MIGUEL: Pyramid
One of the biggest problems with being a Tremere is that one works within a pyramid organization. No matter how high your rank in the system is you have to answer to somebody with a higher rank than yours. In most cases, this would be beneficial since there is a structured way of passing information and orders as it is are being cascaded down the pyramid - from a superior to his underling. Problems however occur when there lacks a meeting of minds between the two. More so, if the elder's way of thinking is different, or even inferior, to that of a more knowledgable subordinate. This cannot be avoided since it is possible that the two may come from different places or even a different time era. The blood bond, and thus obedience, allows the elder to exert his own will upon any decisions that have come into conflict - which in turn might not really be beneficial to the clan.
Gives a certain level of understanding to the ways of the Lasombra and the Sabbat doesn't it?
JOSHUA: Survivor Manila
Was able to catch Studio 23's
'Survivor Manila' gig at the Greenbelt 3 mall last Friday afternoon. Three
of the more familiar faces of the Survivor TV show was in Manila: Shi-ann
(from Survivor Thailand, also one of the two Asians who were able to join
the show), Jenna (from Survivor Amazon) and Ethan (from Survivor Africa).
The said studio was able come up with a mini Survivor event of sorts at the
mall. (It would have been more interesting if they held it in the gardens
for a more "survivor" feel but I guess that would have been a logistics
nightmare). Before teh event, the three gamely answered questions thrown
to them by RJ Ledesma. Jenna was extraordinarily funny. It's more like a
scavenger's hunt than a survivor event actually. Basically the three
survivors (as head of different teams made up of studio 23 personalities)
had to perform some tasks (which included wall climbing, singing karaoke at
RedBox, eating shrimp at BubbaGump, having one's picture taken and
completing a giant puzzle) and the first to complete all tasks wins.
Jenna's team won. I guess her strategy did work: cheating. (To which RJ
earlier commented that it was quite fittign since it was normal in the
Philippines - dunno if I would just laugh or be insulted. But hey! It is
true). It was a short event (an hour or so) but there were a lot of people
who watched (Don't really know if they were fans of the show or if they
were just uzis). Can't wait for Survivor Tondo...
Was able to catch Studio 23's
'Survivor Manila' gig at the Greenbelt 3 mall last Friday afternoon. Three
of the more familiar faces of the Survivor TV show was in Manila: Shi-ann
(from Survivor Thailand, also one of the two Asians who were able to join
the show), Jenna (from Survivor Amazon) and Ethan (from Survivor Africa).
The said studio was able come up with a mini Survivor event of sorts at the
mall. (It would have been more interesting if they held it in the gardens
for a more "survivor" feel but I guess that would have been a logistics
nightmare). Before teh event, the three gamely answered questions thrown
to them by RJ Ledesma. Jenna was extraordinarily funny. It's more like a
scavenger's hunt than a survivor event actually. Basically the three
survivors (as head of different teams made up of studio 23 personalities)
had to perform some tasks (which included wall climbing, singing karaoke at
RedBox, eating shrimp at BubbaGump, having one's picture taken and
completing a giant puzzle) and the first to complete all tasks wins.
Jenna's team won. I guess her strategy did work: cheating. (To which RJ
earlier commented that it was quite fittign since it was normal in the
Philippines - dunno if I would just laugh or be insulted. But hey! It is
true). It was a short event (an hour or so) but there were a lot of people
who watched (Don't really know if they were fans of the show or if they
were just uzis). Can't wait for Survivor Tondo...
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Tuesday, October 26, 2004
MIGUEL: Impending sense of doom
I don't know if it's just me but there's
something brewing in the air. Something negative. I'm not really sure
what it is but it seems to be affecting people. In the last couple of
weeks, I've witnessed fights (both verbal and physical) have been happening
in more frequent numbers. Better watch one's step.
I don't know if it's just me but there's
something brewing in the air. Something negative. I'm not really sure
what it is but it seems to be affecting people. In the last couple of
weeks, I've witnessed fights (both verbal and physical) have been happening
in more frequent numbers. Better watch one's step.
GENE: Out of Practice
Joined an online group in starting an
on-line Rokugan campaign. Realized that it has been months (6 actually)
since we last had a game session and I believe we have become a bit
rusty... umm... very rusty actually. The game is still in the character
creation process and already I'm having problems deciding on what character
to play. It's not that I'm running out of ideas on what to play but on
whether I still have the ability to role-play the intended character. As
of now, the decision is to play a lowly yojimbo in order to avoid any deep
role-playing and/or game mechanics complications. Hopefully once we get
the hang of how things work, we'll be able to expound on the character's
play.
Joined an online group in starting an
on-line Rokugan campaign. Realized that it has been months (6 actually)
since we last had a game session and I believe we have become a bit
rusty... umm... very rusty actually. The game is still in the character
creation process and already I'm having problems deciding on what character
to play. It's not that I'm running out of ideas on what to play but on
whether I still have the ability to role-play the intended character. As
of now, the decision is to play a lowly yojimbo in order to avoid any deep
role-playing and/or game mechanics complications. Hopefully once we get
the hang of how things work, we'll be able to expound on the character's
play.
JOSHUA: Dress Code
It's been more than a year since a
dress code was implemented at the office. Casual Friday was not casual
anymore. I, myself, think it's all a matter of the purpose of the ruling.
I guess it was started since the case was that there are some employees who
go visit customers in very casual clothes. I think that's what the company
is trying to prevent - to project an image of professionalism. Many were
disappointed but since it is an office policy, everyone is bound to follow
it and would have just let the bill pass without any problem. That is if
there were not incidents wherein people are able to still come in casual
clothes by merely pulling rank or by being close to those who have ranks
and cannot be reprimanded. Some try to come in the office in the required
set of clothes but with variations from the normal theme (an accessory or a
variation in the folds). These people were readily reprimanded as to the
fact that these variations, according to the people who passed the code,
are bordering on being informal - but then again how can one be sure of
their judgment when the person's sense of style is questionable: "You are
wearing black leather shoes, you have to wear white socks with those." Call
the fashion squad or even Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. These people
need to get out more.
It's been more than a year since a
dress code was implemented at the office. Casual Friday was not casual
anymore. I, myself, think it's all a matter of the purpose of the ruling.
I guess it was started since the case was that there are some employees who
go visit customers in very casual clothes. I think that's what the company
is trying to prevent - to project an image of professionalism. Many were
disappointed but since it is an office policy, everyone is bound to follow
it and would have just let the bill pass without any problem. That is if
there were not incidents wherein people are able to still come in casual
clothes by merely pulling rank or by being close to those who have ranks
and cannot be reprimanded. Some try to come in the office in the required
set of clothes but with variations from the normal theme (an accessory or a
variation in the folds). These people were readily reprimanded as to the
fact that these variations, according to the people who passed the code,
are bordering on being informal - but then again how can one be sure of
their judgment when the person's sense of style is questionable: "You are
wearing black leather shoes, you have to wear white socks with those." Call
the fashion squad or even Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. These people
need to get out more.
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Wednesday, October 20, 2004
JOSHUA: CELLULAR
Zak was able to get hold of some free premier tickets for the movie CELLULAR. It was a bit to late to call the other tribes, though. Honestly, when I first saw the trailer during THE NOTEBOOK screening, I was expecting it to be somekind of slightly high budgeted campy b movie. I was pleasantly surprised to experience that the movie is a very suspenseful and yet very funny movie. While watching, I didn't know whether the scene would make me hold on to the arm rest of my seat or to hold on to my stomach for laughing too hard - very entertaining. - very entertaining. Even if I did get to figure out the twist in the story sometime in the middle part of it, I was still enjoying the trill of the ride. The cast was exceptional. I have to give props to both Chris Evans and Kim Basinger for acting those solo parts. If you guys can catch the movie do so, but a word of advise: caution to those who will be sitting between two girls who squirm and squeeze your arms (whenever the lead actor appears on screen) and/or hit your arm everytime a gun is shot or a car crashes. I'm still bruised from last night. (Not to mention my eardrums are still ringing from all those 'aeeiiii' and 'he's so cute!! screams).
Zak was able to get hold of some free premier tickets for the movie CELLULAR. It was a bit to late to call the other tribes, though. Honestly, when I first saw the trailer during THE NOTEBOOK screening, I was expecting it to be somekind of slightly high budgeted campy b movie. I was pleasantly surprised to experience that the movie is a very suspenseful and yet very funny movie. While watching, I didn't know whether the scene would make me hold on to the arm rest of my seat or to hold on to my stomach for laughing too hard - very entertaining. - very entertaining. Even if I did get to figure out the twist in the story sometime in the middle part of it, I was still enjoying the trill of the ride. The cast was exceptional. I have to give props to both Chris Evans and Kim Basinger for acting those solo parts. If you guys can catch the movie do so, but a word of advise: caution to those who will be sitting between two girls who squirm and squeeze your arms (whenever the lead actor appears on screen) and/or hit your arm everytime a gun is shot or a car crashes. I'm still bruised from last night. (Not to mention my eardrums are still ringing from all those 'aeeiiii' and 'he's so cute!! screams).
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Tuesday, October 19, 2004
ZAK: LotR Reordered
The latest shipment from Amazon.com
arrived earlier today. Included in the shipment are replacement DVDs, as
well as other stuff other tribes have asked me to get from them. I
likewise dropped by the pirated shop this afternoon, however to my surprise
I didn't get anything. I guess I just checked out the titles available
there and sent some SMS messages to those who were asking about the
availability of titles. Recently I've noticed that I'm sort of controlling
those urges to impulse buy. Must be Piper's work - trying to save for the
coming holidays and all those stuff that Gene wants for the Birthday and
Christmas.
The latest shipment from Amazon.com
arrived earlier today. Included in the shipment are replacement DVDs, as
well as other stuff other tribes have asked me to get from them. I
likewise dropped by the pirated shop this afternoon, however to my surprise
I didn't get anything. I guess I just checked out the titles available
there and sent some SMS messages to those who were asking about the
availability of titles. Recently I've noticed that I'm sort of controlling
those urges to impulse buy. Must be Piper's work - trying to save for the
coming holidays and all those stuff that Gene wants for the Birthday and
Christmas.
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Monday, October 18, 2004
GENE: Revisiting Farscape
Was able to get hold of a copy of the
first season of the Farscape TV series. I wasn't really able to catch this
season since Tim only got me hooked when Season Two was already playing on
the local cable channels. I think this is the best season since it still
shows John Crichton's innocence to the 'being lost and having aliens on the
whole other side of the universe' thing. It's in this season that the idea
that even if there are aliens which are, in a sense, more technically
advance that humans, they are still flawed just like humans are. It's
really bad that SciFi channel had to cancel the show. I guess the low fan
base made the network executives cut the budget, but it's also this small -
but dedicated - fan base which has succeeded in having the network produce
a four hour special which wraps up the loose ends of the show and opens up
possibilities for Farscape movies to be made. Hopefully Zak will be able
to get me a copy of those.
Was able to get hold of a copy of the
first season of the Farscape TV series. I wasn't really able to catch this
season since Tim only got me hooked when Season Two was already playing on
the local cable channels. I think this is the best season since it still
shows John Crichton's innocence to the 'being lost and having aliens on the
whole other side of the universe' thing. It's in this season that the idea
that even if there are aliens which are, in a sense, more technically
advance that humans, they are still flawed just like humans are. It's
really bad that SciFi channel had to cancel the show. I guess the low fan
base made the network executives cut the budget, but it's also this small -
but dedicated - fan base which has succeeded in having the network produce
a four hour special which wraps up the loose ends of the show and opens up
possibilities for Farscape movies to be made. Hopefully Zak will be able
to get me a copy of those.
RICO: Blog retrenchment
Over the weekend, I've deleted some of my other blogs. Most of them were
simply a one or two page experiments. I guess it's a "got his fingers in
too many pies" kinda thing. I also plan to renovate some of the remaining
blogs. Hopefully this would facilitate better handling of the remaining
blogs.
Over the weekend, I've deleted some of my other blogs. Most of them were
simply a one or two page experiments. I guess it's a "got his fingers in
too many pies" kinda thing. I also plan to renovate some of the remaining
blogs. Hopefully this would facilitate better handling of the remaining
blogs.
YING TZI: Chinese no more
Speaking of Greenhills. Did you guys notice
that the shops are more or less now owned by Muslims rather than the
previous Chinese occupants? I was suprised to find that most of the
stores I usually go to in Greenhills is no longer there. It's as if the
shops of old have been eaten up (well, some of it was eaten up by the fire
some years ago) and replaced by the Muslim stores selling all those pirates
stuff and cheap clothes and jewelry.
Speaking of Greenhills. Did you guys notice
that the shops are more or less now owned by Muslims rather than the
previous Chinese occupants? I was suprised to find that most of the
stores I usually go to in Greenhills is no longer there. It's as if the
shops of old have been eaten up (well, some of it was eaten up by the fire
some years ago) and replaced by the Muslim stores selling all those pirates
stuff and cheap clothes and jewelry.
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Thursday, October 14, 2004
JOSHUA: Birthday Gift?!
What do you mean a 6260 for a
birthday gift?! What about the LotR Return of the King DvD? Aren't we
saving for that too?
What do you mean a 6260 for a
birthday gift?! What about the LotR Return of the King DvD? Aren't we
saving for that too?
ZAK: Cellular Hunting
I think it's time to get a new phone.
I was browsing through the web and found out that Nokia is coming out with
a new phone model - the 6260. It's a clamshell design phone and allows the
screen to be rotated (which really depends on for what function you want to
use it). It works much like the other Nokia model 6600. I did find that
it does have a bluetooth powered keyboard accessory and comes with a mobile
email client which allows usage if Quickword and Quickpoint. Anyways, I
called up globe and they already have a price listing on it - not really
that far off from the 6600. However, when I tried looking for it in the
shops in Makati and in the stalls of Megamall and Greenhills, it was no
where to be seen. I guess it's really that available yet in the market so
I'll probably wait a bit longer. Maybe that will be my birthday gift for
myself.
I think it's time to get a new phone.
I was browsing through the web and found out that Nokia is coming out with
a new phone model - the 6260. It's a clamshell design phone and allows the
screen to be rotated (which really depends on for what function you want to
use it). It works much like the other Nokia model 6600. I did find that
it does have a bluetooth powered keyboard accessory and comes with a mobile
email client which allows usage if Quickword and Quickpoint. Anyways, I
called up globe and they already have a price listing on it - not really
that far off from the 6600. However, when I tried looking for it in the
shops in Makati and in the stalls of Megamall and Greenhills, it was no
where to be seen. I guess it's really that available yet in the market so
I'll probably wait a bit longer. Maybe that will be my birthday gift for
myself.
ZAK: TROY DVD
Joshua was having a fit yesterday when
he found out that the 2nd disc of the LotR Fellowship DVD was damaged. He
was pretty upset that the disc kept of skipping. I guess we'll have to get
a new one but in the meantime I got a copy of the R3 Troy DVD to pacify
him.
The DVD was in widescreen and the sound's in 5.1 so it's quite ok. It did
come up with an additional disc containing features on making the film.
It's not as intensive as the additional stuff in the LotR discs but it was
pretty still quite interesting.(Gene: Probably also saying that to justify the purchase. :P)
It's amazing how they were able to
make the whole city of troy and rebuilt it (well teh walls anyway) after a
hurricane destroyed it during mid-filming and how Achilles' combat style is
based on boxing. It's not really as spectacular as LotR but like I said,
still interesting. Now, if I can just find a copy of the
Fellowship...
Joshua was having a fit yesterday when
he found out that the 2nd disc of the LotR Fellowship DVD was damaged. He
was pretty upset that the disc kept of skipping. I guess we'll have to get
a new one but in the meantime I got a copy of the R3 Troy DVD to pacify
him.
The DVD was in widescreen and the sound's in 5.1 so it's quite ok. It did
come up with an additional disc containing features on making the film.
It's not as intensive as the additional stuff in the LotR discs but it was
pretty still quite interesting.(Gene: Probably also saying that to justify the purchase. :P)
It's amazing how they were able to
make the whole city of troy and rebuilt it (well teh walls anyway) after a
hurricane destroyed it during mid-filming and how Achilles' combat style is
based on boxing. It's not really as spectacular as LotR but like I said,
still interesting. Now, if I can just find a copy of the
Fellowship...
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Wednesday, October 13, 2004
GENE: STARGATE ATLANTIS
Was able to borrow the copy of Stargate
Atlantis (or SGA) from Johan's Tribe for the weekend. Got to see the first
seven episodes of the show. Basically it's a spin off of the original
movie and Tv series (SG1) but this time a new set of crew head to the
source of the Stargate which turns out to be Atlantis (it is indeed a
sunken city as the legend supposedly says, but what the storytellers forgot
to mention is thet the city is on another planet and that the natives fled
to Earth using the Stargates.)
Anyways, I was intrugued by the first episode coz the SGA project's goal
was supposed to travel to that point of origin and gather technology which
could help mankind. I was hoping it was something like that - something
akin to that of the StarTrek series. However, much to my dismay, during
the course of the next episodes it turned out to be a firefight between the
team and those of an alien race. It would have been interesting since some
of the characters are funny, but I got bored with the way the storyline was
going. I think I better stick with farscape and hopefully find a copy of
Firefly.
Was able to borrow the copy of Stargate
Atlantis (or SGA) from Johan's Tribe for the weekend. Got to see the first
seven episodes of the show. Basically it's a spin off of the original
movie and Tv series (SG1) but this time a new set of crew head to the
source of the Stargate which turns out to be Atlantis (it is indeed a
sunken city as the legend supposedly says, but what the storytellers forgot
to mention is thet the city is on another planet and that the natives fled
to Earth using the Stargates.)
Anyways, I was intrugued by the first episode coz the SGA project's goal
was supposed to travel to that point of origin and gather technology which
could help mankind. I was hoping it was something like that - something
akin to that of the StarTrek series. However, much to my dismay, during
the course of the next episodes it turned out to be a firefight between the
team and those of an alien race. It would have been interesting since some
of the characters are funny, but I got bored with the way the storyline was
going. I think I better stick with farscape and hopefully find a copy of
Firefly.
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Monday, October 11, 2004
PIPER: PARADOXICAL HEADACHE
Suffered another one of those massive
headaches over the weekend and just noticed something about it. It's not
as much as that it's a physical thing but more of a mental thing. It's
like a flood of continuous voices keep entering the brain. Not really
talking at the same time but more like talking one after the other - one
thought process into another. I might just be having some sort of delusion
or possibly some symptom related to stress (or maybe it's some sort of
madness. he he he!!). What's really weird about is that this thing is
that happens only when I'm not doing anything or just doing the couch
potato thing. I guess I better find another hobby to keep my thoughts
organized and busy.
Suffered another one of those massive
headaches over the weekend and just noticed something about it. It's not
as much as that it's a physical thing but more of a mental thing. It's
like a flood of continuous voices keep entering the brain. Not really
talking at the same time but more like talking one after the other - one
thought process into another. I might just be having some sort of delusion
or possibly some symptom related to stress (or maybe it's some sort of
madness. he he he!!). What's really weird about is that this thing is
that happens only when I'm not doing anything or just doing the couch
potato thing. I guess I better find another hobby to keep my thoughts
organized and busy.
RICO: VCD Madness
Got an email from Tzelung Lin's tribe a month or so ago regarding a
possible source of tv shows ripped on vcd format. Haven't really thought
much about it due to both my busy schedule and budget constraints. I did
ask Zak to forward it to some of the other tribes knowing they are likewise
looking for some titles found in the list. I heard from Johan's tribe over
the weekend and he said that the source is reliable. I thought I sgould at
least check it out. Well, to make the story short, in the last couple of
days, copies of the list have been circulating around the workplace and
numerous orders have been made.
It was interesting to note that with the low price of the source, Rage,
sold his VCDs one had to wonder just how much mark-up he placed on it and
by then how much profit he gets. Zak couldn't help but try to do the math
and always ends up with a very minimal amount of profit per disc. Too
small to consider if it's really per disc. However, put in the mix the
number of order he gets, that small profit really grows up and the fast
turnover of money. Ying Tzi added that this might just be how the Chinese
people do their business. Honestly, I'm still having a hard time trying to
figure out exactly how that works. Maybe, I'll devote one of my research
times just trying to figure out that mystery. For now, It's back to the
list.... hmmm... farscape seasons one to four... hmmm....
Got an email from Tzelung Lin's tribe a month or so ago regarding a
possible source of tv shows ripped on vcd format. Haven't really thought
much about it due to both my busy schedule and budget constraints. I did
ask Zak to forward it to some of the other tribes knowing they are likewise
looking for some titles found in the list. I heard from Johan's tribe over
the weekend and he said that the source is reliable. I thought I sgould at
least check it out. Well, to make the story short, in the last couple of
days, copies of the list have been circulating around the workplace and
numerous orders have been made.
It was interesting to note that with the low price of the source, Rage,
sold his VCDs one had to wonder just how much mark-up he placed on it and
by then how much profit he gets. Zak couldn't help but try to do the math
and always ends up with a very minimal amount of profit per disc. Too
small to consider if it's really per disc. However, put in the mix the
number of order he gets, that small profit really grows up and the fast
turnover of money. Ying Tzi added that this might just be how the Chinese
people do their business. Honestly, I'm still having a hard time trying to
figure out exactly how that works. Maybe, I'll devote one of my research
times just trying to figure out that mystery. For now, It's back to the
list.... hmmm... farscape seasons one to four... hmmm....
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Friday, October 8, 2004
RICO: Mail-to-Blogger
RICO: Mail-to-Blogger
Been having problems on accessing the blogger page from the workplace.
Actually, I can access the blogger and post pages but whenever I republish,
the screen just goes BLANK. Anyways, I finally figured out how the
mail-to-blogger function works (Yeah, I know I'm kinda slow) so I guess I
can easily (and more often) post now. (I just have to test if the HTML
tags also work within the email process).
Been having problems on accessing the blogger page from the workplace.
Actually, I can access the blogger and post pages but whenever I republish,
the screen just goes BLANK. Anyways, I finally figured out how the
mail-to-blogger function works (Yeah, I know I'm kinda slow) so I guess I
can easily (and more often) post now. (I just have to test if the HTML
tags also work within the email process).
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Wednesday, October 6, 2004
YING TZI: WUXIA EVERYWHERE
Yup, almost every one of the characters in the movie is flying/jumping/gliding around. Add martial arts, swordfight and impressing colors into the mix. But then again, what else would you expect from the producers of both Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero. Asian superstars hit the big screen once again as Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau and Zhang Zyi star in this action/tragic love story movie (umm.. almost every movie of this type is anyways).
I expected (and wasnt disappointed) to find Zhang Zyi is as graceful as ever, while Andy Lau dark and brooding. It's Takeshi Kaneshiro who suprised me. I haven't really seen him in a Wuxia type movie so it was good to finally see him in one ... and he doesn't let down. It was fun seeing him do archery (even if it was cgi), it's like him saying "Try and beat that Legolas!" (Hmm... ancient armor, fast swordfight, horseback riding, chiseled features, ponytail... sounds familiar).
Anyways, the storyline has a few twist but I found the ending too abrupt. Still it was a visual treat so if you guys have time. Do find time to see it.
P.S. Gene, you'll be glad to know I didn't use any magick on finding this one.
Yup, almost every one of the characters in the movie is flying/jumping/gliding around. Add martial arts, swordfight and impressing colors into the mix. But then again, what else would you expect from the producers of both Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero. Asian superstars hit the big screen once again as Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau and Zhang Zyi star in this action/tragic love story movie (umm.. almost every movie of this type is anyways).I expected (and wasnt disappointed) to find Zhang Zyi is as graceful as ever, while Andy Lau dark and brooding. It's Takeshi Kaneshiro who suprised me. I haven't really seen him in a Wuxia type movie so it was good to finally see him in one ... and he doesn't let down. It was fun seeing him do archery (even if it was cgi), it's like him saying "Try and beat that Legolas!" (Hmm... ancient armor, fast swordfight, horseback riding, chiseled features, ponytail... sounds familiar).
Anyways, the storyline has a few twist but I found the ending too abrupt. Still it was a visual treat so if you guys have time. Do find time to see it.
P.S. Gene, you'll be glad to know I didn't use any magick on finding this one.
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Sunday, October 3, 2004
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