Jay Lagare

General

2008 April 12 to 13 Putipot, Zambales

By on Monday, April 14, 2008

The IT Department was looking for a summer outing destination and because I enjoyed my previous trip there, I suggested Putipot. Eventually it was agreed upon and so last weekend, almost exactly a year later, I was back in Putipot.

We were planning of using Rein’s car and mine for transportation but he had to back out because of an exam (with Prof. Aragon no less, no asking for an advance exam there). So some of us had to take the 12MN Victory Liner bus from Caloocan.

Also, at the last minute I learned we have insufficient tents and stoves. Tents are mainly for back up as it was summer and no rains or storms are expected. Still, I had to check the weather forecast to assuage my concerns. I then rushed off to buy a Snow Peak Starter Kit at ROX. Jeff also volunteered a small kitchen stove. It was lighter than your regular LPG kitchen stove but still way heavy.

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General

2008 March 30 to April 4 Hong Kong Trip

By on Saturday, April 5, 2008

Just came back with Jeff and Racquel from a trip to Hong Kong for a seminar by Adobe on InDesign CS3 development, Flex development, and a preview of the upcoming InDesign CS4.

The seminar was conducted by a bunch of soft-spoken Europeans (Ferdinand, Emanuele, Andreas, and Roger) and a fast-speaking Hong Konger named Sunny (or maybe Sony for “So!” his favorite expression). The attendees were a bunch of Filipinos (that’s us), Thais, Indians, Koreans, a Hong Konger, and an Australian. Quite an international mix.

The material was a pretty interesting (though I couldn’t resist getting drowsy every right about after lunch). InDesign CS3 and Flex development were cool but the InDesign CS4 preview almost blew me away (almost, we try to be unflappable) but I’m on an NDA so I can tell you but then I’ll have to kill you :P A lot of material was covered so we we’re pretty occupied. We did get to go around the city on the first day and at night after the seminar sessions.

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General

2008 March 19 to 22 Pagudpud Road Trip

By on Sunday, March 23, 2008

Just got back from Pagudpud aka The Boracay of the North. It’s an unfair comparison, really. Sure both have white sands, both have great water, and both are overrated beach destinations. But Pagudpud is much less congested. That alone makes it way better in my book.

It’s a trip that Bing and I have been planning for a long time. We actually planned to do it summer of 2007 but the plans fell through and Bing and I ended up at Putipot with Erwin. That was also one great trip but still not the same. So we kept the fire burning and now we’ve finally done it!

As usual, the hardest part is gathering up committed people interested in going. After considerable effort, we were able to gather nine: Rein, Jessie, Bing, and I together with Len, her friend Maye, Paul, Ann, and Val. But Len, Maye, and Jessie backed out close to the trip date. Good thing Roly stepped in and joined at the last minute. And so with seven people, off we went.

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General

Making Money From Airsoft

By on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Crissy told me about the PNP now requiring the registration of airsoft rifles and pistols at a cost similar to that of real firearms. So now if you don’t register you can suddenly become a criminal for possession of a toy! Funny since, airguns below .22 caliber don’t even need to be registered. And to think they can’t yet resolve the proliferation of loose (unregistered) firearms that are mainly in the hand of unlawful elements. Talk about money-making schemes. The irony is that the idea was hatched by a brilliant airsoft-playing lawyer (aren’t they all?). Paintball markers aren’t yet covered. But I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before some greedy bureaucrat sees the opportunity.

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