Surface computing has arrived

Have you checked out Microsoft Surface yet? I don't know about you, but I'm very very excited by this.

It basically is a touch-sensitive computer with form factor of a table. Surface can connect with the Zune, your credit card, and your mobile phone. It can act as a concierge, or a trip organizer. Visit the site to learn more and be amazed. I know I was.

Now if only consumer versions would arrive in our country before I have kids...

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Struggle

OMG. This happens to me everytime!

I would turn up the volume of the television, then my family would start talking louder, then I turn up the volume again... Well, you get the drift.

I am such a bad son.

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What's hot according to Google

Today (at least I just discovered it today), Google launched a new service called Hot Trends, which is a part of Google Trends.

It basically lists down the top 100 searches for a certain day. However, it does not list down the top searches per se. According to Google Blog,

Hot Trends aren't the search terms people look for most often -- those are pretty predictable, like [weather] or [games] or perhaps [myspace]. Yes, [sex] too. Instead, the Hot Trends algorithm analyzes millions of searches to find those that are deviating the most relative to their past traffic. And the outcome is the Hot Trends list.

I'm not really sure if this will benefit a lot of users, but hey, it's a pretty nifty service.

Being in the know is hot these days.

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This is me

Or probably not. I'm not really a regular hip-shaking party person, but more of a beach bum. However I really like to drink and have fun with my friends.

This is my Meez animation:

I got the site from chuvaness' blog.

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Zooomr M3

OMG. My favorite photo-sharing site Zooomr is unveiling its much touted Mark III right now, again. Mark III offers numerous features and upgrades to the existing Zooomr Mark II. What I'm most excited about is the Groups and Marketplace, where users can sell their photos. Kristopher Tate is one of heck of a genius.

I'm not sure how long the transition will take, but I hope this time, everything would be running smoothly. I want my Mark III for real goddammit.

Meanwhile, check out the Mark III demo. You can now start drooling.

Zooomr Mark III Launch Demo! from Kristopher on Vimeo

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It's all coming back

How do you feel when you talk to somebody you have loved before?

I cannot actually categorize how I feel. There's this girl who I don't have the guts to speak to after I screwed her up.

And then there's this girl, who told me she did not like me. But now we are talking again. It just makes me really really happy to finally talk to her again.

I thought I was over her, but with these recent talks, I am reminded why I loved her before. She's unpretentious, pretty, and always pleasant to talk to.

The problem is I am afraid to make a move on her, again. I do not want to lose our friendship, but it kills me whenever I have to hold my emotions to myself.

I've already made this mistake of not telling this certain girl how I really felt, and I'm not gonna make the same mistake twice, hopefully. I am afraid of rejection, I am afraid of the consequences. I want the two of us to continually talk, because she makes me happy.

But I am not even sure if she is single. I do not know if she still likes this boy who was the same reason why she told me she did not like me four years ago.

I am not sure if she would like me. Hey, I am not the most gorgeous boy out there. I am not sure if she is ready to be with a man four years her senior.

I am not sure myself.

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The day of almosts and getting tipsy

On Tuesday night, Richard invited me to go bowling the next day. Usually I would have said no, since I live all the way down south and commuting is such a pain in the ass. My friends usually would go swimming or play badminton during the weekends, while I miss out on all the fun because of my geographical handicap. Fortunately, course cards would be distributed the next day so for a change, I will be able to join them.

Early Wednesday morning, I received a message that our grades were not released yet. But what the heck, I was already dressed up and ready to go. I met Richard, Guido, and David at school and after lunch, we made our way to Mall of Asia.

We met Jason and Elvin inside the mall, and proceeded to the bowling alley. Or more appropriately, the still-closed bowling alley. Despite the mini-setback, we were determined to have fun. David had this idea to go ice skating, which he has always wanted to do.

The words ice skating do not ring my ears quite well. Several years ago, I was out ice skating with my high school friends. While they were gliding gracefully around the arena, I was stuck in the corner grabbing the rail for my dear life. I am not good in balancing. I never was. Heck, I don't even know how to ride a bike. But I have to admit it was kinda fun despite not really knowing how to skate. That is, until I fell flat on my back, 2 meters from the exit. Yes, we were on our way out when I suffered that unfortunate fall. I had pain on my neck for a week, and that fall pretty explains why I have a crooked neck.

So we made our way to the ice skating rink only to see a competition was ongoing. Course cards, bowling, ice skating - darn I can see a trend here.

We decided to see a movie instead. I really wanted to see Fracture. Guess what, we were late by ten minutes. Some of us did not like Shrek The Third, so despite Elvin being not too fond of horror, 28 Weeks Later was our best option.

While waiting for the movie, we wasted our time on good ol' Timezone. We played this trivia arcade, in true engineering geeks fashion. Guido won most of the rounds, that lucky bastard. I bought some snacks, and off we went inside the theater.

IMG_1183 Hosted on Zooomr

It was not a bad movie at all, but again like Spiderman 3, I was underwhelmed by the ending. Hey, there's only so much one can do with a main story like that.

After the movie, we exchanged the obligatory zombie jokes. It was too early to have dinner yet, so off we went to Powerbooks. I read some comic books, of course.

IMG_1188 Hosted on Zooomr

David and I seriously looked like fools laughing by ourselves for an hour and a half. Brian met us after, and Guido announced that he will treat us for dinner. Woohoo! The thifty-and-broke-student inside of me wanted to hug him, but fortunately I held back.

After settling inside Gerry's Grill, Guido proceeded to order lots of food. And I mean lots of food. Damn my diet.

They even gave us free crispy pata. Ah, that dinner was heaven. I never really thought we could finish off our food, but my friends are such mean chompers that we eventually did.

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But the best part, for me at least, was the blue margarita. The cheap but lovely blue margarita.

IMG_1193 Hosted on Zooomr

I drank almost half of that collander. And I got tipsy. I never thought I would be tipsy on a Wednesday night from drinking margarita, but I was!

My friends left after dinner, but I decided to stay. I wanted to be sober because I will be commuting, so I needed to detoxify fast. I was walking like a blind penguin, so good thing I was able to reach The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I ordered a mocha latte on the go, and had to struggle to reach the shuttle. Next thing I know, I was five minutes from home.

I changed my clothes, and proceeded to sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling thirsty and dehydrated, with a headache and stomachache to boot. Will someone remind me again why I love drinking alcohol?

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It was my first time.

It's Election time once again in the land of the Philippines. Hence, election-related shows will must dominate the boob tube. At least on our household. You see, my father is a political maniac. Unfortunately, his political addiction is starting to rub on me.

Yesterday was my first time to vote at the age of 20. I'm a late bloomer, I know. It was really hot but we still made our way to the school in our village. Despite cramping my body on a wooden chair designed for Grade One pupils, I was still eager to vote.

But my being a neophyte showed as I asked a ton of questions, and well, for not being able to know what to do next. When they poured the indelible ink on my finger, I was ready to leave without wiping it with the rag. Sorry, but I did not really know.

Indelible ink Hosted on Zooomr

Voting was sweet (hey, it's my first time) and all, but now how do I remove the ink stain?

We then headed over to Dad's to ruin my diet have a post-Mother's Day celebration.

Sis and mom Hosted on Zooomr

Lunch at Dad's for Mother's Day. How ironic. Nothing like Dad's to keep our tummy happy. Think tempura, maki, kani, rib-eye, turkey, blueberry cheesecake, and lechon, and you're all good.

Now I just have to starve myself for the next few days before hitting the pool with my friends right before the first term.

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Emmeline Aglipay: Part 1

I'm not really a political guy, but please vote for DIWA Party List. The main nominee is Atty. Emmeline Y. Aglipay, a DLSU alumna.

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The Temptation got me

I tried to resist, but I had to give in. The Temptation (aka Topman) got me. A quick trip to their Mall of Asia branch and I went home with a polo.

Topman Hosted on Zooomr

Topman polo Hosted on Zooomr

It really was easy to blow money on Topman, especially when it is on sale. The polo originally costs Php1245, which I got for 50% off. This has left me even broke-r than before. I think I need to attend money management classes.

I finally had lunch at Taste Asia, which my favorite blogger Anton raved about. I was expecting to try Asian cuisine but unfortunately, that section was under renovation. There were fresh seafood, which you would personally buy and have it cooked. But I know nothing wet market buying, so I settled with T-bone steak from their Asian Fusion stall, which was basically Kamayan that can be found in every other SM food courts.

Taste Asia was packed by nursing students from nearby schools.

Taste Asia Hosted on Zooomr

I love dining al fresco but the area can be very hot during lunch. The cars passing by and the on-going construction do nothing for the ambiance.

Telecom Hosted on Zooomr

Despite this, I will be back to Taste Asia when the Asian section opens again. Or when I am with someone who actually knows how to pick the best seafood.

Since I'm perpetually in love with the sea, I wanted to check out the boardwalk and have a whiff of sea air blow on my face. Sadly, the Esplanade construction was still ongoing.

Esplanade Construction Hosted on Zooomr

I've been wanting to try this binocular for a while now, but when I finally did, it was not accepting my five peso coin.

View Hosted on Zooomr

Though I didn't get to see the boats and yachts up close, I finally got to see the humongous Spiderman 3 sticker on the IMAX Theater.

Spiderman 3 at the Imax Theater Hosted on Zooomr

The red works well, but I wonder how the black Spiderman would look like.

A photo gallery based on the year's top media photos has been set up inside the main mall. I love that the Mall of Asia has regular exhibits and galleries like this. It gives us mere commoners a chance to appreciate art and culture at a convenient place.

Photo gallery at MoA Hosted on Zooomr

Photo gallery Hosted on Zooomr

Since it was still early, I spent the time going to my usual haunt - Powerbooks. No, I don't really read much books, only comic books. I actually finished half of The Wedding Of Cathy And Irving.

Reading Cathy Hosted on Zooomr

Don't laugh now, but I actually have been reading Cathy since I was young. She's crazy, over-analytical, obsessed, and hilarious. I love her. I didn't really imagine I could relate to a woman, but I vividly remember this strip where she has a problem going to the mall without buying anything. And that is how I am actually feeling the past few months! I have to pass this certain mall everyday in order to get home, and all these little stores are screaming at my wallet.

This summer, I've been specifically buying smoothies on a regular basis, be it at Fuzion or Fruitas. I love the mango banana smoothie of Fruitas. I also tried smoothies from Conlin's and it's really good.

Conlin's Smoothie Hosted on Zooomr

In fact, I've been making my very own mango smoothies at home almost every day. All this talk has made me craving for one right now. I'll make one asap.

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Should I?

My favorite store, Topman, is having its midseason sale from May 11 till the end of the month.

I am still perpetually broke. But Topman offers really amazing apparel. Everything is nice, from the tees, to the shirts and pants, to the ties and cardigans. If there is one place I could shop at, it has to be at Topman.

But it is not cheap, at least not for me. So having sales like this is an opportunity to stock up on their nice clothes.

Should I buy? Should I? What the heck, I'll just take a peek tomorrow.

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The fast few days have been crazy

Well, it's crazy enough for me not to blog for more than a week now. So this entry will be long, and full of random stories.

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April 30, 2007

My professor called off classes today, which left us with a four-day vacation. Great. Just when I was getting the groove of studying again, this had to happen. I hate that.

I woke up late and realize I was alone. My parents must have gone to the mall, leaving me with a few strips of bacon for lunch. I opened up the computer while reading the morning 'paper. The phone rang, and this girl from Citibank was looking for my dad.

Me: Di ko alam kung anung oras sya babalik.
Girl: Sino to?
Me: I'm his son.
Girl: Ilan taon ka na?
Me: 20.
Girl: 20 ka lang? Di nga?
Me: Uhm, oo.
Girl: Meron ka nang credit card?
Me: Yup, HSBC.
Girl: Extension ba yan?
Me: Nope. Ako yung primary.
Girl: Oh. Saan ka nagwowork?
Me: College pa lang ako.
Girl: Talaga? 20?

And then I wondered if I was already that old to be studying. I know I am older than most of my batchmates, but the tone of this girl's voice really left me doubting my studying status.

Girl: Saan ka nagaaral?
Me: Sa La Salle.
Girl: Talaga? Sa Main or sa Benilde?

Ugh. Why does everyone have to ask if I am from DLSU-Manila or from CSB? As in everyone. If I was studying in CSB, I would say so matter-of-factly.

Me: Main.
Girl: Wow. Anung course mo?

And this is when her voice started to sound a bit different.

Me: Engineering.
Girl: Ah. May girlfriend ka na?
Me: Wala pa.
Girl: Talaga? Bakit wala pa?

Now she sounds like a child ready to devour a big fat piece of marshmallow. I gave my usual spiel of why I still do not have a girlfriend, which I have already memorized for convenience.

Our talk shifted from my perpetual single-ness to my bedroom exploits, which is nil, zilch, zero, if you believe me. I would not go into further details so as to salvage the little reputation I have left.

Girl: Anong gusto mong gawin ngayon?

This is the signal for me to hang-up. Even if she sounded pretty AND perky. I still have my dignity.

Feeling weird and bothered and excited, I searched the Internet to find solace. Looks like I am not the only victim of horny sales agents.

Now this experience reminded me of a not-so-nice experience I had only a few weeks ago. I accompanied my mom to Makati, because she does not know how to get there.

As she was being interviewed by sales agents (see any pattern yet?), I stayed in the office's lobby trying to organize my impending beach getaway with my friends.

I was approached by this lanky male who introduced himself. I introduced myself as well and soon, he joined me in the sofa and was asking me questions. When I told him I'm 20, he seems not convinced. Do I not look like 20, I asked myself. And then I delivered my usual spiel about being single and all, heck I just really wanted to be left alone as I have a trip to plan and a non-replying friend who still has not confirmed if he would be joining.

He asked a few more questions, and soon, he was too close for comfort. I am not really a friendly guy and definitely not a touchy-feely person.

Lanky male: May scandal ka ba dyan sa celphone mo?
Me: Wala.
Lanky male: Ow? Patingin nga.
Me: Puro ako lang.
Lanky male: Pwede ko bang makuha ang number mo?

I sat there. Frozen. And shaking. I have never been asked for my number by a fellow male specie in that way. Ten seconds of awkward silence and all I cold mutter was

Me: Secret.

It was stupid. Dumb. Childish. But he left and never looked at me again, obviously embarrassed.

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May 1, 2007

Labor Day. Again, I had no class. But I had to wake up earlier because we're spending the day in Mount Sea Resort together with my relatives from my mom's side. It was a quick hour trip from our house to the resort, which is located in Cavite. Apparently, my relatives did not enjoy our summer trip last year to Virgin Beach Resort. No, not because the place was not nice, but because the trip was long - three and a half hours to be exact - and travelling along rough roads were not their idea of a relaxing summer getaway.

The resort was fairly clean, and best of all cheap. It was not a bad Labor Day trip at all.

I love the sea, and good thing the resort has a nice view of it.

Peaceful Hosted on Zooomr

Being the active family that we are, we played frisbee and volleyball,

Volleyball Hosted on Zooomr

billiards,

Hustler Hosted on Zooomr

rode the slide a few times,

Pose Hosted on Zooomr

and made our way through the obstacle course.

Yeehaa Hosted on Zooomr

I also swam around 20 laps in the pool. I am ecstatic about this, for I have been extremely out of shape lately.

But I made sure I had time to relax, escape from the city, and work on my tan.

Tan Hosted on Zooomr

All the activities and prolonged exposure to the sun left my body beat. Not exactly what I had in mind for a summer getaway. By the time we got back to the city, my brother had this brilliant idea of catching Spiderman 3. How could I resist a free movie?

Despite not being able to walk, my sister, brother, and I went to SM Southmall catch the last full show. I liked the movie, but I hated the ending. It was really underwhelming. It was a really long movie, but I never felt that it was a dragging one. I actually did not feel sleepy, which is unnatural of me, despite the fact that it was already late and my body was screaming to get some rest.

Due to a very bad decision I made, we had to walk to our house after the movie. That was probably the worst torture my body felt. Of course, nothing would ever top my cleaning visits to my dentist, but that is another story. Expectedly, I was a full hour late to my class the next day, which starts at 1030.

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May 4, 2007

We took our second quiz on Engineering Economy today. I was scared of this quiz because a) I did not prepare well, because I was busy looking at my friend's photos from their Puerto Galera trip, which I should have made if I was not taking this stupid summer class, and b) there is this nasty rumor that students who pass this dreaded second quiz can be counted in one hand.

It went well fortunately, but not after I had sweat buckets. The aircon of V501 (or was it V503?) needs to be fixed pronto.

Guilar has linked to my blog and posted this very flattering entry. Thanks for that - it really boosted my confidence. But even better, it reminded me that I still had to submit articles to my organization's newsletter. Check out Guilar's blog.

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May 5, 2007

Jamie left me a comment in my Friendster that she has already received my package. But I already knew that, thanks to Google Checkout's excellent tracking service. That plus the free $10 is great and all, but if only they get more merchants and offer lower standard shipping rates to the Philippines, they would be even better.

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It wasn't crazy at all, was it? It just is a huge relief for me to finally finish this entry I've long wanted to post.

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