Iruhin, Tagaytay Outreach

Got invited to play, perform, and minister to a Baranggay in Tagaytay. People were responsive and In His Presence Church was very accommodating.

If I’m not mistaken, 20 people have received Christ as their Savior and Lord. That’s good. That calls for 20 parties in heaven. Songs we performed were Love moves in mysterious ways, Deeply in Love, and another song I cannot remember now.

Concert approach was love. The different kinds of it. How dangerous, foolish, wonderful, and pure it is. The message was well received.

On the side, I seriously have to work on my shaky, nervous hands when performing on solo guitar. =( 

Much thanks to JD for having us over for dinner, Stephen and Kuya Noah for inviting us to perform. We had a great time in Tagaytay.

Peter’s Surprise Visit

Photo: LSD (Love. Sweat. Dreams.)

Bass - Peter

Drums - Mandy

Guitars - Neil

Vocals - JP

My sister in Law called me up (she lives in a different house).

“Someone is at your house. Peter is his name.”

“Peter? Peter who?”

By this time, I only know of one Peter. I don’t know if that’s good. Right then, it sunk. 

HE WAS INDEED PETER.

Keep your friends close and in contact, especially when you know they’re worth it. Keep the friends whom you’ve grown up with, shared a lot of your life with, shared your interests. He basically shared the same interests that I did: music, anime, computers, and Bleach. He was the first one to mention it to me. I ignored it back then, only to find myself hooked years later.

Peter left for Canada 7 years ago, and he visited us without warning whatsoever. We’re all just glad to have him with us even for just a short while.

Model Shoot

Had the opportunity of shooting 3 models in UP Diliman Campus along with 2 of my officemates and their photography buddies. I’d like to thank them for tagging me along. And I think 2 or 3 weeks have already passed since then.

Thanks to Jobad for the organization and the contacts.

Photographers:

Chris
Rej
Jobad
Jhellai
Myra
Neil
Rundell
Jerome
Photog 1 (sorry forgot ulit name niya hehe)

And now, the models:

Emma

Rose Ann

Julie

Simply click on the pictures to view the sets.

20 Ways to Avoid Graphic Designer’s Block

I found this article via stumbleupon and thought it would be amusing to share. Credits to Black Phillips, author of the article. I’ll list it down below. I think it applies to all who are in the creative field, whether visual, musical, or performing arts. Click the link below to read the whole article.

I have taken the liberty of answering personal insights to each tip Mr. Phillips has provided.

20 Ways to Avoid Creative Block When You are a Graphic Designer

by Blake Phillips || Art Director || Vibra Design

1. TAKE PHOTOGRAPHY

Ah, yes photography. I’ve started December 2007 and still in the process of learning. And yes, it does help a lot.

Compare so you can learn. Do not judge on the basis of who is better. Pride destroys you before you even get started.

2. CALL A FRIEND

Uhmm… I don’t usually call a friend anymore. Maybe I should do this more often.

3. FLIP THROUGH DESIGN BOOKS

Does design websites apply?

If you have the focus of staying in one before one of your other interests pop in your head, go ahead. Otherwise, nothing beats the old, hard copy print of a design book while lying in bed or taking a dump.

4. READ TUTORIALS

Want to learn how to do an effect? Google is your friend.

You need patience though. Lots of it. If you’re like me who can’t wait from step 1 to step 10, practice patience. That’s the opportunity for it. Don’t ask me how I’m doing.

5. VISIT INSPIRATIONAL WEBSITES

If you’re up for some great photographs and captures, there’s a lot of them in flickr and some other sites.

6. CREATE ART FOR PERSONAL USE

Don’t forget what started you in this field in the first place. Interest. Go and edit your favorite celebrity or crush or whoever you want. If you’re so vain, go and edit your own face.

7. SPEAK WITH COLLEAGUES

Connecting in real life is more important than connecting in the web.

8. WATCH A FUNNY MOVIE OR VIDEO

Be wary of NSFW kind of videos especially when the boss is just behind you. He may be after your behind.

9. DOODLE IN A SKETCHBOOK

Do not, for any reason, draw your boss. If you cannot resist, make sure the shredder is nearby.

10. LISTEN TO MUSIC

If your laptop has the extra juice while running Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Firefox, go and list. If it can’t, buy a new laptop!

11. FIND A SEPARATE HOBBY

I’m sure you have something more than graphics design and the internet and music.

12. TAKE A STEP OUTSIDE

Taking a walk helps when you can’t find the creative universe anywhere near.

13. WRITE POETRY OR PROSE

Make fun of words and write sarcasm and ill comments about life, the goverment, work, your dog, or whatever. Of course, words of adoration are welcome. Just don’t lie.

14. LOOK UP SYNONYMS OR ANTONYMS

Uhm…yeah.

15. GO FOR A DRIVE

If you have the gas that can allow you to leisurely drive to wherever, go. Here in the Philippines, you’ll have to cry sweat and blood before the average earning single individual can drive leisurely.

16. VISIT THE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP

This helps when your concentration is high and you’re meeting a deadline. Do not look at the cute barista. No, don’t even try to approach the lonely cute girl accross the table. And please buy something to drink. Don’t use wifi for the sake of using it for free.

17. WORK IN PUZZLE BOOKS

I love Sudoku.

18. SLEEP ON IT

I love this more.

19. LOOK FOR INTERESTING OR NEW FONTS

In my experience, having it on print is better than looking at it online.

20. STRAIGHTEN UP YOUR OFFICE

I’d like to straighten up my officemate instead. Does that apply?

Again, this is the link for the more serious article:

20 Ways to Avoid Creative Block When You are a Graphic Designer

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Castlevania Portrait of Ruin

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin for Nintendo DS has been out for quiet some time now and I recently got my hands on it thanks to my brother who graciously lent me his DS.

Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin

Following the platform style of the Castlevania standard Symphony of the Night, this game is addictive. Like all other good video games, time flies when you’re exploring and unlocking every secret possible, picking up every dropped item, finishing every quest, defeating all monsters, and collecting every item that exists in this game.

Then when you’re done with that, you can play the game again with most of the items you’ve collected, or play it in HARD MODE. Or you can play the game using the two of the game’s antagonists, the Sisters.

You get to swap at will with your partner. It’s a classic combo of brains and brawn. One is a fighter, one is a spell caster. And yes, Charlotte brings out swords and axes out of that book. Special attacks are available from special weapons on Jonathan’s end.

Along with this is MASTER level of the subweapons that Jonathan receives. It is basically a stronger version of the subweapons, like a bigger cross bumerang or a bigger axe to throw. Charlotte’s spells are stronger when you charge them before you release.

I just finished the NORMAL mode last night. I kicked Dracula’s ass so many times. I think I have played and finished most Castlevania in my life time, minus the gameboy and Nintendo 64 releases, Castlevania 2 of NES, amd Super Castlevania of SNES.

This game’s art is Anime styled, similar to likewise another Castlevania DS release, Dawn of Sorrow.

Charlotte Aulin - Castlevania Babe

Kane’s Wrath: Command and Conquer 3

I haven’t been playing PC games for a while, but this one really kicks ass. The expansion features this devastating unit that those who follow the path of chaos will surely love.

The Redeemer will surely purify the battlefield of GDI pests and SCRIN monstrosities.

See that baby burn in action! Sources say you can equip it with 2 infantry add-ons giving it their respective abilities. I didn’t know that. I will try that!

Music that keeps the dust away

My mom has innovatively thought of keeping the dust away from my father’s guitars. At long last, I am saved of endlessly dusting them off. Seriously, I don’t clean them much really because the process is tiring and can be burdensome.

The cabinet is very well constructed and it beautifully displays axe awesomeness!

The great thing about it is it’s quite a view really and it would keep the dust at a minimal, which is really my problem for these babies. I only use 2 of the electrics, and 2 of the acoustics.

The guitar stand itself was designed by my father, constructed by my uncle, modified by a carpenter friend, re-modified yet again, and again, and again…

Some brief history of my too many guitar blues…

• I put them under my bed - my bed then had a lower bed so I covered it with blanket. Some 6 months later, the blanket was filled with dust, and so were my guitars.
• Had several guitar stands to accommodate all of them - occupied 1/4 of my room!
• Had the guitar stand (the same guitar stand inside this cabinet, only version 1) constructed and they were placed in our extension room - it gathered dust…lotsa dust!
• Guitar Stand version 2 - more compact, and the guitars were moved in the mini hallway beside my room
• Finally, the guitar cabinet

Of all the guitars here, I only claim 1 that I really own. That would be the Ibanez one which I got way back when I was in 4th year High School. It’s RG Series from Singapore and claims to be (based on the sticker) made in Japan. Features Floyd Rose bridge with a crappy clean tone! Give it some distortion though and it rocks!

Writing this surprises me.

Man, I miss UNEVEN. It was a dream band for me. I wish we’d taken off. We almost did. I don’t know what happened. No gigs. No hard feelings either. We just faded. Just like how many songs did.

Left to Right, with the exemption of me: JR, TIM, MIKE, CHUCK

Miss you guys and hope everyone is well.

When one Neil is not enough…

I took a VL (vacation leave) today August 14, 2008.

Once I logged on to my yahoo messenger, my friend Zea popped me..

zEa Castro: hi neil
zEa Castro: u here?
Neil John Lolin: hi zea
Neil John Lolin: i’m home
Neil John Lolin: nag VL po ako
zEa Castro: o?
zEa Castro: pero i saw u a while ago
Neil John Lolin: hahah
Neil John Lolin: nandito ako sa bahay
Neil John Lolin: hindi mo ako nakita
zEa Castro: sure ka?
zEa Castro: u said hi pa nga e
Neil John Lolin: oo naman ‘no!
Neil John Lolin: HOY!
Neil John Lolin: wag ka ganyan
Neil John Lolin: baka kahapon un
zEa Castro: as in
zEa Castro: pati si max, nakita ka ata
Neil John Lolin: ano suot ko?
zEa Castro: (9:56:44 AM) max.sibug: parang nakita ko din ata xa kanina
zEa Castro: blue?
Neil John Lolin: haha
Neil John Lolin: i was wearing a white shirt with light blue splashes yesterday
Neil John Lolin: mejo fit na shirt
zEa Castro: i know
Neil John Lolin: i did not come to office today
Neil John Lolin: that would be creepy if you did see me
Neil John Lolin: are you sure?
zEa Castro: eh sino ung nakita ko
zEa Castro: yes
Neil John Lolin:
Neil John Lolin: YARE!
Neil John Lolin: punta ka bizdev office
Neil John Lolin: ask me around, they’ll tell you i never came
zEa Castro: blue daw suot mo sabe ni max
zEa Castro: yeah
zEa Castro: i already did
Neil John Lolin: i wore blue tuesday ata
Neil John Lolin: blue na may white stripe sa may sleeve
Neil John Lolin: coming from the round collar to the sleeve
zEa Castro: yeah
Neil John Lolin: parang PE shirt style
zEa Castro: i know ung suot mo
zEa Castro: pero
zEa Castro: a plain shirt lang suot mo today
zEa Castro: hindi ka nga nagsalita e
Neil John Lolin: whoa
zEa Castro: i said “hi neil”
Neil John Lolin: seryoso ba yan?
zEa Castro: tapos u smiled lang ata
zEa Castro: oo
Neil John Lolin: shit

BSOD Olympics 2008

Cheers to MS!

My sources said the blue glory was in there for 2 hours.

Dalisay - Olsen Nuptial

This is my set for Jojo and Sara’s Wedding held back in March 2008. While this isn’t really a new event, I wish to share the photos for you guys of my good friends.

Mind you, I was responsible for the live wedding music of the couple’s event. I had to switch from keys to shutter button from time to time.