Florida Court Sets Atheist Holy Day

After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed."
 
The lawyer immediately stood, objecting to the ruling, saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter & others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur & Hanukkah. Yet my client & all other atheists have no such holidays."
 
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Counsel, your client is woefully ignorant."

Alfajores Recipe (Wiki)

• 1/2 cup butter,
• 1 cup sugar,
• 1 egg,
• 2 egg yolks,
• 1 tsp. vanilla,
• 2 tsp. lemon rind, grated,
• 1 1/2 cup cornstarch,
• 1/2 cup flour,
• 1 tsp. baking powder, and
• 1/4 tsp. salt.

Cream butter; add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well. Beat in vanilla and lemon rind. Sift together cornstarch, flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture and mix well. Drop batter by small spoonfuls onto well buttered baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove immediately. Sandwich the cookies together with (dulce de leche) sweet milk dessert. Makes 40 cookies. [I think this is the one that the Good Shepherd nuns use, gotta pester my aunt about it during the next family reunion]

His heart beats faster, pulse racing and palms sweating, he clicks the mouse with a fierce intensity and navigates through the map with his left hand. He glances at the screen and sees the enemy hordes approaching. Quickly, he sends a message to the rest of the team on their attack strategy. He monitors his gold resources and the strength of his electronic Hero. In a few seconds, a triple kill combo decimates the rest of the enemy team. He looks up and whoops out a congratulatory yell as his team’s winning statistics flash on the screen.

Sounds familiar? 

For the typical massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) fanatic, it sounds like another electronic victory out of several rounds of creating a virtual world of computer network battles. Is such a campaign really worth all the time and effort? Does winning a computer game an indicator of real life triumph?

According to an IBM study, the average time spent on online role-playing games per week is 22 hours, and 7.5M people currently play one title – World of Warcraft. That figure doesn’t even include those who indulge in other types of computer games, like local area network (LAN) games, emulation games, real time strategy games, action games and sports games. In the Philippines, any computer shop worth its salt would surely have young customers intently focused on these games they’ve installed, be they original copies or pirated versions. 

Thus, it is no surprise that most authority figures such as parents and school officials react negatively to these games and the gaming culture. As Richard Halverson found in his study on Leadership and Gaming, “video games are regarded as diversionary threats to the integrity of schooling (at best) or as destructive, compelling activities that simultaneously corrupt moral capacity and create a sedentary, motivation-destroying life-style.” In fact, these games have had lots of controversies attached to it, such as the debate on the violent themes, explicit graphics, and the effect of game addiction on the social development of minors. The American Psychological Association even concluded that violent computer games can contribute to children’s aggressive behavior. It is also observed that games sometimes exaggerate certain perceptions while the player does not rationalize the difference between real life and game behavior.

On the other hand, there are studies, such as the IBM research conducted by Reeves, confirming that there are both negative and positive psychological effects of games on developing leadership skills. He found that computer games can:

1.        Reward the player with a feeling of success that is more interesting than other tasks like learning. It becomes a challenge to raise motivation for other learning goals.

2.        Suppress socialization by limiting inter-action to virtual communication.

3.        Promote an attitude of fitting together “building blocks” or every feature of the game for a specific purpose.

4.        Encourage a bias towards competition and egoistic goals, instead of cooperation.

However, this must be balanced by the findings that on a positive note, the types of skills learned in an MMORPG, when used in the real world, are also essential for leadership success. Some of these are:

1.        Being a good communicator (in explaining to team members the raid strategy);

2.        Must be able to delegate tasks (to divide the attack among different players);

3.        Should be effective in multi-tasking (to use various functions in navigating and fighting);

4.        Must be competent in tactics and techniques (creatively using opponent’s disadvantages and maximizing the MMORPG team’s resources);

5.        Having confidence in the leader’s and the team’s playing abilities.

As a game psychology researcher found, “online gaming is a way for a person to take baby steps into learning how to lead. Someone who is shy in real life may have more confidence in a game and eventually that in-game confidence will translate to more out-of-game confidence.” In a game situation, one develops a strong foundation out of learning how to be a good follower (teamwork and obeying directions) and eventually emerging to be a good team leader (empathy and creative strategizing). Psychological studies have discovered that this young generation of gamers also follow patterns of various leadership models in the complexity of game strategy with management of virtual economies (how much gold is left to buy a weapon) and inter-group communication (chat programs that promote camaraderie and quick planning). Since it is a fast-paced approach, leadership is often emergent, encourages risk-taking, but promotes temporary, rather than permanent leadership roles (after the game, the players resume their normal selves).

The most important conclusion is that game environments make leadership easier, even for those with shy personalities in real life. Even if there are various opportunities for leadership practice as players try out more game tactics, parents and school officials must not be afraid to temper the time spent on games with building real life relationships and making academic pursuits more interesting. As we increasingly move towards a digital generation, the challenge is to channel the adrenaline rush and mental stimulation of gaming into something sustainable in real life leadership scenarios. 

References:

Reeves, B. “Leadership in Games and at Work: Implications for the Enterprise of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games.” June 11, 2007. Found at: <http://www.seriosity.com/downloads/Leadership_In_Games_Seriosity_and_IBM.pdf> Date Accessed: September 23, 2008

Wiki-One Laptop per Child Project. “Game Psychology.” June 11, 2008. Found at: <http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Game_psychology> Date Accessed: September 23, 2008 

Halverson, R. “What Can K-12 School Leaders Learn from Video Games and Gaming?” ___. Found at:

<http://www.education.wisc.edu/elpa/people/faculty/halverson/LeadersLearningFromVideoGames.pdf> Date Accessed: September 23, 2008

[Hayyyy, miss ko na mag-DoTA with my Sweetheart. Hehe]

This was unearthed from my dad's files, in a note from my grandmother, a traditional dish that I've never found anywhere else but in the Verzosa hometown, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The flavor is indescribable, there's nothing else quite like it. I can't wait to go home to the province and ask our cucinera at Villa Angela to make Pipian!

A Google search describes Pipian as something of Mexican origin but the Vigan version looks so much better. A similar recipe can also be found in Wyatt's Kitchen: Pipian Manok. Thank you to Mr. Wyatt Belmonte for the Pipian photo.

"When I took a look at it, it was in script written by Manang Aca from Lola Puring [Dra. Purificacion Lahoz-Verzosa]'s dictation for a certain Mrs. Tiongson....I will therefore key it in as is in order to preserve the flavor....

PIPIAN VIGAN

I think this food originated as a delicacy from the people of Vigan. The truth is that it is special because it is only in Vigan where you find the herb called "al pasotes" which is known by the old families of Vigan who appreciate the dish. [note: "al pasotes" is also known as Epazote or Herba Sancti Mariæ (Chenopodium ambrosioides)]

Ingredients and procedure:
1. Rice is browned and is ground very finely in those places in the market. It is placed in a glass container and kept in the freezer to preserve it for many uses. Stainless steel container is also ok.

2. 1/2 kilo of the internal organs of the cow, cleaned very very well and boiled. The first boiling is to be eliminated and thrown out and then new water is put in the entrails and boiled until soft. This could last for 2 hours. Then cut in two inch squares. Usually tripe is used.

3. Add chicken cut in two inch squares. Preferably use the breasts and the legs. The neck,  wings,  and back may be used but is cumbersome to eat, although tasty. About 1/2 kilo pork, or better still bagnet should be cut in 2 inch squares also and set aside.

4. Wash 15 big pieces of Kamias. Sliced crosswise like small circles and set aside.

5. About 1/2 handful of achuete should be soaked in warm water and masticated by hand so that the red-orange colored juice comes out and should be done about 3 to 4 times until there is no more coloring.

6. Mix the achuete juice to about 2 to 3 cups of ground browned rice until well blended, depending on the volume you want to serve.

7. For the main cooking, put a little oil in the wok and saute garlic  and onions and when slightly browned...

8. Add the main ingredients... the chicken, the bagnet, the tripe and brown a little and adding some patis and little ground pepper to taste.

9. Add 2 cups water and the browned ground rice and the kamias and boil and boil until the rice is cooked, and mixing the lower portion of the wok with a ladle to make sure the rice will not stick and get burned.

10. Lastly, add the al pasotes leaves....but not too much because it has a strong flavor. And if you like, you may add cooked longanizang Vigan also. Watch the complete Pipian boil and boil until the consistency is a little bit thicker than Kare-kare. If it is too thick, slowly add hot water up to the thickness you want. Make sure this is served hot to enjoy the full flavor and aroma."

Don't know how 'Indian' it is, but here is my favourite. Haven't met a person yet who doesn't like it.

• 200 g red lentils
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 tomatoes, skinned and chopped
• 900 ml water (4 cups)
• 1 tsp coriander
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 onion, diced
• 25 g margarine
• 1 tsp garam masala

Saute chopped onion and garlic in margarine until golden.
Add garam masala and saute a further 2 minutes.
Add to lentils and mix well. Serve with rice.

Nang tanungin ko ang aking asawa kung saan nakalathala ang kanyang tula,

sa bubong ng tren na kulay dilaw o sa dingding ng tren na kulay ube,

sumagot siyang nakangiti:

Nariyan, sa loob ng sinapupunan mo.

CUBAO EXPO Y.E.S. '08 (YEAR-END SERIES of EVENTS 2008)

CubaoExpOctoberFestival:

October 3, 6pm – 12mn (Friday) = Fashion Walk-Off, Artists' Fair, Bazaar

October 4, 3pm – 12mn (Saturday) = Concert, Artists' Fair, Bazaar

October 5, 3pm – 9pm (Sunday) = Artists' Fair, Bazaar

October Flea Market Fiesta (Giant Garage Sale Part 5, 6 & 7):

October 11, (Saturday):10am-6pm

October 12, (Sunday):10am-6pm

October 18, (Saturday):10am-6pm

October 19, (Sunday):10am-6pm

October 25, (Saturday):10am-6pm

October 26, (Sunday):10am-6pm  

Holiday Weekend Bazaar:

November 8, 3pm – 11pm (Saturday)

November 15, 3pm – 11pm  (Saturday)

November 22, 3pm – 11pm   (Saturday)

November 29, 3pm – 11pm   (Saturday)

December 6, Saturday (3pm – 11pm) & 7, Sunday (10am – 6pm)

December 13, Saturday (3pm – 11pm) & 14, Sunday (10am – 6pm)

December 18 to 24 (Thursday to Wednesday), 2pm – 10pm

Cubao Expo(formerly The Marikina Shoe Expo)Gen. Romulo St., Araneta Center Cubao, QC

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Good day to you!


Have you heard of Cubao Expo, formerly The Marikina Shoe Expo?  It is between the Araneta Bus Terminal & what used to be the lot that C.O.D. stood on, and it lies behind Ali Mall & the old Rustan's Superstore (it now houses Automatic Supercenter & ACS Call Center).

Cubao Expo, or Cubao X as its denizens like to call it, has been undergoing a remarkable revival in the past 2 years.  Gone is the sleepy, dusty, uninteresting place where everyone would hie to for their good-shoes-made-locally fix - it is now a throbbing little village chock-full of quaint, individualistic, and substantial boutiques, cafes and restaurants.  There are 50 establishments in this u-shaped community, some are throwbacks to the late '60s, some shops have opened as recently as 4 months ago.  There are antique shops, thrift shops, high-fashion boutiques, an organic cafe, a cinemathique's dream theater, several art galleries that actually have good art displayed on their walls, there are the shoe stores, of course, and the ubiquitous ukay-ukay shop that seems to have been placed there to round off the flavor of the area.

Cubao Expo, Gen. Romulo St.,
Araneta Center, Cubao QC 1100

cubaoexpo@gmail.com