kabute

Yup, as the entry title implies, this page has been existing like one. Susulpot lang pag kumikidlat. Of course the genius in you will not find it so very difficult to understand that I do not mean it literally. But the horizon has been seen with lots of them the past days. Enough.

Notwithstanding the fact that I really need to cram for my certification exam in the not-so-later future, I still found time to cleanup my very durable (no bling-blingy theme whatsoever!!) Friendster profile, ridding it of unwanted comments which would give an IRC thread a run for it's money. I miss the old times wherein people would actually make an effort (at least it looks like it) to write a testimonial about what they see or think about their buddy. Before it was like TCP, now it's UDP on steroids. Enough again.

And of course as I browsed through the old old comments, this one never fails to amuse me for it's cleverness and wit. This is from Lynyrd and unless you didn't watch Starwars Episode IV: A New Hope three times (yes, you have to), you will not get the humor behind it. Behold. The part near the end got a bit corny though. Ahehe.

Lynyrd
04/14/2005 7:11 pm

• at last we meet again obi wan...
  this time i'll not gonna let you disappear
  just like that without a good swordfight...
  my good 'ol light saber is still kept inside
  my self locking, power grabbing, eye
  blinding, head balding, skin itching, foot
  scatching closet called "tukador"... do't
  you ever mess with me again, obi wan,
  wag kang mag-aangas sa taong may
  balbas, sila yung mga tipong di
  umaatras....
  
  in the end... it doesn't really matter.
  u... suck.
  
  pare....ayos.

New Year, Old Game

It's amazing how technology can actually make our lives so much convenient. No wonder people are getting bigger and wider, and the average age of cardiovascular/hypertension casualties is becoming lower than you can imagine. But it's not my point. Watch 'Supersize Me' if you wanna dabble on that topic.

It's also great how technology could make us rediscover old interests. In my case, the internet has renewed my interest in chess, the sport (sport?) I played competitively during my high school years. There are lots of on-line chess sites right now that offer games whether active type (game within 30 minutes) or correspondence type wherein players are allowed days to make their move. I've checked out several sites, though most are similar to free-to-try softwares, you can play for a limited time and/or with limited features. Of course you can stay longer but you have to pay.

However this site where I'm actively playing right now offers complete game features (save probably for some fancy stuff which I wouldn't need probably), all you need to do is register. All games are rated (you may opt not to make a certain match not rated) using the ELO rating system. You can start games and wait for online people to join in, or join current games created by other members. You can also join tournaments and compete for the championship, or you can join teams and participate in team matches. And the great thing about this is it doesn't require you to sit the entire game, as moves can be set to have a deadline of one full day up to two whole weeks. Of course you can cheat your way by simulating your position on an actual chess set (kalkal), but where's the fun in it.

With my results so far, I think I am still above average despite without practice, but I think I now realize why I am not so successful during my active playing days. And honestly, I think I am better now. Sounds not logical? I assure you it is. That is chess for you.