My year without a summer

The year 1816 brought a weather phenomena that set forth a chain reaction of events. The "Year Without a Summer" was also dubbed by historians and scientists as "Eighteen hundred and froze to death," where poverty hit the Northern United States and New England, Canada, and Northern Europe. The snow-filled summer of that year resulted to heavily-damaged crops, destroyed agricultural livelihood, and a mass exodus of people from the affected regions to complete the westbound move to where they had hoped to be areas of kinder climactic conditions.

It has been over a year since I also had completed my west-ward Boston-San Francisco move.

The year 2007 marks my year without a summer. Between June through the Labor Day weekend, there were no trips made to the beach, no tan, no sand on my toes, not a whole lot of patio bar happy hour sessions. The weekends were not my own, as most of them were spend under this fog cloud. Yes, apparently we were blessed this year (more than the last) with a few days of summer-like weather; and then there were those mornings where I went to work wearing a fleece jacket.

Fault is mine: Could've-would've-should've made time to cross the bridge a few miles out of San Francisco to remember how a California summer is supposed to be like. But I was at the mercy of, well - other seemingly bigger things. No summer tan, no foliage. September and October should be better for this area, warmth-wise... so in retrospect I suppose it was not so bad.

Who am I kidding? I look at that snowboard propped on the wall and think: Let the (snow) season start already.

Hiatus Shmiatus (part deux)

Same old story. Slightly different string of events from April 2007-September 2007.

Excuse#1: Got caught in a turmoil of surf and baby turtles here.
Excuse #2: Sister's graduation brought me here, and in turn sought to be back in that school setting.
Excuse #3: Short trip back to Beantown; caught up with good friends and put more damage to my knees.
Excuse #4: The usual suspect - work.

We built this city

Not so much on rock and roll. BusinessWeek featured a list of the World's Top 100 Most Liveable Cities, a report published by Mercer Human Resource Consulting based on what works well with.... the expats? I scanned the list quickly and had my share of agree/disagree/doesn't-make-sense opinions on the entries.

On one hand, "liveable" can be a very relative term.

Interesting to see that the United States did not have a representative until the #27 position: Honolulu, Hawaii. Nothing against paradise, but I am not so certain a liveable city to a local means paying the highest sales tax in the United States with your purchases because of a nature of the tourism-driven state.

Nice to see San Francisco, CA land right after Hawaii.... and surprisingly followed by Boston, MA as the 3rd US contender at #36. Manila has yet to climb up from #123. (Odd. I recall seeing the aforementioned expats in Makati/Alabang last time I was home and they seemed pretty comfortable....)

*Thanks for the tip on the article, sister.

How could I have missed it?

Google's April Fool's Day joke:

Ides of March

From its roots in the ancient Roman calendar, the phrase is currently used in the context of a mid-month period. "Ides of March" is also a metaphor to describe a disaster forthcoming.

Ides of March = Impending Doom (says Wikipedia). Is a beautiful day/string of days (70 degrees approx. until the fog rolls in) an indication of what's to be feared? Apparently in San Francisco, doom came in a hue of tickled pink.

I was finishing this post and got sidetracked: Sonia Zjawinski posted an article on Metrophile from the Wired Blog Network about an earthquake awareness campaign by the American Red Cross (Bay Area Chapter) in conjunction with ad shop Publicis & Hal Riney. Take a sample of what's to grace the streets of San Francisco.

(I'm afraid. I'm very afraid.)

Photo credits: Thank you, Sai Haridoss, for the snapshot of spring blosssoms on Potrero Hill.

Surfing in the Philippines...?

Tina, one of my best friends from back home, was visiting the Bay Area and told me that surfing in the Philippines have gained momentum in the past 4-5 years. It is reportedly more of a current trend amongst artistas and high-profile Filipinos who have the time and luxury to venture out to a handful of surf breaks within our islands. After reading recent articles on this, I found out that locals of the identified surfing communities in Siargao and La Union have been embracing this sport as well. Not surprisingliy so - it was a hard feat to overcome the frustrations of trying to surf for the first time, but the feeling of finally catching that wave is unmatched.

I recall a conversation with a friend after picking up surfing:
Friend: (amazed) Hawaii was your first time, really? You never surfed before?
CM: Never - I wish I got into this earlier in life, though.
Friend: But, you're from the Philippines..!
CM: (with conviction) There's no surfing in the Philippines. I would imagine the breaks would be inconsistent through the storm season.
Friend: Philippines, though!? Tropical country, monsoons, and yet no surfing?!
CM: (indignant) Believe me - I would have done it if I knew of places over there!

One of the many times in life where I eventually found myself in Camp Wrong.

Identified top surf breaks within the Philippine Islands (From the Philippines Travel Guide):
1. Badoc Island, Ilocos Norte Province. North west coast of Luzon. (Irony: My parents are from The Ilocos Norte Province, where we drive up 1-2x a year. )
2. Baler, Aurora Province. East coast of Luzon
3. Catanduanes. Island province off east coast of Luzon.
4. Daet, Camarines Norte Province. East coast of Luzon
5. La Union Province. West coast of Luzon.
6. Samar. The east coast of Samar Island
7. Siargao Island. North east of Mindanao
8. Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province. West coast of Northern Luzon.
9. Zambales Province. West coast of Luzon.

I stand proud having the Philippines being recognized as a surfing destination. Locals and tourists alike are bound to, not only enjoy the waves, but the food and the hospitality that is inherent in the people of the friendly islands.

However, things are never without a catch. The reality is that hazards are abound, and they are not necessarily contained in the water. From Globalsurfers.com is a word to surfing enthusiasts who may be lured to this part of the world:

Safety: Safety and security should be of paramount concern to any visitor to the Philippines. It is vital to be fully informed of threats and developments regarding crime, terrorism and kidnapping before and during a visit to the islands. Vigilance is vital throughout the islands, particularly in Manila, as opportunistic crimes are motivated by circumstances of poverty. Extremist groups have a history of kidnapping foreign tourists, and terrorist bombings have occurred frequently in Manila and Mindanao, targeting transport and public places. Terrorist groups have also threatened to attack passenger ferries and other vessels, particularly those operating from Mindanao. The threat of terrorism and kidnapping is greatest in central, southern and western Mindanao, Basilan, Tawi Tawi, Jolo and the Sulu archipelago; the FCO, US Department of State and other governments advise against all travel to these areas, and care should also be taken in Palawan and at coastal resorts and tourist centres throughout.

At least we don't have reported shark attacks familiar to the coasts of Australia and South Africa. Then again, I have been mistaken before.

Photo Credits: Thingsasian.com

Film vs. Movie

Twas the night of the highly-anticipated Oscar awards. While some commiserate on whose gown was the saddest failure of the night, others may opt to ask the more germane question: Was the recognition well-deserved?

Apropos to the event Urban Dictionary differentiates a film from a (mere) movie:
Heaven help you if you disagree with where "Fast and The Furious" was classifed.

Bullet with Butterfly Wings

I was motivated to beat my previous time during that last half-marathon in Boston. The same way I bid goodbye to my old stomping ground - what better way to fully get me into the San Francisco state of mind by taking in the views and roaming its coastal streets? On Superbowl Sunday, I took on the challenge (with a prayer that my knees will not buckle halfway).


Kaiser Permanente Half-Marathon 2007, San Francisco
Sunday, February 4, 2007, 8:00am

Bib/Race #: 4341
Net Time: 1:55:05
Published Time: 2:06:05

Final choice for a starter tune: Bullet with Butterfly Wings, by the Smashing Pumpkins. It was quite a challenge to finalize the tunes in my running mix (Aptly titled: "Run, Dammit!") for this race. They advise not to start with something too fast as it would tire me out easily. They say try to stay uniform across the mix and the slow down/speed up intervals should be gradual. To think that filling your list with Chemical Brothers and Korn would get you on a consistent angry speed mode to the finish, is unwise. The beginning lines of Bullet builds up to faster, edgier riffs - shortly after hearing, "And what do I get for my pain? Betrayed desires... and a piece of the game" I picked up speed, without consciously meaning to.

Great running conditions for that day: Comfortable weather that started at 55-60 degrees and warming up to almost 70 mid-morning, the course was relatively flat with a few rolling hills through Golden Gate Park, wonderful views of Ocean Beach. I tried to focus on my running pace, while minding my gait and not over-exerting on my problematic right knee. With controlled breathing and adeptness at bobbing and weaving past other runners without tripping anybody - everything else around me did not exist... except for the lush greens in the park, the arboretum, the de Young Museum, and the crashing waves by the Great Pacific Highway. This running route is by far one of the most scenic I have ever experienced - that alone made it all worthwhile.

At last year's race in Boston, I started feeling the knee pains at Mile 7. This time around, I ran past Mile 8 slightly fatigued, but in better shape and lacking that familiar sting. At one point, oddly enough - it was as if a dose of Vivarin kicked in and I was noticing my feet gain momentum: Before getting onto the Ocean Beach route, it looked like I was sprinting for a good 5-8 minutes. I wondered if this ease was because of the Yoga, or the Glucosamine (horse) pills I have been taking everyday. It was all short-lived, as my knee started hurting at Mile 10.

It was frustrating - but not enough to get me to quit with about 3 miles to go. Comical how I thought back to my starting song - I did feel like a bullet, trying to gain momentum at the last stretch, albeit stuck with flimsy flutters. Another thing that I liked about this course, however... was the mile to the finish. Boston had about a 1.5 mile distance from the last turn (with finish line in view) to the actual finish, accented with an arched bridge in the middle to mimic a hill. So close, yet so far.... The last mile for the Kaiser race comprised of several turns. On the last right-hand turn, it was a pleasant surprise to see that only approximately 25 feet is the finish line.

I have always relied on time chip technology for accurate race scores, but this race did not utilize that. Instead, runners who finished were funnelled in lanes for another 10 feet or so - at the end of that would be the kind volunteers who collected your race# tag and put your time down at the time of receipt. This brings forth inaccurate scores because 1) It does not acknowledge your time at crossing the Start, and 2) How does that take into account the slow bastard in front of me in that lane? Sure, we're all winded - but he was just stretching while walking with a slow gibbon's gait. Screw then the scoring authority - I knew I finished well under 2 hours.

Right at the end of those lanes was a sight of a familiar face. Steve was looking around scoping the runners and probably wondering if he will ever find me. I walked over, and before I could even give him a hug of relief and gratitude, he says "Hey!.... What's that on your chin?" At Mile 6, I took a dose of a Cliff Energy Gel, Chocolate flavor. I knew it dripped and got to my face, but I also thought I scrubbed it all off. Great. I finished the second half of the race with a huge chocolate stripe across my chin. Just glorious.

The Patriots may not have made it to the Superbowl this year - but other victories were achieved this day (and we'd almost feel sorry to see Peyton "cut that meat" Manning be the butchered one if he cannot deliver a Superbowl win with his salary). Nevertheless, I highly recommend this race for first time half-marathon runners, as well as those who need to be reminded (informed, enchanted, mesmerized) of how beautiful this city is.

On the other side my angst-ridden started song, was a tune that kicked up towards the end of that Mile 13 marker that was suitable with my overall sentiments at that moment: Float On, by Modest Mouse.



Image credits: http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/profiles/barnard1.jpg

Reversal of the underdog

Image credits: http://www.dukesgloballinks.com
Thank you, Siri. Great preso...

Here vs.There

Boston and San Francisco had some interesting news bits in the past few days.

In Boston:

• The bomb scare story, where Sean Stevens and Peter Berdovsky executed a guerrilla ad campaign. Marketers, take note. The same pranksters videotaped police response to their idea of creating buzz.
• I guess Mitt was really going to run after all.
• Talk of weather overrated? Not if I'm spared here from these temperatures.
• (The three-hour time difference can be a strain to phone correspondence. After a gruelling game of phone-tag, a dear friend reports that she is expecting. Emily, probably one of the most active and athletic women I know, will soon give up the rowing oars to be a mom.)

In San Francisco:

• "I'm your mayor and I'm an alcoholic." (Chorus: Hi, Mayor)
• Good golly, Queen Mary! The majestic ship is reported to be the biggest vessel to have ever entered the San Francisco Bay. A mere 30 foot clearance was all there was as the ship cruised under the Golden Gate bridge.
• Of course. Just my luck - now that I actually would like to get my snowboarding (lack of) skills worked on, snow had been scant in Tahoe. Wasn't I just shovelling my car out of a mound of that last year?
• (Finished a half-marathon on Superbowl Sunday, leaving my right knee a painfully sore pulp for 2 days. Fun times.)

On the Bush Iraq plan, (Republican) survey says...

No.

"The vote is whether we can proceed to debate the escalation to the war in
Iraq," Reid said. "And the Republicans have told everybody they're all gonna
vote 'no.'"

Well, 'no' on the motion to proceed, that is. For now. More discussions on this resolution to continue, despite several other key issues that need to be addressed this week. For $245B and more lives on the line, is it any wonder that the debate shall go on?

Reunited, and it feels so good

There's a little bright spot on the news today: The anticipated reunion was sealed for next month's Grammy's.

Up Next: An attempt to obtain the most creative news coverage catch phrase alluding to a Police tune.

State of the (my) Union

Twenty-three days into the new year and the President's State of the Union address is all the buzz.

This news preceded Democratic presidential candidate announcements, premiere of a show that had gone one season too long, and the buzz over Steve Job's new gadget.

If this is an indication of 2007, it's going to be quite a year.

The previous year was interesting in a hectic-blur kind of way. I moved across coast and - well, I've given enough babble on that. Work has not really calmed down and the previous Holiday season left me in need of evaluating a lot of things.

Unlike the esteemed powers of this nation, I'm not asking for over 20,000 soldiers to be deployed overseas. A vacation would be sufficient for me. I need time for myself, clear my brain before I do something crazy like... sign up for a race on Superbowl Sunday at 8 am in the morning.

Too late. I just did.