It's still raining outside.

As I am writing these words, it is raining.

People may have thought of these words already. Some may have already written these down and published it. Or, some may have also, like me, thought/written some articles, poems, scripts, or entries that were inspired merely because of rain. As if every thing in this world has it's own mind and life, and follows a certain path or trend that even us, humans, are unconscious of it.

I may ask, I've seen/read films,books, songs, entries that are inspired to antecedent subjects or topics; what clarifies the disparity then? What is novelty? If we trace back history, several unnoticed works, undelivered speeches, and whatnot might be similar to the present day works, which we think as completely original and splendid. Innocence because of ignorance of the works of the others may be considered as reason, but how can we dare say that the thing/work is original, if we neglect history?

I'm questioning out of curiosity.
And the rain suddenly stops, well, not my curiosity.

Tell me the difference.

I took Philosophical Analysis last semester and still, it haunts me.

Every one imposes question/s to everyone. Filled with doubt, by mere curiosity, exasperation, or with nonsensicality, people always try to ask something. In reality, humans LIKE to ask. They like to know whether the truth is true or not - if pOH = -log [OH^-], 1 + 1 = 2, or whether she's a she or not. Our natural inquisitiveness leads us to a path that we ourselves are uncertain. And if we were to receive answers, still we would resist embracing these and again, hurriedly answering back some questions. Either way, I see doubt.

Boom. 525, 600 minutes. 525, 600 questions to go.

Why do we need to watch that film? What is this? How is that possible? When will He come? Who and where is He? My life has always been marked by this Who-what-where-when-why-how type of question. I can't even imagine myself existing without these questions; or rather, I can't imagine myself writing this without the 5-W's and 1-H. [Talk about News writing.] And these questions even veil themselves, as if they were precious diamonds hiding from muggers. I see them everywhere: movies, pictures, objects, and much more in writing works. Despite some lacking the punctuation mark,?, that is placed at the end of the statement to indicate question, I see them by merely deciphering the article.

Verb: decipher di'sIfu(r) - read with difficulty (WordWeb, 2005)

Question is part of the structural context. Everything is RELATED to questions, and questions always have an effect. For example, in our Arts and Humanities - 7 class, we watched the movie Persepolis that is about the coming-of-age of Marjane Satrapi, the main character of the film. From a vantage point, while making the film, (assuming) the film crew might have asked themselves how they would present the film to the viewers, in a way that they (viewers) would understand each level/stage of the story. They might have used these questions as guide for viewers, i.e. made the question implicitly invisible, but for the viewers to decipher. As viewer, while watching, I tried to ask myself what was the story all about, and how was the story presented. Basically, the questions (inquisitiveness) teach us unconsciously, as we try to explore and search for answers. As we try to search for the meaning, or answers, we actually learn.

Another example is this web log. Before I started writing, I asked myself on what topic will I be writing. That started my journey. It was then followed by series of questions, which then led me here.

I remembered the method of Socrates in teaching his students like Plato: Socratic dialogue method. Follow this link: http://www.sfcp.org.uk/socratic_dialogue.htm

So tell me now, am I talking more about Philosophical Analysis, taking into account that my primary idea/ purpose while writing this is/is for my web log in Arts and Humanities 7? Tell me the difference. And I see now why it really led me here.

Consider this: In Buddhism, and in nature, EVERYTHING IS INTERRELATED.

Quote

"The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing."
- Edmund Burke

Silver Nitrate my Ass.

10 reasons why I should imbibe several liters of 1 M Silver Nitrate (AgNO3: MW=169.87 g/mol) solution:

1. I am addicted to photography and Silver Nitrate or Ag salts are one of the light sensitive materials in paper photography.
2. Today is Saturday and today is my make-your-assignments-slash-no-social-life-for-you-today day.
3. Speaking of assignments, my lifetime partner, Friche Jay Rabaya, is still dormant (Where the hell is Friche?) and I can't finish my assignments in CHEM 32, PHYS 3.
4. I am so hungry, I could die.
5. My mind ceases to work.
6. This is what you get with Silver Nitrate spill:
7. I haven't received my semestral stipend; that makes me in straitened circumstances.
8. Sir * is so social, and I'm DISTURBED.
9. Since I am being bored by tediousness, I rather drink the said solution.
10. McDonald's Delivery Service isn't available here (also this: http://www.8mcdo.com/app/index/); I rather face the consequences.

General Mood:

Divine Intervention.

Kung ginagabi ako ng uwi last week dahil sa exams sa Math at Physics...
Ngayong week na'to, 7am pa lang, exam na!

Dahil diyan, I need some:
Yahoo!

Commemorating Kevin Carter's Death.

"The pain of life overrides the joy to the point that joy does not exist."
-Kevin Carter

14 months after capturing an image of a dying, suffering child, and a vulture waiting for its prey, received his Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography. 14 years after, and I am commemorating his death.

Few years back then, I received an e-mail with "strong picture" as subject. The e-mail had already been forwarded to many people, indicated by the many writings (e-mail addresses) attached to it. I was amazed, not only on the moral aspect that the bittersweet picture depicted, but also its candidness. The angle was perfect, as well as the time, the lights, and so on.

The e-mail.

Kevin Carter's famed photo."Seeking relief from the sight of masses of people starving to death, he wandered into the open bush. He heard a soft, high-pitched whimpering and saw a tiny girl trying to make her way to the feeding center. As he crouched to photograph her, a vulture landed in view. Careful not to disturb the bird, he positioned himself for the best possible image. He would later say he waited about 20 minutes, hoping the vulture would spread its wings. It did not, and after he took his photographs, he chased the bird away and watched as the little girl resumed her struggle. Afterward he sat under a tree, lit a cigarette, talked to God and cried. "He was depressed afterward," Silva recalls. "He kept saying he wanted to hug his daughter. (Scott MacLeod)"

Why, did he choose to leave this world? Didn't he like the fame, or did he think of it as something else (infamy)? The fame, the glory, etc. I am bedazzled.

But let me repeat the quote above: "The pain of life overrides the joy to the point that joy does not exist.".

Misery begets misery. Pain begets pain.

With millions (billions) of people moved by his remarkable photo and that were/are being reminded of our duty to be one or concerned with/towards humanity, Kevin Carter also showed to humankind the true essence and meaning of Life.

"This was found in his diary ,

Dear God, I promise I will never waste my food no matter how bad it can taste and how full I may be. I pray that this boy was protected. Lord, guide and deliver him away from his misery. I pray that we will be more sensitive towards the world around us and not be blinded by our own selfish nature and interests.

I hope this picture will always serve as a reminder to us that how fortunate we are and that we must never ever take things for granted."

See also this link (a film by Dan Krauss): The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang-bang Club

Today, Kevin Carter is an inspiration amongst people from all walks of life, not only for photographers. The telltale characteristic of humans made Kevin Carter a noble man, not only because of the felo-de-se event, but also for his photo that moved everyone of us.

Five,Singko.

Noon.
Anak: Mommy, look, may five stars ako galing kay Teacher!
Mommy: Wow anak, nagmana ka talaga kay Mommy! Dahil diyan, ibibili kita ng bagong dress.
Anak: Yehey!

Ngayon.
Anak: Mommy, tingnan mo binagyan ako ni Prof. ng singko. Ibibili mo na ba ako ng bagong damit?
Mommy: Langya. Bobo ka! Ang mahal mahal na nga tuition niyo...@)@*%(%@()!_!
Anak: ...

Kung ikaw kaya ang i-standardize ko, 'di ka kaya mahilo? [Juvenile delinquency].

Naiinis na ako dahil marami na akong subjects na sobrang demanding. Parami ng parami na sila.

Halimbawa na lamang ay ang PHYS 3 - Lab.

Kahapon (Biyernes), sinabihan niya kami na kami'y mag-lolong exam na, at gusto pa niya na sa Tuesday (akala niya na may PHYS 3 - Lab siya tuwing Tuesday) na ang exam. Alam ko namang dapat ay nakapag-aral na kami or dapat handa kami anytime sa mga pagsubok sa buhay (ganun?), pero sana naman, gawing organized ang mga plano sa buhay. Hindi ko nga alam kung may natutunan ba ako: pinapabayaan niya lang kami pag kami'y gumagawa ng exercises. Ano ba ang gusto mo? Maging 5-unit subject ang PHY3 at maging Physics major kami?

Mol. Bio lab. Sorry, pero 'di ko lang talaga maintindihan kung bakit 'di pwedeng gumamit ng analytical balance , at gusto pa na sa DFSC kami gumamit. MCB 180 - Intro to Food Microbiology, ang klase namin nun at kinailangan namin ng analytical balance. Sabi pa mismo ng teacher namin na ang analytical balance niyo ang gamitin namin, considering na ang MCB 180 ay under sa BSES Department (kung saan ang lab niyo ay kabilang din). Wala ba kaming karapatan sa gamit namin?


Chancy.
Kung makakapunta ako sa monologue mo, ito ang mga itatanong ko sayo:

• Bakit kelangan ang "dissolution" ng subjects? Ultimo freshies, irregular na dahil sayo.
  
• Balak mo din bang i-dissolve ang course na anthro? Langya.
  
• Ba't ba kelangang i-cancel ang lahat ng events na kabilang ang freshies? Natatakot ka ba sa mga magulang nila? E kung isumbong kaya kita sa mga magulang ko dahil sa cancellation ng freshmen night, matatakot ka rin ba
• Natry mo na bang maglakad papuntang CSM?

Photo courtesy of: lovekoupmin.blogspot.com



Hay naku. Makukulong na ako nito.

Analysis of Carbonate Mixtures by Double Indicator Titration.

I am still completely conscious after sipping (drinking? the hell) coffee a few hours ago. I made few millilitres of coffee, since I didn't want it to be adulterated. I like coffee that is, to a small degree, concentrated. Caffeine then stirs me to life.

Right Image: Green cup of coffee that the photographer drank outside the Tate Modern (Photo courtesy of: flickr.com/photos/hypowren/2203324618/; I edited the pic *sorry)

Today’s Sunday. I’ve got few days/hours left to make some assignments or lab reports, read some articles, solve the given problem sets, etc. And I still have many things to do, some obligations, and so on. Though I already assumed these things to happen, still, I feel like time never ceases to run. Feeling belittled, I always run after him.

But today’s the day. And tonight’s the night.

Just like coffee, I like things to be a little bit concentrated, i.e., common things be gathered as one, until these gathered things become One. I normally stir my life so as not to create ‘concentration sites’ in my life. The constant stirring, slow addition of sugar or variable x, making blog – these things help create uniformity in my life.

The addition of hot substance that soothes my throat and penetrates my soul till eternity, sometimes minimizes peptization of my life par

ticles. The theory of Von Weiman’s got to be true.

Sunday. Sabbath day for most Christians. I want to go to mass .

Left Image: Redemptorist Church, Bajada, Davao City, Phil. (Photo courtesy of: louisjordan)

So this ends again.

The ill effects of caffeine are now gone. I'm better off sleeping.

P.S. Do you know a site or source of info for my introduction/discussion of the above-mentioned (title)? Help me milord/milady.

University of the Philppines Mindanao wins European Union Whiz - Mind Encounter Contest

UPMIN Wins First Place in E.U. Whiz - Mind Encounter Contest!

Written by Rene Estremera

Friday, 11 July 2008

UP Mindanao won first place in the European Union (E.U.) Whiz - Mind Encounter Contest held on July 10, 2008 at SM City Davao.
UPMIN won over a field of ten schools composed of Ateneo de Davao University, Brokenshire College, Davao Doctors College, Holy Cross of Davao College, John Paul II College of Davao, Jose Maria College, Rizal Memorial Colleges, San Pedro College, University of Mindanao, and UP Mindanao.
The winning UPMIN team was composed of Kelly Marie T. Conlon (3rd yr, BA English), Marlon John V. Danlay (3rd yr, BA Comm Arts), Aaron James P. Jalalon (3rd yr, BS English) and Jessie Ramon P. Boga (3rd yr, BA Comm Arts) with Inst. John B. Bengan as coach and Prof. Antonino S. De Veyra as School Representative.
Congratulations to the team and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences under Dean Ma. Araceli D. Lee!

Vantage point.

MUKHA BA AKONG ENGINEER, INTELLECTUAL, NATURALIST AND LOGICAL PERSON?

They say you can’t buy love. Now I know you can rent it.

What I am about to write isn’t actually related to the title I wrote; I will actually write random thoughts, per se.

I am confused, angry, and disoriented with the things around me. On a separate page, I’m writing a paper (a group paper actually) about the things that had happened during our experiment in Physics (Results and discussion, introduction, abstract, and so on). I volunteered to consolidate our works, since our teacher assigned each member of the group to do a/some chapter /s of the paper (e.g. Person A will do the Abstract and Conclusion), for the students taking Phys 3 to be prepared in making scientific papers, and whatnots. We’re 5 in our group; each assigned a task of a lifetime. I, being Person A, tried to be a superhero and then offered my sincerest time to just unify our works (and edit a few).

And so now, I’m stuck, dizzy, and nauseous. I am just sleepy. Sleepy.

I took a shower a while ago, thinking that my drowsiness would be gone and I’d be mesmerized then. While taking a shower, I thought of few things such as Physics paper, Math assignment, my sister’s resignation as a barbarian, money left, my pathetic attempt to happiness, and shit. I felt the cold water; my skin’s adsorbing it. My brain’s trying to fight the chill by merely thinking, thinking profoundly, as if my brain’s sending impulses to the other body parts to start increasing body temperature until such time that my body’s comfortable. The bell rang and I needed to go.

I went out, still trying to think, thinking that the chill might still be present somewhere. I then realized that my heart’s throbbing.

I know not the reason. Maybe the event that happened a while ago agitated the hormones inside me. I remember the happening, vividly and sharp. I can’t go on to details. The main point is: I was blinded by the light. The allegory of the road explains the different ideas relating to life. Think of it fondly.

Thus, I end this poem with a bow.

Talk about random thoughts.