"Midweek Magic 2018 #20: Muldrotha Double Lariat."

"Midweek Magic 2018 #20: Muldrotha Double Lariat."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I knew that there would be hate coming my way as my Muldrotha EDH deck managed to eke out wins left and right. I was back at being Arch Enemy this Thursday night and it was like good old times where I would be able to thwart my friends plans of beating me. It was 4 players against an Archenemy and randomly decided Minion. In this round it was Janry who was also playing his own version of Muldrotha and with two of this graveyard abusing commander there was a lot of headaches for our opponents.

Of course the dominance would not last and being a protracted game Janry was not able to finish the game and so...

After controlling most of the game with every single play with Muldrotha...I felt like I got a double Lariat when Yo played a Raiders Wake and Jus played a Collective Defiance that left me dead. 

A freaking Double Lariat! 

"Standing on a Straight line"

"Standing on a Straight line"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

I stand here on this straight line

The one that I hope leads me to you

My hope is somehow we would intersect

I was hoping that you were standing on it too

II

Someone once told me

with all the twists and turns

sometimes the straight path 

will always lead you there

III

So I stand here on this straight line

Waiting for that time

and I know for certain

I will see your smile.

10:47pm Sykes Shaw Centrum 500 05/04/2018

"Midweek Magic 2018 #19:World Shaper Dream Play"

"Midweek Magic 2018 #19:World Shaper Dream Play"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Down to 9 points and needing a way to win. This is the situation that I found myself in and I surveyed the battlefield to see if I can pull it off.

With Zuran Orb , Liliana Vess , Nissa Steward of Elements , Muldrotha and a ton of lands in play.I had  World Shaper in my graveyard.

I looked for Merciless Executioner with Lili , put it on top of my library , Casted World Shaper from the Graveyard using Muldrotha , Sacrificed lands to Zuran orb. Gained 28 life points. Then Using Nissa , Steward of elements 2nd ability to put Merciless Executioner in play.I sacrificed Worldshaper to it and got all my lands back tapped!

Janry sacrificed his remaining blocker to the Merciless executioner and Jus sacrificed Nekusar who already had a lightning greaves equipped on it. The latter almost killed me a bunch of times this turn but thanks to the life swing I was able to stave it off and break my opponents resolve.

Now I plan on changing my deck as I believe the hurting will start soon.With all the hating. Hahahahha

"Doc In , Doc Out Espesyal Letter to Patients: Mga Marino"

"Doc In , Doc Out Espesyal Letter to Patients: Mga Marino"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Dear Mga Marino,

Di niyo alam na ako ay nalulungkot tuwing kayo ang pasyente ko. Di niya ako kilala pero ang tatay ko ay naging mabuti at magaling na Kapitan ng kanyang mga sinakyang barko sa 4 na dekada.

Ngayon na nakikita ko ang mga nagsisimula pa lang na mga batang kadete at ang mga paretiro nang opisyal na napakarami nang nararamdaman nakikita ko ang tatay ko sa inyo. Ang kanyang kasipagan , ang kanyang pagkameticuloso sa pag ayos ng mga papel at gamit. Sa kanyang pagising ng maaga at madisiplina na pagdadala ng sarili sa harap ng mga tao.

Kayo na nagsisimula pa lang gusto kong sabihin na galingan ninyo , nagsimula din ang tatay ko diyan sa kinalalagyan niyo at di siya tumigil na mag aral at magturo hanggang sa inabot niya ang pinakamataas na lisensiya ng propesyon ninyo. Kaya sipag at tiyaga lang.

Kayo po na paretiro na. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyo bilang katawan ng inyong mga anak at kamag anak na natulungan ng naipon ninyong lungkot sa ibang bansa. Di madali pero kinaya ninyo. Yung lumaki ang ibang mga anak ninyo na di kayo kilala at minsan maloko ng mga misis na nangungulila din ng kalinga. Saludo ako sa inyong tiyaga. Tulad ng tatay ko. Sana maenjoy ninyo ang pagreretiro. Isang bagay na di niya natuloy.

Di niyo alam ang lungkot ko siyempre. Minsan lang kasi tayo magkita at ang inaalala niyo ay kung may makikita akong kakaiba sa PE ninyo or sa laboratoryo or ECG o Xray na magigng daan na di kayo makasakay. Wag po kayong magalala. Ang Tatay ko po ay Marino. Naiintindihan ko kayo.

Saludo sa mga Marino,

Doc June

"Pristin V - Get It MV Reaction: Leaner and Meaner"

"Pristin V - Get It MV Reaction: Leaner and Meaner"

by:

The Vole

The Pristin sub unit officially released their MV today and this time we see members Nayoung , RoA , Eunwoo , Rena and Kyulkyung smolder on the screen as they to try and pull a very memorable summer run.

Pristin is still one of those groups that I want to see badly. They really are talented but are falling just a little short at times. This sub unit might be due to the fact that there is speculation that member Kyla will be leaving or be on extended hiatus since she stopped activities last October 2017.

This new song from the sub unit is both catchy and sexy at the same time and offers a visual overload as the girls have had upgrades done to their looks. All can sing and dance obviously and since there are only 5 you can actually enjoy of their parts on the song.

And also see more of the ones that you like and I like all 5 of them. I was wondering why Xiyeon wasn't in this group though. Well it is not up to me but I will continue to stan them. This one is sure to be on the list of songs for this Korean summer which is heating up as everyone seems to be coming back and trying to be the summer queens. Pristin V stands as one of those contenders.

"Midweek Magic 2018 #18:The first to Brawl"

"Midweek Magic 2018  #18:The first to Brawl"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Jus and I have been talking about building Brawl decks even before the Holy Week break. I had some peace and quiet in the clinic and I used that alone time with no games finally finish a couple of decks that were in the back burner. Among them is the Tishana Merfolk deck and the Azami deck I had never got around to improve.

I had managed to build 3 Brawl decks on the fly but mostly with the cards that I had on hand. 

It was a mono black Gonti deck which was mostly pirate cards with no decent removal.

There was also my Boros Depala deck that lacked the good vehicles from the Depala EDH deck that I had and I was really hesitant in breaking apart.So it mostly dinosaurs riding stuff with a mix of Dwarfs.

And the last one was the mono red Etali deck that had a lot of burn and red dinos that were ready to attack. Before our first games I decided to replaced the 6 mana cost dino with Captain Lannery Storm and this turned out to be the big boost that the deck needed.

I was facing against the first version of Jus's Sram Brawl deck. I was able to use Magma Spray and another 1 to cast removal spell to have Lannery storm attacking and not dying.

With it's haste and treasure producing ability I was able to cast the 6 cast Etali on turn 4 and even more dinos after that. 

I plan on improving the deck with a Neheb the Eternal pretty soon. Time to Brawl some more.

"Couch Talk"

"Couch Talk"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

YuuA had the habit of absentmindedly stretching her legs over V when she lay on the couch. The dragon had no complaints regarding the matter as it afforded her a view of her well shaped legs and the rest of her that the world would never get to see. 

He stretched out his hands over the bruises from today's practises , same like yesterday and the day before that. People had the idea that idols did nothing all day but try to look pretty but it was very hard work. YuuA slightly snored as he began to heal the tears in her muscles slowly. She was always thankful and energized when she woke up. Normally she would be hungry for food and for him. It didn't matter to him in which order that she fed , it was pleasurable either way.

The bruises were gone now , it didn't take much of his power to do it as well. She often asked him why he did it. Did he think that her legs were ugly with them? Like a banana with it's brown spots. He laughed at the comparison when she asked but answered all the same. "That only thing I care about is that you remain healthy and alive."

"When you talk like that you sound like an old person."

"Well I am 999 years old."

"You look like you could be my age."

"I am not though. How do you feel that I am older than any of your ancestors?"

YuuA wrapped her arms around the dragons neck and looked  straight into his eyes. "What do you want me to feel? All I know is that I want you with me." 

V normally did not run out of words to say but when it comes to this one person he found that the words did not even need to come out.

"Any more questions?" And she other her legs to wrap around him as well.Pulling him even closer , her body pressing into his.

"Yeah. With you being like that how can I ask my questions?"

"That is a question."

"I know but don't you want to know what I want to ask?"

"That is another question." YuuA said pouting. Her pretty face a few inches away from V. "Let me ask you this then  should I stop this?"

"No."

YuuA couldn't help herself any longer. After the long frustrating day of practices and what seemed like pointless meetings all she wanted to do was be with him in this cool and dark place. And as their lips met she knew she was getting her way.

"Midweek Magic 2018 #17:Realizing Azami"

"Midweek Magic 2018 #17:Realizing Azami"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I had toyed with the idea of a Wizards deck led by Azami but it was put on hold when I focused on my Locust God pet deck and in my quest to make it better. I had built the deck and with it the last of my Basic Islands. It had been languishing in the trunk of my car until I finally decided to pull it out of there and try to make it all better.Making Shells and making those shells better is the name of the game for me after all.

At first it was a tribal wizards deck even having a Nameless One in the mix. And then I realized I had a full set of Wizards to play with in Arcanis  , Baral and Memnarch. I somehow got a Teferi as well and it was all looking good.The deck features a lot of win conditions that got better as we played with it. 

Normally there was an insane amount of mana available to me via the Deadeye Navigator and Peregrine Drake Combo. I could mystical tutor or draw a Blue Sun'S Zenith and kill someone with it. Or Capsize every one's permanents or grab all of it with Memnarch. 

Then came the totally abusive Paradox Engine that allowed me to draw cards and sling spells and draw more cards until I got my win condition. It was great to win but there are times that it becomes quite boring. Still I was living the dream of drawing a whole bunch of cards while winning.

"Veronica:Scary for a whole lot different reason"

"Veronica:Scary for a whole lot different reason"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Dubbed as the most scary movie on Netflix my family and I decided to watch it on a very hot Sunday night. What happened next was beyond what I could have ever imagined. We actually never got to finish it the first time around because my wife who pushed me to watch it in the first place was the first to have her eyes closed!

So we had to finish it the following day during lunch.

The Plot:

Veronica follows the titular character as she deals with the weird things that start happening in her house after a seance that went wrong.

The Good:

The actress that plays Veronica is awfully pretty  , those who plays her sisters and Antonito are all cute which makes you hope that something bad doesn't happen to them. 

The similarities of Filipino and Spanish like when they count or how the Spanish School girls are much like our own.

The atmosphere that Veronica's house creates. The weird waking dreams and that closet scene where Antonito is shouting. Vero Vero Vero again and again. Watch the movie to find out why he was shouting her big sisters name.

The reaction of the Detective as discovers Veronica.

The mystery left by this case. The next one could be you.

The Bad:

Veronica's friends.Bad bad bad. You see her friends abandon her after that incident with the Ouija board. They decide to bond with each other and basically pretend that she does not exist at all.

They decide to do all the things that friends normally do like party or go do homework together leaving Veronica out. And the reason for it? Because when Veronica was possessed with the thing she told her friend that she was going to die 3 days later.

And her friends just went on with their lives. Sorry can't help you there. On your own. Yeah

The Ugly:

Sister Death  , a blind , cigarette smoking Nun who can see things. Well perceive things. Something about those milky white eyes.

The thing that is out for Vero's soul. I wish it could say something. It doesn't. 

In Conclusion:

Veronica was indeed a scary movie but not in the way that the spirit was out to get her soul. It was because this thing happened to her by her own choice. The lack of a parent. Her mom was always working making her the defacto mom at home who looks out for her 3 other siblings. And her Dad was dead so she was dabbling in the occult to try and talk to him. Loneliness can make you do really scary things. 

Her friends who abandoned her was also scary.True Friends would at least be willing to try to change the course of things went. These friends did nothing.

"Doc In , Doc Out Espesyal Letter to Patients - Dear Liar"

"Doc In , Doc Out Espesyal Letter to Patients  - Dear Liar"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Dear Liar,

I am normally a very tolerant person but one thing I cannot tolerate is when you are lying to my face and you expect me to just swallow every thing that you have just regurgitated.

Lie#1 - Dapat po babalik ako sa pulmo kaso wala po pala siyang clinic ng Sunday.

Malamang na wala siyang clinic nun. Wala pong OPD or doctor na magbubukas ng clinic ng linggo. Mga ER Docs lang po ang available sa inyo ng mga ganyang araw. 

Lie#2 - Di po yung Pulmo ang nagpapabalik , yung nurse po ang nagsabi sa akin.

Hmmmmm sa umpisa wala kang sinabi na nurse. Ang sabi mo babalik ka kasi pinapabalik ka ni Pulmo mismo. Nag acting ka pa na nagulat na wala siya. Althought lumabas din sa bibig mo na dapat Monday ka dapat babalik. tsk tsk tsk.

Lie#3 - Last year naman di po ako hiningan ng fit to work.

Hmmmm. Matagal ka na sa BPO. More than 6 years tapos nabibigla ka na may FTW requirement?Automatic yun for every prolonged absence. You expect me to believe na di mo alam yun? Katulad nung sinabi mo sa akin na walang Doctor na nagsabi sa iyo regarding sa masamang side effect ng pagnebulize ng di naman kailangan.

Hay. Pinapasaya mo lalo na ang araw ko. Lubos lubosin mo na. Dalhin mo na yung mga papers mo para masentensiyahan na kita. 

Di Masyadong natutuwa,

Doc June

"Choosing Doors"

"Choosing Doors"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

There was a question posted online about scenario where you have to choose between a red or blue door. Enter the blue door and you emerge 15 years in the future with 50 millions dollars. Or enter the red door, you emerge as the 10 year old you with all the knowledge that you have now. 

This was an easy one for me. I chose the red door. To be young and to be smart and know things.

The reason I would never choose the blue door is because of my age. I am now 41. I would be 56 and rich yes but the diseases that I have now may have progressed to the point that I might not get to enjoy those riches. And speaking of riches. Economies are always in flux and 50 million dollars 15 years from now might not actually be worth something. Consider future war or future global financial collapse. You could wake up in a future where the Yuan and Yen are king.  You could have been rich but you simply got the wrong denomination.

Whereas waking as your 10 year old self might be challenging in the beginning. The scenario did not call for you to travel back in time, mainly just revert back to a younger you in the present time. Right now I am a practicing physician and have experiences in holding various enterprises aside from medicine. Prodigies are not unheard and a 10 year old who can pass the board exams and run businesses well that will sure to generate interest and. Ash flow. The kicker is that I am healthier and are farther away from death actually having the chance to correct health mistakes. Of course my 34 year old wife and 12 year old daughter would be in for a big shock. Id have to explain this really really carefully. Starting with , " you see there was this red door....

I can imagine all the specialties I can now take. Yeah. More time. Even now that is still what I need.

"Spellseeker: Helping Azami!"

"Spellseeker: Helping Azami!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Battlebond is almost here and I was so busy that I have just begun to write about this now. The moment I looked at this card there was only one commander that I thought off. AZAMI!  

I have been winning with this particular deck for the past weeks and I am excited to see how the Spell seeker will be a redundancy for cards like merchant scroll and mystical tutor.. 

Azami edh decks feature a lot of wizards that can land on the battlefield and just tap to draw a card in addition to their other etb effects. Spell seeker not only gets you a counter that you could put on your isochron scepter. It might get you that much needed spot removal or dramatic reversal or any spell that can trigger your paradox engine and untap all your nonland permanents. 

Since spellseeker herself is a wizard she adds more value by tapping and allowing you to draw a card with Azami already in play. So a tutor and a card draw in the right situation! I am excited for this update. The question now is in removing a card from that already value packed deck. Hmmmmm.

"Hyolyn X Gray- Dally MV reaction: Sexily Misleading"

"Hyolyn X Gray- Dally MV reaction: Sexily Misleading"

by:

The Vole

Dally is one of those mvs that would make you stand up and take notice. Well I was sitting down while listening to it and I remember Grays ID in the opening and I know that I was in for a treat. I just didn't know how much of a treat. Hyolyn singing in that sexy voice of hers was one thing , her throwing all her caution to the wind and dancing provocatively. You would begin to suspect that this was not a kpop video with all the grinding, floor works and even a helicopter standing step that you would expect from a western mv but not in something as conservative as a korean mv. 

One look at the mv and you would assume that this was a video of a girl who was actually telling her guy of all the sexy things that she wanted to do with him once they see each other in the flesh. Sort of like don't dally. I am waiting. 

The reality is a lot harsher as when you read the korean translated lyrics you realize that even with Grays sexy hook in his low tones you discover that this is actually a break up song. Yup a freaking break up song with a scorching mv that is meant to get certain ehem...reactions. 

I was tricked. They pulled it off. I am looking for to their next break up song. I am also wondering what mv concept they would pull if the song is actually sexually explicit. Hmmm. Someone doing taxes I suppose. Very sexy indeed.

"3 Things I have seen this week:Kaaaaaaaaaarn!"

"3 Things I have seen this week:Kaaaaaaaaaarn!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

My friends know that I have been so frustrated about Karn these past few weeks. My PR kit had zero Karns in it. I have brought a Dominaria box but no Karn. I have tried opening several well chose packs but still no luck. 

This week I just said to myself. I am going to buy several packs at Spiral Valenzuela and relax and have fun.Let Karn appear if he wants to appear.

1) 1st Karn

I bought 6 packs in all and decided to open them in the clinic where I worked. Out of the 6 . Only one had Karn on it. Could this be a sign?

2) 2nd Karn

I opened my first 3 packs and got things I needed for my EDH decks but no Karn. On my 4th pack I carefully looked at the uncommons and found this card. I don't have this one yet. Weight of Memory. Karn was right smack at the center! Could this be a sign?

3)3rd Karn

I slowly lifted the Weight of Memory and as I saw the 5 loyalty counters and the borders that can only mean one thing. It was him. The Father of the Machines. The old Golem himself. I finally saw Karn , Scion of Urza himself.So the other 2 were signs after all! 

"Doc In , Doc Out Espesyal Letter to Patients: Fiona"

"Doc In , Doc Out Espesyal Letter to Patients: Fiona"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Dear Fiona,

Alam natin pareho ang para paraan na ginagawa mo para lang di na magcalls. Ito lang ang payo ko sa iyo. Kung di mo na kaya ay magpaalam ka na. Di yung kada isang linggo nagrerequest ka ng voice rest until end of shift na di naman related sa boses mo.

Hindi porke't napagbigyan ka ng minsan eh akala mo uubra ka sa lahat ng makakaharap mo sa clinic. Magtataray ka. Mag aaacuse ng kung ano ano. Magbubully ng mga batang doctor na mabait din naman at ayaw kang patulan.

Kaso lang di na ako batang doctor at ang prinsipyo ko ay kung gago ka sa akin eh mas gago ako sa iyo. So ngayon nagpapavoice rest ka dahil sa pulikat ng paa mo. Expected mo na gagawin ko yun. Pero di ko ginawa. Tinitingnan ko kung ano ang reaksyon mo sa akin kanina.

Buti at naglakad ka palabas ng clinic at naging consistent sa paika-ika mong lakad na wala naman nung nakita kita sa lobby 2 hours bago ka pumunta sa clinic. Sabi mo sumakay ka ng tricycle at naitukod mo ang paa mo kaya masakit. Praktisado na yung sinasabi mo sa akin. Ganyang ganyan din nung sinabi mo na ngayon lang nasira ang ipin mo eh halos upod na upod na sa tartar.

Hay Fiona. Magbago ka na. Di ka mamahalin ni Shrek kapag ganyan ka.

Di Naaliw sa iyo,

Doc June

"Battlebond Partner With Mechanic:Stronger Together"

"Battlebond Partner With Mechanic:Stronger Together"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Battlebond is almost here and I am excited about the new Partner With mechanic that will introduce some interesting things into the EDH format. Well at least in the casual formats that I am involved with.

So "partner with" is an enters the battlefield ability of some select legendary creatures. In essence it allows you to get their partner from your library into your hand. They tutor for cards that make them stronger or add another element to the decks that they belong to.

For Example Sylvia Brightspear and Khorvath Brightflame give Dragons and Knights additional abilities. Traditionally Knights fight with Dragons but in a deck involving these two you actually see them make each other stronger! With Khorvath Brightflame Knight you control Have flying and Haste. They essentially become Dragon Riders! And what about the Dragons? They all gain double strike! Probably because all of them have knights on their backs that can deal additional damage. And this is just the Boros edition of Partner with. 

According to the spoilers you have creatures that have Orzhov , Izzet, Golgari and Simic Partner with Mechanic. As well the Kenrith's , the only planeswalkers of the set and have the distinction of having this mechanic as well.

Down the line there might be an enchantment or creature that will give others this ETB but we just have to see how this all plays out. So far all I see is upside.

"Nothing Moves Me"

"Nothing Moves Me"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

Nothing moves me

Not anger , Not fear

Not death , Not living

Not the thought of you leaving

II

Nothing moves me

Not love , Not Hate

Not pleasure nor pain

Or thoughts that might drive others insane

III

Nothing moves me

And I will stand here till all go.

But Only for your tears

Will I wake and dry them for you.

UHG Building N , QC 05/26/2018 1:20am

"Midweek Magic 2018 #16: Jarad secures his place in my Pantheon"

"Midweek Magic 2018 #16: Jarad secures his place in my Pantheon"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It was the first group games of April and it was nice to have Cheska back from Japan and Yo from his Mckinley tours. Janry and Jus were also in the mix and it was Jarad at the head of the Archenemy table with me piloting him.

All was going well actually and I was showing some really great luck in the Archenemy draws that I was able to put a Liliana Vess into play and get the cards that I wanted into my hands and into my graveyard. The first game ended with a combo win and some of the control players in the group were tapped out.

Cheska looked at me and asked. "Tapos na Doc?"

Janry didn't want me to explain and I was even chided by Cheska if it would take to long to explain. Overall I felt like my decision making skills were much improved this time around.

I managed to(with the permission of everyone to make a "Sands of time move") to put a Necrotic Ooze on the battlefield with Triskelion and and Phyrexian Devourer already in my graveyard and I pinged everyone to death.

The 2nd game was also a close call and I felt that I would be able to eke out a win even if Janry was controlling me most of the game and Jus was also pressuring with a mechanized production win and 9 treasure tokens already on the battlefield. 

I reanimated Razaketh and looked for an Acidic slime which promptly got countered by Janry who was playing a blue black Ninjutsu deck. After being tapped out I then reanimated Acidic slime to destroy the Mechanized Production. I breathed a sigh of relief but my demise was something worse. It was at the hand of a Manticore from Amonkhet.

Jus who at this point attacked a Lannery storm had 10 treasures which he sacrificed to make the red pirate a 12/2 , dying to the Manticore and dealing damage to me. The Manticore was sacrificed and then Embalmed dealing another set of damage. Much to everyone's relief and my eventual demise. It was the constant pressure and the fact that everyone in the group was engaged that made me happy.Jarad has made his presence felt.Time to move on to the next project. Another member to my Jupon Katana.

"Bumper Cars."

"Bumper Cars."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

The whole point of bumper cars is in the name itself. Bump each other and laugh to your hearts content. At least that is what I thought it was and I still do. 

Except I saw this one guy who drove his cart like he had no joy in the world. Not a smile cracking on his face as he navigated through everyone. He would voluntarily swerve away from hitting others and even when was able pass safely away his face was impassive. Not a single smile or a single peep out of him with the exception of when he was seemingly scolded his friend to turn the car and drive.

That is no way to drive a bumper car. I think the guy would have enjoyed another ride. Then again he might be one of those iceberg types who do not reveal much of how he feels on his face and maybe his own version of bumper cars is the perverse pleasure of not hitting or being hit by someone.

I don't think I can do that. My personality normally needs to be tempered. I have to look serious. I have to be respectable and all that. When I get into one of these carts I know that I can hit people as hard as I can and they would be laughing hard with me when I do. I can drive as recklessly as I can but then again if I don't put just a little control I won't hit anyone as hard so therein lies the irony. I have to be in control to lose control.

It is always a very relaxing experience for me as I plow through the other carts or back into other people. It seems like my perverse fantasy to do so. No one gets hurt and everyone has a great time. The 5 minutes or so just seem to pass us by and we find ourselves going for another round.

Some people blow off steam by shooting things. I do the same by crashing into other people.

"Midweek Magic 2018 #15:A little thing called Golgari Wars!"

"Midweek Magic 2018  #15:A little thing called Golgari Wars!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It was my 2nd day of using Jarad and after a great run battling Jus and Janry the previous day I was feeling a bit more confident using the deck again. 

Of course I was not expecting to battle 1 on 1 with another Golgari powerhouse in Varolz which Janry brought this night. It was a such a fast win that I was not able to react properly. It was a 15/15 Varolz attacking on turn 3 after Janry cast a Death's Shadow and it promptly died , only to be Scavenged on the deadly troll. So many counters. I had to scoop my cards and concede.

Our 2nd game was starting to look the same with Varolz going on the offensive early again and threatening to kill me next turn but it went much better in my favor as I was able to cast Living Death reanimating a lot of my deadly creatures and eliminating Varolz in the process and Janry would try to play control for the rest of the game.

I cannot remember which game it was but I also died to a 6/6 flying Plague stinger with Varolz scavenging a 5/5 creature on it. I had to slap my forehead because I did not play my Bojuka bog the previous turn when I could have eliminated anything that Varolz could scavenge.

Over all the night was back and for between the Golgari Lichlord , Jarad and Golgari Champion Varolz.  

"What I say to Fear"

"What I say to Fear"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

Fear often whispers in my ear

this could fail

this could be the end

the worst thing you can ever be

II

And I find myself staring at it

And this is what I say

I know

I know that I could fail

I know that this might be it

I know that despite giving it all

I know .I I know I could fail.

III

Fear looks back at me as I answer

and it has nothing left to whisper.

So I do what I do

Pray and study and know

Listen and Live and Go.

I know I could fail.

Fear lets me go.

UHG Building N 5/19/2018 2:48am

"Midweek Magic 2018 #14:Jarad is back!"

"Midweek Magic 2018 #14:Jarad is back!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

On the first day that Jarad , Golgari returned into active EDH play I found that both my opponents Janry and Jus were not focusing on him. It was that part of the night where I moved from 1 v 1 with Jus into the 3 on 3 portion with Janry in the pantry.

Now the reason why my opponents were not focusing on Jarad was because they saw the 8/8 Razaketh as the beater that they needed to eliminate. I believe that Razaketh was killed and reanimated around three times in one of our games. I no longer had any reanimation spells on me. They no longer had any removal spells. It seemed that a draw was in the offing.

The difference was that Jarad stepped unto the battlefield as a 12/12 creature alongside my Lhurgoyf who was now 10/11. It pays to have a well stocked graveyard. Hehehehehe. It was not long before I eliminated both of them.

I had my doubts playing it in a multiplayer setting but it was strong enough and I was better at piloting it this time around.  Jarad is back! 

"Stairs:Giving You Perspective."

"Stairs:Giving You Perspective."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

The view from where I was standing was beautiful and dare I say worth the 9 hours or so drive from Manila to Ilocos. Only I realized something when it was time to eat and the buffet restaurant where we were supposed to go was located. It was located above us which can mean only one thing. Stairs.

And lots of it , stairs that were cut into the stone face of the cliff where Vitalis sat  , stairs that were steep and daunting and made your calf muscles burn with the effort when you climbed them. The kids were running up as I trudged myself up like an old man. I was just not into all that climbing and there were lots of that if you wanted to get around the resort and enjoy the views and different pools.

After awhile though I feel like I have gotten used to it. My heart didn't feel like it was going to pound right out of my chest. I did realize though that I was still out of shape and that I needed to do something about it.

The summer is half way over but it might present a good bonding moment with my Aven if we exercise a bit. I might need to look into that as I want to have more wonderful vacations with my family in the near future.

"Uni.t - No More MV reaction:Well seasoned and fine."

"Uni.t - No More MV reaction:Well seasoned and fine."

by:

The Vole

My friend PM'd me and shared the link to this group. I have been too busy lately to watch any of the MV's that I downloaded but I told him that I would watch this one. He told me that I would really like it.

And this was the live debut stage , sort of  , for Uni.T(probably pronounced as Unity?) , a mixed group of idols from other girl groups who emerged at the winner from the survival show The Unit. A couple of seconds in I knew that I was going to like it. Especially after seeing my Dalshabet bias , Woohee and ZN from Laboum.

In the live stage despite being drenched in the rain the girls performed to this sexy summer song that reminded me of a Primary song that featured the former singer of AOA ChoA. I was instantly hooked. The peach sheer dresses and the sexy dance moves were an added bonus. Their voices rang pure , they didn't sound like they were throttling themselves or they didn't have that annoying cutesy voice that seems to pervade current Kpop releases. 

Since these are older idols we won't really see any cutesy stuff here. And they put on the level of sexy that only seasoned Idols could pull off and the result is an MV which is both attractive and addicting.

All of these ladies have a following from their previous groups and I hope that they are promoted properly as this song really deserves it's place in current Kpop rotation.

"Girl on the Street Corner Social Experiment Philippines: Putting yourself in harms way."

"Girl on the Street Corner Social Experiment Philippines: Putting yourself in harms way."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

The Philippines has it's own set of youtubers that are conducting social experiments.The scenario is that of a girl standing on a street corner , she is decently dressed , if you can call a tight off shoulder dress that enhances the size of her breasts decent. Well aside from that she is wearing flat shoes and normal pants. Not skinny jeans or anything just pants that look comfortable. So she is set to stand in a corner and observed as one by one strangers approach her. 

First she looks like a prostitute waiting for the next client to come around.It doesn't matter what you look like nowadays. I am not sure where this social experiment was held but if you ever pass the well known pick up spots like in Quezon Ave and Paseo in Makati you would know that some of these working girls just look like people waiting for a ride home. Some might even wear the same kind of clothes as this actress.

So she was approached several times and if this is not a set up of other actors to heighten the sense of danger then all I can say is that the place where you are and what you are doing in the middle of the night in such a place are the biggest factors for you being harassed liked this.

In essence you are putting yourself in harms way. If for example you really are waiting for someone it might help that you are waiting for someone rather than on not so well lit side of the street. I am sure those who approached this actress have observed her standing in the same corner for quite some time before they made their approach. 

While this has disturbing implications , creeps like this exist everywhere.Give them the wrong implications or not and they will still harass. In the case of this social experiment video they are given the impression that the girl can be hired or even picked up for sex.

While some may argue that she is just standing there. The same can be send about some sex workers. While it does not follow that everyone standing on a corner is a sex worker you are giving the impression that you are. So the safest bet is to reduce your risk and not put yourself in harms way by staying in that are. Some of the harassers might have been thinking that she might have been holding off for a higher price or just not like who was picking her up. There was one who came around for a second pass at her for this very reason.

In conclusion while this video sets off to warn people and create awareness of harassment on our streets. I do not believe that all parts of the city are like this. In whole I still believe that most of the city is pretty decent but I cannot help but assert that there are simply places where you can attract such people. If you are trying to watch Lava flow then your best bet is to go near a volcano right? This is experiment is much the same. You go to where the creeps are and bait them with an attractive actress. 

"Midweek Magic #13:Golgari Shenanigans with Jarad!"

"Midweek Magic 2018 #13:Golgari Shenanigans with Jarad!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It has been a dream of mine to one day finish all the golgari decks that I have been holding back on for months on end. It seems that with all that has been happening to me I have not been able to go through the pieces that I have meticulously separated months ago.

This week was different and after the success that I felt with my Azami deck it was time to go back to my golgari roots. Back all the way to Jarad , Golgari Lich lord.

Now I don't know if I have managed to mature as a player or if my mind is more focused but I did find myself enjoying playing with Jarad this time around even if I felt like I was facing more formidable opponents.

Maybe it was the sense that I had a more complete deck due to the fact that I have been slowly accumulating things. In one of my first wins this week using a Whip of Erebos I was able to reanimate a Nighthowler that became an 18/18 , got to attack with it alongside a 15/15 Jarad and then was able to sacrifice it for the win. It took a long time to actually get the card but I felt that with the correct dredge cards like Golgari Grave troll and Stinkweed Imp I was slowly but surely filling up my graveyard with the things I needed.

It felt good even if I was a bit rusty in this regard. I was warming up to more Golgari shenanigans.

"The Long Ride"

"The Long Ride"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

YuuA knew that the ride was going to be a long one to the college. It has been years since she has been back on the campus that once accepted her. She was not really sure of her status as she just up and left when she debuted as an idol without any further notice. She was hoping that she could continue her education now that she had more time on her hands. 

She made sure that the mask on her face was secure and the hood that concealed most of her head was on a bit tight. She once thought that no one would recognize her and that her fellow country men could actually forget someone who was last seen in music shows 3 years ago.Only people still recognized her and she was uncomfortable after everything that has happened but as her father told her after the event she needed to move on and make her own life apart from being an idol and so she decided that she would go back to school.

The bus was almost full when he got on. YuuA knew who he was despite the long hair and the shaved beard. He looked for an empty seat and YuuA realized that he was walking toward where she was. The last empty seat was right next to her.

He looked into her eyes and asked if he could sit beside her. She merely nodded. She knew that despite everything that happened he knew that he would know her voice. V had a memory that remembered the smallest of details when he wanted to and when it came to her or at least the last that she remembered it he could remember everything despite all the hurt that she let him go through.

He looked healthy , happy even as he flipped out a phone and it had the cover of someone she knew. It was the idol Kayz and what looked like 2 adorable children. A boy and a girl. So he did end up with the Smiling One after all.A family. YuuA thought that it could have been her in that cover photo if she only...

V sniffed the air. "Ah that scent. A hint of cinnamon and bananas.Loco Coco shampoo. Just like someone I used to know."

YuuA's heart pound under the thick jacket that she wore. Could he know that it was her underneath all of this?

"That person also liked going out in a face mask with Shark teeth , and a black Hood jacket that she would use to cover her head. Like the one you are wearing now miss."

YuuA tried to speak.

"Of course , you and that person might not be one and the same. I loved that person. Maybe more than I have any right to. And she tore my heart and ripped it to shreds in front of me."

YuuA looked at V.

"Sorry to bother you miss. I was reciting a line. I'm on my way to an audition.I am extremely nervous. My wife told me that I should give acting a try even if I had no formal training in it. She told me I was good and I am a fool for believing it but here I am trying anyway."

YuuA remembered that when they first met she asked V if he was an actor , she thought he was , he certainly looked the part but V only said that in all of his lives he was never one. Maybe in this lifetime he was going to be one.

"Goodluck." YuuA said.

"Thanks. I think I need it."V said as he tied his hair back. "You think they would go for a guy with a pony tail?"

YuuA said nothing but her eye smile was unmistakable. V could audition bald and they would still accept him. 

"You really do look like that person."

"I might be that person  , YuuA suddenly said."

"If you are that person then you know that you should not be around me."

"But who said that I am?"

"Your eyes."

YuuA looked away.

"It was nice hearing your voice again. Despite everything that has happened. I just want to tell you that I hold no bitterness against you."

A tear slid down YuuA's cheek without her noticing.

"Things happen.I just hope that you are also in a better place. This is my stop. I wish you well." V stood up to go and YuuA grabbed the sleeve of his jacket.

V looked at her hand. 

"If you need me. You know how to reach me." V said and he gently nudged free from her hold.

YuuA knew the ride would be long to the College. She didn't know that it would be this long.

"You Don't Know."

"You Don't Know."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

You don't know what you do to me

when you start dancing over there

And I see the future light up

Where once all I can see was darkness

II

You smile and my heart shatters into tiny million pieces

because I know that even a part of it can never be owned

And I know that you do not know

what you do to me when smile like that at all.

III

The distance is overwhelming even I cannot admit

the impossibility of this ever happening

and I could pine over you

and you would never even know about it

IV

So I sit here watching you dance and sing

And learn to be content

So that there won't be pain

so that there won't be gain.

V

Sometimes not knowing is a blessing

and not knowing me might just be that.

Then again how would I know that.

How would you know that.

4/14/2018 UHG Bldg.N , QC 5:11am

"Doc In , Doc Out: 18 years"

"Doc In , Doc Out: 18 years"

by:

Virgilio F.De leon Jr.MD

When I asked a 22 year old patient how long he has been smoking he promptly answered ,

"18"

"Ibig mo bang sabihin eh 18 years old ka nagstart o 18 years ka nang nanigarilyo. Kasi kung 18 years ka nang naninigarilyo eh ang lupit mo na 4 year old at marunong ka nang magyosi nun."

"18 years old po doc."

"Ok.

"3 things I have Noticed In SSS Valenzuela"

"3 things I have Noticed In SSS Valenzuela"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

By now I should be getting used to all the lines and all the delays that are created by what seems like unnecessary paper work and contradicting requirements. Of course I am still not used to it and to add to the mind numbing action is the fact that you will be exposed to the blazing sun one way or the other.

So to amuse myself I tried to observe the people around me and maybe get a good story or writing exercise out of them. I did.

#1 - Distracted Lola

On the queue for the benefits numbers are called out manually so it would be Number 12, Senior or Number 8 Regular. So when Number 22 was called several times with a response the teller in the window began calling #23 at which point an old suddenly shot up standing and shouted "Ako yun!" Turns our Number 22 was chatting way too much with her seatmate to notice that it was already her turn.

#2 - Hugot ni Kuya

While I was going down to get a book in my car I listened to one guy behind me saying , "Pag Hulog Mabilis , Pag benefits na mabagal." I can't blame him for his frustration. People line up early , wait patiently and are turned back because of something that they did not bring or a thing that they need to fill up. It is always easier when the money flows out of you  . much like when you are bleeding. It certainly feels that way for a lo of people have a bad experience with this office.

# - Kailangan pala patay na?

A man asked the really self explanatory question of "Ah , kapag pala kukuha ng death benefit kailangan patay na. Di pa puwede kung buhay pa?"

While my initial reaction was to hit the guy with one of the steel chairs that was all over the place. It turned into one of simple amusement. All the other people who heard him ask the question laughed uncontrollably. I joined in. No steel chairs were used that day.

"Dream Catcher - You and I MV reaction - All Yeonwoo , All Good."

"Dream Catcher - You and I MV reaction - All Yeonwoo , All Good."

by:

The Vole

I have always liked Dream Catcher because all of their rock themed songs sound like an auto include in a hit animes soundtrack. They all look like they can fit into some magical/witchcraft kind of anime as well so I am pleased in the visual department as well. The themes in their MV's  are more or less the same because they are sticking to this horror kpop concept since their debut. They cannot take the cutesy route as they have painted themselves into this corner. So the only way for their MV's to be different is to become more sexier. And You and I has indeed become their sexiest MV to date.

With the rise in popularity of Momolands Bboom Bboom and Yeonwoo's stunning bridge dance in short shorts Dream Catcher has sought to catch their fanboys dream by going the sexy Yeonwoo route and at least in this fanboy they did not disappoint. 

The MV features them in long flowing Spring themed formal clothes contrasting with the black and then White short short uniforms that I also saw them perform in in their Showcase. All the steps in those white tight things showcase all of their nooks and crannies down there if you know what I mean. I already liked them since their debut and I was hoping that they would not go to this route , maybe their company decided that they could use some more likers and I am waiting for the inevitable reactions to them and their MV.

"Letting Braids Conjurer Adept Go."

"Letting Braids Conjurer Adept Go."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

When it comes to Magic cards I am what people would call a Dragon. I hoard all the cards I can and in the future I try and use them on a deck.

When my friend Cheska posted online that she had so much trouble figuring out a deck that was made for her by another friend I got the idea of helping her create something that would be easy for her to pilot while still in the theme that she wanted.

She loved Big Fishies.Leviathans and Krakens and Such. She enjoyed the Modern Mono Blue Quest for Ula's Temple deck that had her casting all of these big nasty things for free. She wanted to translate to an EDH deck and I was afraid that I had the right commander for it. The question was would I be willing to let her go for my friend?

After Braids , Conjurer Adept had fallen to the wayside of my priorities I was revisiting her and the cool things that she could do. Basically each player could put down a land , creature or artifact each upkeep. This was exactly what Cheska wanted.Now the point of the deck is that would put something down on the battlefield that would negate the advantage of the other creatures your opponents are putting down on their turns.

So you either get that creature , copy it or bounce it back to its owners hand or on top of their library. The last one was more painful since it buries another card that could help that player. Cheska liked the plan.

Of course since it was mono blue there were counters and draw spells in their as well. I was hesitant to hand over this deck that I have made but I made a promise and so I gave Braids , Conjurer Adept to a new master. 

And she did not disappoint. More on that soon.