A day in the life…

No, not exactly. I made it within the grace period.

This new rule (or old, however which way you look at it) is now in effect beginning today. Work hours from 9-6, with deductions for late log-ins and overtime pay (which starts at 7pm).

For most of us who are used to the (now) old flexitime, this will be a test of discipline, lest we get huge deductions from our salary. On my end, it’s waking up the early bird in me which has been in hibernation a long time ago.

But bastards that we are, I dunno how long this rule will last.

Hopefully I am proven wrong.

Good luck na lang sa amin.

It was a stupid thing. It was an accident. It was a stupid accident.

I have a way of eating bread. Instead of stuffing them into my mouth (or the usual biting and chewing) I tear a small piece from the bread and then stuff it in my mouth.

During my regular breakfast ritual (re: tearing the bread, etc.), the headline of today’s newspaper caught my eye. So I started reading.

And then I bit my middle finger, which was in the act of putting that little piece of bread into my mouth.

I dunno what happened. I guess my teeth got all excited at the sight of food. I ended up squirming in pain, laughing at a funny moment and wondering what the heck just happened… all at the same time.

My finger bled, and now I’m having a bit of a hard time using the keyboard.

Lesson learned: Never do two things at the same time if you’re not made to do multitasking. You’re bound to hurt yourself in the process.

Interesting, it’s already almost 11AM, and I am still alone in the creatives room.

It’s okay, I guess. They’re probably taking advantage of the flexitime rule.

After all, by next week, the new (or should I say old) rule would be taking effect.

It’’s going to be harder to wake up earlier than usual. Guess we just got used to getting out of bed a little bit later than what normally is the waking time of employees.

As they say, the only thing constant is change.

Too many changes are going on around me.

Me thinking I’ve to change something inside, or about, me.

Hehe… tickle your brain… tickle, tickle…

Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone!

My Chinese horoscope says that it’s a good year for those in the arts and media, and for those pursuing creative endeavors.

Well, I’m crossing my fingers. Wish me luck. Sigh.

——–

Candidates for the upcoming elections are actively campaigning in all sorts of media. Gone were the days when all publicity they had was only through posters on Meralco posts, motorcades and visits to baranggays and province plazas. And yeah, nifty jingles.

Now the present candidates have the moolah to spend for 15 to 30-second TV commercials. And take note, in primetime spots.

And may I ask whose money they’re spending…?

——–

Actors turning politicians. It’s a known fact that in the history of Philippine politics, there have been a number of entertainers who ran for office.

And the trend goes on.

Question is, how effective will they be once they are seated in their posts?

Just this weekend, I got to watch actor Leo Martinez giving his comment on the issue of actors running for the senate. In a nutshell, he stated that he was not against actors running for public posts, but then they should leave the law-making to those who are capable.

He is right. See, As a senator, or even a congressman, you have to have training and background in law. This job requires you to make laws. And not just any laws, but those that will benefit your countrymen.

Tears don’t cut it. Words are not enough, either. Your popularity may bring in the votes, but once you’re there, what now?

And to those who put down Leo Martinez and Mr. Shooli for their statement, remember that these two are not just any other actors. I believe Mr. Martinez is a UP alumnus, and an academician at that. I bet he’s even more qualified than all the others are who have delusions of grandeur just because of sulsol made by the people around them (heck, maybe Gary Lising who’s an Atenean would be better, too). But they are in their right minds and did not run for any position because they know what they can and cannot do.

Having the will to serve is one thing. Having the knowledge to create laws that will be of service to the people is another.

Anti-ketombe. Biskuit susu. Deputa. Jugu-jugu anja.

As long as there are bottles and cartons with these translations, we will always remember you.

No… even if there are no more bottles and cartons with these translations, we will still remember you.

Maligayang kaarawan kahapon, kaibigan, mula sa amin dito sa lupa. Nawa’y maipadala ng mga anghel sa iyong kinaroroonan ang aming pagbati.

While doing my regular browsing on an online forum, I stumbled upon a really cool text. It was a speech made by Steve Jobs, the dude behind Apple and Pixar, for the graduating students of Stanford U. It was a simple speech that was a bit about himself, but laden with so much lessons even the thirty-somethings can learn from.

To sum it all up, it was all about finding what you truly love, following your heart, trusting your guts and instincts, and being brave to face everyday like it was your last.

I never knew Jobs was a college dropout. I never knew he was fired from Apple. I never knew he was once diagnosed with cancer. And all these experiences helped him to become who he is right now.  If he continued to take a course he wasn’t interested in, Apple wouldn’t be here. If he wasn’t fired from Apple, there wouldn’t be any Toy Story. And if he did not have that near-death experience, he probably would’ve been living in the shadows of others.

It’s a really inspiring read. If you feel like you’re in limbo, maybe this will encourage you to stay hungry and stay foolish. 

——–

My officemate just downloaded a copy of Incubus’ new single entitled "Dig" (I misheard Francis Brew this morning… oops, my bad). At first I didn’t pay much attention to the song until I read the lyrics. Wow.

It ain’t a love song, that’s for sure. But it’s probably going to be one of the theme songs of my life.

"If I turn into another / Dig me up from under what is covering / The better part of me / Sing this song / Remind me that we’ll always have each other / When everything else is gone"

This goes out to all my friends, bastards or not. Ain’t it nice?

Tamahome = originally a name of a Fushigi Yuugi character which evolved into a noun meaning "bastos na nilalang." Why? I dunno why Almanz thought of that ("Si Tamahome ay / Bastos na nilalang / Tatatatatatatatatat-tat-tat-tat…").

An unfortunate encounter with these "entities" can ruin your day. It’s almost ruined mine. And to think I’m just about to start my day.

Tamahome #1: Dude at the waiting shed. As I was walking to the jeepney stop, I hailed the fist PUV I saw. Just about that time, Tamahome #1 in front of me turned to his side and spat on the ground, missing me by just about a foot. Okay lang sana, kaya lang ang kalat niya magkalat. Imagine ninyo yung dura ni Tamahome #1 may kasamang spatters left, right, front and center, pati obliquely to the right and left, north, south, east and west. OA ha! He turned to me and made a motion which was somewhat apologetic, but my forehead was already acting on my behalf. If looks could kill, he would’ve been dead on the spot.

Tamahome #2: Dude from a low-rise floor of the same building as mine. A couple enters the lobby’s door first, with me just two steps away. Suddenly Tamahome  #2 comes in from my right and nakipagsiksikan sa akin sa door. Hindi man lang nagbigay! Wow, my gay friends are even more of a gentleman than you are. Tip ko sa iyo, Tamahome #2 na ka-building ko, go back to elementary and take as much units of Etiquette, Good Morals and Right Conduct as you can. You need it, dum-dum. Seriously.

Ah, the Sheep in me controls my temper and holds me back from initiating confrontations. Wala akong magawa kundi hayaan na lang ang karma na ipaghiganti ako.

Until then, I have to practice the art of raising the eyebrow.