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.

Missed eagerly awaited shows

A series of unforeseen, unexpected and unfortunate incidents led me to miss both the John Legend and Craig David concerts last week.

I'm sure it would've been a blast.

Tar Heels book their second straight Final Four

North Carolina absolutely demolished Michigan State last December to the tune of a 98-63 drubbing. The game was held at Detroit's Ford Field, the site of this year's Final Four.

UNC coach Roy Williams vowed to bring his team back to play at Detroit in April. With another convincing win in the NCAA tournament, he did just that. A promise fulfilled.

Perennial powerhouse and oddsmakers favorite North Carolina proved far too superior for the Oklahoma Sooners as they won comfortably, 72-60, in their Elite Eight matchup.

The Tar Heels led by as much as 21 in the second half before a late Oklahoma run made the score a little bit closer. But they were pretty much out of it as they failed to get within single digits the rest of the way.

Blake Griffin also showed why he was the best college basketball player this season with his 30th double-double, scoring 23 points and collecting 16 rebounds.

Reigning national player of the year and All-American senior Tyler Hansbrough was held to 8 points while ACC Player of the Year Ty Lawson led the Heels with 19 points and 5 assists.

Lawson was named most outstanding player of the South Region.

The Final Four is now set with Carolina facing Villanova and Connecticut taking on Michigan State in next weekend's national semifinals.

UNC reaches third straight Elite 8

South Regional top seed North Carolina used its potent uptempo offense to run out the Gonzaga Bulldogs, 98-77, in their Sweet Sixteen

ACC Player of the Year Ty Lawson led the Tar Heels' charge with 19 points and 9 assists with only 1 turnover. All-American senior and ACC leading scorer Tyler Hansbrough added a double-double performance with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

North Carolina will try to gun for an NCAA-leading 18th Final Four appearance when they face second seed Oklahoma tomorrow. The game will showcase what should be a great matchup between the last two national players of the year in Hansbrough (consensus 2008) and Blake Griffin (likely consensus 2009).

FB stat: F&F

I'm leaving it all up to faith and fate.

amdg

Solid and reliable

Come hell or high water, I know who'll always have my back.

Van Wilder was a movie and should not be taken seriously

It's never cool to overstay in school too long. There's just no excuse in taking too long to finish school.

My mom is home-wrecking again

I just found out my mom's doing Church annulment work for one of the pioneers of Philippine television. She made me swear not to divulge details about it though.

FB stat: Fed up

I'm so fed up with all these young'n antics.

On losing due to technicality

I was informed that the protest against one of my teammates was upheld. As a result, they forfeited our second semifinals win last March 15. meaning the team we beat that day (Baterina) moved on to the finals last Saturday, March 21. They subsequently, and not surprisingly, lost to Team O'Brien for the championship.

Bullshit. But it is what it is (or it was what it was). I say put an asterisk on their trophy.

UNC off to Sweet 16

North Carolina breezed past the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament with double-digit wins over Radford (101-58) and LSU (84-70).

The Tar Heels enjoyed another pro-UNC crowd having played both games at nearby Greensboro. They will travel to the FedEx Forum in Memphis to face Gonzaga in the Sweet Sixteen this weekend.

It will the the third straight year Carolina has reached the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament. They lost to Georgetown in the Elite 8 in 2007 and Kansas in the Final Four last year.

Oops!

I had a little accident in Cebu last weekend. It's best that I keep my mouth shut on this one.

Free Daniel Smith!

With Suzette Nicolas (aka Nicole), alleged rape victim of US serviceman L/Cpl. Daniel Smith, recanting her prior allegation via a recent sworn affidavit, the truth has finally come out. The court should set the innocent man free immediately.

To Evalyn Ursua and everyone else who supported Nicole, it's about time y'all shut the fuck up. And please, do everyone especially the Americans a favor. Do not even dream of setting foot in the United States. I hope they deny all of you entry.

Stepladder-ing our way to the Finals

We won our second stepladder semifinals game last Sunday to reach the championship match next weekend. It was a tight affair throughout but we managed to pull ahead and win it in overtime.

I made the pivotal, game-changing play in OT with an and-one opportunity off a fastbreak. However, with my emotions running high, I screamed at my hapless defender with full rage and I was T'd up for taunting. Unfortunately, it was also my fifth personal foul so I had to leave the game. I fouled out for the second straight game after getting disqualified on Saturday's semifinal game as well. I was just retaliating on the same old guy after he showed up my teammate after a great defensive play. He, too, was given a technical foul after he was trying to be macho tried to go after me. We led 40-38 after my layup and we never let up until the final buzzer.

There's some drama and suspense involved though as I was notified of a protest filed against one my teammates. Apparently, this teammate of mine also played for another Batch Division team whereas ABL rules provide that only one Batch Division team is allowed per player.

Should the protest be upheld, that will mean we will have to forfeit the championship game on Saturday.

Louisville gets first number one ranking ever

Final AP Top 5

1. Louisville (Big East, 28-5) - rose from 5th
2. North Carolina (ACC, 28-4) - dropped from 1st
3. Memphis (C-USA, 31-3) - moved up from 4th
4. Pittsburgh (Big East, 28-4) - fell from 2nd
5. Connecticut (Big East, 27-4) - slid from 3rd

The NCAA Tournament starts next week with Louisville, UNC, Pitt and UConn as the four number one seeds.

I will kill you

I watched the film, "Taken" while I was in Cebu last week. It's exactly how I want action/thriller movies to be. Just straight-up, unadulterated and entertaining-but-sometimes-disturbing violence. No need for any mind-bending twists.

UNC leads the South Region

A semifinal loss to Florida State in the ACC Tournament may have cost North Carolina the overall number one seed in the NCAA Tournament but more importantly, they still secured the #1 spot in the South Region.

The Tar Heels will most likely have ACC Player of the Year Ty Lawson back after missing their two ACC Tournament games. They would probably have won the tourney had Lawson suited up but Coach Roy Williams said their top priority was getting his speedy All-American point guard ready for their run for the national championship.

Three Big East teams - Louisville (Midwest), Connecticut (West) and Pittsburgh (East) - round out the other regional top seeds with the Cardinals being the overall number one.

From the airport to the hardcourt

I took an early flight to Manila this morning so I can get back in time for my ABL semis game. Good thing our game was in Ateneo so I didn't have to rush or anything. Best thing was that we won despite missing a few key players. That set us up for another win-or-go-home game tomorrow afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym.

My body's exhausted for not having enough sleep but I'm still so amped up. Hopefully, the game turns out in our favor and we manage to pull off a victory over the second seed. The winner goes on to the championship round next weekend.

UNC regains top spot

AP Top 5 (as of March 9, 2009)

1. North Carolina (ACC, 27-3) - moved up from 2nd
2. Pittsburgh (Big East, 28-3) - moved up from 3rd
3. Connecticut (Big East, 27-3) - dropped from 1st
4. Memphis (C-USA, 28-3) - moved up from 5th
5. Louisville (Big East, 25-5) - moved up from 6th

Final poll will be released next week.

Three years ago today

Today would've been my 3rd year anniversary with IBM. Tomorrow would've been the start of my fourth year with them. But all good things must come to an end and even better things happen.

UNC sweeps Duke, wins ACC

(2)North Carolina continued its recent dominance over cross-town rivals (7)Duke with a 79-71 win on Senior Day at the Smith Center. The Tar Heels (27-3, 13-3 ACC) clinched their second straight ACC regular season title, their 3rd in the last five years.

Seven seniors, led by All-American Tyler Hansbrough, played the last home games of their college careers. UNC coach Roy Williams honored his seniors by having all seven of them on the court prior to tipoff.

North Carolina will be the top seed in next week's ACC Tournament in Atlanta.

Five straight wins

We won our final elimination round game yesterday morning, 73-69, at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong. It was our fifth straight win after starting the season 0-2. We head into postseason play as the third seed with a 5-2 record.

I clinched the game by making 6 consecutive freethrows in the final minute. I had to buck off a poor start at the fifteen-foot line as I missed my first 7 freethrow attempts with most of them coming up short.

I finished the game with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists and 6 steals.

Another trip to my second home

Six of my ten recent flights have been on PAL. The only thing I don't like about flying with PAL is that they use NAIA Terminal 2 as their hub. I prefer the new and nearer Terminal 3 that Cebu Pacific utilizes.

I'm back to my jetsetting ways this week as I'm trotting to the Queen City of the South yet again. It'll be a short trip as I need to get back in time for my ABL semifinals game on Saturday morning.

I'm taking the second flight out of Cebu so I can make it to my 10:30am tipoff at the Blue Eagle Gym. Barring any unforeseen delays, I should make it with more than enough time to spare.

UNC guns for outright ACC title

Second-ranked North Carolina (26-3, 12-3 ACC) has already clinched at least a share of the ACC regular season title going into its season-ending game against Duke (25-5, 11-4 ACC) at Chapel Hill this weekend. A win on Senior Day will give the title to the Tar Heels while a loss will make Duke and UNC co-champions.

Senior scholarship players Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, Mike Copeland and Bobby Frasor as well as senior walk-ons JB Tanner, Jack Wooten and Patrick Moody will be playing the final home game of their college careers. What better way to send them off than with a victory over Duke and another regular season title.

ABL 2009: Semis-bound

Since I was out on consecutive weekends, I've missed out on my last 2 ABL games. I was hoping they'd win at least one so we can make a run for the postseason when I come back for the regular season-ender on March 7. I was delighted to find out they won both games by comfortable margins.

We're safely into the postseason with a 4-2 record. We're riding on a four-game winning streak after losing our first two. A win in our last game this Saturday means we clinch 3rd seed while a loss will drop us to 4th.

UConn back at #1

AP Top 5 (as of March 2, 2009)

1. Connecticut (Big East, 27-2) - moved up from 2nd
2. North Carolina (ACC, 25-3) - moved up from 4th
3. Pittsburgh (Big East, 26-3) - dropped from 1st
4. Oklahoma (Big 12, 26-3) - dropped from 3rd
5. Memphis (C-USA, 26-3) - remains unchanged

FB stat: Tired but ready to ball

I'm so exhausted and drained from continuous traveling but I'm hell bent on playing hoops tonight.

Back from being MIA

I was MIA for about two weeks. I just got back from consecutive trips from Singapore and Cebu and I didn't have the chance to blog while I was out. My recent itinerary was just way too hectic. Ten flights in 29 days is absolutely no joke. I was literally living on my trusted Delsey for about a month. I was so close to running out of clothes, most especially underwear. Lol.

Off to Sing

I'm leaving for Singapore tonight for a one week vacation. It'll be my 7th flight in 18 days and I can say I've had enough plane rides to last me the whole year already.

I'm gonna be with the only kabarkada that I haven't had an overseas trip with that's why I'm so hyped up. I'm sure it'll be awesome. Word to TMNT.

Household help-less

I hate dumb maids and I'm sure I'm not alone. Punyeta.

AP Top 4 remain the same

AP Top 5 (as of February 16, 2009)

1. Connecticut (Big East, 24-1)
2. Oklahoma (Big 12, 25-1)
3. North Carolina (ACC, 23-2)
4. Pittsburgh (Big East, 23-2)
5. Memphis (C-USA, 22-3) - moved up from 8th

*(1)UConn just lost to (4)Pittsburgh so expect the Huskies to drop from the top spot in next week's polls.

FB stat: Hide-and-Seek

I am back in Manila after playing hide-and-seek in Cebu.

UNC ups ACC lead to 2 games

Following a 101-87 thrashing of archrival Duke a few days ago, (3)North Carolina held off an inspired Jack McClinton-led Miami comeback to hang on to a 69-65 win.

All-American junior Ty Lawson hit consecutive clutch treys late in the game to keep surging Miami at bay. He finished with 21 points with 15 coming from beyond the arc.

With (6)Duke losing to Boston College, the Tar Heels (23-2, 9-2 ACC) increase their ACC lead to two games. If it weren't for UNC's consecutive losses to start the regular season, the conference race might have been all but wrapped up by now.

UNC wins fourth straight at Durham

North Carolina seniors Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green are undefeated at Cameron Indoor Stadium. They will end their college careers after this season sporting a 4-0 record at the famed Duke homecourt after a scintillating 101-87 win over the Blue Devils a few days ago.

Safe to say the Tar Heels own Duke at their own floor.

FB stat: Skipping UNC@Duke

It's a shame I will be missing the North Carolina-Duke game later today.

I will be at some far-flung beach off the coast of Cebu while the Tar Heels battle the Blue Devils for ACC supremacy at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Another sleepless pre-flight night

I'm packing yet again as I leave early tomorrow morning for another Cebu rendezvous. I won't be able to sleep anymore because I'm taking the first flight out of Manila and I need to be at the airport before 4am.

What else is new? This is turning out to be my pre-flight routine already.

Duke hosts North Carolina for ACC lead

(6)Duke and (3)North Carolina renew American sports' number one rivalry as they play the first of their two regular season games tomorrow morning (Manila time).

Tar Heel seniors Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green have never lost at Duke's home court and they will try to make it four straight at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

UNC has won 5 of the last 7 games against their in-state rival.

UConn keeps top spot

AP Top 5 (as of February 9, 2009)

1. Connecticut (Big East, 22-1) - remains unchanged
2. Oklahoma (Big 12, 23-1) - remains unchanged
3. North Carolina (ACC, 21-2) - remains unchanged
4. Pittsburgh (Big East, 22-2) - moved up from 6th
5. Louisville (Big East, 18-4) - remains unchanged

FB stat: Pissed at PAL

I'm pissed my MNL-SIN-MNL ticket fare dropped by almost 60% after two nights. Whoever said it's best to book early ought to die now.

Swish!

I just hit my most amazing and improbable game-winning trey last night. I still can't get over it 'til now.

Steady playmaking

I've only played in 3 of our 4 games this season but yesterday's outing was arguably my best one so far. I posted a pretty solid line of 14 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists and 1 steal leading our team to a 77-51 win.

We improve our record to 2-2 with two straight wins after starting the season with two consecutive losses.

I will miss our next game on February 21 because I'll be in Singapore by then. I hope they could come up with another victory as we set our sights for the playoffs.

Goin' crazy in Cebu

If Davao fell short of initial expectations, Cebu was just off the charts! To say we had a great time is a huge understatement. We were literally blown away with the way we were taken cared of. Spoiled 'til no end.

One thing's for sure, we will return the favor when our friends hit Manila, minus the Land Rovers and FJ Cruisers though. Haha.

I will definitely be back, perhaps even sooner than I had anticipated.

UConn is fourth straight new #1

AP Top 5 (as of February 2, 2009)

1. Connecticut (Big East, 20-1) - moved up from 2nd
2. Oklahoma (Big 12, 21-1) - moved up from 3rd
3. North Carolina (ACC, 19-2) - moved up from 5th
4. Duke (ACC, 19-2) - dropped from 1st
5. Louisville (Big East, 17-3) - moved up from 7th

FB stat: What the pack?!

I haven't finished unpacking yet, but I need to start packing again.

Shameful local bookies

I've been lordin' it over in the Superbowl since Tampa Bay won it all in 2003. I wasn't surprised one bit when the local bookies refused to send me the spread for Superbowl XLIII. Too bad because I would've killed yet again with Arizona covering.

Can't blame them though. They knew I'd be collecting the moment I called in asking for the odds. It's such a shame I wasn't allowed to put it money on the game and I lost out on potential earnings.

Las Vegas will never refuse a wager regardless of how unbalanced and skewed the betting line is. I forgot I was dealing with amateurs masking as big time bookies here.

NTPI goin' down

Sad to say but NikeTalk (NT) Philippines has fallen off big time. It used to be full of fresh sneaker info back in the day. Now, it's rare to find useful information anymore. All you have are noobs flaunting their supposed Nike contacts while showing of their revolving collections*, posers who talk shit and ask questions a lot but never really buy any sneaks, and professional resellers who have stuff sitting on eBay for way over a year now.

Save for some of the OG members (circa 2005 and earlier), everyone else is just crap now. These are just some of the reasons I kill time lounging at the General and Sports forums instead.


*For the uninformed, revolving collectors buy whatever new shoe model or colorway comes out but sells other shoes to finance the purchase. That way, they boast of having the sick new releases (photos included) but they don't have a picture of all of them together.

The Davao aftermath and Cebu anticipation

My weekend in Davao fell a bit short of initial expectations but it still rocked nonetheless. Hopefully, the Cebu leg this week will be as good if not better. It might be quite a stretch though because we won't be there on a weekend.

iPod Appreciation Vol. Jetsetting

My iPod gets heavy burn only during trips and travels. Since I'm off to a travelling spree this February, it is most definitely appreciated.

FB stat: MNL-DVO booking

I'm wondering if i should have moved my Manila-Davao flight to tomorrow instead of today.

Actually, the first option was to fly out on Saturday morning but I was able to work around the agenda so I could come in a day earlier. Now I'm thinking whether I should have stuck to the original plan.

Hindsight is indeed 20/20.

Pre-flight sleep deprivation

I finished packing late and I didn't get to sleep much this morning. It may be because I'm excited for my trip or what but it could very well be something else.

One thing I know for sure is that I lack sleep and I'm just running on pure adrenaline. I hope I don't drop down tonight due to exhaustion.

Destination: Davao

I'm flying to Davao this afternoon and judging from the pre-trip hype, we're expecting no less than a blast.

WF upsets (1)Duke; (5)UNC squeaks past FSU

Duke's first number one ranking after 3 long years will only last a week as (6)Wake Forest stunned the Blue Devils, 70-68, with a buzzer-beating layup from James Johnson. It will certainly knock Duke out of the top spot when the next rankings come out while the Demon Deacons should rise in the polls.

Meanwhile, Ty Lawson drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to help (5)North Carolina hold off Florida State, 80-77. This is the Tar Heels (18-2, 4-2 ACC) fourth straight conference win after starting off with losses to Boston College and Wake Forest.

Duke is tops

AP Top 5 (as of January 26, 2009)

1. Duke (ACC) - moved up from 2nd
2. Connecticut (Big East) - moved up from 3rd
3. Pittsburgh (Big East) - moved up from 4th
4. Oklahoma (Big 12) - moved up from 6th
5. North Carolina (ACC) - remains unchanged

Tough as nails

"You play like you've never busted your ACL. You always go all out and never hold back."

That's one of the best sports-related compliments one can ever get. Definitely appreciated.

FB stat: Davao getaway

I'm off to Davao this weekend. It should be fun.

Driving me Casey

It's over. Shut it down.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, meet my new American Idol: Casey Carlson.

It's official: Pac-Man vs. The Hitman

2 May 2009

Mark your calendars.

This will not end in a 12-round decision.

Clemson's Chapel Hill curse

Fifth-ranked North Carolina unleashed a spectacular display of speed and firepower during the second half to dominate tenth-ranked Clemson, 94-70, at the Dean Dome. It's Carolina's third straight conference win after dropping their first two.

The Tar Heels are 54-0 at home against the Tigers. It's currently the NCAA's longest active home-win streak against one opponent.

(5)North Carolina (17-2, 3-2 ACC) should move up the polls next week as (1)Wake Forest's loss to Virginia Tech will certainly bump them down the rankings. (2)Duke will most likely take the top spot should they win over Maryland this weekend.

FB stat: Cleared

I had just been cleared. Ready to move on.

UNC still 5th at latest polls

AP Top 5 (as of January 19, 2009)

1. Wake Forest (ACC) - moved up from 2nd
2. Duke (ACC) - moved up from 3rd
3. Connecticut (Big East) - moved up from 4th
4. Pittsburgh (Big East) - dropped from 1st
5. North Carolina (ACC) - remains unchanged

Chop them locks, trim them tresses

I don't know if it's just me or if it's indeed a trend but I'm starting to dig women with short locks. Then again, maybe I'm just late.

I hope I didn't miss out though.

Satisfactory grade

Far from the best but fair enough.

(5)UNC squares ACC record

Number five North Carolina racked up two straight conference wins to square their ACC record to 2-2. They followed an 83-61 victory over Virginia the other night with a 82-65 win over Miami today.

Three of the other top 5 teams were in action today. Top-ranked Pittsburgh lost to (20)Louisville, so expect Carolina (16-2, 2-2 ACC) to move up the polls next week. Either (2)Wake Forest or (3)Duke should replace Pitt's number one spot as they beat fellow ranked teams (10)Clemson and (13)Georgetown respectively.

It is possible that three ACC teams (WF, Duke, UNC) will occupy the top three spots when the latest rankings come out on Tuesday (Manila time).

McGB'd

After days of craving for it, I finally had my McGangbang early this morning. It took a whole lot of explaining and the folks at McDo Greenbelt still couldn't get it. Needless to say, I just had to make it myself. Word to self-satisfaction.

Solve your girl problems

Let's keep this simple.

If she's not putting in, then kick her out. But if she's putting out, then keep her in.

Hear me?

The nose knows

If Pinocchio were a girl, better believe I'd know how she'd look like.

Tar Heels suffer 2nd straight ACC loss

With (3)UNC's recent road loss to (4)Wake Forest, the Tar Heels falls to fifth on the latest AP poll.

North Carolina (14-2, 0-2 ACC) has now lost its first two conference games after being expected to run out the ACC. They're not out of the conference race yet, but they need to get their act together soon.

Pittsburgh remains number one while Wake Forest moves up to second. Duke drops to third and Connecticut climbs one spot to fourth.

FB stat: Good man

A skank thundercat can never put a good man down.

Eight and counting

I had my eighth tat started already. I knew I couldn't do the whole nine yards in one sitting so I just had the outlines done last night. I'm coming back in two weeks to get my 9th started first then hopefully get some coloring done to my existing outline.

My tenth and eleventh ones await. Need to finally get my leg sleeve finished by summertime.

Wild and unpredictable NFL postseason

Save for the Pittsburgh Steelers, three of the top four seeds in the NFL playoffs have gone fishing. Baltimore, Arizona and Philadelphia pulled out impressive upsets to round up the contenders for the Conference championships scheduled this weekend.

You gotta love NFL parity. Anything can happen any given Sunday.

FB stat: Karma on call

I have digital karma on speed dial. Will be placing a call soon.

Cristiano Ronaldo survives crash unscathed

You know you got it good when you crash your Ferrari going to work in the morning and then you leave in a Bentley in the afternoon.

The world's best football player, Portugal international and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo did just that.

He totaled his two-day old Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on his way to training, completely crushing its front end. He was seen leaving training later that day driving his Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Just another reason why it's great to be a top-flight European footballer.

2009 ABL comeback game

I marked my return to ABL action last Saturday. I had pretty solid numbers from an individual front, leading the team in most categories. Too bad we couldn't get the win as we got blitzed on the transition game.

Better believe we're coming back strong this Saturday. Hopefully, we all play better and come up with the W.

My thou shall not list

Four things I hate in general and in no particular order:

1. Extreme tardiness. My time is Gold.
2. Last minute rainchecks. Gotta be life or death.
3. Disappearing acts. You ain't Houdini.
4. Being lied to. Man/woman up and face the music.

Dirty closet

Sometimes, the most transparent of people have the most dirt to hide.

Ladies and complications

Someone told me I keep dating women with major issues.

As twisted as it may sound, she might actually be right.