Millions of blogs.
Thousands of nominees.
151 finalists.
Thirty winners.

Bloggies 2006 is on, and the votes are in on the best blogs of the previous year. I'm making a point to visit all the blogs nominated, see what gets people to read them. I'd say I've only been to 5 percent of the blogs nominated (I'm a regular feeder off Engadget and BoingBoing), and I've never visited the personal blogs nominated. They seem interesting enough. And they seem to have fully transcended blogging as a medium for mass communication rather than a closed circle for private pleasures only. Got something to say? Blog it.

And if after you've examined the list, I'm sure you've wondered "Where are the Filipino blogs?" Well, they aren't on that list. They blog awards seems based on nominations, and I don't think this isn't a too known award-giving body yet. If you want to carry on the pursuit of Pinoy glory (a la Manny Pacquiao) in the world of blogs, then check out the Pinoy winners here.

I have been holding off posting here due to several reasons:

1. I've been contemplating moving to a new blog, or at least updating the design. I've always thought that the title to this present one sounded a bit too cheeseball. And though it conveys how I think and feel at times, well, I don't know what else. The title just sounds too corny.


2. I've been busy running around the city preparing for my trip which is this weekend (already!). I'm being sent to our main office in the US for some made up training. I say made up because I think they're sending me (and a fellow worker) so that they'll have a reason to tie me up with a contract. Which they did. Which I signed anyway. But just like in everything else, I refuse to dwell on the negative. Think of it this way, I have job security for the next two years. Now if I can only get that promotion...


3. I've suddenly had renewed my addiction to gaming, as I've been alternating playing Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and DotA. I've been looking for added ways to destress lately, and hearing my inner demons breathe collective sighs of relief after all my frustrations are vented out on the games.

And that's it. So hear I am again, sitting for the last 40 minutes trying to think of what to say next. What should I write? Manny Pacquiao demolishing Erik Morales like it was a mismatch? Kobe scoring 81 points in a game (ho-hum... *yawn*)? The Philippine budget deficit narrowing? Our neighbor's dog pooped on our front step yet again? What's the similarity between these topics? They're all good news, but they were expected. Except for the dog-pooping. So I'm happy for Manny and the Philippines and happy for Kobe and my Lakers, and hysterically laughing because my landlord will be breathing expletives again once he starts cleaning up the stuff the dog happily leaves for him everyday. I caught the dog doing it once, and I swear it was wagging its tail and smiling like he feels that my landlord appreciates what he does.

Incessant rambling.

I have to stop now because I am now telling stories about poop, and that's not always a good sign. They say all topics and conversations lead there anyway, so I'm gonna stop right here since it looks like I've accomplished that.

By the way, thanks Nina for reminding me that I had a blog to update. I know I have the power to write or rewrite anything here, but I'll stick with the poop stories. In order for us not to get grossed out, let's just pretend that this was a scientific study, something for the good of mankind.

Later.

I purposely held off making any resolutions at the start of the new year for fear that I might make my decisions in haste. I don't want to be the next person to so boldly declare to go to the gym more often, only to find myself buying a copy of my next favorite video game and develop a new passion for potato chips and soda, and becoming a couch potato and gain 200 pounds overnight. Not this year. These are to be tests of resolve, discipline, honesty, faith, trust. This year, I take my resolutions seriously.

So now I start my list a week into 2006.

LOSE WEIGHT. By a thin man's standards, I am now a lard of fat. At 160 pounds, I am overweight. By ALMOST 20 POUNDS. Every day my back aches from the extra weight and my shin bones always feel raw from supporting this, er, "bloated" body (I am still thin enough to fit two of me through doorways). Brrrr. My regular diet of burgers and fries is rearing its ugly head in the form of extra baggage at the sides of my belly. Bilbil, man. Bilbil. I not only suffer aesthetically, health has become a serious issue too. I recently had a nasty cold that kept me out of work for 2 days (good thing it started during my vacation -- if you can even call that a good thing.), I keep having headaches and I'm always sleepy which I think is the direct result of my unhealthy lifestyle. I take vitamins and drink fruit juices and try to get all the sun that I can, I still need a drastic change by laying off the grease. And it goes without saying that my second resolution is directly related to this one.

VISIT THE GYM AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. If it were possible to just stick a flaming torch to my side and burn all the fat away, I would. It seems that the healthier, and more fun way to achieve this goal is to work out (unfortunately this also requires a LOT more discipline.) with an honest-to-goodness, no-nonsense program/regimen. I religiously play basketball and badminton on the weekends, but they are not the total development and tone-down workouts that I need. In fact, if I can fit swimming in my schedule at least once a week, I would be on my way. I don't want bulging biceps, 6-pack abs, or firm buttocks. I just want a fit and trim physique I can confidently walk around with without trying to suck my stomach in every few seconds. My only problem is that my gym is a bit off my home-office route, but I guess that makes it the perfect gym to go to. By conditioning my mind to go out of my way to visit the gym, I instill discipline. Now for motivation, do you think I should put up an Arnold Schwarzenegger pin-up in my room? Too hardcore, I know. Probably also wouldn't sit well with my roommates.

SAVE MONEY for cripes sakes! You're not getting any younger; you're also not getting any richer. You don't have an inheritance, not a single square foot of land to stand on, no rice fields or orchards to grow old on or apples to munch on till your teeth rot and fall out. All you have are the clothes on your back and the few moths in your wallet. Grow up and get a life, a real one. Be more responsible and realize that there's a future to prepare for (though I've heard that this is one of the worst ways to die -- preparing for the future. Another would be while sitting down on the toilet reading a gentleman's magazine). Seriously, I have so many plans that are on hold right now because of a below-sea-level savings account. Right now I am making the effort on scrimping and saving. First, I set a target amount I wanted to save at the end of the year. Then I realized that it was a bit of a tall order, and since this is a first-time resolution (can you believe that??? I haven't even saved money before), I decided to set a target amount for 6 months and then go from there. Seems a bit more manageable.

That actually is the end of my list.

A pretty short one this year, but a lot more worthwhile, significant, and life-changing. I've decided to take things seriously this year, doing away with 'Eat less junk food' or 'Wear a different pair of socks for every day of each month' resolutions that just end up being scrapped in the first place. I mean, these things require NO or little resolve in accomplishing.

resolution - 1.resolving of something
the resolution of a difficulty.
2.decision
a firm decision to do something.

These probably sum it all up.

Inside the top drawer of my file cabinet at work, there is a Post-it note stuck to the side with the following question written down -- "What should I do with my life?" It is an everyday testament to the uncertainty this life treads that I acknowledge each day. Every time I open my drawer I see that Post-it note (I resisted the temptation of sticking it to the ceiling above my bed so I can see it every time I wake up. I think that's a bit too extreme.) I mentioned this bit of weakness so that I can acknowledge that at last I am making something of my life, 3 New Year’s resolutions at a time.

I completed 2005 spending time with friends and family, thus making the year fulfilling and more satisfying. It was like therapy, relieving me of the pressures of work and life in Manila. And it was also like a week-long nightly vigil (I barely slept), parties everywhere, reunions and get-togethers with almost everyone I know. And it's always good to come home to Cagayan de Oro once in a while. I'm happy to know that I will always have friends here, and that there is always a place to go home to.

The parties and get-togethers were fun and tiring. It's amazing how I can go on 19-hour days of activities sleep the 5 hours left to regain more strength and party the next day. Unfortunately I am paying for the lifestyle I embraced while in CDO -- for I am currently suffering from a very sore throat and colds.

It was great talking with friends again, catching up with each other's lives. And as usual, the topics of discussion are so amusing. Who's gayer? Who has kids? Who's seeing whom? Who's fatter and thinner? Who's working out? Who has kids? Who's married? Personally, I think every person (more notoriously, relatives) asked me if I was married or was getting married anytime soon. I usually dismiss each question with a perplexing look and a snort (maybe a little flaring of the nostrils). It's uncanny and a bit unsettling. But I guess it comes with age. I am now 25, and so the person next to me finds himself granted with the power to assume that I am now ready to get married, that is, if I haven't taken the plunge yet. Oh well. It's not worth raving about. I just find it a bit funny and somehow humanizing (because sometimes I feel like a robot). But it's annoying at times because some get judgemental, especially now that most marriages are the cause of, er, unintended "events." Baptism before marriage familiar? Quite so.

I am also glad I was able to spend time with my sisters. It makes me feel so proud now that they're living independently, taking care of the the expense, managing the household, all while studying and completing their Nursing degrees (they're pretty good at it, too.). I know they've worked so hard on their studies, sometimes staying up in the wee hours of the morning to study and do ward duty in the hospitals around Mindanao. I am proud that they've grown up so fast, and also grown so thin in the process. I hope to treat them to a vacation when they're done with their studies so they can replenish they're strength. Guys, don't forget to eat something, and for gosh sakes, get some sleep. Study hard and play hard. I love my sisters.

To all the people I wasn't able to spend time with or didn't even see while I was there, I'm really sorry. It was a case of "so little time, so much to do." I literally was running to and from events, trying to accomodate everyone. Apologies apologies apologies. I will be home again sometime soon, and I will remember to see you. :)

Till next time, CDO.