Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Book Review: The Unbeliever E.L. Baylis

This is my first ever book review of the first book I ever bought on Amazon.com.


Masterfully written with a keen insight for knowing the perspectives of different people, The Unbeliever is a masterpiece that should be read by believers and non-believers alike. Whether you are seeking to understand or have your feet of faith firmly planted on the ground, this one strikes deep into many questions long held by many.I've long wanted to say that I bought a book on Amazon.com but have held back for 'The One'. This is it.
I'm glad that this has been my first ever purchase. It has rekindled not just my appetite for reading (though I was reading it mostly on the Kindle App on my small LG phone) but also gave me some much needed spiritual food.Whether you are an atheist or a Christian, this is a riveting revelation that is very entertaining and illuminating to say the least.


Exorcising our inner demons always comes at a cost. For Art Wellington, the price he almost paid was just too high. With a plot twist that will sprain more than just your ankle, this book surprises delightfully.

Baylis ensured that the tale he has woven will strike deep into our innermost being as we see a little Art in our own lives. You can almost feel the painfully excruciating travails that Art has been subjected to and the subsequent revelation that ultimately opened his eyes.

The ending of the book leaves you wanting for more.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Zeus in Wooden Carving

Today started slowly. Saw dust flew and drifted with the idle winds of the weekend.



As it rained last night lightning struck continuously. It felt as if somebody was playing with the fluorescent lamps. One, two, three flashes then a long one. Three seconds of pitch black silence pervades and then, boom!

The roof would rumble like Zeus himself was bowling high above the heavens.

I don't know anything about wood carving but I asked my mother-in-law if she could buy a "Katam" or a wood planer when she went to the market. It's a pretty old fashioned tool for wood carvers that you could get in 'the saw sharpening' place. It's right in front of the Little Shop by the Corner in Recto, Lipa City.

mahogany wood tree trunk table project philippines

mahogany wood tree trunk table project philippines

mahogany wood tree trunk table project philippines

mahogany wood tree trunk table project philippines

The varnish was mahogany red. The trunk is mahogany wood and the surface is acacia. It needs a little bit more work as the color didn't turn out how I imagined it to be. It's definitely a work in progress, one that was spurned by necessity and perhaps a dosage of naivete on my part.

Lesson learned in wood varnishing: It's not just about putting varnish on.

I imagine that it still needs some sanding, "masilya" or even wood stain.

It's fun learning this and it feels like playing a game.

Like certain things in life itself, we learn things as we go along.


Friday, August 15, 2014

Falling in Love with Elementary OS

Elementary OS, so far has not disappointed. Sleek, elegant and fast, this OS feels as light as a feather without sacrificing form and functionality.

It almost feels like a new install of Windows XP on a Dual Core PC with 2 GB of RAM.

The user interface uniquely blends everything like they're naturally a part of the operating system.

The first thing I installed was Google Chrome. Within a few minutes after installing the deb file, I was up and running and was able to write four blog posts for somebody.




This is totally relevant to the post 'yo'


Did you know? Elementary OS' third stable version, Isis was changed to Freya to avoid association with the Middle East militant group. (Source)

All of the drivers, save for the Nvidia proprietary graphics drivers worked out of the box. For a distribution based on Ubuntu, the user interface is more responsive. I don't know if this has to do with Ubuntu Unity or whether Pantheon (EOS' DE) is just better.

"Five Myths About Elementary OS" explains it better .



Linux daniel 3.2.0-51-generic-pae #77-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jul 24 20:40:32 UTC 2013 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux


This is day one, with me using elementary OS and I am loving it.

Monday, August 11, 2014

[SOLD] Wood Bear Bench Garage Sale!


Once upon a time two wooden brother bears went on an adventure. They traveled far and wide to search for the mysterious thing. They searched high and low, to the East and to the West and found, nothing. 

They were about to give up when lo and behold, out popped two people. A father and his son. 

Afraid that the two wooden bears would be discovered (for wooden bears aren't supposed to move in this realm) they stood frozen. 




But the father saw them still. He was out hunting with his son. And said, 

"These wooden bears would look nice as a bench." 

*Big discounts offered for bulk buyers! 
*Lots of other wooden items
*Many antiques
*As is
**FOR PICKUP ONLY**



Thursday, August 07, 2014

Woodcraft Antique Sale: The Secret of the Woman

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture front"
Due to typhoon Glenda and the destruction of our verandah, we are selling wood sculptures and other woodcraft at a discount. Contact us for pricing and pickup.

This piece, "The Female Virgin Sculpture" has been with the family ever since our father bought it. I don't have any recollection of exactly where our father purchased it, but he once went on a shopping spree in Paete, Laguna where he bought a lot of arts and crafts.

The Wooden Female Virgin Sculpture

He was very fond of wood work and had most of the house built around that theme. The female virgin sculpture has weathered with time yet still retains that remarkable dosage of quaintness and mystery.

As I took a picture of its best parts, I began to ask "Who was she?". What gave the sculptor the inspiration to make her as such. With her wooden hand holding her long hair between her chest, she strikes an unassuming pose that could mean a lot of things.

Her left leg lazily bent with her left hand touching it seduces the mind to imagine at what stage of inspiration was the wood work patterned after.

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture right side"
There is an air of dignity in her that could only be found in the Filipina spirit. This is no Madonna, to be precise, but it projects a lot of that sensuality beneath the "Maria Clara" template that some has stereotyped the complex modern woman.

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture back side"
With hips that don't lie (hehe), there is an atmosphere of unkempt desire in the manner of the posture. For sure, the posterior side of the woman sculpture received a lot of attention during its inception.

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture left side"
In typical conservative Filipino culture, one is provoked at how "proper" intimate acts are initiated. True, we see bold, banal and over-sensationalized news accounts of public displays of affection in markedly improper venues these days. But in an institution such as marriage, intimacy has to begin somewhere.

It might seem funny or even taboo these days, (depends on you I guess), but sometimes you ask yourself "What is the proper way for married couples to have sex these days?"

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture front"
I think the sculpture captures that very fact. How do you reconcile these conservative values with an act that has been repressed vigorously for centuries?

Intimacy is an art. Yet for so long and with really bad literature and not to mention movies coupled with extreme subjugation by religious norms, the essence of the art is lost. These days, it seems that western scenes of nakedness are automatically classified as pornography. Rightly so. The unfortunate simplicity in mind and in interpretation of some has rendered this piece to be only as such "The sculpture of a naked woman".

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture bust view"
But I beg to differ, through this sculpture, we are brought back to the days when definitions and customs were different. For sure, the prevailing norms of the time when this sculpture was made were different.

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture face view"
Knowing what is to come, she smiles and yet she struggles. Her love of her life awaits her and she basks in his desire as she struggles to contain hers. Shyly and never wanting to portray that she is "easy", her posture proclaims a message of simplicity and modesty. Achieving this balance prior to the intimacy is in itself an art form that every woman probably thinks about.

How do you become attractive without being too easy?

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture over the left shoulder view"

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture over view"

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture bust view"

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture lower anterior view"

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture lower front view"

Female woodcraft sculpture Philippines
"Female woodcraft sculpture lower left side view"
Do contact us for the price. We have many, many other items that are heavily discounted. We will post them as soon as possible. Items are available for pickup only here in Lipa City Batangas, Philippines as we do not have the means to transport them yet.

We would be using the funds to repair the damage caused by typhoon Glenda.






Wednesday, August 06, 2014

The Unbeliever by E.L. Bayliss

I figured that I would use my Amazon Associate earnings to buy something digital - my first Amazon.com purchase. For real. I live in the jungle. Cut me some slack.

I have a $20 gift card code floating around the depths of my email repository since 2012 and I haven't gotten around to using it. I earned it through the affiliate sales I made through this blog.

I think the book "The Unbeliever" by E.L. Bayliss sounds like something I'd want to read and maybe, write about myself. Well, at least, try to write something like it. But then again, I only read the blurb - soooooo.... I don't really know what it's all about.

Anyway, since I don't have a kindle device, I googled for a way to download the ebook file from Amazon. Nope. No can do.

Nothing there, but then I discovered that there was a Kindle App on Google Play. Yep, it works on my Android phone. Bought the book, downloaded the app, downloaded the book. Will read it. Now.

The Blurb from TheUnbelieverBook.com


When rich atheist Art Wellington gets shielded from gunshots by a complete stranger, he risks it all to find out why. In his search, Art begins to experience a power he didn’t know existed from a source he refuses to acknowledge.
In another place and time, someone has suddenly died. Everyone is calling it an accident, but twenty-two years later, John Williams, the former sheriff of a small town, gets a message spray-painted across his truck that blows wide open a murder investigation in which everyone in town is now a suspect.
In a twist of events that no one can see coming, these two stories collide into a dramatic climax in which the unthinkable is revealed.
The Unbeliever is a page-turning thrill ride that will surprise and inspire you to the very end.

Tuesday, August 05, 2014

More on Seasteading

It seems that the Seasteading Institute is ramping up its public awareness campaign in the form of youtube videos and emails. The timeliness of this video cannot be underscored enough. These are times of great crises in some parts of the world. Gaza, Ukraine, Iraq and Libya are just a few. In such cases, governments were the main antagonists as they warred with other governments and sometimes with itself.

Read: Blue Technology - Seasteading, Politics and Settling the Remaining 71% of the Planet



Dear Daniel-Andrei,

With all the aggression and violence currently on the TV, I thought it would be a good time to share our vision for how to live in peace at sea.




Could floating nations help us solve political problems without fighting? Patri Friedman co-founded The Seasteading Institute with Peter Thiel because they believe seasteading can.

Toward a more peaceful and prosperous world,
Joe Quirk, Seavangelist
The Seasteading Institute



 

Your donation to The Seasteading Institute is tax-deductible under US tax law.


Copyright © 2014 The Seasteading Institute, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted to join our mailing list.
Our mailing address is:
The Seasteading Institute
PO Box 7775 #30495
San Francisco, CA 94120

Freelance Writing Assignment Gig of the Day - August 5, 2014: In Home Cardio Workouts

Rainy days sprinkle their own dosage of sunshine in ways that may surprise you. Even the bleakest moments can be happy in their own little way. A writer's life is about managing these flux of crescendos. Both the good and the bad.

In the world of freelance writing, it is very easy to get disappointed. At times, it feels like getting struck down by Harley Quinn inside the Arkham Asylum.

Image via Flickr


By the way, the Assault on Arkham, the animated feature was a tad disappointing. It lacked the flavor of Batman's dark brooding and subsequent rising from the ashes appeal. But it does give some background color to the amazing game series.





I got my Steam copies via Humble Bundle three months ago and I still think to this day, that movies should be sold like that. Movies served ala Humble Bundle style.

But then again, I've been seeing a lot of freelance writing assignments that get you to sign up to Amazon Prime.

Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies & TV Shows Anytime - Start Free Trial Now


"In home cardio workouts"

That's what I wrote about today.



Happy

Friday, August 01, 2014

The Writer and the Raven

It was a dark and cloudy day with nary a bird that sings. But somewhere, a writer is locked deep inside his thoughts thinking about something arcane and mysterious. Therein, a black raven appears and perches on a branch nearby.

**Squawk**
**Squawk**

The writer looks up from his desk and ponders. The bird seems to eye him carefully as if it wanted to say something.
the raven and the writer

Finally, unable to discern what the raven wants, the writer attempts to speak with it.

"Tell me your heart's desire oh, raven." queried the weary writer.

**Squawk**

"I need you to write about a thing." says the raven.

**Squawk**

"Ah, you've come to the right place and met the right man." the overjoyed writer says. "I have some time for you and would love to write as writers do. Tell me, my friend. What would you have me write?"

**Squawk**

"I need you to write about a thing." the raven says again with glassy eyes that seemed to lack any emotion or thought.

"Hmm... Fair enough. If you need me to write about a thing, then I will write about a thing."

So the writer begins.

Writing about a thing, is a tedious task. So the writer gazes over the horizon and musters all the knowledge he can about things, as things present themselves to him. He consulted with sages of old and gathered the bits and pieces of parchments he can in the deepest recesses of his cave. He crafts and toils as the man digging on the soil does and works tirelessly to beat "the deadline".

Things are unique or so they say. One may look at it from the top and one may look at it from the bottom. One may look at it from the inside where it counts. Or one may look at it from the outside, as the world sees it.

"Hah hah!" says the writer finally, as he joyfully looks at his work with pride.

The raven cocks its head sideways.

**Squawk**

**Squawk**

Making sure that no word is frail and checking if all the subjects and verbs are in place, the writer finally stops and looks at the raven. "Here it is, my friend. Here is... the thing."

**Squawk**

**Squawk**

As the writer hands the parchment about the thing to the raven, the raven suddenly tears it apart with its talons.

**Squawk**

**Squawk**

"I need you to write about a thing." again says the raven.

**Squawk**

**Squawk**

"I...I...I did as you told me to, dear raven." the tired writer shook as he spoke trying to control his anger. "I wrote about a thing - nay, I even did more and wrote about more things. I thought you would be pleased."

**Squawk**

**Squawk**

"I need you to write about another thing." the raven cocked its head again sideways.

That's when the writer realized that it was a futile matter. It was a lesson learned long ago, one that he has forgotten.

Never write for a raven, for a raven cannot write by itself.

---

If you're a Filipino freelance writer and have encountered a similar situation from a fellow Filipino freelance writer who asks you to write for him, don't be disheartened. 

For ravens eventually show themselves to be as they are. Take it as a lesson to be careful and weary. 

That you may not have to write a sad tale about the raven and the writer.


Creative Commons Image via Flickr




Freelance Writing Assignment of the Day - August 1, 2014: Bicycles and Clouds



With your head high among the clouds, you peddled furiously on your bicycle. 

*Pfoosh* *Pfwooooooosh* 

They swish away as silky cotton clouds do as you pass by. 

-

Working on iWriter.com can sometimes have this effect on you. Your mind wanders and trips on the protruding pebble that is the insanity that you take in and consequently churn out. Looking back, I never knew that bicycles could cause erectile dysfunction by compressing some arteries and nerves down there.

So to all the cyclists reading this, use the correct posture and buy the appropriate ball catcher for your bike.

As to cloud storage solutions, I'm sticking with the consumer level goodness bestowed upon me by the grace of Google. I use docs.google.com A LOT and love that feeling of using only 20% of my total storage space.

It brings me back to the days, when I can buy one gallon of cookies and cream ice cream, eat to my heart's contentment and still have lot to look forward to the following day. Now, it's just a one cup affair. Five kids leave you with very little ice cream.

Sea-Steading Update Email

Dear Daniel-Andrei ,
 
Thank you for filling out our survey at floating-city.org
. Gathering data from prospective residents is a key component of The Seasteading Institute's current primary undertaking, the Floating City Project
– your initial input is much appreciated. We have been busy analyzing incoming data, determining what is important to seasteaders, and moving forward with plans for the first seastead city. You are now signed up to receive our semi-monthly newsletter
, which will keep you updated on our progress.
 
I would like you to understand our strategy:
 
  • Phase I has been aimed at identifying likely residents and business that would seek to locate on the seastead, investigating a feasible design
    , and seeking potential “host nations” that would be willing to grant a seastead substantial autonomy within their protected waters. The Institute is already engaged with key representatives in potential host nations.
  • Phase II will begin once we receive confirmation of interest from one or more of the host nations. At that time, investors in our network will step forward to actualize the plans.
     

Here are a few ways you can participate in the project:
 

Onward to the first floating city,  
Joe Quirk, Communications Director
The Seasteading Institute
Join The Seasteading Institute as a member 
and contribute to the creation of the first floating city!
Copyright © 2014 The Seasteading Institute, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted to join our mailing list.
Our mailing address is:
The Seasteading Institute
PO Box 7775 #30495
San Francisco, CA 94120

Add us to your address book

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...