Unimportant

I have to get in one last post by today and so here I am, doing what I have to do. This post is just for the requirement. Pay no attention. It is unimportant. Just like the mosquitoes and cockroaches and the 2008 NBA Semi-finals - where for some reason which nobody seemed to care about, the Lakers beat the Spurs.

Still, it must be done. And if something must be done it must be important. And so since this must be done it must be important. Do, forgive me. I'm just trying to come up with a post. A bit more meat without spice. *insert more metaphors*

. . . . . .

-italktocarrotsticks

P.S. But really, what happened? How did Kobe in his one man-ess beat the smartest team in the NBA?

An Old Pastime

I was looking for an adapter I lost for my printer a while ago when I found my old NBA sticker book (aw, grade school fad). It's pretty old - season 2002 - and most of the stickers were gone. I was browsing through the pages when I saw the one I used to cherish the most. It was the Indiana Pacers page. I was a big Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'neal fan and I just started to remember how big an NBA fan I was and the stuff we did with my friends before. See, I used to collect NBA trading cards. And I'm not talking just easy collecting. I was really in to it. I knew the prices of all the cards (beckett.com) and with all the cards came all that NBA knowledge. Still, you really couldn't call me a NBA god of some sort because we were all like that. I still have most of my cards now, although I don't collect anymore.

I still remember the 2004 NBA finals which was, in my opinion, one of the biggest NBA upsets in history. Right before the season started the Los Angeles Lakers signed Karl Malone and Gary Payton for a lot lower than people think they would sign for. Those two are legends from the Jordan era. They were really good. The only reason they didn't get too famous was because they just couldn't beat Jordan. Haha.

Anyway, the Lakers just came past K.G. and the Timberwolves to face the Detroit Pistons, who had just came past my favorite team, the Pacers. By the way, 2005 was the last year Reggie Miller played - a year after this one. Anyway, you could almost be sure that the Lakers were going to win. They had Shaq, Kobe, Karl Malone and Gary Payton - 4 all-stars in their starting line-up. Detroit had Chaunsey Billups (a nobody before this), Rip Hamilton (not too bad but not too good either), Rasheed Wallace (a guy who raises his arms straight up then flicks the ball with his wrist to shoot), Tayshaun Prince (a guy with really long arms) and Ben Wallace (a guy who was 7' 2" coz he had an 12 inch afro). They had also come from making one of the worst drafts picks in history, drafting some spanish guy for a #2 first round pick instead of maybe, Carmelo Anthony who was the #3 pick by the Nuggets. Anyway, to sum it up, it wasn't looking to good for them.

But despite the odds against them they won. They won the 2004 World Championship. (it could still be called "World Championship" back then) They held the Lakers down to a hundred points in all 6 games with their zone defense. Ben Wallace, who looked like he was a foot shorter than Shaq, actually pinned him down. As for Kobe, well... Rip took care or Reggie Miller so Kobe was nothing. Tayshaun had arms that could stretch to block anything and Billups was hitting 3s everywhere. Amazing. As for the 2 Matriarchs, Malone and Payton - the guys who signed below market value because they wanted a championship so bad - well, too bad for them. No ring. Ouch. And I was there, looking at all the laker fans I knew and telling them: I told you so. Haha.

Anyway, after that one year I started to lose my interest. Reggie retired the next year and there was this brawl thing with the Pistons. And during that time I went back to Yu-Gi-Oh! so yeah. I just lost interest I guess.

Ah well, I was just remembering things.

-italktocarrotsticks

P.S. Have you guys noticed how unimportant the PBA is now compared to the UAAP?

A Peso's Worth

I was in Robinson's Galleria last Thursday waiting for my sisters to be dismissed from class. I was just there, walking around with nothing but a hundred pesos. It made me remember a long time ago, when that much money was worth more than it is now - when a bottle of cola worth 5 pesos was not smaller than my hand. I'd go to school and 20 pesos was good money for a meal. Of course this was in the province but I'm sure Manila wasn't as expensive as now before. Inflation rates have really caught up to people, especially people in the city. Diesel used to be around 15 pesos per liter. That was around 9 years ago. A hundred pesos of gas then was a week's worth of travel. Now you can't go to the mall in a car with a hundred pesos. I've never noticed the effects of a crisis this much - and for good reason. The world really is in a tight spot now.

Anyway, since I was in a mall with nothing to do for the next 30 minutes, I decided to see if I could get a good meal with a hundred pesos. The rules I set were simple, I had to buy a good amount of rice, ulam and a drink. I could buy anything no matter how cheap or unhealthy it was as long as it wouldn't killed me - oh yeah, and no freebies. ( ruled out them water stations) Anyway, after about 10 minutes of walking around the food court I came to a food shop named "Paotsin". It was a dumpling shop but more importantly they had a "dumpling rice" meal that cost 41 pesos - cheapest so far. As for the drink, I was about to buy Zesto (for those who don't know it's one of those juice drinks sold in tetra packs) from Mini Stop but I saw some new product I haven't seen before right beside it. It was named "Vitwater" and was some kind of cheap sports drink with words like "anti-oxidants" and "isotonic" on the label. It was selling for 14 pesos and was a bit bigger than the size of a C2 bottle. That solved the drink. Now for the taste-testing.

The Dumpling rice was served in a purple Styrofoam food container. It had 4 fried dumplings, (you get to choose which kind of dumpling) flavored rice and some kind of dumpling sauce. The dumplings were okay. They didn't taste to bad but weren't the best either. The rice was good (something like but not like java rice) and there was a pretty good amount. The sauce was really just soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi and that oily chilly sauce in Chinese restaurants put together. (It tasted good with the rice by the way) As for the Vitwater, well, if I had to describe it I'd say it tasted like a dilute gummy bear solution. (the kind of gummy bears you get in candy corner) It's wasn't bad but it takes some time to get used to.

All in all I spent 55 pesos. If you'd settle for free water you'd only have to spend 41 pesos. That's 123 pesos everyday if you ate out all the time. There are, of course, cheaper alternatives outside the mall. Cooking at home might be cheaper. There's also the sardines + rice from home formula. Real cheap. Anyway, it's good to know that somehow I think a fresh grad can still survive with a 10 k salary. That is, assuming he's living, electricity and water expenses don't go past 6 k. No vices allowed either. He'll probably die at forty with all the preservatives and bad stuff that comes with cheap food though. Ouch.

-italktocarrotsticks

A Good Look

Today was an easy day. We didn't have to pass any sort of homework and we didn't get too much homework either. I got to relax most of the day. It's been a while since that last happened. Also, today was, in the spirit of September, the birthday of Gabo and Kristina. We greeted Kristina when she walked in the classroom. and I tried to greet Gabo in the morning but he was already in class so yeah, tough luck. It had to wait till the afternoon. Lunch was fun though, and we were a lot more than we usually are since it was Gabo's birthday and all. Haha, we sang and stuff, and we also had "inuman at pulutan" (funchum and hello panda). The conversation was light and fun, and Gian even ate a piece of paper (Panda powers) dipped in orange juice to honor the birthday celebrant. It was a pretty fun lunch.

That lunch made me think a bit about how I've been going about my school. I've been saying that I hate school and that it was boring and a bunch of other stuff. I guess today I just realized that I don't have it so bad. I got my friends. Haha. I guess I should just be a bit more happy and stuff. Amma try that from now on. Happy birthday Gabo and Kristina.

-italktocarrotsticks

English 3 - A Social Science

English this year is a bit different than what it was the last few years. It's a whole year dedicated to literature. We have Indian Lit., Chinese Lit., Middle Eastern Lit., etc. It's practically Social Science. Anyway, today we read "Old Man who could move Mountains". It was a Chinese parable used by Mao Zedong to help rally up the Chinese to fight. It was a very unstable discussion that lead to well, communism. Our teacher, Ma'am Bernal started with Imperialism and then flaws of governments etc etc etc. Anyway, like I said, we ended up in communism. It was really more of some speech or speaker thing than an English class.

Sometime in the middle of the talk (I've decided I'll call it a talk) we ended in the subject of the Philippines and how it was doing. To say it short we're not doing so well. We've got HUGE inflation rates, a lot of poor people and a lot of corruption in the government. Ma'am goes on to explain that we're tied to the US which isn't doing too good right now so we're going down with them. Now to the main part of my post. She starts talking about the Filipinos and how the professionals just leave the country since it doesn't look like we're going anywhere anyway. She said that there was a pretty good chance that a lot of us we're going to leave the country. Then she talks about giving back to our country and tries to stir up some nationalistic spirit in us or something. To examine this point, lets look at statistics. (I think?) Like she said, a good number of us really are going out of the country. In fact, some will probably get scholarships abroad and stay out there. Some come back to try to serve their country but then really, as much as they want to they can't do anything with their expertise here. There aren't just too many things for a scientist to do here. Some professionals do get to stay here in the country and contribute though - mostly doctors and teachers. Teachers can definitely do something here. Our education is so bad that they decided to just compensate with homework. As for the doctors well, medicine makes money. And, people are willing to invest in medicine here in the Philippines so yeah, go figure. Be a doctor. Get rich and give back to your country - double whammy. There are some biologists who give back too. We have IRRI (did I spell that right?) but that's pretty much it. You graduate some other degree, your better suited for another country. It's really what happens so yeah, don't blame us please. Give us a good job we'll come back anytime.

As for me, well, I'm studying out of the country. And I'm not coming back - at least not right away. Like I said, not much opportunities here. That's why I'm staying out. I'm going to work my way up and get a name for myself as a scientist. I'm going to get money to do something. When that happens, that's when I'll come back. I'll come back and give myself a job. Set up some sort of Private DOST - yes, private. (I just don't trust the government yet) Make it into something that actually makes use of our scientists. It won't solve the whole lack-of-jobs-for-scientists-thing but hey, it's a start. So to all the young people reading this, you better make yourself into something science-y. Amma need you guys when I get back.(Old people can come too :D) And as for communism, I'll have to figure that one out later. One problem at a time. Sorry Ma'am. XD

-italktocarrotsticks

P.S. IRRI - International Rice Research Institute. It's now PhilRice I think. (or were they two different thing altogether?)
P.P.S.It's funny how we're the ones teaching other countries how to plant rice when we can't even make enough for ourselves.
P.P.P.S. I wonder if 30 years from now I look at this and laugh at myself XD. I totally hope not

Rains, rants, and something about a good story

I got to talk a bit with a friend of mine today since I stayed after we were dismissed in class. We were just there, in the front lobby, talking while listening to music from my phone's music player. There was something about OPM bands then and now, something about homework, something about food, something about coffee - something about almost anything. At some point we talk about how classes were NOT suspended despite the continuous rain we've been having. (really annoying) Anyway, we eventually changed our topic to how nice it'd be to just sit or lie down in some hammock in a vacation house in Tagaytay or Baguio, the sound of raindrops on the roof and the view of mountains full of trees, grayed by the rain - and how we had to do homework instead.

My friend, Gian, had to make a short story for Filipino, along with the other numerous things a Pisay "scholar" had to do, but this was what his particular concern then. See, we aren't the kind of people who like doing schoolwork. In fact, we usually just cram our homework like every other Pisay "scholar". But this one was different. It wasn't about the grade, it was ego. He wanted to make a good story and that was it. He was having a hard time thinking of a good plot though - a good, original and interesting plot. That made me think a bit about myself. What was I doing with my life - my own story? Yesterday another friend of mine asked me if I was going to U.P.. I said I most probably would then I asked why. He said he was thinking about going to U.P. or not. He was afraid that U.P. might just be like Pisay again. He wanted something more fun. That made me think a bit. Hey, wait a minute, if I do go to U.P. it'll be like Pisay all over again - all the homework and stress and boring stuff. Why don't I just go to an easier college and enjoy it. Then I remembered why. I had to remind myself that I wasn't in school to play. I was here to study as a "skolar ng bayan". I had a job to do. I'd be wasting taxpayers' money if I just loafed around in school.Now, there's nothing wrong with enjoying. That's part of it too, but its not everything.

Scholars, as cheezy as it sounds, we have a job to do. The future of our country is in our hands. We have to do it. If we didn't, then who would?

-italktocarrotsticks

Batch Lunch 2.0 - Gaby Day!

There are two places in the world where people forget Their differences and come together to be in peace with each other. One is a hospital, where the saying "misery loves company" is not just a saying, and the other is Gaby's birthday. (A.K.A Batch Lunch 2.0 or Gaby day featuring Nigel, Utanes and Macaraig. Haha) It's really funny how food brings people together. Like I said in a past post our batch has all different kind of people. We don't always get along, but today was different. Today was Gaby's birthday. So, in the spirit of birthdays and blowouts she brought food to school - a lot of food. There was spaghetti with really good sauce, (don't know why but it was good) Yellow Cab Pizza, (a must for any birthday) chocolate mousse cake (actually I'm not sure what it was but it was my favorite) and of course, soft drinks. Anyway, what happened was I was told that there's food in the front lobby so I go there and for the first time in a long time I see almost the whole batch, with all the cliques and stuff in the front lobby united in the spirit of Gaby day. Haha. So I was just there, eathing a lot of the chocolate mousse cake and talking with a bunch of people, etc etc. It was great. Also, it was Utanes' birthday as well as Nigel and Macaraig - a four way birthday. We could definitely use more of this kind of thing. A very happy birthday to the four of you and Kudos for the blowout Gaby!

-italktocarrotsticks

P.S. I guess everything is better with a Red Ribbon

The Talisman Unsealed

David Ples. Batch 2011. I - Garnet. II - Champaca.

I've honestly never really talked to the guy. He probably doesn't even know me. Still, I can't help but feel sorry for him. He's got a whole bunch of uhm, well, haters in my batch - batch 2010. I don't exactly know the details but what I do know is that this whole thing started as a writer's feud. See, when Ples was first year he got a book of his published, The Talisman Unsealed. And there's this other writer in our school who doesn't really like Ples. I will refer to this man as the Black Olive. Black Olive is A batch mate of mine. He's a writer just like Ples. Anyway, this feud continues on to the next year until finally something bad happens and Black Olive sort of goes out of bounds. It was around this time that I found out about this feud thing. Anyway, Ples goes to his LJ and vents his anger. This particular post is met with wide range of criticism, including but not limited too: consolation, strong advice, flame posts, profanity and human genitalia. Now some of you people out there may be used to these things on the web but I don't think Ples was. Now, for some reason, most of my batch has come together, put aside their differences to bring down the existence known as David Ples. This is absolutely outrageous.

My batch is a very mixed batch, we have people from all walks of life. This is probably one reason why my batch isn't always the most united one. But for a lot of us to come together for this one guy - and were not praising him, were *&^$% him - is amazing. Gah. This is just too much. It doesn't even matter if he really is annoying or something but no one deserves this kind of treatment. To be hated and ridiculed by a whole batch, and it isn't even the type that makes sense. It's a lot of times just his name + profanity. His book was even shown in front of the school in the Talent Show teaser by a band. Yeah, you said the book was good but anyone could tell you were saying something else. Well, maybe it isn't the guy. Maybe it really is the book. A classmate of mine brought it today (which is mainly the reason im blogging about this now) and I was able to read like the first few pages. I went a little past the first chapter and I guess it isn't the best book in the world. It's definitely below average for a published book. I've read like 2 of Ples' Inkwell works and comparing them to his book, I'd say he probably wrote it when he was eight or something. Still, this much for a bad book? Even Black Olive said it was too much. I guess all I want to say is that we really have to stop this guys. I know that we have our reasons for not liking the guy, and there's a general dislike of batch 2011 in 2010. But this is no reason to totally bury a guy and spit on him. (metaphor) I bet most of you have never even talked to the guy. Can't we just drop this whole thing and at least TRY to get along. Really, this is just immature. And to David Ples of II - Champaca '11, I guess its kinda late but I am really, really sorry. Not everyone in my batch unreasonably hates you. Although, you probably know that already.

-italktocarrotsticks

This Thing Called Life Has Sidequests

I talked to leftover mashed potatoes yesterday and well, I laughed a bit and cried a bit with what they had to say. I was classmates with these potatoes, I myself being a potato head, and we shared a lot with each other during elementary. In fact, one of those potatoes was my neighbor. We talked about everything in the past, and the stuff that happened to us while we were gone. After our elementary graduation it seems that both of them walked a bit farther than I have, or maybe just in a different path, it doesn't really matter. What I mean is well, haha, they've had a few ups and down getting into different relationships. Some good stuff of course but its just regret that's left now. I also got into a relationship myself, 2 in fact. It's been three years since then but still, there's always that small feeling of regret and guilt. 1 of those relationships was with one of my best friends. I guess we just kinda went along with puberty. Now that I look at it, all it did was destroy a friendship. The post-breakup was pretty painful too. We're friends now but still, there's always that awkwardness and stuff. It sucks. The really funny thing is, one of the potato heads I talked to went official with that same girl. Now they've broken up and he's going through the same thing I went through with her. Also, him, that girl and me were in the same barkada in gradeschool. Ouch. Ah well, at least we kept in touch with each other after gradeschool.

Now to today. It was okay, we had it easy since everyone just got out of the week-where-nothing-happens week. AKA Humanities week, affectionately known among its celebrants as inhumanities week. haha. Now we had P.E. today and My good vegetable friend King was kind enough to lend me his uniform since I left mine at home. After PE I go to the front lobby to enjoy the 50 min break before Chemistry. Here I talk to another vegetable, the easily excitable and very cheery Lima Bean. We talk then she tells me about how she's having problems with another Lima bean. It's a bit complicated so I won't go into this. Anyway, after thinking about all this I finally ask myself: Why do we try to get these things? I mean, don't we just have to to live? Why the heck to we complicate things when its so simple to just live. See, that's the thing, we can't just live. I guess its not really important to have all this. After all, they're just sidequests. We don't need to complete them to get to the last boss and beat him. This may be true, but it's in these little sidequests where you get the little spice of life. In every sidequest you get a new power, and in every sidestory you get to learn a bit more. It'd be really boring if we just leveled up all the time then defeated the boss. We people just really want something more than just living life. I guess I kinda want a side quest too. I'll just have to finish school first, haha. Message to other sidequesters out there: Well, get a good relationship with God first. Only he can make you feel truly complete and secure. Also, try to finish your studies first. Haha. But no, seriously.

-italktocarrotsticks

P.S. Keep Love Real :)