MUTANT CORN BEEF

Yesterday we went out furniture shopping for our new condo, which we will be moving into in April (more on that soon) and we didn’t know it was going to be that hard! I mean, to look for stuff that would match this and that aside from always being aware of the prices and the add ons and delivery charges and making sure everything is within budget. It’s a hassle really.

We’re going high-tech!

Helpful, accommodating, efficient and prompt are not the best words to describe our condo administrators. Allow me to illustrate.

1. I called the admin office from work to inquire about getting an Internet connection. We don’t have a fixed landline so I wasn’t sure whether we need to have one prior or if we can skip that. I was asked to call four different people, none of whom were able to able to help as each directed me to another person’s number. I gave up without ever receiving the answer.

   (Fixed landline not a requirement, by the way.)

2. Notices were posted on the bulletin boards informing everyone that the new condo rules and regulations are available at the admin office. So I called, again from work, to ask whether I, as a tenant and not a unit owner, will be able to obtain a copy. Admin girl said no, only unit owners can have one. I asked whether an authorization letter from my landlord will suffice. Still no.

   I gave up, as I did not want to lose my patience. But please explain to me how tenants, who cannot have a copy of the rules and regulations and therefore will have no idea what these would be, can be expected to comply with such stipulations?

3. For some reason, our water and electricity bills are coursed through the admin. We have our own meters, but the bills aren’t sent to us direct. The ever so timely statement of account releasers send us the bill two days prior to the deadline with the warning that failure to pay on or before the indicated date (usually one or two days after the deadline) may result in disconnection.

   I hope they realize that many of the people living here actually do have day jobs and can’t just go to the admin office during office hours to settle the oh-so-timely-released bill.

Naturally, when the opportunity to criticize the (lack of) service provided by the admin staff, the hubby and I jumped to the task pronto! We gave them a very low rating, for the reasons stated above and more.

But you know what? I think they might actually be paying attention, or at least trying to address our concerns. For about a month now (three weeks actually), both elevators at our tower have been operational. CCTV cameras were installed in the elevators after a spate of break-ins (and the resulting complaints).

We turned in the survey form late morning and in the same evening, we received a call about a delivery. Days before that, the delivery guys just went up to our unit unannounced. And just this afternoon, I saw a notice on the bulletin board informing tenants and unit owners that a biometric access system will be implemented soon! As my boss would say in his faux Filipino accent, sosyal!

Ever curious, I asked the guards about the biometric access. A notice will be circulated requiring all registered tenants (whether unit owner, lessor, maid, driver, yaya, etc.) to have their fingerprints captured and be issued access cards. All entry and exit points will have biometric scanners and only those with access cards can get in. In theory, this means nobody will be able to go up unless we tell the guards that yes, we know that person/had food delivered from them so please let them up. In theory.

I still have a few concerns but I guess I won’t really know whether such fears are unfounded or not unless I find out more about the new system. But I am excited about the change and really, truly hope it’ll work perfectly.

At the same time

One of the downsides of holding my job for as long as I have is I get easily irritated by misused words and phrases.

In one episode of How I Met Your Mother, Ted criticized Robin of her misuse of the adverb “literally.” Robin injects the word in nearly every single sentence, even when she means “figuratively.”

My recent encounter with a call center agent was way worse than that. CCA said “at the same time” every three seconds! That was perhaps an exaggeration but it truly felt that way. “You are entitled to a cash advance worth XXX pesos at the same time you will receive an XX percent rebate. You can get the manager’s check in seven to 10 days; at the same time you can use this to pay off your balance; at the same time you can pay this in full the next month or just pay the minimum; at the same time you can also use this to pay off the balance of your other credit cards.”

You get my drift?

That passage is way condensed because I started tuning out most of what he was trying to say.

Did I avail of the promo? Of course not. CCA made my ears bleed!

Simply elegant

One of my good friends from way, way back (we met, or rather, our families did, when we were six) got married last Saturday. It was, by far, the best wedding I’ve been to. Everything from the invitations and floral arrangements to the color scheme and choice of entertainment was absolutely perfect. You know that (lots of) money was spent but oh, how tastefully it was spent. There was nothing over the top or overly exaggerated. Nothing made you think they just wanted to burn money, but everything made you feel that each detail was well-thought of and planned for.

I wish I took pictures. I left my camera at home because, lately, I just didn’t feel like capturing everything. In the past two or three weddings I’ve been to prior to this, my camera never even saw the bride’s gown. So I thought I wouldn’t have need for it this time as well. Big mistake.

In any case, here are a few realizations I had as a result of being a guest at this really fabulous wedding.

1. There is a reason Rajo Laurel is Rajo Laurel. My friend’s gown was absolutely stunning! The silhouette was very, very simple but the fabric and beadwork were just so sublime! From a distance, you wouldn’t see the very fine rhinestones (methinks they’re dainty Swarovskis). Look up close and you’d see them glint ever so delicately against the light. When I have the budget for it, I’ll get me some couture from The House of Laurel.
2. Margarita Fores doesn’t just serve great food, she does perfectly arranged floral decor as well. Foregoing the tulle (barf) and the calla lilies typically seen in church arrangements, she used handmade jars topped with carnations, roses, button mums and a lot of organic materials. The centerpieces at each table were unique as well, each with its own elegant flair. Words cannot do justice to the work that she’s done.

   Fiori di M, located in Adora in Greenbelt 5, deserves a visit. Someday I’ll have all my floral arrangement needs from her.

3. The next time Jay Cayuca holds a concert here, sign me up. That man’s a musical genius! I never thought I would actually, truly enjoy the violin the way I did during his performance. A friend of mine quipped, oh so accurately: He makes playing the violin look so cool.
4. I really love to dance. Even my mom had to tell me, late at night, that I seemed to really have a good time dancing. The music of the Brass Munkeys made it difficult for anyone to resist the dance floor, and the all-too-willing dance instructors killed the I-have-no-partner excuse.

   I feel bad for the guy who tried to teach me how to two step, however, because I only got it when the dance was about to end! I only know how to boogie and cha-cha, but none of the two step and the latin dances. Well, maybe a little, just a little tango and a little bit more of the foxtrot (but that’s not a latin dance, is it?). There’s a dance studio right beside our complex. I wonder if they have dance classes, and how much?

I wish all weddings are like that. It was fun, light, entertaining (sans the awkward moments for all the single ladies and gents) and very, very elegant.

As I told a friend of mine, the wedding, summed up is: simpleng hindi.

DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT

Okay, that still didn’t sound right. If you rummage through the pages, you’d notice that most of the entries here were from my original blog. Why? because I said so here. Although the page is still kinda broken. I brokenated it for some reason, it’s hard to admit it but I’m a WP ignoramus. Although you’d have to say this is an amazing layout and it’s an awesome set up, I really can’t take any credit for it. It’s been magically altered by Ea Raymundo in exchange for some type of smelly paper we call money. I wanted to ask her if I could pay through sexual favors but at the back of my mind, I don’t think my wife would agree to such a deal.

Frustrations

If I only know how to do their job, I would.

Do they ask why things are running this late? Of course not. They just pack up and leave, without saying a word, knowing full well the output expected from them and when.

Wish I had an easy button

It sure feels like the longest winter ever.

EVER.

The Day Rap Music Died

One of my earliest posts in this blog was about Francis Magalona. Getting the news yesterday has truly sunk my heart.

I admire Francis M. the way that I admire Bob Marley. Both men made a distinct voice about the ideals of their own people.

Another year, another list

I’ve put off cleaning house for several weeks because I’m always tired after work. I’ve finally found the energy to start doing so and now I’m more tired than I ever was.

The tradeoff is real nice, though: a sparkling-clean bathroom, fresh sheets, and a dust- and hair-free floor.

Don’t ask me why but the hubby and I shed hair like a couple of hairy dogs.

Another year, another list

I’ve put off cleaning house for several weeks because I’m always tired after work. I’ve finally found the energy to start doing so and now I’m more tired than I ever was.

The tradeoff is real nice, though: a sparkling-clean bathroom, fresh sheets, and a dust- and hair-free floor.

Don’t ask me why but the hubby and I shed hair like a couple of hairy dogs.

———

My birthday’s coming up in a few weeks. I suppose I’ve reached that point when I no longer receive gifts just because I turned a year older (but none the wiser?). The hubby aside, I think the last time I received birthday presents was when I turned 18.

That doesn’t stop me from wishing to receive these purty nonsensible thingamajigs, though.

The first thing on my list is a Parisian dress form. I don’t want wirework or Betty Boop-like structures. I want a classic dress form with black or brown pegs and legs, and a body upholstered in vintage florals.

Malinki dress forms
I considered Marimekko prints, but I worry that they might be too loud. These might work, though.

Ever since Sex and the City, I’ve been lusting over them clear PVC dome umbrellas. But I could not find anything locally. There was a promo sometime last year (I forgot from which company) but those were really cheap, poorly made and have very thin covers. One major stormfest and those umbrellas are done for.

This one looks like it can withstand typhoons and more, what with a fiberglass shaft.

Dome clear umbrella from Umbrella Heaven
I also love, love, love Arne Jacobsen’s egg chair. Particularly this mustard version:

It’s actually called Minagawa yellow after the Japanese designer that created the fabric pattern.

Of course, no birthday list will be complete without books. Luckily, Neil Gaiman’s latest will be released in five days.

An all-expense paid wardrobe overhaul would be great too. That includes footwear and accessories, natch.