Weekend Warlord

Friday - June 27 (Fishy Wishy)
Something Fishy, Eastwood

Off to "Something Fishy" for some very late night gluttonous spree - breakfast buffet! So gluttonous in fact that we need to saunter around the premise first to shake off the belly bulge before driving home (at 3 in the morning!).

1st Plate: longganisa, Chinese rice, tapa, hotdog, egg, lumpiang shanghai
2nd Plate: boneless bangus, pork adobo, garlic rice, egg, tapa
3rd Plate: minatamis na saging
Observations:
1. Nilalangaw na ang Eastwood. Gone were the days when you have to line up as far as "Bed Room" just to get inside "Blue Onion" on a payday Friday.

2. Thus, it's actually cool to roam around the strip these days and mind not a trampling crowd.

3. Wala na masyadong mga tambay na literal na "tambay". Hahaha.

4. Ang daming condo (at dumadami pa!) around the area pero wala namang masyadong laman yung mga units. They're just clogging up that part of the strip with senseless traffic.

5. I was thinking of working in Eastwood for a change. Now, I scratched it off my thought. The area feels melancholic. Perfect suicide scenario for emos at mga emo-emo-han. Not as lively as a Makati rush hour or the street party-ish atmosphere of Emerald Ave at night (pag nag sabay sabay ng yosi break ang mga call center peeps).

Saturday - June 28 (Lomo Gumbo)
Cubao Expo

Went with Pork to Cubao-X to hangout with other lomophyles. Haven't been around the area for a long time and although photography is not my thing, it's still one of my greatest frustrations. So off to Cubao, kalbo!

one of the vintage shops in Cubao Expo
What sets me on right away is the fact that the entire strip exudes an aura of old pop culture, things we consider vintage. I dig. And dig I did literally! There were vintage shops that sells stuffs from the Maria Leonara Teresa (kilala mo yan?) era up to 80's thingamajigs like old "Bagets" photos of Vice Mayor Bistek! Who would have thought it could still be marketable? Pero wala ako nabili. I like this vintage Volkswagen shirt. But I thought against buying it. Wala naman akong Volks.

And then there's Mogwai! It's a haven for film buffs and people who are on that "frequency". I did blogged about it HERE. Wasn't able to try the poop coffee though. It wasn't amongst the agenda that day.

Mogwai on the far left
The lomo peeps doesn't seem to have a good organization. It seemed most (members?) were there just to hangout and parade their cameras and nothing else. There were no conspicous org heads that stepped up and there were no interactions happening regarding the hobby. Tambay lang. Ganun lang. Ati Tins, dapat talaga andun ka!

My friend had a good time shooting places and people though. There were cosplayers that day but if I was the one behind the camera, I'd care less for them. Their J-culture looks were just too off with the Cubao-X surroundings.

After Cubao, tambay kami sa shop sa Virramall. And then after a quick dinner at Mien Sann, direcho na sa Shak.

Shak Attendance: Crispy Beef Ribs, Jep, Topher, F-Tits, Koya Ian, Jumping Johnny, Kapten Klepto, Kapten Kantor, Fritz, Fluffman, Obi Doobie Doo, Kuneho, Jan Liit, Hervi, Pork, Doc Komax

Boyz piled up on Plim's laptop for some Starcraft action. Praktis para sa nalalapit na Starcraft 2? Abangan!

Class dismissed at 2:30AM.

Sunday - June 29 (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)
Meycauayan, Bulacan

Our airsoft team (Screaming BB's) is back in full force as ol'time member Jorge rejoined the ranks after several years of absence from the battlefield because of his work in Middle East. Parang reunion ng grupo... wala na lang sila Sultan and the Bravo Team (Cua Kids).

SBB Attendance: Topher, Jan Liit, Jubay Bomber, Bozz Gelo, Garrkid, Obi Doo, Jorge, Jeng, Jinggoy, Rommel the Boss, Lloyd, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Gem's Private Army (GPA), Dy-Lim United

Labindalwang oto kaming lahat. At labindalwang oto yun na paikot-ikot ng Meycauayan dahil sabay sabay kaming nawala. May pa convoy convoy pa hahaha. SBB, GPA, and Dy-Lim's army... ni-register kami under one name - People's Park. I dunno where'd they got it but sounds aptly Chinese to me (since Intsik ang founders ng tatlong grupo) so ok na din. Kalaban namin combination ng Bulacan teams.

Gelo was there! Pinahiram ko sa kanya si Layla the HK51 (yes bozz, my guns have names). And of course, dahil andun siya - umulan! Truly a rain-child this ork iz. It was still a fun day. Lumaro kami nang umuulan pero hindi naman ganun buong araw. I, myself, had been missing-in-action for months now so rain or shine walang pipigil sa aking panggigigil hehe. I say, the games were above mediocre. I enjoyed. Ang ganda din ng pagka-jungle ng site.

this AK47 is just too Americanized... but I dig!
Too bad we had serious casualties that day. Si Jeng tinamaan sa upper lip and the BB pellet stucked that it has to be popped out of the upper dermis. It din't stop bleeding until that night on dinner. It has this nasty hole in his face. Si Lloyd naman tinamaan sa tenga. It bled too. They were ok by the end of the day. Part of the game yung injury risks. They were not clad in proper safety attire anyway. I myself was guilty of it since I was down to wearing just a tshirt as upper garment on our last game. Mas magaan kasi kumilos. But I do NOT tolerate it to newbies we bring in to play. Ilang taon na kami sa hobby to know what "hurtage" we deserve with such stupidity.

Dinner was at Jay-J's - Timog Ave.

*****

Thanks God for everything!

*****
New photo albums in my Multiply site:
Screaming BB's Welcome-Back-Jorge Games (Click Here)
ID Regatta 2008 (Album 2) - Observer's Viewpoint (Click Me)

Frank, I'll Get You!

Friday - "Cinema Snafus"
Da Shak, QC

From work, dumiretso ako sa tambayan sa Virramall. It's already weeks since the last time I was able to hangout with the boyz and it'z nice to be back! After mall closing, me, Pookiemonster, Fluffy, and Hairy Critter headed to the latter's house to grab some grub and noticing that those weren't enough to satiate the Maws waiting at da Shak, we drove by Tiendesitas to buy s'more! Beer sausage, hotdogs, bologna, 3 x 2.0 liters Cox, and Shin/Yul Ramen in the grocery cart.

Walang okasyon pero gadami ng pagkain. Shin at Yul Ramen ay parang kanin ng Shak pagnagti-trip. Shin Ramen is a Korean spicy noodle (think Jammpong!). Pero kumbaga Level 1 ang anghang nito (pero maanghang na sya, peksman). Yul Ramen ang Level 2! Sabi nga ng tropa namin (the late Mark, R.I.P.), "Yul (you'll) live to regret eating it! If it's hot coming in, it'L be hot coming out!" Haha. We miss you, Mark.

Shak Attendance: Kaptin Kantor, Pork, Hairy Critter, Kuya Ian, Jumping Johnny, Phatboi Jason, Jep, Fluffy, Pookiemonster, Riderman and Bebop

denizens of da Shak
As we grog down on the arse-cracking super spicy noodle concoction (tulo na ang uhog and all), the Riderman arrived with ill tidings. His movie (after 5 drafts!) was being deferred by this head honcho of a big movie outfit for some BS reasons. He'd been working with the script, casting, and all for quite some time now and we (if i can manage an "escape artist" move here at work) were already scheduled to journey far North to watch the actual shoot maybe two weeks from now (libre dinner daw from a local pulitiko friend). Di ko alam if it will push through pa. They'll be working on a compromise with the head honcho I think.

Kaptin Kantor: bading yang si #$*% noh?
Shak Boyz: *paused to wait for the answer*
Riderman: *nods, then grogged down his cox*
Kaptin Kantor: 'nuff said. *then returns drawing on the logs*
Jep: 'nuff said. *then returns to his laptop*
Obi Doo: haha 'nuff said!
Shak Boyz: *nods agreement, laughing*

Then Fluffman had this idea when the movie starts to shoot. Ang ipapasuot daw sa lead character na shirt ay may nakasulat na Thai phrase (Fluff speaks and writes Thai), "*insert honcho's name here* sucks!"... Hahaha.


Saturday - "City for All Seasons"
Lipa City, Batangas

Frank's starting to make his presence felt. Despite it, me and the brother headed South to attend my inaanak's birthday in Shakey's - Lipa. We got there just in time.

cutey Beah and the proud and equally cute Ninong! (kumontra kokotongan ko ng malakas! walang biro.)
Anlaki laki niya na! And she's getting prettier as she grow.

Nakaka-miss ang Lipa! I was just here a month ago when Bonita returned from NY but I wasn't able to visit back on places. Next time, iL gonna sched a weekend just to roam around. My kumpare and his bro updated me about a LOT of happenings in our place. I spent my highschool days on that village and now our house there was on lease as I and the rest of the family moved to Manila.

I saw a couple of familiar places in Shakey's after the kiddie party. Nakita ko yung isa sa bestfriends ng sis ko and her equally gorgeous sis. Too bad nanay na sila both at such ages. Awk! Verily, I iz too late. There was also Tita Amy, head namin dati sa catechism works. My other sister was in Lipa that time too but we din't met up with her. She was attending a bridal shower for a batchmate of mine in highschool and to my suprise, one of the bridesmaid was a schoolmate too who happened to be the first girl that I gave flowers to! Haha astig.

2nd year - Class 502, uso pa ang buhok-kachupoy!
Liligawan ko kasi dapat itong girl na ito back then. But for some reasons, hindi ko itinuloy. Di ko aamining dahil natorpe ako haha. Now she was a Miss World titlist so kamusta naman ako! At least, she still remembers me sabi ng sis ko sa akin. Sabi niya daw, "Si Randell Parcon, yung officer!" hehe (officer ako sa CAT noon). Nalaman niya na sis ko pala yung kasama niya sa entourage just that night.

What else? After Shakey's, I met with Jai and Efren. Highschool buddies. Back then, si Jai ang kapatid ko kuno at si Efren ang tatay namin kuno. Hindi available that night si Teta (ang nanay namin kuno) at si Wendy, ang president na sugarol ng Class 306 (ako ang vice president noon... na sugarol din haha!) pero dapat kasama namin sila.

Before Frank could mount up his fits, we were able to haul our arses back to Manila. Anticipating still that I could play airsoft the next day. Inayos ko pa din outfit at duffel bag ko. Assssaaaa...


Sunday - "Hello Frank!"
Home, Pasay

As early as 6AM, may confirmations na sa text na hindi tuloy ang airsoft. Pupungas pungas pa kong sumilip sa bintana at TADA! Bumabagyo sa labas. Argh. Ayaw talaga kami paglaruin ni Gelo ng airsoft. Twice na nanyari to. May balat ka sa wetpaks, Bozz!

Tumambay lang ako sa bahay the whole day... *nagbukas ang langit* Alleluiah!!! Me and "home on a weekend" just don't match.

Kaya kating kati na akong lumabas pero wala akong magawa. Wala mom ko and kami lang ng bro ko at home. Titigan kaming dalawa. Kalabit kalabit ng gitara. Lakad akyat baba, akyat baba. Hilata, tulog, kain. Hilata, tulog, kain. Sumakit likod ko kakatulog. That evening, I just painted my miniatures, read books, and played this game in PSP I was currently hooked on.

a Space Marine miniature that I finished painting that night(for size comparison, the black base is just as big as a peso coin)
Hay! May araw ka din, Frank!


Monday - "Caring Circle"
Office - Makati / CBI - Jupiter

What I thought was a typical petiks day... NOT.

Dumating ang trabaho ng hapon and I was literally yelling "saaaaave meeeeh!" to my seatmates (well, partly just to make em laugh).

By lunchtime, me, Arn Arn, and "the other Mike" went to Makati Cinema Square to check on the band rehearsal room that we might rent when we get our "band thingy" together. Two hundred bucks per hour is not bad. A brief visit to check out new guitar stocks in Audiophile followed next. I was considering buying a bass guitar again to practice at home. Kaya yung mga may kilala dyan, second hands would be good too basta nasa 10K ang budget.

After work, I went to meet Pam and Philip to go to our CC orientation in Chicken Bacolod Inasal. It was good. It always felt good to be with the class. It was a nice break from a day's "busy-ness" where everything (from deadlines to extra-curricular stuffs) is an amalgam of random events zipping here and there... unstoppably quick to a point that you just accept it as part of your daily life (may its purpose be to your liking or not).

Parang biglang "hep hep hep... tama na muna yan" then you breathe out. A nice break, indeed.

I love SE14.

Ivan, Kia, and Dens

I Was A What?

Obi was a Romantic Musician in a past life. http://www.quizmeme.com/pastlife/quiz.php

Astig. Talagang dapat "romantic" musician. Hindi ba pwedeng plain musician lang?

Anyway, speaking of music. I was so excited with this upcoming plan to play on a band again. Yeps... rock band. Not that band with a skimpy-wearing baton-twirler for a dazzler.

We've been long thinking about it with the guys here in the office and we actually jammed a few songs back in last year's Christmas Bash but there had been nothing regular that came out from those sessions since we lacked a good drummer.

Enter the noob, Mike. A new joiner here at work that I personally interviewed back when he was an applicant. We learned a couple of weeks ago that he's a drummer in their church so everything else fell in place after that. We instantly had the spur to rethink about our plans to do regular jam sessions.

I was a bassist in my highschool band but I can be comfortable on the rhythms too. It might also be a plus that I can do back-vocals on rhythm guitars (I can't sing while on bass). But it seems everybody else here knows - and wants! - to play your regular guitar so back to the bass for me. Just no leads, please. I've always wanted - dreamed! - to do leads ala Santana but the fingers just won't obey my will. Lazy gits.

As of now, we have four songs in mind to practice on: "Daliri" by Kjwan, "High" by Speaks, "Tatsulok" by Bamboo, and "Narda" by Kamikaze. I've already researched on those songs' bass tabs and downloaded them on my player so I could babystep on playing them at home. The riffs are pretty easy anyway.

I'm just excited iL got to play again. Yahoow, band band band!

my stratocaster. ang tawag ko sa kanya, si Buttercup

Ang Peborit Kong Bayani. Bow.

Ang paborito kong bayani ay si Batman.

Tada tada tada tada, Batmaaan! Tada tada tada tada, Batmaaan! Batmaaan! Batmaaan!
Kasi ang gara ng bahay niya at sooooobrang yaman pa. Sa sobrang yaman, may sarili siyang kuweba tsaka personal yayo (lalakeng yaya) na "Master" ang tawag sa kanya. Magara din ang oto niya, naka lowered at hanep ang mags! Konyong konyo. Malamang naka setup din ang audio nun. Si idol pa! May sarili din siyang jet, speedboat, at helicopter. Itim lahat. Peborit color niya.

Marami siyang business at hightech yung mga kagamitan niya. Sa halos lahat ng mga superheroes siya lang ang walang kapangyarihan. Kaya alam mo kung anong ginawa ni Batman? Ginamit niya ang pera niya para magkaron ng kapangyarihan. Bumili siya ng hightech na belt na naglalabas ng kung ano anong kagamitan... parang swiss knife ni MacGyver o kamay ni Inspector Gadget.

Swabe din ang idol ko. Chickboy ba. Kahit kalaban niyang si Catwoman may kras sa kanya. Dinidiskartehan niya din yung anak na dalaga ni Commissioner Gordon. Sa sobrang patay na patay sa kanya, nagpaka Batgirl yun para lang palaging nakabuntot kay Batman. Iba yata talaga ang appeal sa mga chikka babes ng binatang may anak. Kaya yung idol ko nag-ampon ng anak-anakang sidekick... si Robin.

Matagal niyang pinag-isipang ampunin yan si Robin. Kaso isa sa mga nagustuhan ni idol sa batang yan ay lumalaking banal. Walang alam sabihin kundi "holy guacamole, batman!", "holy rusted metal, batman!", "holy heart failure, batman!"... basta lahat ng hirit niya may "holy"!

Japorms si Batman. May kilay yung maskara niya para pogi. Tapos yung spandex niya sa katawan may abs at utong para macho. Ayun nga lang, either nainggit kay Superman or fashion talaga eto noong panahon nila... unang isinusuot ang pantalon bago ang briefs! Baka dito na-turn off si Wonder Woman sa kanya.

*Speaking of, pano kaya nakakasakay si Wonder Woman sa kanyang INVISIBLE jet? At hindi ba dyahe yun na nakalutang ka sa ere ng naka-upo't naka two piece?*

Anyway, nakita nyo na makipag laban si idol Batman? Merong mga "KAPOW!", "ZONK!", "WHACK!" sa background. Ganun siya kalupet makipag bakbakan. Sa sobrang peborit niya ngang kalaban sila Penguin at Joker tuwing mahuhuli niya etong mga ito, hahayaan niya lang silang makatakas ulet para may kalaban na naman siya next episode. Wala nga naman kasing perpektong bayan. Dapat laging may kontrabida. Katulad ni Gloria. Hehe.

Ang ayoko lang kasi masyado nang kampante ang Gotham. Alam kasi nila na pag binuksan nila yung malaking flashlight na may tatak na paniki, dadating si Batman. Ito namang isa, uto-uto din. Makita lang yung ilaw nung higanteng flashlight, sugod din naman. Malamang may bago na namang pinagpapa-kyutan. Wala na ngang trabaho yung mga pulis ng Gotham e. Para na silang mga parak dito sa Pinas, yung sa huli lang dumadating. Pinagka-iba lang walang Batman dito. Natural nang ganun. Haha.

*****
Peborit ko na quotes galing sa Dynamic Duo...

"Whatever is fair in love and war is also fair in crimefighting." - Batman

"Taas na nga ang kamay ko sa iyo e. Mahal kita maging sino ka man!" - Robin

*****
Happy Independence Day!!!

Ships Ahoy

It was my first time to board the 45-footer yacht "Challenge" for a competitive race last weekend and it was AWESOME! I was able to cruise with it last year around Manila Bay amidst funky weather but this race in Subic was a totally different experience.

half of the crew
Attendance: Martin, Spain, Gelo, Lou, Del, Obi, Paul, Geenie, Vince, Mang Pi, Mang Eddie, Mario

The Indpendence Day Regatta 2008 (Commodore's Cup) was held at the Subic Bay Yacht Club and the motley crew of "Challenge" including version 2 of the kamote crew (that's me, Lou, and Del - the Boylets, sabi nga ni Genie... Jinni... Geeny?? how to spell that?) were realistically inadequate since Day 1 but hopes and efforts were still high. The event was held for two days with two race categories per day (a Windward-Leeward race and the other Point-to-Point ba??). There were several yachts and dinghies of all sizes. "Challenge" was among the biggest that day.

Day 1
Without Martin around, the cruiser was more undermanned. Right then, we knew we'll see more action aboard aside from our usual job as human ballasts. Me and the boylets exchanged parts on grinding the sheets for the sail and man it was not easy! Despite that, we were honoured and elated to actually have a part in the race regardless of how we sucked on doing that. Konting praktis pa.

some rest, before the next race
That day was so so. We were not expecting to even grab a good place out of only 4 yachts on our category but to hope was for naught anyway since all participants except for one was declared DNF (Did Not Finish) for some funky coordinates changes which was announced inappropriately through *drum roll please* TEXT message. Hehe. E bawal nga dapat mag text sa karera di ba. Ika nga ni Homer Simpson, "DOPE!"

We headed to shore around 10AM and "Challenge" was docked around 4:30-ish in the afternoon na. Pizza, sausages, chikken, liempo, and beer was served on the yacht as we wait for further notices from the committee.

That night, we had foot massage and I (or at least my feet) was literally mangled by this gynormous lady in the massage parlor. I was either cringing in pain or snorting to prevent myself from bursting in laughter. Kakahiya tuloy sa mga katabi ko. Mas lalo yatang na-stress kesa ma-relax. Lakas pa ng boses ni Gelo! Earlier that night, he met a cute friend who plays frisbee. Chinky! Pwedeeee. But the meeting was abrupt dahil papamasahe pa nga kami. Zog.

We stayed in this hotel near Pier One in the hopes that we can go out and party so at least when we get zonked, the crawl to our sleeping place won't be that far. BUT the moment our bodies hit the sheets, ayun diretso sa nyunyu-land. Zzzz-time!

Day 2
Martin was there now. And the competitive spirit grew a notch higher. Dito kami natuto (at natusta) ng sobra.

For me, I've been familiarized with how the dynamics of the crew should be. Ganun pala talaga kahalaga ang teamwork sa karera ng yate. It's not a basketball game that a Kobe Bryant could literally bear the team by himself with 40 points a game. Here, a highly experienced individual is nothing without a cohesive crew. It's a game of trust, mental agility, and teamwork. Dito ko naramdaman yung pagod. Pero dito ko din naramdaman na every effort's worth it. Definitely iL sail more.

The day did not end without its quirks. There was a missing buoy that delayed our run. But still we were able to finish ahead of everybody else. But again, there was also the factor of yacht classes to consider. "Challenge" was giving "time plusses" for the participating smaller yachts. In the end, we got it on the third spot.

we love the winch!
The event was capped with the awarding ceremonies. Dinner ensued as a local band played while reeeaaally cooool pictures of the two-day race were being displayed in a slide show. Dito ko na-appreciate lalo ang sailing from the perspective of an observer. Kapag nandun ka kasi sa karera, mawawala for a while yung sense of chillax mo. You'll always be or have to be aware of what's happening around you.

Lagi ko nga sinasabi sa mga nagtatanong, sailing is not about the glamour you have in mind na chill lang, hilata with champagne bottles and all that glittery fantasies. You don't sail just to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Every man aboard has a purpose and it drains energy, reeks of sweat, burns skin and muscles, and requires every ounce of effort your aching body can give. If sailing a yacht is glam then I don't think the dugyot we were after the race wasn't sailing at all.

Now I know how pirates feel. Arr!

Thanks mucho goes to...
Banana Boat Gelo, for the invite;
Paul the Grind Master, for the tips and tricks we learned;
Martin, for yet another opportunity to man the "Challenge";
Commodress Jinny, for the grub and grog (nalasing kami ng paulet-ulet!);
Captain Spain, aye Capt'n!

*****
More pictures on my Multiply site:
ID Regatta 08 (Click Me)

...and a video clip too:
ID Regatta 08 Awarding Ceremony (Click Here)

Pilosopo Ako! Wooot!

The Classic IQ Test

My Result: Visionary Philosopher

Your mind's strengths allow you to think ahead of the game — to imagine or anticipate what should come next in just about any situation. Because you're equally skilled in the numerical and verbal universes of the brain, you can draw from multiple sources of information to come up with great ideas. The timelessness of your vision and the balance between your various skills are what make you a Visionary Philosopher.

In addition to your strengths in math and linguistics, you have a knack for matching and anticipating patterns. These skills and your uncanny ability to detect the underlying blueprint of most of life's situations add to your Visionary Philosopher mind.

Two philosophers who share the same combination of skills you possess are Plato and Benedict Spinoza. Spinoza had insight into how things worked in the world. He could envision a future based on the patterns he saw in life, and used mathematical logic as a structure within which to present his philosophical arguments. With that base he was able to use logic to formulate his theories. Borrowing from his linguistic strengths he wrote eloquent texts and, therefore, was able to bring his philosophical ideas and structure to the rest of the world. His story exemplifies the talents that are present in the Visionary Philosopher intellectual type.

Whatever you decide to do in life, you've got a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a wide variety of ways. You can expand your mind to understand a situation. Your strong balance of math and verbal skills will help you explain things to others. For example, if you were on an archaeological dig and discovered an object, you could probably use your deductive powers to figure out not only what the object was but also how it was used. Given your ability to put things together, you are more than capable of inventing a life plan that is in synch with your perspective on how things were, how they are, and how they might be one day.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=uiqogt&c=50652

*****
Before Ivan's incessant denial that he's a perfect candidate for a model geek (haha peace bro), he was able to share this link of an online IQ test to me.

My actual IQ score was 136 which interprets to Superior Level. Presently, the IQ range of people considered as "geniuses" are between 136 (98.8% percentile) and 162 (99.99% percentile). However, with some research around the net (huli ka petiks!), I found out that online tests like this one was at least one standard deviation inaccurate so I should be at least around 120+ which is Above Average Level only.

Iiiibig sabihin, bumobobo ako habang tumatanda. Hahaha. I've had my last formal IQ test back in college and I was like around 140-ish. That's a 20-point drop in like only 6 years. Scary.

It's the phenylalanine in Coke Zeroes, I say! Tisk tisk tisk.

How Geek It is to be Loved By You

I've also taken Version 1 of this nerd test several months ago and scored almost the same with this result. Both results interpret that I'm a geek but at least the "not-outright-dork" type (if that's any consolation).

It's quite dubious, though, how much the authors of the quiz related geekiness with being knowledgeable with computer stuffs. Although I don't really know how the scoring system goes, I'm quite sure that answering the computer-related questions affirmatively or correctly will contribute into getting a more dorkier score. Pano kaming nasa I.T.? Some could have known a LOT about technical jujus and not be a nerdy dandy.

Well, not that I say I'm not. Hehe. Kam'own! With a nickname snatched from a wacko Jedi Master ("Obi-wan Kenobi" for those who don't belong to the fandom! *how could you miss such classics tisk tisk tisk*), it's just too obviously geeky already. Ano lang yan, feeble attempt to justify a tone down of my result. Haha.

"I'm a nerd but I don't! :)" - obiMy bro's shirt. Yes, he wears glasses.
Yan yung pinag-iisipan ko habang nasa kubeta kaganinang umaga. What am I doing or have done to qualify to be labelled a geek? With that in mind, I first looked up the word "geek". "Urban Dictionary" provided me with a clear definition, something in the line of...

"An outwardly normal person who spends a lot of time and energy in something socially unconformable. Geeks have as normal a social life as anyone, and usually the only way to tell if someone is a geek is if they inform you of their unconformities."

Wow, sakto. Now that I am half-aware that, yes, I have my crowning moments of geekness (that's not a word), I would want to flush aside the jock-side in me, for now. And free-of-thought from my affinity with adventuring and physical sports, I listed down things that I suspect and/or was sure of contributors to my nerdiosity (not a word too)...

1. I paint miniatures.
This is my guilty pleasure. Sometimes I would want to call it "a way of life" as most of my friends from that circle would readily swear by. Haven't seen the film "The 40 Year Old Virgin" but I've heard a lot that the lead role paints miniatures too (it depicts "dorkyness = damnation from social acceptance"). From barely 2-inch high space soldiers to half-a-ruler long battle tanks to monsters of all sorts and appearances, I paint them as a hobby. It's actually part of a game that is more famous in English countries (an Australian friend introduced me to it almost five years ago). It involves two armies of miniatures played with chess-like rules, moving the miniatures on a dioramic table to play against an opponent. It's a hobby game. Will easily eat out your time alloted for friday night-outs or fancy dinner dates.
Suspicion Level: 4.5 out of 5

In one of my miniature gaming in UP-Fine Arts
2. I play card games (No, not your uncle's Poker).
Collectible or Trading Card Games is the nerdy term for it. Most famous of those card games was "Magic: The Gathering". The church condemned it diabolical for some of the fiendish arts on a few cards in its sets. I played and collected it for quite some time and I still have some left over cards in my house. Heck, I still know how to play after several years of quitting it. I've also played these collectible card games: "Legends of the Five Rings", "Spycraft", "Starwars", and the latest was "World of Warcraft". It's pretty addictive for starters. Your parents and ignoramic (not a word, again) friends might mistake it for tarot cards.
Suspicion Level: 3.5 out of 5

3. I heart Starwars!
Now, this I can't see. How being a fan of a cult classic be an instant ticket to dorky-landia? Pre-preho lang yan. If you're a Trekkie (Star Trek) or a Harry Potter follower, same connotation still. I love Starwars. That "galaxy far far away" (nerds further refer to it as GFFA) has been like my third home next to our house and school when I was younger. I dream of owning a lightsaber, or levitate an object, or convince a hot chick (through Jedi-mind-tricks) that I am Brad Pitt. Haha. I collect the entire Starwars novels (quick estimate is around 60-70 books) and I'm proud that I already read like 80% of my collection. I may not be able to remember every places, characters, and events from it but I have a good stock of general info about the Starwars universe. Try me.
Suspicion Level: 4 out of 5

Fastest lightsaber slinger in the West
4. I enjoy reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy and Mystery.
I read Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie), Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew when I was schooling. I religiously follow the "Dune" series and consider it having the best sci-fi storyline despite my love for "Starwars". Of course, there are the "Starwars" extended universe books that I collect. These, plus some other minor books of the same genre that fancies my taste, I read all. My current read is Brian Herbert and Kev Anderson's "Hunters of Dune" - Book 7 of the classic "Dune" series. Oh, I'm just starting to dig Gaiman too.
Suspicion Level: 3 out of 5

5. I do creative writing.
I've written my own fantasy and mystery novels back in highschool. I do sci-fi short stories (mostly fan fictions). I still plan on writing more whenever my time permits me to. I actually started blogging years ago just to have a venue for me to have a sort-of a writing practice. I do poetry. I've written lyrics with my highschool band (is it geeky too?). I was a regular contributor for a defunct hobby magazine. Guess what I write about... collectible card games! How geekier can it get, no.
Suspicion Level: 1.5 out of 5.

6. I collect labelled tissue papers.
Trip lang. I don't have them obsessive-compulsively (sooo not a word) tucked into a display binder. They're messily dumped on this dusty corner of my room. But, yeah, until now, I still do collect. I always make sure to pocket one whenever I eat at a place that has a labelled tissue paper that I don't have yet in my stash.
Suspicion Level: 2.5 out of 5.

I did this henna tattoo to myself in Elven language (Lord of the Rings). Anong sinabi ng Alibata?? Hehe. Gadumi ko pa gumawa.
7. I dig the Fab Four.
I met my ex-bandmates because we all dig the Beatles. Major influence ko yan sa music. I've always wanted to learn how to do bass riffs with my left hand just because my idol, Sir James Paul McCartney, is a lefty player. I used to know a LOT about their lives and even some really odd facts like the opening lyrics for "Yesterday" originally goes "Scrambled eggs... oh, baby how I love your legs." Haha, laughtrip but it's true. I have this red-covered songhits which has all their songs grouped per album (including bonus tracks like the German version of "She Loves You" - "Sie Liebt Dich"). I listened every November to the RJ radio station because it was the "Elvis versus Beatles" month where they have a poll on who was best among the two. I don't vote. I just tune in for the Beatles songs. If it really makes a geek out of somebody who religiously follows such classic artists, I'm guilty!
Suspicion Level: 1 out of 5.

8. Gadgets interest me.
I'm an I.T. practitioner (if that's an excuse) so I should have a natural attraction to these technological advancements. I tinker with gadgetries. I always wanted to know how every button functions and what every knobs do. If I have enough resources, iL gonna buy every single kind of techy stuff I could lay my hands on.
Suspicion Level: 2 out of 5.

I was writing this list down at the LKG Tower veranda while pondering on the molecular composition of my ice cream... haha!
To quote myself:

"I'd rather be a geek than an airhead Prince Charming or a
Knight-in-Shining-Armour whose blank romantics are rivaled only by his
unsatiable quest to make his appearance... uhm, well... shiny!"

Seven Deadly Sins

Dahil tao lang din ako...

WRATH
+ Who did you last get angry with?
si Manong Cab Driver. masyadong gahaman sa metro.

+ Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
madalas ko paluin yung kapatid ko nung bata pa kami. maldita e.

original mascot ng SM!
+ Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
kung meron man, sya lang nakaka-alam na galit sya saken. waha!

+ Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
i let go on a longer-than-usual pace.

SLOTH

+ What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't done in a long time?
mag hugas ng plato

+ What is the latest you've ever woken up?
from the night before, mga 3pm the next day. ansakit sa ulo!

+ Who have you been meaning to contact, but haven't?
college tropa

+ What is the last lame excuse you made?
inaantok ako

+ Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?
sa bente singko. pag tunkol sa murang computers. geek na kung geek.

+ How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?
2

GLUTTONY

+ Meat eater?
syempre!

+ What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting, outing or event?
sa sobrang dami, never iL gonna keep track how much

+ Have you ever used a professional diet company?
malabo

LUST

+How many people have seen YOU completely naked?
di na mabibilang ito haha

+ Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of your gender of choice during a normal conversation?
at least, not by the one i was talking to... hee hee

+ What is your favorite part of a body?
legs

+ Have you ever been made a proposition by a prostitute?
hindi pa naman

GREED

+ If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?
magtatayo ako ng sariling jollijeep

+ Would you rather be rich, or famous?
filthy rich... everything else will follow.

PRIDE

+ What is the one thing that you've done that you're most proud of?
rappel down a cliff face about 200ft high in Sydney (and i'm acrophobic)

basta andyan ako somewhere!
+ One thing you have done that your parents are most proud of?
be a goody good son (at least in my mom's eyes)

+ What thing would you like to accomplish in your life?
TMTM = Too Many To Mention

+ What did you do today that you're proud of?
hindi antukin sa trabaho

ENVY

+ If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?
prince william

+ Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
oo naman. gusto ko mas matankad pa ko. at gwapo. yung pamatay yung ngiti.

+ Lastly, what is your favorite deadly sin?!
lust din, Jai... waha

Weekend Warlord

Friday - June 27 (Fishy Wishy)
Something Fishy, Eastwood

Off to "Something Fishy" for some very late night gluttonous spree - breakfast buffet! So gluttonous in fact that we need to saunter around the premise first to shake off the belly bulge before driving home (at 3 in the morning!).

1st Plate: longganisa, Chinese rice, tapa, hotdog, egg, lumpiang shanghai
2nd Plate: boneless bangus, pork adobo, garlic rice, egg, tapa
3rd Plate: minatamis na saging
Observations:
1. Nilalangaw na ang Eastwood. Gone were the days when you have to line up as far as "Bed Room" just to get inside "Blue Onion" on a payday Friday.

2. Thus, it's actually cool to roam around the strip these days and mind not a trampling crowd.

3. Wala na masyadong mga tambay na literal na "tambay". Hahaha.

4. Ang daming condo (at dumadami pa!) around the area pero wala namang masyadong laman yung mga units. They're just clogging up that part of the strip with senseless traffic.

5. I was thinking of working in Eastwood for a change. Now, I scratched it off my thought. The area feels melancholic. Perfect suicide scenario for emos at mga emo-emo-han. Not as lively as a Makati rush hour or the street party-ish atmosphere of Emerald Ave at night (pag nag sabay sabay ng yosi break ang mga call center peeps).

Saturday - June 28 (Lomo Gumbo)
Cubao Expo

Went with Pork to Cubao-X to hangout with other lomophyles. Haven't been around the area for a long time and although photography is not my thing, it's still one of my greatest frustrations. So off to Cubao, kalbo!

one of the vintage shops in Cubao Expo
What sets me on right away is the fact that the entire strip exudes an aura of old pop culture, things we consider vintage. I dig. And dig I did literally! There were vintage shops that sells stuffs from the Maria Leonara Teresa (kilala mo yan?) era up to 80's thingamajigs like old "Bagets" photos of Vice Mayor Bistek! Who would have thought it could still be marketable? Pero wala ako nabili. I like this vintage Volkswagen shirt. But I thought against buying it. Wala naman akong Volks.

And then there's Mogwai! It's a haven for film buffs and people who are on that "frequency". I did blogged about it HERE. Wasn't able to try the poop coffee though. It wasn't amongst the agenda that day.

Mogwai on the far left
The lomo peeps doesn't seem to have a good organization. It seemed most (members?) were there just to hangout and parade their cameras and nothing else. There were no conspicous org heads that stepped up and there were no interactions happening regarding the hobby. Tambay lang. Ganun lang. Ati Tins, dapat talaga andun ka!

My friend had a good time shooting places and people though. There were cosplayers that day but if I was the one behind the camera, I'd care less for them. Their J-culture looks were just too off with the Cubao-X surroundings.

After Cubao, tambay kami sa shop sa Virramall. And then after a quick dinner at Mien Sann, direcho na sa Shak.

Shak Attendance: Crispy Beef Ribs, Jep, Topher, F-Tits, Koya Ian, Jumping Johnny, Kapten Klepto, Kapten Kantor, Fritz, Fluffman, Obi Doobie Doo, Kuneho, Jan Liit, Hervi, Pork, Doc Komax

Boyz piled up on Plim's laptop for some Starcraft action. Praktis para sa nalalapit na Starcraft 2? Abangan!

Class dismissed at 2:30AM.

Sunday - June 29 (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)
Meycauayan, Bulacan

Our airsoft team (Screaming BB's) is back in full force as ol'time member Jorge rejoined the ranks after several years of absence from the battlefield because of his work in Middle East. Parang reunion ng grupo... wala na lang sila Sultan and the Bravo Team (Cua Kids).

SBB Attendance: Topher, Jan Liit, Jubay Bomber, Bozz Gelo, Garrkid, Obi Doo, Jorge, Jeng, Jinggoy, Rommel the Boss, Lloyd, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Gem's Private Army (GPA), Dy-Lim United

Labindalwang oto kaming lahat. At labindalwang oto yun na paikot-ikot ng Meycauayan dahil sabay sabay kaming nawala. May pa convoy convoy pa hahaha. SBB, GPA, and Dy-Lim's army... ni-register kami under one name - People's Park. I dunno where'd they got it but sounds aptly Chinese to me (since Intsik ang founders ng tatlong grupo) so ok na din. Kalaban namin combination ng Bulacan teams.

Gelo was there! Pinahiram ko sa kanya si Layla the HK51 (yes bozz, my guns have names). And of course, dahil andun siya - umulan! Truly a rain-child this ork iz. It was still a fun day. Lumaro kami nang umuulan pero hindi naman ganun buong araw. I, myself, had been missing-in-action for months now so rain or shine walang pipigil sa aking panggigigil hehe. I say, the games were above mediocre. I enjoyed. Ang ganda din ng pagka-jungle ng site.

this AK47 is just too Americanized... but I dig!
Too bad we had serious casualties that day. Si Jeng tinamaan sa upper lip and the BB pellet stucked that it has to be popped out of the upper dermis. It din't stop bleeding until that night on dinner. It has this nasty hole in his face. Si Lloyd naman tinamaan sa tenga. It bled too. They were ok by the end of the day. Part of the game yung injury risks. They were not clad in proper safety attire anyway. I myself was guilty of it since I was down to wearing just a tshirt as upper garment on our last game. Mas magaan kasi kumilos. But I do NOT tolerate it to newbies we bring in to play. Ilang taon na kami sa hobby to know what "hurtage" we deserve with such stupidity.

Dinner was at Jay-J's - Timog Ave.

*****

Thanks God for everything!

*****
New photo albums in my Multiply site:
Screaming BB's Welcome-Back-Jorge Games (Click Here)
ID Regatta 2008 (Album 2) - Observer's Viewpoint (Click Me)

Frank, I'll Get You!

Friday - "Cinema Snafus"
Da Shak, QC

From work, dumiretso ako sa tambayan sa Virramall. It's already weeks since the last time I was able to hangout with the boyz and it'z nice to be back! After mall closing, me, Pookiemonster, Fluffy, and Hairy Critter headed to the latter's house to grab some grub and noticing that those weren't enough to satiate the Maws waiting at da Shak, we drove by Tiendesitas to buy s'more! Beer sausage, hotdogs, bologna, 3 x 2.0 liters Cox, and Shin/Yul Ramen in the grocery cart.

Walang okasyon pero gadami ng pagkain. Shin at Yul Ramen ay parang kanin ng Shak pagnagti-trip. Shin Ramen is a Korean spicy noodle (think Jammpong!). Pero kumbaga Level 1 ang anghang nito (pero maanghang na sya, peksman). Yul Ramen ang Level 2! Sabi nga ng tropa namin (the late Mark, R.I.P.), "Yul (you'll) live to regret eating it! If it's hot coming in, it'L be hot coming out!" Haha. We miss you, Mark.

Shak Attendance: Kaptin Kantor, Pork, Hairy Critter, Kuya Ian, Jumping Johnny, Phatboi Jason, Jep, Fluffy, Pookiemonster, Riderman and Bebop

denizens of da Shak
As we grog down on the arse-cracking super spicy noodle concoction (tulo na ang uhog and all), the Riderman arrived with ill tidings. His movie (after 5 drafts!) was being deferred by this head honcho of a big movie outfit for some BS reasons. He'd been working with the script, casting, and all for quite some time now and we (if i can manage an "escape artist" move here at work) were already scheduled to journey far North to watch the actual shoot maybe two weeks from now (libre dinner daw from a local pulitiko friend). Di ko alam if it will push through pa. They'll be working on a compromise with the head honcho I think.

Kaptin Kantor: bading yang si #$*% noh?
Shak Boyz: *paused to wait for the answer*
Riderman: *nods, then grogged down his cox*
Kaptin Kantor: 'nuff said. *then returns drawing on the logs*
Jep: 'nuff said. *then returns to his laptop*
Obi Doo: haha 'nuff said!
Shak Boyz: *nods agreement, laughing*

Then Fluffman had this idea when the movie starts to shoot. Ang ipapasuot daw sa lead character na shirt ay may nakasulat na Thai phrase (Fluff speaks and writes Thai), "*insert honcho's name here* sucks!"... Hahaha.


Saturday - "City for All Seasons"
Lipa City, Batangas

Frank's starting to make his presence felt. Despite it, me and the brother headed South to attend my inaanak's birthday in Shakey's - Lipa. We got there just in time.

cutey Beah and the proud and equally cute Ninong! (kumontra kokotongan ko ng malakas! walang biro.)
Anlaki laki niya na! And she's getting prettier as she grow.

Nakaka-miss ang Lipa! I was just here a month ago when Bonita returned from NY but I wasn't able to visit back on places. Next time, iL gonna sched a weekend just to roam around. My kumpare and his bro updated me about a LOT of happenings in our place. I spent my highschool days on that village and now our house there was on lease as I and the rest of the family moved to Manila.

I saw a couple of familiar places in Shakey's after the kiddie party. Nakita ko yung isa sa bestfriends ng sis ko and her equally gorgeous sis. Too bad nanay na sila both at such ages. Awk! Verily, I iz too late. There was also Tita Amy, head namin dati sa catechism works. My other sister was in Lipa that time too but we din't met up with her. She was attending a bridal shower for a batchmate of mine in highschool and to my suprise, one of the bridesmaid was a schoolmate too who happened to be the first girl that I gave flowers to! Haha astig.

2nd year - Class 502, uso pa ang buhok-kachupoy!
Liligawan ko kasi dapat itong girl na ito back then. But for some reasons, hindi ko itinuloy. Di ko aamining dahil natorpe ako haha. Now she was a Miss World titlist so kamusta naman ako! At least, she still remembers me sabi ng sis ko sa akin. Sabi niya daw, "Si Randell Parcon, yung officer!" hehe (officer ako sa CAT noon). Nalaman niya na sis ko pala yung kasama niya sa entourage just that night.

What else? After Shakey's, I met with Jai and Efren. Highschool buddies. Back then, si Jai ang kapatid ko kuno at si Efren ang tatay namin kuno. Hindi available that night si Teta (ang nanay namin kuno) at si Wendy, ang president na sugarol ng Class 306 (ako ang vice president noon... na sugarol din haha!) pero dapat kasama namin sila.

Before Frank could mount up his fits, we were able to haul our arses back to Manila. Anticipating still that I could play airsoft the next day. Inayos ko pa din outfit at duffel bag ko. Assssaaaa...


Sunday - "Hello Frank!"
Home, Pasay

As early as 6AM, may confirmations na sa text na hindi tuloy ang airsoft. Pupungas pungas pa kong sumilip sa bintana at TADA! Bumabagyo sa labas. Argh. Ayaw talaga kami paglaruin ni Gelo ng airsoft. Twice na nanyari to. May balat ka sa wetpaks, Bozz!

Tumambay lang ako sa bahay the whole day... *nagbukas ang langit* Alleluiah!!! Me and "home on a weekend" just don't match.

Kaya kating kati na akong lumabas pero wala akong magawa. Wala mom ko and kami lang ng bro ko at home. Titigan kaming dalawa. Kalabit kalabit ng gitara. Lakad akyat baba, akyat baba. Hilata, tulog, kain. Hilata, tulog, kain. Sumakit likod ko kakatulog. That evening, I just painted my miniatures, read books, and played this game in PSP I was currently hooked on.

a Space Marine miniature that I finished painting that night(for size comparison, the black base is just as big as a peso coin)
Hay! May araw ka din, Frank!


Monday - "Caring Circle"
Office - Makati / CBI - Jupiter

What I thought was a typical petiks day... NOT.

Dumating ang trabaho ng hapon and I was literally yelling "saaaaave meeeeh!" to my seatmates (well, partly just to make em laugh).

By lunchtime, me, Arn Arn, and "the other Mike" went to Makati Cinema Square to check on the band rehearsal room that we might rent when we get our "band thingy" together. Two hundred bucks per hour is not bad. A brief visit to check out new guitar stocks in Audiophile followed next. I was considering buying a bass guitar again to practice at home. Kaya yung mga may kilala dyan, second hands would be good too basta nasa 10K ang budget.

After work, I went to meet Pam and Philip to go to our CC orientation in Chicken Bacolod Inasal. It was good. It always felt good to be with the class. It was a nice break from a day's "busy-ness" where everything (from deadlines to extra-curricular stuffs) is an amalgam of random events zipping here and there... unstoppably quick to a point that you just accept it as part of your daily life (may its purpose be to your liking or not).

Parang biglang "hep hep hep... tama na muna yan" then you breathe out. A nice break, indeed.

I love SE14.

Ivan, Kia, and Dens

I Was A What?

Obi was a Romantic Musician in a past life. http://www.quizmeme.com/pastlife/quiz.php

Astig. Talagang dapat "romantic" musician. Hindi ba pwedeng plain musician lang?

Anyway, speaking of music. I was so excited with this upcoming plan to play on a band again. Yeps... rock band. Not that band with a skimpy-wearing baton-twirler for a dazzler.

We've been long thinking about it with the guys here in the office and we actually jammed a few songs back in last year's Christmas Bash but there had been nothing regular that came out from those sessions since we lacked a good drummer.

Enter the noob, Mike. A new joiner here at work that I personally interviewed back when he was an applicant. We learned a couple of weeks ago that he's a drummer in their church so everything else fell in place after that. We instantly had the spur to rethink about our plans to do regular jam sessions.

I was a bassist in my highschool band but I can be comfortable on the rhythms too. It might also be a plus that I can do back-vocals on rhythm guitars (I can't sing while on bass). But it seems everybody else here knows - and wants! - to play your regular guitar so back to the bass for me. Just no leads, please. I've always wanted - dreamed! - to do leads ala Santana but the fingers just won't obey my will. Lazy gits.

As of now, we have four songs in mind to practice on: "Daliri" by Kjwan, "High" by Speaks, "Tatsulok" by Bamboo, and "Narda" by Kamikaze. I've already researched on those songs' bass tabs and downloaded them on my player so I could babystep on playing them at home. The riffs are pretty easy anyway.

I'm just excited iL got to play again. Yahoow, band band band!

my stratocaster. ang tawag ko sa kanya, si Buttercup

Ang Peborit Kong Bayani. Bow.

Ang paborito kong bayani ay si Batman.

Tada tada tada tada, Batmaaan! Tada tada tada tada, Batmaaan! Batmaaan! Batmaaan!
Kasi ang gara ng bahay niya at sooooobrang yaman pa. Sa sobrang yaman, may sarili siyang kuweba tsaka personal yayo (lalakeng yaya) na "Master" ang tawag sa kanya. Magara din ang oto niya, naka lowered at hanep ang mags! Konyong konyo. Malamang naka setup din ang audio nun. Si idol pa! May sarili din siyang jet, speedboat, at helicopter. Itim lahat. Peborit color niya.

Marami siyang business at hightech yung mga kagamitan niya. Sa halos lahat ng mga superheroes siya lang ang walang kapangyarihan. Kaya alam mo kung anong ginawa ni Batman? Ginamit niya ang pera niya para magkaron ng kapangyarihan. Bumili siya ng hightech na belt na naglalabas ng kung ano anong kagamitan... parang swiss knife ni MacGyver o kamay ni Inspector Gadget.

Swabe din ang idol ko. Chickboy ba. Kahit kalaban niyang si Catwoman may kras sa kanya. Dinidiskartehan niya din yung anak na dalaga ni Commissioner Gordon. Sa sobrang patay na patay sa kanya, nagpaka Batgirl yun para lang palaging nakabuntot kay Batman. Iba yata talaga ang appeal sa mga chikka babes ng binatang may anak. Kaya yung idol ko nag-ampon ng anak-anakang sidekick... si Robin.

Matagal niyang pinag-isipang ampunin yan si Robin. Kaso isa sa mga nagustuhan ni idol sa batang yan ay lumalaking banal. Walang alam sabihin kundi "holy guacamole, batman!", "holy rusted metal, batman!", "holy heart failure, batman!"... basta lahat ng hirit niya may "holy"!

Japorms si Batman. May kilay yung maskara niya para pogi. Tapos yung spandex niya sa katawan may abs at utong para macho. Ayun nga lang, either nainggit kay Superman or fashion talaga eto noong panahon nila... unang isinusuot ang pantalon bago ang briefs! Baka dito na-turn off si Wonder Woman sa kanya.

*Speaking of, pano kaya nakakasakay si Wonder Woman sa kanyang INVISIBLE jet? At hindi ba dyahe yun na nakalutang ka sa ere ng naka-upo't naka two piece?*

Anyway, nakita nyo na makipag laban si idol Batman? Merong mga "KAPOW!", "ZONK!", "WHACK!" sa background. Ganun siya kalupet makipag bakbakan. Sa sobrang peborit niya ngang kalaban sila Penguin at Joker tuwing mahuhuli niya etong mga ito, hahayaan niya lang silang makatakas ulet para may kalaban na naman siya next episode. Wala nga naman kasing perpektong bayan. Dapat laging may kontrabida. Katulad ni Gloria. Hehe.

Ang ayoko lang kasi masyado nang kampante ang Gotham. Alam kasi nila na pag binuksan nila yung malaking flashlight na may tatak na paniki, dadating si Batman. Ito namang isa, uto-uto din. Makita lang yung ilaw nung higanteng flashlight, sugod din naman. Malamang may bago na namang pinagpapa-kyutan. Wala na ngang trabaho yung mga pulis ng Gotham e. Para na silang mga parak dito sa Pinas, yung sa huli lang dumadating. Pinagka-iba lang walang Batman dito. Natural nang ganun. Haha.

*****
Peborit ko na quotes galing sa Dynamic Duo...

"Whatever is fair in love and war is also fair in crimefighting." - Batman

"Taas na nga ang kamay ko sa iyo e. Mahal kita maging sino ka man!" - Robin

*****
Happy Independence Day!!!

Ships Ahoy

It was my first time to board the 45-footer yacht "Challenge" for a competitive race last weekend and it was AWESOME! I was able to cruise with it last year around Manila Bay amidst funky weather but this race in Subic was a totally different experience.

half of the crew
Attendance: Martin, Spain, Gelo, Lou, Del, Obi, Paul, Geenie, Vince, Mang Pi, Mang Eddie, Mario

The Indpendence Day Regatta 2008 (Commodore's Cup) was held at the Subic Bay Yacht Club and the motley crew of "Challenge" including version 2 of the kamote crew (that's me, Lou, and Del - the Boylets, sabi nga ni Genie... Jinni... Geeny?? how to spell that?) were realistically inadequate since Day 1 but hopes and efforts were still high. The event was held for two days with two race categories per day (a Windward-Leeward race and the other Point-to-Point ba??). There were several yachts and dinghies of all sizes. "Challenge" was among the biggest that day.

Day 1
Without Martin around, the cruiser was more undermanned. Right then, we knew we'll see more action aboard aside from our usual job as human ballasts. Me and the boylets exchanged parts on grinding the sheets for the sail and man it was not easy! Despite that, we were honoured and elated to actually have a part in the race regardless of how we sucked on doing that. Konting praktis pa.

some rest, before the next race
That day was so so. We were not expecting to even grab a good place out of only 4 yachts on our category but to hope was for naught anyway since all participants except for one was declared DNF (Did Not Finish) for some funky coordinates changes which was announced inappropriately through *drum roll please* TEXT message. Hehe. E bawal nga dapat mag text sa karera di ba. Ika nga ni Homer Simpson, "DOPE!"

We headed to shore around 10AM and "Challenge" was docked around 4:30-ish in the afternoon na. Pizza, sausages, chikken, liempo, and beer was served on the yacht as we wait for further notices from the committee.

That night, we had foot massage and I (or at least my feet) was literally mangled by this gynormous lady in the massage parlor. I was either cringing in pain or snorting to prevent myself from bursting in laughter. Kakahiya tuloy sa mga katabi ko. Mas lalo yatang na-stress kesa ma-relax. Lakas pa ng boses ni Gelo! Earlier that night, he met a cute friend who plays frisbee. Chinky! Pwedeeee. But the meeting was abrupt dahil papamasahe pa nga kami. Zog.

We stayed in this hotel near Pier One in the hopes that we can go out and party so at least when we get zonked, the crawl to our sleeping place won't be that far. BUT the moment our bodies hit the sheets, ayun diretso sa nyunyu-land. Zzzz-time!

Day 2
Martin was there now. And the competitive spirit grew a notch higher. Dito kami natuto (at natusta) ng sobra.

For me, I've been familiarized with how the dynamics of the crew should be. Ganun pala talaga kahalaga ang teamwork sa karera ng yate. It's not a basketball game that a Kobe Bryant could literally bear the team by himself with 40 points a game. Here, a highly experienced individual is nothing without a cohesive crew. It's a game of trust, mental agility, and teamwork. Dito ko naramdaman yung pagod. Pero dito ko din naramdaman na every effort's worth it. Definitely iL sail more.

The day did not end without its quirks. There was a missing buoy that delayed our run. But still we were able to finish ahead of everybody else. But again, there was also the factor of yacht classes to consider. "Challenge" was giving "time plusses" for the participating smaller yachts. In the end, we got it on the third spot.

we love the winch!
The event was capped with the awarding ceremonies. Dinner ensued as a local band played while reeeaaally cooool pictures of the two-day race were being displayed in a slide show. Dito ko na-appreciate lalo ang sailing from the perspective of an observer. Kapag nandun ka kasi sa karera, mawawala for a while yung sense of chillax mo. You'll always be or have to be aware of what's happening around you.

Lagi ko nga sinasabi sa mga nagtatanong, sailing is not about the glamour you have in mind na chill lang, hilata with champagne bottles and all that glittery fantasies. You don't sail just to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Every man aboard has a purpose and it drains energy, reeks of sweat, burns skin and muscles, and requires every ounce of effort your aching body can give. If sailing a yacht is glam then I don't think the dugyot we were after the race wasn't sailing at all.

Now I know how pirates feel. Arr!

Thanks mucho goes to...
Banana Boat Gelo, for the invite;
Paul the Grind Master, for the tips and tricks we learned;
Martin, for yet another opportunity to man the "Challenge";
Commodress Jinny, for the grub and grog (nalasing kami ng paulet-ulet!);
Captain Spain, aye Capt'n!

*****
More pictures on my Multiply site:
ID Regatta 08 (Click Me)

...and a video clip too:
ID Regatta 08 Awarding Ceremony (Click Here)

Pilosopo Ako! Wooot!

The Classic IQ Test

My Result: Visionary Philosopher

Your mind's strengths allow you to think ahead of the game — to imagine or anticipate what should come next in just about any situation. Because you're equally skilled in the numerical and verbal universes of the brain, you can draw from multiple sources of information to come up with great ideas. The timelessness of your vision and the balance between your various skills are what make you a Visionary Philosopher.

In addition to your strengths in math and linguistics, you have a knack for matching and anticipating patterns. These skills and your uncanny ability to detect the underlying blueprint of most of life's situations add to your Visionary Philosopher mind.

Two philosophers who share the same combination of skills you possess are Plato and Benedict Spinoza. Spinoza had insight into how things worked in the world. He could envision a future based on the patterns he saw in life, and used mathematical logic as a structure within which to present his philosophical arguments. With that base he was able to use logic to formulate his theories. Borrowing from his linguistic strengths he wrote eloquent texts and, therefore, was able to bring his philosophical ideas and structure to the rest of the world. His story exemplifies the talents that are present in the Visionary Philosopher intellectual type.

Whatever you decide to do in life, you've got a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a wide variety of ways. You can expand your mind to understand a situation. Your strong balance of math and verbal skills will help you explain things to others. For example, if you were on an archaeological dig and discovered an object, you could probably use your deductive powers to figure out not only what the object was but also how it was used. Given your ability to put things together, you are more than capable of inventing a life plan that is in synch with your perspective on how things were, how they are, and how they might be one day.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=uiqogt&c=50652

*****
Before Ivan's incessant denial that he's a perfect candidate for a model geek (haha peace bro), he was able to share this link of an online IQ test to me.

My actual IQ score was 136 which interprets to Superior Level. Presently, the IQ range of people considered as "geniuses" are between 136 (98.8% percentile) and 162 (99.99% percentile). However, with some research around the net (huli ka petiks!), I found out that online tests like this one was at least one standard deviation inaccurate so I should be at least around 120+ which is Above Average Level only.

Iiiibig sabihin, bumobobo ako habang tumatanda. Hahaha. I've had my last formal IQ test back in college and I was like around 140-ish. That's a 20-point drop in like only 6 years. Scary.

It's the phenylalanine in Coke Zeroes, I say! Tisk tisk tisk.

How Geek It is to be Loved By You

I've also taken Version 1 of this nerd test several months ago and scored almost the same with this result. Both results interpret that I'm a geek but at least the "not-outright-dork" type (if that's any consolation).

It's quite dubious, though, how much the authors of the quiz related geekiness with being knowledgeable with computer stuffs. Although I don't really know how the scoring system goes, I'm quite sure that answering the computer-related questions affirmatively or correctly will contribute into getting a more dorkier score. Pano kaming nasa I.T.? Some could have known a LOT about technical jujus and not be a nerdy dandy.

Well, not that I say I'm not. Hehe. Kam'own! With a nickname snatched from a wacko Jedi Master ("Obi-wan Kenobi" for those who don't belong to the fandom! *how could you miss such classics tisk tisk tisk*), it's just too obviously geeky already. Ano lang yan, feeble attempt to justify a tone down of my result. Haha.

"I'm a nerd but I don't! :)" - obiMy bro's shirt. Yes, he wears glasses.
Yan yung pinag-iisipan ko habang nasa kubeta kaganinang umaga. What am I doing or have done to qualify to be labelled a geek? With that in mind, I first looked up the word "geek". "Urban Dictionary" provided me with a clear definition, something in the line of...

"An outwardly normal person who spends a lot of time and energy in something socially unconformable. Geeks have as normal a social life as anyone, and usually the only way to tell if someone is a geek is if they inform you of their unconformities."

Wow, sakto. Now that I am half-aware that, yes, I have my crowning moments of geekness (that's not a word), I would want to flush aside the jock-side in me, for now. And free-of-thought from my affinity with adventuring and physical sports, I listed down things that I suspect and/or was sure of contributors to my nerdiosity (not a word too)...

1. I paint miniatures.
This is my guilty pleasure. Sometimes I would want to call it "a way of life" as most of my friends from that circle would readily swear by. Haven't seen the film "The 40 Year Old Virgin" but I've heard a lot that the lead role paints miniatures too (it depicts "dorkyness = damnation from social acceptance"). From barely 2-inch high space soldiers to half-a-ruler long battle tanks to monsters of all sorts and appearances, I paint them as a hobby. It's actually part of a game that is more famous in English countries (an Australian friend introduced me to it almost five years ago). It involves two armies of miniatures played with chess-like rules, moving the miniatures on a dioramic table to play against an opponent. It's a hobby game. Will easily eat out your time alloted for friday night-outs or fancy dinner dates.
Suspicion Level: 4.5 out of 5

In one of my miniature gaming in UP-Fine Arts
2. I play card games (No, not your uncle's Poker).
Collectible or Trading Card Games is the nerdy term for it. Most famous of those card games was "Magic: The Gathering". The church condemned it diabolical for some of the fiendish arts on a few cards in its sets. I played and collected it for quite some time and I still have some left over cards in my house. Heck, I still know how to play after several years of quitting it. I've also played these collectible card games: "Legends of the Five Rings", "Spycraft", "Starwars", and the latest was "World of Warcraft". It's pretty addictive for starters. Your parents and ignoramic (not a word, again) friends might mistake it for tarot cards.
Suspicion Level: 3.5 out of 5

3. I heart Starwars!
Now, this I can't see. How being a fan of a cult classic be an instant ticket to dorky-landia? Pre-preho lang yan. If you're a Trekkie (Star Trek) or a Harry Potter follower, same connotation still. I love Starwars. That "galaxy far far away" (nerds further refer to it as GFFA) has been like my third home next to our house and school when I was younger. I dream of owning a lightsaber, or levitate an object, or convince a hot chick (through Jedi-mind-tricks) that I am Brad Pitt. Haha. I collect the entire Starwars novels (quick estimate is around 60-70 books) and I'm proud that I already read like 80% of my collection. I may not be able to remember every places, characters, and events from it but I have a good stock of general info about the Starwars universe. Try me.
Suspicion Level: 4 out of 5

Fastest lightsaber slinger in the West
4. I enjoy reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy and Mystery.
I read Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie), Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew when I was schooling. I religiously follow the "Dune" series and consider it having the best sci-fi storyline despite my love for "Starwars". Of course, there are the "Starwars" extended universe books that I collect. These, plus some other minor books of the same genre that fancies my taste, I read all. My current read is Brian Herbert and Kev Anderson's "Hunters of Dune" - Book 7 of the classic "Dune" series. Oh, I'm just starting to dig Gaiman too.
Suspicion Level: 3 out of 5

5. I do creative writing.
I've written my own fantasy and mystery novels back in highschool. I do sci-fi short stories (mostly fan fictions). I still plan on writing more whenever my time permits me to. I actually started blogging years ago just to have a venue for me to have a sort-of a writing practice. I do poetry. I've written lyrics with my highschool band (is it geeky too?). I was a regular contributor for a defunct hobby magazine. Guess what I write about... collectible card games! How geekier can it get, no.
Suspicion Level: 1.5 out of 5.

6. I collect labelled tissue papers.
Trip lang. I don't have them obsessive-compulsively (sooo not a word) tucked into a display binder. They're messily dumped on this dusty corner of my room. But, yeah, until now, I still do collect. I always make sure to pocket one whenever I eat at a place that has a labelled tissue paper that I don't have yet in my stash.
Suspicion Level: 2.5 out of 5.

I did this henna tattoo to myself in Elven language (Lord of the Rings). Anong sinabi ng Alibata?? Hehe. Gadumi ko pa gumawa.
7. I dig the Fab Four.
I met my ex-bandmates because we all dig the Beatles. Major influence ko yan sa music. I've always wanted to learn how to do bass riffs with my left hand just because my idol, Sir James Paul McCartney, is a lefty player. I used to know a LOT about their lives and even some really odd facts like the opening lyrics for "Yesterday" originally goes "Scrambled eggs... oh, baby how I love your legs." Haha, laughtrip but it's true. I have this red-covered songhits which has all their songs grouped per album (including bonus tracks like the German version of "She Loves You" - "Sie Liebt Dich"). I listened every November to the RJ radio station because it was the "Elvis versus Beatles" month where they have a poll on who was best among the two. I don't vote. I just tune in for the Beatles songs. If it really makes a geek out of somebody who religiously follows such classic artists, I'm guilty!
Suspicion Level: 1 out of 5.

8. Gadgets interest me.
I'm an I.T. practitioner (if that's an excuse) so I should have a natural attraction to these technological advancements. I tinker with gadgetries. I always wanted to know how every button functions and what every knobs do. If I have enough resources, iL gonna buy every single kind of techy stuff I could lay my hands on.
Suspicion Level: 2 out of 5.

I was writing this list down at the LKG Tower veranda while pondering on the molecular composition of my ice cream... haha!
To quote myself:

"I'd rather be a geek than an airhead Prince Charming or a
Knight-in-Shining-Armour whose blank romantics are rivaled only by his
unsatiable quest to make his appearance... uhm, well... shiny!"

Seven Deadly Sins

Dahil tao lang din ako...

WRATH
+ Who did you last get angry with?
si Manong Cab Driver. masyadong gahaman sa metro.

+ Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
madalas ko paluin yung kapatid ko nung bata pa kami. maldita e.

original mascot ng SM!
+ Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
kung meron man, sya lang nakaka-alam na galit sya saken. waha!

+ Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
i let go on a longer-than-usual pace.

SLOTH

+ What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't done in a long time?
mag hugas ng plato

+ What is the latest you've ever woken up?
from the night before, mga 3pm the next day. ansakit sa ulo!

+ Who have you been meaning to contact, but haven't?
college tropa

+ What is the last lame excuse you made?
inaantok ako

+ Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?
sa bente singko. pag tunkol sa murang computers. geek na kung geek.

+ How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?
2

GLUTTONY

+ Meat eater?
syempre!

+ What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting, outing or event?
sa sobrang dami, never iL gonna keep track how much

+ Have you ever used a professional diet company?
malabo

LUST

+How many people have seen YOU completely naked?
di na mabibilang ito haha

+ Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of your gender of choice during a normal conversation?
at least, not by the one i was talking to... hee hee

+ What is your favorite part of a body?
legs

+ Have you ever been made a proposition by a prostitute?
hindi pa naman

GREED

+ If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?
magtatayo ako ng sariling jollijeep

+ Would you rather be rich, or famous?
filthy rich... everything else will follow.

PRIDE

+ What is the one thing that you've done that you're most proud of?
rappel down a cliff face about 200ft high in Sydney (and i'm acrophobic)

basta andyan ako somewhere!
+ One thing you have done that your parents are most proud of?
be a goody good son (at least in my mom's eyes)

+ What thing would you like to accomplish in your life?
TMTM = Too Many To Mention

+ What did you do today that you're proud of?
hindi antukin sa trabaho

ENVY

+ If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?
prince william

+ Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
oo naman. gusto ko mas matankad pa ko. at gwapo. yung pamatay yung ngiti.

+ Lastly, what is your favorite deadly sin?!
lust din, Jai... waha