Planning for Valentines Day

When you are married with children being romantic is like playing Battle Toads on hard mode. So events like Valentines needs a lot of planning, the same amount of planning when preparing for a company party for 500 employees. So here are my plans for that night.

Venue and Food:

Since Valentines Day falls on a Saturday, it would be insane to go too far from our house. So here are the options I have:

1. Isabelo Garden Restaurant - I have been hearing a lot of good things about this place and it would be nice to try something new.

2. Bellini's - I love this place but I haven't brought Elaine to this place and I know she will enjoy it.

3. Omakase - They have Chirasi Don and that is reason enough

4. Patio Rosario Love Suite - You know what I mean. 😏

Gifts:

I love the twinkle in my wife's eyes when she get something she likes. I have been hit and missed in the gift giving department, thankfully I have learned the not-so-subtle art of showing websites with things she might like and taking note of the things with the most reactions. I am getting her the following:

1. A dozen of white roses, it is her favorite.

2. The biggest Toblerone I can find and afford 😋

3. The one ring (replica)

Miscellaneous:

1. Babysitter is good.

2. Make sure is pampered before the dinner.

3. Spotify playlist is done.

Did I miss anything? Comments and suggestions are welcome.

My favorite TRPG characters

One of my passions in life is playing table-top role playing games. Over the years I have played a lot of characters, but some have made an impression in my gaming life. Here are them in no particular order:

Hector Graves - Vampire the Masquerade

This ravnos has been through a lot and has managed to survive, from the feast of folly, releasing demons, and surviving Gehenna. He has been the pawn of the camarilla, sabbat, demons, and antideluvian but has managed to outlast everything. He is a survivor.

Sleepwalker (Samuel Warren) - Adventure!

This pulp-fiction hero is my dream of playing golden-age sandman. Complete with gas mask and sleep gun, he fights injustices in the shadows. Also driving a German who defies death crazy for a millennium is awesome.

Alaunus - Exalted

Saying that I like exalted is an understatement, and playing a lunar exalted is a lifelong dream. A chosen of the moon that flies and  can deflect a titanic essence cannon with a bow and arrow is something for the books.

Hob - Dungeon World

I love the web comic Order of the Stick. So when I had the chance to play a smart fighter that had more common sense than most of the party. I wouldn't miss the opportunity. Killing a dragon with your your dwarven cleric companion is really cool.

Rabbit Minister - Weapon of the Gods

A wuxia themed game. I played the Dick Van Dyke of the martial arts world, able to play any musical instrument to deadly perfection. Also he is married to an all powerful wife, so it is not to far from real life.

My (Current) Casual Games

I used to be a hardcore gamer, I was the type who spent weekends in front of the pc playing games with only junk food as a source of sustenance. Unfortunately I had to grow-up, between trpg sessions, geeky social events, family time, and romantic relationship, video game time was the first one to suffer. Thankfully casual games were invented, they are the type of games you can play for five minutes during break and you can stop anytime you want. I will not deny I was addicted to farmville, candy crush and other games. I try to change my games I have once in awhile just to make I am up-to-date to new trends. Here are the games I am currently playing:

Angry Birds Transformers by Rovio Entertainment:

I am not a fan of angry birds franchise as a whole, maybe because I suck with projectile games. But I love transformers and it's free!

SimCity Buildit by EA 

The SimCity series has a special place in my heart, it is the first pc game I owned. I am really enjoying this game and I can't wait to unleash the disasters.

Carcassonne by The Coding Monkeys

The only paid app in my device right now and that is saying a lot. I played a lot of the actual board game and I am very happy when they made the app.

MMM Fingers by Noodlecake Studios

Sometimes you need a game that needs very minimal brain activity and this is the game for that occasion.

Spider-Man Unlimited by Gameloft

My current runner in my device. I love the comic book feel of the game and you get to collect Spider-Men.

Clash of Clans by Supercell

The latest game I am playing right now. I honestly just gave in to peer pressure since my brothers are playing it.

Marvel Puzzle Quest by D3PA

I love superheroes and I love the original puzzle quest. This is the perfect game for me and longest one I am playing. I can't wait to have Drax.

Ms Universe Thoughts

The Ms. Universe pageant happened today and my news feed in Facebook has been flooded by news, opinions, jokes, rants, and denials. Here are some of my thoughts about the event.

• I would be a hypocrite if I said that I didn't watch previous pageants and say that I didn't  enjoy them. Seriously people, when you see beautiful women the very least you can do is admire them and yes I have own Ms. Universe candidate crush that I will cherish over the years 

Ms. Belgium
Christelle Roelandts

• The candidates this year look very athletic, and I meant it in every positive way. They look like they can easily beat the crap out of me or make me a wuss in any sports event I face them in.

• I was impressed with Manny Pacquiao which saying a lot. Though I still wish he would stay away from politics.

• I love the posts where everyone is sharing about their favorite candidate and their violent reactions when their favorites don't win.

• I want to take whatever Ms America is taking. :P

• If you don't care about the pageant, why did you take time in posting to a social network that you don't care. :P

To spare the rod?

Most of my generation's parents, at least in my circle have followed the saying "Spare the rod, spoil the child." I was an extra active kid saw I got the tsinelas more than the average kid. I remember promising myself that my own children will never get punished like that.

25 years later, my perspective on things have changed a great deal. The rod or tsinelas is no longer the evil thing I remember it to be or what some child psychologist would tell you. Just remember these things I have learned:

1. Never do it in anger. They feel it and they are going to resent it.

2. Explain why you are do it, so they won't think that you just do it for kicks

3. Do it in private, keep their dignity.

4. After the crying, hug them and tell them that you love them.

Sleep

I honestly don't have anything to say today, I am really tired and my head is starting spin but I don't want to break the momentum I have going. So please bear with me this time.

- I spent the whole going up and down the hospital taking care of paper works for Sophia. Thankfully most the hospital staff were helpful.

- The boys and I did a regular show marathon just make sure they aren't horsing around. Thank you technology.

- My contribution to taking of our new baby is diaper duty. Thankfully I love my children that I can do this without flinching

- Elaine is doing better. She can now go to the bathroom without assistance.

- Sophia has now been introduce to Robbie Williams.

That's it for now really need to sleep for an hour or two before the next feeding.

Random Thoughts in the Hospital

-A couple hours earlier, my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. When the doctor went out of the operating room and called my name, I literally jumped from my seat. It is a very wonderful feeling to see child for the first time. At present, I am currently in my wife’s hospital room making sure she is comfortable. She’s asleep right now so I took this moment to write.

Isn't she lovely

-My daughter’s name is Sophia Arianne Del Rosario Hernandez. I know it’s a mouthful and she will hate me when it is time to fill out government forms, but that name was a product of 9 months of extensive deliberation and research, it also involve at least to surveys among trusted friends. The reason for all effort in choosing the name for my child is my obsession in giving unique and awesome names. An example of this would be names I wanted for my second kid, if it weren’t for the intervention of family and friends he would have become Sol Invictus or Metatron (Awesome right?)

-I know that nurses are just doing their jobs but they make sleep impossible especially if you are the watcher. Currently running on adrenaline and gatorade

-7-11 and Mercury has now become a place where everyone knows your name during hospital stays. Mercury employees even give me advice on what meds and supplies are better and cheaper.

-Gatorade has now become my favorite drink during these times. It gives me enough energy to last these past few days. I am trying to avoid sodas since I have notice I have gassy the past few days.

-Galavant has been LSSing in my head since we got here. I actually did sang it when I was entering the front door and people were staring.

The Funny Page

I am the type of person that whenever I see a newspaper lying around, would ignore everything and directly go to the funny page because of three things: comics strips, the crossword puzzle, and the horoscopes. Here are some of my insights. Enjoy!

Horoscopes

I don't belief that alignment of the stars and planets have any effect in my life but it is awesome to read them especially when they say something really vague like " You will be successful if you work hard". Also, I laugh really hard when they try to define my traits base on the date I was born and really miss the mark.

Stylish is not on the list on how people see me.

Crosswords

Friends and family have told me that I both hve the traits of an old man and a nerd, one of these traits is my love for crossword puzzles. I sometimes must resist the urge to answer the puzzles especially if don't own the newspaper. Only a few things can beat the happiness you feel when you have completed one.

That is me in a few decades from now.

Comic Strips 

The comics strips are the best part of the funny page because it is what makes it funny and sometimes you get to learn some things. Here are some comics that made a laugh and smile through the years.

Garfield by Jim Davis

The cat who taught me to hate Mondays and love lasagna, 

Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

Thank you for making me belief in the Great Pumpkin, for Snoopy and Woodstock, for letting me know Beethoven's birthday, and teaching the expression Good Grief. 

The Far Side by Gary Larson

Cows

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

The smartest kid I have ever known

The Quest for the Perfect Bed

When my wife and I got married, sleeping beside each other was one of the things I looked forward everyday but that changed when my kid was born. My wife wanted the baby to sleep with us and that is totally understandable, I actually liked the idea at first since I get to cuddle them both when we sleep (Yes my friends I am a cuddlier). Everything went well until my son gained the mutant power to roam around the bed during sleepy time. The info graphic below shows some the positions he has developed over the years. I am currently in the booby trap position.

Now we have another baby on the way and I am (for the sake of my sanity) heavily considering on getting a new bed. It is not easy thing to do apparently, there are so many things to considers when getting a new one. 

First is the size of the bed, we have very limited space in our bedroom so getting something really big like my parents' double king size bed is impossible. Also, there will come a time when your children will be sleeping on their own beds and I don't want to form a search party for my wife every time we sleep because we have a huge bed. 

Second is support and thickness, when I was younger I didn't really care about it (My siblings and I have the mutant ability to sleep anywhere and in any position) but I am no longer sleeping alone and I am getting old. Support is now important to us, back pains is now a real issue in our daily lives. Also kids think that the bed is a trampoline or a wrestling ring where you can jump as high as you want or do a power slam. Currently, I have a foam bed that is dense enough to give me good back support but is still comfortable. 

Third is the material used, as I mentioned earlier we have foam bed and children are drawn to things that they can tear apart. Thankfully, my wife is smart to get a bed cover. The material for the new bed needs to be easily cleaned as well because children have an infinite supply of bodily liquids that they more than happy to spray on your bed. 

Finally is the design and price, I have to face reality that I am an adult now and some of my preference have changed, I want to sleep on a decent looking bed without applying for bankruptcy. Fortunately, I live in the Philippines where custom-made beds are cheaper than branded ones.

And it's morning.

Perks of being a Father

I always wanted to write and I have made many attempts but was not able to press on due to a lot of reasons.  So now I want to start with something simple, I want to share my experiences being a father and a geek.

To start things, here are some awesome perks of being Dad (in no particular order):

1. You can dance in public and no one will judge except your wife, children, and anyone in the immediate vicinity.

Must use these moves soon in the mall

2. You have one more reason to buy toys for your collections. Make sure though your kid is exposed to the toys you like.

That is his toy, I am just making sure it lasts. :P

3.  Watching cartoons and playing games is now mandatory, to make sure that it imparts the correct values and research purposes. The same thing applies to junk food and kiddie meals to make sure they are healthy.

4. Daddy jokes are expected no matter how bad joke is. The only downside is your library of green jokes is now heavily censored in your home.

Mwuhahaha!

5. You can now start saying " When I was young, we would..". I can't wait to get older so I can be the cranky old man.

6.  And of course this: