I remember being given an assignment for the holidays back in High School. We were (t)asked by our Homeroom adviser to list down all of the thing we wanted to improve on ourselves for the year 199?. In simpler words, make a New Years Resolution. Back then, I thought it was a silly thing to do. Not anymore. Now that I have grown a little older and a little wiser (hopefully), I actually like making these so called "resolutions." I know a lot of people gave up on it. Like they are resigned to the fact that they will break one or two or all of 'em before even thinking about February. So what's the point? Well, the point is trying at all and getting back up again if we happen to fail. And we WILL fail. We we're built that way, like it's hard-wired into our very system. That is being Human. And part of being human is the desire to constantly improve ourselves over and over again. Who was it that said, "We will keep on changing until we can no longer change." I think it was from a movie I saw when I was young... or not. These memories are all a jumble to me.
Anyway, Here's to a better you and a better me this 2008! Cheers!
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The title says it clearly. I'm not a big Christmas fan so this will be the closest thing to a christmas blog entry I can come up with.When I was a kid, I loved the christmas season for the long holiday it came with but I totally dreaded the school christmas parties and the family reunions that I just HAD to go to only because it was the normal thing to do for a kid. It may sound extreme but think of it this way. It is never fun to be meeting old relatives when their idea of catching up is a "your cousins are better than you" sermon. The line "What can you expect from (insert absentee aunt or uncles name here)'s kids?" has burned it's marks in my young mind. After the sermon, we have to swallow what is left of our pride and line up for our annual Quezons, Osmenas and occassionally, Roxases. Talk about power tripping. I wished the ground would swallow me up and spit out my bones. The queasy feeling I had in my guts during the ride to the place is akin to knowing you are on your way to getting your ass kicked in a school yard brawl with the judo club captain. Speaking of school, Im glad I'll never get to open up another stupid picture frame as a christmas gift from someone in my class. I mean, a picture frame is something you give to someone you know nothing about... someone who is just a little better than a complete stranger, not someone you've been in class with for the past year or three. Come on! It would have been special had they put our photos in it instead of some blonde guy with perfect teeth. And what's with the fashion show? Where was it written that you HAVE TO wear the latest in kiddie fashion on primary school christmas parties? It was strange to me when I was nine... I wouldn't tell you what I think of it now.
The truth is, I don't hate Christmas. What I hate is how cheap we have made it to be. I am in no position to tell you what Christmas is about but I know what it isn't. Families don't come together on this day to put each other down. Ninongs and Ninangs arent cash machines to take money from. Christmas is not about parties. It's not about the Noche Buena or the gift giving or the new clothes.
well, that's it for this months rant. Reading back on what I wrote, I may have been unfair in describing our family reunions or the christmas parties in school. I have always been the odd one in the bunch. I must have been just looking at it wrong. I might just be an Ebenezer Scrooge after all. Except that I ain't an old miser, and I don't believe in ghosts.
I am a big fan of free stuff. Especially if its really good free stuff. I have already featured some in past entries and I wanted to kick myself for not posting this gem sooner. Jodie Coston's lessons over at morguefile.com is the perfect starter guide to newbie digital photographers. As a "newb" myself, who didn't even know what aperture means. I found Coston's lessons to be novice friendly and considerate of her readers skill level, practically breaking down each "Photographese" term into plain old English. The assignments at the end of each lesson also challenges the reader/student into applying her lessons in real world settings. There is also a discussion for each lessons. Even though this had been online three years ago, there are still a lot of new readers/students who discuss the lessons and critique each others assignments. Perfect for the budding digital photographer... at least for the cheap ones like me. Seriously, you can use this as a crash course and then pursue more serious training through real seminar workshops. More of that in the coming weeks. Now, if only i could find my assignment photos when I tried Jodie's lessons last year...
Ever since Baby magazine started seeing print in 1996, the Baby Gallery section has always been the first pages readers look into. Especially if they sent photos of their little angels over to be published in said pages. Some parents send photos of their kids religiously every month that we could probably put together a photo album of their kids. Unfortunately, we can only handle so many. There are loads coming in every month that we wish there could be more pages to showcase the lovely tots. This January, we are giving the gallery a makeover (being the first need not mean looking like the oldest) and instead of the usual 3 to 5 pages of over the top cuteness, we are giving you SEVEN (7) pages, yes! seven whole pages. That means more pictures, more chances of their babies getting printed in the country's first magazine for parenting. Happy days for the Stage Moms and Dads and I meant that in a good way. I love my job, especially in times like these.
Not one to be put down easily by one bad opinion, I decided to channel my attention (and frustration) on to something useful... making my own shirt. I've wanted to do one shirt featuring my little corner of the cloud for half a year now. But it always stuck in the back of my mind that it would seen kinda vain. And when I somehow got myself to work on it, I would be my own worst client and criticize everything. Believe me, I'm a bitch of a customer when I do something for myself (probably the reason why I can't seem to get anything done for myself.) This time, however, everything seemed calm. I found myself getting rid of everything unnecessary in the design and came down with only the bare essentials. There were no kicking and screaming arguments. There were no battles in my mind. It was so refreshingly simple and I don't care if it looks overly simplistic. It's a simple solution and it makes me happy. Isn't that how design is supposed to beAnyway, Ill probably wait till the holidays are over before printing the shirt... Going to DV to buy supplies right now is suicide...
Another gem of a read... and a lot of fun putting it together too. Isabel Limbo was so much fun during the cover shoot and photographer, Ralph Alejandrino did a stellar job bringing out our Christmas baby's best features to light. Don't you think she looks like she has some sort of hypnotic powers? No? I could swear I felt like I was floating.
For subscription inquiries, you may contact Baby magazine through the following:
Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph
Baby Magazine, the Philippines' first parenting magazine is now in its 12th year of service to Filipino parents.
This illustration was used as main visual for an article for the November 2007 issue of Baby magazine titled "The shortened childhood: Kids and the media" written by Joyce Marion Petiza. The article generally talks about how mass media is making "little customers" of our children by introducing diluted mature ideas into advertising and program content.The illustration was something I had in my mind for over a decade ever since I became aware of the debate whether fashion dolls (or supermodel icons) have anything to do with teenage girls starving themselves to death. Do not get me wrong, Although I believe there is an indirect connection, the parents are primarily responsible for their children's choice of role models. It is because they are not around that poor substitutes are favored by their kids. As parents we can only blame ourselves first before pointing our fingers on the convenient scapegoat. But that is just my opinion.
An editable copy of this illustration is available for FREE... BUT! only if you are subscribed via email, that is, and remember to ask nicely and since I was so busy (read lazy) to post this last month, you can now just probably get a copy of the November issue by calling the Baby magazine office at (+63 2) 728.36.55 and ask for that issue. I think there's a couple more lying around under the ED's table.
Indesignsecrets.com is dubbed as "...your one-stop shop for all things InDesign" and that is an accurate way to describe it. Aside from a few people I know that still can't let go of their Pagemakers and QuarkXpresses, Indesign seem to have made its way into becoming every layout artists' preferred layout tool. And with good reasons. It is by far the most feature-packed, intuitive, and most powerful page layout tool in the market today. Being such, there are a lot of things a rookie like me need to learn about this gem and Indesignsecrets.com really saved me a lot of time in getting my self acquainted with the juicy stuff.
Indesignsecrets.com is the companion web site for the Indesign secrets podcast hosted by David Blatner and Anne-Marie Concepcion, two of THE world’s top InDesign gurus. The credentials on these guys are stellar but interestingly enough, Blatner and Concepcion make learning Indesign fun through their light banter and comic exchange of tips and techniques.
Indesignsecrets.com is also home to the Indesigner video podcast which showcases the power of InDesign to automate repetitive tasks, improve productivity and build unprecedented flexibility into the design process. Hosted by Michael Murphy, a veteran art director and Adobe Certified Expert for Indesign CS2 who has written for InDesign Magazine and presented before the New York and Milwuakee InDesign User Groups.
I suggest subscribing to Indesign Secrets and The InDesigner podcasts through iTunes. They're free anyway.
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Indesignsecrets.com is the companion web site for the Indesign secrets podcast hosted by David Blatner and Anne-Marie Concepcion, two of THE world’s top InDesign gurus. The credentials on these guys are stellar but interestingly enough, Blatner and Concepcion make learning Indesign fun through their light banter and comic exchange of tips and techniques.
Indesignsecrets.com is also home to the Indesigner video podcast which showcases the power of InDesign to automate repetitive tasks, improve productivity and build unprecedented flexibility into the design process. Hosted by Michael Murphy, a veteran art director and Adobe Certified Expert for Indesign CS2 who has written for InDesign Magazine and presented before the New York and Milwuakee InDesign User Groups.I suggest subscribing to Indesign Secrets and The InDesigner podcasts through iTunes. They're free anyway.
I thought I could keep myself from blogging about politics and religion. I swore to myself never to alienate or antagonize any of my readers by means of an irresponsible impulsive rant against anyone from another ideology so I elected to stay away from ANY discussion about gods and demons of both celestial and human government. But in light of the recent Glorietta 2 blast, I'll have to bend my stand a little on this one. Do take into consideration that this is more personal than political.
It has been three days since the tragedy. I was so stunned when I got a message about a blast in a mall at the CBD (Central Business District) of Makati. I never thought something like this could happen anywhere near where I live. I felt a chill in my spine when news came out that there is a possibility that the blast was a terrorist attack. "Not here!," I thought. "please, not here!" After the initial shock, I felt despair for the victims and their families. I felt that it could have been anyone I knew.. My family... friends... colleagues... this was a mall we would frequently hang out in. It was so close to home... so close to home. Anger found its way soon after. How can anyone JUSTIFY the taking of innocent people's lives? It was all so senseless. To die so senselessly... for something they did not have no clue about. I was gripped with fear, there is no assurance that my family can be safe anymore. I felt helpless.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I heard on the news that night. Sen. Trillanes boldly claimed that he has reasons to believe that the blast was a machination of our own military to divert public attention from the recent scandals the palace has gotten its sorry ass into. I hope he's got data to back this one up 'coz this is one helluva thing to say right after a tragedy of this magnitude. I have no love for the palace resident but I would be damned to accept that bullshit. It just stink so much of opportunism to say something like this. It is irresponsible for a man of his designation and stature. I also don't think the concerned people are going to let him off easily if he is mistaken. Unsolicited advice mister senator... you can learn so much from Senators Lacson and Cayetano's experience. Get your facts straight before making such statements. Present it to the media with verified data and nail them in the ass. Otherwise, shut up. The families of the victims will appreciate that very much.
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It has been three days since the tragedy. I was so stunned when I got a message about a blast in a mall at the CBD (Central Business District) of Makati. I never thought something like this could happen anywhere near where I live. I felt a chill in my spine when news came out that there is a possibility that the blast was a terrorist attack. "Not here!," I thought. "please, not here!" After the initial shock, I felt despair for the victims and their families. I felt that it could have been anyone I knew.. My family... friends... colleagues... this was a mall we would frequently hang out in. It was so close to home... so close to home. Anger found its way soon after. How can anyone JUSTIFY the taking of innocent people's lives? It was all so senseless. To die so senselessly... for something they did not have no clue about. I was gripped with fear, there is no assurance that my family can be safe anymore. I felt helpless.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I heard on the news that night. Sen. Trillanes boldly claimed that he has reasons to believe that the blast was a machination of our own military to divert public attention from the recent scandals the palace has gotten its sorry ass into. I hope he's got data to back this one up 'coz this is one helluva thing to say right after a tragedy of this magnitude. I have no love for the palace resident but I would be damned to accept that bullshit. It just stink so much of opportunism to say something like this. It is irresponsible for a man of his designation and stature. I also don't think the concerned people are going to let him off easily if he is mistaken. Unsolicited advice mister senator... you can learn so much from Senators Lacson and Cayetano's experience. Get your facts straight before making such statements. Present it to the media with verified data and nail them in the ass. Otherwise, shut up. The families of the victims will appreciate that very much.
I can never stress enough the importance of a good network for a designer. In this case, ANYONE in ANY creative field. A good network shares its knowledge of the industry with each other and helps the rookies "learn the ropes" and run along with the big boys (or girls or people, if you prefer to be politically correct). A rich creative network is also a breeding round for new ideas and gives new direction in design. One such network is The Behance Network.According to them:
The Behance Network is a platform for creative portfolios, projects and collaborations.
Represent your work.
Build a dynamic portfolio of your latest projects, open to all or shared selectively.
Connect and collaborate in "circles."
Join or create groups of creative professionals, gathered around interests, to share content and ideas.
Discover job opportunities.
Behance's GigList features great work opportunities for creative professionals. Creative industry leaders are also able to mine the network for talent.
Share tips and industry knowledge.
Behance's Tip Exchange is a lively exchange of insights and helpful resources, all categorized and searchable.
Access resources that boost productivity.
The Behance ThinkTank features knowledge, interviews, and products for the creative professional community.
Some may argue that the best network for us local designers (the author resides in the Philippines) is a local network who understands local culture. I agree to some extent but (I believe) it is also important for us to be in touch with our counterparts from all over the world and take note of the global industry trends that affect our own. We exist in a global industry and good design is not subjective to any local culture. It is universal.
Many thanks to fretwire84 for letting me in on this "secret society" of creative people. Even if some of the stuff in my portfolio was already posted in this blog, please do take time to browse and appreciate our works if you find the time.
It's Here!!! The 11th Anniversary Issue of THE Baby Magazine. As usual, this issue is packed to the brim with almost everything we need to know about raisin' our own mini-me's but in this issue, we are giving our readers something to thank them for all 11 years of continued support. Grab a copy and take part in the Baby Magazine Anniversary Giveaway. The strapping young lad is Guyoito Larrazabal. Cover photo by Ralph AlejandrinoBaby Magazine is available in Major National Bookstores and Powerbooks Branches and Selected Mag:Net outlets. For subscription inquiries, you may contact Baby magazine through the following:
Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph
I woke up yesterday with a splitting headache... not again... It's one of those days when I can't even get anything done. I decided to stay home. I though I might be in denial that my chronic headaches could somehow be a sign of bad vision. I decided to get my orbs checked. Glasses are no stranger to me. I had a pair prescribed to me when I was in 6th grade that I wore until my freshman year in high school (imagine the emotional torment I had to endure as school bullies call me "nerdoid," I was scarred permanently.) What I hated most was the responsibility to keep them in good shape. I thought to myself, "I may have to go through that ordeal again, great..."
Earlier today, I became a (not so) proud owner of prescription glasses that I still don't know how to take care of... The optometrist forgot to fill me in on where to get those lens cleaners and stuff. My headaches gone though...
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Earlier today, I became a (not so) proud owner of prescription glasses that I still don't know how to take care of... The optometrist forgot to fill me in on where to get those lens cleaners and stuff. My headaches gone though...
It was nothing more than an ornament at home.This old telephone who sits on a corner.
Yet, I am almost always drawn to it.
Particularly, the mystery of the number on its face.
Whose home did this telephone used to serve?
What kind of people were they?
I always believed that we leave a part of ourselves
on the people we encounter and hold dear.
Could we have the same effect on the things we possessed?
If so, am I mystified by the soul that lent a part of itself to this old telephone,
or am I leaving a part of myself instead...
Yet, I am almost always drawn to it.
Particularly, the mystery of the number on its face.
Whose home did this telephone used to serve?
What kind of people were they?
I always believed that we leave a part of ourselves
on the people we encounter and hold dear.
Could we have the same effect on the things we possessed?
If so, am I mystified by the soul that lent a part of itself to this old telephone,
or am I leaving a part of myself instead...
This illustration was used as main visual for an article of the same name in the Family Finance column of the September 2007 issue of Baby Magazine. As usual, an editable copy of this artwork is available for FREE... BUT! only if you are subscribed via email, that is, and remember to ask nicely.
It started raining again and I just remembered something that I wanted to blog about when I was too busy to even read some of my favorite blogs. It was about a month ago when typhoons Dodong and Chedeng wreaked havoc on our city streets. Because I was living just a couple of city blocks away, I got to the office just before my walking route became submerged and rendered impassasble for small vehicles and foot traffic (unless you don't mind some weird skin allergies). I had to stay at the office until after 7PM to let the flood water subside so I can safely walk back home (without said allergies). I was cursing at the ever reliable (sarcasm alert in case it wasn't obvious) people at our government offices and their efficient response to emergency situations. I mean "Haven't we seen enough of these flash floods every year for us to be so ill prepared? It's already August for f***'s sake. We should have been ready since June." (pardon the swearing if you are reading this via feed, I forgot kids might be reading this... edited for propriety)Anyway, as I was crossing Buendia Ave., I saw the man I should be screaming my filth on, the MMDA Chairman himself, Bayani Fernando with his trousers soaked in flood water, instructing his boys on what appears to be an excavation work to remedy the watery situation. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera on me to take a snap shot of the scene so I went back the next day to see how they were doing. I could have snapped more if they didn't start coming towards me and asked me where those photos are going to end up on. I could just grin idiotically and say that its purpose was personal. A month since and still no flood water on my intersection. I guess it is better late than never for these guys. Thanks Mr. BF for doing your job right. I'm sorry for the obscenities I uttered in solitude. At least you didn't have to paint my turf pink.
Here's one tool I've been using for a while that needs special mentioning. When I first heard about del.icio.us, I thought it was a godsend. It was what I have been praying for since I first met the internet. Believe it or not, I used to type all my bookmarks in a text file that I save in an email I send to myself so I can access them anywhere. Something I find funny now that del.icio.us is around. As if having your bookmarks available to you from anywhere is not enough, del.icio.us introduces "social bookmarking" (I will not define what this means 'coz thats what wikipedia is for) making related information much more easier to access with more peers to share bookmarks with. Although far from being a "designers resource" I usually take advantage of the social bookmarking feature to stalk.. err... I mean follow up and research on graphic design trends or some other news bits that I can learn new things from. Now if there was something like this designed specially for creatives... share please...
I know I missed this... Anyway, It has been a very busy month for me. So much that I have missed many opportune events and stories to blog about. But that is behind me now... I am back and revving up the keyboards to start writing about the things I "see."
For a little Baby update:
September is almost done so get your copy of Baby Magazine before the new one hits the stands on October. I must say that I love each new issue better than the last one because we try to improve the magazine (both content and visual) as much as we can.
As usual, this issue is packed with the stuff parents (as well as anyone who deals with little kids) need to be better at being parents. This months special, though, is about getting ready for your first kid. What are the hospital bag essentials? How do you know you are going into labor? Are you financially ready for your first bundle of joy? What is waterbirth? and is it really better than regular birthing method? These and a lot more questions are addressed in this issue. The girl on the cover is Gianna Fernandez, photo by RealKids.
The October issue, on the other hand, has already gone to press as of this writing. As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, this is the 11th anniversary issue of the country's first parenting magazine so watch out for some surprises in this ish.
Wow! It feels good to be back.
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For a little Baby update:
September is almost done so get your copy of Baby Magazine before the new one hits the stands on October. I must say that I love each new issue better than the last one because we try to improve the magazine (both content and visual) as much as we can.As usual, this issue is packed with the stuff parents (as well as anyone who deals with little kids) need to be better at being parents. This months special, though, is about getting ready for your first kid. What are the hospital bag essentials? How do you know you are going into labor? Are you financially ready for your first bundle of joy? What is waterbirth? and is it really better than regular birthing method? These and a lot more questions are addressed in this issue. The girl on the cover is Gianna Fernandez, photo by RealKids.
The October issue, on the other hand, has already gone to press as of this writing. As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, this is the 11th anniversary issue of the country's first parenting magazine so watch out for some surprises in this ish.
Wow! It feels good to be back.
Actually, It has been available for a week now. I just didn't have the luxury of time to write about it. Anyway, I am especially proud of this issue as well as the one we're working on right now. I guess things are looking up for our little bundle which dedicated to help you care for your little bundle. The cute baby on the cover is Maxine Briana Sanchez. Photo by Ralph Alejandrino.For subscription inquiries, you may contact Baby magazine through the following:
Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph
Baby Magazine is the Philippines' first parenting magazine and is celebrating its 11th anniversary issue this coming October.
Things are getting a little tight with 2 magazines and some other stuff I'm getting busy with. I will be slowing down for a while just to get some things done. I'll be back with more photos, illustrations, designer resources and a few more irrational rants. See ya!
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Congratulations and Best wishes to our friends, Gerald and Celia for finally tying the knot at a church wedding last Saturday, 28 July 2007 at Sto. Sepulchro Parish Shrine at San Pedro, Laguna. You make a very beautiful couple.
"Just when I thought things can't get any worse..." I found myself repeating this phrase innumerable times that day when the above photo was taken. That was the day I was supposed to take my drivers license card from our very customer friendly people of LTO Pasay.
The day started like any other day except that I had this nagging feeling that this is not a good day for me. A week before, I applied for a drivers license but I wasn't able to get the plastic card because their computers we're offline and couldn't process my records. This is the day I came back for my card. I went to the records window and gave the lady the receipt of last weeks application and asked me to wait by window 2... It was either that or she asked me to wait 2 hours... 'coz that is about the time I waited by that window before I asked the lady why all the other people I came in with 2 hours ago had already had their photo taken for their card. I found out my form was missing...What the Hell!? You can imagine my frustration. It was already after lunch break that they found out that my papers weren't missing but were in fact found at the hands of an evaluator who neglected to inform anybody that there was a problem with my application. The LTO database showed another license application of mine from 1999 that expired in 2002. I had to go to the main office in Quezon City to pay the penalties and come back to Pasay to reconcile my records.They could have told me this before they went on lunch break. Off to QC I go... This is where the photo up there comes in. The cab I was riding turned right from Timog Avenue to EDSA when 2 buses (seemingly) racing against each other slammed on both side of the cab pushing us about 10 meters. I couldn't get off from either doors so I had to climb out of the car from the driver side door. IM IN A HURRY FOR PETE'S SAKE!!! I didn't even think that I could have died in that cab if I had my head against the window. I had to walk the rest of the way to the LTO main building and guess what... It began to rain. I love rain, but at a time like this... uhhhggg... I was ready to go ballistic that I sneered at the fixer who offered to "help" me transact faster and avoid all the bureaucracy inside. It took me another 2 hours inside the Licensing office before I got my turn at the licensing officer... I am literally at wits end. It was too late for me to go back to Pasay so I elected to go home. There was no cab in sight and since it is raining, I took the bus going to Makati... I felt miserable as I shivered in the air conditioned bus for the whole trip home. In 2 weeks I'll be going to the Pasay office again to put this exercise in stupidity to rest... If anything like this happen again... I'm going to give up driving for good.
American Pie
Don Mclean
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.
Don Mclean
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.
We were cleaning out some old stuff a couple of days ago when I found this old guitar pick. It was THE first guitar pick I bought around 12 years ago during my garage band years. It was the one I learned the basics with. I had mixed feelings the moment I held it between my thumb and index fingers just like I would when I was playing. It's been years... I have not played the guitar in years. The last time I was in a band, I was singing... I was writing... I have given up on the ax long before I have given up on the music. Probably because like most of the things I do, I think I wasn't good enough to be taken seriously. Looking at this worn out guitar pick, It makes me wonder. Had I kept on believing... Had I kept on working on it... Had I not given up... Could things have gone a little differently?
Photo available for FREE download. Just click the Picasa logo
The past few weeks had really been a blast. I didn't know I would enjoy blogging as much as I do right now. I have a list of things to blog about and I am nowhere near half of it. Only time constraints and intermittent connection (courtesy of my disappointing Broadband provider) prohibits me from blogging everyday. A roadblock that I may still consider, a blessing of sorts since in the first place, it was never my intention to post an entry everyday. I just get easily inspired whenever I see a new comment posted or when feedburner scores another reader. I get excited by the simplest of things, by the way.
Adam Hay of Rookie Designer said in one episode that one of the common distractions designers had to battle out with these days is the internet... More accurately, the urge to spend extended time in the cloud. Something that most bloggers (i think) are guilty of. I think the tendency for procrastination is aggravated when one is intentionally lost in the world of his or her favorite blog authors... which may or may not be another person entirely if you catch my drift.
Ten years ago, when the internet was young, My girlfriend (my wife now) would ask me how I can spend hours on end in front of a computer doing nothing but read... Waitaminit.. I think that was what she told me last week...
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Adam Hay of Rookie Designer said in one episode that one of the common distractions designers had to battle out with these days is the internet... More accurately, the urge to spend extended time in the cloud. Something that most bloggers (i think) are guilty of. I think the tendency for procrastination is aggravated when one is intentionally lost in the world of his or her favorite blog authors... which may or may not be another person entirely if you catch my drift.
Ten years ago, when the internet was young, My girlfriend (my wife now) would ask me how I can spend hours on end in front of a computer doing nothing but read... Waitaminit.. I think that was what she told me last week...
I Cry Alone
By LMK
If I prayed for you, would you come?
Would you come to me and hold me
in your arms while I wept?
If I prayed would you be here?
Would you come to me, if I wished
for you with all my heart???
By LMK
If I prayed for you, would you come?
Would you come to me and hold me
in your arms while I wept?
If I prayed would you be here?
Would you come to me, if I wished
for you with all my heart???
"The Empty Crib" is featured as main visual for the article "Baby I'm-a-want you" for the August 2007 issue of Baby Magazine. The article speaks about a situation where one spouse want to have another child but the other prefers not to. Catch the August issue as soon as it hits the stands.
A high resolution copy of this photograph is available for FREE download at stock.xchange. I can also send it to you if you ask real nice. It is also available in my picasa web album but I prefer you get it from stock.xchange. It boosts up my download count.
I am usually a three-font designer. Most of what I do uses either a type from the Helvetica or Garamond font families or a cursive script type font and I am happy about these type faces that I consider them the everlasting ones. There are some instances, though, that I think there is something missing in my visual equation that my usual font ingredients somehow lacks (gasp). On these instances I seek assistance from dafont.com.From fonts adapted from pop culture like bands, TV shows and movies to iconic dingbats, dafont.com's database of around 7500 fonts are available for download. More fonts are added every week. You can also test drive any particular font you fancy with its custom preview feature. And the best part, It's FREE. Don't get me wrong though, with almost 7500 choices, nothing is going to take the place of my everlasting ones.
CRYINGCJ Heck
I cry when I am hurting
and sometimes when I'm sad.
I cry when I get punished
'cause I've done something bad...
Photo available for FREE download. Just click the Picasa logo
In preparation for the synchronized Baranggay (Town) and Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) Elections in October, COMELEC, opened a special registration from July 15-22. Why does that have anything to do with me? Well... I have just realized that I have a civic duty on this city that has been home to me for the past four years. The last election I participated in was the 1998 presidential election. We all know how that turned out and I lost interest in the electoral system.So there I was, somewhat excited about officially being a citizen of Makati City by being a registered voter. I went to the COMELEC office in Makati but what I saw made my heart sink (refer to photo.) What you are seeing in the photo is not even half of the number of the people there since the COMELEC office IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR and there is more on the other side of the building. One particular middle aged guy was telling us that some of the people was already there as early as 5AM, apparently, the COMELEC is only going to accommodate 200 of the lot. Cutting the long story short... I got up and went off to blog about it. It could have been a lot easier (and faster) if they set the registration at each baranggay. Then they wouldn't need the whole week. Citizenship will have to wait 'till after the October election when regular registration resumes. My fault, really. I should have registered last year.
It's time to celebrate as another issue of Baby Magazine goes to press as of this writing.
What's in this issue? It's all about wanting that little bundle of joy against all the odds in the August issue. Read about APAS and a couple's struggle (emotionally and financially) to finally have their "Million Peso Babies." On the other hand, what if you are physically able and but your problem is actually an uncooperative spouse? Read about the underlying causes of the "fear" of having too many children in "Baby, I'm a-want you." Learn how and why some babies are born premature in "An early birthday" and how the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is equipped to help babies survive premature birth in "Handle with Care." How do you care for your premature baby at home? "Preemie Proper" will help you through.
There is lots more to find in every issue of Baby Magazine for new parents because we all know "Babies don't come with a manual"
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What's in this issue? It's all about wanting that little bundle of joy against all the odds in the August issue. Read about APAS and a couple's struggle (emotionally and financially) to finally have their "Million Peso Babies." On the other hand, what if you are physically able and but your problem is actually an uncooperative spouse? Read about the underlying causes of the "fear" of having too many children in "Baby, I'm a-want you." Learn how and why some babies are born premature in "An early birthday" and how the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is equipped to help babies survive premature birth in "Handle with Care." How do you care for your premature baby at home? "Preemie Proper" will help you through.
There is lots more to find in every issue of Baby Magazine for new parents because we all know "Babies don't come with a manual"
Unless you we're living under a rock for the past year, you would know that podcasting had become a phenomenon of sorts. It sort of became the new blog... and in a lot of ways that is accurate. For the benefit of those who have no idea what a podcast is, Wikipedia defines a podcast as:
A podcast is a digital media file, or a series of such files, that is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and personal computers. A podcast is a specific type of webcast which, like 'radio', can mean either the content itself or the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.
I have about 30 podcast subscriptions. And I make it a point that I listen to the latest episode as soon as it is available. Most of my podcast subscriptions are design related. For the main reason that I believe that there is yet a lot of things I need to know about the career I chose for myself. Adam Hay, the author of Rookie Designer, has done a good job of bringing the most important issues that concerns us rookies into the clear. I have been listening to RD for over a year now and have learned a lot about the business of designing and the common mistakes that we, rookies, often commit. Although there are some software tips on the podcast, this is not a venue for learning a particular software. There are other podcasts for that in future posts. In the meantime, take my advice and subscribe to Rookie Designer now.
I use iTunes to manage my podcast subscriptions. I believe it to be the best aggregator available. Download iTunes from the apple website. Available for both Macs and PCs.
I was a bit too early (about an hour) for last Fridays seminar and I had some time to kill. I'm not a big fan of walking around malls so I opted to stay on the greener, less populated side of the Greenbelt. The first thing I saw when I got there was this pond with about a hundred kois and started shooting. A few minutes later... other guys began snapping as well. Before I knew it, it was already time for the seminar. I came in 5 minutes late.A high resolution copy of this photograph is available for FREE download at stock.xchange. I can also send it to you if you ask real nice. It is also available in my picasa web album but I prefer you get it from stock.xchange. It boosts up my download count.
Is the title too morbid? Well... we all have to cope with the loss of a loved one... even children. In the August '07 issue of Baby Magazine, find out how you can help your little ones accept the loss and learn how you can guide them in dealing with their loneliness. The illustration above is featured as main visual for the article, "Goodbye for good?" for the August 07 issue of Baby Magazine. For a free editable vector copy of this piece, all you have to do is ask.
At the moment I am typing this, I had barely warmed my seat. I am literally fresh out of Power Mac Center's FREE Seminar on Color Management for Photographers... There was only about 10 of us who came to listen to Digital Photographer Philippines' Nino Carandang as he illustrates the finer points of being Obsessive Compulsive about monitor and printer calibration. I learned a lot, especially on loving my photos more. I only wish there were more of us participants so we could have put more questions to light.
One of the many points he raised that struck me on a personal level is remembering that photography doesn't end in getting the photo posted online. A photographs journey is ultimately realized on the print level. Sad to say, I am guilty of such sin. I have denied my photos the right to getting printed. I believe it stems out from the fear that It will not be printed the way I wanted it to.. or maybe the realization that I may not have what it takes. But I refuse to let that fear cripple me. I will get better... I will bring my photos into printed glory... Time to save up for that Printfix Pro and Spyder Pro...
Special thanks to Pinoy Mac Lovers for posting the seminar schedule in time for me to make some magic with my schedule. I am sure glad I stumbled on your blog.
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One of the many points he raised that struck me on a personal level is remembering that photography doesn't end in getting the photo posted online. A photographs journey is ultimately realized on the print level. Sad to say, I am guilty of such sin. I have denied my photos the right to getting printed. I believe it stems out from the fear that It will not be printed the way I wanted it to.. or maybe the realization that I may not have what it takes. But I refuse to let that fear cripple me. I will get better... I will bring my photos into printed glory... Time to save up for that Printfix Pro and Spyder Pro...
Special thanks to Pinoy Mac Lovers for posting the seminar schedule in time for me to make some magic with my schedule. I am sure glad I stumbled on your blog.
Baby Magazine will be at The Podium on Saturday, 14th of July for an event entitled "What's In A Diaper: A Symposium"
The symposium will feature a host of activities to help parents learn more about diapers. Speaking about Diaper Education is Baby Magazine's Childbirth101 columnist, Rome Kanapi. Another feature topic is Toilet Training for Baby. Also, take a sneak peak at what our August issue has in store at the Baby Magazine booth.
Event will run from 2:30PM to 5:00PM at The Lounge at the 2nd Level.
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The symposium will feature a host of activities to help parents learn more about diapers. Speaking about Diaper Education is Baby Magazine's Childbirth101 columnist, Rome Kanapi. Another feature topic is Toilet Training for Baby. Also, take a sneak peak at what our August issue has in store at the Baby Magazine booth.
Event will run from 2:30PM to 5:00PM at The Lounge at the 2nd Level.
I'm on a roll... It's a very rare situation indeed that I can blog for more than three consecutive days. I thought I was taking a break tonight but I decided to start something with todays blog. As a designer, I always appreciate the stuff that is available to me online. From tutorials to seminars, designer tools, stock photo resources, podcasts and designers blogs... I am really glad I know where to go whenever I need a little help.
One of the Designer resource I frequently visit is Stock.Xchng, the leading FREE stock photo site! I have been a member of stock.xchange for a few years now. I use the site to download high resolution images that I use mainly for comps. After downloading quite a number of stock photos, I have, since November 2006, started contributing some photos myself. Stock.Xchng maintains a level of quality that they screen every photo submission. Being a newbie photographer, I have only 4 approved images in my profile. (sigh) But that will change soon... I do believe I'm getting better at it. Besides they were downloaded over 300 times already.
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One of the Designer resource I frequently visit is Stock.Xchng, the leading FREE stock photo site! I have been a member of stock.xchange for a few years now. I use the site to download high resolution images that I use mainly for comps. After downloading quite a number of stock photos, I have, since November 2006, started contributing some photos myself. Stock.Xchng maintains a level of quality that they screen every photo submission. Being a newbie photographer, I have only 4 approved images in my profile. (sigh) But that will change soon... I do believe I'm getting better at it. Besides they were downloaded over 300 times already.
After a stressful week, I figured a day by the sea will clear my head. Off we went to Manila Bay one Saturday afternoon to soak up some of the sea air... and a lovely shot. The sea lends me a moment of peace from the daily grind.When I was a boy of seven years, My family took a trip to Bohol. I remember being afraid of the sea before the trip. Probably because the MV Doña Paz tragedy was big news back then. Or I probably watched a lot of Swiss Family Robinson... I don't really remember. I overcame my fear halfway through the trip and fell in love with the sunset and the sea that kisses it goodnight.
A high resolution copy of this photograph is available for FREE download at stock.xchange. and Picasa. I can also send it to you if you ask real nice.
If you we're somebody around my age you would have already deduced that I ripped my blog's name off from the now defunct kiddie show, Sesame Street. It was from a song called "That's about the size." I chose this particular line because it means a lot of things for me. For one, it identifies me with my generation. I believe every kid who lived in Metropolitan Manila in the 80's to the early 90's would remember this song... in their sleep. It probably has the most memorable tune out of all the early sesame street songs (second only to the main theme and right up there with 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12.) Most of all, I found it brilliant that the song encourage kids to look at things differently. I took it to mean that all of us should look at things by "where we put our eyes" and not take something as an absolute truth of the size of things. It taught us to have our own perspective. I maybe taking the song out of context but... THAT IS HOW I SEE IT... and that is why I named my blog like so. And that is why I write the things I do.
Special thanks to Nostalgia Manila for posting this video first and making me remember.
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Special thanks to Nostalgia Manila for posting this video first and making me remember.
Baby Magazine July 2007 issue is now available at all leading newsstands and bookstores. For subscription inquiries, you may contact Baby magazine through the following:
Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph
Baby Magazine is the Philippines' first parenting magazine and is celebrating its 11th anniversary issue this coming October.
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Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph
Baby Magazine is the Philippines' first parenting magazine and is celebrating its 11th anniversary issue this coming October.
I love walking in the rain. I love a steady downpour, not just a drizzle. If it weren't for the expensive camera I was toting along, I would have jumped right in. I wouldn't mind getting my feet wet... or my hair getting messed up. This is one of the moments I was so happy inside that it radiates to my face. When I was a kid in the old hometown, My siblings and I would always find an excuse to play in the rain. All the neighbor's kids were there too, running after our little rubber slipper boats. Walking in the rain reminds me of how carefree life was as a child. I missed this feeling. Come to think of it, It is quite late for rain like this. Considering that it is already july. In our part of the world, the wet season starts in june after an intense summer heat. Rain is the earth's blessing on its parched residents. Photo available for FREE download. Just click the Picasa logo (Pardon the poor quality of the photo... It was quite dark when I took it.)
Celebrating eighteenth birthdays are a part of Filipino culture. I don't really know if we got this tradition from the Spanish colonizers or the Chinese settlers (I didn't bother to research on it, so sue me.) but today, it ranks up there with weddings as one of the most important events for a lady.Every little girl dreams of being a princess for one night. This is the night that she leaves behind the little girl and step into her colorful wings as a woman. With her wings she takes flight... The love from her family and friends as the wind beneath her wings.
Butterflies in flight is part of a set of artwork commissioned for a Debut celebration last June 30. An editable vector copy of this illustration will be available for FREE download soon. For the meantime, you just need to ask nicely for it.
At 29, when you look at your life in terms of years, you tend to look at it as a small number. Still young. But when you learn to live your life one day at a time, 10,592 days seems a lot. I should have done a lot more with 10,592 days.
I usually write a lengthy reflection whenever this day comes. That was back when I had a traditional paper journal. I dunno.. is it because this one is published online that I have reservations about writing down my darker thoughts for my unassuming readers to err.... read. I sure hope not. I don't want to lose track of the reason why I started this blog in the first place. Anyway, this is just the beginning. I don't know how long this'll go.
Truth be told, I am not an all-out good guy. I may be level-headed most of the time but for most of my life I had so much to be sorry for. I had also harboured a great deal of anger and pain towards many people who have hurt me in the past. I have also done quite a few things I can't be proud of because I was weak in dealing with those hurts. But that was the past. I realized long ago that those hurts are not worth losing sleep over. I cannot let some things that happened long ago keep me from enjoying the rest of my life in peace. It shouldn't keep me from doing more.
You should have done a lot more with 10,592 days. You'll never know if you'll stop at 12,000 or earlier.
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I usually write a lengthy reflection whenever this day comes. That was back when I had a traditional paper journal. I dunno.. is it because this one is published online that I have reservations about writing down my darker thoughts for my unassuming readers to err.... read. I sure hope not. I don't want to lose track of the reason why I started this blog in the first place. Anyway, this is just the beginning. I don't know how long this'll go.
Truth be told, I am not an all-out good guy. I may be level-headed most of the time but for most of my life I had so much to be sorry for. I had also harboured a great deal of anger and pain towards many people who have hurt me in the past. I have also done quite a few things I can't be proud of because I was weak in dealing with those hurts. But that was the past. I realized long ago that those hurts are not worth losing sleep over. I cannot let some things that happened long ago keep me from enjoying the rest of my life in peace. It shouldn't keep me from doing more.
You should have done a lot more with 10,592 days. You'll never know if you'll stop at 12,000 or earlier.
By itself, a rock by the sea is everlasting. It has seen countless seasons pass by. It has endured many storms. It has met countless lost souls who take solace in its strength. This rock has seen the most beautiful sunset far more than anybody else. It has enjoyed the salty scent of the sea for the longest time. If I had to be anything else than human, I'd rather be this rock by the sea and watch the sunset all my life. Photo available for FREE download. Just click the Picasa logo
Caffeine Connection is also the name of the article on the july 2007 issue of Baby Magazine where this piece figures as main visual. The article talks about the effects of caffeine on women who wish to conceive. You can also find out how much caffeine is in the beverages you take everyday and learn how to get off the coffee habit when you think you're hooked. Grab a copy of Baby Magazine as soon as it hits the stand. An editable vector copy of this illustration will be available for FREE download soon. For the meantime, you just need to ask for it.
I came in at about 12 mins before 7 o'clock in the morning. I think I was the 20th guy there. Today is the day I filed an application for my social security ID card. It was long overdue since I have been a worker ant for more than 6 years now. But years of procrastinating and poor time management coupled with the fact that I always just make my deadlines by the skin of my teeth lead me to this day. You see, I never was a crowd person coz I always find some people weird that they creep me out. You can imagine how I feel about sitting in a room full of strange strangers... let me tell you about the characters I encountered.
I surveyed the room and saw "the box" where we [applicants] put our E-6 forms face down. The logic was for the first ones there to get their papers processed first. Like what the posted announcement said, I placed my "duly accomplished" form in the box and went to sit down to ready my "two valid ID's. People rarely sit beside each other on these occasions so there where a lot of gaps between applicants. I elected to sit on the third row, and as I was making my way to an empty seat, some ladies would put their bags on the seat next to theirs. Probably trying to say "there are lots of other free seats, do not take the one next to me..." as if! I sat down between a 50ish woman and a middleage overweight fellow who smells like toothpaste. I noticed that there were only a few forms in the box before mine and that most of the people who came before me hadn't put theirs in.. There was a big glaring announcement infront of us, how could they miss that? People started lining up to put their forms in the box FACE UP [don't these people know how to read?] One particular lady caught my attention. instead of putting her form on top of the pile, she had the gall to lift some of the papers and put hers ahead of most of us. I was amused at the pathetic effort to get one up on other people.
A lot more was coming in. A particularly annoying girl in her 20's couldn't stop pacing and shifting seats. She went to one of the list of postal code in a bullettin board and then to another. [the list were the same] she then went back to the box to get her form. She must have realized she put the wrong zip code. True enough, other people went shifting between the lists and checking their forms. Everyone was on their mobile pretending not to care about what anyone else was doing. And yet, they mirror everything anybody does. The constant beeping and ringing can drive anyone nuts. The girl infront of me didn't car to put her phone on silent letting everyone suffer her "pogi-rock band" message tone. A few seats to her right where two guys dressed in smart casual attire. They had matching tumblers and they have their sunglasses on their heads like rudy project models or something. They are what you would now call "metrosexuals." in gym-enhanced physique. They were also on their mobile phones and couldn't stop giggling like little girls who knows a secret. I'm not saying they're gay, just because they can't stop touching each other's arms and keeps getting lost in each others eyes and the only girl who was with them was seated 3 seats away with no one in between... no, I'm not saying they're gay. [Disclaimer: Im not a homophobe. I have gay friends whom I respect so much. Some people - gay or otherwise - just don't have a sense of propriety in public.]
Another character is the one I named block head. A 6-foot tall guy who constantly pestered the lady in the booth to ask if his name will be called soon. He also didn't bother to bring his own pen and had to go around to borrow one from. He hurriedly grabbed another guy's pen and did not even say thank you afterwards. Jerk. I couldn't recall the other colorful toons I encountered. Maybe when i start having nightmares, I will. I got out of there at half past eight, only an hour and a half... It felt a lot longer than that.
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I surveyed the room and saw "the box" where we [applicants] put our E-6 forms face down. The logic was for the first ones there to get their papers processed first. Like what the posted announcement said, I placed my "duly accomplished" form in the box and went to sit down to ready my "two valid ID's. People rarely sit beside each other on these occasions so there where a lot of gaps between applicants. I elected to sit on the third row, and as I was making my way to an empty seat, some ladies would put their bags on the seat next to theirs. Probably trying to say "there are lots of other free seats, do not take the one next to me..." as if! I sat down between a 50ish woman and a middleage overweight fellow who smells like toothpaste. I noticed that there were only a few forms in the box before mine and that most of the people who came before me hadn't put theirs in.. There was a big glaring announcement infront of us, how could they miss that? People started lining up to put their forms in the box FACE UP [don't these people know how to read?] One particular lady caught my attention. instead of putting her form on top of the pile, she had the gall to lift some of the papers and put hers ahead of most of us. I was amused at the pathetic effort to get one up on other people.
A lot more was coming in. A particularly annoying girl in her 20's couldn't stop pacing and shifting seats. She went to one of the list of postal code in a bullettin board and then to another. [the list were the same] she then went back to the box to get her form. She must have realized she put the wrong zip code. True enough, other people went shifting between the lists and checking their forms. Everyone was on their mobile pretending not to care about what anyone else was doing. And yet, they mirror everything anybody does. The constant beeping and ringing can drive anyone nuts. The girl infront of me didn't car to put her phone on silent letting everyone suffer her "pogi-rock band" message tone. A few seats to her right where two guys dressed in smart casual attire. They had matching tumblers and they have their sunglasses on their heads like rudy project models or something. They are what you would now call "metrosexuals." in gym-enhanced physique. They were also on their mobile phones and couldn't stop giggling like little girls who knows a secret. I'm not saying they're gay, just because they can't stop touching each other's arms and keeps getting lost in each others eyes and the only girl who was with them was seated 3 seats away with no one in between... no, I'm not saying they're gay. [Disclaimer: Im not a homophobe. I have gay friends whom I respect so much. Some people - gay or otherwise - just don't have a sense of propriety in public.]
Another character is the one I named block head. A 6-foot tall guy who constantly pestered the lady in the booth to ask if his name will be called soon. He also didn't bother to bring his own pen and had to go around to borrow one from. He hurriedly grabbed another guy's pen and did not even say thank you afterwards. Jerk. I couldn't recall the other colorful toons I encountered. Maybe when i start having nightmares, I will. I got out of there at half past eight, only an hour and a half... It felt a lot longer than that.
This illustration was used as main visual for a feature in the june 2007 issue of Baby Magazine entitled "And they spell fatherhood as T-I-M-E." Baby Magazine is available at all leading magazine stands in the Philippines. This vector piece, however, will be available for FREE download along with other pieces as soon as I get a host I can afford. I have them hosted on a free hosting site but as you know, bandwidth is very limited. In the meantime, email me if you want me to send you a copy. Just remember to ask nicely... :)
Catch the july 2007 issue of Baby Magazine as soon as it hits the stands on.... july, of course.What's in this issue? Get tons of tips on caring for twins, telling them apart and keeping your sanity intact with the "I love twins" special. Learn the best things to do to keep your toddlers safe and what should be in your first aid kit to be prepared for the times your kids curiosity gets the best of them. Take a trip back on memory lane with fatherspeak where we look back at our memories with our dads as we make new memories with our kids. Get to know thespian, Nor Domingo and learn his brand of Involved fatherhood.
There is lots more to find in every issue of Baby Magazine for new parents because we all know "Babies don't come with a manual"
What is this thing right here? Are we on the right blog? There is a pretty good reason that photo is there... Yes, i took it. Is that so hard to believe. Digital Photography has been a new hobby of mine for a few months now but it is just recently that I stumbled into Picasa, which gives me a decent 1GB of space of photo gallery using the same email address I'm using for this blog. Now, I can get into a lengthy rave about how cool this thing is but that is not the issue in this post. Starting with this particular post, I will be showcasing some of the photos I have turned my "evil eye" on. Yep, starting with this one here. Here goes..."Out my window" is a shot taken from what the name says... it's a view from where I spend the most of my waking days for the past year... The office. It's a view of the western Makati skyline on a most amazing sunset. It is actually the first shot I seriously put some effort on as it was a desperate race against the sun. It was the first time I used a DSLR camera and didn't bother to read the manual because I was hard-pressed to get that sun in my lens. I am pretty satisfied by the result and I was really motivated to get some shots I can be proud of. A high resolution copy of this photograph is available for FREE download at stock.xchange. and Picasa. I can also send it to you if you ask nicely.
My sickday turned out to be a sick week... a couple of weeks. Oh well, where was I? I was supposed to check back on the things I planned to give up. So far it's been a rough 2 months since i decided to put my dharmma into an indefinite hibernation. I found myself constantly battling the impulse to click that tantra icon on my desktop to focus on getting some work done. I gave my password to my 9 year old nephew, Francis, so he can use the level 2 accessories (plus asba and BOTGB) that I have painstakingly acquired through 2 years of playing. By now, I have gone past the strong impulse of ignoring 5 dozen pages of magazine layout to play tantra. I don't even feel the invisible force that used to make my behind so heavy that I can sit for hours on end (pun intended.) I play war rock (ahem, probably another distraction) once in a while to get me off the stressful cycle of work, art and family. Although I still encounter rude apes in war rock who can't seem to grasp the concept of playing for fun but I refuse to let that bother me as much as it did in Tantra. I even get some degree of satisfaction to get them as irate as ever.
I have involved myself more in photography, and silk screen as well as planning my portfolio site (at last.) I still have so much things I want to do now that I found the time to actually do them. I want to learn CSS coding (WTF?!) I want to learn video editing. I want to finish my bleach ebook project (i compile scanlated bleach manga to pdf for easy reading rather than open 1 page at a time, afterwards i want to start coloring them... shhhh.) I want to start a photo blog. I want to sell stuff in ebay. I probably want to do lots of other stuff as I go along this happy journey called life. It really IS more fun than playing.
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I have involved myself more in photography, and silk screen as well as planning my portfolio site (at last.) I still have so much things I want to do now that I found the time to actually do them. I want to learn CSS coding (WTF?!) I want to learn video editing. I want to finish my bleach ebook project (i compile scanlated bleach manga to pdf for easy reading rather than open 1 page at a time, afterwards i want to start coloring them... shhhh.) I want to start a photo blog. I want to sell stuff in ebay. I probably want to do lots of other stuff as I go along this happy journey called life. It really IS more fun than playing.
Much as I would like to make a life-changing commentary about our mortal existence (as if) or reveal the secrets of the universe(wow), this weeks blog wouldn't even be close to making sense. I've been sick the whole week ever since labor day. This cough is driving me nuts. I mean, I can't even get four (4) hours of sleep, I feel like a zombie, and I still haven't seen spiderman 3 'coz I don't wanna run the risk of having irrate theater goers turning into a lynch mob upon hearing some hacking cough destroy their, otherwise, fun movie experience.
I should be in bed right now, I should be resting this tired throat. Instead, Im at the office being the dutiful worker that I am. Bumming around with a blog and not even doing a single page of my rather "late" magazine layout doesn't really qualify me as a "dutiful" worker but hey, I'm here, ain't I?
During these times, I remember my Mom. A nurse by profession, she always has a quick remedy for anything that ails me and my siblings. We can never get any excuse to skip class through her. Whenever I pull out the "Mom! I'm sick, I can't go to class" excuse, she comes in my room, armed with paracetamol or mefenamic acid or salbutamol or loperamide or carbosistein or God-knows-what-else. In fact, I remember generic names of medicine more vividly than anything else in my childhood.
I gotta stop doing this now... My head hurts just thinking of my next sentence. Spiderman's gonna have to wait.
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I should be in bed right now, I should be resting this tired throat. Instead, Im at the office being the dutiful worker that I am. Bumming around with a blog and not even doing a single page of my rather "late" magazine layout doesn't really qualify me as a "dutiful" worker but hey, I'm here, ain't I?
During these times, I remember my Mom. A nurse by profession, she always has a quick remedy for anything that ails me and my siblings. We can never get any excuse to skip class through her. Whenever I pull out the "Mom! I'm sick, I can't go to class" excuse, she comes in my room, armed with paracetamol or mefenamic acid or salbutamol or loperamide or carbosistein or God-knows-what-else. In fact, I remember generic names of medicine more vividly than anything else in my childhood.
I gotta stop doing this now... My head hurts just thinking of my next sentence. Spiderman's gonna have to wait.
I came across this video ad in the apple website a few months ago... I pondered about the charting method for a while and decided that It could be a good way to see how I've been living my life. To my horror, my charts show that I have too many unnecessary activities cluttering up my schedule that I have little, if any at all, work done. And by work I mean doing my commitments, fixing this blog, finishing my portfolio, and exploring talents that I have recently been given the opportunity to explore (e.g. photography.) Among other things. (Actual chart being processed.. watch this blog for updates)
I realized that 24 hours is not enough for me to do all the things I HAVE to do, let alone things that I wanna do. I have to give up some of 'em. No, sleeping and eating is not dispensable.
Here is a list of things I have to rethink my involvement in... Warning, try them out on your own risk.
1. Youtube (and every other video sharing sites) - YouTube is THE popular video sharing website where users can upload, view, and share video clips. Videos can be rated, and the average rating and the number of times a video has been watched are both published. A year ago, I was sucked in on Youtube because of my search for "hard-to-find" anime, music videos and commercial spo
ofs. I was hooked since then. It is very convenient that Youtube had started pulling out Bleach episodes because of Dattebayo's complaints. It will make it much more easier for me to go cold turkey. 2. Monstersgame Server 2- This browser game pits vampires against werewolves in a global war. As one of the leaders of the vampire clan, [D] Deathbringers, I have the responsibility to organize my clansmates and help them through the different aspects of the game. Some members come from as far as Romania, USA, Germany and UK. It IS lots of fun as we interact with players from different culture and exchange ideas and opinions on things other than the game. It would be hard to give this up but I'll try.
3. Tantra Online - ABS-CBN Interactive jumped in face first in the rapidly growing online gaming industry with Tantra Online, A neo-oriental fantasy game. This Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) boasts of stunning graphics and dynamic game-play for the hard-core gamer. Using any of the eight character classes, Players are tasked to defend the world of tantra against the mara forces on the different quests. Rewards in the form of items or in-game currency are given for every quest completed. The player vs player (PvP) feature of Tantra is also something the developers are proud of. PvP enthusiasts gets a blast in Tantra's "God War" wherein players engage in battle defending their respective god's castle. It's a battle royale whenever the followers of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu come across each others path in Kruma. I have been playing this game for well over 2 years already and I must admit that I would still like to grind levels with the best of them but alas! Nothing is meant to last forever. My ghandharva is going to hibernate for the meantime but will probably be back in a time not in the immediate future. I made up my mind on this one.
4. Happy Tree Friends Podcast - Senseless violence (extremely bloody ones) even among cute woodland creatures is only fun on the first few episodes... It gets extremely gross after a while. This one wasn't for me in the first place.
Maybe I can give these things up... Maybe I can't... We'll see in the coming weeks.
