Temporary Downtime

No, I haven't cancelled the corona. I just have been so busy these past few days that there hasn't been enough time to sit in front of a computer to type. That, and the lack of regular internet access, has hampered my ability to update this space on a regular basis.

But not to worry... my adventures are still ongoing, thoughts forming, and pictures being taken. In a few weeks, this blog will be running back at full speed. In the meantime, please bear with me.

La Vita e Bella!

Another Chapter Comes to a Close

Tomorrow, I leave England permanently. My assignment here is done, and it is time to move on. I will be sad to leave this quaint country. Over time it has grown on me, but I will delve into that in a future entry.

This is why I haven't had the time to write in the blog. When one moves from one country to another, there is just so much to think about. Selling surplus furniture, settling all utility bills, and packing. Packing what needs to be shipped back and what goes into luggage. The recent airport scare here in England does not help. No doubt I will be grossly overweight, but have to take that risk.

So now it is on to the next challenge. It couldnt have come at a better time really. The timing is perfect. And in this strange world where everything seems uncertain, things are starting to fall into place.

Next stop... Philippines!

La Vita e Bella!

Google Earth Philippines

I'm sure alot of people know and use Google Earth. I'm not going to praise it, nor enumerate its features; many people have done that before me. Rather, I'm going to point out the fact that for a few weeks now, parts of the Philippines are now detailed. No longer do we have to put up with pixelated terrain for Metro Manila; you can now zoom in and see the street layouts (check out Fort Bonifacio!) and even roofs of houses!

Lately, I have been doing many trips down memory lane, and this updated Google Earth has made me look for some of the most significant places in my life. Here they are (in no particular order):

E De Leon

Villaba

Posadas


Can you find your own rooftop in Google Earth?

La Vita e Bella!

Crepe Expectations

Much thanks goes to Carlo and Syd for keeping and finding this picture respectively. Circa 1999, this picture was taken during our entrepreneurial days in college. Crepe Expectations was the name of our business, and as you can gather, we sold crepes. Our target market were the bazaar (or tiangge) shoppers during Christmas time. Back then, crepes were relatively 'exotic'. Cafe Breton had not yet burst onto the scene, so we felt that we had a good product on our hands.

After several nights of testing (and arguing), we took the plunge and rented a booth in the Cuenca Bazaar.

JP and Joy (Carlo's cousin) manning the booth. Take a look at our menu!

We were most definitely the loudest booth there. Imagine about 6 teenagers barking orders to each other... asking (nay, demanding!) ingredients, passing utensils, etc. People walking past were amused, and I'm sure that contributed to our appeal. We weren't perfect; we almost ran out of ingredients a few times and as I mentioned before, alot of tempers flared during the weekend of the bazaar. It was a real test of our friendship, but we came through in the end.

I think we did 2 more bazaars after that, each time becomine more efficient in our crepe making process. So, did Crepe Expectations earn money? It earned a modest amount, and its profits were enough to help fund our Boracay trip back in 2000. Sadly, after everyone graduated, we didn't have enough time to continue our business partnership. However, I am sure that one day, we will once again join forces and run a business!

Life is Beautiful!

Hungarian Grand Prix Analysis

Woohoo! Finally, Jenson Button has won a Grand Prix!

Normally, the Hungarian Grand Prix is a boring one, as the track is very narrow and offers very little passing. The rain changed all that. The great equalizer, Formula1 no longer is about power, but about control. This was very obvious as almost all of the young drivers (Rosberg, Liuzzi, etc) spun out of control at least once in the race. And it just goes to prove, Ferrari is what makes Massa quick, and not the other way around! And how about those passing maneouvers on various parts of the track? This is where we see the best drivers strut their stuff.

Starting from 14th on the grid due to a blown engine during practice (which makes his victory even more remarkable), Button drove superbly up the field to claim his maiden win. His precise driving in the changing conditions coupled by the perfect team strategy (and a little luck!) gave him victory. When he took over the lead with just over 20 laps remaining, I got really excited... I counted down the laps and prayed that he would not get over excited and spin out, or have some mechanical failure. And when he finally crossed the line and the chequered flag, I was ecstatic! He truly deserved it.

Behind him, a spaniard and a german took 2nd and 3rd respectively, but it wasn't Alonso and Schumacher... instead it was De La Rosa and Heidfeld! This was also a good day for them as they drove intelligently, avoided accidents, and ultimately claimed podium finishes as well.

Barrichello drove a quiet but strong 4th position and Coulthard followed with an impressive 5th. Ralph Schumacher took 6th, with the final two spots going to the two Ferraris, Massa and Michael Schumacher.

Alonso was unlucky as he suffered a driveshaft failure (looked like a loose rear right lugnut to me) coming out from his presumably final pit stop, but his interview in the paddock proved prophetic ('everybody suffers mechanical failure') as Schumacher broke his front suspension with 3 laps to go! Because of this (and a disqualification to Robert Kubica), Schumacher was able only to gain a point on Alonso, making the difference between them only 10 points with 5 races to go.

Raikonnen and Liuzzi crashed into each other, and the race ended for both of them there. Liuzzi did apologize and admitted that it was his mistake that caused the crash. It did look spectacular though!

This was easily the best race of the year for me. Incredible racing from start to finish, drama and crashes in between, and the first win for Honda and Jenson Button! In one word... Classic!

Next stop... Turkey!

Life is Beautiful!

Prey

I love playing first-person shooters (fps) on the PC. Wolfenstein 3d, Doom, Half-Life... I've gone through most of them. These days, I have been playing Prey.

Based on the Doom 3 engine, Prey features some things not in other first fps's. First is the gravity shift. There is the ability to alter gravity by shooting certain panels on the wall. What once was a wall becomes the ceiling. Shoot another panel and then it becomes the floor. Then there is the wall-walk, sort of a magnetic walkway that enables you to walk also on the walls and ceiling. These things have to be seen to believed, and even the most hardcore gamer might get initial motion sickness adjusting to the movement. Its so disorientating to walk up the wall and onto the ceiling and see the floor above you!

The single-player campaign was a bit of a disappointment. I think the technology wasn't used to its full extent; alot of the levels lacked creativity. Overall, it feels rushed. If they had more time, I'm sure it could have been better. Hopefully an extension pack will correct this.

However, multiplayer (or Multiprey as they call it) shines. The maps (for the most part) are beautifully designed and take full advantage of the portals and gravity effects. Its cool to shoot enemies on the walls and on the ceilings, and it adds a new dimension to multiplayer.

Here are two shots of me on the ceiling, shooting 'down' at an enemy player.


At the top of the leader boards! Yes, thats me, B.Stabber!


Life is Beautiful!

Rainy Day in Stratford

Just the other week, I was finally able to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon, about 30 minutes by train from where I live. Stratford-Upon-Avon is famous because William Shakespeare lived here.

It was not the best day to go, as the skies were already quite overcast on the way there and while walking along the streets, torrential rains poured down. Needless to say, I wasn't able to see much. But here are pictures of what I did see...

This is Shakespeare's birthplace. I did not go inside as there was an entrance fee to go in, and there was not much time to look around.

This is Nash's House. It is named after Shakespeare's granddaughters husband, Thomas Nash. Beside it, if you follow the garden path, is New Place. Shakespeare lived here after he became rich and famous as a playwright. Incidentally, this is also where he died.

This is the inside of the Holy Trinity Church. This is where Shakespeare (and most of his family) is buried. Take note of the bust on the wall. Although you can't see it in these pictures, Anne Hathaway (Shakespeare's wife) and his other relatives are buried beside him.


That's basically it! I saw where Shakespeare was born, where he died, and where he was laid to rest! I wish I could have taken a stroll along the river Avon, but sadly the rain was unrelenting. Maybe I will go there again one day when the sun is shining; who knows, I might even watch one of Shakespeare's plays!

Life is Beautiful!