Whatever Works ™

Stop SOPA

2012-01-17T23:15:00.001-08:00

Don't just talk about it, be about it. Stop SOPA.

Yulster

Drop the SOPA.

Back to Life

2012-01-17T18:39:00.000-08:00

All of 2011 this blog has been put on hiatus due to a malware warning. On the off chance of checking, the warning disappeared and now I feel good about posting back here again. Tumblr, is school, but this place has got history and I'm more than happy that its back. Alhamdulillah.

Yulster

It's alive! Alive!

2011-01-06T02:37:00.000-08:00

Past and Present look identical,

the Future ain't eventual,

we're here for the tyrants RIGHT NOW.

2011. You're already doing me wrong.

Before the Stage

2010-10-02T21:13:00.001-07:00

Before I hit the stage there's a moment; the calm before the storm. I never know when I'll ever go back on. We've been invited, rejected, accepted and neglected. Sometimes I ask myself why I'm doing this. Admittedly, I'm a very quite person so why do I stand on platforms and stages reciting phrases constructed to provoke thought and action; to gain a rapport and understanding of unity and camaraderie?

When I write, I evaluate my so-called skill. I experiment with my talent, focusing on what I like to call sudoku flow. I try to listen to the beat whilst thinking of the words next to perfect that I can project in unique rhythms in hopes to gain the audience's attention. Sometimes I succeed. Other times not. But I am always trying. That's all I can promise because that's all that is certain.

Like in any presentation, there is a period where you anticipate the future. You go over your rehearsals, think about what you'll say, how you'll move, etc etc etc. Me - I blank out. I clear my head. I can't remember the last time I was actually nervous. Some may see that as a positive, but I see that as a negative; a cancer that eats away at my performance; a dynamic lost in the annexes of my being. Its as if there's hardly any fight to me. Sometimes I'll feel myself recessing back into a laid back form, unconcerned with captivating the audience and relying on the words to guarantee respect.

I know better than that. The package must be complete and even then there is a bit of luck that determines one's notary and consignment. Before the stage I am ready. I am calm.

Its time to get anxious.

Yulster

Mic check 1, 2

Suite Life

2010-07-29T04:03:00.000-07:00

Yulster

Edit thyself.

On to the Next One

2010-07-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Rapport is almost done. Its about time I took the next project seriously.

Expected drop date late 4th Quarter.

Before I get ahead of myself, what is The Rapport? The Rapport (pronounced ra-pour) is the official label of the mixtape created by Rocky and myself. Together we create INTR1K8. Over the course of 2 years we have undergone droughts and floods of inspiration. We've been invited and rejected to perform at various venues. We've had countless name tweaks. Finally, after a long process of learning and networking, the project that started in the summer of 2007 with little-to-no support has been backed by various prominent names in the west coast Filipino-American community.

Its fascinating how things have grown the way they have and God willing, we will our success in serving, informing and entertaining the people. The Rapport is the first of many major projects we will be creating. Upon its official release I'll publish a proper rundown but for now this will have to do.

Aside from the INTR1K8 projects lined up, I will also begin spawning my long awaited solo project, The Epistemology. While the creative juices are still flowing I might as well run with the momentum. Let it be known, however, that I am not jumping ship from the group; I'm adding to it. Its been something I've been wanting to do for quite a while. Stay tuned.

Yulster

aka Alighieri

2010-07-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

Its not the years of your life but the life in your years that matter.

Know What Today Is?

2010-07-01T01:20:00.000-07:00

Yulster

Wake up.

Reach

2010-06-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

Yulster
Higher.

For Promotional Use Only

2010-06-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

Photos by Ryan Medel.

Yulster

Say Cheese

Sketchy

2010-06-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

Yulster
Shake to undo.

If You Had Just One Question

2010-06-29T03:27:00.000-07:00

"If God had a face what would it look like and would you wanna see; if seeing meant that you would

have to believe..."

Yulster
Just a slob like one of us.

Where the Party At?

2010-06-28T03:35:00.001-07:00

Yulster

If the party where you're at let me hear you say

Fairground

2010-06-28T01:23:00.001-07:00

Yulster
Coming home to you.

Spark My Interest

2010-06-28T01:04:00.000-07:00

Yulster

Eureka.

Scandalous

2010-06-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

I'll give this show until the season finale. The melodrama and personalities of the characters are something not to be desired but they are easy on the eyes. And hey, at least they're not vampires.

Yulster

Shhhhhh

May the Force Be With You

2010-06-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Yulster

And also with you.

I Must Try Harder

2010-06-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

"I wanna spark change I've envisioned in my mind. Its time to see all colors not just shades of black and white. I wanna feel peace, if you're with it, testify. We got to come together - see our numbers multiply. I wanna touch truth and I wanna hold life, pave a road to fulfillment and have the future shine bright. I wanna make good; something that I will remember for the betterment of all and have it last until forever. We got to come together" - Ulster Napoles aka Alighieri

Yulster

Painting pictures.

There is No Here, Now

2010-06-18T00:59:00.000-07:00

Yulster

4 8 15 16 23 42

Fanfare

2010-06-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

As you are all aware of by now, the Los Angeles Lakers are once again back to back NBA Champions. I congratulate their efforts as well as the efforts of the Boston Celtics in a hard fought Finals series. Anyone who as undergone any sort of tournament will be sure to testify how stressful the arduous journey to victory can be so its only fitting to say the struggle made the win all the more sweet.

I'm not much of a sports fan. There are aspects to the game that I still don't quite understand. I was never involved in teams or leagues or any sort of organized athletic faction because my father didn't permit me. I was too small to get involved, my father would rationalize, and I'm too prone for injury. Its easy to become disinterest in things that you are not involved in. I would give off a sigh when kids stayed after school for practice or suit up while discussing plays, wishing I could've been there with them.

I sucked with a basketball. I still suck with a basketball. I can admit that because my heart isn't truly in the game; but I respect those whose hearts are. On all corners of my family lively debates would spawn, sometimes in full fledged arguments despite promising to be civil. Those are diehard fans. They are fanatics. But there are other groups as well.

These groups the haters and the bandwagon riders.

I don't think it would be dire for me to define these terms. Every season, no matter what sport, people are accused of being these terms when they are tossed around in living rooms, garages and bars around the world. I don't think the social ecosystem can exist without the need to label those we feel are not like us. We want to put blame on others to make ourselves feel more superior. It generates our trash talk and fuels rivalries to the point of generational hate.

But to bring it all back, I am happy that the LA Lakers won. I am a fan of their franchise, and though I don't sit around reading stats or tune into ESPN for the highlights, I don't think I am a a so-called bandwagon rider.

My partner in rhyme, Rocky, has it out for the Lakers. As to why? I'm not so sure. But you can read his tweets to get a better understanding of what I mean. Like many of my recents endevours in rhyme, he is what sparked this entry after such a long hiatus. He writes, "I don't hate the lakers or their fans. But laker banwagons at least TELL me where the lakers orginate from....... yea stfu."

Well aside from being founded in Detroit before moving to Minneapolis and ultimately to Los Angeles, I can say that that they are one of, if not the best teams in the league. So, why the hate? You can't talk about wrestling without mentioning Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Rock. You can't talk about baseball without the Yankees and you certainly can't talk hip hop without Alighieri. Okay, that last one was a joke, but you get the picture.

In a sense, I'm defending those who are perceived as bandwagon riders and argue the case as simply being noobs. Our interests start somewhere. The first game we attended, watched on TV or even played. You might have even had the difficult task of coaching. But it all starts somewhere. No one is instantaneously an expert on a particular subject, it takes time and interest. Since sport is all about competition, wouldn't the interest naturally fruition on someone successful? Say, Kobe Bryant?

I am a fan of LA because we don't have a home team. We have the Padres who are actually pretty good this season, but not World Series material... yet. We have the Chargers who seem to always trip at the finish line every year. We had the Rockets and the Clippers at one point in time, but we are currently vacant in the NBA. Sure I could cheer for either of those teams but they are not impressive enough. The Lakers are about the closest thing to a home team we've got and I speak truth for anyone loyal to all LA, Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties. Hell, Mexico can get their slice as well.

And Kobe is reputable because of his illustrious career. I'm not saying it was all good times for him, you know what I'm talking about. He's an impressive player. People gravitate to greatness and greatness is often exposed to the masses in the playoffs. Despite struggling with points in game 7, his rebounds kept LA afloat. He gets the glory because as a whole he's been the leader throughout. Judge me in my entirety lest you judge me at all.

In the end, its just a game. And what most are arguing about are its politics. Have your fun. Cheer, moped, congratulate, condemn. This is far from my intended explanation, but it'll have to do. I'll be over here when you're finished.

Oh and LA, stop rioting, you're known to do that. It hurts the city more than anything.

Yulster

Five for fighting.

4 More Years

2010-01-27T21:56:00.001-08:00

First off, a very happy new year to you all, whoever you are. I hope that you are getting well adjusted to what 2010 is offering.

We've already seen that 2010 is no exception to destruction and disaster as devastating earthquakes have hit Haiti and the Philippines. Mother nature is not very happy. But despite that, I am selfishly foregoing the opportunity to address such matters to discuss Apple's latest product, the iPad.

Everyone has already made 5th rate jokes about the name, but think about it, as silly it is, iPad is the best name for the device. As Steve mentioned, the iPad tablet is the mediator between laptops and smartphones. The supposed successor to that throne was supposedly to be netbooks. Nope. I agree. Convenient in certain scenarios, but not a necessary device. The iPad is like a notepad (see where we're getting at?) in the way that its thin stature and accessibility to multiple apps have allowed it to be pretty mobile.

The iPad is the next installment of an already impressive catalog in Apple's repertoire. It stands along side the iPod and iPhone, thus no other name would suffice in capturing the family ties with the brand other than iPad.

With that said and as beautiful as the device is, it falls short upon expectations just as the original iPhone did. Its in the upgrades and updates that will make this product great. It needs a smaller bezel, OLED screen, larger capability, a front facing camera and Flash. The Flash thing is understandable since Adobe and Apple don't see eye to eye quite yet, but other than that, improvements must be made.

Will people jump? Of course. Will it replace necessity? Of course not. Not yet. Just as the iPhone gets better with its OS software and hardware updates, the iPad will definite mature into what is to be expected as a future household item. I have no doubt about it.

Until then, I'll wait. Despite all the shortcomings of the world's future, these are exciting times in technology. I have friends that are so technologically backwards it amazes them how fast and scary things are coming along. Their right. How far we've come in such a short period of time. If only everything was like that. Wishful thinking at its best.

I have a feeling that the iPad has just killed the Kindle. Sorry Amazon.

Yulster

iBuy.

Drawing Board

2009-12-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

I used to silently ridicule my acquaintances who've taken interest in fashion but had nothing to show for it. They were all talk. But that was pretty hypocritical. I hardly have anything to show for 4n6. The idea is there and the dream still lives but it has barely been screened from concepts to actual tees.

The past couple of days I've revived the ambition to venture out and fulfill the dream. Everyday I go out to school, places to eat, a shop here and there and I see the hypebeast uniform. Everything is so uniform. I don't think I'm so inclined to fashion because I think feel that it doesn't exist in my community. Everyone dresses the same. Of course, thats how its always been, but in the past 4 years I've noticed the trend acutely and chagrined when I see kids (of all ages) pretend that they push the envelope.

I'm part of the problem, I admit that. I'm not bringing any change to the situation. My only solution is to step back. Chances are that in a few years thats what everyone will do as well. Its just the trend, the fad, the style.

I'm not giving up on streetwear though. I believe in the philosphy. The intermingling of various subcultures. We are never not one thing, so as long as there are representative of that, I will continue to support, just not in the blind sheep way as most do.

With that said, 4n6 lives.

I've been doing my homework, drafting plans, and anticipating what is to come in the next year. It doesn't matter if I'm the only person wearing my brand. Actually, I prefer it. In that way no one would ever own what I own. I look forward to the brewing developments. I'll keep you posted. Its going to be exciting.

Yulster

Cut and print.

Penmanship Needs Censorship

2009-12-12T22:13:00.001-08:00

Cuz the beating BJ gave Sanchez was nasty.

Yulster
Prodigal, son.

On Air

2009-11-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

Some may be aware that I consider myself fairly versed in writing. This includes the realms of academia, journal writing, poetry and by extension, rap. By the look of me, there wouldn't be any real indication of my interest. However, I'd like to think that I'm always on the pursuit of improvement. One of those ventures include my partnership with my good friend Matthew Aguirre aka Rocky in our hip-hop duo dubbed N2rK8.
We are currently working on a mixtape that is slated for next month. Thus far we've been well recieved despite the lack of notarity. In those aspects, I always second guess my work, but I go in the booth and on stage believing that the collective opinions are not the objective, rather, if I can reach just one person; truly reach them, then I have done my part in sharing stories written in various schemes and pentameters.

Below is a look of what we do on a frequent basis. Credits to Jonathan Orbita, Jr.

Yulster
One pull Yul.

Death of the Blogger

2009-11-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

When a new medium arises with the promise of expedited efficiency, the outdated information highway becomes less and less used. How often do you see people in this day in age prefer cable to digital? The sales market has been virtually raped by the influence of torrents. AOL, Dogpile, and Netscape have all fallen to the almighty Google. Once the prominent phone maker in the world, Nokia struggles to fight against the rise of the "smartphones" equipped with touchscreens. Social networking too has been plagued by the bigger and badder buck. Asianavenue? Friendster? Even MySpace has been hit. The current leader is Facebook despite its stripped interface.

The point that I'm making is that there is an all too often inevitability with the changing of the guard. New, however does not necessarily equate to improved. The thought process has been stunted by the emergence of Twitter.

Granted, Twitter is nothing new. It has been known as status updates on already existing social networks, however because it has been repackaged and presented as its own identity, people eat it up and abandon all other forms of prompts. Such is the case with the fall of the Blogger.

I will not sit here and pretend to deny that Twitter has not affected the way that I publish my thoughts because it has. The tallied information of my posts is publicly available just to the right of your screen. It tells you that there has been a steady decrease in posts for the past 3 years. A good reason for this trickle effect is the choice of information that I release and the filtration of Twitter.

So many blog have been left dormant, and more unfortunately even more have been deleted. The problem with Twitter is that it has, for lack of a better word, stunted how people think. Instead of developing paragraphs of valid information, a good portion of the population now think in the manner of 160 characters.

The problem isn't Twitter itself, because it is a viable source of immediate information. The problem arises in the people's dependency and their ridiculousness of their posts. It is because of the ridiculousness that true writers are given rise to ridicule the unfiltered thoughts of devoted twitter users.

So this is my resurgence to the blogosphere. Whatever Works will not die now. Too many events that have reshaped my live in the past year have gone undocumented. That was the point of this blog to begin with. Somewhere along the way, the purpose has gone unrecognized. But I try to practice what I preach as much as possible, the other option would leave me a hypocrite. Thus, in every passing moment is a moment to change, and as of this moment I am revitalizing and reclaim my little portion of cyberspace.

Resurrection.

Yulster
Moment of silence.

Live or Die

2009-08-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

The only reason to appreciate Halloween anymore these days.

Yulster
Let's play a game

Break Break Down

2009-07-27T10:13:00.001-07:00

I just wanna cry.
But I can't.

Yulster
Steady breakin' me on down.

-- Post From My iPhone

Dissing Discounts

2009-07-11T20:03:00.001-07:00

This should really be more of a tweet than anything else, but considering what the wu next entails, it seemed more appropriate to blogpost about it.

Earlier I had said to ignore my previous post because it was a test run of the newly purchased app Blogpress; the blogging application that runs on various platforms. It was the apps I deemed necessary and at 2.99 I thought it was a fair price.

A couple days later the update produced a .99 cent sale. I can't be too upset though, after all, I did benefit from such a price drop before with the original iPhone and then again with the flight simulation game F.A.S.T.

I probably should just be happy that I have the application and show it by dedicating my thoughts into blogposts again. God only knows how low my already subdued audience has shunk.

Twitter killed everything.

Yulster.
Limited time sale!!!

-- Post From My iPhone

This is a Test

2009-07-02T14:05:00.001-07:00

Pay now attention to this post. Since LiveCast refuses to work, I'm forced into expediture. Alas, BlogPress is now purchased for the iPhone.

Yulster
Post.

-- Post From My iPhone

Gone Too Soon

2009-06-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

Being that Michael Jackson is the greatest pop culture icon ever, I felt compelled to write more than a few short phrases and make this a bit more personal:

The first time I knew of Michael Jackson was when I was in first grade (1993). At the time I did not know of his popularity, but simply who he was, sorta like how a kid recognized Big Bird. His picture was displayed at my school library (William Penn Elementary) with other celebrities and one of my classmates had told me he was in jail. Not the best first impression I would say, and later learned that it was not true, though the allegations of his first child molestation where prominent at the time. As I further acclimated into pop culture I, as the rest of the world had already known, was flooded with the entertainment that Michael Jackson had produced. In second grade I had been so obsessed with his music that it became the soundtrack that I would listen to before Tae Kwon Do class and would even sit on the stairs of my Singapore home just writing his lyrics down and give them to my teacher.

While living in Singapore, and the preexistence of YouTube or Napster, all of his works I owned were attained by legal means. My Mom had all his solo albums, we bought video tapes and even were fortunate enough to attend his Singapore concert in 1997. Throughout the mid-90's I delved and ate up everything Michael Jackson. My naval base friends and I would stay up watching televised shows and rewind the tapes just to watch it over and over again. I remember in fourth grade the world premiere of Ghost (the short film preceeding Blood on the Dance Floor) was shown as my best friend Ryan at the time and I would hide under sheets in case anything was actually spooky.

For those who may remember me from Singapore throughout middle school will undoubtedly reminisce and validate how synonymous I was with Michael's dancing; That was what I was remembered for. Not being King Ape, not student counsel - but dance. I spend countless hours in front of windows, mirrors or any other reflective surface mastering the moonwalk. I'm happy to say that I was good at it for a number of years. Good enough to get acclaim for my solo performances at the dance recitals. This story is all too common with a number of people across the globe because we share something in common: We wanted to be like Mike.

As the years went on my dancing (and singing, for that matter) began to diminish as I started getting involved in more 'grown-up' things, but the interest and fanaticism, love and adoration was never subdued.

Needless to say, he was very influential to the entertainment industry. For all his achievements, none of them compare to his ability to touch millions upon millions of people. Only he can create such pandemonium that spans all generations. That is his legacy. For all his eccentric ways, he was compassionate and humble, quite and loving. He cared so much children that it really is a shame how the media ballooned everything. Forget the trials, the lawsuits, the financial hardship, or the surgeries. Remember Ben, Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous. The same man who had lived such a controversial life also wrote "Heal the World", "Earth Song", and "We are the World" among the overwhelming number of chart topping classics. His contributions to music and pop culture at large is unparalleled. It is likely that we will never see another like Michael Jackson again. Lets be clear, Michael was indeed larger than life. There is no wonder why the news of his death is received with so much shock and attention. And as much as death is certain for all of us, his is one that the world definitely did not expect and obviously none wanted to believe. He is the definition of icon. He is the foundation of all the young talent out there today. He is the guilty pleasure that so many are ashamed to admit (I'm proud to say I was never ashamed). Like JFK and John Lennon before him, his superstardom has encompassed all societies thus will all remember his legend.

I want to say more, but I don't know how to translate my thoughts into statements. So I'll leave this with some of his words.

"In our darkest hour, in my deepest despair, will you still care? Will you be there? In my trials and my tribulations, through our doubts and frustrations, in my violence, in my turbulence, through my fear and my confessions, in my anguish and my pain, through my joy and my sorrow, in the promise of another tomorrow I will never let you part - for you're always in my heart." - Will You Be There

"Before you judge me, try hard to love me, look within yourself then ask 'Have you seen my childhood?'" - Childhood

You got school teachers who don't wanna teach. You got grown people who can't write or read. You got strange diseases (ha) but there's no cure. You don't many doctors that aren't so sure so tell me why you wanna trip on me" - Why You Wanna Trip on Me

"Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight. In one day... gone one night." Gone Too Soon.

I love you, Michael. I will never forget the "Hee Hee's", the glittery glove, the eccentric dress, the crotch grabbing, but most importantly the enjoyment you've created in my life. Just like the tagline of the 25th Motown Anniversary - you will always be a legend of the world - Yesterday, Today, Forever. Thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his family, and most importantly his children.

Long Live the King.

Michael Jackson.

King of Pop.

1958-2009.

And I Tell It To Myself....

2009-06-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ray.

We love and miss you dearly.

Rest in Peace.

Yulster

Float on.

Quit Toying Around

2009-06-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

Yulster

Batteries not included.

Can't Hardly Wait

2009-06-11T18:44:00.001-07:00

If its on the net, then I'll find it. I couldn't exactly wait for the 3.0 software when WWDC rolled through, so when we all found out that the software would roll out next Wednesday, well, some of us grew a tad bit more impatient. Within 24 hours of the announcement, someone was able to obtain a master copy of 3.0. Needless to say, the download spread like wildfire, not to be outdone by the Gizmodo article testing its validity and sustenance. When all was clear for launch, a legion of early adopters (myself included) took the leap of faith and reformatted the prerelease rendition.

All is well, and I am currently running 3.0. Its running well, although I do wish that I had the full host of features like that of the 3G and later the 3GS, but all things one step at a time. Oh, and because the update is free, no one really is getting hurt.

Yulster

Up to date.

Oh Lawdy

2009-06-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

Pictured below is the new Lambo. Mock-up, proto-type, or ready to sell I don't care. You don't have to be mechanical genius to know that this is a beast. It looks like one of those HotWheels from back in the 90's but still very futuristic. I dunno about you, but the back is the craziest thing ever.

Of course, if I was in the market to cop, well a sleek refined Reventon would be my supercar of choice.

But since I'm one of the 95% of the world's population that will never be able to afford something like that, Camille will not only do, but remain my personal preference.

Yulster

Prepare for liftoff.

53%

2009-05-19T18:56:00.001-07:00

The Battle at the Berrics was probably the most exciting skate tourny of 2008 and being broadcasted on the internet over a span of 4 monthes allowed viewers to pick up and follow pros get it poppin' at their convienance. Of course, embedded video would only be significant should its content be sticky and interesting. When you get 32 of the most consistent pros together duke it out, well, its just amazing.

At the finale, it was Benny Fairfax against Mike Mo Capaldi battling for $10K. It was exciting to say the least. Mike Mo, favored to win from the get go lived up to all expectation.

The Berrics has just announced the next 32 competitions in the sequel battle. The pubic was given the power to chose who they wanted to participate. 64 names, 32 elected. 17 of my votes got in. I'm happy.

I don't have a prediction of who would take it all the way, but I favor my boy Geoff Rowley and Josiah Gatyln to rank high. Whoever wins, its truly a star studded event and I can't wait till they get things underway.

Yulster

Ro Sham Bo

On The Road Again

2009-05-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

The countdown is reaching its final days before the 3 (+1?) of us to depart from San Diego and venture due east to Austin. I've never been to Texas so the excitement and anxiety is reaching fever pitch. The best part of course will be up in the stands cheering on our beloved cousin as he paves the way toward success for us mere undergrads. It holds considerably higher significance to me since Gerald too started at the community college level. It give me hope that my dreams are not shot and that with faith, determination and a few all nighters I will someday be able to throw my graduation cap in the air as I accept a Degree that I can be proud of.

Austin is the easy part; Its the interstate crossing that will separate the boys from the men. We all have our respective road trip experiences under our belts - Years ago my family and I travelled up to Hayward for a funeral and visited the old stomping grounds that became the foundations of my childhood. Boogie tagged alongside his LA crew for Melo's birthday extravaganza in Vegas and more recently Jerome journeyed to Arizona on a whim for his homie Momo and partied with the locals.

With our powers combined we will cross rattlesnake infested lands enduring harsh desert conditions stopping only at border checks to avoid "The Hills Have Eyes" monster that would rape us in broad daylight. I figure three changes of basketball shorts and undies should suffice for the trek and maybe a good book. I do hope however the scenery is pleasant from time to time like this:

Instead of like this:

To any extend I've undergone studying tapes at the interims between playoff games at capture any useful tips these films can offer for the journey ahead. Among these tapes are:

About Schmidt.

Tommy Boy.

Sex Drive.

Little Miss Sunshine.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle / Escape from Gitmo.

Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back.

Road Trip.

and of course, the pinnacle,

Dumb & Dumber.

Haven't learned very much yet. Anyway, finals are right around the corner, so the films are the least of my worries. Que Sera. All for you, Gerald.

Yulster

Saddle up.

Conditioning

2009-05-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

There is now a doctor in the Napoles clan and on the 23rd it'll be official. After a somewhat successful iChat conference call, we begin the conditioning process that will enable the physical, mental and spiritual endurance as we journey to the Lonestar State to witness family history in the making. Playlists are currently being constructed. Confined space stretches are being designed. Routes mapped out. Electronic devices are being charged. And 5 Hour Energy shots are being stocked up.

These three boys...

...will take this car...

... 1400+ miles...

... to see this guy get handed a piece of paper.

When that happens and from that moment on, no longer will he be "Mr. Napoles" anymore, but rather, "Dr. Napoles" OR "Gerald Napoles, PhD." And we are all proud. Graduation season is in full effect.

Yulster

ConGRADulations.

Hatton Who?

2009-05-03T02:36:00.000-07:00

Those who don't remember the past...

Hatton vs. Mayweather Jr. - December 8, 2007

...are condemned to repeat it. - George Santayana

Hatton v. Pacquiao - May 2, 2009.

This wasn't a fight. It was a massacre. Not even BBC could defend their beloved hero's dignity. I'll leave it at that. 3 knockdowns in under 6 minutes? And we thought the De La Hoya fight was an annihilation. Child's play, enough said.

Who want next?

Yulster
Lights out.

School's Out

2009-05-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video.

Out of all the schools in the San Diego Unified School District, the one out of the two happens to be my sister's school, and my alma mater San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, better known as SCPA. I guess I really should start looking out for zombies, eh Jerome?

Yulster
Oink Oink.

Perspective?

2009-04-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

Yulster
I don't wanna play anymore.

Why Try?

2009-04-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I started getting back into the habit of working out. Needless to say, it was rough starting out and I'm still breathing heavy, that's because I didn't have a well orchestrated cardio program. You'll recall before that I would run 1-2 laps around Rohr Park in the wee hours of the morning to gain stamina, but that proved not very fruitful because of my case of jumper's/runner's knee.

I should've listened more attentively in Health class back in 7th grade to always stretch before any activity. But no, every day after school for 4 years I would take my skateboard out and kick push until I could not stand any longer. The reason why I managed for so long was because during that time I was pretty active in P.E., and prior to the San Diego move I was the star pupil on my Tae Kwon Do class. Hell, who else do you know that was accredited to teach the class when no Master came at 12 years old?

As the years progressed, I became lax in my conditioning. Slowly the comments I got from aunties went from "You're so skinny" to "You're gaining weight". Mind you, I was never overweight, and even at my lowest point, my BMI was still well within range, yet the evidence was clear: I started to get a bit pudgy. Since school and work had been the only thing on mind as of late, time to efficiently work on my body was not in the cards.

I'm not that big of a fool; I'm novice enough to know that one must pace themselves with a level of intensity that isn't exceedingly uncomfortable yet not so ridiculously easy as to be considered a joy ride. The balance was hard to find. I struggle with runs, jumping jacks, everything that involves the knees. Which, for the most part, eliminated a vast portion of any cardio regimen that I had considered. It was rather shameful for me to think that, at the zenith of my health, I could run a 7 kilometer marathon without stopping and execute martial arts patterns with such perfect form that I became one of the youngest junior black belts at about a year and a half of training.

I'm embarrassed to even think that if I were to spar against my former self, the younger Ulster would whoop my ass. He's too fast, flexible and agile for me to even lay a hand. Sure I'm much stronger now, but what's strength when you're not fast enough to conjure an unpredictable attack and gas out too fast? Thats me now. I'm now saying that I can't hold my own in a fight or at the very least, a grapple. But, since we are our own worst enemies, it would be wise to place the tale of the tapes side by side. The present me would lose.

And then I thought, "Why try?" Bulking up will only make you look like a ball if you don't burn the fat. In the end, you'll stop exercising altogether and take your destined place amongst all the fat uncles you bless at family parties. "Why fight the nature?" Even the mighty have fallen, so what chance to I hold?

Then I though to myself, someday I'm gonna die. I used to be afraid of that. But something happened a few years ago, and I got over that fear. I learned to think about it kinda like a fun test. There's a certain amount of time, but you don't remember how much, so you just work on it, in this case, your goals, until God finally say's "Pencils down." Since I'm still alive, I've decided to get through my goals before God closes the curtain, and one of those things is to be able to have the stamina to run with my kids, if I'm lucky enough to have them.

That said, I'm not out to get super buff and chiseled like a greek god. I'm far to realistic, I know there will be too many times where meals cannot be supplemented and thus the flow can't be changed. I don't control that, necessarily. I won't deprive myself of certain foods. I'll burn off what I can, so as long as the windmill hasn't stopped grinding the wheat then I'm still okay. If I was living on my own, that would be a different case altogether.

Last week Jerome introduced me to P90X. I've seen the commercials, but hadn't considered buying it. The workouts looks legit and extreme but I just didn't see myself doing them. Jerome then told me how motivating the tapes looked and reminded me of how I could "acquire" it. 4 days later I bought a yoga mat and some heavy resistant bands while I sweat it out with some crazy cardio. In love? Maybe. Lets see whether I can keep this up for 90 days. I'd love to get that beach body, but more importantly get back to a healthier place where I can have a side by side comparison against my old self... and whoop his ass.

Yulster

Feel the burn.

Prideful

2009-04-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

Pride > UFC

I stand by that.

Its not the same though, ever since UFC bought the rights to Pride a few years back which brought much of the talent to the UFC, but like I said, it really isn't the same. Still, just like a good book, the ways of Pride fighters and the glory days of old are always worth revisiting. Plus, tell me that the UFC arena is better than Pride's. I dare you.

The rivalry between then-Pride fighter, Rampage Jackson and BJJ Wanderlei (Van-der-lay) Silva was truly epic. It should be pointed out however that Jackson slaughtered Silva at there last UFC meeting.

Too bad wrestling was never this real.

Yulster
Ground and pound.

Angels on the Halfcourt

2009-04-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Tell me there isn't a God.

Yulster
Devil be gone!

Forever Young

2009-04-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Jesus was resurrected.

50 years ago today Jesus was born.

What?

Today is my Pop's birthday, and yes, his name is Jesus.

That makes me God's son, so step off Nas!

It trips me out how my dad is now half a century old and despite that is way more youthful than his soon-to-be 22 year old son.

Happy Birthday Dad. I love you.

Yulster

Molded in his image.

Its That Time Already?

2009-04-07T00:34:00.000-07:00

On this day 3 years ago I was up in the wee hours suffering from sleep deprivation. On a computer my Mother had given me as a surprise gift, that at the time was the bee's knees, I would surf the internet until sunrise. Of course, 3 years ago I had just started my college career, and career as a side note has yet to end. It was then when I first learned about TheHundreds, blogspot, Gmail, a glimmer of likability for Apple products, an obsessive habit of shoe collecting, my first dope pair of Levi's, an enhanced way of downloading music by the truckload, and then naturally the inception of this blog.

I like to observe anniversaries and birthdays despite my dissipating enthusiasm for their monument. As days go by, I increasingly become more stoic, at least on the surface. I don't really know how to celebrate events anymore. Perhaps thats the reason why I don't get invited to many functions. No matter, I've learned quickly what I am and what I am not, therefore the exclusion of particulars do not offend me. Furthermore, the more I think about stuff the more I persuade myself into thinking I should not observe the inconsequential. Surely there are times of great cheer but others are frivolous in demeanor, unnecessary.

As a model, this post reflects a turn of attitude. I wouldn't typically address this, much less celebrate it, but as I reflect on the past 3 years that I have dedicated my time into writing, posting, and publishing for all the world to see without any clue as to who or lack thereof should view this content, I believe that it truly is a landmark period.

I have seen many blogs die fast deaths because their owners do not frequent them enough. Sometimes they themselves forget that they exist. Others transition periodically to different hosts. I admit that I am guilty as charged, however I still pay homage to my Xanga's just below my header. In a world of constant change, I strive for permanence and longevity wherever necessary. Thus, the achievement of staying on this particular domain and still maintaining triple digits in posts per year is very admirable in my book.

It is interesting to note what capturing time has rewarded me during this period. Certain subjects have remained the same, others are radically different. Names of people that I talk about have changed through the different chapters in my life. My college professors, my Home Depot stories, my random likes and pet peeves, dreams, agonies, all displayed here.

Last month I wrote whether or not I can continue. The blog has seen many changes, and will continue to. Perhaps one day this blog will someday cease to exist but that would be a story for that time. Just as in life, we do not look past living in order to see death, rather, we enjoi its journey until the time is up. Similairly, I will continue to blog when I like until the time I feel its time to retire.

Believe it or not, I actually baked a cake for the blog. I would've posted a pic, but it got demolished before I could get to a camera.

What anecdotes shall arise in this coming year? Who knows? Keep visiting, we'll both have to see.

Happy Birthday TailoredforTruth aka Whatever Works!

You've been good to me.

Yulster

Make a wish.

Twouble

2009-04-03T00:24:00.000-07:00

So its come to this...

Yulster
Tweet tweet.

Birthday Present

2009-04-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

The birthday is a matter of days away and this is high on my wishlist. Get it done and you get a cookie.

10 days to go.

Yulster
Drink Up.

Just Acting

2009-03-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

This past weekend there has been an online war raging concerning Microsoft's latest ad against Apple. Needless to say, the fanboys weren't too amused. The battle itself is funny and despite its overall bias I can't help but laugh at its ridiculousness. The only reason why I pay attention to the ad is because how cute "Lauren" is in 0:44.

To any effect, the blogosphere is relentless in setting records straight, and if I know ANYTHING about the internet its that if its not on Google then it doesn't exist. Take that formula and reverse it, and you get the search query for the true identity of "Lauren" who is in fact a paid actress. Surprise surprise. That didn't take long. In actually, I'm surprised it took this look for the Mac fans to quell suspicion.

From Engadget:

"Tracked down by TechFlash, "Lauren" (who is really Lauren De Long) says on her site "[she] booked what she thought was a "Market and Research" job regarding laptops. But that's not all she booked...actually Lauren found out they were shooting a national commercial! Tears, laughter and excitement greeted this new development."

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Microsoft test group had been assembled from "recruited prospective computer shoppers." Shoppers are distinctly different from people looking for jobs. Regardless-

Reading through De Long's resume, you find that her "special skills" include Cheerleading, Ear Prompter, Hula Hoop, and Stage Combat. So wait, she's an actress AND a cheerleader AND a stage combatant, but she's STILL not cool enough to use a Mac? No way. We just don't buy it."

Also:

"Lauren De Long just returned our call. She said, "Thanks for tracking me down and everything...I'm humbled and honored by all the attention, but I'm trying to gracefully turn down any interviews." She then confirmed that an NDA sealed her from talking about anything pertaining to the commercial (which means ... Lauren can't do any sort of Mac vs. HP value comparison)."

At least her name really is Lauren. And I reckon that with this exposure she just might have more work in store for her. At the very least by being the posterchild for HP. I'm sorry, Justin Long just won't give up his post at Apple.

Yulster

0:23

Specification Speculation

2009-03-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

Fuuuuucccckkk. I wish.

Yulster
If you build it, they will buy.

Lost

2009-03-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

I lost my phone this morning at school today. I panicked a bit. I left class early because of it. I traced my steps back to my car 6 times with a sliver of hope thinking it might be on a patch of grass some where.

Who was I kidding? Its an iPhone. Sure, not the 3G kind, but that of the $400 Edge decent. Most people have a "Finder's keepers" attitude when it comes to these things so the chances of retieve where very slim. I had the perception that I had to keep on it, believing the trail was still hot and that I had to act quickly because if the battery on my phone died, well, then all is lost.

I went to the counselor's office who then referred me to campus police to check the lost and found. Nothing. They kept me on file though. I asked to use their phones to see if anyone had it. No answer.

Maybe I left it in the car? Yeah, thats probably it. No.

Maybe I left it at home while my dad was talking to me. Yeah, thats probably it. I'm easily distracted that way. Maybe I just forgot it. No.

Neither made much sense or justification anyway because the hook of my LRG case had been broken for months. All that held it together was some brittle chicken wire. It had fallen from my waist several times before, but I was always conscious of it. I suppose it was only a matter of time before it would have dropped whilst being predisposed elsewhere. This was that time.

I got home and used my sisters phone to call and leave a message to whoever had it believing I would never see "Fiona" again.

As fate would have it, 30 minutes later, my sister gets a call back from some baristas at a local coffee shop called Cosmos in La Mesa. I hadn't been to that part of La Mesa in over 2 years so it was a bit unusual to have it discovered there. No matter, I was just happy to know of my phone's whereabouts.

The sister and I arrived at Cosmos, a quaint little shop located in the Village strip of La Mesa who surprisingly didn't ask me for any proof that it was mine. They handed me Fiona in the red LRG case completely unaware as to how it got there. I gave them my gratitude and set off for the day's errands frequently checking the phone to see if anything was tampered with.

To my surprise, everything had been left the way it was. Maybe a game was played, I dunno, but I don't really mind. No calls, no texts, iPod plays, or Twitter/Facebook/Myspace alterations. Whoever found my phone had only sought to have it delivered back to me.

When I got home, I had a message in my inbox entitled "I found your phone". In it, a girl named Emily explained that she found it and dropped it off at Cosmos where she frequents to so I could pick it up. She left the address and number of the place and well as her own number in case I had any questions. That explains how it got from Grossmont to La Mesa.

In summation, I replied back my gratefulness and extending my hand out for help it ever she needed it. She expressed back the understanding of misfortune of having important devices being lost and never retrieved. The quintessential "do unto others" lesson resides here. She urged nothing more that I pay this kindness forward - something I intend to do as I urge you all the same. The world needs more Emilys. Kind hearted, considerate folk.

I'm one of the lucky ones. Everyday phones get lost, stolen, broken, or whatever the case may be. So much so that pretty much once its out of your sight, its pretty much gone forever. AT&T and Apple don't exactly have the best replacement plan as I've looked up here. I had this thought in mind, so this act of kindness was certainly refreshing and rejuvenates my hope for humanity. I can only imagine that if someone other than Emily picked up my phone, well, this little tirade would carry a different tune.

So if you're reading this, thanks again Emily. Your kindness won't soon be forgotten!

Yulster

And found.

Indefinite

2009-03-26T00:09:00.000-07:00

This subject has been in my mind for quite a while.

Though the profile views say otherwise, I'm more than sure that the majority of my traffic is made up of a handful of friends and family. Even so, most of that appears to be dying off. As I've noted from the very beginning, the blog isn't so much about you as it is about me. Naturally, from time to time I address my daily occurrence or voice my opinions on certain matters, but the direction of this blog is more for my own reflection and something that I can look back later on as a measure of my mental growth... assume google doesn't shut it down for indecent rhetoric or anything to that effect.

Yet, from time to time, I will go to my own page as a spectator. Naturally, I frequent to the links listed on the left and home base back here, but rarely look back on prior posts once they've been published, unless on any given day I am more lethargic.

As I near the third anniversary of this portion of cyberspace, (a feat that is somewhat an accomplishment by itself) I've refurbished and redesigned the interface quite a bit since its humble beginnings. And though I am proud to an extent, I am rather sentimental about the changes I've bestowed here. In fact the only thing that has remained the same has been the black swatch scheme and the picture at the very bottom. Aside from that, everything has been altered one way or another.

It made me think about what got me blogging (here) in the first place. Was it TheHundreds?Was it Yasi? Was it a natural transition from xanga? Was is other personal blogs that I read and found insightful?

It was all of the above. And what kinda saddens me, is that the influences that set motion to this blog are no longer in existence. If you have taken the time to click on some links, you'll notice some of them are dead. The reason why they are posted is not necessarily due to laziness, but because of sentiment. Eventually I'll have to take them down, and replace them with something that has more relevance to my current lifestyle and interests, but to think that I'd be losing a bit of the history of this blog's inception is a bit disheartening.

With the influencers gone, what gives me the assurance that I will continue steadily with this blog? I don't. I don't know whether I'll continue to convey my thoughts 5 years from now or if I end after this post. You'll notice a steady decline of posts year by year. And every month I struggle to meet a quote - I often fail.

It is my hope that as long as I have a thought and time to iterate it, there shall be a post. This is not for you, it is for me. To whoever and how many I can claim as a loyal viewership, I'm sorry that it may seem selfish, but one day, it is inevitable that you will drop me from your bookmarks. In the end, perhaps only I will visit this, hence, deem it necessary to write to myself for myself as long as possible.

Considering stating that this idea had been on my mind for almost a year already, I had anticipated a rather longer post, but perhaps short, sweet and to the point allows for a much better contemplative outcome.

Here's hoping for the future.

Yulster

To infinity and beyond.

Revealed

2009-03-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

After months of toiling over this revamp in story line, the faithful readers of Spawn finally know who the new guy is. All I can say is:

I was right.

Yulster

Told ya.

The Next Generation

2009-03-17T19:26:00.001-07:00

Some people believe in Harvey Dent. Dent is dead. I believe in Apple.

Call it personal bias, sure. But there is something that everyone has got to admit: they've got everyone by the fucking balls and it seems that we're all okay with that.

Music: iPod. Enough said. But at Apple, enough is not enough. Enough is mediocre. They want to pound the competition so far to the ground that Satan himself looks up at developers and responds "What were you thinking?". Everyone has/had/will have an iPod. There was an interesting forum topic that bagged on this initial release of iPod 8 years ago guaranteeing that Apple would epically fail in this market. In present day, we're so damn into the frikken device that we buy it even if it doesn't have buttons! They have progressively slimmed down the physical size while upping the storage capacity (*except last year's discontinued 160GB) and have uniquely made agreements with the music, movie, television industries to exclusively bring content to iTunes. Does Dell have that? Yeah right, Dell doesn't even have a product anymore, I should know, I had one. I spent my high school graduation money on it... That's something I don't wanna talk about.

Computers: Its hard to be the top dog with Macs because every couple of months Apple releases either new software or an entirely new, lustworthy product. What's even more funny about it is that every Mac owner has waited until they thought it was absolutely necessary to get one only to find out that less than a year later their new shiny product has be replaced and by definition, obsolete. Well okay, thats not entirely true, but admit it, as I do, you would rather have the new MacBook Pro 17 than that 12in. Powerbook you got for Christmas 2 1/4 years ago. There's really nothing wrong with our "used" Apple products, it just so happens that Apple continues to make their products better, stronger and last longer faster than anyone of their competition. For years I've been on Windows 98 before finally getting stoked on Windows XP. Then, just a couple days ago, I was fumbling through my uncle's laptop with Windows Vista, and was surprised at how frustrated I was at times because of the different workflow features. Thank you Apple for "Spaces".

Telecommunications: My first smartphone and previous cell device prior to my iPhone was the HTC 8125. I loved it. But love quickly turned to frustration and into hate. Perhaps because of the Windows mobile operating system, I dunno. Then the iPhone came out. Bunch of people thought it was just hype. Hype became reality. Touchscreen phones were already in existence, but no one did it like Apple. Now, EVERY service provider jumped on the bandwagon destroying the fandom and welcomed the technology as the new wave of technology. Every phone since that fateful summer in 2007 has strived to become the iPhone Killer. iPhone continues to slaughter. Everything that iPhone touches turns into gold, or workflow, or entertainment... whatever you call it, thats what it became. And other's jump on Apple's agenda in the hopes that their business plan might benefit from Apple's creative mind. The AppStore? Genius (*not to be confused with Genius within iTunes). RIM for Blackberry as well as Microsoft have created similar stores. Owner's of these devices sing their praises but their is something that iPhone does that others do not: update software. Or at least the way that Apple does it. It truly makes the phone into a pocket computer. None can compete.

Earlier today Apple recorded a presentation giving us a sneak peek at the new iPhone/iPod Touch OS 3.0. Peer to peer, push notifications and finally, cut and paste! There is way more that I could expand upon but way to much info to type up. If you really wanna know just hit up Apple, Giz, Engadget or any other tech blog. I guarantee there's extensive coverage.

The update is set to release later this summer and I'm glad to say that its a free update for all iPhone owners. As of right now, its still not necessary to get a new phone because all but two (GPS & MMS messaging) are capable on the original iPhone. But Apple being Apple, they'll probably release a newer iPhone (32GB? or 4G?) along with the 3.0 update. And being the fanboy that I am, if they release a phone with either (hopefully both capabilities) then I'm getting it. Even if it means refinancing the house.

Yulster

Where's Steve?

Don't Answer That

2009-03-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

Just a thought:

If a hot girl sits in the back corner of the classroom where absolutely no one can see her, is she still hot?

Let that marinate for a while even though we all know the answer.

Yulster

There are no stupid questions.

Duty Calls

2009-03-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

2006

2007

2008 - ????

2009

And just when I think they've forgotten about me, they get me by the throat.

Yulster

Guilty.

Beyond Belief

2009-03-14T00:24:00.000-07:00

No way.

Say it isn't so.

Pinch me.

I just saw the craziest shit ever.

I guess it had to happen sometime.

I'd tell you but its really that "woah" for me.

I'm still shaking my head.

Unbelievable.

Yulster

Better you than me.

Asian Sensation

2009-03-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Set to release her third English album digitally on the 24 of this month, Hikaru Utada should be put on notice in the minds of true open minded listeners everywhere. Most of the world would remember Utada for her song "Simple and Clean" and "Passion" for Disney's Kingdom Heart games for the PS2, but her talent far exudes mere console jingles.

Its hard for me to think that she hadn't made a bigger splash on the American scene considering she was born in New York City while mediocre talent had entered the mainstage with seemingly epidemic fervor. This Japanese-American has had tremendous continued success however in the homeland with japanese albums.

I don't know what it is about asian albums that demand much more attention. (I know that this is an English album, but the statement above bears water with the likes of Jolin, melody., Jane Zhang, Rainie, and of course Siti). After listening to Utada's latest work, I'd say its definitely on rotation. Much of the sound construction are distinctly asian influence but are well infused with western rhythm and song-writing. Best of both worlds? I'd say so. Oh and it doesn't hurt that she worked with Sking U, L.A. Reid, Stargate, Tricky Stewart, and The-Dream.

Note: Every so often I do mild reviews such as this, but never will I provide links to download. You're a big boy that knows how to use the internet, find your own damn sources.

Yulster

Arigato

Deficiency

2009-03-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

The more that I continue to study, the more I believe that I suffer from some sort of selective learning disability. I can't really put my finger on it, but I reckon thats the point.

Learning has always been a struggle. Not because I don't enjoi it, on the contrary, I love it. I relish on the concept of expanding my horizons on various schools of thought, but I have discovered more periodically that there may be some sort of physical blockade obstructing the path. As if there is some cortex in my brain that is either unengaged or not present altogether. This is a growing concern of mine because it leads me to a paranoid view that I will end up as a nonfunctioning person.

Last Thursday, I asked a very serious hypothetical to two of my closet family members; Jerome and Boogie. The question was if I somehow sustained an injury, via car crash, that led to substantial mental retardation, would they still talk with me as they do now? I wanted an honest answer, so it came as no surprise when I was received with an eventual retreat in relationship. A rather sad and daunting reality, but nevertheless, important and true for most who had to endure such a conflict.

To me, its not so much as I envision a life anticipating such a tragedy, but the possibility of slowly succumbing to diseases like Alzheimer's are enforced by the thoughts that I may not be able to physically process things as they should. So in plain english, what I'm getting as is: if I can't comprehend things now, by a possible damaged network, what sort of chance to I have with an dendritic regressing aging mind? By that correlation, its as if I have some sort of mental retardation.

Where does this stem from? All roads point back to the story in which I received my flat head. One day as an infant prior to age 2, I eagerly wanted to get out of my crib. A girl, a 5 year old cousin thought she was doing the right thing and unlatched the side railing. Naturally, because I was already leaning against the railing, I plummeted probably 2 feet to the hard wood floor head first knocking me out cold for a good minute. My Mom honestly thought I was dead. According to the tale, she was crying and praying because I wasn't responding in any form until I suddenly came too. She believed a miracle saved me. When my dad came home from work that day and found out what had happened, he banished the girl from ever playing with me. I never saw her again.

Anyone who has ever studied anatomy knows that the parietal bones of the skull do not fully develop roughly around preadolescence. Until then, the brain is only protected by the skin surrounding it, thus any injury sustain can result in irreparable consequences.

Could it be that that moment in time causes me to process things a tad bit slower? That the coding I have is incomplete? It may not seem obvious to you, the reader, because I seem to be functioning well. I have all my senses, and can distinguish things, differeniete, judge, etc. But what is there was one mild community of cells dormant in my brain much like patients who suffer from prosopagnosia that simply can not distinguish faces.

These conditions blow my mind and I simply can not fathom their impact nor understand its complexity. So much so that I lead myself to believe that there may be a variation unbeknownst to me but in existence in the eyes of medical personal.

Whatever it is that inhibits my learning potential, I hope that it is something that I can overcome swiftly and completely, otherwise, I may be doomed of an non-progressing life knowing dissatisfaction but incapable to change it.

The only other alternate theory would suggest that I'm just down right lazy.

That is a theory that, if proven, would give me just cause to kill myself. Not even kidding.

Yulster

Understood.

Radio Killa

2009-03-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

Yulster
If you ain't know, now you know.

Bring Me Back to Life

2009-03-08T00:03:00.000-08:00

They just need to make a new album. That is all.

Three years is a long enough drought.

Yulster
Wake me up.

Killing Time

2009-03-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

I now have 2 1/2 hours until my next class thanks to our first exam in Anthro. How'd I do? Its Anthro. Answer your question? This has been the first time in quite a while where I attended a class that had a test now followed by a lecture, thereby excusing the mass learners. 2 1/2 hours...

That's a disgusting amount of time. Even though with normal class duration, the break in between would measure approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, the additional 45 minutes completely through both the routine out the window. I can study more, yes. But with that kind of time.... come on. Time tweaks perspective, and currently its given me a reason to be lazy, relax and probably pass out in front of the screen.

I just hope that when I wake up I hadn't missed Physiological Psychology with 5 minutes remaining in the class; because it takes 5 minutes to get there. Whatever happens happens, right?

Yulster

Eh.

Over My Shoulder

2009-02-23T12:59:00.000-08:00

Since its pretty much a homework assigned Boogie gave to me, I've been catching up on the Watchmen before the movie releases next week. I tried reading my digital version of Watchmen while taking a break in the library but I got way too many queer looks. Some girl giggled with her friend probably thinking it was somewhat hilarious that a college kid would be reading a comic... on their laptop... at school. I could be wrong, but the situation dictates that sort of reaction.

I know I'm a bit unorthodox, but comics are still a relevant way of storytelling, all the more since multiple stories have been adapted into theatrical releases. But since the Watchmen isn't exactly the most noted story amongst my peers, many couldn't possibly understand the context in which the reason I was reading in the first place. It was obvious that me reading Watchmen at school was unconventional considering every passerby looked like a Picasso painting. I might as well have been reading Archie.

So feeling a bit discouraged and rather uncomfortable, I closed the application and continued studying for my anthro class. Thats probably what I should've been in the first place. Maybe when there's less people, I'll go back to the Watchmen. Rorschach looks better with the mask on. Poor guy.

Yulster

I always feel like somebody's watching me...

Night and Day

2009-02-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

Last time I heard, homeboy was arrested last Sunday because of some shoe beef. I tell you the war rages on between Reebok vs. everyone else. Reebok is like the 50 Cent of sneakers, they'll call anyone out just to get some publicity Kid Cudi just happened to be in the line of fire. Whatevs.

Yulster

Tripsy.

Smithsonian

2009-02-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

I'm a man with simple tastes. Thats a lie. Kind of. I like "simplexities" or simple complexities as Lupe calls them - things that would give off the allusion of simplicity in nature when in reality there is so much underneath the surface that defines complex and intricate.

Take shoes for example. At first glance, most shoes are bought because of their overall look. Then, there are those how labor on the design - the silhouette, shape, material, color, stitching, and ever inclusive detail that conjours up the footwear. I am one of those people. But still, I am a man with simple tastes. I like almost everything. But a favorite? Well, those are reserved for the classics.

Classics like the Jordan signature series, old school Vans, and Adidas Stan Smiths. I hadn't really known much about Stan Smiths until Jerome updated me on the 411. Actually, it was more so the Rod Lavers than anything else, but I had noticed throughout the years that there had been a principle design that several companies (cough* Reebok) that plagiarized on the simple aesthetic on this shoe. Ok, to be fair Adidas is probably not the originator of this patent, but you'll notice that after the popular UK re-release of the Stan Smiths, a surge of imitations flooded the shoe game with striking resemblance. I name Reebok especially because of the reoccuring lines with Jay-Z's S. Carters, 50 Cent G-Units, and Pharrell's Ice Creams, the latter in which I own a pair of. Common Projects, a 'premier' boutique-like company demand $325.00 a pair. Vismim is not so different.

Recently, Adidas has been promoting the Originals. I'd be lying if I said the commercials hadn't made a dent in my commerce thinking. And they cheated too, because they put Katy Perry in their ads. But nevertheless, after knowing about Stan Smiths, I knew I just had to get them in white on white, just to complement my deadstock white on white AF1s. But its more than complementary, I've been wanting a low top that really pops. Subtle yet sophisticated. Durable yet refined. An AF1 can't do that, no matter the cut, its to robust.

When I was younger, I promised myself that I would never cross Nike's enemy lines, but in reality, I had never been so loyal to begin with. Meshed with Vans and other skater brands like Osiris, DC, and C1rca, I would never wear the same pair twice in a pay period. Stans' are just way to buttery (and affordable) to pass up. Its just a matter of keeping em clean. But when you do, boy do they pop.

I remember also when sneakers came in an assortment of aliases, namely rubber shoes or tennis shoes. Finally owning a pair of white on white Stan Smiths has made an honest man out of me. I'm wearing tennis shoes.

Yulster

Game. Set. Match.

And I Will Whisper "No."

2009-02-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

During a healthy dose of conversation with Boogie to commemorate his birthday, he made great effort to get me amped on the Watchmen movie thats coming out on March 6. I had all but forgotten, so it comes to no surprise that Boogs would remind me. You see, he's a pretty big comic buff. Not quite so huge like TheHundreds, but big enough. Hence said, he likes to enjoi manga like Love Hina, Star Wars, DC material, Marvel here and there perhaps, and Spawn (thanks to muah). So when he told me about the preview for another comic movie coming out shown before the Dark Knight, that lit a fire up under his ass.

Apparently, the guy has been going off to Borders on Fridays that spanned the duration of 6 weeks to read the graphic novel in order to prepare him for the film thusly enabling him to be awarded a legitimate stake in praising or criticizing the adapted film upon its release. What's more, this conversation propelled us to search for our public library systems to borrow the book for myself and Jerome as to be on the same level as he. We had unfortunately come to no avail because others had apparently the same idea. 18 copies in San Diego, all of them checked out.

Boogie, being the keen observer as he is, suggested that I utilize my pirate like abilities and bootleg the damn story. Within minutes of the suggestion, I was 10 steps ahead, already on the second page of part 1. Boogie then had to depart, concerning some sociology homework to tend to, and I continued reading. I'm about 3 books in, and without giving anything away, the man was right. I hate it when he's right.

The Heartbreak Kid's ex-wife (not Shawn Michaels)

I'm writing this simply to spread the word of warning. Read it. At this rate, I'll be finished before sunrise (not likely). But at least I'll have something to talk about over the BBQ. At the end of the day, thats all I ask.

Yulster

But who watches them?

Die Another Day

2009-02-20T17:50:00.001-08:00

A time to kill.

The Boogster turns 22 today. You gotta admire the guy. At veinte-dos, he was matured much more than anyone that I can think of off the top of my dome. I'm not just saying that because he's my cousin, but also because on countless occasions he has unconsiously demostrated a leadership and stature unbeknownst to others my age. Of course he still has his quirks, but so does everyone. Yet despite that, I don't know anyone else who takes responsibility so sternly. You're getting old man. Thank God you still have a kick game that keeps you youthful. Oh, and if you're not busy, could you check this lump I got on the side of my neck? I mean, I'm not a doctor or anything, but I think its alife or death situation : )

P.S. I called you twice, but no dice. I'd love to talk to you in person and congratulate you again, but apparently you're too cool for me already. Party hearty and at least for one night, forget everything you learned at your hospital and get totally obliterated. Doctor's orders.

Happy birthday, sir. Despite what others may say, you are loved... at least by God. Just kidding, he hates you too. Just kidding about kidding. We all love you... maybe not Jerome.

Yulster

Not today.

<3break.

2009-02-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Heartbeak

By far my favorite joint off of 808s, Yeezy said that they had to scrap the video cuz of the obvious likeness of another artist. We all know which one. "Amazing" is set to be the next single for the album, and though I'm long moved on from listening to this record on heavy rotation, Amazing has gradually made its way up from my least favorite track to 3rd, just under Welcome to Heartbreak and Robocop. Despite being scrapped, its nice to know that the video actually exists and Yeezy was nice enough to post up. Oh and don't worry, the pixelation was intended - you don't have to buy a new computer... but you probably should. Jokes? The world may never know.

Yulster

Can't stop won't stop.

Says It All

2009-02-17T22:21:00.000-08:00

Yulster

Just cut it.

Carry on Tradition

2009-02-16T18:44:00.001-08:00

Some fan I am. Whilst giving my attention to what has been brewing on the western front of music, I had all but abandoned what Asia had to offer, especially from none other that Mrs. Siti Nurhaliza bin Tarudin. Hailed as the "Voice of Asia" the wife of Datuk K released her 4th traditional malay album the day after Christmas. In addition, I am saddened to read that her father had passed away of heart failure at 67. How I missed that is beyond me. My heartfelt condolences go out to their family.

Things have certainly died down with the Malaysian pop sensation after her 2006 wedding. I admit I'm still a bit bitter, but if she's happy, well then, what else can you ask for? Since then, she has been out expanding herself as a brand becoming more business oriented and working behind the scenes. I'm not sure really what that all entails, because I don't speak malay.

That in itself brings into question why I listen to her in the first place. In the past 3 years I've answered that question virtually every time I've mentioned her but for the sake of refreshment, it would be easily noted that you don't necessarily need to know the language to understand its beauty.

I listen to gregorian chants, Mozart sung in Latin, a few Spanish artists, and a number of K-Pop and J-Pop. Though it would be convenient to learn what I'm listening to, it brings into mind this concept of primitive appreciation, where melodies and rhymes carry you off much like an orchestra does. That being said, despite living in Singapore for 7 years, Malay isn't a forte of mine, yet listening attentively to traditional songs sung by Mrs. Datuk would help to enforce the memory of what once was. And I'll be damned if I don't follow up on these things.

Yulster

Artist selected.

Oh Trillz?

2009-02-14T01:11:00.000-08:00

When I was younger I had never suspected that holidays would gradually lose all meaning and significance. Sadly, it would appear that it bears more water than most things I concern myself with. With an ever increasing stoic-like state, being stoked on anything has become harder to come by. Excitement has been extinguished by years of disappointment, tragedy and petty anticipation.

Now as the days tick past, it has become increasingly difficult to value a day higher than another - no matter its cultural moniker. Take Saint Patrick's day and Cinco de Mayo, how many people actually celebrate its original reason for celebration in proportion to the rest of society? Not many, just another reason to drink. If you wanna drink, pop open a bottle, you don't need a reserved day to do it as if it were some sort of middle school permission slip. That's what I do. I got a 12-pack sitting in the fridge minus 8 right now just because I felt like drinking.

To me, it has become increasingly apparent that (in today's society) there are no* holidays - just days. Easter is more about the bunny... who hides eggs - rather than the resurrection of Christ - or about the ending of the winter solstice. Thanksgiving is all about gluttony. Is that any way to portray thankfulness when over half of the world starves? Just saying. And Mardi Gras is just an explicit excuse to explore the "I don't usually do this" aspect of self before submitting to a 40 day pious period. What I'm trying to get at is the original significance to a day has become vastly skewed by arbitrary symbolism thereby making it almost absurd to celebrate it.

Blasphemous am I? Partially. But so are most of the days that have gained recognition of being especially observed via the way we celebrate them.

So today we have Valentine's Day - the day for lovers. A day to show how much you care for your significant other by means of decadent material wealth. A day when despite your girlfriend having hate for chocolate, you're still suppose to shower her in an Ovaltine pool; because she'll hate you if you don't.

I don't write this as being bitterly opposed because I lack a Valentine. People in my position called this Single Awareness Day, or S.A.D. for short. Yet I am not that either - just indifferent. I have no tolerance for the people who condemn this day as being a fabrication for Hallmark or See's Candy or whatever company that profits greatly for the next 24 hours. This is because its historical reference dates back to ancient Rome. This community is so dense and ironically shallow to observe the true Feast of the priests and martyrs who secretly married Roman soldiers to their loved ones, collectively known as Valentines. But people don't see that because in the end, people will either fuel or rebuke this day; love it or hate it, for what? If you love someone, shouldn't you show them it every day considering that tomorrow is never promised? If you don't have anyone to love, why add to your "misery" by mocking others that do?

Can't anyone just be happy that its another day? Relax, party, go out, stay in, do whatever you want with friends, family, loved ones or by yourself. As for me, I'm going to Denny's. Lumberjack Slam, son. Quite possibly the best $9 I'll ever spend or the cheapest way to a heart attack. Oh and I'll be washing my car too; probably the highlight of my day.

Is that anyway to spend Valentine's Day? Sure. Why not. After all, to me, its just another day.

For what its worth, I am still a hopeless romantic, therefore, Happy Valentine's Day, to you and yours!

Yulster

Icebox.

Even If It Kills Me

2009-02-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

Due to the extend period of rain San Diego has endured this past week, my internet connection somehow ceased to be. And seeing as though this may be the only time I can take advantage of non-educational surfing, I might as well dabble about while I'm at it. I'm currently taking a break from typing up some notes for Psyche. In all actuality, the notes aren't even necessary in the respect that they won't award me any points, but will ultimately allow me to understand the material into its complex minot details. Thats where I wanna be at. I'm well aware that with little exertion (assuming I exert at all) I can get by with satisfaction. But as I've fore mentioned last year, 2009 is supposed to bring about changes and because satisfaction is quite frankly unsatisfactory.

We say that every year - We mean it too. But somehow never make good on it. I can not and will not allow that to continue. Hence my current situation. I type this with fatigued fingers, stumbling across the keyboard often misspelling words. I've only had two classes today. Yet I'm exhausted. Not because of the learning within the classroom, but rather - from out. Though I've realized before that there is only so much you can grasp within an hour and fifteen minutes, education should not be cheated by battling against the clock just to get something done. It has been only through sparatic periods that I've managed to defy impatience to truly absorb required information demanded of me. I intend to have that mentality to ooze throughout the rest of my life.

Everyday I'm attacked by furious headaches. I am battling one right now. I often contort my face in pain after reading chapter after chapter. Frequently annoyed when naps haven't gone to pass and when they do, it is merely 20 minutes before something triggers the pons forcing alertness out of me once again. I am at times very fatigued. But I'm not satisfied. Fatigued isn't good enough. Really, it isn't. Especially for the workload that I am facing. I plan on increasing it later on. Should I decided to write about it, you shall know what I'm referring to. I want this. I don't know how long I can do this, but you best believe that I'll be driving until the engine cracks.

I want to suffer. I want to be opposed by a mountain of books, essays, MLA, APA, reviews, critiques, memorization. I want to be let loose to tackle them. Because then two things can happen. The first is that I finally abandon all the frivolous and trite luxuries and fully utilize the so-called gifts granted to me. The second is that I die from the pressure. Not surrender. No; that is not an option. But to actually die, legitimate over-exerted, stress induced, migraine filled agonizing biological defeat.

Either I become scholarly or die trying.

And perhaps I am being a bit overly melodramatic. Perhaps thats the only way I know how to be, so you'll have to excuse the conotation of my linguistical skills but I grow sick of not knowing the answers and I am sick of cowering away from the problematic.

Even if it kills me - In fact, its best that it kills me because that is the only way out.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood... one leads to success, the other to failure. I am afraid to fail, hence, there can only be one way.

Even if it kills me.

Yulster

Die slow homie.

Premonitions

2009-02-04T22:59:00.000-08:00

Its not uncommon for people to have bizarre dreams. Its actually quite normal... biologically speaking, that is. Still, I shudder then reflecting at the images that are quite frequently portrayed during my peaceful slumber. Too often I have dreams of death; reoccurring scenarios linked up together like obscure chapters in a novel. Perhaps my subconscious is telling me that I where too much black during the daylight hours? Who knows. Neuroscientists and shrinks, maybe, but thats besides the point.

The other night I had a dream about one of my cousins slipping on a wet surface and landed on his neck. Panicked, I ran toward him as it appeared as though he was choking. Since I am not a medic, I was conflicted because I didn't know whether I should have given him the Heimlich or lay him flat on his back. I am not the proper authority to determine whether or not he damaged his spinal cord from the impact of his landing, so while desperately trying to calm him down and control his frantic breathing, I shouted out to anyone who could hear me to call an 911. In conclusion, Jerome, watch your step... please.

The same day, I took a power nap before class only to have it transform into another one of "those" dreams. It began normal enough, but slowly transitioned into an eerie state of conspiracy and paranoia. I was introduced to an interesting fellow talking about US political history when our little hike ventured outdoors at which point in time secretly pulled out some legal tender. He advised me to use extreme distrection upon viewing the money, hinting at clues of a new world order. The details are vague, but I recall the feel being silky with the face of our newly elected president with a value of $3. Its significance, unknown to me. But it gave me quite the chilling feeling, as if some dark cloud was emerging from behind us with negative effects and us having nothing in our power to stop it. He alerted me that our meeting had been compromised so we had to disperse in differing direction as "they" were watching us.

I trekked uphill toward my right were I met an elderly black man who was frightened to walk back home. Though I had no real concern or desire to assist, I did so willingly. We arrived it what appeared to be a runtown neighborhood. Some would call it ghetto, but it didn't feel like it. At his doorstep I motioned that I would be on my way back considering my good deed completed, however he warned of the gangs and drug-dealers and overall crime in the area that it'd be best that I go inside at least to wait until things outside calmed down (though there is no recollection of such activity). He also warned that since the crime rate was drastically high in the area, the police constantly swarmed the area and assume the worst of the people that reside there, hence, when they are around - hide.

We walked through his open hallway toward the dining room, when I peered to my right looking out the window. There, I saw a cop - his gun unsheathed - in what looking like he was pursuing a fugitive. Alarmed, I ducked, considering what the old man told me before. He told me to hide in the kitchen and to keep as quite as possible because they will open fire. When I opened the kitchen door open a dog trotted out and two remained inside. I held my breathe hoping they wouldn't bark at an unfamiliar face, alas, my hopes did not correlate to the reality.

The instant the mutts saw me, they barked angrily. Reminding me of the police's reaction to broken silence I lifted my head only to find a white female cop peering devilishly outside the window about 8 feet between us. Lifting my hands in freezing motion, I had hoped this signaled I am unarmed and insignificant to whatever case they were handling. Despite that, I saw a spark of fire burst of out of the officer's pistol and felt a warm sharp pain impacting my left jugular. All I thought was "I've been shot. This is it. I'm going to die."

I tried relaxing my breath, attempting to slow down the rate of blood exiting my neck but to no avail. Within what may have been a second in real time, felt like a full minute of conscious scheming as to how I would survive this dark fate. I had run out of options and accepted the outcome, I slowly closed my eyes with thoughts of whether I would get into heaven.

All I saw was darkness. No sound. No light. No thoughts. Just black. And it remained like this in what appeared to be an eternity.

Then I woke up. Confused. All the websites that I've visited about dream interpretation mention the vision of death being a threat or hinderance to some positivity in life. I'm not quite sure what that means, but all I know is that this dream has solidified a stoic state I've erected.

As a kid, death was the worst thing that can happen. Living, despite great joys come equipped with the baggage of dire detriments and pain. Not just in one's life, but in society as a whole which plague the very foundation of human existence. Hence, to me, death is nothing more than a dream.

Yulster
Letting the bed bugs bite.

The Saga Continues

2009-01-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

April 20, 2009

(My birthday.)

Yulster

World Premiere.

Gouda

2009-01-28T21:37:00.000-08:00

A little earlier this evening Headline News announced that the House of Representatives approved the tentative $819 billion Economic Stimulus Package. I know a little about a lot but economics are no where near my forte, unfortunately.

What I do now however is that $819,000,000,000.00 is a whole lotta cheddar. You know how many tacos you can buy with that? But all joking aside, its no secret that money does not pop out of thin air, with the exception of the indoctrination of the ideal of wealth way back when. This means that you, me, and everyone else will be paying this back somehow someway.

President Obama has been in office for a mere 8 days but yet has made swift moves in attempt to revive the nation from the recession, among other things. Like a person who enters dinner without an appetite, he's got a lot on his plate but has indeed begun to tackle it head on.

Rather than bore you with dreary summary and opinion, and also because I'm in the middle of reading a book, read this if this news tickles your fancy.

Lets all hope that this gamble pays off. New jobs, more homes, economic stability, world security? I think I'll pass on dessert.

Yulster

Can't make the scene if you don't have the green.

Nick of Time

2009-01-26T09:24:00.000-08:00

Murphy's Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

I printed out my class schedule about a month ago and hadn't looked at it since. It would have been a good idea to review that and even print it out again last night. However, its common to leave a little slack on yourself should you feel that things are not so imperative.

Its a good thing that although I've familiarized myself to the campus, I measured a good portion of time to find my rooms. Before I left, I logged onto webadvisor to print of my schedule and I got this:

The system crashed. Oh shit. I had an hour before I had to attend a class I wouldn't know where to locate. Frantically, I called the school and dialed my way to virtually every department extension provided. Every call ended up with a recording saying that office hours began at 8:00AM - the same time as my unknown first class.

When that and the 10 minute refresh session worked to no avail, I sped my way to the college hoping there would be someone to help. All offices were closed.

I sat in front of the counseling office on my iPhone attempting to get through although I remained to obtain the same unfortunate results. Just as I was about to surrender, an assistant unlocks the door. I hesitated a bit because I don't like the embarrassment of being asked to go back outside yet for premature assistance. A girl walks in, so I follow her lead.

She goes on the computer, and I go up to the counter. I told her my situation and she referred me to the computer as well. From the back I hear one assistant to the other that "If webadvisor is down for homes, it'll be down for us too." It was a good thing that she did not dismiss my or the girl (she was in the same boat). They scrambled to fix the problem or find alternative solutions while about 50 other students walked in within seconds with the same problem. Procrastination at its finest. I was definitely disappointed at myself, because I didn't find comfort in this mediocrity, rather slummed the instant I knew my determination for restitution slipped today. The last line of defense took all of us handing either our Grossmont IDs or SSN to obtain our schedules. Luckily that worked.

I got my print out and headed over to Bldg 53 Room 544 for Anthropology 3 minutes before class. Close call.

That was fun. Let's never do this again.

Yulster

Present.

Photoshop

2009-01-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

Photography has progressed by leaps and bounds since the camera was born around the 1660's. Its increbidle viewing archives of photos from a century ago or even from a decade ago. More incredible still is witnessing the science of the lens push forward into unheard of territory; from satellite images thousands upon thousands of miles away or more recent a collection of panoramic candids of Tuesday's Presidential Inauguration that in total equate to a 1,474 megapixel resolution. What!?!? That converts to over 2 gigabytes of information. That is insatiably insane! But if you don't believe me, peep the image in all its glory by clicking here.

Like I said, 2 gbs, so its gonna take a while to load. Hope you have a Mac. : )

Yulster

Say Cheese.

Postin' Up

2009-01-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

You'd think a fella that is currently unemployed and had just finished the winter intercession would sleep in until half past three in the afternoon on a Friday, but alas, no. I've been up since 4:10 this morning working on 3 different documents as well as doing various things around the house. It wasn't until now where I've had a leisurely moment to just unwind with some trivial surfing around the net. Come to think of it, breakfast sounds good right about now too. Too bad my stomach is still pissed off at me for making it suffer the wrath of Wingstop's Atomic Boneless Strips the night before. I'll wait until he's calmed down a bit and willing to talk a bit more diplomatically with me.

As you are all aware, I'm not the quickest of posters. I am the unlikely candidate to break news. Good things I'm not studying to be a journalist or broadcaster because then I'd pretty much be pronounced S.O.L. on the spot. Either way, yesterday the homie Eeej tha Deej messaged me photos from Jerald's 19th b-day shindig. I don't know how to call this one, but drinking up with uncles and lolos watching them being way more belligerent than you seems to be way more entertaining than watching peers puke and pass out. Difference in taste, I suppose, no more no less. The night was filled with Jack, Vodka, beers not of my preference, two record breaking Wingstop consumptions, BBQ, guns and karaoke. If that isn't a way to celebrate a birthday, than I don't know what it is. Enjoi:

Arriving just in time for the tradition photo op.

The brains, brawn, spirit, and foundation of the Yul-a-Hov Show, Moy.

"I'm sayin' though, add this to the address bar and viola! hd porn!"

-4.

Pain in my ass. Sike, Micha, aka lil sis.

General I salute you.

Prost.

Something or another.

This isn't looking good.

Yulster

You smell like a monkey

and you look like one too.

Julius/Kaiser

2009-01-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

Sup with that Pho?

Sup with that BBQ?

You know who you are.

Yulster

Hunger for more.

32%

2009-01-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

One man's trash is another man's treasure. One man's excess is another man's sustenance. I was lucky enough to score two Spawn #185 headless variants one separate occasions in different LCSs. If there is one thing that I've learned in the past 3-4 months, its that supply and demand has a time frame. I held out on keeping one of the issues for myself but decided whenever I was up for it, to sell the other one on eBay. Because hell, all the ones I've seen shot up to triple digits. I could use the extra money, who doesn't? So I posted my sale, and even recruited Boogie to help jack up the price. It was to no big avail because I hardly broke $80.

I know, I know. I should actually be happy with the sale considering that despite the hype dying off so much, I still profited 2500%!! It still puzzles me a bit that people are willing to pay $80 and beyond for comics that were $2.95 only four months ago. Then again, I've been known to buy $400 sneakers. Touche. The issue shall be missed, but alas, that's what the spare copy was intended for.

The winner comes from the Ilocos, Philippines. He even messaged me 2 days before the auction was over to ask how much shipping would be for there. I'm a buyer, not a seller, so being as diplomatic as possible I decided to play the good Samaritan and wave off any additional fees saying if shipping ends up more that what I've posted, I'll gladly pay the difference. Big mistake.

I thought to myself, the comic is less than half a pound, it shouldn't cost that much. Well, it did. $25 to be exact. And though I still earned a substantial profit from this transaction, the shipping alone ate up 32% of it. It the business world, thats pretty devastating. When car stock dropped down 11%, people panicked. When Apple stock plummeted 40%, people panicked. Lucky for me I don't own a business (or much of one, at least) so the gains still out weight the loss.

Note for next time, ask the Post Office about shipping rates to other countries before you message bidders back.

Yulster

Lesson learned.

Spare Change

2009-01-20T12:11:00.001-08:00

You're all probably wondering where I've been or what I've been doing for the past 21 days. No? That's ok, I figured.

I had originally imagined myself writing on this digital notepad thats home to my thoughts in cyberspace right after New Years Day, but alas, it was not to be. I had tried to come up with some momentous discourse on last year's events that no one would actually read but that too never fully reached fruition. There have been several days in this short span of the current year that would have seemed a likely candidate to write upon, but the looming specter of the years important dates made it seem too insignificant to write.

As I had dreaded, as time ticked off, certain topics began to fade and slowly floated into an abyss of now forgotten lore never to be documented. That is one of my many weaknesses. If an account has not been documented within approx. a 12 hour timeframe, it will most likely never be written. I would be a bad historian. Imagine if history were written by the likes such as myself. Records would gape filled with holes unresearchable.

Yet as now is a better time as any, I am reforming those old habits, striving to correct the wrongs with renewed determination. The youthful start of a new year tends to do that to you. It is my hope that the plan of reconstruction and self-fulfillment will better myself unlike the year I've spent perviously bearing no plan at all.

Within the month of January, I am pleased to report that certain things have been getting done. Probably the best of habits would be the ability to wake up before class and remaining awake throughout lecture. What may seem a bit inconsequential to some have very critical effect on me. Namely, this allows me to assess my actions for the rest of the day, giving me perspective of the duration of my alertness and persisting me to pay special attentiveness to tasks at hand which would otherwise be forgot should I surrender to the sweet intoxication of slumber.

The love I have for my car has grown. Its actually rather sickening how much I concern myself with Camille. Of course, I do this on my own time, when no one is around to chastise me. But I do spent considerable time on the road, weary of her needs and listen to her maintenance. It is not uncommon to see me at gas stations wiping the windshield and wipers of any debris or checking the air pressure. For that matter, at home I'm often opening the hood or the trunk checking the levels of the fluids and reaching for microfiber clothes and spray-detailer to gain shine for one more day. I love getting complements from strangers at the car wash, thats probably the only time when I fully accept them, because they pay special interest to my so-called technique and care. My plans of modification, though rather slow, are progressing and I often daydream at the days end plotting my next move. I even read in there when my room gets too stuffy.

Which brings me to reading. I am now more than ever fond of leisure reading. Yes, I'll still stream shows via the internet or watch a program here and there on the TV, but my onslaught on pages have allowed me to venture more into the realm of stories, better than any sitcom can. I am fortunate enough to enjoi the primary sources that I had to read for Humanities and History, but even stories written for middle schoolers have struck unexplainable chords with me.

It helps in my writing, which I will admit is nowhere near professional nor exciting. Perhaps that is one of the biggest reasons why I don't get my hopes high when it comes to producing work. My biggest base of peers and colleagues do not respond enough for me to read into what I must work on in my verses, my rhythms, vernacular, meanings, depth. Its quite possible that there monotonous reactions are due to such monotonous and drone works. Believe it or not, a no-budgeted YouTube based music video is in production. I'll post it whenever its available. I'm aware I'll never hit it big. Thats not my goal. A small following? Sure. But due to time constraints, lack of enthusiasm and publicity even that seems far from reality. I persist though. I continue to write when I can, record when I can and when the time comes perhaps perform when I can. It will be interesting to see just how far this hobby will go and hopefully shall not interfere with the all more important studies toward my major which I've already put off for far too long.

The semester will commence this Monday. But I'm happy to stow 6 more units under my belt in a matter of 15 days. In ways, I feel relieved, in others, I feel like I'm cheating the system. There's only so much that a professor can lecture and only so many assignments graded before you release the time is up. Ultimately, the name of the game is to endure the time. Its easier to stay attentive over a shorter course of concentrated time, hence my successes. I look forward to repeating this over the next semester. I've learned to use pretty girls as my motivation to attend, my contempt for the achieving to fuel my own achievements and recline in my seat silent soaking all that I can. Arrive. Raise hell. Leave. Ace. Endgame.

Through the planning of Jerome and the courtesy of Pete, they as well as Boogie and myself were able to enjoi a nice day at Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland. I haven't been back there in close to 6 years, so it was a nice change of pace and mild relaxation. Lines, lines lines. To be fair, the lines weren't bad at all, but then again no one wants to wait for anything nowadays.

Earlier I reported that I've been putting of the first entry for something big. Surely a review of my activities prior to today does not compensate for that. But the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States does. As long as this entry is already, I will continue. Not for you. I don't owe this to you. I owe it to myself.

My history class was excused to the Student Union at 8:30 to watch the Inauguration. There were a few upbeat spirits in the room, but as always I remained composed despite all the thoughts that brewed in my head as I watched dignitaries of various departments march onto the west wing of the Capitol. I'm a bit of a sucker for moments like this, as many are. Though I try to appear hardened and unfazed, the reality is that no matter whether you like the guy or not, whether this was plotted and contrived or genuinely conceived, Barack Obama made history today.

There have been other Black leaders before, but keep in mind that the United States is the only standing empire left in the world. Through imperialism and globalization, whether methods are just or criminal, the United States have ties with every other nation and have built the crutches that many developing countries lean on. The United States, despite our horrific reputation throughout the past 8 years and actions in the past 100, despite our modern racism, exploitations, arrogance, devastated economy and falling workforce, still stands as the most important nation in the world... and is now led by a man who 50 years ago would otherwise be refused a seat in a 3rd rate diner. That is amazing.

I have seen pictures of the past Presidents before, but never had I been impacted with the overwhelming thought as Obama as President as I did when soaking in its reality on www.whitehouse.gov. That is amazing.

To see that Obama coming into the White House with an 83% approval rating, is amazing. Friends, to those of you reading this, who are my age or maybe even younger, we are lucky to live in a time where segregation and overt racism is history. We do not live it nearly as much as hard as our fathers have, or their fathers before, regardless of your race. Luckier still will be our children as today marks a historic step forward into integral racial social acceptance seen never before. That is amazing. Should Obama pull through with everything that he has promised, even with his stern warnings, he may potentially be the greatest to ever hold office. Of course, lets not get ahead of ourselves. Today is the party, tomorrow the work begins. The whole world waits in anticipation on what the next 4 years will bring.

I was a little disheartened when watching on MSNBC when they should President Bush, prior to relinquishing his post as it was clearly apparent how much people were booing him. True, he did a lot of shit. To many, we had dreamt this day to come to see his reign end. But nonetheless, we put him in power. Not once, twice. I'm not going to say I told you so, because even though I didn't really like the guy, he still managed to do a few good things, and at the end of the day - he's human - just like you and me. In a society where we value respect and honor, we sure as hell didn't give him much of it in his last minutes as Commander in Chief. Let that marinate for a while.

And so it is: A new year. A new President. A new direction. A new chapter. To you and yours, may you be happy, healthy and wise this year and beyond. Cheers.

Yulster

New Beginnings.

Capped Off

2008-12-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again...

Every once in a blue moon I'll throw in a survey. Seeing as it is the end of the year and all, you might as well reflect on things in the form of a survey. Why not? Besides, a proper salute and farewell to 2008 will be posted shortly. The following questions have been kidnapped from Holly.

2008 Year End Survey

1.What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Fail epically.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I had decided on not creating one for the 2007-2008 transition, but seeing as the past 365 days and lapsed, its best that I do. After all, its always a good idea to go into things with a plan. As I see it, the plans have already been set in motion. They may be small changes, but they are changes to say the least.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousins Gallee and his wife Joyce gave birth to a stud named Andrew, and cousin Rene and his wife Melody gave birth to a beautiful girl named Hadiya (who interestingly enough shares in my birthday). "She" also gave birth, though I am not sure if its a boy or girl. Congrats btw.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I will admit that they weren't as close to me as I would have hoped, but all very special in their own way: Auntie Rose, Raymond Orias M.A., & Uncle Ralston. May the Lord Almighty watch over their souls and the souls of the dearly departed.

5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A part-time job that allows a decent pocket full of change, a college transfer to Cal State Fullerton, a possible internship toward physical therapy, a completed album, the first true line for IVNVI (formally known as 4n6), and significant successful modifications to Camille.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Nov. 4; for better or for worse, the world changed.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Having the ability to completely not give a fuck.

9. What was your biggest failure?
My educational prowess.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, lets keep it that way.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Camille.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Raymond Orias M.A. His entire life exuded celebration. It was his gift and his curse for his body could not contain his spirit. Love you man.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I shall not say. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones.

14. Where did most of your money go?
I had no money this year. But it went primarily to food and gas.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Nothing excited me this year. Excitement is an emotion that is pretty much dead in my life.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Low" by Flo Rida. I don't like that song, but it's definitely a 2008 song. Anything by Weezy, he was everywhere this year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Neither, I'm rather apathetic.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, definitely.
iii. richer or poorer? Definitely poorer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent time more wisely instead of dicking around.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Dicking around.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas was celebrated with family on my Mother's side til the wee hours of the morning, went home and passed out. Woke up, detailed Camille, drove up to Rancho Cucamonga to the Tuyay's for some family laughs, kick ass salmon and vodka. It was ALIFE style like no other.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I've forgotten the meaning of the word.

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
No Reservations, Bizarre Foods, Rob & Big re-runs and the Olympics.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.

26. What was the best book you read?
Hegemony or Survival by Noam Chomsky && Damian by Herman Hesse.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
LIGHTS, Lecrae, Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton, idk - the Sylar got jacked by my sister.

28. What did you want and get?
My Macbook Pro 17" named Mackenzie && a black 2009 Toyota Camry LE named Camille.

29. What did you want and not get?
Peace on earth and good will toward men.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I stayed home sipping on Hpnotiq. I turned 21.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Transferring out of San Diego

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans and a t-shirt, but toward the end of the year I've gotten a bit more refined for occasions.

34. What kept you sane?
Sleep and motivation letters to myself.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Miranda Kerr, LIGHTS, James Bond, and of course, Siti Nurhaliza.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The topic of universal healthcare. It works everywhere else, shouldn't it work here? Besides thats a much better way for our tax dollars to be spend instead of bailing out already filthy rich CEO's and lobbyists.

37. Who did you miss?
People.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I've met no one new and long enough to break-in a friend.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I have a few...
-Things are usually now or never.

-From the earth you came, to the earth you shall return.

-Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.
-Do you.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"All the streetlights glowing
Happen to be
Just like moments passing
In front of me
So I hopped in the cab and
I paid my fare
See I know my destination
But I'm just not there

In the streets... in the streets

Life's just not fair." - Street Lights, Kanye West

Curtain Call

2008-12-30T01:34:00.000-08:00

Yulster

Say it isn't so.

Doing the Math

2008-12-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

Convenience - Efficiency + Leisure = Laziness.

On my daily "Whose Who" blog check ups, one writer wrote that she finally got her laptop in the mail. She says that now she'll be able to read blogs, write term papers, and network all within the comforts of her bed. I think she's half right.

I was like that too when I received Mackenzie in March this year. I figured my work efficiency would quadruple by leaps and bounds... I became worse, just because of its convenience. My Macbook Pro became so much of a luxury that I acquired so much valuable software that has yet to be properly started up. Perhaps then, I should've gotten just a regular Macbook, or dare I say, any old PC notebook {gasp}. What I'm trying to get at, for the things that I'm usually doing on my computer, I could've done anywhere else... and probably better.

Its kinda like because I got just a kick ass laptop that I became lazy-er. So that meets in order to re-establish myself in the upcoming Endgame of my life, that "-" sign must convert into a "+" sign thereby answering the solution as "Productivity".

I like the sound of that. I hope that the girl I've mentioned before doesn't not fall into the same trap that I have. As I see it, I'm starting to climb out.

Yulster

Reboot.

Epic Fail

2008-12-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

For the record, yes, Joven beat me. And though its not recorded, I slaughtered the competition in push-ups cadence && stationary long jump. To justify, my arms were already fatigued. I'm not gonna gloat or excuse myself though, I just think its funny how this video turned out. Props to Moy, EJ for his loud announcer award, and Hov for beating me (for once). Oh and I'm actually 130 lbs. But I guess the weight works to my benefit.

Yulster

The strong endure.

Toy Story

2008-12-11T15:30:00.000-08:00

Remember the time when all you cared about was toys? You never cared about mint condition or aftermarket value, and what the hell was a Collector's Edition? No, that was never a concern. It was all about you, your toys and your imagination. It was a time in life when you were (more or less) innocent. Nothing else seemed to matter and it especially gave you a reason to be excited for Christmas.

Circuit City is biting the dust due to its inability to compete against Wal-Mart and Best Buy. In fact, in the past month alone the midwest witnessed over 100+ stores close in a single day.

The economy is so bad that even big boy toys (IE: Cars) are taking major hits. The Big Three... well, pretty much all of Detroit will inevitably see unemployment in the next couple of months. Toyota, currently the world's largest automaker has been seeing a bit of red itself, with stock going down a good 12 points. But what about the little guys? The toy soldiers, Buzz Lightyears and Barbies? China, the world's go to manufacturer has been closing down major toy plants weekly, if not daily, laying off thousands upon thousands of people without a defined compensation plan.

With the suppliers of countless children's happiness down the gutter, its only textbook that we would see some sort of ramifications toward the toy stores. Surprise surprise, KB Toys announced today that it is going out of business. Over 10,000 will be out of a job, many of them before Christmas. How's that for a present?

This is really disheartening news. Not just because kids will have to go elsewhere for toys, or for the people who have the sad reality that await them, but because this is a clear indication for the downward spiral of the world's economic game and the ever more apparently drastic stratification of social classes. It is my hope that this get better before they get worse, otherwise I may have to reconsider having kids when the time comes, just so I can spare them the trouble that this world has to over.

Its hard to get a job these days... yet moreover, its even harder to keep it.

Yulster

Everything must go.

Guzuntheit

2008-12-10T22:11:00.001-08:00

Yulster
Bless you.

XXX Sells

2008-12-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Hook em while they're young as I always say (no I don't).

Yulster

For the win.

This Old House

2008-11-29T22:58:00.000-08:00

There's no denying that the election earlier this month was a dramatic shift in this country's possibility to change and improve. Its often citied that, should you go back about 40 years, this kind of result would be unthinkable and virtually impossible. By that logic, within the course of 40 years, this nation has been evolving toward a utopian-like goal: equality. That, by any account, is admirable and deserve praise.

But one would be a fool to back up the ball and head home now. Just because Obama is now President-Elect, we can rest easy. No. The man himself, in his victory speech, noted that "This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were." So it is our responsibility as active citizens, if you believe that you are active, to keep informed and stay tuned to what is beginning to stir in Washington. To merely sit back and allow President-Elect Obama take the reigns without our consent and our uninformed agreement would be a step back.

That is not democracy. It is dictatorship.

I am not saying the man is bad. What I am saying is that we should not be disillusioned into thinking that one man can create a world that we so long desired, especially when his Cabinet appears to look more and more like much of the same that we've seen the past 16 years - People who had voted for the war, involved in financial fraud and deserving of subpoenas, investment bankers. In retrospect, this is not a radical change when it comes to agenda. Rather, thus far, it appears as a mere change of cast in the same play.

The past tells us that history repeats itself. It is up to us, the struggling, to create the revolution.

But I am a patient person, I as well as the millions, will watch, wait and anticipate my new President's actions. We don't know yet, he can be great. I'm just saying that a good house starts with a good foundation, and the foundation right now already has cracks.

Yulster

Spackle.

Give Thanks

2008-11-27T09:19:00.001-08:00

To you and yours,

Happy Thanksgiving.

Yulster

Flippin the bird.

Sweet Dreams

2008-11-26T13:55:00.000-08:00

November 26, 2008 4:58 AM

"An angel came to me in the form of a dream just now. She was so beautiful and had a radiant light surrounding her. She said to tell you that she misses you and that she loves you so. I think it was your mom bro. Have a good night my brother. Love ya." - Text message via Mr. Aaron Raga

Its no secret that I miss my Mom and there isn't a day where I don't think about her. Reading this message made me happy, sad, uplifted and ashamed. There is no doubt that during Her absence I have changed into someone else, possibly unrecognizable to Her. I hope She misses me because of the distance between us, not the person that I have become. It is nice to know that I still have messages every now and then from Her. I like thinking that She's still watching over my sister and I.

Mom, I'm trying... you know that.

Ulster

Her treasure.

But Of Course

2008-11-26T00:34:00.000-08:00

There are certain laws of nature that must be understood and never questioned.

Among them is this: Every time you decide your car needs to be washed, sometime during that day.... its gonna rain.

Yulster

Figures.

Tagless

2008-11-25T23:13:00.000-08:00

Earlier today Bang had "tagged" me. I've seen this tag thing before all around Facebook but paid very little mind to it. Nevertheless

"Here’s how you play: Once you’ve been tagged you have to write a blog with 16 weird random facts, habits, secrets, or goals about yourself, at the end choose 16 people to be tagged. List their name and why you tagged them. Don’t forget to leave them a comment saying “You’re It!” and to go read your blog. You can’t tag the person who tagged you! So since you can’t tag me back let me know when you are done so I can read your blog answers!"

1. I am under the impression that everyone has a weak memory of who I am. This allows me to feel no self-sympathy when I go unrecognized by peers and old friends alike. Consequently it hinders many of my past relationships from ever growing into anything more than just a vague fading memory. Do I feel sad that I am only allowing a perpetual dissonance from people whom I once was dear too? Of course, but this gives me no reason at attempting to rekindle what once was. In any event, as far as I've observed we've far grown apart from each other that it'd already be a miracle should people give me acknowledgement considering I never gave anyone reason to remember. I'm not so much as sad that what I had is gone, but happy that it happened.

2. I have a need to discuss topics in tangents. I do this because if you are truly interested in my thoughts, then you deserve them in their entirely, unabridged and uncompromised to the many levels in which those thoughts came into fruition. Just as nothing is ever solely black or white, my opinions are derived from repercussions and consequences, chain of events and outside influence from a number of ideas of varying origin. I try to be as objective and politically accurate as possible, since that there is always a side of the tale that is never fully considered. In essence, should you actually want to get inside my head, I give great effort to make you see what I see.

3. I am a hopeless romantic. Many times I have been interrogated by friends, family and co-workers why I have not pursued a girl for the lesser half of a decade, ensuring that I am well deserving. I know differently however. I am aware that neither love nor deservingness necessarily equate into meaningful companionship. This is due to many, if not all contributing factors of social, economic, political or for that matter physical stability. Though I overflow with romanticism, flirting gestures and a genuine interest in giving my all to the "One", certain requirements must be fulfilled, otherwise I leave myself venerable in the event of desertion; as historically proven. It is not a matter of finding someone perfect or rushingly settling down, there is a middle ground yet to be explored because as far as I am concerned the aforementioned extremes are out of the question.

4. I am notoriously unresponsive via messages, comments, missed calls and texts. It is not so much that I willingly ignore, rather I am truly unattainable at the moment and am under the guise that most information is time sensitive and by the time it reaches me, the moment has past. I'm sorry.

5. Contrary to popular belief, I am NOT smart.

6. I don't show it very much, but I love children. I have both motherly and fatherly instincts and wait patiently for the day were I can use them.

7. I have Scoleciphobia. I won't tell you what that is because the mere thought of the word makes me cringe. Seriously, I will hurt you if you use this knowledge against me.

8. I am very difficult to persuade. This is not because I fear change; change is inevitable. However there are constant alternative lifestyles that pull against us. I do not claim that I am a model for morality nor am I necessarily hard headed, but there is a natural order to things that I feel should be progressed in time without an artificial sense of urgency. Fads come and go. There is no sense in chasing them. Many will view this as hypocritical, but at my very core, I search of permanence, a stabilized manner of living, and all too often third party ideas threaten to interfere with that philosophy.

9. Unlike elitists, I CAN and CHOOSE to listen to everything. In fact, my favorite genres are Classical and Baroque period orchestra, Asian R&B and 90's pop ballads. My iPod consists of approx. 27,000 songs and growing, complete albums by a wide range of artists and I know that I am still at a mere tip of the iceberg. I am a cross between an audiophile and student of music.

10. I have no guilty pleasures; just pleasures. I am not ashamed of any of my interests. If any of my interests come into question, I fully acknowledge and profess my affiliation and allegiance to it.

11. I admit that I like nice things, but nice things are just things. I care for what I own, but I don't allow them, nor their status, consume me, because I believe that they are not the true gauge of a person. Too often people, myself included, have been disillusioned by the thought of extravagance will elevate status when in reality empties the pocket more when stability in a troublesome world should first and foremost be the goal. Furthermore, the ideal of capitalism is troublesome to me, more so its hidden implications of the down side of an advantage. For we live in a society constructed with winners and losers. In order to gain capital, or to take advantage, someone somewhere loses. Because of this system it is no accident why 10% of the U.S. population own 90% of the wealth. You may not know it, but despite all you fancy things, we are the biggest losers. I have no interest in being wealthy, just comfortable - able to pay my bills and send my future kids to school. I will not pretend I am greater than what I am, nor step on some one else to advance my social position by which would nullify virtually every ideal I've instituted in my life.

12. I am very sympathetic to the world's pain. My mind is severely impacted with the thoughts of everyday tragedy - the family that's on the verge of eviction, the survivors of a loved ones death, victims of wars and catastrophic natural disaster. It is not a passing concern to me. I do not shake it out of mentality or use distractions to cover up its growing presence in the world. Its pain is a part of me, I wish there was more that I could do to help, I fear the world, in all of its self-interest, may never change.

13. I don't have a job currently. However, my career is student. Not completely in the classroom, but of the world. I believe there is no alternative, no greater vocation than to understand all that you can muster. History, philosophy, spirituality, technology, artistry; Anything and everything that brings your closer to unseen realms of habitation.

14. I am very much a Mama's boy. And even more so after Her calling back to Heaven in the summer of 2003. I can not and will not love anyone as much as Her. Virtually all my attitudes, tendencies, and traits have been influenced by her action and love. When you see me, you see her. My Mother will forever be the queen of my heart, never to be dethroned. This is a fair warning to any girl, past, present and future who would consider me as their partner in crime.

15. In 4th grade Singapore American School held a rope climbing competition called "King & Queen Ape" for the Intermediate School. That year I was king. When I left Singapore in 2001, I noticed that there was a wooden plaque with my name and the names of others engraved on brass to give us this trivial recognition. I am hoping that they still have this on display. At least then, some kid will look at my name and wonder who I am.

16. (Your lucky you're getting this one out of me.) My most secret selfish desire is to become immortal. Not in the sense of living forever, but to have some mark on history that future generations can refer to and acknowledge. Fame is fleeting, and I don't want its baggage, I just want to be remembered. When I die, I don't want to be another nameless, faceless being whose only remnant on this planet is my rotting corpse. I don't want my great great grandchildren to struggle when they attempt to remember me as their ancestor when they help their children with their family tree assignment. I would very much like my name to be synonymous with an idea, as ideas never die. I doubt it will be done, but one can dream. Dreaming after all is the first step.

There. That took a while. And no Moy, though its flattering to try tagging me again, 32 facts is much too much information to divulge to an unknown audience.

I tag (unless they've already done this): Boogie, Jerome, Jalisha, Holly, JR, Byron, Julius, Christine, Aimee, & Adda. Its not quite 16, but it will suffice.

Yulster
You're It!

Breakfast of Champions

2008-11-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

To prevent being stranded tomorrow or being late for school, I stepped out to get gas out in Bonita. With gas currently at $1.99, might as well enjoi the ride and take the long way home. I heart Camille with all my love.

But anywho, when in route to Arco, I noticed two joggers turning a corner. I for one am not so keen to early early morning running, as the cold, moist air can make you sick should you break a sweat (something you're supposed to do when you run). Eh, some say poe-tay-toe, some say pa-ta-toe.

Either way, I suppose this is much better than no exercise at all. So kudos to them... until they finished their run by running into a Jack-in-the-Box. Defeating the purpose? I think so.

Yulster

Hunger for more.

I've Seen It Before

2008-11-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

This is the last time I'll be mentioning this.

If you didn't know, 808's got raped yesterday at approximately 3ish Pacific time. I know this because I was the 12th person in line to receive the leak with one of my "sources". Of course, I had the album on lock a good two days before, but I still yearned for an official master copy of the album... its an audiophile thing, you'll understand when you're older.

But with that complete, I deem it necessary to give a short review on the album. So the next to you see me, don't ask what I think, just visit the site. And if you do ask me, I'll just refer you here.

West, 31, has done it again. Differently. You cannot truly distinguish this as a hip-hop album, a feat that Kanye did on purpose claiming this new direction as pop-art (at least according to wiki). But the thing that West does well through out his relatively young and lucrative career is recount cleverly a life filled with issues. His lyricism has grown exponentially in the past 3 albums, and has changed the game this time around due to the drastic change in his life.

From my accounts, the new record, though a continuation of the previous projects as a whole, demonstrates an metaphor for the current events in his life; a life that was widely known to celebrate the finer things with arrogant success.

The entire album presents a dark picture of life and its loneliness which all can relate to with at least one of the twelve tracks. There is a level of passion noticed by the trembling in his voice which can be nothing less than sincere. Nevermind the auto-tune. If that is a reason for you to shun away the album, then you might as well retract your over generalized statement regarding your ability to listen to 'everything'. In my professional opinion, I believe that the auto-tune was utilized constructively, subtle and emphasized where ever necessary to give of a robust and staggered feeling which gave pain a recognizable voice.

All but one song (amazing) speak to me. From beginning to end, you may find yourself wishing the album to be longer for you may be immersed with Kanye's broken singing as anthems for recollecting painful memories and feelings.

No doubt this album is a downer. Perhaps its supposed to be. From the dualities of the richly intimate suggestions of family importance in exchange for lonely unfulfilling fame and success in "Welcome to Heartbreak", to the theme song of a disturbingly catchy melodic controlling girlfriend in "RoboCop" or the allegorical representation of stages in life in "Streetlights", this album delivers.

It is sad however the irony in which a life that strongly emphasized exclusivity and worldly materialism and image in pop culture had destroyed the greatest thing he held dear, his mother; which in turn sparked this current dark masterpiece. As dark and demented this pop album is, it will see great success when it releases on Monday. I know this, becuase misery loves company.

If you are open to new ideas and differing, infusions of music, I strongly urge you to pick up this latest work. I will be. Damn, and here I thought I was saving myself $10 next week.

808s and Heartbreak by Kanye West - 5 stars.

*****

Yulster

The Heartbreak Kid.

Impossible is Nothing

2008-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

"Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right."

- Henry Ford

Remember when they said a computer would always be the size of a room?

Remember when they said that the television set would never catch on?

Remember when they said we couldn't go to the moon?

Remember when they said having 1,000 songs in your pocket was unnecessary?

Or that there would never be a Black president?

That we would never travel by air?

Or control advanced technologies with the flick of your finger?

That buildings would never scrape the sky or automobiles would never evolve?

There would never be a such thing as AI?

Throughout the age man has progressed farther, better, faster and stronger; and if that rings true, the rest can be assumed:

Nuclear war is possible. Unheard of, unspeakable, incurable disease is possible. The return of slavery is possible. The fall of civilization is possible. And certainly dying after posting this... is possible.

We continue to tell our kids that they can be anything. Its true, they can be the most humbling wealthiest person on the planet, or a serial killing bum. The skies the limit.

"Change is ever constant, but can still lead to the worst"

- Me via song Come Together

Yulster

It could happen.

TiVo This

2008-11-19T03:41:00.000-08:00

The Yul-a-Hov Show.

Every Friday.

Yulster
Shameless Plug

P.S. Yes Jerome, I stole your seizure.

Be Easy

2008-11-18T23:24:00.000-08:00

You think I don't hear you...

but I hear you.

Yulster

Eavesdroppin'

Mya'n Ruins

2008-11-18T01:15:00.000-08:00

It's a (not so) little known fact that one of my favorite R&B songstress's is Mya Harrison. Quietly I've followed her carrier and never really boasted anything about her. The reason, keep her to myself, of course.

But let's face it, in the midst of the Beyonce's, Mariah's and Mary J's of the world, its hard to catch a break. Ms. Mya has been in the game since 98 and since then her modest success has died down considerably. Its pretty much unfathomable for me to accept that Cassie, (though very cute) has proven time and time again that she can neither belt out on vinyl nor perform a decent live act has more hype under the machine in anticipation for a sophomore album than that of a veteran a decade in the industry.

Because of this, its only fitting that I extend my support for Mya as she breaks out of Motown Records and into Manhattan Records in attempts to rekindle a conservatively successful career. If "My Love is Like... Wo" didn't get your blood boiling then, perhaps "Paradise" will.

Cat's out of the bag, ladies and gentlemen.

Yulster

Ghetto Superstar.

Impatience

2008-11-17T22:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just can't sit around and wait for things to come to you. Sometimes you have to go out there and get it. These statements would probably be a lot more valiant if I actually inferencing something of true value, but no, not tonight. Rather I'm talking about music.

The internet has a lot people access to gain ownership of mediums well before official drops. You think I'm waiting until the 2nd of December to get Britney's newest album? Pffff.

I got that drop yesterday. All thanks go to my "sources" for the hook-up. To be fair, they always release a statement that go along the lines of "for preview purposes only, delete when finished and support the artist!" Something tells me they just do that merely as a formality to cover their asses. Eh, how many people listen to that anyone. Oh, and for the overzealous, don't act like you've never downloaded unauthorized music before. So don't give me that "holier than thou" speech. You're just as guilty as I am.

But in any case, like I said, sometimes you can't wait... even for leaks. Case in point is Kanye's 808's & Heartbreak. I've been waiting patiently for the leak to drop since its official drop is around the corner. Others have come and gone but none that I've focused my attention on. Thusly, I've resorted to savaging wherever I can and compiling them into a formidable high fidelity tracklist. The result: and unofficial official album build prior both the leak and official release.

What does this mean? It means that I've acquired the album even before leakers have (respectively). I'm more than sure that I'm not the only one to do this, by a long shot, but still I'm surprised that leakers haven't done what I've done considering the easy access. What else does it mean? It means that I'm pretty damn impatient.

Kanye's probably pissed at me right now. Damn, easy Yeezy, I've thrown my money at you the past 3 albums, consider this my "Buy 3, get 1 free" deal.

In due time though I'll probably still by it, cuz I like what I hear. And like I said before, I'm not about to waste my keystrokes on defending the guy, because he doesn't need anyone to defend him, he'll do it himself... arrogant bastard.

Cheers to everyone whose copped the album 9 days early.

Yulster

Can't Hardly Wait.

Faded Memories

2008-11-13T13:42:00.001-08:00

I just saw someone pass by wearing a clean pair of Jordan V's Grapes... and I died a little bit inside.

Yulster
Picture Perfect.