FHM and UNO Philippines January 2012 Cover Girls: Ellen Adarna and Angelicopter

What an explosive way to start 2012!

No to Firecrackers!

I was jumpy as a kid and I'm more jumpy now that I'm regressing into childhood.  Which was why I have not been fond of firecrackers and the noise of New Year.  Yeah, yeah, the noise is supposed to ward off bad luck---tell that to those who got maimed handling these mini explosives!

In 1992, then Department of Health Secretary Juan Flavier did a very effective campaign by showcasing firecracker related injuries on TV.  The message was clear, "If you don't want to end up like this---don't do firecrackers."  That did the job and statistics would show that a significant decrease in firecracker related incidents.  However, after Flavier's term as DOH Secretary ended in 1995 this campaign also came to its end and the "courageous" Pinoys started going back to their firecracker trip.

In 2002, I got diagnosed with asthma and my anti-firecracker sentiment got even more pronounced.  Every year as if like clockwork I'd be down with asthma the first week of January.  This prompted me to buy a heavy duty gas mask to protect me from the smoke-filled merry making.  Of course, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and my four boys inherited my lung disease---QUADRUPLE DARN!!

Firecrackers still persist today and I can only pray that those who decide to play with this menace survive the festivities with all appendages intact.  Me, I'm doing my own kind of noise.  I'm putting my speakers on maximum volume and playing my favorite rock and roll classics!  On New Year's Eve I'm joining the firecracker noise with my recording of firecracker sound effects which I just downloaded.  It's safe, smoke-free, and can be put in a loop!

Dreaming About Misa Campo

 Last night I had a rad dream!  I was about to do a photo shoot with Misa Campo and we were really chummy!  I mean---I was under the impression that we were friends complete with the customary hugs and beso of best pals!  Oh, and did I mention that she was in her two piece bikini?  Oh yeah!  I really thought it was real until I opened my eyes and found myself back in our room with the night lamp on.  Oh well---that's what sweet dreams are made of!

New Year's Resolution---Again?

New Year---new resolutions...or should I say old resolutions to be continued?  New Year's resolutions like promises are meant to be broken.  Which is why I have long discarded the thought of making one.  I have broken a lot of my resolutions that I don't think the Resolutions God will strike me dead if I once more desecrate this yearly vow.  So no more resolutions for me!  Instead, I'm looking forward to each year, do what needs to be done to the best I can and put myself in God's providence.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Of Work Ethics or Lack Thereof

“The starting point for everything---before strategy, tactics, theories, managing, organizing, philosophy, methodology, talent or experience---is the WORK ETHIC.  Without one of significant magnitude you’re dead in the water, finished.”---Bill Walsh

I believe that there is still merit in hard work.  This is despite the numerous instances that certain slacking individuals got promoted due to their affinity to the big Kahuna.  I'm sure not everyone is blind to the productivity (or lack thereof) of these people and a reckoning will be forthcoming but it really ticks me off just seeing them attending meeting after meeting after meeting with no output afterwards---the gall of these people!  A total waste of the company's money!  Oh well, such is office politics.  I just hope that they do not breed to much in the company or the people that be continue to turn a blind eye.  

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Tattoo Chronicles by Kat Von D

First and foremost, I would like to thank my aunt for funding the purchase of this book.  It was diving providence working again! 

I've just started reading the book a while ago and I was instantly stoked to write about it.  This is mainly because I found a semblance of Kat's love for writing as I have.  Tattoo Chronicles is Kat Von D's journal made into book.  As the title itself connotes, it is a chronicle of part of her life as a tattoo artist covering the time between May 2008 into the summer of 2009.  It is a journal of the tattoo session that she had  done and the various stories that came with them. 

The writing proved to be effective in the sense that I started allowing myself to work to vent a lot of those heavy ideas out onto the pages of these jornals.  I could process what information I'd taken in at the moment and read a conclusion.

Writing is a catharsis for her just like I do in writing my blogs.  This is my journal.  Here is where I express my thoughts about the things and circumstances that touch my life.  Obviously, this book struck a nerve.

Well, if you're wondering if I'm a tattooed bad ass---you're wrong.  All my bodily markings are natural or were stamped by incidents not to my liking.  Getting a tattoo must be done with the right reasons and not just for the sake of fitting in or just for the knack of it.  It is after all an expression---a permanent one at that.  Although I must say that I do want to get one but it has to be done by Kat Von D.  It's going to be the best picture of my wife and underneath would be the names of our six children done in script and I'll have it on my left chest because they are always in my heart.  That's in my bucket list.  Realistic or not it's there.  Period.

Unlike my other books, this will not be a toilet based reading material.  No, no, no!  The book itself is artistically crafted.  Other hardbound books have cover leafs but this one has the print embossed on the hard cover itself.  The pages are thick-glossy and folding the flaps (as I usually do to mark the page I'm at) is now deemed sacrilegious.  If there is something that I'd consider as a flaw of this book is that the text is too small for my aging eyes.  Mental note:  Always bring your reading glasses home---otherwise, this is going to be a bitch to read!

God, Santa, Christmas Presents and Another Yuletide Miracle

Miracles happen everyday---you just have to recognize it.  Why is this important?  Well, to give you the opportunity to be THANKFUL. 

Coincidence, luck, happenstance, they are all God's means of being anonymous. 

When I was still a kid I thought God and Santa were best of friends---I pray and Santa gives.  In hindsight, I thank God for giving me parents, ninongs and ninangs, aunts and uncles, who made me happy come Christmas time.  When I became a parent I became Santa to my kids and my prayers are now geared towards being given the opportunity to continue to provide for my family.  I no longer ask God for specific Christmas presents but is thankful for what comes my way (which becomes more and more seldom when you get older).  Oh don't mistake it, I do have my wish list.  But that is something that I leave to Divine Providence.

Well, I guess God still sees the child in me and touched someone to provide what I normally could not afford.  It may not be turning water into wine but a miracle just the same.

Thank you Lord for another Merry Christmas!