Could've Been Yummy

Ok.

This has been happening for about three weeks already.

Everyday, at least twice.

I open my mouth and stick it in. Hmmm... it's soft, very soft, it's like eating Jell-Os; that you didn't even have to bite.

Yeah, it's good, isn't it?

Well, it could've been yummy.

Only, it's a toothbrush, not a Jell-O.

Effin' soft for a toothbrush... And it's not even cheap. Not even among those cheap brands.

FFF

Fridays Fly Fast!

Really!

I woke up early to plant some grapes on my Farm Town. Grapes can be harvested every four hours and I can plant and harvest a few times today since I didn't have any plans. It was that early that I read about Michael Jackson's demise at the internet. I said, "another hoax?" So I read some links and found out it was true. Funny how some people nowadays make fun of other people's death like a joke which they can just take back after. I would say that I am one of those people who was somehow affected and disagreed when they were all over his personal life with controversies here and there. Now that he is dead, I wouldn't be surprised that some of those people who bad-mouthed him are the same people praising him for his greatness. What a cruel world!

Anyway, after that came the once-in-two-weeks chore of getting my matress under the sun to get rid of Mr.&Mrs. Smith. But of course, not after we had our breakfast. "Sunning out" the matress has been a task since we were invaded by the presence of Mr.&Mrs Smith and I realized that this can also be a good practice as part of hygiene.

My room mate invited me to go with her at the City Center to buy an external disk drive for her son. So this is not a completey stay-at-home Friday. I wasn't surprised when I kept on hearing several stores playing Michael Jackson's songs. I was surprised though that I noticed and was in fact quite melancholic about it. When I heard "Black and White" playing on one of the electronic shops, it was like seeing him come alive on the tv screens [in black and white] dancing on some[thing that looks like the African saharas]. This is how I recall the song's MTV back in the 1980s.

It wasn't like I noticed that this Friday [like those past] is again about to finish. Another room mate of mine sighed as she called my name saying Friday's almost done.

P.S.

While we were out hailing for a cab under 1300H heat of the sun, I couldn't help but notice how hot it was. I didn't check how hot the temp would be today but it was freakin' hot! Then it was like I was waiting for the time when some clouds will hide the sun for a few seconds of shade. In our language, we call it "kulimlim" which is somewhere like cloudy. It was like I wanted to space travel and be in my country to have this moment. Oh well, I realized that this moment wouldn't come as I looked up and didn't see any clouds rushing in the sky like cars speeding up at the highway. And again, I was melancholic about home.

Oh well...

Lastly, I reminded a friend earlier this week that we are all given the same 24 hours a day when she whined about her busy days. But this time, I didn't want to tell this to myself since I also wish there could be more during Fridays - even just on Fridays.

Copy me on QRT.

In The Process

I tweeted/plurked yesterday that I didn't sleep well the other night because of a couple of Mr.&Mrs. Smiths for company. If you don't know who they are, you can read about it here. Well, this is the time that I do mind having them around more than ever. I am still in the process of getting over the book I just read - Duma Key - which was full of things that you can imagine, good and not-so-good and those-that-you-don't-want-to-imagine-at-all. So, I just plugged into my playlist till I dozed off to sleep [with about 2 hours left to wake-up time]. Oh well, I coped. That's good enough.

Last night, I slept with the lights on so that Mr.&Mrs.Smith couldn't visit me [as I did about a month ago; which worked]. But it turned out, it pissed off my room mate above my bed [yeah, bunk beds we have here] who couldn't sleep with lights on. Tough luck! I am still actually thinking about what to do tonight as of this writing - whether to leave the lights on or off or to put some Mr.&Mrs.Smiths on her bed to keep her awake like me. Nah! That would have been bad.

I woke up this morning with a 1-missed-call message. I checked the time: 12.43. Who the effin' hell will call me at that time? I was fast asleep by that time last night due to 2 nights of not-so-good sleep. So last night, my body's got no choice but to slumber. I really don't like it that much getting calls at these times and didn't pick up. It makes me kinda worried why call at this time. But I didn't call her that early since I know she's not a morning person. So, I called her at about the time that I am sure that she's up and working. She told me that she just thought of me because I haven't called her since she got back here last May 6 [or 7?]. Awwww.... I could've answered back, "That's sweet!" But instead, I told her, "Wow. How demanding given the fact that you didn't even call to tell me you were leaving at an earlier date."

She gave me some reasons but my mind drifted to something else as she spoke; which my mind normally does when I know for a fact that those were just excuses. Call it narrow but sometimes I ought to be this way. Then she got a call so we had to say goodbye. Told her to just give me a call when she's not too busy. Click! Call ended. Sad to say I am still in the process of letting it go. I don't know how long it will take. Some things are just not meant to let go just like that.

I was at the Knowledge Village this afternoon for some client's insurance. I can't tell you exactly where it is in Dubai. But I can tell you that it's between Jumeirah and Dubai Media City. The last time I've been here was I think last November [that was in Dubai Media City] with a friend for one of her important errands. This is one of the best places in Dubai. Neat houses, roads and all. I saw the Atlantis at some point while I was in the bus. I think I saw it also out of my client's window, but he himself couldn't confirm. This makes me think of what I've read on the book I've just started last night: It was funny how little things could be perfect and no one ever saw them (Blaze by Richard Bachman). I just said that maybe he isn't aware of it since it's the same thing for him everyday. Then he said he ought to check it one of these days. I replied with a smile.

I've been lagging on my GoogleReader so I decided to read some earlier [since I got home earlier]. I have been following a blog and I discovered a song about the Emirates. You can check it here. This one is from this blog here.

Attrition ++

I didn't go out the whole day. We were supposed to because we thought that the a/c maintenance schedule would take some time. But it was done within an hour so we just opted to stay home and read.

I was practically busy the whole week and am glad for that. I don't want to complain about anything right now. I am just happy with what I have. This is because as the sun sets and we are just about to whine about Friday being done, one of our room mates [the newest - who just moved in this month] was saying that she's just going to be here until the end of this month. She was told by their management that she will have to go on forced leave and that they will just be informed when she would be called again to come back here. She planned to go back home once the company gives her the go-signal and stay there until she is called back - if she ever will be.

Sad to say, this is a common thing these days. I wanted to say 'this is a common thing these days here in Dubai' but that would be limiting the scope. I was just with my GoogleReader earlier and read about unemployment rates rising in some other places. So, it's not right to say that it's only here.

Anyway...

I am still with the Duma Key. I can't wait to know what else is there to know. I want to know more about Elizabeth Eastlake and her family, or should I say Elizabeth Eastlake's and her family's secrets. I wrote on my book blog that I was nightmarish on a certain point; and this isn't the only time this happened to me when I read SK. He never fails to do that to me; never fails to amaze me. It's been so long since I have read a book by him; so long that I lost count as to how many years has it been. I know it's not too late catching up; considering that I've missed a lot of his books already.

More Hits

Apparently, I have observed during the past several weeks that my book blog here is having more hits than my blogs.

I don't really have anything against it, really. It's just that it was just an experiment; and I am kinda liking the result so far.

Because Twas A Good Read

Everything's kinda light lately. I am still excited about this one thing with our company although there was a bit change of plans. I do not want to pre-empt everything that's why that's all I am going to say for now.

Well, the good thing about yesterday was what I read on my Daily Dose. Some or many of you might have this, too, and it really pays to keep one every year. There was a poem there by John Newton.

The Kite

- John Newton

Were I but free, I'd take a flight

And pierce the clouds beyond their sight

But ah! Like a poor pris'ner bound

My string confines me near the ground.

The kite does finally manage to tug itself free, but instead of soaring higher in the sky, it crushes into the sea.

Then the commentator said; be careful of things that you let go, for they are the ones that might be holding you up.

I just think this is a very nice thing to ponder on. Especially during these times.

And another good poem.

I read this from the book 'The Duma Key' by Stephen King, which I am reading right now. Edgar Freemantle sometimes read books for Miss Elizabeth Eastlake and they both were teary-eyed [and I was, too... honestly!] as he read it to her. The title was never mentioned but the poem was written by Frank O'Hara. I am not sure whether this is just a part of the poem or this is the whole poem itself. But part or not, it's still all good.

Have you forgotten what we were like then

when we were still first rate

and the day came fat with an apple in its mouth

'it's no use worrying about time

but we did have a few tricks up our sleeves

and turned some sharp corners

'the whole pasture looked like our meal

we didn't need speedometers

we could manage cocktails out of ice and water'

'I wouldn't want to be faster

or greener than now if you were with me O you

were the best of all my days.'

Too Many, Too Little, Too Good

I wrote on my quicknote last night [or was it on twitter or plurk... lol] that I wasn't feeling well last night. Ugh! I hate it when I don't feel well on weekends. It's practically the only time that I have more time to read and stay on the internet on the same day. I ended up sleeping at around 8.30 [screams too early... SUCKS!] and doing water therapy. I also ended up waking up almost every hour just to pee and drink more water. But I am telling you, this is really effective because I am feeling well the next day. Well, I have to feel well. I promise a friend/room mate that we'll go to the mall today and I just can't revoke that. I am actually telling that to myself. hehehehe...

So, we had our breakfast early and went out just as scheduled. It was a good timing, too, since our room mate planned to clean our a/c and it's really going to be hot [as hell] to stay in the room.

One thing I hate about shopping for groceries in a mall that's kinda far away is that you will end up bringing so much and opting to ride the cab on your way back that you normally do by bus. Which means that you actually didn't save buying on on-sale items because of the fare. But even so, what I only look forward to that is the lunch we have with other friends and the fact that I can spend as much time as I like browsing for books to buy.

Which I did. Mimi had to leave at about 2.00 to meet her hubby at the other mall so I ended up alone and had my own time to shop for books. Jeesh! I have a long list. While on it, I thought: Too many books, too little time, too little money to buy them all. I initially picked up about four books and found some more that is on my list, but ended up buying just two because I felt like these two wouldn't be available for long. Actually, I found both books on this blog here and thought I'd give it a chance. Ulysses by James Joyce is something that I haven't seen on the stand since I've been browsing for books here. Right now, I only saw two copies [different editions] and I figured it might be gone by next month's pay. So I picked that one. The other one is Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano. I am afraid that this might be banned later on if I didn't get it now since it's a non-fiction book about the Mafia. I really can't tell you how much I wanted to include Stephen King's Bag of Bones, but I had to resist since I already have two [one is Duma Key which I am reading right now and the other one is Just After Sunset]. I bought both of this on sale so good enough for me!

If there is anything I didn't like about today, it's my migraine trying to push itself. So, since I am disappointed about my reading, I opted to try buying a pain reliever which I never believe would take it away. I went to the nearest cooperative supermarket to do the rest of my grocery and took a pack of Panadol. Oh my shit... it did work!!! That's why I am online now and can do my internet stuff. My bookshelf is updated, too.

So, it's been a good two-day-off weekend.

I am off to reading...

Copy me on QRT.

Need A Hand?

I know... We all thought this is only in the Philippines. I saw this posted on our gate the other day. Good thing I already captured it, because it was gone the very next day.

I swear no pun is intended. Just to show that it can also happen in other countries. Not only in the Philippines.

There'd be more...

Not LIke Any Other

• The past week has been toxic. Aside from the fact that I have been unusually busy, there is something unusual going on that I choose not to talk about at the moment. I think I'll reserve it later once everything has been resolved.

• But the main reason for my no-post week is the fact that I got effin' irritated with the connection. I don't know why it has been that bad that out of the four hours that I was online for each day, I spent like probably 45 minutes waiting for those websites to load on my system. I primarily thought that it might be my aging laptop that is having a hard time. But I got to talk to one friend of mine and she was also complaining of their connection at their place. So, logically, it's not my lafytofy but the connection itself. Well, today is a little impressive since it's been back to normal. And my Google Chrome experience is back again. Awesome speed really as compared to the explorer.

• My aborted move is really worth it. From that day that I decided not to move, I have been thankful. It's not that it could have been worse. It's the fact that I didn't have to make adjustments that may not even be worth it at all.

• I don't know about you but since the 4.0 has been out, I think opening Multiply is easier. So far, I am experiencing faster loading than it used to be. I do not have anything against the format. I will have to get myself familiar first with the features before I would be able to tell which is better - that's how it works for me. But so far, the experience has been positive; and I hope it stays that way.

• If you have been visiting every so often on my Mulitply page, you might have noticed that I integrated it with my Plurk updates but took it off after a few days. I would have let it stayed. But the thing is, some of the updates gets stocked on my page; updates that were a day or two old already. The thing is it should have been the present updates only that should show. I am giving them to correct this bug (if they ever correct it), but who needs it now that the "Quicknote" is there. The only thing I didn't like about Quicknote is that it doesn't show the time and date of the post, which I think should be better. Yes, it shows when you "View All" the quick notes, but not on the list itself.

• During the start of the week, I started with two more books, planning to double-read them since the one is classic and the other isn't. But the classic kinda bored me that I stopped and the other one was borrowed by a friend who I couldn't resist. Actually, she came in zooming to my desk looking for a good book and I am always glad when someone gets their wind for reading so I gave it right away. This left me to choose again on the several books that I bought on sale. Yes, you're right. I ended up picking up Stephen King again. Admittedly, I haven't touched anything Stephen King lately since I have this plan of exploring other authors. But man, when I started to read his book, I just realized how much I miss the guy's style. Again, this is not to compare. I have read a couple of books from entirely different authors and they indeed write as good; some are even better. But I just love the way he writes.

Comfort and Convenience

I guess I spoke too soon.

The move that I have been dreading didn't happen after all. I thought... and thought really hard. The thin line between comfort and convenience was almost invisible. But luckily I was able to at least see. I was able to settle all the issues and figured out a choice.

I know it would be convenient for me if I move to the other place. It's near my work and all. But the comfort I have here where I am at right now is still a big factor. It's hard to describe but it's an entirely different concept.

You might laugh at me on this but one of the main reasons why I chose to stay here is that there is a place where I can hang my towel to dry with air and sun. Honestly it was one of the deciding factors. It's quite important to me.