The New 27 Club
The 27 Club is a pop culture concept mythologizing the deaths of musicians. Its most famous members would be Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, most recently would be Amy Winehouse and of course, Kurt Cobain. Some may argue that these are coincidental, but the chilling fact is that these music legends died the same age — 27.
I’m no music legend and I can never know exactly what these geniuses went through. What I know is the pressure being 27 brings.
It’s my fault, of course. I set life goals and gave myself a deadline. So the idea of turning 27 became a ticking bomb. I turned 27 last August but I did not die. Rather, panic exploded inside me.
Maybe this is what 27 truly feels like — clinging to the coolness of youth but feeling too old for some shit. 27 is like crossing the bridge to adulthood, like a second coming of age. Some may have given up, jumped off the bridge and entered The 27 Club. But some of us choose to brave the journey a little more and survive.
Where do survivors go? To The New 27 Club.
27 Rules of The New 27 Club:
- Don’t panic.
- Accept that people are different.
- You can only control yourself.
- Learn when to let go.
- Prioritize peace.
- Bluntness and honesty are not the same thing. There is always a better, less hurtful way to tell the truth.
- It does not hurt to give compliments when people do something right.
- But when people do something wrong, there is a respectful way to point it out.
- Work relationships are as important as the work.
- Credit comes to those who collaborate.
- Everyone’s lives are equally interesting.
- Be sensitive to other people as you are to yourself.
- When you feel like talking, try to listen.
- People will always find something wrong about you. The ones who truly matter are the ones who can tell it straight to your face.
- "If you worry too much about what other people think, you're worrying about the wrong people.” - Leigh Reyes
- There will be times you will feel irritated, make sure it is worth your time.
- Younger people can be arrogant but it doesn’t give you the right to dismiss them. Listen to to them and the arrogance wears off.
- Our parents taught us to read books, let’s teach them the internet.
- Looking good takes effort. Don’t be lazy.
- Drink to relax, not to get drunk.
- Sleep so you don’t get weak.
- Make time for family and friends.
- Facebook’s “Hide” button is an underrated feature.
- Sincerity over coolness.
- If you can do it in 2 minutes, do it now.
- Overthinking results to overreacting.
- Consume less, create more.
For me, turning 27 is what you make it to be. The pressure will always be there but we can always transform it into something productive and meaningful. 27 is start of gracefully growing up.
Ye!!: Power Meant To Be Shared
Wincy and I love to go on road trips. Our last road trip was to Cavite, to visit Emilio Aguinaldo’s ancestral house. The ancestral house was big, with secret passageways built for easy escape. Reminded me of the Wayne Manor. There’s also this charming old man who toured us, telling us anecdotes about Aguinaldos and his own experiences as a volunteer tour guide and caretaker.
What’s fun in road trips isn’t just the destination but also the long drive. I like the feeling that we’re driving around, playing music and discussing ideas. I’d usually bring out my hand to touch the wind. (So cliche but still feels awesome.)
But what’s not fun during road trips? This:
Click on the image to see in full resolution!
I’m sure many of us experience having their phone batteries drained while on the road. So when you get to your destinations, you no longer have the chance to take photos and share it in real time. (Admit it, real-time sharing is addicting!)
That’s why I feel really lucky I discovered the Ye!! power bank. Now, I bring it with me literally wherever I go.
Ye!! Energy Xtreme is actually build for the outdoors. It has a rugged rubber coating that gives protection against impact. Even though I’m not outdoor-sy, I’m clumsy — I often drop things or things just slip away my hands. Also, it’s certified to international standard of IP65 which guarantees for effective water and dust resistance. It also has a socket door to completely seal and protect the USB sockets against water and dust.
Whoever sees my Ye!! Power Bank instantly just gets amazed by how powerful it is. (And how the color is so reminiscent of Bazooka bubblegum.) So far, Ye!! Power Bank has been very reliable for road trips and even out of the country trips.
I recently went to a convention in Singapore and this power bank has been my best friend. I had to take photos using my phone and share those shots real time. And occasionally check my emails. Without the Ye!! Energy Xtreme powerbank, my phone would’ve died before lunch time!
For a more detailed product description of Ye!! Energy Xtreme 5600mAh Portable Powerbank IP-65 BPR56
In the box:
- Energy Xtreme BPR56
- Micro USB Cable
- User Manual
Key Features:
- IP65 certified - Impact, Splash and Dust Resistant
- Comprehensive protection in extreme environment
- Shocks and bumps absorbing rubberized surface
- Built-in LED flashlight for camping or other outdoors-at-night activities
- High power efficiency - more than 85%
- Over discharging, over charging, over-current and short-circuit protection
Technical Specifications
- Capacity: 5,600mAh Lithium-ion Battery
- Compatibility: iPad / Tablets, Android / Windows Phone, iPhone, iPod touch / Music Device, Game Console
- Input: 5V - 1A (Micro USB)
- Output: Single: 5V - 2.1A ; Dual: 5V - 1A + 1A
- Charge Time: 7 - 8 hours
- Standby Time: Up to 6 months
- Talk Time: Up to 10 hours on 4G ; up to 15 hours on 3G
- Product Dimensions: 10.05cm x 5.2cm x 2.8cm
- Product Net Weight: 0.197 kg
Price - P1950
Available in all Digital Walker, Digital Hub and Beyond The Box branches. Distributed by Digits Trading.
Doodle For Google Philippines
I grew up in an environment that encouraged create stuff (art) using my hands. I'm a traditional painter. But as I grew older, I also grew more curious about digital. And Google is one of the inventions that inspired me to get to know digital more. Do I sound like a fan? Hell yes, I'm a Google fan.
That's why I'll never forget the day when Google Philippines contacted me and asked me if I wanted to be a judge for the very first Doodle For Google in the Philippines. Art + Students and Learners (out of school youth) + Google -- Honestly, should I even think about it? Again, hell yes. It is an honor to be part of this.
Today, Google Philippines launched the first Doodle 4 Google Competition in Mind Museum. I felt bad I wasn't able to attend because I was in Singapore for a digital convention! (But of course I also feel lucky I got sent to the convention.)
The competition's theme is "What can I do for the Philippines?" Filipino students and learners aged 5-17 years old can join. Submission of entries is open from July 10- September 19. One talented student or learner will see his or her artwork on the Google Philippines homepage, receive an educational grant from BPI Foundation, an art kit from National Book Store and an Acer C720 Chromebook. The overall winner's school or community learning center will receive a connectivity grant from PLDT-Smart Foundation.
For more details, visit
By Hand with Adonit Jot Touch 4
I believe in doing things by hand, especially when it comes to art, illustration and lettering. Whenever I see junior art directors trying to find a font that looks handwritten, I encourage them to just do it by hand. It makes layouts look more sincere, organic and unique. And that way, we can all avoid the Justin Bieber - Paramore album art issue as well.
But doing things by hand doesn’t mean you cannot go digital! I often handwrite headlines using Adobe Illustrator - it’s always more efficient render in vector. And of course, I usually sketch storyboards, ideas and doodles using my Paper app on iPad and Adonit Jot Stylus. Almost the same feel as actual paper (and pens, pencils and watercolors) without the bulk.
I said almost, because there are still limitations on using stylus and tablet. First, you can’t really rest your hand while sketching or writing — the tablet is just so sensitive all over. Second, you cannot fully control the intensity of your “pencil” and “ink” strokes — the tablet is just insensitive that way. (The irony.)
Well, the new Adonit Jot Touch 4 addresses all that with its new features:
Bluetooth 4.0
This enables palm rejection, pressure sensitivity, and shortcut buttons. And when paired with Bluetooth 4 devices, the new Jot Touch gets up to 1 month of battery life on a single charge.
(Compatible only with Bluetooth 4 iOS devices)
Pressure Sensitivity
Jot Touch 4 delivers 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity for the best looking, and most natural lines. Let me share with you how sensitive and almost natural my drawing experience was. I used the Paper App for iPad.
Yes, that's Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. On a side note, even if The Amazing Spider-Man 2 had generally negative reviews, I enjoyed the movie. Well, only because I have a personal preference to Emma Stone's character. Gwen Stacy is the only leading lady (that I've known of) that isn't a damsel in distress (unlike MJ, ew). But instead, she's actually very helpful to Peter/Spider-man in defeating the villain. So let's get over the cringe worthy corny lines -- Guys, they supposedly just graduated high school!
Okay back to the actual subject...
Shortcut Buttons
Get to software tools quickly. “Undo” or switch colors with the flick or a finger.
Fine Point Stylus
The fine tip gives you accuracy that rubber nibs can’t. The precision disc lets you see exactly where your mark is being made. Jot is the most precise stylus on the market.
Recharge
Just plug the USB charger into any USB power source to recharge and get up to 1 month of battery life with normal use.
SRP: PhP 4,750
Available at: Gui, Beyond the Box, Cellcom, Digital Hub, Digital Walker, E-Central, EDS, iCenter, iShop, PowerHub, Octagon, Senco Link, SM Appliance, Sidrah, 8Telcom
Website: http://adonit.net/jot/touch/
Dear BIR
Six years had past since I graduated from college and learned the difference between gross and net income. And I have also been working for six years. Whenever I would get my salary increase, it is a bittersweet moment. There is joy in the feeling that a company rewarded you for the work you've put in. But there is bitterness in seeing how much of your actual income is going to your taxes.
Ideally, you should feel good contributing to the country. However, with all these issues on the government's corruption, most especially the Napoles and Senate scandal, seeing 25% of your income going to taxes, feels like you have been robbed.
It doesn't help that the BIR has been very aggressive (and ruthless) in charging our taxes. Dear Lord, they even made a distasteful ad to drive their point.
So here's a short and sweet open letter to the Philippine government (most especially to BIR and PNoy):
Sincerely,
Cj de Silva-Ong