A bowel approach: unpacking irritability in underfed dogs

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Topher

For centuries, canines have been ‘Man’s best friend.’

From the Chihuahua mountains to the Kazakh steppes, human beings have benefited from these loyal, headstrong, and adorable critters. This paper attempts to recalibrate our understanding of pooch behaviour, as seen through forced bowel movements. This discourse holds that chronic mistreatment and systemic prejudice of these proud breeds impact their self-worth and mistrust of future owners. Irritability is not endemic to human males, whether adolescents or war freaks. A case study of two damaged dogs, codenamed ‘Aps’ and ‘Malts’ will underpin this paper’s assertions. The two pooches were analysed through personal observation in an undisclosed location.

Reading a pet’s emotions

According to Veterinary Ireland Journal, avoidance and anxiety are overt symptoms of canine pain, whether physical or psychological. Dogs will play hard to disengage from stressful scenarios. Both aps and malts were visibly frustrated with their owners. In particular, Aps – an Andalusian terrier – would bark once. He was fidgety and anxious. They resented being guinea pigs in a science experiment. Though his barking and loud stomach growls belies his inadequate breakfast.

According to Nature’s Scientific Reports, dogs are extensions of their owners’ frame of mind. A distressed man today would beget an emotional puppy. A hot potato would also spawn an angry, indecisive dog. A vindictive egg would engender a disturbed pooch, and so on.

‘The Tell-tale Heart’

As per an erstwhile PhD candidate, the dog’s hair and appearance are tell-tale signs of this coupling. Man and dog have been in a relationship for over 15 Millenia. If an owner neglects their pets, this is manifested in the canine’s low social skills and various maladies. It could even lead to anxiety and depression. Possibly a trip to a veteran dog psychologist to iron those creases. In the long run, providing astute care and adoration for your furry friends will save you more headaches later on.

Vet Practice magazine holds that dogs may appear to have it easy compared to their forebears. However, with great advances comes great responsibility. They still need tender love and care just as much as their brethren. Whether in a farm or flophouse, dogs have adopted their master’s tendencies. Technological progress, with new devices and manoeuvres, have highlighted this. With so many doodads competing for our attention, the insecure dog has been neglected.

Mirroring

Meanwhile, Vet Practice argues that tone of voice could reframe a dog’s point of view. A recent study showed how angry or happy voices released endorphins in dogs’ hypothalamus. These projections could have significant repercussions in dog land. Livid tones could turn them into rabid critters while happy sentiments could bring a smile to their faces.

In the media

So ingrained are pooches into our consciousness that they’ve been featured in film franchises like 101 Dalmatians and Beethoven. They’ve also appeared in TV series such as Seventh Heaven and Border Security. Border collies are considered some of the brainiest in the animal kingdom. Labradors and greyhounds are fiercely loyal. Once you gain a dog’s trust, they’re yours for life. They’ll be at your side, doing runs, helping at the farm, and accompanying you in the early morning.

Thus, treating them the right way is imperative. Closer scrutiny of APS and Malts betrays their owner’s neglect. Rain or shine, night or day, blustery or searing, they unwittingly accompany their masters. This is canine abuse. These critters have no voice. What’s more, Malts and Aps are forced to crap. Though constipated due to a lack in nutrition, they have to comply. This is a tragedy akin to Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

‘If you prick us, do we not bleed

If you tickle us, do we not laugh

…and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?’

R-E-S-P -E-C-T

If you can’t take proper care of your pooches, leaving your pets to the animal shelter is the better option. Seeing these highly intelligent and vibrant creatures wilt away due to gross negligence is disheartening. These high value pets deserve a home where they are wanted and get due respect.

Posted in pets | 2 Comments

At the Playground

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Topher

Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

In year five, I was new to Saint Agnes

From the Chinese school

I usually got lunch off the canteen lots of chattiness

Headed to the playground with my meal…cool

I hung around the boys from year four

Asked this kid, ‘Di sia mi mia? What is your name?

The dude kept nodding nebver knew Fookien wish I could say more

He got riled up my joke turning lame

We ate in peace, the trees provided a cool breeze

Not just fourth graders but other year levels as well

This game had the, mucking around before ‘twas time to freeze

I had yet uncovered the delights of hair gel

Freeze game

Wallace, a hulking Jew with auburn locks, was in third grade

Balancing at the see-saw, three classmates to one

Relishing the challenge, ‘Me and Fita one-on-one’ tired of the ho-hum parade

Fita was small, half his weight, but Wallace promised a one-and-done

For naive kids, this wasn’t a bad idea

Wallace was in position, Fita followed and flew off the ground like a rag doll

‘Oh my God, Fita!’

Eyes wide like saucers, Wallace was disbelieving, ‘R u Ok? Can you crawl?’

Fita was clearly not A-okay

A lanzones-sized lump was on his forehead

Like an escapee from an unhinged science experiment with a blood bouquet

Smashing heads wasn’t playground cred

Harry Kewell

Wallace’s hands were on his cheeks

Someone called the school nurse Fita was wheeled in a gurney

His bandaged forehead needed tweaks

Like a mummy, or Harry Kewell when he injured his gulliver for Melbourne City

Inspecting the ‘Wallacised’ boy, Auntie Mel deemed him lucky to escape intact

Urged the little ones to ‘Stop, look, and listen’

She loathed another brain cramp

May this be their life lesson

Wallace and Fita were gone, the slapstick act the talk of the playground

One rascal did a decent Wallace impersonation

Untucking his polo jacket, hands on cheeks, saying ‘Oh my God’

Dude wasn’t doing stand-up; we were shocked at the spontaneous tourist attraction

After the school year, Wallace left

A wanderer by faith, his talents abroad

Why could I recall the incident as though yesterday? My long-term memory’s def

Hopefully, he’s astute about see-saws, regardless of his mood.

Posted in Literary, Past edited work, Previous published work | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Stage Fright

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Topher

What makes you nervous?

Posted in Past edited work, Previous published work | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Farewell, My Mormons

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Topher

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

They donned white polos and ironed black trousers

Caucasian-looking, my curiosity was piqued on the swing we sat

The pair asked for glasses of water the afternoon was searing

I queried their backgrounds being expats not giraffes

‘We’re from Camarines Sur’, piped up one of them

Pronouncing the province with a twang didn’t help that time

‘Sorry?’

He repeated it twice, my cousin reacted yikes

‘I’m from Australia’

Dunno if he believed me though they weren’t lies

Book of Mormon
BYU

I joked about them being TNT

‘What’s that?’

‘Short for Tay-go nang tay-go’, I told them

They didn’t get it so I let it go, mate

I’ve understood more of their faith

I finished Tara Westover’s memoir four years ago she was no oaf

Trended on the best sellers

Struck a chord as I battled in her shoes

Mormons serve two years of mission work

Haven’t seen The Book of Mormon I shun watching plays and the long queue

Besides Tara, they boast world class sportsmen

Large Brigham Young University in Utah perfect for new notables

A presence in Hawaii

With the surf and sun, you’ll hear the whoosh

In the eighties, Danny Ainge anchored their hoops and baseball programs

A rare two-sport pro, the sharpshooter was automatic at the charity stripe

Won chips in Boston as player and executive

Closer to home, rugby league’s Will Hopoate flies their flag he’s not vexed

Calm and composed unlike his firebrand dad

Took up his mandatory mission, played Origin, a model performer no dud

Will Hopoate
Danny Ainge in Portland
Shooting over Jabbar
Two-sport pro

Sometimes, Mormons scurry around Sydney

Converting gentiles, yes

In Brazil, they’re swaying Cariocas

Neither evangelist nor hypocrite, with my Catholic belief I won’t sink.

  • From my debut poetry collection, Musings, pages 27-28
Posted in Literary, Past edited work, Previous published work | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Five-pointer

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Topher

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

A few reasons brighten up my day. Happiness is relative. Other WordPress bloggers have varied answers to today’s daily prompt. Even if cloning was legal and feasible, no two humans are the same. We are created ‘in Gott’s image and likeness.’

We feature dissimilar looks and talents, hopes and dreams. Whether your God is Yahweh or Jesus, Allah or Buddha, carving one’s identity is the human staple. Some attend church while others frequent the synagogue. Some pray five times a day and fast for Ramadan. Others avoid beef, regarding cows as sacred. A late Pinoy rapper once sung, ‘Some have some, and some have most’.

Healthy eating
Waterfront lunch @ the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Harbour Bridge
  1. Eating right. Lately, we’re eating healthier. Limiting junk and fast food, buying fresh salads and fruit. We need fibre from the latter and get much needed nutrients. Fast food, while tasty, has little or no nutritional value. Increasing your fibre intake keeps constipation away. As a kid and teen, I consumed green and leafy veggies. Growing up, they’ve been constant in our diet. Fast food is overrated. Shun it and you’ll make progress.

For a while, we’ve been having brown rice instead of white jasmine rice. Wholemeal not white bread. Fish and white meat while cutting down on steaks and red meat. Fruit juice are one of few concessions I make. Though high in sugar and stripped of fibre, they’re better than donuts or cheating on nachos. We avoid pizzas, deep fried food, most pastas, hot chips, cookies, croissants, butter, soft drinks, bacon, sausages, meat pies, lasagna, and quiche.

I’ve swapped Up and Go for coffee and tea. Potato and corn chips for crackers and dips. Cakes for yoghurt. Ham, tacos, and liverwurst for burrito bowls, stuffed buns, and seafood. I finished our forty bag supply of peppermint tea. We go for heart smart, fresh, and superfoods. Even with food delivery, you can pick healthier cuisines and eschew junk.

2. Scrolling through Facebook. My feed these days is a mix of friend updates, news, lists, basketball and influencers’ posts. I prefer seeing more friends’ updates. Facebook curates your feed on relevant topics. If a pal’s post was a week old, it could still appear in your slice. Years on, I have a total of 333 posts. My friend count is 159.

I should be on at least four hundred. I deleted my second account ages ago. Looking back, I should’ve saved some photos. However, I do not care for my ‘friends’ there. Now, those memories are gone for good. They cannot tag or see me anymore. They’ve been permanently erased from my life. Good riddance.

I send few invites. Hence, the low friend count. Indeed I have fifty pending requests: former classmates, batchmates, ball hogs, bullies, even total strangers. Some have been in limbo for twelve to fifteen years. They should’ve treated me better. Then I would think twice about ignoring them. For instance, why accept this former classmate, mortally offended each time I grinned? Or other peers who treated me quite poorly? Remember these were my last impressions of the Philippines. I have a long memory, but a bully is a bully. As they say ‘Tigers don’t change their stripes,’ even with families. Take the hint.

High school seniors

3. Saying my prayers. I studied in a Catholic school. Through the years, I’ve detailed my experience. See also: ‘Letter to my sixteen year old self’, ‘Losing Family’, ‘Our JS Prom and the Capulets’, and ‘The Topher Bibliotheca’, to name a few.

The Benedictine institute has been around for 114 years, the oldest in the province. They instilled Ora et Labora, prayer and work. We recited the rosary, attended First Friday Mass on campus. I was an acolyte then. We memorised St. Ben’s prayer and the angelus. We paused for the Divine Mercy at 3pm. Celebrated feast days and did outreach programs with the less fortunate. Annual recollections, a day devoted to prayer, reflection, and friendship.

Years of these engagements fostered a passion for social justice and religion. Every night, I say my prayers. I try to recite the Rosary every day. I say Thanksgiving prayers whenever my intentions are heeded and fulfilled. ‘Small steps make a big difference.’

4. Listening to music. Like high school, I’ve discussed my music predilections. I posted about Spotify and CDs. I favour retro tunes, not the latest. Cover songs are riveting, a fresh take. Music Travel Love is a keeper. Their covers and song selection are splendid. I listen to OPM, though not recent hits. Away from Pinas for decades, that’s expected.

I stream these tunes on my mobile phone. Recently, I sold our BluRay player. I don’t play CDs anymore. Salvaging some value out of it is better than gathering dust. I have a huge CD collection plus DVDs. With music subscriptions, CDs are a dying breed. Nobody buys them. Though I took time to transition, ‘Better late than never.’

Music is soothing. Whether ballads or rock songs, familiarising creates a vivid ambience. Inspired, you’re ready to face the world. Like new words. Once locked in, these songs, singers, and albums are your discovery.

My bursting journal

5. Journalling. My journal gets me organised. I write down thoughts, my weight, reminders, ideas, questions, quotes, research, and everything in between. These notes are snapshots of my life. This has been SOP for four years. I feel better prepared and more confident jotting them down. A man in sync today comes back tomorrow.

I’ve filled three notebooks in four years. It’s better this way; forgotten ideas leads to regrets and rumination. Every concept, reminder, and question is a gem. Like our talents, we mustn’t take them for granted. In time, you’ll realise their value. Who knows, perhaps these precious scribbles will fetch some $$$ in the distant future. Though not penned on moleskin notebooks, we’ll save it for posterity, just like the artists before me.

Posted in cooking, Music, reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

‘Gawad Kalinga‘

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Topher

What job would you do for free?

Easy. In a heartbeat, I’d volunteer to be a beta reader. For the uninitiated, these bookworms are given ARCs (advance reader copies). The latter are final drafts before the books go live. Netgalley has the widest range of well-known authors. Getting your hands on these diamonds is a privilege. You enjoy them before everybody else. All they’re asking in return is your honest opinion or feedback. No complex survey or long queue. You get the sample eBook, bury your nose in their universe, all good. This week’s title is a metaphor. To build their pueblos, scriveners utilise us tireless test users. We ‘stand on the shoulders of giants.’

300

Recently, I’ve experienced a reading resurgence. In three weeks, I finished two hoops books. Pipeline to the Pros and Robert Parish’s memoir. Both were over 300 pages. Today, my preorder of a fellow author’s debut novel has landed. Another 300 pager, I should be good for some time.

Musings

Being a beta reader would highlight my reading skills. As a teener, I got 8.5 out of 9 in the IELTS Reading Test. I was confident of a perfect score. Imagine devouring my fave authors. John Grisham, Mitch Albom, Michael Connelly, Jodi Picoult, Matthew Reilly, and many more. Perusing them would make me feel important. Though casual, I’d have a hand in shaping literary history. As a wise man once intoned, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’

Mind you, it’s not only the Grisham’s and Picoult’s who utilise the masses’ assistance. In Apple’s beta program, software updates are provided to developers before becoming public. They release two betas and a final release candidate. This is significant for quashing out bugs and applying security patches prior to reaching our devices.

Just as in the literary world, the author and publisher could take our comments onboard before presenting their shiny new book.

Beta phase

In the Big Bang Theory, Penny and Leonard commence a beta stage in their relationship. Their other friends are unawares of their lovey dovey. The secret canoodling lasts for a few weeks or months before all is revealed.

Knocking back books is rewarding. They make you grow as a person and writer. I’ve detailed how reading changed my life. I catalogued my latest reads. Always a voracious reader, this has shaped my own discourse. Speaking of beta reading, I remember LeBron’s boasting during his Miami ‘inauguration’.

‘Not one, not two, not three…’

Yes, they did not win six successive titles. However, Bron made eight straight NBA Finals. On two teams. He was the Finals MVP thrice, before another nod with the Lakers. His bragging did not sit well with observers, but he kept his word.

The Long Haul

Writing books is a long grind. You keep writing, revising, and polishing. Patience, diligence, and a hungry mind are required. Browsing eight ARCs is child’s play compared to penning eight books. As the saying goes, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’

Most importantly, perusing is something I love. If it was acting or engineering or painting, it’d be different. Early on, taking in prose was instilled in me. As a popular quote holds, ‘Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’

‘For the love of the game‘

Beta readers are volunteers. No money changes hands. Despite the arrangement, test users are a big community. This shows that the pull of first dibs remains strong, regardless of remuneration.

In Oz, focus groups are quizzed about upcoming products. They are given gift cards. Supermarkets have product testers. Customers are provided sample items. Their opinions, from canned goods to juices, wedges to hand wash, are solicited, aggregated, and analysed.

The Countdown

During uni vacations, I watched Filipino news early in the morning. The show was called ‘Bandila’ (flag). The nation’s finest newscasters and reporters were featured. I was updated on my adopted homeland. They would always have this pre-credits spiel.

‘At Yan na naman po ang isang araw ng pagbabalita. Isang araw na Bahagi na ng kasaysayan. Sa ngalan ng pagmamalasakit sa bayan. Sa ilalim ng nag-iisang bandila.’

(And that’s another day of reporting. Another day that’s a part of history. In the name of empathy to our land. Under one flag.)

My older sister tested me on that before her work, as though a pop quiz. Well, I wasn’t the only one tuning in. My auntie was hooked. She never missed the show. At 8:10am, you would find her with rapt attention on her couch.

I end with this Francis Bacon quote: ‘Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man’.

Almost five centuries since his pronouncement, the tradition of bibliophiles has long endured.

Posted in Books, Literary, Tech | Tagged , | 4 Comments

‘McLovin’

Posted on March 28, 2026 by Topher

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I’ll tell you want I didn’t wanna be. As a five year old, just as now, I never entertained being a wino.

Barossa Valley, South Australia
Bottler

After Superbad

Rarely, I bought beers from my local bottler

Attached to the supermarket convenient as a butler

Had no issues until a big guy asked for ID

Appearing under 25, this is SOP

He lingered on my photo card a smile escaped from his face

‘We’re neighbours’, he said, ‘I pass by your place’

His wife, white, and he was Nepalese

Heavyset in all black clothing they ‘never freeze’

No fake ID like Superbad

Of legal age and shrewd mind, brod

Wino forever
Hobart, Australia
Port Arthur, Tasmania

I’m no drinker

A phase didn’t matter

Seven years without a sip

Got tape on my lip

My mate and I toured Cascade Brewery in Hobart

That Sunday, the plant was a quiet Mozart

Been there for two centuries

Almost as old as Port Arthur say cheese!

During State of Origin we downed Victoria Bitter

Backed the New South Blues a real thirst buster

Alcohol ain’t healthy

Keep out the schooners be wealthy

My memories the odd pint

Move on and continue your jaunt.

Cheering for the Blues
State of Origin
NSW Blues
Posted in Literary, Past edited work | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Metaphysician, por favor

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Topher

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

In response to the daily prompt, I’m gonna share ‘The Metaphysician’. The poem forms part of my collection.

‘Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds’ – Albert Einstein, Nobel-winning physicist

Neither mathematician nor magician

He’s the self-styled metaphysician

Doesn’t dissect human bodies in the infirmary or on stage

He solves no conundrums not Einstein in a rage

Topher ain’t a lifesaver

Resurrects word, style, and stanza a mad player

Being a physician or astronaut would be nice, except for the ghastly hours or stress

A wise man averred that you’re smarter, Chris

They hold stethoscopes but can’t write like you

At eighteen, they won’t score 8.5 in the IELTS, true

Topher, the self-styled metaphysician

He’s Rizal’s character, pilosopong Tasyo

Types in his peerless style, shoo

Bored with school

Needed a new pool

He sat in philosophy and ‘majored’ in verses

Studied the greats from John Milton, Edgar Allan Poe, even dirges

Jose Garcia Villa was, by far, his favourite

Amazing how an expat figured prominently a treat

The Comma Poet’s rich family owned land in Manila

His father, the president’s private physician, hand no time for matata

Edgar Allan Poe

Senior envisioned him as a doctor

At UP, he was banned for his poetry’s explcit amour

Moved to the States, heeded the patriarch, enrolling in New Mexico

Writing was his true passion, mi amigo

Had rocky relations with his dad

Like a trope from Breaking Bad

His story collection’s response was tepid

Critics told him stick to poetry, his new meal ticket

Breaking Bad

Like Villa, Topher aspires to be the metaphysician par excellence

Learned from the deadliest, including the Pope he’ll fill the silence

Being Asian shouldn’t matter

His writing’s riveting so he’ll deliver

At fifty, Jose had published his last book

As the Godfather, the ‘Pope of Greenwich Village’ could fill every nook

A 1973 National Artist, one of Literature’s first

When all is said and done, his work’s never a caricature

His opinion mattered

A recluse who was always flattered

Jose Garcia Villa aka Doveglion

How many lives will a surgeon save? Conversely, who won’t make it on their watch?

What is our final page count? In crunch time, will he come up clutch?

Will his seeds materialise?

His body of work, immortalised?

He could try his best

So here are his finest.

If you enjoyed this poem, you could check out more from my collection. The eBook version of Musings can now be purchased from my website for $1.69.

https://topherong.net/product/musings-poems-selected-and-new

Posted in Literary, reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Five-peat

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Topher

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

There are a few that fits that description. Today, I’ll focus on The Bourne Ultimatum, which I saw at the cinema. It was well worth the price of admission. Since then, I caught it several times when I still watched telly. Ultimatum, the third instalment, was a critical and commercial success. Matt Damon, director Paul Greengrass, and writer Tony Gilroy were a dream team. David Straithairn portrays villain Noah Vosen. In one scene, he answers his cell with ‘Vosen’. Bourne (Damon) then uses the greeting to unlock the safe. I knew a lass who used her first name when picking up her phone. Hope she didn’t have a safe out back.

Julia Styles (Nicky Parsons)
Damon and Greengrass

Reel

The film begins with ripples of Bourne in hiding. He’s trying to figure out this Blackbriar crap and crosses paths with Nicky Parsons (Julia Styles). He tracks down a British journalist who followed the story. They meet in packed Waterloo Station. The agitated Brit answers his queries. Bourne tells him, ‘This is real’ before being disobeyed. Simon is shot in the head by a sniper. Tis the second time in the franchise that a character conks out after Jason utters those words.

‘We’ve lost visual contact.’

My sister found that funny. Like gladiator commentary, except the language was reminiscent of NASA.

The trail leads him to Spain, where he finesses some mercenaries sent to silence him. He then turns the tables by calling in the attack, using Spanish phrases.

Vosen: ‘What the hell is this?’

The hunters become the hunted.

Morocco
Simon

Across the ditch

The crumbs had Bourne taking the ferry from Gibraltar to nearby Tangier, Morocco. There, he finds the dirty unit manager who’s been feeding ‘the chamber of secrets’ to Simon. Though quick, Bourne ain’t fast enough. The manager unwittingly falls for a booby trap. So long, sucker.

As a dedicated Lone Ranger, Bourne tries to piece together the puzzle. He’s hounded by Desh, who’s from the same agency. They engage in one of cinema’s iconic hand to hand fights.

Perhaps it was the stunning locations. Or breathtaking action scenes. Likeable characters. The fast-paced plot. Big names like Greengrass and Matt Damon.Or all of the above.

Relatable

We can relate to underdog Bourne. He left his past lives behind. Though doing no wrong, he’s pigeonholed as the bad guy. His higher ups want him in a body bag before sunset. He’s picking the agency apart. He uses various passports, his language and sleuth skills, and street smarts. All while not remembering how he became Jason Bourne.

He has no superpowers like telekinesis. Not a mind reader à la Harry Potter. He does not leap over buildings like Superman, nor wield a hammer like Thor. He isn’t turning green when angered like the Incredible Hulk. He toes the line between controlled aggression and rational decision making. He ain’t rocking up in his Batmobile. He goes not ‘to infinity and beyond’ but sticks to the ground. Unlike James Bond, he often relies on his own scant resources. Improvises to get out of sticky situations.

Bad boys 3
Equalizer
Enemy of the State

This is what endears him to me. He’s like director Robert Rodriguez, the one-man army. It doesn’t matter if they send over 2.5 men or a dozen. Or if the whole agency is after his head. Whether he has a hand gun or a paring knife, he’ll make it out alive. Sure, he has his flaws. A sluggish memory. His partner and her family was killed. Connections drying up. He’s not getting any younger, richer, or fitter. He’ll work with what he has: time, effort, and willpower. As Bourne 3 posits: that’s more than enough.

Assasins’ Breed

He reminds me of Will Smith in Enemy of the State. Pam Landy is his Gene Hackman, an agency asset who wants to clear his name just as much. The main difference is that Bourne is a trained assassin, while Will Smith is forced to become one. While both fugitives, Bourne has way more experience in living off the grid. Likewise, he gets breaks that Will never did. See also: Denzel Washington in The Equalizer trilogy and basically any Liam Neeson-fronted action movie. Regardless, Ultimatum earned three Oscar nominations, the first in the series. It batted 3/3, quite deservedly so.

Since the third picture, I’ve caught The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne at the cinemas. Both have mixed reviews, even with Paul and Matt returning for the latter. Legacy was partially shot in the Philippines. The ending was set in Palawan. Despite casting Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, and Edward Norton, it felt underwhelming. Watching it at Bondi, my friend was disappointed. Legacy struggled with carving out its own identity. Kept referring to Ultimatum. The last two still raked in big dollars at the box office. However, the world class days of this film franchise have passed.

Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz

Bourne’s Finest

Both Bourne 1 and 2 are very good. However, Bourne 3 is the series’s finest in my opinion. It almost offsets Bourne 5, a nostalgic rejoinder that was basically a vain encore. Speaking of appendices, Rush Hour 3 was another one. My friends concurred that it tainted the first two. Yes, it was funny but pointless.

Being third in line rarely secures that honour. See also: The Godfather III and Shrek the third. Incidentally, in Toy Story a T-Rex was told to ‘use your head.’ They then mobilised it like a battering ram to open the door. Meanwhile, only Bad Boys 3, and Toy Story 3 come to mind.

Fleeting

Remember this: material possessions are temporary. What we lose today is replaceable tomorrow. Don’t be too attached to our things. Like Bourne, prioritise our well-being, decisions, and future. Live for today but make room for tomorrow. Avoid ruminating on shadows behind you.

Tony Gilroy

There’s a reason why I saw this picture too many times. When I witnessed Bourne giving black eyes and maximising his meagre capital, I saw the man I longed to be. By continuously beholding his exploits, I was given a crash course on weathering the storm. Life will always have ups and downs. No two days will ever be the same. We must grow and adapt. Giving your all every day, because each sunrise is a precious gift.

Posted in movies, reviews, TV | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Pricey Lesson

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Topher

What is the last thing you learned?

My brand new iPhone 16e isn’t good value. Last week, it was my birthday gift to myself. We went back to my roots, in Macquarie Centre. Dined at a Thai restaurant. The black 16e was the last one in store. They were clearing out old stock as Apple debuted fresh devices this week. That night, I looked at cases from Amazon. Settled on a blue genuine leather cover with an orange interior. Tough, it had next-day Prime delivery, and was well-rated. My previous cover is synthetic and green. Amazon and eBay lack true leather covers for most Android mobiles. Temu has long exited my menu. My iPhone 14 had a standard black canvas case purchased at Big W. Not as sturdy and a lint magnet.

Having card slots is imperative for me. My Opal card is on the cover. It’s handier than being in my wallet. This has been SOP since getting my first iPhone. RFID technology secures your plastic. However, tapping on and off is harder.

Faster

On the flip side, the new mobile features a much faster processor. Better camera. More reliable Face ID. For now, this marks the end of Touch ID on iPhones. Its predecessor, the 2022 iPhone SE, was the last shogun with the home button. After a year’s absence, I was back in the Apple ecosystem.

I’ve stored FlyBuys and Afterpay cards on my iPhone. I check the weather, showers this week. The display is on the small side. You’d shell out serious bucks for larger screens, better battery, more storage, and so on. The iPhone 17 has a 120hz display but is well over a grand. However, the budget Apple handset is better than its precursor, the SE. The 16e’s screen is like a giant compared to the SE. Like the 14, it used a lightning connector. The 16e utilises the more modern usb c. As usual, it doesn’t come with the charger, only the usb cable.

A whirlwind decision

I have buyer’s remorse. Like my prior leather wallet, my months-old Oppo Reno 13F 5G is still going strong. My latest buy was impulsive. A midrange phone with excellent specs. 120hz refresh rate over the iPhone’s 60hz. 5800mah battery versus 4005mah. Lasts a full day’s use, two days for light usage. A larger screen. On the downside, Face ID is hit and miss. Oppo has promised support for another four or five years. 256gb against 128gb though $300 cheaper. Major updates and more storage future proofs your phone. No need to rush.

In between my iPhone 14 and 16e, I used a Google Pixel 8a. Neither intuitive nor responsive. The AI features are overrated. For a premium phone, charging takes long. Not good value. The only pluses are being the first Androids for software updates. Seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. Like the 16e, they crimped on the screen. It was a lot less seamless than either the Oppo Reno or iPhones. Quite buggy to be honest. I’m not surprised that Oppo and Apple have bigger market shares than Google. The cheaper Oppo Reno is the smarter choice.

Ace Player

The iPhone is more than a mobile. It’s a wallet where you can store cards and pay merchants. A music player for recent hits and classic tunes. Even a portable telly, though I didn’t use it as such. For journaling. A mini computer for web based research. An eBook reader. Shopping cart. A smart camera. For banking. The 16e will get another five or six years’ support. Longer than the Reno 13F.

At this price point you’d expect 256gb. Even the reduced cost seems unfair. Had I waited, the latest version included 256gb on their base model. They upgraded to a faster chip. The ceramic construction is thrice as tough as the 16e. Cameras are much improved. The display, 4005 mah battery, and refresh rates were retained. MagSafe sweetens the deal. Starting at $999, another overpriced, superficial, and flashy iPhone.

Macquarie Centre skating rink

Not everybody’s cup of tea

Recently, installing Facebook has drained the entry-level iPhone’s battery. I went back to the Reno, offloading the new phone. I don’t have FOMO on the latest release. Imagine spending one grand for a phone that’s too small with a subpar battery, and poor refresh rate.

Who would say no to a new iPhone? My decision was easy. Why stick with a premium branded mobile when you’re unhappy? It seems like a considerable waste of money. An expensive lesson that could’ve been avoided. A decision that required more thought. Maybe before opening the box, I could’ve read more about my new phone.

When premium ain’t always better

If you’re looking for a decent, budget-friendly smartphone with good specs, go for a midrange Android. You’ll save big bucks and won’t crimp on value. An iPhone means spending thrice as much for similar features. Their budget offerings will be insufficient and a disappointment for the average user. Some things in life are not worth the trade-off.

Posted in reviews, Tech | Tagged , | Leave a comment