a record of thoughts

The South Trip (Set 2)

140 Photos

The South Trip (Set 1)

87 Photos

INTRODUCTION

Before December begins, I should have used all my vacation days from work. It was the last two weeks of November. Usually, I spend my vacation in the overseas, but this year, I opted for a domestic trip with Frances.

I did not plan the trip ahead of time like I usually do things. Planning a trip most of the time does not work for me because things happen in between. I’ve been irking to go south this time, especially to Texas. It has been in the back of my head. Only financial burden and fear was pinning me down. That’s another thing why I don’t plan my trips; I get over the fear. So during the weekend when I picked up Frances from the airport (she came from Las Vegas, but originally from Vancouver, BC) I was thinking about the trip while driving. From there, I decided to do it. Face the music later. (more…)

Syet na malagkit!

Yes, yes… It’s been a while since my last entry and I’m once again nagging about standards. A week or two ago Hotmail release a new version of their webmail and guess what ladies and gentlemen? YOU CANNOT COMPOSE AN E-MAIL USING CHROME!!! I’ve grown to like the browser, y’know. I “exceptionally” love it when I hit the HOME button and Chrome would show me my frequently-visited sites. It’s one of the awesomest feature the browser has. Of course the drag-&-drop feature of its tabs brings more coolness to the experience.

All that became history. I am a huge fan of Hotmail and no browser will tempt me to move out of that service. An email address for me is very very significant. If you can’t find me anywhere else, you can find me @ hotmail.com That has become my permanent address since I started computing 10 (or so) years ago. Yes I’m quite new to computing.

Anyway, if you’ve been counting along with the counter above (the homepage) it’s almost time. What would it be, what would it be?

I was tagged (by Muymuy) and I had a dilemma (as if it’s life changing) whether to publish an entry on this or not.

Rule: List all the names you were called by and the people who call you that. Tag at least 5 members of your contacts and give a comment on their site for them to know they’ve been tagged.

Alfonso — My real name. Professionally, I prefer to be called by this name. Classmates here in the States call me by this name. It may sound old, but I won’t exchange it for something else. I was named after my grandfather. It defines me.

Nonó — This is my nickname and where the site’s name came from. Take note on the accent on the second syllable. Everyone in the family up to the second degree calls me by this name. Everyone in our barangay knows me by this name. My classmates and friends from Kindergarten to Grade 2 call me by this name.

Alponsó — When a family member is angry at me, they mess up the pronounciation.

Pons — My classmates from Roxas City, Capiz (Grade 3 to 3rd Year HS) call me this and anyone who knows me who is not a relative and an Ilonggo.

Fons — Some people from work calls me by this name.

Alfons — Some people from work calls me by this name. I’m really intrigued as to why the last vowel had to be cropped out.

Al — Someone used to call me this.

Alfie — People sometimes call me by this name.

Fonse. — Some people from work calls me by this name. I’m kind of fond of this now as you would realize. It has become my Gravatar name. I even went overboard as to adding a period at the end as if it’s a monoword sentence. Just to keep it cool and different I guess.

As I was checking blogs off my blogroll, I noticed that my ads are McCain oriented. Data mining capability of Google is really amazing. I don’t have to say which party I tend to lean, yet it knows. I’m not a registered voter and I don’t think I’ll be, but I’m openly a Republican. I guess it’s in my nature to go against the grain because I live in an urban area and urbanites tend to be democrats.

Especially in this year’s election. I think that the democratic party is a joke. They should have found someone more effective because McCain is a  tough contender. I think if they had Kerry run again, they may have a chance. I won’t make any prediction save one. Hollywood will vote Obama because the vocal these celebrities about supporting Obama, they think that the masses will watch their movies. If you have Pamela Anderson screaming she’s voting Obama, I think you have to think who to vote again. It may be better to vote for Perot if he runs again.

Before you comment on my opinion, it is solely mine and I did not do any research on each candidate’s platform or issues. These are solely my hunch based on the years I’ve “kind of” observe these men.

Tomorrow I’m supposed to join the whole family to go out of town. The destination is New Jersey and the first stop is Six Flags. I haven’t been in the said theme park. This weekend is supposed to be my first time. We will be at the Hurricane Harbor because of it being summer and all. I’ll try to ride everything, but I’m guessing I won’t be able to handle it. I have a serious fear of height and most of the time not because I’m afraid of falling and dying, but it’s the fear that I might jump. I’ve always been curious of how free fall feels like. I should go sky diving, right?

Going away also means I’m going to miss the greatest performance night of Pinoy Idol. I’m really excited to see the performance because I saw Ram’s rehearsal and it’s amazing. I hope the weather won’t act during my absence so that the DVR behaves properly and I can watch the recorded show when I come back.

Today, I saw someone riding my Ducati bike. I really need to get my driver’s license before the summer ends. I’ll start reviewing so that next Friday I can take the exam for a permit. Then schedule a lesson at the end of August.

My silence starts here and I will end it with a recap of my weekend getaway.

I never thought this would happen. While having breakfast in a cafe near our office’s building, a customer sat in front of me reading the same book I’m reading, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. The same paperback version. I never thought that with the few different people I see in the cafe, I would find someone reading a philosophy novel. I often see people reading Sheldon’s or Brown’s or other contemporaries, but I never thought I’d see someone in front of me reading Ayn Rand, and the same title needless to say. (more…)

It’s Independence Day weekend and for those who will be staying home (like me) during the long weekend, I am recommending the films below. They are all foreign films (not if you’re Japanese or Korean). I have them as part of my tiny DVD collection. They aren’t new. They’re about at least 3 years old already and I’m guessing that most of my readers have not seen them yet. I’m a huge fan of martial arts films especially the ninja and samurai. That’s not the only reason why I’m recommmending them, however. These films possess deeper meaning. I have found those meanings in my own perception. It’s up to you to find for yourself.

I will recommend more films later on. (more…)