Blog Archives


Should I Abandon WordPress?

Should I Abandon WordPress?

For years, I’ve been mulling over changing the web design of this crummy blog of mine. I got it to a point where it looks fairly decent, but I still have to struggle with it every now and then. Usually, YouTube embeds stretch out the mobile version, in which case I have to mess around with the CSS again to fix it. But now, with these new developments, I’m pondering on abandoning WordPress — my content management system of choice for over a decade — because its creator and founder has lost his mind. (more…)

Getting Into 3D Printing

Getting Into 3D Printing

Near the 2023 Holiday Season, I finally decided to pull the trigger and get a 3D printer. I would obtain an Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro to enter the nerd-filled world of 3D printing. I had been putting together a workshop in the other room in my place as an act of taking more control of my life as  a grown-ass man, and it has been looking good so far (if I stop being lazy and clean up). Do note that such additional capability also comes with additional costs, responsibilities, and space restrictions. Let’s get into 3D printing, which I’ll be preoccupied with in 2024. (more…)

Manila Central Post Office Fire Almost Cost Me $155

Manila Central Post Office After the Fire

On the eve of Monday, 22 May 2023, smoke billowed from the basement of the Manila Central Post Office in Lawton, Manila. Shortly after, the flame that made the smoke became fire. The fire then spread and crawled its way up the building. Paper, wood, and other materials in the post office served as kindling to feed the fire, which grew it into a roaring blaze. For the next 30 hours, one of Manila’s great landmarks stayed alight, to the horror of eyewitnesses and the citizens of Manila. (more…)

What is Avoider.net?

Avoiderdragon Logo 2022

Even after the rebranding, I’ve been struggling to write more on this blog because I still couldn’t figure out what Avoider.net should be about. It has always been about my interests, but most of those interests seem banal now, especially now that I’m entering my late 30s. I want to write things that will be helpful and relevant even after many years, and I’ve already done that with some of the posts here. However, I know I can do more, so I’ll take this chance to figure out what this thing should really be about. (more…)

Rebranding to Avoider.net Before 2023

Avoider.net Rebrand

This online thing I have has been going on for more than ten years now. It’s a hobby at best and I just like having it around to focus on whenever I don’t have anything else going on. While I haven’t gotten any significant traction throughout the years, that wasn’t the point of this whole thing. However, as time passes and I get more weighed down by responsibilities, catching more eyeballs becomes more imperative. After all, since I spend quality time pouring my soul into this thing at my leisure, perhaps it’s time I consider doing it seriously for once. (more…)

I Had Cellulitis, Here’s What I Learned

Cellulitis

The thing about existing in this universe while housed in these squidgy mortal vessels is that illness can come at you when you least expect it. You could be born to go on as an invincible hobo who subsists on moonshine and sewer rats, or you could be born as a Habsburg. While modern medicine can help extend your lifespan, that depends on the affliction. But the x-factor when it comes to the wonders of modern medicine is that it’s hella expensive. I was reminded of that recently, adding to my regret that I haven’t gotten proper health insurance yet (I’ve been planning to get one sometime in 2023). (more…)

Killing My First Bosses in Elden Ring

Elden Ring: Margit the Fell Omen

Let me preface this by admitting to not being any good at games like this. As I’ve mentioned in my first blog post on Elden Ring, this is the first game by FromSoftware that I actually got into (that is not Ninja Blade). But since this is such a big event in my life, finally being able to appreciate a game in this franchise, I wanted to express how much I appreciate the best open-world game I’ve played since Skyrim by detailing how I got through my first few bosses. (more…)

My Problems with NVIDIA Broadcast

NVIDIA Broadcast

NVIDIA Broadcast is great, for the most part. You can remove noise from your microphone and speakers like magic and remove the background on your webcam like you’re living in a green screen void. But now that I actually have an RTX card to use it with, I’ve been somewhat disappointed with it. It’s good at what it does, but perhaps it’s too good. Let me explain. (more…)

I Have to Make Up My Mind on What This Blog is About

Avoiderdragon Logo 2022

I’ve had this blog on this domain for around ten years now. I originally put this up to keep sharp both my writing and web design skills. Nowadays, I’m not sure anymore why I still keep it up since I haven’t been able to make anything out of it for a whole decade. However, I’m not ready to give up on it just yet, but I do have to start whittling it down to the bare essentials so I can actually do more with it for less and without being overwhelmed. (more…)

Becoming a Better Commentator

Sonny Go: Pro Wrestling Commentator

Anyone who has given commentary a try, whether it’s talking over MMA fights and pro wrestling matches alone in your room (like I did) or recording boring let’s play videos or game replays that you then upload on YouTube for no one to watch, would know how hard it can be. You have to be able to talk fast, maintain high energy, and be both informative and entertaining at the same time. This is something I would like to get better at in 2022. (more…)

War Thunder, World of Tanks, and WoT Blitz for 2022

War Thunder, World of Tanks, WoT Blitz

While I’m figuring out what I want to focus on as 2022 approaches and the world is cautiously opening back up, I looked for a new game that I could grind. I tried Valorant, but it only makes me anxious and regret not having played more CounterStrike. I thought about Final Fantasy XIV, but the onboarding process is so complicated that it discouraged me. Then, I went back to a genre that I used to enjoy and found myself enjoying it again. (more…)

Horribly Addicted to Valheim for a Whole Month

Horribly Addicted to Valheim

After five months since initial release, I finally got to play Valheim, thanks to being given a copy by a friend. I didn’t want it to go to waste, especially since I heard about the hype back in February. I’ve had some survival crafting experience in Minecraft, but not enough to be proficient at the genre, so here’s my chance to really get into it. (more…)