Last work day for the year tomorrow and I really do not want to report for work, but since I don't skip work for any reason other than being sick, I'd be at work tomorrow. I just hope everyone is already where they need to be as I do not wish to spend hours more traveling home.
Spent 5 hours of the day to drop by Sta. Lucia Grand East Mall to pick up some PSP ISOs so I can play them all. While I was waiting for the person I was dealing with, everyone in the mall was rushing out in panic. Some say there was a fire, others say it was a bomb threat (again?). I did not run, why would I when there was no reason to. Simply walked slowly out of the place. After a few minutes, they were letting people back in. That was quick.
It was in no way exciting nor did it pump any blood any place else, but it was an unusual hoo-hum experience added to my already hoo-hum everyday life.
I wanted to pick a couple of books, one of which was Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh but I opted not to as I needed to be a bit more wary on my spending habits. Sure it was payday, but that's beyond the point. Need to make worthwhile purchases. As much as I want to read books, I have no time for them especially ones of movies I have already seen. I do have plans of buying a book by Chuck Palahniuk, I just hope I'd squeeze the time to actually read it and finish it of course.
Speaking of ISOs, I love them. Sony releases a format which is quite proprietary but made the mistake of having Memory Sticks big enough for these UMDs to ripped and saved on to. Now I have almost any PSP game ever released in a set of 6 DVDs. Yes, I do feel some guilt over it but I am poor and as long as I am in a third world country, I might as well make the most of it.
Last night I was having a hell of a time connecting to the Internet. I was able to get through a couple of times but got disconnected less than an hour later. Reconnecting was such a freaking waste of time. I was so pissed off, I wanted to smash something. Good thing I was able to control myself from the said action as I was playing with Persephone and smashing her would hurt me more than anything else. Well, sort off.
It was just so frustrating as I wanted to do something but simply couldn't. The Internet is one of the few joys left in life and someone has to take it away from me. If I can't have the one gift I really wanted, can't I at least have these small things which keep me happy? Truth be told, I'd trade everything else in life for this simple gift.
As I was being frustrated and annoyed, I realized the reason behind it, and it is not good. Simply could not believe that this is my life in a nutshell. Work, Internet, game. Repeat and rinse over and over. No plans of standing up and changing the routine. Sick.
Would 2006 be the year? Nah, I doubt it. I don't want to believe in anything anymore.
What about my Christmas? Well, if you must know, continue with the next paragraph.
No Christmas post this year, like it mattered in the first place anyway, as nothing happened. Normal days where more eventful. Had to report to work on Christmas day which was okay as it kept my mind busy and not thinking about how empty it was this year. Holiday pay, free SIL slot, a stressball, and a buffet at work was all I got for Christmas.
I wanted to go out on Christmas eve but due to the distance of home from anywhere fun (save for a strip joint) and work the following day, I decided to suck it up and stay home. Ever since someone told me that it seemed such an effort for me to travel all the way to Manila just to hang out, the real distance of how far home is finally sunk in and penetrated my thick and dense skull. I used to not care about it.
Schedule for the week (for two weeks actually) was finally released late last night. It wasn't lovely though as we have work on Christmas AND New Year's day. If that was not bad enough, we'd be going to work next week for 6 straight days which is quite insane when compared to the amount of time we have to wait for calls. I could say that in the past week, we have been overstaffed and now they want us to go on 6th day? Crazy.
They even asked us for our preferred day-off which could be December 24, 25, 31, or January 1. Most of the members in the team choose the 1st, no one got it.
Whatever, we are their pawns.
As a result, a drinking session in Mandaluyong was cut short because I wanted to make the most of my one day off. It was a wrong move, as around 10, the traffic was still quite packed. I should have downed a few more beers before going home, as I only had 2 light ones and my head was aching, which normally happens when the amount of beer I drink is too little. The headaches go away once the alcohol level in my level has reached a decent level.
I wanted to stay, but there was another reason why I wanted to go home as early as possible. I was expecting someone at home and was wondering if she arrived since during the last time, they were not able to find my house on a Friday and had to come back on Sunday.
This time they made it safely and were actually waiting for me, she even brought along a friend.
Serenity is a movie based on the cancelled TV series Firefly which was created by Joss Whedon. It's a bloody amazing movie and it answers some questions which Firefly left unanswered due to it's cancellation. It did create some minor questions, but it ends up in a way wherein the series could continue if they do decide to do so. Summer Glau's River Tam is spectacular in this movie as during the series you would be expecting her to just explode and go crazy but they were not able to get to that point in the series.
In the movie, she has one amazing fight sequence wherein you initially thought otherwise. Actually, there were two but she was more graceful and deadly in the second one. I still love Kaylee the most, but River really stood out in this one. Sadly, the people with blue hands did not appear, and I am still curious about them.
It's sad that I only found out about Firefly this year when it was originally released in 2000. The series was not a phenomenal hit when it was released (it was cancelled, remember?) but Joss Whedon's fan base from Buffy and Angel embraced it and through word of mouth it grew and became a movie. I think I have made up by watching the whole series and the movie now. I guess I can call myself a browncoat now.
The Sin City: Recut. Extended. Unrated. box comes with two versions of the movie, the theatrical release and a recut, extended and unrated version. Plus a graphic novel of Sin City's The Hard Goodbye. I still have to find some time to watch both version and repeat with audio commentary.
Oh, I forgot. I was able to get the last half of Samurai 7 as well as copies of Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. So many things to watch. So little time. I also need to game. Life is indeed to short. Imagine if I had to waste time on a girl?
How Unlucky Do I Have To Be In Order To Be Lucky?
Whoa!
It's been more than a week since I last blogged to think that quite a number of things happened/did not happen which I could have blogged about. Not that anyone would care, but that's the whole point of me blogging. I don't care if anyone actually reads this stuff, it's just a venue for me to speak as I have no friends. As much as I love Persephone, we could only spend so much caressing each other. Plus, I feel that it's starting to feel like a one-way relationship.
Wednesday. King Kong is awesome. Go. Watch. Now.
Saturday. I really wanted to watch the gig organized by members of the Pabida team over at the Marikina Sports Center, but I got off work around 2 in the afternoon and went home instead. What was I supposed to do until 8 in the evening? As lonesome as I am nor as good as a movie can get, I never watch the same movie again alone. Once is enough, more than that might kill me. If only my place was closer, I could have slept/procrastinated a few hours before going out again. I am currently thinking of working on this, or else.
Plus we found out that are day-offs have been split due to this new automated scheduling system and we only get Sunday off, and I needed the time to rest and sleep for more than four hours. It's real discouraging when they change the schedules with a days notice. Heck, we still do not know if we have work on Christmas nor New Year, like it would even matter for me.
Sunday. Two christenings and a party. Christenings both in Taguig, one close to SLEX though but transport was not a problem. Thankfully.
It was also the night of the company Christmas party which I have never attended until now. No one in the team was going, but I was lucky enough to find an old teammate who was going as she also had work the following day.
The theme this year was a rock concert party with a battle of the bands portion and a band as guest, which is right up my alley, not the band exactly but the program. Parokya Ni Edgar (yeah, but it is certainly better than having Hale) was the guest band and they performed 7 songs. Was surprised to see that there were quite a bunch of fan girls climbing up on stage for hugs and kisses. The food was adequate and beer was present but you had to shell out your own money for it. Plus we had glow sticks. It's just unfair that the person who won the top price for the evening (50,000 Php) also won in the battle of the bands (20,000). How unlucky do you have to be in order to be that lucky?
Third day of work with our new automated scheduling system wherein my schedule changed from 6am to 3pm into 730am to 430pm. With this new system, members in the team have different login teams which almost negates the need for a team in the first place.
Initially, I was pissed off as traffic is insane during those hours, but so far the traffic has been normal. Normal in the sense wherein I expected it too be worse due to the holiday season.
If the avail times we get in work are of any indication, then I could say that the system is actually working. Previously, the lines would be queuing until after one in the afternoon. Now, there are a few minutes of avail in the morning, a few hours of queue time around 10, and loads of avail time after lunch. As a result, I have yet to complete a full 9 hour shift since Monday. Early timeout slots are given when there are lots of wait times, and I have requested for one everyday. These are deductible (of course) from our salary but who cares as long as I can get home early and not get stuck in traffic.
Here's hoping we'd get two consecutive days off. Someone special may be coming over to celebrate with me. I sure hope they'd find my place on Friday.
Last Sunday, I spent the evening with the Pabida Team. It was a birthday celebration of sorts and almost everyone was present which is good. Spent my last bit of money as well, though I am not completely broke as I still have a couple grand until payday. I do need some new clothes for a wedding this Thursday though.
Marikina sure looks pretty at night and the different themes for each barangay was particularly amusing. I wish I had my camera with me as I only remembered that I forgot it when I was in the shuttle. Silly me.
Actually, I thought it was my last bit of money but I was surprised it increased by 100% since the last time I checked. I was sure I left a couple grand when I was spending on Persephone.
Turns out, there is an incentive for getting high appraisal marks for a quarter which was credited on the 9th. Helps that it is non-taxable.
Speaking of taxes, my quarterly bonus was slashed by 30% which amounts to more than 5 grand which sucks being "head-of-family" and all. At least, the 13th month pay is non-taxable. Still, thirty freaking percent? If I am paying this much, I might as well vote and should complain more.
I love webcomics. They easily eat up hours of the Interweb time I have at home. Questionable Content is having a pretty good run more so after the 500th episode. One could say it was a shocker, but after 500 strips, some questions need to be answered. I'd say it was about time.
Thing is, I could almost relate to it, scene by scene or should I say, panel by panel. I'd be Marten, and this gift would be Faye. Less of Faye actually, as what she has been through was simply too much, comparable only and quite different from real life. There was never anything said about me, as a guy, but I can understand why. The reasons are not as clear as what Faye had to say. But everything Marten said, is pretty much me, like "But what if I want to.." (strip 508 panel 3) and "And if sometime in the future, you happen to be ready for a relationship and I happen to be available..." (strip 509 panel 3). The amusing punch line is what Dora said at the end of strip 511, the rise in the number of emo boys as explained by Dora.
What an analysis and comparison of the recent storyline. I am just amused. The bottom line is you should read this webcomic.
I've said this time and a time again, and I'd repeat it every chance I get, if there is one webcomic you would have to read, this would be it. If you are into indie music, relationships, goth chicks, comics, a good story, or just need something good to read, start with this webcomic. I promise, you'd love it.
In some tribes, birthdays are celebrated for a full week, not just a day. And there's reason to celebrate. You're another year wiser, and as chatty as you are, sharing all you've learned will no doubt take time. -- www.astrology.com
Another year wiser? This is still debatable as I doubt I have learned anything over the year, but I have to say it was one of the best years so far as I can remember mainly because of one person and even though it ended up like this, I am still thankful.
First time I didn't have to start and end my day at work.
Enough of the emo stuff. I did get my leave today, and all I did was sleep through it. Mom cooked spaghetti for lunch and borrowed some money from me after, which she used to buy me a cake and some ice cream. Am quite stuffed already.
Pretty ordinary day by my standards as I've never spent these kind of days in a grand way. I was hoping it would change this year, but such was not the case. I hoped for this ever since I turned 20.
At least I didn't place any clause wherein if I didn't get this, I would do this which was what I did before when I turned 20. Those things are bad.
Life Is Without A Sense Of Irony
Last November, I filed leaves for December 7 to 11 in preparation for my birthday which falls on the 10th. (No need on hiding the date as it is already over the place and if you didn't know about it, boy, shame on you).
Not that I have any plans or want to make any for that matter, I just thought it would be cool that for once in my three years in Etelecare, I'd be spending my birthday at home.
So a few weeks ago the approved SIL (paid leave of absence) slots came out. Initially I thought, 7-9 were approved 10-11 were wait listed. With the change in day-offs back then, the 11th would fall on a Sunday, which is my day-off, which would leave me to only come to work on the day I really wanted to be off. Yes, this is how my luck works. Every other person in the team who filed for leaves in December were able to get the dates they wanted, except for yours truly.
The email was clarified last week, out of 5 days which I filed for SIL 2 got approved, 7-8. This means I have to report for Friday.
What about the 10th? Good question. Bloody good question.
I don't know. I am on the waitlist and schedules for next week won't be released until tomorrow. If there are teams on day-off on Saturday, I'd be having their slots, but as of the moment, I have to wait.
It's not that big a deal anyway, as work is okay, normal and I wouldn't be doing anything else than playing with myself. Wait, that didn't sound right. Play PS2 and spend time with Persephone.
It's just the irony of it all. Out of 5 days, I get 2 and not the day which I really wanted. Before anything else is said, especially like "everything happens for a reason", I am not expecting anything, because nothing will happen. Nothing ever happens.
Will simply console myself with the X3 teaser trailer. My connection is too pathetic for the official trailers available from Apple, but I found a link for a AVI version. Sadly, I still have to wait for an hour.
Yesterday, we had to report to work at 4 in the morning for a 2 hour mandatory pre-shift OT. The OT pay, which is a measly hundred pesos per hour plus night differential do not make up for the amount I had to spend on a driver and gasoline. No fun and I hope we wouldn't have to do that again. I hope, but hoping in my life has never led to anything good, so there.
Thankfully, we were allowed to log out by 1 in the afternoon which is all good but I had to go somewhere later in the evening, around 7.
Living so far from civilization does not provide one with luxury of going home, having a few hours to relax and think about things, which one could certainly do in 6 hours. Unfortunately for me, 6 hours is already the time I have to spend traveling back and forth.
I spent 2 hours walking around the mall thinking if I should go as I already missed a meeting last week. With still no decision in mind, I decided to sleep it off in the company lounge at the 21st floor. No go, I was unable to sleep even though I was tired and felt sleepy probably because the Lazy Boy was quite uncomfortable for a proper sleep. So after 15 minutes, I decided to just go home.
I knew I should have brought Persephone along with me to burn some more time, but my bag was already quite heavy. I wanted to watch a movie but nothing was of particular interest. Was thinking about Just Like Heaven but there was nothing which made me buy the ticket even if Napoleon Dynamite was in it. Er, Jon Heder I mean.
With no lunch and quite possibly no dinner as I am too cheap to waste money on food, and with no one wanting to spend time with me, this further reinforced my decision to go home.
Pabida team was also asking me to go out but I couldn't as there are no means of transportation available in this town at 9 in the evening. Sorry guys, but it was a little too late.
It's amazing how the distance of home is from places is affecting my decisions in life. Well, it should as time is very valuable and am more concerned about wasting it now. This royally sucks.
Fuck! It's now 6 in the evening and I just wasted 3 hours online. I need some substance. No, not the sort which is normally associated with abuse but something to make my life worthwhile.
Yes, I named my PSP. So everyone, gather around and meet Persephone.
Finally got my hands on my very own PSP. Haven't tried any of the homebrew stuff, but so far I've loaded movies, music, comics on it. Bought two games, Lumines and Burnout Legends.
The unit itself was relatively cheap, but building it up to something you could love and enjoy costs money. The 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo being the main culprit. This allows me to upload full-length movies plus more on it.
Of course, the first movie to be loaded should be something significant so I picked Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, which took up 700MB of space. Along with Advent Children I uploaded music videos of My Chemical Romance.
Lumines is helluva addictive. Played it the other night until I literally fell asleep. The gameplay is simpler than Tetris but is still tricky and hard to master. The music and graphics are pretty amazing. It just gets you hooked more.
I was turned off by Burnout Legends when I initially played it. When I was choosing which game I would buy, I said to myself that I need a racing game and Burnout Legends seemed to be a better choice over Ridge Racer and Need For Speed. When I first tried it, I was regretting withdrawing money before dropping by the store. I already had enough money for one game in my pocket.
For a 3 thousand peso game, I gave it another chance. Now my thumbs are numb for keeping it down on the accelerator for extended periods of time. Nothing beats a racing game wherein you can slam your opponents into a wall. Takedown!
Now the only regret of purchasing this other game is that after 5 days of receiving my quarterly bonus, 13th month pay and half-a-month's salary, I am now royally broke. (I did save two-fifths in the bank). The extra 3k could have gone for miles.
I don't regret buying Persephone as money is there to be spent, I just wish I had more time to actually use it.
Now it's time to rip Fight Club.
Quarterly bonus came out on the 25th and was a little disappointed as the tax was simply too much. Am not really sure how much I should have greceived and how much tax was deducted. Will just wait for the pay slip. So I did not decide to withdraw all of it.
It was great though that our 13th month pay came out on the 29th and then the regular salary on the 30th. I did not check how much I had until today and boy was I surprised. I had this insane grin painted on my face.
Who says I have to resort to buying a cheap phone when I can opt to buy a PSP and a high-end phone, say W800i.
Am really going to get that PSP I have been thinking about for ages. It's not that I did not have the money before, but it seemed that I would hardly have any use for it. I travel to and from work on a jeep and the PSP is too flashy and crowded for that. If I had to ride a shuttle to work, then maybe I could squeeze in some game time there.
At the office, there would be no time for this as the queue is still quite heavy and avail time only comes around 2 in the afternoon at which point we either have meetings or go on early authorized time outs (ATO).
Which leaves home the only place where I could play the damn thing. What's the sense in owning a portable gaming system if the only chance of playing it is at home?
Nonetheless, after much deliberation, I am going to buy one. My money has to go somewhere.