"Early Edition"

Today we watched this older TV series called "Early Edition". It is a science fiction whose lead character, Gary Hobson, mysteriously receives each Chicago Sun-Times newspaper the day before it is actually published, and who uses this knowledge to prevent terrible events that were set to happen, before they happen.

It made me pause and think...what would I do if I were in his shoes?  Would I, like Gary, choose to use that "gift" (or curse) to save people's lives only? Or would I be like his friend Chuck who was itching to use it for his own gain (like betting on sports or lottery outcomes)? 

I would like to think that I would choose that knowledge to help my fellowmen, but I don't think I could resist trying to get a better life for myself too that would enable me to perhaps finance my efforts to help those in need. 

I'm glad my life is not a sci-fi.  I'm glad I don't have to make that choice and to handle that kind of burden.
No early edition for me.  I'm fine with the here and now.

A Great Letter

The Honorable Paul S. Sarbanes




309 Hart Senate Office Building



Washington DC, 20510





Dear Senator Sarbanes,





As a native Marylander and excellent curtomer for the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.





My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stem from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted.





If my understanding of this bill’s provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for the three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.





Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I’m excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.





Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year. Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "in-state tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.





Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver’s license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car.





If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for your assistance.





Your Loyal Constituent,





Please pass this onto your friends so they can save on this great offer!

Remembering my "Cyber" Family

TRAINING DEPARTMENT



Rechel Munoz -





I first met her when I first came to Clark in 2002 to handle the Quality Dept of CCT. She was the newest one of 4 existing QAs (Quality Analysts) at the time. Maybe it was the fact that she was new that I encountered the least resistance from her as I tried to establish my footing in the company. We became really close. In fact, this beautiful, smart, fun-loving and soft-hearted (as in iyakin, sensitive, thoughtful) lady has become my very best and dearest friend, as well as my trusted colleague at work. I miss our gimiks (GiggleSpot, Luk Foo, Coffee Overdose, Movie Marathon), our serious talks (mga buhay-buhay, work issues), our kalokohan and inside jokes, shopping sprees (Market Market, Divisoria, SM) , family outings (Baguio, Subic, EK), etc. (Specifics will be in another Blog posting, promise:) Anyway, I really feel that she was the best "thing" that has ever come out of my CCT stint. Can’t wait to see her again. Miss You so much, Dang!







Jei Cabigting (kahit s QA k, isinama ko n rin dito…My QA peeps list to follow, neh?) - Dami rin nating pinagdaanan s QA dept neh? Remember VBI verifier days…those scary conference calls, and the Linda episodes? Hiish! I am so proud of your growth in the company. I knew I wasn’t wrong in spotting your potentials way back when. Congrats. Big time k n…Treat mo nman ako s Coffee Overdose pagdalaw ko dyan. Kailan b ang sakalan? LOL









My Original Trainers: Thom Sevilla, Janice Jane Bamba, Chiqui Espiritu — Beautiful, Talented and wonderful young people! What I love the most about Thom is that he "gets" my sarcastic jokes and he responds in kind. Meaning, when I pretend to insult him or fight with him (as a joke), he insults me back and makes me laugh (ewan kung totoo yung insulto nya, ha…he he he). Janice - Smart, beautiful and tough. nakuha nya ako s "jewelry making" skills nya. Won’t forget our first Vartec Dallas trip together, driver nyo ako ni Dolor (Karen). I’m so happy for you with all the blessings that you have now, Mrs. Buffington. I am quite proud to say that my matchmaking prowess was proven effective for once. And Chiqui - I envy your beautiful singing voice and very pretty face. But unlike Thom, I don’t covet the handsome prince who snagged your heart LOL - You were all great trainers. You all made me so proud.



The next groups of trainers: Mitch Thomas- Great dancer, great energy, awesome sales technique…"Bring it on, Baby!", funny girl and soooo pretty. Jules Batac- Orig Vartec Diva, and still going strong, huh!…won’t forget the "JayTeh" from ur little girl that time that we had dinner and watched Nemo, as well as ur stories of mga kalibugan mo…manyakis he he he! - And who will forget "Dolor" Karen and "Susette" Joyce. Karen Lacsamana who introduced me to my Dallas friends and who made that Dallas trip fun and exciting…enjoyed San Antonio Texas with her :) My kumareng Joyce Samson …thanks for the pics and for being my first ever kumare. Sorry am not a very good ninang…malayo kc. Glenda Yumul - matalino din to, specially her grammar and vast vocabulary. Miss ur smile. Sally David and her amazing shoes… inggit ako sa kaseksihan nya. Don’t know if I thanked her for her pasalubong from hongkong, cute black blouse with pink flower. Loved that shirt. Nelson "Dudong" David - Don’t call me "Ate"…mas matanda k p sa akin..he he he. Won’t forget the kubags because of "Sandbox" entries..he he he. But mostly I will never forget the touching letter that you wrote right before I left CCT. I will treasure that forever. Nelson Jojo Mabutas - Another tahimik but very smart person. Glad to find out you are doing well training at another Call Center. Mama Dada Jimenez - from QA to Training you have shown your abilities…galing mo mag-badminton..also won’t forget ur friend’s spa which u referred to me. Loved it when I did get the chance to go!. Gio Bautista - ganda babae, very sweet p, super bait. Miss ur smile. Other Vartec Trainers Alvin Lansangan, Judy Jingco, Ryan Twano, and Gen Gacita - canteen buddies! Irvine Lagman - enjoyed ur company kahit brief lang…sorry abt the problems with ur "transfer"…Judy (Spanish trainer) usted es muy bonita, Earvin (Bebeboi), Teacher Marie, Michelle Dizon, Jen, Candice, Floran Aguilar, I know sandali lang tayo nagkasama, didn’t really have much time to get close, but I will remember the good times. I know I may have failed to mention some people who passed through the Training Department at some point…sorry to those whom I have unintentionally overlooked…nakalimutan ko lang talaga… I admit that there may be a few that I deliberately and conveniently did not bother to include…batu-bato sa langit…if the shoe fits wear it…alam nyo n siguro kung bakit, di ko lang type. He he he…Blog ko ‘to, so ano bang paki nyo? Buti nga I chose omission rather than highlighting who and why…LOL. Come to think of it, that would make a controversial blog posting, huh? hmmmm….



I always believe that within the training force of any organization you can find the smartest, most creative, and most interesting individuals (MOST OF THE TIME…again with every rule there are exceptions). You cannot share that which you do not have (knowledge and skills). However, no amount of information will be absorbed and retained unless the trainer captures and keeps the listeners’ interest (creativity and interesting personality).



While I was just getting to know you I have seen your great potentials. When I worked with you I have observed your capabilites. Hearing about your successes now, I am amazed at how much you have grown. I am proud of you. You made my Cyber City days memorable, and perhaps, tolerable, especially during those toxic days…:) Thank you for those memories. I will cherish them. You have touched my heart profoundly and I can only hope that somehow I also have left even a tiny imprint in your life’s colorful collage…

I do "hate" stupid people!

Maybe hate is too strong a word, but stupid people annoy me.
Here are some real-life examples:

• I am annoyed by people who complain and mope and are just so negative all the time. I think it's okay to complain as long as that's not the end of it. I mean, complain but then do something to change the situation. If it's something you can't change or don't want to spend the effort to change, then don't waste your breath and energy even talking about it. It's not worth it. Do you really think people enjoy hearing all the depressing things that happen to your life ALL THE TIME? No!! We all live in the same depressing, unfair world. There's no need to remind us of this dreary fact everytime we hear from you. Seriously, who wants to be depressed all the time?

• What annoys me even more is when people complain about other people, saying how they are mad at them, and trash talk them so much behind their backs. But when they are together, they act so sweet and nice towards that person that they were just gossiping and complaining about not even a minute ago. Hey, what do you think I as a bystanding witness would think? That maybe you do the same to me too! That kind of two-faced cowardice irks me to the core! Either stay true to what you say or don't say anything at all!

• IMPERITENT is not a real word!! What is my boss thinking? I can't even pass it off as a typographical error because I see it in almost all of her URGENT or authoritative email. Neither could I pretend that it's merely misspelled because it's not even close to any correct word. I know she probably means IMPERATIVE, mixed in with IMPORTANT, judging by the context; "It is imperitent that you do this...." And she has her bosses and even clients copied in some of these email. I wonder if she has heard of spell-check? I wonder if I should clue her in on it? hmmm...

• A trainer (a self-proclaimed US culture expert) at my previous company in the Philippines was discussing the shipping rules on an infomercial product. When asked why we didn't accept P.O. boxes as mailing address, she answered, "Oh, it's because those boxes are usually away from the people's homes and are usually by the roads. We don't want he products to freeze in the cold or get too hot." (I think she was thinking of mailboxes). It was all I could do to keep my laughter in check.