Expectations and Goals with Regards to My Stay in Cebu City

Cebu City

Here at last at the Queen City of The South after a tiresome and head-ache inducing travel. I am not here for vacation or pleasure trip, but to work my ass out. This is more or less my fifth time to Cebu City and I was a little shocked that the city has changed a lot. Many vacant areas before are now plagued by tall and monstrous buildings. Where were the trees and grasslands that I used to name and love?

Anyway, since I have mentioned here earlier that I am gonna be here for work and that means I have to stay for quite some time, I have set a list of some of my expectations, goals and future destinations. In order to keep me grounded and focused, I must remind my self of the things that I have to do here.

Here it goes:

Work and Work More

If I had been industrious and hard-working in my Iloilo days then I have to exceed those achievements. I don't want to repeat the mistakes I have done in relation to my work. The previous year was a nightmare to me and I hope this change of environment could somehow reboot my once very proactive nature. I need to work double and be the employee my company expects me to be.

In order to do this I have to shed away my laxity and complacent behavior. Yeah, I have to get the things done in a very efficient way, but now that I am here I have to think out of the box and be aggressive to do not only the things assigned to me but also other things that could help alleviate the company I am working with.

Save and Be Thrifty

Now that I am far from home I have almost no one to turn to when I budget fails me, or if I fail my budget rather. Extra lock on my wallet to ensure I could achieve this goal. Maybe refraining from these and those things that I might see as a luxury from time to time and giving value to whatever I have spent on. This means I have to take care of my things as well. So goodbye the-hell-I-care attitude.

Ayala is just a stride away from my office and this means I have to be extra stern to my self. I need to reinforce my self-control and throw away the impulsive side that almost always fails me in this aspect. Although I have to admit I still need to buy some books from time to time -- after a number of my books have not been returned, I have to replenish my library.

Fitness and Quest for Health

This may sound a negative approach to it, but I am a little envious of the Cebuanos. After having been catatonic for months since I stopped going to the gym, I lost some of my weight and bulk. This is a source of depression for me from time to time, which leads to my weighing lesser and lesser. I have to improve my diet plans and all.

After having discovered that soy milk does not cause me discomfort compared to regular milk I guess I might find my source of dairy requirements from here on. Protein bars and drinks, and fruit shakes must be back to my list of staple food or drinks. This is quite in contrast with my budget goal, but I guess I could work this out.

Travel More and Discover New Places

I have to do this in a way where I don't have to spend much money. There are a lot of locations here that needed visiting to experience that joy it could offer. Aside from Donsol, I heard that whale sharks are also accessible in Oslob, Cebu. This will be one of the things I have to experience in life so I am adding it to the list. This means of course that I have to visit beaches and resorts as well.

Aside from the natural environment, the man made bliss of buildings and venues should not be forgotten. Of course the nearest to my office, which is Ayala Mall, should be the first in line. Some bookstores, cafes, restaurants, bars and all others. I could I visit these without spending much? Sigh...

Strengthening My Bond to the Lord

Cebu is known to be the place where religion is a big part of your day. This will surely inspire me to strengthen my religious affiliation as well. Because at the end of it all, only the Almighty has given me strength when I am weak and down, direction when I am lost and support when I have nothing.

I might not be able to do it instantly, but adding a small portion of it day by day will eventually lead me there. So long as I know my beliefs and make a stand on it, it will not be useless. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. ~ Psalm 28:7

I really do hope I could abide by these goals and expectations. Only time could tell.

You Now Know Who I Follow For My Skinny Get Up

Skinny

For a skinny and tall person like me I always find it hard to look for shirts and pants that would perfectly fit me. If it's not too big it would be too short. That is why maybe there came a time where I don't bother any more if I look bad or not. It's a taxing thing to do, choosing your clothes.

I really dreamed of having European shops -- since they cater usually to skinny physiques and all -- around here for me to buy my clothes from, but unfortunately there are only a few. That is maybe the reason why, lately I opted for the not-so-rugged look of wearing white v-necks and not-so-fitting jeans. They are the ones that usually goes with my style and my yearning for breezy and weightless comfort.

So I surfed around the net to look for people, famous or not, that I could somewhat base my get-up from time to time. I was surprised that Winky's favorite amateur singer, Tanner Patrick, gets this kind of look as well, along with many others. Check it out here:

I have been following Tanner Patrick for a while and unintentionally get some tips on what to wear. He added to the looks a leather jacket, which luckily I have one at home. But I don't think I have to guts to wear the same. Anyway, here are some more v-neck get-ups I found:

Adam Levine

Robert Pattinson

Ryan Gosling

Joe Jonas

Dream on , John. Dream on. Try as you might copy their looks and all, but you are still light-years away compared with these veterans. I admit I don't really know how to make my self  look better that's why I look up to some famous people to get the simple, yet in look.

Of Letting Go and Acceptance Through Daily Normal Means

Letting Go

I was once taught that man's hardships are brought about by his attachments, may it be material, physical, personal or emotional. These attachments lead on to amplify ones burden, added up by personal bias and perspective. That is why many consider attachments as a disease, an abnormality if it's way beyond what is expected. Too much of something is really bad enough, and attachments are not an exception.

Curing this may take a lot of effort and time that is why many people prefer preventing these attachments to occur rather than curing it for later. Many spiritual personalities has come to a unified understanding that in order to live happily one has to let go of his or her attachments. Christ has incorporated this in most of his teachings, Buddha most certainly focused on letting go of his earthly needs to achieve the Nirvana, and do not forget Mohammed, together with Gandhi and other countless saints, gurus, prophets and mystics.

All of them agree that in order to achieve this feat you must at least be facilitated by feasible yet extraordinary means, such as the following:

A. Prayer

Prayer is the most common means that everyone has an access to. Through extensive prayer, not the one that you do repeatedly and verbally, one could in any way counter ones attachments. Pray for the things you really need and not for the things that you could consider as luxury. It is always inexplicable that once this is rooted in your mind, The Supreme Being has a way of making your prayers come trough. You are given the strength to go through ways in order reach that goal.

Many unbelievers to the power of prayer would say that it is after all your effort why you accomplish these things and not through the power of The One. But have you ever experienced that guiding force that makes things easier compared when you do it on your own. Sometimes our wishes happen as if it is an oiled machine, like a streamlined contraption of events all leading to your goal. Now, that is not merely coincidence or random event, it is guided by The One through your prayers.

B. Meditation

If you thought that meditation and prayer are two similar things, then think again. Meditation is somewhat a higher form of prayer. Unlike prayer, where you focus your words and mind to certain goal or ideal, meditation is the pursuit of achieving peace by clearing ones mind. You try to abolish any thoughts that come to your mind, so that when real concerns would come you will see it from an objective point of view. This is not an easy thing to do since only when we are unconscious are we able to do this. This requires a lot of training and concentration on our part. In prayer you are the source of the thoughts, in mediation you try to see the thought as a third person rather the first person perspective. This is what many experts call as being part of your inner being without imposing your preferences, desires and opinions.

There are many stages of meditation and it is sometimes a dangerous act if you reached the highest level without self control. At this stage you will get to be lose your consciousness and cannot easily get out from this episode of nothingness if you are not guided and only a beginner.

C. Contemplation

Many believe that contemplation is the hardest thing to do since it is almost impossible or essentially one cannot really achieve it. If meditation is the act only to empty your self, in contemplation you empty your self and let the Supreme Being possess or fill you with its presence and love. Now you become not only your self but with God. For Christians, this is mainly incorporated by the scriptural lines that God is within each of us, we being the temple of the Holy Spirit or Christ. But this is not only applicable to Christians, but to all. This is mainly a huge task for the mind to do, but if achieved it is incomparable.

This means is a way to re-center our life and find focus in every thing we do, along with the peace that could also be achieved from meditation. Many contemplatives claim that this means to find one's self also exhibit the feeling of being loved. This is surely enough to live by and attachments may not be needed. If one is in the fulfilled mode would you still let your attachmetns hamper you? I guess not.

D. Selfless Service

Selfless concern and service for others is the manifestation of your prayers, meditation and contemplation. You are not anymore the old man in Aesop's fable that just watches the child drown and simply comments about it.You already become a pro-generator of generous acts. If you are not attached you easily let go of things and share it with others. There is nothing wrong with sharing , though it would certainly lose its credit and value if you advertise and let the world know about it. Only a few are able to do anonymous generous acts because mankind tends to let the world know that each one of us is indeed selfless, but only when we are seen.

If you receive praises and recognition for your acts in this living world you have already received your reward. A reward which could have been eternal if only you have kept it within you. Is it not enough that you are able to help other people through your selfless motives without having the world see you do it? If not, then maybe you already need to examine your motives and goals.

E. Mortification

Mortification is the hardest thing to do for most of us. It is mainly the act of denying our selves some pleasures, desires and may even be causing our selves some discomfort and pain. But the act of mortification does not necessarily mean doing it in huge packages. It could only even mean not drinking a bottle of cola on this certain day, skipping a dessert or two, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, kneeling when you are told to kneel at the church and many other simple acts. As time goes by, increase the intensity and be creative to think of new ways to mortify. These acts strengthen our will, the very thing we need to counter reliance on our attachments and such.

Time and time again, you will realize that by doing these mortification your decision-making becomes stronger, and your laxity is not evident anymore, and many other beneficial changes. You seem not to rely on anything transient anymore since your mind is not clouded by comfort and temporary joys. To sum it all up, we just really need to strengthen our Will and exercise it. It's also like a muscle: exercise and tone it and it will become stronger; take it for granted and it will be weak and thinner.

*-*

Human as we are, we are always drawn to do what our instincts tell us to do. And the instinct of survival always leads us to comfort, joys, and satisfaction. This is all true to human nature, but what is the use of the power of Will if we are to let our instincts dictate are behavior, actions, and motives? Maybe, it is time for us to reinforce our Will and let go of attachments, so as not to fall for laxity and eventually our bane.

The Blatant Manifestations and Anatomy of Discrimination

Discrimination

Today's society claims that discrimination has lessened over the course of the decade. It has come to believe that this once rampant stationing of strata and stereotyping are slowly diminishing to give way to a unified world where ideology, preferences, race or even gender do not affect one's view and perspective of other people.

But recent events have plainly made sure that this is not the case in which we convince our selves to believe. It may not be intentional, but discrimination has already been rooted to our genes, making us believe that we are not doing it when actually we are. Just to site some example is the events that usually happened during eliminations of some of the famous TV Shows. Should I give some examples: I might mention the names of Jesse Campbell and Jessica Sanchez. Ring a bell?

To check whether we are innocent of discrimination, which I doubt is not the case, here are some things you might want to use as basis:

Discrimination of One's Nationality, Ethinicty, Caste or Race

If from time to time we have the urge to feel disgusted or averted by other peoples skin tone, hair color, or nationality, we might need to backtrack because we could already be manifesting discrimination. Sometimes we tend to stereotype a certain race are lazy, not fit for employment or cannot be easily trusted. This is most definitely racial discriminating. We judge and react to people based on their nationality or race. It doesn't mean that if one comes from the Middle East, he or she is already a terrorist. It is a sad fact that this does not only occur in personal and subjective areas, but also evident in some countries' laws, rules and regulations.

Discrimination on Religious Affinity

We cannot deny the fact that every religion claims to be the real one sent by God. But is that enough for us to use as a reason to scorn others just because they don't have the same faith as we have. How about the ones that do not have a religion, does that make them any lesser beings? We were born to have our own will and preferences so we have the right and the power to choose our faith, or not. I know upon saying this I was like soliciting damnation according to some of my fellows, but differences in religion should not create division and havoc. It must be the opposite since all these entities are most definitely representing The One. Isn't religion supposed to be the one to guide us to achieve a better society?

Discrimination of Sex, Gender and Gender Orientation

Among all types of discrimination, this is the one that we could say is most common. Gender has been the basis for centuries of how each one of us play our roles. We have seen a lot of groups that has a stand on this matter such us sexists and feminists and any other gender-oriented group in between these two. Man and Woman (and anything in between) were created to cohabit this world in a balanced way. None should assert dominion over the others for everyone has the equal rights on living. With these in mind, we should avoid stereotyping that the other gender or sex is weaker than the other, nor patronize others just because we think their sex or gender are far superior.

Discrimination of Language and Speech

There are more than a thousand languages and dialects around the world and some countries think theirs are more superior over the other languages. But due to varying languages, people are sometimes treated differently, ranging from mild disregard up to cold harshness. This discrimination is known to some as linguicism or logocism. This may not be very common as of today, but reality states that this is still happening now.

Discrimination on Job and Employment

There are, although not so many, companies which hinder certain people from applying for jobs on whatever reasons unknown to the applicant despite being capable and qualified for the job. The reasons may not only be limited to age, sex, race, religion and any other way mankind categorizes an individual. Laws usually prohibit this act, which can be considered a hate crime in most countries and is punishable. Although there are also ways in which a company can be protected from accusation of discrimination on employment by means of setting justifiable qualifications on the part of the job taker.

Discrimination of Disability

It is most unfortunate if a person is disabled, either since birth or caused by an uncontrollable event that lead to such condition. But this should not stop one from living a life he or she deserves just because society treats or sees a disabled person differently. Being disabled does not mean being helpless. It is not only normal persons with complete anatomical facilities that should enjoy a standard living: everyone does, complete or not. This discrimination is usually adamant in situations where able ones are almost always prioritized. Experts on these matters usually call it ableism or disablism.

There are a lot of types of discrimination still and they are not limited to what are mentioned here. They could take many forms: from the not-so-obvious to the most wildly accepted ones. Try as we might, we cannot stop this prejudice because it is present in all of us as a way of nature to save the gene pool of mankind. Personally, this just sucks because reality bites.

Announcing the List of 2012 Pulitzer Prize Winners

Pulitzer Prize Medal

I am always looking forward to award-giving bodies that give credit to the achievements of society, may it be in the field of arts, media, literature, and personal achievements. They are the force behind why most people or institutions continue with their endeavors to help, entertain and bring changes to our society. And one recent award-giving event this year is the announcement of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize winners on April 16, 2012.

Pulitzer Prize is a United States award-giving body that gives recognition on achievements in newspaper, online journalism, musical composition and, of course, literature. It started in 1917 in the honor of its founder, Joseph Pulitzer. There are twenty one categories under this award and only one receives the Pulitzer gold medal: the winner, either a newspaper or a specific person, in the public service category of the journalism. The rest of the category winners receive a certificate and an accompanying US$10,000.00. Whoa!

This year's awards are given to achievements in last calendar year, having deadline of submission of entries last January 25, 2012. And the winners of this year's Pulitzer Prize are as follow:


Journalism

Public Service: The Philadelphia Inquirer "for its exploration of pervasive violence in the city’s schools" and receiver of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize gold medal.

Breaking News Reporting: The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News Staff "for its enterprising coverage of a deadly tornado" that rampaged Tuscaloosa and Birmingham last 2011.

Investigative Reporting: has two sets of winners, namely (1) Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, Eileen Sullivan and Chris Hawley of the Associated Press "for their spotlighting of the New York Police Department’s clandestine spying program that monitored daily life in Muslim communities" and (2) Michael J. Berens and Ken Armstrong of The Seattle Times "for their investigation of how a little known governmental body in Washington State moved vulnerable patients from safer pain-control medication to methadone."

Explanatory Reporting: David Kocieniewski of The New York Times "for his lucid series that penetrated a legal thicket to explain how the nation’s wealthiest citizens and corporations often exploited loopholes and avoided taxes."

Local Reporting: Sara Ganim and members of The Patriot-News Staff, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania "for courageously revealing and adeptly covering the explosive Penn State sex scandal."

National Reporting: David Wood of The Huffington Post "for his riveting exploration of the physical and emotional challenges facing American soldiers severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan during a decade of war."

International Reporting: Jeffrey Gettleman of The New York Times "for his vivid reports, often at personal peril, on famine and conflict in East Africa."

Feature Writing: Eli Sanders of The Stranger, a Seattle weekly.

Commentary: Mary Schmich of The Chicago Tribune "for her wide range of down-to-earth columns that reflect the character and capture the culture of her famed city."

Criticism: Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe "for his smart, inventive film criticism."

Editorial Writing: No award was given in this category.

Editorial Cartooning: Matt Wuerker of POLITICO "for his consistently fresh, funny cartoons, especially memorable for lampooning the partisan conflict that engulfed Washington."

Breaking News Photography: Massoud Hossaini of Agence France-Presse "for his heartbreaking image of a girl crying in fear after a suicide bomber’s attack at a crowded shrine in Kabul."

Feature Photography: Craig F. Walker of The Denver Post "for his compassionate chronicle of an honorably discharged veteran, home from Iraq and struggling with a severe case of post-traumatic stress."


Letters and Drama

Fiction: No award was given in this category.

Drama: Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegría Hudes "an imaginative play about the search for meaning by a returning Iraq war veteran working in a sandwich shop in his hometown of Philadelphia."

History: Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable "an exploration of the legendary life and provocative views of one of the most significant African-Americans in U.S. history."

Biography or Autobiography: George F. Kennan: An American Life by John Lewis Gaddis "an engaging portrait of a globetrotting diplomat whose complicated life was interwoven with the Cold War and America’s emergence as the world’s dominant power."

Poetry: Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith "a collection of bold, skillful poems, taking readers into the universe and moving them to an authentic mix of joy and pain."

General Non-Fiction: The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt "a provocative book arguing that an obscure work of philosophy, discovered nearly 600 years ago, changed the course of history by anticipating the science and sensibilities of today."


Music

Pulitzer Prize for Music: Silent Night: Opera in Two Acts by Kevin Puts "a stirring opera that recounts the true story of a spontaneous cease-fire among Scottish, French and Germans during World War I."

I hope this list of winners inspire everyone to do better in their craft in the fields of newspaper, online journalism, musical composition and literature. May this serve as a beacon for them to aspire to become next year's winners of Pulitzer Prize, not only for the cash, but for the recognition and the feeling of having contributed to the society something significant.

First Original Single From Tanner Patrick, Merry Go Round

Tanner Patrick

I have first heard of Tanner Patrick when a friend of mine posted his cover of Christina Perri's A Thousand Years video on my Facebook wall. From then on I was hooked to his almost monthly productions of covers from varying artists and genres. And now, he is giving us his first original single Merry Go Round together with a music video, which he has been busy working on for the past months.

The first time I saw the video, which was released just recently, I really thought the song was about me. I couldn't shake the thought of the monotonous feeling in my job and my life. That's why I have to take a few steps back and find something to make my ordinary life become extraordinary.

From time to time, I imagined I was the guy in the video that is busily doing his job. I have the same knack of taking deep breaths and sighing to release my frustrations. I know I could be somewhere better other than doing my daily share of boredom. Maybe I could take a break and ride the figuratively-speaking merry go round of life, break the tides of the ordinary and see the goodness life can bring.

Now check out his music video for his single, Merry Go Round:

I kept on hitting the replay button for a couple of times now. I could really relate with the premise of the video casue its rooted to what's really happening in the lives of today's generation. Now if you are not satisfied with simply watching the video, you could sing along with the music through the help of this lyrics:

Tanner Patrick - Merry Go Round Lyrics

I was always taught 

To stay inside the lines

But sooner or later

Ill be a trader

To the warning signs 

I was always told

That Id never be

Anything other 

Than what I am now

Look at me now

Chorus:

Im escaping to the sun

Sun, sun

Spinning like a merry go-round

Round, round

I dont ever want to

Slow down, down

I trust this ride tonight

X 2

Tonight, yeah

Everybody said

To have a back up plan

Thats an illusion

Its my decision

To build it by hands

You can always found me

On the other side of the line

Loosing my, loosing my mind

Thats where I wanna be

Chorus

I like what you do to me

Without you Im incomplete

You always got me started

When Im escaping to the sun

Sun, sun

Spinning like a merry go-round

Round, round

Dont follow the line

We can break the tides

Well erase the night 

And paint the sky

Im escaping to the sun

Sun, sun

Spinning like a merry go-round

Round, round

I dont ever want to

Slow down, down

I trust this ride tonight

Chorus 

I like what you do to me

Without you Im incomplete

You always got me started

When Im escaping to the sun

Sun, sun

Spinning like a merry go-round

Round, round

We can break the tides

Well erase the night 

And paint the sky

If you do like this Merry Go Round single and its music video, share it with your friends also.

Starbucks Introduces New Energy Drink Refreshers

Starbucks

We have seen how Starbucks grew from just a coffee shop to an essentially well-accepted lifestyle. It has expanded not just in the United States, but even to far off countries on the opposite side of the globe, like the Philippines. We have even seen how its logo evolved from a blatantly labeled one to the now nameless yet recognizable face.

Recently, we heard news that the famous establishment will not only continue serving us with cold frappes or hot coffees, but ventures to a new line of products that is also studded by caffeine: energy drinks. This is in conjunction to last year's report that companies serving this line of product posted a whooping double-digit volume growth and gained share. That's profit, baby!

What could its well-established competitions, like Red Bull and Rockstar, say about that now that another competitor has joined the scene? Do you think Starbucks has the capacity to outmatch its predecessors?

Evolution of Starbucks logo

Unlike the already been established energy drinks, Starbucks is focusing on branding fruit-flavored drinks made from flavorless extract of the 100% green and unroasted green Arabica coffee beans. Naturally this will have lesser caffeine content compared with the usual coffee drinks that are obtained from ripe and roasted beans. Starbucks is even patenting this process of extracting green coffee beans, that it claims will have "all of the natural energy from coffee, but with none of the coffee flavor."

The drink will initially have at least three flavors: (1) Raspberry Pomegranate, that combines the tangy and juicy taste of its ingredients and said to have rich amount of the vitamin B complex and vitamin C; (2) Orange Melon, a nice combination of watery sweetness with the tangy delight of an orange juice that feels like a regular juice, but enhanced with energy giving properties; and (3) Strawberry Lemonade, a classic blend of sweetness that only contains no more than 60 calories.

Starbucks Refreshers

The States side has already a taste of these products when it was release late last month. Each 12 fluid oz of these drinks contains only 40 to 55 mg of caffeine and with a price tag that ranges from $2.10 to $2.50. Don't you wish that these will be available in your locality as well?

When Saying Goodbyes Always Really Sucks

Goodbye!

Everybody knows my friend John, is a little bit too much emotional. Tears easily flow down his eyes everytime he feels an extreme emotion. May he be happy or sad, he always have tears in his eyes. That is maybe the reason he doesn't like it too much when new people reach out to him to have his acquaintance. Because, based on his personal experience, most people that come always go away eventually. And these partings are almost always never easy.

Unfortunately, most people interpret this very differently. He has been accused of being rude, selfish, snobbish and, worst of all, useless. For him, it is better that people scorn him this way rather than attach himself and experience a lot of trauma and depression should this temporary friendly affairs come to an end.

Goodbyes are inevitable, so I am sharing these goodbye thingamabombs to put a smile on your faces. Let us start with this quote that made me famous over tumblr.

"Goodbyes hurt the most when people leave without saying them."
– Author Unknown

I don't know, but it feels like this anonymous author is reading my mind because we are thinking exactly the same. What a pity he didn't reveal himself, for I might have paid him a visit if I can. Now, try this not-so-new-but-still-relatable song from Westlife:

These are all so moving trinkets that they once again make John emotional. His cry-bay persona is trying to dominate him that he is now having tantrums and trashing while rolling on the floor. Why couldn't he accept this reality, for in acceptance you could find courage and peace. All I got to say is I will not do the same as he had done, instead I will use this picture to slap on the face of the people should they try to left me with shattered pieces.

So that they will have second thoughts on leaving me.

Once Upon A Forgotten Time

This way, or that way?

"The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it."

Such was Galadriel's strong opening line on one of the world's greatest movie: The Lord of the Rings. Same words that reverberate and echo within the confines of John's being. He can feel that something is about to change: it is even evident now since the thrill and joys of the past has become a tunnel effect of uncertainty.

I can't share the moroseness as John has felt it since these months are the season where my fellow corn kernels will be harvested. And that means I will have a lot of companions and friends on this dreary thing called life. But being a heartless being, a cold and inanimate being, I can't do nothing else other than to console him. All I can offer is my undivided presence.

But life is an arena of change. Let me show you how:

Seasons change

The world's slight slanting angle triggers a difference on temperature on all of its regions. Thus creating a stirring effect on the world's winds. Nature has to cope up and go along with these changes so we experience seasons.

Life Cycles

In order for growth to manifest the being must undergo not only physical changes, but also a lot of things that has to do with moods, behavior and psychology. A butterfly's life best epitomizes the change. It is a wonder how life can deliver an egg into a full grown beauty and eventually repeat the cycle again.

Physical and Chemical Changes

Science has taught us that matter changes in sizes and forms. Same is true with its compositions. A simple act of tearing a paper manifests change. Burning a charcoal for heat and comfort is another. As a matter of fact everything we do creates a change on matter.

Gadget Models

Who says only natural phenomena could change: man made items also can. Gadgets change from one model to another. From one era to the next, from one design to yet other designs. Technology could not rest and remain as it is today. It needs to change to cope with its inventor's demands.

Change is not only limited to these. There are a lot more. Could you tell some other forms?

Playing With A Little Morse Code

Morse Code

After seeing Dr. John Watson tinkering with some Morse Code device, it triggered in me to somehow make use of this observation. In a world where anything that you see is not what it seems to be, how can we be certain what we are seeing, hearing or saying are for real. Nothing's for real: even the law of universe states that reality is relative and nothing close to being absolute.

Being an imaginary friend, having already acknowledged that fact for years, my reality is only relative to my creator, John. That is why I will play some little realities here together with a little morse code.

.-.. .. ..-. . / .. ... / ... .... --- .-. - .-.-.-

It seems only yesterday that we enrolled as grade one students and here we are now: grown ups and laden with the burdens of a growing man. Just like this video, it seems only like yesterday when The Moffatts sang this for the very first time and now we only seldom here them in concerts, listening die-hard fans and the likes.

.-- . / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / -. --- - / -... . /

 ..-. --- .-. . ...- . .-. / -.-- --- ..- -. --.

Try as we might, we will not last for long. We are not immortals, who could surpass the test of time and eternity. Fading away from this world is our destiny and it means everything is temporary: your joys and happiness, your tears and problems. They will all pass.

 .-- . / .- .-.. .-.. / --. --- -. -. .- / -.. .. .

We are all born to die. Easy as that!

Whether You Like It Or Not

Enjoying a Solo time.

In a world where conformity is a tsunami big deal and "to belong" means to put up some great effort in order to be accepted, there is no wonder why the number of loners and introverts is growing in a dramatic scale. Even contemporary way of thinking promotes that, now, everything has a Price Tag.

Being a skeptic and all, I believe that "being yourself" is not enough anymore to attract friends and companions. That's why I always think that people, like my friend John the Know-It-All, who think that being true to your self attracts companies are a hypocrite. It's not applicable anymore. It's like the world has repeated its own history and went back to a period where cavemen wanted to be alone, monks wanted to savor their "aloneness," and prehistroic man hid on their own to save their lives against prehistoric beasts.

So until you decide to become a loner, ponder on these activities that will surely make your being alone worth it:

Reading a Book
( Do you think group reading really works, think again.
Even if you are reading alone you sometimes cannot concentrate,
how much more when there are a dozen more distractions. )

Creative Writing
( Writing can bring dramatic changes to the world, take J.K.
Rowling for example. Writing alone can be more effective than
writing with a whole bunch of collaborators. With collaborators,
that's when conflicts usually occur. )

Listening to Music
( Who would never agree that listening to music alone 
is more fun than listening with a bunch of noisy friends. I,
for one wanted to be alone if I wanted to savor the music
from beginning to end.)

Surfing the Net
( I mean, who would ever want that someone's watching
behind them when their surfing the net. Especially when one
is searching for topic that needs even a little privacy like
checking your bank accounts and PayPal, updating your
Facebook, and other things you wouldn't do when your mother
is around. )

There are other activities that will most especially be effective if you do them alone. But for an average person who wants some alone time these are usually the most common things to do. I hope John will see my point and eventually realize that it's better this way.

I love being alone. Enough said!

About A Startling New Find

Hmmm...

Ross, or John, or whatever you might want to call him was very thankful of Mayad Studios after he watched one of the video trailers that the studio offered and gave him a starling new elated feeling. On one of its videos the studio featured a song that rattled John's insides and innards. It went along with a lyric of "I am waiting for you to change my name...", and it was strange since it's usually the girl that changes name and not the guy (who performed the song), whenever they get married. Queerer and queerer indeed.

So using the power of the net, he searched and searched for the title of the song so that eventually he may discover the artist and obviously download all of its albums. And lo, he dug out this strangely beautiful song:

And after listening to the song's entirety, I can't undserstand why once again he was sold. He itched to find all of their album and he found one studio album, one demo album and finally one extended play. He shared with me that it was a bliss, a bliss I couldn't relate with. I pity him since he easily gets attached to things or people he haven't even known for a long time. It's sad, but its the truth. Maybe, that is mainly the reason why he wouldn't want to mingle with others and eventually attach himself to anyone, because he will find it very hard to detach with the same person.

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness,
Image courtesy of Tiffatookie The Critic

On the other, John was also busy reading a book series called Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver. He has read the books once, but he wanted to read them again because, according to him, it has a great and unique story set on the ancient times and it was an easy book to read. He urged me to read it, but I wouldn't even dare touch them. Duh!

Sigh, sometimes I wondered why I have ever become friends with John because we can't even relate with each other.

The Battle of the Many Voices

Voices, courtesy of
Daniel Johnson

Internet has become a means for everyone to express their selves. Some take the liberty to use it to showcase their talents.

Others try to abate their angst by shouting out whatever they felt inside and hope that the cyber buzzers would take notice. There are others still that hide their identity and make anonymous acts of incredulity, stupidity, shamelessness, but we never forget to mention also charity, generosity and appreciation.

Lately, John had been sick physically, mentally and emotionally. He wasn't able to focus his mind on the goals he hoped to accomplish. But instead of expressing himself and share to the world how he felt, he preferred to watch others express and showcase their talents, appreciate other's success and ogle over what's to come for the next few months.

Here are just some of the things that he kept his mind busy with in order to avoid insanity, instability and jealousy:

Aren't they all nice and inspiring? No, of course not. Since I have a twisted mind, I couldn't really appreciate what John is trying to appreciate.

I Didn't Sign Up For These Madness

Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on, our troubles will be miles away.

Such were the words Christina Aguilera was singing when I was told a very sad story. It was a story more depressing than Damien Rice's The Blower's Daughter. While others are ornamenting their lovely abodes with these Christmas items:

My lighter and skinnier than ever friend just experienced a whirlwind of discord and mayhem. Yuletide season is supposed to be a time to reconnect bonds and olden relations, he told me he just went through a modern Greek war complete with armors and shields and sharp weapons. His relatives that just arrived from wherever parts of the world, trying to prove who is better than whom, initiated a rumble that shattered the peace of the season. So he decided to go back to his humble abode: M-Dorm to spend Christmas day alone and peacefully.

But for whatever reason disaster did not end there. Due to the chilly weather, a weakling as he is he acquired a terrible flu which caused him almost two days of unpaid sick leave. Great, right? What a nice way to celebrate the season. Now he would be sick and next year he would have a lesser salary. A very nice year-ender gift.

But despite all these he remains strong and somehow happy because he knows there is someone whom he can rely with:

And it's sad cause it's not me, for Pete's sake! I maybe part of it, but I am only third in the hierarchy of pyramid right after the above mentioned what's-his-name and his friends far and near... *Sigh

The Truth of The Matter Is

The quest for truth is a vain attempt for Utopia. I mean, I am not even sure if I have the truth of existence. From what I've heard lately from people who have a say on the issue: truth is biased, truth is subjective. Does this mean that there are no absolute truths?

Honestly speaking I don't even care... I am not like John who demands truth here and there like they are pieces of coins or something. What does he know about truth and honesty by the way? Just because he had the most honest award in Elementary and, shamefully, a ribbon on honesty during high school, does not mean he is still honest until now. He is crazy, a hypocrite!

So enough chit chat and let us either discuss some boring stuff and such. Movies. The following years will be once again plaqued by sequels. But for now here is a list of animated movies that might possibly have some sequels:

Whew! that was a lot. I am hoping that John will not have to spend another 300 bucks for every movie and be disappointed after watching it just like what happened with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. John said the movie was awful, but he can't help but salute the OST of the movie.