Magic Doesn't Exist. Only Tricks.
Friday, June 20, 2008 at Friday, June 20, 2008 | 0 comments
Magic doesn't exist. Only tricks.

Magic (or tricks) is obviously not just for kids. I have watched a lot of stage magic shows on TV, and it's pretty clear most of the audience are adults. David Copperfield. Florian Zimmer. Lance Burton. Criss Angel. Dai Vernon. You name it. Even David Blaine shows many of his tricks to adults.

Okay, okay, so what am I trying to say? People can't just dismiss magic as some sort of a lousy only-for-kids stuff. There's really more to it than meets the eye.

Sadly, lots of people has done little more than mock it. Why? Because they can't figure out how it is done. Because they think they are being fooled by some sleight of hands and illusion. Because they know it's not true.

Of course it's not true, idiots. Of course they are being fooled. Hahaha! Would any magician dare say what they do is unnatural?

Magic doesn't exist. Only tricks. Half-witted dullards should know it, stupid.

Many magicians do not believe in supernatural occurrences. Paranormal. Psychokinesis. Telekinesis. Any thing that denotes the purported ability of the mind to influence matter, time, space, or energy by means outside the currently known laws of physics. I don't believe them, either. Until a scientific findings prove them to be true, they will remain craps for me. Craps.

Magic, well, you know that it is not true. The challenge actually is to find out HOW they work. It makes you think, as well as wonder, when the magician does it smoothly. How did the freakin card disappear? How did the coin break?

It's completely logical. No crazy, out-of-the-world rituals. It's just the things he uses, the speed of his hands and the illusion you get.
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Review: Neo Laptop (Basic)
Friday, June 13, 2008 at Friday, June 13, 2008 | 81 comments
To those who are planning to purchase laptops, be forewarned. First, I am no Steve Wozniak. Second, I am a Journalism graduate, not computer science. I am basing this review on the assumption that every product sold and every service rendered deserves feedback. It's my first time to own a laptop, so I figured I might as well say something about it in the spirit of sharing knowledge and experience.

For a couple of weeks, Kuchi and I had been window-shopping for a nifty and respectable laptop. Being a (lousy) writer and a graphic artist, we both knew the importance and the necessity of having a full-featured computer that could be easily used anywhere. Actually, practically every electronic equipment that can be miniaturized and optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption is very effective at present (there are some disadvantages, but they are considered minor). We just wanted to own an inexpensive laptop on which I can write and store my articles/stories, and on which Kuchi can edit, design and save her graphic art works. We had literally craned our neck and peeped through window panes for a couple of weeks until we singled out a sleek, scratch-free laptop named Neo Basic B2165N. In other words, we bought it.

The Neo Basic B2165N laptop comes with many features. It uses an Intel Pentium Dual-Core technology with 1.73 Ghz processor speed, 1 GB DDR2 memory, 1 MB L2 cache and 667 Mhz FSB. When we first used the laptop, we were impressed. It's fast enough to handle six windows with different programs at a time (using both Windows XP and Linux Ubuntu Version). I wonder how faster it can run if it were using a Core Duo technology. We haven't installed Photoshop and other related graphics software yet, but I "guestimate" the laptop can handle it as well without trouble (although a little slower, I presume). You might even have second thought about purchasing a more expensive but similar Pentium Dual-Core laptop once you get to try the fast processing ability of Neo Basic.

Neo Basic Laptop: Scratch-free

Pretty

I've tried watching DVD on the Neo and I can say it's fairly neat. It's almost as clear as watching DVD on a real Philips or Sony player. I don't know if it has something to do with pixel or anything but I could almost see the transparent rope used by the cast in a Chinese martial art flick I watched using the laptop. Neo Basic's graphics is VIA VN896CE + VT8237A with WXGA LCD (any idea what it means? LOL). Neo Basic also comes with a 120 GB SATA hard disk drive! That's pretty big in today's standard (remember, it's 2008. I don't know how big a 120 GB after 10 years from now). So big you could almost store considerable amount of MP3s and AVIs files and still have a lot of free space. Not bad for a relatively unknown laptop. Before, only Dell XPS and Toshiba Satellite users can brag about their hard disks' capacity.

With a Dual-Core Processor

Almost as pretty as Lenovo Thinkpad

Internet is no problem, either, as the laptop also comes with WiFi. It has 7-in-1 card reader, although I still don't know how it works. There's also a webcam, a nice feature for closet camwhores and exhibitionists (LOL). It has bluetooth, too. It runs on a 6-cell Lithium-ion battery. And the weight? It's 2.4 kg. Not that light, but not heavy, either (I have friends who have 3 kg. laptops).

With card reader, bluetooth, WiFi, etc.

By no means I am saying that Neo Basic laptop is the best laptop around. Hardly. There are still a lot of laptops out there which are WAY better than this one. In fact, compared to other branded laptops like Thinkpad, XPS, HP Pavilion and Satellite, there's actually nothing "special" about Neo Basic. Except, perhaps, its sleek look, its being scratch-free and the cost. Any other features can also be found in other laptops, particularly the branded ones. In addition to those, there are some things in Neo Basic that can get on the nerves of anybody. For example, its CPU runs hotter in no time than in most laptops, something we tend to hate since we all know overheating easily damages one's computer or any electronic stuff for that matter (good for you if you are in an air-conditioned room). So it's wise to buy a fan to help it cool down. The bad news, however, like some laptops, it can't avoid airborned dust and debris, so as many users have attested, the laptop might eventually run hotter and louder as the years pass. Let's say after 5 years or so, you may have to disassemble it for thorough cleaning — or burn your pocket big time. That is, assuming your laptop at the time is still running.

Another problem is that Neo's customer service is allegedly not that good, with reports saying they take a lot of time to have your laptop fixed (I wish it's not true for other customers). Even if your laptop comes with a one-year warranty (like mine), if the service is bad, it's almost useless. If these are true, then the only consolation one can get is that Neo laptops are relatively cheaper and is fit for people with meager budget. Unfortunately, consolation can also become synonymous to low quality. I just wish some of the controversial problems circulating over the net were just isolated cases.

Anyway, since I've just been into a month of using our Neo Basic laptop, it's premature to say it's really good... or really bad. There are still issues to be raised, like durability. For now, I'll stick with it and give it the benefit of the doubt. In any case, I've had good time using it and so far, not a single problem has surfaced. I hope this goes on until my one-year warranty is up.
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Feeling Pregnant
Thursday, June 5, 2008 at Thursday, June 05, 2008 | 0 comments
The myth has it that when the pregnant wife steps over the husband's body, the latter will also get to experience pregnancy symptoms. Many people I know actually subscribe to that belief. I never believed that "feeling pregnant" could really happen to a husband until I found myself feasting on sour foods.

Kuchi does step over me in the bed every time she needs to get to the toilet to pee or whatever. Lately, the peeing has become more frequent as she goes through her second trimester pregnancy stage. Her habit of sleeping in the bed right after drinking plenty of water has made the peeing even more frequent, making her wake up in the wee hours. Of course, the stepping over a body is nothing but as it is — a myth. Although symptoms can seem very real.

A husband feeling pregnant is most likely due to a psychological desire of a husband to become "united" with what his wife feels. Perhaps that's what I feel. Or maybe things have become even more stressful for Kuchi. Since she became pregnant, we've been undergoing lifestyle changes together. As she eats more, I eat more as well. As she sleeps longer, I sleep longer, too. As she craves for sour fruits, I crave for sour fruits, too. Thank goodness, Kuchi hasn't had those crazy mood swings — yet. But I've got a feeling she will have those sooner or later.

That's why I have already entertained precautionary measures. You can never guess what's in the mind of your wifey until it's too late and you're already outside the kulambo.
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It's really positive
Monday, June 2, 2008 at Monday, June 02, 2008 | 2 comments
Kuchi is pregnant! Wow! The thoughts of becoming a father and having a family are really overwhelming. Am I really going to be a daddy? The pregnancy test kit and our doctor couldn't lie. I've been asking myself this question a couple of times now while getting the same answer over and over. I just couldn't digest it. I know having a baby is pretty normal, but it's really unbelievable to me. My feeling just doesn't make sense, does it?

The idea of fatherhood is sometimes exhilarating, other times daunting. I know it's a fact of life, but thinking about having your own baby, knowing that a new life is starting to be created out of your own flesh and blood makes you feel so blessed and complete. It's a heaven-made fulfillment, especially to a wife who goes through difficult and sensitive stage of pregnancy. It is daunting at the same time as you are now given a responsibility of rearing a human being, and most of what he or she is going to be in the future rest on your shoulder. But who won't really become responsible after seeing, feeling, kissing and hearing that little life that will ultimately consume your life as a father? Who won't?

Positive!

Our doctor said that the baby is due on around December and January based on ultrasound scanning. It was incredible seeing the 8-week old baby moving on the monitor! It's just so wow... I couldn't get my eyes off the screen. The head and arms were gradually forming and the heart was beating fast. I wished I could hear it. I really wanted to hear it. So this is what a would-be-father feels on seeing his yet-to-be-born baby? I asked myself. Damn, I wouldn't trade that moment for something else.

The dos and donts of pregnancy are, honestly speaking, not that really hard to follow. In fact, we were surprised to find out that Kuchi can virtually eat almost all kinds of food, although she needs to cut back on drinking caffeine-filled beverage like sodas and coffee and on eating too much salty, fried and junk foods. Instead, the doctor said, she should eat more fruits and veggies. She would be taking prenatal vitamins as well. Basically, it's just like you're going into a healthy lifestyle.

Everybody's excited. Our parents, sisters, cousins and friends are looking forward to touching our first-born baby, the first real grandchild of our parents. We all have dreamed of the time when we can hold the baby in our arms, when we can feel the warmth of her breath and frailty. It's just so amazing and inspiring. The baby isn't coming out yet but it's already making the 1000-watt smile in our face really brighter. Indeed, the saying is true. A baby will really make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank account smaller, home happier and the future worth living for...
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