Looks like I'm going to be a dad again....
Jen took the test and it turns out to be positive.
We were planning to have another kid but I never expected it to be this soon. Oh well, its better now than two or three years later.
Voter Registration and Dirty Dirty Politics
A couple of weeks ago, my mom told us to renew our voter's registration at the local Baranggay office. I wondered what she meant because I know that you don't have to renew your voter's ID, unless you moved somewhere else.
Anyway, I accompanied Jen and my dad to the baranggay to register (My mom renewed her voter's ID a week before). The office was filled with people and the Comelec people were obviously outnumbered and ill-equipped to deal with the number of resident voters.
After talking to one of the Comelec staff, who told us to wait while she checked it with her superiors upstairs, we were asked to provide photocopies of our IDs before registering.
Turns out that the IDs were needed for the first screening requirement. That is to verify if we are legal residents in the baranggay. Jen failed the screening, since her driver's license revealed her Binondo address. She was probably fed up with the long line and the crowd, so she decided not to register anymore.
The Comelec staff then checked my ID and my father's senior citizen card. Apparently my voter ID is still valid (which means I don't have to re-register anymore). But my dad's info was outdated, so he had to register.
While waiting for my dad to have his picture and thumb prints taken, I watched as the other residents haggled their way with the Comelec staff. One man brought his daughter to register. But when the Comelec people told them that they needed the girl's birth certificate, the father got mad and told them that it wasn't required. The two argued for five minutes or so, and then the father approached the Baranggay captain to have the problem "fixed". The girl was finally able to register.
I accompanied my dad up to the second floor of the office. There was another long line upstairs. Apparently there's just one computer to take picture and thumb prints.
Watching the number of people registering made me wonder if there is really any sense in all of this. I'm not really looking forward to the coming elections and I doubt if these people's votes would make an impact on the country.
My dad still insists that it is our right to vote. But do I have to waste my vote on people I don't believe in?
Anyway, I accompanied Jen and my dad to the baranggay to register (My mom renewed her voter's ID a week before). The office was filled with people and the Comelec people were obviously outnumbered and ill-equipped to deal with the number of resident voters.
After talking to one of the Comelec staff, who told us to wait while she checked it with her superiors upstairs, we were asked to provide photocopies of our IDs before registering.
Turns out that the IDs were needed for the first screening requirement. That is to verify if we are legal residents in the baranggay. Jen failed the screening, since her driver's license revealed her Binondo address. She was probably fed up with the long line and the crowd, so she decided not to register anymore.
The Comelec staff then checked my ID and my father's senior citizen card. Apparently my voter ID is still valid (which means I don't have to re-register anymore). But my dad's info was outdated, so he had to register.
While waiting for my dad to have his picture and thumb prints taken, I watched as the other residents haggled their way with the Comelec staff. One man brought his daughter to register. But when the Comelec people told them that they needed the girl's birth certificate, the father got mad and told them that it wasn't required. The two argued for five minutes or so, and then the father approached the Baranggay captain to have the problem "fixed". The girl was finally able to register.
I accompanied my dad up to the second floor of the office. There was another long line upstairs. Apparently there's just one computer to take picture and thumb prints.
Watching the number of people registering made me wonder if there is really any sense in all of this. I'm not really looking forward to the coming elections and I doubt if these people's votes would make an impact on the country.
My dad still insists that it is our right to vote. But do I have to waste my vote on people I don't believe in?
A Small Victory Over Bureau of Customs
I just heard the news that President Arroyo ordered the lifting of taxes on imported books. I just hope the order stays and those government officials would stick their greedy hands elsewhere.
What irritates me more is the fact that it took this long to get a response from government. This issue has been getting a lot of coverage for almost a month (or more). It just shows how slow (and inept) the government is when responding on its own follies and errors.
What irritates me more is the fact that it took this long to get a response from government. This issue has been getting a lot of coverage for almost a month (or more). It just shows how slow (and inept) the government is when responding on its own follies and errors.
Losing Sleep....
Now this is an role playing game that I can relate to (My own struggles of "insomnia" comes from babysitting Aaron. Yes, he still wakes up two or three times in the middle of the night).
Thanks to Paolo for introducing me to the book.
"Don't Rest Your Head" is a game where players become insomniac heroes fighting against strange enemies from a city that is only accessible to the insane and the sleepless.
With sleeplessness comes great powers. Yes, that's the trade off. You get cool psychic powers in exchange for becoming insomniacs. Aside from this, your constant state of wakefulness makes you physically exhausted and prone to madness. Your heightened sense of perception lets you interact with denizens of the Mad City.
I still have to read the book to fully understand the mechanics of the game. From the website alone, I am reminded of the Matrix and Dark City (which I think the book got its ideas). The rules appear to be fairly simple, using six sided dice to resolve conflicts and challenges.
Some of the other RPG stuff from Evil Hat looks interesting as well.
Thanks to Paolo for introducing me to the book.
"Don't Rest Your Head" is a game where players become insomniac heroes fighting against strange enemies from a city that is only accessible to the insane and the sleepless.
With sleeplessness comes great powers. Yes, that's the trade off. You get cool psychic powers in exchange for becoming insomniacs. Aside from this, your constant state of wakefulness makes you physically exhausted and prone to madness. Your heightened sense of perception lets you interact with denizens of the Mad City.
I still have to read the book to fully understand the mechanics of the game. From the website alone, I am reminded of the Matrix and Dark City (which I think the book got its ideas). The rules appear to be fairly simple, using six sided dice to resolve conflicts and challenges.
Some of the other RPG stuff from Evil Hat looks interesting as well.
I've Been Glazed...
Got an email from Jen. Apparently Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts and coffee to people who visit their site. Just fill out the simple form and email a friend about the promotion -- Presto! You got yourself a doughnut and a signature coffee from Krispy Kreme.
When it comes to doughnuts, I prefer the classic Butter Nut flavored doughnut of Dunkin Donuts. I find Krispy Kreme doughnuts too sweet. And now they are giving away free chocholate Karamel doughnuts to all sugar lovers out there.
If you want to have a free sugar rush, courtesy of me and Krispy Kreme, go to this link and follow the instructions... see you in the nearest doughnut shop.
All-in-one Printers
I'm thinking of buying one of those printers that have scanning and photocopying capabilities. Unfortunately I still don't know what brand to buy, or if such a printer is worthwhile investment.
It's been two years since I threw away my Epson inkjet printer. My last printer managed to work for 7 or 8 years before giving up. I remembered having problems printing my Master thesis since I was using refillable ink, rather than the expensive Epson cartridge.
Should I buy another printer, I would want to have a device that can do a lot more than printing documents. I want to scan old pictures and drawings, as well have my own personal photocopying machine.
But then I'm not sure if these types of printers would last long. I don't have have space in my desk right now to put in a printer.
It's been two years since I threw away my Epson inkjet printer. My last printer managed to work for 7 or 8 years before giving up. I remembered having problems printing my Master thesis since I was using refillable ink, rather than the expensive Epson cartridge.
Should I buy another printer, I would want to have a device that can do a lot more than printing documents. I want to scan old pictures and drawings, as well have my own personal photocopying machine.
But then I'm not sure if these types of printers would last long. I don't have have space in my desk right now to put in a printer.
Clutter
I inherited my pack rat mentality from my parents. They love to store useless stuff in the house, stuff that are useless like old clothes and old appliances. They also love to store trinkets they've acquired from trips, party souvenirs, unused Christmas gifts and all that free stuff you get from supermarket sales.
Most of my clutter right now are classified into the following categories:
I should think of ways to maintain my library. But I have no idea on what to do -- like how to organize or how to keep them dust free. Maybe I'd get more free space once I clear out the other clutter in my room. That way I'd have more space for my books... but then again, I'd have the same problem of how to maintain them.
Most of my clutter right now are classified into the following categories:
- Old books (including comics)
- Old toys
- Old clothes (including shoes)
- Old electronic stuff (CD walkman)
- Old CDs (VCDs and Audio CDs), as well as cassette tapes
I should think of ways to maintain my library. But I have no idea on what to do -- like how to organize or how to keep them dust free. Maybe I'd get more free space once I clear out the other clutter in my room. That way I'd have more space for my books... but then again, I'd have the same problem of how to maintain them.
Star Trek (2009)
Got a chance leave the home (and Aaron) and watch the film. It was two hours of sci-fi action, trek nostalgia and fan-boy excitement rolled into one.I'm not going to spoil the movie to those who haven't watched it yet. But I would recommend this latest Trek franchise to those who are not familiar with the series.
I like the way the writers and directors presented the story and the movie. It reminded me of DC comic's elseworld stories.. what if this thing happened instead of that... and how would things turn out if this particular event happened...
When I first heard that the next trek movie would be a story of how the original enterprise crew meet each other, part of me was expecting the retro hair styles and blinking consoles. Another part was expecting a story that dealt mostly with Kirk and Spock, with less emphasis on the other crew members. That's how I pictured the original series.
But the movie did surpass my expectations. I wish they would make another sequel to further explain what happened to the characters.
Jen seemed to like the movie too. She said that we should watch it again, to "further appreciate and understand the story".
The Bucket List.
I accidentally ran into the film a couple of times while channel surfing. HBO had been playing "The Bucket List" on several occasions and I managed to complete the entire movie (like a jigsaw puzzle) after three days.So what makes this movie interesting, aside from having Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? I guess the film talks about mortality and how people would react if they knew they only had a year to live. Some people might just live in fear, withdraw from the world, or even focus their last remaining days fixing their earthly business. Other people might choose a different path.
Both protagonists are cancer patients who learn that they only have a few months to live. So they made a list of things they want to do before they die and try to do them one by one. Enter the cliche Hollywood formula -- the two fight while doing their list, make up in the end, gain some epiphany about life, love and friendship, die, live life to the fullest and die again.
I think the film would have made a bigger impact to me if it didn't remind me of a Hollywood television series called "My Name is Earl".
Here are some similarities in "Bucket List" and "Earl":
- Both have a list of things that the protagonists are trying to cross out.
- They both have one asshole protagonist who, thanks to Karma or Cancer (take your pick), gets redeemed and becomes a better person in the end.
- Both have quirky supporting casts who help them cross out the things in their list.
I think the movie dwells too much on the positive, feel good aspect of life -- like friendship, love and family. It tends to downplay the actual reality of suffering and death. I doubt if all cancer patients view living and life with such gusto. I doubt if people can make instant life changing decisions just because they know the grim reaper is looking for them.
It all boils down to how a person accepts his death and how he chooses to live out the remaining days of his life.
Book Blockade
Thanks to the popularity of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books, the Bureau of Customs will now impose taxes on imported books. (Read more about it here).
Apparently the popularity and sales of the books drew the greedy eyes of local customs officials. So they tried to force book distributors to pay their tax by imposing a blockade on all imported books.
I'm guessing that books will be more expensive from now on... (plus VAT) thanks to our favorite people in the neighborhood.
Apparently the popularity and sales of the books drew the greedy eyes of local customs officials. So they tried to force book distributors to pay their tax by imposing a blockade on all imported books.
I'm guessing that books will be more expensive from now on... (plus VAT) thanks to our favorite people in the neighborhood.
Sunday Afternoon at Dad's Glorietta
Jen and I took Aaron out to Glorietta to meet up with her folks and younger brother. The mall wasn't as crowded as we thought it would be. I guess people were glued to the tube, watching Manny Pacquiao's (short and swift) victory. We left Aaron's yaya at home to rest and watch the fight along with the other house help.
We met up with Jen's parents at Dad's Glorietta around 3pm. The merienda buffet was ongoing so we decided to have a snack-fest with the family. For 139 pesos, the food was not bad. The current merienda menu consists of dimsum (siomai and asado siopao), pasta (including palabok and pancit), puto, bibingka, macaroni soup, ginataan, dinuguan, toasted bread, fried kamote and lumpia.
The food could have been tastier, but I think you are paying more for the wide variety of food. It's quantity over quality, I guess. But if you are starved and looking to stuff yourself with lots of food, the merienda buffet is right for you.
While Jen and I were enjoying our food, Aaron was playing with his grandparents. He kept looking at us as we ate, staring at the food. Jen offered him some pasta and bread, and he devoured them without any hesitation.
We met up with Jen's parents at Dad's Glorietta around 3pm. The merienda buffet was ongoing so we decided to have a snack-fest with the family. For 139 pesos, the food was not bad. The current merienda menu consists of dimsum (siomai and asado siopao), pasta (including palabok and pancit), puto, bibingka, macaroni soup, ginataan, dinuguan, toasted bread, fried kamote and lumpia.
The food could have been tastier, but I think you are paying more for the wide variety of food. It's quantity over quality, I guess. But if you are starved and looking to stuff yourself with lots of food, the merienda buffet is right for you.
While Jen and I were enjoying our food, Aaron was playing with his grandparents. He kept looking at us as we ate, staring at the food. Jen offered him some pasta and bread, and he devoured them without any hesitation.
Fruit Harvest
A few days ago, I saw some kids in the street trying to get some Santol from one of the neighbor's tree. Got creative and tried to capture the moment with Lego.
LSS over and over again...
I don't know if I should blame Jen for letting Aaron watch Disney Channel. Aaron now has his favorite programs, like Little Einsteins, Thomas the train, and (sigh) Dibo the Gift Dragon.
He likes listening to the songs on the show. It forces us to hear the songs as well. And we are also forced to sing these songs to him whenever we put him to sleep. To make matters worse, these songs are being played on YouTube.
Now I have LSS for Disney songs.
He likes listening to the songs on the show. It forces us to hear the songs as well. And we are also forced to sing these songs to him whenever we put him to sleep. To make matters worse, these songs are being played on YouTube.
Now I have LSS for Disney songs.
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