Damned

Whoever coined the phrase “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t”…well, must have been damned. Recently, other than my favorite acronym SSDD (Same S____ Different Day) - which I love to interchange meanings – the damned phrase (pun intended) enters my brain more often than before. Right now, I can’t think of a better cliché that is so applicable each day of our life. And why is that so?

In our science classes during elementary grade, we were told that we humans actually belong to the animal kingdom. But what sets us apart (other than we can write lame blogs) from our crawling, flying, swimming and walking (i.e., apes) brethrens is the capability to make choices, not instinctively, but intelligently – although the bible is one proof that our great great great ancestor Adam “might” have instinctively gave in to Eve’s temptation to take the supposedly fruit of knowledge (and that I find ironic). For whatever the real reason is, I think we won’t know, but I have a suspicion (hint: they’re fully naked back then).

I find this capability to think and to decide a double-edged sword – that is, it cut both ways. Each action we make right after a decision will be taken or understood differently by different recipients of that action. To complement this, Newton’s third law of motion states: “For every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction.” It’s just the way it goes – no more, no less.

So does that mean that the author of the damned phrase may possibly have been Newton as well? Actually, I don’t give a damn. But whoever it was, he has my respect because I find it simple yet striking. It summarizes one lifetime of decision making into just 8 words.

Now are you wondering what made the damned phrase go in and out of my mind like an LSS? In the past days, here’s a couple:

·         Company business updates that gets majority of the employees jumpy and grouchy. My take on this? It’s just same story with a title that changes every time, as I always tell those I’m conversing with about this topic. That’s 15 directly under me, and several other colleagues that at times I find the topic get so monotonous that it makes me think of recording my replies for the next similar discussion. Sooner than soon, this story will end (I’d like to divulge, but I’d rather do it as a Grinch-who-stole-christmas type story. You’ll read about it soon. Probably Christmas time).

·         Bayani Fernando who has been in the news, forums and FM radio lately. My take on him? Ever since I learned about this guy’s work, principle and vision, my admiration for him started. I’m one of those Filipinos who look up to a strong leadership which have become so scarce for years here in the Philippines.  I read from one survey that he’s not winning approvals from most people because of the way he operates – that is, quick and he doesn’t care who gets in the way. Although, he’s got some kinks to work out among his group (i.e., MMDA), I believe that his personal policies are firm and he’s just the type of leader that we NEED. By the way, he has mentioned that he’s running for president come 2010.

·         The latest and hottest subject lately – motorcycles – due to new LTO guidelines, frequent accidents involving motorcycles, and wife protests (hehehe). It’s now a fact that with the current gas prices up and I predict, will go up again – this prediction doesn’t need a Nostradamus to do – everyone now thinks of an alternative to go around town. Both of those who used to take the public transport (e.g., buses, jeepneys) and even those with their own cars are now considering buying scooters or underbones. My take on this? It’s a no brainer that with the almost unstoppable gas price hike, an alternative transport is a must have. However, if a motorcycle is your choice, it requires a fully “functioning” brain to drive it defensively. Brain drives Rider. Helmet protects Brain. That’s Win-Win.

With our daily life being about decision making from the moment we wake up, drive to work, deal with people at work and until the time we get back home and sit front of the TV (and start changing channels), it’s really no wonder if every now and then…we will be damned.

Donut Choices (Photofunia done by wifey)

Back on 2 Wheels

 

What do these things have in common?

1.       Vietnam

2.       Discovery’s American Choppers

3.       Nat Geo’s Long Way Down

4.       Nat Geo’s Rides

5.       The movie Wild Hogs

6.       Mo Twister’s most hated

7.       Motorista magazine

If you still haven’t got it right, the last one is supposed to be a giveaway.  Yes, it all relates to motorcycles big or small; slow or fast; flashy or funny. And so today I got my own - my first one.

Now I’m back to riding (or better yet, learning) on two wheels – this time it’s motorized. Following careful and lengthy considerations and several discussions with my own self – yes, been talking to myself as to whether or not I need to get a motorcycle (or MC) - I finally convince myself to give in to this urge of riding one. I’m quite sure though that my dear wifey still has some reservations on my recent toy – disguised in the name of “beating the gas prices”.

Well, how can I blame her for having such thoughts when we were both together when we witnessed an accident right in front of our very eyes? And if that’s not scary enough (other than the fact that some newscasters deliver it like the world is coming to an end with their exaggeration) the news of motorcycle riders clashing with other vehicles or pedestrians is so common nowadays that one will get confused if the news he’s currently watching is a reply of last month’s.  That’s the bad side of motorcycling: motorcycles have gone so cheap that even those who don’t have the capacity (read: brain) to ride defensively can buy it as long as he’s  got the cash to pay for it.  Needles to say, it’s this ignorance that results to these accidents.

But as any motorcycle advocate will tell you, accidents are bound to happen – whether you’re in a car, in a bus, in a train, in an airplane or just even while walking leisurely to your destination. While I’m so sure that this reasoning will raise an eyebrow or two, it is just always true. It doesn’t matter what transportation you’re in if the one who’s in control like the pilots, captains, bus drivers or yourself (in the case of driving a car) doesn’t know what he is expected to do. And that’s when training comes in. But for all we know, it may even just need good judgment and a common sense to do it, at least for driving on the road. But then again, common sense is not so common.

Luckily nowadays, MC newbies like me have the world wide web to help us coach on how to go about in learning how to ride. A couple of googling in just a couple of hours will lead one to a numerous motorcycle-related sites (e.g., MSF) and forums (e.g., MCP). It now depends on how one comprehends what he reads. And individual learning curve will tell how soon one becomes adept in this new kind of transportation.

So how am I doing so far?

(From hondaph.com) This is my toy. No name yet...

After spending a couple of my time reading all about motorcycles since more than a month ago and right after I got my brand new unit this morning, I’ve given it a try only once by doing a couple of rounds inside our village. I did it by noontime where sun is steaming hot but with fewer people outside. I was actually rather more embarrassed than nervous for riding it like a sissy unlike those I’ve seen that were so relaxed, confident and at some point, irritatingly showy. A few more practice and I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it. And I swear I’ll stay safe by then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for Bum Days

 

Every working day seems to be getting gloomier and gloomier. Don’t get me wrong but I’m quite sure I still exude a positive look to most people – to my colleagues, to my peers. In short I’m becoming a professional hypocrite. Ti abi. But that’s the way it should be right now. There’s no point in surrendering even if the fight seems worthless. Sooner or later I’d be a bum. But until that time comes I try to be positive. Remember: choose to be happy.

And what am I doing to prepare for these days? I make sure that I equip myself with “bum tools”. And what are these so far?

1.       Unpaid car. Nice to drive around with. Necessary to eliminate couch rashes.

2.       Books. Lots of it. I think I’d be able to read most of it while in career hibernation. I’d start to worry when I start re-reading my wife’s Archie comics.

3.       Cable TV and Internet subscription. Other than being certified bum tools, both may well be my connection to the outside world; which reminds me to check the schedule of the TV show Til Debt Do Us Part.

4.       DVDs. Got to have popcorns and beer to go along with these.

5.       Brother. Yes, a brother, a brother that can help me distribute my resume print outs while on a job hunt. It’s a Brother all in one printer. Nice tool.

6.       Rubik’s cube. I don’t know if the recent recession and attrition is the reason why this cube puzzle was revived. I’m seeing a conspiracy here.

I think I’ve got quite a stockpile already. I’m sure these could pretty well keep me occupied for days to come.

***

The Brother all-in-one printer that we got is the 150C model. Although, we’ve checked HP’s  and Canon’s model before finally purchasing it, I still consider it an impulsive buy. Hahaha. Anyway, as reckless as it appears, I think we got ourselves a good deal as I’ve been actually eyeing to have one since more than a year ago. A printer, scanner and copier in one package and at the price of nearly Php 4000 (<USD 100) is well spent. I guess.

This brand may not be as popular as Canon or HP when it comes to printers, but the features it has are competitive enough. Its interface is user friendly. And its overall case and parts appears sturdy. It actually reminds me of our Brother portable typewriter which I’ve done a good deal of torture but still remains in operation until now after more than 15 years. Hopefully this multi-printer will stay strong just like his brother (pun intended).

Scanned images and print outs appear better than expected as well. At first we got disappointed when the photo prints outs had lines in it, but then after reading the user’s manual (duh!) and following the instructions, a better print came out. I can’t say it’s perfect, but it’s like just any other photo I received from my sister who I know got a Canon photo printer and from some friends who developed their digital images thru professional developing centers. By the way, it has 4 ink cartridges (black, magenta, cyan and yellow) which makes it economical. Only the consumed color gets to be replaced. Needless to say, my resume will use up only the black one first.

Nothing is perfect though. So upon installation I saw some issues with it. The scanning software doesn’t have a preview(hopefully, I just missed it), unlike my Canon’s LiDE 20 which I find very useful as it lessens scanning time when doing small size papers such as paper bills which I used to test it. I later read in the manual that it’s illegal to scan money. Don’t worry I don’t intend to forge my 500 bill. Though I wish it will multiply just like that. Ti abi.

Lastly, I find the AC cord and USB connections weird. I expect the AC cord to be at the rear part and the USB port just somewhere visible. The port is hidden underneath the scanner bed which must be lifted in order to access and connect th cable. I’m still wondering why its designer decided to place it this way. I can’t see the reason why (I just don’t know if the other multi-printer brands are set up just like it).

 (AC Cord on lower left corner. Scanner bed is shown as lifted to access USB port)

(Red arrow pointing at USB port) 

Overall, this neat multi-printer will make the top brands a run for their money. It’s like David vs. Goliath. It’s like AMD vs. Intel…hmmm. It’s a stretch, but let’s not go there. It’s for another blog.

Changes: Remembering and Learning from It

Walls taken down. Damaged concrete and dug up dirt piling up. Galvanized iron roofs ripped and tossed aside. Noise from hammers and chisels sounding almost from sun up to sun down. Dust fills the air. Diggings done here and there. Commands given, if not shouted, every now and then. Sounds like total chaos and destruction.

Well, almost. It’s actually some of the activities being done in preparation and during a house renovation.

During a recent improvement we did for our small home, the succession of events above brings me back to my childhood days due to several reasons.

One of it is learning on site.

I could very well remember back in the days when I was yet a grade 1 elementary student. We used to live far from school and our parents decided that we transfer just near where my sister and I went to study.

I can still vividly remember that since my father would supervise and sometimes help out in the construction of our new house, he had to build a temporary hut shelter for him and his stuffs and tools right inside our 200 square meter lot. By our countries standard, I think the average Filipino dwells in this lot size at that time. I love eating in the hut even it would have to be done by hand and had to sit on the floor to do that.

Every now and then after school hours, we’d drop by and play in the construction area. We would climb and roll down on the sand piles; run along the ditches where concrete hollow blocks and posts are yet to be erected; Play hide and seek in the unfinished rooms and do any other things that today I have learned as very unsafe. Just the thought of it now sends chills to my spine. And so they say, kids will be kids. Oblivious to the perils of daily life, or in this case the dangers present in the construction site. Thankfully, I didn’t learn the hard way.

Other things that amazes me back then are how the scaffolds are built, how the concrete blocks are horizontally and vertically leveled and how the hose leveler works. At that time I couldn’t believe and grasp the idea of how the workers would refer to the water level as the correct level for doors, windows, walls and flooring. Likewise, the smell of anti termite solution, paint, saw dusts and wood shavings never fails to fascinate me. Later on, I would learn from training that these are more considered as harmful odor (and particles) rather than sweet smell and one would have to wear masks when near or working with it.

Second thing that made me ponder on how lucky I am today is how young some of the laborers are that works in our recent home project.

The man that I got to do the job this time is Mang Narding. He has two sons whom I know are in their teens and yet are already working with him. I just hope that they’re in their legal age, or I’ll be guilty of violating the child welfare act. Or I can just pretend that this is also their on-site exposure just like I had or they have actually no choice but to work instead of going to school. Sadly, the latter is more likely the situation.

When we were young then, my father works as a “panday”, in our dialect, which means a carpenter just like Mang Narding. I just realized now that his job with its meager pay is just enough to support our family and even if I’d add my mother’s salary (who was at that time works as a clerk or accountant for a private business), we would hardly be able to continue our education. Even then, father didn’t require me to join him in his work even after high school. It has just dawned on me now, how both of my parents strive hard to keep us going from elementary to college.

During our school years, I can still recall that I had to asked for my “balon” or school budget daily because mother doesn’t want (or trust) me to have my allowance given in a weekly basis. Despite all that I was able to finish my schooling and was able to work after 4 years of college education.

My younger sister likewise graduated and we are now both working for one Computer Company but are assigned to different positions and countries. I’m still here in the Philippines, she’s in the US with her husband and a son.

I still hope and pray that later on, that Mang Narding’s sons will sooner realize that it’s not yet too late for them to continue their studies and hopefully, they’ll graduate and be able to help alleviate their parents’ situation and provide a decent life for their own family in the future.

As for me, I’m now even prouder of my parents. It’s a cliché, but without them, I won’t be where I am today. There is no doubt about it.