Last Goodbye

It's been quite a while since I last posted an entry. Quite similar to the last time I listened to the radio. When I mean listened to the radio, I listened because I want to and not by force.

My last entry here was all about my departure from my previous job. And now I'm writing another farewell entry. Everyone has been talking about the departure of NU107.

I started listening to NU107 when I was in sixth grade. At that time, the songs on heavy rotation were Big Bang Baby, Champagne Supernova and all those anthems of the mid-90s. That triggered my musical awakening.

A few years later, I had my taste of watching concerts. I remember watching my first Eraserheads gig during an NU event. I was also lucky enough to watch the Rock Awards when the band scene made its boom again during the late 90s.

It was also through NU107 I found myself acquainted with the local music scene. A lot of the songs I learned on guitar were first picked up on NU.

I also remember getting a lot of memorabilia from them. I still have my ID lace and I have a calendar somewhere in my room.

Sadly, NU107 is now calling it quits. In a few hours, the radio station that has influenced my musical taste buds will be ending its reign. Nu rock to no rock. Of course UR105.9 is there but NU made a bigger impact.

If it were just possible to pull off what the crew of Empire Records did to save this station as well.

You know what's sad though? It's the same capitalist system who turn rock bands into milking cows that killed NU107. A lot approach the bands for endorsements yet do not see the profitability of the station for advertising.

In a few hours, NU107 will say the last goodbye. But I still hope it comes back soon.

Resignations

I filed my resignation from NUJP last week. It was obviously something my bosses were not expecting that afternoon. The usual questions when someone files for resignation start pouring in. “Why?”, “Aren't you happy with your job?” “What hinders you here?” “Do you have anything against us that's driving you to resign?” and so forth. I answered each of those questions truthfully, with some of them taking more time to answer as I had to make sure it was a really intellectual and honest answer.

“The truth is” I told them. “I'm changing careers.” Career change or advancement. It has been almost everyone's reason for resignation. I'm taking a career in Public Relations.

So what's wrong with my job? Answer: none. Why leave NUJP which gives me the opportunity to help defend the oppressed media practitioners? Why leave a job that involves how actions help save the lives and professions of media practitioners who send us the truth? Why leave a job that brought me closer to my dream of serving my nation directly through my profession? Simple: Because I just want to follow my dreams. Because I want to make more opportunities for others. Because I want to lead.

Earlier this afternoon, One of my bosses was still requesting for me to stay longer after I decided to extend my stay until the 23rd. “I'm sorry I could not. I also would like to take a vacation before I start my new career. That is something that I have not done ever since I left the academe. Allow me to savor the moments, allow me to enjoy the results of my sacrifices.” I said.

It's not about being selfish. Rather, I request for time to be able to think about what happened. Allow me to think of what I have done and what I can still do. Allow me to think of ways to make my new job a vehicle for social change; a medium for action to build better lives. Allow me to continue the battle I entered in NUJP in another environment.

So have I turned my back on the journalists killed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao? Have I turned my back on the countless of media practitioners harassed in the line of duty? Have I turned my back away from that desire for social change which started back when I volunteered for Aksyon Edukasyon? No. Rather, I have decided to take this advocacy to another field. In a field where I know I am needed more, in a career I know can utilize my desire for social change and slowly make the free world work properly. Allow me to change my battle ground for serving the people, my venue for serving society.

I realized there are decisions to make for growth. I realize I have to turn my back for a while for me to grow. The opportunity came to fulfill my dreams, I see it also as a chance to be that medium for change. I may turn around, but that does not mean I'm not looking back. Because I know in the future, I can still see myself going back to a similar field, whether it may be going up front with various victims of media suppression, rehabilitating public schools or even tutoring kids.

I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get into the career I'm leaving behind. It's because of you guys I took that opportunity, the challenge to fight for everyone's right to speak.

Going for a (Cake)walk

I was recently invited to the Product Demonstration/Clinic of Cakewalk Sonar 8.5 and Virtual Studios. These products go hand-in-hand with each other, utilizing USB and Midi technology. Mitsuyoshi Okazaki, Cakewalk's representative, gave an in-depth overview of their products capabilities. For those not aware, Roland and Cakewalk are connected, hence the "Cakewalk by Roland" tag on certain products.

SONAR 8.5

Above: Screenshots of Cakewalk Sonar 8.5

Sonar 8.5 was demonstrated first, showing its recording possibilities, from making demos to going full-blast on your next album. The demo of the built-in plug-ins has made it possible to cram your whole studio setup into a fraction of your bedroom space, with the use of virtual instruments like Session Drummer. Mind you, these virtual instruments do not sound as digital as it may seem. While I have heard of all these ideas of Midi and Virtual Instruments, I never thought it would sound that good. Quite handy if you really want to get a good feel for your demo recording or when you're a frustrated drummer who needs to have beats for the an upcoming recording.

Another feature that has been featured on other softwares is the V-Vocal plug-in. Yes it is for vocals and frustrated singers like me. It can correct the pitch of your recording and modify the time stretch without altering the the pitch and maintain the original vocal quality of the singer. And even if thoroughly modified, you wont sound robotic as how some artists use the pitch correction and try to pass it off as something that went through a talkbox or vocoder.

There's also another plug-in which makes mastering much easier. While it has been a long running debate on the mastering process of music is done, this little beast can tame that recording and decrease or increase the overall output gain or level. Of course, as a precaution, this would sound best when the recording is played through different kinds of speakers as to get its optimum levels correct.

Of course there are the Amp Simulators and various VST effects which have become a staple in almost every recording software available today in the market or Open Source site. While not all may beat them,

Sonar 8.5 is loaded with tons of features and plug-ins. In fact if I were to continue discussing every little bit of it, it would take me forever.

Cakewalk V-Studio 100 and 700

Top: Cakewalk V-Studio 700. Above:Cakewalk V-Studio 100

The Cakewalk V-Studio 100 and 700 are more than just USB Audio Interfaces; They can also act as a Midi controller, Mixer and even a Digital Recorder. The V-Studio 700 can control your parameters for effects and levels in Sonar with more accuracy. Aside from that, It also features a slot for your SD HD Card for you to record your tracks for storage in your computer later on. It also has multiple inputs (8 for the 100 and 20 for the 700 model) and outputs (6 for the 100 and 26 for the 700 model; 18 inputs and 24 outputs for simultaneous usage).

The difference between the 100 and 700 series is simple: the 100 series is a stripped down version of the 700. It has limitations. The latter's advantage is obviously more features. The 700 series has a joystick feature which allows you to control Sonar's sound when editing with a surround speaker set-up. You can simulate a surround sound effect easily with the joystick. It also comes with a throttle for video editing purposes, among other possible uses (Sonar has video editing capabilities but I have yet to try it).

Cakewalk UA-1G

While this was not featured their product demo, Yupangco raffled off one of these interfaces. For its size, im quite surprised that it has a guitar/microphone input aside from the usual rca inputs. Costs almost the same amount as Line 6's Toneport but can do more. Too bad it does not have phantom power. I'm thinking if I should get this over the Line 6 or the Behringer UCA, considering its costs.

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If there's any consolation from this demo, at least I went home with a Fender Shirt from Yupangco.

...and it works

After 10 weeks of searching and consulting (4 weeks being lazy and losing hope), I finally fixed the graphics card issue on my laptop which now allowed me to use Ubuntu Studio at a more decent resolution. Current resolution on my laptop is 1280x800. Picture above is the desktop with one of the default wallpapers. Will probably use the same Hiromi Uehara wallpaper like the one on my XP partition.

Two more things left to do: make the Wifi card and the USB Audio Interface work and it will be all set. Kinda tricky to master actually with all the codes. Hopefully, this should actually kick the ass of those kids who turn Macbooks into bling-blings. Don't get me wrong, Macbooks are nice and worth it, but a lot of them are purchased or used by the wrong people.

During the roughly two hour test I did with it, I discovered some pretty cool things. One is the hide panel (commonly known as the taskbar) which is useful when trying to get the most out of your window space. Another is the completely customizable panel. By default, It has two panels. I removed one but I'm bound to return it. Customizable since you can put only the icons or buttons you need and move them around where you see it most convenient. A little adjustments and become OSx like. Updating may seem like a bitch but with the proper tweaking, it can prove to be more stable than other Operating Systems.

I'm giving myself more time to explore Ubuntu Studio. I find this need to master it in order to prove myself that it is not just the machine, but the man operating the machine that makes the art.

Of trains and lighters.

I’m sure a lot of you people have encountered that oversized lighter sold in various places like malls or even on the street. It so happens a friend of mine gave me one two weeks ago during a Christmas party I attended.

“At least I have a better lighter for lighting up the grill.” I told myself.

And so I took the lighter along everyday with me. I kept it in my bag for those in case of emergency moments. It became handy during our candle lighting/vigil at Bantayog last Wednesday in commemoration of the first month after the Maguindanao killings, aside from the other parties I attended.

Recently on the news, we have heard of that igniting incident on an airline headed for Detroit from Nigeria. It actually reminded me of this scene in Harold and Kumar 2: Escape from Guantanamo Bay, wherein Harold was trying to defend Kumar and his smokeless bong. “He’s not a terrorist. He’s just an idiot” Harold exclaimed when a woman saw Kumar lighting his smokeless bong.

Now little would I know that I would be in a similar situation. No, I did not carry anything like a smokeless bong or something like that. I had that oversized lighter in my bag.

I was a little bit in a hurry this morning. Not only have I not eaten breakfast, I had to talk to 2 different communications companies for our internet connection in the office. So I decided to take the AUV route, more commonly known as the FX, instead of the jeep. Nothing peculiar there, really. The sparks start to fly, figuratively that is, when I got off at the LRT station in Santolan.

I fell in line, waiting to be inspected by the guard on board. When it was my turn, I opened my bag and all the pockets.

“Pakibuksan ulit ito (referring to one of the bag pockets)”

I opened it and he pulled out the giant lighter from my bag.

“Bawal ipasok yung ganitong kalaking lighter.” And he puts it aside.

“Teka lang, nung isang araw pinapasok ako dala ko yan. Tapos ngayon hindi na?”

“Bawal po talaga eh”

“At isa pa, wala kayong karapatan na dumukot lang basta-basta sa bag ng mga pasahero. Ituro niyo muna kung ano ang bawal tapos dun mo lang kami bigyan ng option na isurrender o hindi nalang sumakay”

Flash back to sometime 2004 at one of the LRT 2 stations: Bache and I were on our way home after having our Monday ritual of beer in one of the alcohol joints near UST. We were having our bags inspected when one of the guards on duty apprehended us.

“Boss bawal po kayo pumasok. Bawal kasi yung mga nakainom dito. Amoy alak po kayo. Lasing po ata kayo” The guard informed one of us (one of us was apprehended, I’m not saying who, though)

“Hindi naman ako lasing eh. Hindi naman ako mangugulo eh” replied the one apprehended.

“Sir kahit na. bawal po talaga. Kasi hindi po kanais-nais yung amoy na yun sa ibang pasahero” the guard replied.

“Chong, tama na. Wag na tayo mag-LRT” the one who was not apprehended said.

We skipped the idea of trying to get access to the LRT and took a cab instead.

Fast forward to the current day. I had to act quick. I was running late since I had to talk to two different offices with regards to work related concerns as well as some personal queries. I tried reasoning out. I mean, I’m no terrorist to begin with. There’s no real written record of my past misdemeanors at the LRT (which all equate to entering the train under the influence of alcohol during my early college years). Hindi naman ako mamamatay tao. Ni hindi ko nga alam paano gagawing bomba yan to begin with. And so I had to concede. I mean, what else can I do? For starters, it would be pathetic to argue over such matter. Plus, I’m running late. I have so many things to accomplish today both inside and outside the office. And I would not want a civil or criminal case knocking on my door (I nearly had a civil case coming my way two years ago, but thats a different story). And of course I would not want to have a mug shot posted along with an updated poster of the most wanted by the PNP (those posters are not even accurate because the biggest of them all is not even there!). And if I still make a big deal out of it, i would probably land at the headlines of tabloids with a pathetic header.

I left the station. Ticked alright. But at least I somehow managed to keep myself off both civil and criminal cases, again. When I took a ride to Cubao from the train station, I realized that if all those violations have been written, then I think I should have a restraining order from riding trains. Oh well, there are automobiles and other forms of public utility vehicles anyway. The world won't end just because I did not get that train ride.

If there’s one thing I did regret for this morning, I think should have given that guard a stupid look on his face while I walked away. That would make it quits for both of us. I could have been considered as a threat to the security of the passengers. But I am nothing as compared to that small but big threat to the state.

Hoping this is not a lame excuse to blog.

Greetings:

Okay first of all, seasons greetings even if its late by a day. Then again, the Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas season (as early as October, decors are already on sale for a November setup). Supposedly, Christmas officially starts on the first morning of the simbang gabi and ends on three kings. Pero wala namang pinipiling okasyon yan di ba?

Work:

I never really announced to the world about my new job in NUJP. Because I didnt want to. Rather, I did that as to let people be curious on what the hell am I exactly up to in life and how do I sort of do my part in society. Okay thats too much. Anyway I decided to take on that job at NUJP because I know for a fact that living on a freelancers salary is not enough to survive, while at the same time I have actually fancied the idea of doing something related to the basic rights of every Filipino. In this case, it revolves around the freedom of speech as the main course.

So far, I should be on my first month on this job in a few days. Hectic and stressful, honestly. Then again, I cant really judge the work as its still my first month. Give me two months and I can probably describe it better.

Which brings me to consider the following:

So far in my first few weeks, I have been making a lot of phone calls. Not much of a problem with that since the office takes care of my communication expenses. However, seeing how much I consumed (and probably will consume), I am now thinking of changing my plan or getting another postpaid line devoted for work. I am also considering of using whatever upgrade or acquisition I make for tethering purposes when no Internet is available. Now I have to make that decision quite soon, as to whatever decision I make can leave me with another subscription lock for two years.

Tethering

Speaking of tethering, I am trying tethering on my phone. I dont know how am I gonna exactly make it work but it should work, as my unit is supposedly capable. Or maybe I should get another unit meant for that.

Films

Okay, like everyone who has seen it would say, yes please do watch Avatar in 3d at least. Damn worth the money. and all 2 hours and 45 minutes of the film.

Farewell Kitten

Kitten on her first day here.

No more days and nights wherein I would go home dead tired, and still spend an extra 30 minutes playing with you. And to think I havent even put down my bag inside my room. I remember those times when I taught you to make "pa-cute" to Tiffy back then. Now all those I have to leave behind.

Kitten's last videos

I guess its goodbye now.

Rest in Peace, little girl.

Its just like google earth

...and so I had my first crack at doing aerial shots. Last Thursday to be exact. Thing is, back in the academe, we were never really trained to do aerial shots. Yeah given facts like keeping it steady among other things, but there was no real training. I took that challenge last Thursday as Bache, Jac and I made a short video involving some aviation. So we took the chopper for a spin with Jac flying it. While flying and taking those shots, I did realize it is just like google earth.

So here is a compiled video clip of some of the aerial shots I had to take.

techy things

Torchlight

So Im now playing this game called Torchlight, which was just released late last month. Okay, gameplay is very much like Diablo 1 and 2....because one of the developers was behind those games. For some unknown reason, Im actually reminded of World of Warcraft with this game, specifically with the vibe. Plus side, at least you dont pay for every game. Downside, its got no multiplayer mode. Cool thing to have muskets and old-fashion rifles as part of the arsenal, but theres no concept of ammunition, just like Diablo 1.

Ubuntu Studio

I had to downgrade my Ubuntu Studio to 9.04 from 9.10. True, 9.10 updates easier as compared to previous versions. But its the hardware compatibility thats driving me crazy. In fact, Im having tech issues with my graphics card and making the guitar interface work with jack. Jack, is ta sort of virtual interface which lets you route your audio path into different chains before recording or playing it. Its an essential tool for apps like Ardour and Hydrogen.

The graphics issue, Im still working around it. The guitar interface, I still have to work around it and even try other interfaces for jack. Now I wonder how this will fair with midi.

My DVD writer

...is now a useless piece of crap because it now cannot burn nor even read discs I burned. It also cannot open, not unless theres a disc inside. Now I need to buy a new one.

Migrating the blog here

After five years of using Livejournal for my blog (and almost a year of using Multiply for cross posting), i have finally decided to move here to Blogspot, as Kaka and Jason told me its way easier to customize Blogspot as compared to Livejournal. Still keeping the Livejournal account though. Thats five years of memories ranging from laughter to emo moments and what not. Time for change.