A Different Kind of Christmas

As early as October, I was already conditioning myself about Christmas. I started listening to Christmas songs just to get into the spirit. I am single so I cannot draw inspiration from a significant someone. Also, I have been under a lot of stress from my business partner that I needed to feel Christmas.

Fortunately, my mom decided to spend Christmas and New Years here. Unlike the previous season, this time, our other relatives didn't went here for Christmas so my mom went here alone. I know we were not conditioned to give gifts during Christmas, but I think spending a lot of time is the best gift anyone can give to their mom. I spent most of Christmas with her and I am spending the new years eve with her.

Tech lover as I am, good thing I have a smart phone with me and a decent Internet connection in where she is staying. Whenever I am staying in her place, I do have limited Internet capabilities and other computer related functions. From a low end phone to a smart phone, I am becoming hooked with the shift of technology.

Anyway, I kinda slowed down in posting because of things I needed to do, but by next year, I will be more active in blogging and I will be changing parts of my life.

So I wish everyone a (belated) Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

Terrified...

Since I heard this song, it kept playing in my mind. Aside from the nice tune, the lyrics has hit me hard. The words are nice and listening to this song makes me wanna fall in love again. Its been a while since I was in a relationship and circumstances around me these days are kinda pushing me to enter into one. I do not know... I still think I am not ready, I maybe missing the feeling that I felt when I was in a relationship. Anyhow, I will let destiny stir the course.

Terrified by Katherine Mcphee and Zachary Levi

Terrified (Ft. Zachary Levi) Lyrics

You by the light
Is the greatest find
In a world full wrong you're the thing that's right
Finally made it through the lonely to the other side

You set it again my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark,
And I'm in love and I'm terrified.
For the first time in the last time
In my only life.

This could be good
It's already better than last
And love is worse than knowing
You're holding back
I could be all that you needed
If you let me try

You set it again my hearts in motion
Every word feels like a shooting start
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
And I'm in love and I'm terrified
For the first time in the last time
in my only

I only said it cause i mean it
I only mean cause it's true
So don't you doubt what i've been dreaming
Cause it fills me up and holds me close
Whenever i'm without you

You set it again my hearts in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
And I'm in love and I'm terrified
For the first time in the last time

On Living - Self

Just recently, my observations about a friend was confirmed when our common friends met up and talked about stuff. There were issues and concerns that are alarming and our reputation and friendship are on the line.

Things were disclosed and we found out that our "friend" has been lying to us about each other. I used to go out with her but when I found out her real attitude, I backed out. She may be pretty or smart, but her attitude is so bad.

She is a self centered individual who creates lies to cover her own track. My friendship with some of our common friends were stained because they thought I was siding with her. Good thing we all had dinner and cleared things out. I started drifting from her for I think being too close to her might harm me in the long run.

Just today, I read her blog and obviously, I was part of it. The story was about guys she dated that are Mr. wrong for her. This made me ponder. Why do people blame others when they made mistakes? One big reason why most of these people do not improve because they think that they are so perfect. Point faults on other people is an excuse to see their own faults. In situations where we are hurt we done something wrong, let us look at the only thing that can be changed... ourselves.

We point to the government as the root of poverty, we point to our parents when we are financially struggling, we point to our ex-lovers whenever our relationship didn't work. In every situation that concerns us, there is one variable that we are in control of, that is ourself. Try to change yourself from the experience from the past and not from sour graping and projecting faults to other people

Steve Jobs' resignation

When I got up last morning, anticipating a great birthday ahead, I was surprise by seeing Steve Jobs' resignation in most technology websites.

Steve Jobs has been one of my biggest influence aside from the founders of Google. From his speech alone, I became a believer. I never wished of owning tons of Apple product, but his innovativeness is noteworthy.

Since my business partner and I are big fans of Steve Jobs, we usually talk about him. I predicted that he will step down soon because of issues regarding his health. At his age of 56, he is still young and I am sure he can contribute more to Apple Inc. His resignation will affect Apple a lot because with Google's purchase of Motorola, Android technology will be supercharged. The IOS technology will have a tough battle with Android.

Apple's innovativeness is directly linked to Steve Jobs. I am hoping that he was able to train another innovator inside Apple as a successor of his innovativeness.

In anyway, my respect goes to one of the most innovative mind in this world. One of my biggest role model in the Tech/Business world. Thanks for making a dent in the Universe. Cheers to you!

Here is the article about Steve Job's resignation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14659127

Happy birthday!

My birthday just ended and like any other of my birthdays, it was great. Though, fewer people greeted me. Mainly because I removed my birthday on my Facebook account. Funny but I find it better. :)

I just spent my day with other faculty members in our school then had a simple dinner with my brother and grand mother. Nothing grand, nothing spectacular. I was never conditioned to really celebrate birthdays.

Anyway, Happy birthday to me.

Google

Technology has always been my interest from the work of Steve Jobs during his early years to the launch of Windows by Bill Gates. From the come back of Steve Jobs to Apple to the Innovation of Dot Com companies.

Of all these inspirational stories, there is one company which got my attention. It is Google. Google started with just a search engine and a vision to organize everything in the cyber space. Currently, they are offering a lot of free services for use to use. The likes of blogger, youtube, gmail, googlewave (unfortunately, this project was discontinued), google maps, google docs and many other services. What got my attention is their financial model. They earn purely from getting advertisements from their search engine.

Being inspired by Steve Job's idea of making a dent in the universe, Google seem to be doing this perfectly. I am not sure if this is part of Larry Page and Sergey Brin's idea, but the services they are offering are of great help to Internet users. How were they able to do this?

First of all, the search function of Google is way powerful than MSN/Bing or Yahoo. This give users a better result from what they are looking for. Also, there are minimal ads unlike other websites that are so irritating.

Next, when offered Gmail to users. Yahoo mail was forced to increase their capacity because initially, Yahoo mail has a small storage space compared to Gmail. To combat this, Yahoo mail made their storage unlimited just so that users will not switch. I almost did switch but currently, my Yahoo mail is still my primary email.

Another good service that they made, was the introduction of Google maps. No need to further explain this because they offered a concise map of the planet Earth which we can access real time to go to our desired location.

Google also ventured into operating systems however, they focused on mobile phones. Microsoft, being the top software company who sells operating system, didn't saw the opportunity of the smart phone market. Currently, Google's Android OS has the highest market share in terms of smart phone OS which also competed with Apple's iPhone IOS. Steve Job currently is not happy with the fast growth of the Android.

Google also competed head-on with Microsoft's Office applications by introducing Google Docs where users can create spreadsheet, presentations, and documents on line even when they do not have any Office applications installed in your computer.

Lastly, Google is now competing with Facebook. It is known that Mark initially wanted to battle Google by offering email address to Facebook users. Currently, Google is competing with Facebook with Google+. They did made a lot of attempts to compete with Facebook, but all of their attempts were failures. As of the moment, Google+ seems to be getting a good review by users of this Beta release.

These efforts of Google gives us a lot of benefits and most service they offer are free. To top that, they have the best working environment most people would die to be in.

Here are some videos of Google's work place. Isn't this the bomb?

On Living - Pregnancy

Happy moments for us because 2 of my closest friends are pregnant. We go way back since our elementary days. Been with each other as we grew old and now this is another chapter in our life that needs celebrating.

Funny because I was the first in our group who wanted to get married, but now, I seem to be quite enjoying my single hood. the dynamics of our group will once again change because when they give birth, things will be a lot different.

Congratulations to my friends and I am excited to see cute babies whenever we celebrate moments together.

Internet service provider

The primary use of Internet for me is to communicate with people, by social network sites, emails, or instant messengers. These are common things I do whenever I go on-line. Next would be to research stuff either an idea or simple random thoughts. And lastly, I use the Internet to download multimedia files.

For the past weeks, I encountered a number of problems with my current provider. Aside from the constant slow speed we get at home, there are certain sites that I cannot seem to visit. These are downloading sites where I get my materials. Because of this, I am now looking for a new provider who can give us a more stable connection and gives me access again to those sites that are block in my current provider.

The main problem here is that most providers here oversells and under delivers. Still being positive in our quest for the holy grail of Internet service providers.

a little bit of crush...

My last relationship ended in 2009 and I never had any since then. Not that I cannot find a nice woman, but I would rather focus on personal development. I have been posting in the past about my journey and some thoughts.

Recently, I have been talking to some old friends and I started to miss the feeling of having someone special. A college crush recently gave me signs of her liking me. There were also a number of women I hang out with that would confide that they like me too. Then just recently, I met an amazing woman.

I saw her pictures but she looks way better in person. She has a strong personality that I like and to top it, she is smart but doesn't verbally claim that she is. Not to mention that she is also pretty and sexy. Unfortunately, she is married to someone.

Not really sure if I am liking certain woman because of really liking them or am I just missing the feeling of being with a special someone...

Been so busy minding other stuff that I cannot even give time to ponder on this thought. As I am writing this entry, see keeps on popping in my mind.

I am busy to be thinking of this... this will pass... hopefully...

Pondering...

It has been months since I was active in blogging. Things were like roller coaster on my end for the past months.

I have been struggling with a client who hasn't paid us for the products we delivered to them August of last year. Just recently, they agreed to pay us but for 6 months. I was really exhausted in dealing with them because they were so unprofessional that speaking to the CEO doesn't seem to merit as an actual conversation and I was asked to write them letters regarding their settlement offers. This might be my last deal with one of my businesses simply because my partner, who was the main contact with that company, wasn't helping me and she keeps accepting rush orders that quality was sacrificed.

On my other business, our supposed to be marketing partner turned out to be all words but no action. He has potential but seems to be more focused on other stuff rather than our business. Personally, if he doesn't have the passion like me and my I.T. partner has, then he is out of the equation. We gave him a chance and it took him more than 2 months to simply set a meeting with one of his network. Currently, we got another marketing which graduated with an I.T. degree but markets and sells softwares. She is showing us a potential and she seems to be doing well in the effort department. However, her thinking isn't in tune with how we think. We are fast and weird thinkers which gives us certain innovations that are new in the market. Her selling ability is good but her marketing eye misses certain spots. I need to train her to think more like a marketer. Totality, she does seem to be doing good.

Next, is a friend I hang out with. She is okay and seems to be cool. Unfortunately, she flips and can blurt out hurtful words. The sad part about this is that she is a psychology graduate. It hurts more because she should be able to understand the situation. Adding to injury was when she told me that I should understand because I have a degree in psychology. The audacity... the audacity... Anyway, I just did not reply to her text messages whenever she flips. Just recently, we were supposed to meet up unfortunately, I was sick and needed rest. The next day, I attended a baptism of my close friend's daughter. She found out that I was there and got mad. First of all, she is not my girlfriend to have the right to get mad. Secondly, it was my close friend's first born child. Even if I am dying, I will be there for my close friends. She took it that I am making excuses. But for some weird reason, she would be nice to me all of a sudden then be a bitch the next minute. I am in a stressful situation now and I do not need another source of stress. I can easily look for a source of stress anytime.

In general, things aren't going my way. It seems that I am really in a flat tire to my dreams. I am facing another phase in my life where I question everything.

On the lighter side of life, it seems that our IT company is closing a deal soon. It was a real challenge when we gambled and tried new unorthodox tactics to get meetings. Since we will be closing on a deal, the catch is that we are stressed by fixing requirements and polishing details on our agreement.

Daughter

Just last week I was invited for the baptism of my friend's first born child. For some reason, it was fascinating. I didn't expect that I will be considered as a godfather, since my friend has a lot of friends. Who I am to say no. When I saw his baby, I was in awe because the baby girl is so cute. It made me think of wanting to have a baby girl again. Since I watch a lot of TV series and most of these shows features a father-daughter relationship, it made me want to have my own baby girl. It would be so great to see her growing up with me hugging and caring for her, but I think reality should kick in by letting me know that I have other priorities to focus on.

I will have my daughter soon. :)

On Love: Missing the moments...

It has been almost 2 years since me and my ex-girlfriend broke up. Personally, I didn't want to enter into any relationships even when I met a number of girls who are potential girl friends. I am still busy realizing my dreams.

However, just recently, I hanged out with a friend and memories starting flashing back. Not that I miss my ex girlfriend, but more of the moments we share. The cuddling, the sweetness, the laughter, and other memories most couples do.

My friend gave birth less than a year ago and she is now single. She isn't really looking for a relationship and do I. I just don't know why when we spent that moment together, I kinda missed those moments and I become so attracted to her. The way she whines about the smallest things, the way she would hug me and make faces.

We are both busy and after we hanged out, I always thought of spending more time with her and I know it is wrong. We both are in a situation where we are not looking for anything serious. I keep struggling to wake up from this charm and tell myself that I am only missing the moments...

In moderation... on losing weight...

Just recently, I had a epiphany. People do things in extreme. I started my journey on losing weight and since I had lost weight during college, I had some idea on what to do. However, how to lose weight is a common topic these days specially when people are into health and wellness. Here are two extreme example on how I find people funny.

A few months back, while prepping my mind and body to go back jogging, my business partner and good friend was sharing stuff on what I should do. His main point was, eat only foods that could help you lose weight the fastest and do a lot of exercises (no problem with me I just have to make time for this). The food he suggested were, tuna, chicken breast (which are ok since both are favorites of mine), root crops, oatmeal, and other weird food. While he was sharing this, I also said that I should have a cheat day so that I can still eat food I like. He contested that there is not point on dieting if I have my cheat day. He would be eating the same food all day long.

The exercise is not a problem, but his suggestion on what to eat was quite unusual. I have read magazines about having a cheat day. The reason for a cheat day is to make sure our body would not get used to the food we are eating. Also, what is the sense of advocating that we should live life when I keep starving myself and cutting my chances to eat good food. I may do cheat days, but I only make sure I have a cheat day a week and I know my limits on my intake of fats and carbs.

Then a week ago, while me and some friends were diving home from a wedding. Our topic shifted to me going back jogging. One of my friend said that jogging or any exercise doesn't help in losing weight that much. Unlike my other friend, he lost weight simple by cutting his food intake. He isn't into sports that much and his perception of exercise as a way of losing weight. Losing weight isn't the only benefit of exercising. Actually, there are tons of other benefits like an increase in endurance. Sweating can also help by clearing the pores on our skin and after each exercise, there is a feeling of euphoria. He then dismissed it as nonsense.

Yes, he may be blessed with a good metabolism, but not everyone is as blessed as him. If i rely only on cutting down on food, I then gave up eating good food and I might make it an excuse not to exercise. I do have a poor endurance and it is something I wanted to increase. I haven't achieved my goal of running in a 5K marathon yet. So it is still a goal I need to achieve.

Bottom line, is that people would tend to focus on what they have done rather than to adjust to what others can do. Mixing exercise and diet is really the best way to lose weight since by exercising, you burn calories, carbs and fats while toning your muscles. On the other hand, diet can help in maintaining what we eat to lessen unnecessary carbs or fats. Still there should be a cheat day so that we can enjoy our favorite food and other delicious meals. It is just a matter of sticking to your plan and try to work on it. We only live once and we shouldn't be starving ourselves to death.

Mistakes...

People are bombarded with problems everyday and I am sure that no one in this world is not facing any problems in their life.

Recently, a friend sent me an SMS saying that she needed my logical reasoning (maybe due to my love for numbers). She sounded really troubled so I replied asking her how I can help. She then told me about some family problems which made her feel that she is a failure. Not to dwell deeper into our conversation, but I tried my best to help her out.

My thoughts...

We are being criticized everyday either by people we treasure or others who are not even close to us. There are a number of ways to face this either we take it all and admit defeat, or turn it around and make it a challenge. Criticism if viewed positively can be a strong source of strength that can fuel us to be someone better. If viewed negatively, it will be the starting point of our defeat.

Mistakes are part of living and if you haven't made a lot of mistakes, then you haven't really lived a great life. We are taught that mistakes are bad, but it is the best teacher that one can have. We hear stories about defeat but unless we experience it, we can never really learn from it. A great example is listening to a big heartbreak from a friend where we tend to be so arrogant on telling them what should be done. But when we actually experience it, the feeling would be unexplainable. Life is not measured by the number of mistakes we made, but by how we stand up from those falls. We shouldn't judge others on how they started living, but more on how do they make a perfect ending.

We cannot change our past. Learn from our mistakes and try to make right whatever wrong we did. As long as we can breath, life is still giving us a chance to make a better ending.

Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter ...

I enjoy watching videos from TED.com. They feature a lot of inspiring videos ranging from technology to psychology to teaching and recently I cam across a Poet. Sarah Kay's talk was very much inspiring on how she uses poems and share her thoughts. Watching it made me ponder stuff about my life... Here is the transcription if found from the net...

"If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she's gonna call me Point B because that way she knows that no matter what happens at least she can always find her way to me. And I'm gonna paint the solar systems on the backs of her hands so ...she has to learn the entire Universe before she can say "oh, I know that like the back of my hand." And she's gonna learn that this life will hit you, hard, in the face, wait for you to get back up just so it can kick you in the stomach but getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

There is hurt, here, that cannot be fixed by band aids or poetry so the first time she realizes that wonder woman isn't coming I'll make sure she knows she doesn't have to wear the cape all by herself coz no matter how wide you stretch your fingers, your hands will always be too small to catch all the pain you want to heal. Believe me I've tried and baby I'll tell her don't keep your nose up in the air like that. I know that trick, I've done it a million times, you're just smelling for smoke so you can follow the trail back to to a burning house so you can find the boy who lost everything in the fire to see if you can save him. Or else find the boy who lit the fire in the first place to see if you can change him. But I know she will anyway so instead I'll always keep an extra supply of chocolate and rain boots nearby because there is no heartbreak that chocolates cant fix. Okay, there's a few heartbreaks that chocolates can't fix but that's what the rain boots are for because rain will wash away everything if you let it.

I want her to look at the world through the underside of a glass bottomed boat, to look through a microscope at the galaxies that exist on the pinpoint of a human mind because that's the way my mom taught me, that there will be days like this, there will be days like this, my momma said.

When you open your hand to catch and wind up with only blisters and bruises; when you step out of a phone booth and try to fly and the very people you want to save are the ones standing on your cape. When your boots will fill with rain and you'll be up to your knees in disappointment and those are the very days you have all the more reason to say thank you because there is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline no matter how many times its sent away. You will put the wind in winsome, lose some. You will put the star in starting over and over and no matter how many land mines erupt in a minute, be sure your mind lands on the beauty of this funny place called life. And yes on a scale from 1 to over trusting, I am pretty damn naive but I want her to know that this world is made out of sugar, it can crumble so easily, but don't be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it. Baby I'll tell her remember your Momma is a worrier and your Papa is a warrior and you are the girl with small hands and big eyes who never stops asking for more. Remember that good things come in threes and so do bad things and always apologize when you've done something wrong but you should don't you ever apologize for the way your eyes refuse to stop shining. Your voice is small but don't ever stop singing and when they finally hand you heartache, when they slip war and hatred under your door, and offer you handouts on street corners of cynicism and defeat, you tell them that they really ought to meet your mother."

Calamity in Japan

I cannot help but to react on what just happened to Japan. The earthquakes and tsunamis are heart breaking not because I have friends in Japan, but more of mother nature getting back on how we treat her for the past few decades.

Seeing different wall posts in facebook where they are only concern on their own race, I cannot help but to see how selfish humans are in nature. Calamity strikes and there are a lot of people who are affected so rather than just pray for your own race, why not pray for everyone affected. Adding them to your prayers will only take a few seconds of your time. Rather than focusing on the selfish nature of being human, try to be more humane by showing more sympathy.

Next point to discuss, is the issue of saying bad things about the Japanese by posting videos that Japanese are killing sharks or dolphins. They are not the only people who are doing those things. Try to look at your own backyard and see if you are that holy and clean. Saying that mother nature is attacking Japan as a payback is quite out of line. Killing sharks or dolphins are indeed bad, but have others considered that throwing trash in the river or sidewalk is also bad? How disciplined are those people to point fingers at others? It is sad to see the crab mentality of humans even when our own race is in need of our help.

The moment I saw what had happened, I automatically saw this as a sign from mother nature that we should do our part in preserving what is left. Pollution, over population, illegal loggers, and more are man made problems that can be solved but we are just to stubborn to make a move. Would it kill you to not throw a simple candy wrapper in the street and wait till you see a trash can? Would it be too much to not cut down trees or at least plant some trees in replacement? The issue of global warming has been there for years. Funny how humans react only when they are forced to or only when things are way out of bound. Some may think that their contributions maybe small compared to the problem at hand. But still, I say that one can make a difference or at least you did your part. People would always wait for others to do their part before they stand up and start doing their own responsibility.

I do hope people will wake up sooner than mother nature's wraith.

American Idol

Since I started watching American Idol (AI), it seems that I am hooked. Aside from the pretty ladies in the show, I get to hear good songs from them. Music is a good source of inspiration whether because of the melody or the lyrics. I draw strength from music.

My dad used to be my source for music with his insane knowledge on songs. However, since he got sick and died, TV shows with music became close to my heart because they became my sources. Also, I can feel my dad smiling at me whenever I am able to search for a treasure.

AI is maybe one of those best source of song choices. From the auditions till the finals, contestants must surprise both the judges and the viewers, hence the great choices of music. Been following AI for a number of season already and now they are on their 10th season and for me, the contestants are not as strong as the previous seasons. Anyhow, there are still some exceptional singers there. My bet for this season are:

Paul McDonald
and

Casey Abrams

Collide...

As it dawns to me
you are not who I see
someone full of promises
but nothing that I wishes

Little did you know
you are not who you show
You make fuss over small dilemmas
and its too early for those dramas

Our future, I cannot see
maybe you are not right for me
I know this will make you cry
but I'd rather end this than to lie

Valentines Day

I never believe much in valentines day. For me, this is just a hype that people made to give justification to whatever nonsense they have in mind.

When I was in a relationship, I make it to a point to make every moment special. Not just for one day but everyday. Maybe I am not a person who follows norm much. I would rather bend rules and break a few.

Going out on valentines day is so cliche. Flowers, chocolates, balloons, and even fancy restaurants is not my type. When you do something that everyone else is doing at the day, the effort that you are doing will be so mundane.

When we love someone, there shouldn't be dates on when we should celebrate it. The moments you spend with that person should be special and memorable. One special day would never equate to the spontaneity or the surprises that you can do on other days.

However, valentines is not my day. It is for my (future) partner. I may not be a fan of this day, but if she is, then I cannot do anything but be a blinded by this insane tradition.

I do hope my future partner shares the same thinking with me...

Validation

I find it funny how others would show the world that they are strong and they can survive life on their own. Funny how they claim that they do not need others for support. When almost every time I talk to them, they validate themselves to me.

Just recently, I started hanging out with someone and she is confident and I like it. However, the more we hang out, the more I can sense that amidst her confidence, are insecurities. It has been months since my last relationship and my perspective has changed. There are certain things that I do not believe in but I will never close my door on love.

Anyway, we are in a stage of getting to know each other and she keeps in validating herself by saying "the guy would be lucky to have me!" The confidence of that thinking is great, however, when almost every time we talk, I hear those validations I tend to know her insecurities more.

I learned to validate myself only when she validated herself first. I also learned not to validate all the time since this can lower my self esteem. I know I am a good catch and being one is way better than constantly blabbing about it.

Don't quit

Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn,
Don't quit over doubts and questions,
For there's something you may learn.

Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.

Don't quit when the hill is steepest,
For your goal is almost nigh,
Don't quit, for your not a failure,
Until you fail to try.

Was fixing my files and I saw that I documented a great poem years back... I really need to be reminded not to quit.

January...

Last year ended with me hoping for a good 2011. However, January is not over yet and I am already so down. Funny that I am usually positive and full of energy. But unfortunately, the new year had a different idea in mind.

Part of which is that one of our clients still hasn't paid us and they seem to have a million excuses on to tell. Majority of those receivables are my payables to a supplier.

Another road block would be where I am teaching. The school has so much potential but the college I am in, for some twisted reason, is the worst college there is. Maybe because our dean has only one thing in mind, which is to get into into a higher post that they neglected one of the biggest part of the academe which is to compensate the educators. The pay isn't the issue but when you are not paid for months, then there is an issue. Politics is really every where and sad to see that the students suffers because of their inefficiency.

Lastly, is that one of my partner in another venture seems to be all talk. We trusted him because he is a friend and we wanted to give him a shot. Now, we are not so sure whether he can put up with his sales pitch to us. The possibilities are endless and our number one enemy is time.

2011, take it easy, it seems that I am facing a storm so early... hope that good things will go my way after this...

My PC set up

I enjoy downloading stuff from the net and from the time I stopped downloading from my laptop, I bought an old desktop PC. Bought this PC December of 2008 and the main purpose of this PC is to download stuff.

Since my PC was previously owned, there will be problems. Started quite fine but as time goes on, certain parts will just have problems. Ranging from Video card, sound card, to hard disk drives. It came to a point that it was so slow that prompted me to switch operating system from Windows to Ubuntu. Luckily, I enjoyed using Ubuntu.

Recently, I was fascinated to plan games again. Not that I will be addicted but as a past time. Unfortunately, most Windows based games are not compatible with Ubuntu or might have a lot of tweaking to do. Also, my PC did have problems loading games for reasons I do not know.

Just when I was about to give up on my quest on how I can play old games (yes I love old games more than new games because newer games requires newer PC specs which I do not have. Another reason is that I simply love old games) my friend mentioned that he is not using his old PC anymore. I quickly went to his place and got the PC.

It wasn't easy since he didn't used the PC for more than a year so there might have problems and yes it did have a lot of problems which I was able to solve. I changed the processor, power supply and even a hard disk (good thing I have an old processor and power supply. A friend gave me a new hard disk on Christmas so I have a spare which I used for this PC.).

My next challenge would be how can I used both when I only have space for one monitor, keyboard and mouse. Then, I discovered through a friend that there exist a product called KVM (Keyboard, Video monitor and Mouse) switch. I spent my Christmas holiday fixing my PCs.

I was in euphoria when I was done. Now, I have 2 CPUs one in Ubuntu and the other in Windows. My Ubuntu is my main PC, thus having a bigger hard disk, my important files and Internet access. While the Windows is used for games. I still need to add something to finalize my set up for my Windows PC. Here are some list that hopefully, I can finish soon for my kinda "ultimate tight budget set up".

1. Wireless LAN - to give me Internet access for both PC and making file sharing easier
2. Sound card - the on-board sound card is not working.
3. Video card - the on-board video card is only 32MB.
4. Speakers and microphone - for multimedia purposes
5. VGA cable for my Ubuntu CPU - for some reason, when I used my friends VGA cable I got a great resolution size. When I switched back to mine, it was not that good.
6. Pen tablet - maybe this for multimedia

Hopefully I can get them soon. Cheers to my 2 CPU set up!

New Year, New Beginning

New years signifies new beginning. It is a point where people should reflect on life and she what we can do for the year ahead.

I started setting plans for my life and for some reason, I did bumped into challenges and is still facing a number of challenges.

This year as the year starts, I will set new goals and revise old ones. A new year... a new beginning.. a new me...