Sold the PC...Cheap

If you haven't seen me posting anything, there's a reason. Been trying to sell my PC for the past week or so. A buyer finally made and offer and I took it. She texted me a few days back and I remember feeling sad about it. I grow attached to things, really. Too much of that emotion thing going on. I proudly say that I build them (PCs) myself and they never break down. Now, I feel kind of odd that I'm selling a machine that I built for the satisfaction of it.

I used to always tell my wife that me building PCs is a "blood, sweat and a bucketful of tears" affair for me. I agonize over what parts to use and what functionalities to compromise for the sake of price. I do the research, I scour the shops, I haggle for the best prices, I take the parts home and roll up my sleeves. When building a machine, I am a reclusive hermit for at least half a day. I troubleshoot and test it the next day to ensure I have a stable machine. So to me that machine is a whole lot more than just the sum of its parts. It's time well-spent, learning and tinkering. It's me giving parts of myself. See, I told you I was too sentimental for my own good.

So lately, I've been setting it up over the last few days to her specifications and she'll be picking it up by Saturday. So, I'll be posting from internet cafe's for a while and Twittering from my mobile. See ya...

Did you hear about the hunger crisis?

Hi,

The world hunger crisis is all over the news this week. In just three years, the price of staple foods like wheat, corn and rice has almost doubled. If we don't do something soon, hundreds of thousands of people face starvation and a hundred million more could fall into extreme poverty.

I just took action with the ONE Campaign and you can too, here:

http://www.one.org/hungercrisis?rc=hctaf

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

"We are extending the said amount to you as a financial asistance. I cannot go beyound what was being given to you as an act of goodwill. Sir,please consider that the PSG escort vehicle sustained damages which would entail govt expenses. Hindi ka na nila hahabulin dito. Thus, I cannot in all sincerity bind the PSG to accept liability when we feel they are not at fault. The amount we have been extending to you is fair and reasonable." -

That was Atty. Noy Santiago replying to my appeal that they consider offering more than the Php15,000 they initially referred to as "assistance" for the Php45,000 worth of damages to the car. I don't know how to reply to this. :-(

An Open Letter

Subject: Help Fight AIDS, Malaria And TB

Hi,

I've just signed a petition asking senators to co-sponsor the reauthorization of PEPFAR, America's response to the emergency of global AIDS, malaria and TB.

ONE is trying to get fifty senators to co-sponsor this lifesaving legislation. You can help by adding your voice.

http://www.one.org/pepfarsenate

ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans - one by one. So far, over two million have joined ONE in support of a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world.

Together as ONE we can make a difference!

Thanks!

Damages

Here's a pic of what happened to the car...

Outpour of Support

Several of my fraternity brods sent text messages asking how we we're doing and offering help. My sister-in-law offered to call up a friend of hers who worked for the PNP Regional Command to help expedite the police's incident report. My brother-in-law, who worked for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, also visited us at home to see how we were. I was overwhelmed by the support they showed. I was overwhelmed by the fact that so many people cared about us. To them, my grateful thanks for lifting my spirits. I've been depressed since yesterday's incident :-(

Car Accident

This afternoon, I was involved in a traffic accident. I was about to turn the corner on our way home when a black SUV hit us head-on. Unfortunate for me, as the party that hit me was part of a convoy of PSG (Presidential Security Group) vehicles. They left the scene of the incident immediately, leaving me to fend off for myself and my family.

My wife was seated beside me was dazed but she had the presence of mind to check on our son immediately. My son was in the back seat and at first glance he had a bloody lip but no other obvious sign of injury. At the time of the accident, my concern was for my son. Never mind the wreck that the car was in. I was fortunate enough that several tricycle drivers at the scene helped us out. One of them brought my wife and son to the hospital. I stayed behind to see if law enforcement would respond to the accident.

A few minutes passed and a traffic investigator arrived. An attorney Santiago, representing Mikey Arroyo, also came by to talk to me. It turned out that the PSG convoy was escorting Mikey Arroyo to Clarkfield. After taking pictures, the kind policeman who came to investigate the accident gave me a ride to the city police station. I wrote up a sworn statement and left to go to AUF Medical Center to see how my wife and son were doing. When I got there, I asked the ER staff to examine me as well. All three of us had minor bruises. Luckily, we did not sustain any severe injuries.

We got home around 5PM. Attorney Santiago called shortly after and said he wanted to speak with me and his wife. He came by around 6PM and spoke to the two of us. Santiago brought along PSG Major Santos. They said they only wanted to see how we were doing so they could report back to their respective superiors. I saw that the kind lady major was genuine in her concern.

Santiago then took me aside and said that the PSG-JAGO (Judge Advocate General's Office) would be coordinating with the local police for a resolution. Depending on how the police report goes, he said the PSG might or might not decide to pay for property damage. He said he was not in a position to promise me any kind of settlement. But he also assured me that for his part (representing Mikey Arroyo, that is) he was open to helping me find a resolution through the Congressman. He gave his contact number and asked that I keep him updated on the medical check-ups and cost quotes for the damages to the car. I thanked him and we parted ways.

I only have but one worry left now. If the police rules the traffic incident against me, PSG-JAGO might sue me. Other people have gotten into trouble with them over other traffic accidents. I would hate to bear the brunt of no less than the military group responsible for the safety of the president herself. What a mess I am in :-(