If All Else Fails...

...there's always Yahoo! Messenger.

So Ping messages me at work, going into the final seven minutes of Game 3 of the UAAP Men's Basketball Finals between the DLSU Green Archers and the defending champion FEU Tamaraws. DLSU is up by seven points.

ej_paz (6:06:12 PM): astig.
planetping (6:06:43 PM): 4 na lang
planetping (6:06:49 PM): 2 tres ng FEU
planetping (6:06:52 PM): feck
planetping (6:06:56 PM): 6mins to go
ej_paz (6:06:57 PM): shet
planetping (6:07:18 PM): make that 2
planetping (6:07:22 PM): 5:30
planetping (6:07:44 PM): FEU has possesion
planetping (6:07:46 PM): chance to tie
planetping (6:07:58 PM): tied
ej_paz (6:08:05 PM): dammit.
planetping (6:08:34 PM): 10-0 run ng FEU
ej_paz (6:09:14 PM): pucha, timeout. hindi ba tumatawag ng timeout?
planetping (6:09:30 PM): eto timeout
planetping (6:09:33 PM): i know you
planetping (6:09:36 PM): and you know me
planetping (6:09:45 PM): one thing i can tell ya is ya got to be free
planetping (6:09:48 PM): come together right now
planetping (6:09:49 PM): over me
planetping (6:09:54 PM): PETRON TREATS
planetping (6:10:02 PM): hehehe, pati advertisement may report
planetping (6:12:17 PM): 4:00 to go
planetping (6:12:23 PM): FEU by 2 now
ej_paz (6:12:34 PM): puta
planetping (6:13:56 PM): tied
planetping (6:14:04 PM): 59 deadlock
planetping (6:14:37 PM): tapos may nagfoul from lasalle...
planetping (6:14:46 PM): sa threepoint attempt ni miranda
planetping (6:14:49 PM): great..
planetping (6:14:59 PM): miranda misses his first
planetping (6:15:17 PM): and misses his second!!!
planetping (6:15:21 PM): his third try...
planetping (6:15:34 PM): good
planetping (6:15:47 PM): 60-59 FEU
planetping (6:17:39 PM): 61-59 FEU
planetping (6:18:07 PM): tied
planetping (6:18:27 PM): 63-61 LASALLE!!!
planetping (6:19:19 PM): steal ni gaco midcourt sabay bato sa streaking yeo for the uncontested layup... giving Lasalle the 2 point advantage
planetping (6:19:21 PM): last 2 mins
planetping (6:19:24 PM): timeout FEU
ej_paz (6:19:45 PM): kapit, bayan!
planetping (6:20:10 PM): tamang close game na toh!!!
planetping (6:20:20 PM): pag OT advantage tayo... foul trouble si miranda at isip eh
planetping (6:21:22 PM): 1:40 to go
planetping (6:21:28 PM): Lasalle by 2...
planetping (6:21:39 PM): isip for 2
planetping (6:21:43 PM): tied...agen
planetping (6:22:11 PM): FEU has the ball
planetping (6:22:16 PM): off a yeo miss
planetping (6:22:41 PM): isip for 2
planetping (6:22:44 PM): FEU leads
planetping (6:22:47 PM): casio for three
planetping (6:22:52 PM): GOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDD!!!
planetping (6:22:52 PM): GOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDD!!!
planetping (6:22:54 PM): GOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDD!!!
planetping (6:23:27 PM): nakalimutan ko
planetping (6:23:33 PM): before yung 3 ni casio
planetping (6:23:38 PM): may FG na naman si isip
planetping (6:23:41 PM): so now...
planetping (6:23:55 PM): 66-65 Lasalle
ej_paz (6:25:01 PM): time?
planetping (6:25:30 PM): 24.9 seconds
planetping (6:25:35 PM): this is it
planetping (6:25:40 PM): defense!!!
planetping (6:26:07 PM): FEU misses
planetping (6:26:15 PM): cardona the motherfucking rebound!!!
planetping (6:26:19 PM): penalty!!!
planetping (6:26:25 PM): AAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!
planetping (6:26:32 PM): 2 freethrows
ej_paz (6:26:34 PM): AAAAAAAAAAAAAh!!!!
planetping (6:26:37 PM): and 2 seconds to go
planetping (6:26:59 PM): tangina, ang ganda na ng lusot ni miranda, tapos umikot ikot yung bola sa ring
planetping (6:27:00 PM): di pumasok
planetping (6:27:05 PM): the drama...
ej_paz (6:27:14 PM): tangina pare!!!
planetping (6:27:26 PM): may chance pa FEU
ej_paz (6:27:28 PM): nanginginig yung mga kamay ko sa pag type.
planetping (6:27:30 PM): pero sana wag na
ej_paz (6:27:36 PM): timeout?
planetping (6:27:39 PM): yep
planetping (6:27:47 PM): cardona may 2 upcoming freethrows
planetping (6:27:52 PM): makes his first
planetping (6:27:54 PM):
planetping (6:27:59 PM): isarado mo na idol
planetping (6:28:14 PM): sarado!
planetping (6:28:38 PM): time runs out.. wala na timeouts FEU... ANIMO LASALLE!!!
planetping (6:28:38 PM): time runs out.. wala na timeouts FEU... ANIMO LASALLE!!!
planetping (6:28:39 PM): time runs out.. wala na timeouts FEU... ANIMO LASALLE!!!
planetping (6:28:40 PM): time runs out.. wala na timeouts FEU... ANIMO LASALLE!!!
ej_paz (6:29:15 PM): potah!!!! yeaaaaaaaah!
ej_paz (6:29:23 PM): ANIMO LASALLE!
planetping (6:30:35 PM): yiiii buuuoooooyyyyiiiii!!!
ej_paz (6:31:14 PM): yiiiiiiiiiii, mothafuckaaaaaaah!!!
planetping (6:32:15 PM): hooooyeeeaaah
planetping (6:35:06 PM): friendster bulleting board na toh!!!

De La Salle wins the Championship, 68-65. How sweet it is.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

...The Fantastic Four.

Clockwise from upper left: Ioan Gruffudd as Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as The Invisible Woman, Chris Evans as The Human Torch, and Michael Chiklis as The Thing. Photos courtesy of Anti Hero Comics.

The Importance of Friendship

Name Game

Taken from Djong, which she got from Sarah.

Porn Star Name (name of first pet + street you live in)
- Brownie Banahaw. Oh yeah.

Movie Star Name (favorite snack food + grandfather's first name)
- Pasta Tolomeo or Pasta Mariano, depending on which Lolo's name I use. I could well be the lead in some mobster movie with those names.

Fashion Designer Name (first word you see on your left + favorite restaurant)
- Oracle Emerald. O ha?

Exotic Foreigner Alias (favorite spice + last vacation spot visited)
- Pepper Boracay. Uh...hmmm.

Socialite Alias (silliest childhood nickname + town where you first partied)
- Ed Baguio. Hwokey!

Fly Guy Alias (first initial + first two or three letters of your last name)
- E Paz. My last name only has three letters. Unfortunately, this name sounds like ipas, which means cockroach in Kampampangan.

Icon Alias (something sweet within sight + any liquid in kitchen)
- Mentos Worcestershire. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

Detective Alias (favorite baby animal + where you went to high school)
- Tiger St. Louis. "Commissioner, may I introduce Det. Tiger St. Louis." Pweeeeeedeeeeeeh!

Barfly Alias (last snack food you ate + your favorite bar drink)
- Pasta Red Horse. Now that is one stupid name.

Soap Opera Alias (middle name + street where you first lived)
- Paulino Gen. Luna. Very Soap Opera-ish indeed.

Rock Star Alias (favorite candy/dessert + last name of favorite musician)
- Flat Tops Mayer. I don't know if I should be happy or not.

Happy Birthday, Burning Lead!

September 9, 2003 saw the birth of this blog and the historical (and aptly entitled) first post. Can't believe it's been a year already.

Here's to burning a lot more lead, folks. And as Bryan always says, to our good looks...and sexy bodies.

Man, I need a beer.

And The Scale Says...

4.5 kilograms.

That's how much I've lost in the weight department. That's 9.9 pounds, my friends...9.9 pounds! I haven't lost this much weight since I got sick with Typhoid back in the 3rd grade. Not even when I still played basketball.

Amazing.

Three more months left in the year. Let's see if I can keep this up.

New Deep

I’m so alive
I’m so enlightened
I can barely survive
A night in my mind
So I’ve got a plan
I’m gonna find out just how boring I am
And have a good time

Cause ever since I’ve tried
Trying not to find
Every little meaning in my life
It’s been fine, I’ve been cool
With my new golden rule

Numb is the new deep
Done with the old me
And talk is the same cheap it's been

Is there a God?
Why is he waiting?
Don't you think of it odd
When he knows my address
And look at the stars
Don’t it remind you just how feeble we are?
Well it used to, I guess

Cause ever since I’ve tried
Trying not to find
Every little meaning in my life
It’s been fine, I’ve been cool
With my new golden rule

Numb is the new deep
Done with the old me
And talk is the same cheap it's been

I'm a new man
I wear a new cologne
And you wouldn’t know me
If your eyes were closed
I know what you’ll say
'This won't last longer than the rest of the day'
But you’re wrong this time
You’re wrong

Numb is the new deep
Done with the old me
I’m over the analyzing
Tonight

Stop trying to figure it out

Deep will only bring you down
You know I used to be the backporch poet
With a book of rhymes always
Open, knowing all the time, I’m probably
Never gonna find the perfect rhyme
For 'heavier things'

~ John Mayer

Sometimes...

...I just can't help but think if this is all worth it.

My work, I mean.

What am I doing here so late anyway (and for the second straight night at that)? I've only had an hour's worth of sleep today...seriously...but here I am, busting my ass off, maybe on the verge of killing myself. And for what? Experience? Well, that's always been a given. Honor and prestige, maybe boost my chances for a promotion? I don't know...maybe. Or maybe I'm really just that dedicated.

But you know what? No matter how bad it sounds, whether I like the whole idea of it or not, I've begun to accept that there is one other reason why I am putting up with all the crap of my job.

It's the goddamn money.

To tell you the truth, since these long hours became more frequent, I've had many battles with myself over this. I've been through all the "it shouldn't be about the money" drama. And I'm sad to admit that I may be losing the war to the materialistic side of me.

Can you really blame me for wanting more? I mean, I have this supposedly generous compensation that I can't even share with my parents and siblings because most of it goes to the monthly rent, utilities, and all these stupid taxes. I am barely left with some for myself. Things just get a little lighter when I get my OT pay on time...extra emphasis on the "on time" part though.

My failure to be of significant financial help to my immediate family is what has most likely pushed my Dad, the only doctor I've idolized my whole life, to join the bandwagon and pursue a nursing degree. What kind of message do you think that sends to an eldest child? It's depressing.

In my quiet moments I figured that sidelining as a Graphic Artist would definitely boost the finances, but given my exceptionally busy (and weird) schedule, the plan just kind of got flushed down the toilet. So, I'm now thinking of just selling some of my comics. Or my car.

*Sigh* I am in dire need of sleep.

Dammit.

(I can imagine Zane breathing a sigh of relief, "Finally, updates.")

I wish this crazy schedule could be a little more cooperative. I hate not being able to blog. It's depressing...makes me feel so rusty. Sure I get to exercise the old brain at work, but writing's different. No heavy thought required, minimal stress, a welcome break from all the craziness of the corporate zoo.

There are a number of things to write about that have happened in the last 24 days, I just wish I could've stopped and posted them all. Well, if I had a brand spankin' new laptop and broadband connection like Gerwin, at least I could be blogging from home. But too bad, I don't have a brand spankin' new laptop, so I'll just have to make do with my old reliable office PC. *Rackum Frackum*

So here's a rundown of what's been up:

1. I have been going to the gym since June. I (or at least I'd like to believe that I) have lost weight, which is good. Though I still need a couple more kilometers on the treadmill to reach my "ideal" weight. Hopefully, the scale will show an acceptable reading by the end of the year.



2. I can finally say that I have been to Boracay. I was there on leave, with Pi and Pats from the 14th to the 17th. We celebrated half of Pi's birthday there. It's such a beautiful place, even on the off-season. I honestly didn't want to leave. Here's to next time. I will definitely save up so we can go back.



3. After five months, our half-full apartment has finally been blessed with cable television. The only thing missing now is a sofa (but you should see the abundance of 2-L distilled water containers in our kitchen, I swear if I had time, I'd make those into a sofa).

Sorry, that's about all the time we have for today, kids. Be sure to check back next time for more updates (right, I wonder when that will be).

Amazing Racer

My legs are killing me, but it was one hell of an experience.

Last Saturday, I had travelled with five other officemates to Tagaytay City for the 2004 ADSOC Adventure Quest, this half-day adventure race we had signed-up for a couple of weeks ago. I had never participated in an event like this before, so I figured this was a good time to try out something new.

A total of 10 teams, comprised of three members each (with at least one female member) had registered for the event and compete for the Php8,000 grand prize. Two teams came from our office. We had to find our way through 15 stops all over Tagaytay, completing challenge after challenge, testing our physical and mental abilities in ways I have never imagined. Think Amazing Race on a smaller scale.

A major highlight of the race was our team's climb from last place in the 8th checkpoint to 4th place in the 15th and final leg. Luck just seemed to be on our side all the way to the finish after a couple of bad breaks, one where we got lost trying to find the 7th checkpoint ("The fine-dining resto Tagaytay is known for") and a race marshall already had to give us the exact location (Antonio's). It sucked big time, but after Doni (my teammate) breezed through that checkpoint's challenge, it was all uphill from there.

It was the greatest feeling, coming back with a vengeance and overtaking those ahead of us one by one. We didn't finish first, but it sure felt like it. (The other team from our office, who reached as high as 1st place after the 6th leg, finished at 5th.)

Unfortunately, I have no photos of the event on hand...yet. But once they're available, I'll be sure to post them here.

Check back later. It's time for me to take a couple more pain killers.

Eat Fist!

This quiz result would have been really cool.

Except the name's IRON FIST, not Power Fist, you damn morons!!!

Don't go f*cking up our superheroes' names.

Get it right next time.

Love At Its Most Beautiful

In you I have found everything I have always wanted. You are my peace of mind, the reason I look forward to the end of each day. I find refuge and comfort in your arms. You understand the entirety of my being, embrace my inner child, accept my eccentricities. You inspire me in countless ways, and you needn't even say a word. You are the reason I persevere, the reason I try to give a little bit more than what is required. Because of you, I am not afraid to come to the edge. Because of you, I will never ever fall, you have taught me how to fly. You are perfect in every way, because you know that you are not. I am the richest man in the world, I have you in my life.

How can I not love you? You are love at its most beautiful.

Happy Anniversary, Pi.

Hoo Ha!

Which member of the JLA are you? BATMAN Losing his parents to a tragic mugging, Bruce Wayne took a vow to wage a one man war on crime. Using the image of the bat to strike fear into criminals, he dons the guise of the Dark Knight after the sun sets. A genius detective and scientist he is a valuable member to the League even without powers.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

What's Been Up...

Ooh Mama!

Say hello to 17-year old, 6'0" Maria Sharapova, 2004 Wimbledon Women's Champion, part-time model, and my new crush.

She was born on April 19, 1987 in Nyagan, a town in the Siberian region of Russia. In 1989, the Sharapova family moved to the Black Sea resort town of Sochi. A chance encounter changed her life at the young age of 4. She met with the father of tennis champ Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and the man gave her a racket. Tennis soon became a passion for her.

She may only be a teenager, but Sharapova is very mature for her age.

She has an animated personality that makes her a joy to watch on the tennis court. Though having the makings of the next Anna Kournikova appearance-wise, there's no doubt that on the court, she is Queen, a definite force to reckon with (and is really a whole lot hotter than Anna if you ask me). While Kournikova doesn't have any trophies displayed on her fireplace mantle, Sharapova is starting a collection, with two titles under her belt entering the WTA tour this year.

And just when I thought women's tennis has completely lost its appeal. God is good, my friends...God is good.

Yosh!

I watched Cinemenila's screening of Zatoichi last Saturday and I must say, it is a kick-ass movie, oozing with machismo and super-cool and ultra-bloody swordplay (probably one of the best you will see in a film of this genre).

Set in 19th Century Japan, Zatoichi is a story of a blind wanderer who makes a living by gambling and giving massages. But behind the humble facade is a master swordsman and the unlikely savior of a remote mountain village at the mercy of the ruthless Ginzo gang.

The story is well-written and backed by excellent cinematography. Much time and effort has obviously been put into choreographing the fight scenes, which are all very entertaining. It has a good mix of action, drama, suspense, comedy, and even music...yes, music. I'm going to stop talking about it right here...I don't want to give too much of the details away lest I spoil it for you. Just go watch it and see for yourself.

Oh yeah, Zatoichi's sword is really cool too.

Hell Yeah!

Tonight, 9:45PM, Glorietta 4 Cinemas, for free. God is good.

Woman

If I be so inclined to climb up beside you
Would you tell me that the time just isn't right?
And if I ever find the key you hide so well
Will you tell me that I can spend the night?

Leavin' your smell on my coat, leavin' your taste on my shoulder
I still fail to understand what it is about this woman.

If I could bottle up the chills that you give me
I would keep them in a jar next to my bed.
And If I should ever draw a picture of a woman
It is you that would come flowing from my pen.

Leavin' your clothes on the floor, making me walk out the door
And I still fail to understand what it is about this woman.

Helplessly melting as I stand next to the sun
As she burns me, I am screaming out for more.
Drink every drop of liquid, heap that I've become
Pop me open spoon me out on to the floor.

Leavin' your smell on my coat, leavin your taste on my shoulder
I still fail to understand, fail to understand.
Leavin' your smell on my coat, leavin your taste on my shoulder
I still fail to understand what it is about this woman.

~ Maroon 5

The Day After Tomorrow

Thanks to the powers that be at Pi's good office, she and I were able to catch an advanced (free) screening of The Day After Tomorrow at the Rockwell Cinemas last night. I had really low expectations from this movie after seeing the likes of Independence Day and The Perfect Storm. So imagine my surprise when this turned out to be one of the better films I've seen so far this year.

It's actually pretty good, contrary to how boring and cliche the trailer has promoted it to be. The screenplay is intense, and though a significant part of it is dominated by breathtaking special effects (the likes of which you have never seen before), the film still maintains an excellent level of realism. Writer/Director Roland Emmerich and his team have obviously put a lot of effort in researching and accurately incorporating the scientific bases for the story. But more than the CGI and the script is the fact that no other movie in recent memory has ever gone to such great lengths to stress the very important task of taking care of the environment for future generations. It is this underlying message that makes The Day After Tomorrow all the more worth watching.

I give this movie a 4/5.

Stupid

What the hell is Jinggoy Estrada doing in the "Magic 12" (final lineup of Senator-elects)? It's a wonder why he was ever allowed to run in the first place, considering he is charged with plunder and is only out on bail. (Well, this isn't the first time criminals have been voted in to office. Remember Romeo Jalosjos? He was convicted of statutory rape a few years back, but still won as Congressman of Zamboanga del Norte. And I read he still pretty much calls the shots though behind bars.) Oh, let's not forget that Jinggoy Estrada's mother is already a Senator. If that doesn't scream "Conflict Of Interest" right at your face, it don't know what else does. Whatever law we have against political dynasties (that is, if we even have one), is obviously eaten by families like Estrada's for breakfast. There are only three words to describe this kind of crap:

Really Fucking Stupid.

Every Little Thing

Let me in
To see you in the morning light
To get me on and all along the tears they come
See all come
I want you to believe in life
But I get the strangest feeling that you've gone away
Will you find out who you are too late to change?
I wish I could be
Every little thing you wanted
All the time
I wish I could be
Every little thing you wanted
All the time
Some times

Lift me up
Just lift me up don't make a sound
And let me hold you up before you hit the Ground
See all come
You say your all right
But I get the strangest feeling
That you've gone away - you've gone away
And will you find out who you are too late to change?

I wish I could be
Every little thing you wanted
All the time
I wish I could be
Every little thing you wanted
All the time
Some times

Don't give me up
Don't give me up tonight
Or soon nothing will be right at all
Salvation
Will you find out who you are too late to change?

I wish I could be
Every little thing you wanted

~ Dishwalla

***

Happy 34th Monthsary, Pi. 'Love you.

New Look

Let me know what you think. You know I always appreciate the feedback.