Showing 1 - 10 of 38
Life imitating art
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 17/12/2021
» A pandemic puts the world at a standstill and turns the lives of everyone upside down. No, we're not talking about Covid. Station Eleven is a novel written by Emily St. John Mandel in 2014. Even then, it seemed to predict somewhat eerily and accurately just what the world was going to go through in the past two years. Now, HBO has brought the novel to life in a new miniseries. Despite the apocalyptic storyline, the show is unlike the drab and dark shows we've come to expect from an end-of-the-world TV series, but showcases humanity moving on from what they went through. Guru speaks with two stars of the series, Mackenzie Davis and Himesh Patel, about similarities with the pandemic and how important art is in keeping us going through difficult times.
Camping cosmos
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 05/11/2021
» T hailand has officially entered the cold season -- well, at least it's cold for those of us who live in the Kingdom. According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the "winter" (quotations as Thai "winter" isn't really winter at all) began on Nov 2 with the coldest days occurring in the latter half of December all the way until the end of January. For city-dwellers, it's predicted that we'll be enjoying the "extreme" minimum temperatures of around 15C to 16C, though we'll believe it when we feel it. However, the cold season signals the perfect time to take a camping trip especially up North where temperatures are expected to go as low as 6C or 7C. Brrrh. So unearth those fur coats and start buying camping gear for a cool road trip. Pun intended. It's time to go camping and Guru's got spots picked out for you.
Coming full circle
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 22/10/2021
» Bangkok has finally sprung back to life! People are venturing outside, Asoke and Siam are once again centres of headache-inducing traffic jams and dining-out is an option again. But we also shouldn't forget about shopping and while it was technically possible even during semi-lockdown, it's different now that we can go outside with relative ease. However, as we ready our wallets -- or perhaps credit cards because cashless is the way ahead -- to go on a post-lockdown shopping spree, we can also consider buying from places that help the environment and reduce waste. Whether it's buying pre-loved items or selling or donating the stuff in our closet that we've barely used, there are many avenues in the city to do just that, like Ikea Bang Yai's brand new Circular Shop. Here are a few ways you can shop 'til you drop and at the same time help make the city a greener place.
Art against authority
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 16/07/2021
» We can all agree on one thing: this whole pandemic is a crapfest. The time when Thailand was lauded for successfully handling the first wave has long gone and we are in the throes of the third wave with daily cases almost hitting 10,000 (at least in the time of going to print), hospitals running out of beds for patients and vaccinations going at a snail's pace. The anger and fury directed at the government's handling of the third wave has reached boiling point and none are more vocal about it than political artists, who have found a home, voice and audience on Facebook. From tarot cards to 3D renders, here are a few artists who use their art to make their voices heard.
Get social
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 26/02/2021
» It's 2009. Barack Obama was sworn in as US president. Protesters are on the street (different protesters though, not like the ones protesting now). Your iPod contains hits like Boom Boom Pow, I'm Yours and even though you hide it, you also listen to that new blonde girl's song called Love Story because it's a bop. And then there's this new thing called Facebook that people seem to be using more and more. You don't know if you're willing to give up your pimped out Hi5 profile complete with a glittery background and a MP3 player loaded with Big Ass' Len Kaung Soong but you decide to give it a shot. More than 10 years and a number of privacy issues later, you're still using Facebook along with a number of other social networking apps, but perhaps you may be looking for other ways to build a community and meet new people. Perhaps you want to meet like-minded people like you who share you love for entrepreneurship or memes, and maybe you even want to get on platforms that will actually make you some dough. Facebook isn't your only avenue. We've got you sorted on where else you can build or find a community that's right for you.
Love in the time of Covid
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 12/02/2021
» It's been over a year since Covid hit and sent the world into an unprecedented time of quarantines and lockdowns. It's affected everyone's life whether it's their jobs, their mental health or their relationships. There's no question that these are trying times for everyone, and while we spend the majority of the time at Guru being all snarky and sarcastic, the stories of kindness and love during the pandemic is enough to warm our cold, scornful hearts. And since St Valentine's Day is just around the corner, we figured that the world could do with a little less snarkiness and a little more love. Though the pandemic has forced us to stay apart, it has ironically also bound us closer together, and these stories are evidence of that. From furry best friends and long-distance relationships to engagements and growing closer to mum, here are a few pandemic love stories to remind you that love is still very much all around even in a pandemic.
Quarantine 2.0
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 15/01/2021
» Let's be honest and admit that it was bound to happen. The second we got wind of a domestic case in Samut Sakhon, it was only a question of when things would be ordered to close. Granted, it may not be a hard lockdown like the first time around. However, as of the writing of this article, we're upwards of 10,000 cases now compared to the now-measly 1,000 or so we had the first time around so it's safe to say that things are a little worse than before. However, vaccines are set to arrive next month so there's a glimmer of hope. All we have to do is once again limit ourselves from going out in public unless absolutely necessary. I know the thought of having to once again lock ourselves at home is a drag, and that's why we've got this handy list for you. Here's how to thrive -- or at the very least, survive -- the second quarantine.
Winter wonderlands
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 20/11/2020
» If you haven't noticed, there's only a little over a month left for 2020 to end. This also means cooler weather all over the country and along with that comes a slew of festivals making good use of the cool breeze that makes walking outside more delightful and less of a workout. A number of these events take place outside the city, which means even cooler temperatures and breezes accompanied by fantastic views of nature. These events are a great way to enjoy the "winter season" and serve as a reminder that we've made it through 2020 so we've all earned ourselves a bit of time to enjoy what these festivals have to offer.
Can't touch this
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 23/10/2020
» Thailand is known as "The Land Of Smiles" because everyone here is happy and joyful all the time... right? As true as that is, there are certain things you can do here that can turn that smile upside down.
Staycationing in style
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 14/08/2020
» Domestic travel has opened up and some semblance of travelling is finally back. A trip to Phuket or a drive to Hua Hin is all good and fun but for some of us, we may be running short on funds or we really just don't have the time to make any sort of trip. Perhaps it's too much of a hassle to fly or to drive, but that doesn't mean we don't want to get away for a bit of R&R and spend an entire day in bed.