What the...?!

I was having breakfast this morning and on top of the table I left a magazine that I was reading last night.  I was looking at it sideways and I was fixated at the magazine initials HM.  I was wracking mu head for its meaning and I was concentrating on what my top of mind was---Him Magazine.   Frustrated, I eventually decided to just look at the damn cover!  Men's Health!  Darn!  I think I was subconsciously thinking of FHM...oh well...that's what happens when your mind is often pre-occupied with "nasty green stuff"!

Happy 1st of July!

Movie Review: Amazing Spider-Man 2012

Now this is a better story than the first few Spider-Man movies.  At least much nearer to the Spider-Man character I knew reading the Amazing Spider-Man comics when I was younger.  I'm no longer up to date as to what other spin-offs Spider-Man has gone through since then but the one I knew was a budding scientist who built his own web shooter.  The 2012 version is the more accurate "beginning" of our friendly neighbor.  Understandably, Sam Raimi decided to go to the Mary Jane Watson stage in terms of Peter Parker's love interest since based on the comic book version, Peter's relationship with Gwen Stacy had a tragic ending.  I'm sure the producers had this to consider in their plan of making a movie franchise out of the Spider-Man character.

As I've said, tragic ending.

As usual, the effects where very realistic.  Truly, CGI did the movie industry a huge cinematic boost!  However, the story line may have become confusing for those who have not known the comic version story and only watched the previous three movie installments.  

As I've mentioned in a previous blog, I found Andrew Garfield a more fitting rendition of Peter Parker.  Again, this is based on the comic book pictures.  Emma Stone, well, she fit the role of Gwen Stacy to a T.

Congratulations Sam Pinto!

For the second time in a row, Sam Pinto is FHM's top lady!  She won the prestigious title in 2011 and again this year.

Sam's not all that booby and lacking in curvature but she is a beauty to behold!  Obviously, she's got a lot of supporters.

New TV Series: Episodes

When Last Man Standing went on break last May I was at a lost as to what to watch that would tickle my funny-bone.  I was going through the list of new shows in TV.com and found this sitcom about a successful British husband and wife comedy team who were enticed to go to Hollywood to re-create their hit series for an American audience.  The title of the series is Episodes starring Matt LeBlanc, Stephan Mangan, and Tamsin Greig.

Seeing that it was from the Showtime network I was naturally intrigued.  Other Showtime shows that I'm following are Dexter, Californication, Shameless, and Homeland.  At first I was in doubt about the future of this show making the list of my favorites, so I just downloaded one episode for good measure.   But to my surprise---I liked it!  

Actually, this show is not all that new.  It first aired in January 2011 with a seven episode season and was renewed for another season which will air on Showtime on July 1, 2012.  Why it took more than a year for the second season to air is beyond me.  

Esquire Philippines July 2012 Cover Girl: Georgina Wilson Cover

Something to look forward to this July---Georgina Wilson in Esquire!  You just can't get enough of this lady!

Resigned Ka Na...So...?

Resignation is like dying.  The organizational announcement of your leaving the fold is like your eulogy.  Naturally, there will be nothing but good praises in both a eulogy and organizational memo but unlike the latter an organizational memo about a departing member is done only for those in the higher ladder of the company and may not always be accurate.

I'm sure that you have encountered top management bosses who did not go up the corporate ladder through merit.  It's sad when this happens because it would mean a waste of company resources.  Call it a perk of the position that you get a flowery send off even if you did not contribute anything to the company.  Some people are really lucky (if you can call it that).

When we die and finally meet our Maker the only question He will ask is, "What good did you do when you were still alive?"  My advice:   Don't ever be left without an answer.  Well, you know where you'll go if you don't have anything to say, right?  

In the corporate world, leaving a legacy of industry and productiveness is the best way to say good-bye.  You are genuinely remembered for your contributions and as a person to epitomize.  And even without the benefit of a corporate memo, your departure is felt with a genuine void.  

For those whose tenure is without meaning, no amount of ornate literary composition can hide your true value---NONE.  And to whatever corporate memo there is about your departure people will only say, "So...?"

Bato-bato sa Langit...

"Reap what you sow."

I really find it funny when people expect more out of mediocrity.  How can one demand a high performance rating if all you did at work was attend meetings where you just sat in or went on field and got yourself a whole lot of new friends in Facebook?   How stupid can you get?  But then---stupid is what stupid does.  Tsk.  Tsk.  Tsk.     

This goes the same when it comes to fatherhood.  How can you expect your children to love you when you did not give any?  How can you expect them to care for you when you just let them be on their own?  Your semen contribution does not give you that right.  "People forget what you say, they forget what you did, but they never forget how you made them feel."  The amount of quality time that you give your children is something that they will treasure forever.  The gall on the father who asks for love and care when he does not know how to give neither of both!

Bato-bato sa langit ang tamaan SAPUL!  

Nuff said.

Amoy UTOT!

Nagbaon ako ng hard boiled egg for today.  After the ceremonial shell stripping, I indulged myself with a bite and got on with my work.  After a while I got distracted by a smell and asked myself, "Sinong UMUTOT?"  No sooner did I realize the remaining hard boiled egg beside me.  Para din palang durian ang hard boiled egg---MABANTOT pero MASARAP!

Camilla Luddington is the New Lara Croft

Oh yeah!  Camilla Luddington is the new Lara Croft!  

After stirring the testosterone nation into animation in the TV series Californication, Ms. Luddington will once again create havoc in the imagination of manhood in the next Tomb Raider movie.  I will personally miss Angelina Jolie in this role but I'm sure Camilla will be able to fill the void.  Mark the date---March 5, 2013.

For the meantime, Camilla can be seen in the current season of True Blood!  Woot!  Woot!

I'd say this is the new Lara Croft stare down.

Do Away with Obese Cops

How many times has there been a campaign to do away with cops who are badly out of shape?  Personally, I've lost count.  So I'm rather skeptical as to how the new drive of incumbent PNP Chief Diretor Nicanor A. Bartolome will end up.  

Certain circumstances will involve chasing a suspect on foot.  How would a cop be able to catch a suspect if he is unable to run the distance given his size?  He might just keel over and die because of the effort for all I know!  

Our police force, especially those on field, should be able bodied individuals for them to perform their respective duties.   

I hope this time the campaign will not falter and die like before.  It's time to clean up the police system!

Human Coin Bank

This is not the first one that I have seen ladies in this kind of moment.  I personally call this the COIN BANK moment.  

It has been a mystery to me as to why some ladies do not feel that they already have their butt-crack exposed.  It this by design?  Did they by purpose not wear any underwear and wore low waist jeans?  I honestly do not know. 

I'd say that a 5 peso coin would fit perfectly in that crack.

My Post-Father's Day Reflection

A couple of days ago, I was with my old buddies and over a couple of pitchers of malt brew, pizza, and chicken we came upon the topic of family and fatherhood.  

It has been my personal view that life is what we make of it.  No matter the circumstances your attitude will define how life will be for you.  Problems---there's no escaping them.  They are part and parcel of what we call LIFE.  The only people who are immune to problems are those who've gone to the "other side".  You can't have an active part in raising a family when you're dead, right?  Once you've committed yourself to raising a family you should be in it hook, line, and sinker.

Well, I'm not an expert when it comes to fatherhood but in the 22 years that I have been one all I can say is that it is no trip in the park.  Allow me to share what I have learned so far.

Being a provider.  The first order of business before going into the family way is for you to have a job---a stable one at that.  For those like me who did not have the luxury of planning a family, I had to make do with the job I had as a service crew at Jollibee.   Go to school in the morning, work at night, and then help out in the family chores that was my routine for a couple of years.  It's a good thing God gave me and my wife supportive parents so we were able to go through all the hardships with a cushion.  However, not all have supportive parents so my advice is---DON'T MARRY UNTIL YOU'RE READY.

Being the DISCIPLINARIAN.  Personally I do not subscribe to spanking but I guess sometimes that couldn't be helped.  I do try to veer away from it as much as I can and just rant my anger away.  When they were younger I would give them the "NOONG BATA PA AKO" speech coupled by a whole lot of grunting to get my point across.  When they got older I switched to the "PAG MAY TRABAHO NA KAYO" speech with more grunting and an occasional flying object.  This is to try to instill in my children the meaning of RESPONSIBILITY, INITIATIVE, INTEGRITY, and VALUE FOR MONEY.  What irks me the most is when they do their house chores and just do it for compliance sake.  Consider the flying object an exclamation point.  


Communication is key.  Our children need to understand the "why" of life.  That every action has consequences---good and bad. Parents are the first educators of children.  Everything starts at home.  I believe that what you are at home translates to how you will be when you start working.  Unfortunately, I'm not like Jesus during his sermon at the mount but more like the fiery diatribe of Miriam Santiago.  That, I need to work on.  Nobody wants to listen to a scolding, right?  So once I'm done with my vituperation---I pray for divine intervention and have God touch the hearts of my children to do the right thing.


I also try to practice what I learned in Psychology 101 about LOGICAL CONSEQUENCE.  This is where the punishment should fit the transgression.  For example, if your child breaks a china you take it off his allowance.  No logic beating the crap out of him.  Unfortunately, I don't give my children allowance.  So in lieu of this I give them work to do to get the theoretical cost.    

Being a father is not an easy task.  It's very much like being the boss at work where you coach, mentor, encourage, and direct.  Except this time, it's your family you're dealing with.  And with no sense of security of tenure, family members can simply ignore you and do as they please.  On the other hand, I can actually do as I please in terms of management style.

A friend and former co-worker of mine justified his being an hard ass-ed SOB at work by saying, "There are two ways of making people follow you; either through religion or through fear.  I'm not a religious person, so I rule through fear."  In some ways, this style have its merits---it does get the job done; however, don't expect any thank you cards from your subordinates.  However, opting to rule by fear in a family situation almost always lead to rebellion and family dysfunction.  As a parent, that's the last thing you want to do.  Now this is why I turned to blogging.  I don't rant that much anymore and I get to say what needs to be said in a more civilized way that hopefully my children will appreciate and take into heart.

Movie Review: Lockout

Nice cinematography.  Incredible special effects.  

Guy Pearce fit the role of the gung-ho CIA agent Marion "Snow" Stone to a T.  I do believe Guy patterned his acting in the mold of John McClane of the Die Hard series.  Even the way he smokes and carries the cigarette was typical John McClane.  Come to think of it, even the plot is Die Hard-ISH.  So much for originality.  But then we all loved John McClane, right?  However, this movie did not have a credible villain.  Hydell, played by Joseph Gilgun, had his moments of pure evil but he shares the goon part with Vincent Regan who plays Hydell's older brother Alex.  There was also a lack of high intensity confrontation between Snow, Alex, and Hydell with Alex dying in the hands of Hydell and Hydell meets his demise when the space prison explodes in a ball of flame.

Oh to hell with the guys in this movie!  The primary reason for  me to watch this movie was Maggie Grace.  Gorgeous gal she is.  Unfortunately, they made her ugly in this movie by cutting her hair short and dyeing it black (for half of the movie).  Sorry guys, no skin exposure for this lady in this movie.  Heck, the hero did not even get a kiss!

Watch if you haven't watch Die Hard yet or you loved it so much and you'd like to have another serving even if it's a copycat.

Kate Upton for GQ July 2012

Oh my MOMMA!  Kate Upton can really stir things up!  I'm sure GQ's July issue will be selling like pancakes!

Man, that water must be cold!

Chowking Chow Pao

I found myself an affordable yet delicious hunger buster in Chowking's Chow Pao!

For a guy my size (which happens to be on the larger side), two of these babies can already satisfy your hunger and @ Php 25 each---that's not a bad deal!

I'm a sioapo aficionado so this new offering from Chowking struck me as a MUST TRY delicacy.  If you're a regular patron of Chowking you'll remember that they used to offer mantau or Chinese steamed bread---which was a perfect combination with their noodles by the way---which is the same bread used in siopao.  Chow Pao is mantau plus meat or a version of a Chinese Sandwich if there is such a thing.

There are actually 5 variants of Chow Pao available but the other 3 is priced at Php 49  and the other one @ Php 35 given the additional garnishing of veggies and sauce.  But I like the Chinese Sausage, not only because it's cheap but also in terms of taste.

A word of caution though.  If you're ordering via delivery, you might want to be more specific when ordering Chow Pao and make sure that the order taker knows that you're ordering for the "sandwich" and not the rice based Chaofan.  Over the phone they actually sound the same.

Try one now!

Catwoman-The Dark Knight Rises

Meow, the Cat is in the house!  

Looks like director Christopher Nolan decided to have a classic Catwoman look.  Actually I like this better with only a mask and the Cat's hair flowing.  Man, that skin tight costume is a real tease!  

Can't wait for this movie to show.  Mark the date:  July 20, 2012.

Julie Newmar as the Catwoman in the
1966 Batman TV series.

MMDA's Anti-Jaywalking Campaign

Like any other government initiative, MMDA's Anti-Jaywalking Campaign which had its kick-off last June 5 is another case of "ningas-kugon".  

During an interview last June 4, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that the particular target of this drive is along Commonwealth Avenue where several incidents of hit and run accidents involving jaywalkers have happened.

Well, just this morning on my way to work, I saw a couple of jaywalkers (mostly students) doing their thing along Commonwealth Avenue near the Manggahan area.  The ironic thing was they were crossing in front of the new MMDA signage for this campaign.  I guess this campaign is only an 8-5 thing since obviously, there were no "men-in-red" manning the Commonwealth area when the bus I'm on ran the length of this thoroughfare at 5:45am. 

If there is no one doing the enforcing of this law then this is a useless campaign and a waste of the tax payer's money!

Movie Review: Snow White and the Huntsman

Unlike the Disney version of this fairy tale, don't expect any singing here nor jolly seven dwarfs prancing about.  This version depicts Snow White as a fighter, the Prince's kiss does not do any magic, Seven Dwarfs---are still small---but uglier, and the Huntsman steals the Princess.

Always loved Charlize Theron and still hung over by Kristen Stewart's beauty.

Did I like the movie?  A bit.

Do I recommend it?  Let me put it this way---I should have just waited for it to be shown as an offering of SM Cinema Fiesta.

What Men Inherited from Adam

Better judgement (mostly my wife) convinced me to drop my plan to grow my hair into an afro.  What can I say---she had a very convincing argument (if you can call it that).  To paraphrase her she practically said, "Gupit or your bun does not go into the oven!"  So I say "GUPIT NALANG!"  Actually, it goes beyond saying.  One look of disapproval is like a telepathic shoutout and a coming embargo waiting to happen.

Well, we owe that to our forefather Adam.  

Being the first to be created, Adam was put in charge by God to govern the rest of his creations.  However, Adam's better judgement did not do him well when he gave way to Eve's persuasion to eat the Forbidden Fruit. In other words, man's subservience to woman started even before The Fall.  

What does a woman have that man cannot live without?  Man, if you can't fathom the answer to this---you must be gay!  

I rest my case.

Movie Review: Buried

Given the title of this movie---I should have known better!

Well, this is not a new movie.  Buried was shown as part of the Sundance Film Festival early 2010 and had a limited theatrical release later on the same year.  If I remember it correctly, it was shown in the Philippines late last year only.  Anyway, it  was re-shown this year as part of SM Cinema's Cinema Fiesta where movie goers are treated to a budget film viewing for only Php 25.  Normally, new releases start off at Php 160.

Being a fan of Ryan Reynolds, me and my wife decided to watch.

Don't get me wrong.  The movie isn't really that bad.  It's just the ending I did not like.  I go to the movies to relax and feel good.  Buried gave me none of both.  That's how good an acting Ryan Reynolds did on this movie.

The location of the film is somewhere in Iraq but all throughout the running time of this movie the setting was in wooden coffin buried in the dessert.  Ryan Reynolds gave such a compelling rendition of a man buried alive in a box coffin that I felt constricted and claustrophobic in my cushioned chair!

The story revolves around an American truck driver, Paul Conroy, in Iraq whose convoy was attacked by Iraqi rebels.  The opening sequence already found him bound and gagged inside the make shift coffin with only his Zippo lighter, a liquor flask, and a  Blackberry phone.  Apparently, he was not buried deep since there was still a mobile signal inside the box---a ploy for his kidnappers to communicate with him and state their ransom demands.

Originally, the kidnappers wanted $5 million ransom but this was later lowered down to $1 million after negotiations with the US government dwindled to an impasse and rescue efforts for Conroy and the other kidnapped truckers went underway.

Conroy was made to make videos by the kidnappers, first, was a proof of life which was released via YouTube.  He was forced to do this after he was shown a video of another trucker who the kidnappers threatened to execute if he did not cooperate.  With the negotiation not going anywhere and with the US offensive in full swing, the kidnappers threaten to do harm to Conroy's family in the US unless he films himself cutting off his finger.  Ouch!

As if the constricting feeling was not uncomfortable enough there was also the heavy feeling of frustration and  hopelessness especially in the scene where Conroy makes a video of his last will and testament to his wife and son.  

The film goes in peaks and valleys in anticipation of the final outcome.  I was hoping for the rescue of Conroy and it seemed so until the very final moment.  Damn!  

My wife and I left the movie house with a heavy heart...good thing the movie only cost me Php 25!

Pacman Loses to Bradley via Decision

Manny lost. Let's leave it at that. If he's still up to it, then a re-match is in order. It's not as if he was undefeated.  He's been on this road before. The question is if he still wants to have another go at it and win back the title from Bradley.  However, the next fight will need to be won convincingly via a knockout to put away any partisan  voting from the judges or any doubt thereof.


Who knows, this may lead to another thrilogy and more money for Manny---if he's still longing for more.


Let's stop bickering.  I don't believe any amount of protest will change the outcome of the fight.  


Manny gave up the title but I do believe he has already proven himself in the boxing world.  No amount of boxing politics can dispute that.  Besides, he is still 2M richer after the fight.  At the most it was just a bruised image on his part.

Movie Review: Prometheus

The reason why I like going to the cinema 30 minutes before the showing time is for me to get a glimpse of future films to watch.  Prometheus was one such film that got my attention.  My interest in the film superseded my liking for Snow White and the Huntsman that it was the obvious choice given both movies are still showing right now.  Obviously I'm more a sci-fi fan than that of fantasy.

I have not read any movie synopsis for Prometheus prior to watching it but the use of an android as a science officer was reminiscent of Ash and Bishop in Aliens 1 and 2.   And then there were the facehugger and the chestburster aliens.   What is this film really about?  The final piece of the puzzle was put in place when the alien antagonist shown in the last part of the film looked like Ridley Scott's Alien.  True enough the film is meant to be a prequel to the Aliens series.

The story aims to explain the mythology of the alien species that has terrified movie goers for the past three decades.  Apparently, the alien being who created man had a change of heart about the human race and decided to eradicate their creation with their own version of "weapon of mass destruction".  The moon which they thought to be the home of man's creators turned out to be the production site of the specie that will exterminate the human race. Before there was Ripley, there was Elizabeth Shaw to save the human race from alien destruction.

My Ten Commandments of Leadership

To be in a position of LEADERSHIP is a serious matter.  Those who wish to lead should be well equipped with a balance of business sense and people skills.  Tipping the scale either way could make or break a department, a company, and even a country.  

A bad leadership breeds dissent and organizational breakdown.  We don't want that, right?

The best leaders are those who know what it is to follow.  So allow me to share with you my 10 Commandments for a Good Leadership based on my 23 years of being a follower:

1.  Be a good example. This is mainly based on values.  The values that you hold dear is reflective of how you do things.

2.  Know where you're going.  The question is, "How can you LEAD if you don't know where you want to go?"  Be wary of the leader who don't have a sense of direction.

4.  Be clear in your directions.  Knowing where you want to go does not guarantee that you'll be able to get your team to get there.  Communicating your goals to others and how you need them to do it is as important as having  the vision of your goal.

5.  Define your people's deliverables.  Quality should always be the top of mind. Your people should know what is expected of them.  They should know the rewards of exemplary work and the penalty for a lackluster one. 

6.  Give credit where credit is due.  As Maya Angelou would say, "People  will  forget what you did, they will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel."  A leader must have the power to build morale.  Stroking the ego of a subordinate for a job well done is an effective tool in morale building and in the process strengthens confidence which in turn spurs autonomy.   Leaders should not baby sitters.  Leaders build effective teams and organizations.

7.  Be accountable.  The buck stops with you.  If your people fail, you fail.  Never forget that.

8.  Be a teacher and mentor.  The greatest legacy of a leader is being able to mold future leaders.  A leader is not threatened to mentor a secondary to ensure business continuity and relishes in the notion that even without his presence those whom he leaves behind is competent to keep the business going.

9.  Always look for better ways of doing things.  Like the parable of the talents a leader must have something to show for at the end of his term.  To leave the position and hand over the very same organization when you took over is an affront to the company that hired you and a total waste of investment.

10.  Have a lot of patience.  It is hard to be a leader.  Dealing with different kinds of people, knowing their idiosyncrasies,  strengths and limitations require a chameleon-like quality of adapting.  Trust and respect are not automatic privileges of the position.  It is earned through time and a whole lot of relationship building. 

Funny is the New Handsome

I've always believed that how you make people feel makes for a lasting impression.  Naturally, making a woman happy makes for better companionship, ergo, the man with the sense of humor wins the girl.

Many women have learned from the experience that handsome men are more likely to flirt around or in some instances---turn out to be GAY(bato-bato sa langit!).   

Women are more emotional and happiness is something that they always long for.  There is always this craving to be cuddled, courted, made special, and humored.  I tell you, there's no other sound than a woman's hearty laugh!  

A romantic guy with a sense of humor is now the new handsome. So pretty boys beware---you don't own the block no more!   

Date Night @ Hooters MOA

The main purpose why my wife and I went to SM Mall of Asia was to take part in the Hot Summer Nights Car Show at the Bay Walk.  Unfortunately, the weather was bad and dampened the normally eye catching scenery of the event.  It's a good thing that Hooters was nearby and me and the wife got ourselves an early dinner of Boneless Spicy Wings, Hooters Cobb Salad, Cheese Nachos, and bottomless ice teas to put them down.  My camera on the other hand found satisfaction with the beautiful Hooters babes abound!

Special thanks to Jane and Jewel for entertaining our needs!

Hot Summer Nights Car Show 2012 - SM Mall of Asia

It was a case of "to go or not to go" given the bad weather that has been going on the past few days.  But the calling to take part in the Hot Summer Nights Car Show was too strong to pass up rain or shine!  So off I went with my wife to the SM Mall of Asia Bay Walk in the hope of getting me some pictures of the cars and the gals.  

We arrived a little pass 6pm and it was drizzling and with the wind blowing storm strength it was useless to use an umbrella.  The venue was compact and it was hard to navigate through the crowd.  A strong smell of testosterone permeated the air overpowering the smell of the sea.  The cars were drenched from the rain but tents housed the gals from the elements except from the throng of men who gathered around them like bees in a honeycomb!  The tent rendered my retractable LCD display useless as it neutralized my camera's capability to make an overhead shot.  Deym!  With the more prominent babes walled up, I didn't get any shot.  Good thing that my new favorite model was there to satisfy my itching trigger finger.  Unfortunately, I was ready to get long shots and got my 55-200mm lens on and unable to change lens with no shade to do it in.  Good thing my good old Nokia N8 saved the day and got myself some pictures (although not the crisp and clear images that I want but still...).

  

My wife and I then went for an early dinner at Hooters (details on a separate blog) to while the time before the 10pm HSN Bikini Show.

It seems that the weather was also keen on watching the parade of bikini clad women and the night was drizzle-free for the duration of the show.  However, the organizers were not confident that the weather will hold since the show short of the usual pomp and circumstance like they had last year.  Missing was the pre-show entertainment and the show itself was done in haste as the models strutted and exited as if in a hurry to go to another event.

The cramped venue immediately filled the stage area and lost my usual perch at the front of the side stage.  I was four rows behind but the vantage point seemed to have a high potential for taking quality shots---that is, until the official photographer blocked my view from the stage and I was left only open shots of his back side!  Double DEYM!  Over head shot was also not feasible with all those in front of me were also doing the same and I was way behind!  I shifted to capture the event via video from my N8 but that too was difficult to do!  

The decision to brave the weather would have been all for naught if not for the great time we had a Hooters!

Anyway, sharing with you the pictures and the video of the event.

Video Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYno48vTPOo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWliQvz1loY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdd1c_zmB-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTq-BtAUw_Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZvPUDEDrnA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5RkzGdZ-To
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-shwq7BF0mc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75H268qgpNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y3-kSMZH6A