Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!

An on the trail story.

I was on a mountain bike trail yesterday finishing my first single track run when I saw a bearded old man hopping along the trail like a carefree little girl, singing some kind of jolly song, stark naked! I stopped and called his attention to scare him away. There were kids going through the trails and I didn't think it to be a pleasant sight for the children.

Anyway, the old man was startled. I guess he did not expect anyone to see him. Kind of funny for him to think so since bikers come to ride this trail all the time, even on weekdays. He turned and ran towards the direction he came from.

At the end of my run, I saw a group of kids, the oldest no more than ten years of age, with a young lady milling around the jump tracks. I warned the lady of the old man, telling her where I saw him and in what direction he may be headed. She asked, if I thought the old man to be dangerous. I said no, but added that one never knows what he may be up to. She thanked me and advised her group of kids about the situation and told them to stay together. The kids looked intent and curious as she held their attention on the matter at hand.

As I rode away, I could hear the children chattering, asking questions. Maybe I shouldn't have told them about the naked old man. He looked harmless enough, but I was concerned about the effect he might have on the kids. I just hoped it didn't scare them.

After a few moments, I discovered that my concerns were all for naught as I heard one of the kids yelling in a loud clear voice:

"I want to go and see the naked old man!"

Keys

What doors they unlock?

Waiting for this kind of day.

Man enjoying the sun, watching boaters in Corona park pond.

Summer brings lazy days like this one - shirt off and a bottle of water to cool things down. Can't wait for days like this one.

Kahapon lang.

Narinig ko ang kapirasong himig ng isang awitin. Hindi ko mawari ang pangalan datapwat sumasabay ang isip ko sa pag-awit nito. Nawala ako sa aking kinalalagyan at naglakbay sa isang tag-init na kahapon: nakasakay sa bus papuntang Quiapo, manunood ng sine sa Avenida Rizal.

Nangangagat ang araw at nakapupuwing ang alikabok sa arangkada ng bus. Paparoon at paparito ang mga naglalakad sa bangketa, lahat abala at wari mo ay nagmamadali sa pupuntahan nila.

Sandali pala akong nakatulog. Dumalaw ang antok at sa tulong ng isang awitin ay sandaling bumalik ang isang saglit ng kahapon. Nalungkot ako, nais ko sanang maibalik ang dumaang panahon na hindi ko binigyan ng sapat na pansin at pasalamatan.

Pero, talaga naman ganyan, hinde ba. Ang ngayon ay laging lumilipas. Sa kinabukasan lang natin nare-realize na okay ang nangyari kahapon.

No more no less.

I have a long standing problem about our estate settlement. I try to put it behind me thinking that it will eventually work itself out. The value of the estate is not that much - really! What matters more is how it is worked.

People are just not being straightforward. Why? Why, well, because there is money involved, that's why. People act funny about anything and everything that involves money. There are no brothers, sisters, uncles, etc where money is involved.

But, it does not have to be this way. Some people just want their equal share, not more and not less. That is me. I am like some people. I just want what is justly mine, not more and not less.

Feb. 2010 NY blizzard!

Feb. 10, a dusting of snow turns to light flurries. Wind starting to pick up, but still quiet. Streets practically empty. No joggers nor dog walkers in the park. Why? It's kinda cold, that's why. Normally, dog walkers are out there, no matter what.

These shots were taken from my north window. Notice the white car: it gets covered with snow as the storm gets closer and stronger.

Click image to enlarge.

Below: my neighbor getting some equipment out; snow blower, pruner, etc to clear his sidewalk. My neighbor's pine tree broke a branch due to the heavy snow. By the time they finished working on it, the snow had started to cover my window as well.

Below: Images of the other side of the street, before and after a plow truck once over. Checkout the sidewalk with plowed snow.

Below: The following morning. It stopped snowing early morning and this is what the blizzard left. That there on the left is my neighbor's pickup truck. Front and right is my garage and the blueberry shrubs that are weighted down by the wet snow. The snow on the ground is a foot or so thick. A lot of work is waiting for me.

Boy Oh boy, I did a lot of shoveling(sorry no pics. There's no one to take them.): My driveway and the sidewalk. Tell you what, if you are looking to buy a house, think twice before getting a corner house. It's a lot of work, I tell you. A lot of work.

Ma-der Philippines.

Malapit na eleksyon sa Pilipinas. Marami ang umaasa na magkaroon ng panibagong palakad sa Gobyerno. Mayroon ding kaunti diyan ng nagwi-wish na manatili sa kapangyarihan ang kaslukuyang naninirahan sa Malacanang. Ang sabi nila, bakit pa palilipatin ito kung babalik rin naman pagdaan ng ilang buwan? Isa pa baka naman hindi na kailangan bumaba dahil kailangan magka martial law sa gulo ng panahon. Dagdag dito, na tiyak na magulo, kung hindi madisgrasya ang eleksyon. Hindi nga ba marami ng babala diyan na maraming pagkukulang sa preparasyon ang Comelec sa darating na halalan?

Kung sakali mang matuloy ang eleksyon, sino naman ang bobotohin mo? Sabi da, karamihan raw, kung hindi lahat ng tumatakbo ay magnanakaw. Yung isa sa top sa listahan, si Mr. C5, ay according to charges, ay nakapagnakaw na ng bilyun-bilyong piso. Paano nga naman pag nakaupo na? Sa gastos nito sa pagbili ng eleksyon at boto, parang vacuum cleaner ito humigop ng bawi.

Teka, yung anak ng dilaw movement, yung sikat ng araw na nagbigay liwanag sa mga sawi ng panahon ni super world war 2 hero. Number one siya sa SWS survey dati (pumatas na si Mr. C5). Siya kaya? May mga issue daw yan - binata at may kapatid na kerengkeng. Ano naman kung kerengkeng ang kapatid, e artista yun? E, basta raw, baka gawaing tambayan ng mga artista ang Malacanang. Paano e di paano na si Juan dela Cruz? Siempre, mahiyain yun, e di magtatatlong isip yun bago lumapit sa Malacanang. Aba e tahanan ng taumbayan yun, diba?

Si Erap kaya? Maherap kung si hErap. Dinadaan ng nga sa rap, di pa rin puwede.

Si Gibo? Ang tinaguriang: 'GMA's Interest Before Others' candidate. No can do!

Yun pang iba? Sa totoo lang pare-pareho silang lahat. Mas bulgar lang yung iba at ang ilan ay bistadong may record na ng katiwalian na alam mo ng di dapat botohin. Sa walo o siyam na tumatakbo, mayroon ng isa o dalawa na may totoong layunin para sa sambayanan, relatively. Suriing mabuti kung sino ang makapagbibigay ng bagong umaga sa ating bayan at mamamayan.

Isipin mo na kailangan ka ng bayan. Kailangan ng bayan ang tinig mo. Kailangan magsalita ka. Kailangan bumoto ka. Kailangan ka ni Ma-der Philippines.

Back to normal.

Tapos na Christmas holidays. Balik na sa dating gawi. And, just like last year, lets put to good use the Christmas presents we received. Yes, let's be thankful, too.

Actually, I did not get anything for Christmas this year. That's ok. However, I think I will give myself something. Wow, giving yourself a gift is the best. For one thing you know what you like and most likely you are more inclined to stretch the budget, right?

I will let you know how it goes. Maybe...