"Never Alone"

"Never Alone"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

"You are not alone

There is more to this I know

You can make it out

You will live to tell..."

                          - Saosin

     Often times when we are engulfed by wave and waves of problems we simply believe that we are alone , that we carry the burden all by ourselves and that under its weight we are crushed and never recover. There is a grain of truth in that because each person carries their own cross , their own unique set of circumstances. However  , the truth is that we are never truly alone in our problems. I am not going to talk about unseen entities at the moment because yes they are there but those who physically exist are all around you if you just give them a chance to help you through.

     I had my share of the Dark times and I thought that that was it , that was where my life would be. This is the end. Of course the people who cared for me had other ideas about how the end would be and how I should deal with my life and I thank God that they did have those other views. 

     I wasn't thinking of ending my life. I was just well...in the pits. I am hard to console when I don't want to be consoled but the people around me are as stubborn as I am and they won't take no for an answer. My family dragged me everywhere and My Aven cheered me up as best that she could , by being loveable and unbearably adorable. I would never forget those trips or the words that were said there. I will never forget the concern.

     Then there was my brother and my friends. Comrades in arms. Team Virulence who went out and supported me as well by being there. Listening to what I say , following me , encouraging me. And in those times that we battled together I forgot. I was able to enjoy and I was able to live as full as I want to be.

     Then there was even her. The cause and the solution. It was like a circle closing in on itself. It begins and ends with her.

     In my life I am never truly alone and I am thankful because I can live to tell about the dark times in a time of relative light. I am whole and I am well and while I might not be relatively more sane than the people around me. My sanity is doing just fine thank you very much.

"The Strongest Chandra"

"The Strongest Chandra"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

     The room was on fire. It was the kind of fire that made everything shimmer and those that were not made of it to be reduced to Ash. She was enjoying it , wondering how the walls of this room still stood in her presence. Wherever she was there was a constant set of flames that were always dancing about her. This time however she was aware that there were other flames  this room as well. As the fire crept on the walls and touched hers she felt a slight tingling in her mind and soon She came face to face with the owners of these new fires and she was surprised to find who they were.

Who are you she asked?

I am you Chandra...Nalaar

I am you Chandra...Ablaze

I am you Chandra...The Fire brand

     The voices echoed all at once in her head. She had always wanted to meet someone like herself because she thought she was unique in all the multiverse and now that she has come face to face with them she knew that there would only be one of them emerging from this here. Only one will be the true flame in all the multiverse.

      Chandra is one of the most favorite Planeswalkers in all of existence and what is not to love? All versions of her have the ability to reach out...and burn someone..or at least something that belongs to that planeswalker or mage. And let us face it we all have been Red Mages or Red Planeswalkers one way or another because one of the draws of the game of magic is the ability to kill or blow something up. There was a time and there would still be a time that Red is all we want to play because of the pure raw power that we would be able to harness.No fuss. Just simply getting down to the business of reducing things to nothingness.

     In the case of the 3 Planeswalker representations of Chandra , they could all easily destroy each other with their tremendous firepower. It all really depends on who gets to go first. In this battle the only one at a disadvantage is the Original Chandra Nalaar. Both Ablaze and Firebrand could destroy each other the turns that they come in or in the story both of them could fling fire spells at each other that could consume each other. Chandra Nalaar on the other hand seemed to have been made for another era entirely. She was made to handle creatures and to deal immense damage to planeswalkers as her Ultimate ability. The other 2 however have been built to give more damage with their first and second abilities. Ablaze needs to have a card discarded and it could deal 4 damage with its first ability. For Firebrand, you could cast a lightning bolt , -2 on her second ability and your could kill either Nalaar or Ablaze in one blow...

     Chandra Nalaar and the Firebrand decided to gang up on the Planeswalker known as Chandra Ablaze but her constant fire spells have damaged them both. The 2 hesitated only for a moment. They had to admire the conflagration that was now before them. In its writhing flames the spells that Chandra Ablaze had cast were now being powered and in one mighty blow , Lightning Bolts  , Volcanic Hammers , Incinerates and Shocks all came out to hit the young and old versions of herself. She felt the spells smash through her as well but since she was the one who cast it , it became a part of her and made her even more powerful. Chandra Ablaze stood before her other selves or what was left of them.

"Tsk tsk tsk" she said to herself. With a slight swing of her arm a Circle of Fire opened and the brightest flame in the multiverse went on unopposed in her quest to experience more things.

"A Parallel Future? Red Dawn"

"A Parallel Future? Red Dawn"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

Movie review : Red Dawn

Starring: Chris Hemsworth , and that guy from Hunger Games...

Plot: A small town in America wakes up to foreign Paratroopers dropping in on their Neighborhood. As it turns out it is a hostile take over by the North Korean Army who is backed by the Russians. The Story follows a ragtag band of Patriots called The Wolverines as they wage war against a menacing North Korean Army.

The good:

- It is good to see the Americans fighting on their own turf.

- Chris Hemsworth driving through 2  burning cars when there was space good enough for 3 cars to pass through in the other lanes...

- Chris Hemsworth dying everytime he appears with a movie that has a Cabin in the woods

- The exciting Guerilla tactics that you think everyone can pull off but are surprisingly hard in real life

- The Asian guy who always looks like he was from Fresno uttering Korean words to distract the guards in the precint battle.

- The Prefect Cho being killed by the gun that was owned by Chris Hemsworth's Dad  in the movie.

The Bad:

- Though I like the premise of an Asian army invading America , if the Japanese could not do it how can the North Koreans do it?

- I don't believe that the entire East Coast could be swallowed up just like that by an army that had to travel a very long distance from its support bases.

- Snipers and good shots always die. (Happened in Saving Private Ryan , Happened here too)

The Ugly:

- The North Korean prefect Cho , who is the main baddie of the film looks like a spitting image of the pre-BB Gandang Hari Rustom Padilla which makes you wonder.

- Chris Hemsworths Headshot before making out with the cute girl.

Over all the movie was great and it opens itself to a sequel because there is a lot of ground to cover. It is refreshing to see Americans battling it out with other races other than Middle Eastern types or as in the act of Valor swearing Filipinos. 

"EDH: Memnarch Rules"

"EDH: Memnarch Rules"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

As an original Mirrodin boy , one of my most sought after cards was the caretaker of the whole plane. Memnarch . He was left in charge by Karn when he traversed the planes. Over time though Memnarch was driven mad which resulted in a lot of wrong things in Mirrodin. Story wise aside his card representation was a very strong one. He continues to be a feature in many EDH decks as a commander that acquires artifacts.

With a casting cost of 7 Generic or Colorless mana he can be put in any deck but it is actually the mono blue decks that would maximize his abilities. In an expansion that was 70% artifact Memnarch reigned supreme. The Lands were artifacts , the creatures were artifacts and there were even things that made the organic into artifacts.

Memnarchs abilities are to make artifacts out of permanents permanently at the cost of 2 Blue Mana and One Colorless mana. His 2nd ability is to Acquire artifacts for 3 colorless mana and 1 Blue mana permanently as well. So if he could turn anything into an artifact , he could potentially Acquire everything for 4 mana and in a world made of metal he truly is the master.

"I'm turning to metal....Cooooool...."

Of course if you want to build a deck around the former Caretaker of Mirrodin you need to have things that make things into artifacts. Cards Like Neurok Transmuter and Liquimetal Coating are shoo ins in a deck like this. Myr landshaper is also a good fit if you want to grab those lands 2 at a time in partnership with Liquimetal Coating.

Imagine what the battlefield would look like with a Mycosynth Lattice (it makes all permanents into artifacts) also in play...everything will be up for grabs for a metal lord gone mad. The particular pieces of this spectacular combo comes in play one by one with cards like Fabricate or Treasure Mage included in the deck.

The next frightening thing with a Lattice in play is a March of the Machines. Since Memnarch has literally grabbed all of the other permanents from the other side. A March of the Machines is the final nail in the proverbial coffin of your opponents life. Since all permanents will become artifact creatures with power and toughness equal to their converted mana costs , all Lands will now go Kabloom! (They do not have converted mana costs so they die) ensuring that there would be no further resistance from anyone.

In preparation for this Machine + Lattice combo , you should also include little Talismans , Trinkets and other alternate mana producers like Myr and Stones or even Khalni gem. Darksteel Ingot and Darksteel Pendant are staples of this deck back in standard and are a must have here as well.  It ensures that you have creatures that would go unopposed in the late game. Imagine a reanimated Lattice , an Ingot and a Pendant. This trio already constitutes 11 points of damage and with your opponents unable to do anything for the next 4 turns then it is time to move on to the next game.

Blessed are those who could brew and play. Keep on doing so. Until next time. 

"Planeswalker Awakenings: Cersei Lannister Awakens"

"Planeswalker Awakenings: Cersei Lannister Awakens"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

In a different plane , a different time , a spark awakens and a new planeswalker is born...

The temple is filled with worshippers this day and they all look to the One Goddess who has saved them from ruin and death. She emerges from her alcove and pulls back her black shawl to reveal the blonde curls and attractive face that has endeared her to the men and women of Innistrad. They weep at the sight of her beauty. Cersei Lannister raises her arms to the adulation of the crowds.

It was not an easy path to ascend this throne. Vampires , Werewolves , Geists and even those of the Avacynian church resisted her. All with a futility she did not even imagine possible. The loss of their Angelic guardian Avacyn was enough to bring them to their knees. It was so easy to manipulate Griselbrand into fighting the angel and the simple trapping of them to the Helvault.  She was able to turn these creatures into fighting each other easily and when the church grew desperate there she was offering herself to lead them.

Black: Court Intrigue and Lies. Dark Machinations and Dark Dealings are the hallmarks of Cersei Lannisters moves in the Game of Thrones. She has often said that what is between her legs could also be used to achieve  power. And she has put this principle into good use. Power at any cost. She is black and she loves it.  She is not above manipulating others with her charm and sex or her threats and coin.

White: Cersei Lannister dreams of being Queen of all Westeros and she believes that she is the only one who can bring order in a world that needs it. She does mean well. Only she means well only to herself . She wants to rule so that there will be a better world for her children and herself. It is a selfish desire but one that is White all the way through no matter how misguided it appears. 

On the One Hand Cersei Lannister raises her hand and those of the blessed chosen come forth to bring her tribute. She revels in all the praises that are thrown at her. Merciful One!!! Beautiful One!!! Cersei our Queen!!!

On the other Hand Cersei Lannister slashes with a downward motion in the air and the enemies that are laid out in front of her are decapitated. Their heads falling off amidst the cheers of her adoring crowd. Cersei smiles and swears that this is the plane for her , far from the pain and memories of Westeros.

_____________________________________________________________

Writers Note:

Planeswalker Awakenings is like a "what if" series...where we try to put a character from a Book , TV series or movie into the context of a planeswalker from Magic:The Gathering.

"The Doubt of Doubt"

"The Doubt of Doubt"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

     During my daughters 7th birthday celebration one of my friends said something that almost moved me to tears.He said something about Him just using the things that I have taught him when we were in med school together.

     This guy has been my friend for years and he is now on the verge of becoming the Chief Resident for our schools Surgery program and he goes and says that he still uses the things that I have taught him in medschool when we were still together? It made me want to beam with pride because coming from someone who will almost  finish a program that we both wanted to enter. The sentiment  means a lot to me. It made me want to cry because unlike him who is almost at the end of his journey , I have not even started mine and might not be able to.

     It begins and ends with the board exams this August. I have been far removed from Medicine for the last two years due to life getting in the way of anything. I am now a husband and a dad and the requirements of those two things certainly takes up a lot of my time. I am not about to make my loved ones as an excuse but that's just how it has been for the last 2 years. I have been working and I have been trying to feed and clothe and educate these important people in my life.

     I am happy that my parents decided to extend to me another chance to take the Boards this August , knowing full well that I may or may not pass it. I have not given up on my dream of fixing people up from the inside out its just that right now it is a very daunting task. It has been 2 years since I have read a medical text book or given into tackling any clinical problem(aside from the normal coughs and colds). I have my doubts and I will be coming up against the creme de la creme of all the Medical schools this August. I may not be ready and I guess that is what everyone thinks in their heads going into the Boards. My doubts have a much stronger voice than all these other voices combined but at least there is one voice of doubt to this Large voice of doubt. Its the one that kept on saying..."If he could do it . then why cant you?

If he is ending his journey soon , whats stopping you from reaching out for yours? Whats your excuse now?"

     I find myself listening to this voice more and more each day and this Doubt of Doubt seems to be convincing me. Its roar is getting stronger in my ears. Come August we would know if this little voice of Doubt of doubt was right. In the mean time my nose will be buried in books and my hands will be full of markers and my ears will be plugged to a set of earphones to drown out everything else in the world.

"Suddenly...Telepathy"

"Secrets? What Secrets?"

"Suddenly...Telepathy"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

     There is one particular enchantment that causes a lot of annoyance may it be in regular or casual games or when it was still in standard rotation. It is a 1 Blue mana costing enchantment called Telepathy and true to its name it does allow you to peer through your opponents thoughts , their plans and their current predicaments.

     Telepathy makes your opponents play with their hands revealed as early as the first turn. This tends to ruin all those long term plans as well as their current condition. The amount of knowledge exploitation is limitless. You would literally see all of the cards they would draw! As the caster of telepathy your opponents would never know your hand but you know all about theirs. How many lands they have , how many creatures they can cast in the next turns , can they remove your threats? can they counter your spells? If your opponents have no way of dealing with your plans then it won't be long before you could set in motion a lethal strategy to defeat them.

     Regardless if you play this enchantment in the early , mid or late game it would still offer you the same advantage. Knowing what your opponents plan to do. This is a double edged sword however and you have to be somewhat of a poker player when you play telepathy otherwise your opponents could also read you. Do not be too happy when you see that they are utterly defenseless because they might draw a card to turn the tide at any time. Do not show off nervousness as well when you see that you have no possible way of thwarting their plans. Play it calm. Play it cool and you too could come out on top.

     In conjunction with certain mechanics , let us say  , if you are the sort of player who could fetch with Transmute or Tutors then this knowledge of the opponents hands could always be exploited.

     Telepathy is just one of those cards that are fun to play. Fun for the caster but real annoying for everyone else around the table.