Sorry if I’m only making this announcement now but yea, I moved! (Like it’s not obvious, eh? Hehe)

You can find the new and hopefully permanent address of my personal blog, The Parody™, at www.The-Parody.com.

I’ve been, er, busy — too busy, if you ask me! — the past few months and I haven’t really had the time to take care of the moving bit. But you can play catch up since you didn’t miss much, really. Teehee.

• One Day Break (01 November 2006)
• Moving In (12 November 2006)
• Happy Boxing Day, People! (26 December 2006)
• Things That I Miss (07 January 2007)
• Sleepless, Insight of a Fool (21 January 2007)
• The Parodist Unmasked — Er, Sort Of (25 January 2007)

That’s it.

And, oh, I’m still blogging over at Tops 2 Bottoms, Light the Torch and Dating Dames. I’ll give you updates in succeeding posts. (Yea, I’ll still be checking this blog like I have been the past few months. Heehee. I know… the blogger turned lurker — that’s me. Heh.)

Thanks much and I hope you visit me in my new home!!!

P.S. Don’t forget to change the links on your blogroll!

The past couple of weeks were a blur and all I can distinctly note is that I’m now re-learning how to commute mainly with the use of the shuttle that services Ortigas-bound Paranaque folk and basically trying to get to know this part of the metro that I’m not really familiar with. Let me tell you, it’s a real experience. Whew.

When I learned that we get to spend this day off from work, I’m a bit relieved since I’ve been swamped with work. I’m not kidding. Add that to the fact that I’m still adjusting from my former state wherein I used to own and manage my time with an already established routine. Sigh.

Today is a good day. It’s a nice break. Even when a major part of it was used to do some more work, I appreciated the fact that I got to sleep in. I got to spend my “holiday” last night anyway, which was fantastic because I needed some time away from all the things that needed to be done. I needed time to de-stress. I’m thankful for the dinner and the company. Teehee.

Now, the day’s almost over but I’m off to do more work. Gah. I’m looking forward to the weekend.

It’s courtesy of Abe. Hehehe. We’re currently at Mocha Blends in BF Paranaque, Jayvee is here, too.

Twas so timely when I saw that Jayvee had called my mobile earlier and missed it. Why timely? Cuz I was currently stuck where I was then — Ortigas! Tsssch. It’s been a while since I last commuted, you see. So, I had no idea on how I was gonna get home. Good thing he was with Abe and they agreed to pick me up. Hehehe. We stopped by Metrowalk for some Yoo Hoo pork barbeque and Lechon Manok [roasted chicken] dinner before zooming off to Paranaque. [I got to drive the AdSense Car! Woohoo!]

Anyway, Abe helped me configure my *new* laptop so I can be as geeky about the web like them two. Heehee. It’s soooo cool! I feel like a kid right now.

So, now over a slice of *waaarrrm* apple pie, and glasses of Iced Mocha and House Blend Iced Tea, we continue our conversation on keywords, deep linking and this issue about the < — more — > tag.

Go on. Take it away, boys.

Tenants are moving in by next month, you see, and we’re fixing up a couple of units in the building. My uncle was in charge of the construction work. The week just finished and they got their week’s salary so they decided to unwind a bit by holding a drinking session last night.

I don’t drink Gin — straight. Never liked the taste. So, when my uncle invited me over, I just told him to buy me a couple of bottles of San Mig Super Dry instead. Heehee.

Hanging out with this bunch was a real experience. My uncle’s loud when he’s drunk, hailing from Batangas and all. And the conversation revolved around drinking escapades that ended up in barangay halls or the lights from the police sirens illuminating my uncle’s bedroom ceiling, finding out that they don’t have enough money to pay for the beers they had ordered, how they didn’t like drinking with men whose wives often tow them back to their respective homesteads and, my favourite bit, the best drinking combo that can guarantee you lifeless. LOL.

Want to know what the combo is? Heehee.

It’s fondly called the VIRGIN COKE. But you got to pronounce it the Filipino way — “beer-gin-coke” LOL.

1 bottle of beer
1 Gin bilog
1 12 oz. of Coke

After finishing it, try standing up. You can still stand up after that, you see. But when you sit back down — you won’t be able to again. It will knock you unconscious! Hahaha.

Ah, well — that’s just second-hand information. I haven’t tried it yet. I’ve to make a mental note to only do this at home! LOL. Who dares to try it with me?

Twas a real experience. I got a glimpse of their lives as construction workers and, of course, as regular people. They have dreams. They have problems. They have families. Their lives are less extravagant than mine but, hey, they deserve the same respect I would give a person who owns his own company. After all, they’re good people who are actually making something out of their lives, which I can’t say for some.

I reckon I need more experiences of the same kind to keep my feet grounded. I almost forgot how much life can teach me if only I keep my mind and heart open. Funny — I used to do this a lot before. I guess I need to re-trace my steps.

Que horror!

Uh — not really. I really don’t get too attached to mobile phones. In fact, most of my friends often complain how I hardly respond to their SMSes just for the reason that, sometimes, I just couldn’t be bothered esp when in the first place, there was no question asked in the message. And I’m more of the “I’ll call you type” than the“SMS type”, if you know what I mean.

But I do admit that my mobile phone is one of the gadgets that’s important to me, basically, for two reasons, [1] communication for personal and work reasons and [2] it serves as my digital pen and paper.

So, when my Nokia suddenly decided to die on me, I had to control myself from freaking out, reasoning that there’s a saner way in dealing with this sort of situation — uh, like buy a new one.

However, I can’t help but notice that most of the electronic devices I’ve been handling are throwing a fit when I as much as touch them. Like how my PC started re-starting on its own a few days ago — found out that it’s RAM and VideoCard needed to be replaced so soon after I bought the new phone. Grrr. Yes, people, I should be posting “the PowerColor 128MB|64-bit ATI Radeon 9250 that blogging bought” [update: just bought a 512MB PC333 DDRAM] alongside this post! Gah.

Anyway, with the help of the ever-reliable Rico, I found a sweet deal on a Motorola RAZR V3. I’ve always wanted to own a clamshell phone, just been waiting for a *really* good Nokia one. But I’ve been eyeing this one from Motorola eversince it came out. Now, I own one. Isn’t it great? Heehee.

Yea, I’ve finally joined the bandwagon, “the [insert item here] that bloggin bought”, and wrote about this cool new toy that I’ve got blogging to thank for. And would you believe that somebody else wrote about this experience, too? Utter coolness.

It’s fun that doing something you love can actually reward you with something like this mobile phone, a camera, a house or an almost house! And yea, you can even count that snack if you consider it as one of blogging’s perks. Heehee.

Yes. Blogging IS this much fun.

So, getting on with it then.

Tops 2 Bottoms [Fashion Blog]

Shop Find: Nerdy Shirts™
The Skinny Jean Confidence
No to Tapered Jeans
The Skinny on Tapered Jeans
Oh, So Skinny!

Light the Torch [Olympics & World Sporting Events Blog]

Life Ban for Drug Cheats
Sonja Henie, Female Fred Astaire on Ice
The 1st Gymnast to Score a Perfect 10 in Olympic History
Leon Štukelj, the 100-Year-Old Olympic Legend
Philippines’ Best Hope for an Olympic Gold

Dating Dames [Dating & Relationships Blog]

The Subject of Stereotypes: Risk or Opportunity?
Forbes Best US Cities for Singles
The Girlfriend/Boyfriend Application
10 Signs That Tell You’re A Couple
10 Reasons Why Geeks Make Good Boyfriends

55 Fiction [Fiction Writing]

Wrong Turn
Cold Break
“I like you”
Reverse Psychology
Crazy Eights

There you go.

I hope you get to check them out and see what the fuss is all about. If you leave a comment, it’ll be sooo much better! Teehee. Incidentally, have you seen the popular ones in The Parody™, too? Look to your right, on the sidebar, just below the recent posts. Let me know your favourite!

Out of habit, she takes her nightly coffee and cigarette on her front porch where she could witness, without meaning to, the lives of the building’s tenants.

Memories of an old couple coming down the street, burdened by bags of groceries, obviously had come from the supermarket a couple of blocks away.

A group of kids on their bikes. And a few others playing on the curb.

A single-mom going out on dates with a different man every couple of months, which seems to validate her initial thought about the woman — that she can’t hold on to a guy long enough or perhaps has been choosing the wrong men.

There was also this lady, who she hasn’t figured out whether if she was a spinster or a widow. She would often see her sitting quietly by the window, reading or watering her geraniums, always with Frank Sinatra or Judy Garland playing in the background.

Hearing the shouting matches coming from a middle-aged couple’s unit had become a normal thing. Rumor has it that the husband was cheating on the wife.

And the blaring music from the countless parties thrown by the 3 guys who were rooming with each other. They worked odd jobs, if they worked at all, that it actually amazed her how they could afford paying the rent and throwing those parties.

Tonight, she is left with silence that seem to echo in the empty lot.

She weighs if she misses everything or not. She finds it a bit unsettling since she had grown accustomed to all the noise and the goings on. All she sees now is the sign that says that a private company is building fancy townhouses on the lot.

New neighbours. A whole new set of stories to witness.

However, for the next few months, she’ll be discovering a different scene. The empty lot and a clearing, which allows her to just stare at the night sky. She’s discovering a story that’s been there all along. Her own.

The recent changes makes her wonder if they were all for her benefit. Finding herself alone with her thoughts — yes, thoughts that are her own — gave her the opportunity to re-examine what was missing in her life. Realising that she was so caught up with what’s been going on around her — with other people’s lives — that she forgot how it is to really experience a moment such as this.

Alone. Silence. Seeing the beauty behind all the ugliness that the old building had stood for.

She had felt it wasn’t right for it to be torn down at first but now having had time to really think and experience not having it there anymore, she’s now free to consider the possibilities of what the future can and will bring. There was no stopping it now. She’s letting it happen. She’s starting to believe that once the townhouses are built, her own house will finally feel like her home.

I hitched a ride with friend and The Smart PDA blogger Rico Mossesgeld to the BlogCon. Thanks, man! BTW, to all the whispered [and blatant!] speculations about “us” being on a date that night — here’s the final press statement — Twas not a date! “We’re just friends!” [Typical showbiz answer, eh? Nyahaha.]

Ma new mate, Bimbo! Major shout out to you! Wehehehe. I’m so glad that I met you. I’m hoping for more blogger meets with you in it!

Like what I already told you, I’m looking forward to seeing your Vespa in person! Teehee.

Gloria! Why art thou liveth in Bicol?! Waaah. I wish you live nearer so we can share more nights filled with bottles of San Mig Super Dry. [Hint! Hint!] I know I can get selfish sometimes. Hahaha.

Abe, I shall call you — Teh Godfather! And we are your Yuga-minions. Heehee.

So, what do you say?

Anyway, that was some fine gig you set up for the Filipino bloggers! Woot! Tis the shizzle! We want an encore! Heehee.

You’re way cool, Elber! Thanks for letting me use your Canon 350D! Twas a real treat! Had Matus let me surf properly, I wouldn’t have talked to you! I’m such a snob, aren’t I? Hahaha.

Alas! We finally meet, Mr. Jonas Diego! Heehee. I didn’t recognise you at first but the name tag helped. Hahaha. I wish you stayed a bit longer, though. And why, oh, WHY are you surrounded by women? Hahaha.

Of course, I did get to see familiar faces cuz I already met them on a different occasion like my cousin, Chris, [Wahahaha! Loved your BlogCon post, by the way!] and Markku.

And I did get to meet other bloggers —

Clair – who mistook me for my sister. Heehee. Tis all good, though. Quite understandable. Eh? Is it? I always thought my sister and I don’t look alike. Ah, well. Hahaha. And there’s Jun, who graciously let us crash their table. Hehehe. And Andrei, who was kind enough to come up and talk to me that night.

Rico did a good job on his numbered list describing what happened that night. Ditto on everything except for:

#5 – since I already know him and he’s a b5′er in my eyes.
#6 – just 1 Super Dry for me. Sigh.
#9 – uh, what is a flash drive? Kidding! Kidding!
#10 – I’m a snob, eh. Nah. Got caught up on talking to Gloria! Hahaha.
#11 – Who??? Again! I’m ONLY kidding! Teehee.
#13 – I’m the passenger! Or the backseat driver?! Gimme the wheel, dammit! Muahahaha.
#14 – Workaholic, aren’t we? Heh. But I did go online, though. Ahehehe.
#15 – Ha. I slept 30 minutes earlier. Hahaha.

What I got out of it?

Weirdest thing, actually.

It’s whenever I link up, I’m now reminded of Marc. Hahaha.

See? I told you it’s weird.

Anyhoo, were you there and I failed to meet you? Did anyone else have a blast like I did? Come on, you can tell me. Heehee.

BTW, you can click on the photos [incidentally, them photos are courtesy of Elber and/or Jayvee -- I just stole borrowed them. Teehee] for a larger view and some more tidbits. Heehee. AND I’m planning to post some more photos. And, oh, can people puh-leeez post some more photos?! I love photos. Heehee.

So, why am I blogging it now?

Well — I simply have got to tell you guys how much I’m digging the new look! Hahaha. If, by any chance, you’ve been over there — pre-new look — can you puh-leez let me know how much it has changed — for the better?! But, in case, you’re a newbie to the site, can you tell me if you like it? [Nevermind what I write about. Just a bunch of nonsense. Hahaha.]

For those who are inept on reading between the lines —

here’s the click-y! —> Truth + Travesty

I’m hoping to get a pat or two on the back. I did mention that I laboured on it for more than 10 friggin’ hours, right? So, come on! Show this proud and *aherm* single blogger some love! Heehee.

Let me know what you think!

P.S. It looks f**ked up in IE but gorgeous on Firefox. I suggest you switch. Heehee.

Blogging. As a past time, it will only involve writing and checking out other blogs. But if it has become one of the major reasons why you go online, it will take you 8-12 hours to finish — hopefully — whatever that is you’ve set out to do. It includes the usual blog-hopping and template designs that you busy yourselves with.

[Note: I spent around 14 hours on the templates of my 2 other blogs, Truth + Travesty and Hanging Out yesterday!]

Did you know that, in blogging, about 70% – 80% of your time is spent on reading and research alone? I reckon it’s cuz you need to know more to write more. And, of course, we all know that writing plays a huge part in it. So, these things you get to find out can be used as fodders and/or content for blog posts.

There are different styles to writing but one of the most popular ones is the use of a personal tone in communicating with the readers, which, admittedly, can draw them to patronise your blogs more. One thing that I’ve noticed so far is the fact that there are bloggers who emphasize on the importance of creating original content. It is the best way to let your reader know that you do know what you’re talking about. I really have to agree. Heehee.

Bloggers. Building relationships with other bloggers and readers [emails and comments] is what drives us, bloggers, to do what we do. That and, of course, our passion to create awareness on our passions in life — may it be about Philosophy, Politics, Gadgets & Technology, Travelling, and, yea, Love, Dating & Relationships, among other things.

It, sometimes, is sad when I would encounter some bloggers who come off as unfriendly. It will turn me off and will cause me not to go back even when they do have a great blog. I reckon, it is important that you acknowledge the people who stop by your blog. They took the time to leave you a comment and the least that you can do is say hi or something, right? I also find it so amusing how some act like a bunch of highschool kids and have this IN Crowd mentality. Eh? Didn’t they know that everything’s neutral on the net? If you’re planning to adopt that as a blogger, consider yourself UN-linked, sweetie. Heehee. Ah, well — that’s just me.

That’s why I love the warmth in the blogs of Liz, Rico, Connie and Hsien. Apart from the interesting topics, which they cover, I can’t help but notice the rapport they have with their readers. Everyone seems to know everybody. Hahaha. They sure know how to make the reader feel welcome — and, sometimes, you do find yourself wanting to stay!

Who would’ve thought Blogs will hit it big? I’m glad I discovered blogging because a number of the coolest people I’ve met are bloggers!

I wonder what’ll come next? Hmmm. Curious thought.

Now, I’m tasked to list 7 songs I’m listening to off-late, and 7 people I want to tag to continue the game.

Whaa–?!

It would’ve been better to ask me to list 7 albums not just songs. [grumbles]

“Myu-zik iz zee wahterr o’ mee soul.” Teehee.

Anyway.

Getting on with the game —

1. Sweet Thing by Mary J. Blige [Chaka Khan Cover]
   “Oh, sweet thing, don’t you know you’re my everything?”
2. Every Little Thing by Dishwalla
   “I wish I could be every little thing that you wanted all the time — sometimes.”
3. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
   “We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl.”
4. My Happiness by Powderfinger
   “You’re over there when I need you here.”
5. My Skin by Natalie Merchant
   “Your face-saving promises — whispered like prayers — I don’t need them.”
6. Under The Milky Way by The Church
   “I wish I knew what you were looking for — might have known what you would find.”
7. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
   “If I lay here — if I just lay here — would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

And now, for the tagging part —

1. Shai – that is if you’re not too busy. Heehee
2. Mel – if you’re still not having your kid. Hahaha.
3. Zoe – interesting Lomo, Zoe. Do you find inspiration in music, too?
4. Alistair – The only photographer I know who spends a lot of time taking photos of musicians.
5. Aaron – I noticed that you’re listening to a lot of music lately. Care to take a shot on listing 7 of them? Heehee.
6. Neil – I’m not sure what your take on memes now but I’m hoping to find out about your current picks since the last time I saw a list you made, I was impressed.
7. Angelo – Hi, Mr. NBA Obsessed. Hehehe.

Okay, people. Carry on then.

What is a BlogCon, anyway?

For now, it’ll be an informal meet-and-greet type of thing for bloggers. It’s scheduled on the 25th at National Sports Grill in Greenbelt 3, Makati.

Interested? Go register here.

You’ll let me know if you’re going, right..? Please?!

Rico took it with Raissa‘s cam when the three of us went out last Friday. Thanks for the Brooklyn pizza, Rico.

Wait a minute — did anybody thank me for Figaro??? Sheeesh. What ever happened to common courtesy? Hmpft!

I digress.

The photo’s quite messy at the beginning but I worked on it till I was able to achieve the look that it has now. My main objective was to make it presentable enough so I can upload it to my Flickr.

So — what do you think?

A photo says a lot, don’t you agree? [Subtext. Subtext. Hahaha.]

If you really know me, I’m really not a big fan of watching YouTube videos. Too busy doing other things. But I noticed that there’s this buzz around the web about the said Lonelygirl15 videos so I decided to check what it was all about.

Ack. I thought I’d watch just one but I ended up watching it from beginning to the last installment [or was it?] Hahaha.

I’d like to tell you what it was all about but I just can’t find the right way to describe it without rambling on. Let me just let you in on what I think are the highlights of the “soap”. Heehee.

• Doe-eyed Bree
• Daniel, “the friend”
• P. Monkey [P stands for "Purple"]
• “Proving Science Wrong”
• And Bree’s Dad

Of course, since the video’s are home-made and the whole thing certainly seemed like a video web diary of a young girl, the millions who have viewed them thought the videos to be “real” but in reality, it’s just an experiment done by 3 friends on a different approach in storytelling.

It was only last week when the creators announced what the videos are. It caused some negative feedback from some viewers even if the videos weren’t really intended to deceive their viewers. I reckon it just shows how the actors and the creators made everything “believable”.

If this is the new trend for soaps, it’s far better than the ones on TV since it’s interactive. [Yea, the creators incorporate viewer feedback onto the succeeding episodes. Cool, eh?]

I’ll leave you with the link to the last video I watched. [Since WordPress wouldn't allow me to leave an embed thingie here. =P ]