cultural learnings of a web-primate

Annoucements!!!

2007-09-12T21:54:00Z

For everybody wondering (if there are any), why I am not posting in this blogsite anymore, all the news like wrestling, gadgets and stuff have now moved to a new home. They can now be seen in coded M. I've decided to make coded Mushroom an writing portal along with my friends to contribute editorials and reports of pretty much anything. So if you have time to read, feel free to browse in. If you'd like to contribute as a writer, message me.

www.codedmushroom.com

As for my initiative and personal journals, I am planning to move it to another site. I am currently designing a new site that will handle both my portfolio and personal blog.

I will let you know before this blog goes completely extinct.

Peace out... JG

#4 Weight Update

2007-08-23T22:46:00Z

I haven't written anything like this in a while because of two things. I failed on my weight goal and am slowly rallying up to meet it towards my deadline.

From my current weight on my last entry I was 215 lbs, I went up to 217 and dropped to 212 recently. This still is not what I want.

I told myself that I will be start to take Alli (the new stronger anti-fat-drug) if i dont see definite results by October. I've been hearing great things from my friend about this.

3 weeks ago though I have been doing these several things...
... eat vegetables in any form at night instead of rice
... trying to have excercise 3 times a week
... eating fruit at least once minimum per day

Today i will be going to the gym after work to tear a hole on my gutt. I will try to post further developments as soon as i see results or what not.

Pictures from the WWE Live Events

2007-08-20T17:05:00Z

Here are the good pictures i took at the show

GREAT AMERICAN BASH San Jose, CA 7/22

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30073132@N00/sets/72157601362218259/

Monday Night RAW Sacramento, CA 7/23

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30073132@N00/sets/72157601528346144/

enjoy!!!

my WWE weekend

2007-07-25T16:30:00Z

The Great American Bash 7/22/2007 San Jose, CA

Pyro in the WWE is even louder live than on TV. It was a bit awkward watching a live event on your own. You couldn't goof off nor cheer on your favorites the same way as you were with someone. I tried booing Cena because I was all game for a new champion.

Most boring match of the night: CM Punk vs. John Morrison. I dont know it was weak close for Morrison winning the title. I would actually like to see more signature in the match like the ANACONDA VICE and the GTS or at least Morrisons new move. I still like Punk as a wrestler though, I even bought a PUNK hat with his logo on it.

Suprising Moment: Hornswoggle (Little Bastard) winning the cruiserweight title. Funny and cool.

Best Entrance of the Night: There is so much stuff to pick from. Batista Barrage is good. Lashley is great but I have to say seeing MVP's entrance with is cockiness and flare is amazing. I'm just disappointed he didn't do his balling move.

Best Match: Cena vs. Lashley. I was really cheering Lashley on. He should have beaten him. It was sort of a weak finish though. I mean come on an FU on the top rope. Ok ok maybe im just sour about it.

Anyway i had fun thats all that matters. I expected Cena to drop the belt. I even made a poster that said "not a Cena fan". Thanks for my dad-in-law for scoring me some tickets to the show. You rock Danilo!!!

Monday Night RAW 7/23/2007 Sacramento, CA

Travelling from Fremont (East Bay) to Sacramento (Central California) is not easy. It takes you at least 2 hours to get there but my wife got me tickets as a father's day gift to the RAW show that Monday. The difference between the Bash and RAW other than the day and travel time are astounding. The crowd was more pumped and I can express myself more because my wife was there. Not to mention,I have Cena fans up front. The seat that my wife scored for us was hella closer than what i have at the bash and i was facing the TITAN-TRON. My only complain is the seat was too tight and they didn't put up a ramp so we can see who coming out of the ring.

BEST ENTRANCE: Jeff Hardy. I am a sucker for pyro. Nuff said.

RUNNER-UP MATCH: Kennedy vs. Hardy. Solid match from start to finish. Hardy messed up and hit his neck while making a poetry in motion move. I was expecting Kennedy to win the match but oh well.

BEST MATCH: Cody Runnels vs. Randy Orton. Orton clocked this dude senseless again. I just hated that stupid kid who was raising his Cody Runnels sign in front of our seats. I mean raise your signs when the entrance music hits. But nonetheless this was a very very solid match.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT: RKO on Cena. I love seeing Cena receiving a beat down. So the main event wasn't a lost to me. Umaga eating CENA alive along with Cade and Murdoch. The high light though is when he won Orton came out and RKO'd Cena. When RAW went off the air after announcing Orton as the Summerslam contender, we were treated to a bonus match Cena vs. Orton for the title. Cena won that bout but im pretty sure that Orton will be champ post-Summerslam.

I really had a blast this weekend. I saw two live shows in two consecutive days. Did i mention that i spent time with my daughter? Eventhough she was hella crabby most of the time. I spent time with my wife. Eventhough she does not want to admit to it, deep inside, I know she's loving wrestling already. We had great time going around Old Town (is the cowboy town in Sacramento). Many thanks to my wife for making this day possible. Astig ka talaga. Honey my love so sweet.

I was going to load up some pictures from the shows but i will go ahead and send you guys the album soon. Keep you posted.

Lucky Thursday

2007-07-22T07:57:00Z

I had one of the luckiest days last Thursday. I had 3 great things that happen to me.

(2:30pm- 3 pm)
I was in the office when suddenly my phone rang. Ring! Ring! Ring! It was my wife and she said that my sister's letter arrived containing the results of her CA Boards. I told my wife not to read it and that I will read it when I get home.

(5-530pm)
I got home. Openned the letter. I found out that my sister passed the California Nursing Boards. (Congrats Ging!!! I knew you can do it!!!)

(7pm - 1030pm)
Had dinner with my cousins at their place. Nothing better than San Mig Light, Savory Chicken, and YouTube videos with your cousins to cap the night off.

(11pm - 1130pm)
I was about to tuck my daughter in and suddenly my dad-in-law steps out of his room and calls me up. He has a ticket to the GREAT AMERICAN BASH. I thanked him and realized this is one fine day.

I mean despite everything that happen. Utter chaos for the past week and a half. That day just put a smile on my face. Love that day.

Did I mention that my wife got me tickets to RAW live as a father's day gift for the following day at Sacramento? Its a dream come true. Seeing both a PPV and RAW for two consecutive days. That knocks another two in my WWE live event list.

SMACKDOWN taping... check!!!
WWE PPV... tonight...check!!!
RAW... check!!!

that leaves..
ROYAL RUMBLE
WRESTLEMANIA

How sweet it is???!!!!

the Benoit Tragedy

2007-07-12T19:19:00Z

It has been a good 2 weeks since the Benoit Tragedy shocked the wrestling world and if anybody cares the whole world. The news has been mainstream from FOX to CNN to CNBC. I was requested by my good old friend RJ to create a piece on Benoit so here I am speaking my mind about this tragic event.

Chris Benoit is the best at what he does, wrestle. I think just based on his achievements as a professional wrestler that he should make it to the Hall of Fame, just like his best friend Eddie but we all know this will not happen at all. We all know why. It will be bad press for the WWE inducting a killer.

Everyday, I go to the official site, especially when a fresh storyline like the Vince McMahon bombing occured. Talking about a breath of fresh air in the WWE. I was so psyched up with the 3 hour special, it will be the memorial for Vince. Then openning the site, I was greeted to a splash pic that says "Chris Benoit 1967 to 2007". I was shocked like Eddie Guerrero shocked. I taught it was another heart failure but when the news starting to spread that the whole family were dead. I literally had goose bumps in my arms. I watched the tribute show, nothing special, just an empty arena and a lot of Benoit's best matches. After analysis concluded that Benoit murdered his family and killed himself, WWE apologized for the tribute show at the ECW tuesday show the day before. This was the right step to do to eliminate bad press, well at least get a positve spin rolling.

Up to now, thinking of the Ghost of Chris Benoit still shocks me. First time in Wrestling history and it happened to the most famous technical wrestler of all time. Some people are actually blaming roid rage for it, in my opinion all I can say is maybe. There are a lot of things involve in this thing, my wife said that he just sick in the head. I just want it to not affect the storylines. I wanted the Vince storyline to continue but due to the tragedy being so close to the story, this may not see the light.

To tell you the truth, I dont know what to say about the Benoit tragedy. It's tragic, Yes. It's so horrible a person can possibly do that to his family, yes. He is a great wrestler, yes. Rest in Peace, Chris.

TRANSFORMERS... truly more than meets the eye

2007-07-12T18:15:00Z

I just saw the TRANSFORMERS movie yesterday. It was awesome. With all the problems that are happening in my life right now, this movie absolutely took my mind off it. It was that great.

I had my doubts when I heard that Michael Bay was directing it. I mean what does a guy who did action blockbuster films have to do with a sci-fi flick, right? I have found new respect for the guy who actually pulled it off.

The movie centers around the chase for an ultimate source of power called the AllSpark, which is actually a take on the 1986 cartoon movie's power source called "Autobot Matrix of Leadership". It pretty much a straight forward story but the execution is great. I like how the movie hops from scene to scene discussing the story of Sam and the otherworldy threat on the other. Think of it as micro-sodes with a definite conclusions but slowly building up a puzzle to culminate a final act in the movie.

It is also amazing that there are so many cheesy bits and pieces attached to the movie but the execution is so perfect it makes it funny. You will hear taglines from the old 80s cartoons if you listen to them closely.

To close my whole review, Let me top it off with great reasons/highlights to see this film:

1. Megan Fox... she is so hot ...if she keeps her roles like these she just might be the Alba killer

2. Transformers tag lines... from "Autobots roll out" to "Once again you fail me Starscream". Good Stuff!!!

3. Robot Fight Scenes... if Robot action in movie is going to be this good then i can't wait to see more. (Evangelion)

4. Pure Nostalgia... if you are a fanboy or watching the cartoon series growing up. You cannot miss this movie.

As parting words for this movie review, I would like to say that I want a Camaro as a car right now.

The Initiative #3: Out of my element

2007-05-17T21:17:00Z

For the past week i have been out of my element. I haven't been going to the gym. I feel sluggish as always and my belly keeps on getting bigger and bigger. It feels like im turning into a Shrek myself.

On the other hand, our van will not be a van. We have decided to get a CX-9.
Its a 7 passenger CUV(Cross-over Utility Vehicle). Nice interior, great leg room for all rows. Nice color also, where thinking Black Cherry. It looks like its black from afar but cherry red when you get close to it. I love the tech inside it.

I also discovered a great brown rice alternative. Its called Quinoa(Kin-wa). Big-ups to my sister on telling me all about it. Its not as dry as brown rice not to mention it has some noodle elements to it.

I plan to eat low and work hard.... hopefully i get my groove back because i have around 4 months left to lose 20++. I am currently 215lbs.

For anybody reading this can you give me tips on losing weight and no 3 day diets... if anybody is reading this?

Oh well NAN KU RU NAISA (it will all workout).

Spider-Man 3 good or bad movie???

2007-05-10T18:55:00Z

WARNING: THIS REVIEW MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!

Spider-Man 3 as a fanboy was awesome. I liked the pacing, I like the story, I loved the movie.

As critic, I would say this was weakest in character emphasis for the whole franchise. Here are the things that I hated:

1. Why Gwen? why? Gwen was suppose to be the anti-Mary Jane. She should be the perfect girl, smart, beautiful, and strong. The smart and beautiful was portrayed in a number of scenes but Gwen missed out a lot. Especially the part were she was to be the 3rd part of the triangle alongside Mary Jane. I was very disappointed with this call.

2. Topher Grace makes a good Eddie Brock but not a good Venom. Before I even saw it, I like it when they made the call that Topher will be portraying Brock. It makes him the same size as Tobey and in fact he did a good job as Brock. He was the annoying, obnoxious. Although I have to say they didn't really emphasized on why Eddie is Eddie? Why he lies, cheats, and steals? Why does he hate Parker so much? This is a writer problem. Venom as Topher Grace on the other hand. I had mixed feelings with it. Maybe because he still was portraying Brock. Venom should be talking in plural. He is one with the symbiote because both were discarded by Parker (Brock and the symbiote). They should have added more hate into it.

3. The Symbiote story was forced. They portrayed the symbiote as drug which is the realistic way to go but they went too fast. The addiction never kicked in. Parker should have loved the suit. Loved the feeling of it. The symbiote never bonded with the Parker but with his spidey suit. Another movie loop hole was when he wanted to take it off, it all of a sudden bonded to him. They should have shown more Parker Symbiote bonding time.

Things I loved about Spider-Man 3:

1. The Action. Although plot lines found a lot of loop holes. I have to say the action was awesome from start to finish. I hanged on to my seat for the next 2 hrs and 20 min. From the Osborn/Parker fight scene to the final battle, action scene was flawless.

2. The Sandman's dramatic portrayal. Among every character in the story, Thomas Hayden Church's performance was the greatest. He portrayed his character well. He did it for the love of his daughter. Props to Church for his performance. He is no mad scientist who lost everything, He is just a good guy with bad luck.

3. This ain't a scene its an arms race!!! Tobey as dark Parker was hilarious. I know fans have mix reviews for his portrayal but entertaining nonetheless. Parker looking all Fall out Boy is funny because of two things. One it's a Peter Parker you don't see everyday. Two he is still geeky Peter Parker who trips, stumbles, and does clumsy things, only difference is he is more confident in the wrong way. He tries to be a jerk but just can't be smooth about it.

4. The Ending. I was expecting a 3 on 1 assault but the Goblin alongside Spider-Man. That is something new.

Conclusion: 3 was a mixed bagged of goods and bads. Nonetheless, it didn't made me walk-out of the movie theatre. Maybe a little more of added footage to explain a couple of things in the story could have made the movie work even better. I just hope there is a extended cut ala Lord of the Rings extended editions on the way to dvd. I still can't wait to see 4 and if ever the actor's step down from their roles, I just hope the new ones would excede my expectations.

What to look forward to this weekend

2007-05-04T20:59:00Z

I am excited for this weekend to start for 2 reasons, SPIDERMAN3, SONIC, Mom's arrival, and LIA's CHRISTENING.

Finally, the Venom saga is translated into film format. If Batman has a Joker; Superman has a Luthor; Wolverine has a Sabretooth; Spiderman has Venom. This will be one hell of a ride. I am wearing my Venom shirt to the movies. Oh yeah I am watching it in IMAX baby!!!

SONIC... i haven't eaten sonic for a good two years. I love their food hence we are travelling far far away for this. What to order??? MmmmmmM!!!!

Mom's Arrival... my mom's coming back to the bay area... again!!! Always love to see her.

Lia's christening.... the party of the century. I hope this turns out to be a great one. Not to be overshadowed by other entities of the party. Welcome to being a christian baby girl. I am so in love with my daughter.

That's it for me.

Move along, Move along.... John Glen... very NICE!!!

Initiative #2: The Failures of not being healthy

2007-05-04T20:41:00Z

Ever since my last logged entry in the Initiative, I have lost it. Not only did I have a slump in training for my 300 body i did the exact opposite. I ate lots of food and didn't train. I felt sluggish and weak for the next 2 weeks. I kicked myself in the arrsss and tried to rally up. During the mid-week I finally found my groove back. I went to the gym/jogged around the park 4 times that week. That's when it hit me. I felt my throat starting to hurt. The last two weeks i have been battling a cold and sore throat.

Now my groove is lost. I miss going to the gym. I can't wait to restart my whole regimen again. Next week we start our countdown. I have 40 weeks to clean myself up. Attain what I need to attain. I got 9 months to go.

I have said this so many times but I am so tired of being FAT!!!

Damage Report: Wrestlemania 23

2007-04-02T19:32:00Z

Wrestlemania 23 was good but not great. I still enjoyed the Rumble more than this.

I was expecting more out of it. Yes it's a classic but i've seen better Manias than this.

Comments:

1. Shawn Michaels should come out with his red outfit with the Sex boy theme and not the DX theme music.
2. The ring was spotless. I liked how it was made and the pyro. I give props to the guys who designed it.
3. What is up with the FORD MUSTANG???
4. Undertaker Entrance was the bomb!!!
5. Kennedy's microphone in the middle of the stage was awesome.
6. Crowd was too cold for a Wrestlemania.
7. Aretha Franklin is fatter than ever... literally!!!
8. They should have made the final match Taker vs. Batista.
9. Cena vs. Michaels could've done better in their match.
10. Is it just me or they did not use the entrance ramp at all for a match. That amount of space and nobody used it for a match.

Here are my top matches:

1. MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH: The highlight of the show. It really kicked Mania off pretty well. It was explosive from Edge spearing everyone to the Hardy suicide dive to Keneddy being Mr. Money in the Bank...Bank!!! Commentators were in their A-game. Hornswoggle getting involve in the match was the funniest bit. There were a lot of OH MY GOD moments, that's why this is No. 1 in my list.

2. BATISTA vs. TAKER: I was feeling it. I was actually shocked that it was decided in the middle of the night. It was a very explosive match. No doubt this championship match stole the show. Taker's entrance was hella better than the Mustang bit. It's a shame that they did not made this match the last one. What were you thinking man?

3. HAIR vs. HAIR: Anytime there is a McMahon match and seeing his face in agony because he just lost is always funny to me. I like it. Stunners here. Stunner there. This was a cool and memorable match. I like how Trump just punched the crap out of McMahon. He looks good bald.

4. MICHAELS vs. CENA: This was just like a match without main event status written on it and the crowd wasn't that into it. I miss the Chicago crowd (WM22). I was expecting more from this match. I had to put this in my list because I was caught up because of my bet with my sister. This is the poorest Shawn Michaels mania performance I've seen in a while.

I lost the bet. Cena is still the champ. ALL HAIL QUEEN GING GING...you win this time BINKS!!! Kudos to you on both the bet and beating me on Fantasy. I shall return!!!

New Site Already Up

2007-03-27T21:01:00Z

The new site is already up. I designed it in black and white. I'm so pumped because its using CSS from the top to bottom. Check it out:

http://www.codedmushroom.com

very nice,
John Glen... Fight!!!

Damage Report: Wrestlemania 23 predictions

2007-03-26T21:25:00Z

The superbowl of Wrestling is upon us. April 1, 2007, we too will be ALL GROWN UP. The fight card is all set. Strange thing is we have a bet going on with my sister on whose going to win the Cena/HBK bout. Loser, praises the winner for 1 week.

ALL HAIL KING JOHNNY... would sound great entering the room all the time.

Here are my predictions on whose who... winning the biggest stage of them all.

ECW ORIGINALS vs. NEW BREED
For months, they have been at each others throats trying to get a win from each other. How I wish this match would be a HARDCORE match. After all, ECW is called the HOUSE of HARDCORE. The best offense that the new breed has is definitely the Alpha Male, Marcus Cor Von. I see the pounce on all four originals in one segment of the match. Originals aren't looking so good, but I kind of feel that they will put their moneymaker to good use, I am talking about RVD, ROB...VAN...DAM. We will definitely see a five star frog splash executed well. I predict the ending to be fast and well executed by somebody like Kevin Thorn hitting a cane to an original along with Elijah Burke hitting the experience on a weaker Original like the Sandman and pin him for the win. WINNER: NEW BREED

MVP vs. CHRIS BENOIT (US Championship)
MVP has been on a roll since of late. This is good exposure for him. Expect the match to be fast and quick. When you're against the wolverine, you have to run around. I expect MVP to run around the ring a couple of times. MVP will step up his A-Game. You will see classic moves like his "BALLIN!!!" two-step and of course his finisher but you will see him turn it up a notch and see new moves, you don't expect flying around. WINNER: MVP new US Champion

GREAT KHALI vs. KANE
The Great Khali will pick a decisive win against Kane even if uses that See No Evil hook to him. Expect it to be bloody and brutal with possibly the referee to be knocked out. WINNER: KHALI

MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH
Rivalries will emerge. Expect Edge and Orton to go at it. The typical formula teaming-up and then later on being disorganize and eventually kicking each others can. Costing each other a chance at the briefcase. Another team to look out for are the Hardys. They will be doing swanton after swanton, high risk after high risk. That's why they put them in there. Expect Finlay to use the shaleylay from start to finish. Despite all war waging on, expect Kenedy or CM to shine. I will just go with the person most deserving. WINNER: MR. KENEDDY...KENEDDY

ASHLEY vs. MELINA(women's championship)
We all know that Ashley just got this gig because of Playboy. Its a yearly thing. I will be suprise if this tops the Trish vs. Mickie James match last year, that was arguably the best women's title match i've seen. This one, not so quite. I know they've been sharpenning their skills a little. But this would be boring and at the same time interesting. After all, this is a Playboy plug-in. Expect Melina to win with Nitro getting involve. WINNER: MELINA (retaining the Women's Championship)

BATTLE OF THE BILLIONAIRES
I don't know why is this here. It is good exposure though for both Umaga and Lashley. This is going to be an all out war nonetheless. Expect Trump to pull out some moves of his own on Vince. The loser will be stunnered, most likely Vince. Vince will have his head shaved while incapacitated. Vince will then be woken up with beer. WINNER: LASHLEY

UNDERTAKER vs. BATISTA (World Heavyweight Championship)
Batista will turn-heel. Batista will beat the undefeated streak. WINNER: BATISTA (retain World Championship)

SHAWN MICHAELS vs. JOHN CENA (WWE Championship)
Every match that Shawn Michaels gets into most likely steals the show. Finally, another main event opportunity for Shawn Michaels. I might just be biased but I expect HBK to win. Cena will pull new moves and some old ones. They will be booing Cena out of Detroit. WINNER: HBK (new WWE CHAMPION)

**as a longshot prediction Mr. Money in the bank whoever it may be will be using it against a champion by the end of the night and winning the title. Preferably the WWE Championship

If CENA wins we RIOT,
John Glen...VERY NICE!!!

Initiative Journal Entry #1: The health plan

2007-03-26T20:13:00Z

An update on Initiative #2 (lose 20 lbs.) and #3 (have a body like xerxes or leonidas)

Here is my training/healthy eating schedule going to be:

HEALTHY EATING SCHED

BREAKFAST - Light (a toast bread light)
MID-MORNING SNACK - Light
LUNCH - Heavy (a bowl of rice)
MID-AFTERNOON SNACK - Light
DINNER - Light (Veggies and Protein)
NIGHT-TIME SNACK - Light but optional

*Deserts are limited to once small piece of sweet per day.

EXERCISE/ GYM TRAINING (when available to do so)

Mondays - High Impact Cardio, Chest, Arms, and Abs
Tuesdays- Legs and Abs
Wednesdays - High Impact Cardio, Chest, Arms, and Abs
Thursdays- Legs and Abs
Fridays - High Impact Cardio, Chest, Arms, and Abs
Saturdays - Exercise Video
Sundays - Exercise Video

*if not possible to go to gym... Do exercise videos (BUDOKAN or YOGA)

I have already started my meal plan. It's doing good so far. As for my training, I just have some business to take care of for the next two days. I will be starting this come Wednesday.

Waiting for the world to change
John Glen... Very Nice!!!

the Initiative #0: we begin again

2007-03-20T22:42:00Z

Just like the MARVEL CIVIL WAR which has finally ended. We are left with a new MARVEL Universe. Canada has a new superteam. Spider-man is back in black. The Avengers have split up into two. The United States has a superteam per state. And the shocker of them all Captain America, shot dead.

These events are happening and slowly getting materialized in MARVEL with something they call... The INITIATIVE.

Getting a regular and decent job. My wife already having a baby. The eruption finally cooled down. My sister close to finishing her boards. My wife confined and released from the hospital. Finally hearing from my in-laws, that they love me. Not to mention throwing all my lent sacrifices due to these events. This is my CIVIL WAR. This has finally passed.

One day, i tried looking into my word documents. I stumbled on something called "my goals". It was something I wrote two years ago after i got married. Listing the deadlines for myself to accomplish at a certain age. I am amazed to see that I am sort of on-track. That being having a daughter before 23 ends and having a stable career at 23.

So it made me think, I should re-write my goals in life incorporating the rest that is on my list. Let me call it, my INITIATIVE

THE INITIATIVE...

1. Get a mini-van (DEC 2007 - FEB 2008)

The pressure is on, in getting a new vehicle. We are currently using my mother-in-law's SUV, she wants her weekend car back. We want something to call our own. I found this awesome looking HONDA ODYSSEY. How I wish it would come out here!!!

2. Lose 20 lbs. (SEPT. 2007)

I have said so many times, that I will be physically fit. But every diet and every exercise does seem to help me out, but i get burnt out or just plain old quit. My mother-in-law actually try calling my bluff. I told them that I would have a beach body by this summer. Not to mention my lent diet has blown into catasthropic proportions due to the stress of seeing my wife in pain and all the baby stuff that happened. I need to find another stress reliever. My real-mom is actually saying to my dad that, I am gwapo but has a big belly. Enough is enough. Act now or end up being a failure in this goal. This is attempt number N and I am going to win this thing.

3. Have a body like Leonidas or Xerxes in 300 (FEB 2008)

I was watching a segment in E that the cast had to undergo 7 months of rigorous training to get their Spartan like physique. I say I can do it before my birthday. Its also an add on that 20 lbs has been a long way coming but having a body like that. OH MY GOD!!! So I say to you and to everybody who is doubting me "I shall prove you wrong. This is sparta!!! Tonight we dine in hell!!!" I just had to throw the 300 quote there. I am so not over that film. Hella gud!!!

4. 100K++ in savings in two years OR just enough money to make a good downpayment for a house (MARCH 2009)

We need privacy. We need alone time. We need peace. Although my CIVIL WAR is over. My wife and I still dream of having a house of our own, where we get to raise our daughter through our influence. The best time will be around 2 years from now, before the kid talks. Not to mention, we want independence.

5. Get a house to settle in with a big screen TV (APRIL 2009)

This is coinciding with #4. Independence. Our own house. I told myself that by the time we get a house the first furniture/appliance that I will be getting is Big Screen TV. For years, it has elluded my imagination and dreams to have something like that. My own setup. I was thinking a Big TV with a Wii, Media Center PC, and PS3 hooked up, Good lord that would be awesome.

6. Go back home, the Philippines (FEB 2010)

I am so jealous everytime a balikbayan comes home. I miss my country. The place I called home for the past 22 years. I miss my friends and family. I haven't seen my dad for 2 years. I miss the nightlife, the karaoke nights, and colossal malls. I can't wait to eat in a carinderia, taste isaw, and pares. Writing this paragraph makes me hungry.

7. Getting a Master's Degree (before 2013)

They say that you grow tired of studying at age 30 and it was always my dream/goal to get a Master's Degree. I have always dreamt of studying in an American school. I dreamt of walking around the Berkeley campus and just stroll around. I want to see how an American College works.

I guess that's about it, for now. I guess a man would never be satisfied with what he has. You always want to evolve to something more. But for now, here are my goals. I will knock all of them down. Starting from #1 all the way to #7. Oh it's on... it's on!!!

I will have frequent unfrequent updates about my INITIATIVE. This will also help me to knock out all these goals. Please feel free to comment on my Initiative journal. If you have tips and tricks to get me through this that would be greatly appreciated.

the erruption

2007-03-13T17:12:00Z

"This is how it works. You're young until you're not. You love until you don't. You try until you can't. You laugh until you cry. You cry until you laugh. And everyone must breathe. Until their dying breath."

My life yesterday went from hell to back in a span of 4pm to 7pm. I had the worst afternoon in a long time. I came home excited to see my family. My daughter, Lia and my wife who has just been released from the hospital, the 2nd time around. Yet, the first person who welcomed me was my mother-in-law, who told me to move the car because my dad-in-law was not home yet. Whatever happened to "welcome home" or "how was your day"? I told my mom that i would be going soon, I just had to pick up my sister because i needed to do groceries and pick up a prescription. So I kissed my daughter and saw my wife. She looked stressed and a little irritated. I kissed her and to no effect, she had the same look. I was thrown off. I picked up my sister and just left.

"While we were on our knees. Praying that disease. Would leave the ones we love. And never come again"

In the car, I had the worse time trying to figure out what was up with your ate. Maybe her mother nagged her again. Maybe Lia is crying most of the day. Maybe, she just didn't want me to leave. With all the maybes in my head, It just stressed me out. It felt like a plague just hit me, a disease spreading. I feel no warmth from everybody. I feel like I have been neglected too much. I felt underappreciated by everyone from my in-laws to my wife's relatives. I felt like I have always been just Malou's husband. I didn't have an identity at all. It just made me mad and everything around me turned black. I was again exhausted and on a warpath. As everything turned black, I thought about stuff that I should not be thinking like cancelling my daughter's christening party and other senseless things. I became so frustrated that I began to lose focus. I forgot my numbers to play in the lotto. I didn't want to pick the right chips for my sister. I just felt extremely lonel, with the only advice that I should followis something I don't want to hear or do. "STICK IT OUT and SUCK IT UP!!!" Never, I had felt so lost, so exhausted, and so angry at myself and the whole world.

"No, this is how it works. You peer inside yourself. You take the things you like. And try to love the things you took. And then you take that love you made. And stick it into some. Someone else's heart. Pumping someone else's blood. And walking arm in arm. You hope it don't get harmed. But even if it does. You'll just do it all again."

When I came home, I went straight up to the bedroom and laid on the floor and looked at the ceiling. I felt like crying but just like countless times like when my sister came and my mom came, but I didn't. I wanted too but my brain just won't let me. Sometimes, I think America turned my heart cold. I want my ideal world. I want to be recognized, as John Glen. I want to be independent with my family in my own home. I want to known by my new relatives. Is it really me who is cold or them. I want suggestions given to me and can reject it freely but nicely. I don't want to be under house rules or be hustled. Then it hit me that I can't. So I closed my eyes and just dreamt about it. I slept it off. I woke up a few minutes after and like the blackness slowly being pushed out. I heard a voice telling me to get up. I took a hot shower after that. I prayed knelt down and prayed. That cleared my head even more. I need to wait a wii bit longer. I need to hold on. I just hope i don't get harmed but even when I do, I guess I just have to do it all again.

The Ging Ging throwback

2007-03-06T23:59:00Z

To get a better picture of what's going on check this blog entry from my sister:

http://pinkbonnetgirl.blogspot.com/2007/03/things-inside-my-head-about-life.html

Here is my throwback which i posted as a comment in her blog:

I just want to tell you that this is an exemplary piece of work. You totally poured your heart out,
which is the best way to go.

This is my reply. Just to give you clarification.

First of all, That is so not true!!! How the hell did I become the NICER sibling?

My plans for you will not have an endpoint. My plans for us will be infinite in numbers and i have to admit limitations may occur but my plans in life always include you in the picture, no matter how small or big it is.

But as everybody in life, the future holds something for yourself. And in my viewpoint the bullets you wrote down are all good starting points. You too will have have more plans to build define who you are in this world. How important it is? It is all up to you and you alone. What you can achieve and have? That too is all up to you.

Keep in mind that I need you here with me. That's why i pray all the time for that milestone in your life to happen.

In America, things are different. I am a witness to that. Filipinos evolve, sometimes to something far more worse than they are in the Philippines but I promise myself not to evolve and still stick to my principles in life. I know in your heart you will evolve too but as you are my sister, I know your principles and attitude will stick to you.

After milestones of which you attain things, there will always be new challenges. Wanting more is always the way to go. Keep this in mind. Happy endings are so 20th century. Its an endless circle. A vicious one but there will always be fun and memorable stuff along the way. Funny thing about life is you get to laugh at the past because you already survived it.

Lastly, I am your brother. That would never change. To have a family or not is out of the question, I will still be here. And even if you separate yourself from me and even cease to exist, I will be there to look after you when you need me and even when you dont need me. Bank on it!!!

Family will always be family. Damn Straight!!!

Damage Report Premiere Edition

2007-02-22T23:25:00Z

I will borrow something I learned from my sister's blog. She just started being a WWE fangirl (John Cena and Edge to be specific). She has this little thing called Pink Notes, which I think should be a separate entry. So I said to myself, "Hmmm I am the bigger fanboy, I've been watching it since I was a kid, I should be the one doing the Pink notes". So here I am writing the premiere edition of Damage Report. My reactions to the world of WWE.

We are now looking at all things WRESTLEMANIA. So far I like both main events. I like how they matched up CENA/HBK and BATISTA/TAKER, as main events for 23. Thus far, these main events are far better than 22's triple threat and CENA/HHH. I mean no pun intended with HHH but you can't go wrong with HBK. He can make any high profile match look good. I am pretty sure that the Detroit crowd will cheer for HBK just like what Chicago did with HHH. As for Batista and Taker, it seems they're building Batista as a heel in this one. If they do make him a heel that would be interesting because last time I saw him as a heel, he wasn't doing much. He was just a plain old jobber for Evolution. Now that he is the top dog of SMACKDOWN, this will make the Animal more like an Savage Beast in the ring. This will be a good angle for him.

Rumor has it that Lashley will be Trump's pick. With him on a roll on ECW, he will be an obvious pick against UMAGA. After all, if they're promoting the Apprentice, Trump would like no more than an intense winner and he fits that description. Lashley wins. Hopefully its title vs. title. McMahon gets his head shaved.

Money in Bank match is in full swing and so far CM PUNK and EDGE have qualified. I am cheering on CM to win this time, he deserves to be this young upstart to lead the ECW brand. As for other contenders for the match I predict KING BOOKER, JEFF HARDY, KENNEDY, and RANDY ORTON to be in that match as well. I'd like to see MR. KENNEDY winning it too. He is a good wrestler and one hell of a talker.

As for other matches I expect at 23:
- Chavo vs. Mysterio (cruiserweight championship)
- Ashley vs. Milena (women's championship)
- StoneCold as referee or just hoping a AUSTIN/HOGAN match is in the works
- Hogan vs. Khali
- London and Kendrick battles a lot of tag teams in a tag team open or something like that.
- US Championship Benoit vs. MVP. (MVP wins 1st title)

All of these matches are speculations. So that's it for the 1st edition of DAMAGE REPORT. Take it Easy!!!

Sacrifices to be made

2007-02-22T22:57:00Z

In life, there are always sacrifices to be made. I remember bible stories like God testing Abraham to sacrifice his own son. I think of it as a trade-off. I am concern about two things right now. My child's health and my sister staying here. Although these two concerns are really out of my hands. I chose to bring back the tradition of sacrificing things as a sort of trade for these two things that I want and not in control of. Think of it as an Abraham sacrificing his son thing.

So what will I be sacrificing for Lent? I have 4 things. 4 hard things. This is listed down based on hardness level.

RICE (level: EASY) - I've done this before. Eventhough rice is a Filipino staple. I have lived through it and can survive without it.

SODAS (level: MODERATE) - Everytime I go out for dinner, I drink soda. I use to dring regular soda and then switched to DIET ones. Now, I am totally eliminating it. Its just water for me from now on. This will be a moderate ordeal to overcome.

SWEETS (level: HARD) - Unlike my in-laws, they have huge fangs as a form a sweet tooth. I admit I do have a sweet tooth. I eat meals and then look for something sweet. This will be a hard game for me to overcome. I love cookies and pastries. But eliminating this will be good for me because I will totally be eliminating calories everyday. What makes it harder is that I live in a house filled with ginger bread cookies, meaning I get to see chocolates, candies, and treats lying around.

40 DAY EXCERCISE REGIMEN (level: EXTREME SUICIDE) - This is a very very tall order. The most I do excercise in a row is at the most a week straight. Now, I am going to undergo 40 days of training. The best reason why I am undergoing this training is I NEED IT. My body needs it. I always wanted a physically fit body. Let it be this year that I get it. Hawaii is around the corner and I need my beach body figure.

I continue to pray that for those two things. Let those two things also guide me through out lent to make good with this sacrifices. Only time will tell if I can make good with this ordeal. Then i thought of this also as a thank you note for making things happen for me and my family. The job, the child on the way, my wife, and seeing my sister again, these things would not happen if God didn't made it happen.