What To Do When You Have a Bad Boss

First and foremost, there is no way of skirting the fact that there ARE bad bosses around.  From the littlest to the biggest companies, it is assured that there are these high and almighty who think of themselves as gods or those lazy ones who did nothing but delegate all the hard work, get credit for the accomplishments, and gallivant to their heart's desire . There is no escaping them.

I have had my share of these types, luckily, not many of them.

Being under someone who does not live up to the true meaning of a leader can be emotionally draining.  I mean thinking about the unfair situation you're in will surely suck up all the positive in you.

Well, there are a couple of things you can do:
1.  Pack your bags and find another job.  Unfortunately, there is no assurance that the next job you find you will not be under the same jerk of a boss.
2.  Be your own boss.  If you have the money to invest, build your own company---and make sure that you don't become the same kind of boss that you hate.
3.  Stick around and let karma takes its course.  Well, finding a job can be a challenge these days.  So if you're already in a company where you are have security of tenure, you would be better off just sucking it up  and do what your job expects you to do.  Eventually karma will catch up to those who did you bad.

Are You Too Busy?

I chanced upon on old newspaper and had the chance to read Fr. Jerry Orbos' Moments column entitled "Superbusy".  I have known Fr. Orbos during my seminary days and I have grown to admire his wisdom and as read through this article I can see that his fervor in spreading the Word of God has not waned a bit.  

Fr. Orbos wrote, "God will slow us down to make us realize that our worth is not so much in becoming a somebody, but in being someone."  Many of us have become too busy chasing our dreams that we have forgotten that the ultimate goal of life is to be the best person that we can be.  Whether you were able to achieve your dream to become a store manager, a successful businessman, or a CIO, the ultimate question that God will ask us is, "What kind of person have you become in life?"  

Let us not forget that the life we live today is but a test.  What kind of life we lead today will decide if we will be worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blind Justice

JUSTICE like love is blind.  It is meted out objectively; fearless and impartial to identity and power and guided by lawful evidence.  Hence, it should not be vindictive nor vengeful.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has been charged with poll fraud, has been in medical imprisonment for the past eight months.  Electoral fraud is supposed to be a non-bailable offense but due to the lack of compelling evidence, the Pasay Regional Trial Court granted bail to the former president.

Innocent until proven guilty.  As of this time, everything that we've been hearing about this case is hearsay.  Nothing is proven yet.  To deny Mrs. Arroyo her legal rights and a fair chance to defend herself would be tantamount to the same treatment that Ninoy was given during his incarceration during Martial Law.

"The best revenge is not to be like your enemy."

--- Marcus Aurelius

SONA: Trapik, Rally, atbp

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is the President's self declared report card.  This is where he provides the people of what the government has done specific to the political, social, and financial platform of his presidency.  However, in so far as the past SONA's (not only that of PNoy's) have gone, it only gave me artificial hope as to the TRUE state of the nation is.  I guess giving hope (where there seem to be none) is part of the president's job description.  No one said it would be an easy job.   


Personally, I don't care anymore.  I let the critics sift through the ridiculous numbers and the idealistic tasks.  What I'm concern more of is how to get to work without being late and then sleep off the traffic going back home.  


The SONA will not be complete without the rallies by the militant groups.  Actually, without them, there would be no need for traffic enforcers to block off the other half of Commonwealth Avenue.  As the cliche goes, "You can't please everyone."  Another part of the presidential package.  


It's the day after the SONA and all the news broadcast is getting on their own take about the 1 1/2 hour speech.  What did he say?  What he should have said?  What he did not say?  Where did he get those figures?  The discussion goes on and on and on!  Would you believe the event is also treated like a red carpet event?!  Parang awards night na meron pang Best Dressed!  


Oh well, that's Philippine politics for you!  

Always Ask for the Service Center

Often times buying gadgets---whether it be the latest cellphone, tablet, or MP3 player---the specs would be the main consideration.  However, there is one important thing that needs serious consideration---SERVICE CENTERS.

Gadgets may have all the latest technology---the fastest processor, the biggest storage, wi-fi, 3G, 4G, the best screen resolution, the highest megapixel, or with the best HD movie quality---but without a vast range of service centers to seek assistance from in times of breakdown, it is something that I would consider as a deal breaker.  

Normally, gadgets come with 1 year warranty but you still need to bring the unit to the service center should the need arises.  So it is really important that you should make sure that before buying there's one near your home or in your place of work, otherwise, having it repaired will be a bitch! 

This is an important lesson which I learned in my previous job as part of the company's IT support group.  

Just recently, I was window shopping for tablets at SM Fairview and was attracted to the Coby Kairos Tablet  that were on sale.  Its specifications were top of the line and with their price down to 50%---it seemed to be a steal!  However, when I asked about their service center, they only had one---and it's in Binondo.  I'm from QC so it's going to be a hassle for me.  Just imagine all the traffic that I will be encountering along the way!  

A friend of mine bought his wife an HTC phone as a gift.  HTC phone does not come cheap so I was under the impression that it came with a support worthy of its price tag.  Boy was I wrong!  The phone was still under warranty and according to my friend, HTC only had one service center located somewhere in Greenhills.  Can you believe that?!  What if you're from Mindanao and needed your HTC phone serviced?  Man, that would be a real drag!

If you'r into reading gadget magazines, don't easily get swayed with their reviews because they don't give you the real picture of what you will be buying yourself into until a full declaration of after sales service is brought to light.

Spider-man Trivia Part 2

The Women of Peter Parker/Spider-man's Life

Peter's first love was Gwen Stacy.  When Gwen died in the hands of the Green Goblin, Mary Jane Watson filled the void.  These two are the more famous women in Peter Parker's life.  But  Peter also dated other ladies like Betty Brant who worked as J. Jonah Jameson's secretary.  Their relationship was cut short due to Betty's jealousy over Peter's high school classmate Liz Allan (Liz became Mrs. Harry Osborn).  And then there's Carlie Cooper who became Peter's girlfriend after Mary Jane.

Carlie Cooper works as a crime lab expert
for the New York Police Department.

However, as Spider-man, he also got involved with rather some very interesting ladies.

The Black Cat

Burglar.  She's got the power to hex bad luck on anyone who thinks her harm.  She was Spidey's rebound girl when MJ turned down his first proposal for marriage.  Unfortunately, Black Cat does not like how Spidey's alter ego lives his life and the relationship did not prosper.

Silver Sable

Spider-man worked with Silver Sable in a couple of jobs and it's quite obvious that Silver Sable is enamored with the Wall Crawler.  Is the feeling mutual?  I think the Spider-man writers need to finally decide on that.  Right now, given a kiss or two from Sable ain't not such a bad deal for Spider-man.

Ms. Marvel

Carol Danvers aka Ms. Marvel worked together in the New Avengers.  She openly declared her attraction to Spider-man.  Spidey you're such a chick magnet!

Spider-man fought along side with the most heroes in the world
Peter Parker's did not live a financially stable life.  He worked freelance as a photographer for the Daily Bugle's but its not enough to live on.  When Peter and Mary Jane got married they had to shack up with Aunt May due to financial limitations.  This prompted Spider-man to ply his services to the Avengers and get financial stipend.  Unfortunately, he was deemed "disruptive" to the group dynamics and was denied membership though his services would be called upon time and again.

Spider-man also worked along side The Fantastic Four and became a member when the group became the Future Foundation after The Human Torch's death.

An inventor---officially that is!
Peter Parker have always been a man of science.  Unfortunately, being Spider-man got him too pre-occupied fighting bad guys that he almost did not finish college.  But now he is a creative engineer at the Horizon Lab which creates the most sophisticated technologies in the Marvel Universe.  This is where Peter creates Spider-man's special suits aside from other stuff on the side.

Hi There, Ms. Jacobs!

Twenty four years old Australian model Jessie Jacobs of Australia came to the Philippines in 2011 to have fun and FUN she had at the island of Boracay!  It was such a wonderful experience that she and her boyfriend took residence in the island to live the paradise dream, so she said in her July FHM interview.

She loves to cook and has so far mastered the art of adobo, sinigang, and tortang talong.  She is also a budding entrepreneur venturing in the fishery business.

Ms. Jacobs is now the plying the Pony merchandize via their print ads.  Pony became more sexy!

Thank you Boracay for bringing Ms. Jacobs here!

Spider-man Trivia

The recent Spider-man revived my childhood fascination with the Wall Crawler and prompted me to continue reading the comic book story where I last left off in my youth.  In order to remember where I actually left off I needed to review from the beginning and hope that my aging memory triggers a semblance of familiarity.  Fun process I must say!

Apparently, aside from the Amazing Spider-man series that I was following (mainstream continuity) there is an alternate comic book universe---another "dimension"---an Ultimate Universe where comic book creators and editors explored other comic book realities.  Naturally, there is the Ultimate Spider-man series that explore another story line to the already colorful life of Spider-man.  But I'm not going to go ahead of myself and just stick to the mainstream story for now.

Costumes

I only knew of two costumes that Spidey wore---the original red and blue and then the alien suit which he wore during the Secret Wars series.  The former, which is actually a living organism, almost took over Spider-man in its symbiotic need to merge with its host.  Spidey, with the help of Reed Richards and The Human Torch of the Fantastic Four was able to take off the symbiote costume and and held it in captivity in their headquarters.  The costume would later escape and plague the life of Spider-man.  It would later merge with Spider-man's critic Eddie Brock and create the villain Venom.  Spider-man would wear another black suit similar to the symbiote but was sewn for him by the Black Cat.

However, Spider-man will get to wear other costumes with his various collaboration with other heroes (special mention to Tony Stark aka Iron-man and Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic).  Of course, being an inventor and scientist himself, Peter Parker also created variations to his costume.  

Iron Spider-man.  Created by Tony Stark during
Spider-man's employment leading to the Civil
Wars story arc.

The Unstable Molecule Costume.
Created by Reed Richards for Spider-man's use
as a member of the Future Foundation.

Spider-Armor Mark 1.  Created by Peter Parker
when New York wasattacked by villains using high caliber
rifles.  Made out of pseudo-metallic compound
invented by Peter at Empire State University.
The suit slowed him down but it rendered him
impervious to bullets.

Spider-Armor Mark II.  Peter Parker's enhanced
version of the Spider-armor.  This suit can
withstand a direct hit from a grenade launcher.

Anti-Sinister Six Suit.  Another Peter Parker invention designed
to counteract the different capabilities of the Sinister Six.

The Stealth Suit.  Created to combat
the Hobgoblin's sonic scream, the suit wraps
sound and light around it making it invisible
in the process.  The suit would later be worn
by Peter's clone Kaine.

(to be continued...http://nonomaca.blogspot.com/2012/07/spider-man-trivia-part-2.html )

Who's the Best Batman?

Through the years many have played the part of the Caped Crusader from Adam West, in the 60's TV show, to it's movie revival with Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and for the past three movies---Christian Bale.  But who is the best to have ever played the part?

Before we go on with the ranking, let me explain my criteria for judging.  Batman started out as a comic book.  Naturally, likeness to the comic book image is high on the list.  This would mean both as Bruce Wayne and as Batman in full regalia.  And then there's...hmmm...I guess that's basically it.  


As a caveat, it should be made known that the Batman character has had differing interpretation since the first Batman comic book was published in 1940.  The  1960's interpretation was of a campy quality that persisted after the series ended versus the darker persona that came out in the mid 80's under Frank Miller and Alan Moore.  

Since I grew up watching the 60's Batman re-runs, let's go with that version.

So what makes a Bruce Wayne/Batman?  First, the prominent jaws.  In all the comics rendition and animated features of the World's Greatest Detective he is pictures with a prominent chin.  Second, as Bruce Wayne he is suave and debonair.  He is after all a billionaire, playboy, industrialist, and philanthropist.  He is like Tony Stark in terms of stature but minus the flair and swagger.  Then there's the HAIR---styled and jet black.

In terms of the Bat Suit, I'd say that all of them was all equal considering the existing costume design capabilities of their own time (specially that of Adam West's whose rendition is 20 years the senior with that of Michael Keaton).

Christian Bale's jaw isn't prominent enough and too strong-faced.  He does fit the more dark Batman character of Frank Miller.

Michael Keaton's receding hairline and looks puny to play the Caped Crusader.

Val Kilmer was too pretty to be Batman!

George Clooney's buzz hairdo don't quite cut it.  In fairness to George, he was right on the money with regard to the debonair part.

And Adam West...I must admit, his portrayal was the one that started this all.  So I guess my nod goes to him.  I guess it was cool during the 60's to put an outline of eyebrows on Batman's mask.  Besides, I didn't mind it that much when I was into the series many years ago.  In retrospect I can just ask the question, "Why did they have to do that?!"

Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

One thing I can say is that---this is by far the best Batman movie I've watched!

This is Christopher Nolan's third Batman installment after Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008) and is supposed to be the conclusion to this series.  Story-wise it definitely provided a roller coaster ride that will keep the viewer's hand firmly grasping the sides of their seat!  The effects were great, the gadgets---especially The Bat (a helicopter-like flying contraption) and the Batcycle---were really radical, and Cat Woman was there!  Ohhh-boy!  Anne Hathaway looked perfect playing the role!  She was a combination of Michelle Pfeiffer's naughty disposition and Halley Berry's feline fluidity.  

The Bat

Catwoman on the Batcycle---you lucky contraption!

The story starts off 8 years after the events of The Dark Knight where the death of Harvey Dent was pinned on Batman.  The cover up behind Dent's demise gave rise to the Dent Act which practically eradicated crime in Gotham City.  Batman has since decided to retire and became a social recluse.  That is until Bane threatens to blow up Gotham City with a nuclear device.

Bane is Batman's most challenging opponent.  He is formerly a member of Ra's al Ghul's League of Shadows.  A terrorist who is both intellectually and physically a match for Batman.  

There is a twist to the story so I hope you haven't read any spoilers.  For your viewing pleasure I'm not saying either.  Watch!  Watch!  Watch!

Ellen Adarna @ the FHM 100 Sexiest Women 2012 Party

Ellen Adarna is definitely one of the prettiest showbiz faces in the Philippines and according to the country's leading men's magazine, FHM, one of the top 100 sexiest as well.  

Ellen Adarna placed 6th in the list of 100 after the 2012 polls was concluded (from 9th place last year) behind Marian Rivera, Christine Reyes, Solenn Heussaff, Angel Locsin, and eventual winner Sam Pinto but come party time last July 12, I personally believe that she stole the thunder from them all with her Princess Lea inspired outfit.  I can't help but wonder what she's wearing underneath that red g-string.

  

2012 Winner Sam Pinto's attire looked demure compared to
Ellen Adarna's Princess Lea inspired outfit.

Kate Upton NOT Sexy?!

With a 34-25-35 body I'd say that Kate Upton is physically sexy.  I'm sure all men will agree with this.  Unfortunately, some women (assuming that Skinny Gurl is a woman) may have another definition of sexy in the light of a blogger's recent rant about Ms. Upton having "huge thighs, NO waist, big fat floppy boobs, and terrible body definition".  She also said that  the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl had "NO waist [and] big fat floppy boobs".  Ouch! 

Now, if this ain't sexy---what is?