Spam Anyone?

Pronunciation: \ˈspam\

Function: noun

Etymology: from a skit on the British television series Monty Python’s Flying Circus in which chanting of the word Spam overrides the other dialogue

Date: 1994

: unsolicited usually commercial e-mail sent to a large number of addresses

(www.m-w.com)

Coming out of bed from a short sleep after a graveyard shift duty, an idea pop out of nowhere (or out of boredom). “Hey, why not put to good use the spams I regularly receive?” And with that trash thought, comes…trash, of course. G.I.G.O - Garbage In, Garbage Out. So blog world, please welcome my spam blog.

This blog is mainly all about forwarded emails coming from my wife, family members, friends and of course, last but not the least - spammers. These emails ranges from tips on health, safety, car maintenance & home care; Some are urband legends that by the power of the internet gets recycled and creates another wave of terror and sleepless nights to its clueless recipient; Others are jokes - both green or clean - and others are religious chain mails that threatens a gullible receiver of death or misfortune if not forwarded in 10 seconds to 10 contacts. And this is just a few of the emails I’ve received so far. In short this is a blog of emails on everything and anything under the sun.More often than not, I become a spammer as well as I would normally forward emails that I think are good to my contact groups. Ti abi. The cycle never ends.

Nevertheless, I still think that not all spam are created equal. What is trash to me, may actually work for others. And so instead of deleting these mails, I’d bury them all here for others to read and learn.

I hope you enjoy My Spam Blog.

Let’s Kill…

Watching the movie Untraceable just a couple of days ago made me realize that my blog site’s title may appear threatening to innocent visitors that may have picked up some tags I had that captured their interest. I just realized that the word “Killing Time” may be taken as a pun of sort. I may not know it but I could have visitors ranging from innocent bloggers to eager killers or individuals that get their high by watching someone die, live or via the internet. Morbidly, the movie depicts such characters.  The villain here is portrayed as a disturbed young man who maintained a site named KillWithMe which is basically like a YouTube.com from hell. For the first time I can relate to the disclaimer at the end of every movie, “…any similarity…is purely coincidental…”

I don’t know but I picked this title out of thin air. During my registration at blogger.com, I was asked to give a name for my blog and this came out spontaneously. It may sound scary but “Killing Time” was inside the tell-tale light bulb as soon as it was turned on inside my head.  At that moment all I can relate to a blog is that IT is a good way to kill time – no pun intended whatsoever. Promise. Hehehehehe (Psycho music plays in the background).

Since I’m into giving some sort of review for this movie, I’ll finish it off with my rating. I rate this (wait this 3 words sounds familiar…ahhh job related…) movie 4 out of 5 stars. It has the scary factor of Disturbia, but with the oldie yet goodie Diane Lane this time in the basement. Needless to say this gave me another reason not to think of typical American homes at least for now.

Anyone want to kill with me?…Please just do blog. No more, no less (Psycho music keeps on playing in the background). Visit Killtimedoblog.blogspot.com. I swear I killed time with it and murdered some English (again, no pun intended) in the process.

(this blog reminds me of a friend who loves to say “Kill All Violence”, the most ironic and funny statement I’ve heard after Alf’s “I Kill Me”. Ti abi.)

   

Of Writers and Photographers

“…I remember coming home a few days after EDSA 1 and playing it on the piano without interruption, and completing this five minute song in an unbelievable two minutes. How was that possible, if the song takes five minutes to sing…” – Jim Paredes

Athletes call it the “Playing the Zone”. It is a level where most play their best games. And this tends to continue as soon as they get into it and ends until they tire themselves out.

Similarly this applies to everything we do, day in day out. There are times when we spontaneously do something without even having to think about it. These are the times when everything seems to flow consistently in favor of a goal in mind. Even doing a simple household chore has its own zone.

And this zone is just as evident to writers and photographers, pro and non-pro.

The reason why I’m writing this blog because recently I felt as if I miss finding good and properly composed photos in my multiply.com network. Just a few months back there was a barrage of wonderful pictures coming from my on-line buddies but lately it seems none have posted such or as I suspect none captured any good ones. And shall I say composed something worth posting and flaunting? Hopefully, their Canon SLRs aren’t sitting in one corner, collecting molds and dusts. Hey guys keep shooting.

Well, this is also true with bloggers and reviewers. I missed the days when I’d read write ups so nice that I’d wonder if the man behind those articles (blogs) are pro in incognito or just plain individuals like me who haven’t got the bucks to purchase such expensive cameras and so therefore decided (maybe against their will) to write blogs instead. Besides this is what sets the two hobbies or pastimes apart. Photography enthusiasts (I hate it when most claim to be “Photographers”, just as bloggers claim to be as writers. Sometimes I’m guilty too), need at least a $1000 SLRs while all bloggers need is just an idea. Not a tough selection for me, of course.

A couple of weeks ago I reviewed some of my previous (more than a year ago) blogs and some made me smile and pat myself at the back; some made me turn red in embarrassment. My only consolation is my blog traffic is not that high (or could the poor compositions be one of the reasons why). Besides I don’t have a proofreader. There goes the ultimate alibi. Ti abi.

But I still remember the times when I wrote those wonderful blogs (again, just my opinion) were the times when I think I was immersed in the zone. I also observed that these are times when a favorite or good music either plays in the background or just inside my head. I think the rhythm does something with the composition especially if it goes with the emotions behind the idea that is currently set. My keyboard becomes the piano. Only difference is it produces a blog rather than music.

Even the people I admire and envy for having been gifted enough to possess such wonderful talents in both literature and photography, such as Jim Paredes and James Deakin doesn’t come free from blunders – that is, doing something out of the zone. I’ve read and seen some of their works and I can’t help but think, “Hey, this isn’t them”, or, “Did they really do this?” But then, these are busy guys and most likely the pressure of the deadlines just affects the outcome.

And with the Christmas season getting nearer each day, work activities piling up, vacations to consider, parties to attend to are all joining our already chaotic schedule, I still hope that people will still find time to focus on their tasks and duties – that is, to their online world. Let the wonderful blogs come and let those good photographic eyes capture the beauty of everyday life.

Jim’s Country

“Easy come, easy go” - Anonymous

The benefits of the world wide web always fascinates me. Gone are the days when one has to travel far, endure a long queue and rub sweaty faces and armpits just to get near a celebrity to brush elbows with them or if he gets lucky enough, exchange ideas with them. Trust me though it won’t even last a couple of minutes, then. Nowadays, what one has to do to get close to anyone whom he adores or likes is just a couple of type away in any search engine available. Or getting it from your on-line networks.

I got Jim’s site from my wife’s links. She’s his fan. From then on I return to it every now and then to check on his blogs as I discover more about him than reading from the Song Hits mags (do this mag still exist?) or any other newspapers. On his site, I slowly uncover his talents, ideas, spirituality,fantasies (surprisingly, a man of his stature still have fanstasies) and even, his temperament, that is if you read between the lines. Sometimes though it is just too obvious.

Last night right after posting my blog I tried to check his again and there it was, he’s angry at something now. Something that I was also angry at for several days already. As I read about it I find that his frustrations (and evil wishes) are just like any other Filipino. And the thing about it is that he could have cared less, let the issue pass off his mind in his Australian residence. But he did not.

I know Jim is one of those who participated in the Edsa 1 revolution. He even composed the song “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” as a theme for the post-Edsa 1 Filipino. And If were in his shoes I’d be so frustrated as well with the succession of events that have been going on lately. The Filipinos have forgotten again. I don’t know if it’s just me, but with the current situation, I can imagine again people calling for reforms, calling for the president to step down, calling for a snap election…maybe sooner they (or we) would be calling the Gods to cast fire unto the Philippines. If we don’t get our acts together, we’ll get it sooner than we think. Now I’m frustrated.

Anyway, what I learned today is that even a man like Jim, who may have stuffed his walk-in closet with awards and accomplishments (or even cash) is still likely to give damn (pardon the word) about what is happening to our country. I wish (or is it proper to say hope) that sooner, not later, someone from the millions of Filipinos will step in to take leadership (but please let the current term finish. To hell with those who are now planning a new “EDSA”) with unquestionable integrity and bravery to face and eradicate the TRAPOs that have been multiplying every election.

Tomorrow is barangay election day. Keep your fingers crossed.

Blog Brat’s 1st Year

Time flies so fast. I can’t believe that a year had passed since I started writing and posting my blogs. It was Aug 30, 2006 when I first got myself out of the couch, turned off the TV and approached my then lowly but dependable PC and started composing my Rockstar Blog. The result was actually surprising. I wrote one that actually made me pat myself at the back even with the uncertainty that grammatical errors might be in there, waiting for one keen grammarian’s eye (or could be obvious enough for any elementary student) to take notice and puke along the way in disgust.

As if by coincidence our Daily Quote calendar has this for Aug 30 - “A life spent making mistakes is not only honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing – George Bernard Shaw”. So timely, so appropriate. (another reason to write mistakes, or in this case, blogs). I smiled and nodded when I read it. This calendar was given to me by my wife.

My wife. These two words that I’ve been including in most of my blogs either consciously or unconsciously . Well it’s no wonder, she’s one that inspired and encouraged me to try my hidden talent (daw) in writing. As far as I know, she is the leader of my few readers (hopefully they do exists!) that visit my blogspot every now and then. My Technorati rank will attest to that - Rank: 3,915,745 . Ti abi.

My First Blog, Actually

(I was browsing my multiply.com site and saw this one hidden. Then I remember, this is my first shot at doing a blog. Since I’ve also posted this in our company’s internal site, I deleted its name here. (hint: Only the paranoid survive)Some of the practices in this blog though may not be true anymore. Rest assured, I still respect the Pedestrian lanes.)

I like walking around our company’s campus a lot. Why? Because it is here where most, if not all drivers would abide by the speed limits placed on designated lanes. It is also where drivers and commuters wear seat belts too; motorists would patiently wait for the pedestrians to safely cross the street before they proceed driving. In today’s world, this is almost too ideal.

Day in, day out this commendable practice goes on inside this pedestrian-friendly campus. Lately though, I’ve observed that the entrance gates seems to look like pit lane entrances and the exit gates like pit lane exits. The former is where speeding employees would brake to follow minimum speed & the latter, is where outgoing employees would rev their engines & hit the gas and dash to their destinations just like F1 racers do. I always wonder if these gates are warp zones where every driver is zapped into a different world from where they’re currently are.

Frankly, I was guilty of this act too. I’ve been driving back and forth for almost one and a half-year already. I admit I drove like hell outside the campus during the first year. It was a very good thing (company name) had this on-line Defensive Driving course & it got me enlightened somehow. Still, I would still drive aggressively but would be cautious, up to the extent of counting thousand 1, thousand 2, thousand 3…to estimate my distance from the car in front of mine. At least.

Then this time came for my wife to learn how to drive. Eventually, I came to be her “boot-camp” coach whenever she would drive to and from work. I was wondering every time though that despite my conscious effort to lecture her on the proper and safe way to drive, we would end the driving sessions in frustration and disappointment.

What went wrong then? Well, I’m a firm believer that “a good teacher, makes a good student”…in this case, teacher – me, student – wife…bad teacher, bad student. It was this driving encounter that made me realize that I could be a big factor indeed. How can I expect her to follow what I’m teaching if she doesn’t see me doing it. And so the saying goes “Practice what you preach”.

It’s almost two weeks already since I’ve been driving defensively & coolly. Now, there’s lesser mad honking, lesser unnecessary overtaking, more consideration, and more courtesy. And for those who don’t know, it feels good all the time.

And guess what, just this weekend my wife was on the wheel from our home to our favorite hang-out, almost 20kilometers away & she did perfectly well, almost perfect until it was time to park…but then again, nobody’s perfect. She’s currently grounded. Just kidding.

So please if you value safe driving inside _____ (company deleted), I encourage you as well to do it on your way to and from home. Someone’s waiting for the pedestrians to come home. And so does yours – your family.

My Blog Machine 2.0

“Every new beginning comes from other beginning’s end…” (Closing Time by Semisonic).

Finally, my old Blog Machine has to go. The 5+ year old Pentium III 800 MHz PC had to end his throne in our bedroom and give way to what I’d call my Blog Machine 2.0 powered with one of the latest Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13 GHz PC.

The old machine had been a part of our life since it was given to us for free. During its early days it has opened our eyes to the wonderful world of the Internet. It has helped us appreciate the then famous (or infamous) Napster. Despite enduring the dragging speed of dial-up connection, I had endured over the night downloading of what I’ve known before as just free music (It’s now technically known as piracy). I still can recall one person begging me to keep my connection open just to download Midge Ure’s Dear God - which happens to be one of my most coveted songs even until know (hint: 80’s fan).

Of course the old Intel machine introduced me likewise to one of the wonders of Web 2.0 – web blogging or just blog. Since I’ve got this frustration of being a writer, I finally found one medium to share my thoughts and practice my writing skills, if I may call it (or worse, if I actually got it). It was in this machine, where I drafted and published my first blog.

As everything will come to an end, the old guy was laid to rest. Some of its parts were taken out (i.e. cannibalized) for the new guy. Some were given away, to maybe meet other old PC’s that hopefully start other people to learn the basics and be awed by the World Wide Web. If there’s a PC heaven, I know his soul will be there.

For the new guy, he still has got a lot to prove. It’s been with us for just 2 days but so far the promises of an Intel Dual Core processor haven’t failed and continue to amaze me with its power. I’ve already made it to download applications from the Internet, rip music and capture videos from our Sony handycam. All of which were done simultaneously (multitasked). The result was just great. No glitch. Just pure performance. Yet. If only writing skills improve together with the upgrade of a PC.

Oh, before I forget. I’m now playing a new game in this PC. It’s the modern, action packed, adrenaline pumping, graphics-unforgiving game of….Spider Solitaire. LOL. I’m growing old. Ti abi.

The Blog Machine is Ill & so am I

Just lately, the blog machine is showing signs of illness. Just when I thought it would be doing its job efficiently, it all of a sudden displayed a “throbbing” monitor. It would intermittently dim as if breathing heavily to keep up with what I’m doing. It looks like I’m just now waiting for it to die on me while doing a blog. Whenever it will be, anyone’s guess is as good as mine.

The monitor will have to go soon & a replacement is needed. CRT or LCD?

I’m actually thinking now if by any chance my blog machine wants to sympathize with my recent headache attacks? Well, I wonder. If there is such thing as resistentialism, which is a belief that a thing is acting against one person, this one I don’t know how it should be called.

A few weeks back (it’s been years actually) I had these strange headaches which would come out of nowhere. Being a paranoid myself, I’ve checked the Internet & the symptoms are that of stroke & migraine. I’ll gladly accept anytime, that it’s the latter.

Hopefully, the next few days, I’ll have the answer.

 

My Blog Machine is Up!

Other than not having time to compose (properly or not) my blogs, my Blog Machine bogged down due to a defective UPS. This is what I’m now calling my HP VL400 Desktop which runs on Intel Pentium III 800Mhz, 128MB SDRAM 133Mhz bus speed. More than 5 years ago, this could have put me on the bragging rights level if you compare it to other computers of its time.

Sadly though, technology is cruel. This week your fast, the next couple of weeks your slower than slow. In this world of F1-like “Giga” CPUs, mine is that one car that would have retired sooner even before the other cars have settled in their pole positions prior to the race start.

But fear not! The Blog machine is at least still good for word processing, which is all I need to do my blogs. And btw, it is still good for the adrenalin pumping, heart stopping, mind boggling game of…Solitaire! At least I’ve got something to do while waiting for the next blog page to load – i.e on my 56Kbps internet connection (actually, it has never or rarely reached that speed! Sucker!). ti abi!

 

Practice, Practice, Practice (My First Blog)

“How do I get to Carnegie hall? Just practice, practice, practice”…

I really can’t exactly remember when I first read this one, but if I’m not mistaken I read it from one forum (philskies.net). It doesn’t makes sense at first, but then again I heard it on TV (and then again I can’t exactly recall when & where) after a while.

Well how does one really get there? However one does it, it really looks like one has to practice, practice, practice. And this is how I’ll start my first blog post on this page by getting out of my comfort zone – e.g. sofa, sleeping time, dormant mind, just to name a few – then practice, practice, practice.

My first practice will have to be doing my own Rockstar blog.

While doing this premier blog (if I may call it), I’m listening to INXS album Switch with its new vocalist J.D. Fortune who was picked from a long list of contestants on the reality show Rockstar INXS. Surprisingly this INXS green horn sings better if not very well since my wife and me last saw him on this TV show. With my preoccupied mind, I can remember just the last three contestants – i.e. J.D. Marty & Migs Ayesa - battling among themselves on who would become INXS front man. And eventually, J.D. got INXS nod, and I think he proved them right.

Right after I arrived home tonight, I switched on the TV just in time for the start of Rockstar Supernova show’s replay (delayed telecast was this morning). Currently, there are just 6 remaining contestants. The contest proper was started by Lukas who sang Nirvana’s lithium which in my opinion wasn’t rendered well. For this part of the contest I’d like to pick my top 3. They are:

Tonight’s # 1 is, Toby. I never like his performance since this show has started. I was even a doubting last week if he can pull a show with Supernova’s pioneers (Gilby, Tommy and Jason) although I agree that he fitted well for the vocals of that song. But tonight I guess, he made me a believer. He performed at first with Storm Large as backup for her version of Evanescence’s Bring Me to Life. He then sang Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell which is actually one of my favorites (you can guess my age now, right?). He got the crowd going and was able to get some girls come up on stage (luck mate!). I don’t know if the elements were just right – favorite song, right voice, and good performance – that made me make bet on him tonight. But whatever it was that he did, he did it great.

Second on my list tonight is, Dilana. Yes, Dilana. This controversial (a euphemism I can think of for all that she’s done) woman who is somewhat creepy for my taste, got my vote tonight. She did a great job singing Mother Mother which I actually thought as first was originally sang by Cindy Lauper * LOL *. She sang it with great voice, performance (I haven’t seen some kind of headbanging until tonight) and with deepest emotion that I can almost feel her angst in front of the TV. Yes, that good.

Third, is Storm Large. Beside the obvious reason that she’s a hottie and I actually don’t know if her name actually implies something deeper than just a name. I really hated the first portion of her Evanescence rendition and I was actually thinking she’d quit & just storm out of the stage in the middle of her performance so as to concede defeat. But behold, she got to the peak of her song and that I can almost say it was the original artist singing if only I weren’t looking at the boob (no pun intended) tube.

What really disappoints me tonight was Ryan Starr’s performance. I think it was his worst performance that I’ve ever seen. I was expecting him to sing Coldplay’s Clocks into almost perfection, but it never came. The piano stunts never impressed me as well, as it just compromised rather than accentuate his performance. The crawling move likewise made it look cheap & just plain copy cat.

Magni I think performed well, but I think his peers just keeps on overshadowing whatever he does. I likewise learned tonight that he is (or was?) from Iceland and that is one big factor that could pull him down due to lesser online/SMS votes assuming that only everyone from Iceland votes for him versus Ryan’s USA, Lukas’ Canada & Toby’s Australian voters. Hopefully, his campaign to call on more votes will help him tomorrow.

With all that said, I can conclude that Supernova will have a hard time picking their front man or woman in this case. I think I spoke too soon when I said to my wife that a woman doesn’t fit in this band. Well, I stand corrected. The pressure I on, and it’s on both sides o – i.e. the Judges and contestants. Whoever will win this contest, he/she deserves it! Someday, hopefully, it will be their CD playing while I write another blog.