I really wish they had a rifles. Instead, I am forced to be:
Smith & Wessen .44 Magnum. You are old school. Fat
Sheriff Deputies fancy you. Reliable but not
too practical.
What handgun are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Superbowl Sunday
It's the thirty-ninth Superbowl if you can believe it. It's the third quarter and time slowly passes by. During today's pregame ritual, there were references to Janette Jackson's nipple bare last year. I swear, Americans are such prudes. So hypocritical when it comes to morality or the apparent lack of it.
Americans would never complain about the implied sexuality in ads for alcohol, cars and god only knows what else. But see a nipple say hello to the world and it's a fucking end of the world scenario. Call in the FCC, ye christian fundamentalists. Time to start packing the Supreme Court with 60 year old white men whose idea of sex is going to a hooker in the middle of the night.
And we wonder why there are so much perversions and amoral criminals out there. Maybe we don't teach them how to deal with sexuality at all? Maybe because they repress every impulse that they have developed over thirty thousand years of evolution? Maybe because it is human nature to copulate and populate the earth?
I can't wait though until that piece of shit singer who ripped the nipple star from Janet Jackson disappears into oblivion and simply becomes an answer to trivia questions. Talentless hack! May you disappear as your courage and honor did in leaving Janet Jackson bare and unprotected in the media and from the politicians.
It's the thirty-ninth Superbowl if you can believe it. It's the third quarter and time slowly passes by. During today's pregame ritual, there were references to Janette Jackson's nipple bare last year. I swear, Americans are such prudes. So hypocritical when it comes to morality or the apparent lack of it.
Americans would never complain about the implied sexuality in ads for alcohol, cars and god only knows what else. But see a nipple say hello to the world and it's a fucking end of the world scenario. Call in the FCC, ye christian fundamentalists. Time to start packing the Supreme Court with 60 year old white men whose idea of sex is going to a hooker in the middle of the night.
And we wonder why there are so much perversions and amoral criminals out there. Maybe we don't teach them how to deal with sexuality at all? Maybe because they repress every impulse that they have developed over thirty thousand years of evolution? Maybe because it is human nature to copulate and populate the earth?
I can't wait though until that piece of shit singer who ripped the nipple star from Janet Jackson disappears into oblivion and simply becomes an answer to trivia questions. Talentless hack! May you disappear as your courage and honor did in leaving Janet Jackson bare and unprotected in the media and from the politicians.
Seiko SNA 429
Seiko watches have been a constant desire in my life. You could say they serve as milestones of my life. The very first one I ever received from my parents was a simple blue dial 17 jewel watch. It was my first year in high school in the Philippines. Very soon after that year, we went to America. When I went to college, for some reason, I lost the watch. All I can remember is that it was with my collection of coins.
It took me nearly fourteen years before I bought another Seiko watch. Being a poor graduate student, I could afford the forty dollar and the fifty dollar watches. But the plastic bracelets always seemed to break. I remember buying several of them during graduate school.
To mark the end of graduate school, I bought my second Seiko watch. A white dial 17 jewel automatic just like my first watch. While wearing the watch, it ripped every single hair on my left wrist. Good Lord! I should have shaved my wrist instead of enduring the pain over a period of weeks. The second watch was with me during my post-doc years. It served as a nice reminder that I got through graduate school in one skin. Maybe I can do it again in the post-doc.
The advent of cheap cellular phones changed my thinking about watches. I stopped wearing the watch since I began carrying the cell phone. Why carry jewelry when you don't need it? It wasn't my persona anyways. I was a happy go lucky scientist who dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Who needs a high class watch?
In 2004, for some reason, the bug hit me again. For some reason, my obsessive-compulsive self began to desire and lust after Seiko chronographs. It got so bad that one time, I went to downtown San Francisco near Union Square to buy the watch. I looked at the displays. The daughter of the owner sensed an opportunity. She began talking and I pointed to a blue dial stainless steel chronograph. The suggested retail price was $375. She said that it was on sale for that day only. She took off $50. I said that I could not afford that. What I was really doing was thinking about how to get the money from two bank accounts that I had.
When I made a move to leave, she insisted that I should buy the watch. I said that I had to consult my wife. Those were magic words. Realizing that the decision was not on one person alone, she took off another $50. Wow, the price was now $275. I left the store and went to the two banks and withdrew $300. But while I was going back to the store, I got a call from the SO. The short end of the conversation was that I should try to connect my watch with an achievement. I walked the streets of San Francisco for about two hours trying to talk myself into buying the watch. But the obsessiveness had already left me. I ended up redepositing my money.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend of 2004. I was ready to leave my miserable job. But the word on the grapevine was that a bonus was coming up in January 2005. Imagine, the photofinishing business was making so much money that they wanted to share the wealth. Truthfully, the work load was so big that I had a difficult time imagining to stay. The SO suggested that I attach my watch to getting the bonus. I did not want to, but it made sense. how much did I want that chronometer? How much suffering could I go through?
Well, by doing a seminar for a company, I got $200 of Amazon bucks. The seminar was something like ten minutes. When the bonus came, I was off to the races. I could finally buy the watch. But since I waited this long, I searched some more. The SO suggested looking at Amazon for a watch. I did not think that they would have any. Boy was I wrong. I was able to buy a great titanium chronometer for only $90. The amazon bucks helped me out. Now, I have a blue dial chronometer which is better than what I would have gotten six months ago.
Seiko watches have been a constant desire in my life. You could say they serve as milestones of my life. The very first one I ever received from my parents was a simple blue dial 17 jewel watch. It was my first year in high school in the Philippines. Very soon after that year, we went to America. When I went to college, for some reason, I lost the watch. All I can remember is that it was with my collection of coins.
It took me nearly fourteen years before I bought another Seiko watch. Being a poor graduate student, I could afford the forty dollar and the fifty dollar watches. But the plastic bracelets always seemed to break. I remember buying several of them during graduate school.
To mark the end of graduate school, I bought my second Seiko watch. A white dial 17 jewel automatic just like my first watch. While wearing the watch, it ripped every single hair on my left wrist. Good Lord! I should have shaved my wrist instead of enduring the pain over a period of weeks. The second watch was with me during my post-doc years. It served as a nice reminder that I got through graduate school in one skin. Maybe I can do it again in the post-doc.
The advent of cheap cellular phones changed my thinking about watches. I stopped wearing the watch since I began carrying the cell phone. Why carry jewelry when you don't need it? It wasn't my persona anyways. I was a happy go lucky scientist who dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Who needs a high class watch?
In 2004, for some reason, the bug hit me again. For some reason, my obsessive-compulsive self began to desire and lust after Seiko chronographs. It got so bad that one time, I went to downtown San Francisco near Union Square to buy the watch. I looked at the displays. The daughter of the owner sensed an opportunity. She began talking and I pointed to a blue dial stainless steel chronograph. The suggested retail price was $375. She said that it was on sale for that day only. She took off $50. I said that I could not afford that. What I was really doing was thinking about how to get the money from two bank accounts that I had.
When I made a move to leave, she insisted that I should buy the watch. I said that I had to consult my wife. Those were magic words. Realizing that the decision was not on one person alone, she took off another $50. Wow, the price was now $275. I left the store and went to the two banks and withdrew $300. But while I was going back to the store, I got a call from the SO. The short end of the conversation was that I should try to connect my watch with an achievement. I walked the streets of San Francisco for about two hours trying to talk myself into buying the watch. But the obsessiveness had already left me. I ended up redepositing my money.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend of 2004. I was ready to leave my miserable job. But the word on the grapevine was that a bonus was coming up in January 2005. Imagine, the photofinishing business was making so much money that they wanted to share the wealth. Truthfully, the work load was so big that I had a difficult time imagining to stay. The SO suggested that I attach my watch to getting the bonus. I did not want to, but it made sense. how much did I want that chronometer? How much suffering could I go through?
Well, by doing a seminar for a company, I got $200 of Amazon bucks. The seminar was something like ten minutes. When the bonus came, I was off to the races. I could finally buy the watch. But since I waited this long, I searched some more. The SO suggested looking at Amazon for a watch. I did not think that they would have any. Boy was I wrong. I was able to buy a great titanium chronometer for only $90. The amazon bucks helped me out. Now, I have a blue dial chronometer which is better than what I would have gotten six months ago.
Truth Hurts
When I grow up, I want be like the Chatelaine. Go to her entries for 12JAN05 and 13JAN05 and the truth and honesty will smack your face. And if you're into that sort of thing, here are some virtual leather whips. Go out there and whip some of her 5 billion voyeurs hiding beneath the canopy of poetics.
Cut to the chase. Get to the meat of the problem. Say why you are here. I wish politicians, journalists and everyone could learn from the chatelaine. If she were in the Babylon 5 universe, she would have her own disciples and her own church. Hmm, her own church...
Sometimes, my gift of seeing people's lives disturb me greatly. Their possibilities appear to me all at the same time and the images, emotions and their lives are difficult to contend with. Sometimes, there are those whose life is so clear that it serves as a beacon to everyone else. Such is the life of the chatelaine. She forewent the joy of parenting one person (18JAN05 entry to her blog) to become the parent of thousands of poets and artists and creators. The loss of one individual is the gain of thousands. Perhaps this thought might help a bit in the hours when the muse flits by.
When I grow up, I want be like the Chatelaine. Go to her entries for 12JAN05 and 13JAN05 and the truth and honesty will smack your face. And if you're into that sort of thing, here are some virtual leather whips. Go out there and whip some of her 5 billion voyeurs hiding beneath the canopy of poetics.
Cut to the chase. Get to the meat of the problem. Say why you are here. I wish politicians, journalists and everyone could learn from the chatelaine. If she were in the Babylon 5 universe, she would have her own disciples and her own church. Hmm, her own church...
Sometimes, my gift of seeing people's lives disturb me greatly. Their possibilities appear to me all at the same time and the images, emotions and their lives are difficult to contend with. Sometimes, there are those whose life is so clear that it serves as a beacon to everyone else. Such is the life of the chatelaine. She forewent the joy of parenting one person (18JAN05 entry to her blog) to become the parent of thousands of poets and artists and creators. The loss of one individual is the gain of thousands. Perhaps this thought might help a bit in the hours when the muse flits by.
A sphere is a square
Sometimes, the laws of physics and the universe does not apply. In the life Butch, you can see this phenomena. Fresh from other parts of the world, watch Butch as he adapts and learns to become an American of Pin@y ancestry in America. From his opinions on immigrants and his loneliness to his perceptions of race relations, this is a blog full of honesty and heartfelt observations. For good or bad, this is one side of god and the universe that everyone must see. Oh, and by the way, he writes in Tagalog. So bring out all your Tagalog to English dictionaries. Kuwadradong Mundo is the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 6th of February, 2005.
Sometimes, the laws of physics and the universe does not apply. In the life Butch, you can see this phenomena. Fresh from other parts of the world, watch Butch as he adapts and learns to become an American of Pin@y ancestry in America. From his opinions on immigrants and his loneliness to his perceptions of race relations, this is a blog full of honesty and heartfelt observations. For good or bad, this is one side of god and the universe that everyone must see. Oh, and by the way, he writes in Tagalog. So bring out all your Tagalog to English dictionaries. Kuwadradong Mundo is the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 6th of February, 2005.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Pizza and Poetry
The fiancee performed last night at Poetry and Pizza. A monthly event holding two guilty pleasures together. On the first Friday of each month, free pizza and the opportunity to hear the bright spots of poetry in the Bay area are offerred to anyone and everyone. It is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to support the arts. The proceeds from a donation goes to a local arts organization.
Driving in San Francisco is not one of my favorite things to do. The one way streets, the narrow streets, the hills that reach out to the sky, and the dumb pedestrians who wait on the streets so that they can shave one second in their travel time just plain drive me nuts. Oh, and let's not even get into the potholes. Manholes is more like it.
At any rate, I got to "Escape from New York" a pizza joint a little early. So I walked up the block to find a place where I could eat. Popolo Restaurant is at 375 Bush St. in the financial district. From the SF Chronicle: " For the past six years Popolo Restaurant has served the Financial District with their fine Italian Mediterranean cuisine. Owned and managed by Ladan and Farhad Jalali, Polopo's offers exquisitely delightful fare for both lunch and dinner. Fine food coupled with classic ambiance and a friendly atmosphere make Popolo a perfect setting for client lunches as well as happy hour cocktails."
I was lucky enough to get there during happy hour and to convince the SO to join me for a brief repast before the evening's performances. I ordered the smoked salmon and a plate of flatbread. The SO had chicken wings. The meal was light and delicious. The flatbread was surprisingly flat. I really should pay attention to details like that. I thought they were coming out with some nice bread that was poofy. My bad. The salmon was just right. The salt was not overwhelming. The chicken wings were fried properly. No red blood here. Just crispy skin with tender meat.
I thought about going back to Popolo later in the evening but those were preempted because right across Popolo, there were some strings of light which caught the So's and my eyes. It looked like a fiesta in the Philippines. it turned out that there were about four or five restaurants in the alley.
As time goes on, I am more and more amazed by the performances of the SO. The poems she read were apt for the circumstances of the day. The poems about the Philippine-American War was quite apt considering the current Iraq War. And of course, the point that the Library Congress called the Philippine-American War the Phillipine Insurrection was a good lesson to teach Americans.
The So's performance of the poem "Angel Island" elicited a great response from the audience. The man sitting next to me enounced a guttural sound at the end of the poem. It was as if to say that no words could come out because of the poem. Just emotions evinced by the most primitive sound of man's heart.
Barbara J. P. Reyes was one of the other four poets that evening. She is about fulfill a journey this coming spring when she is to be MFAed. She read from her book "Gravities of Center" and from some from her manuscript. Barbara's direction in poetry is going towards the creation of mythology, specifically Philippine mythology. The "diwata" has been visiting her off and on for the last few months. Unfortunately, the diwata sometimes does not give as quickly or as easily as other muses. In one of her poems, the SO was collaborating as the bakground agong beater. I was the stand. Imagine five minutes which seemed like an hour. I was standing there holding a bronze agong and I was hoping that I did not faint from all the attention. Bwahahhaha.
Elz Cuya set up the whole affair. From the Youth Speaks website: " Elz Cuya is a San Francisco native, born to immigrant Filipino parents. She graduated from U.C Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications, then worked in the broadcast industry for nearly 10 years, eight of which spent at the all-news radio station, KCBS. In 2000, Elz founded The Poetry Mission, the Mission District-based literary collective that presents poetry, performance art and music. She joined Youth Speaks in 2003 as co-coordinator for the annual Friendraiser, and the organization couldn't get rid of her since. Elz enjoys Argentine Tango and opera. She is also working on a collection of poems to be published in the Fall of 2005."
Ms. Cuya is at the beginning of her poetry career. As a friend of hers remarked, her poetry has gone from Kraft cheese to provolone. She is planning to publish a book of poetry in late 2005. The poem which intrigued me the most is the one about her father. She wonders why it is that her father always seems to give her money. Is money the great symbol for her father? A symbol of what?
The last performer was Joellene Buccat a freshman at USF. "Joellene is an 18-year old Filipina poetess from Daly City. She works closely with Youth Speaks as a member of their youth advisory board. She is currently working with several other female writers from Youth Speaks on a publication to be released this summer. Joellene studies at the University of San Francisco." Her poem about the city of San Francisco and its inhabitants captured my attention. Good detail and great turn at the end of the poem. Everyone needs to look out for the time when she publishes her book.
The fiancee performed last night at Poetry and Pizza. A monthly event holding two guilty pleasures together. On the first Friday of each month, free pizza and the opportunity to hear the bright spots of poetry in the Bay area are offerred to anyone and everyone. It is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to support the arts. The proceeds from a donation goes to a local arts organization.
Driving in San Francisco is not one of my favorite things to do. The one way streets, the narrow streets, the hills that reach out to the sky, and the dumb pedestrians who wait on the streets so that they can shave one second in their travel time just plain drive me nuts. Oh, and let's not even get into the potholes. Manholes is more like it.
At any rate, I got to "Escape from New York" a pizza joint a little early. So I walked up the block to find a place where I could eat. Popolo Restaurant is at 375 Bush St. in the financial district. From the SF Chronicle: " For the past six years Popolo Restaurant has served the Financial District with their fine Italian Mediterranean cuisine. Owned and managed by Ladan and Farhad Jalali, Polopo's offers exquisitely delightful fare for both lunch and dinner. Fine food coupled with classic ambiance and a friendly atmosphere make Popolo a perfect setting for client lunches as well as happy hour cocktails."
I was lucky enough to get there during happy hour and to convince the SO to join me for a brief repast before the evening's performances. I ordered the smoked salmon and a plate of flatbread. The SO had chicken wings. The meal was light and delicious. The flatbread was surprisingly flat. I really should pay attention to details like that. I thought they were coming out with some nice bread that was poofy. My bad. The salmon was just right. The salt was not overwhelming. The chicken wings were fried properly. No red blood here. Just crispy skin with tender meat.
I thought about going back to Popolo later in the evening but those were preempted because right across Popolo, there were some strings of light which caught the So's and my eyes. It looked like a fiesta in the Philippines. it turned out that there were about four or five restaurants in the alley.
As time goes on, I am more and more amazed by the performances of the SO. The poems she read were apt for the circumstances of the day. The poems about the Philippine-American War was quite apt considering the current Iraq War. And of course, the point that the Library Congress called the Philippine-American War the Phillipine Insurrection was a good lesson to teach Americans.
The So's performance of the poem "Angel Island" elicited a great response from the audience. The man sitting next to me enounced a guttural sound at the end of the poem. It was as if to say that no words could come out because of the poem. Just emotions evinced by the most primitive sound of man's heart.
Barbara J. P. Reyes was one of the other four poets that evening. She is about fulfill a journey this coming spring when she is to be MFAed. She read from her book "Gravities of Center" and from some from her manuscript. Barbara's direction in poetry is going towards the creation of mythology, specifically Philippine mythology. The "diwata" has been visiting her off and on for the last few months. Unfortunately, the diwata sometimes does not give as quickly or as easily as other muses. In one of her poems, the SO was collaborating as the bakground agong beater. I was the stand. Imagine five minutes which seemed like an hour. I was standing there holding a bronze agong and I was hoping that I did not faint from all the attention. Bwahahhaha.
Elz Cuya set up the whole affair. From the Youth Speaks website: " Elz Cuya is a San Francisco native, born to immigrant Filipino parents. She graduated from U.C Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications, then worked in the broadcast industry for nearly 10 years, eight of which spent at the all-news radio station, KCBS. In 2000, Elz founded The Poetry Mission, the Mission District-based literary collective that presents poetry, performance art and music. She joined Youth Speaks in 2003 as co-coordinator for the annual Friendraiser, and the organization couldn't get rid of her since. Elz enjoys Argentine Tango and opera. She is also working on a collection of poems to be published in the Fall of 2005."
Ms. Cuya is at the beginning of her poetry career. As a friend of hers remarked, her poetry has gone from Kraft cheese to provolone. She is planning to publish a book of poetry in late 2005. The poem which intrigued me the most is the one about her father. She wonders why it is that her father always seems to give her money. Is money the great symbol for her father? A symbol of what?
The last performer was Joellene Buccat a freshman at USF. "Joellene is an 18-year old Filipina poetess from Daly City. She works closely with Youth Speaks as a member of their youth advisory board. She is currently working with several other female writers from Youth Speaks on a publication to be released this summer. Joellene studies at the University of San Francisco." Her poem about the city of San Francisco and its inhabitants captured my attention. Good detail and great turn at the end of the poem. Everyone needs to look out for the time when she publishes her book.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Up and Down
Sometimes, I lose track of the fact that life is a series of ups and downs. I have been trying to readjust my perception so that the workplace does not affect how I think. I am trying to surround myself with good things and good charms to that end. My plants are doing well now that I found a place in which the sun can bless them. Chlorophyll!
I have to try and give up ownership of reports and just get people to sign it. It is amazing the amount of time I spend on the darned things, but the folks at the photo place are not too bright.
Sometimes, I lose track of the fact that life is a series of ups and downs. I have been trying to readjust my perception so that the workplace does not affect how I think. I am trying to surround myself with good things and good charms to that end. My plants are doing well now that I found a place in which the sun can bless them. Chlorophyll!
I have to try and give up ownership of reports and just get people to sign it. It is amazing the amount of time I spend on the darned things, but the folks at the photo place are not too bright.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Which Greek God am I?
Aphrodite/Eros
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
You are most like Raven. Quiet and usually soft
spoken, you don't like crowds and can be
slightly gothic. You try to repress your
emotions for one reason or another but one of
your most powerful emotions is your anger. Your
temper sometimes gets the best of you and when
that happens those in your way would wish they
weren't. You seem somewhat creepy to others and
you earn a few odd stares but who cares? You
aren't an outdoors person and avoid venturing
outside when you can. You are generally the
smart one and maybe not by trying to, the most
cynical and sarcastic of the bunch which can be
good or bad. You don't like anyone invading
your privacy and you don't seem to be all that
social. But for what it's worth you can be
quite handy in a tough situation. You are drawn
to the darkness or night most of the time. You
appear mysterious and/or potentially dangerous
at times and not everyone trusts you right
away.
Which Teen Titans Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Cocktail
?? Which Alcoholic Drink Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
In your eyes, people see life... You see yourself
as just an average person! You enjoy life, love
wildlife, but also enjoy time with those who
know you best. You like to get outdoors and let
your mind wander over all of the mysteries god
gave to you. You don't really have a certain
sanctuary because you're so well-rounded, but
you like having fun and adventures, but can
also be found sitting quietly about, reading a
book. You have a pretty good life ahead of you,
never trade it for anything else :)
What Lies Behind Your Eyes? (With Pics, See All Results!)
brought to you by Quizilla
Aphrodite/Eros
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
You are most like Raven. Quiet and usually soft
spoken, you don't like crowds and can be
slightly gothic. You try to repress your
emotions for one reason or another but one of
your most powerful emotions is your anger. Your
temper sometimes gets the best of you and when
that happens those in your way would wish they
weren't. You seem somewhat creepy to others and
you earn a few odd stares but who cares? You
aren't an outdoors person and avoid venturing
outside when you can. You are generally the
smart one and maybe not by trying to, the most
cynical and sarcastic of the bunch which can be
good or bad. You don't like anyone invading
your privacy and you don't seem to be all that
social. But for what it's worth you can be
quite handy in a tough situation. You are drawn
to the darkness or night most of the time. You
appear mysterious and/or potentially dangerous
at times and not everyone trusts you right
away.
Which Teen Titans Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Cocktail
?? Which Alcoholic Drink Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
In your eyes, people see life... You see yourself
as just an average person! You enjoy life, love
wildlife, but also enjoy time with those who
know you best. You like to get outdoors and let
your mind wander over all of the mysteries god
gave to you. You don't really have a certain
sanctuary because you're so well-rounded, but
you like having fun and adventures, but can
also be found sitting quietly about, reading a
book. You have a pretty good life ahead of you,
never trade it for anything else :)
What Lies Behind Your Eyes? (With Pics, See All Results!)
brought to you by Quizilla
Monday, January 31, 2005
Money, Money, Money
About four years ago, I joined a seed money group. The purpose was to learn how to save money, take care of money and let money work for you. At that time, my thinking was that of poverty. I thought that $3000 was a lot of money. How am I supposed to save that? ONly doctors and lawyers could bee rich. Why should I let go of my title. I earned that "doctor" with twelve years of hard work.
Four years later, I managed to save $25,000. I am no longer chained by my title. If I get laid off tomorrow, I will get a job and find the money for the wedding. I don't have as much fear about being poor as before. I don't have to find myself. I can just be myself. Be somebody.
Thank you Tuhan and Tubig. This past year has been a great year. Thank you God. Each day is a blessing. Thank you Honey for being there. I owe all my changes to you. Thank you to my family for supporting me in my crazy ideas.
And I say to you out there who read this. You don't have to be poor. You just have to be willing to learn and realize that no one ever taught you about money.
This weekend is an 8. I won the money group Tubig. Yipee! I get to buy my 22 caliber rifle. And I also bought myself a Seiko watch!!!
About four years ago, I joined a seed money group. The purpose was to learn how to save money, take care of money and let money work for you. At that time, my thinking was that of poverty. I thought that $3000 was a lot of money. How am I supposed to save that? ONly doctors and lawyers could bee rich. Why should I let go of my title. I earned that "doctor" with twelve years of hard work.
Four years later, I managed to save $25,000. I am no longer chained by my title. If I get laid off tomorrow, I will get a job and find the money for the wedding. I don't have as much fear about being poor as before. I don't have to find myself. I can just be myself. Be somebody.
Thank you Tuhan and Tubig. This past year has been a great year. Thank you God. Each day is a blessing. Thank you Honey for being there. I owe all my changes to you. Thank you to my family for supporting me in my crazy ideas.
And I say to you out there who read this. You don't have to be poor. You just have to be willing to learn and realize that no one ever taught you about money.
This weekend is an 8. I won the money group Tubig. Yipee! I get to buy my 22 caliber rifle. And I also bought myself a Seiko watch!!!
Saturday, January 29, 2005
| Which Halo character are you? Sgt. Johnson You talk alot, you don't do much, but at times you can be invaluable. |
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Hehehe. While looking for a quiz on Halo, I found this.
| Which Borg drone are you You're a BORG QUEEN You are a pivital part of the Collective, but at times your rampant individualism can disrupt the Collective's goals. We predict that you'll seduce an android and then he will betray you and your orgainc compounds will liquify. |
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Things I see
So today, at work, I sent off a report. One copy went to my boss and the other went to another director. The other director did not change one word. My boss changed enough so that I was working on the document for an hour or so looking up faccts, details, etc. So, who's got the problem? It's the old bat about the 80/20 principle. That last 20% will kill you.
Has anyone seen the CSI shows? How come all the male actors look like tough SOBs? All their lines are trite and arrogant. It really bothers the hell out of me. Can they please go to acting school?
I am turning into a gun nut. Just today, I bought some magazines which discuss guns. I am looking at pistols. Trying to see if I would like to try them out. I am already planning to purchase a rifle from Sako. Add in a scope and it should give me hours of fun on Saturday mornings. Now, the question will be should I purchase some pistols?
So today, at work, I sent off a report. One copy went to my boss and the other went to another director. The other director did not change one word. My boss changed enough so that I was working on the document for an hour or so looking up faccts, details, etc. So, who's got the problem? It's the old bat about the 80/20 principle. That last 20% will kill you.
Has anyone seen the CSI shows? How come all the male actors look like tough SOBs? All their lines are trite and arrogant. It really bothers the hell out of me. Can they please go to acting school?
I am turning into a gun nut. Just today, I bought some magazines which discuss guns. I am looking at pistols. Trying to see if I would like to try them out. I am already planning to purchase a rifle from Sako. Add in a scope and it should give me hours of fun on Saturday mornings. Now, the question will be should I purchase some pistols?
Monday, January 24, 2005
The Job
Over the holidays, I had decided that financial freedom was the goal that mattered to me. As a long term plan of ten years, that is ideal. But I still have to deal with the reality of life. My current job at the photofinisher's is turning into something that you just deal with.
Last week, I came back back from the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday only to learn that one of the managers who had given a two week notice was let go after three days. The company can not even be gracious when someone has decided to leave. This definitely is not a good sign. It reminds me more and more of the previous company which died a slow lingering death.
What bothers me more is that the upper management essentially set up the woman. They assigned her to do something that was impossible in a short time period. When she and her direct report were ready to accomplish it, the rules changed. Of course, they were not able to succeed. The rules changed in the middle. Then, they assigned the manager to do something that an operator was doing. Who would not want to leave?
The short shrift is that there is a backlog in the photofinishing department. Thousands of reprints are not being done. Hundreds of chemical waste is not being picked up. Privacy concerns are coming up.
I am seeking some other position in other companies. I was even thinking of doing some commercial work as a salesman. God willing, I will get it. Hopefully, your lives are interesting without the stress.
Over the holidays, I had decided that financial freedom was the goal that mattered to me. As a long term plan of ten years, that is ideal. But I still have to deal with the reality of life. My current job at the photofinisher's is turning into something that you just deal with.
Last week, I came back back from the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday only to learn that one of the managers who had given a two week notice was let go after three days. The company can not even be gracious when someone has decided to leave. This definitely is not a good sign. It reminds me more and more of the previous company which died a slow lingering death.
What bothers me more is that the upper management essentially set up the woman. They assigned her to do something that was impossible in a short time period. When she and her direct report were ready to accomplish it, the rules changed. Of course, they were not able to succeed. The rules changed in the middle. Then, they assigned the manager to do something that an operator was doing. Who would not want to leave?
The short shrift is that there is a backlog in the photofinishing department. Thousands of reprints are not being done. Hundreds of chemical waste is not being picked up. Privacy concerns are coming up.
I am seeking some other position in other companies. I was even thinking of doing some commercial work as a salesman. God willing, I will get it. Hopefully, your lives are interesting without the stress.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Gun Range
I never thought that I would really like to shoot guns or rifles. But the more I try the art of shooting with a rifle, the more interested I become. Television and the media have portrayed the National Rifle Association as gun nuts who will do anything so that anyone can buy a gun. However, just like people, there are many different kinds of guns. There are those that are fun and then there are those that are used to kill people.
This past Saturday the 22nd of January, I went to the Chabot Gun Range in the hills of Hayward. The SOwas supposed to go with me, but sleep deprivation and her addiction to karaoke singing made her pass. So, off I went driving into the hills of Hayward. What surprised me the most was the amount of fog that blanketed the hills. After a while, I began to doubt whether I could go shooting because visibility was down to twenty feet.
Miraculously, when I finally got to the floor of the valley, it was reasonably clear. When I left the car, what struck me was the coldness of the air. It seemed like it was sucking out the heat from my body. In the end, the cold caused me and my friend to leave. We were just too ill prepared to be shooting in weather that ranged from 40 degrees F to 50 degress F.
One of the other shooters in the range had just bought a M1A rifle and was willing to share the joy with everyone. He looked like a typical "gun nut" but that is why that saying "looks can be deceiving" is said over and over again by people. He did mention that "I bought a battle rifle just in case some shit goes on. You know, shit has often occurred in the past." He was a little paranoid, but with W on the flightdeck of the governement, you can never be sure. Hell, a peanut could be sitting on the president's chair and I don't think anyone would see a difference.
At any rate, the bullets were 7.62 mm NATO issue. In other words, think .308 Winchester bullets. The magazine was enormous. I usually shoot the .22 caliber rifle. I was looking at the bullets and I figured that the rifle would take off my arm. I really did not want to shoot the rifle. Some people are very iffy about having other people touch their rifles. But Billy was insistent so I went ahead.
WOW! Wow! Wow! That's all I can say. The kick of the rifle was not that bad. You can definitely see yourself firing away at the enemies a hundred yards away. In fact, the sights were so good that I was on the paper and about four to six inches away from a one inch target. Folks, with iron sights, it's not that easy. But with this rifle, I could see myself being on target. At $1500 per rifle, I don't see myself purchasing one of these bad boys. But you never know. Sometimes, you can try to set a goal and it might happen.
The target shooting with the CZ rifle while using iron sight was not too bad. Before, I could barely find the paper. This time around, the first ten rounds were a little too high. But after a while, I was starting to be on the black. However, the weather was so cold that my hands actually hurt. Leaning over and taking aim was a definite chore with the frost coming from my mouth. And the steel seats did not help any with the concentration required to fire away.
I asked my friend if this was typical weather when hunting and he said that it was. With weather like that, I don't really want to go hunting after deer or duck. Imagine, 40 degrees and you have to be wading into water. The heck with that!
I never thought that I would really like to shoot guns or rifles. But the more I try the art of shooting with a rifle, the more interested I become. Television and the media have portrayed the National Rifle Association as gun nuts who will do anything so that anyone can buy a gun. However, just like people, there are many different kinds of guns. There are those that are fun and then there are those that are used to kill people.
This past Saturday the 22nd of January, I went to the Chabot Gun Range in the hills of Hayward. The SOwas supposed to go with me, but sleep deprivation and her addiction to karaoke singing made her pass. So, off I went driving into the hills of Hayward. What surprised me the most was the amount of fog that blanketed the hills. After a while, I began to doubt whether I could go shooting because visibility was down to twenty feet.
Miraculously, when I finally got to the floor of the valley, it was reasonably clear. When I left the car, what struck me was the coldness of the air. It seemed like it was sucking out the heat from my body. In the end, the cold caused me and my friend to leave. We were just too ill prepared to be shooting in weather that ranged from 40 degrees F to 50 degress F.
One of the other shooters in the range had just bought a M1A rifle and was willing to share the joy with everyone. He looked like a typical "gun nut" but that is why that saying "looks can be deceiving" is said over and over again by people. He did mention that "I bought a battle rifle just in case some shit goes on. You know, shit has often occurred in the past." He was a little paranoid, but with W on the flightdeck of the governement, you can never be sure. Hell, a peanut could be sitting on the president's chair and I don't think anyone would see a difference.
At any rate, the bullets were 7.62 mm NATO issue. In other words, think .308 Winchester bullets. The magazine was enormous. I usually shoot the .22 caliber rifle. I was looking at the bullets and I figured that the rifle would take off my arm. I really did not want to shoot the rifle. Some people are very iffy about having other people touch their rifles. But Billy was insistent so I went ahead.
WOW! Wow! Wow! That's all I can say. The kick of the rifle was not that bad. You can definitely see yourself firing away at the enemies a hundred yards away. In fact, the sights were so good that I was on the paper and about four to six inches away from a one inch target. Folks, with iron sights, it's not that easy. But with this rifle, I could see myself being on target. At $1500 per rifle, I don't see myself purchasing one of these bad boys. But you never know. Sometimes, you can try to set a goal and it might happen.
The target shooting with the CZ rifle while using iron sight was not too bad. Before, I could barely find the paper. This time around, the first ten rounds were a little too high. But after a while, I was starting to be on the black. However, the weather was so cold that my hands actually hurt. Leaning over and taking aim was a definite chore with the frost coming from my mouth. And the steel seats did not help any with the concentration required to fire away.
I asked my friend if this was typical weather when hunting and he said that it was. With weather like that, I don't really want to go hunting after deer or duck. Imagine, 40 degrees and you have to be wading into water. The heck with that!
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Birthmonth!!!!
I decided years ago that I am to precious and too sexy to be celebrating just on my birthday. So, I celebrate a birthmonth instead of a birthday. Bwahahhahhahhaha
I wish to give thanks to God the Almighty. Yes, even do I sound like a born again Christian, I am not. I'm actually planning to visit the Rosicrucians.
I wish to thank my family, my sister and my brother and my sister's family, specially bulinggit.
I wish to thank the SO because without her, I would be infinitely be less interesting and less mature and probably dead of a heart attack.
And I wish to thank you who read my blog. May you live in interesting times.
I decided years ago that I am to precious and too sexy to be celebrating just on my birthday. So, I celebrate a birthmonth instead of a birthday. Bwahahhahhahhaha
I wish to give thanks to God the Almighty. Yes, even do I sound like a born again Christian, I am not. I'm actually planning to visit the Rosicrucians.
I wish to thank my family, my sister and my brother and my sister's family, specially bulinggit.
I wish to thank the SO because without her, I would be infinitely be less interesting and less mature and probably dead of a heart attack.
And I wish to thank you who read my blog. May you live in interesting times.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Sh*t hits the fan
Well, yesterday, I had another run-in with the person who runs the department. The problem is of course amnesia. He has already forgotten what he told me to do in December. So, now, he is asking for the other stuff that did not get done. And when I told him why the stuff did not get done, poof! The conversation ends.
I tried to speak to him one on one. I tried to resolve the problems of late reports. What he did was tell me all the stuff that he did not like about me. I realized that I had learned everything I could from him. Maybe I learned about how to organize and keep track of things. But, after that, there is nothing more to learn.
Yesterday was a 7. I managed to tell him what was wrong from my point of view. He probably did not consider it though. Well, and that is why we are losing all our business to these damned online photofinishing factories. Those places don't have souls. I tell you, they are supposed to be run by machines! Not by people like us.
If you don't see me around your neighborhood photofinishing place, you know what happened.
Well, yesterday, I had another run-in with the person who runs the department. The problem is of course amnesia. He has already forgotten what he told me to do in December. So, now, he is asking for the other stuff that did not get done. And when I told him why the stuff did not get done, poof! The conversation ends.
I tried to speak to him one on one. I tried to resolve the problems of late reports. What he did was tell me all the stuff that he did not like about me. I realized that I had learned everything I could from him. Maybe I learned about how to organize and keep track of things. But, after that, there is nothing more to learn.
Yesterday was a 7. I managed to tell him what was wrong from my point of view. He probably did not consider it though. Well, and that is why we are losing all our business to these damned online photofinishing factories. Those places don't have souls. I tell you, they are supposed to be run by machines! Not by people like us.
If you don't see me around your neighborhood photofinishing place, you know what happened.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Of monsters and vampires
The SO's family is humongous. I get the opportunity to speak to many of her cousins and study their lives. For someone without a life like me, I can live vicariously through them. I get to see what life would be like when a particular path is chosen.
Over the 2004 Christmas and New Year's holiday, the SO and I spent the vacation period with her family in Las Vegas. I managed to interact with the Las Vegas and San Diego cousins. I don't normally speak to them and so I was unaccustomed to their energy.
What was interesting is that her younger cousins (age 15-19) were interested in what I had to say. Another friend of ours C who was on the same vacation said that she noticed that the cousins had deep respect for the SO. I guess their respect for her came to me too with what they wanted to hear.
I told them about life and about death. For some reason, it was the easiest way to begin speaking with them. I have always been able to see certain things which as a scientist would make me very uncomfortable. But when you have a gift, you stop questioning after a while. I explained to them that just like in Babylon 5, death is really just another doorway. Another place to go to after this life. Philosophically, I can understand it as such. But deep down, the primal animal in me still fears death.
I explained as best as I could how energy can be seen by other people. I gave examples of how some women glow so brightly that men are just drawn to them like fireflies. However, sometimes, glowing is not enough to have a good life. Sometimes, if all you do is glow, then the vampires and the monsters come. I warned them that they have a gift. They needed to find the gift and be aware of it because sometimes, others will find it first.
I also spoke to them about tatoos and my thought that tatoos are modern day talismans. People get one to call on the higher being. But sometimes, the ones that come are the dark higher beings. I used as an example a relative who had placed a tatoo of a lion on the base of her spine. Great, it is there to protect her. But from what? I always have to question that for the simple reason that men will react to things in a funny way. "Oh, you have a shield / protector? Well, let me try out my fangs, and my sword and my weapons against you."
In today's society, the freedom to do what we wish without the ability to understand the implications in a spiritual way disturb me. Do these people really feel that threatened that they would need tatoos? In the old days, I can understand the use of tatoos. You were hunting and gathering food. There were big nasty things after you. If you don't get help, they eat you. Nowadays? I fear that tatoos only cause you to be the center of attraction of a maelstorm.
The SO's family is humongous. I get the opportunity to speak to many of her cousins and study their lives. For someone without a life like me, I can live vicariously through them. I get to see what life would be like when a particular path is chosen.
Over the 2004 Christmas and New Year's holiday, the SO and I spent the vacation period with her family in Las Vegas. I managed to interact with the Las Vegas and San Diego cousins. I don't normally speak to them and so I was unaccustomed to their energy.
What was interesting is that her younger cousins (age 15-19) were interested in what I had to say. Another friend of ours C who was on the same vacation said that she noticed that the cousins had deep respect for the SO. I guess their respect for her came to me too with what they wanted to hear.
I told them about life and about death. For some reason, it was the easiest way to begin speaking with them. I have always been able to see certain things which as a scientist would make me very uncomfortable. But when you have a gift, you stop questioning after a while. I explained to them that just like in Babylon 5, death is really just another doorway. Another place to go to after this life. Philosophically, I can understand it as such. But deep down, the primal animal in me still fears death.
I explained as best as I could how energy can be seen by other people. I gave examples of how some women glow so brightly that men are just drawn to them like fireflies. However, sometimes, glowing is not enough to have a good life. Sometimes, if all you do is glow, then the vampires and the monsters come. I warned them that they have a gift. They needed to find the gift and be aware of it because sometimes, others will find it first.
I also spoke to them about tatoos and my thought that tatoos are modern day talismans. People get one to call on the higher being. But sometimes, the ones that come are the dark higher beings. I used as an example a relative who had placed a tatoo of a lion on the base of her spine. Great, it is there to protect her. But from what? I always have to question that for the simple reason that men will react to things in a funny way. "Oh, you have a shield / protector? Well, let me try out my fangs, and my sword and my weapons against you."
In today's society, the freedom to do what we wish without the ability to understand the implications in a spiritual way disturb me. Do these people really feel that threatened that they would need tatoos? In the old days, I can understand the use of tatoos. You were hunting and gathering food. There were big nasty things after you. If you don't get help, they eat you. Nowadays? I fear that tatoos only cause you to be the center of attraction of a maelstorm.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
I am not worried
Sometimes I wonder how the Pin@y community will fair in America. But then, I read about adventures in New York and I am not so worried.
Sometimes I wonder how the Pin@y community will fair in America. But then, I read about adventures in New York and I am not so worried.
Ten Days in Vegas
The whole ten days was a definite 8 bordering on a 9. First, I completely forgot what I did for a living while in Vegas. Damn those photofinishing chemicals and those tie twisting machines! Bwahahahha. I did not have stress for ten days! Second, I found out what I wanted. More on that later. And I did not spend more than $1000. At least I don't think I did. The food was plentiful and artery clogging, but it was a vacation. What did I expect?
About six months ago, my teacher asked me the question "What do you want?" He asked the question just like a Vorlon would ask, I might add. For those not in the know, the Vorlons are a species of extra-terrestials from the Babylon 5 Universe. The Vorlons are enigmatic and mysterious. They answer in the double negatives. Their questions are not very straightforward although it might seem straightforward.
At any rate, while in Vegas ruminating over my existence, I came up with the thought that perhaps Tuhan's (teacher's) question is not about my job or what I plan to do to earn money. Nope, perhaps, just like Curly from the Billy Crystal movie City Slickers, Tuhan might just be asking a deeper question about existence and life.
So, I chanced upon the answer that what I wanted was to be financially free. So free that I don't have to report to a boss. Financially free from the worry of death and what it would do to my family. Free so that I did not have to worry about offending someone because of the language I use in memos.
So yup, what I want is to be financially free of the ignorants, the idiots and the ungrateful. Most of all, I want to be free of hypocrites who say they care, but at the end of the day, thrust the most number of knives into the backs of their employees. Hear that Mr. Garand? Do you hear that bell? That's for you!!! And that's for your lackey Hendricks.
So there. I know what I want. Now, to get there is a different matter.
The whole ten days was a definite 8 bordering on a 9. First, I completely forgot what I did for a living while in Vegas. Damn those photofinishing chemicals and those tie twisting machines! Bwahahahha. I did not have stress for ten days! Second, I found out what I wanted. More on that later. And I did not spend more than $1000. At least I don't think I did. The food was plentiful and artery clogging, but it was a vacation. What did I expect?
About six months ago, my teacher asked me the question "What do you want?" He asked the question just like a Vorlon would ask, I might add. For those not in the know, the Vorlons are a species of extra-terrestials from the Babylon 5 Universe. The Vorlons are enigmatic and mysterious. They answer in the double negatives. Their questions are not very straightforward although it might seem straightforward.
At any rate, while in Vegas ruminating over my existence, I came up with the thought that perhaps Tuhan's (teacher's) question is not about my job or what I plan to do to earn money. Nope, perhaps, just like Curly from the Billy Crystal movie City Slickers, Tuhan might just be asking a deeper question about existence and life.
So, I chanced upon the answer that what I wanted was to be financially free. So free that I don't have to report to a boss. Financially free from the worry of death and what it would do to my family. Free so that I did not have to worry about offending someone because of the language I use in memos.
So yup, what I want is to be financially free of the ignorants, the idiots and the ungrateful. Most of all, I want to be free of hypocrites who say they care, but at the end of the day, thrust the most number of knives into the backs of their employees. Hear that Mr. Garand? Do you hear that bell? That's for you!!! And that's for your lackey Hendricks.
So there. I know what I want. Now, to get there is a different matter.
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