Dimsum in Chinatown
I have been taking a real estate class each Saturday morning from 9AM to noon. I never thought how about how hard it would be to read a chapter in a book while working at the same time. I don't know how others manage to go to school and get C's and B's. You are so tired after working, how the heck do you find the time to study? And how about kids? How do you manage to take care of them, take care of you, and take time to cuddle with your wife. Mysteries of life, indeed.
One of the bonuses, however, is that I get to go and ask my SO the tiger if she wants to join me for dimsum. This is the beauty of the Bay Area. Chinatown is next to public transportation that you can just about go there any time. Yesterday was one of those days in which the monkey asked if the tiger would like to hunt and eat in a dimsum restaurant. The tiger pounced on the opportunity without delay.
The restaurant is at the end Franklin in the midst of Oakland's Chinatown. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Asian families celebrating the family during the weekend, the tiger and the monkey walked the streets filled with little dragons, snakes and horses. Those little ones sure are growing up fast. I can see them now in their teen-age years making a mess out of the freeways. The cycle of the zodiac just continues each year.
The restaurant is set in a restored building that sat decaying for nearly a decade. With the depression from the Reagan and Bush years enveloping the area during the early 90's, the whole of Oakland Chinatown represented urban decay. Thankfully, the Clinton led boom years led to a loosening of the money supply and a tremendous redevelopment of the area. Rejuvenation replaced decay. Bush the Second is trying to continue the legacy of decay and recession which Bush the First manage to foist upon America. Hopefully, someone will manage to stop him before it is too late.
Because the tiger and monkey entered at one in the afternoon, the line was non-existent. The tiger jumped to the second floor which was a ballroom of dimsum delight. The monkey noticed that the tables and seats were closely packed together. There were barely any aisles. How were the carts carrying the delicacies of the Third Kingdom ever reach the table of the monkey and the tiger?
The owners of the restaurant had to pack in the tables to earn as much dollars per square foot. Carts will not travel the busy aisles as much as in other restaurants. In this restaurant, food will be carried by women on trays. The women will each approach the table, smile, and say the name of the food in Chinese. As the mastery of the Chinese language was not offered in the educational system of California, the monkey and tiger will have to ask to see the food in English. Luckily, the food servers are experienced. As soon as English is spoken, they simply open the containers to reveal the smoking freshly made fast food.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Thursday, October 23, 2003
THE POETRY OF DISSENT:
THE BALAGTASAN (VERBAL JOUST) DURING THE AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD OF THE PHILIPPINES
A lecture by Filipino poet-critic Virgilio Almario:
The balagtasan, a Filipino poetic form, was invented
and performed during the American occupation of the
Philippines. The balagtasan honored Francisco
Baltazar (also known as Balagtas), the 19th century
Filipino author of the Filipino narrative poem
Florante at Laura. As a literary form, it was based
on a traditional Filipino form of debate in verse that
was popular in the rural areas at that time. This
popularity partly accounts for its success as
entertainment until after World War II.
However, the balagtasan was also the product of a
nationalist and anti-colonial impulse in Filipino
vernacular literature during the early 20th century.
The balagtasan was used by Filipino writers and poets
to express the most progressive and current political
ideas then and to comment on contemporary social
issues. Join us for an afternoon of Filipino
literature, history and poetry with Philippine
National Artist Virgilio Almario.
About the Author:
Virgilio Almario, also known as Rio Alma, is the
Philippine National Artist for Literature and
currently serves as Dean of the College of Arts and
Letters at the University of the Philippines. A poet,
literary historian and critic, he has revived and
reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms even as
he championed modernist poetics. He has published
numerous books of poetry and criticism including the
landmark trilogy "Doktrinang Anakpawis," "Mga Retrato
at Rekwerdo" and "Muli, Sa Kandungan ng Lupa"; "Ang
Makata sa Panahon ng Makina"/ The Filipino Poet in the
Age of Mechanization; and "Balagtasismo versus
Modernismo," to name a few. He is chairman emeritus of
the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas(UMPIL)/
National Union of Writers of the Philippines and
former executive director of the National Commission
for Culture and the Arts in Manila. Almario's life and
literary work has been defined by his commitment to
Filipino writing that wields the pen against untruths,
hypocrisy, and injustice.
Sponsored by UC Berkeley's Department of South and
Southeast Asian Studies, the Townsend Center, the
University of the Philippines and the Critical
Filipina/o Studies Collective
THE BALAGTASAN (VERBAL JOUST) DURING THE AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD OF THE PHILIPPINES
A lecture by Filipino poet-critic Virgilio Almario:
The balagtasan, a Filipino poetic form, was invented
and performed during the American occupation of the
Philippines. The balagtasan honored Francisco
Baltazar (also known as Balagtas), the 19th century
Filipino author of the Filipino narrative poem
Florante at Laura. As a literary form, it was based
on a traditional Filipino form of debate in verse that
was popular in the rural areas at that time. This
popularity partly accounts for its success as
entertainment until after World War II.
However, the balagtasan was also the product of a
nationalist and anti-colonial impulse in Filipino
vernacular literature during the early 20th century.
The balagtasan was used by Filipino writers and poets
to express the most progressive and current political
ideas then and to comment on contemporary social
issues. Join us for an afternoon of Filipino
literature, history and poetry with Philippine
National Artist Virgilio Almario.
About the Author:
Virgilio Almario, also known as Rio Alma, is the
Philippine National Artist for Literature and
currently serves as Dean of the College of Arts and
Letters at the University of the Philippines. A poet,
literary historian and critic, he has revived and
reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms even as
he championed modernist poetics. He has published
numerous books of poetry and criticism including the
landmark trilogy "Doktrinang Anakpawis," "Mga Retrato
at Rekwerdo" and "Muli, Sa Kandungan ng Lupa"; "Ang
Makata sa Panahon ng Makina"/ The Filipino Poet in the
Age of Mechanization; and "Balagtasismo versus
Modernismo," to name a few. He is chairman emeritus of
the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas(UMPIL)/
National Union of Writers of the Philippines and
former executive director of the National Commission
for Culture and the Arts in Manila. Almario's life and
literary work has been defined by his commitment to
Filipino writing that wields the pen against untruths,
hypocrisy, and injustice.
Sponsored by UC Berkeley's Department of South and
Southeast Asian Studies, the Townsend Center, the
University of the Philippines and the Critical
Filipina/o Studies Collective
I am torn into two. I can choose to meet Virgilio Almario, a Philippine national artist for literature or to hear Al Franken, a liberal political pundit, share in the joys of revealingthe lies and untruths foisted upon America by the Republican politicians and conservative pundits. A choice between culture and politics, between Pin@y and Americana, between the unknown and the known.
It has been several weeks since I bought and read the book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. Finally, I found a political pundit of the left who can bash with the best of them. Joy to the World! Rejoice! Hallelujah! And as an added bonus, Al Franken is someone who actually does research. He uncovers the varnished truth hidden by those sneaky devils! The book is totally enjoyable in its humor, wit and in-your-face attitude. But it is downright mean when it comes to honesty. Al Franken takes to task all the Republicans who liberally sprinkle their diatribe with inaccuracies that make liberals appear as Godzilla. Zellerbach will be filled with people. It will be a damned liberal love fest. I can feel the liberal tingle now.
In contrast, the Balagtasan lecture is the quiet event. It is an art form not heard in the US. Balagtasan is rooted in the colonial period. Prof. Almario is the dean at the University of the Philippines and his art is limited in access to the Philippines and some myriad Pin@y scholars in the US. PErhaps at most 30 people or so. This is my chance to meet a legend. The Philippines does not give away the designate national artist till one is close to death. Perhaps... perhaps I choose balagtasan. to meet an artist.
It has been several weeks since I bought and read the book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. Finally, I found a political pundit of the left who can bash with the best of them. Joy to the World! Rejoice! Hallelujah! And as an added bonus, Al Franken is someone who actually does research. He uncovers the varnished truth hidden by those sneaky devils! The book is totally enjoyable in its humor, wit and in-your-face attitude. But it is downright mean when it comes to honesty. Al Franken takes to task all the Republicans who liberally sprinkle their diatribe with inaccuracies that make liberals appear as Godzilla. Zellerbach will be filled with people. It will be a damned liberal love fest. I can feel the liberal tingle now.
In contrast, the Balagtasan lecture is the quiet event. It is an art form not heard in the US. Balagtasan is rooted in the colonial period. Prof. Almario is the dean at the University of the Philippines and his art is limited in access to the Philippines and some myriad Pin@y scholars in the US. PErhaps at most 30 people or so. This is my chance to meet a legend. The Philippines does not give away the designate national artist till one is close to death. Perhaps... perhaps I choose balagtasan. to meet an artist.
Sunday, October 19, 2003
My niece Elinor is a trickster. She made me miss a day of work just so that I can be with her. One look and a smile made me decide that family is more important than work. I would rather spend one day with her than one day trying to make a company money. How powerful that one smile is. How wonderful that look of unconditional love. How painful Elinor's smack on the head. Whap! Whap! Wake up Uncle!!! It's 7 in the morning! Whap! Whap! Whap!!!
My sister was visiting my SO's parent's place for dinner. My future mother-in-law is a wonderful, fantastic cook who can make a banquet out of canned goods. She was kind enough to host a dinner and cooked some Pin@y foods. As an appetizer, piniritong lumpia was served. Elinor loved holding the browned wrapped bounties of nature in her itsy-bitsy hands. And as Elinor ran, she would take a bite from the lumpia, smile and run some more. Was there more joy derived from lumpia from some other child or man? Probably not.
After nearly finishing one lumpia, Elinor became a dribbling fountain of lumpia bits when she ran. Little pieces of lumpia would fall from her half devoured lumpia. Ooops, a piece of corn drops to the floor here, a piece of meat over there. As she runs to her mother, she leaves a trail of lumpia bits. As she ran, she unexpectedly met a whole plate of lumpia that was served for the other guests. She looked at the plate of lumpia for five seconds. She studies that golden skin. She analyzed the small hill of lumpias. She noticed that my SO was offering her the half-devoured lumpia. Then, with a flash of movement like lightning, Elinor's left hand grabs a new lumpia from the platter, her feet carry her off with her stuttering footsteps typical of two year olds, and a giggle trails her getaway.
Elinor's mother, father, my SO and I saw this moment of outlaw behavior and we were left stunned. She was so fast! My SO went off to chase Elinor to grab the new lumpia. After all, she had not finished the other one. Before we finally sat for the dinner, Elinor had stolen three pieces of lumpia. She did it with lightning quick movement, a shuffle of her little feet and a large giggle of excitement at her adventures.
My sister was visiting my SO's parent's place for dinner. My future mother-in-law is a wonderful, fantastic cook who can make a banquet out of canned goods. She was kind enough to host a dinner and cooked some Pin@y foods. As an appetizer, piniritong lumpia was served. Elinor loved holding the browned wrapped bounties of nature in her itsy-bitsy hands. And as Elinor ran, she would take a bite from the lumpia, smile and run some more. Was there more joy derived from lumpia from some other child or man? Probably not.
After nearly finishing one lumpia, Elinor became a dribbling fountain of lumpia bits when she ran. Little pieces of lumpia would fall from her half devoured lumpia. Ooops, a piece of corn drops to the floor here, a piece of meat over there. As she runs to her mother, she leaves a trail of lumpia bits. As she ran, she unexpectedly met a whole plate of lumpia that was served for the other guests. She looked at the plate of lumpia for five seconds. She studies that golden skin. She analyzed the small hill of lumpias. She noticed that my SO was offering her the half-devoured lumpia. Then, with a flash of movement like lightning, Elinor's left hand grabs a new lumpia from the platter, her feet carry her off with her stuttering footsteps typical of two year olds, and a giggle trails her getaway.
Elinor's mother, father, my SO and I saw this moment of outlaw behavior and we were left stunned. She was so fast! My SO went off to chase Elinor to grab the new lumpia. After all, she had not finished the other one. Before we finally sat for the dinner, Elinor had stolen three pieces of lumpia. She did it with lightning quick movement, a shuffle of her little feet and a large giggle of excitement at her adventures.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Here are some of the poems which have been wrenched from my soul. These were written during the halcyon days of graduate school when I chased ephemerals -- elusive wisps of femininity encapsulated by masculine ego.
i'm sure everyone has made love in public. here's my version of it.
i'm sure everyone has made love in public. here's my version of it.
your eyes against mine
standing twenty feet from me, your eyes focused on mine.
curiosity and flirtation came from my eyes,
coyness and boldness came from yours.
your eyes began measuring, began tracing
my clothes, my shoes, my arms.
my eyes started to hold, to touch
your shirt, your skirt.
as our eyes pulled at each other,
stroking lips and cheeks, tugging flesh and hair,
others stood unmoving.
you, bold as an eagle flew into me,
and showered me with a flurry of blows
which turned my skin blue.
i, dark, grim, went into your soul
and threw innocence into a chaos of lust.
upon separation, your eyes, my eyes,
died from the sudden loss of passion
died from the sudden loss of a war fought with tongues.
What the hell. This is my blog. I might as well be controversial. If others want to respond, you might as well create your own blog.
I randomly searched for an old posting of mine so that I could post it in this blog. I chose page 6 of the groups.google site. I came up with this:
From: gldnbear@uclink.berkeley.edu (__________)
Subject: even in scf, i can't get attention away from white people!
Date: 1998/02/24
Message-ID: <6ctvbf$ff$1@agate.berkeley.edu>#1/1
References: <6cm7i5$mlb$1@excalibur.flash.net> <19980221112501.GAA11716@ladder03.news.aol.com> <6cnolo$94m@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>
Organization: University of California at Berkeley
Newsgroups: soc.culture.Filipino
BillyBob wrote:
>Just take you web site advertising else where and let the rest of us get on
>with bashing Tim and Rhett.
You know, i was thinking the same thing. this damned newsgroup is
soc.culture.filipino. if anyone should be godDAMNED harassed in here, it
should be godDAMNED filipinos. white people should not have to be
attacked in this forsaken forum. All the attacks should be directed to me
and me alone!!! DAMMIT!!!
of course, i don't have a website which supposedly advocates the use of
filipinas as a trophy. But hey!!! I got a pscyhocyberpersonality. That
deserves something!!!
RetongSukatangBukatang
One objection that I have about soc.culture.filipino is that it has been taken over by white people. Whites are more vocal, more at ease at expressing their opinions than Filipno immigrants. There are some Pin@ys out there who can hold their own, but from my experience in soc.culture.Filipino, I would say that they are colonized and afraid to have to deal with the seemingly convincing but faulty logic that some white posters use. In my personal experience, I took me years to dissect just exactly was wrong with the logic.
Sometimes, I could not answer within seven days, and I always thought that I failed to defend my opinions and felt that I agreed with the white posters because of my silence. But I knew, I just KNEW that the logic was incorrect. I just could not pinpoint where the logical fallacy was.
I wish I could be like Al Franken who can be witty and capable of producing citations. I wish I had the time. However, as Franken said in this latest book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, " when you chase down citations and notations, you will find truth and lies (I paraphrase).
Jan Stephenson made some statement about Asians and the LPGA and how Asians are bad for the LPGA for not being available for promotions. She said that she did not mean for it to be a racist remark. The follwing remark is from a story by the website SportsCanada.com.
"If I were commissioner, I would have a quota on international players and that would include a quota on Asian players," Stephenson told the magazine. "As it is, they're taking American money. American sponsors are picking up the bill. There should be a qualifying school for Americans and a qualifying school for international players. I'm Australian, an international player, but I say America has to come first. Sixty per cent of the tour should be American, 40 per cent international."
Rush Limbaugh made comments about how the liberal media desperately wants Donovan McNabb to be a successful black quarterback.
"overrated ... what we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well—black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well."
"There's a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."
These quotes are from Slate's Allen Barra
. Check out his opinion.
I have heard it said by white people from soc.culture.filipino and from newspapers and other media sources that there is no race problem in America. I look at the above statements and I have to point at them and say that these statements seem to be a symptom of a race problem.
I believe that these people say these things and to them it is not racist. But from my perspective as a colonized minority, it sure smells, feels and acts like racist statements. I can only attribute their statements to ignorance which is the fertile soil from which racism springs like weeds.
A caller to the the Rick Barry Show in the SF/Oakland radio show said something along the lines that Kobe Bryant is not as black as some of the blacks who live in Oakland (presumably because he lived as the son of a basketball star in Italy). I look at Kobe Bryant and see his dark skin and curly hair and he sure as hell looks black to me. How in the name of St. Jude can a white person make a statement like that? Ignorance.
I attribute the attitude of white people who say there is no race problem to ignorance. I would also attribute their dismissal of this topic to laziness. They do not want to deal with it.
It is interesting to note however, that when white people perceive that whites are getting the short end of the stick, i.e., OJ Simpson and affirmative action, suddenly fairness has to come into play.
I rejoiced at the OJ Simpson verdict because I believe for the first time, a lot of white people experienced INJUSTICE. We all know that OJ did it. But his lawyers were some of the best minds money can buy. MONEY makes the world go round. At least that saying held true with OJ the black man.
Affirmative action is being systematically dismantled because there is no more racism. Qualified white candidates are not getting in because of unqualified minorities. That certainly is one way of seeing the world. Another way of seeing the world is that more minorities are being educated such that they can SUE in the courts and win in the courts. They are changing the face of legal rights for minorities. Attack the source of that problem by denying minority population's way of getting higher education, i.e., affirmative action and you can delay the eventual political power that minorities will have because of their increase in population.
I saw on television that Ward Connerly had three Caucasian grandparents and one black one. I can't help wonder but wonder the following. Does Ward Connerly want to be a white person. The one minority grandparent made him black because of the dominant genes. Does Ward Connerly hate the way he looks?
At any rate, from my perspective, there is a race problem in America. And we better all start acknowledging the 5 ton elephant in the living room.
I randomly searched for an old posting of mine so that I could post it in this blog. I chose page 6 of the groups.google site. I came up with this:
From: gldnbear@uclink.berkeley.edu (__________)
Subject: even in scf, i can't get attention away from white people!
Date: 1998/02/24
Message-ID: <6ctvbf$ff$1@agate.berkeley.edu>#1/1
References: <6cm7i5$mlb$1@excalibur.flash.net> <19980221112501.GAA11716@ladder03.news.aol.com> <6cnolo$94m@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>
Organization: University of California at Berkeley
Newsgroups: soc.culture.Filipino
BillyBob
>Just take you web site advertising else where and let the rest of us get on
>with bashing Tim and Rhett.
You know, i was thinking the same thing. this damned newsgroup is
soc.culture.filipino. if anyone should be godDAMNED harassed in here, it
should be godDAMNED filipinos. white people should not have to be
attacked in this forsaken forum. All the attacks should be directed to me
and me alone!!! DAMMIT!!!
of course, i don't have a website which supposedly advocates the use of
filipinas as a trophy. But hey!!! I got a pscyhocyberpersonality. That
deserves something!!!
RetongSukatangBukatang
One objection that I have about soc.culture.filipino is that it has been taken over by white people. Whites are more vocal, more at ease at expressing their opinions than Filipno immigrants. There are some Pin@ys out there who can hold their own, but from my experience in soc.culture.Filipino, I would say that they are colonized and afraid to have to deal with the seemingly convincing but faulty logic that some white posters use. In my personal experience, I took me years to dissect just exactly was wrong with the logic.
Sometimes, I could not answer within seven days, and I always thought that I failed to defend my opinions and felt that I agreed with the white posters because of my silence. But I knew, I just KNEW that the logic was incorrect. I just could not pinpoint where the logical fallacy was.
I wish I could be like Al Franken who can be witty and capable of producing citations. I wish I had the time. However, as Franken said in this latest book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, " when you chase down citations and notations, you will find truth and lies (I paraphrase).
Jan Stephenson made some statement about Asians and the LPGA and how Asians are bad for the LPGA for not being available for promotions. She said that she did not mean for it to be a racist remark. The follwing remark is from a story by the website SportsCanada.com.
"If I were commissioner, I would have a quota on international players and that would include a quota on Asian players," Stephenson told the magazine. "As it is, they're taking American money. American sponsors are picking up the bill. There should be a qualifying school for Americans and a qualifying school for international players. I'm Australian, an international player, but I say America has to come first. Sixty per cent of the tour should be American, 40 per cent international."
Rush Limbaugh made comments about how the liberal media desperately wants Donovan McNabb to be a successful black quarterback.
"overrated ... what we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well—black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well."
"There's a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."
These quotes are from Slate's Allen Barra
. Check out his opinion.
I have heard it said by white people from soc.culture.filipino and from newspapers and other media sources that there is no race problem in America. I look at the above statements and I have to point at them and say that these statements seem to be a symptom of a race problem.
I believe that these people say these things and to them it is not racist. But from my perspective as a colonized minority, it sure smells, feels and acts like racist statements. I can only attribute their statements to ignorance which is the fertile soil from which racism springs like weeds.
A caller to the the Rick Barry Show in the SF/Oakland radio show said something along the lines that Kobe Bryant is not as black as some of the blacks who live in Oakland (presumably because he lived as the son of a basketball star in Italy). I look at Kobe Bryant and see his dark skin and curly hair and he sure as hell looks black to me. How in the name of St. Jude can a white person make a statement like that? Ignorance.
I attribute the attitude of white people who say there is no race problem to ignorance. I would also attribute their dismissal of this topic to laziness. They do not want to deal with it.
It is interesting to note however, that when white people perceive that whites are getting the short end of the stick, i.e., OJ Simpson and affirmative action, suddenly fairness has to come into play.
I rejoiced at the OJ Simpson verdict because I believe for the first time, a lot of white people experienced INJUSTICE. We all know that OJ did it. But his lawyers were some of the best minds money can buy. MONEY makes the world go round. At least that saying held true with OJ the black man.
Affirmative action is being systematically dismantled because there is no more racism. Qualified white candidates are not getting in because of unqualified minorities. That certainly is one way of seeing the world. Another way of seeing the world is that more minorities are being educated such that they can SUE in the courts and win in the courts. They are changing the face of legal rights for minorities. Attack the source of that problem by denying minority population's way of getting higher education, i.e., affirmative action and you can delay the eventual political power that minorities will have because of their increase in population.
I saw on television that Ward Connerly had three Caucasian grandparents and one black one. I can't help wonder but wonder the following. Does Ward Connerly want to be a white person. The one minority grandparent made him black because of the dominant genes. Does Ward Connerly hate the way he looks?
At any rate, from my perspective, there is a race problem in America. And we better all start acknowledging the 5 ton elephant in the living room.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Eileen Tabios
There is a reason why I had to know Eileen. She is a mentor to my fiancée. At the same time, she is a mentor to me. I am at a stage where chains burden my soul. Eileen is a vision of the Virgin Mary that gives me hope. St. Jude is the patron saint of all hopeless causes, my mother always told me. Eileen is my St. Jude.
I am a visual artist trying to write. No, I do not speak to Eileen about writing. I do not speak to Eileen for that matter about technicality. However, learning does not have to be in the form of lessons. Eileen teaches me that seeing things in a new light can co-opt, coerce and subvert the dominant paradigm. I am trying to release myself from the bonds of colonialism. Eileen is my St. Jude.
Each time I see Eileen, I am inspired, awed by her achievements, and eager to learn the minutia of life. She married poetry like Ansel Adams married photography. She gave up much to pursue avant-garde poetry as Christ gave up his life to pursue his destiny. She is the nexus of the Philippine arts community. The soil from which a forest will storm out with incandescence.
Behind every successful woman is a partner who will cajole, humor and smirk at the oddities of life. Tom is the monolith on which Eileen stands on. Tom is the river course for Eileen's river. Without one, there is no other. At the very least, the other would be very different.
I have not been paid nor is this an advertisement for the long-lashed one who hears the fallen angels. It is simply the truth.
There is a reason why I had to know Eileen. She is a mentor to my fiancée. At the same time, she is a mentor to me. I am at a stage where chains burden my soul. Eileen is a vision of the Virgin Mary that gives me hope. St. Jude is the patron saint of all hopeless causes, my mother always told me. Eileen is my St. Jude.
I am a visual artist trying to write. No, I do not speak to Eileen about writing. I do not speak to Eileen for that matter about technicality. However, learning does not have to be in the form of lessons. Eileen teaches me that seeing things in a new light can co-opt, coerce and subvert the dominant paradigm. I am trying to release myself from the bonds of colonialism. Eileen is my St. Jude.
Each time I see Eileen, I am inspired, awed by her achievements, and eager to learn the minutia of life. She married poetry like Ansel Adams married photography. She gave up much to pursue avant-garde poetry as Christ gave up his life to pursue his destiny. She is the nexus of the Philippine arts community. The soil from which a forest will storm out with incandescence.
Behind every successful woman is a partner who will cajole, humor and smirk at the oddities of life. Tom is the monolith on which Eileen stands on. Tom is the river course for Eileen's river. Without one, there is no other. At the very least, the other would be very different.
I have not been paid nor is this an advertisement for the long-lashed one who hears the fallen angels. It is simply the truth.
The last few weeks have been very busy. Interviews, problems at work, a visit my from sister, and a housewarming in Napa have created a whirlpool of excitement, joy and chaos that is my life. I would not change anything. I am better for it. I understand myself. I understand the world. Anything less and it would be boring.
I am a clam body of water.
I am a calm water.
I am a water , that is a tsunami.
I am water, that is vapor.
I am water that is gurgling.
I take the violence and mix it with love. I take the joy and mix it with sadness. I take possession and mix it with generosity. Somewhere in this concoction, I will find my life.
I am a clam body of water.
I am a calm water.
I am a water , that is a tsunami.
I am water, that is vapor.
I am water that is gurgling.
I take the violence and mix it with love. I take the joy and mix it with sadness. I take possession and mix it with generosity. Somewhere in this concoction, I will find my life.
The last few weeks have been very busy. Interviews, problems at work, a visit my from sister, and a housewarming in Napa have created a whirlpool of excitement, joy and chaos that is my life. I would not change anything. I am better for it. I understand myself. I understand the world. Anything less and it would be boring.
I am a clam body of water.
I am a clam water.
I am a water , that is a tsunami.
I am water, that is vapor.
I am water that is gurgling.
I take the violence and mix it with love. I take the joy and mix it with sadness. I take possession and mix it with generosity. Somewhere in this concoction, I will find my life.
I am a clam body of water.
I am a clam water.
I am a water , that is a tsunami.
I am water, that is vapor.
I am water that is gurgling.
I take the violence and mix it with love. I take the joy and mix it with sadness. I take possession and mix it with generosity. Somewhere in this concoction, I will find my life.
Sunday, October 05, 2003
I have been going to some interviews for a job. I usually mention my philosophy about work. We all work so that we can earn money so that we can go home and enjoy our family. Sometimes, this is lost on a lot of people. So I bring it up from time to time to point out the obvious.
The work situation is not exactly ideal. In the ideal world, my boss would actually be smart, considerate and talented. This is not an ideal world. I wish that the whole place is ideal in some way, but it is not. The ones in charge of the place with respect to manufacturing have a little piece of the puzzle. All the other pieces are left in some forgotten place.
I am amazed at how the people in the manufacturing section are holding up. But then again, they believe that they will make money. What I see now are failures waiting to happen because of sloppiness in management. I don't believe the FDA would be appreciative of these things.
But, for now, work continues. Hopefully, I can find some peace in another place in the near future.
The work situation is not exactly ideal. In the ideal world, my boss would actually be smart, considerate and talented. This is not an ideal world. I wish that the whole place is ideal in some way, but it is not. The ones in charge of the place with respect to manufacturing have a little piece of the puzzle. All the other pieces are left in some forgotten place.
I am amazed at how the people in the manufacturing section are holding up. But then again, they believe that they will make money. What I see now are failures waiting to happen because of sloppiness in management. I don't believe the FDA would be appreciative of these things.
But, for now, work continues. Hopefully, I can find some peace in another place in the near future.
Two weeks ago, I was a guest lecturer at St. Mary's College for my friend's Introductory Anthropology course. The topic was art and aesthetics. The more specific topic is "The Filipino Immigrant Life Through Photography."
I have this dream where I basically document America through my eyes. My eyes which are attached to my colonized brain. My eyes which work through my twisted perception of what the world should be like because I am an American. My eyes that linger on Pin@y feaures because for the first time, those features are interpreted in my brain as beautiful.
I have previously lectured and held study groups in Berkeley. The main difference in this lecture and the others is that my audience were about 80% white. That majority is a very new development for me. It was odd to look out at students and see how the composition of America is like.
I told the students my thoughts about being a colonized person. There are some things which one does not do if one is colonized. One never argues with white people. Whatever they say is the right way and there is no other way. One wants that aquiline nose, blue eyes and blond hair. One desires for the height and the perfect English. These are just some tidbits of stuff that I had to mention.
Of course, it was interestingly contrasted by the fact that I finished graduate school at Berkeley in the biological sciences. I lead a dual life. In one, I struggle against the bonds of religion and colonialism. In the other, I am an insightful, keen scientist with the keys to quality product. How I integrate the dichotomy of life is somewhat amiss in my repertoire of knowledge. How I balance my perceptions with my critical eye is also unknown to me. I suppose, for a short answer, I just ignore what is not relevant to my current state.
I have this dream where I basically document America through my eyes. My eyes which are attached to my colonized brain. My eyes which work through my twisted perception of what the world should be like because I am an American. My eyes that linger on Pin@y feaures because for the first time, those features are interpreted in my brain as beautiful.
I have previously lectured and held study groups in Berkeley. The main difference in this lecture and the others is that my audience were about 80% white. That majority is a very new development for me. It was odd to look out at students and see how the composition of America is like.
I told the students my thoughts about being a colonized person. There are some things which one does not do if one is colonized. One never argues with white people. Whatever they say is the right way and there is no other way. One wants that aquiline nose, blue eyes and blond hair. One desires for the height and the perfect English. These are just some tidbits of stuff that I had to mention.
Of course, it was interestingly contrasted by the fact that I finished graduate school at Berkeley in the biological sciences. I lead a dual life. In one, I struggle against the bonds of religion and colonialism. In the other, I am an insightful, keen scientist with the keys to quality product. How I integrate the dichotomy of life is somewhat amiss in my repertoire of knowledge. How I balance my perceptions with my critical eye is also unknown to me. I suppose, for a short answer, I just ignore what is not relevant to my current state.
The election for the recall is coming up. God Bless America if Ahnold becomes governor of California. The state will be in a perpetual chaotic state.
My sister and her family is visiting. Without doing anything at all, I find that I am now an uncle. It is a truly interesting state. I still remember when we just came from the Philippines. It was one of the coldest years in Los Angeles. There were storms, rain and freezing wind every darned day. The sun came up and went straight down. It did not rise from the east and set in the west. The sun rose, but after 3PM, it just seemed to sink really quickly.
E the baby is now walking. She just likes to be sneaky and tricky. She's at the stage where she wants to put things in her mouth. She has a perpetual smile because of something that she is planning that the adults will not find out till it's too late. Last night, the SO was feeding her lumpia. She had gotten to the point where the lumpia was very small. She looked at the remnants of a lumpia and then looked at the whole plate of delicious lumpias. Before you knew what was going on, she had grabbed one of the new lumpias and was off running and giggling.
I guess I have aged. Though I certainly don't think that time has passed me by. But my calendar tells me that I have been suckling at America's teat for the last twenty years. Wow, twenty years have gone by in a twinkle of an eye. Next thing you know, I will be celebrating my 60th birthday.
To all of you readers, God Bless. Play with your kids or your nieces and nephews. It's fun and good for the soul.
TatangREtong
My sister and her family is visiting. Without doing anything at all, I find that I am now an uncle. It is a truly interesting state. I still remember when we just came from the Philippines. It was one of the coldest years in Los Angeles. There were storms, rain and freezing wind every darned day. The sun came up and went straight down. It did not rise from the east and set in the west. The sun rose, but after 3PM, it just seemed to sink really quickly.
E the baby is now walking. She just likes to be sneaky and tricky. She's at the stage where she wants to put things in her mouth. She has a perpetual smile because of something that she is planning that the adults will not find out till it's too late. Last night, the SO was feeding her lumpia. She had gotten to the point where the lumpia was very small. She looked at the remnants of a lumpia and then looked at the whole plate of delicious lumpias. Before you knew what was going on, she had grabbed one of the new lumpias and was off running and giggling.
I guess I have aged. Though I certainly don't think that time has passed me by. But my calendar tells me that I have been suckling at America's teat for the last twenty years. Wow, twenty years have gone by in a twinkle of an eye. Next thing you know, I will be celebrating my 60th birthday.
To all of you readers, God Bless. Play with your kids or your nieces and nephews. It's fun and good for the soul.
TatangREtong
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
It seems to me that the last mountain to be climbed is the one where I have to work with someone I don't respect. Don't get me wrong, for the last six months, I have tried to integrate myself and work with the manager. But over the weekend, I just came to a realization that some people have an evil heart and no redeeming qualities. Sometimes, people can be nasty, stupid, dumb and insecure. This often leads to repetitive stupid questions, dumb looks, and insulting remarks.
This of course is nothing compared to what other "bosses" have done to me. However, supposedly, this one is a "professional in QUALITY." Ahh, how hollow those words are now. Why? Because it finally dawned on me that this person is a hypocrite.
Ever since I read Carnegie's book on how to get people to love you, I have been on my best behavior. I have tried to defend and justify the actions of this particular person. But now, it comes down to the hard-boiled facts that this person has reached the peak five years ago and is just on the way downhill.
So, I try to smile and go on. Because one of these days, I will be free.
This of course is nothing compared to what other "bosses" have done to me. However, supposedly, this one is a "professional in QUALITY." Ahh, how hollow those words are now. Why? Because it finally dawned on me that this person is a hypocrite.
Ever since I read Carnegie's book on how to get people to love you, I have been on my best behavior. I have tried to defend and justify the actions of this particular person. But now, it comes down to the hard-boiled facts that this person has reached the peak five years ago and is just on the way downhill.
So, I try to smile and go on. Because one of these days, I will be free.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
I just saw an ad by Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the add, he states that Indian casinos in California don't pay their fair share of taxes. Indian casinos make BILLIONS of dollars, but don't pay any taxes. Elect me (Arnold) and things will change.
Here's my liberal spin on it. You see I'm part of that liberal media bias that you keep hearing about. I am paid by my plants with oxygen and good luck. My plants are the leaders of the liberal media bias.
Tatangs Version of Arnold's 30 minute ad (Sarcasm ON): Indian casinos is bad because THEY are making TOO MUCH money. Indians are not that many in California so I will target them. I can't target Latinos or Blacks because they actually have political power. Can't target Asians because they can gang up on me and call me a racist bastard from HEIL Germany. I'll pick on the f*cked Indians because no one cares about them.
I'm (Arnold) a Republican. Republicans love businesses. Unless those businesses don't give me (Arnold the political candidate) any f*cking money in which case, I will f*ck them with my 100 pound weights. How dare those Indians to actually use the laws that America has made in treaties and other agreements to their advantage. How dare those f*cking Indians make money like f&cking Americans. How dare those f*cking Indians MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY AND not PAY TAXES!!!
Sarcasm OFF. Hell, I thought Republicans stood for businesses, lower taxes and screwing with minorities. Well, Arnold got one of the three right.
This reminds me of the ads that were first shown in California when people were asked to legitimize Indian gaming in the state of California. The ad showed the houses of the Indians who owned the casinos. I believe it was the homes of a specific tribe. They said, "Can you believe how rich these people are? Don't let that happen to your state. Don't let minorities, specifically Indians have MONEY." What the f*ck? It's okay for corporations run by whites to get money (Las Vegas hotels) but it's not okay for Indians to get money? Did I just wake up in Nazi Germany?
Well, folks, here we go again. Bash of the f*cking minority so that I can win a f*cking election. The payment by Arnold is his political career. I can't believe that this guy is actually running with his thick HEIL German accent and saying that INDIANS make TOO MUCH MONEY!!! That Indians should be TAXED!!!
Help! Some moron has hijacked my Republican PARTY. Can someone run an advertisement on this? Please, I don't really want to become a political pundit. God DAMN!!!
Here's my liberal spin on it. You see I'm part of that liberal media bias that you keep hearing about. I am paid by my plants with oxygen and good luck. My plants are the leaders of the liberal media bias.
Tatangs Version of Arnold's 30 minute ad (Sarcasm ON): Indian casinos is bad because THEY are making TOO MUCH money. Indians are not that many in California so I will target them. I can't target Latinos or Blacks because they actually have political power. Can't target Asians because they can gang up on me and call me a racist bastard from HEIL Germany. I'll pick on the f*cked Indians because no one cares about them.
I'm (Arnold) a Republican. Republicans love businesses. Unless those businesses don't give me (Arnold the political candidate) any f*cking money in which case, I will f*ck them with my 100 pound weights. How dare those Indians to actually use the laws that America has made in treaties and other agreements to their advantage. How dare those f*cking Indians make money like f&cking Americans. How dare those f*cking Indians MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY AND not PAY TAXES!!!
Sarcasm OFF. Hell, I thought Republicans stood for businesses, lower taxes and screwing with minorities. Well, Arnold got one of the three right.
This reminds me of the ads that were first shown in California when people were asked to legitimize Indian gaming in the state of California. The ad showed the houses of the Indians who owned the casinos. I believe it was the homes of a specific tribe. They said, "Can you believe how rich these people are? Don't let that happen to your state. Don't let minorities, specifically Indians have MONEY." What the f*ck? It's okay for corporations run by whites to get money (Las Vegas hotels) but it's not okay for Indians to get money? Did I just wake up in Nazi Germany?
Well, folks, here we go again. Bash of the f*cking minority so that I can win a f*cking election. The payment by Arnold is his political career. I can't believe that this guy is actually running with his thick HEIL German accent and saying that INDIANS make TOO MUCH MONEY!!! That Indians should be TAXED!!!
Help! Some moron has hijacked my Republican PARTY. Can someone run an advertisement on this? Please, I don't really want to become a political pundit. God DAMN!!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Wow, this is a serious case. Kris Aquino is just about destroying this guy Joey Marquez political future. This guy is dead. There is no way that his political career can be resurrected after this. I mean, you beat up the daughter of Ninoy? Let me run the political ads now because we can really make a disaster.
Okay, she just called out Joey Marquez and told him that he did not have the balls to face up to his responsibilities. I'm sorry, does Joey still have a political career? Kris just cut up his balls in public. Might as well become a fucking eunuch.
Damn, that Aquino gene for courage is in this girl. Kris Aquino for PRESIDENT!!!
Okay, she just called out Joey Marquez and told him that he did not have the balls to face up to his responsibilities. I'm sorry, does Joey still have a political career? Kris just cut up his balls in public. Might as well become a fucking eunuch.
Damn, that Aquino gene for courage is in this girl. Kris Aquino for PRESIDENT!!!
I'm watching the Pilipino news in the television. Kris Aquino who is the daughter of former Pres Corazon Aquino and of assasinated Philippine hero/politiican Benigno Aquino is on the television accusing her husband/partner of pointing a gun at her. Pretty nasty stuff.
Kris Aquino has been interesting because of her penchant for disobeying and not following her family's wishes with respect to public behavior and career. Kris is an actress and I believe she also has her own show. Now, she is the topic of the show as she admits that her husband beats her.
She just revealed that her partner also gave her a sexually transmitted disease. Jesus Christ!!! In this day and age of AIDS, people are still screwing around without condoms. God Bless the people of Philippines, but damn, let's get that stupid pecker in some condoms.
Kris also admitted that her mother made a statement: For someone who is so intelligent, you are so BOBA in selecting men. And this is the lesson in life folks. If you are being stupid in selecting men, get the fuck out.
Kris Aquino has been interesting because of her penchant for disobeying and not following her family's wishes with respect to public behavior and career. Kris is an actress and I believe she also has her own show. Now, she is the topic of the show as she admits that her husband beats her.
She just revealed that her partner also gave her a sexually transmitted disease. Jesus Christ!!! In this day and age of AIDS, people are still screwing around without condoms. God Bless the people of Philippines, but damn, let's get that stupid pecker in some condoms.
Kris also admitted that her mother made a statement: For someone who is so intelligent, you are so BOBA in selecting men. And this is the lesson in life folks. If you are being stupid in selecting men, get the fuck out.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
It's been a while since I've been around. The news, the situation at work, and problems with my ankle have been messing me up. On the plus side, I have bought two plants and placed them in my money corner. They are bringing me great gifts and great wonder. It's been very good.
What with the California gubernatorial elections going on, I don't know what to think about politics. I really don't want Arnold to be the governor. One reason is that he might become president one day. And let's face it, rules are rules. I don't want the US getting rid of that notation that says that non-US citizens can not be president. Wait for generations to grow up in the US. Then, have a hack at it.
Arnold's message is empty. I don't believe he will do a better job than Davis. At least Davis has been a politico. He's been there and done that. He's actually been blamed for the Republicans in Congress stalling for stuff. Bastards!!!
It's hard to be a Republican when bastards have hijacked my damned party. Where the hell is fiscal responsibility? Who the fuck cares about gays in the military? There are more important things in this world than having to step on the little guys.
What with the California gubernatorial elections going on, I don't know what to think about politics. I really don't want Arnold to be the governor. One reason is that he might become president one day. And let's face it, rules are rules. I don't want the US getting rid of that notation that says that non-US citizens can not be president. Wait for generations to grow up in the US. Then, have a hack at it.
Arnold's message is empty. I don't believe he will do a better job than Davis. At least Davis has been a politico. He's been there and done that. He's actually been blamed for the Republicans in Congress stalling for stuff. Bastards!!!
It's hard to be a Republican when bastards have hijacked my damned party. Where the hell is fiscal responsibility? Who the fuck cares about gays in the military? There are more important things in this world than having to step on the little guys.
Monday, September 08, 2003
YES!!! I won the football pool for the first week of the NFL season. I made an addition error and thought that I was behind this other guy. It turns out that I made a great score of 95. Yes! Baby! Bring on the money!
I began recruiting today for other players. Maybe the pot will get larger. Who knows? Maybe it will get to $50.
I began recruiting today for other players. Maybe the pot will get larger. Who knows? Maybe it will get to $50.
I took down a photo of Paulina Porizkova and two posters of Budweiser women from the dining room wall. Over time, I have forgotten that these posters and calendar were on the wall. The SO asked why I only had photos of white women on the wall.
The easy answer was that because in 1986, the only photos you could buy from Budweiser was photos of white women. I ended up buying two photos of Asian women in 1990 because I was so surprised that there was a photo of an Asian woman.
Ahh, this is something I should talk about in my seminar on art and being Filipino.
The easy answer was that because in 1986, the only photos you could buy from Budweiser was photos of white women. I ended up buying two photos of Asian women in 1990 because I was so surprised that there was a photo of an Asian woman.
Ahh, this is something I should talk about in my seminar on art and being Filipino.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)