mens mentis memoratus memini meminisse

In the event of an argument with any person, a sudden brush of negative emotion could get out of hand and ruin a constructive conversation. This, in turn, leads to a dirty scene of verbal rampage making both parties attack each other with malign remarks and gestures. In one way or another, this has certainly been an experience for most of us. It’s part of growing up and growing up is indeed an energy of endless possibilities in thought.

I disagree with you because I am right. Most people are so sure about themselves that they tend to be so assertive of their ideas. There is totally nothing wrong about that except at times when this powerful emotion sticks out, most often than not, the top most goal is to make other people agree - instantly and without question. Opinions then become a general rule and an authority that cannot be bent.

I am right because I am knowledgeable of the subject. There are a lot of intelligent individuals out there. Most are specialized or well-skilled in a particular field of profession and interest. These are people who are as well very much experienced in their line of work and can have a certain level of authority when it comes to their specific subject. To most of us, we tend to think this way sometimes and have the propensity to feel strong about our influence.

There is a definite sense of power involved in the area of knowledge. And most have grabbed its advantages for advancement. That is fine except when one fails to concede an idea once all knowledge fails to prove a point. Surrendering to a new concept or notion is undeniably difficult and it’s one source of weakness and a great sign of a lack of education. How ironic.

I will not agree with you because I am an authority in this subject of discussion. To some, a certificate, an award or a plaque symbolizes an authority over a topic. In some cases, these aren’t even necessary for others have their reputations to bank on. This is highly respectable and a good and notable example to the rest of us.

To the rest of us, folks also have an inclination to contend due to public ratings and recognition. However, some people with these recognitions, and the likes, adhere to their ideas as absolute. They forget the essence of humility and the freedom and importance of every opinion.

Be open and assertive, be knowledgeable and be positively notable. Drop being self-centered and we should all balance our pride. It gains understanding and trust.

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

I was playing some tunes on my guitar this afternoon and I just remembered how vast my appreciation to music had become. From stress reliever to mood swinger, it had polished and colored a rather bland world for me. And I know it had been the same to most of you in one way or another.

This pleasure in music has been notched up a bit more when I learned how to play musical instruments. It’s a perfect channel to wield sound and the results are simply blissful especially when you band with other players within a group. The connection is unexplainable when people jam it up together. Try it!

To think that our parents wanted my brother and I to learn how to "jazz-up" the piano’s black and white keyboard, we ended up taking a different path at first. We started off with drums and percussions, hehehe… I guess the beat of every song piece has been more interesting for me ever since 6th grade because it builds the groove. Create the perfect beat and the one who’s not moved by it could be lost in life!

Playing the guitar strings had taken my interests later on. It all started on a family night at Max’s in Roces, Q.C. where a guy played music in his guitar for the evening. And I just thought, Dang! This guy is awesome! He strummed those 6-Strings like crazy and gave out good entertainment to the resto’s patrons! And by the way that guy played his music, I saw in his eyes that there was a certain amount of pleasure - a connection to the sounds and his performance that I truly admired.

Through the years of playing musical instruments myself, I have come to realize that it is very important in life. This is because there are many things that one could learn and appreciate in taking on a guitar, a sax, a flute or what have you. First is that you learn how to be patient. It builds a character where in you persevere to be your best in what you do. And once you notice your progress yourself, it’s quite fulfilling. Second is that you learn how to control your emotions, especially when it comes to difficult exercises for which your body can’t perform a song piece the way it has been intended to. You just have to carry on and be more focused to accomplish an objective. Thirdly, one learns how to release thoughts and feelings through musical instruments. It’s a perfect medium for making statements on things that you feel good or bad about. Instead of channelling opinions to destructive means, play some tune about it and it could help one to feel better and maybe affect others as well. Finally, for most who can’t sing well, turn to the instruments for comfort! Hahaha!

There are tons of things one could learn from music especially when playing them yourself through an instrument. I think every person should learn how to play the simplest of notes or beats from any musical instrument in his/her lifetime. It enrichess life as we know it and the pleasures and rewards are invisible yet well-worth it. Play in a group = double the effect!

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

My enthusiasm about PC games has widen since I started engaging it about 3 decades ago. (Hehe, yep I’m ancient - a relic from the Atari-asic console era.) From 1st generation arcades, 2nd generation simulations and interactives upto the latest state-of-the-art online genres, I’ve paid attention to the evolution of the whole experience. However, nothing has ever been more appealing and attractive to my gaming taste than the Strategy genus.

From the early success titles of Battle Chess, SimCity, Civilization, Dune, Colonization and War Craft, to their present versions and more, e.g. Star Craft, Age of Empires, Empire Earth, etc., my interest has grown steadily. These type of games make players think a lot and I guess that’s what I like about them. Some of them even have historical and narrative accounts since they portray past events and let players under go the entire scenario. And me being a history lover, especially of the age of antiquities, enjoys the pleasures of this type of gaming experience.

Having said that, I recently came accross an Activision release of a strategy game and it had my craze right at the very beginning of its cinematics. The title was Rome : Total War and it was about ancient Rome’s empire building.

The game provide historical facts that give certain knowledge about the Roman civilization. It provides an idea on how the Roman senate functioned as a major influence in the empire’s expansion. It also gives an explanation of the significance of Roman and foreign factions or nations that have existed during those times. Their lives or everyday living is given focus through out the game. The relevance of trade and how the ancient markets have been ran to keep the empire strong and functioning is also portrayed in the whole session of the game.

Since the game is all about empire building, there’s a certain skill of management and commanding involved. And the package provide two areas where players can expound these specific skills on. There is the town/city management and there is the military commandeering. In the town/city management phase, a player could build structures that could keep citizens happy or strengthen the town’s or city’s economy. These are key things that help the empire grow and progress. On the other hand, the military commandeering is the muscle behind the concept of the game. It involves the player’s competence to establish an army to guard the empire’s borders or make war with the other factions. There’s a small political arena as well where in one could establish war or peace, open trade routes, make alliances and more.

Because of these features, a player would respond to scenarios that’re totally characterized by these ancient environments. And so the experience provides a realization of how a Roman ruler must and/or might have reacted. Therefore, every player’s "coconut shell" is given a big whack for fun!

The rendition of the software’s graphics program is excellent for my taste. Playing field map and game character movements are smooth and has a touch of reality. I am only using a Radeon 9600 Pro graphics accelerator with 128MB of cache instead of a 256MB one but the video is still awesome.

Audio and music are fine. I don’t like the field map background score though. It doesn’t sound like it goes along with the theme… In any case, the dictation of the tutorials are very vivid. I’m only using a basic SoundBlaster Audigy card and the sounds come out as clear as a whistle.

The controls are quite easy to comprehend. That and a good user’s manual pave the way for an exceptional gaming experience. This game is highly recommendable.

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

For how long shall the Filipinos’ plight be the ever elusive, Outstanding National and State Leader? For as far as I can remember, as a Filipino citizen, the quest has never been truly ended. One’s idea of a Filipino President has always been different from many others. And in this scenario, no true image has ever been realized for people have more arguments about it than the number of voters.

On the other hand, most of the candidates have always been at odds with their supposed constituents. Lies and wide grounds of deceit are carried in the most secretive objectives in the not so pleasant side of politics. One cannot help but look at a candidate and always be suspicious. The many number of people willing and/or wanting to take on the very challenging role has either misunderstood the purpose of the position or blown the entire duty of being one, out of proportion. And in the most confusing of situations during elections, the people are left to select the lesser of evils amidst a miriad of consequences. Consequences that hurt and cripple a country that’s already ailing in the rough side of life economically, socially and globally.

Why can’t there be a common ground amidst all these turmoil? Everybody wants a strong, responsible and respectful leader. And every robust government needs the support of its people. The need for steering a nation works both ways and the understanding should be final and decisive for all because the fate of one is the fate of all. Nobody is right and nobody is wrong, just as long as the nation decides that what ever decision is at hand, it is for the good of the majority.

The inner workings of the present crisis in the Philippines is largely unknown to me. The "powers" that make the events unfold are hidden and is quite upsetting. However, I come to wish and plea something for my country and nation.

The rule of law should be firmly held and the dictates of the law should be accepted as the Philippines pride itself as a democratic country with a true constitution that govern its land. Unfortunately, this is true even if the decision is NOT to our favor. Grant the events to unfold and hold watch to the businesses of the tried. Strive to suppress the insurgents that disturb the system to give strength to the government that which is NOT characterized by one person alone within a presidency but by the people, who make it work.

Focus on the problems that concern the country and nation rather than the issue about a presidency. Anybody who thinks that the fate of a country lies on the character of one person is a fool. The people hold their own direction and if their decisions are of one common goal, there is true governing at work.

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

I went looking around for a car at different auto showrooms recently. I already had an idea of the type of automobile I wanted but was really intent on getting the best offer out of a really nice set of wheels even if it wasn’t the brand and model I was really interested in, so I simply had to shop around.

I visited various automaker retail shops and was just having a great time haggling and bargaining with auto dealer agents and their managers until I got fed up with all the "wise-talks" out of most of them. They were real hustlers when it came to selling cars, I’ve got to tell you that!!! And me knowing a thing or two about the cars they sell as well as the book prices, I had to give ‘em a well deserved two-thumbs-down!

Then, I told myself, "Just one more showroom!". So I went to a dealer in Manhattan. It was a modest showroom but the atmosphere the moment I went in was very different. People were actually smiling and weren’t acting like vultures coming down for a good day’s meal! I got to meet one of their sales executives there and had a very fruitful talk and positive outlook of the cars that they were selling!

The fantastic thing about this experience was that, the sales exec told me that their Sales Manager was a Filipino! Yipeeee! =) hehehe! And would you believe that the moment I got to shake the hand of the Sales Manager, everything went as a sweet deal and was even made simple - most of the "tawaran" was made in "Tagalog"! hahaha! Now another thing, the brand they were actually retailing was the one I was really interested in. So I absolutely got excited about bargaining with them. And the people there were just so polite, honest and very sincere.

I got a great deal, no a FANTASTIC deal on the car I wanted and was absolutely worry free! And another point of the matter was, the Sales Manager was also a La Sallian! =)

Animo La Salle!

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular and amazing wonders, nature has ever created. I heard once that seeing it for the first time is like looking at a postcard upclose and from within. And is that statement ever so true?!

The cliffs of the various rock formations were breath taking! The shapes of the different mountains were so awesome that I couldn’t help clicking away with my camera to catch what ever angle I could for remembrance. When the sun hit the sides of the mountains, it provided a beautiful scenery! Colorful layers of earth that compose the numerous land formations glimmered and it was truly an astounding show of nature!

There are a lot of activities that could be taken in the canyons. There’s a train ride around it’s vast landscapes, hiking, camping, sight-seeing, and even a helicopter ride through it’s amazing mountains and rock formations (expensive). However, we were there just for sight-seeing. In any case, one would surely enjoy a liesure time up there. After all, it’s nature’s wonder!

It was cool - well literally and experience wise! It was in the high 40s F up there, but the trip will never leave my memory for sure. It was one walk outdoors for fresh air that I greatly appreciated and enjoyed!

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

A few days back, I took my parents to the boardwalk at Coney Island. Yes, yes, yes, I know… It’s fall already! But that’s fine… The Atlantic breeze was cool and the time spent was well worth it. It’s been a while since I’ve spent some time with my parents. And for those who has known me for years, you know what I mean.

That afternoon was more than I’ve expected in some ways. One, it was so much fun. There was so much laughter that I’ve totally forgotten about other concerns. All that time spent trying to discover the world outside the family circle was great, but nothing still can beat the warmth of the company of ones own parents. Two, there’s so much time to give to parents if only we’d check our schedules. Planning this short late-day "getaway" has gone on for weeks. And only I stood as a barrier to it going through. Sometimes, I think that we hold too much of what career or other things have to offer that we tend to forget the root of our well-being, character and self-esteem - our "creators", the parents. Three, I’ve also learned some lessons and/or realizations:

Time Lost: I missed and still do miss these people so much. The times that have gone without them, sunk in and gave me a bit of a shivers. I love my parents and it made me think that I should do more of this simple "time-out", from the buzzle of life, more often. They’re not that young anymore and so I need some catching up to do.

The prime years: Like I’ve said, my parents are not that young anymore and a few things struck me as I thought about it. First is that, it’s my turn to take care of them. After all those years of straightening me up for the "world", I believe I owe them that much. Second, I’m getting old myself! Hehehe… I, being the eldest of a kinship of two, feel responsible of taking over my dad’s place now of taking care of the family. I feel strongly about this thought but it scares me! Moreover, I’ll have a family of my own someday and I hope that I’d be as good as my dad in bringing them up.

Smiles cheer: That afternoon at the pier and boardwalk was no fancy dinner nor a blast on rides with friends in a theme park. But the sparkle on my parents smiles gave me happiness of which I can never really express enough just by writing about it.

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=51505

Need I say more?

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

I’ve recently launched our small business website. It’s at www.grandcommodities.com. It’s been a project of mine for how many months now and I’m quite satisfied with the general outcome. There are still some miscellaneous pages to put up but the e-commerce features are already active.

The website is an e-Store that’s established for a small merchandising business. Items in the online shop varies and targets multiple markets. It features products from toys to toolsets, from garden decorations to collectible chess sets to seasonal stuffs as 4th of July eagle figurines to Christmas candles. Basically, it’s a storage of an assortment of goods that’re ideal for gifts or ones own collection and/or ornamentation at home, office or just about anywhere.

Finally, this endeavour has been formally launched! So I invite all of you to try out this web shop. It’s filled with goodies that I’m sure you’ll like or love.

A’ight people, let’s see those CA$H!!! Hehehehe!

Thought Mentioned To Remember.

The center of everyday living is a spectrum of reasons of why each of us are doing what we do. I mean reasons for why we work, why we go to school, why we establish a family, build a business or what have you. But underneath all these myriad of senses of purpose in life, what really drives us toward them, and we may not be truly aware of it, is inspiration.

What inspires you? Many of us have that desire to thrust on with life no matter what challenge is ahead because of a certain motivation that maintains a substance of principle. It could either be a person or a group of people who have had a significant impact in our lives, an event which made us believe, a place that gives a sentiment of strong emotion or a thing which reminds us of who we are, what we ought to become and what we ought to do. No matter what your personal inspiration or inspirations are in life, I do believe that you are in a pathway that defines life. Not only yours but all the people around you.

What we do each day is a reflection of our personal being. Unknowingly, I do think that we teach by example thru our actions as time ticks, so our inspiration(s) do echo amongst the people we meet. Being vocal with what we feel towards a certain belief or stimulation in life is a choice. And an option, which is truly not always accepted, because other people may not be at par with what we have to share or do. Take for example the e-mail which says, "… has updated his/her weblog…" To others it’s spam (I do believe it to be so too, but I can’t find any setting in the panels to toggle notifications off), and I do apologize for storming your inboxes, hehe.

To be direct about it, the channeling of inspirational thoughts happens all around us. There are thousands of song writers, poets, artistic painters, etc. These people are passionately involved in their sense of belonging in the world and do have the courage and skill to figure-out what’s in their hearts and minds. Many professionals as well guide their inspirations toward their work. Scientists, architects, doctors and many others are dedicated to their senses of purpose.

However, still a great number of people have different ways of sharing insights out of their inspirations. Some may be unexpected, and some may be uncalled for and almost always, many of us react warily. However, it could be that, most of us are just ill-prepared for them. Why not try to observe and maybe some of us could learn somethings?

Inspirations drive the basic stems towards being passionately involved with what we do everyday. Mind you, I said passionately not obsessively. Passion is being one with your sense of purpose. You are focused and in line, first with your "needs" and secondly, who knows, as well as your "wants". Obsession is more in-tuned of what you feel towards getting inspired. It is always about yourself and not the aim or the rationale of your life. The enjoyment of the feeling of having an inspiration should always be second to the purpose that is being opened for you by it. And I believe, this will lead to great things and it could be a dateline for ones own personal happiness.

Thought Mentioned To Remember.