The past several weeks of goings-on was overpowering. There was the tricky timetable with the GA release prep for my EVM product crisscrossing my security admin tool tasks. The recognition of that missing piece at 3am almost a month ago even added insult to injury. To magnify the damage, my buddy and I swallowed hitches while waiting for my retention plan’s unit. And, the last blow was the unfortunate event in front of the Quirino Grandstand two Mondays ago. Sigh. When it rains, it pours. I’m just grateful to have those regular and unexpected longer runs. The weather has been considerate, and not even one instance of stabbing pain under my lower ribcage occurred while I was on the running track. Juggling Blue October, The Afters , and Joshua Radin in my iPod during my daily commute has been a nice extra reliever, too. I’m dying to pack up and start my weeklong vacation with my family.

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by the same author of The Missing Piece, courtesy of YouTube and TotoroSpirit.
“Corners wear off and shapes change.” *kugos*

by the poet, musician, writer Shel Silverstein, courtesy of YouTube and atheistonly.

We turned on the TV at around 430 AM (Manila time). They had already been playing the second half of the World Cup 2010 final match between Spain and Netherlands. The score was still nil-nil. The audience were motionless— all anticipating for one clean shot. Jersey number 10 Cesc Fabregas made a few attempts to score but to no avail. Actually, he almost did. The ball, unfortunately, was touched by the defender. At the 116th minute of the extra time, the Spaniards did it. Jersey number 6 Andrés Iniesta’s kick brought the team to its first World Cup title, breaking the hearts of the Dutch squad and followers. And the best part of that particular match— I was able to witness the goal. Hardly ever (which also happened to Brazil-Italy match during FIFA Confederations Cup last 2009). Wooot! Looks like Paul the Oracle Octopus‘s pick is right again. Marvelous.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain

Video courtesy of http://theoriginalwinger.com.

Today is quite a milestone. One of the most important dates granted to mankind. Well, this is just me talking. And that’s just my meek opinion. I have nothing much to say, really. Nothing fancy’s going on or ever happened. No such thing as “blown out of proportion”. Everything’s subtle— like a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly, like a small amount of water turning into clear ice cubes, like a 34-story skyscraper window cleaner stroking a squeegee against oversize glass panels at regular intervals. Like those kinds of weird analogies. Things are lingering, safe, calculated, handy, and, apparently, sublime. As I said, I have nothing much (I mean, nothing THAT much) to say. Bottom line— I dig what I have right now. In all honesty. And I suppose, the Hide and Seek entry in my playlist could fill the gap. I hope you have a reliable player installed; it’s just 4 minutes, more or less. But if you find the song dreary or lethargic, feel free to stop anytime.

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We’ve been regulars of the track for a couple of years (or so) now. It’s time to multiply the cadence— favoring cushioning. Having a neighborhood track, the Pandacan Linear Park, has pushed us to keep on running. We usually do our late afternoon and weekday sprints there. We also became frequenters of the Roxas Boulevard and CCP grounds, serving as a sound alternate trail. But since these two places are almost always crammed full on weekends, we diverted to Roxas Boulevard-Quirino Grandstand grounds circuit, which offers a good running surface and atmosphere. We usually hit the ground either as early as 5AM or near sundown, plus a combined 30-minute pre and post-run stretching. Trust us, the whole warm-up and cool-down routine brings magic.

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That quote by Heraclitus and the smudge on our right pointer fingers (and the other Filipinos’) have reinforced our belief that everything, every good damn thing must start at the highest seat in the government. Let’s face it, we cannot totally wipe out corruption— not in the next four to six years. But knowing that someone up there will be doing his part honorably is a huge thing.

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Here was Mr. Recreational Fisherman on a sizzling hot Monday midmorning, hoping for a good catch and release episode. Then, he got too involved in his line and reel that he brushed aside the salt water level reaching his boardshort’s lower side pocket. As soon as he returned to the coast he realized that he had his 4-month old Verzio mobile phone with him. Hmm… we charged it to experience all right. His official second dry run took place last April 5 in a nearby island called Brgy. Manguisoc, a short 10-minute boat ride from my town’s (Mercedes) fish port.