SIMULATOR activated

have you ever dreamed of constructing your own mansion? building an empire, business establishments, and other luxury town houses?, going out of town for a vacation, using your own chopper or a sports car? ... of course, who doesn't want those?, but how?, it could be very frustrating though if you would just dwell in your fantasies. Why not take them all with you and explore the world of strategic life simulation.

I remember way back 2005 when a friend introduced a PC game called "The Sims" by Maxis and EA games where you can play God in your own world...How you handle your own life would somehow reflect on how you will play this game.

The "Sims" is a simulation game where you can control your own world. The excitement of this game depends on your interests. You can always build your own mansion with a beautiful landscape for your family to enjoy, or simply live a single life, have a great job, and date someone in your neighborhood. Aside from other cool features, a Sim can get pregnant and deliver a child.. they can grow up, grow old, and they can also die. As morbid as it may sound, there are several causes of death in this game: by accidentally catching fire while cooking, or by drowning in the pool and starvation, but I bet you don't want that to happen.

The "Sims 2" came after Maxis released the last expansion pack of the "Sims" last 2004, and it's far more different from the latter when it comes to graphic designs. You can now zoom your camera to view a closer look unto your Sims facial expressions, and even customize their face on how (or whom) you would want them to look like. You can even copy your own photo! now we're talking... I had to spend a lot just to obtain all the expansion packs, and there are more than 10 expansion packs released in the market. Obviously it's a total obsession!

Because of its success, Maxis has announced an upcoming game called the "SIMS 3" which will be released by June... and it's larger than ever! For example, this time, the Sims can walk outside their house to visit the local neighborhood. I'll be looking forward to check this one out!

Playing this game inspires you to be more creative, and sometimes can influence you to live your life according to your own purpose...

Happy Simming, everyone!

view my My first uploaded video in youtube, you can also view different videos from other sims fanatic from this page!

references: Wikipedia, The Sims 2 website, youtube

the Book of Faces 101...

somewhere in mid-November 2008, I decided to create my very first account in Facebook, one of the most popular and most discussed community site alongside Multiply, My Space, Friendster, etc. I had my very first account in Friendster when I was still in College, but my friends then encouraged me to try other community sites such as My Space, so I did, but I can't find it unique from the latter. I had my Multiply Account in 2008 and I can say that it's more different from the two (Friendster and my Space); not too complicated, and a lot of professionals use this site for posting Blogs, and other personal purposes.

At first I was hesitant, but just to feed my curiosity I did sign up. After keying-in my information, i was ready to enter the world of facebook. I entered my User name, Password then Logged-on.

As a first timer, you can only view your uploaded photos on the first page, and at the right side of which is a blank field with a message "What are you doing right now?" (a status message where you can put all your activities in that particular day, or anything that you want to shout-out loud to the public, it has limited characters though so you may want to make your message short), basic info and some advertisements are posted. There are also fields and options wherein you can browse other users' name and groups (where you can join in as a member), you can also view up-to-date events and do fun stuff like "become a fan" of certain food, music, actors, movie etc.

I felt so pathetic staring on an empty friends list, so I decided to click the "See All" in "People You May Know" link, (I am actually oriented with these kind of things, though). The page showed me a random list of Facebook users, and below their photos was a link saying "Add as a friend". You have the freedom to choose your friends, but unfortunately, you are given limited meons to justify your choices here, because all you can view (for most of them!) are their profile photo, so you have to select subjectively. But wait, here's more! If you choose to upload your "chihuahua" look-alike photo as your profile pic, don't mind checking your pending requests anymore. Not to discourage you, but it's true.

According to some articles that I've seen and read, almost 90% percent of Facebook users prefer to Add friends with attractive looks (at least, in their photos!) That explains the narcissistic aspect of having these accounts, and a lot of sites in the internet talks about the great Narcissus until now.

After 60 days, voila! 265 friends (and counting) were added in my account, reason for me get more and more excited every time I view my account. Accepting "friend's request" is the cherry on top of this kind of madness, and well according to them, narcissism. Aside from posting your comments on others' "wall", you can also comment on your own posted comments! how exciting is that! right? (roar). You can also accept or invite friends to share an application such as Birthday Calendar, Games, etc.

But again here's more...unlike other community sites, Facebook doesn't allow users to customize their own profile page, and that's the "not-so-creative" part of Facebook (I am not sure how though, but some have the capability to change the size of the default fonts on facebook =P).

For me, the exciting part of having your account in Facebook is not on how many friends you get in your list, but how you build and nurture relationships between yourself and other people you meet along the way. Likewise, it can be a gauge on your personality and communication skills. After all, bonding doesn't always have to be done face-to-face, right?...

My Year-end Holiday

It's been 2 weeks since I got back here in Manila, I can still remember how I enjoyed my self basked under the sun (turned my skin into somewhat tan) chased after my two-year old nephew, running around, while laughing with glee teasing me to come and get him. That moment was memorable, I still can't believe am going to celebrate that holiday with my family and relatives.

My Mezzo Volto

It will hide us all from reality to unleash its mystique beauty, its blunt and envious appearance shows its strength and ability to taunt and arouse someone's imagination.

It only took me about two days to create this work of art, full of courage and inspiration, with the help of my partner I never knew I could make one. At first we planned to make something out of a paper-mache but I realized it will take 49,000 years (lol) before it will dries up, so we decided to use "POP" (Plaster of Paris) instead, because it would only take 3 to 5 hours to dry without a mess. With the power of YouTube searching, I've learned different techniques on how to use POP, but I did the safest way, lining up a piece of wadding sheet on your partner's face would be the safest way than just greasing it with Vaseline, this is to avoid allergies or itchiness.
We used poster paint for the color, a combination of red, black, and white. You can always accessorize it, play along with your imaginations, just make sure not to overkill it.

As an amateur mask maker, I can consider this as one of my successful projects along with other art related stuffs. A very exciting way to ease your stress away, just believe on what you can do best.