Simply D.L.
Do Justice in Small Measure First
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It was a bit depressing yet convincing today. This week is Armenian Genocide awareness. On the field in front of the bell tower, there are what appears to be black balloons; each balloon represents a thousand deaths, I think (I didn’t get close enough look). But last year was more shocking as it was crosses planted on the field like a graveyard and yes, each cross represented a thousand deaths as well. And the embarrassing thing was that I learned about this tragedy last year. It’s not that well-known. The most well-known genocide is, well, the Holocaust. And along the walkway in front of the Rivera library, there are cardboard displays of other lesser-known such as the Bosnian, Rwandan, and Cambodian genocides.
And on the bench I was sitting at, there was two cards taped to it and it cried out against those in the Philippines with different political ideologies being tortured and killed for their beliefs, leaving their families without a bread-winner.
I feel overwhelmed and guilty. There’s almost nothing I can do to undo these tragedies. It had been done. And I’m just a suburban college student. Awareness and acknowledgment of these genocides and various forms of injustice are not enough.
So what I can I do? The least I can say is to contribute something you support through your finances, talents, effort, and time. It does not necessary have to be supporting the current crisis in Darfur (although strongly encouraged) or any mainstream or even a religious cause, but something you care and are willing to support.
For me, I am currently looking for a non-profit organization that promotes literacy and literature because I enjoy reading and books are awesome. Literacy is important not only for one to read novels and learn to sympathize with characters, but it would help him to get a better job.
It first begins in small measures. A small chat with a lonely stranger. Time spent at a local soup kitchen and the city parks handing out food. Money donated for supplies, sandwiches, and novels.
Compassion is one of the most difficult characteristics to develop especially those raised in the bubble-enclosed suburban world. It means to know and understand the suffering of others that it propels us to move into action rather than be bystanders who only think after their own needs.
Bamboo Fun: First Impression
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I got this the past Sunday:
It was on a whim. I remember seeing this whenever I go to Best Buy. So I read reviews on Saturday night and all of them thought this was worth checking out. And yea, it served a purpose for me…to draw directly onto the computer. I was originally going to get a better graphic card that is worth around $250, but I thought I should be more practical and get myself a pen tablet.
While at Best Buy, I became a bit skeptical as I noticed half of the Bamboo Fun with a Best Buy sticker attached to them saying: “Opened item. Price: 89.99.” And the original for a new one is $99.99. Something didn’t seem right…but I went against my skepticism and got it along with Linkin Park’s Minutes to Midnight. And yea, I enjoy this album in particular since it’s a bit more mainstream and mellow in their music.
The Bamboo Fun came with the pad (of course), the pen (has two sensitive tips, one as the drawing and the eraser functions with two buttons on the side), a mouse (which requires no batteries but only function when using the Bamboo Fun pad), and the pad (four buttons and a scroll circle button). You could program the buttons to perform a certain task (load up a program, do a command, etc.).
On Sunday night when I tested it, I became dizzy because the pen would instantly jump to where the pen was held (the pad is your computer screen…you move your pen in the lower right on the pad, it will do so on the screen). Owning a pen tablet for the first time, I’m surprised the cursor moves as the tip of the pen hovers a few millimeters away from the pad.
Writing/drawing on the pad…I wouldn’t say it is the smoothest in the world. It’s smooth, yes. But smooth as writing on paper? I feel/hear this…scratching, like fingers on a chalkboard, but much less annoying and painful.
The package came with Photoshop Elements 5.0 and Corel Painting Essentials. I haven’t tried out photoshop elements since it seem heavily focused on editing photographs, but I have a real blast with Corel Painting. It utilizes the pen really well. If you use the “writing tip,” it draws using any type you select such as crayon, pencil, digital water color and more. But if you use the “eraser tip,” it will automatically switch to the eraser tool and rub out any mistakes, making it feel like you’re using a real pencil with a red eraser. Only downside is when you switch between, you experience a slight lag/twitch as the computer tries to readjust.
A personal plus for me is that my laptop is black and the lights that glow are blue…and the pad is black as well and it emits same blue lights, giving it an aesthetic plus.
A brief review, but although it had only been four days since using, I would think this would be perfect for those aspiring visual artists curious about the magic of pen tablets, but cautious of their budget.
Also, I posted up this week’s Deadend comic (“Mortal LoveBat”, 4/17/08) using advanced technology known as, Bamboo Fun. Okay, that name kills any serious mood here, but yea, I am pleased with the results nevertheless.
Gripe Being Single
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Out of hiatus I hibernate. My motivation? There were two classmates in my English discussion classes who talked about writing in their blogs. Their boldness and enthusiasm to share that in class revived me to begin writing my blog. So here I am, hoping I will be able to update this blog on a regular beat. But at the least, I update my webcomic Deadend every Thursday and now it’s on comicgenesis, which is much cleaner than drunkduck.com but still under construction.
In my earlier post, I wrote about being single as a good thing. A single could manage his own time and money, enjoy his hobbies, and ultimately, discover his identity.
But, as for me, however, almost at the ripe age of 22…
I haven’t dated. And yes, I know how I wrote it is good to be single and why, but I yearn to feel her head resting on my shoulder and wrap my arms around her and plant a kiss on her forehead. And I feel such envy and depression as I find myself counting how many couples I saw on campus (average: 5). And if the sight of couples bothers you, I have one word of advice: avoid going to the mall; there is a much higher number of them. But lately, this counting habit has deteriorated, but I do get a chill down my spine when I see one.
I get desperate; I browse through online personals. It’s ironic because I will never bother to go through the free seven-day trial (but I did once, nothing happened) and just look at pictures as if it is a good luck charm that I’ll meet a lovely gal tomorrow. According to my personal statistics (source: skeptical cynicism), she could be something totally different from what she wrote in her paragraphs and what pictures she posted. And I much, much rather prefer to meet her in person.
Well, one thing I’m glad about my dateless years is I’m spared of those immature relationships. And I saved enough money to send my future children to college, but instead that was spent on my college education (e.g. food).
I understand that yes, to wait is important much as I hate that word because people would spoon me that word like Castor oil whenever I mention about my dateless life. After this long period of waiting, yes, I must be cautious of whom I date. Maybe she’ll come into my life in a few years, in a few months, or maybe, maybe in a few days (fingers crossed).
Secretly, I wish there was someone who obnoxiously bragged about being in a relationship and how great it is because it would offer me a plausible excuse to punch him in the stomach and spoon him some Castor oil mixed with vegetable oil.
Simply D.L. 