Star Wars: The Force Awakens, A Short Review

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a rag-tag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

I’ll start by saying that if you are a Star Wars fan and a bit worried that this film will somehow ruin the legacy of the originals I want to tell you that you have nothing to worry about. This film stayed true to the “Star Wars feel”, the original “Star Wars feel”, and honestly made me fall in love with the franchise all over again.

I was worried that the movie would feel rushed or contain nothing but back story to catch us up on what had happened in the 30 years since Return of the Jedi but those worries were soon put to rest. 

There actually wasn’t much back story given at all but what given was delivered well. I never felt lost or like I was missing something. The plot flowed smoothly and I felt I both understood what was happening and why.

It’s true. All of it. The Dark Side, the Jedi. They’re real.

It was great to see some of the old characters back at it and it was refreshing to see they weren’t just there for gimmicks and nostalgic value, they actually contributed to the plot. The new characters were great too. They felt real and believable in this universe and you felt for them throughout the film.

What I loved most was the emotional roller coaster The Force Awakens stakes you on. The film has it’s happy moments, and some incredibly sad ones too. The film brings up strong sentimental feelings and makes you laugh, a lot! It’s intense and you will want to stand up and cheer with every victory. It wasn’t all light-sabers and stuff blowing up. It was full of feelings.

All-in-all I loved it and if you are debating whether it will be worth it I can tell you the answer is yes! Go see it and let it remind you why so many people are dedicated to this franchise.

There’s been an awakening. Have you felt it? The Dark side, and the Light.

Thanks for reading,

russ d' great

Love plus Dedication

What is the best thing to say after a tough downfall from a romantic relationship? It's the words "I'm ready to love again". Several people might think differently from the way you think but this is more of gathering insights from those who suffer from the misfortunes of a hard break up. 

They say it's tough when you're up on a way thinking that things aren't working anymore but you still want to hold on. Now that's *foolishness*, but you know what's amazing about people when it comes to love? Their hopes are always high and they remain faithful in the belief that loving again isn't that  bad after all.

You may say that most of the relationships are into "the trial and error thingy" but if you haven't yet started a relationship then don't try especially if the only reason is testing its working capacity. It doesn't work that way, remember that it needs discernment and deep realization...

Starting a discussion like this is really tough because people think that love in its own terms is fake nowadays. Break ups and rejections are everywhere and maybe everybody has experienced it already. But hey! you should know that love is the most wonderful thing here on earth. It can hurt you but it's the only sure thing that can make you happy too.

That's why if you don't like your past to haunt you in the future, love unconditionally and love without hesitation. Also, remember that dating/courtship is a way more deeper than that. Yes, you can fix things on your own way, that is if you are already sure in what you have but for those who haven't started yet, think better, think deeper...-------------------------

SMOTHER ME BY THE USED

...and I wanna dedicate this song for someone special, I guess you know who you are... *lol* I didn't say I'm madly in love but I'm very happy that you gave me the chance to get to know you better...

I want you to know that you bring back the joy in my heart and you fill the emptiness inside. You just don't know how happy I am everyday while conversing with you. You brought the sunshine in, turn the dark to day and made my sadness flee away. 

By the time I said I care for you, I really mean it..*smile* my love for you is unconditional because I'm not asking you to love me in return but I know you do because we're friends now and because you tell me even in my dreams. Talking to you is a great relief... Thanks for every gift of smile you pinned in my heart.

------------------------------------

"Falling in love is like looking at the stars...when you pick one out of the billions and stare at it long enough... all the others just simply melt away.."

thanks for reading,

russ d'great

Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist: A Short Review

"When you want something, all the Universe conspires to help you achieve it."

Until today, I haven't read any of Paulo Coelho's books. I don't know why but I'm thankful that  three days ago my brother asked me to buy the book for him because a certain teacher wanted them to read the book. Then my curiosity about it increased when a good friend of mine said that it's a great book to add on my reading list.

I devoured the book for almost 3 hours and after which I know that I will be reading more of his works. The simplicity and wisdom of the book is amazing, adding to it are helpful life lessons that will surely give you positive reasons to wake up happy every morning.

It's a very simple story about a shepherd boy, Santiago who pursue his dreams and meet different people along the way - a gypsy woman, a King, an Englishman and an alchemist who helped him understand his journey in achieving his greatest dream. 

The book teaches the readers simple things about God, life and love - the language of the world. But as you walk along with Santiago's journey you will realize that simple things always comes with a broader truth. You may not see it the first time you look at it but eventually you'll end up realizing that it's been there lying and waiting all along. 

I admire Coelho for writing such a pure and unembellished novel in all its content; a masterpiece that will surely resonate to people with different faiths and beliefs. A simple story that testifies the power of following one's dreams and listening to one's heart.

I can absolutely say that The Alchemist is a must-read and I highly recommend it.

Lessons from The Alchemist (Spoiler Alert!!!)

…and when each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises. -page 27-

There must be a language that doesn’t depend on words… -page 43-

When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision. -page 68-

“Everyone has his or her own way of learning things,” he said to himself. “His way is isn’t the same as mine, nor mine as his. But we’re both in search of our Personal Legends, and I respect him for that.” -page 84-

It is said that all people who are happy have God within them. -page 131-

“When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.” -page 134-

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. -page 141-

…when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too. -page 150-

And that’s where the power of love comes in.  Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are. -page 151-

thanks for reading,

russ d'great

Lasing Ka Na Ba? The 5 Ayaw Ko Man, Aaminin Ko Na Stages

Stage One: SMART  (Feeling  mo ang talino mo sobra!)

Ito na 'yong moment na expert ka na on every subject in the known Universe. Biglang alam mo na lahat and you want to pass on your knowledge to anyone na gustong makinig. At this stage you are always RIGHT, and of course the person you are talking to is very WRONG. This makes for an interesting argument when both parties are SMART.

Stage Two: GOOD LOOKING (Ako na yata ang pinakamagandang lalaki sa  mundo.)

This is when you realize na ikaw na ang pinakamaganda/pinakapogi in the entire bar at may gusto na lahat ng tao sayo. You can go up to a perfect stranger knowing they fancy you and really want to talk to you. Basta isipin mo lang na SMART ka, so that you can talk to this person about any subject under the sun.

Stage Three: RICH (I can buy you and this entire bar.LOL)

Ito na 'yong moment na feeling Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg ka na. This is when you suddenly become the richest person in the world. Gusto mo ilibre lahat ng tao sa loob ng bar because you have an armored truck full of money parked behind the bar. 

You can also make bets at this stage, because of course, you are still SMART, so naturally you win all your bets. It doesn't matter also kung talo ka kasi you are RICH. You will also buy drinks for everyone that you fancy, because you are now the BEST LOOKING person in the world.

Stage Four: BULLET PROOF (Ako si Superman, Man of Steel 'to mga dude!)

Ito na 'yong pinaka-nakakatakot. Gusto  mo ng makipag-away sa lahat ng tao especially those with whom you have been betting or arguing. This is because nothing can hurt you. 

At this point you can also go up to the partners of the people who you fancy and challenge to a battle of wits or money. Di ka  naman takot matalo kasi nasa isip mo you are SMART, you are RICH and heck, you're BETTER LOOKING than they are anyway!

Stage Five: INVISIBLE (Wala akong paki, at wala kayong paki dahil nanonood lang kayo!)

This is the Final Stage of Drunkenness. Dito pwede mo ng gawin lahat kasi ang alam mo di invisble ka, NO ONE CAN SEE YOU. You dance on a table to impress the people who you fancy because the rest of the people in the room cannot see you. 

You are also invisible to the person who wants to fight you. You can walk through the street singing at the top of your lungs because no one can see or hear you and because you're still SMART at alam na alam mo 'yong lyrics kahit sentonado  ka!

thanks for reading,

russ d'great

COC (Clash of Clans): 21 Signs of Addiction

Nagtataka ka ba bakit 'pag namemention 'yong COC sa news which basically means 'certificate of candidacy" eh "clash of clans" ang naiisip mo agad agad? Well, maybe you're a certified addict or maybe you're just annoyed because of the game's popularity. 

Anyhow, wala kanang magagawa kasi it's the new trend of online gaming right as of this very moment. Just remember that there's a very fine line between "playing games online" and "finding your way out in the middle of something" just to defend your clan faced with war.

Afterwards, anxious kana at di makapag-isip ng maayos when your phone notifies you that "your troops are ready to take into battle" or "your village was raided by attacker_12345". Thankfully hindi ka nag-iisang 'Clash-of-Clan Junkie' dahil since its release last 2012, malamang isa ka lang sa millions of players na adik na adik dito ngayon.

Unless nahihiya ka pang aminin or i-admit sa sarili mo na addict ka nga sa larong ito, here are tell-tale signs that you're a certified Clash of Clans addict.

1. When you're reaching out for your phone to send a text/online message to your friends telling them it's time to "ATTACK".

2. Kapag ang 'Ultimate Kaligayahan' mo ay yung makakita ng 3 stars 'VICTORY' on your phone or tablet screen.

3. Calling someone by their IGNs or clan names as "RPM24" or "DBG24" is totally second nature.

4.   Nagtataka  na mga friends mo bakit di kana  nag-uupdate ng status sa Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

5. Galit na galit ka when you lost your Internet Connection in the middle of a loaded raid. "Sayang ang loots sa dead base..Grrr"

6. Kailangan mong mag-isip ng tama at valid na dahilan bakit ka MIA the moment the war begins at kapag hindi ka talaga naka-attack  the moment the ward ended.

7. You find a deep connection with someone who understands a perfect dragon fury and burning village to ashes. Classic.

8. Takot na takot kang mawala ang gold and elixirs mo. 

9. You find Liam Neeson's Superbowl Ad showing off Clash of Clan's revenge feature so hilarious (“I don’t know you BuffetBoy85 but if you think you can humiliate me and take my gold, think again. Or I am coming for you with lots of barbarians and dragons!”).

10. Moreover, wala ng mas nakakainis pang form of revenge rather than taking all your available loot in a flash. Ganti ganti lang daw.

11. Loosing sleep not because of work or school but because of farming/looting. Alam  nyo na ibig sabihin n'yan mga adik! 

12. Kapag nagsisimula kanang mahumaling sa mga wizards and witches. You loving them all of a sudden is just plain creep. LOL.

  

13. Kapag nag-level up na ang multi-tasking skills mo. Grabe na!

14. Kapag nag-iisip ka na ng malalim kung manloloot ka ba or i-memaintain mo shield mo for the next 11 hours. It's hard man!

15. You actually set an alarm to when you lose shield or once your builder will be available. 

16. You feel the same level of hate between your cheater-ex and some random player who raided you.

17. Nagseselos ka sa fellow clanmate mo na mas magaling umatake kaysa sayo. Like seriously?

18. You feel a different kind of happiness when it's time to embellish your town hall. hahaha

19. Kahit bawal ang maglaro sa opisina or skwelahan, you can't just put down your phone when no one's looking to attack.

20. You engage in some serious talks about war strategies and winning clan wars with fellow clanmates. (Can't blame them, LOL)

21. Being part of a competent clan now sounds very interesting and overwhelming. (Hey, you're from Pinoy Titans? Awesome Clan!!)

It's very simple, once you downloaded Clash of Clans on your phone, you're now halfway to C-O-C obsession...and these creepy, hilarious, dramatic signs of addiction.

thanks for reading gamers,

russ d'great

Prime Image Photography: Redefining the Essence of Professional Photography

Depending on your approach, photography can be a communal experience or a loner’s art. When you’re in the early days of your practice, there’s a chance you might show your work to close friends, and they’ll most likely encourage you in your pursuit. If they’re not photographers, their encouragement will in many ways be superficial, and while the good remarks may feel good, they’re not substantively helpful. 

Thoughtful critique is key to any photographer’s development, regardless of genre. One of the best ways to get that critique, beyond workshops and portfolio reviews, is to develop and maintain relationships with other photographers and then start building your own empire of art. 

A friend with a deep understanding of photography, both in terms of what makes a good image and what makes a good body of work, is one of the most essential parts of any photographer’s growth. Prime Image Photography for example, knows how to make every shot a very memorable one. (click on the link to visit and inquire on their Facebook page)

Working with them is definitely worth-it because they’ll surely try their best to know who you are as a person to provide what you need as a client, and while they’ll encourage you, they’ll be able to candidly tell you what doesn’t work, particularly if they’ve experienced handling the same situation before. They know how to talk about photography in a meaningful way to help you understand and develop a visual language. 

credits to Prime Image Photography

They believe that it’s not enough to be able to make good images. It’s essential to be able to identify what makes them good, and in some cases, what makes them better. Hang out with Prime Image Photography long enough, and you’ll understand what makes a good picture memorable. Of course, this isn’t at the expense of workshops and portfolio reviews. 

They know that it's important to see how those images are received by those who don’t know them personally. Any criticism they receive would be taken with a grain of salt because they are the one with the camera. They decide what they shoot, and for sure they wouldn't compromise your vision.

credits to Prime Image Photography

Those types of events you've seen in the images can be good watering holes to meet likeminded photographs with whom you can forge relationships, and make sure to forge those relationships. It is incredibly fulfilling to work with Prime Image Photography whom you can trust with your work, and you can be sure they’ll give you their unabashed thoughts.

--see you next time

--==russ d'great==--

PS: These two hardworking people will blow your mind away. Click on the links to visit their page and get that perfect picture. Promote, promote pag may time. lol...

10 Important Things That Might Change Your Life After You Say Them

Don’t let this reality depress you; let it motivate you.  Let it push you to say what you've been meaning to say all along, to others and to yourself. Open your mind and heart and ponder on these 10 things you need to say before it's too late...

1. “I love you.” – Love rarely ever knows it’s own depth until it’s taken away.  So don’t wait around.  If you appreciate someone today, tell them.  If you love someone today, show them.  Hearts are often confused and broken by thoughtful words left unspoken, and loving deeds left undone.  There might not be a tomorrow.  Today is the day to express your love and admiration.

2. “I’m sorry.” – In this life, when you deny someone an apology, you remember doing so when you find yourself begging for forgiveness.  And if often happens just like that.  Why?  Because guilt festers.  Don’t do this to yourself.  An apology is the best way to have the last word.  The first to apologize is the strongest, and the first to move forward is the happiest.  Always and of course, don’t bother apologizing if you’re just going to continue doing the things you said sorry for.  Say it and mean it.  Look the person in the eyes when you say it, and feel it in your bones.

3. “I forgive you.” – A broken relationship that is mended through forgiveness can be even stronger than it once was.  But, of course, this isn't always the case.  So remember that forgiveness doesn't necessarily lead to healed relationships.  That’s not the point.  Some relationships aren't meant to be.  Forgive anyway, for your own sake, and then let what’s meant to be, BE.  Forgiveness allows you to focus on the future without combating the past.  Without forgiveness, wounds can never be healed, and progress can never be made.  What happened in the past is just one chapter.  Don’t close the book; just turn the page. 

4. “Thank you.” – Saying thank you for all your blessings is the first step to a happier life. Don't let the days pass without recognizing the efforts of everyone who helped you during hard times. Plus don't forget to thank God for the gift of life.

5. “I am a good person who is worthy of my own love and respect.” – Human beings can withstand a week without water, two weeks without food, many years of homelessness… but not loneliness.  It is the worst of all agonies.  And what’s the worst kind of loneliness?  The kind you can’t escape – when you are uncomfortable with yourself.  The truth is, a partner, or even just a friend, can add lots of beauty to your life, but they can’t fill a void that exists within you.  You alone are responsible for you own fulfillment.  If you feel hopelessly lonely whenever you’re alone, it means you’re in bad company.  It means you need to work on your relationship with yourself first.  

6. “I can’t always win, but I can always learn and grow.” – Don’t confuse poor decision-making with your destiny.  Own your mistakes.  It’s OK; we all make them.  Learn from life experiences so they can empower you!  What we call our destiny is really just our character, and that character can be enriched.  The knowledge that you are responsible for your actions and attitudes does not need to be discouraging either, because it means you are free to change your destiny.  Yes, the past has shaped your feelings and perspectives, but all this can be altered if you have the courage to reexamine how it formed you.  You can always alter your chemistry provided you have the courage to dissect your elements.

7. “It’s time to do something positive.” – The next time you have the urge to complain, stop and ask yourself what it is you truly want.  Do you just want to complain or do you want to improve your situation?  Somewhere within each complaint is a genuine desire to improve things, but the complaint by itself is never enough to make it happen.  So make the choice not to aggravate a bad situation with your complaints.  Choose instead to improve it with your positive thoughts, ideas and actions.

8. “I CAN do this!” – The obstacle is never enough to stop you.  What stops you is your belief that you can’t get past the obstacle.  The problem is not that you have too much of this or too little of that.  The problem is, you’re waiting for perfect conditions that don’t exist.  The achievements that really occur in life, take place in reality.  The things that really get done, get done in an imperfect world.  Don’t make excuses for why you can’t get it done.  Focus on all the reasons why you must make it happen.  There will always be challenges.  And there will always be things you can do to grow beyond them. 

9. “Their drama is NOT mine to deal with.” – Honestly, you can’t save most people from themselves, so don’t get sucked too deep into their drama.  Those who make perpetual chaos of their lives won’t appreciate you interfering with the commotion they’ve created, anyway.  They want your “poor baby” sympathy, but they don’t want to change.  They don’t want their lives fixed by YOU.  They don’t want their problems solved, their emotional addictions and distractions taken away, their stories resolved, or their messes cleaned up.  Because what would they have left?  They don’t know and they aren’t ready to know yet.  And it’s not your job to tell them.

10. “Life right now is pretty darn good.” – Some people wait all day for 5pm, all week for Friday, all year for the holidays, all their lives for happiness.  Don’t be one of them.  Don’t wait until your life is almost over to realize how good it has been.  The good life begins right now, when you stop waiting for a better one.

-russ d'great

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