Merriam-Webster

Everyone doesn't want to settle for less. I recently DLed the Merriam and Webster dictionary for the iPhone. This implies that i'm leaving WordWeb behind  which has been my handy lexicon eversince.

Now read this, if you're familiar with m-w.com interface, it's a sure hit that you're going to like this version of iPhone app. It's savvy and comprehensive. Not to mention, that it retains the feat of pronunciation. Say, you're unsure on how to enunciate and pronounce certain words; you could now confidently blurt those hifalutin articles and adjectives of your choice.

Another plus, in case you don't know how to spell certain words but you bet, you've got the right pronunciation, the app is of great help, (this requires internet via wifi or 3G) you could do voice search and presto, it's going to show you the list of possible hits based on what you've said.

This is free, nonetheless. Beyond compare, i'm still saving two dictionary references: wordweb and dictionary. I just wouldn't use them that much anymore, but playing safe, i'm keeping them both in store.

--- bmvd 

New Year 2011

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. 

Robert Louis Stevenson 

fireworks gone, the bliss ebbs incessantly
excitement surging downward.. downward
into an abysmal antiquity

the toils of sweat in the past year
with ruse of exceeding glory
all came to oneness

in thought and in deed
in the endless tales of talking time
bores the lesser crime

new year here you are
in the doorsteps, ready to crumble
embracing, creeping once again

nigh almost complete
the adulation almost bearing truth
severing with flame the utmost hearth

come now, master blaster
lead the way for the merriment
and bury deep those unsung aches

new year, here you are
enveloping, gaining forward
absolve thy pangs of guilt

shallow waters, wither deep
muddle the clearness of thoughts
and revert back once the puzzle is sought

new year oh, come what may
fight for the walk is long
steadfast then and be strong









macdosage@gmail.com

My 10 most favorite free iPhone apps of 2010

I had this post buried into my blogger draft, it's impending to be posted. Looking back, tt's more than past 10 months now since i've got the iPhone but it never occurred to me a hint of diminishing adoration for this gadget, it's like, i get even more attached to it each and everyday that passes by, (sounds pathetic hehehe) but allow me to vent my addiction to this heaven-sent Apple Gadget. In lieu with this, i came up with my top 10 favorite apps of 2010. These apps have inadvertently changed my perception and behavior in the smartphone computing: with the downsides and upsides, nonetheless.

1. iBooks

Have i been obvious lately that im really into books? This will probably the last app i'm gonna delete given the choice between FB app and iBooks.  I feel like i have my own digital library with the ease of tap and swoosh of the finger in selecting from a vast range of books. I don't highly recommend it for you to get, it's actually a "must-have".  

One last, i mentioned in my post before that you could incorporate a built-in dictionary to this app, without having to jump to another dictionary app. Check it here.

2. Newser

I stumbled this app courtesy of Dilbert.com, yeah, Scott Adams' website and blog introduced me to Newser, if i want to digest the headlines from all the pipes of newscast, i'd strike this icon to launch the  concise current events. Their blurb: "Read Less, Know More", certainly holds true.

3. FaceBook for the iPhone

Hell yes! i confess, there's no hour in a day that i didn't launch this app. I experienced how this app has evolved into a strong and stable program. Facebooking is so dominant now that i am more into it than checking my Gmail. The temptation is irresistible, Indeed!!!

4. Do it Tomorrow

I'm a fan of productivity app, i love this due to its simplicity and direct-to-the-point usability. Tap and write your entries of TODOs of the day and it will automate itself to move to the next day incase it was undone. 

You can also customize the level of importance of the TODO list. Somewhat minimalist, that's my overall impression why other TODO apps couldn't  match it.

5. Inception the App

I was amazed and still is, when i discovered this free app. I was also a sleep addict, and this program is exactly what i've been looking for, so my body could induced to dreamland. Remember i used the word "induced", suffice to say that this will make you really enter slumber whether you like it or not. 

Don't forget to plug-in your authentic iPhone earphone. (lol!!!)

6. 3D Wallpapers

In the realms of 3-dimensional backgrounds, you better grab this app. I'm tired with the built-in wallpapers, so if you're the OC when it comes to how your phone looks like, lest you're proud and high with your self-portrait of somebody else's faces, it's high-time you choose your background and screen-lock images using this application. 

7. RMaker

I think i graduated with the customizing of ringtones activity back in my Nokias and Samsung, however, it still feels good to pick the ringtone of your choosing; say you want to use one of the songs in your iPod list, then this app will certainly help. It's a bit tricky though, you have to use your iTunes SW to synch and make the processed ringtone appear later under the Settings -> Sounds. Then aiwa, you can set it as your desired ringer.

8. Wordweb

A dictionary,  lexicon, a reference. I think this is more comprehensive than those paid dictionary apps. I just so love this, it complements esp whenever im stuck with serious mental block or simply grasping for the right adjective to fire up.

9. USB Disk

One of the pitfalls of iPhone is the challenge when it comes to data transfers (as in usb plug and play with any sort of file, you could drop and drag anything you like eh, so long the capacity is not over it). 

This app has lessen the burden, promise! As long as your iTunes is up, with your data cable connected to your iPhone, you can drag and drop files. There might be easier ways out there to transfer files, but these apps are paid. Unless you don't wanna settle for less, then go ahead and swipe ur card. 

10. Chikka

I do am a Filipino, and if you're familiar with the Chikka Messenger program, this is the mirror program for the iPhone. If you're abroad and wanna text your loved ones for free. Go ahead and DL this. If ur in the Philippines and just want to make tipid of your load cuz ur not postpaid, then go and grab this still. He he he.

Sorry folks, i don't do games a lot, taz why i didn't enter such likes. But just in case u wanna know how do i fare with games on the iPhone, i love playing before,  NFS (need for speed), that was in iOS ver 4.1 where i had it jailbroken. Now, i'm settled with Ninjump, Endless Race and making my eyelids bored to death by playin Sudoku2. Angry Birds? - the infamous top grosser?, it has always irritated me since day 1.

My ultimate dream app, for the next year 2011, or should we say, my dream iPhone feat that hopefully t'wil  turn to reality is the personalized finger swiping - where you can register your fingerprints so that your iPhone could only respond to it whenever you do the swooshing or tapping or pinching with your fingers. Call it illustrious, but ain't it secured?

Finally, i'd like to say my thanks to Bernard for inching me to buy the iPhone3GS, for cautiously warning me that it's so temptingly delicious and addictive. I have no regrets letting my wad go to this revolutionary gizmo.

PS: it's in my head: "i wish Santa could drop me an iPad" or the 13-incherMacbook Air.... lol!!!

macdosage@gmail.com

Truce

Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth. 

John F. Kennedy 

delving feet on the earth
the soft murmur of a sudden reawakening
like how it feels to touch a solid ice
laid bare on a drying arm
the gentle caress of the windblow
assorting the coldness of an empty night
taming the fire within
quenching the glory of the unseen

thoughts deviated from afar
engulfing like a distant star
where rain has sipped to depth
unsinking, unfailing the enormous left

'tis season a-joined a merciful
the laughs seem all so bountiful
yet strangers may all be unchallenged
trust, don't give, don't surrender
for at the footsteps, may soon be a revenge
unknowing, uncertain, unpredicting
lest the consequence, devastating
so long, again to come

yet, hope will never vanish
for 'tis side it'll be cherished
from truce - attained be nowhere
exclude among forever



--bmvd

Thanksgiving 2010

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. 

James Allen 

As i was in solitude on a late night walk, where the coldness is sumptuously penetrating to the bones, i barely noticed how many times i've rounded the park where i was strolling, for my thoughts are actively meddling with the past.

Literally, i was reminiscing the days when 2010 began last January 1st. So much have happened in a course of a year. We would always say, time flies!, and here we go again, another year to come to an end - bursting with so much energey that the days are counting swiftly to mark the end of the year, two thousand and ten.

My age is almost beaten out from the days of the Gregorian calendar. Two more years to go and i'm off (to where? hehehe).

This year is another year to cherish, while it's true that no same days are alike to each other, all the more that i could say with conviction that this year is no ordinary at all.

Personally, i'm satisfied that i was able to maintain consistency in posting to this blog despite the rush and hecticity of working overseas. I could say with relish that it squelched some of the the hunger for _ _ _ . (hahahah). Honestly, it helped a lot in diverting my thoughts from the "bayang sinilangan" whenever i felt the urge to go home. I have a lot more to tell about my experience in blogging but i'll dedicate a sole post intuit sometime soon.

What else?, spiritually and emotionally, i'm feeling deprived but not to the maximum levelacious (quoting Nicolehiyala), i stood firm on my ground based on my assessment of myself; at times i go beyond the mark but this makes me more humane, bound to beg love and forgiveness from the Creator.

Family wise? i've always wanted peace and harmony, cares and devotion of hope for my mom and dad, for my bro and sister, and to my close-at-heart (can be counted on the fingers) relatives. All these were rocky at times, but hell may come loose, it's the reality of life. I thank Him for keeping them in their sacred duty. But my heart went to pieces as i recall that one of 'em got casted out. I founded a d.p, but i failed, it was never realized. (i would soon like to reconstitue it- would be included in my top priorities next year). Overall, my heart pours with gladness for everyone of us are still intact.

Work related, so much so good, i'm seeing the brighter side of it, this year offered two main opportunities for me to experience new things. I'm thankful for all the times my superiors have given consideration for the errors and shortcomings i've ran into. Although deep inside, some passions were never quenched, some flames were never truly realized to its full potential, that is, i would still want to pursue my goal to be part of the teaching profession. I left the call center industry last year, and this year opened me to the realms of being a skilled worker - laborious and hands-down with so much experience, it was totally a blast, nevertheless.

I'm really thankful for i got seldom being sick where none could attend to my needs (in comparison last 2009 where i had a major surgery). It's a profound blessing, one the most cherished gifts. I happen to ran into a car accident one time but it's no dice, we came out unbruised and alive. 

If you're going to ask about loveaffair, i pass (for the meantime). I guess i'm never really recovered.

The tears and pain including the happiness and wins i've passed through on this year's journey, they all flutter, they were all temporary, like a passer-by in a late afternoon walk on a beach overlooking a sunset. But the essence of these all, is my gratefulness, my glee of thanks and adoration to Him, for clinging unto me in the worst of times, and for accepting me in my supplications and for extending without reservation His mercy and love.

There's a lot to be thankful for. It might be a hard year for others, it could be the most painful year for some, but in the end, the human spirit soars. Life we possess and the sanity we still have, are just mere ingredients for the great love He's providing unto us.

macdosage@gmail.com