Schmerry Christmas!

Been too caught up with work and procrastinating each blog entries (more on the latter) that I missed out on updating this weblog as I've self-promised before.
Between here and then, I gues-timate it was a pretty much eventful few weeks laden with long-hours-late-nights, 2 apps published (with another awaiting for the much-complicated App Store to approve, and 3 more orders awaiting approval) 5 videos produced, couple more e-books read, and caught-up/indulged in some TV series among others.

Managed to catch up with some close friends and life has been kind with ideas as well... I guess all is dandy eh?
But in hindsight, I realized I have a teeny tiny bit of a pickle of myself.
This comes whenever I need to explain/tell about what am I doing these days. To my friends.
I'd somehow caught myself reverting to my stuttering slur in listing the work I do.
I'm quite sure I handled myself well in this towards new acquaintance, but somehow I'd clammed up amongst friends.
Now what is this so?
Mayhap I feel inadequate since they'd know I have neither the education/foundation or work-related experience period.
It isn't a case of me not being proud of my work (okay, I'll leave a 1% probability on the few that isn't my personal best), yet somehow I'd be embarrassed to show my images/videos to even the S.O.
Those few occasions that I've shown would certainly entail a good amount of pestering somehow.

Heck, I remembered clear as day that I would leverage people that I deemed as creative to produce the significant graphics in the past, as I never would've thought that it is possible for me to try my hands on it.
Mayhap it was because I crash-coursed myself and googled my merry way to learn Photoshop, Illustrator and Power Director (and I am ashamed over here too, in naming Cyberlink Power Director as my post editing software) ,used online sites such as Canva, Mersica and SC for quick solutions and still holding on to the Beginner's badge over at Codecademy.

oh darn, it's already the 29th

Mayhap I do have a tinge of doxophobia.

(w-i-p)

lazy me to just Copy & Paste this for the time being, sans images/links etc. will update. I'm justifying it being post up today as per my weekly quota lol...bad font choice though working offline earlier today hm?

Timely update to put this on a log, indeed. Days past and tasks steamrolled (and even so, the Pending folder keeps piling up) 

It has been a great journey thus far in my current state of work.

Ain’t exactly an employment per se, yet not the highs of a shared business, of course every small start-up has their story.

Basically we work from home and we do a number of services and inter-connected value-added ones for the 3 (or 4) business entities we started, bar one.

*

Working from home certainly has its perks. HOT likens that I think I am working at Google and I reckon that must be on my subconscious somehow in bringing Chance to work, (although it was only once, more on the why not here with this broken link) fixing our salads/sammiches, awesome working environment with the furkids, (Iago pushing the laptop or wired mouse) sitting on a yoga ball and exercise breaks, coffee breaks with some e-book adventure on rainy days cloudy minds, yeah I guess everyone gets the drift.

It is a great transition that it fulfills my number one (arguably, okay, maybe my favorite few) that is Learning New Things. These 3 months I’ve picked up a few decent skills and more to come. 

On days I found myself from researching to testing, from coding to click&drop-ing, from googling to reading, from reviewing to trolling, from writing to rendering in random order.

And so it came to this. In my mind’s eye (and an ever delayed resolution) I told myself that I should get back to weblogging; since I am sure we would inevitably get onto Content Marketing at some point so it is a good idea to exercise the chops. It always boils down to such process : ideas popped up, marinated by the folds of gray....mental note to do/write/type it out....dot dot dot and that’s it. Just a mental note stuck somewhere hidden or eating away among the folds of gray.

*

I have a bit more time to catch up on my books these days, it is obviously a plus! With tonnes of work, comes a good reason to disconnect and get more breaks (well, coffee and reading breaks to be precise)

I know somehow I need to switch my eyes out to not stare at any screens; but I’m sure just reading monochromatic texts are a help somehow?

Although I may never be posting reviews on GoodReads.com(yes I will, someday, I mean I’ve made up my mind on which of my favorite to write about, someday) just yet, but I think I racked up a decent amount of novels/novellas this month. I’m currently on John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars (dry thus far; I alternated more on Stephen King’s recent works I missed) and re-reading King’s Insomnia. I finished his Joyland, The Colorado Kid, the latest Revival, (yeah! But damn I feel bad for not contributing financially, more about this on another soon-to-exist link) A Good Marriage, Full Dark No Stars (yeah A Good Marriage was in it), 11/22/63 (oh-so-awesome time travel masterpiece, and yay/nay for the movie next year *fingers crossed) Cell (the other big miss from my lost years), R.Riordan’s finale book 5 of The Heroes of Olympus (oh well the 7+1 didn’t die happy ending fun times and meh) and his Kane Chronicles (eh? That was last month?)

7min Workout by UOVO and Me

Blogger on mobile doesn't really work eh? It just doesn't work for me, as I've lost count on how many times that I'd (try and) blog-on-the-go; it just got worse on the few occasions that I manage to put into action and blog on the Samsung Mega as it reverted to a non-data device.

Anyhow, I lost a whole good draft (which I thought I did it under WiFi) and yeah perhaps I was just exhausted from my little adventure.
I'll try to recount what was lost in between drafts.



The 7-Minute Workout App & Me

Yes.
I work-out.

Undisputed & (un)certifiably unfit for my age; I was somehow looking at means to look after my health (and actually heeding numerous advises) and hopefully avert what plagues me/ and at least last longer when I finally organize a b-ball session with the old schoolmates.
Aside from the ever present backache, I'll get my shoulder tightened up with the neck frozen in whichever way twice a year. Bad sleeping habits, unbalanced diet, absolutely zero exercise (holding/occasionally swinging a vibrating controller in front of the telly is as close as I get physically) are among my vices including imbibing and fagging my way through.
I've never really gotten the balls (and dough) to go for a med check-up, but hey, one is aware of how sorry their ass is without the need to consult a professional.
Of course, my usual acupuncturist/witch doctor already told me so every.single.time when I visit him with my contorted head.

Damn I still feel like these arms ain't mine, even hours after my work-out!

Anyhow, I'll bridge the missing link ~ I work from "home" these days and I kinda have a bit of time if I do make a slot: so I had the brillo idea last week to put the only pair of cross-training footwear (aged a good terrible 3 years, I think) to use and brought it over, (of course it took another 2 days in procrastinating of not bringing along a towel to shower thereafter before/ I should bring/load my iPhone with some tunes/ and nicking P's phone-armband-headphones etc) I finally manned-up and went for a jog at the small park behind.
I guess I was wise enough to limit myself to just 3 laps + a bit of stretching and shite; but hey I was pouring helter-skelter once I got back. Sore thighs throughout the weekend coupled with the bloody rain meant I did nada until, well today.
Still without a towel (and iTunes still trying to sell me music + no way I'd lug around the Mega through the park LOL) I decided today is the day I better be resuming or I'd never.

So, I suited up.
But somehow I had an epiphany to check an app or two out, just for the sake of an extended warm-up before I hit the streets.(ba dum tss)
I re-installed Nike+ Running from iCloud (yes, there wasn't any real data from the pre-wiped era; one of the many fitness apps that wasn't utilized then) and somehow I found this 7min WorkOut from UOVO
"Hmm, a 7 minute warm-up set sounds sweet!" or so I thought.

My ass

  

Start screen. Simplistic, I love it.

Nifty

Well, its 30 seconds rep of each with (a very faster than usual) a 10 seconds break all in all 7 minutes.
Seems easy enough eh?

The Easier First Half

 Not too bad, Jumping Jacks and Wall Sits.

Uh-Oh

Oh crap.
I have no idea what I got myself into. Prior to this I have absolute no idea most of the work-out terminology.
I thought planking was some sort of dance move or some hippie-esque pirate jabberish, damn I did the single-armed plank today and I pushed myself to actually do some push-ups.
(yes, I entered my cheat-codes like some throughout my entire school uniformed outfits in doing push-ups; of course I know I got some leniency with my stick thin wrists)

Cute, eh?

gawdddddddd

With bronchial running overdrive, arms a-blazing and jelly legs 7 minutes later, I was actually quite happy that I did a wee bit of my babysteps in getting on track. I could so hear an imaginary "Achievement Unlocked" chime when I was gasping for air, and getting motivated with this tomorrow.

Yesshh Masstahhh

I'm thinking of unlocking the premium features after my targeted 7 day try-out. As I am weblogging this, I ran a search on Google Play but alas it's only on iOS at the moment, though I found a whole lotta other 7 Minute apps instead.

World Cup Ads : All Lined Up

The World Cup starts in a couple of hours time.
Enough with the predictions, the lineups(and call-ups) and "right" theme song (and the #facepalm of the Official Theme Song) the build-up to this year's has been quite intense, especially the viral video campaigns.

I've lost a lengthy blogpost earlier today when auto-save it after reloading the page, I mean, how was such series of unfortunate events possible?
Anyway, the following is my list of The Good & The Bad of this year's World Cup viral videos.

#GALAXY11 by Samsung

i guess i better reserve a slot for The Match: Part 2 














So yeah, Samsung probably spent the most this year. There's loads of videos in the whole campaign (and they even sign-up the whole package with an anthem-like theme song video too!) and with its scheduled releases I guess they are dead serious in getting their branding bit on the map.
#ThumbsUp : blockbuster a-list movie kinda feel, awesome cgi (on-par with yesteryears' video game character animations)
#FacePalm : The Training Video bit where Messi whipped out the S5 to take pics? I mean Come On! I do think it is enough that Beckenbauer's scene with the S5 analyzing the players are enough ain't it? C Ronaldo has a scene with the phone as well and I guess that's fine..but really, Messi have to snap pics to symbolize the enhanced shutter speed and auto focus features of the S5? #rants.
Moving along..

Time Zone by ESPN
Simple & Short, one of my favorites. There's no need to endorse the footie stars in a video, this video generally captures the emotions of the football watching country/community/people around the world. Power to the people!
#ThumbsUp : Engaging, simple & short. Oh and scene 0:13 takes the cake
#FacePalm : nope.

Futbol by KIA

Kia launched a series of videos (3 on last count) featuring Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima. Urm. Yeah, sex beauty sells..?
#ThumbsUp : 3 words sum it up - Futbol, World Cup & Adriana Lima!
#FacePalm : Pretty lame as it does get old whenever someone 'tries' to teach Americans on the difference. Oh well. NEXT!

The Game Before The Game by BEATS (by Dre)


Beats by Dre (or rather iBeats by Dre by Apple?) entry into their first World Cup ad doesn't spring much surprises as they do have some awesome ads highlighting several star athletes for their Hear What You Want campaign. Read some articles about that tagged this video is Out-Nike-ing Nike. hmmm
#ThumbsUp : Chicharito! of course cameos from LeBron James, Nicki Minaj(umm), Lil Wayne, and of course Rio Ferdinand & Thierry Henry. And a nice beat of that song "Jungle" which has been on my playlist ever since. (and the NSFW moment on 3:00)
#FacePalm : Feels a bit more like an MTV eh?


All-Time Greats by Fly Emirates
Emirates being the official airlines for the World Cup this year has certainly produced a gem of a video.
#ThumbsUp : those 2 little plot twists, and the simplicity of the contrast in the footballing generation
#FacePalm : -


Everyone's Invited by Coca Cola
Another official partner for the World Cup 2014, Coca Cola's campaign of inviting people less fortunate to the game has a goody feel to it. A really good video I must say.
#ThumbsUp : nice pace to the video, and the overall message.
#FacePalm : hm, I don't really think anyone sane would chug a bottle of Coke during or after a recreational game eh?

Now Is What You Make It by Pepsi
Pepsi's #FutbolNow campaign for the World Cup (hmm, i better research a bit on why they are not the official drinks/softdrinks/whatever partner for this edition) basically kinda didn't hit the spot for me. Don't get me wrong, the beats are alright, the sampling of Bowie's Heroes is kinda alright, the footie stars featured are okay (an improvement over the yester-decade's plain pointlessness imho) but... there's just a certain bit that's off.
#ThumbsUp : Looks & feel nice. Meh
#FacePalm : are they trying to factor in on the boy looking a bit like Justin Biebs? (albeit a better looking one that is) and practically prancing around after drinking his Pepsi to transform into a douchebag? yeah, that's my facepalm moment Pepsi

okay now let's do the 2 main rivals.

I Am Brazuca by adidas

-
The Dream : All In Or Nothing by adidas

meh

House Match by adidas
Fun.

The Last Game by Nike Football
Pretty much Space Jam meets the-few-recent-Pixar-animations, I'd be hardbent on rating this low on the originality part. But, it is cute in a way.
#ThumbsUp : cameo by Nazario da li Ronaldo (should be correct if memory serves me right) aka the original Ronaldo, and a few funny bits of Neymar selfies, Ibrahimovic's "Zlatan agrees", Ronaldo being a mannequin , yeah definitely fun in watching it years later.
and now for my top 2 favorite videos!

Winner Stays by Nike Football

 #ThumbsUp : Utter fun. Period.

Global Issues by ESPN

#ThumbsUp : 0:07 "You just have to avoid Spain".. chops!

I Believe by ESPN
Global Issues by ESPN


GOL! by McDonald's 


Nice!
(As much as I can't stand McD, but hey this ad is fun. 'nuff said)

Pirlo The Wizard series by JEEP

#MoyesOut

I've been stalling on having my piece about the infamous David Moyes for awhile now, but as I was traveling to work this morning and reading the match reports of last night's 2-NIL in Goodison Park , I've put it in my mind's eye to rant whenever I can however short it might be.

With the computer being slow and can't seem to do anything much, (as I'm rendering a 20 minute loop vid for work); I.....I....

David Moyes.

where should one begin with the man?

From breaking records(the wrong records mostly) to his week-in week-out predictable team sheets, from his mistakes from day one in almost every aspect of managing the club; staff, training regime, transfer market dealings,etc to his horrendous excuses in front of the media. 

Of course, to be fair he needs time to settle in to new players and system; and comparisons from loyalists (and Haters alike) did point out the transitional period when Sir Alex Ferguson took over wasn't instant......but hey, the team then was a bunch of drunkards and under-achievers(as I read), not the reigning champions!

A quick search on David Moyes today returned the following result:

After some time spent trying to figure out what should I rant about D.Moyes, I've thinned down to a slightly shorter list that irked me most of him being The Chosen One in Old Trafford.
What makes my blood curdled are perhaps what he said. Period.

Thanks to Brooks Pecks' article "David Moyes 5 Most Regrettable Quotes This Season" and this dailymail article I've compiled the following.
(Take a deep breath and read with caution, fellow Devils)

"Their league position suggests they are ahead of us and they possibly do come here as favorites. Liverpool are having a very good season and we will have to do everything we possibly can to beat them." - DAVID MOYES, March 2014, boot-lickin' Liverpool pre-match. 

"I think we've played a very good side and it's the sort of standard and level we need to try and aspire to get ourselves to at this moment in time. I think we need to play better. We're needing to come up a couple of levels at the moment and we're not quite there." - DAVID MOYES, March 2014, conceding the derby defeat before the game. Reverse psychology ain't you, DM.

"Don't forget Everton finished above Liverpool last year, and the year before." - DAVID MOYES, APRIL 2014, pre-match day interview which he reminded everyone that current Everton manager, Roberto Martinez inherited his players; hence Everton is doing well this season.

"I don’t think the midfield was just the one department where you’d say we were lacking. I think it would be unfair to say it was any [specific area].

It was the whole thing, we were lacklustre in nearly all the areas. So we’ve got to try and work on it and improve. We’ve just not played that well. We should be scoring more from open play." - DAVID MOYES, Sept 2013, blaming the players. #duuh

"I don't know what we have to do to win. We played well today." - DAVID MOYES, February 2014, ah. that's enough.

Genius.

Here's a meme. #MoyesOutDammit

Office Lunch/Tea/Dinner

(1st draft)
Testing out a blog post via mobile.

Anyway, the following pics are some from our series of adventure office meal over the course of the week.
(Of course it is hard to remember to take a pause for whipping out the phone to snap pics before wolfing it down)
Mind you, the very thought of that consists of carefully putting the sammiches down , wiping off crumbs and/or oil, and fishing out the phone....and all the more holding back the drool.

Can't wait for tomorrow, hopefully we could find time to get some arugula and avocadoes yumm!

In Other Words / Fly Me To The Moon

For many years I've always thought the original artist (of the many) was Julie London. In the midst of writing this and hoarding the many versions right now, I kinda like remembered there were moments before then that I thought Sinatra, and Nat King Cole before. Or was it Dinah Washington?

Thanks to wikipedia, finally! (why didn't I think about that years ago?)
Thank you, Mr Bart Howard
It was hard enough to figure out whichever version's playing, but I am having such a jolly time grabbing as many famous covers of this fine gem.


Anyway, here's the list that I'm compiling (and stash for keeps), in not-so random order:

Kaye Ballard
Frank Sinatra
Doris Day
Tony Bennett
Julie London
Nat King Cole
April Stevens
Rod Stewart (! found out tonight)
Peggy Lee
Michael Bolton
Utada Hikaru
Marvin Gaye
Diana Krall (fondest memory)
Patrizio Buane
Olivia Ong ....(hmm, new discovery tonight)
Jason Mraz
Ella Fitzgerald
Bobby Darin
Brenda Lee
West...wait Westlife? Okay, enough internet for the day.

Ser Chance du Redd Tytan