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The Winning Formula

In the Philippines, we are used to seeing prime time soap operas / telenovelas / local TV series with a simple formula: RIch guy meets poor girl, falls in love with each other, add hostility in the form of a third party or disagreeing rich parents and sometimes even both, but they succeed against all odds and live happily ever after. Substitute boy with the girl and vice versa, change their names and the show's title and you have another show to look forward to. For many years, Filipinos especially the masses have actually bought this kind of approach over and over again, mostly to a fault. You could almost always predict a plot even the exact lines in a local Filipino TV series. It's like there's a template for every genre. You can expect the same format for comedy, drama, or fantasy which will almost certainly suffer from poor special effects adding to the plethora of reasons for you not to watch it.

I personally didn't have any interest in watching US TV series, as if the local ones aren't insufferable already. Movies were kind of more like my thing, but about 4 years ago, an office mate insisted I watch "Chuck". This totally changed how I looked at TV shows and from there I watched Heroes, 24, Prison Break up until I have seen 28 different series, most of which are continually running.

Immediately, I realized how big the difference between US and local TV series was. Simply put, the foreign shows are deeper and more creative in content. There is excitement, suspense and even tragedy all while watching something under the comedy section; and it's a mix that actually works. There is a sense of anticipation as the episodes are shown and cut. It shows viewers what they could have become in another life, be it in the real world or a fantasy where, people shoot light from their fingers, time can be stopped and you can rule a kingdom with dragons. It's the thrill that makes you come back for more and not just for the one you're watching, you begin to think of plots on your own because you know that with the right cast and crew, anything can be done. Without all those boring stuff of course.

I have just completed the "House of Cards", featured in the photo above, and have started to download "Elementary". Don't get me wrong, there are some misses but that happens very rarely. I would even go far as to say that these misses are far better than your local TV series. The kind that only my 4 year old son will enjoy. 

Watch a US TV series today and discover the winning formula!

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The glass is half-full.

One of the popular philosophical questions has been: 'Is the glass half-empty or half-full?' and being an advocate of dualism, tells me that it should always be one or the other. In this article I try to explain in which status the glass is in and why through my own observation and some knowledge on scientific concepts.

In a philosophical point of view, this question determines how a person thinks. The water in the glass is what we have; therefore, the glass is half-full to the optimist because of the things that he can still have while it is half-empty to the pessimist because of the things that he can lose until it is empty.

If the law of Physics can be defied such that water exists on the upper half of the glass and nothing below it, then perhaps we have a glass that is half-empty. But this can never be. In fact, the glass is ideally always full; 1/2 water and 1/2 air but we only refer to the water as its content as a basis for observation. 

In its physical structure, the glass is referred to as in an empty state because as a container, it holds nothing(?). Thus from the bottom of the glass until its mid portion is the same as saying from 'empty' to 'half-full' so when it's filled exactly to the brim it's 'full', in the brink of overflowing. But stating this also gives us that a glass in a full state will have the brim until the mid portion as 'full' to 'half-empty' and when it's rid of its contents all the way down to the bottom, it's 'empty'.

I have therefore established, that the status of the glass given its water level depends on the direction of change. When the glass is in the process of being filled, it would have to reach the half-full point until it's full whereas if it's being emptied, it would have to reach the half-empty point until it's completely empty. So I ask, are we pouring or drinking? And for most, this is where the dreadful answer ends. 

In another article that I've read, it asks; What if we don't know the past status of the glass when we come across it? It says we should look for clues, such that lip marks or water clinging on the inner walls of the glass would suggest drinking or recent pouring and therefore the glass would have to be half-empty. It also said that if no clues exist but the water is cold, it may suggest that it could have been recently poured and thus the glass is in the state of half-full. The article goes on to say that when a ninja places the glass such that no clues exist, it is half-empty because the water is naturally evaporating. If the glass is left alone and untouched, it will take molecular steps to be empty through evaporation therefore it is naturally half-empty.

Taking all these into account, I first break the components down. Water is a substance in liquid state . It is inherently formless. Glass is a container and is in solid state. Science tells us that water will always take the shape of its container. So whether we are trying to drink from or fill a glass with water, we will always START by pouring water in the glass to contain or measure it. In effect, any glass is always half-full because the glass' innate purpose in this scenario is to hold water in place which will only happen when water is poured in it so that it is on its way to being half-full. This idea also proves superior to that excellent argument about water evaporation. The simple answer is: Water will not be in that state where it can evaporate without first being in that state where it's poured in the glass. By default, water must always be poured in the glass regardless of purpose thus the glass would reach the state of being half-full.

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I will find the time to write again because of my new keyboard.

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UNBOXING THE BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK

Its not an iPad I know, but there are things this can do very well that the iPad couldn't even touch. Plus it's the perfect match for my phone. Liking it so far, especially for work related tasks. 

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The Church Garden

When I was younger, I didn’t like to go to church on Sundays. Aside from the heavy workload from school, I felt I had other more important things to do; hanging out with friends, watching TV for long hours and I guess the typical stuff that kids like to do. But my mom was devout in her religion, and she has always encouraged me to go with her to church in so many ways in so many occasions. The more pressing issue for me at the time? She went every day. It kind of helped her get through the day to visit church. One day when I was from school, she invited me and tried to talk me into going. Part of the negotiation was a bottle of soda and a big bag of chips and all I had to do was wait in the church’s garden while she prayed so I thought: easy. She just wanted me to be there, that’s all. This arrangement continued for days, weeks and I told myself there was nothing to lose if I went in the chapel where she prayed. And enter I did. I initially found it comfortable inside, the air conditioning was good, the seats were soft and it there was deafening silence amidst the few people who were contemplating by themselves. I went to a catholic school and I knew every single prayer there was, just didn’t have the knack to recite them. I thought there was no purpose. Until one day came and I decided to pick up one of the free rosaries they lend to those who didn’t have one and wanted to pray. It felt peaceful. I was satisfied. It even became a habit that I never needed a soda and a bag of chips to come visit. I found myself praying and wishing after every prayer and actually believed someone on the other end of my plea was listening and looking after each prayer I said. At one point it came to me that this was all because of my mother’s guidance, her knowing that all I needed was a little push to see the more important thing. The one thing that was more fulfilling than all the other stuff I thought I should be doing. It was my mother who all along saw what I needed and what could I have possibly enjoyed doing. I felt I connected to the Lord more often than my play mates did, while I was praying the rosary in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. The calm helped me concentrate on my goals, made me think of the things I have done and should do. To this day, I thank my mom for luring me to stay at the church garden with a soda and some chips. I saw and talked to the Lord in the most unusual way.   

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Banayad Whisky

This is one for the ages, that's why I'm posting it. Enjoy!

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UNBOXING the Logitech Driving Force GT

I know I really have to stay active posting stuff and it may have been a while before my last post but this one I can't pass up. For some reason, my son is just so fond of cars. It's like he was born to race really, and that makes me nervous. So anyway I saw this accessory at Data Blitz and knew I just had to buy it for him, and me too of course! I gotta tell you this racing wheel is so great, I almost never slept yesterday. We are talking about force feedback, traction control, ABS system, the whole thing just makes you feel the real driving experience. Credits to Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition for such a great rendering on a simple sport. To those interested, the wheel stand is kind of expensive so I would suggest the 680 PHP caliber computer stands at CD-R King, the one I got too, for mounting. It is a beau. Get one now!  

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MY 2012 NBA ALL-STAR STARTERS

I guess picking Love and Rubio makes me a 'Wolves fan. I even have them on my new season, what?

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Crème De La Crème: Our humble New Year’s feast.

So this is my first time to showcase my cooking skills in public, and here’s what’s happening:

To start

Lobster Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Mangoes & Caramelized Pecans

Cheesy Chicken Macaroni Salad & Pineapples

Crispy Prawn Heads

My choice of entrèes

Sautéed Salmon Belly in Garlic Teriyaki Sauce

Spicy Barbeque Prawn Gambas

Garlic Chicken Turbo

Beef Mechado (*House Specialty)

Pan-Seared Hokkaido Bay Scallops

Buttery Corn and Carrots Side Dish

Purefoods Premium Fiesta Ham (*Star of the Noche Buena. LOL)

Edam Cheese Ball (wish we had italian Parmigiano Reggiano instead)

To finish with

Caramel flan

Leftover moist chocolate cake from Killian’s birthday

Chilled throat-soothing drinks

Novellino Sweet Lively White Wine

Vendange White Zinfandel White Wine

Arbor Mist Orchard Fruits Chardonnay

Riunite Lambrusco Red Wine

Fundador Brandy from tita Jean

AND… 2L Coke Zero, zero calorie, no sugar. LOL again.

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SEAFOOD CITY @CLAWDADDY CENTRIS WALK

OMFG this isn't only a crab shack, I felt like hitting the motherlode when the whole bucket of the Famous Seafood Boil was dumped in our executioner-esque board; a feast of crab, rock lobster, fresh water prawns, mussels, clams, andouille sausage, corn and baby potatoes, WTF! Nothing better to wash these down than an ice cold Cuban Mojito. The highlight of this night though were the oysters; they're fresh, they've got cheese, they're tasty, they're everything damn it! Let's do the claw!

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25 DAYS LATER: 45-16. Not the winningest record BUT a damn strong one! 

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It's show business.

Sedgewick says die and the stage dims like a nightmare waiting to happen. The only real problem with the trade is that everyone is such a genius, or at least pretending to be for a bit or two of attention. Clown-face wants to matter but just wouldn't. The fishes have all gone and still, the artist is lost. But an ounce of chance left in the rotting mind of the insignificant has brought the dead back to life. Emotionless and steady, weaving through the heavens that echoes a clamour intended to warn. For in the finality of vengeance, skies will roar a crescendo that will lash the soul. That will tear the stupidity within. The fork is now stuck deep and will rust until the drama has reached a climax. Clown-face is alone, and now everyone's deaf. When all the clouds have melted you are left in a cold and dark stage wishing the carpet would soak up and watch. But guess what Clown-face, the show's over and so are you, it doesn't matter. Die!, says he and the pursuit for social status is never reclaimed; remaining to be wishful thinking, forever unrequited.

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An uprising of tea. Don't say it twice.

I'm not usually a fan of drinks but for the past few months, a friend has really influenced a lot of us in the office to try 'drinks with tea'. And it's surprisingly good. I think I may have tasted just about everything out there by comparing the different mixes alone; Serenitea, ZenTea, Bubble Tea, Happy Lemon, Sip and Tea Farm. If you ask the drink that tops them all, I will say 'Chatime!' ala Hiro Nakamura's 'yata!' impression. Unlike any other tea beverages Chatime has so much on the menu, each having a distinct taste although most are just androids(if you know what I mean). 

In a course of 4 months, I have seen customers of Buko ni Fruitas, Fruit Magic, Quickly and most especially Zagu thin in ranks. It's practically the same as other drinks but less sinful which makes it the best alternative drink. Start off with QQ Milk Tea (Pearl Milk Tea + Nata de Coco) and I guarantee you'll be a convert for this hyped-up energon. Another prick trying to ruin your day? Get they guy some Taiwan Plum Iced Tea to shut him the fuck off. If you want to remove your lunch's after taste or just feel good about something, have a Grapefruit QQ or Chocolate Mousse to complement it. And as bonus, you get a free drink after every 10th purchase, stamped in what I call a 'membership drac', cause it opens left to right.

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JOKE TIME!

"If LeBron James were a mobile device, he'd be a smartphone in silent mode. He's very useful, but he doesn't have a ring."

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UNBOXING THE SONY PLAYSTATION 3

I know, I know -PS4 will grace tech exhibits with its presence sometime next year but doesn't that mean an imminent price drop on the PS3? Sure it is and I can't be more excited. In fact I was supposed to get this tomorrow but I decided to get the damn thing Friday night anyway 'cause why should any one wait to buy this marvel? The cool guys over Data Blitz North EDSA even had a package which gave me aside from NBA 2K11, a combo of Bioshock II and Star Wars The Force Unleashed II for an extra 500 bucks(sweet, I know). Left in awe as usual with what this console had to offer and like I always am with anything I buy. I can do this all year; a few hours rest, a few chomps of food and a nice cold shower are the only things between me and NBA 2K11 today. Oh yeah!(Vector's rendition from Megamind)  

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princesschariza:

fyeahharrypotter:

Hey MTV, I’m Lord Voldemort. Welcome to my crib!

hahaahah!

Wahahaha!

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JOKE TIME!

Would you believe your eyes if 10 million fireflies light up the world as you fall asleep?