We're Alive!

It's Halloween and zombies are one of the things that are IN these days. If you're into zombies like I am, try listening to this podcast entitled, "We're Alive". This is not your typical zombies from The Walking Dead, more like the zombies from 
World War Z and Z nation but way better.

We're Alive - A Story of Survival is a story that started with three reserve soldiers, Michael, Angel and Saul in downtown Los Angeles. This audio drama is produced by Wayland Productions and can be accessed through the Nerdist 
Podcast Network in iTunes.

Our three reserve soldiers struggled to fortify a safe haven with a group of survivors that they have managed to save from the post-apocalyptic chaos they're in. This is an exciting series packed with amazing performances and sound effects.

Listen to the audio podcast now! xx

Cafe Flafé

We found a cozy little Korean place just a few steps away from our building, 

the Cafe Flafé. The place has a cute interior concept. Since Halloween season is coming up, they have designed it to match the occasion. It's a perfect place 

for some alone time or some catching-up moments with friends.

The cafe offers a wide variety of coffee and tea. And a few pasta choices 

and risotto as well. 

I tried their lemongrass tea and their kimchi risotto. It's a good combination for lunch. 
If you wanna try their goodies, here are the details from Booky:

Cafe Flafe

(0927) 638-4455

118 Grand Emerald Tower, Emerald Ave, Ortigas, Pasig

Tap to view map:

http://ph.phonebooky.com//i/10778

Happy eating! xx

TWD - Season 5, Episodes 1-2 Review

The Walking Dead's first two episodes are just the BOMB! 

Here are my thoughts. Unlike the other season where they are stucked in a particular place, in this season, they are just wandering through the forest looking for some food and shelter. Not to mention getting some distance away from Terminus. Running away from that place all together and unscathed, they are more stronger now than ever. Numbers and all. However, with the Terminus incident, Rick becomes less and less trustful. We can't blame him. After all that happened, it's pretty much expected.

And Carol, where to begin? She is just like Rambo! Man, she is something. She is definitely the most improved one in the group. It's like Season 1 all over again, covering her body with the walkers blood and all just to be able to blend in the crowd of all those walkers. 

Now let's talk about the priest, Father Gabriel. There is something fishy about him. For one, I think the walkers submerged under that storage were the ones trying to get inside his church. And that could be the reason why he is so bothered about that particular (lady) walker that was trying to attack him. Not to mention how he could be related to the people who got Beth. I mean there was a "+" sign in that car, so whoever they are, they might be also members of his congregation. 

Then there's Gareth and company. These guys are the worse. Makes me wonder if they were the ones that Daryl felt when he was on guard duty with Carol. There is that possibility. And man, what they did to Bob! Wow! Talk about being "Bob-b-qued"! They have already crossed the line of cannibalism and there is definitely no going back. But, Bob was having his moment before he was taken by Gareth and company. I really thought that he was bitten or something when they were gathering the canned goods. Why else would he be having that emo moment?! 

And with Bob, Carol and Daryl missing, what would Rick do now? 

Ahhh! The Walking Dead is driving me nuts! :)) 
Excited for the next episode tomorrow! xx

LOST Encyclopedia

Who remembers LOST? Let me see a raise of hands! :) Yes, this is the TV series 
that aired 121 episodes from 2004 to 2010 on ABC. I remember being hooked on this 
so much that we would watch this from morning until the next morning! :) 
Basically doing nothing else. We would wake up and start watching it until the sun 
would rise up again. That was our cycle back then. It was all worth it, until the 
last episode!!! We spent months doing a marathon on this series. And as if that was 
not enough, we would also listen to podcast if we manage to get ourselves 
out of the house. 

Just a quick recap, LOST revolves on a number of people that survived after their (commercial) plane crashed on an island. (Talk about being deserted on an island) 
This show used supernatural elements and science fiction that sometimes I can't barely connect the stories together; the downfall of this one. They have introduced a lot of exciting elements, but in the end they were not able to tie all the loose ends. That is just my opinion. However I may have been disappointed with the ending, I still love this. We would talk about this for hours, then debate on what would happen next to our favorite characters.

Here's the good part, if you were once addicted on this series like we are, you might 
want to get a copy of this book: LOST Encyclopedia. :) It's a real catch! 
You can get this at all bookstores (I think) in the Metro.

Happy reading! xx

Mr. Parks!

Craving for some desserts? You got to check out Mr. Parks Bread & Cake. They have a variety of delicious pastries and cakes. Not to mention how cute their cakes 
are creatively designed. 

Here are the details from Booky:

Mr. Park's Bread & Cake

(0917) 977-3353

Unit 5 Eton Emerald Lofts, Garnet St cor Emerald St, San Antonio, Pasig

Tap to view map:

http://ph.phonebooky.com//i/304

If you're in the area, try their goodies now. Happy eating! xx

The Flash

If you were able to move faster or as fast as the speed of light, what would you do? Or better yet, what would you be? Would you choose to use your ability for the greater good? Or be the evil villain that creates chaos? 

Having superhuman powers or being a mutant has been one of my ultimate childhood fantasies. I mean, who doesn't? The question here all boils down to what power you would choose. And of course, the ultimate why at the end. 

Here's Barry Allen.
Photo from http://www.rottentomatoes.com/

There's this new series I'm watching - The Flash. It's an American TV series based from the DC comics, developed by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg and Geoff Johns. It stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, a.k.a. Flash. He grew up at Detective West's care after the mysterious death of her mother, where his father was wrongfully accused for the crime. He works as an assistant police forensic investigator before an accident occurred at the S.T.A.R. Labs that made him comatose for nine months. 

When he revives from the coma, he realizes that he has a superhuman speed.

The Flash is a spin-off from Arrow, another series that I am watching 
(which I still have to write). That is why I am not surprised when Oliver Queen 
makes a cameo appearance. 

This series is just starting. Try watching it too! xx

The Death of Wolverine

Wolverine is dead?! How, when, why?!?

How do you kill someone who has a skeleton coated with adamantium and a healing powers like no other? THAT is the question.

Photo from http://www.comicbook.com

We all know that Logan (James Howlett) has survived a series of ordeals that one man can't surely handle in a lifetime. 

Then a new story-line was released. It all began with his healing powers degenerating through time due to a mysterious virus. As if this was not enough, someone put a very large price on his head. Of course, he went out and looked for the man behind it. 
He then went on a series of adventures (if you can call it like that) while fighting 
for his life against the people trying to kill him. 

Eventually, he meets the man behind, his maker, Dr. Abraham Cornelius. Maker, in the sense that (as we all know) Dr. Cornelius is the reason why Logan became Wolverine. 
He put Logan under an experiment until the latter was able to escape. At this point, 
I think it is just fitting that they meet face-to-face to battle it all off. 

So when Logan finally finds out that Dr. Cornelius was the one who put the bounty on his head, he then set off to the place where it all began. There, he finds the doctor recreating and perfecting the experiment to create an army of soldiers, better than the one he did before. When they finally meet, the doctor attempts to kill Wolverine but fails miserably. Instead, he is wounded in the process and tries to escape. While all this madness occurs, the switch button was accidentally switched, thus starting the experiment on a young kid. Wolverine's inner heroic self kicks in, so he saves the kid that was then supposedly be injected with the liquidized adamantium. In the process, 
he is then covered with the liquidized adamantium. Oh no! 

After that, he did not waste time and tries to catch the fleeing doctor while he still can. As the liquid cools down and the metal hardens, he then eventually slows down. 
At his final moment, he ends up alone looking at the sunrise.

And that is how his story ends. 

Among all the heroes that I love, I think Logan has the saddest story. He's able to survive all his ordeals, yes. But the memory of it all is enough to break any man; sanity and all. That is why I adore this man. I also pity him in a way, but I feel the need to be awed as well. And with his death, I really felt cheated. It was heroic of him to save the kid. 
But was there no other way to do it? 

Take note that this is not the first time that a hero died. And I won't be surprised 
if he lives again (I sure hope so). 

Bottom line, someone has to die and Marvel decided that it has to be him. With a heavy heart, we must accept it. But I still think that he will come back, just like the others 
that has died before him. 

What do you guys think? xx

Lucca Bakery

There are a lot of new restaurants at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. One of the restaurant that we recently tried is the Lucca Bakery. 

My friend tried the tuna melt (upper left) while I tried the green egg and bacon (lower right). The bread was thick and crispy, topped with twin eggs and basil leaves and a delicious salad on the side. A cup of coffee made this meal complete. 

It's really good! A must try. :)

If you wanna try their food, here are the details from Booky:

Lucca Bakery

5/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA cor J. Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong

Tap to view map:

http://ph.phonebooky.com//i/4536

Visit their cozy shop now. Happy eating! xx

Ca$h 'n Gun$

Here's another fun game published last 2005 that is good for six people, Ca$h 'n Guns$. 

A game designed by Ludovic Maublanc.

If you have been wanting to play as a gangster, then here is your chance to be one! :) 

The premise of this game is that you are part of a gangster band splitting your loot in an abandoned warehouse. However, you can't get an agreement with your band on 

how to split the loot. This is where you let the guns do the talking! 

The box contains 6 foam guns, 6 set if bullet cards (5 Clic Clic Clic cards, 2 Bang cards, and 1 Bang, Bang, Bang card), 10 super power cards, 14 wound markers, 14 shame markers, 40 banknotes (15 $5,000, 15 $10,000 and 10 $20,000), 6 characters with stand, and of course the game rules.

The mechanics of this game is real easy. Each round, selecting from the three possible bullet cards, all players need to load their guns. After the countdown, all the players need to aim their gun. Based on the guns pointed at each of the players, they have the option to chicken out. But this has to be done by the players at the same time. For the players that have chickened out, they will receive a shame marker. While for those remaining players, they will have to resolve the shootout by showing their bullet cards. The player/s that are wounded after that receives a bandage wound marker. While those who are not wounded participates in the split of the cash. Take note that if the cash cannot be divided evenly, then it is added to the new pot for the next round. 
Also, one must not forget that a player can only take up to three wounds, 
and after that he's out of the game. The game is played up to 8 rounds, 
and the richest surviving gangster wins the game. 

So what are you waiting for, try this game now! xx

Ticket to Ride!

Ludo has many games to offer. One of the most sought-after games that day 

was Ticket to Ride. 

Ticket to Ride is a railway-themed board game designed by Alan Moon. The rules are simple. You will be given 3 destination tickets, 4 train cards and 45 pieces of trains based on the color of your choice (choices are red, yellow, green, blue and black). The players will then collect cards of various types of trains to claim the routes based on their destination tickets in North America. The longer the route gives you higher points. 
Once the destination ticket is fulfilled, additional points are given. At the end of the game, the player who builds the longest continuous route will receive 
additional ten points. 

This is a relatively simple yet super fun game. :)

For ios users, I have a good news for you! :) You can easily download this game from the App Store. :) Thus, allowing you to play this game wherever you are. 

Here's a few screenshots of my game earlier

You can also play this with your friends. Here's my game with Ceejay, best of three. 
Guess who won? 

Try this game now! As Sheldon once said, "It's official, I'm a trainiac!" xx

The Elder Sign

Last saturday, we have found the best place yet! It's the perfect hang-out with friends, the Ludo BoardGame Bar & Cafe, located at Sct. Torillo, Diliman, 
Quezon City, Metro Manila.

Look at all these games! I think I'm in heaven! :) And this is just one of their 
bookshelves - so many choices! 

Ceejay and I first tried the Elder Sign. 

Elder Sign is a cooperative dice game of supernatural intrigue for one to eight players by the designers of Arkham Horror (Richard Launius and Kevin Wilson). This is like a simplified Arkham Horror. Ceejay has one and it usually takes us four hours to finish the game. With Elder Sign, it takes one to two hours. To win the game, the players armed with tools, allies and knowledge must take roles of investigators and locate the Elder Signs. These signs will then be used to seal away the Ancient One.

If you are in the area, drop by Ludo! xx

Clothes Buffet!

Yes, you read it right! Clothes NOT food! Haha!

The mechanics are real easy. Pick all the clothes that you like. Zip it inside the bag within 15 minutes (which is pretty much the challenge). And then, all the clothes you managed to squeeze inside your bag, you can keep it all!  

It was pretty fun. Though, the best slot would have been the first wave because by the time my wave started, all the better clothes were already selected. 

But all in all, it was a fun experience. Here's my bag. I managed to fit in 13 tops! :) Though I think I could have still fit in one more shirt. :) Haha!

Until the next buffet! xx

The Iron Throne

Here's a card game that you all will surely love - GAME OF THRONES, HBO Edition!

"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." - Cersei Lannister

This game is based on the beloved book series of George R R Martin, Song of Ice and Fire. As a fan of this series, I have read all the books. And I suggest that you do too to better understand this game. :) 

This is a two-player card game wherein you have a choice either to be one of the Lannisters or one of the Starks. Each card shows our favorite characters coming from two of the Houses. It has a fifty card decks allowing each player to experience battles and intrigues in the land of Westeros. In addition, there are some game changing plot cards that will allow you to change the balance of power. Pretty exciting really. :)

While waiting for the next season, try this game! xx

DigitalGlobe and Exelis Webinar

DigitalGlobe is the leader in providing high resolution satellite imageries and geospatial content. While ExelisVIS, the creator of ENVI, is the leading developer of image analysis and data visualization software tools to solve simple to complex problems.

Photo from mundogeo.com/

DigitalGlobe and Exelis works hand-in-hand when it comes to the advancement of world class optical imaging systems. With the development and deployment of imaging sensors for DigitalGlobe satellites, Exelis is now in a position to leverage the unique spectral and spatial capabilities of these sensors making use of ENVI's image analysis software. 

Today, they have a webinar entitled "From Data to Decisions". Learn more about the image analysis workflows in action and understand how you can easily extract information. 

Register here! xx

The Walkers are BACK!

AMC's The Walking Dead returns for its fifth season tonight! 

Photo from www.intellimsica.com

Last season, we saw our favorite characters reunite at Terminus, the so-called 
sanctuary for all. They later realized that it was nothing but a trap. 

This season, there are a lot of things I'm eager to know. For one, I'm excited to see what the group would do in order to free themselves from the camp of cannibals that caught them. Other than that, I'm curious about Gareth. Is he as bad as the Governor, or is he worse than him? What is his story? What made them turn into cannibals? Nothing is for sure right now. And probably the most important question here is, 
who will die this season? Who?!

Right now, I'm all worked up! Season five airs tonight! xx

The Maginhawa Street Food-Fest!

Last Saturday, in line with the 75th Anniversary of Quezon City, the Maginhawa Street 
was closed for the much-awaited Food Festival. One of the many events that 
the city had prepared.

The place was jam-packed! Even if the weather was not very cooperative that night, it did not stop people from coming.  It's like having a hoard of walkers! ;) Haha! 
Excuse my term, The Walking Dead is coming back tonight!  

Anyway, going back to Maginhawa Street, it was filled with different food stalls and other different merchandise that were on sale. It was heaven for every foodies. Food trip 'til you can eat! :) However, with the crowd coming from all over the Metro, long queues were expected. We were lucky enough to find a place. And we were even luckier to get our food for FREE! :) Yes, free! Thanks to this piece of paper! 

So, how did we managed to get one of this "lucky paper", you might ask. 
We were looking for this restaurant named Z (reminds me of World War Z and Z Nation). Our friends were already there ahead of us. While walking amongst the crowd, 
we passed by this booth wherein the lady asked us to vote for one of the restos 
that we like in Maginhawa. And so we did. After that, she gave us the paper. 
Back then, we were not really sure what the paper was for, and we did not even 
bother to read what was written on it. When we did found Z, it was already filled 
to the rafters! So we've decided to look for another place and just meet 
our friends after. We managed to get an empty table at Hillcrest Wellness Cafe. 
While getting our order, the waitress saw our "lucky paper". And just then did we realized that with that paper, we'll get one free meal! :) Hooray!

My friend tried the Beef Tomato Pasta, while I chose the Herbed Pesto 
with green mint tea. 

There was some mishap with the staff that night. One of the staff accidentally dropped 

a glass that went straight to my friend's pasta. The manager replaced the pasta 

and gave us this yummy chocolate cake, on the house! :) Best day ever! :D 

The staff were really nice. And the food was great too! If you're wondering where 
to find this resto, here are the details from Booky:

Hillcrest Wellness Cafe

(02) 400-3223

Malingap St, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City

Tap to view map:

http://ph.phonebooky.com//i/3097

A little past 9 pm, some of the stores were already running out of stock. 
We were looking for a burger shop since Ceejay is pretty much into burgers. We were supposed to try our luck at the Burger Project but we just can't wait for the long queue. We then found this stall selling thin crust pizza. 

We had to wait for 30 minutes before we finally got our pizza. We ordered for a Meatlovers pizza, and this is what we got. 

It was not what I had in mind. Where's the meat? To compensate for the lack of meat, it was abundantly sprinkled with cheese. And they were not kidding with the "thin" crust. 
It was really REALLY thin. Haha. 

The highlight of the food festival were of course the food. Other than that, there was a mini concert, some dance gimmicks (in front of Antiteasis), and of course, the 
much-awaited fireworks display. 

All in all, it was a fun experience. If you're in the area, drop by one of the restos 
in Maginhawa. Here's an info-graphic that might just help.

Photo from http://insights.looloo.com/

Happy eating! xx

The 2014 Map Gallery

Geodata Systems Technologies, Inc., held the 2014 Philippine Esri User Conference 
and the 2nd Philippine Education GIS conference at EDSA Shangri-la Manila 
last September 23-25. Here's a glimpse of the 2014 Map Gallery.

The Centerpiece

The Map Gallery

Here are the winners this year.

1. People's Choice - PAGASA

          

This map gained the highest ratings through a voting system by the attendees 

of the User Conference

2. Best Analytic Presentation - City of Makati

This map was able to clearly communicate the problem to the panel of judges, distinctly presenting the complex analytic procedures that were used.

3. Best Cartographic Design - Mines and Geosciences Bureau

This map was able to efficiently communicate the intended message, 

maximizing the user's cognitive experience.

4. Best Overall Map - MWCI

          

This map gained the highest overall combined ratings from the people's choice votes 

and rating by the selected technical panel of judges.

Until the next conference! xx