A cheap way to organize cables

by xarki, on Thu, Feb 2 2012 | No Comments

courtesy of inquirer.netI am always bothered by the tangled and twisted cables that I frequently see at my home office. It has always been a cumbersome task for me to keep my workstation neat and clean, what with the endless eye sore of wires of various lengths and sizes.

 

For several years, I have always purchased commercially available cable organizers of various sorts. All of them did serve their purpose well but not as satisfying or cost effective for some people like me. Sometimes, I do end up using “rubber bands” in place of the retailed cable ties and organizers.

 

I like the way rubber bands give me the option to control how I would organize my wires and the idea of having a reusable yet cheap alternative is really a great idea. As we all know, rubber bands are not the best solution for this task. Its appearance and durability is still questionable thus can only serve as a temporary fix for the cable problem.

 

I came across an article in the newspaper where another office accessory can be used in place of a rubber band since it is sturdier to withstand the normal wear and tear. Guess what? Binder clips! I didn’t realize that these can be employed to serve as cable organizers and can even be customized and fashioned to look more aesthetically appealing to the eye.

 

Decorative stickers can be bought, cut out to shape thus pimping your ordinary black binder clips. You can also have your own design printed from your desktop computer to a photo sticker for better customization.

 

Binder clips can be mobile and repositioned anywhere you like it as long as it can have a firm grip on any surface you desire. The silver clip handles can be used to pass through the wires to keep them away from floors and from being stepped on or chewed by rodents or even your house pets.

 

This is one great idea we have here!

source: inquirer.net

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Internal head injuries puts 21 year old boxer in coma

by xarki, on Thu, Feb 2 2012 | No Comments

Boxing has always been one of the top notch contact sport we Filipinos wholeheartedly love. Having the “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao serves as a proof how we definitely embraced this type of sport but still we are never free from worrying of the danger that our fellowmen face when they engage in this hand-to-hand combat feat.

 

For some time I marveled on the sound created by the boxers as they try to land some punches on their opponents. It never crossed my mind that the swoosh sound is created due to the fast jab cutting through invisible air just like that but rather thought of it as a sound orchestrated by the fighter himself. It does prove how strong and painful if one uppercut hits your face.

 

Recently, a flyweight boxer suffered an internal head injury right after engaging on a boxing match. Carlo Maquinto is currently in a coma at the Far Eastern University Hospital in Fairview. He was rushed immediately to the hospital right after he collapsed while a “draw” decision was instantaneously announced.

 

Maquinto fought an 8-round match with Mark Joseph Acosta at the Recom Dome (Amparo Village, Caloocan) on Saturday, January 28, 2012 which is under the Gerry Penalosa promotions. Their fight is an undercard bout for the Penalosa Jr. versus Super James Singmanassak clash.

 

Everyone in the arena has confirmed that Carlo was in good condition throughout the fight.

 

According to the boxer’s kin, Maquinto has suffered some head injuries resulting to hematoma (blood clotting in the brain) that brought him to a coma state.

 

Currently, Carlo is in an inoperable condition. Surgery can only lead to his immediate demise.

 

Relatives of Maquinto are seeking all the prayers and support for his immediate recovery.

 

Our boxers are always in grave danger in each and every fight. I do hope our governing sports agencies can provide some way to help ensure the safety and welfare of our world class boxers.

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Race for your life!

by xarki, on Sun, Jan 29 2012 | No Comments

courtesy of automodifiedesign.comNonstop fast paced driving action! This is what the new NFS (Need for Speed) franchise has to offer on its 3D simulated driving game for fanatics like me.

 

Right after the successful release of NFS Hot Pursuit, Electronic Arts (EA) unleashed another action-packed driving game. NFS: The Run features an awesome storyline and never-before-seen driving game spectacle in the NFS series. This current release claims as the largest racing game ever created.

 

The game puts you behind the wheel as you try to race from San Francisco to New York in the cross-country car chase employing different cars you’ve ever dreamed of handling – Bugatti Veyrons, Lamborghinis, Ford Shelby, Camaro to name a few.

 

You take the identity of Jack Rourke who has been pursued by the mob with a price on his head because of a debt he can’t repay. Sam Harper aids Jack in winning the Run with a winner-take-all of $25 million by working as his eyes and ears throughout the game.

 

What’s unique about NFS: The Run is its compelling attribute to get the gamer in the mood to finish each stage or even the whole race. We’ve always known NFS for its street car racing and this latest franchise has yet positioned them on a better spot among the race driving fans. If you are familiar with the Need for Speed series, most of the race is done in a basic start-finish setups which is either done in sprint, circuit or knockout challenges also done in laps. The Run is different for it does not carry the usual NFS circuit racing; instead it pushes you to pass through the top 200 racers through different challenges enclosed in stages. As they say “you’re always competing.”

 

The race will force you to pass 6-10 cars, battle with 3-4 cars in a steep winding cliff or a head-to-head dirty combat with one of the top drivers.

 

Also, there are portions of the game where you will have an interactive participation with the protagonist as he tries to escape death in several scenarios. An ever first to have instituted “quick-time” events that sometimes puts you in so much aw that puts you in between watching a movie and playing the game.

 

With Dice’s Frostbite 2 technology, the game boasts eye catching graphics and close-to-reality driving experience relative to the Hot Pursuit.

 

But some NFS game fanatics complain about the game’s graphics issues like a capped frame rate and difficult controller configuration especially for the PC version.

 

Though the game is a bit short, still I can say NFS: The Run is one great game. I’m hoping that EA could make some follow-up sequel on this one. I am a bit intrigued with what’s going on between Jack and Sam.

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Sudden death

by xarki, on Sat, Jan 28 2012 | No Comments

courtesy of batangastoday.comNegros Occidental Representative Jose Miguel Arroyo (better known as “Iggy” Arroyo) was pronounced dead last Thursday (January 26, 2012) after suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday (London time). He was in London undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis.

 

The congressman went on a cardiac arrest and was immediately called on to be transported to the hospital where he was revived yet incidentally went into coma. He was then put into life support but then the lawmaker’s heart stopped beating Thursday morning.

 

The sudden death of Iggy Arroyo has stunned most of us. We would remember that Iggy has been well known for claiming responsibility for his brother’s (Mike Arroyo) and sister-in-law’s (Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) recent involvements with the Jose Pidal case.

 

The Department of Justice has stated that all the cases connected to the congressman will be considered dismissed since the latter’s presence is no longer possible to continue the case.

 

Iggy Arroyo was first elected as representative of the 5th District of Negros Occidental in 2004 and has served his third and last term in office. The representative’s condition is not known among his colleagues in Batasan.

 

The news of Iggy Arroyo’s death was confirmed by Occidental Mindoro Representative Amelita Villarosa (a close friend of the Arroyo’s) as relayed to Marilyn Barua-Yap (Secretary General of the House of Representatives) after several conflicting news has circulated over the Internet about the lawmaker’s passing.

 

Many of his colleagues define Iggy as a good person. I am now close to believing the saying “ang masamang damo ay matagal mamatay.” Maybe Iggy is not guilty of the legal cases he’s into and so kind to cover for his brother’s faults.

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Welcoming the Year of the Water Dragon

by xarki, on Thu, Jan 26 2012 | No Comments

courtesy of fullbloomfengshui.wordpress.comWith the Malacanan palace’s declaration of January 23rd as a special non-working holiday despite the contradiction of some people from the business community, the Filipinos have formally embraced the celebration of the Chinese New Year with our fellow Tsinoys.

 

For several years, the Chinese New Year was observed together with other special occasions that our multicultural heritage has adopted as we Pinoys are well known for multitudes of feasts and festivals. Not only do we celebrate our own National Holidays, Catholic (religious fiestas) but also celebrations from other foreign cultures like that of our Muslim and Chinese brothers.

 

We were on our way back home from a birthday party after a tiring activity with my kids. As we passed by one of these malls in the metro, we were greeted by eye-catching fireworks that have left us amazed for a few minutes. I tried not to look at the great imagery for I was assigned of maneuvering our family carriage. Luckily, the rest of the traffic was locked into the same scenery as we are.

 

I can say that the Department of Tourism (DOT) has taken the right slogan this time as our country really has that “fun” factor compared to the rest of the world. It is only here that people get to celebrate festivals of many kinds – proving our love for festivities despite our personal dilemmas. Positivity is at most intact and present among the Filipino community. I can say it’s more than just fun.

 

Other than celebrating per se, following Chinese beliefs is already a part of us maybe because of our strong affinity to such traditions as we have them intertwined with our very own. Feng Shui and Chinese Horoscopes were among a hit in line with the celebration.

 

Nevertheless we have our own beliefs and traditions to celebrate; it is good that we share in celebrating the festivities with our Fil-Chinese brothers. I believe there is no harm in participating as long as we enjoy doing it and no one gets hurt in the process.

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