Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Advance Screening
Woke up unusually early this Sunday morning (my "usual" is nearing lunch... hehehehe!). And all for the advance screening of
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! I don't even have to wake up my niece who I will be tagging along for the premiere. c",)
Was deciding how to get to Robinson's Galleria.. taxi or MRT. (Sunday is Manong's day-off, my brother's driver.) In order to provide a "little" adventure for my niece, decided to take the MRT, thinking that she hasn't ridden one yet. That's when I learned that this would be her second time to ride the MRT! Oh, well...
While waiting for Cinema 6 to open (the invite says the gate opens 10:00am, closes 11:00am), decided to buy ourselves a hotdog, nachos and drinks from Taters. That's when I saw a friend who is also queueing up. My niece, who has her "built-in" radar on, focuses on two basketball players who are also in the queue... c",)
My friend is with her family. She's luckier. She has a nephew who works for Monster Radio RX 93.1, the sponsor for the movie's premiere, who gave her the tickets. And to think, RX 93.1 sponsors a lot of advance movie screenings!
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (starring Johnny Depp) is a remake of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (starring Gene Wilder). I have watched the latter, but it does not stop me to be excited to watch the former. For one, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", which was megged in 1971, already impressed me with the set, the effects, etc. What more today with advanced technology in movie-making!
Willy Wonka, an eccentric chocolatier, opens his beloved chocolate empire for the first time in 15 years only to find an heir. Uncomfortable with human contact, the chocolate magnate eventually warms up to one kid from the five who won golden tickets to the facility. The lucky boy is Charlie Bucket, who came from a humble background whose family has always lived in the shadow of Wonka's towering extraordinary factory.
As expected, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" provided a "twist" from the original "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". This is a must-see for the whole family--it's fun, it's imaginative and it teaches good values without being preachy.
I have observed, the Belgian Chocolate flavor of Brown Sugar Muffins is usually available around 2 to 3PM. After eating lunch at Pancake, me and my niece went to Greenbelt 1 to buy some. My theory proved correct! ;)
Stealth
Picked-up my the two advance screening movie pass for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Of the six winners, I am the third to claim my prize... c",) I wonder if the three other winners would claim theirs. If not, what would happen to the tickets? Guess, the one distributing them would use them, too bad if not.
Been deciding which movie to watch: Stealth, Wedding Crashers, The Machinist or D' Anothers. Decided to watch Stealth.
The elite division of test pilots flying highly classifed stealth fighter jets, called Talons, have a new wingman--an artificial intelligence-based UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) nicknamed "EDI". After being hit by lightning, EDI gets out of control.
The movie is fast-paced, making the movie a delight. Like Kara said, EDI is neutral. At the wrong hands, EDI is a very destructive weapon. With EDI's bungling, human frailty have surfaced when manipulation of a corrupt military official is at work.
After the anticipated Mass, we had dinner at Italliani's.
I Won! I Won! I Won!
I can't believe it! Just because I dropped by the ClickTheCity website yesterday and tried guessing where Charlie's golden ticket is, I received an SMS message today saying, "Congratulations! You just won in the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory promo. Please check your e-mail for details. This message is intended for Loot Box promo participants of ClickTheCity.com". And I received the message right in the middle of a "heated" meeting... hehehe!
Tomorrow, I'm going to pick up the tickets... (whistles)
And on Sunday? I'll be one of the first who would see the movie before it is shown in the theaters here... (whistles, again)
GMA's State of the Nation Address
Today, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would be delivering her State of the Nation Address (SONA). As of last heard, the opposition has decided to boycott the SONA. In the midst of this, Alejandro Roces has succintly stated what should be the main concern. The Administration and, particulary, the Opposition, take heed...
ALEJANDRO ROCES: PEACE AND ORDER SHOULD BE OUR MAIN CONCERNMANILA, July 14, 2005 (STAR) ROSES AND THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces - When we read about what has recently been happening in London, we cannot but rejoice that despite all the opposition efforts here to get President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to voluntarily resign, peace and order has prevailed. It is true that the President’s popularity has dropped to the lowest since she assumed office. But the great majority of the people are for changes that are sanctioned by the Constitution. An impeachment case has been filed against the President. The people will abide by the results of the case, but they will never even consider a change that is unconstitutional.
Yesterday, the opposition was supposed to mount a huge protest against the administration. As of this writing, we cannot say if said opposition rally materialized. The good thing is that Filipino rallies are traditionally peaceful. We take great pride in both EDSA I and EDSA II and we really know of no other case in history where a dictatorship was toppled without a single loss of life or damage to property. Gandhi was the greatest advocate of non-violence. But the finest example of non-violent change did not happen in India. It took place in the Philippines and not once but twice.
According to the papers, the opposition intended to gather 100,000 people yesterday and increase it to 500,000 to a million by Friday until Sunday. It is one thing to plan and another thing to turn it into reality.
If the opposition really want PGMA out of office, they should concentrate on filing a strong impeachment case against her. That would be constitutional. But to demand her resignation when she has not been formally charged with any infringement of the Constitution simply is not reasonable.
Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo is going to deliver her State of the Nation Address on July 25. We should all listen to what she has to say and the opposition should then come out and say whether they agree or not with her program of government. If not, they should present their alternate program. As it is, they are demanding her resignation and not even informing the people of what will take place after. Will Vice-Pres. Noli de Castro assume her place, which is what the Constitution says? Or, will it be a so-called "transition government? Who will compose this transition government and what is its constitutional basis?
PGMA should either be impeached or allowed to finish her term. All those who advocate that she voluntarily step down from office are asking for something that has no precedent in our political history. The President’s term is up to 2010. So she still has five years to go. We believe that she will not only finish her term, but that calls for her to step down is just a passing phenomenon.(From http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/ht/ht005241.htm)
State of the Nation Address by President Arroyo, July 25, 2005:
Every year, we meet on this day in this great hall to celebrate democracy and take stock of the nation: the country and its condition; the government and its performance; the people and their well-being.
Ours is a country divided; the story of our nation is a tale of two Philippines; almost, as it were, two countries under the same name.
One is the Philippines whose economy, after long years of cumulative national endeavor, is now poised for take off. The other is the Philippines whose political system, after equally long years of degeneration, has become a hindrance to progress.
As a country on the verge of take-off, our storyline would surprise many at home and abroad. The story includes an economy that grew more than 6 percent last year and that has continued oil price hikes in history, while generating four million jobs in the last four years.
The story includes marked improvements in tax collections, infrastructure housing construction, shelter, security for the urban poor and indigenous peoples, and rice productivity.
The story includes 69 million beneficiaries of health care insurance, including 30 million indigents, whose re-enrollment started early this year and is still ongoing.
That same story, over four years, saw the drug menace cut in half, the rash of kidnappings become a thing of the past, and insurgency in the South abated.
This story should work itself out as one about an economy as resilient and full of potential as its people are patient and hardworking, guided by a government--with the executive and the legislative hand-in-hand--that is able to pass a no-nonsense budget and make the tough decisions to put our fiscal house in order.
I specially refer to our recent titanic struggle to enact the three laws that comprised the biggest fiscal package in our history, the biggest revenue increase in a generation that will break the vicious cycle of financing development by borrowing and having to borrow again just to service those loans. This is the one reform that will snap the chain that has bound our future to a profligate past and the debt-burdened present. The Filipino's strong sense of family has given Congress a stronger resolve not to pass on today's debt, and bankrupt our children and grandchildren tomorrow. That struggle has done the House and the Senate great honor. Congratulations.
Abroad, the story continues. We’ve worked long and hard to restore our country to the prominent place it once held as co-founder of the United Nations and the Free World's first line of defense in the East. We won a seat in the UN Security Council, where we presided over the landmark resolution calling for democracy in Iraq. The Philippines chaired the historic conference on interfaith cooperation for peace at the UN, the fruit of a bold and creative initiative by your Speaker of the House.
We head the APEC anti-terrorism task force. Our victories in the war on terror have been acknowledged by no less than president Bush before the US National Defense University. The Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf can only pick up the pieces of its broken backbone in Mindanao.
We’ve worked with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to forge peace with our Muslim brothers. Eighty percent of our peace talks with them have been completed. Permanent peace in Mindanao is within reach.
Indeed, our story as a country on the verge of take off is real. Analysts need only to look at our stock market, and even the peso-dollar exchange rate, to sense the strong anticipation of significant improvements, if only we would overcome the tendency to be our own worst enemy.
Thus, with investors both here and abroad in mind, I invite you all to join me in sending them a strong message from this great hall: We will not waver in our commitment to economic reform and fiscal discipline, whatever the political cost.
The other message to send is that we will address the burden that the other Philippine story imposes on our anticipated take-off. I refer to the story of how our political system has now become a hindrance to our national progress.
Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean. To be sure, the system is still capable of achieving great reforms. But, by and large, our political system has betrayed its promise to each new generation of Filipinos, not a few of whom are voting with their feet, going abroad and leaving that system behind.
Perhaps we politicians have done our best; But maybe our best is not enough, given the present system. Perhaps we have strained the present political system to its final limit.
It is time to turn to the people, bring them into government -- and change the way that government is done.
The people want government that works for them at every level. They want good government that begins at their doorstep in the barangay [village-ed], and does not end before the closed door of a bureaucrat in Metro Manila.
The system clearly needs fundamental change, and the sooner the better. It's time to start the great debate on charter change.
We must address such questions as how much more government is needed for the greater safety and economic security of our people, and how much less government is more conducive to free enterprise and economic progress.
The mode of Charter change is the exclusive prerogative of Congress. But a constituent assembly may well give our people the quickest reforms.
I shall work with Congress, civil society groups and local government executives who are convinced that Charter changes are needed to enable the country to surmount the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the local government executives who have brought about an LGU power revolution through transformative leadership.
The economic progress and social stability of the provinces, along with the increasing self-reliance and efficiency of political developments and public services there, make a compelling case for federalism.
Perhaps it's time to take the power from the center to the countryside that feeds it.
I recognize that our form of government will be the decision of the body constituted to undertake Charter change. But we should consider that legislation could be quickened and laws made more responsive to the people under a parliamentary system, similar to that of our progressive neighbors in the region.
But even as we make a serious start in Charter change, I hope we can still work together on other initiatives to the lasting benefit of our people.
In the area of education, we've spent our increased resources on better trained teachers in more classrooms, teaching students in more effective ways. We’ve laid a strong foundation by building almost 30,000 classrooms in the past four years, providing computer access to more than 3,000 high schools, and beginning a "healthy start" breakfast program for our young school children.
I ask Congress to pass the Pre-Need Code to rehabilitate, reform and regulate the pre-need educational programs that worked so well in the past as a major vehicle for youth education entitlement.
College education is the great Filipino dream. But in a world of rapid technological change, getting a job or keeping it depends as much on how well one reasons as how well one uses his hands. I have issued E.O. 358 so that hours spent in vocational training can be credited towards a college degree. That will combine job readiness with the dream of a college education while increasing the competitiveness of our nation.
But our competitiveness is greatly endangered today by the global oil crisis. I call on Congress to pass legislation encouraging renewable and indigenous energy.
In the area of national security, I urge the swift passage of an anti-terrorism law that will protect rather than subvert, enhance rather than weaken, the rights and liberties that terrorism precisely threatens with extinction.
These examples serve to highlight that there is much work to be done.
Now is not the time for divisiveness, and while there's no avoiding partisan politics, there can be a determined effort by all sides to limit the collateral damage on a country poised for take-off.
Let’s call on the Lord. Let us ask Him for the grace to make us worthy of His healing our land.
Alam kong tayong lahat ay naghahangad ng isang makabuluhang pagbabago para sa ating bayan. Tayong lahat ay nagsisikap para matamo ang kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Kung kaya't ako'y nakikiusap na tulungan ninyo ako, para sa kapakanan ng taong bayan.
We may disagree among ourselves but let us never lose sight of that greater battle for one people, one country, one Philippines.
Not the country of this or that president but the Philippines of our shared and passionate affections.
Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.
(Source: Various media publications)
Asian Visit
Finally, was able to find time to visit my niece who had an appendectomy. With my other niece in tow, we went to Asian Hospital where she is confined.
Just seeing the hospital's building, you can immediately notice that it has a class all its own. Upon stepping on the hospital's lobby, first timers might think they went to a wrong building. The lobby is like that of a hotel, with Rustan's flower shop on the corner, a grand piano on the other. with several sofa here and there.
The visit with the niece is fun. Met another niece who arrived from the U.S. last Friday. With three teeners in the room, giggles and laughter can only be heard.
And the result of the biopsy? Negative for cancer. Thank God!
aVeneto Island
The Island is a fast-paced sci-fi/thriller movie that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The movie offers much, much more than what is shown in the trailer.
Clones in the colony believe that they are survivors of the contamination that left the earth unlivable. Only The Island is the last uncontaminated place in the world, and lucky clones who win the lottery are awarded the chance to travel to The Island. The truth is revealed when one of the clones, Lincoln Six-Echo, started questioning his existence. With Jordan Two-Delta, another clone, they escaped the colony, running for their lives.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at aVeneto Pizzeria Ristorante.
"Spoils of War"
I friend dropped by the office to give my share on the "spoils of war". hehehehe! Actually, it is my prize for winning a bet. Although, the outcome of the bet is not what I hoped for...
Since I have a meeting the whole day (even have a free lunch because the morning meeting extended up to lunch time), my friend simply dropped my "winnings". Hope she bought one for herself so that she'll know why I liked GuyLian... a... lot!
Late in the afternoon, we learned that Monday will be a non-working holiday because the President will deliver her SONA (State Of the Nation Address). Since there is much work to do and with the "surprise" holiday coming, decided to work late just to finish my tasks which I was not able to do because of the meetings.
When I arrived home, that's when I learned that there is a fire near our house, and it has been going on for hours! Have to walk from the foot of the bridge (they are not allowing vehicles to enter the street) to our house. And boy! was it far. Walked like there's a fire on my heels (what a pun!). Hope no one is hurt...
Yesterday, I learned that my niece (from my cousin) will undergo appendectomy that morning. With the fast advancement in medicine, the success rate of appendectomy is high and complications are infrequent. Although, I said a little prayer that the operation will be a success.
It was only last night when I heard what happened in the operation. Although her appendix was removed, the doctor found a mass in her intestines. They took some to check via biopsy if the tumor is benign... and I pray that it is. My cousin and her family need all our prayers.
BTW, my niece is just 16 years old...
Banco de Mafia
Tsk! Tsk! First, there is an unrest in the government brought about scandals being thrown left and right to the administration. Then, there's the internal strife brewing. Inspite of the "hit" contract, one newspaper released this article...
Manila Times - July 15, 2005
Opinion / Editorial
Big Deal by Dan Mariano
Banco de Mafia
In placing ads in several newspapers about their ordeal as leaders of Equitable PCI Bank, the Go family (principally Peter Go Pailan and Antonio Go) finally acknowledged publicly what has been going around in the banking and finance grapevine: there is a hit contract against them in the media.
It is open season for demonizing the Gos, and the family has tagged the mastermind behind their plight: the Sy family of Shoe Mart and Banco deOro.
What great sin have the Gos committed that has brought the wrath of the mighty Sys?
It's simply this: their decision to keep the family legacy, the EquitablePCI Bank, which their father Go Kim Pah founded 55 years ago and bequeathed to his sons and daughters. They had the temerity to say "no" to those who want to take over the bank.
It so happens that the Sys are dead set on buying EPCIB by fair means and foul. Never mind that the people on the other side are another Chinese-Filipino family, whose patriarch even helped Henry Sy and his wife in starting their SM business.
Over the past two weeks, newspaper editors, columnists and reporters have been falling all over themselves to outdo each other in fulfilling the contract. One newspaper publisher has ordered his editorial staff to open its pages to all attacks on the Gos, and not to entertain anything favorable to them, not even a letter replying to the attacks. To make this policy known, he hired a lawyer to write a column that perversely said there's no such thing as "the right of reply in journalism."
Another newspaper has dedicated its business section to a full-scale campaign against the Gos. Two of its business columnists write about nothing but EPCIB and the Go family. Any responses have to be published in another section of the paper, because neither the columnists nor the business editor will print them.
In the case of other papers, columnists and reporters volunteer their services individually, doing their best to earn points for themselves.
Not to be outdone, our trustees in the SSS and GSIS are doing their utmost to be of service to the Sys in their takeover bid on EPCIB.
GSIS president Winston Garcia has volunteered to be the principal mouthpiece in attacking the Gos on everything that the BDO publicists can invent; never mind that he is just about the most ethically-challenged chief executive the GSIS ever had.
SSS president Cora de la Paz commissioned former DENR secretary Fulgencio Factoran as attack dog within the EPCIB board.
In volunteering to lead the planned BDO takeover, Garcia and de la Paz are violating a fundamental investment guideline for our pension funds that has been honored by previous administrations-that they are prohibited from seizing control of the companies they invest in. But [Garcia and de la Paz] probably plan to argue that they are taking over not for the government or their agencies' members, but for the Sys. So, in a sense, there's no violation.
The big flaw in this is that the Sys and Banco de Oro do not have enough shares for even half a board seat in EPCIB. But when were they ever bothered by questions of ethics and delicadeza? Certainly not when they concluded on Rizal Day 2003 that infamous agreement to sell the SSS stakein EPCIB to BDO at fire-sale prices? Or when they concocted a Swiss challenge auction in order to hand over the shares to BDO?
It has never occurred to them that the national pension funds do not belongto the government but to SSS and GSIS members, that their stint at the helm is at best temporary, as fleeting perhaps as the term of the beleaguered President Arroyo, and that their move for a government takeover is taking, and will take, a toll on EPCIB at the stock market and on its profitability.
The disrespect with which the Sys and BDO are treating the Gos and Equitable PCI Bank has never been more apparent than in their decision to challenge in court the anti-competitor provisions in the EPCIB by-laws. For good reason, the by-laws provide for the exclusion from the board of anyone representing or connected with a competitor in the banking business. The Sys first challenged it in the Makati Regional Trial Court, and they lost the case. The other day they brought their challenge to the Court of Appeals, and woe and behold, the CA promptly "TROed" the by-laws provisions. Such is the power of the mighty.
The tactics being employed by Banco de Oro in order to get control of EPCIB remind me of those employed by a Mafia family. (The Sys are making an offer that you can only refuse under pain of being demonized and crushed.) They will brook no resistance. They will use anyone. And they will get their prize come hell or high water.
I am not persuaded, however, that this Mafia style is the only way to do successful business in our country. I think that there is something finer to be said about the Go family's idea about growing a business from generation to generation. I think their record in building EPCIB into the third largest bank in the country deserves the admiration and support of the nation. And I believe they should be commended for their creditable record in leading EPCIB from its crisis of survival four years ago to its present growth and transformation.
The Gos have a point when they reply to the Sys, "Why don't you grow your own bank?" And they have a right to their heritage.Am not sure, but as I understand it, one of the owners of Inquirer is a relative of Romualdez, who, along with GSIS and SSS, wanted to wrestle control of EPCIB so that their pooled shares can be handed over to BDO.
The New Police Story
Finally, after watching two movies early this week, I am now up-to-date with my movie list. There are three new movies being shown this week:
Herbie, Fully Loaded, If Only, and
The New Police Story.
Since I like Jackie Chan, opted to watch his movie The New Police Story. The story is straight-forward and the action scenes are superb. Jackie Chan is supported by competent cast, and good-looking to boot! His "sidekick", Nicholas Tse, provided a good comic relief. The drama injected in the movie did not ruin the action mood of the film.
Cash Coupon
Received the following in my e-mail today. Should have known--would have pocketed P300.00 if I joined last Wednesday's rally... c",)
TAKE A LOOK AT THE CASH COUPON NA INCIDENTALLY AY NAHULOG SA ISANG RALIYISTA SA MAKATI, THEN NAPULOT NG ISANG EMPLEYADA. GARAPALAN NA TO. MAY SEAL PA NG MAKATI CITY.
PAGING MAYOR BINAY..(Translation: Take a look at the cash coupon which incidentally fell from one of the rallyists in Makati, which was then picked up by a female employee. This is the height of callousness. The coupon even has the seal of Makati City. Paging Mayor Binay...)
Tidbits:
SMS Message. Filipinos sense of humor helps him face the stress of daily life. Whether it is an advantage or a disadvantage is another thing. With the political turmoil currently being experienced by our country, one of the venue wherein he expresses beliefs/opinions humorously is via SMS messages. Here is one of the messages I received today...
Abangan ang lalabas na usok sa Malacañang.
If green, si Gloria pa 'yun.
If yellow, si Cory na President.
If puti, eh, cigar ni FVRamos 'yun!
If blue, sa AFP yan.
If pink, si Ping na ang nakaupo.
If itim, si Susan Roces na nakapwesto.
If pula, si Joma na ang President!
ANO KULAY ANG GUSTO MO?
Fantastic Four. Watched Fantastic Four. Enjoyed myself as the movie is "fun". Never expected much from the movie, maybe that's why I enjoyed it. No expectations... c",) The movie was made with kids in mind... even the kids-at-heart.
Fantastic Four's The Thing
Another Makati Rally
Must have been irked, or even challenged, by the comments being thrown about the rally the previous Friday, the opposition promised that they will mobilize about a million people to join today's rally. A million? ho-hum... But maybe, they can fill up a crowd to at least reach the intersection of Makati and Ayala Avenues.
Even if the rally is supposed to start around 3PM, they already closed a portion of Ayala Avenue this morning. This caused heavy traffic as cars have to weave their way to the sideskirts of the city. Added to that, commuters have to walk all the way to their offices! Expect negative reaction because of this. (One of the reactions is the missing confetti. Where are the confettis from the buildings as the rallyists passed by? Or, is this an "unspoken statement" on the ongoing issue?)
Office workers on their way to the office
Around lunch time, several groups have started to convene and walk their way to the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. These groups consist of: those who are always against ANY administration, those who were organized (recruited?) by traditional politicians who have gained the "expertise" of mobilizing people for rallies, miting de avance, etc., and those who believe that their "voice" on the issue should be heard by joining the rally.
Effigy
Rally infront of our office building
As viewed from our office floor
View of the rally from my desk
We were sent home early today, around 3:30PM. Since there is no available transportation from the office to Glorietta because of the rally, had to walk my way there. Wanted to take some pictures of the rallyists; but upon seeing them, I was afraid to. While passing a group of them, heard one of them say "O, ano, nagpalista ka na? Sayang ang..." Missed out on the rest of the sentence as I was walking really fast!
War of the Worlds
As a (psyche) "war" is brewing on the streets of Ayala Avenue, I was into a different kind of war on the silverscreen. Being sent home early gave me a chance to finally watch War of the Worlds (yehey!). War of the Worlds is a kind of alien invasion movie. I say "kind of" because what we actually see are mechanical monstrosities being controlled by aliens. We only see the aliens on the latter part of the movie. As expected from a Steven Spielberg movie, the special effects are great, with the towering machine wreaking havoc on earth and preying on helpless humans. But for the ending, much can be said...
BTW, I received an SMS message in reaction to the congestion caused by closing a portion of Ayala Avenue. It says...
"Mayor Binay must GUARANTEE our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT -- freedom to travel safely in Makati. Freedom of expression must not trample our rights! Makati roads must not be closed to free flow of traffic in favor of RALLYISTS! Rally must be confined in plazas not roads! Sec. Reyes, BF, Lomibao, suspend Binay and protect us!"
Surprise!!!
Had a nice surprise today... Finally met a friend personally. She went to Davao for business and pleasure. Since she did not report for work today, so she decided to drop by and give me her
pasalubong. Now, isn't that sweet? c",)
Unlike the one she "strategized" before so I can meet our mutual friend, her plan this time worked. She made sure that I don't have a meeting today so that anytime she arrives at the office, I'll be sure to be around. Actually, this is also the strategy she planned before. But, who would have guessed an emergency meeting will be called? hehehe!
Finally!!!
Finally, I have upgraded my Pentium 2 computer to a Pentium 4. Using it for eight (8) years, it did not give me any problem. It's just that converting a 50-minute video (I took with my videocam) to a VCD mpeg format took 24 hours! Besides, an officemate would buy the motherboard and memory with its casing/power supply of my old computer. He says that old motherboards consume low power.
Finally, was able to buy a Belgian Chocolate Muffin from Brown Sugar Muffins. My new computer needs to be assembled (plus transfer some accessories from my old computer) and the operating system installed. Thus, they told me to return after two hours. Thus, went to Greenbelt 1 and try to see if I'll be able to catch me some muffins. Boy, was I lucky. There are still five Belgian Chocolate Muffins. Bought them all! c",)
Finally, was able to install the software in my new computer. Although, still have to debug why my scanner doesn't work. Tsk! Tsk!
Tidbits:
Today, an aunt was brought to her final resting place. She teaches music. The thing that I recall most about her is when she taught me and my cousins to sing for the golden wedding anniversary of our grandparents--we would be the choir in the Mass. She said I was a soprano. c",)
Today, my niece went to her classmate's debut. She would be part of the cotillion.
Rally in Makati
The last working day of the week is usually a "game of catch-up" for the still pending work to be done. It would have been a normal busy day until an officemate approached and told me that a big crowd is forming along Ayala Avenue, Makati City. That triggered everyone with AM radios to switch them on to hear the news.
I expected that Ayala Avenue will be closed for traffic because of the rally. And it is closed--from Buendia Avenue to Makati Avenue. Besides, the mayor of Makati is known to be partial with the opposition. The presidentiable who lost the last election was with him when the former died of heart attack while having a round of drinks.
Can't wait to go home to see how many people joined the rally. My gauge that there are many sympathizers is that if the crowd reached Makati Avenue from Paseo de Roxas. (The intersection at Paseo de Roxas is usually the location of the makeshift stage.) When I passed by the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue, all I saw is a couple of authorities with their car blocking the road plus some passerby.
When I reached the mall, everything seems normal. Actually, there are more people in the mall than "on the street"...
Step Aside
The daily work routine of office, home (after passing through the mall... hehehe!), office, home, office, home, was broken today. Before going to the office, went first to Honda Service Center to have my car's side step garnish replaced.
This accessory should have been installed the very day my new car arrived. Because it is out-of-stock, will just have to wait for it to arrive. So, the moment I have my car serviced for the first time, I reminded them of the pending item. Well, they did install one; but, for the Civic 2.0 model! If they replaced my Civic VTI-s with a Civic 2.0, I wouldn't mind... LOL.
Anyway, when I informed them of the mistake, they have arranged for it to be replaced. Good thing, a stock is readily available; thus, they reserved the remaining side step garnish for my car's model. (It seems this item is much in demand. The moment the accessory is available, it is just a matter of days before it is sold-out again.)
So, what's the fuss about the side step garnish? Well, when you open the door as you step out of the car, it looks classy... c",)
C.Fn 4-1 ???
I've learned something new today! Thanks to one of the photography forums I joined where I spend some time "loitering" around... hehehe! shhhhh....
One of the forum members patiently explained it to me when I asked what C.Fn 4-1 is. (Actually, the C.Fn 4-1 was thoroughly discussed in one of the threads in the forum, which he also pointed out to me.) Actually, it is one of the features I've been looking for in a camera--auto-focusing and auto-exposure is separate. Actually, it can be done if I focus first manually. The problem with that, I may not focus it properly, the picture would be totally out of focus! Believe me, I've done that. hehehe! I think they should make viewfinder eyepieces bigger. c",)
So, as soon as I arrived home (bisto!), tested what I've learned. Took a picture of the stuff toy given to me by my niece with C.Fn 4-1 camera preference. Nice, isn't it?
BTW, I checked the camera's manual. The custom functions were listed there. Must have skipped that portion thinking I won't be needing it... (whistles)
Frustration
frus-tra'tion n SYN baffle,circumvent, thwart, defeat, balk
I wanted to watch
War of the Worlds. But the ticket booth already posted the screening time I wanted is already close. Although, the next screening time is still available. Odd, really. Why won't they sell tickets to "closed" screening when it is free sitting, that is, we are not guaranteed of seats? I can wait for the next available screening if I am assured of my seat. So, I decided to skip the movie.
What to do? What to do? Aha! Decided to buy myself (again) a Brown Sugar Muffin, preferably Belgian Chocolate flavor. So I walked a long way to Greenbelt 1 just to be disappointed once more. The only items left in the store are two Blueberry, one Cheddar Cheese and one Almond Banana. I think the one managing this store lacks management skill--they are always out of stock! c",)
Good thing I brought my digital camera, took some shots of Greenbelt Park as I walked from Greenbelt 1 back to Glorietta. Ahhhh... at least, the day is not an endless series of frustrating events. I was able to get rather decent pictures, don't you think?
(After the anticipated Mass at the Glorietta, we had dinner at Italliani's.)
Birthday House
The day after the ITG Idol social activity, the office still seem to have the "euphoria" of the previous night.
In between work, a chit-chat and passing commentary of the singer, the song, the food, the audience, etc. has been going around. Everyone was also curious why one of the contestants did not make it to the top 3. Thus, the organizer of the activity has to answer questions like, who would have won based only on the judges' scores? Well, the one who did not make it actually is the winner. The SMS votes of the top 3 winners overtook his points. Tsk! Tsk!
After office, with some of my officemates, went to a friend's house as he invited us for his 34th birthday celebration as well as his house's blessing. There were lots of food and a few games. What made the night entertaining, one of my officemates was imitating our bosses and other people in the office while the rest are trying their best to guess who it is. She even imitated me wherein one of my staff went to my desk to have some documents signed. But, I was busy eating and enjoying my (BIG) Brown Sugar Muffin! You can just guess how I looked... hehehe! c",)
