IMRIZ…unplugged!

The inevitable happened. The near eight-year old desktop with a Pentium D processor had finally bid farewell. The son who has been using it for his online gaming activities has been in “sorrow”.  Can there be more sorrowful than I am?

When school expense is eating up our savings, we couldn’t afford a new desktop. Me and the hubby were talking of buying a new CPU and use up other components of the computer like the doomed CRT monitor, keyboard, mouse and all. Anyways, they’re still running good. We were estimating the cost if we’ll have to opt for the CPU-only purchase. That’s 10k minimum. Hmmm.

Expenses. Expenses. Does it ever end? Migraine’s coming worse.

Then, as if fate is playing me down, this Fujitsu Netbook suddenly makes a warning that it’s cooling fan is not working. 2009 when the husband bought this for the youngest daughter. Does the small gadget made to last only for such a short life span?

I wished not. For such a small toy, me and the kids loved it super rich RED color. And, its design on the lid. Reminds me of the Vivienne Tam designer HP mini note which has flower details on the lid. It was so classy and yes, a little pricey for a netbook so small. Thus, the hubby was quite happy when he found a subdued copycat of the designer brand HP netbook. He couldn’t choke on the 7k difference on the price, then. When the same functionality and capability can be performed by this Fujitsu red netbook. Easy portability, super bright LED monitor and more…

Of course, it cannot pared well with other devices out there. But, for three working years, lifting the burden out of my multitasking night time work loads? Hell yah, it’s one small yet mighty horse!

Tomorrow, we’re planning to give the desktop a chance to “come alive”. I’m keeping my optimism alive. And, for this savvy red netbook, I bet computer technicians could heal its disease swiftly. We hate to say goodbye and say Hello to more expenses.

Not at this time…

A couple of weeks ago, the power supply station near to our place had done a major repair on most of its materials. High voltage wires were replaced and along with old wood posts they replaced it with concrete posts.

Because it was an entire day of power cut, me and the kids were watching these men climb up the towering post that they erected in the street across us. The kids were so amazed at how tall they can climb. I told them those men were very skilled workers. They have to do their job with precision to avoid accidents. That, even if they are covered with term life insurance no medical exam, a minor fault may proved to be fatal.

So, okay I got bored watching American Idol. And, honestly, I got more bored watching tonight’s show. At this point of the show (it’s the Final 3, hey!), performances should be wow. As in super wow! Randy even griped that certain performances were lacking in “moment moment”. I feel the same way

For every performances, all I can hear from the three judges were, “beautiful, beautiful”. Or, were they playing safe?

Good thing that moment came with Phillip Phillips’ closing of the night performance via Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight”, and made Randy quipped, “The perfect song at the perfect time and your best performance on the show ever.” Well, I am particularly biased here because I LOVE ME SOME BOB SEGER!

Thanks Jimmy for choosing a power ballad for Phillip. Though, he’s somehow uncomfortable singing it…I’m hoping he’ll be in the Final 2

I’m counting on a man-man face-off at next week’s finale. Hmmm…What’d you think, guys?

Getting excited towards the airing of the TV series “The Lying Game” over etc.ph. The local cable channel which airs Pretty Little Liars, Vampire Diaries, Glee, Gossip Girl, and my favorite Zoey Deschanel of New Girl. Oh, and American Idol, too. And because I got tired watching Gossip Girl, the addition of The Lying Game would be a welcome change. I’m quite excited over the drama of the twins Emma and Sutton both played by Alexandra Chando, of how two different characters with two different lives can affect the lives of other protagonists in the series.

For a growing family, it is a must to have a car that can accommodate the entire family. Whether shopping around town or having an out-of-town trips, a family car is as important as having a spacious home.

In looking for a family car, aside of course from the overall safety of the car, the price, and its reliability depending on the usage and the climate, it’s a must for a family to choose a car that is roomy and spacious so the kids can travel comfortably. The backseat must accommodate three passengers with ease with safety buckles and enough space for the legs to allow some movements. There must be AC vents on the rear. Kids are too impatient especially when driving long distances. Drink holders is a sweet bonus for most cars. Plus, the trunk should hold up luggages, toys, food supplies especially for large families. Most SUV’s have bike racks that can add up storage area. It will be a great addition as it can hold up huge sporting equipment especially for adventurous families.

In choosing a family car, remember to keep an open mind. Never focus on a particular car brand. There are many car players now that offer the best functionality and safety depending on the size of a family.

Go for a test drive with your family and decide from there which suits your family need.

3rd day of May. Perhaps the ebb day it was. Yet, days before today is what I can call the hottest summer days of all. The heat was becoming too unbearable. Was it global warming?

We don’t wanna get out of the airconditioned room once it was turned on. Then, unfortunate things can happen in the midst of the afternoon heat. The power supply went off. Blaring news from my brother that electricity wouldn’t be restored in an hour or more because there was on ongoing repairs at the power plant station near to us.

Off we went outside afraid that we might be “toasted” inside the house. The heat has been giving me quite a headache everyday. And skin allergies, too. We decide to just stay the rest of the afternoon in the nipa hut. At least, we can get fresh air around. Armed with few pillows and a native “abaniko” I settled to get the most comfortable spot in the nipa hut and set out the iPod and this old book…

Thanks be to the brain around Hollywood where my kids can associate stories of the gods and goddesses. Though, in the lingo that is Hollywood, the movies made out from the stories of those famous myths were far more cinematic and interesting than this book. I should be happy to share a good read of few more personalities that bewitched me since I was in my teen years when I have bought this book at National Bookstore.

In as much as I would want to download an e-book of that paperback into the iPod, I did not. I would want to let my kids know the value of reading. Be it an old book. It doesn’t matter. It’s the content and the stories that matter. This book had fired up my interest in reading. Too many great stories about the life of the great gods. There were excerpt of prose and poetry on every pages, too. The book is an interesting read for your teens who might need a break from cool gadgets. The iPod may keep you entertained. But nothing beats the wisdom you can earn through reading books.

Then, while flipping through Perseus and his battle to find the Gorgons and how he cut the head of Medusa, this home made vanilla loaf I painstakingly baked earlier added to a delightful afternoon…hmmm, the aroma of the vanilla and butter wafted throughout the nipa hut….

Twas, an idyllic afternoon sans electricity…only to be spoilt by the fury of the summerstorm…

Daughter’s new toy. A pre-birthday present for her. Still in the process of getting to know this super slim and easy touch gadget…

(Check prices of iPod, iPad, iPhone and other cool gadgets at Kimstore.multiply.com)

Thanks be to wonderful people in the blogosphere who believed in me. It’s such a pleasure doing the things you love and far more reaching than I ever thought it would be -getting paid for what you love to do. Though unwittingly,  it pained my eyes for working extended hours in front of the computer -it’s bliss when you can get extras to pay for something above. That is, without hurting the month’s budget.

It’s been an uphill battle with paid advertising lately. Blogs were spawning like roe fishes in the WWW. Facing too formidable a million competition -somehow, I get lost somewhere

Battle with the votes. My sites were facing tough battle with Google. Penalizing one after another. Perhaps, citing reasons  wouldn’t be awfully bad, after all. I was surprised when a DA sent me an email asking for a post (with 2 links) and when I asked for a “reasonable” price, she was too quick to have agreed on my terms. One great deal that rarely happens in a blog with a PR of 0. Isn’t it?

Then, another comebacking DA sent an email which made me ecstatic…

         Hello,

         I’d like to start by saying I love clarizzatomacruz.com – Great site!

Who wouldn’t be flattered? Only, that was for a few minutes only…then, zapped! A follow-up email was sent saying the DA was not interested anymore with the site. Ouch!

        Upon further review of your site, I am no longer interested. Do you have any other sites we could possibly work with?

I rest my case with Google.

Content is king. A friend continuously said so. Where I repeatedly replied, “No one’s interested to read blogs these days.” But, Google does and its hordes of engineers toiling on its mainframe 24/7, he cut me out. Even if Google does, what does it do with those content farms? It continuously ranked higher compared to those non-linking sites. Feeling somehow stigmatized over the technicality of the Internet industry, there’s victory for what Google may have missed.

A surprised email that changed the course of my pessimism…

        Indeed, you are one articulate writer who writes with passion, and I believe you are an ideal candidate for my

Yes, CONTENT strikes a DEAL.

…leeway for the realization of few dreams…

It was hot and humid these days. Why? It’s summer! The best time of the year to enjoy the sun. Lots of people  consider this season the best time to do outdoor activities. Swimming and adventure sports like mountain climbing, nature trekking, tops the lists of fun things to do. But, Mother Nature, too shares in the fun. Summer weather is as unpredictable as winter season. Loud clasps of thunder and fierce strips of lights envelop what seemed to be a perfect sunny day.

Do not be caught unprotected when going out in the morning thinking the day would be all sunny. Nah! Science tells us that summertime is the time of year when storm warning are high. High humidity and moisture build up in the atmosphere forming clouds which can cause electrical currents. The result, heavy downpour and the tandem of thunder and lightning.

Thus, listening to broadcast about weather prediction is very critical. It ensures public safety as to prevent deaths and property damaged. When possible, stay indoors when the weather bureau announces a storm. And, better believed them even if you see in your window that the sun is shining beautifully. Summer is full of potential storm risk.

Here’s what to do to protect yourself from possible dangers brought about by summer storms.

Stay indoors. Stay in the basement if the storms becomes too unbearable knocking down trees and electrical posts. It is not safe going out. Even coming off with an umbrella is not a safe thing to do. As metal object in umbrellas or jewelries in your body can cause electrocution as lightning attract metals. Saying this, it is better to stay away from metal windows, too and water pipes which are good electrical conductors and may then be electrically charged and caused electrocution when touched. We know how a single lightning can hold up thousands of voltages.Very fatal to the human body.

When staying indoors is not possible, try to cover up for safety when thunder and lightning strikes. Never subject yourself from spaces where it can be prone to lighting strike. You are not safe on tents or canopies found on beaches. As again, metal object can attract electricity. Avoid taking shelters on trees, too. Never underestimate the power of lightning. Besides, it strikes in open spaces and on higher ground. Better scramble off to safety as soon as the forecast for the weather comes out.

It is better to be safe than sorry. The old aphorism that other people find cliche, but proves to save people’s lives.

(photo source: http://digital-photography-school.com/15-spectacular-lightning-images)

photo grab from Google

The summer heat is driving people to do more activities outdoors. Going off on a beach holiday fun -enjoying the warm and calming  sea salt breeze, doing wild and fantastic adventures- and soak in much needed energy bathing in the sun. But, do remember, bring necessary sun protection at all times.

There has been growing debates as to what really is the best sunscreen out there in the industry. Where people were so concerned about how the sun can effect skin diseases and aging, it is a must to consider that people have different skin types and therefore, needs for sunscreen vary greatly.

Brands and price mattered less. It’s how these factors -age, skin sensitivities, color and race-  can affect skin and sun exposure.

When TMZ leaked out an “unexpected things” that would happen at last night Idol elimination, my mind fired up. And,the result never came to shock me. It was imminent. Somebody’s “dreams” were going to fizzle off, as I had envisioned as early as top 24 performances.

This is definitely a season where I really do missed Simon Cowell on AI. I am sure he wouldn’t used his “save” vote. Oh well, having watched Idol’s past seasons,  i am sorry Randy, this is not a “ridiculous result”. I must admit, I do value pundits clamoring for Hollie’s exit, even the great Jimmy predicted it will be Hollie, Phillip, and Skylar who would be in bottom three. But, knowing the drama (there’s lots of it on AI, I am sure viewers already knew) and by the way America voted, the results were not as surprising as it was.

It was sort of deja vu (oh, sorry, I couldn’t grab any other word for that) for me as I watched the Grammy and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson in the same spot when she was eliminated in Season 3. Miss Hudson was a constant favorite then, yet, it seems American voters always voted the wrong way. Hey, we gotta respect their freedom. Anyways, it was the million votes that feeds the show . Remember that Chris Daughtry moment? And, that of of Pia Toscano’s fate, who’s singing voice made viewers cry?

What really do shocked me at last night’s elimination was the “shocked” on the idol’s three judges after Ryan announced that it was Jessica Sanchez who posed a threat of getting eliminated. Oh, c’mon! Well, I don’t have grudges with Jessica. But, definitely, she’s another Pia Toscano. Hohummm…Simon would lashed out his signature remarks

Oh, yes, Jessica sings well, actually far too well…as to please the judges, but, not the voters who seems to favor male contestants. As what Jimmy has predicted, and, I bet, other viewers out there, THIS IS YET ANOTHER SEASON FOR A MALE WINNER.

Who are you rooting for on this season 11 of AI?