4RV5QUWytdlEpY/s400/barcelona.bearbrick.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476934481848140786" border="0" /></a>For most sports fans in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona"><span style="font-style: italic;">Barcelona</span></a>, seats to <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cl%C3%A1sico">"El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Clásico</span>"</a>, a football match between their home team (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FC</span> Barcelona</span></a>) and its fiercest rival (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Madrid_C.F.">Real Madrid</a>), are probably the most-prized.<br /><br />But for an ordinary tourist like me, there is no seat in the city as incomparable as the long, serpent-like bench at <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_G%C3%BCell"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Parc</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Guëll</span></a>, a garden complex built in the early 1900s (below).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI3m4euBGSFFhAE28uJo9Gkb-5nWG6EWqhiZoJhQMBcxigSz732vQRj1RoWIMq4IPVb0kXf2iB8e0vx8-GNgiEPoC58s5fMxCOO3WpXhcC7a-1yxV-dUx6oUOcggTY0Jul1a7OFD00LY/s1600/guell02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI3m4euBGSFFhAE28uJo9Gkb-5nWG6EWqhiZoJhQMBcxigSz732vQRj1RoWIMq4IPVb0kXf2iB8e0vx8-GNgiEPoC58s5fMxCOO3WpXhcC7a-1yxV-dUx6oUOcggTY0Jul1a7OFD00LY/s400/guell02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476934370809587250" border="0" /></a>Its winding lines form small enclaves that are quite cozy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI3m4euBGSFFhAE28uJo9Gkb-5nWG6EWqhiZoJhQMBcxigSz732vQRj1RoWIMq4IPVb0kXf2iB8e0vx8-GNgiEPoC58s5fMxCOO3WpXhcC7a-1yxV-dUx6oUOcggTY0Jul1a7OFD00LY/s1600/guell02.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tTk37SdbL6FupwQv14vuS4pn4h6wMNIwed4v_gkZbLkYNAruPXAR3sjRWctoQq4KyRYyPel0vstKWPBLAW_LdfY88EkSytBFmTJ8jsm4PS8-8tQQvFQiqy9bOwxAgGf7GMmAmkuLhUA/s1600/guell01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tTk37SdbL6FupwQv14vuS4pn4h6wMNIwed4v_gkZbLkYNAruPXAR3sjRWctoQq4KyRYyPel0vstKWPBLAW_LdfY88EkSytBFmTJ8jsm4PS8-8tQQvFQiqy9bOwxAgGf7GMmAmkuLhUA/s400/guell01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476934423441700450" border="0" /></a>But apart from its very unusual shape, what makes the bench outstanding is its mosaic surface, created from hand-painted tiles of various shapes, colors and textures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPcOm8VrIa-Vo72DNb8zToyN8iWk1UYlejgr1oL_-9-OQ9gtlTBl8JyDotxBhDv0_vcHaGETPJ5MymVlfizn3QHn7N1nop4AWo7K6EMaKbl8MSNFSW8lPzAZc10Hb4tI-fMcNv5fPDlY/s1600/guell04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPcOm8VrIa-Vo72DNb8zToyN8iWk1UYlejgr1oL_-9-OQ9gtlTBl8JyDotxBhDv0_vcHaGETPJ5MymVlfizn3QHn7N1nop4AWo7K6EMaKbl8MSNFSW8lPzAZc10Hb4tI-fMcNv5fPDlY/s400/guell04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476934305207523586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBb0f8XxvYg5-u28i_yrZCTGOxs27hwsOBvDw5vAUg6MI43ECgRKKAc-3t0rkQZ7Yam6p3g0_s2rppcelPGofxta9sOZ56bi7CWwGV0g0eOccbgkmacdksKUGb6F8DiAJytyq7fvazpM/s1600/guell05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBb0f8XxvYg5-u28i_yrZCTGOxs27hwsOBvDw5vAUg6MI43ECgRKKAc-3t0rkQZ7Yam6p3g0_s2rppcelPGofxta9sOZ56bi7CWwGV0g0eOccbgkmacdksKUGb6F8DiAJytyq7fvazpM/s400/guell05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476934030385407234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRvYCCkss621MmIlfPC1GslL6II5seP06G6r3IFit_vmdcx9bPB_GhT92uLgp_5neV4YBTbI9w9N-vDaFXkUd37fVkKHZfxHsRGF7npl9eGdE-vQCe1Kzp9vxj7TmrBsOvHkPcz36ld0/s1600/guell06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRvYCCkss621MmIlfPC1GslL6II5seP06G6r3IFit_vmdcx9bPB_GhT92uLgp_5neV4YBTbI9w9N-vDaFXkUd37fVkKHZfxHsRGF7npl9eGdE-vQCe1Kzp9vxj7TmrBsOvHkPcz36ld0/s400/guell06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476933964872310194" border="0" /></a>Notice how the tiles are not as randomly arranged as they initially appear to be; there is order in chaos! I want to recreate this look for my bathroom. :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGoRJJZvz5kzuolNkykFzbNr3DMqSL8VHKm5VpFP8toeyFI-P29sgJzclStP6VEuQaudeGHRSXBrpAryWi1tjRYvZ5LoVOhYrrtjNfEN4Sb4I_hff9DOf98sbC4bBGlwSnyy3XMUK2Ig/s1600/guell07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGoRJJZvz5kzuolNkykFzbNr3DMqSL8VHKm5VpFP8toeyFI-P29sgJzclStP6VEuQaudeGHRSXBrpAryWi1tjRYvZ5LoVOhYrrtjNfEN4Sb4I_hff9DOf98sbC4bBGlwSnyy3XMUK2Ig/s400/guell07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476933865685796242" border="0" /></a>The genius behind this strangely beautiful and original park is Catalan architect <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoni_Gaud%C3%AD">Antoni <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gaudi</span></a>, the same creative mind behind Barcelona's most famous tourist spots: <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sagrada</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Familia</span></a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Batll%C3%B3">Casa Batlló</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Mil%C3%A0"><span style="font-style: italic;">Casa Mila</span></a>.<br /><br />Below is the view of the park's main entrance as seen from the bench.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLWVZhpLucB6_ZvS6SqMf9xDMjkNJNfWSCUPda3Sdj2UAuz4P75EkzBRf6_RBUq_-KBGLvSot1o61aHYntaybN5SRWe2HOp8kEbZCHohzO_PQfpexjwQ7tU05pWtB7yz1A-51njptvpM/s1600/guell08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLWVZhpLucB6_ZvS6SqMf9xDMjkNJNfWSCUPda3Sdj2UAuz4P75EkzBRf6_RBUq_-KBGLvSot1o61aHYntaybN5SRWe2HOp8kEbZCHohzO_PQfpexjwQ7tU05pWtB7yz1A-51njptvpM/s400/guell08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476933782400656530" border="0" /></a>Unlike the seats to the much-awaited football game, sitting on the Gaudi-designed bench of Park Guëll (which is now considered a <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a>), will not cost you a cent! Another proof that life's best doesn't always come with a price tag. :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Top Pic) The </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">FCBarcelona</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bearbrick</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> was created to promote the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/">Futbol Club Barcelona or Barça</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, which is considered the second richest football club in the world (€365 million in revenue)! If you bought this bearbrick, you now know where your money went.</span> :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pics by yours truly, Copyright 2010 / Info from Wikipedia</span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-52105627924621670592010-05-08T22:16:00.005+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.777+08:00dazed and confused in seville<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ2oyQgsYmuIT9MGtlx432chz7TannA0DZgJnvmI9gKDnr5OG4JdIPugfdBHMEj2e_CCcQxnasdcY90NPtPzse3j8iI6t7dFBpFTUEvQpkQpSXQ7h3TsVlQTGUVs43ZPJ7PvrTpL64yw/s1600/manana.banana.bearbrick.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ2oyQgsYmuIT9MGtlx432chz7TannA0DZgJnvmI9gKDnr5OG4JdIPugfdBHMEj2e_CCcQxnasdcY90NPtPzse3j8iI6t7dFBpFTUEvQpkQpSXQ7h3TsVlQTGUVs43ZPJ7PvrTpL64yw/s400/manana.banana.bearbrick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466553879796367986" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Last month, on our way to Barcelona from Madrid, Jun and I decided to make a little side trip to <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seville">Seville</a>, the fourth largest city in Spain. When we arrived at our hotel, we asked the receptionist which tourist spot we should visit first, and her ready answer was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_de_Espa%C3%B1a_%28Seville%29"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Plaza de España".</span></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jp3XbnpUo9QWmUONsi03eHsGCUte1WTSSQ1BZR0m4_ClNgEFAhmMV1klgT9QLcH3hpoLPWC3J64iufIFlfXllrnJHTjlcjXwj4Vl_ANrgxaR9z8GfQa-q7yAAhvPtATOyMt5aD7tJTA/s1600/01seville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jp3XbnpUo9QWmUONsi03eHsGCUte1WTSSQ1BZR0m4_ClNgEFAhmMV1klgT9QLcH3hpoLPWC3J64iufIFlfXllrnJHTjlcjXwj4Vl_ANrgxaR9z8GfQa-q7yAAhvPtATOyMt5aD7tJTA/s400/01seville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466553361617738786" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">The plaza, a 15-minute walk from our hotel, was as beautiful as we expected it to be. For me, it is one of the best examples of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorish_Revival_architecture"><span style="font-style: italic;">Moorish Revival architecture</span></a> in <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andalusia">Andalusia</a>, one of Spain's autonomous communities.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4ZkSyMnT7WD1Asm2CW19RYOcq-lqTojlZ1AyjlMllZOaHw5ZN3oxBaas-jNLYWRTpa6rOHW6-z2eflKDfUCFuCjLQdYBvJx2aXkuVBgWyScgS7dkcxJ6Ew_bHw_qqvyT1JGoYvK6efk/s1600/02seville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4ZkSyMnT7WD1Asm2CW19RYOcq-lqTojlZ1AyjlMllZOaHw5ZN3oxBaas-jNLYWRTpa6rOHW6-z2eflKDfUCFuCjLQdYBvJx2aXkuVBgWyScgS7dkcxJ6Ew_bHw_qqvyT1JGoYvK6efk/s400/02seville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466553294551461874" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Built in 1928 for the Spanish-American World Fair, it was designed by Sevillan architect Aníbal González. Today, it houses mostly government offices and the Seville town hall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I33lsz0ZfeYg2n8Sv4IuuQdD5MVJojtBVUSkAJ5ROkP6WjSbbwQ9KQNtq6TQahdunUbdEETnnM0DSv2ilK4pefZNAhhCk-vOarPlDsBG8_BsLRiEipm0FATwWDaidBG8pXyXmmi3LH0/s1600/04seville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I33lsz0ZfeYg2n8Sv4IuuQdD5MVJojtBVUSkAJ5ROkP6WjSbbwQ9KQNtq6TQahdunUbdEETnnM0DSv2ilK4pefZNAhhCk-vOarPlDsBG8_BsLRiEipm0FATwWDaidBG8pXyXmmi3LH0/s400/04seville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466553229578220850" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Because it was a Sunday, all the offices were closed and the plaza was populated only by tourists like us. And the only thing we could hear was the powerful duet of the couple below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK45SNIjcgKuMqu2qYsqH56iynIWJ5GfAXhRqAKZhyvJVpvsKUBNqNVH5P2mkDBjmY7rluDuZEeSxdoGyZlfmd6HjrWfHRvwwzHlWAawuh8_LUk7rMwHo8WUlKhA1OsYbi8s5KBMk9rg/s1600/05seville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK45SNIjcgKuMqu2qYsqH56iynIWJ5GfAXhRqAKZhyvJVpvsKUBNqNVH5P2mkDBjmY7rluDuZEeSxdoGyZlfmd6HjrWfHRvwwzHlWAawuh8_LUk7rMwHo8WUlKhA1OsYbi8s5KBMk9rg/s400/05seville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466553141653889538" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Along with four other tourists, we stood watching for about 15 minutes before dropping some euros into their guitar case.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6vrKQQEAO-Q5Mw_I7l5_Zorvx19-zSVWL-NdW8-5P8-4IXgfeArmGaV6gzWTW64NpNw6g6w9DdFC8hEC4jl_kEl1t01YM7KXgQgWEbGDhyphenhyphenf2vaj8nK4pzjg5fVnkUyPm9m6ZA08FauY/s1600/06seville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6vrKQQEAO-Q5Mw_I7l5_Zorvx19-zSVWL-NdW8-5P8-4IXgfeArmGaV6gzWTW64NpNw6g6w9DdFC8hEC4jl_kEl1t01YM7KXgQgWEbGDhyphenhyphenf2vaj8nK4pzjg5fVnkUyPm9m6ZA08FauY/s400/06seville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466553072273909938" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">After that, I decided to set up my tripod to take some pics while Jun began texting on his mobile phone. So I put down my bag on the floor and placed my jacket on top of it.<br /><br />While I was focusing my camera, I suddenly heard a rustling sound. I turned around and saw my jacket sliding across the floor, lifted by the wind. So I picked it up and quickly tried to dust off the dirt from it.<br /><br />I didn't realize until five minutes later, after I've taken some pics, that my bag was missing!<br /><br />Imagine my panic – my passport, mobile phone, money and credit cards were in there! Fortunately, a security guard arrived, and I tried as hard as I could to tell him what happened. It wasn't easy – I was flustered, hysterical, and desperate, and I had to translate everything to Spanish!!!<br /><br />But Mr. Security wasn't much help – he only advised me to call a number and make a perfunctory police report. #%*?!<br /><br />Then suddenly, from nowhere, I heard a loud male voice: "Hola....... un bolso con un PASAPORTE FILIPINO...." (</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hello....a bag with a Filipino passport....</span><span style="font-size:100%;">)<br /><br />I turned around and shouted. "That's mine! That's mine!"<br /><br />The tall Spanish gentleman who found my bag turned from the guard to me and suddenly spoke in English, "We found it at the other end of the building. It was left on the stairs... open... probably by the gypsies who we saw leaving the area..." His companions, a bunch of young Germans, nodded to affirm his story, and asked me to check the contents of my bag.<br /><br />Everything was intact – passport, credit cards, etc. – except for the cash (200 euro) and my Nokia mobile phone. (It was a good thing I left most of my cash at the hotel!)<br /><br />I told my heroes, "You guys are from heaven! May I treat you to dinner? I still have my credit card."<br /><br />The tall Spaniard replied, "Thanks, but you already lost money. Besides, we are on our way back to Madrid straight from here."<br /><br />So I thanked them profusely, and we all parted ways.<br /><br />I felt terrible about losing my phone – who wouldn't? Nonetheless, I got my passport and my credit cards back, and that made me happy enough to smile again. Whew!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVO5KziaYo99KJPoH23WZlRNKpxINhmoo4eeyfDLVsDEG4KbhxY03yw5vbrfiKIBaZ9toBMdTANVLM1kGqU082WuRggCMprkRD1rWs6Gp-752QXAcoQu4MntkbZTorrmCSdrfphz2K7Y/s1600/03seville.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVO5KziaYo99KJPoH23WZlRNKpxINhmoo4eeyfDLVsDEG4KbhxY03yw5vbrfiKIBaZ9toBMdTANVLM1kGqU082WuRggCMprkRD1rWs6Gp-752QXAcoQu4MntkbZTorrmCSdrfphz2K7Y/s400/03seville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466553009913006610" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Before we left the plaza, Jun and I passed by this area (above), so I brought out my camera and took a shot. It was a beautiful scene, but when I look at it now, all I can think is – I want to put that #%?^!? bastard who stole my bag behind bars!!!<br /><br />(Top pic) The Mañana Banana Bearbrick (white version) by Pamtoy, released in July 2005. This also came in brown and GID (Glow In the Dark).<br /></span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-46508396371696693912010-04-28T23:00:00.004+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.796+08:00the kissing spot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5i9nZwPNx16v3uOv2GsC4HML4ZKtKiDSITZaT7Sm_p-YSXCYP-XB358hnk4EI7cP5ycaAfXy2jqsawkZCWZwJjxRucmbAc70b4TBV0tAniNkNWrQgAB3-Ll82Kp0-6K9E4obRv5vz2Pw/s1600/Series4cute.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5i9nZwPNx16v3uOv2GsC4HML4ZKtKiDSITZaT7Sm_p-YSXCYP-XB358hnk4EI7cP5ycaAfXy2jqsawkZCWZwJjxRucmbAc70b4TBV0tAniNkNWrQgAB3-Ll82Kp0-6K9E4obRv5vz2Pw/s400/Series4cute.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463720614608136946" border="0" /></a>The most romantic spot in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid"><span style="font-style: italic;">Madrid</span></a> must be the <a href="http://www.travelinginspain.com/madrid/plaza_oriente.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Plaza de Oriente</span></a> (below) in front of the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace_of_Madrid">Palacio Real</a>, judging from the number of kissing couples I saw as I crossed over from the palace to the <a href="http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/teatro-real.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">opera house</span></a> one late afternoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQv0IntThoevb9Y7dy73kvSG9fdJ4umYQ3uXuiSgGqvSNj1h2ARw1Uh3ht5tOFSIG-bWPn3Vbew8ryjaEKTGEdQJIfl4N_TZ-dE-gDZpptjGHsucrYnCnj7nZeRC4ZG54sH6Afno8jlY/s1600/palaciorealmadrid.02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQv0IntThoevb9Y7dy73kvSG9fdJ4umYQ3uXuiSgGqvSNj1h2ARw1Uh3ht5tOFSIG-bWPn3Vbew8ryjaEKTGEdQJIfl4N_TZ-dE-gDZpptjGHsucrYnCnj7nZeRC4ZG54sH6Afno8jlY/s400/palaciorealmadrid.02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463720251693992514" border="0" /></a>I couldn't help but take pics – after all, I didn't think these lip-locked lovers minded at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-uJ7h178IzB01hcRZ4bGQ3v-QJjdDjnKMr9GfPEU08VoTVm4TNJX07OuoCVi59mZhcF0vW051KzjQWrT4mlY19VCWlR9BxGH9k1m8DN4KLojpiNJfqWkLTfJWBphgmx1Iq2R-2cbBQ0/s1600/palaciorealmadrid.05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-uJ7h178IzB01hcRZ4bGQ3v-QJjdDjnKMr9GfPEU08VoTVm4TNJX07OuoCVi59mZhcF0vW051KzjQWrT4mlY19VCWlR9BxGH9k1m8DN4KLojpiNJfqWkLTfJWBphgmx1Iq2R-2cbBQ0/s400/palaciorealmadrid.05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463720362965816626" border="0" /></a>Except for a pair who hid behind one of the tall topiaries (below) when they saw me holding up my Lumix camera. Ooops!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W1KM5ov6w0FtHxrt-9Sa-4i3YHjDUGIlidIlcJF-Cq12NN1ViahOfq5Xu-jI_2O3EUYGGYGjaltbCVbHLw3bDA4AhwLKKPhTXRNS88c8zi3ya7BndX65f3mQ57CA3HzS0QYUwjO01KA/s1600/palaciorealmadrid.03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W1KM5ov6w0FtHxrt-9Sa-4i3YHjDUGIlidIlcJF-Cq12NN1ViahOfq5Xu-jI_2O3EUYGGYGjaltbCVbHLw3bDA4AhwLKKPhTXRNS88c8zi3ya7BndX65f3mQ57CA3HzS0QYUwjO01KA/s400/palaciorealmadrid.03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463720532345599570" border="0" /></a>The shy pair looked like they were in their 60s, but they were certainly kissing like it was their very first time – with equal parts of passion and clumsiness.<br /><br />An important tip: Keep your eyes closed while kissing. You'll look much better that way – to your partner, or to paparazzi like me. :-)<br /><br />(Top pic) The <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.toysdorado.com/object.php?O=37">Series 4 Cute Bearbrick</a>, launched in August 2002, was inspired by young love.<br /><br />All pics by yours truly, Copyright April 2010.bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-20963315838322041252010-04-08T11:49:00.016+08:002011-03-13T00:09:48.892+08:00tapas town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBty8tcgT9F879cCRwb0PCDjSPthaDwIi6ZheEAi9qPnhKUjH2J5F1hQtCtgd9thn-XDV1VLeou-BWk8KArKtJB6znP6C4hoDECQjAKtPzs059VNNZviEzNjKIB_47o698PaZ9Rs012aQ/s1600/spain.bearbrick.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454779314733223026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBty8tcgT9F879cCRwb0PCDjSPthaDwIi6ZheEAi9qPnhKUjH2J5F1hQtCtgd9thn-XDV1VLeou-BWk8KArKtJB6znP6C4hoDECQjAKtPzs059VNNZviEzNjKIB_47o698PaZ9Rs012aQ/s400/spain.bearbrick.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>There are 3 reasons why I gained weight after my first 3 days in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid"><span style="font-style: italic;">Madrid</span></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain"><span style="font-style: italic;">Spain</span></a>.<br />
<br />
1. The food is "muy delicioso".<br />
2. There is a place to eat at every turn.<br />
3. Shops are closed between 2 to 5pm (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siesta" style="font-style: italic;">siesta</a> time), so there is nothing for tourists like me to do but EAT, EAT, EAT!<br />
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Reason #3 led me to a place called <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercado_de_San_Miguel&ei=CK-9S5nsDYOh_AbV5YTYBg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCYQ7gEwBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmercado%2Bde%2Bsan%2Bmiguel%26hl%3Den" style="font-style: italic;">Mercado de San Miguel</a> (below), a 1900s public market that reopened in May 2009, after it started restoration in 2008 in the hands of private businessmen. Encased in glass and wrought iron, the place now houses delicatessens, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas" style="font-style: italic;">tapas</a> bars and stalls that offer meat, seafood, fruits, cheese, wine, beer, dessert, coffee – even books.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBcPsGdCmCn4rGbEv-FetFWSxtobHsCZlS7D9wtJuKZHBcCMsjH-FZH_6IafMW8K438B1V8dstfeYRL3cJwJVgaCd3t72eEyIV1bOLUBXdmISaTq7hx2jNsP6lX5dfuV02ZPzJF04aWQ/s1600/mercado01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454898069891218050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBcPsGdCmCn4rGbEv-FetFWSxtobHsCZlS7D9wtJuKZHBcCMsjH-FZH_6IafMW8K438B1V8dstfeYRL3cJwJVgaCd3t72eEyIV1bOLUBXdmISaTq7hx2jNsP6lX5dfuV02ZPzJF04aWQ/s400/mercado01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4jooSjV7hACivQvPxfnf_6MDkwxgMGjcMmmi6IZw5F6kua90uSnJZDP62K1taqzFBUcEFnsjryYW4yAAAfnTWuRs2yChyphenhyphen2KUKuJwi2t218ItmWPAUitUY9oERf_mffwBgkw6HU6GX8k/s1600/sanmiguel01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456773484231978242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4jooSjV7hACivQvPxfnf_6MDkwxgMGjcMmmi6IZw5F6kua90uSnJZDP62K1taqzFBUcEFnsjryYW4yAAAfnTWuRs2yChyphenhyphen2KUKuJwi2t218ItmWPAUitUY9oERf_mffwBgkw6HU6GX8k/s400/sanmiguel01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>This is how it looks just before it gets full at lunch time.(Which is around 1:30 to 3pm!)<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B3n_ib%C3%A9rico" style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjs4GpRCsnF1UKJf2cXQiaqprUYpfIML6agsc18BSwWmBYRbG7G-Y-sbIEQtWlFKJxDmPDKd8E10G_WwTCtG12drTkPSS60CDzMd6ChELd58z3d6eb2MNHMekXJMERNPgMQ8ZcYuid7U/s1600/sanmiguel06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456773095071496850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjs4GpRCsnF1UKJf2cXQiaqprUYpfIML6agsc18BSwWmBYRbG7G-Y-sbIEQtWlFKJxDmPDKd8E10G_WwTCtG12drTkPSS60CDzMd6ChELd58z3d6eb2MNHMekXJMERNPgMQ8ZcYuid7U/s400/sanmiguel06.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Above is the meat stall where everybody buys <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B3n_ib%C3%A9rico" style="font-style: italic;">Jamon Iberico</a>, a type of cured ham that is only available in Spain. You have to take a number when there's a crowd.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B3n_ib%C3%A9rico" style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B3n_ib%C3%A9rico" style="font-style: italic;"> </a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeChTDCUfWIfWlDGfTB8847Sym44b-G9uMDZlf-NBetvJsXmZ65OM_drKDxNcrAoh-E8hM1AFR0fbaRMuQSpAYCADCmYb7cJ_Pee9FsvEvAB0AJOy2gzFN6Pu0F2yyCDGwy0iyV0pxUzA/s1600/sanmiguel05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456772967849139586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeChTDCUfWIfWlDGfTB8847Sym44b-G9uMDZlf-NBetvJsXmZ65OM_drKDxNcrAoh-E8hM1AFR0fbaRMuQSpAYCADCmYb7cJ_Pee9FsvEvAB0AJOy2gzFN6Pu0F2yyCDGwy0iyV0pxUzA/s400/sanmiguel05.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Customers normally order "cien gramos" or 100 grams. (Yes, that is an Iberian pig's hoof that you see. LOL)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCZOcYAHYApZQbKR3XyfKtz3JqHjF6dfhOpmwRFFacOEWMNkXNgE4UoCfgaqIBeY0v9ojW23dAX1VThZXYb2mG7QzVZ8CGVC8cdkpr0MLIFPABLvEygmXnlqGcSPB5AOWmCi2BVDPh28/s1600/sanmiguel03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456772830539559506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCZOcYAHYApZQbKR3XyfKtz3JqHjF6dfhOpmwRFFacOEWMNkXNgE4UoCfgaqIBeY0v9ojW23dAX1VThZXYb2mG7QzVZ8CGVC8cdkpr0MLIFPABLvEygmXnlqGcSPB5AOWmCi2BVDPh28/s400/sanmiguel03.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>My other favorite stall is the one with "aceitunas" or olives. (That's Jun, waving.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1jZQp5QsYbuf3yWTQ3_CH4NKjMcqAIqcF2jMl38eBlE9XPF6nXUABgZI4u3LYx8g9ZXtgdaWKxXImXm3-cOePmYBuEbEzLyddoWgWy5RxH6GPHuRnEZTMHBMHUuA0m4FFH4oQXetFNk/s1600/sanmiguel02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456773247867765922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1jZQp5QsYbuf3yWTQ3_CH4NKjMcqAIqcF2jMl38eBlE9XPF6nXUABgZI4u3LYx8g9ZXtgdaWKxXImXm3-cOePmYBuEbEzLyddoWgWy5RxH6GPHuRnEZTMHBMHUuA0m4FFH4oQXetFNk/s400/sanmiguel02.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>I couldn't help but order 2 of each of these "tapas de olivas". Para mi, they're the best! The olives provide a refreshing aftertaste.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIA4kZwe3Us9aBXVe3rFSBrUPfRDX5KHzzyzCy_4y6HuRAClR-Vzh4mkAkW2n4CwwUTtNnMdVaj6nKnNBai_rIGBBjwQKHtG4peDDEVC71yWDbLA_OANsW-TMomr2yUotaexj72pdBpeQ/s1600/sanmiguel07.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456772622231777522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIA4kZwe3Us9aBXVe3rFSBrUPfRDX5KHzzyzCy_4y6HuRAClR-Vzh4mkAkW2n4CwwUTtNnMdVaj6nKnNBai_rIGBBjwQKHtG4peDDEVC71yWDbLA_OANsW-TMomr2yUotaexj72pdBpeQ/s400/sanmiguel07.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Anchovies with poached "huevos" (eggs) on toast, a must-try.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7lAALXhE-wfQ1vaQTaJjC2BGTvLYrGEzYWeXDxFY2b_yOqzFY2LaVG7cw-0K2VaxNJxxG-XtVbiQJH7IxRJA0-UECquWSxURM-hArv9YNTaF_Q7coaLBEkR9Z9z9TcUc03kVGbXNfCg/s1600/sanmiguel09.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456772421851156834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7lAALXhE-wfQ1vaQTaJjC2BGTvLYrGEzYWeXDxFY2b_yOqzFY2LaVG7cw-0K2VaxNJxxG-XtVbiQJH7IxRJA0-UECquWSxURM-hArv9YNTaF_Q7coaLBEkR9Z9z9TcUc03kVGbXNfCg/s400/sanmiguel09.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>"Croquetas" (potato croquettes) of different flavors are sold here. The one with calamares negros (black squid ink) is my favorite.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXatx4RsVBlloG_Epv2qOV4Q1rF61LhchPcMweFaVAGVYlNgqZszC32Jtm3p6TC5qeJQBOKRPhUelQGDo-YLBsE3NwOrUggZoBVHa7Zx4ln3BZvDG0Tb2hDV18AlsjjOlqxkcoR88Fwo/s1600/sanmiguel04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456773392639759394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXatx4RsVBlloG_Epv2qOV4Q1rF61LhchPcMweFaVAGVYlNgqZszC32Jtm3p6TC5qeJQBOKRPhUelQGDo-YLBsE3NwOrUggZoBVHa7Zx4ln3BZvDG0Tb2hDV18AlsjjOlqxkcoR88Fwo/s400/sanmiguel04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>This is the cheese stall where you can buy <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fes.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FQueso_manchego&sl=es&tl=en" style="font-style: italic;">Manchego</a>, the most popular cheese in all of Spain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy-VRhZ0LtwvE55gcTPlp2ngY2r2Ls_2GloOjWHNJAUYoSpT_033m-I0EA2ccODscLiYBuwNtDAr-qQlcSaX62aOWeeujUZMagNQaxFuezn5FC4RdaEOsC_boKXIPd4ooH6FSG3G9RMo/s1600/sanmiguel11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456772191991588082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy-VRhZ0LtwvE55gcTPlp2ngY2r2Ls_2GloOjWHNJAUYoSpT_033m-I0EA2ccODscLiYBuwNtDAr-qQlcSaX62aOWeeujUZMagNQaxFuezn5FC4RdaEOsC_boKXIPd4ooH6FSG3G9RMo/s400/sanmiguel11.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The best desserts in the entire market – Pastel de Nata (left) and Pastel de Queso (right). Both are eggs tarts but with different flavors; one has coconut while the other has cheese.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRzZ9Tj80amFADSl_xZaP9vltx0fWSdB_gqrA5I4oQ53-pGXI1RyGtpgmnUesq4iMqA5TONArsWmoGWP2gQfX94JG7mCru-eHj9j9k9jDZm08ZhkYS3Nrbd9Ft8HhkW2J7mMhswhiYCQ/s1600/sanmiguel12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456772114969593618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRzZ9Tj80amFADSl_xZaP9vltx0fWSdB_gqrA5I4oQ53-pGXI1RyGtpgmnUesq4iMqA5TONArsWmoGWP2gQfX94JG7mCru-eHj9j9k9jDZm08ZhkYS3Nrbd9Ft8HhkW2J7mMhswhiYCQ/s400/sanmiguel12.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Because of the number of choices, you'll probably have dessert more than once. :-)<br />
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To drink, I always had the Spanish "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangria" style="font-style: italic;">sangria</a>", a mixture of red wine, brandy, triple sec, fruit juice and sugar. It's so light and easy to drink; you'll get drunk before you know it!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBty8tcgT9F879cCRwb0PCDjSPthaDwIi6ZheEAi9qPnhKUjH2J5F1hQtCtgd9thn-XDV1VLeou-BWk8KArKtJB6znP6C4hoDECQjAKtPzs059VNNZviEzNjKIB_47o698PaZ9Rs012aQ/s1600/spain.bearbrick.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br />
</a>Madrid isn't like New York, Hong Kong or Paris when it comes to shopping. If it's any indication, you won't find a <a href="http://www.balenciaga.com/" style="font-style: italic;">Balenciaga</a> boutique here (even though its original designer and founder, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crist%C3%B3bal_Balenciaga"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cristobal Balenciaga</span></a>, was born in Spain)!<br />
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In Madrid, what you save in shopping money, you gain in calories! :-P<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">(Top pic) The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Spain">Spain</a> "We Love Football" Bearbrick is one of a series of bears representing some of the countries who participated in the 2006 World Cup.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Produced in cooperation with K</span><span style="font-style: italic;">entucky Fried Chicken Hong Kong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Photos by yours truly. Copyright bearbricklove.com 2010.</span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-52347281876074076052010-03-30T23:11:00.023+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.830+08:00red hot passion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsLsmBBoigh7nFvGL4Ol9U1tfbfYSdHGC4S0Aydx4PrQlP_pbTp4slCLDedo1PIP4Fx92WPWlxJUcGyJCc0ispq2KSAwHm3GGZGLQU2KdteEeCSvhyKtqoiH7AZ9IEipXNSbECgB1O9A/s1600/red.shoes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsLsmBBoigh7nFvGL4Ol9U1tfbfYSdHGC4S0Aydx4PrQlP_pbTp4slCLDedo1PIP4Fx92WPWlxJUcGyJCc0ispq2KSAwHm3GGZGLQU2KdteEeCSvhyKtqoiH7AZ9IEipXNSbECgB1O9A/s400/red.shoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454367737255956962" border="0" /></a>Last March 24, I was at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Heathrow_Airport"><span style="font-style: italic;">London Heathrow Airport</span></a> waiting for my connecting flight to <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid">Madrid</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain"><span style="font-style: italic;">Spain.</span></a> Instead of sitting in the lounge for coffee, pastry and Facebook, I decided to kill time by window shopping.<br /><br />Okay, I admit that with me, window shopping can turn into panic buying at the sight of a sale sign or a hot new item.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKko9IAn09ZMwOSea3O_OyA_puy_KOCIjBctRxc4aRAIEKK0X2cIsximkw5upMTpPtpGflleg6tUzhxsFSRpiNaoRnNNOz7r18zhxVhYi2Q3LOWuyxIoGpOX-cYLcViYX9VWa064DDUzg/s1600/red.shoes2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKko9IAn09ZMwOSea3O_OyA_puy_KOCIjBctRxc4aRAIEKK0X2cIsximkw5upMTpPtpGflleg6tUzhxsFSRpiNaoRnNNOz7r18zhxVhYi2Q3LOWuyxIoGpOX-cYLcViYX9VWa064DDUzg/s320/red.shoes2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454367651557253154" border="0" /></a>So, yes, I ended up getting the bright red loafers on the left.<br /><br />Frankly, I had to think hard of where I would wear them before I gave the cashier my Visa card. Probably not to church, like what the vain little girl did in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Andersen"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hans Christian Andersen</span></a>'s fairy tale entitled <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Shoes_%28fairy_tale%29">"The Red Shoes"</a> – the priest might deny me Holy Communion! I doubt if I would wear them to a <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfighting">bullfight</a> in Madrid, either, unless I wanted the bull to run after me. And I don't think I have a chance of ever wearing it to the beach, but that's not because of its color, right?<br /><br />Nevertheless, red is awfully attractive. And like red roses, red lips, red hearts, red sportscars, red apples, strawberries and cherries, those shiny red <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.bally.com/">Bally</a> shoes are simply irresistible to me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Top pic) The </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red">red</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jelly_bean">Jellybean</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> Bearbrick from Series 18. Pic by yours truly / Copyright March 2010.</span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-83797312537112817232010-03-15T23:30:00.006+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.847+08:00the figures behind the fight<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZvI3uZ5P7FF6B8rYTKSyxZeuYNmtkZvD79drtwNvUaBPmPnCBzGb6V0S99krKbEDsLLlvojlPBi3VSeeLM89Vialhyphenhyphene4fCIwBManBtmNrudqLxhwbChrvZOqgGHtJ69-7A2yWDItl3w/s1600-h/fighter2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZvI3uZ5P7FF6B8rYTKSyxZeuYNmtkZvD79drtwNvUaBPmPnCBzGb6V0S99krKbEDsLLlvojlPBi3VSeeLM89Vialhyphenhyphene4fCIwBManBtmNrudqLxhwbChrvZOqgGHtJ69-7A2yWDItl3w/s400/fighter2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448542750418403570" border="0" /></a>Did you watch the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/03/manny-pacquiao-vs-joshua-clottey-live-round-by-round-updates.html">Pacquiao-Clottey match</a> last Saturday night? According to <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://compuboxonline.com/news.php?news=CompuBox_Analysis%3A_Pacquiao_vs._Clottey&news_id=65&start=0&category_id=2&parent_id=2&arcyear=Y&arcmonth=M">CompuBox</a>, a computer program that counts and categorizes punches thrown and connected in boxing matches, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manny_Pacquiao"><span style="font-style: italic;">Manny Pacquiao</span></a>'s red gloves landed 246 of 1,231 punches; <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Clottey">Joshua Clottey</a> connected only on 108 of 399.<br /><br />The numbers indicate that Clottey practically didn't put up a fight! According to many viewers, he was trying to cover his face the whole time. After 12 rounds, Pacquiao was declared winner.<br /><br />At a press con, Clottey explained, “He’s very, very fast. I tried to catch him, but he always manages to move out. He’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”<br /><br />Clottey earned $1.25 million, excluding pay-per-view revenue, a figure which could run up to more than $3 million, according to some speculators.<br /><br />Seems like Clottey wasn't a loser after all. :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-g89ZmC13CFFGiM4sNnb4Xj5NeyACAH7Jp9G1p2WQUT2mlrQ_YVl1m9sRgBw7WZ7qO_9Vn7shR8M9a4OPDpxYWNkBDxrCQWda7Am6TgceDbWwx8QKJiIunt9DYbdohbseFICO94wcP8/s1600-h/pacquiao.clottey.latimes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-g89ZmC13CFFGiM4sNnb4Xj5NeyACAH7Jp9G1p2WQUT2mlrQ_YVl1m9sRgBw7WZ7qO_9Vn7shR8M9a4OPDpxYWNkBDxrCQWda7Am6TgceDbWwx8QKJiIunt9DYbdohbseFICO94wcP8/s400/pacquiao.clottey.latimes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448536807991790514" border="0" /></a>(Top) The <a href="http://www.tokidoki.it/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tokidoki</span></a> Fighter Bearbrick, the fifth (5th) 100% bear designed by famous Italian illustrator <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.tokidoki.it/about/">Simone Legno</a>.<br /><br />Bearbrick pic by Yours Truly, Copyright March 2010 / Fight pic/info from <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/13/sports/la-sp-pacquiao-clottey-analysis-20100314"><span style="font-style: italic;">LA Times Online</span></a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://pacquiaovsclottey.boxingnewsupdates.com/">paquiaovsclottey</a><a href="http://pacquiaovsclottey.boxingnewsupdates.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">.boxingnewsupdates.com</span></a>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-919858637431699342010-02-14T00:00:00.012+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.864+08:00the best of 19<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RiwOs3UZLgO4Rp6_oOjHcm6SKx_lGNLp3MiXjX0kxhNNMc5ADH8BP7gvy-sivPjG3qVtauqq_14722lNXY_pvRvzi7QfZEglrOwSsJBI63VeR2TNE3wIGRd3jhJyOR_-hHYzcdicgSg/s1600-h/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RiwOs3UZLgO4Rp6_oOjHcm6SKx_lGNLp3MiXjX0kxhNNMc5ADH8BP7gvy-sivPjG3qVtauqq_14722lNXY_pvRvzi7QfZEglrOwSsJBI63VeR2TNE3wIGRd3jhJyOR_-hHYzcdicgSg/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448481937062963186" border="0" /></a><span>Here it is, finally – my Series 19. I am going to admit outright that I didn't get the complete set because I felt that the others weren't special enough. I mean, some people got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create a bearbrick and they blew it... :-/<br /><br />Thank God for the talented bunch who designed the wonderful bearbricks above!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />First row, left to right:</span><br /><br />Jellybean (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_blue"><span style="font-style: italic;">Carolina Blue</span></a>)<br />Pattern (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard"><span style="font-style: italic;">Leopard</span></a>)<br />Flag (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain"><span style="font-style: italic;">Spain</span></a>)<br />Horror (<span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.uglydolls.com/">Uglydoll</a> / <a href="http://www.uglydolls.com/#/about/">Wage</a></span> by <a href="http://www.ploom2.com/uglydollinterview.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">David Horvath</span></a>)<br />SciFi (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek"><span style="font-style: italic;">Star Trek</span></a> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spock"><span style="font-style: italic;">Spock</span></a>)<br />Cute (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoko_Nakagawa"><span style="font-style: italic;">Shoko Nakagawa</span></a> / <a href="http://www.watanabepro.co.jp/mypage/artist/nakagawashoko.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Watanabe Entertainment</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoko_Nakagawa"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></a>)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Second row, left to right:</span><br /><br />Animal (Paradise Lost, Donkey Sister by <a href="http://translate.google.com.ph/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://www.jimmyspa.com/&ei=Gp92S561Hci0rAfcx8D1Dw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djimmy%2Bspa%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Dibc"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jimmy Liao</span></a> /<a href="http://www.jimmyspa.com/en/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jimmy S.P.A.</span></a>)<br />Artist (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.thebrilliance.com/thebrilliance/interviews/kazukikuraishi/interview.asp">Kazuki Kuraishi</a> / KZK)<br />Artist (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Robot_Productions"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bad Robot</span></a>)<br />Secret SciFi (<a href="http://playevolution.wordpress.com/2009/03/22/shf-momotaros-imagin-dx-set/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Momotaros Imagine</span></a> / <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamen_Rider_Den-O"><span style="font-style: italic;">Masked Rider Den O</span></a>)<br />Secret (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stussy"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stussy</span></a> / XXXth Anniversary)<br />Secret Artist (<a href="http://www.mattblackstudio.com/other_medicom.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">My Dirty Diamonds</span></a> / <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.mattblackstudio.com/">Matt Black</a>)<br />Secret (<a href="http://revolholic.com/index/index.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Revolver Japan</span></a> /<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.lamjc.com/Interview-Kiri-from-Revolver,1229">Kiri</a>)<br /><br />(If you want to see which ones I didn't want/get, look for them <a href="http://marcollection2.blogspot.com/2010/02/berbrick-series-19-hidden-bear.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">here.</span></a>)<br /><br />I really like the Leopard Pattern and the flocked Kazuki Kuraishi bears. But the Uglydoll bearbrick is my favorite because it has a very interesting love story behind it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1BmHosVe3YA915wOCWomyfvgDij-5apxxRSFdjY9llhSSg0TLw7GssLQycb-0iHqckMCuQnxPqVKdovZfRyvx2xJoI8Rsxlz6_U-5LKh6Wqs8b8vmZspv4loWZ4aOm1cyjCmPGdKAlM/s1600-h/wage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1BmHosVe3YA915wOCWomyfvgDij-5apxxRSFdjY9llhSSg0TLw7GssLQycb-0iHqckMCuQnxPqVKdovZfRyvx2xJoI8Rsxlz6_U-5LKh6Wqs8b8vmZspv4loWZ4aOm1cyjCmPGdKAlM/s400/wage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437731699215249362" border="0" /></a>Back in 2001, toy designers/lovers <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uglydolls">David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim</a> had to part ways as she had to go back to her native Korea. He regularly sent her "I miss you" letters with his little "Wage" character drawn at the bottom of the page. Once, Sun-Min surprised David by sending him a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuffed_toy"><span style="font-style: italic;">plush</span></a> doll version of Wage which she sewed herself. It was so cute that they both decided to sell copies of it at the <a href="http://secure.giantrobot.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Giant Robot Store</span></a> in LA. Its overnight success gave birth to more <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t_6ZDDAPco">Uglydoll</a> characters that also became bestsellers in designer toy stores. David and Sun-Min are now married and have little cuties, not uglies, of their own. :-)<br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day, bearbrick lovers!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pic by Yours Truly / Copyright February 2010</span> /Uglydoll plush pic from www.iksentrik.co.uk / Drawing from www.uglydolls.combearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-72113679816923011492010-01-12T23:00:00.020+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.898+08:00the baseball hero<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xvfROc9eCPAEiSyGINAj2sBoQK9c96nHaUtHyE1GN897zlfJjz7huXjKs6yUMVMWERWkkdVr53W8bMPMiL6BBGdPg6om_51eIxotnwAplMO3pP06YKQwochn5nK8CC7iSxyGm14CoY4/s1600-h/wang.bearbrick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xvfROc9eCPAEiSyGINAj2sBoQK9c96nHaUtHyE1GN897zlfJjz7huXjKs6yUMVMWERWkkdVr53W8bMPMiL6BBGdPg6om_51eIxotnwAplMO3pP06YKQwochn5nK8CC7iSxyGm14CoY4/s400/wang.bearbrick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425886869650408418" border="0" /></a>My visit to Taipei would not have been complete without a trip to <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.hotdogtoyz.com/">Hot Dog Toyz</a>, probably the best bearbrick source in the whole of Taiwan. I dropped by on January 1 – what a exciting way to start the year! As I leaned close to the display shelf, I immediately spotted this bearbrick in baseball uniform (see above).<br /><br />The saleslady (who remembered me from last year's visit) told me excitedly, "That's supposed to be <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chien-Ming_Wang">Chien-Ming Wang</a>. He's a Taiwanese who pitched for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Yankees"><span style="font-style: italic;">New York Yankees</span></a>. It comes with a nicely-bound book that contains all his <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.baseball-almanac.com/rb_menu.shtml">baseball records</a>."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq97qkyYVus5buWcH-3YXwW7CUJaZL86FIHUpyUW8M-i9AuolY1IkpWvAkyf6wBfFnqSyBLq2iXRkIRAyCEelHi0PJWHpGYM1it64XrL3W-a3ibCFb3mNhdR3ctZ1FE-bB_DuKzu25s1M/s1600-h/wang3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq97qkyYVus5buWcH-3YXwW7CUJaZL86FIHUpyUW8M-i9AuolY1IkpWvAkyf6wBfFnqSyBLq2iXRkIRAyCEelHi0PJWHpGYM1it64XrL3W-a3ibCFb3mNhdR3ctZ1FE-bB_DuKzu25s1M/s320/wang3.jpg" border="0" /></a>She rummaged through piles of unopened boxes and lifted two boxed sets. "There's two versions – two bearbricks, two different uniforms, see? But both record books are the same."<br /><br />"So he's a baseball star, huh?" I smiled.<br /><br />She frowned a bit. "Yes, but since 2008, he's had a series of injuries – now, he's out of the team."<br /><br />I reached out for the boxes and examined them.<br /><br />"Those have been marked down," she continued, "Less NT$400!" (That's US$12.50)<br /><br />Half of me was happy about the discount, although the other half felt sorry for Chien-Ming Wang. Imagine, mementos and memories of his glory days as ace pitcher for the Yankees had just depreciated! :-/<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPITqZD5Q4u3WPzSQITgEsjigu2ktdIpmSlm8Im9PiMl_LFKYQHx-tqh_0Wm9WgSrgfFi-kx_7p5nt9AwhOediw47choBc_XbW2Zt3HVl3E45zw_oJbdhrtWnTJi23Qbom7eBzjZIwbjE/s1600-h/wang2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPITqZD5Q4u3WPzSQITgEsjigu2ktdIpmSlm8Im9PiMl_LFKYQHx-tqh_0Wm9WgSrgfFi-kx_7p5nt9AwhOediw47choBc_XbW2Zt3HVl3E45zw_oJbdhrtWnTJi23Qbom7eBzjZIwbjE/s400/wang2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425887098311934498" border="0" /></a>While trying to shrug off my mixed feelings, I placed my Visa card on the counter and said, "I'll take them."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wang currently lives in Fort Lee, New Jersey with his wife,</span><sup style="font-style: italic;" id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chien-Ming_Wang#cite_note-24"><span></span><span></span></a></sup><span style="font-style: italic;"> Chia-Ling Wu, and their 7-month old son named Justin Jesse.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pics by yours truly. Copyright January 2010. Info from wikipedia / </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/12/ny_yankees_cut_ties_with_chien.html">www.nj.com</a><br /></div></div>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-21908856993516314752010-01-01T23:30:00.008+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.915+08:002009 be@rbrick of the year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzklORngncL3wrWfipE8jleyxr0WsOjKTtVBYyO8PynyTuOnjKfIISvCZBh17_dBFKUv0ucyOe-9yIzJ00c0e1rf70MJH8IlTDGmbRy_zilV2XTRlE-JOamDsIJSgt0XzEX3FOstVBi4/s1600-h/liao.bearbrick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzklORngncL3wrWfipE8jleyxr0WsOjKTtVBYyO8PynyTuOnjKfIISvCZBh17_dBFKUv0ucyOe-9yIzJ00c0e1rf70MJH8IlTDGmbRy_zilV2XTRlE-JOamDsIJSgt0XzEX3FOstVBi4/s400/liao.bearbrick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421625341730084098" border="0" /></a>I've never hit the 'buy-it-now' button on eBay faster than when I first saw the Jimmy Liao bearbrick (above). Released during last year's <a href="http://www.taipeitoyfestival.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Taipei Toy Festival</span></a>, I consider it my favorite bearbrick of 2009 for two reasons.<br /><br />1. It's simply beautiful. From composition to color. From idea to illustration style.<br /><br />2. It promotes art, not a brand of jeans nor a department store.<br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.jimmyspa.com/">Jimmy Liao</a> is Taiwan's best-known illustrator. A design graduate from the fine arts department of the Chinese Culture University, Liao worked in an ad agency for twelve years. After a bout with leukemia, he quit his advertising job and started to write and draw books for children.<br /><br />The bearbrick's design is based on an illustration which first appeared in Liao's book, "How To Own A Corner" (below).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4FKzn_dpROtzviegd-pmGHX1SjSAQ6jiSIyDhYu5FjC-a5Nh72iGP51b4yzEFtVJ9cBxTJIB6N07h82ZUDwn1WcdZ6GIh8CD6ycOHz11Hh203rbX3yr9YbcKSx7eJ6g1usdx7G86gzg/s1600-h/liaobook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4FKzn_dpROtzviegd-pmGHX1SjSAQ6jiSIyDhYu5FjC-a5Nh72iGP51b4yzEFtVJ9cBxTJIB6N07h82ZUDwn1WcdZ6GIh8CD6ycOHz11Hh203rbX3yr9YbcKSx7eJ6g1usdx7G86gzg/s400/liaobook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421389237754654210" border="0" /></a>According to someone I asked, the Chinese caption at the lower right of the page says, "I wish that in every corner of the world, everyone will find his own happiness." A beautiful wish for the new year, isn't it?<br /><br />By coincidence, I am now in <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei">Taipei</a>, Taiwan, for a short holiday. Instead of a trip to a museum or park, I first opted to visit the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nangang_Station">Nangang Subway Station</a> because I read somewhere that Jimmy Liao's work decorate the station's walls.<br /><br />See? I took pictures!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiO6fMw2XkB650Jzap3vA0i7sH3gYAhg0msulWGgOPDAZrp38tp9zZmVWU6XyW_xCyrWlJqZegwtFxNk-1S61Kj4gN-_fd8OPJ8qFrr5e95j_gYxHKnaxk4iQeR59CYQC4ZVyQc10wQI/s1600-h/liao01a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiO6fMw2XkB650Jzap3vA0i7sH3gYAhg0msulWGgOPDAZrp38tp9zZmVWU6XyW_xCyrWlJqZegwtFxNk-1S61Kj4gN-_fd8OPJ8qFrr5e95j_gYxHKnaxk4iQeR59CYQC4ZVyQc10wQI/s400/liao01a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421381336030226066" border="0" /></a>Below is a humongous hare, a recurring figure in Jimmy's work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUAxvpTPHE9M0OlIgaiK_pM-vIJeGRmgMcngjgKaw80yCxaMa1-OufUqMXLoXTo5GLHbzVUd_9QcKY3MpLIoFl_hh9heCGQtBox6voZf_Sq5WUFU9FhWocxRUv6TdLyyZZTMTqCO4MY8/s1600-h/liao02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUAxvpTPHE9M0OlIgaiK_pM-vIJeGRmgMcngjgKaw80yCxaMa1-OufUqMXLoXTo5GLHbzVUd_9QcKY3MpLIoFl_hh9heCGQtBox6voZf_Sq5WUFU9FhWocxRUv6TdLyyZZTMTqCO4MY8/s400/liao02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421381283006656354" border="0" /></a>The little cat-boy carrying the moon is a character from his book, "The Moon Forgets".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsonrEL7oFWliUC0ohzOUoX61BtGps8cRx4MOIeXZU5ocPgNeDjLXTmRzXMBarpEpW-DT8b8KyNopWSkESe9DmPxybvjyWK-oDjnI_xZBUsnRgJiWbVCFE3pdp2G9ys7YqGnTpyRns2c/s1600-h/liao03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsonrEL7oFWliUC0ohzOUoX61BtGps8cRx4MOIeXZU5ocPgNeDjLXTmRzXMBarpEpW-DT8b8KyNopWSkESe9DmPxybvjyWK-oDjnI_xZBUsnRgJiWbVCFE3pdp2G9ys7YqGnTpyRns2c/s400/liao03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421377400149590050" border="0" /></a>I love this chair collection! Do you see the sitting girl?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvZZXn526ZhMrNzeG-mADbdwo5x2-ZX0iEXd0PQfKUwDKSVsnEdtX6H6oAF6jwsAEGsPmX4sgwi4Vzdt_1YIROuAQtekIdwss4cAhlu3hppVZRNAUF13Sz_PQWvUddI2AqOucRZYuMGQ/s1600-h/liao07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvZZXn526ZhMrNzeG-mADbdwo5x2-ZX0iEXd0PQfKUwDKSVsnEdtX6H6oAF6jwsAEGsPmX4sgwi4Vzdt_1YIROuAQtekIdwss4cAhlu3hppVZRNAUF13Sz_PQWvUddI2AqOucRZYuMGQ/s400/liao07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421377308112179858" border="0" /></a>The giant drummer boy below is sitting along the main corridor that connects all exits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LkgPl9e6QyojSJ3izaD3sKmEpk5kczQQGcWwSGlt7-9dCJQldRXJ-DbXRVOhQACpJSVD7oCK2XRMRZo765KmHZ9Dql_WT9F6CyJWuyUwYxT-sobcDTVud1tL4bFvCSX4w-XQiy6WzTA/s1600-h/liao04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LkgPl9e6QyojSJ3izaD3sKmEpk5kczQQGcWwSGlt7-9dCJQldRXJ-DbXRVOhQACpJSVD7oCK2XRMRZo765KmHZ9Dql_WT9F6CyJWuyUwYxT-sobcDTVud1tL4bFvCSX4w-XQiy6WzTA/s400/liao04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421377239352804402" border="0" /></a>Below are the three most arresting images that I found alongside the train tracks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas_TZ5pzc6bsNs0DhAx7LXTAaTHBudTg0Pew9LyiOD2VTiMjYYmjow_EeW2PXVvzbXpihhXUgoO_GTWSqLNWL_37SWRdmV57DkeoRtq-YAlwZ6mqF0PGR5DZ91FcFRenF__2GGJVvkrY/s1600-h/liao06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas_TZ5pzc6bsNs0DhAx7LXTAaTHBudTg0Pew9LyiOD2VTiMjYYmjow_EeW2PXVvzbXpihhXUgoO_GTWSqLNWL_37SWRdmV57DkeoRtq-YAlwZ6mqF0PGR5DZ91FcFRenF__2GGJVvkrY/s400/liao06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421377087672362834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw76V6-SnTZQ_hPdWIdwxOFmsc_KTi7GsILkdTAbIC-9ulo_yomsnQneFgSPv7zGp23wusK1c6QmN3UoIK7u4txSPwZEmgvfGCVGsSmAfD7rbuYj47PdpfiRTBGODXauuS_wALuE8liI/s1600-h/liao05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw76V6-SnTZQ_hPdWIdwxOFmsc_KTi7GsILkdTAbIC-9ulo_yomsnQneFgSPv7zGp23wusK1c6QmN3UoIK7u4txSPwZEmgvfGCVGsSmAfD7rbuYj47PdpfiRTBGODXauuS_wALuE8liI/s400/liao05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421376980160432882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh889eRe9NQII97XyAf08ejC9ROQfZzvxpuBRk4qz2TRXN9mxMxT4cPO6r65ShXCPzjsJXyAvN2ZxooPjNbxTRpf3OiiMmlFpborbdtRxoYYHN5hG0DXS6-xOoTm8JcqaPjCK6cNn8Ue_8/s1600-h/liao08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh889eRe9NQII97XyAf08ejC9ROQfZzvxpuBRk4qz2TRXN9mxMxT4cPO6r65ShXCPzjsJXyAvN2ZxooPjNbxTRpf3OiiMmlFpborbdtRxoYYHN5hG0DXS6-xOoTm8JcqaPjCK6cNn8Ue_8/s400/liao08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421376877263417634" border="0" /></a>Taipei's subway stations are generally not remarkable. In fact, I find them rather antiseptic. But at the Nangang Station, Liao's whimsical imagination has delighted many local commuters and tourists like me.<br /><br />Whenever I chance upon art on the street, whether it's painted graffiti on the side of an old building or a commissioned mural on subway walls, I find instant joy. There's really nothing like beauty to brighten up any corner of the world.<br /><br />Happy new year, bearbrick lovers! :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All pics by yours truly. Copyright January 2010. Info from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.culture.tw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=905&Itemid=157">culture.tw</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/01/10/190417">taipeitimes.com</a>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-49112789242288466772009-12-02T00:15:00.000+08:002013-03-24T00:19:55.296+08:00game over!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIqtYEFx8tNoIWdgyRk3OPETmEepjiPVDlvKiA5krwxG2EO17aDxupe_agdIf4pu_IOWlKmWt8Sp1aQjU5cokyuR2O3JD0zPuRlu1CDxqQkeQAzB3OhLaAyGUz2W3Z63GOAjpesWc2fw/s1600/winner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406151429341175266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIqtYEFx8tNoIWdgyRk3OPETmEepjiPVDlvKiA5krwxG2EO17aDxupe_agdIf4pu_IOWlKmWt8Sp1aQjU5cokyuR2O3JD0zPuRlu1CDxqQkeQAzB3OhLaAyGUz2W3Z63GOAjpesWc2fw/s400/winner.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 279px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>What a score – unbelievable! Level 23??? You are the Tetris champ of all time!<br />
<br />
Congratulations, Anna Padilla! Please email me your mailing address so I can mail you the 3 bears, okay? :-)bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-53911874382991524312009-12-01T22:00:00.000+08:002013-03-24T00:18:37.139+08:00score a tetris be@rbrick!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiAlmrg_L1CCkPaj6S7W4KLbIowUG2-pzpEmhRoQaA3XRArcnNL_0gUgm_gnhLCiT1w-OR2AiHtmIxFhacfRuAN_xjS8kCLOYF1C6sPdk00BO3djCJ_Gha-VK4xvvEamq2xdIK-yl-rM/s1600-h/tetris.bearbrick.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393969036170818594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiAlmrg_L1CCkPaj6S7W4KLbIowUG2-pzpEmhRoQaA3XRArcnNL_0gUgm_gnhLCiT1w-OR2AiHtmIxFhacfRuAN_xjS8kCLOYF1C6sPdk00BO3djCJ_Gha-VK4xvvEamq2xdIK-yl-rM/s400/tetris.bearbrick.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Wanna join?<br />
<br />
All you need to do to win a Tetris Bearbrick (and more) is to play <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris" style="font-style: italic;">Tetris</a>, the popular video game invented by 53-year old Russian computer engineer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexey_Pajitnov"><span style="font-style: italic;">Alexey Pajitnov</span></a> in 1985.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw6GH09WnuU77ib4FbCx2NUPMgHyR1Hwx5wPqxVWgmKQuPR8PhzeCF6RdbJfPrvr10TOIrIWRzJuVO-YaEjmZ8QvWifbeZai5wTbf0YA6hl-9CrOHcIep8d9LNcBZXCd5bI1l-yx6-N4/s1600-h/tetris.bearbrick2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393965233113794322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw6GH09WnuU77ib4FbCx2NUPMgHyR1Hwx5wPqxVWgmKQuPR8PhzeCF6RdbJfPrvr10TOIrIWRzJuVO-YaEjmZ8QvWifbeZai5wTbf0YA6hl-9CrOHcIep8d9LNcBZXCd5bI1l-yx6-N4/s320/tetris.bearbrick2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a>1. Where to play:<br />
<a href="http://www.freetetris.org/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">freetetris.org</span></a><br />
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2. How to join:<br />
Take a screenshot of your <span style="font-weight: bold;">highest score</span> and email it to <span style="font-style: italic;">acomia@pldtdsl.net</span><br />
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3. What's the prize:<br />
one (1) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tetris </span>Bearbrick, one (1) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Red Jelly Bean </span>Bearbrick, one (1) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ren_and_Stimpy_Show" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Ren</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Bearbrick, all from <a href="http://www.bearbricklove.com/2009/07/debut-of-18.html" style="font-style: italic;">Series 18</a> (left).<br />
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4. Deadline for <span style="font-weight: bold;">submission:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Nov. 18, 2009. </span>Announcement of<span style="font-weight: bold;"> winner: Nov. 20, 2009.</span> If you win, I will send you the prize via registered airmail – it's that simple!<br />
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So, why buy these bearbricks on eBay when you can get them here for free? :-)<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">(Pics by Bearbrick Lover /</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Copyright</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, October 2009.)</span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-19436588825256670042009-11-08T18:00:00.017+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.964+08:00beauty & the be@rbrick!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvLRiY6yNZobVpl9IYt5GFzXgtnvhsdb8x38bW9AR0KTC12o5ocx4AeAskX6V2BFkrR9Q94Pa7ESuWv8xAqSs1tUC-UYJdeeleOnhfiVXp_6nalUQhv5SJifORXI-6ICkK9FxqDAqM9I/s1600-h/cube.bearbrick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvLRiY6yNZobVpl9IYt5GFzXgtnvhsdb8x38bW9AR0KTC12o5ocx4AeAskX6V2BFkrR9Q94Pa7ESuWv8xAqSs1tUC-UYJdeeleOnhfiVXp_6nalUQhv5SJifORXI-6ICkK9FxqDAqM9I/s400/cube.bearbrick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401665596487092962" border="0" /></a>Where can a Be@rbrick lover get a haircut?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZE-QfxJd6trsZ0GdcTrdIYNCiKwmdbm_OLIntdRDxYw3HokxxclTb5i16JKXYsit2pD5YlUT-4VRjRKGn3uqd7Go-5-w_CRBs4EV_w3k_BzosYlVUHKdZ4DzFkdMshaTRXXqgZYFaao/s1600-h/beautybrick1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZE-QfxJd6trsZ0GdcTrdIYNCiKwmdbm_OLIntdRDxYw3HokxxclTb5i16JKXYsit2pD5YlUT-4VRjRKGn3uqd7Go-5-w_CRBs4EV_w3k_BzosYlVUHKdZ4DzFkdMshaTRXXqgZYFaao/s320/beautybrick1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401387545918544626" border="0" /></a>At the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be@utybrick</span> Hair Art Studio, of course! :-D<br /><br />(Left) Owned by a young Korean stylist named Shin (who speaks fluent Japanese), it's a place where one can get a haircut like a Korean pop star's. For only P600 / US$12.<br /><br />Too bad I shave my head! LOL<br /><br /><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Location:</span> Unit 103 Doña Consolacion Building, 122 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air Village, Makati City, Philippines.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you, <a href="http://sunfish7.livejournal.com/">Sunny</a>, for this very amusing discovery! ;-)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc_WT32r0YEam8TiL3DYrzUsTmg3DVTPfLj-gxOyZHLNVwBydvJlAnvCr14EAPOcW_L13mrVHecWC5NCm_BNE6iHAZTh_i3JccbZDslMppjnTowE9lQwFSYWtszWiognIaYDDz3zU3Hg/s1600-h/beautybrick2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc_WT32r0YEam8TiL3DYrzUsTmg3DVTPfLj-gxOyZHLNVwBydvJlAnvCr14EAPOcW_L13mrVHecWC5NCm_BNE6iHAZTh_i3JccbZDslMppjnTowE9lQwFSYWtszWiognIaYDDz3zU3Hg/s400/beautybrick2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401387450980336722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK4t8K2CjUC0ltYB43Lc7oz3F8DJubYGfyuf689KRtN6L1bKw3d0DVBUjiiztqblCIL-p0MzskvwSu1KRLUVLkLKJ7-ZCgs8THPDpFRKF-8Bd7iVoZG2seGZcqn4sFdDfACAbUnwfBt4/s1600-h/beautybrick3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK4t8K2CjUC0ltYB43Lc7oz3F8DJubYGfyuf689KRtN6L1bKw3d0DVBUjiiztqblCIL-p0MzskvwSu1KRLUVLkLKJ7-ZCgs8THPDpFRKF-8Bd7iVoZG2seGZcqn4sFdDfACAbUnwfBt4/s400/beautybrick3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401387392724757442" border="0" /></a>(Top pic) The white bearbrick with the "scissor" eye was designed for <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.cubemag.com/">CUBE</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Art Bookzine by <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.sartoria.com/">Sartoria Communicazione</a>, a design firm based in Modeno, Italy. Released in December of 2004, it's one of ten Worldwide Tour Bearbricks (Set C).<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Info/salon pics from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://jonas321.blogspot.com/2009/08/beautybrick-hair-art-salon-korean-owned.html">The Jonas Chronicles</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, <a href="http://www.spot.ph/2009/10/12/the-korean-invasion-5-korean-salons-to-try/2/">spot.ph</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> / Hair pic from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.apnimarzi.com/hairstyles-for-women-2/">apnimarzi.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> / scissors pic from <a href="http://iconscissors.com/X3.html">ironscissors.com</a> / Bearbrick pic and digital imaging by yours truly</span>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539485202766917016.post-85201526756153019842009-10-30T22:50:00.009+08:002011-01-05T09:12:08.982+08:00anybody out there?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7LdS5xkoQp4rvO6aaQo3EabfDoL1zW2DXKiaXr2V0JkUzNBl1Y1LW0oL1hM3Fyb8ElKI-KMzevKaA9kEdZQj-XqCfND3Wx8igslarH0qBhsW5o4kY_Yvi5icFQ13QHK9F08qf2oGQRY/s1600-h/interstellar.bearbrick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7LdS5xkoQp4rvO6aaQo3EabfDoL1zW2DXKiaXr2V0JkUzNBl1Y1LW0oL1hM3Fyb8ElKI-KMzevKaA9kEdZQj-XqCfND3Wx8igslarH0qBhsW5o4kY_Yvi5icFQ13QHK9F08qf2oGQRY/s400/interstellar.bearbrick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396412218920255922" border="0" /></a>I was checking my email last week when I heard my business partner S (who was reading the newpaper) say, "A new planet's been discovered – doesn't that make you think we may not be alone in the universe?"<br /><br />Could she have been referring to the planet named WASP-17 which was discovered by the UK's <span>Wide Area Search for Planets</span> project in collaboration with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observatory_of_Geneva"><span style="font-style: italic;">Observatory of Geneva</span></a> last August 2009?<br /><br />The planet, which is approximately 1000 <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-year">light years</a> away in the constellation <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorpius">Scorpius</a>, is said to be twice the size of Jupiter.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Planets (like Earth) are thought to form when dust particles and gases around a newly-formed star gather to form rocks.<br /><br />"The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_bunny"><span style="font-style: italic;">dust bunnies</span></a> under your bed grow in a similar way." said Scott Kenyon, a planet-formation theorist at the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/">Harvard-Smithsonian Center</a> for <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics">Astrophysics</a>. "And after a million years, a dust bunny can get pretty big."<br /><br />So that explains the planets. But not the human race.<br /><br />Well, lemme put it this way: if we came from interstellar dust bunnies, then I don't wanna know! LOL<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMTw2yNbXWIpiBLCPNmZr1eMfQU7ak9ZgO8qQVUFjdiXz-NTFuyaXml9f3f6DCj5bKyOCFtq06zzZT9zXZESwBWa9gQHUPds7_RmfK7uClpM8E2ihNV8r7nTkXIK1FxqQvojkdefELPw/s1600-h/interstellar.bearbrick.back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMTw2yNbXWIpiBLCPNmZr1eMfQU7ak9ZgO8qQVUFjdiXz-NTFuyaXml9f3f6DCj5bKyOCFtq06zzZT9zXZESwBWa9gQHUPds7_RmfK7uClpM8E2ihNV8r7nTkXIK1FxqQvojkdefELPw/s400/interstellar.bearbrick.back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396412128915263378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Top pic) The Interstellar Bearbrick, a rare secret bear from Series 17, was designed by Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca of Chamanvision Visual and Literary Art Studio.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> It was inspired by "Interstellar Transmissions", Vaca's art book of digital images inspired by Jazz, Detroit Techno, Hip Hop, Electro and Funk – music by various artist that were built on themes of time and space.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">According to his <a href="http://www.chamanvision.com/">website</a>, "Vaca is a visual artist/writer working in various mediums including digital, writing, drawing and photography. His artwork is exhibited in art galleries around the world, including Parco Museum in Tokyo, Japan and the Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan. His writing is published in literary journals, magazines, books and anthologies including Dance the Guns to Silence. His photography is published in various art books including Graffiti World: Street Art from Five Continents."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">WASP planet background image from NASA / Bearbrick pics and digital imaging by Bearbrick Lover / </span>Info from <a href="http://www.chamanvision.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">chamanvision.com</span></a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/090812-backward-planet.html">space.com</a>, <a href="http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Huge_New_Planet_Tells_Of_Game_Of_Planetary_Billiards_999.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">spacedaily.com</span></a>bearbricklove.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842771989879120656noreply@blogger.com4