signs of the times

I normally have tons of things on my mind but the state of things all over the world and at home have left me in a state of “meh” this past week. That is until today.

Rains normally don’t bother me but today’s downpour was exceptional. I managed to get all the way to my office via back-roads which showed light to no flooding (believe me when I saw that here in Manila flooding is a serious issue there are photos out there that show people neck-deep along a major thoroughfare). I had gotten to the office without so much as a spot on me. All i had to do was cross the road, enter my office and I would be shielded from the elements for the forseeable nine hours.

It was then that I felt the lurch. It’s hard to put into exact words the feeling that just because you were thinking something, the powers-that-be decide to make you the butt of an horrible joke (and no I did not just commit the grammatical equivalent of shooting my foot, it just depends on whose version of English you’re using; the Queen’s or those damned rebels).

Like Oedipus, Ajax, and Orestes (okay I’m not THAT epic) I confidently stepped from my ride and stared at a modern day recreation of a medievel defense… the moat (and the water was running, not stagnant!). Shaw Boulevard, a major thoroughfare, was under five inches of running water. Yes, ALL I had to do was cross the street, but I forgot to bring a jump pack or those nifty booster shoes from the Mario Brothers movie or the Baron’s suspensor belt or some other suitable device of avoidance.

Ten minutes later and I’m in front of my console looking at my girlfriend’s online status message: “Let’s swim to the zoo!” (oh those Sesame Street days! *sigh*). I swear sometimes I think she’s psychic.

- running out of dry land

idols

And I don’t mean the physical sense (i.e. grim statuettes of torture/execution scenes no matter how religious), or in the reality TV sense (American, Pinoy, Azerbaijan or some other country’s incarnation of Idol). I’m talking about the type of person who isn’t popular but has the charisma to inspire CULTS.

I bring this up only because I had the misfortune of getting a peek at the local news today in the ever loving confines of my office pantry. There, while wistfully looking out the window at my apartment a kilometer away, I overheard a news report that one of the many religious cult leaders (before someone else who might read this sends me flame mail, this is MY point of view so live with it) was thinking of running for president of this glorious country (hint: for those unfamiliar with the term, look up: sarcasm ).

Let me give a primer for those unfamiliar with the quasi-religious state that is the Philippine government. There are two major religious cults which are headed by Filipinos and are an offshoot of Christianity (other more widely international groups such as the Jesuits or Opus Dei are not considered cults in my book), Iglesia ni Cristo and El Shaddai.

Usually the upcoming presidentiables try to court one or both of these religious institutions since both operate under the premise of “whoever the head of the cult/org/church tells me to vote for is the one I will vote.” Much like a Tyranid Hive Mind. Millions of people with only one voice and consciousness… now if only we could get them to actually work towards a common goal.

In a country that gets movie stars, housewives and who knows what else as presidents or hopefuls; I (as a gamer) wish that Kane would actually run for president.

Admittedly with this person’s ideology, I’d probably be in a body bag in next to no time but at least it would be with the knowledge that the country would be headed somewhere with a clear purpose.

Even if that direction is the place that most of this country’s “leaders” have been taking it.

-Brotherhood, Unity, Peace.

curiosity killed…

Maybe you’ve gleaned from my previous post, the fact that I’m into computers and computer games. Maybe. Let me help clear the mystery… I VERY MUCH AM.

Beyond running my brain through an RTS maze, I also take the time to take a peek around the net for newer things, of which online comics are one of my indulgences. If i had to make a room and floorspace for them then Penny Arcade would lie at the top of my virtual comic book pile (not that I read that many online comics to begin with). It’s always a treat to see what Tycho and Gabe dish out (specifically in the news section).

Which brings me to my title… they used a term I was unfamiliar with in their post dated Sept.15. So doing a quick search I came to realize that the particular thing in reference was a medieval torture device and from its description, one of the more painful ones. The site that I found though, had even more devices which I morbidly began to read about.

Part of me wishes I hadn’t and another part (the louder and more vocal one) insists that reading through the entire list was in fact, educational. Never go around and “pretend” to know something. Rather, make sure you know a little bit of everything so nothing really catches you off-guard.

After going through their well, i found myself pondering dinner. Over here in the Philippines, pork (or chicken) barbecue is served on bamboo skewers and suddenly I’m craving for some of that with a good dose of spicy vinegar to dip it in.

Call me nostalgic…

- stop, drop, and roll

First Steps

They say that first steps are always the hardest. Though there are always exceptions to the rule (given the fact that this isn’t really my first blog). I find myself writing (yet again) familiar and definitely selfish musings just so that there is an avenue for people to know me without having to know me.

But oh! what to write?!

In this case, how about my surreal encounter with a sub-world right here in the city I live in.

Anyway here I am at 4am watching a bit of television. Since the idiot box in the pantry isn’t receiving its cable feed, I’m stuck with whatever the local channels dish up. It just so happens that the tube is tuned onto one that’s playing music videos while at the same time, flashing the contents of a chat channel (which the users refer to as a forum) along one side.

As luck would have it, I see the terms “guild” and “active” used onscreen by one of the text message chatters (apparently that’s the way to have your message played on the channel). As an occasional online gamer and avid fantasy reader those two words are extremely familiar to me. Though how they could possibly be used in the context of an SMS chat room escapes me.

Now that my attention’s grabbed though I start to take note of the other messages scrolling along at break-neck speed. Messages from supposed (who knows these days right?) girls looking for sugar daddies to take care of them. Invites from supposed guys looking for only 20 something women to hang out with.

The oldest profession advertising on national television at the premium of a few pesos.

Now I can’t wait for what new things are to be dished my way. Maybe someone’s kidney for sale or, better yet, the services of a highly qualified surgeon in order to perform a lobotomy on someone of my choosing.

Think of the possibilities.

- waiting for the karmic backlash