Blogs and websites

Why do I blog? This question will be addressed as I try to explain what is a blog and what is its difference to a website, which most people are familiar with. Most of the info. I will post are information I likewise gathered from other bloggers. Since they are many, allow me to just credit them generically. This entry also intends to encourage blogging, like the rest of those I got to pick info from... trust me, it can be really addictive... =)

What is a blog?

From blogger.com, the host (For FREE!!!) of the blogs I create, comes this definition:

A blog is an easy to use website where:

1. you could post your thoughts;

2. share information;

3. provide updates;

4. interact with other people;

5. and more...

A lot of blogs out there help inform and educate the public, from reporting on changes and attempts to change the laws of government to reporting upon the impact of government decisions. One of the first blogs I created was for a project with the media which I managed, intended primarily for advocacy purposes. I got the idea of creating that blog when a friend set-up a blog to sustain our advocacy on the issues of religion, gender and sexuality. Media practitioners have also started their blogs in order to publish their articles, some of which are those not published by their media outfits or simply to air out their views. Around the world, people who are once repressed with a lack of free speech are risking their lives to blog about the continued repression and political unrest. "Blogs are giving people a voice they had never had before".

Teachers, artists, writers, doctors, lawyers, advocates and many other professionals are now blogging about their experiences and lessons learned to help others learn from them. As such, there are more educational material than ever before available in the world wide web because of this eagerness to share through blogging.

Many people believe that blogs are the changing face of public relations and advertising today. Just a few months ago, a report was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer as to how blogging is becoming an effective advertising strategy.

When do you blog?

If you have "static" information and articles and just want to put it out there and let it sit, then putting up a website will meet your needs. But if you carve interaction and you want to update on a regular basis, then consider blogging.

TIPS

These I gathered from another blog I couldn't remember. They were very good I saved it in a word file, neglecting to save the source. My apologies...

1. Make a plan

Here are guide questions to help you through:

• What are you going to write about?
• Or do you only want to show off photographs (photoblog)?
• Or do you want to post them and talk about them?
• Do you want to write about a lot of topics or just a specific topic or genre?

With a specific topic/subject in mind, plan how you will deliver that information. For example, will you post links and a few comments or will you actually write and explain topics, like articles, or a combination?

2. Choose a theme or style for the site that will represent the "tone" of your subject.

Remember that the look of the blog will give the people the impression of the contents in your blog. It is the first thing that they will see when they walk through your so-called "virtual door".

Website vs. Blog

A website is a collection of web pages on a server. It is a form of static billboard on the Internet that showcases information. There is more to the definition, but for this purposes, that is good enough. A website can be a collection of articles, news, links, information, photographs and anything you want. And a website can even host a blog! =)

On the otherhand, a blog is a website or part of a website that usually features one or more of the following criteria:

• Editorial Commentary
• Links to external sites often seen as recommendations or features
• Tells stories
• Usually about a specific topic, subject, or genre
• Tends to be personal
• Could be considered "newsy" rather than "news"
• Comments and interaction with the audience
• Photographs of you and your activities

For a considerable period of time, a blog would have been a diary, journal, scrapbook or storytelling medium. But it has evolved depending on who blogs and what he blogs about.

Fact of the matter is, a blog is a website; but the varying termonilogy is used to distinguish a static medium from an interactive site, where magic that brings forth interaction and compels thought takes place. =)

Keeping in Touch

I had a "text conversation" with an old friend, and we havn't kept in touch for awhile. The one thing I miss about us though was the way we discuss, from the ordinary stuff to the weirdest idea or philosophy we could think about. And today, our topic was heaven and hell. Stripped of details, there were a lot of exchanges, logic applied and conclusions reached, which both parties neither succumbed to. Underneath all that was actually just two friends keeping in touch. Glad to know that the other was still alive, still full of surprises and stubborness, but a lot wiser in terms of life.

But I do sense my friend was not happy, or at least trying to be happy now. We never really discussed it, but in between heaven and hell, I just know. Believe me when I say that in every person's heart are sorrows which the rest of the world does not know. Oftentimes, they appear cold and distant when the reality is, they're simply sad.

Symptoms of INNER PEACE

Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to inner peace and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of inner peace:

*A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
*An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
*A loss of interest in judging other people.
*A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
*A loss of interest in conflict.
*A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom).
*Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
*Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
*Frequent attacks of smiling.
*An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
*An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

What's the difference between being smart from being wise?

"The difference between a smart person and a wise person is that a smart person knows what to say and a wise person knows whether or not to say it." -- Quote found on the wall of a recreation center office in Berkeley, California.

Commitment

--- a belief in each other and the possibility of unconditional love. A decision to ignore and simply rise above the pains of the past, as well as the uncertainties of the future. A promise which binds two (2) souls and yet severs prior ties.

For two (2) will always be stronger than one.

Point to Ponder...

Why are we so full of restraint?

Why do we not give in all directions?

Is it fear of losing ourselves?

... Until we do lose ourselves, there is no hope of finding ourselves...

HSA...

Been busy the past days haven't got the time to blog. Anyways, I did say I will be writing about the so-called Human Security Act of 2007 or more popularly known as the Anti-Terror Law. There is nothing "secure" about this law, if anything, it simply reaps insecurity to our human rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

I remember reading on one article that this public official, whose name I forgot, saying that the passage of this law was made in compliance with international obligations to which the Philippines was a signatory, and therefore, there should be no question as to its legislation. This got my ire as as this was the same logic and reasoning I used to espouse when I talk about legislation on a national policy for RH care and services. And up to now, the government has yet to come up with a national policy re: this issue. Need I say more?

A lot of articles have been written on the subject so here's one editorial piece worth reading:

xxx

The Arroyo administration and its enforcers are given too much leeway in implementing the antiterror law. Administration officials said the act does not require the government to draw up implementing rules and regulations, but given a law that offers great opportunity for abuse, clear rules have to be laid down for the enforcers.

xxx

The Human Security Act is another instance of Orwellian Newspeak being foisted on the people by the Arroyo administration, which has a perverted sense of human rights. Instead of ensuring the security of people, it will heighten their sense of insecurity. The law will strike fear in the hearts of innocent people who could, at any time, and at the whim of administration officials and the military, be falsely labeled “terrorists," hounded and watched, their communication wiretapped, their assets seized, their movements limited, their freedom curtailed, and probably, even their very lives taken without any judicial proceeding. These things were happening even before the Human Security Act became law. The situation may worsen with the enforcement of the law by an administration that has shown no respect for human rights.

Read the full article here.

*** Another interesting article related to this subject matter, High court asked to rule on legality of terror law, is linked here.

Protecting only the state

Based on the United Nations Development Program, human security encompasses the “security of real people” and consists of freedom from fear, want and humiliation. But the petitioners said the definition of terrorism appeared to protect only the state. “To project counterterrorism as human security is not only deceptive to our people but also dishonest as a misappropriation of a concept currently associated with the UNDP, the independent global Commission for Human Security and the Human Security Network of countries,” they said. They also warned that this would have negative effects on peace talks.

“There is a danger now with the HSA that such human security and peace efforts of the UNDP and Mindanao peace advocates will become associated with counterterrorism, which would be unfair to those efforts,” they said.

Human Security Act of 2007

I want to write my thoughts on this "Anti-Terrorism" Law that will soon be implemented here in the Philippines this July 15, 2007. I am just sleepy now that my thoughts are sort of garbled at the moment. Suffice it to say that I am one with the many who think this law is nothing short of martial law.

More on this later ...

Oliver Wendell Holmes once said:

Many people die with their music still in them.

Too often because they are always getting ready to live.

Before they know it, time runs out...

Point to Ponder

Nathaniel Hawthorne once said:

No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.

Mickey Mouse

Yes, I love Mickey Mouse. It's a classic - d classic. All the barneys, and the spongebobs and all other cartoons are just innovations of what the Mickey Mouse character and his other disney friends have provided kids. I remember that feeling of calmness and serenity when I was in Disney World in Orlando, Florida. That is the sight of the biggest theme parks Disney has created. They have about Four (4) theme parks which you can't get enough of. Being there was surreal. It makes me want to stop time and just be there. Mickey Mouse' house was really cool, it makes you feel like he's real and that he really lives there. =)

Oh well, when I think about those times I just feel happy. Haha. It's a happy place - where all your dreams come true. (that's part of a song they play there...)

At the end of the day, fireworks behind the palace ( the classic disney palace logo of Disney) take place and it's truly breathtaking...

Pokemon

My nephew Nirro is so into pokemons I can't help but be into it, too. Hehehe. Well, that's because I am the one who usually accompany him in buying them and when I'm out on the mall and see new pokemon characters myself, I feel compelled to buy!

His bright smile when I show him new pokemons I bought is just so sweet and addictive that you can't get enough of it, know what I mean? You know kids give you the most genuine and sincere emotions because the concept of deceipt and lies are just so alien to them at their tender age.

Shown here is the picture of my favorite pokemon. I actually have a lot of favorites now since there are about thousands of them that you can't help liking so many characters. Though there are goofy and weird looking ones too.

Anyways, kids stuff. But mind you, when I arrange all the pokemons he has collected after he played with them, it relaxes me ... a good way to destress... It's true, we should never lose the child within each of us... =)

Pinoy Big Brother Season 2

I thought twice re: blogging about this but then again, somehow I feel like I should, amid the risk of being "mainstream" when I am all about being "unorthodoxy". =)

So, the PBB Season 2 was over hours ago with Beatriz Saw as the Big Winner. That was a relief! I must admit I am one of the thousands if not millions of people who actually hated and resented the fact that this "Wendy" was still in the house after all her "kabastusan".

Let me just express what I felt weeks ago after that girl's ill-mannered ways toward her housemates, Bea and Gee-Ann in particluar. I personally think that the management should have done something more than reprimand her. Sanctions should have been imposed on her like a forced eviction.

The fact is, this girl was already evicted and was brought back --- duh???? Just so to bolster the Bruce-Wendy loveteam. Ewe!!! Obviously, for the ratings.... In addition, she has no class, no etiquette and very ill-mannered. The big winner should embody positive values of pinoys - marunong makisama, madaling pakisamahan, mapagbigay pero lumalaban kung kailangan. That girl is nothing close to any of that. She's guilty of making spiteful remarks, uncalled for comments and nasty behavior towards her housemates. Indeed she was being "true", showing us her true colors - ang pagkakaroon ng masamang ugali. In life, those are ingredients for being a "loser".

Some say that wendy is just matapang and has a strong personality - HELLO! I have a strong personality and I, too am matapang but that girl's claim or her supporters, is totally MISPLACED. My legal background and training has built my courage to stand up for myself and fight for what is right. Fighting for your principles, fighting for the oppressed and fighting for what is just. Not fighting just for the heck of it. There's a proper time, place and manner in proving your point and knowing when to just let it go when it's not worth it.

I am no fan of Beatriz, in fact, I have no particular housemate whom I liked, unlike the PDA - [Pinoy Dream Academy] where I really liked yeng, chad and yvan. I am just truly glad that Wendy did not win and Bea won because that sends a positive message to the viewing public, specifically the youth, that in life, one should learn patience, acceptance and courage. One should learn to choose which battles to take and when you do engage, make sure they were worth it and that they do matter, for the right reasons. Being real and being true should be understood and appreciated hand-in-hand with one's principles and values.

Bea has showed the strength of her character and conviction during her confrontations with Maricris and managed to keep her composure by remaining calm and forgiving despite Wendy's rough ways, incessant provocations and malicious insinuations.

That was admirable and for me, the kind of pinoy, or pinay for that matter, we should all be proud of --- a woman with elegance, proper disposition and good moral fiber. Indeed, a real winner.