Tidbits

Nutcracker: Pleasant Hill Style
Shelby and Anthony are both participating again in this year’s Nutcracker dance performance. This is one of the events that we look forward to every year. Shelby has a big part in this year’s dance – she’ll be playing the Rat King, a part she auditioned for and was extremely happy to get. Anthony will be one of the party kids in the beginning of Act I. We’re really looking forward to watching them. The previous 2 years have been a real hoot! It’s so amusing to see the kids perform and they’re just all so funny for some reason. Anyway, we’re really proud of them. I’ll post some pictures after the event. That is if we’re allowed to take flash photography.

Dress Code
This subject got brought up again this week at the office. The Chronicle sales staff is expected to always wear appropriate business attire every day of the week. My boss is extremely hard-nosed about this especially. If you’re scheduled to meet with a client, you better wear a tie and dress professionally. It sounds “old school”, but I completely agree with him. I know we’re in the year 2006 and people are more laid back when it comes to dressing up at work. But, it does make a difference how people in the workplace look. If you dress in a professional manner and you’re well-groomed, you probably will act the part as well. This rule does not apply to everyone mind you. It really depends on what you do. However, some people go over the top. For example, flip-flops are never appropriate in the workplace, especially with men. Yes, I’ve seen it, and it’s nasty. Shirts with rips and tears, track suits, sweat pants, stretchy pants, and anything with leather (besides a jacket) should never be worn in an office environment. It’s just inappropriate and it basically cheapens the whole work atmosphere. I don’t know … maybe it’s just me, but I think that since we are the largest newspaper in Northern California, we should be proud of it and respect it by the way we dress.

Breaking Tradition
Since 2001, my brothers, some friends, and I have spent an afternoon in the city every year to go to the International Auto Show. It’s always been a great event. None of us are really in to cars, but we always find it neat to sit in cars we’re never going to own and to check out the new concept cars on display. Every year we went, until now. I guess traditions were meant to be broken. Instead of going to the auto show, we ended up having breakfast at Lisa’s & Daniel’s, watched a DVD, and shopped at Best Buy. The rest of the afternoon was mostly just sitting around, eating, and talking about stuff – topics ranged from farting in front of your significant other, to video games, to crazy folks in our family. Heck, I think that beats going to the auto show.
(On a side note, the breakfast was good, Lisa. I loved the turkey bacon!)

Dave Recommends:
MUSIC: Nothing Left to Lose by Matt Kearney
IN THEATERS: Happy Feet
DVD: This is Spinal Tap
YouTube: “Super Rad” by the Aquabats

Thanksgiving 2006

Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving this year was pretty much the same as the past few years. We spent the evening with friends and family at Auntie Liwanag’s place in Hercules. It was nice to see the Malabuyo clan all together again in one roof. It was just a month ago that we were all together for Phoebe’s wedding, but what can we say … we like to party.

There was definitely plenty of food (and wine) at this year’s dinner. There must have been 4 different lasagna’s, including Dee’s, and several different main courses – salmon, ribs, ham, shrimp, and of course, turkey. The boys were thankful for the food – it’s a tradition for us to stuff ourselves silly during the whole evening. We don’t do a sit-down dinner like most normal people do. We just keep on eating throughout the evening, because it’s more fun that way.

Perhaps the highlight of the night (besides the wine), was the Thanksgiving circle. Each of us had to say a few words of what we’re thankful for. The family had a lot to be thankful for this year: our health, continued financial successes, family events & weddings, new and rekindled relationships, food, shelter, etc … Looking back, it’s been an eventful and blessed year for all of us.

Photos: Thanksgiving 2006

Friday Mayhem
So, Dee convinced me that I join her on Friday morning to shop for early deals at the local retail stores. It’s what the news media likes to call, “Black Friday”.
We got up at 4:30 in the morning and got ready for a couple of hours of shopping. At 4:45, we arrived at Walmart and to our surprise there was already about 300 people standing in line waiting to get in. We waited patiently for the line to end but it never did. So, after 15 minutes of waiting out in the cold, we decided to try Target and Best Buy. Target was still closed at 5:30 so we drove to Best Buy. As we got closer to Best Buy, we noticed all the cars parked on the street several blocks down from the store. Just as we thought, there were absolutely no parking spaces left at Best Buy. Kohl’s was close by so we just decided to go there instead. Luckily, it wasn’t crowded there. We got a couple of things on sale, mainly clothing and gift accessories. Our next stop were Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Michael’s – again, no crowds. So, between 4:45 to 7:15, we ended up going to only 3 stores.

The only real reason I joined Dee this year for this shopping madness event was to satisfy my curiosity. I wanted to know what it was like the day after Thanksgiving. What I found out was pretty shocking. When it comes to bargains, people will pretty much do anything humanly possible to get the deals – even if it means camping out in front of a store and standing out in the cold. This morning was unreal, but it’s something that everyone would have to experience at least one time in their lives. I can safely say though that this will be the first and LAST Black Friday I will ever participate in. It’s a tradition I’d be happy to leave out of my calendar.

It's That Time Again?

Starbucks brought out their red cups and Christmas decorations a couple of weeks ago. You know what that means? It's the holiday season once again. It feels like it, too. The leaves are all over the pavement, it's getting colder outside - especially in the morning, and one of the biggest video game makers, Sony, released the much-anticipated PlayStation3. Last year, it was the XBox 360 that nerds all over the world went "ga ga" for. Yes, if you're one of those sorry fools who camped out in front of your local retail electronics store for a PS3, then you should be labled as a "nerd". Apparently, some of these nerds actually got robbed while they were standing in line. Sorry nerds, you deserved to get robbed and beaten. It sounds harsh, I know, but if you're dumb enough to camp out with strangers for a stupid game console, you deserve to get beaten ... beaten senseless! Nothing feels like the Christmas spirit than a nice bloody nose right before Thanksgiving.

And with that in mind, let's all try to enjoy the season. Happy (early) Holidays, everyone!

D&D's New Photos:

• Halloween
• Auntie Emily's Going Away Party
• Random Fall Photos

Rummy, Thanks for the Memories

Landslide

No, I’m not referring to the great song by Fleetwood Mac. “Landslide” is what most of the news networks are calling this last election that was dominated by the Democratic Party. Except here in California, of course, where Arnold will continue to be the Governator – which isn’t a bad thing considering he’s really done a great job in working with those outside his own party. Bipartisanship, what a noble concept! Besides the millions he wasted on the failed Special Election, I think he has done a fair job with what little he had to begin with.

The country was clearly sending a message on Tuesday. The message was, “we’re fed up and we’re not going to take it anymore”. The Democrats now have a HUGE responsibility. The nation has placed the ball on their hands and now we’ll wait and see how they can turn this disaster of a government around. Now that we have a balance in power, I truly believe that we have in place a better government. The president will be kept in check, and vice versa. Too much power is never a good thing, and the Republicans know that now. No political party in this country should ever push their values and their policies up the throat of the people without any opposition or any form of resistance. That’s how dictatorships start. And, don’t ever mess with the Constitution or the Geneva Convention – these are sacred and people get pissed when you try to redefine their meanings or take away their rights.

The president, the members of Congress, and the Senate have now been given another chance. They won’t solve our problems in 2 years, but you can do a lot in 2 years. George Bush, if he’s smart, should start being a “uniter” instead of being “the decider”. The Democrats, if they’re smart, should make every attempt to fix what’s broken. And it starts with Iraq. Americans are tired of the blame game – it’s time to just buck down and solve the key issues that’s plaguing the war and our country.

The real big upside from this week’s election, in my opinion, is the shock and confused reaction by the conservative TV and radio pundits. People like, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Bill O’Reilly, etc. were all in this state of “what the (bleep) happened”? It’s amazing how an election can bring these people back to earth. I’ve just about had it up to here with their arrogance and hypocrisy. To the American people, thank you for shutting them up … for now.

Tidbits

V for Vote
Today is Election Day. Go to the polls and vote. The U.S. has one of the lowest voter turn outs in every election – don’t be one of those people who don’t care. Democracy is a good thing. Cherish it while it’s still here.

Fashion Crime
The Marcos Family, once the most hated disease in the Philippines, is back in power and in the national spotlight. Ferdinand’s daughter is now a senator and will apparently also become a fashion designer along with her crazy mother, Imelda. Haven’t they tormented the Filipino people enough? How another Marcos was elected back in office is beyond me. Perhaps it goes to show how badly misinformed some people are in third-world countries. It’s such a shame that the same people who’ve tormented so many of their own countrymen are back trying to make money out of the fashion business which in reality acts as a “rubbing it in” insult to those in poverty. Reading the article in today’s newspaper made me so freakin’ angry. For the Philippine government to let this happen is even more irritating. Here’s a family who stole so much from poor people, spent millions on shoes and lavish clothes, and now they want to capitalize on their renewed sense of power by being entrepreneurs in the fashion business. Wake up, Filipinos! These thieves won’t stop. They got away with it once, and they’ll do it again.

You Call That a Sport?
It’s bad enough that ESPN and Fox Sports air poker tournaments on TV. Now, it’s gotten worse. I was flippin’ through the channels yesterday and lo and behold, they now have DOMINOES on TV too. Yes, folks – DOMINOES! What a joke! 4 out of shape men in their mid-40’s sitting at a table and looking at domino pieces is now considered a sport according to ESPN2. You should hear the commentary too. They talk like the players are actually showing some skills and athleticism. Dominoes on a sports channel … the world is coming to an end!

Dave Recommends:
MUSIC: Stars: The Best of 1992–2002 by The Cranberries
DVD: Nacho Libre
DVD: Mission Impossible III
YouTube: Nacho Sings

Election Madness

Mac’s recent post inspired me to voice out my opinion on this upcoming election. I already filled out my ballot and mailed it. Am I satisfied with my choices? For the most part, I’m happy with who and what I voted for. I think California really needs improvement in so many different areas. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that a change in leadership is necessary. We have Propositions laid out for us to vote on and some are really good ideas, but others are deeply flawed and expensive. I’ve done the research, I voted, and I’m happy with my choices. That’s really all that counts.

As far as the national picture goes, I believe that the Republicans need to go. They have done so little with the power and the time that was given to them. They’ve continued to support the President’s course in Iraq even though it’s clear that it’s failing. Scandals of corruption and sexual misconduct have tainted their reputation as being the “party of moral values”. We are told that we should be grateful that gas prices are low. Low compared to what? $2.35 a gallon is not what I expect when I hear “low gas prices”. Just look back 3 to 4 years and compare our gas prices then to now. The GOP prides itself as being tough on national security. Let’s not forget who was in charge when 9/11 happened. Let’s not forget who was in charge when Katrina hit New Orleans – if they can’t even respond to our citizens after a national disaster, then how can we rely on them the next time we get hit by terrorists? See, the problem with the Republican Party is that they have too much power. They believe that people should just follow them because they possess that power. They believe they can change laws and policies and people should just follow them. But is that what democracy is? Where’s the free exchange of ideas? Where’s the voice of the people? Where’s the democratic process? Wire tapping, torture, the Patriot Act, etc … we, the American people, were not given a voice regarding the implementation of these programs. And we’re the ones being affected by them.

I’m not writing this to convince you who to vote for next week. I’m just here to remind people that IT IS important for you to go out there and VOTE because it directly affects all of us. This country needs a major overhaul. The great thing about it, though, is that you have a voice whether you vote Republican, Democrat, or independent. I still believe in the process. It all counts. Vote for your future kids & grandkids. What kind of country do you want them to grow up in?