Winnipeg, Manitoba — It’s been a while since my last entry and here I am full of expectations for this one. I don’t like Canadians. I have been solid about that for years now. I don’t like them politically, culturally and throw in also economically.
Canadians have been unsubtle about their (except for the Prime Minister I guess) dislike of the United States of America. Canada envelopes the northern part of the US and they are well protected by the US militarily from three directions. Instead of gratitude for this, the Canadians think that what the (US)Americans are doing to keep a civilize world is plain wrong. They are too idealistic for their own good.
Now let’s talk about idealism for Canada. Canada uses two languages — English (British, not [US]American) and French. That means that they are bounded to the British and the French who discovered their neck of the woods. Essentially, Canada has no independence so they should just shut their mouths about the United States and get their shit together first to get away from their monarchs. Trivially, Canada has no president. Instead they have a prime minister because they still recognize the monarchs thousands of miles away in the land called the United Kingdom. If you ask Canadians why they don’t exist as a Republic, they would tell you that they are sentimental about the presence of the monarchy. A stupid thing to say for a could-be-sovereign country.
Culturally, I dislike their attitudes. (US)Americans are liberal, but they at least have manners. Canadians lack courtesy, hospitality and other good manners. Canadians will confirm this. They think they are high up in the food chain to be looking down on people. Here’s a stereotype: if you meet a rude Caucasian in the States, most likely he’s from Canada. One more piece of observation: Canadians look alike. I would like to post pictures, but I won’t. When you visit Canada, pick one face and you’ll find many of them like that…pick the ones with ’stache.
If (US)Americans complain so much about taxes, go to Canada and you’ll wish you can bring your taxes from the States. Generally, they have two taxes: GST (federal) and PST (provincial). Total tax could reach 15% - 20% of your purchase. That’s too much. They even have AST (accommodation) and a GST is also taken from that AST. So if you stay in a hotel, they will charge you two taxes plus an accommodation tax plus another tax off that accommodation tax. What they mean to say is that “pay us double, foo!”
I think that about covers my dislike for Canada and its people. However, I LOVE the music they make. I will also attempt to photographically compare the four provinces I visited when I get back, so watch out for that my dear readers.
June 26th, 2008
I couldn’t deliver a promise to myself that I would write each day of the weekdays. I was too busy at work that I lost so many blogging hours. I am writing this entry aboard a Continental Airline flight. So what thoughts have accumulated this past week?
Firstly, my attempt to move my router failed. I’ll figure it out when I return.
The first Gala Night of Pinoy Idol was held this weekend and I was fortunate to watch the performances. The show has put a limit on the number of text votes per SIM; the maximum is 200 text votes per SIM. My guess was correct because I guessed an average of 100 per SIM.
Eat Bulaga’s first E-Banda Eskuwelahan came into existence this weekend also. Out of four bands, I enjoyed two. It was a good contest.
At work, I ordered tons of computers. I realized that I’m too slow setting them up. When I say setup, it means uninstalling pre-installed software and installing my own software. One PC per hour is quite slow. Alongside that, I was also multi-tasking — programming and other operational work. Joking around has to be there also to take away all the pressure.
June 22nd, 2008
A pure democratic state is defined to be a state of the people, for the people, and by the people. Obviously, this form of government is inexistent therefore I’m not talking government politics in this entry. I’m speaking of Pinoy Idol (Philippines’ installation of “… Idol” reality show). This kind of contest shouldn’t be allowed in a country where text messaging is a way of life, not a necessity. “… Idol” is a singing contest where the winner is decided by the masses. I am not saying that voting in an installation like the American Idol has a 1-1 vote/person ratio, but the sampling is closer to the actual number. In the Philippines, one out of five texter could (a hypothesis) vote at least 100 times for his contestant and that clearly manipulates the curve which then yields a non-democratic politics. What’s worst is that (again I’m hypothesizing) the multi-voting texter does not know about the talent. However, that doesn’t matter because as far as the show is concerned, they are just counting the number of text votes.
Why am I getting so hyped up about this? I have been hyped up about this, but I’m only writing about this now. Last night, the viewers eliminated deserving candidates and kept mediocre talents. The judges even agreed with my thoughts. I know that one of them will eventually win, but if the deserving candidates are not permitted to compete (because they were kicked out) then what’s the using of discovering new talents. The viewers who care about a talent are left frustrated because the majority of viewers who don’t know what a talent is voted out the talented ones. Eventually, the show will have talents that aren’t up to par. The show must start rigging the votes. It’s nothing new in the Philippines anyway.
I’m done criticizing the system, now it’s time to criticize some contestants…
Sue Ellen - you’re a trying hard fashionista. If it doesn’t suit you however trendy the dress is, don’t wear it. I’m begging you in the name of all Ilonggos.
JJ - You should have been sacked this week, but I guess you’re too pretty for that.
Jeni - Excellent performance this week, but I’m worried you’re only restricted to a genre. If ever you’re voted out, make a jazz album and make sure to write your original music.
Ram - You have to be original, but keep rocking! I hope you win the shit.
Topher - Nice voice, but work on the image.
Warren - Be original; love the voice.
Obviously, I don’t pay attention to the girls. I want the contestants to ROCK and the boys are the only ones capable of doing that in the current season. I can’t sing, but I yap a lot, don’t I? Get used to it!
June 9th, 2008
I have a TOGO playlist in my iPod Nano containing 8 songs. They are all love songs save one. Most of my collections contain songs of heartbreaks. I’m not saying I’m heartbroken. I think good songs are written during a downfall of an artist because there are so many emotions. An artist who didn’t experience a downfall isn’t an artist at all — in my opinion.
I’ve seen you cry, I’ve seen you smile.
I’ve watched you sleeping for a while.
I’d be the father of your child.
I’d spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We’ve had our doubts but now we’re fine,
And I love you, I swear that’s true.
I cannot live without you.
- Goodbye My Lover, James Blunt
This is my favorite James Blunt song. I emphasize favorite because it’s only one. These lines are loaded. I hope I never get to personify this song. I don’t know the whole story of this song and I’m not sure if he wrote this out of experience. Playing it solo in a piano made the song more beautiful. It’s a beautiful sad song I guess.
I’ll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You’ve been the only thing that’s right
In all I’ve done
And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we’ll make it anywhere
Away from here
- Run, Snow Patrol
One of the few Snow Patrol songs I love. The melody is just beautiful. The lines above tell about an escape from everything (I think) — from criticizing eyes. Sounds familiar to me. Just listen to the song if you have a chance and you’ll understand. I had to pick a line so I picked the first verses.
As I say goodbye to the way of life
I thought I had designed for me
- Try, Nelly Furtado
I guess it’s the music that made me like this song. The lines above simply tell us that there is a design for life, but it’s nearly impossible to go by that design. It’s feasible, but nearly impossible.
Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end
- All Good Things (Come To An End), Nelly Furtado
Very true. Need I elaborate? That’s a life cycle. That’s why I always thought that life shouldn’t be taken seriously because it’s a game within the circle. Why struggle when in the end all is lost? Life is a game in which the outcome is already decided before it starts.
May 27th, 2008
The day is beautiful; it’ll be warmer today. The sky is clear, so wireless signal should be excellent. I guess it’s one of those days. A man took my usual seat before I arrived at the cafe, so I had to take another location. Too bad, the signal in this location is faint. I won’t bitch about my hardware because I was connected, but got disconnected when I lost the signal. I’m writing this in my offline server so I’ll be publishing it online later.
I’ll leave you with one thought:
I can feel a pleasure, that’s the pain.
May 23rd, 2008
In the past few years, I haven’t paid attention on prime time TV. Most shows are reality contests that it’s frustrating to watch them. I guess there is a shortage of witty writers nowadays. Well, I think I’ll have to join the bandwagon. Last night I watched an episode of “Last Comic Standing” and I want to follow the season without missing the future episodes. The comedians last night were witty and flat out hilarious. I have three comics under my radar already. I will write more about them when they reach the finals in a few weeks.
I’m a sucker for comedy — especially stand-up comedy. I give all the props to these guys because it’s not easy to be funny. You have to be smart and confident to deliver your piece. I used to follow the late night shows (all four), MadTV and SNL, but I lost interest when they started playing re-runs and shit. I also had no time.
I’d like to go to a comedy bar one of these days. I’d invite my colleagues again, that should be fun. We seem to like comedy. When I was in college, we always had people come in class selling cheap tickets to comedy bars. I wanted to go, but didn’t have anyone to come with me. People at home are too boring ad uninterested in stuff like that. I once went to a comedy bar in the Philippines (Klowns) with my aunt and cousins. They are all gay jokes and it’s just plain stupid. The only jokes Filipinos know are gay jokes. Not at all funny once you hear them over and over again.
Last night I watched Carlos Mencia on YouTube. The guy is fucking hilarious. He was bashing Caucasians and Asians mostly — goddamn Mexican. Racial jokes are fun. I think people should be open about it. Many get offended though because comedy is a medium of truth that hurts. It ain’t funny if it doesn’t hurt I guess.
So I’ll be checking on “Last Comic Standing” every week from now on. I won’t vote. I’ll just enjoy the show. Also, I really miss the “Superstar” show. I hope they return the show this summer.
Oh, my latest favorite song is “Motorcycle Emptiness” by the Manics. I enjoy the guitars in this song. I’m listening to it now as I close this entry.
May 23rd, 2008
I noted here that I constantly encounter WiFi problems. After searching the web, many have said that Linux is not WiFi friendly. I guess it could be true, but I’m not converting my Eee PC to Windows. I agree that hardware drivers are very tricky when it comes to Linux and I suspect it’s causing my troubles (the connection status is forever stuck in PENDING). Well, yesterday I slightly cleaned up my drivespace and my troubles seem to have went away. However, it’s still too early to conclude. If it really is true, maybe the system is unable to connect because it has no space to store data. I’ll be monitoring this in the next two weeks.
May 21st, 2008
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