The Cost of Entertainment

It is a fact of life that people wish to be entertained. One theory is that its purpose is to dissuade us from asking the right questions and looking for answers. We continue to preoccupy ourselves with the monotonously mundane and the mindboggling magical. In other words, we’re either slaving away for our basic needs or escaping into fantasy.

A long time ago, the Roman Empire was a force to behold. It held all the cards: Its citizens had everything they could need and want. What they wanted most was entertainment.

They got it.

For this need, a billion animals were imported from around the world to be slaughtered for sport. Never mind that several species became extinct due to the heavy demands of a bloodthirsty populace. The deaths of both animals and people (as long as they did not belong to the group) did not affect them at all.

This was before the television was invented.

However, we haven’t changed at all. Even with all our advancements, we are content with not thinking, not acting. We are content to watch. Never mind phrases such as greenhouse gases, climate change, and natural disasters. The TV needs electricity, shopping bags need paper and the disposable lifestyle is too convenient to forsake.

And if there is some form of entertainment that highlights the need for change, it is only talked about until the latest scandal.

What will happen to the world ten years from now? What will happen to me 10 years from now?

I don’t know, but right now, I don’t think I’d want to know the answer. So maybe I just shouldn't think about it.

Water Bottle

When I was in grade school, I used to to carry a large water jug to school everyday. Inside the container was either iced tea or orange juice with a lot of ice. This habit changed when I was in high school: I replaced the sugary treat with plain water. I then used part of my lunch money to buy drinks when I needed a sugar rush. However, I graduated and soon went to college. Carrying something as bulky as a water jug was inconvenient, so I turned to water dispensers and buying drinks in the cafeteria.

I then realized that I was spending TOO much money on drinks when I got thirsty. Thus, just recently, I have begun toting around a water bottle. It's much smaller, and I can refill the contents with the water dispensers at zero cost. Because of this new habit, I have reduced my drink bill by 50% to 70%.

Looking back, I know I'd save 100% if I could stop myself from buying sweet treats, but I can't...

At least water bottles are easy on my pocket, and the environment (think of all the plastic I'm not wasting :)).

Surprising Discovery

I did a frequency count of the top page of the Cosmopolitan Bedside Astrologer 2010 (for the Philippines): I wanted to know if Venus was the most popular planet out there. However, the results were very surprising:



*12 pages total of one zodiac sign/month each

Maybe results would change if I did the entire thing, but I'm too lazy...

Jacob's Shawarma: beef and lamb - P200. It was 12 inches long cut in half. I had it to go since I had to study. It was yummy and filling. I wish it were slightly cheaper though...

...because I always have no money. lol.

Democracy

Democracy: efficiency sacrificed for equality.

Sometimes it just doesn't work.

*is pissed*

Tutorial: Aztec Healing Clay Experience

or my favorite way to use aztec healing clay.



Ingredients
1. aztec healing clay
2. honey
3. apple cider vinegar
4. tea tree oil
5. spoon (supposed to be non-metal but...)
6. small plastic container


I placed a heaping spoonful of aztec healing clay into container (I just made sure my spoon was really dry).


Added one flat tablespoon of ACV. I love it when it starts frothing ^^


Added a flat tablespoon honey, then 5 drops tea tree oil and mixed. It's better to add too little in the beginning than too much. If lacking, add more ACV. Make sure you put on a PASTE and not a liquid.


Place a thick layer on face.


How it sucked the oil from my face.

Wash off after 20 mins or until dry with warm water.

Even though it is stinky, it works; It's also really cheap and lasts forever. Not recommended for those with sensitive noses.

Nails, my very first konad!

The luxe nail rewards card. Collect 25 stamps of 100 pesos worth each (totaling 2500 pesos) in six months to redeem something. I know I can't do that.


Ruby Pumps worn on Christmas.


The better looking Konad.

My first Konad. Both this and the above were made with Wing it Wine Creme on Sexagon.


My nails from Luxe! Shower Together and For Audrey - my very own bathroom.

NOTE to self: rest nails!

What could have been

I drown in a thousand "if only"s
Of "if"s and "but"s and "maybe"s

If only I did
But had I done

Maybe... Maybe... Maybe...
What was cannot be undone

I regret what is
Remembering what was

What will be
What could have been



My heart hurts.

Habit

Wow! It's been more than one month since I've last posted. It sucks that I have no one to motivate me (as no one is reading this).

It supposedly takes 21 straight days to make a habit, maybe if i got the strength to post everyday, this would be easier...

Speaking of habits, this Christmas break, I should make it a habit to:

1. Floss and use mouthwash
2. Use a 6 step regime for my face
3. Exercise

Wonder if that'll actually happen.

Power Differences

It's sad, but when power is unequal,the less powerful one has to turn a blind eye to the mistakes of the one in the elevated position.

This is especially annoying when the latter takes advantage (even unknowingly)of this imbalance in order to excuse himself or herself without actually apologizing. It then seems to be the fault of the former.

It is unjust; it is reality.

*is experiencing something of that sort*

Corruption

Corruption is wrong. We all know that. We protest vehemently against the abuse of power by public officials. We know that what they are doing is unlawful, unfair and unjust.

However, the problem lies not only with those in power; The blame is shared with the very society that embraces it. It is obvious that when a powerful official takes a bribe from a company in order to promote the latter's interest that there is a wrong being done. If these incidents are found out, there is outrage, but there is also resignation. People seem to see corruption as a fact-of-life, and do their best to live with (and sometimes exploit) it.

Let's say you are driving and beat a red light. A policeman comes eagerly and practically announces that he will take P500. You accept, for you want neither a mar on your record or the hassle of reacquiring your license. You go on your way, both annoyed with the necessity of a bribe, and relieved for not having to go through the bothersome business. We would call the policeman corrupt for receiving the bribe, but what do we call the one who gave it? Is he victim or accessory to a crime?

What about a man who has a lot of connections. He exploits these connections: For example, in order not to pay for exorbitant customs taxes, he asks someone he knows to waive it? Connections are valuable here in the Philippines; Patronage is a common thing to both those with and without clout. It is used to obtain mercies unavailable to the common man, and entails a debt of loyalty to the petitioner.

Lastly, it is not only those in government who will lie, cheat and steal to get money from other people. There are thousands of scammers and fixers who, though they decry those they elected for appropriating funds meant for public interest, prey upon both unsuspecting and willing individuals for coin. They simply say that they are trying to make a living.

We live in a culture where corruption is rampant. It is not simply a social evil, it is an inevitable necessity that reaffirms itself everyday.

Nail Glue: Saizen

After almost one week, I can say that I do not much like the glue I got from saizen; I lost more than five nails in the space of a week. Some of them were re-glued and others are lost forever. It's a good thing I painted 24 nails instead of 12, or else this trial would have gone to waste.

I will be taking off my fake nails tonight.

My First Fake Nails and Art

I bought these during the latest black-out after ondoy.



I used these 3 colors: Orly Witch's Blue as the base with China Glaze's Passion for the flower center and OPI Pink-ing of You for the petals. I used a nail dotting tool, and flowers since i can only make dot shapes :) I used Orly Top2Bottom but I can't find it right now.


I painted all the nails and picked out which would fit on my own.


An example of a nail. You might want to file some of them.



Stuck 'em with nail glue and viola! Btw, these nails have not been filed yet...