Marks 1 and 2 - When Inspiration Hits / RRRAAAAAIIIIINNNN!!!!!

To celebrate the debut of the blog and this new endeavor, why not have a double entry? Best to start it in a big way, like how things are supposed to go when they start up, yeah?

And also, to ensure and retain the validity of everything I am doing here, I will not only mark my coffee sleeve to account for the number of times it's used, but also keep every receipt to record all of my orders and correspond to the number of times the sleeve is used.

Mark #1

Place: Starbucks Tomas Morato

Date: November 26, 2009 - 02:15AM

Order: Hot Tall Cafe Mocha, no whip, no foam, non-fat (and you'll be seeing more of this, more likely than not)

You know how things pop up in times you'd never expect it, and that everything you do somehow has a purpose, even if you wouldn't even know it at that time? Life certainly works in mysterious ways.

You see, my friend, Gon, invited me to Zirkoh Tomas Morato to have a good time with our friend, Charles. At that night, Allan K was the main attraction, and he certainly delivered when it comes to comedic impact, something that should not be a surprise by now. Let's just say Charles has also made quite an impression, being on stage twice. What can I say? He's lucky, I guess. Haha!

Later that evening, we decided to go to Starbucks at Tomas Morato and give ourselves some time to chill. They made their orders while I made my usual order that is somewhat of an SOP every time I go there: Tall Hot Cafe Mocha, no whip, no foam, non-fat. And after taking in the soothing environment of the cafe following our comedy-filled night at Zirkoh, we decided to go home and retire to bed.

For some odd reason though, the coffee sleeve was in my pocket when we left Starbucks. The same one I used when I drank what would become THE first drink. The moment I woke up, the first thing that came to my vision was that coffee sleeve, and after some serious thought over the rest of the day, it happened.

The day inspiration came is the day this idea is conceived, and alas, the rest is (current) history.

It seems as though that while life works in mysterious ways, they also tend to open up new possibilities when you least expect it. And that just when you thought you had all the answers, the questions keep on changing.

Okay guys, I know this (look above) is super fail when it comes to my photographic ability, but if you look closely, I've placed my first mark to signify the beginning of the entire adventure, if you will. This'll be important at the very least as far as solidifying it during the entry on the second mark is concerned. And to be 100% sure, I owe you guys the picture of the receipt as proof.

Mark #2

Place: Starbucks Glorietta 4 (near the cinema)

Date: November 27, 2009 - 05:13PM

Order: Hot Tall Cafe Mocha, no whip, no foam, non-fat

Say hello to the second mark, and due to the fail of the first mark, I asked someone from Starbucks G4 to help darken the first mark and add in the second mark as proof. In fact, I've decided to make it a point to have them mark the sleeve just to be sure.

Yes, I know the spelling is wrong, but it does sound like a sort of Middle Age mercenary or something. I don't know, that's just me. Sounds awesome, though.

And unfortunately, I never really knew what was supposed to happen during that time. Guess I was a bit too early to ever finding it out. A performance or a book reading, perhaps?

I was at Starbucks G4 at that time while waiting for Joan and Chad to arrive so we can watch Ninja Assassin. Yes, that movie with Rain. To be fair, prior to watching the film, I've had my curiosity at a highly peaked level. Granted that Speed Racer was somewhat of a failed attempt to reboot an animation classic last year, Ninja Assassin has that chance to show the fans that the very ones who helmed The Matrix Trilogy can deliver.

The verdict? I'll say this much: the plot may be a bit formulaic especially by this point in time, but wow, did the fight scenes deliver! Now, they may be almost close to violent in the way gory Japanese movies are, but the battle choreography in general is certainly impressive by any means. One can say it's the fight scenes, no matter how violent (and censored, in a few cases) may be, that is the best selling point of the entire film. As a matter of fact, looking back, I'd even go far as saying that...

Rain is the Asian Kratos! Yes, that Kratos from God of War. Hmmm... come to think of it...

Who'd win in a fight, Rain or Kratos?

And besides, it's either New Moon (which Joan already saw and I don't have any intention of watching), 2012, or Paranormal Activity. And Inglorious Basterds is still coming out in December, although it's gonna be limited to Robinsons Malls. Well, at least it's showing anyway. Let's hope there won't be too much censors.

But no matter what happens, this is still the best encounter Rain has ever had, IMO:

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"Great things come from small beginnings..."

Many of you might recognize the preceding quote from the popular Milo commercials and is one of their most popular taglines, but no truer words have been said.

Today, the world is not in the kind of light we want to see. You name it, violence, bloodshed, the evils of politics, and all that jazz. And while these dregs still exist in many forms, let's not forget one of the most pressing issues humanity is currently facing: how to save the environment.

Sometimes, we say what the objective is, and it's easy to just blurt it out with gusto. But if there is anything I've learned over the years, it's that saying and declaring is one thing, execution is another. And sometimes, it is easy to think that such a grand responsibility is a responsibility too great for the average Joe to handle, especially when it comes to changing the world for the better. Actually, if you ask me, all of us are capable of great things, no matter who you are or where you're from. And that's what I'd like to prove in this blog. We've seen a lot of initiatives done by many artists and organizations over the years (such as the outstanding contributions of U2). We've seen SOP's like CLAYGO being taught to schools and various public places. We're also used of the 3R's (reuse, reduce, recycle). But there is something else we as a united front can do. Especially for coffee enthusiasts.

I'm no genius, but you can probably imagine how many of these coffee sleeves are being used all over the world every day. They've certainly become quite handy and has caused the prevention of hot-handed situations many times over. But it's quite unfortunate to see that these things are seen to be disposable after a great perk-up session with yourself or with your friends (as it's being intended for "single use"). So you can probably imagine how many of these are being thrown away in one day. Now, imagine in a year.

So as a way for me to contribute to the environment and help in ensuring a future for not only ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren, I will use the same coffee sleeve and make it a point to conserve. This is to:

1.) Contribute to the 3R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle,

2.) Hopefully inspire people to learn from this practice and apply these experiences in other applications, be it in life or in business, and

3.) Hopefully, break the record that was set for the most number of times a single coffee sleeve is used. I remember seeing this in a Seattle's Best outlet somewhere before. Well, anything can happen.

Think about it: Anyone remember the last time all lights were shut off in a given hour in the Metro? Can you imagine how much was saved because of a simple action done by multitudes of households? Imagine being able to save the environment by applying the 3R's in your favorite cafe or hangout, particularly, the use of the same coffee sleeve and not throw it away. And why the Christmas theme? Because it'll be a constant reminder of how this whole thing began during the holiday season. Besides, wouldn't it be refreshing to see this being used during the rest of the year?

The following guideline will be followed, and would see modifications depending on circumstance:

The sleeve will only be used on hot drinks placed in plastic cups, like the usual coffee, tea, and whatnot. And the place you'll order it from will not matter, just as long as you'll be able to use it to protect your hands from the heat. If for example you plan to order two drinks and you plan to use it twice, it'll be considered used for two times.

Every time the sleeve would be used, I will mark it in the sleeve as proof that I have used it. Not to mention, I will chronicle the events of the day the sleeve is used. I've used it earlier, but I will chronicle the circumstances of the events later on.

Hope you guys will enjoy this, ehem, perky ride. Let's get this started!

Oh yeah, my name is Lance, a writer for GAME! Magazine and just your average everyday guy.

PS - Will fix the layout of the blog site soon. Thanks!