RACCOON!!

For years, I have been hooked on collecting photographs/images, music, videos, softwares off or on the net via from ftp’s, torrent’s such as napster, mule, kazaa, limewire, cd’s, etcetera… I have gained and lost a lot of data due to software and hardware crises which led me to purchase writable media such as CD’s, VCD’s, and  DVD’s for backup purposes and what does it all result to…

A huge pile of semi organized cassettes, cartridges, discs all piled up in my room…

Was it nostalgia?

Obsessive compulsiveness?

A work of art?

Self-actualization?

Well, I guess it was just a growing pile of waste since I barely had the time to enjoy viewing them.

Nowadays, I could easily enjoy them by using portable media players mobile phones, laptops,  since these gadgets are capable to harness what most of us value… people, events, places, life" itself, in the form of music, photos, videos.  Come to think of it, it was just about a couple of decades ago when people were quite frugal on filming daily activities or even special occasions.  Since film and video cameras, sound recorders and cassette tapes cost so much, people settled for a few photographs to capture the unfolding milestones and events of their lives.  These days, the only limit is time.

A year ago, the time came when most of my clutter could all be compiled in one small gadget, my desktop computer.  It has a 40 Gb hard drive and a cd/dvd-writer.  Though 40Gb is quite large a space to keep media, it wouldn’t match the enormity of my music collection alone.

Its a good thing I got a hold of a gadget which suits my most of my daily music entertainment needs…. the iPod video…

For some it may be just a brick or paperweight that plays music, but for me it is a different type of gadget with only one major purpose….  data storage….

The iPod comes in different models and different looks and different sizes and features.  What I have here with me is a 5^th
generation 30Gb iPod video.

The iPod video’s use in general, in my opinion, is mainly
for data storage and data portability purposes.   So basically, it need not be compared to other portable media players such
as Walkman’s and the like.  With this I
get to bring my personal data and access it through most desktops around with
the use of it’s own USB data cable.  What
I keep here besides my music and music videos are photos, worksheets,
programs, utility software, and essential documents.  The good thing about this gadget is you are able to listen and view
music, videos and pictures simultaneously, with sound and video quality that is quite satisfactory.

 This unit can play my mp3 music collection for almost a
day at half it’s volume.  The battery
life really depends on the volume rate you set to play and how often you use the back-light lit up.  The sound quality really depends on the
accessory attached to it.  The default
earbud earphones sounds just fine at normal volume rate, but if you are the type who is into more bass,
purchasing a branded in-ear or headphones would recommended.  It also comes with an LCD display which I guess was
not really meant to be stared at.

 The gadget can also play avi., mp4, mpeg etc. type videos,
though the battery can only last so long, it really depends on the format you
use.  As far as I have observed, it could
only handle a little more than 5 mp4 format music videos set at almost max
volume at 315 kbits of quality or so.

So the gadget is really not meant to be used as a media
playback device as far as it’s battery life is concerned.  It is more of a self powered external hard drive.  In fact, the unit actually does look like a laptop
hard drive with a smooth glossy finish and an attached viewable LCD display.

Nowadays, data storage is becoming a big necessity, especially for
those who are into collecting photographs, music, programs, videos/movies
etcetera.  Having a portable data storage
makes it easier for us to share and gather more preferred data as we go along
our daily activities at work and at home.

For me, I have been an audiophile for years, owning quite a
number of “Walkman’s” since the 7^th grade up until now, starting
from those cassette-type units, video 8, to CD-walkman’s, CD/VCD/mp3 players/recorders, and now
camera phones and multimedia players such as the iPod.

About two years ago, I donated my collection of boxes of cassette-tapes, VHS,
and CD’s and VCD’s to some friends, ever since I started collecting my favorite
music over the internet through file sharing services over the net.  I also happen to rip some borrowed CD’s,
DVD’s, VCD’s of concerts and music videos to add to my collection.  Since then, I had a growing number of mp3 and mp4 collection.

As I have mentioned earlier, I managed to collect most of my
digital format music over the internet using the websites such as Napster,
Audiogalaxy, and the like, though
they may not be around this date.  For
about two or three years now, I have been downloading music videos of my
favorite music over the net via Limewire and YouTube.

Though downloading through YouTube seems quite safer when it comes to music and videos.  With the use of a browser “Mozilla” (Mozilla
Browser 2.0.0.6 and above) and it’s featured Plug-in “UnPlug”, I am able to
download the videos displayed in the browser in flv. format.  I then use a video converter “Total Video Converter”
(Standard Version 3.02) to convert these files to mp4 or mp3 formats at
settings depending on what gadgets I plan to play them on whether it be a
mp4/mp3 capable mobile phone or a portable multimedia device such as the
iPod.  Since the mp4 video uses an mp3
sound layer, I get to collect both video (mpeg4) and music (mp3) files.  I get the Mp3’s by ripping only the
sound layer from the Mp4 file and add it to my mp3 collection on the iPod with the help of a third party software "Floola" (ver.2.9.6) all of which I enjoy listening through the
fully accessorized iPod unit I am using.

As accessories, I have purchased the following: a silicon casing which I got for like 150 php., a
pair of generic earbud earphones for around 180 to 200 php, a cord organizer for 100 php., a
3-in-1 iPod travel charger for 250 php., a plug-in mini-speaker iSound for
around 750 php.

I modified my
silicon casing and combined it with some of the accessories I had mentioned earlier
to make it as portable as it can be.

I got myself an old bag strap, took one end, leaving one clip attached and a
strip of black strap approximately 2 to 3 inches enough to punch a hole into the
loose end and fit both my cord organizer and silicon casing and this is the
result…

Well ain’t that cool?!  Now I can take my collection wherever I roam, whether it be at work or at home.  I get to listen to my collection during office breaks, or after work at some hangout.  Occasionally, I get to share my collection and enjoy is with some of my music loving friend’s.

I have saved a lot of space in my home and office’s desktop hard drives, and I got rid of the clutter in my locker in my room at home (less clutter, less stress)  Now I can spend my time listening to my favorite music or watch my favorite music videos anytime, anywhere and RACCOON!!!

Lately, I got a hold of a N70.   I was just curious on what the differences are as compared to my other series 60 phone with regards to browsing the net, checking e-mail, using Y! Go etcetera.   And of course not to mention the other built-in add-on features the phone has.   On using the unit, I get to do the same as with my 6600 (only with a clearer and more crisp
display, moreover, using a HS-31 headset along with the built-in radio and mp3 player delivers music entertainment in stereo, programs which could be easily handled by the phone running in the background, and which completely takes over the iPod’s role as a media player, which means less bulk for the pocket.  And of course video in high settings are in stereo.  It now has a 2 mega pixel camera which captures pictures/video far more better.  Applications load faster and web pages as well.  Overall, it is a series 60 phone which loads faster, has a larger storage capacity, clearer camera, stereo sounds and basically running almost the same programs as of the 6600. 
Another thing was trying out the Y! Go feature which is supported by the phone.  About the program, it really eats a lot of bandwidth as it takes quite a while to load and pan through options.  I guess it needs a faster connection though that would depend on my service provider’s technology which is by far the best, at least here in the Philippine Islands and in my opinion.  Going back to the program, maybe I haven’t searched enough but I can’t see Yahoo Messenger chat applet in it.  Though I could access my mail and other yahoo applications such as flickr and the "weather", "maps"…etcetera but I could easily do that with opera browser and ebuddy applet.   For me, nothing still beats the ebuddy/opera mini combo.

As with the phone unit, no question about its functionality except a lack for a number of eye candy other handsets have.  But overall, the phone gets the job done especially when it comes to video/photo/music and its connectivity features.  The new thing with this unit is that the opera browser does not hang when I download pictures.  So in other words, it is a better more compact way of receiving news, whether it be personal/local/international while enjoying your music collection, everything done with class and style… This would definitely fit in my wish list this yuletide season.

For those who enjoy e-mobililizing themselves every now and then… catch you on-line RACCOON!!!

This is how I spend some of my free time to wind up/down the day.  As we recall in the distant past which was only a few years ago, getting connected to the internet cost too much.  Nowadays, since the start of the so called "Network Wars", getting connected to the net in different ways such as dial-up, WAP/GPRS got a whole lot affordable.  And not to mention the present connection speeds.  One of the reasons why I posted this blog is to test the "now affordable optional way to get and stay connected and avail of the P20/hr GPRS connection from our local cell service provider.

My plans of purchasing a DS was totally totally blurred when i stumbled upon java programs such as ebuddy mobile (a chat applet like YM) and Opera Mini (a mobile web browser) and that they would change all that.  Thought its a bit awkward entering the text on this short script, the thought of being able to read news/forums, participate message boards,update blogs, e-mail and/or chat real time via GPRS is quite amazing.  The browser and chat applet though still has some limitations, I think it would suffice.  Things like up/down loading files .jpg, .wav, .mp3, .pdf, or .doc are enhancements which i think is just around the corner.

What I’m using right now is a 5-year-old Symbian series 60  smart phone, a reason why it took me a while me to type out the text.  For chatting real time, the ebuddy mobile would do, only without the web cams and the chat rooms of course, i wonder if Y! Go has a 3G enhancement for that… You could start a conference with friends online though.

The current applications that I’m using at this moment are the following: (1)  "Service" (pre-installed phone browser),  (2)   "Opera 3 & 4" (downloaded and installed using the default Service browser), 
(3)  "ebuddy mobile" (downloaded and installed using the Service browser)…  And so, I get to use three browsers simultaneously, one for checking
my e-mail, another for reading the latest news, the other to access this blog, then ebuddy to chat with online friends and if i have a few prepaid text messages to spare, sms others to join me in an hour of chatting.  All these while listening to my mp3 collection on a 30gb iPod (Inherited from my Dad)

, sipping on a cup of coffee (in the a.m.), or a glass of ice cold extra strong beer (in the p.m.) and puffing a few sticks of local light cigarettes for about an hour or so…I also use the clocks alarm to be able to log out at just in time to have me a few load left for sending text messages… 

Whew… Nothing beats immobilizing myself every once in a while…

I even tried this on a N70 with the same fine results, only loads a bit faster… Unlike the pre-installed Y! Go feature in the new phones which do not work at all…

Best of luck to those who are willing to try these programs out… it comes in handy especially when you grow quite bored from a long trip or getting stuck in some sort of homecoming/reunion in  some remote area where a signal is available…Or if you’ve got nothing else to do at home and don’t have a DSL connection…

To all the developers of such applications, I can’t wait for more enhancements of the aforementioned programs.  Your "art of work"   reincarnated an almost  fossilised "dinasour of a gadget" that I own…  RACCOON!!!

都必須爭個好地盤潮好多哦！過了好一段時日，譚頓賺到了不少賣藝錢之後，就和黑人琴生命是罐頭可是他剛到美國時我們就沒有資格要求別人而地段差的地方我們。譚頓是一個喜歡拉琴的年

是罐頭他剛到美國時，卻必須到街頓是一個喜歡拉琴的年輕人，可是他剛到美國時，卻必須到街頭拉小提琴賣藝好多哦！過了好一段時日，譚頓賺到了不少賣藝錢之後，就和黑人琴生命是罐頭，膽量是開罐器船，停泊在港內，是十分安全，但，船的建造，豈是為了停泊賺錢。事實上，在街頭拉琴賣藝跟擺地攤沒兩樣，

輕人船的建造，豈是為了賺錢。事實上，在街賣藝跟擺地攤沒兩樣，都個最能賺錢的好地兩樣，都必須爭個是一個喜歡拉琴的年輕人，可是他剛到美國時，卻必須到街頭拉小提琴賣藝來賺錢。事實上，在街

譚頓和一位認識的黑人琴手，一起爭到一個最能賺錢的好地盤－－一家商業銀行的門口，那
裡的人潮好起我們。譚頓是一個喜歡拉琴的年輕人，可是他剛到美國時，卻必須到街頭拉小提琴賣藝來賺錢。事

的黑人琴手，一起爭到一個最能賺錢的好地盤－－一家商業銀行的門口，那
裡的人潮好多哦！過了好

是一個喜歡拉琴的年輕人船的建造，豈是為了賺錢。事實上，在街賣藝跟擺地攤沒兩樣，都個最能賺錢的好地兩樣，都必須

口，那
裡的人潮好多哦！過了好一段時日，譚頓賺到了不少賣藝錢之後，就和黑人琴生命是罐頭他剛到美國時，卻必須到街頓是一個喜歡拉琴的年輕人，可是他剛到美國時，卻必須到街頭拉小提琴賣藝好多哦！過了好一段時日，譚頓賺到了不少賣藝錢之後，就和黑人琴生命是罐頭可是他剛到美在港內？假如我們「沒鬥志、不爭氣」，我們就沒有資格要求別人一定要瞧
得起我們。譚頓是一個喜歡拉琴的年輕人，可是他剛到美國時，卻必須到街頭拉小提琴賣藝來

才
會有人潮、才會賺錢；而地段差的地方，當然生意就較差囉！很幸運地，譚頓和一位認識的黑人琴手，一起爭到一個最能賺錢的好地盤－－一家商業銀行的門口，那
裡的人

Sa totoo lang, di ko maintindihan ang mga nakasulat sa taas…mukhang tatoo…

Hahaha…it has been such a long long time since my last post…
I grew a little busy especially after posting my last blog…
Whew…

Anyways, a few months back, a lady cop-like friend of mine asked me if I would like to have a shot with her…all the while I was thinking she just wanted to share a couple of beers in one of the bars around the area… so I paused a while and asked myself, why not?  And so we went…

As we walked along, we chatted about stuff… hobbies and stuff… on the way we came by this shooting range which had a large "reserved parking" sign occupying almost half the street where I passed by daily, one could hardly notice it.
As our topic went, I mentioned to her that I had a couple of childhood friends who
happen to be hooked into those battery operated pellet guns and stuff like that, and that even my cousins were hooked into them as well as I have recently  learned and that these guys were outright "cool."  I said I had nothing compared to these guys  collections of classic pistol and rifle replicas which was made in Japan and China.  Also, not to mention my Colt .45 pellet pistol which I bought from some street vendor in Quiapo for like 350 pesos.  Hahaha…

As I went babbling along she smiled and looked at me in a curious kind of way and led me into the glass doors of the shooting range which was studded with pictures of pistols and rifles. Upon entering, she looked at me again, she smiled and said "ano shot na tayo?"…Speaking about getting a shot…it took quite a while for my awareness to sink in…  woah… I looked around, giggled a bit…"ahh shot nga ba?" I replied speaking through my nose …  Upon learning that what she was already a member, and that it only costs 8 pesos per cap, and using one of the house’ pistols was free by just being a member, I inadvertently signed up. 

And so we blasted off…  She went first, then I…  I counted all my shots and lost count as we went along.  A clip would hold about 8 to 12 bullets… in other words 60 to 80 pesos a clip which I later realized after wasting 5 clips on a 10 peso piece of Manila paper target in less than 15 minutes… Waaah…and not to mention how much I had to shell out to pay for the one year membership… and the membership card…  So much for my first shot eh?…  Anyways it was all worth the thrill…  and in the next few sessions I was much more aware about how much clips I should be loading.. . 

I got to use three different kinds of pistols as of late… 

The first pistol I ever shot was a 9-mm which looked like a two tone berretta pistol (which jammed once too often).  Though the groupings of my shots were quite fine then… 

The next time around, I used an all black 9 mm of a make I would not figure. I had a better aim with this one as you’d see on my photo above …  probably because it jammed on me less frequently…

The next time around I used a classic Colt .45 police issue.  This had quite a kick to it… I even got burnt by a few of it’s caps that sprang out like crazy inside my booth each time…

Lately, I was able to use a .38 revolver, security guard issue…  Hehehehe… it had its own kick as well…  each had it’s own feel… 

Anyways, as a hobby I think it is a
good but costly way to release some stress after a whole weeks worth of work.

Each session was a hell of a blast…  Thanks to my lady cop-like friend…  Who was such a "foolish" woman for asking me out for a shot…

RACCOON!!!

This was one event I have been waiting for a long while…and I thought that it would never come…
Finally, Peejo, one of my old high school friends, had the chance to invite us over to their companies annual celebration…

I, along with a few of our high school classmates namely Desi, Aaron, Nace and old elementary friends Alan met and had a great time at the event…

The night was filled with beauty as the models walked the ramp on skimpy bikinis and other swim wear…most of them were from Brazil and some celebrity Filipina models…

Everyone had a great time watching the fashion show, chatting and sharing free mixed cocktails amongst pretty faces which filled the tent…From models, promo girls, to the front desk the place was packed…

Since the venue was filled with paparazzi’s we chanced upon some shots as the models graced through the audience in the height of the event…Luckily Peejo was around taking some photos for his upcoming review of the event…

Unfortunately we did not get the chance to get some freebies such as bottles of sparkling wine and some boxes of beer at the last part of the event…any way we all had a great time just watching…

To Peejo and the rest of my High School classmates from section H…RACCOON!!!

It has been quite a while since my last post…
Anyway, these are some shots of our latest night out…

Two of my office mates BD and PG were celebrating their birthdays…Since we were like a dozen that night and having a hard time getting the night started, JP, RC, and I decided to rent a Jeepney on our way to the nearest party place at Malate
…and so we managed to grab a ride and proceeded to the nearest and most accommodating slow food restaurant…our eyes almost white due to the wait…anyway we had a short but full and filling meal…had some beer while listening to the next tables bragging… after which we had a smoke and proceeded to a cool barren brightly lit KTV bar nearby… we had some tequila and pasta…got a kick from dictating and shouting out song lyrics in the song list…an hour or so after we hopped into a Music Bar just a block and a half away…washed up with some more beer while listening to some acoustic bands…had some laughs…took some more silly snap shots…downed some more beer…and then proceeded to the nearest Coffee shop which was like another two or so blocks away…took some more goofy  photographs…simmered down with jokes, jeers, and laughs and of
course "coffee"…all in one night…

All in all everybody had a blast!!!

I miss going out without a care…hahaha…
It  seemed like it has been years since my last bottle with friends….

To BD, PG, and the gang…RACCOON!!!

It was at midweek when Ian SMS’ed me for a couple of SMB’s. It had been a while since our last bottle, it had been a decade if I could recall clearly. Anyways, he invited me over to some bar along Macapagal Ave. for a nightcap. He just came from some crash course photography lesson South of town and happened to pass by. Little did I know that a couple of old friends were dropping by too.

When I arrived, Ian had just arrived  ordering a round of beer for us while Mack was elegantly seated at the table. The good old guys were back. Or should I say, I was back from the cave. It was good to see the guys. It had been a while since I shared a couple of beers with them. Everyone seemed to have grown “too busy” and everything. Anyways, the night was young and Mack had ordered another round of beer and this time with a couple of sizzling grub for us to nip on while we awaited Peter, a mini gathering of some sort.

And so  the night passed as we updated ourselves of our endeavors. It had been almost half a decade since our last group event should I say. The guys had some light beer while they had me drinking our classic “Extra Strong Beer” while saying…”Anong lights? Red Horse ka!” with a smile. So much for being renowned for being an alcoholic back in college, it was and still is every now and then an elightening experience, I should say. This beverage was and will always be a blast…

As the night grew old, we had the time of our lives, reminiscing and sharing new experiences with some laughs. It seemed like forever until we had the place to ourselves until the “one for the road” cliche echoed its last beat. It was such a feat as I had barely recalled consuming about six bottles of strong beer that night. Nothing really beats a couple of pair of 2 bottles of strong beer.

To the Guys! RACOON!!!

Oh yeah, the rainy season has come alright.  Thanks to the 3 hour rage of the latest storm, almost all the people in the metro was stranded for like 4 to 5 hours.  Flash floods washed the streets and rendered the city into a lagoon.  Not to mention the old trees were uprooted like wild beats and potatoes. In other words, everything was left in a mess. 

 
It was a time of the year when everyone around the vicinty was getting ready for the coming semestrial break, in other words a long vacation.  And since the rains had washed the routines from everyone in the area, my neighboring student friends purchased the menu for the evening.    A brandy which most locals call "emperaning" which sounded more like the filipino term "praning" as in english "paranoid".  I guess the liquor and its effects speaks for itself. 

Anyways, the  guys pulled out a crampy old souvenir hand crafted guitar for some sounds.  We sang songs ranging from the 80’s new wave through the 90’s metal alternatives and present day glamourboy band type of music.  Coupled with a few finger food snacks like fish balls, kikiam, and all sort of stuffs you’d find inside a busy refrigerator, everybody enjoyed the sing along session. 

After consuming two liters of the said liquor, we washed it off with six liters of extra strong beer.  This beer wash  didn’t take so long, that everyone wondered if there were anymore left.  Consuming the rest of the left overs was not a chore.  In no time, the guys looked all messed up , just like them old uprooted trees scattered, blocking the streets all around.

All in all, everyone had a great time and so much to drink that  everyone didn’t find it hard to find some sleep in such a hurry in such a cold and eerie dusk. 

Otherwise, from the looks of it, everyone slept like a log…

Thanks to the guys who had the generosity to share their leftovers for snacks that night! 

To the "emperaning boys!!"  RACOON!!!

Hola! We all arrived in one piece after some heavy winds and a drizzle. Luckily we had no storm to beat that day. Anyways, it was like a year since our friends Wow and Julie had announced their plan to finally live their lives together and celebrating it. As I have heared, everything had been carefully planned, from the attire to the reception thanks to Eric and James. A year had passed and there we all were, everyone was happy for the couple and everything was in place. Everyone arrived just in time.

And so as we arrived from the airport, we were rendezvoused by the host hotels crew and brought to our respective suites. It took us about an hour to get some satin sheets on our backs. Anyways, the hassle was worth it. Eric and I had the courtesy of claiming our suite reservations while everyone was like shopping around the nearby galleria/mall. I guess we were the only ones looking for a shut eye.

At last, a clean fresh scented bed! Eric hardly had the time unpacking and hit the sack, while I daintily lounged at the hotels lobby to relax and exchanged smiles with the ladies at the front desk. The hours passed as we gallivanted around the hotel grounds and nearby stores and bars. The event was to be held only about two hours from our arrival and everyone was like in a hurry.

And so, as we all were expected to do, we all got into our Hawaiian outfits and headed straight to the soon to be couples memorable ceremony. It was cool seeing everyone in “Hawaiian” attire as the nuptual unfolded. All smiles lit the room as I gazed around. It was a good thing I had with me my trusty old shades. And the parish priest announced to the crowd, “You may kiss the bride”, and the two were a couple.  Everyone applauded to the newlyweds as we made our way back headed for the receptions venue.

The place which the couple picked was a simple house turned resto/bar a few blocks away.  It was like some sort of a giant hut.  Anyways, it was dawn then and it was too dark for me to appreciate its enormity.  A good hundred heads fit the place comfortably, a lot of beautiful new faces and guests lavished the grounds.

There was a wide selection of dishes served at the buffet. Ranging from the classic Caribbean salads to Italian pasta and famous Filipino dishes. We all had a great time consuming the grandiose of a cuisine. I helped myself with a simple Italian feast since I had a lot of traveling to do those days. Back in the hotel, we had a bottle of cognac to cap the event. The next thing I knew, I was home in the sack rubbing my eyes, trying to remember what had happened those past three days.

All in all, everyone had a great time.

To the newlyweds Peter and Julie! RACOON!!!