Disqus - Latest Comments for paolojcruz

Re: Crazzy Steve Reportedly Done With Impact Wrestling

PJC — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 14:18:39 -0000

Potential new SAni†Y member?

Re: Fan Starts Petition to Have Braun Strowman Fired from WWE

PJC — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 22:35:12 -0000

Can't help but wonder if WWE's PR team are proactively encouraging news outlets (IWC and otherwise) to pick up on markish stuff like this, to draw attention from the legit fan concerns around the JBL/Mauro situation.

Re: The Grapevine (2/11/16): That Awkward Moment When You Get Suspended For Playing With Your Boss

PJC — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 22:01:07 -0000

I forgot everything else I planned to comment on after reading "Ciampa possibly headed for Southeast Asia".

Psycho Killer vs. Bitch Killer please!

Re: Smark Survey (11/20/15): Who Will Be Crowned As The Royal Flush Ace at PWR Live?

PJC — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 00:09:42 -0000

Actually, that reshuffle idea makes A LOT of sense.

Re: Smark Survey (11/20/15): Who Will Be Crowned As The Royal Flush Ace at PWR Live?

PJC — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 23:36:26 -0000

From a storyline perspective, Warren makes the most sense. But I really hope it's not him, because he's a more compelling character when he's his own man. The only reason I'd support that idea is because it would guarantee that he'll stay a heel. (But even then, he's been generally solid about staying in character, even when a significant chunk of the crowd begin rooting for him.)

Personally, I hope it turns out to be Miguel Rosales. With Beer Promdi on the sidelines and Dual Shock imploding, might as well be splitsville for Fighters 4 Hire. Besides, during the last PWR Live, Joey Bax showed that he could be credible tweener act on his own.

I'd be fine with a turn by Imabayashi though -- and it would make sense, in a weird way. He's beaten their Jack Of All Trades twice, so they buy him off instead. Besides, he's not very charismatic anyway. It's easy to see crowds wanting to boo him.

Re: M.A.S.K. might make a comeback for 30th anniversary

PJC — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 03:12:42 -0000

Hasbro/DiC brainstorming meeting:

"SUVs transform into rolling death machines!" (Oh, wait...)

"Oh, I know! How about civilian quad-copters that turn into remote espionage drones" (Ummm....)

"I've got it! An unassuming sedan car that turns out to be A BOMB!"

"Yeah, maybe this M.A.S.K. reboot isn't such a good idea."

Re: Philippine Wrestling Revolution Presents "Renaissance" Pro-Wrestling Event (Raffle)

PJC — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 11:34:12 -0000

I wanna be reminded what a stripped-down, blood/sweat/tears, homegrown WRESTLING show feels like, in an era of over-produced, bloated "sports entertainment".

Re: The Fappening: How hundreds of nude celebrity photos broke the Internet

PJC — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 10:23:40 -0000

Honestly, dignifying *that* hashtag was a faux pas, IMHO -- yes, I realize that's what it's being called, in social media. But validating that term with press coverage frames the hack in terms of the photos' unintended "end use", rather than presenting the attack for what it is: a concerted violation of privacy.

Re: New ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ set photo gives major clue at Scoot McNairy’s character

PJC — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 12:08:14 -0000

No idea who it might be, but those sure are some Killer Crocs he's wearing.

Re: 'Secure Call' smartphone unveiled in Hanover | GMA News Online

PJC — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 23:55:22 -0000

Anticipated life cycle of this product, as it becomes increasingly more affordable:

Tool for politicians/business executives/dignitaries

|
v

For operational use by private military contractors or other hired security

|
v

As showbiz celebrity privacy accessory

|
v

Preferred method for arranging drug deals

|
V

New way for SMEs to make cold calls to potential customers

|
V

Used by bored (possibly married) salarymen for anonymous phone sex

|
V

Ordinary citizens actually being able to make secure mobile calls

Good job, Secusmart!

Re: MGA Study Hall: Issue #30

PJC — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:31:08 -0000

Honestly, I was mostly being facetious as well. : p

Re: MGA Study Hall: Issue #30

PJC — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:27:37 -0000

This makes A LOT of sense, when you consider the hypothesis that Akkad is in modern Baghdad. Plus the whole Temple of Ur connection.

Re: MGA Study Hall: Issue #30

PJC — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:23:24 -0000

Since you already brought up Lovecraft in your analysis, i'll hazard another guess along the same lines: Nyarlathotep

Re: May 2013 Winners

PJC — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:26:12 -0000

Wow! It's so gratifying to be rewarded for something I enjoy doing. Sharing feedback is second nature to me.

As for the contest going on hiatus, I trust you'll make the best judgement. If a temporary break means a little more time to get your own work done -- and to keep the competition financially viable -- then do what you have to do.

And needless to say, your own well-being has to come first, before anything else. Without you, Austin, none of this would have been possible.

I've really enjoyed the level of enthusiastic participation in the last few months, and i'll miss having a forum for 55-word fiction, specifically. But if it's just a temporary break, I can certainly understand why that might be necessary.

Re: It’s in the Eyes

PJC — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:05:59 -0000

I'm conflicted...

Everything about the phrasing seems deliberately intended to create a sense of mystique and ambiguity about the situation. If that was the intention, then this is a success.

There's a lot of impressive detail to establish WHAT is happening, but not even a hint about WHY. So that makes it a bit harder for me to care... It's like, so what if they're not alone?

Granted, if the purpose was to arouse speculation, then mission accomplished. But I would have preferred a little more background detail, personally.

Re: That’s My Boy

PJC — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:57:42 -0000

I'm not sure if this is meant to be speculative fiction, wry humor, or both. Bottom line: I enjoyed it, regardless of interpretation. It's a fun, clever concept, whether or not the "horse-face" comment is as literal as the photo suggests. The pacing and the dialogue makes the premise seem believable and down-to-earth.

Re: The Morning After

PJC — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:52:20 -0000

This is easily one of my favorites this month. An elegant, well-layered character study. Brilliant use of the format. You set up an intriguing situation, imply some back-story, then advance the narrative slightly, using every single word to add facets to Janine's personality. All killer, no filler. Bravo!

Re: The Text Message

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 17:08:16 -0000

Ha! I liked that the author used "frozen-faced" -- hyphenated for the word count -- instead of 'adjectivizing' B0t0x for the free search engine publicity. It's probably my favorite example of the June prompt, so far. The facial expressions are completely integral to the storytelling in this one.

Re: Off Balance

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 16:06:51 -0000

Ah, I was waiting for the inevitable Eugene Chun entry!

I like the repartee going on here. "Off balance" indeed! Sure, it's quirky and stylized, but it still comes across as a believable conversation, which uses the prompt quite organically.

The illustration makes me feel like picking up the drawing pen again, frustrating as it can be.

Re: Rictus

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 15:32:00 -0000

From the way you described it, i'd probably be creeped out too!

Effective use of unsettling visuals to leave an impression of persistent dread.

Incidentally, I had a draft for a story called Rictus this month too, but the subject matter was completely different, other than the kind of smile. Interesting to see how the same expression was used in a vastly different context.

Re: Occupied

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 14:10:55 -0000

Much thanks, Austin!

Considering that there are at least two possible feelings implied by this story (I hope, anyway), I suppose I accomplished what I set out to do. Cheers!

Re: Clowning Around

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 14:05:46 -0000

Quite honestly, sad clowns are rather cliche as subject matter. Admittedly, it's not easy to take that imagery and do something interesting with it.

Having said that, this is a worthy exercise in contrasts, between the bright, cheery costume and Kobo's inner pain. I would have preferred a little more subtlety when exploring these conflicting elements, but then clowns aren't exactly known for nuance and complexity, are they? I suppose the opportunity to examine these kinds of contradictions is precisely why the sad clown is such a popular image, to begin with.

I'm not particularly fond of the quasi-poetic verse format -- breaking it down into lines doesn't really add anything to the story (although it doesn't detract from it either). So it just ends up being a distraction, more than anything else.

Re: Our Last Day

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 13:53:00 -0000

Between this piece and "Mourning Chorus", June is really shaping up to be quite an apocalyptic month for the site, huh?

This was fascinating. It really sells the sense of helplessness and resignation in the face of creeping doom.

Even if the characters survive the bomb -- a nuke, I presume -- they're in for some rough times ahead, no matter how much supplies they managed to gather. Grim stuff, but definitely compelling.

Re: Arena

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 13:41:33 -0000

This has to be my favorite piece i've read on this site, so far!

The description is so vivid -- and the pacing so taut -- that I can practically see the action happen in my head (though perhaps as it would be presented in a Zach Snyder-esque gladiator film, rather than as a spectator in the coliseum might have witnessed it).

But perhaps more importantly, I felt the tension between the fallen warrior's determination and Lucius' smug bloodlust.

And the seemingly throw-away detail about the Thessalonain's belief system took on real significance, when he spoke his (presumably) final line.

Hail Buttaci! Your command of the format is truly an inspiration.

Re: Mourning Chorus

PJC — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 13:29:02 -0000

Given the absence of E's and facial expressions, i'm guessing this is a delayed entry for May. Too bad it wasn't posted sooner -- I found this quite a strong entry. (But then i'm admittedly partial to apocalyptic stories.)

As far as end-of-days narratives go, this one covers all the right bases. It sets a foreboding mood with the first two sentences. Then it gives us a definitive setting. From there, we get an idea of the narrator's sense of sacrifice, and the suffering s/he's willing to put up with, for her/his family. And it's all wrapped up on an oddly hopeful note, with the distinct human voice rising above the despair. Now THAT is how you fit a cataclysm into the span of 55 words.

I'd consider this piece a kind of master-class in how to write effective speculative flash fiction.