Geek Style: Pimp Your Desktop

A picture paints a thousand words and a truly magnificent picture paints a thousand magnificent emotions.

What you see on your home screen or your desktop really matters. Today, the possibility of creating the most stunning graphics molded from pure imagination and creativity with the aid of the most sophisticated graphics tools is within a graphic artist's easy reach.

Besides, with the advent of high-definition graphics that create the illusion of images literally popping out of your screen, there is no limit to the extent of how stunning imagery is produced to satisfy a very discriminating user’s visual appetite. So why settle for the obsolete and the mediocre?

There is an enormous amount of free resources that are available online that are solely at the computer user’s disposal. It's all up to you to avail and make use of these resources to benefit and enhance your computing experience.

To me, what meets the eye influences the thoughts. Thus, an amazing scene that portrays a calm atmosphere can somehow put me in a spot that is peaceful and quiet even when I am physically surrounded by chaos.

It's all in your head, but a good optical illusion created by magical works of art is always indispensable.

This is what sits on my desktop. The stunning scenery takes me to my virtual Zen place. I haven't changed the look of my desktop even after I got a new laptop with a different OS. Good things are always a keeper.

This wallpaper is one among the collection entitled Dreamy World. I love the sense of serenity and the haunting sadness depicted in this artwork.

Check this artist's gallery to see more of his stunning work of art. This artist's work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. If you want to download a free copy of this wallpaper you can visit this site or you can download the collection at blueportal.org if you are a member.

Should you settle for anything less?

Just a word of caution, there is always the risk of sharing malignant files over the internet. Make sure that your computer is well-equipped with a powerful anti-virus software and maybe, a good backup. Free download and share sites are almost always a malicious user's playground. Take extra precaution.

No free lunch, eh. Not that you weren't forewarned.

American Idol: The Better David

Now that American Idol has finally boiled down to its last two contenders, I am so excited that my favorite contestant, David Cook is going to compete head-to-head with another equally talented David Archuleta.

It is a thrill to see David Cook, being the wonderful and talented performer that he is on stage, battle his one chance to claim the title of Season 7's American Idol. He is always a pleasure to watch week after week. What makes David Cook such a fan-favorite is the fact that he has this amazing vocals that can literally rock a stage and sweep the audience off its feet. And despite his power vocals that amass enormous strength and confidence on stage, David Cook never fails to show through his vulnerable emotions that he so carefully protects behind those well-guarded moments on stage.

It takes one equally keen soul to notice, that David Cook almost always gets teary-eyed during those humbling minutes when the judges throw their honest praises for David's amazing performance on stage. It is because David Cook, gets humbled by the realization that his success on stage has an even deeper meaning because it is dedicated to his brother, Adam Cook who is ill with brain cancer. If only, he could cherish the glory of being the great performer that he is, without the pain of a brother's illness, it would have been all worth opening himself up with joy to the cheering crowd.

But it's all worth it, every time. In fact, you often see the initials AC on David's props in recognition of the brother that he truly cares for. It is truly a bitter-sweet tale of a brotherhood that is intricately webbed in a twist of fate.

David Cook's greatness is even more outlined in the grace that he displays every time by keeping himself mum about the other things that are stressing him behind the stage, when he could have easily grandstand on his misery to gain sympathy and gain momentum as well from the voting American public. David, you are truly exceptional and praiseworthy in the way that you have carried yourself like a true warrior with an unflinching spirit in the midst of life's bitter blows. You have unquestionably moved us, your fans.

In a week's time, I can see America giving you, your due recognition as the better David worthy of the title American Idol, in a battle that has yet to be played out, yet you have already won in our hearts of heart.

Kudos to a great talent and an amazing soul. David Cook, congratulations!

Poetic Justice: That Homesick Feeling

It is hard to live away from the place you once call home, because there really is no place like home. It is an awful thing to miss the place where you once had your playground as a child and probably spent the first half of your lifetime, whether it was an easy one or a time lived with tough challenges. Simply put, being geographically displaced from your familiar habitat and being separated from familiar faces could be so crippling at times. I thought I could be totally immune from the feeling of being homesick after being away from home for a while now, but, the truth is, that feeling has a life of its own--fading but never dying, just lurking somewhere in the dark corners of my deepest emotions.

I must be really homesick, if I could describe that feeling with such colorful detail. Am I?

Right now, I'm thinking of fish--dried fish, soup made out of fish, raw fish cooked in vinegar, grilled fish, fried fish. Fish...everything! Gosh, I must be going crazy.

I'm picturing myself, sitting by the sea wall, watching the sun set while I happily gobble on some deep-fried sugar-coated plantains on a stick.

I'm immersing myself into that relaxing feeling of being in my room, surrounded by sense-calming scents, while my old lady masseuse skillfully but carefully soothe every aching muscle of my body amid the soft tranquil melody of nature's music.

Else, I'm getting lost into total nothingness, while I lay on the sand by the shore, listening to the waves as they caress the shoreline with such deep, haunting, playful, yearning to molest its every grainy strand while my eyes lazily gaze upon that lonely moon framed in the frail sadness of a star-less sky while a soft breeze tickles my worn and weary toes after a long day of chasing rainbows and butterflies.

My flip-flops, how can I not think of them? They could be so liberating...while they make those silly split-splat sound in harmonious symphony with the falling rain's every drop as it hits the ground on a stormy day while I graze my way through the muddy pathways that lead to the door of the place I call home.

And the noise, that familiar rhyme of chaos--children screaming, giggling and crying; neighbors yelling and fighting; tricycles and old cars roaring; the pigs moaning; the dogs barking; my mother nagging...what a delightful sound of life being lived!

Yes, I'm really homesick. There's a thousand vivid portraits playing in my head that remind me of home, sweet home.

But, nah, I'm not sad.

In the very corner of my eyes, I can see from a distance that perfect silhouette on that strikingly inviting tabletop...a cup of warm Milo, a plateful of steaming white rice, drizzled with my favorite sardines in tomato sauce, sprinkled with a little dash of salt...

...calling, begging, wanting for me to waste no time to savor its every glory in my ever insatiable palate...

...and really, when I'm done with it, the feeling is describably just as good as...

... being HOME AGAIN.

A 'Thank You' To My Mother

It's mother's day and what better time to tell the world about the mother who is responsible for bringing me to this world.

My mother stands at only 4 feet and 10 inches, but she packs more courage, resilience, enthusiasm and probably more balls than any two-legged able-bodied being that I know in this planet.

She was born and raised in a remotely situated farmland in Bohol. Her father is a farmer who practices quack medicine. Her mother was a pure-bred Spanish senorita who's facial aesthetics remind me that of Sophia Loren's.

My mother inherited more of her father's physical features--short, dark-skinned, flat nose, dark eyes instead of her mother's meztiza looks.

At age 11, my mother was forced to abandon school due to a family crisis. Her mother needed a colon surgery, thus, being the oldest among 6 siblings she had no choice but to pick up slack to make ends meet.

She travelled to a different island in the Philippines with the hope of finding a better means of earning a living, abandoning school and abandoning her childhood.

Unequipped with any working experience, she ended up working as a seamstress in a tailor's shop, learning the tricks and techniques on her own without a mentor, and forcing her way into a newly acquired skill, all out of desperation and necessity.

It would be a tale that she would proudly share to her children years later--a tale of how she supported her family when she was supposed to be only a grade-school kid.

My mother, conceived nine children, all in all in her marriage. One ended up in miscarriage and one died while still an infant. But she managed to raise seven of us, seven totally different beings who managed to pierce her heart with sorrow at some point in her life. I'm sure, I had at some point made her cry. She cried her heart out, when she learned that I was one of the victims in a vehicular accident. She looked up to the heavens on her knees, begging from the Gods to let me be alive.

My mother taught me independence at a young age, by giving me the responsibility of overseeing my younger siblings.

She taught me how to cook at age 5 when she would let me perch on a high chair as she skillfully whip a tasty egg omelet in the skillet or concoct a hearty and filling dish over a wood-burning stove.

She made me experience life's harsh realities at an early age when she would send me to collect payments from nasty bitches who felt that they had every right to yell at a helpless child sent by her mother for an errand.

My mother taught me to look out for myself at a young age because she was busy taking care of the younger ones in the family and as well as working a living to bring food to the table.

My mother is very religious, thus, I grew up paying attention to my faith, religion, and God.

My mother knew when to punish me when I did wrong.

She was my cheering squad when I used to compete in academic contests. She proudly collected all of my medals that I bagged home from different inter school quiz bee contests.

My mother taught me the virtue of humility and the resolve to persevere during hard times. After all being raised in a poor family was constantly a test of perseverance.

My mother is special. She has a hearing problem. When we talk to her she always gives her undivided attention because she wants to understand what we are trying to tell her.

The one most important thing that my mother taught me is the value of education. Poor as we were, she never failed to remind us to do well with our studies and pursue our education with excellence. In fact the fruit of her labor came when she didn't have to pay a dime for us to go to college to obtain a degree. By her constant inspiration, my older sister and I were granted full scholarships to universities of our own choosing.

That's a legacy she chose to inculcate into her children and her children's children--to get a good grip at educating ourselves because education is the one thing we can have that can never be stolen away from us.

Today at past the age of 60, my mother still has a full zest for life; she's still very animated; has a cheerful composure and still has that nurturing spirit towards her children and grandchildren.

One thing I know is that in the wee hours of the morning, my mother would get up, and on bended knees, utter her morning prayers for the blessing of her children who are miles away from her but are constantly treasured inside her heart.

To my wonderful mother, thank you.

Know Me: I Am A Filipino

1. My meals always come with a bowl of white rice.

- No carbs substitutes are allowed.


2. My feet are most comfortable when I'm wearing flip-flops.

- That's why you can't help but stare at my overly exposed dark toes.


3. If it's raining and I'm looking up to the sky, I could drown through my nose.

- If there's anything I need to protect with an umbrella, it's my nose.


4. I have to wear my underwear when I take showers (indoors).

- I was raised in a very conservative family, remember?


5. I love the beach, but I hate the sun.

- You'll never see me in skimpy outfits, instead I'll be happily hiding under a huge towel while I stroll along the beach under the searing heat of the sun or I may be somewhere else taking solace from the sun's heat under the shade of a tree.


6. To say that I love chocolates, is a humongous lie.

- I don't have a sweet tooth. Actually, that's my biggest secret to keeping myself thin.


7. I love dried fish, that's one big truth.

- Everytime I cook it, the neighbors couldn't leave their windows open. Hmmm...I wonder why.


8. My idea of an afternoon siesta is gossiping with my neighbors.

- It's more meaningful if my neighbors are all seated along the sidewalk with me.


9. Text messaging is my biggest preoccupation.

- I love the idea of unlimited text messaging.


10. To me, a cellphone is as essential as my food, my clothing and my education.

- Yup, in fact I spend my allowance mostly on reloading my cellphone rather than on snacking, or buying my other essentials.

P.S. The one activity that I always partake in, is SIM-swapping at the mall. (That's the reason why you can no longer reach me using my old cell number. I'll text my new number to you later.)