Saturday, December 29, 2007
This day in history from:
Surprisingly
I have been remiss in my blogging lately. But let me fill you in on what has been happening.
My small birthday party with my maternal relatives was, surprisingly, a blast. Everyone enjoyed the small "entertainment" my cousins and I provided after dinner.
I reported back to work the day after but it was uneventful, as in, we were waiting for something that did not come.
Yesterday was, again, a surprisingly good day. There was a lot of productive work, although what were waiting for will come next year, as this was its last working day. We still have a meeting on the 31st, though.
The highlight of the night was my high school reunion party. Although only a few of us attended, it was, according to one classmate who is now a Jesuit Brother, a happy time where we reminisced about our high school time twenty years ago. I actually just came home now because I enjoyed the time so much.
Anyway, I have to rest now because I have to drive my mother to Greenhills later so she can do some last-minute shopping for New Year. Then Nico's long lost godfather will visit in the afternoon, followed by the usual choir. I need all the strength I can get...
I hope I can have some more time and material to blog about in the coming days.
Oh, I almost forgot. I want to thank all the people who greeted my on my birthday day by all means possible. Surprisingly, I received all sorts of greetings on all sorts of means: Twitter, messageboard, blog comment, Friendster message and SMS. Thank you very much. Remembering my birthday and taking time to greet means so much to me.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
This day in history from:
So appropriate for my birthday today...
Seasons of Love (From "Rent")
All: Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Moments so dear Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes How Do You Measure - Measure A Year? In Daylights - In Sunsets In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee In Inches - In Miles In Laughter - In Strife
In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes How Do You Measure A Year In The Life?
How About Love? How About Love? How About Love? Measure In Love
Seasons of Love. Seasons of Love.
Joanne: Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Journeys To Plan
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes [Seasons Of Love lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]
How Do You Measure The Life Of A Woman Or A Man
Collins: In Truth That She Learned Or In Times That He Cried In Bridges He Burned Or The Way That She Died
All: It's Time Now - To Sing Out Though The Story Never Ends Let's Celebrate Remember A Year In The Life Of Friends
Remember the Love Remember the Love Remember the Love Measure In Love
Joanne: (Oh you got to you got to remember the love,) (You know that love is a gift from up above) (Share love, give love, spread love) (Measure, measure your life in love.)
ALL Seasons Of Love(2x)
Joanne: (Measure your life, measure your life in love)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
This day in history from:
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
Is There a Santa Claus? From the Editorial Page of The New York Sun, written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
"Dear Editor--I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.' "Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O'Hanlon 115 West Ninety-fifth Street
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Monday, December 24, 2007
This day in history from:
Christmas Shopping Operation
My day started with choir at the last morning mass at our village. It turned out to be a special mass, as a dear past resident priest celebrated it after being stationed abroad for about five years. He was here for a seminar and took time to celebrate mass this early morning. He still proved to us why he was beloved by the community.
And I thought I would not make it this morning because I was awake 2:00 a.m. and I was not feeling well some 15 minutes before the mass. It took all my might to get up. But in the end, I'm glad I showed up to play this morning because the choir was particularly on top form.
My busy schedule (and my lack of a social secretary, aka a wife) did not permit me to do some shopping for this year's holiday season. Hence, I schedule this one at the very last minute... that is, today.
Men, unlike women, do not want to take too much time to shop. To men, shopping is a chore, an errand to accomplish as quickly as possible, with military precision. To women, shopping is an experience, where the means (or the path) is just as important as the goal (or destination).
Men rarely bargain down prices, because time is of the essence to them. Women seem to delight in eking out the very last amount they could milk out of a merchant.
I am a stereotypical man when it comes to shopping. I scheduled my shopping early, before 9:00 a.m., just as the mall opened.
I already know in advance what I want to buy so I don't waste time. Moreso, I even know where to buy them, because I know that mall like the back of my hand (since I park there at least two times a week).
So as usual, my Christmas shopping operation was a success. I was able to buy the remaining food we need for the midnight meal, some groceries (milk for my children and my dad), my long delayed gifts for my children, my sister and my dad, and even a "small" gift for myself.
I was in and out of that mall in less than an hour, just as the crowds swelled immensely. I even had time for a quick brunch.
So now I'm giving myself a pat on the back for a job well done and rest up for tonight (and tomorrow's) festivities. I still have choir duties tomorrow morning.
And so I'll greet you friends tomorrow. I believe the timing is just as important as the content and sincerity of the greeting itself. Until then...
Thursday, December 20, 2007
This day in history from:
Christmas Wind-down
Most of the work is over for the year, although there are some more to come next week.
But for all intents and purposes, I'm already on wind-down. Whatever work to be done next week will be for rewards.
I really don't care if the rewards don't make it in time for Christmas. I don't really care that much for timing.
There's a lot to be thankful for already, even before Christmas would come.
I have my family, my work, my career, my friends to be thankful for. I have clothes (although not new) that still shield me from the elements. I think I have more than enough funds to tide me over the holidays. The Christmas Eve Meal (the "Noche Buena") is more or less secure and I don't crave for much at this particular meal.
We have our office Christmas party tomorrow, and some other parties I have to attend to. I can finally assume choir duties starting Saturday.
It was a very good year so far. And it may even get better next week.
I still have enough to be thankful for. And I hope you all have the same or more than things to be grateful for, too.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
This day in history from:
Addback
Two things kept me up all night last night.
First is my oncoming sickness which I'm treating early. But I was really feeling bad yesterday and I eventually lost my voice last night.
Second, I had this accounting problem we needed to solve to salvage our Christmas. Trying to figure out how to distribute an expense discretely was bugging me all night.
The solution came to me as I attempted, in vain, to sleep. I remembered the very basic accounting principle of double entry. No, it's a some kinky sex thing. It simply says, if you take something away, you have to add something back to balance your finances.
With that in my, the solution hit me. If I'm taking away something from an account, I have to add something back. So that solution for that eventually turned out to be setting up an "addback" account to make up for the expenses I had to deduct.
I eventually balanced the finances with that addback account and I could have slept soundly. But I had to take Bea to school by the time I finished. So I had to do that first, then blog this before I can catch up on sleep.
This I intend to do right now. So if you'll excuse me, I'll take a well-deserved rest. Until later.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
This day in history from:
All-nighter
Haven't pulled an all-nighter since last year.
There was this rush job I had to finish last Friday night. I arrived at my house at around 11:00 pm and I did not stop working until around 10 am the next day...
Anyway, I finished that work and we will reap its fruits before Christmas.
We may salvage this holiday season yet... and I may be giving out my wishlist for this year.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. No, that's wrong, I'm expecting it because expectation will attract it quickly.
I was also busy yesterday because I had to split my time between Nico's Christmas Party at school, where he portrayed one of the Three Kings, and choir, that overlapped. I eventually made it to both. It's a good thing these two events are just around 400 meters away from each other. And it's so nice to see Nico developing his school and social skills so well...
So here's to a great week ahead of us... just in the nick of time.
Friday, December 14, 2007
This day in history from:
Contractors...
Something I got from my inbox:
Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence. One from the Philippines, another from Mexico and an American. They go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The American contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil.
"Well", he says, "I'll figure out the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Mexican contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me.
The Filipino contractor does not measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers: "$2,700."
The White House official, incredulous says, "What? You did not even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure? How do you expect me to consider your service with that bid."
"Easy", the Pinoy explains, "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the guy from Mexico."
Thursday, December 13, 2007
This day in history from:
Salvage work
There may be just enough to salvage this holiday season. But we have to fill it is with work.
And we have to be grateful for the prospects next year to come.
Of course, I'm not too feeling great about loosing a valued client I had for almost seven years, and the huge revenue with it. But as my friend says, we have to walk away from this horrible predicament with our dignity intact.
I realize that despite the huge dent it will bring to my wallet.
But I know there will be other clients. Other clients that will bring us more revenue and will take us to a higher level. At least we are not going to allow these bozos to drag us and our dignity through the mud.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
This day in history from:
Things Desired
Something I picked up during the wake:
Desiderata (Max Ehrmann, Copyright 1952)
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
(You may also want to read my friend's eulogy here.)
Saturday, December 08, 2007
This day in history from:
Awake
Just trying to relax this weekend because it will be a busy week next workweek.
A couple of important late-year hearings and some number crunching to make it to the holidays.
Again, there's choir tonight but I have to rush again to the wake of my dead partner. It's his last day before he gets buried tomorrow morning in Baguio. Because of the venue, we can't join the family there so we just have to maximize our time here.
Honestly, I don't have any plans for tomorrow, but I think it will not involve going out because Bea's tests are coming up and Nico has a lot of practice to do for his school's Christmas program on December 15.
So here's to a few more productive weeks for this year.
Let me finish this entry with Bing Crosby's White Christmas, just to set us all up in the mood.
White Christmas (Irving Berlin)
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten, and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and bright And may all your Christmases be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and bright And may all your Christmases be white
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
This day in history from:
Reset and Refocus
I have to admit, recent discouragements in my personal and professional life have weighed me down.
I don't if this culminated in what I think I had as I slept last night. I think I had a nightmare (in the vernacular bangunot) but I can't confirm that because no one was near me when I sleep. I also close the door of my room so no one could hear me.
It was a horrible dream but I don't remember much of it anymore. All I can remember is it was about Death, as in the grim repo man.
So what is that telling me? I really don't know because I'm really not into interpreting dreams.
But if I apply the Law of Attraction, I must have attracted that nightmare because of what I'm currently thinking. And I have to admit, I'm not thinking good thoughts lately precisely because of the setbacks I have been encountering.
So somehow, I have to find my way out of this spiraling thought pattern. I have to reset and refocus.
That's probably what my supposed nightmare is telling me. At least, that is what I think it's telling me.
But even if it was, I'm still grateful I woke up today.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
This day in history from:
Work This Out
Work This Out (From High School Musical 2)
Chad: How did we get from the top of the World to the bottom of the heap?
Taylor: I don’t recall you mentioning the boss is such a creep
Zeke: We still have the ingredients to make this summer sweet
Martha: Well, i got rags instead of riches
Jason: And all these dirty dishes
All: Just wish i had three wishes
Gabriella: (Okay guys, break it up)
Troy: We’ve got to work, work to work this out We’ll make things right, the sun will shine If we work, work there’ll be no doubt We can still save the summer If we work this out!
Chad: (Dude, what have you gotten us into?)
Troy: (Come on, we can totally turn this thing around)
Chad: I’d rather face a seven footer straight up in the post
Taylor: That sure beats hangin’ here
Taylor & Martha: And burning someone’s toast.
Jason: I needed Benjamins, but this ain’t worth the stress
Kelsi: Maybe there’s a better way to fix this greasy mess
Troy: We’re a champion team, a well-oiled machine, and we’ve faced tougher problems than this. I know it’s a grind, but I’m sure we can find a way to have fun while we get this job done. We’ve got to work, work to work this out
Troy and Gabriella: We’ll make things right the sun will shine If we work, work there’ll be no doubt We can still save the summer
Zeke, Kelsi, Troy & Gabriella: If we work this out!!
Troy: (Let’s work it!) Tell me what you want
Gabriella: Tell me what you need
Zeke: A little bit of sugar
Martha: A little bit of butter
Kelsi: It’s the perfect recipe!
All: Pay day!
Jason: It’ll taste so sweet
All: Pay Day!
Zeke: Good enough to eat
Jason: Gonna make some motion pictures
Martha: Hit the mall with all my sisters
Zeke: Get tickets to the Knicks and Sixers
Kelsi: Kick it with the music mixers
Chad: Buy a ride that suits my style
Taylor: Lounge around the pool and while
Troy: Make a date with my favorite girl
Troy & Gabriella: We’ve got it made!
All: We’ve got to work, work to work this out We’ll make things right, the sun will shine If we work, work there’ll be no doubt We can still save the summer If we work this out! Work This! Gotta Work This! We can work this out!
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yuletide carols being sung by a choir And folks dressed up like eskimos
Everybody knows some tofu and some mistletoe Help to make the season bright Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa's on his way He's loaded lots of toys And goodies on his sleigh And every mother's child is gonna spy To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so, I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two Although its been said Many times, many ways Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to.. You!
Nothing much yesterday, although I had a little bit of work during the evening. I was helping my dad and brother-in-law prepare some documents for a bidding they will join tomorrow. There was no other to help them so I did my part.
Then off to the wake of my dead law partner late evening, where my other partner, his wife and I went into a discussion of Kopi Luwak, or Cape Alamid (or Civet Coffee), the couple was into recently. All I know is I'm not such a coffee fan to drink the stuff, considering where the beans came from. That's a part of the civet I'm not willing to take.
This will be a crucial week as far as work is concerned. This could dictate our mood for the holidays. And technically, these are the last two workweeks of the year, since everyone will already be in a holiday mood afterwards.
Here's to a great week for all of us. Let's all do our part to make these final workdays productive.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
This day in history from:
A fear of wakes...
Yesterday was a good day, on the whole. And I am deeply grateful for it.
My kids wanted to go out so off to Trinoma we went.
I got myself a new game, Time Crisis 4, with Guncon 3, the most advanced gun controller allegedly and the only gun controller for the PS3. I got Bea a copy of Cooking Mama 2, an addictive cooking game for the Nintendo DS.
Nico did not go empty handed. He got some toys from Toys 'r Us. And as an ultimate treat, he was able to see the Power Rangers: Mystic Force meet and greet. He was so speechless.
Then off to choir, and mass and some more choir practice. It went well also.
But after that, I went to the wake of my dead partner. They managed somehow to preserve the way he looked in life despite all the damage lung cancer and the resulting treatments brought upon his body.
But I almost did not make it there because I did not have a companion to go with. There was a risk that I would be alone there, with no one to talk to.
Fortunately, my other law partner was there and an old friend. And after going to the wake, we still spent time together over coffee.
As my law partner said when my dead partner was still in intensive care: "These are the times one needs his wife."
Indeed.
At least for occasions like these, you can bring someone to talk to if it turns out you don't have one in the function you attend. That's one use of a wife (or a companion) I haven't anticipated.
Ironic that realization happened on my supposed 10th wedding anniversary....
Anyway, that's life. I'm going back to the wake tonight. I hope I can find someone there to talk to again.
PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY
Lord Jesus,
Teach me to be generous,
Teach me to serve You as You deserve
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing
That I do Your Holy Will. Amen
THE LAWYER'S PRAYER
May every word I speak be from Your Truth...
I ask come from Your Wisdom...
May every case I handle receive Your Guidance...
May every heart, every life I touch, feel Your Love.
THE JABEZ PRAYER
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your Hand be with me,
that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain."
So God granted him what he requested.
Side Oath
The Lawyer's Oath
I do solemnly swear that
I will maintain allegiance to
the Republic of the Philippines,
I will support its Constitution
and obey the laws as well as
the legal orders of the
duly constituted authorities therein;
I will do no falsehood,
nor consent to the doing of any in court;
I will not wittingly or willingly
promote or sue any groundless,
false or unlawful suit,
nor give aid nor consent to the same;
I will delay no man for money or malice,
and will conduct myself as a lawyer
according to the best of my knowledge
and discretion with all good fidelity
as well to the courts as to my clients;
and I impose upon myself this voluntary obligation
without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion. So help me God.
