3.30.2005

Quality Time

Still remember before, I was rambling about having time to do the things that are worth your while? Now I'm finally getting to do them little by little. And today is just one of those days.

I visited a friend in cavite today. I don't normally go to anywhere out of town to visit. Well okay, cav isn't so out-of-town from where I am. I was going to help with some computer stuff she needed. The trip to cav wasn't as bad as I envisioned it to be. Short of the humid weather, it would have been like a trip to the beach in the evening. After around less than an hour, I was there. She was doing quite well with her business. I sometimes wish that I sort of shared the same fate with her in the company exodus last year -- things would have been a bit easier for me to set-up if that was the case.

I wanted something like her business, but I know somewhere deep down my 6th sense is telling me that the signs aren't heading towards that direction for me. I would end by wasting the only shot I have in the dark.

And so there I was having a great time just being there and asking lots of stuff and helping out with setting-up several software. For a few minutes, I remembered what it was like to work behind the counter, and not be a customer.

After the stuff I had to do was complete, we had a break out of the shop and in the town proper. We were exchanging stories about what happened back then and what was happening now. I can really feel now that A LOT OF TIME has passed. (I wanted to use the word WASTED, but I know what happened to me right now was a series of events leading to this). However, I am happy for her that karma paid her back with interest. She now has her own business and is on the path to independence.

And so as I was on my back, I was seriously thinking of how am I going to further the "value creation" project without needing a big amount of funding for it. I understand that you have to make money work for you.. but it's a challenge for me while I am still nursing my spirit back to health.

posted by Urban Warrior @ 8:59 PM 0 people have something to say

3.23.2005

My take on holy week

[ The following post is for open-minded, mature audiences only. Some mild profanity and adult themes follow. You have been warned ]

Ah yes it's holy week again. As the years go by, I look at holy week as one of the most ceremonial of christian traditions. According to old people (not elderly, not all elders are closed-minded), during holy week, christians should be REFLECTING on their lives, their faith, etc.

As a kid, I was raised to get used to THAT practice. But now it looks like reality is far from what the elders teach you.

[ I have to get this out first, pardon me ]

SCREW YOU SPANISH COLONIZERS

There, much better now.

No, I'm not actually angry at the religion. I'm just disappointed at how it was ingrained into our youth at a time when it was so (1800-1900's).

I'm quite happy at how I'm seeing the values of class C, B, and A manileños change from religious to practical. Hard times in your country do not come without benefits. They are now more concerned about necessary things. Take the need for a rest and vacation for example. Years ago, I remember our olds telling us: "Don't go out during holy week; Don't go swimming, etc etc." I was a kid then so I could just nod and throw a tantrum. Now that I have the power, I consent when my friends say "hey beach tayo :D " or something like that.

Looking back then I was rather disappointed at how wrongly rooted religion was in manileños that day. The spanish were indeed smart. Using the power of fear, a power that's not even their own, to manilpulate gullible people into doing and not doing this and that.

It's good friday yeah sure. Is that the only time we'd be good? Come on now.. you all know it -- that the one up there would want us to "find the love" with your neighbor every single day. Not just during holy week. "What a plastic people", God would exclaim. "Ok, since you're all like that, may your nation rot in poverty". The non-christian nations are better off. They're non-christian, but they create value, they follow laws, they cultivate order.

So when you all attend mass on Easter Sunday, try giving way to the car that cuts you on the way out. Don't shout at your maid, your younger brother/sister. Use the pedestrian overpass when crossing the street, dispose of your litter properly. Then on monday treat people at work with due respect, don't lie or steal. Create value in your work, don't steal company time doing something else, etc. In summary, do things in their proper time.

And for the non-christian audiences, I salute you. You have already grasped the meaning of living life the way you want to. Believe me, it's what christians want as well, but they're a bit... stuck up. :P

posted by Urban Warrior @ 9:38 PM 0 people have something to say

3.15.2005

Making Happy vol. 1

Oh yes, we're on day 2 of my "best days" season. It has been THE best 2 days if not among the best, for 2005 (and if may say so, even for 2004).

In the afternoon of Monday I went to Alabang Town to get some PC parts. I decided to stop by a coffeeshop. MAN was there so few people.. I thought to myself.. there really isn't anyone stopping by for coffee on a working afternoon.. I only see students 2/3rd's my age acting like adults, doing adult-like things, etc.

I've always wished for a time like this y'know -- that time when I can just sit and watch the sunset on a WORKING AFTERNOON and I wouldn't give a f__k about anything in the world.

[ yeah i know i know I'll have to work again. Actually I am working still. The only difference is I don't swipe a time card. ]

If life was this good everyday, no wonder why it has to end.. I believe that when you have your time to yourself, it is the ultimate test of discipline. Because there is the ultimate temptation not to work, and spend time leisurely. While I actually believe this is the right way to live, life is half-known as the biggest irony. Our happiness in a material world is only temporary. We gotta strive for the things that matter. I gotta strive for the things that matter to me, and so do you.

Maybe this was a waste of a post. While I was actually so happy writing all this down, I feel that someone at the other end of the screen reading is sulking because they can't do what they want -- because of their work..

Am i right? :D

posted by Urban Warrior @ 10:10 PM 0 people have something to say

3.06.2005

The beggar

I was walking along dela rosa street after walking a friend to her apartment. We came from a play in greenbelt which was until almost 10. Then, 2 blocks away from my right turn to greenbelt, a teenager approached me. It's either he was a teen or an early twenties. He looked that of the lesser-male-possibly-slightly-gay type. A conversation ensued:

"Um excuse me po, could I ask some help with directions?"

"Uh wuzzat?"

"How many greenbelts are there?"

"There are 4. you don't know?"

"I see. I was supposed to meet up with friends at the greenbelt near the church last 730. But I didn't know which greenbelt the churche was. I got left behind. I lost my wallet po kasi and my SIM is malfunctioning. I was wondering if I could borrow a bit of money just to get back home to San Juan. I'll pay you back po tomorrow, double pa if you want."

At this point I was keeping my eyes peeled for anyone approaching or looking.
I was slightly expecting some action. Anything that happens at evening in makati is always half-dangerous.

"hmm.. how much ba u need?"

"Um, hanggang San Juan po, mga 90 pesos po. Sorry po sa abala."

I motioned him to walk with me towards the intersection of M cafe and Dela Rosa.
I gave him 90 bucks before I crossed the street.
He thanked me, then as I went my way, I told him off:

"Etong 90 bucks. Forget about returning it. Next time, don't get lost, and be a little more convincing. If you're lost, you should ask for directions. What the hell were you doing from 730 to 10 pm?".

"Um, hindi ko po kayo niloloko."

"Ey kid, you're begging, so you don' t have the right to be defensive. If you're telling the truth, then take any spat when a stranger offers help."

With that, the guy walked towards Ayala with a shameful look on his face. My eyes were following him to where he was walking towards. He was probably going to get a cab there. I've always known myself to make looks that pierce when some suspicious person is near, but this evening's incident really called for a much sharper one.

It actually costed that much to mock someone with impunity. Wow, I guess I might try that again, but this time, not with a begging yuppie. Pretty pathetic kid actually. If you were trapped in makati with no wallet and your SIM's malfunctioning, try begging for 5 bucks then use a payphone to call home or something -- well, that's what I'd do.

Even if he was telling the truth, I would have told him to fuck off just the same for making such a crumby story. Looks like my karma meter's tipping positive again.

posted by Urban Warrior @ 12:04 AM 0 people have something to say

3.04.2005

Friday getaway

Flashback: Friday. 03.04.2005
[ after the hilarious previous post, I guess had to write about this too ]

We watched a movie at around 9. The movie Hitch was definitely good. It was a good one because it whopped the cynical about love on the head. If there was a stronger word that whop i'd like to use it but since the movie on the whole good, I'll spare it.

But if there was anything about the movie that hit me -- I think there's something wrong with me. I say this because lately I've been spreading myself too thin among my female friends. While it is good to stay in touch with almost all of them, I'll really have to cut off 70% communication with all of them if I'm really gonna get serious with a girl. Good thing for me is -- I'm pretty sure of who it is I like right now. And I pride myself for that because a single guy usually has that dilemma. He doesn't know what he wants until it's in front of him. (Just like with girls).

Man, I really should charge my friends for the advice I give. I have friends who have girlfriends now because of the advice I give.

For girls however, I am a "break-up advisor" instead of a "finding-the-one" type of consultant. So that's more on a messy degree.

The only thing about movies like that is well.. there'll never be a movie ever released about a happy ending when the hero/heroine is single in the end. That'll be the day.

So after all that, we hit Metrowalk in Meralco Ave. It was actually my first time to hangout there since I just pass by the place occassionally. My drinking record for the evening was patheic. 2 San Mig Light's and I couldn't walk straight. Should've known better to have ordered more food. My tolerance drops when my stomach's empty.

Screw the tolerance thing. I had a great time with people I'd never thought would be great company. Minus the cynicism and the constant plugging of having a car, it was cool.

I also salute the taxi driver for being a model driver. Full-meter without any haggling on wee-hour travel is rare.

posted by Urban Warrior @ 3:00 AM 0 people have something to say

Turned-good evening

Yesterday evening was a memorable evening. I usually don't go to alumni homecomings, coz i think trying to relive the past is a bunch of crap.

But this one occassion (the LAN net CCS) was different.

There was this inspiring speaker who gave this story about how he passed his thesis but a professor in the panel said "The system is good, but you will never become successful". That same student who passed the thesis is now the CEO of Technistock corporation. Will someone shoot that professor??

I was reminded of the biggest sin in the corporate world.

NEVER badmouth others in public.
Better yet, don't badmouth at all.

I live with this principle because I believe that what goes around comes around.

I remember getting a 4.0 in COMPRO1 for 2 hours. 2 hours after, my professor approached me and told me "Um, I made a mistake in my computations, I can't give you a 4.0 because I can't add your bonus points earned from the long quizzes in the exams eh". And so I got a 3.5. I was wondering "bitch, don't you feel good about having a 4.0 COMPRO1 student?" f__k her. Literally and figuratively.
But when we met along the corridors, when was smiling plasticly and I remained professional even as a freshman. I'm sure she realized she was ashamed of what she did. Again, will someone shoot this kind of professor??

So there goes my first reason. The second reason is that my orientees arranged to meet during the homecoming. Of the many friends I made before, I was kinda surprised that they decided to stay in touch after all this time. But after months of communication exchange, I guess I think I've met my match in the el gimmikero/ la gimikera circuit hehehe.

posted by Urban Warrior @ 12:26 AM 0 people have something to say

3.01.2005

What a reason

03.01.2005 0128 hrs

I remember clearly what happened the past morning. I was chatting with a close friend in canada. She said she wanted to go back home to the Philippines for good because she misses her family. I told her that she's just a bit homesick and that she'd be crazy to give up her green card for that reason alone. She also says that she's considering just working here.

Pardon me for saying this, but that is ultimately crazy. If she only knew how many people would give almost anything just to be where she is..

I think there's only one thing that legitifies her reason -- her heart is still here.

I suggested to her "why not make canada your home now?"

Yeah yeah she doesn't have that car like everyone else, and works at a technical support center, but I mean, she gets to pay for bills and gets to save. Why isn't she making much sense??

posted by Urban Warrior @ 1:23 AM 0 people have something to say