Life and Chaos
As the wedding date approaches, I am more and more worried about my work. Primarily because I just started and I am still learning the ropes. I don't know how I am being perceived by the people. Am I doing a great job? I suppose it comes from my previous boss who was a bit on the demanding side. I still remember how much it hurt my pride when she said that perhaps she hired the wrong person. Don't get me wrong, I got back to her by telling her that she might be right.
But all that is light years away. I am now with a nice big, humongous law firm and I have a great new boss who seems as sarcastic as I am. He was even insightful enough to hire someone so overtly qualified for the job that it is not even funny. Thus, I find myself sitting for nearly four hours at work writing reports while the rest of the time is spent running myself ragged trying to figure out the system of the lawyers and various other personnel in the firm. And last Friday, the lesson during group meeting was NETWORKING. And so, he took us out to lunch with two other managers and let us get to know them. How good can you get?
I still miss my group however. I thought that I was on the way to building a really great team and I was going to be able to brag about it wherever I went. However, now, I realize just how unprepared scientists can be for the real world. We just function in a very dysfunctional way. In some ways, we reward mediocrity. We suck up to bosses though people will tell you that I never did that after grad school. At any rate, my worries now are just confined to me, myself and I.
On the homefront, things are getting to the line of the wedding. My baptismal certificates are on the way from the Philippines hopefully. I sent in my shoe so that the soles can be changed to leather. Hello dancing shoes! Actually, I was supposed to shop for Florsheim shoes for the wedding. My father always got Florsheim shoes. if it was good enough for such a picky person as him, it was going to be good enough for me. But the salesman at the shoe shop said that Florsheim was just not the same any more.
Speaking of shoe shops, I still go to this small storefront store in Berkeley run by two African-American gentlemen. And I do mean gentlemen. They are old and grizzled, but they call everyone "Sir" and "Maam". You can see that they won't take any lip from anyone. And they are proud to be shoe salesmen. Well, salesmen who happen to work on shoes. I suppose the proper term for them are cobblers.
It is great to see that in this day and age that I can still find someone who likes quality shoes and makes and mends them. For those getting on in years, go to PW Minor to see some nice shoes. Comfy and very nice.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Life and Chaos
As the wedding date approaches, I am more and more worried about my work. Primarily because I just started and I am still learning the ropes. I don't know how I am being perceived by the people. Am I doing a great job? I suppose it comes from my previous boss who was a bit on the demanding side. I still remember how much it hurt my pride when she said that perhaps she hired the wrong person. Don't get me wrong, I got back to her by telling her that she might be right.
But all that is light years away. I am now with a nice big, humongous law firm and I have a great new boss who seems as sarcastic as I am. He was even insightful enough to hire someone so overtly qualified for the job that it is not even funny. Thus, I find myself sitting for nearly four hours at work writing reports while the rest of the time is spent running myself ragged trying to figure out the system of the lawyers and various other personnel in the firm. And last Friday, the lesson during group meeting was NETWORKING. And so, he took us out to lunch with two other managers and let us get to know them. How good can you get?
I still miss my group however. I thought that I was on the way to building a really great team and I was going to be able to brag about it wherever I went. However, now, I realize just how unprepared scientists can be for the real world. We just function in a very dysfunctional way. In some ways, we reward mediocrity. We suck up to bosses though people will tell you that I never did that after grad school. At any rate, my worries now are just confined to me, myself and I.
On the homefront, things are getting to the line of the wedding. My baptismal certificates are on the way from the Philippines hopefully. I sent in my shoe so that the soles can be changed to leather. Hello dancing shoes! Actually, I was supposed to shop for Florsheim shoes for the wedding. My father always got Florsheim shoes. if it was good enough for such a picky person as him, it was going to be good enough for me. But the salesman at the shoe shop said that Florsheim was just not the same any more.
Speaking of shoe shops, I still go to this small storefront store in Berkeley run by two African-American gentlemen. And I do mean gentlemen. They are old and grizzled, but they call everyone "Sir" and "Maam". You can see that they won't take any lip from anyone. And they are proud to be shoe salesmen. Well, salesmen who happen to work on shoes. I suppose the proper term for them are cobblers.
It is great to see that in this day and age that I can still find someone who likes quality shoes and makes and mends them. For those getting on in years, go to PW Minor to see some nice shoes. Comfy and very nice.
As the wedding date approaches, I am more and more worried about my work. Primarily because I just started and I am still learning the ropes. I don't know how I am being perceived by the people. Am I doing a great job? I suppose it comes from my previous boss who was a bit on the demanding side. I still remember how much it hurt my pride when she said that perhaps she hired the wrong person. Don't get me wrong, I got back to her by telling her that she might be right.
But all that is light years away. I am now with a nice big, humongous law firm and I have a great new boss who seems as sarcastic as I am. He was even insightful enough to hire someone so overtly qualified for the job that it is not even funny. Thus, I find myself sitting for nearly four hours at work writing reports while the rest of the time is spent running myself ragged trying to figure out the system of the lawyers and various other personnel in the firm. And last Friday, the lesson during group meeting was NETWORKING. And so, he took us out to lunch with two other managers and let us get to know them. How good can you get?
I still miss my group however. I thought that I was on the way to building a really great team and I was going to be able to brag about it wherever I went. However, now, I realize just how unprepared scientists can be for the real world. We just function in a very dysfunctional way. In some ways, we reward mediocrity. We suck up to bosses though people will tell you that I never did that after grad school. At any rate, my worries now are just confined to me, myself and I.
On the homefront, things are getting to the line of the wedding. My baptismal certificates are on the way from the Philippines hopefully. I sent in my shoe so that the soles can be changed to leather. Hello dancing shoes! Actually, I was supposed to shop for Florsheim shoes for the wedding. My father always got Florsheim shoes. if it was good enough for such a picky person as him, it was going to be good enough for me. But the salesman at the shoe shop said that Florsheim was just not the same any more.
Speaking of shoe shops, I still go to this small storefront store in Berkeley run by two African-American gentlemen. And I do mean gentlemen. They are old and grizzled, but they call everyone "Sir" and "Maam". You can see that they won't take any lip from anyone. And they are proud to be shoe salesmen. Well, salesmen who happen to work on shoes. I suppose the proper term for them are cobblers.
It is great to see that in this day and age that I can still find someone who likes quality shoes and makes and mends them. For those getting on in years, go to PW Minor to see some nice shoes. Comfy and very nice.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Another weekend down, how many more to go?
This weekend was actually a reasonably quiet one. We should have gone to the cowboy shooting weekend, but our host could not make it. Instead, I rested. Got much needed rest. Friday evening was a Costco night. Was tempted to buy some Buffy the Vampire slayer DVD. Tried out some shrimp cocktail and costco chicken. It was not our usual buying spree. We did not get any clothes or too much food. For some reason, I have not been in the mood to cook. Friday afternoon was the doctor and after that to Cody's bookstore and I managed to buy some books on science fiction.
Saturday was spent going to the jeweler to pick up the So's parent's remade wedding rings, groomsmen gifts, and engraving of the goblets. Next week, we are supposed to pick up the goblets. IN the afternoon, the SO went to the parental house and finished off making the giveaways. Hope they like them. The SO was setting up tables for the weddding during Saturday night. Who can sit with whom? Some tables are 9 or 8. Will they be able to sit with this person?
Sunday, we spent at home. The SO was working on the video for the wedding in the morning. She actually finished the whole thing and it was great!!! She is truly gifted with the video things. In the afternoon, it was the party for the christening. While there, I managed to talk to some of the cousins about their future plans in classes in high school. ONe of the cousins wants to be a car designer. The other wants to be a teacher. The other would be a politician.
Sunday evening, we ended up in SF to see the twin nieces. They were so small. So tiny. The SO said that Baby B was heavy. BAby A was tiny and small. But, BAby A kept smiling all the time. While Baby B was just sleeping after having finished off some milkl.
How many more weekends before the wedding date? I don't know. Time is getting shorter. I hope that everything is going well. Gotta figure out who is in the hotel and not.
Oh, and I have to set up the honeymoon!!!!
This weekend was actually a reasonably quiet one. We should have gone to the cowboy shooting weekend, but our host could not make it. Instead, I rested. Got much needed rest. Friday evening was a Costco night. Was tempted to buy some Buffy the Vampire slayer DVD. Tried out some shrimp cocktail and costco chicken. It was not our usual buying spree. We did not get any clothes or too much food. For some reason, I have not been in the mood to cook. Friday afternoon was the doctor and after that to Cody's bookstore and I managed to buy some books on science fiction.
Saturday was spent going to the jeweler to pick up the So's parent's remade wedding rings, groomsmen gifts, and engraving of the goblets. Next week, we are supposed to pick up the goblets. IN the afternoon, the SO went to the parental house and finished off making the giveaways. Hope they like them. The SO was setting up tables for the weddding during Saturday night. Who can sit with whom? Some tables are 9 or 8. Will they be able to sit with this person?
Sunday, we spent at home. The SO was working on the video for the wedding in the morning. She actually finished the whole thing and it was great!!! She is truly gifted with the video things. In the afternoon, it was the party for the christening. While there, I managed to talk to some of the cousins about their future plans in classes in high school. ONe of the cousins wants to be a car designer. The other wants to be a teacher. The other would be a politician.
Sunday evening, we ended up in SF to see the twin nieces. They were so small. So tiny. The SO said that Baby B was heavy. BAby A was tiny and small. But, BAby A kept smiling all the time. While Baby B was just sleeping after having finished off some milkl.
How many more weekends before the wedding date? I don't know. Time is getting shorter. I hope that everything is going well. Gotta figure out who is in the hotel and not.
Oh, and I have to set up the honeymoon!!!!
Thursday, September 15, 2005
What's in my mind?
A sense of panic and a sense of not knowing where to be. Hmm, it seems silly to be worried over a wedding. But there are paperwork and then there are paperwork. Need some baptismal certificate from the Philippines. Hope it gets here on time.
Otherwise, I don't know what happens.
I need to believe in the higher God.
A sense of panic and a sense of not knowing where to be. Hmm, it seems silly to be worried over a wedding. But there are paperwork and then there are paperwork. Need some baptismal certificate from the Philippines. Hope it gets here on time.
Otherwise, I don't know what happens.
I need to believe in the higher God.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Pacquiao fought on 10 Sep 05
Manny fought in Staples in LA this past weekend and won. Apparently, there were plenty of distractions in his last fight. Like, he was living with six people in a hotel room. Whoever his previous promoter was, may God let him see enlightenment.
Manny fought in Staples in LA this past weekend and won. Apparently, there were plenty of distractions in his last fight. Like, he was living with six people in a hotel room. Whoever his previous promoter was, may God let him see enlightenment.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
How Uncles Are Manipulated
So I was trying to keep control of the niece. It turns out that children are very resilient because of their abundant energy. Each time that I tried to ask the child to do something, she would do something else. And of course, that would be accompanied by a smile, a touch or a giggle. How can I resist?
When I tried to stop her from grabbing things from the table and bringing it to me, she went to the window and played there banging her hands on the window sill. I could even hear a nice rhythm. But, after a while, she became quiet. Then a giggle.
Whoops, where did that giggle come from?
Ah! She's in her parent's room... playing with electrical wiring! Uncle shut the room door.
Well, she next went to her room and started pulling her dresser drawers. Okay, uncle shuts her room door.
The niece now says, "Oh yeah, uncle? How about I gnaw some slippers?" Yikes! Uncles rushes to hide the slippers. Uncle screams about how dirty the slippers are.
The niece replied "Hmm, see these nice bags, uncle? How about I stomp on them to crush whatever is inside?" Holy Cow!!! Uncle runs to take away the bags!!!!
"The niece then started fixating on the dining room table. She climbed onto the table and posed there like a model. THREE TIMES.
Uncle is tired. Uncle has gotten sick. Uncle needs to go to work.
So I was trying to keep control of the niece. It turns out that children are very resilient because of their abundant energy. Each time that I tried to ask the child to do something, she would do something else. And of course, that would be accompanied by a smile, a touch or a giggle. How can I resist?
When I tried to stop her from grabbing things from the table and bringing it to me, she went to the window and played there banging her hands on the window sill. I could even hear a nice rhythm. But, after a while, she became quiet. Then a giggle.
Whoops, where did that giggle come from?
Ah! She's in her parent's room... playing with electrical wiring! Uncle shut the room door.
Well, she next went to her room and started pulling her dresser drawers. Okay, uncle shuts her room door.
The niece now says, "Oh yeah, uncle? How about I gnaw some slippers?" Yikes! Uncles rushes to hide the slippers. Uncle screams about how dirty the slippers are.
The niece replied "Hmm, see these nice bags, uncle? How about I stomp on them to crush whatever is inside?" Holy Cow!!! Uncle runs to take away the bags!!!!
"The niece then started fixating on the dining room table. She climbed onto the table and posed there like a model. THREE TIMES.
Uncle is tired. Uncle has gotten sick. Uncle needs to go to work.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Emergency! Emergency!
The sister had baby twins last Friday and so I was asked to babysit the eldest. I was rather worried as to how to change diapers so I asked the SO to go with me. I have a paranoia about feces and babies. Although it makes sense of me in the biological way, I don't know about the intellectual and the olfactory senses. Feces is not my favorite scent.
The experience made me consider and question my ability and desire to have children however. After all, who am I to have a kid? I can't get to SF without getting lost. I can barely clean my apartment. And, I haven't cooked in ages. What makes me qualified to breed?
The weekend is over and I have succeeded in taking care of the niece. She fell on her face twice. But as my brother said, "Parang bato yan." She manipulated, laughed, cajoled and smiled her way out of two days. Was it only two days? It seems like it was longer.
My doubts are still there. But the SO has said that we will find a way to deal with the situation. Where the SO has set the direction, I follow. Previous episodes have proven to me that it would be unwise to follow.
Still, I don't know. I guess my mother was correct. She warned me before I went to college. "As soon as you have children, your life is no longer yours. You will live your life for your children." And she was correct. I have seen ambitious people turn down job offers in other states because they did not want their kids to live in a particular location.
At the very least, I know I can handle changing diapers. No sweat. Two minutes or so. I can do it.
The sister had baby twins last Friday and so I was asked to babysit the eldest. I was rather worried as to how to change diapers so I asked the SO to go with me. I have a paranoia about feces and babies. Although it makes sense of me in the biological way, I don't know about the intellectual and the olfactory senses. Feces is not my favorite scent.
The experience made me consider and question my ability and desire to have children however. After all, who am I to have a kid? I can't get to SF without getting lost. I can barely clean my apartment. And, I haven't cooked in ages. What makes me qualified to breed?
The weekend is over and I have succeeded in taking care of the niece. She fell on her face twice. But as my brother said, "Parang bato yan." She manipulated, laughed, cajoled and smiled her way out of two days. Was it only two days? It seems like it was longer.
My doubts are still there. But the SO has said that we will find a way to deal with the situation. Where the SO has set the direction, I follow. Previous episodes have proven to me that it would be unwise to follow.
Still, I don't know. I guess my mother was correct. She warned me before I went to college. "As soon as you have children, your life is no longer yours. You will live your life for your children." And she was correct. I have seen ambitious people turn down job offers in other states because they did not want their kids to live in a particular location.
At the very least, I know I can handle changing diapers. No sweat. Two minutes or so. I can do it.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Changes in Life
It is difficult for me to comprehend that I have been in America for 23 years. I am no longer in school. I have been out of school for eight years. I work. My parents are no longer with us. I am about to get married.
I had always been thinking "Someday, I will do this…" Yet, loook at what happened. Someday creeped up on me and said "Here I am. Someday is Today."
Yesterday was the minus one month and counting for the event. I suppose I should look upon it as a celebration, not an ends to itself. The priest Father R said that we have been married. It is simply the public celebration. The colonized part of me can't understand that. The other part of me understands quite well.
Seven years of happiness and choosing to be happy. Interspersed with moments of absolute fear from the future and from death. Specially from death. It is a constant thing this death. I see more and more of it in the news. But I guess that is why you are supposed to try really hard to live life well.
My sister is about to have twins. What a change that will be. From one child to threee. How about us? From zero children to hopefully three also.
Life is everyday. What are you doing today?
It is difficult for me to comprehend that I have been in America for 23 years. I am no longer in school. I have been out of school for eight years. I work. My parents are no longer with us. I am about to get married.
I had always been thinking "Someday, I will do this…" Yet, loook at what happened. Someday creeped up on me and said "Here I am. Someday is Today."
Yesterday was the minus one month and counting for the event. I suppose I should look upon it as a celebration, not an ends to itself. The priest Father R said that we have been married. It is simply the public celebration. The colonized part of me can't understand that. The other part of me understands quite well.
Seven years of happiness and choosing to be happy. Interspersed with moments of absolute fear from the future and from death. Specially from death. It is a constant thing this death. I see more and more of it in the news. But I guess that is why you are supposed to try really hard to live life well.
My sister is about to have twins. What a change that will be. From one child to threee. How about us? From zero children to hopefully three also.
Life is everyday. What are you doing today?
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Name the Nieces Contest
Time to have an interactive post. All of you readers out there can now throw in your suggestions for the names of my about to be born nieces. Contest rules: No J names. Apparently, there is no J in the Filipino alphabet and so no Jennifer or Janet. To make it more interesting, how did you get that name or where did you hear it or tell me an interesting story about the name. No stories about "it sounded nice". Nope, gotta have something very cool.
Yup, the big sister is humongous. I can hardly believe it. The amazing thing is that she does not feel the contractions. My guess is that she is so fit and physically good that she can't feel it.
Yup, the big sister is humongous. I can hardly believe it. The amazing thing is that she does not feel the contractions. My guess is that she is so fit and physically good that she can't feel it.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Monday, September 05, 2005
The Perfect Buffalo Wing
Since April 2005 when we visited San Diego and my taste buds were ruined by the hotel Buffalo Wings, I have been in search of good chicken. With the trip to Long Beach, I had to continue the quest:
1. Denny's in the ghetoey part of Long Beach. We managed to quickly find this restaurant because even Kapre and Tikbalang were hungry that first night. We had arrived in Long Beach at about 10:30 PM and decided that we would search for good restaurants. The wings were crunchy and the sauce was good. It managed to erase my bad memories of San Diego hotel buffalo wings.
2. Hyatt Restaurant. On Sun afternoon, we went to the Hyatt to try out their version. Not as good. The celery was lame and the chicken was not crispy.
3. Hooters. The So and D wanted to visit what was so special about Hooters. They found out that it was a bad version of a Southern restaurant with weird energy men eyeing the doughy and pillowy breasts of the servers. Sat evening was excellent however because of the shrimp fries. I did not taste any as I had polished off the pizza that I had ordered for lunch.
4. Outback Steak House. The buffalo wings were okay. Not crispy and the sauce was mild. Another chain restaurant that serves okay food. Although to be honest, my ribs are warming up in the microwave and that is dinner tonight.
The search continues.
Since April 2005 when we visited San Diego and my taste buds were ruined by the hotel Buffalo Wings, I have been in search of good chicken. With the trip to Long Beach, I had to continue the quest:
1. Denny's in the ghetoey part of Long Beach. We managed to quickly find this restaurant because even Kapre and Tikbalang were hungry that first night. We had arrived in Long Beach at about 10:30 PM and decided that we would search for good restaurants. The wings were crunchy and the sauce was good. It managed to erase my bad memories of San Diego hotel buffalo wings.
2. Hyatt Restaurant. On Sun afternoon, we went to the Hyatt to try out their version. Not as good. The celery was lame and the chicken was not crispy.
3. Hooters. The So and D wanted to visit what was so special about Hooters. They found out that it was a bad version of a Southern restaurant with weird energy men eyeing the doughy and pillowy breasts of the servers. Sat evening was excellent however because of the shrimp fries. I did not taste any as I had polished off the pizza that I had ordered for lunch.
4. Outback Steak House. The buffalo wings were okay. Not crispy and the sauce was mild. Another chain restaurant that serves okay food. Although to be honest, my ribs are warming up in the microwave and that is dinner tonight.
The search continues.
Hentai
One of the big lessons over the weekend at the Pacific Media Exposition held in Long Beach CA is hentai which means pervert or perversion.
Now, our fellow travellers gave us a gift of DVD which was enjoyed with much commentary from me and the SO. The stuff is not for everyone, but it does show men and women's interesting tastes in life. It is also a social commentary on what happens when one tries to regulate sexuality in society like Japan.
And for those who like the more PG rated cartoons, here's anime links.
One of the big lessons over the weekend at the Pacific Media Exposition held in Long Beach CA is hentai which means pervert or perversion.
Now, our fellow travellers gave us a gift of DVD which was enjoyed with much commentary from me and the SO. The stuff is not for everyone, but it does show men and women's interesting tastes in life. It is also a social commentary on what happens when one tries to regulate sexuality in society like Japan.
And for those who like the more PG rated cartoons, here's anime links.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Aroskaldo by Guesswork
The SO had promised to make aroskaldo (arroz caldo for those of you picky people) for a going-away party. But, she's teaching till 9PM. She'll get home at 10PM. When do you add the shopping? So, like the shining knight Don Quihote, I ride to the rescue. To wit, my shopping list ala Chatelaine:
Tatang's Aroskaldo
Minute Maid Premium OJ: prevents cold sores due to lack of vitamin C
Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Yogurt: Wedding coming up; gotta lose some pounds
Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Yogurt: In case the cherry garcia yogurt sucks
apple turnovers: can never go wrong with pastry
challah: can never go wrong with bread
chicken drumsticks from safeway: ah, bland chicken
ginger root: to foment a revolution
minced garlic: too lazy to chop them myself
The SO had promised to make aroskaldo (arroz caldo for those of you picky people) for a going-away party. But, she's teaching till 9PM. She'll get home at 10PM. When do you add the shopping? So, like the shining knight Don Quihote, I ride to the rescue. To wit, my shopping list ala Chatelaine:
Tatang's Aroskaldo
Minute Maid Premium OJ: prevents cold sores due to lack of vitamin C
Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Yogurt: Wedding coming up; gotta lose some pounds
Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Yogurt: In case the cherry garcia yogurt sucks
apple turnovers: can never go wrong with pastry
challah: can never go wrong with bread
chicken drumsticks from safeway: ah, bland chicken
ginger root: to foment a revolution
minced garlic: too lazy to chop them myself
Reflections about Pine Cones
In the next few weeks, I will try to reflect on the things that flash between my
head in relation to the impending wedding. After all, you only get married once
a lifetime.
The bridal shower occurred over the past weekend. There has been a drama event,
though it is less of a drama than others. The giveaways have been a problem.
The person who would sell it had personal problems and could not deliver the
product. As the SO said, it is not her problem. Unfortunately, we had planned
the assembly line to be formed during the bridal shower.
As far as bridal showers were concerned, it was a tame one. What with the SO’s
relatives being present and being very conservative, we did not want it to get
out of hand. My sister brought two gifts. One to be opened in public; the
other in private. Needless to say, the the in-private gift was more
interesting… shower gel and pleasure gift anyone? The only other gift that came
close to being erotic was a set of edible underwear. Along with that, there
were four, count them, four nighties all of them with the same color from
Victoria’s Secret. Bwahahah. It must have been a sale! We went yesterday to
Victoria’s secret and realized that the other colors would have made the SO feel
more like a tramp / slut than anything else. No offense to those of you out
there who like to wear hot pink or hot purple colors.
The beauty of the event was in the prepping of the pinecones which represents my
mom. My mom used to spray paint some pinecones with a gold and silver paint.
Place them on a basket as a decoration in her office. With time, some of the
pine cones would disappear and she would have to make some more. Her
officemates were filching the darned things if you can believe that. Wonder of
wonder, the SO decided that we should have that as a decoration at the tables.
And so it passed that in the last year, we have gone pine cone hunting.
We managed to collect some huge pine cones at Napa in Eileen’s abode. Talk
about huge and spiky. We had to get some guests to use nailclippers to trim
away the sharp edges off of the pine cones. The cones are so huge that we also
have to spray paint them several times. Xylene and toluene, here come my lungs!
The cones probably measure about 6 to nine inches tall.
Then there are the baby pine cones which a seven year old boy collects for us
from his elementary school. He’s named after Siddartha the Hindu enlightened
man. However, apparently, after placing said pine cones in his pockets, he does
not tell tell his mother about them. Clothes end up in the wash and so do the
fragmented pine cones. Very thoughtful kid. But like any prophet, the details
are forgotten in the living.
Some pine cones, we find in locations where we just happen to visit. The dance
place in Emeryville. The old school for her Kali class in Hayward. Near San
_____ close to Napa Valley near Kathang Pinay’s home.
Pine cones come in different sizes and sharpness. Some are very small while
others are gigantic. Each one is unique in its state of flowering. Some are
shy. Some are slutty. “Wind, come take my seed and spread it far and wide.”
Some cones open slowly. Some open in Fibonacci’s series. I know that if it is
any indication, my marriage will be just like the pine cones we have collected.
In the next few weeks, I will try to reflect on the things that flash between my
head in relation to the impending wedding. After all, you only get married once
a lifetime.
The bridal shower occurred over the past weekend. There has been a drama event,
though it is less of a drama than others. The giveaways have been a problem.
The person who would sell it had personal problems and could not deliver the
product. As the SO said, it is not her problem. Unfortunately, we had planned
the assembly line to be formed during the bridal shower.
As far as bridal showers were concerned, it was a tame one. What with the SO’s
relatives being present and being very conservative, we did not want it to get
out of hand. My sister brought two gifts. One to be opened in public; the
other in private. Needless to say, the the in-private gift was more
interesting… shower gel and pleasure gift anyone? The only other gift that came
close to being erotic was a set of edible underwear. Along with that, there
were four, count them, four nighties all of them with the same color from
Victoria’s Secret. Bwahahah. It must have been a sale! We went yesterday to
Victoria’s secret and realized that the other colors would have made the SO feel
more like a tramp / slut than anything else. No offense to those of you out
there who like to wear hot pink or hot purple colors.
The beauty of the event was in the prepping of the pinecones which represents my
mom. My mom used to spray paint some pinecones with a gold and silver paint.
Place them on a basket as a decoration in her office. With time, some of the
pine cones would disappear and she would have to make some more. Her
officemates were filching the darned things if you can believe that. Wonder of
wonder, the SO decided that we should have that as a decoration at the tables.
And so it passed that in the last year, we have gone pine cone hunting.
We managed to collect some huge pine cones at Napa in Eileen’s abode. Talk
about huge and spiky. We had to get some guests to use nailclippers to trim
away the sharp edges off of the pine cones. The cones are so huge that we also
have to spray paint them several times. Xylene and toluene, here come my lungs!
The cones probably measure about 6 to nine inches tall.
Then there are the baby pine cones which a seven year old boy collects for us
from his elementary school. He’s named after Siddartha the Hindu enlightened
man. However, apparently, after placing said pine cones in his pockets, he does
not tell tell his mother about them. Clothes end up in the wash and so do the
fragmented pine cones. Very thoughtful kid. But like any prophet, the details
are forgotten in the living.
Some pine cones, we find in locations where we just happen to visit. The dance
place in Emeryville. The old school for her Kali class in Hayward. Near San
_____ close to Napa Valley near Kathang Pinay’s home.
Pine cones come in different sizes and sharpness. Some are very small while
others are gigantic. Each one is unique in its state of flowering. Some are
shy. Some are slutty. “Wind, come take my seed and spread it far and wide.”
Some cones open slowly. Some open in Fibonacci’s series. I know that if it is
any indication, my marriage will be just like the pine cones we have collected.
Monday, August 29, 2005
THE PRIEST IS ALWAYS WRONG?
If he is preaching longer than twenty minutes,
he makes the people stay away from the Church;
If he preaches less than ten minutes, he did not prepare his sermon;
if his voice is strong during the sermon, he is shouting!
If his voice has the normal strength,
people do not understand what he is preaching about.
If he owns a car, he is worldly;
If he does not own one, he does not go with the times.
If he goes out to visit families, he is never at home;
If he does not visit them, he does not care for his parishioners.
If he is asking contributions, he is after money;
If he does not do it, he is too proud for that.
If he takes his time in the confessional, he is too slow;
If he makes it faster, he has no time for his penitents.
If he begins his mass on time, his watch is advanced;
if he begins it a minute or two later, he keeps people waiting.
If he renovates his Church, he throws away the money;
if he does not do it, he allows everything to rot away.
If he focuses his ministry on women, he is flirting.
If he focuses on man, he is gay.
If he spends time with children, he might be a pedophile.
If he warms up to old women, he must be missing his mama.
If he keeps distance from all of them, he has a heart of stone.
If he is young, he has no experience.
If he is old, he should retire.
As along as he lives, there are always people who know better;
If he dies, there is nobody to take his place.
If he is preaching longer than twenty minutes,
he makes the people stay away from the Church;
If he preaches less than ten minutes, he did not prepare his sermon;
if his voice is strong during the sermon, he is shouting!
If his voice has the normal strength,
people do not understand what he is preaching about.
If he owns a car, he is worldly;
If he does not own one, he does not go with the times.
If he goes out to visit families, he is never at home;
If he does not visit them, he does not care for his parishioners.
If he is asking contributions, he is after money;
If he does not do it, he is too proud for that.
If he takes his time in the confessional, he is too slow;
If he makes it faster, he has no time for his penitents.
If he begins his mass on time, his watch is advanced;
if he begins it a minute or two later, he keeps people waiting.
If he renovates his Church, he throws away the money;
if he does not do it, he allows everything to rot away.
If he focuses his ministry on women, he is flirting.
If he focuses on man, he is gay.
If he spends time with children, he might be a pedophile.
If he warms up to old women, he must be missing his mama.
If he keeps distance from all of them, he has a heart of stone.
If he is young, he has no experience.
If he is old, he should retire.
As along as he lives, there are always people who know better;
If he dies, there is nobody to take his place.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Lies, Lies, and Lies
See, Clinton only lied about having sex with one person. Bush on the other hand lies and then fucks the 200 million people in the united states. Thanks a lot George! I know you don't know the difference between you and Clinton.
See, Clinton only lied about having sex with one person. Bush on the other hand lies and then fucks the 200 million people in the united states. Thanks a lot George! I know you don't know the difference between you and Clinton.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Engagement Photos
In the last year and a half or so, I have been looking for photographers for the
wedding. The standard has always been a Wedding Story Photo by David Song.
David was the photographer for my friend C’s wedding and my sister eventually
hired him for her own wedding. When I was with David in my sister’s wedding, I
was impressed by his methodology. He has difficulties speaking English, but he
is able to show the bride and groom how to pose. When I finally saw my sister’s
wedding album of 16” x 20” I was blown away by the images.
I have attended many weddings in the last year and I am very persnickety about
the photographers. One photographer hired many teen-agers to help him out, but
I don’t think they knew how to take photos. Another photographer had the big
strobes in the church and the hotel, but those lights were very painful to the
eyes. Another photographer did not bring the right lens and thus could not take
a picture of the statue of Mary along with the bride and groom. Mary’s statue
was about three stories high.
I learned from my sister’s wedding that the only thing you have of the wedding
in later years are the photos. The flowers, the decorations, the guests can and
will be forgotten. But if you have the photos, it will be there to remind you
of the day.
Before the wedding, the SO went to the salon to be done. I got the distinct
impression that the person she had the appointment with did not show up. The
salon manager kept speaking in Korean with the other hair and make-up
specialists. The salon eventually had to call some people to cover for the
appointment. The SO had her hair and make-up done. What pains a woman must go
through just to get the right look. One thing that the SO mentioned was that
her eyelids were blackened with a black liner. I said that they do that to
everyone. The SO said that the inner eyelids close to the eyes were covered
with liner. OUCH! I could have never been a woman. I can’t stand that type of
pain. Jab! Jab! Jab the eye! Well, I guess I could have been, I would just
have been one hell of a lesbian who was a fag hag.
No matter, pain was not a problem. The SO managed to get through it all. Next
up was the photo session itself. After finagling with the studio because we
both had misunderstandings about our appointment, etc, we ended up doing studio
shots and the city street shots. I never realized how silly the poses are in
the studio shots. No wonder I have always had problems doing it. The poses are
never done by real people because they can be difficult and without purpose.
For example, nose to nose pose. Well, if you did that, it would be for about
four seconds. In our poses, we were like that for twenty to thirty seconds.
The SO had most of the photos. I should have told David the ff: Ako si
Maganda. Siya si Malakas. Ako dapat ang maraming litrato. Three outfits.
Formal with barong and gown. Southern Philippine with malongs. And, Hawaiian
themed with my blue hawaiian shirt. The photos are fabulous. I even managed to
look regal in one of them.
In the last year and a half or so, I have been looking for photographers for the
wedding. The standard has always been a Wedding Story Photo by David Song.
David was the photographer for my friend C’s wedding and my sister eventually
hired him for her own wedding. When I was with David in my sister’s wedding, I
was impressed by his methodology. He has difficulties speaking English, but he
is able to show the bride and groom how to pose. When I finally saw my sister’s
wedding album of 16” x 20” I was blown away by the images.
I have attended many weddings in the last year and I am very persnickety about
the photographers. One photographer hired many teen-agers to help him out, but
I don’t think they knew how to take photos. Another photographer had the big
strobes in the church and the hotel, but those lights were very painful to the
eyes. Another photographer did not bring the right lens and thus could not take
a picture of the statue of Mary along with the bride and groom. Mary’s statue
was about three stories high.
I learned from my sister’s wedding that the only thing you have of the wedding
in later years are the photos. The flowers, the decorations, the guests can and
will be forgotten. But if you have the photos, it will be there to remind you
of the day.
Before the wedding, the SO went to the salon to be done. I got the distinct
impression that the person she had the appointment with did not show up. The
salon manager kept speaking in Korean with the other hair and make-up
specialists. The salon eventually had to call some people to cover for the
appointment. The SO had her hair and make-up done. What pains a woman must go
through just to get the right look. One thing that the SO mentioned was that
her eyelids were blackened with a black liner. I said that they do that to
everyone. The SO said that the inner eyelids close to the eyes were covered
with liner. OUCH! I could have never been a woman. I can’t stand that type of
pain. Jab! Jab! Jab the eye! Well, I guess I could have been, I would just
have been one hell of a lesbian who was a fag hag.
No matter, pain was not a problem. The SO managed to get through it all. Next
up was the photo session itself. After finagling with the studio because we
both had misunderstandings about our appointment, etc, we ended up doing studio
shots and the city street shots. I never realized how silly the poses are in
the studio shots. No wonder I have always had problems doing it. The poses are
never done by real people because they can be difficult and without purpose.
For example, nose to nose pose. Well, if you did that, it would be for about
four seconds. In our poses, we were like that for twenty to thirty seconds.
The SO had most of the photos. I should have told David the ff: Ako si
Maganda. Siya si Malakas. Ako dapat ang maraming litrato. Three outfits.
Formal with barong and gown. Southern Philippine with malongs. And, Hawaiian
themed with my blue hawaiian shirt. The photos are fabulous. I even managed to
look regal in one of them.
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