Somber Concessions in the Short Life of Gary Gray: Carrie's Silence

Posted On 9:17 AM by nerdluck | 0 points of view

I've been to uncle John's many times before. But I felt there was something strange today. Carrie wouldn't talk to me the whole trip. Even though I can barely comprehend a word she say most of the time, I would still rather she humor me with the usual gibberish. Oh well, I'ts gonna be fun seeing my cousin, Justin, again. We get along really well even though he's just half my age. I left Carrie with Uncle John and Aunt Betty so Justin and I can get on with our usual fun. I can't always keep an eye on her. Sooner or later she's gonna have to learn to do things without me.

Time really flies when you're having fun. It's already dark, so I figured We would be staying here for tonight again. Except that I can't seem to find Carrie anywhere so I went to ask Aunt Betty. "I'm sorry, Gary, but your mother went home already. You're too young to understand now but from now on, you have to start getting used to calling me mom."

A week has passed before I was sure mom was not coming back for me. I was 4 years old.
|

Graphikapinoymag.com

Posted On 11:11 AM by nerdluck | 0 points of view

Graphikapinoy's maiden issue went out into the cloud yesterday and I downloaded it as soon as I got the SMS from Mon (the brains behind GPM) announcing the fact. I was already excited about this release weeks ago when I learned that it will feature Inksurge, Dan Matutina, and Camille del Rosario. All of whom are so brilliantly talented and inspiring to say the least. I, personally, have been a fan of these guys for quite sometime now. Getting an insight on how the gears in their heads work is a real treat for me.

Kudos Graphikapinoy for helping raise awareness for the flourishing Filipino design scene. Can't wait for the next release.

Graphikapinoy is a free downloadable pdf magazine in support of the Filipino creatives. A convergence of best talents from all aspects of the design industry whose works shall be showcased in every issue.
|

I'm the Introvert, intuitive, thinking and perceiving type

Posted On 12:10 PM by nerdluck | 1 points of view

Click to view my Personality Profile page

I'm not really a fan of these personality test sites but here's one that I really enjoyed taking. Many thanks to gizelle for sending me the link. If anyone is interested in taking the same test, just click the image above. (too lazy to put up the link)
|

This April in Baby Magazine

Posted On 11:05 AM by nerdluck | 2 points of view

We got a hot one here!!! This month's Baby is chock-full of hot summer essentials. First off in the list is THE LIST of summer workshops and activities for your little kids. From theater to music to science and reading to sports and everything in between. your kids are sure to have a fruitful and fun summer to remember for years to come. Speaking of fruits... you and your families are sure to love creating your own fruity smoothies off our "Fruit Math" feature. Enjoy it while splashing around in the pool with the little one. Just be sure to read "Water babies" beforehand to help keep it a safe and fun experience. For those who are planning on going on a trip, read Antonette Reyes' Family Finance and learn her tricks on planning an inexpensive summer trip.
Baby Magazine, the Philippines' first parenting mag is now in it's 12th year of service to Filipino parents. For subscription inquiries, you may contact Baby Magazine through the following:

Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph

update: I forgot to mention that the cover photo was masterfully captured by Bobot Go at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. That is Kiian Huey Tolentino(SM Starbaby winner for visayas-mindanao) on the cover. And that really is his hair.
|

Kapangyarihan

Posted On 10:31 AM by nerdluck | 0 points of view

kapangyarihan (kapangyar´ihan) n. power, authority

This illustration was used as main visual for an article in the March 2008 issue of Baby Magazine with the title Tantrum Control 101: What to do when your child throws a tantrum in public by Jamie Ilao. The article itself talks about how to handle a situation when your little angel suddenly burst into hellfire and unleashes the evil twin.

I, on the other hand, call this illustration, "Kapangyarihan." As a parent, myself, I wanted to show the helplessness of the parent under the "power" of the screaming child. Parents are really weak against their crying children. It is not easy dealing with tantrums especially with quizzical glances from the judging public. Do us a favor and try to look (and walk) away whenever you find someone in this situation. Believe me, when you have children of your own....

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.
|

Somber Concessions in the Short Life of Gary Gray: It's gone

Posted On 9:55 PM by nerdluck | 0 points of view

"Damn this cheap guitar!" I reassured myself after fumbling again with a simple chord progression from an early 90's song from a band named after some spices... I've been at it for hours on end since I bought this guitar at a mall sale. My fingers were tender and I was really frustrated. I was blaming the innocent instrument, betraying what I always believed that making a thing of beauty lies on the craftsman and not his tools. Out of nowhere, I felt a wave of grief... like somebody dear to me has died long ago and I've only come to realize at that moment. Holding back the tears was futile. I can no longer play.
|

Sweet Mama & Baby

Posted On 10:34 AM by nerdluck | 8 points of view

|

This March in Baby Magazine

Posted On 8:13 PM by nerdluck | 2 points of view

March 2008 coverThe baby bump in focus this month. Take a peek at the milestones of your baby's development in "Look ma, I'm growing!" Learn about preventing high risk pregnancies from leading childbirth instructor, Rome Kanapi. Feel the love as husbands share their "labor day" experiences. Being bulgy doesn't mean you can't be fashionable. "Afternoon delight" features fashionable pieces for the expectant [fashionista] mom.

March is also Women's Month. Baby features exceptional women in places you least expect. Sally Ruiz proves that generosity knows no boundaries. Even for someone with meager means. Jennie Dy is an example of a woman with a deep sense of duty and uncanny bravery as a volunteer firefighter. And then there's Libai Censon, an entrepreneur who took it upon herself to help other families learn how to manage their homes.

There is also something this month for hobbyist photographers whose favorite subjects are their own kids. The pro's share their secrets on capturing that perfect moment. And guess what? There is so much more inside. On the cover is Amber Eunice Castro having fun at Gymboree at Shangri-La Plaza Mall through the lens of Ralph Alejandrino. Big thanks to OshKosh. Ooooh... this issue is HHEEAAVVYY!

Baby Magazine, the Philippines' first parenting mag is now in it's 12th year of service to Filipino parents. For subscription inquiries, you may contact Baby Magazine through the following:

Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph


|

It started with a joke

Posted On 2:51 PM by nerdluck | 3 points of view

A few months ago, a little joke was circulating in some of the circles I move around in. That my blog was becoming the official Baby Magazine Blog and that I am getting over exposed to a lot of "cutesy" stuff that it's effect was evident in the choice of colors my template had back then. (Those who had been reading me for more than a couple of months would remember the pink-blue-orange thing I had going then.) I laughed it off but secretly went looking around for a more "manly" template to counter all the "cutesy" vibe I had for quite some time. That doesn't mean I'll quit writing about my involvement with the Philippines' first parenting magazine (among other things). Quite the opposite since I now made it even easier for those who come here specifically for Babymag updates. The tab up there next to "home" is your new friend. Clicking the Baby Magazine tab will take you to all the entries in this blog concerning your favorite Magazine. Now isn't that claiming the title "Official Baby Magazine Blog"? No... I'm not getting paid for this gig. Nobody is...

Baby Magazine, the Philippines' first parenting magazine is now in its 12th year of service to Filipino parents. For subscription inquiries, you may contact Baby Magazine through the following:

Phone: (+63 2) 728.36.55
Email: babymag@globelines.com.ph
|

One thing at a time

Posted On 10:46 AM by nerdluck | 2 points of view

The males of our species tend to use one side of the brain at a time because of the narrow connection between the two halves of our noodles. But that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. There are fundamental reasons why we have to be that way. Although we could try to go against this naturally hard-wired quirk, it is basically uncharacteristic of males to be multi-taskers. I, myself can never have my attention divided between two things. For me, its this thing now and that thing later. Take for example my little corner of the cloud. There used to be a time when I can't keep away from it for more than a few hours just tinkering with the template and hunting for cool widgets. Then I realized I've started to miss out on the other things I love doing like shooting photos and reading books and spacing out when I'm deep in thought (ok, that one sounded weird.) I was thinking, "This isn't right. I've got to strike a balance somewhere...." I drafted a time table. Maybe if I made a schedule, I could cram everything in somehow. Boy! I was wrong. Instead of doing one thing right, I made a lot of things half-assed. I was writing so bad that I could never even post one decent blog entry for the whole month of January. I finished a book but I can't even remember anything I read. That is so messed up. This cannot go on. I resolve to stay the way I was before-when attempting to engage me in a conversation while spaced out on anything (blogging included) will prove to be an exercise in futility. Just expect more erratic blog entry schedules 'coz I'm a man. I can only do one thing at a time.

For more information about the difference between the sexes, read The Essential Difference: Men, Women and the Extreme Male Brain (Penguin Press Science), by Simon Baron-Cohen. Is he related to Sacha? I have no idea.
|