Friday The 31st

You got that right. It's Friday the 31st. I know it's not as spooky as the 13th but it does have the same numbers in there. Just not in the right order. So what's so special about it? Nothing. I just thought I'd make it my title since it also falls on the end of the month and things tend to get crazy in the office during this part of the month. I always consider Fridays as fly days meaning I try to breeze through work as relaxed as possible but it being the end of the month, I seriously doubt if that would ever happen.

The funny thing I have observed though is that being relaxed on a Friday almost always never happen. I try to get things off my plate at least by 1 pm on every Friday. I would try to push back anything that I can re-schedule for the next week. But when 4 pm comes around, I'd be up to my neck with things that needs to get done before the weekend kicks in and that's when the chaos and pressure begins. Talk about having a fly day.

The day's just beginning and I'm here doing my blog. Talk about being productive. I do have to get this off my way so I can start getting some serious work done. I figured if I get my blog off my list, then I can focus on the real things to do as the day progress.

All work and no play makes Jun a dull boy. And cranky too.

The SandMan

It was warm and humid last night. It was getting late so I decided to jump in bed and catch some much needed rest. I tried closing my eyes but I can't just seem to drift off to dreamland. I ended up staring at the ceiling for some time before deciding to turn on the bedside lamp to catch some light reading hoping that this might aid me in my quest for some good night's sleep.

The whole set of the Sandman Graphic Novel series sat in my bedside table. I have just recently gotten them and have been wanting to go over them ever since. I just didn't have time. I never made time for these books considering I have other choices of books. I guess last night was the best time. I opened up the first book and started devouring through the pages. I was about to start on my fourth book when I happened to glance over the alarm clock. It was already 3:00 am. Time flies so swiftly and I have to wake up in 3 hours.

The books were really great. I have always wanted to read them before in the bookshops but I always ended up with the other books. I think it was a smart move acquiring this set and reading them at my own leisure.

I wasn't sleepy yet but I gave it a try. I turned off the lamp and settled back to my favorite sleeping position. And just like that, I was off to dreamland. No more waiting, staring or such. I just fell asleep. The next thing I heard was my alarm buzzing. I had my sleep thought it was shorter than I wanted. But I did.

Ironic. The SandMan put me to sleep.

South Park

I was channel surfing last Monday night and accidentally glanced on an episode of South Park which poked fun about Little League Baseball and parents on the sideline. This episode poked fun about parents being so involved in their kid's game and the violence occuring against the other parents. I think that was just hilarious considering that it's what's happening in the real world too. The show just took it a step further. But then, that is expected in a cartoon show that lives off on controversies.

I always thought that South Park was a show not worth watching considering the paper like movements of the charaters plus all the vulgarities attached to them. I mean I swear but not as vulgar as any of the kids in that show. These kids make me look like an amateur. I guess my views on this show has changed. I still think its vulgar though and parents who let their kids watch this has the responsibility of making them understand that it doesn't/shouldn't happen in real life. Else they'd end up raising a Cartman.

Personally, I think I'll be watching more episodes. Them being on the news lately about this scientology hoopla just kinda added fuel to my curiosity. And I still think that Tom Cruise deserves all the backlash against him. He's being an ass on Oprah kinda just made people realize how gay he is. He used to be cool on my book but when he started pushing his religious beliefs on other people, that was just wrong. And there's some news tidbits about him saying something against the South Park show. I think I'll side with something that actually makes me laugh.

If we don't make fun of ourselves, there will be nothing to look back to and laugh about.

The Best Things in Life Are Free

That used to be so true. Now, almost everything has a price tag. I guess its just a different world with all the chaos and constant changes going on.

Case and point, bottled water. Who would think that water which makes up for 3/4 of the whole planet would one day be sold in bottles? I used to remember running to a water fountain to take a drink after a walk in the park. Now people flock to convenience stores and buy them in bulk. One particular brand that really catches my attention is Evian. I'm sure a lot of you readers out there are familiar with this one. Have anyone ever stopped and think that Evian read backwards is NAIVE?

One day, they will start selling air too. Oh wait, there are oxygen shops popping up in big cities selling guess what? Air to breathe! Come on, these are just two of the best things in life. Heck, they are what keeps us alive. What do you think will be next? Heaven in a can or hell in a bottle? Times have really changed. I guess we can still use that same quote but with additional adage.

All the best things in life are free... good and valid while supplies last.

Top Of The Morning To You...

Whatever that means.

I just know that today is Saint Patrick's Day and is just another great excuse to actually go out and get drunk. What difference does that make for most of the folks out there who do the same thing every night? Probably nothing. Just be sure you don't drink and drive. Then that Irish luck won't be of any help at all.

I'm not even sure if my officemates are actually looking forward to this date but I can see some rather peculiar cheerfulness today. Me? I treat this day like any other day. It would have been nice though if this Friday was actually payday too. Then I would say I've got the luck of the Irish with me. lol Even though I'm asian...

This date falling on a Lent Friday actually brings a lot of questions in mind. Does that mean a catholic earns a reprieve today from fasting and abstinence from meat? Corned beef is an irish staple that they partake on during this special day for them. I guess they do get a dayoff from observing abstinence and fasting. Wait.. I think I have the luck of the Irish with me since I think I'm also excused. lol

Most of my officemates are actually wearing something green today. As you all are well aware, everyone is supposed to be obligated to wear something green today least they get pinched. I don't have a problem with that. In fact, I am not wearing anything that has a slightest hint of green on me and I did that on purpose. I like being pinched. :)

If you know what I mean.

Because I'm Evil...

I was watching Justice League Unlimitied the other Sunday where the episode was about Flash switching minds with Lex Luthor. I think this was one of the best episodes of the show showcasting some of the lesser known heroes in the DC universe. One thing I don't like about JLU though is the fact that they have merged all the DC superhero groups into one. I guess I'm just hardcore to keeping things in line with certain continuity between comic books and tv shows. Maybe they just need to keep comic book stories separate from tv show stories.

Anyway, in that episode, Flash's mind inhabits Lex Luthor's body and you can see he's kinda freaking out most especially since he's at the villains' headquarters surrounded by villains from left to right. He ended up going to the bathroom to get some privacy and try to contact the league. While doing so, Doctor Polaris came in and told him to hurry it up as the rest of the villain community were waiting impatiently for him in their meeting room. So Flash (in Luthor's body) came out of the restroom stall and started walking out the door. Here's the conversation that happened:

Dr. Polaris: Ahem... Aren't you going to wash your hands?

Flash (in Luthor's body): ** looking surprised ** No.

Dr. Polaris: Why?

Flash (in Luthor's body): because I'm evil. (laughs)

Okay.. I can't help but laugh with that exchange. Seriously.. that is just plain funny. Reminds us of what's in the real world.

One day, I'm just going to have to use that line.

The Cow And The Evil Eye

I always pass by a grazing field on my way to the office each day. Oftentimes, there would be cows grazing there. And its a wise decision not to roll down your windows when they are there least you'd also smell their presence. Since moving to this small town, I have accepted the fact that this place will have the feel of both an urban environment as well as a rural flavor. And I dig that about it.

The drive passing the grazing field today was different. One of the cows actually stopped chewing and was looking at me (or my car). I should know since his gaze followed the car's movement all the way until I was out of sight. Now that is just plain creepy. Cows never do that. They have short attention spans and would prefer to be munching on grass rather than admiring cars. It felt as if the cow was giving me the bad eye.

I hope that cow wont be there later when I drive back home. I certainly dont want to feel uneasy being a Friday afternoon. It still gives me the creeps.

I'm a carnivore. But I sure do hope that I wont get a piece of that cow's meat if they butcher him in the future. I have this bad feeling that I'd get sick if ever. I know that cow has it for me.

I'm suppose to be on top of the food chain.

Hot Tubs...

Coming home from work yesterday, I passed by the pool and saw that no one was out there. The weather was nice and I felt that such a nice day shouldn't be wasted inside the house. So I changed to something more appropriate and headed off to the pool. Since there was no one in the hot tub, I decided to just jump in after turning the bubbles on. The timer is set for 15 minutes and I think that was ample time to just laze around and enjoy the warm water relaxing your muscles.

After the bubbles subsided, I went back home and took a good shower and prepare for the night. I don't know if I was too relaxed or something but my body just felt too tired that right after dinner, I was half-asleep in the sofa struggling to understand what was going on in the tv show that I was supposedly watching. I think I may even have dozed off a couple of times too. But I'll take that anytime. As long as I'm not driving.

This morning I woke up feeling refreshed. Now, I am not sure if this was the result from the hot tub immersion or just because it is Thursday and the weekend is just a couple of days away. One thing for sure, I'm glad I'm still alive.

Life is too short to waste on nothing.

Blanked...

I keep thinking yesterday as to what I can write about and nothing comes to mind. It had been a hectic week for me including the weekend. Nothing major though but then all the small stuff just kinda adds up. At least I was able to enjoy a good weekend or whatever was left of it anyway. I'm just glad the beeper has been passed to the next person. Nine more weekes and its back to me once again and I'm not really looking forward to it.

So now I guess it's back to my real normal routine which is to take care of assigned projects and make sure they are on time and on budget. Funny how that sounds. In the real world, on time and on budget projects doesn't really hit a 100%. Maybe a few percent off but never perfect. Since I'm just one of the corporate pawns, I guess I just have to make do with what I can do. Actually, I'm proud to say that I've closed 5 projects last month and I'm looking to get a couple more close this month. Kinda nice to have something good to show for my review next year.

In a few minutes I'll be off work. I guess I can go to the gym this afternoon and try to see if I can last 90 minutes in there today. I stayed for an hour yesterday. I should have stayed longer. Maybe there won't be that much crowd later. It is getting warm though. Maybe I should head out to the pool afterwards if the weather permits.

Man.. decisions.. decisions.

What A Week!!!

Two more days and the beeper goes away. I was hoping to write at least 3 entries for this week here in my blog but my work schedule hinders me from doing so. At least for this week anyway. The week started out slow with a solitary issue raised last Monday and I had that cleaned up before I left for the day but the succeeding days were different.

Tuesday was spent mostly on small issues that kinda adds up. Mostly from the effect of a company division transition. See, our divisions are being asked to use Citrix now so most of their environments were converted. It wasn't as bad as we thought it would be but it wasn't as seamless either. But all in all, we got everything covered with most end-users being happy with where they are at.

And it went downhill from there. Most of what came in afterwards were scripts not executing properly due to data locks somewhere. I had to wake up every 2 am for the last 3 days trying to figure out what's going on. On top of that, I still have my normal daily duties to attend to. Can't really complain though. This only happens once every 10 weeks. In my previous work, I did it 24/7/365. This is child's play compared to that.

With the weekend coming up, I don't see anything major blowing up but am knocking on wood. Systems are just as fragile as you want them to be. Can't wait for Monday though. The beeper goes to the next person.