Purged and Picker Uppers
By The Parodist | July 5, 2008
Though I had said I’ll be around here more often, I went and disappeared for more than a month. Fantastic, yea? I didn’t mean to, really.
With life happening all around, sometimes, it’s good to take yourself out of the things that cause you to remain where you are. It’s good to know that there’s always a way out.
There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years.
There is no growth without change;
there is no change without fear or loss;
and there is no loss without pain.We fear these losses because they were, at least, comfortable and familiar.
Topics: Mood Notes, Philosophy & Paradox, Quotes | 7 Comments »
Gorillapod, First Steps
By The Parodist | May 22, 2008
Yesterday, I need to take some photos that I needed for a couple of posts I was working on. One is to show off some relatively *new* accessories that were popular during the 80s, the RayBan sunnies and glass bracelets. The other is to take a photo of my new hair, which is now rebonded.
What started off as a routine photography task, had turned into a fun little trial of my newly acquired Gorillapod — previously owned by my sister. (Thanks, sis!)
Topics: Blogs & Blogging, Photography | 6 Comments »
Holding My Breath
By The Parodist | May 20, 2008
The morning after. Writing. Hoping. Thinking. Regretting. Coping. Reminiscing. Wishing. Screaming. Praying. Smiling. Laughing. Planning. Fears. Promises. Heaven. Peace. Confused. Tired. Remembering. Apology. Angry. Lost. Stressed. Memories. Love.
Last time I saw him was on his birthday. I didn’t even greet him. He had asked me a question but I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to see him that day. Little did I know that it would be the last time I’d see him. The last time I’d hear his voice. The last time I’d stand in his presence.
Last time.
It felt like walking through a dream sequence. A very, very bad dream.
Now, all I want to happen is to wake up. So I can say I’m sorry. To say that I missed him. That I remember him. So I can say I love him. So he’ll still be here.
There are days wherein I find myself holding my breath. Hoping that it’s not real. I do my best to shake it off. But, sometimes, I do get this strong urge to just hold it in somewhat like willing myself to go through life in reverse. Anything to fill the hollowness. Quite foolish, I know.
Each day is still hard. I reckon a change as huge as this one will require all your might. Key is to just keep breathing.
I guess he leaves this world teaching me one final lesson — one that everyone will learn eventually — death.
However late this greeting may be — Happy birthday, Daddy. I’ll see and be with you later.
Topics: Mood Notes | 15 Comments »
Keeping Things Interesting
By The Parodist | April 17, 2008
Alexei asked me a question earlier, which I made me pause for a bit so I can give it my full attention. Let me paraphrase it,
“What should a blogger do to keep a blog interesting?”
Apart from the aesthetic appeal of a blog, i.e. templates, fonts, etc., we’ll always put weight on the content, right? So long as you create good content, the blog will always generate a certain amount of interest from readers. Quite a safe assumption, I should say. We then go on to dissecting the content being created.
Personally, I always keep in mind the following: conversation, stories, use of image (and its quality) and keeping things light and personal.
The blog and the blogger
A blog, for me, is something personal. It ought to reflect your own personality. The more personal and honest-sounding it is, the more your reader can actually relate to it, hence, keeping his or her interest.
I do believe that a blog is about the blogger cuz it is the blogger who creates the content and there lies the quality. There are readers who read the blog specifically for the content that this blogger creates and there are some who read the blog for the blogger, regardless of the content. Change the blogger and the blog will take on a different personality altogether.
Topics: Blogs & Blogging, Writing | 7 Comments »
The Beach Monger: Sunset Cove, Subic
By The Parodist | April 15, 2008
Early Saturday morning, I hopped into Rico’s car for a roadtrip to Subic and an overnight stay at Sunset Cove, courtesy of USAP (who happens to be looking for bloggers btw, just contact Rico for more information) and Alvin, whose family owns this gorgeous piece of land fronting the sea. Anyway, I was Rico’s plus one on this ZeeZoobic Adventure, fancy name for a company outing, eh? Heh.
Since I was just there for the beach Rico, I’ve got nothing special to tell you guys except maybe show you a few photos I took during the trip.
Subic-Tipo Expressway Tunnel
Apart from being a former US Naval Base, Subic is known for its beautiful coastline and, yea, duty free shopping. Hehe. But we went there mainly for the beach, Sunset Cove. As for the shopping part, the memory stings. Weh. I don’t want to get into it. Hmpft.
Granted that the place is called Sunset Cove, you’d think that tis a bit tacky to take photos of the sunset but I couldn’t help it. Good thing I’ve managed to get a couple or so out-of-the-ordinary sunset photos in my set. I noticed that I’ve settled on a theme, photography-wise — silhouettes.
Topics: Gallyvanting Episodes, Photography, The Beach Monger | 22 Comments »
Of Interviews, Events and Features
By The Parodist | April 12, 2008
My week started out with news on the article on Fashion blogs getting published on Manila Bulletin. It was a Sunday. We all know how Sunday issues are hard to find late into the day. Yes. I only read the sms late Sunday afternoon, hence, my missing to get a hard copy.
Yonina Chan got in touch with me, requesting an interview cuz she was doing a piece on local fashion blogs. I agreed, so we met and got it over with. She’s a doll. Very down-to-earth.
Here’s a link to an online copy of the article:
Shout outs to style
by Yonina Chan, Manila Bulletin, 06 April 2008
After that, my week was filled with stuff to do. Like gym (aherm, aherm!), work, and events. I was at the NOKIA Soul of the Night event at the Embassy Superclub and the DELL Philippines launch at Prince of Jaipur.
THEN there’s this newspaper feature on my personal style, well, at least the outfit I wore to the Sunsilk Life Can’t Wait Event. I couldn’t really process the news properly cuz I was close to falling asleep when I got an sms from Alexei. I simply dispatched my yaya to go grab me a copy. Heh.
It’s on JR Isaac’s column in The Philippine Star, “Hue still got it”, 11 April 2008.
You can check it out here:
‘Hue still got it’, Ystyle, Philippine Star
StyleManila.com
It’s been a crazy week for me. I’m so glad I’m heading to the beach in a few hours to get some r&r (Zoobik tayo, phare!). What about you guys? How was your week? DO update me. I’d love to hear from you. Anyway, I’ll see you when I get back!
Topics: Blogs & Blogging, Fabulous Beauty, Gallyvanting Episodes, Press Mentions, The Fashionista | No Comments »
The Parody on WP 2.5
By The Parodist | April 7, 2008
I’m still a bit lost in navigating through this thing but I’m coping. I have to! I actually started off writing this darn post as a page and was about to publish before I realised it. It brought me there by default! It’s a bug, I say. Heh.
I had Rico upgrade my really old WP version (2.1) into the latest, 2.5. Sweet! I guess that’s one of the reasons why I held off on upgrading. I don’t do well with change. Unfortunately. But don’t you get that thing when you’ve already set yourself up with a routine, so you’re not comfortable with anything breaking it? I had wanted to keep the rhythm.
So, what made me go for the upgrade now? Well, I reckon since it’s the latest version and I’ve been a bad blogger for failing to take better care of my own personal blog, this would be a treat of some sort for The Parody and, hopefully, push myself to blog here more often.
I have to admit. I’m not much of a techie. Though, I can learn to do something technical if I put my mind into it but I’ll never be an expert. I play around with a dSLR, tinker with CSS, do SEO, fiddle with gadgets, try to fix the computer, or perhaps, try and make the car start again. Yea, stuff I do just because I need to AND because I’m entertained. Heh.
While we’re on the subject, I’m reminded of the geek test I took a while back which I discovered via my sister. I scored a measly 18.93491%! Pah. Not much of a geek, am I?
Anyway, any of you guys upgraded, too? How are you finding things with WordPress’ latest version? Also, do you consider yourself a techie or a geek? What sort of techie or geeky things do you do? Have you tried taking the geek test? Do share your score, yea?
Topics: Blogs & Blogging, The Reluctant Geek | 9 Comments »
2008 GLAM Network Awards
By The Parodist | April 1, 2008
This year, two of my b5media blogs were nominated in the GLAM Network Awards — one is my fashion blog, Tops 2 Bottoms, and the other one is my Asian beauty blog, Beauty Bento Box. I’m absolutely ecstatic! Weee!
Tops 2 Bottoms falls under the Fashion Publishers list and Beauty Bento Box, the Beauty Publishers list. There are other categories such as Celebrity/Entertainment, Lifestyle, and Shopping Publishers. You guys are free to vote for your favourite blogs (hint, hint!) under all the categories. It’ll only take a couple of minutes of your time. You can click on the buttons I’ve provided below.
P.S. Dear family and friends, don’t forget to vote for me. Please?!
Image: glam.com
Topics: Blogs & Blogging, Fabulous Beauty, The Fashionista, The Reluctant Geek | 2 Comments »
I Blame the PS3!
By The Parodist | March 31, 2008
I’ve been absent. Yes. And I wish I can really put all the blame on my newest baby, a Playstation 3. But I only got my hands on it at the end of this month. I’ve been terribly busy in terms of online and offline responsibilities esp since I was out of the country for a week (end of February and start of March). I’m still adjusting to all the grown up stuff I need to do like scheduling bill payments, juggling finances (keeping multiple accounts at that), keeping house, supervising the help and, at the same time, blogging (and everything related to it).
And then there was the PS3. BUT tis my way of holding on to my *youth*. Please bear with me. LOL.
Ah, the joys of becoming a full-pledged geekoid. I’ve been obsessing on a few games lately. One is Guitar Hero III, Legends of Rock. Gawd. Can you imagine using a Gibson Les Paul guitar controller while you’re battling it out with Tom Morello or Slash? My career peaked in the Easy round, I’m halfway through the Medium.
Image: keepgaming.com
Then again, it’s not the real thing. It just gives you the illusion that you’re actually playing a guitar. This game made me miss playing my bass guitar so bad. LOL. AND I suffered major finger cramping, my hands are still a bit sore esp my left hand. Gah.
THEN there’s Assassin’s Creed. Can you tell it’s a personal favourite? Omigod. I’m so hooked on it right now. I’m real close to finishing the game, currently playing memory block 6. You guys should really check out the graphics on this one. Gawd. You’ll love it whenever he offs someone either direct attacks or stealth assassination. The close-up is a must-see. Absolutely awesome.
Image: Wikipedia
Anyway, I’m going to try extra hard to be here more often. I hope you guys didn’t miss me much. I promise to show you guys some photos from my recent trip to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Topics: Gallyvanting Episodes, Mood Notes, The Reluctant Geek, The Traveler | 6 Comments »
Let’s Eat! Nom Nom Nom Nom
By The Parodist | February 25, 2008
Regardless of what everyone else thinks, or the “how I stay thin” theory — that I’m more mindful of taking photographs of my food than eating them — that Brad Geiser came up with, yea, I do love to eat. In fact, I love trying new dishes, which was exactly what I did last week, hence, me summing up the week as a, er, food thing. Whatev. Let me show you why.
Friday
I attended the Coffee gets Naughty Event, wherein Délifrance ushered us into the new phase of the café and resto. There I was able to sample a couple of dishes that they serve. I have to admit I was surprised with the menu, even more when they said that it’s what they really serve their customers. This change is good.
Salad (I forget what it’s called)
I love the combination of flavours. Seafood, fruit, carrots and the leaf greens. I’m growing to like eating salads lately. I have to say this is Rico’s influence. Heh.
Beef Stroganoff
Never had my pasta this way. I’ve always preferred a red sauce. Twas a bit on the oily side but that beats being dry and stringy. I always enjoy eating mushrooms. Hehe.
Topics: Gallyvanting Episodes, Photography | 7 Comments »
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