Friday’s Muni-muni

 

1.        Tomorrow is the first day of the “Ber” month. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito — the Filipino Christmas Season is beginning! Let me start this blog entry with a very joyous greeting — Happy Birthday!  …este  Merry Christmas to all! Naku.. simula na naman ng pag dream ng White Cristmas… pag Give love on Christmas Day…  pag – Dashing through the snow… For sure  makakakita na naman ako ng ubas at castanas na kahon kahon..  Idagdag nyo pa dyan ang kendi, ribbon, eskoses at bonita. … Hmm..  Isa lang maganda ng nandito sa ibang bansa — hindi na kailangan magtago pa sa mga inaanak  pag Pasko… J

 

 

2.        Nasa usapang Pasko na rin lang tayo —- tingin ko… dapat nang “i-upgrade” ang kantang Noche Buena (Music by Felipe De Leon, Lyrics by Levi Celerio).  Don’t get me wrong. “ Noche Buena”  is one of the best Pinoy Christmas song of all times. Yun nga lang – yung ilang pagkain kasi sa lyrics ay medyo di na inihahanda sa Pasko. I mean – some of them can be eaten as part of your normal meal dahil sa nag-iba na rin  ang spending power nating mga Pinoy. Di ko naman nilalahat – alam kong marami pa ring pinoy ang nasa poverty level. Pero just the same,  nowadays — tinolang manok does not say  “crhistmas”.  Tama? Bakit di ito palitan ng “Spaghetti” — which is a staple in every typical Filipino Christmas.  Tinapay at keso is very generic kung sa panahon ngayon ang pag-uusapan. Tinapay at keso is a typical Filipino breakfast. Di na natin kailangan hintayin pa ang Pasko. Not unless the “keso” in the song refers to Queso de Bola! Ayan – paskong-pasko ng yan.  So I suggest to change this to Tinapay ay Queso de bola!  Tingin nyo? Mas pasko ang dating di ba? As for the lechon — no change required. Lechon can be described as “timeless” – kahit kailan.. kahit saan…. It will always be the centerpiece of every Filipino occasion.

Kay sigla ng gabi
Ang lahat ay kay saya
Nagluto ang Ate ng manok na tinola spaghetti
Sa bahay ng Kuya ay mayro’ng litsonan pa
Ang bawat tahanan may handang iba’t iba

Tayo na giliw
Magsalo na tayo
Mayro’n na tayong
Tinapay at keso de bola
Di ba Noche Buena
Sa gabing ito
At bukas ay araw ng Pasko

Ok ba?  Hehehe…. Wag nyo na seryosohin.. temporary insanity lang… seriously speaking – walang dapat palitan. Levi  Celerio wrote the lyrics! Why tamper with the work of a master! J

 

3.        With the Malu Fernandez brouhaha dying down – I can now give my two cent’s worth. I have been reading People Asia magazine and Malu Fernandez’ column for the past few months. It’s one section in this magazine that I don’t give too much thought. Wala lang – a socialite or trying to be socialite writing about her mis/adventures is not worth my serious attention. Binabasa ko lang… minsan matatawa ako.. minsan mainis.. then I move on….. tapos na ang kaniyang 1 minute of fame kung baga.Yung issue tungkol sa article nya — I think her only mistake was having her opinion printed. Hindi ko sinasabing tama ang kaniyang sinabi. What she said was very very rude. Medyo masakit talagang pakinggan lalo na sa mga katulad nating OFW.  Yun nga lang – opinion nya yun e…. and we can’t stop her for having that opinion. Di rin dapata tayo masyadong magmalinis — lahat tayo naman minsan may mga opinions din na – sabihin na lang natin na di masyadong kagandahan. Ang pagkakaiba lang natin kay Malu Fernandez — we keep our not so good opinions to ourserlves… or.. share it with people who knows and understand us. We don’t print it on magazines or newspapers  or blog sites for everyone to read.  Kung baga – responsibility starts from one-self.  Kay Miss Fernandez naman — you are correct… your writing may be acceptable to some demographics… maybe to the Class A people… pero sana inisip mo na People Asia Magazine is a publication which also have the Class B and C as demographics…. same with Manila Standard… kung meron mang naliligaw — it seems sya yun… frankly – the 1^st column  (in People Asia) was done in bad taste…. But the second one (in Manila Standard) is pure poison. As for the 3^rd  — a tad too late… after all sino pa babasa – e nalason na nung 2^nd article. (for more info — http://thepinoy.net/?p=876#more-876)… Before I move on to a new topic – isang tanong lang – would anyone raised any issue if Malu Fernandez insulted let’s say someone from the Class A society?  Just a thought…

 

 

4.        Joey vs Willie…. kanino kayo kampi? Ako – wala! . I was not able to watch the so-called proof of cheating… (maybe sometime soon – hahanapin ko ito sa Youtube) kaya I can’t really say kung may dayaan nga or wala. But personally –                                 I don’t believe that ABS-CBN will allow or condone any form of cheating sa Wowowee. They have too much too loose compared to what they can gain. Reputasyon na ang usapan dito e.  As for Willie or the Wowowee staff — not guilty unltil proven otherwise. Napanood ko ang  “grandstanding” ni Willie in Wowowee. He seems honest and really hurt — yung nga lang I also think na medyo may pagka-OA na. He should have explained his side – without naming names. It’s the honorable thing to do – explain your side but don’t point your fingers on somebody else. Di nya na rin sana sinabi yung tungkol sa ratings… kasi alam naman nating lahat na its all about the ratings… making people happy… helping the needy… ok.. fine… kasama ito… but bottomline – its business… the higher the ratings… more commercials… more endorsements… more money! Wala lang — hindi naman Kapwa ko Mahal ko ang show nya – Wowowee po….  As for Joey De Leon – well — hindi sya dapat pagaksayahan pa ng panahon. Since lumipat ang Eat Bulaga sa Channel 7 — nagpaparinig na yan…. Actually – I pity him… di sya makamove on… I am not sure why….  Ang nakakatawa lang — their show is doing well (which I am also asking why??? Why??? )… ano pa dapat niyang ipag-sentimiento de patatas? Sour graping at its finest? Pwede…Hay naku — for sure this will be a long issue na that will be heavily covered by the media. Isa lang ang nakikita kong magandan idinulot nito — at least hindi na Ylmaz-Ruffa ang issue…. YES!

 

 

5.        Philippines posts 7.5% GDP growth in Q2! Yan ang bumabalandrang headline sa mga diyaryo ngayon. Well…. Good….. Very good pa nga.  Sana tuloy-tuloy na. Pero syempre – may  mga party-poopers….. hindi naniniwala. Expected na naman yun no. At syempre pa  — maririnig natin ang typical remark — “Hindi naman nararamdaman ng mahihirap ang sinasabi nilang pagunlad!”. Hmmm… tama naman sila… talagang hindi pa naman talaga nararamdaman. Pero I don’t think naman na  prosperity can happen overnight. Tanong ko lang — nung papabagsak ba ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas naramdaman agad ng tao ang paghihirap? Hindi rin maman di ba? Why would we expect na mararamdaman agad natin ang pag-ginhawa? Hindi ako kumakampi sa administrasyon — naniniwala ako na they need to do something about graft and corruption, better education, health, technology. Pero I also make it a point to see  yung mga maganda nilang ginawa. Learn to appreciate small successes… Wag yung puro na lang batikos… Hirap kasi sa Pilipinas — everyone is a critic…

 

 

On a more personal note — babalik na pala sa workforce and nag-iisa kong fan. Tapos na ang maliligayang “maternity leave” na araw nya. Sana naman – kahit busy na sya sa Utsu … magkaroon pa rin sya ng oras para magbasa ng aking mga blogs…. Good luck sa pagbabalik trabaho! Tingin ko – you’ll need all the luck you can get J Wag laging nagagalit — ang blood pressure! J      

Ha?

Lacson argued that the law “refers only to private conversations,” claiming the conversations between two public officials could not be considered private.

                                                                                    - Philippine Star, August 29, 2007

 

 

When I first read the above line — my initial reaction was “Ha? Sigurado sya sa sinasabi nya?”.  And this argument is coming from the person who believes the he is the best candidate to become the next Philippine president.  I do not claim to know the law regarding wire tapping. But I do know that two public officials can have “private conversations” kahit na public officials sila.  May hangganan din naman ang pagiging public figure.  Wala lang – I have no plans of blogging today – pero di ko lang napigilan ng nabasa ko ito. The Hello Garci issue is already a thing of the past. The opposition already had their chance – and they lost. Tama na. Tigilan na. Move on. Asikasuhin nyo yung trabaho nyo.  Pass new laws…. or whatevet it is that you do. I am not pro-administration nor an opposition. I am just a common Filipino who believes that there is something more important than politics. 

 

Para sa interesado…. I copied the full article below…. 

 

5 senators block reopening of ‘Hello, Garci’ probe
By Aurea Calica And Christina Mendez

Philippine Daily Inquirer
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Senators failed yesterday to decide whether to proceed with the inquiry of the “Hello, Garci” wiretap controversy after a deadlock on the issue of using the recorded conversations in the investigation.

The senators were locked in debate over whether to move on with the investigation following questions raised by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on the propriety of using the contents of wiretapped conversations, which is illegal under the law.

Senators Joker Arroyo, Richard Gordon and Edgardo Angara also raised the possibility of bringing to the Supreme Court the issue of violation of the Anti-Wiretapping Law or Republic Act 4200.

Only one issue was settled: the investigation must be made by the Senate committee of the whole.

The four senators questioned the legality of using the wiretapped conversations in the investigation, pointing out that it is not allowed under the law and the Constitution.

After Sen. Panfilo Lacson presented the videotape of former military intelligence agent Vidal Doble confirming that he tapped the “Hello, Garci” conversation, Gordon raised the legality of using the contents of the recorded conversation as the focus of the Senate investigation.

This prompted the Senate committee on rules led by Sen. Francis Pangilinan to refer the matter before the whole body to constitute a committee of the peers.

In a privileged speech, Santiago said she is not against investigating the issue of wiretapping.

If the Senate finally admits the wiretapped tapes as evidence, Santiago said “the Senate would be an unwitting accessory to a crime.”

According to Santiago, the Senate can “pinpoint who is criminally liable” for ordering the wiretapping operations but cannot hear contents of the tapes.

Santiago also stressed the Senate must respect the law and refrain from using the contents of the wiretapped conversations as the focus of its investigation.

Santiago said the Senate has the duty to set an example for the House of Representatives not to utilize the contents of the wiretap conversations.

The House earlier initiated an investigation over the wiretap scandal in which the contents were made the basis of an impeachment complaint against President Arroyo.

“It is the duty of the Senate to educate the House on pressing points of constitutional law,” she said.

Angara, for his part, described the Hello Garci inquiry as a “re-hashed” issue.

He said the Senate is apparently stuck in a “time-warp” where some of his colleagues keep harping on the same issue. 

“Some of us are no longer interested… it should be heard by just one committee,” Angara said.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile added the Supreme Court would not agree to the use of the contents of the wiretap recordings as evidence to prosecute any offense.

“It is very clear that it shall be inadmissible in any purpose in any proceedings,” Enrile said.

He said the Senate can investigate the wiretapping “without having to receive any portion or the whole of the tape because the public already knows about the (alleged) wiretapped conversations.”

“If your point is only to investigate the wiretapping… We will find out who ordered the wiretapping, where did they do it? Who are you? What unit did they belong to?” Enrile said.

Enrile stressed there is no need to play the tapes during the investigation since “any material contained in the tape is prohibited to be revealed.”

“That is an option that is available to test the issue and test the limits of RA 4200. But I think we can conduct the inquiry, hear the oral testimony but not that illegal material,” Enrile said.

Gordon earlier said the Senate is “in effect… trying the President” if the committee of the whole moves to pursue the hearing on the issue.

Gordon raised the possibility of bringing the issue before the Supreme Court.

“The test is to make it right, this might go to the Supreme Court. If we pursue it, then we will be wasting the time of the SC and we will be wasting the time of Congress,” he said.

Gordon said the Senate committee on defense chaired by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon should handle the investigation. 

“As long as the recordings are not used as evidence, we want to investigate the military (personnel) who conducted the wiretap operations,” he said.

“It’s even coming from a polluted source,” said Gordon, apparently referring to Doble.

Gordon shared the view of former senator Francisco Tatad that forcing the issue would result in a constitutional crisis.

He also supported Santiago’s position that the issue may be brought to the Supreme Court if not properly resolved at the Senate.

 Arguing the exceptions

The senators decided to just continue their discussions and hold their caucus today.

If there would be a collective agreement to move on the investigation, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. said summons and invitations will be sent to resource persons who would testify, including Doble.

Lacson, for his part, said it is not an issue for him if the tapes were played or not as long as the hearings would push through.

Lacson said Doble has expressed willingness to testify and identify other people involved in the wiretapping operation.

He said Doble should be given protection from arrest after admitting to the wiretapping since he is the subject of a legislative inquiry,

According to Lacson, the supposed wiretapped conversations between President Arroyo and former election official Virgilio Garcillano should not be covered by RA 4200.

Lacson argued that the law “refers only to private conversations,” claiming the conversations between two public officials could not be considered private.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal also argued the constitutional right to privacy should always yield to public interest.

She said Congress has the right to inquire on matters of public interest under its power of oversight.

Madrigal even cited a Supreme Court ruling in her argument that the right of privacy or the “right to be let alone” like the right of free expression “is not an absolute right.”

She said that even in the United States, executive privilege was not upheld by the courts following the Watergate scandal that forced US President Richard Nixon to resign.

Arroyo, on the other hand, questioned the propriety of convening the Senate as a committee of the whole over the issue.

“Is Doble that important for the whole Senate to meet?” he asked.

Arroyo said the committee of the whole should not be trivialized for an issue that has been investigated many times before.

“The committee on rules, by another name, is called the steering committee. In fact, it is the most powerful committee of the Senate. Any question on the rules would have to be resolved by the committee on rules because a member of the Senate (Gordon) raised the question on whether we should proceed,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said he was not blocking the investigation to cover up for those who might be guilty, but he also raised the legality of using the contents of the wiretapped conversation in the investigation.

He warned against “weakening the committees” as this might “weaken the institution itself.”

Arroyo said it was unfortunate that the issue now was being blown out of proportion.

“What is involved here is really the constitutional provision, and when a violation of constitutional provision is involved, there is a dictum, if there is a violation of constitutional rights, the court is ousted,” Arroyo said.

He said the Senate committee on rules should not abdicate its jurisdiction over the issue.

“The (rules) committee is the primary committee here. That is why the chairman of the committee (Pangilinan) is the majority leader, because it’s the premier committee, which settles disputes before we take up anything in the committees,” Arroyo pointed out.

With the objections raised by Arroyo and Enrile being overruled, the senators found themselves locked in almost two hours of deliberations over the issue.

Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Lacson, Senators Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano and Manuel Roxas II voted to have the matter discussed by the committee of the whole since the matter had been referred to it.

The privilege speech of Lacson was earlier referred to the committee of the whole after several senators expressed interest in the matter. 

Songs, Dances and Big Hairs

Hairspray was big during my late-elemetary-early high school days. Ito yung panahon na mayroong contest ang mga kababaihang estudyante kung sino ang may pinakamataas na bangs. Ito rin yung panahon na pinag-isipan ng mga school officials na maglagay ng maximum height limit information sa bawat pintuan ng paaralan. Napapadami kasi ang nauuntog ang bangs and there is this fear that this may cause cancer.  I do think that it takes certain skill sa mga kababaihan para maptayo nila ang kanilang bangs as humanly possible. It also takes dedication — as I do think they need quite some time bago makakuha ang perfectly sculpted bangs. Buti na lang at limpias din ang craze na ito. All that is left are embarrassing photos/videos and a huge hole in the Earth’s Ozone layer.

 

Then came – Hairspray – a film-turned-musical-turned -film. A musical set in the early 60’s in Baltimore, Maryland. Frankly – I am not familiar with the musical Harspray nor seen the 80’s original film version. I am also not aware of any song from this musical. But seeing John Travolta in a fat suite playing a 60’s woman – well — that is something that can make me let go of my hard earned SGD$9.00. In preparation to this musical foray – I decided to first listen to the film’s OST.  Surpsingly –  the soundtrack is quite good. It’s like Grease with additional cellulites.  After the OST review I am quite sure that I am ready to see Hairspray!     

 

Last Sunday – I roped a friend to accompany me watch Hairspray in Shaw Lido. I am pleasantly surprised that I liked the film. It was really very entertaining. There are no boring moments. It’s one great scene to another. The dance sequences are great.  Parang puro professional dancers ang sumasayaw. I have newfound respects to the actors. John Travolta is perfect as Edna Turnblad. Nakakatawa talaga siya. Much is expected from him – and he truly delivered! Michelle Pfeiffer  as Velma von Tussle is good as expected. Yun nga lang – she seems too skinny – which is actually perfect for the role she’s playing but not real life.  Queen Latifah  exudes royalty in every scene. I still prefer her as Matron Mama Morton in Chicago but she is also damn fine as Motormouth Maybelle.  Her rendition of I Know Where I’ve Been is very touching. Zac Efron’s as Link Larki is like Troy  Bolton in the 60’s.  Not much difference really – maybe because his High School Musical character have certain similarities with his character in Hairspray. To his credit – he sings and dances really  well. Kailangan lang nya magdiversify ng roles or else he will be stereotyped to this kinds of roles.  Newcomer Nikki Blonsky as Teracy Turnblad is a revelation. She is very likeable.  She dances really well. Parang balewala lang yung excess weight nya! Sabi nga nung kasama ko – she’s like a young Kathy Najimy. As for the songs – all the songs are great – but I particularly like John Travolta and Christopher Walken’s “Your’e timeless to Me”, Nikki Blonsky’s “Good Morning Baltimore” and the final song “You Can’t Stop the Beat”.

 

Behind the songs, dances and big hair – the movie primarily tackles discrimination. The segregation of the white from the he black is a very sensitive topic.  The movie ends with the show being an integrated show – black people and white people can dance together in the show. No more “ Negro day”. Color of the skin is no longer an issue — or so it seems. Personally – even in the current time – discrimination is still present. And it is not only the black people now – Asians are discriminated as well. We Filipinos have been the recipients of discriminations. I think that to say discrimination is gone is a big fat lie. It is still there – and I don’t think it will disappear. Natatakpan lang ito ng “Tolerance”.  Of course we cannot deny that much has changed… pero I d o think that we have still a long way to go… maybe a few hundred more years bago mawala nang tuluyan ito.

 

Opps… sobra nang seryoso yan.  And I don’t want to end this blog on a so-serious note.  Anyway — kung kayo ay feeling blue… or may free time … and does not abhor singing….. I suggest that you watch Hairspray.  Bilang closing – one sign during the “big march” scene states  “Television is Black and White”…… fastforward to today …. television is in Technicolor….. but it seems that nothing much has changed …… discrimination is still existing …. nadagdagan lang ng kulay….. Hmmm.. something we all have to think about. 

 

More Hairspray info on following links :

 

http://www.hairspraymovie.com/

http://www.hairspraymovie.com/blog

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427327/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairspray_%282007_film%29

 

 

 

Top 10

I read in the Inquirer about a new Filipino Web Portal patterned after Wikipedia. They named the site Wikipilipinas – Hip and Free Philippine Encyclopedia. Since I am a huge Wikipedia user – I decided  to visit the sirte. It certainly has the Wikipedia feel. I am not to sure yet on the content as I have just started visiting the site – but I become an instant fan of the “Top Ten List” – medyo weird lang kasi yung hindi naman puro top 10 lang ang laman … minsan top 40 etc..etc.. so why Top Ten? Ewan.  

I am a huge top whatever list fan. I still remember during my early highschool days —my cousin and I would be glued to the fm radio stations in the Philippines every Dec 31. Bakit? The year-end song countdown! We would have our pen and paper at hand – switch from station to station and made sure that we list all the songs. Problem is — sabay-sabay ang start nung countdown so we have to listen to multiple stations (DZMB, DWKC, DWLS, DWRR ang natatandaan ko) – and we only have 1 radio. Isipin nyo na lang kung anong strategy ang ginagawa naming  para mailista ang mga songs. We would even go in shifts — to make sure that at least 1 person is monitoring. And I am proud to say that every year – we are able to list down all the songs from the 4 radio stations mentioned.  And what do we do with the list? Wala… kinakalimutan na afterwards.  Come to think of it — its not exactly the list which made it fun – it was the process of creating the list. The scheming para di kami mapansin ng mga oldies, ang pagtiming on when one song ends and another starts… ang strategy to make sure at least one person is left beside the radio para walang mamiss na song.  Hay.. those were the days when I was still young and naïve hehehehe….. 

Back to the lists……tulad ng nasabi ko… Wikipilipinas has a Top Ten List section which gives quite interesting trivia information. While reading the list I may mga bagay akong naliwanagan….  

1.        I do not have any relative or friend or even an acquaintance na nasa top 40 richest Pinoy. Puro dukha at maralita lang talaga ang madalas kong ka-rubbing elbow!Karamihan din ng nasa richest ay involve with Airlines, Banking, Mass Media, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Communication and Food business. Walang yumaman kasi isang techer or government employee. This only means na mas malakas ang chance na yumaman if you will be your own boss…. Risk entering into a business or something. Mukhang walang chance if you are just an ordinary employee.

2.        Same as the richest — wala rin akong karubbing elbow na Socialite….. hmm… san kaya yung top ten Social Climbers…. Baka dun ako may kilala!

3.        Nueva Ecija – province where I came from — does not have any popular tourist spot. What (kunwari gulat!)?????

4.        Not to go to the Calayan! Wala pala sila sa top 10… hmm.. odd……

5.        Na posibleng maging next millionaire yung mga students na nag-ka-cutting class para mag bilyar.  It seems that billiards is a very lucrative sports. Na-eclipse nya ang basketball! Golf may pay well…. Pero mahal din naman kasi ang capital mo dito.  Billiards on the other hand — marami namang bilyaran dyan sa tabi-tabi na mura lang ang rent.

6.        Niknok was snubbed in the top ten characters in Philippine Komiks! Sino ba yung Kulafu na yun? Wala yata akong kakilala na hindi lumaki kasama ang Funny Komiks! Every Friday is like Christmas day! Ito kasi ang labas ng new issue ng Funny Komiks. I remember when I was still very young and hindi pa marunong magbasa — iipinin kami nung older cousin ko para basahan ng Funny Komiks. And she will do it with the emotions and all. Pati yung tunog ng suntok, sampal at tadyak ng character kasama. Pak. Pok. Tadyak.  Hindi nya pinalalampas yan. She was our Lola Basyang at that time and Funny Komiks provide the kwento.

7.        A very good one liner dialogue can put a movie in classic status. Who would forget Lavinia’s “Your nothing but a second rate .. trying hard.. copycay”? Or  “Ibalik nyo sa akin si Junjun”… or “ Si Bal na walang malay”?  Napapansin ko lang sa mga local movies ngayon – medyo madalang na ang mga classic lines na tulad ng mga nabanggit.  Parang nauubusan na ng idea yung mga scriptwriters.  Hay… “I…. never…. tell you…..  that  I love you….”….

8.        There are a lot of great Filipino movie titles before… Nagalit ang buwan sa haba ng gabi is one great movie title. I haven’t seen this film — but the title is very intriguing. It must be a really long night….  Kasi pati ang buwan nagalit… OT na raw sya.  “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?” is good as well.  It says a lot right?  Hay… ngayon .. wala na kwenta mga titiles… puro na lang galing sa kanta. Dapat ibalik yung dating proseso — think of a great title — then create the theme song. Not the other way around – aiyah…. 

8 lang ang naisip ko… so top 8 lang yan…. Would have wanted to add more… pero kailangan ko na work…. Ayon sa aking to do list — I am way behind schedule na….  If you want to visit Wikipilipinas — link is http://www.wikipilipinas.com/.

Si Chichay at si Sassy Neighbor

A surprisingly busy day for me. I arrived in the office very early – 8:30 a.m. Dahil sa phenomenon na ito – naniwala na ang mga tao dito sa office  that miracles do happen! We have a 9:00 meeting and I don’t want to be late. Napa-aga naman ako sobra. But its a good thing – nagkaroon pa rin ako ng time to eat a heavy breakfast. For sure kasi na matagalan ang meeting dahil kasama sina Chichay at My Sassy Neighbor sa pulong.  Hmm.. di ko pa pala naiintroduce si Chichay – well…. Epitome sya ng pinaghalong Anaps ( sa di nakakaalam – ito ang tawag sa mga Pana… di pa rin gets…. Kantahin nyo… I*** Pana… kakana-kana….. Gets na?)  at Tsekwa. So – masama ang ugali, tamda, mahilig magpasa ng trabaho, mahilig kumuha ng credit, mahilig magmarunong at mabaho.  Pag tumingin kayo sa dictionary sa word na “pest” – picture nya ang makikita nyo. Si My Sassy Neighbor naman – sya ang aking immediate supervisor. Bakit My Sassy Neighbor? Kasi kamukha nya yung local artist dito sa Land of  “Lah” — na currently bida sa local tv sitcom na My Sassy Neighbor. Basta – mukha pa lang — sitcom na!  Tuwing may pulong – si Chichay – mahilig bumangka. Pabida ba. Kung ano-ano ang sinasabi at itinatanong — na mga wala namang sense. Yung pulong na 30 mins – nagiging 3 hours pag kasama sya. Aksaya panahon. Si My Sassy Neighbor naman – pag nagexplain ay parang may mga nursery students sa meeting. Parang nag-eexplain sa mga tanga ba. Haba tuloy ng pulong. Naku – for sure masasabihan na naman kami ng “Use your common sense… for this task – you must use your intelligence”. Pramis – the first time na sinabihan nya ako — muntik nang macancel ang kanyang show due to death of the lead actress. Buti na lang – nakapagpigil ako!

The dreaded meeting —- as expected – singhaba ito ng Lord of the rings — 3 movies combined! As expected — starring role si Chichay as “Precious”.  Akala nga naming sya ang chair nung meeting eh. As expected — feeling nursery teacher si My Sassy Neighbor. As expected – praning mode sila while talking about the current bank project.  Masyado nga na-exercise ang mata ko e — karo-roll … expert na nga ako sa rolling of the eyeball! Wala lang – nung napansin ko nga na roll ako ng roll ng aking eyeball — naisip ko na ang sama kong tao. Am I always looking down on my teammates? Feeling superior ba ako sa kanila? Hmm.. malamang… maybe because I have experienced worse — and feeling ko kapraningan lang talaga… or  mafeeling lang sila na what we are doing is really hard and complicated.   Minsan nga tawanan ang lahat – pero di ko magets kung ano nakakatawa. Am I really a square peg trying to fit in a round hole? Hmm… pwede…. Pero sa ngayon – tiis na lang muna.  Sayang din ang sweldo no. Pahinga muna sa kumpanya na ito – until something better comes along. As expected – meeting ended way past lunch time. Salita pa rin ng salita si Chichay! Nagbubulungan na nga kami na malapit nang maging crime scene yung meeting room. Finally — natapos din… 1:00! Good thing that I had a heavy breakfast!

Af ter lunch  – tuloy tuloy na sa programming tasks. Naninibago ako – it’s been 3 or so years nung huli ako nag-code.  Tingin tuloy ako ng tingin sa mga existing programs. Sa sobrang serious ko sa work – muntik na akong maiyak.. este malimutana ang doctor’s appointment ko. Tumigil muna ako —and went to the doctor . Nasa 21^st floor  lang naman e. The doctor gave me medication for my blood pressure. Unusually high kasi — sabi ko kasi galing ako sa meeting. He gave the usual sermon – loose weight, less carbo, less salt, less oil, exercise….  Sabi ko – less Chichay? Hehehehe… will definitely follow doctor’s advice.

After the doctor’s appointment – work ulit. It’s a nice feeling actually — doing something. Finally – bumilis na ang oras. Unlike the past few months na talaga naman bored ako.  Close to 6:00… I decided that I need a break – I did more thant what I should do. Kailangan magtira naman ako … baka maubos…  so I decided to write this blog…. Which I am glad I did…. … so paano … sa muli….. PAALAM!

Dry Spell

I am in a “blogging” dry spell. Yup. Wala akong maisip na isulat. Gone are the days na dire-diretso lang ang patipa ko sa aking keyboard while the ideas flow freely. Ngayon – I have been staring at a blank MS Word page for a few minutes now and still — wala pa rin. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Iniisip ko nga ang madalas na topic ko sa aking blogs :

1.        Food! — hmm…. Nada… I haven’t been to any new eating places lately. I haven’t eaten anything out of the ordinary. So far – lahat ng kinakain ko ay on the “OK lang”  list. I had the “best banana walnut muffin” for merienda yesterday – but it seems ordinary with every bite. Don’t get me wrong — it was delicious… still the best banana walnut muffin in my opinion — but seems ordinary…. Hmmm….

2.        Television — hmm… Zilch….  Wala akong sinusubaybayan ngayon sa Boobtube…. Walang teleserye na nakakuha ng aking attention. 

Walang Kapalit – dapat na itong palitan. Masyado nang stretch ang story.

Kokey – hmm… the character is weirdly lovable… di ko alam kung nakakatakot sya or nakakatuwa. Hmm… kailangan ko pagisipan mabuti yan.

Ysabella  –   nagiging boring. Parang walang chemistry between the lead stars which is odd dahil magsyota sila. Or maybe it’s the too much drama… the initial episodes are very promising… but somehow the recent ones are too melodramatic. Coney Reyes is good though.

Natutulog pa ang Diyos — well the title says it all … it seems that everyone is sleeping while making this series. The characters can’t act….  no chemistry….  Plot and dialogues are  bad…  hmm.. basta.. I can’t say anything good about this series. Mukhang kailangan nating gisingin ang Diyos dahil I do think that we need a miracle to make this show worth watching.

Margarita – hay… don’t start with me… I was able to catch a couple of episodes.. In fairness — Wendy is not that terrible in acting… may potential ika nga… but the dancing… more… more… more practice! Sobrang gasgas na ng storyline nito…. Kung dvd ito – iluluwa na ng dvd player kasi unplayable na.

As for the “imported” shows — nandyan pa rin naman ang mga usual suspects — Brothers and Sisters, CSI, Veronica Mars, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty etc.  Mukhang sa “local” shows lang talaga mayroong shortage of good and quality television e.   Hay…. kailan ba sisimulan ang Maging Sino Ka Man? Miss ko na si Celine, Jackie, Ely at JB!

       

3.        Current Events —  as per normal… yan ang aking description sa mga news and current events na nangyayari. Sa Pinas – the usual stories pag ganitong panahon — baha at bagyo. Syempre nandyan pa rin ang mga ever reliable na corruption, dirty politics at mga oppositions. Lam nyo – ang mga Pilipino (me included) – napakagaling maghanap ng mali na ginagawa ng iba. Kaya buhay na buhay ang mga oposisyon sa Pinas e.  Just read in the news that the senate will again open up the Hello garci issue. Isa lang masasabi ko dyan – Hello! Senate!…. mukhang wala na namang mga batas na maipapasa.  Dapat siguro ang senate isama na lang sa NBI… hilig naman nila mag-investigate e. Does anyone still care about the Hello Garci issue? Hmm.. sabagay … meron… yung oposisyon… para magkagulo at baka sakaling makaupo sila ng mas maaga bilang presidente. Kung ako sa kanila —- isapuso muna nila ang ibig sabihin ng “united opposition” – kasi sila-sila nag-ooppose sa isa’t-isa. Sabagay – oposisyon nga e.

4.        Travel — asa pa hehehe.. the only traveling I do nowadays is from Simei to Tanjong Pagar via Bus 531.  Saka MRT pala  from Tanjong Pagar to Simei.  Nandyan pa rin naman paminsan-minsan ang taxi… but.. I am happy to mention na nabasawan na ang aking pag-tataxi. Wala na akong pangtaxi e… mahal…  Bago ko malimutan… a bright light in the horizon… possible trip to Bangkok! Fingers crossed…..

5.        Gadgets — hmp.. pangtaxi nga wala e… pangbili  pa ng bagong toy.  The Motorola V9X is still to be released… baka end of this year daw or early next year.  The new IMac…. Hmm… tempting…. pero mukhang no-deal.  Mas practical yata ang MacBook Pro…. My computer expo next week dito sa Singapore – tingnan natin kung gaano kagaling ang aking self-control.

6.        Movies — haven’t watch any movie lately.. the last movie I saw was The Simpsons… no movie night last Friday … slept early…. Wanted to watch the third Bourne movie.. but friends says I need to watch the 2^nd installment first.  Might watch Hairspray this weekend — seems that I need some singing in my boring life….

7.        Books — tambak ang books ko sa bahay…. Bili ng bili.. di ko naman binabasa….  Anyway.. darating din siguro ang time at mababasa ko ito… recently — I’ve been browing on some fiction books sa bookstores…. Gusto ko kasing magbasa ng isang novel na masasabi ko talagang wow…. Yung I missed half of my life kung di ko ito nabasa? So far… wala pa akong napipili… kung meron kayong suggestion… suggest nyo lang… pero make sure na talagang worth basahin ha… I wanted somethimg different… kakaibang storyline….  No  auto/biographies please……

8.        Office — same-same.  Lakad pa rin ng lakad si Chichay. Puro pa-japorms pa rin si Ate Vi. Malapit nang mawala  si Ate A. At  nakakatawa pa rin ang pagmumukha ni My Sassy Neighbor. Nothing to report….

9.        Friends — hmm… meron ba ako nun? Alam nyo naman ako loner…. Hehehehe….. wala naman ako masyado natsitsismis sa mga sangkaibiganan. May mga sad L…. May mga happy J…. may mga deadma…. May mga praning…. All in all — tuloy pa rin ang ikot ng mundo.

10.     Plans — I am thinking of enrolling to something… Cooking? Pwede….  Computer Related course like java, html etc ? Pwede rin…. Something artistic — computer graphics, photography? Pwede rin. Driving? Pwede rin. Isa lang problema – naghahanap pa ako ng mag-sponsor ng aking scholarship… hehehehe….. that … or  need to save muna pangbayad ng tuition fee…  Sa mga mag-volunteer to sponsor sa aking quest to further my education — contact me anytime J

Yan.. yan ang aking top 10 topics sa aking mga blog. At wala talaga ako maisip na isulat sa kahit ano man sa kanila …This dry spell  should end soon. Baka iisa na lang nga ang aking fan – mawala pa.  For the meantime — tiis-tiis na lang po muna tayo… Ganyan talaga ang buhay … minsan may tagtuyot … hmm…. cloud seeding….. pwede din kaya itong sagot sa aking “blog” dry spell?    

Sick Week

1.        I again went to the doctor last Friday.  Naubos na kasi yung medicine na binigay nung doctor last Monday — pero di pa rin ako gumagaling. This new doctor said  I caught the flu. He gave me a new batch of medications – and sternly advise me to rest. Hay – another weekend of seeing nothing but the four corners of my room. I went home immediately after office. While on the MRT – I have this sudden craving for pritong talong, danggit at Argentina Meatloaf! Ganun talaga ako pag may-sakit – maraming cravings. Buti na lang at nasa bahay na rin yung isa kong housemate – tinulungan nya ako magluto! Otherwise – baka maawa ako sobra sa aking sarili – sick and cooking! L I had a very fulfilling dinner – then went to bed very early. Need to follow the doctor’s orders — at least for that day. J

2.        I had a very uneventful weekend. Ayaw ko na kasing maging sick – kaya I followed the doctor’s order. Rest… rest…rest… and more rest. Napagod na nga ako kare-rest e! But it was a nice break. Masarap din paminsan-minsan na nasa bahay lang the entire day. Just me — my laptop — the tube and my  laundry. Yup – laundry. Somehow — therapeutic sa akin ang paglalaba ng damit (washing machine ha… hindi manual hehehe).  Not really sure why — pero maybe it has something to do with the clean and fresh scent of the clothes afterwards.  Wala lang … mainam din… at least di ko na kailangan magpunta pa sa Spa para magrelax. Tipid na — tapos pa ang labada!

3.        Mukhang medyo nasobrahan yata ako ng TFC last weekend —- habang nag-iisip kasi ako ng isusulat dito sa aking blog — puro showbiz ang naiisip ko. Hmmm….. deal na nga… wala naman akong ibang maisip e……

a.        Vina Morales — saw her on ASAP. She won an international contest or something — habang sumasayaw at kumakanta sya — isa lang ang naisip kong sabihin sa kanya — “Ate … tigilan mo na ang pagpapalaki ng katawan. Sige ka.. baka tawagin ka nilang  Kuya.”

b.        Sharon Cuneta and Charlene Gonzales — hmmm… wala lang…. pansin ko lang… sobra silang sweet sa mga show nila …. As in nauuta na ako sa sweetness… suggestion – wag sila masyado tatabi sa tinidor or kutsarita… baka mapagkamalan silang desserts! ( Tingin ko – ako may issue dito — grumpy talaga kasi ako by nature J )

c.        Ruffa and Ylmaz — please lang. Bumalik na kayo sa Turkey. Mas masaya ang buhay naming lahat nung di naming kayo nakikita. Pagkatapos nyong maglaba ng very dirty laundry in public – magkakabalikan din naman pala. Aiyah.

d.        Angel Locsin – saw the ASAP grand welcome. Am now wondering if she is really that  “sikat”? I personally don’t see anything extraordinary about her — pero benefit of the doubt — tingnan na lang natin in the future if she’ll deliver. Isa pa – why the Piolo Pascual angle? Hmmm… tiyak matsismis itong dalawang ito na may relasyon or something.

e.        Roxanne Guinoo – kumanta sya sa ASAP… bakit parang wala pa rin sya sa sarili nya? Hehehe… akala ko sa Wowowee lang sya ganun.

f.        Gee-anne and Mickey – may chemistry nga sila no? Pwede ba wag na lang si Bodie?

g.        Wendy Valdez – promise…. May maganda ang sasabihin ko this time…… okay naman pala sya umarte.  Kailangan lang nya praktis magsayaw. Natatawa ako nung sumasayaw sya e.

h.       Edu Manzano – nakakatawa talaga sya pag sumasayaw ng Papaya dance. Hehehe…. Sana maganda yung 1 vs 100.

i.         Kokey – di naman pala sya nakakainis. Nakakatuwa rin yung mga bata na bida. Para talaga silang bata – nakakainis kasi yung bata na matanda na kung umarte.

j.         Anne Curtis – she can do no wrong — bias ba sobra? J Tagal naman ng Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2!

k.       Bea Alonzo – bakit parang ang delicious naman nya nung Sunday sa ASAP? Nagpaganda para hindi matabunan ni Angel?

l.         Mariel Rodriguez – saw her in Your Song. Hmm… Mariel… labs kita… pero mukhang hosting ka talaga dapat.

m.      XXX – hmmm… marami na namang mga kalalakihan ang magwawala dahil sa pinasara nyo ang kanilang hangout! Pero galing nung babae ha. Kalevel na nya yung mga nagso-show sa Bangkok at Amsterdam.

Hay….. titigilan ko na… wala nang kwenta e….  baka makatulog pa ang nagbabasa nito… basta… bottom line – pag may sakit — may dadamay sa inyo …. TFC….

4.        I’m having a terrible day here in the office for the following reasons :

a.        si Ate Vi

b.        si Ate Vi

c.        si Ate Vi

d.        si Ate Vi

Hmp! Hindi si Vilma Santos the actress ha…. Yung isa ditong lead na itinatago naming sa pangalang Ate Vi.  Wala lang — bakit ba hindi kasi maniwala na may error… sinabi ko nang may error … pinakitaan ko pa ng documents as proof …. hindi pa rin maniwala…  do I look dumb? O.. walang sasagot ng mali… baka madamay kayo sa inis ko kay Ate Vi. Naku … pag ako di nakapagpigil — dudumihan ko ang damit nya! Hmp…  Di pa dyan natapos — pagkatapos nyang ipagpilitan na gawin ko yung ”standard” nya na walang kwenta — lumalabas pa na ako ang nag-isip nung katangahan na yun. Naku. Pasensya na po — slightly inis lang ako… pero pleasing talaga ang personality ko… pag tulog! J

Buhay Opis – Inside Dexter’s Laboratory

1.        I am getting sleepy. My eyelids are slowly closing…. Nope – I am not trying to hypnotize myself.  I am still taking the medicines the doctor has given me last Monday and a couple of medicines have the disclaimer “ May cause drowsiness”. Drowsiness indeed. After taking the pills — I do get sleepy. I am not sure if I am just plain lazy or due to the medicine I am taking. Hmm…. I do think its because of the medicine as I am a very hardworking person. J Fine – itutulog ko na ito —- kung ano-ano na sinasabi ko e. Kaso di pwede matulog dito sa officezzzzzzzz…….

 

 

2.        Okay… medyo gising na ako…  I have been very voacal that I am bored with my current job. Boring with a capital B. My previous job is eventful and exciting. Nga lang – tambak talaga ng trabaho at stress. Hindi nawawalan ng problema.  Factory yata ng issues at stress ang Utsu e. I used to complain about my previous job… and is currently complaining about my current job. These past few days – napapaisip talaga ako. Siguro tama nga ang kasabihan na the grass is always greener if its raining este on the other side of the fence. Pero come to think of it — hindi naman ako umalis sa Utsu dahil sa dami ng trabaho. Hay – ewan. Basta nababato ako dito. Pag nagtagal-tagal pa ako dito – baka sabihan ako ng mga tao na “Rolly — istatue?”. Hehehehe… cute ng joke. Ang hindi tumawa – nakasimangot!

 

3.        Whenever I send a work-related mail here in the office – I always make it a point to tick the “request a read receipt for this message” box.  Wala lang – I wanted to know if my mail has been read by the recipient. Ganyan din kasi ang nakagawian ko na sa Utsu.  However – hindi pala nila gusto dito yan sa Progresibong Bangko.  Just this morning – I again sent a work-related mail to someone with my lead and supervisor copied. After a few minutes – tinawagan ako nung isang Pinay na kateam ko. Pinasasabi daw nung Suprevisor naming na wag akong mag “request a reade receipt”. Nakakaabala daw.  Hmm… Ganun? As in pati yun kailangan pakialaman?As in naabala sya ha? As in ganun sya kabusy? Aiyah. Wala lang. OA naman. Pero di pa dyan natatapos — nung medyo tumigil na ako sa katatanong ng “As in”… napag-isip-isip ko na bakit kailangan pa nyang ipasabi dun sa kateam ko (na malayo din naman sa akin nakaupo) yung kaniyang nararamdamang inconvenience.  Bakit hindi na lang nya ako padalhan ng email? Or tawagan? Or i-SMS? Or magleave ng Comment sa aking Blog? Ayaw ba nya akong kausap? Di naman ako bad breath a. Or masyado syang busy kaki-click nung “request a read receipt” button? Or di nya lang ako kalevel?  Wala lang – weird di ba? As in.

 

 

4.        Maraming weirdo dito sa aming grupo. Kasama na ako dun. Pero dahil blog site ko ito – hindi ko ikwento ang mga kaweirdohan ko.  Baka sa blog nila – dun nakakwento ang kaweirduhan ko.  Simulan natin kay team lead 1 na itatago natin sa pangalang Ate Vi.  Nabanggit ko na yata ako previous blog ko. Tinawagan nya ako minsan at sinabing dalhin ko sa kanya ang hardcopy nung pinagagawa nya sa akin.  Yung softcopy kasi ay nabigay ko na sa kanya previously. So – akala ko idiscuss namin yung pinagawa nya.  Ako naman nagprint at pumunta sa pwesto nya na medyo malayo-layo din from my cubicle. Pagdating ko sa lugar nya – inabot lang nya yung hardcopy at saka nagpasalamat. Ha? Ganun? Gusto mo lang talaga  na ako magprint at dalhin ko sa yo? Considering na may printer malapit sa kanya — mga 15 steps away siguro – di nya kayang magprint mag-isa? Naisip ko nga na dapat basahin ko ulit yung kontrata ko – baka may nakalagay dun na “part time secretary”. Wala lang. Feeling ko its unnecessary and rude. Nagkaroon na rin naman ako ng tao – pero never kong ginawa yun (sa pagkakaalam ko ha). Sabihin ko man siguro na dalhan ako ng hard copy — pero idiscuss ko yung hardcopy na yun.  Wala lang — weird.

 

5.        Si lead 2 naman  ang pagusapan natin. Itago natin sya sa pangalang Lola. Last week — dami naming ginagawang documents review na kailangan within the same day ay maipasa. Syempre – nagcoconcentrate ako mabuti. Ayaw ko silang bigyan ng satisfaction na di ko mameet ang mga deadlines. Biglang nag-ring ang phone. Si Lola. Tinanong nya ako kung siguro daw ba ako sa sinabi kong mali ang file length na nasa worksheet.  Sabi ko – OO… pero idouble check ko ulit kung gusto nya. Kahit naabala ako – check naman ako ulit… ginamit ko yung “sum” ng excel.  Mali talaga – tinawagan ko si Lola – sabi ko confirmed! Sabi nya – e sabi nung isang team mali.. di bale ako na lang titingin. (in English nya sinabi ha.. hindi Tagalog). Medyo napikon ako — bakit ayaw maniwala sa akin. Anyway – deadma… dami work e…  Pamaya-maya ay tumawag na naman si Lola at pinapunta ako sa pwesto nya. Punta naman ako. Tinanong nya ako kung paano ko ini-add para makuha ang total file length. Sabi ko — ginamit ko ang sum ng excel. At sabi ba naman — wag ko raw gamitin ang excel kasi minsan nagkakamali ito. Add ko daw manually. What????? Mali ang excel????? Kailangan ireklamo natin ito sa Microsoft! How dare them sell this software na mag-add lang nagkakamali pa! Its an abomination!!!! Anyway – dahil sinabi ni Lola na i-add ko manually… at ako ay may galang sa matatanda…. bumalik ako sa cubicle ko para mag-add manually… as expected…tama pa rin.  Balik ako sa pwesto ni Lola… sabi nya… tama nga daw… iniadd nya using Excel! *&#$$^%$@$&%#) nga naman buhay ito o. Moral lesson  - magtiwala sa Excel.  

 

6.        Sa Utsu — we heavily use the E-mail and Telephone for communication. E-mail is a must kasi nagsisilbi itong  “evidence” ng mga agreement.Telephone naman pag may mga ilang tanong lang na pwede naman na hindi face to face ang discussion. Dito – kakaiba.  As I mentioned before – nasa kabilang end ako nung floor nakaupo – kaya medyo malayo ako sa mga leads at boss. So – in the normal sane world — pag may mga simple lang naman na queries or tasks — pwede na itawag na lang opr i-email. Pero hindi dito — kadalasan – pupuntahan nila ako personally. Minsan para lang sabihin na  — nagsend sila ng mail… or may meeting…. or something very simple. Hello!!!! Kaya nga may telepono. Minsa nga gusto ko sabihin na “Leads.. this is the telephone.. have you met?”.  Wala lang – siguro di lang ako sanay sa ganun. Masyadong pa-close. Or feeling ko waste of time nila. A.. basta.. I find it weird…

 

 

 

7.        Marami pang kaweirdohan dito….. pero sa mga future blog entries na yung iba. Para naman may maisulat pa ako next time.  Pero alam nyo – come to think of it – dahil lahat sila ay naweweirduhan ako …. Hindi kaya ako ng weird? Hmmm… di naman siguro. Teka lang ha — icharge ko lang yung aking electronic spaceship. Susunduin ko mamaya si Kokey e.  J  

 

 

8.        Last  … and definitely not related to the previous items above. Wala lang — naisip ko lang na maganda na mayroon din napupulot na kaalaman sa aking blog entries. For this entry — naisip ko lang ito ng mabasa ko sa newspaper na wala nang drought sa Pinas.  Sobra na nga ang tubig e.. kaya baha naman. J Dahil dito – di na daw kailangan ng “cloud seeding”. Cloud seeding? Ano yun? Paano yun? Nacurious ka ba? Ako nacurious …….. kaya eto  – mula sa http://ask.yahoo.com/20020920.html

 

                  

Dear Yahoo!:

What is cloud seeding?

Stel Singapore

Dear Stel:

We couldn’t shake the mental picture of a gardener in the sky, digging little holes in the clouds and dropping in seeds, but we were pretty sure that wasn’t how cloud seeding worked. We set out to learn more by doing a little rain dance, then typing “cloud seeding” into the Yahoo! search box. Here’s what we learned. Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification. It can be used to disperse fog, suppress hail, or control winds, but is most often used to increase precipitation. In order to understand the process, however, a basic understanding of clouds and how precipitation is formed is needed. As warm air rises from the Earth, it begins to cool and forms tiny droplets of water that condense into cloud droplets. Cloud droplets are formed around particles of dust, salt, or soil (called cloud condensation nuclei) that are always present in the atmosphere. These cloud droplets group together into clouds, which can form precipitation in one of two ways. In warm temperatures, the droplets in the clouds merge with many other droplets and become heavy enough to fall to the Earth as rain. (It takes millions of cloud droplets to form a single raindrop.) In colder temperatures, the droplets of water form ice crystals. Other droplets freeze onto these ice crystals, which grow larger and heavier until they fall to the ground as rain, snow, or hail. Cloud seeding is actually a very complex process. In the simplest terms, it introduces other particles into a cloud to serve as cloud condensation nuclei and aid in the formation of precipitation. There are three types of cloud seeding: static mode, dynamic mode, and hygroscopic seeding. Static mode cloud seeding seeks to increase rainfall by adding ice crystals (usually in the form of silver iodide or dry ice) to cold clouds. Dynamic mode cloud seeding increases rainfall by enhancing “vertical air currents in clouds and thereby vertically process more water through the clouds.” Basically, in this method of seeding, a much larger number of ice crystals are added to the cloud than in the static mode. In hygroscopic seeding, salt crystals are released into a cloud. These particles grow until they are large enough to cause precipitation to form. Clouds can be seeded from above with the help of airplanes that drop pyrotechnics, or from the ground by using artillery or ground-to-air rockets The science of weather seeding is not without controversy. Many question the validity of the results, since they are difficult to prove. Others feel that science shouldn’t interfere with nature. Still others claim that increasing rain in one area decreases it in another, in effect, “stealing” rain from other lands that may be in need. Many states have also passed legislation that attempts to regulate cloud seeding and other forms of weather modification.

 

 

In Bed with Veronica Mars

Musta na ang aking fan? Take note – FAN lang.  Medyo mtagal-tagal na din kasi akong walang blog entry… at isang tao lang ang nagtanong sa akin bakit? Ibig sabihin – isang tao lang talaga ang masugid kong taga-subaybay! Isa. One. Yi. Uno. Yup.. isa… pero dahil sa isa akong positive person  (ok..ok.. trying to be! Lam ko madami ang magtaas ng kilay pag di ko ni-rephrase) – inisip ko na lang na mainam nang may isang tagasubaybay – kaysa sa wala! 1 is better than None! Yan ang aking bagong paniniwala!

I was on MC (sick leave) yesterday – Monday.  Nope… sick talaga ako this time.. hindi na ito acting.  Last weekend pa ako medyo under the weather. Natuloy na lang sya last Monday – Sore throat, fever and cough. Dahil siguro sa pabago-bagong weather ngayon dito sa Land of Ya Kun Kaya toast. Kadalasan sobrang init then bigla lakas ng ulan sa afternoon.  Factor din siguro yung naka-aircon tapos sobrang init paglabas.   Kung sa Pilipinas lang to – di na kailangan magpadoktor.. Tuseran lang … gamot na sa ubo.. sipon… sakit ng ulo at trangakaso! Tutuo yan.. sabi ni Juday at Mommy Carol e.  Dito kailangan ko pa ng medical certificate para maclaim ko as  Sick leave ang pagliban ko. Mabuti na lang at may health card kami … libre ang pagkonsulta sa duktor.

Dahil sa kinakailangan ko magpahinga… I spent the entire day in bed kahapon. I am nearing to having the full Season 3 of Veronica Mars . Kaya bilang preparation — pinanood ko na lang ulit ang entire Season 2. Parang review ba. I love the wit of this show. It is one of the best shows in tv land. The script is damn good! The banters are really funny. Of course the show have some “I don’t think that can happen in real life” moments – but this is forgivable.  Hindi naman ito reality show.

Season 3 is the final season for this show. According the the news – the show was canned by the executives. The ratings are going downhill na kasi. And dahil business — need to let go the show. A friend (who is also a fan of the show) and I was discussing bakit hindi nagclick any show na ito. It is definitely not the storylines. Sabi ko nga – it is a well written show. One main possible reason is that maybe – aside from the main lead Kristen Bell (playing Veronica Mars) – the other characters are too generic…. physically and acting wise. Walang masyadong standout. For a show like this whose main target audience are the teens and young adults – kailangan mayroong wow factor. There should be a resident hunk and bombshell. Logan – the resident bad boy is too plain. Parang kulang sa edge. Duncan – the on-off-on-gone boyfriend of Veronica  is forgettable. Wallace is not that convincing as a basketball jock. Although maraming weak characters – there are a few gems din naman.  Mac’s character rocks.  Nakakatuwa yung personality nya – not your usual bespectacled, socially inept computer geek.  Nakakarelate ako sa kanyang sarcasm. J  Enrico Colantoni as Keith Mars is very cool. Cool Dad! Veronica and Keith’s father-daugther relationship is really endearing. According din sa Wikipedia – the show’s demise is also due to the changing time slot sa US and the weak lead-out  shows. You need a steady time slot para hindi malito ang target audience. A strong lead-out is also required para ma-hook na agad ang audience and hindi sila maglipat ng channel.  I also think that the show doesn’t have that good publicity. Kasi kung malakas ang publicity – many people will be intrigued by it – and for sure will be hooked. Wala nga ako masyadong makitang write-ups tungkol sa mga artista ng show na ito or pictures of the cast sa mga Magazines. Sayang talaga – the show has potential. It is really entertaining.

Since last season na ang Season 3 — dadahan-dahanin ko ang panonood. Hay… napapakanta tuloy ako ng “A long time ago… we used to be friends……”.

P.S.

Listen to “We used to be friends” by  The Dandy Warhols. This is the show’s opening theme and it is really good!

Song lyrics | Dandy Warhols lyrics

Just a little tidbit on how much fans love Veronica Mars : “In late March 2007, several other fan campaigns were added to the save Veronica Mars effort, including the “Bars for Mars” campaign. The campaign asks for all fans of the show band together and flood the mailrooms of The CW with actual “Mars” chocolate bar wrappers to show their dedication and loyalty for “Veronica Mars.” Hundreds of wrappers have already been sent to CW offices, and more are to follow.”  More on http://www.barsformars.com/ and http://www.watchveronicamars.net/cloud_watchers/

And some of the famous Veronica Mars and Co. Banters (from IMDB) :

Wallace: I suddenly feel like I’m in a scene from “The Outsiders”.
Veronica: Be cool, Soda Pop.

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Veronica: [voiceover] Let’s be honest though, the only reason I was allowed past the velvet ropes was Duncan Kane.

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Veronica: Did you guys know that 90 per cent of all identity theft is committed by relatives of the victim? That’s an interesting fact. At least I think so.
Caitlin Ford: But you know what? Nobody cares what you think, Veronica Mars. Not any more. Not since you stabbed all of your friends in the back.
Veronica: You seem to care a bit what I think.

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Meg: You believe me, right?
Veronica: You are the last good person here at Neptune High. I believe cartoon birds braided your hair this morning.

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Logan: [standing in front of Veronica's car] Do you have any idea what your little joke cost me?
Veronica: Well, I’m pretty sure you won’t be getting your bong back.
Logan: [smashes Veronica's headlights with a crowbar] Wrong answer. Would you care to guess again?
Veronica: Clearly your sense of humor…

---

Keith: I never want you to think that your mom is the villain in all of this.
Veronica: Isn’t she?
Keith: No, it’s not that simple…
Veronica: Yeah it is. The hero is the one that stays… and the villain is the one that splits.

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Keith: [seeing the game hens Veronica has cooked] You know, elf, we might not be the richest family in town, but we can afford normal-sized birds once a year or so.
Veronica: Game hens. They were just so cute. Plus, this way, we won’t have to eat left-overs on New Year’s.
Keith: That’s smart thinking. Come on, what do they taste like?
Veronica: [laughing] I don’t know. Dense little turkeys?

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Keith: How’s about an early peek at one of your Christmas presents?
Veronica: What about our strict “Christmas morning only” rule?
Keith: This Christmas, we make our own rules. Follow me!
Veronica: [following Keith to her bedroom] I’m so impressed you fit a pony into my room!

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Meg: All of a sudden everyone’s running up to me, saying how they never believed I did those things…
Veronica: I’m glad. Funny, no one’s come running up to me.
Meg: It’s because people are afraid of you.
Veronica: Then something’s working…

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Lilly: I’ve got a secret, a good one.

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Veronica: [enter Keith] And…
Keith: [happy] Who’s your Daddy?
Veronica: I hate it when you say that.
Keith: This is important, you remember this, I used to be cool.
Veronica: When?
Keith: ‘77. Trans-Am, Blue Oyster Cult in the 8-track, foxy, stacked blond riding shotgun, racing for pink slips. Wait a minute, I’m thinking of a Springsteen song. Scratch everything. I was never cool.
Veronica: I don’t know which bothers me more, “foxy” or “stacked”.

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Veronica: Kimmy, why do you insist on pissing me off?

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Veronica: Here’s what you do… you get tough. You get even.
Meg: Really?
Veronica: Works for me.

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Van Clemmons: Mr. Echolls, I was wondering if I could have a word?
Logan: Anthropomorphic. All yours, big guy.

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Lilly: Don’t you watch any horror movies? My soul is doomed to walk the earth until justice has been served…
Veronica: Really?
Lilly: Yeah that, and as kind of a side project, I dispense fashion advice.

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Troy: Isn’t this where we parked? Tell me that this isn’t where we parked. Please, someone tell me that you can see my father’s car and this heart attack I’m having now is for nothing.
Logan: I don’t know. Maybe it’s like Brigadoon. Come back in a hundred years and it’ll be right back in this spot.

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Logan: [about Veronica's car] Nice car. That must have been a *huge* cereal box.

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Veronica: Here’s a thought. If Tijuana was Logan’s idea then stealing the car could’ve been the master plan.
Troy: It was more of a meeting of the minds, if you will.
Veronica: Ah. So what was on the menu for this night of grand debauchery?
Troy: Let’s see. From eight to nine, we brainstormed on how to overthrow Kim Jong Il. From nine to ten, we deleted the records of the black voters of Florida. So after that was all donkey shows.

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Veronica: Look at you, all helpful.
Logan: Hey, your peskiness being unleashed on Conner brings me joy. Annoy, tiny blonde one, annoy like the wind!

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Logan: Do you even know how to play poker?
Veronica: No, but it must be really hard if all you guys play.

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Weevil: Hey, you want a sody-pop?
Veronica: Actually, I think I want something with a little more kick.
[grabs Duncan's whiskey bottle and starts chugging it]
Veronica: Hmm, iced tea. How very musical theater of you.

---

Jackson Douglas: I hear you do detective stuff for people.
Veronica: I do favors for friends.
Jackson Douglas: I can pay.
Veronica: Sit down, friend.

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Veronica: [surprising the Tritons with a camera] Hi, everyone! Say “repressed homosexuality”!

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Logan: F.Y.I.? If cuddling is the best part, he didn’t do it right.

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Veronica: My answer was final. I will not go to prom with him.

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Logan: I just can’t take the begging. I’ll relent, just once – but no cuddling after, and I won’t call you in the morning.

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Veronica: Well, actually, despite popular opinion you really can’t beat the truth out of someone.

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Logan: [to Weevil] If you’re asking me to the prom again, the answer’s still “no”.

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Lamb: [reading $100 bill] Veronica Mars is… smarter than me…
Veronica: Oh, you stop it!

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Rebecca James: You know it sounds like you blame Veronica.
Logan: No, Veronica was my friend too. If she hadn’t ratted me out, then Lilly and I would have stayed together. And Lilly wouldn’t have been alone that day. I would have been there. So yeah I blame Veronica… and I blame myself for being stupid and I blame Lilly for being a bitch that week.
Rebecca James: You know there is another way of looking at this, Logan. If you’d still been together, then you’d have been dead too.
Logan: And what is so great about living?

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Wallace Fennel: Thanks to you, I now have the reputation of being a jock-sniffer.

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Veronica: Wouldn’t it be nice to have glasses in the kitchen that don’t have the Hamburgler on them?

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Mr. Tom Daniels: You know the glow of your father’s wealth and celebrity may be enough to sustain you through high school, Mr. Echolls. But do you know what it will get you in the real world?
Logan: [puts his hands together and looks upward] Please say high school English teacher, please say high school English teacher.

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Mr. Tom Daniels: [walk in to find Weevil and Logan playing cards] Is this Reno or detention?
Logan: Can you believe the best of both.
Weevil: [Daniels takes away their cards] Oh, come on, man.
Logan: What the hell, we were playing a game here.
Mr. Tom Daniels: This is punishment gentlemen, not party time.
Logan: Well, that would explain the absence of balloon animals.

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Veronica: I love the smell of testosterone in the morning.
Logan: This is why I suggested attack dogs, but no, my mother wanted an Alpaca.
Veronica: My father sent me with paperwork for your mom.
Logan: You just wanted to say hi. I would have had my slam book out.
Veronica: I wanted to ask you about the game.
Logan: I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Does your super sleuth kit come with a decoder ring? Do you have a pen that writes with invisible ink? Never mind. Don’t care. Mush! Mush!

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Logan: I’m no doctor but, um… I’m pretty sure penicillin will clear that problem right up.
Veronica: I can’t say I was expecting you.
Logan: Yeah, I usually avoid buildings with stained glass.
Veronica: That’s why you haven’t come to visit.

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Veronica: I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.
Logan: I’m not paying you to worry about my health, I’m paying you to follow leads.
Veronica: I wasn’t aware you were paying me.
Logan: This isn’t a favor. It’s a job you know. We’re not exchanging friendship bracelets.
Veronica: I’ll stop braiding.

---

Trina: I’ve been kind of out of the loop lately, are you two…?
Logan: Stop! You shut up. You’re wearing Mom’s clothes, you’re wearing Mom’s hat.
Trina: She was your mom, my stepmom. The lady who liked to parade through the house in a string bikini whenever I had a boy over.
Logan: To be fair, when didn’t you have a boy over.
Trina: Oh, you…
[she goes to pinch his cheek]
Logan: [he smacks her hand away] Dad could have used you there.
Trina: So now you’re worried about Dad’s welfare, isn’t he the Big Bad Wolf. Cigarette burns and broken noses, oh, the stories you used to tell.
Logan: Wow, we should get together and do this more often.
Trina: Well, you’re in luck, I’m headed home now. I guess some accountant finally cancelled Mom’s cards.
Logan: But if you’re coming home who will play “Dead Hooker Two” on “CSI” this week? How will you get your attention fix?
Trina: Maybe I can be the ring girl at one of your bum fights.

---

Logan: Hey, can Dick and Beaver come out to play?

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Veronica: [voiceover discussing her date rape] You want to know how I lost my virginity? So do I.

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Veronica: Hey, Carrie, wait up!
Carrie Bishop: [sarcastically] Why? Did you want the chance to tell me how much you admired me for my brave stand?
Veronica: I want to give you a chance to recant before I prove you’re lying.
Carrie Bishop: Why do you even care?
Veronica: There aren’t many great teachers. Mr. Rooks is one of them.
Carrie Bishop: Yeah, if you can get past the part where he seduces his students.
Veronica: Hey, Carrie, this is me, Veronica. I know you.
Carrie Bishop: You’re so naive.
Veronica: Yeah, that’s me, naive.

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[Logan is playing solitaire]
Weevil: You know what I love, I love that I get a zero for talking. When you were the one talking to me. You get detention for dissing the teacher in front of everybody, I get detention for laughing. Let me ask you something man.
Logan: [looks upward] Is this detention or hell?
Weevil: How do you people not make yourself sick? It’s like you walk on water in this school, for what? It’s nothing that you do, I mean all that matters is who your parents are. And the zip code your mother shot you out in.
Logan: If I donate to the United Latino Pain-in-the-ass fund will you shut the hell up?
Weevil: You like playing with yourself?
Logan: Huh?
Weevil: Or do you want to make things interesting?
Logan: What did you have in mind?
Weevil: [cut to them playing poker] You’re almost as bad as actor as your father.
Logan: You know that you don’t need a diploma to steal hubcaps right? I mean why do you even show up here?
Weevil: I promise my grandmother.
Logan: Hmmm.
Weevil: I don’t break my promises.
Logan: And I mean this, awwwwww.

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Veronica: It’s all fun and games till one of you gets my foot up your ass.

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Veronica: Butters?
Butters: Butters is the name of the weak loser suck-up on South Park. Butters implies soft and fat.
Veronica: But oh, so delicious…

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Veronica: [girlie voice] Finally, a deep throat to call my own.

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Veronica: Is that lasagna I smell?
Keith: Keith Mars’ secret recipe.
Veronica: You double the cheese. Your secret is out… You’re making salad? I know pity cooking when I see it. There must be more bad news.
Keith: Maybe we should wait ’til after dinner, huh?
Veronica: Spill it. I promise I won’t let it ruin my appetite.

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[Veronica is trying to change a flat tire]
Troy: Flat?
Veronica: Just as God made me.

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Troy: I’m Troy, by the way.
Veronica: I’m Veronica.
Troy: Really? Veronica. Okay, yeah, that does make a lot more sense.
Veronica: Makes more sense how?
Troy: Ah, it’s nothing. I just should never listen to those guys. I mean, really, who names their daughter Trampy McBitch?

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Troy: When sexy, sassy girls can’t come to a shindig of mine, it’s time for all parties involved to stand up and just admit that, hey, maybe I was a little bit wrong or sorry. I mean, let bygones by bygones. Screw pride. Let’s dance, baby, let’s dance!
Wallace: That was beautiful, man.

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Trina: Will you just hear me out, please? My boyfriend Dylan spotted me some cash a few months ago and now he’s bugging me about it. I can’t get him off my back.
Logan: Did you try standing up?

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Mandy: [about someone being mean to her] Oh, Veronica! Please, don’t worry about it, it’s not worth it!
Veronica: Oh, it’s so worth it.

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Veronica: You prank-called Mandy?
Lenny: What if I did?
Veronica: Well, I want to congratulate you. Shake your hand. Congratulations! You’ve been named the world’s biggest cockroach. This award is given in recognition in your unparalleled lack of decency and humanity. Bravo. You’re going to die friendless and alone.
Lenny: Hey, everyone knows you’re the biggest…
Veronica: Shut up! If I want you to speak, I’ll wave a Snausage in front of your nose. You use Mandy again to convince yourself you’re not a loser, I will ruin your life. Got it?

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Veronica: [about a "spy pen"] How covert ops of you!
Lilly: [jokingly] I’m going to use it to pass secret messages to all of my lovahs.
Veronica: That’s going to be a very busy little pen.

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[Veronica is trying to get a drunk Logan's keys]
Veronica: Come on, Logan just give me your keys. Leo, can you follow us in your car?
Logan: [giggling] No. No. No. No. Let’s not have a party like it’s 1999.
Logan: [points to Leo] Wait, who’s this dude?
Veronica: As I have told you now three times, this is the friendly officer of the law who is going to overlook your underage public drunkenness.

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Veronica: I know I’m late. Sorry honey.
[gives Logan a peck on the cheek, whispers in his ear]
Veronica: So I talked to this guy on the phone, let me handle it, he’s a bit prickly.
[they approach the desk]
Desk Manager: May I help you?
Veronica: You may. My fiancee and I are looking for a honeymoon suite.
Desk Manager: Oh how wonderful. These are our more affordable packages. The rooms run $350 for courtyard and $450 for full. On the weekends of course it’s a two night minimum.
Veronica: Of course. Here’s a little bit more what I had in mind.
[Veronica brings out a big wedding planner book and starts to flip through it as she shows off a big diamond ring]
Logan: [playing along] Wow, sugar puss, you’ve certainly been a busy little bee.
[Veronica and Logan share a fake laugh]
Logan: Oh, she’s a keeper.

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Veronica: Howdy, Rick. Do I know you? No. Then why’d you tell Sherriff Lamb I sold you a fake ID?
Rick: It’s what they told me to say.
Veronica: Who’s they?
Rick: No way. They’re everywhere. They will destroy me.
Veronica: I’ll destroy you worse.

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Veronica: Hi, Dad.
[beat]
Veronica: Their case is fuzzy and circumstantial.
Keith: [to Cliff] You know the odd thing? Those were also her very first words.

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Keith: So how was your date?
Veronica: Oh, you know. Lousy conversation, but the sex was fantastic!
Keith: That’s not funny.
Veronica: I don’t know. I’m pretty sure it was.

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Wallace: [about a suicide] I heard she left a note on her Blackberry.
Veronica: Talk about post modern.

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Wallace: I thought being a private eye was all about shooting dudes and making out with sexy widows.
Veronica: Sexy widows come later.

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Logan: There’s a witness who said they saw my mom get in a white van.
Veronica: There’s also a jungle tribe that worships Donald Trump’s hair. It’s a tabloid.

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Veronica: [voiceover] Tragedy blows through your life like a tornado, uprooting everything. Creating chaos. You wait for the dust to settle and then you choose. You can live in the wreckage and pretend it’s still the mansion you remember. Or you can crawl from the rubble and slowly rebuild.

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[in a dream]
Veronica: Why would he have wanted to kill you?
Lilly: Honestly! I was awesome, right?

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Wallace: Oh, you don’t even want to mess with me on that today. I just about murked my mom’s lazy no-rent-paying tenant this afternoon.
Veronica: That guy is sleazy. So I hope murked means something bad.

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Logan: [to Connor] Does the soap box come with the SAG card?

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Wallace: My mom thinks I’m staying at Norman’s house.
Veronica: Who’s Norman?
Wallace: Norman is my imaginary, straight-A, Eagle Scout, mama’s boy friend.
Veronica: He sounds boring for an imaginary friend.
Wallace: Mom seems to like him.

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Veronica: Am I naked? Because in my nightmares I’m usually naked.

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Logan: Uh, I want a Rice Krispie treat.
Kendall: Go make it yourself, then, kid. Do I look like a cook?

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Veronica: Got any enemies you know about?
Wallace: Well, there’s the Klan.

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Veronica: Wow. A snack and an ego stroke. I wish I was a baller.

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Duncan: Great game the other night, man. 18 points and 8 assists.
Wallace: On the streets, we call those dimes.
Veronica: Streets? You live on the corner of Pleasant Valley and Marigold.

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Wallace: I was gonna hang out with some of the guys on the team at lunch.
Veronica: And ruin the sanctity of our lunch duo? You know that’ll send me crying to the bathroom.

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Veronica: 98 out of 100 people at that party would walk over my corpse for free gum.

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Veronica: So tell me about it.
Meg: On our way back from our last away game I got this weird text message. I looked around and saw two guys on their cell phones. Caz is always flirty with me, but that guy would flirt with a trash can if it had boobs.

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Meg: So what do you think?
Veronica: I look like Manilla Whore Barbie.

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Meg: Wow. ’80s fashion. Grody to the max.

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Veronica: J. Geils was right. Love stinks. You can dress it up in sequins and shoulder pads, but one way or another, you’re just gonna end up alone at the spring dance strapped in uncomfortable underwear.

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Logan: I love the ’80s!
Leo: Heads up. Risky Business at 12 o’clock.
Logan: Come on, everyone! Let’s Wang Chung tonight! What? Everybody Wang Chung tonight! Wang Chung or I’ll kick your ass!

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Veronica: If I ever die, do me a favor. Go on Oprah and tell the world that I loved kittens.

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Keith: [to Veronica in next room] Hey! Earth to Mars!

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Kendall: [to Logan] You wanna play grab-ass with cheerleaders who’ve just mastered missionary? See ya!

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Jackie: [about Veronica] I may have to have a chat with Miss Pixie-Stick.
Wallace: I wouldn’t do that. She’s not somebody you wanna piss off.
Jackie: Neither am I.

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Jackie: A “Whatever, bitch” and a 180 back-to-study hall, and we could’ve had something…

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Cliff McCormack: [to Logan] My name is Cliff, and I’ll be your, “If you cannot afford an attorney” attorney.

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Dick Casablancas: [after Logan and Veronica walk into his house and all of his friends yell "surprise!"] Dude, what the hell are you doing? Please tell me this is like some reality show called “My Skank.”
Logan: Goodbye, Dick.
Dick Casablancas: What?
Logan: Get out of my house. You have a problem with Veronica you leave. Actually you have a problem with Veronica, you’re pretty much dead to me so just like evaporate or something, I don’t know… That’s kind of a general invitation. You don’t like my girlfriend then… just start heading towards the rectangle with the knob.

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Keith: You’ll never guess who stopped by today.
Veronica: If you say Josh Hartnett, I am going to be so bummed.

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Veronica: I saw Meg.
Duncan: What do you mean, you…
Veronica: Meg’s pregnant.
Duncan: I know.
Veronica: You know?
Duncan: There was a letter, from her aunt. I guess Meg had asked to live up there and raise the baby.
Veronica: Oh my God, Duncan, how could you…
Duncan: Last spring, before we broke up…
Veronica: OK, stop, I was shown a diagram once, I know how it works. But you knew, and you didn’t tell me?
Duncan: This has nothing to do with us.
Veronica: Oh, no! Nothing. Your secret illegitimate child gestating in the womb of your comatose ex-girlfriend affects neither you nor me.

---

Logan: [arguing with Veronica] Well isn’t it time that you found another bad guy? Look, I just don’t… have time to be responsible for every little thing that goes wrong in your life!

For more Veronica Mars info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Mars

Mac and Me

1.       The laptop I am currently using is more than 3 years old. Ancient – technology wise… pero still very useful! 3 years ago – I wanted to buy a MacBook. Wala lang –I am just curious bakit MacBook ang kadalasan ginagamit ng mga nasa pelikula. Sa real world naman —- a  number of the writers was said to have been using MacBook as well. Jessica Zafra – if I am not mistaken – is also using a MacBook. For her to like it — it must be really good! J And of course – the “white” factor. Cool di ba? Ang linis tingnan. Yup. Yan lang ang dahilan ko — not because of the speed… or virus free… or good OS. None of the techno-geeky reasons. Unfortunately – I was not able to buy a MacBook. I bought an Acer Laptop instead. Bakit? Kasi yung home access software nung Utsu only supports Windows.  So… big NO-NO! Paano na lang ako makakapagtrabaho sa bahay? Lame no? Pero … sadly.. that’s the true reason. L    

2.        I have been thinking of replacing my laptop for the past couple of months. Wala lang – I think it’s time. Pwede naman kasing installment payment with credit card. I am also thinking of selling my old laptop.  Pag pinagtagal ko pa – baka masyado nang mababa ang value. At least now — okay pa rin naman sya. Matagal-tagal pa ang remaining lifespan ika nga. And dahil sa wala na ako sa Utsu – tamang tama rin ang timing. Anyway — why settle for a MacBook…. Kung pwede naman na MacBook Pro ang bilhin… its bigger… faster…. and its silver… Nag-fade na ang aking pagkagusto sa White … naisip ko lang….. dumihin… mahirap imaintain!  I wanted to see the MacBook Pro 15.4  inch – which costs around SGD$3,500. Ito yung cheapest sa MacBook Pro family… kaya ito lang afford ko… Pero syempre pa….. out of stock daw worldwide yung model na gusto ko. Ang available lang daw ay yung  MacBook Pro 17  inch – which costs around SGD$4,800.  Ganun. Ako bibili ng laptop na pwede nang pang-start ng food cart business franchise? Ano ako – engot? Hmp. Worldwide? Sure sila dun ha…. Pag ako nakabili sa Sri Lanka!   

3.        Pagkatapos ng  mataimtim na pag-iisip. Nagpagdesisyunan ko na hindi practical na pumunta sa Sri Lanka para lang bumili ng MacBook Pro. Plane ticket + hotel + food + VL. Naku…. Mainam pa na bilhin ko na lang yung available na MacBook Pro 17  inch.  Pero kahit anong gawin kong isip – di pa rin makayanan ng bulsa at isip ko na bumili nito. Di practical. Kaya tinanggap ko na lang na bigo ako. Talaga yatang nakasulat na sa tadhana na hindi ako magkakaroon ng MacBook kailanman.   

4.        Ngunit ang pagkakataon talaga ay mapaglaro…nope..  wala pa rin akong MacBook Pro… ibang  mapaglarong pagkakataon ang sinasabi ko.  Scene : Today.. office…. I was very busy pretending to look busy. Ayun… patype-type… patoggle-toggle between screens. It is a usual day. Ng bigla nagsalita ang katabi ko — hanep daw sa ganda.  Syempre pa – the tsismoso in me asked what’s the commotion about. Well — it’s the new and definitely improved iMac! Tag line pa lang — wala na… pamatay — “The new iMac. You can’t be too thin. Or too powerful”. Talang iniinis ako no?   

5.        The new iMac! Me.. salivating is an understatement. Pormang porma pa lang…ulam na! 24 in widescreen… singpayat ni Lara Flyne Boyle….  all the right curves ala- Scarlet Johansson….  aluminum silver finish.. ano pa hihingin mo! And to think — itsura pa lang yan. Di lang sya beauty — brainy din sya!.  2.8 GHz dual core Intel processor…2 GB memory… built in wireless technology… 500 GB hard drive… etc.. etc.. I can go on and on.. pero masyado na syang geeky.. and honestly di rin naman lahat naiintindihan ko…  ang alam ko lang… the new iMac had me at hello…. J 

 

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