Man with a Golden Voice: A Case of Second Chance

The video speaks for itself:

The Pursuit of a Stress-Free Life

Stress-free life is as elusive as any other ideals. Ironically, it is also stressful to pursue it. In fact if you have considered living alone like a hermit, you will realize that it is more stressful than having people you hate around you. If you have watched Tom Hanks in his movie flick, "CASTAWAY" you will immediately nod in agreement with me there. Spending alone from time to time is good, but living alone in an isolated hideaway is stressful than you can imagine.

How does one live a stress-free life? You will see, that many offer a plethora of solutions. I will not add to that.

However, there is one advice worth noting though – acceptance. This means, looking at your own realities as objectively as possible, and accept the facts at hand. On the other hand, this does not necessarily mean surrendering yourself to the circumstance/s. It simply means that problems exist; bad things happen to good people, and some things are beyond your control. Acceptance of these realities allows you to find solutions, create possibilities, and hope for something better.

A stress-free life is always concern about the present, the now. It looks at situations with an objective eye, accepts that particular reality, and does something to change it –now. There is no dilly-dallying. You face life head on.

It's not easy, I know. However, acceptance is always the best step to take if you want to live a stress-free life.

The Game Called Life – How far can you raise your stakes?

Life is a gamble where
Where you search and you ramble
And you try for the high that will help to see you through
Life is a gamble and so if you can handle
The uncertainty of tomorrow with me, Today I'll bet on you ~from “Life is a Gamble” words and music by Bobby Cochran and Harry Garfield

I do not gamble because of two reasons: one, I hate losing on things of which I have no control of, and two, because gambling is a game of chance. I tried online once, a couple of years ago at the urging of a friend and the lure of online casino bonuses for grab…and I lose. I never played since; although I love watching poker games live. I love the tension heaping when the stakes are higher, and how the players try to read each other’s hands and expression. Then one by one, the players starts conceding until only a pair left. This is the climax. This is where silence grips the room until the last card was drawn –win or lose but winner takes all.

Life can be like that if we take it as a game of chance. Yeah, there are decisions where you take risks, gamble, and let fate. But on a day to day basis, life should be lived with a purpose, not by chance. When your future is at stake, you don’t just gamble it away. You plan, prepare, and take calculated steps to win until the end. You don’t relegate it to chance.

Alright, enough of the allegory and the reflection.

On the side:

Should you have the opportunity to try any online casino games, take these two-nugget advice before you throw your money away (or your life savings away):

1. Play only on legitimate online casinos. However, if you are a novice like me, how can you tell between the real mackoy and scams? If you want an assurance that you will be entering a legitimate den, consult Online Casino Gold List. This site provide the essential information you need about legitimate online casinos, games, software, and bookings. The information you glean from them were meant to protect you from illegal gambling scams proliferating on the net. So in effect, what you get is an assurance that you will be playing with a certified host and a guarantee that your needs and concerns will be properly addressed.

2. Play only those recommended games. The first was ensuring that you join the legit. Here, you want ensure that you play on those games recommended by other players like you. In this case, ProudlyCasino.com would be a good resource. What they actually do is sip through a plethora of available online games, and create a list of those sites which players have rated, so that you are assured of a fun and worthwhile playing experience. More, they also do background investigation so that you will be guaranteed of a legit host.

Why I buy 2 pairs of shoes every other year?

I don’t collect shoes. But I know some do. Beginning from my mom, my sister, my ex-wife and a couple of my ex-girlfriends. Okay, don’t take me wrong if I have obviously mentioned the women who were (some once) dear to me.

I am the type who typically buys shoes every other year. Yeah, you read it right; I buy shoes every other year. I have a pair of running shoes and a pair of sneakers that I actually bought more than 5 years ago. And I am not likely to buy new pairs of those in the next couple of years. They are still in good condition, and still serve my purpose well.

On the other hand, I buy 2 pairs of ‘business’ shoes every other year. I usually go for comfort, durability, and the least, on style. Although you enjoy a more comfortable pair of shoes after a month of wearing them everyday, or sometimes longer. Like Mr. Obama, I still prefer wearing a pair with worn-out soles because they are comfortable.

Price has never been an issue for me, because I save money for this once every 2 years buying affair. You may ask, why 2 pairs? Oh, because I try to wear them alternately. And I call them my 'business' shoes or working shoes, because these are the pairs that I wear everyday going about my business. I would even refer to them as my business partners. Yeah, I do.

An old mentor of mine during my days as a salesman (by the way, I still do some selling these days, otherwise, I will run out of clients) told me that you can easily qualify a client who has the capability and authority to buy by looking at what shoes they are wearing. I took him seriously, and proved him to be right at 7 over 10 batting averages. Meaning, I was able to accurately qualify 7 decision makers or bonafide buyers out 10 potential clients who walked in our sales showroom or whom I called on their offices. Hence, since then, I have always invested on the best shoes I can afford so that I project a credible, and sometimes commanding, impression.

That’s my shoes story? What’s yours?

By the way, you might want to check-out this online shoes buying guide. Many thanks.

The Angst of Falling in Line

You cannot probably blame me, but in today’s world of ‘instant’ anything, queuing in a long line is exasperating at times. To add to your frustrations, there seems to be some people who made it a habit to ignore barricades and stanchions to keep everyone on the line. Call this ranting, yeah. From time to time, a post like this is necessary.

I’ve been to a concert lately, and if not for the thrill, sensation, and the fun that the band promised and satisfyingly delivered, I’d rate the concert as an epic fail in terms of crowd control. Well, I must admit that in concerts, the blast of the loudspeakers, the crowd, and the music itself is electrifying. But entering the venue is another thing.

A velvet rope is supposed to tell you people that there is a need to fall in line. But unfortunately, for some, it’s “who cares? I wanna get in now!” attitude seems to be the rule. When people ignore simple things like this, anarchy and chaos follow.

Our attitude about and what we do when waiting on or falling in line is required actually reflects how we behave in society in general.

We wait in line not only because it is in order, but because it is for the greater good. We wait in line because; we are specie that values law and order. We wait in line because we respect others and we value their rights.

‘Tis the Holiday Season Again

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together. ~Garrison Keillor

I know that I am sounding the bell too early.

Can’t help it, we are already half-way down September. And before you knew it, the holiday shopping rush starts. To top it all, my list has grown longer.

Nah, I am not complaining here. It’s just that, the holiday that used to be an exciting and festive season, has now turned into an obligation of sort –gifts to buy and holiday cards to send. Worse, for some, the recession makes any form of celebration no affordable. Of course, celebration need not be lavish, and we always celebrate in simpler and inexpensive ways.

Fact is, in the Christendom Christmas is indeed ‘compulsory’. For the right reason, it must. It is the birth of Christianity. “Peace on earth and Goodwill to all men” is a resounding message that is worth commemorating repeatedly. We need to be reminded. We always forget. Just look around you.

I am not trying to be preachy here. I just want to sound off something that we tend to neglect. I how this time may we be reminded that "'tis the season to be jolly."

You Reap What You Sow | An Act of Kindness Repaid in Full

You have probably heard it a thousand times, “You reap what you sow”. In other religion or faith, they call it ‘Karma.’ But more often, we associate this maxim or principle (if you will) to ‘negative effects or repercussions.’ Actually, it is also very true in the positive sense.

Here’s another unsolicited email I received today, that I thought might enlighten you about “an act of kindness being repaid in full”:

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, as so many others had done before.

"Leave me alone," he growled. However, to his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.
"Are you hungry?" she asked. "No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away!"

The woman's smile became even broader.

Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then, a police officer came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked. "No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He has been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?" "See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." "Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything." "This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?" "This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the police officer answered. "Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place"

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" "Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms." "And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?" "No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty." "Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?" "Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice." The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said. "That was not my intent... Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.

"Jack, do you remember me?" Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar." "I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry." "Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He is the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."

She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said. "On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And thank you for the coffee."

Fashion is a form of ugliness?

Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. ~Oscar Wilde

I don’t know if you agree with Wilde there, besides he’s speaking in the fashion of his era –the 19th century. However, if you look closely at fashion trends these days, you will notice that he seemed to be commenting relevance today.

With money to spare (well, even those who don’t), anyone can easily go to a cosmetic surgeon for physical enhancement or alteration. Easy. Quick. Though not cheap. It’s the trend.

We are species that are never satisfied on how we look. We spend more time looking at ourselves in the mirror than introspection or how the world looks these days. We spend more money on fashion accessories, cosmetics and cosmetic surgeries, clothes and jewelries rather than investing on our health. Why? Because we don't want to look ugly. Or because we don’t want to be left behind. We always wanted to look better than the Joneses. As if we always uglier than our neighbor and thus we need to change how we look more often to satisfy our ego.

Fashion can be rightly called a form of ugliness if we fail to appreciate what real beauty is.

Am I making sense? If I am not, poked me please.

Student versus Teacher Drag Race | Price: A 2010 Ford Mustang

I grew up admiring the Ford Mustang (next to a Chevy Camaro), dreaming of owning and driving one someday. One thing that attracted me to it: the brusque design of both the body and its engine. This was retained since it first graced the road in 1964 until what we have now the power look of a 2010 model.

Here is the 2010 Ford Mustang in action (ey, I didn’t meant for you to drool on this one, ayt):




The FORD 2010 Mustang is equipped with a 4.6-liter SOHC V8 Engine under its hood, which means it carries:

• 315 horsepower and 325 pounds-feet of torque
• Horsepower gains via cold-air induction
• Mated to a standard 5-speed manual trans

Honestly, that kind of power can easily intimidate anyone in its class. By the way, should I be driving that, will I need all those power?


Now, if you are impressed what is under the hood, you will be thrilled more with what’s inside. Because, unlike its beastly power, inside it is a all comfort and amenities you dreamed of in a car:

• All-new interior. New style. New materials.
• Premium feel within a modern environment
• New seat trim, door trim, and sew styling

Ahh!

Alright, quit day-dreaming and get back to work. ^^

The Pursuit of Happiness : Is it an Exercise in Futility?

“Sooner or later in life everyone discovers that perfect happiness is unrealizable, but there are a few who pause to consider the antithesis: that perfect unhappiness is equally unattainable. The obstacles preventing the realization of both these extreme states are of the same nature: they derive from our human condition which is opposed to everything infinite.” ~Primo Levi: This is a Man

The pursuit of perfect happiness is everyone’s desire and dream. We work hard, sacrifice many things to earn more so that we can pursue real happiness beyond the corridors of our laborious life. Consider though that one reason so many of us are still unhappy is that, though we are too busy pursuing happiness, we do not even care to pause to think what it is. If asked, lamentably, we can’t hardly define what real happiness is.

We want to be happy, but most people seem to think that happiness will come their way when everything else starts to go their way. We tend to believe that when things are in order and going smoothly as planned –we will be truly happy. However, life isn’t like that, except perhaps in a circus show. What is perfect happiness? How do you find it?

I hate to be cynical here, but to me, the pursuit of perfect happiness is an en exercise in futility unless we learn how to truly live a contented life.

Series of unfortunate events has always a way of creeping into our lives when we least expect them. We cannot expect everything always to go our way. Because if happiness is related to that kind of situation, we must settle for a fair measure of unhappiness.

Happiness is difficult to find for those who try to pursue it for its own sake. Real happiness cannot be bought nor asked.

We fail to find happiness because we don’t know where and how to seek it. Try harder we must in pursuit of happiness; we will not find it if we don’t know what it is, or if we seek it where it isn’t.

Lastly, happiness is not necessarily related to happenings or social strata, it is the condition of the heart, a state of the mind. Hence, it is possible for people to be happy in difficult and unpleasant circumstances.

What is real happiness for you? Where do you find it? If you have found it, how?

Technology and Life : A Short Reflection

“Quality of life” is an elusive idea. Many equate it with having money, but it does not address everything we want in our lives such as our physical and mental health. By providing us with ways to control the uncertainties of Mother Nature, technology has certainly allowed us to increase the quality of our lives in terms of survival in the practical sense of the term (subsistence). But, beyond that, what has technology done for us? (Dyske Suematsu of dyske.com)

That was a legitimate observation.

Who would have thought that you could call anyone, anywhere in the world? have an internet access in the remotest part of the globe? have the information you need available at the simple gesture of your finger? set-up a permanent laboratory on the moon?

The limitless imaginations and trail-blazing spirits of a few have made these possible. Technology is advancing at a pace that sometimes it is hard for many of us to cope. The younger generations could not appreciate where we begun. That before the iPod, there was the walkman; that before the xBox, there was the 'game and watch'; before DVD, there was VHS or Betamax; before the tablet there was that huge desktop pc, before Satellite Digital TV, there were those aluminum aerial antennas. For us baby boomers, we are simply in awe as we look back at those (now) archaic technologies.

What does this means for us?

Technology has immediate and lasting effects in our lives in a positive or negative way. While it provided us comfort, convenience, and has increase the quality of our lives (positive), in some instances it has rob us of the essential elements of normal living.

We have now a plethora of high-tech communication devices and systems available at our disposal, and yet we hardly improve the quality of our relationships. For example, divorce rates continue to rise, which as a result has taken apart many families; there are now available cure for virtually any type of disease and cancer, but the same technology is being used to develop bio-chemical weapons that can kill others; and so on. Ironic huh.

I can go on with a very long list of ironies here, but suffice it to say that technology is here and we are responsible to harness it to improve our way of living by connecting it with the basics of existence.

So, am I making sense?

Cars and Lifestyle

The kind of car you own and drive may be an indicative of the kind of lifestyle you live. It can easily show whether you are ostentatious, frugal, practical, and pompous or proud. Well, if you have the money to spare, who would not be tempted to buy the most desirable car one dream of.

In an Asian culture where I came from, cars are considered as luxury items and social status symbol, rather than necessity. Perhaps, because, on the one hand, the majority of my people cannot afford the cheapest available used car in the market, and public transport is cheaper. I, on the other hand, buy a car because of necessity. In fact, convenience may still take the back seat when I pick a car to buy because next to necessity, practical usability or functional benefits are my second priorities, then the price.

However, if have surplus money in the bank, I would definitely buy a brand-new 5-door Peugeot 308 Estate. This car, which is available in a Peugeot Dealer near you, is definitely one of the most practical and fully functional cars I have seen and driven. Not only that it boasts of a fuel-efficient 1.6 or 1.4 liter engine, manual or automatic transmission, a reliable power steering rack for smooth maneuvers, it has an extra row of seats, which gives it a huge carrying capacity like other multi-purpose vehicles or MPV’s. This car is definitely a family car. Nevertheless, be not deceived, for it is a family car that has a look of an executive car. Thus it adds a commanding presence on the road and to the one behind the one behind the wheel.

Equally, in terms of functionality, a Peugeot 107 will be next in my list. Fuel efficiency, smooth ride, huge space for a small hatched-back car –this one is definitely the best choice.

In my mind, as the recession seems does not hint any sign of waning yet, buy a car that is fully functional, and that will not drain you financially. Besides, still, a car does not really define who and what you are, it is but a necessity.

Greed, Money, and Lifestyle

“People do not resent having nothing nearly as much as having too little.” ~Ivy Compton-Burnett

Greed is universal and is amoral

Greed, according to Encarta, is “an overwhelming desire to have more of something such as money than is actually needed.” In this definition, two fundamental elements are present, namely: overwhelming desire and more than needed. Let me move on to this further.

In my mind, greed is amoral, not evil. Because having an ‘overwhelming desire’ for something is not bad, and is in fact necessary for success in any endeavors. And wanting more than what you need is not bad either. It is but natural for us to want for something we do not necessarily need. This ‘wanting’ is also a good motivation. We want more because we aspire for a better quality of life, and we do not want to worry about not having.

But the real issue here is, will we stop desiring for more money if we have already fill our treasure chest to the brim and are already living the lifestyle we want?

Greed can be practical

When I wake-up in the morning, I think of work. I work not to survive, but to make money, more money. In that sense, I am motivated by a desire to have more, by greed. Does that make me evil?

Greed in that sense is but made practical. Because in that way I make use of my skills, time, energy to get what I need and wanted. However, if I satisfy that motivation in an immoral or illegal way, or when I placed that above any other things that are more valuable in my life such as family and my faith, then I am in deep trouble.

Money is not god

While money tends to become the prime mover for almost everything we do today, it is nevertheless should not be regarded as god as some of us would.

Although money is but the token representation that we use in buying and selling, it is a necessity. Obviously, it is our means for fending our needs, getting what we want. But, again, when we value money more than our family, friends, dignity, and spirituality we become enslaved by it. Instead of letting it serves us for our purpose, money becomes our god. This is evil, per se.

Lifestyle dictates how we value money

Money should not dictate our lifestyle as most of us have. Our chosen lifestyle will dictate how much we value money, the way we earn it and how we spend it.

While greed and the love of money is an issue, the problem of money or the lack of it has plague many of us. Some of these problems emanated from a wrong lifestyle or unbridled greed for more things that one does not actually need. Excessive or un-managed use of the credit card and wrong priorities like leaving insurance on the bottom the list are but among the culprits behind our financial mess.

Money is important. It is a necessity. Earn it. Work for it. Save it. Spend it wisely. As US Film Maker Woody Allen put it bluntly:

“Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.”

On Growing old

A friend forwarded this story to me a few weeks ago, and I thought you might enjoy this. It is actually a letter from an old woman about the five men of her life:

I have become a little older since I last saw you, and a few changes have come into my life since then. I am seeing five gentlemen every day. As soon as I wake up, Mr. Power helps me out of bed every morning. His first name is Will. That’s right, Mr. Will Power. Then I go see the next man in my life who really gives me great relief. His name of course is John.

Then Charlie Horse comes along and when he is here, he takes a lot of time and attention. When Charlie Horse leaves, Mr. Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. I don’t’ really like Mr. Ritis, you know, his full name is Arthur Ritis. He does not like to stay in one place very long so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day, I’m really tired and glad to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a life! I like his scent and he makes me feel cool. These are the five men I have to live with everyday of my life now that I have grown older.

By the way, the preacher came to call the other day. He said at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter. I told him, “Oh, I do that all the time. Whether I am in the parlor, the kitchen, upstairs, or down in the basement, I ask myself –What am I here after?”

Another year has passed, then a new one. I am year older, and so you!

We don’t want to contemplate the issue of growing old because we all want to stay young. No wonder that the cosmetics and health supplement industries are among the most lucrative businesses in the world. Come any recession, these industries remain stable –because we all use their products in order to look young and possibly stretch our life (health) a year longer. However, there is no stopping with aging. We will grow old, and growing old can be done gracefully like that old woman, with humor and a positive disposition in life.

Sexiness is an attitude

We define sexiness in different ways but mostly in relation to ‘sex’ or one is wearing sexy or revealing clothes. Take these quotes for example:

“I like someone who is a little crazy but coming from a good place. I think scars are sexy because it means you made a mistake that led to a mess.” ~Angelina Jolie

“When somebody gives you a sexy look, you know they're trying. It's terrible! But when you smile, it's so much sexier!”~Joseph Addison

“From the moment I was six I felt sexy. And let me tell you it was hell, sheer hell, waiting to do something about it.”~Bette Davis

“If you're going to be sexy in a photo, you'd better be thinking about sex rather than about being sexy.”~ Peta Wilson

See what I mean? I like these two better because they narrow on the issue of attitude rather than what is seen:

“Nobody thinks of themselves as sexy, really. Some days you go, 'Hey, I'm not going too bad today.' But if you try and be sexy, you'll never be sexy.” ~ Jennifer Aniston

“I love life and I love that about people... I adore the human experience, I really adore the ... I love the contradictions of people... I don't mind being sexy and girlish and womanly, and all those things at the same time... smart and very” ~ Jewel (American Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist)

Sexiness is an attitude. More often you do not need to wear sexy lingerie to feel and project that you are sexy. It is something that you exude, from within. I do not mean here an open invitation for casual sex, but something that is more attractive and powerful. With or without the sexy lingerie, one can always feel, and evoke sexiness; however, I must admit, wearing sexy lingerie can make a big difference. ^^

People Celebrated Less as 2008 Ends

I am not surprised as many people preferred to stay at home and wait the unfolding of a new year with their love ones. The New Year for some seems to be full of apprehensions as the global economy is hitting more nerves, and more pockets.

This is but a natural reaction. Although I remain optimistic that some good things can still come up from the recession, and I know that there will be great opportunities ready to be plucked in 2009. I hope also that our fears will be channeled to more productive and constructive efforts.

Faith, hope, and love should pervade us all in the trying times ahead.

I wish you all a prosperous new year!

Holiday Worries, Inflation, and debt consolidation

I hate doomsayers because I am an optimist. However, what most of them have been saying about the world’s economy happenstances in 2008 came to pass. While crude oil prices in the world market continue to drop, almost on the same pace when it climbed early this year, inflation rates continue to worsen. What does this means for us? Can we spare ourselves from the agony this recession brings?

Higher Consumer Spending

We are expecting, or at least the government is, that with the holidays drawing near, consumer spending will take a spike and awaken the economy from its slumber. What I am seeing and hearing is the contrary. More and more people are too reluctant to spend their measly income. This attitude is positive in a way. It means people are now slowly learning the value of frugal living (in a hard way though). However, this attitude could have been more appropriate in better days.

Better Economy in 2009?

While I am an optimistic that there will be a good turn around on the economy come 2009, at the same time, I remain pragmatic about the current situation. It could still get worse. Am I contradicting myself there? Or again, am I simply stating the obvious?

Prepare for the worst recession in history

More and more people are foreclosing their mortgages, though the cost of low-cost housing development dipped. IMO, it’s the right thing to do. No, it is the smart thing to do. Why let yourself suffer in making the obligatory payments when you are struggling to make both ends meet? Cutting your losses as early as possible is the smartest thing to do. You need all the money you can save today to prepare yourself and your family for the worst economic recession in history.

Debt-free Lifestyle and Frugal Living

Debt free lifestyle is no longer an option here, it is necessary. In fact, in bad times or good times, getting yourself into debt should not even be an option at all. How does it feel when you get a free credit report and it tells you that you have an outstanding rating and that any bank and lending institution can give you a loan with no strings attached? It feels great right? A debt free lifestyle does not only guarantees an A+ score in your credit ratings but a worry-free living, and enjoy the holidays more than your neighbors. It’s not too late to start today, In fact, this the perfect time to do just that. Start with debt consolidation to manage and eliminate your debts, then move forward.

Take a rest

The holiday season is supposed to give all of us a rest, even if it is short, from our toiling and worries. Take a more positive step in eliminating those worries. And whichever it is, make it a long term solution like a permanent change in your lifestyle. Frugal living, after all, has a more desirable effect regardless on what the current economy is. Do yourself a favor, take a rest this holiday.

Am I making sense? What is your take?

Video Games may Control our Lives

That is no news.

Hide and seek used to be a fave past time during my childhood, and adults are devoting more time in worthwhile hobbies or a reading more. With the current technology, there is a radical difference in what we do with our spare time nowadays. More and more people, regardless of age, are getting hooked into computer or video games.

For leisure, moderate that is, video games are fun. However getting addicted to them is entirely different. This addiction can really control your life. With children, this could mean less social interactions with their peers, less physical activities (sports or plays), and less concentration on studies.

Video games can be a lot of fun, but it should not replace the more essential and sensible things in life. In this case, moderation is best and is required.

By the way, if you are looking for perfect gifts these Christmas for your kids and are considering game consoles or video games, you might want to check out these home console guides and video game buying guides over at ShopWIki.com.

Advance Happy Holidays!

Obama and the burden of US Presidency

Unlike his predecessors, Obama does not have a high-profile lineage to boot. He rose from the rank, fatherless while growing up, raised by his mother and grandmother. Not to mention, he is not pure white. He’s been in the major league politics for more than a decade only, and surely becoming the president of the most powerful nation in the world is a very daunting feat.

People wonder why I watched the life of Obama closely. I would normally answer because he is an embodiment of what real America stands for. I am a Filipino, and will always be a Filipino. But I cannot help admire the influence of the US in my country and on myself in my short sojourn there. Obama inspired me to look beyond my colors and roots. He showed me that it is not impossible to become great in an arena when (some) people might think you do not fit by virtue of standards and expectations they set (or most notably, due to their bias and prejudices?). I care less.

Being ushered in the limelight for a responsibility that seemed to have been designed for the ‘super human’ is very intimidating. And, it is not only about the tediousness of the tasks and the (overwhelmingly) weight of the responsibilities, but the life that is being placed under the scrutiny of public eyes is not easy to bear. Privacy here now becomes a much-sought luxury. It is like living in an aquarium where people can see the details and intricacies of your personhood, and probably they will even try to peek into your soul. IMO, this is a heavy burden in all sense of the word.

I am hoping and praying that Obama delivers what he promised in spite of the pressures surmounting. Let us all hope that as he step at the bat’s plate come January 20, 2009, he will be able to turn the US ailing economy around in two years time as he envisioned.

A change in lifestyle

The US presidential election is over. It’s really time for change, not only in America, but in our lifestyles. While the whole world has (almost) receded from their applause on the landslide win of Obama, most of the Americans are looking forward to a radical ‘change’ or more aptly, turn-around on the US economy. It was the number one reason for the vote casted anyway. All eyes are fixed on the hope that Obama will remedy this financial crisis. I, on the other hand while among those, believe that the remedy in the crisis rests not only on government but also on each of us. We are directly responsible.

A quick self-inventory on our lifestyles will immediately reveal where the real problems are. We chew more than we can swallow. We live above our means. We care less about the future (although, more often we talk about it). We live as though there is no tomorrow. We have placed our trust and confidence –contrary to what we profess at the back of the dollar bill –on our bonds, insurances, and stocks. Now, we are at the peril of losing them all together.

If there is a real change that is needed, as Obama preached in his campaign, it is the change in our lifestyles. Frugal living is a choice. Frugal living is a lifestyle that can cope any crisis. Real change should begin with us. Here. Now. Our lifestyle.

When the news of the imminent financial meltdown among the world’s largest financial institution in the US, fear gripped me immediately. One client after the other started rejecting my proposals, and some cancelled scheduled projects. I realized also that my life’s saving is not even equal to our 3 months expenses. Panic ensued. I had to double my efforts. Meaning less time with my son, less sleep, more coffee, and more work. This to support a lifestyle that I am comfortable with, and which I realized is too expensive to maintain.

So? What’s was my remedy?

Here are some of the immediate actions I have taken since June of this year and which I started to enjoy the benefits there from:

• I identified the essentials and made them my priorities. Things that I think I can’t live without, like my laptop, eyeglasses, cellphone, my son’s milk, health insurance, among others. We need these.


• I discarded what I don’t (really) need. I sold my car. Gasoline and maintenance is costly. Since I stayed mostly at home and calls on clients almost twice a week only, I opted for services of cabs. I disconnected my Cable subscription, surrendered my credit cards, and more.


• I started saving 20% of what I earned regardless.


• I prioritized the payments of bills and outstanding loans. Interests and penalties add up to my expenses if these things are delayed.

Surprisingly, these actions actually changed my lifestyle. It was uncomfortable at the outset, but now I am happy with the choice. Even if the economy will fare better or worse in the future, I care less now because I know I can survive. A change in lifestyle, frugal living, was all that I need.