I'm dropping this site. I'm really sick and tired of this one and
I'd like to start over. Actually, I've already started a new blog
and it's somewhere out there.
Life was much simpler a couple of years ago. Every night, I'd sit in front of the computer and do what I enjoy doing most--update my blog.
What happened?!?
I really don't have a simple answer. I can't even remember (at this moment) all those things that have kept me from blogging. For sure, 1996 is one helluva year for me. Looking back, there were at least three life-changing experiences: 1) I got promoted. 2) My girlfriend and I bought a condo unit at Hampton Gardens in Pasig. 3) I took the bar exams (and failed miserably).
Those're it?!?
Uhh... those are the major happenings that I can think of, but my life has been caught in a whirlwind these past few years. And 2007 is shaping up to be an even busier year for me. I got engaged! I'm finally marrying the woman that I love. So 2007 is mainly about preparation. We've been so busy preparing for the wedding. I can't even begin to write about everything that we've done so far. Well, at least not tonight. Truth is, I can already write a book about our wedding preparations and the actual wedding is still seven months away! So that means there's more to come. But that's alright. I am actually enjoying our wedding preparations. Unbelievable.
And then there's still this pain in the ass called the Bar Exams. No, I can't afford to quit work just to review for several months. I've got bills up the yin-yang. And I happen to love my work. I don't even have plans to leave Convergys and practice law. I just want closure, for crying out loud!
I am really sick and tired of anorexics showing up every now and
then in tabloid programs and talk shows. Why are these monumentally
stupid people getting air time? They’re not even really sick!
Anorexia is a made-up term so we’d have something to call these
idiots.
Imagine, having dinner while watching Insider’s report on TomKat’s
wedding when all of a sudden, before they go into a commercial, they
preview what’s next: anorexic twins. They look so disgusting that
you’d really lose your appetite. In fact, my theory is that those two
can’t eat because they’re so disgusted with each other’s looks. And
they need Dr. Phil for that? They need a mirror! George Carlin was
right on the money when he discussed Anorexia in one of his acts: “Rich
little cunt doesn’t wanna eat? Fuck her.”
Caller: So... uhhh... oh wait, it's Tuesday there already, right?
Orbital: That's correct.
Caller: Y'know, I got this crazy idea. I have a proposition for you. Would you please email me the results of the games so I can always bet on the winning team? I'll share 40% of my winnings with you.
Orbital: Oh I'm sorry. Perhaps I wasn't clear. I'm not from the futre. I'm just from the other side of the world.
I don't know what happened. It was LA Tenorio's time to shine. And without King Archer Mac Cardona, I thought La Salle would have a tough time beating Ateneo.
Fortunately, I was wrong. Maybe the Blue Eagles went in there thinking that they were going against Mac Cardona's team. But the De La Salle Green Archers proved that no one man carries the team. Through grit, determination, talent, and heart, the Green Archers massacred the Blue Eagles.
"We are not final because we are infallible, but we are infallible only because we are final."
--Justice Robert H. Jackson
United States Supreme Court Justice
The Supreme Court has once again entered the realm of the economic affairs of the country by indefinitely suspending the Expanded VAT law. When I read about it, I couldn't believe it. While I do believe that our own Supreme Court justices have the welfare of the general public in mind in granting the TRO, in doing so, they have ignored a basic principle in law: that no injunction or restraining order shall stop the collection of taxes. Indeed, this TRO is a milestone. Nothing like this has ever happened before, but now that it has, rest assured it will happen again.
In Lopez vs. City of Manila (GR 127139, February 19, 1999), the Supreme Court said:
xxx the crux of petitioner’s cause of action is the determination of whether or not the tax is excessive, oppressive or confiscatory. This issue is essentially a question of fact and thereby, precludes this Court from reviewing the same. xxx
The issue of the Expanded VAT Law is essentially the same, and yet, the same Supreme Court moved towards a different path, that of issuing an unprecedented TRO..
I have always frowned upon the notion of the Highest Tribunal of the Land getting itself involved with economic policies of the government. But it happens. Not once. Not twice. Remeber the Manila Hotel case? NAIA Terminal 3? The Luzon Petrochemical case? And many other multi-million dollar investments nullified in one fell swoop. How will investors gain the confidence to pour investments in this country when their contracts are in perpetual danger of being nullified by the Supreme Court?
Of course, I humbly submit to the wisdom of the Supreme Court but I can't help but fear for the future of this country.
We figured in a vehicular accident. Our first. I guess these things really do happen and there's nothing else we can do but move on. But man, was I really pissed.
Here's what happened. Me and my officemates went out for a few drinks and the girlfriend picked me up. My supervisor hitched a ride so there were three of us in the car. We came at an intersection which was virtually deserted. The traffic light was red from our end so we stopped. When we got the green light, we started to proceed when we were suddenly hit by a motorcycle.
I immediately went out to check, not the guy who was on the motorcycle, but the car. The damage was huge. He hit the left front side of the car with such an impact that the front left tire was knocked off its proper alignment. And of course, the front left side of the chassis was damaged severely.
When we saw the guy trapped under the motorcycle and grimacing in pain, my supervisor told him, "Don't move, don't move. Just relax and stay still." I, on the other hand, yelled at him and pointed at the traffic light, "Ano ba, stop ka oh!"
I didn't give a fart even if he was paralyzed from the neck down. I was so furious at his stupidity and carelessness. I was furious because of the damage to the car, and because of the hassle that this ordeal will for sure bring to us.
What's more, he had the audacity to tell the barangay that he had the green light.
"Putangina! Ang laki laki mong gago! Ano akala mo, ikaw lang ang gumagamit ng kalsada?!" I yelled.
"Bakit mo ko mumurahin, tingnan mo naman nangyari ka sakin," he uttered.
"Tanga ka kasi kaya ka nagkaganyan!"
I was really cursing at the guy like there's no tomorrow. The barangay tanod had to step in and pacify me. Well, the reason I was so furious is that I know we were right. Imagine, you obey the traffic rules while some reckless idiot will just coming along, speeding without a care in the world. Who wouldn't get mad in such a situation? We had just come from a stop and he's really lucky to be alive. If we had the go signal even from afar and were going at a steady, normal pace, the guy would be dead for sure. The girlfriend was shocked at what happened but I told her over and over to stay calm and that it was very clear that this was not her fault. She was the one driving.
From the angle of the collision, it was clear that it was our car which was hit. We were in the middle of the intersection already. In the middle lane. I checked the the road and there were no skid marks which means he never even tried to stop or tried to swerve to avoid us. He just went straight and hit the front left side of the car.
It was past two in the morning and he probably dozed off or was in a zombie-like state while riding his motorbike. At any rate, he was going at an incredible speed. The damage to the car was so huge that no one would think that a motorcycle caused it. The left front tire was knocked off from its alignment, for crying out loud!
Anyway, after spending about three hours or so in the police headquarters, the guy finally admitted liability and signed an agreement that he would shoulder the cost of the repairs to the car. He really had nothing going for him. From the position of the motorcycle, it was clear that he hit us and that our car was hardly moving or else the motorcycle would've been thrown off to another direction. But the maniac and his motorcycle were still there at the collision site. Imagine a motorcycle hitting a wall. That was the position. And there were no skid marks. He didn't even try to stop or avoid the collision. It was the impact that stopped him cold in his tracks. He actually provided the answer to the ancient riddle "What would happen if an irresistible force meets an immovable object?" He learned the answer the hard way.
In case you're all wondering, the guy was able to walk albeit he was limping and hurting all over. He had scratches and bruises here and there, and probably dislocated ankle and wrist joints. Again, he's luck to be alive.
Here's my theory on LOST: It's the boy! Walt somehow has powers and he can turn fantasy into reality. That's why the tropical island has polar bears. How come he has those powers? Uhhmm... maybe he's a mutant hehehe.
I use Sideblog in my other site and I just noticed that it didn't load. I quickly went to Sideblog's page just to check on what was happening and the domain name has expired. What happened? Did the owner just quit altogether? If that's the case, then that's too bad because Sideblog is a really good free service. Or maybe he just forgot to renew his domain name? But that's highly unlikely.
Well, whatever it is that happened with the site/service and whatever the owner's reasons are, God bless him. Sideblog was a great idea and it was a great service while it lasted.
