Since the recent storm has knocked out power in my house for more than forty-eight hours now, I've found myself spending more time at work. I'm not doing more work; I'm just making use of light, air-conditioning and the internet. For the benefit of those who can't watch the UAAP game today at their electricity-less homes, we've set up a projector here. 10 pt lead by UST at the half. Shit.

chubby little ateneo kids helping blue babble.

***

tang ina why do i do this to myself. i hate watching these games

AFP sky

It was a toss up today between attending a wedding, and going to a hockey tournament. Guess what I chose? My sister gave me the appropriate tsk tsks because, "it's a WEDDING." Well my only regret really is that the one who invited me will find out and will feel sorry about the whole thing. My own rationalization is that I would be hardly missed, and there aren't really any people there that I want to talk to or meet anyway, save one or two perhaps.

On the other hand, I haven't played hockey in several months. And I've never regretted going to a tournament, game or training session. This seemed like a sure thing. Not to mention the fact that I received the 3 guilt SMSes of 'we're counting on you." The two games we played today were sweet. The 30 or so minutes for one game is really too short. They should come up with a 20-5-20 minute game format -- of course, I can imagine that the fitness standards will have to be all the more heightened.

As I said earlier, I haven't played hockey since May, and I can feel my left arm complaining. I hope I'm not in agony tomorrow morning.

And to those of you who don't know me, I'm talking about underwater hockey.

* * *

I've been reading Gandhi's autobiography, and I'm at the part that he's in South Africa and is experiencing discrimination first hand as a 'coolie' or a coloured person. He's beginning to meet some Christians, and start reading Christian texts; what makes interesting reading is when he explains what about Christianity he doesn't agree with. One is the notion that striving for perfection is an impossible task and that Jesus intercession is thus necessary. The other bit has to do with the interpretation of the Bible. I haven't gotten to the full elaboration of these bits so I won't go on further lest I misinterpret what he said ( a real issue he identified before he began the arguably "Western" practice of writing one's autobiography).

I almost forgot to mention that there is a portion of the book where he is unhappy that his love relation with his wife remains lustful, though their love is moving gradually to something more pure. I couldn't help but think, isn't that a good thing? Aren't you supposed to lust after your wife?

I actually can relate to Gandhi in certain levels, especially when he frets about being treated like crap. But I don't share his sexual/love issues though, nor his very strong devotion to his parents.

It's taken me around 3 weeks to read 100 pages. Reading non-business related texts has become a bit of a luxury but I try to keep at it.

Suddenly I See

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon, the sort that is good for staying in. Unfortunately, it is perhaps wasted on my relatively drama-less life. My main angst or issue these days is how they stock the office pantry with evil-tasting transfat laden cream biscuits. I haven't been around long enough to influence purchase decisions in this regard. Actually, the office should get a large refrigerator, so people will spring for fresh food and bring more home-cooked food. Presently, it's a parade of peanuts, chips, sweets and the occasional pasalubong of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. Most people in the office are just a bit younger than I am and don't have office bodies yet. What a waste I keep thinking.

We wonder at the supply-chain mechanism behind the company/manong who delivers the daily orders of lunch. It's a meal with 1.5 cups of rice, two pieces of chicken/beef/fish, a portion of soup or vegetables, a small banana, a piece of hard candy, and a set of plastic utensils. This all costs 40 bucks. They'd have a responsive market for even 50 bucks. I don't even see any competitors (or maybe they were all priced-out).

* * *

I've been playing semi-workaholic. A couple of late nights this past week (which led to my cancelling my endurance training session for UWHockey, punyeta); but I've continued to maintain that weekends are sacred. It's a fine balance sometimes but you have to understand what is due to you -- speaking to a lot of French white collars (haha, who else) in the past has made me more confident about this attitude.

Was talking to a colleague late Friday night, "hey, if you need help on the weekend, don't call me. Fine, if you really really need help then call me." No calls. He he. Fair enough, I think. I bust my butt there 5 days a week.

If you want a lot of work and want to work weekends, you will enjoy my place of work.

I've also been there long enough to get a general feel of what people's weaknesses are. Does this sound a little too cut-throat? Wait, I know your answers already. Ha ha ha.

* * *

new content-wise changes in this blog in the upcoming week. stay tuned.