Since last month’s post,
I must have seen this annoyance a thousand times.

Why is it that I always see the number “11” ?

I would enter the bedroom, all dark,
and the clock would have the minute on what? …“11”.

I would warm up my lunch in the microwave, leave it and come back.
But I always end up coming back to check it
with how many seconds left?…“11”.

I would check out what program would come on
after the show I am watching on the dishnetwork,
And the guide would tell me that there are “11” minutes left
before the next one starts.

The most comfortable volume level on our car radio is at ..
.. what else? “11”.

The nearest mall from our house is just about ..
ooohh.. “11” miles.

Good thing that we did not go out today because,
Hey!!, What’s today’s date?….The “11th”.

Even Tracy is starting to notice my predicament.

Does anybody know what the deal is?
Should I be worried?
Is it some sign?
Is it a glitch in the matrix?

Neo!! I am telling you!!!
Quit clowning around and help me!

Here are some cool links to take our minds off of this crap.

Oh how I wish I could shoot that dog! –> Duck Hunt
Check out the Astronomy Picture of the day –> Nasa.gov
How about a view of the Earth? –> The Living Planet
To my fellow computer geeks –> Casemods
This would have been cool if it was actually synched –> Virtual Drums

Trying to make some changes here.

A lot has happened since this
I figured it is time to update most of this site’s content.

The “GEAR” section is out, since it doesn’t really serve a purpose.
The section for the “FTP” is out, since I don’t host this site anymore.
(maybe someday I would again and I’ll bring it back.)

And a big update on the “FADEOUT“.
(Plus isn’t that a good picture of me and my son?)

So anyway, I’ve got tons of ideas for this site,
but I am not saying that I will implement them soon.
If there are stuff that you think I should change,
please let me know.
(yes, the three of you who reads this crap).

Here are a couple of cool links to waste some time.
(Or another excuse for me to slack off again.)

Man, do I ever wish I could play guitar like this —> Justin King
A true test for fast typers —> Letters
You kill me Mr. Miyagi —> FlySui
Good thing she used her brains —> Blonde Brains
He’s not racist. He hates us all equally! —> Wounded Klansman

The season to be jolly has arrived.
Time to Deck the Halls.
Fa la la la la.. la la la la.

I wish I have Tracy’s stamina when it comes to Christmas shopping.
One thing I love about that woman is that she hates crowded clusterwhacked places like I do.
So she starts her Christmas shopping early.

Not me.
I am doing mine at Dec. 24. 11:00 PM
at the 24 hour WalMart.

So I don’t have to deal with the following:

• Traffic.
• Rude drivers who don’t use their turn signals.
• Never ending search for a parking spot.
• People who would knock you down in a heartbeat just to get their hands on a $29 DVD player.
• People who don’t know how to say excuse me.
• Inconsiderate jerks who don’t care that you have a baby with you.
• Cell phone yacking dimwits.
• The overhead P.A. system announcement which would blow your eardrums away.
  And they announce something every 5 seconds.
• Long lines at the checkout.
• The guy who sighs every 5 seconds at the checkout line because he has to wait and it messed up his schedule like he’s got somewhere important to go, then looks at his watch, and yacks on his cellphone.

And do you ever notice that something always happen at the cash right before your turn?
Like, the cash machine would break down, or the person in front of you would argue about something,
Or picked up an item without a tag so the teller has to announce it over the P.A.

And don’t you ever notice that people follow you everywhere at the store?
You know what I mean?
Like, when you are looking at something, and there would be no one around you,
For sure, after 10 seconds, hordes of people would be gathering around you,

looking at the same thing, or something by the aisle you’re in.

I HATE THAT!!!!

Or you would be going to a store, and there would be no one there,
seconds later, everyone and their cow would be there too.
Like someone announced over the P.A.:
“Attention shoppers,
Tyrone has just entered the Pottery Barn,
let us all barge in and annoy him. Thank you.
Don’t all go in at once. We don’t want to surprise him.”

I also hate it when people walk slowly and they totally block the whole aisle.
Oblivious to the fact that there might be people behind them
who would want to get on with their lives.

Also people who takes forever to order at the food court.
The menu has not changed in years people!!!!!!
They are all numbered and in combos to make it even easier for you!!!

What is the deal????

Okay, I better stop here.

I am trying to avoid checking myself in for Anger Management classes.

Now, what was I saying?
Oh yeah.

‘Tis the season to be jolly,
fa la la la la.. la la.. la “¦. Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”¦..

Can’t you just feel the spirit of Christmas?

“He’s out of Danger,
You can stop worrying now.”

These were the words I had hoped for these past few days.
And today, I finally heard them.

A couple of days ago,
My cousin and his wife were accidentally hit by a stray bullet
back home in the Philippines, while waiting for the bus.

I can not explain the feeling of worry and helplessness,
while dreading the next phone call I might receive would be what I fear.

I can not explain the panic I had,
As I try to figure out his condition
while talking to the nurses in the ICU.

I can not explain how I endlessly search for a news report online,
Hoping to find clues on how, what, when and where it happened,
And who’s responsible,
but in a way,
A part of me would rather not see or read anything about it,
Since it will re surface my anger, worries and fears.

I can not explain how distressing it is that,
This happened because someone had easy access to guns and ammunitions.

I can not explain why bad things happen to good people.

I can not explain how I feel that,
Even though how many times I pray, I feel I am not being heard.

And since hearing that my cousin and his wife are doing better now.

I can not explain how grateful I am to the Doctors and Nurses.

I can not explain how much I would like to thank their friends
who willingly volunteered to donate blood
And being by their side.

I can not explain how lucky we are, to have those good Samaritans
Who brought them to the hospital.

I can not explain,
How wrong it is for me to doubt the power of prayer.

And since hearing those words, that I need not worry anymore,

I can not explain why I still do.

From this day forth,
I will no longer be referred to as a Stay-At-Home Dad.
I shall be known as a .. (trumpet fanfare sound)

Domestic Engineer.

This job description clearly states the reason behind this change of title,

* Calculation and management of time, to perform domestic duties safely and effectively.

* Assess and survey the premises for safety hazards and the prevention of child choking emergencies.

* Providing of nourishment by mathematically integrating the exact ratio and proportion between water and formula within the proper temperature.

* Waste disposal management.

* On-Call duties to be performed at variable times whenever the client wakes up in the middle of the night, hungry or just for re assurance.

* And to top it off, supplier of entertainment.

Pretty cool huh?

—– That last one is the hardest, since that “peek-a-boo” trick isn’t cutting it anymore.

For at least a good couple of months now,
Something has been bothering me and I can’t quite keep my finger on it.

Every time I try to see what time it is,
(Okay maybe most of the time)
The time will always have an “11”
it doesn’t matter what the hour was,
the minute will always be “11”

I don’t know why,
I don’t know how.

It goes even further than that.

Sometimes I am drawn to it.
Like there would be no reason for me to look at the clock,
But it will grab my attention and I end up noticing it.
We would be driving and I would try to change the station on the radio,
When I suddenly notice the time.
With the minute on “11”

I would walk by the kitchen
and notice the time on the Microwave panel.
With the minute on “11”

I would ask Tracy what time it is,
Since the alarm clock is on her side of the bed,
With the minute on “11”

I would play Tyler his Sesame Street DVD,
And the counter while it plays,
Would suddenly grab my attention,
With the number “11” flashing on the Elapsed playtime.

I would be on my Computer,
And for no reason at all,
I would suddenly glance at the time on the right side of the Taskbar,
With the minute on “11”

I know I am getting a little bit paranoid.
No it’s not paranoia,
I think it’s more of an annoyance.
Honestly I am getting irritated at it.

What aggravates me the most is when I see it as “11:11”
Or worse “¦ “9:11”.

What does it mean?
Is it an omen?
I have no clue.

And today,
Since it’s November 11. (11/11)

I am staying at home.
I will not do any thing.
Not even shower.

Okay maybe at midnight.

We have been here in Sunny Florida for a month now,
And I am beginning to miss Canada.

I miss the feeling of going outside at 2 in the morning and still feel safe.
I miss the fast and exciting world of hockey.
I miss the way I get myself ready to go out in a blizzard,
with 3 layers of coats and socks, just to get the mail.

Not to mention driving in freezing rain.
The thump of my butt when I slip and hit the ground.

Yes, yes. I miss it all.

So as I live my life here, I try to make the most out of it,
Trying to remind myself of back home.

I try to keep up with the hockey team standings.
Believe me, finding hockey stuff here is like looking for Nemo.

I go to the grocery store and see some Canadian Beers.
Which is sad in a way because, I can’t drink beer anymore.

And what a surprise it was when I saw the one thing that could bring back Canada to me,

Canada Dry Ginger Ale, the champagne of all ginger ales.

THANK GOD!!!

Wait a minute.
What is this???…….

Caffeine Free???????

NNNnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooo..!!!!!!!

(Close up shot of Tyrone’s face…Pan out shot of the Grocery Store…
the neighborhood….the City…with pigeons flying away disturbed..
To the Country…to the Earth…..still hearing the scream of anguish….)

Why… oh why???

Our first American Halloween.

Quite weird for me, as I have said,
We really do not have Halloween back in the Philippines. (see adlib Oct 31. 2001)
And in Canada, you got to find a costume that will fit over your coat.

It is really a big deal here in the States,
Everybody just greets you like it’s a major holiday.

Happy Halloween to all,
And enjoy this day of tooth decay.

Now I know I live in the States –
Thoughts and observations #2

HBO
VH1
MTV
MTV2
ENCORE
CINEMAX
SHOWTIME
FOX SPORTS
ESPN
NASA
F/X
NOGGIN
CARTOON NETWORK
NICKELODEON

God Bless American Television.

I guess I won’t be seeing French TV Stations anymore.
All English Channels.
All the time.

Wait a minute”¦
What is this?

CINE LATINO
TELEMUNDO
VH UNO
MUSICA LATINA

Hmmmm..

I guess I spoke too soon.
I hope they got “Bleu Nuit” in Spanish.