Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Project: Storage Area

Objective:

Move my family to servants quarters/office and vacate main house.

Details:

We've been living in the main house for a whole year now and have used the office/servant's quarters for a temporary storage. The main house is the only facility capable of being used as a reception/coffee shop/hotel. It has two rooms and two bathrooms.

If we can transfer the equipment from the servants quarters to the storage facility.
We can then move to the servants quarters after it has been treated and cleaned.


Project Details
Materials
    • 500 pieces of hollow blocks = PHP 6 x 500 = PHP 3,000
    • 8 pcs 10 foot long corrugated sheets (yero, or roofing) = Price unknown
    • 20 pcs 10 mm metal rods = Price unknown
    • 20 bags of cement = Price Unknown
    • 1 Kilo metal wire (alambre) = Price Unknown
    • 2 Kilos 2 Inch nails = Price Unknown
    • 2 Kilos 4 Inch nails = Price Unknown
    • 2 pcs. 14x26 GI Sheet (Palupo) = Price Unknown
    • 1 Elf Truck of Sand to Mix with the Cement = Price Unknown
    • 8 pcs 2x4x10 Coco Lumber = Price Unknown
    • 1 pc. 2x6x9 Coco Lumber = Price Unknown
    • 10 pcs. 2x2x14 Coco Lumber = Price Unknown
      Labor
        • 1 Carpenter at PHP 400 a Day / $10 a Day
        • 1 Carpenter Helper at PHP 250 a Day / $5.51 a Day
          Estimated Project Duration and Labor Cost
            • 2 to 3 Weeks = 15 days x PHP 650 = PHP 9,750
              Assessment

              Carpenters that I have spoken to are Kanoto and Ka Martin has referred a certain Lito. Project Management is difficult because 1. I am not an engineer 2. Trickery that is involved.

              Guides

              1. Normally, the rule of thumb is = multiply estimated expenses by 3 to ensure that the funds are appropriate. 
              2. Project could be approached on a piecemeal basis. 
              3. Buy 1/3 of materials and do labor 1/3 of the time.
              4. Get the current prices for each individual item.

              Execution: Sept 14, 2010. Pending Vote 

              Friday, August 27, 2010

              Ta Da!

              FAQ - Nothing is Absolute!

              1. Ok, what's this blog all about?

              It's the first step to a project that I hope, will stop being a blog and become a full blown online crowd sourced game based on reality if it gains traction.

              2. What kind of game?

              Ok, here's how it goes. Our family has an unoperational resort. Meaning we're not open to the public. We're not generating income and it's slowly getting ugly. In short I am broke but have land.

              MECHANICS OF THE GAME

              a. I will post videos and pictures of the location.
              b. I will post what's happening
              c. I will post what needs to be done
              d. I will post a budget of the things that can be done within MY budget
              e. YOU GET TO VOTE ON WHAT I WILL DO NEXT
              f. I will post pictures and videos of the thing that you voted on
              g. The goal is to either sell it or to open it to the public - tentative goal is within March to May 2011.

              3. Sounds like a real farm ville...Really?

              Yes. Yes and Yes! But only for a resort.

              4. Sounds great - are you going to ask money from us?

              Nope. But I'm thinking of letting people donate - Working on this idea.

              5. What's in it for me?


              FUN! LIKE PLAYING A REAL LIFE GAME.

              6. Ooh! Ooh! Can I go?

              Sure, you can visit us :)

              7. Who are you?

              I am who I am because of who we all are
              ------
              TODO

              1. Help me find a good keyword domain for the home of this site, I can use the Adsense or affiliate income from the online traffic.
              • Preferably with the word ville. Realityville.com, Realville.com and resortville.com has been taken, so I'm using Google Keyword Tool External to find the next appropriate one.
              2. List down more things to do here in the resort
              3. List down the funds available
              4. Pictures
              5. Fix digicam - Pictures only for now
              6. Put Paypal donate button

              Thursday, August 26, 2010

              Hostage in the Philippines

              Hostage in the Philippines
              by: Daniel Andrei R. Garcia

              I am a hostage in the Philippines,
              captured by its beauty, warmth and people

              philippine hostage


              Land of the peaceful and God fearing, 
              Emblazoned on the wings of an eagle

              hostage Philippines


              Marvelous in resplendent glory, 
              Amiable, respectful and hospitable

              Held Hostage in the Philippines


              Truly, God has blessed us, 
              with a nation this wonderful

              Tragedy befell when we have ceased to believe,
              but now the phoenix has awakened in its brilliant slumber

              To thee I ask, which other nation is worth living for?

              Where art though, but here at home, 
              Watching the mayas and the pigeons crow

              Alas, my heart has been held hostage, 
              No longer will I desire for greener pastures other than yours



              They scoff, laugh and jeer at thee, 
              Yet this I say with wanton glee

              To you my heart will be, 
              my Philippines, my Nation.




              Copyright 2010. Daniel Andrei R. Garcia
              Pictures owned by their respective owners. 

              6 Tips on How Bloggers Can Help Tourism in the Philippines

              You might not know it, but the Philippines is the SEO Capital of the World. We have the best and the most highly skilled SEO experts around. As a freelance writer, I can strongly attest to this because we have ProBloggers earning double and even quadruple digits from their adsense earnings on a daily basis. That's only the visible parts.

              It is with this premise that I would like to propose that bloggers and SEO practitioners do their part in helping our fellowmen who are in the hospitality and tourism industry by injecting some positivity in the matter.

              The truth is good - but most of the time, negative truth gets the limelight. I'm not suggesting that we cover up the truth - most of us have already done an extremely good job at magnifying it. What I am suggesting is that we focus on the rebuilding efforts through these tips:

              1. Focus on the positive things that our government is doing in order to remedy, improve and make the situation better.

              2. Blog about the positive concrete steps that our nation is taking to make the situation better.

              3. Focus on infrastructure. Every day, there is a new project that is launched, a new livelihood program started,  a new hobby that is created, a new helpful and positive thing that's not covered by the media. Blog on it like your life depended on it

              4. Keywords. Remember that the prevailing keywords right now are: Philippine Hostage Crisis, Philippine Hostage Video, Philippine Hostages, Tourism Philippines, Blacklist Philippines, Quirino Massacre - use your imagination and focus on these keywords when you blog or write - and then write something good.

              5. Accept and write about the truth but provide positive sounding solutions. Let's not focus on negativity and blame. Don't use the word "should". Find sentences with the word "will", "is going to", "is doing", "will be" - think concrete, finished, future, possibilities, doable and positive.

              6. Images count a lot. So make sure that when you write your blog posts - put some imagery of our best. No more pictures of the bus please.

              Our country and its people are beautiful, kind hearted and peaceful. Let's make sure that we build this sentiment up while still accepting our own failures. The good thing about this really is that this event, though tragic and disheartening, may still be a teachable moment to the rest of us who are still here.

              With this note, let us shine forth and show the world the best that we can be.



              Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.  


              P.S. If you have tips of your own please do share in the comments section. Every little bit counts.

              Why Tourism Will Still Be Strong in the Philippines

              The recent and isolated incident in Manila concerning Hong Kong tourists and the subsequent travel advisories that followed have at least pointed to one incontrovertible fact, that we should not let our fears guide us.

              Sunrise in Manila Bay
              I am in the hospitality and tourism business regardless of the fact that our resort is not operational, mainly because my mindset is focused towards that goal.

              If we were open to the public right now, I would still not be taken aback by the news "reported" by all the doomsayers pretending to be "journalists".

              Why? Because 500 does not make up the tourism industry.

              I believe that Hong Kong will eventually have to rescind its blacklisting of the Philippines:

              1. Upon the guarantee that our nation can provide security and safety to our guests.

              • By retraining the police force (We could ask the Hong Kong police force to retrain our SWAT personnel if they would like)
              • By accepting our own (whole departments included) mistakes in the dilemma
              • By drafting implementing guidelines concerning the protection and movement of tourists. (No hitchhiking cops on tourist buses please.)

              2. After the natural passage of time, be it months or years - it will happen, just as the American economy will rebound, just as Japan recovered from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks and became an economic powerhouse, just as everything terrible in this world eventually changes. Like they said, "it's only a matter of time" - hopefully, it would be sooner.

              3. By sheer necessity.

              Who are your average tourists? In my own personal observation, these are usually Caucasian men from America, Europe and Australia that have Filipina wives who have family here. This segment is important because no amount of travel advisories will deter this particular demographic from going to the Philippines.

              MORE SOLUTIONS

              1. The best solution that one can think of, would simply point to ourselves. DOMESTIC TOURISM accounts for 16 Million Arrivals per year. 

              QUOTE
              The understate secretary also declared to a reporter from The Pinoy News portal, that domestic tourism generates 16 million tourist arrivals per year. Combining both would then give a total of 19 million tourist arrivals per year.
              QUOTE
              “In fact, domestic tourism offers the biggest hope for the country to keep not just the industry but the economy alive,” said Robert Lim Joseph, chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas)."
              SOURCE: The Philippine Star

              2. OFWs and Balikbayans 

              QUOTE
              Filipino overseas workers could constitute a significant part of the booming domestic tourism that has been given a big boost by improved infrastructures in the Philippine countryside.
              SOURCE: Philippine Daily Inquirer

              At the end of the day, yes we will be happy and thankful  if those travel advisories will be adjusted as soon as possible. I am sure that the current administration is doing all that it can to ensure this.

              Yet at the same time, I firmly believe that the Tourism Industry in the Philippines will remain strong because Kaya Natin to.

              Sunrise in Boracay

              As much as some people would like to point out that We are the problem, by all means 


              We are also the Solution to our problems

              Saturday, August 21, 2010

              The Word "Should"

              Oftentimes, political writers, commentators and pundits use the word "should" in a way that confounds, irritates and quite possibly gets ignored by the people who "could". 


              Would you listen if people who would've known little or none at all tell you the things that you should do?

              [Blank] should do [Blank] because [Yada, Yada, Yada]

              Sadly, this is how political commentary all over the world is often made. It doesn't matter whether it's about ducks drenched in grime and grease, or people wallowing in grime and grease, the word should is over-esteemed. 


              Even children don't listen to it


              You should pick up your clothes and put them in the laundry basket. 


              "But...... Mom!"


              Imagine if you are relaying your "Should Manifesto"  to a bunch of pointy nosed, thick skulled and egotistic individuals. The results could very well be similar. 


              In an age where everybody seems to be jumping on the "Everybody is my boss" nonsense, the word should  is given an identity that goes beyond it's capability. 




              A Solution


              The solution is in the acceptance that things "ARE". Though we often aspire for SHOULD BE, coming to terms with THEY ARE, gives us the freedom to go beyond the limitations that are all too often self imposed. 


              Things ARE, and deep in your mind lies a hankering for SHOULD BE, but THROUGH THIS, they WILL BE


              Execution is key. 


              The process is tedious, but with great and well thought out effort come great results. 


              By then, precious time is saved by not clamoring for something that ISN'T


              It's very easy to be bound by the enslavement wrought about by the word "SHOULD".


              For now, let us reserve it to those who COULD and do it as we WOULD given our limitations.  





              Tuesday, August 10, 2010

              Like I Said...What are you Planting?




              Update: Sorry about that. I was reacting in response to this


              I feel flabbergasted by the amount of support that Craig Newmark is getting. A decade ago, there would have been no argument with regards to "legal culpability and liability in facilitating the advertisement of illicit activities". 


              As far as I can tell, no broadsheet newspaper of credible reputation would ever advertise sex services on their classifieds. 


              I feel disappointed that personalities that I respect and admire, would defend the position held by Craigslist. That it's not their fault that people use their site for nefarious activities such as human trafficking, 1. because there's no proof that it transpires. 2. because other people should be the ones to report it to the police.


              They're adopting that "Wha? That happened on our site? Can you prove it to us? Why don't you report it to the police then?"


              I've seen the arguments on facebook and didn't bother chiming in. The values of this world are changing and I can say with full conviction - that it's not changing for the best.


              Facts:


              1. Craigslist makes it easier for criminal elements to abuse their system - 1 proof - picture above.
              2. Craigslist claims that they are manually screening the ads
              3. I am not familiar with American law, but, I can see that in having categories that promote casual sex in the first place, Craigslist makes it appealing and easy for people to do as such


              My opinions:


              1. Removing said categories and forms of advertisement will not solve human trafficking. But it will drive these elements underground. 

              • Would you have these activities in the underground or in the mainstream?
              • At the current stage and with Craigslist offering a venue, these illicit activities are in the mainstream
              • So, let them go underground
              • If you let these happen in the mainstream, it will only be a matter of time when such behavior will be accepted as the norm. 
              • If these forms of behavior are accepted as the norm, American institutions like the family will change. 


                • Now, I am treading on dangerous ground here. So I will stop. I'm not an American so why should I care? 
                • My countrymen are emulating America in everything. Take a look at me. I'm the product of the American education system that was transplanted and adapted here in the Philippines. 
                • I have a family and I want my conception of the family to be as it is and unchanged.
                • I am against human trafficking. 

              Hence, the question: What has been planted?

              What are You Planting Right Now?

              Galatians 6:7-10

              7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.


              Banana
              Ah, all that back breaking work has paid off. 

              Wednesday, August 04, 2010

              You Will Like This :)





               and several  ago, I've found that
              Updates have given s that elicited a ,
              from Friends who helped me for Gold.


              Now, I fanned the, so that they will

              , and then Share it with our .


              Now, the ions have made us think about  all the memes that #hashtags were known to elicit.


              it! I say, if you would just lemme , so that
              you would have to it.


              This Linkbait is definitely up to it.


              Now if you like, we can just and have a Feel for
              the . So that we can be . And then
              get around with a , , .


              Open Graph, Social Graph, can we just Fan it, but no,


              says it.


              your profile as you go around .


              That's where you'll find the Gold in Social Media Marketing.
              -----

              1. "Getting your bling bling on, for social media marketing"

              2. "All that glitters is in social media marketing"

              3. "Steve Jobs had his "boom" moment, Let me tell you how I got my "golden oomph"! (through social media marketing!)"

              4. "Social Media so shiny! It's got gold drippin all over it"

              5. "Turning your Friends and Likes into Gold"

              6. "Finding your Midas touch in Social Media"

              7. "How to turn little blue birds, squares and books with faces on them into Gold"

              8. Like Gold? Tweet About it!

              ------
              These are my submissions in the quest for Jay Berkowitz's Gold Bar. He wants us, Internet People to help him find an appropriate title for his presentation in Affiliate Summit New York.

              Let me cut to the golden drizzle and point the way to the Gold.

              Help Jay Berkowitz Find a Title for His Speech, Get Gold






              Wanted: Quality Writers

              How many times have you seen a desperate plea for "Quality Writers" on Freelancing Sites? I tend to ignore those ads because posting about your need for quality writers while having terrible grammar yourself is a true sign that the service buyer (or the person willing to pay for articles) is a subcontractor. Yes, there are subcontractors who subcontract their work.

              It has a really simple business model.

              1. Find someone who needs articles on their website
              2. Find someone who writes articles
              3. Pretend you wrote the articles.
              4. Skim off the top to get profits while abusing a Filipino, Indian or Pakistani writer.

              Thousands have been made using this terribly stupid and redundant business model. Oftentimes, these subcontractors have little to no writing skills in the first place. They're just lazy bums willing to make a quick buck out of some poor hapless freelance writer.

              To top that, they even demand so much and purport to check your grammar and writing style and ultimately pay less than what they asked for.

              So, if you are a business owner (a real business), and you want to promote your site via articles on the net, you might as well hire someone who you know to be capable. Always ask contractors or writers whether they will write the articles themselves.

              Get to know them personally. Good signs of a credible and reliable writer are:

              1. They have their own blog.
              2. They converse pretty well in your correspondence with them
              3. They demand more money
              4. And of course, they can deliver.


              The Writer's Part

              If you're an aspiring freelance writer, here are the ways by which you can determine whether the person that you are working for is another subcontractor:

              1. They pay so little. (Little=Less than $3 per 500 words. If you're getting less than this, you are being screwed.)
              2. They have terrible grammar.
              3. They fail to make a connection and they act like wheelers and dealers.

              Making it in the world of freelance is three times as tough as having a regular job. You have to look for work everyday, you have to meet crazy deadlines and most of all, you have to deal with dipshit and untalented third parties who are just there to make a quick buck out of both writers and service buyers.




              Tuesday, August 03, 2010

              Dealing with Copyright Infringement in the Third World

              Alternate title should read: Should the Chinese be running an Italian Restaurant?

              Now here's something new, a person from the third world chasing after someone in the first world about copyright infringement.

              It happens and yes it happened to me. Again. For the third time.

              So, there's this woman named (hidden) and she asked me to do 20,000 articles in 24 hours. I complied with it as best as I could and guess how much I got compensated for it. 

              Zero and more than that, she told me to shut up. LOL

              A brief overview of the story.

              It all started when I wrote 20,000 words in 24 hours for (hidden). I gave them in 23 hours. She said they were poorly written and "unprofessional" because I used the first person a tad too many times. I told her I could redo them at no cost. She said that she'll do it herself and called me a racist because I said in the article that the Chinese shouldn't be running an Italian Restaurant. LOL! And because I bashed Paris Hilton one too many times. Where did this person come from? 
              Is that racist? Anyway, so a back and forth ensued to vent out my frustrations. The funny thing was that she kept spewing forth Laws Regarding Contracts but she forgot to mention the one that is essential to the core of the matter - Copyright Laws. I told her that unless I am compensated I consider those articles to be my intellectual property. Anyway, she plopped them right in her website and slapped a Copyright Logo on em. I did some research on who this character is and found a number of real world companies, Facebook profiles and web pages. Tsk Tsk Tsk. After seeing that she was a young mother with a kid. My heart softened for her a bit and offered that she could have the articles at no cost. There was no "Thank you Danny". Not even a dime. That's why I am acting as unprofessionally as I can right now here on my personal blog. There's a phrase here somewhere and it is called Righteous Indignation. Maybe, I won't get paid, maybe I will. Maybe I will invoke the DMCA.
              So yes, it is possible for these things to happen. Maybe some of you guys and gals in the first world would some day be pirating our Asian movies and watching them on your fake DVD Players and fake Sony TVs.

              But what profits a man (or a woman) if he or she gains the world....oh fuck it.

              Monday, August 02, 2010

              Using the Scientific Method in Blog Posts

              This post is not a sponsored post, however it links to a sponsored one.


              Today, I got an email from a company called Social Spark. It is an offshoot of Izea's PayPerPost. I decided to give it a try to determine the feasibility of their offer. 

              In order to validate their claims, the Scientific Method was applied. 


              Though it is boring to create blog posts which are written in a scientific way, they do create more value than those which have speculation and opinion. Posting speculative thoughts bring in reactions and results which are also speculative in nature. 

              It is my hope that blogging in this way will prove and create facts rather than more hot air. This will identify which are legitimate online business endeavors and not. 

              The attempt to prove the hypothesis is documented as Internet Business Experience/Experiment or 

              IBE-08022010 located at http://www.moneyhowmuch.com

              The exact URL is here.

              EventId's in Nostr - from CGPT4

              The mathematical operation used to derive the event.id in your getSignedEvent function is the SHA-256 hash function, applied to a string rep...