two weeks without a blog

How do the days zip by like that--so inconsiderate of people like me, who seem to be treading water, on the verge of drowning, in the deluge that is "real life". And I don't know where the time goes, it can't be only to work. For an avid multitasker like myself, it's like I'm doubling up but still running out of time. Even my leisure activities are multitasked (think Jeopardy! on TV while doing scrapbooking or surfing the net). But still time seems too short. It could be because I get tired more easily now that I have no form of exercise whatsoever. It could be because, sadly, I am getting old. Or is it really just a state of mind?

Last night I went through my old planners to check friends' birthdays--I do that. I'm a greet-you-on-your-birthday sort of person. I like to celebrate people. I believe that birthdays are happy occasions, not just milestones for getting older, but thanksgiving markers for another year of blessings, another year that you were happy, or could have been happy. On my birthday I am both retrospective and jubilant. But I've stopped counting, of course.

Then there is the matter of strange luck. I've forgotten almost all of Jeffrey Archer's novels and short stories that I've read, but spurred on by a snippet of First Among Equals, I stumbled upon an Author of the Month quiz on the web. Well what do you know, I was sure of only two answers but I got 6 of 10 correct. That is so strange. On some it was sheer blind luck. Or lucky guesses. Well. That's where most of my Jeopardy! answers come from anyway. Perhaps there is a strange repository locked away in my brain. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. Unfortunately, it is the strangest things I remember, and some important things I forget.

Will be playing badminton for the first time in five months later. Pray for me. Haha!

Last Song Syndrome : Ch-ch-ch-changes sung by Storm Large on Rock Star: Supernova

con come and gone

The Con came and then was gone.

The problem with having priorities is, you have to follow them or else, well, what was the use of setting priorities in the first place? Unfortunately, my priorities for last weekend were servitude to the parentals, necessary purchases of victuals and other supplies, servitude to the corporate master, and New Worlds, in that order. I was no longer able to make time for either the work I brought home or the annual science-fiction and fantasy convention. Alas, the love for Buffy must take a back seat to filial duty and of course, survival through items bought in Cash and Carry.

My consolation was that the small 3 Musketeers bars are back. For the life of me, I cannot consume an entire 3 Musketeers regular size bar in one sitting anymore. And I always have to have water on hand. But man, it still is good.

My life, my life, wherefore art thou, my life?

just like breathing when it's true

Flowers from Mang Boy and experiments in PaintShop.

-oOo-

Last Wednesday
At this height, rain is pelting the glass windows from the side, and for a while I was entranced by the almost horizontal water patterns splattered onto the windows. Unlike usual droplets hitting the window at a slight angle, theirs was an extended dribble, almost like they were rubbing onto the building, with a strange sound akin to fingers drumming a lonely rhythm on a formica tabletop.

-oOo-

Last Song Syndrome : Free In You - Indigo Girls

And I don't know
How you show
Such gentle disregard
For the ugly in me
That I see
That for so long
I took so hard
And I truly believe
That you see the best in me
I'm in love
We all love
And that thought
Sets me free

Free in you
Got no worries on my mind
I know what to do
That's to treat you right
And love you kind
Thank you ever on my mind
Love is just like breathing
When it's true
And I'm free in you

sleigh bells ring

Three Christmas gifts were bought yesterday. Right on schedule, because I usually start buying Christmas gifts in July and just stock them until I need them. When I see something I like for one of my friends or relatives, I snap it up right away. Of course, the downside is, sometimes (very rarely) I find something better, and the a few gifts bought usually end up in storage longer than usual or going to someone else. But it helps to be prepared. Less stress and all. And at least I can say that I really took advantage of the sale season. A Divisoria day will be scheduled in September, before the Christmas rush. Then I must decide on the color scheme and/or wrappers for the said gifts. Lots of cute stuff at the Wrap Shop. Hee! Second half of the year na!

bea: the omen

The malevolent glint in her eyes and her hand cupping my face. Isn't it just adorable? Hehehe!

-oOo-

Signs
Tesla/The Five Man Electrical Band

And the sign says "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I put my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine outstanding young man, I think you'll do
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that, huh, me working for you"

[Chorus:]
Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs
F@ckin' up the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign

And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight"
So I jumped the fence and I yelled at the house
Hey! What gives you the right!
To put up a fence and keep me out, or to keep Mother Nature in
If God was here, he'd tell it to your face, man, you're some kind of sinner

[Chorus]

Oh, say now mister, can't you read
You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't watch, no you can't eat, you ain't supposed to be here

And the sign says "You got to have a membership card to get inside" - uh!

And the sign says "Everybody welcome, come in, kneel down and pray"
But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all
And I didn't have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own f@ckin' sign
I said, "Thank you Lord for thinking 'bout me, I'm alive and doing fine"
Oh

there's no day like today

And I feel, so much depends on the weather
So is it raining in your bedroom?
And I see, that these are the eyes of disarray
Would you even care?
- Plush, Stone Temple Pilots

woe is me, it's payday friday!

I actually left the office at exactly 5:30pm so that I could avoid the crush but it was not to be. There was no Guadalupe jeepney in sight for at least 20 minutes. And after that, they were all filled to the brim. As I was not in the mood to run and jostle around for a place on one of them or the Zapote jeeps(cue in my still-present cough) I decided to have a look-see at the Book Sale at Cityland first. Another twenty minutes of browsing (there was an LoTR omnibus selling for P550, and a Contemporary Home coffeetable book for P750--this is Book Sale?!?!) and I thought the coast could be clear. Unfortunately, it was not. Jeeps were still packed.

I had to take a cab instead, and chanced upon a talkative old driver who was talking up a storm, understandably because of terrible boredom due to the heavy traffic in and around Makati (alas, it's payday Friday!). I learned that he earned an average of 400 a day, used to drive for Japanese expats who were loose with their tips in the early 80s to mid 90s until times changed, and a previous passenger of his had a 70-year-old husband who was still matinik sa chicks. It was actually a nice way to pass the time, including that short treatise on the pine trees planted in front of Toyota Bel-Air ("Sino ba naman mag-aakala no? Diba sa Baguio lang yan?") Yes, Manong. Thanks for the ride!

Last Song Syndrome : Bituing Walang Ningning

the cost of getting sick

I hate taking sick days. I already have three and a half sick days used up this year, including those taken yesterday and last Monday. Today I took my third-and-a-half sick day. My parents rushed me to the hospital around midnight because I was having really bad stomach spasms which weren't being alleviated by any medicine I took. Two injections and a nap later, I was good to go at 4am. I'm glad I still live with my parents. I was wondering, what if I lived on my own and I experienced that excruciating pain? The neighbors would probably throw me out because of all the racket I was making. All things ending up well, I'm better, and back at work this afternoon.

I didn't use to hate taking my sick leave--at StingyCo, it was one way to keep sane. But now I do, because unused sick days are convertible to cash at GeeksForHire, and if I play my cards right and end up with about 10 sick days at the end of the year, I will probably have enough to buy a new flatscreen TV and DVD player. Er. But of course, it will probably go into the nuptials fund, covering the cost for invitations and souvenirs (not bad).

The ER doctor (who looked like Keri Russell in a strange way) said I had gastritis, which could have been caused by my intake of softdrinks mixed with the medicines I've been taking for my cough and colds. Apparently, it is also caused by emotional stress, like dealing with f*($king contractors and bad weather. Sigh.

-oOo-

PostScript: Medicines prescribed by Keri Russell look-alike amounted to Ps.1,952. What fun. Good thing it's reimbursable here at GeeksForHire (I think).

cool citrus basil

The Bath and Body Works Big Semi-Annual Sale is upon us.

Someone buy me, like, five of these please! I have no idea why I absolutely love this; maybe it smells citrusy (as I am a fan of citrus things), fresh and natural, it's almost as light as baby cologne, but the basil gives it an edge (aside from it being one of my favorite herbs).

Feh. Been sick. As such I don't make much sense. Hope to be back at work tomorrow. I've lost a substantial amount because of my two sick days this year, as unused sick days are convertible to cash at GeeksForHire.

-oOo-

I look outside and the sky is very gray, even for 5:30pm. It's rainy season already, and I groan with displeasure.

raindrops and roses and payroll

I don't know what sort of folly this is. I have severe muscle pains, the beginnings of full-blown cough and colds, a headache and a slight fever. And yet, here I am, about to leave for work. Viva la GeeksForHire! We have an important deliverable today which I was trying to finish yesterday afternoon but since I was already feeling bad, I left early. Unfortunately, the feeling only worsened last night and this morning, here I am, groggily typing this up. And best of all, there is only P40 in my wallet. Extreme wallet death, to be sure. Good thing it's sweldo today. (These are a few of my favorite things...)

-oOo-

ETA: Er. From the office now. I left my freaking ATM at home! So I still have P40 in my wallet since I rode with the zeester coming to work. At least I will be able to get home safe and sound on le Guadalupe jeepney.

Last Song Syndrome : that freaking First Day High commercial