my new blog --

http://starboundtraveler.blogspot.com/

see you there

I don't agree with a lot of what Bong Austero says (especially that infamous Open Letter to our Leaders. Que horror!) but I think he hit this nail right on the head.

On the Nicole-vs-DOJ Prosecutors issue:

A government prosecutor friend of mine thinks that the perception of incompetence is still borne out of the classic stereotype of how a brilliant lawyer is supposed to behave, usually a composite of Dustin Hoffman in And Justice For All and the lawyers in The Practice. There is still this view that a competent lawyer is one who spews fire and brimstone, able to bully witnesses and draw out dramatic confessions and admissions under heavy cross-examination, and enthralls the audience with his flamboyance and bravado. Thus, many lawyers actually feel compelled to do theatrics if only to impress their clients.

I am not sure if this stereotype is exactly what the rape victim expected, but I think that one cross-examination is not enough to merit a walkout and a mass denunciation. Unless the rape victim and her family are suffering from nerves that are already stretched taut to the limits, it is possible that there are other mitigating circumstances present that resulted in that unfortunate public tantrum. However, it is irresponsible to automatically jump the gun and make accusations particularly those that impugn an other person’s competence.

It has become easy for anyone to attack government workers for incompetence, corruption, etc. Government workers have become easy targets for anyone with a criticism. Note how AM radio announcers, civic leaders, and most specifically, investigative broadcast journalists from some TV shows that enjoy ridiculing people, pounce on some hapless government worker accused of the simplest infraction. It is amazing that we expect our civil servants to behave with courtesy and dignity when these things are not afforded them in the first place.

It is possible that the rape victim and her family are telling the truth on this one (just as it is entirely possible that the government prosecutors are the ones that are correct). But as individuals who have been through the pain of being the object of ridicule and humiliation, is it asking too much that they can spare a little empathy for others, particularly those they work with in the pursuit of their cause? Surely they know what it is like to be at the receiving end of unsavory accusations.

*excerpted from Austero's op-ed column in Manila Standard Today, 20 Sept. 2006. read the entire column here.

I had a eureka moment this morning when I signed up at GoodTree.

GoodTree is yet another novel - and noble - idea on the internet. It is a search engine and portal. As a search engine, it uses the resouces of not one but four search engines, google, yahoo!, msn, and ask.com. On the other hand, a user can choose from a list of sites that s/he frequently visits which will be saved as bookmarks and use the GoodTree homepage as starting points next time s/he goes to that site.

The approach is not new. The use of GoodTree's search engine, is a money-making scheme. Many businesses have been using this method for years. Everytime a user clicks on a banner ad or link, money is generated for these businesses - almost $14 million a year in fact!

What's novel about GoodTree's approach, however, is how the site is not intended for profit but for generating money to further various causes and charities. The nice people over at GoodTree thought about using the same method that businesses have been using to benefit not just a few but the greater number of people who need monetary support the most. (See just how it works here.)

I signed up this morning and used it for one search. Right away, $0.01 was generated for my chosen charities and causes. That may not be a lot now but considering that my work relies heavily on research, that will grow over time. Then multiply that with the number of users and you get an idea of how enormous the potential impact of this site is.

As I said, I had a eureka moment after that. Actually, it was more of a "why didn't I think of that" moment. Surely, this is an idea whose time has come. It's about time something else, something more meaningful comes out of using the internet. It has also got me thinking about how else all this internet time can be used for the greater good. I am online every working day for up to 10, sometimes even 12, hours. There is indeed some merit in thinking about other ways to maximize the use and impact of all that internet time.

Sign up to GoodTree now. We can all contribute to saving the world - one click at a time.

This is fun!

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense. NO CHEATING!
4. Tag people to play this game too.

How are you feeling today?
Third Time Lucky - Basia

I have my plans and brave ambition
Knowing no bounds, no inhibitions
And i'm aware there's a lesson in every fall
So next time i'll get closer
		 (…to deadline. Darn it! Hehehe. I'm bursting my own bubble.)             

Will you get far in life?
Let Me Blow Ya Mind  - Eve feat. Gwen Stefani

Now I got my foot through the door
And I aint goin nowhere
It took awhile to get me in
And I'm gonna take my time
Don't fight that good sh** in your ear
Now let me blow ya mind
                (watch out, life, here I come =))

How do your friends see you?
Dream a Dream – Charlotte Church with Billy Gilman

When the night is still
And the sea is calm
Lonely shadow, you fall upon me
Lay by my side
Fear not tonight
Lonely shadow, you'll find a new light
Dream a dream
And see through angel's eyes
A place where we can fly away
                (awww…)

Will you get married?
Happy Ever After – Julia Fordham

So don't ask me why I'm running out of laughter
There's tears in these eyes, not happy ever after.
And I thought it was plain to see
And I thought that maybe you and me
And I thought we'd be happy ever after.
                (well my psychic tita did say marriage was not in my future)

What is your best friend's theme song?
Overjoyed - Jars of Clay

Love is the thing this time I'm sure
That I couldn't need you more now
The way that you saw things were so pure
Overjoyed
                (Oh great! At least somebody's happy)

What is the story of your life?
If You Can't Dance – Will Smith feat Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls

If you can't dance then this is your jam, baby, left to
right all night
Slide that's all you gotta do...

What was high school like?
Sad Eyes – Josh Rouse (Grey's Anatomy soundtrack)

Sudden start
Things are slow
You're watching all these speeding cars
Moving like you wish you could
But oh, it's too bad
Cos they drove away your happiness and good times

But I'm gonna get you into the light
And I'm gonna find a way that is right
And I'm gonna get you into the light
And make it okay
                (darn accurate, I say)            

 
How can you get ahead in life?
Astrogirl - Suede

Between the pages of a dream
And it's calling you
It's calling me
It's calling everyone to be
In a future world with an astrogirl
                (Wow, am I poised for world domination, or something?  Hehehe)

What is the best thing about your friends?
Live it Up – John Legend feat. Miri Ben Ari

Do you remember when times were hard?
Oh so hard
Through it all
We've come so far
Ha-ha ha-ha ooh
So we gotta live it up
So we can just celebrate there's no more pain
Raise your glass and feel no shame
Ha-ha ha-ha ooh
Oh so we gotta live it up
                (so true!)

What is today going to be like?
Runaway - The Dawn

Overcast clouds seen through my window
recalls my younger days
when I would feel so sad and lonely
when the sky is grey
                (but it's sunny!?)

What is in store for this weekend?
Can U Handle It? Usher

Can you handle it
If I go there baby with you
I can handle it
I can go there baby with you
                (Dedicated to all the bar examinees this Sunday. Hihihi)

What song describes you?
At the First Place  (Di Yi Shi Jian) – F4

Jiu suan ni wo zai re nao xuan hua zhong zhou shang
You qing hui di yi shi jian gan lai
Rang tiao ruan de xin pin tang xia lai
Cong xing de hu xi jian dang
Shen shen de man man de
Peng you zhi yao ni bei gu dang ya de jiao bu chu lai
Wo di yi shi jian song chu guan huai
Re re de yan shen pei ni kan kai
Zhao hui na pian da zhi rang
Wei zhe ni bao jin ni xiang xin ni
                (kaya mo yan??? Hehehe. Ito ang literal translation nyan…)
Even if we got separated amongst the gaiety and rush
Friendship will hurry back at the first opportunity
Let a troubled heart quiet down
Start breathing, simple, deeply, and fulfillingly
My friend, when you're weighed down
So much by loneliness
That you can't even call out
I'll send my concern at the first opportunity
The warmth in my eyes will see you through
Seek out that tranquil piece of Nature
For you, Hold you, Believing in you

To describe your grandparents?
Life Support - Hale

Why can't we risk our lives
For something that we can't deny
We try to run from something
We don't know, we don't know
Is this reality?          

How is your life going?
Breaking The Girl – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Twisting and turning
Your feelings are burning
You're breaking the girl
             (Well, this girl doesn't break easily)

What song will they play at your funeral? How does the world see you?
Ultrasound - Sandwich

I will have to let you go
Just to feel you
I will have to let you go
So I can hold you
I will have to let you go
So let me love you
I will have to let you go
Just to be with you
                (Creepy!)

How does the world see you?
Mona Lisas and Madhatters - Mandy Moore

Until you've seen this trash can dream come true,
You stand at the edge, while people run you through.
And I thank the Lord, there's people out there like you
                (Naks.)

Will you have a happy life?
Get Used to This – Cyrena (Centerstage sounstrack)

I never had it this good before
And I think I might like some more
             (Tsk. Tsk. I can't get no satisfaction talaga)        

What do your friends really think of you?
Angel – Sarah Mclachlan

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always one reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
                (Aw schucks)

Do people secretly lust after you?
Agnus Dei – Absent Element (Chris Daughtry's band) cover

Alleluia
For the Lord God Almighty reigns
                (ok, that's either really comforting  or really freaky)

How can I make myself happy?
After the Love Has Gone – Earth Wind and Fire

Somethin happened along the way
What used to be happy was sad
Somethin happened along the way
And yesterday was all we had
And oh after the love has gone
How could you lead me on
And not let me stay around
                (I believe I'm doomed…)

What should you do with your life?
Snakes – Robert Downey, Jr. (Ally McBeal soundtrack)

Give me your body won't you
Give me your sweet soul
Love will you take over our love
Will you take control

Pick a shovel,
Fill my little holes
Drive me to the red line
And climb my iron flagpole
              (Sounds kinky)

Will you ever have children?
Since I Lost My Baby – Angie Stone (Luther Vandross tribute)

Till I find her I'll be trying to
Everyday I'm growing kinder
Tryin' to find her,find her
Inclined to find my baby
I've been looking everywhere
Hey baby I really really care
                (Well, no, I'm not even remotely trying to find the baby.)

it's 5:45 in the morning.

i started my day at this time yesterday. and my day's not even done yet. i have been awake for 24 hours.

in those 24 hours, i was covering a major event, writing and editing articles, and helping prepare a 4-page newsletter, all while coping with a busted knee, for something i don't entirely understand and, which, i think if i did, i won't even believe in.

i think i'm getting my second (or third, fourth...) wind. or maybe i'm just deluding myself. my sleep-deprived mind could be playing tricks on me.

i'm hoping i'd get an epiphany, a moment of clarity - or a brief moment of sanity, at least - an instance when things make sense and my life can seem to mean something more than what it has in the last 24 hours.

minutes before their uber-fun concert last july 28, i went to 'meet and greet' the pussycat dolls. they were all so nice and pretty. nicole (center), the half-filipina pussycat, was hands-down the prettiest and sexiest. then, we had a blast watching their concert - from the front row! thanks to my sister and her awesome company, i am now a certified PCD fan.

it was kinda disturbing to see kids - and i mean kids! - in the audience, though. my brother and i were saying that there should have been an age restriction. but then they would've probably lost one-third - maybe more - of the audience if they did that. and of course, they came with their parents. what has the world come to...

i bet most of the parents only had (have) a vague idea about the pussycat dolls, or (i hope) they wouldn't have allowed their toddlers (yes, toddlers) to see the show.

pcd actually started as a burlesque dance group in an LA night club. they gained quite a following and even headlined at the ceasar's palace in vegas. a couple of years ago, someone had the bright idea to turn them into a singing group. that's when our kababayan nicole scherzinger joined the group. and the rest is pop music history.

but since i am, in fact, old enough to vote (and do most anything else for that matter), i had an awesome time at the concert. contrary to what some people are saying that only nicole can sing, they can all sing well. and boy can they dance. it was entertainment. adult entertainment, i should underscore. mindless but fun.

i left the feminist part of my brain at the door and had a blast.

ah, blogging from home. finally.

i somehow got around to getting our jurassic PC upgraded. i am now the proud owner (yes, owner, because i paid for it) of a brand-spanking new system.

all the old stuff's gone and in its place is a 3.0 ghz Pentium 4 processor, 100 GB of hard drive memory (2 hard disk drives: 20GB from my old PC, and a new 80GB HDD), 512mb ram, and a DVD R/RW.

'course it's DSL-ready but we aren't ready to 'DSL' just yet. more precisely, the person who will pay for the DSL isn't ready to pay for it yet.

it didn't come cheap, mind you. the upgrades cost about the same as an entire low-range system. but no matter, i was totally giddy with excitement when my cousin texted me the stuff he had the shop put in.

see, i've always been fascinated with technology but never had the means or the support to indulge myself.

but now, i can finally afford it...and my entire family suddenly wanted DSL.

i actually started bugging my brother to bring the PC to the shop last year but he never got around to it, even after i reminded him a gazillion times. so when my cousin, who knew the shop owner - whom, by the way, my entire extended family has made very rich as we all get our PCs/upgrades/accessories from him - had lunch at our house on sunday, i didn't let him leave without bringing the computer.

so i finally have a rather sophisticated system that would probably be - at least for the next couple of weeks - a glorified, overpriced typewriter. i had a preview this evening when my dad asked me to print a letterhead for a charity he's involved in.

that's actually one of the downsides of having the PC up and running again. my parents - my dad especially - keep asking me to type stuff up. i hate typing. unless it's to blog, of course. but he and my mom are planning to take adult computer classes the city government is offering for free. i won't believe it til i see it, but i guess i should be grateful they're even considering it.

my officemate maddie asked me why i got a PC with higher specs. what did you plan to do with it, she asked. nothing, i said sheepishly. i just wanted a good system. and i opted for the higher and newer specs so i don't have to change or upgrade so quickly. and one of these days, i'll have to learn photoshop and those other seriously complicated programs so i can seriously practice my photography skills.

all in due time.

for now, i have to settle for dial-up. but i'll be dreaming in technicolor, on a 3.0 ghz processor and 512mb ram.

ASTROGIRL
Suede


A strange relationship has started
A strange relationship indeed
It's like a watercolour forming
Between the pages of a dream

And it's calling you
It's calling me
It's calling everyone to be

In a future world
With an Astrogirl
One on one is all you need

In a future world
With an Astrogirl
One on one is all you need

A strange experience has started
Between her molecules and me
It's like two seas
Between us forming
From obsolete technology

And it's calling you
It's calling me
It's calling everyone to be

In a future world
With an Astrogirl
One on one is all you need

In a future world
With an Astrogirl
The sky goes on and on for you and me
The sky goes on and on for you and me
The sky goes on and on for you and me

In a future world
With an Astrogirl
There'll be no obstacles, you'll see

Cos we'll be making friends with the supermen
The sky goes on and on for you and me
The sky goes on and on for you and me
The sky goes on and on for you and me
The sky goes on and on for you
The sky goes on and on

I resisted getting an iPod for the longest time. I thought it was more status symbol rather than music player. I thought it was overpriced and overrated. And, as usual, the always-have-to-be-different side of me didn't want to get into the bandwagon.

But, alas, it got me at (the nth) hello. Actually, it got me more at "clearance sale" but what the heck.

I was getting tired of always having to change songs in my 1G mp3 player, and of not being able to tweak the settings of the darn thing. So, ok, maybe I should swallow my pride and get me an iPod.

After my disastrous first attempt to get a U2 special edition iPod over ebay.ph (long story, which i will tell some other time...) and getting outbid for a 4G Mini, I had to re-think whether the iPod and I were meant to be.

But my co-worker Jed, a certified, true-blue Mac afficionado, sent me the link to Ynzal, an Apple distributor. They were having a clearance sale of iPod Photos (presumably to make way for the new inventory of video iPods). I could get a 30G iPod Photo for less than the price of a Nano! That was enough to get my shopaholic blood pumping.

As usual though, work got in the way and I just couldn't find the time to go the Ynzal office in QC. But going home Wednesday night I saw a guy carrying a plastic bag with the Ynzal logo, and I was reminded of the iPod I had been wanting to buy. So Thursday morning, I called the Ynzal office and not a moment too soon. There was only one left! I hiked off to Scout Rallos faster than you can say "meant to be" (or as fast as morning rush hour traffic would allow).

I carted away my loot happily. Never mind if I was soaking with sweat and had to walk back to Tomas Morato because there weren't any cabs around. I got my iPod and it was enough even to silence my guilty conscience for playing hooky from work (actually, the guilty conscience lasted about 10 seconds. Hehehe).

Ding-dong. The Anti-iPod witch is dead.

it's finally here!

the package guy just dropped off grey's anatomy season 2 DVD box set, my birthday gift from mommy claudette. (super thanks, mommy c!)

i knew what it was but i still got uber excited when i got it. good thing there weren't any people around my cubicle so they didn't see me doing this silly dance with a stupid grin on my face as i opened the package.

hello, mcdreamy...