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March 31, 2003

The Gentlemen at Pagedown.net

Maaaan, you guys make me proud. Your best issue is Ctrl + Alt + Del. Can I contribute? :-D

Ping Running for Prez

Another all-time low. This way, we can legitimize gambling, gun-running, drug-pushing and prostitution. Did I mention rubouts?

Cosmetic Surgery All-Time Low

About as horrible as Michael Jackson. Poor pooch.

Peter Arnett Loses Job for Stating Facts

NBC fires Peter Arnett for granting an interview to Iraqi state-owned television, where he said coalition forces had "failed because of Iraqi resistance."

Arnett was the last journalist left covering the invasion of Iraq from within Baghdad. Mr. Arnett was a CNN correspondent in Baghdad during the Persian Gulf war in 1991. The Iraqis evicted all major Western television correspondents except Mr. Arnett. Iraqi officials said then that Mr. Arnett had "proven impartiality."

Hollywood Stock Exchange

As the Stock Market tanks, let your money reach the stars at HSX.

Buy shares of your favorite actors and their new movies and watch their values rise or fall based on their success. Stocks soar with a blockbuster opening at the box office and plummet with a bomb no one went to see.

Abolishing ROTC

This weekend my fiance and I stayed over at a friend's place and my friend and I briefly recalled our ROTC days. And we quickly got into a calculation of the time we wasted going through it. By my reckoning, I spent about a whole month of my adult life marching to some officer's mumbling and sweating my shorts off under the hot sun.

Reserved Officers Training Corps (everyone say ugh) has been the subject of debate ever since I can remember shining my brass buckle and scraping the mud off my boots on an early Saturday morning. According to one website, ROTC products "were to serve as vehicles of a value system that was more representative of that held by the remainder of American society." It's interesting to note that ROTC was never made compulsary in the United States.

What I did learn from ROTC (CMT and CAT back then) was that it was a lot of fun to make fun of my officers (because most of them had funny voices or were war fanatics) and that the commanding officer (usually an adult who has a flagging military career) can be bribed with whiskey.

I didn't mind the haircuts, or the memorable characters. Like "Putol", which, despite the mean handle given by his troops to memorialize his combat injury (he lost his arm), was a gregarious, occasionally self-effacing officer who liked rolling the one-liners. And "Poodle", who had the voice of one, and the face to go with it.

The need for ROTC was often questioned during my college days. Wasting weekends that could be spent with family. Having to buy all the equipment and uniforms. All those students that did not finish because they refused to be submitted to such inanity (rightfully so). And the callous, even brutish, leadership of officers who relished their Saturday soapbox moments by spitting out expletives designed to weaken our resistance (or so they thought). Kaya laging nirarambol ang Vanguard e, kasi ubod sila nang yabang, ang babansot naman nila. Then, there were the Jehovah's witnesses whose faith can supercede the Constitution.

But never was the institution troubled as it was during 2001. According to one website, "discontent over ROTC -- its content, conduct, the competence of its training staff and the corruption that often plagued its individual units -- had been well known for years. Casual surfing of Filipino student websites often reveal short essays or articles about the perceived pointlessness of the program. Student groups also occasionally took up the matter in their roster of grievances." No where were these grievances so well felt after Marc Welson Chua's decomposed body was fished out of Pasig river after filing a complaint about his ROTC unit. The commandant was successively dismissed and six cadet officers of the UST’s Reserved Officers Training Corps have been indicted based on witness account. Maybe Romy Maganto should have been given a chance.

Needless to say, this changed ROTC in many ways. Republic Act 9163 makes ROTC an elective. This Google cache provides thorough reading. Thanks in no small part to Fidel Ramos' (West Pointer and a retired general ) belief in the irrelevance of CMT, which by dint of the Constitution had me shining buckles and cursing Saturday mornings for 4 years of my life.

March 28, 2003

UP Los Banos Part 2

Kyo, whom I've never met, has this in mind. Much, much better.

Kaleidoscope

Maaaaan, this thing is the bomb. Hey, Z, you're my daddy.

March 27, 2003

Pusoy Dos and Tong-its Online

Game Na lets you play your favorite tambayan games (la nga lang yosi at gin). I tried signing-up but the motherf**ker keeps rejecting my login name, and, when I click back, the whole form has been refreshed. Argh. Anyway, maybe someone out there will check it out and let me know if it's worth it.

Pinoy Slang

Punuin natin to mga tsong!! Still on beta but it should pick up soon.

UP Los Banos

I'm saddened that my alma mater's website looks like, er, crap.

Is that a Quantum Singularity?

Space.com: An eruptive star that brightened to 600,000 times its initial intensity and briefly outshone all others in the Milky Way Galaxy has astronomers amazed and puzzled over what happened.

Could it be a dying Death Star?

Okay, So I Did Go Shopping. And, I Found This.

It's got everything I need. I wonder if it plays mp3s too.

Have War, Will Go Shopping

How is it that consumer confidence strengthens when war breaks out?

While only 19% of Americans deemed the U.S. economy to be ?strong? the week ending March 14, 27% felt that way by the week ending March 21. The percentage that said they consider the economy to be either ?weak? or ?very weak? also declined, while those who are unsure remained at 11% of the population.

Mr. Greenspan, care to comment?

Ruffa Part 2

Okay, someone sent me this. (That was fast!)

Warning: Only 18 and above. I will not be responsible if you find it offensive (but will be, if you find this amusing :-))

Reactions to the Bush Ultimatum

Thought I'd add it here.

Peace.

Ruffa Gutierrez, Filipina Actress

There is no way I can create enough space in this blog to do justice to the life and acting career of Ruffa, who epitomizes the plight of all Filipina actresses. The bastard daughter (please confirm this) of two actors, she started out early in show biz. Working up the ranks of That's Entertainment, she co-starred in dozens (maybe hundreds) of films and has played lead roles opposite many in so-called "love teams". She has played Darna (I think) and the Hayop in "Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat nang Lupa".

She has joined beauty pageants and has had some significant success. She has gone to the United States seeking solitude from her fans, and, perhaps, looking for a break in Hollywood. She tried to learn how to sing and dance, like most Filipina actresses would. And she's been "linked" to boyfriends of unknown origins, where rumor has it that her "showbiz mama" was pimping her to rich bachelors across the globe.

But what makes her queen are the controversies she's managed to get herself into and out of. Starting with allegations that she was a "Brunei-yuki" (a word coined by Filipino journalists), where, it was alleged in Senate hearings shown in national television, that she is or was paid, er, for sexually gratifying entertainment by certain royalty in Brunei. Ruffa, of course, denied any wrongdoing, saying that she does go to Brunei, but only to do shopping. Right, on an actresses salary. (I *did* hear that the Duty Free Shopping there is to die for.)

Anyway, the OTHER controversy was her involvement in what I like calling the "Take It Take It" scam. The PDI writes: "During the awarding nights in the 1994 film festival, Gutierrez, one of the presenters of the best actor award, announced the name of Gabby Concepcion as winner, when the name of another actor, Edu Manzano, was written on the certificate prepared by the accounting firm SyCip Gorres and Velayo. Ruffa's brother Rocky announced Ruffa's name as the winner in the best actress category, when Aiko Melendez had been picked to receive the trophy."

She said: "Take it! Take it!", did she not? I could be wrong, that might have been someone else.

Of course, there were the nude pictures of her, drunk and bombed out of her wits. Unfortunately, I don't have a link to that. (Btw, if you search for Ruffa in Google, you will see that she's filed under Donita Rose, the OTHER nude, drunk and bombed out girl in the picture.)

Needless to say, Ruffa got married last week, and, true to form, she announced later in her ceremony that she was four months pregnant. Poor Anabelle Rama, not only did she not like the groom, but she's probably heart-broken that her daughter didn't properly fit her white gown. She's, god forbid, losing weight over the entire fiasco.

P.S. Even her reception was not free from controversy. Kris Aquino (Game na ba kayo?) skipped the whole affair for fear that she could get clawed by Alma Moreno, who is bitter over her husband's (incorrigible womanizer and Paranaque Mayor Joey Marquez) affair with the former First Daughter.

P.P.S. Did she ever get a nose job? That would certainly seal it.

Watching the War Wire

Been so inclined to look at news about the invasion of Iraq, particularly because the U.S. troops are nearing Baghdad and are about to face Saddam's Republican Guards. I was saddened by the reports of friendly fire but was disgusted while listening to a military spokesperson (didn't get his name, but he was in a combat uniform) whine about how the Iraqis were fighting unfairly: they weren't dressed in soldier's uniforms and instead were dressed as civilians. Okay, so how fair is all this? The U.S. sends stealth bombers, aircraft carriers and tomahawk missiles and you are complaining about things being "unfair"?!?!

This one's for you: You could learn something from Battlefield 1942. Hey! Someone's taken our flag!

March 26, 2003

Casualties of War

With the rise in ratings of CNN, MSNBC (with Arnett the last journalist standing in Baghdad) and Fox (ick) the least likely casualties of war are the journalists who cover them, right? Well, guess again. Ms. Chung is looking for work.

Meanwhile, the Miami Herald reports that "U.S. Marines, moving through this still-contested city, opened fire at anything that moved Tuesday, leaving dozens of dead in their wake, at least some of them civilians." This isn't Counterstrike de_dust people. It's Iraq. Those aren't faceless, nameless computer-generated enemies.

See What Your Site Looks Like to Google

Google Spiders

Thanks to evolt.org

"This is the predictor-view, it's task is two-fold. Firstly to give you a rough idea of how your page's listing will look in Google, and secondly to find every link on the page that the search-engine would. This list of links is ideally quite long, yet not more than 100 or so."

Bend it Like Beckham

Beckham

If Becks goes to Real, which this article says is the Spanish club's next big project, then all the Nike sponsorship money now goes to one team! That makes good business sense, doncha think?

But, alas, my dear lads, my heart resides in North London.

Chinese Coverage of the War

War, As Seen in China

I wish I was watching back home (in the Philippines) to gauge the sentiment there about the Iraqi Invasion. Expect any country outside the U.S. to have it's own take, and frankly it's refreshing.

"Zhang Tianping, a top Chinese military analyst, was somewhat dismissive of the American "Shock and Awe" strategy. "The American ground warfare is still being fought like the second world war." He said "But Iraq, having lost all of its advanced weaponry after the first gulf war, has become quite adept at guerrilla tactics. This will allow Iraq to harass and stall US troops while worldwide anti-war sentiment grows." The Chinese have a high regard for the use of guerrilla tactics against a better equipped force - after all, without such victories the People's Republic of China might have been snuffed in the cradle.

And unlike American broadcasts, reported from "embedded" journalists, Chinese broadcasts are anything but sanitized. While viewers in America may have missed the video showing a three year old boy swaddled in dirty bandages crying in an Iraqi hospital after being caught in an American missile attack, tens of millions of CCTV International News viewers didn't. It was replayed several times over an hour broadcast, along with the cries of the boy's father screaming "America, where is your humanity?"

NOTE: Remember how accurate US intelligence can be? Refresh your memory here.

Calvin and Hoops

But, can he ball?

Now, my speculations on what Calvin Klein had to say to Latrell Sprewell:

1. Shake that ass. You're making my Margarita back up.
2. I hate those shorts. Whatever happened to those short shorts?
3. Next time, give that Carter guy one on his chops.
4. (Touching Spree's uniform) All this time you guys were playing in SATIN?!?!
5. Choke me!

March 25, 2003

Describing a Graphic Designer 2

Median annual earnings for commercial and industrial designers were $48,780 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,460 and $64,120. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,790.

Median annual earnings for fashion designers were $48,530 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,800 and $73,780. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,970. Median annual earnings were $52,860 in apparel, piece goods, and notions--the industry employing the largest numbers of fashion designers.

Median annual earnings for floral designers were $18,360 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $14,900 and $22,110. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $27,860. Median annual earnings were $20,160 in grocery stores and $17,760 in miscellaneous retail stores, including florists.

Median annual earnings for graphic designers were $34,570 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,560 and $45,130. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,480, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,400. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of graphic designers were as follows:

Management and public relations - $37,570
Advertising - 37,080
Mailing, reproduction, and stenographic services - 36,130
Commercial printing - 29,730
Newspapers - 28,170

Median annual earnings for interior designers were $36,540 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,800 and $51,140. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,840, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66,470. Median annual earnings were $40,710 in engineering and architectural services and $34,890 in furniture and home furnishings stores.

Median annual earnings of merchandise displayers and window dressers were $20,930 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $16,770 and $26,840. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,790, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $31,130. Median annual earnings were $22,210 in groceries and related products and $18,820 in department stores.

Median annual earnings for set and exhibit designers were $31,440 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $21,460 and $42,800. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,820, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,400.

According to the Industrial Designers Society of America, the median base salary, excluding deferred compensation, bonuses, royalties, and commissions, for an industrial designer with 1 to 2 years of experience was about $36,500 in 2000. Staff designers with 5 years of experience earned $45,000, whereas senior designers with 8 years of experience earned $64,000. Industrial designers in managerial, executive, or ownership positions earned substantially more?up to $600,000 annually; however, the $80,000 to $180,000 range was more representative.

The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) reported 1999 median earnings for graphic designers with increasing levels of responsibility. Staff-level graphic designers earned $36,000, while senior designers, who may supervise junior staff or have some decision-making authority that reflects their knowledge of graphic design, earned $50,000. Solo designers, who freelance or work independently of a company, reported median earnings of $50,000. Design directors, the creative heads of design firms or in-house corporate design departments, earned $80,000. Graphic designers with business responsibilities for the operation of a firm as owners, partners, or principals earned $90,000.

Describing a Graphic Designer

Found this during my job search:

Graphic designers use a variety of print, electronic, and film media to create designs that meet clients' commercial needs. Using computer software, they develop the overall layout and design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications. They also may produce promotional displays and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive company logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems?called environmental graphics?for business and government. An increasing number of graphic designers develop material to appear on Internet home pages. Graphic designers also produce the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies.

Interesting Facts:

1. Three out of 10 designers are self-employed?almost 5 times the proportion for all professional and related occupations.
2. Creativity is crucial in all design occupations; most designers need a bachelor's degree, and candidates with a master's degree hold an advantage.

How it's divvied up:
Graphic designers - 190,000
Floral designers - 102,000
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers - 76,000
Commercial and industrial designers - 50,000
Interior designers - 46,000
Fashion designers - 16,000
Set and exhibit designers - 12,000

Overall, the employment of designers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. In addition to those that result from employment growth, many job openings will arise from the need to replace designers who leave the field. Increased demand for industrial designers will stem from the continued emphasis on product quality and safety; the demand for new products that are easy and comfortable to use; the development of high-technology products in medicine, transportation, and other fields; and growing global competition among businesses. Demand for graphic designers should increase because of the rapidly increasing demand for Web-based graphics and the expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, videotape, and made-for-Internet outlets.

Work with a J-2

Just found out today that I won't get my work permit (under my J-2 visa) until November. I should now look at possible volunteer work that could pay with low allowances. Oh, where's that number for the local AIGA chapter...

The six most worrisome things about the war

1. Is that it won't end as quickly as the U.S. feels it will.
2. Saddam is never found.
3. Biological or other WMD weapons are used.
4. That the righteousness, obnoxiousness and arrogance of the U.S. government will be forgotten.
5. That the Arab and Muslim world will continue to feel alienated and resentful of Americans, Jews, Israelis and Christians.
6. That, while all this is going on, North Korea continues to build its nuclear arsenal and silently prepares itself for open war with the South.