Against the spread

I haven't bet on NBA games since my last year in college. I'd still gamble on baccarat and craps from time to time but not on sports (with the exception to the Super Bowl and March Madness).

But the playoffs coupled with boredom got me going again and I've been playing the lines since last week.

So far, so good.

Traveling Vol. Trying hard

The PAL and CebuPac airfare seat sale has made jetsetters out of everyone. Yeah I do mean just about every person I know who has access to a credit card.

SMH at those who were/are flossin' their multiple bookings all over Facebook and Twitter like they paid premium.

Everyday at Friday's

I was craving for Friday's world famous chicken fingers so I took a TGIF tour last week.

April 21 - Robinsons Galleria
April 22 - Robinsons Place
April 23 - Bonifacio High
April 24 - Glorietta 3

I just might drop by the Trinoma and Morato branches soon as well.

Flash me baby

That's why black clothing and cam flashes never go hand-in-hand. Unless, of course, that's exactly what you want to happen. You won't see me complaining though.

Daniel Smith released!

It's good to hear L/Cpl Daniel Smith is back in the US after being acquitted by the Court of Appeals recently. The appellate court reversed the lower court's December 2006 decision convicting the US serviceman of raping Suzette Nicolas in 2005.

Smith should've never been convicted in the first place. Nicolas, aka Nicole, flirted her way into having consensual sex with the American then cried rape to save face and make a quick buck.

What's even more ironic and somewhat disturbing is that she flew to the US and plans to stay there for good after going all out against the Americans during the trial.

What can I say? She's the typical hypocrite, hoodrat and whore. Sad to say a lot of Pinays are just like her.

If You Seek Amy

F. U. C. K. Me

Witty wordplay. Brilliant Britney.

David Noel is PBA dunk champ

Former Tar Heel and current Ginebra import David Noel took home the PBA Slam Dunk crown today. The 2005 NCAA champ and 2006 Final Four Slam Dunk winner tore it up in the final round with a pair of 50-point throwdowns.

His highlight slam came from a round-off, backflip routine punctuated by a two-handed, alley-oop 360 that got the crowd on their feet.

Failed Fantasy repeat bid

I just missed out on defending my IBM NBA fantasy league title this year. For the second straight season, I entered the playoffs having the 4th seed and scored an upset on the topseeded team during the semis. I fell miserably in the finals though.

Coincidentally, both number one seeds from this year (Gh0stface) and last year (Lenobo) were managed by JP Sarmiento. I have bragging rights yet again for taking him down on consecutive seasons.

With a lot of us having left IBM already, I hope someone can still organize this when the 2009-10 NBA season starts later this year.

Back to basketball

Haven't hooped in about two weeks. Can't wait to hit the hardwood later.

A jolt back to reality

I had a long, enlightening chat with an old friend over lunch yesterday. I can't say it was pretty. There was no room for sugar-coating. It was purely blunt, unadulterated talk.

I haven't had that in a while. I believe we all need that from time to time. You know, someone to knock some sense into our heads and keep us afloat.

Filthy and floody Manila

I had a fun Recto adventure with my ex last month. She needed to run an errand so I accompanied her and we took the easiest and most convenient way to get there - to commute via LRT2. It might not have been the most comfortable option but it was a seamless ride.

My trip to Manila yesterday was nothing like my last one though. I may have picked the wrong time to go because it was raining real hard halfway through my train ride from Katipunan to Recto. Afterwhich I would need to go down and transfer to LRT1 to go to Malate.

Upon reaching the Recto terminal, there was flood everywhere. You cannot get out of the station without submerging your calves in dirty water. It was even worse along Taft, from where LRT1 passes. Getting off the Pedro Gil station to go to Robinsons Place Malate seemed like suicide.

I did manage to complete my errand but not after going through hell and high water. Excuse me for the pun but I was soaked from head to foot. My AM90 did not deserve the punishment it took from the murky flood water.

Anyway, my ordeal just reminded me of how shitty the Taft area is. They make Katipunan look way too posh.

Innate benevolence

I think I've been very nice and accomodating for too long now much to my disadvantage. Frankly, it hasn't brought be anything good except a barrage "stop being nice and don't accomodate" comments from friends. Worse, it seems some people have been capitalizing on exploiting my kindness.

Maybe it's about time I shed that attitude and start being an ass.

Or maybe I should just let karma equalize.

Ginebra brings in former Tar Heel as import

Can't believe David Noel from North Carolina's 2005 NCAA Basketball Champion team is playing as an import here in Manila! And to top that, he's playing for my favorite team too!

He recorded a triple-double on his debut the other night with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in leading Barangay Ginebra to a 100-94 win over Burger King.

I've all the more reason to catch the PBA games live this season with the former Tar Heel mainstay reinforcing the Gin Kings.

Insurance policy

It ain't always about getting back or getting even. But whatever happens, I will never let go of my Aces, even if it means deception.

Sleepy Sunday

Sunday was recup day for me as I was hammered into near alcohol submission for two consecutive nights. I swear my liver took a bad beating this weekend.

I had a few things to do but I chose to spend almost entire day and night sleeping to make up for the buzzed nights.

Doing just fine

I ain't gonna front. It's been quite difficult but at least it's getting better everyday.

Fishy Failon

I'm not saying ABS-CBN broadcaster and former Leyte Congressman Ted Failon shot his wife. But asking his housemaids to clean up the crime scene while refusing to report the incident early on sure doesn't help his case.

I don't know but something definitely smells fishy.

All about the Benjamins

No matter what people say that it ain't about the money, it almost always is.

Blogging via Email

Test entry... Blogging from my phone via wi-fi. Let's see if this works.

Rewind to the 90's

They played these at Attica last night, in no particlar order:

PM Dawn - Set Adrift In Memory Bliss of You
112 - Only You (Bad Boy Remix)
Backstreet Boys - All I Have To Give
Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack

Reminded me of my high school days. Good times.

We're both alike

Ohh, we were so the same
I don't know why I can't see it baby
And it ain't a point to feeling blue
You're just like me and I'm just like you

- Jamie Foxx, "Just Like Me"

Tweet Tweet

I finally caved in to peer pressure. Now I need to figure out how to get it into my phone.

FB stat: The sign

I think I may have seen my sign. Word to the Ace of Base.

"And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign."

Love is being a complete player

I pride myself for having a steady all-around game. Here are my numbers while playing for Team Millar in the recently concluded ABL season:

10.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 7.8 apg*, 3.0 spg*

*Division leader

Project Leg Sleeve Part 2

With no concrete plans and nothing to do this Holy Week, I set myself up for another session for my leg sleeve. It's been almost three months since I started on it.

Despite a number of postponements, I finally had about an hour-and-a-half's worth of ink work done last night. I chose to start and finish the outline of the other design instead of filling in the unfinished one.

There are still a couple more designs to incorporate plus shading and coloring so I'm looking at three or even four more sittings to finally finish the whole sleeve.

Over rib-eye and Rock Band

I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from a friend earlier inviting me for a steak cookout tonight. I had zero plans for Maundy Thursday so it was definitely something to look forward to.

Those who know me know that I rarely eat beef. But I know my friend cooks a mean steak so I wouldn't miss it for the world.

I also played Rockband for the first time. I could understand how and why people get addicted. It is fun and it keeps my competitive juices flowing everytime I make a mistake and mess up. But I just can't get the hang of playing the drums. It just gets me so disoriented I end up being all frustrated.

Oh yeah, I heard they have it for DS. I don't usually play with mine but I just might get myself one.

Edit: They don't have it for DS yet but there are plans on releasing one. An alternative would be Guitar Hero, which is already available for DS. I don't like it though.

New model, original parts

I did something the other day that I haven't done in a long time - I watched a movie alone. I had a couple of errands to do in Eastwood so I decided to check out the cinema schedule. I was in luck as I came in just in time for the midday screening of "Fast & Furious."

As I expected, the movie was filled with explosive action and racing scenes pretty much consistent with the three prior installments of the series. It's also good to see the original cast back to reprise their roles. If you've been following the series you'd know the second and third films had different sets of actors.

Anyway, I picked a good movie to watch by myself. I swear if I saw one that wasn't as exciting and adrenaline-pumping as this, I would have fallen asleep in no time.

Party a la Iron Man

I almost missed the NCAA National Championship game this morning. I came home a bit buzzed from a friend's party and I woke up with a maddening headache.

Speaking of the party, my friend was celebrating a major milestone in his life. No, it wasn't his birthday nor was he getting married. There was just a reason to celebrate.

Anyhow, you my friend, are the king of swagger. Very low key but undoubtedly fly. You make Tony Starks look like a commoner. And oh, like Mr. Iron Man himself, did I mention I'm in love with your R8? Let me take it for a spin sometime and I'll be your servant forever. Hahaha.

Seriously though, congratulations padron! Why don't we set this off with another Macau getaway?

Cheers, pare!

Oh Carolina!!!

North Carolina romped through the NCAA tournament like MJ's Bulls of the 90's. They were simply far and away the best college basketball team in America.

In a masterful display of sheer dominance, the Tar Heels raced to a quick double digit lead within 4 minutes of tipoff and it was all but over midway through the first half. They coasted for much of the second half and ended Michigan State and the rest of Detroit's hopeful dreams with an 89-72 blowout win.

Like UNC's 35-point victory over the same Michigan State team in the same venue last December, the Spartans didn't even have a tiny bit of chance in this one. It was all Carolina blue from buzzer to buzzer.

Just like 4 years ago, when coach Roy Williams won his first title with NBA lottery picks Sean May, Raymond Felton, Marvin Williams and Rashad McCants, Carolina will lose its core.

Seniors Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green will graduate and should find themselves in NBA rosters come June. Juniors Tywon Lawson and Wayne Ellington will most likely join their senior teammates in the NBA draft.

They will, however, welcome the number one-ranked recruiting class next season. So not all is lost for the Tar Heel faithful. As the saying goes, "We don't rebuild, we reload." Expect UNC to remain in a good position to possibly defend their title.

Despite heavy expectations and tremendous pressure, Carolina proved to everyone why they were annointed college hoops' best team. They started and finished the 2008-09 season at the top, head and shoulders above everyone else.

It wasn't even close.

UNC guns for another national championship

North Carolina bulldozed through the first four rounds of the NCAA tournament with so much ease. The national semifinals yesterday added yet another impressive and convincing win.

The Tar Heels maintained a steady double-digit lead throughout the game to end Villanova's season, 83-69. Simply put, the Wildcats never stood a chance. It was pretty much all Carolina Blue from start to finish.

ACC Player of the Year Ty Lawson led the Heels with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Wayne Ellington added 20 points and 9 rebounds while four-time All-American Tyler Hansbrough contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds.

UNC will meet Big 10 champions Michigan State for the National Championship tomorrow morning (Manila time). It will be rematch of the December 2008 Ford Field massacre with the Heels absolutely crushing and humiliating the Spartans, 98-63.

Set it off

I don't know how flashbacks are possible without a trigger or stimulus.

Deeeetrrooiiit Final Four 2009

The Final Four is a couple of hours away and I'm so amped.

I got Michigan State pulling an upset over Connecticut and, of course, the Tar Heels pummeling Villanova.

I was almost going to place money on UNC (-7.5) but something tells me Villanova might just keep it close. I'll save the wager for the championship game on Tuesday morning (Manila time).

Do you smell what's cookin?

I'm cooking something up a la Monte Cristo. My advanced, but not sincere, apologies to those who will be sandwiched. No pun intended.

Love is knowing when to step back or take over

I played two games at Celeb last night and both were lopsided wins in favor of my team. I wasn't familiar with most of my teammates so I played second (even third) fiddle during the first game. I didn't care because we were winning anyway.

The second game was a different story though. We were up against a bigger and more physical team and I felt we were clearly overmatched. I thought for us to have a chance I would have to ditch the rhythm guitar and take the lead. I did exactly that. I took over from the get-go and flat out dominated the game.

Aside from finishing the night unbeaten, I left the court with everyone's respect.

The Perfect Pushup

I copped the Perfect Pushup during one of my several Cebu trips last month but I only opened it last night. A lot of people I know swear by the product so that got me interested. Hopefully it works for me just as it worked for them.

Cravin' for KFC

I think I picked up on Doreen's love for KFC. Been chompin on their chicken for the past several days now.