your street

2008-08-04T21:51:00.002+08:00

I got massacred today playing a tennis game. The score read 6-0 6-1 6-0. Maybe I should take consolation that it wasn't a triple bagel. My timing was all-off, and my opponent new exactly what to do with feeble returns and groundstrokes -- send it flying off at an angle to the opposite side. My opponent was gracious enough to thank me for making him look good. He wanted to assuage the matter. We're supposed to play again; though I don't know if that would be a good thing for him, if my level of play stays this way.

* * *

But my weekend was good! I played tennis on Saturday and Sunday, the latter with a trainer who was young yet I thought pretty good at this motivational skills. I'm looking forward to the weekend already so that I can work on more things. One good trait that he has is that he listens also to the point of views of his coachee/student. Good coaches have to understand that each person is different, and that listening is what will help them diagnose what is the best approach to learning. Just before the weekend I exchanged some slightly feisty text messages with a gym trainer, coz I felt he didn't have that important listening attitude at all. Thankfully, he eventually came around

* * *

In exchange for my sister and dad having lunch while I was playing tennis (yes, this counts as accompanying me to the country club), I found myself watching The Dark Knight for the 2nd time. Now I understand why Dent was so pissed off at Gordon, and also it hit me that the Joker wasn't on the screen all that much. This movie gave more time to Dent and Gordon than the Joker I thought. Watching this movie the 2nd time wasn't too bad.

* * *

The weekend highlight though was a last minute invitation by a friend to watch the Ateneo-UST UAAP game at Araneta. We were seated really close to the players, at the Patron section. I'm so glad Ateneo won. I do feel that when I watch games live, 2/3 of the time, we lose. So this was a nice surprise.

* * *

I have too much adrenaline in my system, so its going to be a bit of a chore getting to sleep. Maybe it's time to organize a few things then.

* * *

After 2 failed meetings, 3rd one took place and I thought it was successful and worked out quite well. Both parties are moving, and things look good. :)

* * *

Do I still remember how to do this?

2008-07-25T20:24:00.002+08:00

There is such a thing as being too accessible. It's called living in the part of the city where people will insist on picking you up for a gimmick even though what you'd rather do is stay at home and sort your laundry. Of course, this would be a non-issue IF you were the sort of person who would tell people that you will not go out with them and they can stuff it.

I am not that person.

* * *

I've been living in Salcedo for more than six months now, and it has truly worked out. I lucked out finding a friend with a small room to let in a condominium along de la Costa. My daily weekday routine is to wake up at the latest possible time so that I can take a shower, get ready and still have the eight minutes walking time I need to get in my office by 9am. The route to work is okay. I go through Velasquez Park and normally there is only a little doggie poo to worry about. There are many cute dogs. I know the dogs, and not their helper-walkers. Scarcely anyone walks their own dogs in this park. But this is not surprising. They will not walk their children either. In the evenings, on the way home, I normally will not pass through the park grounds.

We are in Makati CBD so there is a choice of 18 Starbucks to go to within a 250 meter radius. It is frustrating because the cute baristas never seem to stay in one location long enough.

* * *

I have not explored much of Legaspi Village, but already judge that it is the village on the wrong side of Ayala Avenue.

Next time: favorite neighborhood spots.

Highs of 12F, Lows of -3F.

2007-01-15T03:59:00.000+08:00

I had some personal time, yesterday, to see some parts of downtown Minneapolis. Foremost in my agenda was to get proper winter head gear, especially since weather reports for this coming week have temperatures falling to -3F. Yes, Fahrenheit. I can only begin to imagine what that's going to feel like, but I will say that I've already revised my view of what cold means. Prior to this trip, anything sub-zero in the Celsius scale would start freaking me out -- I think I over-estimated the actual temperature a few years ago when we were caught in a wind during a debate tournament in Toronto.

In the same way that you would be crazy to stand for more than a couple of minutes under the noon time tropical sun during summer, it is equally daft to go out into a Minnesota street during the winter improperly protected. I ended up getting a great deal on a good wool scarf and hat on sale in Macy's (P.S. I couldn't find crap in Target, which I had expected to be more helpful). I would have been ready to spring for earmuffs and a face mask had I actually seen any for sale, much less any stylish ones. I caught a glimpse of more than a couple of people who had some nice things on, though most people were more ho-hum, I don't know perhaps it's a MidWest thing. I bow to some of these Japanese winter fashionistas tromping around Narita airport.

* * *

Deliberately avoided Mall of America for shopping this weekend. Aside from the fact that once done with shopping I'd be stuck in the middle of nowhere, I didn't get the greatest vibe during a quick visit for dinner earlier in the week. It's a big place, but it seemed sad, and the goods boring, or boringly displayed. The Gucci and Prada shoes at Nordstrom seemed sad.

So my game plan was to wander around Nicollet Mall, a shopping strip not a mall with the major buildings connected to each other by way of a 2nd level skyway. It was a great relief to use these enclosed bridges rather than walk in the cold at street level. It's while navigating these skyways that someone asked me for directions to a particular shop, which I promptly supplied. A guilty pretentious pleasure of mine: being mistaken for a local. It happens all the time, and partially because I have the audacity, I think, to feel as if I am local. Made my day, even though it's "just" being a Minneapolis local.

* * *

Found a nice independent book store. Couldn't find the right book to buy, either content or price-wise. Rats. It would have been better for me, if it was a library. I would have plopped down and read for a couple of hours...they were piping in some pretty good Jazz, though I didn't get to ask the proprietor what it was. While going through the shelves, I was reminded of the various Minnesota characters I had serendipitously bumped into a few weeks prior to leaving: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Garrison Keillor(!), and that damn movie A Prarie Home Companion. That dang radio show actually goes live at the Fitzgerland Theater at nearby St. Paul every week. Ok, now I want to watch it, even if I found the movie a bit of a chore. Aside from writing books my Dad reads, and hosting that radio show, he also writes for the Tribune paper here. Keillor is everywhere.

* * *

PS. the following phrases are supposedly MidWestern in origin: "You betcha," "Aw Jeez," "You're darn tootin', "Okie-Dokie," "Yup," "Be there in a jif," and "Yah.

* * *

More next week: winter sports, hi-tech offices, asian food, culture and theatre

Minneapolis

2007-01-06T11:13:00.000+08:00

Hi guys, just letting you all know that I'm flying tomorrow morning to the US for work for the next two to three weeks. This coming week I'll be in Minneapolis (Brr), and later on probably New York and San Francisco. Let me know if our paths may possibly cross!

re-claiming an old life

2006-12-29T22:42:00.000+08:00

I didn't get any work e-mails today or yesterday, so thankfully, as I expected (but didn't count on), I had Thursday and Friday's practically off on this very light work day. If there would be a time for a Taiwanese earthquake to screw up internet systems Asia-wide, the timing couldn't be better. The extra time has allowed me to re-visit some aspects of my pre-work life that I had unwittingly given up the past few months (running, tennis games, DVD marathons, multiply updates, not including reading -- work will never make me give that up), and now I start imagining how the best of these old things are going to marry with work come 2007. Some people really dig Xmas, and I do, but it's the new year that I look forward to more. I'm among the 91% people in the Philippines, according to a recent SWS survey, who look to the new year with hope.

* * *

the party season has been pretty good this year. have met up with most people I wanted to see this Xmas, and managed well enough that I had no shitty evil traffic to contend with. One takes for granted that friends had flown in from everywhere.

One more party tomorrow down south (I call Paranaque down south, he he) with the HPAIR people, and that should turn out okay. It seems like everyone wants to get real wasted on this one. I'll be sure to post some good photos of this in my multiply come 31st.

* * *

I only have one resolution for 2007, most cliche of all resolutions, but it's always been there. I want to get thin, and, away from my old strategies of trying to achieve this goal, I've been telling people about it.

* * *

Memories of 2006

10. Swimming and Total Immersion
9. 2nd Ateneo Aquathlon
8. Food Blogging
7. World Schools Wales
6. Underwater Hockey
5. Job interviews, Job rejections
4. iTi Consulting
3. 19 Nova Scotia
2. Mitchell Madison Group
1. Grandmo

Most Enjoyed Movie of the Year: The Prestige
Most Enjoyed Author of the Year: Jose Saramago
Most Enjoyed Music of the Year: See me Goon Squad Multiply Playlist (David Bowie, KC Tunstall, Moby, etc.)

Crap Movie of the Year: Nacho Libre
Crap Book of the Year: NA (Yey!)
Crap Music of the Year: "Only in Boracay"

we're always the same age inside, G.S.

2006-11-23T18:18:00.000+08:00

How do you write sentences? Can someone answer me that question?

* * *

I got off early from work today. I have some time to write a few things. (Aside: there's nothing like consulting/office work to totally linearize your thinking)

First, I received via e-mail a performance review form. I had never seen one of these babies before, my being new with this office thing and all. It was a good form let me tell you though. I expected some vague and bull-shitty form -- I should have known better coming from a company that trades on business analysis. It segments well all the skills, and traits that they expect from someone who wants to be a kick-ass consultant. There was no way this one could be fudged (at least not without a sizeable amount of lying, padding and crapping all over the place). I momentarily felt a little small that I obviously had a long way to go with some of my technical skill (ability to work with Acess, Excel, BIQ, etc.).

What jolted me back to a balanced outlook was my realization that I don't have any spare time at the office to train myself and improve on these things. One has to learn everything and do crash courses as needed.

This I do not find surprising. My company has a cowboy reputation of making things work. Learning something right the first time is such a premium: learning by doing and quick. One immediately knows who the slow people are at my work place. (does that sound like paradise to some of you)

I have to finish the PR form by Monday, but I'll probably hand in my self-review before the weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

* * *

frivolities/perks/delights:

small joy realization #1, realizing that eating cream sauce on pasta doesn't have to be a heavy affair. was at Cibo last night with a friend, and remembered that there's the Cibo/Bellini way of a white sauce, and there's the CPK-heavy style.

realization #2, realizing that a book can excite you on the rack, leave you confused the first forty pages, and then proceed to increasingly delight you as you figure it out. Book in question: Saramago's Double.

realization #3, that sometimes all you want is to listen to old albums from start to finish. Dave Matthews Tim Reynolds: Live at Luther College one of them.

charged and shuffled

2006-11-05T20:53:00.000+08:00

this weekend wasn't particularly restful, though it was pretty interesting. it began with an odd note when i received work e-mail early saturday morning that i had to be ready to do some remote work at the drop of a hat. in the end, said work didn't materialize and i think that contributed to the sense of never being truly fully at rest. i hate it when i start relating closer and closer to workplace cliches. but to deny that i am relating to these cliches just might make me more insufferable. i had long though that angst was retro, but then i'll have to remind myself that denial of it would then be medieval.

i found myself wishing for a blackberry aloud in the middle of a party. someone said, no you don't want that. and i said, umm, yes i do.

* * *

early saturday took a semi-poorly planned trip to Divisoria/168 land. I don't want to dwell on it too much but suffice it to say that I was riding in a car with a low-IQ driver. i should have realized that sooner. bought an evil cheapo Ipod shuffle to replace the mini i lost a few months back. im still trying to figure out how to get it to work consistently though, since it's been acting weird. i swear if i dont get it working im gonna return and give that woman at the counter a peace of my mind. i dont care if i have to brave the jungle again.

* * *

positive notes: went to a foodie eyeball at the fort. info about it at: marketmanila.com; i liked the food, and the vodka tonics, vodka on the rocks were the perfect lubricant midway through the proceedings. props to a friend for making the host give a speech towards the end of the gathering. as i related to her, i would have gone for the yelling for speech, speech. i would have never followed up with tinkling a glass with a fork. the speech turned out well anyway. throught that foodie eb, discovered an interesting blog along the way. anton.blogs.com; in particular it's interesting to read his ideas about Pinoy 2.0 and his thoughts of how pinoys could take further advantage of the web. he took good pictures of the event as well.

* * *

sunday i spent mucking around my room and getting it messy. now im gonna clean it up. i've been watching old game shows on you tube. bob barker is funny. hope this upcoming week turns out well.

1991

2006-11-01T20:44:00.000+08:00

Minette just flew out this morning to return to the US. That just leaves Robin here, until the 4th, after which my cousin-entertaining duties will go on hibernation mode. One thing I didn't expect was how cooperative they were in wanting to eat. They would call us on all suggestions to have another snack, another place for dessert, a second breakfast. I think their goals were to gain weight while here.

They don't fly in as often as my other cousins. In fact, the two haven't been here in 15 years. In the week or so they've been here though, I'd like to think that we somehow filled the void between of who we were as 11 year old kids and who we are now as people in our mid 20s. One funny recollection we talked about this afternoon was how we'd hang out before. They lived in Valle Verde, and we lived in Sta Mesa Heights. We would just show up un-announced at their apartment-step during weekends, and their helper would get all worked up trying to figure how to feed three extra mouths for lunch. Sometimes also, our driver would just ring their doorbell to announce that it was time to be picked up and brought over to our house. Can you imagine spending time with your friends now without flagging what the activity would be, or making a schedule, or figuring out where it is appropriate to meet? It's regression in many ways, isn't it.

* * *

I think we were heading off to Metrowalk to buy some pirated stuff (yes!) when the subject of Irish-ness was brought up. I used to make fun of Mahar for wearing it as a badge of pride. As I clarified to a co-worker who thought I thought as my younger bro did, I don't self-identify as Irish. I don't even self-identify as American so I don't really get why any of us would want to talk about it in that way. My cousins gave me a fresh perspective though on what it meant for the family. 'Coz they more on the, yes, we're Irish and shouldn't hide it bit as well. they said that our grandmo thought very strongly about this as well -- and communicated it too. I had to ask: well, what is it then that would mark us that way, for us to legitimately (caution!) claim such a thing? Yes, our great-grandfather was Irish . .and?

Musicality, poetry, Irish names, catholicism(? how ironic if they had brought this up but they didn't). Most interesting though was the comment brought up by Minette...you could say it's also Pride. People who are even "less" Irish then us, know they are. So that was something I had to think about. . .but then we started moving on to talking about how occasionally frustrating it was to deal with this multi-cultural baggage. . .more on this another time.

* * *

I visited 3 cemeteries this All Saints day period. first time i think for us

an account of me

2006-10-08T22:50:00.000+08:00

hi. to all those who greeted me, thanks.
to those who forgot, tsk tsk.

that's ok. you probably forgot coz you weren't invited to any of my parties.

im kidding. sort of.

I was feeling a bit under the weather Thursday night, and especially Friday. I think it mostly had to do with overdoing it with the hockey endurance training Thursday night. I hadn't done it in two weeks and here I was swimming in a pool with a t-shirt on (to create drag); we were doing all kinds of finning, diving, swimming drills. It lasted about 30-40 minutes, but I felt that "dumidilim na ang paningin ko", especially during one of those diving crucifixion drills. After training, I played a few games.

So come Friday, I wasn't in too hot shape. Thankfully, my co-workers didn't mind when I begged off early from work. I took few breaks during the day, so I could ask to leave at 5 pm. (Yes, my job breeds workaholics. Flexi time means that ppl become workaholics) Thank god I have colleagues who can finish work and deliver the goods.

Slept in Saturday morning, which was great. Woke up to some gifts mom brought in over from BKK. Got Saramago's book Seeing (good book choice: nice semi-snobby author, cover looks nice, published recently, no stupid person raving over it), and some DG cologne (subtle enough fragrance, though in true my-mom-style she also bought for herself the feminine version of what she gave me. ha ha ha). Sweet. The packaging worked out too. Book was hard bound and black, and the cologne was in a silver box. so they looked perfect together. I have to really give props to my parents for knowing my taste pretty well already. They wrapped it up using some apple green metal twine. Later in the morning Len called from SG with a funny story about cooking (thanks len); got a few overseas texts (bob, jojo) so that was nice.

Started getting ready at 1030 to pick up Jill, since she wanted to join the intro hockey session at La Salle. She did pretty well, and I got to play. She broke the mask I lent her though. Semi-grrr. Got home, kinda exhausted. Vincent came over in the evening, and what was supposed to be a dinner party became a DVD/Video fest with junk food. Watched March of the Penguins. Awww. and several episodes of It's always sunny in philadelphia.

Slept in a bit again Sunday. Went to mass and then treated the family to Outback. Had my share of red bloody meat. Yeah baby. Afternoon, mucked around the PC and took a nap before heading out for a haircut, and aromatherapy massage. Got home to small dinner party w/ parents + desserts and tasty alcohol. Blogged.

that was my weekend. i hope you enjoyed it reading it much more than I did typing about it. But I DID enjoy it though. Especially the massage. Ready to kick ass this coming week.

2006-09-30T18:10:00.000+08:00

Since the recent storm has knocked out power in my house for more than forty-eight hours now, I've found myself spending more time at work. I'm not doing more work; I'm just making use of light, air-conditioning and the internet. For the benefit of those who can't watch the UAAP game today at their electricity-less homes, we've set up a projector here. 10 pt lead by UST at the half. Shit.

chubby little ateneo kids helping blue babble.

***

tang ina why do i do this to myself. i hate watching these games

AFP sky

2006-09-24T00:32:00.000+08:00

It was a toss up today between attending a wedding, and going to a hockey tournament. Guess what I chose? My sister gave me the appropriate tsk tsks because, "it's a WEDDING." Well my only regret really is that the one who invited me will find out and will feel sorry about the whole thing. My own rationalization is that I would be hardly missed, and there aren't really any people there that I want to talk to or meet anyway, save one or two perhaps.

On the other hand, I haven't played hockey in several months. And I've never regretted going to a tournament, game or training session. This seemed like a sure thing. Not to mention the fact that I received the 3 guilt SMSes of 'we're counting on you." The two games we played today were sweet. The 30 or so minutes for one game is really too short. They should come up with a 20-5-20 minute game format -- of course, I can imagine that the fitness standards will have to be all the more heightened.

As I said earlier, I haven't played hockey since May, and I can feel my left arm complaining. I hope I'm not in agony tomorrow morning.

And to those of you who don't know me, I'm talking about underwater hockey.

* * *

I've been reading Gandhi's autobiography, and I'm at the part that he's in South Africa and is experiencing discrimination first hand as a 'coolie' or a coloured person. He's beginning to meet some Christians, and start reading Christian texts; what makes interesting reading is when he explains what about Christianity he doesn't agree with. One is the notion that striving for perfection is an impossible task and that Jesus intercession is thus necessary. The other bit has to do with the interpretation of the Bible. I haven't gotten to the full elaboration of these bits so I won't go on further lest I misinterpret what he said ( a real issue he identified before he began the arguably "Western" practice of writing one's autobiography).

I almost forgot to mention that there is a portion of the book where he is unhappy that his love relation with his wife remains lustful, though their love is moving gradually to something more pure. I couldn't help but think, isn't that a good thing? Aren't you supposed to lust after your wife?

I actually can relate to Gandhi in certain levels, especially when he frets about being treated like crap. But I don't share his sexual/love issues though, nor his very strong devotion to his parents.

It's taken me around 3 weeks to read 100 pages. Reading non-business related texts has become a bit of a luxury but I try to keep at it.

Suddenly I See

2006-09-17T17:20:00.000+08:00

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon, the sort that is good for staying in. Unfortunately, it is perhaps wasted on my relatively drama-less life. My main angst or issue these days is how they stock the office pantry with evil-tasting transfat laden cream biscuits. I haven't been around long enough to influence purchase decisions in this regard. Actually, the office should get a large refrigerator, so people will spring for fresh food and bring more home-cooked food. Presently, it's a parade of peanuts, chips, sweets and the occasional pasalubong of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. Most people in the office are just a bit younger than I am and don't have office bodies yet. What a waste I keep thinking.

We wonder at the supply-chain mechanism behind the company/manong who delivers the daily orders of lunch. It's a meal with 1.5 cups of rice, two pieces of chicken/beef/fish, a portion of soup or vegetables, a small banana, a piece of hard candy, and a set of plastic utensils. This all costs 40 bucks. They'd have a responsive market for even 50 bucks. I don't even see any competitors (or maybe they were all priced-out).

* * *

I've been playing semi-workaholic. A couple of late nights this past week (which led to my cancelling my endurance training session for UWHockey, punyeta); but I've continued to maintain that weekends are sacred. It's a fine balance sometimes but you have to understand what is due to you -- speaking to a lot of French white collars (haha, who else) in the past has made me more confident about this attitude.

Was talking to a colleague late Friday night, "hey, if you need help on the weekend, don't call me. Fine, if you really really need help then call me." No calls. He he. Fair enough, I think. I bust my butt there 5 days a week.

If you want a lot of work and want to work weekends, you will enjoy my place of work.

I've also been there long enough to get a general feel of what people's weaknesses are. Does this sound a little too cut-throat? Wait, I know your answers already. Ha ha ha.

* * *

new content-wise changes in this blog in the upcoming week. stay tuned.

thank yous

2006-08-28T22:54:00.000+08:00

thank you that when i woke up this morning it felt like I had a decent night's sleep.
thank you that I didn't get stomach cramps in the middle of the morning coz I had a shredded wheat banana breakfast.
thank you that I can buy a chicken curry lunch with two pieces of chicken for just forty pesos.
thank you that I got my work done today.
thank you that co-workers sent my YM messages asking how they could help out.
thank you that I have co-workers who care about the quality of work they produce.
thank you that my calls to India weren't as torturous as they were last Friday.
thank you that work ended at 6 so I was able to make it to my spinning class.

thank you that my room fixing turned out quite well.

thank you that tomorrow is another day

* * *

no this isn't Mitch Albom's blog

It's always sunny in Manila

2006-08-22T22:38:00.000+08:00

I was relating to my mom over the phone that I had gotten into a heated argument with an ex-officemate last Friday, and she remarked, "yes, you can be temperamental." Temperamental!

I had to stop and think about that for a bit, because I was of the opinion that I was temperamental BEFORE like especially back in high school, but nowadays I had more control and restraint. There's nothing like your mom to tell you otherwise. "Well, it's coz you're a bit spoiled and impatient." She said that in a matter of fact way, not judging. The idea that I'm out of control, I don't like that.

Me and my officemate have patched our differences already anyway

* * *

It's been a week since I started with my new job at a management consulting firm. So far, things have been pretty ok. It feels much better to be doing work on an area that I'm actually quite interested in. Everyday, I learn something new. Quite literally. And if I spend my downtime reading McKinsey articles or business news, I don't feel that I'm just wasting time.

* * *

I'm reading this simple and short book called "What Do Muslims Believe?" by Ziauddin Sardar. It's good because it explains in plain language Muslim beliefs, its varieties, history, etc. All these random facts that I learned from years of debating now fall into a more coherent story and picture. It will give you an idea of why Iran and Iraq have gone to war with each other. It will also give you an understanding of how Muslim extremism has come about. But most importantly for me I think it gave me a glimpse of just how sophisticated, inspiring, compelling and progressive Islam can be. Normally we read articles in the magazines about how Islam is a peaceful religion, or how great scientific developments have been borne from Muslim scholars. This book puts forward historical developments, and explains the significance of Muslim texts in such a way that the previous sentence's pronouncements don't just seem like lip service to political correctness.

* * *

Funniest show on TV now

quiet departure

2006-08-14T23:04:00.000+08:00

The office was so empty today, most everyone was on leave. There were only a handful of people around, and oddly enough they were the perfect bunch to be around just before finally leaving. Big fusses are ok of course, but many one-on-one's throughout the day are even better.

What was a nice touch though was that aside from wishes of good luck for my new job, there was the genuine invitation from all parties, whether HR or my colleagues, or quality assurance, or the boss, to hang out and party in the future. I'm going to our firm's mid-year party, and someone else's birthday, and I'm celebrating my birthday with them October. I know: they like me! they really really like me! he he he.

Sometimes one hears that the first job one lands is crap. you have to work for peanuts, long hours, take crap from your bosses. Well, I'm lucky. My official first REAL job was great, in the many dimensions that something could be great. I wish all of you have this good a first job as well.

* * *

Onward and upward!

Bebot

2006-08-08T00:43:00.000+08:00

The Black Eyed Peas have released two versions of their music video Bebot,

one called Generation 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeFNDUBcrwc

the other Generation 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp0DcffERYs

You guys should see this. This ain't on MTV and VH1 yet, so hope it gets enough of a buzz or it gets released there or something.

Background on Bebot, the guys who made the video, and the Little Manila Project here: http://www.kidheroes.net/bebot/

Aside, Bebot is the reason why some Welsh kids in Cardiff even knew who we were and where we from.

mind branding

2006-08-06T00:20:00.000+08:00

Seal, "Killer" (Peter Rauhofer 2005 Mix)

David Bowie, "Fashion"*

Moby, "Beautiful"

Brazilian Girls, "Don't Stop"

Sarah Hudson, "Girl On The Verge"

Fischerspooner, "Just Let Go"*

The Bravery, "An Honest Mistake"

LCD Sound System, "Tribulations"

Deep Dish, "Flashdance"

The Postal Service, "We Will Become Silhouettes"*

_____________________

Harold Barefoot Sanders III "Get Plastered"*,

(?) also Sanders III?,"Breathe on Me"*,

Biff Sanders, "Prodigal"*

_____________________

A few tracks that I've been listening to. No prizes for guessing the over-arching theme. ;) Tracks with stars are those that I particular enjoy, not all for the same reason. Barefoot Sanders mostly coz of resonance and association with things new, Postal Service 'coz its like meeting an old friend (okay how slam(?) book, barf), Fischerspooner 'coz it's not about living here, David Bowie 'coz its gradually dawning on me that Labyrinth wasn't his best work. He he.

I have another track that I do like but I haven't found its name and title yet.

_____________________

excuse to Party

2006-07-31T01:39:00.000+08:00

Party I threw this weekend turned out pretty well I thought considering that I had thrown caution to the wind when I invited people. I invited workmates, hockey players, high school friends, college travel buddies, mountaineers, theatre people, miscellaneous friends, and debaters (low turnout for the last group, losers!). Props for people who showed not hardly knowing anybody, but mingling well and having a good time (Mickey, Ria, Tina)

Bobby & Len: You would have more than made up for everybody if you were here. Carl was sick, and Kellda flaked (hmm). Maita had another engagement. John and Amanda showed up, good of them.

The authentic Thai food that was served early on was received really well; thought it was nice that people got an idea of how more scrumptious Thai curry and noodle salad could be. Drink of the night was the traydor "blue frog". This can easily become a staple for future parties IF people will chip in for the Amaretto.

There was a lot of booze, except for beer (on purpose, bwahahaha).

The home entertaining tradition lives on. . .

Leaving London

2006-07-16T03:08:00.000+08:00

Resting my heels now at Easyinternet Cafe along Bond Street. It was a day of shopping, hoo ha. Met up with Tams and her cuz Addie (sp?), and we were "good tourists" first: Buckingham Palace and National Gallery (!), but after lunch at Covent Garden we went on shopping mode. Actually, it was really just Harrods.

What a place. I had never been much to the Kensington-Chelsea portion of London before. I've really seen grittier bits more, read: Camden Town, East End and Brixton. This was a nice change, seeing posh cars, posh buildings, and posh people. So many Arabs here dang. I was also feeling ashamed that I wasn't preppie enough to wear loafers without any socks, boohoo.

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Leaving London with a bit of stuff. Really hope it'll all fit into the luggage.

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World Schools Update. Yeah, that's the reason I'm here after all, not shopping! he he. Australia won. Again. Corny.

We did okay, thought we really missed the break by just that much. We ranked 21st, and had 4 wins and 4 loses. South Korea made quarters and booted out top ranked Pakistan in Octos. Singapore made semis but lost to Australia.

The kids were very social during this tournament. Made many friends, and were quite popular I thought. He he. I do hope they decide to try out for next year's tournament in South Korea. We've got a strong chance to do really well, like make the final. I really think that World Schools is just a puzzle that the Philippines has been a little delayed in figuring out. All ingredients for a good run are there.

* * *

Okay, logging off now. Am flying out from Cardiff in about 7 hours. I'll probably be home in Manila around lunch time Monday. Til then I have no load. Sorry!

World Schools Update: Some Good News, Some infuriating news

2006-07-08T00:28:00.000+08:00

Okay, I can't take long here. There's a line behind me. But this is the short of it.
We carried the round through with Lesotho, no surprised there, though it was a split decision. Some of their speakers are really quite powerful. So a 2-0 slate was nice.

Today was a different story today however. We lost to South Africa (deservedly actually) on a motion on treating terrorists as Prisoners of War (we were opposing).

And we (unfairly) lost to Scotland in the next round. I can give you a blow by blow about how I found such a decision to be ridiculous. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on negative feeling. But this par for the course anyway, unforunately, for World Schools. So we're 2-2.

Fairness to the tournament though, there have been some interesting upsets, so it isn't as if there are unbeatable teams. Pakistan has made the big splash today beating BOTH England and Australia. Good for them.

* * *

On more positive news, we absolutely adored the school we were in today, called Ysigol Plasmawr here in Cardiff. The high school kids (Ryan, Ruth and Angelauch (sp?) ) who were watching after our team were saying Go Team Philippines and also following the debate well, and making fun of our opponents bad points. That was really swell of them. Also nice to hear that one of them actually (no joke here), is going to be in the next Harry Potter movie. He has to be hush-hush about it though. He can't tell people much about it. Wow. We're one degree of separation from the entire Harry Potter cast. He he he. We've got pictures of him if you want to see. He really looks like he can be a character in the movie. It's a wonderful school really. Great kids.

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I think the girls today are gonna do some retail therapy the next day since it's free day. We're gonna be at Cardiff Bay tonight. More updates soon. :)

Philippines: First Win

2006-07-06T20:22:00.000+08:00

On the motion that this house would have a worldwide ban on civil nuclear energy, Montenegro (AFF) and Philippines (NEG), the debate went to Team Philippines with a unanimous 3-0 decision.

Getting the first win in was good. Even though Montenegro isn't a highly touted team, getting that first win has been vitally important. We look to improve and solidify our performance for the next round. :)

Did that sound enough like a press release? He he.

As I blog on this matter, our team is in the middle of a one hour preparation for its 2nd Round. We are on the affirmative side against Lesotho, on the motion, roughly, that this house would have full-time education students engage in compulsory charity work.

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Cultural Wales Update:

1. Food still crap.

So-called creamy herb chicken for dinner at Temple of Peace turns out to be boiled milky chicken fibers. Beef Bourgogne with a wine sauce means black-brown sludge. I kid you not. We were given a brief respite today at Bettws High School in Newport, today's venue for the rounds. We had yummy quiche, egg and ham sandwiches, curry samosas type stuff, and orange juice. The kids eat better than the uni students thank God.

2. Weather becomes more British.

Which I actually don't mind much. Rainy and colder now. Makes me feel that I'm really in Britain. The sun has come out again quite recently though, which is nice. Makes me hope that by the time we get to London in a few days, there will be neither the past weeks heatwave weather nor rainy-rainy-rainy depression.

* * *

Wales is starting to grow on me a bit. Caerdydd the Welsh name of Cardiff seems so much prettier than its usual name. We heard some musical performances in last night's opening ceremony and they were really good. We had a tenor, a choir, a soloist, and fiddler all give good performances (esp. the fiddler). We were proud to stand and show our Philippine flag and Filipiniana attire during the opening ceremony.

* * *

Italy vs. France. Wot.

cardiff

2006-07-05T04:39:00.000+08:00

We have no use for our rain gear and sweaters here in Cardiff. I spent the whole day in my tsinelas. Yes, it's the most appropriate footwear here in Wales. Some people in the main shopping area are nakahubo. Most are lean and have abs. A few needs to work out more. He he.

Speaking of shopping, I've gotten some done already. :) I'm never gonna shop at Zara at home again. I got a polo and a shirt here at 15 and 9 quid. they'd probably cost somewhere from 50-75% more back at home. The shopping area at downtown Cardiff is pretty okay. Much better than anything in Geneva (not that THAT is a tough standard), and Cardiff castle is in the background! *end ditz commentary*

Funny the people I've bumped into here at the tournament. Peejay Garcia is the coach of South Korea. Wen Qing (remember him William?), is the coach of Singapore. And JJ of La Verne is the coach of the USA. (die of jealousy Maita and Mahar). We had cross training today with Singapore that turned out okay. And we're doing something with the Korean team a little later.

Last bit to blog about before I go, since there is a bit of line here at the internet provided by the university, british food really still truly sucks. They have to a) learn to cook with garlic and b) stop frying things to death. I'm getting quite potatoed, and breaded out.

More later. Wales is great ey, don't get me wrong. There are lots of bikelanes and Bute Park and downtown shopping is not too shabby. Til next update.

World Schools

2006-07-02T21:37:00.000+08:00

Hey guys, will be semi out of commission for the next two weeks. Am flying off with my younger sis to Wales with the Philippine team to the World Schools Debate Championships. This is the World Cup for High School debating. I'm there as a coach/chaperone. It'll be me and 6 high schoolers (2 miriamites, 2 povedans, 2 atenistas).

I bought a Philippine flag today, which we'll use during rounds. We'll put it on our table. If you think this is a little kitschy, shuddup. All teams do this. He he. We also have little pins of the Phil flag which we can put on our shirts.

Like the World Cup, we have an idea of our draw already. We are facing the following teams:

Montenegro (newly independent!), Lesotho, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Peru, Lithuania and Germany.

there are 36 countries competing, and these are the one's which we'll be facing. The top 16 seeds will then face each other in knock-out rounds. Thankfully, we won't have to meet teams like Australia or England but til later.

Wish us luck! I'll still be textable, but can't receive or make phone calls. :)

* * *

Incidentally, the ADS is now in New Zealand. My bro is there. I think this is a first. All 3 of us debating siblings in international tournaments. (*proud*)

Intro to Underwater Hockey

2006-06-15T11:51:00.000+08:00

INTRO days are for people who want to see if underwater hockey is for them. Can't hurt to try, and it's loads of fun anyway. :)

No regrets eventually joining the school! You'll feel like a dolphin. :)

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Guys and girls,

INTRO TO UNDERWATER HOCKEY
Sponsored by the Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation
La Salle Greenhills swimming pool
Two dates to choose from:
- June 24, 2006 (Saturday), 1-4pm
- July 1, 2006 (Saturday), 1-4pm

*Instruction and use of equipment are absolutely free!
Just bring your swimsuit and PhP150 for pool fees.

If you have your own/borrowed diving mask, snorkel and fins,
grab them and you’re good to go!
Gear Loan available upon request (specify shoe/fins size).

Definitely a unique and exciting new experience!
For reservations and inquiries, please call/txt/e-mail fabian.mangahas@gmail.com / 0918-4299166.

See you underwater!

“It's a sport like no other. Practically the whole game is underwater! It’s unique, fun, challenging and it’s all about team play.”
- Rafa Valdes, 19 years old, college student and Ultimate Frisbee player

“It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, old or young, fat or thin, tall or short, swimmer or non-swimmer. You can still play as good as anyone else.”
- Chari Ongyanco, 28 years old, 5-foot-tall tri-athlete and mountaineer

“I love the water… With underwater hockey, I get to have fun and keep fit at the same time.”
- Roland Mendoza, 38 years old, businessman and water sports aficionado

More on underwater hockey at
www.98dpi.com/puhc
http://www.friendster.com/puhc

House Warming

2006-05-30T00:17:00.000+08:00

The biggest difficulty was deciding who to spend time with. Unlike other family gatherings, I was glad to see most everybody. Classmates and professors from grad school, cousins from down South (ok, just Paranaque, he he), cousins from around the block, feisty titas & lunching ladies, jesuits, and neighbours.

Neighbours. That is such a novelty. My dad was at the neighborhood community center earlier in the day and he remarked that he met more neighbours that morning than he had ever met in 30 years of living at our old home. One of our neighbours is this remarkable lady who said that she enjoyed reading the obituary section of the Economist. When I mentioned that half the time I don't know who they're writing about she countered with "all the more you should read them!". Good point.

One highlight of the day though was the entry of our next door neighbour of Ponds cream fame. Goodness. Luminous and amazing. I usually make jokes to my siblings and cousins and call them "pathetic" for being so star struck, but I do know that I get that way too. I said something quite moronic like, "Hi, I'm Fabian. I'm the son of my father". DOH!

For this family event I was in charge of dessert. This meant some last minute shopping for pistachio ice cream, and a decision to buy a cake. Courtesy of a "tea party" I had attended a few months ago, I had the idea of ordering a Lemon Torte . Out of the many wonderful desserts served during that party, this one stuck out. I also figured it would handle the heat well (though I took more than a few precautions). Needless to say, it was a hit, especially as it was unveiled to Auntie Susan and Mom's classmates in the air-conditioned dining room. It seemed like a special cake for them only. They were the best audience really. Pristine white lemon torte cake on white table cloth and white plates and silver. It all worked out. I was knighted a 'foodie'. "Nigella Lawson is quite sensual." "Where did you buy this?" Ha ha. That's the kind of question you love titas to ask you.

Only little hitch was when a strong downpour came and we had our old problem of leaks on the 2nd floor. We had to drill holes to prevent the dreaded pooling that devastated Kel's room just the weekend previous. A few guests over stayed a bit, but it's all good. Good time to share things with people.

* * *

Prior to this family thing, I wanted two things to happen. I wanted us to remember well where we came from, and I wanted people excited for the future. Not much of the former, enough of the latter. One of two ain't bad. It's a changing different time.