book review: no one writes to the colonel

No One Writes to the Colonel-
A book Review by:
Mike Dimaano

It’s squeaky-clean.
You don’t even have to pretend that you read the book, that’s the least I can say.

From the moment I glued my eyes on it, I was warped from the place where it happened. And even without making an A-plus effort, I am quite sure the readers would feel certain vibe what Marquez was trying to describe. It’s like a think piece, and you’re on it. Every page the story comes fresh.

So who’s the big who? No One Writes to the Colonel was written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He was born on March 6, 1928 in Aracataca, a town in Northern Colombia, where he was raised by his maternal grandparents in a house filled with countless aunts and the rumors of ghosts. This is probably why some of his works are filled with magical stories and other fantasies.

He is also the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including his famous work, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Love in the Time of Cholera and, The Autumn of the Patriarch. Garcia Marquez was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.

So here’s the skinny:

In a small town in the middle of nowhere, the Colonel and his wife patiently wait for a letter from the government. The Colonel is a stately, honorable man, but perhaps a bit idealistic. For fifteen years every Friday, he has been faithfully anticipating the arrival of the pension check promised by a long overthrown government. Near poverty, half-starved, and living on credit, he and his wife have just lost their son, who was shot to death by the opposing political party.

His only legacy is a prize rooster, an excellent fighting cock and a sure-fire winner in next January's match. But to keep this potential breadwinner alive until then, he must be fed- and the more food that goes to the rooster, the less for the Colonel and his wife. The Colonel's predicament unwinds as the narrative takes him through the town and its cast of characters, all of which have their own unique perspective on the vicissitudes of the world.

Marquez was known to be the master of “magic realism”, but this novel doesn’t fall with the genre. There are no magical events. However, it is considered to be one his best romantic stories. It is really easy to understand. This is a strict book, untouchable, full of feelings in its rhythm of increasing despair until it “pooms” you to an extraordinary explosion.

This probably does not sound all that promising to most readers, but there is much to enjoy in this book. Marquez understands human nature enough to create complicated, layered characters, even when their actions are quite simple.

All in all, it was a wonderful masterpiece. Two thumbs up, and I could raise another thumb if I had three.

Condoms: Your friendly “Contradomats”

Condoms: Your friendly “Contradomats”
By: Mike Dimaano

Condom is not just a six-letter-word for six-inch penises. They come in different colors and sizes with oozing flavors. Some are for sensation (“dotted”) and some are for penetration (premiere thin). It is the latest sexual innovation that has solved every sexual frustration.

These colorful toadstools, long-nosed “dumbos”, horn-eared torpedoes are friends, not foes. It’s not just about saving the world’s demography with a piece of rubber. It’s about you, saving yourself and your partner.

Condoms are the only contraceptive that help prevent both pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV) when used properly and consistently.

When do you use condoms? Well of course, intercourse, you need to use a new condom every time you have sexual intercourse.

It can be difficult to talk about using condoms. But you shouldn't let embarrassment become a health risk. Maybe Moses forgot to mention it but for me, it is the 11^th commandment.

Here are some “condomandments” for those knuckleheads: The dos and don’ts

1. Never say you don’t have it. Condoms are widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets and convenient stores. 711 is 24/7 and so is Mini Stop. You don't need a prescription or have to visit a doctor.
2. Thou shall not “impregnate” thy girlfriend. Wife is acceptable but girlfriend is a no no no. It’s too risky.
3. Never leave home without it. It is your bullet proof vest.
4. Thou shall not use the excuse “Don’t you trust me?” Trust isn't the point; people can have infections without realizing it.
5. Thou shall not say you don’t feel a thing when you wear a condom. Maybe that way you will last even longer and your partner will have to make up for it.
6. Thou shall not say putting it on is a hassle part. If you’re too lazy, keep it inside your pants. It’s a lousy excuse. He/ she can even help you putting it on anyway. And man, it could be more exciting and pleasurable.
7. Never say you will pull it out on time, you’re not Spiderman. Women can get pregnant and get STDs from pre-ejaculation
8. Never say “just this once.” Once is all it takes.
9. Never use the same condom twice. You know the drill.
10. Condoms should not be flushed down the toilet as they may cause blockages in the sewage system and pollution. I’m not joking.

Most men see condoms as a necessary evil. We see them as a chance to dress for success. And a lot of women cry over spilled semen. Rubbers can do more than just protect you from viruses and paternity suits.

Well condom is still a six-letter-word and so is rubber. And they will remain words if you don’t use them. So make a choice. It’s better safe than sorry.

Sinosikat soothe thy soul

Sinosikat soothe thy soul.

By: Mike Dimaano

“Organic and original,” this is how Nick Azarcon (Sinosikat’s guitarist) describes the core of their music.

Sinosikat certainly produces a different vibe. It isn't really that complex or unique but its distinctive. The craft is a mixture of soul, rock and some progressive “trip-hop”, funk, with a borderline of low and heavy fusion jazz and chunks of reggae.

“It’s really hard to label the music but it’s really original with a little bit of everything,” says Katrina Agarrado, vocalist of Sinosikat. “That’s why we call it Pinoy Soul,” she adds.

Soul is the essence of animating and vital principle in man credited with the bags of thought, emotion, and actions and music is the language that binds everything.

The layer of soul music is sexual covered with spiritual fibers and inspired with purity, sincerity, and honesty hence the name. Who’s Kat? or who’s Famous?

“It was really Nathan’s (member of Bamboo) idea why we’d come up with Sinosikat. We were just playing with words,” says Nick. “Actually, it’s the both of it: “Who’s Kat?” and “Who’s famous,” he adds.

Sinosikat is a trio of Kat Agarrado, vocalist (2007’s NU Rock’s best vocalist), Nick Azarcon, guitarist and Reli De Vera, drummer.

Their eponymous debut album is the seed and the fruit of their hardships. It is definitely one of the must-to-put-in-your-must-hear-list. You can actually take it seriously because it is really something worth listening to. You wouldn't even have to skip tracks because every track is worth the audible.

“It’s not straight ahead rock, it’s not punk. It’s versatile. It’s entirely different from other famous-poplike female artists,” Nick explains. “Iba yung dating nya. Malasa eh,” he hastens to add.

“Expect something fresh and it gives an option to the people,” Agarrado responds in a smoothly controlled voice. “It’s babymakin’ music,” she adds.

Sinosikat’s sublime music is a combination of deep-playful words, and as tagged to rollercoaster melodies of soul, funk and jazzy-rock which you rarely hear from local bands.

“Sometimes, it really bothers me when music journalists ask me, who do we sound like,” Azarcon confesses. “I always tell them, bumili kayo ng album at pakinggan nyo,”

Their album is an equation of groovy plus sexy and quality over quantity. Despite the fact that it only has ten tracks, including Praning, So Blue, Sino and Turnning my Safety Off, which is at least 38 minutes (The length of the album), it is still worth the time and effort to drop by the nearest record store.

“We’re not disco punk, we’re not skinny jeans. Hindi kami “trendy” band. We are who we are and we play what we want to play,” says Azarcon.

“We just want to play and share our music. We’re here not for the money or just for the sake of playing. We also worked hard for this,” says Agarrado.

Sinosikat? They officially got together as a band three years ago, though they’ve been making music-separately and together longer than that. Hardworking band climbs the ladder as they strive together.

Sinosikat?

Sinosikat soothe thy soul.

It’s all happening.

A movie review by Mike Dimaano

Almost Famous is one of the best movies released in the year 2001. It was written and directed by Cameron Crowe—Creator of top notch movies: Say Anything and Jerry Maguire. Almost Famous is a stunning, thought-provoking film that comes at you directly from the eye of the camera and hits you with a hard bang!

Cameron Crowe takes you back to the early 70’s, where real rock and roll began. It was the era of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Black Sabbath and other gods of rock and roll. Many period pieces set in the '70s do little more than pay lip service to the era via a few bellbottoms and shaggy hair-dos; Almost Famous takes things to the next level, allowing us to believe that the film is transpiring during the era when and where it is supposed to be taking place.

It all started when William Miller (Patrick Fugit), a 15 yr old, music journalist was given a chance by his over-eccentric and over-protective mother, Elaine (Frances McDormand) to watch the concert for his article.

William, without any credentials or any ticket, struggled to get into the arena. Upon waiting for the right timing, he met Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), the leader of the so-called “band-aides.” Band-Aides are group of young girls, who refuse to call them groupies because they are dedicated to specific bands only and they draw the line at intercourse with rockstars. “Everything is just a fair game.”

Miller suddenly ran into the opening band, Stillwater, who first dismissed him as a journalist and even called him the enemy. But then took him to their hearts and backstage when Miller called them all by their names, admiring their most recent work.

The journey started at the Riot House—The Hyatt Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, where William Miller was invited by Russel Hammonds (Billy Crudup), guitarist of Stillwater. (Other members are Jason Lee, John Fedevich and Mark Kozeleck) The band accepted Miller but they nonetheless referred to him as “the enemy” or “the rock writer”.

Along Miller’s journey with Penny Lane and the band, he developed mere infatuation with Penny Lane. Penny Lane’s fascination with the charismatic guitarist, Russel Hammonds was overwhelming as she was just being friendly with William.William Miller enjoyed the long journey with the band however he started to get jealous with Penny and Russel. He also started missing all his classes and failed to give his mother a call. He even missed his graduation. Fortunately or unfortunately, he was stuck with the band all the while.

The movie has a great classic rock soundtrack (including some new songs of Peter Frampton and Eric Clapton) and strong production values that enhance the illusion that Crowe has turned back the clock by a quarter of a century.

The movie wasn’t just about the setting of early 70’s or the music scene. The film also showed the evolution of young William Miller to his coming of his age story. For him, the journey with the band was freedom, a greater chance for him to see the world in a different light outside his mother’s umbrella.

In the process, he was “deflowered” (lost his virginity), rejected the drug scene, and established strong friendships.

The film was not a box office success however, it was really a piece of an art and I’d tap that. It was an entertaining movie from top to bottom. Definitely a must seen movie, you will either find it as drama with comedic detritus or comedy with dramatic detritus or you will probably gloss over the flaws in a matter of--- weeks? It’s all happening.

Feature Writing

source:
http://www.mala.bc.ca/~soules/media301/feature.htm

Features are not meant to deliver the news firsthand. They do contain elements of news, but their main function is to humanize, to add colour, to educate, to entertain, to illuminate. They often recap major news that was reported in a previous news cycle. Features often:

• Profile people who make the news
• Explain events that move or shape the news
• Analyze what is happening in the world, nation or community
• Teach an audience how to do something
• Suggest better ways to live
• Examine trends
• Entertain.

Hard News and Soft News

A news story can be hard, chronicling as concisely as possible the who, what, where, when, why and how of an event. Or it can be soft, standing back to examine the people, places and things that shape the world, nation or community. Hard news events--such as the death of a famous public figure or the plans of city council to raise taxes--affect many people, and the primary job of the media is to report them as they happen. Soft news, such as the widespread popularity of tattooing among athletes or the resurgence of interest in perennial gardening, is also reported by the media. Feature stories are often written on these soft news events.

There is no firm line between a news story and a feature, particularly in contemporary media when many news stories are "featurized." For instance, the results of an Olympic competition may be hard news: "Canadian diver Anne Montmigny claimed her second medal in synchronized diving today." A featurized story might begin: "As a girl jumping off a log into the stream running behind her house, Anne Montmigny never dreamed she would leap into the spotlight of Olympic diving competition." One approach emphasizes the facts of the event, while the feature displaces the facts to accommodate the human interest of the story. Most news broadcasts or publications combine the two to reach a wider audience.

Today’s media use many factors to determine what events they will report, including

• timeliness
• proximity
• consequence
• the perceived interest of the audience
• competition
• editorial goals
• and the influence of advertisers.

All these factors put pressure on the media to give their audiences both news and features. In a version of featurizing, pressure from advertisers or lobbyists often result in writing that appears at first blush to be news when it is, in fact, promotion for a product, idea, or policy.

When a hard news story breaks--for example, the sinking of a ferry in the Greek islands--it should be reported with a hard news lead. Soft leads and stories are more appropriate when a major news event is not being reported for the first time: a profile of the Canadian couple who had their vacation cut short when the Greek ferry struck a reef and sunk while the crew was watching television. Some editors dispute the emphasis on soft writing and refer to it as jell-o journalism.

Feature writing can stand alone, or it can be a sidebar to the main story, the mainbar. A sidebar runs next to the main story or elsewhere in the same edition, providing an audience with additional information on the same topic.

Types of Features

Personality profiles: A personality profile is written to bring an audience closer to a person in or out of the news. Interviews and observations, as well as creative writing, are used to paint a vivid picture of the person. The CBC’s recent profile of Pierre Elliot Trudeau is a classic example of the genre and makes use of archival film footage, interviews, testimonials, and fair degree of editorializing by the voice-over commentary.

Human interest stories: A human interest story is written to show a subject’s oddity or its practical, emotional, or entertainment value.

Trend stories: A trend story examines people, things or organizations that are having an impact on society. Trend stories are popular because people are excited to read or hear about the latest fads.

In-depth stories: Through extensive research and interviews, in-depth stories provide a detailed account well beyond a basic news story or feature.

Backgrounders: A backgrounder--also called an analysis piec--adds meaning to current issues in the news by explaining them further. These articles bring an audience up-to-date, explaining how this country, this organization, this person happens to be where it is now.

Writing and Organizing Feature Stories

Feature writers seldom use the inverted-pyramid form. Instead, they may write a chronology that builds to a climax at the end, a narrative, a first-person article about one of their own experiences or a combination of these. Their stories are held together by a thread, and they often end where the lead started, with a single person or event. Here are the steps typically followed in organizing a feature story:

Choose the theme. The theme is similar to the thesis of a scholarly paper and provides unity and coherence to the piece. It should not be too broad or too narrow. Several factors come into play when choosing a theme: Has the story been done before? Is the story of interest to the audience? Does the story have holding power (emotional appeal)? What makes the story worthy of being reported? The theme answers the question, "So what?"

Write a lead that invites an audience into the story. A summary may not be the best lead for a feature. A lead block of one or two paragraphs often begins a feature. Rather than put the news elements of the story in the lead, the feature writer uses the first two or three paragraphs to set a mood, to arouse readers, to invite them inside. Then the news peg or the significance of the story is provided in the third or fourth paragraph, the nut graph. Because it explains the reason the story is being written, the nut graph--also called the "so what" graph--is a vital paragraph in every feature. The nut graph should be high in the story. Do not make readers wait until the 10th or 11th paragraph before telling them what the story is about.

The body provides vital information while it educates, entertains, and emotionally ties an audience to the subject. The ending will wrap up the story and come back to the lead, often with a quotation or a surprising climax. Important components of the body of a feature story are background information, the thread of the story, transition, dialogue, and voice.

Provide vital background information. If appropriate, a paragraph or two of background should be placed high in the story to bring the audience up to date.

Write clear, concise sentences. Sprinkle direct quotations, observations and additional background throughout the story. Paragraphs can be written chronologically or in order of importance.

Use a thread. Connect the beginning, body and conclusion of the story. Because a feature generally runs longer than a news story, it is effective to weave a thread throughout the story, which connects the lead to the body and to the conclusion. This thread can be a single person, an event or a thing, and it usually highlights the theme.

Use transition.Connect paragraphs with transitional words, paraphrases, and direct quotations. Transition is particularly important in a long feature examining several people or events because it is the tool writers use to move subtly from one person or topic to the next. Transition keeps readers from being jarred by the writing.

Use dialogue when possible. Feature writers, like fiction writers, often use dialogue to keep a story moving. Of course, feature writers cannot make up dialogue; they listen for it during the reporting process. Good dialogue is like good observation in a story; it gives readers strong mental images and keeps them attached to the writing and to the story’s key players.

Establish a voice. Another key element that holds a feature together is voice, the "signature" or personal style of each writer. Voice is the personality of the writer and can be used to inject colour, tone, and subtle emotional commentary into the story. Voice should be used subtly (unless you’re able to make a fetish of it like Hunter S. Thompson!). The blatant intrusion of a distinctive voice into news writing has been called gonzo journalism--an irresponsible, if entertaining, trend in contemporary writing according to traditionalists.

Conclude with a quotation or another part of the thread. A feature can trail off like a news story or it can be concluded with a climax. Often, a feature ends where the lead started, with a single person or event.

What makes me read an aritcle? (draft)

2-19-08
I've seen a lot of great writers and read some of their works. But famous names written below their stories are not enough to catch my eyes or even to finish reading the entire article. Big names are not enough to square up my foot. I've seen different styles from how they cast the alphabets and from alphabets to letters they gather and reconstruct tons of fragments. It's really amazing how they stir up metaphors and old-fashioned idioms.
But what makes me read an article? I have to admit that I only choose what I read and who doesn't? Reading what you want is not a crime. I have to say that a strong title is a good catch for me and for everyone else. Good titles and thrilling lead paragraphs provide impressions and expectations to every reader. It gives us question that makes us jump to another same question like, "Okay, what's going to happen next?"
When the title catches your eyes, you wouldn't think of anything more but to read the whole article and somehow you will find yourself trapped from your own railings and there is no going back.
And after reading it, you decide. It's either you would say it's essential and it's worth reading or you might ask yourself, "Why the heck did I read this?" But there's nothing more you can do about it because you're already done reading the article, just like this essay.

Homework: Tragedy of Britney's Spears

The Tragedy of Britney Spears

1. How does this article differ from the usual celebrity and gossip features? Does this article elevate itself from the typical celebrity and gossip feature?

To begin with, I really think the article was hilarious. It’s quite similar to some narrative gossip features that I’ve read but I really think Rolling Stone Magazine is the best when it comes to producing celebrity and gossip features. The bashing scheme that they made to Britney was bizarre. Profanities were included but I don’t think the public would mind. It’s Rolling Stone Magazine!

2. How does the writer hold the reader's interest about a subject matter that is over exposed?

I think the writer; VANESSA GRIGORIADIS was successful catching the eyes of the reader’s interest even though the subject was over exposed because she used the evolution of Britney. She tracked down the timeline of Britney’s life--- from Britney’s achievements and her fiasco. She also provided a deceiving title.

3. How does the writer appeal to readers who are not admirers or sympathizers of this celebrity?

I think the comparison between Britney and President Bush.

4. What voice does the writer use and does it work for the magazine's target audience?

The writer used a combination of first person point of view and third person. She enumerated some of the highlights and through that, she also puts herself, making it more visible. I don’t know about the others but her style works for me.

The Manila Times: Your School, Your Home

The Manila Times: Your School, Your Home
By: Mike Dimaano

Students come in different angles. Some are skinny or too skinny, fat or too fat. Some are rich or a bit richer, but they only come for two reasons: 1) to learn and 2) to learn more.

Some people just don’t get the right track or didn’t get the right track. But it’s not an offset. You have to hold on to that ground and have a little faith because The Manila Times School of Journalism believes in you.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are because they (TMTSJ) don’t choose good students but they make good students, and they help them to become better journalists.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?

The Manila Times is entirely different from other schools not just because it is ran by great rosters of journalists but because it is not just a plain school. It is also your sanctuary.

Yes. It is an accepted fact that you have to walk the stairways but you could care less because everyone is walking after you. You are no stranger to anyone. And you will never get lost. Plus a cup of coffee and a set of newspaper will be added to your morning routine. And you can ask why. Because it’s for free!

WELL YOU ARE LUCKY BECAUSE…

The Manila Times School of Journalism is still standing and now preparing for another breed of young journalists. The seal still aims for values of truth, social responsibility, ethics and competence in the profession of journalism.

The school is the brainchild of Dr. Dante A. Ang, who in 2001 revived The Manila Times, the longest-running English newspaper in the country.

This year as the momentum surges forward, Manila Times builds another foundation. Now on its fifth year, The Manila Times found its new name, The Manila Times College—as it offers new courses, AB History and AB Language.

It is also an accepted fact that experience is your best teacher. In Manila Times, everyday is an experience! AND IF YOU THINK it’s IMPROBABLE, Think twice! You know you want to be a part of it. Indulge yourself with knowledge, and learn from it inside and outside the walls.

Did I get the right track?

Whoosah.

Can you guys see me? I really don't know if I am doing the right thing. It's 12:50 AM and I am exactly typing this sentence, wondering if I got it right. I know few things about blogging but I don't know the magic spell for linking this site to Sir Rome's.

Hohums. The water leaks.

This is Mike by the way. And NO I am not that tech savvy. BUT I'm holding up. Am I?

Homework #1: Sample Feature Story

Tracing marijuana to its roots

by Marmian L. Grimes
Source: UAF Relations

Scientists at the Alaska Stable Isotope Facility can tell whether marijuana confiscated in a traffic stop in Fairbanks likely came from Mexico or the Matanuska Valley.

They're also working on a way to determine whether it was grown indoors or out.

A few more years and enough samples and they hope to have something even more precise: an elemental fingerprint that could tell police where and under what conditions a sample of marijuana was grown.

"There are scientists already doing this for drugs like heroin and cocaine," said Matthew Wooller, Alaska Stable Isotope Facility director. "The potential is there for being able to do this for marijuana as well."

The key lies at the atomic level. Of particular interest to Wooller and his colleagues are the stable isotopes of four elements: carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen.

Isotopes are atoms of elements that have the same number of protons and electrons but different numbers of neutrons. A stable isotope is one that doesn't decay over time. Those additional or missing neutrons in an isotope slightly alter the mass of the atom, allowing scientists to use a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer to separate the light isotopes from the heavy ones and form a ratio for each sample. That ratio can tell scientists about the sample and its origins.

"The marijuana holds a signature of the environment that it used to be grown in."

"The marijuana holds a signature of the environment that it used to be grown in," Wooller said. "It is laid down in time and preserved in the materials that make up a plant."

For example, oxygen and hydrogen ratios can reveal information about the water a plant used while growing and, as a result, where it was grown. Water in Alaska and other high latitudes generally has a larger proportion of light oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes than water from locations at lower latitudes. Carbon tells another story, he said. It can offer information on whether a plant was grown outdoors or inside. Nitrogen could provide even more information.

The testing at the UAF facility is novel because, for each sample, scientists are taking the isotopic signatures of four elements, rather than for just a single one, Wooller said. "We have the potential to create a precise chemical fingerprint."

The marijuana research began approximately two years ago and was initially supported by a grant from the University of Alaska President's Special Projects Fund. The UAF Police Department provided the lab samples of marijuana confiscated locally.

"We started off running samples of unknown origin," Wooller said, noting that even those samples yielded some surprising results.

Scientists initially assumed that most of the samples would show that they had been grown in Alaska rather than being imported from the low latitudes.

"In fact, what we saw is there are samples that are almost certainly grown in high latitude," he said. "Then you had marijuana that was clearly grown at lower latitudes."

Since then, the project has expanded beyond samples of unknown origin. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement have started providing samples from grows in Alaska. Wooller hopes that, with enough of those samples, he can create a marijuana isotope map for Alaska and beyond, which could eventually allow scientists to match unknown samples with known growing locations.

The project has potential to help police on multiple levels.

The project has potential to help police on multiple levels, according to Investigator Stephen Goetz at the UAF Police Department.

From an evidentiary standpoint, it could tie a growing operation to marijuana seized on the street, he said, and offer evidence of both the production of marijuana and its distribution.

"The common denominator that people use as their defense is that (they) are growing it for their personal use only," Goetz said. If marijuana seized from a dealer, for example, matched that growing operation, it could counter such a defense, he said.

It could also help the state's drug enforcement officials track the trafficking patterns of marijuana by comparing where the marijuana was grown to where it is seized, Goetz said. "It could, theoretically, focus law enforcement's efforts on where to look for (growing operations.)"

In order to get the method to that level, though, Wooller said he needs time, money and many more samples of marijuana, either from known locations or that are grown in a laboratory, such as the state crime lab, under controlled conditions.

"We need more data," Wooller said. "We need more analyses of marijuana samples from known locations so we can create these base marijuana isotope maps."