2011 in Wrap-up

Zeitgeist - the spirit of the time; the spirit characteristic of an age or generation.
(as defined by WordWeb Dictionary)

Just sharing these gist of occurrences from the year 2011. Compiled by Google. It's deafeningly meaningful, and at the same time shockingly mad - the riots, the blood brought by war, the insurmountable wrath of nature as depicted by Japan's earthquake and Tsunami.

There were triumphs, like the awesome wonder of a deaf hearing her voice for the first time, there were sadness, a mixture of anxiety and loneliness, as news upon news of orgasmic terror and good vibes gleamed upon our eyes.

The year is about to pass, it was blazingly fast, we couldn't fathom how did we make it through, despite the odds, impediments and incurable strife from emotional fatigue to physical boredom and recluse. Above all these, we survived, we stand our ground as the emblem of hope swayed in full force ahead of our vision. A vision that may seem blatant, yet deep inside we shiver in doubt and fear, these are yet to be augmented. But we're not going to allow for these thoughts to thrive further, as we embrace with positivity and determination that 2012 is yet another zeitgeist that will vanish in the footprints of time.



Mac

Thanksgiving 2011

This was my post last year when it comes to Thanksgiving. And now, we have four days to go before 2011 will come to pass. I haven't written for a while on this blog, i was immersed in full force slumber and got fully engaged with personal and work related duties. Yet, i couldn't deny this surging feelings of need to express and let it be known to the blogosphere the still intact rejoiceful feeling of thankfulness when i had my uniform and hymnal book as i walked down the aisle for the year-end processional hymns of praises in our own covenant of sacred duties for the spiritual aspect of this life.

Glorious, absolutely glorious and fulfilling. Those were the words i want to forever imprint in my mind and heart as i reconcile my thoughts in looking back the recently finished Year-End Thanksgiving (December 18, 2011). It was a mixture of pure profoundness for the beauty of His endless grace, the compassion and heartfelt mercy He had extended in every second of my life, that each nerve and fiber within me couldn't contain how was i able to stand my ground, how was i able to endure and to emerge as hopeful as ever i could be.

No words, no mortal definitions could describe this gratitude. I will let this medium be an outlet to spread that He is the unconquerable force that no human mind could decipher about His exquisite love and wisdom.


Failures and successes came, had given me the whirlwind addiction to crave for more, and at the same time, had provided me also the bites of reality of anguish. All these, I've learnt from, all these taught me to further my attitude in dealing with life - with what will come ahead of me this 2012.

While it's a mere fact that we couldn't fathom what lies ahead, the entrustment and the sole need to supplicate and to take refuge is by no means a reflection of how i had submitted myself to carry on - no matter what happens, that i shall remain and shall not waver in my faith.



mac

Instagram - iPhone App of the Year

Apple named Instagram as the iPhone App of the year. Who cares?

Eventually you'll care, since this app is coming to the Android. I guess that's not my whole point. You'll have to try to experience the magic of this app. From its humble beginnings where you can only post your photos without the social network's augmenting popularity, it has evolved to a cleaner, more powerful slate of features. It's now like a cross of Facebook and Twitter with images or photos as the main delicacy. So if you're a visual type, and you haven't tried this yet, you've missed  a lot.

Snail Mail for the Holidays

I spent almost one hour accomplishing the 5 greeting cards meant to be sent to my relatives abroad. I figured that I still don't have difficulty in writing cursive script. Methinks in reflection that it's been ages, of me not using the pen for long periods, the fact that I use the pen only to scribble signature on certain occasions, I deduced that you don't have to practice all the time in order for the writing skill of longhand to fade.

There were several positive vibes that came to a fleeting moment as I was writing my thoughts which is directed to one of my uncles and grandmothers. Writing in action through the traditional way of ink and paper provided me perspectives on different areas:

• It's a sure-hit way to reminisce the memory lane with your loved ones
• Rekindling affection that was set dormant because of non-communication for long periods of time
• The magic of the pen and paper is still incomparable (despite email and facebook being readily available)
• Your senses are suddenly speaking out loud that your longing for them intensified to the next level.

I wasn't thinking of the time spent, the effort flowing spontaneously, partly because I was focused to finish my deadline on this task and mainly because I was enjoying it.

One struggle I've encountered is finding the postal. The mall closest to my place do not offer postage unlike the Mall of Asia. I've no choice but to find the postal office from and within the Municipal Building.

Lo and behold, the ordinary really brings joy and awe most of the time. As the postmaster was pasting stamps on my 5 envelopes, I can't help but smile, that I've gone this far. Seeing those printed little squares with different hues and images made me believe that it was I who was about to receive those letters. Somehow, it dawned on me that each of us longed for connection most of the time. Be in a face to face situation or just the ordinary, traditional way of communication.

Test only

Unrhymed verse of three

Each Line of five seven five

Grant thee wise and free

after Gym Session

... although the feeling is kind of a fleeting moment... the fulfillment is still priceless after heading out from the gym.

Holiday Nostalgia

The holidays are approaching.  It's the perfect time to show your endearment to your loved ones, to those whom you care for, family, close friends and to those who are important in your life.

Most of us would think that gift-giving is the best way to show your care. But the clearest possible way to convey your affection and  love is providing them the simple things that can be enjoyed in this life.

Look back in time, when's the last occurrence did you actually write your lovenotes for her?

The last time you invoke your handwritten holiday greetings to your relatives abroad? instead of just typing on their Facebook walls?

The last time you had a catch-up session with your bestfriend over a cup of coffee or tea?

Or perhaps, you get tired of dining-out already, why not bring the whole family in a Sunday worship service together?

Focus more on the thought and the value of quality that can linger intensely to the receiver, whoever it would be.

The material things are all going to pass but how you made them feel, in every moment you are with them will leave a footprint, in their hearts and in their minds.

-Mac

Dreamland

the sunset was fulfilling
as the two of us spent time;
t'was like we're oblivious
of the world around us
uncaring of the sweeping,
raw emotions
that seemed to envelope us..
creating a beautiful abyss
a heartfelt bond
that no one could explain
but the language of the heart

it may seem futile
it could pose a danger
but i guess
it would worth the try
then again
we still have our sanity
to unstep from the limits
knowing deep inside
that dreamland is never too far
..from reality



-billymac ® poetry

Smoke my cigarette, hush

She was like a broken vase

A mere touch of the careless grace

Lest should I be of service

No more than ever praise

Smoke my cigarette, hush

Offended and you blushed

A monster coming

Crushed before the aiming

Disguised as an evil

But an angel deep within

Colorless as transparent

Reduced into nothingness

Decipher me no more

Games I no longer care

For it was over before it got late

we saw it coming in a speedy rate

Clamped and tightened

Fixated but loose

Don't you see the irony

I care but 'twas before

Show me the ignition

To rekindle the fire

Of this thing called madness

In this frost of speechlessness

PS: fixyahlater

Mac on the sand

Browsing through images' memory lane on a breezy Saturday afternoon. I super love the weather now. I hope it stays like this. ;)

Kindred Spirits (part 3)

(click here for part2)

Marnie couldn't wait to report to Linda, and bring the snapshot to prove that she succeeded in killing John. There is anxiety in her behavior now that she didn't actually do the crime, instead, it was some stranger whom she gets to know by his first name only and his phone number. In fact, she's worried now, she felt like being an accomplice.

How can she shoot John in the first place? She has loved him in silence, it was a spur of the moment only when Linda offered the grueling crime to be realized. Out of hatred, out of depression and probably revenge, she took the bait, and now she's having this guilty feelings.  Contemplating, she still couldn't believe that Linda offered her to do it just because Linda deduced what John has been doing ever since. A secret that Marnie couldn't accept and fathom why in the hell could John have done those things to Linda. She thought John's the perfect husband to Linda, she thought she could never make him do a meltdown despite her gorgeous looks and sex appeal, despite her initiative and unremorseful attempts to seduce John and make him fall for her, not only emotionally but also in the physical sense.

Marnie gasped as she realized how great it would have been to share the urge and libido with John, but all these suddenly vanished when Linda told her about John's unrealistic behavior.

… to be continued

A man growing old becomes a child again.
Sophocles 

(click here for part1)

Kindred Spirits (Part 2)

(click here for part 1)

She never thought it would come this far. She has planned, and she must stick to it, Marnie's thoughts have been crystallined in her subconscious.

The anonymous caller hinted Marnie to get closer to her. They shook hands and exchanged mobile numbers as if they were newly acquainted.

The rescue team immediately prioritized John's transferal to the hospital. He is breathing, laboriously and hallucinating, mentioning Linda's name, asking for forgiveness, until his breath suddenly halted. Blood still pouring out from his chest.

Linda paced to and from in their apartment. She called Marnie asking her to bring the snapshot image. Marnie couldn't help smiling blithely. A large sum of money is waiting at her bank account after she completed this stage of their mission. She is totally discernible from being happy to her usual outlook - being solemn and casted out. She must thank the stranger and she need to talk to him, besides she has now his phone number.

Avel who saw everything about the shooting in the park volunteered to accompany John to the hospital. His apartment is opposite to John and Linda's, they seldom talk to each other, but one thing is for sure, in crisis like this, he feels that it is human nature to extend help as a form of camaraderie.




... to be continued




A pair of powerful spectacles has sometimes sufficed to cure a person in love.
Friedrich Nietzsche 

How to Activate the Camera in Lockscreen Mode on iOS5?

By default, double clicking the home button in an unlock mode brings up the multi-tasking drawer. Hear Ye, because double clicking the home button when the phone is locked will activate the CAMERA & MUSIC options. (image below)

I was baffled at first about this feature because there is nowhere under Settings that you can tweak the feature for the camera, not even in Accessibility options. I tried checking some settings when the camera app is open but it only gives Grid Lines toggle.

With the cool feat about bringing the camera up during lockscreen mode, here comes the part where you can use the volume up button to function as the shutter.

It works perfectly  great. The time lapse to wait for the camera to open has significantly decreased on this iOS platform.

You can also check out the previews instantly by swiping through the left or right while the camera is on, instead of tapping the preview button.

Somehow, iOS5 gets me going everyday by having me discover attributes that does not account from the keynote release.

 MAC

Kindred Spirits (Part 1)

The truth might hurt, but it's the only way to fight and correct the wrong.  This has been the echoing thought lingering in John's mind as he traverse his way at the traffic intersection. He was in no mood to contemplate about the repercussions of his actions toward Linda.

He left her angry and devastated in their apartment. He couldn’t stand to see her crying again, so he thought to take a brisk walk on the nearest park from their poshy loft.

A breath of fresh air, indeed! John did not notice the pair of eyes that has been  continuously following him. All he knew is the awesome feeling he's trying to absorb at the moment. The profusion of the green grass and the archaic park themes surrounding him gave tranquility to his mind.

Linda started crying, the moment John left and banged the door. She felt helpless, un wanted and un loved. Her heart is being torn into pieces, like she was about to explode in grief and sadness. But somewhere, a voice within her dictates that she must not give up.

Two loud blasts of bullet sounds! It was directed at John's heart. People in the park started screaming, everyone is in shock especially to those who've witnessed John's assassination. It was like a blink of an eye, blood gushed unrelentlessly from John's chest, he choked and started vomiting blood.

Marnie, an exquisite Visayan photographer, did not waste time. She called emergency police personnel and reported the incident and crime. She took a snap shot of John while in anguish and in pain.  And now, the people surrounding John started to provide assistance with their utmost care

Linda's mobile phone started to vibrate. She answered the call in between sobs and unleveled heartbreak. She suddenly screamed! John was shot, the caller said.

"You must rejoice, for your cross has been lifted" told the caller to Linda. The voice is so much soothing Linda could have been hypnotized if she's talking to the anonymous caller face to face. She was perplexed, her negative emotions intensified further.

And after a while, Linda's face brightened up. A smile forming on her lips. Twitching with ecstasy and contentment.

… to be continued

A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.
Thomas Carlyle






(This is an original plot of mine. All characters are fictional and in no way resemble to any living or living things. Situations used here on these short stories are all ideas and product of imagination)

of Booksmarks and Love

I have to uninstall and reinstall my Google Chrome Browser and have to re-import my bookmarks. In a fleeting moment, i saw brainyquote.com

This has been my one-stop shop quotation flea market back in 2009 and 2010. So i rummaged through it and found these love citations. They are worth mentioning, so i reposted them here on this blog without any intention or whatsoever when it comes to this innate feeling of the humankind.

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous. 
Ingrid Bergman 



A kiss is a rosy dot over the 'i' of loving. 
Cyrano de Bergerac 



A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years. 
Rupert Brooke 



A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge. 
Thomas Carlyle 



A man reserves his true and deepest love not for the species of woman in whose company he finds himself electrified and enkindled, but for that one in whose company he may feel tenderly drowsy. 
George Jean Nathan 



A pair of powerful spectacles has sometimes sufficed to cure a person in love. 
Friedrich Nietzsche 



A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love. 
Stendhal 



A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the open sea. 
Honore de Balzac 



Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires. 
Francois de La Rochefoucauld 



Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives. 
C. S. Lewis 



All love shifts and changes. I don't know if you can be wholeheartedly in love all the time. 
Julie Andrews 



All mankind love a lover. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson 



All my life, my heart has yearned for a thing I cannot name. 
Andre Breton 



As soon go kindle fire with snow, as seek to quench the fire of love with words. 
William Shakespeare 



At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet. 
Plato 



Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love. I'd stepped in it a few times. 
Rita Rudner 



Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. 
Lao Tzu 



Can miles truly separate you from friends... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there? 
Richard Bach 



Come live in my heart, and pay no rent. 
Samuel Lover 



Do all things with love. 
Og Mandino 

December Breeze 2011

I may not be into sports, or physical activities such as wrestling or competitive active diversion of the physical body like basketball, yet, I pride myself that I can write effortlessly, flowing, or shall I say spontaneous. There may be slips, like grammar and sentence constructions, but writing has evolved since the birth of free verse.

I went out with friends last night over a cup of frap, it's a feel good experience that I could sense the breeze of the approaching season of thankfulness. A season in this country where love is profound in a realist perception.

December breeze is on. It reminds me of the joyful festivities yet it didn’t falter to provide the sense of being melancholic. As what they term it in Tagalog, hanging Amihan is caressing our faces by and large to imply that it's the season to be on the safe side of joyfulness and companionship amongst our loved ones.

There is a problem to be solved. It's impending. The probabilities are high that I don't want to deal with it at the moment. Deep in the recesses of my mind and heart, it's pulsatingly shouting that I am unfair. I feel selfish, in the truest sense. And I have never felt like this before.

I may be sounding aprodisiacally insane, or a bit romantically incomprehendible but somehow, my traits are pushing me to go beyond. Where the utmost cares and fluctuations of my heartbeat will overshadow the tenses of my needs.

MAC

October 23 2011

Airplane Mode on the iPhone

Besides the fact that enabling Airplane Mode on your iDevice makes you compliant with airline regulations (assuming you onboard on a plane), there are a lot of other benefits in toggling this feature On when you're on land.

 - if you're running out of battery juices on places where there is no network signal, you may want to turn on AP mode instead of turning off your phone. The shutting down and restarting-up of your phone could significantly eat out your battery life.
- AP mode is ideal when sleeping, the fact that you'd grab your phone as soon as you wake up to check the time would complement the AP mode, other functions of your phone are accessible except for the do  not disturb privilege since the cellular network signal has been turned off via AP.
- during Syncs and Backups on the iTunes, it is highly recommended that you turn on the Airplane Mode in order to shove away interruptions. This is also helpful during update, restore and copying of files.
- Chances are, you want to get continuous access to your music, videos or ebooks without the annoyance of notifications brought by cellular data or wifi based presentments, then go ahead and turn on the AP mode and let your iPhone fly.
- my favorite, why i get to always toggle this feature-on is its ability to put your phone into a don't disturb status. No calls, no messages, no incoming alerts. A really good alternative in silencing your phone instead of the mute button esp. Do this during meetings, movie dates, going for a worship service, or during your meditative state.


The Airplane Mode isn't that much strict once and for all, you may want to turn on the Wifi in connecting to the outside world (internet) without letting yourself fall on the immediate impact of calls, text messages or alerts being brought by the cellular network.

Mind Boggle

Sometimes, it isn't enough for the body to be satisfied with the pleasure s this world has to offer. I believe that as you achieve satisfaction and delight, the more it will haunt, the more the body would respond in wanting for more. A feeling where the motivation factor is no longer the need but the excitement it brings whenever the act transpires.

But I also believe in the law of diminishing effect, that as you get to the hang of a certain act, doing it over and over again, the satisfaction and pleasure somehow bounces back not to a higher degree of want or need but it somehow tries to subside. Like a basketball left dribbling on its own until the ball suddenly comes to a halt, unless a hand would propel and tap to get it bouncing one more time.
 

I was thinking that these two thoughts above are somewhat contradicting to each other. And I was torn in trying to reconcile for both to meet halfway in order for me to draw the line in extracting the applicable anti-dote for each.

To reverse the essence  of the law of diminishing effect, would it be hypothetical to note in keeping the pace as slow as possible? So as to prolong the need or want. I guess it could somehow contribute, but could it also be the case by keeping the salt as effective as it was for it negate the lost of taste?

As for the first thought, I'm trying to decipher which creates a greater impact, would it be the sender of the act? Or the receiver of the act? Who could greatly sustain or intensify the need for the act to get it going further? And further… until it will come to such a point that the act is already transitioning to the second thought - the law of diminishing effect.

Could this be true in the name of love?

Or would this apply only to the physical sense of being a human?

MAC

Restricted

I shoved you away

And you kept coming back

I told you to stop

But you have been persistent

I want you to win

So I rested my case

I thought it was over

But you said, it has just started

I pleaded for mercy

But you just laugh

I tried to explain

And then you shrugged

I tried to lock my gaze

Yet you vowed your head

I tried to kiss you

Then you can't be moved

I tried to say goodbye

You din't believe me

 I tried to negotiate

But you gave no options

I asked forgiveness

You just smiled

I told you I'm dead serious

You:poker faced, then laughed

I asked you out

You said, yes or no?

I told you it was half-meant

But the period hung

I reached out your hand

And then you were gone.

MAC

October 19 2011

922pm

Dynamic Views: Live on Blogger!

This may seem off topic as an intro for this post but while composing this article, i'm currently downloading and updating the iTunes so i could get to install the iOS5 for my iPhone.

Lo! and Behold, Blogger has finally offered live, the Dynamic Views feature on their blog platform. I wouldn't be able to give a compare and contrast situation between Wordpress and Blogger now, (well, in the first place, i've used WP only once) as Google's offering when it comes to blogging seem to keep on revolutionizing as time passes.

The Dynamic Feature views are pretty neat and user-friendly to activate, make sure that you are into the draft.blogspot.com domain in order to give it a try. There are 7 features for this dynamic viewing and the user (whoever is viewing your blog) can easily switch to their choice like a snap by tweaking the drop down list on the upper right side corner, close to the blog's header.

I personally got diverted with two dynamic views, the Flipcard feature and the Classic one. Flipcard because, it offers a full-view perspective on the contents of the blog, this would definitely appeal to you if you're the picturesque type of person who loves visual more than simplicity.

To cut the semblance of the Flipcard, my preference taste couldn't resist switching to Classic View also. The style was so simple it could really represent and define the true meaning of being a minimalist.

For now, i gotta park this post and let it be published. My thoughts are racing and can't get to wait for my iOS to get updated.

Ciao!!!!

MAC

Thankfulness

I rejoice in singing  praises unto You

For I am humbled by Your compassion

For I am lifted through Your mercy

Crying my pain into oblivion

You have given me the courage

Strengthened me from my cares

You wiped my tears of sorrow

Assuring me of Your presence

Words unspoken in truth

I wish to cry out for thankfulness

For Your everlasting clemency

For Your undivided love

Because of the unending guidance

And the light you kept on showing

My path has never wavered

My thoughts were always into You

My appreciation would never be enough

But allow me to extol You

Allow me to share how wonderful You are

That mere words couldn't depict

That through these lines,

May everyone know

That You are the living God

Who has never faltered in keeping

The promises You have vowed

MAC

(latepost)

Steve Jobs (February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011)

Death has proven itself again that it has no personal preference, it's a potent equalizer that the young or old, rich or poor, the free and the enslaved, will always have their share of "it's now your time", well, to a full 360-degree of perspective, it really does apply.

The world is in mourning as Apple Inc. publicly announced that Steve Jobs passed away (October 5, 2011). While the many blogs and newsfeeds proactively discussed about memoriam and tribute and obit, i am noticing the obvious, that though Steve has reached that exalted status in life, with all the power and the can-do attitudes, not to mention, the immensely "nothing is impossible" cliche, he was not an exception when it comes to death. This just demonstrates that science hasn't overcome the cure for death.

18th of January this year when i posted about his recurring illness about the pancreatic cancer which he has been battling for 7 years. Something hit me on the nerve when i opened the net today, the attention i caught up among the headlines are like knives slowly embracing for me to accept the fact that my idol has passed away. I couldn't decipher the fact that i got so emotional despite me having no relations with him at all, but i guess, Steve's values and essence has been a mirroring effect on his creations and innovations reaching out to consumers like me who happened to had the privilege in getting intimate with the gadgets, his wisdom and the rippling effect of his knowledge and vision when it comes to technology and management.

I guess, the conveyance of feelings to someone whom you do not know personally, most of all, to someone whom you know only because he is a public figure wouldn't create much of an impact to the receiver esp for to the bereaved, nevertheless, i guess it does feel appropriate to share your sorrow and pains because of a loss, despite the disconnect between the personal link to the family of the bereaved.

If you're going to visit http://www.apple.com within this time of Steve's passing, they have posted this legacy, a gateway for those who loved Steve so much for him to be remembered and commemorated and celebrated.

He may not see this, or hear, or feel the anguish of his passing away and the way we have tried to immortalize him, but through this, the next generation would be able to imagine and understand that such an icon had once lived...




MAC

How to Sign up for Facebook Timeline?

If you wanna be one of the first to get a taste of Facebook Timeline upon it's full frontal delivery, then click the link below. You'll see a sign me up button at the bottom right corner.

http://www.facebook.com/about/timeline

In the mean time, if you're itching so much to get a hands-on to FB Timeline, then follow the step by step instructions from Mashable. Here's the link :

http://mashable.com/2011/09/22/how-to-facebook-timeline/?_inv_out=1256&_inv_cp=1358465

Tips in Perfecting the Opening Spiel

My mentor once said that "The moment you press the Auto-IN button on your deskphone and a call comes in, you 're already affecting the customer". So it holds true that as soon as you said your opening spiel, you are giving your first impressions to the customer.

A sloppy beginning always turns out to be a horrific ending. You don't want passing escalations to you SUP all the time, don't you? Here are tips to doing it right the first time on your opening spiel.

1. Do it Alive and Kicking

I looked up the meaning of Spiel in a dictionary and found it to be a superlative of two supporting adjectives. 'twas defined as plausible glib talk. Plausible defined as reasonable, truthful and valid while Glib as artfully persuasive. To add life to an artfully reasonable persuasive talk, mixed it an energetic emotion for it to become effective.

2. Practice the spiel without any error

If you spilt it out with a mispronounced word, wrong intonation or wrong information. You're at a loss in making a good impression.

3. Do not over-indulged or don't sound sexy

Some agents tend to over engaged by enunciating the spiel in a sexy manner as talking like in a phone sex, this is a big no no. Make it snappy and engaging.

4. Be Consistent

As the shift moves on to the next legs, your voice is wearing out, your enthusiasm is exhausting. But your opening spiel should never waver in saying it out loud with consistency and persuasiveness.

5. Do it with a smile

This should come as natural as you could. Let the customer feel on the other end your welcoming him with a smile. Believe it or not, a smile is contagious even on the phone. ;)

-mac