What the heck happened to Friendster?

What the heck happened to you?

Friendster.

Once the hottest brand of social networking and considered as the pioneer of this platform, ahead of Myspace, Facebook and others. It was actually this website that launched me into the frenzied social life in cyberspace (well, i had Yahoo accounts even before i had a Friendster account, but that another matter..). I've been a member since early 2003 (that's how i recall it), and up to now, that account is still on active status.

But..

I rarely see it nowadays. Before, it was something that i always look forward to visit in the internet, almost 24/7. Now? I barely even access their website. A lot of things have changed. And over the course of almost a decade, a lot of social networking sites rose to prominence, most notably, the one that took the whole world by storm, Facebook.

Facebook now sits atop among other social networking platforms, dethroning the once-mighty Friendster. But i didn't start this blog to write about Facebook. It's about Friendster, 'cause it was my "gateway" to the world of cyber-damn-space..

I was still a teenager (i'm not that old, though, hehe..) when my elder sister introduced me to Friendster. Back then, i'm such a newbie into everything about the internet, so my response to her is, "What the heck is Friendster?!!". She said, it's just like having friends from the real world, but this time, you do it virtually. You get to meet different people or get in touch with people you haven't seen for quite some time and so on.. So, me, being a nutcase that time, just sat in front of the computer and created my very first Friendster account ('cause in the next few years, i think i accumulated four more inactive accounts there..)

... And the rest was history.

For almost a decade, Friendster became a very important tool for me. It has been a witness to all my hardships, thriumps, struggles, sorrow, joy, etc.. It is the one that exposed my cerebral, rebellious years (i don't know if it really was cerebral, but i know it was very poisonous for my parents; me, being rebellious, hahaha!). It's also the birthplace of my passion for what i'm doing right now: blogging. I scanned through my past entries and they look so primitive (i mean, the way i write before) I suck badly and horribly at english back then (and i'm still not sure if i improved already..). During those years, Friendster is the only cyber network platform that's known to me. It has become my companion.

But, one day, Facebook came along.

And Friendster became a thing of the past.

What the heck happened to Friendster?

If i can recall it right, Friendster is the leading social networking site in Asia (UPDATE: they already lost that spot to Facebook because of the rapid growth and popularity throughout, not only Asia, but the whole damn world). But, that was when FS is the only known social media site. Now, i don't hear a single person who mentions FS (in fact, i haven't heard anyone mentioned FS for a long time now. It's juts me who brought up this topic). So, what the heck really happened to Friendster? Some people are labelling Friendster users "cheap", 'cause most of the people who said that are no longer FS users or never been affiliated to FS. Although i agree that Facebook is the hottest commodity right now, i beg to differ that Friendster users are "cheap". I know it's in our blood to be cheap, but i don't see anything cheap being a FS user. At least, from time to time, i still try my best to check out what's happening on the other side of cyber-socializing. It just hit me and started writing this blog 'cause no ones fussing about FS anymore. The sad reality is that, there's not so much interest looming around FS, so the main attraction now is FB. I actually came into a decision to deactivate my FS account, permanently. But then, i held myself back and just said that there's still good things FS can offer (although i'm not exploring those good things they can offer..).

One thing i noticed about FS is that they're flooded with posers. Well, i'm not saying that FB doesn't have it's own posers, but it's hard to interact with people who poses as an Hollywood celebrity or any popular individual in the world. For me, wasting my time with that kind of people is just a load of crap. So, the remedy FB came up is having a "Fan Page" for those people who were idolized by others. But, still posers are at large in the social networking community, and that's something i still yet to see get "cleaned up" by FS.

Even though FS is not the most hyped up thing unlike before, we have to give credit to FS for becoming the pioneers. If not for them, those other social media sites won't be possible or wouldn't be existing today. Friendster paved way for the modernization of socializing. Others followed through and, some of them (or to be more precise, one of them surpassed FS. We all know what that is), reached FS' goals. Not being disrespectful with the other social media sites, 'cause they had their ways to promote their platforms, but you can't help get them associated with FS, 'cause it's the one who started it all.

As i'm about to log-off now and take a rest, i was able to catch a glimpse of my FS account. It actually never changed. But, whenever i visit this site, i become very nostalgic. It reminds me of how much things have changed, but still good to look back from where you started. FS brings a lot of good and bad memories. Some of them are quite memorable, and some of them are the things that defines me. So, i give Friendster a credit for opening my eyes on how colorful, yet, brutal (brutal, eh? really?) the world of social networking is. Even though i'm more of a Facebook guy now, i don't disregard Friendster completely, 'cause it's the one who introduced ---

--- The new way to meet people.

(Friendster's first tag line)

Writer's Block (Syndrome)

This image says it all: I've been like this most of my writing career (career, eh?)

I haven't been here for more than a month (i guess), 'cause i've been in a rough patch in the month of March. I wasn't able to put a single blog entry last month because of different circumstances (no need to elaborate). So, it's nice to be back again in a place where i can fuse out and express all the feelings and emotions that's going through me right now.

I actually don't have any specific topic to write on to this time. I just thought that it would be fun to write something when you're having, a so-called Writer's Block. I'm not a professional writer, so, most of the time, i experience this "syndrome" (for me, it's a syndrome). I'm actually going through this phase right now. I have a lot of colorful and good ideas that's running through my mind, it's just that, my weakness is, to make a finish product out of it. Sometimes, i just scratch my head and say, " When will i ever learn?". As an aspiring writer, i cannot afford to be on this spot, all the time... Well, maybe all the time is too exaggerated. Ahhh, at least 90% at a time, i'm having that block phase. It's funny that at the first paragraph of this blog, i said it's that time again to write something and express the feelings i'm experiencing right now. Well, there's not so much feelings and emotions on this entry. Mainly, logic (i'm not sure again if i'm being logical about this one, hehehe..)

Having to go through this struggle to come up with a new piece to publish could lead into abandoning this new found hobby (although i've been doing this for years, i'm still a newbie when it comes into article or blog writing). But i know within me that i cannot just leave writing behind because of Writer's Block. It has been a part of me since day one of writing. It's just like my skills in drawing. Sometimes, i do experience having an artist's block and it drew a lot of comparisons on my Writer's Block. A lot of ideas, but always coming up short when trying to put it into a product. But i did not abandon my love for drawing, so the feeling is just the same towards writing, although to call myself a writer is a bit of an overstatement. I have to find ways to get over this hump that's been haunting me for quite some time now. I'm trying to explore new and creative ways to enhance my writing skills, doing my best to expand the limited capacity of this shallow mind of mine.

Well, i just noticed now that i was able to express one emotion while writing this blog: Frustration. I'm so frustrated in writing that it caughts me off-guard at times. At least that's all i'm experiencing when i'm going through this. Writer's Block, on a more serious kind, can cause depression, end of relationship, a sense of failure, physical illness, financial pressures and many more to mention (i guess). That's the scary part but i don't i'll be having one of those and i can't afford to have those right now. Frustration is enough.

I've read through all my past blog entries here to look for somethings that needs polishing of grammars and structures, but i decided not to (for now) 'cause i might ruin everything and have to start all over again. That's no fun at all. But, at least, i still find writing amusing and a good past time. I hope one day that i'll be more productive than what i am right now so i can write more meaningful blog posts.. But...

...even as i'm finishing writing this post, my Writer's Block actually blocks me right now from moving forward. Funny.

Love is...

"The most important thing about life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

Today is the time of the year where love is in the air. Lovers flock the city to celebrate this very special day. It has been the day that love peaks at it's highest point and somewhat a day of "surprises" for lovebirds. I don't know what i really mean by "surprises", but a lot of sweet things can go around the metro to spread the word Love.

How do you define Love? Is it expressed by giving the sweetest chocolates and the freshest flowers you can pick? It is shown by preparing an exquisite set-up date? Or is it more felt by just showing your emotions with all sincerity and respect for your loved one? I don't know what Love can mean for others, but we have own ways in showing and expressing the real meaning of true love.

It wouldn't be fair to say that Valentine's Day is just a day for couples. Single people are welcome, too. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to have a special someone. Love is for everyone. Love takes no boundaries. No special attachments. Just pure, unadulterated love.

I'm actually out of words on what to write about Love. I don't have all the words to explain what Love is. I'm not the brightest or the most compelling person in the world. But, i can express Love without a doubt and with all sincerity. A simple poem or a handwritten letter might be enough to show the sweetest thing on earth. Even a plain text message can bring smiles to your loved ones. In an Age like this, there's so many ways we can show love to one another --- it's just a matter of doing it the right way, being true to yourself, and without selfish desires. Love mustn't have any strings attached. Again, just pure, unadulterated love.

In this time of the year, i don't have any special someone whom i can share this very special day (long story, hehe..) But it doesn't mean i forgot how to celebrate Valentine's Day on my own. I have my family, my friends, and God --- and that's all that matters. I'm celebrating it my way, and for me, that's special enough.

To all the people around the world, let this day of hearts flow with overwhelming love -- and not just today, as we spread love to each and one another, today, tomorrow and forever.

Happy Valentine's Day.

God bless..

TODAY IN WORLD HISTORY: The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, January 28, 1986

I finally had an answer for my writer's block syndrome. From now on, i'll try to find anything significant in a day's date, like what i have right now. On my first installment of Today in World History, we look back on what happened 25 years ago in Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster took place.

This catastrophic event actually happened three months before my birth (i'm still in my mother's womb back then). It's one of those events where you look back and think about what went wrong. Up to this day, it is considered as one of the unfortunate events that shape up the current world we're living in right now.

The 1986 crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger (AP Photo/NASA)

Tuesday. January 28, 1986. SS Challenger was set to go for it's 10th mission. They went through their normal routines, as part of safety check-ups before lift-off. It was beautiful morning, and it doesn't seem that anything could go wrong or anything bad could happen. Seven people makes up the crew, where this mission was set apart from the other space flights because of the diversity of the crew and in addition of the first teacher in space, Christia McAuliffe. With all hope and pride, the shuttle took off where the whole nation is watching, even schoolchildren who where at their classrooms early in the morning.

Then, seventy-three seconds after lift-off -- disaster happens, as the shuttle exploded into a white and orange cloud dust, while the nation below the disaster stood in shock and disbelief --- ended in a horrific sight. All seven crew members died that day.

Live media coverage of the SS Challenger disaster (CNN)

The whole United States, and, probably, the whole world mourned this unfortunate event. Even if i was yet to be born back in the day that happened, looking back, a lot of things could've been prevented. But on the flip side of things, accidents are very unpredictable. You could even hear at the end of this video clip where Steve Nesbitt, the voice of Mission Control, uttered the words,"Obviously... A major malfunction... has occcured." They still were able to recover the remains of the crew, and the identifiable ones were returned to their families on April 29, 1986 (the day i was born). Unidentified crew remains were buried communally at the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial in Arlington, Virginia on May 20, 1986.

A lot of things were changed by the management and overlooked all of the future possible problems. This event was frequently used as a case study. Engineering designs, safety, the ethics of whistle-blowing, communication, proper decision-making were some of the aspects that are a part of the studies. This just shows that, from every mistake we experienced or witnessed, we learn a lot of lessons and try to improve or do something much better to avoid the same catastrophic troubles like this one.

The Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial in Arlington Nat'l Cemetery, where some remains where buried. (AP)

Today, twenty-five years after the accident, the memories are still fresh for the ones that are a part of this mission and for those who witnessed it's fall. To all the crew of SS Challenger, may you all rest in peace. As we commemorate it's 25th year, i just want to let you all know that i salute those people who wants to take another step for another giant leap for the mankind, as what Neil Armstrong said before. Let this be a reminder that even at adversities like this, we won't stop at making the earth a better place to live in.

Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986.

Eat crap, talk crap, spread crap: Racism today

"To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow."

- William Faulkner

"I have a dream" - a line immortalized 47 years ago by the late Martin Luther King, Jr. - is about the things he wanted to see in the future: Equality. During the tumultuos and turbulent 60's, black people were segregated and discriminated in all aspects of life. It's something people back then were not able to accomplish. Although, in modern times, somehow, we're able to minimize it, but we still have it today. It may not be as violent as it was back then, but, with all the advancements and the technoligies we have right now, Racism has upgraded, too.

I'm currently living in Milan, Italy right now. For the short span of time of stay, well, i can say, racism is still out there, maybe can be considered as on "it's lowest point." As a stranger in a foreign land like this, expect people who were really from here (some are old people; others, middle-aged), to let go of the wrath of degradation. I had my fair share of racial discrimination experience, most especially on public places. Even if want to answer back out of anguish and anger, i just let it go and treated it like an "ordinary-day-at-the-office type of problem" - even if it breaks my heart not to defend or do something for myself. It's a sad sight that the "dream" mr. King dreamt before, is still something of a hollow dream, in some of the places around the world.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets rough. When its tougher, of course, it's rougher. People of today are exposed to this kind of disgusting state we are currently witnessing right now. I wrote this blog because i checked my home page from a popular social networking site, and a few friends of mine have posts that's about racism. Of course, they're the subject of racism, and i had mine before, so, my better outlet of positive anger and distate is through this blog. We're not in the 1960's anymore. I thought people would be much better and much more understanding than before. Well, i'm not saying all, 'cause at least, i'm able to meet people from different races, who shares the same sentiments towards racism. They are really good people. We're from different walks of life, but we demonstrate love to one another. We respect each other's cultural diversities and at the same time, manages to adapt to theirs. We don't judge each other by our physical appearance. We try to improve more our lives and spread the Word of God. The Bible never taught us to be critically judgmental about others. As we do our best to become a good example to the whole community around the world, we're hoping that one day, the "dream" will be fulfilled, with all the gaping holes resolved and all the discriminative boundaries broken for life.

It has always been a challenge to tag along with people of different race. It's not difficult, but it takes you a lot of time to cope up. Well, that depends on how you get along with others, but that's something not out of reach. As a concerned human being, we have to show good example to the younger ones to treat each other equally. It's them who will carry the torch for the next generations to come and to completely put racism into obsoletion. It's not the same crap as before, but racism is still crap. No matter how much time passed, inequality still lives among us. Sometimes, rules among us. But no matter what, we are all hoping for a better place to live in, and i know we're not just hoping for nothing. One day, we can do it and be united as one.


Good day to everyone.

"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measures you use, it will be measured to you."

- Matthew 7:2, NIV

LeBron's Homecoming: The Aftermath

It's been almost six months since the famed "Decision", Lebron James and the Miami Heat arrived in a raucous and wild Quicken Loans Arena, as the Cavaliers faced the Heat for the first time this season. Right from the player's entrance to the court, cascade of boos plagued the atmosphere of the arena. During pre-game warm-ups, the boos are getting louder and louder whenever LeBron touches the ball. They still have the same sentiments and feelings that they had from the day they witnessed the King's announcement on live television to bring his talents to South Beach, Florida.

LeBron James doing his pre-game ritual - the chalk toss - before tip-off.

I just wrote a blog two days ago on how will LeBron respond to the fired-up frenzy of boos and obscene words thrown by the Cavs fans for the entire game. It looks like he handled it very well and delivered one of his best games (yet...) this season, as the Heat strolled to a 118-90 drubbing of the Cavs. He made a triumphant return and tallied 38 points - 24 in the third quarter - grabbed five rebounds and dished out eight assists.

I watched the game from start to finish (it was 3 or 4 in the morning here in Milan. Whaddya expect? I want to witness it live, hehehe..), so i was able to catch up the introductions of players, were LeBron was introduced first among his teammates, and the arena was roaring into the chants of boos, even louder than the earlier ones. Once adored him, now, lashing their fury to their once-beloved son of the city. You can even hear chants, "Akron hates you" - where LeBron grew up, "Remember Game 5?" - pertaining to his mediocre performance against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semifinals a few months ago, where they lost by landslide. But the boos turned into cheers when Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was shown on the big screen, heading towards to his seat, still, they were not able to tick LeBron James off. Even Dywane Wade, took all the brunt the Cavs fans are bashing to the, currently, most hated team in the NBA right now.

A fan shouting at LeBron James. Well, this is something expected.

As funny as it seems, this is not how Cleveland pictured his long-awaited return. They were expecting the Cavs to do beating of the Heat, instead, it's the other way around, where the Heat's the one who did the drubbing. Tensions we're at an all-high scale, but the good thing is there's no violence (although i have to admit that it would be fun to see a bit of it.. hehe..) LeBron even did his chalk toss pre-game ritual, in response to the wave of boos from the audience. Maximum security were installed into the whole arena. From entrances, to locker rooms, from every part of the arena, to make sure LeBron is safe and no inteded violence towards him would prevail. Even if it's one of these nights that are memorable in an akward way, still, i give credit to the Cavaliers' fans for being passionate to their team -- on how much they love their team.. You'll never see the same passion like that somewhere else (i guess..). But, one thing Cavs fans (and the organization as well.. Mr. Dan Gilbert, attention please..) should do soon is to forget all the things that happened for the past six months, and focus on what the current Cavs lineup could bring for the city.

When the game started to unravel in the succeeding periods, the loud noise around the arena started to pacify. LeBron was never fazed in the entire game, smiles back whenever profane words struck his ears. Suddenly, the boisterous, furious crowd of the Cavaliers eventually died down and turned the arena into a deafening dead air of disappointment. A moment of silence, indeed. Just like what Reggie Miller said in an article i have read two days ago, "Embrace the hate of the fans."

Overall, the supposed-to-be revenge night for the Cavs fans never even went their way. So, maybe after this one game of letting all of their hatred and anger out, it's the right time to bind themselves and put their focus in the future of the organization. It was a peaceful homecoming for LeBron, who dominated the hardwood last night and left a jarring reminded to the Cavaliers on all they've lost since he left.

Homecoming: LeBron James' return to Cleveland

The Summer of 2010 was one of the most highlighted events in the National Basketball Association's history, 'cause of the fact that it bears one of the deepest free agent pools in modern basketball times. And, obviously, the most prized free agent from the market this year is LeBron James - who held a one-hour television special, "The Decision", where he chose to bring his talents to South Beach, home of the Miami Heat. The team was able to pull-off, maybe, the best free-agent signing (at least for this decade), as James teamed up with Miami star Dwyane Wade and former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh. Mixed reactions spread across the cyberspace, even from the legends, to name a few: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, etc. If he made the right decision, that's what we're yet to find out.

Powerhouse-in-the-making? James, Wade and Bosh.

A month after the regular season went underway, there are teams that already are showing signs they're heading to postseason. Others, well, not living up to the hype this past summer analysts talked about, most especially, the team i'm talking about now, the Miami Heat, who (as of this moment), has a 10 win-8 loss record. Not the starting record media and critics are fantasizing about. Even me, i was surprised in their current state right, although i know that it's too early to judge them, 'cause it takes time for a team to know each other and to function altogether, to run on the same wavelength. There has been a wide outspread of hate to the Heat, for the fact that they went into major overhaul and grab three superstars, most especially, James' former team, The Cleveland Cavaliers. From the day that he made the famed "Decision", outpouring of degrading and bashful words were thrown to the labelled "King". Fans from Cleveland felt that they were stabbed in the back and left for dead. Now, almost twenty games this season, i think Cleveland has a lot to say on Miami's disappointong start.

What's wrong with the Miami Heat?

A day from now (i mean, the 2nd of December), LeBron James and Co. are headed to Cleveland, Ohio, to face the Cavaliers for the first time this season. Expect waves of boos around the arena. Once James's home, now, a very hostile Quicken Loans Arena awaits him, entering the heart of the Lion's Den. Tensions could surface during the 48-minute battle, not between the players, i'm talking about LeBron and the fans. On how should LeBron response to the boos he'll hear for the entire game? According to an NBA Legend, LeBron should embrace the hate of the fans. That's what Reggie Miller says, who's had a fair share of bad guy image during his prime with the Indiana Pacers, been rivals with Spike Lee and the New York Knicks from his heydays. A quote from NBA News-AP:

"When you have 20,000 people yelling and screaming at you, four other guys can concentrate on the floor. So every time I touch the basketball and everyone is yelling and chanting and doing things towards me, well four other guys can concentrate. I knew I could concentrate through that and I hope he takes that approach."

So, from this hour onwards, we'll just have to wait and see how will LeBron handle the pressure his former fans will slam to him on his homecoming. On how will he respond? Let's just find out tommorow. Tune in to your televisions tomorrow, to witness history - Where Hating Happens.