just a list

The \\
Last Cigarette:	Sunday afternoon
Last Alcoholic Drink:	gin and Mountain Dew, two Fridays ago
Last Car Ride:	this morning, with the parentals
Last Kiss:	co-conspirator, Christmas party at my house
Last Good Cry:	overdue
Last Library Book:	I can't remember!
Last book bought:	Dragons of a Lost Star
Last Book Read:	Three Black Skirts
Last Movie Seen in Theatres:	King Arthur
Last Movie Rented pDVD:	United States of Leland
Last Cuss Word Uttered:	t@ng*na, Sunday morning
Last Beverage Drank:	water
Last Food Consumed:	bacon
Last Crush:	the dude from Training
Last Phone Call:	Sunday, Denise
Last TV Show Watched:	Six Feet Under
Last Time Showered:	this morning
Last Shoes Worn:	low boots
Last CD Played:	Practical Magic soundtrack
Last Item Bought:	CD case for Sweet
Last Download:	Mads Mikkelsen Tristan still
Last Annoyance:	inconsistent lady guard
Last Disappointment:	at the world in general
Last Soda Drank:	yesterday, Coke Light
Last Thing Written:	blog post this morning
Last Key Used:	Nin's room
Last Words Spoken:	what time did you leave last night?
Last Sleep:	5.5 hours
Last Ice Cream Eaten:	Selecta Mango, Saturday
Last Chair Sat In:	office chair
Last Webpage Visited:	Pieces of Patricia
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fun-tabulous morning

Wonderful way to start the day.

First I wake up with what feels like a general hangover, maybe because I tried to get back to my 5.5-hours-of-sleep routine last night and it seems my body hasn't recovered from the all-weekender (as opposed to an all-nighter).

Next zeester announces that my picture is in the paper, the result of a photo shoot done for her friend and what said friend declared was only for the internal celebrations of said broadsheet's anniversary, which is why I agreed to be "cast" as a shopaholic who's kikay and everything. And now said interview is in a national daily. What joy! To the people who see the feature--well, if you're reading this then you know I'm nothing like that.

The mother-unit is muttering about electric bills in the car but of course I am not minding her because I am not the cause of that particular tirade.

And then when I get to the tower (of doom), in a bad mood and all, lady guard, who usually waves me on through her inspection, mutters, "Sana naman magpa-check kayo ng maayos, kahit two seconds lang. (I wish you would have your bag checked properly, even for just two seconds.)" Uhmm hello, you guys were the ones who weren't checking my stuff anymore! Geez! Oh well. Seems like we just were having a bad morning at the same time.

Pseudo-hangover is still here. And of course when I got to StingyCo airconditioning wasn't on yet. What perfect conditions to write this rant.


[a few minutes later]
Should I still post this? Am feeling much better. A/C is on and everything. What the heck! [clicks Publish Post button]

Last Song Syndrome : Extraordinary - Liz Phair

What exactly do you do?
Have you ever thought it's you that's boring?
Who the hell are you?

what reason...

...could there be for playing Hoobastank's The Reason over and over in the wee hours before regular working hours? I'll give it to officemate A., though. He hasn't gone home since yesterday. Am actually beginning so sense a bit of a stink here. Apparently A. and B. (who is fresh, having come from home) want to memorize the song. Gah!

there's always our own version of spiderman
Am currently scanning OutNow.CH, one of cleolinda's media sources. Imagine my surprise when I see lodged among the postings, between Full Frontal and Gangs of New York, is the Vhong Navarro starrer Gagamboy. Granted, there were only two pictures but still...

let's just go find nemo
Swiped from Sarah, whom I have just added to my links.

What Finding Nemo Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Aak! So true! Had three cigs over the past weekend (stress and all), more than I've had in the two months before that.

finally
The Reason has stopped playing. And now it's back to work.

Last Song Syndrome : Where Is The Love? - Black Eyed Peas

if an outfit could kill...

From here.

Finally got to post about King Arthur, gung-ho Guinevere and absence of love triangle notwithstanding.

my new desktop


pic of the week
Velasquez Park from the roofdeck of Antel Executive Tower. A dear friend's despedida a few months ago.

Last Song Syndrome : Carnival - Natalie Merchant

the things i do for stingyco

Hmmm. I think that's the best I can do right now to describe the parsimonious company which happens to be my employer. Let's recap my weekend, shall we? There is a rushed project, among other things.

Friday
0800h - 1800h : Regular working day
1800h - 1930h : Checked out Tavern in Greenbelt 3, possible Christmas party venue
1930h - 2100h : Dinner meeting with fellow committee members in Cascada
2100h - 2200h : Ice Cream at FIC, still discussing Christmas party venues
2230h : Home Sweet Home. The trials are yet to come.

Saturday
0800h - 0930h : Started working
0930h - 1130h : Meeting on coming bowling tournament
1130h - 1245h : Back to work
1245h - 1400h : Fire alarms were being tested so we head out for lunch
1400h - 1700h : So-called work
1700h - 1730h : Take a break and visit the security dogs at the top floor. Nice view.
1730h - 2400h : So-called work

Sunday
0000h - 0100h : So-called work, milestone reached
0100h - 0200h : Home to take catnap and shower
0200h - 0230h : Near-brush with the law (took a left where I shouldn't, how was I supposed to know a squad car was there!), D./co-conspirator fetches me from parking because it is already dark, and, you know, 2am (parking is now outside the building)
0230h - 0430h : More so-called work
0440h : Home Sweet Home; I get home faster than it takes the other people in the team to walk to the condotel owned by StingyCo where they will spend what's left of the night

0500h - 0745h : Non-refreshing sleep
0745h : Sir M. starts waking people up with texts and calls
0900h - 2100h : More so-called work
2130h : Home! But zeester#1 and the boyfriend are still watching The Usual Suspects, so I don't get to sleep until
2230h : Finally get to sleep.

What fun!

Last Song Syndrome : Woman - Maroon5

If I should ever draw a picture of a woman
It is you that would come flowing from my pen

oh yeah

I am here in the office, along with my boss and about 20 other people, rushing a testing and implementation of a new system. To avoid getting sleepy we are singing along to the songs on 103.5 K-Lite. Like Buses and Trains.

Last Song Syndrome : Buses and Trains - Bachelor Girl

apathy rocks

Stimulating discussions about topics other than Lindsay Lohan and the Jake-and-Kisrten break-up may be found at g's spot. Meanwhile, I reside in my contented little bubble planning the office Christmas party, watching Thom, Carson and Kyan, and whining about dead-end work. I know the government is flawed. I think that if FPJ had been in power at the time of this particular hostage crisis, the outcome would most likely be the same. I know that it is frustrating because we are powerless--we cannot do as the US does and have our way needlessly because we just have no clout.

That said, although I seem content in my little bubble of apathy hereabouts, I don't really relish the thought of the Philippines going to the dogs. A lot ideas are brewing and I've been helping out here and there, but the major change must come from higher places. Now if by sheer luck or the grace of God something does occur and a worth movement does evolve or a worthy leader takes command, I will be behind that all the way. Now? Let me just re-watch the first season of Buffy.

Last Song Syndrome : You Wanted More - Tonic

in the news and then some

PinoySlayers' anniversary today, whee! It's been three years and going strong (of course I have only been around for a year or so, I think). Visit the Pinoyslayers at the official site and at the Yahoo!groups site.

-oOo-

Apparently, a building collapsed in Divisoria yesterday. It was a 5-year-old, 8-storey building which was across a Jollibee that my mom and I used to frequent the time that we were in Divisoria a lot. The building had apparently been leaning for quite a while and just suddenly gave way. It was a miracle that there were no casualties. I do hope the building contractors and inspectors are given hell for allowing this to happen. Divisoria is one of the busiest trading districts in Metro Manila and if there was no warning, people could easily have been trapped in the rubble.

-oOo-

You know you've got it made when CNN reports on your break-up. Too bad. I thought Jake and Kirsten (naks, first name basis) were perfect for each other--although I didn't particularly like either of them. Ah, the foibles of youthful romance. And dang! I feel so old writing that.

-oOo-

"It's not like I'm going to date a 30-year-old. Unless it's Jude Law! My parents and I have an agreement that dating him would be Okay," says now-legal Lindsay Lohan. So cute, this sweetie-pie, who now apparently commands $7.5M per movie. And although (21-year-old) Sienna Miller has beaten her to Jude Law, she is dating a 24-year-old, Wilmer Valderrama of That 70s Show (yes, Fez). Totally wonderful.

-oOo-

According to PopBitch, Elizabeth Taylor has started writing her obituary following the demise of fellow screen legend Marlon Brando. Apparently it is now 10 pages long and she's not yet done. Hurrah for someone who thinks so highly of herself--but it's an obituary, Liz! I think she should start on her autobiography.

-oOo-

Tidbits: Apparently, this is Nicole Kidman before she had a stylist. And then here's a nice still with the guy for whom I'd watch King Arthur over again even if I snickered at some parts, Mads Mikkelsen playing Tristan--yes, the guy with the hawk. I don't know why but I find him terribly appealing in a scary sort of way. Kirstie Alley will be producing and starring in a reality show called "Fat Actress". A girl after my own heart. And finally there's talk of Brent Spiner guesting on Star Trek: Enterprise. Woohoo for Data. Apparently he will be playing the great-great-grandfather of Data's creator (and image and likeness) Noonien Soong.

-oOo-

The Vintage Black-and-White Film Photography participants are showcasing their works in Back to Black-and-White at the Filipinas Heritage Library. Some of my favorites are those of the reflection of a busy street on a metal knob by Hector Fernando, Jr., as well as the picture of a man by dripping water by Catherine Sy.

-oOo-

While bringing the mother-unit to work yesterday morning, a man crossed the road in front of us bearing a little furry thing that upon closer inspection turned out to be a little brown monkey. He was headed towards a talyer (car repair shop) near our house. Monkeys in car garages. Perfect combination.

Last Song Syndrome : Babylon - David Gray

'premature nostalgification'

Apparently VH1 is putting together an "I Love the 90s" special, prompting Wendell Wittler to cry "premature nostalgification".

Personally, I do think it's too early, but there's still some things to be said about the 90s, right? Glory days and all. Anyway, here's a poll from the same page...

What's your worst pop-culture memory of the 90s? Is it--

• Tickle Me Elmo
  
• Mentos
  
• Reebok Pumps
  
• Spice Girls
  
• The Macarena
  
• parachute pants (ala MC Hammer)
  
• Jar-Jar Binks
  
• Crystal Pepsi (what the heck is this?)
  
• The Jerry Springer Show
  
• grunge

What's your best pop-culture memory of the 90s? Is it--

• "Twin Peaks"
  
• Austin Powers
  
• "Beverly Hills, 90210"
  
• "Seinfeld"
  
• Quentin Tarantino
  
• Ren and Stimpy
  
• Beavis and Butthead
  
• "The X-Files"
  
• "Friends"
  
• grunge

Note that grunge is in both categories, haha. My best pop-culture memory of the 90s has to be Friends. Hands down. The worst? It's not there ah. Pinoy kasi tayo. I think I would have to say, the Golden Lions (tama ba, Carlo Caparas and Donna Villa?) crime melodramas, like The Elsa Castillo Story, God Save Us! or Oh Hell My Husband is a Psycho Axe Murderer (The Paquita Mongpuitmo Story) or what-not. Although the Macarena comes a close second. And, oh oh oh, the Universal Motion Dancers.

Last Song Syndrome : Call and Answer - Barenaked Ladies

a teensy weensy bit of green

Maleen is having a great day. Her application for a P900 through the Smart promo came through. Apparently there was a huge demand for P900 units and she was one of the lucky ones whose application was approved. I wasn't, although we submitted at the same time. Sigh. I guess I'll just be all fatalistic and declare, I'm really not meant to have a Sony Ericsson phone. Besides, it doesn't have a radio. Yeah, sour-graping and all.

And to top it all, she mistakenly got avocado this lunch time and the food-monger here in the office said she could have it for free since they made a mistake.

So I guess when you're having a good day, you're having a good day. I just really haven't had one of those in a pretty long time.

Last Song Syndrome : All I Want - Toad the Wet Sprocket

height of frustration, pt. 752

Candy has mentioned that the "height of frustration" means something a bit different to her--a little kinky. Teehee.

However, things sometimes get utterly frustrating. Note, for example, Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure and Unknown Recordings by 10,000 Maniacs. I did not know that it was released here in the RP. And Tower and MusicOne just recently ran out of it. I'm hoping O will still have copies but I'm not betting on it. Imagine! Ultimate-fangirl-me not having this album! And to think they already had it on stock for quite a while, according to Customer Service dude at MusicOne. But I always go to MusicOne! Why didn't I see it! Sigh. Will now have to coerce certain people in the US to look for one for me... fingers crossed that the powers of persuasion work!

Last Song Syndrome : The Reason - Hoobastank

oh yeah, we lost

Ateneo halts La Salle's opening day streak.

There is no excuse. DLSU choked, disappointing thousands of fans at the Araneta Coliseum and those like us, watching at home. Imagine leading by 15 points in the third quarter, only to be shackled to 10 points in the fourth, allowing your archrival to claw back into the game and win by three. Wonder-Boy Mac Cardona was nowhere to be found--well, no, you could find him on the bench, nursing his personal fouls. Meanwhile, everyone did quite well, at least until the third quarter. And then, it seems, everyone froze in the fourth.

The DLSU team has proven that they're a little green behind the ears (pun intended). They are somewhere near that championship team that bagged a four-peat at the tail-end of the '90s, talent-wise--although Ren-Ren Ritualo and Mike Cortez may be gone, Jeffrey Yeo, JV Casio, Jerwin Gaco, and Tyrone Tang seem to be stepping up. However, the team still has a long way to go in terms of consistency, savvy and grace under pressure. Here's hoping the alma mater's colors will dominate the UAAP once more... even if I am a jaded old LaSallian.

Last Song Syndrome : Save Me - Remy Zero (Smallville OST)

All my dreams are on the ground
Crawling' round and round and round

happy birthday amyslayer and ryx

One birthday girl does So Hot Right Now, formerly Free Vampire Porn; the other is a Delusional Bitch. :) I will have to update my links.

pic of the week
My inaanak holding on to his daddy's (big) hand.

Last Song Syndrome : Verdi Cries - 10,000 Maniacs

The man in 119 takes his tea alone.
Mornings we all rise to wireless Verdi cries.
I'm hearing opera through the door.
The souls of men and women, impassioned all.
Their voices climb and fall; battle trumpets call.
I fill the bath and climb inside, singing.

He will not touch their pastry
but every day they bring him more.
Gold from the breakfast tray, I steal them all away
and then go and eat them on the shore.

I draw a jackal-headed woman in the sand,
sing of a lover's fate sealed by jealous hate
then wash my hand in the sea.
With just three days more I'd have just about learned the entire
score to Aida.

Holidays must end as you know.
All is memory taken home with me:
the opera, the stolen tea, the sand drawing, the verging sea,
all years ago.

hostage

Contrary to what I espoused as a highschooler at the blue-and-white, I've grown up to basically live a life of apathy and self-absorption. It's hard, though, when you hear news items like the Filipino hostage situation in Iraq, and hear their relatives speaking on the news. You forget all about commenting on David Bowie recovering from heart surgery, or Angelina Jolie's new boyfriend, or even how Ethan Hawke's troubled married life influenced the Before Sunset script.

However you try to avoid the war--relegating it to mere international quabbles in which you have no interest--it seems to be able to find you. The hostage, Angelo dela Cruz, was just doing his job when they took him, and, it's suspected, three other Filipinos. Said terrorists are demanding the removal of Filipino peace-keeping forces in Iraq. Well props to our peace-keeping team! I didn't know they made that much of an impression in the Iraqi situation!

Seriously though, Mr. dela Cruz has a family--eight kids to be exact--and numerous relatives who will be adversely affected by his death. But terrorists don't care about that, do they? I still maintain that if people thought about these things, if they maintained a certain degree of sympathy and consideration, the world would be a better place. From the little that I've been exposed to of the Quran, I gathered that Allah was benevolent and peace-loving. So why is it that some of the most violent and seemingly inconsiderate people seem to be practicing Islam? This is not to disparage Moslems in general--which would include a couple of my relatives--it's just a question. Ask me again later, I probably won't care. But what I care about right now is that Mr. dela Cruz could have been any of my uncles and cousins ten years ago; he could have been Tere's father just a couple of years ago. And we didn't care about that beheaded American... how close to home does it have to hit for us to be affected?

Sigh. I'm talking in circles, wishing for world peace when it's so hard to attain.

Last Song Syndrome : Hold Me Now - Thomson Twins

jologs time

Various things seen/heard on ABS-CBN:

Sana'y Walang Nang Wakas is on its homestretch, and, cashing in on the text polls previously used by "talent shows" like Star Circle Quest, it is said to be the first telenovela/teleserye that will let the fans decide who will get married in the final episode. I'm sure that they've filmed various endings (similar to, say, the Who Shot JR? arc on Dallas). The build-up is tremendous--and I would actually be more concerned about how many people will text in. As people in the know in jologs circles would comment, the Jericho Rosales/Kristine Hermosa tandem seems to be on its last legs, not helped by the rumored pregnancy of Kristine by a network exec, the Jericho-Cindy Kurleto relationship, and the last Kristine-Aga movie. (Note that Aga does not need a surname. Not in the RP he doesn't.) However, among the couple combinations, I still think that this coupling is still one with the most oomph and the most fans. And that's my fearless forecast. It's still Kristine-Echo on the way to the altar. Teehee. Feeling "insider".

On Magandang Umaga Bayan (a.k.a. M.U.B.) this morning, the children's health segment said that parents should be concerned when children with colds exhibit a fever temperature of 100 to 102 degrees Celsius. They bloody well should, that's the boiling temperature of water! Their children would be dead by then! Hey researcher/reporter dudes... I think you meant Fahrenheit. Just a thought.

---

simul-posted on The Casual Watcher

Last Song Syndrome : DV - Cambio (is v. catchy for a Pinoy)

phonality

Watched the first episode of The Amazing Race for this season as well as a delayed telecast of CSI.

Speaking of The Amazing Race, Jonathan Storm of Knight Ridder writes that falsity abounds in most 'reality' shows. Well, duh. I could have told you that right on the first season of The Bachelor. People do act differently when a camera is trained on them, just watch EdTV. However, it gets really entertaining at times, which is why the reality genre is quite compelling. Why do I watch reality TV? I like the twists and turns and the manipulation and the surprises. It was worth it watching Trista choose Ryan over that other guy; Boston Rob slither his way through the Survivor All-Star season; gay couple Chip and Reichen win the Amazing Race; and Erin decide to choose the money over Rob (and consequently, split the money with Chad V. when he chooses her over the money). Reality TV sometimes makes you bash in someone's head--maybe even your own for deciding to watch it. Sometimes though, it's a telling observation on human nature and psychology. The thing is, just like regular TV, you just have to choose what to watch. Unfortunately here in the RP, the foreign shows get chosen for us, and the local shows are all just copies of the foreign shows. Egad.

Last Song Syndrome : I Will Be Here - unknown male 'balladeer'

back to reality

CEO's birthday celebration is finally over and done with; and the past few weeks' worth of extra time and effort culminated in a more-than-satisfactory gathering that had a dance number, a song number, a music video, said music video's bloopers, and a sax player who looked like Z. (promise! only a little older) Was thoroughly harassed in the afternoon although it was well worth it. I don't know, I like doing things like that, being the coordinator or something. Although I would be deathly scared of coordinating a wedding, for example. I guess maybe I just like being in control. I also liked that people congratulated me for a job well done--yes, attention-hound here. Especially if it's the cute officer from this certain department. Unfortunately, married with children. Oh well.

So now that it's done, it's back to reality, and loads of work that was overlooked in the preparations. So I have three access lists to complete by Friday, three system tests, two sets of system requirements, various problem logs--wonderful.

habit
They say that when you have been doing something for 30 days, then it is already a habit. Does it also work for not doing something? I've gone 45 days without nicotine now. That's one and a half months and 150% the habit-forming period. I thought that I was going to relapse, though. It was really bad. Tall mestizo dude was smoking Gudang at the back of the office when we went out this lunch time. Inhaled smoke, delicious. What more if you were smoking it! But of course I was able to restrain myself. (It helped that I didn't know the Gudang Garam smoker dude. Or else I might just have asked for a stick.) The challenge is, actually, trying to stop the oral fixation. No success there, unfortunately. Am hooked on lollipops with bubblegum centers right now. Bad bad bad. At least am not smoking!

another farewell
Main Tech Dude is leaving the company. Finally one of the "pillars" of the department that I've grown to love is leaving. Actually there's been quite a turnover the past few months--we've lost our Recruitment Head, our Internal Auditor, and now our Tech Services head man. There's something to be said about a company that doesn't seem to keep all these key people. I don't see people lining up to get out of more stable and apparently better paid multinational companies. It confirms that I am making the right decision. Maybe not this year like initially planned, but soon. Maybe after I finish the supposed graduate studies (which I am not doing, by the way).

strange dreams
Had a strange dream about N.'s frat last night. Apparently I was flirting with a boy who turned out to be a member. Distubing thought: if said boy were a member then he'd still be in college. Way past that, I should be. Anyway, said boy brought me to a gimmick, and N. was there along with the rest of the 'gang'. A lot of familiar faces, but I can't remember anymore. I don't know why I suddenly dreamt about X frat right now. Suffice to say I haven't been thinking about them anyway. I figure the days of witnessing rumbles at McDo and head-bashing with pipes while entering the gate are past me. That frat loved me, though. I think I dated around four "brothers", one of them N., with whom I had a so-called relationship for a little more than two years. I sure hope this isn't a premonition like a Slayer's dreams (thankfully am not a Slayer). I don't want anything to do with them right now. My life's quite satisfactorily topsy-turvy the way it is now, without the complications from any of their activities. Bitchy much?

six feet under
Today's entry over at Casual Watcher.

Last Song Syndrome : Honey - Mariah Carey (office radio again!)

priorities

Things are heating up for the brithday of our CEO, at least for us, the committee tasked with putting everything together. Last night, the other girls were putting together the backdrop, the balloons and other decor. My concern? Getting to fetch my mom on time so that I would be home in time to watch the Last. Ever. Episode. of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I mean, you have to set your priorities straight man!

Meanwhile, I've written about Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen and the last episode of Buffy. Now, though, I have to face reality.

Last Song Syndrome : Drama Queen (That Girl) - Lindsay Lohan

pic of the week

Gelpren, Bespren D., and me "baptizing" Noel's new shoes.

Last Song Syndrome : (Hang Down Your Head) Tom Dooley - The Lettermen yata

knowing is half the battle

G.I. Joe fans are battling for the toy’s place at the National Toy Hall of Fame alongside Barbie, Silly Putty and Mr. Potato Head. Although Joe is 40 years old, it was catapulted to fame when the TV series came about. I remember watching G.I. Joe in grade school and hearing “Yo, Joe!” for the first time. It helped shape my childhood—the guys who were always on the right side of the law, who vigilantly defended the world from that era’s version of terrorists. My friend Mike, who has too many G.I. Joes to count, even after disposal of quite a number, would be delighted.

star-spangled banner
Today the United States of America celebrates its independence. I’ve always been a fan of the US, if only for its claim to be the land of opportunity. Lots of my relatives live there, and since I’m such a Hollywood freak and since the Buffyverse was generally conceptualized in the US, it can’t be all that bad. I’d hate to be in America’s shoes, though, being the bastion of democracy and the vanguard of the assault on terrorism. This Fourth of July, though, probably less Americans than ever will be proud to be citizens of the US under President Bush. (I hear you, incendiary rants of Michael Moore!)

a new darling comes of age
Sharapova has beaten Serena. Doing what Anna Kournikova could not do, Maria Sharapova, tall, lithe, lissome, has won a Grand Slam, breaking the Williams' sisters four-year hold on Wimbledon. And did I mention she's pretty? Even before her Grand Slam-wining ways, Sharapova has already been a darling of the crowd and even has a modelling contract. This girl has everything, and the good thing about it is that she knows she owes it to her father, who gave up everything and started waiting tables to be able to help his tennis prodigy get the best training. Good going Maria, and dad!

spiderman shmyderman
So, yeah. I still haven’t seen Spider-man 2. Rather than say that the fates are against it resulting in my not being able to watch, I think I’d rather chalk it up to the fact that I’m not really that interested. I will watch though, eventually. Right now, I’ve work to do, and the last episode of Buffy to imbibe. Cheers.

Last Song Syndrome : The King of the Golden Hall - LoTR: Two Towers OST

still here

We're done with the 'She Loves You' music video but we still have to do the greetings and the outtakes. Feh. I have to go home. Finished or not.

Last Song Syndrome : still She Loves You - The Beatles

whirl

This is the first time that I've gotten to sit down and write a longish blog. I've updated the other one, though, but those didn't require much thought (commentary on the latest episodes of Buffy and Law and Order, not to mention Go. Have just finished a Choco Peanut ice cream bar (Selecta), after observing that it's hard to type when you're eating ice cream on a stick.

supertyphoon
It didn't exactly rain cats and dogs, and thankfully it didn't flood, but the strong winds brought by Igme still lifted skirts and carried away umbrellas. It seemed to want to watch Gloria get sworn in.

Dad almost met a fatal accident at the height of Igme, after dropping Mommy off at her office at Roxas Blvd. A smoking Meralco post fell on a spot that the car had just been in a split second before. If Dad had been going about 10kph slower, he reckons, the post would definitely have hit the car. We offered thanksgiving Mass in the afternoon.

one of my idols gone bonkers?
Apparently, Ray Bradbury has gone a little bit crazy, criticizing Michael Moore for using a variant of his novel Fahrenheit 451 in his documentary work Fahrenheit 9/11. Mr. Bradbury can't spot an homage when he sees one? Or maybe the author of such compelling stories as The Martian Chronicles is staunchly right-wing? Well at least Mr. Bradbury skimmed his titles off works by dead authors (I Sing The Body Electric, Something Wicked This Way Comes, etc.).

a legend passes
Apparently, Marlon Brando has died. I first saw him as Jor-El, Superman's father. It was a few years before I was able to see The Godfather, and later I watched his chilling performance in A Streetcar Named Desire. Having not watched On the Waterfront, I still think that he was a great actor. His life plays like Citizen Kane or something; but despite the scandal, the obesity and bankrupcy later in life, the public will always remember Brando, he of the white tee and sculpted body, as well as of the jowls and unintelligible Italian, as a legend.

why it's been a whirl
Aside from the problematic payroll (for which the shit hasn't hit the fan yet), we've been busy with preparations for the CEO's birthday. As head of the committee that organizes all the extra-curricular stuff for the staff, I've been quite busy. And all for the love of slavedrivers. Teehee. Today we are editing the greeting video, which is why I am at work on a Saturday but not getting paid for it. Anyway, FinalCutPro works like a dream, at least in the able hands of our Marketing dude. She Loves You by The Beatles is ringing in my head--we have reworked the lyrics and made a pseudo-MTV. Am almost catatonic now.

Last Song Syndrome : She Loves You - The Beatles

happy birthday ger-ber

Ger's quarter-century birthday today. Thank you for your grounding, stabilizing presence in this weird tumult that has been my life for the past two years, and for being the kiddo who is more mature than I am. Thank you too for that harrowing last day in HK. May you continue to be blessed.

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
For your selflessness my admiration
For everything you've done you know I'm bound
I'm bound to thank you for it

Last Song Syndrome : Kind and Generous - Natalie Merchant