When I was still a wee child, my dad and I used to watch black-and-white detective noir films, and I thought it was awesome. Then, I discovered old issues of Detective Comics. Yeah, it had Batman, but it also featured detectives. And what do most detectives wear? Fedoras.
When I had my hands on some history books, I found out that people used to wear hats because it was the standard protocol. And I found it rather cool. I wanted a fedora but didn't get one. Why? I was 8. Ish. Or 7. I can't remember.
High school. Went goth. Saw Blues Brothers. It had my three loves: blues, harmonicas and fedoras. Fast forward college. The goth old me from high school went old school. REAL old school. I mean, I'm not the type that goes to Hot Topic and says shit like "My world's so dark you can't see it!". No. I spoke like a normal person. But I dressed full black. But comfortable. I don't need to look like an idiot wearing leather/PVC under the hot sun. And I seldom wear make up. Being naturally pale has it's benefits. But enough of that...
As I was saying, I was in the University Library, scanning for some good books at the recreational fiction section. Found some Bradbury, found some Hemingway, found some of shitty Anne Rice novels (I HATE YOUR ENTIRE BODY OF WORK!), and finally, I stumbled upon a dainty little book called "Pulp Fiction". It was a collection of actual pulp fiction spanning at least 5 decades. Memories of my childhood went haywire. I need a fedora. And it had to be black.
Now, to the second part of the title: "why I might stop wearing it".
Douchebags. Yeah, there, I said it. Fuck you, you idiots who wear the fedora for no good reason, not thinking about the actual functionality of the goddamned hat! The hipsters don't deserve the name! YOU RUINED THE PORK PIE HAT! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! DAMN YOU!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Life Lessons I Learned From Playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
This'll be a very nerdy post about a trading card game, so I apologize in advance to you non-nerd/non-trading card types.
A Little Background on the Game (entirely from memory)
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trading card game from Japan. It started out as a plot device for a manga by Kazuki Takahashi, which in turn, became an actual card game, and then turned into an anime that 4Kids ruined for everyone in North America that saw the anime on Cartoon Network.
The actual card game itself is different from the stuff you see and read from the original manga and anime, as the stuff going on there are pretty fucked up shit. I mean, come on! People actually get hurt because of the game! If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch ANY episode of the anime. I don't care which story arc, season, spin off, or parody you see, just watch at least ONE episode. People's souls go to Hell (Jigoku in the original version, Shadow Realm in the 4Kids version) when they lose. Literally. It'll give you shit like "heart of the cards" and the infamous "POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!". So, enough about that. Let's get on with the life lessons.
¤ You can't get everything you want.
It's a bit cliche, but its true in this game. Your first five or six cards aren't usually what you want, and you need to accept that, UNLESS, I say it again, UNLESS you've done/will do something about it, which brings us to our next life lesson:
¤ Be prepared for anything
Again, another cliche, but a fundamental truth in this game.
Deck building is an integral part of the game. Imagine it as preparing for battle. What weapon to bring? Should I carry an automatic rifle or a machine gun? Should I wear a flak jacket for protection or not for speed? Get my drift?
¤ A little psychological warfare can go a long way
A player can win the game through sheer luck. A good player can win the game through skill. A really good player can win the game through fucking with his opponent's brain.
¤ When you can fight, don't run. When you can run, don't fight.
To be able to fully grasp this life lesson, you must first know what needs to be known about your surroundings. What cards are on the field? How about those in your hand? Have you noticed a pattern in your opponent's movements, especially with the cards he uses? If you have answers to these questions, ask yourself: fight or run?
¤ An all out attack is not always the way to victory
The aim of the game is reduce your opponent's life points, but that's not the only way to win. You can stall, bringing the game to a stop, until you complete the Exodia parts or finish the Final Countdown. You can let your opponent loose all his cards until he can't draw a card any more. There are other ways, all of them painful.
More stuff will be added. This is a work in process, so keep reading the twitter feed for more updates. Sorry for wasting your time.
A Little Background on the Game (entirely from memory)
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trading card game from Japan. It started out as a plot device for a manga by Kazuki Takahashi, which in turn, became an actual card game, and then turned into an anime that 4Kids ruined for everyone in North America that saw the anime on Cartoon Network.
The actual card game itself is different from the stuff you see and read from the original manga and anime, as the stuff going on there are pretty fucked up shit. I mean, come on! People actually get hurt because of the game! If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch ANY episode of the anime. I don't care which story arc, season, spin off, or parody you see, just watch at least ONE episode. People's souls go to Hell (Jigoku in the original version, Shadow Realm in the 4Kids version) when they lose. Literally. It'll give you shit like "heart of the cards" and the infamous "POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!". So, enough about that. Let's get on with the life lessons.
¤ You can't get everything you want.
It's a bit cliche, but its true in this game. Your first five or six cards aren't usually what you want, and you need to accept that, UNLESS, I say it again, UNLESS you've done/will do something about it, which brings us to our next life lesson:
¤ Be prepared for anything
Again, another cliche, but a fundamental truth in this game.
Deck building is an integral part of the game. Imagine it as preparing for battle. What weapon to bring? Should I carry an automatic rifle or a machine gun? Should I wear a flak jacket for protection or not for speed? Get my drift?
¤ A little psychological warfare can go a long way
A player can win the game through sheer luck. A good player can win the game through skill. A really good player can win the game through fucking with his opponent's brain.
¤ When you can fight, don't run. When you can run, don't fight.
To be able to fully grasp this life lesson, you must first know what needs to be known about your surroundings. What cards are on the field? How about those in your hand? Have you noticed a pattern in your opponent's movements, especially with the cards he uses? If you have answers to these questions, ask yourself: fight or run?
¤ An all out attack is not always the way to victory
The aim of the game is reduce your opponent's life points, but that's not the only way to win. You can stall, bringing the game to a stop, until you complete the Exodia parts or finish the Final Countdown. You can let your opponent loose all his cards until he can't draw a card any more. There are other ways, all of them painful.
More stuff will be added. This is a work in process, so keep reading the twitter feed for more updates. Sorry for wasting your time.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Road Trip Playlist
For a lack of better things to do, here's a list that I think would be perfect for anything that involves a vehicle and the road.
(This list is in no particular order. Think of it as Shuffle mode.)
1. Highway Star by Deep Purple
It's a fast paced song with a bitchin' guitar and organ solo. And some people believe this song might be the first thrash metal song [citation needed]. Anyway, just don't get caught up with the speed, or your trip might end up in the...
2. Highway to Hell by AC/DC
You see what I did there? The transition? Yeah, moving on.
This song is CLASSIC. Not a lot of explanation needed here.
3. Where Ever I May Roam by Metallica
This is one of Metallica's slower songs. Great for drives at night, when you're all alone, not knowing where to go. If you want a faster pace, the remix of this song featured in The Blackest Album: An Industrial Tribute is just right for you.
4. Drive by The Cars
Again, another slow song. So, you broke up with your special someone, or had some bad day. Now what? Who's gonna drive you home?
5. Day Tripper by The Beatles
Catchy song, and kinda hides some sort of drug reference. Just don't drive while on drugs.
6. Country Roads by John Denver
If you noticed that the list went slower and slower, my apologies. They're just songs that are off the top of my head that have something to do with travelling by road.
This is a good homecoming song, especially if you live in West Virginia.
7. Trip to Jerusalem by The Eraserheads
This is a song by one of the Philippines' most iconic bands. And it's in English. If you want something in Tagalog by this band that has something to do with driving, Overdrive is the song for you. My dad actually finds this song very funny.
8. The Roadrunner Show theme song
Two words: beep beep.
9. Bicycle by Queen
It's got a vehicle. It's involves travelling. The song is actually good. Don't question my logic. Ever.
10. Go Speed Racer Go from the Speed Racer cartoon
I told you to never question my logic.
More songs will be added sooner or later. Just post your suggestions with your comments.
(This list is in no particular order. Think of it as Shuffle mode.)
1. Highway Star by Deep Purple
It's a fast paced song with a bitchin' guitar and organ solo. And some people believe this song might be the first thrash metal song [citation needed]. Anyway, just don't get caught up with the speed, or your trip might end up in the...
2. Highway to Hell by AC/DC
You see what I did there? The transition? Yeah, moving on.
This song is CLASSIC. Not a lot of explanation needed here.
3. Where Ever I May Roam by Metallica
This is one of Metallica's slower songs. Great for drives at night, when you're all alone, not knowing where to go. If you want a faster pace, the remix of this song featured in The Blackest Album: An Industrial Tribute is just right for you.
4. Drive by The Cars
Again, another slow song. So, you broke up with your special someone, or had some bad day. Now what? Who's gonna drive you home?
5. Day Tripper by The Beatles
Catchy song, and kinda hides some sort of drug reference. Just don't drive while on drugs.
6. Country Roads by John Denver
If you noticed that the list went slower and slower, my apologies. They're just songs that are off the top of my head that have something to do with travelling by road.
This is a good homecoming song, especially if you live in West Virginia.
7. Trip to Jerusalem by The Eraserheads
This is a song by one of the Philippines' most iconic bands. And it's in English. If you want something in Tagalog by this band that has something to do with driving, Overdrive is the song for you. My dad actually finds this song very funny.
8. The Roadrunner Show theme song
Two words: beep beep.
9. Bicycle by Queen
It's got a vehicle. It's involves travelling. The song is actually good. Don't question my logic. Ever.
10. Go Speed Racer Go from the Speed Racer cartoon
I told you to never question my logic.
More songs will be added sooner or later. Just post your suggestions with your comments.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tired
I am tired. I need a vacation. Bored of home. Bored of routine. Change stalled and was shot before it could even walk in the door. Change better get its act together. Change better do something, or I will do something to Change.
I need to swim away from this storm of ennui. My brain became stagnant, like the waters where mosquitoes thrive and survive. I am sick. Not physically, but almost. My mind is sick. My acuteness of the senses, gone. Gone much like Change. I need a vacation.
I need to swim away from this storm of ennui. My brain became stagnant, like the waters where mosquitoes thrive and survive. I am sick. Not physically, but almost. My mind is sick. My acuteness of the senses, gone. Gone much like Change. I need a vacation.
Tired
I am tired. I need a vacation. Bored of home. Bored of routine. Change stalled and was shot before it could even walk in the door. Change better get its act together. Change better do something, or I will do something to Change.
I need to swim away from this storm of ennui. My brain became stagnant, like the waters where mosquitoes thrive and survive. I am sick. Not physically, but almost. My mind is sick. My acuteness of the senses, gone. Gone much like Change. I need a vacation.
I need to swim away from this storm of ennui. My brain became stagnant, like the waters where mosquitoes thrive and survive. I am sick. Not physically, but almost. My mind is sick. My acuteness of the senses, gone. Gone much like Change. I need a vacation.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
This Is My Lesson Plan, and It's Fucked Up (if you're a teacher, you'd know why)
Note: I am trained to teach high school, not elementary. This lesson is for elementary, and I will not teach this, fearing that I will turn idiots out of my pupils. I'm sticking to high school. At least those kids have the proper schema to think and scaffold new ideas.
I. Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:
1. Differentiate words with soft Gg sound and hard Gg sound.
2. Pronounce the soft Gg and hard Gg sound correctly.
3. Identify words with soft Gg and hard Gg sound.
II. Subject Matter:
Topic: The hard Gg and soft Gg sound.
Reference: Basic Guide in Reading (P), Corazon S. Reyno, pgs. 15-16
Materials: flash cards, pictures
Values Infusion: Active participation.
III. Procedure:
Preparation
a. Prayer
b. Greeting
c. Checking of attendance
Developmental
a. Motivation - Ask the class to give examples of names that start with G. Ask the class if they notice the difference of the sounds of the different names.
b. Presentation - The teacher will explain the G sound, and how it's sound changes, that the soft Gg is pronunced as a "j" and the hard Gg is pronounced as "g".
c. Application - Activity:
The teacher will now show pictures of words with soft G and hard G sounds. The learners will read these words. Then, they will divide the words whether they have the soft G or hard G sound.
d. Generalization - The teacher will ask what the pupils have learned.
IV. Evaluation:
Teacher will post more words on the board. This time, the learners will write on a sheet of paper whether they are of the soft G sound or hard G sound. After this, the class will check their work.
V. Assignment: Post pictures on the board. The pupils will guess the name of such objects depicted on the pictures, and decide whether they have the hard G and soft G. It'll be written on a sheet of paper, and the answers will be recited next meeting.
I. Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:
1. Differentiate words with soft Gg sound and hard Gg sound.
2. Pronounce the soft Gg and hard Gg sound correctly.
3. Identify words with soft Gg and hard Gg sound.
II. Subject Matter:
Topic: The hard Gg and soft Gg sound.
Reference: Basic Guide in Reading (P), Corazon S. Reyno, pgs. 15-16
Materials: flash cards, pictures
Values Infusion: Active participation.
III. Procedure:
Preparation
a. Prayer
b. Greeting
c. Checking of attendance
Developmental
a. Motivation - Ask the class to give examples of names that start with G. Ask the class if they notice the difference of the sounds of the different names.
b. Presentation - The teacher will explain the G sound, and how it's sound changes, that the soft Gg is pronunced as a "j" and the hard Gg is pronounced as "g".
c. Application - Activity:
The teacher will now show pictures of words with soft G and hard G sounds. The learners will read these words. Then, they will divide the words whether they have the soft G or hard G sound.
d. Generalization - The teacher will ask what the pupils have learned.
IV. Evaluation:
Teacher will post more words on the board. This time, the learners will write on a sheet of paper whether they are of the soft G sound or hard G sound. After this, the class will check their work.
V. Assignment: Post pictures on the board. The pupils will guess the name of such objects depicted on the pictures, and decide whether they have the hard G and soft G. It'll be written on a sheet of paper, and the answers will be recited next meeting.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Why Am I Doing This? (And Other Frequently Asked Questions)
As I am writing this, I am sitting on the toilet during a power outage, with nothing but candlelight and my cellphone. This does not mean anything. I just wish to share to you what I am currently doing. I'm shitting.
Lots of questions have been thrown at me ever since I started my cyber life. So now, due to complete boredom, I will try to answer all the frequently asked questions in one single blog post.
1. Why are you doing this?
Why not?
I have lots of ideas that are just taking up my brain's memory space. I am computer and internet literate. I enjoy writing. I like to annoy people when I feel like it. Why not?
2. What is your real name?
This must be a trick question.
No, I will not post my real name here. But remember, I don't lie about my real name. I always say up front that I use an alias on the internet. On this blog, I am the Ghostwriter. On Twitter, I am, again, The Ghostwriter. On Facebook, I am ****** **** (censored for your protection and mine). Just look for me. You might find me.
3. How old are you?
Again, a question I will not answer on the internet.
I am old as I am. That is all.
4. Where are you?
Read the blog about the science fiction folio. That might give you a clue.
5. Why do you enjoy wearing black so much?
It feels good.
I'm comfortable with the colour. It seldom stands out in a crowd of people, but it stands out if worn perfectly. It looks very elegant and professional. Kinda like Johnny Cash. Yeah. Or Robert Smith. Maybe even Johnny C.
Oh yes, and black is a must if you enjoy creeping around in dark places. Black sweater, black ski mask, black pants, black boots, the works.
Well, those are just some of the questions I could remember here on the toilet. And the power's back on. Cool. And it's time to flush.
If you have more questions, just post a comment.
Lots of questions have been thrown at me ever since I started my cyber life. So now, due to complete boredom, I will try to answer all the frequently asked questions in one single blog post.
1. Why are you doing this?
Why not?
I have lots of ideas that are just taking up my brain's memory space. I am computer and internet literate. I enjoy writing. I like to annoy people when I feel like it. Why not?
2. What is your real name?
This must be a trick question.
No, I will not post my real name here. But remember, I don't lie about my real name. I always say up front that I use an alias on the internet. On this blog, I am the Ghostwriter. On Twitter, I am, again, The Ghostwriter. On Facebook, I am ****** **** (censored for your protection and mine). Just look for me. You might find me.
3. How old are you?
Again, a question I will not answer on the internet.
I am old as I am. That is all.
4. Where are you?
Read the blog about the science fiction folio. That might give you a clue.
5. Why do you enjoy wearing black so much?
It feels good.
I'm comfortable with the colour. It seldom stands out in a crowd of people, but it stands out if worn perfectly. It looks very elegant and professional. Kinda like Johnny Cash. Yeah. Or Robert Smith. Maybe even Johnny C.
Oh yes, and black is a must if you enjoy creeping around in dark places. Black sweater, black ski mask, black pants, black boots, the works.
Well, those are just some of the questions I could remember here on the toilet. And the power's back on. Cool. And it's time to flush.
If you have more questions, just post a comment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
