Let's Do The News! (June 11, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

JM: That one or the GTi?

JC: Uh....(mumbling)

(audience laughing)

JC: I think I would rather stick to the GTi instead because it's more powerful, more sublime, more fun, and enjoyable to have than the GTD. Think about it, the GTD is nothing more of a GTi with some underpowered diesel engine that meets with the Euro 6 emission rubbish but even though it's underpowered, it still behaves just like a GTi.

JM: Yeah, and can we do the news, now?

RH: And the news, ladies and gentlemen and since it's E3 week, the next-gen console wars has just begun because Sony finally unveiled the PS4...in the flesh. Look...

Sony PS4

(ahh)

RH: Take a look at it, it looks nice but there's a hint of confusion though.

JC: Oh yeah, right. How does it compare to the Xbox One?

XBOX One

RH: Well, first of all, the pricing. Because while Microsoft announced that it will be cost around $499, the PS4 costs around $399, making it a hundred dollars less than the X1 so why did Sony manage to cost it a hundred dollars less?

JC: I don't know man. But let's talk first about the XBOX One first. Anyway, it says here that the new X1 checks for an internet connection to ensure that all apps are updated and games required cloud access can be played. Says here that most games can be played offline for a day before re-establishing a connection. Also, with X1 games can be stored via cloud services, an owner can log on to a friend's console and access their own games. That sounds clever...

(audience laughing)

RH: Yeah, pretty clever. And here's the best X1 bit...players can let friends borrow their games if the borrower is on his/her friends list for 30 days.

JC: Really? You can borrow a game from a friend?

RH: Indeed and since a lot of XBOX fans concerning about privacy issues, the X1's Kinect will not record and upload conversations. That was verified by Microsoft so this thing's not spying on you. Don't worry.

JC: So...even with the X1 off, does the Kinect mic still operates?

JM: Well, yeah. It responds only to the "XBOX ON" command but it can also be turned off.

JC: Well, what a relief. So, what about the PS3?

RH: There's some good news though. Although, there's a bit of bad news so let's start with the good parts. First off, like the PS3, the PS4 is region-free, meaning you can play any kind of PS4 game you like even if it came from another country. Also good is that the PS4 will not have additional restrictions on used games.

JC: So...which means...

RH: Yeah. I know. Users can trade, borrow, lend, or sell games like previous-generation console games! Brilliant!

(cheers and applause)

JC: So, what's the bad news?

RH: Bad news is...well, the console will require a PlayStation Plus service subscription for online multiplayer games. If you don't know what that is, it's a premium subscription for PlayStation gamers. Much like the XBOX Live Gold but with some added fanciness like free or discounted games offered on the PlayStation. Anyway, PS Plus subscription costs 1,300 yen (about US$13) for 90 days in Japan, and US$9.99 or 6.99 Euros for 30 days in those respective regions.

JC: So...main question is...the X1 or the PS4?

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh man...that's going to be way too difficult. I know, I had the cash but I can't decide just yet...Can we move on?

JC: Oh, okay. Anyway, Tekken's going to launch it's first ever Free-To-Play game called Tekken Revolution and it's available only on the PlayStation Network on the PS3 console and it offers eight characters in Arcade mode as well as online Ranked and Player Matches. Also, TR will be implementing a level-up system which gamers can boost their character's Strength, Endurance and Vigor, to create a combatant tuned to individual play styles. That's clever but impressive.

JM: Yeah, but why only on the PS3? Why not on the XBOX Live?

JC: Well, sadly James, there's a hint of a problem because a concerned Tekken fan asked the series creator, which goes by Harada-san, asking why the Tekken Revolution is available only on the PS3 and why not in the X360 console. He said "Ask Microsoft yourself. I already asked them about free to play of the console last year."

(audience laughing)

RH: Wait...Harada-san already asked Microsoft about this last year? I wonder...

JC: We don't know. Maybe Microsoft kinda rejected the offer because...think about it folks, sales of the XBOX 360 had been plummeted over the weeks and this kind of move, which Harada-san stated, that it wasn't the choice of Namco Bandai. Whatever that means, this is disappointing to label Tekken Revolution a PSN-exclusive but...something's fishy going around here...

RH: What is it?

(audience laughing)

JC: Oh, never mind about that. I was just...thinking...Yep...My mind just says...(mimics Isabella) "Whatcha Doin?"

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, BIG NEWS!

JM: What?

JC: No no...Not Good News, BIG NEWS! You know that Tatiana Maslany, the gal who took a big break as the heroine from the recently concluded BBC America drama, Orphan Black? The one that she was nominated for the CRITICS CHOICE AWARD? Well, good news! She won!

RH: She won?

JC: Yes! Tatiana Maslany, thanks for being Sarah and the other clones in Orphan Black, won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series! Here she is...

Tatiana Maslany

JC: Loud and proud!

(cheers and applause)

JM: Yeah, and the main concern for Ms. Tatiana Maslany about winning the award is...how are her clones going to react?

(audience laughing)

JC: Not sure about that. Be patient and oh! That reminds me! TVR! The once defunct carmaker behind the Tuscan and the wild Sagaris, it's back!

(huh?)

JC: No, really! TVR's back! That's THUNDEROUS NEWS! Says here that TVR is now back and has a new owner...

RH: Let me guess...is it Russian?

(audience laughing)

JC: Nope. Some British businessman both the rights to TVR and the new owner of TVR goes by the name of Les Edgar. He bought the rights from its former Russian businessboy. The new owner says that he had a lot of ideas for the sports car brand and "won't make the mistakes that have been made in the past".

RH: So...what could that be for the new TVR?

JC: We're not sure but oh! That's the end of the news!

RH: And actually, while wrapping up this segment, check out the exclusive trailer for the upcoming Phineas and Ferb MISSION MARVEL TV Special. Watch the trailer: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/06/phineas-and-ferb-mission-marvel-exclusive-trailer/2395335/

Volkswagen Golf VII GTD

2014 Volkswagen Golf GTD

The latest Golf GTi is hands down one of the best GTi ever made for the unnecessary selfie who wants a proper hot hatchback that does everything he wishes for but in a terribly twisted way, there's the diesel cousin, called the Golf GTD. Think of the GTD as a Golf GTi...with the fuel of Satan on it because this is a diesel-powered hot hatch you may not want to add to your collection but in times like these, do you consider having one of these in your garage? A GTi with some diesel credentials on it? This is a kind of thing that make you go hmmm...

First and foremost, it is available in either a 3-door or a 5-door, a 6-speed manual or a DSG, and they're all powered by a 2.0L turbodiesel engine which produces 184PS of power, less than the petrol-powered equivalent but VW says it's 14PS more than the old GTD model of the 2009. That sounds uncanny for a diesel powered hot hatch which seems to be not quite as hot as a Golf GTi but for this new diesel engine, VW says that it exceeded its expectations to be...Euro 6 compliant. Yeah, I know, the whole Euro 6 emission standard will be implemented next year but such improvement really knows that this GTD did prepared for the future. It's like "here today, ready for tomorrow" and hey, kinda sounds familiar about that tagline. Do you where is this kind of tagline?

Oh, well, you don't need to tell me but the new GTD has a naught to 60 time of under eight seconds and flatout, it can do about 143mph, making it the fastest diesel-powered Golf ever made. So, not bad for Volkswagen though, let's not forget that a diesel powered Seat Leon FR is cheaper than that. Anyway, how about being a driver's car? How does the new GTD show its affinity to the driver in mind?

Well, thanks to the new MQB platform, it feels a bit more civilized even on the bumpy roads. It doesn't want to get itself shattered while facing the corner thanks to some sporty dynamics implemented on it. Even though it's sharper than a normal Golf, the new GTD is not as aggressive as the petrol-powered GTi equivalent. It's not quite stiffer as it felt in the handling department but the steering is just too quick and very nimble. It's like eating a duck after using it for an experiment where you're figuring out if a duck's quack can echo. Trust me on this, even the duck's quack can echo and that's general science.

But the Golf GTD isn't a duck's quack that can echo through an closed space, this is like pub science where you're pulling experiments on the pub until you'll get kicked out by the pub owner. It may perform under than the petrol-powered GTi but it's still got that bang that VW fans love.

Photo: Volkswagen

Dominic Almelor, IHAW NA!

On the June 10, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, we see Tito Bhoy inteviews Dominic Almelor, one of the TV reporters from the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. In here, Dominic tells us more on his daily routine, his busy life as a reporter, and something else...

Meanwhile, there's more funnier like looking on some funny pics in ETO NA POST such as an ENTRANCE ONLY sign that you cannot enter, a new BMW animal, students covering their heads with books while taking exams, a large snake having a birthday, and a one cent drop.

Let's Do The News! (June 10, 2013)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

Heat takes Game 2

Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals sees Miami Heat making a comeback against San Antonio Spurs at the score of 103-84. With Heat win, the scores are now tied to one. Will Miami Heat makes it again or will Spurs block the Heat? Game 3 starts at Tuesday (Wednesday if you're in Asia). See you there...

Mexicans gone nude as a protest...

In other weird news, here in Mexico, thousands of Mexican cyclists had gone nude to protest against aggressive drivers and carbon emissions from cars -- and the conservativeness of central Mexico's Jalisco state. Some are nude, some wearing undies, while some wearing swimsuits, cycling through Guadalajara for 12 miles, aiming to highlight the fragility of riders and the risks they face on busy roads but it can be a chance to take aim at the conservative climate in that state. A woman in a swimsuit said that "daring to cycle naked pushes beyond the limits of the Catholic sense of morality"

Story: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63653/thousands-go-naked-in-mexico-to-protest-aggressive-drivers-pollution

The Pugad Baboy malarkey

Ever since the Philippine Daily Inquirer suspended and censored the highly popular Pugad Baboy comic strip, The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) condemned the PDI for their dismay over the newspaper's failure to stand by Pugad Baboy creator, Pol Medina, Jr., saying that the creator's suspension over the installment touching on homosexuality in Catholic schools can "set a dangerous precedent" that threatens free expression. Hmmm...that can't be right...but how?

Reason for this censorship to the Pugad Baboy is the strip that mentioned Catholic school St. Scholastica's College in the context of what one cartoon character called the "Christian hypocrisy" over the issue of homosexuality. After the school, which is the St. Scholastica's College, threatened to issue a lawsuit against PDI, Medina was suspended and later PDI publisher Raul Pangalangan apologized over the matter. Same goes to Medina which later resigned on Friday.

For 20 years, Pugad Baboy served not just the sense of humor but also satire and relevant social commentary, including what's what in the world of Philippine politics.

Story: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63694/concerned-artists-of-ph-lambast-inquirer-for-failing-to-standing-up-for-pugad-baboy

Concerned over Mandela's hospitalization

As Nelson Mandela, the man behind the anti-apartheid propaganda, remains in the hospital in Pretoria because of his "serious but stable" condition, South Africans and world leaders were deeply concerned about his condition and therefore offer their thoughts and prayers to him. Mandela's "serious but stable" condition" involves on a renewed lung infection that triggered global concerned on once they called him the "South African hero".

Story: http://www.france24.com/en/20130609-worldwide-concern-nelson-mandela-remains-hospital-south-africa

2014 RR Sport sets new records at Pikes Peak

While the all new 2014 Range Rover Sport may be more of an enthusiast-centered Range Rover of all, it's also set standards for production vehicles as it sets a record time of 12 minutes 35.61 seconds – averaging 59.17 mph (95.23 km/h) on the winding asphalt road, making it one of the quickest production cars in the world to lap quicker at the Pikes Peak.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/06/new-range-rover-sport-sets-pikes-new.html

BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo

If you think that the 5-Series Gran Turismo is far out the most hideous looking Bimmer ever made, just wait until you meet up with its even hideous little brother from another world.

2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo

This swivel-eyed curiosity is the all new BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo, the one that was once hideous now made even hideous, probably because of its design so hideous, it's like marrying a renowned designer of all things beautiful to someone with a hideous looking braces on her teeth. Eewww...

However, the unproportional design of the 3-Series GT is the least of our problems because there are several key points you might aware about this curiosity. First of all, there was this typical BMW interior because this is somewhat the same interior you can expect in other BMWs but sadly, never mind about that because even though it's been loaded with several gadgetry catered for the techie kind of person, even the internet connectivity, or iPod connectivity, or heated seats, or whatever concession of conveniences you can expect, it doesn't make any difference and because of the roof line that looks like its big brother, the 5-Series Gran Turismo, it's as cramped as jogging down a miniature submarine through the hunchback's...well, back!

2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo interior

So, what's exactly wrong with this baby GT Bimmer, anyway? Apart from its hideous "doof" look and its stale interior, what else is wrong? Anyway, about the way it drives, the 3-Series GT is smoother than the Touring version of the 3-Series but the long wheelbase of the 3-Series GT really ruined the steering behavior. It's like having a baker getting zapped and then when customers come to the bakeshop and said, "Hey! Why is this birthday cake look like it's been zig zagged?". Probably because the baker can't keep up with the electric shock that messes her work? Yes...Very...

2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo

Engine types for the 3GT include three petrol engines, including the one that produces 306PS of power, and 3 diesel engines for those who often got the green thumbs and want to be somewhat more intellectual when they get there. Whichever engine types you're choosing, you can either opt for a 6-speed manual or an oversized 8-speed automatic transmission but no matter the outcome, the results of being a dull driver's car remains the same.

The Germans are trying to express their serious sense of humor on their cars just to give drivers an awkward smile on their faces but sadly, this car doesn't have a sense of humor and it's not funny. It's still as corny as a c-list celebrity who often spends his time stealing jokes on the internet or as nonsensical as a college dropout who wants to get a job at his nearest fast food joint and that's for nerds who don't bother about everything surrounding his life.

This car isn't a C-List celebrity stealing jokes or a college dropout working at McDonald's. In fact, this is even more worse than those and with the 36,150 EUR intro price, it's too expensive as well. In fact, with with the money that was meant to buy a 3-Series GT, I should rather spend it Renault Megane 265 and with all that leftovers, I could just spend it for minor home renovations with such budget left and some groceries.

Photo: BMW

F1 2013 Canadian GP

While Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel didn't bother anything and stayed to the top until the very end, there has been some suspense and some drama lurking behind him such as an aggressive overtaking by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, even against Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, and then a penalty to Giedo van der Garde from Caterham-Renault for ignoring the blue flags, causing him to spin out to retirement. Did you know that before the race, Grosjean qualified 19th but penalised 10 grid spots for causing collision at previous round while Raikkonen and Ricciardo qualified ninth and tenth respectively but penalised two grid spots each for pit-exit infringements.

But still, it was one of the most spectacular races for this season and Vettel's win at the Canadian GP shouldn't be a problem for him. In the overall standings, Vettel's still in the lead by 132 points while Ferrari's Alonso is 2nd place with 96 pts and Raikkonen's still in 3rd for 88 points.

Next race is on UK this June 30, 2013.

San Fernando Roasted Peruvian Chicken

Earlier, me and my parents visit an unfamiliar restaurant called "San Fernando Roasted Peruvian Chicken" and although, this restaurant seems small and underrated, it feels not quite as bad as the other unfamiliar restaurants I've visited throughout Seattle.

This is the outside...



We get inside the restaurant and I had to say, it's not bad...



Sometimes, the seats aren't quite as comfortable as the others but customers won't be bothered by those because the purpose of these customers are to eat and drink...



There are posters highlighting Peruvian historical landmarks. That's nice, wish I wanna go there one day...





These are the meals we're eating and it seems that Peruvian food really wasn't that bad especially the main course that is the Roasted Peruvian Chicken or pollo a la brasa.





So, how can I say this restaurant I've just visited earlier? Well, for starters, although it's not as fancy as the ones from Downtown Seattle, it feels like I like this restaurant more than Pho Rainier, which is near the Seattle Public Library Columbia Branch, but sometimes, this restaurant needs a bit more improvement. If this restaurant needs to have a well designed interior as well as the fine atmosphere that customers need, it feels normal. I know, it feels like I've been in a Mexican family restaurant but this isn't Mexican. It's Peruvian and Peruvians love to sample a taste of their cuisine to the customers in a simple kind of way.

San Fernando Roasted Peruvian Chicken
Rainier Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98144
Tel. No: (206) 331-3763