I'm going to the WordCamp

I've been blogging for God-knows-how-long.  In the same length of time, I've heard of WordPress.  I never really found out what the big difference is between that and this blog but I've heard that it's the future of blogging.

Maybe I've had enough of free-today-not-so-free-tomorrow blog sites, so I am not going to start learning WordPress.  Luckily, there's this one-day camp organized by the Mindanao Bloggers Forum  that will teach me all about it called WordCamp on 6 September 2008 at the College of St. Benilde, Taft Avenue, Manila.  I'm at zero-level on programming, but hey, I've got to start somewhere, right?



You know the nice thing about this camp?  It's absolutely free, thanks to some generous sponsors:

• i.PH: the Domain for Individuals
• Free Online Flash Games
• Wazzup Manila Philippines
• Real Estate CRM
• Real Estate Website Designers
• Orange County Real Estate
• Auto Insurance Quotes
• Lane Systems Inc.
• RedMedia
• Orange County Business Lawyer

So... see you there? =)K

Watch Simple Plan, Jamie Scott & The Town, and New Found Glory

Get a chance to watch Simple Plan, Jamie Scott & The Town, and New Found Glory all in one night of slammin’ rock ‘n roll at the Araneta Coliseum on August 4, 2008 8:00pm.

Visit TitikPilipino.Com

It's the little things...

Have you ever had that kind of day when you're told you failed one important exam (simply because you just screwed up) right after you took one and before you're to take another one, and you had fever the night before and your head hurts and your ears ring because of the colds but you had to go through a very noisy meeting of people who just had to shout instead of sitting still?  Sounds quite miserable, right?

Yup, that was Friday this week.  To top it all off, the last test -- which was my only Saturday class in a school that takes me 1.5 hours to commute to (one way) -- was postponed (again).

So Saturday evening, I was shaking off concepts in Child and Adolescent Psychology and thinking hard about ways I can prepare for the upcoming deadline for my daughter's tuition installment, I boarded a bus going home.  It was full considering it was the Saturday equivalent of the rush hour (7pm through Quiapo, Centerpoint, Greenhils, etc.) so I braced myself to stand for a good length of the ride.  This elderly couple with two children made room for me. I sat thanking them and soon realized they gave me more than just a seat on this ride.

The couple were obviously the grandparents, because at one point, the Lola asked the girl what her dad's work schedule was, to which she answered singing with "Umaga... mag-exercise tayo tuwing umaga, tuwing umaga, tuwing umaga..."  That brought a smile.  She was humming or singing all her answers.  Obviously, this six-year old was pretty happy about something.

After a while, the baby, who was about 8 months old, became a bit testy and the Lolo, who was holding it, didn't know what to do.  The girl proceeded to nozzle the baby's neck.  It giggled and made other happy noises.  Maybe the girl got tired of reaching over after while, so she simply pointed out to the baby that there was a train (LRT) and the baby made sounds as if to talk about it.  That interaction was so nice to see, and it made me think my own daughter might be the same way to a sibling if she had one.

Later, the Lola told the girl that they weren't sure if the kids wanted to go with them so they were keeping quiet about asking.  She said," Ayaw naming magsalita kasi mahirap na."  The girl's response?  "Ok lang po.  Sanay na kami sa hirap e."  And then she went on singing again.

That hit home.  For a few seconds, I forgot what pained me and just basked in the happy thoughts of a little girl so excited about spending the weekend with her grandparents.  They weren't rich people.  The couple wore faded clothes and their bags were bursting at the seams.  The little girl and the baby were wearing ternos and the girl was wearing dangling earrings that reached her small shoulders.  The contrast apparently didn't matter to little girl.  She was going ro spend the weekend with Lolo and Lola and her little sibling, and that was enough to send her singing her responses to her grannies.

She is right too: focus on the moment, especially if it's very good.  There is still time, I simply should just take it one step at a time though taking care not to lag.  

Step one:  relax.  
Step two:  don't panic.
Step Three:  focus.

Easier said than done, I say...

=)K

Joketime: My Favorite Things for Old People

I got this from an email that said it was Julie Andrews who sang it at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP on her 69th birthday.  A quick google on the subject revealed that this was a hoax though.  In any case, the lyrics are funny.

(Sing It!)
- If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Warning vs Scammer

To all those who may have received the email below, pls note that a quick search on Google shows that the alleged "secretary,"  Mr.Christian Ajai of Cotonou,Benin Republic has been tagged as a scammer.  (See http://www.delphifaq.com/faq/russian_marriage_scams/f1534.shtml?p=193)

Besides, we all know that such amounts could only be in a scam for us poor mortals...

I wonder if Mr. Edwards knows his name is being used...

=)K

original email----------------------------------------------------------

From: "william edward" <williamedward1@gala.net>
Subject: Good news contact my secretary today.


My good friend,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?,I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another foreign partner from Isreal
who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your effort,sincerity,courage
and trust worthiness you showed during the course of the transaction.I have
left a certified international bank cheque worth of $1,200, 000.00 cashable
anywhere in the world for you.

Contact my secretary Mr.Christian Ajai in Cotonou,Benin Republic.His email
address is christianajai3@yahoo.fr he will send the check to you.You should
send him your full Name and telephone number/Your currect mailing address
where you want him to send the cheque to you.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear you.

William Edwards.

Joketime: English...tragically.

I got these pics on my email and the subject header said "made in China." Although I would not say that the Chinese do not know how to speak in english, I would also say that there is a big possibility that there will be those who wouldn't be good at it. Sa dinami ba naman ng mga Intsik e, malamang may magagaling at malamang meron ding banban, devah? In any case, even in a country with English as a second language (like our very own Philippines) we still have people who fall through the cracks... although in China those cracks would be equivalent to canyons considering the size of the population.

Anyway, here are some funny ways of translating public signs... Enjoy!

=)K

CD FEVER : The MOST ADDICTIVE Audio & Video Sale of the Year!

from a mailing list I am a member of:

The MOST ADDICTIVE Audio & Video Sale of the Year!*

*CD FEVER*

Up to **90% OFF** on assorted CDs, VCDs, DVDs and Cassette titles with selected items as low as P5.00 !*

Thousands of titles to choose from with new titles added every week !

Visit us at the 10th floor, 1487 Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City (Smart Wireless Center) on the following dates :

JUNE 13, 20 and 27 (Friday)
JUNE 14, 21 and 28 (Saturday)
JUNE 15 and 29 (Sunday)
JULY 4 and 11 (Friday)
JULY 5 and 12 (Saturday)
JULY 13 (Sunday)


OPEN FROM 10am to 7pm.

* Hurry while stocks are still available !***


--
Jehan Machacon
Music Marketing Manager
Universal Records
Tel # 3739091 loc 119
Mobile # 0922 8845185 / 0919 3968656
www.universalrecords.com.ph

PAWS Animal Shelter Needs Old Newspapers

forwarding this email from the PAWS animal shelter in Katipunan. they take care of stray and abandoned cats and dogs.

At 7 am everyday, Onyok, the caretaker in charge of the Cat Quarantine section at the PAWS Shelter, changes the newspapers lining the cages of the 43 cats and kittens there.

The animals are then fed at 730am

After an hour or so, the newspapers - now drenched with poo or pee - have to be replaced. And replaced again in the afternoon.

Onyok informed us today that the newspapers are fast running out.

If anyone here can donate old newspapers and drop them off at PAWS, we (and Onyok and the cats and kittens in Quarantine) would really appreciate it .

Our address:
PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC)
Aurora Blvd., Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, QC
(map at http://parc.mefindhome. org)
Telefax: 475-1688

Other things badly needed are: ZONROX bleach, powdered detergent and disinfectant (used for cleaning animal areas).

Thank you very much!
-The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

Depression

I presented a report on Depression yesterday.  While I was going through my research and materials, the whole thing was like a case study -- everything was all too familiar.

The symptoms are varied but the most common are those that show a marked delineation from the patient's normal routine.  The patient will go into extremes and abuse his or herself in the process.  For instance, he or she will eat either too much (then gain weight and get more dpressed) or too little (and be malnourished and get sicker).  He or she may also lose a lot of sleep (insomnia) or sleep too much.  He or she will lose interest in many things, even those that were his or her favorites.  On top of those, he or she will also withdraw from everybody and will only connect with someone if forced to.

If the depression gets worse, the patient will spiral into thoughts of death, seeing it as a quick relief from what's causing the depression. Sometimes, the patient may even attempt to commit suicide.

Familiar?  For your sake, I hope these symptoms do not sound familiar.  For those who do, here are some tips on what to do:

1. Reach out.  Sometimes, a short talk or a shoulder to cry on is all that's needed.
2. Be there.  This could be frustrating as the patient would want to be alone.  Some may even get angry at people who only want to help.  If you truly want to help, persevere.
3. If the patient won't talk, let his express in other ways -- drawing, dancing, singing, writing.  Physical activity has an added bonus:  endorphins -- those cute little things our body produces that makes us feel happy.  In sports, it's called an Athlete's Euphoria.
4. If there isn't a desire to express, give the person something he or she likes -- especially his or her favorites.  They may not be expressive in thanks but watch for that smile!
5. Let the patient know he or she is NOT ALONE.  The reason they become depressed may not be apparent but the patient usually sometimes believes he or she is alone in the problem.

Depression is real, yet it is not a sign of personal weakness.  If you see someone depressed do not dismiss him or her.  If you don't care enough to help, you can at least try not to do more damage.

Sigh...

=)K

58th Palanca Awards now accepting entries

Aspiring and established authors alike who wish to share their works toward the development of Philippine Literature may now submit their entries for the 2008 Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

Regarded as the country's most prestigious and longest-running literary contest, the Palanca Awards' search for promising Filipino writers has generated an impressive roster of literary luminaries.

Established in 1950 in honor of Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the competition aims to help develop Philippine Literature by providing incentives for writers to craft their most outstanding literary
works, as well as be a treasury of the Philippines' literary gems.

The literary contest is open to all Filipino (or former Filipino) citizens, except current officers and employees of the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Aspiring writers may submit works under the following eight (8) categories:
Short Story
Short Story for Children
Essay
Poetry
One-act Play
Full-length Play
Screenplay
and Novel.

Each author, however, may submit only one entry per category.

The awards have three divisions – English, Filipino and Regional Languages (Hiligaynon, Iluko and Cebuano). Works may be submitted in either English or Filipino for all categories except Screenplay, which is open only in the Filipino division, while the Regional Languages division is open only in the Short Story category.

This year's theme for the Kabataan Essay, Palanca Awards' special category for young writers below 18 years old, is "A foreign visitor has only one day to spend here in the Philippines. Where should this visitor go that day and why?" for the English division and "May isang dayuhan na isang araw lamang ang ipananatili sa Pilipinas. Saang lugar siya sa araw na iyon dapat pumunta at bakit?" for the Filipino division.

Contest Rules and Official Entry Forms are available at the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., 6th Floor, One World Square Bldg., 10 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.  Deadline of submission of entries for this year's awards is midnight
of April 30, 2008. Winners will be announced on September 01, 2008.

For more information, you may email palancaawards@yahoo.com or call telephone number 856-0808.

Cebu Pacific Customer/Booking Service SUCKS

If you are going to fly anywhere,think twice before you take Cebu Pacific.  Sure, they have the cheapest fares... because they had to scrimp on their services.

For example, their Reservation Hotline is a huge joke.  If you call during the day, you will get nothing but "sorry, all systems are busy now..."  If you call at night, you can get lucky and get a line BUT you have to wait a very long time to get someone to answer your line.  How long is long?  Try an hour.  Yup, 60 full minutes.  You'll hear all their pre-recorded ads at least 5 times.

Oh, and they have a website too.. and it's also a joke.  Try booking and the "Continue" button after you've picked your flights won't work.  So much for online booking.  

If you do get it to work, you better use your ticket because they have fees plus their voucher system goes through that Reservation Hotline (see above) and their refund system takes 30-60 days (empahsis on the 60 days), if you're lucky.  People have complained that they don't get their refunds until at least 6 months later.  If you paid cash, then you can refund faster at the place where you paid for the ticket.  Just brace yourself for the long queue.

One more thing:  Their snacks in flight are NOT FREE.

So, let this be a lesson for the cheapskates out there.  

=)K

a post from Robert Alejandro: Caricature Sessions for Kids

Would you like to help out? Learn a thing or two?
Have your kids join in the fun?

My schedule:

18 April; Friday / 2pm
We'll have the caricature workshop at NORTH CEMETERY
Meeting place is at ATD office (see below).

24 April; Thursday / 2pm
We'll have the caricature workshop at "under the bridge"
Meeting place is at ATD office (see below).


15 May; Thursday / 2pm
We'll have the caricature workshop at Lozada St. Pandacan
Meeting place is at ATD office (see below).

Help us paint a mural!
22 May; Thursday / 2pm
ATD office (see below).

Have a memorable and enjoyable time this summer!

All Together in Dignity (ATD) Fourth World Philippines
http://www.atd-fourthworld.org/
,an international non-profit organization, invites you to join the Festival of Learning and help a child this summer!

What is the Festival of Learning? It is a series of educational activities conducted by ATD every April and May to children living in poor communities in Manila. These activities include storytelling, workshops on arts & crafts, music, dance, writing, and excursion trips to museums, zoos, and art galleries.

How can you help?

* Share your talent for arts & crafts, music, dance, or any skill you wish to teach the children;
* Be a facilitator by helping the children in the different workshops; and
* Sponsor a child. A donation of Two Hundred Pesos (P 200) will provide one child the art materials, transportation fare, snacks, and entrance fee to the museums and excursion trips. The more generous you are, the more children will learn and enjoy the festival.

1) Deposit your donation at any PNB branch under the account name ATD Fourth World Philippines CA 002528302303, PNB Pandacan Branch .

2) Fax the deposit slip at fax number 563.9312 or email it at atdmnl@skyinet.net

Please write your full name, address, email, and contact numbers in the deposit slip. ATD will send you an Official Receipt to acknowledge your donation.

The Festival will start on April 16 and end on May 18. Kindly refer to the schedule below.

For more information, call telephone numbers 563.9312 and +63.928.216.0829 or email atdmnl@skyinet.net. To learn more about ATD Fourth World Philippines, visit our website at http://www.atd-fourthworld.org/


Festival of Learning Schedule 2008

You can choose any date but please confirm by calling the ATD office or sending an email in case there is a change in schedule.


1. North Cemetery, Manila
April 16 -20 (Wednesday – Sunday)
2.30 -5.00 p.m.
Assembly time 2:00 p.m. at ATD office
Outing: National Museum
April 17 (Thursday)
8.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

2. Ilalim ng Tulay, Quirino Avenue, Manila
April 23 -27 (Wednesday – Sunday)
2.30 -5.00 p.m.
Assembly time 2:00 p.m. at ATD office
Outing: The Philippine Science Centrum (Marikina)
April 25 (Friday)
9 a.m. – 12 noon

3. Hilum, Pandacan, Manila
May 7 - 11 (Wednesday – Sunday)
9.00 am – 12 noon
Assembly time 8:30 a.m. at ATD office
Outing: The Philippine Science Centrum (Marikina)
May 9 (Friday)
9 a.m. – 12 noon

4. Lozada, Pandacan, Manila
May 14 -18 (Wednesday – Sunday)
2.30 -5.00 p.m.
Assembly time 2:00 p.m. at ATD office
Outing: Manila Zoo
May 9 (Friday)
9 a.m. – 12 noon

Assembly place:
ATD Fourth World Philippines
1225 Labores Street
Pandacan, Manila
Tel. no.: 563.9312

Directions:
If you are commuting, there are two options, thru the LRT 1 and LRT 2:

I. Take the LRT 1
1) Go down at the Pedro Gil Station.
2) Walk along TaftAve.
3) Turn right at Josefa Llanes Escoda (1st street after the intersection of Pedro Gil and Taft Ave).
4) At Escoda St., go to the jeepney stop along Leon Guinto St. (1st street at Escoda).
5) Take the jeepney (Pandacan). Tell the driver you are going to the Bayan.
6) The jeepney will go to Labores Street.
7) The ATD office (1225 Labores St.) will be at the left side of Labores St. The gate has a painted sign, ATD Fourth Word Philippines.

II. Take the LRT 2
1) Go down at the Pureza Station.
2) At the station, take a jeepney (Rotonda Ilalim/Divisoria/Quiapo). This jeepney will cross the Nagtahan Bridge and turn left at Jesus St.
3) The final stop of the jeepney is right after Caritas along Jesus St. The terminal is a narrow street beside a creek.
4) Walk along Jesus St. until you see a 7-11 convenience store. Turn right at Labores Street.
5) The ATD office (1225 Labores St.) is at the right side of Labores St. coming from Jesus St. The gate has a painted sign, ATD Fourth Word Philippines.

robert a. alejandro art & design
www.raadesign.com

New Amsterdam Preview

This is new series. The stories are similar to your usual cop shows BUT the premise is definitely fantasy. I'm quite happy finding this.

Six epiusodes so far and the show hasn't let me down yet.

=)K

A Writer's Woes

It's quite amazing how some people try to get away with just about anything.

There was this company that got a couple of works of mine to see if I can fit into their organization as a contributor.  This company (in a way) publishes short stories, original works of creative writers.

Of course, I was excited about it.  I finally have a venue for my works and I would get paid for them.  Turns out, it was too good to be true.

When they sent me the contract, they want to own my works and would pay peanuts for them.  Plus, there is a non-compete clause too!

Having been a feature writer, I can understand how publications can own your works -- they did provide the raw material for it and they do pay good money for them  Besides, those features were usually meant for their market so, other than your portfolio, where else can you use them? 

But stories are different.  They're borne out of your creativity.  They have nothing to do with the creative process that gave it reality.  All they did was tell you they need a love story and you send them a draft, end of story. 

So it reall ticks me off that some publications can have the temerity to say they own your creativity and not give you the right to have it published after they have -- e.g. your own anthology, or as a contribution to another anthology.

I'm totally for granting a limited ownership of the pieces -- constrained by time, say a couple of years or something -- or shared ownership (though that could get messy); but definitely not their ownership of my work for eternity.

And that non-compete clause has to go.  If they say I cannot submit the stories I had given them to another publication BEFORE they publish it, I would totally agree.  Since they expressed interest in them, they get first dibs.  But to tell me that I cannot submit my own works to another publication at all -- that's infringing on my livelihood already.  Did they honesty expect me to live on the peanuts they pay for my works?

On top of it all, there is one sad fact:  some writers will still sign a contract like that.  Believe it or not.  Times are hard and we all feel it.  We need to make money out of our own effort and writers write.  For some, it is better than not having their stories paid for at all.

I don't know.  Maybe it's just me, but I think this kind of deal is a form of robbery, and quite the opposite of an equitable business arrangement.

--------- that's it.  rant's over.

=)K