<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
	<channel>
		
		<title>Pinoguin : Latest News</title>
		<link>http://ealcantara.info/</link>
		<description>Latest News</description>
		<language>en</language>
		<image>
			<title>Pinoguin : Latest News</title>
			<url>http://ealcantara.info/</url>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/</link>
			<width></width>
			<height></height>
			<description>Latest News</description>
		</image>
		<generator>TYPO3 - get.content.right</generator>
		<docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
		
		
		
		<lastBuildDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:58:00 -0500</lastBuildDate>
		
		
		<item>
			<title>Not the coffee</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/not-the-coffee/</link>
			<description>Maybe it's not the coffee afterall, I just had another incident today but that was before I had some coffee. That's sort of a relief and some...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Maybe it's not the coffee afterall, I just had another incident today but that was before I had some coffee. That's sort of a relief and some disappointment, trying to find a cure to this age-old condition is taking too long.
I've been browsing around cellphones lately after recently discovering google's android phones (I know I'm late on the hype). When I first saw samsung's galaxy S I was like 'meh'. But now that I found out that android phones can actually provide it's own wifi hotspot then that raised my attention. Wifi anywhere is cool, I can finally work almost anywhere. Another choice is Sony ericcsson's Xperia x10 and their mini counterparts, they're alright but the mini has a pretty small res for android apps, it will probably have limited amount of droid applications to install... X10 however has no built in keyboard, one of the reasons why iphone didn't attract me very much, I am a fan of tactile feedback.
I still use my old Palm Treo 650, it still works after all these years : ) , unfortunately Palm seemed to have lost it's touch after releasing too many windows smartphones that didn't really fly out. Palm had a good run, it's too bad it stopped improving or it would've been the undisputed smartphone maker. I mean, look at it's apps... almost like droid or iphone apps. It's one of the first with touch-screen displays, longest battery life and a very good keyboard layout. It's a shame it had the technology before that's ahead of iphone before it was invented. The droid/iphone is pretty much an upgraded Palm hardware and software, only slimmer, faster, stronger. Just an upgrade and eye candy, too bad Palm didn't see this before the whole company got sold.]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>Day off </title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/day-off/</link>
			<description>It's been raining a lot lately and I feel very tired so I decided to take a break for a long weekend. Hopefully I can spend more time in the gym,...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[It's been raining a lot lately and I feel very tired so I decided to take a break for a long weekend. Hopefully I can spend more time in the gym, swimming and jotting down plans for next month. The past few months have been more of a 'break-even' if not a set of losses. It's not financially wise to rent out 2 units (my living quarters and my office) but then I need it to force myself to be more structured and disciplined. One day I will be hungry which will kick me back again to 150%.
It's probably best to cut down on my sleep too... lately I've been getting 8-10 hours, which is a bit too much. I figure it's probably the stressfull weeks that makes me sleep that much. I worry for 12 hours of sleep because it's most likely a sign of something wrong with me, not very healthy. My body clock is messed up because of the rapid shift from morning to night time work.
Vitamins, less to no caffeine, more steamed veggies ... so far I seem to be doing alright...I need more exercise.]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:52:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>PNP failed again</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/pnp-failed-again/</link>
			<description>It's all over the news, a massive failure by the PNP to negotiate with the hostage taker and ended up with a lot of dead tourists. The maguindanao...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[It's all over the news, a massive failure by the PNP to negotiate with the hostage taker and ended up with a lot of dead tourists. The maguindanao massacre may have more death tolls but this hostage drama is just as awful. Not surprising as the police here in the Philippines are almost always involved in illegal doings, coupled with incompetence. How embarrassing to the international community.
RIP and apologies to the ones lost.
I wonder if the seniors of PNP will ever change. The cancer of corruption is deeply embedded within their ranks, especially the officers. The swat team could've acquired more equipment, training and intelligence if it weren't for the lack of funds due to the corrupt officers. We can thank the Euro generals on that, I still haven't forgotten that one.
There is also a matter of disappointment to the media, they shouldn't film everything as the hostage taker may be watching it from inside the bus. The hostage taker could've received a free bird's eye view of every move of the swat team. Too much freedom is bad.
On a positive note, at least Miss Philippines brought home 5th place to the pageant. Her answer to the question was... odd. But at least we won 5th. I guess it can't be helped sometimes when one's nervous, you say the damndest things. It's quite a tricky question too, I don't think you're supposed to do any story telling about past experiences.. so avoiding the question is good.
 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:14:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>It's what they do</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/it-s-what-they-do/</link>
			<description>Taxi's. Their drivers here in Manila are mostly dishonest invidividuals aiming for rich people's money. They are choosy especially on rush hours. My...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Taxi's. Their drivers here in Manila are mostly dishonest invidividuals aiming for rich people's money. They are choosy especially on rush hours. My foreign clients from Denmark complained about those asking for tips beforehand, I felt a bit embarrassed they had to experience it. I feel really uncomfortable when people render their services and tell you upfront if they could have some additional money. This sounds very rude and completely ruins the experience. I had a haircut once, it was a terrible cut and the guy asked for some tips. I was wondering if they should be telling it in the first place, I only give tips when I feel like they gave a very good service and was happy with it. If they demand it upfront then all the more reason not to give them anything, they then try to question your conscience like that taxi driver who tried to befriend me when I rejected the tip demand and opted to leave the taxi. My procedure for taxi's is that I enter the taxi, if the guy tells me to add a little something or negotiate the fee then I tell him directly to use the meter, if he says no then I leave.
I remembered my stand on these bad doings, that no matter how dishonest or evil a man could be there's always something good in that person. That I shouldn't distance myself from bad people but instead try and find a silver lining within them, a most difficult feat. A lot of people have done many wrong things to me. I was hurt but I try and figure out their standing. Are they financially challenged? are they switching to that behavior to compensate on something deep within them? are they hiding anything? I don't know. I've been threatened once and I could only pray that these people could find the error of their ways, despite the severe temptation for gaining my own brand of justice because of this hate. I wish that all these people can see and feel how I feel.
I guess I can understand that driving in heavy traffic is a terrible experience, I once rode on a motorcycle and in places where I can't possibly squeeze into I had to stay on that spot for almost an hour with my fingers on the clutch.. that hurts. I guess I can understand how financially handicapped they are to request more money from their small income. Maybe I can understand their education background, where the courses of ethics weren't taught. I wonder if they are also victims of other people? like the government  laws for taxis or the greedy taxi franchises working them too hard for  too little. But then again there is no excuse for ignorance, they should be very well aware of their decency for their passengers. They chose the wrong side, for their own gain. Should I hate them now? I don't know, I feel like it but maybe I should just find their soft side and attempt to let them see themeselves for a change. A mirror to see how terrible they've become. I've never been much of a conversationalist, I think and talk better with text like these but hardly effective in a one on one confrontation. What can I do?
 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:21:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>Quiet evening</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/quiet-evening/</link>
			<description>I decided to continue work a little later, I still feel tired from Friday's commute. Friday traffic is always terrible here in manila. I had to meet...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I decided to continue work a little later, I still feel tired from Friday's commute. Friday traffic is always terrible here in manila. I had to meet some clients in Malate and then head back home to Mandaluyong. Some 30 minute trip turns to 2-3 hours commute, all because everyone goes out at friday nights. I had to stay at nearby malls or cafe's to pass the traffic horrors.
It rained today, feels good. I welcome the rain anytime. I'm now in bed typing this and every few moments I glance at my large window through the balcony and enjoy the view. The moon is full tonight, the sky is clear and the breeze is cool. The buildings look peaceful and the streets aren't littered much with people and cars... everyone is enjoying a good rest it seems. The view here is fantastic, I can almost see manila bay and the mountains at the eastern side. The lights are yellow, red on top of the buildings and a few strong white lights. The jeepney park is deserted, it's like time stopped today.
I watched the movie 'Cashback', it was pretty good. The movie reminded me of how I used to enjoy drawing when I was a kid. I only used pencils and a sketchbook. I drew my crushes and other women, I was inspired by how wonderfully beautiful a female figure can be. In my drawings the faces are more detailed, I always focus on the facial parts. How is it that they can enchant us guys like that? I almost took fine arts during my course switch back then. But then again my artwork isn't that very good, I must've realized that I wasn't blessed to capture the beauty of everything. Photography is an easier hobby for me I guess, my current technique is to move around and spot an angle which looks good, if it is then it's art (lol). It's too bad that my sketches were flushed out from that typhoon Ondoy about a year ago.
Every night before sleeping I read a bit on my books. I've been occupied with 'The Faith explained' by Trese. The reason for this reading is to find my faith. I was born and raised a Catholic, went to Catholic schools and they made me memorize prayers, rules, do's and dont's without telling me much about them... Trese's book explains a lot of these things. I hope the schools are more focused now on teaching in more detail about the Catholic faith. I once visited one of the meetings of Defensores Fidei, a group built to defend the Catholic faith. This is part of my search... I hope to find more time on this.
 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:46:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>Coffee block</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/coffee-block/</link>
			<description>The last time I've had coffee it struck a severe panic attack. How does it feel? It's like the air is getting thin, the feeling of the world crashing...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The last time I've had coffee it struck a severe panic attack. How does it feel? It's like the air is getting thin, the feeling of the world crashing down on you, some sort of impending doom, numbness of my arms or legs .. eventually I choke several times until my eyes turn red from the pain, then finally my heart palpitates quickly I then sense that it's over, it's probably when adrenaline kicks in. It's now time to run or walk fast to the nearest 'safe zone' where my body has marked as 'home' or 'safe' such as a place to sit down because in a few moments the attack will cycle again repeatedly until I made it to another secure area. In the past when I was hospitalized I get a bonus of intense vertigo. It's not easy being me.
What's unusual here is that my panic attacks also happens out of the blue. Even when I'm in bed I suffer. Why? I don't know, ask my brain.
Zoloft, an antidepressant managed to cure it for awhile. But it's unfortunate that my body somehow developed some immunity to the drug and made the symptoms worse. Now I'm taking other options like other meds my doctor prescribed. Doctors are expensive, I'm willing to try out different lifestyle methods like diet, exercise and exposure to stress(!). Yes, exposure to stress, hopefully immunity will kick in the same way as my old medicine.
Now I'm trying out diet options. Coffee somehow increases the likelihood of attacks. Caffeine... the moment I realized that caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolates, cola) could possibly be bad for me made me think out loud the moment when luke skywalker knew that darth vader was his father "NOOOOOOOOO".
I just can't quit coffee, I love coffee :( and chocolates :( : ( ... maybe in moderation and only taken on vacations or something. Probably when I'm at the least stressed moments.]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:23:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>Enough work </title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/enough-work/</link>
			<description>The past few months of summer was dry for work, but I managed to create my own e-shop which could (hopefully) gain me some extra funds.
Now comes...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The past few months of summer was dry for work, but I managed to create my own e-shop which could (hopefully) gain me some extra funds.
Now comes the rainy season, it's raining work :D but I have a feeling it's going to be flooded with it. It's a good season to finally hire a developer... my designer seems to be working out just fine. It seems that I'm now taking on the role of a project manager + developer + systems administrator, there is not enough time for all this multi-tasking :(
When rain comes it usually takes my stress away, but when I'm flooded with work I start to become anxious because that means meetings and client presentations and meeting deadlines. I felt that I enjoyed the old solo operation where I made it strictly email/chat only correspondence, few deadlines, chose my clients and I stayed at home. That was bliss. Now that I'm in an office, meeting many clients, talking on the phone, skype, meeting clients, etc. things seems to have drained me plenty... I keep pushing myself to achieve financial independence at the expense of my health and comfort :(
What am I doing ? It's a social world, no room for introverts like the old days. I've got roommates now and fewer wiggle room. It's tiring but I guess I'm just trying to build up my immunity to things that stress me out and keep things orderly. In the past there was no schedule, now I'm struggling with my calendars... which is good in a way... I wished to be a success, well now the pathway is rocky I see...]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:07:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>Web development availability</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/web-development-availability/</link>
			<description>The main developer Elijah Alcantara has been fully booked up until the end of September.</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The main developer Elijah Alcantara has been fully booked up until the end of September.]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Pinoguin site news</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:17:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>Arrrgh!</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/arrrgh/</link>
			<description>aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:44:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
		<item>
			<title>Time to man up</title>
			<link>http://ealcantara.info/blog/blog-view/time-to-man-up/</link>
			<description>Not exactly in a fight here but I just got a series of projects lined up for myself and plenty other clients for this month. It's a make or break...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Not exactly in a fight here but I just got a series of projects lined up for myself and plenty other clients for this month. It's a make or break thing for me since just a week ago I just acquired my first helper, a designer. Next one will be a developer, and a marketer if things go well. I am betting with my own skills here, will I make it ? I am a bit excited over this.
 
 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Personal Blog</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:38:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
		</item>
		
	</channel>
</rss>