gamer pig test blog

A meeting, A talk and taking some time to goof off . I was organizing the projects when I hit a road block, when most of the files that is needed to fix the website is with me, cluttered and messed up in my computer. So I spent most of the day, organizing files and writing out an outline. I'm getting nervous about the organizational part. There are certain bureaucratic challenges that I am anticipating and are coming up suddenly. One is that the expected price for the photoshoot is really expensive and the only way to ensure the quality is if I was there on site with the photographer to manage it. 2nd is I'm not getting the reports that should be going through me to make the job easier. I know I may threaten some jobs but knowing the situation, I'm not threatening them I'm actually saving them because the higher ups wanted to down size them, I just want to make them more productive and have the paper trail to prove it. 3rd I really want to work on ORGS, but that is just...

Status Quo. The hardest thing to change and one of the more imperceptible elements of society. I've always been chiming the ubuntu bell, ever since I was able to try it out and found it easy to use. Now, given what little free time I have, I was able to squeeze in and install it. It is kind of an adjustment since I've used Arial in all my writing since 2005 (ever since my professor praised it and I was zombie-ly followed). ORGS . Open-content Role-playing Game System is the reason why I've been too busy to write material for my other gaming blogs. Basically I've developed a game system specifically for use of Role-Playing Decision Making Senarios for Educational Purposes. Of course it can also be used as a game, but I've focused more on the elements that makes RPGs useful in education. Stragic Planning Tackling Projects Risk Assessment Adapting to Unfavorable Outcomes Self Criticism and Reflection on one's thinking process Its basically non-competative to Role-...

Lately i've become more political in the work place. Well, political in the sense that I've become to make bureaucratic moves to systemize and fix some of the company's deficiencies without stepping on so many toes. I've had a long talk with my dad and trying to work out his frustrations. He is a very religious man, there are things that cannot be understood by religious views in particularly the compromise of point of views. The one of the primary disciplines of secularism is the understanding of how a belief structure works in creating the psychological foundations in any person. Even a secular has his own belief system, but understanding that we have very seperate beliefs and could work in some compromise to benefit mutually is what being secular can do compared to any particular faith. Being, unbound by dogma creates flexibility, others may cite flexibility as a weakness or having no religion as a kind of failure, but we don't have a religion we have principles....

I think Filipinos should consider moving to Sweden instead of trying to get into the united states. I bet very grateful and hospitable Filipino immigrants would counter balance the highly suspicious other immigrants . Filipinos have one advantage to being a "weak" culture (weak in the sense that we cannot influence non-filipinos about our culture and we take on other cultures quite easily) and being very hospitable. To think that a country might want us, who will give us a chance and we would be so happy to work with them, is a dream to many filipinos. I know its cold there but personally, I'd rather there than over here. The concept of nation is blurring in this information age, we are more connected than before and we should consider being people first: race and nation second. As a people, filipinos who are very industrious, hard working, innovative and productive should consider going to sweden and contribute to there. Think about it, sure this was your family's h...

Delegating is complicated . It is also a voluntary act of reducing one's own power. When you give someone the authority to act on their own they may screw up, or worse do their job exceedingly well. People screwing up with serious responsibility rarely happens. Its not like school, this is a job and things are serious enough that people rarely screw up. If they do screw up, its certain an aspect of experience and process than character. If it IS character then they should have never gotten the job in the first place. The problem lies mostly when there is a very low ceiling in a company. My family business suffered a lot from the piracy of trained personnel. The combination of a low ceiling, feeding your competitors an advantage, and ignoring the problem for this long is pretty much what I have to live with quietly and without comment. I have no right to comment, although I've done my share to improve the "feedback" processes as in guerrilla warfare fashion: moving in ...

This makes for almost 95% of all transactions with Phil. Postal Service being met with serious incompetence when they give wrong postage stamps, ask for bribes, and continually lose all mail but junk mail makes just want to warn people about it. Its acceptable if it was 50% of the experience, although tipping past that to the 90's range is already very bad. Too bad that for the effort, you might not be surprised how successful private postal delivery services may do in comparison. Again it highlights the gross boated corruption that is clear about the country. Poor Low Level bureaucrats is because of Poor management, Poor management can be continually found as you go higher up the chain. Really, I mean, If I were a successful businessman, I would probably launder my money in singapore with some loop holes and keep manufacturing low key in the phils. Really, any progress higher than a small-to medium business ($20k) always falls in the radar of Bureau of Internal Revenue that will ...

I was made to do a report and after submiting it I'm being asked to get into a certain stance about what I see is wrong. After getting my head bitten off, I'm not making a single comment about the proceedure, especially because I know there is underlying political undertones about making the COO (child of owner) cite specific deficiencies in management. So basically, I'm going to use my unfair-clout of being the son of the owner to get a free pass or get into trouble and be used as a tool to air out some management concerns which uses me as a shield. I already know the management deficiencies. The management book has given me the fundamentals and my execution and practice of them in almost everything I'm doing has highlighted why they are important and where I don't see it being implemented. Its just depressing to be caught up in another social trap. So I will further lower expectations about my performance, my capabilities and my overall reputation by making commen...

I'm supposed to write about the particular department I'm in and what I think about it. As a single-minded Gamer, I'm actually using my Role, Background, and Proficiencies outline when talking about the Department. These three critical elements actually flesh out quite clearly and simply any abstract or blurry Job or Department description. I've already made the point by point outline and will flesh out the differences of how each rendundant topic is discussed in the RBP outline. After that, I'll probably edit it a bit and post it in game in the brain to sate any curiousities in how I'm gonna pull this off. I'm really one track, all my strategies simply fall in one very obvious dominant strategy based on my strengths and interests. It's pretty saddening because, I have a better chance doing the SDS project than developing a Game/Simulations/Visualization Company. Given my skills, it would be very hard to find someone who I can afford or partner up reliab...

Raise Hope . The Game did what I thought it would do. The players finally had a game that allowed them to see civilians adapt very quickly and effectively in a given situation. This was nothing new for me, I planned the thing. But, to people who have low expectations and pessimistic views this is particularly interesting. Stop thinking of what you don't have that could help you, and think of what you have or what you can get at hand that can . This was another interesting element of the game. Playing civilians the players had to develop a strategy with what they had at hand, then what they would have if they had everything they wanted. This is quite interesting because what I've learn in game theory in the common errors of people expect in "pay-offs". Some get boggled down by what's wrong with their life, what they could have done better, the enormity of every task to possible success etc. Thinking about this exercise, it is a small success for me. Which is import...

Comments . majority of the comments in this don't see one particular thing: what if the country you live in was a prison . The comments are classic in the sense that they already assume that the family is trying to get a free ride. When people in developing countries try to escape their country, before anyone should comment on how evil and wrong they are: try living in their country and in their shoes. These people who are fleeing the developing world, are not doing so to abuse the "foolish westerners!" If they were criminal, then it would be easier to be criminal at home than to risk it all in a country and people you don't know. Not all these people are saints, but in the case just like this , you have too look at the circumstance closely. There was some guy, saying that the family was using the daughter as leverage, now this is bot an accurate but unfair assumption. Even if you are using "legaly" unfair loophole in an arbitrary system of laws doesnt make ...

RHB . Not meaning to sound so alien, but keeping and enforcing one's rights is one of the most commonly played games of power in the world. Its a zero-sum or constant sum game. When someone gets the advantage, the other suffers. The Church is thinking and reacting entity, don't think its just the priests but many laypersons also derive power through the church. Through authority, positive association, most of the time the legitimacy of their actions. It may not sound that I'm serious given that I'm looking at it in a game's perspective, but if you've followed this blog long enough you know I take rights and freedomes seriously. First, consider why there has not been any success despite the overwhelming majority for RHB. Consider a similar situation, but one that has even reached violent protest: Afagan Women protesting against Taliban laws to remove their rights. If you read the article, you'll hear the chuch or the Imams claiming superiorty and the stupid...

Busy . the Game theory lessons are among the many things I'm juggling. Work discontent is another, and an aspect I cannot move in until my father arrives and I have a good talk with him with my plans. There is my plan to study entrepreneurship formally. I'm also in the middle of a business plan, with low barriers and requires some serious capital. I'm also trying to set some foundations for my other business plans. Then there are the ton of stuff I'm stretching my self too thinly over. Looking at all the causality, its usually the discontent. I don't like being here and I really feel like I don't belong. I really should leave but its just awkward, but more importantly I don't have a clear exit strategy. I want to "prodigal son" and ask for some money from my father in advance to help start a business. There is something that really bothers me about being here, I'm too sensitive or I've taken the Game Theory thing a little too far in readi...

Destiny? For someone who doesnt believe in destiny, this would make me a believer (in a another universemaybe). Still this has affirmed more of what I have had in my gut for the longest time. Growing up with my reasoning always thrown against me as wrong, because of dogma and canon of my culture this is what makes my whole world seem right. I feel like my grandfather when he stepped of the boat with his new wife and just the clothes on his back. I guess it reaffirms what my wife and I feel about the future: everything is going to be alright. This is not because of some form of hope or religious premonition, it is because I now know I've been seeing the truth the whole time, even if it was just a small piece of it. All my arguments and all my discussions have not affirmed so much as what I have affirmed today when I read more about Game Theory: or shall we say Strategic Decisions making . I'm a Pig for Gaming, and the truffle of truth I found is finally mine (insert porky mania...

no charter . after learning what a charter is and because they don't work with a charter I'll never do a project without it. A charter is a written agreement with a project sponsor/employer/ in what outputs to be expected and what points are needed to consider a project done. I've never worked with a character before and was continually frustrated and depressed because of constant revisions and fluctuating tastes and expectations. I'd rather be thought of a total prick than to destroy my life working without a charter. This comes up because, when technically my dad removed me from the website project I'm being asked to arrange it again. This fuels my wishes, not to mention memories of unbearable depressions, to really leave the company I just joined in 2 months. Honestly, I'm here cause my parents want me. They can't make me want this job. I was doing well in the 3d artist track, I was poor but well, less stressed and still hopeful of my future. Personally,...

Hepa B . I just came from the clinic to get an Antigen-HBS??? (or something). I was supposed to be there for my forehead lump but since it subsided and the doctor didn't think it serious I decided not to waste Php400 ($8) on a follow up check up and spend Php355 ($7) on a test if I've finally developed an immunity. Its been 3+ years, I hope I'm ok cause I don't like spending the equivalent of minum wage on my Hepa Viral meds every month. Tokens . Got a lot of errands out of the way. Ready for the game with 2 sets of poker chips. One batch for visual markers (smallest poker chips, a color a player, will paint the extra white batch black), red larger chips for weapon heat, one for fatigue and another for wound levels (i decided to keep the wounds MUCH simpler). I just have to arrange my NPCs and spend some time infront of a caffe to get the visual and personality quirks of passers by for my them. Again I follow my basic rule: professional skills (skills where failure has ...

This post is about different perspective of gaming. There is a 10+ year generation gap. Also it is me being a prick and bugging some guys to talk about their gaming. It guarantee it will be very boring if you're not the type to be take gaming a little too seriously. I want this around for posterity. reply to Before any Sci-fi . My take on your piece is that you have your playing/GM style which is quite different from ours. You want things ordered and pre-arranged. We on the other hand have adopted the fly by the seat of our pants style. We don't need all specifics all the time. We need the background, yes, but it is kept in the background. We hate micromanagement because it tends to bog down the game and leads to early GM burnout. The reason we keep things cloudy is that it gives us leeway to steer the story the players are creating to keep the game enjoyable for all. Besides, another GM might want to come along and take over for a spell. The canvas is big and there is nothing ...

Obsessing . Well I've been obsessing over the same book the past few weeks. This time, its become so uncanny that I've begun to start contemplating the next chapters before I've even started to read them. I love how the book is organized, the very fundamentals I've been mastering happens to guide me to a number of questions that happens to be answered in the next chapter. Anyway, I have a very busy week planned. Well... mostly planned. I have still to be flexible considering what other opportunities might arise. I've chuck full of ideas for my blogs and i full to bursting. ideas that have to be, refined a bit. Actually, I have a couple of drafts that didn't make it to the publishing simply cause I felt they were too vague and were not clear enough to sound simple and not to sound too theoretical. I've written about courtiers simply cause I was in a rut developing templates and got tired having to make up stats for them that continue to shift and change. I i...

I read a little excerpt about holy warriors, and I find it ironic that clearly to a their own people: extremist jihadists are holy warriors . What greater sacrifice can an individual contribute than their own llife? (but my own answer to that rhetorical question is very different.) What the excerpt says about holy warriors is what everyone thinks about them. Searching for an Ideal, someone to fill our traditional expectations of what is good in an ever shifting and changing present. Basically: "I want flint and steel" when everything is wet and we have gasoline and a lighter. Tradition is safe, it is what we grew up in, it is what we were taught to follow, it is what we assume to be right. Isn't there a better way to learn what is right? Isn't there a way to be able to adapt to the massively growing information that is continuously testing our assumptions to a point of constant uncertainty. Civ 4 . Looking back at my Civilization 4 game, playing the Byzantine Empire...

Mawf and me . I was talking to Mawf and I was telling him about one of my hair brained business plans. ...true. but more importantly, it's jobs. jobs = wealth = power = enforceable rights = equal distribution of rights = freedom to pursue happiness = happiness.

If Gay Marriage is legalized then the government is saying: "it is all right". When "it is all right" then Traditions and Cultures who condemn this will have their authority questioned. If their authority is questioned, then people will look to others or themselves for answers If people don't look to these authorities, then these authorities lose power If these authorities lose power, they well attack what threatens them There is an assumption that the regular people are those who pervade this ignorance. I don't think so, because they have very little to lose and discussion can set things right. In my opinion, look for where power will bleed and that is where you will find the banner of this resistance. I'm almost forced to admit that Christopher Hitchen s calouse statement may be right. The Reproductive Health Bill . even when the population wants it, the church the smallest and loudest opposition doesn't for the same reasons as above. This is a cou...

This is related to the timeless truths post . Other Sources: http://questinggm.blogspot.com/2009/04/13-reasons-why-wizards-want-you-to-buy.ht\ml http://thefineartofthetpk.blogspot.com/2009/04/if-websters-adds-blogtroversy-thi\s-year.html http://friadoc.livejournal.com/tag/editorial+paizo+pathfinder+wotc+opinion http://rpgcentric.com/wotc-officially-cuts-off-its-nose-to-spite-its-face.html

True Non-Believers . There are those who doubt the church, but are on the fence only until something really bad happens to them or they fear for something very good in their life. In which case the convert back. Now, these doubters aren't true agnostics, atheists or secularists, they are just doubters. My mother had a prayer that I do not suffer what the doubters do and only then turn back to god. Personally I find that thought terribly disgusting and totally against my nature. It is like the person doesn't know me at all, just like a perfect stranger only to be looked at suspiciously until proven harmless or helpful. Some men who claim to be men of reason, falling for this kind of trap throws a cold wet splash on my hopes of retreating ignorance. When such men, who are so learned, give up their nature to fear is only too human... but being too human is what causes us to suffer, inflict others with prejudice, being enthralled by the mob, and stops us from thinking. When we fa...

Nikolas, I understand this is a post apoc game in gurps set in a post revolution philippines. I'm sorry but I am not inclined to play. No reflection on your part as a GM but the problem is with me. I am really caught up in reality these days and my idea of an RPG escape is a simple d&d escapist fantasy game. i'm still burned out with gurps. another thing is that i cannot game in a philippines that is going thru a death spiral. being a parent and husband with a family and spouse to look out for, such a game is too close to reality and too depressing. reality IS already that close everytime to this happening and fantasizing about it is well, not entertainment to me. it wont make me feel good contemplating this as i have nightmares of this happening. if it does happen, i'm taking my family out of the country immediately and let the pols kill off the lumpen masses and vice versa. sorry, i'm just not in the mood for this kind of stuff. too close to home. depressing. ...

Fading Suns . I've been wondering how to execute a Fading Suns game given the many challenges in developing it. I've gotten an inspirational idea, after hearing about the new TV series Kings . Having heard about it, I was told it had some shakespearian intrigue. I don't know what the difference of that is to Machievelan or Byzantine Intrigue. I've been poking about and from what I've found out about it is that it fills what I'm troubled with in the story element. A story, one with such a rich setting, can be restricted by the richness of the setting. The setting follows after the story, but in an RPG a game follows after the setting. The setting is the paramters the world is built upon, manipulating this is part of the Cause and effect that creates the Game aspect of the experience. Now, how do I resolve to play a Byzantine Intrigue game, while meeting my player's expectations. First off all, I have to really take a serious effort in defining what I want out...

Online Piracy . "If its not an enforcable system then change the system." Since you cannot enforce the protection of IP from piracy without taking away the right to privacy then: change the system. Change the System . From Sun Tzu, Bruce Lee and to Harvard Business school, the same basic principle can be found in any winning strategy: The most definite solution to an obstacle is by adapting to it. Changing not just a little bit, but making sure you are able to keep intact all your inherent advantages, strengths and efficiency. Apply this to IP based money making., bitching about lost revenue to Piracy is just complaining about the weather (about the world should to suit themselves). A successful strategy is adapting to how the world works. Things are not simple anymore and there are many techniques, methodologies, bodies of knowledge, and ways to "skin a cat". This is even more important now that it is a GLOBAL market: One cannot just enter a foreign market and exp...

Philippine Ponies . As if you don't already know I like horsies. Check this out. Just Talked about this . with my wife on the way to work. I was a bit pissed off at the forum because of the "fitting the world to a theory" thing. Its weird, when I could get myself killed by making a youtube of how the skimming process works and show the numbers of how it does. Its not that hard, corruption here is getting pretty obvious because the technology and information available is surpassing the techniques being used. the term "conflict of interest" is term many Filipinos are beginning to understand and just understanding it already tears a huge hole in the veil. Being in a country of with the following measurable/ definable levels of corruption . Measurable lack of Press Freedom . and the high scores in Human Rights abuse. One has to consider, that these are terribly low scores, when many of the countries in comparison are undergoing civil strife. So for a "peacable...