Traipsey Turvey » 2008

Trips: The Getty Villa

Filed Under (California, Photography, Trips) by Z on 30-12-2008

Tagged Under : Locations

“The best things in life are free.”

I know that saying always seems too good to be true, but sometimes it really is. For just 10 bucks for parking, you can experience the wonders of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. Who said going to Malibu was going to be expensive? It was last Sunday that we visited The Getty Villa in Malibu, California for the second time.

The second time, you ask. Well, we had to go back and try out Ashton here, who hasn’t gone out much since his acquisition. But honestly, I just had to go back because the first shots I took of the Villa weren’t as good as I hoped it would be (I set the ISO to 1600 by accident and the photos didn’t really turn out as well as I hoped).

Moving on; The Getty Villa houses 44,000 Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, of which over 1,200 are currently on view as their permanent collection. They also have a wide variety of changing exhibits which ca be viewed in their six galleries. Currently on display are the first contemporary art project of the Villa; Jim Dine: Poet Singing (The Flowering Sheets), and a trio of exhibitions that “explore issues surrounding the conservation and interpretation of ancient art;” Reconstructing Identity: A Statue of a God from Dresden, Fragment to Vase: Approaches to Ceramic Restoration, and The Getty Commodus: Roman Portraits and Modern Copies. Unfortunately, the Villa doesn’t allow photography on their changing exhibits but they do allow photography on their permanent collections.

Being in the Villa feels like you are in another era and being quite interested in this area myself; I loved it! The Villa is actually modeled after a first-century Roman country house, called the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy. The Villa dei Papiri was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79, much of which remains unexcavated. I remember recalling a show in The History Channel about said eruption and how the people under the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius where “preserved” by the ashes when it erupted; with many of the people frozen in mid-action. As I recall, much has not been excavated but they did say that many of the artifacts that they found there where well-preserved.

The Outer Peristyle of the Villa, is perhaps the most dramatic place to behold. It showcases a few busts placed strategically all over the place with two statues in the pool (the one pointing up one of my favorites as is Hermes, the messenger and the god of war). The columns lining the Outer Peristyle are what I imagined it would be back in the day.

Beside the Villa, there is also a garden that showcases various herbs and shrubs found in that era. A lot of water fountains and statues can also be found in the garden.

To see more photos click here.

Info: Getty.edu
Photos: betterthanezraH

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Films: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Filed Under (Films, Reviews) by Z on 26-12-2008

Tagged Under : Views

“I was born under unusual circumstances.”

My View
Grab your handkerchiefs people because this surprisingly moving story touches your heart in the most unusual way. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a wonderful adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of the same name with the script written by Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Munich), and tells the story of Benjamin, who was born a man aging backwards. This movie is directed by David Fincher (Fight Club).

The story starts much like Forrest Gump did with one of the main characters telling a story, in this case, a daughter reading from a diary. I found the movie a bit surprising and thankfully, not full of heavy drama, if you know what I mean. It simply tells the story of how Benjamin tried to cope up with his “curious case” with rather interesting results. Benjamin also meets an assortment of characters who teach him about life, love, and death. Curiously, this film is not about death, but about life and how one has to live it to the fullest.

The story however, emphasizes on Benjamin’s relationship with Daisy, a grand daughter of one of the elders living in the home run by his “mother”, Queenie. This begins a very curious friendship between the two. It is in this relationship that Benjamin struggles with his “disease” and his love for Daisy, and their family.

I see this movie as an absorbing and touching film with great dialogue. On the theatrical side of things, the make-up was superb, with Pitt looking like a realistic ninety-something year old man. I love the way they did the progression of their ages – as Benjamin grew younger and as Daisy grew older. Both Pitt and Blanchet delivered in this film. I wasn’t disappointed.

I give this movie five stars.

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Pinay Mommy Online Blog Anniversary Contest

Filed Under (Contests, Internet Finds) by Z on 26-12-2008

I’ve been procrastinating a lot and I failed to blog and join my friend Mommy Ruby’s contest celebrating her one year blog anniversary. To read more about the Pinay Mommy Blogger contest, check out the contest page here.

Prizes at stake are as follows:
GRAND PRIZE: $35.00 CASH + 8000 EC + 7 AD SPACE FOR A MONTH + DOMAIN plus HOSTING

Domain Name and Hosting for One Year – http://www.pinaymommyonline.com
$10.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.pinaymommyonline.com
$10.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://dahandahanlang.com
$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL -http://www.crissyzone.com
1500 EC plus $10.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://breaktrends.mapiles.com
500 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – (PR3) http://www.labubblychica.com
500 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – (PR3) http://www.momhoodmoments.com
500 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – (PR3) http://businessmars.blogspot.com
1500 EC – http://insearch4you.blogspot.com
1000 EC – http://www.mommypassionista.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.pinayinstates.us
125×125 ad space for a month – http://zmod2z.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://bestpinaymom.com
125X125 ad space for a month – http://pinoyko.info
1000 EC – http://crimsonheavens.net
500 EC – http://qt.makemoneyonline-x.com
500 EC – http://blog.makemoneyonline-x.com
500 EC – http://contestlove.blogspot.com

2ND PRIZE: $25.00 CASH + 6000 EC + 5 AD SPACES + 1 TEXT LINK AD + DOMAIN NAME

125×125 ad space for a month plus $5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.jejeizahfaye.com
$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.micahdavid.com
1000 EC plus $5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://seasons.pinoyvibes.net
$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://pinayads.com
$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.janetluison.com
1000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – (PR3) http://living-on-one-income.blogspot.com
500 EC plus text link ad for a month – (PR2) http://www.mommawannabe.com
Domain Name for One Year – http://www.pinoydomainstore.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.charlota.org
125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.azonefordigiscraps.com
125X125 ad space for a month – http://chris.happymomiam.us
1000 EC – http://www.tntkit.info
500 EC – http://callcentergal.com
500 EC – http://fitzvillafuerte.com
500 EC – http://pinayfreelancer.com
500 EC – http://www.partypreppies.com
500 EC – http://www.irisaeirincollections.com

3RD PRIZE: $15.00 CASH + 5000 EC + 5 AD SPACES + CUSTOMIZED BLOGGER LAYOUT

125×125 ad space for a month plus $5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://blogger-and-the-blog.blogspot.com
$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.moolahmusings.com
$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://strandedlife.com
125×125 ad space for a month – (PR3) http://www.brownpinay.com
2000 EC – 125×125 ad space for a month – (PR1) http://www.happythoughtshappytot.com
125×125 ad space for a month – (PR2) http://sah.i.ph
125×125 ad space for a month – (PR1) http://webbycontest.blogspot.com
Customized Blogger Layout – http://im.byotipol.com
500 EC – http://godsbestgift.com
500 EC – http://honeybabybee.bravejournal.com
1000 EC – http://www.shebadoo.com
500 EC – http://www.KissMeMwah.net
500 EC – http://wiehanne.com
500 EC – http://raua.blogspot.com

4TH PRIZE: $ 10.00 CASH + 4000 EC + 3 AD SPACES + CUSTOMIZED BLOGGER LAYOUT

125×125 ad space for a month plus $5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://earthlyexplorations.blogspot.com
$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.mommysjoyride.com
125×125 ad space for a month – (PR3) http://www.biznhoney.com
1000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – (PR1) http://www.ivorytasks.com
Customized Blogger Layout – http://www.myweb-blog.com
500 EC – http://www.Maldita.us
500 EC – http://www.makemoneyonline-x.com
500 EC – http://smallsidebits.blogspot.com
500 EC – http://simplemarriedlife.com
500 EC – http://simplywp.net

5TH PRIZE: $ 5.00 CASH + 3500 EC + 3 AD SPACES + CUSTOMIZED BLOGGER LAYOUT

$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.iluvcontests.com
2000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://recheers.blogspot.com
1000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://applecandie.us
500 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.lostinlove.org
Customized Blogger Layout – http://www.carlotaonline.com

6TH PRIZE: $5.00 CASH + 3000 EC + 3 AD SPACES

$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.momemo.com
1000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://iplaymom.com
500 EC plus 125X125 ad space for a month – http://www.happymomiam.us
500 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.masipagwapa.net
500 EC – http://mydesigns.tchel.com
500 EC – http://syppera.blogspot.com

7TH PRIZE: $5.00 CASH + 2500 EC + 3 AD SPACES

$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.therubyposts.com
1000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.mommyelvz.com
500 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.tchel.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://mightyinspirit.blogspot.com
1000 EC – http://loveshaven.com

8TH PRIZE: $5.00 CASH + 2000 EC +2 AD SPACES + 1 TEXT LINK ADD

$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://pmdigiscrap.blogspot.com
1000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.pinkthoughts.com
500 EC – http://www.brownpinay.com
125X125 ad space for a month – http://love.mommyko.com
500 EC plus text link ad for a month – http://www.thepinayblogger.com

9TH PRIZE: $5.00 CASH + 1500 EC + 2 AD SPACES

$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://lourdesmia.blogspot.com
1000 EC plus 125×125 ad space for a month – http://www.poshthoughts.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://thefishgate.blogspot.com
500 EC – http://myinhisstepsjournal.blogspot.com

10TH PRIZE: $5.00 CASH + 1200 EC + 2 AD SPACES

$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://onlinebizandresources.blogspot.com
1000 EC plus 125X125 ad space for a month – http://www.praningshoutout.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://gardenofmoments.com
200 EC plus 125X125 ad space for a month – http://kwarta4me.biz

SPECIAL PRIZE: Highest Number of Referrals $5.00 CASH + 2000 EC + 2 AD SPACES

$5.00 CASH VIA PAYPAL – http://www.pinaymommies.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://pinkyposh.com2000 EC – http://iheartreviews.com
500 EC – http://www.24×7onlinediva.com
125×125 ad space for a month – http://sherryshopping.blogspot.com

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Filed Under (Christmas, Holidays) by Z on 25-12-2008

Merry Christmas Blogosphere! Hope your holidays are full of love and happiness.

Credits

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If You Want Time

Filed Under (Christmas, Holidays) by Z on 24-12-2008

Tagged Under : Fashion

This year marks my second year to be away from home for Christmas. I know I’ve been yakking about this topic since the start of December but I just can’t break free from my melancholy. In a few hours, a part of my family and my hubby will be having their Noche Buena (Christmas Dinner). It will be a night spent with my hubby’s family – his parents, his sister’s family, and perhaps my aunt’s family, as well. I know it would be just like last year…

What I remember most is the part where I shop for gifts for my family. Oh, I don’t get them much but I try to get them something that they would wear or use. Of course, that goes without saying that I would also want to spoil myself for the holidays. But I do keep my spending at a minimum which is not as bad as what others are doing hehehehe.

It’s just so unfortunate I couldn’t find a holiday gift guide on the Internet that year. I just didn’t browse the net that much because I know that in Dumaguete, we cannot possibly order online and have them delivered because it would cost a fortune! Anyway, my secret wish for the holidays is this lovely TAG Heuer Aquaracer Ladies’ Watch with Pink Mother-of-Pearl Dial and Diamond Bezel. Swoon! For more gift ideas visit thewatchery.com.