Goodbye, Hayate

My phone got stolen this morning in the Quezon Avenue station of the MRT at around 9:30 AM.

Calling Out To Everyone

Goodbye, my dear Hayate. I don't even have a real picture of you! =(

I'm calling out to everyone who is reading this: if you happen to see a 2nd-hand Nexus One phone being sold (or someone using it), please try to look at the casing at the back of the phone and note if it has the following words etched at the back:

omgayeo
i am STELLAR!

The text should be laser etched on the silver strip found on the bottom part at the back of the phone. If it looks like if that area has been tampered with or if it's covered, then be suspicious! It might be my Hayate!

Another sign that it's Hayate is if it has a small dent on the upper-left (
or right...I'm not quite sure...I'm sure it's on the upper-left) corner of the phone.

Also, my phone was in a black Capdase leather casing for the HTC Desire. Like here (http://www.capdase.com/en/product5.php?cid=1&bid=5&mid=994&pid=6826), except less shiny and I removed the belt clip attachment.

Update

IMEI: 3549 5703 1354 304
S/N: HT9CVP811588

The Nexus One was never officially sold locally by Google so I think there's a relatively low number of Nexus Ones here in the Philippines. If anyone finds out who took my phone or where my phone is, please please please tell me!

It's not really much on the cost of the phone that bothers me about losing my phone, it's more of the data that I had in it plus the sentimental value.

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certainevent

>> 30-Day Song Challenge <<

Man, was this theme difficult. I chose "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga because whenever I hear it I think of our company year-end party last 2009. I sang a rock cover of this song during the party with my band mates.

Yes, that's me, on stage performing "Paparazzi"

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere

>> 30-Day Song Challenge <<

Clearly, I'm not doing this thing everyday anymore. But since I already started I'm just gonna go ahead and continue until I finish the list, even if I don't really do a song a day.

Thinking of a song that reminded me of somewhere was particularly difficult. I don't think I usually associate songs with places, I usually associate songs more with feelings, moods, or experiences. So, I'm gonna "cheat" a little bit with today's theme.

The song is "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane. The concept of having a place which only you and selected people know about and can go to sounds so interestingly awesome for me that I wish it were true. Whenever I hear this song I always imagine a place where I can escape to.

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone

>> 30-Day Song Challenge <<

When everybody else is getting out of bed
I'm usually getting in it
I'm not in it to win it
I'm in it for you

♥ =)

P.S.

Sorry about the late post. Apparently, I am not much of a blogger on weekends and holidays.

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 04 – A song that makes you sad

>> 30-Day Song Challenge <<

One of the few chick flicks I watched in the cinema was P.S. I Love You. I saw the trailer and I got convinced. Plus Gerard Butler was in it...and Lisa Kudrow. So, yeah, I wanted to watch it.

This song wasn't new to me before watching the movie, I had already heard it played on the radio. But, when they used it as background music to one of the scenes in the movie I couldn't help it, tears just started streaming down my face while watching!

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 03 – A song that makes you happy

>> 30-Day Song Challenge <<

Hearing "Hare Hare Yukai" from the anime "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" definitely makes me happy whenever I hear it. It's so upbeat and it makes me want to dance.

Hare Hare Yukai Vocals: Suzumiya Haruhi, Nagato Yuki, Asahina Mikuru

Sunny Sunny Fun Vocals: Hirano Aya, Chihara Minori, Goto Yuko as Suzumiya Haruhi, Nagato Yuki, Asahina Mikuru

Nazonazo mitai ni chikyuugi o tokiakashitara Minna de doko made mo ikeru ne Wakuwakushitai to negainagara sugoshiteta yo Kanaete kureta no wa dare na no? Jikan no hate made Boooon!! Waapu de ruupu na kono omoi wa Nani mo kamo o makikonda souzou de asobou Aru hareta hi no koto Mahou ijou no yukai ga Kagirinaku furisosogu fukanou ja nai wa Ashita mata au toki warainagara hamingu Ureshisa o atsumeyou Kantan nanda yo ko-n-na-no Oikakete ne tsukamaete mite Ooki na yume & yume suki deshou? Iroiro yosou ga dekisou de dekinai mirai Sore de mo hitotsu dake wakaru yo Kirakira hikatte atsui kumo no ue o kazaru Hoshi-tachi ga kibou o kureru to Jikan ni norou yo Byuuuuun!! Chiipu de kuuru na toshigoro da mon Samishigaccha hazukashii yo nante ne iwasete Te to te o tsunaidara Mukau toko muteki desho Kagayaita hitomi ni wa fukanou ga nai no Ue dake mite iru to namida mo kawaichau “Kawaritai!” Kokoro kara tsuyoku omou hodo tsu-ta-wa-ru Hashiridasu yo ushiro no hito mo oide yo Dokidokih suru deshou? Boooon!! Waapu de ruupu na kono omoi wa Nani mo kamo o makikonda souzou de asobou Aru hareta hi no koto Mahou ijou no yukai ga Kagirinaku furisosogu fukanou ja nai wa Ashita mata au toki warainagara hamingu Ureshisa o atsumeyou Kantan nanda yo ko-n-na-no Oikakete ne tsukamaete mite Ooki na yume & yume suki deshou?

If I solve the globe like a riddle Then I can go anywhere with everyone I’ve lived while wishing to be excited Who granted it? To the end of time, Boooon!! This warping and loopy thought of mine Will play in my imagination that just might have swept in everything On one sunny day The fun beyond magic Pours limitlessly; it’s not impossible When we meet again tomorrow, I’ll be humming while laughing Let’s gather up happiness It’s so simple by-this-much Chase it, try catching it We love a big dream & dream, right? Various predictions can seem to but cannot imagine what the future is like Nevertheless, I understand just one thing The twinkling stars that decorate above the thick clouds Give me hope, and- Let’s ride on time, Byuuuuun!! It’s a cheap and cool age Let me say that it’s embarrassing to get lonely If we hold our hands together Then where we face will be invincible, right? Impossibility doesn’t exist in our shining eyes If we’re only looking up, then our tears dry up, too “I want to change!” I’ll tell you as strongly as I think from my heart We’ll start running; desert the people behind you Our hearts will pound, right? Boooon!! This warping and loopy thought of mine Will play in my imagination that just might have swept in everything On one sunny day The fun beyond magic Pours limitlessly; it’s not impossible When we meet again tomorrow, I’ll be humming while laughing Let’s gather up happiness It’s so simple by-this-much Chase it, try catching it We love a big dream & dream, right?

Lyrics credit to: http://atashi.wordpress.com/2006/10/17/suzumiya-haruhi-no-yuuutsu-ending-theme-hare-hare-yukai/

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 02 – Your least favorite song

>> The 30-Day Song Challenge <<

It was a bit challenging thinking of a song I really disliked. It's pretty rare for me to say that I dislike a certain song because I usually just consider it as "not my type" instead. But I was able to identify 2 songs for today's theme. The first is "Apologize" by OneRepublic and the second is "Sorry 2004" by Ruben Studdard.

The first time I heard "Apologize" playing on the radio it sounded fine until I heard the chorus - "It's too late to apologize. It's too late." It just sounded so wrong, for me, because I don't think it's ever too late to apologize. So there, I don't like the idea of the song, but the infinite times I've heard it on the radio made the song grow on me. I don't dislike it as much anymore, but I still disagree with the idea of the song.

Similarly, I don't agree with the idea of "Sorry 2004". Okay...I just realized that both of these songs I'm talking about are about saying sorry, haha, weird. Anyway, at first listen you'll just hear a guy apologizing for all the wrong things he's done. So, what's wrong with that? The reason why I really dislike this song is because he apologizes in advanced if ever he messes up again in the future. Wtf!?

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 01 – Your favorite song

>> The 30-Day Song Challenge <<

It's difficult to choose a favorite song, especially since new songs come out almost everyday. At one point in my life "Brown Eyes" by Destiny's Child was my favorite song. "Stellar" by Incubus was another favorite, as well as "Aozora no Namida" from the Blood+ anime.

I chose this song as my favorite song because it was the first thing that popped into my mind. The song, by itself, is already awesome, but additional awesomeness is added when you watch the music video.

The energy that the song has is just amazing. One part of the video struck me was when the girl said:

"Some people believe in God, I believe in music.
Some people pray, I turn up the radio."

30-Day Song Challenge

I've seen several Facebook friends doing this and it seemed interesting enough when I first encountered it, but I was too lazy to start my own list. Basically, the idea is to choose a song, for 30 days, matching the theme or topic assigned for each day. It's a pretty easy task, I hope, and will help in adding more activity to my blog.

My 30-day song challenge starts today!

If you're going to start or are already doing your own 30-day song challenge, comment below and tell me so I can take a peek at your list, too.

Here's the list of themes:

• Day 01 – Your favorite song
• Day 02 – Your least favorite song
• Day 03 – A song that makes you happy
• Day 04 – A song that makes you sad
• Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone
• Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere
• Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event
• Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to
• Day 09 – A song that you can dance to
• Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep
• Day 11 – A song from your favorite band
• Day 12 – A song from a band you hate
• Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure
• Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love
• Day 15 – A song that describes you
• Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate
• Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio
• Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio
• Day 19 – A song from your favorite album
• Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry
• Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy
• Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad
• Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding
• Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral
• Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh
• Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument
• Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play
• Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty
• Day 29 – A song from your childhood
• Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year

Windows Command Prompt

I can get pretty OC when I'm in the mood. Since giving Jex his new Creative X-Fi2 for his birthday I've been trying to organize my music collection. Folder structure, filename formatting, album art - these are some things I've been thinking about in my quest for file organization.

For those who are curious, I use Mp3tag to modify the tags of my mp3 files. I used to use Helium Music Manager, but it was too bulky for my purposes, and buggy, too. I only wanted a tag editor and Helium was a full-featured music player and manager, so I uninstalled it.

I like how simple Mp3tag's interface is and how quick and easy it is to edit tags and rename files. Only recently did I discover that the explorer context menu can be enabled upon installation. Having a context menu in Windows explorer makes it so much easier to selectively manage your files, instead of waiting for a long time for your whole music library to load in Mp3tag.

The biggest issue I encountered was managing album art. It's not that difficult managing the album art using Mp3tag. You can set album art via files on your computer or from online sources, like Amazon. For some reason, though, even when I already manually set the album art of some files another image shows as the album art. And this same image is also what is displayed as the album art of other files. It was really annoying so I researched and found that I can get rid of the problem by deleting all the hidden image files, possibly, being referred to by the files for album art. Good, I like starting with a clean slate. So...how do I do that for each and every folder in my music collection without going crazy?

The answer: Google. Nah, actually the answer is the Windows command prompt. But Google was still part of how I created the solution because I suck at memorizing attribute syntax.

Beijing Part 3: 2nd Day

Dongzhong Street

East Gate Plaza is the service apartment we stayed in during our Beijing vacation. It's located along Dongzhong Street in the Dongcheng district of Beijing. It's around 45 minutes to an hour away from the Beijing Capital Airport 2. The area reminded me of the inner streets of the Makati CBD (Central Business District), except with wider roads. It felt like a nice area to live in. It was clean, had small shops and food places, near the mall and subway station, and, overall, felt like safe place. If ever (though, I doubt it) I get sent to Beijing for long-term work I'd like to stay in this area.