Subhuman Tongue

WoW Zombie!

2006-08-22T18:57:00.000+08:00

It took me two years and all the willpower I could mustster to avoid buying and playing World of Warcraft, arguably the best MMO out their. Well sad to say, I finally succumbed to it's seductions and charms. Now I am a living zombie who sits in front of the monitor "Grinding" away to reach that next level, or to accomplish that next quest, or to gather that last item, or aargh it endless! Now I know what the curse of undeath is, even in my sleep I am restless... In the few hours I manage to rest after a nightfull of WoW adventuring I still find my dreams haunted by the images of that accursed game. I don't doubt that I probably mime swinging a sword while fast asleep, and drooling in my bed. The worst part is that I'm only in the early stages of the game, and only now am I realizing how BIG the friggin' game is. It's gonna' be the death of my social life that's for sure. From someone who came from pen and paper RPGs the opportunity to group with other players is really cool! In the first few hours of exploring Azeroth, I was invited to group with a Druid, and a Warrior, and it was fun knowing that a real person was looking after your back during battles, healing you, or helping you pummel a common enemy. I was even recruited to join a Guild, and I was only a measly level 4 Nightelf Hunter armed with nothing more than a cheap dagger, and a flimsy bow! Bet you can't do that on friendster. Well I got a long way to go and very little time to do it. And for those who are foolishly thinking of getting into the vice, let this be a warning lest you become a WoW zombie yourself... Run!

Bookworms

2006-08-13T19:17:00.000+08:00

Ahh nothing is more depressing than staring out the window and waiting for the rain to stop. When you've consumed all those DVDs, and played all the latest console games, and nothing is on the tube, what's a person to do? Well what do we have here? It seems to be a pile of papers bounded neatly, with a pretty nifty cardboard cover. Inside are hundreds of pages of words, and no illustration in sight! What the!? Might as well read it. And so after a few months here are some of the books I've read so far this year. First of is Raising Atlantis, a standard adventure/thriller in the same vain as Dan Brown's earlier works such as Deception Point. It asks the old legendary question, what if Atlantis was real? It's got good pacing, and interesting characters, but I wish some of them were explored with more depth. It becomes silly as it nears the end, but what do you expect from a book about Atlantis? Anyway it was a good read, and well worth my time. Next is the Last Templar, again an adventure/thriller. It is kinda' like The Da Vinci Code, where it delves into the mysteries and history of the Templar Knights, and their so-called great treasure, which could be... the Holy Grail. Starts with a bang, but fizzles in the end. Still a good read. Next up is the Bronze Canticle series. I was really missing reading fantasy books, and Dragonlance happens to be one of my favorite novels. Well one of its creators Tracy Hickman along with wifey Laura (who has also written a plethora of fantasy books along with hubby) has created a new series of books focusing on Mystics, Faeries, and Goblins, and no they don't belong in one world, but they do share visions in a Dreamland kind of place. It's quite complicated, and confusing at times, but it all comes together eventually. I've only read Mystic Warrior, and Mystic Quest, and both exhibit a fine degree of epic proportions. Unfortunately, alternating between the other races does confuse the reader, and the story itself seems kind of rushed due to lack of space. It could have been better, and I'm still waiting on reading the final installment called Mystic Empire. Last but certainly not least is the Christ Clone Trilogy, composed of In His Image, Birth of an Age, and Acts of God. Well like the title suggests it's about Christopher Goodman, a man cloned from the live cells found in the Shroud of Turin. Weird? You have no idea, because as the story progress man, and the world are plunged into chaos, plagues, and disasaters, all of which comes from the prophecies in the Bible. It's one of the more plausible and engaging End of the World kind of stories, and mixes a lot of science along with bible passages. It's pretty good and intriguing, but gets kinda' preachy and predictable by the third book. Still it is a must read!

DaVinci Hoopla

2006-05-23T18:08:00.000+08:00

Now that the movie has been shown, I still don't get what all the hoopla was about? Yes i've read the book many months prior to all the uproar the movie got, and yes it never crossed my mind that it could be more than fiction. Come on, the damn thing was entertainment! People get pent-up for the lamest things. All the controversy has only generated more interest in both the movie and the book, as well as other tag-alongs such as other books concerning the Divinity of Christ. When there's a hit there's a writ!

I respect their beliefs and opinions about the matter, but some of it were really terribly overreacted. The last time I heard about books being burnt was during Hitler's time! Negative vibes dudes! Bigotry breeds hate, and all of it stems from fear. Unfortunately the more tighter you hold, the more it slips away. And what about those picketers? What the hell is that? A Marilyn Manson concert. Boy have our society really hit bottom.

Well after all that's been said and done, the world goes on. No rapture, no armageddon. It was just a movie. It all comes to a peaceful end.

Evolve or die...

Step Away From The Pencil

2006-03-23T16:53:00.000+08:00

For anybody remotely familiar to comic books, should now be fully aware that most of the innovative stuff are not coming from DC or Marvel anymore. So where can it be found? And What's the price for innovation? Well the answer is simple, you can easily find them across the web, and most of them are absolutely free!

Well actually this is not news to anybody who has been living on the internet for the past couple of years. What I mean about "living", is for people who don't bother to go to "real" shops anymore (or rarely). People who download music, instead of going to record stores, download porn... I mean movies, instead of going to the theater, gets advice from an online shrink, etc. Well those people have been aware of webcomics for the longest time. Funny thing is, very few really know its history (short as it may), and how this revolution is changing sequential art as we know it.

I've been a comic nut for years. I made a few of them back in gradeschool, and even up to early college years. I still buy some, and totally appretiate this unique artform. It feels like, I've been studying it all these years, despite my hiatus from it all. Well webcomics has reinvegorated my interest, and for a while I really wanted to get something done. But alas, I found out I had no art supplies anymore. Then again, if you were going to go digital, why not go all the way? All the tools are in my harddrive. Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, plus hardware such as a wacom tablet, everything was set! Wasn't it?

Well apparently, I had to unlearn a few things, and learn new stuff. The web is rich with tutorials as well, but if you're still one of the old fashioned who prefers a book than a browser, well you should go buy Webcomics Tools and Techniques for Digital Cartooning. I found it pretty useful, and informative. Lots of Walkthroughs and Work Flows, plus the ins and outs of digital comics. Highly recommended read for comic nuts like me!

When everything has gone digital, can someone sample my soul, and post it on the web?

End of Days

2006-02-24T17:28:00.000+08:00

Okay, so maybe the title is a little bit too dramatic, but it certainly feels like that when you read or watch the news. Here in the Philippines, the calamaties, riots, crimes, and political mayhem seems to be neverending. Today in particular, is a sad day for democracy, as the midget and her horde of pigs has just declared a State of Emergency throughout the country. Kinda' ironic that we're a couple of steps from martial law again just as we are celebrating EDSA 1. Maggots!

A few days ago, calamity stuck Leyte as thousands of people we're buried under 30 meters of mud due to landslide. It's great to see how a bit of international news exposure can lead to foreign help. Anyway, I don't think they'll be saving anyone alive anymore. One chicken was saved though (groan). To make matters worse, two of our finest volcanoes, the Mayon and Taal, are said to be making it's presence felt again. More opportunities for the politicians to pose in front of the cameras.

It's strange how the death of a single celebrity could be viewed as a tragedy, while the death of thousands of ordinary people relegated as a statistic. Excuse me for being cynical today, but I really don't see any reason to be otherwise.

Wrestling With The Muse

2006-02-01T17:49:00.000+08:00

I remember things being a lot more simple when cooking up a story for RPG game sessions in my younger days. I don't get to play RPGs anymore except on the PS2, but I still like exercising my creative writing once in a while. I can't help it, I dream up something, or get inspired by books, movies, and other things, and boom! My mind goes on overdrive formulating a story that would incorporate my ideas. Sometimes the ideas would just overflow, to the point that I don't think about anything else except how to tie up all the disparate ideas into one single cohessive plot. Then there are days where my mind would just shut down, and everything just grinds to a halt. The harder I try to think about a way out of a writing rut, the deeper I sink. I guess you really can't expect the muse to hang around every single day, but when they do go on vacation I ussually just do something else, and when you least expect it, the lights go back on.

I'm not a proffesional writer, and the stuff I've done have remained largely unread. But thats okay, cause I'm really just doing it for myself. I'd probably go crazy if I don't put my ideas down on paper (or computer). Even if most of my work are really just for personal reasons, I still do work hard to make it just right. I'm my own critic, and I'm tougher than Simon when judging my own work. I guess I've never been confident of my own writing, but I'd like to think that I could do something out of all the ideas in my head. I do read up on articles about writing (especially comic book writing, my favorite), but in the end its my own personal style I should depend on, because its more natural, and perhaps more effective. Maybe someday I could put out some of my stories for the public to see (and hopefully enjoy), but for the meantime I'll just go wrestle with my muse until I get a decent story to dish out.

Paradise Continues

2006-01-09T16:50:00.000+08:00

Despite the late night gimmick, my gf and I still woke up early. The morning was quite cozy, and decided to open the windows, and to my surprise (and utter delight) the sun had come out, the weather had finally cleared, and the true splendor of the island was revealed. After a quick shower, we awaited for the rest of the gang to wake up. At 8 am we all headed for the Breakfast buffet, and had a hearty meal, to awaken the senses and drown away the alcohol. The sausages and omelets were satisfying enough, that by the time we were finished, I was fully energized and raring to go and take a swim. The sight of the sun, and the bleached white sands also added to everyone’s mood, and so after taking a few snapshots of the wonderful sceneries, we all went for a swim. This is the time when you just float, feel the water around you, look up to the sky, and let everything fade away into the warm touch of serenity. The few minutes spent on the water felt like an eternity of peace, like the feeling of being weightless, back in the womb of your mother… er okay I’m blabbing, sorry bout that. We spent most of the morning on the beach, just doing laps, floating, or goofing around on the sand, taking pictures of each other. Me gf decided to get her hair braided, just like my cousin’s, so I took her to the nearest braiding local. Too bad the hotel forbade us not to get henna tattoos, or else I would have gotten two of them on my arms (oh well). After getting bored with the beach, the guys wanted to try the Jacuzzi, so we made our way to the pool area, and ordered a couple of beers, as we spent the rest of the morning relaxing on the poolside.

By the time my gf was finished with her braid, it was already noon, and my tummy was beginning to grumble. Taking quick showers up on our respective rooms, we all decided to hunt for the best seafood resto for lunch; unfortunately, the prices (especially the prawns and lobster) were ridiculously high, so we settled for a resto that offered a wider variety of food (and it also helps to have two chefs along), and ordered everything from sinigang, grilled prawns, steak, and fruit shakes. Again, we consumed the meal like a category 5 typhoon, leaving nothing to waste. Still not content, the rest of the gang headed for the nearest crepe shop, while my gf and I wandered around the stalls and started splurging on bracelets, anklets, and what-have-yous. By 2 pm we all decided to take a break and play poker for a while, but instead we all fell asleep and had siestas instead. Later that afternoon, my cousin called me up to tell me that they were going to stroll around Station 1 and to just follow afterwards. We met up in a bar called Café del Mar (Ibiza?), and waited for the sunset, while sipping on some cocktails, and beer. Now this is life! While my other cousin played with the local children, making sand castles, I ordered for some late afternoon snacks, took some pictures, and tried smoking those Indian/Muslim tobacco contraption (shisha, or however its spelled). Just when things were going swell, it started to drizzle and we had to take cover until it passed. By that time, dinnertime had arrived again, and after that was over, we were all feeling too full, or exhausted to head for the bars that early in the night. Heading back to the rooms, we decided to play a few rounds of poker to pass time, just until the nightlife started to heat-up. By 10 pm we all headed for the nightlife hotspots and decided to go bar hopping.

Our first stop was Aria, a laid back kind of bar with table situated on the beachfront sands, with people dancing while flailing fire (trust me on this one). It looked kinda’ complicated but the locals all agree that its all in the wrist, and the rhythm (tell that to me when I get my face burnt). We basically just ordered some tequila, and drank beer while chatting the night away. We then headed for a nearby bar called Hey Jude, where they played awesome music, prompting the people to party on and dance. Just watching the various people in and around was entertaining enough, and the alcohol was starting to kick in (what time do we need to get up tomorrow again?). We then headed for another bar situated near the beach, where a local reggae band was playing. Now buzzing with alcohol, we rocked along with the band; unfortunately it started to drizzle again (crap!). By the time it stopped, the party at Hey Jude was at full gear, and so we decided to party the rest of the night there. There was music, dancing, more alcohol, maybe some pot, but the rest of it was a blur, and the next thing I knew the phone was ringing, it was already morning, my cousin was on the other line informing me we had to checkout before 9, and my head was killing me. Bottom line? We all hit rock bottom last night, and had tremendous fun, but now reality was seeping back in. by 9 am that day we were heading back to Manila, but we would be taking back with us memories that wewill cherish for a long time. I only wish we could spend one more day, but I guess we have to save something for next time.

FYI: Our flight got delayed again. Curse you Cebu Pacific!

Thanks to Boracay Regency Hotel, and to the nice people of Boracay, See you all next time!

Unplugged: The Boracay Trip

2005-12-13T19:25:00.000+08:00

I was unable to update the blog since I was unplugged for the whole weekend. My cousins arranged a trip to Boracay for three days. I’ve been there once and it was truly amazing, but the others haven’t had the opportunity, and were itching to go and experience paradise for themselves. So after more than a month of preparations (bookings, reservations, and shopping), we were finally set to leave at Friday, 9th of December. We were all hyped by Thursday, but bad weather throughout the country was casting a grey sky (literally) on our highly anticipated trip. To add to that we all had prior commitments that night (Christmas Party, Wedding, etc.), which would cut our sleeping hours before the trip. By the start of Friday, things started to brighten up, and everything seemed to be all set for our Boracay Trip!

My girlfriend and I woke up early for breakfast and final preparations, and by 6 am we were off. We made a couple of stops, including breakfast in Sinangag Express for the others who haven’t eaten yet. Our Cebu Pacific flight was scheduled to depart at 9 am from Manila and was expected to arrive in Kalibo at 9:40 am (yeah right!), so we had to get to the airport happily fed and caffeinated (I don’t drink coffee, just cigarettes). By the time we got to the domestic airport, we immediately checked our baggage in, only to learn (to our outmost disdain) that the flight was delayed for at least 2 hours. This sucked! But we couldn’t do anything about it. After much useless confrontations with the manager, we had to concede that our trip had been compromised (our pick-up in Kalibo had to be informed of our delay and properly rescheduled). After a couple of trip to the Gas Chamber (AKA The Smoking Room), and free lunch from the airline (for the delay), our plane arrived, and just when we thought all were ready and set, my cousin lost her boarding pass. We felt like we were on the Amazing Race, my cousin’s husband and I were biting our fingernails just as the crew announced the flights final boarding call. And just like any good cliffhanger, my cousin arrived just in the nick of time with her replacement pass (thank god she didn’t loose her ticket), and so we were finally ready to fly.

We arrived Kalibo airport at approximately 40 minutes passed 1 in the afternoon. Just when things were going right, we realized that our baggage claims were all attached with the lost boarding pass (good grief! How unlucky could we get?), After further delays and humiliations, we were able to talk ourselves through, and get to the van that would drive us all the way to Caticlan port, where our boat awaits to bring us to our final destination, Boracay baby! Atleast that part was uneventful, mostly diverting our attention to the rural scenery, listening to our iPod, or just snoozing away. The boat ride itself was worth all the trouble we went thru earlier that day. We whipped out our cameras, and started taking in the incredible sights, and smell of the open sea. We all had a laugh just talking about the misfortunes of the day, and how the sight of Boracay wiped it all away. Although the skies were still grey with the impending rain clouds, the picturesque view of the Boracay white sand shores, and clear blue waters was enough for my first timer companions. We were welcomed warmly by the Regency Resort, and were ushered quickly into our respective rooms. The rooms were lushly furnished, comfortable, and most importantly clean. We had a blast just unpacking our stuff, and exploring the nooks and crannies of the hotel room, before we gathered back down into the beach. Aftter consuming our free welcome drinks, some of my companions went for a swim, while the rest of us just bummed around the Gazebo Bar.

Taking a quick shower afterwards, we all went down to Alfon’s Bar and Resto for our Dinner buffet. Having stuffed ourselves to the brim, we all decided to head out for a night of partying and drinks. We took a short tricycle ride to Station 1 (we were in the edge of Station 2), and decided to hangout in Coco Mangas, famous for their 15 (?) shooter drinks, and night till dawn parties. After settling ourselves on the comfy Indian inspired bed seatings, we didn’t waste time to order their infamous Jam Jar drinks, which were basically cocktails prepared on a large jar for… well jams. We goofed around, getting pissed with the ridiculous amount of alcohol, and played around with the camera, taking pictures of each other as we started to spiral in a funky mixture of drunkenness and exhaustion. After a late snack of grill cooked pizza, we headed back to the hotel, the alcohol still buzzing in our head, and plunked down face-first into our respective beds and called it a night. All in all we had a fabulous first day despite our earlier mishaps. Our dreams only hinted what was going to be offered the following day.

Well that’s all for today. I’ll chronicle our second day in the next installment. Till then, it’s back to reality, folks.

Holiday Hooligan

2005-12-08T14:18:00.000+08:00

The Christmas Holidays is upon us again. Its that time of year for giving… and for last minute shopping, and horrible bladder-bursting traffic, and relatives who only show up during the holidays. So maybe its not so merry after all, especially when you realize you don’t have enough money to buy yourself a gift. Okay, I know that it’s about the giving and not the receiving, but you do have to treat yourself after a long year of toil and corporate slavery. So what’s a broke bloke have to do to accomplish his elusive wish list? How ‘bout asking Santa for it (just play along)? What, you haven’t been a good boy this year? No problem lets kidnap Rudolph, and ask Santa for ransom. If that doesn’t work, we can always sell him on eBay.

So if we do get to accomplish all of that, and Santa calls our bluff, what do we ask him for Christmas? Well here I present to you my own personal Holiday Wish List. My own Christmas must have gifts:

1. Computers: For starters, I’d like to have a new desktop at home. I really can’t wait for the MacIntels, so an iMac or one of those new Quad G5 Powermacs should do. Well why not both? The iMac with its new Frontrow feature, and built-in iSight would be perfect as a family desktop unit. Fun to use for surfing, chatting, or watching downloaded videos from iTunes Music Store. For the Quad G5, I’ll be using it mainly for graphics, and music production so a 30” Apple Display wouldn’t hurt as well. Oh yeah add in a Windows Intel Machine with at least 4 GHz, with the latest in ATi or Nvidia card, just for gaming.

2. Sound Systems: Building on those discussed above, the iMac would be perfect with its own THX 5.1 surround system, maybe something from Klipsh, like the ProMedia 5.1 Multi Media System. As for the Quad G5, why not an M-Audio Studiophile DX4 Professional Desktop Monitoring System, along with a M-Audio MobilePre USB Mobile Preamp and Audio Interface. While were on the subject why not ask Santa to provide me with a home theater system for my television (we’ll get to that later). Since we have Rudolph, let not be cheap and ask for Bose Lifestyle 48 Home Entertainment System. Okay lets move on.

3. Home Appliances: I asked for the Bose Lifestyle 48 HES, but it wouldn’t pair greatly with my old 21” TV, so I’m asking Santa to add in the Samsung HP-R5052 HD Plasma 50” TV. Now what’s a Home Entertainment System without my own personal La-Z boy, along with a Coleman Xtreme Cooler (filled with beer, and ice cream), makes it a dream set-up. I can’t ask for Heaven, but its close enough.

4. Game Consoles: Eventually I’ll get tired of watching LOTR and Starwars on my new HES, so what better to pass time than to play video games. The new Xbox360 would be perfect with the Heaven Set-up above. Bundled with games such as Perfect Dark Zero and Project Gotham Racing 2, this beast will satisfy my gaming fix, well until Halo 3 or PS3 arrives. On the go, I would say that the PSP would be a much cooler portable game console, but Nintendogs is just too cute to pass off (plus points from the girlfriend), so why not throw in the cheaper Nintendo DS to the mix.

5. Digital Lifestyle Gear: Now its time to go out and socialize, and I gotta’ have something to record the lovely memories of upcoming holiday festivities. Lets start of with a Canon ixus 750 for that point and click simplicity, and a Canon EOS 5D for that professional touch. On the Video cam end, I’ll have to go the Canon way as well with the Optura 600, its small and compact, and should be enough to capture those funny moments. Just for the heck of it I’ll ask for a 60GB iPod 5G, and a Sony Ericsson W800i Mobile Phone.

6. Vehicular Mayhem: Now I have no idea whether Santa can fit this on his sleigh, but I’d like to have a simple Mazda 3 or Ford Focus (I’d like a Ferrari but I think that’s asking too much, hehe). Pimped up with subwoofs, 17” mags, LCD monitors, a dvd player, hifi stereo, and a PS2 set-up. Maybe a bit of engine tinkering, and custom paint job and I’m ready to roll. On second thought maybe an advanced order for the new Honda Civic wouldn’t hurt as well.

Well there you have it my self-indulging Christmas Wish List. These should be enough until I get around for next year’s list (maybe kidnap Mrs. Santa). Till then have a Happy Holidays, and look out for Rudolph on eBay just in case plans go awry. Peace!

What about you guys, any personal wish list you want to share? Send in your comments.

Nostalgic Tendencies

2005-12-02T14:45:00.000+08:00

Looking through my music library, I noticed that I had enough songs that cover 80’s tunes to create a whole play list. I called it 80’s Reload, and it contained tracks such as Personal Jesus by Marilyn Manson (originally by Depeche Mode), Cars by Fear Factory (originally by Gary Numan), Shout by Disturbed (originally by Tears for Fears), Love Song by 311 (originally by The Cure), and more. Take note that most of the bands were metal, or industrial bands, and I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more spread out across various musical genres. This made me think, is the 80’s cool again? Well I decided to look through other mediums to find the answer.

I guess it’s natural for people who grew up on new wave to cover songs from that era, but what about the movies based on 80’s TV shows? Recently there was The Dukes of Hazard (I hear it sucked), a remake of an old 80’s TV series. Just over a year ago there was the similar Starsky and Hutch, so there’s definitely a trend about movies set in the 80’s. What probably started it was the movie, The Wedding Singer, not only was it a popular movie at that time, but it also had loads of great 80’s music for a soundtrack, plus it had 80’s icon, Billy Idol himself. After that movie, a lot of people probably thought that, “hey we could be on to something.”

Jaded from the promiscuity of the 90’s, people started to look back to their respective “good ol’ days”, and what better fun than the hairspray days of the 80’s. Producers of the popular Grand Theft Auto video game probably grew up during the era when Miami Vice was hip, and thought it would be a perfect setting for the mega-hit Vice City. The game was of course set on a fictional city, but it was obviously patterned after Miami, down to the fashion, music, and lingo. It even featured a Sonny Crockett look-alike. And what about Metal Gear Solid 2? The main character, Snake even wore a mullet. I hear its creator Hideo Kojima was a big Joy Division fan, and even named a remix of the game under one of the band’s album, Substance.

Aside from the covers, and the remakes, rock bands such as The Killers have made it perfectly clear that new wave is still alive and kicking. Even here in the Philippines, bands like Sheila and the Insects have a certain 80’s vibe in their music, that even their name reminds you of Echo and the Bunnymen. So maybe the 80’s cool again. Well, maybe for those of us who still enjoy cranking up the volume on our collection of Simple Minds or The Cure songs, and for those of us who still enjoy the Breakfast Club, and think the DeLorean in Back To The Future was the greatest car ever built. Then again, maybe it’s time to wake up and smell the new millennium, and just accept that all of this is just plain nostalgia.

Cyber Scum

2005-11-29T13:02:00.000+08:00

I’ve encountered various people through the years, both offline and online, and have been amazed by the sheer diversity of the species. But what interested me the most were the reclusive online acquaintances, who spend tremendous hours in front of a computer assuming their online alter egos. Some of them I’ve met personally, and let me say that most of them were shy, but you can tell that they were very smart and really had a lot to say (if given a chance). I guess that’s why blogs, and forums are very popular these days, especially among cyber conscious crowd. It gives them the power to say (others preach) what they otherwise can’t in person. This used to be reserved to people in power, the media, and activists. Well technology has changed all of that, making a seemingly average person the ability to practice what we usually take for granted, Freedom to Speak. And speak-out we all did. All of this is well and good, but the phenomenon has also created a sub-species (make that two) that has generally spoiled the cyber culture. These same cretins already existed before, but has found their way to the domains of cyberspace, and as much as I loathe them (and I’m sure some others do as well), they’re here to stay, and there’s nothing much we can do. So who are these pests? I present to you the obnoxious Fanboys and the arrogant Elitists. Lets break them down, shall we?

Lets start with the ever-annoying Fanboy. You’ve met at least one throughout your lifetime. They were already annoying before, but the power of the web has transformed these slugs into total nutcases. You see them usually in their natural habitat, The Forums. My favorite forum to hunt for Fanboys is through Video Games Forums. While others simply seek cheats and walkthroughs, these Fanboys do nothing but brag about their favorite Game Console, their favorite Game Creator, their favorite this and that. At the same time, they will flame anyone who has a different preference. This usually resorts to Fanboy vs. Fanboy word wars, and as annoying as they are, you can’t help but feel amused by how ridiculous they all are. A sample word war could involve something as simple as “my avatar is better than yours.” But what really heats up a discussion is Game Consoles, “X-box is way cooler than your Piss-S2”, or “Nintendo has got the best games, X-box is crap.” They’re like moronic sports fans that obsess about their respective teams, while insulting the rivals, and for what? So they can have some credence, or a sorry claim for dominance? I’m sorry dude, you’re just plain lame.

Moving on, we now talk about the oppressive Elitists. They are similar in some ways to a Fanboy, including their fervent, fanatical preference for a single brand or product. But what differentiates these snobs from the scums, is that most generally belong to the upper-classy. They prefer to acquire certain products, not because their better or easier to use, but because their expensive and they can afford it. An example of this can be found in Mac Forums, were they bash Windows users, and build shrines for Steve Jobs. Being a Mac user myself, I got caught up in that shit as well, during my newbie days. But the more I got involved, the more I realized how arrogant, and ridiculous it all was. You use a Mac because the OS is stable, and the GUI is easy on the eyes, but when you start buying Macs simply because it makes you look cool when you hangout in Starbucks is just plain sad. The Elitists are people who like to trend-set and showcase expensive toys just because they can, will punish those who can’t with sly remarks, or outright insults. They like to pretend they know everything, and bask in the glory of feeling important. Like the Fanboys, Elitists are all screaming for attention however way you view it.

Well there you have it, the joy-suckers of the online world, one just as sad as the other. Some people can live with them, others can’t stand them, but you have to admit, it all adds spice to an already tasteful experience on the web. If you happen to know or meet one of them, do as I do… ignore them, and just mind your own business, let the others swat them away.

Lazy Holiday

2005-11-28T11:16:00.000+08:00

It’s Bonifacio Day on the 30th, but the Powers That Be have decided to move the holiday today. I’m not complaining, with the SEA Games and all, I don’t even want to try the traffic going to Manila. I’ve also been lucky that my DSL service has been steady (if a bit slow at times) for the last two days. Heres hoping my luck holds on. Which brings me to my topic: Death To PLDT!

I mean come on! PLDT's myDSL service really sucks! And to think that they’re supposed to be the premier local telecommunication company, says a lot about our industry. I don’t plan on paying their monthly fee if only to get intermittent connections, or slow dial-up-like speeds. What kind of crap is this? I sought help from fellow subscribers in a local Internet forum, and what I got instead were more complains. At least I knew it wasn’t an isolated case. I did learn that subscribers in Parañaque have it worst. It’s a case of too many subscribers, minus the necessary upgrades to the system, equals shitty service. To add salt to the wound, their tech support is nothing more than pretty voices, reading manuals, and trained to say, “ We are sorry sir! We will immediately forward your problem to our technicians. Have a nice day” That is, if you ever get through their congested lines (probably loads of complainers). I’ve pondered on cutting my subscription and switching providers, but the more I look into this matter, the more I learn that everyone is having problems with their respective broadband. The companies seem to have jumped on a technology that they have not fully realized. It’s all about the money, “get as much subscribers now, and we’ll worry about the congestion later.” As for other subscribers planning on suing The Company, forget it! “Lusot” on all Law Suits.

Well instead of whining I better just take advantage of what I got today, and hope things get better (yeah right!). And before a PLDT personnel accuse me of being a Globelines agent, I’m gonna go do something creative instead. Maybe that way I can forget about their mother****ing service!

GIDGET: My New Digital iPal

2005-11-27T16:33:00.000+08:00

A few weeks ago Steve Jobs announced the new 5G iPod, “now with video.” Like any iPod user, I was both curious and excited about the announcement. It was long speculated in rumor sites, and forums, and so it wasn’t such a big surprise when Jobs finally unveiled it to the world. Well I was able to get my hands on one of the new iPod a few weeks ago, but instead of writing a technical review (which is available in countless tech/gadget websites), I decided to write a sort of diary about my new iPal. From my quest to finding the said iPod, to opening the box, to marveling at the new design, to plugging it to a Mac and synching it with songs and videos, and to actually road-testing it. Think of it as …A Day In The Life Of Gidget.

I was browsing the web when I came upon Apple's website, and saw the new 5G iPods. My old iPod mini (ok so its just over a year old), was quickly running out of disk space, and would soon be unable to accommodate my ever-expanding collection of mostly rock music. I had thought of purchasing a 30GB iPod photo, but the introduction of the new iPod couldn’t have come any sooner. This was great news for me, as the price of the 30GB iPod video was the roughly same as the 30 gigger iPod photo. So guess which one I should buy? Suffice to say; I decided to wait for a few weeks before I made the purchase. This way I would get additional feedback about the product from early buyers, and from tech reviewers. It sure was a difficult three weeks, because the more I read about the reviews and clamors, I was really excited getting my own unit. And so after resisting the temptations this long, I finally gave in and commenced my quest to acquire the new iPod.

Armed with my trusty credit card I set off for the mall in search of the new iPod. But even after a few weeks of waiting, I wasn’t sure if it was already available in the nearest local shops. Well it turned out that I was right. None of the local shops even knew that the new iPods even existed. Defeated I waited for a few more days until I tried to go to other malls, still no luck. After a few more days I decided to head for Apple Center (which I was definitely sure had some in stock already). I was hoping I wouldn’t have to make the trip to Makati because of the traffic, but hey I badly needed my techno fix, and so… To make the long story short, I finally went home with a brand spanking new iPod at hand (yey!).

Upon arriving home, I immediately opened the box and check if everything was in there. Never having owned the large iPod before, I didn’t really take notice of how big the new screen is (unlike most people who reviewed it). I did notice that the click-wheel was the same size as that of my mini. Having seen an iPod nano from my cousin, I would say that the material used are the same with the iPod video, which would mean that it is also prone to scratching. That bothered me a bit, but at least it came with a slipcase. Comparing it with my mini, I would say that the 30GB is just as thin as the mini (haven’t really proven that yet). Time to boot up the sucker and sync it with the computer!

After a few minutes It was up and running. Videos I had already converted to be compatible with the iPod got synched without any hitch. I also had to name my new iPod. My mini was named Pogo, and I wanted something cute and female sounding. Immediately, I thought of the name Gidget. I remember it being a name of a model or something, plus it was a play on the word gadget.
After charging it for a while (it was already factory charged) I took it for a spin. The music was just as great. I didn’t really notice if it was better than my mini, but at least it was just as good. The screen was bright and clear, and I could see how amazing the videos would look. So after much delay, I loaded up Star Wars to test its video capability. All I can say is wow! It works! Even though the screen is only 2.5 inches, the sharpness makes it appear bigger than it really was. I didn’t find myself squinting at all. I was even able to read the intro scrawl. Amazing! So for the next few hours I just drowned myself with my new digital pal, and in the following few days I started adding more video content, including music videos and videocasts. The new iPod is certainly a worthy upgrade (especially coming from a 4GB mini), but despite the addition of video, I still regard it as a music player first and foremost. I don’t know what Apple has in store for the venerable iPod in the future, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. For the meantime I’m gonna go watch Matrix on my new iPod.

Console Wars Again

2005-11-27T10:45:00.000+08:00

[Blogger’s Note: This was originally published in my old website, months prior to the Xbox360 launch. I felt it is still relevant, and so I dug for it on the archives, edited it with new content, and viola. Hope you enjoy it.]

I remember playing Family Com (Nintendo Entertainment System) in my friend’s house (when we we’re a whole lot younger) and enjoyed great yet simple games such as Super Mario Bros., Elevator Action (does anybody remember this?), Legend of Kage, and my favorite Legend of Zelda. For some time that was the only console system available, and it stood that way until the Super Famicom (Super Nes) came along). It was the time when Nintendo dominated the video game market (after the venerable Atari), and only one company was brave enough to challenge them – Sega. That was the first time (I think) a real Console War was born. For some time Sega even gave Nintendo a run for their money with the Genesis. But that was ages ago, in a time were 16 bit computing was considered “Hi-tech”. That all changed with the arrival of a new player, Sony. The Playstation became synonymous with video gaming, and sold millions of units during its time. I hardly know anyone who didn’t own a unit. It was so popular that it created a culture of its own. Nintendo (N64) and Sega, with their respected new consoles tried to compete with it, but merely dented the Playstation’s outright dominance, thus the beginning of the second Console Wars. Despite the efforts of its rivals, we all know that Sony had won that battle, thanks to unforgettable games like Castlevania Symphony of Darkness, Final Fantasy VII, Gran Turismo, Tekken, and Metal Gear Solid. Nintendo settled for second (bitterly losing its crown), despite fan favorite games such as Goldeneye, Zelda, and Super Mario 64. Sega scraped for last. The third Console War was touted as the Next Gen Wars, because the competing consoles were promising even higher processing power, better graphics, and more intelligent AI. First out the door was the ill-fated Sega Dreamcast, which served only to heighten the anticipation for the Playstation 2 and the Nintendo Gamecube. Sad to say the Dreamcast died even before it had reached its true potential. I had a Dreamcast, and I was quite impressed with it, but the lack of support meant a lack of good games, which was the reason for its early demise (and the end to Sega’s Console business). Everyone was hyped about the Playstation 2, which came out next, along with great games such as Metal Gear Solid 2, Devil May Cry, and Final Fantasy X. It had a year ahead of the competition, which now included Microsoft’s ambitious (and monstrous) Xbox. This allowed Sony to build on its game library, but when the Gamecube and the Xbox finally arrived, the Playstation 2 was in for a fight. To this date the Playstation 2 is still the most popular, next is the powerful Xbox, with its share of great games such as Halo, and Knights of the Old Republic. Sadly Nintendo is relegated to third even though it had fantastic games like Super Mario Sunshine, Legend of Zelda the Windwaker, Metroid Prime, and Resident Evil. Up to now these systems are still churning out good, quality games, and only now are they showing their true potential. There’s still Final Fantasy XII for the PS2, Zelda Twilight Princess for the GC, and Half-Life 2 for the Xbox. So there’s still life left for these consoles, and yet another Console War is already looming.

With the recent launch of the Xbox 360 in North America (despite an apparent lack of units, and ridiculous scalper prices. $3000 on eBay?), the new Console War is about to commence. Armed with solid games such as Call Of Duty 2, Condemned, a slew of sports and racing titles, and Kameo. There’s no Halo to support the Xbox this time, instead Rare has come out with the highly anticipated Perfect Dark Zero. To those who still doubt the Xbox360 Next Gen claim, games such as Perfect Dark Zero and Project Gotham Racing 2 definitely showcase the console’s power, churning out great graphics, and realistic lighting and physics. Its still much early to say whether the new Xbox is the winner that Microsoft claims it to be. It’s still a few months off before the PS3 launches, and only then will we have a real fight for console dominance. In the end, despite the various console’s strengths; the games will still dictate which one will come out the winner. And guess who the real winner is? Well, the gamer consumers who have made this video game business a billion dollars industry of course! With the coming Holidays, we are in for a ride of our life, just like the good old days of gaming.

Coming Attractions

2005-11-26T17:54:00.000+08:00

COMING ATTRACTIONS: The Big Ape Is Back!

I’m back (and no i'm not the big ape), and I hope to revitalize and add focus (or chaos) to this blog. I was in a creative rut for a while, but now I’m ready to fire up the topics once again. I kinda’ miss my old Reflections page in my old website, which talked about anything under the sun, such as movies, music, games, and even politics. Well the title of the topic itself should hit two birds with a single stone, as it not only harkens things to come, but also has something to do with my main story, and that would be Movie Trailers.

As far back as I could remember my friends and me have always been excited to see the teasers and the full trailers of upcoming movies that we all wanted to see. It came to the point that we even paid to see a crappy movie just to see the new Episode 1 Starwars movie back in 1999. Of course those with computers and an internet connection could always download a trailer of their favorite upcoming movie, but it took too long, and the quality was just not good. Thanks to broadband, that problem has been solved. You could download a trailer of Aeon Flux, or Superman Returns trailer in a matter of minutes (even seconds for those fortunate enough to afford a higher bandwidth). Sure you still view it on a small screen, but it’s all worth it when see the movie even if it’s just snippets fitted into no more than three minutes. Most of these movies won’t even start showing for at least six months, but here it is in front of you, convincing you to go watch it when it comes out.

Most successful trailers are the once that really jump out on you, and convince you outright that this is a “must watch extravaganza”. Trailers have actually become a form of entertainment in itself. I remember the trailer for the Hollywood version of Godzilla, which never really showed the whole creature, just legs and feet, scales and tail, eyes and teeth, the occasional silhouette, and lots of destruction! I know the movie got panned by the critics, and even by the fans, but the trailer (for me) described the movie very well. First it established that Godzilla was such an Big icon that he won’t even fit in the screen (hence the body shots), and that the movie was… well about destroying and blowing up stuff, and that’s it. The catch phrase “size does matter” says it all.

Sure some movies rely on the exposition of these movie trailers to cover up the fact that the movie itself is crap (Matrix Reload and Matrix Revolution, ). But there are those that really hit it on the spot, namely Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’ve been a big fan of the Tolkien books (geek alert!) for years, and was ecstatic to hear that a movie was being made. But I had doubts. Could this Peter Jackson (Frighteners? Brrr) really pull it off? No Tom Bombadil? Elijah Wood as Frodo? Satan as Aragorn (Viggo played that part in The Prophecy)? Well all of my worries was washed away upon seeing the teasers for the film. Simply said, “it blew me away”. And that was reason enough to anticipate its release.

I’m glad to say that the movie itself lived up to the hype… heck the whole trilogy became a worldwide success, which brings me to King Kong. Peter Jackson’s remake of the iconic Kong, brings back the memories of Godzilla. It’s a big Hollywood remake, but it’s got an Academy Award winning director helming the project, what could go wrong? Well after viewing the latest trailer, all I can say is so far so good. It’s convinced me to go see the movie when it comes out, big screen, THX, and all. Unlike Godzilla’s trailer, this one’s really got the PJ feel in it. Show the stunning locations, introduce the characters one at a time, reveal the complications (those natives look a bit like orcs), and finally show the big daddy, Kong himself. End it with the classic Empire States building shot, and you’ve got a winner at hand. Still not sure whether it will garner the same success as LOTR, but I don’t know about you, I’m gonna’ go watch this movie.

Oh by the way, for those techno-savvy iPod owners, you could also download the Kong Trailer in video iPod compatible format. Cool huh?

The Weird Wired World

2005-10-24T14:27:00.000+08:00

Just recently I jumped on the broadband wagon and happily sped away through the web for countless hours (seemed like years). Then after returning to the "Real World" (really, who makes up these rules?), I realized that I was tangled up in a sprawl of wires and blinking lights. With the addition of the new modem, I realized that my room has just become a jungle of technology. Plugs, snake-like wires mimicking a strange black octopus, blinking lights that would put the local beerhouses to shame, three game consoles, the tv, dvd player, the computer, speakers, a printer, an electric fan, the aircon, and the occasional charging iPod, and mobile phone. And did I mention the wires? Whoever thought the bleak future envisioned in classics such as Neuromancer, and the Matrix has finally arrived in my room (in my lifetime!). Just a few hours ago I spilled water on the floor, and I literally feared for my life. Death by electricution isn't exactly as enticing as it sounds, right Mr. Anderson?

Dead to the World and Annoying Telemarketers

2005-10-10T11:35:00.000+08:00

I’ve been rather busy the past few weeks, thus I wasn’t able to update both this blog and the website’s journal page. Still working on the new track, and I’m still undecided on the title. I’ve been rather anxious the past few days mainly because of financial woes, but that should lift in a couple of days, then I can get my head down again and start doing something creative.

On a different topic, I’m quite annoyed with banks calling and offering me stuff that I don’t really care about. This is sort of telemarketing that really pisses me off! Sometimes they’re like machines with memorized sales talk, ranting about silly offers with their mouth going 110 mph. If your not careful, you might just end up agreeing to some lame deal that you don’t really understand and need. I know that these people get some sort of commission if they (excuse the term) “con” a client, and will pester you with endless offers, sounding convincing, and helpful (which they’re absolutely not). Excuse me for not studying “Advanced Annoying Marketing Ploys” but I got my credit cards because I don’t like bringing cash when I shop or dine, and I don’t really give a damn about anything else. If and when I do need these additional s**t, then I would be the one to call their office (and I expect really good service) and ask for it. Till then I will bicker back at them, or tell my secretary to tell them to f**k off. Now if I can only do the same with my mobile phone… hmmm.

Mutations

2005-09-19T12:07:00.000+08:00

I've recently overhauled the Subhuman Species website. Its now a bit more focused (on music at the meantime), but I hope to add more content as the ideas come rolling in. Any suggestions, or criticisms (good or bad) are always welcome.

On a related topic, I've just begun working on the new track entitled 'Wasting Away', and from the look of things its headed for a goth/industrial feel to it again. I guess because I'm feeling a bit glum these past few days. The anger is quite evident with the pounding noise in the early mix (and I'm guessing it will stay that way). I'm not going into production details here, which can instead be found in the Journal page of the website. Hope you get to listen to it one of these days.

Changes

2005-09-15T12:30:00.000+08:00

I've just uploaded the new track entitled Apocrypha. This was the track previously called "The Macabre" (see previous post). Like I said before, it's more guitar oriented, but still bouncy enough to fit into the whole Violate theme. It can now be downloaded in the new Downloads page of the main website along with the new mp3 version of Replicant, and a new mix of Violate (to those who were able to download the previous incarnation, I hope you'll notice and appreciate the subtle changes). If you notice, the new Downloads page is now dedicated to Subhuman Species music. This is just the start of the site's overhaul. More to come. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the new track.

Blood, Sweat, and Electric Dreams

2005-09-14T15:49:00.000+08:00

Well I just finished mixing "The Macabre" (title pending) and will be uploading it to the Subhuman Species website soon. I really had difficulties mixing this one. At first it was too sombre, then it became too pop. I'm aiming to make all the tracks as bouncy (if not danceable), and in the end I think I got it right. Things will still change when I come around to actually fleshing it out and doing a final mix. More updates later.

On a related topic, I was able to acquire two software programs that are proving to be quite useful (and fun). One of them is called iDrum, and the other is Doggiebox. Both are Virtual Drum Machines, each with their respective interface, and aesthetics. I'm still trying them out (read: trial version), and still undecided which of them I'll actually use. I might use one or both of them in an upcoming track (who knows). Anyway I'll inform you when I do.

Its been a cathartic experience making music (even if its just arranging and mixing it), and I'm thinking of doing this more when the inspiration hits. Its always a great feeling being in creative mode! Anyway attached is the cover for the upcoming Violate EP.

Peace!

The Macabre

2005-09-11T20:42:00.000+08:00

I've been working on the third track for the Violate EP. it's entitled The Macabre. It's goth/industrial with crunchy, abrasive guitars. Did a few mix of it, and it should be finished soon. Like I said before this is just a demo, and purely amateur. Everything is done on computer, using Apple's Garageband and Software Instruments. Hopefully I can upload this track on the main website soon. Anyway I'll be back with more updates. Gotta go. F1 is on.

A Logo To Go With The Name

2005-09-08T12:03:00.000+08:00

Didn't have anything better to do, and I've been itching to get one anyway, so I decided to fire up photoshop and did a few stuff (jeez I'm rusty with PS), and this is what I came up with. It's pretty much what I had in mind, but like all my other stuff, it will mutate in coming days. For now I'm happy with it. The S's was an idea I got from old Nazi SS badges (or something). It doesn't connote racism or bigotry in anyway. It also doesn't promote Nazism in anyway. It just looks cool!

I Believe I Can See The Future

2005-09-07T15:00:00.000+08:00

...and it's exactly the same as today. Sometimes you wonder how everyday starts to resemble each other. Work, drink, sleep, work, drink, sleep, work, drink, puke, sleep, work, drink, sex, sleep, work, drink, sleep...snore. Despite the few surprise threats thrown in between, you have to agree that mundane life has become excruciatingly routine (read: boring!). Sometimes sleeping itself has become a hassle, coz you know what the next day has in store for you. You don't really need to be a rocket scientist or a batty fortune teller to know whats comin' up. All you have to do is wake up in the morning (or night for the vampires) and watch it unfold for the nth time. Believe me, the few surprises that do turn up are rather dodgy at best. Sometimes a hit, most of the times a miss. Then you'd have to go through the whole routine again just to see if the next surprise will be the lucky one. And I guess thats what really keeps us going. Its the desire for better things. Keep dreaming folks! No one really wakes up and find themselves 86 million dollars richer... unless you count those who died of severe heart attack after hearing of their shocking change of fortune. You can cut your hair, get a tattoo, go blonde, beef up your muscles, beat-up your friend, but in the end your really just adding more ingredients to an already stale life. No matter what you do, no matter how successful you are, everything WILL BECOME A ROUTINE. Then you can say that, "I can see the future, and its exactly like today."

Crawling On

2005-09-05T16:46:00.000+08:00

Days seem to go faster when you're busy. Unfortunately I haven't done any real work on some of the projects lately. I've been busy putting new stuff on the Subhuman Species website, and have managed to create a yahoogroups mailing list (see side bar to join). I want to concentrate on the demo tracks at the moment. I plan to finish three more before I go back and make a final mix. After that I plan on producing my own web comic as inspired by my friend (check out the website for more details). I've been planning that for almost five years, but I really had no idea how to put it out at that time. Well now I do, so I may go do that after I finish with the Violate EP. Anyway I hope to keep in touch when there's enough progress (or lack of it). Stay tuned!

Violate This!

2005-09-01T13:35:00.000+08:00

I just finished the Violate demo. Had to upgrade my iBook’s RAM just so I could get better performance from Garageband. It’s turned out close to what I had in mind, but it will still have to undergo a few more mutations to get it just right. I think this will definitely need some vocals. Maybe short, repetitive chanting and rants, and a few digitized samples. Guitars could be more aggressive, and the mixing needs a little more tweaking (specially when I heard it from Shure e2c earphones). Otherwise, the demo mix would have been perfect, but alas that’s what demos are for. Hopefully the final mix would come around sounding close to perfect. Anyway it will probably take me a bit longer to finish this track compared to Replicant. Well back to work, for the meantime check out the Violate demo at the Subhuman Species website.