Sunday, September 30, 2007
Week Past 09/24-09/30/07
Mon 09/24 was bloodletting day. Finally the right day to donate blood. Red Cross has been calling and sending cards with information on where and when they will be having their blood drive. I guess it shows on their record that I'am again eligible to give blood sometime August since my last donation. It was at the YMCA in Portland Ave where I used to work out. I did not make an appoinment so I came in ten minutes before their scheduled opening. It helped. I did not have to wait long even if there were three people already booked for the opening hour. But in any case I was with a reading material.
Early evening another thunderstorm passed by our area. Dark clouds, strong winds and heavy downpour. It lasted for about thirty minutes then its gone except for some drizzle and overcast skies. It may be short but if the winds are really damaging that's a loooong thirty minutes.
Sat 09/29 early evening, walking back towards our house as I took our mail after coming from work I saw five wild turkeys "strolling" in the woods in our backyard. First were the two deers . Then a beach ball (pic below) that looks incongruous in the woods. Strong winds brought about by the thunderstorm stranded this beach ball. A neighbor must be missing it.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Week Past 09/17-09/23/07
Fri 09/21 was my day off. Time to mow the lawn. This past week's thunderstorms and cool weather has been helping our lawn grow faster compared during the height of summer. The pest control guy from Rove also came for their quarterly pest treatment. I showed him what happened to the plants I planted at the back. My suspect are moles or gophers eating the leaves and worst the roots. I just hope they grow back next spring.
Fall and Baguio
Sun 09/23 is the start of the Fall season. The calendar states:"Autumn Begins". Not that I'm complaining but there are days when we're still hitting the 80's when it's dupposed to be in the 60's or 70's. Enjoy it while it lasts. I remember one TV station weather forecaster mentionig that this year may be a mild and less snow winter. He was referring to a 10 year trend. Again, I'm not complaining. It would be sweet if the temps would be constanttly in the 60's and 70's. Baguio residents, you don't know how lucky you are. A pity, lack of planning and good leadership is slowly "killing" (if its not dead yet) the city. It's natural resources are being depleted with its commercial developments. The city can only take in so much with very limited resources especially its water supply. The smell of pine trees as you start to ascend the zig-zag road is all but gone. Uncontrolled logging and kaingin farming is taking its toll. The salubrious climate or environment it was known for is a thing of the past. It was a joy to walk along Session Road now you can smell diesel fumes from vehicles clogging the street. It was the place to be during summer for its cool climate. Now you don't want to be there crammed with people and traffic gridlocked. I have many fond memories of the place. It is where W and I spent our honeymoon. Unfortunately the hotel (Hyatt Terraces Plaza) where we stayed fell victim to the tragic earthquake that occurred in 1990. It should have prodded the local officials to envision and implement an urban plan that would sustain the city's future growth and development on the way to its recovery. Seventeen years later, the city is groaning. It's overweight, it can't carry itself. But its lure to the lowlanders is still there albeit diminishing. I remember in the late 80's one Friday night while enjoying San Mig at Aberdeen Court's Cafe de Chine in Quezon Ave with three of my drinking buds. Out of the blue around 12:00 midnight we decided to drive up to Baguio. So we paid our bills and away we go. We reached Burnham Park around 4:00 am. It was chilly considering we were not dressed for the location. We parked and caught a shut eye then toured the city during the day. Afterwards we continued with our San Mig at Burnham then drove back to Manila later in the afternoon. The allure of Baguio. But even then, looking back, it was starting to wane.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Week Past 09/10-09/16/07
Tue 09/11 I had a hitchhiker on my way home. As I walked towards my car in the parking lot I noticed this guy standing at the corner of our store's gas station exit. I didn't give much attention. But as I was opening my door he approached and asked me if I'm heading towards 98th st. He looked harmless. This is where you realize how you react to unexpected situations. I could've told him I'm going the other way which is true because that's an alternate route. But then again I need to take 35W to go to Hi-Way 13 as I planned on going to Menard's to buy some pavers. That means taking 98th st. That influenced my decision to say yes and take him on board. But what if you are leery of the person...you have to think fast and say otherwise without hesitation or that person will see through you...I realized I can't tell a lie straight faced.
Finally Wed 09/12 after six years ex-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was given the
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Week Past 09/03-09/09/07
"Dragon's Blood" Finally they turned purple. It's called "Dragon's Blood" or Sedum Spurium .I planted these sometime April. When my parents visited us (June to Aug) my Dad kept on asking if the flowers would just remain green. I told him it's supposed to turn purple. But it was taking so long that I myself was having doubts. Then suddenly it turned purple. Alas my parents have gone back to LA missing the transformation. But the bees have been attracted to it.
Sat 09/08 after mass we tried out a new place (for us) : The Lake House Grill along Hi Way 13. A cozy restaurant. Food is good and tasty. I tried their pasta (forgot what its called in the menu) and W liked it after having a sample. She teased me that finally I ordered something that's tasty and not "weird". It happens that when we go to a new eating place I always try something different listed in the menu. W, more often than not, would comment after having a small portion: "Tastes weird". That's what its all about. To dare and venture into the unknown world of gastronomy. Brave a new path and go where no man has gone before...or should that be eat what you have not eaten or tasted before.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Week Past 08/27-09/02/07
Tue 08/28 another thunderstorm decided to pass by our area. Second time this month. Again hardest hit was Bloomington and Richfield. One of my co-worker had their neighbor's tree leaning in their backyard. Their power had been cut off. Tree service companies have their hands full. They're not done cleaning the "mess" from the previous storm and now new fallen trees and branches have been added. This time our store did not experience any power failure.
I'm not done planting. Since most of the nurseries are now discounted at 35%, W bought three "Tiger Eye" tree and moi planted them on Thu 08/30 . What "convinced" me to buy is its leaves changes color during the fall season from green to yellow to scarlet red and it's height when full grown is just about 6 feet. Two were planted at the back of the house and one in front for accent.
Tue 08/28 W decided to be added to my Lifetime Fitness membership. I signed her up Wed 08/29. It's good that she'll be doing physical exercise to complement her weight watchers diet. That would tone her muscle, improve her stamina and burn more calories. I hope she can sustain it. She easily gets bored working out at the gym. But I admire her for being able to stick on her diet program for months now. Pounds lost? about 20.
Sat 09/01 is the start of September for my "Week Past" blog entry. The "ber" months are here. I don't suppose they've started playing Christmas carols in Manila. I remember not so many years ago when radio stations, specially the AM's, immediately aired yule songs on 09/01. The reason they gave was so people would forget their problems and start having that "Christmas feeling". It might be an overkill but their intention was benevolent. Stores are different. They are now displaying "some" Christmas items mixed with Halloween goods. It's no different with playing Christmas carols but the intent is different. Hi ho Hi ho it's off to shop we go ...
