Sad day in the office. Annie, QA team lead, just filed her resignation. I was frankly caught off-guard by the situation, it happened so fast. I didn’t think she will be leaving soon. But it was a good experience for me to have worked with her, she has a full knowledge and grasp on her chosen field, she’s very professional (don’t want to elaborate on this one), and she is a good officemate and friend. God. We will miss her.

Gambatte Annie-san! Whatever your chosen path may be, I am sure happiness and satisfaction will be in your priority. Thanks for the memories.

Well, I finally watched Thank You for Smoking late last night, and it was among the good films I have watched lately.  After so much delay I finally managed to finished it.

Synopsis

The satire-driven movie is a story of a man named Nick Naylor who works as the chief lobbyist of the tobacco and cigarettes manufacturers. As the chief lobbyist and spokesman for them, he constantly spins the truth about the real effects of smoking at the same time trying to be a role model dad to his son. It centered upon how a man redeemed himself from a seemingly disgusting job thanks in part of his closeness with his only son.

Memorable Quotes

"You know the guy who can pick up any girl? I’m him. On crack. " - Nick Naylor
"If you can do cigarette, you can do anything" - Nick Naylor 

Opinion

After watching this movie you will get a realization just how much truth and lies are being thrown at you. The hard part is not about choosing the wrong one but the process of choosing which one.

One basic subtle message of the film is that of God being fair. He gives everyone the right to choose what’s wrong and bad, unlike some other powers in our society that thinks they are the guardians of truth, that what they say is the right one and resistance is futile.

Don’t settle for thruthiness! 

Definitely a very good movie. 4.5/5 stars

Last friday - me, Chester, Primo, Argie, and Eli - went to Mag:net Bar at Katipunan. It was our first time there, well except for Argie, he recommended the place. Basically Mag:net is an art gallery whose upper floor is used as a bar. There we met his painting buddy, the artist Manuel Ocampo (great guy btw). Argie also showcased his very abstract creation plastered in Mag:net’s wall - btw it was a box with a slice of bread inside. So we have a couple of drinks and after a while left the place to find some other cool places to hang out (oh geez, the real reason we left the place was because there was an entrance fee of 150 bucks if we want to listen to the bands, unfortunately for us we don’t have that much moolah).

After we went to Cafe a-go-go in Ortigas (i know the name connotes a naked lady dancing, but no). The place is quite cozy, with a simple ambience and cool sofa chairs. We just stayed there to eat and off we go to Decades (well some of us wanted to dance, except maybe Argie).

Next stop Decades. Well I just ordered 2 Cali’s and a water, mwahahahaha! I’m such a kid. Well what can I say I just recuperated  from fever. Well, we met Chester’s friend, Vanie, such a cool girl and never a party pooper. We also met Vanie’s new found friends, well actually they’re a daughter and mom tandem. Whew! First time I saw a mom and daughter inside a bar. Well in fairness to them, the mom doesn’t look like a mom and the daughter looks mature for her age. So we partied and danced and laughed til it was time to go home, around 5am I guess.

It was a fun night. *sigh* 

Last Tuesday, along Ayala Avenue, the bus I was riding met an accident. The side mirror of our bus was completely shattered along with the bumper of the other bus. The accident happened because the bus in front of us try to block a street which was supposed to be two-lane. So our bus tried to outmaneuver the other bus hoping to get some of the passengers. And boom! The accident happened. But for me it was really not a surprise, these buses think they are the king of the roads (goodbye Lawin for being the king of yore).

Moral of the story: Try not to be super aggressive, insensitive and arrogant or else accidents will happen.

I nearly collapsed (ok I’m exagerrating) when I found out that I have pharyngitis and not the dreaded mumps! For a second I almost cried and texted my girlfriend that I might be impotent for life! Whew what a relief that was! Turned out that it has the same symptoms as mumps such as ear-ache to the point that it is hard to swallow.

I immediately went to Makati Medical to have a check up, good thing I have a ValueCare card (ahh the joy of having HMO benefit), so everything was free (well the checkup). But my golly, medicines for pharyngitis are way too expensive. Five antibiotics cost me PHP 275 and 10 anti-inflammatory costs me around PHP 500. Good thing I still have money left.

Moral of the story: Don’t jump into conclusions and always have a spare money for medicines. 

I remembered a conversation I had with a taxi driver.

Driver: Sir, how old is your girlfriend?
Me: Ah, she’s only 20, I’m 24.
Driver: That’s good! At least she’s still young.
Me: Well, thanks. Does it matter?
Driver: Yes sir, I’m 39, and my wife is 38. But damn, she looks much older than I am!
Me: Really?
Driver: Yes sir. Because women mature faster than men. So look for a very young wife.

Well, thanks for the tip Mr. Driver.