racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

I’ve had it. It’s time to throw in the towel. I’m through with being a problogger.

I’m filling in for Lara Saunders over at Splashpress Media‘s Parenting Blog. This is an assignment I took with much anticipation. After all, I’ve been writing about being a dad for quite some time now (especially on my rarely-updated J Spotter, which is supposed to be my personal blog). But the Parenting blog’s target audience is supposed to be other parents, so somehow I kind of feel more pressured because I know other parents are watching. And I’m not yet that experienced in parenting, being only at it for about three and a half years.

Anyway, do check out my posts. Here’s one about routines.

Generally, I’m a disorganized person. I’m more spur-of-the-moment rather than scheduled. I’m more adaptive rather than structured. I’m more dynamic rather than static. But of course, if it’s for the children’s good, then I would have to adjust and adopt.

Routines are important because they help instill awareness of time and enhance a child’s feeling of security, so I’m told. Routines help enhance a child’s self-confidence, especially if he or she has the opportunity to have an active role in contributing to the flow of events.

Routines don’t necessarily have to be time-based, but these can be flow- or event-based. So you don’t necessarily have to follow a strict time table, but instead you can do activities based on sequence.

Enjoy!

I’ve been meaning to post here several times over the past few weeks, but just couldn’t. Why? Well, these are super-busy days. I know I promised to write only stuff of substance here, but instead of waiting for that right moment and writing for hours on end to come up with interesting blog material, I thought I’d rather have more frequent–if short–updates.

So here’s what I’ve been up to lately.

* Been busy driving the car that blogging bought around town.
* Bought a 5.5th generation iPod (the iPod video) and a Belkin TuneFM to stream tunes to the car stereo.
* Been busy writing on my network blogs, as usual.
* Been busy writing stuff.
* Braced myself for another possible power outage due to suppsedly super-storm Reming.
* Attended the 9th Philippine Web Awards, where Pinoy Tech Blog was a finalist. Congrats to Noemi, who won.
* Very briefly attended the Digital Filipino Club EB where I was supposed to speak. Had to rush off to some other place that evening.

The Blog Herald

Big thing the past few days: the Blog Herald acquisition. Abe gives his insights on his blog. And here’s my introduction. Hey, if it’s a blog that’s just been sold for presyong bahay (that means its price could probably buy a house here in Manila–at least that’s how rumors peg it. Hey don’t ask me!), who wouldn’t get excited?

Of course this has implications on my regular blogging activities. It’s quite complicated. Let’s just say I’m refocusing my efforts to writing on a more limited set of blogs rather than many blogs at a time. For one thing, I had to give up Blogging Pro as it was directly in competition with the Herald. I’ll be more actively blogging on my other favorites, Apple Gazette and ForeverGeek, though.

De-Stressing (or is it supposed to be “distressing”?)

Hmm. What else happened? Oh, I tried out the Shiatsu massage at newly-opened Blessings spa along E. Abada street (parallel to Katipunan Avenue here in Quezon City). It’s great, especially since they have a 50% discount from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until end-December. Feels pretty great to de-stress every once in a while, especially if you spend almost most of your waking hours in front of keyboard and screen and behind the wheel. Can I write a review? Probably as soon as my scheule clears up.

So there you have it, folks. Three weeks worth of posts in a few paragraphs. My life’s interesting, ain’t it?

If you have a taste for the finer things in life, then you should get yourself a Moleskine notebook. It’s the Macintosh of notebooks. It’s the Rolls Royce of notebooks. It’s not only about the price or the visual appeal. It’s all about the sensual experience that you get from using these beautiful pieces of work. Hey, that’s why I use a Mac for my writing work. And when I’m off the grid, ordinary pen-and-paper just won’t do. My Moleskine notebooks helps me get the most out of my disconnected moment, whenever needed.

Creative types work best with good tools and a conducive environment. So if you’re serious about your art or craft–be it writing, drawing, or maybe even taking notes–do something about it. Make sure you come up with the best output by using the right tools and being at the right state of mind.

Moleskine notebooks were previously unavailable in the Philippines, but now moleskineph.com is distributing locally. They don’t have a brick-and-mortar store, though, so you have to check out their online catalog and order by email. Prices range from PhP 750 to PhP 900 for the small notebooks (sets of three or so) and PhP 1,250 for the big ones. Not bad, since these usually retail in the US for about US$ 15 to US$ 20.

With Christmas nearing, I think a Moleskine would make for an excellent gift for your loved ones–a good alternative if you can’t just afford a MacBook Pro for each of them just yet.

Problogging–and the non-income generating kind of blogging, for that matter–is like writing a book or painting, or sculpting. You need to get yourself in that state where you feel most creative. You need to be in the zone. You need to get into the flow. Get your head in the game.