David Cook: Season 7 American Idol

Awesome! There is justice in this world, after all.

Penzu: Your Free Online Journal/Diary

Today, I just stumbled upon a free online tool called Penzu which allows any registered user to keep an online diary or journal for free.

In this digital age, anything that resembles writing on paper still makes an impact. To me, it has to do with my undying love for pen and paper and the need to feel the illusion of still keeping records in paper format even with the evolution of e-copies and e-books.

Penzu does a good job of keeping it simple and the look is that of a real journal. You simply type an entry which is already dated by default and you can lock it, save it, print it, share it and you can even insert a picture to your journal entry.

It does give that journal feel as you type in your entry. The only possible improvement is if this application will be able to incorporate inking as a method of data entry. Then we will have the feel of pen and paper in our hands.

If you are not aware, Microsoft OneNote is a much better journal that is available with your Microsoft Office 2007 package and it does give you the illusion of getting the book-and-pen note keeping because it allows inking which you can easily do using tablet and pen computer accessory.

The only advantage of keeping one online is the fact that you can access your journal anywhere for as long as you have an internet connection.

There are issues though that you must carefully consider like the security of your data and how much data integrity is provided with a free service.

As of this writing Penzu is obviously still in the works and still on Beta. You can check it out at Penzu. See for yourself.

Simon Cowell to David Archuleta: “It was a knockout!”

Tonight’s American Idol Finale between the two phenomenal Davids was a disappointment for me not because the contestants didn’t do well but because the judges were already calling on who won the title.

To Simon Cowell, who’s always been an exceptionally accurate critic to every contestant’s performance, David Archuleta won the night. Randy also hinted after the third round that David Archuleta is the new American Idol.

Paula on the other hand was tight-lipped about her Idol choice because to her obviously it was too close to call and more than anything else, it’s the voting public who picks the season’s winner.

I usually agree with Simon Cowell’s judgment, but tonight I beg to differ. I think David Cook did a better job of showing more talent by choosing to go beyond conventions and showing his versatility as a performer. To me David Archuleta chose to stay on the safe side by singing a song that he already performed and to me it didn’t spark that much excitement. David Cook meanwhile performed a very touching third song which Simon Cowell didn’t like and hoped to have been replaced with either ‘Billie Jean’ or ‘Hello’. On the other hand David Cook humbly accepted the unfavorable comments meanwhile admitting that he believes in progression, thus, his decision to perform a new song.

To me David Cook encompasses the spirit of a true artist and so deserves the title, American Idol.

But with the Idol title or not, one thing is certain, David Cook, you will rock the charts and the airwaves stronger than any Idol contender had ever done.

I am one among countless fans out there who can’t wait to hear a David Cook single.

The excitement has just begun.

Morning Feast: Pump-priming My Day

I love to eat. I also love to cook. I really don't know which one came first, but I really love the idea of having the right color, texture and taste for anything that I put in my mouth--that is food. Just food, don't get me wrong. Somewhere at the back of my head, I have this prejudice about what a meal should be in order for it to be complete. Just give me the right combination of carbs, protein and veggies and my meal will always be complete. So, needless to say, even for breakfast, I appreciate a complete meal. At times though when I am in a hurry, a bowl of fiber-enriched cereal with soy milk and fresh fruit chunks will do. And still it is as complete as can be. But when I have all the time in the world to fix a sumptuous breakfast, this is what I come up with. I love scrambled eggs(semi-omelet style), slices of multi-grain bread and a handful of fresh fruit on the side.

Unlike most morning scrambled eggs out there, I choose to make mine a little more exciting. How?

1. Melt half a tablespoon of butter on a non-stick pan.




2. Whisk three eggs in a bowl.




3. Cook the eggs in the pan with the heat set to the lowest settings, stirring it occasionally so it doesn't dry up.




4. While letting the eggs cook, slice some sweet cherry tomatoes, and as soon as the eggs start to get a little thick, put the sliced tomatoes in.




5. While still a little moist, add some nuts (e.g., slivered blanched almonds or some roasted pine nuts) and mix it up a little.




6. Heat up the eggs a little bit more and sprinkle some shredded cheese on top always making sure that the eggs don't dry up.




7. Take the pan off the heat and fold in some crisp fresh green baby spinach leaves into the cooked eggs. The spinach leaves will add a fresh crunchy texture to the eggs.




8. Immediately transfer the cooked eggs into a dish. Remember, the heat from the pan will dry up the eggs.

Add a few slices of healthy multi-grain bread with your choice of fruit and wallah...you have a kingly breakfast at your fingertips! I usually water it down with a glass of low-sugar fruit-based beverage. My favorite is diet cranberry juice.

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast is always an exciting undertaking. And if there's any one meal that I'd rather fill up on, it's my breakfast because I have the entire day to burn up the extra calories. Oh yeah, I don't eat all three eggs. I only eat half of what the three eggs make.

And if you are worried about your cholesterol levels, do enjoy other breakfast alternatives that you can eat to start the day. Just keep it healthy and delicious. This way, you can never go wrong.

If you want to keep a healthy weight, the one meal you shouldn't miss is your breakfast. It pumps-prime your metabolic engine early on the day.

Ignoramus Tales: Poking Fun At Naiveté…Err…Stupidity

Big Mall Day.

A mall just opened in a remote municipality. Everyone was so excited to finally get to experience the fun of mall hopping. The entire community supported the grand opening by taking the time to check out the new mall.

Dilemma: At mall closing time, chaos erupted. Everyone who went inside the mall was looking for his/her flip-flops that he/she carefully left behind by the mall entrance when he/she entered the mall.

Lesson: Go to the mall barefoot. You can breeze in and out in your bare toes.

The Key Word.

A guy, who never went to the city before, decided to finally experience a feel of the city life by seeing tall buildings, watching a movie and dining out. It was lunch time when the guy decided to take a meal break in one of the food chains available inside a shopping center.

Dilemma: It was his first time to see the foot-pedaled water dispenser. He was getting thirsty but he didn't know how the machine works. He was watching closely as everyone paced his way to the water dispenser and bent over slowly as the water poured out from the spout. Somehow, he had a hard time figuring it out so he said to himself that maybe there is some secret word that you say to make the water come out. Slowly he went to the dispenser, bent over and whispered, "Excuse me" basing on the way other people kind of bend over in a slow apologetic fashion. Nothing happened. He said, "Excuse me" again. Still nothing happened. There was a long line of people waiting to drink behind him, then all of a sudden chaos ensued and he was pushed off by somebody and accidentally but unknowingly stepped on the foot pedal while hearing the word, "Sorry" from behind him. Water came out of the spout and what a glorious realization.

Lesson: The key word to the water fountain was, "Sorry" not "Excuse Me". Try again!

How did it know?

A very poor guy, who was so technologically deprived, won the lottery so he decided to buy all the latest technological innovations like HD TV, Wii, computer, refrigerator and a mobile phone. The mobile phone was his favorite because he feels like he had this magical power because somebody can call him everywhere he goes, even when he goes freeballing on top of a tree. Then he decided to call a friend.

Dilemma: He went to his wife with an astonished look on his face and said, "My goodness, this thing really has a special power. It even knows that I just won the lottery. Here listen," while handing the phone to his wife. "It is saying, 'The subscriber cannot be RICH'. And the wife agrees, "Yeah, that's strange!"

Lesson: If you win the lottery, don't buy a cell phone. Get a tutor that can tell you the difference between REACHED and RICH. And maybe some hearing aids, too. Sorry all circuits are busy now. Please try your call later.

Table Etiquette.

T he same guy who won the lottery decided to live the good life. On his wedding anniversary he took his wife and a bunch of family and friends for a dinner in a fancy restaurant. Everyone enjoyed his dinner, while the lottery guy was keenly observing all the guests around the table so he can proceed without embarrassing himself. He wanted to at least be able to show some class. After all, he should know how to handle his higher monetary status. The dinner gladly ended with him being able to use every table accoutrements properly by just imitating the invited guests' every move.

Dilemma: After dinner, all the guests took their toothpick and were playfully picking on their teeth to get rid of any morsel of food caught in between. The sad part was whoever used the toothpick had to cover his mouth as some sort of good table etiquette. The lottery guy attempted to do the same. As soon as he dropped his table napkin, his nose was bleeding.

Lesson: If you don't know what a toothpick is for, use dental floss instead. In that way, even if you push it up your nostrils, while covering your face with a napkin, you won't get a nosebleed, guaranteed. But hopeless stupidity, you will. Who among you here ordered and ate the ambience? The waiter just told me why the bill is too much. He said I paid for the ambience too. How did it taste like? Anyone?

Coded Lingo: Reading Between The Lines

Click here or click on the box for a readable view.

Read the boxed text. If you can decode the underlined words, then there are only two possibilities.

Either you are smarter than most people I know or you happened to grab hold of the same book I'm reading at the moment.

Either way, you're off to a good start, more so if writing is one of your passions. Being able to speak in metaphors or at least in some strange way of verbal sophistication sets an edge that almost always captures the reader's undivided attention and most certainly creates a thought-provoking process.

Below you will find the simpler version of the phrases contained in the box. After learning the underlying meanings of these words and phrases, imagine yourself just being handed a pocketful of verbose tricks that you can share to your peers to project the brainiac that you are not. Oooppss, sorry . . . I must have hit you right where it hurts. Actually, I mean it. I mean the 'sorry'.

Where to? I ask myself. Somebody just handed me a nix, cancelling on me. Take a look. I'm just a young individual who usually wanders at the mall always looking as if I am up to no good who knows nothing about the fine details of the ruthless competition. I was hoping I could go to rehab and get a cure for my alcoholism. I envy those who are safe and successful whose only dilemma is the battle to lose weight around their mid-section. I don't even have a home. My ex-wife had it on 'for sale by owner' for a while now. Yeah it's hard to even get some sleep. I would do anything to get out of this no-win situation. If only I can "Keep it simple, stupid!" (my life) and not let other people keep on poking me on my vulnerable side. Now I am on the run from the police after I acted prematurely on somebody who threw an "Examine your zip!" at me, like I was on some sacred territory. Am I super sensationalizing my story? I am a mere divorced father who hardly gets to see my children who is losing energy. What do you think? I don't know, either. What you see is what you get. But, yeah, this excessive talk is making me sick.

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.