I am a TGIF friday...

Happy Halloween!
We celebrated Halloween at work today...I haven't done crap all day.

Can you tell the difference? ha ha ha.

I'm thinking about dressing up again on Monday, as a different costume...we'll see.

Here's something else that totally occupied my time. I got out in 10 minutes...can u figure it out?

Extra hour of sleep, play, or whatever this weekend. Don't forget to turn those clocks back folks!!!

I the loss of anonymity...

I've recently been involved with being around someone that, to be ultimately frank, I don't like very much. However, I see this person regularly, so to speak, and must tolerate their constantly "serious" and oftentimes rude behavior. So I choose to be civil, rather than to go postal on said person, but I think sometimes it takes almost every ounce of strength in me not to just...do something. Anyway, this person is still around because it's just been a long time and that's just how this person is. And they are, for lack of a better word, tolerated. I've thought about people accepting you for who you are, and usually in most friendships, I think that holds true. People are accepted regardless whatever their faults may be, but I really don't think that applies to this scenario, because I've heard a lot of people complain.

Anyway, so going back to the whole "tolerated" thing. I started thinking about my own personality, about how it can be eccentric, loud, and attention-seeking, and I wondered how many people I hang out with on a regular basis just tolerated it. They say that you shouldn't care what other people think...but personally, I only think that applies to people who aren't people you really care about. Because I wouldn't want to be "tolerated." I wouldn't want people to be my friends or whatever because I'm just always there, or because I'm associated with certain people, or because it's been so long and it's just whatevers now. That would really suck. I mean people who just tolerate you aren't really friends. And I'm not trying to say anything about the people around me currently, though it really would suck...just one of those things that crossed my mind...

I am the countdown...

Bebo rocks yo! I totally needed to find an address for one of my friends today, and had no idea to go about finding it, because I didn't want to straight up ask my friend for their address because DUH, then they'd know they were gonna receive something. So I racked my brain and then...BEBO! I totally remembered about these new addressbook type things that I signed up for way back when. And luckily my friend had filled out all the address info, so it was perfect. I love when things like that are actually useful.

Konichiwa!
I was supposed to go to Japan next week for some training w/ our headquarters, but due to my vacation plans w/ my family, I wouldn't be there long enough to make the trip worth it. Plus, I would've ended up missing Cic's b-day, which I would've been very sad about. I always miss something in November, be it Thanksgiving the last 2 years, or her b-day(well I WAS gonna miss it) this year. So she was not surprised that I'd be missing something...it was almost tradition. But it turns out that since I couldn't make this trip, I'm going at the end of November...AFTER Thanksgiving! How's that for tradition! So now, I can go to Japan w/o any thoughts of missing out on yet another November event... I'm really glad things turned out this way, becuase aside from being able to be here for Cic's b-day, I will be able to better prepare for my trip. Learn some Japanese phrases, prepare all my questions and have all my documentation ready. Funny how things always have a way of working themselves out.

It was a really busy day today...and yet, I still found time to blog, ha ha ha.

I am a lower than average logicist

Your IQ Is 115

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Exceptional Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Exceptional

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

I am 26 questions you would never ask.

I don't totally agree that these questions would never be asked...
1. when you look at yourself in the mirror, what's the first thing you look at?
my face - need to find out if I have any new pimples
2. how much cash do you have on you?
like 6 or 7 dollars
3. what's a word that rhymes with "TEST"?
best
4. favorite planet?
Jupiter - I was always fascinated with this planet for some reason.
5. who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell?
My cell groups missed calls and received calls, and there are only 2 missed calls, which would be Dorothy. But my 4th received call would be Gleen.
6. What is your main ring tone on your phone?
I don't have one. But I like the ring tone Cic uses for her mom's cell, it's funny.
7. what shirt are you wearing?
I don't really know what color it is, but it's like a khaki long sleave sweather-thing.
8. do you "label" yourself?
Weird
9. Name of the brand of shoes you're currently wearing?
Champion
10. bright or dark room?
Depends on what I'm doing. If I'm reading, bright...if I'm sleeping, dark. :)
11. what do you think of the person who posted this before you?
she's okay. HE HE HE. just kidding, she's the best!
12. ever "spilled the beans"?
probably, but nothing big.
13. what were you doing at midnight last night?
cleaning my room
14. what did your last text message you received on your cell phone say?
Oh crap, I just deleted them all, but I know it was from my aunt in the philippines.
15. do you click on pop-ups?
accidentally
16. what's a saying that you say a lot?
the f word...yes I know, I'm vulgar as f***
17. who told you they loved you last?
Cicely
18. last furry thing you touched?
The dog I saw during lunch today
19. how many rolls of film do you need to get developed?
2. I found them when I was cleaning my room and i'm really curious as to what's on them.
20. how many drugs have you done in the past three days?
Other than Vitamins, none.
21. favorite age you have been so far?
25 - Seems so long ago :(
22. your worst enemy?
Myself
23. what is your current desktop picture?
None, my laptop crashed and they had to wipe everything off. I've been too lazy to put a new one. I used to have the GOF pic on there though.
24. what was the last thing you said to someone?
I just told someone I was tired and wanted to go home
25. if you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to change a major regret?
A million dollars...I pay and have my regret fixed, ha ha ha!
26. do you love/like someone?
of course

I am an extra long nap...

I was pretty darned tired this morning. I dropped Cic off at Mike Miller Toyota because Cic had to pick up her car, which got serviced on Sat, so I was on my way to work a little earlier than usual. So when I got to work, I decided to just chill for a bit and do a mini-nap. I ended up falling asleep for an hour and 20 minutes! So instead of being at work an hour early, I came in 20 minutes LATE! Well, actually, I was AT work an hour early...I just wasn't working yet. Maybe I can still leave early, muah ha ha ha.

The weekends just seem to go by faster and faster nowadays. I don't think I've even been as busy as I have been in months prior, but man, where is the time going? This past weekend was pretty fun. Went to Mai Tai on Friday for Theda's b-day. I went on Thursday w/ the boys too, so I kinda felt like a regular, he he he. Anyway, I think "oldness" played a role again, cuz a bunch of us left before 12 and went to eat. But we think it's because Mai Tai was standing room only, so we got kind of tired of just standing there all night long. We needed to sit down. So we went to Roscoe's instead. Yum yum yum. Had breakfast like 6 hours later w/ cic and my sis and london. After that, softball practice. Pretty interesting to have practice with only 4 people...but we got some good practice in. Next was Cic's ninang's surprise 60th b-day party. It was fun, we got to dance a lot, especially to that one song that tells you what to do..."To the left, take it back now. And stomp one time..." You all know you like that song, he he he. But yeah, I need ot find out the title of that song. I'd play it at work all day long. On to sunday...double header for softball. We finally won our first game! Of course, it was only by forfeit. Our team takes it in stride though, just like we took our 3rd shellacking in stride. But we did do a lot better. We held the other team to only 2 runs for the first 4 innings...and then it got away from us. Yes, mercy rule came into affect yet again, but it's okay, we still have 6 more games to go! Ate at nationals and watched some foozball and then I had my league basketball game. At least we won that one. Cic was so tired she slept in the car during my whole game, ha ha ha. After the game, went to church and then went home, watched Desperate Housewives and had dinner. Then packed a little for the move. I guess that's why the weekend seemed to go by so fast...so much happened.

I'm tired...so I don't think I'ma play ball tonight, plus I have a game tomorrow...PLUS, I need to pack and maybe make a run to the new place... blech, I wanna go home already. Damn moondays.

"We are 10% of what happens to us...and 90% of how we react to it"
-Unknown

I am a big question mark...

My gosh, is it so hard to check to see if all your contents were flushed down the toilet after you've finished using it? Are people just that forgetful? Or are they that sadistic? Blech!!! Flush, dang nabbit!

Eye of the tiger
At 60 years old by the time it comes out, CAN he still have the eye of the tiger? Yes folks, for those of you who have not yet heard the news...there is talk of making ANOTHER Rocky movie. I totally thought it was a joke when I first heard about it, that it was just not possible. But I guess I was mistaken, because there IS going to be another movie... Supposedly he is supposed to come out of retirement and fight a couple of low key matches and then sparks fly as people start to talk about a possible championship fight... I'm probably gonna go see it...simply because it's Rocky...and well, for sheer curiousity.

NBA Dress Code
David Stern has sent down yet another mandate from his throne...dress code for all the players.

The NBA has announced that a dress code will go into effect at the start of the season. Players will be required to wear business-casual attire when involved in team or league business. They can't wear visible chains, pendants or medallions over their clothes.

What's so bad about a dress code? I really don't think that it's such a big deal. Of course, all of the anti-corporate people don't like it...I can understand that. Some people, live Vic the Brick Jacobs, says it's taking away their freedom, they are artists, and need to express themselves. Some say that it's Stern just flexing the fat. And yet, some people have gone as far as saying it is racist, because its aim is to rid the "hip hop" from the league. I really don't see that as the ultimate cause here. Dude, half of america has to abide by a dresscode...I can't wear shorts at work, though I wish I could. It's called professionalism. And seriously, if you don't like what your employer is telling you to do or what you can and can't wear, then you have all the freedom to LEAVE. They say the owners wear whatever they want...um, excuse me, but they're the OWNERS. Freakin babies man...it's so annoying. If it's not 7, 8, and 9 figure contracts, it's about not wanting to abide by a dress code. And freedom of expression? Artistic expresssion? You can do that on your own time, like the rest of us. I think, as with all things, this issue is blowing up into something far bigger than it really is.

I am blurred vision...

Dude, it's been a while...a while...
some quick things to note since my last posts, or lack thereof:
-my laptop at work crashed and I had to get everything reinstalled...sucks
-played our first softball game last sunday - we lost (darn mercy rule)
-played our 2nd softball game this past sunday - we lost (darn mercy rule)
-shin splints still hangin around, so I haven't been running

And now to the meat...
magic mountain
Cic and I went to Magic this past weekend...I hadn't been for a good 5 years or so. It was some good old-fashioned fun. Waiting 2 hours in line for a ride that would only last 1 minute (deja-vu). Getting annoyed by the unruly little kids messin around in line. Watching all the young'ns flirt and act hard and just be, well....kids. Spending $10 on a burger that is probably worth $1. And of course, spending some good old QT with the gf. Gone are the days where we could go to the park from open to close...we're much too old now, he he he. And the most interesting part was...we got DIZZY after like every ride! Well, not totally dizzy, but, like, unsettled or unstable, so to speak. It was frickin weird man. But when 3 other people confirmed that it also happened to them that same day, I was okay with it, he he he. Looks like I'm gonna have to bring some Dramamine next time I roll up to the mountain, he he he. Fun fun fun though :).

Ode to health
So I had my first physical in like 3 years. I changed doctors to one near work, because my old doctor won't see male patients anymore since she and her sister took over the womens health center at UCLA. Well basically, here are the results...due to the fact that my dad is diabetic and he has already had a stroke AND a heart attack, AND high blood pressure for both my parents, I am a very high risk for diabetes and all of the above. I love genes, don't you? Well, it this means change... Meaning, I have to be really careful and go through some extra measures for preventative care. I am Filipino. Translation...I need to cut a lot of starchy food out of my diet...because that's all filipinos eat, starch...which totally sucks, because I love rice...and I love starchy food. I even have to go to this class that teaches me how to grocery shop and what I should and should not eat. Of course I'm not writing everything off forever, becuase that's just plain stupid...food is here for enjoyment as well as nourishment. It shouldn't be one or the other...I truly believe in having food that just tastes good... But I do have to accept that this is kind of a serious issue and I will have to change my lifestyle somewhat to incorporate such preventative measures. Well, here's to healthier living!

Movin out
I wanted to blog about this a while back, but nothing had been definite yet, and I didn't wanna get my hopes up or anything. I am officially moving out of my folks' place and into a house in Long Beach. No, no, I did not purchase a house...I could only wish for that...that and a million dollars. Rather, I am moving in with Jovan into his house. Yes, that's right. I will soon be a resident of the Long Beach area...woohoo! I am so very excited. I have been living at home for almost 3 years now, and things have been pointing for me to leave the nest...again. I've prayed, I've thought, and I've prayed some more: it is time to go. It was a little tough re-adjusting to living at home again after I had been out of there for practically 7 years, since I had left for Irvine. And of course, living at home came with some major perks: no ridiculous rent going into a black hole, seeing my family all the time, and of course...home cooked food. There was a reason I got laid off from my Santa Fe Springs job and was given no choice but to move back home. Pop had had his stroke only 5 months earlier and had just been released from the nursing facility after about 3 months of living there alone. So it was perfect that I would be at home and could take care of him until he got better. It was good seeing him at home again, and I was happy to be around while he was recovering. Slowly but surely, he got better. And now, aside from the occasional communication hurdles we have to overcome(which can sometimes be a little tough), he takes care of the regular household duties and then some, working outside in the garden and cleaning up the garage. Now that he is ok, and my mom's brother has moved in to the house I feel like it's time for me to go and be out on my own again. I had been getting frustrated over the past few months because I wasn't out on my own, and I think my fuse became really short while I was at home. Just a lot of things started to go awry, but most of all, I don't want to resent my parents...they have done and do so much for me. I really think that it's better that I'm living in my own place. Then I could visit them and not take them for granted so much. So here's to the next chapter of my life, life in the LBC...

"We are 10% of what happens to us...and 90% of how we react to it"
-unknown

I am another retraction...

Another salad...another story... Last time I mentioned this, I was pissed because 3 times now, I have asked for Vinaigrette dressing for my weekly salad and all 3 times they gave me frickin Italian...not that I hate that dressing, but I wanted something else. So today, after my lunch workout, I went to pick up my salad from McD's. I order the usual, a grilled chicken bacon ranch salad. What kind of dressing? Vinaigrette of course. So I go to the first window, pay my $4.35(Dude salads are expensive, considering that it is a meal composed of leaves, fruits and veggies...oh and in my case, some bacon and chicken.) and proceed to the 2nd window. After the girl gives me my salad, I look into the bag, to make SURE I got my vinaigrette. Of course they got it wrong...this time I got ranch. Check out what ensued:
me: I'm sorry you guys got the wrong dressing. I said I wanted Vinaigrette
lady Oh, we dont' have Vinaigrette. We don't carry that dressing
me Really? (With a raised eyebrow) Well what do you have?
lady Ranch, Italian, and some other one I can't really pronounce...balsa....something.
me Oh, balsamic? (Me thinking um, balsamic, as in baslamic VINAIGRETTE?!?!) Okay, I'll just take that one
lady Okay (goes back and gets the dressing). Thank you, have a nice day.
me (looking at the dressing making sure it's balsa...something) Ummm...thanks.
HA HA HA

Yet another retraction to make. My Health Factoid of the Day from last week talked about the dehydrating effect caffeine had on the body...I stand corrected...yet again. Seems to be the theme of the day.

Will drinking a caffeinated soft drink make someone dehydrated? Recently the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences (IOM/NAS) issued new recommendations for fluid intake (including fluid from all beverages and foods). The commonly held belief was that moderately active people should drink at least eight (8 oz.) glasses of water a day and that caffeinated and alcoholic beverages were dehydrating.

Now, after careful review of all the research related to hydration, including several important new studies, the IOM/NAS has concluded that all beverages and foods contribute to hydration, including caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

A am a reprinted article...

Do you have socks? you know, S-O-K-S, socks?
As indicated by Ray I have erred yet again. I meant state, not city...krikey...proofread, Jay, PROOFREAD!

I am an unrestful night of sleep...

Don't forget to tip!
Did you know that Californians eat out more than any other city in the US? Probably because of the diverse types of food out there, and of course, the sheer laziness. But here's another interesting tip, Calfornians are amongst the worst tippers in the country as well. How freakin sad is that? We eat out all the time and we short-change the tip, which kinda translates to food servers in CA being amongst the least tipped people. That last one was a deduction I made, but it makes sense doesn't it? Man, California is kuripot!!!

Mammoth on the rise
"MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. — The storied Mammoth Mountain Ski Area on Tuesday announced plans to sell a controlling interest in its sprawling holdings in the eastern Sierra to a private investment firm led by luxury hotel mogul Barry S. Sternlicht.
...
The $365-million acquisition by Starwood Capital Group promises to bring a more upscale character to the resort, in contrast to the unpolished and independent style of the resort's pioneering founder and co-owner, Dave McCoy.
...
The goal is to bring in other hotel brands, a mixture of both boutique and large hotels," said Marc Perrin, managing director of Starwood Capital. "We're also focusing on bringing in hip restaurants as well as new residential, hotel and entertainment experiences." He predicted that changes would be evident in three to five years."
Great, you know what that means, snowboarding in Mammoth is gonna get pricey as heck....this place that's buying Mammoth has a rep for upgrading places to have a Ralph Lauren -decor, which can only mean less trips for us...mother effers man...sometimes, things should be left alone...like the McCoys and their mammoth resort. I mean, granted, they did make $80 mil out of the deal, but we, the consumers, are again getting the short end of it all...

I am a pain in the leg...

Happy B-day to my coworker Jemelie! Welcome to the life of the mid-twenty-person.

Damn, I fell asleep during my teleconference meeting w/ Japan today. Argh...one of my first things I do as a Project Lead, and I fall asleep!!!! The meeting HAD to be late in the day, when I'm always tired. And it wasn't my fault...the conversation was totally in Japanese for like 30 minutes and I had no clue what was going on...next thing I know, my coworker is waking me up and my mgr is asking me a question! Man oh man....not a good way to start...

Dude, how mean is this...
me (10/4/2005 5:52:15 PM): damn, I fell asleep in a mtg today
me (10/4/2005 5:52:16 PM): bad bad bad
punk friend (10/4/2005 5:53:45 PM): not goooooooood
punk friend (10/4/2005 5:53:48 PM): you boss seee?
punk friend (10/4/2005 5:53:56 PM): that will be not gooood
punk friend has signed out. (10/4/2005 5:54 PM)
just straight signed out...like less than a minute after he asks a question!!! what a punk...

btw - speaking of punks...Thanks Joe!. It's hilarious though.

I am a diet lacking in fiber...

zot zot zot!
I was invited to be on an Alumni panel for the All-U Leadership Conference for UCI this past weekend. The conference was in Palm Springs(man was it hot out there) at the Doral Princess Resort(good thing we were indoors with A/C). Of course prior to the panel, I was pretty nervous. The people they had me sitting with were quite accomplished and I was a little intimidated, plus, I hadn't really interacted w/ students for over 4 years...most of these kids came in AFTER I graduated...goodness I'm old now. Anyway, once the panel started, I think I eased back in to the role of playing mentor and I felt more comfortable with each passing question, though there was one question I didn't really answer, as Cic pointed out to me. Soon enough the panel was over, and I kinda wished it had lasted a little longer. When you want to contribute something, you always realize that you could've added more at the end. Anyway, I sure do miss doing stuff like this, giving back to students, providing mentorship, advice, etc. It's what kept me goin when I was in school and was definitely a refreshing experience. There was a motivational speaker, Steve Farber, who served as the weekend's keynote speaker. He was awesome, and I would love to do something like that. Cic thinks it's something totally up my alley...I wonder how you actually get into stuff like that though. I guess I'll start researching it a bit. I know I'd have a lot to work on though, in the matter of my public speaking skills. It's one thing to love to talk to crowds, it's another to be able to.

Play Ball!!!
So yesterday, I finally went to my first practice w/ the Shockers...my first recreational softball league team. A bunch of the crew peeps and then some are on the team, and needless to say, practice pointed out that we needed a bit more of it...he he he. Too bad our first game is going to be next week. Practice was a lot of fun though, except for the batting part...cuz i suck bigtime when it comes to hitting, and the tan line... I go all summer w/o getting one, and one day, in early October, BAM...tanline. Argh. But it was cool to see everyone tryin to catch pop balls, field grounders, run bases, etc. Good 'ole fun in the sun.

Gonna try and run tonight, before I go play ball...took all last week off...hopefully the shins healed up a bit...