Shinkumi

I didn't catch Gokusen (1) when it was aired on GMA 7, so I went on a Gokusen marathon recently. Go, Shinkumi! Can't wait to lay my hands on the manga!

State of Tech

According to the World Economic Forum's Global Technology Report 2006 - 2007, the following countries topped the Network Readiness Rankings:

1: Denmark (3)

2: Sweden (8)

3: Singapore (2)

4: Finland (5)

5: Switzerland (9)

6: Netherlands (12)

7: US (1)

8: Iceland (4)

9: UK (10)

10: Norway (13)

Source: WEF

According to the BBC news article "US 'no longer technology king"

Countries were judged on technological advancements in general business, the infrastructure available and the extent to which government policy creates a framework necessary for economic development and increased competitiveness.

The Networked Readiness Index, the sixth of its kind published by the World Economic Forum with Insead, the Paris-based business school, scrutinised progress in 122 economies worldwide.

Despite losing its top position, the US still maintained a strong focus on innovation, driven by one of the world's best tertiary education systems and its high degree of co-operation with industry, the report said.

The country's efficient market environment, conducive to the availability of venture capital, and the sophistication of financial markets, was also given recognition.

The Philippines ranked number 69 out of the 122 countries/states that make up said list.. Ouch! But in the light of our country's other problems - which the upcoming elections can either multiply or resolve - I can only say, hopefully someday we, too, will find our way.

ID Society

Music Playing: My Maksim playlist

It's hard going about without a satisfactory form of identification these days, and I can't help but wish for those (long abandoned) days when I didn't have to produce so many forms of identification just to prove that I am who I say I am. While I do get the idea behind the extensive I.D. requirements in these 'terror-ridden' days, I feel that sometimes it's a case of paranoia plus = overkill.

Since I'm no longer a student, my UP I.D. doesn't always work the wonders it did before. I'm working on getting a passport, a postal I.D. and a driver's license but blast, now that my I.D. is no longer "current", it really feels as if I'm living a half-life. Come to think of it, a half-life is kinda ... viral.

Last month, I received two checks from DDL for some research work I did. They got my name right but the hens of red tape came in to roost. I couldn't encash it and I couldn't deposit it. The drawer's bank wanted proof of identification that my papers apparently couldn't satisfy: no driver's license, no SSS/GSIS ID, no passport and no voter's ID but wait - I have a NBI clearance with my picture on it and other information that would have appeared on, say, my driver's license if I had one - and it's a government issued thing. Still, not good enough.

Add to the aggravation the fact that I couldn't deposit the checks into my accounts because, according to the helpful bank personnel, I did not submit proof of billing when I opened my accounts and I had no government IDs then. What in Olida - living with the parent and leading a simple life sure have a lot of drawbacks. Free food, water and no bills to pay (though I try and give my token of appreciation in cold cash) and all that.

I still got my money's worth, though. Negotiability - don't you just love it sometimes?

iBlog 3

Music Playing: Music & Lyrics OST

Event in the horizon: 3rd iBlog will be held on April 13 to 14, 2007 at the UP Diliman School of Economics Auditorium.



Notes:
The 2nd iBlog summit held in April 2006 was an absolute blast, even though I was more of a spectator there than - well, I was a spectator, period. This year, it's still an April thing that I still would want to attend.

Pleadings - the new cover letter?!

Follow this link and you'll come across something I reeled in on one of my frequent clicking expeditions.

Several years back, The Smoking Gun's feature on a (then) 25-year old law student's unique job pitch elicited a lot of gasps of entertainment (and outrage) from the legal and non-legal community. According to the TSG, the applicant, in his pleading-styled "letter",

promised prospective employers that, "If my mother's funeral was the day of a key deposition, I would do the eulogy via teleconference after the deposition."And if his wedding was on the date of a key trial, "the wedding would be postponed. If the wife to be did not like it, I would inform her that work comes before EVERYTHING ELSE and that if she does not like this, she is free to find a competing husband."

I don't know how effective the interview request was in landing Matt Toll his dream job, but it sure is a riveting read. It flummoxed me how this guy could even summon the nerve to write it, at the same time that it sent me into gales of laughter. Dare I make something like it?

Check this skateboarding puppy out! Well, he's not a puppy anymore, but what the heck!

Izzie (?) toValeria (the arch-enemy of Bakekang):

"Kung talagang nanggaling sa Amerika si Karisma, bakit wala siyang ... English accent?"

LOL. The one time I watch a locally produced show and they mess it up.

Summer's here again, and while I'm an iced tea type of person, there are moments when nothing beats Coca-cola. Cheers!