Sometimes people get handed the short stick.
Saturday morning came with a rather sad announcement from those who were taking the English assessment tests for the call center I'm working for. Of the six that took the test, three were taken out. One of them was ecstatic, the other indignant, and the last quietly accepted the event. After much haggling, our trainer managed to pull the indignant one out of the fire, but the quiet one was denied a second chance by the people above.
She joins the two others who have left before, but for a different reason, and to be honest, I can't help but feel sad about the whole affair.
I'm just hoping that the rest of those in training with me do extremely well in the finals on Tuesday.
I'll be working my ass off to score as high as I possibly can.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Friday, July 09, 2004
Short Quizzes
Due to an utter lack of anything to say right now, I'm posting a few quiz results...
Zing!
You are the nearly perfectly timed sarcasm and wit
that often takes a shot at your fellow peers.
Usually followed by a laugh (because everyone
knows you're joking) and done in good spirit.
You like to make people laugh.
- What Kind of Insult Are You? -
brought to you by Quizilla
okay... I think that's fairly accurate. Now here's something for Shar:
align=left>
I adopted a cute lil' pirate fetus
from Fetusmart! Hooray fetus!
Arrgh! I be raised from a jar, matey!
Zing!
You are the nearly perfectly timed sarcasm and wit
that often takes a shot at your fellow peers.
Usually followed by a laugh (because everyone
knows you're joking) and done in good spirit.
You like to make people laugh.
- What Kind of Insult Are You? -
brought to you by Quizilla
okay... I think that's fairly accurate. Now here's something for Shar:
align=left>
I adopted a cute lil' pirate fetus
from Fetusmart! Hooray fetus!
Arrgh! I be raised from a jar, matey!
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Living in a fantasy...
I guess it just occured to me that I don't really write much about my life here in this blog. Most of the time it's about my hobbies, or with random musings that I've come up with. While that's all fine and good, I can't help but wonder why I don't seem to have much to put up here.
Right now, I'm living in a curious sort of zen-state. I've learned to deal with the pressures of work, the issues at home, and my responsibilities as a friend, companion, significant other and game master. I've dealt with everything the world has tossed at me at one time or another, various paradigm shifts that have decimated my expectations and beliefs at fundamental levels.
A few of the lessons I've learned are the simple ones that everyone should learn at one time or another:
- Learn who your true friends are and cherish them, nurture your relationship with the deserving, and you will also be elevated to their stature.
- Public opinion is hardly ever an accurate indication of anything. Most people are too concerned thinking about what other people think that they lose themselves. You forge your identity, be proud of your handiwork.
- Inspiration is a rare and wonderful thing. No matter what the cause, run with it, play it out, write it down or put it on paper. Everyone has the soul of an artist, it's just a matter of applying what you feel to a medium of expression.
- Words are good, but we take deeds. Honest and sincere intent, coupled with words and promises are only the beginning. The rest of it comes from good, hard work.
- What seem to be great sacrifices now, reap greater rewards later. Karma comes and goes, often hitting you in the back of the head when you least expect it.
- Time is money. Hence if you can pay with time, rather than money, do so. It allows you to spend your current cash on more important things.
- Cattle prods are the wave of the future. Do not hesitate to zap fools if they approach you. If enough of us do it, it will become socially acceptible by the principle of common usage. (taken from Dilbert)
It's not much admittedly, but I guess it's a start. I mean twenty four years of living is probably not what most people would consider to be a long time, but I think that these things are worth bearing in mind.
what do you guys think?
Right now, I'm living in a curious sort of zen-state. I've learned to deal with the pressures of work, the issues at home, and my responsibilities as a friend, companion, significant other and game master. I've dealt with everything the world has tossed at me at one time or another, various paradigm shifts that have decimated my expectations and beliefs at fundamental levels.
A few of the lessons I've learned are the simple ones that everyone should learn at one time or another:
- Learn who your true friends are and cherish them, nurture your relationship with the deserving, and you will also be elevated to their stature.
- Public opinion is hardly ever an accurate indication of anything. Most people are too concerned thinking about what other people think that they lose themselves. You forge your identity, be proud of your handiwork.
- Inspiration is a rare and wonderful thing. No matter what the cause, run with it, play it out, write it down or put it on paper. Everyone has the soul of an artist, it's just a matter of applying what you feel to a medium of expression.
- Words are good, but we take deeds. Honest and sincere intent, coupled with words and promises are only the beginning. The rest of it comes from good, hard work.
- What seem to be great sacrifices now, reap greater rewards later. Karma comes and goes, often hitting you in the back of the head when you least expect it.
- Time is money. Hence if you can pay with time, rather than money, do so. It allows you to spend your current cash on more important things.
- Cattle prods are the wave of the future. Do not hesitate to zap fools if they approach you. If enough of us do it, it will become socially acceptible by the principle of common usage. (taken from Dilbert)
It's not much admittedly, but I guess it's a start. I mean twenty four years of living is probably not what most people would consider to be a long time, but I think that these things are worth bearing in mind.
what do you guys think?
Enchantment VS. Sorcery
Okay, here's my take on Enchantresses and Sorceresses in general as I mentioned in the last entry. Personally, I find the Enchantress more endearing primarily because of the fact that they need not resort to crude methods such as the promise of violence (although they can if they really want to.
While I will admit that the term, "Sorceress" is really a catch-all for women who cast magic, I find that the Enchantress has enough merit to stand on her own. The Myths are full of women who have used magics that fall under the umbrella of Enchantment rather than the more direct magic attributed to other practices.
Take Medea from Jason and the Argonauts, for example. Her exploits paint her as not the kind of woman you'd like to anger, but she admittedly has style... even if she exhibited a kind of sly murderous streak that most modern individuals would consider to be mentally disturbed.
In most fantasy literature, Enchanters and Enchantresses usually get the job done with the judicious use of wit, cunning and charm. Rarely relying on destructive forces, they empower objects (like the ever popular magical swords), brew potions, and achieve a form of mental domination over people. There is hardly ever a grand display of special effects of light and sound, but the results are still as potent.
I guess I'm writing this as a tribute to the other side of the Arthurian mythos. While the Knights are certainly those that set off (often with only courage as their only companion) on their Quests, it is the role of the Wizards, and the Enchantresses to provide them strength. Even as Circe helped Odysseus, Medea assisted Jason, and the Lady of the Lake watched over King Arthur, no epic is complete without the wise, cunning and sometimes frightening female enchantress watching from the shadows.
It's certainly something to think about as I go on with life, knowing that somewhere, the Enchantress is waiting for me to find what I've been questing for.
While I will admit that the term, "Sorceress" is really a catch-all for women who cast magic, I find that the Enchantress has enough merit to stand on her own. The Myths are full of women who have used magics that fall under the umbrella of Enchantment rather than the more direct magic attributed to other practices.
Take Medea from Jason and the Argonauts, for example. Her exploits paint her as not the kind of woman you'd like to anger, but she admittedly has style... even if she exhibited a kind of sly murderous streak that most modern individuals would consider to be mentally disturbed.
In most fantasy literature, Enchanters and Enchantresses usually get the job done with the judicious use of wit, cunning and charm. Rarely relying on destructive forces, they empower objects (like the ever popular magical swords), brew potions, and achieve a form of mental domination over people. There is hardly ever a grand display of special effects of light and sound, but the results are still as potent.
I guess I'm writing this as a tribute to the other side of the Arthurian mythos. While the Knights are certainly those that set off (often with only courage as their only companion) on their Quests, it is the role of the Wizards, and the Enchantresses to provide them strength. Even as Circe helped Odysseus, Medea assisted Jason, and the Lady of the Lake watched over King Arthur, no epic is complete without the wise, cunning and sometimes frightening female enchantress watching from the shadows.
It's certainly something to think about as I go on with life, knowing that somewhere, the Enchantress is waiting for me to find what I've been questing for.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
All Hail the Fourth of July, and more Art Appreciation
Yes, for the first time in my life, I've actually had a chance to celebrate the Fourth of July for a real reason. :)
Working for a call center with a US Bank as an account sort of allows for that kind of thing. I know it's a minor thing, especially since most of the Philippines' three day weekends are now working days (or nights, rather) for me, but I like to celebrate things for the heck of it.
---
A guilty pleasure of mine is to sift through several Art Boards such as the Sijun Boards or Conceptart.Org for pictures that grab my attention or grand inspiration for my RPG games. The picture in my previous post came from one of those boards.
And now for today's picture, called "Enchantress" It's rather large so I had to link it to open to a new window, but PLEASE check it out. It's a fantastic pic.
I really like the whole Chinese vibe she has going on with the details of her costume.
For some reason, I find myself liking Enchantresses more than I like Sorceresses (is there such a word?) Blame it on my fascination on the Arthurian mythos again, but I find the Enchantresses seem to have a hell of a lot more style and finesse than a sorceress. While a Sorceress may call down lightning or fry her foes with fireballs, an enchantress doesn't have to go that far to achieve her ends. Heck, an enchantress makes a great friend, just don't go pissing her off.
Anyway, I'd go more into this discussion on Enchantresses vs. Sorceresses when I get back. Gotta head off to work. Catch you guys tomorrow!
Working for a call center with a US Bank as an account sort of allows for that kind of thing. I know it's a minor thing, especially since most of the Philippines' three day weekends are now working days (or nights, rather) for me, but I like to celebrate things for the heck of it.
---
A guilty pleasure of mine is to sift through several Art Boards such as the Sijun Boards or Conceptart.Org for pictures that grab my attention or grand inspiration for my RPG games. The picture in my previous post came from one of those boards.
And now for today's picture, called "Enchantress" It's rather large so I had to link it to open to a new window, but PLEASE check it out. It's a fantastic pic.
I really like the whole Chinese vibe she has going on with the details of her costume.
For some reason, I find myself liking Enchantresses more than I like Sorceresses (is there such a word?) Blame it on my fascination on the Arthurian mythos again, but I find the Enchantresses seem to have a hell of a lot more style and finesse than a sorceress. While a Sorceress may call down lightning or fry her foes with fireballs, an enchantress doesn't have to go that far to achieve her ends. Heck, an enchantress makes a great friend, just don't go pissing her off.
Anyway, I'd go more into this discussion on Enchantresses vs. Sorceresses when I get back. Gotta head off to work. Catch you guys tomorrow!
Monday, July 05, 2004
Exalted Musings
If there's something that this picture reminds me of, it's a roleplaying game that I'm really fond of called Exalted. I'd go into detail, but rather than bore you guys, it's a game about demigods elevated by their deities to perform feats of greatness and bringing about change in the world.
The game itself styles it's heroes in a similar fashion to the Mythical heroes that we only see in books (and in very few movies, like Troy). These are individuals with incredible power, and yet possess crippling hubris and failings that can make their losses into tragedies that sweep entire nations.
While I'm a big fan of the Epic storyline and world-sweeping adventures, I also appreciate the smaller things in RPG worlds. In Exalted for example, I'm currently playing a Zenith Caste Priest King. It's my first time to play something that even remotely looks religious (even in game terms) but I find that my character spends more time trying to forge bonds in his community and fostering the love and trust of his people rather than going out and fighting the good fight.
Which is odd considering that he's fashioned to be a cross between the Rock in "the Scorpion King" and Moses from "Prince of Egypt" carrying a 5-foot long golden ceremonial warclub. You'll see once I get Nicco to scan an image of my character. :)
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Words of wisdom
Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
----
The man's got a point. Of course, the saying points to men of virtue in their daily lives. Martyrs and patriots who die in the service of their beliefs are exempt from this. :p
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
----
The man's got a point. Of course, the saying points to men of virtue in their daily lives. Martyrs and patriots who die in the service of their beliefs are exempt from this. :p
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)