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What we've been up to these last few days.



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Cognition: The [proven] Ridiculosity of Power Balance and Ron Weasley

Mervine Aquino's mind, on performance enhancers.

We all want to reach our maximum potential.

Maybe that's why we go to the gym, eat healthy, buy self-help/inspirational/motivational/read-this-and-your-problems-will-be-solved books, use 'roids, take additional *uncountable* years in education/school, take in shabu (methamphetamine+caffeine; wrong choice, bro). Some even write retarded and useless blogs. (But I approve of the latter method, very effective.)

This is what the people want. This is what the people require.

However, last year, the craze for maximum power and potential boosted up. And it was all because of this:

Power Balance. Allegedly boosts up power and, er, balance. Phenomenal. Miraculous. Goodness, even Derrick Rose promoted it! But how does it work? Does it only remove "negative frequency"? Is it the silicon holograms on the band? How can a minute band increase our performance?

Meanwhile, in Hogwarts's Quidditch Pitch, Ron Weasley flawlessly blocks all quaffle shot attempts by Slytherin. Ron Weasley does not have the best Quidditch skills, as seen earlier in the movie, or the book. But why the abrupt shift in performance? The answer, two words: liquid luck (Felix Felicis). Watch the scene here.

So, what's the connection? Well, first, Harry didn't place any amount whatsoever of liquid luck in Ron's pumpkin juice. And second, Power Balance wristbands are a scam.

But there is one sure truth behind the "magic" of these: It's all in a state of mind. 

Like the overused (I think) poem says, "If you think you are beaten, you are." Then it continues: "Success begins with a fellow's will. It's all in a state of mind...Life battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man; But sooner or later, the man who wins is the fellow who thinks he can."

Cliche but well-said. The battle starts in the mind. Steven Boga once referenced this equation in one of his books: Performance=Potential - Interference. True enough, the only one who can really get in our way is ourselves. I think there's a subconscious program in our brains that dictate to us, whenever we wear our own Power Balances or drink our own liquid lucks, "You have to prove this right. You have to say this works. They said this was proven to work, you have to testify to the 'miracles'. You have to. I'm hungry. I want bacon, and a BigMac." ...Something like that. You get the point.

Bottomline is this: we don't need any Power Balance, Liquid Luck or any other performance booster just for us to work at our best (but it would also help if you exercise every once in a while). The key to maximum performance is the right mindset, confidence (note: different from cockiness), and practice (because you won't really get it at only one shot, practice is equal to the perfection of the craft).

Chances are, if you've won the battle in your mind, you've already won half the battle.

It's proven: Power Balance users are still prone to injury...and are on the road to retirement.

Cognition: Think again. [MUST WATCH]

Mervine Aquino's mind, on what is and what could have been.

I am just amazed at what this video has to say, whether it is veritable or not. And whether this is true or not, the media may be (or is) keeping some information from us, whether it is regarding this issue or not.

Kudos to Mr. Baron Buchukoy who made this video and several others because, though his opinion may be very different than ours and his words may be very striking (in a different manner), he takes the effort to inform others and take a stand, which, in an age of ignorance and "going-with-the-flow-is-cool", is probably the hardest thing to do.



This is what the internet is about.

Cognition: “Light Bulb!” –A Despicable Me Review.

Mervine Aquino's mind, after months of not blogging.

(This was originally posted on my other blog...Almost exactly a year ago.)

Considered to be one of the greatest heists of all time, Gru is now challenged by the appearance of a younger and considerably swift new super villain named Vector, who recently stole the Great Pyramid of Giza. Gru now devises one of the greatest (or most likely THE greatest) heists in history, stealing the moon. And so begins the story of Despicable Me, the brand new computer animated 3D film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. It is the first CGI (computer-generated imagery) film from Universal Pictures.

In order to complete his wicked plans, Gru first has to get past the walls of Vector’s high-tech headquarters. In order to do this, he adopts three little girls from an orphanage and lets them sell cookies (robot cookies that is) to Vector. Little did he know that these girls would turn him into what he least expected, a dad. Gru, the “greatest” heist of all time, is now not only faced with the greatest villain in his life but is also met with a challenge to opening his doors to three children who have longed for parents all their lives and becoming the greatest father they could ever have.

Featuring talented voices like Steve Carell (Over the Hedge, Horton Hears a Who), Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music) and Miranda Cosgrove (School of Rock, iCarly), Despicable Me is a great family movie that will surely bring smiles and laughs even to the moviegoer lolos and lolas. According to some critics it borrows heavily from Looney Tunes and Pixar, yet contains some surprises of its own. The creatively choreographed sequences add to the life and humor of the movie. Same goes with the catchy tunes played throughout the film. In addition, who could forget the yellow pills in goggles and jumpsuits? These minions’ shape, size, playful activities, and slurred speech added a lot of hype and humor to the movie. The character design was also very effective in retaining the characters in our mind (especially those of Gru and Agnes). There were also many parts where you could not just help to stare at the cuteness of characters like Agnes and Gru’s yellow minions. The “3D factor” of the film was great compared to the other 3D films produced in the past. The first-person views and close-up action shots added to this factor as well.

Overall, Despicable Me is a must-watch film for families and friends altogether and will definitely not disappoint you. There are many simple but striking gems throughout the movie and anyone could relate in one way or another to the characters in the movie. Universal’s first try at CGI has surely captured us and will surely have us waiting for more. --Mervine Aquino (09/09/10)

Originally posted on my WordPress site, which is filled with neglect.

Cognition: Harder things than reading THIS book [or blog].

Mervine Aquino's mind, through the backdoor.

NOBODY wants to do hard things. Face it, we all want it fast, we want it now.

Just add water and voila! You have yourself three meals!

We want to do things our way. Our potentials are retarded by public opinion and our low performance as teens is tolerated by low expectations. Still, we want it easy. We don't care. We slack off and waste our teen years.

Not for Alex and Brett Harris. These guys are crazy.

These guys like it the hard way. They want to go against the cultural norm. They want to go out of their comfort zones. They want to do much more than what an average "adolescent" would do. They were teens in the time of the book. They have done a whole awful lot than most middle-aged men. They actually Do Hard Things.

Do Hard Things is a book by teens, written for teens. The book is mainly aimed to be a wake up call for teens to rise up and make the most of their teen years. A Rebelution, as it is called. Rebelling against low expectations of today's youth.

What is nice about the book is that it is short and well-divided into 3 easy-to-understand motivating parts. Many terms and examples are repeated and make you say, "Didn't they say this already?" But I think that is what made the book so effective and catchy. The examples are so practical and down-to-earth that I, as a reader, was really urged to do more than what I'm comfortable doing. (Chuck Norris' foreword was also very insightful. Actually the first time I knew he was a Christian.)

It's also the book that gave me the motivation to expand this blog and open it to other writers. This blog in itself is a product of doing hard things. And to tell you the truth, very little people are willing to do things out of their comfort zones. I've personally seen it when I was trying to expand the blog asking help from others.

It's tested. What these guys are saying are true. Very true.

The dudes.

If you're a teen, and you know and feel that you are capable of doing more, challenge yourself and do hard things. Start by picking up this book. And it's guaranteed, if you're really determined, after reading this, the notion sticks: Do Hard Things. Do Hard Things.

This book is definitely a must read for EVERYONE. Renew your mind.

And not for the last time, DO HARD THINGS.

Join the Rebelution at http://therebelution.com/

Fear Itself

Reviewed: The Men Who Stare at Goats

"...The only thing we have to fear is fear itself..." --Franklin Delano Roosevelt

I guess I don't really know myself. I don't even know everything I'm scared of. I think I'm scared of rejection, failure, strangers (like they suddenly approach you and talk to you...or rob your house), and I'm kind of uncomfortable being with homosexuals (partly homophobic? IDK). Those are some I can think of, as of now, I guess. On the other hand, I'm not scared of creatures (Like cockroaches, and other animals). Well, that's as far as I know (and as far as I have encountered), because if I see a weird looking 'thing' and a huge-ass animal coming my way (No, not Precious) I'd totally run for my life.

Acknowledging your weaknesses defines your strength. When you accept that you are anxious about a certain thing, you accept the challenges needed to overcome it. Let go of your pride and just know that you are weak. We are ALL weak, in our own ways. That works most of the time, unless you really try to hide from your apprehensions.

The only way to overcome fear is to overcome fear. Face it.

The Men Who Stare at Goats is about failed reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) and his undertakings in Iraqi War Situations to get a good scoop and boost his career. He stumbles upon Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) who is part of the Army's attempt to lead in the war effort through the Paranormal Methods. Mind Control, Remote viewing, telekenesis, and invisibility(?) is the New Earth Army's 'natural' methods of delivering peace and stopping the chaos in the world. Bob now finds himself involved in this 'oddity'. Through the end of his anxieties, Bob unleashes the Jedi in him through determination to overcome certain fears (and also LSD).

The movie was great, technically and storywise. The humor is also legit and doesn't seem very forced and scripted. The acting was great and casting was also well thought of. I don't know what negative comments to put in, since I really like the movie. Geekiness brought to application, if I may say, is what the movie takes a grip on me. Star Wars and cultural references (and Boston, man that band rocks)...WIN.

"Whatever you fear the most has no power over you. It is the fear that has the power."

--Lyn Cassady

Back to what I was saying, we only have two options. To overcome fear...or to let it overcome us. Most of the time, it's not actually the situation or the object that that makes our hairs tingle and heart pound like hell, but it's the fear. It's the mindset that "You can't do it" or "You can't face it" that makes us apprehensive. It's a choice to feel that way. It's a choice to be scared, to be fearful. Everything you feel if what you choose to feel. Everything happening, to this very moment, rooted from a choice, in one way or another. It's a choice to be fearful, but it's a calling to be brave.

Know your fears, Know Thyself.

First Class

Just got back from the movies with my dad (who was sleeping...and quietly snoring in his seat). Got to watch X-Men: First Class this time. It was okay.

I wasn't really hyped about this movie (kinda excited, but not so much), but I still wanted to see it anyway.

Despite the fact that the movies are non-canon to the comics, I liked the way Fox and Marvel still got to make it exciting (even though the first release of the poster was really...eck). The first parts of the movie were really the best since you really see the transformations being brought to life by the characters. I also like how they put like some kind of humor through many simple ways. (I also like the fact that Hugh Jackman makes a cameo and just says "F*ck off", epic.) The plot also explains a lot of things that went on for the past X-Men movies (except X-Men Origins: Wolverine).

What I didn't like about the movie is that the first mutant that dies is the Black one. (Man, always happens...except in Precious, Precious didn't die. tsk.) Nah, I keed. Even though the movie is non-canon to the comics, it is still kind of confusing for people who also are attached to the comic series (like me). For example, Havok (Alex Summers) is Cyclops' (Scott Summers) younger brother, and the younger brother is in the team while Scott (one of the oldest X-Men) isn't. But that's just me, and I'm weird. Another thing I didn't like was the rawness of the footage. Some scenes just look like they're shot with an iPhone or just really not filtered right for movie quality. Also, the computer-animated scenes look very raw and rushed (like the scene when Erik pulls out the submarine from the water...and when the ships crash to the shore), it seemed like it lacked depth and detail...Especially for a highly anticipated flick.

I wouldn't really recommend this (but I have mixed feelings about it), but if you really want to watch, go ahead. Thor made me kinda more excited for this, but it sucked that it wasn't under Marvel Studios. If ever, I recommend you to watch another movie instead of this. I mean, Captain America: The First Avenger is only a few weeks ahead...I'd rather wait for that, looks more...Effort-laden.

Overall, the movie was somewhere in the middle and isn't really the hype for me. But many people still find it appealing, guess everyone has their own opinions.

Geek Appetite: MEH.

The Lovely Bones (Part 2)

Sorry for the long delay.

**Continued**

Nothing really works out the way you plan it, huh? When you want this, You get that. Tsk. Life.

But here, lets get to the movie.

The Lovely Bones is about a Pedo-Murderer...And the narrator is dead.

THE END

...

Nah, I keed.

The Lovely Bones rovolves around Susie Salmon who apparently is raped (I think) and murdered by this pedophile who actually has been doing this for years (Yeah, pretty weird). Now she watches her friends and family from purgatory(?) and sees how they continue to struggle for justice and try to cope up with their loss. In the end, Susie finally decides to let it go and achieves the peace she always longed for. Her family also learns to move on, her crush becomes happy with someone else...happily ever after, I guess.

If there's one thing I learned from this flick, it's that Life is not only about you, there are so much people around us, people we know, people we care about, but their life is not only about you. There is always a greater conspiracy behind every smile, tear, and action going on right now. Don't waste you vanity, know where to place yourself (and your pride).

So as I was saying (waaayyy back), I liked this person, but in my absence, she found another and they're happily happy right now, I guess. Letting go is not the easiest thing to do (in fact, I guess I've not really), but it comes with time. And I can't wait for that moment when I could really put this behind and move on.

"These were the lovely bones that had grown around my absence. The connections, sometimes tenuous, sometimes made at great cost, but often magnificent., that happened after I was gone. And I began to see things in a way that let me hold the world without me in it."

--Susie Salmon

Live. Love. Let go.

The Lovely Bones (Part 1)

Honestly, it's been tough for me recently, like in the past months or so.

First, I'm kinda having it tough with my feelings. Love-Infatuation stuff. Not really the best situation in the world. Second, I can't really achieve the stuff I want to (like honors, awards, and stuff). I actually ended up second last school year. Kinda okay, but not really my highest capacity, still sucks. I also feel like I can't really get my hands on what I want.

Man, I feel my life sucks.

Lets, take it one by one though (because people like it when they know my problems).

"And I can't fight this feeling anymore,

I've forgotten what I started fighting for.

It's time to bring this ship into the shore

And throw away the oars, forever.

Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore."

--Some dude from the 80's

Infatuation. I think that's what I like to call it. To cut the story short (and cut the crap as well), I liked this someone, but I guess that didn't work out well. Unrequited love. Yeah. Obviously Sucks.

**To be continued**

BRING THE THUNDER!!

I just got to watch Thor this weekend, and it was damn awesome! Graphics, plot, inter-dimensional travelling through rainbows and wormholes...GEEKY GOODNESS!!

Excuse my geekyness.

I'm not much of a Marvel guy (more of DC actually) but I'm fully aware of whatever's happening on that side of the Universe. Plots, characters, blah. But seriously, what I like about Marvel (that, maybe, not even DC has topped) is their franchising. Movies, games...You name it, they got it.

I'm very particular on the movies. Marvel Studios brought superhero movies to another level, especially in recent years. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and recently, THOR!

Yesterday was THORSDAY. (Bad Pun)

Overall, Thor was a great movie (I'll try not to spoil too much, in case you haven't watched yet) with regards to every technicality there is in the modern movie. I watched it in 3D, so it was also cool that way, but not too much 3D-ness going on (3D Comparison: A LOT better than Clash of the Titans 3D and maybe a little less than James Cameron's Avatar and made-for-3D Animated Stuff). You could see the connection going on in the Marvel movies through cultural and universal references (e.g. when S.H.I.E.L.D. referenced the Destroyer was one of "Stark's"). You could really see that they're building up momentum for the upcoming 2012 Apocaly...err...Avengers movie.

On another note, if you haven't watched it yet, make sure you stay through the credits for a geek-mind stimulating surprise.

This movie will keep you anticipated on the upcoming Captain America and Avengers movies. Also keep an eye on DC's response to these on their upcoming Green Lantern movie on June and Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Rises next year! Movies no one should ever miss!

Geek Apetite: Satisfied.

Memory.

Earlier this week, I watched the movie Hot Tub Time Machine and it came into conversation with my best friend Chance (Yes, that is a name) about travelling to the past and stuff like that. I don't remember everything we talked about but one thing he said struck me, it went something like this (none-verbatim): "Even though I have the chance or I can go to the past, I wouldn't. I like my life the way it is. I don't want to change anything. And it's also the memories of everything..."

Coincidentally, I got to watch The Butterfly Effect just a few minutes ago, and, wow, I just realized there was so much to what he said.

Basically, the movie revolves around this man named Evan, who has been experiencing blackouts ever since he was a kid, and after he snaps out of it, he does not remember a thing. Later on, after rediscovering his journals that kept track of his blackouts, he found out that he could return to the duration of these blackouts and change the happenings in the future. In a seemingly imperfect life, he tries to use this ability to change the present circumstances into what he thinks is better. But over and over again, he fails to achieve the "perfection" in his life, until he loses everything he once had, one at a time. In the end, he only has one avenue to make those that he love happy, once and for all...To make himself never exist at all.

"You can't change who people are without destroying who they were."-Jacob

If we were given the chance, would we go back in time to erase every mistake we've done? To create every circumstance we never had? To bring back those we love?

It's who we are. Human. And every mistake, every loss, every thing we held onto and let go make us who we are. Whatever we did and did not, defines each one of us and gives us our lifeline.

Mind. Character. Memory.