ADLIB

Please take a number.

Have you ever seen that TV ad about something
that says,

In our company, you are not a number. You are a person.
So come in and be treated for what you are.

"What a bunch of Bull!"

In these troubled times, nobody is a person anymore.
Nobody cares about who or what you are.
Everything nowadays is a number.
And that includes you and me.

When you are born you are under a file number to start with.

Didn't everybody had a class number or student number at school?

Applying for a job doesn't depend on who you are,
but the number of years of experience you had,
or how high the numbers on your transcript is.

I hope you know your employee number,
just in case you need to confirm your insurance benefits,
while they send you your insurance ID Number.

When you call your bank or credit cards to beg for a delay payment,
(okay maybe that's just me)
Do they ask your name?
NO!
They ask for your 16 digit card number or reference number.

Am I the only one who gets those card PIN numbers, Bank account numbers,
Access code numbers, Security pass numbers, all mixed up?

Anybody remember their family and friends' home phone number,
cell phone number and office number? (throw in a fax number if you want)
I don't.
All I know is that my Mom is speed dial 1,
And my brother is 2.

How many times do you have to write your Drivers License number
on any application forms you fill out?

In Canada you have an SIN number for the "Insurance" of your "Social" belonging.
While,
in the States you need your SSN number for the "Security" of your "Social" owning.

And, may I add,
that you are "NOTHING" until these numbers are authentic, valid and confirmed.

Did you hear me?
N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!!!

You are also being judged on how much you earn,
Rate per hour and your Annual Income.

Then you spend sleepless nights thinking about,

Your retirement funds,
Your credit score rating,
Interest rates,
Your kids school tuitions,
Grocery budget,
Car payments,
A mortgage,
Carbs,
Calories,
Grams of fat,
Sugar,
Cholesterol,
Your weight,
Your dress size....

And when you die,
You don't just die.....

You are a "Statistic".

See?
We are all just a bunch of numbers.
And to add insult to injury,
We are so used to it, that we don't really care.
We are already numb in this fast paced world we live in.

As I ponder about this,
I tried to think of a place where I am not a number.
A place where I know I can be who or what I truly am.
And that place would be,

Church.

Somehow, this place gives you a feeling of calmness,
Amidst all of the troubles and chaos around you.

It's the only place where you can complain and get everything off of your chest.
And management really listens to whatever you say.

It's the only place where transactions do not include a number.

Well,
Except during collection time.

Then I am the 2 dollar guy,
at the back row,
near the exit.

In Other News.....

In recent news,
One of the most brilliant tv shows, Dead Like Me, comes back
on it's 2nd season only on "Showtime".

In other news,
Guess who doesn't have "Showtime"?

In recent news,
Eric Johnson, one of the great guitar virtuoso gods of our time,
is playing in Austin, Texas tonight.

In other news,
Guess who is 1,045.50 miles from Austin Texas? (yup, mapquested it)

In recent news,
Loyal fans remember the early 90's hit metal band, Mr. Big,
who broke up 2 years ago.

In other news,
Guess who never saw them play together? (and never will)

In recent news,
Consumers are furious about certain lines of Sony laptops
with a major memory defect.

In other news,
Guess who purchased one of those laptops, and is having the same problem?

In recent news,
House sub committee debates on the age old question,
Why can't you buy just the cable channels you actually watch?

In other news,
Did I mention I don't have "Showtime"?

How do you like it?

Yes, I did change the intro page.
Complete with a disclaimer and everything.

I am tired of that Flash animation crap that doesn't really do anything.
Plus the "Enter" text button doesn't work with Internet Explorer 6,
no matter how much I tried to fix it.
Microsoft hates me.

So I guess,
Welcome to denofmusic.com version 3.1

I am also working on the other pages.
Trying to re-design the "Photos",
And trying to add more songs in "Chorus".
(which was the real reason why I started this site)
Now it's just full of crappy writings.

Anyway.
Speaking of IE6,
It has been more than a year since I made the switch to a different browser
and mail client.

With all the security vulnerabilities of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express,
and the way some sites hijack your browser preferences,
and execute malicious scripts,
I sure am glad I made that decision.

Here are some proofs:

Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4

The interwebnet is a very crucial part of my day to day activities.
Besides email, this website and some unmentionables,
I also manage my finances through it.
(Well, when I say manage my finances, I mean manage my broke-ness)
So, I'd rather be on the side of caution.

I still use IE6, for those websites that can only be viewed by it.
Because some people enjoy being attacked for some apparent reason.

Mozilla tops my list. I highly recommend it.
(Especially the "tabbed-browsing" feature.)
Although "Firefox" and "Thunderbird" are really getting very useful. (and fast)

I know some people don't like change,
I was a little apprehensive and hesitant too at first,
But for your security and peace of mind, it's really worth it.

Check them out.

So, I hope the new Intro works for you guys.
Let me know what you think.

I better finish this,
because my laptop battery only lasts 38 minutes.
I ~~(want)~~ need a new one.
Stupid laptop.

Oh and,
Happy 2 Months, honey!

In honor of yesterday's celebration.
I did what any stay-at-home dad would do.

Right when Tyler was taking his nap,
I had me some microwave-nuked leftovers,
Popped in the DVD,
Grabbed the remote,
Sat on the couch.

Ahhhhhhhh.....

What movie you ask?

Well, what else?
ID4 - Independence Day

Pretty good movie.
Not bad at all.

Although, I realized something.

At the scene where, the First Lady dies,
and also the scene where the President was giving that speech
before they all go up to fight the aliens.

I started crying.
And I mean crying with a "pause".
You know, the "pause" that you have to do to catch your breath.

But I did not give in.
I fought it like a brave soldier at the beach of Normandy.

As I finished the movie, I turned it off,
and the TV kicks on to it's regular broadcasting.

Oprah was on.
And it was about lost family reunions.

When the daughter finally saw her dad after 20 years,
my eyes started to water again.

Damnit!!!!

So, now I realized what being a "Stay-At-Home" dad has done to me.
I comprehended what kind of transformation I have identified.
I became aware of the predicament I have become.
There is no sense to remedy this dilemma.

I have become a WOMAN!

Hear me roar!

Ooohhh, my wife is gonna get some good lovin' tonight.

Here are some cool links for some better amusement.
Because, I surf the interwebnet, so you don't have to.

Shoot some fireworks at different places ---> Phantom Fireworks
How about a game of Crazy Golf? ---> Crazy Golf
Or a new game of Pinball? ---> Pepsi Pinball
A cool link for Bass Players ---> UBP
Mix it up with Tyrone ---> Dave Chappelle Sound Board
Signs that you should know ---> Government Signs
Port-a-Potty of the future ---> Toilet
Know the Speed traps in your area ---> Speed Traps
There is no "I" in TEAM, (yeah but there's "M" and "E"... ME!) ---> Cheerleader mistake
10 Foods you shouldn't eat ---> Nutrition Action

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

I think that is the real reason for today's celebration.
Although it is more known as 4th of July,
People here actually say "Happy 4th of July!"
Which would be the same as saying, "Happy 25th of December!"
(I assume people already know today's date.)

Like, I always say,
Holidays and celebrations are not just about Fireworks, Food and Family.
(Okay, maybe food is good)
As long as people truly know the reason behind today's event, it's all fine.

Last month, we visited the "Liberty Bell" and the "Independence Hall" in Philadelphia.
The place truly is a great historic site.
That place moved me even though I am not an American.
(Okay, the strange feeling was probably from the Philly Cheese Steak)

But it's also amazing to see, that when we were there for the tour,
and the tour guide was asking random questions about American History to the crowd,
most of the answers he got were wrong.
At first there was silence, which I thought everyone was just shy to answer the question,
but the real reason was that no one knew the correct response.

First, I snickered a little bit,
realizing how most Americans don't know much about their history.
Then it hit me.

I realized how much I do not know about Philippine History.
Canadian History, I know some,
because I had to take the Citizenship exam.
Plus I had to swear allegiance to the Queen, Freddie Mercury.

But if I got asked about Philippine History,
I'll be like a monkey trying to solve a math problem.

I shouldn't say that, I do know some.
But I am sure I don't know the major reasons why my country became what it is today.

Like,
Why did she become a Republic?
Why and how did she get involved in the Second World War?
How did we come about celebrating our own Independence Day of June 12?
What really happened in the Spanish Colonialism?
The war of Independence?
The Japanese Occupation?
Her return to Democracy?
Why do we like Spicy foods?
Why are we obsessed with wrestling?
And why do we point with our lips?

Oh man! I have a lot of reading to do.
My high school history teacher would kill me.

Happy Independence Day to all.
And a Happy Filipino-American Friendship day to my folks back home.

Thank a Veteran for your Freedom!
And know your history.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

How weird is this?
It's my very first Canada Day, outside of Canada.
Well, technically, since 1994.

But, I do miss my Land of the North.
From far and wide, the land of strong and free.

I am surely going to miss walking downtown towards the "Hill",
watching the free concerts, Enjoying the street shows,
and meeting hundreds of drunk people, shit-faced to the extreme.

That's a true Canadian term eh?
Shit-Faced-Drunk.
I don't think I have ever heard that anywhere else.
The thing is, when you say this to somebody that's drunk,
they'll acknowledge it, and they will laugh with you,
then at themselves. (True Story)

Here are other things I miss about Canada. (Excluding the Government)

Tim Horton's - The ultimate doughnut and coffee shop.
No one can argue this. Case closed.
Canadian Beer - Even though I have been sober for years, this is good stuff.
Plus it's stronger than American beers.
Hockey - I have never played the game, but I have enjoyed its excitement completely.
also, on a side note, A guy can get onto a bus wearing goalie pads, a helmet - everything but the skates,
and nobody gives him a second look.
Canadian Tire - You will never meet anyone without a stash of their own Canadian Tire Money.
Chapter's - My ultimate Book Store
Poutine - Fries with Cheese Curds and gravy.
Oh man! You have never lived until you tried this stuff.
Ketchup flavored chips.
Toonie Tuesdays at KFC
Swiss Chalet - The bowl of lemon water they give you at the end
is for you to wash your hands. Not to be taken internally.
Beaver Tails - especially with a hot boiling cup of cocoa.
The Metric System - I like my distance in Kilometers, thank you.
On a side note, people tell their distance in times, like, "It's about a 15 minute drive."
I miss calling my z's, Zed.
I miss calling RestRooms, Washrooms.
I miss calling my "ass", my "bum".
I miss calling napkins, Serviettes.
Nanaimo Bars - a chocolate brownie that is so sweet,
it's major ingredient is tooth decay.
Kraft Dinner - For someone who's lactose intolerant,
I have consumed hordes of KD. (see numbers 13, 14 and 15.)
Conversations about the weather - A typical weather conversation lasts an average of 17 - 25 minutes.
Depending on the weather condition or the severity of the cold.
Block heaters - Electrical plugs sticking out from under the hoods
to prevent engines from freezing.
The cool factor of driving with gloves.
Driving around in the snow, making doughnuts.
When it's freezing rain, then you step on the brakes, you go faster.
Health Care - Nobody worries about losing a life's savings or
a home because of illness. (That's if you don't die in the waiting room.)
You can go outside at 2 in the morning and still feel safe.
Boxing day - Where everything is on sale!
The Tulip Festival - I had to insert this here, because Tracy loves them flowers.
...and most of all my family and friends.

Happy Canada Day to my peeps up North.
May your barbecues flaming,
and your beers flowing!

God keep our Land,
Glorious and Free.
Oh Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.