Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Better Late than Better Never
Please welcome Chegay to the wonderful world of blogging! Check out her blog, The CHAKA Chronicles, at http://thechakachronicles.blogspot.com
9:19 AM
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Fat Boys Can't Climb
I am nowhere near Lance Armstrong. Hello! I was never near his level! So I swallowed my pride, put Cheez Whiz on Chai's roof rack, picked up King at Jollibee San Mateo, and skipped entirely the killer two-kilometer cemented road climb up to the trailhead.
Shame on me. I am one of those people who shout "sakyan mo ang bike mo" to those who refuse to suffer the killer climb and opt to drive their pick-up trucks and SUV's to the trailhead. But now I have to admit to myself that I won't last the trails if I start from the climb at the bottom.
We rode our bikes as soon as we unloaded them from the rack and put on our gear. The first kilometers were hard for me. I shouldn't have drank iced tea because it made my tummy weird. We had to stop at the first crossroad to eat something and drink water to make it better.
We rode around 20 kilometers total. Not bad for someone with a zero fitness level.
Some tips for mountain bike newbies:
1. Get ice-cold water in your hydration pack. In the evening before your ride, fill 1/4 of your hydration pack bladder with water, seal it, blow air into it until it's like a balloon, then put it inside your freezer. In the morning, take it out of the freezer and put drinking water. Cool!
2. Whenever you go out in trail riding, make sure that you have your "basic survival stuff" with you and know how to use them. A short list of this would be extra food, a patch kit, spare tube, tire levers, a pump, a set of allen wrenches, chain cutter, extra money and a cellphone. Of course don't forget standard stuff: your helmet, a pair of gloves, your eyewear, and a water bottle or hydration pack.
3. When attacking downhills, remember to relax, stay loose, and put your weight at the back. Learn to feather your brakes (similar to a car's ABS system) rather than skidding. When you skid, you lose control (plus you destroy the trail).
For more stuff, join the Philippine Cycling Network by sending a blank email to philippinecyclingnetwork-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or by logging in to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/philippinecyclingnetwork
This is just the beginning of the ride and I'm already suffering
Hey! Knowing your limits is a macho thing, 'di ba?
9:53 PM
Friday, March 26, 2004
I was so tired yesterday that I slept at 10:30 last night. That's relatively early since I usually sleep beyond midnight. My body must need some rejuvination from this week and the previous weeks' production marathon, hence the early shutdown.
Charo went with her mom to Divisoria yesterday to get cloth swatches, look for good wedding paraphernalia, and shop. I wish I could join her but I had a lot of things to do at work, so I gave her some good divisoria shopping tips I learned from my mom, like wearing really simple and comfortable clothes (a.k.a. T-Shirt and Maong) and not bringing a wallet.
The last time I was really there was in high school when, after picking me up from my "dorm" near Ateneo for the weekend, I would accompany her to Divisoria to pick up the things she bought for our little store in Batangas.
Maybe I should do a Divisoria adventure soon.
Reality check: Ooops! I don't have money nga pala! Hehehehehehe!
8:20 AM
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Honestly, do guards, who insist on checking your bags and opening your car's trunk, really know what they're looking for? We all know it's just for show, but I don't think they're much of a deterrent anyway so why don't they just quit it?
9:18 PM
Monday, March 22, 2004
For all you Zagu fans out there, here's an update! Our favorite dog just came back from his vet appointment today and he now weighs a whopping 94 pounds! That's an 11-pound weight gain from his last vet appointment!
4:48 PM
Aray ko!
Ang sakit ng pwet ko! Hindi na kasi sanay ang pwet kong nakaupo nang matagal sa saddle. Pag nagkapera ako, talagang bibilhin ko iyong Selle Italia Trans-Am saddle! Tangina! Ganito yata ang pakiramdam 'pag tinira ng bading! Aaannnggg sssaaaaakkkkkiiiiitttttt!
11:56 AM
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Back in the Saddle Again
I finally rode my bike at last! I went up to Maarat in San Mateo this morning with a freshly overhauled fork and a new pair of IRC Mythos tires to watch a mountain bike race organized by the San Mateo Mountain Bikers.
I have one thing to say - I am nowhere near Armstrong's level. That climb gives you one hell of a reality check! Hehehehehe!
Hope I'm free next Sunday so I can ride with King and the Montalbikers for some Maarat-Wawa trail riding. I pray the god of cycling gives me the legs and lungs to make it through.
11:15 PM
Friday, March 19, 2004
No matter how gasgas this is, I'm still going to say it - Thank God It's Friday! I am looking forward to the weekend already so I could take a break from this hell of a week to re-create and brace myself for next week's work marathon.
Charo and I had lunch at Teriyaki Boy today with Butch, Mira and Noel. Charo ordered her usual asupara tepanyaki (asparagus cooked in tepanyaki sauce) and gyu saikuro don (a bowl of rice topped with sliced beef in light soy sauce), while I got myself a bowl of shake don (a bowl of rice topped with salmon cooked in teriyako sauce) and six pieces of california maki. Yum yum.
I think I can go to Velo City in Cartimar tomorrow to have Hermie fix my fork so I can finally join Leeds and his posse in their Antipolo gig. After five years, I think my good old Marzocchi Z.2 Bam is retiring. The problem is I can't afford to shell out P16,000 for a new fork now with all the preparations for the big day next year. Anyway, I hope I can have that fixed by lunchtime because I have to attend two parties tomorrow - Tala's Baptism in Loyola Heights and Tiger's Birthday party in Ayala Heights.
3:59 PM
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
I'm still at home. My car's not allowed on the streets today because of number coding, so I'm waiting for the 10:00 am to 3:00 pm free-for-all window.
I'm not feeling that energized today. I know I need more sleep. I got home at 2:00 this morning from the live production and woke up a little before 9:00 by the sound of Zagu barking.
I know he's cute and all, but his bark is so annoying. Everyday he would bark at the newspaper delivery boy and almost all the tricycles and motorcyces that pass by our street.
Anyway, I have to go back to the DTI again. These people I work with for this promo just moved it from the 21st to the 28th. That's because they haven't experienced waking up at five so you could line up at 6:35 AM. I'll bet they'll have a different perspective once they've tried it. Aside from that, I have a usability test session tomorrow the morning and I have yet to tweak my SD for the changes. I may have to move it for next week.
Wednesday today.
9:35 AM
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Today is chores day. I'm finally finished applying the fabric protector to Chai's upholstery after putting it off for four months. I don't know if I'm right, but I remember buying these cans of fabric cleaner and fabric protector during our short coverage in the First Philippine Nine-Ball Open in Robinson's Galleria.
After lunch, I'm planning to drop by a supermarket (probably Shoppersville or Sta. Lucia) for my bathroom stuff.
My appointment to Dr. Cruz didn't push through yesterday. What's really sucky is that the secretary called up Charo's house Thursday to cancel it. But because it was the maid who answered the phone, it's in one ear and out the other. Definitely no Pentiums inside. Bummer. I had to wake up at 9:00 in the morning on a Saturday for nothing.
 Well, at least the trip to my sister's designer for Charo's measurement was cool. Her name's Rosalyn Lagdameo, a caucasian who's married to a Filipino, and she's been in this country since 1965. She did the gown for Kristine's friend, Chinky, and now she's doing my sister's gown as well. She charges quite reasonably, she's easy to talk to, and adjusts to whatever her clients requests. Come July, if the quality of her work is great, then I think we may have a candidate for my fiancee's wedding gown.
Her house is located in an alley near Shaw boulevard at the side of the Shell station near Nueve de Pebrero. It's an antique built sometime in the early 1900's. Inside, it's primarily deep wood, which is very rich and quite relaxing to the eyes.
Some notable items that caught my attention were her collection of Ifugao costumes encased in glass and wood near the front door, a 3-foot tall bronze statue of Buddha in her living room, a pet turtle with an extraordinarily long neck kept in an aquarium in her office, and of course her daughter's cute little mini-schnauzer whom everybody adored. Charo instantly fell in love with him that she wants one as a wedding present!
Ali Mall was our next stop. We dropped by Kitchenworks at the second level to pick up our order of carrot cake from Cake World, their sister company. Now I'm not really hot on cakes ever since I was a kid (just the odor of icing makes my stomach turn), but this one I like. That's good considering that they're the ones making our wedding cake next year.
We spent the rest of the day watching the DVD's we bought from Ate Nora, our suki, from Riverbanks. We watched Love Actually and Cheaper by the Dozen.
Coolness.
11:43 AM
Friday, March 12, 2004
Ladies and gentlemen, Caramba's back in action! After a week of being in the dark, she finally has her computer back with a fresh new power supply and dial-up modem. Her old Pentium 3 is now running on Windows XP. She just has to install an anti-virus software and probably reinstall Adobe Photoshop.
I'll be going back to the DTI on Monday after I finish preparing the requirements today. It seems I'm going to get my permit number by then. Sana nga.
Tomorrow, I have a doctor's appointment at 11:00 in the morning at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Greenhills. I am getting a second opinion, finally. I am not too sure but I think I'll be leaving Dra. Siasoco, my old cardiologist.
I'm also taking Cha to the designer along Shaw boulevard to have her gown measured for my sister's wedding on July this year.
A lot of people abstain from eating meat on Fridays. But since I almost always eat fish everyday, shouldn't I sacrifice by eating meat?
8:40 AM
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Congratulations to my brother for being elected as the president of the Ateneo Law School Student Council!
10:13 PM
 I am not a virgin, anymore. In getting a DTI promo permit, that is. Should I be proud with that accomplishment? I guess I should. I have to figure that one out and get back to you.
For my whole stay, I was telling myself I won't go through all that hassle for a promo permit. My stint with the DOH-BFAD permit is good enough. I can stick with that and live my life happily ever after. With all the horror stories in securing a promo number at this establishment, I always try to weasel myself out of it.
Well, this ended today. Because of my new projects, I have no choice but to wake up at 5:00 in the morning and drive my way to Makati to apply for a download promo.
It wasn't that bad. The person who reviewed my mechanics was quite reasonable and friendly, I even gave him a lift going back to the office for his noontime draw! I have some minor revisions to do. That's it, so far.
Here are the notable things in my adventure this morning:
1. This Mrs. Perez character is definitely a must-see! Imagine a tall lady nearing her golden years sporting a pair of rose-colored glasses, a tight white shirt, purple mini-skirt and a red jacket! Whoa! We should really invite her to one of our office gatherings. I'll try to take a picture of her and post it here.
2. There isn't work of any form before 8:00 in the morning. There's this girl who went back to sleep on her desk right after she got her timecard stamped. Even the lights aren't turned on.
I'm finished with the rite of passage. I can now say I'm a full-pledged producer.
1:51 PM
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
 Pop quiz, hot shot!
Bibigyan ka ng bagong Mercedes-Benz SLK Class Roadster pero kapalit ng buong buhay mo na wala kang gagawin kundi magdemo noong mga lumilipad na eroplanong papel sa 4th level Building A ng Megamall. Limang daang bato ng eroplano kada araw ang quota mo. Isang araw sa isang linggo lamang ang iyong pahinga at hindi pwede sa Sabado o sa Linggo. Hindi ka rin pwedeng kumuha ng kahalili mo. Kung baga'y it's just you and those paper airplanes.
Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
8:28 AM
Monday, March 08, 2004
I miss blogging. Haven't blogged in days because of my workload, but I'm not complaining. All these meetings, grid making and running around is actually quite healthy for me. Call me a masochist but I think I'm enjoying it. All those hectic production work in college paid off. And for some weird reason I thank God I don't go to the office to watch TV and surf.
So what's up with me and Charo?
Well, we finally found a reception place we love. Yes, it is still in Rockwell, but we're veering away from the tennis courts to a cozier, air-conditioned, and way cheaper venue -- The Loft. Now that we found it, all we have to do is book it for our wedding next year. Cool!
We also managed to book four major wedding suppliers yesterday in the Wedding Expo at the NBC Tent in The Fort. Photography's going to be handled by master lensman Dino Lara, while the video will be handled by the FHM man himself, Jason Magbanua. Petal Patch will be in charge of the church and entourage flowers, and lastly, Mrs. Versoza and her army of chefs and waiters at Josiah's Catering will make sure that this is nothing short of a feast.
What's cool in the Expo is you actually get to meet quite a number of your batchmates who're also tying the knot! Remember that we saw Maan Ferrer in the Westin Bridal Fair? Well, add to the list my blockmates Lem de la Cruz, Benjie Samson and Patricia Gonzales (who goes by the name of "Peach" now)! It's like Friendster Live!
There's also a mini-eyeball at the Weddings@Work booth, where I met another pair of lovebirds from ABS-CBN. Of course, John and Benz were there to help out those in need. They're like sheperding lost "lovelambs" who're awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the industry.
We also did our share of spreading the good word by helping out Charo's Mom's friend, who's putting up a wedding for her daughter and her future son-in-law who're both in the States. We gave her some tips we learned from W@W. Well wouldn't you know, we saw her closing a deal with Jason before she transferred to Dino's booth! Heart warming, isn't it?
So that was our weekend. Cool huh?
Pinoy Piper Rocks!
Peace!
10:06 PM
Thursday, March 04, 2004
It's 8:12 in the morning. I should actually be preparing to go to work today, but here I am logged in the internet at home with a blog attack. I actually don't have anything to write about, so here goes my blabber.
The Szechuan sauce is still in my bloodstream.
Moby and I stuffed ourselves last night with mongolian barbecue at Sweet Inspirations in Katipunan. We both had two servings each. Again, it's another spur of the moment kind of thing. I was in the office late and so was he, one thing led to another, and before we know it, we were on our way to our favorite mongolian place.
Moby was considering of having these guys cater their wedding, so we asked for their prices -- P300 per head for a minimum of 30 persons, P280 per head for a minimum of 50 persons, and P270 per head for a minimum of 100 persons. That comes with pastries and drinks for everyone. Hmmm. Not bad at all. So if I let them cater our wedding and we plan to have 250 guests, that would only be P67,500! Now that's cheap! Hey Cha! What do you think?
Also on mongolian barbecue, maybe should really consider opening a restaurant that only offers that. Aside from having the usual all-you-can-eat buffet, we can have a single-serve regular bowl (limited meats) price for small eaters and a single-serve hungry Mongolian bowl (unlimited meats) price for big eaters. We can name the shop The Great Bowl of Mongolia. Hehehehehe!
8:30 AM
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Today's our 11th monthsary. Looking back, it's really funny how we started. Now I'm looking forward to next month's anniversary and the other anniversaries to come.
1:51 AM
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