good things

One can't really make people do awesome things. One can only create the right environment; and the people take care of the rest. . .

The managers and staff of our firm are subjected yearly to a mandatory team building event, where we are grouped into colors, have to think up a group name, have to make a group cheer, have to make a creative presentation, have to purchase an exchange gift, and are given all other kinds of delightful requirements.

I gave my group the name "Green Phlegms" but then had to change it (for the better) to "Green Minds" when the organizing committee weren't too happy with the original name. I thought that we were simply showing that we had a sense of humor.

The event was in a sprawling resort in Tagaytay. Though I thought that our team gelled together quite well, we came in dead last after all the points from the games were tallied. A couple of us were also quite pissed that some members of other teams were quite obnoxious about winning something like a sack race. I felt fully redeemed however when our Glee-inspired song and dance number won during 'show time' in the evenings socials. (Aside: who would have guessed that I had an officemate who'd give Myx VJ's a run for their money. . )

The most fun part of the night started however after the partners and some less fun folk had left for bed. Armed with a laptop containing dance music tracks and a karaoke machine, plus more than enough beer, we started a series of epic party games. We played a modified statue dance where someone would laugh at your face while one's frozen. We also did those line up games where we had to organize ourselves by the number of girlfriends or boyfriends we each had.

The best game however was musical chairs where the competitiveness was of a different level. I still remember a colleague's face planted on the seat of a chair as she literally dove her way towards winning the game's prize -- 100 pesos gift certificate for Starbucks.

The next morning, there was enough good will leftover that we explored the resort's obstacle course and grounds and took enough cheesy photos to fill an album.

* * *

Saturday afternoon was the wedding of a good friend, mountaineer and sporting buddy, JV, to Dennis, also a friend, but someone regarded as more on the fashionable and cultured side (not saying that JV is a lightweight but anyway). The ceremony and reception was in Wanakasa Farm, which sounds like some grass growing on a plot, but really is more like a Balinese inspired house with two wings, interior design enough for a good magazine, and an infinity pool at the back just next to a cliff.

The wedding had great food (and i'm not just saying this), the atmosphere was warm yet elegant, but most importantly, it was a real joy seeing JV and Dennis really enjoy each other as a newly married couple. JV kept on smiling and laughing and Dennis kept on giving people hugs.

Our table was a hoot thanks to Elmer, Raymond, Hazel, Lui, Nel, Suwann and Joseph.

* * *

The Benedicto Siblings had space in Cubao X for two afternoon-evenings to sell furniture, pillows, totes, and t-shirts that they had designed themselves. They also had art on notebooks, cards and paper; a selection of books and music; skateboards and pre-owned bicycles.

Mic showed me how to use the CD mixer so that I felt like a DJ . . .still wearing clothes from a wedding reception earlier in the day. Bob told me that he was thankful that he had moved into Cubao, and the artistic and creative community that he had thus gotten more exposure to. I stayed with them til they closed down for the early morning.

* * *

Sunday was the annual Abrera reunion. This year it was Auntie Willie who hosted in Alabang. The turn out wasn't so big this year, but it was good still meeting those who had turned up. The Palawan Gang (Nonoy + the Joses who had come along); the Melquiades side -- including Uncle Jess who just wouldn't shut up (in a good way). Great to meet cousins who were much older, and nephews and nieces who really should just be our cousins. Kel and I put up a forgettable song number (Israel something's version of Over the Rainbow).

The evening's highlight though, I thought, was the Trivia Night bit that Pinky had thought up and done for the whole family. Awesome. How many of you have trivia during your family reunions?!? Maybe it isn't so uncommon, but it was the first time it happened in ours, and it wasn't generated by me. :)

Before we went home, Pinky showed us the most heartwarming thing. A piece of paper had the trivia question written by her son Paco: who are the favorite Abrera family member's of Paco in tonight's reunion? Answer: Kel and Fabian.

Apparently, Kel had been told by Paco earlier in the night that we were his favorites.

Perfect way to end the weekend.

NU 107

It seems like everybody this week is saying goodbye to NU 107. Now that news has spread that NU will be changing its format, moving from a ROCK radio station to whatever passes as commercially viable these days, people have started sharing on Twitter and FB their fondest memories of the station. . . of the memorable DJs, the Rock Awards, and of the Music.

Tina asked me earlier in the week something along the lines of, "Do you still listen to NU 107? I haven't done so in the last 10 years." It's a fair question, because even as many of us are nostalgic saying our goodbyes to what is a strong memory of our youth, most of us have already said goodbye to this station, to this era, for many years now. . .

* * *

So earlier today buzz built on twitter on how censorship be damned and the DJs were doing whatever they wanted, since the station was closing. I enjoyed my tweet being read on the air: that I'd be so pissed that I could not finish Jessica Z's (and Claire's?) show Twisted in the morning coz I had to be in class. Quark said such a memory dated me; I was proud to have been dated as being of that time.

* * *

And they did pull out all stops. Oh my god. I was in stitches and literally crying when Quark started playing on-air a friend's (long) phone recording of a security guard having phone sex. Said security guard was working in the call center of the friend . . . and there was even a deliberate interruption to ask if the Jollibee delivery had arrived. All smiles.

* * *

I can only imagine the other things I missed :)

Namee's dad, Noel, passed away Thursday afternoon. This is sad news. My fondest memory of him is his periodic query on book I was currently reading. This was part of our conversation in Salcedo market, and there were many times that I would join Namee's family for lunch under the white tents in the park. I had always found him a very nice, mabait and cool person.

* * *

There are ends, and there are beginnings. I had spent a good chunk of Saturday evening in San Fernando, Pampanga where the wake for Tito Noel was. This Sunday afternoon however, I was garbed in safari attire (or what passed for it) for Michelle's son's 1st bday. This pavilion at Blue Leaf was all jungle (what a production I thought, but MJ assured me that this is NOTHING compared to what some of these kids' parents are springing for these days. Read: renting out the Makati Shang Ballroom). The hosts were kind of enough to provide a bar (!) for grown-ups so it wasn't only the kids who were having fun. I had a couple of drinks, and saw Joelle, Norman, Ina, Mike (Ina's husband), Erika, and all these kids. Ramon is the cutest of Ina's kids now, but then I think that's coz he's the baby and not yet one.

* * *

I'm preparing for Quiz Night on Tuesday @ 121 allegro. My first hosting gig, along w/ a friend Jason.

Sunday with another crazy family

I spent a good chunk of Sunday with the Jojo L and Family. We started off at Rockwell Bazaar (disappointing), then did the usual rounds of going to a health food store (rice dream!), hardware (light bulbs!), and the grocery (apples!).

For drinks, we went to L'entrecote at Burgos Circle. I would like to return because they have adopted the concept of only serving one dish: steak and fries. This is something I last had in Geneva; and the restaurant owner kindly explained that the idea actually originated there in the 40s before it moved to Paris in the 60s.

The restaurant has to learn how to communicate this concept better though. Some eaters in our party were taken aback with the menu: that's it? where are the other plats?

I can imagine that from a inventory management point of view, steak and fries as the only main dish has its benefits. :)

We had dinner at the nearby restaurant, Just Thai. Nothing special.

We noticed that these new restaurants in Burgos Circle really need to up the ante on service. L'entrecote took more than 20 minutes to process a senior's discount. Orders in Just Thai took 45 minutes to arrive. And in BOTH, just outside their doorstep, were flies, bugs and mosquitoes. Jo quipped that it feels like we're eating in a construction site.

* * *

Watching J and his dad interact is always interesting. I didn't notice the bad service so much because I was talking to them the whole while. The conversation was the usual fare with this particular Tito: UAAP basketball, politics, investments. .

* * *

Today was the boss' birthday. My tummy is lined with cebu lechon, dinuguan, pancit, puto and turon. All eaten during merienda time. Dinner is off for me.

I spent time again at the Farm, this time not eating so much toxic food. It appears that when people do some outdoors work, they won't to return inside and eat something necessarily ultra fatty. That being said, we had 3 chocolate champorado to go with our rice and meat dinner. Simple and good times right.

* * *

Vin passed by, and we shared a beer at Distillery Jupiter. There was a little space for me and Vin to stand and drink. The place is usually mobbed by people who are on their way, coming from Fiamma. Young, slightly clueless, but I tried not to be too judgmental. Heck, I'm 10 years older than all of them. Vin had Stella I had Hoe.

* * *

Decided to stay in Makati for the weekend; there's work to be done.

realization

I realize that I have to write things, but I cannot express them all in the view of the public / semi-public eye.

The Farm

After the euphoria of the Wed Night proposal, I couldn't merely stay inside on Thursday Night. I asked Kage to meet up perhaps for a drink. She asked me, if I would like to spend some time at "The Farm" instead.

* * *

Kage has been talking and tweeting about this place she visits regularly. Some people think that she's taking long rides to Tagaytay, but really, she's just going to a good friend's house in San Lorenzo. It's about a 5 minute walk from the edge of Greenbelt 2.

The backyard is huge. The once upon time pool now contains aruwana. The other animals who live here are a rescued turtle and a Jack Russel. This place grows micro-melons (!), cherry tomatoes, peppers, basil, and other herbs I forget about. The backyard has four bee hives, in boxes. This place harvests honey for goodness sake.

The main area of the house is an open area that serves as living/dining room kitchen cum play area, garden tools, gadgets, lego, books, blow torches. It's a bachelor pad of Iron Chef meets Mythbusters meets Clean House.

* * *

There's Detox, which is one way of describing of how I like to eat some days, and there is Retox, which describes how we ate that night. It takes effort to make some retoxificating food. It's not just about a bag of chips and a lot of alcohol. White bread + butter + processed cheese + processed ham + honey is good retox food. This is something you may want to feed a starving man. But imagine someone making a 'croute', baking in a turbo broiler the same ingredients I just described but making layers of it, then topping the whole pan with four fresh eggs. Ridiculous.

* * *

We talked a lot and laughed around the table that night. Now it makes me think that I will want to start entertaining at my place. That's part of the reason why today, I'm going to buy a table/chairs. We're going to need more places to sit.

Quiz Night Proposal

I have to get in an entry on one of the most epic quiz nights ever, if not the most. Prior to last night, the biggest thing that ever happened to quiz, I would say, is the walk off battle between Maynard and Verge in 121 Allegro Pasong Tamo. This my friends has since been topped by the surprise marriage proposal by Phil to his girlfriend Mia at Capriciossa in Connecticut, Greenhills.

 I was sitting next to Mia as Phil read out the quiz "question". People started cheering and clapping to the ultimate question of the night: Mia, will you marry me?

It was just so right. I felt privileged to had been there and seen it up close. This is how proposals are done. And the fact that it was shared to so many at one time, made it very special. The question now is: how is this going to be topped next Wednesday?!?

Congratulations to two amazing people: Phil and Mia.

* * *

Yesterday also was the birthday dinner of good friend "Diva". Oil-fest. Chicken Rice. Lechon. Jap Chae. Crepe cake with chantilly. Mango Torte. Diva's salad was the only thing that could even begin to neutralize things. :)

* * *

Augusts seem to be eventful in Manila. August-September 2009 was tragedy after tragedy. The stars perhaps are aligning different for our city this year.

* * *

Things seem to be going well with my new flatmate.

Strawberry Jam

Just a quick morning entry, to preserve the moments in my mind, before the work week comes in full force. It was an eventful weekend that flew by.

After the Saturday morning cleanup, met with Mafster, Binx, Mahar, Mia and Kai for lunch in the market. We had dessert afterwards at La Cuisine and had the most delicious chocolate souffle I've ever had. Maf got all wistful that she was working so much, and could not spend more time this sort of thing, hanging out with friends.

Rested in the afternoon, before heading out to a pre-climb meeting at McDo near the Q.Ave MRT. Not my favorite Mcdo. And I seem to end up meeting there during raining nights. Probably will be climbing Mt. Nagsasa and heading to Nagsasa cove late August. It's with a new group of people, and they generally seem okay and nice. There will be a river crossing that potentially could happen before the crack of dawn based on the current IT. This could be a problem: dark and water. We'll see how this gets resolved.

From there proceeded to meet with Namee at Route 196 to watch the Mico Happy Bear Players. Diego Mapa (?) was doing some mixing (and I did like some of his material), followed by Twisted Halo (music from another era, thought not too far away), Ang Bandang Shirley (good), then Ciudad of course. They played 19+ songs. I was pooped though so could not stay longer than 5+ songs.

I was supposed to catch a morning run at McKinley hill, sponsored by our firm, but my dad got one of his middle of the night nosebleeds and I thought that I wouldn't be high-tailing it somewhere at 5am -- made the snap decision that I wasn't going anywhere for the time being; plus, it was the perfect excuse for me to sleep in some more after the relatively late night.

Lunch was a big piece of ham that Pops had bought in Santis. I really don't see why we would eat out. Let's just buy some good products from stores and prepare/cook it ourselves. We eat much better for much less.

Vinny texts during lunch that he is bored. Gica and I headed to Makati to: buy DVDs, buy a router, watch DVDs, play the piano, eat junk food, play Dog Monopoly, and have a few drinks. Somewhere in the middle David joins us and makes proceedings more fun.

Got to bed and snooozed.

The Winds That Blow

Thought I'd put a photo today -- something calm. This was taken earlier this year in Concepcion. It's a river very near which passes around our farm.

Last night, I went with Sim to a not very calm party. Annual AMCI (mountaineering) acquaintance party. The theme was "service". Everyone was dressed as someone who would provide service: Starbucks barista, butcher, taho vendor, construction worker, delivery boy, masseur, mamasan. I went as a painter. The party was held, as usual, in Pedro's warehouse in Pasig. Special guest performers were Lady Gagita and Flush and the Toilets. Yes, sometimes I go to these types of parties.



One jamaican patty, pinch of lechon, two beers and two vodka sprites later, I was in an ok buzz. I met a number of the 2KX batch, and they were interesting. I'm not sure yet though about how they handle alcohol. For one thing, a few of their do-able guys ended up making out with some seriously mingen girls. I could only guess this was 'coz they were beyond smashed. I had a serious mis-read that night -- someone I had a 'vibe' from, ended up doing the MOMOL mid-conversation. . .okay, I guess some things cannot wait. Another thing, just before we left to head back to Makati, Sim and I witnessed a bit of a shouting confrontation just outside the warehouse. Drama.

* * *

Today it is clean-up day and moreso than the usual. New flatmate coming in this week, and everything has to be ready. I did mention that it was a Japanese guy right? There's a spot where the rice cooker will be placed.

We Built Our Own World

It was a gathering of a core group of college friends. Jojo, J-an, Vincent, Aileen, Lala and me. We still hang out with each other after all this time. I think we will all know each other for a long time. We have to take care of ourselves so that we're there for each other for a while.

We ate at Mamou (poor service tonight) and then had some wine at D'Vine. We talked about different things, but mostly about people. On a selfish note, I am so glad that Lala's house in Fuego is almost done. We're already dying to go there and get smashed. I broached the idea of my birthday on the 9th and they agreed to go. . .

Our friends are very important. More important than many other things.

Army of Me

I have a workmate whom I enjoy working with. It all began when we were grouped together in a work seminar, and she essentially took charge in the direction of our presentation. Recently, she's been helping our team develop a functional work plan. What a blessing it is that she's around. She provides value to our team, and I don't have to explain myself 17 times.

It is also slightly shocking because it means that until this point I have not gotten the peer support that perhaps I should be getting.

* * *

Today is Day 3 of me inadvertent vegan life. My last entry was about some revelations I had because I was starting to cook differently. Really who sautes in water. But there are a few more things I've discovered, which is a result of just eating different things, and being used to different tastes:

1. Tofu is creamy (I know, I know, DUH right)

2. Walnuts are sweet

3. You can eat just fruit for breakfast and not starve come 11am.

* * *

I was reading some blog entries from 7, SEVEN, years ago. Life then was more . . . glamorous (?), interesting (?). The difference perhaps is that today everyday I do is out of my own pocket. So maybe that is progress. My blogging / journal style has not changed significantly over all these years. . .

1. Few things are grosser than over-steamed bok choy.

2. If you eat more bland food, you understand how flavorful a tomato actually is.

3. There are recipes out there that ask you saute vegetables in WATER (culture shock moment)

4. Apple juice is a horrible flavor enhancer in salad dressings.

Search for Tahini

I've started strictly following an eating plan (Eat to Live). It is rather strict, very little fat -- and mostly all vegetables and fruits. I've had 4 meals of it so far. . .and I already feel different. I made hummus for the first time today as well.

Things can change with relatively little effort. Momentum changes. Streaks build, for better or worse. Just watch a UAAP basketball game. What we have to be interested in, is what causes streaks to end, what causes slides, and how they can be turned around so progress once more is sustained.

I believe what arrests slides is vigilance. Is someone/something spotting it right away, and nipping it in the bud -- a zero tolerance for allowing such things to happen. This is why accountability, responsibility and a team that takes no BS from its members are quite powerful.

* * *

Spent several hours today in the u92.3 fm studio this afternoon. Joined Kage, Mayn, and of course Sib in the show. It was pretty fun, and would be more so. . .if people actually interacted more with us. It felt like a total of 3 people were listening at any given time. (the number though based on the streaming access would have to be at least 25 ;P)

* * *

Ateneo beat NU today. :)

US Open starts on August 30.

White Cow

I noticed that in some of my blog entries, I use the words, "I hope. . ." or "hopefully" so and so will happen. Some things we cannot predict, right? Some things we do not know if it will happen. Even things that we know should happen: a friend showing up, an exam passed. . .we know how the world works. I think that if I even deign to put it into words -- the world will conspire against it happening. So don't count your chickens. . .don't say what will be, coz things have a way of just not being.

* * *

On that happy note, I will share the events of today. I didn't go to work for the morning because of an emergency of having to bring my sister to the hospital for hyper-acidity. The MMDA cop stopped us on the way there, for a ridiculous traffic violation I will not get into. I merely got a verbal warning because my sister (deliberately?) cried in the front seat. That was my opening to say: sir, we have a medical emergency in our hands.

* * *

There's this milkshake place called White Cow in Southgate Mall and my Quiz Night friends are converging there in an hour so we can drink milkshake. It's a stone's throw away from our regular haunt -- 121 Allegro Bar. It's quiz night tonight.

* * *

In other things to be thankful for, my flat mate told me that if getting someone in by August is going to be a bitch, then he wouldn't mind flying out a little later. Paying for the August is not a big deal, much. Thank you thank you.

* * *

apartment

My current flatmate is leaving for the US in August, and I have to find someone to replace him by then. I had two prospective replacements, but just today both of them fell out. Now I also face the unappealing prospect of having to leave this apartment and find something somewhere else.

A friend of mine actually suggests a four-share at a fairly large place in Pasong Tamo. Problem is. . .it's Pasong Tamo. NOT a terrible area, but I've grown fond of walking to work, and being able to go home at short notice. PT floods and walking from there to work would mean pollution.

I figure this will all sort itself out -- as I had managed to do some 15 months ago.

If I had the resources I would just take this place for myself.

Mag:Net High Street is closing

That is what I read from a twitterverse.

I passed by last night, with Namee and Justin to catch what will be one of the last music nights in Mag:Net. I caught Angulo, Us-Evil, and Ciudad (Justin plays guitar).

Mag:net always seemed to be a busy place, and I had simply presumed that the place was making money. My suspicion is that their rent was raised.

Though this site was a venue to many fun evenings, good musical performances and bonding moments, I am not sad about the closing of Mag:net. It is not because I don't think it was a good place. It is because this is in line with the creative destruction that moves the 'gimmick economy' of Manila. This place will close, but I am sure that something else will come up. The people who go these places are linked more than a physical site of congregation. I fully expect a yet another new way for all of us to be together.

* * *

I never paid much attention to Ciudad's music till last night. 

Breakups & Breakdowns

On Valentine's Eve, I caught the evening performance of Breakups & Breakdowns, a comedy musical written by Joel Trinidad and music composed by Rony Fortich.

As this is a Filipino work, created by young artists, I was rather enthusiastic to see the production put up by Ateneo Blue Rep. I won't call this a review but rather a first take or impression since I need at least two viewings to make a defensible assessment.

The musical centers around the romantic relationships of two roommates: Mark, the playwright and Derek, the actor. Mark is played by Mark Baluyan; Derek by Gigo de Guzman; Nina, the love interest of Mark, is played by Mian Dimacali, and Sandy, Derek's love is played by Mav Gonzales.

I love these young actors, but the vocal performances didn't do it for me this evening. All four members of the cast had pitch problems, but especially the women. This was unfortunate because I think this obscured how good the songs are. They sang decently during pieces that required all four singing together, but on their "solos" there were some real issues.

I had some problems with the acting, as well. Mark's character is supposed to be a perfectionist. However, he comes across more as an idealist. I didn't see the obsessiveness, the need to correct other people, that I think the playwright was trying to show. In the many times that Derek tells his roommate to "shut up", it comes across as a forced script device, rather than a genuine doorstop to another one of Mark's pointed comments.

Sandy is supposed to be pretending to be something she isn't -- a player when in reality she really is a clingy person. I didn't see this tension of keeping up appearances, nor did I see any real change in character when she finally stops playing "the game" with Derek.

It's easy to point out the aspects of the show I found lacking. However, I did enjoy myself. I found myself laughing from the many witty bits in the dialogue. I've been rewarded watching small productions in Ateneo that are better than larger productions of the same musical staged in venues like RCBC. I would watch this production again, because I know they're capable of better.

short stories

After weeks of postponing, I hosted a small gathering of work colleagues at home last night. Nine of them came to share in the spaghetti in meat sauce, chips, cookies, wine, beer, soda, and The Bar. They made good use of our billiards table -- unfortunately something I do not do as I have very little interest for this sport/activity.

We talked about our usual topics: work, politics, movies, music, people. The evening felt like an extended lunch hour, at night, but with a pool table and some alcohol. By 3 am everybody had cleared out; I'd like to think they all had a swell time.

* * *

I have a plan to study most of the day today. Hurdles would be: other things to read, the urge to nap, and an errand to pick up two liters of milk. Once I buckle down and actually open the textbook though, I expect that I will be sailing along. . .

It's Valentine's weekend, and I'm happily at home, reading tweets, and some short stories. I suspect the reason I never enjoyed short stories as much as novels, is due to the novels being more usually in a handsome format -- that is a hardbound document, or printed on good paper. Typically, I encounter short stories on: websites, PDF form, or a badly produced photocopy. We read with our eyes, but there is also a tactile dimension in the process of reading.

We started walking at Legarda

I did a walking tour of Manila yesterday, on a Sunday. Not Celdran's. Not Man Dy's. This guy is rather new at it, and we're the guinea pigs. 

1. The LRT 2 Line (Santolan-Recto). Therapeutic on a Sunday. Sometimes you need to see our city not very noisy.

2. San Sebastian Church. There are worse places to get married. I had forgotten the interior was kick-ass. It's probably the nicest in the whole Metro Manila.

3. Baluarte San Andres in Intramuros. The view of the city from there is great. 

4. Believe me that there are views of the Pasig river that do not look bad at all.

5. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in Intramuros has a great facade. 

That said, I would not go to most of these places on a weekday. 

On a Sunday afternoon, take a train to Manila and go somewhere old. It's good for you. 

6. We had drinks at Cafe Adriatico. The place is still okay. :)

* * * *

Oriental Park at Circle Inn near Quezon Avenue is now a branch of Le Ching. WTF. Sorry, I hate this fast food type resto. It offended me at Techno Park also. ByeBye OP. You must have been there for some 40+ years.

San Antonio Village

Was at San Antonio Village last night for a party at The Alley, a complex of new apartment houses in a Makati neighborhood that in many respects should be called dodgy and a dump. So of course it was rather fun. The neighborhood grillery had delicious sinuglaw. Still had to tweet-bitch that it's ridiculous that I have to go to Vito Cruz from Pasong Tamo to access this part of town. 

* * *

Escaped into Cubao X for drinks with David, LJ and Bert. The place is increasingly hit or miss. Well, it was hit, since we bumped into two nutjob ladies (I mean that in the nicest way), a chef and Apl.de.ap. 

* * *

We spent the rest of the night driving around and LJ humiliating us in Burgos.

Fruit Cups

Full day. Swim. Work. Workout. Trivia.

The mornings and evenings have been cold in Manila, but mid-day has become rather hot. I'm currently writing a profile report on an educational institution -- that's the space my brain has been occupying the past few days. I experienced being denied data I needed which I thought was very public data; it irked me for a while, then I forgot about it.

Fruit Alert! Life seems to get better. Our 9th Floor cafeteria has started selling: fruit cups! for PHP 25, 40 or 50, depending on the size, you get a fruit cup with chopped up pieces of fruit with: apple, pineapple, papaya, grape, melon, mango and watermelon. I opt to eat it without the sweet milk poured on top of it. Another way for me to get my fruit fix. . .now if only I could regularly scrounge up some Benguet berries.

I really pushed myself tonight, and I realize that I CAN push myself if I've eaten right and I've rest right. This is the reward of eating and sleeping: your body won't punish you too much if you DO want to go hard.

C is reading my book again, and I have to do some reading before I sleep.

We kicked a lot of ace tonight at Murphy's.

Run #2

I thought that we would hit around 7 or 8 people tonight for our little running club. Our turn-out was 13, including a few managers and the Advisory partner. It was a very good turn-out, and I'm quite pleased that people are enthusiastic about the whole thing. My initial plan was for run #3 to take place this Thursday, but already they are demanding for something on Wednesday. Their wish is my command.

I think it helps that the paths in Ayala Triangle Park are quite pleasant, and there aren't too many people yet. We ran at 630pm, but I think that it would still be more pleasant if we returned to a 730pm start, or a morning start. Either way, we are well insulated from any car fumes when we run.

Eventually, we'll have to come up with some running programs and some running journals so that we can keep things interesting. If you have any ideas of how to make running more interesting (30-40 mins runs only), while keeping within one running venue, let me know.

* * *

I stayed in today with C, and decided to skip trivia night at some bar in Pioneer (I have not tried yet) . I think I might have made the right decision as TMI-J texted: This place is full of obnoxious ugly youth. Ha ha ha ha ha.

* * *

I enjoyed my boring groceries today: apple, bread, peanut butter, and juice

back from hiatus

Tomorrow evening, I play running coach to a few people in the office who want to get some additional cardiovascular exercise during the week. I'll be taking them through a 30 minute walk/run-as-you'd-like exercise at the Ayala Triangle Park. This will be the first time myself to test Ayala Triangle to see how conducive it is to runners -- it should be a lot better than nearby Salcedo Park. Will let you all know just how good a running venue it turns out to be.

* * *

In other urban news, life is picking up again in the city after the usual long holiday break in Manila (also called December). There are outstanding projects to wrap up, reports to cram in, and people to appease. A new cycle has begun. Thankfully, to aid me in achieving all this, I have been issued a new laptop which runs at a much faster speed.

* * *

A whole bunch of new books issued this break, so I've got my work cut out for me.