Showing 1 - 10 of 18
Logic in the time of Covid
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 18/06/2021
» As vaccinations start all around the country, we seem to be heading towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Though that doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet. As of the writing of this article, four new clusters have been found in Bangkok and more than 2,000 cases are being reported each day. After 1.5 years, it's time to see how much the pandemic has affected our lives, our work, our relationships and at times, even our sanity. But there's also one aspect that seems to have affected some people: logic. Here's a look at some of the greatest bouts of logic.
Viral innovations
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 08/05/2020
» This pandemic has revealed a lot of things. For starters, booze is apparently a necessity and we were this close to rioting on the streets when it seemed like the ban wasn't about to be lifted. People who didn't give a crap about others were exposed but thankfully that was overshadowed by news of people helping out and being kind, decent human beings. We've realised just how much we rely on those who deliver our food, how much we miss travelling and whether we like to admit it or not, we actually miss going to work. To top this, the ingenuity of people has also been revealed and a bunch of new innovations have been created to help out as we try and recover from this life-altering state. This week, we've got innovations from Thailand that have sprung up in response to Corona time.
Secret services
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 28/02/2020
» Bangkok is rapidly becoming a city with innovations that make life much easier. Yes, we at Guru have complained a lot about the city's many negative aspects but we also can't deny that the city has improved. Is there room for improvement? Oh, definitely. But there are many things that we use right now that we simply cannot imagine life without. What would life be without the services of GrabFood to deliver meals to your door or Shopee and Lazada to do your shopping from the comfort of your home? How about the Lock Box storage facilities we see in many BTS and MRT stations that help tourists roam without having to drag their luggage with them? Can we forget about the lifesaving GrabTaxi and GrabBike services? There are more services on the rise that you may not know about and that's what we're here to spotlight this week.
Crazy little thing called love
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 14/02/2020
» Happy St Valentine's Day to all celebrating and to those who aren't (you're not really alone with Big Brother watching, are you?). While we'll see a lot of mushy-gushy posts in the next 24 hours and our social media feed flooded by pictures of ladies with chocolates and roses or guys clad in suits ready for dinner dates, there have been plenty of love stories in Thailand that are pretty dang insane. Some are quirky, some are funny, some show the great lengths that people will go for the ones they love. Whatever the case, these are all stories worthy to commemorate St Valentine's Day.
The 2020 Guru awards
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 31/01/2020
» We know it's the last day of January -- and if you weren't aware, it's February tomorrow -- but as a tweet said, we'll consider January the free-trial period and start 2020 properly on the first day of February. A bunch of stuff has already happened, not all of them good, but before we move ahead and put the past behind us, Guru would like to take one last look at the year that was. "The Guru Awards" have been held for the past two years but so much has happened that we decided it would be best to do a full feature in 2019 instead of just a few paragraphs in the Editor's Note. Seeing that the Academy Awards are also coming up, we couldn't think of a better time to give out our snarky, passive-aggressive accolades. So, ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you the 2020 Guru Awards -- no monologues, no opening numbers from Neil Patrick Harris. Just pure unadulterated cynicism.
Holiday party essentials
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 20/12/2019
» Like most holiday seasons (we have a few in Thailand), this is a time for celebration, a time for giving and getting together with friends and loved ones. Whether it's for a classy Christmas dinner with the grandparents and all the relatives or a rowdy night out with the pals on New Year's Eve, you're bound to have lots of parties and get-togethers. Though you may be looking forward to the parties, there may be things stressing you out: What if your friends choose to party at a place that's really far where traffic is horrible? What if you have multiple get-togethers on one day and can't go home for an outfit change between events?What if you have nothing to wear to all these parties but even if you did, you don't have the budget for it? 'Tis the season and at Guru we are all about reducing your stress. We've got stuff that can help you out.
App-solutely smooth
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 01/11/2019
» We at Guru know we're snarky about Bangkok at times -- OK, most of the time -- but like any other city, there are things we hate about it and there are things we love about it.
Expectations vs Reality
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 06/09/2019
» It's always a challenge to be in a new country because things may be done differently from where you come from. There are a few things you may think are universally accepted only to have your thinking completely blown into smithereens once you're in a new country. It's pretty much the same with living in Thailand.
Easy living
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 16/08/2019
» Living in Bangkok has its share of ups and downs. Then again, what city doesn't? We know we complain about living in the city in every issue we publish (we have plenty more) but that doesn't mean there are people who share the same grievances, but unlike us who just whine, have decided to do something about it. Sure, there are plenty of things to be improved upon or done away within Bangkok and we're pretty sure we all can write a long list. But we're sincerely glad to see that there are services like these that make not just living in Bangkok a little easier, but also living a greener, more-eco friendly life in the city more viable. And who's going to refuse a greener and easier lifestyle? Here are a few services to try out.
A few too many heroes
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 26/07/2019
» In a world that's filled with super-serumed worthy captains, broody billionaires in batsuits (either with or sans nipples) and "love you 3000s", it's obvious that it's the golden age of superheroes. Now a normal everyday part of pop culture, these characters and worlds are no longer just the talk of nerds and geeks in the closed enclaves of comic book stores, evidenced by the fact that the highest grossing film of all time is now a superhero film. It's in this superhero-saturated time that the card game Too Many Heroes will be introduced. Ironically, the game deals with a universe wherein there are... well, too many heroes and there are certain effects to society because of their presence. The game's three creators — Carol Blackmon, Sacha P. Nathan and Sunny Sachdev — have worked together to make the game's universe, which is an alternate reality to our own, as detailed as can be. Guru talked to Blackmon, the game's art director and Nathan, the game's writer, about Too Many Heroes.