It's been quite a while since I last entered this site. Actually, it's been almost a month. Not that nothing has been happening to me. It's probably something more of being too busy during the pre-holiday season. Add to that the trauma I received from comments I got from my previous blogs, both within the site and personally.
Frankly, it was one hell of a joyride for me, to see the multiple anonymous comments battling it out like foes in the Jerry Springer show. But for a friend not talking to me after reading my blog is another thing. And that is what made the whole blogging thing traumatic.
On to my story.
Last Monday, I came in to work wearing formal office slacks and a brown shirt. I was wearing my pants too high that one of my friends approached me, handed me a CD case that very much looked like a Bible case, and told me to open the plastic bag I was holding. And then one of them told me to ask for donations as I looked very much like a preacher from another religious sect asking for donations for the church inside a moving bus. "Peace be with you all," I should have said.
After that, I became known to myself as Pastor Don.
Yesterday, I wore a similar get up, that is, high-waisted office pants (black) and a collared shirt. Add to that a pair of black shoes with un-matching white socks. I tell you, it is sooooo Michael Jackson. I wasn't aware that I was wearing white socks until after I reached the office, until someone mentioned it to me! Sheesh!
After playing a very rough game of badminton, I boarded a bus going home. I was really expecting to see a preacher, after so many years of not seeing one, doing his thing in the bus. So there I was, patiently observing the people around me. In front of me were two homosexuals. They weren't together, though. One was a lesbian, the other a gay guy. I thought, "A bus could really hold a diverse mixture of cultures and people." Beside me were a couple groping at each other. Talk about intimacy and privacy!
And then, as we were about to reach our destination, what do I notice? A guy with a back pack handing out envelopes to people! I don't know if it was mere coincidence or fate. He was not the traditional preacher. In fact, he wasn't a preacher at all. He was a representative of some organization for the disabled. I was just in utter amazement at the fact that I came very close to meeting a preacher once again. And what did he do to convince people to give him some donations? He had a small tambourine and he played it while singing some off-tune Christmas carols!
Had I not been too tired last night, I would have stood up, opened a plastic bag and passed it around. I would have begun my new career in spreading the Word of God.
"Brothers and sisters, the end is near. Have you ever thought about where you would want to be in the after life.....? Giving is much better than receiving.... In giving do we receive graces not on earth but on the after life...."
"So please, empty your wallets and donate to my church.... this is a stick-up!"
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
The Corporate Ghost(s)
Ghost - a disembodied soul; especially : the soul of a dead person believed to be an inhabitant of the unseen world or to appear to the living in bodily likeness. - Merriam-Webster Online
In the corporate world, there are a lot of ghosts roaming around. These are people who carry with them things of the past: ideologies, things, people... The corporate beings find it hard to move on and accept the changes that are facing them.
Just like ghosts. They say that ghosts are here because they haven't moved on to the next dimension. Either they died of a traumatic death, they haven't fulfilled their mission, or they haven't accepted the fact that they are already dead. Think about the movie Ghost.
Here in the office (we currently moved in), which remained uninhabited for two years or so until last week, I, among a few others, personally saw a physical manifestation of a ghost in its truest sense. I know that someone Anonymous will comment that I am probably just imagining things, that it is a result of my fanciful mind.
Well, let me tell you this. I am not the only one who saw it. And all of us who saw it recounted very similar sightings. It is of a man, probably in his mid-adult stage, wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt, sitting on one of the sofas in the reception area. Even the receptionist saw it a few times, not just once.
And there is also the story of the Accounting personnel who, aside from the man in white sitting in the reception area, saw a silhouette of a man (making him appear wearing black) walking to and fro the hallway.
Another accounting personnel recounted how she heard knockings inside her manager's office while working overtime and seeing someone inside in her peripheral vision. She merely shruuged it off, fearful of what she might actually see.
And then there is the IT personnel, who made sure that the door to the IT room was closed before she went to the other department to fetch someone. Upon passing by the IT room, she noticed that the door was now open.
Finally, the story of one of our artists, although not as significant as the other manifestations, felt someone walking past by him while he was washing his face in the Men's Room.
This is very much post-Halloween, but it happened to us. People may not believe it, especially the sceptics. But I believe what I believe. I know what I saw. I have seen a lot of corporate ghosts before, I'm probably one of them, but all were merely metaphorical corporate ghosts.
This time, they're real.
In the corporate world, there are a lot of ghosts roaming around. These are people who carry with them things of the past: ideologies, things, people... The corporate beings find it hard to move on and accept the changes that are facing them.
Just like ghosts. They say that ghosts are here because they haven't moved on to the next dimension. Either they died of a traumatic death, they haven't fulfilled their mission, or they haven't accepted the fact that they are already dead. Think about the movie Ghost.
Here in the office (we currently moved in), which remained uninhabited for two years or so until last week, I, among a few others, personally saw a physical manifestation of a ghost in its truest sense. I know that someone Anonymous will comment that I am probably just imagining things, that it is a result of my fanciful mind.
Well, let me tell you this. I am not the only one who saw it. And all of us who saw it recounted very similar sightings. It is of a man, probably in his mid-adult stage, wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt, sitting on one of the sofas in the reception area. Even the receptionist saw it a few times, not just once.
And there is also the story of the Accounting personnel who, aside from the man in white sitting in the reception area, saw a silhouette of a man (making him appear wearing black) walking to and fro the hallway.
Another accounting personnel recounted how she heard knockings inside her manager's office while working overtime and seeing someone inside in her peripheral vision. She merely shruuged it off, fearful of what she might actually see.
And then there is the IT personnel, who made sure that the door to the IT room was closed before she went to the other department to fetch someone. Upon passing by the IT room, she noticed that the door was now open.
Finally, the story of one of our artists, although not as significant as the other manifestations, felt someone walking past by him while he was washing his face in the Men's Room.
This is very much post-Halloween, but it happened to us. People may not believe it, especially the sceptics. But I believe what I believe. I know what I saw. I have seen a lot of corporate ghosts before, I'm probably one of them, but all were merely metaphorical corporate ghosts.
This time, they're real.
Categorically Imperative
A few posts ago, there was an anonymous comment who dissed my personality and the things that happen in my life. Someone, thank heavens, came to my defense. Her name? Categorically Imperative.
Contrary to what the anonymous comment said in the previous post, she is no slut. In fact, she is one of the most intelligent people I know. Yes, she is adventurous, but she has her limitations when it comes to exploring the unexplored. She knows her boundaries.
Categorically Imperative has been, for several years now, been a good friend to me and to our other classmates in the graduate school of business. She has shared with us bits and pieces of her life that she treasures most. She is one of the very few people I would call a true person, who shares her mind on just about anything and everything under the sun. She is the epitome of the woman of today.
So here's to you, Categorically Imperative. Thanks for being a good friend (one of the best I've had in graduate school).
Contrary to what the anonymous comment said in the previous post, she is no slut. In fact, she is one of the most intelligent people I know. Yes, she is adventurous, but she has her limitations when it comes to exploring the unexplored. She knows her boundaries.
Categorically Imperative has been, for several years now, been a good friend to me and to our other classmates in the graduate school of business. She has shared with us bits and pieces of her life that she treasures most. She is one of the very few people I would call a true person, who shares her mind on just about anything and everything under the sun. She is the epitome of the woman of today.
So here's to you, Categorically Imperative. Thanks for being a good friend (one of the best I've had in graduate school).
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
To the bitter anonymous...
It's saddening to note how some people see my accounts for the day as a form of idolitry, or stalking, or an uncertainty of gender. I recently got a comment (see previous post) that goes as follows:
I didn't brag. I just wrote.
And, it was not a family trip. It was just my parents and my little sister. I just wanted to go to the province myself. My other brothers were here with me in the city as well.
So to you, anonymous, this one's for you. This is a blog that's dedicated for your effort to dis my blog and me. I am supposing you are one of my best friends. Don't worry, you still are. Despite our differences, amidst our opposing points of view, you will always be one of my best friends. My life, after all, would lose its color without a best friend like you.
I just can't imagine how writing about what happened to me and the reasons for such happenings can be tagged as stalking or idolizing a person. I have lots of best friends. They are the select few who have been with me through the tough times. It just so happens that I have, by far, connected the most with The Best Friend. I just write it as such to identify the person among the rest, no idolitry or stalking intended. And the gender issue... well, it's just plain bull."if i were The Best Friend (or the wife of The Best Friend), either i'll be totally annoyed or i'll be really scared. the way you idolize him borders on stalking. & to brag about it on your diary? man, that's scary! or downright gay... hmmm... and why the heck would you need or wait for your family's invitation to join your family's vacation? that's soooo loser talk."
I didn't brag. I just wrote.
And, it was not a family trip. It was just my parents and my little sister. I just wanted to go to the province myself. My other brothers were here with me in the city as well.
So to you, anonymous, this one's for you. This is a blog that's dedicated for your effort to dis my blog and me. I am supposing you are one of my best friends. Don't worry, you still are. Despite our differences, amidst our opposing points of view, you will always be one of my best friends. My life, after all, would lose its color without a best friend like you.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Sleeping in the Office
I got to spend 2 straight nights in the office recently. We transferred buildings, you see. I volunteered to help out, but my best friend was spending the night, so I figured to spend the night there (here) as well. He might need some assistance.
It is quite funny to spend around 23 hours or so in the office (I had to get out about an hour or so each day to go to the gym or to get something to eat). I never imagined myself to be doing so. But it was a welcome thing for me because I got to bond with The Best Friend.
Notice how I wasn't able to post in such a long time? Well, all our servers were down during the entire weekend and the holiday Monday. I am still here in the office with The Best Friend and the wife of The Best Friend (who also happens to be one of my best friends) setting up some PCs and doing whatever we can to be able to officially start work tomorrow.
I am just resting, that's why I got to squeeze in this blog.
I haven't seen my parents for a long time. I won't be able to see them tonight as well, I'm afraid. They would probably be fast asleep when I arrive. I went home yesterday and the other night but they went to some provincial district that my grandmother calls home. I wanted to go with them, but they never invited me.
I guess, I will have to get used to those kinds of things, my family leaving me behind, I mean. Sooner or later, I will have to leave them as well to settle down and have a family of my own. But at the rate I am going, I guess I'll be the last one among us siblings to get settled down.
I need to get back to work now. There are still a number of PCs to set up. The Best Friend beckons! Ciao!
It is quite funny to spend around 23 hours or so in the office (I had to get out about an hour or so each day to go to the gym or to get something to eat). I never imagined myself to be doing so. But it was a welcome thing for me because I got to bond with The Best Friend.
Notice how I wasn't able to post in such a long time? Well, all our servers were down during the entire weekend and the holiday Monday. I am still here in the office with The Best Friend and the wife of The Best Friend (who also happens to be one of my best friends) setting up some PCs and doing whatever we can to be able to officially start work tomorrow.
I am just resting, that's why I got to squeeze in this blog.
I haven't seen my parents for a long time. I won't be able to see them tonight as well, I'm afraid. They would probably be fast asleep when I arrive. I went home yesterday and the other night but they went to some provincial district that my grandmother calls home. I wanted to go with them, but they never invited me.
I guess, I will have to get used to those kinds of things, my family leaving me behind, I mean. Sooner or later, I will have to leave them as well to settle down and have a family of my own. But at the rate I am going, I guess I'll be the last one among us siblings to get settled down.
I need to get back to work now. There are still a number of PCs to set up. The Best Friend beckons! Ciao!
That's Weird!
I came up with two blogs recently, and, realizing they were very negative blogs, decided to delete them. I figured my friends would get very angry at me with those entries.
Apparently, my friends were able to get a glimpse of my feelings of frustrations and loneliness that night. Even my best friend read it! My best friend who never reads my blog (or so he says)! I wonder why. I really find it weird.
Very weird!
Apparently, my friends were able to get a glimpse of my feelings of frustrations and loneliness that night. Even my best friend read it! My best friend who never reads my blog (or so he says)! I wonder why. I really find it weird.
Very weird!
Monday, November 01, 2004
Trick or Treating
It has been my personal tradition to go Trick or Treat every year with my sister at a posh village south of the Metro.
Three years ago, I just accompanied her with several of my kid cousins doing the rounds inside the village. I, myself, had a loot bag of my own. It was fun. It was the same two years ago when we visited several of those houses with their huge Halloween displays and mini House of Horrors.
Last year, it was more memorable, I suppose. I got to dress up in a scary costume and join my sister, who dressed up as Sadako of The Ring. She was spectacular in that costume, so realistic. People even posed for pictures with her. As for me, I was a dead person who died getting run over by a ten-wheeler truck. Well, because I was sweaty, the foundation wore off just as I boarded the car going to the village. I ended up looking like a faggot wearing lipstick.... a faggot who doesn't know how to apply lipstick very well because it is smeared around my mouth and just a little above my chin. I couldn't be a clown because I didn't have anything on my eyes and my cheeks.
I believe the costume was very much alright despite the draw back. At least, I got to be dressed up as something other than me, although unintentionally--a freaking idiotic faggot. Bah! Who cares? At least I got more candy than I did two or three years ago!
This year, I was very much looking forward to making the rounds again! In fact, I had a costume planned out. I would be going as Count Dracula! Yep, I know it is the lamest thing that someone could think of going as. But I firmly believe that I could be the sleekest Count Dracula you would be seeing this side of town. However, my sister was hesitant to go. For one, she--according to her-- is too old for such child's play. Second, she is sick. I counted on my friends who would be bringing their "adopted" kid brother along. They, however, weren't able to send me an SMS. They had to be elsewhere that day.
I was so frustrated by the idea that I would end up trick or treating alone, I decided to hit the mall with a few friends. I didn't even bother to don a costume. In the mall, I saw children walking in and out of the shops. They were Trick or Treating!
I mustered enough courage and walked in a shop. I fell in line and I proudly said, "Trick or Treat!" They asked me what I was dressed as. I told them that I was a kid dressed up as an adult! And for that, they gave me two lollies and some chewy candy! Not bad for a kid trapped in an adult's body!
Happy halloween to all of you!
Three years ago, I just accompanied her with several of my kid cousins doing the rounds inside the village. I, myself, had a loot bag of my own. It was fun. It was the same two years ago when we visited several of those houses with their huge Halloween displays and mini House of Horrors.
Last year, it was more memorable, I suppose. I got to dress up in a scary costume and join my sister, who dressed up as Sadako of The Ring. She was spectacular in that costume, so realistic. People even posed for pictures with her. As for me, I was a dead person who died getting run over by a ten-wheeler truck. Well, because I was sweaty, the foundation wore off just as I boarded the car going to the village. I ended up looking like a faggot wearing lipstick.... a faggot who doesn't know how to apply lipstick very well because it is smeared around my mouth and just a little above my chin. I couldn't be a clown because I didn't have anything on my eyes and my cheeks.
I believe the costume was very much alright despite the draw back. At least, I got to be dressed up as something other than me, although unintentionally--a freaking idiotic faggot. Bah! Who cares? At least I got more candy than I did two or three years ago!
This year, I was very much looking forward to making the rounds again! In fact, I had a costume planned out. I would be going as Count Dracula! Yep, I know it is the lamest thing that someone could think of going as. But I firmly believe that I could be the sleekest Count Dracula you would be seeing this side of town. However, my sister was hesitant to go. For one, she--according to her-- is too old for such child's play. Second, she is sick. I counted on my friends who would be bringing their "adopted" kid brother along. They, however, weren't able to send me an SMS. They had to be elsewhere that day.
I was so frustrated by the idea that I would end up trick or treating alone, I decided to hit the mall with a few friends. I didn't even bother to don a costume. In the mall, I saw children walking in and out of the shops. They were Trick or Treating!
I mustered enough courage and walked in a shop. I fell in line and I proudly said, "Trick or Treat!" They asked me what I was dressed as. I told them that I was a kid dressed up as an adult! And for that, they gave me two lollies and some chewy candy! Not bad for a kid trapped in an adult's body!
Happy halloween to all of you!
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Trick or Treating
It has been my personal tradition to go Trick or Treat every year with my sister at a posh village south of the Metro.
Three years ago, I just accompanied her with several of my kid cousins doing the rounds inside the village. I, myself, had a loot bag of my own. It was fun. It was the same two years ago when we visited several of those houses with their huge Halloween displays and mini House of Horrors.
Last year, it was more memorable, I suppose. I got to dress up in a scary costume and join my sister, who dressed up as Sadako of The Ring. She was spectacular in that costume, so realistic. People even posed for pictures with her. As for me, I was a dead person who died getting run over by a ten-wheeler truck. Well, because I was sweaty, the foundation wore off just as I boarded the car going to the village. I ended up looking like a faggot wearing lipstick.... a faggot who doesn't know how to apply lipstick very well because it is smeared around my mouth and just a little above my chin. I couldn't be a clown because I didn't have anything on my eyes and my cheeks.
I believe the costume was very much alright despite the draw back. At least, I got to be dressed up as something other than me, although unintentionally--a freaking idiotic faggot. Bah! Who cares? At least I got more candy than I did two or three years ago!
This year, I was very much looking forward to making the rounds again! In fact, I had a costume planned out. I would be going as Count Dracula! Yep, I know it is the lamest thing that someone could think of going as. But I firmly believe that I could be the sleekest Count Dracula you would be seeing this side of town. However, my sister was hesitant to go. For one, she--according to her-- is too old for such child's play. Second, she is sick. I counted on my friends who would be bringing their "adopted" kid brother along. They, however, weren't able to send me an SMS. They had to be elsewhere that day.
I was so frustrated by the idea that I would end up trick or treating alone, I decided to hit the mall with a few friends. I didn't even bother to don a costume. In the mall, I saw children walking in and out of the shops. They were Trick or Treating!
I mustered enough courage and walked in a shop. I fell in line and I proudly said, "Trick or Treat!" They asked me what I was dressed as. I told them that I was a kid dressed up as an adult! And for that, they gave me two lollies and some chewy candy! Not bad for a kid trapped in an adult's body!
Happy halloween to all of you!
Three years ago, I just accompanied her with several of my kid cousins doing the rounds inside the village. I, myself, had a loot bag of my own. It was fun. It was the same two years ago when we visited several of those houses with their huge Halloween displays and mini House of Horrors.
Last year, it was more memorable, I suppose. I got to dress up in a scary costume and join my sister, who dressed up as Sadako of The Ring. She was spectacular in that costume, so realistic. People even posed for pictures with her. As for me, I was a dead person who died getting run over by a ten-wheeler truck. Well, because I was sweaty, the foundation wore off just as I boarded the car going to the village. I ended up looking like a faggot wearing lipstick.... a faggot who doesn't know how to apply lipstick very well because it is smeared around my mouth and just a little above my chin. I couldn't be a clown because I didn't have anything on my eyes and my cheeks.
I believe the costume was very much alright despite the draw back. At least, I got to be dressed up as something other than me, although unintentionally--a freaking idiotic faggot. Bah! Who cares? At least I got more candy than I did two or three years ago!
This year, I was very much looking forward to making the rounds again! In fact, I had a costume planned out. I would be going as Count Dracula! Yep, I know it is the lamest thing that someone could think of going as. But I firmly believe that I could be the sleekest Count Dracula you would be seeing this side of town. However, my sister was hesitant to go. For one, she--according to her-- is too old for such child's play. Second, she is sick. I counted on my friends who would be bringing their "adopted" kid brother along. They, however, weren't able to send me an SMS. They had to be elsewhere that day.
I was so frustrated by the idea that I would end up trick or treating alone, I decided to hit the mall with a few friends. I didn't even bother to don a costume. In the mall, I saw children walking in and out of the shops. They were Trick or Treating!
I mustered enough courage and walked in a shop. I fell in line and I proudly said, "Trick or Treat!" They asked me what I was dressed as. I told them that I was a kid dressed up as an adult! And for that, they gave me two lollies and some chewy candy! Not bad for a kid trapped in an adult's body!
Happy halloween to all of you!
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Fighting Fire With....
...Construction workers. Yup, very un-stereotypical. It's like answering the question "how many people does it take to change a lightbulb?" (I don't quite see the similarities of the incident and the cliche, but I have this feeling that they are very much similar.) How? Why? Shouldn't it be the job of the "Brave Men of Ladder 49?"
I woke up at 4 a.m. and got hold of my towel for a morning shower. I wasn't quite sure why I woke up that early without bothering to look at the time piece. All I can recall was my brother waking me up, telling me to do so. As I neared the bathroom, I realized that I was shook off my bed for a different reason. There was an emergency.
Throwing my towel on th bedroom floor, I rushed upstairs to see what the problem was. And then, before anyone could answer, I heard firecrackers.... or were they gunshots? So again, I asked what the problem was. Apparently, during the night, an overhead powerline just in front of the house beside us broke, exposing a live wire in the process--a live wire that immediately caught fire.
My father went outside to look into it, as did my brothers and me, and several of our neighbors. It was New Year's Eve in a cold October dawn! The sparks created by two strands of wire touching each other provided a luminosity of a floodlight and a bang comparable to firecrackers (think Judas' belt). I rushed inside to call for emergency, while my brother switched off the main power source in the house. Leaving them on would put our house in more risk if and when the fire reaches the main cable.
I called the fire department and they informed me that it was not in their jurisdiction to put off flames caused by electrical wirings! So, does this mean that there are several kinds of firefighters? Hmmmm..... There's one for big flames, one for those caused by candles, one for putting out the flame of a match stick... etc, but none for a flaming live wire. So they told me to call up the local electricity provider.
For 30 minutes or so, I called them thrice just to follow up on when they could--ASAP--send someone over to fix the problem. If the fire reaches the main cable, which, based on my estimate, would take about 20 minutes, the whole street would be engulfed in flames. My father, realizing that desperate times call for desperate moves, commissioned my brother to get sand, and together, threw sand at the live wire. Great idea, although the flaming wire was way beyond their reach, nor the reach of the sand thrown. They were successful, though, in coming up with a sand rain.
It was a good thing that several construction workers were working on a house two houses away from us. My father asked for their help and they immediately got hold of three long slabs of wood. They managed to separate the two wires whose contact with each other were causing sparks and fire. The other one put off the flame by pressing against one of the slabs with his slab. It was also fortunate that there was an electrician on hand to cover the loose ends with electrical tape.
We were all relieved by this turn of events that each of us slowly went back inside our house. At this point, when everything was already alright, the electricity company's lineman came.
Now that's what I call fast reaction to an emergency situation. What has this country gone to? I really don't understand how one country, capable of coming up with the brightest of ideas, be so lagging in technology. A central company could have immediately directed the call to all relevant departments and dispatched someone close to the scene immediately.
So how do you fight fire the next time you encounter one? Don't call emergency hotline numbers as it will only prove futile. Rely on yourself and probably a handful of neighbors to think instinctively on what to do. Rely on construction workers.
How many construction workers does it take to put off a fire? Three. Just make sure to have my dad these to instruct them what to do.
I woke up at 4 a.m. and got hold of my towel for a morning shower. I wasn't quite sure why I woke up that early without bothering to look at the time piece. All I can recall was my brother waking me up, telling me to do so. As I neared the bathroom, I realized that I was shook off my bed for a different reason. There was an emergency.
Throwing my towel on th bedroom floor, I rushed upstairs to see what the problem was. And then, before anyone could answer, I heard firecrackers.... or were they gunshots? So again, I asked what the problem was. Apparently, during the night, an overhead powerline just in front of the house beside us broke, exposing a live wire in the process--a live wire that immediately caught fire.
My father went outside to look into it, as did my brothers and me, and several of our neighbors. It was New Year's Eve in a cold October dawn! The sparks created by two strands of wire touching each other provided a luminosity of a floodlight and a bang comparable to firecrackers (think Judas' belt). I rushed inside to call for emergency, while my brother switched off the main power source in the house. Leaving them on would put our house in more risk if and when the fire reaches the main cable.
I called the fire department and they informed me that it was not in their jurisdiction to put off flames caused by electrical wirings! So, does this mean that there are several kinds of firefighters? Hmmmm..... There's one for big flames, one for those caused by candles, one for putting out the flame of a match stick... etc, but none for a flaming live wire. So they told me to call up the local electricity provider.
For 30 minutes or so, I called them thrice just to follow up on when they could--ASAP--send someone over to fix the problem. If the fire reaches the main cable, which, based on my estimate, would take about 20 minutes, the whole street would be engulfed in flames. My father, realizing that desperate times call for desperate moves, commissioned my brother to get sand, and together, threw sand at the live wire. Great idea, although the flaming wire was way beyond their reach, nor the reach of the sand thrown. They were successful, though, in coming up with a sand rain.
It was a good thing that several construction workers were working on a house two houses away from us. My father asked for their help and they immediately got hold of three long slabs of wood. They managed to separate the two wires whose contact with each other were causing sparks and fire. The other one put off the flame by pressing against one of the slabs with his slab. It was also fortunate that there was an electrician on hand to cover the loose ends with electrical tape.
We were all relieved by this turn of events that each of us slowly went back inside our house. At this point, when everything was already alright, the electricity company's lineman came.
Now that's what I call fast reaction to an emergency situation. What has this country gone to? I really don't understand how one country, capable of coming up with the brightest of ideas, be so lagging in technology. A central company could have immediately directed the call to all relevant departments and dispatched someone close to the scene immediately.
So how do you fight fire the next time you encounter one? Don't call emergency hotline numbers as it will only prove futile. Rely on yourself and probably a handful of neighbors to think instinctively on what to do. Rely on construction workers.
How many construction workers does it take to put off a fire? Three. Just make sure to have my dad these to instruct them what to do.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Fighting Fire With....
...Construction workers. Yup, very un-stereotypical. It's like answering the question "how many people does it take to change a lightbulb?" (I don't quite see the similarities of the incident and the cliche, but I have this feeling that they are very much similar.) How? Why? Shouldn't it be the job of the "Brave Men of Ladder 49?"
I woke up at 4 a.m. and got hold of my towel for a morning shower. I wasn't quite sure why I woke up that early without bothering to look at the time piece. All I can recall was my brother waking me up, telling me to do so. As I neared the bathroom, I realized that I was shook off my bed for a different reason. There was an emergency.
Throwing my towel on th bedroom floor, I rushed upstairs to see what the problem was. And then, before anyone could answer, I heard firecrackers.... or were they gunshots? So again, I asked what the problem was. Apparently, during the night, an overhead powerline just in front of the house beside us broke, exposing a live wire in the process--a live wire that immediately caught fire.
My father went outside to look into it, as did my brothers and me, and several of our neighbors. It was New Year's Eve in a cold October dawn! The sparks created by two strands of wire touching each other provided a luminosity of a floodlight and a bang comparable to firecrackers (think Judas' belt). I rushed inside to call for emergency, while my brother switched off the main power source in the house. Leaving them on would put our house in more risk if and when the fire reaches the main cable.
I called the fire department and they informed me that it was not in their jurisdiction to put off flames caused by electrical wirings! So, does this mean that there are several kinds of firefighters? Hmmmm..... There's one for big flames, one for those caused by candles, one for putting out the flame of a match stick... etc, but none for a flaming live wire. So they told me to call up the local electricity provider.
For 30 minutes or so, I called them thrice just to follow up on when they could--ASAP--send someone over to fix the problem. If the fire reaches the main cable, which, based on my estimate, would take about 20 minutes, the whole street would be engulfed in flames. My father, realizing that desperate times call for desperate moves, commissioned my brother to get sand, and together, threw sand at the live wire. Great idea, although the flaming wire was way beyond their reach, nor the reach of the sand thrown. They were successful, though, in coming up with a sand rain.
It was a good thing that several construction workers were working on a house two houses away from us. My father asked for their help and they immediately got hold of three long slabs of wood. They managed to separate the two wires whose contact with each other were causing sparks and fire. The other one put off the flame by pressing against one of the slabs with his slab. It was also fortunate that there was an electrician on hand to cover the loose ends with electrical tape.
We were all relieved by this turn of events that each of us slowly went back inside our house. At this point, when everything was already alright, the electricity company's lineman came.
Now that's what I call fast reaction to an emergency situation. What has this country gone to? I really don't understand how one country, capable of coming up with the brightest of ideas, be so lagging in technology. A central company could have immediately directed the call to all relevant departments and dispatched someone close to the scene immediately.
So how do you fight fire the next time you encounter one? Don't call emergency hotline numbers as it will only prove futile. Rely on yourself and probably a handful of neighbors to think instinctively on what to do. Rely on construction workers.
How many construction workers does it take to put off a fire? Three. Just make sure to have my dad these to instruct them what to do.
I woke up at 4 a.m. and got hold of my towel for a morning shower. I wasn't quite sure why I woke up that early without bothering to look at the time piece. All I can recall was my brother waking me up, telling me to do so. As I neared the bathroom, I realized that I was shook off my bed for a different reason. There was an emergency.
Throwing my towel on th bedroom floor, I rushed upstairs to see what the problem was. And then, before anyone could answer, I heard firecrackers.... or were they gunshots? So again, I asked what the problem was. Apparently, during the night, an overhead powerline just in front of the house beside us broke, exposing a live wire in the process--a live wire that immediately caught fire.
My father went outside to look into it, as did my brothers and me, and several of our neighbors. It was New Year's Eve in a cold October dawn! The sparks created by two strands of wire touching each other provided a luminosity of a floodlight and a bang comparable to firecrackers (think Judas' belt). I rushed inside to call for emergency, while my brother switched off the main power source in the house. Leaving them on would put our house in more risk if and when the fire reaches the main cable.
I called the fire department and they informed me that it was not in their jurisdiction to put off flames caused by electrical wirings! So, does this mean that there are several kinds of firefighters? Hmmmm..... There's one for big flames, one for those caused by candles, one for putting out the flame of a match stick... etc, but none for a flaming live wire. So they told me to call up the local electricity provider.
For 30 minutes or so, I called them thrice just to follow up on when they could--ASAP--send someone over to fix the problem. If the fire reaches the main cable, which, based on my estimate, would take about 20 minutes, the whole street would be engulfed in flames. My father, realizing that desperate times call for desperate moves, commissioned my brother to get sand, and together, threw sand at the live wire. Great idea, although the flaming wire was way beyond their reach, nor the reach of the sand thrown. They were successful, though, in coming up with a sand rain.
It was a good thing that several construction workers were working on a house two houses away from us. My father asked for their help and they immediately got hold of three long slabs of wood. They managed to separate the two wires whose contact with each other were causing sparks and fire. The other one put off the flame by pressing against one of the slabs with his slab. It was also fortunate that there was an electrician on hand to cover the loose ends with electrical tape.
We were all relieved by this turn of events that each of us slowly went back inside our house. At this point, when everything was already alright, the electricity company's lineman came.
Now that's what I call fast reaction to an emergency situation. What has this country gone to? I really don't understand how one country, capable of coming up with the brightest of ideas, be so lagging in technology. A central company could have immediately directed the call to all relevant departments and dispatched someone close to the scene immediately.
So how do you fight fire the next time you encounter one? Don't call emergency hotline numbers as it will only prove futile. Rely on yourself and probably a handful of neighbors to think instinctively on what to do. Rely on construction workers.
How many construction workers does it take to put off a fire? Three. Just make sure to have my dad these to instruct them what to do.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
To Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
I noticed that you have been posting comments on my blog for quite some time now. It may be better if you post your email address as well so I could personally thank you for your comments.
I actually ask my friends to view my posts and comment on them but very few actually do. Believe me when I say that I was surprised to see some people other than my close friends post comments on my blog site. And you, Anonymous, are one of the many who have always made my day complete.
It is very inspiring to note that my sentiments and practically my entire life reaches out to people other than those I have close contact with. At least now, I can say that I am already a true celebrity (technically, not yet, but I think I'm getting there).
Anyway, I would like to know you better. Are you, by any chance, related to Mr. Snuffalupagus (did I get the name of your relative correct?)? Coz it sounds the same....
To Jo-em, Emmerdale and the other comment poster, thanks for making my day brighter! But to you, Anonymous, you just seem to add more mystery to my everyday.... I hope to actually meet you one of these days.
Cheers,
City Slicker
I noticed that you have been posting comments on my blog for quite some time now. It may be better if you post your email address as well so I could personally thank you for your comments.
I actually ask my friends to view my posts and comment on them but very few actually do. Believe me when I say that I was surprised to see some people other than my close friends post comments on my blog site. And you, Anonymous, are one of the many who have always made my day complete.
It is very inspiring to note that my sentiments and practically my entire life reaches out to people other than those I have close contact with. At least now, I can say that I am already a true celebrity (technically, not yet, but I think I'm getting there).
Anyway, I would like to know you better. Are you, by any chance, related to Mr. Snuffalupagus (did I get the name of your relative correct?)? Coz it sounds the same....
To Jo-em, Emmerdale and the other comment poster, thanks for making my day brighter! But to you, Anonymous, you just seem to add more mystery to my everyday.... I hope to actually meet you one of these days.
Cheers,
City Slicker
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
To Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
I noticed that you have been posting comments on my blog for quite some time now. It may be better if you post your email address as well so I could personally thank you for your comments.
I actually ask my friends to view my posts and comment on them but very few actually do. Believe me when I say that I was surprised to see some people other than my close friends post comments on my blog site. And you, Anonymous, are one of the many who have always made my day complete.
It is very inspiring to note that my sentiments and practically my entire life reaches out to people other than those I have close contact with. At least now, I can say that I am already a true celebrity (technically, not yet, but I think I'm getting there).
Anyway, I would like to know you better. Are you, by any chance, related to Mr. Snuffalupagus (did I get the name of your relative correct?)? Coz it sounds the same....
To Jo-em, Emmerdale and the other comment poster, thanks for making my day brighter! But to you, Anonymous, you just seem to add more mystery to my everyday.... I hope to actually meet you one of these days.
Cheers,
City Slicker
I noticed that you have been posting comments on my blog for quite some time now. It may be better if you post your email address as well so I could personally thank you for your comments.
I actually ask my friends to view my posts and comment on them but very few actually do. Believe me when I say that I was surprised to see some people other than my close friends post comments on my blog site. And you, Anonymous, are one of the many who have always made my day complete.
It is very inspiring to note that my sentiments and practically my entire life reaches out to people other than those I have close contact with. At least now, I can say that I am already a true celebrity (technically, not yet, but I think I'm getting there).
Anyway, I would like to know you better. Are you, by any chance, related to Mr. Snuffalupagus (did I get the name of your relative correct?)? Coz it sounds the same....
To Jo-em, Emmerdale and the other comment poster, thanks for making my day brighter! But to you, Anonymous, you just seem to add more mystery to my everyday.... I hope to actually meet you one of these days.
Cheers,
City Slicker
Monday, October 25, 2004
It Is Not Me
I looked at the mirror at the men's room today and I saw a different person. It is not me that I am staring at! (Cue Twilight Zone theme.) It must be stress or fatigue, but it really just didn't happen overnight.
It all started last Friday, when I crammed myself with too many things to do in so little time. Saturday, I took some of my colleagues out for a few drinks and got home at around 4 am. I wasn't able to go to the gym nor play badminton over the weekend. Yesterday, I started acting differently. It was an entirely different me that I dare not acknowledge. But I have no choice because that is the life I am currently living.
Last night, the starkest manifestation of my evolution presented itself to me as a shock. I brought one of my friends to a local massage parlor, the one where you get "extra service." He offered to treat me to a "massage." Alas, I declined! Me?!? Decline such an offer?!? Since when??? Well, since last night. I never imagined it would happen but it did. I was beyond myself last night. I was so tired and stressed out that I didn't even bother if the "massage" was free. I just wanted to go home and get some zzzs.
That alone shouts that I am not myself anymore.
And it didn't stop there. This morning, I woke up rather irated over the fact that my brothers didn't want me to go with them to pick up my parents and my grandmother from the airport. They wanted me to take our little sister to school instead. I figured, the driver could take her to school and I could absent myself from work in the morning. I would rather be there welcoming my parents and salivating over the chocolates they brought home.
And so it was that my entire morning became so affected by my morning rush of ire that I unintentionally wrote a very rude letter to our general manager. Talk about insubordination. The letter asked me when is the most convenient time for us to meet. I replied with a very staunchy, "I think we have to meet some other time...." Good grief! I thought I had to prepare myself to get my last paycheck by tomorrow. I guessed I had to pack my things immediately! It's a good thing that our general manager is so forgiving that she brushed the rudeness aside.
I tell you, right now, I feel funny. I don't feel like me. I need to hit the gym to regain my oldself. I don't even know who I have become!
So if someone asks me now who I am, this would be my reply:
"Who am I? I'm Spiderman."
It all started last Friday, when I crammed myself with too many things to do in so little time. Saturday, I took some of my colleagues out for a few drinks and got home at around 4 am. I wasn't able to go to the gym nor play badminton over the weekend. Yesterday, I started acting differently. It was an entirely different me that I dare not acknowledge. But I have no choice because that is the life I am currently living.
Last night, the starkest manifestation of my evolution presented itself to me as a shock. I brought one of my friends to a local massage parlor, the one where you get "extra service." He offered to treat me to a "massage." Alas, I declined! Me?!? Decline such an offer?!? Since when??? Well, since last night. I never imagined it would happen but it did. I was beyond myself last night. I was so tired and stressed out that I didn't even bother if the "massage" was free. I just wanted to go home and get some zzzs.
That alone shouts that I am not myself anymore.
And it didn't stop there. This morning, I woke up rather irated over the fact that my brothers didn't want me to go with them to pick up my parents and my grandmother from the airport. They wanted me to take our little sister to school instead. I figured, the driver could take her to school and I could absent myself from work in the morning. I would rather be there welcoming my parents and salivating over the chocolates they brought home.
And so it was that my entire morning became so affected by my morning rush of ire that I unintentionally wrote a very rude letter to our general manager. Talk about insubordination. The letter asked me when is the most convenient time for us to meet. I replied with a very staunchy, "I think we have to meet some other time...." Good grief! I thought I had to prepare myself to get my last paycheck by tomorrow. I guessed I had to pack my things immediately! It's a good thing that our general manager is so forgiving that she brushed the rudeness aside.
I tell you, right now, I feel funny. I don't feel like me. I need to hit the gym to regain my oldself. I don't even know who I have become!
So if someone asks me now who I am, this would be my reply:
"Who am I? I'm Spiderman."
Thursday, October 21, 2004
I Crush You!
I remember a few years ago, when I picked my kid sister from school, I heard her male classmate say, "Mary Anne, I crush you!"
Believe me, I was fascinated and overwhelmed, not so much by the gesture but by the way the kid composed his sentence. Who could blame him? I mean, crush is love in a lesser degree, right? And you would typically be saying "I love you," so why not say "I crush you?"
Nice going kiddo, but you have to get past three older brothers before you could actually crush my sister into loving you!
Speaking of crushes, I was working out in the gym last night, biding my time before going home. Lo and behold, who do I see? It's my crush from way back in high school. Believe it or not, there is still something in me that says, "Go on, tell her that you like her!"
She is a batch lower. Back in high school, I would always go out of my way just to catch a glimpse of her. I know she takes the train going home as I do, but we were always waiting on opposite tracks. I would stretch my neck like a giraffe just to see her from the other platform. She's not that tall, but she is, for me, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my entire life who is a non-celebrity. She is a Rose McGowan deadringer.
Last night was no different. I just looked at her from afar, thinking how I could start a conversation with her. But as many of you who know me may have guessed, the torpedo in me worked its way out.
If only I could ask her out for a date. If only I could ask her for a small talk over a cup of tea. If only I could muster enough courage and tell her upfront, "I crush you!"
Believe me, I was fascinated and overwhelmed, not so much by the gesture but by the way the kid composed his sentence. Who could blame him? I mean, crush is love in a lesser degree, right? And you would typically be saying "I love you," so why not say "I crush you?"
Nice going kiddo, but you have to get past three older brothers before you could actually crush my sister into loving you!
Speaking of crushes, I was working out in the gym last night, biding my time before going home. Lo and behold, who do I see? It's my crush from way back in high school. Believe it or not, there is still something in me that says, "Go on, tell her that you like her!"
She is a batch lower. Back in high school, I would always go out of my way just to catch a glimpse of her. I know she takes the train going home as I do, but we were always waiting on opposite tracks. I would stretch my neck like a giraffe just to see her from the other platform. She's not that tall, but she is, for me, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my entire life who is a non-celebrity. She is a Rose McGowan deadringer.
Last night was no different. I just looked at her from afar, thinking how I could start a conversation with her. But as many of you who know me may have guessed, the torpedo in me worked its way out.
If only I could ask her out for a date. If only I could ask her for a small talk over a cup of tea. If only I could muster enough courage and tell her upfront, "I crush you!"
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Ship Without a Captain
Yesterday was our first day to physically have no captian on board. We were steering a ship without our skipper.
Sad to say, last week was officially our former boss' last week with us. She will be coming in occasionally, but it will be different. They will merely be apparitions to us who continue to thrive and live in the real world we call our office. Each time she will be passing by, we will most likely be able to smell flowers or candles or.... hmmm.... I guess it is a different being altogether.
As early as now, we are already feeling the emptiness of being orphaned so suddenly.
Personally, I just think of it as her being away for summer in a camp. Or being away for merely a week, and that next week, she'll be back.
Until the new skipper comes along, I guess we'll just have to learn to steer the ship on our own, with the voice of our captain blowing in the wind into our ears every now and then.
Sad to say, last week was officially our former boss' last week with us. She will be coming in occasionally, but it will be different. They will merely be apparitions to us who continue to thrive and live in the real world we call our office. Each time she will be passing by, we will most likely be able to smell flowers or candles or.... hmmm.... I guess it is a different being altogether.
As early as now, we are already feeling the emptiness of being orphaned so suddenly.
Personally, I just think of it as her being away for summer in a camp. Or being away for merely a week, and that next week, she'll be back.
Until the new skipper comes along, I guess we'll just have to learn to steer the ship on our own, with the voice of our captain blowing in the wind into our ears every now and then.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Aloha
Aloha, in Hawaii, means both hello and goodbye. That's what I learned from watching Miss Congeniality. It even pulls off an aloha joke which goes, "So when you answer the phone, you say 'aloha.' But when you end the conversation, you say 'aloha,' and the conversation starts all over again." Or something to that effect. Ms. Rhode Island definitely found it to be funny.
Anyway, this piece is not about a Hawaiian or about pineapples. It is about hellos and goodbyes.
Just recently, we all got word that our boss resigned from her work to join another company. I still quite remember how she welcomed me to the team not so long ago (it was just, in fact, under a year when I joined her team). I have grown accustomed to the way she does things around the office, her "coaching" style of management, so to say. She is not much of a talker, but she has her funny moments. And to me, and to all of us I suppose, more than a boss, she has become a very good friend.
And now, she is saying aloha to me once again. Not the hello aloha but the goodbye aloha. When I first got wind of her decision to resign, I was devastated. I thought, "Where in the world will I ever find another boss as good and as understanding and as ideal as her?" But hey, who can stop her? She is, after all, transferring to greener pastures. And when I say greener, it is definitely greener, with all the green money she will be earning.
Gone are the days when we would prod her to join us for a late-night badminton game. Gone are the days when we would go down to get some breakfast at McDonald's. Gone are the days when we would go get coffee in a nearby cafe. Gone are the days when I could freely do my blog to relax my mind for a while.
I will definitely miss all those things. I will miss my daily msn chatmate. I will miss saying my daily good mornings and goodbyes. She was, and will forever be, one of the best bosses I've ever had. She will always be my elder sister. She will always be my friend.
So I'm saying aloha to her. Not aloha goodbye, but aloha hello. Because now, despite the fact that she will be leaving the company, she will be coming back not as our boss, but as our friend.
So roll out those coconuts and pineapples. We'll be having a luau!
Anyway, this piece is not about a Hawaiian or about pineapples. It is about hellos and goodbyes.
Just recently, we all got word that our boss resigned from her work to join another company. I still quite remember how she welcomed me to the team not so long ago (it was just, in fact, under a year when I joined her team). I have grown accustomed to the way she does things around the office, her "coaching" style of management, so to say. She is not much of a talker, but she has her funny moments. And to me, and to all of us I suppose, more than a boss, she has become a very good friend.
And now, she is saying aloha to me once again. Not the hello aloha but the goodbye aloha. When I first got wind of her decision to resign, I was devastated. I thought, "Where in the world will I ever find another boss as good and as understanding and as ideal as her?" But hey, who can stop her? She is, after all, transferring to greener pastures. And when I say greener, it is definitely greener, with all the green money she will be earning.
Gone are the days when we would prod her to join us for a late-night badminton game. Gone are the days when we would go down to get some breakfast at McDonald's. Gone are the days when we would go get coffee in a nearby cafe. Gone are the days when I could freely do my blog to relax my mind for a while.
I will definitely miss all those things. I will miss my daily msn chatmate. I will miss saying my daily good mornings and goodbyes. She was, and will forever be, one of the best bosses I've ever had. She will always be my elder sister. She will always be my friend.
So I'm saying aloha to her. Not aloha goodbye, but aloha hello. Because now, despite the fact that she will be leaving the company, she will be coming back not as our boss, but as our friend.
So roll out those coconuts and pineapples. We'll be having a luau!
Thursday, October 07, 2004
That's What I Need
I have heard so many songs in my life and I have related to pretty much a lot of them. That's what makes music so fascinating. It really mirrors the reality of life: the way we feel, think, act, what we experience in our day-to-day living. The following song done by a local artist has been around for a few decades now, and yet its lyrics never seem to cease to haunt me. Maybe because I often feel that way. And I have always been in search of people who will be able to fill the void that I often feel, normally during my suicidal state of mind. Note that the term I used is people. I am not in search of a particular person but several people who will be able to do the things stated in the selection.
A Friend
I've still been searching
And long have I waited
For someone to like me as me
To laugh with, to cry with
To be just beside with
A friend that's who I need
To fight with, make up with
To know that you need them
Believing that they need you, too
To walk hand in hand with
To argue to talk with
A friend that's who I need
And even thoughI make mistakes
And never do anything right
A smile, a hug
Can change all that
And everything will be alright
Someone who'll share all
my dreams and ambitions
Someone who'll love me as me
I need this person
Someone to rely on
A friend that's who I need
A friend that's who I need
*************
Come to think of it, a girlfriend will fit perfectly into that description. However, for a girlfriend, what the song doesn't state (but is very much required in my standards) is that someone who will not burn your credit card down to a crisp, or someone who will not drive you nuts. Does someone fit that description perfectly? I'm not sure if such a being exists. Until then, I will be waiting..... and waiting....
....still waiting.....
A Friend
I've still been searching
And long have I waited
For someone to like me as me
To laugh with, to cry with
To be just beside with
A friend that's who I need
To fight with, make up with
To know that you need them
Believing that they need you, too
To walk hand in hand with
To argue to talk with
A friend that's who I need
And even thoughI make mistakes
And never do anything right
A smile, a hug
Can change all that
And everything will be alright
Someone who'll share all
my dreams and ambitions
Someone who'll love me as me
I need this person
Someone to rely on
A friend that's who I need
A friend that's who I need
*************
Come to think of it, a girlfriend will fit perfectly into that description. However, for a girlfriend, what the song doesn't state (but is very much required in my standards) is that someone who will not burn your credit card down to a crisp, or someone who will not drive you nuts. Does someone fit that description perfectly? I'm not sure if such a being exists. Until then, I will be waiting..... and waiting....
....still waiting.....
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Weird Sighting
The last time I saw squirrels was two years ago, in my aunt's backyard in Long Island. So imagine my surprise when I saw a couple of squirrels doing a High Live Wire Act in my sister's school this morning! I mean, you never see wild squirrels running around in this country, do you? Our driver thought it was a big rat. When I looked harder, I noticed it had a bushy tail, and it had a companion! They must be squirrels! Unless, of course, the local rats have evolved into much graceful and amusing creatures.
Hmmm..... It's really very weird. What will I expect next? Snow in this country? When will that ever happen. Hmmmm..... maybe there is a possibility that we'll be having a white Christmas after all!
Hmmm..... It's really very weird. What will I expect next? Snow in this country? When will that ever happen. Hmmmm..... maybe there is a possibility that we'll be having a white Christmas after all!
Rip Van Winkie
I've never felt more refreshed my entire life (or for as long as I can remember).
I went home quite early yesterday because of a very bad stomach. Immediately after arriving home, I took a trip to the throne room with much success. I logged on my computer and felt another urge. So I made a trip to Jerusalem once again, and I felt so exhausted after that.
I intended to attend class last night after my first ordeal. After the second one, however, I felt too exhausted. I sprawled on my bed, aiming to just take a nap. My stomach still felt queasy. It was still 5 in the afternoon.
Imagine my surprise when I woke up. It was already 6 in the morning! The stomach ache was gone and I felt extraordinarily refreshed. It's as if I slept for a hundred years!
Well, there goes my school attendance for the night.
I went home quite early yesterday because of a very bad stomach. Immediately after arriving home, I took a trip to the throne room with much success. I logged on my computer and felt another urge. So I made a trip to Jerusalem once again, and I felt so exhausted after that.
I intended to attend class last night after my first ordeal. After the second one, however, I felt too exhausted. I sprawled on my bed, aiming to just take a nap. My stomach still felt queasy. It was still 5 in the afternoon.
Imagine my surprise when I woke up. It was already 6 in the morning! The stomach ache was gone and I felt extraordinarily refreshed. It's as if I slept for a hundred years!
Well, there goes my school attendance for the night.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Double Whammy
There are opportunities and there are opportunities. Some rain on you as if it were pouring like a tropical storm. Some just fly by like the wind in a dry summer air.
Last week, I was supposed to go to Singapore to cover an event sponsored by a local PR agency. I had to turn it down because I promised a friend that I'll meet up with her. Incidentally, she lives in Singapore and will be here for four days. I have already set that appointment weeks before news about the trip came about.
Unfortunately, the meeting never materialized. She had to go back to Singapore after only 24 hours because the sister-in-law of her husband died. Too bad I missed the Singapore trip. I might have been able to meet up with her in Singapore had I not passed up on the chance. It was really a very great opportunity to pass up, especially since offers like these pass me by just once in a blue moon. I would have been able to see Sentosa again, and probably the Night Safari.
But, as they say, what goes around comes around. I am sure there will be a next time. The next time may come in the form of me meeting up with her or me being able to return to Singapore. Until that time, I will have to gloat about last week's double whammy.
Last week, I was supposed to go to Singapore to cover an event sponsored by a local PR agency. I had to turn it down because I promised a friend that I'll meet up with her. Incidentally, she lives in Singapore and will be here for four days. I have already set that appointment weeks before news about the trip came about.
Unfortunately, the meeting never materialized. She had to go back to Singapore after only 24 hours because the sister-in-law of her husband died. Too bad I missed the Singapore trip. I might have been able to meet up with her in Singapore had I not passed up on the chance. It was really a very great opportunity to pass up, especially since offers like these pass me by just once in a blue moon. I would have been able to see Sentosa again, and probably the Night Safari.
But, as they say, what goes around comes around. I am sure there will be a next time. The next time may come in the form of me meeting up with her or me being able to return to Singapore. Until that time, I will have to gloat about last week's double whammy.
Plans for The Year Ahead
It's October. In a few month's time, it will be 2005. I am not really keen on coming up with New Year's Resolutions, especially not this early. But I do have plans. I am not sure if it will all materialize but nevertheless, I came up with them. Just in case I need to do certain reality checks in the future.
- Finish my MBA
- Take up dancing lessons (ballroom and street)
- Take up photography
- Get a girlfriend
- Have a "to-die-for" body
- Get my teeth fixed (straighten them up a little) and whitened (damn tea stains)
- Start my own business
- Migrate either to the United States or to Australia
I just wish these plans would materialize by next year. I need to do everything on this list before I reach the ripe old age of 30. Yup, I consider it as a ripe old age in my case because I believe that I have already undergone mid-life crisis, making the 30s and 40s my prime years. I'll probably be six feet under beyond that age.
I Am an Eel
I just realized something. I am an eel.
I am a Piscean. That makes me a fish. I love the water, and I don't like the idea of eating fish. I feel that I am violating my own species.
I was born in the Year of the Snake. This makes me a snake. I do have a tendency to grip people until I strangle them to death. Of course, this statement is just figurative, otheriwse, I would have been in deathrow way before I could even start with this blog series.
I think being an eel makes me more electrifying and energetic. Uhm, well, uh..... Ok, maybe I am not an electric eel after all. Nevertheless, I am still an eel.
I am a Piscean. That makes me a fish. I love the water, and I don't like the idea of eating fish. I feel that I am violating my own species.
I was born in the Year of the Snake. This makes me a snake. I do have a tendency to grip people until I strangle them to death. Of course, this statement is just figurative, otheriwse, I would have been in deathrow way before I could even start with this blog series.
I think being an eel makes me more electrifying and energetic. Uhm, well, uh..... Ok, maybe I am not an electric eel after all. Nevertheless, I am still an eel.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Jammin' in the Street
I clocked in at 7:59:30 this morning. It was like a cliffhanging experience for me, rushing to the 28th floor of our building in the morning, hoping that the computer clock is slower than my wrist watch. And boy, was I relieved to arrive just in the nick of time.
But why the rush? I mean, why the hell was I almost late to begin with?
I woke up relatively early this morning, about 30 minutes earlier than my normal waking time. I changed my routine a bit and had breakfast before I took a shower. Normally, I would do the opposite. I finished about 15 minutes before 7:00 and signalled to my suster, "To the Batmobile!"
You can just imagine the soundtrack that plays in my head during this time. Tandandanan tandandanan Batman! Batman! Hmmmm.... You must be thinking of me in a spandex suit right now. Sorry, but I was in my right mind this morning to wear my underwear first before my pants.
Anyway, we reached the highway and saw a long queue of cars that were at a standstill. This could not be good. Apparently, there was an accident in the highway this morning. A trailer crashed onto something and was practically occupying two of the three-lane highway. After that, it was just a chain reaction of traffic jams throughout the Metro.
When it rains, it pours, so they say. And yup, it did rain this morning. But it did not pour hard. What poured over was my fury over some traffic aides and policemen who stalled traffic further. About 20 minutes away from the office, I had to endure the worst morning traffic I have ever encountered in one of the main thoroughfares of the city where I work in. It would normally take me about 5 minutes to get to the office from where I was stuck awhile ago, but no! These horrible creations belonging to the animal kingdom who disguise themselves as humans in traffic aide and police uniforms are causing much more traffic, contrary to what they were supposed to do, which is direct traffic to help ease its flow. They were not following the traffic lights and, even we had the green light, we were still stalled. The opposite lane is still going, and going, and going, and going.... you get what I mean.
What is the use of those traffic lights anyway if they are only to be overridden by some low-life nincampoops who claim to know more about synchronizing traffic than the tried-and-tested, synchornized, fully functional and very much efficient traffic lights that the government has invested heavily upon? And they are being paid for being such imbeciles! And here's another kicker. There were four of them in an intersection. Only one was directing traffic while the three others were just in one corner, talking and laughing their hearts out. They should be apprehended for delaying the lives of people, which results to delayed transactions, which leads to failed deals, which messes up a company's growth potential, ultimately killing the economy! But who will apprehend them? They can't apprehend themselves.
Well, that is a job for me! Coz' I'm Batman!
Robin, to the Batcave!
Here's something for all you low-lying scumbags of society! Pow! Whack! Kaboom! Pok! Kablam!
But why the rush? I mean, why the hell was I almost late to begin with?
I woke up relatively early this morning, about 30 minutes earlier than my normal waking time. I changed my routine a bit and had breakfast before I took a shower. Normally, I would do the opposite. I finished about 15 minutes before 7:00 and signalled to my suster, "To the Batmobile!"
You can just imagine the soundtrack that plays in my head during this time. Tandandanan tandandanan Batman! Batman! Hmmmm.... You must be thinking of me in a spandex suit right now. Sorry, but I was in my right mind this morning to wear my underwear first before my pants.
Anyway, we reached the highway and saw a long queue of cars that were at a standstill. This could not be good. Apparently, there was an accident in the highway this morning. A trailer crashed onto something and was practically occupying two of the three-lane highway. After that, it was just a chain reaction of traffic jams throughout the Metro.
When it rains, it pours, so they say. And yup, it did rain this morning. But it did not pour hard. What poured over was my fury over some traffic aides and policemen who stalled traffic further. About 20 minutes away from the office, I had to endure the worst morning traffic I have ever encountered in one of the main thoroughfares of the city where I work in. It would normally take me about 5 minutes to get to the office from where I was stuck awhile ago, but no! These horrible creations belonging to the animal kingdom who disguise themselves as humans in traffic aide and police uniforms are causing much more traffic, contrary to what they were supposed to do, which is direct traffic to help ease its flow. They were not following the traffic lights and, even we had the green light, we were still stalled. The opposite lane is still going, and going, and going, and going.... you get what I mean.
What is the use of those traffic lights anyway if they are only to be overridden by some low-life nincampoops who claim to know more about synchronizing traffic than the tried-and-tested, synchornized, fully functional and very much efficient traffic lights that the government has invested heavily upon? And they are being paid for being such imbeciles! And here's another kicker. There were four of them in an intersection. Only one was directing traffic while the three others were just in one corner, talking and laughing their hearts out. They should be apprehended for delaying the lives of people, which results to delayed transactions, which leads to failed deals, which messes up a company's growth potential, ultimately killing the economy! But who will apprehend them? They can't apprehend themselves.
Well, that is a job for me! Coz' I'm Batman!
Robin, to the Batcave!
Here's something for all you low-lying scumbags of society! Pow! Whack! Kaboom! Pok! Kablam!
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Colored Dots
Here I go again with my Yahoo! games addiction.
After Text Twist, here comes Bounce Out. And boy, am I really addicted to it!
Every chance that I get, I try to play it and outbeat my high score. Unfortunately, the game has tormented me physically and psychologically. My eyesight is worse more than ever. I have to admit, staring at the screen for so long seeing a variety of colors could really strain your eyes a lot.
Psychologically, I can't think of anything else but outdoing myself all the time--just in this game, of course. And did I tell you that the first thing I do in the morning upon waking up is log in at Yahoo! games just to get my morning fix of the colored balls? I also end the day by playing with those damn dots at night. And just like the horrid letters of Text Twist, I now have dreams of colored balls falling all over the place, trading places, etc. It is really a nightmare! A VERY BAD NIGHTMARE!
I should sue Yahoo! for coming up with such addicting games for all the physical and psychological impairment I have developed because of this game! I want to stop this addiction! And I want to stop it now!
Well, I guess that's it. Back to the game!
After Text Twist, here comes Bounce Out. And boy, am I really addicted to it!
Every chance that I get, I try to play it and outbeat my high score. Unfortunately, the game has tormented me physically and psychologically. My eyesight is worse more than ever. I have to admit, staring at the screen for so long seeing a variety of colors could really strain your eyes a lot.
Psychologically, I can't think of anything else but outdoing myself all the time--just in this game, of course. And did I tell you that the first thing I do in the morning upon waking up is log in at Yahoo! games just to get my morning fix of the colored balls? I also end the day by playing with those damn dots at night. And just like the horrid letters of Text Twist, I now have dreams of colored balls falling all over the place, trading places, etc. It is really a nightmare! A VERY BAD NIGHTMARE!
I should sue Yahoo! for coming up with such addicting games for all the physical and psychological impairment I have developed because of this game! I want to stop this addiction! And I want to stop it now!
Well, I guess that's it. Back to the game!
Random Thought
What would you do if the person whom you know is the right one for you is with another person whom you know is very wrong for him or her?
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Torpedo
Hello! I am Eldon. And I am a Torpedo.
What exactly is a torpedo?
To many people around the world, it is an ammunition launched as a form of defense, normally from a naval vessel of underwater orientation (think submarine). However, that is not what I am.
To some people in our country, torpedo is someone who wants to express something to a special someone but could not. One who wishes to profess love and admiration, but doesn't have the balls to do so. One who would like to get hitched but is afraid to approach the hitchee. It comes from the local word torpe, which means just what I explained a while ago.
I am Eldon, and I am a torpedo.
For many years, I have tried to approach women. Sometimes, I would be able to muster enough courage to do so. But oftentimes, I fail. I never got the chance to tell a lot of these chicks how I truly feel about them, or how much I wanted them to be a part of my life.
I am Eldon. I don't want to be a torpedo anymore. I want to free myself from the bondage of the Lonely Hearts Club. I want to form part of a team to be able to join in the Amazing Race. I want to be a Colin to a Christie or a Brandon to a Nicole, or a Zach to a Flo. I WANT TO GET INTO A FORMAL RELATIONSHIP! AND I WANT IT NOW!
I am Eldon. Anyone free for drinks tonight? Pick you up at 8.
What exactly is a torpedo?
To many people around the world, it is an ammunition launched as a form of defense, normally from a naval vessel of underwater orientation (think submarine). However, that is not what I am.
To some people in our country, torpedo is someone who wants to express something to a special someone but could not. One who wishes to profess love and admiration, but doesn't have the balls to do so. One who would like to get hitched but is afraid to approach the hitchee. It comes from the local word torpe, which means just what I explained a while ago.
I am Eldon, and I am a torpedo.
For many years, I have tried to approach women. Sometimes, I would be able to muster enough courage to do so. But oftentimes, I fail. I never got the chance to tell a lot of these chicks how I truly feel about them, or how much I wanted them to be a part of my life.
I am Eldon. I don't want to be a torpedo anymore. I want to free myself from the bondage of the Lonely Hearts Club. I want to form part of a team to be able to join in the Amazing Race. I want to be a Colin to a Christie or a Brandon to a Nicole, or a Zach to a Flo. I WANT TO GET INTO A FORMAL RELATIONSHIP! AND I WANT IT NOW!
I am Eldon. Anyone free for drinks tonight? Pick you up at 8.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Eldon's Four Points to Happiness
- Talk less.
- Ask not.
- There is no such thing as friends. Only acquaintances.
- Loneliness is the greatest form of happiness.
Something New
Yesterday, I took on a new name.
I think I should have done this a long time ago. I should have left my old self behind way before my life got too complicated -- not because of environmental factors but because of me.
But all that is over now. I believe that I should move on with my life and start anew. And I am starting that new life with a new name.
Call me Eldon.
I think I should have done this a long time ago. I should have left my old self behind way before my life got too complicated -- not because of environmental factors but because of me.
But all that is over now. I believe that I should move on with my life and start anew. And I am starting that new life with a new name.
Call me Eldon.
Friday, September 17, 2004
Suicide Diaries
Today, I want to die. Just today, right at this moment. Don't ask me why, I just want to. Here are a few ways I am currently pondering on to fulfill my terminal task:
- Jump off our office building from the rooftop.
- Eat expired Oreos found here in my trash can.
- Go to the toilet and slash my wrist with a cutter.
- Better yet, slash my neck (the jugular vein is better to slash).
- Wash my hands and touch an electrical socket.
- Drink rat poison so I'll bleed to death.
- Bang my head endlessly on my monitor. I just wish I won't survive this one. Otherwise I will be fired for destroying company property.
- Strangling myself to death with the wire of my headphones.
- Hire an assassin.
- Just stand in the middle of the street until a rampaging truck or motorcycle or cab hits me.
Take me with you! Let me see the light at the end of the tunnel. NOW!
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Romancing the Dryer
What a great way to work up the day!
Somebody gave me some fudge brownies at 10:00 a.m. I had two servings, in fact. I placed them in a tissue paper to avoid spoiling my office uniform and my fingers.
Twilight zone kicked in when one of the brownies fell on my shirt, tumbling all the way down to my pants! I have multiple stains all over my entire uniform. Hmmmm..... Think of me as a kid who just ate tons of chocolate cookies with chocolate stains all over the face. The only difference is that my stains had a wider coverage. I should sue the brownie for multiple homicide!
Frantic to rid my light-colored pants off the stains, I thought of going to the wash room and wipe it off with a tissue paper. It was really disgusting! It's as if my genitalia just had a bout with diarrhea! Talk about exiting the wrong hole!
So I did, with a little tissue and some soap. I tried so hard to eliminate the stains. Unfortunately, it left my pants all worked up with water stains. Now, I didn't look like someone who just had penile diarrhea, but one who doesn't have control of his bladder! I thought, "I couldn't go out and tell everybody how cool it is to pee in my pants!" What to do?
Think Mr. Bean! I was left with no other option but to romance the dryer! Yup, that is what romancing the dryer is all about. Putting your lower body under the dryer, moving in a front and back motion (or semi-up and down motion) to make sure that all the water stains are dried off. It was a good thing no one saw me in the wash room. I would have been mortified, errr I should say, that person might be mortified! He would simply think that I was desperate, so desperate that I simply gave in to lust and contented myself with just a dryer.
Hmmm.... I am just wondering what household appliance to romance next time.
Somebody gave me some fudge brownies at 10:00 a.m. I had two servings, in fact. I placed them in a tissue paper to avoid spoiling my office uniform and my fingers.
Twilight zone kicked in when one of the brownies fell on my shirt, tumbling all the way down to my pants! I have multiple stains all over my entire uniform. Hmmmm..... Think of me as a kid who just ate tons of chocolate cookies with chocolate stains all over the face. The only difference is that my stains had a wider coverage. I should sue the brownie for multiple homicide!
Frantic to rid my light-colored pants off the stains, I thought of going to the wash room and wipe it off with a tissue paper. It was really disgusting! It's as if my genitalia just had a bout with diarrhea! Talk about exiting the wrong hole!
So I did, with a little tissue and some soap. I tried so hard to eliminate the stains. Unfortunately, it left my pants all worked up with water stains. Now, I didn't look like someone who just had penile diarrhea, but one who doesn't have control of his bladder! I thought, "I couldn't go out and tell everybody how cool it is to pee in my pants!" What to do?
Think Mr. Bean! I was left with no other option but to romance the dryer! Yup, that is what romancing the dryer is all about. Putting your lower body under the dryer, moving in a front and back motion (or semi-up and down motion) to make sure that all the water stains are dried off. It was a good thing no one saw me in the wash room. I would have been mortified, errr I should say, that person might be mortified! He would simply think that I was desperate, so desperate that I simply gave in to lust and contented myself with just a dryer.
Hmmm.... I am just wondering what household appliance to romance next time.
Monday, September 13, 2004
I Need A Makeover
I guess it is just one of those days again. Right now, I think I need a makeover. Not just a physical makeover but a generalized makeover. Have you ever watched that fab five show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? Sometimes, I wish I was the guy they are going to give tips to. Have you seen those reality shows, or even Oprah, where they give the person a facelift, a nose job, or any kind of plastic surgery to make the person more physically appealing? Well, I wish I had that opportunity as well.
What do I want to change physically? Hmmm.... Well, for one, I want to change my nose. I want it to be more sharp, finer. I want my cheeks deeper. And yes, I want to have deep set eyes as well. I would like to have a lower hairline and I would like more facial hair, thank you!
If all these were taken together, I would probably have a plastic surgery of my entire face. I would probably have the face of Tom Cruise replicated. Or my best friend. Or my next best friend. Probably, I would be able to attract more women, especially the dominatrix type. Hehehehehe....
Anyway, I would also like to have a liposuction. I would like to get rid of these love handles, my problem spot. And don't forget about those cellulites in my thighs. *sigh* I would also liked to be buffed up, but not too much.
In another aspect, I would like to change the way I view things. I would like to have more confidence in myself. I would like to be more sensitive to the needs of women. I would like to be able to talk to women in such a way that I don't sound like the very friendly type of person whom every chick considers just a friend and nothing more.
I would also like to be intelligent, someone who knows things just like that. I would like to be analytical, yet creative at the same time. I would like to be able to make use of the talents I have to help others and also, make money on the side.
Hmmmm..... Pathetic, isn't it? I'm green with envy, it seems.... envious of the people I know, envious of the way they live their lives, envious of the way they see life and people and the universe in general. Right now, I am in a vacuum. I feel so unconfident, so low.
But hey, this is just one of those days. Tomorrow may be different. I may not be as frustrated with me as I am now. Thank God for tomorrows.
What do I want to change physically? Hmmm.... Well, for one, I want to change my nose. I want it to be more sharp, finer. I want my cheeks deeper. And yes, I want to have deep set eyes as well. I would like to have a lower hairline and I would like more facial hair, thank you!
If all these were taken together, I would probably have a plastic surgery of my entire face. I would probably have the face of Tom Cruise replicated. Or my best friend. Or my next best friend. Probably, I would be able to attract more women, especially the dominatrix type. Hehehehehe....
Anyway, I would also like to have a liposuction. I would like to get rid of these love handles, my problem spot. And don't forget about those cellulites in my thighs. *sigh* I would also liked to be buffed up, but not too much.
In another aspect, I would like to change the way I view things. I would like to have more confidence in myself. I would like to be more sensitive to the needs of women. I would like to be able to talk to women in such a way that I don't sound like the very friendly type of person whom every chick considers just a friend and nothing more.
I would also like to be intelligent, someone who knows things just like that. I would like to be analytical, yet creative at the same time. I would like to be able to make use of the talents I have to help others and also, make money on the side.
Hmmmm..... Pathetic, isn't it? I'm green with envy, it seems.... envious of the people I know, envious of the way they live their lives, envious of the way they see life and people and the universe in general. Right now, I am in a vacuum. I feel so unconfident, so low.
But hey, this is just one of those days. Tomorrow may be different. I may not be as frustrated with me as I am now. Thank God for tomorrows.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Reminiscing friendships
Suddenly, I miss my friends. I guess this is just one of those days....
My Father's House - February 2004
(My pre-birthday party)
(My pre-birthday party)
Kay Inay - 2001
(My birthday party)
Enchanted Kingdom - December 21, 2003
[Jonathan's Birthday Party (hehehehehe)]
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
My Sassy Girl
After watching My Sassy Girl for the second time last night, and finally seeing the end of the movie, I just realized several things.
Realization # 1.
Koreans have a very unique way of telling a story. And it is really truly extraordinary how this story unravelled before us. Not twisty, but catchy. Although there were some lull moments in the movie, which allowed me to doze off a couple of times, I found the overall concept very romantic and funny.
Realization # 2.
Looks are not everything. So they say. And it is also what this movie reiterates. The male lead looked like shit, no charisma whatsoever, and his face is just as funny as hell! Heck, I MIGHT (operative word is might) even look better than him in some primitive society's standards. And yet, he was able to bag this really hot chick (hot, by my standards). I think that one day, I will be able to get myself a chick as hot as the female lead. No, she is not that stunning, but she is someone you will fall over for over and over again.
Realization # 3.
While watching the movie, I noticed that I kind of like the idea of being bossed around by a girl. I like the idea of being the underdog type, of someone lording over my life, yet at the same time, giving me direction. I just realized that the reason why I haven't been in a formal relationship since birth is because I haven't found someone to push me around enough for me to like her the least. You see, I now realize that I prefer the dominatrix type of women (dream sequence: leather tights and whip.... whappack!).
Now, if only I can come up with a perfect match of all the descriptions of the ideal woman I like before I reach the ripe old age of 30, what a wonderful world it would be for me. I just wish that time will be cooperative enough to grant me this wish soon...
Realization # 1.
Koreans have a very unique way of telling a story. And it is really truly extraordinary how this story unravelled before us. Not twisty, but catchy. Although there were some lull moments in the movie, which allowed me to doze off a couple of times, I found the overall concept very romantic and funny.
Realization # 2.
Looks are not everything. So they say. And it is also what this movie reiterates. The male lead looked like shit, no charisma whatsoever, and his face is just as funny as hell! Heck, I MIGHT (operative word is might) even look better than him in some primitive society's standards. And yet, he was able to bag this really hot chick (hot, by my standards). I think that one day, I will be able to get myself a chick as hot as the female lead. No, she is not that stunning, but she is someone you will fall over for over and over again.
Realization # 3.
While watching the movie, I noticed that I kind of like the idea of being bossed around by a girl. I like the idea of being the underdog type, of someone lording over my life, yet at the same time, giving me direction. I just realized that the reason why I haven't been in a formal relationship since birth is because I haven't found someone to push me around enough for me to like her the least. You see, I now realize that I prefer the dominatrix type of women (dream sequence: leather tights and whip.... whappack!).
Now, if only I can come up with a perfect match of all the descriptions of the ideal woman I like before I reach the ripe old age of 30, what a wonderful world it would be for me. I just wish that time will be cooperative enough to grant me this wish soon...
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Hallers and Kareks: An Evolution Story
Language has evolved quite significantly throughout time. Words were mixed and matched to come up with new words that have an entirely new meaning. If people from the past were time warped to the present, they would probably think that the present is an alien world where the universal creatures have assumed the form of human beings and started a new race of beings here on earth. Get it?
Such was my fascination about certain words I heard over and over again the whole day. I have heard them somewhere before, from officemates, I guess, but I never realized how rampant their use was.
Word 1: Haller
I heard some officemates talking with each other when suddenly, someone blurted out, "Haller!" And then, in my favorite tea place, I heard someone mention the damn word again. And now, as I am doing this stuff, I hear yet another person in a local TV program blurt out the exact same word!
Quite obviously, haller is another word for hello. Hello, as we all know, is a form of greeting used widely in answering the phone, or starting a conversation with someone you just met. The word then got used to start phrases like, "not me!" as in "Hello! Not me!" The word then got used to mean, "Are you sure?" or "Come on" or.... you get what I mean. And then, it evolved to hallo, thanks to some flirtatious females trapped in men's bodies down at the store in the corner of the street. From hallo, it became halloo, and now--haller! Fancy evolution, I suppose.
Word 2: Karek
I heard this one from my immediate boss (or should I say read). Now this word, this word is still in its initial stage of evolution. Of course, it is a "new" word for correct. The word, locally, is pronounced by the brutes and the brusque as korek, and pronounced the same way (remember, it doesn't have a "t"). And now, as we know it, the word has been altered yet again to be pronounced as "karek." I will not be surprised if the word will eventually evolve into "karatch," "kurash," "karakas," and so on.
These words may eventually become part of local lingo, evolve into something else, or probably die a slow death. Many such words created in the 80s have reached a stage of extinction. Whatever it is, the fanciful words that come up in our day-to-day conversations reflect how colorful the local culture is and how creative the people are.
I am glad I belong to such culture. I am prestiged to belong to such a fanciful race.
Until the next blog. Adieulehihu!
Such was my fascination about certain words I heard over and over again the whole day. I have heard them somewhere before, from officemates, I guess, but I never realized how rampant their use was.
Word 1: Haller
I heard some officemates talking with each other when suddenly, someone blurted out, "Haller!" And then, in my favorite tea place, I heard someone mention the damn word again. And now, as I am doing this stuff, I hear yet another person in a local TV program blurt out the exact same word!
Quite obviously, haller is another word for hello. Hello, as we all know, is a form of greeting used widely in answering the phone, or starting a conversation with someone you just met. The word then got used to start phrases like, "not me!" as in "Hello! Not me!" The word then got used to mean, "Are you sure?" or "Come on" or.... you get what I mean. And then, it evolved to hallo, thanks to some flirtatious females trapped in men's bodies down at the store in the corner of the street. From hallo, it became halloo, and now--haller! Fancy evolution, I suppose.
Word 2: Karek
I heard this one from my immediate boss (or should I say read). Now this word, this word is still in its initial stage of evolution. Of course, it is a "new" word for correct. The word, locally, is pronounced by the brutes and the brusque as korek, and pronounced the same way (remember, it doesn't have a "t"). And now, as we know it, the word has been altered yet again to be pronounced as "karek." I will not be surprised if the word will eventually evolve into "karatch," "kurash," "karakas," and so on.
These words may eventually become part of local lingo, evolve into something else, or probably die a slow death. Many such words created in the 80s have reached a stage of extinction. Whatever it is, the fanciful words that come up in our day-to-day conversations reflect how colorful the local culture is and how creative the people are.
I am glad I belong to such culture. I am prestiged to belong to such a fanciful race.
Until the next blog. Adieulehihu!
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Eruptions
It is the last day of the month. Typically, for me, this day would be uneventful..... so uneventful!
However, I woke up this morning and discovered a few things that would make my day a living hell!
As I was rubbing my eyes to wakeful bliss, I felt a sudden pain right at the corner of my left eye. Yup, it is a sty--the pimply thing that appears on our - you guessed it - eyes! And boy, does it hurt. Local folklore has it that you can get a sty through peeping. Trust me, the last time I peeped was... oh well.... yesterday? If you would consider that peeping! I was merely marveling at how some ladies passing by the street wore T-back and some wore regular panties, and how some were bunched up in the.... well, you know what I mean. Technically, it is not peeping. But that is just how far it goes. Now I wonder, where did I get this wretched sty of mine? Now I couldn't wear contact lenses, which have a uniform grade of +325. I have to walk in a blur wearing my glasses, whose lenses are graded at +275. Oh, and by the way, my eyes are +400. You could just imagine the haziness I am in today. All because of this damn sty.
So I went to the bathroom to do my morning rituals. To my horror, I saw another volcanic threat ready to erupt. In fact, I saw two of them, and yes, they are painful as well! Two pimples-- one on my right cheek, and the other on the corner of my nose! Talk about teenage woes! The thing is, I am way past my teenage years! In fact, I am about 8 years past my teenage years! Damn!
I just wish that things will look brighter from hereon. I don't know if I can take another eruption, wherever it may be. This is too much for someone who doesn't get eruptions often.
So, does anybody here have tea tree oil?
However, I woke up this morning and discovered a few things that would make my day a living hell!
As I was rubbing my eyes to wakeful bliss, I felt a sudden pain right at the corner of my left eye. Yup, it is a sty--the pimply thing that appears on our - you guessed it - eyes! And boy, does it hurt. Local folklore has it that you can get a sty through peeping. Trust me, the last time I peeped was... oh well.... yesterday? If you would consider that peeping! I was merely marveling at how some ladies passing by the street wore T-back and some wore regular panties, and how some were bunched up in the.... well, you know what I mean. Technically, it is not peeping. But that is just how far it goes. Now I wonder, where did I get this wretched sty of mine? Now I couldn't wear contact lenses, which have a uniform grade of +325. I have to walk in a blur wearing my glasses, whose lenses are graded at +275. Oh, and by the way, my eyes are +400. You could just imagine the haziness I am in today. All because of this damn sty.
So I went to the bathroom to do my morning rituals. To my horror, I saw another volcanic threat ready to erupt. In fact, I saw two of them, and yes, they are painful as well! Two pimples-- one on my right cheek, and the other on the corner of my nose! Talk about teenage woes! The thing is, I am way past my teenage years! In fact, I am about 8 years past my teenage years! Damn!
I just wish that things will look brighter from hereon. I don't know if I can take another eruption, wherever it may be. This is too much for someone who doesn't get eruptions often.
So, does anybody here have tea tree oil?
Monday, August 23, 2004
Letters and Dreams
I had a very tiring weekend, so to say.
I had three hours of badminton game last Friday, one hour last Saturday and two hours yesterday. Amidst all the energy lost in these games, I also lost some sleep time over the weekend. I slept at 2 am on Friday, 4 am on Saturday, and 2 am yesterday.
This is probably the reason why I feel so drained today. Top it off with a helping of parental sermons and you have a perfect mix of life-fatigue syndrome. Midlife crisis? Probably -- if I would consider 54 as my dying age.
Back to feeling drained. As soon as I took my place in front of my computer this morning, I couldn't feel anything but sheer sleepiness. My eyes were droopy and my body was limp. I was practically lifeless.
So I had some editing jobs to do. It is a good thing that proofreading and editing now entails the use of a computer. Otherwise, if it were done on paper, I would have practically struck out all the lines with my pen (which used to happen to me by the way).
While editing, I would find myself in another dimension - the dimension of La la land. It has never happened so often in a day until today. Everytime I try to fight it off, I immediately get lured back to dream state. Yup, dream state. I was actually having dreams during those mini dozes. The funny thing is, all dreams were the same!
Everytime I'd fall off to sleep, I would dream of random letters -- six letters to be exact -- and in my dream I would rearrange them to come up with a word, or words, that are valid. Believe me, this is punishment enough for obsessing too much on Yahoo! Games' Text Twist! I swear, had I not been rearranging these letters in my dream, I would have probably been chased by them.
I used to find it funny how TV depicts people being chased by numbers after a hard day's work in an accounting firm. I really couldn't believe how people could actually see themselves being chased by huge, human-sized numbers. Until today, when I myself am living proof that numbers -- and letters, for that matter -- are as lifesize in La la land as you can imagine.
Y A E M R D ===> D R E A M Y
I had three hours of badminton game last Friday, one hour last Saturday and two hours yesterday. Amidst all the energy lost in these games, I also lost some sleep time over the weekend. I slept at 2 am on Friday, 4 am on Saturday, and 2 am yesterday.
This is probably the reason why I feel so drained today. Top it off with a helping of parental sermons and you have a perfect mix of life-fatigue syndrome. Midlife crisis? Probably -- if I would consider 54 as my dying age.
Back to feeling drained. As soon as I took my place in front of my computer this morning, I couldn't feel anything but sheer sleepiness. My eyes were droopy and my body was limp. I was practically lifeless.
So I had some editing jobs to do. It is a good thing that proofreading and editing now entails the use of a computer. Otherwise, if it were done on paper, I would have practically struck out all the lines with my pen (which used to happen to me by the way).
While editing, I would find myself in another dimension - the dimension of La la land. It has never happened so often in a day until today. Everytime I try to fight it off, I immediately get lured back to dream state. Yup, dream state. I was actually having dreams during those mini dozes. The funny thing is, all dreams were the same!
Everytime I'd fall off to sleep, I would dream of random letters -- six letters to be exact -- and in my dream I would rearrange them to come up with a word, or words, that are valid. Believe me, this is punishment enough for obsessing too much on Yahoo! Games' Text Twist! I swear, had I not been rearranging these letters in my dream, I would have probably been chased by them.
I used to find it funny how TV depicts people being chased by numbers after a hard day's work in an accounting firm. I really couldn't believe how people could actually see themselves being chased by huge, human-sized numbers. Until today, when I myself am living proof that numbers -- and letters, for that matter -- are as lifesize in La la land as you can imagine.
Y A E M R D ===> D R E A M Y
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Kill Phil vol. 2
There are several ways to skin a cat, so goes a cliche. There are also several ways to kill Phil. So, who really is Phil?
Remember the roach who shared the shower with me? Well, let's just say that she has a friend whom I shall name Phil. This morning, as I was gloriously sitting in my throne room (remember my throne room from hell?), I saw him, prancing his way around the chamber, not fearing what would happen to his dear life.
I am not scared of roaches, nor do I find them icky. I just hate them when they crawl on my skin. Fortunately this morning, nothing of that sort happened. In the event, however, that Phil charged at me, I was prepared for battle!
If there is one thing I have mastered in my many years of existence, it is the art of killing roaches. So how exactly do you kill Phil? Here are some proposed ways:
Traditional ways:
Remember the roach who shared the shower with me? Well, let's just say that she has a friend whom I shall name Phil. This morning, as I was gloriously sitting in my throne room (remember my throne room from hell?), I saw him, prancing his way around the chamber, not fearing what would happen to his dear life.
I am not scared of roaches, nor do I find them icky. I just hate them when they crawl on my skin. Fortunately this morning, nothing of that sort happened. In the event, however, that Phil charged at me, I was prepared for battle!
If there is one thing I have mastered in my many years of existence, it is the art of killing roaches. So how exactly do you kill Phil? Here are some proposed ways:
Traditional ways:
- Crush him with a slipper.
- Swat him with a rolled newspaper.
- Step on him
- Spray mega doses of insectide on him until he falters and goes into a coma and then death.
Non-traditional ways:
- Pour mega doses of alcohol on the wretched beast.
- Dump toothpaste on him. This will immobilize him to death.
- Pour shampoo (the thicker and creamier, the better) on the imp. This will immobilize him and will immobilize his wings (yes, roaches do fly).
- Lure him in the toilet water and flush him all the way down.
- Pour huge amounts of water on him until he flips over and can't stand up. He will die in this position if unmoved for several days.
- Pour hot water on him.
I have tried all these methods and all of them work. Fortunately for me, and for Phil, he didn't charge at me. He danced a little more around my throne room until he quietly slipped off in a small crack near the sink.
Kill Phil plan aborted. For now....
Monday, August 16, 2004
Scratches and Dents
Last Saturday, at around 11:50 p.m., on the way to a local cinema to catch The Village, I met an unusual accident.
Flashback several hours before the incident.
I came from a party of a high school friend, which was about an hour's drive away from the city. The area is very remote considering that I am used to traveling only within city limits. After spending some time watching a Korean movie, My Sassy Girl, which gave all of us a headache, we decided that it was time to leave.
On the way to the movie house, I had to pick up my brother, who was out with his girlfriend the entire day but had no idea how to get back home. I should have given him some bread so he could leave bread crumbs on the road. Unfortunately, I got too caught up in traffic that I decided to turn around and proceed to the cinemas instead, telling him to just sleep over at our cousin's house.
From the traffic, I careened all the way to the heart of the city, traveling at an unusual speed of 100 to 120 kilometers per hour under torrential rains. Slippery when wet, indeed. A few blocks away from the cinema, I decided to slow down, since I had enough time to park and buy the ticket for the movie. Surprise, surprise! Another vehicle hit me on the side!
As I was cruising at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour (talk about cruise control), a vehicle emerged from a hotel parking lot and positioned itself on the center lane. As I was going to turn right, I was on the right-most lane, logically. As I was about to turn right, this vehicle turned right as well, hitting me on the door of the driver's seat. Apparently, the guy driving didn't notice I was there. We spent about an hour waiting for the traffic management bureau personnel to arrive. But we waited in vain. So we went to the station instead to file a police report.
Blessing of blessings, I just renewed my license, which had been expired for five whole months without my conscious knowledge, just last Tuesday. Imagine, I was driving for five months without a valid license, and nothing happened. It was a good thing that the one who hit me was good, and he was man enough to admit his fault. And the police officer who took charge of our case was kind enough to process the papers despite the fact that I was missing the cars registration.
A comic relief for the night. While narrating to the police officer his side of the story, me and my companions overheard him say how he "sidesweeped" my car. And my companion, being the feisty girl that she is, proudly corrected him, saying that we were not "sideswiped" but rather rammed on the side.
I didn't get to see The Village. However, I am still thankful that no one was hurt during the incident. God is REALLY VERY GOOD! And I have the scratches and the dents in my car to prove just that!
Flashback several hours before the incident.
I came from a party of a high school friend, which was about an hour's drive away from the city. The area is very remote considering that I am used to traveling only within city limits. After spending some time watching a Korean movie, My Sassy Girl, which gave all of us a headache, we decided that it was time to leave.
On the way to the movie house, I had to pick up my brother, who was out with his girlfriend the entire day but had no idea how to get back home. I should have given him some bread so he could leave bread crumbs on the road. Unfortunately, I got too caught up in traffic that I decided to turn around and proceed to the cinemas instead, telling him to just sleep over at our cousin's house.
From the traffic, I careened all the way to the heart of the city, traveling at an unusual speed of 100 to 120 kilometers per hour under torrential rains. Slippery when wet, indeed. A few blocks away from the cinema, I decided to slow down, since I had enough time to park and buy the ticket for the movie. Surprise, surprise! Another vehicle hit me on the side!
As I was cruising at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour (talk about cruise control), a vehicle emerged from a hotel parking lot and positioned itself on the center lane. As I was going to turn right, I was on the right-most lane, logically. As I was about to turn right, this vehicle turned right as well, hitting me on the door of the driver's seat. Apparently, the guy driving didn't notice I was there. We spent about an hour waiting for the traffic management bureau personnel to arrive. But we waited in vain. So we went to the station instead to file a police report.
Blessing of blessings, I just renewed my license, which had been expired for five whole months without my conscious knowledge, just last Tuesday. Imagine, I was driving for five months without a valid license, and nothing happened. It was a good thing that the one who hit me was good, and he was man enough to admit his fault. And the police officer who took charge of our case was kind enough to process the papers despite the fact that I was missing the cars registration.
A comic relief for the night. While narrating to the police officer his side of the story, me and my companions overheard him say how he "sidesweeped" my car. And my companion, being the feisty girl that she is, proudly corrected him, saying that we were not "sideswiped" but rather rammed on the side.
I didn't get to see The Village. However, I am still thankful that no one was hurt during the incident. God is REALLY VERY GOOD! And I have the scratches and the dents in my car to prove just that!
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Reminiscing Poetry
I was going through my geocities site this morning when I chanced upon several poems that I did back in University. No, they were not part of our curriculum, they were just part of me. It was my hobby, and still is, whenever I do get the time. I just love playing with words and letting my imagination run wild. Among my favorites is the poem The Art of Love Baking. Here it is:
The Art of Love Baking
First, pre-heat the oven
While the dough is new
Squeezing and squeezing
All the way through
Just a little
Then in excess
A mouthful of clear chock'lit
Fill it up with French "Kisses"
Then lay it flat
Working downwards on
Gently moistening
With the spatula's tongue
Then, while the oven is hot
Slowly push it in
Then rest and pause
Then seal it in
Poke it once, twice
Many times to be exact
Feels hotter and hotter
And intense, that's a fact
Then…..SPLAT!
The gooey white filling goes
Voila…
That's how love baking goes.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
The Throne Room From Hell
Have you heard about the throne room from hell? Well, I've just been there and will probably be there tonight. Do you want to know how I got there? Well, read on and find out.
Yesterday, I had a total of about 9 cups of tea, different flavors, the entire day. I ate sausages in the morning, potato chips in the afternoon, and a pack of KFC Hot Shots in the evening. For those of you who don't know KFC Hot Shots, those are little chicken pieces that are spicy hot in flavor -- and I mean HOT, HOT, HOT! I had 2 oranges as well before going to bed.
This morning, I woke up with the achiest of all my stomach aches, I needed to rush to the "throne room" half awake. Lo and behold, I was suffering from diarrhea. I don't know why. It must be the tea, or the lack of solid in my digestive system. Whatever it was, I was really shitting like hell!
I went to the throne room a total of four times this morning. By my fourth trip, I was totally exhausted. My a-hole felt so sore because of all the spastic movement. Good grief!
So everybody has diarrhea every now and then. What makes this throne room experience a hell-like experience, you may ask. Remember the Hot Shots thing I told you about? Have you ever eaten something very hot that when you excrete it rectally, you feel a burning sting in your a-hole? Well, I had that this morning. Couple that with the pain brought about by the diarrhea spasms in my rectum, I felt that I had just survived a very hellish experience.
This sure beats the aftermath of taking Xenical!
Yesterday, I had a total of about 9 cups of tea, different flavors, the entire day. I ate sausages in the morning, potato chips in the afternoon, and a pack of KFC Hot Shots in the evening. For those of you who don't know KFC Hot Shots, those are little chicken pieces that are spicy hot in flavor -- and I mean HOT, HOT, HOT! I had 2 oranges as well before going to bed.
This morning, I woke up with the achiest of all my stomach aches, I needed to rush to the "throne room" half awake. Lo and behold, I was suffering from diarrhea. I don't know why. It must be the tea, or the lack of solid in my digestive system. Whatever it was, I was really shitting like hell!
I went to the throne room a total of four times this morning. By my fourth trip, I was totally exhausted. My a-hole felt so sore because of all the spastic movement. Good grief!
So everybody has diarrhea every now and then. What makes this throne room experience a hell-like experience, you may ask. Remember the Hot Shots thing I told you about? Have you ever eaten something very hot that when you excrete it rectally, you feel a burning sting in your a-hole? Well, I had that this morning. Couple that with the pain brought about by the diarrhea spasms in my rectum, I felt that I had just survived a very hellish experience.
This sure beats the aftermath of taking Xenical!
A Duffy Story
Some time ago, I watched A Cinderella Story with some office friends, my brother and his girl, and my cousins. Of course, it is a cheesy movie, but hey, it's free! Beggars can't be choosers, you know!
The plot was very much like the classic Cinderella story, but with a modern touch. But I should tell you, this movie is just that - a movie. It is not like real life, which a movie should mirror. There were a lot of flaws in the story, and these flaws are just plain unbelievable.
Take the fact that Samantha, the lead character, was only wearing a mask at the ball. And not a face mask, but the kind of mask that only covers the area surrounding your eyes, just above the nose. And the stupid jock doesn't even recognize her??? Come on, give me a break! And this same stupid guy who fails to recognize people, gets into Princeton! Now I should say from this movie that the educational system of America is very flawed indeed! And the voice of the "mystery" girl gives her away easily. So why doesn't this all-American jock still recognize her whenever they get to talk to each other? I mean, who has that kind of voice but Lizzie Maguire?
And then, there is the cell phone. She leaves her cell phone behind at the dance and she doesn't even try to look for it? Come on! Didn't she notice it was missing? Forward to the next scenes where she doesn't even talk about her missing phone. Now, how moronic can this film get?
Oh, and aside from the storyline, guess what - or who - else is flawed? Hillary Duff. Well, I guess you could now name her Hillary Puff. Yep, she's too chubby to be "Cinderella," especially in that gown she wore during the ball. It is really far from the image of Cinderella that have been imprinted in our memories. And the way she talks, it is just so Lizzie. It's like watching The Lizzie Maguire Movie once again. Lucky for her, she has her mom to be one of the producers of the film.
An upside to this film, however, is her stepmom, played by the actress who played Stiffler's mom in American Pie, and the Bend-and-Snap girl in Legally Blonde. She was really great when she was driving a speeding car after she got botox injections. And the way she said Norweigian Salmon comes from Norweigia? Classic.
This film is not really for the critics, but for the young teeny bopper girls who like to see a feel good movie, or for the Duffers out there. I liked it for its feel-good character, but other than that, the storyline is completely moronic. You would be better off reading the classic story from your fairy tale collection. Who knows, you might find your ancestor's Last Will and Testament hidden there.
The plot was very much like the classic Cinderella story, but with a modern touch. But I should tell you, this movie is just that - a movie. It is not like real life, which a movie should mirror. There were a lot of flaws in the story, and these flaws are just plain unbelievable.
Take the fact that Samantha, the lead character, was only wearing a mask at the ball. And not a face mask, but the kind of mask that only covers the area surrounding your eyes, just above the nose. And the stupid jock doesn't even recognize her??? Come on, give me a break! And this same stupid guy who fails to recognize people, gets into Princeton! Now I should say from this movie that the educational system of America is very flawed indeed! And the voice of the "mystery" girl gives her away easily. So why doesn't this all-American jock still recognize her whenever they get to talk to each other? I mean, who has that kind of voice but Lizzie Maguire?
And then, there is the cell phone. She leaves her cell phone behind at the dance and she doesn't even try to look for it? Come on! Didn't she notice it was missing? Forward to the next scenes where she doesn't even talk about her missing phone. Now, how moronic can this film get?
Oh, and aside from the storyline, guess what - or who - else is flawed? Hillary Duff. Well, I guess you could now name her Hillary Puff. Yep, she's too chubby to be "Cinderella," especially in that gown she wore during the ball. It is really far from the image of Cinderella that have been imprinted in our memories. And the way she talks, it is just so Lizzie. It's like watching The Lizzie Maguire Movie once again. Lucky for her, she has her mom to be one of the producers of the film.
An upside to this film, however, is her stepmom, played by the actress who played Stiffler's mom in American Pie, and the Bend-and-Snap girl in Legally Blonde. She was really great when she was driving a speeding car after she got botox injections. And the way she said Norweigian Salmon comes from Norweigia? Classic.
This film is not really for the critics, but for the young teeny bopper girls who like to see a feel good movie, or for the Duffers out there. I liked it for its feel-good character, but other than that, the storyline is completely moronic. You would be better off reading the classic story from your fairy tale collection. Who knows, you might find your ancestor's Last Will and Testament hidden there.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Just Tea
I love tea.
I used to be a coffee drinker, but now, I am a tea convert. Why you may ask? Well, tea has far less caffeine than coffee. Tea is healthier than coffee. Tea is less fattening than all the condiments you have to put on coffee to make it more delicious. Besides, tea is cheaper in Starbucks or Seattle's Best. And, you could have it refilled with hot water, in case you finish your drink and you still feel the need to drink some more.
Of the numerous tea flavors there are in the world, I had the privilege of being able taste a number of them. Here are a few:
Wild Sweet Orange
My Starbucks favorite. It has the sour-sweet flavor of orange that satisfies my taste buds down to its roots. Very flavorful until you get to the next hot water fill. I think it is also good for the immune system, considering that it is made from oranges, which have vitamin C. Best with two sachets of honey.
Ginger Peach
My Seattle's Best favorite. The ginger in it gives it a mild zing. Plus, they say that ginger is nice for your voice. And peaches... mmm... mmm... mmmm! This is also best taken with two sachets of honey.
Jasmine Green Tea
Green tea never tasted so good with the scent and flavor of Jasmine flowers. The thing about Jasmine tea is that it has a very acrid after taste that smells like rotten flowers. Or is it just my mouth?
Chamomile Tea
A very good substitute for Jasmine tea. Tastes and smells pretty much like chamomile. I find this drink soothing. It gives me inner peace (huh?).
Orange Spice Tea
The flavor of orange with a mild twist! It does have a spicy flavor. It is not as sweet as wild sweet orange, but hey, it tastes just as good. No, it doesn't have pepper and onions and other cooking spices. It just has a touch of spice in it that makes its flavor distinct.
Green Tea
Now this is the healthiest kid in the block! Tastes like grass, hell yes. But who cares? As long as you're healthy, right?
I have tasted other tea concoctions, but so far, these are my favorites. The thing about having tasted various tea flavors is that you don't get to have a tea fatigue syndrome because your taste buds are exposed to different flavors each time you take a sip of that sumptuous cup of tea.
So who said that only the English and Chinese drink tea? I enjoy it as well as they do. Oh, wait a minute, I am part Chinese. I guess that is where my tea fascination comes from.
Tea time!
I used to be a coffee drinker, but now, I am a tea convert. Why you may ask? Well, tea has far less caffeine than coffee. Tea is healthier than coffee. Tea is less fattening than all the condiments you have to put on coffee to make it more delicious. Besides, tea is cheaper in Starbucks or Seattle's Best. And, you could have it refilled with hot water, in case you finish your drink and you still feel the need to drink some more.
Of the numerous tea flavors there are in the world, I had the privilege of being able taste a number of them. Here are a few:
Wild Sweet Orange
My Starbucks favorite. It has the sour-sweet flavor of orange that satisfies my taste buds down to its roots. Very flavorful until you get to the next hot water fill. I think it is also good for the immune system, considering that it is made from oranges, which have vitamin C. Best with two sachets of honey.
Ginger Peach
My Seattle's Best favorite. The ginger in it gives it a mild zing. Plus, they say that ginger is nice for your voice. And peaches... mmm... mmm... mmmm! This is also best taken with two sachets of honey.
Jasmine Green Tea
Green tea never tasted so good with the scent and flavor of Jasmine flowers. The thing about Jasmine tea is that it has a very acrid after taste that smells like rotten flowers. Or is it just my mouth?
Chamomile Tea
A very good substitute for Jasmine tea. Tastes and smells pretty much like chamomile. I find this drink soothing. It gives me inner peace (huh?).
Orange Spice Tea
The flavor of orange with a mild twist! It does have a spicy flavor. It is not as sweet as wild sweet orange, but hey, it tastes just as good. No, it doesn't have pepper and onions and other cooking spices. It just has a touch of spice in it that makes its flavor distinct.
Green Tea
Now this is the healthiest kid in the block! Tastes like grass, hell yes. But who cares? As long as you're healthy, right?
I have tasted other tea concoctions, but so far, these are my favorites. The thing about having tasted various tea flavors is that you don't get to have a tea fatigue syndrome because your taste buds are exposed to different flavors each time you take a sip of that sumptuous cup of tea.
So who said that only the English and Chinese drink tea? I enjoy it as well as they do. Oh, wait a minute, I am part Chinese. I guess that is where my tea fascination comes from.
Tea time!
He Goes By The Name of Oreo
Oreo - a chocolate sandwich cookie with rich cream filling. Twist open, lick the cream filling and dunk in milk for best results.
I had always been fond of Oreos. I really like it's cream filling which I lick with gusto everytime I eat one. Kind of reminds me of something.... Now don't turn dirty on me, it's not what you think! It reminds me of licking ice cream without the cold feeling.
Apparently, one of my cousins goes by the name of Oreo. He is not just a cousin, but probably one of my best friends as well. Whenever we're together, we just get to enjoy each other's company, and boy, do we really get wild!
I remember visiting him in Australia before and it was really very memorable for me. The sights, the people, but most especially, the "experiences" (if you know what I mean, *wink, wink*). I remember going around the city with him and being left by the bus. No train was available at that time due to some repairs. We had to take a cab to where we left his car, which is a suburb outside Sydney. Aaahhhh... the memories of Sydney. One day, I'll go back there and enjoy the Great Outback to its fullest!
We lost contact for quite some time. I suppose he became very busy as was I. Until this morning, when I received a notification of him accepting my invitation to be part of my multiply network. I never really knew what it was that closed down our lines of communication. I get to email him every now and then, but he doesn't seem to get to reply to them. I don't see him online in msn, nor do I receive any SMS from him.
Despite the lack of communication, I still consider him one of my best buds, one who gave me an unforgettable time in Sydney. Maybe, just maybe, one of these days, he would be able to reply to my messages. Last time I heard, he was doing good with his girl. Hopefully, the next time we meet, I'll have a girl to tag along with me.
Unfortunately, for now, all I can do is be contented with the Oreos in the local grocery and lick all the fillings off it one by one. Someday, I may have a girl to lick Oreo fillings with - not here, but in Sydney.
I had always been fond of Oreos. I really like it's cream filling which I lick with gusto everytime I eat one. Kind of reminds me of something.... Now don't turn dirty on me, it's not what you think! It reminds me of licking ice cream without the cold feeling.
Apparently, one of my cousins goes by the name of Oreo. He is not just a cousin, but probably one of my best friends as well. Whenever we're together, we just get to enjoy each other's company, and boy, do we really get wild!
I remember visiting him in Australia before and it was really very memorable for me. The sights, the people, but most especially, the "experiences" (if you know what I mean, *wink, wink*). I remember going around the city with him and being left by the bus. No train was available at that time due to some repairs. We had to take a cab to where we left his car, which is a suburb outside Sydney. Aaahhhh... the memories of Sydney. One day, I'll go back there and enjoy the Great Outback to its fullest!
We lost contact for quite some time. I suppose he became very busy as was I. Until this morning, when I received a notification of him accepting my invitation to be part of my multiply network. I never really knew what it was that closed down our lines of communication. I get to email him every now and then, but he doesn't seem to get to reply to them. I don't see him online in msn, nor do I receive any SMS from him.
Despite the lack of communication, I still consider him one of my best buds, one who gave me an unforgettable time in Sydney. Maybe, just maybe, one of these days, he would be able to reply to my messages. Last time I heard, he was doing good with his girl. Hopefully, the next time we meet, I'll have a girl to tag along with me.
Unfortunately, for now, all I can do is be contented with the Oreos in the local grocery and lick all the fillings off it one by one. Someday, I may have a girl to lick Oreo fillings with - not here, but in Sydney.
Food
Last weekend, I did nothing but binge on glorious food!
Saturday started with a hefty serving of mushroom in scrambled eggs and tuna. The tuna was really tasteful as it had mushrooms and garlic with it. It was so delicious, I needed to have at least a third helping.
Lunch was okay, I guess, with beef in tomato sauce being the main course. And then dinner - a sumptuous serving of penne in pesto sauce! It really worked up my appetite for the whole day. Unfortunately, it had carbohydrates written all over it, which of course, I totally neglected.
In between lunch and dinner, I had two helpings of ice monster! Two helpings! Can you imagine that? One cookies and cream and one mango teaser. It was really all too much for one person who is supposed to be on a diet.
My next sumptuous meal came the next day in the form of fried cold cuts. Of course, they weren't cold anymore because they were fried. What is it with our country that tells us to fry cold cuts when they were actually meant to be served cold? These processed meats have already been pre-cooked and is hence ready to eat. The idiosyncracies of our culture, really.
For lunch, my whole family went to a local Japanese fast food where they serve really great meals! I had tonkatsu, tempura and misono, with a helping of potato balls on the side. That's calories after spoonful of calories, mind you. After that meal, I felt like I couldn't eat another bite for the next week or so.
Lo and behold! Dinner came and I had more food to eat! We went to a children's party where they served barbecue, spaghetti (in two sauces), roasted pig, beef stew, pot pie, fried chicken and truckloads of desserts! Of course, I wouldn't pass on a chance to try everything, so I got a helping of each of the party's dishes.
Now, as far as I can remember, I was on a diet and I took an oath of food celibacy since September. But apparently, I suffered from short-term memory loss over the weekend and forgot all the reasons why I wanted to lose weight to begin with. I do suffer from guilt feelings but hey, food like that passes you once in a blue moon, so why not take the opportunity to indulge?
Now, where did I place my stash of M&Ms?
Saturday started with a hefty serving of mushroom in scrambled eggs and tuna. The tuna was really tasteful as it had mushrooms and garlic with it. It was so delicious, I needed to have at least a third helping.
Lunch was okay, I guess, with beef in tomato sauce being the main course. And then dinner - a sumptuous serving of penne in pesto sauce! It really worked up my appetite for the whole day. Unfortunately, it had carbohydrates written all over it, which of course, I totally neglected.
In between lunch and dinner, I had two helpings of ice monster! Two helpings! Can you imagine that? One cookies and cream and one mango teaser. It was really all too much for one person who is supposed to be on a diet.
My next sumptuous meal came the next day in the form of fried cold cuts. Of course, they weren't cold anymore because they were fried. What is it with our country that tells us to fry cold cuts when they were actually meant to be served cold? These processed meats have already been pre-cooked and is hence ready to eat. The idiosyncracies of our culture, really.
For lunch, my whole family went to a local Japanese fast food where they serve really great meals! I had tonkatsu, tempura and misono, with a helping of potato balls on the side. That's calories after spoonful of calories, mind you. After that meal, I felt like I couldn't eat another bite for the next week or so.
Lo and behold! Dinner came and I had more food to eat! We went to a children's party where they served barbecue, spaghetti (in two sauces), roasted pig, beef stew, pot pie, fried chicken and truckloads of desserts! Of course, I wouldn't pass on a chance to try everything, so I got a helping of each of the party's dishes.
Now, as far as I can remember, I was on a diet and I took an oath of food celibacy since September. But apparently, I suffered from short-term memory loss over the weekend and forgot all the reasons why I wanted to lose weight to begin with. I do suffer from guilt feelings but hey, food like that passes you once in a blue moon, so why not take the opportunity to indulge?
Now, where did I place my stash of M&Ms?
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Fun Day At The Shoot
Yesterday, at about noon time, I had a photo shoot for a medical publication. Get this, I needed to pose as an epileptic having a seizure. Boy, was it very tiring. I never could imagine myself having those fits. It must really be very difficult for the epileptics to have their seizures.
A few minutes prior to the shoot, me and my friend, who happened to join me in the shoot eventually, played around the studio and had some fun shots taken. Unfortunately, the shots weren't that good. Too bright, or I was not propped up correctly. Too bad, it was really a great opportunity to have a serious studio shot.
We really had a lot of laughs, especially when I was ready to have a seizure. Hahaha, talk about being ready! They said they really pitied me, that I looked really authentic (notice how I could get exaggerated here, you should have seen me yesterday). But they were laughing their asses out. The irony of it.
I really enjoy doing these absurd shoots. I remember having done one for constipation, another for neuropathic pain, another for colds. And to think I am aspiring for a modeling job on TV. Hahahaha. This is far better! I get to do things that other people wouldn't dare to. Artiste par excellence!
Well, until the next shoot.
A few minutes prior to the shoot, me and my friend, who happened to join me in the shoot eventually, played around the studio and had some fun shots taken. Unfortunately, the shots weren't that good. Too bright, or I was not propped up correctly. Too bad, it was really a great opportunity to have a serious studio shot.
We really had a lot of laughs, especially when I was ready to have a seizure. Hahaha, talk about being ready! They said they really pitied me, that I looked really authentic (notice how I could get exaggerated here, you should have seen me yesterday). But they were laughing their asses out. The irony of it.
I really enjoy doing these absurd shoots. I remember having done one for constipation, another for neuropathic pain, another for colds. And to think I am aspiring for a modeling job on TV. Hahahaha. This is far better! I get to do things that other people wouldn't dare to. Artiste par excellence!
Well, until the next shoot.
Friday, July 30, 2004
Do All Dogs Go To Heaven?
They say that all dogs go to heaven. I hope Bulldog is there right now, praying for me and my family's safety. I hope he is there so I could call on someone to guide me in trying times. I hope....
But there are still some things that puzzle me about that saying. Silly questions, but they continuously bug me.
Do all dogs really go to heaven? How about dogs who have murdered kids? Dogs who bit people? Dogs who savagely kill other dogs?
If all dogs go to heaven, do all cats go to hell? It's like they forever fight, right? And good and evil do fight, right? So if heaven is good, and hell is bad, and all dogs go to heaven... then all cats must go to hell???
If, granted, cats go to heaven as well. And granted that all the animals go to heaven too. How then does heaven look like? Would it look very much like the earth? Does it have plants as well?
I really don't know when I will be able to find the answers to these mind bogglers of mine. One thing is for sure, if there is a heaven, I would sure like to spend eternity there -- with all dogs.
But there are still some things that puzzle me about that saying. Silly questions, but they continuously bug me.
Do all dogs really go to heaven? How about dogs who have murdered kids? Dogs who bit people? Dogs who savagely kill other dogs?
If all dogs go to heaven, do all cats go to hell? It's like they forever fight, right? And good and evil do fight, right? So if heaven is good, and hell is bad, and all dogs go to heaven... then all cats must go to hell???
If, granted, cats go to heaven as well. And granted that all the animals go to heaven too. How then does heaven look like? Would it look very much like the earth? Does it have plants as well?
I really don't know when I will be able to find the answers to these mind bogglers of mine. One thing is for sure, if there is a heaven, I would sure like to spend eternity there -- with all dogs.
A Bulldog Story (Hours Before Death)
Tuesday. 9:30 p.m. I opened our housegate to let myself in. I was welcomed amidst loud barks by our two dogs, Whitey (who happens to be a beige mongrel-japanese spitz mix) and Bulldog (who happens to be a mongrel). Don't ask me how they got their names or who gave it to them. I named them other names, but it seems that our house help's monickers stuck to the dogs' brains. Hence, they wouldn't respond to other names but those.
10:15 p.m. My father arrived. My brother opened the gate to let my father in. I then heard him call me to go outside and see Bulldog. Apparently, he couldn't lift his lower body and all he could do was twist and turn using his front legs. He didn't meet an accident with a vehicle again, did he? Apparently not. And then he was urinating all around -- and boy, that's one heck of a urine load. It was like he excreted all of the fluids in his body. What were we to do? We don't know any vet that was open at that time of night. He was definitely dying. First time I see dog death before my very eyes.
Wednesday. 2:30 a.m. Our driver couldn't sleep because he was hearing strange things in the garage. When he went out to see what it was, it was Bulldog, banging his head on our van. Apparently, he was able to find a way to get fro one place to another using his front legs. For some strange reason, I really don't know why. Insanity before death? Well, I didn't actually witness this. Just second hand information. But then again, what could have led to these events? Only God knows.
6:45 a.m. I saw Bulldog sprawled on the garage floor. This is not the same garage, mind you. It is separated by two flights of stairs and a wide veranda. It still baffles me how he could have travelled considering his situation. Anyway, he was not moving, his eyes were directed towards the heavens, and he was breathing heavily. He was definitely dying. Even seeing the vet would prove futile. So we just let him cherish his tragedy on his own sweet time.
5:00 p.m. I got news that Bulldog died. I felt sad, coz I was always the last one to arrive home. These two dogs would always welcome me with their barks and their wagging tails, jump and reach for my hand all the time. They were intelligent dogs who knew how to use the door's banger (those round things you use to knock -- or bang -- depending on how you actually use it). They were silly ones who would crawl on dry soil after a cold bath. They always growled at each other whenever I'm around them both, as if both were struggling for my attention. It just wouldn't be the same without one of them. I used to talk with Bulldog, scolding him every night for not following my instructions. I used to tell him what he should not do to prevent catching some dog diseases. But you really can't teach old dogs new tricks, it seems. Or human's can't really talk to dogs no matter how much they try to. He had a skin disorder he got from a neighbor's dog. And I got real mad at him for acquiring that. Now, I have no dog to talk to but Whitey. I guess Whitey will just do for the mean time. It just won't be the same without the both of them.
10:15 p.m. My father arrived. My brother opened the gate to let my father in. I then heard him call me to go outside and see Bulldog. Apparently, he couldn't lift his lower body and all he could do was twist and turn using his front legs. He didn't meet an accident with a vehicle again, did he? Apparently not. And then he was urinating all around -- and boy, that's one heck of a urine load. It was like he excreted all of the fluids in his body. What were we to do? We don't know any vet that was open at that time of night. He was definitely dying. First time I see dog death before my very eyes.
Wednesday. 2:30 a.m. Our driver couldn't sleep because he was hearing strange things in the garage. When he went out to see what it was, it was Bulldog, banging his head on our van. Apparently, he was able to find a way to get fro one place to another using his front legs. For some strange reason, I really don't know why. Insanity before death? Well, I didn't actually witness this. Just second hand information. But then again, what could have led to these events? Only God knows.
6:45 a.m. I saw Bulldog sprawled on the garage floor. This is not the same garage, mind you. It is separated by two flights of stairs and a wide veranda. It still baffles me how he could have travelled considering his situation. Anyway, he was not moving, his eyes were directed towards the heavens, and he was breathing heavily. He was definitely dying. Even seeing the vet would prove futile. So we just let him cherish his tragedy on his own sweet time.
5:00 p.m. I got news that Bulldog died. I felt sad, coz I was always the last one to arrive home. These two dogs would always welcome me with their barks and their wagging tails, jump and reach for my hand all the time. They were intelligent dogs who knew how to use the door's banger (those round things you use to knock -- or bang -- depending on how you actually use it). They were silly ones who would crawl on dry soil after a cold bath. They always growled at each other whenever I'm around them both, as if both were struggling for my attention. It just wouldn't be the same without one of them. I used to talk with Bulldog, scolding him every night for not following my instructions. I used to tell him what he should not do to prevent catching some dog diseases. But you really can't teach old dogs new tricks, it seems. Or human's can't really talk to dogs no matter how much they try to. He had a skin disorder he got from a neighbor's dog. And I got real mad at him for acquiring that. Now, I have no dog to talk to but Whitey. I guess Whitey will just do for the mean time. It just won't be the same without the both of them.
Bulldog
2002-2004
Loving pet, mischievous dog, extraordinary member of our family.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Ironic
An old man turned 98
He won the lottery
And died the next day
It's a black fly
In your chardonay
It's a death row pardon
Two minutes too late
Isn't it ironic?
Well, that is Alanis Morisette for all of you. Life is just so ironic. For the past few weeks, it's been raining like hell here in the city where I work. Day in, I arrive the office with the sun shining brightly. Come afternoons, I leave the office prepared to be drenched in cool summer rain.
Because I leave the house sunny, I dare not bring a jacket or a raincoat or an umbrella. It is just too bulky. Besides, who would ever think it would rain with that kind of bright weather?
But I've learned my lesson well. I dare not sing in the rain once again. Every night, when I get home, I always feel sick to the bone. I have morning sneezing episodes because of this. But today, it's different. I swore I would bring something even if the sun shines very brightly. I believed that no matter how sunny it is in the mornings, the afternoons normally bring in strong rains. Hence, I have with me an umbrella and a jacket.
Now here's the irony. It's about time to go home. With my umbrella and jacket in tow, I can't see a cloud in sight! The sun is shining as brightly as ever. And to think this is the only day I brought my protections along.
Of all the days God chose not to rain, he chose this day. This particular day when I am most prepared. Why?
Because life will forever be an irony.
Creepy Crawlers; Freaky Tuesdays
What a way to start the day.
I woke up relatively early to go to work.
I was in the shower, rinsing shampoo off my hair when I felt a numbing sensation on my left foot. It's the kind of sensation you feel when your leg has been inactive for so long. You feel as if ants were crawling on your leg. Yup, this had the same sensation.
So I shrugged it off, until I felt the sensation move. What could that possibly be? I couldn't see it as my entire face was covered by shampoo suds.
Feeling the tingling sensation move across the circumference of my lower leg forced me to give off a jerking action (not that jerking action, perv!).
After immediately wiping off the shampoo from my face with a dry towel, I was amazed, aghast, taken aback, I'm running out of words here.... to see, to my horror of horrors.... a cockroach! (Cue in Psycho theme.)
I'm not scared of cockroaches, that I can assure you. I can even hold them with my bare hands (yeah, I can hear you cringe in disgust right now), that is, granted they are not moving anymore. I just don't like the feel of their legs on my skin. It's just so... icky!
I don't know what it was that gave the cockroach enough courage to share a shower with me. I must have some kind of oozing sex appeal that only four-legged creatures appreciate. Or she (I am assuming that the cockroach is female because she was with me in the shower) must be a reincarnation of someone I used to share a shower with in my past life (if I had one).
Good thing my instincts didn't tell me to step on her at first sight. I would have done so in my wide-awake state of mind. Otherwise, I would be scrubbing my feet a thousand times more today. And I would have a bathroom floor with Mentos (crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside) remnants to clean for the next few minutes or so.
Now isn't that some peculiar way to start the day?
I woke up relatively early to go to work.
I was in the shower, rinsing shampoo off my hair when I felt a numbing sensation on my left foot. It's the kind of sensation you feel when your leg has been inactive for so long. You feel as if ants were crawling on your leg. Yup, this had the same sensation.
So I shrugged it off, until I felt the sensation move. What could that possibly be? I couldn't see it as my entire face was covered by shampoo suds.
Feeling the tingling sensation move across the circumference of my lower leg forced me to give off a jerking action (not that jerking action, perv!).
After immediately wiping off the shampoo from my face with a dry towel, I was amazed, aghast, taken aback, I'm running out of words here.... to see, to my horror of horrors.... a cockroach! (Cue in Psycho theme.)
I'm not scared of cockroaches, that I can assure you. I can even hold them with my bare hands (yeah, I can hear you cringe in disgust right now), that is, granted they are not moving anymore. I just don't like the feel of their legs on my skin. It's just so... icky!
I don't know what it was that gave the cockroach enough courage to share a shower with me. I must have some kind of oozing sex appeal that only four-legged creatures appreciate. Or she (I am assuming that the cockroach is female because she was with me in the shower) must be a reincarnation of someone I used to share a shower with in my past life (if I had one).
Good thing my instincts didn't tell me to step on her at first sight. I would have done so in my wide-awake state of mind. Otherwise, I would be scrubbing my feet a thousand times more today. And I would have a bathroom floor with Mentos (crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside) remnants to clean for the next few minutes or so.
Now isn't that some peculiar way to start the day?
The Bystander
I wasn't really a bystander then. I just happened to be walking towards the scene of where everything happened that day.
Friday afternoon. Everyone was rushing to go home or go elsewhere to enjoy a great weekend start. Rain just stopped pouring and the streets of the city were wet. As for me, I couldn't wait to leave the office and indulge myself in a badminton game a few cities away from where I work.
Me and a new officemate shared the elevator and enjoyed our leisurely walk-and-talk to where we were supposed to take our respective rides. As we were about to cross the street, we saw a group of people gathered right in the middle of one of the most populated avenues in the city. There must be something really wrong there, we thought.
Despite the throng of people gathered there, vehicular traffic continued, however, at a slower pace. Hence, we couldn't just cross the street and go to where all the "action" is because we might get run over by a slow-moving bus, whose driver happens to be looking at the "action" as well.
So me and my officemate became mere bystanders. Standing at the sidewalk to catch all the "action."
But the "action," we realized, was really an "in-action." Right in the middle of the street, there was a lady sprawled on the floor, blood oozing from her head. People were gathered around her, frozen in shock, doing nothing. Yup, the lady's body was not in "action" as she was very still. She was not moving, not one bit. And the people around her were not in "action" as well as they didn't move a muscle and were just content with being spectators.
And then I saw this policeman, who, instead of helping her out immediately, lifted the lady's arm, nudged her leg a little with his foot and went around her still body. It took a few minutes before a vehicle stopped by and some people from the crowd actually took heed of the situation and lifted her into the vehicle.
Once in the vehicle, no one wanted to accompany her to the nearest hospital, which was just a few blocks away from the scene. Fortunately, a traffic aide went with her albeit being prodded by the policeman forcefully.
You see, what happened was she got sideswiped by a raging motorcycle. The vehicles were actually stopped by a traffic enforcer to make way for the pedestrians. But being in a country where traffic enforcement is not given due accord, the good and mighty motorcycle driver went his way and proceeded despite the policeman's order. That was when Harry (the motorcycle) met Sally (the lady).
I myself am guilty of being motionless that afternoon. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move a muscle. I was in shock. I was frozen as ice. I was mumbling some things I couldn't remember but that was it. It has always been my reaction to an emergency. I never got over it.
The only thing I could do that time, and a few hours after that, was to pray. I couldn't do anything. I just prayed... prayed for her safety... that she survives the ordeal.
So the next time one of you, my dear friends, intend to meet an accident, please don't take me with you. Otherwise, you will just have another bystander looking over your helpless body sprawled in the busy streets of the city.
Friday afternoon. Everyone was rushing to go home or go elsewhere to enjoy a great weekend start. Rain just stopped pouring and the streets of the city were wet. As for me, I couldn't wait to leave the office and indulge myself in a badminton game a few cities away from where I work.
Me and a new officemate shared the elevator and enjoyed our leisurely walk-and-talk to where we were supposed to take our respective rides. As we were about to cross the street, we saw a group of people gathered right in the middle of one of the most populated avenues in the city. There must be something really wrong there, we thought.
Despite the throng of people gathered there, vehicular traffic continued, however, at a slower pace. Hence, we couldn't just cross the street and go to where all the "action" is because we might get run over by a slow-moving bus, whose driver happens to be looking at the "action" as well.
So me and my officemate became mere bystanders. Standing at the sidewalk to catch all the "action."
But the "action," we realized, was really an "in-action." Right in the middle of the street, there was a lady sprawled on the floor, blood oozing from her head. People were gathered around her, frozen in shock, doing nothing. Yup, the lady's body was not in "action" as she was very still. She was not moving, not one bit. And the people around her were not in "action" as well as they didn't move a muscle and were just content with being spectators.
And then I saw this policeman, who, instead of helping her out immediately, lifted the lady's arm, nudged her leg a little with his foot and went around her still body. It took a few minutes before a vehicle stopped by and some people from the crowd actually took heed of the situation and lifted her into the vehicle.
Once in the vehicle, no one wanted to accompany her to the nearest hospital, which was just a few blocks away from the scene. Fortunately, a traffic aide went with her albeit being prodded by the policeman forcefully.
You see, what happened was she got sideswiped by a raging motorcycle. The vehicles were actually stopped by a traffic enforcer to make way for the pedestrians. But being in a country where traffic enforcement is not given due accord, the good and mighty motorcycle driver went his way and proceeded despite the policeman's order. That was when Harry (the motorcycle) met Sally (the lady).
I myself am guilty of being motionless that afternoon. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move a muscle. I was in shock. I was frozen as ice. I was mumbling some things I couldn't remember but that was it. It has always been my reaction to an emergency. I never got over it.
The only thing I could do that time, and a few hours after that, was to pray. I couldn't do anything. I just prayed... prayed for her safety... that she survives the ordeal.
So the next time one of you, my dear friends, intend to meet an accident, please don't take me with you. Otherwise, you will just have another bystander looking over your helpless body sprawled in the busy streets of the city.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
A Monster's Tale
A hot day, it is, with the temperature and humidity both rising by the minute. It sure is a nice way to cool off in far away Baguio or in the cool waters of a swimming pool. But I've just been to Baguio and there is no pool in sight... What to do?
Fortunately, there is an Ice Monster outlet in a nearby building... Tempting, I should say. But heck, I can't eat much because of my slow metabolism.
Damn those metabolic rates!
But wait a minute, hot coffee (kapeng mainit)! They do have fruit flavors and toppings to choose from! Hmmm.... I might as well try the mango toppings, 'coz I'm a real sucker for mangoes. But the mandarin oranges look just as tempting... And oranges make my bowel move faster. OK I'll just have the mangoes. But the cookies and cream look more tempting than those two. Decisions... decisions....
I'm going to the gym later, so I guess it's ok to pack in more calories. But I've already had my share of cornicks and choco flakes from Baguio today. So that's like packing in about a million calories, versus the few hundred calories I'll be burning tonight. That would far exceed my daily caloric intake allowance!
Oh, well. Damn indecisions and cursed pride. I guess I'll just have to throw my diet away for a while. Besides, indulgence is better than diamonds at any place, at any time.
"One Cookies and Cream with extra Vanilla Ice Cream, please!"
Fortunately, there is an Ice Monster outlet in a nearby building... Tempting, I should say. But heck, I can't eat much because of my slow metabolism.
Damn those metabolic rates!
But wait a minute, hot coffee (kapeng mainit)! They do have fruit flavors and toppings to choose from! Hmmm.... I might as well try the mango toppings, 'coz I'm a real sucker for mangoes. But the mandarin oranges look just as tempting... And oranges make my bowel move faster. OK I'll just have the mangoes. But the cookies and cream look more tempting than those two. Decisions... decisions....
I'm going to the gym later, so I guess it's ok to pack in more calories. But I've already had my share of cornicks and choco flakes from Baguio today. So that's like packing in about a million calories, versus the few hundred calories I'll be burning tonight. That would far exceed my daily caloric intake allowance!
Oh, well. Damn indecisions and cursed pride. I guess I'll just have to throw my diet away for a while. Besides, indulgence is better than diamonds at any place, at any time.
"One Cookies and Cream with extra Vanilla Ice Cream, please!"
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
For Every Yin
Everything has a trade off, so it seems.
Yesterday, I went to a VTR for a liquor commercial. I was so excited about doing the VTR because it has been quite a while since I last did one.
The minute I arrived at the agency, something told me that this particular project was not for me. I signed up for the schedule and was greeted by the person in charge. She used to work for the casting agency that first got me to model. In fact, she recalls, she was the one who "discovered" me. Very star-like.
Her initial reaction was, "You seem to have lost a lot of weight." Hint number one: We are looking for someone who is much fatter than you. Why the heck did you lose weight?
"I am not that thin. I am still fat... I still have flabs and love handles," was my reply. I was supposing I could reassure her that I was still cut out for this project.
And so I waited... and waited... and got to talk to a co-"model." I really like that, calling myself a commercial model. Hahahaha.... Anyway, I got a lot of background info on the TVC (TV Commercial) from him. I found out that he was a cousin of a famous athlete/commercial model/schoolmate of mine back in college. And then he was called in.
Urgh! More minutes of agonizing waiting!
And then my name was called. My sweet sounding name! It's my turn to show off! As I entered the room, my new-found friend told me to prepare to strip. I was like, "OK, that won't be a problem."
"Your name please... How old are you Donnell? And your height? OK, look at the camera... now turn to your right.... turn your head to the camera... now smile... OK, now to the left.... turn your head to the camera... now smile... OK. Thank you."
That's it?!? I mean, I was supposed to strip, wasn't I? I was supposed to be this beach blob who will emerge from underwater as a beach hunk, right?
Hint number two: You are not what we are looking for. You are not fat enough. Thank you for you time. If we do have another project, we'll keep you in mind. The one ahead of you is fatter than you. He is perfect for the role.
Disappointing, true. I mean, I have waited all my life for a big break like this, going to Boracay to do a shoot. And now, I lost my only hope of being a commercial model -- being too fat. Now, I am just fat. None of the too there. All because I want to feel great and love my body more.
They say that for every Yin, there is a Yang. For every action, and equal and opposite reaction. Saddening as it is, there is still hope left in me. I might have lost the commercial, but I guess I am also enjoying the fruits of my diet and exercise. Although I still have to wait a couple more months (or years) before I could actually wear speedo bikini-type swimming trunks. There will be other commercials for me, I know. There will be other breaks...
...I hope.
Yesterday, I went to a VTR for a liquor commercial. I was so excited about doing the VTR because it has been quite a while since I last did one.
The minute I arrived at the agency, something told me that this particular project was not for me. I signed up for the schedule and was greeted by the person in charge. She used to work for the casting agency that first got me to model. In fact, she recalls, she was the one who "discovered" me. Very star-like.
Her initial reaction was, "You seem to have lost a lot of weight." Hint number one: We are looking for someone who is much fatter than you. Why the heck did you lose weight?
"I am not that thin. I am still fat... I still have flabs and love handles," was my reply. I was supposing I could reassure her that I was still cut out for this project.
And so I waited... and waited... and got to talk to a co-"model." I really like that, calling myself a commercial model. Hahahaha.... Anyway, I got a lot of background info on the TVC (TV Commercial) from him. I found out that he was a cousin of a famous athlete/commercial model/schoolmate of mine back in college. And then he was called in.
Urgh! More minutes of agonizing waiting!
And then my name was called. My sweet sounding name! It's my turn to show off! As I entered the room, my new-found friend told me to prepare to strip. I was like, "OK, that won't be a problem."
"Your name please... How old are you Donnell? And your height? OK, look at the camera... now turn to your right.... turn your head to the camera... now smile... OK, now to the left.... turn your head to the camera... now smile... OK. Thank you."
That's it?!? I mean, I was supposed to strip, wasn't I? I was supposed to be this beach blob who will emerge from underwater as a beach hunk, right?
Hint number two: You are not what we are looking for. You are not fat enough. Thank you for you time. If we do have another project, we'll keep you in mind. The one ahead of you is fatter than you. He is perfect for the role.
Disappointing, true. I mean, I have waited all my life for a big break like this, going to Boracay to do a shoot. And now, I lost my only hope of being a commercial model -- being too fat. Now, I am just fat. None of the too there. All because I want to feel great and love my body more.
They say that for every Yin, there is a Yang. For every action, and equal and opposite reaction. Saddening as it is, there is still hope left in me. I might have lost the commercial, but I guess I am also enjoying the fruits of my diet and exercise. Although I still have to wait a couple more months (or years) before I could actually wear speedo bikini-type swimming trunks. There will be other commercials for me, I know. There will be other breaks...
...I hope.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Orca: Forward Looking
This week is definitely something to look forward to, at least for me.
I am about to close a publication (close being a term for having it released to the printers), an exam to pass, a paper to submit... It is just plain toxic.
But behind all these toxicities in the week, there are actually somethings that I am looking forward to with great anticipation.
This afternoon, I will be on my way to a VTR. It's something unlike the commercial I have done before, where I did play a support character. It is a VTR for an island-hopping TVC. Whatever the product or government agency the VTR will be scouting talents for, only heaven knows. And with heaven, I mean those in the top level of the advertising industry. Hahahaha... Does it give away my awe for the crazy industry called advertising? I suppose so.
My only wish is that I do bag the role for whatever commercial it may be. It has been two months since I last did a commercial (as if it were on a regular basis. Believe me it's not. It was my first and only commercial so far).
I received a text message yesterday informing me about the VTR. They asked me if I knew how to swim. Of course I know how to swim! I was a dolphin in one of my past lives. I was a killer whale almost all my life. It is now that I am enjoying my new role (and size) as a baby orca.
I immediately sent them a reply (or a query) that indeed, I know how to swim, and what outfit is needed, and when is the scheduled shoot. As if I was really the one to bag the role. Hahahaha... Definitely, if shoot will be this weekend, I will not be able to make it as I would be out of town. And the reason I asked for the outfit is because I am scared to be wearing trunks, as in bikini trunks, in public. I only wear those when I am in my own private environment. Talk about psycho! Imagine the reaction of the people if ever they see me in trunks! The ad might be banned by the local regulating body if ever they make me do something like that! Orca for Speedo. Que horror!
Another thing that I am looking forward to is my trip to Baguio this weekend. I will stand as a secondary sponsor in my cousin's wedding. It will be my first time to see Baguio in ages (last trip there was in 2001). At least now, I will get a glimpse of the famous SM Baguio, the most beautiful SM ever built in the country -- so they say. I will get to rummage through the UKs in the city (UK is a term we use for ukay-ukay) and get new wardrobe for my new baby Orca look. I will be able to show my grand aunt that I am now a baby Orca, which is a big difference from the last time she saw me. I mean, I was a blue whale back then, not even an Orca. I will be able to go to places I wasn't able to go to before in Baguio! Isn't it quite obvious that I am really excited about this trip? Naaaah... I don't think so.
There is really much to look forward to this week. But I guess the thing that I am looking forward to the most is this month's salary.
I am about to close a publication (close being a term for having it released to the printers), an exam to pass, a paper to submit... It is just plain toxic.
But behind all these toxicities in the week, there are actually somethings that I am looking forward to with great anticipation.
This afternoon, I will be on my way to a VTR. It's something unlike the commercial I have done before, where I did play a support character. It is a VTR for an island-hopping TVC. Whatever the product or government agency the VTR will be scouting talents for, only heaven knows. And with heaven, I mean those in the top level of the advertising industry. Hahahaha... Does it give away my awe for the crazy industry called advertising? I suppose so.
My only wish is that I do bag the role for whatever commercial it may be. It has been two months since I last did a commercial (as if it were on a regular basis. Believe me it's not. It was my first and only commercial so far).
I received a text message yesterday informing me about the VTR. They asked me if I knew how to swim. Of course I know how to swim! I was a dolphin in one of my past lives. I was a killer whale almost all my life. It is now that I am enjoying my new role (and size) as a baby orca.
I immediately sent them a reply (or a query) that indeed, I know how to swim, and what outfit is needed, and when is the scheduled shoot. As if I was really the one to bag the role. Hahahaha... Definitely, if shoot will be this weekend, I will not be able to make it as I would be out of town. And the reason I asked for the outfit is because I am scared to be wearing trunks, as in bikini trunks, in public. I only wear those when I am in my own private environment. Talk about psycho! Imagine the reaction of the people if ever they see me in trunks! The ad might be banned by the local regulating body if ever they make me do something like that! Orca for Speedo. Que horror!
Another thing that I am looking forward to is my trip to Baguio this weekend. I will stand as a secondary sponsor in my cousin's wedding. It will be my first time to see Baguio in ages (last trip there was in 2001). At least now, I will get a glimpse of the famous SM Baguio, the most beautiful SM ever built in the country -- so they say. I will get to rummage through the UKs in the city (UK is a term we use for ukay-ukay) and get new wardrobe for my new baby Orca look. I will be able to show my grand aunt that I am now a baby Orca, which is a big difference from the last time she saw me. I mean, I was a blue whale back then, not even an Orca. I will be able to go to places I wasn't able to go to before in Baguio! Isn't it quite obvious that I am really excited about this trip? Naaaah... I don't think so.
There is really much to look forward to this week. But I guess the thing that I am looking forward to the most is this month's salary.
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