Ditch the cigars and save innocent lives!

Today, May 31, is World No Tobacco Day. It's just recently that I found out about such special day.

I have long been an advocate of non-smoking. I abominate smoking!!! It's one of the primary reasons of lung diseases in our country, aside from the ambient pollution that smothers every citizen especially in highly urban and commercialized areas such as Metro Manila. The poor non-smokers, most expecially the innocent children, are so much exposed to this life-threatening vice. Furthermore, the sad reality of smoking is present in mere family houses. Parents casually and irresponsibly puff their cigars amidst the presence of their young children (I myself have experienced such from my parents and aunties).

This year's theme is about Smoke-Free Environment. Read on the link provided to be aware of what World No Tobacco Day is about.

To smokers out there, have a second thought on your next cigar whiff. It might be the means to the end of your child, or one of your household members, maybe your spouse, your loved-one, anybody can be a victim. Be aware of second-hand smoking and what it can do to others. Quit smoking even if it's just for your own good. Do yourself a favor!

An emotional outburst of the passionate sort

Yesterday was a very emotional day - a disturbing and debilitating one; I was feeling weak and a bit out of control and I wasn't in my full strength to handle my senses. Hence, I was experiencing another painful catharsis.

The culprit was my so steadfast and stubborn... passionate love for Shane (Damn! I just can't seem to move one!). This feeling of yearning for his company and time was just so terribly excruciating; I just couldn't seem to detach this love from my system merely because I still didn't want to... (Absurd it was...). And so, my mind was floating in thin air as I was doing my office tasks on my desk; Half of my attention was on Shane and on the melodramatic and heart-impaling lines of songs that unsuspectedly played from my shuffled iTunes. One of these songs was Only a Friend by Gary Valenciano and it went...

Will it matter if I told you just how much I long to be more to you
Coz only a friend can mend a heart that’s torn and broke in two
And only a friend can keep your trust and love you just for just being you
Only a fool can overlook the way I look at you
But it doesn’t really matter after all
Coz I’m only a friend to you

It's pathetic to think that after two months of telling the truth to Shane, nothing has significantly changed from my perspective. He still is the one. I am so stubbornly bridled to him. I can get loose but I simply don't want to... I just simply can't! This is ridiculous 'cause I obviously know the solution to my problem. The only question is when and how to deal with the solution...

I told my best friend about my emotional crisis yesterday. Too bad we were not able to have another SB session. Nevertheless, she surprised me for being present despite the heavy downpour (Thanks bestfriend! I appreciate the gesture.). She even got me a Raspberry Frapp (my favorite)!
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Quote of the day

"It's not the years in your life that count; It's the life in years."

All of a sudden I was transported to South Korea!

After my swim last Saturday at the ULTRA, I saw these Korean footballers on the loose in the track and field arena of the famous (and incidentally infamous) Sports Complex. Anyong ha se yo!!! (LOLz!)

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Jack Sparrow's a bit lame... and so was everybody else!

As I have told in my May 24 post, my friends and I were to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End yesterday. And so we did... But before that, we had short repasts from Wendy's.

my college friend's Bacon Cheeseburger

my bestfriend's classic burger

and mine too (that doesn't look appetizing to me)

(My bad, I ordered the wrong item (ludicrous me!). I should had gotten a Chicken Breast Fillet Sandwich instead... drool...)

As soon as we got in the movie house, the film was all set in a tad of 5 minutes. Then it rolled in....

Placement-wise, we were not fortunate to have the best seats. We were on the third row from the screen. Ergo, my field of vision was so engrossed by the projection (After the movie, I was a bit queasy and my migraine attacked).

After almost three butt-sticking hours, the movie was through... And what did I get? A headache! Harhar! Well, aside from that mishap, I barely appreciated and enjoyed the film. It was partially dragging to me despite its quick pacing of events. I think what bothered me a lot in the movie were the number of sub-plots that did quite build-up a main story plot. I did not feel that there was a main goal in this Pirates sequel. A lot of "mini-chapters" (and so there were "mini-climaces") of each significant character were shown yet they were not able to support each other well enough to develop a main plot (and so I felt there wasn't a main climax) - something that a movie-goer like me would want to see. It was a bit perplexing to me what was the "real" main goal of the story as a lot of personal motives transpired but most were not complementary to each other as each motive meant betrayal and selfishness (I surmise it's because of the nature of being pirates).

All in all, the movie wasn't very pleasing to me. Despite it's long run, I felt no significant achievement in the story and there was little character development. Below are some more comments:
1. Chow Yun-Fat's character was a waste. He died soon in the duration of the movie and didn't build an impact to the story.
2. Cutler Beckett's "pre-death" scene was so corny. His being a villain was not well emphasized in this last serving of the trilogy. And so was his death - a pitiful death from his blown ship.
3. What were the strangulations in the first scene for? I did not seem to connect those in the storyline... [Sigh]
4. Calypso's accent was a mess. I think I needed a hearing aid then just to understand all her vocal nuances! (Or was it just the fault of the cinema acoustics?)

I am not totally disappointed, only a tad and a half though... Hehe. I still enjoyed Jack Sparrow's corny but still funny antics; And his eldritch solutions to seem-to-be-already-answered problems.

Given this, I am still tentative about this movie so I am giving it also a tentative rating (Hahaha!). My perception of the movie may have been affected by my headache and not so good mood then in the cinema. Perhaps if I'll get to watch it again, I'll have a better look at the scenes and consequently a better judgment (That is, if I'd really want to see it again.. Hahaha!). For now, that's all that I can say. c",)
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I'm a mug for Clay Aiken

I'd been puzzled by who sang the revival of Without You (a.k.a. I Can't Live (If living is without you)) in the radio. Hearing it lately, I was always set aback by the vocal fluency of the male singer. Until I got a copy of it in my laptop, then was the only time I discovered that the man behind the voice was Clay Aiken.

Clay Aiken? I did not know him. So, the ever dependable Google helped me check him out. Then I found out he was a runner-up in the hit show American Idol Season 2 (Just a runner-up for that voice is a diminution for such skill).

His voice is so great. It's so high yet so chesty. He is definitely one of my crushes now. I don't care if he looks gay (and even if he is, it's zilch). His voice captivates me so much that I'm compelled to like his whole persona. Not to mention his altruism for being a UNICEF ambassador of goodwill, he is such an admiration.

To meet Jack Sparrow for the last time

Wee! I got my ticket for the screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End last evening. I, my bestfriend, and one of my male college friends are going to watch it tomorrow at Shangri-La Cinema (just to avoid the crowd filling the ubiquitous SM cinemas). It'll be a 2-hour-and-40-minute movie so it better be worth watching. I bet my best friend is excited to see it.

See you soon Jack Sparrow!

Quote of the day

"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."

by Vernon Sanders Law

My camera's home!

Yehey! Finally, I got my newly repaired digicam from the service center yesterday. I hope to experience no more glitches in the future with you. :D

A sample shot

Another coffee treat and a dose of heartfelt talk

Yesterday, my bestfriend and I finally had our first time "together" at San Francisco Coffee. We had a nice tete-a-tete as we weren't able to meet in the past week (which was not so usual.. hehe). Dining-in, I bought her a Regular Extreme Mocha; I got a Regular Extreme Latte. Just to say I "treated" her, she was saved to pay for the drink since SanFo Coffee had a Buy-1-Take-1 promo (Knavish me... hehe). Aside from the cold drinks, we ordered a plate of ready-made lasagna. The taste was fine for us - meaty and tomato-tangy - but it was not at par with my expectations. Nevertheless, we enjoyed it together with the frapps.


We talked a lot, one topic segued to another. More of the conversation went mostly about my recent experiences. One of these was my late sojourn at Puerto Galera for our company outing.

As per our convention of telling past stories, I detailed out in chronology the two days I spent at the resort - The long land and water travel from Ortigas Center to the resort; The hearty lunch I had; Swimming during "free time" before the game activities commenced; Actively participated in the charades game and ultimate Amazing-Race-like relay I and my fellow officemates won (Yes, we won!); The dinner and booze session alongside the beach with an acoustic band; The return-to-resort gift certificate I won for guessing the right song in "Name that Tune"; Snorkling (without snorkling set... err) on the next day and saw a number of mature sea urchins hiding partly beneath colorful corals....

Telling all of that, we got into talking about the ubiquitous topic of love. I didn't know where it came from (probably from the caffeine in my glass); I just spilled in the thoughts of a not yet moved-on person in love.

In a blatant manner, I told her nothing has changed with my feelings toward Shane (not his real name); I am still straddled on the starting lane. Moving on, in my case, would take a long time especially from a person whom I have invested so much emotions. It would be a lie to pretend I have moved on yet I haven't gone a lap towards my goal. It's sickening... yet I am accepting it. Small steps are what I make... at least I am stepping away.

Aside from those two unrelated topics, we had a few ramblings and thinking-out-louds. Until the next coffee session....
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The victim of my occasional caprice

Just this afternoon I was hardly concentrating on my work. I barely understood the documents I was reading. The culprit - the sleepyhead in me.

To relieve myself from being unproductive, I decided to get cold coffee from a new coffee shop. I can only take cold coffee with milk and not hot instant coffee from the pantry not for frivolous reasons but because cold coffee with milk (e.g. frappuccinos), for some weird effects, does not make my stomach sour. Also, given that I was curious and eager to try iced coffee from this new cafe, I splurged and gave in to my whim. Ergo, I got:


Well, the frap was typically pleasurable, but nothing special about it. Nevertheless, I got my dose of caffeine. Despite the delight of having this new beverage, I needed to pay a hurtful price of scathing my bestfriend's feeling and expectation. Apparently, she and I decided to go to SanFo Coffee (SC) together. And yet, I busted our agreement.

I was conscious on my decision to go to SC. Whimsical as it was, I was knowledgeable on what my bestfriend would feel if she knew I was there without her. I knew my bestfriend; She treasured our moments together, especially those "first time" moments. After taking a few sips from my cold bev, and having a post-evaluation on what I did, I decided to tell her about my doing. And so, I apologized; That was all I could do. I would not want to be lying to her; I am not like that. I may be selfish but I am not a liar. For most people, such is just a fiddling event. But for my bestfriend, it's more than what people would comprehend. I understand her. So, I am sorry....

On a lighter note, it's a good thing I got these buy-1-get-1 tickets from SC. My bestfriend and I can use them on our first day together at SanFo coffee. :)


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And it's really indelible...

Election day had come and passed. Some canvassing has culminated; Some are just to tally the last 10 ballots. Some candidates are way far ahead, leading their way to victory; Some are just not so fortunate to have at least 5 votes...

Yesterday, I have voted for the candidates I want to be elected and seated. I don't know if the soon-to-be-pronounced winners will remain as righteous and principled as they seem to be in their political ads, campaigns and symposiums (let's just pray for that...). It's politics... Ooopps! I forgot a qualifier for that noun... should be dirty politics!

Given that, I am still hopeful... a bit cynical but still with high hopes that someday, our country will turn full circle and recreate itself anew for the achievement of the long-been desires of the Filipino people, especially of the oppressed. May the integrity of upcoming new set of officers, both local and national, be indelible... persistent and steadfast, not to their political agenda/party and self-interest, but to the people they serve. Let them be indelible... as indelible as the ink blotched on my finger.
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The wake of my watching Spider-Man 3

It's been a while, maybe almost a year, since my last movie screening. I can barely picture in my vivid recollection what it was (maybe it was Enteng Kabisote last December when I watched it with my family). This late afternoon, my best friend and I had a movie date. I asked her to join me see Spiderman 3 at The Podium.

- First time in The Podium Cinema -
It was my first time at the high-end cinema mall. The room was quite smaller than that of Shangri-La's. The ambiance was cozy and fit for watching movie with less people to be concerned about.

- The CGs -
The computer graphics was great for the intensely speedy highflying action fight scenes. Bodily details were still scrupulously rendered to mimic real-life figures. Except for minor glitch of some smudgy and clay-like appearances, especially during the conflict scene between Harry and Peter in the first part of the film, all in all the CGs was almost impeccable.

- What matters most -
Well, the computer graphics are not a concern to me; The characters roles and actors are not to be bothered; I am never... really, as far as I can recall, very scrutinizing as to nitpick all aspects of a movie. What the movie has to offer best to me is what I can pick up from its entirety. By and large, the learnings of the movie would infect me the most.

Spider-Man 3, I would say, affected me much, not due to its sci-fi glitz, but because of its humanity. This portion of the trilogy, I'd say, is the most emotional and heartfelt one. Surprisingly, for the most conflicts in the movie, the corporal ones are not the meaningful ones. The simple human battles each significant character shown are the ones who have reached my attentive mind. It's flabbergasting to comprehend that such action-filled fiction would have quality of morals and life lessons.

Spider-Man movies are always surprising to me. I am not a fan of such type of film, but this sequel, Spider-Man 3, I would consider, is one of my favorites. The movie has so much values to offer, but all has a common denominator, the theme of the story, and that is our ability to make choices.

I have always been a firm believer of the mantra "Life's made up of choices". Though I have not been religiously practicing it for some capricious reasons, I do not defy it. There is not pretty much to say about it. As simple as it is, it speaks for what it wants to aver. Whatever we do in life, it is a choice. Be it influenced by other people, by emotions of hatred or joy, still... at the end of day, the final decision is still in you.

Lately I've been slack on what I do. I have been acting impulsively and selfishly. I have come to a point of doubts and suspicions that have tainted my once unadulterated beliefs. I know that all of those that I've done and said, be them driven by whims, are my decisions. I may have decided loosely on them, still, they've the ones I've chosen. Watching Spider-Man 3 lets me recall to pull back myself to where I have more than once been - to not be driven by disturbed emotional urges. So Spidey, I owe this one to you. Thanks, and you rock!!!

(Spider-Man 3, its names, places and all characters are copyright © to Columbia Pictures Entertainment and Marvel Comics.)
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Fixing my blog layout

I have been fixated to revamping my blogsite layout for the past week. I have had 3 revisions now and am planning a fourth one... Hehe. It seems that I am developing this obsession to this new found world of web designing.

Despite my background in computer science and multimedia, web designing topics are never my interests and never my forte. Given a choice between programming an inventory system or designing website, I'd choose the former (My geeky side would by and large dominate). I never really had a penchant for web applications or layouts for that matter. But recently, after jumpstarting this new blog, I have been so enthused in designing and redesigning its layout. It's probably because I don't have work tasks currently. Still, it's good to see that finally, I am interested in webby details, XML, CSS, etc.

I know my current layout is not yet through... but soon I'll be able to wrap it up! :)
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Missing my digicam

It has been two weeks now since I surrendered my Canon Powershot A630 to Canon Customer Service center to have it repaired. No serious damage to it - only the menu button is malfunctioning; The main imaging system's still intact. Apparently, the minute damage is a factory defect; I have experienced it on the first week of purchase but was not compelled to have it checked then since it functioned properly after restarting the device, thinking it was just a rare negligible glitch.

Such a mishap for me to have my digicam repaired at its early life (It was only purchased last March). Oh well, what can I do. I do not need a reason to be mad with Canon selling a faulty product. I just hope that they (the QA personnels) be very vigilant in scrutinizing their products before releasing to the public.

Too bad I can't bring it to my company's outing this weekend. I'll be missing a lot of great shots! [Sigh] Who am I to blame anyway?
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An ice breaker in the morning of last Saturday

Last Saturday morning, I read a text message from my best friend. It was one of those read-then-answer texts. Apparently, I wasn't really interested to answer back because I just woke up then and wasn't really in the mind to totally comprehend the contents... hehe. Then again, I replied. The text message was this:

"Simple Question to test ur heart: there is a tree that's dying, then rain comes suddenly so it grew leaves. Then autumn came and wind blew the leaves awy. There are 5 chracters, u must choose 1. Rain, tree, leaves, wind & autumn. I'l send a reply after u answr.."

I answered tree (the lethargic me only replied "3" instead of "tree".. hehe) and surprisingly, I was flabbergasted and fully awakened by my best friend's following SMS. Here's the reply:

"Wind= u r da 3rd person in a love triangle.
Tree= u r very loyal 2 ur prtner n if u break up it wont b easy 4 u 3 4get..
Leaves= u r a playgirl/playboy
Rain= u want 2 find some 1 who will reAlly love n care 4u
Autumn= u can love 2 prson at da same time"

...[Sigh]... I was speechless...

Need I say more about it? My previous post last May 4 will suffice to explain why my answer is fitting...

See the answers and their corresponding meaning...

Beer allergies!

Arrgh! I promise I won't drink beer again. It really pisses me off to have itchy skin that bumps and turns red when rubbed. I always get this side-effect from drinking beer/booze (Note: I only do social drinking and I do not over-indulge as to prevent intoxication). The one I am experiencing now is the worst! My skin is peeling from the former swollen areas that have just subsided. I abhor Red Horse beer from this day! And to the rest of the alcoholic bev clan, I'll just meet you, in sight! (Exception to the booze that I haven't tried, you are still pretty much welcome, but only on a "one shot" degree. No more, no less! Haha!)

A purported gay voyeur sneaking on me

Yesterday, as I was doing my regular swim at a sports complex, I saw again this gay chap. I said to myself, "He's here again. I bet he's going to peep on me again if we bathe at the same time". Well, I can attest to my prejudice supposition because the last time I took a bath in the nude, he was restlessly peeking on my private parts.

And so, I continued my swim. Fifteen minutes later, the lanes were getting more and more crowded (now being shared by 3 people). I couldn't do my routine effectively; so, I decided to leave the pool and head for the men's bathroom to clean up. Surprisingly, this gay chap followed and went to take a bath also (This was was a bit weird 'cause he usually swims for an hour. Well, I don't know if he had the same reasons as I did for stopping.).

In the bathroom, I occupied the same spot - the less revealed area since the room had no door and is widely viewable from the dressing room. As I was soaping my body (not yet naked. I only remove my swim trunks just before I loofah), he went inside and got a spot right next to me. And so, as suspected, the violation of the sneaky-eyed gay chap had once more transpired soon after I started scrubing). I wasn't looking straight in his face to check if he was eyeing on my phallus. My periphery sufficed me well to affirm my assumption - he was peeping again. And what's more, when only the two of us were left in the bathroom, he lowered his swim trunks and occasionally fondled his tool while gazing at mine.

Frankly, I did not feel really violated by what he did. As far as I can recall, it's not even at par to the sexual irreverences I've experienced in the past. I was more of apathetic then; I just simply ignored every salacious look and self-fondling he did while I was finishing my scrub and bath. Abashment was what I felt for him; If his motive was to seduce me to grope or fondle with him, well sorry for him, I don't answer to such invitation.
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Blogging again!

Well, well, well… and it’s me again attempting to beget a new blogsite. It’s been months now since my last blog was posted on the now defunct site that I formerly sired. Will I be able to persist and maintain this new born refuge? The truth is I don’t know. What’s driving me now to write on this blog? Well, primarily, it’s because of an unexpected event/s in my life that just recently nailed me aback wondering and wandering. Enough said about this. I’ll make a discrete post regarding it. For now, I am whole-heartedly opening my arms to the birth of Drake’s Ragbag, a refuge for my long-been orphaned thoughts, future experiences, and a potpourri of stuff that I want to share with you. :)