Yes, I can't help myself. Billie Piper in the 90's. Remember this song?
The Other Hannah
Everybody is familiar with the Hannah Montana. A young girl who has a double life. But I am not going to write about her, rather I would write about Hannah. Same name but the similarities stop there.
The first scene warms you up with a blurred urban crowd shot with an upbeat music in the background. Then you see a woman is walking towards you. She is talking about London. You will see a very chic and classy lady. Expensive suit, a pearl necklace and carefully put make up. Then she says:
The first thing you should know about me is that I am a whore. - Belle/Hannah
After that opening scene I knew I was hooked. This is series not new. Actually Secret Diary of Call Girl has already aired its final episode. I read about this series a long time ago. A good friend of mine gave a copy of seasons 1-3 but I did not have extra time to watch it. Finally I got to watch it and got addicted to it. When I googled more about the series and found that it's only up to season 4.
The series is about a book that was also based on a blog but Belle du Jour. The author's identity was kept secret until recently when the author herself revealed her true identity to the public. Pretty interesting, you think?
What I loved about the series besides the lingerie and the sexy wardrobe is the humor. I didn't know that prostitution could have a humorous side. Belle is played by Billie Piper. If you think her face is familiar its because she was a famous pop star in the nineties. I did not really like her then but I like her now. I like her more as an actress than a singer (but somehow being a pop star came in handy when made goofy dance moves in one episode).
One of the things that somehow nearly hit home is her best friend Ben. I used to have a guy best friend. Seeing their dynamic made me miss having a guy best friend. But I suppose you can not be really best friends with a guy because in the end they came more than friends (Oh no spoiler!) and I on the other hand also had to cut my ties with best guy friend (I know the drama!).
I don't suggest this series for the general public because it definitely for adults. It's not for the faint of heart or the prude. Its for people who are open to explore, people who are not easily get offended and people who embrace their sexuality.
I will definitely add the books where the series was based on to my reading list.
Gazillion things to do
Book Finds
With a limited budget and book stores that only offer best sellers, a book lover like me have to resort to other sources to find my book fix. Well it's not just novels. I also look for graphic design books. Brand new graphic design books is really expensive. So I go to the ukay-ukay version of books, second hand bookstores.
Looking for a good book at second hand shop can be a challenge. You should know what you are looking for. I happy that I get to find good graphic design books that cheap. They are not the latest editions but still they can still be very good reference. I know you can do your research through the internet nowadays but nothing beats a tangible book in your hands.
My latest finds:
Inspirability: 40 Top Designers Speak About What Inspires -Pash
For Sale. Over 200 Innovative Solutions in Packaging Design -John Foster
Designing with type. A Basic Course in Typography -James Craig and William Bevington
Inspirability: 40 Top Designers Speak About What Inspires -Pash
It's hard for graphic designers to stay inspired when they're constantly working to deadlines. Inspirability gives them a fresh look at how to keep those creative fires burning in the real world, with: Interviews with 40 design luminaries, including Stefan Sagmeister, Paula Scher, Milton Glaser and Chip Kidd; Fascinating pictures the designers have taken of themselves and their offices, as well as samples of their design work; Revealing insights into what inspires each designer on a day-to-day basis; This book offers an original take on one of the most requested topics by graphic designers. It's a must-have tool for lasting inspiration.
I am a person who remember names of notable people. I remember more of their works. This book feature 40 graphic designers, some I am familiar and then there are some who its my first time to encounter. This books is like peer on the minds of the other artists.
For Sale. Over 200 Innovative Solutions in Packaging Design -John Foster
For Sale showcases packaging designs from 50 top firms. 15 firms are showcased with several spreads of work samples and an in-depth interview to capture their creative process and best advice. Profiles include noted packaging designers Wink, Sub Pop, Werner Design Werks, Starbucks, Modern Dog, Turner Duckworth, Art Chantry, Fossil, Invisible Creature and more.
One of the things that I love with my job is packaging design. Looking at delightful packing never fails to inspire me.
Designing with type. A Basic Course in Typography -James Craig and William Bevington
This is more of a text book for graphic designers. In my time my typography teacher did not really dwell much on specifics. So now I really like reading about the basics.
My Vice
Ever since I was a little girl I really enjoyed books. My Mother said that instead of going to sleep with stuffed toys I was sleeping with a book. Through the years my book preferences has evolved. One thing didn't change. My love for collecting books.
During high school I started reading novels. I have a tendency that if I like a certain author I need to read all the stuff he/she wrote. Well I was not only about reading books. I really liked collecting them. With my meager allowance I got by books one by one. My Mom is also love reading books so was happy to help me complete my collections. Four years in high school somehow I filled up a shelf. Maybe it was 50 books or more. I took pride with book collection.
That time I was into vampires and horror novels. This was before twilight phenomenon. I had books by Anne Rice, Stephen King, and what not. My parents entered a Catholic Charismatic group that did not advice reading works "inspired by the devil". So they ended up burning my books. Family drama aside, that did not stop me from reading and collecting books.
When I went away for college I started anew with my book collection. This time I was no longer attached with my books like last time. After my senior year I had a lot of books. I only kept a few. The others, specially the ones I know my parents would not approve of I gave away.
Moving from one place to another made me loose interest in have a book collection. I still enjoy reading books but did not really cared about what happened to my books afterwards. I started hoarding books again when I was assigned in Cebu for a company training. That time I had no other past time. I didn't have a computer or a tv at the house I stayed. The cheapest way to keep myself busy with my free time was buying books. I didn't bought new books. I got my books from second hand books shops. When I got extra money later I bought new books. So I read one books after another.
When I was assigned back in Davao I fell in love again with book collecting. So starting building my library. I still love buying second hand books. Now I love reading books series. I used to avoid them since completing a series was a hassle because there are a few good book stores here in Davao. Second books stores is not option since you can't really predict what books you can find there. I am glad that the internet made finding books so much easier. My first option is to buy second hand books to save more. Then there are days I do splurge one buying new books. I also blackmail my bf buying me some from time to time.
Right now I think a chunk of my paycheck goes to book buying. I admit that this is my current vice. My bf calls me an addict. Books are really my weakness. I can stop myself buying clothes, gadgets, and food. But when it comes to books I sometimes buy and not think. I know I must stop this book hoarding and finish reading all the books.
This is my book collection (novels, my graphic design books are in another pile somewhere...) . It's not complete because there a couple of books at that are borrowed by my friends. Funny, I tend to look the first book in my book series.
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