Vantage Press & Writing

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I checked my mail today and I saw an extra-large envelope from Vantage Press. I wondered what business I had with them. On slitting it, I discovered there was something about offering to publish my book. Everything fell into place.

There was a program on their site that caters to up-and-coming writers. I requested information and here it came. I haven’t written in a while but I just might go back to writing. I might be able to make some cash that way :).

I’m still torn by my principles. I know if I write just to make cash I’ll definitely come up with a major flop — the same goes if I write principally to become famous. I’m in a minor dilemma but I hope I resolve and just write — I’ve always wanted to see my work in print.

Macho…

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Macho ManSometimes I really can’t help thinking we men are such fools especially when it comes to the emotional side. For those of us who aren’t gay, we tend to always hide our emotions behind a “macho” mask.

I guess it’s unconscious but I tend to think women do have closer closer friendships than we men seem to have — for example, there’s absolutely “nothing” wrong with a woman comforting her fellow woman by holding her in her arms. How many men have you seen hug for long periods of time — or kiss each other’s cheek? I’m sure you’d presume they were homos.

Your friend gets in trouble and instead of giving him a hug you give him that crap about “being a man.” Have you seen when couples meet? The women hug and kiss each other and the men shake hands — and that’s that.

At times I wonder if we aren’t just being plain hypocrites? By the way I wouldn’t accept a hug from a brother, or a kiss (I’ve heard the Italians do that) so don’t think of any such thing if you meet me!

Reporters

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Someone sent me this today:

There was a car accident in a street. As expected, a large crowd gathered. A newspaper reporter anxious to get his story could not get near the car. Being a clever sort, he started shouting loudly, “Let me through! Let me through! I am the son of the victim.” The crowd made way for him. Lying in front of the car was a donkey.

I sure wouldn’t like to be a reporter.

Knoppix, Linux, etc

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I’m an open-source fan but I’ve had very awful experiences with Linux. Recently, my friend Kashif told me about Knoppix — or should I say convinced me to use it. I’ve always been scared of all those funny-sounding names – Knoppix, Morphix, etc — so I always stuck to Fedora Core and Xandros – both of which have given me enough woes to start another blog.

I decided to try the LiveCD method and it works for me. I’m currently posting this from a Knoppix LiveCD run and I have to say I’m impressed. I thought they were kidding when they mentioned Gigs for the amount of data the CD holds — I think I’ll get a DVD pack and ownload the DVD version.

I’ve been very busy [and idle] this spring break — for example, today I coded from the moment I woke up till I burned Knoppix to a CD and rebooted. Other days haven’t been so good — I was so bored I ate four meals yesterday [I’m not very proud of it but that’s what happened].

I’m waiting for the Ubuntu CD pack I requested from their website. A friend recommended it to me so I guess I’ll try it out.

I’m also working towards applying for a scholarship — most of them are on writing but I’ve been stumped for some time now. I simply do not know what to write. I need the money — very badly so I think desperation just might work for me this time.

The Homeless

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I was just going through the news today. I came incidentally on a web site for the homeless. People never seem to appreciate God’s mercies. They only wait for Him to “provide” for them without realising they’re richer than lots of people. We’re in this world to help – at least that’s what I learned from my mom.

I always feel exhilarated when I do something for someone. If you’ve ever helped someone, you know what I mean. Some people live their lives without caring for others – just praying to get enough money to buy that Ferrarri, then a private jet.

I assumed before that America was a lovely place, the land of opportunity – people didn’t starve as they do elsewhere in the world – until I read The Street Lawyer by John Grisham. It shows that even the government tries to purge homeless people for the sake of protecting their “image” – which was never good. They say they’re trying to get people to help themselves by passing laws that allow you to sell a sandwich to a homeless person but prevent you from giving it for free. Pathetic.

I can’t just stand and watch people suffer. I’ve decided to cut my spending and reserve a tenth for the needy. If you think I’m talking nonsense, how about a true story of a homeless man accosted by a policeman who beats him up, handcuffs him and sprays mace in his eyes?

Links: http://www.starvinghomeless.i8.com/, Official National Coalition for the Homeless Homepage.

Windows Live

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I took a look at the Windows Live website today and had a good chuckle. Microsoft seems to want to overtake both Google and Yahoo in the search business. Looks like a pretty shoddy job to me because Javascript is a must. Personally I’m not looking for cool effects when I want to search.

And does Microsoft think it can just jump into the market and people will start chasing its goods? I don’t think so. Even the various services offered by Windows Live are all in beta. For the second time, Microsoft seems to realise they won’t lead the market simply because they’re the leaders. With the advent of open-source, users have more choice — good!

I’m not really bashing Microsoft – I think their idea is a good one, but they need to really analyze Yahoo! and Google to know why it works for them – instead of aping it.