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Yeah right. I hate packing. I tend to always overpack, but still always seem to pack the wrong things or forget something important. And I’m also a procrastinator, one of those people who wants to cram at the last minute. I’ve been procrastinating about this for the past week now or so. I can’t figure out and try how to pack lightly as I do not want to lug around a big luggage. Take note, the operative word is “try”. The art of packing lightly is really hard for me. I have a lot of things which I think are necessary for my day-to-day living, here take a look:
And these are just for the things I can’t live without. And then there are the clothes….. and shoes argh!
There are many resources for packing lightly just by browsing in the web alone but those are for people who will be backpacking which doesn’t really apply to me.
Packing is always difficult even when I leave out all the toiletries that I can get wherever I am. We are leaving for Europe next week and originally tried to fit everything into one luggage plus my usual carry-on with all my essentials that I don’t want checked. Even after packing, throwing out half and then looking to see what I didn’t need, it is still crazy- have to take enough layers to prepare for weather changes and shoes which take up a ton of room. I’m feeling panicky. At this point I always feel like backing out of all travel plans. I hate the trouble of deciding what to take with me, the packing itself, and especially the part where you keep wondering whether you took everything you need.
Yes, I know, I don’t travel to places where you couldn’t buy whatever you left at home (and more) but still, it’s just so nervewracking. And I’m real lousy at packing. I start to sweat just by looking at the pile of clothes and thinking that I should manage to roll them into nice tight bunches.
Have I ever forgotten anything of “vital” importance? No, not really. Well, nail clippers… I had to buy a really crappy pair in Phuket one time.
busy
photo provided by nixpaztix, inc.
Mayonnaise is a very traumatic product for me. My mother used to slather the white stuff into my hair as a child in order to tame my wild hair. She believed it was a conditioning agent- when really the only thing it did was cause me to smell like a bologna sandwich.
The product spawned the discovery of the Casimir Effect, which proves that the universe will always expand. Invented in 1756, George Washington Carver seemed to have his hand in it. Not to be confused with its more disgusting knock off, mayonnaise has a lot going for it. A favorite Spelling Bee word, a racial litmus test, a hair conditioner — is there anything mayonnaise cannot do? You can even win prizes with it! What other condiments spawned theories? Sunday school kids learn about faith and mustard seeds. Guess what? Ketchup is hot on its wheels. Next thing we know, it will be used as a face-mask. Scary.
To quote a friend, “White & Creamy is my favorite food group.” I’m nearly falling off my chair over here. Must be tired. Or a simpleton.
confusedRemember back when life was great and Veronica Mars was still on the air? Yeah, those were good times. Anyway, the oft-discussed, never-aired FBI concept trailer shot earlier this year is a special feature on the third season DVD set.
I really hope Rob Thomas kept the book rights for the show. I doubt a movie would get off the ground, but I’d love to read the continuing story, and maybe get a happy ending for Veronica after all.
sad busy
crazy
Living with an older brother who hogs the TV remote while growing up is quite an experience. I would have no choice but watch the cartoon version when I was a kid. When I saw the trailer for this movie, I thought it could be interesting but not enough for me to anticipate and go see the movie on its first weekend debut. I decided it's one of those movies that will I will have to wait until the DVD release.
Went to our local Blockbuster and rented it out. Was I pleasantly surprised! It's not a chickflik alright. It's a movie, according to my brother, for "real men". He was gushing on and on about it. To give you an idea, here are his words word for word:
"I do not care for anybody telling me otherwise. Transformers has got to be, hands down, the coolest thing ever. There is nothing that makes me feel more of a man. Watching Optimus Prime transform is, literally, orgasmic. One line from the movie, that I would kill to be able to say, at least once in my life: Gentlemen... Let me introduce you to my friend: Optimus Prime"
What a nut! :-)
energetic
alien-ish
annoyed
excitedBrazil won! After a disappointing 0-0 draw with Columbia, Brazil got it going against Ecuador amidst a delirious homecrowd at the Maracana Stadio in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. Watch the video.
To get on with my never-ending, continuously, long-winded diatribe about soccer (which my dear husband, the yankee that he is, doesn’t approve of). What? I let him host football (the other kind!) parties at home. Order and ply him and his buddies, food and beer. And the most important thing of all, I keep myself out of the way and find other things to amuse myself while he watches Da’Bears uninterrupted. He will never find a better wife than I am. Ha! (Luvs ya loads, honey)
I have talked expansively regarding soccer’s state of popularity (or lack thereof) in the US. Unless it was the World Cup, soccer’s coverage is relegated to Bilingual TV. However, there are several soccer channels offered by DirecTV to soccer-crazed people like me. There’s Setanta Sport, Fox Soccer Channel and Gol TV just to name a few. To get my soccer fix, I convinced my husband (yes, he spoils me) to subscribe to the above mentioned channels. For about a year now, I have been following and watching the best live soccer coverage on the planet. To quote my better-half, “we can rival any Irish pubs in the area and give them a run for their money”.
I was able to read an article that my favoritest soccer “god”, Kaka, will grace the cover of British Esquire in their November issue. In my excitement, I called my little pet, NiXXi, and go to Borders with me so I can get my copy. As I was about to pull into the parking lot, she casually mentions, “It’s only October, you know. If it’s a November issue, you won’t be able to get it until next month”. Argh! I felt like an idiot. Wait. I am an idiot.
With disappointment, I still decided to go in and browse. I immediately made a beeline to the magazine stand and look what I found!
with the following article:
I won’t bore you with the whole magazine, I will just bore you with excerpts I’m interested in. Here are some scans for you to enjoy:
No. 3 is Ronaldinho
No. 2 is Cristiano Ronaldo
and the top spot goes to: Kaka
Say it ain’t so! Two Brazil-liants occupy the top 3 spots in the world of soccer. This invokes the question, “Is Brazil a shoe-in for the 2010 World Cup finals?” Nobody will be able to predict what’s going to happen between now and 2010. The current Brazillian roster was accused of being sluggish and ”not serious” enough during their qualifiers and got a draw against the Colombian team. They went into last year’s World Cup as the heavy-favorites while the French team was written-off (although both Zizou and Thierry Henry were onboard). The Brazilians were eliminated in the quarter finals by the same written-off French team. The Froggies went onto the finals against the Azzuri. Zidane got booted off in the final game. And the rest is history.
The current roster for the Seleção is far from the best. They have a lot of ups and downs. An even bigger challenge is the seemingly insurmountable task of doing better, living up to the hype of their glory days. Football for the Brazillians evokes the mystery of the past, especially the 1970s heroes. It’s an emotional rollercoaster-type love affair for the nation whenever they play. They play a beautiful game in the most beautiful way. Everybody’s second team at the World Cup.
Brazil for 2010. Brazil for the motherfuckin’ win!
excitedAmericans' continued indifference to the sport worshipped around the world puzzles me. One of the things I can think of as an explanation is, first, as a nation of loony but determined inventors, Americans prefer things they thought of themselves. The most popular sports in America are those they conceived and developed on their own: American football, baseball and basketball. If they can claim at least part of the credit for something, as with tennis or the radio, they are willing to be passively interested. But they did not invent soccer, and so they are naturally suspicious of it.
I ran across this curious article from the Weekly Standard that purports to explain why soccer is the perfect game for the post-modern world. I guarantee that it will furiously enrage diehard fans of “the beautiful game” and reinforce the contemptuous prejudices of its detractors.
Image provided by acmilan.com 
Image provided by vtourist.com 
Image provided by cristianoronaldo.info 
Image provided by abc.net.au Will soccer ever be popular in the United States? Inevitably. Given the way the US teams are improving every year. They will eventually make it to the semi-final of a World Cup. It's also highly likely, one would think, that the United States will win one in the near future. But until then - and they have no chance with their current level of play. Plus being tossed into the Group of Death, they will be consumed quickly and utterly - soccer will receive only the grudging acknowledgement of the general populace.
But then again, do we really want - or can we even conceive of - an America where soccer enjoys wide popularity or even respect? If you were soccer, the sport of kings, would you want the adulation of people who elected Bush and Cheney, not once but twice? You would not. You would rather return to your roots, communist or otherwise, and fight fascism with your feet.
amused
Image provided by www.gooseisland.com
Grape soda. One word to describe it: Ew. I'm trying to wean myself from coffee and from having too much caffeine. Last weekend, we grabbed a 6-pack from the grocer's. No one should drink this crap. It has artificial taste and color. Reminds me of grape flavored cough medicine with seltzer. If you want to be grossed out, this is the drink for you.
nauseated
amusedWho haven’t heard of the Beckhams? David Beckham, according to the UK press is the most over-rated, over-hyped, over-paid soccer player ever. To say the guy has never had skills as some people claim and would like you to believe is false. You don’t get to be the man of Beckham’s stature only for your looks or marketability. The Big European Football Clubs keep good footballers - not good fashion models.
Photo provided by d.yimg.com
Beckham made his name on his playing ability and the “rock star” following came later on AFTER he’d established himself as a good player. He first made his name with his talent not because of his “celebrity” lifestyle. Yes, Beckham is overated today but to call him a one-trick pony is false and misinformed. There are, and have been, many better players than him. Football with a more complete game but that doesn’t mean this guy wasn’t good. And no matter what this guy’s faults are (I’m pretty sure there are many just like every human being), as far as I know, he never refused to represent his country in any tournament whenever he was called upon to do so. He has had a great and successful career and he should be given his proper dues.
Photo provided by www.kickette.com
What are the things that came first to my mind when Posh’s name is mentioned? She looks orange. She looks like she’s got robotic boobs. She looks like one of those blown-up dolls. What did she do when she was with the Spice Girls? She was like the Helen Keller of the group. Seen. Never heard.
Photo provided by thesuperficial.com
She had always been slagged off in the press and accused of being moody, grumpy and pouty. Whilst she does have that trademark non-smiling countenance, I disagree with those who say she has no sense of humour. Have you seen ”Victoria Beckham: Coming to America”? She was downright funny. And much to my surprise, witty. I watched it expecting to roll my eyes until they hurt. Had my claws ready to despise her and snark endlessly how crappy it was and yet, I found her show wasn’t that bad. I don’t understand the hate from the media. The show wasn’t that bad. It was much better than the Hilton/Richie crap that we have been subjected to for years. Two of my favorite comments from Posh: “It’s exhausting being fabulous” and “This is like what Paris Hilton does all day.” Priceless.
Photo provided by www.bbc.co.uk
No matter what they media might say about the Beckhams, I believe they are devoted and loving parents to their kids. Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz Beckham are going to grow up to be quite the heartbreakers I’m sure and maybe even follow in their father’s footsteps and become great footballers too, someday.
Despite having their fair share of up’s and downs. Remember the nanny scandal? The Beckhams have remained one of the strongest couples in the entertainment world today. When you watch them on camera together they really do have an amazing chemistry and a strong bond that other celebrity couples seem to lack nowadays.
David Beckham was a great footballer, that’s for sure. And to be fair, the English press have said just as many bad things as good things about him over the years. The fact is he is past his prime. It’s a pretty thin facade, the move to America is obviously for the image and brand of the name Beckham.
I was totally prepared to hate the Beckhams even before their move to America. What I’ve read and heard about them are outrageous, excessive, ostentatious display of wealth. Gotta admit, I am a little bit jealous of their lifestyle, too. Then David gives an insightful and humble interview on Sports Illustrated and Posh ends up being hilarious. Welcome to America, indeed.
bemusedLouis Vuitton is synonymous with luxury, but I’ll say some of these pieces were not quite there. Oh there are some bright spots indeed. A few looks were quite lovely and inspired and others were downright stunning, but when it was bad, it was awful. By awful, I’m referring to the majority of Louis Vuitton’s handbag collection. Some bags I liked. Some bags I loved, and some I, let’s just, I don’t like. It was an explosion of colors, prints, and textures. In other words, it was a dismantling of the old Louis Vuitton norm. But, oh, was it fun.
Fresh pastel color variation? Marc-ey Marc’s inspiration: “I’m a fan of SpongeBob SquarePants—and for all I know, so is Rei Kawakubo, because that’s where our color came from!” - Marc Jacobs in an interview with Style.
crazedFilipino TV used to be a very pleasant experience, as opposed to what we see today which is just typical junk and eye candy. A really no-brainer. And in this light, I would like to share with you what I think are the most annoying people in Philippine television today.
My dear friends, let me present to you,
my list of the TOP TEN MOST ANNOYING PEOPLE in Philippine Television.
10. Gary Valenciano. Don’t get me wrong. I am a big fan, been one since I was a kid. But I am over 30 now, and the thought of a 40 something still energetic crooner dancing to todays hits on a noon time show just really gets to me. I guess somebody should tell this guy to take a backseat and let the younger ones take over. 
9. Mike Enriquez. Somebody please gag him. His booming voice scares me shitless. I have bad dreams just thinking about it.
8. Sara Geronimo. The uber-sweetness is just too uber-bearing.
7. Cristy Fermin. Her lapses into really deep Filipino seems an effort to appear more intelligent than she really is. Her views are often (if not always) one-sided and her statements reeks of prejudice and bigotry. And she’s not even TV-friendly.
6. Boy Abunda. I can’t stand the way he pontificates. I kind of like the “old” Boy Abunda. The low-key Backroom Manager and upstart TV personality. And please fire your wardrobe consultant. Shawl collars and thigh-high boots is just not working. You need a new stylist, STAT!
5. Willie Revillame. I don’t get why this person is glorified on TV despite the number of scandals and controversies he has been involved in. How many times has his crying face been seen on television? I do not find him funny and I do not appreciate his constant pleas for sympathy. What’s more irritating is that his ploys actually work on some people– are some of us, dare I say it, suckers?
crazed
I was blog surfing and came across a hilarious re-cap of a Filipino Tourist story from MLQ III's blog.
"By the way, this is a favorite story of an uncle and worth sharing with you, my gentle readers (it’s a true story, by the way).
A group of Filipinos were touring Bolivia and the guide pointed with pride to some flora and said, “that is one our national flowers.”
“What is it called,” one of the Filipinos asked.
“The Cantuta,” said the guide.
The Filipino paused, and had to ask, “and what do you call those who harvest the flowers?”
“Ah,” said the guide, “they’re cantuteros.”
The Filipinos kept laughing all the way back to Manila."
Pinoy humor, folks. Don't leave home without it.
amused
Photo provided by Google Images
I am not a morning person.
How many times does people at work call me in the sodding morning, then say into the phone in a grave voice, “We can’t find the report. Can you come in earlier to save us from being canned forever and ever”- the worst wake up call ever. I hate being woken up, particularly from people at work. Do they not understand the concept of home? Generally it means that when one is at home, one is obviously therefore not at work, there-bloody-fore, should not be bothered by work, the people at said work, or anything to do with work.
“chibi’D, I need you to do us a big favour ” Bloody stupid co-worker said when I sleepily picked up the phone.
“Whassaa?” I said, still asleep, trying to make sense where I am. “I need you to come in to work early”
“You mean instead of coming to work at 10:00?”
“What day is today” I asked. At this point I was still asleep.
“Uh, it’s the uhhh…” Co-worker scrabbled to think.
“ Why? What is happening? Gimme a minute to get up ” I said, putting the phone down and wondering what in the hell is happening. “What happened? ” I again muttered into the phone.
Pause.
“Helloooo?”
“Yeah I’m here” Co-worker could tell I wasn’t pleased, “We can’t find the report and the secretary said she gave it to you”,
“Yeah. I gave it to Frank on Friday with my recommendation. Did you ask him for it?” I asked, trying to be subtly rude so he could sense my extreme displeasure at being woken up, particularly by a bloody idiot trying to be nice.
Why the fuck couldn’t it wait until after 9:00am? Can sort of understand if am needed to be woken up early if it’s an emergency but if it’s about their frikkin’ incompetence. Argh. They should know better. Why, exactly, does he feel he needed to ring me at home, wake me up, then ask for something as idiotic as “have you see the report?” I wanted to scream. I think I just did. Bloody. Hell. I. Hate. Being. Woken. Up.
pissed off
Photo provided by Google Images Can we just make the matter simple? Why don't they bring back Green Stamps? Collect, lick and stick enough into a collectors book. It was a past time given to amuse kids. Hey, it wasn't just saving money but can be a fun family activity, too. Green Stamps for the motherfuckin' win!
crankydina_banana
