So much for "personal" computers

So my Mom just confiscated my laptop I borrowed from a friend. Why? Because I'm not allowed to use it in my room, and I have to stay in hers to use it. Great! That ruins the whole point of the portability of laptops!

Yes, I have a desktop computer, but I'm sharing it with three other people: my sister who is in her final year in High, my brother, in his final year in college, and my Mom, of course. All of us equally need the computer for academic needs or otherwise, and I can't finish anything effectively if everyone else is trying to finish theirs.

Not to mention the specs of my computer haven't been top-of-the-line or at least decent to get Photoshop running since 2005. Yep, 1GB RAM, 1.66 GHz processor, 120GB hard drive capacity (for all of us, i should add), and no video card except for the one that's integrated. Plus it's really noisy.

Consider that the standard for decent desktops now are around two or three times those numbers. Consider that my mother makes us all do demanding Photoshop and video editing tasks for her. Consider it takes around 10 minutes for the computer to boot!

I borrowed the laptop for better productivity, for less distraction (i kept it in my room). But my mom ruined the opportunity to finish my works ahead of time and have some decent nights sleep because of her luddite theories.

This is similar to the time I asked for a bike (which she was kind enough to give me one eventually), but not to be allowed to bike to school and back, which ruins the whole point of a transportation vehicle. I wanted to help cut down costs for gas, and to be less dependent of my brother to drive me there, but every time the opportunity arises to help out, she takes me down.

What to do.

New Year's Shit

Some stuff I plan to take care this year. Or at least for the next 6 months.

1.) As per 50% of the world's population, I resolve to lose some poundage. Right now I'm 155. Two weeks ago I was a 150er. Christmas feasts and a long, long period of break time gave me the extra five that took me two months to lose. Just goes to show that consistency is key.

2.) Save more money. My mother recently put some of my savings in a time deposit. I now have 20k in it, plus about 3k in another bank for regular use.

3.) Grab some good grades. I say this pretty much every time.

4.) Earn my own desktop PC. That's right, EARN. Or just a HP Mini laptop.

5.) Every day at 0600, I will take at least a twenty-minute jog around the neighborhood.

7.) Learn how to count.

Top 10 personal favorite mixed martial artists, pound-for-pound

Now this isn't a ranking system to be debated about. These are my personal favorites, maybe not exactly the best fighters in the world but they have led themselves into my heart as unforgettable, in and outside of the ring/cage. And here we go, in no particular order...

Alistair "The Demolition Man" Overeem

The current Strikeforce heavyweight champ, The Reem is one funny guy outside the cage. I once saw a video of him making a toddler girl hold up a large pad, while he kicks it. Though he's a stand-up kind of guy, Overeem is as successful in his submission offense, having finished most of his opponents through this method.

Mirko Cro Cop

Were this post done 2 months ago, Cro Cop would've landed higher in the list. But because of his lackluster performance in his fight with Frank Mir in UFC 119...

Nevertheless, this is Mirko Cro Cop. A kickboxer and knockout artist with devastating head kicks. Who can't love him after hearing him say "Left leg: hospital. Right leg: cemetery," huh? Sad to say, I have to admit he's in the twilight of his career, and his dominance in Pride has been replaced by back-to-back defeats and lackluster wins in the UFC.

Forrest Griffin
When you watch the FoGriff's fight with Stephan Bonnar at the first The Ultimate Fighter Finale back in 2005, you'll immediately fall in love with this guy's mindset, no homo. He is a relentless, never-back-down ape of a man who always fights great fights. His dry humor and blunt attitude makes the books he has written such a treasure to read again and again. And so I quote from FG: "I'm just a dog, I fight."

"The Prodigy" BJ Penn

One of the two UFC fighters to have captured two title belts in as many weight divisions. BJ Penn is first and foremost a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artist, but you may argue when seeing him in his stand-up. Legendary coach Freddie Roach once said that BJ has the best boxing in the UFC. In the cage, it's always all action, whether in the stand up or grapple game. His long and dominant title reign has been halted by Frankie Edgar, who beat him twice consecutively. However, to me he is still the greatest lightweight in mixed martial arts, and just needs to get his head in the game.

Anderson "The Spider" Silva

Anderson is dominant in every aspect of the fight game. He has dangerous Muay Thai, excellent takedown defense, and when that doesn't work, has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is just the most dominant middleweight fighter I have ever seen. Jesus, he even plays with his opponents with flashy, nonsense moves just to show how much he doesn't care about the unfortunate contenders. And damn he somehow makes these moves effective. Aside from being physically gifted, he also knows how to play with his opponent's minds. Because of this, he has utterly dominated almost everyone in his division, and even some in the upper weight classes.
 

Georges "Rush" St. Pierre

The man to beat in the welterweight division in the UFC. We all know about how this guy with zero wrestling credentials came to be a takedown artist. While most think this is a boring way to fight, "Rush" always looks for a finish, usually by submission. It's always a pleasure watching him dominate those with strong wrestling backgrounds in their strengths (Jon Fitch, Matt Hughes, Josh Koscheck). He's also a nice guy, and kind of reminds me of Manny Pacquiao, who's also dominant in a fight but shows good morals and mannerisms outside.

Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell
Although not the first poster boy and icon for the UFC, he certainly is the best and most popular. At his peak, he was knocking people out left and right, at once going on a seven-fight knockout/TKO win streak. When he moves on the offensive, he delivers. Even when he moves back he still manages to suddenly leave his opponent drooling on the ground. In his last UFC fight, he even "came out like Chuck Liddell always does," says Dana White, who believes The Iceman has lost his once-indomitable chin. Still, no one can forget the mohawk + trucker 'stached legend for who he really is.

Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko
Never look into the eyes of this being. You will cry, shiver, and crawl into a fetal position before you die a painful and excruciating death. Look inside him and you will see nothing. No emotion, no soul, just the fall of countless men who tried standing up against him. Seriously, though, this man has a pre-fight staredown that will mess your mind. And to top that, his Sambo background couple with his knockout power makes him a devastating all-around fighter, so don't screw yourself and pick a fight with this guy. He was the man to beat in Pride, even surpassing others such as Cro Cop or Wanderlei Silva. Plus, he has the coolest nickname in all of MMA.

Jose Aldo
Explosive, explosive, explosive. During his reign in the soon-to-be-defunct World Extreme Cagefighting, he has knocked out several challengers in the most brutal fashions, including a flying double knee strike to the head. When he doesn't knock people's brains to space, he shows his dominance in the Featherweight division by displaying all sorts of wickedness, such as in his five-round dominance of Urijah Faber, who couldn't do anything on the ground or standing up (well, he was barely standing thanks to Aldo's sick leg kicks).  He is now officially the UFC Featherweight champion and will be fighting under that title soon.


Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva
The meanest face in MMA, the most dominant light heavyweight of Pride, the Muay Thai specialist with razor sharp knees, knockout power, and grade-A soccer kicks and stomps. He never was one to take a step back in a fight. Always forward, always pushing, never relenting until one of the two fighters succumb. Even when he loses, he loses with dignity and pride, because he knows he put on a great show for the fans and watchers. And that's his primary goal coming into fights: put on a great one. Fighters often come up with these post-fight sayings that they did their best for the fans and all, but don't really back it up as well as Wanderlei does. Consistently too. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan states that outside fighting, he has such a humble and kindhearted mindset. If ever I start drinking, it would always be with this guy. Everyone loves him, and I am no exception.

Pacquiao vs. Margarito, head-to-head

KNOCKOUTS

Pacquiao - 38

Margarito - 25

Advantage: Pacquiao

PUNCH POWER

Advantage: Even, leaning towards Margarito

SPEED

Advantage: Pacquiao, by a mile

QUALITY OPPONENTS FACED

Pacquiao: de la Hoya, Cotto, Morales, Barrera, Marquez

Margarito: Williams, Mosley, Martinez

Advantage: Pacquiao

WINS OVER COMMON OPPONENTS

(Clottey; Cotto)

Pacquiao: UD; TKO round 12

Margarito: UD; TKO round 11

Advantage: Even

ENDORSERS

Pacquiao: Nike, "aybupropen parasetamol Alaxan ep-ar," McDonald's, Xtreme Magic Sing, PLDT, San Miguel Beer, etc.

Margarito: LOL NONE

Advantage: Pacquiao

NICKNAME ORIGINALITY-COOLNESS SCORE

Pacquiao: "Pacman"

Margarito: "The Tijuana Tornado"

Advantage: None

SINGING ABILITIES

Advantage: None

HAILED AS...

Pacquiao: Arguably the greatest boxer in the history of the sport

Margarito: "hand-wraps controversy guy"

Advantage: Pacquiao

BEARD LENGTH

Advantage: Margarito, by a mile

WIFE

Pacquiao: Jinkee

Margarito: Michelle

Advantage: David Beckham

CATCH PHRASE

Pacquiao: "You know?"

Margarito: "I didn't know!"

Advantage: Margarito

Add the tally up and input the results in my program, which translates the results to...

1st-2nd round:

Feeling out process. Pacquiao gets the better of Margo through his speed and adaptability, and Margarito can't land any significant hits.

3rd-5th round:

Margarito finds the pace and range and begins to lure Pacquiao into his powerful body shots. Pacquiao stupidly tests Margy's strengths like he did with Cotto and Clottey, which results in him cringing for a few seconds to those body shots. Pacmehn starts to lose his game plan and decides to bang with him.

5th-9th round:

Coach Roach tells Pacman to stick to the plan, and MP agrees. Pacman gets back his flow and picks his shots, moving with silky smooth fluidity you'd think he'd Vaselined his entire body.

10th-12th round:

Pacman tries to pretend he's not tired. Starts to regret his sucky training camp and wished he put more time in. Margarito, sensing weakness, goes for the kill, but P-dude ain't giving up just yet. Margarito swings at Pacquiao, who is now just  running at pure heart alone. Exciting final seconds closes the championship rounds.

Judges declare it... A DRAW, LEADING TO AN UNPRECEDENTED 30 SECOND SUDDEN DEATH MATCH

13th round:

PMeister charges for his special move: The Manila Ice mark III. Margo charges with his Tijuana Tornado X2000. In one final blow, the spirit of all the Philippines and the tenacity of Mexican blood clash in the center of the ring, from which the entire Cowboys Stadium explodes. And when the dust clears, only one man is seen standing...

Manny Pacquiao by Doctor Stoppage RD13

Fable III is my Game of the Month

And every Game of the Month of mine shalt be reviewed.


Fable III is the third installment of, well, the Fable series. It's a role-playing and action game released for the XBox 360 and later, the PC. The story is set 50 years after the events of Fable II, and you are the son (or daughter, depending on which gender you choose) of the last Hero of Albion. Unfortunately for you, your tyrant of a big brother became King after your father died, and he isn't exactly a nice guy. So as the Hero (the game's "Chosen One"), your job is to dethrone him. Doesn't come that easy, though, because you need to gain allies and win the people over before a revolution can start. And so, your story begins.


Gameplay: 8.5/10


Just like a typical role-playing game is, you do quests, fight peons and bosses, and explore the world. It wouldn't be fun if everyone just said "Yes!" to a revolution now, would it? What sets this game apart is that the decisions you make in the game affects the very world of Albion. Being King isn't enough, and on your way to the throne, you would have made promises to the people who fought for you. Will you keep your promises, sacrificing a deal of finances that are supposed to be used for the greater good of the entire kingdom, or will you detach from them, holding and possibly gaining even more wealth for the protection and safety and security of your kingdom?


Most of the time, I did not feel as much weight in my decisions as I thought I would. More decisions over life or death would've been better, like in the first part of the story where your bro the King would force you to choose between the life of your heart's desire or the lives of the prisoners whose pleas just wanted to be heard by King Bro. Instead, most of the time, you will be treated to choices such as building brothel to gain an amount of gold, or building an educational center, which will lose gold. While this seems alright, the gold can easily be re-attained by renting your land, managing your shops, or doing certain quests. It would've been better if decisions made could not be reciprocated or made up for, and had real consequences not just to the world, but to yourself, and not just in terms of your morality level. It also would've been better if some decisions in the game were not as clear as black and white (ie. brothel vs. educational center).


The second Fable was menu-heavy, and couple that with noticeable lag, it was an irritating aspect of the game. Fable III, however, was almost menu-free, and that's such a big improvement. Instead of piles and piles of menus and sub-menus, you are led to an interactive interface. Traveling, purchasing, and upgrading are no longer a drag. You still "pause" to change equipment, clothing or to view the map (also vastly improved and more user-friendly), but although real time in the game is stopped, you don't pause the game per se. Instead, you are transported to a place called "The Sanctuary," where you are treated to an interactive (there's that word again, see what I mean?) gallery of your items, from which you are to choose freely from. After you're done with whatever, you would resume from your last position, be it in a fight with Balverines in the forest or in a shop in the Market section of Bowerstone.


The weapon system allows you to change the appearance of the weapon of your choice through your actions. This was really good for your default weapons, where your decisions affected its look (bloody for bad, glowing for good, etc.) but for the other store-bought or "legendary" weapons, you are just made to go on certain quests (ie. Kill 500 of (insert type of enemy here) to get + x% damage) There was nothing wrong here and it's certainly an improvement from the last installation, but the developers of the game have hyped up its new weapon system so much that my expectations rose for it. Sadly, it didn't live up to its hype. Also, I rarely had to switch weapons in the game, and didn't buy any at all for the entire playthrough. It didn't feel like a necessity, because the game's overall difficulty isn't exactly catered to the hardcore gamers. While the difficulty level of the game was purposefully done easy for better accessibility, switching weapons has been rendered almost useless in the game.

The battle system is nothing innovating, but also an improvement. It's still melee (sword/axe), ranged (rifle/pistol), and magic (four elements +blade), but slow-mo God of War-esque scenes for Flourishes (extra-strong attacks) are a welcome addition, and makes fighting fun. There's not much strategy going into a fight, but it's still fun.


To monitor your progress, you are also presented with the Road to Rule, which tracks how far you have gone in the game. In the R2R are also weapon/magic and expression upgrades which you can purchase with Guild Seals (the "experience points" of the game) which you earn through fighting, questing, or making new Albionian friends. This might be unnecessary to some, but it's still a good addition to the game.


There will be noticeable glitches in the game when it comes to the physical aspect of things. One example is your trusty dog companion who helps you search for treasure, from chests or from under ground, which you will have to dig for a moment. There are times your dog will have a hard time navigating his way to treasure, especially in small passageways to go through or obstacles in the way. Sometimes, he even points to treasure that isn't even there! It's noticeable and oftentimes irritating, because it takes long, wasteful seconds for doggy to realize that there's a rock in front of him and he can't go through it.


Glitches aside, the gameplay is a vast improvement from Fable II, and although there are minor fixes needed to be done, and upgrades I'd like to see in the future (such as a battle system that employs strategy, maybe, and not just a shallow strength vs. weakness kind) this is still one of the best role-playing games I've played in the XBox 360 and a gratifying game to experience.


Graphics: 8/10


Graphics are also a major improvement from Fable II, although it's still just above-average for such a high-budget game. Characters now appear more textured, but what really caught my eye is the design of each of the places you travel to. The atmosphere is stunning and the places feel unique wherever you go. Sunsets are very, very dazzling, especially in one of the places inside a Demon Door. You'll know what I mean when you see it. And every place looks just as well as night as it does in daytime.There are also CGI cutscenes now, but they are rare. I wish there were more of those.


Oh, and now, everyone has well proportioned bodies. No more extremely buff bodies and small heads.


Sound: 9.5/10


Background music and special effects were appropriate and complement each place you travel to. The voice acting was very well done and felt natural, as if I was really immersed in the conversations. Oh, and the main character now can talk, and not just pull caveman grunts and other sounds in his conversations unlike in previous games. It didn't feel like the main character was of much importance to the plot though, because if he can talk, at least make him talk as much as the others do.


Replayability: 6/10


Well, there's not much you can do on a second playthrough, except maybe play as a different gender or be on the other side of the morality level. Playing as a different gender won't change the dialogue conversations, though, or change the story for that matter. It doesn't really matter, because one playthrough already packs a lot of hours thanks to exploration and questing. If you do a second, then it's probably just to see the outcome of the other decisions.


Overall: 8.5/10


The games many glitches have brought the game's score down when it could have been higher, but this game is still more than worth the money. It's not about the repetitive fetch quests or the typical fairy tale story, it's the vast world of Albion and what you can do with it, and the consequences it faces with your actions. It's about the role-playing, the immersing, whose essence the game perfectly captures.

Semestral Break is OOOOVEERR

Well. That went by slower than I thought, fortunately. Nothing much happened the last three weeks. But here's a rundown anyway.

- Put up the Christmas tree (it's already 18 years old and still standing, albeit barely).
- Visited EB during her school hours and after.
- Danced the worst Thriller ever for this Halloween event (presentation was for charity, so no, I'm not intending to go pro).
- Took a "vacation" to Misibis Bay, Bicol.
- Sparred with my brother.

And that's pretty much it. I wish it were more uneventful. I just wanted to lie back and do some occasional Muay Thai and EB visitation.

 Some good MMA news landed. World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) will now merge with the UFC, this means that the featherweight and bantamweight divisions will get as much spotlight as the others. Good thing, because there are lots of fighters worthy of our undivided attention. The coming months will be defining for them, yes.

Pacquiao seems to not be taking his training seriously, reports mentioned. He's been doing all these unnecessary events that stray him away from boxing. Meanwhile, contrasting reports of Margarito's training camp have emerged, saying Margarito is in top shape. You better be ready Pacman. Please please please.

Oh no I've been enrolled in Tae Kwon Do for PE. Stupid online enlistment process. Sigh. I wanted something like Judo. Or if not, Track & Field or Weight Lifting. I need to increase my conditioning and strength, or perhaps my cardio. But no. I'm getting the one PE class I wanted so badly to avoid. Ah never mind. Will just make the most of it.

Need to crap. And I'm in school. Shoot.

Network Marketing vs. Pyramid Schemes

Oh boy. So some endorser from Global Fusion, Inc. tried talking me into joining his company which employs a multi-level marketing strategy. In a nutshell, MLM strategies gain profit not just from product sales, but also through sales from recruiting more endorsers of the company's products.

MLM, as some may know, is criticized mainly about it being a cover-up for a pyramid scheme, which is illegal in many countries (including the Philippines). What the pyramid scheme basically does is hire recruiters who give a certain amount of money, and those recruited will gain more recruits for a certain amount of money, profiting everyone from a percentage of that money, and so on BUT the number of potential new recruits will eventually run out, meaning those in the top tier of the pyramid will be the only ones benefiting, while those at the bottom are left without profits. My explaining sucks so you guys can gain a better understanding with this chart. Anyway, without any potential new recruits, who pay to join the company, and whose payments are the profits of the company, the company will just go bankrupt. As aforementioned, those in the top tiers are the only ones benefiting.

The guy who talked to me about this was a good speaker. He knew how to lure me in, but of course I'm not stupid and I realized his Wall Street hook, line, and sinker kind of talk immediately. I'm not accusing GFI of employing the pyramid scheme, but it does look like a scam at first, too good to be true and all. So yes, I did some research on some of the terms he mentioned while speaking. It made me double-take on the matter but, well, Esther wants to join, and I'm doing this for her. I love her so much, and I'm willing to make this work. I want her to be happy, even if this means I'm going to be taking a big risk with my moolah.