FROM THE FORWARDED E-MAIL DEPT.:

I am thankful...

For the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight, because she is home with me, not with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa who is being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that means she is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.

It's the holiday season once more, so me and my wife, Kuki, decided to go to Greenhills for some Christmas shopping.

You know those vendors in the streets who sell candies, newspapers, and the like? Some even sell toys (like those animals with the bobbing heads) and mini foldable seats. Well, there was this one vendor who really had us laughing hard. It was along Wilson St. going to Greenhills. Take a guess at what this guy was selling.

Made your guess yet? Believe it or not, the guy was selling FISHING RODS. What the hell?!!? Who sells fishing rods on the street walking around while the traffic light's red? Better yet, who's gonna buy them? I can't imagine anyone seeing this vendor and saying, "Hey! Fishing Rods! Just what we need while we shop at Greenhills!"

I'm still wondering how many fishing rods that guy sells in a day (if ever).

The recent bombings in Bali, Zamboanga and bus bombing in Metro Manila has affected everyone, whether they care to admit it or not.

I was driving along EDSA going to Pasay Road last Saturday morning and there was a commotion in the underpass. People were running towards the underpass wanting to get a look at what happened. I was driving so I couldn't see anything. Police cars even whizzed past by me.

I later learned that something had detonated there earlier. It was a good thing that it was still too early in the morning that no one got hurt in the blast.

Now, I flinch whenever a bus gets close to me. I fear that it may go off anytime, since buses seem to be the favorite instrument of those who perpetrate these attacks.

Why is it that these terrorists strike out at innocents? What if it was their loved ones who got hurt or killed in one of these attacks? Will they see the error of their ways?

Damn.

Women and gay men have all the fun.

Well, at least when it comes to clothes. You know, they can be fashionable, wear the latest trends, wear anything they want without anyone batting an eyelash. They have a wider range of styles to choose from, too.

While straight guys usually just wear ordinary t-shirts and jeans, or collared shirts with loose-fitting slacks or whatever.

Like Sting once said, "I don't subscribe to that point of view." Personally, I like to wear clothes some people might say are "unconventional." Well, for one, I have really short legs, so I can't use loose-fitting pants. I'll look shorter and fatter than I really am if ever I use those kinds of pants. Furthermore, I like wearing tight-fitting shirts. Those loose shirts tend to make me sweat more. I don't know why, they just do.

Anyway, the problem is, some people who see me wearing these kinds of clothes automatically assume I'm gay. What's up with that? Just because an adult male likes to wear unusual clothes, they're automatically gay?

Now I don't really mind people thinking of me as such, and nobody has really said it straight to my face. It's just fairly amusing what some people think. Like this one time, a friend of mine introduced me to a gay friend of hers, and later on he asked her privately if I was a "kabaro." She just laughed and told him no.

I guess it's just not only the way I dress but also the fact that I'm more comfortable around women than with other guys. I have more female friends than male ones. I just can't sometimes stand the "Hey, pare" boisterous, chest-puffing, male posturing, can't-talk-about-anything-else-but-sports-and-cars kind of guys. And believe me, there are a lot of those out there.

It's funny too because sometimes my wife doesn't want me to go up to her office, because I might be wearing something "shocking" to her officemates. There was this one time I fetched her, and one of her officemates was surprised to see me because I was wearing a tight-fitting shirt and shiny jeans. She said (to my wife, privately) that I wasn't what she had pictured in her head of what my wife's husband would look like. She thought I would be the stereotypical collared shirt and slacks wearing type.

Not that I'm a "wild" guy. I don't smoke. I don't hang out at bars or stay up late. I drink only occassionally. I'm just a regular guy, albeit with a different fashion sense than most other men.

Hmmm... this rant seems to be running a little longer than I expected, and really is going nowhere. Well, like it says on the left, I really have nothing significant to say.

But I'm sure there are other guys out there who'd like to try something different. What I'm saying is, don't let conventions hinder you from what you really want to do. It's time to "come out of the closet," so to speak...

Seems changing the template worked. My Blog is up and running again. What a relief.

Okay. I really gotta get back to work now.

There must be something wrong with my blog page. The last time I looked at my page, the last entry was 9/2/2002. But I had written something last 9/30/2002. I don't know why my last blog won't appear, but if that's the case, then chances are this latest blog won't appear on the page, too. That would mean I'm the only one who's ever gonna read this, which may be the equivalent of talking to oneself.

Argh! I hope the problem gets fixed soon. I also changed the look to make my blog more readable. I think the links to the left are gonna disappear with the new look. Anyway, you can head to Gerry Alanguilan's site, KOMIKERO to see some really good stuff.

And you can also head to my site, CAPSULEZONE , if you haven't been there already. Lord knows it really need updating. Just bear with me.

Gotta get back to work now...

It's been a long time since I've posted anything here, almost a month now. It has been a very busy month in the office, and I don't think the work is gonna let up anytime soon. But don't get me wrong, I love my job, I just wish I had time to do everything else I wanted to do.

Although my wife and I did go on vacation for a few days a while back. Thank God for the brief respite.

Working in the Advertising industry really demands a lot, and I'm reminded of this phrase my friend texted me:

"On the 6th day God created man and He rested on the 7th day."
Then some MORON created ADVERTISING and NOBODY rested from that time on.

Anyway, I just came from Gerry Alanguilan's Blog and got a pleasant surprise. He actually made a link to this Blog. Thanks Gerry!

Oh, well... better get back to work now...

Just got AFTER EDEN at the Bookfair in Megamall. After reading it, I can't help but think that Arnold Arre is a hopeless romantic, as is evident in his other works, Trip To Tagaytay and that story from Isaw, Atbp. AFTER EDEN was a great read, although I have one minor gripe. The story would have worked even without the "fantasy/supernatural" elements. But, like I said, it's a minor quibble.

Well worth P295 pesos.

Just read A B N K K B S N P L Ako by Bob Ong and I must say it's a great read. At P150 it's quite reasonable. It chronicles the author's days from when he was a student 'til he himself became a teacher. Fact or fiction, I can't say, but this is one book most people will relate to, especially Pinoys. I may be a newcomer to Bob Ong's "kuwentong barbero" stories, but better late than never, right?

He has a website supposedly, but when I went there (bobongpinoy.com) All I get is that stupid Tina webcam (which I have encountered so many times in the past.)

And now, I'm reading the sequel to his book, titled "Bakit Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang mga Pilipino?" which has a great gimmick. The cover is printed upside down so that when you read it in public you're gonna look like an idiot because it's gonna seem like you're reading a book upside down. Inside, more of Bob Ong's insights on the lives, habits, etc. etc. of Pinoys. Some sensitive folks might find some of the material insulting and offensive, but you've gotta admit that it's true.

I hope the author doesn't mind if I post an excerpt of the book here...




"...sa Pinas, kung ano man ang gusto mong sabihin ay kailangan sabihin sa English, para manatili kang cool, tulad na lang ng sulat na napulot daw sa isang bar sa Malate at ngayon ay pinagpapasa-pasahan sa Internet.

Marjie,

I am not surprise or wander why Dennis leave you.

Why?

What reason you can think about but you're very fat body. I thought before that Dennis only use me to his toy but sooner and later I'm realize that he really can't not beared or stomached to be with you anymore because at first, Dennis say he could not stand you're habit of making pakialam all his walks [lakad] and always calling to their house what he go home or this or that and then he say he get ashame to meet iether in school or in his family and then asking you to exercise you're very very, very fat body but you hate it thoughth your the most preetiest girls he knows about what do you think you are "Beautiful Girl" of Jose Mari Chan even you are beautiful face to your think you do not have the right to called me whatsoever or else different name one time or the other for the real purposed to insults my personality because i'm never call you names iether in the front of Dennis or in the backs of Dennis, but if you start already to calling me different name, I don't have any other choice but to call you other different name to like you are a PIG, FAT, OBSESSED, OVERWIGHT, AND UGLY SHAPE girl. Shame to you're body that is to a BUDING. Tou can't not blame Dennis for exchanging you to me because i am the more sexier than you when you look to us in the mirror. I'm repeat again that you are like Ike lozada when she is a girl.

FROM: THE SEXIEST GIRL OF D.M.

P.S. You say that I'm the bad breathe but who is Dennis want to kissed, me or you? You or me? And the final is me."



The scary part is... I actually understood that.

Anyway, to the four or five of you who are actually reading this, go now to your nearest bookstore and buy this book. It'll cost you P240, but it's worth it.

Just watched Rex Navarette (of Maritess vs. the Superfriends fame) last night at Greenbelt and the guy was a riot! The place was packed with people! Just goes to show you the power of the internet. And it was FREE!

He has another show tonight at Intramuros but it's sold out already. He has two more shows (I think) on Friday at some place on Jupiter Street in Makati and on Aug. 30 at Dish at the Power Plant.

You should go see this guy! Really hilarious. He even did an updated version of "Maritess," wherein she has left the employ of the Superfriends and has gone to work for a school. Which school? Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Ha ha!