im suddenly imagining this eb of cc blog readers. first, it won't be many. the count of registered followers dont even make half of a hundred, so that should be manageable. and besides, there will probably be an attendance rate of 30% so im really talking about something intimate here.
id love to actually meet you, to personally thank you for giving time and effort to actually read this blog of mine. id probably even hug you!
the cocktails and pica-pica will be overflowing. dance music in the background. id be hopping from one table to the next, making sure you are all comfortable.
all this time, id be wearing a mask, still desperately trying to conceal my identity. harang ba?
if you met me face to face, is there something you would ask me or tell me? what would it be?
just finished rounds of beer with the help at the roof deck. i found it apt to 'inaugurate' the deck with some of the people who have helped me.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
a blessed feeling
i've always wanted to have a balcony or patio or terrace. i've always wanted to walk out to some outdoor area with plants and open space.
i like panoramic views. i could just stare at such scenes for hours.
i finally have one, one i could call my own. my new house includes a roof deck, accessible from the attic. even from the drawing stage, i was already so excited. i could already picture in my mind how it was going to turn out.
and as the house was being built, i was growing impatiently to see how that roof deck will come out. when there was finally access to the deck, in all its rawness, i had to get to it. despite the rickety steps, the dusty uneven cement floor, despite the absence of railings, i was able to reach it. and despite the not-so-nice view of rusty roofs in suburban manila, i was in heaven. it was my piece of sky, as lola barbra sings so well.
now it's almost done, just some lighting fixtures waiting to be installed. the grillwork for railings is waiting for potted plants. the tiled deck is ready for night caps and even parties.
i feel so blessed just staying there, taking in the cool december breeze. i feel such peace and serenity, looking at the lights of ortigas in one area, and makati in the other.
i wish i could share that deck with you, blogreaders...
i like panoramic views. i could just stare at such scenes for hours.
i finally have one, one i could call my own. my new house includes a roof deck, accessible from the attic. even from the drawing stage, i was already so excited. i could already picture in my mind how it was going to turn out.
and as the house was being built, i was growing impatiently to see how that roof deck will come out. when there was finally access to the deck, in all its rawness, i had to get to it. despite the rickety steps, the dusty uneven cement floor, despite the absence of railings, i was able to reach it. and despite the not-so-nice view of rusty roofs in suburban manila, i was in heaven. it was my piece of sky, as lola barbra sings so well.
now it's almost done, just some lighting fixtures waiting to be installed. the grillwork for railings is waiting for potted plants. the tiled deck is ready for night caps and even parties.
i feel so blessed just staying there, taking in the cool december breeze. i feel such peace and serenity, looking at the lights of ortigas in one area, and makati in the other.
i wish i could share that deck with you, blogreaders...
Monday, December 7, 2009
manila uli
glad to be back. i was getting a bit homesick there. and that was just six days out. i initially didnt want to go anymore. i have yet to fully enjoy my new office. im still building the new house. it was a heavy heart that left dec 1.
but a happy heart returned. im really glad i did make it. renewed bond with a friend/supplier there. i met him five years ago during my trip there. he was a stand out during the convention because he was really good looking, dapper and stylish, though quite vertically challenged. but he really had this gorgeous face, great smile. and we instantly hit it off. back then, he was the only one who bothered to show me the sights of mumbai. he eventually became a supplier and friend. because of our friendship, he has been to manila many times and has established business relationships here.
my initial attraction to him has waned greatly. though i catch myself looking at him and thinking to myself how handsome this guy really is. and how hopelessly straight. and how i remain in my li'l closet with him around. i dont know if he is slowly getting the hint about my plu nature. he still insists on us meeting girls (despite his marital status).
on our last day, he told us we were going to the beach area where there are factories to visit. he was going to bring his cousin. and cousin turned out to be H-O-T. he was buffed and oozing with sex appeal, dressed in straight jeans with a long-sleeve shirt tucked in to show off a great set of buns. my attraction quickly shifted to cousin. he even showed me pics of his well developed musculature (as he was admiring mine -choz). i had to be conscious of my actions around him. careful that the drool won't be noticed. meeting cousin became a high of that trip.
but this was a business trip. and productive it was. we managed to quickly build a network among the suppliers, all of whom were eager to show us the superior quality of their products, refuting that old notion of cheap, poor quality indian products. i hope that as we start our negotiations, we will be able to reach that compromise point. this is critical for the attainment of our strategic objectives.
needless to say. i will be going back to bombay. :)
but a happy heart returned. im really glad i did make it. renewed bond with a friend/supplier there. i met him five years ago during my trip there. he was a stand out during the convention because he was really good looking, dapper and stylish, though quite vertically challenged. but he really had this gorgeous face, great smile. and we instantly hit it off. back then, he was the only one who bothered to show me the sights of mumbai. he eventually became a supplier and friend. because of our friendship, he has been to manila many times and has established business relationships here.
my initial attraction to him has waned greatly. though i catch myself looking at him and thinking to myself how handsome this guy really is. and how hopelessly straight. and how i remain in my li'l closet with him around. i dont know if he is slowly getting the hint about my plu nature. he still insists on us meeting girls (despite his marital status).
on our last day, he told us we were going to the beach area where there are factories to visit. he was going to bring his cousin. and cousin turned out to be H-O-T. he was buffed and oozing with sex appeal, dressed in straight jeans with a long-sleeve shirt tucked in to show off a great set of buns. my attraction quickly shifted to cousin. he even showed me pics of his well developed musculature (as he was admiring mine -choz). i had to be conscious of my actions around him. careful that the drool won't be noticed. meeting cousin became a high of that trip.
but this was a business trip. and productive it was. we managed to quickly build a network among the suppliers, all of whom were eager to show us the superior quality of their products, refuting that old notion of cheap, poor quality indian products. i hope that as we start our negotiations, we will be able to reach that compromise point. this is critical for the attainment of our strategic objectives.
needless to say. i will be going back to bombay. :)
mumbai's industrial estates
the term conjures sprawling grounds with newly-built factories and warehouses, major enterprises needing huge capital investments. the one i visited was so far from that image. it was in a 5-storey building, surrounded by dusty, dirty shanties. inside were corridors that had condinium type units that house small and medium enterprises. one door opened to a four-color printing machine. another to rows of sewing machines. another to a confectionary packaging equipment. at first i was appalled at the squalid. walls were 'spit-painted'. then i realized that these estates housed the businesses that are driving the indian economy. even as the country had its billion dollar conglomerates, it fuels the machines of these SME's. unlike the philippine economy driven by the services sector, india is both manufacturing and services-based. that estate provides less capital-intensive real estate ideal for start-up mfg-based firms. amazing.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
almost sex: bombay version
writing this makes me feel a tad foolish. i've just blogged about not possibly encountering any hindu plu. then i work out at the posh health club. and as i walk out towards the lobby, still in my tank top and shorts, i encounter this cute, young employee, who had a ready smile, eager to open the glass doors for me.
what a cute smile. i walk out and glance back. did i just see him glance back, too??? so i stopped and slowed my steps. i look at him and see him glance back again, even as he moves away.
the unmistakeable look of sex. i slowly make a u-turn and follow him. he waits for me behind a pillar.
how are you, sir.
im good. thanks.
are you looking for the lift lobby?
ah yes... (tentative answer)
it's on the other side, sir.
ok. thanks. (embarrassed)
what's your room number?
its ****. (flushed at the openness)
ill go up there later.
aah. im sharing the room.
ok. go up the executive lounge and look for me.
i dont think i have access there.
go through the back entrance, the service entrance. if someone asks, just tell them you are lost.
see you. (he walks away. blows me a kiss. and disappears)
decision. decision. i can't risk looking really stupid 'getting lost' in the executive lounge. i'm so tempted. but i give it up. too much risk involved.
so i take it back. yeah, sa bawat gubat ay may ahas. :-)
what a cute smile. i walk out and glance back. did i just see him glance back, too??? so i stopped and slowed my steps. i look at him and see him glance back again, even as he moves away.
the unmistakeable look of sex. i slowly make a u-turn and follow him. he waits for me behind a pillar.
how are you, sir.
im good. thanks.
are you looking for the lift lobby?
ah yes... (tentative answer)
it's on the other side, sir.
ok. thanks. (embarrassed)
what's your room number?
its ****. (flushed at the openness)
ill go up there later.
aah. im sharing the room.
ok. go up the executive lounge and look for me.
i dont think i have access there.
go through the back entrance, the service entrance. if someone asks, just tell them you are lost.
see you. (he walks away. blows me a kiss. and disappears)
decision. decision. i can't risk looking really stupid 'getting lost' in the executive lounge. i'm so tempted. but i give it up. too much risk involved.
so i take it back. yeah, sa bawat gubat ay may ahas. :-)
back in bombay
it has been five years since my last trip here. the international airport has been renovated since. what used to be worse than the NAIA is now better. immigration, baggage handling has improved. notably, the smell in the air seemed better.
i got off to a good start. i met for the first time an fb friend in NAIA since he happens to work there. we've transitioned from fb chats to txt messages. and with this trip, it would be the perfect time to meet him. he looked a lot better in person, taller. and he was able to let me check-in without the queueing... straight to the business class counter! and pretty much, he stayed with me till boarding time.
so despite that horrible experience with posers a few months back, fb has found some redeeming value in my NAIA friend!
i'm re-reading this book on the plane, awareness by anthony de mello. this priest of indian descent has written very thought-provoking books mashing up catholicism, hindu mysticism, philosophy and psychology. the more famous books are actually all parables, short stories that need to be pondered.
this book im reading, awareness, is actually like a transcript of a retreat he gives on awareness and waking up. it was written, nay transcribed and edited by his colleague since he passed away 1987. very challenging viewpoints that reminded me of my beloved fabcasters. yes, he challenges ideas with the same bluntness (and care) of gibbs, mcvie, mgg, tony and aj. i cant even begin to understand the concepts.
if you're into that, pick up the book.
back to bombay... this is purely a business trip. i was trying to google some pink pleasures here but i stopped after reading that 'homosexual intercourse' remains illegal in most parts of the country! yikes.
ive met a lot of indians, south asians before. and i couldnt remember meeting anybody gay (as picked up by my gaydar). i guess it is because of their very sharp facial features (deep-set eyes, angular jaw, high-bridged noses) that make them look so ... male. the only gay indians i've seen are in the movies. so this trip will remain purely business.
i got off to a good start. i met for the first time an fb friend in NAIA since he happens to work there. we've transitioned from fb chats to txt messages. and with this trip, it would be the perfect time to meet him. he looked a lot better in person, taller. and he was able to let me check-in without the queueing... straight to the business class counter! and pretty much, he stayed with me till boarding time.
so despite that horrible experience with posers a few months back, fb has found some redeeming value in my NAIA friend!
i'm re-reading this book on the plane, awareness by anthony de mello. this priest of indian descent has written very thought-provoking books mashing up catholicism, hindu mysticism, philosophy and psychology. the more famous books are actually all parables, short stories that need to be pondered.
this book im reading, awareness, is actually like a transcript of a retreat he gives on awareness and waking up. it was written, nay transcribed and edited by his colleague since he passed away 1987. very challenging viewpoints that reminded me of my beloved fabcasters. yes, he challenges ideas with the same bluntness (and care) of gibbs, mcvie, mgg, tony and aj. i cant even begin to understand the concepts.
if you're into that, pick up the book.
back to bombay... this is purely a business trip. i was trying to google some pink pleasures here but i stopped after reading that 'homosexual intercourse' remains illegal in most parts of the country! yikes.
ive met a lot of indians, south asians before. and i couldnt remember meeting anybody gay (as picked up by my gaydar). i guess it is because of their very sharp facial features (deep-set eyes, angular jaw, high-bridged noses) that make them look so ... male. the only gay indians i've seen are in the movies. so this trip will remain purely business.
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