Fabulista Reflects: On Mistakes.

Everybody makes mistakes. Everyone. And if myths on divinities are to be believed, then even divinities make mistakes. But that’s a digression.

What mistakes can be described as is that they are “unfortunate accidents”. Yes, that’s right, “accidents” and not “incidents”. They are accidents of miscalculations on infinitely varying levels.

Like all accidents that we are familiar with, some of them end very badly. What is important about this necessary process of experience is that we learn from it.

Vases are nice to look at. We put them on a pedestal. They are safe, but they are not tested for strength. We assume them as the fragile things that they are. But sometimes, we accidentally knock them over their high pedestals and they lay broken in pieces.

What we can do with the broken pieces is, we pick them up and we try to fix them. We fix them where the cracks and fissures occur. We fix them where they broke. We reinforce along those lines and make them whole again. The vase is not the same anymore. It is now a vase that has experienced a great misfortune – with the cracks to prove it.

But when we reinforce along the cracks of the pieces to make it whole again, we also make it stronger there, along those broken lines. Hopefully, we won’t drop the vase anymore. But should we have an accident again, hopefully, when we drop the vase it will not be due to the same cause of accident nor would the vase break along the same lines.

Fabulista Recollects: The Fingernail Moon.

As a child, like many others I have come to realize, I have a natural and inborn hatred to have my fingernails cut. Consequently, my grandma had always finds it a challenge to do so then. Once though, in a stroke of genius, she decided to turn it into an intriguing magic show.

“This magic, child, requires ten perfectly cut nails from a good boy’s fingers.” I was naturally intrigued. Grandma continued, “I will then toss the nails into air and give them a head start to rise.”

“Rise? Where to?” I was curious.

“Ahhh…” she replied sagely, “watch out for it in the evening – one will rise into the night sky.”

“Really? Will I be able to see it?”

“Of course you can, but you must be good and let me have your nails first…”

That night was a warm evening. Grandma and I went out to the verandah to cool ourselves with a woven fan, away from the warm house that was dissipating its heat from the afternoon sun.

As the twilight gave way to the night sky, grandma’s magic resumed its role. Peeking from behind the crowns of silhouetted tree tops was a brand new fingernail moon.

Fabulista Reviews: December Boys.

I caught the movie the other and have since gotten the original publication. It (the movie) is based on a novel of the same name by Michael Noonan. The protagonists of the story are really four orphan boys born in December sharing a common but strong bond borne out of a link beyond space and time.

One of the underlying theme seemed to suggest that children need a constant adult figure – the absence of which may lead to insecurity and constant self-doubt about one’s worth; no longer daring to hope – death of the spirit. Also, everyone needs companionship and everyone’s existence is dependent on relationships.

On the other hand, on a less tangible level, the characters brings one to realize that hope or the ability to hope is essential to one’s survival, even to the extent of meaningful living – the lost of which is internally devastating and externally destructive. Consequently, the proposed idea is that one must never kill another’s hope.

Nevertheless, despite the deeper ideas that the story arch tries to put to the audience, December Boys is ultimately a bittersweet adventure story of friendship that stands the test of time and emotional upheavals.

Fabulista Anticipates: More Movies.

1. National Treasure - Book of Secrets.

In this follow up to the box-office hit “National Treasure,” treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) once again sets out on an exhilarating, action-packed new global quest to unearth hidden history and treasures.

When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben’s great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s death. Determined to prove his ancestor’s innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America. This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations – but to the trail of the world’s most treasured secrets.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Jon Turteltaub and directed by Turteltaub, the story reunites the original cast including Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha and Academy Award ®-winner Jon Voight, joined this time by four-time Academy Award ®-nominee Ed Harris, Academy Award ®-nominee Harvey Keitel, and 2006 Academy Award ®-winner Helen Mirren.

2. Elizabeth - The Golden Age.



Reprising the roles they originated in seven-time Academy Award®-nominated Elizabeth, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush return for a gripping historical thriller laced with treachery and romance--Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Joining them in the epic is Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh, a dashing seafarer and newfound temptation for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age finds Queen Elizabeth I (Oscar®-winner Cate Blanchett) facing familial betrayal and danger for her throne and country. In the changing religious and political tides of late 16th century Europe, Elizabeth finds her rule challenged by the Spanish King Philip II (Jordi Molla), who is building a sea-dominating armada to ferry his powerful army to England and restore the country to Catholicism.

Preparing to go to war to defend her kingdom, Elizabeth struggles to balance ancient royal duties with an unexpected vulnerability in her love for Raleigh. But he remains forbidden for a queen who has sworn body and soul to her country. Unable and unwilling to pursue her love, Elizabeth encourages her favorite lady-in-waiting, Bess (Abbie Cornish), to befriend Raleigh to keep him near. But this strategy forces Elizabeth to observe their growing intimacy.

As she charts her course abroad, her trusted advisor, Sir Francis Walsingham (Academy Award® winner Geoffrey Rush) uncovers an assassination plot that could topple the throne. But by unmasking traitors that include Elizabeth's own cousin Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton) he unknowingly sets England up for destruction.

3. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium



Welcome to Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. It’s a tantalizing toy haven in which everything inside literally comes to life – including the store itself – and where marvels of every imaginable, possible kind, and beyond, never cease . . . that is, until now.

When Mr. Magorium, the store’s extraordinary 243 year-old proprietor (Dustin Hoffman), announces that he will at long last hand over the reigns of his wonder-expanding store to his unconfident young manager, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman), the store decides to throw an unusual tantrum. As a skeptical accountant named Henry (Jason Bateman) comes in to audit the Legos® and Lincoln Logs®, not to mention the Whodathoughts and Whatchamacallits, the once sparkling, color-saturated Emporium is suddenly embattled by mysterious changes. The playful toys are all still there, but they’ve turned gray and quiet – and only Mahoney and Henry can revive them if, with the help of a superdexterous 9 year-old (Zach Mills), they can find the source of magic inside themselves.

4. The Darjeeling Limited

In director Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited," three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other -- to become brothers again like they used to be. Their "spiritual quest", however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray), and they eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine. At this moment, a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman star in this film about their adventure and their friendship.

5. Love in the Time of Cholera.

Based on Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez' novel and adapted by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood ("The Pianist"), "Love in the Time of Cholera" is one of the world's most romantic stories. The drama traces the Job-like vigil of Florentino Ariza, who waits for more than half a century to claim the hand of Fermina Daza, the woman he loves. Directed by Mike Newell ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Four Weddings and a Funeral"), and featuring a talented cast that includes Javier Bardem, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Hector Elizondo and Liev Schreiber, "Love in the Time of Cholera" is scheduled for a November 16th, 2007 release.

Fabulousness for sale: Authentic Calvin Klein Leather Tote

Authentic Full Luxe Nappa Leather Computer Tote in black from ck Calvin Klein A/W'07 collection.

Feel the luxe quality black nappa leather on this hardly used and well-maintained stylish tote. Designed with a sturdy, accessible zippered top and it is expandable with saddle straps. It measures W15” x H17” x D7” (unexpanded). The roomy interior features luxurious fabric jacquard lining with “ck” monogram and deep pockets and additional holders for pens and cards in leather. This stylish tote is robust and spacious enough to hold a 15.4” laptop and still has space for more of your office or shopping essentials.

I accept PayPal payments and price does NOT include shipping. Will advise upon successful bid or purchase. Thank you and good luck!

Contact me for product detail or price on the comments box. Thank you!

Fabulista Anticipates: Movies.

People who understand the fabulista know a romantic-at-heart. Therefore, I naturally am looking forward to the few movies listed below.

1. P.S. I Love You – Based on the original novel by Cecilia Ahern.



Holly Kennedy (Hillary Swank) is beautiful, smart and married to the love of her life-- a passionate, funny, and impetuous Irishman named Gerry (Gerard Butler). So when Gerry's life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there. Nobody knows Holly better than Gerry. So it's a good thing he planned ahead. Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself. The first message arrives on Holly's 30th birthday in the form of a cake, and to her utter shock, a tape recording from Gerry, who proceeds to tell her to get out and "celebrate herself". In the weeks and months that follow, more letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way; P.S. I Love You. Holly's mother (Kathy Bates) and best friends (Gina Gershon) and Denise (Lisa Kudrow), begin to worry that Gerry's letters are keeping Holly tied to the past, but in fact, each letter is pushing her further into a new future. With Gerry's words as her guide, Holly embarks on a touching, exciting and often hilarious journey of rediscovery in a story about marriage, friendship and how a love so strong can turn the finality of death into a new beginning for life.

2. Jane Austen Book Club – Based on the original novel by Karen Joy Fowler.



This story revolves around five women and one man who get together once a month to discuss one of Jane Austens books. Kathy Baker is Bernadette, a strong older woman living life by her own rules, who organizes the club to help her friend, Sylvia (Brennemen) get over a heartbreak. Sylvias lesbian daughter, Allegra (Maggie Grace) joins to support her mom, as does Sylvias friend, Jocelyn (Maria Bello), who brings along a young man she just met (Hugh Dancy, Evening; Elizabeth I - yummers!), in hopes of playing matchmaker. A fragile, and strange, young married teacher played by Emily Blunt in a performance that still stands out in this very well-acted film, rounds out the group. As the group works its way through the Austen library, their own love lives parallel the classic writers storylines.

3. 27 Dresses – by the screenwriter of “The Devil Wears Prada”.



A single woman who has served as a bridesmaid a stunning twenty-seven times prepares to support her sister at the alter on number twenty-eight despite having fallen helplessly in love with her smitten sibling's handsome husband-to-be. Katherine Heigl stars, together with James Marsden - yummers again, in a romantic comedy scripted by The Devil Wears Prada screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna and directed by Anna Fletcher (Step Up).

P.S. Becoming Jane will not be coming after all… sadly.