Today marks the third year I have spent in Etelecare. This has been the only place where I have worked ever since graduating in 2003. I'd love to write down the significant things which happened through the years but my eye is already quick itchy, a clear sign that I need to sleep now.
To mention a few, the best things which happened was meeting the friends I got to know through the years, changing shoelaces and unraveling this gift even though it did not turn out as I wanted it to be.
So where do we go from here? I have no idea.
There is nothing at work which keeps me enthusiastic about waking up early in the morning and going to work each and everyday. Nothing anymore, anyway.
There are a few minor things which do keep me interested like a certain crush, friends plus a few other things but they are just that, minor and would be nothing more.
I am certain I'd finally get the promotion from TSR 3 to TSR 4 but I am not particularly excited about it. It is simply too late already and after missing it by a hair strand a couple of times in the past, it has sort of lost it's charm. Like wanting something for the longest time and falling so many times, it seems that by the time I get it, it simply does not taste right. Same could be said about my first ever promotion which came like a year too late. I did not even feel accomplished.
Add to this the fact that everything is speculative at this point. Similar to past instances, they may find a tiny clause which would rule me out. Plus it would take around 2-3 months before it would be processed and released, only after which would I savor the additional money.
Another thing is that I am burned out. I am so bloody tired. I've been commuting to and from work everyday for 3 years now. No big deal as everyone commutes to work, but not many do so FOUR bloody long, boring, draining, depressing hours each day. Imagine the time I have wasted commuting, the things I could have done with half of the time spent on traveling. Maybe I could have dated more.
3 years of doing the same exact thing. Work is quite fun and challenging as each call is a unique case, but it is still so mundane, especially after 3 years.
Mentioned LDP (Leadership Development Program) before which is a stepping stone for Team Leader positions. Well, the LDP run for the quarter has already started which means I did not make the cut, not that I knew I would but I was sort of expecting to. I mean, when I saw the list of people who are groomed for the next run as I was at the bottom of the list with a readiness of 6 to 12 months. Even if the next LDP run would be scheduled in two to three months, I doubt I could wait.
I thought the special project was a sign of things to come or speed up things a little, but I have not even heard any feedback about it.
So why now am I still here? Why the hell have I not filed for a resignation yet? I do not know. I have no idea.
I think I am waiting for a sign even though I'm trying to believe in such. Maybe there has been so many signs already which I have ignored due to this. So I am waiting for a sign which would hit me smack in the face and literally rip my head off.
The rain poured all throughout the day which made traveling to and from work more infuriating than it already is. The work day at least was quite light and fun.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest opened in theaters locally and despite the rain (typhoon), I made it a point to watch it.
You may have read over the Interwebs that the movie broke all sorts of opening records, biggest opening week ($132 million), fastest movie to reach $ 100 million (2 days), etc.
Crazy stuff, but I was already excited about the movie before I read this. Heck, I was excited about this movie right after watching the first one. This kind of news just fueled the fire.
Work finished right on time for the 4:20 screening at the Eastwood Cinemas. The cinema was near full, but buying a ticket for a single person is never a problem and there was one good seat right in the middle.
I then strapped myself in for a ride, not before seeing the Spider-Man 3 teaser on the big screen for the first time.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is the most entertaining movie I have seen in such a long time. Superman Returns was great, but this was just something else.
I suck at writing reviews but I have to say it's so bloody awesome. The action is non-stop and there are hardly any awkward movies which disrupts the flow of the story and the adrenaline pumping action. The scene with the water wheel has to be one of my most favorite scenes of all-time. The scene itself was quite long and there was a lot going on, but it was still masterfully shot.
The Kraken, the Flying Dutchess, Davy Jones, and the other special effects all look so bloody amazing. Davy Jones even has his own pipe organ on The Flying Dutchess. The way his tentacles move on its own while he talks is a sight in itself. Watch out for the scene where he lights a pipe.
Johnny Depp is at his usual best playing Captain Jack Sparrow which led to an Oscar nod during the first movie. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are noticeably more solid in their performances this time around with the cheesy one-liners present in the first gone from this one.
It's just a great movie and I loved it to bits. I am definitely going to watch this movie again sometime this week.
Oh, and if you care about the dog, try sticking around until the long credits for a short scene.
The 2006 World Cup finally wrapped up on Sunday with a thrilling match between France and Italy with Italy reigning supreme by scoring 5 penalty kicks and denying one goal from the French.
Of course, it was not without it's share of controversies.
What would have been a magnificent end for Zinedine Zidane's career (assuming he stayed in the game and made sure the French won) ended one of the most shocking ways. For some reason, Zidane attacked with a head butt to the chest of Italian Materazzi in extra time which resulted in him getting thrown out of the game. Years of excellence at the pitch ended with a moment of insanity. No matter what this defender may have said, he should have not acted this way. It's just so unprofessional considering how great he is. When people talk about the greatest players, he'd normally be included with the likes of Pele and Maradona. Well, it's not like Maradona ended his career on an excellent note either.
Hmmmm. "You're the son of a terrorist whore." does seem a little too much. Still, you don't hit someone over this especially in front of billions (tries to copy how Lex Luthor's tone) of people.
The irony of this all is that he used his head. Normally, you'd throw a punch. Thing is, it's football and you are not allowed to use your hands. I think I am the only one who finds this ironic and funny.
The World Cup itself was so exciting and we'd have to wait another 4 years for it. This time in South Africa. I would assume I won't be in the Philippines by that time so I'd actually get to watch the games live without condemning Solar Entertainment to hell.
In the meantime, let's go back to the real world and fight our wars. Let's talk more about the Taepodong.
Split off for this week but luckily I have leaves scheduled from the 13th right until the 17th. So despite just finishing a long, tiring and ho-hum week at work with only one day off in between, I am looking forward to the next 3 days of work.
I know nothing special happens, as nothing ever does happen. Especially at work.
Still, the rest of the week seems pretty interesting.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is opening on Wednesday and I am really excited about it as I was enamored by the first which is one of my most favorite movies. Just watched Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl earlier sort of a refresher for the movie opening this Wednesday.
With the leaves I have, Wednesday would be my last day of work for the week and watching right after work falls in place perfectly. Then again, even if I did have work the next day, I would not let such a insignificant thing stand against one of the few things which still keeps me happy.
There's also this big birthday celebration on Saturday which is the main reason why I am on leave. Am particularly excited since I am going to see old friends which I have not seen in ages. Also, I may possibly get my two years worth of Christmas exchange gifts.
Plus, this may be the week I finally get to know this big crush I have at work. Yeah, right. I was not able to make a move when we had exactly the same schedules and workstation assignments, how much more when I don't even get to see her anymore. Sad.
Then again, there could be something else with someone else, but I just don't know what gives. Maybe things would clear up if we'd go out. I guess.
Anyway, let's keep a positive outlook on how this week would roll out. Time to be a little optimistic for a change.
I doubt this would work though.
I've given hints about this month being the last at the company I am working for, but for some reason I am compelled to stay. Am not sure why though. Things are not final, like they could ever be.
Anyway, the long and short of it is that the metrics/scores I have for the past quarter may get me promoted again as they are all meeting the targets set. Yes, I am hoping it would this time and that they would not find a small footnote which would invalidate me for another promotion. I've gone through most of the promotional targets they had released and that I have received and so far, I have not seen any holes or loops what so ever.
If for some reason, they would find some tiny spec which would not qualify my scores for the promotion, I am going to resign right then and there. No question. No further reasoning. Thing is, if this happens it would be the third strike already so enough is enough.
First strike was back in quarter 3 of 2005, every metric exceeded their bloody targets but apparently you need to pass it for every month and not just the roll up score. This is for one metric only.
Second strike was this year, quarter 1, email surveys from customers resulted in a low satisfaction rating. They did bring the passing mark down which made my score in the said metric pass, but lowering the passing score did not mean lowering the initial promotional target they set. The sad thing is some people benefited from this lowering of passing marks which happened for most major metrics just not for me.
So here we are, third time on the bat. If this not happen, it's goodbye. Even if they tell me my assessment as a Team Officer In Charge (first step in becoming a Team Leader) was great and I am now ready for their Leadership Development Program. I mean, if I they can always see something which would nullify my chance for a promotion, it is most likely that they'd see one after my stint when they assess me for a TL position after the TOIC stint is over.
Then again, me as a leader? I myself cannot picture myself as one and I would love to at least see this.
OMG! Italy toppled the host Germany 2-0 during their semifinal match at the World Cup. With England out, I was expecting them to win being the host nation and all. France and Portugal later on this day and my vote is on France whom am rooting for to go all the way and lift the trophy. It would be a good farewell to Zinedine Zidane's magnificent career.
Over the past month I have been talking about nothing else but football and World Cup, and I may have alienated my readership. Right!
So what's the big deal about it? It's the world's religion except for a few nations including the Philippines.
It's more than that. I could say that I have been a fan of the game ever since (a game I'd probably never get the chance to play until I'm dead), that is when the opportunity is there. If games are televised and all.
4 years ago, we had the World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. England lost to Brazil in the quarterfinals.
I was still studying back then and only had the chance to watch the games when I come home during the weekends.
The thing is as far as I can remember, the matches England had during the 2002 World Cup were the last conversations I had with my father. He was already bed ridden at this point and could hardly see due to complications.
I remember how my father raised is arms in the air when I told him how England defeated powerhouse Argentina during the Group matches which made bumped England into the Round of 16 and dropped Argentina out of the tournament.
The following week, it was England against Brazil in the quarterfinals wherein we lost 2-1. I clearly remember how I told how Owen scored the opening goal of the game, how Ronaldo tied it a few minutes later, and how this guy named Ronaldinho scored this amazing goal from midfield which sealed the game.
A week after, he died while I was at school.
Today, marks the 4th year anniversary of his death.
I miss him. He has this unique view of politics, local and international, sports, etc. He is the only person I talked to about such things. The only person I used to talk to in English naturally as he did not speak Tagalog. I miss the way he would tell me off because I pronounced a word in American English which is not proper. Small things like that. He has tons of books which he brought all the way from England. He is fascinated with tigers and around half of his book collection is about tigers. I would love to see his reaction once I tell him that Chavit Singson has a tiger in his private zoo.
Seemed like yesterday, but it now has been four years already. Cheers to you dad! I know you're in an awesome place, always watching over us.
Reading through my archives, I mentioned the same things last year.
World Cup fever is over. At least for me that is. Apparently England lost to Portugal on a penalty shootout again. 0-0 after 120 minutes of play. 3-1 in the penalty shootout. It's mighty heart breaking.
It's Euro 2004 all over again. Scolari scores for the 3rd time against England. First with Brazil during the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, then with Portugal in the Euro Cup 2004 quarterfinals and then this. Before this, England has never been eliminated from the World Cup Finals by a team who has not won the tournament yet. To be fair, England has never won a penalty shootout in the World Cup Finals.
Am shocked, yet am glad that I had this media blackout and waited to watch the game even if it was delayed by a couple of days. Excitement, disappointment all throughout the game. My heart was pounding during the shootout.
Now I am really depressed.
World Cup fever continues tonight as England takes on Portugal at 11 PM Manila time.
There is still no chance for me to watch the game live. Double checked the Pay-Per-View partners and Skyline is not one of them. They don't even offer PPV.
Watching at an affiliated bar is out of the question. As used I am to being alone and all, I would not spend a night at a sports bar watching a game, drinking and cheering by myself. Of course there would be other people watching as well, but I am quite anti-social. Bummer.
Apparently, Solar Plus which is the Solar channel that shows delayed telecasts of the game actually shows all of the games plus replays. To mention that they are delayed telecasts is a gross understatement as they are shown almost two days late.
For example, the game between England and Portugal will take place today, July 1 at 11 in the evening. Solar Plus' airing of the game is on July 3 at 7 in the morning with a replay on July 4 at 12 midnight. Crap. 7 AM Sunday morning would have been lovely though.
I haven't watched a game in whole as I already know the results of games I chance on Solar Plus. For once, I'd want to experience the excitement of watching the game on the TV not knowing what would happen. Cheering and screaming, by myself. Am done with switching channels just to get a glimpse on the latest update on the scoreboard.
So here's the plan. Media Blackout. Yes, I would refrain from switching to any channel on TV which may show the result of the game. I would also not browse any sites which would also do the same. Heck, I even unsubscribed from the feed I get for World Cup news.
I will remain oblivious that the world is actually revolving and that the game happened 2 days ago. No news. No info. No spoilers. This would allow me to enjoy the game properly once.
It is not funny seeing someone all hyped up and cheering after seeing an update on a website with your team scoring/leading. It's no fun at all and is short of stupid. Actually, it is stupid.
This media blackout would also encompass the other quarterfinal game between France and Brazil as the winners from this match would face the winners in the England-Portugal match in the semifinals.
No spoilers. It's good that no one reads this anyway.