writings

Reverse Graffiti

They should consider doing this to the walls here in the Philippines. It’s not as environmentally hazardous, but it’s still some pretty cool art.

Take a hint, Graffiti artists. XD

Support AThinLine.org, Stop Cyberbullying

This… was pretty much some part of my life in high school, except for the fact that FaceBook or networking sites were still non-existent then. We had to take insults like this right into our faces, and in my case, etched in the boy’s bathroom. ~_~

Still continuing on to the cyberbullying issue, I came across this video while I was looking to compare life insurance. It’s about A Thin Line.Org, which is a website and a program by MTV that deals with cyberbullying, sexting, and other abuses that occurs in schools nowadays.

It’s actually a really, really great program, that I wish would be implemented in schools, colleges and even workplaces here in the Philippines. Being the texting capital in Asia, cyberbullying is pretty much just as prevalent here as it is in the US.  Probably just as worse, since I see articles of suicides by teenagers in the newspapers.

It’s scary to think that us, the older generation, are letting these things happen. There are still no laws against all forms of bullying, and there are a lot of schools, particularly here in the Philippines, that do not have anti-bullying policies. Things like the ones happening in this video should never happen to anyone in real life. ~_~

Anyway, calling to politicians, mind you that we need laws against cyberbullying and other forms of abuse through digital means, because believe it or not, THIS *points to video* is happening here too. ~_~

Zenkx Against Cyberbullying

Man, the internet today is both an awesome and annoying thing, specially when it comes to things like bullying. ~_~

Just recently, I saw an episode of “If You Really Knew Me”, which addresses the modern concerns of High School students in the US, specially when it comes to “stereotyping”, where in students are seemingly grouped according to what the school society thinks them to be. They can be jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, outcasts, etc.

One of the thing that hit me during that show was about cyberbullying, or abusing someone’s well-being through digital means like texting, or through posts in FaceBook, MySpace or in their own personal blogs.

I find it really interesting and … disturbing, to think that these teenagers are practically ruining someone’s life by the words they say through the use of the InterNet and cellphones.

There was once a time when I was bullied in high school… way before texting was a fad. My friends were what they called nerds or outcasts, but I loved them, not because they are strange or anything, but because they were genuinely fun and really cool. My best friend, Joyce has been my friend since high school. And we had went through a lot of shit together from the bullies. We had chairs and books thrown at us. Joyce, particularly, being the smartest, was always pressured into doing someone else’s homework. She was called thin, and I was called weirdo. I had the biggest breasts in class, and they often picked at me because of it. Some went too far as to date me just to touch my breast for a bet.

I had… a bad time in high school, but it was Joyce, and my other friends, Beth, Juddee, Mary Jane, Joseph Ickx and Ericco who made me strong enough to not let a blade touch my wrist, because it would make them sad. When we were bullied, Beth would defend us, being a black belter in karate, and when we got so angry we would go out and hang at the mall, or sometimes in my house, where we would talk about things. It… made me really appreciate them and love them.

But now… it’s just scary. You don’t need physical contact just to be bullied by someone. Heck, you could be in the same school but not know each other until someone posts something awful about you.

I’ve heard about news of teenagers killing themselves because someone made an awful rumor about them… like them being gay, or fat, or weird, or being falsely accused of being something that they are not. As one who went through that ordeal and was able to not do it, I just wish that this kind of thing would stop happening. Life is too fun, and great and awesome, to be tainted by such false accusations. I wish kids who went through the same, and probably worse, scenario like mine would have the strength to stand up, and know that just because they called you something, doesn’t mean you have to be.

Watching all this… it is making me regret that I didn’t look into counselor careers or get a master degree in psychology. I just wish there was something I could do to make teenagers and people learn something about cyberbullying, and how it’s affecting people not just in schools, but even outside of it like in workplaces. ~_~

Wall of Memories

I want one of these in my “future house” (if I get any XD).

But instead of using photo frames, I’ll be using the best netbooks and iPads. It’ll show my family pictures, and there would be one giant screen that shows all my photography pictures (even the ones that sucked)!!!

Awww man, that would be so WICKED!

Although I’m pretty sure that with all the developing technology happening right now, this kind of dream would become a reality. Sure, I don’t have an iPad yet (can someone sponsor me an iPad? XD), and I don’t even have a house of my own, but by 10 years or so, I’m pretty sure some other houses would have this. The big question is, will I be able to do it. XD

Anyway, pictures on photo frames and mounted on the wall is still pretty cool. I’d love to have some in my room. Unfortunately, it’s full of posters, I wouldn’t know where to put the pictures. Harharhar! ^_^v

Rest In Peace, Ryan Dunn

How ironic is this? Just this Saturday, I was laughing my butt off because of this man’s gimmicks in “Jackass 3D”, and now he’s gone.

It’s scary and saddening. T_T

Anyway, for those who don’t know, Ryan Dunn, who is one of the regular stuntmen in Jackass and Viva La Bam, died in a car crash along with his passenger who is now identified as Zachary Hartwell, one of the production assistants of Jackass 2, and a stunt driver.

Now the irony gets worse… a stunt driver who died in a car crash even though he wasn’t in a movie and he’s not driving. ~_~

A lot of people are mourning Ryan Dunn, me included. He was one of the people who didn’t have to shave or buy testoripped to be fun and awesome (yes, humor is awesome, people). However, in the reports, it was said was Dunn was drunk at the time of the accident, having tweeted an image of him drinking with friends a few hours before the accident (the image has since been deleted). Critics and fans alike are debating left and right about what happened to Dunn, and although I’d like say my thoughts on this, I think I’ll keep it for myself for now, out of respect for those people who are affected by this tragedy.

Aw, man… I wonder how Bam Margera is doing… he’s one of my favorite skateboarder/Jackass, and he’s the one closest to Dunn. The dude must be crushed. Hang in there, Bam!

Anyway, my thoughts, prayers and condolences to Ryan Dunn’s family and friends. He was an awesome dude, and will always be remembered by all Jackass fans.

The Fat Buddha “Insult”

Before I post stories about my Marinduque Holy Week, I came across a little epiphany while watching a movie while I was processing my bank account to get money for the trip (kinda makes me wish I had check city cash advances… the line was so long at that time ~_~). The movie was called “Necessary Roughness”, and it starred Scott Bakula and Sinbad way back in 1991.

Anyway, even though I wasn’t really paying attention to the movie, but I do remember one part where they insulted one guy as a “Fat Buddha”. Being a chubby person myself, it kind of made me think a little.

Is being called a “Fat Buddha” really an insult?

The way I see it, it’s not.

Look at it this way. The person calling you a “fat buddha” is, for one thing, stupid and foolish. If they had studied religion and philosophy, they would know that the “fat buddha” is not actually the real Buddha. The real Buddha was named Siddharta Gautama, a young man from India who attained enlightenment by meditation, and the founder of Buddhism. His religious icon is that of a young man, sitting in a Lotus Pose (yeah, I know my Yoga XD). Buddha is also given to several other people, because the name itself means “enlightened one”.

Second, the “fat buddha” term is mistaken… it’s called a Budai. It’s Chinese diety. Buddha is, of course, the founder of Buddism, while Budai, is one of the deities of the Chinese Zen. He is also included in the Buddist teachings, but he is more known as “The Laughing Buddha” rather than just “Buddha”.

And finally, Budai, even though his appearance is that of a bald, short and fat man, is often times called the representation of contentment and enlightenment. He did not care if the world made fun of his belly or his looks. He is laughing because he is content of his life. He helped the poor and the destitute, and he understood the ways of the world. Society’s view of physical appearances didn’t matter to him. He’s laughing because he is content and happy with life and his life’s work. He is enlightened and happy… hence the name “Laughing Buddha”.

So yeah, the next time someone calls you a “Fat Buddha”, don’t be afraid to say, “Hey! Thank you!”. Why? Because it means you are enlightened. That you are happy and content with what you are, and with what you do, and what you look like. Consider it as a compliment. That ought to throw your enemy in loop. They’d go, “Why the heck is this guy thanking me when I insulted him?”. And you, having read and learned this, would just smile, knowing that the person who insulted you had just called you a happy and content “Enlightened One”. ^_^

Whisper Hungarian in My Ear

I don’t mean literally. XD

It’s just a new song I heard from Rachel Brice’s Serpentine DVD called “Whisper Hungarian in my Ear” by a band called The Toids. I really like it… its something that I’d want to hear everyday using home audio speakers.

In the DVD, this song has a choreography, which, unfortunately for a chubby bellydance newbie such as myself, is pretty hard. But I’m hoping I can learn it pretty soon. XD

I find the song really mysterious, and somewhat calming. I think it’s the violins.

Anyway, aside from the choreography, Rachel Brice and her friends actually created a “mash-up” short film with the song. It featured horror actor Bela Lugosi, and they merged the film with the dancing of Rachel Brice’s group, the Indigo Bellydance (which includes members Mardi Love and Zoe Jakes). It looks really awesome, actually. It’s like the three dancers are Bela Lugosi’s graceful ghosts seductresses.

Huwaaa… Rachel Brice Love! <3

It'll be a while before I can actually dance to Rachel Brice's choreography of this song, but I guess for the meantime, I'll dance it with my own choreo. XD

Dr. Seuss Extreme Speed Reading

PhotoScape

*My cousin, JP… hahaha look at him go!

Yep, thanks to my blogging master, raredog, (who PM me while I was looking around for adapexin reviews ) I now have a new program to help me with my photo editing.

Yep, it’s PhotoScape, which is pretty much an old program, but hey, whatever works. XD

Originally, I intended to buy like some other software like PhotoShop, but I’m settling with this for now, since I don’t know much about PhotoShop. I think I need a teacher for that program first. ~_~

But PhotoScape is pretty good, and it’s especially fun for me now that I can make an animated GIF of my cousin’s dancing… or running… or whatever he’s doing. O_o

The Subliminal Breakfast

I have a feeling that this breakfast that we had in Pangasinan has some sort of subliminal message on it, I just don’t know what…. XD