I Knew Physics Wasn't That Hard!

Money Isn't Everything... [PIC]

In this economic crisis. It's proved that Money isn't everything. So send me your money and i will suffer for you.

Seriously...

*YAWN*

I only had 2 hours of sleep today. The mother of my daughter asked to use the scanner at home and that didnt happen.

I've been picking up tickets like crazy at work and ready to pass out.

*YAWN*

I hate it when this happens

Leonardo Da Vinci's Notebook

Finally a scanned version of perhaps the most idea-filled notebook by the creative yet elusive Leonardo Da Vinci.

http://www.bl.uk/collections/treasures/digitisation.html

Too bad, I cant look it up at work because of a few JavaScript revisions but hey!

That hasnt stopped me yet. May be it'll inspire me with a few ideas of my own I can spawn upon the world.

Freaky Friday

45 chats on the queue

3 Windows

Multitudes of idiots

What fuck is going on?

Another Sign That I Don't Understand

It's probably just me but I think this is German for no standing. Sit goddammit, sit!

Moving Forward

I missed her company. Too bad she's leaving.

Oh well, it's sad but what's new?

Maybe in the next life we could have been...not at this time though.

The Art Of Conversation

How I miss people who pratice the art of conversation.

It was said that conversation is a dying art. It's been a while since I've talked to people who can really converse.

I may be hanging with the wrong crowd. I miss my friends back in highschool. We may have been high all the time but I remember them well.

I wonder what they are all doing right now. Hmmm....

Hair Loss Has It's Advantages

I had my first haircut in 5 years!

I wonder what the people at work will say...

I'm not that impressed with my haircut but it's a start!

Hair Loss Has It's Advantages

I had my first haircut in 5 years!

I wonder what the people at work will say...

I'm not that impressed with my haircut but it's a start!

The Journey Has Just Begun

What happens in Cebu stays in Cebu.

Tee hee!

11.59PM

Writing this through email since I can't bring my phone to work. It's a few seconds before midnight.


My journey starts...

Ooops! I Think We Made A Bad Investment

I just have to say this....

The global economy tripped up.

Is capitalism starting to get weak on the knees?

Here we go again...

Tsk, tsk, tsk

Garfield Propaganda

I didn't realize that it was already a Monday...

(sigh)

Broken Memory Cards

I'm glad I was able to crash a ride with a friend down south.

Work has been stressful as of late plus I've been puking on excel formulas.

Reports, reports, reports.

I had to take the edge off with some tea before marching on to my bed. Today had it's first. My first time in a little less than a decade ordering something hot at Starbucks.

Green Tea Latte surprisingly works for my urge for a hot drink. It's not bad but I think Figaro will remain on top of my list.

I was fiddling with some Hi-Res pictures from my last trip to a relatively uninhabited beach. Too many writes on the card broke my SD that lasted 4 years.

I guess it's time to buy a new one, so after choking on the last few drops (the syrupy bottom end did not agree with my throat!) I found myself at the front of the local CRD King chain. Got myself a 2GB micro-SD with an adapter for Php 420.00.

So far so good. Never ever use your phone to muck with Hi-Res photos. Too much data writing will kill it.

Especially on very cheap ones!

End Of Days

Tonight's the last day in DayS. I chose NightS because I really need the money. I'm not in any serious debt but a preemptive strike against debt would relieve a little pressure on my bill fold.

Too bad I didn't enjoy the gathering as much. I just came from a drinking session at Alan's last night & got home around 4:30AM.

Besides the lack of sleep, it's sad to say a few people can't hold there drink & this person I work with just really pissed me off while going home. Threatening me with what they can.

Be glad I am calm, cool, and collective and not abrasive as I was before. I wont stoop to their level because they are obviously beneath me.

Huh?!??!

What? I made the PA Internship?

Well, dip me in glue, blow feathers on me and call me [C] hicken!

When You Watch On A Big Ass Screen...

Here I am watching Star Wars: Clone Wars alone on a guaranteed seating....

This is the best 140 bucks I ever spent!

It's not because of the movie but because the lack of audience in the cinema.

How would you feel if you had the whole screen to yourself?

This is what exactly happened to me tonight!

I reserved a ticket and I came in 40 minutes earlier to make sure I did not lose my seat.

I didn't lose my seat but even better I had the whole screen to myself. I don't normally raise my feet on the railing of the movie house. It's uncouth & frowned upon...

Except for this night! Ha ha

The interesting shit that I go through sometimes cracks me up!

Now, I can crash & pass out. I still got work tomorrow.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! - An Impression

I just caught the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show in cable. It looks ok. In case you don't remember Jimmy Kimmel is...Well, he's one half of the now defunct Man Show featured in Comedy Central.

A show of comedy mixed with male debauchery & not really recommended for immature audiences.


The show I caught featured Katherine McPhee. One of the hottest females I have ever seen in American Idol.

I am surprised that she just got married & an acquaintance mentioned that she tied the knot with some old guy.

How lucky can a guy get?


There was also a featured up & coming comedienne from laughingmyaoff.com.

She could be a hit. I've heard some of her material when she did a 10 minute stand up & it's actually fresh.

Too bad they showed a recent episode. I wish Star World showed it since it's inception.

We could have had some continuity.

I just remembered that it's been a while since I watched a movie.

I'll see if I can find a date. Just a friendly one, nothing romantic.

Oh well, it's time crash & pass out. I feel stressed out from work & dividing time with Erin. I love seeing Erin but there are other obligations to work on.

A Secret Thought To A Secret World

I've been very bored the past week or so. I feel very lethargic. Every time I wake up for work, torpor seeps to the day that just begun and I always wish it would just end.

I wake up and feel that I don't know anyone & I feel like a different person. It's like I don't know myself. Which reminds me I plan on getting my first skin ink this September. Something to remember the big 3-0. A Greek saying that translates to

ΚΑΤΑ ΤΟΝ ΔΑΙΜΟΝΑ ΕΑΥΤΟΥ

It's true, I don't know how to be myself. I don't even know anyone anymore. Maybe I should keep to myself again & watch what everyone is doing.

I made arrangements with a co-worker to get me a copy of Peter Gabriel's Secret World live album. I'm not necessarily a big fan of live albums but then I ate my own words.

When I heard the music and the words, it felt like something stirred. I felt better for some reason. I always thought that I'd be torporic for the longest time yet now I have something to look forward to, at least for the meantime.

I'd highly recommend the album. It's a big hit in my book. Usually when I hear a live album it feels a bit detached yet this one feels like I am part of it. I watched the concert on youtube & you'd be surprised that these songs include simple choreography that looks fun to do!

I remember I attended some sort of praise concert once back in high school. I was always willing to try something new with my old highschool friends. It was a religious high for me. Speaking in tongues can be a good thing to do when you are unable to express your raw emotions. I'm guessing Ursula Dudziak felt great when she sang songs in the scat jazz format.

I checked some of the Secret World videos and you won't feel detached from a third person perspective. I felt like I was part of the music. Look up Shaking The Tree in youtube, it's absolutely awesome!

I always liked Solsbury Hill when I first heard it in Rockstar: Supernova. The part where Toby Rand bopped the bongos during the song was amazing!

I said it once and i'll say it again. I don't easily impress but watching the Secret World concert was impressive to say the least.

It was inspiring & makes the world a bit brighter despite the way everything seems to crumble around you.

I miss that feeling, I wish you could bring it back at will then maybe life would be a bit more bearable.

Lost In Translation

I received a forwarded SMS regarding a quote from Bob Ong, a writer who writes truths in paper lined with humor. His writings are actually interesting...if only I did not have difficulty reading in Tagalog.

It is very embarassing for me to translate the local language into english so that I can understand. Just for kicks I translated the SMS message into english & sent it to the sender.

I don't know if she got the joke but I found it entertaining. Maybe I should start doing that when I don't understand something. Translate in my head to something I could digest in my mind & absorb it's contents.

I hope I don't get lost when I do....

Bad Storm Blues Party

Have I ever mentioned that during my work weekends I have a small group I call my My Girls?

Yep, you read it right and no I am not sleeping with them or anything like that. A bad storm was brewing outside the office on a lazy Sunday. One of my girls couldn't reach the office premises because of the bad weather and she felt sick & claims to be throwing up like an anorexic. I offered to cover for her during her absence. I was just fortunate enough to come in before the storm. My girl was supposed to come in earlier than me but due to unfortunate circumstances she could not make it even to take half the day off due to the weather. It was ok though. My issues with her have already passed after a few months of not talking to her. Time does heal I guess but like I said it leaves scars.

This storm has been brewing for 2 days now & very unpredictable. It's sunny & warm out then suddenly the clouds darken, the wind whistles an evil tune & the sky weeps...or spits on the window depending on how you describe a bad weather.

I must be very lucky this week. I partied out last night at Mark's because it was Trish's birthday, I came in a few minutes after 12AM. The birthday girl seems tired, she's taking up law now at my old college & she looks haggard, unsure of herself, and thinking the amount of words she has to read. Bah! I'm glad I didn't take up law. I probably would've just wasted my time reading & memorizing something I probably won't even use. Then again there father is part of the business of jurisprudence & somehow it is very interesting but it's a body too deep for me to swim in.

I brought my umbrella today when I didn't yesterday which was when I needed it most.

This past week has been lucky. Erin & I still have a date on Wednesday & I am taking half of the day off to watch Lea Salonga's Cinderella at the CCP.

The Word Of The Day Is Outage

It's always sad to know when a co-worker leaves the program. Apparently there was an outage under the account I work for. We were always told that only leads can declare an outage but as it turns out we can too!

A pregnant co-worker got first dibs on the ticket. We on DayS(hift) don't have a lead to consult after 1PM & our west coast counterparts leave for the day after 8AM so we are pretty much left to ourselves. What kills me is that other co-workers who had a lead later that time did not know whether they should declare it or not. The lead did not know either probably due to a lack of training since he just came on board or he was uniformed of the process for outage.

Well, I hear top management tried to keep my co-worker on the program but losing $7 million isn't something you can just wave away. It was also on that day of the outage that it was posted on the intranet that last quarter loss was $33 billion and they are struggling with a bad economy but things are still afloat. Do I dare blame operations management, training, or just lack of common sense. It's actually all those three but of course, there is nothing else to be said. The shit had hit the fan already and at the very least this was salvaged with some damage control.

Outage is the word of the day my dear reader...I will risk getting blamed for firing up the smoke signals indicating an outage rather than ignoring the emergency at hand.

I wish this preganant co-worker the best of luck & hopefully nothing like this happens again...

Missed Tasks

I was supposed to make a facebook group today for WaMu TSG. I checked on my finances and had to postpone it for a later date.

No one's at home as usual, haven't had a decent meal for a while so scoffed up some pizza and reluctantly paid for it from what I had left on my billfold.

Hmm...i hope I can fulfill my plans next week. I still have to go to the Cinderella play next week with Erin and still do some work on a few projects that I have been working on.

The last thing I need right now is this harsh temperature. It's like 90° out...well, not really but you get the idea. I feel a storm coming up soon enough....again, it's the last thing I need.

Erin & An Arab

I took my best girl out today. I promised her I'd buy her something if she finished the writing book in 3 weeks. I'm glad she did. She probably had help from her mom. It was good nonetheless.

So we went out & we just walked around SM. She chatted up on what has been happening since the last time I saw her about her grandfather having a stroke & has difficult seeing which of course I'm really sorry to hear. She also talked about something about her mom & this co-worker that she has been seeing and her of course being together. I think what she was trying to say is that they went out or something. Being a 5 year old she left out the details. I'm glad she got to spend time with her mom. I've always felt that Erin was being neglected but I guess that is me feeling guilty not seeing her often.

I bought her a small billiard table that came with a overpriced tag price because it was branded off with HighSchool Musical, which seems to be very appealing to her. It seems to me that the whole world is akin to the show. All fruity songs about love and whatnots and whatcoulds.

Interestingly enough I caught up with my own parents at Starbucks. They talked a bit and since they were still waiting for my sister for dinner & they asked us to join them. Hey! It's a free dinner so why not. Since there was nothing much to do, I asked if she wanted to go ride the roller coaster. Being the kid and all you could see her eyes light up. I guess I forgot to mention that I am a bit strapped for cash but this is my best girl we are talking about so I went ahead with it. She always enjoyed that roller coaster maybe because she was in the mood for a little adrenalin. I didn't mind myself. I told her about this interesting tidbit I caught wind of in CSI. One of the leads rode the roller coaster when he got depressed or wanted to think. I myself would want to try something like that I guess but the ride at SM lacks the adrenalin I'd like to endure.

Anyway, we went back & had dinner at Tempura. She tried to use the chopsticks and started playing with it. The kind waiters saw her frustration and mine trying to learn and me trying to teach her how to use it, they proffered up a banded up pair used to train them for use. I told her to eat her vegetables and had some noodles too! I'm very proud of Erin when she knows when to behave. I don't mind her being a bit naughty sometimes, it's part of a kid's life I guess. It's both endearing and engaging to see her decide what's right and wrong then act on it.

After dinner, I asked her to join me so that we can walk around & I ended up with my usual after meal cigarette. I tried to test her on counting and this Arab nearby saw us and tried to teach her himself. It was kind of surprising and he was teaching my best girl to count in Farsi. There were only 2 numbers that I remember. Nen is 2 and Ashram is 10. I was looking at Erin and she suddenly became shy but you could also see he was curious as to who this stranger was.

I talked with the guy a bit and he says he was from the U.A.E. with family for vacation. I remember a friend working in Abu Dhabi that mentioned that it was summer there so I guess this warm weather isn't as bad. We are just probably not used to it.

We went back to Tempura and I just couldn't help smiling at Erin because I just knew she had an interesting day. I had one myself and I'm glad I spent it with my best girl!

Lazy Sunday

Lazy indeed!

I just picked up a few tickets that were still unowned. I've noticed that the weather has been warm as of late. So I played some tunes off my workstation speakers

(By the way, my play lists seems to agree with everyone today!)

The cute one from the office and another female co-worker borrowed my audio plug and they watched Knocked Up on the latter's 3rd gen Nano. Funny to think what people will do when they're bored.

There I go again taking pictures & videos of everyone. An idea popped into my head. Why not create a WaMu TSG facebook group so that we can put faces on the peeps we chat & talk with for support?

Everyone seems to agree with it. Tomorrow I'm starting that after seeing Erin or maybe the day after tomorrow.

I was browsing about El DeBarge in Wikipedia. Ha ha ha I just got a new track from an officemate...in a related note, I also found out that Aztec Camera,a band from the 80's when blue button down shirts & pink undershirts were the style of that time did a somewhat lighthearted rendition of Jump which was a Van Halen original. It was refreshing to hear a more light hearted tone and I just can't stop playing it in my head.

I also happened to chance upon the wikipedia entry for The Doors and found out that Jim Morrison's grave is located in Paris. I posted an interesting Greek saying here. (Link pending till I get my new blog up)

The same saying led me to another interesting blog made by Tony Powell. Interesting stuff if I may say so.

I'm a the coffee bean & tea leaf right now writing this since I am in no hurry to get home.

Just a few minutes alone with my thoughts....

Blog Comments

An acquaintance chanced upon my blog and asked why I referred to my best girl as mine. It seemed pretty selfish she said. True enough I thought that Erin is mine but it's even blatantly true that I should mention Erin as OUR daughter.

I'd like to be fair to the mother, I thought. Even if we don't speak much anymore she still is part of something special & it physically exists.

Come to think of it I do miss Erin. I haven't seen her for quite sometime. I'm glad my half-day got approved even if I can't file it as paid which for some strange reason I still don't understand. I think I should talk to our Operations Manager and check with him.

Frankly, I guess for political reasons but that's too much assumption.

I'll look up Erin next week even if I don't take her out. I'm scrimping on cash right now and trying to make the odds & ends of this energy crisis.

It sickens me to know that we still rely on an 80 year old fuel that is slowly causing disruption in the whole social strata. I hope we fast track on renewable energy resource soon. It's just a matter of time...

For how long? I don't know

On to the lighter side of this post, I had a short chat & walk with this really cute girl from the office. Again, she is way taller than me...how frustrating is that? Oh well, I guess this ended not as light as I had hoped.

He he

In Debt & A Short Skirt

I've been consistently watching How I met your mother...Robin wears lots of skirts...i love girls in skirts, they're sexy

I'm in debt by the way not that much but still in debt. Blame it on credit cards....don't use them for small purchases. It's like sticking needles slowly on your spine. It'll hurt a bit only but a lot of it may soon hit a nerve and just paralyze you.

Sometimes capitalism doesn't really work...tsk tsk

I Forgot My Umbrella & 6 Other Excuses

This sucks!

Instead of getting some shuteye tonight, the rain suddenly poured...

(Excuse #1) Just when I forgot my umbrella

I feel dizzy because...

(Excuse #2) I handled 30+ tickets today

I am thinking of leaving my current employ...

(Excuse #3) because of the rising cost of gas that just hit the Php 60 mark

I am broke & down to my last moolah

(Excuse #4) because some people depend on me to pay for their wants

I still remain unattached

(Excuse #5) since I can't find anyone who matches my standards

Ha ha, I just ran out of excuses (Excuse #6)

Freakonomics

I just computed daily expenses & it seems I have to decide if I want to stay in the company I work for a little longer. If gas prices start hitting the Php 75 mark I should start applying somewhere else.

It just does not make financial sense anymore. I am probably going to give myself till the end of the year to make a decision. If I don't get a bigger paycheck soon it seems there is need to think about my economic strategy. I have to make up for my losses & I can't get from point A to point B with this kind of energy crisis affecting the global economic situation.

There are still a lot of plans to be made & soon I'm turning 3 decades and it is sad to say I am starting to feel the purse strings tighten.

I am now at a crossroads at what to do.

Think...

Desperate or Bored?

Hmm...i'd like your opinion on something. Is it just me or is it because of boredom I am starting to watch chick flicks on DVD?

I have watched Grey's Anatomy & I sort of like it because of the surgery & the drama behind the surgeries (Actually, Kathy Hiegl is sooo...whew! That's the real reason). I can't call myself a fan because I forget the names or the exact details in the series, but it's entertaining.

I just started watching Private Practice, a so and so series spinoff of the aforementioned....and for some reason I get it, despite it's predictability.

It's not entertaining but Shonda Rhimes has written a more clean, honest, & stereotypical comedy-drama. It's so goody goody series but it kind of works. You just have to learn to appreciate the good side of human drama. I'm not saying that Grey's Anatomy is the opposite of Private Practice but the former is more intense as the latter is more light-hearted, mature & uncomplicated.

By the way, the highlight today is Wanted...the movie with Angelina Jolie-Pitt & Morgan Freeman. It was a very cool & action-centered film.

I give it 5 out of 5 tickets! (Sieskel & Ebert will start cussing my name just about now.)

Dinner out with my best girl was so and so. I wish I wasn't as tired, I would have loved to be with her the whole day. Well, easy come, easy go. Her mom & my almost In-law was there. I'm not complaining but I'd like to spend more time with Erin alone.

Anyway, it was a day of some note. I gotta go, I have a full sleep schedule tommorrow & it's going to be a busy day!

Slow Sunday

Yessiree! It's a slow day at work. I had a somewhat decent conversation with someone at the office. Too bad we don't have any common interest (or I may be just jumping to conclusions)

I'd love to ask her out for dinner sometime. Get to know her better.

I just want to have dinner with someone smart!

I hope that isn't too much to ask.

Workstation Synapse

I just got home after a gruelling day of ticket & chat handling. They say that good things come and go & it's sad to say that the good has gone.

I am not even sure why I am staying. I hope BBC isn't as bad. If I ever get the chance to move there....

I am thinking of opening up a new blog just put in what I think are fragments of thoughts and ideas that hopefully someone can use.

Gosh, I need some sleep...My lips are starting to touch my own chest...*Yawn*

Paranoid?

A bird watcher who hates being watched for awake open heart surgery?

How paranoid can one be?

I myself try not to but of course old habits die hard. I just use more finesse in being paranoid I guess.

Oh well...

This is a story for the presses...

I took my best girl out!

We watched Kung Fu Panda which I thought was pretty funny. Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman & by golly, Angelina Pitt-Jolie starred in the animation!

I also got an SMS from an old contact and is offering PBX services and from what I hear, it's a pretty cheap price.

I asked a friend to see if he is interested he says he's willing to listen so tonight, I am setting up a meeting in Figaro GB3.

Looks like it's going to be a full week for me....

Alchemy - Just Another Party

I'm a bit hammered so i'll keep this one short

There were girls & I met someone named Maggie, a girl out of my league. One of the dancers who was part of the production party that organized whole shebang. She was wearing this really short skirt.

(Did I mention that I'm turned on by girls in skirts?)

I skipped early since I eventually got bored. Besides I had a picture taken with Maggie, the first was when I kissed her on the cheek which caused her to run! Ha ha I guess she got offended so the next chance I got her alone I apologized & promised her a decent picture but I don't remember who took it. Damn, that was a waste.

Anyhoo, I crashed at Pao's for a while then I went home....or so I thought. I ended up in a friend's place and she took me to the bus terminal the next morning.

I don't remember the in-betweens but I'm hoping nothing that I would regret happened.

Ah well, I sometimes miss highschool then again I know i'd regret it. I'm glad I turned out alright though. Sometimes it's nice to fool around but you always have to consider the consequences.

Lesson learned!

Lazy Day...

It's a lazy day. I think tomorrow I'll ask someone out.

I hear The Happening is bitching! Last night, I asked someone out & The Incredible Hulk happens to be very appealing. Thanks to Cathy, she spoiled a piece of the movie. Tony Stark did a cameo. I was surprised that Lou Ferrigno was there too! Except for the wrinkles, the dude is still alive. His hearing problem is a bit obvious to the trained eye.

This year's Hulk movie is better than the old Eric Bana version. The latter was boring as some people I know. At least I got what I paid for.

I wonder who I can ask. I don't want to rotate dates yet but I fear the list has been growing short as of late.

Decisions, decisions, decisons.

I might succumb to dating in the office. I hope I find someone for myself.

Gas(p!)

I just could not believe my eyes when I passed the Shell gas station...

58.86

See what I mean? You'd be surprised yourself & I don't drive that much.

Hold on, I think I just heard my wallet scream bloody murder!

I Finally Found Some Songs!

Finally found Parang Bowling by Ethnic Faces! After years of searching I finally found it in IMEEM. I also downloaded a couple of MP3'S from Anjo's DSL connection. It's freaking awesome!

I forgot my earphone's at Alan's & just bought a pair of new Sennheiser M51's. It includes a lanyard & comes with a 2 Year warranty so I guess it kind of works out for me.

Gosh! I hope I don't over spend on my card. I hope to get a better paycheck this 15th. Cross your fingers lest I drown in debt!

Post Date Review

You may be wondering what happened on my date with a girl 9 yrs my junior...let's just say she could've been better.

She's OK although there is nothing worth noting. I don't know what was in me but she held most of the conversation. I should have probably told her that I do not impress easily. Oh well, we may setup another date.

After reading Scott's review of a movie claiming disappointment, I asked a friend this afternoon to watch Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls. This actually reminds me of the old Tin Tin graphic novels. Maybe I should complete my copies of them.

Hmm....

Waste Markets

I found this in one of the mailing lists I subscribe to...

SM Supermalls also has the "Trash to Cash" event every first Saturday
of the month, 8 am to 2 pm.
====
Ayala Foundation has a project called Solid Waste Management. They have a
team which, together with other groups, organizes a waste market every
Friday at different locations. Every first Friday they are at the Goldcrest
parking lot near Landmark and (old) Anson's Makati, second Fridays they are
at Trinoma parking area, and third Fridays they are at Alabang Town Center.
Very successful organized regular events.

You can call up Adel or Tin or Camille at 7521084.

I think I should show up in one of these events and just drop off some stuff for some cash. Help the world and make some money off of it never hurts I guess.

Dating a 21-Year Old

An acquaintance set me up on a semi-blind date & get this...

A 21 Year old!

I know I told myself I won't date anyone over 2 yrs younger than me but she appeals to me. I thought to myself why not give it a try.

Let's see what happens on Saturday when we go out on our first date...

DayS(hift!)

I think I have allergies. I guess I am allergic to waking up so early for work.

Bwahahaha

WaMu Training Day

I broke it off with the girl I've been seeing. I don't think it'll work out for some reason (well, I can think up a few in a snap) I just don't see her happy. Besides she claims to have a lot of what she wants to call "meantime" relationships. I don't want to be a statistic. I want to stand out. Perhaps this is payback for the shit I've pulled off in high school. Going out on multiple dates at the same time. Now maybe fates retribution. Sometimes I hate myself but I know I put myself in that situation so I have to deal with it.

Anyway, I'm on day shift right now & after a day of Siemens history lectures ( which I will call Siemens Appreciation day for comic effect) I am hoping there will be no exams about it. I did learn a few new nuggets of useless information (useless for my line of work or useful if I plan on being the official Siemens tourist guide) It was boring. I can't say much yet by I am kinda stoked to be in a new account & do a lot of tech calls...i mean service desk calls. I can't explain it in detail since I don't feel like posting much today. I feel a fever coming up soon but I still have to go to work no matter what.

I hope tomorrow's lectures will be more informative & be actually interesting for once!

Doubt

I think I have found someone....

It's against my principles but now I am starting to doubt my own integrity.

Let's see what happens....

Deprived

It's been 3 days already. I haven't had much sleep.

The first 2 days of work I felt like I was in a seething 48 hour drunken stupor. Light headed, too warm for comfort, and dead tired.

The girl I asked out for breakfast woke me up.

I'm a very light sleeper, a little noise can wake me up like a fog horn in a port. I'm not exactly complaining though.

I'm glad it's nearing the end of the work week. I can't go for so long without sleep. Not like in my younger years.

*yawn*

I better try getting more sleep while I'm on a bus towards home.

Tuvo Una Fiesta Con Pablo

I partied out last saturday.

Pao's fiesta birthday bash.

I woke up late & hurried over. I didn't feel like wearing jeans that night, it was just too warm. I didn't want to wear the new shirts that I bought because I wanted to have them washed first, it's always a good idea. You never know who wore them and on the plus side, you get to smell like you were freshly laundered. When I arrived in Pasig, the drinks just started flowing. I had the buffalo wings made by Prec.

It was the best i've ever had!!

I just kept on nibbling & nibbling just before I had the vodka that was being passed around. There was a lot of singing & a lot of joking around. I sort of felt overdressed despite wearing shorts. I was comfortable though & didn't care if my shirt was not exactly proportional to my shorts. Then again, I never really cared how I look like. Ha ha

After a few rounds of bad singing & some drinks the toker was passed. It had the effect of sniffing Nitrous Oxide & the munchies, did I mention that the buffalo wings are excellent? Gee, I think I did.

I guess a few hits on chronic is showing it's after effects. Everything was just fun!

All this while, this girl back at the office & I were throwing out messages. It's a slow day at the floor. 30 minutes avail is great for an agent. It's just too bad they blocked out internet access so I imagine it could've been boring & relaxing at the same time. I just can't help it. We just so like talking about stuff. I asked her out eventually about bantering on office life & their GA. I don't know why but I felt I was going to be a long way home. It was my off anyway so I had to give myself a chance. Why not take her out for breakfast? So, I did. She said yes. I finished the party & crashed at Cathy's.

I knew we were talking about who & what to date in the office. Just a little romanticizing. He He I don't remember the conversation but we did fall asleep eventually. I woke up after an hour or two of sleep. I bought myself a toothbrush & let her know that I'd be there around 7:30am.

I didn't know what time Heaven & Eggs opened. We were originally deciding Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Starbucks. I didn't like starbucks & she doesn't like CBT&L so we opted for that. It was breakfast anyway. She brought along Emmie. I think she was her OIC on her team. It was ok. It's not as if we were going to be romantically involved.

Anyway, we were talking about office work & office life. Emmie had to go home. My date lived not more than 5 mins by can from Eastwood so we spent more time together. I even got a free drink from that conversation after Emmie left.

The Starbucks coffee jelly has these little square jellies inside...It's like nipples in a cup! Ha Ha Ha It was a great 6 hours talking & discoursing on various topics.

Now, that was the best weekend I've had so far. Here's to dating & a very intelligent conversation over free stuff!

Bwahaha

Political Chess (Account Transferring) Part 1

It looks like fate has changed it's tune it ain't what I initially heard. The rank & file employees whisper a different name as shift manager...Derrick.

I've worked with him once when he was still in the SILO team. Oh we've had our conflicts & some good times too! I still have to be wary & cautious though. He has changed & I believe he is tainted by a certain person's influence. He is now a company man, no longer the former D. He's just known as Derrick.

Well, it's better than Chad I guess. Baby steps as Maggi says. Let's wait for the story to unfold.

Political Chess (Account Transferring)

Someone at the office caught a little info in a network resoruce back at the office. They say I'm moving to WaMu as an L2 and guess who the rumored Shift Supervisor is...Chad!

(Let's all hold our breath for a moment)

Now, if this happens to be true I guess my stay in the company will be shorter than expected. I do not have a professional problem with Chad. Hey! If it's worth it he's very good at pushing performance metrics to it's limit. Everyone does have a problem with the way he handles people. I mean seriously, what can he do to improve what I am capable of? His personality is better off in an uptight organization & I do not ever plan on staying with an uptight culture.

I've had enough of that. I am comfortable where I am & I believe I'm better off using my capabilities elsewhere...thank you very much!

We'll see what happens...

LCD TV Mania

I was just inspired by Scott Little's setup. He bought himself a good deal on a Toshiba Regaza 42" that came with a 32" and the latter was used as a computer monitor. The colors were not as impressive as a full LCD but this might be due to the limits on resolution. I'm not much of a gamer but I think it makes sense to have an LCD TV for both computing tasks & TV/Vide viewing. They say that LCD TV's are more energy efficient compare to CRT's of old. Frankly, if it helps save in power, i'd like one.

I've been asking around & Gerry Kaimo recommends checking out Listening In Style. (I think I already mentioned this on a previous post) Someone in the list posted their current offerings & I found a Hitachi that fits my budget. TV's usually last long & it take a while before you get tired of it. At less than Php 30,000, it seems like a good buy.

I have to make sure first that I don't put myself up in financial failure. Hopefully before the year ends I can get a decent LCD TV!

So now begins my LCD TV mania...

Now The Show Starts....

I woke at around 4pm.

I sent an SMS message to the people I'd be watching the concert with. They've been hanging out all this time just to make sure they get the best seats we could. The concert starts at 8pm according to the ticket. I took the MRT, slightly sleepy from a rude awakening from my alarm clock & arrived at around 6:03pm. Just about 12 minutes before the set time we were to meet at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Gateway mall. The trip was quite fast. I expected to hit rush hour once the bus I rode left Alabang.

I'm glad I didn't encounter such.

We were waiting for the others to arrive & got in around 6:24pm. The coliseum hasn't changed much. Old & crickety covered up by new construction did not improve its look. Nevertheless, the climate has at least greatly improved & battled the harsh warm air outside which was a welcome change. We got seated around 7:30. The seats we were on have never changed since the '70s I bet. Thin foam & small chairs were a tad uncomfortable. I had my dinner inside, 2 slices of Pizza Hut's super supreme held my hunger at bay. I forgot to mention when I bought a small bottle of water that they had to take the cap. They must have had bad situations which turned the concert into a cap-flinging war among the audience. Kind of reminds me of the last time I was here. The Metallica concert was really rowdy but being in highschool, it was such a blast! I would have wanted to buy a complete meal, yet this would suffice.

We waited through several reruns of the sponsors. I think they mentioned at least half of the radio stations. I would have given them a piece of my mind by just advertising "almost all radio stations, in almost all frequencies sponsored this event!" Oh god, they even showed the future concerts to be held at the coliseum inf future dates. Now, it would be interesting to note that Burt Bacharach would be here with a certain Steve Tyrell. I tend to think he is a so and so lounge singer from Las Vegas. In another minor interesting note, Frank Sinatra's junior has also subjected himself to singing American contemporaries & should also be here soon. I'm glad I won't be there. It would have been much more profitable to do this in a hotel setting with dinner & all that jazz. I don't know much about music but spending my coin in an old foggies son aint particularly my cup of lattè.

Anyhoo, back to the concert proper. There is apparently a front act. A woman who has huge arms & probably related to political wife-cum-actress-cum-singer Sharon Cuneta. Faith Cuneta is her name. I think I saw her in a hotel Ad once. I'm not impressed with her singing or her performance. She could have opted to whet are appetites by singing something upbeat, saldy she went for singing what she thought was best for her. Promoting her album & all that. It was a gruelling 45mins, in my opinion. It pissed off a lot of people who had been waiting for what seemed like hours now. Faith mentioned that the band was still eating backstage. "Sure..." I thought while rolling the eyes in my head. They probably took the MRT or a cab ride at rush hour traffic from the hotel they were staying at.

30 minutes after the lights dimmed & only an opaque light illuminated the stage. The song from Rocky kicked in & a few people with towel in their heads started walking doing practice punches in the air....then there they were Swing Out Sister! The front man (or woman, for the sake of political correctness) started the concert. They were a 5 piece band, vocalist, backup singer, drums, keyboards, bassist, & guitar. I was disappointed that the brass section (I kept refferring to them as the trumpet but was corrected) is not part of the current line up. They sang a few songs from the new album. You should have seen Adrienne. despite her age, she hasn't change from what I saw. She moved as graceful as ever (Basically waving arms like a marionette) & kept her movements undistracting as she sang songs from Beautiful Mess. In the middle, they sang old songs like Twilight Zone, You On My Mind. The latter which majority knew started standing & waving through the rhythm of the song. A jam session ensued & since they've been together for so long you knew everything was well rehearsed! It was amazing! The band itself even did some solos & my being a fan of bass, the black guy was as impressive. I just wish I could afford a bass guitar & an amplifier of my own. The slaps on the string with a crunchy tone was just absolutely mesmerizing. The person next to me even commented that the bassist ran his fingers on the string like Jaco Pastorius, I politely agreed but of course, Jaco liked smooth bass lines playing part of rhythm than standing out in a song. I was still impressed though. Then after an hour, the band left the stage. As expected, everyone started clamoring for "Breakout". I thought that the concert ended but deep inside I knew that more was still to come. In a few minutes the band came out again & Adrienne changed costume apparently. She was now wearing a long dress shirt made from "barong" material. She says she had it made. She knew how to handle herself well, I imagine! I liked her better in the first costume she wore because she really stood out on that one. They started another song & then the climax of the second set, BREAKOUT!!! Everyone knew the lyrics & started to sing along, it wasn't as intense as the original recording without the brass section but still satisfying for a die hard fan. I can't seem to get over the fact that the backup singer reminded me of Chaka Khan! Then a few more songs & the concert ended in a good way. A thousand bucks for 2 hours weren't too bad. I joked to my colleagues that I felt a bit swinged out after waiting than the concert itself but I can't complain. Watching Swing Out Sister live was the best thousand bucks I've spent this year. Overall, I'd give the concert 3 1/2 stars. It was satisfying but I expected more.

Kudos to Swing Out Sister & hopefully they get back to their former glory. I wish them luck!

Swing Out Sister

It's been so long and I would like to start with some news!

I got tickets....


I am really excited!

The LCD TV Plan

I took my leave for the SOS concert & a few more extra days for catching up on some personal business. It seems I have left something like a little more than a thousand emails unanswered.

It's like work email!

I asked around for the best bang for the buck LCD TV which I can use both as a TV & a computer monitor. Gerry, referred me to Listeing in Style. I checked another post that mentioned their current offerings, a Hitachi LCD TV for Php 28,000. It looked like a good deal & I'd like to save up on it since the account I am currently working on is about to close down & I have to renew everything that I know about handling tech support calls.

I think around 30k would be more than enoguh without the monitor. It makes good financial sense to buy myself a new TV/Monitor. The LCD TV uses up less power & I plan on getting some broadband as soon as I can afford it. Cable interent seems ideal but I'd hate to leave my current provider since they offer a better channel line up.

I'll figure that out once I get to that point. For now, I have to leave for work.

Ciao!

Treo 680: The Purchase

Early this year I decided to sell my phone. I did not really have any problems with it but I guess it was time to upgrade. I skipped a generation and probably should have upgraded when I got the chance then. I skipped going home for a few days and crashed at a co-workers pad (Thanks Katie and Pao!).

I got the order from the more reputable Longbeard who sells Macs at a low price. The first time I emailed him regarding the Crimson Red Treo 680 he quoted Php 17,000 and Php 16,500 for the Graphite. During our emails and through Gtalk he seemed quite distracted or uninterested in my questions. It didn't really bother me that much since I was a first time buyer and transactions like these are pretty much based on trust, something which is a prime commodity nowadays. Anyway, I re-confirmed with him that I am getting the Crimson Red Treo 680 plus crystal case and screen protector. He okayed the deal, to be picked up on Wednesdays and I thought everything should run smoothly.

The next day, when I came back to work almost everyone knew I was phone-less and I polled around asking if the Crimson Red looked ok. Some thought it looked too red other's says it was ok but the Arctic White looked better. I agreed with them regarding the Arctic White edition but alas, it is not supported in Asia and If I ran into trouble with the phone they may have to replace it with regular Graphite. I decided that the Red should work as it is rarely found here and I checked with Digital Walker, they are commanding the price of Php 24,900.00!!!

I guess I did get a good deal.

I showed up on Wednesday morning at the agreed upon place to pick up the package. I had difficulty going there since the promised sketch to my email never arrived. I met Dave, his brother I think, and told me that the package has not arrived yet. Tsk, Tsk, Very disappointing, indeed. I was given there home phone number so that I can check if the package has arrived. Since I was already packed and miscalculated a missing shirt which Pao offered to compensate by lending one of his. I sauntered home.

I got home and emailed Longbeard about the situation, he claims Customs delayed the package which is fine since we do not have control of such things. I woke up early that night and called the home phone number and looked for Dave. This man with a gruff voice says he wasn't there, I asked if I can drop by before 10:30PM just in case Dave arrives before that since a deal has already been forged, he says ok and just abruptly hangs up on me. Kind of rude really but based on the gruffness on his voice and his dumbfounded manner I can't blame him to know anything about the package.

I scooted over as fast as I can and arrived just 15 minutes before the time. Dave was dealing with someone else and asked me to sit while he finished with his guests. He went in and brought out the package. He shows that it's sealed and provided the receipt when it was purchased. I checked the bottom sticker, no indication that it was Red. I checked with Dave he says he is not sure as he only receives the packages and picks up the money. He says he will check with Longbeard. A call was placed and he says that the Red now costs Php 18,000. I was astonished. We agreed on the price and I later found out that the screen protector is missing. Dave placed another call and Longbeard says the protector was delayed but should arrive on Friday afternoon. I could not afford to leave without anything so I just took the Graphite at Php 16,500 plus the crystal case and told Dave I'll get the Screen Protector on Saturday morning. Since I already made a down payment I just shelled out the difference and will pay the screen protector once I picked it up, Dave agreed.

I took a cab to the office and opened up the box. Everything was sealed and the phone was factory charged for approximately 30% or so. I inserted my Sim card and there you have it, I have a new phone!

It was a bit of a disappointing transaction but if I wanted the Graphite, despite the delay everything would have gone smoothly.

I'll post my review on the Treo 680 soon.

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Kids can say the darndest things. Innocence can be funny at times. Here's a couple I've either heard of or read off other people's testimonials....

NUDITY

I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening
when a woman in a convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was
stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old
shout from the back seat, "Mom! That lady isn't wearing a seat belt!"

HONESTY

My son Zachary, 4, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he'd
dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So I fished it out and threw it
in the garbage. Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, then ran
to my bathroom and came out with my toothbrush. He held it up and
said with a charming little smile, "We better throw this one out too,
then 'cause it fell in the toilet a few days ago.

OPINIONS

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note
from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child
are not necessarily those of his parents."

KETCHUP

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the bottle.
During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old
daughter to answer the phone. "It's the minister, Mommy," the child
said to her mother. Then she added, "Mommy can't come to the phone to
talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."

MORE NUDITY

A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's
locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with
ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched
in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter haven't you ever seen
a little boy before?"

POLICE ASSISTANCE

While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I
was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and
down at my uniform, she asked, "Are you a cop?" "Yes", I answered and
continued writing the report. "My mother said if I ever needed help I
should ask the police. Is that right?" "Yes, that's right," I told
her. "Well, then, " she said as she extended her foot toward
me, "would you please tie my shoe?"

POLICE AGAINST ANIMALS

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the
station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was
barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. "Is that a dog you
got back there?" he asked. "It sure is," I replied. Puzzled, the boy
looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he
said, "What'd he do?"

ELDERLY

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly
shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon
rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of
old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I
found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I
braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely
turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"

DRESS-UP

A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she
saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't
wear that suit." "And why not darling?" "You know that it always
gives you a headache the next morning."

DEATH

While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister
heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt.
Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead
robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, then had
secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made
ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen
to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his
version of what he thought his father always said: "Glory be the
Faaaather, and unto the Sonnnn..... and into the hole he goooes."

SCHOOL

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just
wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't
write and they won't let me talk!"

BIBLE

A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he
fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the
Bible; he picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an
old leaf that had been pressed in-between the pages. "Mama, look what
I found", the boy called out." What have you got there, dear?" With
astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's
Adam's underwear!"

I Miss My Treo

I just sold my Treo 600 a few hours ago. I miss it already.

I keep on touching my side pocket and get a feel of that big bulge on my pants!

Ha ha ha ha

I'm looking out for a good deal on a Crimson Red Treo 680 and it seems difficult to find a good deal.

Oh well, I'm just venting out and I feel naked without my smartphone.

A Boring End Of The Year

Gee, it's been a while since I last posted. I can't seem to find the time to post anything interesting. Work has always been eating a lot of my time and I can't seem to enjoy the few times I am free. I always end up sleeping during my off days. Ironically, when it's a work day sleep just seems to vanish. I am not sure why but I always worry about something, it's either the bills, work, traffic, Erin, etc.

I don't even know why I start worrying. I've stopped dating for the moment, I just can't find anyone that is actually interesting. I've stopped replying to SMS messages from my dates. I even told one that although it has been fun, I regret to tell her that I am no longer interested. She asked why and I didn't reply back. I hear she is dating someone new nowadays and I am glad she found someone.

I haven't bought anything for myself last year as I am still considering my options. I don't want to be the idiot that lives from paycheck to paycheck to pay credit cards, luxuries like notebooks, iPod's, and whatever cool accessories are the in thing nowadays.

I tried watching TV but nothing really seems interesting. Their are a few bits on the History Channel my cable provider hooked up with but nothing that really makes me focus that much. I just can't concentrate enough as I have a lot of things in mind that just keep me very distracted.

I tried taking up reading but I cannot find anything interesting to read. I try keeping in touch with the goings on of the technology industry but there isn't enough to keep me interested.

I've ditched the idea of buying the Olympus camera I wanted, I think I should get a desktop first. My sister wants to get a new notebook but I discouraged her to spend on it. We already have a notebook and that should suffice for the meantime. I strongly suggest for the first timers who want to buy a notebook to wait a few years. Flash based storage is nearing and this should greatly increase the battery life and get it at a cheaper price range.

I plan on getting a desktop this year with a budget of Php 30,0000. I'm still considering on purchasing a new LCD TV to act as my monitor so that I won't have to spend on two separate appliances that pretty much do the same thing. It's cheaper in the long run.

Perhaps, I'll start with the LCD TV first. I hear the Samsung's are good from the manufacturing industry. I'll start there and move up to a new desktop with a better chassis.

I saw a good deal for a Treo 680 that's arctic white albeit the warranty already expired. I might get that first since Php 16,500 is a steal for such a rare color.

There's a lot I want to buy but resources are currently limited. I told Erin just a few hours ago that I'll stop sending milk. She's turning 6 yrs old this year and hitting the bottle has to stop some time and I've decided that time is now.

The start of the year was boring. We were asked to work on New Year's eve as it transitioned off to 2008. I'm considering of switching accounts. If they won't let me I just might find a different company who can provide a better offer. I don't want to leave yet but I can't work if I don't enjoy the work they give me.

Ah well, Decision, descisions, decisions. There's a lot to decide this year but I'll get over it.

Hopefully everything turns up well for everyone.

Happy New Year!