Aldorithm

Day 50 Outtake Haha I am so late with my 365 outtakes. This was...

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:12:21 +0800

Day 50 Outtake

Haha I am so late with my 365 outtakes. This was shot February 19!

Oh Giant Chewy Nerds, you are a sympathetic research companion....

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:28:00 +0800

Oh Giant Chewy Nerds, you are a sympathetic research companion. You and your bumpy crunchy Nerds shell and your chewy jelly bean center.

This!

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:14:00 +0800

Is a boring show!

You know how I love American Idol but this season has been, for the most part, quite dull. I would find myself browsing websites, if not tweeting “What a dull show” while the performances play in the background. Sad to say, the show is not what it was once before. So let’s break it down:

I guess it’s really the law of diminishing marginal utility in play here. Nine seasons later, the excitement from watching the show has waned. The season premiered on January 12 but I only finally started to watch the auditions weeks later. I put it off week after week after week because I knew how the pre-Hollywood auditions would bore me and, sure enough, they did. The “excruciating” auditions were fun to watch in the early seasons; now it’s all passé. Plus, the auditions kind of lost their charm when viewers found out about what *truly* happens in the selection process.
Hollywood week is my favorite time of the show. This season, I thought the episodes were fine but I kept waiting for “some of the best Hollywood performances in Idol history,” as Seacrest proudly announced in the coming-up voice-overs. I unfortunately didn’t catch any earth-shattering performances but that’s not to say it was a boring Hollywood round. I did love Katie Steven’s For Once in My Life, Andrew Garcia’s Straight Up, Tim Urban’s Come Back to Me, Didi Benami’s Terrified, and Crystal Bowersox’s If It Makes You Happy.

Okay, on Ellen as the new judge: love her, but the show doesn’t need her. Well, not Ellen per se but a fourth judge on the panel. I know American Idol needs constant changes in its regular cast, hence Kara DioGuardi’s introduction to the show last year. But we’ve all seen how an extra judge extends the program that the critiques of the last performance are fast-tracked to avoid potential overtime. Plus, it just feels like there are too many cooks in the kitchen. Well, less so last year when Paula’s sole role as judge was to compliment the contestant’s get-up (“you look great”). This year, we have four opinionated judges and at times it feels repetitive (“I agree with Randy, I agree with Simon”). Ellen seemed a bit off her game during the Top 12 Guys/Girls performances but I thought she gave more insightful critiques this week. And it must be said: I love Kara’s insights but not so much her swagger.

I’m glad we’re back to the 12 guys/girls format again this year. I like an equal representation of the sexes. Besides, some of the good performers slip through the cracks with the mixed semifinal format like last year’s. At times not even the wildcard round can save a potentially good contestant.

The first semifinal round dragged on and on and on. I’m always partial to the ladies but that was such a dull first night. I distinctly remember how strong the Top 12 girls’ performance night was in Season 5 (hello Mandisa, Paris, Lisa, Ayla, Kellie, Katharine). Later seasons were not as strong but there were at least a couple of ladies who delivered a truly memorable performance (Jordin, Melinda, LaKisha, and Sabrina in Season 6; Asia’h, Alexandréa, Syesha, and Ramiele in Season 7). This year, there really wasn’t a performance that stood out but my favorites were: Paige, Katelyn (I sense a Carrie Underwood vibe), Michelle, Didi, Katie, and CRYSTAL. Let me just say, anyone who sings an Alanis Morissette song on Idol has my vote. And while Crystal chose one of my most favorite Alanis songs ever (thank god she didn’t do You Oughta Know, which I kindof don’t like), Hand in My Pocket isn’t really one that showcases your mad skillz as a performer. But her playing the guitar and the harmonica is commendable.

Like the ladies, the fellas had a rough night but I appreciated the performances from: Joe (love this song — I think this is the one song where Jason Mraz is really in his element) and Lee. My sister (along with many others) loves Andrew Garcia but he left a lot to be desired. John Park’s and Tim Urban’s performances were painful to the ear.

This week was miles better than last for both the boys and the girls. I liked: Michael, Alex (my favorite of the week, love this song), Aaron, Tim (what a turnaround from last week), Lee, Crystal, Lacie (really like this girl but she needs to step it up), Katie (though I am tired of hearing this song on this show), Didi (I didn’t think it was that bad), and Siobhan.

It’s interesting to note that, unlike in Season 3 and Season 6, there are virtually no divas in this batch of ladies. Most of the girls have that contemporary/indie pop vibe about them and I’m not complaining because I’ve always stood behind contestants of this ilk in the past (Brooke White, Jesse Langseth, Megan Joy, to name a few). Admittedly, the showstopping performances are usually delivered by the divas but we’ll see how this group of singer-songwriter ladies fares this year.

So yeah, so far the show hasn’t really done anything to excite a fan like me. One of my Idol “theories” is that a brilliant season (1, 3, 5, 7) is followed by a mediocre one (2, 4, 6). I’d pegged last year’s Season 8 to be so-so, what with the superb cast of Season 7… but in the end I thought last year’s group was pretty strong too even if I sorely disagreed with the winner. The thing about this show is, it’s become such a fixture in the first half of my year that I’d probably never give up on it. No matter how dull it gets.

Saltsa taro chips! A proud product of Vietnam! With essential...

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:28:50 +0800

Saltsa taro chips! A proud product of Vietnam! With essential vitamins and minerals! Y’know the kind that you need for that 4PM meeting! Or that Friday karaoke night! Saltsa!

Day 48 Outtake

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:11:28 +0800

Day 48 Outtake

Day 44 + 45 Outtakes

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:35:00 +0800

At February Fair 2010. (Or February FAIL 2010, as the wise guys like to call it.) This would have been my Day 44 picture but then I got a tattoo and the photo of it was more representative of the day.

A temporary tattoo, silly. I’m not ready to make the jump yet.

I got excited over this year’s fair because I knew I could get a cheap henna tattoo. This would be my test run, I thought, because for the past year, I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo forealz. Five years ago this would have been a far-fetched idea; 2005 Aldo would have been disgusted with just the thought. See my folks made it clear to me when I was a kid that tattoos were for dirty, hippie people. So I grew up with the thinking that I would never get myself inked lest I wanted to be part of that ilk.

When one of my best friends got a real tattoo a couple years ago I was stunned. Looking back, it was pretty absurd and judgmental of me to tell JB, “Hoy she’s changed.” And it was pretty absurd and judgmental of him to respond with, “Well…”

I didn’t like the idea of getting permanently inked. (Y’know, I also kindasorta don’t like that word, ink, as in “Hey guyz I just got inked!!! XD”) But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the tattoo as an art form (naks). And I’ve also learned that that dark, depressing green isn’t the only ink color.

Last year, at Ma’am Mia’s wedding, the pretty lady seated in front of me had a tattoo of a Joshua tree on her nape. I stared at it the entire ceremony because it was done beautifully and I really liked the idea of a tattoo of an unconventional tree. (But as it turns out, the Joshua tree seems to be a popular tattoo choice.) Seeing this inspired, exquisitely rendered design only increased my wanting to get a tattoo of my own. But where? And, more importantly, what of?

As for the where, I definitely don’t want it fully exposed and screaming for attention. I fancy a bit of mystery, yes? Most likely on the upper back or probably the upper left arm but definitely not on the chest (for now). I kindof liked how my henna tattoo came out (especially after three days) but I would have preferred it an inch higher.

The tattoo is based on a shirt design entitled “Race” by Daniel Lim (no we’re not related!). I’ve been meaning to buy this shirt but it’s been sold out on Threadless for the longest time. I can imagine the original colorful design would be a kickass permanent tattoo but since it’s a zebra, I figured the standard henna black would also do it good. I sent an MMS of the semi-finished tattoo to Ma’am Mia and she instantly got it — “Zebra Flesh!” she replied.

When (and if) I do get a permanent tattoo, I want an original design, but of course. I already have an artist in mind, and, incidentally, I recently found out that she has also dabbled in tattoo art. If it’s going to be on my skin, it might as well be an authentic sketch right? But what of exactly?

Roanna and I contemplated on possible tattoos to get from the atypical/unusual (Olympic rings) to the comic (Mickey Mouse — LOL) and right now I’ve set my mind on something: Atlas. As in Greek mythology Atlas with the world upon his shoulders. Or at least a globe… that would also be quite nice with the colors and the navigation marks. I Google’d possible design references but I ran into a problem when the images came up.

Globe+tattoo gave me images pertaining to the broadband service.

Orange Swits, you are the best candy in the world. Yes you trump...

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:06:52 +0800

Orange Swits, you are the best candy in the world. Yes you trump Skittles and you know how much I love Skittles. Your jelly is better than gummy worms, better than gummy bears. You’re more delightful than Nerds too. And I would give up my Gobstoppers anytime for you, Orange Swits. Life is sweeter with you around.

Two weeks ago we found ourselves talking about the first thing...

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:38:26 +0800

Two weeks ago we found ourselves talking about the first thing we would do if we won the lottery. To me, the answer was quick: buy a jacket.

My dinner mates laughed at the idea. But it’s true, I do want to get myself a jacket because I am not in possession of a nice one. I have a brand in mind but, ultimately, I just need one that’s nice-looking, versatile, and not too warm.

Actually, that was my initial motive for saving up this year, so that by December I could buy a nice one for myself. But if I won the lottery, I wouldn’t need to save up anymore. It would be the first thing — not the only thing of course! — I would buy with the winning money.

The problem is, I haven’t won yet in the past two weeks with my lucky pick numbers. I guess it’s time I select my constant six.

Day 40 Outtake

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:41:00 +0800

Truthfully, I don’t like the university stereotype that communication people aren’t well-versed with numbers. Often I hear my students ~~make excuses~~ reason out that they took a communication course because they don’t like math and/or science. The irony in my case is, my UPCAT test results revealed that I scored the highest in math and, shamefully, the lowest in English.

Unfortunately, my mathematical ability seems to have diminished over the years. Take designing a bookshelf for example. Last week I finally got around to drafting a sketch after noticing the mounds of paper and whatnot accumulating in my office. I brought out my retractable metal tape and measured the space this bookshelf would occupy. I believed I got the measurements right. Because I am terrible at sketching, I designed a 2D version of the bookshelf on Photoshop: eight shelves, each one at 13 inches. Then I brought the illustration to this carpentry shop (as pictured above) and explained the design to the carpenter. He gave me a price quotation which shocked me a little before it sank in that what I actually wanted made was 9-foot piece of furniture. Sherwin said the price was reasonable; I agreed — it would certainly cost more were I to buy a bookshelf at Ikea, oh but we don’t have Ikea in Manila.

So I agreed to the price, made a downpayment, said I was willing to wait a month for the bookshelf to be constructed.

A week later, I found myself staring at the tall bookcase in my bedroom which got me wondering, did I get the measurements right for the bookshelf I’d designed? Because the ceiling in my room is pretty high and the seven-shelf bookcase almost hits the ceiling. Would my eight-shelf bookcase fit it my office?

So I remeasured the space it would take up and, to my relief, I did get the numbers right. BUT, for whatever reason, the bookshelf I designed was a couple inches taller than should be. So we called up the carpentry house and instructed them to deduct one shelf from the design. Luckily, they hadn’t started construction yet!

My bookshelf gets made by March 15. We’ll see if it truly fits the space by then!

How exactly does one “play” with a wall-mounted hand...

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:45:49 +0800

How exactly does one “play” with a wall-mounted hand dryer?

A second sign (I failed to take a picture, sorry) added that the hand dryer was intended for hands — not handkerchiefs and “bimpo.” The sign didn’t say anything about toothbrushes, so using it to dry mine doesn’t make me an unlawful citizen does it.

Must Be Because It's February 15

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:14:00 +0800

What do you do to a crumbling morale?

Because one of your 2010 resolutions is to think happier thoughts but there is always a reminder of how small you really are and, in the words of Mr. A-Z, “it all amounts to nothing in the end” and no one gets it because no one is in the same boat as you, you fool.

Day 39 Outtake For some reason, the Mondays this year have been...

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:28:46 +0800

Day 39 Outtake

For some reason, the Mondays this year have been a sneezefest. For the first time, I missed a class in one of my MS courses this semester.

Day 38 Outtake

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:18:59 +0800

Day 38 Outtake

Day 34 Outtake Look who’s smiling again! Been a long time...

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:35:30 +0800

Day 34 Outtake

Look who’s smiling again! Been a long time since I last visited my dentist. And we had to reschedule three times over the past week! But I love my dentist so I was willing to wait. I love her because she loves to ask me questions while she examines my teeth. Years ago when she was extracting my wisdom tooth, she repeatedly asked me, “pressure or pain?” It didn’t matter what I felt — I had no idea how to communicate it in the first place with my mouth wide open, annoying dental suction in place. I think I responded with caveman sounds.

Even though I took plenty of smiling photos, this day was anything but joyful. That’s what I love about my home planner (I have a separate one for work) — you get to “rate” each day of the week. Without contemplation, I encircled “frustrated” which was #7 in the 9-point scale.

Day 33 Outtakes I placed a phone call to the service center this...

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:01:00 +0800

Day 33 Outtakes

I placed a phone call to the service center this afternoon and it looks like Kaiser and I won’t be reuniting anytime soon. By “soon” I cross my fingers that we’re talking days, not weeks, because my life(style) is determined by my laptop. No laptop=no life!

So I might as well suck it in and update ze blog on our primitive PC, which my sister has done a fine job slowing down (since I stopped monopolizing it last year when I got Kaiser). And also make do with the ancient Photoshop installed here.

Incomplete

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:04:34 +0800

A week without Kaiser (my laptop) feels like a week without an arm or a leg. I find that I cannot function properly as though it really were an extension of myself. And I cannot seem to blog properly on another computer too.

Catching Up

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:11:47 +0800

Me: O kamusta naman ang One Hundred Islands?
JB: "Hundred Islands" lang ano.

I was waiting for Sherwin to withdraw his cash from the BPI ATM...

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:35:00 +0800

I was waiting for Sherwin to withdraw his cash from the BPI ATM when a stranger caught my attention by pointing to the space between my feet. He was referring to a 1x1 picture that had fallen on the ground. A 1x1 picture of somebody I did not resemble in the slightest bit. I am tempted to blow up the picture for you to see but that wouldn’t be respectful to the person would it.

Day 30 Outtake The M in MRT must stand for malas (or if you...

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:53:00 +0800

Day 30 Outtake

The M in MRT must stand for malas (or if you insist an English word, misfortune).

Yesterday I got a call from Power Mac Center-Greenhills that the replacement part for my laptop had arrived and that I had to bring my unit over within two days. I decided to go (with Sherwin) today. Unfortunately, the buses to Cubao (from Los Baños) were all occupied so we decided to take the Buendia LRT bus, get off at Magallanes, and take the MRT to Ortigas. In our train ride we found our stop at Shaw Station to be unnecessarily extended. Turns out another train broke down in the middle of the track which was why we couldn’t keep moving. We didn’t want to wait so we got out and walked all the way to Ortigas Avenue. (Didn’t bother queueing with the rest of the angry passengers to refund our tickets.)

In the afternoon we found ourselves bound for Araneta at the Annapolis-Santolan Station. It was 4:20PM and the platform wasn’t busy so we imagined an empty train would pick us up and we’d have a peaceful, comfortable ride to our stop. To our utter shock, the first three trains that arrived were PACKED; the poor passengers were almost pushed against the glass doors. There was no way in hell we could have gotten in. Try as I might to request a refund for our money (because we couldn’t obtain a ride), the ticket lady wouldn’t budge. So we waited for the FOURTH train and, dead-set on not getting left behind this time, we unapologetically forced ourselves into the darned compartment. We were squeezed in next to each other that there was no need to grab on to a handle for balance anymore! (Besides, all the handles were taken.) Funny thing was, almost all of us got off at Araneta, thereby vacating the train.

Day 28 Outtakes (Tumblr, when are you making the read more break...

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:06:00 +0800

Day 28 Outtakes

(Tumblr, when are you making the read more break available for photo captions???)

I made this clay person in pre-primary (gods, it’s been two decades!). Our teacher gave us a generous set of materials with which to sculpt and dress our stick figure (the clay head was mounted on a barbecue stick).

I brought it home for my mum to see; when she asked me what/who this clay person was, I proudly said, ME!

(How funny, my mum just entered the room, saw the stick figure, and reminded me of my joy as a kid in proclaiming that I looked like it.)