July 2006

Monthly Archive

Outside Comfort Zone

Filed Under Personal

I bet there were countless times that you were put in a situation where you have to decide for the future of your career. I had my share, too. Some of them, I was asked over the bottles of beer, some of them at the office of the VP and some, asked by my immediate superior or by my manager. Mostly, the question is whether your are willing to take a larger responsibility and sometimes, it is about whether you like to change the course of your career. And I don’t know why but it always happen when I already feel comfortable with what I’m currently doing.
When you are already at-eased with your current job and feeling secured, it is very easy to take the offer. It really seems easy to say NO, I DON’T WANT A BIGGER HEADACHE. But when you come to think of it, how would you grow if you are not willing to challenge yourself. How would you know that you can or can’t do something if you haven’t tried it. How can you spice up your career if you are too comfortable with your job and you already feel bored with what you are doing. You have to dare yourself. You have to go out of your shell, your COMFORT ZONE, and take the on the world around you.
You see, the past seven months has been very fast for me. I took one larger role after the other and before I totally become at eased with what I’m doing, I am assigned more responsibilities. The sad part is that, I don’t feel it’s not because I’m good or I do my job well but because of necessity. My managers and colleagues may dispute that but whatever the reason be, I just consider it as another challenge and that after sometime, I’ll get used to it as what what happened in the past.Besides, if you really want to get to places you’ve never been before you need to be willing to do things you’ve never done before. This sometimes means leaving one’s comfort zone and knuckling down for some hard work.

So I’ll just live with that motto since I also believe that a responsibility and chance will not be given if I do not deserve it. Also, I think it is high time to take greater role. I forgot that I’m no longer young and I can’t stay forever on my current position. I must take the challenge of carrying some more as long as I feel that I can handle it. With God’s help and guidance, I know I can. So, wish me luck and as always, pray for me.

Bullied by MMDA Personnel

Filed Under General Nonsense

I got apprehended yesterday by the MMDA at the corner of Aurora Blvd and EDSA. I came from E. Rodriguez Ave then to Aurora Blvd and wanted to turn right to EDSA going back to Makati. I don’t exactly know why I got apprehended yesterday because I’ve been using that route for so long. I was told that I can only turn right in that area if I came from Aurora Blvd but since I came from E. Rod, I violated the lane .
WTF!!!!!! You can’t even see the worn-out lanes in that area! The harebrained MMDA ‘traffic enforcer’ advised me that I should have crossed EDSA then turned right to Araneta Center and the right again to P. Tuazon and finally left to EDSA. Wow!!! What a damn bright idea, huh?!?! That would have caused me another 30 minutes in Cubao and at least a liter of gasoline! I just can’t believe it!
But since I’m already starving to death at that time since I haven’t had a breakfast, I was forced to bribe the MMDA bastard. And what’s more?!? I think I’m too hungry already that I forgot that I have a callling card of a Malacanang officer(at the office of the Executive Secretary) which could have saved my bribe money! Aaarrgh!
I think that was the second time I wasn’t able to use connections. I’m just not used to using other person’s name to my personal advantage. Oh yeah, I should have not bribed that lunatic but hey, he’ll get my license and how then can I drive?
Now, feeling duped, I called MMDA hotline to check whether there really is a lane violation rule in that area. Damn!!!! I should have not called because I wast told that it’s completely legal to turn right in that area! I just then told the customer service that I was just apprehended by some morons in the corner of Aurora blvd and EDSA. Now, I really felt fooled! Hmnnn… let’s see. I’ll email Bayani Fernando about this. I already received a lot of bad stories about those corrupt enforcers. I just hope BF kick their butt out!

Five Years: Walang Umay!!!

Filed Under Personal

It’s almost end of July 2006 already and I didn’t realized that I’m already spent five years on my current employer. Five Years!!!!! I still feel as if I’m new because everyday, I find something new. I still find that there’s a lot of things to learn and I think that’s what keeps me here. The challenge is unrellenting but however hard they are, it adds spice to my job. On every feat and failure, on every ups and downs, I always find something that will make me do my job better… do my responsibilities with more passion… and hopefully, make me a better man.

The company has operated for ten years in the country and still counting. I spent the last five years with them and also, still counting. :) Though I tried to leave the company early in the year (due to exhaustion and all), my managers managed to persuade me. And though renewing my allegiance to the company resulted to more work and responsibility, it also made me look at my career at a better way. With that said, I think I’ll be staying for at least a year more.

Technically speaking, I’m with the company for five years and 20 days to this day and this post must have been published last July 2 and I simply forgot about it. ha-ha!

United Airsoft Alliance

Filed Under Hobby

Latety, a new organization of airsoft hobbyist was formed. I liked the idea because it wishes to unite the airsoft community in the country. You may not know it but there’s a huge number of airsoft hobbyists in the Philippines today and there’s currently no unifying organization that represents them until UAA came. Finally, the quest for government accreditation is becoming clearer.

UAA is actually a non-governing body but a representative and broad-based organization of airsoft hobbyists. It is non-governing because teams lonewolves will still maintain freedom, identity and autonomony. The only limiting factor is that members must adhere to the Code of Ethics of the alliance. Here’s some quote of the UAA’s code of ethics…

we are a small group of individuals. but all great things begin with little people with great big dreams. we dream of making history for airsoft by uniting teams and lonewolves, hi-end and ACM, and all regional and provincial teams and individuals, with a common voice.

We used the word “united” because this is an effort to unify both hi-end and ACM players, as well as lonewolves and teams. The term “alliance” was coined to denote the freedom of individual members within a non-governing organization, while adhering to a concrete set of principles.

We denounce high velocity guns which serve no other purpose than to injure other players, provided that the use of specialized high powered guns are left to the individual conscience and responsibility of the users thereof.

More of it can be found at http://uaaph.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=2

The team I belong to, TeamCobra, is already a member of the alliance and I’m happy to be part of it. It is still on its infancy but their intention and motive is clean and I believe them. I’m looking for more fun and responsible airsofting.

I’m also glad and honored to be part of the developers of UAA’s website. It has been a great learning experience for me. TeamCobra sponsored the site. :)
Goodluck to UAA and to all Filipino airsofters!

Ubuntu: Why the World Don’t Need Windows

Filed Under Technology

Oh yes, I got the title from the latest Superman movie, Superman Returns.

It has been two weeks, I’ve been using Ubuntu Linux on my machine. For average user like me, it’s not really easy to migrate. I’ve been using Microsoft products since I got hold of computers a decade ago and I must say that they are great! When Windows95 came in, it was a blast! And their Office suite has brought in more productivity to our workers. Microsoft has given us great computer tools that we can never deny has helped us in many ways. But through the years, with all the ‘THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH’ instances, the viruses and the exhorbitant prices of licenses(that led us to resort on pirated copies of MS softwares), comes LINUX!

Linux isn’t new. I can still remember during college days the pain on typing all the commands in the terminal window. Not like the Windows we were used to. As a beginner that time, it is just too overwhelmingly technical for me and my friends. And after that brief encounter, I forget about it. It was just too convenient for me to stay with Windows. There’s games, Office(R), Visual Basic, and a tons and tons of softwares. Add to that, drivers for hardware isn’t readily available back in the old days.

But when I tried Ubuntu, I was shocked! It was so easy to install and it was miles away from the old RedHat I tried years ago. All my hardwares are detected and drivers are automatically installed properly. That includes my NU DVD Combo Drive, the old but trusty ASUS CD Writer, my on-board sound card, LAN card, and my new ATI Radeon 9200 video card. Wow! When I installed XP on this machine, I have to install the drivers for those. No headaches, really!

And then some more… the softwares….

  • OpenOffice Suite (linux counterpart of MS Office)
  • GAIM Internet Messenger (the only software you need to use YM, AIM, MSN, etc)
  • FireFox Browser
  • gFTP (FTP Client)
  • GIMP Image Editor (alternative to Photoshop)
  • SCREEM Code editor (For PHP, HTML, XML,XSL, etc programming)
  • Movie Player
  • Music Player
  • Thunderbird and Evolution Email Client Softwares (alternative to Outlook)
  • Games (well, not the warcraft or anything but tetris, snake and the likes)
  • and a lot more.. ALL FOR FREE!!

Maybe we really need Windows but that’s because the computer industry has been very centric to Microsoft products since the early nineties. Maybe we still need Windows because most of our applications specially legacy apps are written specifically for Windows. Games are still created for Windows. But slowly and surely, it is beginning to change. With the advent of Web 2.0, availability of broadband internet, free and open source softwares and a lot more new technologies, it is beginning to change.

For me, I consider migrating to Ubuntu Linux as a big step. It creates a good feeling that you no longer uses pirated software. When I use my computer, that voice that tells me ‘Hey, you are stealing somebody’s property’ is gone. But then again, that’s just me. It must be noted that one of the reasons I moved is that Ubuntu can provide what I need at no cost at all. I wouldn’t advise you to move as I do. We might have different needs and Ubuntu may not really be for you. What I can tell you is that it’s worth trying. I did and I liked it! But then again, that’s just me. :)

PACMAN vs CHOLOLO : Gentlemen of the Ring

Filed Under General Nonsense

The Filipino community has something to be proud of again with the win of Manny Pacquiao over Oscar Larios this morning. Add to that are the three undercards won by fellow Filipinos Gerry Peñalosa, Jimrex Jaca and Czar Amonsot.

The main bout was highly controlled by Manny in all twelve rounds but third when he was hurt by Larios. Had Chololo been a better fighter, Manny may have been knocked-out in that round. It was really obvious that he got hurt there and he acknowledged it in an interview after the fight. Though he said it wasn’t serious, I think he was almost knocked-out there. But we have to credit the man for great moves there and being able to get out of that situation before anything untoward happen.

As always, PacMan has shown us his wits and power in the ring. He was fast and powerful. I was actually surprised that Chololo stood there up to the end of the bout. PacMan on the otherhand, did what he do best. He has thrown punches as he liked and landed them very well. Obviously, the speed and power of Manny is just too much for Oscar. Punches from Pacquiao is coming from everywhere. There was even a hook punch that landed directly on Lario’s face.

But I didn’t see the Manny I watched fighting Morales. The intensity isn’t there all the time. It may be a strategy since he is controlling the fight, anyways. It was a defensive tactic so that a lucky punch from Larios will not hit him. If you look at it, it was a show of respect on part of Manny for Larios. It was an admission that Larios is also a good fighter.

Chololo earned the respect of many Filipinos, including me. Thanks to ABS-CBN Sports on their coverage, we were able to have a glimpse of his personal life. A family man and coming from a poor family, his fate is almost the same as that of Manny. It was the biggest fight of his life and I hope his career doesn’t end here. He has proven something on this fight and I firmly believe that had he got a better trainer on his side, he’ll reach stardom. And I wish him luck, really.

Overall, it was a good fight. Not that great but it’s nevertheless good. The two men showed respect to each other. They were really sport and they fought well. The bad side is that many politicians are now starting to ride again with the win of Manny. Well, that’s Philippine politics. (But it sometimes hurt when you know that a third of your salary goes to them–taxes, baby!)

I just hope Manny will be in better shape when he steps the ring on his rubber match with Erik Morales. It will be yet another great brawl between two well-behaved and scientific boxers.

Superman Returns : Love Story?

Filed Under Movies/Books

I watched the new Superman movie last night. It was a good one. It’s not just because I’m a Superman fan but because it is a fine movie. I particularly liked the new custume used. It is made of new materials and cape is no longer like a piece of cloth draped on his back. It’s now more like a leather or spandex or something that makes its form steady. And thanks to the new technologies available to our movie makers today, the ’save-the-earth’ sequences are justified. They made it believable.

And yes, they had a great cast. Brandon Routh has done well in portraying Superman. Actually, he looks like Christoper Reeves. I didn’t expect that because about two or three years ago when it was announced that he’ll do the job, I can’t find the similarity between him and Reeves except for the clef chin. Kevin Spacey, on the otherhand is of course always at his best. Kate Bosworth is a bomb. She’s beautiful, sexy and all. She has done a very fine job in playing the role of Lois Lane. All the other supporting charaters did their part very well, too.

However, I feel that the movie lacks action sequences. Actually, it focused more on the love story of Lois and Superman. Though it has always been like that in the old Superman movies, I still didn’t expect that a good percentage of the movie is focused on their love story. I felt like I’m watching a ‘date movie’ or something. And with Lex Luthor, I thought he was an intelligent man. This time, he acts like a moron, a lunatic. Not exactly an intellectual person I got used to with Smallville. The prison sentence may have screwed his mind.

But there’s one interesting item that I liked in this movie. It’s something that you have to find out later when you watch it. Hmnnn… I didn’t know they did that!

Overall, it was a great movie though it wasn’t really what I expected. That’s a bad on my part since I always tell myself not to connect movies with its comic or TV series. That’s what I do when I watch XMEN movies and I really enjoyed them so much! I felt that this movie is a new beginning of a series. It’s more of a teaser for something big that will come later. So if you haven’t seen the movie yet, just go enter the movie house without expectations. At the end, I still recommend watching SUPERMAN RETURNS.