This Blog is an outlet for the random thoughts of an amateur opinionator.
What's an opinionator?
An opinionator is somebody who has power without responsibility, and the ability to spout off on any subject without worrying too much about the consequences of what comes out of the mouth. All you need is an opinion and the opportunity to voice it.
TV is full of professional opinionators. The internet gives the amateur his chance.
> pasT BED TimE
Author: aLmich
Gigantic mirror ballsLaser lights
darting sweaty bodies;
Arms stretched
with hands cupped
like receiving manna from
heaven;
Boys grinding
to the sound of house music;
Smoke shrouding
the dance floor;
Beer guzzling,
Bass shaking,
Heads nodding.
After some months of absence,
I returned to Malate -
only to realize
that despite my renewed ability
to bend and stretch my body
in ways
I have never done for a very long time,
clubbing doesn't thrill me that much
like it used to before.
Good thing I'm with friends.
With JC and Eric in tow, I enjoyed Malate
in a different sense.
I guess it's time to accept
that it's way past my BED time
For I, after so many daydreams
of reclaiming that great party experience
I had in my Malate days,
have now outgrown clubbing.
darting sweaty bodies;
Arms stretched
with hands cupped
like receiving manna from
heaven;
Boys grinding
to the sound of house music;
Smoke shrouding
the dance floor;
Beer guzzling,
Bass shaking,
Heads nodding.
After some months of absence,I returned to Malate -
only to realize
that despite my renewed ability
to bend and stretch my body
in ways
I have never done for a very long time,
clubbing doesn't thrill me that much
like it used to before.
Good thing I'm with friends.
With JC and Eric in tow, I enjoyed Malate
in a different sense.
I guess it's time to accept
that it's way past my BED time
For I, after so many daydreams
of reclaiming that great party experience
I had in my Malate days,
have now outgrown clubbing.
0 Comment
> neW parTy posTers
Author: aLmich
> sir PAULY and this BLOG
Author: aLmich
I just have to get this off my chest– I confess I feel somehow bit orphaned now that my friend/favorite trainer - PAULY left. He has been so good to me, maybe 1st among the people I should thank for the position I have now, one person I cheered with when La Salle won over UE, one person who treated Academix as if his own and us his babies. At the same time, there's this deep-seated anguish over prejudice practices and work politics that's constantly throbbing and screaming as if seeking escape. Well, this mild jolt at work, in fact, summons my character. So I whisper, "I am a brave soul and independent and sharp." then I'm heeding to my conscience's advice to wait for the dust to settle then I can study my options.
I realized WORK and FOES have been making headline news on this blog since the dramatic developments in the workplace. While this blog exposes some segments of the whole context of life at a callcenter and my personal battles, I don’t want it to spoil this blog’s whole theme of work-life balance.
I promise to make up for it on subsequent entries.
I realized WORK and FOES have been making headline news on this blog since the dramatic developments in the workplace. While this blog exposes some segments of the whole context of life at a callcenter and my personal battles, I don’t want it to spoil this blog’s whole theme of work-life balance.
I promise to make up for it on subsequent entries.
> wriTing courAge
Author: aLmich
When I was in school I never got a lousy grade in English class but I could not boast that my creative writing assignments kicked butt. Even so, I pride myself on being able to think better with PE and logic [*hahaha]. And because my thinking is sporty and logical, I assumed I could pull off modestly intelligent pieces of writing in which ideas flow seamlessly but I never tried my hand.
Perhaps, I needed encouragement.
Now that I’m in a stressful world of callcenter, my association with him awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive and to pursue the flow of my imagination in writing. And so I took a crack at free writing on this blog. Since my ex-writer-beau is an excellent, sharp-eyed editor, I suppose he reads my entries not merely for content but also for mechanics. Too bad he's to away from me now or should I say making himself too away now? Sadly, I’m becoming increasingly frustrated at not being able to craft a finished piece of writing without a glitch.
When I’m in the heat of writing, I am likely to make confusing shifts of person or verb tense as well as errors of sentence fragments and comma splices, etc.
Hopefully, my errors of grammar, punctuation and transition are not too obvious to distract my readers.
I'm just really glad this has been my emotional highway and loneliness' FedEx. And one more, this blog has been my tranquility place. A place where cons and pros meet. As you can read from some comments made by my friends and somehow-enemies, I just feel so nice knowing that even those people who hate me read this. So it's more of ENEMY = FAN now. Galing no? Ayaw nila sa'kin and yet may I basa sila blog ko... Katuwa lang. Peace people!
Then again, I’m upset and uninspired.
Perhaps, I needed encouragement.
Now that I’m in a stressful world of callcenter, my association with him awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive and to pursue the flow of my imagination in writing. And so I took a crack at free writing on this blog. Since my ex-writer-beau is an excellent, sharp-eyed editor, I suppose he reads my entries not merely for content but also for mechanics. Too bad he's to away from me now or should I say making himself too away now? Sadly, I’m becoming increasingly frustrated at not being able to craft a finished piece of writing without a glitch.
When I’m in the heat of writing, I am likely to make confusing shifts of person or verb tense as well as errors of sentence fragments and comma splices, etc.
Hopefully, my errors of grammar, punctuation and transition are not too obvious to distract my readers.
I'm just really glad this has been my emotional highway and loneliness' FedEx. And one more, this blog has been my tranquility place. A place where cons and pros meet. As you can read from some comments made by my friends and somehow-enemies, I just feel so nice knowing that even those people who hate me read this. So it's more of ENEMY = FAN now. Galing no? Ayaw nila sa'kin and yet may I basa sila blog ko... Katuwa lang. Peace people!
Then again, I’m upset and uninspired.
> i neeD to Lie LoW
Author: aLmich
Some people say I’m stubborn, I’d call it willful. Some think I’m dominant, I’d say it's assertive. My LORD says I’m brimming with pride, err.. I’d say uh, YES [actually, self-esteem is more like it, but anyway…]
Okay, I admit I find myself solidly in the “high dominance” camp. Good thing, my LORD is even more dominant to diffuse my intensity. Well, had he not been able to overpower my alpha tendencies, I would have found him unexciting.
Then again, I wish I had about a zillion sides to my personality that’s ever changing depending on the situation. Tt work, I wish I were one sovereign force to be reckoned with. With my best friends and family, I wish I were an ultimate cry-on-my-shoulder rock. And with my LORD, I wish I were a bit docile. A docile dominatrix.
Ahh... some people. Who cares?
Okay, I admit I find myself solidly in the “high dominance” camp. Good thing, my LORD is even more dominant to diffuse my intensity. Well, had he not been able to overpower my alpha tendencies, I would have found him unexciting.
Then again, I wish I had about a zillion sides to my personality that’s ever changing depending on the situation. Tt work, I wish I were one sovereign force to be reckoned with. With my best friends and family, I wish I were an ultimate cry-on-my-shoulder rock. And with my LORD, I wish I were a bit docile. A docile dominatrix.
Ahh... some people. Who cares?
> meDia pLayeR
Author: aLmich
At any given week, there are these songs which just seem to find their way to my media player and end up getting played over and over again, until I eventually get tired of them and consciously refrain from listening to them for some time.
They're not necessarily new. Some go way, way back while others are more contemporary, in some ways.
UMBRELLA [Mandy Moore version]
I just love it. The first time I heard the version was through KC Concepcion's TV stint - "KC From Paris to Pinas". Ther's something the way she sings it. I feel someting hitting my spines. Who doesn't?
DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT [Toploader]
While blog-hopping recently, I came upon this one where a media player was embedded in the blog page itself and which, went on to play some songs, I assume, that blog's owner fancies. The first on the list there was this song. I already had a copy of this song in my PC. But somehow, it got lost among the thousands I have stored in the machine. And it was only through this recent encounter that the song got itself reintroduced to my eardrums. Anyway, it would be several days of this song constantly playing inside my head before I eventually decided to go look for it and play through my PC.
EVERY LITTLE THING [Dishwalla]
This one I heard while I came to a friend's room one time. I also had listened to this song before, and also had a copy of it stored away. But to hear it from my officemate's PC was somehow quite refreshing. Dishwalla's other songs had been played so much in my PC that it came to a point when I suddenly stopped listening to them completely. After hearing this song though, it all came crawling back in a weird but nice kind of way.
MASAYA [Bamboo]
The band's album itself has been on my most-played playlists recently. But hearing this particular song in the radio and watching its music video at the TV just made this one more appealing, I guess. [I wish they used a different name for the band though; somehow it feel's like short of calling it Bamboo's Band]
CALL AND ANSWER [Barenaked Ladies]
This one's from the movie, EDTV [Matthew McConoughey/Jenna Elfman]. But I didn't know this until recently, when I got to watch the music video for the first time. Anyway, I was not much of a fan of the band before. But this song changed my mind. Either that, or it's simply this song alone.
KIND AND GENEROUS [Natalie Merchant]
"Na-na-na, na-na-na-na..." And so the song goes. The other day, before I switched off the television, a small-budget movie [made for television] was just starting at HBO. This song was its background music. I like Natalie Merchant --- even since her days with 10,000 Maniacs. Her voice is just so... different [for lack of something profound to say]. I even bought her album [cassette tape only] just because I was looking for this particular song. Anyway, it's nice to listen to.
PLEASE DON'T STOP THE MUSIC [Rihanna]
I just have one person in mind everytime I hear this. I'm confused but I'm posting this anyway.
They're not necessarily new. Some go way, way back while others are more contemporary, in some ways.
UMBRELLA [Mandy Moore version]
I just love it. The first time I heard the version was through KC Concepcion's TV stint - "KC From Paris to Pinas". Ther's something the way she sings it. I feel someting hitting my spines. Who doesn't?
DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT [Toploader]
While blog-hopping recently, I came upon this one where a media player was embedded in the blog page itself and which, went on to play some songs, I assume, that blog's owner fancies. The first on the list there was this song. I already had a copy of this song in my PC. But somehow, it got lost among the thousands I have stored in the machine. And it was only through this recent encounter that the song got itself reintroduced to my eardrums. Anyway, it would be several days of this song constantly playing inside my head before I eventually decided to go look for it and play through my PC.
EVERY LITTLE THING [Dishwalla]
This one I heard while I came to a friend's room one time. I also had listened to this song before, and also had a copy of it stored away. But to hear it from my officemate's PC was somehow quite refreshing. Dishwalla's other songs had been played so much in my PC that it came to a point when I suddenly stopped listening to them completely. After hearing this song though, it all came crawling back in a weird but nice kind of way.
MASAYA [Bamboo]
The band's album itself has been on my most-played playlists recently. But hearing this particular song in the radio and watching its music video at the TV just made this one more appealing, I guess. [I wish they used a different name for the band though; somehow it feel's like short of calling it Bamboo's Band]
CALL AND ANSWER [Barenaked Ladies]
This one's from the movie, EDTV [Matthew McConoughey/Jenna Elfman]. But I didn't know this until recently, when I got to watch the music video for the first time. Anyway, I was not much of a fan of the band before. But this song changed my mind. Either that, or it's simply this song alone.
KIND AND GENEROUS [Natalie Merchant]
"Na-na-na, na-na-na-na..." And so the song goes. The other day, before I switched off the television, a small-budget movie [made for television] was just starting at HBO. This song was its background music. I like Natalie Merchant --- even since her days with 10,000 Maniacs. Her voice is just so... different [for lack of something profound to say]. I even bought her album [cassette tape only] just because I was looking for this particular song. Anyway, it's nice to listen to.
PLEASE DON'T STOP THE MUSIC [Rihanna]
I just have one person in mind everytime I hear this. I'm confused but I'm posting this anyway.
> LayouTs
Author: aLmich
I've been tasked to do some of the layouts for our Christmas Party. I just hope everything will be fine.
This one is actually the supposed new graphic header of this blog. For some reason, I'm still having trouble uploading. I don't know why. Not a part of the party layouts of course .
This would be the ticket for the party, for the food, drinks and entrance. Serves as the raffle stub too.
This would be the image that will be part of the stage design.
This is only the draft for the redcarpet background ala Awards Night.
This is one of the teasers for the party posted along the corridors of the office.
> posiTive viBes
Author: aLmich
I'm wearing my thinking cap again. And my inner demons have taken a break from all the naggings and pressuring they've been putting me through these couple of days --- weeks, come to think of it
Today's a Saturday. That makes tomorrow Sunday, church day! --- what else?
So I've decided to make quick turnabout insofar as my personal sentiments are concerned, whether self-induced or caused by some external, foreign influence. I've decided to devote the main column of this blog ONLY to positive, "happy" entries. The other, less enthusiastic ones I will put on the sideblog. Meaning, they'll both be brief and even more vague than they already are. My apologies to those who attempt to make sense out of them. If any.
I just received a comment from one of my entries. The person might be hiding his [assuming na HE siya] identity but I'm just thankful he's been reading this blog. I understand him. I mean from his standpoint and from all he heard, what do you think would be his side? Maybe he has not been victimized yet or maybe he just doesn't know. I don't know. But just like what I've said, I'm okay now. Whatever happened before were all rested on HIS judgment. I don't feel that bad about that person anymore anyway. Afterall, that person has been my friend. I'm just exploring my freedom to write.
Anyone who comes across this blog, I want him or her to feel only positive vibes. No. It's not censorship. It's not being un-true to one's self. As I've explained, nothing's being hidden or removed. Only relocated. Far more than an attempt to appease any blog-hopper or reader, it's more of a therapeutic exercise for me. Maybe by trying to highlight more the better aspects of life, I too would follow suit and adopt the same philosophy which this blog shall now incorporate in its electronic "paginas". Hopefully.
With that, I shall now look for those elusive "feel-good" thoughts.
Good luck to me!
Today's a Saturday. That makes tomorrow Sunday, church day! --- what else?
So I've decided to make quick turnabout insofar as my personal sentiments are concerned, whether self-induced or caused by some external, foreign influence. I've decided to devote the main column of this blog ONLY to positive, "happy" entries. The other, less enthusiastic ones I will put on the sideblog. Meaning, they'll both be brief and even more vague than they already are. My apologies to those who attempt to make sense out of them. If any.
I just received a comment from one of my entries. The person might be hiding his [assuming na HE siya] identity but I'm just thankful he's been reading this blog. I understand him. I mean from his standpoint and from all he heard, what do you think would be his side? Maybe he has not been victimized yet or maybe he just doesn't know. I don't know. But just like what I've said, I'm okay now. Whatever happened before were all rested on HIS judgment. I don't feel that bad about that person anymore anyway. Afterall, that person has been my friend. I'm just exploring my freedom to write.
Anyone who comes across this blog, I want him or her to feel only positive vibes. No. It's not censorship. It's not being un-true to one's self. As I've explained, nothing's being hidden or removed. Only relocated. Far more than an attempt to appease any blog-hopper or reader, it's more of a therapeutic exercise for me. Maybe by trying to highlight more the better aspects of life, I too would follow suit and adopt the same philosophy which this blog shall now incorporate in its electronic "paginas". Hopefully.
With that, I shall now look for those elusive "feel-good" thoughts.
Good luck to me!
> sTarbux pLanneR
Author: aLmich
Three of the biggest coffee chains in the Metro have been going head to head with their Christmas Planner Giveaway. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is giving out a notebook [*available in 3 designs], Starbucks Coffee is giving out a planner [*leather bound with pencil] while Seattle's Best Coffee is giving out a tote bag, notebook, mug, ball pen, gift coupons and metal casing [*kitchen sink not included hehehe]. Here's a quick guide on the three Holiday promos.
Again, I'm one of those people getting oh-so-gaga for this Starbucks planner since 2004. I helped DJ complete and claim hers as early as the 1st week of November, just last week, JC and I completed and claimed his planner. Today I claimed one for myself. Luckily I'm a coffee addict *hehehe.
Starbucks
Stickers to collect: 9 Christmas Blends, 12 Regular Drinks
Cheapest way to collect: P130.00 Short Cup Peppermint Mocha, P75.00 Brewed Coffee Total Expenses: P2,460.00
Estimated Cost of Planner: P550.00
Feel good Factor? Starbucks Coffee has had a long tradition with their Christmas Planner which started around 2004. A contribution to the foundation Spark Hope is made when you complete your planner.
Seattle's BestCoffeeStickers to collect: 6 Christmas Blends, 14 Regular Drinks
Cheapest way to collect: P130.00 Short Cup, P75.00 Hot Tea
Total Expenses: P1,830.00Estimated Cost of Package: P1500.00
Feel good Factor? SBC has made it so cheap to get so many give aways, maybe they just really forgot to give away the kitchen sink?
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Stickers to collect: 3 Ice blended drinks, 3 tea drinks, 3 expresso drinks, 1 Christmas blend
Cheapest way to collect: P130.00 Short Ice Blended Drink, P125.00 Short Hot Beverage
Total Expenses: P1,330.00
Estimated Cost of Package: P150.00
Feel good Factor? They're only simple notebooks but are the cheapest and easiest to collect.
> iF anD onLy iF
Author: aLmich
If only there were more sincere people out there I might actually rethink my philosophy in life, which is that: every person's a jerk until proven otherwise.
Yeah, I know it's such a harsh picture of reality that I'm painting for myself. Completely unhealthy and anti-social. But no matter how I hard to look at it from a different angle, another point of view, I keep ending up with the same pessimistic attitude.
It could be that I've been traumatized far too many times in the past, from situations wherein the people I trusted the most turned out to be the ones who hurt me in the worst kind of way possible. In short, best friends turned biggest assholes. I use the term friend here in the generic sense [It could refer to friends literally, acquaintances, even relatives].
During those times, I was always completely caught unprepared. Who wouldn't be? There was once a saying, "Against an enemy I can myself defend. But heaven protect me from a blundering friend." I cannot find anything more accurate than that.
Now I have new friends. I have Gretch, Nikki, Kate, Myah, Ryan, Ron, Rhon, JC, Sir Pauly, Sir Ferdz, Eddan, SQ pipol, HR pipol, Superpages pipol, Brooke, Dianna, Digisign pipol, iPrint pipol and a lot more. Who blunders? I don't know.
It's so sad how those what you thought to be your friends turned to be a snake ready to bite you dead. I've experienced those... trust me. I had Rien as a very-well-loved-and-treasured-friend and yet she bit me. So as Farrah [*good thing we managed to reclaim the friendship] and now the same thing is happening to Ryan and Gretch [With these I meant both having trouble with each other... Ryan and Gretch are mortal enemies now and we, their friends couldn't do anything but mumble our words].Why do you have to forget the friendship? Why say I don't need you in life? Why destroy everything? Why be drowned by the attention?
But then, shouldn't we be able to distinguish these persons from the rest? Why take it against the world, simply for the actions of quite a few? I can offer no sound justification.
It's a sad fact. I befuddle even myself.
Today, I live in a very jaded world, painted in all-black. It's not a very happy place to be in, I tell you. There are not enough words for me to express how much I'd like to move away from it. But my inner demons seem to always prevail.
It also doesn't help that I still meet these fake people I despise every now and then. They just reaffirm my personal beliefs. No matter how skewed. No matter how flawed.
It's kinda funny though how I slowly end up becoming the people I hate the most...
Sighs all over the place.
If only had the insight to look deeper into people --- and find the tiniest bit of good, even in the most evil person around. Maybe I would be a whole lot better. A better person. A better man.
That is, if only.
Because I've never been the better man.
Sad but true.
> hapi burp-daY meLLe!
Author: aLmich
> woNderinG... rambLing...
Author: aLmich
Alas. I cannot think of any. So I am giving up... for now. For today, that is.
I've been browsing over all these different blogs across the internet superhighway, and I'm amazed at how exciting and colorful other people's lives must be. Yhey have all these stories, these daily encounters with the interesting kind. Hence, no problem as to what to write down on to their blogs, whatsoever.
I kept wondering why I could not experience that same ease; why I could not have this treasure-filled chest of anecdotes and what-have-you's. Then it struck me.
A great majority of all these people whose sites I found rather interesting, had really cool jobs. One would either be a writer, a photographer or an artist. Man, their jobs kick ass. No wonder they get to engage in all these fulfilling episodes.
Whereas I am stuck in this call center environment. Some people may find that exciting. Some may find time for exciting things, [de]spite of being in a call center. I don't really understand it. Whenever someone would ask me where am I working, I always have this second thought of saying the bleep [*callcenter] word. I hate those who would bravely go and stand sa stage specially sa comedy bars tapos mag-iingles kse daw taga callcenter siya [*nyeta!]. I know there's nothing to be ashamed of, but that just doesn't work for me I guess.
At least not yet.
That's why I'm either gonna have to wait for 2 years more or so, before I am able to do the things I really want to. Or by some stroke of luck, I too would be fortunate enough to find some color in this place, maybe on another job.
There. That's the most "positive" way I can think of to describe the way things are for me. Right here. Right now.
Happy Holidays!
> Happy Thanksgiving!
Author: aLmich
> oh mY cHocnuT
Author: aLmich
When I was a kid Chocnut cost only 50 centavos/piece. Yes, that's how old I am. I used to go with my lolo's new asawa [Tita Luming] sa palengke. Right next to the paradahan ng jeep pa-balocbaloc was a sari-sari store where I would buy five pieces of Chocnut with P2.50. You open that wrapper carefully and there was this promo where if you complete the numbers 1 to 5, you win P3.00. So I would collect those wrappers, until one day I actually completed them. I won P3.00 and bought six Chocnuts with it.
What I like about Chocnut is they somewhat retained the retro packaging.
What I don't like is how they changed the taste. It used to be more crumbly and peanutty. Now it's just sweeter and creamier. I was looking for that old Chocnut taste when I came across Chocomani at the supermarket.
I liked the name. The first time I bought it, my friend and I split it and finished it inside her car. Next time, I took a picture and posted it on my friendster blog as one gift I'd like to receive for Christmas. One kuripot friend saw it and took advantage. And so he sent me chocomanis.
Honestly I thought I would get a pack of it—not this dami! So generous! Christmas came early. Thank you Arman.
> wouLd you give me Your starBucks sticker?
Author: aLmich
My day begins with the smell of coffee wafting through the house and the friendly gurgle of the stove set to go off before I wake. I sip coffee while I check my mail, eat my breakfast and watch the morning news. I sip it from my spill proof mug while I listen to RX93.1 on the way to work. When I arrive at the office, after I turned on my computer the first order of business is to get another cup of coffee before I turn my phone on. In hourly increments throughout the day I refill my cup time and time again, mainly just with sugar or equal, sometimes non-dairy creamer is added. If I can still afford it I love a Grande Latte made with Seattle's Best brand coffee with an extra shot of espresso and a shot of hazelnut or caramel syrup, Cafe Americano or Cafe Mocha wit a shot of Espresso from Starbucks with either Myah, Diana, Gretch or JC. Especially now we're completing our Starbuck's sticker for the planner, everyday will be a Starbucks' Coffee Day.
The feeling of excitement, coffee...
The euphoria from too much caffeine, Kafei...
A feeling that all is at one with the universe, Cafe...
The mental energy and the overwhelming potential stored within, Gehve...
l feel as if nothing can stop me as I am fueled for action, Qahwa...
A bracing bitter taste mixes with the spicy flavor of caffeine as it, Koffie...
Rolls around my tastebuds, Masbout...
The bonhomie and conversational lift, Joe...
The creativity and ideas flow quicker, Java...
Used by artists, thinkers, composers, politicos, and me, cafecito'...
How do I love thee, oh my coffee...?
> mocK mE!
Author: aLmich
I met Mami Cez yesterday at Winsource because I needed to make-asikaso na my clearance. It's already 7 months and I have not started anything yet. Not even filing one. We talked and laughed so much while having breakfast at Chef Angelo that we didn't realize how time flew. One of the topics was the call center dillema of handling shitty/bitchy customers and how we deal with it.
I have this way of dealing with stupid customers. When customers call in and start acting really stupid, or being rude, I usually press the mute button on my headset and proceed to mock the customer to no end. Not just, "you're stupid", no, I go on and on, ad infinitum. You know how some people create with paint and canvas, or clay and a potter's wheel. Well, I am an artisan of mocking. Everything from your lack of distinct genitalia, to your sexual inadequacies, to the fact that your family tree never branches out and ends with a detailed description of your mother's shortcomings. I know there are mali practices but I can't help it. Good thing I don't need to deal with them anymore.
When people call in, many of them labor under the misapprehension that we are glad to hear from them and are looking forward to helping them no matter how they may act to us. Most of the time we feel exactly the opposite. We're not happy to be here, the boss is yelling at us and our desk is awash in stupid memos. So we are marking time until we can punch that clock and leave Purgatory.
Now of course if a customer calls in and approaches us the right way, many of us will go out of our way to help them, and we don't all hate people. I do like that I get an opportunity to really help people from time to time. But the idea that call center employees are some large group of concierge-like people who are just waiting for the phone to ring so they can kiss your boots, well, you're just very mistaken...
> teasEr
Author: aLmich
> The beacH aLa JC
Author: aLmich
> grafiTTi
Author: aLmich
> higHnesS on a bLast
Author: aLmich
Last time we went to Glorietta, JC and I saw this stretch limo just as we were exiting Glorietta 4.
You don't really see limos in Manila. New York, all the time. But here? Not really.
JC thought Beyoncé was there. The driveway was blocked off to accommodate this huge backup/entourage, which was also spotted at Shangri-La mall on Sunday. Finally JC couldn't stand it and asked the guard if Beyoncé was inside the mall.
No it's Bolkiah, said the guard. As in Prince Jefri, also known as His Royal Highness Pengiran Digadong Sahibul Mal Pengiran Muda Hijra Dallal Jefri Bolkiah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haramzada Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien??
Or was it the Sultan?
Were they here because they're building a luxury hotel near Glorietta? Or was he simply taking advantage of the lean crowd in Glorietta?
*Duh.
On the other hand...
Glorietta remains a ghost town, three weeks after the mysterious blast that left 11 dead and more than a hundred injured. Three weeks later we have not heard an official statement of what caused it. I think the public deserves to hear from the mall owners or the government.
Had the blast happened in the US, you can expect any or all of these things to happen:
• some sort of memorial for those who died
• counseling or support for the victims and their families
• financial aid for the victims and their families
• some sort of public outcry
• class-action lawsuits left and right from victims and tenants
What the hell happened to the activist, welga - and petition-loving Filipinos? So quiet all of a sudden?
In some sort of way I think the people have spoken.
We were there for dinner and found a virtual ghost town. Nobody wants to go there because they're afraid. It feels creepy. People died there.There are no answers. Was it terrorism, negligence or an accident? You can still smell some kind of sulfur [I don't really know] near the boarded up site of the blast.
If you have some sort of third eye, there are certain spots near the blast that feel quiet heavy. I've talked to sales staff who talked about dismal sales in November where sales are supposed to go up. One said they would scare each other at closing, cigarette or toilet breaks about ghosts lurking around the mall.
We're just waiting for answers. Meanwhile the mall remains empty. JC and I met up at 7:15 pm and found Rustan's empty.
Our first stop was the food court on G4 where I used to eat all the time. My favorite place is Dencio's which is still there. The food is still so good. But unlike most meal times it wasn't difficult to get a table because it was not that busy, to put it lightly.
It's usually time for some Christmas shopping but the usually busy places were empty:
I had really good service for each store because it was empty. JC and I both enjoyed shopping, no lines at the fitting rooms and cashier, for a change.
We would've gone to Topshop for DJ's bilins but it was boarded up.
In the US, there are PR people you can hire for damage control. I'm just a citizen but I can think up of ways to draw people back into the mall: first of all serious sales, discounts and promos, and I mean really juicy ones not offered in other malls. Just to get people used to going back to Glorietta. Give tenants a break and lower their rent. [*EDIT: I've heard they are being given 20% discount but sales are so bad.] But most importantly issue an apology and statement from the mall.
Tell us what happened. Terrorists or accident? Rectify it. Show us you care. Do it soon.
> mainTaining a good LIFE with Pastor CarL
Author: aLmich
I woke up today with good vibes and mood. So I thought, what would be the best way to start the week? but with HIM...
Here's Pastor Carl to set us on the right path.
"Good morning! I hope you had a relaxing weekend and have started your week off with enthusiasm and energy.
Life can be so complicated at times. We set out wide-eyed and eager on the various journeys that we are called to, but inevitably the trials and tribulations come. Even the most optimistic and upbeat person can lose their enthusiasm if they are not careful to guard their heart.
Over the last several weeks I had found myself in just such a place. My awakening point, if you will, was an email from a dear friend who simply asked: “Where has your enthusiasm gone?” My friend continued to observe that I was adrift in a sea of negativity…and she was right!!! In a recent phone call with my mentor, I asked the question: “How do you keep moving forward when there is no wind left in your sails.” Before I give you the counsel of this wise man (he once told me that he is bald, because there is so much contained in his mind), I want to share this verse with you:
Ephesians 6:7 (NLT)
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
My mentor gave me this same advice. He helped me to see that I was basing my enthusiasm on the response of others and not on the one for whom I work. To put it simply I was finding myself worn down by the response of others to the things the Lord is asking me to do. In reality, the only thing that truly matters is that I be faithful to His leading and put the response of others in His hands.
I already knew that I “perform” for an audience of One, but sometimes the divide between knowing it and living it can be expansive. I had to readjust my focus. I had to clarify who it is that I must please. The bottom line is…it is God!!! Wow, what a breakthrough….what a relief….what a burden lifted!!!
It is so much simpler when I focus solely on Him. I am finding a renewed excitement and enthusiasm. My focus is no longer on polls and approval ratings, but is instead back on the one I truly work for.
This week you may find that your enthusiasm is a bit lacking. I encourage you to take a few moments and refocus on who it is you truly work for. When you put your eyes back on him your work will become a joy and you will once again become exceedingly enthusiastic.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week."
More of Pastor Carl's at http://pastorcarl.wordpress.com/
> Viva Vina!
Author: aLmich
I was watching ASAP earlier when I saw Vina Morales. Suddenly, I remembered she was being wished goodluck before for a competion. I google-d her and this is what I found out...
On August 5, 2007, she won the right to represent the Philippines at the 2007 IKON ASEAN Singing Contest. She went on and bested contestants from Malaysia and Indonesia during the finals nights on August 12 and took home the solo title, while fellow Filipino band Kjawan took home the group title.
I then wikipedia-d the contestants...
Jaclyn Victor d/o Joshua Thanaraj Victor (b. December 4, 1978) is a singer who won the first season of Malaysian Idol. Victor, popularly known as Jac, was the first to gain the title of Malaysian Idol. As a result, she won a recording contract under Sony BMG Entertainment. She is under the management of The 8 Unit.
Vina Morales [born Sharon Garcia Magdayao 17 October 1975, Bogo, Cebu, Philippines] is a Filipina actress of maternal Spanish and paternal Cebuano descent. She played the title role in the film The Sarah Balabagan Story. She is the older sister of teen actress Shaina Magdayao.
Lamang agad si Jaclyn Victor diba?
The issue about the “not-the-best singer in the Philippines” Vina Morales defeating the “best singer in Malaysia” Jaclyn Victor at the recently-concluded Ikon Asean competition continues to be discussed, almost violently, by fans of both singers.
Some Jac fans claimed that she was robbed of the title [sa sarili mong teritoryo?], while others say that she wasn’t at here element. Meanwhile, some Pinoys even criticized Vina as below par, that the likes of Regine Velasquez should have been in Ikon [Asia’s Songbird didn’t join]. Others even joked that Jaclyn wouldn’t even win “Tanghalan ng Kampeon” [Champion's Stage, our version of “Star Search” back in the day]. We Pinoys never seem to run out of naysayers, ano?
And I don’t wanna even delve on the “ad hominems” on how we Pinoys are being “teased” by our Malaysian neighbors as their maids and prostitutes. That’s another story.
Here are the performance clips of the two singers and we shall analyze it one by one. Now don’t get me wrong, I adore Jac and I used to call Vina the lone female member of “The Maskulados.” That makes the analysis even.
Read it after the jump.
Let’s start with Jaclyn’s first song choice, a medley of three songs composed by P. Ramlee.
Some Jac fans claimed that she was robbed of the title [sa sarili mong teritoryo?], while others say that she wasn’t at here element. Meanwhile, some Pinoys even criticized Vina as below par, that the likes of Regine Velasquez should have been in Ikon [Asia’s Songbird didn’t join]. Others even joked that Jaclyn wouldn’t even win “Tanghalan ng Kampeon” [Champion's Stage, our version of “Star Search” back in the day]. We Pinoys never seem to run out of naysayers, ano?
And I don’t wanna even delve on the “ad hominems” on how we Pinoys are being “teased” by our Malaysian neighbors as their maids and prostitutes. That’s another story.
Here are the performance clips of the two singers and we shall analyze it one by one. Now don’t get me wrong, I adore Jac and I used to call Vina the lone female member of “The Maskulados.” That makes the analysis even.
Read it after the jump.
Let’s start with Jaclyn’s first song choice, a medley of three songs composed by P. Ramlee.
They say that she was pitchy in places, but I barely noticed them. The problem is that even though she sang three different songs, it sounds monotonous to me. Oh, did you notice how she handled the mic? I’ll talk about that later.
Then we go to Vina’s first song, “Pangako Sa Iyo” [A Promise to You].
It was not surprising that she would sing this in Ikon Asean. It’s the theme song of the soap opera of the same title, which was very popular in Malaysia. It was a great choice for Vina because it definitely connected her to the dominantly Malay audience, and it also has a lot of high and long notes giving Vina a lot of chances for her to show her vocal range without having to ad lib like in Jac’s case.
Now here are the second performance videos. We go back to Jaclyn and her winning song back in Malaysian Idol, Gemilang.
At least Jac rebounded here. She hit the notes almost right and she made good use of her really powerful voice. However, I’m really bothered by the way she handles the microphone. You know, once she sings the high notes she puts the mic on her forehead. I know that’s called style, but where I come from, putting the mic away from your mouth when singing the high notes means you’re cheating. Jac made it appear that she couldn’t reach the high notes so she would put the mic away from her mouth and it wouldn’t sound too obvious.
You would never see that on Vina Morales' performance. In fact, if you watch Vina’s Pangako Sa Iyo video, she would even put the mic closer to her mouth when she sang the high notes.
Anyway, back to Vina. She performed a dance track “Feels So Nice.” Ang kulit nung nagpa-cute siya sa gitna ng performance.
I understand that she chose this so she would show off her dance skills. Catch is, singing and dancing at the same time is pretty tiring, and you would hear Vina catching her breath in some instances. But overall, she performed well in this song, and by that time her fate was sealed anyway.
That’s why, I think, Vina won. Pero I won't deny the fact that magaling talaga vocal prowess ni Jaclyn after all she's a Malaysian Idol diba?
Who is Vina Morales, the beautiful actress/singer? Damn, was she good! She captured my attention from the first note to the last. She has that depth in her voice and phrasing that Jac really didn't have. Yes, maybe her ability to sing like a black mama was not as good as Jac, but technique is not everything. Jac's singing, though flashy at times, didn't touch my heart. But Vina's did. She conquered the judges with music, not technique, that is just so much more important. But of course, she's born with a beautiful voice too.
All in all, I was very happy with the result of the competition, and I think that the judges made justice to the Pinoys. And I do hope that the Malaysian contestants would get a lesson from this: Being famous in Malaysia is just a beginning, only seriously making music --- with your hard work and heart work --- will make you the real deal, not by posing and syok sendiri on the stage. The four judges taught us a lesson without saying a word, bravo!
End of ranting, my dear Malaysians.
Oh by way, can I just say that the female host in Ikon Asean was so inconsiderate. Can’t she explain her lines in English for the benefit of non-Malay speakers… like us? Buti pa si Angela Chow kada koda niya ng Chinese sa Miss World may-I-explain agad sa Ingles.
Oh by way, can I just say that the female host in Ikon Asean was so inconsiderate. Can’t she explain her lines in English for the benefit of non-Malay speakers… like us? Buti pa si Angela Chow kada koda niya ng Chinese sa Miss World may-I-explain agad sa Ingles.
> bencH 3suM
Author: aLmich
I was on my way to SM North Edsa one sober morning and since I was coming from the extreme end of Sta. Mesa, I had to take LRT2 ride from my point of origin to Gateway Mall Cubao first, before riding another LRT going to SM North. [That SM mall is one of the world’s ten biggest!] I’m one person who reads everything I could see – the newspapers, magazines, labels, signs, billboards, and even faces [I could even remember Mom scolding me because I used to just grab anything with letters or pictures along the way for reading]– so there’s no way I would miss that gigantic billboard just atop that footbridge in front of that mall.
Although this time, the first thing I noticed wasn’t the letters encrypted therein but the almost naked Adam … and another picture of one almost naked Eve … and another almost naked Adam. That’s three gynormous billboards arranged from top to bottom. Call it a threesome. I forgot seeing a single word at all but I can certainly guarantee they’re another Bench schemes. Those three generous models [Jake Cuenca, Francine Prieto and Bruce Quebral, if I got ‘em correctly] bared too much skin to have their fans [me included] and bulge-hungry faggots human beings celebrate life. Looking at them was like praising the gods of naked bodies particularly when the background illustrations were blue skies and ice crystals.
While we may celebrate or pant over those hard-ons and tits, I wonder [I love to wonder!] how they would appeal to the young minds. I may sound like a total KJ right now, but I still think that this new series of Bench ads are excessively unsuitable for public exhibition. Spreading those through magazines like FHM or Icon is perhaps more appropriate. Is Bench running out of ideas to sell more but through sex-inducing images?
[That’s something to ponder over this weekend.]
I have to thank Tita Nhia also for telling my Mom that intelligent people do those things. Picking up trashes as long as there's something interesting printed on it. The way she quipped it - "Si Medel din ganyan, pinupulot kahit ano basta may mababasa."
And I just wanna share this too :
"Devil wears Prada, beggars wear Bench" *hahaha not that I stand by this cruelty, I just think it's so kulit.. FYI I have Bench underwears and I love 'em!
> neW frienDs
Author: aLmich
This afternoon I was grousing about a colleague whom I got offended and a friend who just went too far from joking [*dinuro duro ba naman mukha ko] but we'll be okay I know. I love her... just that she over-acts and goes way too bitchy at times.
Upon hearing me whining over, Chris quipped:
"Be nice to people, Hon. They outnumber you 6.5 billion to one!"
Good one! [BTW - He didn't make it up. He just read it in a book and was all too happy to share the wisdom with me!"].
And yeah, I'm too excited to post these pictures. They're my new friends from SQ department.
> merediTh greY
Author: aLmich
"At the end of the day,
when it comes down to it,
all we really want is to be close to somebody.
So this thing where we all keep our distance and pretend not to care about each other,
it's usually a load of bull.
So we pick and choose who we want to remain close to,
and once we've chosen those people, we tend to stick close by.
No matter how much we hurt them.
The people that are still with you at the end of the day,
those are the ones worth keeping.
And sure, sometimes close can be too close.
But sometimes, that invasion of personal space,
it can be exactly what you need."
> sexuaL confuSion
Author: aLmich
When did this happen?
And why it did?
When did the sexes get all confused?
Somewhere between gen X and Y, they blended and made XY...
I'm not even sure bisexuality exists.
I'm not even sure bisexuality exists.
Although I claim to be one.
Or we just over use it?
Or we just over use it?
I think it's just a layover on the way to gaytown.
Everybody who is not straight means gay.
Isn't that next to Ricky Martinville?
Or Michael Alley?
I think it's great.
I think it's great.
We're open to all experiences.
We're evolved.
It's hot.
It may not also be that hot.
It's greedy.
We're double dipping.
Is sexual flipping the wave of the future?
Is sexual flipping the wave of the future?
> deraiLed hearT
Author: aLmich
I have both eyes opened but I’m still lying on my bed with the right side of my face dropped on the sheets. The pillows are gone, that was already expected. All things that were on my bed before I slept are either gone [you can find them under the bed] or in totally different position as if Milenyo just mercilessly blustered the place. That’s all because I usually sleep like a cyclone, always startling. I heard knocks but I’m still too drained to response to the disturbance. I laid still, no movements but my eyes.
I heard whispers and I realized the radio is still on in my phone. I checked its screen and I could see JC, Chris, kate and Myah staring back. I bet my shuffle is still connected to the USB port. I was that pooped earlier when I got home that I just fell asleep leaving all disorganized.
I know I should be thankful because I managed to get off of the crazy feeling [*or at least trying] before it hit me big time. Bakit kse napaka-charming ng gagong 'yon?
There are people na may mas malaki problema sa puso. Myah, whatever happens I'll be there for you. Fuck you ka Rhea!
> LeMme do iT my waY
Author: aLmich
> cusTomeR serVice
Author: aLmich
Since I'm working for a different department now, I can't help but to reminisce those funny yet kabuwiset moments being an agent. Here's a dusty old post that I found laying around in the corner of drafts file about a bad customer. I thought it should come to light before I turn out the lights for good.
"Today was one of those days that working in customer service makes you hate humans in most of their forms on this planet. I spent the day being abused by people as I tried to collect money to pay for their mistakes.
Its amazing that people can be so ingratiating at the start of a transaction, but then when things go wrong, how few people are able to really keep their cool. They become petty, mean, abusive and downright nasty.
A customer had a transaction that went way wrong. When I called him to explain why he had lost so much money he explained to me that he cancelled that transaction and should not have to pay for it. When I asked him for a confirmation number, a time, a name of a person he spoke to, he had none of that. I reminded him that our calls are recorded and ever entry is time stamped as notes are put in the computer and there was nothing to back up his claim.
He would have to pay.
If he refused willing payment, his escrow would be emptied and he would be banned from any further transactions with us. He explained that he did so much business with our company that would never happen. He was going to call the vice president of operations and I would be sorry.
"Fine. I don't care who you call. I called the vice president and HIS boss before calling you. No one in this company is going to change this."
"We'll see!" was followed by a loud click and the asshole was gone. "
I felt very tired, very sad, and very ready to hit the door. It's not grumpiness that really gets me mad, I can handle that. It is the continual dealing with these, "people" that think customer service means I am in a lower caste than them. That it means I want to be abused by them, and the money they possess entitles them to act any way they want.
If you are grumpy and having a bad day, I can understand that. If you explain to me in direct tones why you think this is unfair and speak to me as an equal, I may even go out of my way to help you. But when you speak down to me and explain how the rules never have to apply to you and that you are probably the single most important and valuable customer that ever pried a dollar out of that titanium tight wallet of yours, well, I think less than charitable thoughts about you.
But the thing that gets me every time is that these same people think there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I imagine some fat-cat, robber-baron type in a charcoal pin-stripe suit with a Trump-wanna-be haircut appearing in vapor before me to explain why its ok...
"Because it's simply the way business is done. Its simply the bottom line, don't you understand that son? Maybe if you took business as seriously as I do you would not be a call center employee, and instead be a captain of industry like me, feared by men and adored by women, even if I do have a sloppy combover."
He grins slyly and disappears into nothingness...
Yeah...
Being a good man or woman of business does not negate being a good person. If you are a liar and cheat who refuses to keep their promises, you still suck ass as a human being no matter how much money you have.
Extra sweet ending-four months after writing this post, after the company actually stood up to this schmuck and refused to do any more business with him, his assistant called me and sheepishly paid all the penalties and we reinstated their account after they agreed to abide by our practices. It was a good day.
"Today was one of those days that working in customer service makes you hate humans in most of their forms on this planet. I spent the day being abused by people as I tried to collect money to pay for their mistakes.
Its amazing that people can be so ingratiating at the start of a transaction, but then when things go wrong, how few people are able to really keep their cool. They become petty, mean, abusive and downright nasty.
A customer had a transaction that went way wrong. When I called him to explain why he had lost so much money he explained to me that he cancelled that transaction and should not have to pay for it. When I asked him for a confirmation number, a time, a name of a person he spoke to, he had none of that. I reminded him that our calls are recorded and ever entry is time stamped as notes are put in the computer and there was nothing to back up his claim.
He would have to pay.
If he refused willing payment, his escrow would be emptied and he would be banned from any further transactions with us. He explained that he did so much business with our company that would never happen. He was going to call the vice president of operations and I would be sorry.
"Fine. I don't care who you call. I called the vice president and HIS boss before calling you. No one in this company is going to change this."
"We'll see!" was followed by a loud click and the asshole was gone. "
I felt very tired, very sad, and very ready to hit the door. It's not grumpiness that really gets me mad, I can handle that. It is the continual dealing with these, "people" that think customer service means I am in a lower caste than them. That it means I want to be abused by them, and the money they possess entitles them to act any way they want.
If you are grumpy and having a bad day, I can understand that. If you explain to me in direct tones why you think this is unfair and speak to me as an equal, I may even go out of my way to help you. But when you speak down to me and explain how the rules never have to apply to you and that you are probably the single most important and valuable customer that ever pried a dollar out of that titanium tight wallet of yours, well, I think less than charitable thoughts about you.
But the thing that gets me every time is that these same people think there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I imagine some fat-cat, robber-baron type in a charcoal pin-stripe suit with a Trump-wanna-be haircut appearing in vapor before me to explain why its ok...
"Because it's simply the way business is done. Its simply the bottom line, don't you understand that son? Maybe if you took business as seriously as I do you would not be a call center employee, and instead be a captain of industry like me, feared by men and adored by women, even if I do have a sloppy combover."
He grins slyly and disappears into nothingness...
Yeah...
Being a good man or woman of business does not negate being a good person. If you are a liar and cheat who refuses to keep their promises, you still suck ass as a human being no matter how much money you have.
Extra sweet ending-four months after writing this post, after the company actually stood up to this schmuck and refused to do any more business with him, his assistant called me and sheepishly paid all the penalties and we reinstated their account after they agreed to abide by our practices. It was a good day.
> sHave my pu**y
Author: aLmich
> 911 - TribuTe
Author: aLmich
I don't wish to promote alcohol kse may batang nagbabasa nito yet, I do want to pass this video on. Budweiser produced this commercial soon after 9/11. It was only shown one time during the Super Bowl in 2002 as a tribute to those people whose lives were touched by the tragic event.
> sharkY
Author: aLmich
> harDware girL
Author: aLmich
Kahapon nagpapatulong ang buntis na si Kate na ikabit ung jack ng headset sa CPU niya, I obliged naman. Malay ko ba namang makikita ko nalang siya sa ilalim ng table at magmamagaling? Eto panoorin natin siya sa Bitoy's Funniest Home Video *hik hik hik...
Galing no? Kayo din, send in your entries.
> ja-fUn jaPan!
Author: aLmich
We were in our usual adventurous mood to hunt for new good eats last sunday. We skipped makati where we usually hang around in and headed over to podium instead. We decided we wanted japanese. The pick and choose process for a place to eat dinner took a bit of a heedful thought for there was quite a lot of japanese restaurants to choose from. After a while, we walked in to yaku. Of course, we ordered our all-time favorites — sashimi, chicken teriyaki, yakitori, maki rolls and we were pleased! We will definitely come around again as they have a variety of appetizing choices on their menu to sway back customers for another go, unlike sumo-sam, that we've sworn off. We had dinner at sumo-sam in Shangri-La once and we were disappointed. The food didn't taste as good as they looked in the menu. Also, sumo-sam can be too crowded that it can almost give a food court feel. It was April fool's day when we went there that’s why we now have a good laugh thinking that the whole sumo-sam experience was a big practical joke.
> giVing him uP
Author: aLmich
Romantically, I choose to move on an easy, carefree tempo because I subscribe to the whole “choose your love wisely” way of thinking. The last thing I want is to feel rushed and to get things serious fast. I also used to think that being preoccupied over one person would screw up my chance for becoming a more interesting person.
So there, I was happy to be going out but I was careful not to let love dip. My peers could not get it so they relentlessly tried to curb my semi-attached convictions. Still, the greater the pressure they put on me, the longer I temporized within the confines of my self-protective barriers.
Until one evening, they found me a good-looking, creative and snobbish guy who cunningly played it cool. Heedlessly, I was smitten. How shrewd.
Soon after my love and I settled on becoming just friends [*or should I say - I stopped dreaming, there's no way he'll consider getting serious with me], I voluntarily boot myself out of the dating game but of course I have to put up with some friendly-stalker messages from ex-flings. Actually, there’s this darn, boring fling who sort of tried to lodge some niggling doubt in my mind after finding out that I was already hooked-up. He annoyed me so badly that I had to dismiss him ruthlessly *sigh.
Of course being happily solo is a cool idea. I have dated untiringly and had loads of fun doing it. Now that I have stopped dreaming myself waking up next to the man who greets me “ I love you” as his eyes flutter open each morning of our lives, I guess I can already rest easy in the hope that the search is over or at least for the mean time.
> douGhnuTs and dieTing
Author: aLmich
Ring doughnuts, stuffed doughnuts, vanilla glazed or the old-fashioned, sugar coated doughnuts, chocolate or cream filling, long or twisted.
I just love doughnuts. Eating doughnuts calms me down.
Its my comfort food. I eat doughnuts when my mood swings to extremes. When I’m too excited or when I’m beset by stress. I crave when I’m feeling unappreciated and underpaid. I’ve been eating doughnuts lately. Yes, I’ve been stress eating and It's got my love eating, too.
I don't know. I should not be eating. I've made it this far on dieting. I have not been eating rice on weekdays for almost a month now and yet I crave for doughnuts. I just had one last night, and a siopao the morning after. Whew! the pain of dieting.
See? I was supposed to just accompany them at 711... another whew!
> sweeT keLLy
Author: aLmich
> tianGge / diviSoria
Author: aLmich
With Christmas season looming, tiangges have been sprouting all over. Tiangges, or bazaars/flea markets are definite crowd-drawers for the opportunity they give for some Christmas shopping that does away with hopping from one mall to another, or worse, braving the frenzied crowds in Divisoria and Tutuban.
Honestly, I'm not much of a tiangge person. It is more convenient to shop where there are dressing rooms, credit card consoles and the guarantee of a return policy. Of course products at a tiangge have lower prices precisely because of the inconvenience, but sometimes the quality is questionable, and, I'd rather go to Divisoria.
But I plunge headlong and experience the tiangge rush, gladly, twice a year, during the third week of November. It is fortunate that both the tiangge I go to are held during the same week, and during the happy time when the Christmas bonus is safely in my pockets, albeit raring to be spent.
I make exception and go to these bazaars because of several reasons. First, convenience. Second, most of the vendors in these tiangge are present every year. So I've acquired some suki, and I've developed some trust as to the quality of their products. I still smile every time I see the tie-dyed dusters for DJ- bought at one of these bazaars for barya, as they have survived about seven years of being tossed and stretched by the washing machine and still manages to be decently wearable, not having faded at all. And a friend, who marks his birthday in November, still raves about a long-sleeved polo from the tiangge which I gave him as a birthday present some five years ago.
Third, aside from the novelty items, the tiangges mostly offer products that are real necessities. Fourth, familiarity. The products on sale are the same every year, with changes only on the style front, following current trends. And fifth, most of the vendors do not have stalls elsewhere, or are located so out of the way.
So I actually look forward to these yearly events, anticipating what to buy and limiting my shopping during the rest of the year for the household items that I could buy, at steal prices, at the tiangges at least for inaanak’s and some pinsan’s gifts.
And yep! When I got home this morning, I joined Roan and Kuya Resty in braving the crowd of Divisoria. He’s getting married this January so his invitations are being readied. See how we enjoyed the day despite the heat and the crowd?
Panalo diba?
> wHen Life throWs yoU a curve baLL
Author: aLmich
“I can't change the direction of the wind, but i can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
-jimmy dean
Just when we thought that everything is going as planned, life throws us a curveball that left both of us badly shaken. After getting over my initial shock, I know that it was up to me to decide ow we're going to deal with this challenge. We can take it negatively and consider it a problem or look at it positively as an opportunity. We choose the latter.
Life is unpredictable and maybe curve balls are thrown our way to keep us on our toes all the time. To train ourselves to be flexible, to teach us to let go when things don't go your way, and more importantly to teach us not to avoid the curve balls but to grab a mitt and try to catch it instead.
> biTTersweet suRrender
Author: aLmich
I haven't blogged in a while because I don't want to fill this blog with depressing things. There are so many things I am blessed with and for that I am grateful. There are also some things happening in my life that are challenging and sometimes, even if I try not to dwell on them it gets me down. And for most part, I feel that there are no words to describe the happiness or grief that goes along with the surrender to what is.
And now, I feel like I need to surrender. I hate to be hurt. I hate love.
> sQ
Author: aLmich
> bagUio dweLLer & Lover
Author: aLmich
Due to pressure, lack of sleep and the new environment [not to mention the paranoia I'm feeling-- I just feel like some of the iPrint people, ayaw sa 'kin] I'm working with, I thought of having a break. I even asked Agnes [my co-QA] for us to at least go somewhere far, maybe out of town. She then suggested that we go to Baguio. To which I immediately agreed to.
I'm a Baguio lover. Volante, Legarda, Nevada, Camp John Hay, Citilights, SM, and the market near Magsaysay - 'yan ang mga paborito ko. I used to visit the place anytime I feel like going. I don't know... there's something about their pasta, the coffee, of course the weather, pizza, omelet, ethnic cuisines like native chicken, mountain rice, strawberry wine presented in creative ways and the people soothe whatever hardships or problems I'm going through.
When I was still in Winsource, I have some clothes rested in my locker. So when the itch of going out of town hits me, It's Baguio straight ahead. This is one sanctuary that is specially reserved as a watering hole when my very good friend Lester invites me to come over. Im really a Baguio dweller... A staple favorite is Ruins' Coffee-- reasonably priced at 25 bucks, I could have a maximum of three servings. I usually go on food quests. The criteria would be [not necessarily in particular order] taste, price [the deal I get], and ambiance... I actually have successfully replicated the same taste as the one in Ruins' coffee. Just looking at the picture makes me want to mix one, right now. To Cafe by the Ruins, may you forever be a staple fixture that distinctly makes life in Baguio all worth it!
Suggestions?
Bliss Cafe - Leonard Wood Road - awesome vegetarian dishes.
Cafe by the Ruins - Otek Street.
Eve's Garden - Lamtang Road - finding it is an adventure in itself and definitely worth the trip with 10 varieties of organic lettuce freshly picked from Evelyn Bond's garden.
Little John's - Camp John Hay - must try their chocolate fondue with strawberries, banana and marshmallows.
O'Mai Khan - Otek Street - the old favorite Mongolian barbecue place with lots of crisp highland veggies.
Palizzata - Porta Vaga - a quaint little Bistro with a great view of Session Road. Their Tandoori chicken is a personal favorite.
Pizza Riccio - Governor Pack - you must try Bob's fantastic lasagna. All I can say is that I can eat his pizzas everyday.
Pizza Volante - Session Road - with 24 hours dine-in and delivery service. Great pizzas and pasta at very good prices.
Rito's - Marcos Highway - cheap bulalo and crispy pata.
Rose Bowl - Harrison Road - One of two great Chinese restaurants with family-style service.
Star Cafe - Session Road - The other great Chinese restaurant famous for their Star Rice and Joey Rufino's personalized service.
> bancheTTo's caLamareS
Author: aLmich
Since it's a Saturday again, like I'm licensed to, I binged. Had dinner last night before I left for work, had Marianne's food for 1st break, joined the QA's for bachetto meals and after the shift I waited for Myah and Gretch for another sumptuous banchetto.
OMG I'm not starving. I'm not.
With the Academix girls in tow, we made our way to the crowd. That was when we talked about the yummy calamares Myah bought. Kate saw us and mentioned about the danger of eating calamares nowadays.
The fried breaded squid or calamares that we all know today is sold in almost every corner of Manila. As the street food industry’s newest addition, it has gained greater popularity due to its very economical price and extraordinary taste. It’s worth a penny, as some would like to put it. But a friend disputes the entire ruckus and thinks that something fishy gloomed the flourishing business. I’ve tried to ask the lady who sells calamares near our place about her business but to no avail. She seemed to be clueless about the raw products’ origin. The reason for my inquiry is because a friend from YM warned me about the possible danger of eating the street calamareses again. These addictive foodstuffs, he said, are imported from China and acquired in a very low price. How were they able to preserve the products when they’re shipped from afar? The secret, he added, is formalin.
I knew nothing of formalin so I won’t attempt to give you details about it but you can click here to read some info]. What I know is that formalin is hazardous. An ABS-CBN news report said recently that one died from accidentally drinking formalin.
Is BFAD [Bureau of Foods and Drugs] taking this matter seriously? They better should, because if this fishy… or squidy business is positive of formalin, thousands of lives will be at stake.
However, if this is just a hoax from someone who’s bored of his own life… well, man, I give you my finger.
Peace out.
> haLLoween ' 07
Author: aLmich
Spooky Halloween times are here upon us. Some say it is the best holiday of the year even though we don't get the day off work. It's a little brighter this year but that won't stop the fun. Below are some 2007 Halloween pictures with friends.
And since SQ's didn't participate, I thought of grabbing HR's pictures.
And here with JC after we had coffee. I'm missing Gretch and Myah here [*magkaaway kse sila].
> aSian disCriminaTion
Author: aLmich
> giLigan'S
Author: aLmich
> jC
Author: aLmich
> anniV
Author: aLmich
> for graB
Author: aLmich
