It is the first of the two death defying, thrilling, more than a century old tradition of El Clasico for the 2009/2010 season. If you're not a football fan I expect a blank face, but for those who grew up watching the beautiful game you would know what I'm talking about. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will clash--the heaven may not move and mountains may not tumble but for the fans who have always adored either of the teams, this is going to be a rough night ahead. The media fanfare surrounding this Battle of the Titans started a week ago and even the moderators of ontd_football on Livejournal already handed out a caveat about El Clasico posts swarming around the community. Adam's RealmadridTalk blog provided an illuminating preview on the match with an all out Barcelona fan and blogger. The sharing of ideas is good enough to see both team's struggles and status quo. I agree with Adam though that every expectation will be blown away by the unpredictability of fate and luck merging when it comes to El Clasico.
Everyone knows Real Madrid is not the favourite, nor are they really ready for this but everyone's got to face it one way or another. It's got enough disadvantage that most are already expecting a defeat even before the starting whistle is blown, the fact that it's an away game for Real Madrid is all the tougher. The humiliating 6-2 win last season was enough to push the club's administration for an overhaul resulting a comeback from Florentino Perez and the second coming of the Galacticos. Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka battling it out with Messi and Ibrahimovic might be the highlight of the match. I already am halfway to the expected defeat but I'm still clinging to that hope that Pellegrini's team can make it through the battle, bloodied and bruised but not altogether broken. After all, Perez ensured that the new team will have the best.
Since last night, I've been having trouble accessing Adam's blog, JustinTV and ebay.ph for no apparent reason for a non-techie person like me. I installed tons of add ons including NoScript and AdBlock Plus; assuming that they are the reason for my connection problems, I uninstalled them. I googled around and posted twice on forums to get ideas and even roused several friends online to see if they can access what I cannot. In the end, my suspicions of the ISP running amok was supported by a forum monger. I've chalked it up to calling Smartbro's customer service, suffering more than 20 minutes of waiting for get a live help only to have a shake of the head and a promise to file a report about the inaccessible websites. According to the CSR, I have to monitor for 24 hours on my connection. That's 24 hours too late to watch El Clasico. I'm past the hyperventilating stage. I'm past the white hot anger. But I'm not past the tension that awaits Real Madrid at Camp Nou. I've decided not to wake up altogether this 2 AM if I really can't find a decent stream for it. I've already exhausted all means to solve this tribulation (indeed) and I'm too exhausted to even cry about it.
That said, to Pellegrini and the team best of luck! Hala Madrid!
29 November 2009
27 November 2009
Not so focus
Mind you, there is no wifi here in Ricarte Room nor in the entire building but the conference's commencement is taking too long so I've decided to have a chat with myself for the mean time.
I'm back; I'm writing down a post while pausing for the conference documentation. From a mere observation, it shows that older people's comprehension are pretty much the same as of high school students. They cannot easily grasp the instruction (they really didn't pay attention in the first place) and the facilitator keeps on reiterating the things to do. It's an absolute mess for me already. From this point alone, this could serve as a basis for an overhaul in the personnel. Remove older employees and replace them with younger ones. They might have the experience but they don't have the comprehension they once had. Brb. See? They don't know if they can post their answers already.
However, in a way this can also warm up their brains. Or not. Their answers will be very interesting. I wonder how would officers react if this conference was held for them. I imagine a more efficient and effective comprehension and cooperation.
The conference as it turns out expectedly, produces tons of bones in the closet for civilian employment. The facilitator is pretty good if she were able to burst the stakeholders' bubbles and speak out freely. The exchange of ideas are spontaneous and relatively connected so thankfully, their brains are working out. However, one or two of these people are probably too loyal to the military core that they are not really giving much input for changes in the current system. Perhaps they should also speak out and give their thoughts on these and defend some.
I'm back; I'm writing down a post while pausing for the conference documentation. From a mere observation, it shows that older people's comprehension are pretty much the same as of high school students. They cannot easily grasp the instruction (they really didn't pay attention in the first place) and the facilitator keeps on reiterating the things to do. It's an absolute mess for me already. From this point alone, this could serve as a basis for an overhaul in the personnel. Remove older employees and replace them with younger ones. They might have the experience but they don't have the comprehension they once had. Brb. See? They don't know if they can post their answers already.
However, in a way this can also warm up their brains. Or not. Their answers will be very interesting. I wonder how would officers react if this conference was held for them. I imagine a more efficient and effective comprehension and cooperation.
The conference as it turns out expectedly, produces tons of bones in the closet for civilian employment. The facilitator is pretty good if she were able to burst the stakeholders' bubbles and speak out freely. The exchange of ideas are spontaneous and relatively connected so thankfully, their brains are working out. However, one or two of these people are probably too loyal to the military core that they are not really giving much input for changes in the current system. Perhaps they should also speak out and give their thoughts on these and defend some.
22 November 2009
Dash clever
Last Friday, I was absolutely sure traffic would be light because the entire human race would be flocking to the nearest cinema to watch New Moon. How very wrong; I had to stand in the bus from Cubao to Fairview, a feat very rarely encountered even during Fridays. So I thought it was a half-half situation, half of the human race racing to the cinema, the other half racing home to avoid the contamination. Beth, obviously, was one of those squealing fangirls who first got a reserved ticket. I hope she enjoyed the film because when I checked around JustinTV yesterday, New Moon was already playing.
This week is going to be full of birthday celebrants and work at the office. The boss already held a warning that everything will require a high rate of comprehension aka blood and sweat, tears and toil. I just realized, my laptop has been running for nearly 48 hours with just some trivial minutes when I turned it off yesterday to remove the battery and such.
I'm still looking for a really good iTunes alternative so if anyone out there knows a program, do tell. I've already tried Amarok to no luck. Banshee on the other hand, has some features that are not user friendly so I'm back to Rhythmbox.
---
Due to my stupid time calculation, I woke up an hour early this morning for the Real Madrid - Racing Santander match which ended 1-0 joined by 2 offsides. The game was unsatisfactory in behalf of Real Madrid; you can see that their hearts are not into it. Half of the time the match was ongoing, I was either reading fics or checking my torrents. Barcelona, who had a game against Atletico Bilbao two hours after, had a draw. That doesn't mean that should make Real more lax. I'm sure Pellegrini's doing his job but it's high time some improvement in the defense should materialize. Even in the absence of key players. Even the cameras were bored enough to pan the view to Cristiano Ronaldo high up in the stands texting.
The 29th of November is going to be a doomination mostly felt by Madridistas. We're obviously not yet ready; perhaps the second half of El Clasico would bear fruit on our side, but at the moment? We're still crawling around.
This week is going to be full of birthday celebrants and work at the office. The boss already held a warning that everything will require a high rate of comprehension aka blood and sweat, tears and toil. I just realized, my laptop has been running for nearly 48 hours with just some trivial minutes when I turned it off yesterday to remove the battery and such.
I'm still looking for a really good iTunes alternative so if anyone out there knows a program, do tell. I've already tried Amarok to no luck. Banshee on the other hand, has some features that are not user friendly so I'm back to Rhythmbox.
---
Due to my stupid time calculation, I woke up an hour early this morning for the Real Madrid - Racing Santander match which ended 1-0 joined by 2 offsides. The game was unsatisfactory in behalf of Real Madrid; you can see that their hearts are not into it. Half of the time the match was ongoing, I was either reading fics or checking my torrents. Barcelona, who had a game against Atletico Bilbao two hours after, had a draw. That doesn't mean that should make Real more lax. I'm sure Pellegrini's doing his job but it's high time some improvement in the defense should materialize. Even in the absence of key players. Even the cameras were bored enough to pan the view to Cristiano Ronaldo high up in the stands texting.
The 29th of November is going to be a doomination mostly felt by Madridistas. We're obviously not yet ready; perhaps the second half of El Clasico would bear fruit on our side, but at the moment? We're still crawling around.
21 November 2009
Pasty
It is rather pretty weird that I am inclined to write another post; the humid weather must be a plus factor. I suppose I will go back to SM later to buy that polo shirt and another at Surplus. I couldn't purchase it yesterday since BDO was offline and the queues at the ATMs are light years. I scheduled today to clean up and transfer files from Bisyo to Gitano but my sister brought my ipod with her. Bummer.
Cors is restless to land a job and I am too but the schedule I have at work right now makes it a bit difficult to produce another alibi why I have to take a half day. Ateneo called me again for another interview and I suppose I really should try it just for the sake of. Who knows, the offer might be really good.
My Ayala Museum ticket is itching to be used. Cors, Beth, Richard or anyone? It would be nicer to have a field trip with someone. The reception area of the museum is already lovely so I'll probably be awed beyond cognition when I get to the museum's 4th floor.
One of the crazy things going on in the office is the collection of Coca Cola Santa caps. In exchange for 7 caps, you'll get a Coke collectible plate! Awesome, isn't it? Good thing most of us are in love with Coke.
Off to write itineraries. Oh and La Liga is back later with Real Madrid and Racing Santander, definitely will watch unless Sleep tells otherwise.
Cors is restless to land a job and I am too but the schedule I have at work right now makes it a bit difficult to produce another alibi why I have to take a half day. Ateneo called me again for another interview and I suppose I really should try it just for the sake of. Who knows, the offer might be really good.
My Ayala Museum ticket is itching to be used. Cors, Beth, Richard or anyone? It would be nicer to have a field trip with someone. The reception area of the museum is already lovely so I'll probably be awed beyond cognition when I get to the museum's 4th floor.
One of the crazy things going on in the office is the collection of Coca Cola Santa caps. In exchange for 7 caps, you'll get a Coke collectible plate! Awesome, isn't it? Good thing most of us are in love with Coke.
Off to write itineraries. Oh and La Liga is back later with Real Madrid and Racing Santander, definitely will watch unless Sleep tells otherwise.
20 November 2009
El Gitano
Introducing my new baby, Gitano. If you're into football you'll know whose famous moniker is that for. I'm actually not that thrilled to have this after all, I've been pining for a new laptop for almost a year. Good thing my impulsiveness had its use. Margz and I went to Gilmore for this. It was a total boon that the shop upped the memory from 2GB to 4GB. I also got freebies. Bravo.
First week upon purchase, I already had to install 9.04 twice to update to 9.10 seamlessly. I skipped a 9.04 update on the first install so it's mea culpa. I still have a lot of files to transfer after getting copies of my documents and pictures. There's my ongoing torrent downloads and gigabytes of films, concerts and shows stored in Bisyo. This is going to be a tiring weekend.
---
Happy days at the office ended today. Starting next week I'll be drowning in the sea of planning a personnel doctrine. Heaven give me strength for that. Not for the lack of effort on my superiors' side but they fail to recognize that we don't know the military laws like the back of our hands so they can perhaps start explaining the project by starting from step one and not jump in the middle and let luck lead them to which topic they want.
First week upon purchase, I already had to install 9.04 twice to update to 9.10 seamlessly. I skipped a 9.04 update on the first install so it's mea culpa. I still have a lot of files to transfer after getting copies of my documents and pictures. There's my ongoing torrent downloads and gigabytes of films, concerts and shows stored in Bisyo. This is going to be a tiring weekend.
---
Happy days at the office ended today. Starting next week I'll be drowning in the sea of planning a personnel doctrine. Heaven give me strength for that. Not for the lack of effort on my superiors' side but they fail to recognize that we don't know the military laws like the back of our hands so they can perhaps start explaining the project by starting from step one and not jump in the middle and let luck lead them to which topic they want.
14 November 2009
Pushing ebay.ph scammer
I'm still fuming enough to write this rather useless post about an ebay.ph scammer.
*angelmariesto.tomas is hellerwatermeller
Beware. Caveat. Caution. Fuck off.
*angelmariesto.tomas is hellerwatermeller
Beware. Caveat. Caution. Fuck off.
08 November 2009
Ominous November
Everything in the match was going pretty satisfactorily until the second half when Sergio Ramos was furnished with a red card for challenging Kun in the penalty area which, admittedly was a foul but not enough to deserve a red card. It was painfully gripping, I had to pathetically cover my eyes in the last ten minutes, after Forlan and Kun managed to push their way through our 10-men team to score 2 goals in under a minute. On the other hand, before doomination struck the derby, the first half presented a good performance for Real Madrid, showing weak points in Atletico's defense when Kaka scored under the 5th minute unmarked followed by Marcelo's incredibly angled goal and Higuain's brilliant footwork that produced a "What was Perea thinking?!" from the commentator. Now with Adam's tweet that Sergio and Albiol will miss the El Clasico this month, worse comes to worse and expectations should run low unless I suffer from cardiac arrest. I might not even watch the entire match fearing a waterfall of tears bursting from the first whistle.
I thought I would not be able to sleep after the match, as it turns out I got another 6 hours of rest full of Real Madrid-induced dreams. The sad thing is, I could not recall any of it though it was a lively one.
---
I cannot wait for my contract to end. Everything in the office is so stuffed with rules, other employees are bordering on obsequiousness and I just want to quit if not for my decent division and cool bosses. It's a good thing my bosses are level headed and knows how to share timely caveats otherwise I would've filed my resignation already. Hell, even me is succumbing from the absurd weekly meeting with nothing but mud throwing and gossipmongers. Government employees indeed. It's despicable and it's amazing how much of my patience is suffering just from shutting my gob up. I just wish December would already close in.
Torrent news! I finally finished downloading Casino Royale and Muse's Hullabaloo. I don't know when will I have the time to watch those since I still have pending BBC specials in my book but perhaps I can take a peek or something afterall, it's Daniel Craig and Matt Bellamy.
I thought I would not be able to sleep after the match, as it turns out I got another 6 hours of rest full of Real Madrid-induced dreams. The sad thing is, I could not recall any of it though it was a lively one.
---
I cannot wait for my contract to end. Everything in the office is so stuffed with rules, other employees are bordering on obsequiousness and I just want to quit if not for my decent division and cool bosses. It's a good thing my bosses are level headed and knows how to share timely caveats otherwise I would've filed my resignation already. Hell, even me is succumbing from the absurd weekly meeting with nothing but mud throwing and gossipmongers. Government employees indeed. It's despicable and it's amazing how much of my patience is suffering just from shutting my gob up. I just wish December would already close in.
Torrent news! I finally finished downloading Casino Royale and Muse's Hullabaloo. I don't know when will I have the time to watch those since I still have pending BBC specials in my book but perhaps I can take a peek or something afterall, it's Daniel Craig and Matt Bellamy.
01 November 2009
Be a saint
Let's face it Madridistas, we are not yet ready for this month's El Clasico. Watching the Real Madrid - Getafe match proves that we still lack the defense, coordination and communication amongst the team. Gago's skills (dribbling and passing) are seriously almost non existent (I even wonder wonder why women fall over him excluding his looks, he's not extraordinary) and Marcelo looks like he forgot his daily dose of vitamins, in other words, lame. Iker Casillas has made tons of save, part of a goalie's job but seriously, the defense is not led by a goalkeeper. Pepe and Sergio Ramos are thankfully doing a decent job but it's not enough to mark your opponents. Getafe's defense is downright envious, a mile wide from Real Madrid's shabbily built one. Set pieces make me nervous as hell not to mention the irritating referee of the match. Seriously, he was getting trigger happy handing out yellows and reds in the most illogical sense. Albiol's red tops the most ridiculous decision overall. Even Kaka who stumbled near the penalty expressed disbelief when the referee did not raise a penalty.
The consistent average to poor performance will not make us a leading team in the CL and we cannot always rely on comparing Real Madrid to Barcelona. It's unfair on both parts. Barcelona's in top form because they've established their stability and consistency throughout several months. Like what Adam said on his very illuminating review, it's not all the players and the coach's fault that these defeats are happening, it's all part of a change. It won't simply take 3 months to polish everything and expect a spot on the CL finals. We have to have enough patience to see that there are small, sure improvements happening to the team. So let's have faith in Pellegrini that he can help change and develop the team's identity and philosophy and let's have faith that the players are working their best to establish a better relationship with each other.
Hala Madrid!
The consistent average to poor performance will not make us a leading team in the CL and we cannot always rely on comparing Real Madrid to Barcelona. It's unfair on both parts. Barcelona's in top form because they've established their stability and consistency throughout several months. Like what Adam said on his very illuminating review, it's not all the players and the coach's fault that these defeats are happening, it's all part of a change. It won't simply take 3 months to polish everything and expect a spot on the CL finals. We have to have enough patience to see that there are small, sure improvements happening to the team. So let's have faith in Pellegrini that he can help change and develop the team's identity and philosophy and let's have faith that the players are working their best to establish a better relationship with each other.
Hala Madrid!
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