Married Life
My wife and I have been trying to settle down, but gosh darn it, there's a lot to do. Furniture and appliances to organize, expenditures and finances to plan, and lots of little details to deal with post-wedding...
Still, the gifts we've received and a couple of purchases have made things easier. One is the fridge, the other is the TV / DVD set. Woohoo! Now we gotta focus on getting stuff to make the kitchen a bit more manageable.
On another note, I STILL haven't finished my short story Gunsaddled. I have begun making my way through the Philippine Speculative Fiction Anthology, and have finished the Project Hero and Siglo: Passion anthologies. Good stuff, and will post my faves another time.
Merry Christmas to all!
Hawk and... Dove?
Just a short note: hectic work schedules and the wedding preparations are cutting down on my blogging time. However...
Kate and I were watching the Justice League Unlimited episodes I hadn't seen yet... and saw the episode "Hawk & Dove". The episode focused on two characters from DC Comics: super-powered brothers who held different views on life. Hawk tended to favor aggression and conflict to solve problems, while Dove was, predictably, more inclined towards peaceful methods. I've always felt that Dove had the weaker of the two names, always belonging to a tandem name set "Hawk and -".
When Kate heard the name of "Dove", she let out a yelp of disbelief.
"Dove? Did they say Dove?"
"Yes, why?"
Then in a voice full of astonishment and derision, she said "What does he do? Poop on people?"
Just a short note: hectic work schedules and the wedding preparations are cutting down on my blogging time. However...
Kate and I were watching the Justice League Unlimited episodes I hadn't seen yet... and saw the episode "Hawk & Dove". The episode focused on two characters from DC Comics: super-powered brothers who held different views on life. Hawk tended to favor aggression and conflict to solve problems, while Dove was, predictably, more inclined towards peaceful methods. I've always felt that Dove had the weaker of the two names, always belonging to a tandem name set "Hawk and -".
When Kate heard the name of "Dove", she let out a yelp of disbelief.
"Dove? Did they say Dove?"
"Yes, why?"
Then in a voice full of astonishment and derision, she said "What does he do? Poop on people?"
Prayers and Paperwork
The long process of getting my Catholic Wedding papers in order is still going on. It's become something of an adventure... an epic adventure.
It started innocently enough back in January when I discovered that all this wedding paperwork we were starting on had to be delayed. The required Baptismal Certificates and Confirmation Certificates must be stamped "For Marriage Purposes". They only issue one copy. Ever.
And the must be prepared 4 months before the wedding, otherwise they expire. Kate had already gotten hers; I hadn't.
Flashforward. We've already resolved that issue by having her documents reissued so they won't expire. Now it's my turn.
The parish that we're getting married in (located in Quezon City) doesn't accept my Confirmation Certificate. My second name is not on the document, but my middle name is. They require me to partially change my Confirmation Certificate. After losing my temper, I realize it doesn't get me anywhere. I ask if I need to re-do my Baptismal Certificate as well. They tell me only my Confirmation Certificate needs fixing. I take my Confirmation Certificate back to have it changed.
The parish where I was confirmed (located along Katipunan requires me to sign and submit an affidavit requesting changes. I have to go to the Chancery office (located in Cubao) to do it.
At the Chancery office, they tell me that I have to re-do my Baptismal Certificate as well. My FATHER's name is different from the NSO documents and from the Confirmation Certificate (it's a second name issue again). I lose my temper, but it resolves nothing. The plodding bureacracy doesn't believe my father is necessarily the same person. Though they agree that I am.
The parish where I was baptised (located in Makati) valiantly struggles to understand what has happened to me. They almost cause me despair when they indicate that they can't change what was set down in the books many years ago. They realize they're going to need prepare an affidavit to change my documents too and that's not a problem. What IS a problem is that I'm going to have to get the Confirmation Certificate that they released to me back from the parish we're getting married in (located in Quezon City).
When I return the document to them, they can prepare the affidavit and have me send it off to the Chancery Office of Manila (located in Intramuros) where it can be processed. Then I can give it back to the parish (located in Makati) so they can release the new Baptismal Certificate. Then I can bring it back to the Chancery Office of Cubao (located in Cubao) so that they can process the request. Then I can give it back to the parish where I was confirmed (located along Katipunan) and get my new Confirmation Certificate. ONLY THEN, can I give all these documents back to the parish where we're getting married (located in Quezon City).
*sigh*
The long process of getting my Catholic Wedding papers in order is still going on. It's become something of an adventure... an epic adventure.
It started innocently enough back in January when I discovered that all this wedding paperwork we were starting on had to be delayed. The required Baptismal Certificates and Confirmation Certificates must be stamped "For Marriage Purposes". They only issue one copy. Ever.
And the must be prepared 4 months before the wedding, otherwise they expire. Kate had already gotten hers; I hadn't.
Flashforward. We've already resolved that issue by having her documents reissued so they won't expire. Now it's my turn.
The parish that we're getting married in (located in Quezon City) doesn't accept my Confirmation Certificate. My second name is not on the document, but my middle name is. They require me to partially change my Confirmation Certificate. After losing my temper, I realize it doesn't get me anywhere. I ask if I need to re-do my Baptismal Certificate as well. They tell me only my Confirmation Certificate needs fixing. I take my Confirmation Certificate back to have it changed.
The parish where I was confirmed (located along Katipunan requires me to sign and submit an affidavit requesting changes. I have to go to the Chancery office (located in Cubao) to do it.
At the Chancery office, they tell me that I have to re-do my Baptismal Certificate as well. My FATHER's name is different from the NSO documents and from the Confirmation Certificate (it's a second name issue again). I lose my temper, but it resolves nothing. The plodding bureacracy doesn't believe my father is necessarily the same person. Though they agree that I am.
The parish where I was baptised (located in Makati) valiantly struggles to understand what has happened to me. They almost cause me despair when they indicate that they can't change what was set down in the books many years ago. They realize they're going to need prepare an affidavit to change my documents too and that's not a problem. What IS a problem is that I'm going to have to get the Confirmation Certificate that they released to me back from the parish we're getting married in (located in Quezon City).
When I return the document to them, they can prepare the affidavit and have me send it off to the Chancery Office of Manila (located in Intramuros) where it can be processed. Then I can give it back to the parish (located in Makati) so they can release the new Baptismal Certificate. Then I can bring it back to the Chancery Office of Cubao (located in Cubao) so that they can process the request. Then I can give it back to the parish where I was confirmed (located along Katipunan) and get my new Confirmation Certificate. ONLY THEN, can I give all these documents back to the parish where we're getting married (located in Quezon City).
*sigh*
Top 100 Songs Meme: 1990 [part 1]
- Hold On, Wilson Phillips - Pleasant listening and good KTV fodder... nice harmonies, now that i think of it. Sadly, it never really left a mark in my psyche as something significant.
- It Must Have Been Love, Roxette - Liked this song. Excellent for KTV if you can belt the refrain out.
- Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O'Connor - Ah, another angsty song. Loved Sinead's voice and delivery. Written by Prince, I think. The "2 U" bit gives it away.
- Poison, Bell Biv Devoe - Good dance tune. Catchy.
- Vogue, Madonna - Catchy lyrics and hook, but never really liked it.
- Vision Of Love, Mariah Carey - Uh? I lost interest in Mariah when her vocal acrobatics erased any sense of soul in her songs.
- Another Day In Paradise, Phil Collins - a social commentary song, meant to tug at the heartstrings. Felt forced to me, and a little bit too catchy in the hook department.
- Hold On, En Vogue - 1990 will forever be known as the year to HOLD ON. Another girl group (with some serious diva factor) sings a song with the same title. Liked this one more though.
- Cradle Of Love, Billy Idol - Uh, no. Very pop, not punk or rock at all.
- Blaze Of Glory, Jon Bon Jovi - Ah, I think of the Young Guns movie when I hear this... and always sing the refrain when I have to "shot down" my PC. In a Blaze of Glory. I liked this song, but knowing it was made for the movie makes me wince.
- Do Me!, Bell Biv Devoe - REALLY? 11th place? How come I don't remember it? And no thank you Bell, Biv and Devoe.
- How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, Michael Bolton - Excellent KTV fodder. And I actually had his album. It fed my angst during those years. Oh, the shame.
- Pump Up The Jam, Technotronic - Haha! Dance music. I enjoyed this one.
- Opposites Attract, Paula Abdul - I think of the dancing animated cat here, and remember them raving about how great it was. Didn't really like the vid. Or the song, now that I think about it.
- Escapade, Janet Jackson - Catchy and fun. Like.
- All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, Heart - I liked this song. Interesting refrain, given the context of the verses. I think that it caused a furor in the U.S. because of the storyline.
- Close To You, Maxi Priest - Uh? Was this a re-make of the "Why do birds" song?
- Black Velvet, Alannah Myles - I liked this song. She was a belter, and a sultry one at that.
- Release Me, Wilson Phillips - Similar reaction to the number 1 song.
- Don't Know Much, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville - nice vocal performance, but the tsismis regarding something goin' on between the two singers was more intriguing.
- All Around The World, Lisa Stansfield - I don't remember this.
- l Wanna Be Rich, Calloway - I don't want to remember this.
- I Remember You, Skid Row - Well, I don't remember you.
- Rub You The Right Way, Johnny Gill - Er... no thanks, Johnny.
- She Ain't Worth It, Glenn Medeiros Featuring Bobby Brown - When did these songs play on the radio?
- If Wishes Came True, Sweet Sensation - "..."
- The Power, Snap - Double "..."
- (Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection, Nelson - *scratches head*
- Love Will Lead You Back, Taylor Dayne - I know this one! Yehey! And it was one of those songs that sounded iffy on radio but probably rocked in person.
- Don't Wanna Fall In Love, Jane Child
- Two To Make It Right, Seduction
- Sending All My Love, Linear
- Unskinny Bop, Poison - I think Tom liked this one a lot. I don't remember it. Maybe if I heard the intro.
- Step By Step, New Kids On The Block - Corinne denies she ever liked them. I didn't like 'em at all. Thank god some of them tried their hands in other fields.
- Dangerous, Roxette - Not quite so memorable for me.
- We Didn't Start The Fire, Billy Joel - Yes, I liked the clever history lesson. I also liked the video.
- I Don't Have The Heart, James Ingram - You rock, James Ingram. Incredibly difficult to emulate the style and the soul of the singer.
- Downtown Train, Rod Stewart - I love the song, and I like the singer. Fed my angsty years too.
- Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson - Enjoyed this era of Janet! Plus, my sister says the dancing & choreography rules!
- I'll Be Your Everything, Tommy Page - Hm. I'll pass.
- Roam, B-52's - Fun song. Half-funky and half-anthemic for parties.
- Everything, Jody Watley - nah.
- Back To Life, Soul II Soul - I loved this song! Go, Soul II Soul! I wish I still had a copy of this.
- Here and Now, Luther Vandross - I remember I did like this song. Sad, yet optimistic.
- Alright, Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson ruled in the video for this! Along with all the other dancers from bygone eras.
- Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice - Stop! Collaborate and LISTEN! Or something like that. Should Karaoke this with Vinnie sometime.
- Blame It On The Rain, Milli Vanilli - catchy song, sad performers.
- Have You Seen Her, M.C. Hammer - the downward slide began here.
- With Every Beat Of My Heart, Taylor Dayne - Why isn't this higher up?
- Come Back To Me, Janet Jackson - uh... isn't this a church song?
CraftWatch: Another Open Call for Submissions
It's currently titled A Time for Dragons: An Anthology of Philippine Draconic Fiction.
Check out the link here.
I guess it's time to sharpen my pencils again.
It's currently titled A Time for Dragons: An Anthology of Philippine Draconic Fiction.
Check out the link here.
I guess it's time to sharpen my pencils again.
HobbyWatch: Keep your eyes peeled for... Shining Gold!
Ner has told me that he's just gotten copies of a comic book he did the art for.
From what I can piece together, it appears to be a story set in the comic book "Golden Age", and concerns a whole bunch of mystery men who fought in that era.
But no one remembers them.
Why?
I guess we'll find out when this comic book gets released.
Ner has told me that he's just gotten copies of a comic book he did the art for.From what I can piece together, it appears to be a story set in the comic book "Golden Age", and concerns a whole bunch of mystery men who fought in that era.
But no one remembers them.
Why?
I guess we'll find out when this comic book gets released.
I Think I Think, Therefore I Think I Am: An Evolution of Thought
I believe it was only in high school that I chose to "think my way through school". In grade school, I think I relied on my natural intelligence and what meager memory skills I had to get through school. I don't remember being particularly cunning during that time, and seemed to have been content with doing what I'd always done to get through school: paid attention in class, memorize what I could, anything that escaped me... well, tough.
When I had to study, I basically did more of the same. My parents started introducing me to other ways of studying of course, but I never really thought much about it. Drills and lists of stuff to memorize were cool.
I don't have recollection of consciously puzzling things out when I was younger. The closest I can remember was being pilosopo, and being fond of riddles. However, even these were examples of my fondness of the literal meanings of words and often exaggerated my inability to comprehend that conversations often held meanings beneath their literal topics of conversation.
Strangely enough, my hobbies excercised this "thinking" thing. Choose your own adventure books, figuring out how RPGs worked, games like chess, and puzzles like Rubik's Cube. I do seem to remember that I actually learned to reason things about by asking other people how they figured things out and then tried to follow similar paths of logic.
In high school, I took A.P. English, and the instruction and drills we endured in analyzing poetry and short stories really helped hone that critical factor in this brain of mine. However, I had already been prepared by Onofre Pagsanghan's method of reading... identify MP's (memorable passages) and be ready to quote and explain each one of them.
Around this time, I drifted into a group of gamers who were pretty sharp themselves. These guys were, on the whole, tactically sharp, had a wide range of interests that overlapped with mine, and were fond of wordplay, puzzles, political and social commentary.
I'm sure there were other factors, but I credit some of my current habits in thinking to these influences. It IS an evolution, because I can remember terrible habits that I acquired then dropped later on.
The worst of these was accepting that I couldn't figure something out without first figuring out why. I would give up without really trying. I would make excuses that a child could poke holes through. This habit still raises its terrible seven-headed visage from time to time.
THINK! THINK! THINK!
I believe it was only in high school that I chose to "think my way through school". In grade school, I think I relied on my natural intelligence and what meager memory skills I had to get through school. I don't remember being particularly cunning during that time, and seemed to have been content with doing what I'd always done to get through school: paid attention in class, memorize what I could, anything that escaped me... well, tough.
When I had to study, I basically did more of the same. My parents started introducing me to other ways of studying of course, but I never really thought much about it. Drills and lists of stuff to memorize were cool.
I don't have recollection of consciously puzzling things out when I was younger. The closest I can remember was being pilosopo, and being fond of riddles. However, even these were examples of my fondness of the literal meanings of words and often exaggerated my inability to comprehend that conversations often held meanings beneath their literal topics of conversation.
Strangely enough, my hobbies excercised this "thinking" thing. Choose your own adventure books, figuring out how RPGs worked, games like chess, and puzzles like Rubik's Cube. I do seem to remember that I actually learned to reason things about by asking other people how they figured things out and then tried to follow similar paths of logic.
In high school, I took A.P. English, and the instruction and drills we endured in analyzing poetry and short stories really helped hone that critical factor in this brain of mine. However, I had already been prepared by Onofre Pagsanghan's method of reading... identify MP's (memorable passages) and be ready to quote and explain each one of them.
Around this time, I drifted into a group of gamers who were pretty sharp themselves. These guys were, on the whole, tactically sharp, had a wide range of interests that overlapped with mine, and were fond of wordplay, puzzles, political and social commentary.
I'm sure there were other factors, but I credit some of my current habits in thinking to these influences. It IS an evolution, because I can remember terrible habits that I acquired then dropped later on.
The worst of these was accepting that I couldn't figure something out without first figuring out why. I would give up without really trying. I would make excuses that a child could poke holes through. This habit still raises its terrible seven-headed visage from time to time.
THINK! THINK! THINK!
Palanca Virgin
So that's what Palanca night is like.
Never been to one before, you see. Wow, it's a posh affair (sorta). It's got good food, bottomless drinks, and lots of literary people there.
I got to watch my friends Dean & Nikki Alfar get their awards. I got to listen to poetry and listen to a funny one-act play. I got to meet up with Chris Millado, an old acquaintance from San Francisco and the theater group I used to belong to there...
I got to wonder along with my beloved Kate what we'd have to do to get ourselves one of those neat awards next year.
Sadly, I don't know much about the local literary scene. Dean & Nikki and Andrew and Vinnie seemed to know everyone and their works, while I was in the dark as to who was being applauded and so on and so forth.
Time to start, I guess.
So that's what Palanca night is like.
Never been to one before, you see. Wow, it's a posh affair (sorta). It's got good food, bottomless drinks, and lots of literary people there.
I got to watch my friends Dean & Nikki Alfar get their awards. I got to listen to poetry and listen to a funny one-act play. I got to meet up with Chris Millado, an old acquaintance from San Francisco and the theater group I used to belong to there...
I got to wonder along with my beloved Kate what we'd have to do to get ourselves one of those neat awards next year.
Sadly, I don't know much about the local literary scene. Dean & Nikki and Andrew and Vinnie seemed to know everyone and their works, while I was in the dark as to who was being applauded and so on and so forth.
Time to start, I guess.
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