Are you diabetic? What is your blood sugar level?

I went to the hospital a few months back for an FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) test just to check if my blood sugar level is still in normal range. I had to make sure that everything is normal to keep me sane. Blood testing has become my way of calming my self everytime I feel like I’m not feeling well.

And so I went to the hospital and underwent the whole process.

On my way out, I saw this poster. I had to take a picture of it to remind me of the symptoms of low and high blood sugar level.

But then again, when I ask my friend about this same topic, he told me that the boundary is 6 and on this poster, it is 7. What is the correct range for normal blood sugar level? Richard, my bro, panicked when he learned that his blood sugar level is 6.1 and he immediately went on a diet for more than a month already. The problem is, he did not consult a doctor. He simply trusted the Medical Technologist’s diagnosis that he is diabetic. But if you look at this poster, 6.1 is VERY NORMAL.

Enlighten me please.

Gian at the Asian Fusion

Before Gian left for Manila last summer, we had our last dinner at Picobello, an Italian Restaurant here in Davao City. Ordered some pasta (of course) and for the main course, some osso bucco (i hope i got the spelling right). He had a glass of watermelon shake and a coke for me. This craving for Italian food started when the koro boys went out and ate in another Italian restaurant in the city.

So there we were, our last meal here in Davao.

And you already know that I went to Manila a few days back. And so Gian and I met again for another eating spree. This would be our first meal in Manila in a restaurant in Glorieta called Asian Fusion (i guess). This time, I had a glass of apple shake and water for him. And the food was OKAY LANG - a fish lip soup and some fried noodles.

 

On ASAP and Fine Dining

I was out of town for the past weeks to attend an advertising conference held in Makati sponsored by the Advertisers and Suppliers Association of the Philippines (ASAP). The two day conference offered not just the latest trends in marketing and advertising (because as the theme of the conferece implies, its advertising beyond the basics) but good food as well.

The first time I attended this conference, that was way back in 2004, the food was a marvel. Buffet style with your choice of whatever gourmet food available. This year, the food was served per plate. Of course you can’t be like Oliver asking for seconds (although I wish I could) but it still tastes heavenly.

I can’t hardly remember what each meal is called but I am so sure it looked marvelous and it tastes even better. Just take a look at these.

 

A plate of smoked chicken and waldorf salad for the appetizer and steamed salmon with vegetables in butter and mashed potato is really worth all the money I spent here. And take note, I did not include the dessert here.

Aside from the food, the conference topics were worth checking. Included in the conference topics were:
Advertising Landscape, Brand Equity and Valuation, Fundamentals of Digital Customer Relations Management, Trends in Graphic Design & Creatives, Personalized Printing & Customization, The Next Shot-Directing Photography, Trade Fair & Exhibitions, Events Experiential Marketing, The Language of a Jingle, What’s New on Radio?, TV Ads and Digital Media, Sponsorship Marketing, Advergaming, Rise of the New Media, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

All of these topics stuffed in a two-day conference in a great place like Hotel Intercontinental in Makati, who could ask for more?

So watch out for my lecture (required re-echo) on the same topics (but not all) for the BA Communication Arts students of UP Mindanao.

How to export audio files as MP3?

This is for those people who uses the Audacity software for audio recording.

As we all know, Audacity is an OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE that allows us to record and edit audio files. The good thing about this software is that it has versions for most of the major operating systems in this planet - MAC, WINDOWS, and LINUX. Aside from that, it is FREE. Also, audacity is user-friendly. At a glance, you will easily understand the software’s interface.

The only problem is, it does not export audio files directly as MP3. Instead, it needs a LAME MP3 encoder to do that. The question now is, how do you export audio files as MP3 in audacity?

Please follow these steps.

1. Download lame_enc.dll online.
2. Click “Save File”
3. Copy the lame file in your audacity plug ins folder. You can locate this in your drive C program files inside Audacity folder. The plug ins folder is located inside the Audacity folder in your program files located in the drive C of your computer.
4. Once you are done, start recording using Audacity.
5. After recording, click the “File” button, scroll down and select “Export as MP3″
6. Once you do that, a prompt message will pop out telling you that audacity does not export files directly as mp3. Instead, you need to use the “LAME MP3 encoder” because it has the lame_enc.dll file.
7. There is a question in the prompt message asking you if you want to locate the lame.dll file. Click yes.
8. Look for the lame.dll file in your drive C, program files, audacity folder, plug ins folder.
9. Click the lame_enc.dll file
10. Now you are ready to export your recorder file as mp3.

Should there be any problems, do not hesitate to leave a comment here.

If you want to download audacity, google it.

What Dennis John Means

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It’s easy to get you excited… which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don’t stick with any one thing for very long.You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.You don’t always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don’t have as much going for them as you do.

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you.You never give up, and you will succeed… even if it takes you a hundred tries.You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.Success comes rather easily for you… especially in business and academia.Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You’re a strong person.