Tote Bags

Last Monday, I bought a tote bag, a "lady's accessory". It wasn't a fashion statement. I was simply being practical. 

Back in college, we had this one classmate who sported spiked hair and a gangster image. What struck me however was his choice of apparel. He was bringing a tote bag. Not the ordinary bag, mind you, which had a sling and was otherwise inconspicuous. Instead, he brought a bag with gold metal links adorned with intricate royalty patterns reminiscent of Luis Vuitton or Chanel. To say he was breaking a convention was an understatement.

As for me, I think I got tired of backpacks, small sling bags, and pouch bags so I bought a tote bag. So far, I haven't regretted my purchase. All my things fit inside and I can see and reach all my items with just one stroke of the zipper. 

The purchase also is a social experiment for me - Would people notice? If so, what would be their reaction? Would they assume that this is a telltale sign of homosexuality? Or would they assume the opposite instead? Finally, will I spawn a trend later on of guys carrying tote bags instead of cumbersome backpacks? If so, how will it affect the behavior of the product's current market, the ladies?

To close, I remember something I read about a man who, against societal norms, chose to use an umbrella. Back then, umbrellas were only for women and you weren't a man if you used one. He ended up being harassed by the public but, eventually, his example soon spread like wildfire across the civilized world.

I fancy my preference of the tote bag will bring the same result.

I Have AIDS

Provocative title huh?

Actually, AIDS here stands for Acute Income Deficiency Syndrome. 

Papa coined the term last May during my niece's baptism and surmised I'll be suffering from this later. Back then, I was fresh from my resignation and was still enjoying my honeymoon phase.

But yes. It did strike me. I got sick.

Pentatonix

First time I heard them sing was when I saw their Youtube MTV "Radioactive". First reaction was, "Hmmm. Okay."

However, this new video, discovered by my father, blew me away. It's so unfair that among the billions in the world who cannot sing (like me), five individuals loaded with such talent would find each other and...you know. Blow other people's minds. 

Check out the video and try to tell me I'm lying. Try.

Feedly

I have been using Feedly for some time now and I'm feeling quite comfortable. 

I relocated to Feedly last June after Google announced it was discontinuing Reader. The relocation was seamless thankfully and, after which, I became a fan of the service. 

Feedly, like Google Reader, "is a news aggregator application for various Web browsers and mobile devices running iOS and Android, also available as a cloud-based service. It compiles news feeds from a variety of online sources for the user to customize and share with others". - Wikipedia

Check out how neat the interface is and you'll be perplexed why other websites cannot be aesthetically appealing like it:

Plus, it's fun to use.
There you go.

"Some Men Just Want To Watch The World Burn"

Bruce Wayne: Criminals aren't complicated, Alfred. Just have to figure out what he's after.

Alfred Pennyworth: With respect Master Wayne, perhaps this is a man that *you* don't fully understand, either. A long time ago, I was in Burma. My friends and I were working for the local government. They were trying to buy the loyalty of tribal leaders by bribing them with precious stones. But their caravans were being raided in a forest north of Rangoon by a bandit. So, we went looking for the stones. But in six months, we never met anybody who traded with him. One day, I saw a child playing with a ruby the size of a tangerine. The bandit had been throwing them away.

Bruce Wayne: So why steal them?

Alfred Pennyworth: Well, because he thought it was good sport. Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.

- The Dark Knight (2008)

As a Mindanawon, a citizen of the Island, I am frustrated. 

The past weeks have been filled with bad news, particularly the bombings (And would you believe it? These happened during Ramadan!). The authorities are still investigating these incidents but everyone knows who the perpetrators are: Muslim terrorists. 

Since time immemorial, these groups have been the bane of Mindanao. Where others strive for elusive peace and development, there are elements which root for power and destruction. Where others hope for unity across cultural diversity, some dream of a xenophobic utopia. 

Many authors have dwelt on the various factors motivating these individuals and fueling their evil intentions. Still, it's freakin' frustrating that when peace is almost at hand, incidents like these happen in clockwork fashion. It's infuriating to witness meticulous and hard-won steps in gaining peace being swept away by the anarchist deeds of the deluded Moro.

That begs the question: what's wrong with these people?!