Philippine SWAT Sorry We Aren't Trained

First off, prayers to the victims family and friends. Now, SWAT? It's supposed to mean Special Weapons And Tactics, as in the group of elite law enforcement officers and experts in their respected field. But the sad display of trained professionals, The Philippine SWAT, didn't go so well. I won't go down that path and talk too much trash on the Philippine SWAT like the others. Because frankly, I think the world did that already and I think they got the message. Or at least I hope so...



But incase they didn't get the message, I created this t-shirt design as a reminder of their incompetence, amateurishness and lack of preparedness of the country's SWAT team. And because of this, they gave new meaning to SWAT as in "Sorry We Aren't Trained" as shown above. This design is offered in black, white, red, blue and yellow.

Wait, there's more. That was the English tee design version and I also have SWAT in Tagalog, "Sorry Wala Akong Training". It means the same thing as the English version. It is also offered in black, white, red, blue and yellow. Click on any of the images or hotlinks to go to the product page...



Some may think it's a bit harsh. Well, as a Filipino American, it was a BIG MISTAKE. Now take from what you learned and apply it so that it doesn't happen again. A true tragedy would be if the Philippine SWAT just ignored this horrible life lesson and let the victims die in vain. It's not just a lesson for the Philippine SWAT, but one for all that saw this tragic event. As the saying goes, "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing" by John Powell.

My sincere condolences to the victims' families.

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Joke of the day: Difference between Potentially and Realistically

A boy comes home from school one day and tell his father, "Dad, for homework tonight we are supposed to learn the difference between potentially and realistically".


The boys father thinks for a second and says to the boy,"Ok son, go ask your mom if she would sleep with the mail man for a milion dollars".


The boy runs down the hall and returns a moment later and says, "Mom said she would".


The father then says, "Ok, go up stairs and ask your sister the same question".


The boy does and returns back and says, "She said yes too".


The father then says, "You see son, potentially we are sitting on 2 million bucks here, but the sad reality is we are just living with a couple of high dollar hookers".

Visualnewbie: I Love Beer Pong Tees

Well, with college semester starting and football tailgating among us, I decided to recreate an oldie but a goodie for the Visualnewbie collection. This new design is called I Love Beer Pong. Yeah, I know it's been done, but mine looks cooler and frankly more fresh. I created two versions of the I Love Beer Pong designs. The first one comes in red, blue and green for those drinking related holidays like St. Patrick's Day...



The next I Love Beer Pong design features a large heart in the background. It's a bit more stylized but yet very similar to the first one. This design version is also offered in red, blue and green. Yup, you guessed it, for those drinking type holidays as well. It's something different than the usual type of graphics you see...



Like many of the designs shown in this blog (Communicating Ideas), the design is available on many products and not just t-shirts. Some popular items like bags, hats, mugs, etc. Check them out by clicking on the images above or any of the hotlinks in this post.

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Visualnewbie: Made in America T-Shirt

This Made in America t-shirt design with the American flag is as basic as it gets. It's also been added to the Visualnewbie collection just recently. Not sure why I haven't created a design like this yet. It's so simple and I've always created patriotic designs for the heck of it. But it's never too late to show some patriotism in any form. So, check it out...



I also created this other design by adding American Patriot for the text to replace the Made in America since we're on the subject of patriotism. So simple, but yet so powerful.



Each design is available in a wide range of products. They make excellent gifts for anyone for any occasion. Especially holidays like Memorial and Labor Day Weekends and the Fourth of July (Independence Day). Click on any of the images above to go directly to the product page or by clicking on the hotlinks.

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Inspiration: Savor the Flavor

Not as poetic and sweet sounding as other quotes, but straight to the point with a slight humor to finish it off. Something like "The grass isn't always greener on the other side" and "Sieze the moment" with a twist...

"You've lived your life ordering cheeseburgers with onions, lettuce, and ketchup. One day, you taste a cheeseburger with onions, lettuce, and mustard. And you love it. But you're torn because you're a ketchup guy? If you think she's the one, savor the flavor. Because if you keep staring at the menu, you're the one who's going to end up as leftovers."

Don't Tread on Me! Join or Die! Design...

Don't tread on me! Join or die! This new design has just been added to the Visualnewbie collection is the Gadsden Snake Crest design. The coiled rattlesnake was taken off the Gadsden, Don't Tread on Me, flag and the legendary saying of "Join or Die" was also added to complete the overall look and feel. I also have the fifty stars within the design to give it a modern take. I also wanted to go in a different design direction than what most are used to seeing...



Check it out by clicking on the image above or by clicking on any of the links you see within this post.

- Follow me on Twitter for the latest designs being added to the Visualnewbie collection.
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Gadsden Flag Snake T-Shirt Design

I took one of the coolest looking flags, the Gadsden Flag and created a new shirt design. This time taking just the coiled rattlesnake as the main symbol/attraction for the tee design. Wanting to keep the whole look clean, I also removed the "Don't tread on me" saying that's usually beneath it. This new design that's been added to the Visualnewbie collection is offered in black, white, red, blue, and yellow.



Click on the image above to see a sample product with the design. You can also find this Gadsden Snake design on a variety of products that make excellent gifts. I'm sure you'll be able to find something worth your while. If not, just send me a message of what type of design you're looking for and I'll do my best to accommodate your needs.

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NOTICE: Site Maintenance on 08.27.10

This is just a notice about the site maintenance that will be happening on Friday, August 27th, between 12:01am-2am PT. When this happens, you'll notice some photo/images will be down on this Blog, Communicating Ideas by Visualnewbie. This is where I host a majority of my photos for the site, Lapada Gallery. But don't worry, Communicating Ideas will be back up and running in no time. Besides, the content will remain, just not the photos during the maintenance...

As you may already know, I have been using Zenfolio hosting service for organizing, hosting and presenting my photos online. You can view my home page at http://www.lapadagallery.com/

Some of the features Zenfolio offers are:
- Unlimited storage
- Elegant pages with a choice of layouts and theme designs
- Highest quality presentation of photos online
- Easy to use intuitive interface
- Full screen Slideshow
- Links from auctions, blogs, and forums to seven different image sizes

You can use my referral code 7KP-95Q-85X during sign up to save $5.00 off your own subscription. Zenfolio offers a Free Trial account for two weeks so you can see if you like it.

Inspiration: Our Deepest Fear...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. By playing small you do not serve the world, there is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do. It is just not in some of us; it is in everyone. As we allow our own light to shine we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

"Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It" Tee Design

Sometimes we do good things and other times we do bad. When we do these bad things, we tend to blame others for our wrong doings rather than ourselves. So, this new t-shirt design is perfect. Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It! That's right, I'm going to blame not just your ordinary rap or hip hop, but gangsta rap. They've been taking the heat for quite some time, so this shouldn't be something new gangsta rap...



I grew up listening to gangsta rap as a youngin, not the stuff you hear nowadays. But rap in the 80's. You know, the hardcore stuff. You really don't hear music like that these days and that might be because it was too real for people. Society as a whole didn't want to hear it. So, I thought it would be fun to poke at the music I grew up with, with this design and some sarcasm. Truth be told, I grew up to be fine, so take that society. It's not about the music, but the person. And the fact that my parents raised me well.

Click on the image above to see a sample of the design on a t-shirt. You can also see the design on a variety of products if tees aren't your thing. Maybe a mug, hat or a bag are your thing. So, check it out.

You can also just go directly to Visualnewbie to see other great tee designs that you may be interested in. You can also follow me on Twitter if you please. That may be the best way to see new additions added to the collection at Visualnewbie.

Dinner: Royal Mandarin in National City

Last week, we had dinner to-go from our old favorite stomping ground, Royal Mandarin in National City. We haven't ate there since they burned down/remodeled late last year and wanted to give it a shot since the reopening over a month ago. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't have any concerns. Many places that have been closed for a good amount of time don't get back to their former glory. Fortunately, Royal Mandarin, the restaurant that I've been going to since I was a small child is still fucking AWESOME!



Royal Mandarin is the place that started the Salted Pepper Chicken Wings craze in San Diego. Now every Chinese restaurant sells their own version of it. I don't blame them though, cause they're that great! The Salted Pepper Chicken Wings is one dish that is ordered on a regular whenever I eat there. And I've been eating there for a real long time. This is also one dish that can be found at many Filipino parties across the South Bay San Diego. And I should know since I'm Filipino. The photo above is a picture of the small party tray offered at the restaurant. Oh, and the wings are huge!



Then we have the Mongolian Beef (above). It's your standard variety that every Chinese restaurant tends to have. Yes, they're good, but that's not one of their main strengths like the chicken wings. Plenty of beef in the dish compared to other establishments.

We also got the Honey Walnut Shrimp (below). What I like about the way they did it is that they give you the walnuts as a side in a bag instead of them topping it off. Some don't care for the walnuts and feel it's nice not to pick it off every once and awhile. I on the other hand love it. The photo above is about one fifth of walnuts that they gave us. So, there's plenty of nuts for those that want them, just not shown in the photo.



Next, we have is the Shrimp Fried Rice (below). Another dish we always get when ordering from Royal Mandarin. I know it's just fried rice to some, but there's something about it that makes me love them. I really can't pin point what it is. Whatever, it's plain old good! Nuff said...



So, in a nut shell, Royal Mandarin is back and better than ever! It's great to see Royal Mandarin up and running again. The place hasn't lost it's step despite the hurdle that they had to overcome late last year. The restaurant is hands down my favorite Chinese food establishment ever. They have the best Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings and as a whole, just delicious! I don't care what anyone else says!

So, do yourself a favor and check them out. That is all... happy eating.

Royal Mandarin Restaurant
1132 E Plaza Blvd, Ste 205
National City, CA 91950
619-477-4151

Joke of the Day: Grant you one wish

While trying to escape through Pakistan , Osama Bin Laden found a bottle on the sand and picked it up. Suddenly, a female genie rose from the bottle and with a smile said, "Master, may I grant you one wish?"


Osama responded," You ignorant, unworthy daughter-of-a-dog! Don't you know who I am? I don't need any common woman giving me anything."


The shocked genie said, "Please, I must grant you a wish or I will be returned to that bottle forever."


Osama thought a moment, then grumbled about the impertinence of the woman and said, "Very well, I want to awaken with three American women in my bed in the morning. So just do it and be off with you.' The annoyed genie said, "So be it!" and disappeared.


The next morning Bin Laden woke up in bed with Lorena Bobbitt, Tonya Harding and Nancy Pelosi at his side. His penis was gone, his knees were broken, and he had no health insurance.
God is good.

American and Gadsden Flag Tee Design

This American and Gadsden Flag t-shirt design is one of the latest designs to be added to the Visualnewbie collection. The concept of the design is a split between the traditional flags, while the Gadsden coiled rattlesnake overlaps the Stars and Stripes. It's another design, much like the recent ones, that provokes power and liberty. Especially when looking at the current events going down as we speak...



Check it out by clicking on the image above to view a product sample of the many products displaying the American and Gadsden Flag design. You can also get these designs on darker backgrounds other than white. Or just go over to Visualnewbie to see other awesome designs. More t-shirt designs to be posted soon...

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF) Design

Another t-shirt design has been added to the Visualnewbie never ending collection of awesome designs, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Also known as "What the Fuck!" (WTF). Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is the military's radio phonetics/lingo of the alphabet. Pretty cool and pretty creative. This type of lingo is very popular with the college/young crowd as well as the internet community...



This design, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF), is available in black and white. By clicking on the image or the text links to the left, you can see a sample of one of the many products available with the WTF designs. So many options that there's always something for everyone. So, check it out at Visualnewbie!

Visualnewbie: End the Fed Shirt Design

New design addition to the Visualnewbie collection called "End the Fed". Not much to say about it. It's pretty self explanatory. The "End the Fed" shirt design is available in black, white, red and blue. It's also available on a wide selection of products that would make great gifts.



Click on the image above to go directly to a "End the Fed" product in black. For more cool/college type designs, check back here on Communicating Ideas or by visiting Visualnewbie.