T-minus 7 days

Another colony of ants trailed their way into my garbage. Awkwardly, the only trash in the waste basket is paper or tissue. Are they after my boogers? Is there an aroma inside the bad that senses their taste buds. So, I raided the whole basket, including my carpet. I might get rid of my carpet also, including the carpet in my living room. It's a nice touch, but it's falling apart. One idea I've been thinking about...

Moving closer to work. I've thought of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, Castro Valley, Fremont, Milpitas. All good choices, not very cheap; or at least affordable. Plus, no one cares to live out there...BUT if someone does, let me know. jrhipol@gmail.joey

How's the new format, look of the blog. Not too revealing, but different. I'm into change every once in awhile. I can't get used to routine. It's boring. Here's a somewhat schedule of my next week.

Saturday, June 30 - Going to Giants game vs. the D-Backs.
Sunday, July 1 - Icemen vs Blade Runners 730pm. Center Ice.
Monday July 2 - Work
Tuesday July 3 - Work
Wednesday July 4 - Holiday, Dose's place for BBQ
Thursday July 5 - Work
Friday July 6 - Work and Four Seasons "Jersey Boys"
Saturday July 7 - Echoes of the Cordillera *tentative


I'm excited for you, but at the same time sad because I know you're leaving. I hope your parents let you go, you deserve. You are dedicated and you do so much. Maybe I'll go and play music for you. Highly unlikely. Who knows though. What are you doing now?


note: I'm eating my leftovers from Ongpin for lunch.

Birthday gift ideas...FREE

Come watch one or both.

Sun Jul 1 7:30 PM Logitech Center Senior DDD Icemen/Blade Runners Regular 10
Sun Jul 8 1:00 PM Logitech North Senior DDD Blades/Icemen Regular 11


After 7 games, I have 1 goal and 5 assists. I've gotten a point in 5 straight games. Ok thanks.

Copy & Paste

10 Compliments that WOW a man

Posted by David Zinczenko & Comments by ME

From an early age, men get hammered with the same message about how to treat women: More compliments, more listening, more romance. That's all well and good, as it should be. But sometimes, especially as relationships progress, men can also feel on the short-end of the fawning stick: Nearly 70 percent of men say they wish they received more regular compliments from their partner. I'm not suggesting that every guy has to be coddled and cuddled with verbal roses, but every once in a while, it's nice to throw one his way. While guys aren't particularly amped by compliments like "nice eyes" or "you're so beautiful," there are a few, simple things a woman can say to a man that really get him going. To wit:

"Your arms are definitely looking bigger."

Men can be just as paranoid about the way their bodies look as women can be. In fact, nearly 90 percent of men in a national Men, Love & Sex survey say there's at least one body part they'd like to change (42 percent saying they want a new gut). While men don't necessarily want women to lie if they're out of shape, it never hurts to notice he's looking good -- or at least trying to look better.

Comment: You admire my arms even though they are nothing but fat storage.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

Guys spend all of high school, the better part of the work day, and at least 12 times a day via e-mail trying to make people laugh. Because men value their sense of humor as one of their most important qualities, a hearty, genuine laugh is as flattering as it gets.

Comment: Need I say more. Although, you don't necessarily laugh at what I say or do, you laugh at what you're doing to me.

"Wow."

Doesn't matter whether it comes as he's getting undressed or after you've finished having sex, this short, sweet word (best done in a whisper) may just be the ultimate ego-stroke. A picture may say a thousand words, but this three-letter word sums up roughly 10,000 of them.

Comment: Stop looking at my butt. This goes out to everyone. Geez.

"You the man."

Guys hear this all the time. From other guys. They hear it at work, on the golf course, and when one dude from the group buys the beer. But if it comes from a woman -- no matter the context -- the message is that, hey, we're buddies, too. Which is actually pretty darn sexy.

Comment: Same as saying "What's up" when I call you. I already know I'm a man.

"The kids just adore you."

More than 50 percent of men say that their families -- more so than work and salary -- are what defines them most as men. So when a woman affirms that he's a familial hero, it's a compliment that stretches way beyond anything you could ever say about his haircut.

Comment: no comment.

"What do you think?"

We've all seen it a million times with long-married couples: They engage in cerebral power struggles, where neither can concede on anything -- whether it's the best way to move a piece of furniture or the fastest way to reach the interstate. I'm not saying that men should have the only say in decisions, but some guys do feel like they actually have very little.

Comment: Why do I always have to make the decisions? Just be patient and if you want me to decide, trust me. I know you're hungry, and I will continue to struggle to get you your rations. Yes, most of the time you're right, but sometimes positive motivation works better than negative.

"Cute feet."

Typically, it doesn't matter much to men if women like a part of their body that they don't control, like their eyes, jawline, or body hair. And typically, guys care for the word "cute" about as much as Paris cares for the penal system. One exception: The part of the body that is classified as being especially gross. Tell a guy he has good feet, and somehow he takes it as a double-bagger compliment -- that you not only like his genetics, but also that you appreciate he can keep himself better groomed than the rest of the gnarly-nailed heathens out there.

Comment: Let's stray away from what my butt looks like and concentrate on something else. Maybe something above my neck. Although we speak of my eyes, but only because they're hardly there. Aya.


"Meow."

The stats show that 61 percent of men think their partners aren't sexually adventurous enough. While a feline one-liner doesn't automatically qualify as adventurous, it does show a bit of inhibition, and the message is one he likes to hear: That perhaps he's brought a little bit of the animal out of you.

Comment: No comment. I haven't touched a female in 2 years. LOL.

"Impressive."

Guys love feats. They love accomplishments. They love being acknowledged for their strength, power, and, simply, their masculinity. So a well-timed observation like this one -- whether it comes after he carries a TV to the family room or figures out a way to fix the pipes without having to call the plumber -- feeds into his need to feel like the family protector.

Comments: That's why I enjoy those times when you watch my games, or fixing my stupid wood slats because I didn't completely finish building my bed. Did I mention that my bed was broken when I woke up this morning? So I switched to the other side. Aya.

"I want you."

Women don't need to go on about a guy's eyes or hair or clothes. What a guy really wants to hear is that he's the total package, and this acknowledgment of that -- whether it's referring to bedroom behavior or relationship stability -- is the ultimate compliment of them all.

Comments: I am JOEY BEAR!!!!!

Edible Fashion

Don't think for a second that wardrobe is the topic of this entry. I sign on to my blogger at least once a day, and majority of the time, I end up closing it before jotting down a few words or two. So here.

My birthday is coming up. My 28th year in the making of such a water sign. Let's reminisce about some accomplishments, failures, memories:

-May 2003: I graduated from San Jose State University with an Engineering degree. (accomplishment)
-May 2003 - July 2006: Unable to find a career in my field. Lack of experience. (lesson)
-July 1979: At 9:31pm, I was graced upon this Earth. What now?
-July 1989: Had my birthday at Malibu. Yay.
-July 1997: Had my birthday in the solitude of my new apartment in San Jose; Valley West Apartments.
-Nov 1985: Camillay was born. YAY!
-Jan 2000: I met Tediocarm Miranda; "When is the next acting practice?"
-Jan 2000-May 2000: President of Akbayan & P.C.N. 2000 Co-Coordinator
-Aug 2006: Found a career with PickPoint Corporation.
-March 2006: JB *unofficial

May 2008-2020: San Jose Sharks record longest winning streak for the Stanley Cup.
-July 2054: I die at 75. Pray for me.


2007-2008 San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland Atheletics: World Series. Giants in 7. MVP: Pedro Feliz


You can't help but hope for the things you want or possibly need. Until next time, stay fresh.

Summer Begins!

My confidence must override any barrier that stands in my way. Emotional content covers me everyday, but I must fight my way out of this netting. Self-esteem could possibly be a mental subconscious. Let's rebuild my soul and stray away from the birthday slump. The only time depression and vulnerability surrounds me is around my birthday. Why? The self-belief that aging is uncontrollable.

Speaking of aging, birthdays are coming up like technology in the Silicon Valley. It's also the first day of summer. Big woop! Usually this day is the longest day of the year. Who cares!? Work is my reality away from the real world. Remember that your job creates a world outside of reality. You are employed to act either close to how you are, act completely different from who you are, or be who you are...which probably sucks. ha! We do our jobs, projects, work...and we get paid for it. Others go out, swim, go to the beach...man I miss those days...and earn nothing but fun and relaxation. Sigh!

My dialogue (blogger is telling me this word is mis-spelled) with Alaska was interesting. Why are old friends growing up faster than me? Folks who range one to five years age difference develop the responsibility of marriage or parenthood sooner than me. Some by fault, some by choice, and then there's some who just don't know. My decision has been made, not by choice, but with respect. Time and future are and will always be there...assuming the world doesn't decay into segments of bacteria. My day to create a bond with one, or mold one into will be there...someday. No rush. My fate will lead me to either greater things or the shadow of the deepest pit. I am 27...soon to be 28. A rounded number, not as rounded sa 20 or 25, but it will be a year that something happens. I don't know...hindi ko alam.

Summer does not begin, it only starts to end.

Mind full of thoughts, stresses, and frustrations.

I am helpful, I am support. I am the reliable one, as long as you remind me. I am lost in my own reflections. My pains are lost in a sea of Daly City fog off Skyline between the Pacifica merge and John Daly Blvd. The speed soars through my veins, rushing adrenaline surging through my flowing pores. The reminder that the end is far, but starting such an obstacle seizes to begin. I leave it be. I leave it alone. My day will come when the horrors of...

Things have been weird lately.

I don't know what's wrong lately. I've been unsatisfied, emotional, and scared. I can't explain why I feel this way. I don't feel the motivational pull to link my life with work. I look forward to Friday's because I can relax my mind. I used to blame work, but that really wasn't the cause of my reducing self-esteem. My mind has lost control of everything. My mental state will not readjust and I find myself moody and snappy. What could I do? I just want to sleep and not wake up until it is all over.

Please, if you know how to handle my problem, email me.

Stagnant

I'm stuck with my feet bounded by unlocked chains. I can't move. I'm stuck. Let me reach out and see if anyone would grab my hand.

Email to someone

Encouragement could come from many places.


Thanks Mom. I need a hug right now. I've been frustrated and stressed about work because I need to improve my work behavior. This being communication, detail, and mostly being able to understand our product a lot better. Last week, I was complimented on my improvement from the previous week, but I'm still receiving useful feedback from all my coworkers. It's hard trying to do my job and suffering because my mind is just trying to get a valid license. I should be more relieved tomorrow because my ID should be coming in via Fedex. Vesper has been very cooperative with what I've needed. Thanks for the email. I had just fell asleep last night. But, I hardly remember the phone call. I owe you money.

I love you Mom.

I don't take advantage of the fact that she is and will always be in my life. Although I hardly tell her things, it still seems like she knows everything. I want to tell her. I want her to know what's up with my life. But, on the other hand, I'm holding back for the respect of another.

Tonight 216am. I broke down. An aim conversation with my best friends Reyna and Gina could really help, yet release some major frustrations in my current life. With Camillay in the Philippines, I have come to complete isolation from the one I'm used to receiving it from. Reference is the previous blog. Along with work, traveling, out of the ordinary events are tearing me apart. My strength is her. My strength is 100% attention. My friends are there for me. I'm just trying not to burden people with my problems, issues, craziness. That's why I decided to reply to my mom's email with the above. Why do I share such a personal part of my life with the whole world...because it helps me get through this tough time.

I need to study the training guidelines. Although I take pride in what I do, feedback is always welcome.

Pain & Happiness

It's been nearly 7 days since I've seen you with my own eyes. There's so much I fear when you're not around. I don't feel as complete as one should. Every thought involves something about you which makes my missing you even more hard to cope with. I look to you when I need strength, confidence, and to balance my thoughts. I'm on my trip to New Jersey and I feel alone. I know I've never missed someone so much because my heart feels like it squishes up. At this point on my trips, I'm either on the phone with her or at least chatting with her online.

I do take advantage of the time I have with her. I neglect the fact that she is there and I don't grasp the moment. Actually, when we're physically together, we act so much like two people who care for one another. Although, when we're apart, I don't appreciate the phone calls as much as I should. What do I miss? Here's a list:

- her voice (I saved her voice mails to hear her voice);
- her phone calls;
- her hugs;
- her touchy humor;
- her everything.

It does hurt. Everything I do reminds me of her. I was on my flight from Dallas to Philadelphia, and the in-flight movie was Bridge to Terabithia. It's such a sweet movie, but could take away everything that puts that smile, that reason to wake up in the morning, that feeling to keep going in your life. Also, it was her that told me that Leslie in the movie dies. But when I found out she died, my heart broke and I wanted to cry too. Whatever!? I have a heart. It wasn't the movie though, it was like she was no longer in my life. I didn't get a chance to tell her that I love her. I am seriously figuring out what love is. If this isn't, I have strong feelings that I can't part away from. I just wish she was here. I wish I could hear her voice. Anything!

After Thursday when I heard her voice last, she called Sunday for 2 minutes. I was relieved that she was ok. But, scared that she was going out to the other islands now.

This sucks. My heart is crushed.

Zzzz...Must Catch

She puts her hand across my back on to my shoulder. Signs of life raises and lowers amongst the blue blanket of warmth. My feelings of love have been reached again. Although, when time is spent, romance surrounds my life. Wonderful would describe how she entraps my huddled heart. Each day is embodied with your arms, your infatuation, and your companionship. You sleep. I enjoy watching over you, protecting you, relying in me to keep you safe. I long to perfect myself into your life. I heart you.

Is it the last chapter?

Dear Audience,

From day one of my treatment, I wasn't sure how my life would turn around. Everyone opens their eyes in the morning and looks at familiarity. Have you woken up and saw your life catching up to you? Your body could not move, you're in disarray of what's going on. Panic begins to flow through your blood and realizing that something phenomenal is happening, you begin to relax. This is the last days of my life.

My disease is something noticeable by the naked eye. I prayed and hoped that waking up without my burden would develop. Living for something is always a way to keep my mind off of it. Now, the sickness overpowers me and I must let it take me. I cannot control it any longer and the pain be cast away. I must enter a new book. I bid thee farewell. I am now...only a viewer of PCNs.

note: lol

Going Overboard

in·spi·ra·tion /ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-spuh-rey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - noun
1. an inspiring or animating action or influence.
2. something inspired, as an idea.
3. a result of inspired activity.
4. a thing or person that inspires.

mo·ti·va·tion /ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[moh-tuh-vey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key – noun
1. the act or an instance of motivating.
2. the state or condition of being motivated.
3. something that motivates; inducement; incentive.

These are two words discovered in the English language that could help us all understand what teamwork is based on. One person could demonstrate such admiration toward a goal that it pushes another to the brink of wanting, and even needing, such achievement. You just have to want it enough. In a previous entry, goals must be set. The hardest step is maintaining that interest. Some people can't help lose attention to one thing. At this point, inspiration is needed. When was the last time you inspired someone to shoot for their goal? A goal could be small, big, or even nothing to one person, but something huge to another. My motivation reaches lengths that will help someone concentrate on homework, reduce frustration, or even lend a shoulder to cry on.

Lack of motivation leads to frustration and discredit. What if someone doesn't deserve such credit? As a person of good moral, I could lend a hand, but on the contrary, laugh at the face of pure meanness. I am human still.

Why do I attempt to motivate or inspire those who don't deserve such strong words... because I was once there. Frustration could lead to meanness and meanness to failure. Everyone fights to stay away from failure. If you look at the darker picture, frustration could, with a little help, be looked at as motivation. A leader develops stress because things are not going as planned. When a goal is properly planned and organized, there is still room for frustration and stress. Stop, breathe, and tell yourself that verbal abuse is not the path. With just a few more seconds, let someone know, politely, that respect is requested. Most likely, this person(s) will understand. Blurbing out without thinking could lead to something that could've been avoided.
Don't give up! Failure is solely up to you. There's more than one way to succeed.

On a side note, I decided to compose a poem to my bear-y favorite.

Favorite Journeys - by JoshGumbi + April 10th, 2007

Every day and night starts the same
With a whisper catching a glimpse in time
Each step guiding a future learned to tame
Grasping what pure reasons to combine.

Remembering the images that drown and fade
Keeping what my heart and harmony fulfills
The fate of our hands become delayed
Finding a memory of happiness until.

(to be continued...)

After College

You ask yourself what do you left to do right before you finish what seems like a lifetime of education and schooling. The common path is to find that career or job. Would you say it easier said than done, definitely? Unless you take the proper steps to preparing for the rest of your life. Some may be so entertained during college that post-college could take them to a sudden downfall. The thought of an internship is the excuse why they hadn't secured a decent career. On the other hand, laziness surpasses all types of excuses from what I've seen. College prepares students for the preferred field they plan on embarking. Suddenly, the freshmen year is over and their high school grade point average turned into nothing. Why? Socializing, parties, skipping class.

We all, at least 95%, find ourselves in desperate situations where we discover low marks could lead to working at McDonald's for the rest of our life. Luckily for me, McD's never hired me. A lot of places rejected my applications because I was over-qualified. Unfortunately, when it came to finding a career in the field I graduated in, I was under-qualified; that's what I believed.

Employment isn't about what you know or who you know, it's about knowing you could do a job you have little or sometimes no experience in. Don't kill yourself trying to find a software programming job when you've never touched a computer. Think obvious, not oblivious. Never give up and don't let your rejections get the best of you. Employers can't take chances in what they don't know. You put yourself on the market (sending out your resume), you sell your knowledge (interview process), and you make sure you could back up everything you tell them. With enough rejections, you'll discover more knowledge with what other employers are looking for. And when you know this, you grab hold of that and make it your own.

Don't stop learning. Take advantage of life experiences because they will always benefit what is out there. Network your skills to different locations.

Ok, you found yourself with a high paying career that you've finally got settled into. But...you find yourself pressured and uncomfortable with the work environment. Don't put up with it, but also don't let out your aggressions. Take action with your life and fight for your happiness.

Quick brief: Joey graduates May 2003. By August 2003, he moves back to San Francisco and finds a 30k JOB with benefits with Safeway.com. Job involves delivering groceries to customers to the North-Eastern residents of San Francisco. Hard job, but first job out of college. By October 2004, Joey gets terminated for failing to abide by employment policies (I accepted tips that totaled up to $7,000). By late-November 2005, Joey is desperately hired at Office Depot, fulltime furniture representative (Never sold a piece of furniture in my life). Within a month, Joey is qualified for management position but declines. Reason for decline stands at career availability. I didn't want to get involved too much in something I knew I wouldn't stay at. By January 2006 (14 months later), Joey moves back to San Jose as the full-time Tech Lead at the new Office Depot. After a couple months, Joey is once again offered with management position...declines. I'm not going to settle for a retail job. In mid-July 2006, Joey applies for PickPoint Corporation as a field technician and qa/qc tester. Joey's first day at PickPoint begins his life as a career-made Engineer.

Don't let anyone tell you to settle for something. Make yourself available. Sell and make sure you're bought. You're not a hooker, but you could think like one.

Inspiration, motivation, and determination.

Weekends

This past weekend was filled with a joy, laughter, fun, child-like, and understanding. What I could say is that life is a great feeling and cherish what you have of it. My God-sister presented us with the gift of life this past weekend. I'm unsure how to spell the name, but it is Skyler. Ten years before that, my younger brother, James, was born. Who would of thunk it.

We celebrated my brother's birthday at Circuits of Alameda where kids and probably teenagers can go to workout while doing what we do best nowadays, play video games. At first, my brothers and I were a little hesitant to play the games, but after eating cake, we were ready to jump into it. San Jose should have one of these. We shall see.

No dance practice this past Sunday. This is how it'll be after pcn '07 is over. It's a relaxing feeling. Please say this is your last one. No more teaching. No more. I can't do it. *faint

The look on your face when...

So, the other day I was browsing the Internet and was directed to a link that I thought I'd never go to. On the down side, there's a lot of websites you won't find me at. I can't bare to find myself on an online store that didn't involve technology, computers and so forth.

This day, I came into the dreaded online jewelry site for a certain person that I will remain nameless. Although this store is in downtown San Francisco, I decided to think not once, twice, or a couple few times, a date was coming up that really doesn't make a difference, but I wanted to make it special. I got a gift that I thought you'd enjoy. It's not much, it costs little less than a couple dollars, but the meaning behind is that it's from me.

So, come 27th, we shall meet each other at the crossroads and define the rest of ours as individuals. Kthxbye. ^_^

Scared & Waiting

From the moment my four wheeled machinery left, the rain had started to get teary-eyed. My emotions started to tighten. My body was uncertain with doubt and scared wonder. I wanted to believe everything would be normal. But, time kept ticking and little by little, the freeway was under me passing one accident after another. Looking ahead I saw one flare turn to almost thirty. My breathing got deeper, my eyes itchy, and the interval between calls reduced. I was scared. I don't usually jump into my car and go off looking for someone or something. As lazy as I am, I care. Do I care too much? I hope I do because that's how I am. Sigh.

I was most relieved when I got a call.

Lenten season

As much as I am non-practicing Catholic, I do obey the 'laws' of the Lord. Not necessarily laws, but obligations to better yourself as a person under God's kingdom. Is there such thing as religion that it scatters out to different beliefs now? There's more religions than people now, so to speak. Anyway, I've decided to take on the faith of believing that we're to sacrifice what we see as beneficial to expand our further extents. So, my list goes:

-acting gay.
-making fun of Alexis.
-cook more.
-eat out only once or less a week.
-jog/walk every other day and on weekends. (so, Sun/Tues/Thurs/Sat)
-clean room and keep clean.

I shall try and I shall succeed. No meats Friday. Chicken isn't meat! If it is warm-blooded, it is meat. Leaving me with cold-blooded food.

Rondalla practice

Imagine being in the first row of a concert and experiencing every aspect of being in that section. This is what it's like to be playing with an organized, stringed rondalla. Last Friday evening was the experience I had waited for almost a decade. With my pick in one hand and bandurria in the other, it was another stepping stone into learning and educating myself with one of Filipinos greatest identities, musicianship. Although I made no big difference that evening, my goal had jumped into my lap ready to be built. I listened, watched, and endured the sounds of the Likha rondalla. With enough practice, my hands will be able to play like that. My learning curve is linear, but will soon enough be exponential. It is worth going to these practices because practicing alone is a big bore. Hearing all the parts is what helps you get better. No baby steps here. Just play and I'll catch on.

Thank you for 'holding my hand' this one time.

Drama...already?

Teaching and learning, learning and teaching. The worst part is when someone teaches something they were taught by someone else and completely destroys it. Most of the time, it's the basic move that is taught throughout generations. If someone enjoys teaching, they'll always remember grace, posture, flow, and character. For any dance, culture, and/or style, it's the presentation that matters most. For example, we have a couple doing a ballroom dance, say...tango. They're doing steps, which is the easy part, but what about how they're portraying such a dance to an audience. Everyone knows that learning a dance means performing it somewhere. Crowds seem to become bored with routine or, as I would call it, blahism.

My point is directed to teachers, choreographers, artists who want their particular story to be told. Like plagiarism, movements are recycled everyday by enthusiastic eyes. One grasps a movement, uses it, tweaks it as their own. Is this appropriate? Would one dance instructor call it stealing? Maybe. But I see it as, use what I've taught/performed, just don't disgrace the move(s).

I've taught, been taught, and mostly like will be teaching in my later years. I enjoy the Pilipino artistic dance genre. All I ask is to learn it to the extent of what's taught, then if finding your own style of teaching is your cup of tea, then do so. Just don't screw it up.

Why is it hard to teach college students? Lol.