I'm going back to the night shift starting tonight. I'm feeling kinda blue that our training sessions already over. I was kinda getting the hang of going home by 1pm, though waking up at 3:30 in the morning is such a burden. And what could be more akin to masochistic self-flagellation than showering at 3:30 am??? Brrrrrrrr.... I still get goosebumps when I think about it.

Which reminds me... I recall a friend of mine, a Chinoy (Chinese-Filipino), who recounted his experience Taiwan. After he turned 25, he's been goin' to Taiwan to work there for 6 months (and go home only to return after three weeks of partying here). He could do that because he has Taiwanese citizenship. Anyway, he counts himself more Filipino than Taiwanese. He has said so many times. One time during winter, he took a shower at the start of his working day. Even with the heater on, the shower still spewed cold water. He was compelled to shower though (as all Filipinos are!), so he grit his teeth and proceeded to shower, shouting a plethora of invectives in Tagalog. He ate breakfast, got dressed and went out the door as usual. While he was locking the door to the condominium unit he shared with 4 other Chinoys, the next door neighbor braved a peek out of his door and called his attention. The guy asked with only his eyes visible through the small opening if my friend was in a fight with anybody in his unit. He answered with pride, "No, I was just taking a shower."

According to my friend, the Taiwanese don't take a shower before they go to work. They only bathe the night before. Seems strange to a Filipino like me, but I guess that's how things are in their part of the world.

Looks like I won't be sleeping days these next few days. I'm attending training sessions for a new function that the company's moving from the US. Guess we've proven our worth... or maybe our worth in dollars saved. Whatever it is, it'll be quite a challenge.

I'm actually more worried about coping with another thing -- the weather. I'm not used to all this sunlight when I go out on my breaks.

This is great news! The US-FCC recently ruled the voice calls from computer to computer are exempt from telecom rules. This will probably make the regular phone call rates cheaper. Competition has a way of making things cheaper for consumers. I just hope it'll be cheaper too for people calling the US from other countries.

I tend to agree wholeheartedly to the argument that you shouldn't fault technology for impropriety committed by unscrupulous individuals. Recently though, I'm been reading a lot of news stories that make me want to think otherwise. Here's one online... Use of In-Phone Cameras Prompts Bans.

You almost always tend to think you're relatively protected from all this. Until of course it happens to you or someone you know. I'm particularly paranoid now, knowing this kind of thing is being done for profit. Profit provides a motivation for people with resources to abuse technology.

Stereotypes can be a deceiving. I must admit that it was only out of curiosity that I clicked on the link for Hot Abercrombie Chick! on Bloggers recently-updated list. I must honestly say that as soon as the picture came up I was expecting another teenage blog littered with F words and everyday gripes about homework. Reading the entries made me feel such a boob for subscribing to that train of thought. Amanda writes a lot about philosophical and social issues. The blog is particularly heavy reading, if you're not in the mood to think. A wide range of issues are tackled in her blog, from welfare and gay marriages to abortion and Solipsism. The comments are just as stimulating to read, with lot of debates going on for particular issues. Anyway, check it out. Great read :-]

The last three nights at work have been excruciating. I was feeling off since Monday. By "off", I mean that i wasn't feeling well. I was lethargic, uncontrolably sleepy, even nauseated at times to the point I almost want to throw up. I went to the clinic a couple of times to monitor an unlikely culprit -- I had low blood pressure. I expected otherwise since I'm 20 pounds over my ideal weight.

Tuesday night, I had a BP of 100/80. The other night it was 100/70. Last night was better. My BP had gone up to 110/80, within the norm as doctors would have it. I'm a bit nervous though. I'm apprehensive that my blood pressure might seesaw from low to high.

The only reason for my current condition (that I could think of, that is) was my recent decision to return to my former eating pattern. I cut down on rice, eating only half a cup every meal. I eat oatmeal more often now. I recently increased my intake of graham crackers and wheat bread as well. Lack of sleep though is the most likely culprit. I haven't been getting much lately. The doctor's preliminary advice is to increase the frequency of my meals to keep my sugar up, more vitamins and a whole lot more sleep.

I feel so tired these days.

Hmmmm.... tried Amazon's wishlist just for the heck of it.

Click here to view my wish list.

It's gone! Like a minor miracle, my desire to smoke is gone. Hmmm... Am I destined to repeat a pattern here somewhere? Maybe. We all have our highs and lows. Must be the same for quitting. I hope I don't give in anytime soon. I hope I don't give in ever, for that matter.

This country's already in a financial glut and they're still in denial. The two leading candidates for the Philippine presidency are both unfit to lead this country! Unfortunately, the only candidate that could do this country some good is lagging behind in third place in recent surveys. If we're going the way Argentina did, might as well have it that way. Otherwise, the people of this country will never learn to vote for people with true conviction.

Been craving for coffee again. Grrrrr..... Took a few sips from my wife's cup yesterday morning. I might go overboard, so might as well take a few sips to stave off the craving.

Spaeking of coffee, have you ever wondered about the success of Starbucks? Everyone I talk to complains Starbucks charges way too much for their brew. Unfortrunately, they're the same ones that jump at the chance to go to one if they were anywhere near one. Or, they go to a few of the local places that charge around 10 cents lower that Starbucks. Still expensive, if you asked me.

I read an article from Motley Fool about the latte phenomenon that everyone else wants to cash in on. And while were talking joe, try to check out the Tall Latte Index.

I was eating breakfast during my break when I noticed they were playing an old movie I always missed on HBO. I watched it once several years ago and have not been able to watch it in full in the last couple of years. I saw Annette Benning with Warren Beatty and Katharine Hepburn. While the movie went on, I tried to recall the title and how it ended. My break ended and the movie was still winding down. I didn't get to see the end, nor was I able to remember it. I always get this gnawing feeling in me whenever I fail to recall something. Anyway, I eventually went to IMDB.com and rummaged through all the links on Annette Benning's filmography. Voila! I came upon Love Affair. I'll try to look for this film and watch it with the wifey. I can't recall the ending, but the movie stirred something in me that made me feel good. Must be my subconscious playing tricks on me again. I'll just have to find out how it ends the hard way, I guess.

Microsoft and SCO are each offering bounty for the capture of the author of "mydoom"..... Just proves payback can be a bitch.