My Umbrella... Ella... Ella... Ella

This is a short story about my wonderful umbrella.

I know that talking about a not-so-ordinary, inanimate object is not one of my biggest ideas, but I just love my umbrella. It looks like an ordinary umbrella because it is. The special thing about it is that it absolutely repels water. I don't know about other liquids though. No matter how strong the rain is, just give it a little shake and it's dry.

I bought my umbrella just before the onslaught of Basyang. That would be week or so ago. On that really cloudy day, I wasn't able to bring an umbrella to work simply because I didn't have one. When I got out of the house, there was no rain, it was just cloudy. Half-way to work, it started to drizzle. No challenge there. It was still early so I had my lunch at the mall. (Yes, Lunch. I went to work really late.) When it was time to head to work, it was raining. I decided to wait for the rain to stop but it didn't. I was forced to buy myself an umbrella at the mall. So I bought one. It's water repelling properties great.

I thought it was so at first, since it was new. Next time I used it. It was still repelling water like the big leaf that repels water. I forgot what leaf that is. Then again and again and again.

Earlier this evening on my way home, my umbrella was again tested. Up to now it still amazes me. I got home, and it's even more dry than I am.

Back when I bought it, I thought it was a waste. Now, I'm thinking, it was well worth the 300+ I paid for. So well worth it.

There you have it. A story about a not-so-ordinary, inanimate object that most of you may find... Ordinary.

Star Craft II: Wings of Liberty

A few days ago, I posted the first Star Craft II TV Commercial. The actual release date for the game is in a couple of days, 27 July 2010; 12 years since the first StarCraft game.

Of course many of you already know about the numerous new things about the game like the physics engine, the backgrounds, new buildings, new abilities, and the new units. For the benefit of those who don't know, here are a few of the new units and a very brief description. I will not be going into details though.

New Units for the Zerg. I had to put these guys on the top because for the many times that I have checked the site for their new units, The Zerg were the last to have a complete list.

> Queen - It's not new. It only has a different look. One thing, it no longer flies.

> Baneling - An explosive evolved form of the Zergling.

> Overseer - Evolved Overlord.

> Roach - A quick regenerating, acid spitting slug.

> Infestor - Parasite carriers. Temporarily controls bios.

> Corruptor - Like the infestor, but permanently controls mechs.

> Nydus Worm - They're like a cross between a Nydus Canal and the Sandworms of Dune.

> Brood Lord - Zerg air strike units. Much like the old Guardians.

New Units for the Protoss. Now with stronger shields. At least I think they do.

> Stalker - Much like the Dragoon but can teleport.

> Sentry - Shield generator, illusion generator. Very useful.

> Immortal - Upgraded Dragoons.

> Warp Prism - Transporter and mobile Pylon in one.

> Colossus - A towering robot.

> Phoenix - Replaces the Scouts and Corsairs.

> Void Ray - Like a smaller version of the Empire's Deathstar.

> Mothership - Now this is a Deathstar.

New Terran Units. Meh... They're still pretty human.

> Marauder - Upgraded Firebat.

> Reaper - More like a Marine with jetpacks.

> Hellion - Replaces the Vulture.

> Thor - A big ass unit. Only unit built outside a Factory.

> Viking - Much like the Striker VX/Chopper VX from Red Alert 3.

> Medivac - A Medic and Dropship all in one.

> Raven - Replaces the Science Vessel.

> Banshee - Terran air strike vehicle.

Of course, there are also new buildings, new looks to old units (like the Zerg Queen), and new characters especially for the Terrans. But I'll just leave the game to introduce them to you. I still am waiting for the Protoss-Zerg hybrid that the expansion Brood War hinted on way back when.

RIP OneManga

Timing is everything. When I was just about to do a blog about mangas, this happened. Last night I visited OneManga (OM) and what I read shocked me. Well, maybe shocked is too much of a word. OneManga is a site where I get to read my favorite manga. It's just unfortunate that they have to shut down their manga scan services. This is part of what I read:

"There is an end to everything, to good things as well."

It pains me to announce that this is the last week of manga reading on One Manga (!!). Manga publishers have recently changed their stance on manga scanlations and made it clear that they no longer approve of it. We have decided to abide by their wishes, and remove all manga content (regardless of licensing status) from the site. The removal of content will happen gradually (so you can at least finish some of the outstanding reading you have), but we expect all content to be gone by early next week (RIP OM July 2010).

So what next? We're not really sure at this point, but we have some ideas we would like to try out. Until then, the One Manga forums will remain active and we encourage all of you to continue using them. OMF has developed into a great community and it would be a shame to see that disappear.

Regardless of whether you stay with us or not, on behalf of the One Manga team, I would like to thank you all for your unwavering support over the years. Through the ups and downs you have stuck with us, and that is what kept us going.

As a certain Porky was fond of saying... That's all folks!

So goodbye to OneManga. It's just sad.

Now to look for a different site.

Eau! Mizu!! Agua!!! Tubig!!!!

I remember the last time when the lights went out, candles blazing. Now, water.

Yesterday, the water supply to the area I'm living in got cut. Most likely without any warning or any announcement. Every one in our area didn't know until the supply was cut. I got up pretty early for work so I was still able to do my morning rituals that included water; bath, tooth brushing, and other stuff.

When I got home from work, EGAD! No water. My landlady told me that there was no water supply since morning. Made me thankful that I get up early. Unfortunately,no one knew when the supply was coming back. I wondered why the supply was cut. They say it was because the dam's (supplying our area) water lever was getting low. Just now? When there have been two weeks worth of heavy rains, now of all times? When El Nino was here, the supply wasn't that bad. I guess they just messed something up and are just too embarrassed to admit it.

Anyway. As sticky as I was, (having been to work at a place where inevitable, one would get sticky) I was in dire need of a shower. I decided to check myself in one of the hourly-rate hotels for six hours. Since I got home at 9 o'clock in the evening, I got to the place at around 10. For six hours, I'd be there long enough for a shower, a good night's sleep in an AC room (for the longest time, I was able to watch TV) and another shower before heading back home and get ready for work. All that for just Php 200+. Not bad.

Now for this day. Water supply is back. But just to be sure, I saved up enough water; two days worth. This time I'm ready.

My Top Ten Favorite Movies (to date of course) part 2

This is the second part of my Top 10 favorite movie list.

5. The Boondock Saints. A 1999 crime film. This is about two Irish brothers who accidentally killed a few members of a Russian Mob. After some time, they decided to kill all the wrong doers of Boston. However, they pray over those who they kill or killed. A sequel, The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, was released ten years after. 'In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.'

4. Gorgeous (a.k.a. Maximum Risk in other regions). This is a love story that came out in 1999. Oddly enough, this is Jackie Chan's first full length love story movie. This also stars Shu Qi as his love interest.

3. Crying Freeman. An assassin film released in 1995. It is based on a manga (and an anime adaptation)with the same title. It stars Mark Dacascos as Yoh, the Freeman, an assassin for a secret society called The Sons of the Dragons. Every time he kills, though he does not show any emotion, he sheds tears.

2. Nausica of the Valley of the Wind (Kaze no Tani no Naushika). This is a post-apocalyptic anime film released in 1984. The movie's main concern (and as far as I am concerned) is about the planet's ecological balance. Once disturbed, the consequences are tremendous. Also, this is the very first anime movie that I have seen.

1. Leon: The Professional. This is a hitman movie that came out in 1994. This film starred Jean Reno and a young Natalie Protman. Reno plays a hitman (or a 'cleaner') that takes care of Natalie's character after her family is killed by a corrupt DEA agent.


There you have it. My top ten favorite movies to date. I wonder if some of you would agree to my list.

Shiny Pants

There is this girl from work. I wouldn't call her an office mate or a co-worker. I would assume she works for a different department because she works in an entirely different building as I do.

Now. You might ask why I would write something about her. Is it because of her looks? No. Don't get me wrong, she's a looker. It's because of her pants. Yes, her pants. Each day at the bus stop she comes around wearing her shiny... uhm... glossy pants. The pants have this certain sheen to them. The pants come in different shades, too. Which makes me wonder. Does she have a set of these pants? Probably. How could she have one for each day if she haven't?

Today, however, she wasn't wearing her usual shiny, glossy pants. That's why I noticed. I must've been very observant this morning to notice it. But then again, it is a very noticeable distinction.

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

I just finished watching the first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, the latest series of the Gundam franchise. It was a long episode. Almost an hour long. Like most of the Gundam stories, it's all about war.

The story takes place after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam and before Mobile Suit Gundam F91. That goes without saying that all three belong to the same timeline. Yes, there are NewTypes, Funnels, the Zeon, etc. The main protagonist is a young man named Banagher Links, and pilots the Unicorn Gundam (RX-0 Unicorn).

What's unique about the Unicorn is that it's pure white, unlike the other main Gundams with white, blue, red, and yellow schemes. The Unicorn, however, displays a a yellow and bit of red glow when it enters its NT-D mode (something like the Trans-Am mode in Gundam 00). Even with its plain colors, the MS looks awesome.

RX-0 Unicorn Gundam

RX-0 Unicorn Gundam NT-D Mode

Watch a video of the trailer for Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn below.

If there are problems with the video, click here.

I hope the Gundam fans enjoy watching the series as much as I did (at least for the first episode).

My Top Ten Favorite Movies (to date of course) part 1

Here is a Top Ten list of my favorite movies (to date of course). It might take a while to change the whole list since most of them came out more than a decade ago. Some of you may not agree with the list. I understand. We do have different tastes and preferences.

10. Speed. An appropriate title. The movie came out in 1994. It starred Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock. There are very few movies with almost non-stop action and this is one of them. The sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control came out in 1997 but the boat ride wasn't as exciting as the bus ride.

9. Bad Boys. This is an action film that was released in 1995. It stars Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett, a married, straight edge Miami-Dade cop; Will Smith as Mike Lowrey, a rich boy Miami-Dade cop that doubles as a chic magnet; and Tea Leoni as Julie Mott, a witness to an execution. A sequel, Bad Boys II, came out in 2004. Though the main antagonist of the sequel died with a land mine blowing up on his face, I still liked the first movie better.

8. Pitch Black. This is a science fiction, survival horror film that came out in 2000. This is the only film in this list that came out in the 2000's. It stars Vin Diesel as Richard B. Riddick, a very dangerous criminal who can see in pitch black darkness. A sequel and an animated movie came out in 2004; The Chronicles of Riddick and The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury respectively. Unfortunately, the sequel became more science fiction fantasy and lost its appeal.

7. The Transformers: The Movie. I'm talking about the animated movie way back in 1986 not the Michael Bay films. Sure, Optimus Prime sounds right but the animated movie had a lot more Transformers and lesser humans.

6. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. This is Kevin Costner's portrayal of the prince of thieves. The movie came out in 1991. Believe me, I watched this over and over back then that I almost memorized the dialogues. Hence, I consider this one of my favorites.

Second half of the list comes out on the next post.

Twenty Years Ago...

It was 20 years ago today that the earth shook from under me.

It was a sunny afternoon. The sky was almost clear except for a few clouds. Classes were over early. I believe we were one of the few schools that didn't follow day light savings time.

I suddenly stood up from the porch when the earth started to shake. Weak at first but it intensified. It was so strong that I heard the shelves crashing down from the school library. The ground was shaking so vigorously that I had difficulty standing up. I heard distant screams. I saw Hyatt Terraces Baguio crash down. In a way, it was awesome.

When the tremors stopped, we headed home. There was devastation along the way. The smell of debris, smoke, and death was in the air.

Many died that day. Some survived. It was probably because of fate or luck. Either way, I was one of those who did. And I have been surviving since then.

If It's Jester's Time, It's Jester's Time

I may have delved into the possibilities of parallel worlds. Where different worlds are created due to different choices. Since there have been many choices, almost infinite, then there are infinite number of parallel worlds. However, there is a finite number of worlds that would coincide with certain conditions. Pardon me if i have confused you a little bit.

Let me get straight to the point. The recent typhoon, Basyang (as in Lola Basyang, at least i think so) came not with heavy rains but with strong winds. That was just last night. The winds were howling. I even heard stories of some co-workers whose homes have been de-roofed (did i just coin that word?). Early this morning, i saw the damages. Billboards, trees, and posts were damaged. Thus, the Luzon-wide blackout.

Again, to the point where the typhoon and the parallel worlds meet. I wonder how many ME's no longer exist in the other parallel worlds because of the typhoon. I may never know.

At around thirty minutes after midnight the lights went out. It didn't really bother me because it was a bit cool. But it was too dark and the wind was howling. I got up and lit up a candle, placed it on a plastic holder and placed it on a wooden stool near my bed. I tried going back to sleep but I couldn't because I was sweating a little bit. Yet, I closed my eyes in the hope that i may fall asleep. I occasionally do but keep waking up every fifteen minutes or so. Until at last, I did fall asleep. I woke up at 4AM and saw the plastic candle holder aflame; on a wooden stool and a bottle of alcohol just beside it. For some reason I didn't panic and blew out the flame. I couldn't go back to sleep again.

Then I thought to myself, "What if I didn't wake up to blow out the flame?" The possibilities are many. It could have been disastrous. But fortunately for this world's ME, it was all well.

Now, I wonder how many ME's survived the night...

Crimson Rain (deux)

The bloodstained letter remained in his possession; a reminder of his once cherished love, a love gone but not forgotten. Remembering the past was all that's left for him to do. With the stains of the pain still lingering, he took the bloodstained letter and stared at the portion where his beloved's name used to be. He didn't know his beloved anymore.

He could only recall the blissful times he had with her. He found it strange that he could not remember her face.

Why?

He stands at his doorstep staring at his shack, still damaged from the storm on that sad day. Fixing it would do no good. It might even do more harm. He only looks at it now.

He clenched his fist, crumpling the bloodstained letter as he looked up the sky. Dark clouds formed. The crack of thunder didn't make him flinch. The rain poured down as strong as that faithful day. The wind began to blow. Stretching his clenched fist to the wind, he stared blankly beyond his fist. Slowly, he let go of the bloodstained letter from his grip as the wind blew it away from him. A metaphor of a love that was blown away by sorrow.

With the bloodstained letter out of his sight, he enters his house. Never to be seen or heard from again.

Broke on a Sunday

It's a slow Sunday morning. The excitement from last month has pretty much died down. Again, I stare at nothing. There is nothing to do and I'm pretty much broke. Being broke blows. I can't go out and see a movie or eat out. All I have with me now is my trusty net book and a can of liver spread. Yes, that's how it is today. Liver spread.

I browsed through my old files and old notes and saw a few things worthy of posting. One of which will be at the IONean blog. I also saw a few pictures worthy of slideshowdom (I just invented that word) or at least archiving for future slideshow purposes. If you must know, they're food pictures.

When all things fail, I still have my 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' re-runs and Marvel's 'Secret Invasion' I've been meaning to finish. I might fall asleep with that one. I liked Marvel Zombies better.

Anyway. It's still a long way until the day ends. So good luck to me.

How are Villains Made

In the fantasy world, be it comic book, game, anime, or movie, there are villains. Most of these villains start off as good folk pushed to the ends of their morals by those who they thought were their allies. Of course, some of them are born villains.

However, in the real world, that is not the case. As human beings, we believe that every man is in essense, good. We are all born good, with the capacity to do evil. And our evil tencdencies are triggered by other's evil deeds, usually by someone trusted.

Let's take the example of the Green Goblin for the movie Spider-Man. At the start of the movie, he is, in a way, a good man. He does, however, attend to his work most of the time. Then the board members of the company that he built opted to take him out of the picture. He then takes his 'super soldier formula' and uses it on himself. Thus, transforming him into the Green Goblin. Of course, the comic book story is different but you get the idea.

So do be carefull with how you treat others. You might be planting the seed of hate and turn someone into a villain.