Finally! A bit of time to blog. For the past month, I’ve been splitting my time between work and thesis writing. And boy that wasn’t a pleasant experience at all on so many levels. I remember the pressures of writing my undergraduate thesis (gaining 20 lbs in the process) and I now realize how easy that was compare to this one. How I loath not having the resources to be a full time student.
My topic’s not really that alien to me since it’s basically a continuation of my analysis of representations of identities in discourse. Back in 2005, for my BA thesis, I examined representations of Fernando Poe Jr. in the editorials of the PDI. For my MA thesis, I examined the representations of GMA in the 2001-2009 SONAs.
I enjoyed writing my BA thesis. I enjoyed going over PDI editorials and examining the representations of FPJ. And even though I personally agree with PDI’s ideologies, it wasn’t too tough to keep the discussion objective.
I wasn’t really expecting that MA thesis to be that different. Besides, I was applying the fundamental theoretical assumptions that I already used in my previous study. But I was wrong.
To quantitatively and qualitatively account for the grammatical features that show GMA’s representations (which Gene Hunt would refer to as “cleaner than a virgin’s pudendum”) was a much worse experience than the collective hours I spent suffering from toothache.
Anyway, I’ve finished writing my draft so at least the tedious part’s done and over with. I just hope what I’ve managed to come up with will be enough to move to the next phase.
I’ll probably share some of the key insights I’ve gotten from the study once it’s been weighed and judge by a competent panel.
Business sure know how to sucker punch you. I just noticed that Globelines is offering much cheaper rates for new broadband subscribers. My Php 1995 2 Mbps plan and landline is now only Php 1295.
Thinking it’s unfair, I called up Globelines to see what they plan to do for existing subscribers. Continuing to charge Php 1995 for a Php 1295 is just plain robbery. Thing is, no automatic billing downgrades will be made for existing customers.
If you want to avail of the lower rates, you need to pay Php 550 if you’re still within a lock-in period and a new 1-year lock-in period will be made in addition to the documents you need to sign at their business center.
In my opinion, that Php 550 is still plain robbery. But that Php 550 and lock-in period reset is surely better than paying Php 700 more a month. Especially since I’ve renewed my lease contract for another year. The deal would still bring in Php 7850 in savings for the year. Still, damn them for the Php 550 charge for the downgrade!
Note: This is just according to a Globelines customer support agent. But you can visit your Globelines business center for more details.
January 24, 2010 | In: Music
Do you know enough to hold you tears
and stand the test of time
To survive you hold hands together and kneel
but still you act supine
I miss my early morning drives to UP as an undergrad listening to this on the radio on NU 107.
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This Jason Ivler thing is just plain messed up. The whole psychology of road rage is actually complex (I know some pretty calm people turn to monsters behind the wheel) so people murdering just because some unwanted two-lane tango isn’t really news.
Thing is, Ivler has allegedly been involved in several cases of road rage which resulted in people dying. And the report on how he was apprehended, who did he think he is? Rambo? We’ve probably all got messed up childhoods but this guy’s really something.
The situation just reflects the many ills of our society. Upbringing. Road courtesy. Gun control. The growing sense of invincibility of the upper class.
***
On road rage. I’ve been guilty of mouthing off expletives when some jerk driver would do something discourteous on the road and I’m in a pretty foul mood but I haven’t really gone to the extent of catching up with other drivers and flicking them off or challenging them to fisticuffs. Perhaps it’s the innate fear of dealing with the likes of this loon.
For the past year, I could say that I’ve turned to a pretty tame driver. I give way to pedestrians. I don’t get ticked off too quickly by jerks. Good ol’ Christian motoring as inspired by Mr. James May.
It’s funny, really. A Roman Catholic country with roads filled with hypocrite drivers. Rosaries draped around the rear view. Santo Ninos glued on the dash. But wouldn’t hesitate shouting “Putang ina mo!” to anyone who drives to their distaste.
I like Conan O’Brien. And what NBC is doing to him is absolutely unjust. Jay Leno gambled with his own show. Too bad for him, it crapped out on the ratings. Now he wants Conan’s time slot and looks to be getting it.
Quite honestly, I find Conan the funnier guy. And Leno’s made already so why can’t he give Conan a decent break. Anyway, Jimmy Kimmel has the best potshots to Leno’s boring ass:
I guess underneath all that shiny veneer is the real ugly face of a cutthroat business. It’s just one of those things that remind you that corporate America still will rear its ugly head when it gets the chance.
