Resto by the Highway

When you travel by land, especially to a far-off destination, you take rest stops along the way. This is true when you take long bus trips (at least here in the Philippines). Here are some usual rest stops that a few bus companies frequent. All of them are just along the highway and are easy to get to. These places are of note for one reason or another.

Siesta, Tarlac City, Tarlac - With all my years of travelling, I have set foot here so many times that I've lost count. There are food stalls, a convenience store, a bakery, and a hotel at this particular rest stop. Most of the food stalls are quite like fast food chains and are priced as such. You have to be alert for the announcements for departing buses because with the sheer number of buses that come and go here, you just might miss yours. An alternative rest stop at Tarlac City is Travel Gate located at San Rafael and is also located along the highway.

Good-Ah Victory Liner Bus Stop, Sison, Pangasinan - Long ago this place was not known as Good-Ah. I don't know what it was called back then. How often have I set foot here? I do not know. Probably the same number as I've set foot on Siesta, probably more. Food here is more of the traditional Filipino snack kind. But they do have rice meals.

Partas Bus Lines' rest stop at Sison, Pangasinan - Just located a few meters away from Good-Ah, this is one of my more favorite rest stops. Why? Because as far as I'm concerned, food at their canteen is reasonably priced. They also have a gotohan outside, like Good-Ah, native delicacy shop just up front, and the hotdogs that I seem to not get enough of.

Double Happiness, Lubao, Pampanga - This place is pretty much the same as Siesta. This is just located a few kilometers away from the Genesis rest stop, the rest stop that has nothing to offer. I believe I had an entry about that particular rest stop. (Click here to read the post.) There's another Double Happiness rest stop located at San Miguel, Bulacan.

Travellers' Complex

Travelers' Complex, La Paz, Tarlac - Again, this rest stop is much like Siesta or Double Happiness (because the first time this opened, it was known as Double Happiness). It is, however, smaller. So what is special about this rest stop you might ask. It is because of its clean rest rooms. This rest stop is pretty new after all. Wait 'til gets older.

Hebabil, Somewhere around Nueva Ecija before getting to Sta. Fe (Northbound) - This is not a regular stop for buses heading up North to Cagayan Valley. It is, however, a rest stop for those who make deliveries and those on smaller vehicles because it's conveniently located in the middle of nowhere. It's not as big as the other rest stops, not as clean, and it definitely doesn't have a clean rest room. I believe I have written a blog post about this place on my old and lost blog. The one thing that's unique about this place is its menu. There are only three main ingredients; pork, bangus, and tilapia. And there are only two ways of cooking them; sinigang or fried. And you get to choose which tilapia, or bangus, or cut of pork to use. Then they cook it for you. So you have to wait for your food to get cooked.

CCQ Bus Stop

CCQ, Aritao, Nueva Viscaya - This place is similar to the Partas Bus Lines' rest stop; gotohan, reasonably priced food at the canteen, local delicacies with the addition of local handicrafts, and a pretty decent rest room.

So far, the above mentioned are the rest stops that are worth stopping at or at least getting off the bus for (if you're on a bus). The other stops, since I don't recall them, are not really up to par.

Glassblowing is not a Whore's Job

A friend of mine told me that she's quite biased with my blog entries. She likes my entries funny like the 'Rubber Candy' bit. So I thought, if I observed my surroundings long enough, I might be able to see something funny and worth writing about. So I did. But to no avail. It's not everyday that a kid approaches the condom stand, grabs a pack, and asks his dad if the thing in his hand is candy.

All the observing and waiting made me feel like a stalker, a paparazzi, a traffic cam. I was waiting for disaster to happen. So I thought maybe I time would show me the right event. Instead, I searched my memory for funny events that I have hidden in the dark places of my brain. And I did.

This happened when I was in college. It was almost the end of the semester and everyone in our laboratory class were checking on our borrowed glass ware if everything was still accounted for. Unfortunately for one group, one of their glass wares was damaged. It wasn't a volume sensitive glass ware so it was still repairable. They (they were a couple of ladies by the way) went to the glass blowing shop and asked the custodian to repair it for them. It was an easy fix so the custodian told them to come back at the end of our period.

After a couple of hours, I was at the glass ware counter returning everything that was borrowed. It so happened that the glass ware counter was within earshot of the glass blowing shop. It so happened that it was also time for the two ladies to pick up their glass ware. They asked the custodian, 'Kuya, tapos na ba yun pina-blow job namin sa 'yo?" (Kuya, is the thing we asked you to blow job done?) At that moment, I contained my laughter.

The custodian answered, yes and then he gave them their glass ware. Then, they left. It was only after a few minutes that they noticed that they said something vulgar and started giggling. I'm sure the custodian noticed it as soon as the two ladies did and probably laughed away his embarrassment.

Durarara!!

I just finished watching all 24 episodes of Durarara!!.

It's a very interesting anime. Its a story of how different lives are intertwined, whether you're human or otherwise. There were quite a few characters that it took almost the first half of the series just to show the background story of each one of them. It also has a number of interesting twists. At least it got me hooked enough to marathon the whole thing.

The characters were all different; Celty (the headless rider), Mikado (founder of Dollars), Masaomi (shogun of the Yellow Bandanas), Anri (the Slasher), Izaya (information dealer), Shizou (the strongest of fighter), Simon (Russian Sushi seller), Shinra (underground doctor)... and a whole lot more.

Most of the reviews about Durarara!! around the web say that its predecessor is better, Baccano! I can't tell yet because I haven't seen it, yet.

Next up, search for Baccano!.

Blogging on the Road

There are a couple of perks of mobile blogging. First. You can blog anytime. Second. Anywhere. Your ideas turned into blog entries in an instant. No time-elapsed editions. Trust me that happens to me a lot.

Not having a mobile device for blogging is not a downside for mobile blogging. Nor having short battery life nor limited gadget features. If you don't have the hardware, Mobile blogging just doesn't exist for you.

I originally wrote this entry using my phone while on the bus earlier today. However, the publishing was interrupted by the one and only dreaded downside of mobile blogging. The ERROR screen (or any screen display that says that you have just been disconnected, had connection errors, the page you requested is unavailable, or the like). When that happens, everything that you have painstakingly typed using your cellphone keypad or that tiny QWERTY keyboard is gone for good. Unless you made use a software similar to Notepad then you're still good to go.

It goes without saying that with mobile blogging, it is best that your mobile phone (or any mobile gadget you use for blogging) be equipped with a note taking software. If not, you can always use the text feature (SMS, MMS) of your mobile phone. This would serve as your back up just in case an error in connection would occur.

If in case you still don't have any of the above mentioned, you can always use a voice recorder or good old pen and paper. Then encode your blog once you get a better signal or to an actual computer terminal. However, both of them are still prone to time-elapsed editions. At least you still have your original idea in tact.

As for this blog post, it has already endured 12 hours of time-elapsed edition with no voice recording or pen and paper. I can't even remember some of the lines I originally planned on putting in. Anyway, a post is a post is a post.

--------

N.B. Don't get me wrong. Connection errors also happen even if you're not on mobile blogging but it doesn't happen as often. Plus, there are tons of word processing software to use as back-ups.

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.