ernie

Jump

2006-01-31T14:09:00.000-05:00

Moving here.
Moving here.
Moving here.
Moving here.
Moving here.

Look who's back!

2006-01-30T11:58:00.000-05:00

Martina Hingis (L) has declared herself back after adding another Grand Slam trophy to her collection, teaming with Mahesh Bhupathi (R) to win the Australian Open mixed doubles final 6-3, 6-3(AFP/Mark Ralston)

And the stars said...

2006-01-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

It's time to stimulate and shake up your normal routine. Maybe that means going surfing or taking horseback riding lessons. Maybe an art class is up your alley. Just get out there and try something new.

Bata Pa Ako

2006-01-25T20:54:00.000-05:00

Performed by Julia Abueva
Lyrics: Chi Datu
Music: Allan Feliciano
Back-up Vocals: Chi Datu, Kristel Fulgar, Coreen de San Jose

Disney buys Pixar

2006-01-24T17:22:00.000-05:00

House of Mouse is teaming up with Pixar in a $7.4 billion deal. Steve Jobs to become board member at Disney. Walt Disney has announced that it is buying Pixar, the animated studio led by Apple head Steve Jobs, in a deal worth $7.4 billion.

Tripod

2006-01-24T15:19:00.000-05:00

Quitting Med School

2006-01-23T16:44:00.000-05:00

The reason why I quit med school was because halfway through it I realized I didn't care for the hours kept by doctors. I didn't realize there was a specialization called Pediatric Oncology, oh my, I don't think I'd last one second being an oncologist of children. I'd be too heartbroken. :-( On a lighter note... I posted again. ;-)

January 20, 2006

2006-01-20T16:33:00.000-05:00

Here's a feeble attempt at updating this blog. So far, we've moved to the new house, bought a gazillion pieces of furniture, tasteful furniture if I may add. I'm now on a first name basis with the folks at the nearby Crate and Barrel. ;-) The kids have sequestered my supposed sanctuary (the basement) and have made it their playroom. At least that's what it is this week. We are getting back into our old schedules and are beginning to enjoy the place. We have maybe 5 more boxes to unpack but other than that, we've pretty much settled in.

Christmas iChat

2005-12-27T21:18:00.000-05:00

Opening presents with Chicago via iChat

2005-12-27T21:16:00.000-05:00

Gingerbread house by Sam & Patty

2005-12-27T21:13:00.000-05:00

Birthday Gift from Mom & Dad

2005-12-25T13:21:00.000-05:00

8th Birthday - Funny Faces

2005-12-25T13:19:00.000-05:00

8th Birthday

2005-12-25T13:17:00.000-05:00

This was taken Dec 23 at Patty & Sam's 8th Birthday Party. Their friends learned how to dance the Tinikling. The Philippines' National Dance.

My gift from Santa!

2005-12-25T13:13:00.000-05:00

Woohoo!

Church

2005-12-25T13:12:00.000-05:00

There was a birthday party at church today.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2005-12-25T13:10:00.000-05:00

For Santa

2005-12-25T13:09:00.000-05:00

Crate and Barrel

2005-12-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

One really dangerous thing about working relatively near an outlet store of your favorite furniture shop is that the urge to 'just look' is mitigated by the stronger urge 'to buy'. So let met show what I've purchased just in the past couple of days.

Vendome Extension Table

Vendome Two-Drawer File

Vendome Side Chairs

Jackson Settee

Jackson Side Table

Oh boy

2005-12-14T09:39:00.000-05:00

I'd like to smack the mother of this kid. He's had enough Happy Meals lady!

Coming up for air...

2005-12-14T09:38:00.000-05:00

House update. We are finally moving this coming Friday! woohoo.

Painting has begun

2005-12-02T21:56:00.000-05:00

This is part of the basement.

Sam the rider

2005-11-19T21:13:00.000-05:00

IMG_3777
Originally uploaded by erniea.

A friend and the NY Marathon

2005-11-18T13:22:00.000-05:00

I'm impressed at what my friend accomplished that it gave me pause to think if perhaps it's possible that I....mmm nah. I don't think I can. Here are some of her thoughts about the whole experience.

------------------
Dear Friends and Family,

As you know, I ran the NYC Marathon on November 6th. What an amazing experience it was. I am still amazed at what the body can do and how the mind has such power to overcome obstacles. It was a hot race with 37,000 runners and 2 million live spectators. Without the training, Fred's Team, the spectators and the support that you gave with your donations and well wishes, this could not have been possible.

....And the winner is....(name deleted) - a co-worker. My finish time was 4:53:09. He guessed 4:53:00. Can't get any closer than that! Rather than a prize, he has graciously requested I make a donation back to Memorial Sloan Kettering's Pediatric Cancer Research Center. Thank you (name deleted)!

Will I be crazy enough to do this again? ABSOLUTELY!!!

Thank you to each of you and enjoy the attached photos!
------------------

A whole year to train. Perhaps. Nope. I don't think I can. ;-)

These Days

2005-11-18T10:17:00.000-05:00

Chantal Kreviazuk

What's this life anyway? What's it to you and me? What's it to anyone? Who are we supposed to be? Make me a storybook Write me away from here. I need a different now

Where we can wear each other for awhile. I'll len you my tears if I could borrow a smile. I'll get through tomorrow somehow today Happy After... Once upon these days

There's four roads to anywhere. Four ways to everything. We were unbreakable. We spoke our destiny. Let's take a moment out. Go were we never go. Let's make a new world now

Where we can wear each other for awhile. I'll lend you my tears if I could borrow your smile. We'll get through tomorrow somehow today. Happy After... Once upon these days

Then one day we'll find when we're looking back at this time. Wondering how we've come so far from this. When we close our eyes.

What's this life anyway. What's it to you and me. What are we doing here. Who are we supposed to be. I'll take a better world
I'll take anything. I'll take our little world now

Where we can wear each other for awhile. I'll lend you my tears if I could borrow your smile. We'll get through tomorrow somehow today. Happy After... Once upon these days.

Jennifer Morrison

2005-11-16T00:28:00.000-05:00

Dr. Allison Cameron from House on Fox.

Jennifer Morrison made an auspicious feature film debut at 15, playing the daughter of Richard Gere and Sharon Stone in Intersection. She has since appeared in Mall Cop and Grind and was in the dreadful movie Surviving Christmas opposite Ben Affleck and James Gandolfini and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which starred Jennifer Aniston's favorite couple. On television, Jennifer had a recurring role on the series Dawson's Creek, as Joshua Jackson's on again, off-again girlfriend, and also appeared on The Random Years. Jennifer has a degree in theater from Loyola University in Chicago and studied with the celebrated Steppenwolf Theatre company.

Latest iTunes purchase...

2005-11-14T14:51:00.000-05:00

I don't understand a single word from this album but I love it!

Zhu Zhi Ge (Song of Pigs)
Xiang Xiang

Misaki Ito

2005-11-13T19:46:00.000-05:00

Currently watching....

My Dangerous Sister

April 1999 - Yutaro Minagawa had always been smart and called a child prodigy. When he successfully passes the entrance exam for a prestigious medical school, the Minagawa family is filled with joy. Meanwhile, his elder sister Hiroko - no brains, great looks - wins a beauty pageant and gets engaged to a man who works at an advertisement agency. In Miyazaki Prefecture, Yutaro's father's sho-chu liquor has received several awards, and is now expanding business. Everything was going so smooth with the Minagawa family until one incident drops the family into the depths of misery...

October 2005 - Yutaro opens the door of his apartment to find someone standing there. It's his sister Hiroko, who he hadn't contacted in years. Seeing all of her luggage, it's obvious that she has left home. Yutaro gives her a disgusted look, but Hiroko doesn't seem to care. She says she wants to stay with him for a while.

When they finally settle down, Hiroko gives Yutaro the update on the Minagawa family. Their father was ripped off and lost his sho-chu brewery. What's worse, he fell sick and passed away. While Yutaro is taking all of this in, he is panicking on the inside, but pretends to act strong.

The following day, Hiroko visits the hospital Yutaro works at. While Yutaro is very unkind to her, his colleagues notice Hiroko right away and everybody in the Medical Department is talking about her. Yutaro's mentor, Dr. Takeda, is especially interested in Hiroko. He finds out that the beautiful girl he spotted on the plane he boarded after a conference in Miyazaki was Yutaro's sister. He believes that it's fate that they met again.

Meanwhile, Hiroko heads to a job interview at a night club. She has never worked at such a place, but her stunning looks and bright personality catches the manager's eye, and she is hired on the spot. From her first day at work, the customers love Hiroko, and gets requested for from table to table. Saori, the top hostess at the club until Hiroko came along is not amused.

Nobody knows the real reason that Hiroko is working at the night club...

More about listening

2005-11-09T10:54:00.000-05:00

My discovery on the answer to the problems of the world was precipitated by yes John, listening to a particular podcast of these two men talking about a multitude of things one of which is the difference in living in Manila and New York. Now let me just say that I have a somewhat confused interest in this podcast. It's quite interesting to listen in to two people that are essentially just talking to each other. So it kept my interest enough to make me susbcribe to their feed in iTunes. So far so good.

However.

One of the early episodes I listened to just struck me differently. One guy seemed like he was more interested in what he was saying never minding what the other guy had to say about it. Even contradicting points that were obviously right. In this particular episode they were talking about Filipinos' fascination of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother and one guys was commenting on how ridiculous this show is and more importantly how he hates the fact that Pinoys gobble this type of entertainment like it's the best thing that's ever happened to the Philippines. To make the long story short, the guy on the other side of the conversation stated some realy valid points as to why this is so. The guy wouldn't hear any of it. He stuck by what he thought was the right opinion and that's that.

That circle of banter made me realize one glaring fact about human nature. We simply don't know how to listen. That oftentimes we are victims of our own press releases. Our brains shut down to other points of view when confronted with a differing opinion.

Perhaps that is the reason why that guy was on the other end of the podcast. His role was to talk and mine to listen. Maybe. But sometimes I wonder why doesn't he just have his own podcast. He monopolizes the conversation anyway, It's like listening to a late night show host with his sidekick. The sad part is that in this case, the sidekick sounds like he's the more sensible of the two.

So get the point of this post - try to listen more, you learn more from listening than talking.

Still, I find myself waiting for their next episode. Barnacles!

Eureka!

2005-11-08T13:23:00.000-05:00

I think I've finally figured out why the world is in the state it is now. Why there are turmoil everywhere you go. Why there are war and social unrests everywhere...

The answer is because as a community of people, we have failed to fully grasp the concept of listening.

It's simplistic I know, but if you fail to understand what I just said, I'm afraid you too have not learned the real concept of listening.

There. That's that. Now on to a better world please.

A Design, A Dream

2005-10-25T11:59:00.000-04:00

For the past 29 years, ever since he built the first Apple computer in a garage, Jobs has been a commercial innovator, cultural inspiration, and entrepreneurial icon. He's an iconoclast who has enhanced our society's digital self-image.

Jobs's passionate perfectionism, a contradictory blend of hot temper and cool temperament, is embedded in the soul of many new machines--iMacs, iBooks, iPods--and he has almost single-handedly altered the way we compute, play music, and view video. Says Victor Vroom, the John G. Searle professor of organization and management at the Yale School of Management: "[Jobs] is the supreme example of the transformational leader who stands for higher order values . . . he has caused people to do things they might never have done before."

Aura. In the process, the 50-year-old Jobs, usually clad in jeans and black turtleneck, has established an aura around his "insanely great" products, which are beautiful and brash, fabulous and functional. Have you ever run your thumb around the iPod's sleek, smooth click wheel? Do you remember the tutti-frutti bubble iMacs? And what about the plastic elegance of the all-white iBooks? This is technology but much more than bits and bytes; this is fashion but hardly iCandy.

Jobs himself has been labeled a saint, a sinner, and now a saint again. A college dropout, he inspired a generation of rebellious start-ups, was cast out of his own company at 30, and then wandered in the wilderness until it was time to come home and rescue his business as a creative crusader.

Last year, Jobs cheated death and escaped a cancer scare; this year, Apple will generate robust revenues, and its stock is bristling with good health. Jobs was lucky. We are, too. Because our lives are different and much more interesting with this man leading us to the land of what's next.

Guessing game

2005-10-24T17:54:00.000-04:00

This one is easy...yes that's Drew Barrymore.

This one is a hard one...hmmm, could it be? mmm..nah...is that...? nah.

Duracell powered escalator

2005-10-24T16:36:00.000-04:00

Here's a clever advertising gimmick. A sticker that shows a half-covered floor panel, in it are duracell batteries. It's a clever way of sending out the message and a great way to exploit the medium.

Hammered

2005-10-24T14:41:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love it when you go in to pitch an ad and you get no support? same set of ads that got high praises from the powers that be and the minions of underlings were in all agreement that they were amazing, then today the boss wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and didn't any of the same ads - the said minions didn't open their mouths to help the poor designer (me) up in that podium alone and hammered. I remember this scene - ah yes back in Madison Avenue, I didn't mind the battering then coz I got paid gazillion dollars and I had a business card. There are days and there are days.

iPod Video

2005-10-20T21:29:00.000-04:00

One of the highlight of this day was the coming home of a new gadget - a 60g iPod video. I plugged it in while having dinner to download my songs and I immediately watched a purchased video to see the quality and viewability. My verdict - not bad, not bad at all. ;-)

Belated celebration

2005-10-20T16:11:00.000-04:00

Two days late but a bunch of us managed to get out of the office for a birthday feast courtesy of Penang.

Halloween 2005

2005-10-18T22:36:00.000-04:00

We're ready! Let's go get em candies!

Capping the day

2005-10-18T21:43:00.000-04:00

After a gruelling work day... wait, let me clarify. I normally take work days in stride and for me there's never a day that's too exhausting, tiring, long or unbelievably stressing. Today though was an exception. It was a gruelling day. I really didn't have anytime to do anything other than work, deadlines and put out fires. Speaking of fire, in the middle of running around guess what they needed to do today - a damn fire drill! So yes the day was gruelling. I guess I don't get a break on my birthday.

That is why I couldn't wait to go home to dinner with my three favorite ladies! We had dinner at my favorite non-japanese place, Cheescake Factory. Funny I realize now that the many times we've dined there I never had a taste of their cheesecakes. Or maybe I have. They probably aren't any good, otherwise I would have remembered it.

I have a favorite dish at Cheesecake and you be sure to order this when you find yoursel there. It's not actually a dish but an appetizer. And considering how places here in America serve gargantuan portions, believe me when I tell you that this 'appetizer' could pass for a dish. It's the Vietnam Summer Shrimp Roll or something that sounds like that. It's a roll of steamed shrimp with multitudes of tasty vegetables wrapped in some a really soft I don't know...tasty rubberry wrap? ;-)

It's amazing especially with the two dips that come with it. One is very vietnamese with a yummy peanut butter sauce and one that for some reason the description to its taste escape me.

(update: I found this from CF's website. VIETNAMESE SHRIMP SUMMER ROLLS - Delicate Rice Paper Rolled Around Asparagus, Shiitake Mushrooms, Carrots, Rice Noodles, Green Onion, Cilantro and Shrimp. Served Chilled and not Fried)

It's always comforting to know that no matter how bad it gets at the office, I always come home to a place where to be honest I'd rather stay the whole day long. They were there today waiting for me to get home so I can finally at the end of this gruelling day spend my time with people that truly matters.

Boytdei Tsikin

2005-10-18T11:27:00.000-04:00

This one's from my sister-in-law Liza. ;-)

A banana in my ear

2005-10-18T10:00:00.000-04:00

Let's start the day with a song why don't we...

Our ole' buddy, ole' pal Ernie is celebrating a birthday today. Bert is organizing a surprise party for him. He's making paperclip garlands and stressing about the miniature Ernie heads cake decorations. And wouldn't ya know, Ernie keeps getting in his way.

But that's no surprise. After all, Ernie is always playing with Bert's buttoned up personality. He's forever stealing Bert's cookies--living his life philosophy "Do unto others before they can do unto you." Ernie is the eternal clown. Remember the hysterical Banana Sketch and Ernie saying, "I can't hear you, Bert! I have a banana in my ear!"? Or how about Ernie's classic poking method for checking if Bert is awake. If he wasn't when Ernie started, he will be soon!

Jokes aside, we all know that Ernie has a sweet side too. Who can forget his touching rendition of "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon?" Or how upset he gets when he imagines life without Bert, his roommate, his best buddy, his best pal?

Even I get upset when I imagine Ernie and Bert without one another. The odd couple make the perfect pair. Ernie couldn't be a prankster without having Bert around to annoy and Bert couldn't thrive on being uptight if Ernie weren't around to test his patience. They are a well-matched twosome down to the coordinated shirts on their back. Have you noticed that they both wear striped tops? A clever design technique used by the creators has Ernie's stripes run horizontally, creating a relaxed look, while Bert's run vertically, creating an uptight look. (Gee, I always thought that vertical lines were simply slimming!)

As relaxed and rambunctious as he may be, Ernie is a good friend to Bert and everyone else on Sesame Street. So we wish him a very happy take-that-banana-out-of-your-ear-birthday!

I leave you with this music a friend gave me this morning. He said as soon as he heard this, he thought immediately of me. After listening to it especially the first movement, I say I agree with him. By the way, this is the music people hear at Space Mountain in Disneyland Paris. Very John Williams. I love it!

What's this life anyway
What's it to you and me
What's it to anyone
Who are we suppose to be

Make me a storybook
And write me away from here
I need it different now

Where we can
Wear each other
For a while and I'll lend you my tears
If I could borrow your smile
And we'll get through tomorrow
Some other day
Happy after
Once apon these days

It's for roads to anywhere
For ways to everything
We were unbreakable
We spoke our destiny
Lets take a moment now
Oh and go where we never go
Lets make a new world now

We're we can
Where for each other
For a while and I'll lend you my tears
If I could borrow your simile
And we'll get through tomorrow
Some other day
Happy after
Once apon these days

And then when though we'll find
What were looking back on this time
Wondering how we've come so far
From this and when we close our eyes

What's this life anyway
What's it to you and me
What are we doing here
And who are we suppose to be

I'll take a better world
Oh I'll take anything
I'll take out a little more now

Where we can
Where each other
For a while and I'll lend you my tears
If I could borrow your smile
And we'll get through tomorrow
So much today
Happy after
Once apon these days

Buy song

Today is Yom Kippur

2005-10-13T12:10:00.000-04:00

Yom Kippur (יום כיפור yome kippūr) is the Jewish holiday of the Day of Atonement. It falls on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. The Bible calls the day Yom Hakippurim (Hebrew, "Day of the Atonements"). It is one of the Yamim Noraim (Hebrew, "Days of Awe"). The day is commemorated with a 25-hour fast and intensive prayer.

Holiday of Judaism and Jews
Name: Hebrew: יום כיפור or יום הכיפורים
Translation: "Day [of the] Atonement"
Begins: 10th day of Tishrei
Ends: 10th day of Tishrei
Occasion: Judgment day for individuals and all people. Day of Atonement for sins, and for the Golden calf.
The end of the ten "Days of Awe" that began with Rosh Hashanah.
Symbols: Kol Nidre, Fasting, Prayer and Shofar blowing at end.
Related to: Rosh Hashanah that precedes Yom Kippur, and Sukkot that follows Yom Kippur.

iTunes video download

2005-10-13T11:24:00.000-04:00

Last night, I downloaded iTunes 6 and upgraded to QuickTime 7.x.x. iTunes 6 as announced yesterday allows one to preview as well as buy videos. It requires the user to be on Quicktime 7.x.x so the upgrade is a must. I wanted to download a sample video to see how long it downloads and see for myself the kind of quality they offer. Upon Sam's request, I downloaded an episode of That's So Raven. It's a 22 minute video that weighs in 117mb. Now my crappy Verizon DSL is slow so the 1 hour it took to download is not an accurate measure of the download speeds of videos like this. Accodring to Apple, an episode should download in 20 mnutes.

The video quality is good if you keep it within the 320 x 240 dimension. Above that and you start seeing pixelations. One argument we had in the office yesterday was if this download idea will kill the DVD business. The argument was if you can download movies and TV shows, why would you want to buy DVD a year after? Assuming how bad the quality would be if you plug in the iPod to your TV set, I would argue that people would still buy DVDs just because the quality is a lot better than the 320 x 240 that iTunes currently offers.

This download idea would benefit you if you care to watch a missed episode the day after and quality is not top of mind. Would I buy the new iPod (video)? You bet! Only because I really wanted more space for all my songs and my mini is just bursting at the seams with songs and files. The video capability is a bonus and the fact that it's thinner is also a plus.

Now I wonder if the shuffle is on it's way out...abangan.

Forget Calvin and Hobbes...

2005-10-12T16:04:00.000-04:00

Lerie, I want this! ;-)

Here's the lowdown on the new ipod. It's about the same dimension as the old ipods but thinner. It has a widescreen color screen now. What's the screen for? Well to watch videos ofcourse. You can buy videos and (for now) ABC Disney shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives for $1.99. You buy these videos via iTunes 6. Videos you buy can be shared with up to 5 computers and burned to data CDs. You can view the videos on your mac and if you wish take em with you on the ipods. Ah bliss!

The Family Stone

2005-10-12T01:18:00.000-04:00

Guess who has a movie coming out next month. :-)

Buy New House, Sell Old House

2005-10-11T22:17:00.000-04:00

I apologize for not posting frequently. I've been busy with putting a bid on a house and being accepted! woohooo! And now selling our house. It's not for the faint of heart all these paperwork. The back and forth with my agent. The house inspection. The house showing. Picking out paint colors for the new house and figuring out which brand of what appliance to buy. Moving in the middle of December is also something that should prove interesting.

Yellow jersey

2005-10-05T16:10:00.000-04:00

Jeans day! To my (3) regular readers, it will not come as a surprise that anytime we're allowed to wear Jeans to work, I become like a 6 year old kid with a basket full of candies. Yes I am quite happy today as I adorn my legs with one of my 20 or so jeans. I think I'll start a prayer rally to ask the Gods to finally just let us poor souls to wear jeans everyday. Hold on...let me just pray for a sec...

Lance Armstrong made an appearance at the cafeteria though we weren't really listening. Cafeteria + Me + Hungry = malfunctioning hearing and attention span.

Strictly speaking we were supposed to wear anything yellow AND blue (jeans included). I'm wearing jeans but I'm wearing a pink shirt. When people comment about my non-yellow shirt I just tell them I'm wearing my Tour de France yellow boxers. They let it go after that. No one has asked for proof so far. ;-)

Gotta go, I have to say my next prayer...

Unspoken Vow

2005-10-04T16:58:00.000-04:00

It'a amazing what you can read in people's blogs. Mostly you will find real and honest thoughts although there are people who pretend to be something else, those are easy to spot. But every now and then you will find gems that are so real you almost want the post to not end. Who needs to buy novels when you can read something like this for free. :-)

Today: Rosh Hashanah

2005-10-04T13:34:00.000-04:00

Actually, it started at sunset yesterday.

Holiday of: Judaism and Jews
Name: Hebrew: ראש השנה
Translation: "Head [of] the year"
Begins: 1st day of Tishrei
Ends: 2nd day of Tishrei

Occasion: Jewish new year according to the Hebrew calendar. Commemorates both the Creation of the world and the birth and binding of Isaac. Beginning of the ten "Days of Awe" prior to Yom Kippur.

Symbols: Praying in synagogue, shofar. Festive meals with round challah-bread and apples dipped in honey. Fish head, pomegranates. New fruits on the second night.

Related to: Yom Kippur which follows.

Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: ראש השנה transliterated ro’sh ha-shānāh, "head of the year") is the Jewish New Year. In fact, Judaism has four "new years" which mark various legal "years", much like 1 January marks the "New Year" of the Gregorian calendar. Rosh Hashanah is the new year for people, animals and legal contracts. The Mishnah also sets this day aside as the new year for calculating calendar years and sabbatical (shemitta) and jubilee (yovel) years.

The Torah refers to the day as "The Day of the Blowing of the Shofar" (Yom Terua, Leviticus 23:24), and rabbinic literature and the liturgy itself describe Rosh Hashanah as "The Day of Judgment" (Yom ha-Din) and "The Day of Rememberance" (Yom ha-Zikkaron). Some midrashic descriptions depict God as sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are opened for review, and each person passing in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds.

This holiday is the first of the Yamim Noraim (Hebrew, "Days of Awe"), the most solemn days of the Jewish year; the Yamim Noraim are preceded by the month of Elul, during which Jews are supposed to begin a self-examination and repentance, a process that culminates in the ten days of the Yamim Noraim, beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with the holiday of Yom Kippur.

It occured to me...

2005-10-03T15:21:00.000-04:00

It suddenly occured to me the reason why I enjoy blogging. Picture this, Hansel and Gretel dropping pieces of bread in the forest so they can find their way back home. It resonates to me that picture on two levels. One, dropping my 'pieces of bread' allows me to take pieces of me and share them with the world. A blog post is a piece of me that is personal, that I find real value and most importantly what I want the world to know about me. On another level, I blog today in the hope that if I lose my way someday, it will help me find my way back home. There, that's my epiphany of the moment.

Jim Paredes

2005-10-03T14:55:00.000-04:00

I have always admired Jim Paredes (a member of a very popular all male trio in the Philippines called Apo Hiking Society). When I started thepinoy.com back in 1998, I contacted Jim for a feature. Eversince then, we've hosted his writings and continually celebrate the man that he is by a link on the main page of thepinoy.com

I was pleasantly suprised this morning while reading his blog that he has set up a Multiply account to host "music, pictures and stuff that you will not see in any other site". There are wonderful music to download for free and it sounds like photos will be forthcoming.

There are only three professions in this world I truly admire, in this order: 1) A musician 2) A medical doctor 3) A preacher. I admire Jim because he lives through his music. He is a man who knows himself and uses his talent for himself and more especially for others to enjoy and learn from.

There is something to be admired about a guy who walks his life fully grounded with full understanding of his capacities. Here's to you JIm Paredes! Thanks for the music.

Jeero Uglydoll Plush

2005-10-03T14:49:00.000-04:00

So you like having little stuffed creatures around, but are tired of being ridiculed for your teddy bears? Get a handmade terror — the Jeero Uglydoll Plush ($25). With a face only a foul swamp monster could love (that’s swamp, not swamp-ass, although we’re up in the air as to which is worse) Jeero is soft and plush. Plus, you can scare little kids with him — after all, what kid isn’t afraid of what appears to be a short, flat, moldy and stoned frosted mini-wheat vampire with horns? uncrate.

Post Secret

2005-10-03T10:55:00.000-04:00

This is an awesome blog i discovered months ago that shows visitors thoughts/secrets in a kind of postcard art form. Lots of gems in there http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

2005-10-02T20:12:00.000-04:00

Angelina Ballerina

Excited

2005-10-02T20:10:00.000-04:00

This is Sam all dressed up and excited heading to the city to meet Junie B. Jones and buy a truck load of books.

Junie B.

2005-10-02T20:09:00.000-04:00

With Junie B. Jones!!

Personally, I find Junie B. Jones annoying in her books. And she's a bit of a potty mouth. Just a bit. But the girls love her books and so I'm not gonna stand in the way on this one.

Great Read in the Park

2005-10-02T20:08:00.000-04:00

Great Read in the Park. An event by the New York Times that gathers writers for reading, talks etc. At the back of the ny library or the other end of Bryant Park, at stage was set up for the kids.

I enjoy this trip to the city just because the girls requested it. They wanted to see their favorite book characters such as Junie B. Jones and Angelina Ballerina live and have their books signed. I just love it when the girls get interested in anything about books and reading. I don't even ask how much a book cost if they ask for one. Now toys, that's another matter. ;-)

So yes, the girls had lots of fun watching the little shows the book characters had prepared. Weather was perfect and the crowd was not too bad.

On our way home inside the cab, since it was still early, my wife and I being avowed fans of Japanese tv soaps decided to go to the East Village and visit a video store for some Japanese dvds. Specifically, it's Kim's video shop on St. Marks and 3rd. It's a three story labyrinth of videos from all over the globe and Audio CDs. There were so many selections that we were overwhelmed on what to pick. There's also a find we discovered. If you're into Japanese toys no matter how esoteric, head on over to Tokyo Toys (with a big Godzilla in front) on 3rd one block down from St. Marks. They have everything anime, hello kitty, pikachu and tons and tons of robots! I think I saw a Voltez V in a box too. What a find!

A real Simpson House

2005-09-30T17:49:00.000-04:00

Someone actually built a Simpson House. Exxxxcellent!

Carla

2005-09-29T16:06:00.000-04:00

Look who came to visit and managed to record a song. ;-)

Ms. Carla Martinez.

Patty Rabbit goes blech!

2005-09-29T15:34:00.000-04:00

And Sam goes, huh?

Wedgehead

2005-09-29T14:20:00.000-04:00

My favovite Uglydoll : Wedgehead

Wedgehead understands you. He sees things the way you see them. Okay so he has to stand on his head to do so, but still! He understands exactly what you mean. Wedgehead and his best buddy OX are on a mission to prove that humans really do exist, and he would like you to help them on their quest. The proof can be found in the snacks. Have any?

Fall is here

2005-09-28T16:16:00.000-04:00

Fall is here alright. This morning had me running back into the house to fetch my sweater. Morning are getting cooler and sweaters are now a must have. I enjoy my new duty of dropping the girls to school in the morning. The 5 or so minutes I spend with them in the morning drives may not be that much but we do cover some interesting conversations. I've accustomed myself to switching the radio dial to Radio Disney as I start the car. My girls suprise me with their knowledge of the current pop tunes from the usual Disney regulars: Hillary Duff, Raven and a teen idol I can't remember the name. I willingly forego my PBS listening just to hear them sing along, they sure are growing up fast.

Just the other day, I was looking at a picture I shot of the girls over the weekend in Rockefeller Center and for some reason, they don't look like my tiny baby little girls anymore. All the more reason I thought I should be spending more time with them. I am happy that they are growing up to be one of the most well behaved and smart girls but at the same time a big part of me wish they could always be my babies.

I've not had a headache for a week. Good news that is. The flipside is I'd still like to know what caused those terrible episodes. But for now I'll accentuate the positive and be glad I've not had any in the past week.

A friend saw last weekend the Dalai Lama speak at the State College where more than 36,000 trooped to hear the man speak. Here's what I got from the Dalai Lama through my friend...

Compassion. Understand that hatred and all kinds of negativity come from one's anger. People become frustrated and angry at their own situation and is manifested by an outward display through negative words and actions. Compassion plays a big part of this because understanding the anger opens up to the possibility of compassion and not retaliation. We should have more dialogue and less war. That killing another person or a flower is negative energy that is without sense and deplete or reason. Understanding through dialogue leads to compassion, which the world is sorely lacking these days.

Powerful ideas from a man whose life is filled with injustice and suffering. View Video

So the leaves are changing colors and later fall, changing of the season. I look forward to cooler days and the coming holidays. 2005 is almost over and it seems only yesterday when I was getting ready for summer. I remind myself to take a moment, look at the sky, smell the breeze, smile and take everything around me in. Not to take for granted the now because it only takes a moment to make the now pass. Leaves fall, Babies grow to become little girls, we grow older each year, people come and people go and if we're to busy with something else - the more important things in life will pass us by. Take that walk, make that phone call, write that letter - it'll make you feel better. I guarantee it!

Forever More...

2005-09-27T14:01:00.000-04:00

I there's one song I wish I had written, that song would be Forever More by Side A Band. At times when people are deadly afraid of the future and forever seems such an impossibility, it's reassuring to know that I have someone to hold till forever. Ok, let me stop before I fall off the cheesy cliff. This is for you Valerie. ;-)

Forever More (Listen)

i may have run out of songs to sing
i may have run out of words to say
but all that i want you to know is what i feel for you:
i love you
as endless as forever
our love will stay together
you're all i need to be with forevermore

there are times when i just want to look at your face
with the stars in the night
there are times when i just want to feel your embrace
in the cold of the night
i just cant believe that you are mine now

you were just a dream that i once knew
i never thought i would be right for you
i just cant compare you with anything in this world
you're all i need to be with forevermore

all those years ive longed to hold you in my arms
i've been dreaming of you
every night, i've been watching all the stars that fall down
wishing you would be mine
i just cant believe that you were mine now

time and again
there are these changes that we cannot end
sure a star that keeps going on and on
my love for you will be forevermore

wishing you would be mine
i just cant believe that you were mine now

you were just a dream that i once knew
i never thought i would be right for you
i just cant compare you with anything in this world
as endless as forever
our love will stay together
you're all i need to be with forever more

Cousin James guest stars on Conan O'Brien ;-)

2005-09-26T16:19:00.000-04:00

2005-09-24T21:24:00.000-04:00

Focal b/w

2005-09-24T21:21:00.000-04:00

Metuchen station.

2005-09-24T21:19:00.000-04:00

Hometown.

2005-09-24T21:16:00.000-04:00

Sam and Patty at Rockefeller Center.

2005-09-24T21:15:00.000-04:00

Cousin James with his new Powerbook!

2005-09-24T21:13:00.000-04:00

Employee appreciation day. I only care because I can wear jeans.

More Bea photos...

2005-09-22T21:45:00.000-04:00

2005-09-21T21:22:00.000-04:00

A perfect day to hold a meeting outside!

Random Pic

2005-09-21T16:16:00.000-04:00

Paco Park (No relation to Sandara). ;-)

I remember going to this place when I was a kid. And watching it on TV on that weekly show, what's it called?...Paco Park Presents. Just some random photo I saw while searching on google for some other unrelated image.

It was the 18th

2005-09-19T09:34:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my lovely wife's birthday. It started a few weeks ago for me. The goal was to hunt for a gift that 1) she would like 2) I would like 3) Won't burn a hole in my pocket. I had a very good idea what she wanted even before I asked her what she wanted but I thought I should ask to make sure. I ordered the gift online last wednesday for an overnight delivery. The package shipped via FedEx Thursday with delivery of Friday. I tracked the package Friday noon and it said delivery was attempted but no one was home so delivery would again be attempted on Monday (today). No good! And to think I paid an arm and a leg for overnight. The best thing to do is head on to the FedEx depot and pick it up myself Friday afternoon. I had a 4pm appointment with my Neuro Ophthalmologist. Great. So right after my consult which lasted a good 2 1/2 hours, I trekked to the FedEx facility somewhere in the boondoks. All this time my wife is ringing my phone every 30 seconds as she was anxious to know about what had happened in the consult. I didn't answer because I didn't want her to know where I was driving to. Not a great story but that's what happened. So at the end of Friday here's what I got for myself 1) My neuro can't do anything more for me because as far as my headache is concerned, the culprit is not my left eye. 2) I paid for overnight shipping ($52) that I ended picking up myself 3) Tens of missed calls and a voicemail 4) A mild headache from all the driving.

Worth it though as I got the gift my wife deserves for her uhm (20th) birthday. That's a direct quote from her not me. :-)

More importantly ofcourse is that we spend the time together on her special day. We skipped the bbq our church had after services, We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory with the kids. Her friend gifted her with free baby sitting in the afternoon/dinner so the two of us can have a quiet romantic dinner with the girls arguing in front of us every few seconds. We search route 27 hopinh to end up in Princeton and we spotted this Japanese restaurant that looked it served decent food. It was good.

We decided to cap the night with coffee and tea along main street Metuchen.

I hope my wife enjoyed her day. Birthdays are one of those days when you have to go the extra mile to make sure your partner knows how much you appreciate and love them. Happy Birthday again, Lerie!

2005-09-18T22:42:00.000-04:00

The birthday girl contemplating on where to go for our dinner date.

Happy Birthday!

2005-09-18T14:54:00.000-04:00

It's my wife's 20th birthday today (so she says). ;-) Happy Birthday sweetheart!

I Heart The Bahamas

2005-09-16T11:39:00.000-04:00

Milton Glaser, the legendary graphic designer who invented the “I Love NY” symbol, explains why he thinks the new logo for the Bahamas works wonders.

Listen

Art is Work

2005-09-16T10:16:00.000-04:00

The Milton Glaser brownstone.

Today...

2005-09-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

I'm going to have a heart to heart talk with my Neuro Ophthalmologist today. Wish me luck.

One of my career heroes...

2005-09-15T11:04:00.000-04:00

A short video interview with Milton Glaser
This amazing short video interview of designer Milton Glaser was shot by Hillman Curtis for Adobe.

"I think the most interesting thing that one can say about one's later life is that if you can sustain your interest in what you're doing you're extremely fortunate person.

What you see very frequently in people's professional lives and perhaps emotional lvies as well is that they lose interest in the third act. They sort of get tired and indifferent and sometimes defensive and you kind of lose your capacity for astonishment.And that's a great loss bacause the world is a very astonoshing place.

So I think what I feel fortunate about is that I am still astonished. That things still amaze me. And I think that's a great benefit of being in the arts where the possibility for learning never disappears. We basically have to admit we never learn it."

- Milton Glaser

By: Hillman Curtis
Music: Eli Janney
Title: Designer Series feature : Milton Glaser
Description: A documentary on the designer Milton Glaser
Client: Adobe Systems, Inc.

To many, Milton Glaser is the embodiment of American graphic design during the latter half of this century. His presence and impact on the profession internationally is formidable. Immensely creative and articulate, he is a modern renaissance man — one of a rare breed of intellectual designer-illustrators, who brings a depth of understanding and conceptual thinking, combined with a diverse richness of visual language, to his highly inventive and individualistic work.

Born in 1929, Milton Glaser was educated at the High School of Music and Art and the Cooper Union art school in New York and, via a Fulbright Scholarship, the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, Italy. He co-founded the revolutionary Pushpin Studios in 1954, founded NEW YORK MAGAZINE with Clay Felker in 1968, established Milton Glaser, Inc. in 1974, and teamed with Walter Bernard in 1983 to form the publication design firm WBMG.

Throughout his career, Glaser has been a prolific creator of posters and prints. His artwork has been featured in exhibits worldwide, including one-man shows at both the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His work is in the permanent collections of many museums. Glaser also is a renowned graphic and architectural designer with a body of work ranging from the iconic logo to complete graphic and decorative programs for the restaurants in the World Trade Center in New York. Glaser is an influential figure in both the design and education communities and has contributed essays and granted interviews extensively on design. Among many awards throughout the years, he received the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, for his profound and meaningful long-term contribution to the contemporary practice of design.

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes

2005-09-14T01:14:00.000-04:00

For anyone that grew up reading the funny pages in the 80’s, the characters of Calvin and Hobbes are undeniably etched into our collective conscious. The Complete Calvin and Hobbes ($100, available Oct. 4) catalogs ten years of comic strip genius, and the introduction gives us insight into Bill Watterson’s struggles with the strip, including his fight to keep Calvin’s legacy from being reduced to the “boy who pees on things” stickers. A must have uncrate.

Agador Spartacus

2005-09-13T22:47:00.000-04:00

The following random tidbit of information is brought on by my observation that our company chef for the salad bar reminds me of Agador Spartacus - the Guatemalan houseboy in the movie The Birdcage. The characted is based upon Hank Azaria's grandmother.

While we were in line, a coworker commented that he (the chef) does not sport his usual blonde hair. To which he immediately quipped, with the familiar Agador accent, "Honey, it'll be winter soon, I need to be a brunette. Ok?"

The cafeteria has never been more interesting. ;-)

Headache update

2005-09-13T12:07:00.000-04:00

So yesterday, I had an appointment with a Dr. Chopin, an ophthalmologist. A very nice 70 year old doctor who was very fatherly and sounded like he really knows what he's doing. He did a number of tests that concluded with photos taken of the back of my eye. I made an appointment with an ophthalmologist because I and one of my doctors suspect it could be my eye causing these terrible headaches I've been having.

The photos showed my right and left back of my eyes. His observation is that my left eye's optic nerves are 'asymetric' compared to the right. This meant to me that the nerves weren't normal and needs to be fixed. But Dr. Chopin wanted to consult first with a specialist, this time a Neuro Ophthalmologist to conduct further tests and determine the course of treatment. So I have to do a little bit more waiting until my Friday appointment.

I'm a little relieved that finally I'm getting some better answers as to what is causing these headaches. I'm taking a cue from a friend, Think Less - Feel Better. ha!

2005-09-12T23:11:00.000-04:00

Brocolli and Cheddar soup by Panera.

2005-09-12T23:10:00.000-04:00

The three ladies in my life. :-)

The Constant Gardener

2005-09-12T13:54:00.000-04:00

Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes sizzle in this slow-burning political thriller. In a remark that may be more clever than it is true, Katharine Hepburn said of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, "She gave him sex; he gave her class." In Fernando Meirelles' adaptation of John le Carré's "The Constant Gardener," Rachel Weisz doesn't need class. But Ralph Fiennes needs sex, and part of the wonder of this earnest, carefully crafted political thriller is the way Weisz draws out in him a guarded sensuality that's all the more affecting for how tentative it is. Weisz and Fiennes play husband and wife: He's a quiet, decent English diplomat, with the pheasant-under-glass name Justin Quayle, who believes he knows how the world works; Weisz is Tessa, an activist who actually goes out into that world to shake it apart. And while the "constant gardener" of the title is most obviously Quayle (he spends much more time fussing over his rhododendrons than effecting diplomacy), it's Tessa who does the more constant tending, and not just when it comes to sexual nurturing: The grand, dark joke of the movie is that it's she who exterminates his political naiveté, as if it were a deadly garden plague. salon.

The movie succeeded in firing up the spirits of emotions in me. It's not easy to look at the african girl's face as she was left by a plane escaping from marauding bandits. That scene would stay with me for a while. The story is a simple play of big corporate monsters abusing their power for the love of what else, money. And the repercussions met by those who try to stop it.

A thought provoking film made more real to me as I work for a big pharma company. This film will make your heart wrench and all the more make self evident that to most of us, life is so much better. Wishing that the movie wasn't as tragic is all the more telling of the implicit denial we place on ourselves in dealing with the issue of poverty and abuse.

2005-09-10T20:54:00.000-04:00

Ate Bea had her shoes cleaned! woohoo

2005-09-10T20:52:00.001-04:00

Let's move this tree Patty!

2005-09-10T20:52:00.000-04:00

Ate Bea

2005-09-10T20:51:00.000-04:00

Relaxing at the park

2005-09-10T20:46:00.000-04:00

Bimmer kidney grilles

Today's purchase(s) :-)

2005-09-10T15:21:00.000-04:00

Repp pique polo
In cotton pique with coordinating repp stripes. Short sleeves, straight hem. Flat knit collar and cuffs. Two-button placket. Side vents. Import. Machine wash.

Brushed broken-in fleece hooded sweatshirt
We use soft brushed cotton/poly known for its smooth texture on the outside and soft, warm feel on the inside, for this great fall sweatshirt. Specially dyed for deep, saturated color. Drawcord hood. Heavy duty front zipper. Kangaroo pockets. Long sleeves. Wide-ribbed cuffs and hem. Import. Machine wash.

Medium wash straight-leg jeans
American ringspun cotton denim. The jeans go through a stonewashing, handsanding, and nicking for a medium indigo finish. Straight through the hip and thigh. Zip fly. Traditional five-pocket styling, with reinforced back pockets. Import. Machine wash.

Depression test

2005-09-10T00:31:00.000-04:00

After answering some questions, my results are as follows:

"Your answers indicate the possibility of mild depression. These symptoms may go away over time, however talking with a therapist or counselor may be helpful. If you have felt this way for more than two weeks, or if these symptoms are interfering with your life, discuss your concerns with your doctor or a mental health professional."

2005-09-09T22:42:00.000-04:00

Yellow.

2005-09-09T22:40:00.000-04:00

Patty. Hiding from Sam the seeker. :-)

2005-09-09T22:38:00.000-04:00

Patricia. April 10, 2004.

Purchase: Effective Visual Communication for Graphic Designers

2005-09-09T10:19:00.000-04:00

Creating Hierachies with Type, Image and Color
by Carolyn Knight and Jessica Glaser

A practical guide which will enable designers to achieve effective visual communication.

The Graphic Designer’s Guide to Effective Visual Communication breaks down the different levels of visual and verbal device - what grabs attention first, what is accessed next, and then, in various levels, what follows on. Expressing these levels as layers helps the designer to successfully sequence content for maximum impact.

The Graphic Designer’s Guide to Effective Visual Communication engages in the contemporary processes of effective two-way communication, when designers and communicators have to sandwich together increasingly elaborate layers of visual material. It investigates and questions the way information is received by its audience through inspiring examples within a variety of print and screen contexts, followed by interesting practical exercises, giving designers the methodology and the practice to design for maximum effect.

This book is a must-have for any working designer intent on increasing and improving his or her communication skills and thus marketability.

About The Author: Carolyn Knight and Jessica Glaser are partners at the UK firm Bright Pink which serves clients in industries including textile, healthcare and non-profit. Both authors currently lecture at The University of Wolverhampton’s School of Art and Design. They have also authored Rockport’s successful Layout: Making it Fit. They live in Stafford, UK.

Hello nano

2005-09-08T22:26:00.000-04:00

You raise me up

2005-09-08T22:10:00.000-04:00

(Speaking of Josh Groban...)

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Buy song.

Not so good a day

2005-09-08T21:30:00.000-04:00

Had to leave work early today because of the pain in my head. I felt sick in the morning and almost called in too. Soon as I got to the office I got sick in the bathroom and the day went down from there. I left the office around lunchtime and went home. Didn't have much strength and the pain is building. My wife's not home so I slept the pain off. Awoken by a call to dinner by Patricia around 7pm.

Josh Groban: Live at the Greek is playing on PBS. I hooked up the cable box to the Bose radio to get better audio from my tiny tv. I like this guy's voice but for once I'd like to hear him sing more contemporary songs unlike his usual repertiore of non-english music.

I forgot to mention that over the weekend in Baltimore, I learned how to juggle! Finally! I got the basics, now all I need to do is practice, practice, practice. ;-)

It's time...

2005-09-08T10:18:00.000-04:00

...for another Rachel McAdams pic.