One thing I know about myself - I adapt fast.
On the third day I was already able to develop a routine as I was at the LRT station early and for the second straight day I was able to avoid the MRT rush by arriving just in time for the empty train which I just found out arrives at 7:00am. I was at the office in record time and I didn't look harrassed despite being crunched by the MRT doors. (ouch!)
My trip home was more interesting. After work, I rushed out of the office and into the MRT station where people were boxing out the yellow markers where the train doors would align. Let's see, on day 1, I was able to board on the 3rd train while on day 2 I was able to board the 8th train. On this day, I was able to board the first train that arrived despite all the people blocking off the train entrance. The doors opened and a guy was getting off. While he was pushing people out of the way while in the train, he blocked off the people who were getting in with me alone on the other side. Once he stepped off, this thin man pushed me off so he can get into the train.
Simple physics. A thin man pushing off a fat man. What will happen?
The guy pushed off me, was knocked back and hit the crowd behind him blocking them all off. I was still standing still. I boarded the train and didn't have to push anyone. From the MRT I ran to the LRT station while talking to Jaye (who told me NOT to use my phone in Cubao) and quickly boarded the next available train. At my stop, I positioned myself right in front of the door so that I can get a headstart and avoid the rush by doing a jackrabbit sprint. I was out and greeted by a huge crowd that took 3 of the 4 highway lanes. What was this, another rally? There were no waiting jeeps or any other public utility vehicle. A jeep would come by, drop off a passenger and people would do "sabit" (hanging from the jeepney's entrance which is now prohibited by law).
Here's another interesting thing last night. People were constantly fanning and moving like one of those party shows on MTV. Suddenly, something hit my eye and it itched terribly. What was going on?!? A 10 wheeler truck with huge headlights passed and lit the entire area and I saw lots (and I do mean LOTS) of fluttering things in the air. Argh! Insects! Not sure what they were (I'm no Gil Grissom) but they were huge and they were EVERYWHERE. I now remembered that there was a creek just beside the highway and it was probably hatching season or something. Now comes the funny part, jeepneys would constantly stop at this one area where incidentally there was a high concentration of those flying things. I found out about this when an empty jeep parked there, I ran to it and was swarmed by these insects making me run back. Another empty jeep passed by but I couldn't board it because I was laughing at this sequence.
Around 20 people would be standing in the lightly insect infested area. A jeep would stop at the highly infested area dropping off one or two passengers. Twenty people would run to the jeep while waving their arms wildly. One would be able to board while 19 would run back to the lightly infested area still flinging their arms around while shouting and shrieking (and coughing).
That was F-U-N-N-Y!
After a few more minutes a jeep stopped and dropped off a passenger in front of me. I grabbed the side bars and did my spiderman swing (like the one I did yesterday) only this time, someone was also boarding the same jeepney. I (inadvertently) gave him a flying kick sending him down to the asphalt before landing on the jeep's entrance. The jeep sped off before he could even say anything.
The song playing from the jeepney's sound system? The theme from Mission Impossible "Take a Look Around" by Limp Bizkit.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Mass Transit Day 2
One day older, one day smarter.
I woke up doing the same routine and left the house 10 minutes earlier (as if that will make a difference). I was walking to the main road near our house to wait for a trike and passed by my friend Bing's house who was prepping her car on her way to work. A quick "Hi-Hello-Musta-Ok lang kaw?- ok lang din" conversation and off I went. Five minutes later at the main road Bing drove by, pulled over and offered to drive me to the LRT station. Cool! Another friend who I haven't talked to for a long time.
The LRT was kinda packed which was unusual at this time. When the train stopped at one of the station, this lady came in and just crowded me. Hey, fair game right? When the train arrived at my stop, the doors opened and she was blocking my way. I said "excuse", she just looked and didn't move. I said please move or I might hurt you if I bump you. All I got was a stare. Ten seconds later, no more mr. nice guy, I bulldozed my way to the door ramming the lady into a pole just in time before the door closed. She was saying something and I only had that "told ya so" look. I didn't mean to be rude and I know being rude to a person who was being rude in the first place isn't right but hey, I warned her.
One of the things I learned yesterday, pushing and shoving are just plain rude but in this place, no blood no foul. Everyone's aggressive and you will push and be pushed no matter who you are.
On to the MRT station and it was still hell but this time, I would be the devil.
A ultra jampacked train came and people still tried to enter. People from behind were pushing. I was pushing everyone in front of me. Hey the guy behind me was pushing me too! No one got on until probably the 4th train which was freakishly empty. It's an empty car! The gloves came off and I saw people pushing and elbow their way in. Pure madness. When the train arrived at my stop (I know now where the doors would open), I stepped out and I looked harrassed.
The session was boring and I heard my 234th computer joke of the week. Ugh.
After 9 agonizing hours, Gezelle was still teaching and Carla was still checked her mail so it was off to station with Alex, Jaye's project mate. My card was rejected upon entry (maybe because I inserted it too early?) and had to take it to the admin office. I told Alex to go on without me. Down at the platform, it was a lot more crowded than yesterday. =S I saw Carla and Cesar (a new friend from People Support) waiting. People were clearly frustrated because the trains would always arrive full with only 1 or 2 passengers able to enter. The old man beside me was furious. The guys behind me would just laughed it off. A train would stop, we would push everyone inside the train then step back and start laughing. Hahahaha bunch of jerks! Finally a train stopped with 10 people dropping off and all of us practically stormed inside. They pushed everyone out of the way forcing them further into the car while laughing.
I arrived at my MRT station and walked to the LRT station while texting Jaye telling her that I was still in one piece. I ran towards the stairs just in time before the train left. In the LRT station, instead of taking one of those jeeps waiting in a corner for passengers, I took the risk and went on to the main road and looked for a jeep was already on its way to my place. A jeep slowed down just a bit and while it was still moving, I ran to the back, grabbed the handle bars which swung me across the right brakelight and landed perfectly on the entrance with 8 bucks on hand and instanteneously said "bayad o". The guy inside said "galing nun a, parang spiderman." with a smile.
I woke up doing the same routine and left the house 10 minutes earlier (as if that will make a difference). I was walking to the main road near our house to wait for a trike and passed by my friend Bing's house who was prepping her car on her way to work. A quick "Hi-Hello-Musta-Ok lang kaw?- ok lang din" conversation and off I went. Five minutes later at the main road Bing drove by, pulled over and offered to drive me to the LRT station. Cool! Another friend who I haven't talked to for a long time.
The LRT was kinda packed which was unusual at this time. When the train stopped at one of the station, this lady came in and just crowded me. Hey, fair game right? When the train arrived at my stop, the doors opened and she was blocking my way. I said "excuse", she just looked and didn't move. I said please move or I might hurt you if I bump you. All I got was a stare. Ten seconds later, no more mr. nice guy, I bulldozed my way to the door ramming the lady into a pole just in time before the door closed. She was saying something and I only had that "told ya so" look. I didn't mean to be rude and I know being rude to a person who was being rude in the first place isn't right but hey, I warned her.
One of the things I learned yesterday, pushing and shoving are just plain rude but in this place, no blood no foul. Everyone's aggressive and you will push and be pushed no matter who you are.
On to the MRT station and it was still hell but this time, I would be the devil.
A ultra jampacked train came and people still tried to enter. People from behind were pushing. I was pushing everyone in front of me. Hey the guy behind me was pushing me too! No one got on until probably the 4th train which was freakishly empty. It's an empty car! The gloves came off and I saw people pushing and elbow their way in. Pure madness. When the train arrived at my stop (I know now where the doors would open), I stepped out and I looked harrassed.
The session was boring and I heard my 234th computer joke of the week. Ugh.
After 9 agonizing hours, Gezelle was still teaching and Carla was still checked her mail so it was off to station with Alex, Jaye's project mate. My card was rejected upon entry (maybe because I inserted it too early?) and had to take it to the admin office. I told Alex to go on without me. Down at the platform, it was a lot more crowded than yesterday. =S I saw Carla and Cesar (a new friend from People Support) waiting. People were clearly frustrated because the trains would always arrive full with only 1 or 2 passengers able to enter. The old man beside me was furious. The guys behind me would just laughed it off. A train would stop, we would push everyone inside the train then step back and start laughing. Hahahaha bunch of jerks! Finally a train stopped with 10 people dropping off and all of us practically stormed inside. They pushed everyone out of the way forcing them further into the car while laughing.
I arrived at my MRT station and walked to the LRT station while texting Jaye telling her that I was still in one piece. I ran towards the stairs just in time before the train left. In the LRT station, instead of taking one of those jeeps waiting in a corner for passengers, I took the risk and went on to the main road and looked for a jeep was already on its way to my place. A jeep slowed down just a bit and while it was still moving, I ran to the back, grabbed the handle bars which swung me across the right brakelight and landed perfectly on the entrance with 8 bucks on hand and instanteneously said "bayad o". The guy inside said "galing nun a, parang spiderman." with a smile.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Mass Transit Day 1
I woke up today at 5am. Usually I would wake up at 6am but this week was different. I washed and dressed up (for today I picked a polo from my "non-japorms" set), I brought a different bag, a different wallet and a handful of coins.
What's so different about today? For starters, I will be reporting at Cybergate over at Pioneer. I've been there only once last year so the place is still somewhat new to me. Next, my car is out for repairs and maintenance and lastly, I didn't want mom to drive me all the way which means I'll have to do something that I haven't done, since my high school days - take mass transit.
Instead of the mail bag I always bring, I have a small bag with my "bare necessities" - a pen, a comb and coins. I emptied out my wallet to just contain a few bills and an ID. No credit cards, no Palmtops, no iPods, no extra items. Other than my phone, the most expensive thing on my bag would be...well, my bag which cost 10 bucks over at Aurora (Illinois).
I took the trike going out of our place. I remembered taking these trikes over to the basketball court so I can get my butt kicked by the senior players. Also taking the same trike was one of my oldest (as in earliest) closest friends from way back in the 80's when we would go biking, play in construction lots, play all-day with my family computer (up up down down left right left right B A B A... If you know that you're an 80's kid). First time we've seen each other since high school. From the main road I took an jeep then a van to the LRT (Light Rail Transit) station where I looked lost trying to insert my card. The train went through a tunnel and immediately it reminded me of Chicago - the noisy L Train with the grinding metal sounds. After a few stops, I had to switch over to another line - the MRT and like what I did over at the LRT station, I just followed people around and lined up where they lined up. The LRT ride was a pleasant one. No crowds, no problems.
Boarding the MRT was hell.
I was waiting behind the yellow line, there were around 8 people behind me, the train comes, the door opens and people were there packed like sardines. People from behind just start pushing, nothing happened and no one was able to board. 3 trains later, the people behind are starting to get irritated because they have been waiting for 20 minutes and are still unable to board. The next train comes and when everyone saw that it was not that full, I turned around and faced all of them. I learned this while boarding the red line after a Bears game at Grant Park. The doors opened and they pushed me into the train. I got on! They didn't. Doors closed and I had my "nye nye nye-nye-nye" face. Amazing that this was one place where people could push and push without complaining. It was like a cross check at a hockey game. As long as you push with your body, it was all fair. Finally the jampacked train stopped at my station and I positioned myself at the door. I peeked outside and saw no platform. What the ?!? The door opened on the other side, I pushed everyone across the car just in time before the doors closed and again, no one complained.
Finally I arrived at my destination. Nothing really interesting here other than the instructor looking like Joel Godard from Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Oh, I met again my long lost college friend Carla who was in the same class I was and my not so lost Chicago friend Gezelle who was teaching in the other room. (She did look like she lost a LOT of weight... kain kasi ng kain sa Chicago :P)
Going home was just tough along the MRT. From Cubao, Carla showed me the way through the mall to the connecting LRT which I found in no time. From the station, it was two more jeepneys and all that's left now is the trike to my house.
Now comes the weird part. I approached the station and only one tricycle was there with the driver standing beside it, staring at me. It was like he was waiting for me. As I approached and was about to ask if he was driving today but before I could say anything he said (with a friendly voice) he knows who I am and where I live. The last time I took these trikes was 9 years ago so I think it's impossible he remembered me. It was very weird. What next?
Follow the white rabbit?
Overall it was a pretty interesting day though I missed Jaye so so much =(
What's so different about today? For starters, I will be reporting at Cybergate over at Pioneer. I've been there only once last year so the place is still somewhat new to me. Next, my car is out for repairs and maintenance and lastly, I didn't want mom to drive me all the way which means I'll have to do something that I haven't done, since my high school days - take mass transit.
Instead of the mail bag I always bring, I have a small bag with my "bare necessities" - a pen, a comb and coins. I emptied out my wallet to just contain a few bills and an ID. No credit cards, no Palmtops, no iPods, no extra items. Other than my phone, the most expensive thing on my bag would be...well, my bag which cost 10 bucks over at Aurora (Illinois).
I took the trike going out of our place. I remembered taking these trikes over to the basketball court so I can get my butt kicked by the senior players. Also taking the same trike was one of my oldest (as in earliest) closest friends from way back in the 80's when we would go biking, play in construction lots, play all-day with my family computer (up up down down left right left right B A B A... If you know that you're an 80's kid). First time we've seen each other since high school. From the main road I took an jeep then a van to the LRT (Light Rail Transit) station where I looked lost trying to insert my card. The train went through a tunnel and immediately it reminded me of Chicago - the noisy L Train with the grinding metal sounds. After a few stops, I had to switch over to another line - the MRT and like what I did over at the LRT station, I just followed people around and lined up where they lined up. The LRT ride was a pleasant one. No crowds, no problems.
Boarding the MRT was hell.
I was waiting behind the yellow line, there were around 8 people behind me, the train comes, the door opens and people were there packed like sardines. People from behind just start pushing, nothing happened and no one was able to board. 3 trains later, the people behind are starting to get irritated because they have been waiting for 20 minutes and are still unable to board. The next train comes and when everyone saw that it was not that full, I turned around and faced all of them. I learned this while boarding the red line after a Bears game at Grant Park. The doors opened and they pushed me into the train. I got on! They didn't. Doors closed and I had my "nye nye nye-nye-nye" face. Amazing that this was one place where people could push and push without complaining. It was like a cross check at a hockey game. As long as you push with your body, it was all fair. Finally the jampacked train stopped at my station and I positioned myself at the door. I peeked outside and saw no platform. What the ?!? The door opened on the other side, I pushed everyone across the car just in time before the doors closed and again, no one complained.
Finally I arrived at my destination. Nothing really interesting here other than the instructor looking like Joel Godard from Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Oh, I met again my long lost college friend Carla who was in the same class I was and my not so lost Chicago friend Gezelle who was teaching in the other room. (She did look like she lost a LOT of weight... kain kasi ng kain sa Chicago :P)
Going home was just tough along the MRT. From Cubao, Carla showed me the way through the mall to the connecting LRT which I found in no time. From the station, it was two more jeepneys and all that's left now is the trike to my house.
Now comes the weird part. I approached the station and only one tricycle was there with the driver standing beside it, staring at me. It was like he was waiting for me. As I approached and was about to ask if he was driving today but before I could say anything he said (with a friendly voice) he knows who I am and where I live. The last time I took these trikes was 9 years ago so I think it's impossible he remembered me. It was very weird. What next?
Follow the white rabbit?
Overall it was a pretty interesting day though I missed Jaye so so much =(
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Carmona's Exit
Che Che's farewell video (miss you na...). I had to split it to three since this is a 30 minute video and multiply can only accomodate 10minute clips.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Of Crocodiles
I’ve seen this before on the National Geographic Channel. A pack of wilderbeasts were crossing the river where hungry crocs await. When one wilderbeast strays off, one croc blocks his escape route while three others bite and drag him underwater. They drag the carcass to land, dinner is served and so the chain of life continues.
I was at the EDSA – Ortigas intersection when one van foolishly tried to beat the red light. The van stopped, one cop blocked him up front while four others blocked his sides. No escape. The dragged the van to the side and I guess dinner is served for them as well.
Call them whatever you like: “MMDA”, “Kotong Cops”, “Buwaya”, etc etc…
Don’t worry, MMDA loyalists, Bayani Fernando loyalists and the good cops (all five of you), I’m referring to the bad ones.
You know who I’m talking about. The ones who make up a reason to flag you down then ask for a bribe. The ones who have “GREED” written over their faces. The ones who have their nameplates covered.
I’ve also had my encounters with them before. Three asked for bribes. Three I ran away from. Of those three, one had a motorcycle but was too fat and lazy to get on and chase me. The latest one I had was interesting. I know enough not to run the red light. Stoplight turned yellow and I stopped immediately. No sense rushing it right? Wrong! While sitting behind the red light, this MMDA officer flagged me down and asked for my license. I asked what for. I never heard a violation like that before:
Stepping.
Stepping? (I heard over the radio this morning c/o Chico and Delamar that other people were also caught for this.)
Stepping is what basketball referees call when you step on the out of bounds line. I asked him: “Stepping?”. I wanted to say that the other car traveled but decided to keep my mouth shut.
He explained that I stepped over the line when I stopped for the red light. He immediately “wrote” on the ticket and told me how much it was. I saw him writing something but when I got a glimpse on the ticket it was still blank. He looked at my license, saw my name and asked for my background. I explained who I was and he gave me my license back.
Hee hee hee… liar.
Let’s do a comparison shall we? The Philippine Crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis vs Mr. Bribe.
I was at the EDSA – Ortigas intersection when one van foolishly tried to beat the red light. The van stopped, one cop blocked him up front while four others blocked his sides. No escape. The dragged the van to the side and I guess dinner is served for them as well.
Call them whatever you like: “MMDA”, “Kotong Cops”, “Buwaya”, etc etc…
Don’t worry, MMDA loyalists, Bayani Fernando loyalists and the good cops (all five of you), I’m referring to the bad ones.
You know who I’m talking about. The ones who make up a reason to flag you down then ask for a bribe. The ones who have “GREED” written over their faces. The ones who have their nameplates covered.
I’ve also had my encounters with them before. Three asked for bribes. Three I ran away from. Of those three, one had a motorcycle but was too fat and lazy to get on and chase me. The latest one I had was interesting. I know enough not to run the red light. Stoplight turned yellow and I stopped immediately. No sense rushing it right? Wrong! While sitting behind the red light, this MMDA officer flagged me down and asked for my license. I asked what for. I never heard a violation like that before:
Stepping.
Stepping? (I heard over the radio this morning c/o Chico and Delamar that other people were also caught for this.)
Stepping is what basketball referees call when you step on the out of bounds line. I asked him: “Stepping?”. I wanted to say that the other car traveled but decided to keep my mouth shut.
He explained that I stepped over the line when I stopped for the red light. He immediately “wrote” on the ticket and told me how much it was. I saw him writing something but when I got a glimpse on the ticket it was still blank. He looked at my license, saw my name and asked for my background. I explained who I was and he gave me my license back.
Hee hee hee… liar.
Let’s do a comparison shall we? The Philippine Crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis vs Mr. Bribe.
| Pinoy Croc | :) | MMDA |
 | Profile |  |
| preys on antelopes, fish, shrimp, rats and water snails. | Diet | preys bigger animals like (Toyota) Tamaraws, (Ford) Lynxes and Philippine Rabbits. |
| featured in Brady Barr’s Dangerous Encounters show in National Geographic. | Fame | has been in “Hoy Gising!” and “Imbestigador” countless times. |
| found in freshwater areas – small lakes and ponds. | Habitat | found mostly in intersections behind hidden traffic signs. MMDA are also amphibious. |
| do not grow more than 3 meters with females being smaller. | Appearance | have size 40 pants. |
| When playing Counter Strike, these would be the ones roaming around the map with a shotgun. | Hunting Style | the ones who have sniper rifles waiting in certain areas waiting until the cows come home. |
| critically endangered. | Conservation Status | critically dangerous. |
| not aggressive but will bite when harassed. | Behavior | seem not aggressive but will bite AND harass. |
| shoot it with a tranquilizer gun. | When attacked | Good ol' Ninoy. |
| Show leather made handbags. | How to scare | Mayor's calling card or PNP ID. |
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Random Thoughts
And you thought Jerwin Gaco and TY Tang had a tough time in DLSU
While channel surfing, I "passed by" ESPN with the soccer commentator shouting "Gago has the ball and now Gago's down! Gago's down!" Gago was pronounced (Gah-goh and not Gey-goh). Turns out there really is a soccer player named Fernando Ruben Gago, an Argentine who plays for Real Madrid.
Sound effects really do make a difference
I was watching "Amazing Videos caught on tape" over at AXN. This guy crashed his motorcycle and they played this "suspense" background music making it seem that the guy COULD HAVE suffered "broken bones, internal bleeding... or even... (dramatic pause) ...death...", then moments later the guy stands up and walks away with a smile. Commentator goes "good thing he was lucky or else he would have broken bones, bleeding or even... death". He just slipped and fell!
Later that night I watched almost the same video over at America's Funniest Home Videos with a circus background music and funny sound effects and people were laughing.
Unless you want battle scars
Never fry fish without a shirt on.
Welcome Lee!
Lee, an expat from Ireland originally from Chicago, was here during the weekend for training with Jaye's project. Jaye, Ms Donna (Jaye's manager) and I toured him around which I called the Four City tour - Greenbelt, Greenhills (we taught Lee how to haggle... and he haggled them good!), Eastwood for dinner and Tiendesitas for trinkets and candies. Thanks for dinner!
And I'm more dangerous than the guy beside me with a shotgun?
Try walking around Makati with a camera. Now try taking some pictures. You'll be amazed how many security guards will tell you to stop taking pictures for security reasons. Lee was even asked to pay the museum first before taking pictures of statues outside.
Fooseball Mania
While channel surfing, I "passed by" ESPN with the soccer commentator shouting "Gago has the ball and now Gago's down! Gago's down!" Gago was pronounced (Gah-goh and not Gey-goh). Turns out there really is a soccer player named Fernando Ruben Gago, an Argentine who plays for Real Madrid.
Sound effects really do make a difference
I was watching "Amazing Videos caught on tape" over at AXN. This guy crashed his motorcycle and they played this "suspense" background music making it seem that the guy COULD HAVE suffered "broken bones, internal bleeding... or even... (dramatic pause) ...death...", then moments later the guy stands up and walks away with a smile. Commentator goes "good thing he was lucky or else he would have broken bones, bleeding or even... death". He just slipped and fell!
Later that night I watched almost the same video over at America's Funniest Home Videos with a circus background music and funny sound effects and people were laughing.
Unless you want battle scars
Never fry fish without a shirt on.
Welcome Lee!
Lee, an expat from Ireland originally from Chicago, was here during the weekend for training with Jaye's project. Jaye, Ms Donna (Jaye's manager) and I toured him around which I called the Four City tour - Greenbelt, Greenhills (we taught Lee how to haggle... and he haggled them good!), Eastwood for dinner and Tiendesitas for trinkets and candies. Thanks for dinner!
And I'm more dangerous than the guy beside me with a shotgun?
Try walking around Makati with a camera. Now try taking some pictures. You'll be amazed how many security guards will tell you to stop taking pictures for security reasons. Lee was even asked to pay the museum first before taking pictures of statues outside.
Fooseball Mania
Arn 8. Jaye 4. It was Jaye's first fooseball game ever.
Sharla and Schmirna
I'm into the Amazing Race again! I wanted them to stay in the race so I can root against them more. My team? Ironically it's Rob and Amber.
Taxi conversations
Ferdie and Kath (Punzalan) and I had to go to another building and we decided to take the cab. We gave the driver a 10 peso tip which he was thankful for. It reminded me of that time when I tipped the driver a quarter in Chicago and the African-American driver ended up cursing me nonstop for 5 minutes. (It was my first cab ride)
The entry level assignment
I passed by Jollibee (a local burger stand) one time and saw one of the employees with two flags waving in cars into the drive through driveway. Do we really need someone to guide us in? Ok ok ok I know, I know it's for marketing but seriously? It's bad when a balloon hooked up to a wind blower can do a better job than you.
And our tax goes... there?
Two MMDA officers are giving traffic signals ON A ONE WAY STREET with no intersections. Two of them... just telling cars to go by waving their hands... and you need two of them because...?
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, what do I see? A traffic gridlock caused by a van who blocked the other lane, who were now blocking the other lane, who were blocking etc etc etc...
Friday, March 02, 2007
5 day DL
I am injured again but this is the first time that I really went down this year with a different injury other than just plain being tired. I strained my calves and aggrevated my plantar fasciitis because of yesterday's fire drill. Yesterday, I walked like a penguin (hurt like hell). Today, I walk like C3P0 (legs are so stiff). I'm guessing it will take a week to heal. No biggie.
Besides, I was checking ESPN and saw this article on Shaun Livingston (point guard for the LA Clippers). I even watched the video. Ouch!
"Livingston had an MRI exam Tuesday which revealed tears in the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and lateral meniscus.
He also dislocated his patella, besides the previously diagnosed dislocation of his tibia-femoral. As a rookie in 2004, he dislocated his right knee."
And oh they forgot to mention that he broke a nail. This is the worst injury someone can have on his/her knee as all 4 ligaments were torn and the kneecap was dislocated. What did this guy do? Offered crap to the basketball gods? Compared to this guy, I felt like an iron man.
Besides, I was checking ESPN and saw this article on Shaun Livingston (point guard for the LA Clippers). I even watched the video. Ouch!
"Livingston had an MRI exam Tuesday which revealed tears in the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and lateral meniscus.
He also dislocated his patella, besides the previously diagnosed dislocation of his tibia-femoral. As a rookie in 2004, he dislocated his right knee."
And oh they forgot to mention that he broke a nail. This is the worst injury someone can have on his/her knee as all 4 ligaments were torn and the kneecap was dislocated. What did this guy do? Offered crap to the basketball gods? Compared to this guy, I felt like an iron man.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
What Did I Just Say?!?
This was just weird.
I was outside the house last Sunday and saw four cats sleeping on our neighbor's driveway. Being the sound-effects guy that I am (and I do a very realistic cat's meow), I did a set of meows with different tones. I did a pa-cute meow (like a kitten), I did a long low toned meow (I think they do that when they're in trouble), I did the fast meow (to get their attention) in random order. I was trying to get them to come to me.
The four of them suddenly woke up. One cat ran to the right. One cat chased and brutally attacked him. The other cat ran left on the opposite direction. The remaining cat stood up and checked on the two fighting cats. Next I heard some angry meows, hisses and more meows. The other cat was clearly ticked off as he just wants to decapitate the other cat. It was like Ron Artest and Ben Wallace. It was like that cartoon sequence where they would fight into a big smoke cloud and you would see nothing but fists and feet... then one would start to crawl away but is dragged back into the cloud together with hitting and punching sound effects. The two cats fought and fought until one ran away into another neighbor's backyard. The cat that ran left was never seen again while the remaining cat just walked away cautiously.
I don't know what my meowing meant but I think it translated to "Your girlfriend is sleeping with one of your friends".
Now if only I know how to say "No.... your OTHER friend."
I was outside the house last Sunday and saw four cats sleeping on our neighbor's driveway. Being the sound-effects guy that I am (and I do a very realistic cat's meow), I did a set of meows with different tones. I did a pa-cute meow (like a kitten), I did a long low toned meow (I think they do that when they're in trouble), I did the fast meow (to get their attention) in random order. I was trying to get them to come to me.
The four of them suddenly woke up. One cat ran to the right. One cat chased and brutally attacked him. The other cat ran left on the opposite direction. The remaining cat stood up and checked on the two fighting cats. Next I heard some angry meows, hisses and more meows. The other cat was clearly ticked off as he just wants to decapitate the other cat. It was like Ron Artest and Ben Wallace. It was like that cartoon sequence where they would fight into a big smoke cloud and you would see nothing but fists and feet... then one would start to crawl away but is dragged back into the cloud together with hitting and punching sound effects. The two cats fought and fought until one ran away into another neighbor's backyard. The cat that ran left was never seen again while the remaining cat just walked away cautiously.
I don't know what my meowing meant but I think it translated to "Your girlfriend is sleeping with one of your friends".
Now if only I know how to say "No.... your OTHER friend."
Friday, February 23, 2007
For here or to go
Jaye and I were at McDonald's for dinner last night. I ordered a McChicken meal while Jaye just had a chocolate milkshake. While the lady was punching in my order into the register, Jaye told me there weren't any seats available anymore. I told the lady that they didn't have any seats available anymore and so I requested if I could have my order to go instead.
She asked, "which one?".
I had my "huh?" blank stare.
She asked again, "do you want everything for take out?" while showing me my tray waiting for me to point at the items that I wanted to be bagged.
I took me a while to process and reprocess and reprocess what the heck she was talking about. I told her "yes, everything is for take out." still with a blank stare. We waited for her to leave to get our order then the moment she turned around, Jaye and I started laughing.
Let's see, there aren't any more seats in the restaurant so I'll have my sandwich to go. The coke is for dine in since I don't have a cup holder (I'll just drop by again to take a sip every other bite) then I'll just drive through for the milkshakes.
Which reminds me, a few years back, I passed by the Burger King drive-thru near our house and ordered a Whopper meal... to go. While I was driving on to the cashier window,
"oo nga naman... meron bang dine in na drive thru dito?"
She asked, "which one?".
I had my "huh?" blank stare.
She asked again, "do you want everything for take out?" while showing me my tray waiting for me to point at the items that I wanted to be bagged.
I took me a while to process and reprocess and reprocess what the heck she was talking about. I told her "yes, everything is for take out." still with a blank stare. We waited for her to leave to get our order then the moment she turned around, Jaye and I started laughing.
Let's see, there aren't any more seats in the restaurant so I'll have my sandwich to go. The coke is for dine in since I don't have a cup holder (I'll just drop by again to take a sip every other bite) then I'll just drive through for the milkshakes.
Which reminds me, a few years back, I passed by the Burger King drive-thru near our house and ordered a Whopper meal... to go. While I was driving on to the cashier window,
"oo nga naman... meron bang dine in na drive thru dito?"
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Elevator and the Deranged Lunatic
I was inside the elevator when the doors opened at the ground floor. This guy probably in his mid 30's, just entered the building and completed the usual "magic wand" security check, saw the open elevator doors, ran towards me while shouting "UP!" "UP!" "UP!".
I was standing near the doors where he had a clear view of me. I took one step to the left and I pressed the close door button of the elevator.
He was still running, still shouting "UP! UP! UP!", clutching his bag and now looking at me begging me to press the open button.
I looked at him and pressed the close button.
The doors started to close. He lunged towards the elevator doors and stuck his hand between it. The doors opened, he stepped in wheezing and panting and gave me a mean look. Then, in an angry tone: "Bingi ka ba? Sabi nang UP e! Pipindutin mo lang naman! Lahat ng tao nagmamadali! Bastos ka talaga!" (for my non-tagalog/EOP friends: Are you deaf? I told you I was going UP! Just press the button! Everone's in a rush! You're so rude!)
I only looked at him and said nothing as the doors closed. I had so many punch lines but before I could use any of it, he delivered one himself:
"ay... ba't nag-down?" (why did it go down?)
Switch to boxers dude. Whatever that is you're wearing, it's probably too tight.
I was standing near the doors where he had a clear view of me. I took one step to the left and I pressed the close door button of the elevator.
He was still running, still shouting "UP! UP! UP!", clutching his bag and now looking at me begging me to press the open button.
I looked at him and pressed the close button.
The doors started to close. He lunged towards the elevator doors and stuck his hand between it. The doors opened, he stepped in wheezing and panting and gave me a mean look. Then, in an angry tone: "Bingi ka ba? Sabi nang UP e! Pipindutin mo lang naman! Lahat ng tao nagmamadali! Bastos ka talaga!" (for my non-tagalog/EOP friends: Are you deaf? I told you I was going UP! Just press the button! Everone's in a rush! You're so rude!)
I only looked at him and said nothing as the doors closed. I had so many punch lines but before I could use any of it, he delivered one himself:
"ay... ba't nag-down?" (why did it go down?)
Switch to boxers dude. Whatever that is you're wearing, it's probably too tight.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
How's my what...?
Hey meester taksee drivur, your drivin's ok... eet's yur speling that wi ol shud woree abawt.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Night at the Museum and Milkshakes
Jaye and I were supposed to play badminton last night but my balky knee was in no condition for any strenuous activity so we went to the movies instead – Night at the Museum! We saw the trailer for it when we watched Happy Feet last year and agreed to watch it when it comes out.
We were supposed to catch the 8:30pm show but I was stuck in a high priority emergency meeting until 8:15pm so we caught the next available show at 9:10pm.
I loved Night at the Museum. Honestly, I was expecting it to be an action/thriller type movie but it turned out to be more of the family-type variety. Lots of funny scenes! I loved Sacagewea (when she was tracking the vehicle) and Attila the Hun (the shouting scene). Jaye and I were just laughing our butts off.
The plot is simple. Maybe a little too simple. I can summarize the entire story in one sentence just like an anime episode (like in Slam Dunk, it took this dude 30 minutes to take and make a three point shot... the same time it would have taken if I had a pizza delivered.). Have you tried summarizing a CSI episode in one sentence?
(Say this in one breath) "They find a dead guy at the parking lot with a gun and a pool of blood beside him but there were no entry or exit wounds so they bring out some high tech equipment which at the end only determined that they guy was really dead and that his favorite color was orange, loved listening to punk rock and drank coffee every morning so they checked the gun and checked the documents from which they find out belonged to an oil tycoon who owned one of the casinos on the Strip so they tracked him down only to explain that he gave away that gun to some fella years ago so they all go back to the crime scene and find a banana peel and concluded that the guy slipped and fell on a gun on the ground... and that he was gay which has nothing to do whatsoever with the result of the show followed by Gil Grissom stating a Shakespearean quote. ooooooooowaaahoo hoo hoo hoo hoo.... "
We were supposed to catch the 8:30pm show but I was stuck in a high priority emergency meeting until 8:15pm so we caught the next available show at 9:10pm.
I loved Night at the Museum. Honestly, I was expecting it to be an action/thriller type movie but it turned out to be more of the family-type variety. Lots of funny scenes! I loved Sacagewea (when she was tracking the vehicle) and Attila the Hun (the shouting scene). Jaye and I were just laughing our butts off.
The plot is simple. Maybe a little too simple. I can summarize the entire story in one sentence just like an anime episode (like in Slam Dunk, it took this dude 30 minutes to take and make a three point shot... the same time it would have taken if I had a pizza delivered.). Have you tried summarizing a CSI episode in one sentence?
(Say this in one breath) "They find a dead guy at the parking lot with a gun and a pool of blood beside him but there were no entry or exit wounds so they bring out some high tech equipment which at the end only determined that they guy was really dead and that his favorite color was orange, loved listening to punk rock and drank coffee every morning so they checked the gun and checked the documents from which they find out belonged to an oil tycoon who owned one of the casinos on the Strip so they tracked him down only to explain that he gave away that gun to some fella years ago so they all go back to the crime scene and find a banana peel and concluded that the guy slipped and fell on a gun on the ground... and that he was gay which has nothing to do whatsoever with the result of the show followed by Gil Grissom stating a Shakespearean quote. ooooooooowaaahoo hoo hoo hoo hoo.... "
Well whaddyaknow... you CAN summarize a CSI episode in one sentence!
Anyways, after the movie, we had dinner and had chocolate milkshakes from McDo!!! Mmmmmmm! So many memories…
Thursday, February 08, 2007
DVD Players and Warranties
First a TV, now a DVD player. :)
We went over to the mall and picked up a JVC DVD player. After we tested the unit, the guy was now offering us an extended warranty (I think it was for 1 or 2 more years). We said no. He continued to jabber on about the benefits of having an extended warranty, that if something goes wrong they will give us a outight replacement instead of sending the player overseas for repairs. We still said no (The cost for the extended warranty was outside our budget and we promised ourselves we won't go over it this time). For the next few minutes, he goes on and on and on and on and on about what's it's like having an extended warranty (better service, more stores, faster turnaround times, etc etc...).
It's really starting to get annoying like those Citibank agents (They call almost everyday offering the same things over and over and over).
So I asked the guy if this thing broke easily given the way he was almost begging me to get the warranty. He bragged that this thing was made of high quality parts, will not break easily and none of the previous customers who bought the same thing have ever brought it back with complaints. Then I asked if this thing was as sturdy as he claims, what would the warranty he was offering me be for?
He had that "oo nga naman" look in his face and didn't bother us anymore. Jaye and I left the store laughing. Cruel ko daw... kulet e... :P
We went over to the mall and picked up a JVC DVD player. After we tested the unit, the guy was now offering us an extended warranty (I think it was for 1 or 2 more years). We said no. He continued to jabber on about the benefits of having an extended warranty, that if something goes wrong they will give us a outight replacement instead of sending the player overseas for repairs. We still said no (The cost for the extended warranty was outside our budget and we promised ourselves we won't go over it this time). For the next few minutes, he goes on and on and on and on and on about what's it's like having an extended warranty (better service, more stores, faster turnaround times, etc etc...).
It's really starting to get annoying like those Citibank agents (They call almost everyday offering the same things over and over and over).
So I asked the guy if this thing broke easily given the way he was almost begging me to get the warranty. He bragged that this thing was made of high quality parts, will not break easily and none of the previous customers who bought the same thing have ever brought it back with complaints. Then I asked if this thing was as sturdy as he claims, what would the warranty he was offering me be for?
He had that "oo nga naman" look in his face and didn't bother us anymore. Jaye and I left the store laughing. Cruel ko daw... kulet e... :P
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Look Arn! We can't cook either!
We have an entry (actually it was sent to me sometime ago...) from my dear friends in Chicago. It's a nice feeling that me sharing my vast knowledge and experience in food burning is deeply inspiring others.
This was sent by one of my favorite couples in ChiTown - Tessa and Copi. See the blending of the cooked, burned and charred layers of rice? See the artistic arrangement as well as how the colors mix with the chicken? See the emotions felt in the picture as reflected by how the rice was placed on the plate? Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
However, I see lots of areas for improvement. One, the chicken is cooked. It should at least be overcooked and a little bit charred. The design of the charring should be one with the charred rice. Harmony dude, harmony. Two, the charring only appears on the topmost layer of the rice. It should appear at the top and somewhere in the middle. Again dude, harmony. Three, going back to the chicken, there should be bits of charred skin all over the plate (or at least beside it). It creates a totally new dimension in appreciating this dish. It creates a story on how and why this poor chicken leg was cooked and eventually burned. With the charred skin, the viewer feels with the food, its current state, what happened and what will happen next. (If you looked at the picture again and started crying... go see a psychiatrist!)
Well, they did a great job but still need to work on a few things. That's why in the field of food burning, you guys are amateurs and I'm still the master.
This was sent by one of my favorite couples in ChiTown - Tessa and Copi. See the blending of the cooked, burned and charred layers of rice? See the artistic arrangement as well as how the colors mix with the chicken? See the emotions felt in the picture as reflected by how the rice was placed on the plate? Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
However, I see lots of areas for improvement. One, the chicken is cooked. It should at least be overcooked and a little bit charred. The design of the charring should be one with the charred rice. Harmony dude, harmony. Two, the charring only appears on the topmost layer of the rice. It should appear at the top and somewhere in the middle. Again dude, harmony. Three, going back to the chicken, there should be bits of charred skin all over the plate (or at least beside it). It creates a totally new dimension in appreciating this dish. It creates a story on how and why this poor chicken leg was cooked and eventually burned. With the charred skin, the viewer feels with the food, its current state, what happened and what will happen next. (If you looked at the picture again and started crying... go see a psychiatrist!)
Well, they did a great job but still need to work on a few things. That's why in the field of food burning, you guys are amateurs and I'm still the master.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Daydreaming
End of work day. I was at the men's room brushing my teeth. There was another guy washing his hands and when he left, the door closed behind him and the room fell silent.
There are two cubicles in the men's room in the 22nd floor. One had its door wide open. The other was locked. Suddenly, from someone's radio which was obviously had its volume set to high:
"Twenty second?"
...
"Twenty second!"
...
"TWENTY SECOND!"
...
(note: the security guards here call each other via walkie talkies by the floor they're currently stationed to.)
...
"... yes ser? ..."
"... san ka? ..."
"... sa 22nd ..."
"... wala ka e. San exac location mo?..."
...
"... 22nd? ..."
"... sa banyo ser. umeebak lang. 10 minutes!..."
I blurted out a quick cough and there was toothpaste all over the mirror.
Imagine if (knock on wood) terrorists infiltrated the 30th floor. Terrorists with AK-47s storm the office and take hostages. One brave security guard manages to disable one of the terrorists, steals his rifle and makes his way to the exit. The terrorists see the guy and open fire (just like in Filipino movies, they will manage to hit everything EXCEPT the target). The guard dives into the ground, under heavy fire but he finds a walkie talkie on the floor (again, like in Filipino movies, they find the most convenient things on the floor when in trouble). He contacts the 22nd floor for help...
"Thirtieth to twenty second... Thirtieth to twenty second... request backup! we are under heavy fire! I repeat, we are under heavy fire! Reqesting backup!"
(meanwhile, back in the quiet 22nd floor... let's cut and paste the conversation I just heard... )
"Twenty second?" ...
"Twenty second!" ...
"TWENTY SECOND!" ...
...
"... yes ser? ..."
"... san ka? ..."
"... sa 22nd ..."
"... wala ka e. San exac location mo?..."
...
"... 22nd? ..."
"... sa banyo ser. umeebak lang. 10 minutes!..."
put in a sexy star, a comedic side kick and a lame title and you have yourself a plot for a Pinoy action flick. Lastly, just because it's me, there will be a kidnapping plot somewhere at the end of the movie, they perform a successful rescue and they will all dance at some park.
There are two cubicles in the men's room in the 22nd floor. One had its door wide open. The other was locked. Suddenly, from someone's radio which was obviously had its volume set to high:
"Twenty second?"
...
"Twenty second!"
...
"TWENTY SECOND!"
...
(note: the security guards here call each other via walkie talkies by the floor they're currently stationed to.)
...
"... yes ser? ..."
"... san ka? ..."
"... sa 22nd ..."
"... wala ka e. San exac location mo?..."
...
"... 22nd? ..."
"... sa banyo ser. umeebak lang. 10 minutes!..."
I blurted out a quick cough and there was toothpaste all over the mirror.
Imagine if (knock on wood) terrorists infiltrated the 30th floor. Terrorists with AK-47s storm the office and take hostages. One brave security guard manages to disable one of the terrorists, steals his rifle and makes his way to the exit. The terrorists see the guy and open fire (just like in Filipino movies, they will manage to hit everything EXCEPT the target). The guard dives into the ground, under heavy fire but he finds a walkie talkie on the floor (again, like in Filipino movies, they find the most convenient things on the floor when in trouble). He contacts the 22nd floor for help...
"Thirtieth to twenty second... Thirtieth to twenty second... request backup! we are under heavy fire! I repeat, we are under heavy fire! Reqesting backup!"
(meanwhile, back in the quiet 22nd floor... let's cut and paste the conversation I just heard... )
"Twenty second?" ...
"Twenty second!" ...
"TWENTY SECOND!" ...
...
"... yes ser? ..."
"... san ka? ..."
"... sa 22nd ..."
"... wala ka e. San exac location mo?..."
...
"... 22nd? ..."
"... sa banyo ser. umeebak lang. 10 minutes!..."
put in a sexy star, a comedic side kick and a lame title and you have yourself a plot for a Pinoy action flick. Lastly, just because it's me, there will be a kidnapping plot somewhere at the end of the movie, they perform a successful rescue and they will all dance at some park.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
More Driving Stories
I was stuck in traffic (as usual) after work. I had my window open while my iPod was playing No Touch by Rocksteddy through my car stereo.
"Dead na dead talaga akosa mga pakembot-kembot mo..."
I didn't notice that this kid with sampaguita was beside my car on the driver's side... dancing. I was singing (more like shouting) and the kid just danced. Since it was a very stressful day at work, I started dancing as well. This lasted until the song was over.
I gave the kid 40 bucks. I was given all the sampaguita she carried. The funny thing was, she never asked me to buy any. I never said I wanted any flowers in return. The funny events that happen when I don't go home from work without Jaye...
What is it with me and dancing? Well, for starters, I don't dance. Watching me dance is like watching me washing my car. Some time ago, Jaye and I were walking somewhere when the intro for "Careless Whisper" started playing. I started doing the pole dance when she quickly hugged as if to say "no no no no, not here." Earlier last week, we went grocery shopping (by the way we bumped into Destry and Dez) and I was dancing in the aisle with a shampoo bottle in my hand.
"Kung hindi mo bibilisan sasayaw lang ako dito."
She dropped whatever shampoo she had into the basket and dragged me away. Wait until we get to the aisle with the cupcakes... Completely unbloggable.
"Dead na dead talaga akosa mga pakembot-kembot mo..."
I didn't notice that this kid with sampaguita was beside my car on the driver's side... dancing. I was singing (more like shouting) and the kid just danced. Since it was a very stressful day at work, I started dancing as well. This lasted until the song was over.
I gave the kid 40 bucks. I was given all the sampaguita she carried. The funny thing was, she never asked me to buy any. I never said I wanted any flowers in return. The funny events that happen when I don't go home from work without Jaye...
What is it with me and dancing? Well, for starters, I don't dance. Watching me dance is like watching me washing my car. Some time ago, Jaye and I were walking somewhere when the intro for "Careless Whisper" started playing. I started doing the pole dance when she quickly hugged as if to say "no no no no, not here." Earlier last week, we went grocery shopping (by the way we bumped into Destry and Dez) and I was dancing in the aisle with a shampoo bottle in my hand.
"Kung hindi mo bibilisan sasayaw lang ako dito."
She dropped whatever shampoo she had into the basket and dragged me away. Wait until we get to the aisle with the cupcakes... Completely unbloggable.
War of the Worlds?
It was a quiet day for this small community.
A flash of lightning stunned everyone as this giant thing stood up and eclipsed the sun. A loud and scary buzz sounded after which, two weapons with nozzles came out. One was red, the other was green.
Instant chaos.
The giant thing with the two mysterious weapons wiped out almost the entire community. Some tried to run but they were hunted down. Some escaped into the woods. Most were unlucky.
A scene from War of the Worlds?
Nope. It was me towering over a small roach community outside our house with a can of Baygon on my left hand and a can of Raid on my right. Poor guys never stood a chance.
I don't care of you're their version of Tom Cruise, Mr Cuca. We can call it even.
What the heck am I talking about?!? Read this for part 1: http://arnoldrocks.blogspot.com/2007/01/arn-and-la-cucaracha.html
A flash of lightning stunned everyone as this giant thing stood up and eclipsed the sun. A loud and scary buzz sounded after which, two weapons with nozzles came out. One was red, the other was green.
Instant chaos.
The giant thing with the two mysterious weapons wiped out almost the entire community. Some tried to run but they were hunted down. Some escaped into the woods. Most were unlucky.
A scene from War of the Worlds?
Nope. It was me towering over a small roach community outside our house with a can of Baygon on my left hand and a can of Raid on my right. Poor guys never stood a chance.
I don't care of you're their version of Tom Cruise, Mr Cuca. We can call it even.
What the heck am I talking about?!? Read this for part 1: http://arnoldrocks.blogspot.com/2007/01/arn-and-la-cucaracha.html
Thursday, January 18, 2007
My Year 2007 Resolutions between the lines
Money has been one of my problems last year and the year before that and the year before before that and the year before before before that. I’ll try to set aside money for a brand new PSP that would probably corrupt my future
Last year, I played only one sport, tennis,actually two if you count the cologne I bought from the Polo store. I will be more active and play more basketball even on weekdays on my Playstation 2.
I will lose weightby adjusting the weighing scale such that it starts at negative 25. I will eat healthier food, by healthier I meant more and take care of my SUV type body better.
I will travel the world and see famous places and landmarks here and in other countriesthrough Google Earth.
I will notonly curse but will also scream at the elevators that are slower than service over at BPI every morning ,lunch and night.
Instead of working on my SQL scripts and documentations, I will update my blog more during office hours.
I willat least attempt be a better driver. I will be kind enough to taxi and jeepney drivers to give them a one minute head start before I hunt them down along C5. I won’t stop constantly shouting to annoy truck drivers. I will obey all of the non-existent or poorly implemented traffic rules.
I will contact my friends abroadmore than Citibank contacts me to get a credit card.
I will correct things that are out of placelike Manny Pacquiao in movies. I will write one song that doesn’t involve food that would express the way I feel towards my hatred of certain things that poison my personal current events. I will rid my mind of any foolish ideas like, say, Richard Gomez’s decision to run for office.
I willlie on my bed all weekend and wait for the last minute before I study for my certification exams. My project team will be a huge success despite the issues encountered because of me
At the end of the year, I will be an even bettermeaning fatter man.
Last year, I played only one sport, tennis
I will lose weight
I will travel the world and see famous places and landmarks here and in other countries
I will not
I will
I will contact my friends abroad
I will correct things that are out of place
I will
At the end of the year, I will be an even better
Thoughts on Nata De Coco
Nata De Coco.
... The product originates from the Philippines. wow! proudly Philippine produced! PPP!
...chewy, translucent, jelly-like food product produced by the bacterial fermentation of coconut water. Bacteria pala siya?
... most commonly sweetened as a candy or dessert, and can accompany many things including pickles, drinks, ice cream, and fruit mixes. pickles?!?
... "Nata de coco" comes from Spanish "Cream of Coconut". It originated from the Philippines but we gave it a Spanish name
... Cream in this sense means the fat from the coconut milk. So it's really processed fat?
... is highly regarded for its high dietary fiber and its zero fat and cholesterol content. How ironic, it's made of fat but it is zero fat?
... No preservatives or other chemicals are added to Nata de coco. so it's naturally yucky?
... Commercial nata de coco is made by small farmers in the Philippines. like oompa loompas?
... It requires a strong "glacial" acetic acid, however, and spillage of this ingredient will make the topsoil acidic. but we ingest it?
Some components of Nata De Coco:
N (c) 2 (11) 3
Ash 0.5 g 88.5
Moisture (Water) 84.4 g 45
Energy 61 kcal (255 kJ) 2.0
Protein 50 g** 0.7
Salt 45 g ** 3.5
Fat 65 g** 7.6
Total available carbohydrates include FIBTG 300 g** -
Silicon
Calcium (Ca) Milligram 800 58
Phosphorus (P) 800 mg 53
Iron (Fe) 15 mg -
Potassium (K) 3500 mg -
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) -
Copper (Cu) 2 mg -
Zinc (Zn) 15 mg -
Actually I made up three of them :P Can you name it?
... The product originates from the Philippines. wow! proudly Philippine produced! PPP!
...chewy, translucent, jelly-like food product produced by the bacterial fermentation of coconut water. Bacteria pala siya?
... most commonly sweetened as a candy or dessert, and can accompany many things including pickles, drinks, ice cream, and fruit mixes. pickles?!?
... "Nata de coco" comes from Spanish "Cream of Coconut". It originated from the Philippines but we gave it a Spanish name
... Cream in this sense means the fat from the coconut milk. So it's really processed fat?
... is highly regarded for its high dietary fiber and its zero fat and cholesterol content. How ironic, it's made of fat but it is zero fat?
... No preservatives or other chemicals are added to Nata de coco. so it's naturally yucky?
... Commercial nata de coco is made by small farmers in the Philippines. like oompa loompas?
... It requires a strong "glacial" acetic acid, however, and spillage of this ingredient will make the topsoil acidic. but we ingest it?
Some components of Nata De Coco:
N (c) 2 (11) 3
Ash 0.5 g 88.5
Moisture (Water) 84.4 g 45
Energy 61 kcal (255 kJ) 2.0
Protein 50 g** 0.7
Salt 45 g ** 3.5
Fat 65 g** 7.6
Total available carbohydrates include FIBTG 300 g** -
Silicon
Calcium (Ca) Milligram 800 58
Phosphorus (P) 800 mg 53
Iron (Fe) 15 mg -
Potassium (K) 3500 mg -
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) -
Copper (Cu) 2 mg -
Zinc (Zn) 15 mg -
Actually I made up three of them :P Can you name it?
The C5 Incident
It was the usual 9pm traffic - half of it are people coming home late from the office the other half are now my new number 1 enemy on the road
(1) Truck drivers who think they're driving a Kia Pride
(2) EDSA buses who don't get it that that train-like thing running above them is the reason their passenger volume is low. No not you G-Liners... we're cool. Read more from Rogeena's blog.
(3) Patrolman Durugas, the crocodile hunter (He's a crocodile and a hunter... nocturnal na, amphibous pa) over at EDSA/Ortigas.
(4) Jeepney drivers for well documented reasons.
(5) FX drivers for being upgraded clones of jeepney drivers (faster and a lot more rude)
(6) Motorcycle drivers who snake through a slow traffic
I was stuck in traffic last night. My window was open, I was singing (or shouting) "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, I had my elbow on the door then I hit my elbow on something... something hard... something metal.
The front bumper of a ten-wheeler truck?!?
This crazy-ass driver was cut into my lane while I was still in it. I gave him a full 10 second horn buzz and drove forward to avoid further damage. I pulled over to the side to avoid traffic and checked the damage. Ugh, a long scratch that dented my rear side door and a huge gash on my rims. The truck then disappeared in the mad mix of other trucks along C5. Well, I wasn't going after him anyway.
Flashback to a few years ago, a cab driver rammed into my rear door. This one had an even worse damage since my door was completely crumpled. I sued his ass. They required that I send him a picture of the damage. I sent him one with me on it flipping the bird. The total damage cost a lot but still it really wasn't worth all the trouble. It took over two years for the courts to process everthing. The driver counter charged and say that I bumped into him (which would mean he was parked on the center of the road and I made a 270 degree turn to bump him?). They checked the pictures of the damage (I had to edit myself out of the picture) and ruled against the cab driver (and laughed at his counter charge... First time I heard a judge say "haller"). What an experience that time. Interesting? Very. Fun? Kinda. Worth it? Not one bit. I didn't continue with it anymore. Such a waste of time. I gave him the pic and a 5-minute shouting bit... that was enough.
And so I wasn't really going after the truck driver this time. What's THAT going to accomplish me?
I was more concerned about the dent. Everything was still functional so it's good. The scratch can be rubbed and waxed off. Nothing I can do about the chipped paint and the dent though. The rim damage was bad.
Lastly, it was weird that I wasn't enraged when this happened. Usually, if a bird flies over and pooped on my car, I would follow it with a plate of chicken Inasal and tell him "Isa pa pare, subukan mo lang". Last night, I was just a tad upset but more on because it made me late for dinner. So much hate I've already let go...
so so much...
(1) Truck drivers who think they're driving a Kia Pride
(2) EDSA buses who don't get it that that train-like thing running above them is the reason their passenger volume is low. No not you G-Liners... we're cool. Read more from Rogeena's blog.
(3) Patrolman Durugas, the crocodile hunter (He's a crocodile and a hunter... nocturnal na, amphibous pa) over at EDSA/Ortigas.
(4) Jeepney drivers for well documented reasons.
(5) FX drivers for being upgraded clones of jeepney drivers (faster and a lot more rude)
(6) Motorcycle drivers who snake through a slow traffic
I was stuck in traffic last night. My window was open, I was singing (or shouting) "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, I had my elbow on the door then I hit my elbow on something... something hard... something metal.
The front bumper of a ten-wheeler truck?!?
This crazy-ass driver was cut into my lane while I was still in it. I gave him a full 10 second horn buzz and drove forward to avoid further damage. I pulled over to the side to avoid traffic and checked the damage. Ugh, a long scratch that dented my rear side door and a huge gash on my rims. The truck then disappeared in the mad mix of other trucks along C5. Well, I wasn't going after him anyway.
Flashback to a few years ago, a cab driver rammed into my rear door. This one had an even worse damage since my door was completely crumpled. I sued his ass. They required that I send him a picture of the damage. I sent him one with me on it flipping the bird. The total damage cost a lot but still it really wasn't worth all the trouble. It took over two years for the courts to process everthing. The driver counter charged and say that I bumped into him (which would mean he was parked on the center of the road and I made a 270 degree turn to bump him?). They checked the pictures of the damage (I had to edit myself out of the picture) and ruled against the cab driver (and laughed at his counter charge... First time I heard a judge say "haller"). What an experience that time. Interesting? Very. Fun? Kinda. Worth it? Not one bit. I didn't continue with it anymore. Such a waste of time. I gave him the pic and a 5-minute shouting bit... that was enough.
And so I wasn't really going after the truck driver this time. What's THAT going to accomplish me?
I was more concerned about the dent. Everything was still functional so it's good. The scratch can be rubbed and waxed off. Nothing I can do about the chipped paint and the dent though. The rim damage was bad.
Lastly, it was weird that I wasn't enraged when this happened. Usually, if a bird flies over and pooped on my car, I would follow it with a plate of chicken Inasal and tell him "Isa pa pare, subukan mo lang". Last night, I was just a tad upset but more on because it made me late for dinner. So much hate I've already let go...
so so much...
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