I Really Though ....

.... that I'm now secluded from society.

Yesterday I SMS'ed many people whom I could find in my phone book. Not all replied. Some replied that they are out of town. Some replied that they cannot be with me. Some replied that they are on a "Do Not Disturb" mode. I feel like that I am all alone for the moment. I really thought that I am now secluded from the society, that I am now too old for a nightout. I really thought that life now for me will just be work and then sleep. I really thought of it.

Hazel then replied. She will be going to Janet's boarding house since Janet did not returned to Iligan City for their one week break from the review for their ECE board exam this November. Also, Louie replied that he's at the boarding house too and would like to have a night's happening. Yes! At last my product of boredom vanished from their replies. I dressed up and then met Hazel at SM, then we got off to Janet's boarding house to fetch Janet and Louie. The four of us all went off to Asle at The Village to listen to cool acoustic music.

As we went there, I happened to meet Ryan, which was a former colleage of mine in MSU-IIT. I was surprised that he's a mainstay there in Asle as well as in Kazba too. He really plays cool acoustic music together with her partner (A girl, pretty, very cool, sings and plays the guitar well, all-in-all she rocks the night). We dined, drank, talked, and listened to good music up until 2AM. We really had good time. After that we went to Ngohiong Express to eat again, and at 3AM Eizzel and Jeremy fetched me for us to go back to the apartment.

I really thought that I was secluded from society. I am pretty glad to have such friends, even though they are now busy with their own lives. I miss my friends, but wherever they are they are still friends to cherish!

Ouch! My Tooth Is Sore!

Damn! I wanted to be energetic as it is but unlucky for me my tooth became sore. I never wanted this, but it happened.

I am somewhat "dentally concerned". Since I was a kid, I always had around 3-4 dental checkups every month. Costly it is, but I just love sitting in front of the dentist and watch the gadgets being plunged into my mouth. I had braces when I was 8. The bad thing was on my college days, for I had several "tooth-holes". I love to eat Safari and other crunchy foods, thus my teeth are prone to such.

Now here I am sitting, waiting for the pain to subdue. I swallowed Dolfenal 250 (a Mefenamic Acid), but still the sting hurts. Darns, I hope I would not be such an overhead here in the office, and I hope I can do my work well without worrying the pain that keeps on stinging.

Working For The Very First Nightshift

Yesterday I worked at 5AM until 6PM. After that, me and Jeremy went to Orange Brutus to have our supper. For about an hour after, I got back at the apartment and did some laundry (my hands were sore). At 10PM I am finished with my laundry and stuffed myself with a noodle-delight. By almost 12MN I went back to the office together with Eizzel. And now here I am, still awake for around 27 hours. My head's not functioning well, my appetite was destroyed, my neck hurts, my eyes needs toothpick, and my body was looking for a bed to recline.

This is my very first to do a nightshift work here in the office. At the start, there was not much work. As the morning progresses, there had been work given, and I really need to fix myself on it for they are to be presented to the client afterwards. I did made it but somehow I feel that I need to rejuvenate. Coffee, vitamins, and food are not enough to fill me in with the long hours of work. I am now longing for my pillow.

Tomorrow I'll be doing the same thing, but perhaps a little different. I'll gonna spend the whole afternoon tantric with my bed and my pillow.

Spanish Dosage

I started my day receiving an email from Jon which states "Does anybody speak Spanish?". Upon reading this, I just paused to think and replied "We know a little bit of Spanish for our native tongue is of Spanish origin, but not a modified version of some sort." In just a moment, I received a new task from Jon, a Spanish survey.

Upon reading the hardcopy, it is really hard when you don't know what the question says. It's a good thing that there's an English version provided. Also, there we're some parts that I would need to translate it into Spanish, and it's a good thing that there's a free online translator for me to use.

It's good to know some other languages. I tinkled around the free online translator and tried several phrases in English to be converted into other languages, and it's fun! How I wish I could speak other languages!

¡Espero todo usted tendrá un día agradable adelante!

Love Actually

Last fiesta celebration in Suarez we went at Mae's house for lunch. We came in late for the celebration, but still there's plenty of food. Upon arrival, what triggered me is a video CD Mae was holding. It was entitled "Love Actually". Without hesitation, Mae inserted it in the VCD player and we watched. The movie shows some views on love on different personalities. The best thing is that LOVE actually is EVERYWHERE. As the music of The Troggs goes, "I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. Love is all around me, and so feeling grows".

LOVE is EVERYWHERE? Where? I don't know why am I thinking about it. I was just reading posts in iSTORYA.net when suddenly the phrase came into my mind.

WHERE'S THE LOVE? This is the line Black Eyed Peas is always babbling on public.

Darns, what will I post here. Oddly, I really don't feel like posting for now because I am thinking of someone whom I had not seen for merely 3 weeks from now. So sad that as I am trying to contact her through SMS she would not respond. Also, inviting her to go out on a nature trip would be fuzzed out because she declines. Surprising her by visiting her dormitory is also a waste since she doesn't respond to my calls. But anyways, you're so darn dear that I don't mind getting such responses from you. I MISS YOU SO ....

To Drink Or Not To Drink

Last Saturday I went to Cebu City and have myself treated with some pleasure time. Before I went to my old dormitory, I bought myself a couple of shirts (since I forgot to do the laundry and I don't have any to wear for the next two days). After that, I went to the old dormitory and found Pepe just tinkling on his laptop. I invited him to have the night's pleasure and without hesitation he dressed up and off we go.

First we went to Asle in Village. The air was filled with acoustic music by two people, and I was amazed that the one playing the guitar was a she. She's pretty and she sings well plus the factor that she plays the guitar well too. We just had a couple of beers for Lawrence SMSed us that he's at Hapjaps in Ayala together with some people from XLibris. So we went off to Ayala and had another beer there. After that, we again headed off to Courtyard to groove the night. Again I was filled up with beer. After a little grooving on the dance floor, we headed to Veranda to have another set of beer. As I went there, the music was filled with Trance and House music. Really cool for me. Not to mention the people there are party animals for me. So great. After leaving Veranda, I feel like dizzy and we headed to the last place in which bad for me I don't remember the name of that place.

With that last place, I just had 5 shots of beer. After that I told Pepe that I'm not going to take shots anymore. There were still 3 bottles of beer unemptied, so what I did is just I slept on the table. After all the beer was gone, Pepe waked me up for it's time to go home. I went to my old residence dormitory. Upon arrival I set my phone to issue an alarm, and I alarmed it at 8PM (I was supposed to set it at 8AM but honestly I am not drunk at that time), and after setting that I directly went to sleep without undressing.

I woke up at 10:30AM. I feel bad that Jeremy and Eizzel were waiting for me for we had a scheduled beach outing. I called Jeremy that I'll keep up with them. I feel bad. Very very bad.

I had a headache. I feel like throwing up. I don't feel like walking or doing anything. I feel like weary. Honestly I had never acquired such when I was still a student, in which my daily routine would include a dosage of liquor in my body. The last time that I had a drink here was last Saturday, and I feel bad that I am now incapable of having such high tolerance in alcoholic drinks.

So the question now is to drink or not to drink? It's a good thing that it was a Sunday and I had no work. I feel like I'm getting old for such drinking sprees.

Meeting A Blogista And A Forum Junkie

Yesterday I was scheduled to meet Apple Jane at 6PM. Apple Jane is a blogista and as well as a forum junkie at iSTORYA.net. A narcissist that is, I really like to know what's with her that really relates up with her dealings on other blogistas and forum junkies in cyberspace.

I went off at work at almost 6PM. So if I were to go at SM then it would take me like 30 minutes to arrive. We're supposed to meet at National Bookstore. I messaged her earlier that I will be late since I logged off late at work and then traffic will really be congested on these times. She said that she will be up until 7:05PM for she will be logging in at her office by 8:30PM.

More or less, I made it at SM by 7PM (I am really sorry Apple that I am an hour late). We met and had a quick stop at KFC for dinner. We just chatted and then talked about life, anything that goes out from the tip of our tongue. We do share common opinions and the great thing is that both of us are forum junkies and blogistas.

So far, meeting someone who has great deals in life would really let me interested in knowing the very details of it. Call me a Socrates-wanna-be, but somehow, life is really great if people around you talk about what life would be for you and what life is to be for all of us. And after all, it would be a pleasure to have a new friend. For me, it was my pleasure to meet Apple Jane, whom before I had no idea whether or not she existed in reality for all I know is that she existed in blogosphere and foraspere (mind me for making this term).

Blogs In Space

As I went to the Infotech section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer I saw an article that was entitled 'E.T. blog home': Firm to send Internet diaries into space. It captivated my eyes. With curiousity at hand, I opened and read the article.

I was amazed that BlogInSpace.com will be offering a service that will let your blogs be read by extraterrestrials, or E.T.'s. So moreover that we are writing articles in cyberspace it would be transmitted into space by satellites. Thus now welcomes blogosphere!

What really amuses me is of the word extraterrestrial. Do they really exist? It isn't distinct, but others claim that they do exist in space as other lifeforms just like us here on earth. There had been numerous quests in search for extraterrestrials in outer space, but somehow it's still negative.

So welcome to Blogosphere! Our thoughts will now be extended to all "creatures" in the universe, and that's the power of technology! I wanted to sign-up though, but I feel like lazy and I don't want to have multiple blogsites. I just feel comfortable here in blogspot, and it satisfying!

Forum Addict

August 16, 2003 marks my start in being a forum addict. As one of the mainstays in iBalita, I really enjoy my Internet hangout on that site. We discuss anything. From school issues, local and world politics, science and technology, love, philosophy, everything which are deemed to be discussed (as long as netiquette is always observed) one would really enjoy and might even learn something out from the various forum addicts and posters from other walks of life.

Now, I am a mainstay in iSTORYA.net. I just registered in the forum last July 1. Last Saturday I met some other iSTORYA.net forum addicts. I even had a friend in iSTORYA.net who's an officemate of mine (aYYa sorry I really forgot your somewhat "self" when you smiled at the company's cafeteria). More good than that, Apple Jane became my friend too. Not only that she's also a forum addict, she's also a blogista.

I had been a forum addict. I really don't know. It's just that I find life so quiet for myself. My other friends out there are enjoying other things not like this, but for me I enjoy this a lot. As Eizzel comments, "What's wrong with you? You're profile really doesn't match with the 'trickyboy' that we all knew." Something must be bothering me that I just log in to forums and do some chitchats or if you would like me to spam the boards then I may do so. For me, life is not simply to going outside and enjoy the company with your "can-be-seen" people, but more or less it includes the "pops-on-the-computer-screen" people.

For now, I feel great that somehow I do have friends in cyberspace. Friends to cherish, friends to enjoy, and friends to relax with.

Tomorrow At Handuraw

Discourse On Method

I am still reading Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World. I am now in the chapter in which René Descartes was the main man. Prior to that chapter there had been some philosophies that I am still wondering to accept. Skepticism as they say. Somehow, reading the book really would let you ask like a 15 year old child (Sophie was almost 15 years old in the book).

About René Descartes, he was a philosopher at the same time a mathematician. As the topic of this blog article says, he made a work in which it fascinates the world and put people to have philosophical and as well as scientific skepticism. I myself have both. There were four concepts that he cited in his work (as seen in Wikipedia. First is to never to accept anything for true which was not clearly known to be such. Second was to divide each of the difficulties under examinatino into as many parts as possible which are deemed be necessary for its adequate solution. Third is to conduct your thoughts in order such that you might ascend to the knowledge of the more complex. The very last is to make every enumeration complete and assure that nothing is omitted.

So what does this four concepts cite? For me, it is suffice to say that life's still to be explored. We all have different views, and which are deemed not to be debated. Our views on life, religion, and love might be different. We respect all those.

I can still remember one time that I debated with someone who's an idealistic. I myself still considers myself as an agnostic. I really don't know. It seems that I still ask questions on myself and on confrontation I deny things which ought are undeniable.

If you happen to read Descartes' masterpiece, think twice! You might never know that you run into someone and kills you after you pounded him or her with criticisms.

Happy Birthday Uniksboy

It was the year 2002 when I sent my first message to uniksboy at IRC undernet. The message goes "Hi DDD ....". Dante was amazed that I know him, and I just shut my mouth and not let him know where I got his handle in IRC. But oh well, who would not have known Dante. He's the only uniksboy ever in IRC (correct me if I'm wrong).

A man of great deal in the computing world.
A man destined to serve for the betterment of all.
A wise thinker.
A good English-language speaker.
A jester.
A teacher.
A good singer.
A tough one with a deep immunity of liquor hang-overs.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNIKSBOY. I miss the Caltex days, the Banz days, the Darrens days, the Majestic days, the Frisbees days. Grabe gyud ka. Idol! You are patented with the Ako'y Sa Iyo, At Ikay Akin Lamang song, and not to include Cry In The Rain.

INUMAN NA!

Getting Busy

Lately I had been busy. From Monday to Saturday, I wake up at 4AM to prepare myself for work at 5AM. Then I go straight in the office until 7PM. Then I go back to the apartment and read Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World for about an hour and then I sleep afterwards to rejuvenate for tomorrow's "all-in-a-days work".

What happened to me? I feel like I'm totally different now. The old trickyboy who's a party-monger and a hang-outer turned into a workaholic and a couch-potato trickyboy. What triggered me then? That I can figure out two things. First is that I don't have money to go out and "enjoy" and second is that I serve no purpose for me to go to Cebu City after all what happened between me and Zaki (I don't blame you of course). It's just different though. I really am wondering.

Anyways, I was for the sole purpose to work and toil for money here in Cebu than just to have a mere vacation. But life's isn't so for me to be just like that. I don't want to be a workaholic. I wanted to be a lifeaholic (if there's such a word). Gosh!

For others out there. Life's really unpredictable. If you can, CONTROL YOUR LIFE. You'll never know that if you postpone happiness it might be postponed forever. Plan your life, and live to the most of it!

Survival

I have been living with only 100 Php in my pocket since last monday (July 11). Why? My wage in the company was all spent out. Where did it went? It went to apartment rental, transportation and food.

For this month of July, I spent on two residences. One is for the apartment that I am now living (together with Eizzel and Jeremy), and the other one is in Villa Flora. You might be wondering why I paid for two residences. Actually I just payed for 1 in MEZ2 (I paid for this month and the advance). I still have my extra months deposit at Villa Flora, and it's so sad that I haven't got a refund. I was really furious when I was told that I am not to get the refund for the airconditioning and the lights of the room. Grrr ....

How did I live with the 50 Php? Well, it's good that the company I'm working serves breakfast and lunch for free when I work for more than 10 hours. On the evening I'll just skip dinner, read a book, and sleep. So I don't have to spend money in the evening. It was just last Saturday that I spent my money during the iSTORYA.net EB.

I wonder if I can still restrain my personal wants. I skipped going outside to have nights off. I have skipped being online outside the office. I have skipped my cravings for coffee.

Of all things, the important thing is that I survived. It's really hard nowadays when you don't have spare cash to satisfy your needs. SPEND WISELY!

iSTORYA.net EB

Last Saturday, I went overtime for work. It's just like I worked at 5AM and I ended up at 8PM. 15 hours of work? Geez! Good for me I still have strength to carry on.

I logged in at iSTORYA.net and then I found out that I have a message from Bengerboy (actually he's a she). It read that there's an EB (Eyeball) at Bo's Coffee in Ayala at 7PM, and I was invited. 7PM? Now it's 8PM. It's a good thing that she left her cellphone number along. I copied the number and began sending SMS. She replied that they will wait for me.

I hurried outside, had a quick supper with Eizzel, had a quick bath, and hurried along. There's a traffic congestion along Cebu-Mactan bridge, so I messaged her that they don't have to wait and asked her where they would plan to go next for me to keep pace with them. She replied that they will be going to Blast in Sarrosa Panagdait. Where's that place? I wondered and had no clue onto where it might be. She messaged me also that I'll ride a 03A liner jeep and I'll just stop at a nearby Sinangag Express.

Now I am at the highway. I know Mabolo so I just rode a 21B liner and stopped over at Ngohiong express. I just walked and walked, only to my dismay that I happened to returned to Highway Mandaue. Pretty strange! The only thing that I saw along was "AST". So I messaged Bengerboy again and asked her another "landmark" in which it would be easy to locate, and I told her that I am in Mandaue highway. She said to take a taxi ride (and she said it will just cost me 32.50 Php) and tell the driver to take me to Casal's village at Sarrosa. So I got a taxi and went off (and I spent 50.00 Php), and was amazed that the "AST" was really the "BLAST" (The "B" and "L" haven't illuminated). So there I was. And I saw the iSTORYA.net people.

There were 12 of us (don't kill me if I did a mistake) there, and I can hardly memorize their names (I don't even memorize their handles). I was the "observant" type there. They were pretty amazed that I'm just a newbie at the forum, and a newbie in the place. They really had a big smile on their faces. Acquaintances are always that great.

Now I know the purpose of the EB. iSTORYA.net is having an outreach program. They bought along cans with "DONATION" banners encircling it. I was amazed that they got a huge amount during the EB. Bad thing for me I forgot to place something on the can (next time I will never forget).



So there it was. We went to Blast to have a night's drink and went there to have videoke along. We ended at 3AM. I thought that I'll be going alone since I am from Lapulapu City. It's a good thing that Daddy Blade and Ram Hot were heading on my direction. So I hitched in and went home (Thanks guys for the free ride).

Even though I was pretty new and I was the silent type, I'm so glad that I had met some few new friends from a place in which I hardly had company with. It's really cool .... and I'm looking forward for another iSTORYA.net gatherings.

A Good Life

What is it to live a good life?

Last night I was reading one of the chapters in Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World. As an overview, it's somewhat a book about a crash course on the history of Philosopy which is narrated to a 15 year old child. Somewhat, it depicts the views of life as to what Philosophers think and live with it.

The question still haunts me from the very beginning of my day today. I woke up and wondered if I had lived a good life. For the past, I just booze out at nights, sleep all day, somewhat go to school at the afternoon and then friends by night. Now I am living in the "employed" world. I wake up in the morning, go to the office, and then I just hang in cyberspace after work, go home and read a book and then go to sleep.

Am I living a good life? Again and again I am forced to ask that question.

How about you? What is life for you? How do you make a good life?

Starcraft Mania

I can still remember my 4th year high school days. I was addicted with Blizzard's Starcraft. During that time it was the game that rised the revolution of the strategists. As an overview, it's a game in which 3 races (Terran, Protoss, Zerg) fights for survival. During those times, I play the game together with my classmates and friends after classes are dismissed. There were even times that we ditched out of class just to go to a nearby friendly gamestation. There was even a time that I missed the UP College Admission Test because I played Starcraft from 11:30AM up to 2:30PM and haven't noticed the time and I was supposed to take the UPCAT exam by 12:45PM.

First year college days were my great days with the game. I do hangout at Worldlink Internet Cafe that time (now it was demolished). Every evening we play Starcraft and cast our bets on whoever loses will be the ones to buy beer for the inuman session afterwards. Those were the days. We enjoyed the game as well as our friendship were really good. Sad that I miss those people since they are out of the country now.

Special project nights we're also that great. The three of us (me, Jeffrey and Bob) play Starcraft when we find ourselves worn out on the project. Together with Bambots, Louie, and other IRC and DSP people, we play and then after that we have our Pancit Canton early-morning break.

For me I really rate this one as a best strategy game of all time. Until now many are still playing this game, even in World Cyber Games. As for me, I play the game with my officemates. Darns! Three of us (me, Jeremy, Carlos) against Eizzel and Mark and still we lost the game! Damn! I need practice. Next time the tables must turn.

Of Emotions, Philosophy, And Politics

Last night Jeremy and Eizzel spent some time with me in our room to talk about our walks of life. Now they know about my past. I don't know what triggered us to talk about our pasts, but somehow since we are just kababayans but with different walks of life it's really good to talk about the history that we have walked to.

So along came the talks about love, views of life, and the much turmoiled politics.

Talking about love I told them of my experiences. They were all frantic to hear those. They see me as a Bahala Na guy with no emotions after all. Well they were wrong with those views. They were even shocked about my blog articles. It seems that my outward appearance doesn't really matches to the "ideal" person who would likely have "journals" and the likes. Well again, they we're wrong.

About views of life, each of us had questions. We are all skeptic. I even asked them, "Which came first: A chicken or a chicken's egg?". We we're talking about God and religion, and it really fascinates me to hear opinions about the question "Did God created man or did man created God?". Well both answered yes to the former of course.

And about the turmoiled politics, we all had common views. In addition, Eizzel wants an "ideal place", somewhat utopian. Jeremy is very interested with the current events. He is even updated with it.

So what's my point in this blog? Let me have this one as a question and answer portion to readers out there.

1. What's your view about love?
2. Which came first: A chicken or a chicken's egg?
3. What's your "ideal" government?

I need your answers please =)

I Miss My Beer Buddies

During my stay in Iligan City, we really spend our nights in a ritual. The formation would be either in a "knights of a round table" type or "gambling square table" type. What's in the table? Here are the things in it:

Bottles of either Red Horse Beer, Colt 45, Tanduay Rhum or Emperador

Packs of either Marlboro Red, Marlboro Gold, Winston Red, Fortune or Astro

Our handy lighters

Chips of assorted kinds (Pakwan if there's only limited supply available)

Coins (mostly 5 peso coins)

The ritual starts usually by night (sometimes it can be at noontime) and it will end until either one of the two conditions will be met:

People now splatter their output from their mouth

When there are no more coins in the table and/or no more spare cash

I miss my barkada, my beer buddies, and most of all my hangout places in Iligan City. If only I could go home at the city fiesta, then we can have our rituals then.

Mindanao: Treasure Of The Country

‘Mindanao is a very beautiful place (country for most). It is very rich in natural resources and peopled with visionaries.’
Ducky Paredes
Malaya Opinion

I really consider myself as a Mindanaoan. Even though I am here having a living in Lapulapu City, Mindanao has been very dear to me. My hometown is In Iligan City. Previously it was coined as "The Industrial City Of The South". After the shutdowns of major industries found in the city, it was coined as "The City Of Waterfalls". Moreover, I heard that the waterfalls that tourists are visiting are not that fascinating anymore, thus Iligan can now be coined as "The City Of Lights". Pretty bad, huh?

Anyways, back to the topic, Mindanao has been very rich in natural resources. I always think why there are only little returns for Mindanao. As I can see, Mindanao is much more progressive than either Luzon and Visayas. As Kurt says one time, 65% of the country's resources came from Mindanao. Tax revenues collected in Mindanao are sent to Manila and only a little amount of budget is being allocated in Mindanao. Even with that, Mindanaoans still survived with the fact.

Most of the time I hear some people are calling to separate Mindanao out of the country. Making Mindanao a new country? Wait! Let me chew this one first. For me it's somewhat a tempting idea since the resources that Mindanao is producing can be made as a source of living for Mindanao, not just as a source of income for the over-paid and corrupt National politicians (I am saying this not as an absolute). However, we still don't know whether this will be suitable. Mindanao will be vulnerable to economic-downfall attacks if the Republic of Mindanao (should I say that?) isn't still sturdy to stand up.

But if Mindanao can be capable of rising as a strong country, then why not give it the best shot!

Rust In Your Head

I wanted to live as a Delphi guru, but somehow my work would let me set aside that goal and focus on PHP programming.

This morning Jeffrey SMSed me. He inquired "How to make a textbox that its text is written right-justified?". I simply know the answer. You have to use the TMemo component and trick it to make it look like a TEdit object. Funny though is that it took me minutes to figure out what to do.

Thinking of this, I asked Carlos if he knows how to do this one. He said there are plenty of ways. What we really wanted would be the quicker way, since this is just a sort of "test" whether we still have our minds in Borland Delphi programming. It took us 15 minutes to make a test program. We did the right thing, but somehow there's still something that we missed.

Eventually, I happened to look up at the properties window. There in the TMemo object there's a property that would solve all our problem without doing programming.

Darns! It took us a quarter of an hour to figure that out. After doing so, we just looked at each of us and shook our heads. It's really hard when you're not practicing your field of interest. It can merely show that somehow in vernacular terms "GITAYA NA IMONG UTOK".

Word Fascination

This morning while in my Blogandia, Jeremy asked me if there's such a word coined "duh" and if it's in the dictionary. Looking at an online dictionary I found the meaning of the word "duh" and it says:

Used to express disdain for something deemed stupid or obvious, especially a self-evident remark.

Jeremy keeps on uttering the word "duh" and I was pretty curious as to what urged him so. Opening Internet Explorer which was homed at MSN, I noticed an article entitled "Is Ain't a Word?". I read through the article and what was found there was the inclusion of the word "d'oh" in the dictionary. Yes! It was Homer Simpson's catch phrase. Pretty to my amazement, it was included in the prestigious Oxford English Dictionary for about five years now.

So there it was. D'oh! Now I know why Jeremy keeps on uttering the word. Simply a "breakfast" word for this morning, d'oh!

Philately

I had been a philatelist during my Elementary years. I was inspired by my mom. Also during that time, Edna also had her collection of stamps at home. Not to mention also that mom's brothers and sisters had been collecting stamps for years.

As for my philately story, I became a member of La Salle Academy's Philatelic Club by the year 1993 which was founded by Bro. Jaime Dalumpines, the school principal at that time. I can still remember that at school breaks, I go to his office to browse his stamp collections and then buy something from him which was not in my stamp collection. Moreover, as a member of the philatelic club, he had given me seven (7) addresses to write to. So during those times, I had acquired "pen-pals". Not only in school that I do exchange my stamps and/or buy stamps, but I had other outside-of-the-school friends who are philatelists too. I really enjoyed those days looking at stamps so old and new to me. My last stamp activity was during my first year in highschool. At 2003, Ian gave me a set of Vatican stamps which was a gift for me after his tour at Triest for a Physics conference.

Hanging out at istorya.net really amuses me that there are still people who collects stamps as a hobby. I was really envious at Jack on his messages that almost every other day he would receive stamps from other countries in exchange of empty Marlboro cigarrette packs. 200 empty packs of Marlboro cigarrettes(which was just acquired for free from stores, friends, and in streets) plus just a rough amount of 210 Php will be exchanged with a thousand assorted stamps. Pretty cool huh? Just like turning base metals into gold (alchemy).

I'm so glad that there still exists stamps today. Moreover, I'm still glad that there are still philatelists in this world. I'm even amazed on these New Zealand stamps:

Crime After Chat

Last July 9, I found this post in the bulletin by Charles. The subject was "Please HELP! Please REPOST!!" and the content read:

Tuesday, July 05, 2005 2:27:00 PM
Subject: PLEASE REPOST!!!
Message: SHARON TORTUGO
26 years old
5ft 4ins
you can see her picture at her profile with this
address: iakgnahs@yahoo.com

Last seen 24th June 2005, in Manila.

IF you know the whereabouts of SHARON
TORTUGO OR have A N Y information
as to where she might be P L E A S E reply to this
post or call/text (+639178360777)/
(+639218041234) / (639212046303) or report it to
the CIDG/ or the
nearest police station

That name was so familiar. Sharon Tortugo was an Iliganon, and she was one of the candidates of the 2000 Iligan City Fiesta Kasadya Festival and Beauty Pageant and she was the 4th runner-up of the said event.

I was so shocked to hear her name in the office. Mushna asked me if I have known her. I said we don't know each other but basically she had been that known in Iligan City. I was shocked to hear that she was killed. Her body was not identified easily and it took days to recognize her. As Mushna says, she was reported to be missing after having an EB with her chatmate for some sort of interview. I feel bad since this was the first ever incident that there was 'Crime after Chat'.

I looked over the net for a news report on the incident, and I happen to stumble on Donita Montebon's blogpage. It was cited in one of her articles that Philstar had released the article about her mysterious death. I feel sorry for Donita, and I feel sorry for the family of Sharon.

For Sharon, may you rest in peace. People are there for you, to let justice prevail.

And as for others, let it be a lesson that to chat is not a crime unless there's crime after the chat.

Am I An Existentialist?

You scored as Existentialist. Existentialism emphasizes human capability. There is no greater power interfering with life and thus it is up to us to make things happen. Sometimes considered a negative and depressing world view, your optimism towards human accomplishment is immense. Mankind is condemned to be free and must accept the responsibility. Existentialist 88% Materialist 88% Cultural Creative 75% Idealist 75% Romanticist 75% Postmodernist 75% Modernist 63% Fundamentalist 38% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

MYMP's "Beyond Acoustic" Concert

SWU-COLLEGE OF LAW
(BAR OPERATIONS COMMITTEE)
brings you

M.Y.M.P.
(Make Your Momma Proud)

"Beyond Acoustic" Concert
with Cebu's Local Bands.

When: July 30,2005 (Saturday) 6:00 P.M.
Where: Aznar Coliseum, Urgello St., Cebu City

Ticket Prices at: P 300, P200 & P100 only.

*For tickets reservation, you can contact at either
SWU-College of Law at 418-7077 or at 0918-9121209 & look
for "Kathy" or email her thru: katdo1212@yahoo.com

Keep updated for more info on Istorya.net.

Two Months Have Passed ....

.... and I still remember that evening outside Keppel Building in Ayala Business Park. The weather was fine. My mood was fine. My stomach was full at that time. That evening gave me such existence in life. It did made me whole and complete. It made me smile and shout for joy.

All emotions that I have for that day was all because of one person.

I wonder if that person still thinks of that day like I do.

As for me, two months have passed .... and never did I wanted the count to end.

New Place To Reside

Yesterday afternoon I did made it to transfer in my newly-found residence. Going from Villa Flora Dormitory in Capitol Site to E&P Arcade building is that tiresome. I still have some things that I left in the dormitory since I cannot carry them all.

Bye bye to Villa Flora Dormitory. Hello E&P Arcade building.

Anyways, Jeremy and Eizzel were there at the room. Jeremy (casually-dressed) was about to leave. Meanwhile, Eizzel was still there reading the Angels and Demons book of Dan Brown. For about 20 minutes, he left. I am the only one left at the room. I have no spare cash with me, so the only option for me to live is to leave-out supper for me not to spend any. I just read Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World. I slept and woke back 10PM. That time Eizzel and Jeremy arrived.

I can't help think that I'm in a new environment now. In Villa Flora, I spend my evenings playing PUSOY with Jemar and Lloyd and with the security guard. Moreover, there are times that we go outside the dormitory together with some other dormitory mates and spend the evenings looking for Balut or even go out at Blowing Bubbles to spend the evening with. Sunday Sugba Party will be missed also.

Anyways, gotta get back to work now =)

This Is For Zaki

You have been that great.

You have been that nice.

You have been that cool.

You have been that awesome.

Take care always girl. I will miss you so much. I don't have much words to say, but I do hope that we still remember the happy moments of our lives. You'll be very very busy for now, and may come to a time that you'll forget of my existence. I hope not. I am always here for you. The decision was hard, and I never expected that to happen.

You're always in my heart no matter what.

A Fuzzed-out Island Hopping Plan

Since during the start of my stay here in Cebu City, I planned out that on my first month I'll plan an island-hopping day. I planned it together with Zaki. Why? Just some sort of relaxation and somewhat spending time together of course.

Now it has been a month since that plan was initiated. I reserved this Sunday to carry that plan that I had been waiting to happen. I asked Zaki if she could come with me this Sunday for the island-hopping. She said that she can't come because probably she'll be spending time with her aunt that day.

With this, the plan fuzzed out. More or less I thought to spend it with my officemates. This was my "Plan B". There had been 15 people who planned to have an island-hopping this Sunday. Some are officemates from the other departments, and some are friends from outside the company.

Now as I checked my mail, Carlos emailed that the island-hopping will be cancelled. A group of people will not be coming on the said date.

Damn! Plan A and Plan B fuzzed out. I waited for the opportunity to have relaxation outside the City outskirts.

I guess there will be some other time, perhaps.

Get Well Soon Mom

Last night I received an SMS from Edna. I was in a shock when I saw the message. Mom was admitted at Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital a day ago due to coughs, colds, and fever.

Mom's 78 years old now. It isn't an ordinary span of time for such a person. I can still remember in the year 1997 when I dropped out my birthday celebration because mom was admitted to Intensive Care Unit in Mercy Hospital for two weeks due to pulmonia. There were several other hospital admittances after that event due to abnormal palpitations, coughs, and even fevers that were slight but we suspect that it might get her to great harm.

We love our mom so much and we are always returning the favor that she had given us.

Get well soon mom. Our prayers always includes you in it.

Acquaintances

Western Wats Philippines Incorporated just celebrated the annual "US Independence Day" at Vista Mar Beach Resort in Mactan. Around a hundred people were there to acquaint themselves, eat, enjoy, relax, peek around, and escape an environment that we are to live with five times a week.

It was 7AM. As I woke up I saw Anabelle outside the dormitory, all dressed up in "beach party" attire. I wonder why she was so early. I went outside and did little chitchats and then Cathy came and then off they got off to the resort. Meanwhile, I myself was still unprepared, and to think I do really need to be there before 8AM because I committed as one of the volunteers in a committee along with my office teammates.

Mark "missed called" me at around 8:30AM. I called him and to my surprise he's still at Labangon. I called him and told him to come to the dormitory and wait for me to wash up. After I called him I tried to contact Eizzel. To my surprise he's still in his apartment (soon to me my apartment also). Without Jeremy around (he went home to Iligan City) the others in the committee might think that we're not that of much help. So as Mark went to the dormitory, off we went to fetch Eizzel and then after we got Eizzel along we rode a tricycle to get to the resort. We really thought that Carlos was there, and to our surprise, he's still not there. He simply had his motorcycle get fixed. We had reached the site at 10:30AM.

So what was there? Cool resort, but very expensive though. There I saw 2 billiards table, 2 dart boards, a table tennis "table", pools having depths of 6, 5.5, 4.5 and 3 feet, a basketball court, a restaurant, cozy tourist rooms, a function hall, what else did I forgot? Amazingly one hell of a good resort. But to be honest, I still rank Timoga Swimming Pools that really really high.

What's good with Western Wats is the people. As Eli said, there's plenty of Coca-cola's to enjoy with (Hehehe). People we're that great. Much enjoyed with the dancing, videoke, and the ala-Amazing-race game. At first I find it kinda boring. It's not really the program that was first suggested by the very first meeting of the committee. There was no Bikini open. There was no band concert. Just simply nightlife music by bar DJ's. I am not really that into "grinding" music. I am a grunge fanatic by nature. Me, Mark, Eizzel and Carlos just played darts and table tennis. It was near the end of the activity that I got along with the other people whom I am working with. I was also amazed that not all are from Cebu City. Different ideologies, different lifestyles.

Well I had a few shots of Red Horse Beer. Can't pay for such expensive drinks inside. Now I feel pretty bad for those who have their nightshifts at the office. They we're at work last night and then they went this morning and afternoon for the activity and then they still have to get to work for tonight. But oh well! They do still have the capacity to work, plus the headaches.

I returned to the dormitory around 8PM. Zaki's in her dormitory and said she's preparing for tomorrow's school activity. My shoulder still aches. Ouch!

Missing Someone Out There

It's now 10:30PM. I am here at Irie Internet cafe in Banilad. The building where this Internet cafe is situated is Ethan's house, a ladies' dormitory. Why am I here? That's the question for you to find an answer.

It was just hours ago when I got off at the office. I am hungry and sleepy at the same time. All I can remember was that I slept at the office due that I was tired and I really really need the rest. When I woke up, the only thing that I thought of was someone. Where could that someone be? Is that someone mad at me? Does that someone feel like I am nothing? Does that someone think that I'm such a bastard for not showing up for about a week now?

I feel like I'm haunted with those questions. Here I am now in the Internet cafe. I SMS'ed that someone and tried to call that someone. No replies. No missed calls. That someone haven't answered the ringing fone that someone has.

All I can say is that I miss that someone. That someone made me happy. I feel like I'm not returning the favor. That someone's busy with nursing internship, and I am somewhat hooked up with my work. I am 70-pesos-taxi-ride away with that someone, but it seems that our worlds are different.

I am afraid that those questions will turn the tides away, and let me be melancholic in some ways.

I just hope it will not. That someone's so special to me.

I'm Done With The Da Vinci Code

Whew! At last I am done with the book.

I find the ending not that "great". Still the conventional "it's a date" thing. I really thought Langdon and Noveu would find a "treasure" or something, but they haven't.
So my mind is collecting these questions:

	Did the Priory of Sion existed?
	Is the history of religion really that altered?
	Was the Church furious on the book's release?

Now I'm trying to look for answers in the Internet ;)