I Saw The Signs!

Say hello to iPhone 4

2010-06-08T10:43:00.002+08:00

It's not iPhone HD nor iPhone 4G, Steve Jobs at his World Wide Developers Conference 2010 keynote (early Tuesday morning in PH) revealed the (much rumored and leaked) iPhone 4.

iPhone 4 is 9.3 millimeters thin, is encased in ultradurable and recyclable aluminosilicate glass reinforced with a stainless steel band that also functions as antenna, with a 960x460 backlit LCD display, it's now powered by Apple's A4 chip (same as iPad) and has a new built-in three-axis gyroscope that advances the phone's motion sensing, and has two microphones and a bigger battery extending its standby and talk time.

Here are the new iPhone 4 features to look forward to:

FaceTime - this is Apple's take on video calls, much like iChat on a Mac, but only works over Wi-Fi as of the moment, and can switch between the cameras at the back and front.

Retina Display - termed so because your eye won't be able to distinguish each pixel, it's that sharp and vibrant, and with this Apple claims iPhone 4 to be the highest-resolution phone ever.

Multitasking - now enjoying your apps prevents unnecessary hiccups and battery drains thanks to a smarter approach (Apple calls it iOS 4 now) to running and switching between apps.

New 5-megapixel camera at the back with a built-in LED flash, and a front-facing camera for taking self-portraits.

HD Video and Editing on the Fly - iPhone 4 is now capable of shooting high definition videos with the help of illumination sensor and built-in LED light, and with the upcoming iMovie app (at US$4.99) you can edit and add elements on the fly.

It will be available in 16GB (US$199 plus contract) and 32GB (US$299 plus contract) versions. The iPhone 4's release dropped the price of iPhone 3GS 8GB to US$99, of course with a contract.

In the US, it's up for pre-order this coming June 15 and will be available on June 24. No announcement yet on release dates for other territories but I'm sure Greenhills would have plenty of these come July, in ridiculously high prices though.

My MacBook is cracking up

2010-06-06T22:32:00.023+08:00

I thought my MacBook's tough (a 13-inch Mid-2009 model), and that I'll never have that hairline crack problems I read at PhilMug.

Guess what, less than a year old, mine now has a lot at the bottom and small slits at the palm rest. To think that I handle it like a baby (well it's white and plastic!)

All I can say is...boo! I'd have to declare "very irritating" like I do when I'm at the contact center.

This means upgrading to a MacBook Pro is urgent.

Way to go Toyota Makati

2010-06-04T16:09:00.035+08:00

Ever since I got my Toyota Corolla Altis (model 2008) which I lovingly call Julia Rose, I always had it serviced at Toyota Makati for its per-5k mileage maintenance. So far that dealer's service has been fuss-free and the 9-out-of-10 sort, until I got this call today.

I got a call this afternoon from a "casa" guy whose name I didn't get, saying that I should pick up my car that has been there since 27th of May, and that I should pay the more than four thousand pesos fee that according to him remains outstanding. He sounded irritated as if my car "overstayed" in the casa, and that I owe them big time.

I said "What?! The car was picked up and paid in cash the same day! It took you 9 days? And you thought my car's still there? Aren't you guys talking to your cashier or accounting?" The line went dead.

That actually ruined my day. Way to go Toyota Makati.

LSS - Owl City's Fireflies

2010-04-10T22:13:00.004+08:00

My kids just love Owl City's dreamy-electronic song "Fireflies" which now plays on repeat in my iPod (and in the car). And yes, they (actually everyone at home) also have been bitten by Lady Gaga's catchy "Paparazzi" but I'd be caught singing it like a political ad jingle, Cass McCombs infectious "Don't Vote."

Fireflies
Owl City

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave tear drops everywhere
You'd think me rude but I would just stand and
Stare

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cause everything is never as it seems

Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach my how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sock-hop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread
(Thread, thread...)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep
(Ha-ha)

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell
(Said farewell)
But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar
(Jar, jar, jar...)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)
[x2]

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

What's up with the iPhone OS

2010-04-09T06:45:00.001+08:00

After the much anticipated iPad launch, pre-orders, and stock availability (at least of the WIFI models), last April 8 Apple unveiled the next iPhone OS update--the iPhone OS 4.

Considered to be the biggest and most exciting iteration of Apple's mobile platform, iPhone OS 4 promises over 100 new features, most of which I guess are actually on many iPhone users' wish-list, such as multitasking and app management enhancements.

Here's a rundown of what to expect when iPhone OS 4 becomes available later this year:

- Multitasking, finally!
- Improved spell check
- Personalized wallpaper
- Improved playlists
- Folders for organizing apps
- Better mail app
- iBooks of course
- Game Center for score update and social networking
- and several options for developers

If this will be a free update or available for purchase (like how iPod touch gets firmware updates), let's see when it gets released.

Never too busy for summer

2010-04-01T21:22:00.002+08:00

"Busy" seems to be everyone's sorry excuse for getting helplessly pinned to routine, work or otherwise. To get off it, we of course welcome summer.

But more than the long holiday weekends and the irresistible summon of sun burns, chlorinated pools or salty sea water, and out-of-town gas-guzzling joyrides, it's that time of the year you just have to go on unplanned outings and spend fun time with family.

With so many things to do and so little time (another sorry excuse), you just have to take the time out, before you end up getting burned-out. And so, we're flip-flopping our way to any and every opportunity to summer enjoyment.

*Splurging on new Havaianas pairs did hurt the wallet a bit...oh well, so much for spending summer Brazil-inspired.

I saw blank...

2010-01-27T23:32:00.000+08:00

Hello. The first month of the new year (and decade) sure is a tight start, at least for me, however odd that might sound. Minimal blogging opportunity is what I’m getting at. There’s just so many must-dos and what-have-you things that spell out b-u-s-y in all caps (boldfaced and in red).

At work, we’re practically killing ourselves at getting over last year’s productivity nightmare and moving on and working hard to take advantage of the post-holiday January shopping season. So far, it’s been so-so-sales, but I the ever positive chieftain, won’t stop pushing, proud that, while big-name call centers suffer from terrible attrition rates, loyalty is pretty much still the reason behind our solid teams.

Weekdays going home, I’m usually exhausted (what with that same-old-story traffic dilemma) and recently is becoming insomniac as sleep only comes when the clock ticks 2am, reminds me of my sleep problems when I was in Uruguay. I wanted to blog at home, but I thought I’d rather spend more time with wifey and kids (and movies, and Nintendo wii, and recently Australian Open, hehehe). Weekend is when I’m married to the bed--that’s when my now unhealthy body, badly needing a 3k jog, decides to catch up on sleep.

But really the reason I’m blogging now is because I saw blank, as opposed to seeing the sign.

While I thought I’m a “cool” dad, I wasn’t exactly prepared when I got a call from my eldest son Kurt (who’s in first year high school), asking me to buy a birthday gift for his long-time crush. “I’m courting her did I not tell you?” Kurt explained, careful not to say it out loud on the phone.

Then I saw blank. Then myself. Then Kurt. Then the sign. I’m old. The kids are getting old as well. And I’m old-fashion. “Isn’t he supposed to focus on his studies?” I thought to myself. I texted my wife and asked her if she’s encouraging this. Of course she texted back saying nope, but I suspect she’s excited and at least happy that Kurt is being totally honest. Rarely do kids open up about relationship issues, and I thought I’m not really cool, my kids are. And so, like a student on the look out for the best birthday gift for a high school crush, I ended up buying a cute and cuddly pink teddy bear. The cashier asked “is this for the wife?” while gift-wrapping, I said “it’s for my son’s crush” and got that “are you kidding me?” look.

Ah, I’m not ready. I’m worried about Kurt getting too distracted than he already is, losing focus on his studies. When I was Kurt’s age, Thunder Cats and the Panini Sticker Club kept me busy outside school. I realized though, that while this I think might be a distraction, it might be something else for Kurt, “inspiration” he proclaimed. I hardly noticed but he’s now the first one to be ready to go to school in the morning, does his homework without being told to, saves up money, and is now actively joining school contests and activities. Between my wife and myself, I’m the one doing the “I told you... after high school it’s UP or nothing...”

The sign is that I’m becoming the distraction.

Goodbye 2009, hello 2010

2009-12-31T12:07:00.005+08:00

We're bidding 2009 goodbye, that Year of the Ox with which most have been bullied or went out of control (money and otherwise). While prospects of an upturn is uncertain, the future's unpredictability still is something to look forward to.

So keep the faith, stay challenged and productive, look for the signs then wield.

Cheers to the Year of the Tiger, happy 2010 to all!

Happy Christmas!

2009-12-25T13:03:00.000+08:00

Fewer parties-check, un-busy opportunities-check, more playtime with kids-check, catching-up with missed cable TV episodes-check, Japanese horror-fest marathon-check, diet total neglect-check. That's me this holiday weekend.

But my LSS song (that I'm even humming in sleep) also expresses my Christmas mood:

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...

Same mood? So happy Christmas to you!

SNAPS: Party like crazy

2009-12-23T11:23:00.003+08:00

Here I was on the stage (opposite my staff and others at Hard Rock Cafe in Makati) as if pushing the party crowd to cheer on and keep dancing (the band was playing Black Eyed Peas's "I Gotta Feeling"). Who's party was it?

It's a sister company's party that turned out to be ours when we hit (read: crazified) the dance floor.

I left completely exhausted, but definitely had a great time, and so as my staff we thought we enjoyed it more than our own party at Giligan's.

Earn up to US$100 via PayPal Wishlist at Facebook

2009-12-12T10:14:00.003+08:00

If you're online and interact with relatives and friends via Facebook, you can actually earn money (that's dollars for you) just by making your Paypal Wishlist and sharing them with friends.

Note that you must be at least 18 years of age, with a PayPal account and a valid registration address in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia or Singapore, to be eligible.

This promo is until December 31, 2009 (Singapore Standard Time), so make your PayPal Wishlist now and share with friends.

DP: Few quickies with my new Panasonic Lumix LX3

2009-12-06T22:36:00.005+08:00

Rocket MacQueen (my MacBook) on a new office table I just assembled...

The newly painted TV/entertainment spot...

Cutie pamangkin enjoying the sunny cool backyard breeze...

Kenny's retro dining room at SM City Fairview...

Kurt and Marcus and our lunch aftermath at Kenny's...

And the lucky raffle winner is...

2009-12-05T23:10:00.001+08:00

My first time attending a forum eyeball, and I'm glad I went to the Christmas Party of the Philippine Macintosh Users Group (PhilMUG) held at Figaro in Valero/Sedeno Makati sponsored by Charlie Paw, the man behind Digital Hub/Walker/Zoom, from which I usually buy not only Apple products but accessories for my gadgets. I'm no good in socializing but it was fun (finally) meeting the people behind usernames (sometimes unimaginable names) or avatars (surprisingly opposite the namesake) and get to talk about anything and everything about Mac and all other gadgetry.

The only photo I took of the event as I was laughing most of the time as the mods/hosts were hilarious and outrageously witty. They now called it the "raffle" party because there were lots of prizes and giveaways (outnumbering the attendees) that it took four rounds just for the minor prizes! And what do you know, I'd usually end up with nothing in parties, but I actually went home with four goodies!

Round 1: TuneFlex AUX for iPod (attached now to my car); Round 2: X-mini II black speaker (packed in my bag for my MacBook and iPhone); Round 3: Pepper Lunch cap; and Round 4: (not in photo) a 150 peso ice cream GC (that I gave to my agents as it expires today).

Even if I didn't qualify for the major raffle (500 posts minimum, I only have roughly 70 forum posts), the minor prizes I won are actually biggies! I was so excited I called my wife right away about my loot. I had to go after the raffle, but I'm definitely joining the next activity this coming 15th, a bazaar with beneficiaries, so I'm digging up for stuff to sell and swap...

And so I'm back...

2009-12-04T14:11:00.004+08:00

Not that I now have more free time, yes I'm back to blogging. December being the busiest month of the year, I'd like to squeeze in time to blog about what's going on and what's about to happen to yours truly.

Pressing deadlines on projects pushed me to take a blogging hiatus. While I'm not blogging, Facebook, PhilMUG, and YM etc. kept me reachable online.

What I'm most excited about (of things to look forward to) is that I am now a proud owner of a Panasonic Lumix LX3 (I call her Lucy), the tool I'll use as I begin my exciting neophyte journey into digital photography. I haven't exactly started taking "tack sharp" photos or joined any photo walk, but I'm prepping myself up by reading Scott Kelby's The Digital Photography Book series, and browsing through many local and foreign DP forums and blogs. This coming weekend I should be ready... I think.

Home is a mess. I mean the house is being renovated, to accommodate more family members, and of course in time for Christmas. I finally bought myself a nice office table and will make sure I have my own workspace in our room. I asked my mom to move in to our old house so I can look after her and we're doing that within the month. And so I'm looking forward to our more-the-better Christmas and New Year's eve celebration.

At work, we're so busy keeping up with the holiday shopping season, and finally after feeling dragged down for the past couple of months by the obvious economic sluggishness (and of course the typhoons and the aftermath weeks), our productivity seem to finally pick/catch up. Of course, we're making sure our company Christmas party is another blast, so I'm playing "punong abala" as usual, but I'm taking a back seat and relinquishing big tasks to my staff this time as I'd like to simply enjoy the occasion.

Many of our planned vacations and group activities have been put off or totally canceled, what with all the difficult schedules and pressing work deadlines. But I'd like to think I can get out of that work-trap-scenario. And so I'm attending this year's PhilMUG party (that's tomorrow); joining an eyeball-cum-HS-reunion if it pushes through; looking forward to catching up with college buddies soon; will sit down to arrange cocktails with close friends mid-December; and (hopefully) will travel, travel, travel, get out of Metro Manila and meet up with long-lost "kabagis" and my former "tomador" friends.

Oops, I'll have to stop now and look into another project. See you...

Where you've been (off blogging)

2009-10-04T16:26:00.006+08:00

Been a while, actually more than a month, of pressing office work and tight schedules and targets, that kept me from spending (or allotting) time for blogging.

Last 26-Sep-09, that fateful Saturday was my birthday, but many will remember it for the flash floods that Ondoy brought us in a span of just about 6 hours, shocking every Filipino rich and poor, reminding us nature can indeed command absolutely anything, and not even your plush and fully-loaded SUV can withstand its powerful flood current. And so either we're drenched in water clueless or we're found in our rooftops hungry, desperately praying for Ondoy (or the scarier Pepeng) to go away. While we're lucky that my family were spared, I still couldn't believe that that Saturday actually happened. And so in little ways, I tried to reach out and help. More pressure at work and otherwise, but getting by.

Donated to Red Cross via text. Reached out to relatives and friends affected by the typhoon. Our fraternity chapter, celebrating its founding anniversary last Saturday, did so instead by offering volunteer work at Quezon City Hall, even sharing memorable *repacking* moments with Vice Mayor Herbert "Bistek" Bautista. Knowing that everyone wants to take part in donating, volunteering, and rescue work, is a multiplier effect we need that will hopefully help us recover from this calamity faster, and go back to normal.

SNAPS: Incubus's Monuments and Melodies

2009-09-04T12:32:00.001+08:00

Bought this greatest hits 2CD of Incubus dubbed "Monuments and Melodies" and *ripped* them right away for my iPhone3G. CD1 has all their radio hits, including the new single "Black Heart Inertia" while CD2 has most of their unreleased tracks. I think "Megalomaniac" is the best, the band's strongest statement, though they didn't admit the song having any hints of political bashing, what's with "step down" and "you're no f*cking elvis."

The 2CD package comes with this coupon with a code for downloading some more "rare" Incubus goodies, music and videos and all.

Brandon Boyd, Incubus's frontman and lyric-genius, in his too-skinny-rock-star stance, in this sleeve photo (third, middle).

And so, Incubus is my iPod god these days, "pardon me while I burst..."

SNAPS: At Alexon Green's 1st birthday

2009-08-24T16:09:00.001+08:00

Wifey and Kurt with Alexon Green Sabater who celebrated his first birthday at SM Storyland in Fairview last Sunday.

The wifey, with other moms on alert, proved she's all game in dancing the now viral "Nobody" Korean tune.

Marcus and myself, waiting to be served (we're not exactly hungry, are we?)

Wifey and Kurt, amazed by the colorful "party bus," balloons and everything else painted in green.

Marcus got himself color tattooed (temporary) with what he told me as something resembling Naruto's.

We later watched Disney-Pixar's "UP" with both Kurt and Marcus LOL most of the time.

SNAPS: Kurt's Spore

2009-08-21T22:42:00.000+08:00

For Kurt's 12th birthday, he requested that we celebrate at home and for wifey to cook his favorite food, and because he actually expected me to buy him the gift he wanted - the PC game Spore - which I did get (the original of course).

Spore, Will Wright's "multi-genre massively single-player metaverse god game," is actually not just for PC, but can also be installed in a Mac. It's not really a new game, but it somehow offers evolution/biology learning experience.

And so while Kurt and his cousins are figuring out the game, I did install Spore in my MacBook, and played for about an hour.

You start Spore by choosing a planet (mine's named Jupates) and then swimming through a tidepool for food as a cell. You go through five stages of growth, until you reach the space stage.

Spore lets you create and customize many of its game elements, such as creatures, buildings, vehicles, and spaceships.

A few cell adventures, eating meat and fellow cells, advanced me to the next "creature" stage.

Now with feet, though not exactly a pretty creature, this "omnivore" explores his land (actually it's Marcus's) for more food and territory.

And so my kids and I are now Spore-addicted.

Support I Saw The Signs!

Happy birthday Kurt Martin Lozano!

2009-08-21T00:11:00.000+08:00

Our kuya, who loves ice cream (and video games) turns 12 today. Happy birthday, we love you!

Support I Saw The Signs!

Here comes Sony Playstation 3 Slim

2009-08-20T13:05:00.005+08:00

The coming "ber" season sure preempts more gadgetry worth looking forward to or getting excited about before the holidays. Announced recently, the Sony Playstation 3 Slim is now made affordable (slashing roughly US$100 from the previous price tag), has a slimmer and compact design, retaining pretty much the same features (Blu-ray, WIFI, HD storage, Web browser built-in and HDMI support) as the model it intends to phase out. It's coming out *officially* this September, not sure though if it will ever be launched here.

Losing the game console battle to sales-busting Nintendo Wii and second-honor Microsoft Xbox 360, this might actually be a good chance for PS3 to catch up to the race.

What used to be shiny and expensive-looking is now matte-like and cheaper in comparison, probably to justify the price cut? I ain't thinking of buying (pre-order actually) just yet, I'd like to see how Nintendo and Microsoft will react to the pricing.

My kids are getting tired of their PS2, actually they've been bugging me to buy a Nintendo Wii (yes, they love Mario and the gang), and if I do consider buying them PS3 Slim, all our PS2 games are practically useless (no backward compatibility sadly).

At least we can watch Blu-ray? As if I have movies in that format. Hmm, I think I'd still like to stick with our PS2.

Support I Saw The Signs!

SNAPS: Life with Macmac

2009-08-19T09:53:00.009+08:00

Macmac, my MacBook, with its strikingly beautiful light vortex desktop backdrop, making most of my computing duties worth looking forward to.

While I still use Windows PC at the office, I now do my presentations (via Keynote) and training materials (via Pages) mostly with Macmac. Media files (photos and videos) are much more enjoyable to look at and explore with Macmac.

Can't spend a day without music, with iTunes it's just so easy, pairing it with iPhone 3G for more mobility, along with collectible Apps (a lot of which are free).

And if I'd be asked which of the Mac applications I *fancy* it'd be Photo Booth. With it I can take photos and videos (of me-self) upfront, with cool effects and tweakable backgrounds.

Not a Mac-fan-boy here, just enjoying life with Macmac.

Support I Saw The Signs!

Upgrading to Mac OS X Snow Leopard

2009-08-18T17:11:00.007+08:00

Having read that rumor that the next version of Mac OS X, the Snow Leopard, is shipping ahead of its target release, got me interested and *rushed* to exploring my options for an upgrade. I just switched, but I kept Macmac (that's my MacBook) *refreshed* regularly with software updates.

"Mac OS X is renowned for its simplicity, its reliability, and its ease of use. So when it came to designing Snow Leopard, Apple engineers had a single goal: to make a great thing even better. They searched for areas to refine, further simplify, and speed up — from little things like ejecting external drives to big things like installing the OS. In many cases, they elevated great to amazing." Apple.com

Photo from SoftSailor.com

Guess what? I'm actually *qualified* to get an upgrade for just PHP590.00 (at Apple Store Philippines)! Look at my cart.

Mac models refreshed from mid-2009 I think get special rates, and you have to upgrade within 90 days of purchase or until December this year, whichever comes first. See if you can get the same upgrade price here. There's still no confirmation on the exact release date of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, but hey, don't you want to get it at the best price?

Support I Saw The Signs!

Pearl Jam's Backspacer

2009-08-18T16:11:00.005+08:00

My perennial favorite alternative rock band Pearl Jam is coming out with a new album this September called Backspacer. Produced by Brendan O’Brien, its first single The Fixer is now enjoying a lot of airtime at NU 107 Rock, not sure though if it's in the "Stairway to Seven" top play list.

Photo from Spin.com

The album is said to have been influenced heavily by pop and New Wave sounds, in a way shifting from the band's typically heavy and grungy music.

Eddie Vedder, PJ's frontman, known to use typewriters when writing lyrics, called the album as such to pay tribute to that key that went out of use some 50 years ago. The band also sponsored and named a leatherback turtle "Backspacer" at the Conservation International and National Geographic’s Great Turtle Race. Sweet...

So for PJ fans like myself, cheers and looking forward to the album's release on my birthday month!

Support I Saw The Signs!

I quit

2009-08-17T13:47:00.002+08:00

Because it was easy when I started (I was the adventurous college freshman eager to try out things new) and I did so out of peer pressure (but later became my after-meal habit my brothers tagged as *vitamin*), I thought it'd be effortless for me to quit cigarette smoking, though not really. Getting there, I must say.

I grew up in a household of smokers: except for my father (bless him) and sister, my mother and both my brothers smoke (add the uncles, aunts, and cousins who stayed with us). I don't want to think that that brought me to this habit that seems unbreakable, but I thought it somehow made an influence.

Actually I don't smoke a lot. In fact I only smoke at home (and on occasion) and rarely do I *burn* a pack, except when sharing with friends, and yes, with the wifey, who smokes too. And that's exactly the reason why I'm stopping.

Of course I want my kids to grow up healthy, that's why, and that means I will have to keep myself (and the wifey) healthy as well by keeping our home smoke-free (even if we don't smoke in front of the kids, and that's not really an excuse).

It's been a week actually, and it feels good. If there's anything addicting about cigarette smoking, for me it's simply the sight of others lighting up. There's more to that of course, and if I'm really serious about quitting, I'd better not think about it. No, smoking is a bad habit, bad for me and everyone around me. I don't want to end up like that guy on the photo above.

It's a matter of self control (and I wish I would always have a better hold of it).

So, I quit.

Support I Saw The Signs!

Happy Monday!

2009-08-17T07:13:00.004+08:00

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." Brian Tracy.

Woke up 3:45am to the non-stop ringing alarm of my mobile phone, threw it aside and shook wifey to wake her up. Heading straight to the bathroom, I was then offered my favorite hot green tea after a quick shower, sat on my usual place on the opposite side of our dining after dressing up, where wifey's enjoying her cup of coffee. Still dark outside at 4:55am.

It's Monday. It's been over two years that I started this Monday routine. It starts early and ends very late. And it's all because my car's plate number ends in 2. And because my office is in Makati.

Poor me, every Monday, I rush to be at Makati before 7:00am. And because coding is more stringent (as in 12 hours) in this business district, I can only go out after 7:00pm, which by that time, I'd be exhausted and totally drained. Unless you want to get fined, which is not exactly cheap, keeping the money rolling for "Ganito kami sa Makati."

On the bright side though, because I'm forced to start early on, I'm better prepared for my workweek. 12 hours at the office—that's a lot time to keep productive—more opportunities to get things done.

Silly thing is, I actually asked that my plate number end in 2. Happy Monday!

Support I Saw The Signs!