Late by...

We have a contest/incentive program here at the office where a point
is deducted from each department for each employee who comes in late,
or past the late grace period, to be more specific. We have a grace
period of 15 minutes. Since we have a computer to login to on the
lobby, you type in your login name and password. To make a long and
boring story short, I logged in at 9:16:03. Yup, I was late by 3
seconds.

Not a funny way to start Monday.

--
--andoy
23 January 2006

The PROPHET, by Kahlil Gibran

The PROPHET, by Kahlil Gibran

There are days when I miss my copy of this slim volume. This is one of those days. Been feeling down in the dumps lately, like blah. To describe it, I'd say somewhere near hungry deprived, and almost like you just want bang your head against the wall so you can feel alive, but looking around and trying to find someone else's head instead. It's quite an ambivalent and ambiguous feeling, really.

Just one of those days.

--andoy
19 January 2006

One Year

It's been one year since I started working for this company. And it's
been one hell of a ride so far. It's been a lot of things. A lot of
stress and pressure. And a lot of goofing off. In fact, if truth be
told a lot of the time, I can't help but goof off, because I am
waiting for something to happen, some result to test, anything.

The money's not so bad either. Could be a whole lot worse. This job
rescued me from working on the night-shift. I guess if I had not
gotten this job, I'd still be in a call center doing supervisory work,
at about half my current pay. Probably less.

I started on this job, when one of my former managers called me and
asked for people to man his department. I tried to find people for
him. I didn't really think that I'd be working for him. Neither did
I care if I earned anything from this or not. After several weeks of
follow-ups, he called one morning, just after I got home, and I was
still sleepy and he told me that he needed me on his staff, even if I
didn't do any programming. And he asked me how much I wanted, being a
moron (albeit a very sleepy stupid moron) I gave a round number.
Something I can live with, but enough to make him turn me down. Or so
I thought. He told me to start immediately. That woke me up and I
wanted to kick myself on the head.

I spent my first week working half-day (afternoons) at the office,
went to the call center, took a nap, went on shift and trained an
agent, got home, slept for several hours, before going to Makati, to
work half-day again. That was one week of hell. The funny part about
my new work at the time was that there was nothing to do at the
office. I sometimes found myself sleeping on the floor beside the QA
people. Actually, beside Donna's desk. So I can safely say that I
spent my first week sleeping beside her. She was working on her
computer and I was on the floor beside her sleeping with my jacket as
a pillow.

Midway through last year, I got promoted because my boss found a way
to get kicked out and still get paid. He got a good settlement. Good
enough to leave me with the problems he created, and which I helped
exacerbate in the first place. In essence, I helped dig my own grave.
I'm not yet finished crawling up and out of that hole, but I'm
getting there.

Of particular note was that time last year, first week of May. I
worked the weekend. And May 1, and 2 (a Monday which was declared a
holiday). Tuesday came along and we found out that two programmers
resigned on the Sunday. We were two programmers short. That week was
very noteworthy because I spent 80 hours in the office that week.

There have been overnights, and there have been Saturdays. And the
occasional Sundays in the office.

I admit this is a crazy job. And insanity really is a requirement
hereabouts. But it's still a good ride so far.

Tense, cold and with no friend to have lunch with,
--andoy
17 January 2006

SHARE: Ever The Same, Rob Thomas

SONG: "Ever The Same"
Artist: Rob Thomas

We were drawn from the weeds
We were brave like soldiers
Falling down under the pale moonlight
You were holding to me
Like a someone broken
And I couldn't tell you but I'm telling you now

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you and we'll both fall down

Fall on me
Tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you forever in me
Ever the same

We would stand in the wind
We were free like water
Flowing down
Under the warmth of the sun
Now it's cold and we're scared
And we've both been shaken
Hey, look at us
Man, this doesn't need to be the end

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you and we'll both fall down

Fall on me tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same

You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only give you love

Fall on me tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same

Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same(Ever the same)
--

As I read this, it's more a friend about friendship than anything
else. About supporting friends when they're down, and being there
when they need you.

--andoy
16 January 2006

Share: Help by the Beatles

ARTIST: The Beatles
TITLE: Help

Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone, help

When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors

{Refrain}
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I've never done before

{Repeat Refrain}

When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors

{Repeat Refrain}
... Help me, help me ooh

-=0=-

It's been one of those weeks, when seems that things I did are not
working out right. Not real fiascoes, just SNAFUs! I'll be glad to
get this week over and done with. TGIF!

And thanks to my friends, in the office and outside, who helped me
survive this week: Donald, Steph, Dennis, Cielo, Butch and Rach.

--andoy
13 January 2006

YOUR BODY IS A WONDERLAND (John Mayer)

YOUR BODY IS A WONDERLAND (John Mayer)

We got the afternoon
You got this room for two
One thing I've left to do
Discover me
Discovering you

One mile to every inch of
Your skin like porcelain
One pair of candy lips and
Your bubblegum tongue

'Cause if you want love
We'll make it
Swimming a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while

Your body Is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland

Something 'bout the way the hair falls in your face
I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase
You tell me where to go and
Though I might leave to find it
I'll never let your head hit the bed
Without my hand behind it

you want love?
We'll make it
Swimming a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while

Your body Is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland

Damn baby
You frustrate me
I know you're mine all mine all mine
But you look so good it hurts sometimes

Your body Is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland
Your body is a wonderland

-=0=-

Sounds like a good make-out song. Listening to it this morning. And
I got caught in it.

--andoy
6 January 2006

Share: You And Me, Lifehouse

Share: You And Me, Lifehouse

"You And Me"
Artist: Lifehouse

What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time

Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you

All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You've got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here

Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you

There's something about you now
I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right

Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you

What day is it?
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive

-=0=-

Lifehouse were guests in one of the Smallville episodes. This song was playing while Clark Kent was dancing with Lana Lang, while Lois Lane and Chloe were watching on the sidelines.

--andoy
5 January 2006
(originally posted on http://andoynovel.blogspot.com)

tabulas.com: I Dance With Abandon

tabulas.com: I Dance With Abandon

The link above is to my poem, "Undertones." It was included in the first Pinoy Poets' Chapbook. And then it got picked up by AmyBecca and posted on her MySpace welcome page.

It's a weird Tuesday.

--andoy
3 January 2006

www.myspace.com/amyinatx

www.myspace.com/amyinatx

Through a very circuitous route, my poem ends up in this lady's myspace website. hahaha
Front page/welcome page material even.

Thank you.

--andoy
3 January 2006

You Are Beautiful (James Blunt)

You're Beautiful
sung by James Blunt

My life is brilliant.

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Flying high, [ - video/radio edited version]
Fucking high, [ - CD version]
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

-=0=-

I am very happy today. But the songs I hear are of the "senti" kind.
Doesn't make sense, really. But it does. hahaha

--andoy
2 January 2006

Ever the Same by Rob Thomas

*"Ever The Same"
by Rob Thomas

*We were drawn from the weeds
We were brave like soldiers
Falling down under the pale moonlight
You were holding to me
Like a someone broken
And I couldn't tell you but I'm telling you now

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you and we'll both fall down

Fall on me
Tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you forever in me
Ever the same

We would stand in the wind
We were free like water
Flowing down
Under the warmth of the sun
Now it's cold and we're scared
And we've both been shaken
Hey, look at us
Man, this doesn't need to be the end

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you and we'll both fall down

Fall on me tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same

You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only give you love

Fall on me tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same

Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same(Ever the same)

--
--andoy
2 January 2006

Pictures from Raul's Wedding

There are a lot of stories about Raul's wedding. Maybe some time I could write them down. But it was fun. This was the wedding they've been planning for the past several years. I have no idea how long it was in the planning stage, but Raul and Doy started dating in College. And he's now 36 years old.

There were several things they didn't want to do. The bride did not want to walk down the aisle. No extra expenses for the bridal entourage. Nothing fancy, just a church wedding. The wedding was scheduled for a Saturday. On the Friday before the wedding, I received a text message that it was moved forward by half-an-hour. A big-shot died during the week and he was going to be buried on Saturday, and the wedding was moved earlier so that the deceased would be taken to church and mass by 10:00am. 9:40 came along and the bride and her party wasn't there yet. Almost 10:00 when we were informed by the Church aides/ladies that the ceremony was to be done at the sacristy. If you noticed the pictures, these were taken at the sacristy of the Concepcion Church, in Marikina. Doy came along around 9:45 or 9:50 and she was not in a good mood. She was blaming her family for being late. And to make matters worse, she left the wedding give-aways in the taxi. Notice the pictures, she couldn't smile because she was thinking of how bad the day was going along. Notice that Raul was smiling very widely, he knew he can rile her and have fun about the wedding even before the wedding began. That's how they love one another.

Tatay was mad, and he so wanted to write the Catholic Church Hierarchy about being bumped in schedule by a rich dead guy. But at least the priest saved the day. It was very intimate, and he had a target audience which was listening to every word he said. It may not have been the most solemn, but the priest had fun, and he was joking at times, the whole wedding party enjoyed the ceremony. Everybody was standing around the bride and groom. Literally. Tatay came to enjoy the wedding and he didn't push through with his plan to write to the Bishops.

Too bad that I took the videos. It was horrible because I wasn't able to keep it steady. Everyone who saw the video had only one reaction: seasick because of the movement.

The wedding reception was also a matter of the newly-weds putting their foot down. No doves, no garters, no bouquet throwing. It was really a family affair. And to think that the real joke about the reception was done by Auntie Pinang. They did the catering. But they had a lot pinakbet for their consumption. Ha! Unfortunately, they
gave some to Naneng's table, and I was able to ask for more. And by the time we were wrapping up, I was able to ask for the rest of the pot. That was some good pinakbet. Not too salty, nothing fancy, just good vegetables.

Raul and Doy now live with my parents. They occupy the room me and my family had before we got an apartment last April. I guess they should be having a good time, since they've had more almost twenty years to decide about this. Okay, at least fifteen then.

--andoy
7 September 2005

The wedding.
Posted by Picasa

Mama, Doy, Raul and Tatay
Posted by Picasa

The newly weds with Doy's elder sister and father.
Posted by Picasa

The groom's family.
Posted by Picasa

Doy and Raul with the wedding sponsors. Si tiong Benny yung isa sa mga ninong.
Posted by Picasa

The newly-weds with the bride's family.
Posted by Picasa

Doy and Raul at the Sacristy after the wedding.
Posted by Picasa

Celia and Mitch. Wala lang. hehehe
Posted by Picasa