. : Solitude : .

2007 - A New Year.

No resolutions.
No promises.
Just an ordinary day, only with fireworks.
That's my 1st day of 2007..

Why do we celebrate a new year?
Is it thanksgiving?
Thanking for all the gifts that we have recieved for the past year.
The gift of time and experience.
The gift of knowledge and wisdom.
The gift of life.

Or is it grieving?
Grieving for all the things that we have lost or we have failed to do.
For friends that we have lost during the year..
For diseases that we or others got during the year..
For the opportunities that we let past to say "I love you" to someone..
For all our stupidity to lose a friend or make an enemy..
The cycle of death.

Or is it hopefulness?
Hopeful that this new year will bring us more opportunities to improve ourselves and avoid the mistakes that we have done in the past..
Hopeful that, despite the world's cruelty, we can live on, enduring.
Hopeful that this new year will change us, as every year does, to better persons..
Hopeful that mankind shall deal with its problems better..
Hopeful that, despite death all around us, children will still be born as a sign that life goes on..

No more resolutions for me.
No more fake promises.
I'll just take it as ordinarily as I can..

..because New Years are not enough reason to do change. Change has always been there. Everyday, everytime. It's so constant that it's ordinary. And when it comes down to it, "Jan 1"s are just like any day on the calendar.

It's not the first footstep that starts a journey of a thousand miles.
It's a footstep within the thousand miles.

Backlink to: Good/Bad Leaders Are Criticized All Alike

If you read through the comments section, or at least, search through it for the word "Philippines", I guarantee you that you'll have a lot to read.
True, the Philippines is not in a very good state and I can't deny that I mostly blame the government for it. I mean, why not?
They were voted to their position and what do they do? Do less job, take more money.
But I'm not generalizing here folks (little self-contradicting), I still believe that there are good politicians in our country that really try to do something for the people. A real public servant. And, believe it or not, I think they're a lot. Then what's the problem?

Media.
What would you expect people to believe when all that is showed to them are the corrupt?
It's a sort of brainwashing, together with all the violence in the world. It's always what's on the newspaper, radio or TV. It's all that we can see.
Murder.
Burglars.
Rape.
Child Abuse.
Terrorism. etc..
But that's another story.

My post here is actually my comment for the blog, only that it's a bit tiring to add it there and I feel that it would be worth more for me if I posted it here in my own LJ.

First and foremost, I praise blog owner for his good post on economics. But, as everything, there are flaws in his reasoning, IMO.

A. He shouldn't wonder why everyone doesn't take economics because, the way I see it, economics, although deeply embedded with our daily life, does not make up life entirely. Sure, it could be the key for success and development, but this does not mean that you will be happy. Everyone is supposed to be free to what s/he would like to study. This, however, is a minor point. The comments about poor people and those in the same line of thought, this is hugely flawed because he did state: "I wonder why not everyone takes economics in their studies." Go figure. :S

B. Why are there so many to comment on economic policies? Simple. Because many are affected. And you would not expect a baby not to cry when they're hungry or hurt. It's basic human reaction. When people are affected adversely, they react. No matter how short-sighted it may be. I agree with this though: "when someone does good which has negative short-term effects for greater benefits in the future, people start filling the streets shouting... people do have tendencies to be short-sighted... When a doctor tells you to undergo surgery, you don't tell him 'Go to hell, surgery hurts. Give me a treatment that I'll enjoy.'" but the question is, how do you know which is good and which is bad in the long run, when we, in fact, cannot foresee what the future will be? Can we completely trust economicists' theories and calculations as foolproof or at least, 90% accurate? But then, this is the same as surgery, there will always be margin for error. But you cannot blame the people if they whine. Then here is the loophole. Strongly contradicting points in my own line of thought. Which of the two makes better sense? Whine for positive results because you're affected of immediate negative effects? or endure it, trusting that things will get better?
Both has risks and tiring. I guess the best way is to endure it, studying and observing, for a few months and then after that, if better results are not acquired, start whining. At least, you now have the means and the right to whine. I love compromises! =)

To another train of thought,

If you were to pick, democracy or dictatorship, what would you pick? Most likely democracy. Because it suits us and our craving for freedom. But if you think hard about it, if starting from anarchy, what would be the most effective way to create utopia? Ideas of one person who can easily enact it? or a thousand and one ideas that would almost never be enacted?
Extreme democracy creates anarchy. Extreme dictatorship (one where only one person's ideas matters most, though s/he may seek council to others but ultimately, it would still be his/her choice and that everyone are willing to follow these ideas, remember that humans are naturally good) creates a perfect society.

So, in the end, the world is full of contradictions.
Or perhaps, it is because we make it to be.

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In April I farted in an elevator (-6 points). Last week scrapbookart and I donated clothes to the needy (11 points). Last Monday I turned fruiturchin in for running naked in the mall (3 points). In June I gave chardane a kidney (1000 points). Last Friday I signed my organ donor card (28 points). Overall, I've been nice (1036 points). For Christmas I deserve an XBox 360! Sincerely, dragoonxryu

Write your letter to Santa! Enter your LJ username:

..Farted in an elevator.. *rofl*
fruiturchin is a flasher! *lmao*

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In April I ruled Asscrackistan as a kind and benevolent dictator (700 points). Last Sunday I pulled chardane's hair (-5 points). In September I ruled Iran as a cruel and heartless dictator (-700 points). Last Monday I ate my brussel sprouts (1 points). Last Thursday I committed genocide... Sorry about that, ulop (-5000 points). Overall, I've been naughty (-5004 points). For Christmas I deserve a lump of coal! Sincerely, dragoonxryu

Write your letter to Santa! Enter your LJ username:

I commited genocide!! gasp!!
And I was a kind dictator?! wooot!
and then I became a cruel dictator? *confused*
-5004 Karma... I'm going to hell. *cry*

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges. You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions. Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist. Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!). Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others. And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you. You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically. Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

You have a good sense of self control and hate to show weakness. You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think. You prefer a variety of friends and tend to change friends quickly. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

Okay, this is my second original icon.(original pertaining that I didn't copy or follow any tutorial with it, but the pictures used aren't originally mine. =P) It's pretty simple, I made in just about 15 minutes. It's a poring from the MMORPG, Ragnarok Online.
But anyway, I'm open for comments. =)

woops.. here comes the teacher! *hide*

Okay, I just followed a tutorial, almost to the point. (Excluding the gradients since they're quite easy to make anyway.) But, about 90% of what you can see here is from the tutorial itself.. I won't ask for comments since it is from tutorial.
I imagine you guys will give this kind of comment: "Wow! Nice job following instructions!" >_>

To take the tutorial, click here.
Credits go to the one who owns the site. Thanks for the nice tutorial.

My First Shot at an Icon.
It took me about half an hour to a full hour, from finding the picture, extracting the part that I need (only to find that I missed some parts; look at white things at his hair), doing a tutorial then improvising on this one.
hmm.. I guess.. it looks.. uhhh.. dull.. oh well.. just comment on this one. ( Keep in mind that it's a first time work from a complete idio~*eherm* amatuer. )

amethyst_water: I guess you're the only person to comment on this one because I didn't give out my URL. Just to you and another person. Ask CJ and the others to look at it. I appreciate all you artsy folks and your comments. =P I've never had a shed of creativity in my blood, though.