Showing 1 - 10 of 23
Future forward
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 31/12/2021
» Today is the last day of 2021 and depending on when you’re reading this, you may only have a few more hours or even just minutes to say goodbye to the year that’s basically been a repetition of 2020. There have been a number of ups and downs as we went through another lockdown and reopening, but the good news is that we made it: we’re still here and still trudging along, though some of us would really like to get a breather from all the craziness.
The 2021 Guru awards
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 24/12/2021
» As the year comes to a close and we're all looking back at the past 12 months with introspection, at Guru we will stick to time-honoured tradition of being reflectively snarky. Like any other year, 2021 had no shortage of cringe-worthy and WTF moments. So before we head into the new year with resolutions we'll give up on halfway through the first month of 2022, let's roll out the metaphorical red carpet as we award moments from the eventful year. It's time for this year's edition of the Guru Awards.
Life imitating art
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 17/12/2021
» A pandemic puts the world at a standstill and turns the lives of everyone upside down. No, we're not talking about Covid. Station Eleven is a novel written by Emily St. John Mandel in 2014. Even then, it seemed to predict somewhat eerily and accurately just what the world was going to go through in the past two years. Now, HBO has brought the novel to life in a new miniseries. Despite the apocalyptic storyline, the show is unlike the drab and dark shows we've come to expect from an end-of-the-world TV series, but showcases humanity moving on from what they went through. Guru speaks with two stars of the series, Mackenzie Davis and Himesh Patel, about similarities with the pandemic and how important art is in keeping us going through difficult times.
Reality check
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 10/09/2021
» The malls are crowded again. The streets are lined with traffic. There seems to be more people (and motorcycles) on the sidewalk. Your eyes do not deceive you: the City of Angels has come back to life -- or at least slightly. Certain venues like fitness centres and theatres remain closed (sorry, Marvel fans hoping to watch Shang-Chi) but the city's ever-favoured shopping malls have returned and dining-in at restaurants is possible again, albeit in limited capacity. Does this bode well for Bangkokians? Should we expect the worst? Despite the relief we feel of finally being let out of our houses, are there still challenges? Guru speaks to people of different professions to gauge their opinions.
Couch surfing
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 30/07/2021
» Most of us dream of walking down the aisle -- the airplane one -- and the awkwardness that comes with trying to find your seat while avoiding people putting their bags in the overhead bins.
Get social
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 26/02/2021
» It's 2009. Barack Obama was sworn in as US president. Protesters are on the street (different protesters though, not like the ones protesting now). Your iPod contains hits like Boom Boom Pow, I'm Yours and even though you hide it, you also listen to that new blonde girl's song called Love Story because it's a bop. And then there's this new thing called Facebook that people seem to be using more and more. You don't know if you're willing to give up your pimped out Hi5 profile complete with a glittery background and a MP3 player loaded with Big Ass' Len Kaung Soong but you decide to give it a shot. More than 10 years and a number of privacy issues later, you're still using Facebook along with a number of other social networking apps, but perhaps you may be looking for other ways to build a community and meet new people. Perhaps you want to meet like-minded people like you who share you love for entrepreneurship or memes, and maybe you even want to get on platforms that will actually make you some dough. Facebook isn't your only avenue. We've got you sorted on where else you can build or find a community that's right for you.
Winter wonderlands
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 20/11/2020
» If you haven't noticed, there's only a little over a month left for 2020 to end. This also means cooler weather all over the country and along with that comes a slew of festivals making good use of the cool breeze that makes walking outside more delightful and less of a workout. A number of these events take place outside the city, which means even cooler temperatures and breezes accompanied by fantastic views of nature. These events are a great way to enjoy the "winter season" and serve as a reminder that we've made it through 2020 so we've all earned ourselves a bit of time to enjoy what these festivals have to offer.
Ready, set, game
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 11/09/2020
» Streaming and e-sports are big nowadays but gaming has been around for years. You've got boardgames, which evolved into something a little more complicated like Dungeons & Dragons. You've got your arcades, which then became consoles and handhelds. Now we have PC gaming that's continuously being pushed to the limit. Like that time Polish hardware retailer x-kom made Doom Eternal run at 1,000 fps by pouring liquid nitrogen into the computer. Even if you just play on your phone during your commute, that pretty much makes you a gamer of sorts. Whether you're just a casual gamer or you live and breathe games, these places in and around the city are gaming havens that are worth a visit. You've got your classic arcade place, which is rare to find in Bangkok, a shop that sells classic games and consoles, and a legit e-sports studio to hone your skills by yourself or with your e-sports team. Buckle up, it's time to game.
Reopening act
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 05/06/2020
» The time has come: people are getting out of their houses because places are starting to reopen. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? It depends on how you look at it. It's great that the butt indent on our couches is getting a relief, but then again, people overcrowding places like Ikea is the downside. They probably all rushed there to replace their sofas. Nevertheless, a number of places have reopened, which means you have stuff to do and places to see other than going to the supermarket for groceries. If you've been dying to get out of the house, these places offer a respite.
Let me entertain you
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 24/04/2020
» Welcome to the nth week of quarantine! The good news is we're still here. The bad news is "here" is getting a little too boring for our tastes. Oh, the joys of being able to café hop along Thong Lor, watch a movie in a cinema or maybe just stroll mindlessly around Siam.