The Ginebra Gin Kings (PBA Team) proved to be Kings once again in the 2008 Philippine Basketball Association - Fiesta Conference as they show their rivals, the everything 1st (chiampionship, game 7 finals, number one on the standings, and more..) Air 21 Express that heart is everything in a Game 7 chiampionship, as they beat them with a score of 97-84.

The Gin Kings started the season slow, suffered a lot of injuries (mainly from their stars) all throughout the season, went through a lot of import changes, but as the season progresses they finally found the right mix with the “Big Man” Chris Alexander, a Behemoth in the middle who can score and defend (blocks) well.

Game 7 was played without Jay Jay Healtherbrand (Ginebra’s Main Point Guard) and semi-injured Mark Caguioa (their MVP), but his presence was clearly shown in the game.

With the absence of the Gin Kings’ star player, Veteran player Erik Menk (former MVP), and “MR. Pure Energy” Ronald Tubid played the big games which earned them the co-Finals MVP Award.

In the end, it shows that even if a team , not 100% by health, can win a championship with a heart that’s 100%.

3 Critical:

1. Heart is Everything - there’s no question about the talent of both teams, but the heart made the difference.
2. Sweet Victory - nothing describes this win more than “Sweet Victory”. It is won not by odds, but by faith.
3. The Trial - everything that the Gin Kings experienced this conference (trades, injuries, fines, import changes, and hard fought games) really did make them more triumphant as a team. Congratulations!!!!

In the world of Lego, nothing seems to be impossible. We’ve seen a lot of things that people made with Lego’s, from cartoon characters, dinosaurs, planes, buildings, CPU’s, and a whole lot more, and though it’s been a toy of the (believe me) 1930’s, it pretty much is still here for everyone to enjoy.

Just like this one (above). This creation is inspired by the 2008 Beijing Olympics and amazingly they really made it look like the Olympic Stadium in China. The whole thing is made up of 300,000 Lego bricks with around 4,500 Hong Kong Lego User Group members engaging to complete the task.

But the stadium ain’t the only thing they made. They also considered making what’s inside the stadium, which includes Water Cube Aquatic Centre, the pool (where Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals), the bike track and more.

Way to Go!!!! LEGO!!!!

3 Critical:

1. Unbelievable - Lego’s are truly one of the best creations ever. Look what they can do with it. Almost everything.
2. Phelps Lego? - I’m not sure about htis, but did they make a Michael Phelps Lego? I bet they didn’t… coz he beat every  swimmer China (and all participating country) had.
3. Why LEGO? - doe’s anyone know what the word LEGO means? I bet it’s taken from the phrase “Let’s Go”. But I’m not so sure.

Now that we all know the complicated girl Avril Lavigne obviously had a something else grown besides money and fame, it won’t be a surprise if she would then be considered just another sexy musician/artist in the music industry.

And just when most people say she was hot, others say she was too hot for them… specifically in Malaysia. Like recent artists (Pussycat Dolls, Gwen Stefani, etc..) who visited the country, Avrilicious Lavigne might just have to set a lower tone a bit with her upcoming concert this 29th of August because in simple terms, the Islamic party of Malaysia just considers her act “too sexy” for their fellow Malaysians.

“It is considered too sexy for us…it’s not good for viewers in Malaysia. We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models.” A party official said in an interview.

She used to be one of the best artists focusing on her originality and never-caring-what-the-people-say attitude, but I guess she’s into the hotness thing that makes (or breaks) big celebrities nowadays. So now I’m asking… Why’d she have to grow them and make things so complicated? ?? No No No.

3 Critical:

1. Changes… - life is full of changes, and enlargements (of what used to seem small) comprises most of it these days.
2. She Used To Be - she used to be that misunderstood girl with the good sense of talent and music. She’s not even considered a sexy artist… but just like that and she’s now just like the rest. Sad for me.
3. Not That Bad - I belong in a conservative country like Malaysia… but honestly, she being sexy is really not that bad. But not that good too.

I’m planning to buy an entry-level camera like this (above) one. It’s a Canon Powershot A630 with 8 megapixels, 2.5″ LCD screen, 4X optical zoom, full manual controls. In short it’s fast, nice, and has a good price.

Most of you might have doubts on buying entry-level cameras thinking it wouldn’t make good shots, but actually, ask any enthusiast (or pro) and they’ll say cameras don’t make good shots, people do.

So here are some tips to get those great shots using entry level cameras: (from experts?)

• Interact With Your Subject - having that chemistry between you and your subject brings out the comfort and the smiles you wanted to get.
  
• Try Capturing Subjects in Motion - take shots in low light w/ flash turned off, and take shots on moving object.
  
• Make You’re Subject Stand Out - try playing with the zoom & focus options to get that desired depth of field (clear subject w/ faded background or vice versa).
  
• Angle and Crop - sometimes capturing the entire subject just seems so basic, so try not taking the entire subject, and it really helps to capture it in different angles.
  
• Use Other Features - some cameras have a lot of added effects (colorize, sepia tones, desaturation, etc..) and they are built to be used. Using them would give some great shots.
  
• Follow The Light - with the right position at the right time, a flare or ray of light can give added drama to a subject. it’s best to follow the light.
  

Here are some photos I took from my bothers camera (a Canon A630 too). Just to support my ideas

3 Critical:

1. Creativity is A Must - creativity is actually the most powerful tool in photography.
2. Take Your Time - just like in real life, patience is also a virtue in photography. It is essential to wait for the right moments.
3. Start Here - if you’re starting to make photography your new hobby, or profession… I suggest you start with entry level cameras. The photos taken by professionals (that you were impressed with), you don’t get to make them overnight. Practice Practice Practice.

The Beijing Olympics “lip synch” issue (Lin Miaoke lip-syncing the national anthem, while supposedly chosen Yang Peiyi provides the voice hidden from the public simply because she had less appealing teeth) has been going around the internet ever since the ceremony’s musical director Chen Qigang revealed the little secret in a radio interview.

However, China’s official defended the issue saying that is was indeed a simple casting choice and that the artistic directors could cast whoever they saw fit, which is right, but do they really have to do it on the day of the performance? When expectations are at most present? I have to agree with some critics when they said that China is going too far with their obsession of bringing the perfect Olympic Games.

As a result, a lot of (seemingly negative) headline news all over the world is talking about the issue. In Spain, one newspaper called it the “Olympic karaoke.” A newspaper in Australia called it “the great Beijing lip-synch switcheroo” and news on the incident was headlined “China’s wrong child policy.” The Romanian daily 7Plus had “Hoax! Made in China.” on their front page, and who knows what else thaey call it ion other countries headlines.

This just goes to show how disregarding things aside from a good impression can become something evidently negative.

3 Critical:

1. Unbelievable - the decision to replace the supposedly chosen girl to sing China’s national anthem on the very day is just like the whole opening ceremony. Unbelievable. And they were unapologetic about keeping the lip-synch a secret. Again, Unbelievable.
2. Another Surprise - both the parents of the kids were OK with the whole thing, and even are thankful for the opportunity of being able to perform in the Olympics.
3. Just Unfair - the reason for replacement was shallow, considering that they chose Yang Peiyi to sing before the actual performance… and they took he liberty of borrowing her voice. Talents are to be developed and supported. Not hidden.

Unlike the movies where action stars place their guns strategically anywhere in the house, every gun holder and enthusiast must have a Gun Rack for proper placement and safety of guns. A gun rack is something that holds  rifles, pistols, and any other types of guns in place in a manner that’s presentable.

Take for example this Rifle Rack (above). It properly places the rifles in a way that’s appealing and most importantly, with a sense of safety within them. It always is a good thing to let the people know that you are a responsible gun holder and having guns carefully placed in racks is a sign of a responsible gun owner. A lot of sites (like Gun-Racks.com) sell gun racks for different types of ammos, and you can search for a wide variety of designs to match your furnitures if it appeals to you.

Guns, in any way, are dangerous and it is only practical to have them placed as safe and presentable as possible regardless of their power and size. Even a small simple pistol should be in its own Pistol Rack. Trust me, you don’t want any of these (above) scattering around your lovely house.

3 Critical:

1. Better Safe - than sorry… And we all know this is true.
2. Made for A Purpose - these racks were made specifically for safety (and display) purposes. Let’s try to use them.
   
3. Be Responsible - every gun owner must be responsible at ALL times. And by saying responsible, I mean being everything that the word means.
   

The “New“ Lara Croft

As constant as the sun shines every morning, there is always room for changes. And this is what Eidos (Game Publisher) did by bringing in a new face for the real-life iconic adventurer Lara Croft for Tomb Raider: Underworld. What Eidos had in mind was bringing a little touch of reality to the whole character making her more lithe, and flexibly graceful (like a gymnast) to match the personality of an adventuresome archeologist like the character really is.

And so there came Alison Carroll, a 23-year old an English Gymnast (flexible huh?) and model.

“Tomb Raider: Underworld depicts Lara as we have never seen her before with movements and skills reminiscent of a highly skilled gymnast. Sharing Lara’s strength and grace, Alison is an experienced competitive gymnast who has performed and competed across the globe. Her more than 12 years of gymnastics training align perfectly with the game’s enhanced movement set.” - Eidos

The “Old“ Lara Croft

Some might say nothing beats the half of Brangelina playing the role of Lara Croft, but hey, why not give it a try right?

3 Critical:

1. Got More - between Angelina and Alison, I have to say Alison has more. (If you know what I mean)
2. The Moves - a veteran gymnast to play he role would really make a lot of differences… trust me, a back flip is not the hardest thing for her to do.
3. Old vs. New - Angelina (old) is got the sexy looks, is thinner, more famous, but older. Alison is new, full of talent, just the right body, got the looks, and is way younger. So what do you say?

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is basically a full contact combat sport which allows different forms of fighting techniques, mostly a mixture of martial arts traditions, and allows the use of striking and grappling techniques (both while standing and on the ground). In short, once you step inside that ring, there basically are “No Limits”.

Avid fans, or anyone ho have seen Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will surely agree to the fact that this is indeed the most brutal, life threatening, and most dangerous sport there ever was, but this is purely entertainment and heavy competition if you ask me. A lot of websites that features schedules, matches, and other information about the fighters are even highly visited despite the said censored-material content of the whole thing.

If you want to see what hard-bound action in a very competitive level, then Mixed Martial Arts fighting is definitely what you’re looking for. There will be lot’s of pain… but pain is what we will be entertained with.

3 Critical:

1. It’s Brutal - and this is not a negative thing here. The brutal nature of the sport itself is what makes it a notch higher than other sports.
2. No Advantages - mastering one form of martial arts or fighting technique doesn’t give you an advantage whatsoever. Style isn’t necessary… the will to win is.
3. Physical Sport? - in every meaning of the word it is.

Simple things really capture my appreciation specially when it comes to art and photography, and one particular subject that has always fascinated me with are droplets.

I believe it’s called “Droplet Art” or “Droplet Art Photography”.

Droplet Art Photography basically involves capturing the the beautiful, creative, artistic, and surprising moments of a water droplet. It looks simple, it seems simple, but it’s undoubtedly on of the most uniquely creative wonders in the world of art.

I’ve actually tried having some shots of my own (3 thumbnail photos) using my brothers camera and here’s what I came up with.

I guess simple things are just meant to be simply beautiful.

3 Critical:

1. Unique Art - the idea, the art, the simplicity of the whole thing makes this thing uniquely beautiful.
2. History Anyone? - does anyone know where this originated? I’d be glad to know.
3. More Droplet Art - there are actually a lot of forms of droplet art and because I’m that good, I’ll share some of my colections. Just Click here.

Now look what we got here. Isn’t that the guy from the mountain movie with the Joker? (if you know what I mean).

Here is a photo taken from the set of the upcoming movie Prince Persia: The Sands of Time which stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan and Gemma Arterton as Tamina.

The movie is set to be released sometime on May of 2010. That’s still a very very long wait if you ask me.

The film is based on the video game (of the same name), which follows the adventure of Prince Dastan along with rival princess Tamina to stop an angry ruler from unleashing the “Sand of Time” (a sandstorm) that could destroy a kingdom and transforms everyone into ferocious demons.

And by the way, if you happen to be a fan of the game, I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that the Dagger of Time, (the dagger which gives him a limited control over the flow of time) will be in the movie.

Now this is cool.

3 Critical:

1. Good Casting - casting Jake to play Prince Dastan is just like choosing Heath to play the Joker. The photos (above) speaks for itself.
   
2. Built to Play - yes I’m talking about the improvements (physique) Jake took to properly embody the role. This is discipline and professionalism.
3. 2 Years - it’s still gonna be 2 years until we see how this movie comes out, but I guess it’s gonna be worth the wait. I hope.