Work Week

I started working last Monday (March 12 2007). Though it was only a week of orientation, ground tour, and policy briefings. Nothing hard really, except the sitting and listening to the speakers for hours. But I got paid for doing that, so it's nice.

I also spent one day at my department, to get some training, and had a chance to meet my co-workers. While I didn't like doing my job, because it's too repetitive, I think I will love going to my job. My co-workers seems friendly enough and my boss is quite laid back. Plus, most people in my department are females in my age group, and at least five of them were easy on the eyes.

Also, starting next week, I have to undergo training at morning shifts until I get my regular schedule in April. Which means I have to get up early everyday, earlier and more frequent during the time when I was in school and clinicals. But at least, I get paid this time. Plus, I get to work with fine and friendly ladies.

Character Guide: Jade Empire SE

Jade Empire: Special Edition is the game primer for me this year. However, even though it is a lot of fun, there's not much role-playing and character creation/development to it. But here it is, anyways, my character creation/development guide.

In this post, I'll feature my character Stone Demon Shen. As his name implies, he uses the White Demon martial style and the Stone Immortal magic style. His styles may be slow but he's all about damage and endurance.

Stone Demon Shen
Avatar: Tiger Shen
Alignment: Way of the Open Palm

Attribute Allocation
01. Body 3/Focus 1
02. Body 2/Focus 1
03. Balanced Distribution (1 point for each attribute)
04. Body 2/Focus 1
05. Focus 2/Body 1
06. Body 2/Focus 1
07. Balanced Distribution
08. Body 2/Focus 1
09. Balanced Distribution
10. Focus 2/Body 1

repeat from 1 at 11th level

Main Styles
White Demon (Martial)
Stone Immortal (Magic)
Tang's Vengeance (Weapon)
Spirit Thief (Unique)

Tips and Strategy
White Demon is a slow yet a powerful martial style. It will be your bread and butter from the start since nobody is safe from it (no one is immune). So, as soon as possible, try to increase its speed, and then the damage. The chi damage, you can start putting points here whenever you feel like it. Also, you may have to use Focus against fast enemies since this style is quite slow.

Stone Immortal is also the strongest magic style. It is slow, however, but its damage can make up for it. Its strong attack can also petrify enemies and, along with White Demon, can perform a harmonic combo. It's quite good when dealing with human and spirit opponents. As soon as you get to Tien's Landing, seek Mistress Vo and ask her to teach you this style. However, she'll only teach you if you follow the Way of the Open Palm and only if you beat her in combat. Once you're trained, increase everything in this style, especially the duration, since you'll be using this a lot.

Tang's Vengeance is a double axe weapon style, much like the Black Whirlwind's. It deals a great amount of damage and has a decent speed. It can easily wipe out large groups of demons, golems, and humans. You'll learn this style after defeating the Ravager, as part of the Arena quest in the Imperial City. Obtaining this style can be tricky since the Ravager, in my opinion, is the hardest opponent in the game. Once you have the style though, increase everything on it especially the speed and damage.

Spirit Thief is a unique style. It doesn't deal any damage but allows you to replenish your Chi. It is a melee style but its strong attack is range, and can paralyze an opponent for a short time as well. While this style isn't that necessary, it's quite handy to have around, it has saved me many times. So if you really want to use this, just increase its speed and duration.

Spartan Invasion

Along with Batman: Year One, 300 is probably my favorite graphic novel from Frank Miller. That's why, as I've announced a couple months ago, I was thrilled to learn that it was made into a movie. Now that it has invaded the theatres, I didn't wait any longer and went out to watch it.

Frank Miller's 300 is based on the story of the Greek historian, Herodotus, on how King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans stood against the -thousands strong- Persian army of Xerxes. While the graphic novel might be the fantasized version of the real deal, it still retains much of the history. As for the film, director Zack Snyder kept it faithful to the graphic novel. Too faithful, in fact, that the color and flow of the film are almost comic-like. The only downside is: the characters didn't have much to say because the story is narrated, much like in the graphic novel.

I wouldn't say that 300 is a good film, but it's fun and has plenty of eye candy. The non-stop, highly choreographed, and bloody action scenes will probably sate most of the audiences. If not, then I'm sure Queen Gorgo's and the Oracle's stiff nipples will definitely warm the male audiences, and the ladies will have their fill with highly defined grecian abs.

First Impressions: Jade Empire

I'm currently playing Jade Empire: Special Edition. I've been wishing -and waiting- for the PC port of this game ever since it was released, and got a lot of critical praise, on the Xbox. But now, however, I don't think I'm that impressed with it.

The game is not bad, mind you. I just don't think the game was worth my wait. The game feels like Knights of the Old Republic with its interface, dialogue, and cinematic entrances on areas; and Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines for its combat and combat style development. The graphics clearly indicates that this game has aged, but that doesn't concern me. The story and setting, however, is gripping and very refreshing. That, alone, is enough for me to play this game.