Lourveee

I know that the balenstayms day is way way way past over and almost ancient history but when I saw these videos... sigh... sweetness much!


Enjoy!




Love the song... love the video

and this montage too...



And this too...




hay...
lourve!

Human Rights, Good News, Bad News

BAD NEWS First...

Fucking Stupid Hateful Video circulates the net...

Hey there kuya...


Baboy ka tangina mo!


Whoever you are commanding these hapless guys to do what perhaps your sick libido is needing, I hope you die, you pig! Die in the most excruciating and painful manner.

I'm sure you are a closet homosexual with sick perversions.

Did you get a hard on, you bastard?

Do you have dreams of directing your next indie film debut?

People like you make me sick to the very pits of my stomach.

You know what, I do not really advocate hate and violence in my blog, but honestly, I hope that the next time you act upon your hidden desires and pick up someone from the streets to do your kinky and perverted desires, you get to pick a serial killer who would give you fair game.

I can not embed the video, so here is the link

Click HERE

That really made me fuming mad...

Now the GOOD NEWS!

The church I have been attending lately has something good...

Hope you could come and attend this.

Task Force Pride Philippines, the Metropolitan Community Church, and the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) present: “The Right to Self-Determination”. This is a forum on transgender human rights. This forum will be held on March 13, 2010 (Saturday) at 7:30 PM at the MCC QC Chapel (3F, 56 Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City).

The resource speaker will be Sass Rogando Sasot (Founding Member – STRAP and Communications Officer in Asia – ILGA. The forum will be moderated by Strap Chairwoman Naomi Fontanos.

For more information, visit the STRAP website at http://www.tsphilippines.com

Lafang

LAFANG

After a succession of uber serious posts, maiba tayo. Para naman medyo Zen na lightness of being ang dating, here’s a light post. Hindi poste ng Meralco gaga! When I relocated here, there were a lot of things that I missed. To say that my life took a 360 degrees turn would perhaps be an understatement, but as they say, some things are bound to take up some other things. I admit I love food and eating. Kiber na na nagiging ‘stocky’ ako, eh masarap kumain eh. Food has always been a passion of mine kaya nangangarap akong makapangasawa ng isang chubby chinitong chef na magdadala ng aking meals in bed. Syempre before the meal, to keep fit and burn calories, eh alam mo na! Bago pa kung saan saan mapunta tong usapan na to here’s 10 of the things na naadik ako of late, in no particular order.

10. Marty’s Cracklin Vegetarian Chicharon Salt and Vinegar Flavor.

Basta gawang Oishi malamang lamang masarap. My classic fave Kirei Chips happens to be from Oishi, too. Liwayway Marketing nga pala ang may gawa and brand name ang Oishi. Sobrang nakaaadik talaga sha. Malutong, malinamnam, as in, masarap. Sabi pa sa packaging, 0g trans fat daw. Healthy daw sha kasi vegetarian at guilt-free. KIBER! Kahit pa best in MSG to, eh masarap eh. Comfort food ko nga sya, habang depress depressan kunyari at alone alone-nan nanunood ng debede, papak ako ng papak. Sa isang upuan lang nakakaubos ata ako ng tatlong malaking ballot 90g packs. Sheesh! Pag nakakakita ako ng stocks (kasi mabilis maubos talaga) ay super pakyaw ako nito kesehodang maghihirap ako pagsakay sa bus pauwi. Naaalarm ako pag konti na lang merong stock sa cupboard ko nito. Marami nga ang naulurkey dito at ang iba nga daw inuulam itey. Di pa naman umabot sa ganung level ang addiction ko ditey. Idadagdag na to sa listahan ng masasarap ng Oishi products, sama na dun ang Sunday’s time na line ng juices nila.

9. Tusok tusok Calamares sa kanto.

Palabas ako minsan ng bahay, nang maamoy ko ang isang sobrang naakagutom na amoy. Hinanap ko ang pinangalinggan at nakita ko ang kariton na may naka deep fried na pusit. Ay naglaway talaga ako pramis! Bago ako malipat sa mid-shift, araw araw akong bumibili at inuulam sya. 3pesos per slice ang presyo kaya deceptive ang murang halaga kasi at one time, nakaubos ako ng 60 pesos worth. Tangina! 20 slices yun. Pag naamoy ko na ang pritong pusit na itey, naglalaway na agad ako. Ito naman yung inuulam ko. Namimiss ko na nga simula nang mag change shift kami kasi di ko na inaabutan ang mamang nagtitinda nito sa kanto eh. Haynax... the simple things in life. Pwera hepa po sana. Hehehehe

8. Tang Strawberry Watermelon Juice.

Ito ang tumalo sa dati kong mahal na Sunday’s Time melon juice. Super labs ko dati yung flavor na yun at nilalagyan ko pa ng gatas kahit lactose intolerant ako. Pero now, may bago na akong mahal. Sobrang refreshing sya talaga, at nakakatanggal ng stress sa buhay, lalo na pag malamig na malamig. Binabaon ko nga sa thermal mug ko sa opis. Sobrang convenient pa ng litro pack. Isasalin mo lang sa baso, dagdagan ng cold water, at voila may heavenly drink ka na. Antaray taray pa ng kulay, as in red na red. Baklush na baklush. Sabagay nga naman, with me, pagdating sa watermelon, talu-talo na. Kasi naman, I love pakwan! Pakwan ka din ba? Kung Oo, eh di I love you! Hehehehe.

7. Nai Cha, Chowking

Ito matagal ko nang labs to. Nasa Capiz pa lang ako, mahal ko na tong drink na to. Kakaiba sya kasi. Bitter bitteran ang kape (na parang ako minsan) nalalasahan ko talaga, with matching pakla ever ng tsaa (na minsan, parang ako din), hahaluan ng creaminess na gatas na yummy (na shempre,obyusli,ako talaga) at manamis namis na caramel syrup ( ay imememorize pa ba na ako din to?), tapos malamig lamig na crushed ice (na minsan din ay akong ako) at malambot at manguya nguyaining seagrass jelly (wait lang, ayoko yatang isiping halamang dagat ako), na nagiging over-all, napaka complicated (Ehem) at sbrang sarap ( naman, ito!) na inumin. Sa sobrang adik ko sa drink na to nag experimento na dati akong gumawa ng sarili kong bersyon sa bahay. Tinawanan ako ng friend ko na manager ng chowking Roxas City na si Elmeko Jude, at sa awa nya, na sana wag sya sisantehin, binigyan nya ako ng sanlitrong parang syrup na yun daw ang sikretong sangkap sa pagkasarap sarap na inuming to. Merong chowking akong nadadaan pauwi, at matapos ang nakakapagod na araw, dumadaan ako para mag take out nito. Hihintayin ko talagang makauwi sa bahay bago sumalampak sa sahig at inumin sya ng dahan dahan. Naging ka text ko na nga ang manager din ng branch na to ng chowking kasi tatlong sunod sunod na gabi akong naubusan dahil nag mid shift nga kami, kaya super disappointed ako. Kinuha ni manager ang number ko para mapagtabihan nya ako kung bibili ako para siguradong meron pag uwi ko. At least, masasabi ko with a pilyo smile pag naguusap usap na “May take home ako kagabi, sobrang sarap nya... hihihihi.”

6. New City 24 Hour Restaurant

Perstaym ko na try dito nung nanlibre si Markie, kapatid nung landlord ni Charmita nung last year na nagmanila ako to receive my palanca award. Since then, na adik na ako sa kainang to, na halos bawat sweldo, kumakain talaga ako ditto, kasama man si Charmita or not. The place is very unassuming. Chinese ang specialty ng restaurant at malapit lang sya sa pad ko, and 24 hours sya kaya pasok sa banga! Pag nakakaramdam ako ng bigla biglaang hunger pangs, sugod agad ako kahit magjijip pa ako papunta dun. Di naman kasi kalayuan, pero ayoko lang maglakad sa kakalsadahan habang nag gugrumble si tya nena. The best thing about them is their pricing. Super masarap na, big servings pa, cheapanggalore pa sya for a restaurant. One of these days, libre nyo ko dun, turo ko senyo kung saan sya!

5. Palm brand corned beef

Sa Iloilo pa lang nadiscover ko na tong brand na to. Medyo may kamahalan sya, kaya pag me andalei lang ako bumibili nito. Masarap sya, as in! Buo ang hibla at super chunky talaga, tapos juicy at unadulterated sya kasi me taba taba pa nga na nasa lata, kaya hello naman sa choles…dedma na. Straight from the lata ko syang kinakain at kung ma gross out man ang kasabayan kong kumakain neto, kiber, buti nga, para walang kahati at di manghingi. Nyekhekhek.

4. Japanese Siomai ng Master Siomai

Duda ko si Kuya Germs ang may ari nito. Master Showmai? Hehehehe. Sa tutoo lang, I am not big with Japanese food na mga hilaw hilaw. Heller! I am a modern man, and cooking has been discovered, invented, and refined for my discriminating tastes. Chos! Kaya nga kahit idol ko sa Iron Chef si Chef Morimoto ayoko syang mapangasawa. Hekhekkhek. Ewan ko nga ba kung bakit nagustuhan ko to. Masarap at tamang sayad lang ang lasa ng Nori wrapper sa siomai na to. Minsan bago pumasok, pagkalabas ko ng tren sa ortigas station, bumibili ako nito kasi merong cart sa station na yun. Malayo pa lang ako, nakasmile na si aleng tindera. Bwenas daw pag ako nakaka bewna mano sa kanya at siguradong madami daw benta sa araw na yun. Choserang ale. Kahit di mo na ko chinichuvaness eh bibili naman talaga ko eh. Sinesales talk pa ako. Hehehehe. Basta masarap sya!

3. Lutong Malabon, kainan sa Guadix sa loob ng Edsa Auto Exchange garage.

Simula nang madiskubre ko ang kainan na to, dito na ako nagla-lunch araw araw. Masarap, lutong bahay at affordable ang kantinang to. Malas lang kasi, nung nag mid-shift ako, alas tres na ako nakaka lunch, pero dahil mabait ang mga bantay at friendly ako, nagpapatabi na ako agad ng pagkain at minsan, tinetext pa nila ako kung anong merong ulam at nakalimutan kong magpa tabi para di ako mauubusan. Masarap ang luto nila, mukhang malinis naman, at shempre dahil friendliness ko na ang mga tao dun, eh marami rami ang servings na tinatabi for me. Pagkatapos kumain, pipili na ako sa menu para bukas. Saya di ba? Syempre walking distance lang sya from the office. Ayan malapit nyo na mahulaan kung saang center ako nagkokolboi… este nagko kolman… Man na pala ako di na boi. Pero masagwa pakinggan no? Kolman… parang ice chest lang… worse, petromax!

2. Leche Flan at Buko Pandan sa Yoo Hoo Metrowalk

Nagkayayaan minsan post shift last day work day for the week and sweldo day ang buong team na kumain sa labas, at uminom inom. Shempre dedma ako sa inom inom. Kumain kami sa YooHoo sa Metrowalk. Okey naman ang pagkain pero ang mas okey ay ang desert! Sobrang sarap nung buko pandan salad as in! Nakalima yata akong serve as in lumantak lantak ever talaga ako. Nung nagkape kami last time with Charm and Iranian friend, buwisit na buwisit ako kasi I was looking forward to the buko pandan, eh ubos na. I setteled for the ¼ slice of Leche Flan. Buti naman at dahil siguro mababa ang expectations ko, pero in fairness, masarap sya. Umorder ulit ako kasi alam ko gusto din ni Charm yun. In fairness masarap talaga! Nakaubos ako ng isa pang one whole lyanera ng leche flan. Juzko! Hello naman diabetes?

1. Silog meals sa isang nameless stall sa Philcoa

Kung wiz budjei para mag New City, this is the next best thing! Paborito ko ang Teriyaki meal nila. Mura lang sya at double rice na. Nasa 60 pesos yata ang isang serve kung di ako nagkakamali. Basta, halos lahat na yata ng silog meals dito natikman at nagustuhan ko. Except lang sa luncheon meat meal at sa hotdog meal na paborito naman ni lola mo Charmita. Kaya lang, sa mga hatinggabi na mag isa akong kumakain dito, great is the temptation na sumakabilang kalye at tuklasin kung ano ang nasa dako pa roon sa paiba ibang kulay na bantayog na patatsulok sa gitna ng kakalsadahang pabilog. Buti naman at di pa ako umaabot sa puntong di ko napigilang tuklasin sa Batibot ang tuwa at ang saya!

Huwell. Ngayon alam nyo na kung saan nauubos ang sahod ko at bakit mamintog mintog ang lolo nyo. Buti na nga lang that I haven’t gotten around to buying me a stove and cooking utensils. Pinagbubulag bulagan ko lang sya, kasi aside from medyo di sya pasok sa budjie at di naman sya praktikal magkaroon, I’m sure mas lalo lang akong mapapalafang ng kug anek anek na maisipan kong iluto. Basta talaga pagkain, hindi ako nagpipigil magkagastos. Kaya nga sa opisina, pag pinaguusapan ang gym gym na yan, flip na lang ako ng kulot na hair sabay sabing, ‘Gosh, is that foreign language or are you speaking in tongues? Gym? What’s that? Aramaic?’ Chos! Ginutom ako sa post na to! Babay na at makalafang... hmmm san kaya maganda?


Photo Credits:
http://www.foodclipart.com/_pages/0511-0803-2517-0662.html
http://zshali.multiply.com/reviews/item/128
http://hoovaloovah.blogspot.com/2009/07/ludos-resto-and-bar.html
http://www.walmart.com/browse/Beverages/Powdered-Drinks-Mixes/_/N-8zb5Zaq90Zaqce/Ne-8z35
http://epey.blogdrive.com/
http://www.ridleypa.com/chinese.html
http://www.fashion-res.com/difference-between-point-cut-and-flat-cut/
http://xelalien.livejournal.com/tag/siomai
http://bigberto.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html
http://www.foodtrippings.com/casual-dining/any-barbeque-there-yoo-hoo/
http://www.tipidmeals.com/2008/02/tapsi-plus.html

Hey, You...

Hey, you...

Yes, you. I know that you know who you are. I know you read my blog.

This is how you got my number, right? This is how you knew I was in Manila. This is how you knew I

was lonely. This is how you knew how big your chances were with me.

You knew from my blog. I was vocal about how I prefer the chubby guys. You knew how my heart would skip should I see your cute little chinky eyes disappear when you laugh. You knew the topics you’d be discussing with me. You got me all figured out. Did you rehearse a song and dance number to go along with your little caper with me?

You were always asking me when I will get to write about you here. I was delaying gratification. You were my best kept secret. I kept you in my heart and soul. Just for my own private consumption. Mine alone. I did not want to tell the world how your hugs set me aflame, or how your kisses tastes like sun ripened sweet luscious mangos. How, my heart longed for you to be mine alone. How my spirits yearn for you, and how my soul shouts your name. But to write about you here would be blasphemous perhaps. So I stopped my fingers each time I would be tempted to tell the world at large. I tempered my keyboard.

You know what? It’s weird. I planned to introduce you this way. With an entry that would be epistolary. A ‘hey you... entry’. Sooner or later something’s got to give. I was planning to either open you up to the world as my birthday present, or a sinful Lenten perdition. Funny, it’s a hey you, that I now write about you.

Maybe you weren’t able to read the latest entries about my suspension, or if you did pay attention to my texts, you wouldn’t have guessed that, of all places, I would be were I was that day. I was even a bit excited to go for the job offer that my friend referred me to, because, then I would be closer where you work. I did not tell you because I did not want to count my chicks before they hatch.

Now I come to realize. Yeah, right, you had to work last Valentines. I’m sure. Then again, who am I to demand? We are not really we, and there is no ‘us’ yet really. So I guess I was right for holding back a bit. When I saw you there, you were your wonderful self - so smartly dressed and really gorgeous. I stifled the urge to call out your name. I wanted to sneak up on you and just grab you from behind and hold you as if in horseplay. So I tried to get to sneak up from behind you. What I saw was clear as daylight. You were holding his hand, behind your backs, in the same way I would hold yours. Just by the pinkie fingers. So, you applied my style eh. Picked up a little something from me? How sweet.

So I walked past you, took a look back at you two, smiled and walked faster away. I saw the terror in your eyes. Don’t worry; I’m not one to make a scene. Not ever. As the song goes, I’ll never let you see, the way my broken heart is hurting me. I got my pride and I know how to hide all my sorrow and pain... Now all I need is a good rainy night.

Thank you, at least, for being honest with me when we talked. So he was your boyfriend. Even before you met me, he was there. So you got confused. At first you were just planning to get to know me, and then you got carried away. You were caught between goodbye and I love you, so you said. Then you got confused with whom to say goodbye to. You got mixed up in deep shit. You said sorry. I then asked you if you understood the concept of ‘void ab initio?’

Thank you, for making me realize what I’m really made of. To be very honest with you, they were very tempting proposals that you propositioned. To either give you time to break it up with him, or to be your third wheel. You know what; I swallowed a big lump in my throat. God, it would be very hard to decide, so I asked you to give me time to think.

Honestly, I would miss your tight embraces. Your sultry kisses, and the sweet longing with which you make love to me. How the very scent of you approaching makes me giddy and all clammy, and how the very sound of your voice calling out my name turns me solid steel. How you seem to know the perfect way to steer my moods no matter what or how my day has been. How you read back my poems to me like the persona’s voice is yours from the very first drop of ink. How you struggled to learn my language, so you could properly say you miss me, you want me, you love me.

How ironic, that we’re seemed to be through before we can even get started. You see, you were slack in your research and your readings. You forgot one vital thing. I was looking for someone decent, because I too, am decent. Being third wheel is nowhere near what I stand and believe in. I believe in love. I believe in fidelity. I respect relationships.

So, now, hey, you... I am hitting two birds with one stone. No actually, three, with this post.

First bird – I finally got to write about you... yes, you... in this blog.

Second bird – I have thought about it. Actually, when we talked, I already knew my answer. I was just afraid I wouldn’t hear myself above the din and the racket of the squall in my heart.

No...

I’m sorry. I love you. Really, I do, but, no. Even if we were never us yet. I really do. Trust me. I do not doubt that you feel the same way. I know you do, too. I felt it. But I also know how it feels, and I have been in your boyfriend’s shoe, and it’s not a very nice place to be in, even if it would be a Prada. I know you can just shrug your shoulders and move on to your next prospect, but no sir, not me.

Third Bird – You remember how I laughed at how pathetic some songs could be? How I think I will never get to sing those songs? Songs like ‘Somewhere down the road” because I really don’t believe in a somewhere whichever road may be, because I believe in the ‘right here, right now?’ Or that song, ‘Sad to belong to someone else,’ because I said that if I belonged to someone else, no matter what, he will remain the right one? And yes, that song “I love you, Goodbye,” because I think it’s just a pathetic lyrical coward’s way out? Another way of saying ‘It’s me’ not you?’ I guess I’m wrong. I might be singing it after all.

Maybe this is the appropriate time to sing that song. For someone that you almost had, but was never really yours. Almost! So, yes, I love you goodbye. But it’s really you, not me. Or rather, it would be something like... you put on quite a show, really had me going, now its time to go, curtains finally closing, that was quite a show, very entertaining....

Hey, you...

Yes...

You...

Photo Credits:

http://www.contactmusic.com/videos.nsf/stream/311-homebrew
http://ninitalk.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/
http://www.epicportions.com/tag/ridiculous/page/4/
http://www.jrcompton.com/photos/The_Birds/J/June-07.html

Post Blah Post

And so it came to pass...

Post Valentine, post suspension, post... blah blah post!


To start off everything, of course, it's all about the money.


Concern poured off from well meaning friends and those people who were very well with meanings. Hehehehe. My Iranian friend got me out of the self inflicted emo-ness with an invitation I can't quite resist. Coffee!


He had work that night so I had to wait for him to get off. We decided to meet at the hour of great mercy! Chos! 3 AM!

So I dragged my lethargic self to malate, where we agreed to meet up. I was quite early so I just loitered around Silya and O Bar. Technically it was still Valentine's day, though the date itself ended one or two hours back. There were the sweet cheesiness couples and the deadline chasers all around. Of course there were those who simply did not care, with their full on smiles and ultra 'light' foundation day, arching an eyebrow with a twang 'say wha? Valentine's wha?"


I sat outside O nursing my Cali shandy, wishing somehow, I could drink, but no. As the night drew on, the scene grew more drunken. People spilled in and out the bar. I got my share of curious stares, too, and did notice a few cuties throw a glance my way, but no, I'm in no shape and I was waiting for my friend, so no.

One brave and gorgeous soul climbed over my wall and engaged me in a chit-chat. He was a Hollander and we got to talk about things.


H: You alone?
L: Yeah...
H: On a Valentine night?
L: Well, yes, as it seems... You?
H: We had a big fight
L: Oh, I,m sorry...
H: No, don't be... He's a jerk
L: I see... and the game plan is?
H: What do you mean?
L: You're here to cool your head, then? Or heat up one of them, yes?
H: Hahaha, you're funny!
L: Too funny to be taken seriously, perhaps?
H: And smart too...
L: Too smart for this crazy little thing called love.
H: And not bad looking either
L: Compliments get you everywhere, but not tonight.
H: Oh? Why? At least you're out.
L: Well, I'd like to say I'm put to celebrate my singlehood but, really, I'm just waiting for a friend.
H: Friend?
L: Yeah, friend. Excuse me, I feel like peeing.

And so, he thought it was a signal for some sleazy CR action, but no.. Iihi lang talaga ako.




Shortly after I got back out on the streets, he was still on my heel, and this waiting thing gets so strenuous. Mercifully, Iranian friend arrived shortly.
H:(from somewhere at my back) Friend... right?
Well Iranian friend is gorgeous, but painfully straight, and we have this sweet habit of giving each other tight hugs when we meet. These guys are the best. They know my sexuality and in more than one instance have bailed me out of bad dates, too.
they don't mind when I teasingly call them my boyfriends.
L: Yeah, friend...
H: Right!
What a sourpuss!

Well, the crux of the matter is that, there is this opening for a coaching/trainer position in Iranian friend's company, so he will try to refer me. The clouds of despair lifted the instance he showed up his gorgeous face and hugged me, and with those words, the sun came shinning through. The rest of the evening went marvelously.
Now, the waiting game has begun anew. I'm standing by my cell phone waiting for that call. Waiting is such a pain, really!

I asked him why he was dateless on a Valentine's night. He said girlfriend was stuck back home in the province with familial events. Her dad being a politician, they had this elections chuvaness of giving 'hearts' on Valentine's Day. He asked me why I was dateless myself. The inevitable question nga naman, sheesh...



I told him that the prospects were dim. I did have a pre-valentine rendezvous but things did not go the way I wished it would... well, bummer.

I: Well, why what happened.
L: The pre-date was just not right.
I: You and your standards... speaking too soon or thinking too much again, Luis.
L: Well, we had sex, at least. That's where he wanted it to lead to.
I: So... bad lay?
L: Nah, it was good. It's just that...
I: That what?
L: While I was drilling him, I was consumed with the thought of updating my resume.

Well, yes... that. I finally said yes to this makulit guy who was texting me on and off, and we met the day before the Valentines. He managed to wrangle me off my cup of coffee and invited me back to his place. He was ok, and seemed decent but there's just this sexual tension that hanged in the air with his every move. I took pity on the guy and decided to relieve him of his sexual anxiety. So we ended up in his ottoman. He had the usual chu chu... won't kiss, etc etc. He then surprised me with a full on lip smacking action in the middle of sex with a silly naughty grin saying... "Do you realize its past 12am? It's Valentines... happy valentines day!" Now, where did that come from? Just when I thought there was something to it. When we kissed, I thought he turned into a prince... then again, when we came, the spell broke when he immediately got up to wash, leaving me with a cigarette and a terrible desire to cuddle and hug... Finally, the prince turned back into the warty frog when he walked me out of his apartment to grab a cab, and reached for my groin, squeezed it playfully and said "thank you."

Thank you?



Charmita also followed after her off, and the great thing is, she might also squeeze in with me in the new company since her account is also threatened and she does not want to wait for the ax to fall. How exciting! Now coffee with good friends on a chilly night couldn't get any better. The dawn broke, and the world was warm and sunshiny... Katrina and the waves wail at the background.


I opened my mails, when I got home and finally got the invite for 'my' book launching. It's gonna be on March 4 somewhere in Makati. I got excited. The time is just right. I might be able to attend. I replied confirming my invite. Now, the next problem. What to wear? I rummaged through my clothes and realized I need to call the laundry shop na. I also decided to hit the ukays for a decent garb.

Aris my good blogger friend entertained my empty morning with texting about waiting, getting lucky, looking and finding. He said I was hilarious when I texted

"Naku, he has to find me real soon while I'm still in my prime, else, he might find himself shortchanged. Aanhin ko pa ang power bottom kung kumikirot na ang rayuma ko at Pau d' Arco na ang perfume ko?"



So, now... It's waiting...mostly waiting

Waiting for the pick/up delivery from the laundry shop...

Waiting for the call from Iranian friend's company...

Waiting for that post 'finding someone' post to be written...

Waiting...

Sigh...

That one true thing to find me or be found by me.

Waiting...

Photo/Video Credits:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSgnf-tBN9s
http://www.mediatinker.com/blog/archives/2005_06.html
http://www.artbywicks.com/poetry%20page%203.htm
http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/2006/10/october_11th_re.html
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/05/prweb523834.htm
http://my22.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/waiting/
http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Waiting_23404

Defying Gravity

Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying Gravity!

It was a Kung HEY F@CK (Bat)choi

Yeah, it’s the freaking VDAY, or shall I say, D-DAY? D as in dreaded, or d as in de mala in Spanish or dimalas in Hiligaynon! I know I was whining two posts back that work week is just so monotonously ordinary and routinely blah, and little did I know that it will explode to one freaky incident. Kung HEY! F@CK (Bat)choi indeed!

Now there I was, on phone time, managing whatever metrics needed management, looking forward to tomorrow being the last day of the work week, and it being VDAY, sleeping it all off, when our team lead told me to log out for coaching. I thought I’d get the memo because I did not abide by the dress code. I was preparing to say, that I was wearing red, it’s just a watered down hue, as I feel like my love is being watered down by my loneliness. It’s true, pink is a lighter shade of red, so technically, I was still wearing red! Actually, I was preparing to give a reason more mundane, such that my Laundromat had yet to deliver my clothes. It was on a technicality that my day would explode!

The crux: another one of my sales calls was monitored and I failed compliance again. Now, the bottom line – this being my second risk call in a 60 day period, the next Disciplinary Action applies and escalates – hold your breath!

5 DAY SUSPENSION!

On top of that, my prime commission pay for the first cut-off is forfeited, and I get a score of 0 on my scorecard for that metric. I understand that it is company policy, and I understand that it was valid, but still it did not stop me from feeling down low. Aside from that, since my five day suspension falls on the week where we were supposed to render mandatory overtime, I wouldn’t get that, plus, since its only 28 days for the month, it would be very hard for me to pas my sales metric since I would have to miraculously pull the next cut-off with only 4 days on phone time! Double whammy! Plus, the next time I would get a compliance issue would mean my termination. The pits!

Maybe it added up to the feeling that in my whole work life, I never got any D.A of any sort, and I was never suspended, much less, given a written memo, ever, I was crestfallen.

I am in a tight pinch. It means I would have to say goodbye to my planned VL for my birthday and holy week, since I wouldn’t have enough money, and need my savings for the next cut-off since I’m only getting paid for four days that period. Plus, the days of my suspension is right smack between days off which would mean 8 to 9 days of no work. My team lead tried to cheer me up by making it sound like a vacation package, but I wouldn’t be easily consoled.

I dragged my poor spirits and weary body to the nearest Starbucks post shift, begrudging the extra expense. This incident caused me to take a closer look at my current state of things. Clearly, I can not afford not to have a job. I need to be a step ahead, since, termination is not an option, and I can not promise that I will not be committing another risk, since, it seems that this compliance thing is a device that is set to trap poor hardworking agents into pit falls to shave off commissions or to fast track saying goodbye to the account.

A lot of things went through my mind, none of them cheery. What to do with the 8 days off work? I love my job, and I would love to see myself growing with the company, but in the light of recent circumstances, I need to re plan and re strategize.

One: First and foremost, I am not really happy with my basic wage. I made do with what I had and was planning to tuck tenureship under my belt for future leverage, and this incident brought back the issue of how I live from pay date to pay date with my basic pay.

Two: It feels unfair and harsh. As if it’s not enough to be stripped of my hard earned commission, I needed to be subjected to more by not getting paid for the next five days on a sales compliance technicality. Plus, considering I am a probi agent on a learning curve, and yet the DA being applied to me is that for tenured agents. It does not seem fair. On top of that, it would make me fail not only compliance, but also my sales metric for the month. I asked my team lead if she can at least schedule the suspension at a more reasonable time but she said there is nothing she could do about it. It has to be immediate. Which, I very much doubt.

Three: With the above mentioned, it demotivates me. The best solution to my mind is not to sell. No sale, no compliance. At least, in the score cards, I only would fail the sales metrics, keep the compliance tucked in, and secure not being terminated, until clearing period of the D.A lapses after 60 days.

Four: It suddenly feels skulldrudgerous. I work hard and even if I am merely probi for less than three months on the floor, I have consistently exceeded the goal, even besting tenured agents on the floor. With the way things are, the lurking sours in my mind won’t go away very easily.

Five: I need to rethink my options.

Bottom line, and the solution to my problem – hit the job market before it’s too late.

I texted friends there and then for possible referrals, went on line and updated my resume. Great thing is, not one of them believed I deserved it. They know me and my job ethics and work attitude. YJ's text meant a lot to me. It lifted me up and spread some cheer and warmth amdist the gloom.

"Ok. ur 1 of d most rational person ive met. so clearly cla ang mali... but then kung crporate policy ang basehan, wala kang laban. lets talk bout dis son..."

One other friend said:

"Naku, ganyan talaga sa BPO. Suspension lang naman pala eh, u still have your job, it's not termination. Then again, ikaw pala yan. I'm talking to Luis Batchoy nga naman pala. Pristine work record, and immaculate work track! Mea Culpa... sige, will keep an open ear... pasabihan kita agad."

someone else said:

"From the get go I already told you not to sign the contract. It pays too low, but you said you wanted it coz it challenges you and its where Charmita works at, too. U deserve better. I agree... look around!"

After all, I have 8 days to walk in and go on job interviews, which I think, I would land. Bigger fishes out there for bigger basic pay, which I believe, would require the same hard work that I know I can give and perform. Maybe consider and off ops position like communications coach, or maybe trainer posts. After all, my bond period has been satisfied, and I can pre-empt termination scenarios, before the brush-fire blazes. I need a company that would work with me, not against me. A company that would nurture my strengths and build my career, not set up stumbling blocks.

Therefore, I am on the prowl. Any suggestions and vacancies would be greatly appreciated. Text me, please. The batchoyan in Manila can not afford to close down.

Watch me soar! Help me defy gravity!

Photo/Video Credits:
youtube
http://www.wandalust.com/50226711/kung_hei_fat_choy_chinese_new_year_in_hk.php
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Model_in_suspended_hogtie.jpg
http://www.biojobblog.com/articles/ideas-and-indulgences/
http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/l/low_salary.asp
http://gracefreakdan.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/justice-grace-and-hope/
http://flickr.com/photos/10337709@N08/3642059597
http://studentlinc.typepad.com/studentlinc/2007/04/how_to_demotiva.html
http://www.zencollegelife.com/2009/08/13/great-tips-for-the-job-hunt/

Color Coding

Flaxshet!

I have a world shattering problem. Sobrang bigat at hirap at kumplikado I swear.


I'm in a dilemma! There is this ka eklatan in the office tomorrow. In celebration of the supposed to be non-existent Valentine's Day, there was a memo. Tomorrow, February 12,2010, everyone should be dressed in color codes reflective of their romantic status. No exceptions.

RED If you are in a Relationship, Married, or simply in love

Green if you are single and searching/looking.

Yellow if it's complicated

MEGA KNOWN? May paganun ganun na prime factorization chuvanells?

Well...Now what?

I wanna wear red, because really, I'm in a relationship. A good one! With my whole gorgeous self! It's still a relationship right? Also, I'm married to my passions and convictions. I'm literature's blushing groom, and yes, I am perpetually in love! Im in love with life, with words, with coffee, and the world is, after all its shittiness, a deeper shade of scarlet! So, yes, I'm a red!

I should wear green, because, yes, I am single, individually exceptional, and yes, I am searching, looking, waiting, wishing and hoping all rolled into one! Add to that, bitching, whinning, and sometimes, 'tantruming.' Besides, it suits me, green is just so 'bitter ocampo.'

And yellow, yes, it is complicated. I am a complex individual. Its complicated because it simply is. NUBAYAHN!

Wait lang.. parang ganito yata to eh...

Red as in Red Cross Dick Gordon




Green as in Green Team Gibo Teodoro





Yellow as in atay a yelo ribbon Noynoy Aquino

Honestly, wala pa rin akng mapipisil sa mga presidentiables na mga to. Simple lang. wala ni isa sa kanila ang merong solid platform tungkol sa usapin sa Sining at Kultura. Actually, dati nung si Toto Mar pa ang kumakandidato, naroon ako sa isa sa mga porum nya sa Iloilo for early harvests at bigla naman ako na turn off nung hindi nya masagot ang tanong ko kung ano meron sa plataporma nya tungkol sa literatura, kultura at sining. Maybe it's not a pressing concern, but then again, it has been most neglected. A solid leader needs to have all bases covered and since none of them has a solid national platform for culture and the arts, medyo wala pang tumitibang ng gaano sa puso ng batchoy boi. I am not asking for a Marie Antoinette, who, when told that the people no longer had bread to eat responded with a suplahdah 'then let them eat cake.' Gusto ko lang na meron syang magandang plataporma for culture and the arts. Yun lang naman.

Now... what to wear?

This?



This

Or This?




Arghhh... Mag absent kaya ako? Tara... gala tayo bukas? hehehehe

Photo Credits:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/photography/416288-seeing-red-6.html
http://www.greendrainagesolutions.co.uk/tips.html
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/yellow-umbrella-photography.html
http://chuvachienes.com/2009/03/12/the-list-of-presidentiables-2010-philippines/
http://halalan2010campaign.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html
http://filipinoscribbles.wordpress.com/2009/08/
http://weddingdimension.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/red-dress.jpg
http://www.splendicity.com/articles/calvin-klein-jade-halter-gown-400/
http://www.pursepage.com/chanel-handbags/paris-hiltons-chanel-clutch-2.html