weapon of choice

Check out Djokovic's signature racquet from Head. I held one his unstrung rackets yesterday and it was near perfect. This is the lightest racquet I've tried. The specs and the paint job are just amazing. Recreational or not, I wouldn't mind spending big for it. I have the Babolat AeroPro Drive right now and I am starting to hate it. All my shots were slightly off-centered, it vibrates on every hit and I'm really playing aweful with it. I think it's time to let it go.

So should I spend that much for recreational hitting? I'm a recreational player, I’m someone who likes to hit on weekends. Like hitting for hours on end, getting into a rhythm with my strokes and experimenting with different techniques. That's how I play. I prefer to get out there with a hitting partner for some unstructured hitting.

I'm in for long rallies, some short one’s and for some weird ones (when I try and show off some trick shots). In social matches I'm free to experiment, enjoy my strokes and just be out there hitting. I’m not saying that it isn’t a good idea to practice and improve your game, but for me it’s about having the most fun, so I’ll take the random rallying instead. Now by that, do you think I should shell out 12k for such racquet genius?

wait and see

Are the good times really over? I’ve been uninspired the past couple of days. I cannot seem to make fun of anything. I’m really not sure why. I guess I need to shake something up, like run naked in our street or do something to spice things up a bit around here. I’ve been drinking and going out with friends more often now but all we ever talk about is work.

So going back to thinking about what I`m going to do next. Maybe I'll start up talking to people about possible opportunities, organize my portfolio, write about stuff that I had been thinking about for a long time and probably blog a bit more.. and yeah look for a job. Now may be a good time to get a job.

I'm pretty open about what and where I can be right now: full time or project-based, employee or independent, Manila or elsewhere. I guess time will tell.

But as part of the latest round of global lay-offs now my chance of getting the job that I want abroad is almost like striking a lottery. There's a break in construction and certainly, permits for new construction will virtually come to a halt. I'm so sure hiring interns would be their least priority. Global recessions don't usually end in a matter of months.. perhaps a year to a year and a half or more. If only my degree starts at a later time, the chances will be higher.

So for now I guess staying in Manila makes more sense. I've sent out resumes to several local firms and got like three possible oppurtunities right now. We got some good firms for interns here while everyone abroad is taking a real wait-and-see approach.

wimbledon 2009

You probably know I love Tennis. It’s not for everyone, but I enjoy it. It is the greatest sport in the world in my humble opinion and nothing comes close the sophisticated kick assness that is tennis. One of my favorite players of all time is Roger Federer. For those of you that do know Roger Federer already, then you know how much he rules the tennis court. For those of you who do not know who he is, you are in for a treat. Well Federer is just one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Last night's was one of the best and longest Wimbledon Finals I've seen. Roddick was expected to direct the game through his serves, occasionally firing huge ones to Federer. But over the course of the match Federer was more accurate, hitting aces and spreading his serves around the corners of the service boxes to keep Roddick guessing where to go.

In the end Roger Federer defeated Andy Roddick after four hours to win another Wimbledon title and his 15th major title overall, more than any other man in the history of tennis.

On the other hand, lazy Sunday is over. I guess one of the best days that you have in your lifetime are not the days that are jampacked. Some of the best days in your life are those days that the PJ’s stay on all day and watch non-educational tv. That was yesterday. It has been a great weekend and here I am, being 100% lazy again with all the vigor in the world. Cheers to crazy mondays everyone!

freedumb?

Back in 2007, the movie Into the Wild earned strong positive reviews from critics. So I did what any guy would do.. I downloaded it. It was a bit grainy, the video was poor, but I got to see the movie. It was a good film and I enjoyed it. Script was good and I believe Sean Penn's direction was impressive.

I have the original DVD now sitting on my shelf so please don’t judge me, I know you’re not as torrentz clean as you think you are. Anyway yesterday I watched Into the Wild again with a different set of eyes. The first time, I was just watching the commendable acting and Sean Penn's writing. When I watched it the second time, the third time, the fourth, I really walked away with a different thought.. one that hit a lot closer.

The character makes some decisions, for better or worse. He destroyed all his credit cards and identification documents, donates nearly his entire savings and sets out to travel alone to Alaska and experience its nature firsthand. Why? It’s what he feels he should do. In the wild - it’s the only place he feels his purpose, his existence.

As the movie rolls on towards the end, I was left thinking about my own life. Ever since I graduated college, I’ve pretty much been saying to myself, I’ll figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. And it hasn’t been that easy.

I feel like Emile Hirsch's character. I want to escape, away from everyone and everything, meet new people, learn new culture.. like having a new life. Like leave what I have now in pursuit of absolute freedom from obligations and all.

I’ve spent the last 5 years studying architecture. I have the creativity that God has given me in this field. I love design. I love sitting behind a monitor doing 3d models, firing up SketchUp and making magic with Photoshop. But will my ability in architecture and design can keep me happy? Is it where I should be?

I spend so much time obsessing over what I should be doing, that sometimes I do nothing. There’s things I know. There’s things I can do. There’s things I do well. And I’ve had my share of events that have shaped me and shaped what and why I do things. So now what?

bear awesomeness

Bear Grylls is one of my heroes and I wish I have his career. He does appreciate the finer things in life, such as adventure and good entertainment. He is my hero for many reasons. One, he has the coolest job in the world, two, he is the coolest brit alive. Well being the youngest briton to climb Everest instantly puts you on top of the list of cool.

I seriously don't believe I've ever heard him complain once. He has that optimistic outlook and that really is as important to survival as anything.. having a positive attitude and making the best of one's situation.

In case you did not know, Bear Grylls hosts Man vs Wild on the discovery channel. He constantly risks life and limb to demonstrate how to survive alone in remote locations with minimal supplies.

Whether it's the little sadist in me, I don't know, but I can't get enough of people in horrible situations having to do horrible things. Where else on tv can you see a sane man eating real elephant shit and drinking his own piss?

I do recommend watching it if you enjoy some gross-out scenes for entertainment like this show strives. Although there are claims of this show being fake, it's still very educational and entertaining. I won't deny that this show is not for everyone but I find it hard to believe that any person adventurous or not won't enjoy watching this little slice of entertainment. I'd say if you are just purely interested in surviving, watch Survivorman with Les Stroud instead.. Bear Grylls is too awesome for you.

wacko jacko dies

I didn't know what it was like when Elvis Presley died.. when John Lennon died. But like today I'm sure they got many people around the world stunned in grief. As much as Michael Jackson was lamented for his public fiascos and what he has done to his face, he has been one of the greatest influences on music that we have ever seen.. or will ever see. Give it up for the King of Pop.

It's funny that I've honestly never watched CNN that long. Jacko's death glued my eyes to CNN/BBC for at least three hours. And it is amazing how news of the passing of a great and talented man received much more hype and attention to cable news channels that it surpasses coverage of its daily news. Even the protest and violence in Iran and the A(H1N1) updates were shelved.

Wacko Jacko's contributions to music will remain a pioneering work of art. I have always admired his music and his shoes will never be filled. I know his contributions to the art will last forever. Among fans and the non-followers, the memory of Michael Jackson will definitely live on and on.

Rest in peace Jacko. I will miss what you could have done and thank you for what you did. My heart to your family.

Transformers 2

Lately I have been bored. I am looking to shake things a up a bit. And I’ve been thinking that the best thing to do now is to get a job. But instead I called up a friend to see Transformers 2.

Transforming robots with a fair sense of humor.. it is really amazing what they can do today. It has been two years and this film is perhaps the most anticipated release of the summer and I can't imagine the pressure must have got to Michael Bay. But with the amount of perversion he has put into this movie to lengthen it, it is clear. The first half of the movie is the best part, everything was still intact. But the film comes to a crash and gets very very boring afterwards. Impressive acting, visual effects, megan fox's curves.. these are given quality. At times scenes were pretty predictable and lame than desired. Once you walked out of the theater nothing will stick in your mind except for megan fox's tan.

99th

My lola just turned 99 and we threw her a little pre-centennial party last sunday. So anywoo, in order to have a nice time I figured it was best to suck down a few bottles before I even started to try and interact with all of these nice annoying relatives.

I spied with my little eye, my titas and cousins in the corner sitting on strange outdoor chairs that were supposed to be hip antiques. I dug them, they look nice and friendly but I hate it when everyone is trying hard to be close and cool and I also hate it when they start talking about success and career.

Unfortunately, they waved me over so there was really nothing I could do but sit and see if my conversation skills were up to par this evening. Then everyone next to me started talking about my plans, career and relationships. The good ‘ol fashioned stuff.. exactly what I was avoiding. It was awkward and it wasn’t very nice and I hated it.

"We're out of ice!" I jumped quickly to grab the bucket and walked away. It was the worst porch I've been to.

I spied with my little eye, my nephews sitting on silly plastic chairs doodling. At last there was a nice place to sit. The rest of the night was uninteresting and irrelevant. After all of this I have concluded that my nephews are much more interesting and entertaining than talking to annoying relatives my age. These kids are like a nice bubble bath that washes away pain.

caffeinated foreheads

I think my weird fascination of random entertainment has helped me write about literally anything on this site. As I was trying to get my writing mojo, I just realized that people who hang out in coffee shops are funny and interesting. You have the busy people who come in and out quick, like get their caffeine then leave. Then you have the once in a while people, who come and hangout a little to meet up some friends before hitting elsewhere. Then you have the regular people, who come alone and stare at a computer, reading something very serious (not my blog I guess), working on something very serious or at least trying to look very serious.

These odd caffeine junkies always seem to have their forehead crumpled like they are working their brain really really hard like they want everyone to see how hard they are working. I guess too much coffee and sitting still by yourself makes you look interestingly funny. All the energy has to go somewhere.. and it all goes to the forehead.

I sit here wondering which group am I then I realize my head is crumpled as I am typing this. Damn. I am a seriously sad and lonely coffee guy right now. That being said, I have to leave now and shamelessly end this nonsense.

i'm twenty two.

I think writers of How I met your mother are just plain genius for coming up with the craziest ideas for the show. Back in season 4, How I Met Your Mother aired an episode about Ted making this Murtaugh List of things he can no longer do. The Murtaugh List is basically a list of things that you are too old for. The whole idea is based on Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Lethan Weapon) who is known for his often repeated phrase "I'm gettin too old for this shit".

Too old for this sh--stuff. It could be crazy things like you once did in your life, which you’d probably never do again. Perhaps like getting really drunk on a school night, playing a prank on your teacher, trashing your classmate's locker or simply shaving one of your eyebrows.

The sheer brilliance of this inspired me and my buddies to make one. I am now 22 and I have obviously not put childish things aside. It really scares me that most people go through life never outgrowing the negative and immature things in life. And as I get older I want to be wiser and better.. I try to.

My Murtaugh List would be something like this:

Too old to watch WWE. I turned 22 today and I have been watching it for close to 15 years and have loved every minute of it. But I think I've outgrown the characters, the ringwork and definitely the silly promos. So I guess it's time to pass it on to the younger fans.

Too old to hang posters on my wall. I have a movie poster of The Crow double taped on my wall since 1995. I took it down last year so yeah I'm surely too old for this stuff.

I’m too old to shoot my dirty laundry when it often falls right next to the hamper instead. Likewise I'm too old to wait for someone else to clean it up.

Too old for children’s menu. Some restaurants put some artsy thought and creativity into their menus. Happy Meals, milkshakes, home cut fries and a plate of chicken fingers are fine for kids, but no longer for adults.

Too old to stay up past 12 watching TV/movies. I still do it.. actually I am right now. But sleep is good. Our body needs rest. I love sleep and I won't rob myself of the things I love.

Too old for beer bong/binge drinking. I might never have been young enough to do this. But then again, I don't think it's youth that... wait, you know what? Screw the Murtaugh List! I just realized that if I don’t keep doing these things that I’m too old to do, where does that leave me? Old, lame and humorless? Seriously though… 22? I don't want to be old, lame and humorless. Maybe in ten years. Yeah, when I'm a thirty-something guy. At least I got one good reason to be old, lame and humorless... I'm 32!