My Fun-filled Transformers Weekend

If you ask me, i will say without a doubt that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was definitely one of the best movies to ever come out this year.

Now there are a lot of things I liked about the latest installment in the Transformers franchise, I’d have to say that while the filmmakers had taken the liberty of introducing fresh ideas and story devices into the movie, they were ideas that didn’t violate the old memories I had of the 1980’s animated series.

In fact, the new ideas worked rather well in tying all the elements of the story together.  So for that, you simply have to give credit to the writers: Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (who both worked on The Legend of Zorro (2005), Mission: Impossible 3 (2006), and Star Trek (2009), as well as on hit TV series Alias, Lost and Fringe), and their buddy Ehren Kruger.

Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, image courtesy of Slashfilm.com

In any case, I did look up trivia, production notes, etc. about the movie- because I’m just involved like that.  I had even gone so far as revisiting the old Transformers classics- such as episodes from the 1980’s animation series and the 1986 Transformers movie.

If you’d like to check out movie trivia on the latest installment of the Transformers franchise, then check out my other post, “Ten Fun Facts About Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, or you can head on over to the movie’s pages on Wikipedia or on IMDb.com.

"The Autobots Ride", picture courtesy of About.com and Paramount Pictures

You can also read my review “Ten Things I Like About Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”.  It’s got some spoilers though, so don’t read it yet if you haven’t seen the movie, and plan to watch it soon.

Also worth checking out, if you want to brush up on everything you need to know about the Transformers, check out these sites:

• The Transformers Wiki, at Transformers.wikia.com, and
• TFWiki.net The Transformers Wiki, at TFWiki.net.

Both are fan-maintained online databases of all things Transformer and Cybertronian.  If you ask me, great geek reading.

You also might want to check out the various Transformers toys, CDs and DVDs right here, on Renzie’s Online Emporium.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a production of DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Hasbro and Di Bonaventura Pictures, and is distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Cheers, everyone!

Check Out the AKA Mobile Directory

the local social media scene with Renzie Baluyut.

There’s a new social media application you might want to try out, particularly so if you are (or if your business is) based in the Philippines and Metro Manila.

I just signed up for the AKA Mobile Directory.  Currently only available to Philippine-based mobile networks, the application is still in its beta stage, yet its integrated web and SMS search engine promises to be the next big thing, as soon as more people, companies and establishments sign up to be part of its community.

I just signed up on the AKA Mobile Directory as Renzie. Add me up!

The premise is simple: you can join the AKA Mobile Directory by signing up (which is free for now) so you can be listed.

You can then search for other people, companies, events, establishments using keywords, and you can do so via the website, or if you wish, through your mobile phone (which you also should have registered).

As an individual, or as a professional, the AKA Mobile Directory is a great way to promote your profession or your services, as well as to network with other users, who can also connect with you.

As a company or an establishment, the AKA Mobile Directory is a great platform for targetted marketing and promotional campaigns.  The service has several applications integrated into it that can be readily used to generate interest, engage
customers, and encourage repeat business.

So eventually, you’ll be able to build up your own list of “watchers” (those following you on AKA), and you can broadcast to everyone on your list (via a “Yell”) or just to some selected individuals (via a “Tell”).

You can even integrate the AKA Mobile Directory with your Facebook account, so you can update your status through your mobile phone, as well as receive notifications when other users “watch” you, or when someone messages you via “Yell” or “Tell”.

Sending messages through AKA’s web service is free, while sending them out as an SMS messages consumes AKA Credits, which may either be earned or bought.   Standard text messaging rates apply (using the SMS service).

A shot of me sending out a greeting to one of my friends using AKA Mobile Directory's SMS messaging service. Navigating the website is fairly easy, with everything you need to the left side.

Again, AKA is in beta right now, so go right ahead and try it out, and throw your two cents’ about the service, so the developers would know what works and what doesn’t- whether it’s just a personal preference, or a more challenging issue on usability.

I just started using it a few hours ago, and it seems to work just fine with my Facebook account, so I can now update my status from anywhere using my mobile phone.  And I’m hoping to network with other people on it as well.

Visit the AKA Mobile Directory at http://aka.name, and sign up for free.

Cheers, everyone.

Three Things a Couple Should Never Fight About | Relationship Advice

relationship advice with Renzie Baluyut.

A friend and I were having coffee the other night, and she was opening up the fact that, while her relationship with her current boyfriend is generally alright, they usually end up quarreling.  This usually happens when she has to go out of town, attend to some clients, or work on a photo shoot.

Now, as far as relationships go, I think I have a fairly good idea of what works and what doesn’t.  While I am enjoying a very happy eight-year love affair with my girlfriend/fiancee, my current view on relationships has been shaped by a number of ex-girlfriends, numerous dates both successful and disastrous, as well as stories from other friends.

So here’s what I think: if there’s anything you, as a couple, shouldn’t be fighting about, it would have to be these three things:

1.  Work,
2.  Friends,
3.  and Money

Let’s get into all three in greater detail, shall we?

Living Solo: 10 Essential Food Items For the Bachelor Lifestyle

Living Solo Tips with Renzie Baluyut.

Cooking is great, and so is eating out and taking out.  But when you live on your own, sometimes you just don’t feel like going through all the trouble to just feed yourself.  Particularly so coming home after a busy day, or just staying in on a lazy weekend.

Cooking entails so much prep work, and so much to wash for just an audience of one: yourself.  Eating out means having to get dressed, finding a place to eat, and usually spending more than you should.  And take out makes sense pretty much when you’re ordering a lot- but sometimes a large box of pizza is just too much, even for yourself.

Which is why, as someone living solo, you should always have some convenient food items handy in your apartment:

1.  Bread.
2.  An assortment of sandwich meat.
3.  An assortment of spreads and condiments.
4.  Cereal.
5.  Fruit.
6.  Tuna and sardines.
7.  Veggies.
8.  Instant noodles.
9.  Cookies and crackers.
10.  Rice.

Essential food for those living solo, in detail:

Hey, You Wanna Win an iTouch?

a chance to win cool stuff with Renzie Baluyut.

Yes you can get your grubby little fingers on your very own iTouch, courtesy of our friends from the Filipino-British rock sensation Firefalldown!

You may have already heard of Firefalldown, or read a little bit about them online.  So why not get to know Firefalldown some more?  Head on over to the band’s official website, and while you’re there, you can…

…listen to Firefalldown’s songs, “Commissioned”, “Eternally” and “Mr. Rockstar”, and rock out to all three songs, since they have lyrics for your sing-along pleasure, and Firefalldown is awesome like that.

…check out pics of the band, and even download some cool Firefalldown wallpaper for your desktop.

…watch yourself some Firefalldown music videos, grab some widgets for your blog, or connect with Firefalldown on Facebook, Bebo, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, etc.

…sign up for the band’s mailing list, and be the first to get in on the latest from Firefalldown.

…ah yes- join the Firefalldown promo and snag for yourself an iTouch AND an autographed CD of Firefalldown’s album, “Commissioned”.

Joining the Firefalldown Promo Is Real Easy!

Join now, tell all your friends about it, and win yourself one of these!

Firefalldown encourages their listeners to make a difference by living out their God-given dreams.  You too can inspire others by sharing your thoughts by creating a blog entry about the band’s music, how it connects with your life, and how you have been inspired!

1.  Write, in your blogs or social-network-site, about how Firefalldown’s music connects with your life and insert pictures that best encapsulates the experience;

2.  Link the word “firefalldown promo” to the URL (www.firefalldown.com) in your blog.

3.  Send the link to your blog at
firefalldowninspirepromo@gmail.com

The dudes will post the bi-weekly finalist, and choose the best blog entry after three months.

Lucky winner gets a free iTouch and a signed CD from the band.  Join now, tell your friends about it, and keep visiting the Firefalldown official website, at www.firefalldown.com for more information and updates.

Firefalldown Album “Commisioned” out now! Download in Itunes or Amazon!

 

Here’s what I took away from rocking out to Firefalldown’s jams:  know what your passions are.  Your passion is what drives you, what makes you excel, what makes you achieve more than you can ever imagine. 

Shirley and Me, February 2009, Los Angeles.

My Words of Inspiration: Know What Your Passion Is.

 

In many cases, our passion does not match what we do in daily life.  Ever feel like you’re stuck in a job, dragging yourself to work every single day?  If you do, maybe you’ve lost your passion for your line of work.  Ever feel like you’re in a relationship, but wish you were with someone else?  Maybe you need to find ways to keep the fires burning, or maybe you might even need to just get away. 

Passion, for me, is everything.  If you’re passionate about work, a relationship, or something else you do, then that is all that matters.  Not money, not fame, not even the achievements that it will all eventually bring.  Your passion brings you happiness, a sense of fulfillment, as well as contentment.  And so yes, if you really think about it, that’s pretty much everything you’ll ever need.

What is my passion?  This new chapter of my life.  I love writing.  I love being able to travel.  Family.  The company of good friends.  Living independently.  The promise of a new day.  The occasional cat.  Yes, it’s all good.

What’s your passion?

Cheers, everyone!