How do you say 'I love you' without being able to?

We are collapsed in the act of just being here
Three blues, two greens, and a beer

 — Stars, What I'm Trying to Say

Untitled [13]

Lettie shrugged. "Nobody looks like what they really are on the inside. You don't. I don't. people are much more complicated than that. It's true of everybody." 

I said, "Are you a monster? Like Ursula Monkton?" 

Lettie threw a pebble into the pond. "I don't think so," she said. "Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are things people are scared of. Some of them are things that look like things people used to be scared of a long time ago. Sometimes monsters are things people should be scared of, but they aren't." 

I said, "People should be scared of Ursula Monkton." 

"P'rhaps. What do you think Ursula Monkton is scared of?" 

"Dunno. Why do you think she's scared of anything? She's a grown-up, isn't she? Grown-ups and monsters aren't scared of things." 

"Oh, monsters are scared," said Lettie. "And as for grown-ups..." She stopped talking, rubbed her freckled nose with a finger. Then, "I'm going to tell you something important. Grown-ups don't look like grown-ups on the inside either. Outside, they're big and thoughtless and they always know what they're doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age. The truth is, there aren't any grown-ups. Not one, in the whole wide world." She thought for a moment. Then she smiled. "Except for Granny, of course."   

 — Neil Gaiman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane

History takes a roller coaster ride

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine - the WABAC - to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era: figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history. (c) Twentieth Century Fox

Mr. Peabody and Sherman was unexpectedly fun. Or pun-filled, as it were.

The 3D animated feature on the time-travelling adventures of the dog-and-his-boy tandem is both entertaining and clever, energetic and touching.

Honestly, I only agreed to watching it because I heard Bastille's Pompeii in the trailer, and I thought it was a good reason enough to watch it. Moreover, I'm certainly am not familiar with the cartoon series it was based on. And watching the trailer alone, I went to the cinema without any grand expectations aside from it being a straight-up science fiction adventure for kids. 

With the trio's misadventures told in breakneck speed, cheeky characterizations of historical figures, the rather poignant adoption father-and-son arc, not to mention the overall visual appeal of the sets and character designs, the film was surprisingly enjoyable. 

I'm actually more inclined to believe that the film is designed to be enjoyed by adults more, with all the lively historical anecdotes and puns. (Or maybe because my companion and I are kids-pretending-to-be-adults ourselves.) I think Mr. Peabody & Sherman didn't promise anything spectacular with its premise and plot. It's simple, and managed to deliver in the fun department.

Relapse

i.

there's a reason why you're jaded. there's a reason for your cynicism beyond what you've been telling the world. it's been this way before. it's always been this way for as long as you can remember. why should you believe this time's going to be any different?

ii.
praying for love and paying in naivety
praying for love and paying in naivety, oh

iii.

the metal instruments hit my skin, sounding like a fish flapping on the ground. i feel a tug here, and then there, but i don't feel the stark pain of being cut up. but it hurts, in a way, and i can't keep the tears from falling. with addled senses, i shut my eyes tight against the blinding light. please be over soon, please be over soon. 

iv.

it's better to burn than to fade away
it's better to leave than to be replaced

Of poets, departures, pine trees, and the cold north

The month that was in photos.

Lang Leav in Manila <3

Lining up for an autograph of the poetess

Newbies at the selfie game

In which  Melo gets a taste of contemporary poetry

:)

Group shot success, at last. About time, too.

Twisted Twister

Test of friendship

A bit of the blooms in Baguio

It's cold up north.

Baguio Market is so full of sights and sounds and gastronomic delights

Dragons v. Wolves v. Lions

Pine-scented mornings

Photo by Melo

Atop one of Mt. Pulag's peaks. It was foggy and rainy. :(
Photo by Melo

Will definitely be back for the sunrise and sea of clouds.
Photo by Melo

It's been quite an interesting handful of weeks.