New Age Pirate™

Taking it to the Streets

2009-02-27T11:59:00.005+08:00

My copy of the Collector's Edition of Street Fighter IV for the PS3 finally arrived. Been wanting to play this game ever since the first teaser came out. I haven't played a Street Fighter game in quite a while, so I'm a bit rusty. But I'm told that pulling off Hadokens is like riding a bike.

Anyone up for a fight?

Ryu Figurine.

Unboxed.

Doogie Howser, M.D. — Orchestral Version

2009-01-16T15:10:00.002+08:00

Neil Patrick Harris is the man.

SNL Digital Short: Orchestral Doogie Howser, M.D. - watch more funny videos

Halloween Costume Idea #0005

2008-10-24T07:19:00.001+08:00

The Fanboy.

Halloween Costume Idea #0004

2008-10-23T09:38:00.000+08:00

The Wrestler.

Halloween Costume Idea #0003

2008-10-22T07:06:00.000+08:00

Firefighters.

Halloween Costume Idea #0002

2008-10-21T07:34:00.000+08:00

The Boy Next Door.

Halloween Costume Idea #0001

2008-10-20T09:20:00.001+08:00

The Pimp.

The Greed List 2008 Update

2008-10-05T00:47:00.002+08:00

~~Wacom Intous 6x11 Widescreen Tablet.~~

~~Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens.~~

~~Drobo with FireWire 800.~~

~~White iPhone 3G.~~

None of these matter now.

Because I just got what I really wanted.

For Shame...

2008-10-03T07:29:00.003+08:00

Sad to say, I'm not at all surprised that Ateneans would do such a thing. C'mon guys. You already won the basketball championship. Did we (yes, I'm including myself with this act, but not the championship) really have to stoop so low?

We call La Salle bad losers, but think we can be classier winners?

[Image taken from Bea Lim's blog]

My Technology Past

2008-08-27T14:36:00.010+08:00

Obliging Tin with this entry. She posted this "Tech Survey" on her side of multiply and urged me to do the same. So, here are my answers:

Mobile Phones
First: Nokia (Yuck!) 5110. Back when texting was free and Nokia was the only viable brand.
Favorite: I've only had my new mobile for 4 days. Jury is still out if I'm totally in love with it. But I have got to say that my favorite phone so far is my Sony Ericsson z610i. [edit] Oh, who am I kidding, I {heart} my iPhone! ^_^
Current: Apple iPhone 16GB (White). Why, hello there. I'm an Apple Fanboy.

Handheld Consoles
First/Favorite/Current: Sony PlayStation Portable. Sad but true. I don't really count those "brick games" as hand held consoles. Never owned a Game & Watch either. My folks wouldn't buy me a Game Boy back in the day. Now that I'm earning, I'm buying all the crap my parents never got me when I was a kid.

Desktop ~~PCs~~ Macs!
First: XT Desktop PC with DOS I-forgot-what-version. Ah, the good old days of floppy disks. None of that fancy GUI bullcrap we have today. dir/s all the way, baby.
Current: iMac 24" Aluminum. 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo. 4GB RAM. 320GB HDD. ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 Memory. Running OSX 10.5 Leopard.
Dream Mac: A Mac Pro with maxed out specs with 2 30" Apple Cinema Displays and 3 Drobos. Ooh, I wet my pants.

Notebooks
First/Current: MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo. 2GB RAM. NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM.
Dream Notebook: The high end 15" MacBookPro. The 17-incher is too unwieldy for me.

Game Consoles
First: Atari 2600. Played Kaboom! all day long until my brother plugged the thing into the 220v outlet and really went Kaboom!
Favorite: Sony PlayStation 3 60GB Launch unit. Blu-ray/UpscalingDVD player, HD & Online Gaming, DivX Player, and can playback all my old PS2 and PSOne games. Best of all, no Red Ring of Death.
Current: Nintendo Wii and a PS3.
First PC Game: Hmm, don't remember the first. But the first one I remember enjoying was Day of the Tentacle.
Favorite PC Mac Game: World of Warcraft. The Eater of Souls.
Last PC Mac Game Played: World of Warcraft. What part of "Eater of Souls" didn't you understand?
Palm or Pocket PC? iPhone.
Music Player of choice: Apple iPod 5G 80GB (White). The iPhone is a close second.
Aside from your mobile, PDA and laptop, What other gadget you can never be without? My SLR.

*Skipped the watch parts... don't care much about watches.

Ultimate Dream Gadget: The DeLorean Time Machine. 1.21 Jiggawatts!

The Greed List 2008: I own an iPhone.

2008-08-23T19:26:00.002+08:00

Looks like I got it a little earlier than expected. Been using it for a day now. I'm one of those saps who got one on launch day. Well, by proxy, at least. Still getting used to having a candy bar phone again, not to mention relearning to text using the mini-QWERTY keyboard.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it. Touching is good. Problem is the thing is impossible to text with while driving (not that you should), and that my room is still a dead spot for Globe.

Do I go Back?

2008-08-14T07:08:00.001+08:00

Is it safe to return to Azeroth, I wonder...

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0016: Endurance Round

2008-08-12T06:19:00.000+08:00

The gauntlet has been thrown. Am I up to the challenge?

The Greed List: 2008 Edition

2008-07-20T14:23:00.008+08:00

I’ve delayed this for far too long, but here we go— an exercise of excess. Y’all might remember my last list of goodies. Well, ‘tis time to update them. Without much further ado, here’s my list of coveted toys for 2008.

Wacom Intous 6x11 Widescreen Tablet. Yes, this is a carryover from the last list. Never got around to get one. The urge to draw left me last year. But maybe this year I hope to jump-start my love for illustration with a better tablet.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens. I’ve been neglecting my camera for some time now. I’ve been wanting a wide lens since late last year. Mostly because I’ve been tasked to take photos of very large groups of people lately. That and my stock 17-55mm lens conked out and 24mm isn’t as wide as I want it to be.

Drobo with FireWire 800. Most of my life resides digitally on my Mac. If I were to loose all my data (including 6 years of Photos, Freelance work & Illustrations, 25GB worth of music, and innumerable amounts of video), I might as well just jump off a cliff. Drobo might be the bestest, safest and simplest way to backup and protect my data. Now if only they’d start selling it here, maybe I can sleep more soundly at night.

White iPhone 3G. Yeah. I am an Apple fanboy. Skipped out on the last one because I'm too chicken to hack the 1st gen iPhone. But since Globe is kind enough to officially bring it over, I no longer have an excuse. So which of the new features am I really excited for? 3G? the App Store? None of them really strike my fancy. All I want is to have a seamless way to synchronize my contacts on my iMac and my phone. Yup, that’s it. Anti-climactic, isn’t it? Why white? Because three-quarters of the planet is getting black.

—
Well, oddly enough, that’s all I can think of at the moment. Hopefully, in this time of high gas prices, I can manage to save up and fulfill this selfish desire for material objects. What a model citizen I am.

Just My Luck

2008-06-22T04:32:00.002+08:00

I'm having the best week of my life! Yay!

Alone at Last

2008-05-25T15:23:00.002+08:00

Finally! After 27 years, a room of my own! Just finished moving the last of my stuff into my new room yesterday. I'm now currently putting the final touches. Getting my new room to my specifications involved a lot of pain, but I'm pretty happy how it turned out. Will post more photos (on my multiply site) once I get the final piece of "furniture" in my room.

Until then, I'm going to enjoy my newfound solitude.

April Fool

2008-04-01T06:35:00.004+08:00

Am I a fool for following this path? Maybe. Time will tell. But I want to see what's at the end of this path, even if it kills me. Until then, this song will be my mantra:

You'll have to excuse the sound quality. It's the only video I found that had the complete song. You can find the lyrics here.

Truth in Packaging

2008-03-27T11:38:00.001+08:00

Graphic Artists may be the greatest illusionists in the world today. We lead you to believe that everything you see on TV and print is reality. Take food packaging for example, we get suckered every time by colorful exaggerated text and mouth-watering imagery expecting that the contents of said food product is exactly what we see on the package. Don't get me started on men's magazines and the magic of airbrushing.

When was the last time you stopped and took notice of what corporations promise us on packaging and what (crap) we actually get? (While you're at it, think of what politicians/government officials promise us and how large the d****os they use to screw us each time, but that's another post altogeher) Don't you feel dirty being tricked every single time? But like the stupid ass consumer schmucks that we are, we keep coming back for more.

I found this site that compiled 100 (german) products and compared what we see on the labels and what's actually inside the box. If it's not eye-opening, it's at least pretty funny.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a routine maintenance on my standard issue Reality Distortion Field Generator.

Earth Hour: Turn out those Lights

2008-03-12T05:56:00.002+08:00

Join the world as we give back to Mother Earth by joining the Earth Hour on March 29. From 8-9PM, turn off your lights, television sets and *gasp* computers. What's one hour in darkness compared to the centuries we've been abusing our planet?

Click on the link below to see what happened during Earth Hour 2007 in Sydney:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=C9GRh_9sQBw

Full e-mail transcript below:

On 29 March 2008, the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for Earth Hour - an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this mail to your friends, workmates and family.

Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

YOUR participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively – can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at: www.earthhour.org.

If you want to learn more about how else you can help make Earth Hour in the Philippines a success, reply to this email or drop us a line at (632) 920-7931, (632) 920-7923, or (632)920-7926.

Teena G. Santiago

Marketing Services Manager

WWF-Philippines/Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas

JBD Plaza, 56 Mindanao Avenue

Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City

Philippines

Phone: + 63 2 920-7923 or 26

Fax: +63 2 454-3533

Mobile: +63 920 923-6998

Email: tsantiago@wwf.org.ph

Website: http://wwf.org.ph

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0014: Word of the Year

2008-02-23T07:52:00.003+08:00

frustration |frəˈstrā sh ən|
noun
the feeling of being upset or annoyed, esp. because of inability to change or achieve something : I sometimes feel like screaming with frustration.
• an event or circumstance that causes one to have such a feeling : the inherent frustrations of assembly line work.
• the prevention of the progress, success, or fulfillment of something : the frustration of their wishes.

This will be my word of the year.

There is One

2008-01-28T07:31:00.000+08:00

At least, that what I'd like to think.

[from Sinfest.net by Tatsuya Ishida]

Trying Something New

2008-01-26T08:53:00.000+08:00

Well, it's been 26 days into the new year, and I wanted to try something new with my art. Been drawing "manga-style" since high school and I just wanted to see if I'm able to draw other visual styles. I can still see traces of my old style in there. Guess old habits die hard.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with this experimental art project of mine. But I don't think I'm ready to let go of my manga art just yet.

Flashback: 2007

2008-01-02T11:51:00.000+08:00

2007 was certainly an interesting year for me. I’ve taken a lot of beating this past year, but with the hopeful feeling you get with starting the new year, I would like to look back on some experiences I had this past year that made 2007 worth drudging through. Acquiring all that expensive junk doesn’t really count as highlights of my life (though in many times it is, how sad for me), so I’ll be focusing on stuff that really matter. Here are some of my groundbreaking, paradigm-shifting, and life-altering moments of 2007:

Made New Friends
It was a week-long symposium I had to cover for work, I went into it without much thought. Who knew that I’d make a couple of new friends from the Lasallian Youth? It was a very amazing experience seeing students from 17 campuses under one roof interacting as if they were all part of the same school. Even more amazing was how the Symposium Committee handled everything behind the scenes to make it fun and enlightening for everyone. It made me more proud to be part-Lasallian.

Reconnected with some Old Friends
In 2007, I reconnected with some of my Atenean block mates. I almost forgot the good times I had with these guys going through mid-terms, skipping ROTC and goofing around Katipunan Ave. Lasallians and Ateneans may “hate” each other on the basketball court (or pretty much everywhere else) but you all are pretty much the same good people. I’m proud to have good friends from both sides of the fence (and some from UP as well).

Did Good Things
I was invited to join to take some street kids from Madrigal trick-or-treating last Halloween. I guess I behaved well enough to be invited again to their Christmas Party! Ateneo and La Salle always instilled a sense of purpose in their students. I’ve always wanted to help out with some charity work but my selfish materialism got the better of me. I’m glad I was able to finally walk-my-talk (or walk-my-thought, ‘cause I was always thinking of helping but wasn't doing anything) last year. Hopefully, I’ll get to be more active this 2008.

Wedding Season Begins!
The first of my High School classmates got married in 2007 thus starting the wedding frenzy. Well, not really. We all started out as a bunch of gals and geeks, went through our teens as emo high school kids, then young adulthood as wild partying college kids and now, we’re a group of sophisticated young women and geeks. One of us decided to enter the next stage of her life as a wife and someday soon (maybe), as a mother. I am very blessed to be there to witness it all.

New Additions to the Family
My brother, too, got married last 2007. And I finally have a sister(-in-law) and soon I’m going to be an Uncle! It’s been nice getting to know my new sister-in-law these past few months. Soon I’ll have a crash course on baby-proofing everything in the house.

My Dad Retires
After 25 years with the Ayala Group of companies, my dad finally retires. Our family has been taken care of by my dad, and now, it’s high time I returned the favor.

•••

These are just some of the things that made my year extra special. There are a couple more things that I could share but I’d really rather be playing World of Warcraft right now.

Cheers to you all and have a great 2008!

The Crusade... it Burns!

2007-12-28T12:24:00.000+08:00

Goodbye social life! Azeroth, I returneth to thee... ^_^

A Break, Finally

2007-12-21T13:19:00.000+08:00

Survived my final week at work and finally reached our Christmas Break in one piece... or maybe two. Now here's to looking forward to two weeks of...

...

hmm...

... sleep, yeah, let's go with that for now.

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0013: Cuppy

2007-12-20T10:28:00.000+08:00

P%#%ng inang Two Girls, One Cup yan! P%#%ng inang Two Girls, One Cup yan!!

Pointless Sudden Realizations #0002: Comic Tragedy

2007-12-17T18:27:00.000+08:00

The problem with being funny is that when you try to be serious they still think you're joking.

Four Down. Last One to Go.

2007-12-12T13:21:00.000+08:00

The Greed List™:
~~Sony Bravia KLV-32V200 LCD TV~~
Wacom Intuos3 6x11 Widescreen Tablet
~~Nintendo Wii~~
~~8-Core Apple Mac Pro (15" MacBook Pro 2.2GHz)~~
~~Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens (Sigma 24-70mm DG Macro)~~

If you've been following this list, you'll know that it is a list of compromises. As much as I lust for an 8-core Mac Pro, practicality states I need something that can be moved around. But in a sense, I did get a Mac Pro, just the one with "Book" in the middle.

In the last major event that I covered for work, I had to lug around my office iMac so I can do designs on site. While the iMac is an all-in-one device, 24-inches isn't exactly mobile. So using work as an excuse, I took out a computer loan and got myself (and my family — another excuse) a MacBook Pro, a powerful compact machine to do my design work on the go.

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0012: Not-so-Cryptic Edition

2007-12-11T14:15:00.000+08:00

I f@%#ing hate creative blocks.

The Return to Azeroth

2007-12-03T10:31:00.000+08:00

Hey guys. I've already ordered mine. ^_^

A Break from Life

2007-11-30T18:44:00.000+08:00

It's one of those weeks that just doesn't seem to end. But it won't anytime soon because we're approaching the Christmas Rush at the office. I like it that we get a Christmas Break and all but that also means that we have to wrap everything up before then. So in the next three weeks I'll be cramming like crazy. Good thing I had a lot of practice in school. [Ba-da-bum-psh!]

It doesn't really end with work either. I've been possibly food poisoned, this bulge in my right eye leads me to believe an insect may have laid eggs there, and of course I may have screwed things up w[information deleted].

I really need a break from life. No, not just any run-of-the-mill break from work, a break from Life. Wish I could just die for a few days and not exist, not think, and not worry about s#¡t. Then just come back to life again fully-recharged. Unfortunately, I'm told you have to be a Messiah to be able to do that. Otherwise, you'll come back as a flesh-eating zombie. Which is not far from how I feel at the moment.

Pointless Sudden Realizations #0001

2007-11-24T08:16:00.000+08:00

Attack of the Show! is a stupid name.

Men: Yes, We're Pedophiles Now; Women: I Know, It's Just Not Fair

2007-11-19T09:33:00.000+08:00

Ladies and Gents, meet Saaya Irie. She's a Japanese actress, model and singer. Her three-sizes are 78F-36-78cm (30F-22-30in). And she's 14 years old. You read right, fourteen-I'm-going-to-jail-years-old. 14! 30F! F as in f**k-those-are-huge.

I'm going straight to hell, aren't I?

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0011: Sucker Punched

2007-11-15T22:36:00.000+08:00

Reality has a funny way of sneaking up on you.

That's No Moon...

2007-11-06T07:36:00.000+08:00

Woke up at my usual ungodly hour this morning and when I looked out the window, I saw two moons.

Then I shook myself out of my groggy state and took a second look. Then went for my camera and took a couple of shots just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. Being the geek that I am, I went on the interweb just to see what was going on. Turns out it could be either one of two things: It could be the remnants of Comet Holmes, which is still exploding according to National Geographic, or it might just be the International Space Station.

Whatever it is, it woke me up. And now I'm excited to see it again tonight, weather permitting.

Of Exchanges and Paradigm Shifts

2007-10-29T16:58:00.000+08:00

In Theology class, I learned that freedom isn’t about keeping several options open, but it’s about choosing one of those options and sticking to it. In Fullmetal Alchemist, I learned of Equivalent Exchange, that in order to gain something, something of equal value must be lost. In My Name is Earl, I learned a simple interpretation of Karma, do good things, good things will happen to you; do bad things, bad things will happen to you.

For years I have been living life with principles based on the statements above. I have gotten into arguments with several of my closest friends because of it. I’ve made choices in my life based on said principles and it’s been working out pretty well for me... at least until around three months ago.

Funny thing about life is that everything changes. You may be adamant about one thing now, but something in the future can and will change your mind. I find myself eating the very words I use to preach to my friends. How it got this way totally caught me off-guard. I found myself at a crossroad. Do I stick to my guns and walk my talk? Or do I swallow a giant amount of pride and enter a massive paradigm shift? I think most of you already know which path I took.

The only thing keeping me from totally feeling like shit for giving up my principles is this quote from Natalie Portman: “I don't know why, exactly. Sometimes you make rules for yourself and sometimes those rules are made to be broken. You have to test things out and see what works for you, and this felt right.” And this feels right to me... for now.

Although it should be noted that Ms. Portman did live to regret those words. A few days or weeks from now, I may be regretting this too. But for now, I don’t care. I’ve made some idiotic decisions before. Many of them I’ve come to regret, I won’t lie to myself. But what can I do about it? It’s done. It’s equivalent exchange. I’ve already made my choice, now I have to deal with the consequences. I won’t complain about it. I won’t blame anybody else for it, not God or anyone else. It’s all me.

[End note: After writing this post, I chanced upon an article written by Natalie Portman here. Thought it might be relevant]

ThWii Down. Two to Go.*

2007-10-06T08:08:00.000+08:00

The Greed List™:
~~Sony Bravia KLV-32V200 LCD TV~~
Wacom Intuos3 6x11 Widescreen Tablet
~~Nintendo Wii~~
8-Core Apple Mac Pro
~~Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens (Sigma 24-70mm DG Macro)~~

That's right, people. My 13th month pay just kicked in and I got me a Wii, b!+(#es! ^_^

I originally planned to buy this in December— when I thought I'd receive my 13th month pay—but I guess Christmas came a little early this year! ^_^

* This foolhardy purchase may or may not be related to the previous post.

Submitted without Comment

2007-10-05T06:45:00.000+08:00

Click for larger Version
[From Sinfest.net by Tatsuya Ishida]

The Silent Treatment

2007-10-03T14:33:00.000+08:00

Blech. Remember the time when getting sick was fun? Back in grade school, I could've had 40º fever and I'd still have energy to run around the house like a lunatic. But as you age, geh, getting sick starts to suck.

I have been without a (proper) voice since Friday. I usually thought that these things just take around 2-3 days before I can start swearing again, but this one was been persistent. Oddly enough, I've always thought to myself that I could forego the ability to speak since I rarely speak anyway in the office or at home. Who knew God would oblige me? Not that I was asking for it in the first place. Ok, fine, maybe I was... I haven't been exactly the perfect son as of late.

Not being able to speak, to my surprise, sucks. My officemates have been using this "quiet season" to get back at me for all the times I've.. eherm... exercised my wit. I've been taking meds like I was an addict. These lozenges my doctor gave me have an anesthetic that makes my whole mouth numb. Not sure if it was to keep me from talking more or to soothe the irritation. And God, these meds are damn expensive! I guess there is some truth to those commercials on TV.

[UPDATE: Re-reading this post made me realize that the last few lines made no real sense. Hmph, must be the meds talking.]

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0010: Magic Eight Ball Edition

2007-09-24T21:33:00.000+08:00

All signs point to slow down... fool.

They're Butt-Ugly AND They're Dangerous

2007-09-10T14:12:00.000+08:00

I never understood why people buy Crocs. They're flippin' ugly. But I'd never expect these things to hurt you as much it hurts your fashion credibility.

According to Japan's International Trade and Industry Ministry and the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, 40 reported escalator accidents have been linked to these monstrosities. One reported case involved a five-year-old girl breaking her middle toe.

As much as I hate these shoes, I can't fathom how these things get caught on escalators. But I'm told one similar event has already happened in the Philippines. So you guys better think twice before buying such potentially (fashionably) dangerous footwear.

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0009: Drivers & Navigators

2007-09-08T15:03:00.000+08:00

Never EVER let anyone who doesn't drive navigate for you.

Face it, You're a Geek

2007-08-26T16:10:00.000+08:00

"Geek" has been a derogatory term used to label people who have, according to the dictionary, an "eccentric devotion to a particular interest," in most cases, any person who is absorbed by computers, video games or any other subject linked with technology or science. Well, thanks to the interweb, Geeks are now retaking the name as a badge of pride. And why not? We're all geeks in one way or another.

Think about it. Sure, it's easy to make fun of a person just because he/she knows the square root of 16,384. But isn't it the same as calculating how much fat you'll burn in a 2-hour session at the gym? Or knowing the field goal percentage of Michael Jordan? Or even perhaps knowing how much torque the Honda S2000 has? What's so different about knowing dialogue from Star Trek by heart from memorizing your favorite poem of Pablo Neruda?

Know the difference between a MacPherson Strut and a Torsion-Beam? Then you're a Car Geek. You can summarize all the films made by Martin Scorsese? By jove, you're a Film Geek! You get angry at the referee for calling a personal foul when clearly it was a charging violation? Hello, Sports Geek. Can you tell what ISO and Aperture Settings to use when shooting at midday? You're a Camera Geek.

So face it, you're a geek. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Don't worry. No one's laughing at you. You love what you love, that's not a crime. You're amongst your fellow geeks. So be proud and proclaim your geekdom!

[Illustrations by Scott Johnson. See more geeks here.]

If You Like Movies...

2007-08-10T03:25:00.000+08:00

... then you should check out Ebert & Roeper's Movie Review site. I chanced upon it while reading a video game web site of all places.

Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel and Richard Roeper's reviews are the most entertaining I've seen on TV or online (they're up there with reviews by a guy only known as "p" ^_^ ). With the recent addition of their Balcony Archive, you can check out what they thought of films released in the last 20 years.

Their insight is very interesting and they get into very hilarious discussions on films they have different opinions about. But, in my opinion, the best laughs come from when they all rag on a really horrible film.

Feeling a bit Emo

2007-08-04T20:08:00.000+08:00

It's a saturday night and I'm at home feeling non-active. My body is too lazy to go out, too bummed to watch TV, too fat to eat any more junk food but my brain is too active to sit still. It's a weird mix. The mind wants to move but the meat says hell no.
So what do I do? I think. I'm told thinking is a dangerous pastime. But what else can you do when your body won't cooperate? So I think about a lot of things and go through my usual process:

First, I lose that good feeling.
Next, I start to realize that the world is a shitty place.
Then I start to think evil thoughts.

[All strips from Sinfest.net by Tatsuya Ishida]

They used Government funds to do WHAT???

2007-08-01T12:33:00.000+08:00

Calm down. It's not about our government. It's Austria's. I read this while browsing through Yahoo:

"VIENNA, Austria - Ever whacked your thumb with a hammer, or wrenched your back after lifting a heavy box, and blamed the full moon? It's a popular notion, but there's no cosmic connection, Austrian government researchers said Tuesday. Robert Seeberger, a physicist and astronomer at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said a team of experts analyzed 500,000 industrial accidents in Austria between 2000 and 2004 and found no link to lunar activity. "The full moon does not unfavorably affect the likelihood of an accident," Seeberger said."

Well.. DUH! I could've told you that! Jeez, and here I thought the Philippine Government had ludicrous spending habits. Oi.

Read the full lunacy, I mean, article here.

When it Rains it Pours

2007-07-22T13:31:00.000+08:00

It's been a crazy week. Things haven't been, well, "peachy" in my life. But as they say, when you hit rock bottom, nowhere else to go but up. (At least I think this is rock bottom, I would dread to think I can sink any lower.)

Hoping the next week will be much happier. Have a nice Sunday, y'all.

Sick of it Part II: Murder, Death, Kill

2007-07-21T09:39:00.000+08:00

For the next few minutes, you will have to excuse my language.

PUTANG INA! PU. TANG. INAAAAA!!! Ang kapal ng mukha ng tarantadong ito! He asks me to have his motherfucking PC reformatted. When he drops it in, he wants me to back up his data. Fuck! Fine. I suck it up and tell him this will be the LAST time I will do this for him and he better learn to do this himself.

I boot up his PC. It runs. I was checking his hard drive for errors when suddenly the power dies. I try powering it up again. It doesn't. The PC feels unusually warm to the touch. I determine that it might be the power supply that failed. I text him my findings and advise to have it brought to the shop to have the hardware checked. He texts back: "Ganyan talaga yan. Tapatan mo ng fan, mag-o-on ulit yan."

MOTHER FUCKER! YOU GAVE ME A MACHINE FOR SOFTWARE ISSUES NOT TELLING ME THAT THERE ARE HARDWARE ISSUES INVOLVED AS WELL???!!!! FUCK YOU! Ang kapal mo! How do you fucking expect me to install an Operating System with faulty fucking hardware?!????? I am not risking an overheating PC in my house! Fuck you! I am not a computer repair center you can just boss around! THIS WAS A FAVOR, FUCKER! YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST THE DECENCY TO TELL ME EVERYTHING WRONG WITH THE PC BEFORE EVEN HANDING IT OVER! FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING FUCKER! TAKE YOUR SHITTY ASS MACHINE AND THROW IT IN WITH THE REST OF YOUR BULLSHIT! FUCKER!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

The nerve of some people!

Sick of it

2007-07-18T07:40:00.000+08:00

I've posted an entry on this subject before. But this time, it's not targeted to my inner circle of friends. It's those friends of friends of friends that bother me this time or the "cling-ons" as I like to call them. To be more specific, it's my brother's friend.

Dude, I know I'm a geek. I wouldn't think twice about helping my friends for any tech related problem (provided help isn't asked in the most inopportune moments) but dude, who the f%^k are you??? I know he's my brother and he's your friend. But don't you have any other tech capable friends??? WHY WON'T YOU STOP BEING A FRICKIN' CHEAPSKATE AND PAY FOR SOMEONE TO REFORMAT YOUR DAMN COMPUTER?!!! I AM NOT YOUR PERSONAL FREE COMPUTER TECHNICIAN!!!!!

RRRRRAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!!

(huff, huff)

I'm okay now. Sorry y'all had to see that. Move along now. Have a nice day.

That Would Be Me on the Right

2007-07-10T07:08:00.001+08:00

[Click Image for Larger Version]

I'm nothing, I tell you! NOTHIING!!! Okay, drama over. Have a nice day.

[From Sinfest.net by Tatsuya Ishida]

I Killed my iPod.

2007-06-21T21:13:00.000+08:00

Well, it happened. My trusty 40GB Third Generation iPod is dead. It snagged on the audio cable it was hooked up to in our sound system in the office, slipped out of my hand then a sudden drop then a sudden stop.

The whole room gasped as they saw it happen. My face started contorting as if a hollow block dropped on my foot. I quickly grabbed it off the floor and tested to see if it was still okay. For the first few minutes it was. I even got to play a song out of it. Then it stopped. Then my Playlists disappeared then all my songs were gone. Panicking, I reset the iPod. Then I heard the worst thing to ever come out of an iPod besides boy band music... clicking. It wasn't the clicking sound when you use the Click Wheel, it was the hard drive. It sounded a lot like this. That sound is one the first signs that your hard drive is dead or dying. I had killed my iPod.

I was planning on retiring the old girl when the touch screen one comes out (the iPhone sans the phone). But as my luck would have it, it won't even reach a fourth year with me. I thought about salvaging it by having the hard drive replaced at the Apple Center, but I was told that the replacement drive would cost PhP11,000, almost as much as a 30GB Fifth Gen iPod. So all hopes of spending one more year with my baby, the first iPod I bought. The first iPod in my barkada, way before people knew what iPods were.

The drive to work won't sound the same anymore.

Two Down. Three to Go.

2007-06-17T18:28:00.000+08:00

My Coveted Toys*
~~Sony Bravia KLV-32V200 LCD TV~~
Wacom Intuos3 6x11 Widescreen Tablet
Nintendo Wii
8-Core Apple Mac Pro
~~Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens (Sigma 24-70mm DG Macro)~~

Yup. Bought another expensive frivolous toy. I just finished setting it up a few minutes ago then my brother takes over to watch some cartoons. Oi vay. Me? What am I going to do with it? Umm.... play some videogames.

For those unfamiliar with my Greed List, read my first post about it here.

P.S. Arian... yogamat!

Why God doesn't grant me Superpowers

2007-06-06T17:54:00.000+08:00

We all know Uncle Ben's greatest advice to young Peter Parker: "With great power comes great responsibility." I've always thought of myself as a very moral person. I liken myself to Hiro Nakamura, an otaku with a heart of gold, trying to be like the heroes I've grown up reading. Like Hiro, I'm pretty sure if I had "great power" I would use it for good.

So if I'm such a goody-goody kid, why won't God grant me powers to help save the world? Well, a few things come to mind, most of which dealing with my short temper and raging hormones. I've come up with a list of superpowers I'd like to have, and the reason why I probably don't deserve them.

Harry Potter: Magic
Sure, I'll probably start my own order to fight Lord Voldemort but the only real spell I'll ever learn is "Brassiereus Disintengratia."

Magneto: Master of Magnetism
In a severe case of road rage, I would have flung half the cars on EDSA into the Pasig River.

Star Wars: The Force
With my greed, I will surely become a Sith Lord, but instead of plotting to take over the Galactic Republic, I'll probably be too preoccupied using the Jedi Mind Trick to get free meals and getting Supermodels to sleep with me. Hey, it only works on the weak-minded. (Ba-da-bum-psh!)

Fullmetal Alchemist: Human Transmutation
In a heated debate, I would have transmuted my opponent's mouth with his asshole within the first few minutes.

Superman: Super Everything
The obvious thing for any guy with Superman's powers is to look through women's clothing with his X-ray vision. But for the sake of creativity, I would probably fly illegally parked cars on top of buildings or maybe flip them over just to piss off the drivers.

Spider-man: Does Everything a Spider Can
Two words: ultimate paparazzo. Who cares about taking pics of myself fighting crime? The real money is getting the juiciest shots of those crazy celebrities!

Death Note: The Power to Kill Anyone
I would probably be the most unfair Grim Reaper out there. That guy that got the girl I like? Death by hamster bites. Corrupt Political Family? One way trip to the Bermuda Triangle. That girl who turned me down and humiliated me? Death by contaminated tampon. Kris Aquino and Ruffa Gutierrez? That's easy. Death by every STD known to man.

Hiro Nakamura: Time & Space Manipulation
You heard of the insult, "fuck you and your ancestors?" It can happen.

That's all I can think of at the moment. What about you? What superpower would you most likely abuse?

[Image taken from: http://amtog.blogs.ie/2007/04/17/]

Slighty Toasted & Crispy

2007-05-27T21:34:00.000+08:00

Took 6 days off from work for some R&R. Spent that time with a few friends in El Rio y Mar Resort in Busuanga, Palawan. I'm a bit tired from the plane ride, so I'll probably post my (800+) pics at my Multiply site tomorrow. For now, it's just good to be home in one piece.

Other People with My Face Version 2: Venom Edition

2007-05-16T21:06:00.000+08:00

Couldn't resist to try another (more "expressive") pic. Only one hottie this time, Nakama Yukie-san, the actress who plays Kumiko in the Live-action Gokusen series. It also says I look like Venom! Whoo hoo! (If you really want to burst my bubble, you can say I look like Eric Forman sans the goofy 70s hairstyle.)

Not only that, it also says I look like a serial killer, an award-winning director, and a philosopher. Hmm, interesting combination. Maybe soon I'll make a pretentious film about all the people I'll kill.

Now there's an idea...

P.S. For all you who are gullible enough to believe everything written on the Internet, that was a bloody joke.

Other People with My Face

2007-05-14T21:00:00.000+08:00

Wasn't expecting that I look like Keira... damn, I'm hot! Kanye West though? I hate George Bush but I can't sing to save my life!

Democracy at Work

2007-05-14T06:48:00.000+08:00

It's election day today and I still don't know who to bloody vote for. This is the only time in this country where normal people (should) feel more powerful than politicians. Quite frankly, it should always be like this. Not the ~~gangland~~ political killings, mud-slinging, unsincere hand-shaking, and goofy dancing, but the ass-kissing. Politicians should always kiss ass to the people. It's the natural order of things.

One Down. Four to Go. [Update 1]

2007-05-03T19:43:00.000+08:00

My Coveted Toys:
Sony Bravia KLV-32V200 LCD TV
Wacom Intuos3 6x11 Widescreen Tablet
Nintendo Wii
8-Core Apple Mac Pro
~~Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens~~

I decided to treat myself a little today. But when I say "little," I really mean "a lot."

It's not the same exact lens I was going for at first, but it's hell of a lot cheaper and just as good.

____
UPDATE: Uploaded some test shots on my Multiply site.

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0008: End of Quarter, Time to check your Test Results

2007-04-29T20:32:00.000+08:00

Not-so-cryptic if you know what time of year it is.

But how's this for cryptic? 年は終了する。別の年は始まる

Ni-Jyuu Roku-sai ni youkoso, minna-san.

An Exercise in Rapacity

2007-04-15T08:12:00.000+08:00

My Dad's 40" Sony Bravia LCD TV arrived yesterday and I've finished the first series of tests. And what's the verdict so far? Damn it, I want one. It's currently sitting in our den whilst my dad figures out where it will reside. So my PS3, naturally, is down there with it.

Since I'm lazy, I'd rather not want to have to go down to the den to get my gaming on, not to mention all the TV traffic we're bound to get with it. Now, the wheels in the greed center of my brain started turning and now I'm saving for one for my own. But then I thought, why stop there? While my greed is at its usual high levels, I compiled a list of my coveted gadgets of the moment.

Do I really need these? Not really. Are they essential as breathing? Perhaps not. But do I have an unhealthy lust towards them? Maybe just a little.

So here they are, in no particular order:
Sony Bravia KLV-32V200 LCD TV. So I can have HD gaming from the comfort of my own room. Besides, my bed is there.

Wacom Intuos3 6x11 Widescreen Tablet. My trusty old Graphire tablet is due for a replacement. I've had it since my college days and has served me well. But ever since I switched to the Mac, the small 4:3 aspect ratio is causing some minor, albeit, annoying issues. The larger working area and widescreen layout will be a better fit for my Mac and the angle sensitivity will definitely help with my digital painting.

Nintendo Wii. Yes, I already have a PS3. But the Wiimote controls compels me to buy one. Not to mention that the Legend of Zelda franchise is on it.

8-Core Apple Mac Pro. 8 Cores! That's 4 times more than what I have! I never said that this list was rational, did I?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens. I've given up on the 70-200mm monster I've previously coveted but I really need to replace my standard 18-55mm lens with something more robust. I'm told this one makes for nice pictures.

That's all I can think of on the top of my head. None of those are exactly as cheap as yoga mats, but they do so much more than yoga mats (at least for me). But mark my words: these will be mine, oh yes, these will be mine*.

* Okay, maybe not all of them.

It's been a Good Friday the 13th

2007-04-13T20:50:00.000+08:00

It was a good day today. Really it was. Many wonderful things happened today, a day most consider "unlucky."

For starters, I took a leave from work to renew my driver's license. Expecting the worst based on my previous encounters with said branch of the government. But to my surprise, the LTO branch in ATC was different. The staff were pleasant and courteous. People lining up were disciplined. Though it still took around 2 hours to process all the paperwork and retrieve my license, the wait wasn't as excruciating as the last time I had to renew my license.

Then, Globe finally fixed our DSL and landline. It took some time to convince them to change the modem they intially supplied me. It turns out I was right all along, the modem was causing all the issues. Now, my Yahoo! Messenger has finally stabilized and is rarely disconnecting on its own. The landline isn't interfering with the data services. Phone call quality is a lot better than with the old modem.

Finally, had dinner out with my folks. Just good quality time with my parents.

Yup, it was a good Friday the 13th.

Blogging From Bacolod

2007-04-05T08:39:00.000+08:00

It's Day 3 for me here in University of St. La Salle in Bacolod. My colleague and I joined the Brothers for their District Retreat to document the proceedings. Taking a break right now in their WiFi enabled lounge. Haven't been able to take in the sights around the city yet. Hopefully I'll be able to take some photos around town before I head back home to Manila on Easter Sunday.

Enjoy your Holy Week, all.

Folding@home

2007-03-25T20:56:00.000+08:00

I've decided to help Stanford's Folding@home project using my PS3. To those uninitiated with the Folding@home project, it's an international effort to share processing power of idle computers to simulate "folding" of proteins. Why fold proteins? Well, to quote the official Folding@home site:

Proteins are biology's workhorses -- its "nanomachines." Before proteins can carry out these important functions, they assemble themselves, or "fold." The process of protein folding, while critical and fundamental to virtually all of biology, in many ways remains a mystery.

Moreover, when proteins do not fold correctly (i.e. "misfold"), there can be serious consequences, including many well known diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Mad Cow (BSE), CJD, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many Cancers and cancer-related syndromes.

By simulating folding proteins, the brilliant people at Stanford can then study these and try to determine what causes these "misfolds" and come up with ways to prevent and/or reverse them.

Sony and Stanford recently released a client for the PS3, so I thought to myself, what the heck. It's not like I'm gaming or watching Blu-ray Movies 24/7. But you don't need a PS3 to share some of your own idle processing power. You go to the official website and download a client for your operating system.

So how does it work? Each participant is given a protein to fold, then once the protein has fully developed the sample is sent back to Stanford. Simple enough, but to simulate the almost infinite randomness of proteins requires lots of time. Even with my PS3's hefty Cell Processor, one sample takes 8 hours to complete. But that doesn't mean you need to let your computer run for 8 hours straight, you can always turn if off then the program should continue where you last left off. At least that's what my PS3 does. Dedicating 2 hours a day for your computer to fold should be enough. It may take longer for you to finish a sample, but every little bit helps.

It feels good that I'm able to help with something I bought for selfish reasons. Just paying it forward I guess.

It all makes sense now

2007-03-25T07:27:00.000+08:00

I was going through my morning stroll around the interweb when I chanced upon an article titled 10 Things You Never Knew About SEX. Alright, alright, stop the snickering. It's obvious why I was drawn to the headline. But I'm not here to broadcast my overly curious (and repressed) mind.

What really got my attention was number 6, which states:
"Homosexuality is not unique to humans. Many species have been observed engaging in homosexual activity, and in fact male bats have the highest rate of homosexuality of all mammals."

Then it hit me (no, I'm not coming out of the closet either, wise ass), all the rumors were apparently true. It all makes sense now! I'll never look at this picture the same way again:

Holey Hot Pants, Batman!

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Exhausted, Worn out, Weary, Fatigued, Dead beat, Etc, Etc

2007-03-24T08:43:00.000+08:00

It's been a hell of a week. I'm not sure if the work load has increased or the lack of substantial rest is making me a bit edgy in the office. I didn't mean to be snarky to my co-workers this week but there were days where I just wanted to snap.

What really bothers me is not the increased stress levels (nor the hair strands pile around my chair) is I feel like I've been behaving like a brat, whining like a sad bitch. I'll try to have more composure next week. If I live long enough to see Monday.

The Big Switcheroo

2007-03-20T20:05:00.000+08:00

It's been a week since I switched ISPs from the Evil PLDT to Globelines. The rates are roughly same, probably cheaper. Installation was fast, but not exactly painless. Slight tweaks needed to be done to my home router. Nothing major. They installed this little box to activate their new Voice Over IP landline telephone. It sounds fancy but really isn't. Voice quality is the same as a mobile phone. One major pitfall is when the DSL or electricity goes out, so does your phone as it is dependent on your internet connection.

For me, the VOIP box was more trouble than it was worth. The box itself can only support up to 10Mbps when my router is capable of 100Mbps on cable and 54Mbps on wireless. Everything bottlenecked at the lousy box causing severe surfing issues. Whenever I load multiple tabs at once, the server stops responding forcing me to restart the modem and the box to regain access but only to lose the connection again after I load the same amount of tabs, regardless of what sites I'm viewing. When I decided to just rip out the box, everything worked fine. Thought the customer service agent assures me that the VOIP issue is isolated in our area and will be resolved soon. Though I wouldn't hold my breath.

Customer Service is a little bit more bearable. Though it still takes FOREVER to talk to a customer service agent. They have Josh Groban playing when you're on hold, slightly less annoying than the Kenny G tripe they have over at PL-fucking-DT. But after an hour of listening to Groban, you'd want to skin him alive. But I digress. Once you do get through, the agents are SOO much better than the retards at PL-fucking-DT. They are courteous, nice and they know their stuff. When they say that there'll be a technician within 24 hours. They will be a technician within 24 hours. My only gripe is when you try to make a schedule when they should come (maybe to schedule at a time when you're home to assist them), they pretty much don't follow it and just arrive when they please.

As for the download/upload speeds, I'm very happy with it. Quite speedy since I opted for the fastest plan. No major loss of connection ever since I removed that VOIP box.

So if you think you want to switch, I would say go for it. But I wouldn't rely too much on the VOIP phone. I expect things to be the same with PL-fucking-DT's bullshit NxGN phoneline crap. They're both VOIP, so don't be fooled. They rely on the same technology. And if we're talking about PL-fucking-DT, you know it's gonna cause you more troubles than they let on. But to be fair, it's still a relatively new technology, so bugs will be present. Things should work out better as the years pass. As much as I want to be free of PL-fucking-DT, I still wouldn't recommend getting rid of your plain old telephone just yet.

Final words: Globe's Internet service and Customer service? Great. VOIP phone? Not so much. Want to Switch? By all means.

Stupid is As Stupid Breeds

2007-03-17T16:39:00.000+08:00

After listening to part of the latest episode of TWiT, I became very interested with the film they were discussing, Idiocracy. While not Oscar worthy or even start-to-finish-laugh-your-head-off funny, it gives a downright frightening prospect of where humankind is heading.

The plot revolves around a very average (average intelligence, average everything) American soldier, played by Luke Wilson, chosen to be part of a suspended animation military experiment designed to preserve the world's brightest minds, best entrepreneurs, best whatever. But, like in many movies dealing with freezing someone, everything goes awry (my new favorite word of the month) and he ends up being frozen 499 years more than what was initially intended. He wakes up to a world where the number one TV show is a man getting pummeled in his nut sack repeatedly and the year's Academy Award winner for best picture is a 90+ minute movie of a farting ass and the global population has devolved into, well, idiots.

I can't help but think that we're halfway into this tragic future. With sites like YouTube giving access to morons to share their stupidity with the rest of their kind and Internet anonymity giving uneducated bloggers (ahem) their soapbox to take opinions they pulled conveniently out of their own assholes and post them as facts removing all accountability for being a half-wit.

Anyway, before this post becomes a full-blown rant, watch the film. Buy/rent the DVD or, if you're too cheap, torrent the motherfucker. Now excuse me, while I try to help keep intelligent people away from the endangered species list and procreate as much as I can. I suggest all of you smart people do the same.

It Never Does

2007-03-05T07:25:00.000+08:00

Damn, damn, damn. Tatsuya Ishida did it again (Quadfecta?). You have got to see today's strip.

Getting Philosophical on Myself

2007-03-03T06:36:00.000+08:00

I've been meaning to post this since it first came out, but it's somewhat fortunate that I didn't. Because Tatsuya Ishida has been on a roll. Now I must warn you, the following will be a tirade which will elicit a lot of "I-told-you-so's" and a couple of "Get-off-your-ass-already's." Basically, more of the same self-pitiful bullshit. So if you'd rather not get infuriated by my incessant whining, skip this post altogether.

I've always been plaguing myself with what-if's that I usually cower under my self-generated pressure. But there are days that I actually feel like doing something about it. But in the end, cowardice always wins out. Why am I keeping myself in this high school level, lovey-dovey torpe bullshit? It's so obvious that knowing you failed is hell of a lot better than torturing yourself on what-if's. (Although, to be fair, sometimes ignorance can prove to be blissful.)

But I have done it before! I have stepped out of my shell and told women (only 2 in actuality) how I honestly feel. (I don't really have to tell you the outcome of those incidents. Otherwise, I wouldn't be making this stupid post in the first place.) Is it really a matter of wrong time, wrong place? Or is it really (my favorite consolation phrase) the wrong girl? Or, as Mr. Ishida so bluntly puts it, am I really just in love with an "Idea?" Well, that was my excuse for moving on from the first girl I really liked. People change. She changed. And I was in love with the idea of her in high school. She was a sharp one. Because she knew that my infatuation clouded my vision from seeing the real her. Maybe it was the same with Girl#2. This one nipped things at the bud before things got too far. Can't really say that I'm thankful for her doing that. But I really have to learn to that it was for my own good and take it like a man. I don't have to like what transpired but it did. What am I gonna do? Blame God for my own inadequacies?

Tatsuya Ishida made a trifecta on what I needed (perhaps wanted) to hear this week. I find myself, maybe (a BIG maybe) en route to a Girl#3. It's these questions that I need to clarify with myself first before I go in head first to another (possible) awkward crash. Only time will tell whether these strips will ultimately fill me with courage, turn me into a bigger coward, or reveal to the world that I really, really love ideas.

[Side note: If you like the strips I featured on my post, go help Mr. Ishida make some money and regularly visit his site. It's not always safe for work, but hopefully your bosses aren't huge pricks.]

Black is the New Black

2007-02-23T21:29:00.000+08:00

What did I say about Black and Shiny Gadgets? Yeah, I tend gravitate towards them. Got bored and took some snapshots of my black gizmos. I just realized that most of my black gadgets are Sony products. Fancy that. Click the image for more of my practice photography shots.

Spoiled

2007-02-21T19:51:00.000+08:00

I think I may have to learn to say "no." I've been too accommodating to my friends, co-workers, and even random acquaintances. So much that they text, call or e-mail me late at night. Tonight, I've had four different people ask me four different things in a span of an hour. And like the daft doormat that I am, I agreed to all requests.

I feel like I'm Melvin Smiley in The Big Hit. I can't refuse a request in fear of people disliking me. [sigh] It's mentally and physically draining me. People criticize me sometimes for being too much of a hermit, but now you know that most of the time I spend at home is to accommodate several requests from all these people.

I really like some alone time. I need some time just veg out in front of my Mac watching my shows and even more time to finally finish Final Fantasy XII. Dear God, people, the world of Ivalice needs me too!

One of these days, I think I'll digitally disappear from all of you.

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0007: Extra Bitter Edition

2007-02-14T06:28:00.000+08:00

Bah-humbug!

[RANT] Pardon my French, but FUCK PLDT

2007-02-08T19:39:00.000+08:00

I have never been so vexed by a single company like this since Microsoft. PL-fucking-DT has been exponentially degrading in service since they were incorporated. You'd think they'd appreciate us for sticking by their monopoly all these years. But no, what to we get for our (imposed) loyalty? A swift kick to the nut sack (I don't know what they do to the ladies, but it must be equally painful).

To preface all this hatred, first, mid last year, they were offering new upgraded speeds for their DSL service. Back then, we were on a 768kbps subscription. We were paying around Php2,500 a month not including the landline fees. I notice they were advertising a Php1,995 plan with a 1.2Mbps speed. I call to avail of this new cheaper and faster subscription plan. I tell them I wanted to upgrade because naturally 768kbps to 1.2Mbps is an upgrade, right? Right? Wrong. To them, it was considered a downgrade since it was a cheaper plan, not only that, they have a "downgrade fee" of Php5,000. Inconceivable! So I try to beat them at their own game, I asked, then I'll just have my current line disconnected and have a new one reattached. No fees, no bullshit. Wrong again. They said that there was a 15 day disconnection period and another 15 days for processing the application for the new plan, plus we had to pay all installation fees again!

Second and more recently, our landline has been experiencing problems since December 2006. It took one BLOODY month to fix it. But like in most rants, it doesn't end there. It seems those they sent to fix it did an extremely shoddy job. Now our bloody line has bloody static. And when there's static on our line, your DSL connection basically goes bye-bye. To this day, they haven't fixed the static.

Now, multiply this by two years and 20-odd years worth of disconnections and overcharging, and I think you'll be on the same page I am. Fuck PLDT. Fuck their shitty landline service. Fuck their overpriced DSL plans. And most of all, fuck their inept and useless customer service.

They will rue the day the have crossed me.

I've seen the Light, and it's in HD

2007-02-02T06:30:00.000+08:00

I hadn't the slightest idea what High-Definition content would look like. I've always thought DVD was the best picture quality we'll ever get. Boy, was I wrong.

Oh. My. God. DVD ain't got nothing on HD.

HD truly can't be described to you. You really have to see it yourself. Running my new toy on a measly 1080i resolution has already impressed me, it boggles the mind what 1080p would be like. I'm just relieved that I've justified my impulse purchase.

If all this HD Resolution jargon made you go cross-eyed, read more here.

Will You Make Up Your Minds!?

2007-01-31T08:20:00.000+08:00

[Click the image for the full strip.] Statistics was invented for the betterment of mankind. At least that's what it says on paper. But in reality, it made us a bunch of paranoid, indecisive, whiny, oftentimes pretentious assholes waving statistical figures trying to make ourselves look more intelligent.

Statistics is one of the prime examples of humankind's insatiable appetite to give order to chaos. We like to think that there's a pattern for everything. Sure, it helps us make some sense of the world but we have to keep in mind, statistics ≠ facts. If we take all these studies as fact, then we'll end up like poor little Katie from Count Your Sheep. If anything, there should just be one statistic: Everything in Moderation, baby. (I'm not entirely sure that made any sense.)

Don't Look at Me! I'm a Weak Shell of a Man!

2007-01-30T13:50:00.000+08:00

Yes, I did it. I gave in. I'm pathetic. I needed a cheap (Cheap?! Since when is 39,000 pesos cheap?!) thrill. Don't look at me, I'm so ashamed!

[Semi-RANT] Why You Should Care about the iPhone

2007-01-12T06:53:00.000+08:00

Most of you might be sick to your spleens with the endless news about Apple's new iPhone. What's so special about it? It's nothing more than a glorified iPod or an overly expensive PDA or even a rip-off of a prototype as some would suggest. It's more significant than everyone thinks.

Ask yourself, when have you been really been excited about a mobile phone? Okay, now when has the whole WORLD been excited about a mobile phone? Really? Never? Think about it. No real mobile phone got this much buzz from mainstream media. When Nokia launches a new phone, will Europeans telco's fight for an exclusivity deal? Did the P990i boost Sony Ericsson's stock when it was announced?

Why is it so important? No real mobile has this much advanced technology behind it. Not Nokia, not Sony Ericsson. Most mobiles coming from those companies are evolutionary not revolutionary.

This may sound like hot air coming from a Mac fanatic. But watch the Macworld Keynote. Skip to the 26m 50s mark for the iPhone announcement. Watch the demo. See for yourself how much technology is in it. And ask yourself again, does any current or announced mobile have all of this functionality? Forget 3G for a second, and think about it. What phone has a highly advanced touch interface? What phone can detect whether it's rotated to landscape or portrait and adjust the screen orientation accordingly? What PDA-phone has Google Maps built-in? And what music phone has the ease of use of an iPod?

If you still don't believe me, just watch the Keynote or if you can't just go to the official site here. If you still don't then honestly, you're just lying to yourself. It's not a perfect phone, not by a long shot. It doesn't have 3G, which is a minor thing in my opinion. It only has a 5-hour talk time and the battery is not user replaceable. And we won't be getting one until 2008. But even with those flaws, you have to get your head wrapped around the idea on what Apple has done. They have truly reinvented the mobile phone. I will guarantee that other mobile phone manufacturers will incorporate all, if not, some of the technologies of the iPhone in some form in the near future. And that's the nice way of saying that they'll copy the iPhone.

In conclusion, Scott Kurtz said it best in his PvP comic strip:

[Click to view Larger Version]

What was that I said about being Black and Shiny?

2007-01-10T08:23:00.000+08:00

Apple did it. They released a Phone. An iPhone. The former computer company (now simply called Apple, Inc.) has now crossed into cellphones and entertainment media.

I want. ほしい. Gusto ko niyan. Damn you, Stevie J. You just made me want to spend more for something I'll probably have to take several odd jobs to pay for. [Sigh] It's tough to be a geek.

It's Geek Week™!

2007-01-08T06:52:00.000+08:00

I didn't realize until recently that Geek Week™ happens every second week of January. Why? Because of Macworld San Francisco and the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) happens (usually) on the second week of the new year! It's during these event that Apple and other Consumer Electronic companies announce their latest products (read: Toys for geeks)! It's a great week to be a Geek!

Oh, and pay no attention to the floor, it's just covered in geek drool.

2007 Cometh...

2006-12-31T19:20:00.000+08:00

[Click to view Larger Version.]

Posting this a bit early this time. 2006 was, well, an "interesting" year for me. Hope y'all had a great year. Here's to the next one. Happy 2007, all.

The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural

2006-12-26T10:35:00.000+08:00

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Merry Christmas to All.

2006-12-25T21:43:00.000+08:00

[Click to Download Larger Versions]

Yes, I've been slacking on my eCards. Hope the Holidays are treating you well. God bless and all that stuff.

Peter Boyle (Br. Frances de Sales, 1933-2006)

2006-12-15T19:36:00.000+08:00

Many of you may know Peter Boyle as Raymond's dad in "Everybody Loves Raymond," some of you may not have seen him in Young Frankenstein as Frankenstein's monster, and perhaps even more you never knew that he was a former De La Salle Brother*. He left after three years to pursue acting.

Mr. Boyle has been one of my many favorite "bit" actors. I call them that because they're great actors but are usually cast in minor roles. Though most of his parts were not the lead, all of them were surely memorable, at least, the ones I've watched.

Rest in Peace, Br. Francis.

[Image Source: Wikipedia.org]
* Don't worry, I didn't know either. But then again, look at him, he sure looks like a Brother.

New Toy

2006-12-09T20:26:00.000+08:00

No, you won't see anything new there. What's new is the doohickey I used to take this photo with. Got myself a second hand Speedlite 420EX external flash for my SLR and I'm currently testing it out.

I've always hated using the built-in flash for my photos. Those of you know a thing or two about photography, you'll know how harsh direct flash it is on your subject. But these external ones can be redirected to have a more natural look, or perhaps even add a little more effect. It's always fun to get new attachments for SLR cameras, it makes them feel new again.

Here's another photo of my iMac. That's my work area at home. Fairly simple, really. I let the flash bounce of the ceiling for this shot. Notice the absence of glare on the screen. Now that I think about it, I've gloated about my iMac countless times but never posted a photo of it. Hmm, fancy that.

P.S. Yes, I cleaned up a bit for this last shot.

My Mom is a Mac User

2006-11-17T20:08:00.000+08:00

This post can go either way. On one hand, my mom, who is possibly the most tech illiterate person I know, can be the best example how Macs are so easy to use. But on the other hand, Mac bashers would use this as an opportunity to say Macs are not "hardcore" enough that mere housewives use them. But that's not the point of this post.

[Cue Apple Switch Music.]

My mom has been nagging my dad and me about getting her a laptop. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as she kept persisting that she absolutely needed one. This coming from the same person who, even after countless times my dad and brothers teach her how to send e-mail or how to use Word, still manages to forget everything we taught the second she leaves the PC.

But still, even with the knowledge that she'll not be able to fully utilize her own computer, my dad relented and decided to surprise my mom and get her a Black Core Duo MacBook for her birthday. I just picked it up from the store today and am now currently setting it up for her, while still trying to figure out how to make really, really, really simple for her to use without having to call me or my other brothers for help.

It's gonna be a rough couple of weeks. But the smile on her face when she got her present is all worth it.

Shouldn't you be getting your loved one a Mac?

[Fade in Apple Logo.]

Cryptic Nonsensical Outburst #0006: It just won't End

2006-11-16T10:35:00.000+08:00

When will the hurting stop?

Br. Rafe

2006-11-03T18:34:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, we lost a great member of the Lasallian Family. News of his disappearance and, ultimately, his death spread like a sick joke through SMS. I couldn't believe it. I refused to believe it. But reality doesn't give us much of a choice on these matters.

My earliest memory of Br. Rafe was a back in Grade School at Zobel. I distinctly remember him coming to Zobel on-board a helicopter. He was the System President at the time. As a grade schooler, we made a big fuss about him coming to see us at the time. It's not everyday you get to meet a President of sorts who flew in a helicopter. After that, I didn't get to see him again until I started working at LSGH two years ago. And in those two years I was fortunate enough to get to know the real Br. Rafe. Probably not know him as well as his older students and friends, but I'd like to think I got to know him plenty enough.

I wonder if I have a "right" to grieve for him, seeing that I only knew him for two measly years. But I still can't believe that he's actually gone. I will miss the times I have to go in his office and check on his iBook. I will miss his warm smile and deep-voiced "good morning." I will miss his stories. The office already feels empty without his presence. I'm actually still a bit shaken about this whole ordeal. I'm not even sure if I'm making sense in this post.

We've already posted a statement regarding his death on the official site. Chuck also posted his last recorded video (which was supposed to be his thank you message after his Golden Jubilee last October) on the same page.

The Mac is Back!

2006-11-02T15:36:00.000+08:00

After a good 2 weeks or so, my iMac is back in (so far) fine working condition. Apparently, my power supply gave way because of constant power fluctuation. And the last big storm made the fluctuations worse. So now, I'm getting reacquainted with it and have a lot of backlog podcasts to download... but all is right again with the world (for now).

I have to give credit to the local PowerMac center in San Juan. Here I thought there were no Mac Genuises in the Philippines but I was wrong. I was really worried of having some other people maintain my computer, but I can now rest easy to know that there are very competent technicians for Apple products in the country. One of my main concerns with owning a Mac has been answered. You really are in good hands with Apple. Bless you, Steve Jobs and all Mac Genuises around the world.

z610i: Black and Shiny, Just the Way I like my Gadgets

2006-10-14T08:11:00.000+08:00

I think I've found my next mobile. I've always been a clamshell person (I refuse to call them flip-phones). I absolutely loved my old z600 but was severely disappointed with my current z800i. Sony Ericsson's other clamshell offerings were a bit "meh." I was ready to give up and switch back to candybar models when this little black (and Aqua and Pink) beauty showed up on the Philippine SE site.

Oh, sure it doesn't have a 30.55513451 megapixel camera or DVD-quality video captures or a twisty-turny swivel thing, but it does however, have a simple elegant design and a fricking sweet OLED display. It's got the secondary camera for 3G video conference calls, which really hasn't took off yet. A 2.0 megapixel primary camera, which is small by today's standards but I have my trusty EOS350D (8.0 megapixel SLR, motherfuckers) to handle all my photography needs. Besides, anyone who gauges their mobile phone purchase on the built-in camera is a fool. There, I said it. But I digress.

I'm not a mobile phone man. I don't really need to have the latest and greatest phone, though my gadget geek sensibilities get the better of me at times. I made a mistake switching from my z600 to this clunker of a phone, and I've been hurting for a new phone since. Hell will freeze over and God will dance the Salsa with Lucifer before I go back to Nokia. I am Sony Ericsson's bitch.

Learn more about this lovely mobile here.

Sometimes, it sucks being a Mac User

2006-10-13T17:47:00.000+08:00

I'm no stranger to hardware maintenance. I know how to troubleshoot and isolate faulty hardware. If something goes wrong with a PC, I usually shrug it off and take out my trusty screwdriver and start taking it apart. I've done this countless times before. I've probably fried a couple of them too. It's routine. It's familiar. It's a piece of cake... for a PC that is. But what about Macs?

I've been gloating about my iMac ever since I got this 20" beauty (See? I'm still doing it). But the dark side of Macs finally rears it ugly little head for the first time in 9 months. For some odd reason, my Mac suddenly powered down and won't power back up. For the first time in YEARS, I've never felt so helpless. Macs have a beautiful, sleek enclosure, but how the fuck do you open one? Do I even want to open it and risk voiding my warranty?

[sigh] This is one of the things I had to give up when I switched. I trusted Apple that their machines would run like butter (inside Mac joke). And for the most part, they run great. But when they don't, well, you're up shit creek without a paddle. I hate being helpless, but that's the price I have to pay to play in Steve Jobs' playground. It's all about equivalent exchange, baby. One cannot attain something without giving something up.

P.S. Bring on the Mac mockery, Pao, I'm ready for it. :p
P.P.S. Well, Holy Shit! It's Friday the 13th and I never noticed! Watch out for freaks wearing hockey masks tonight!

YARR! It be International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

2006-09-19T13:41:00.000+08:00

You best be believin' it, lads and lassies. It be true. Go out and spread some land lubbin' to yer fellow pirate wannabes! ARR!

How many times do we have to say, "Goodbye?"

2006-09-16T20:52:00.000+08:00

Answer: As much as it takes. Come October, we loose another member of the gang for greener pastures abroad. Saying goodbye is never easy, but saying it multiple times doesn't make it any easier.

I've lost count how many Despedida Parties Tracy has had, but I don't really mind. It gives us more excuse to spend more time together as a group before our final farewell.

I usually don't post something as cheesy as lyrics on my blog. But this time, I can't avoid it. I've been listening to this song too much and it's made me sentimental. And besides, I believe that it's very apt.

Awit Ng Barkada

Nakasimangot ka na lang palagi
Parang ikaw lang ang nagmamay-ari
Ng lahat ng sama ng loob
Pagmumukha mo ay hindi maipinta
Nakalimutan mo na bang tumawa
Eh, sumasayad na ang nguso mo sa lupa

Kahit sino pa man ang may kagagawan
Ng iyong pagkabigo
Ay isipin na lang na ang buhay
Kung minsan ay nagbibiro
Nandirito kami, ang barkada mong tunay
Aawit sa iyo
Sa lungkot at ligaya, hirap at ginhawa
Kami'y kasama mo
O ikaw naman

Kung sa pag-ibig may pinagawayan
Kung salapi ay huwag nang pag-usapan
Tayo'y 'di nagbibilangan
Kung ang problema mo'y magkatambakan
ang mga utang 'dio na mabayaran
Lahat ng bagay ay nadadaan sa usapan

Kasama mo
Kasama mo
Kasama mo

Senior-C forever.

Damn you, Jobs! Redux

2006-09-07T12:03:00.000+08:00

[WARNING: This post may contain drool stains.]

It's a well known fact that I am being personally pissed on by Apple Computers, Inc. As soon as I bite into their new products, a few weeks later, a brand spanking new one comes out. Case in point, when I first bought an iPod. I was the first one from Nior C to get one of these musical gizmos. I was so proud to be the first kid on the block to have this new toy. I admit I enjoyed the gawks and gaping mouths from my peers when I first whipped it out of my pocket. Hell, I expected them to do so, I spent 33 thousand pesoses on this motherf**ker!

But alas, those conspirators at Apple decided to put my arrogant ass in its place. Literally a week later, the next generation iPod came out with better controls, better battery life and, adding more insult to injury, a goddamn cheaper price tag. The following week, everyone and their grandmother's second cousin twice removed has an iPod.

And now, history repeats itself. But this time around, it concerns Apple's other fine product, the Mac. This time around, I wasn't the first kid on the block to get a Mac (For the record, it was JC). I thought I would've been spared. But no, someone in Cupertino must really likes to yank my chains (I'm looking your way, Stevie J). No sooner as I get my 20" iMac Core Duo, they go and make a bigger one. A 24-inch beast with Intel's newer, faster Core 2 Duo chips. And, like my iPod experience, now everyone seems to be buying Macs. Mai is a proud new owner of a MacBook. Berns is looking to buy one. Even Arian has a bloody MacBook Pro! [sigh] But like all the other Macheads out there, I can't complain. We're a bunch of masochists, the lot of us.

I shall just leave this as a warning for potential switchers. Make sure to buy a new Apple product when it's launched. Lest ye suffer like I have suffered. But seriously, I welcome my new Mac converts! Praise be to Jobs and spread the good word of OSX! Huzzah!

Once you go Mac...

WTF Moment #0007: You're so Good! [UPDATE 1]

2006-09-05T10:26:00.000+08:00

I know we're still bummed with the passing of the great Crocodile Hunter, but it always helps to lift our spirits up with some good old comedy.

The video is not safe for work (if your bosses and officemates are stuck up schnobs), so viewer discretion is advised.

[UPDATE: I guess there are stuck up schnobs in YouTube as well. I've updated the link to the video. It's still NSFW. :p]

Say it ain't so... Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin is Dead

2006-09-04T14:23:00.000+08:00

It's not a sick joke. I wish it was. By the time you read this you'd probably have read or seen the news. Our favorite Australian animal lover (at least my favorite) has died while filming a marine documentary.

Read more here.

Eureka Moment #0001

2006-08-25T07:42:00.000+08:00

Holy Mother Fucking Shit! I've finally discovered what I've been missing in my life: A Personal Cheering Squad!

Beating the Crisis Part V: Working Overtime, Fighting Crime

2006-08-20T17:06:00.000+08:00

G.I. Joe is like a junior ROTC compared to these guys! They got better gear and vehicles!

Beating the Crisis Part IV: Mechanical Heroes

2006-08-19T08:44:00.000+08:00

Not as memorable as Voltes V or Voltron but equally as nostalgic.

Beating the Crisis Part III: Knights of the Magical Light

2006-08-18T06:14:00.000+08:00

We ain't stoppin' just yet. My Flux Capacitor® still has some juice left.

Beating the Crisis Part II: Wings of Silver

2006-08-17T13:50:00.000+08:00

Any old schmoe can remember G.I. Joe, The Transformers or even Thundercats, but it takes a true geek to remember (and post) obscure 1980s cartoon intros on YouTube. (It takes an even bigger geek to actually find them and repost them on his blog and pretend it's therapeutic.)