Mathoms, etc.

I was sitting in front of the computer this morning when out of the corner of my eye I saw this cat on a tree.
I was afraid it wouldn't be able to get back down. Would I have to call a fireman? If I try to help it myself, would it go all feral cat on me? Would I go in to work all scratched up?

It perched for a few minutes. Next time I looked it was gone. Maybe it climbed the tree on a dare. Or the more logical explanation, it must have been doing its morning cardio.

Lost is back! The 4th season premiere is tonight and I hate that they moved it to Thursday when I work late. I'll have to skeedadle early if I can manage it because stupid VCR won't record. I watched the season ender last night and forgot how brilliant it was. I was having a hissy fit because they waited so long to bring it back. I hope it'll be a good season.

Oh they were showing bits of trivia during the rerun. I found out that:

• Kate/Jack-shippers are called 'Jaters'; Sawyer/Kate-loving fans are 'Skaters'.
• The woman Jack saved from the bridge had the same illness that his ex-wife Sarah had. Jack wanted to operate on her, too.
• The man who recognized Jack in the pharmacy line wasn't referring to the bridge incident, but to his heroics after the Oceanic Flight 815 crash.
  
• Desmond started having visions after the explosion.
  
• The name of the funeral parlor where Jack went was an anagram for "flash forward".
• The writers are huge Star Wars fans; Charlie's mission was like the one from Return of the Jedi. While held captive in the Looking Glass station, he was singing a song based on one of Dominic Monaghan's poems. And of course the "Good Vibrations" code could only be broken by a musician---enter Charlie.
  
• Ben recognized Locke as a threat after he also heard Jacob speak in the oh-so-creepy cabin. Hence, the shooting.
  
• The episode is meant to mirror the show's very first episode. Even the title says so: "Through the Looking Glass".
  
• By the time our gang got to the tower, they had been in the island 91 days.
  
• There is a recurrent theme of science versus faith. Locke is a man of faith; Jack is a man of science. Both have had suicidal thoughts. Hmm...what does THAT mean?
  

Maligayang Bati sa iyong Kaarawan K! Nawa'y pagpalain ka ng Panginoon.

Apparently, I am a BBS---Beautiful Black Sister! So honored...I wonder if it was my sassy 'tude that did it :)

The 06 January New York Times Magazine cover story made plain the threat: The winner
of the 2008 presidential election could be decided by flawed, insecure, and hackable electronic voting machines.
Congress is poised to consider a new emergency paper ballots bill next week -- but we'll have to convince them to act right away.
Sign a petition urging local, state, and federal officials to require paper ballots for our votes.

I read yesterday that former Indonesian President Suharto had died. Reading about his misdeeds, I am so thankful I'm a Filipino. I don't think we have that cruel streak that would make someone order a purge that would kill up to a million of his countrymen. The Khmer Rouge, the Rwandan genocide, Bosnia and Serbia, the Communists, the atrocity list goes on. Say what you will about Filipinos, only we could have given the world the almost bloodless People Power Revolution.

Now if only certain people would stop committing Trillanic acts. (Hee...that's from the Ang Tagal Naman blog; also Guingonic moves LOL!)

An email asks the tough questions:

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries
are dying?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know
there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion
stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you
throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles
are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that
something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their
vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it
down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first
try?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a
shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all
right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt,
you
stupid idiot?"

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling
off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer
when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

My sister Cecile sent me a text message last night asking if I wanted to go snow tubing with them this weekend. I said no thanks, it's too cold. too cold? Too Cold?! When did I become such a fuddy duddy? Hmm...oh I guess when I STARTED USING WORDS LIKE FUDDY DUDDY!

I went to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly not really knowing much about it. Except the main character had a stroke and could only move his left eyelid. Turns out he had locked-in-syndrome, an illness I remember learning in school and thinking that it would be the worst thing that could happen to someone. Trapped in a paralyzed body with your intact mind like Stephen Hawking (although his is ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).
The film is unique because for the most part, you see things from Jean-Dominique Bauby's point of view. At one point in the film, after being taught by his speech therapist how to communicate, he tells her he wants to die. She gets upset, saying that it is obscene and disrespectful to wish for death when there are people who care for him. (I of course being of the mindset that I should be thrown off a cliff when I can't care for myself anymore.) There's another powerful scene where his father breaks down after realizing that he won't be able to hear his son's voice ever again. Bummer. It just makes you think about illness, living, dying. I always wonder how people with chronic diseases endure it all. I'm more likely to just throw my hands up in the air in resignation.

Spotted on a bumper sticker: Buckle up! It'll make it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car.

The autopsy on Academy Award-nominated actor Heath Ledger was inconclusive. If it was an accidental overdose it is doubly tragic. The 28 year old actor had been quoted in a New York Times interview saying that his role as the Joker in the new Batman film was causing sleepless nights and mental exhaustion. Some critics were already saying that this was his darkest and best performance ever.

I heard an audio clip on one of the entertainment shows tonight where Heath said that parenthood made him "look at death differently. It's like a catch 22. I feel good about dying now because I feel like I'm alive in her. (referring to daughter Matilda)

"But at the same time, you don't want to die because you want to be around for the rest of her life."

Yeay for TK and Rachel! Like he said, nice guys can finish first.

Ang Tagal Naman is a blog counting down to the end of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's term. The countdown was started 01 December 2007 by Roby Alampay, a Bangkok-based Filipino journalist and press freedom advocate. GMA came to power on 20 January 2001 during EDSA II and finished ousted President Joseph Estrada's term. She ran for the presidency in 2004 and was re-elected amid allegations of fraud.

How there's ALWAYS a bug going around? No matter what the season. I hear it everyday.

How people say "I hate to tell you this" but they proceed to tell you anyway?

How older people say "Don't get old." after they tell you all their health problems? What do they want me to do then? Off myself at a reasonable age? And why would I if I was healthy anyway?

How people say "You'll never guess what happened/who I saw"? I might be able to venture a lucky guess. But if they say "Guess what?" , what made them think I have enough information to guess based on that?

How folks say "Do you really wanna know?" when you ask them something. Would I have asked if I didn't?

How the sound of sirens or screeching brakes are instant downers?

How a child's laugh is an instant pick-me-up?

I could have a slight case of eco-anxiety. I feel guilty when I use the drive-thru window, not planning out my trips to save gas or when I leave the car engine running to defrost windows; worry about vampire energy when I leave the house; have a collection of non-rechargeable but used up batteries, outdated electronic products and even expired medications (I'm afraid to dump these in the sink because they'll get into the water supply). I notice dioxins, parabens and petrolatum in all products. Getting take-out (which they inevitably put in plastic or styrofoam containers)makes this non-cook anxious. I started buying organic or free-range dairy products. Only to find out that these might actually be worse, because free range chickens never go outside because they are so obese they can't move. Plus the animals might not get treated if they are sick because medicating them would disqualify their milk or eggs from being labeled organic. I look at my CDs, DVDs and books and wonder where did I go wrong? I use the computer, watch TV or leave a nightlight on (because I'm a big fat chicken) and wonder how much CO2 I'm emitting right now. I buy recycled paper products and think "Am I really closing the loop?" I use eco-friendly cleaning materials but worry if they really are biodegradable. I have a growing stash of scrap paper because our secretary keeps giving them to me. I worry that I take too long to shower or not have a full enough load of laundry. I am afraid of mad cow disease from meat products and E. Coli in veggies. I get a little upset when I see Chilean sea bass on the menu. I felt bad turning on Christmas lights. I feel guilty that I can't give up plastic bags. A little information IS dangerous. Maybe a little Xanax is in order. Oh no wait, that can cause headache, blurred vision, muscle weakness, depression, stupor, palpitations, rash, dry mouth, vomiting, etc...AARGH! These really are toxic times.

Looks like Leonardo Da Vinci's model for the Mona Lisa was a silk merchant's wife in Florence. The head of Germany's Heidelberg University library announced that they found a book with notes written by a Florentine official. The notes identify the woman as Lisa del Giacondo. She with the cryptic smile was the wife of wealthy trader Francesco del Giacondo. One Da Vinci mystery solved for good?

Thank God the team I disliked on The Amazing Race got Philiminated tonight! I wouldn't mind if any one of the last three teams left won the $1 mil.

playing Rock Band with Cecile and her husband yesterday.

playtime with Zack.

waking up before the sun rises and knowing you don't have to be anywhere.

being called "Miss" instead of "Ma'am" at Auntie Anne's Pretzels.

a Starbucks location actually accepting a STARBUCKS gift card (you have no idea).

the anticipation of a nor'easter and a possible snow day.

Snitched from Ideal bite: In England and Australia, Fridays are also known as POETS day...Piss Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday.

Why the big stink about Miley Cyrus having a body double for an oh so brief moment at her concerts? She needs to change costumes people! I'd be more miffed if she were lip-synching the whole thing, or if someone else was actually doing the singing for her. Milli Vanilli anyone?

Ever walked through an Ikea showroom and imagined living like that? If you ever need another reason to love the store, this story would be it. This past Monday, New Jersey Ikea allowed The Colbert Report's Mark Malkoff to move into their Paramus location while his Queens apartment is being fumigated. (His wife is staying with relatives in upstate NY.) He is also a filmmaker so a camera crew is documenting his week-long stay. You can watch it here. Obviously nothing works in his new lodgings (luxurious by New York City standards) so the comedian has to use the staff cafeteria for meal preparation and shower in the locker room. I wonder if they are letting him eat as much Swedish meatballs and lingonberry sauce as he wants.

I begrudgingly went to the gym last night because of my inexorable expansion. Of course it was full of the New Year's Resolution crowd and the cardio room was packed. So I ended up going to the ladies' only section. I couldn't help but notice how passing men would ALWAYS look inside the room. The women passersby couldn't care less. I started a little poll as I walked on the treadmill because I hate doing cardio and was bored silly. I counted 5 out of 10 men peeking inside the ladies' gym...young, old, middle-aged. I was going to increase my sample size but I was tired and didn't want to exercise anymore and only wanted to leave the darn place.


Ooh I learned the Male equivalent of the female Muffin Top today: B.O.B. Belly over belt :)

I've become a viewer of Law and Order:SVU because my mom watches it all the time. I hate watching it because the stories horrify me and could possibly give me nightmares. And yet it is strangely compelling. But its plotlines are nothing compared to these two stories I came across today:

Exhibit A: A man in Alabama had a fight with his wife, presumably because he had a girlfriend. Angry at his wife, he takes their 4 children, 4-month-old Danny Luong; 1-year-old Lindsey Luong; 2-year-old Hannah Luong; and 3-year-old Ryan Phan, and THROWS them off a bridge. Those poor poor kids. He reported them missing but eventually fessed up. Authorities say he had a history of drug abuse. And I read that they had just moved back to the area from Hinesville, GA, where I worked for a few months.

Exhibit B: A man in Idaho cuts off his own hand claiming he saw the "mark of the beast", puts it in the microwave then called the police. I am assuming he is mentally ill.

I really should stop watching or reading the news.

A 10 year old boy from Mexico glued himself to the bed to avoid going back to school after the holidays. He stuck his hand to the metal headboard with industrial strength shoe glue. He must really hate school, or just really attached to his home.

Twice already in one week, I've felt the car start to skid going down an icy hill. (not counting almost hydroplaning on the Hutchinson Parkway on the way to the airport on New Year's Day) Thank God for all-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes! It is an awful feeling, not knowing if your car will do what you want it to do and if you can stay in control (of the car and of your head/emotions). I've been in enough accidents to have a phobia about it.

Why do people come to a stop after they get off the escalator?

Why do people think I want to speak to their child on the phone when he or she obviously can't converse yet?

When they get separated in the plane, why do couples think it's OK to ask to switch seats with you the solo traveler so they can sit next to each other? Aren't they together enough as it is? What if I like my seat assignment or specifically asked for it?

Why does someone put everybody else on speaker phone and think that I can actually make out what everyone is saying? Half the time they end up talking to each other anyway.

When do spouses become each other's spokesperson? Sometimes one would finish the other's sentences or even worse, answer all the questions.

Why do people sit in my buffer zone (the empty seats to my right and left ) in a movie house? Unless of course it's a full house then I understand.

Why do people call after 9 PM? Unless it's an emergency, that is absolutely unnecessary.


What if sometimes, I don't really want to hear about your child's ice cream social, music recital or see his latest school picture or artwork? Or perhaps your latest house project or progress with the renovations? Does that make me a bad person?

Why do some people eat when they're talking to you on the phone? Can't they wait until they hang up the phone? Or eat before the phone call.

Why do people email, IM, text you then call you regarding the same thing?

Why don't people turn off or at least silence their cellphones at the movies or the theatre? Even after at least two reminders to do so.

Why can't more people realize that silence is a virtue?

I'm usually OK with splitting the bill evenly for a meal. But why do I have to pay for YOUR drinks? Shouldn't I be giving less because I only had one or two sodas while everyone else had 3-4 alcoholic beverages?

How much time are people really saving when they're speeding, swerving lanes, tailgating and generally driving like maniacs?

Why do people thrive on gossip, negativity and complaining? (mwahahaha!)

Why don't some people say thank you when someone holds the door for them?

Why are some people either blissfully unaware or ridiculously self-absorbed? (who me?!)

Now I am not a big fan of reptiles *shivers* But this story caught my eye: Iguanas going into a deep sleep because of the recent cold snap in Florida. They lose their grip and fall off the trees. They could die if the cold persists. Otherwise, they wake up when the temperature rises. What a rude awakening that would be.

Three days into the new year and I'm feeling discontented and agitated. I don't know if it's just because the holidays are so anti-climactic. Or I've just had enough of office drama, people whining. So sick of having to do other people's work. Tired of people calling out sick. The company also keeps giving us more and more paperwork to fill out. Perhaps my friend's mom was right: get a new job every five years.

Our boss is really pissing people off, myself included. He's sending off one of my co-workers to work at our other clinic full time. She isn't getting a raise nor mileage reimbursement for her longer commute. He's going to be working with US now and got rid of another per diem employee who's been with the company for at least 5 years. To top it off, one of our administrative assistants quit. Friday's her last day. Our boss is replacing her with the other secretary (we shall call her B) from the other facility. Now the other, more senior administrative person (henceforth known as J) in our building wanted more hours. Instead, he wants J, who's been with the company ten years, to work around the schedule of the more recently-hired B. He's even giving B overtime pay for Saturdays. Pretty soon, he'll have a mutiny on his hands.

Working in healthcare made me realize how many people out there have psychological problems.

Happy new year! In a bid to be a more cheerful person, I will spit out my venom now on the first day of the year. I had a friend visiting for the holiday so I pretty much spent the weekend in the city. My love-hate relationship with Manhattan can change at any given time.

I love taking the Metro North especially the other night when the conductor had a little poem for every stop (Ring-ading-ding, this is Ossining...Don't go bonkers, next stop is Yonkers...you get the drift.) I hate people putting their stuff on the seats or taking up more space than they need to, especially when the train is full. Where do they think they are? Their living room? I love the convenience of the subways and yet I hated A) all the people standing around by the turnstiles or the ticket booths while I was rushing to get on the next subway. B) The group of girls standing by the door and as the doors closed, pushed me in when clearly there was plenty of space. They didn't even apologize and kept giggling. C) People (mostly women and teenagers)making a whole lot of noise, singing or carrying on, drawing attention to themselves. I love walking around Midtown but hate all the tourists coming to a dead stop in the middle of the road or the sidewalk, looking up and not watching where they're going. I couldn't believe it when we were walking around the Upper West Side and this black man tells me and my friend"Whatyou all doing up here?" as he walked past us. What did that even mean? Asians?

The worst was when we were trying to go to Virgin Megastore at 5 pm on New Year's Eve. He wanted to buy DVDs but both of us failed to realize that the store would be closing early. Streets were obviously barricaded for the festivities. He kept asking cops how to get to the store. Each cop pointed us towards a different direction until one actually said the store was closed already. Why didn't the other cops tell us that? And then trying to reach the subway to get out of the madness...oy vey! Once again, EVERY police officer told us different and twice the way was closed. I hate crowds and I never imagined I would find myself on Times Square at that time.

To top it off, after I took my friend to the airport today, I stopped at a service area to re-fuel and get some food. Before I left the parking lot, I was reading a text message and the woman driver next to me hits my car door to get into her van. Did she NOT see my car right next to her? I glared at her and then she apologized. I get out to check if there was any damage and a male companion of her steps outside then glares at ME. WTF?

It's going to be a LONG road to serenity and positivity.