Jesus dies and goes up to Heaven. The first thing he does is look for his father, as he has never met the man before and is curious as to what he looks like, and whether or not Jesus looks like his mother or father, etc. He looks high and low but cannot find him.
He asks St. Peter "Where is my father?" But St. Peter says he doesn't know.
He asks the archangel Gabriel "Where is my father?" But Gabriel doesn't know.
He asks John the Baptist "Where is my father?" But John does not know. So he wanders Heaven, impatiently searching.
Suddenly he sees out of the mist an old man coming toward him. The man is very old, with white hair, stooped over a little. "Stop!" Jesus yells. "Who are you?"
"Oh, please help me, I am an old man in search of my son." Jesus is very curious. Could this be his father? "Tell me of your son, old man."
"Oh, you would know him if you saw him. Holes in his hand where the nails used to be, he was nailed to a cross, you know..."
"Father!!!!!" Screams Jesus.
"Pinocchio!!!!!!!" yells the old man.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Jubilee Creek
JUBILEE CREEK (TV series, slang)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DEFINITION
Jubilee Creek is a term used to describe the non-ceasing activities that occur between a group of people. Its origins can be rooted back in 2000, when the term "Jawson's Creek" was used to describe the life of a certain classmate. Since then, it has gone through a series of transformations (see "Jubilee Nights") to where it is now.
A season of Jubilee Creek lasts a year long and experiences highs and lows depending on the activity. From a blooming romance to a tearful goodbye, one can expect that in Jubilee Creek, something is always going on.
TAG LINE
"This week on Jubilee Creek..."
SERIES RUN
Since its awkward inception in 2000, Jubilee Creek has continually produced on-going drama for 7 seasons (years) now.
EPISODES
Creek episodes are normally found at the nearest Yahoo! Messenger Chat Conference. An episode varies depending on the valued importance of the subject. A season lasts for a full year and reaches its finale usually around Christmas Time where the 20-odd members reunite.
CAST
Main Cast
Jubilee Creek is made up of a large cast and is seen congregating at Christmas Time. Ultimately, however, there exists a core cast that changes from year to year. These are the cast members that appear more regularly and have more storylines.
2006 Cast members
Eugene
Glenn
Stephen
Cathy
Eesh
P3
Main cast departures
Over time, the cast of the Creek have endured changes leading up to several cast members' departures. In 2006 alone, the audience witnessed the departure of Stephanie and Jeco as they headed out west for career opportunities. Other main cast members have been relegated to supporting members as they now only appear in guest appearances throughout the year (though they are sure to be at the year ending finale). Here are some former main cast members.
Jeco
Stephanie
Jim
Wilson
Odell
Dodong
Franz
Cha
Carol
Shoba
Supporting cast
These are supporting characters that appear less regularly (or heard of less regularly) but still appear from time to time. They help shape the show and also provide sparks and tension when needed.
Miko
Lester
Nikki
Billy
Garrido
Janny
Antonio
Chet
Alden
Jeff
Johann
Fu
Ben
Patrick
Jasper
TIMELINE
2000 - 2002
The High School Years
The Creek had a much larger cast then. Given the closeness of the high school batch, an activity would always involve a large group of people. However, the first few seasons chronicled the life of Jim, Jeco, Eugene, Cathy, Shoba and Stephen as they waded through the ins and outs of high school life. These first few seasons were significant, given that while there was a core cast, its storylines had a wide variety involving multiple characters at a time. Suffice to say, the true cast of the High School Years was the batch itself.
Notable episodes include "The Prom" and "The Ball", "The Retreat" and of course, the "Graduation Episode".
2002
Transition
After graduation, the main storyline focused on settling in at the new colleges as the cast of characters would be heavily thinned from a hundred to around 30-odd members. Most of the cast would also end up in rival universities, providing new material for the series. The core cast would include Jim, Jeco, Eugene, Cathy, Stephen, Glenn, Wilson and Shoba. It marked the beginning of many cast changes.
2002 - 2006
The College Years
Again, the cast ended up getting thinned down to the current cast shown now. These years would end up vital as personalities rise and new relationships formed. Throughout the long stretch, the cast included Jim, Jeco, Eugene, Cathy, Stephen, Glenn, Odell, Wilson, Shoba, Dodong, Cha, Eesh, Stephanie, Franz, P3 and Carol. The changes in cast would be due to tearful departures (Jim) and reclusion due to scholastic activities (Shoba, Dodong, Franz, Carol). 2003 marked the beginning of the annual Christmas party where the cast would reunite for one night of conversations and congregation.
2006 - ?
Beyond
2006 would mark the departure of Jeco and Stephanie. It would also thin down the regular cast to six members. As everyone shuffles for jobs, the storylines have now focused on the individual's attempts to start a career. Though we still see the cast in certain episodes, there is a lot more distance between them. New relationships have formed and new friendships made. It's a whole new Creek nowadays as main characters have new love interests and new paths.
We see the emergence of Eugene as he leapfrogs everyone in career-building. The storylines would also revolve around the Glenn, Wilson and P3 as they figure out what shenanigans they can come up with next. We also see Jeco trying to adjust to his new surroundings and Stephen as he finishes his academic work. And finally, we see Jim try out a path in Poker where he can hopefully find a way, no matter the obstacle of cost, to find his way back (hee) to the Creek. It will certainly make for an interesting 2006 finale when old characters come back, old flames are rekindled and new tensions arise and it can only happen in Jubilee Creek.
AWARDS
WIN - Cyberfair Project (Historical Landmark) Boo-yah!
DVD RELEASES
Multimedia can be found at http://peppericious.multiply.com and other multiply sites of peppericious' contacts.
REFERENCES
1. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia (regarding format)
2. Personal Experiences (regarding text and message)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DEFINITION
Jubilee Creek is a term used to describe the non-ceasing activities that occur between a group of people. Its origins can be rooted back in 2000, when the term "Jawson's Creek" was used to describe the life of a certain classmate. Since then, it has gone through a series of transformations (see "Jubilee Nights") to where it is now.
A season of Jubilee Creek lasts a year long and experiences highs and lows depending on the activity. From a blooming romance to a tearful goodbye, one can expect that in Jubilee Creek, something is always going on.
TAG LINE
"This week on Jubilee Creek..."
SERIES RUN
Since its awkward inception in 2000, Jubilee Creek has continually produced on-going drama for 7 seasons (years) now.
EPISODES
Creek episodes are normally found at the nearest Yahoo! Messenger Chat Conference. An episode varies depending on the valued importance of the subject. A season lasts for a full year and reaches its finale usually around Christmas Time where the 20-odd members reunite.
CAST
Main Cast
Jubilee Creek is made up of a large cast and is seen congregating at Christmas Time. Ultimately, however, there exists a core cast that changes from year to year. These are the cast members that appear more regularly and have more storylines.
2006 Cast members
Eugene
Glenn
Stephen
Cathy
Eesh
P3
Main cast departures
Over time, the cast of the Creek have endured changes leading up to several cast members' departures. In 2006 alone, the audience witnessed the departure of Stephanie and Jeco as they headed out west for career opportunities. Other main cast members have been relegated to supporting members as they now only appear in guest appearances throughout the year (though they are sure to be at the year ending finale). Here are some former main cast members.
Jeco
Stephanie
Jim
Wilson
Odell
Dodong
Franz
Cha
Carol
Shoba
Supporting cast
These are supporting characters that appear less regularly (or heard of less regularly) but still appear from time to time. They help shape the show and also provide sparks and tension when needed.
Miko
Lester
Nikki
Billy
Garrido
Janny
Antonio
Chet
Alden
Jeff
Johann
Fu
Ben
Patrick
Jasper
TIMELINE
2000 - 2002
The High School Years
The Creek had a much larger cast then. Given the closeness of the high school batch, an activity would always involve a large group of people. However, the first few seasons chronicled the life of Jim, Jeco, Eugene, Cathy, Shoba and Stephen as they waded through the ins and outs of high school life. These first few seasons were significant, given that while there was a core cast, its storylines had a wide variety involving multiple characters at a time. Suffice to say, the true cast of the High School Years was the batch itself.
Notable episodes include "The Prom" and "The Ball", "The Retreat" and of course, the "Graduation Episode".
2002
Transition
After graduation, the main storyline focused on settling in at the new colleges as the cast of characters would be heavily thinned from a hundred to around 30-odd members. Most of the cast would also end up in rival universities, providing new material for the series. The core cast would include Jim, Jeco, Eugene, Cathy, Stephen, Glenn, Wilson and Shoba. It marked the beginning of many cast changes.
2002 - 2006
The College Years
Again, the cast ended up getting thinned down to the current cast shown now. These years would end up vital as personalities rise and new relationships formed. Throughout the long stretch, the cast included Jim, Jeco, Eugene, Cathy, Stephen, Glenn, Odell, Wilson, Shoba, Dodong, Cha, Eesh, Stephanie, Franz, P3 and Carol. The changes in cast would be due to tearful departures (Jim) and reclusion due to scholastic activities (Shoba, Dodong, Franz, Carol). 2003 marked the beginning of the annual Christmas party where the cast would reunite for one night of conversations and congregation.
2006 - ?
Beyond
2006 would mark the departure of Jeco and Stephanie. It would also thin down the regular cast to six members. As everyone shuffles for jobs, the storylines have now focused on the individual's attempts to start a career. Though we still see the cast in certain episodes, there is a lot more distance between them. New relationships have formed and new friendships made. It's a whole new Creek nowadays as main characters have new love interests and new paths.
We see the emergence of Eugene as he leapfrogs everyone in career-building. The storylines would also revolve around the Glenn, Wilson and P3 as they figure out what shenanigans they can come up with next. We also see Jeco trying to adjust to his new surroundings and Stephen as he finishes his academic work. And finally, we see Jim try out a path in Poker where he can hopefully find a way, no matter the obstacle of cost, to find his way back (hee) to the Creek. It will certainly make for an interesting 2006 finale when old characters come back, old flames are rekindled and new tensions arise and it can only happen in Jubilee Creek.
AWARDS
WIN - Cyberfair Project (Historical Landmark) Boo-yah!
DVD RELEASES
Multimedia can be found at http://peppericious.multiply.com and other multiply sites of peppericious' contacts.
REFERENCES
1. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia (regarding format)
2. Personal Experiences (regarding text and message)
Sunday, July 23, 2006
God's Love
I had an interesting chat with a Jesuit brother the other day. It started with witchcraft, sorcery and other supernatural stuff but later ended up about God's love. He mentioned that St. Joan of Arc (yes the French girl who led the nation against the mighty and might I say bloody English) once said that God's love is so great that He can't bear to see you suffer in hell. That's why most likely, hell doesn't exist.
But then again, there's also the side of God where justice abounds. Is it fair to live a life full of rape, massacre, robbery, rape, grand larceny, rape and arson (did I mention rape?) and still get to go to heaven along with your victims?
But then again, there's also the side of God where justice abounds. Is it fair to live a life full of rape, massacre, robbery, rape, grand larceny, rape and arson (did I mention rape?) and still get to go to heaven along with your victims?
Wilson's What If Post
There are times when I think what if I took up hockey when I was still little? Could I have been in the NHL now? What if Pierre seriously took up the saxophone? Maybe he would have had been the most famous Jazz player in the US now. What if Eugene auditioned for AngTV ? Maybe he could be the next young up and coming drama actor.
There are so many things in the world to excel on. What if you're so naturally talented at something yet you've never tried your hands at that thing because the opportunity is lacking or the environment you are born in wasn't the best place to hone your talents? For example, the environment here in the Philippines is that BASKETBALL is the only sport. What if soccer is being played like crazy here? Maybe some kid from Tondo could have been starring for Manchester United now. Or what if Jeco embarked on a career as a cyclist? Maybe he could have put an end to Lance Armstrong's streak. What if Odell played competitive Rugby? Jim as a Formula-1 driver?
The list goes on...
There are so many things in the world to excel on. What if you're so naturally talented at something yet you've never tried your hands at that thing because the opportunity is lacking or the environment you are born in wasn't the best place to hone your talents? For example, the environment here in the Philippines is that BASKETBALL is the only sport. What if soccer is being played like crazy here? Maybe some kid from Tondo could have been starring for Manchester United now. Or what if Jeco embarked on a career as a cyclist? Maybe he could have put an end to Lance Armstrong's streak. What if Odell played competitive Rugby? Jim as a Formula-1 driver?
The list goes on...
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Why I Hate Forwarded Christian Messages
Being connected to the internet is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing since so much information are within your reach ( chemistry research journals are much easier to search now) but a curse when you consider how much forwarded Christian messages there are.
No, I'm not a Christian hater like those Romans that persecuted the early Christians. I just hate it when they end it with a sentence that goes something like "If you love God you will forward this message to a gazillion people".
Damn it. God knows if I love him or not. IT WILL NEVER BE FUCKING BASED ON ME FORWARDING A STUPID CHRISTIAN MESSAGE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY POINT. Yes, they don't have a point really if you ask me. Especially the one about an atheist professor and a Christian student blah blah. I say those "Christians" are so close minded as to base my love of God on forwarding a stupid message that doesn't have any point.
Ok, granting that spreading the gospel is one of our missions as a Christian, if you're going to forward a Christian message, might as well forward a good THEOLOGICAL message. Don't just forward crap like God is good and God loves you to people who've heard it more than ten gazillion times already. That's why I subscribe to the newsletter of Bishop Spong. His theology is so open-minded (God didn't really resurrect, Moses didn't cross the Red Sea etc.) and makes you think about your faith. Not that I believe in him entirely. Its just refreshing to read new opinions about the message in the bible.
Anyway, I haven't opened a "Christian" forwarded message for a few years now. But they keep on popping out in new mediums like text messages, yahoo messengers and internet relay chats. Damn it.
No, I'm not a Christian hater like those Romans that persecuted the early Christians. I just hate it when they end it with a sentence that goes something like "If you love God you will forward this message to a gazillion people".
Damn it. God knows if I love him or not. IT WILL NEVER BE FUCKING BASED ON ME FORWARDING A STUPID CHRISTIAN MESSAGE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY POINT. Yes, they don't have a point really if you ask me. Especially the one about an atheist professor and a Christian student blah blah. I say those "Christians" are so close minded as to base my love of God on forwarding a stupid message that doesn't have any point.
Ok, granting that spreading the gospel is one of our missions as a Christian, if you're going to forward a Christian message, might as well forward a good THEOLOGICAL message. Don't just forward crap like God is good and God loves you to people who've heard it more than ten gazillion times already. That's why I subscribe to the newsletter of Bishop Spong. His theology is so open-minded (God didn't really resurrect, Moses didn't cross the Red Sea etc.) and makes you think about your faith. Not that I believe in him entirely. Its just refreshing to read new opinions about the message in the bible.
Anyway, I haven't opened a "Christian" forwarded message for a few years now. But they keep on popping out in new mediums like text messages, yahoo messengers and internet relay chats. Damn it.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Being heroes
I understand the first world way of living now: I have a job at Ikea that pays well enough for me to survive; growth possibility that would give me a stable option to fall back on; an amount of money that when invested properly would grant me decent financial standing in a couple of years; extra time to develop my fondness for cooking that also has the potential of developing into another stable financial direction. There's definitely no denying that life can be good here. I could settle down and live out my life with relative ease provided i don't make overly stupid decisions.
And yet i remember back when i was dreaming of becoming the President so that i could do great things like develop agricultural economies through better ports and logistics systems; enhance the education system by debunking traditional learning, expand responsible media that teach as well as entertain; kill Cory Aquino and turn the Edsa Shrine into a DOTA hub managed by Eugene; focus on dignified livelihood and training. Or the other option of being able to establish businesses that would focus on the skills of the poor and become profitable enough to actually help develop whole countries not just financially but also through the corporation's hyperactive take on social responsibility providing the right education, moral rooting, nutrition and cultural pride all on the company's check. All this I dreamed possible by setting up a high-value business like proper organic farming for the benguet people and I take care of the logistics, marketing and develop the company to enter the global demand and at least pump in money back to benguet. I have other ideas: value eco-tourism, cheaper and cleaner energy through garbage-power conversion, natural and organic medical products, a controlled inter-archipelago transport system, an educational televisional program, an upgraded port to challenge Singapore and so on... lots of other ideas on how to help and make something good for the ones that need it.
It is naive to a certain extent isn't it? thinking that I could actually change the world in a huge way. I can specifically trace this back to when i saw the March 2002 cover of time magazine where Bono was featured and the cover read: "Can Bono save the world?" It triggered perhaps my most distinct and clear dream and direction that i wanted for my life. I dreamt of a time that I, along with the company I create would be featured like that. I want to save the world.
When put in that sense, it does sound juvenile. When people say "I want to help the people in need", "I want to save the world", "I want to be a hero" it brings back moments of Q&A on "little miss Philippines" and "little boy Pogi" where the generic and pleasing albeit pre-determined and fake answers like "gusto ko maging Doktor! kasi gusto ko tumulong ng tao!" were treated with cheer owing to cuteness/naivete of the pre-pubescent contestants. But now, the best we could give to people our age that say the same thing is the supportive nod, and eerie quiet that follows, or worse is the uncomfortable smile with the questionable adoration for altruism. Even worse is when somebody associates and belittles this as an unresolved and childish fascination with comic book heroes.
Heroes were given a gift and they chose to help people by using their gifts. How hard can it be for us to associate that concept to our lives?
When did we stop dreaming big? When do we actually fall into the redundant mundane existence of wake-up, work, spend time with family, sleep. When do people stop feeling the weight of the responsibility they hold for their mere existince? It certainly is controversial to judge people that say they're quite content with having a family and a decent life as lacking, empty and incomplete in their life but i guess that's what it takes. Too many people have lived out and eked a form of dignity in living this concept of a "full" life that it would be social suicide to judge it wrong and meaningless.
However it is still quite disturbing since we know that there's an option on what you can do with your life. The general sentiment is to live you life full; get a dignified job, take care of your family, make sure your kids are decent and that's it. But there are other samples to choose from albeit from printed cartoons. Heroes, people who live out their lives devoting it to filling the needs of other people, the Pederson Specials devoting and eventually sacrificing their lives to change the world, Spiderman forfeiting his simple life to answer his uncle ben's challenge of responsibility in exchange for his talents. These characters are fictional true, but it never limits the fact that their decisions aren't possible for us.
I'm not saying that it's a sin to eke out our lives as so many have done before, However, why should it stop there? Why should we limit our existence and pound out a good life when we can be something great?
Perhaps it's not as stark now for a lot of you and admittedly, i'm writing this more for myself so that if I do shut out my spiderman dreams and settle into that place where I choose the mundane self-devoted lifestyle, i can remember my naive child of a self still dreaming to be a hero. We should never forget.
And yet i remember back when i was dreaming of becoming the President so that i could do great things like develop agricultural economies through better ports and logistics systems; enhance the education system by debunking traditional learning, expand responsible media that teach as well as entertain; kill Cory Aquino and turn the Edsa Shrine into a DOTA hub managed by Eugene; focus on dignified livelihood and training. Or the other option of being able to establish businesses that would focus on the skills of the poor and become profitable enough to actually help develop whole countries not just financially but also through the corporation's hyperactive take on social responsibility providing the right education, moral rooting, nutrition and cultural pride all on the company's check. All this I dreamed possible by setting up a high-value business like proper organic farming for the benguet people and I take care of the logistics, marketing and develop the company to enter the global demand and at least pump in money back to benguet. I have other ideas: value eco-tourism, cheaper and cleaner energy through garbage-power conversion, natural and organic medical products, a controlled inter-archipelago transport system, an educational televisional program, an upgraded port to challenge Singapore and so on... lots of other ideas on how to help and make something good for the ones that need it.
It is naive to a certain extent isn't it? thinking that I could actually change the world in a huge way. I can specifically trace this back to when i saw the March 2002 cover of time magazine where Bono was featured and the cover read: "Can Bono save the world?" It triggered perhaps my most distinct and clear dream and direction that i wanted for my life. I dreamt of a time that I, along with the company I create would be featured like that. I want to save the world.
When put in that sense, it does sound juvenile. When people say "I want to help the people in need", "I want to save the world", "I want to be a hero" it brings back moments of Q&A on "little miss Philippines" and "little boy Pogi" where the generic and pleasing albeit pre-determined and fake answers like "gusto ko maging Doktor! kasi gusto ko tumulong ng tao!" were treated with cheer owing to cuteness/naivete of the pre-pubescent contestants. But now, the best we could give to people our age that say the same thing is the supportive nod, and eerie quiet that follows, or worse is the uncomfortable smile with the questionable adoration for altruism. Even worse is when somebody associates and belittles this as an unresolved and childish fascination with comic book heroes.
Heroes were given a gift and they chose to help people by using their gifts. How hard can it be for us to associate that concept to our lives?
When did we stop dreaming big? When do we actually fall into the redundant mundane existence of wake-up, work, spend time with family, sleep. When do people stop feeling the weight of the responsibility they hold for their mere existince? It certainly is controversial to judge people that say they're quite content with having a family and a decent life as lacking, empty and incomplete in their life but i guess that's what it takes. Too many people have lived out and eked a form of dignity in living this concept of a "full" life that it would be social suicide to judge it wrong and meaningless.
However it is still quite disturbing since we know that there's an option on what you can do with your life. The general sentiment is to live you life full; get a dignified job, take care of your family, make sure your kids are decent and that's it. But there are other samples to choose from albeit from printed cartoons. Heroes, people who live out their lives devoting it to filling the needs of other people, the Pederson Specials devoting and eventually sacrificing their lives to change the world, Spiderman forfeiting his simple life to answer his uncle ben's challenge of responsibility in exchange for his talents. These characters are fictional true, but it never limits the fact that their decisions aren't possible for us.
I'm not saying that it's a sin to eke out our lives as so many have done before, However, why should it stop there? Why should we limit our existence and pound out a good life when we can be something great?
Perhaps it's not as stark now for a lot of you and admittedly, i'm writing this more for myself so that if I do shut out my spiderman dreams and settle into that place where I choose the mundane self-devoted lifestyle, i can remember my naive child of a self still dreaming to be a hero. We should never forget.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Wilson's Little Fantasies
Once in a while, the child in me dictates some fantasies that I want to be fulfilled if only I were given the necessary talent/powers. My top 10 includes
1.) Being a professional NBA player
2.) Cook as the top chef in the world
3.) Formula One race car driver
4.) Light Heavyweight boxing champ
5.) UFC light heavyweight champ
6.) Super Hero
7.) WWE RAW wrestler...wag smackdown
8.) Late Night talk show host
9.) Novelist/Poet, someone in the Hemingway or Neruda mold
10.) Legendary porn star
1.) Being a professional NBA player
2.) Cook as the top chef in the world
3.) Formula One race car driver
4.) Light Heavyweight boxing champ
5.) UFC light heavyweight champ
6.) Super Hero
7.) WWE RAW wrestler...wag smackdown
8.) Late Night talk show host
9.) Novelist/Poet, someone in the Hemingway or Neruda mold
10.) Legendary porn star
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Cheating and Asymmetry: A primer
After weeks and weeks of wrestling my thoughts on whether I’d buy myself a copy of Levitt and Dubner’s Freakonomics (you see, some people become cheap when they’re flat broke and have no means of income yet. Damnit Ms. Dada, why won’t you call me?), I finally decided to buy myself one (after lingering in Fully Booked for an hour and a half, just staring at it) and I’m having no regrets whatsoever since. It’s both an insightful book and eye opener.
I have yet to read pass the book’s third chapter but already I’m having circling thoughts and personal reflections on various related events. I have also noticed that I haven’t really contributed anything meaningful to this group blog lately, heh.
So with this, I’m planning to write something up related to the psychology (and economics pala no?) of cheating, and information asymmetry, as paralleled in chapters one and two of the book.
1. Incentives as a motivational factor for cheating among students.
Together with Anteola, Arellano, and Cabaluna, we once wrote this Experimental Psychology research (albeit poorly written then) on the different kinds of incentives that would motivate a student to cheat. I’m planning to expound on this and give my additional insights, heh.
2. Networking pitching process – it’s all about information asymmetry.
Having personally experienced being pitched by a networking agent, and actually being connected to one, I’m planning to give my additional reactions as to why this field leaves me much to be impressed.
Well, so much for introductions. Here’s to being a devil’s advocate. =)
I have yet to read pass the book’s third chapter but already I’m having circling thoughts and personal reflections on various related events. I have also noticed that I haven’t really contributed anything meaningful to this group blog lately, heh.
So with this, I’m planning to write something up related to the psychology (and economics pala no?) of cheating, and information asymmetry, as paralleled in chapters one and two of the book.
1. Incentives as a motivational factor for cheating among students.
Together with Anteola, Arellano, and Cabaluna, we once wrote this Experimental Psychology research (albeit poorly written then) on the different kinds of incentives that would motivate a student to cheat. I’m planning to expound on this and give my additional insights, heh.
2. Networking pitching process – it’s all about information asymmetry.
Having personally experienced being pitched by a networking agent, and actually being connected to one, I’m planning to give my additional reactions as to why this field leaves me much to be impressed.
Well, so much for introductions. Here’s to being a devil’s advocate. =)
Monday, July 10, 2006
José +10
“If you don't give my football back, I'm gonna get my dad on you
I only kicked it over your fence and broke a silly gnome or two..”
I was immediately captivated by the Jose +10 ad campaign of Adidas when I first saw it on Sports Plus. Not only was Jim Noir’s Eany Meany delightful (a feel-good jingle that’ll surely evoke nostalgic memories about our good ‘ol days), but the concept behind the commercial series was equally wistful.
Adidas understands as few others have that football is about dreams for over a billion fans worldwide. It gives these ordinary people an outlet for their imagination.
Few of them will ever get to play in a World Cup and even fewer will become legends, but every single one of these boys and girls will be transported from the reality of their lives by the fantasy of the beautiful game.
It shows the power of soccer to transform (source).
…Too bad Filipinos have little awareness and appreciation for the sport.
Still, the campaign’s charming. Simply charming. =)
____
The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkm86AfI48I
The press release: http://www.press.adidas.com/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-11/16_read-5785/
The Impossible team: http://www.press.adidas.com/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-260/
Oh, and btw, viva azzurri!
I only kicked it over your fence and broke a silly gnome or two..”
I was immediately captivated by the Jose +10 ad campaign of Adidas when I first saw it on Sports Plus. Not only was Jim Noir’s Eany Meany delightful (a feel-good jingle that’ll surely evoke nostalgic memories about our good ‘ol days), but the concept behind the commercial series was equally wistful.
Adidas understands as few others have that football is about dreams for over a billion fans worldwide. It gives these ordinary people an outlet for their imagination.
Few of them will ever get to play in a World Cup and even fewer will become legends, but every single one of these boys and girls will be transported from the reality of their lives by the fantasy of the beautiful game.
It shows the power of soccer to transform (source).
…Too bad Filipinos have little awareness and appreciation for the sport.
Still, the campaign’s charming. Simply charming. =)
____
The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkm86AfI48I
The press release: http://www.press.adidas.com/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-11/16_read-5785/
The Impossible team: http://www.press.adidas.com/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-260/
Oh, and btw, viva azzurri!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Flight 4061
It was already raining the whole day.
I just finished a three week vacation in Auckland and I was about to leave for Wellington. I spent the day packing and got in the airport shuttle at just about 6pm. Flight leaves at 730pm. On the bus, I met this family from Missouri and they talked about their New Zealand vacation. Their little girl, tired from the trip, cried as her mother held her.
I get to the airport just before 7pm. I was cutting it pretty close. Weather hasn't changed, it was still raining. I checked in and found out that most of the flights have been delayed, so the flight boards at just before 8 and gets there at 9pm. I make my way to the gate, text Billy about the time change and play my new PSP until its time to board.
I hear the crowd at the waiting gate groan as a flight to Christchurch has just been delayed. My flight, though initially delayed, boards at the new time specified, so I'm happy about that. I pack my PSP, turn off the cellphone and get on the plane.
It's not a crowded flight and I make my way through the aisles to my seat. I spot a beautiful local girl sitting right behind me. I find myself staring at her an extra second than I should have. She looks right back at me and I look down, trying to look casual. Damn, I should have smiled.
I'm seated at 13D, aisle seat at the left side. No one else is sitting at my side. Good.
I stand up again to get something from my bag at the compartment above. I'm only pretending, I only want to see the pretty girl behind me. She's reading a book, so I can't start small talk.
I flip through Kill Phil, a book I got from a poker pro that was selling it at the casino the day I placed fifth at the Pot Limit Omaha tournament. That was a good day.
The flight attendants do their little show, I hardly pay attention to those anymore. Finally, the plane takes off and I read through a few more pages of Kill Phil before I decide to sleep. I am a little tired, running around the whole day and packing at the last minute. It was a damn good trip. I spent too much money though. Tsk.
The flight goes smoothly, the attendants go back and forth giving food and drinks and the same show. I find myself looking at the aisles front and back, but I'm only just trying to get a subtle glance at the pretty girl behind me. I give up and go back to sleep.
The pilot wakes me up as he announces that the plane is about to land soon. Wow, that was quick. I sit up straight and think about how good resting in Wellington is going to feel like. I haven't touched my laptop in three weeks too. I hate unpacking. Wow, sleep is so gonna feel good tonight.
The pilot says that because of the weather, they're going to stay in a holding pattern for a few minutes before they try to land. I think of all the airplane disaster movies for fun. I really liked Langoliers. I also think of the final destination movie, also cause I just saw the trailer for the third movie a couple of days ago.
I get lost in my thoughts and eventually, I realize that it's been awhile and we haven't landed yet. That's a little strange. I go back to daydreaming about my plans to bum around the next day.
The pilot announces that we missed the approach. He says the weather in Wellington is really bad, but that they're going to turn around and try to land again. I still don't think much of it. I'm still lost in my thoughts.
Minutes go by and I hear the sounds the plane makes when its landing gear is activated. I feel relief as finally the flight is over. A few seconds after, I hear the landing gear retract and I can feel the plane ascending again. My initial reaction was 'come on, land or crash; make up your mind'. In retrospect, I really shouldn't have thought that. Maybe I was just tired. Anyway, after that, the first hint of worry hits me.
The pilot announces that we missed the approach again and that the weather in Wellington has gotten much worse the last few minutes. He says that they're going to some place and stay above there for 15 minutes before they try to land again for a third time.
I flip through my book and read a couple of pages before I get a little dizzy. I put the book back and try to sleep my way through it. The turbulence is a little nauseating.
Finally, the pilot announces that they're going to try to land again for a third and final time. If it's too unsafe, then they'll fly us back to Auckland. My thoughts go from how to get in touch with Billy or if I'm getting a taxi cause Billy might have left already to what I'll do if they fly us back to Auckland. I can still probably make the poker tables there and maybe just book a hotel room. Although it sucks, cause I already packed and all that.
The pilot tries to land and I find myself reaching for the barf bag. That's a first for me. I catch myself saying a short prayer 'keep us safe'. Then I spend the next minute thinking about the semantics of that line. 'But heaven is safe, then is keeping me safe mean letting me die so I can go to a safer place?'. It's really a weird time to have a mini-debate in one's head.
And then the thought hits me. I might die. I might die in the next few minutes. You try not to think about it, but it's overwhelming. I think about my family and my friends and how I need to see that special someone before I die. That thought was probably just a few seconds long, but it felt like an eternity. I shake the thought loose from my head.
The landing attempt is very rough. The plane shifts from side to side and I can see the wings of the plane shift up and down. I finally see the city lights and I say 'this is it' to myself. I still hold the barf bag as some passengers behind take notice. Finally, the most awkward landing in aviation history takes place as the plane forces its way to the ground. Wow, I was second away from throwing up which is a feat considering I haven't eaten anything yet at that point. But I'm alive. Wow, I didn't die.
Half a second later, all the passengers cheer as the wheels roll on the runway. The pilot goes on to talk, a little self-congratulatory by the way, as the passengers continue to cheer and applaud. I find myself doing the same too. I'm safe and on the ground, surely that's reason for applause.
I look to my back and see a male passenger giving an inquiring thumbs up to me. I give the same thumbs up back to him and smile. Finally, the wheels stop, the doors unlock and this nightmare is over.
As I grab my bags, the male passenger and the pretty girl behind me strike up a casual conversation, about how scary the flight was, etc etc. I join the conversation while we wait for the passengers in front of us to start moving. I get in a few small talk at the pretty lady, although I know it's futile at this point. There's no chance for a longer talk and I probably looked like a wuss with me and my barf bag.
The passengers finally start moving and I walk by and see Billy waiting for me. I turn for a quick second to look at the outside view past the windows. The rain and winds were still blowing hard.
I was really lucky. I should have listened to the pre-flight show though.
I just finished a three week vacation in Auckland and I was about to leave for Wellington. I spent the day packing and got in the airport shuttle at just about 6pm. Flight leaves at 730pm. On the bus, I met this family from Missouri and they talked about their New Zealand vacation. Their little girl, tired from the trip, cried as her mother held her.
I get to the airport just before 7pm. I was cutting it pretty close. Weather hasn't changed, it was still raining. I checked in and found out that most of the flights have been delayed, so the flight boards at just before 8 and gets there at 9pm. I make my way to the gate, text Billy about the time change and play my new PSP until its time to board.
I hear the crowd at the waiting gate groan as a flight to Christchurch has just been delayed. My flight, though initially delayed, boards at the new time specified, so I'm happy about that. I pack my PSP, turn off the cellphone and get on the plane.
It's not a crowded flight and I make my way through the aisles to my seat. I spot a beautiful local girl sitting right behind me. I find myself staring at her an extra second than I should have. She looks right back at me and I look down, trying to look casual. Damn, I should have smiled.
I'm seated at 13D, aisle seat at the left side. No one else is sitting at my side. Good.
I stand up again to get something from my bag at the compartment above. I'm only pretending, I only want to see the pretty girl behind me. She's reading a book, so I can't start small talk.
I flip through Kill Phil, a book I got from a poker pro that was selling it at the casino the day I placed fifth at the Pot Limit Omaha tournament. That was a good day.
The flight attendants do their little show, I hardly pay attention to those anymore. Finally, the plane takes off and I read through a few more pages of Kill Phil before I decide to sleep. I am a little tired, running around the whole day and packing at the last minute. It was a damn good trip. I spent too much money though. Tsk.
The flight goes smoothly, the attendants go back and forth giving food and drinks and the same show. I find myself looking at the aisles front and back, but I'm only just trying to get a subtle glance at the pretty girl behind me. I give up and go back to sleep.
The pilot wakes me up as he announces that the plane is about to land soon. Wow, that was quick. I sit up straight and think about how good resting in Wellington is going to feel like. I haven't touched my laptop in three weeks too. I hate unpacking. Wow, sleep is so gonna feel good tonight.
The pilot says that because of the weather, they're going to stay in a holding pattern for a few minutes before they try to land. I think of all the airplane disaster movies for fun. I really liked Langoliers. I also think of the final destination movie, also cause I just saw the trailer for the third movie a couple of days ago.
I get lost in my thoughts and eventually, I realize that it's been awhile and we haven't landed yet. That's a little strange. I go back to daydreaming about my plans to bum around the next day.
The pilot announces that we missed the approach. He says the weather in Wellington is really bad, but that they're going to turn around and try to land again. I still don't think much of it. I'm still lost in my thoughts.
Minutes go by and I hear the sounds the plane makes when its landing gear is activated. I feel relief as finally the flight is over. A few seconds after, I hear the landing gear retract and I can feel the plane ascending again. My initial reaction was 'come on, land or crash; make up your mind'. In retrospect, I really shouldn't have thought that. Maybe I was just tired. Anyway, after that, the first hint of worry hits me.
The pilot announces that we missed the approach again and that the weather in Wellington has gotten much worse the last few minutes. He says that they're going to some place and stay above there for 15 minutes before they try to land again for a third time.
I flip through my book and read a couple of pages before I get a little dizzy. I put the book back and try to sleep my way through it. The turbulence is a little nauseating.
Finally, the pilot announces that they're going to try to land again for a third and final time. If it's too unsafe, then they'll fly us back to Auckland. My thoughts go from how to get in touch with Billy or if I'm getting a taxi cause Billy might have left already to what I'll do if they fly us back to Auckland. I can still probably make the poker tables there and maybe just book a hotel room. Although it sucks, cause I already packed and all that.
The pilot tries to land and I find myself reaching for the barf bag. That's a first for me. I catch myself saying a short prayer 'keep us safe'. Then I spend the next minute thinking about the semantics of that line. 'But heaven is safe, then is keeping me safe mean letting me die so I can go to a safer place?'. It's really a weird time to have a mini-debate in one's head.
And then the thought hits me. I might die. I might die in the next few minutes. You try not to think about it, but it's overwhelming. I think about my family and my friends and how I need to see that special someone before I die. That thought was probably just a few seconds long, but it felt like an eternity. I shake the thought loose from my head.
The landing attempt is very rough. The plane shifts from side to side and I can see the wings of the plane shift up and down. I finally see the city lights and I say 'this is it' to myself. I still hold the barf bag as some passengers behind take notice. Finally, the most awkward landing in aviation history takes place as the plane forces its way to the ground. Wow, I was second away from throwing up which is a feat considering I haven't eaten anything yet at that point. But I'm alive. Wow, I didn't die.
Half a second later, all the passengers cheer as the wheels roll on the runway. The pilot goes on to talk, a little self-congratulatory by the way, as the passengers continue to cheer and applaud. I find myself doing the same too. I'm safe and on the ground, surely that's reason for applause.
I look to my back and see a male passenger giving an inquiring thumbs up to me. I give the same thumbs up back to him and smile. Finally, the wheels stop, the doors unlock and this nightmare is over.
As I grab my bags, the male passenger and the pretty girl behind me strike up a casual conversation, about how scary the flight was, etc etc. I join the conversation while we wait for the passengers in front of us to start moving. I get in a few small talk at the pretty lady, although I know it's futile at this point. There's no chance for a longer talk and I probably looked like a wuss with me and my barf bag.
The passengers finally start moving and I walk by and see Billy waiting for me. I turn for a quick second to look at the outside view past the windows. The rain and winds were still blowing hard.
I was really lucky. I should have listened to the pre-flight show though.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Poker odyssey
Well I'm back. After weeks of non-stop poker, I came out scathed, but alive.
Here's what I have to show for myself.
- a substantial profit.
- a trip to australia for the poker championships in August.
- 3rd in a no limit tournament.
- 5th in a pot limit omaha tournament.
- lots of sit and go wins.
Anyway, it was an incredible experience and there are so much stories to tell. It was so eventful from beginning to end from the hit and run incident that landed me in a police station after I arrived to the terrifying plane trip that took three tries to shakily land in Wellington airport because of the tumultuous weather.
For now, I try to recollect myself and settle back down and unpack. After that, we'll see what I can share.
Ciao for now.
Here's what I have to show for myself.
- a substantial profit.
- a trip to australia for the poker championships in August.
- 3rd in a no limit tournament.
- 5th in a pot limit omaha tournament.
- lots of sit and go wins.
Anyway, it was an incredible experience and there are so much stories to tell. It was so eventful from beginning to end from the hit and run incident that landed me in a police station after I arrived to the terrifying plane trip that took three tries to shakily land in Wellington airport because of the tumultuous weather.
For now, I try to recollect myself and settle back down and unpack. After that, we'll see what I can share.
Ciao for now.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Suggestive status pt. 2
Oh, how can I not make a mockery out of it when it's simply so inviting?
Ladies and gents, I hope you all agree that this case (or more appropriately, closet)is closed.
Why most HR firms suck
“Mornin. I’m supposed to have a scheduled psychological testing today. Ms. _____ of _____ called me last night and told me that I could have my test anytime within the day, so here I am.”Welcome to _____, an HR outsourcing firm somewhere along the busy and congested Boni Avenue, in Mandaluyong City.
“Oh. Your name sir?”
“Michael _____
“Ahh. Please sign the logbook and follow me to the other room to take the test…”
As you may have noticed, HR firms have come a long way from small, never heard Psychometric distribution offices, to Global HR consultancy and business process outsourcing companies. From what I understand, these third-party industries cater to a wide spectrum of services including headhunting, consultancy, assessment, recruitment, placement, and to compensations and benefits. I’m even seriously thinking of setting up one of these with a couple of associates in the near future when I get the chance, heh.
It’s nice to see that companies like these are growing like wild mushroom sprouts, but (there’s always a ‘but’) I was able to notice a number of glaring issues (at least, from the point of view of a tester) in my most recent foray into testing, that seriously needs to be addressed.
And just in case you’re asking, no, I’m not going to sugar coat my thoughts and opinions just because I’m a psychology graduate.
It is with my firmest conviction to say that most third party HR firms here in the country have abysmal testing conditions (‘shitty’ and ‘terrible’ are acceptable adjectives), which could in turn, affect a tester’s performance.
Let’s take _____ as a case in point.
When you realize that you’re taking your SRA’s, RAVEN’s, SCT’s, essays, IPAT’s, or whatever, in a testing room converted from a kitchen (that’s a room away from the reception area, with no doors dividing the two whatsoever), complete with pots, pans, and the kitchen sink; in a testing room where car exhaust and ambient noise can easily seep through the glass door; in a testing room where smucks linger in the room discussing what nots (two staff members were talking about financial matters the whole time that I was taking my test. One even handed checks to the other), as if they have the room to their own; and finally, in a testing room where you have a receptionist/facilitator handing to you photocopies of the battery with no instructions explained whether written or verbatim, you’re simply screwed. These unfettered testing conditions can easily throw you off.
Ideally, applicants would come in, take their tests, and end at the same time. But understandably, it’s simply not possible since HR firms like say, _____ have lots of clients, and each needs different batteries of tests to administer, even for the same position between companies.
Also, testing rooms should be quiet, well lit, good ventilation, and staggered seating arrangements.
Yet despite everything, HR firms like ____ simply neglected these most fundamental regulations. As far as I’m concerned, testing conditions in _____ leave little to be pleased.
I do hope that the PAP, or whatever, as long as some organization with an authority over this can look and regulate these test conditions.
When you have the biggest FMCG companies like _____ or _____ relying their sourcing on third party head hunting companies like _____ for the sole reason of downsizing and cost cutting, I will seriously doubt my test score validity and their assessment.
I’m planning to write a letter to the sourcing firm, to PAP, and one to Ms. Joice.
Oh yeah, happy testing =)
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