Desktop View

Tagged by Carey. It's been a while since I've been tagged.


My desktop shows a view on our way to the White Island in Camiguin. The icons at the bottom are shortcuts to frequently used folders.

[TAG STARTS HERE]

My Desktop Free View Instruction:

A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop. It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun.

You can do a screen capture by:

[1] Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right side of the F12 key).
[2] Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste (CTRL + V).
[3] If you wish, you can “edit” the image, before saving it.
For MAC users: Press [ Apple] [ Ctrl ] [ Shift ] and [ 3 ]

B. Post the picture in your blog. You can also give a short explanation on the look of your desktop just below it if you want. You can explain why you preferred such look or why is it full of icons. Things like that.

C. Tag five of your friends and ask them to give you a Free View of their desktop as well.

Now, I'm tagging Emmyrose, Tin (CM), Sasha, Cess and Bro. Vince. I'm sure you have lovely views of your desktops.

Boys' Talk

We listened to the band singing songs whose titles escaped me. The two ladies on vocals sang their hearts out as their keyboardist skillfully manipulated the synthesizer. The powerful voices just wowed the crowd. We were on this same table the other night, on our way to Northern Mindanao. We also heard them sing. Now, we’re back.

I was rather sleepy, having no interest in the show. If I were on my own, I’d rather sleep in my cot. I wouldn’t mind sleeping 10 hours while traveling on boat. But my colleague wanted to drink some cans of beer and pass time, so I just have to accompany him.

One of the ladies had this comely face and shapely body. She wore a black laced pants (up to her knees) that could surely expand the imagination of the mostly men crowd. Being on the front tables, we could see her throwing occasional glances at us. Then my buddy popped out a question directly shot at me. “If given the chance, would you f**k that girl?”

The usual me replied with a wordless grin. Then I shook my head. But I really hate those kind of questions, even if these were just considered normal boys’ talk. I don’t really lust for those things, even if a girl performs naked on stage. I may take a glance once (or twice), but will not let it dwell in my head. Or maybe, we could just talk about inequality of wealth, politics, religion, social injustice, and the possible reasons that drive some women into prostitution.

I suspected he was just teasing me. The guy has a lovely young wife, and far prettier than the girl on stage. I held my breath for a few seconds before bouncing back the question to him. “Would you?”

“Nah, I’m already married. I would have a different answer if I were single.”

We laughed. Why did our conversation reach this point? We both know we’re devoted to our spouses.

U2 and Worship

"U2 Rocks the House (of God)

Bono inspires worship with an edge.by Elizabeth Diffin

Where the Streets Have No Name. Beautiful Day. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Yahweh. For fans of the Irish band U2, these are familiar rock songs. But to a growing number of Christians, they're becoming tunes for worship, and for the Eucharist. " read full article here.

I am U2 fan but I really don't know what has gotten into their heads. Call me traditional, conservative or whatever. I am happy with the traditional way.

But hey, God loves variety too, doesn't He? As long as they really worship God and not U2, that may be acceptable.

A Sad Fan

It was in the news yesterday. But more write-ups came in just today. The soccernet website provided plenty of articles to satisfy my voracious need for information. I’m sure most of you didn’t know about it because it's about football, and in a foreign land.

My favorite manager left my favorite team or my favorite team owner sacked my favorite manager. Whichever way, the fact is: they parted ways yesterday. “Mourinho leaves Chelsea”/“Chelsea sacked Mourinho”.

It came as a shock to many. After giving the London club its first trophy in 50 years, and adding plenty more domestic silverwares in the next two years, it was not enough to please the owner who wants to conquer Europe. The decent two semi-final finishes in the Champions’ League, that could have elicited cheers in others’ boardroom, were still below expectations for Abramovich.

But Mourinho left 20 million pounds richer. It’s his separation package since his contract run till 2010. He is proud of his achievements, and it will surely be imbedded in the team’s history. I salute him for that.

The English media, the Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United fans will surely miss him. Rafael Benitez (Liverpool), and Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) will miss the “Special One’s” snide remarks. The rest of the managers (other than the managers of the top 4) are just too boring.

His parting words:

"I am very proud of my work in Chelsea Football Club and I think my decision in May 2004 to come to England was an excellent one," said Mourinho.

"It was a beautiful and rich period of my career. I want to thank all Chelsea FC supporters for what I believe is a never-ending love story.

"I wish great success to the club, a club that will be forever connected to me for some historical moments.

"I wish the players happiness in football and in their family life. Finally on my wife's and children' s behalf we thank the great professionalism of their school teachers and the beauty of so many friends." quoted from BBC

I am saddened by all of these. I have mentioned before that I am a Mourinho fan. Does it mean that it is my goodbye for Chelsea as well?

The Inconsistencies Within

Some struggles. Call it whatever you like. Deep within, I know this is just an understatement. Like when we excel at one point and crash on the next. Or today I wear a suit and a cute tie, but will wear and old shirt and rugged jeans on the office the next day.

My grade 1 teacher praised me for my handwriting. But when I began to practice the long-hand at the last phase of our term, she berated me for having ruined my own handwriting. It got worst in the succeeding years. Even until now.

In grade VI, I graduated at the top of everyone else, but got the insult that bruised me for years, only because I failed to memorize the graduates’ motto during rehearsals. No, I was actually too nervous with the other class’ adviser around. Her own bet for valedictorian was only a fraction of points behind me.

In high school, I failed in science but topped the class in general info quizzes.

I almost failed to enter Accountancy because of low grades in UP High. So they let me take an IQ test. The guidance counselor assigned to interview me revealed that I got excellent scores, and had the potential of graduating summa. Summa, I wish! I think I was just fortunate to have plenty of correctly guessed answers.

In college, my essay got a rare praise from an English teacher when she lectured the 6Cs in writing. I feared the expectations that followed. The essay I submitted during the final exams obviously lacked the qualities of my first one. And she talked to me about it, her reaction showing dismay.

In auditing subjects, I have not really correctly solved any of the problems in the quizzes during undergrad. But I got almost perfect scores in the pre-board and in the actual board. That was all that mattered.

In my post last week, I enumerated ways to curb my internet addiction. Honestly, I have not really acted on it. And here I am, after not posting any entry for seven days, flooded my blog with four posts on a Sunday. I really shouldn't be here in my cubicle.

How Do You Ask For Help?

Normally I don’t. Or as long as the pain is bearable, I keep it to myself. Despite the number of times I rehearse my plea for help, I’m never really good at it.

If someone asks for help, I’d readily extend a helping hand. If he won’t, I’ll watch from the sides, but ready anytime. But there was once a time when my offer for help was rejected and misinterpreted as interference. So I just waited, watching him till he turned pale with worry.

I don’t overreact. Sometimes, others complained of my delayed reaction. This is calmness, I asserted. That may be slow for them

I may preempt, but only in thought. I hate being preempted, like they know how to read my mind. Or I am just avoiding the truth, and they think they know the truth.

How grave a sin is pride?

If I Were in His Place

At the surface, he seems to be on his jolly self, as usual. Like an elder brother, he pats us on the back and tells us to balance work and our personal lives. We just nod in agreement and listen. But when he starts to lift a bottle of San Mig Light and tastes its flavor, the tone of his voice changes.

He confides that he is bothered by talks about his having this and that because his wife’s family’s wealth. He rejected his father-in-law’s offer of a larger house, larger vehicle, and even a possible business. He chooses to be away from his family because he clings to his job in the city while his wife is in the province handling the family business. It is as if he wants to prove that he can feed his family on his own.

“If you were in my place, what would you do to silence the rumor mongers?”

My other friend was silent though we both know our similar answers. So I volunteered. “I’ll tell them that it’s a blessing. And that I was only after for their daughter’s love, but there was a bonus instead. It’s not everyday that you can have those things.”

He laughed. My other friend nodded with a smile. But in the end, I guess he just needed us to affirm on his stand regarding the matter. I will not say that it’s pride, though he justifies it as part of his principles. Principles, pride, whatever... A change in perspective may solve the problem, while at the same time keeping his so-called principles.

Afterlife

I was chatting with an ex-colleague (ex-classmate and kumare) whom I knew grew up in a mainstream protestant church, but was in a religious vacuum since college. We were talking about the death of another colleague’s husband who succumbed to a liver ailment at age 39.

‘People should not die that young. It should be on their 70’s” she said.

“Like we know when our time will come”, was my unanswered reply.

- - - - * - - - -

Another friend of mine insists that there is no afterlife. We die and return to dust. He was quite proud about his unbelief, and was even insulting at some point because I believe in God and the Bible. No, I did not ask God to strike him down. I just prayed that his eyes be opened.

I’d rather believe in what Jesus said about heaven and the future residence of the saved rather than what our politicians offer. Nothingness is not even an option.

Internet Addiction

read full article here

Signs (at least for me):
1. Ego-surfing
2. Aimless googling
3. Repetitive stats checking
4. Repetitive clicking of sites marked "favorite"
5. Forum addiction
6. Repetitive checking of google reader
7. Aimless bloghopping
8. Repetitive checking of technorati links
9. Comment checking, even thru cellphones
10. Continuous thinking of blog posts, and possible topics


Solution (application to start next week):
1. LAN/WI-FI disconnection (connect only when necessary)
2. Play more badminton
3. Read books
4. No overstaying in my cubicle.
5. Delete history of sites visited
6. Delete favorites
7. Delete blog

It just occured to me that, though writing is my other passion, I have not balanced my time well. And I'm gaining more kilos.

Binisaya Na Sad Ta

Panagsa na man lang ko makasulat ginamit ning maong pinulongan dinhi sa akong blog. Ang uban, madali lang sa ilaha ang tinagalog kay daghan man ang makabasa. Makasabot pud ko. Apan kining sa akoa, naa gyuy mangayo ug hubad. Dili ra ba gyud sayon.

Unsaon na lang kaha kon ang mga eskwelahan dinhi sa Pilipinas magtudlo usab ug ilokano, winaray, chavacano, cebuano ug hiligaynon, isip elective lang ba. Kaanindot sad unta ug makaantigo ko mag hiligaynon, mag ilocano o mag chavacano no? Unya sila sad, mag sinebuano. Kaintiende lang ko gamay pero di kabalo maghambal. Budlay gid ya!

Ambot sakto ba kaha to. Kon muadto ko sa Tacloban, winaray sad didto. Diri ko maaram magyakan. Pulihan lang nato ug "r" ang "l" para dali. And mga taga zamboanga, magkasinabot ba sad kaha ni sila sa mga kastila didto sa Espanya?

Para sa mga cebuano mga muadto sa lugar sa mga ilongo, ayaw gyud ingon didto nga "Wa ka kasabot", kay lain ila gamit anang pulonga. Basin makataw-an ka. Ayaw sad pangayo ug "sili" didto sa Samar, kay na ambot lang.

Sa pagkatinuod lang, ganahan baya unta ko magkat-on ug laing lingwahe. Apan unsaon lisod man kun dili gyud nimo puy-an ang lugar. Naningkamot sad ko sa una ug kat-on kun maka byahe ko ug tag dugay anang mga lugara. Siguro sa pagsulat masayon lang, apan ang tono, mobawog-bawog, ug usahay pinagahi.

Hahaay...! Wala na pud ko aniy lingaw. Pataka lang ko. Pasensyai na lang ko palihug intawon. Pagkat-on sa mo ug binisaya, beh.

He Keeps Me Singing

Last Friday, my wife’s family gathered to celebrate Aunt’s 59th birthday. The nephews and nieces gathered at the piano and began singing. The family boasts of three music teachers, of which two took turns in the keyboard. First, it was the praise and worship songs, including those of Don Moen and the Hillsongs. Everyone, including the guests and those of the newer generation, joined in the singing. Then we sang choruses, those pre-hillsongs. Then we sang hymns. The voices of my aunts got louder and louder as we were singing their favorites. One aunt, who was confined to the wheelchair, sang the loudest, as if wanting to stand up. Someone commented that we are obviously showing our age with the preference of our songs. There was another one who expressed joy when she sang hymns. She missed it a lot in her new fellowship. The voices of the younger ones toned down because they’re not familiar with hymns. But we encouraged them to sing.

I’m sharing to you the lyrics of one of the hymns we sang. God keeps us singing.

********

He Keeps Me Singing

There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,
Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,
Stirred the slumbering chords again.

Refrain

Feasting on the riches of His grace,
Resting ’neath His sheltering wing,
Always looking on His smiling face,
That is why I shout and sing.

Refrain

Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,
Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,
See His footprints all the way.

Refrain

Soon He’s coming back to welcome me,
Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,
I shall reign with Him on high.

Refrain