eXsite Thing Concepts

eXsite Thing Concepts or simply Xsite is my latest online portfolio... This is also my first attempt to get on the web 2.0 bandwagon. I used different shades of green and black as the main theme color, its glossy and utilizes the reflection effect on the background elements. This is where you can view my past projects and get to know a little bit about me. Online portfolios are very important to all web designers and developers, this is how a prospective client would decide if they like your style of work before hiring you.

According to Sean Hodge in an article for smashingmagazine.com,
"Your portfolio is the showcase of your work, your skills and your potential for your future employers. The more time and effort you dedicate for a usable and nice-looking design, the higher are your chances for getting better account balance in the end of the month. So how can you make sure your portfolio is better than the portfolios of your competitors? How can you point employer’s attention to your works?" (more...)

I have seen a lot of excellent portfolios out there and here is my top 3 in no particular order

ali tabatabae's portfolio


n.design studio


jeremy zevin portfolio

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Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2008 - vote for xzykho

I found this photo contest through "The Master Rapper" FrancisM's multiply site A Free Mind (one of the links in my celebrity blogs found at the right hand side navigation menu) and it got my curiosity and my undivided attention as well. So I decided to check it out just to see what the fuzz was all about. And the more I browsed the more I liked what they are offering, 15,000 pounds to the winner, not bad considering that you don't have to pay for anything, all you need to do is create an account and you're in. I know this is a long shot but what the heck it's time for me to display some of the images I captured with a Sony Cybershot camera. And maybe if I win I would be able to afford a fancy Digital SLR with telescopic lens and be a professionol photo hobbyist. Anyway you guys can check out my portfolio (still in the early population stages, I'm still trying to look for some quality shots) at http://poty2008.dcmag.co.uk/ or click on the link title that can be found at the bottom of this entry and look for Competition Categories near the bottom of the page, click on any of the ff. links people & portraits, animals, dusk to dawn and search for my DC member ID: xzykho, (what else!?) don't forget to click vote ok!? vote for Mr. Francis M too, his member ID is Superproxy and he has some really interesting shots. And since you're already in because you need to sign up to vote why not join the contest yourself and send me your ID's so I could vote for you. Isn't that sweet? The more the many-er, right? Spread the word, tell all your friends...

Be sure to check out my blogs every know and again for any updates, promos and my rants... http://www.xzykho.blogspot.com until then... PEACE!

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Sluggish, Squirmish, Slime

To celebrate my updated header, I need to write something today but I can't think of anything interesting that would commemorate this exciting day. I find my creative juices flowing when I'm sad but I'm nowhere near my melancholic self, not that life has shined on me I'm kinda drifting to nowhere slowly. Its like being in a dream where your mind tells you that you're running real fast but you're not getting anywhere and you wake up exhausted. I accepted a promotion at work a few months ago that would require me to be responsible for a few graphic designers with a very high profile account and be transferred to the graveyard shift, I thought that it would somehow ease my financial problems but the management put a fast one on me so now I totally lost all interest with my work in general.

On the lighter side of life the Chinese New Year has come and gone, "Kung Hei Fat Choi" to all our Chinese friends out there and welcome to the year of the Earth Rat, leave it to the Chinese to find our infamous rodents and sometimes a symbol of disease and plagues very human, they say that people born in an Earth Rat are said to be logical realists, shrewd, charming, ambitious, and inventive. If only people could learn from this and use these qualities to make life better and peaceful. The world is not getting along and it's getting tiresome.

Famous people born in the Year of the Rat : Charlotte Bronte, Truman Capote, Catherine I, Prince Charles, Sasha Cohen, Eminem, Peter the Great, Mata Hari, Scarlett Johansson, Wolfgang Mozart, Plato, William Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy, George Washington (source: chiff.com)

On a more personal note my high school batch is stirring up some old dust to prepare for our first grand reunion since we graduated in the summer of 1990. Although I am not that excited to see old familiar faces for undetermined reasons I am interested to see where this is all going. Kudos to the unofficial committee headed by my friends Mrs. Cecilia Garcia-Andool and Jay "Botong" Isidro. Nice work guys.

It's funny how life deals us with some very high highs, and some very low lows, it makes life interesting and worth living but only when you're looking back and reminiscing, usually when you're having so much fun you tend to overlook being thankful for all the blessings you are enjoying and then you never think about it when you're dealing with the worst time of your life, all you do is complain and feel sorry for yourself and alone in your misery. Maybe that's the reason why we have this mediocre moments when nothing really good or bad is happening to you. But you should always be prepared because it's a vicious cycle and you'll be riding this roller coaster of life as long as you're breathing and your mind is filled with hopes and dreams. So don't mind our dear old friend misery when it comes to hangout, it will always be seeking your company because you are the only one who could make it into something else.

---

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For Me

I try to read the signs but it doesn't yield any answers,
there are so many that I only get confused or misread them all.
My world is opened once again by tragedy that makes me want to write,
for no particular person but myself, all for myself, always me.

Life taught me to be strong and take care of my heart,
It's very fragile and breaks real easy, but the hardest part
is that it doesn't kill me but I go on bleeding inside
until a part of me dies...

I have learned long ago to live in agony with a broken heart,
But experience taught me that I should instead be careful
and lookout for those who would hurt me and eventually
break me and just be normal... And so I began to like me after all those years...

I became a normal person, with a normal life,
I have friends and made a lot more as the years passed.
I started to appreciate my family and what they represent as a part of me,
The dark years are gone, the horizon was so clear, full of life and hope.

I don't know when I started getting careless, when I've let my guard down,
And as expected like a very predictable bad movie the conflict finally came...
And I found myself hurting once again, shattered and broken,
But it's too late for me to guard myself, I can only live with it...

I have no regrets, I can't afford them,
I've lived the life I never thought would be possible.
And so I'm back to my old self, the person that I was before...
I will greatly miss the other me, but it would all be alright,

Because in the end its still me, the old me,
I guess it's time for me to get to know the real me,
the miserable me, and maybe there would still be a chance
for me to appreciate what I've always seen as a miserable existence...

Because life cannot be sweet if it lacks bitterness...

Take care and be safe...
You deserve to be happy just like everyone else...

Maligayang (Maligalig na) Pasko - Mula Kay "Deng"

dahil pasko ngaun, lagi nating naiisip
'may nakakaisip kaya sa akin?'.
naaalala natin ang mga paskong nagdaan at ang mga taong lumipas.
muli nating hinahagilap ang alaala ng mga nawala na.
ilan na bang mahal mo sa buhay ang pumanaw o kaya'y naglaho na na parang bula?
ilan na bang mga kaibigan ang iyong hindi na nakakausap o nakikita? sa tingin mo naaalala ka pa ba nila?

hay ang pasko nga naman...
ilang pasko ba sa buhay mo na ikaw ay naging tunay na masaya? na natanggap mo ang iyong mga hiling? naalala mo pa ba ang paskong iyong nalaman na magulang mo pala si santa?

di ba kay saya ng pasko
na ang buong paligid ay nagniningning at makulay?
na muling maririnig ang mga nangangaroling na may bonus pang boomtarat-tarat bilang pasasalamat?
na ang hamon at keso de bola ay iyong nabili na?
na ikaw ay magbibigay ng regalo ng di mabigat sa loob mo?
na iyong makikitang buo muli ang iyong pamilya?
na mapapatawad mo ang lahat ng kaibigang minsang kinaiinisan?
na ikaw ay may dagdag na regalo dahil sa wakas may syota ka ngaung taong ito? o kaya sa wakas napalitan mo na ang syota mo?
na makukumpleto mo na ang simbang gabi o makikita ang gwapong sakristan na matagal mo nang pinagnanasaan?
na maraming babati sayo sa text at sa email at maiisip mo, 'kay dami ko palang kaibigan'

di ba kay lungkot ng pasko
na hindi mo nakita ang iyong mga kaibigan dahil busy ka at busy sila?
na hindi mo nasilayan ang lalake o babaeng sa dibdib mo ay nagpapagaan?
na naisip mo na kay lamig ng panahon ngunit walang yayakap sa'yo?
na alam mong imposibleng matanggap ang mga regalong talagang gusto mo?
na mahirap magautoload dahil busy ang linya ng globe?
na hindi ka man lang ma-text ng lalake o babaeng gusto mo?

hay ang pasko nga naman...
minsan lang sa isang taon, buti na lang.
sabi nila gawin nating 'araw-araw ang pasko' ...OKAY LANG KAYO?
isipin mo na lang ang gastos at mga regalo
isipin mo na kelangan maging mabait ka sa lahat dahil araw araw ay pasko
isipin mo na ang laki ng guguguling panahon sa pagbili at pagbalot ng regalo
at sinong may gustong araw araw ay kumain ng matigas na queso?
at isipin mo ang lahat ng emosyong nararamdaman tuwing palapit na ang pasko.
araw araw masaya, magulo, inis, mainit ulo, sabik, malungot, naiiyak sa tuwa o sa lungkot, namomroblema, tuliro

hay ilang araw na lang at nandito na ang pasko
uwi na ko sa probinsya ko
makikita ko na ang pamilya ko
pagkatapos ay balik na sa normal tayo
pero teka may bagong taong darating
ibig sabhin may bagong iisipin
pero bago mag-enero
babati muna ako

HANGGANG SA MULI AT MALIGAYANG PASKO!!!

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the latest spiderman 3 trailer

I can't wait to see this movie, I just hope it will not be a disappointment... Enjoy!!!




I'm simply blown away...

Leave your comments...

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Please Allow Me To Introduce - Grace's "Happy Feet"

Ladies and Gentlemen would you please welcome Grace's "Happy Feet"... A sandal made of wood with hand painted designs and therapeutic effects. Not only are they stylish, these wooden feet carriages are tough. In the seventies, Happy Feet became a fad among students and other AB clients. Happy Feet sandals were selling for P35 a pair then, now they easily go from P1,000 to P1,500 a pair depending on the model (still reasonable if you're into quality). And if you want to jazz them up, straps are available in different colors and cuts.

Grace's special pair of togs is hand painted with psychedelic colors, lines and symbols (flowers, stars etc...) with a white leather strap and a white rubber sole that keeps the wearer safe during the slippery rainy days. Part of the introduction of the sales person that helped us decide to get a pair was that each sole and strap is hand-painted and hand-stained, so each sandal is different from the others. There are no two sandals alike. For a recovering footwear addict like Grace the Happy Feet is an excellent mentor/sponsor to make her think twice before buying a new pair of shoes that she would only wear once or not even.

Available at your nearest malls or tiangge, check them out for yourself...

Maybe you will appreciate them as much as we did.

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Wasted Times

"You and I together in our lives
Sacred ties would never fray
Then why can´t I let myself tell lies
And watch you die every day"

We've been together for 17 years, hmmmn such a long time to know someone that is not blood related to you. High school was a magical time for all of us. Back then everything was simple, fun and exciting. We have the future to conquer and a memorable past to look back to every now and then.

"I think back to the times
When dreams were what mattered
Tough talking youth naivete

You said you never let me down
But the horse stampedes and rages
In the name of desperation"

Since then we have gone our separate ways but we still try to hold on to the magic that is "Us", occasionally getting together to tell war stories about life, love, misery. There was college and new friends who have all come and gone but were still here. Partners have changed, Schatz did settle though, and up to this point I have no idea why? I personally think that people should never settle when it comes to having someone to share the rest of your life with, settling out of pressure, responsibility or worse desperation. Some people take single blessedness for granted, I guess it's the loneliness that comes with it that drives people to make life changing decisions that most often than not they would regret later on.

"Is it all just wasted time
Can you look at yourself
When you think of what
You left behind"

We are all lucky to have each other, we may not have as much time to be together as we used to, but when we really need to? we make the time. And then life goes on, and we go on... Together, looking forward to the day that we will sit back have a beer, a thousand laughs, like we used to, when life was simple, fun and exciting...

"The sun will rise again
The earth will turn to sand
Creation´s colors seem to fade to grey
And you´ll see the sickly hands of time
Will write your final rhyme
And end a memory

I never thought you´d let it get
this far, boy"

Thanks to (Pareng Jerc) and the rest of "Bone" for providing the evening's entertainment...

My New Shoes

I stopped keeping up with the latest accessories awhile back due to poverty or maturity, I can't really tell. I don't know what happened but I just lost interest, in the latest jeans, shirts, or shoes. I've succumbed to the laid back look with my collection of more than 10 year old shirts and never been washed sneakers, and jeans that's been out of style for sometime. And then one fine day, while trading stories with Dean (office mate, DotA nemesis, yosi groupie) he mentioned seeing the latest designs from "Airwalk" that looks a lot like Chuck Taylor's All Star Converse, all that raw info got me real curious. So I headed out to the nearest mall to see for myself, and lo and behold there it was, I quickly fell in love with two particular designs and the little voice inside my head told me to get them both but I could only afford one, so I picked the more practical than stylish of the two which was a green leather with a dirty white (complete with dirt specks embedded on the rubber) sole.



For less than 2K-Php it comes with an extra pair of green shoelaces (plus 8 hrs worth of ice skating rink free pass coupons) I say its worth breaking my extended hibernation from commercialism. Check it out!!!

A Piece of Peace (exerpts from TJoaX May 14, 1998)

When anger becomes fear,
Out of words
nauseas thoughts
Foolish dreams and desires.

The cold earth,
Burnt out fire,
Ashes of hatred,
Seeds of isolation.

The eternal question
A piece of peace?
A promising future
of a storm colored past.

The sun sets,
beyond the horizon.
A majestic dead calm and then
Fear becomes anger.

Wishing Well

I wish I have...
a thicker cowl,
a clearer view,
a fairer coat,
a bigger heart,
and a soul for creation.

I wish that...
irony is just a word not something that happens to me.
politics is not synonymous with graft and corruption.
and religion gives faith, not take it away.

I wish for...
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all men.
Eradication of hunger, racial discrimination, religious wars,
and acceptance of all existing genders.
A greener environment where I may nurture a soul for creation...

September is here

I can't believe August went by so fast, I was only able to post one entry aside from this one, but I will try to make up for it before this day is over... There's a lot happening around us, there is that oil spill in Guimaras which I find really frustrating, we have laws to prevent these things from happening but no one seems interested to implement them. The dirty politics with it's selfish politicians, the not news worthy stories on the tube and papers and all that (stupid) JAZZ.

"8 million stories in the naked city" the Emmy's has come and gone, one of my favorite t.v. shows "24" piled up on awards. HBO (Asia) has a new series "Entourage" which I really find very entertaining. Big production with lots of cameo's, good story, excellent script, great actors, the works. I always believe that if you don't find success in your lifetime at least try to know someone successful whose got your back. This latest feel good show from HBO is all about that, friendships, enjoying life and staying true to who you are. That has always been my personal goal, but sometimes there are other variables that prevent me from reaching that goal and no matter how hard I try my life is not going to be like feel good movies. But at least we can always go to our favorite video store and purchase the latest box set and enjoy a movie marathon of our choice.

Night Watch

In darkness there should be peace,
Not chaos...
In peace, there must live silence,
Not restlessness...
And why must silence conceive distorted voices?

Past, present and future collides
and gives birth to darkness.
From the deathbed of restlessness peace arises.
Finally all the distorted voices in my head can be heard...

From the ear shattering silence...

Another "Bone-Y" Night

Me and some of my buds were treated to another funky set of "Bone", out in Kolumn Bar, in Timog, Quezon City last Friday night. "Funk Rocki'n" the stage with their all original repertoire, Bone is fast becoming an act with a great potential to be a milestone in the ever changing world of the local music industry. Being with old friends and having Bone blasting away with their kind of music is an experience that is truly worth sharing. I would really like to see more of them in the thriving bar scene, and maybe someday even an album... Good luck to all of you and thanks for a late night well spent. PEACE!!!


Special thanks to
"The Bass Man / Look at my Muscles" (Pareng Jerc) >>>>>>>
for the invite.
Rakenrol!!!




Kolumn Bar is one of the those rare venues that gives independent bands a chance to express their raw talents and original music, let us do our share and support the new breed of talented "up and coming" individuals while enjoying original Filipino music over a round of brewsky, whatever is your poison I hope to slam into you one of these days.

Kolumn Bar, Scout Torillo st., Timog, Quezon City.(Near Off the Grill).

"Rock On"

The Journal of a Xzykho

At Sea


A long time ago (well, not that long) when I was still in the merchant marine, my mother wrote me a letter telling me that "Experience is the best teacher, and traveling was a great experience". These words somehow gave me a new outlook at the chance I was given traveling the world on board ships. At first it was all work for me, and it did not make any sense whatsoever that I had to leave everything that is familiar and comfortable just to earn a living. But witnessing the sun rise and set on a calm open sea where the sky meets the deep blue makes you realize the magic of being alive, whenever dolphins swim playfully alongside our ships I know that I will never be alone no matter where I am, and when the ocean shows its ugly head every so-often with her troubling storm tantrums I am reminded of how short and precious our stay in this world really is.

During those long months I spent away from home I started to write a journal of my thoughts and experiences, an idea given to me by my sister one day when I was on leave. Inside were manifested drafts of ideas, hopes, dreams and fears of a younger self that I sometimes fail to recognize now whenever I see my own image. After my last tour I put my journal away and totally forgot about it until a few days ago, I was scouring my treasured junk collection for some old cables for my image scanner when I chanced upon my keeper of thoughts. I could not remember when I had it last and what I have written inside is pretty vague by now. So I started reading the first pages and like a flash flood during a heavy downpour the memories came crashing in.

It was overwhelming to relive a decade of my life in one sitting, there are times when I can't help but smile remembering the feelings that I felt at a particular point in time, and then there were those disturbing passages that's so confusing that I feel so lucky to be here writing this all down for all those who care enough to share it with me.