Rest in peace to my boss' parents' dog Harley who passed away last night. Such a great dog he was. Well behaved, loyal and loved to be petted. It's gonna be different when I visit their place again. Harley will leave a huge void, especially when it comes to easy company.

Here is Harley and Rizz taken a few months ago.

Happy Birthday to the King of Pop who would've been 53 years old today. The long lasting image of Michael Jackson will forever remain youthful to most of our eyes. His songs still continue to touch the many generations this very day.

Above MJ artwork is from the late Andy Warhol.

Wouldn't it be cool to see a Turbo, Ozone and Special K reunion along with a fresh cast for a totally brand-new BREAKIN' flick for the next generation? In the midst of reboots, its obvious Hollywood execs won't go with this. Glad they didn't. Let it stay that way - untouched. BREAKIN' and BREAKIN' 2 were one of many films that defined the 80s for what it was.

Through Hurricane Irene news coverage in Hampton Roads, VA, we can also find sense of humor. I saw one that had the Weather Channel guy in the Oceanfront talking about the wind gusts - and then right behind him are some random guys running, one of which is actually streaking. Yes, he showed everything! Crazy, huh ... And then there's another footage (this time, it's family friendly) showing a local news reporter talking to the friendly neighbor Spider-Man in the midst of the storm. Both are really entertaining to watch!

Spider-Man meets local news reporter

Streaker during Weather Channel Hurricane Irene coverage

I know THIS is NOT 'officially' the final look for the AVENGERS superheroes in their upcoming 2012 movie, but I love this artwork. There's just that awesomeness to it. As some of us have come to know already (through leaked out information via internet), there has been some changes done to their costumes during production. It doesn't damper my spirits but it gives me newfound appreciation and faith to the folks at Marvel Studios (now with Disney) who know their characters so well and how they should be portrayed on-screen rather than movie companies dictating everything thus ruining it all .... But thanks to Marvel, they got all their big name characters lined up for the first-ever superhero team-up in movie history! Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Nick Fury - together!

Like it or hate the trend - Hollywood filmmakers are currently remaking/rehashing/rebooting the hit movies that we (grownups) have come to appreciate and love for so long (by as far as the span of 20+ years). However, the new films released have only little or mixed success. In 2009, FAME flopped. In 2010, THE KARATE KID was a box-office winner! In 2011, ARTHUR (starring Russell Brand) didn't get noticed much either. Then this summer (which was just a weekend ago), the movies FRIGHT NIGHT and CONAN THE BARBARIAN didn't even put much of a fight in the box-office against a new and original movie called THE HELP. Although in the top 5, these films were still disappointments to say the least - not even meeting the box-office successes of its predecessors decades ago. Even with what's happened in the crops of failures, the idea of remaking movies is still in fruition. So what could we expect next? Well, we still have RED DAWN and FOOTLOOSE coming this fall to theaters. That's probably the last of the reboots for this year. But enter next year and the near future - there'll be lots more. Titles already being talked about or have already been in-production are JUDGE DREDD, DIRTY DANCING, FLATLINERS, ROBOCOP, SHORT CIRCUIT, ROMANCING THE STONE, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR, and several more. Actually here's a LINK to check out regarding more rebooted titles. It's interesting as you keep scrolling ... The little or no success part is a 'no-brainer.' Every thing in a remake is already expected and we know obviously what's going to happen (if the story line is certainly going to be the same). But sometimes, even a new plot wouldn't get much attention. The biggest disappointment of a remade movie is that it lacks the essence, soul, spark, and magic of the original. And that Hollywood is just in to reek in more box office cash giving the new generation to appreciate these new crop of rehashed flicks tailor-made for them. It's more like tweaking or adding bells & whistles to the original by using the best damn cinema technology and fine-looking actors to play the parts ...The ONLY movie I've been most proudest of in terms of a successful remake was THE KARATE KID with Jaden Smith. It has some elements and spirit to the Ralph Macchio/Pat Morita starrer BUT it's mostly different in every aspect with characters, settings, locations, etc ... I'm not sure how Hollywood will go as far as into making reboots, but if they ever want an original screenplay, they can come find me. I got a great story for them should they ask. For now, it's under safekeeping - until the time is right. I may not be J.K. Rowling, but I can deliver something good. Yeah, I'm giving bragging rights about it but I do have the story already broken down to 22 chapters.

My Recommended Movie Rental: The Beaver - Official Trailer [HD]

Me and Rizz agreed - it's 'surprisingly good!'

Sure, it may have been an underperformed, underrated, mediocre flick in the theaters - but it's really worth watching. Watch it with good intentions and you'll fall instantly in love with it. Mel Gibson gives a powerful performance as Walter Black (with his Beaver puppet) and Jodie Foster is amazing as both the on-screen wife of Walter and being the director of this film.

Okay, so LiLo (known to the world as the once-great-talented-actress now turned major-tabloid-mess) is suing Pitbull over his lyric from the hit 'Give Me Everything' that references her being as 'locked up.' I must admit it wasn't right for Pitbull to address her 'by name' in the track, BUT LiLo must NOW wake up and face the music ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL if she considers never to be mocked at, joked at, or be treated in a negative light again. She has to prove to the world she can change and be that better person, maybe get back into the acting gigs again. It's because of her previous actions off-screen (many of which have been deemed overly outrageous and crazy) that's been getting more of the spotlight than the acting career she once was blessed to have. You know, none of this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for her partying, drugging, and drinking ways. If I was to place the blame on any one, it'd be on her parents Michael and Dina. It seems they have done little to get her back on track and the fact, they are no longer together ... Pitbull should've known (when he was recording this track) that this was gonna get to him one day, especially from one LiLo (hmm, maybe he should've just mentioned the name Lindsay, but not her last name -- he would've been off-the-hook on that one). I'd feel the same way like her if my whole name ever pops up as a bad reference in some rapper's song. Then again, any rapper would throw in bad rhymes to any one or anything. Take Eminem for example, who dissed just about anybody even those who didn't even picked on him. Or Kanye, Jay-Z, 50 Cent throwing down beat rhymes having beef against their enemies ... Really, there are no winners or losers when it comes down to Lilo vs Pitbull. Each should learn from their own consequences. Both should assume their responsibilities as grown-ups in this forgiving society, as well as accepting accountability. I can only hope for the best for these two and letting them move on respectively in their careers (perhaps never crossing each other again). Let 'Mr. International' stay 'Mr. International' and let LiLo be dedicated to her acting career again and that means no fooling around. That's how it should be done.

In a matter of hours this Friday evening, Hurricane Irene is gonna slam the Outer Banks (a/k/a OBX, for shorts) of North Carolina. Authorities there have already given the order of evacuation to residents and tourists, which means no vehicles or people should be present while the storm is in progress ... The storm's intensity at the Category 3 status has already caused massive damage in its destructive path (Puerto Rico and the Bahamas) and have claimed someone's life ... The east coast is next to take the brunt of Irene, with the exception of Florida in which it was able to skirt away. It was just days ago that the east coast underwent its first bout of an earthquake (since the one in 1877) that stretched from Virginia to as far as New York and Chicago ... I can feel what they're going through right now. But as in most cases of these storms, they'll do okay. I have faith in the people, especially that of my family and friends there in the Norfolk/ Virginia Beach area. Damage will be done, some of which might turn out to be extensive - and that is expected. But having gone through the past episodes of hurricanes in Virginia, I know that there'll always be the light of day (as this storm pass) when all is said and done. It'll be around Saturday when Irene kicks into high gear in Norfolk/ Virginia Beach. Here's hoping for all the best against the wrath of nature. In the end, the triumph of the human spirit will shine through.

"I have always said that if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know," ... "Unfortunately, that day has come." - Steve Jobs, 8/24/2011



Yesterday left me in great shock of disbelief saying to myself, "This can't happen to Steve Jobs. Apple needs Steve Jobs. And Steve Jobs needs Apple. Without each other, they can't exist."

Looks like they will have to part ways (sort of) being it that he resigned as CEO but still remains as one of the members of Apple's board. His shift now is to bravely fight the symptoms of pancreatic cancer - something more farther, deep and scarce rather than something created from scratch or upgraded in the digital plantation. All we can hope for is the absolute betterment of his health perhaps trying to achieve more breakthroughs in technology innovations with the time he still has left to live. He's got a big digital footprint, that's for sure!




Steve Jobs isn't dead - not by a long shot. The man is still living and should continue to be revered and praised as one of the greatest revolutionary icons in the technological world that exists today, and even in mainstream American/global pop culture. He helped (and continues to) innovate all this useful technology making it easy & fun, especially for graphic artists and multimedia gurus. Let's not forget too that he revised Xerox's idea of the graphic user interface and making it better. That's the pointing-clicking-scrolling you do now with your mouse or fingerpad, touch-screen and what-have-you on any one of the devices and gadgets that are in the market then AND now - from the MacBooks to the iPods to the iPhone. Wow, that's a long time from the heydays when he and co-founder Steve Wozniak came up with the made-from-scratch wooden computer in the late 70s.

Personally, I am happy of Steve and Apple's achievements as the company's been a part of my life. I wouldn't be enjoying technology like I am now especially with my 4th Gen 20GB iPod (still going strong since 2004) and my 3rd Gen 4GB iPod Nano (that plays my favorite music videos and movies, too). They're just soooo awesome. I also enjoyed having an Apple computer of my own to do my graphic design artwork during my college days in the mid-90s. In the future perhaps, I'll own another Mac computer again. For now, me and Rizz are blessed to have a MacBook from 2007 that has been loaned to us from a dear friend. This'll give me an opportunity to be refreshed and become familiar with the Mac environment and all the plethora of apps (after so many years using Windows at home and at my previous workplaces). Maybe along the way, an iPhone 5, 6, or 7 can be the next best thing, too. We shall see, folks.

Thanks, Steve for all that you've done and sharing your technological vision with the world. We look forward to more in the times ahead.

Today (8/25/2011) marks the 10-year anniversary of Aaliyah's sudden passing. The songstress along with her entourage perished in a plane crash upon leaving the Bahamas after the 'Rock The Boat' music video shoot. She left behind a successful music career that has spanned well over 7 years. Her lasting legacy will forever be remembered for generations to discover, appreciate and embrace.

Song Gems Revisited: Lauryn Hill - Everything Is Everything

I wonder what happened to Lauryn Hill's music career after this groundbreaking album from back in '98. She had really good songs that everyone can bob their heads to. Her music was fused with straight-up urban, hip-hop beats sometimes thrown in with some retro sounds. Her dynamic soulful vocals along w/ her street style rhymes were so infectious, too, to our ears. Before there were stars like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, among others, Lauryn Hill was just that in '98. No one could touch her style. But all of a sudden, she disappeared from the blip of the radar after marrying one of Bob Marley's sons and becoming a mom to her children. Hopefully, she'll re-emerge back on the scene - not temporarily, like we've all witnessed - but permanently. This is one of my favorite songs from her debut solo album 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She was a part of the group The Fugees in which she also helped catapult the success of the group (alongside Pras Michel and Wyclef Jean) with the hits 'Fugee-La', 'Killing me Softly' (remaking Roberta Flack's song) and 'Ready or Not'.... Music video is neat, too with a spinning New York City backed by a needle and a hand to forward/reverse. LOL. Come back, Lauryn Hill :)

CNN: "Magnitude 5.8 earthquake shakes Virginia, D.C. and New York"


Hoping that everyone including my family and friends are doing okay. I've heard from my cousin Erick who questioned the event on his Facebook profile saying, "Is it me? Or i just felt a f**kin EARTHQUAKE?" As for us folks here in the Chicago area, we weren't impacted at all.

If anyone has noticed (especially in my recent blogs), titles no longer appear - unless it's a special blog segment (Photo Blogs, Song Gems Revisited, Speak Out, etc). So that'll take some getting used to for all of you loyal readers. Despite this minor change, the blogs will forever remain the same staying true to my writing spirit. Stay tuned for more blogs to come! Things are just gonna get better!

Amidst all the egos fused together at the workplace, I do my best to maintain the pressure and focus on the objective at-hand. Its all about doing the job to the best of my ability from start to finish. This is not easy either no matter where we all work at - such as an attractive, expensive office building inhabited w/ white collar workers or in a labor job in a tough, gritty environment with blue collar workers. People's negative (and sometimes hostile) attitudes DO NOT and NEVER represent the workplace. Many of them will never realize the proper codes that are set. Their actions are nothing more than a barrier of distraction offsetting the goals of what's needed to be completed during the day or week. If it were only easy to rid of that from everyone as well as ourselves, right? But that's just the way that it is in this world today - not a pretty picture all the time. However, keep yourself composed and think positive all the time no matter what. Again, I must say that its not easy but hang in there. Take it from me..... I'm fortunate enough to be a likable face at work and doing my best to provide the necessary teamwork that's essential for the company as well as the able-bodies who are recognized for what they do. In the end, we can all smile and go home happy (minus the road rage, too, but let's save that for another blog..lol)

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

The ribeye medium-rare steak I had was delicious and everything that came with it, too. It was my first time dining in Longhorn Steakhouse at the Bolingbrook location. Special thanks to our friend Geoff for hooking all of us tonight. I'll definitely get him something for Christmas. Lol.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

I cleaned out a section of the home/office today. Some of the items that were in this room before has transferred to the bedroom. That includes my iPod and the Bose speaker deck that it attaches to. At least it'll be good to know that I'm gonna listen to music while laying comfortably in bed. The extra space in the home/office will make way for a state-of-the-art treadmill in which I am to get in a couple of weeks from now. Its the type that can fold back up once I'm done with my running activities there. I look forward to that moment. So that means the home/office will now be also referred to as a gym-of-sorts. I plan to buy a small ab exercise equipment but I think I'll put that in the bedroom. Everything just in time for fall and winter season, huh. Cabin fever will be really interesting this year and the next :)

Song Gems Revisited: Blessid Union of Souls - I Believe

My cousin Shelli brought this song to my attention. Gosh, it's been years since I've heard this Blessid Union of Souls track on the radio, or even on the CD single (that I left in Virginia Beach). Eliot Sloan's vocals and piano-playing skills still remain prevalent and the same even if it's well over a decade now. Lyrics are so powerful and states a good message. I think this is the kind of music that new generation teens should listen to rather than most of the junk filled with a lot of crap nowadays ... Eliot and the Blessid Union of Souls are still active on the music scene, this time releasing their first-ever Christian album. 

I created a WIX-based webpage!

In a span of well over 4 hours this evening, I was able to come up with my own WIX-based webpage that showcases my journey (via photos) in different areas - namely Hampton Roads, Orlando, and Chicago. I finally gave in to the WIX hype after seeing the TV ad this morning. So I said, 'why not give it a try?' WIX is pretty easy for a starter or a total pro and it's a good way to promote a business or yourself, especially if you're an artist or a musician ... I hope many of you will like it. Its one way to thank those around me for the great company no matter where they are.

The weblink is - http://www.wix.com/jonnyroobs/glimpse

Music Beta by Google ---- your music collection streamed for your listening pleasure!

Just a few days ago, I was invited to the Music Beta Google app by my friend Gary via Google+. And now, I'm using this like a 'madman on a mission.' It enables us to upload up to 10,000 songs for FREE. Right now, I am uploading up to 2,000+ MP3/AAC files from my music collection via iTunes that are currently stored in my new 1TB hard drive. Some of 'em may not work out because its encoded with DRM (Digital Rights Management). As far as everything goes, they're transferring in impressive fashion through the Comcast/Xfinity high-speed powered internet. Songs are uploading like a breeze. That's way, way faster than the days when we used peer-to-peer network via Napster with our dial-in modem. Remember that? Lol. Glad we don't ever have to look into those days again. As technology innovations and breakthroughs go, it just makes it easier for us (end users) to enjoy the comfort of the PC no matter what internet type of activity we are doing such as uploading music (a long time hobby for many now, I'm sure). But going back to Music Beta Google app - it is a convenience for me. Its my own virtual hard drive of songs on cloud nine. I don't have to take my hard drive along, especially if I'm on vacation. My computer and laptops are working well so far streaming my music collection from Music Beta and hopefully with my future HTC EVO phone (THE phone gadget for next year) which has the capabilities (as my Blackberry Curve doesn't have the juice to load and play songs properly --- and YES, it rebooted in front of me -- AACK! lol). I'm all good with everything. So far, Music Beta by Google ROCKS!  It delivers! I hope this service will go on for free.

PHOTOBLOG: All Borders stores nationwide are closing

Sad (sigh).... Another great retail store going bye-bye in a few more weeks/months. It becomes the latest casualty joining the ranks of also-rans Linens N' Things, Circuit City, etc. For a limited time, Borders are slashing prices from 20-50% on certain products and items. Stop by to your nearest Borders and check out a great buy!

SPEAK OUT: Guest Blog for 8/6/11

"It's been a day back home from the Philippines. And seeing what I saw there, made me realize I'm truely Blessed with everything I have. My heart was broken seeing babies sleeping on the streets, and little kids selling anything to make a little money. With that being said, one of my goals in life is to help others that are in need. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, NOT YOUR PROBLEMS BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT WITH NOTHING AT ALL." - Manuel Pacquiao (The devoted Manny Pacquiao fan and look-alike)

Gotta love RealPlayer :)

RealPlayer is at its best right now with its software. It gives me the chance to get videos from YouTube and convert it to the format that is compatible with iTunes. The same goes with songs made available to MP3 formats. It helps convert YouTube videos to audio-only format when one prefers getting sounds instead. However, if there is a mishap that occurs with a RealPlayer-created MP3 on your iPod/iPhone (in which the song plays only from 5-30 seconds), best bet to remedy that is to convert it again to the AAC format (the iTunes compatible format) ..... I really love those smart alecks behind-the-software that continue to help innovate RealPlayer for what it is right now. And that's straight-up legal. If it weren't, RealPlayer would be banned from ever being used again by all the consumers and music lovers out there. I'm just enjoying my music and video tracks more than ever .

My friend's got beats - tons of 'em

I had the chance to meet up with my co-worker and friend, Rene, who doesn't live too far down from me here in Aurora, IL. Both of us have the same interest when it comes to the old-school jams, especially in the freestyle dance music sector. But man, he has A LOT! I felt overwhelmed with most of the gems he had on his 780GB Maxtor brand hard-drive. Some I haven't heard in a long time - perhaps even decades. And then there are those songs I'm not even familiar with. He's had an arsenal of them to play back. Chicago is one of the major U.S. cities that had acts who became innovators either from a commercialized standpoint, or even in the underground music scene for that matter. And my friend is a DJ too so he knows almost everything entirely .. One interesting track was 'French Kiss' that went fast then slow then fast again. It sounds like a woman is having the time of her life having sex (you heard it right - she is moaning and screaming in the song). The old-school stuff that had freestyle and breakdancing jams were the best ones in his collection. That seems to be the main ingredient I need for more the new 1TB hard drive that I bought. So far, I have used up 23GB which is my current music collection on my iTunes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the songs from his laptop because he only had 1 USB port, but I'm sure he can have time to stop over my place so I can get my grub on for these hot back-in-the-day faves. Pretty much, to be continued....

With the addition of Google+ as a 'new' part of my present social network site choices - Twitter and Facebook, it also marked my exits from MySpace and Friendster (after my long-term stay with them). However, caught in the mix is the other network LinkedIn which is possibly the most important of 'em all. I will need to get very active with all the connections out there that may give me a good shot at a promising job (or better yet, a career). I'll be sure to invest more time in getting my LinkedIn account updated. That's next on the social network agenda.

There's a cop....What did I do?

Ok, so there's a cop wanting to talk to me. And he doesn't look too happy, either. But what did I do to make him go all the way to a store's stockroom to find me while I'm at work?

Let's flashback, shall we?

The assignment location that afternoon was at Geneva Commons in Geneva, Illinois. My boss wanted me to get some additional supplies in the company vehicle. And I gladly went about in doing so. After obtaining the requested items from the trunk, I peered through the vehicle's window (on the driver's side) making sure that all my belongings were secured in a hidden place. I observed a police car (not a mall security - but from the town itself)  patrolling the shopping complex while I was heading back into the store with the items. I thought everything seemed the usual - or so I thought it were to be.

Now, onto the present situation at hand....

The cop came into the store's stockroom not looking one bit happy. He seemed like he wants to prey on his next  criminal. And it was me that was his next target. He wanted to question me privately. He gave me the gesture with his finger and called me out like I'm some kinda dog or a version of a lowlife that's not 'white-skinned' as he was. My boss, my supervisor Rizz, and all the workers were wondering about what's going on. After he requested to talk to me alone, the cop asked me if the company van was my vehicle. I said, "Yeah." And then he asked me why I was peering through the window. I told him, "I wanted to make sure that all my private belongings were secure and not in the open. And that's why I looked." Then, he headed out. No apologies. Nothing. He wanted to bust me for a crime, I'm sure those were his intentions. If it was probably someone that was white that had done this type of crime (the one the cop assumed I did), he'd probably get away with it.

The way the cop dealt with me got me all riled up and mad inside. But he did what he had to do since car break-ins have been happening a lot in the Geneva/St. Charles areas. Still, he should have done his procedures a little better than the act he pulled on me. Seems like he tried to vest so much power from out of his super-power police badge being a jerk instead. What he did doesn't represent the town's law enforcement. It was his doing. I still believe in the heroic 'Officer Friendly' from my heydays of grade school and I know there are good ones out there properly ridding and doing away criminals in a rightly way.

My work performance didn't falter. I kept on that night and to the next day. I was able to discuss my situation with trustful co-workers and shared my sense of humor on it. I am 'all good' about it and can move on with life.