Back in the early 90's, a silent war was being waged. It was the battle of two epic forces... and then Sony came into the picture and nearly wiped out both Nintendo and Sega (luckily Nintendo had Pikachu and Sega had... nothing).
In 2008, we will witness the apocalypse: Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Too Busy to Post!
So I'll leave with you with someone else's rantings: Why the commercial ebook market is broken.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
TMNT Fanboy Rantings
No, haven't seen the movie yet. It's due out tomorrow where I'm from. But boy are you old when you remember Vanilla Ice singing "Go ninja go ninja go! Ninja, ninja rap!"
Friday, March 23, 2007
Formal Education as a Self-Perpetuating Institution
I have one big problem with formal education (i.e. schools). It's not in the education itself (although that one has its own set of problems) but rather in how people tend to over-estimate its value.
It's quite simple really. In terms of the job market, what's the first thing that employers screen for in applicants? Unfortunately it's usually the diploma, the school where he graduated from, and/or his education attainment. It's a starting place, mind you, but there's a tendency to base majority of your decision based on those facts.
I like a meritocracy, even if that's not necessarily the fact of life in the real world. The problem with basing hiring policy on diploma alone is that it is limited. I mean there's probably great, talented programmers out there who don't have a degree in Computer Science (they're self-taught). And there are probably designers out there who don't necessarily have the educational background of their preferred field but had informal ways of nurturing their craft.
But the fact of the matter is, some people base their decisions in diploma alone. And it's a perpetuating cycle. Ateneans for example will have a preference for Ateneans. Sometimes the reasoning isn't necessarily because of their education but because of the kinship one feels for them -- he/she came from my alma matter.
The current structure of schools isn't designed to innovate but is rather similar to the current structure of government: it's there to last, to resist change, to maintain the status quo. And it does it quite well. What's shocking is that people aren't aware of it, or don't want to see it.
I'm not against formal education mind you--I'm a product of that system (and I excelled in it). I just want to point out its limits and how many fail to see this uncomfortable truth. One shouldn't underestimate informal education however.
It's quite simple really. In terms of the job market, what's the first thing that employers screen for in applicants? Unfortunately it's usually the diploma, the school where he graduated from, and/or his education attainment. It's a starting place, mind you, but there's a tendency to base majority of your decision based on those facts.
I like a meritocracy, even if that's not necessarily the fact of life in the real world. The problem with basing hiring policy on diploma alone is that it is limited. I mean there's probably great, talented programmers out there who don't have a degree in Computer Science (they're self-taught). And there are probably designers out there who don't necessarily have the educational background of their preferred field but had informal ways of nurturing their craft.
But the fact of the matter is, some people base their decisions in diploma alone. And it's a perpetuating cycle. Ateneans for example will have a preference for Ateneans. Sometimes the reasoning isn't necessarily because of their education but because of the kinship one feels for them -- he/she came from my alma matter.
The current structure of schools isn't designed to innovate but is rather similar to the current structure of government: it's there to last, to resist change, to maintain the status quo. And it does it quite well. What's shocking is that people aren't aware of it, or don't want to see it.
I'm not against formal education mind you--I'm a product of that system (and I excelled in it). I just want to point out its limits and how many fail to see this uncomfortable truth. One shouldn't underestimate informal education however.
Think You Have the Skills?
Microsoft Interview Questions
Some questions make me scratch my head for a long time (especially the riddles). Others come more easily.
Some questions make me scratch my head for a long time (especially the riddles). Others come more easily.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Manga Review: The Drifting Classroom Vol. 1-4 by Kazuo Umezu
Modern-day manga readers will probably recognize the name Junji Ito when it comes to horror manga. Before him however came Kazuo Umezu and while he isn't an Osamu Tezuka, he does come quite close.
The Drifting Classroom is one of Umezu's epics and is loosely based on the concept of Lord of the Flies. An entire school is transported into a post-apocalyptic world where survival becomes a real dilemma.
Umezu's art is characteristic of the era he was in (and clearly marking Tezuka as one of his peers). Still, there's a variety of emotions and creatures present, and just as well considering the scope of the series.
The story might have been cutting edge for its time but compared to the current artists/writers, The Drifting Classroom may fall flat. Ito is clearly Umezu's successor but that doesn't mean this manga doesn't have value. The story seems contrived at times but it is nonetheless compelling. The horror of this title is both from the internal and external factors which Umezu manages to pull off.
Accompanying the first volume of the series is a brief biography and bibliography of Umezu and how he is easily one of Japan's manga pioneers, giving the title additional value for would-be manga scholars.
I doubt the series will latch on to modern-day readers as the writing and the art is clearly dated. If you're looking for cutting edge material, you're reading this three decades too late. Still, if you want a look back at what's been done before, The Drifting Classroom is easily a classic.
Rating: 3/5.
Manga Review: The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Vol. 1 & 2 by Eiji Ohtsuka and Housui Yamazaki
I heard great reviews about the series on the Internet so I gave it a try. Perhaps the most notable aspect about the manga is the book design and packaging which Dark Horse thankfully retained. Another thing that surprised me was that Carl Gustav Horn was involved with the translations as he's usually affiliated with Viz rather than Dark Horse. There's even a detailed explanation of Japanese sound effects and language at the end. Suffice to say, this title easily has one of the best production values of any English-translated manga.
The title is labeled as horror although it reads more like an adventure for me. The premise is simple yet original: a group is paid for fulfilling the last wishes of corpses, typically burying them in a designated area. What's going for the book is its interesting team dynamic: each member has a unique ability that is vital to the team which reminds of Tantei Gakuen Q. No one is dead weight, each person fulfilling a special role (although of course not everyone gets the spotlight all the time).
Volume 1 introduces us to the premise and the characters. If I were to be honest, it was a mediocre read. Mildly interesting but nothing that kept me hooked. It's just a bunch of self-contained stories that introduces us to the characters and the group. I'm glad I picked up volume 2 however because this is where the story picks up. We have one story arc which pushes the concept of The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service and it all gets resolved in one volume!
The art is okay, nothing to rave about yet nothing to complain either. Nothing off the top, nothing too goofy, yet serious and detailed when it needs to be. Because of the nature of the series, it's not for the squeamish, although I've probably seen more disgusting stuff from titles like Blade of the Immortal.
I'm honestly eager for the next volume (which should technically be out this week) and the manga is somewhere in between pop titles like Naruto and Viz's Signature titles like Monster. It has its light moments yet is able to delve into serious moments, but there's similarly nothing screaming out "you must read this" either unless the concept or the characters attract you. Still, it's relatively easy to get into and so far hasn't been drowned in webs of story arcs that never end.
Rating: 4/5.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Herbivore by Day, Carnivore by Night
In the rare times that I do have lunch at work, I usually go for the veggies. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of options for me. In my area, I usually go for KFC's Asian salad (the irony of buying salad from a chicken restaurant) or the more expensive Ceasar's Salad from Sicilian (an Italian restaurant near our offices). Rarely, I go to McDonalds (yes, they have salads!). Recently, Wendy's opened in our building so I have accessible albeit expensive salad a few minutes away.
When I get home, however, out goes the veggies, in goes the meat. Last week I came home to a fat, juicy steak and then more steak in the next few days.
There's also tasty, juicy, human flesh. Human flesh...mmm...
When I get home, however, out goes the veggies, in goes the meat. Last week I came home to a fat, juicy steak and then more steak in the next few days.
There's also tasty, juicy, human flesh. Human flesh...mmm...
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
From General to Specific
One advice to writers is that there are no new stories -- that we're simply retelling the same tale. Then there's the recent (as much as more than a decade can be called "recent") rise of fan fiction, challenging that adage even more. So are writers, in the end, merely ripping off each other? Or has the human race truly exhausted all the stories that can be told?
I should think not or else people will stop reading new books and simply stick to the "classics". But how can we reconcile the fact that many stories are similar, either in plot, in concept, in the names of their characters, and such?
I don't have all the answers and there's probably more than one. Here's my take on it, however. It's simple really: we move from the general to the specific.
For example, we have the basic story of boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy runs into conflict with girl, and then either boy doesn't end up with girl or he ends up with girl. It's a basic plot that has been done over and over again. What a storyteller does, however, makes the story more specific. What is the name of the boy? Of the girl? Where does the story take place? When? Even why. What does the boy look like? What does the girl look like? In what form does the conflict appear? Who is the boy's relatives and friends? What is his social status? Etc. Merely supplying these details doesn't give you a story but it starts you on the road. The characters get fleshed out, the story gains more texture. It's not simply boy meets girl, it's Carlos Ku meeting Jane Aquino in Starbucks on Halloween and Carlos is in costume while Jane is manning the cash register. My story might be well written or it might be not but there is a transition when it comes to the act of writing, from a general story to a specific event or narrative.
Another example is when we deal with characters (and characters don't have to be people... it can be an event such as 9/11 or a place we all know or recognize, such as The Bermuda Triangle or The Great Wall of China) that people think they're familiar with: it could be an entity from history, a character from myth, or simply works that are now public domain. When I mention the name Hercules, everyone has this image of a strong, muscular man who is the son of Zeus. However, the Hercules from the Disney film is different from the Hercules portrayed by Kevin Sorbo. And they're similarly different from the actual Greek text where Hercules was based from. Kevin Sorbo's Hercules might be more amiable. Disney's Hercules has an antagonistic relationship with Hades. The Greeks's Hercules is flat-out dumb and simple-minded (although he is not without cunning). There are differences between all three Hercules which sets them apart, even if they begin on the same foundation or concept. In fantasy, there are dozens of Arthurian stories (to the point that it has its own sub-genre). But T.H. White's portrayal of King Arthur is different from Marrion Zimmer Bradley's portrayal of the same character. Each will have their own backstory, their own complex network of relationships, their own motivations, their own unique voices. They all might share the same name, the same set of friends, even the same backdrop, yet the reader knows it's as different as they are similar.
And then there's fan-fiction. The concept of fan-fiction isn't new. In fact, it's always been happening: from certain TV episodes we watch to comics we read to books written by different authors yet contained in the same world. Star Trek, for example, was created by Gene Roddenberry yet a lot of people have contributed to the mythos. What makes it different, however, from the fan-fiction we see published on the Internet are two things: 1) First is permission from the owner. Even in today's modern world, the concept of property extending to intangible objects (such as ideas and stories) is incomprehensible to some (because you can't hold it, you can't feel it, you can't grasp it) but it's a reality. It's a law for you to steal my car so why should stealing characters be any different? 2) The second would be respect for the material. True, there are some fan-fiction out there that does respect the canon (in the sense that they are faithful in characterization and plot) but a lot of fan-fiction out there "bends" the characters or situations to suit the author's ends rather than what the original plot or character dictates. Technically of course, you can simply get away with 1) and just because you have 2) doesn't necessarily mean it's not fan-fiction.
The thing with fan-fiction, however, is that it's not simply re-imagining the characters: you're taking a set of specific details which a previous writer owns and using it as your plaything. Of course it's not always as clear-cut as that as is the case of works that have been relegated to public domain. Sherlock Holmes and Chtullu for example have been re-imagined a lot of times even if they were originally the creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft respectively. But in the end, it boils down to property and I as a writer don't feel it's right to steal another writer's creation, any more than I would steal the wallet of the guy sitting beside me.
Of course that is to say the craft of fan-fiction writing is not without its merits. A person who manages to pull off 2) for example should be applauded (assuming he or she wrote a great story) because writing such a story is both easier and difficult at the same time. Easier because a lot of the backstory has been done for you, harder because it's already been done for you. One can't kill character X arbritrarily, nor could you make this character do this and that if it was uncharacteristic of them to do so. Another merit is the fact that good writing (the technical skill) is good writing, even if it is unoriginal. (Just because you can write well, however, doesn't necessarily mean that you've come up with a good story.)
A writer, however, always thinks of the question "what if?" In that sense, fan-fiction is a healthy exercise since it requires you to go beyond expectations, to stretch your limits. Publishing fan-fiction, on the other hand, is different. Just because I ponder the methods of how I can rob a bank doesn't mean it is actually ethical of me to do so. And perhaps Brian K Vaughan said it best: "...as a writer you have to give back and write at least one original story for every piece of fan-fiction."
So, if you think there are essentially no new stories to tell, that's not quite accurate. There are infinite possibilities with every story and you as a writer actualizes one of them. You have your own voice, your own way of making the transition from general to specific.
I should think not or else people will stop reading new books and simply stick to the "classics". But how can we reconcile the fact that many stories are similar, either in plot, in concept, in the names of their characters, and such?
I don't have all the answers and there's probably more than one. Here's my take on it, however. It's simple really: we move from the general to the specific.
For example, we have the basic story of boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy runs into conflict with girl, and then either boy doesn't end up with girl or he ends up with girl. It's a basic plot that has been done over and over again. What a storyteller does, however, makes the story more specific. What is the name of the boy? Of the girl? Where does the story take place? When? Even why. What does the boy look like? What does the girl look like? In what form does the conflict appear? Who is the boy's relatives and friends? What is his social status? Etc. Merely supplying these details doesn't give you a story but it starts you on the road. The characters get fleshed out, the story gains more texture. It's not simply boy meets girl, it's Carlos Ku meeting Jane Aquino in Starbucks on Halloween and Carlos is in costume while Jane is manning the cash register. My story might be well written or it might be not but there is a transition when it comes to the act of writing, from a general story to a specific event or narrative.
Another example is when we deal with characters (and characters don't have to be people... it can be an event such as 9/11 or a place we all know or recognize, such as The Bermuda Triangle or The Great Wall of China) that people think they're familiar with: it could be an entity from history, a character from myth, or simply works that are now public domain. When I mention the name Hercules, everyone has this image of a strong, muscular man who is the son of Zeus. However, the Hercules from the Disney film is different from the Hercules portrayed by Kevin Sorbo. And they're similarly different from the actual Greek text where Hercules was based from. Kevin Sorbo's Hercules might be more amiable. Disney's Hercules has an antagonistic relationship with Hades. The Greeks's Hercules is flat-out dumb and simple-minded (although he is not without cunning). There are differences between all three Hercules which sets them apart, even if they begin on the same foundation or concept. In fantasy, there are dozens of Arthurian stories (to the point that it has its own sub-genre). But T.H. White's portrayal of King Arthur is different from Marrion Zimmer Bradley's portrayal of the same character. Each will have their own backstory, their own complex network of relationships, their own motivations, their own unique voices. They all might share the same name, the same set of friends, even the same backdrop, yet the reader knows it's as different as they are similar.
And then there's fan-fiction. The concept of fan-fiction isn't new. In fact, it's always been happening: from certain TV episodes we watch to comics we read to books written by different authors yet contained in the same world. Star Trek, for example, was created by Gene Roddenberry yet a lot of people have contributed to the mythos. What makes it different, however, from the fan-fiction we see published on the Internet are two things: 1) First is permission from the owner. Even in today's modern world, the concept of property extending to intangible objects (such as ideas and stories) is incomprehensible to some (because you can't hold it, you can't feel it, you can't grasp it) but it's a reality. It's a law for you to steal my car so why should stealing characters be any different? 2) The second would be respect for the material. True, there are some fan-fiction out there that does respect the canon (in the sense that they are faithful in characterization and plot) but a lot of fan-fiction out there "bends" the characters or situations to suit the author's ends rather than what the original plot or character dictates. Technically of course, you can simply get away with 1) and just because you have 2) doesn't necessarily mean it's not fan-fiction.
The thing with fan-fiction, however, is that it's not simply re-imagining the characters: you're taking a set of specific details which a previous writer owns and using it as your plaything. Of course it's not always as clear-cut as that as is the case of works that have been relegated to public domain. Sherlock Holmes and Chtullu for example have been re-imagined a lot of times even if they were originally the creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft respectively. But in the end, it boils down to property and I as a writer don't feel it's right to steal another writer's creation, any more than I would steal the wallet of the guy sitting beside me.
Of course that is to say the craft of fan-fiction writing is not without its merits. A person who manages to pull off 2) for example should be applauded (assuming he or she wrote a great story) because writing such a story is both easier and difficult at the same time. Easier because a lot of the backstory has been done for you, harder because it's already been done for you. One can't kill character X arbritrarily, nor could you make this character do this and that if it was uncharacteristic of them to do so. Another merit is the fact that good writing (the technical skill) is good writing, even if it is unoriginal. (Just because you can write well, however, doesn't necessarily mean that you've come up with a good story.)
A writer, however, always thinks of the question "what if?" In that sense, fan-fiction is a healthy exercise since it requires you to go beyond expectations, to stretch your limits. Publishing fan-fiction, on the other hand, is different. Just because I ponder the methods of how I can rob a bank doesn't mean it is actually ethical of me to do so. And perhaps Brian K Vaughan said it best: "...as a writer you have to give back and write at least one original story for every piece of fan-fiction."
So, if you think there are essentially no new stories to tell, that's not quite accurate. There are infinite possibilities with every story and you as a writer actualizes one of them. You have your own voice, your own way of making the transition from general to specific.
A Question of Finances
Just curious, which do you prefer? Earning P40,000.00 a month but everyone else in the company is earning P60,000.00 a month or earning P20,000.00 a month but everyone else is earning P10,000.00 a month? (I prefer the former, by the way.)
It was something that was brought up in The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt and tickled me.
Moving on, the part of my monthly expenses that hurts the most due to the current exchange rate are my hobbies. Food, no matter where you go or what country you live in, will always be affordable (assuming of course 1) you're earning the average wage for the country you're staying in, 2) you're only feeding yourself, 3) average food, not fine dining, 4) there's no disaster or shortage that would cause inflation). Luxury goods, however, don't really scale well.
Take for example the minimum wage in the US -- around $7.00 an hour. For those who don't want to do the math, that's roughly P350.00 an hour. Unfortunately in the Philippines, $7.00 is the minimum wage for the day. That averages around to $140.00 a month. A middle-class employee will probably earn somewhere between $200.00 to $300.00 a month. That's why few people here are lining up to acquire PS3's or even Nintendo Wii's -- it's simply out of our price range.
Food, shelter, clothing -- we can afford that. An average "value meal" from McDonalds scales down to $1.00 to $2.00. You can purchase a generic shirt for $2.00 but of course designer clothes cost the same (if not more when you take into account licensing and/or shipping).
My hobbies are relatively expensive. Brand new books, even when they're cheaper compared to foreign countries, is still costing me around $8.00. That's what, my salary for the day? RPG books are even more expensive, costing around $40.00 by the time they get here. Those are already big fractions of my monthly income.
In the US, working minimum wage for a month will get you $1120.00. Assuming 75% of that goes to living expenses, you still have $280.00 to spend on luxury goods. That's easily more than my monthly wage.
Thankfully the price difference usually affects only luxury goods. But man does not live on bread alone...
It was something that was brought up in The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt and tickled me.
Moving on, the part of my monthly expenses that hurts the most due to the current exchange rate are my hobbies. Food, no matter where you go or what country you live in, will always be affordable (assuming of course 1) you're earning the average wage for the country you're staying in, 2) you're only feeding yourself, 3) average food, not fine dining, 4) there's no disaster or shortage that would cause inflation). Luxury goods, however, don't really scale well.
Take for example the minimum wage in the US -- around $7.00 an hour. For those who don't want to do the math, that's roughly P350.00 an hour. Unfortunately in the Philippines, $7.00 is the minimum wage for the day. That averages around to $140.00 a month. A middle-class employee will probably earn somewhere between $200.00 to $300.00 a month. That's why few people here are lining up to acquire PS3's or even Nintendo Wii's -- it's simply out of our price range.
Food, shelter, clothing -- we can afford that. An average "value meal" from McDonalds scales down to $1.00 to $2.00. You can purchase a generic shirt for $2.00 but of course designer clothes cost the same (if not more when you take into account licensing and/or shipping).
My hobbies are relatively expensive. Brand new books, even when they're cheaper compared to foreign countries, is still costing me around $8.00. That's what, my salary for the day? RPG books are even more expensive, costing around $40.00 by the time they get here. Those are already big fractions of my monthly income.
In the US, working minimum wage for a month will get you $1120.00. Assuming 75% of that goes to living expenses, you still have $280.00 to spend on luxury goods. That's easily more than my monthly wage.
Thankfully the price difference usually affects only luxury goods. But man does not live on bread alone...
Lottery
Lately my hobbies are getting less and less support locally. Finding them is like winning the lottery.
Last month I was fortunate to find Dungeonscape in Comic Quest. Last week I found Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service at Comic Odyssey. But that's honestly the tip of the iceberg of the things I wanna get.
Last month I was fortunate to find Dungeonscape in Comic Quest. Last week I found Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service at Comic Odyssey. But that's honestly the tip of the iceberg of the things I wanna get.
My Answers to the Filipino Bibliophile Meme
1) Do you remove the price tag from the books you buy? I used to, using my super-secret solvent formula but nowadays, no--I don't even remove the shrink wrap.
2) When buying books, do you prefer them shrink-wrapped or open for all to see? Shrink-wrapped because I don't want germs on my books. Just kidding. As long as the books are in good condition.
3) Brand new books or second hand books? Well the last time I read a second hand book, I was coughing because of all the dust and the insects coming out of it... so brand new books as much as possible.
4) American covers or European covers? European preferably but I'll take what I can get.
5) Do you consider comics/manga as books (or count it against your books read)? No, separate pile.
6) Your favorite book by a Filipino author. Having not read much, it's got to be Culture and History by Nick Joaquin.
7) A novel you've read that's written in the local language with English being the exception. Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? By Luwalhati Bautista.
8) Your favorite local nonfiction book. See #6.
9) Do you have a discount/membership card to the bookstore you patronize? Yes, both formally and informally.
10) What's a book you're ashamed to tell others you bought/read? The closest would probably be the Christine Freehan romance novel which I accidentally ordered.
11) Name a book you bought because it was the current fad or because you watched a movie of the same name? Jurassic Park which was the first novel I actually read.
12) Name a book you read before it later became trendy or fashionable to do so. There's a couple: Lord of the Rings, His Dark Materials (it'll be popular soon!), and probably another series or two which I can't remember now (I, Robot?)
13) Name a book that you read before it was required reading for your class. None comes to mind. I was illiterate back then.
14) In what language did you read the Noli me Tangere (komiks counts)? Tagalog in high school, English in college.
15) Did you ever use Cliff Notes or Barron's Book Notes in school? Not really.
16) Do you know what month the annual Manila International Book Fair is held? It's either in the last week of August or the first week of September.
17) What's the most expensive book you bought? How much? Right now it has got to be the Nelson Japanese dictionary which cost me around P3,000.00+.
18) What's the least expensive book you bought? How much? An acquaintance was selling some of his old books and I bought them for around P20.00 each although I haven't gotten around to reading them.
19) Have you ever stolen a book from the library? No.
20) Have you ever stolen a book from a bookstore? No.
21) Do you have a book that you borrowed that you still haven't returned? From Elbert and Vin and Lea. But they're similarly holding hostage some of my books...
22) Is there a religious text that you've read from cover to cover? Well I have read the Bible...
23) Do you read book reviews? Some.
24) Do you believe that the New York Best-Seller List is actually a list of best-selling books? Only if there's a cookbook on that list...
25) What is your favorite University Press (your choice) book? None really although I did like Smaller and Smaller Circles from UP Press and Salamanca from Ateneo.
2) When buying books, do you prefer them shrink-wrapped or open for all to see? Shrink-wrapped because I don't want germs on my books. Just kidding. As long as the books are in good condition.
3) Brand new books or second hand books? Well the last time I read a second hand book, I was coughing because of all the dust and the insects coming out of it... so brand new books as much as possible.
4) American covers or European covers? European preferably but I'll take what I can get.
5) Do you consider comics/manga as books (or count it against your books read)? No, separate pile.
6) Your favorite book by a Filipino author. Having not read much, it's got to be Culture and History by Nick Joaquin.
7) A novel you've read that's written in the local language with English being the exception. Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? By Luwalhati Bautista.
8) Your favorite local nonfiction book. See #6.
9) Do you have a discount/membership card to the bookstore you patronize? Yes, both formally and informally.
10) What's a book you're ashamed to tell others you bought/read? The closest would probably be the Christine Freehan romance novel which I accidentally ordered.
11) Name a book you bought because it was the current fad or because you watched a movie of the same name? Jurassic Park which was the first novel I actually read.
12) Name a book you read before it later became trendy or fashionable to do so. There's a couple: Lord of the Rings, His Dark Materials (it'll be popular soon!), and probably another series or two which I can't remember now (I, Robot?)
13) Name a book that you read before it was required reading for your class. None comes to mind. I was illiterate back then.
14) In what language did you read the Noli me Tangere (komiks counts)? Tagalog in high school, English in college.
15) Did you ever use Cliff Notes or Barron's Book Notes in school? Not really.
16) Do you know what month the annual Manila International Book Fair is held? It's either in the last week of August or the first week of September.
17) What's the most expensive book you bought? How much? Right now it has got to be the Nelson Japanese dictionary which cost me around P3,000.00+.
18) What's the least expensive book you bought? How much? An acquaintance was selling some of his old books and I bought them for around P20.00 each although I haven't gotten around to reading them.
19) Have you ever stolen a book from the library? No.
20) Have you ever stolen a book from a bookstore? No.
21) Do you have a book that you borrowed that you still haven't returned? From Elbert and Vin and Lea. But they're similarly holding hostage some of my books...
22) Is there a religious text that you've read from cover to cover? Well I have read the Bible...
23) Do you read book reviews? Some.
24) Do you believe that the New York Best-Seller List is actually a list of best-selling books? Only if there's a cookbook on that list...
25) What is your favorite University Press (your choice) book? None really although I did like Smaller and Smaller Circles from UP Press and Salamanca from Ateneo.
Order of the Stick Interview
Sequential Tart has an interview with Rich Burlew, the man behind the Order of the Stick web comic (and a few RPG books).
Monday, March 19, 2007
I'm Behind on the News -- A Manga Cafe
Got this from Yoru: A manga cafe (it's been so long since I last heard from Flori!) in Makati! Near Makati Cinema Square.
Of course a few years ago, there was this Japanese "shop" at an undisclosed site in Makati (in H.V. dela Costa St. actually) which loaned manga and anime (on VHS tapes). Of course it wasn't an authentic manga cafe in the sense that it had tables and ambience... it was more like a small library (about the size of a convenience store) where Japanese patrons could do some shopping and browse through manga and rent the various VHS tapes.
Of course a few years ago, there was this Japanese "shop" at an undisclosed site in Makati (in H.V. dela Costa St. actually) which loaned manga and anime (on VHS tapes). Of course it wasn't an authentic manga cafe in the sense that it had tables and ambience... it was more like a small library (about the size of a convenience store) where Japanese patrons could do some shopping and browse through manga and rent the various VHS tapes.
The Filipino Bibliophile Meme
1) Do you remove the price tag from the books you buy?
2) When buying books, do you prefer them shrink-wrapped or open for all to see?
3) Brand new books or second hand books?
4) American covers or European covers?
5) Do you consider comics/manga as books (or count it against your books read)?
6) Your favorite book by a Filipino author.
7) A novel you've read that's written in the local language with English being the exception.
8) Your favorite local nonfiction book.
9) Do you have a discount/membership card to the bookstore you patronize?
10) What's a book you're ashamed to tell others you bought/read?
11) Name a book you bought because it was the current fad or because you watched a movie of the same name?
12) Name a book you read before it later became trendy or fashionable to do so.
13) Name a book that you read before it was required reading for your class.
14) In what language did you read the Noli me Tangere (komiks counts)?
15) Did you ever use Cliff Notes or Barron's Book Notes in school?
16) Do you know what month the annual Manila International Book Fair is held?
17) What's the most expensive book you bought? How much?
18) What's the least expensive book you bought? How much?
19) Have you ever stolen a book from the library?
20) Have you ever stolen a book from a bookstore?
21) Do you have a book that you borrowed that you still haven't returned?
22) Is there a religious text that you've read from cover to cover?
23) Do you read book reviews?
24) Do you believe that the New York Best-Seller List is actually a list of best-selling books?
25) What is your favorite University Press (your choice) book?
2) When buying books, do you prefer them shrink-wrapped or open for all to see?
3) Brand new books or second hand books?
4) American covers or European covers?
5) Do you consider comics/manga as books (or count it against your books read)?
6) Your favorite book by a Filipino author.
7) A novel you've read that's written in the local language with English being the exception.
8) Your favorite local nonfiction book.
9) Do you have a discount/membership card to the bookstore you patronize?
10) What's a book you're ashamed to tell others you bought/read?
11) Name a book you bought because it was the current fad or because you watched a movie of the same name?
12) Name a book you read before it later became trendy or fashionable to do so.
13) Name a book that you read before it was required reading for your class.
14) In what language did you read the Noli me Tangere (komiks counts)?
15) Did you ever use Cliff Notes or Barron's Book Notes in school?
16) Do you know what month the annual Manila International Book Fair is held?
17) What's the most expensive book you bought? How much?
18) What's the least expensive book you bought? How much?
19) Have you ever stolen a book from the library?
20) Have you ever stolen a book from a bookstore?
21) Do you have a book that you borrowed that you still haven't returned?
22) Is there a religious text that you've read from cover to cover?
23) Do you read book reviews?
24) Do you believe that the New York Best-Seller List is actually a list of best-selling books?
25) What is your favorite University Press (your choice) book?
Friday, March 16, 2007
Freakiest Anime Moment
This is perhaps one moment I just have to share but will only probably be appreciated by a few.
This was back in high school, in the late 90's. Rurouni Kenshin was the craze back then and the movie (the long, boring one--the same one that aired in HBO; yes, HBO in the Philippines aired the Rurouni Kenshin movie) was just released. I managed to acquire a CD which had the theme song for the movie and it was a ballad that had a tragic feel to it.
Of course I was shocked when I found out who was singing it. It was by the band Animetal. Their name leaves little imagination as to what type of music they play. They're known for metal covers of various anime, sentai, and tokusatsu songs (including the spunkiest Sailor Moon song I ever heard). Animetal singing a ballad was about as shocking as learning one of the members of Korn converted to Christianity and started his Christian band.
This was back in high school, in the late 90's. Rurouni Kenshin was the craze back then and the movie (the long, boring one--the same one that aired in HBO; yes, HBO in the Philippines aired the Rurouni Kenshin movie) was just released. I managed to acquire a CD which had the theme song for the movie and it was a ballad that had a tragic feel to it.
Of course I was shocked when I found out who was singing it. It was by the band Animetal. Their name leaves little imagination as to what type of music they play. They're known for metal covers of various anime, sentai, and tokusatsu songs (including the spunkiest Sailor Moon song I ever heard). Animetal singing a ballad was about as shocking as learning one of the members of Korn converted to Christianity and started his Christian band.
Musings on 300
Make no mistake -- I liked the film (and I haven't read the comic, by the way, as any geek should) but the philosophy behind 300 is disturbing. Of course Frank Miller has always leaned towards the darker side of humanity, from RoboCop to Sin City to his recent take on Batman ("I'm the god-damned Batman") among other things.
I've not talking about the violence in the movie. That's expected and warranted. It's the ultra-masochism that viewers embrace during those two hours. It's the alpha male -- the male who relishes in combat, the man who's not supposed to show any weakness, the father who is supposed to kill his child if he has any flaws, the father who abandons his child into the wild. In today's modern world, it would be perceived as cruelty (although that is us applying our social norms on another culture). And perhaps at the end of the day, how King Leonidas doesn't show the same attitude towards his son (or at least it wasn't shown in the movie).
Another point of contention is the extreme subjectiveness of the battle (demonic enemies, superhuman opponents) but in a way that's to be expected, at least to gain viewer sympathy for the under-dogs that is Sparta. Some blogs I've read also reacted to the historical inaccuracy (and how the war was eventually won by the Athenian navy) but that's probably in the same area as the subjectiveness of the film.
Maybe it's because I've only heard guys's opinion on it but the scene with the Queen's sacrifice admittedly disturbed me (and others) although in a sense it shouldn't. She's still alive, after all. Her reputation tarnished but nothing she won't survive (and didn't redeem). Again, it's probably pressing my alpha male buttons where the worst thing that can happen to you is what happens to your wife. I wonder how the opposite sex felt about that scene.
But the thing is, it works. It all works. The audience was engrossed. It wasn't just a suspension of disbelief but of moral norms. Didn't we movie-goers embrace the Spartan ideal? Or perhaps it merely awakened the slumbering beast within us that despite the "compassion" we've nurtured in the past few centuries, there's a part of us that wants to embrace the culture and belief of our ancestors (and in fact as a kid I did witness this attitude, where to cry is to show weakness, to fight is to prove that one is strong, and where beauty is equated with morality).
I've not talking about the violence in the movie. That's expected and warranted. It's the ultra-masochism that viewers embrace during those two hours. It's the alpha male -- the male who relishes in combat, the man who's not supposed to show any weakness, the father who is supposed to kill his child if he has any flaws, the father who abandons his child into the wild. In today's modern world, it would be perceived as cruelty (although that is us applying our social norms on another culture). And perhaps at the end of the day, how King Leonidas doesn't show the same attitude towards his son (or at least it wasn't shown in the movie).
Another point of contention is the extreme subjectiveness of the battle (demonic enemies, superhuman opponents) but in a way that's to be expected, at least to gain viewer sympathy for the under-dogs that is Sparta. Some blogs I've read also reacted to the historical inaccuracy (and how the war was eventually won by the Athenian navy) but that's probably in the same area as the subjectiveness of the film.
Maybe it's because I've only heard guys's opinion on it but the scene with the Queen's sacrifice admittedly disturbed me (and others) although in a sense it shouldn't. She's still alive, after all. Her reputation tarnished but nothing she won't survive (and didn't redeem). Again, it's probably pressing my alpha male buttons where the worst thing that can happen to you is what happens to your wife. I wonder how the opposite sex felt about that scene.
But the thing is, it works. It all works. The audience was engrossed. It wasn't just a suspension of disbelief but of moral norms. Didn't we movie-goers embrace the Spartan ideal? Or perhaps it merely awakened the slumbering beast within us that despite the "compassion" we've nurtured in the past few centuries, there's a part of us that wants to embrace the culture and belief of our ancestors (and in fact as a kid I did witness this attitude, where to cry is to show weakness, to fight is to prove that one is strong, and where beauty is equated with morality).
Thursday, March 15, 2007
How Un-Juvenile of Me
Perhaps your site reaches popularity when one of the first comments is "first post!" (Unfortunately I'm far from reaching that point yet).
Anyway, I was at a message board I was frequenting last night and I had the opportunity to do such a geeky act. But didn't.
I should be proud of myself.
Anyway, I was at a message board I was frequenting last night and I had the opportunity to do such a geeky act. But didn't.
I should be proud of myself.
Will Wright Keynote
Here's a link to Will Wright's keynote. To those not in the gaming industry, he's the man responsible for such classics as Sim City and The Sims.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Richest Men... in People's Imagination
A bit delayed (three months?) on my part but here's Forbes's Fictional 15.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
9 Lessons for Would-Be Bloggers
I wish I was the one who wrote it but I didn't. Anyway, hop over to Bokardo and read about the 9 Lesson for Would-Be Bloggers. I'd like to emphasize the "Would-Be" part. If you're hesitant about blogging or wonder if it's all worth it, give it a read then decide.
Harvey Keh's Open Letter to Filipinos
What's amazing about technology nowadays is that it actually serves people. Blogs give people (especially relatively unknown people like me) a voice and I'm impressed that something as simple as an email can cause quite a stir in the country.
The email I'm referring to is Harvey Keh's Open Letter to Filipinos. You can Google the stir it's caused. I'd like to make some points:
The email I'm referring to is Harvey Keh's Open Letter to Filipinos. You can Google the stir it's caused. I'd like to make some points:
- Whether you're praising the letter or denouncing it, I'm glad that it's provoking a reaction from Filipinos. You're reacting because you're concerned. There is belief that something can still be done for the country.
- The written word is limited -- misinterpretations can abound. To those denouncing Mr. Harvey Keh, what I can say in his defense is that he is given poetic license. His statement that "he will leave the country if seven things happen" is an exaggeration, especially to those who personally know him. Also the letter is not to be taken too literally: why did he denounce Richard Gomez but not Cesar Montano for example (and the answer is, because at the time of writing, the latter hadn't officially filed his intent to run).
- The letter in question was originally intended for Harvey's friends and associates. It was those that were moved by it that began the viral email.
- You can read more on Harvey Keh's views at his blog. It can probably be best summed up with this statement: "But for me, the more fundamental question is not whether or not one should leave the country but rather to ask ourselves what can we do in our own small way to contribute towards Nation Building."
Monday, March 12, 2007
Disappearing Act
Work lately has been busy busy busy but more than a lack of time, it seems to be draining me of energy and motivation, hence the lack of blog entries as of late.
Last week was quite exciting however. Everybody's talking about Frank Miller's 300 for example and I managed to catch it over the weekend with some friends. Another friend, weeks before the movie was shown, was complaining at how people can appreciate this strategic defense of the Spartans but not take pride in The Battle of Tirad Pass where a similar stand was made.
Of course in this there are some facts to bear in mind: 1) It is possible that the numbers in 300 were exaggerated (on either side... the Spartans had reinforcements and support troops too) and the passage of time (in contrast to the Battle of Tirad Pass which occurred less than two centuries) hasn't help either. 2) The Battle of Tirad Pass relied on advantageous terrain (higher ground, narrow pathway) and ultimately they would have held it off if it weren't for the betrayal (much like the movie 300) of an alternate route which caught these Filipinos off-guard. And 3) the biggest difference between the two is the fact that the Spartans were in the end successful in repelling the opposing forces while The Battle of Tirad Pass was simply another fight among many (although it is honored by the opposing forces).
Me being a geek, I remembered the game Starcraft and how the Terrans (the humans in the game) relied on advantageous terrain to win the game. I mean what Terran strategy doesn't rely on bunkers and supply depots?
There were similarly big movers and shakes when it comes to comics. Perhaps the one that made the news was the death of Captain America (and it was well written even if I've never picked up a Captain America comic). Other interesting comics for me last week was Mighty Avengers #1, 52 (thankfully after a dull 30+ weeks, we're finally seeing the pay-off), the end of Brad Meltzer's first arc in Justice League of America, and Death Note Vol. 10 got released! In the manga that I'm following, the Deimon Devilbats are attempting a comeback against the Oujou White Knights in Eyeshield 21 while Ryoma is finally facing his nemesis in Prince of Tennis. Good times.
But that all pales in comparison to the wedding of my friend who finally tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend. I haven't known him long but it couldn't have had happened to a better guy. And a Xaverian to boot, hehehe.
Last week was quite exciting however. Everybody's talking about Frank Miller's 300 for example and I managed to catch it over the weekend with some friends. Another friend, weeks before the movie was shown, was complaining at how people can appreciate this strategic defense of the Spartans but not take pride in The Battle of Tirad Pass where a similar stand was made.
Of course in this there are some facts to bear in mind: 1) It is possible that the numbers in 300 were exaggerated (on either side... the Spartans had reinforcements and support troops too) and the passage of time (in contrast to the Battle of Tirad Pass which occurred less than two centuries) hasn't help either. 2) The Battle of Tirad Pass relied on advantageous terrain (higher ground, narrow pathway) and ultimately they would have held it off if it weren't for the betrayal (much like the movie 300) of an alternate route which caught these Filipinos off-guard. And 3) the biggest difference between the two is the fact that the Spartans were in the end successful in repelling the opposing forces while The Battle of Tirad Pass was simply another fight among many (although it is honored by the opposing forces).
Me being a geek, I remembered the game Starcraft and how the Terrans (the humans in the game) relied on advantageous terrain to win the game. I mean what Terran strategy doesn't rely on bunkers and supply depots?
There were similarly big movers and shakes when it comes to comics. Perhaps the one that made the news was the death of Captain America (and it was well written even if I've never picked up a Captain America comic). Other interesting comics for me last week was Mighty Avengers #1, 52 (thankfully after a dull 30+ weeks, we're finally seeing the pay-off), the end of Brad Meltzer's first arc in Justice League of America, and Death Note Vol. 10 got released! In the manga that I'm following, the Deimon Devilbats are attempting a comeback against the Oujou White Knights in Eyeshield 21 while Ryoma is finally facing his nemesis in Prince of Tennis. Good times.
But that all pales in comparison to the wedding of my friend who finally tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend. I haven't known him long but it couldn't have had happened to a better guy. And a Xaverian to boot, hehehe.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
Strip Bar Virgin
I spent the better part of the past few hours in a strip bar but before all those alpha males start cheering me on (all two of you), there's two facts you want to keep in mind:
1) It was for work so I was busy, busy, busy.
2) It's a gay bar. Sorry but I don't swing that way (as slashable as I am).
1) It was for work so I was busy, busy, busy.
2) It's a gay bar. Sorry but I don't swing that way (as slashable as I am).
Ink & Stone Weekend Sale
Drop by if you can. And now would be a good time to get, say, Absolute Sandman.