the dragon who did

Cross-Posting and Starter Blogger

2008-02-18T17:26:00.000-08:00

I am posting this in my Multiply page, and if all goes well, my blogger sites should be able to capture this as well. I'm actually debating if i should just discontinue some (if not all) of my blogs that have been inactive for a while now.

(I'm a semi-blogger--if ever there was a thing--I know)

Currently, my very first attempt at blogging was this blog labeled the dragon who did which got it's name in response to my then girlfriend's (and now wife's) blog , dragons don't land here. These are both hosted in Blogspot.com.

After that, I created a blog that I wanted to specifically focus on my mountain climbing experience. (My wife and I got into the habit a few years ago). So there came dragon trails, my first attempt at a photoblog hosted in the same platform. I really thought that will go well. Unfortunately, not as much as I had hoped.

I started out one other that I deleted recently. I came across Blogspirit and created a story blog related to my Dungeons and Dragons RPG gaming hobby. I wrote two fictional adventures following the characters that my friend's and I were playing at the time. The concept didn't stick however, as the game went too fast for me to write the stories and publish them too.

My wife and I even started a pre-wedding blog which we have yet to update. We've been married for five months now.

So that's it. A series of failed attempts at a life of a blogger. Whether things get better now, as cross-posting options are becoming available to me, or everything ends up dead in the waters just like the rest of the other blogs i started, i do not know.

Already i have recovered some of my old posts from the old blogs, and merged it with Multiply. For now, that's a start.

Farewell to Flickr?

2007-12-08T02:02:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of migrating my photos from Flickr to here. It's nice how I can do it in bulk.
These albums have gone from Yahoo to Flickr, and now here.

Hope its stays for good this time.

What's my color?

2006-01-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

BlackYour color is black. The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you.

Archon: To Arms!!!

2005-12-21T23:21:00.000-08:00

Archon: To Arms!!!
Originally uploaded by archonmla.

The Accretia has begun assimilating me. Resistance is futile.

FLESH IS WEAK!!!

Who's Neal? (More tests...)

2005-11-29T07:58:00.000-08:00

Big Five Test Results

Extroversion (38%) moderately low which suggests you are reclusive, quiet, unassertive, and private.
Accommodation (46%) medium which suggests you are moderately kind natured, trusting, and helpful while still maintaining your own interests.
Orderliness (82%) high which suggests you are overly organized, neat, structured and restrained at the expense too often of flexibility, variety, spontaneity, and fun.
Emotional Stability (62%) moderately high which suggests you are relaxed, calm, secure, and optimistic.
Inquisitiveness (60%) moderately high which suggests you are intellectual, curious, imaginative but possibly not very practical.

Take Free Big Five Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Main Type	Overall Self

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Enneagram Test Results

Type 1	Perfectionism	78%
Type 2	Helpfulness	66%
Type 3	Image Focus	58%
Type 4	Hypersensitivity	22%
Type 5	Detachment	62%
Type 6	Anxiety	74%
Type 7	Adventurousness	30%
Type 8	Aggressiveness	42%
Type 9	Calmness	74%

Your main type is 1
Your variant is social

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Brain Lateralization Test Results

Right Brain (32%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain.
Left Brain (76%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain

Are You Right or Left Brained?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Who is Neal?

2005-11-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

Personality Disorder Test Results

Paranoid	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	66%
Schizoid	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	62%
Schizotypal	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	54%
Antisocial	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	58%
Borderline	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	62%
Histrionic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	42%
Narcissistic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	58%
Avoidant	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	34%
Dependent	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	42%
Obsessive-Compulsive	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	46%

Take Free Personality Disorder Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Career Inventory Test Results

Extroversion	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Emotional Stability	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	66%
Orderliness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	83%
Altruism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Inquisitiveness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%

You are a Planner, possible professions include - management consultant, economist, scientist, computer programmer, environmental planner, new business developer, curriculum designer, administrator, mathematician, psychologist, neurologist, biomedical researcher, strategic planner, civil engineer, intellectual properties attorney, designer, editor/art director, inventor, informational-graphics designer, financial planner, judge.

Take Free Career Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Maslow Inventory Results

Physiological Needs (14%) you appear to have everything you need to survive physically.
Safety Needs (17%) you appear to have a very secure environment.
Love Needs (10%) you appear to be content with the quality of your social connections.
Esteem Needs (64%) you appear to have a low level of skill competence.
Self-Actualization (50%) you appear to have an average level of individual development.

Take Free Maslow Inventory Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Photoshop-ping

2005-10-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hitman-Neal
Originally uploaded by archonmla.

Who's this?

Been playing around with Photoshop, well, more like studying it. A co-worker is swerving as my instructor. Here's an edited Hitman (Console Game)with my face pasted on it.

THanks to Jesh for the help.

at our friend's wedding

2005-09-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

200507231138_00066
Originally uploaded by archonmla.

Just a recent photos we took at Joahann and Tin's Wedding.

new picture

2005-06-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

This was recently taken by a friend of ours. I like the shot of my baby. The place was a taylor shop which specifically designs wedding gowns and attire. Not ours, incidentally...not yet at least...but our friends'. We were accompanying everyone for their final dress fitting. Nice day!

VXI Workforce Pips

2005-06-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

VXI Workforce Pips
Originally uploaded by archonmla.

it is rare that i join team buildings. last sunday our workforce management team went on one and, since i was a memeber of the team, i was "invited" by my manager.

despite the bad choice of day, (i would normally stay home on sundays), i went anyway.

tha place was owned by another member of the team, and intriguingly being used as a location for an original teledrama; it has a bean-shaped pool, and a pool table to boot. with a karaoke set for all of us, and food abundant on the poolside table, it was impossible not to enjoy ourselves.

third in a row

2005-05-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

... check this out! another blog! sorry can't help it ...

http://dragontrails.blogspot.com

...hmmm... me thinks, i'm a blog addict...

Mt. Sembrano

2005-05-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

From left to right and down: me, Pia, Mabel, Ronnie, Mads, Jason, Belle, Eric, Marco

Click on the pic above and view a slideshow of the pics we've taken with this batch.

an addition to the family

2005-05-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

From Left: My dad, My Sister, My Sister, My brother-in-law, Me, My brother... At My sister's wedding!

new RPG blog

2005-05-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

i recently created a blog where i can write stuff about RPG and other forms of gaming. currently, i will be writing on our d&d campaign with Johann. Dong, Carding and myself are the players. hope you enjoy reading our misfits and aventures. Visit The Dragon Who Did (Adventures in Faraway Realms) .

mama's boy

2005-05-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

my mom got back into the country the same time my sister walked out of the church a married woman. it has been almost a year and a half, maybe more, since she came home. this time she was hoping to attend my sister's wedding. unfortunately circumstances prevented her, or made her decide, to put it lightly, not to follow at the reception.

first of all, she was a long distance away from where we were at the time. it would've taken, at the least, 2 hours to get to the reception area, and by that time the main program may have already ended. second was of course the fact that relatives from my fathers' side were there and somehow, (she related to us when we met the day after the wedding) she did not want to cause a scene, which was probably what others would think if she arrived at that time.

can't blame her, though i know that she really did want to come. i felt sad knowing she was crying that night...all she wanted was to see my sister, her first daughter, in a gown, getting married. what mother would not want to see that? what person would deny her that right?

i'm sorry ma, i know partly we are to blame for that...we (your children) could've done something for you; despite it all, we became afraid as well... but know this, i won't let that happen again. when my younger brother and other sister get their turn at the altar--and even on my own big day--i'll make sure you are there from start to finish. if nothing else, you will not be denied that.

my sister's big day

2005-05-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

my sister is now a wife!

last May 08, Mother's Day, she and my new brother-in-law exchanged vows and are now husband and wife (duh!?) for the past weeks before their wedding day, ihave contributed in a small way by helping them deisign their "thanks-for-coming" giveaway present--a cd compilation of "their" songs. i must say i liked the way that turned out. my dad even admits we could start a small business doing cd burning and design.

on the big day, i led the opening prayer for the reception--the place was cool-- and though i was not part of the entourage, i shared the table with my dad, in place of my mom, i suppose. also had an oppurtunity to say something to the groom and bride.

with the help of pia i got pictures taken; lots and lots through her new digital camera. i haven't been able to post it on any of my e-albums yet, though. once i do, i'll make another post.

anyways, the first wedding in the family since my mom and dad's makes me think about a lot of things, not the least of which is my own wedding--or the planning thereof. i wonder how i'll handle that. i have at least a year to think about it, and maybe after that...who knows...

Prententious shots

2005-05-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

Some recent photos of me, that i just wanted to share...

..in keeping with a theme...

2005-05-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

i finally convinced Pia to allow me to use her dragon pic on the header of her blog, and paste it here.

i don't see any problem, since was originally created to mirror hers, though i have found out that she is a prolific blogger, never seeming to run out of anything to write or say. and she makes sense, in ways that often fascinates even me. i love her.

i on the other hand has been reduced to posting personality quizes and ramblings without any clear sense of what i'm talking about.

somehow, i know i should have taken the engineering course, and she the degree in creative writing. i still hope to ramble on though. and though my blog may continue to be second best compared to her blog (to think that i even dare compare this to hers), i know at least i'll have her as my loyal reader.

:P

memory of steel

2005-05-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

superman2
Originally uploaded by archonmla.

...in honor of those who believe in dreams...

...something to say about THE OFFICE...

2005-05-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

i love ms office 2003!

i was finally able to convince (actually brag, is more like it) one of our IT personnel to get my station upgraded. It took a slice of starbuck's oreo cheesecake; (another officemate had to buy her a rhumba).

first time i saw it i just couldn't get over the nicely embossed icons. my ms outlook looks better, and the reader pane is much much better than the previous versions. found out ms word also has this great feature that allows you to automatically read two pages on the same document at once, without sacrificing its readabilty; my excel looks better; i have this cool photo organizer powered by an office 2003 program (new, i think); and publishers back with a vengeance--all in all it is way way better than office 2002 or previous versions.

well, at least, that's what i think. in any case, i feel more enthusiastic working on my files, and documents, and of course reading my mail, at least for the time being...

What Dungeons and Dragons Character Am I?

2005-05-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

I Am A: Chaotic Good Elf Ranger Fighter

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.

Primary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.

Secondary Class:
Fighters are the warriors. They use weapons to accomplish their goals. This isn't to say that they aren't intelligent, but that they do, in fact, believe that violence is frequently the answer.

Deity:
Solonor Thelandria is the Chaotic Good elven god of archery and the hunt. He is also known as the Keen Eye, the Great Archer, and the Forest Hunter. His followers respect nature, and only hunt when needed, but are quick to defend the forest from intruders. Their favorite weapon is the bow, and they tend to be extremely talented with it. Solonor Thelandria's symbol is an arrow with green fletchings.

Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy ofNeppyMan (e-mail)

overdoing makeovers

2005-04-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

for the past week or so, i have been busy trying to improve the look of this blog. adding pictures and learning how to link my other web-related sites to this page. i must say that i think it looks better now than it did the first time i created it.

i wanted to create a website, actually, but found out that it was more difficult to do that without better training. sure, i've tried doing it with yahoo! and its geocities capability, but i wanted more than ordinary templates. i remember going into all these sites where freebies are offered, all to help make your website look cool like animated javascript buttons, for example. it was then that i learned about webhosting and how to use notepad to create a webpage, and how to publish that page--stuff that made me more excited in creating my own cool website.

of course i never got near creating a "cool" website. so i guess this blog spot can make do for the mean time. with its own "sign my guestbook" and "web counter" it should feel like my very own website. I'm still thinking of more ways to improve this page; still thinkiering with its coded html (which i understand in my own way--a mix of logic and guts, that is) to see where i can paste copied codes from other sites. hopefully, by the time i move on to another past time, i would've made this as close to a personal website as i can have...

ender and bean...

2005-04-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

i am currently finishing this book that i find very cool, "Ender's Shadow" by Orson Scott Card.

it's a book about a young and smart (no, rather a genius) four year old named "Bean" who finds himself in Battle School--a space station which houses dozens of other kids training to become soldiers to fight a war with the "buggers". Well, that's the short of it anyway.

the book is actually the 2nd i've read from this author, the first being "Ender's Game" which was just as good. The two books are two different stories actually running on the same trend... a "parallax" according to the author.

on "Ender's Game" i met Ender Wiggin, another kid who was selected to go to Battle School, surviving and proving himself to be a good soldier, and eventually becoming head of the International Fleet...all at the age of---, well, very young. the young kid Bean, himself is under his own command. the book i'm reading now tells of Bean and what makes him special-- a boy genius trying to understand the intricacies of the battle school, while, well, i havent gotten that far yet. but i do know bean is some sort of genetically altered child that makes him a genius.

so, why talk about it? well, i just like the books so much; well, i'll just expound on this after i finish the book... promise ;)

...unholy picks...

2005-04-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

If I am elected, my pope name will be:

Pope Outrageous Harold XI

...top of the world...

2005-04-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

Gulugod Baboy 2, originally uploaded by archonmla.

I love this shot, taken from our climb up Mt. Gulugod Baboy in Batangas.

That was our very first climb, and though i only did it for her that time, i have come to enjoy the thrill of the climb as much as having her there with me.

VXI people at Jersey Carlisle's christening

2005-04-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

"...only god can make a tree."

2005-03-24T13:40:00.000-08:00

got this from a friend, just thought it would be nice to put it somewhere...

Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
Mar 21 (only) -Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree J
un 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
Jun 24 (only) - Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 -Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
Sep 23 (only) - Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
Dec 22 (only) - Beech Tree

YOUR TREE (in alphabetical order)

Apple Tree (Love) -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

Ash Tree (Ambition) -- extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.

Beech Tree (Creative) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

Birch Tree (Inspiration) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree (Confidence) -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree (Honesty) -- of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit.

Cypress Tree (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness) -- pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

Fig Tree (Sensibility) -- very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, few sexual relationships, great sense of humor, has artistic talent and great intelligence.

Fir tree (Mysterious) -- extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary) -- charming, sense of humor, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.

Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste) -- of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree (Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, can become a complainer, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.

Maple Tree (Independence of Mind) -- no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree (Brave) -- robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Olive Tree (Wisdom) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree (Peacemaker) -- loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs affection and reassurance.

Poplar Tree (Uncertainty) -- looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree (Sensitivity) -- full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree (Passion) -- unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow (Melancholy) - likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh

HAHAHAHAHAHAH!

2005-03-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

Everyone else has done it, so i did it and here it is!

Take the quiz at dicepool.com

You are a four-sided die, a d4. Otherwise known as a tetrahedron, a "Caltrop", or (to a lesser degree) "Ol' Pointy". This crap bores you, so I'll get to the point. Others tend to see you as petty, conniving, manipulative, argumentative, defensive, greedy, and needlessly antagonistic. You see yourself as focused, effective, efficient, influencing, shrewd, tactical, and direct. Both points of view are in fact correct. You always know the best way to get things done, a fact that never wins sympathy with others. Whenever you manage to gain control of a situation, your solutions are swift and brutal. Unfortunately everyone else is convinced that granting you such power is, "a bad thing" and often conspire to keep it out of your hands. Such short-sighted fools!

Hmmm...

2005-03-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

I love Wednesdays. Come to think of it, i always have. Hmmm... makes me wonder, really...

Thank God it's thursday.

just to say hi

2005-03-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

Honestly, it's not that i don't have the time to write anything here... it's just that i find the process a waste of energy. Still, for the sheer heck of being said that i maintain this blog... well, hello!

coffee talk

2005-02-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

i am not a fan of coffee, but i find myself frequenting Starbucks these past few weeks. it could be the distinct scent of steaming cappuccino at six in the morning, paired with the taste of freshly baked honey glazed doughnuts--well freshly heated, that is; or it could most probably be the fact that this particular branch i visit is in the same building where i work--two elevator rides (yes, one going down from the 16th floor, where i'm usually at and one going up to the 3rd floor, where the shop is located) and a few steps away.

i doubt there's anything unusual about that, most prime office locations are surrounded by coffee shops one way or the other, and our building catering at least four (or maybe five, who knows?) contact centers on several of its 40-plus or so floors is no exception. besides the classy yet understandably convenient eatery (simply called "EAT") that fills most of the third floor, a few widely known shops were already present even before i started working here. even recently, a 24/7 convenience store has opened up on the same floor.

but i do stray from my topic for today, which is coffee... well not so much as coffee, but the rare circumstances that lead me to write about it. but before that, another short anecdote, if you please, and it's rented, don't worry.

i am reminded by the story of this african american woman, (frankly i can't be certain if she was one; i also forgot her name) entitled "passing". The story is about an african-american girl who's not as dark-skinned as most of her race. because of her lighter shade she actually "passes" as a non-black american in their community. the way remember it, she sort of liked doing it, "passing" as someone she's not.

everytime i visit Starbucks i have this urge to "pass". before, when i entered the shop, i kind of think that i must belong. so i act like i am more civilized than my usual self; i'll be careful not to stay too long near the displays of expensive mugs, for fear of being seen as oogling. of course, speaking in english is a must. it has to be clear and with a certain slang, if i could manage one. now, if i were you, i'd learn a li'l bit about the store before you come inside. i mean, letting people hear you say "granade" (think french accent) would be quite embarrassing. (happened to me but thank god only a good friend of mine heard. we laughed it off, gotta learn to do tht when you're "passing".) most people do that i guess, for whatever reasons. i used to do it to belong.

now i just do that for fun. i think i have grown up from that habit, like growing out of moccha frappuccino or caffe mocha. sooner or later you've gotta try the odd ones. (i mean peppermint? wtf!?) {sorry, can't help it when i've regretted trying new stuff and ending up going back to the safer one} anyways, changing names is also fun. it gets to me everytime you give your name to the crew and they don't undersand; not to mention when they get your name wrong, or mispell it. it happens to all but those whose names are used by half the populace. no sense fighting it. me, i just give them a different name all the time. i've been Joe, John, and i think i used Peter once. i haven't tried Mark yet, i confess, (that story there, that's for another time). so there.

my point? well, as a councilman once said, "old men like me don't bother with points." it just makes one grow older faster, is what i usually add to that!

borrowed from a friend

2005-02-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

Which Member of the Endless Are You?

Rock and Roll!!!

So here is where it starts...

2005-02-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

...i'm sure i don't know where to begin. i know little about blogs, and i must admit i was pretty clueless about what people where talking about when they're talking about "blogs". well, now i know better, mostly thanks to this one person who's meant so much to me for the last 5 years or so. most of my posts will probably about her, or some other person (if i could get away with it that is). but heck, i hate introductions and i doubt one is needed here. so, i guess i'll just see you around once in a while. we'll talk soon...