IMEErocks.net

Early in the Decade

// June 30th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Computer, Family, Holidays, Music

Without much further ado, I present to you… “EARLY IN THE DECADE” =) My first EP, my first demo, and my first lo-fi record. I’m quite pleased with it, actually. The album is called that way because they were written early in my years of songwriting (2002 to 2005). Same reason why the album artwork features photos and art I’ve created in the same era.

Right now, you have two ways of downloading the EP for absolutely FREE:

1. You can visit my BandCamp site to download each track or download the EP as a whole (I recommend the latter, by the way); or
2. You can Pay with a Tweet (tweet about the EP in order to download it)

If you download the EP as a whole (aka in a ZIP file) you’ll find a few cool surprises in it. Just saying. Whichever method you’ll choose, I hope you’ll love it =)

Anyway, I spent the past month’s weekends with the family, celebrating my dad’s birthday, father’s day, and my mom’s birthday. ‘Twas great. Lots of yummy food. How has your month been like? Pleasant, I hope. Lotsa love your way <3

I’ve also been on a Twitter un-follow rampage, removing any unfamiliar person I’ve been following. I don’t see the point of following almost 300 people if half of them don’t even talk to you. So I’ve decided to follow only people I know personally, and a few celebs. Believe me, it was difficult doing that.

I’m getting pretty sleepy now, as I haven’t slept well since yesterday. I can tell because my eyes are droopy, I have not much energy left, and I’m swaying from side to side as I type this. Not to mention, I’ve pressed the backspace/delete key a lot of times already. LOL

Some Twitter Tips

// April 16th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Computer

A lot of people nowadays have joined Twitter, the online social network/microblogging site partially made famous by various celebrities around the world. However, it is unlike most social networks – if you add a person, the person does not necessarily add you back. In Twitter terms, it’s called “following” a person. If you follow someone and they follow you back, then you are “friends.” If you follow someone, you are their “fan” or “follower.”

I’ve been on Twitter for a while (2 years on June 23), so I’d say I know a bit about its mechanics. Here are a few of my tips about it:

1. Pimp your profile
Use a profile picture (one of yourself, preferably), fill in the Name, Location and Bio areas. If you have a website, Facebook, Card.ly profile, or any other page you want to link to, fill that field in as well. If you’re pretty good with graphics, you can design your own profile. You can also leave it up to the pros and get free Twitter designs instead. If you can help it, stick to only one Twitter alias. Your real name or a nickname is best, and it’s far less confusing for your followers/friends that way.

2. Update often, but not too much
It’s okay to tweet every so often. Once every few hours isn’t that bad actually. But if you tweet every second, especially about nonsense, useless stuff nobody could really care about (i.e. “I’m brushing my teeth!” Then 1 minute later, “I’m done brushing! Off to gargle!”). It goes without saying that you should be interesting. With many mobile applications out there, you can even tweet on the go using your cellphone/smartphone, iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, or whatever compatible mobile device you have. I like using Echofon and Mobile Tweete. If you really must say something longer than 140 characters, try TwitLonger.

3. Make friends
Treat it like you would any other social network. Add people, and if they follow you back, great! Start talking to them, and keep in touch. Don’t spam, and remember to be nice. Don’t be a stalker either, and never do the whole “follow, unfollow, then follow again” method just to get their attention. You can’t force people to follow you back

4. Spread it like wildfire
There are many Twitter widgets and plug-ins you can use to promote your account on your blog, MySpace, etc. Here on WordPress I use Twitter Tools, but Twitter also provides a few nifty widgets. On Facebook, there are apps such as the official one, and Selective Tweets.

5. Respond
There are two ways to send messages on Twitter. One is via “mentions.” You can manually type the @ sign followed by their user name, or just hit the reply button on one of their messages. Others choose to “retweet with comments.” These are public. Alternatively, you can send a DM (direct message), which is private. However, it requires that the one you’re sending a message to is following you. Also, if you don’t follow them back, they won’t be able to reply privately either.

6. Use Twitter following services
I personally use twiends.com, because it’s free and it’s unlike most services that require you to “follow VIPs” in order to get followed. You just do certain things like follow people for a certain amount of credit, or tweet once every 7 days about their site, among other options. Services such as this allows you to gain readers, and even friends (if you follow others and they follow you back, eventually leading to conversation).

7. Add pizazz to your tweets
If you like posting pictures, videos and music in your blogs, then you’ll love doing it on Twitter. There are many services such as TwitPic, TwitVid & twt.fm/twaud.io that allow you to post the media you need. Some mobile and desktop Twitter apps even integrate those services in their software! And if you’re the type that loves adding symbols to your tweets, try Twitter Symbols.

8. Just be you!
In everything you do, be yourself. Even on Twitter! Whether it’s the way you tweet, how often, what design you use, or the people you follow/respond to, if you’re not comfortable with it, don’t do it. And of course, HAVE FUN!

Lost: online blog buddies

// April 12th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Computer, Rant

Just out of the blue, I started to wonder if personal blogs are still as cool as they used to be. Now that there are various microblogging platforms such as Twitter & Plurk (and even the “status update” features on sites like Facebook), gone are the days when personal blogs ruled online life. I’ve been an internet user for over a decade (since 1997, to be exact), and so I’ve been a witness to how the internet has been used & how it’s changed all through those years.

If I’m not mistaken, personal blogs reached their peak sometime in the early 2000s. I remember blogging for the first time in the summer of 2002, because I was bored as hell and wanted to try something that my peers haven’t dabbled into (yeah, I have this issue with being unique & original). By December 27 of that year I bought my first domain (the now defunct rocker-girl.net), after getting sick of annoying pop-up ads from free website hosts. I guess I liked blogging because the idea of sharing my thoughts to anybody who’ll listen (or in this case, read) was very appealing to me. I was a girl who had a lot to say but not a lot of guts to say it verbally. I started blogging manually, first getting only a few site visitors – mainly a few close friends – and then eventually branching out to making online friends through commenting.

Then I started getting into various social networking sites. It wasn’t called that way back then. I had a LiveJournal account that I maintained pretty well. I had a lot of Friendster accounts (they were always full – 500 was the maximum back then so I kept making new ones), and a MySpace, which didn’t really catch on where I’m at. I even remember making a Xanga account, and a Hi5 account which I later deleted. I made a few good online buddies in those sites, some of which I still keep in touch with until now. Most of my online buddies, by the way, had a blog or personal site of some sort. They also had AIM, MSN and Yahoo IM – our weapons of choice when it comes to instant messaging.

Somewhere along the way, when I was in college, I lost touch with most of those people. Most of them don’t even have their domains up anymore! It was hard to trace some of them, but those whose full names I remembered, I was able to hunt down on Facebook or Twitter. The few that maintain personal sites don’t even blog anymore. They just have portfolios up on their site or something. If they do blog, it’s at Tumblr, where most posts aren’t even theirs but rather “re-blogs” instead. I’m lucky if they even edit it and put a side comment about their re-blog!

Okay I blabbed too much. Here’s a little timeline of the internet as I remember:

• 1997 – People here started to have email addresses & explore the internet
• 1998 – A few people started creating websites
• 1999 – Everyone starts panicking about the Y2k bug
• 2000 – Everyone was over the Y2k bug hahaha
• 2001 – A lot of people have gotten into web logging a.k.a. “blogging”
• 2002 – I started blogging. lol.
• 2003 – A few of my real-life friends started blogging too
• 2004 – The peak of my online social life. Bloggers from all over the world where my friends. I even could even receive as much as 60 comments per day or blog post.
• 2005 – I blogged less. I still had up to 30 comments per blog post though.
• 2006 – I somehow lost interest in blogging. I still maintained a private journal at LiveJournal though.
• 2007 – You’d say my blog is lucky if I remembered it once a month. People in my class just started to realize what LiveJournal & Blogger/Blogspot is, and so they started blogging too.
• 2008 – Blog what? I’m working. I got introduced to Web 2.0 and the very young, not so popular back then Twitter website.
• 2009 – I started tweeting loads. It took me nearly a year after I registered before I properly tweeted and understood what Twitter was all about. But I became a Twitter expert, so ahead of my time here in the Philippines. Most of them just started & half the time they don’t know what they’re doing.
• 2010 – I freaked out because a lot of my tweets are missing. WTF. Is microblogging going downhill as well? My peers are just starting to get into Twitter still.

PS: If you’re one of my online buddies, I’m sure you’re surprised I still even have this domain. What can I say? I’m committed to it. But if we’ve lost contact, please please PLEASE send me a message in one of the social sites I’m at (look to the sidebar) or leave a comment here. I miss y’all, you know? <3

so…

// February 18th, 2010 // Comments Off // Computer, Family, Holidays, Life

Oh, hi there. What up what up?

I’m lazy. Find me elsewhere. I’m seriously considering becoming a neo-Luddite. Well, not entirely. I mean, we all need technology one way or another. It’s just too frustrating sometimes. Errors here, there and everywhere. I’d like some zen into my life, thanks.

At the moment my Acer laptop is more of a sleep soother thingy. Whatever that’s called. ‘Cause when I go to sleep a few “white noise” and “relaxation” websites are on, playing rhythmic beats so I can sleep better. I’m a very, VERY sleep deprived person and I’d love to change that. I want to have enough sleep to keep me energetic and stuff. See, even this post is kinda making you sleepy. Huh?

What the eff. I gotta fix these smileys. I just upgraded WordPress and they’ve overwritten my smileys! Nooo. Gotta go. Hope to see y’all soon.

PS: Who wants to go see Paramore with me? I’ve no one to go watch it with.

PPS: How was your Valentine’s weekend? Mine was peachy. Spent it with the family.

iPad – for all your iPeriod needs

// January 28th, 2010 // Comments Off // Computer

Unless you have one of those iTampon things. Ahhh the things I read on Twitter these days. Seriously, “iTampon” was in the middle of the trending topics for quite some time!

ANYWAY.

This is the post where I say why I don’t think the iPad is such a good idea. And don’t get me wrong… I (most of the time) LOVE Apple/Mac products. But here goes.

1. The name seems semi-ridiculous. Okay, it kinda makes sense, but you have to admit – it’s hard not to poke fun at the name iPad. Some celebs are even tweeting it as the MaxiPad. LOL!!!
2. It’s basically a gigantic iPod Touch – without a camera. Admit it! It uses the iPhone operating system. So really, it’s just a keyboard-less mini laptop that runs the iPhone OS.
3. I think Apple is much more capable than this. I’m one of those Apple fangirls. Why? They’re innovators. They claim to Think Different. However, there’s barely anyone today in their right mind who I’ve seen to actually WANT an iPad aside from the fact that it’s NEW. People with basic techie knowledge are aware that for at least $499, you’re not really getting something entirely new or innovative. So unless you’re a hermit and the idea is relatively new to you, I don’t think you’d want one too.
4. I can’t even make music on it. A plethora of musicians create demos and such on their trusty Apple laptops and desktops. Why? Because of Garage Band (yes, the ever famous software included in the iLife bundles), as well as other musicians’ software that run flawlessly on the Mac. Since the iPad uses the iPhone OS and not the Mac OS, you can’t install Mac software there – only iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad apps available from the Apple App Store. Sure, there’s some music creation apps there, but it’s just not the same.
5. It’s not even wide-screen! I haven’t seen the 1024×768 resolution on any computer for YEARS running already. So why revert now? Most videos and photos these days are in formats of at least 1280×800 or something similar. Why bring back the annoying black top and bottom borders?
6. I’ve seen Apple mockups that are far better than this. Oh, if only Apple would do a bit more research! The iPad (then rumored as the “Apple tablet”) spawned so many great products we could only dream of.

This thing, the all new iPad, is seriously over rated. It’s not an entirely bad thing though. I guess students and businessmen would find great use for it. But people with other agenda, such as music and digital art, would probably want something more advanced. Or at least the same thing, but running the Mac OS instead of the iPhone OS. A Mac version of the famous netbooks such as this one wouldn’t hurt either.

What do you think, Steve Jobs? I like your idea, but it’s just not for me.

It’s official.

// May 1st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Celebrities, Computer, Life, Music

I’m addicted to Twitter.  Mini-blogging my ass. It’s actually license to stalk your favorite celebrities! KIDDING.

Right now I’m really enjoying reading updates from Rob Thomas, David Archuleta, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jamie Cullum, and of course my friends, among many others.

Have I mentioned that John Vesely (aka Secondhand Serenade) is following my tweets? SO EFFING COOL.

I’m also very, VERRRRRY excited for something…

Two VIP tickets are now in my possession. Next step: find a way to get back stage. LEGALLY. I’m going with Clare, my “twin.” She loves Archie, I love Cookie. But we both like both Davids. <3 This is gonna be HELLA FUN!

twitter. haircut. and all else.

// April 22nd, 2009 // Comments Off // Computer, Life, Music

Haven’t written a song for weeks. Got a new haircut. Spent the past half hour trying to upload a picture on Twitter and FAILING. That’s why I’m not using that thing! I’ve had it for nearly a year but there’s absolutely nothing on it. Add me? twitter.com/r0ckergirl14

Oh yeah. I’m finally beginning to enjoy work. Guess why.

And here’s a pic of my hair. I wanna dye it red! Like, Hayley Williams in Decode kind of red. Not Lindsay Lohan in Parent Trap red.

Until my next update. Tah-tah!

keywords

// December 17th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Computer, FEU, UST

Haven’t posted in FOREVER. I decided to have a look at my Google analytics, and… Lo & behold!

I would’ve understood the typical search keywords to get to my site, such as “imee” and “imee music.” But look at these! Out of nearly a hundred keywords that linked to my site, here are the strangest ones…

10. chris camus slam dunk – No, I don’t have his video. I wasn’t even at the All Star games! Sorry.
18. asan na si badong canlas? – There in his dorm or probably at a game. Lol
19. band line up in ust paskuhan 2008 – I wish I knew, dear.
30. do jens knuttel had a girlfriend? – First, wrong grammar. :p And as far as I know, he doesn’t have one at the moment.
31. dylan ababou dinner – You wanna have dinner with him, or do you want him for dinner?
47. how to play banduria – I can teach you. Lol
49. imee love you never die – Uhm, thanks?
85. tigers chasing chickens – This cracked me up. What the hell was this about??
89. who is jonas villanueva girlfriend – ME! I’m kidding. I forgot her name though. She’s pretty!
92. zoobic safari feedback – I loved it there. Hehe.

Apart from these, there have been other batches of keywords in the past, such as batiwtiw (the name of a dog of mine that passed away), and *insert player’s name here* girlfriend. Aside from those crazy bunch of keywords, people have also been looking for specific members/players of the UST and FEU basketball teams, their girlfriends, various ex-players, ADMU/DLSU players, and professional players! What the hell.

my laptop is a poser.

// December 10th, 2006 // 8 Comments » // Computer, Family, Holidays

Oh dear. Sorry for not updating again, I’m a lazy ass. Haha. But I bet a few have noticed I changed the layout, the other one really was too pink in my opinion. And I didn’t like how my face looked on it, so I opted for something simple.

So yeah, last Saturday (Dec. 2) I was out with my family. We ate at a place called Seafood Wharf then we walked around & then relaxed at Starbucks. Mmm, mocha frap. Took tons of pictures, half of which are still with my sister. Besides, I’m too lazy to upload them, remember?

What else. Oh yeah, the laptop. We had an LQ (lovers’ quarrel) last Wednesday, since morning, hehe. I then realized it was trying to be a Mac when it was clearly on Windows XP. Ah well, whatever. But we eventually became ok. We had compromises, so now…

December 7 was my friend Dylan’s birthday. Vanessa & I ambushed him after basketball practice. Hehe. We had a blast strolling down memory lane, dragging Vanessa along with us, lol.

About 2 weeks before Christmas and already I’m in vacation mode. Why? Because we barely had classes in the past two weeks. With the exception of classes last Thursday and yesterday, the last time I went to school was Monday last week. Oh dear, no wonder I’m so messed up at the moment. Been going out loads, wreaking havoc wherever my two feet step on. Though as I’ve mentioned in the previous entry, no presents yet!!! I just don’t feel that holiday vibe yet. But whatever, I’ll find time to buy pressies for everyone. (=

Pressies? Am I really turning British? Haha, kidding.

My aunt’s coming home from Michigan tonight, so I better get myself ready. I’m so lazy, it’s about 2pm and I still look like I just got out of bed. Rawr.

Mind is blank. Title-less.

// August 22nd, 2006 // Comments Off // Computer, Family, Life, Sports, UST

Hi. Remember me? Yes, I still exist. Sorry I’ve been such a slacker again. College is keeping me busy but I’m really trying my best to maintain this thing, and obviously I’m failing. Psssh.

Anyway, this weekend has been interesting. Last Sunday I went shopping with my mom & got myself a laptop. Woohoo!! It’s an ACER Aspire 3640 and so far it’s been serving me pretty well. (= My dad also gave me money to buy new socks, so I bought six new pairs. He has this belief that I wear the same pair of socks everyday (not true) so I might as well take advantage. LOL.

So the past two weeks since I updated have been pretty hard on me. It’s probably part of the reason why I don’t get online that often—I’ve been in and out of depression. I’m not even myself anymore! I don’t enjoy things like I used to because I was far too distracted to care about what now seem to be of less priority. If you’re really curious as to why I’ve been problematic, then fine. It’s about Charlie. I know I said we’re still good friends (and it’s still true), but this whole situation is driving me crazy. I can’t really explain at the moment, but when I’m ready, I will. I’m getting better by the day, but it’s just not right all the same. I’m just hoping this whole dilemma will end soon.

Anyway, last Saturday my school won a basketball game! They finally recovered after quite a slump, and I’m so proud of them. I’m gonna watch them again this Thursday with some friends, and hopefully they win it and all three succeeding games. If half the team weren’t my friends… Haha.

PS: I shall update the rest of this website when I finally get the motivation. Cross your fingers! Haha