disappointed

I swapped my Samsung S4 with iPhone5 for one major reason: connectivity with my Macbook. I was uber excited about the prospect of syncing both gadgets but to my biggest DISMAY when I tried. The phone requires a higher update on Mac OS and iTunes. I tried to download these updates but didn't work. I searched online and found out that my laptop is too old for these new update changes. I read a certain Mac forum online and was surprised to see an endless rant of people about this particular situation.

I am extremely disappointed and that's an understatement.

"Biddy's" doesn't fail

Our friend from Wales (Kuya Dan) visited us and at lunchtime, I took him to this local favourite joint (Biddy's). After a stressful day at work, I found the ambiance relaxing, comforting. It reminded me of that sense of (then) British-ness of the world. Don't ask me what it means.

Oh, it's not my opinion that really matters. I asked Kuya Dan and he said, "How lovely!" in his usual outspoken, vivacious self. Well said I thought.

months later

I finally played tennis after a very long wait. "HAPPY" becomes a more meaningful word.

whilst....

I don't have connection to the world for 15 hours (up to now) via mobile. Changing Samsung S4 to iPhone5 wasn't straightforward enough. The sim card didn't match. So while I wait inside the prehistoric cave, I'm posting some photos to show that at one point I was social enough.

  

bargain

With years of experience, I know what looks good on me and what doesn't.

During my early trying times, I experimented and mainly aimed to create a statement; in extreme situations, I aimed to shock (few fashion apparels in mind i.e. shiny gold Ingelmo shoes, black drape light jacket etc). These days, I stick to safe get-up and if pushed by my daring psyche, a more borderline fashion look (I know it's borderline when that physical and mental discomfort of wearing an item reaches 25%).

If there's one thing life taught me in recent years, I value bargain hunting. I remember a bitchy remark my friend said during my very active clubbing/pubbing moments. He said, "Damitan mo man ng Prada, Gucci or ginto ang unggoy, unggoy pa rin yan". I laughed then but on a reflective note, there are a myriad of possible explanations why that remark covers a polarised spectrum. But one thing I'm certain about myself is that designer products are good to one's ego. It's not all that bad if one can afford it without a minute tinge of remorse.

Since I'm not the latter, bargains (when justified of buying) excite me. But I follow it up with a question: "Do I really need it?". During the holiday, I gave my Rayban glasses and I thought with the unusually raging UK summer, I'd need some protection hence the new pair.

let me brag

I still have IT after a month of hibernation.

Thanks Nimrod

You haven't changed.

votive

This is a CAPIZ SHELL votive from the Philippines. Specifically, I ordered this from my mother's supplier who charged me 40 pesos a piece. Smelling the sweet scent of bargain, I ordered 20 in natural, green and red combinations. Fast forward to NAIA departure and we scoured the lacklustre DUTY FREE where we found the same (design) votive for ... brace yourself ... 450 pesos.

Now, what's that in retail pricing percentage? A moron doesn't have to calculate this to know how innocent people are robbed of their hard-earned cash in a painful process.

you want sweat... here's more than enough

saving glory

I didn't need the best DLSR camera to capture this beauty. My then iPhone was enough to convey to the world how beautiful my country is. Sadly, the Coron adventure fell short of my expectations but this is definitely a saving glory.

die mosquitoes die

I was told that a relative contracted Dengue on his last trip to Coron Palawan. As a preventative measure, we lit KATOL all night in the toilet and was surprised to see these pests lifeless on the floor. We then made sure that we have "off lotion" anywhere and everywhere we went.

We went to a resto and the pests were there.
We went trekking and they feasted on us.
We went to the lake and they ambushed us.
We moved, they followed.

That's nature I guess. There are a lot of bloodsuckers out there.

this is beauty shot

I am beginning to love S4.

I don't have to go through photoshopping to fix the major flaws because the phone automatically fixes it upon taking the picture. This is just one of the modes already built in on S4 (auto, beauty face, best photo,best face, sound and shot and night). The only let down so far is the fact that iPhone doesn't allow facetime with this gadget. But then again, I blame APPLE for being an elitist.

I have seen a lot of photos on FB where faces were smoothened beyond recognition. I think this "beauty face" mode is just right. I still see my fat and wide nose, and my runway-of-an-airport forehead. I don't mind because perfect is boring.

and then, there's FAMILY

meeting JZ for the nth time

As always, we talked about anything and everything under the Philippine sun. People may have reservations about meeting her but I must say that I feel most comfortable talking to her than some people I've known for years.

Batch 89

I have vivid memories of High School that are not worth trading with any other life experiences.

@ Tagaytay

I don't have problems with the fact that I don't have close association with the MAYOR side of my family. I am already overjoyed by mingling with the Marquezes.

@ Subic Yacht Club

It was good to hobnob with my relevant past.

@ Villa Escudero

I have been to this place once and the second time was just as good as the first. For 1250 pesos, it's all worth it.

@ Coron

There are two things that saved Coron Palawan from total disappointment:

This shot



and the KAYANGAN lake.

fireworks

... will always remind me why I married this guy.

farewell iPhone, hello Samsung Galaxy S4

My iPhone got snatched away from me with forced consent and emotional blackmail. My sister wailed and begged to the highest degree just to have my phone and being a nice, giving brother, I gave in. I went back to UK feeling incomplete (that sensation of being lost and nescient) inciting the thought that gadgets these days are a vital extension of who and what we are. I am in no way ashamed to admit that.

Immediately after setting foot in Britain, Gelo and I scoured the phone shops for the best offers. I have read reviews about S4, BB10, HTC One, iPhone 5, Experia Z and other new phones in the market but S4 was seemingly a good respite from anything and everything Apple. So I upgraded to S4 and was immediately transported back to this day and age of electronic civilisation.

Few days later, Gelo asked me ... "Do you like your new phone?".  I replied, "No'. He gave me a quizzical look and retorted, "How come?". I simply said, "It's way too distracting and it fuels my vanity". He laughed but I was truly serious.

Baby steps

I have been independent for so long a time that I need to relearn my skills on how to interact as a brother, uncle, friend, relative and most especially as a son, to people who helped in laying solid foundations to the person I am now. I am struggling like those intricate baby steps .... at the moment.