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.

Fa,lalalalala...latte

"Non-fat, half-caff, extra hot, extra foamy grande macchiatto... and his order."

Pantagraph reports an incident of holiday spirit-sharing at a local Starbucks in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The article reports that as the customers pulled up the drive-thru window, they have been told that whatever their coffee order is, it has been paid for. Between 9am to 12:57pm, 142 people had "paid it forward" and spread kindness over java.

Shame on that scrooge who placed an order at 12:58pm.

Christmas is not lost in retail madness, apparently. Kindness flourished in that part of town even for only a few hours - a few hours more than what we sometimes care to give.

The post received tons of comments... and I particularly liked this one. (Because it sounded like something I could have written)

Cousin Eddie wrote on December 14, 2006 2:28 PM:
"What a nice town we live in! Any chance of that happening at Best Buy if I attempt to buy a 60" plasma flat-panel TV? I'll be there this afternoon if anyone feels like throwing a little Christmas spirit my way."

Image credit: Slate.com

For Chester (1993-2006)

There were more than just two siblings in the Madamba household. About thirteen years ago, there was another one to join the already brewing insanity between those crazy sisters. Not another daughter for the parental units, but a male with distinguishing spots - a bit on the hairy side. We then welcomed bright-eyed, mixed-breed pup (Japanese Spitz and a Philippine native breed) onto our realm and named him Chester.

His fur is predominantly white, as is typical of Spitz breed, save for a brown spot by the right eye (akin to a pirate) and a bigger one by the arch of his back (like a saddle). Grew up to be very energetic and healthy. Truly have been a loyal addition to our family. My only regret is that I didn't get to be as close as I could to him because he primarily stayed outside the house (Yes, we pimped his crib, aka "the guest house") and save for 3 years - I was already living abroad. Some few moments when I wasn't too happy with him: On nights/early mornings as a teenager, creeping back to the house in the hopes of not waking up anyone at 4am. At the slightest creak of the gate, Chester starts to bark. I run towards him and try quiet him down. Goshdarnit, too late. My parent's bedroom light turns on.

He could have very well been our brother - we all regarded him as that other sibling. A side joke between my sister and I: Dad cared for Chester a lot, special treatment, doggie bag treats etc. At the time when had this insatiable urge to learn to drive, only to be met with resistance, we surmised that it won't be to far out of an idea if Chester was given the go-signal for a driver's license before we did.

Age got a hold of him. I saw it the last time I visited home (2004): Poor eyesight, tumors behind his ears, arthritis - it was all still Chester, but considerably calmer. He held on for over two more years after that until mom recently shared the news that he passed away.

Seeing how he was thirteen years ago as a furry ball of fire that never tired, it still feels weird that Chester's life came full-circle within our lifetime. It never is easy to experience something ending , which is the nature of life anyway, even in measurement of dog years.

No fries (donuts, fried chicken, cookies...) for you!

MSNBC reports today that the transfat ban was was passed in the Big Apple.

By July of 2008, McDonalds, TacoBell, Uncle Vinny's Pizzeria, and even Grey Papaya, amongst the long list of food establishments in the city, will be mandated to eliminate the use of frying oils with trans fat content.

I am a non-discriminatory foodie; I can enjoy a tasty Angus filet Au jus, while also finding satisfaction in a post-ballgame sausage/sauerkraut sandwich. However, I have been pegged on some occasions as an exercise nut, which is probably stemming from the guilt of being a foodie. Therefore, I commend New York as it shapes itself on its way to being the healthiest city in the United States (Sperling's Best Places reports San Jose, CA to currently have that distinction. Shame, shame... New York City is at #8 for cities with the lowest health scores). Eat more of that (E-coli safe) spinach! Think twice about munching on those Burger King Fries! Stop friends looking at your breakfast from saying "Man! Would you like some bagel with that cream cheese?"

Health is one great reason (if not the only one) this had been passed as it did. While that truth stands, any city-dweller in love with New York, or even any one who had been fortunate to experience the city in one way or another must be wondering: What is this to do to the culture? Forget the McHuge food chains - how is this dramatically going to impact smaller establishments, or street vendors that have - in more ways than Zagat would admit, toiled to earn their place in the New York gastronomic landscape?

If they can make it there, they'll make it anywhere. Chain reaction is inevitable. Should this go by way of the smoking ban trail, I'm putting money on the educated guess that some cities in California and Massachusetts are already looking into the possibility of joining imitation nation.

Turn, turn, turn...

BusinessWeek reports - more like, asks the question: Is the Philippines finally turning around?

So.... is it?

Assif Shameen outlines the improvements seen from the past years, straddled by the conflicts and challenges to the administration. The deficits are on its way to being eliminated, albeit the homeland is in dire need of moving at pace with our Asian neighbors. Overseas remittances continue to fuel economic growth to the projected tune of $12.3 billion dollars in 2006, but we still have to be mindful of this "brain drain dilemma", where some of our most talented workers seek better opportunities outside our borders - for due reason.

Give me something to believe in. I read this somewhat pleased, but still not quite at ease - left eyebrow raised. Could it really be? Guarded as I am with this twinkle of good news... this brings forth some pride. Some hope. Some motivation for myself to stop overly complaining about how Manila is not what it is without the greed, the corruption, and the wide gap brought forth by our non-existent middle class. I have said before, without much conviction, there is hope for the Philippines yet.

Maybe there is.

Just when I have started to get into the minute of zen - it was but a fleeting moment. In scrolling down to the comments, a certain expat laments:

Nov 27, 2006 3:32 PM GMT
This writer has obviously not spent much time in the Philippines. Nice people, corrupt and inept government. There has been some slight improvement in roads and internet availability but it is a badly managed country where the best opportunity is as an overseas worker. That being said, Arroyo is better than Estrada and Marcos, but Manila is light years behind Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, China or even India. Don't invest there. There's a joke over there among expats: "Welcome to the Philippines, Slow Down!" Jeff Kassel Makati, Philippines

I had to take a deep breath. Closed my eyes, and repeated the mental mantra several times, "Each one to his/her own opinion... each one to..."

On that note, I just might post under a pseudonym. (Interesante - I can even turn this into a search engine results experiment.) Kassel and ignorami can express their opinions. So can I. I just might conjure up enough strength soon to click Submit Comment on what I have to say:

Even the coldest of skeptics need something to believe in. Like most Filipinos, my concept of home is not complete without seeing the humor in how sad our political system is. Admittedly, I shake my head in disbelief at how the Philippines find herself in the direst of economic and social situations. And yet, featured articles such as this appease me (while still guarded) and lead me to believe that maybe there is hope. Therefore, when I read comments such as the ones posted by Kassel, I struggle to put the infuriation aside and beg to ask, “We welcomed you to our country, dear sir. Despite such opinions, surely there is something keeping you? And when you say ‘…best opportunity is as an overseas worker’ with a questionable tone, do you propose we adopt a model akin to the flawed social welfare system in the US instead?” Miles to go before improvement – yes, but my people are a resourceful and resilient lot. I agree with Carl: Kassel and other critics, move a few miles out of your comfortable upscale addresses and send us a postcard from where you end up in. We don’t care about the weather, but do tell on how you’re liking the drastic change in perspective.

Slow news day?

From Sunday through today, I'd like to believe there were more substantial things to discuss than a wedding of (Hollywood personalities, yes, but still...) mere mortals. Isn't there a war going on? Didn't the Democrats take the power back? Isn't John Kerry seriously considering another shot at the Presidential Democratic nomination and botched a joke in the process? L. Ron Hubbard couldn't be any prouder than this day, as Xenu nods in approval.

USA Today
BRACCIANO, Italy — After pulling off their fairy-tale wedding in a castle outside Rome Saturday, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have moved on to their honeymoon destination.

Boston Herald
BRACCIANO, Italy - In the end, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ “wedding of the year” in this lakeside Italian town gave little satisfaction to fans closest to it.

CBS
(AP) In the end, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' "wedding of the year" in the lakeside Italian town of Bracciano gave little satisfaction to those closest to it.

The Australian
HOLLYWOOD'S most hyped marriage of the year turned out to be an anti-climax.

The Standard, Hong Kong
Officially, they got married in Los Angeles, but the spectacle of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' wedding was in Bracciano, Italy...

But whoa... Now, this is a disappointment. Of all news avenues, my main source of pure Tom Cruise nuttydom has not updated any articles since September 6th! Sacrilege... just plain wrong!
TomCruiseIsNuts.com
(No news on the fairy tale wedding in Bracciano, Italy)



Get to it, team. Every news joint from here to Timbuktu were on it like flies to a - well, you know. Don't worry about covering Kissinger's validation of the failing Iraq war, surely that will get out eventually.

One Hundred Years too long

I finally finished it. After four months, and several books read in between, I was able to put down this Gabriel Garcia Marquez masterpiece, One Hundred Years of Solitude.

What I am to write here would sound like a cross between an amateur and an eighth-grader having a hissy fit about a book report on the novel. (What's the point? It has gotten enough raves and accolades anyway - mine won't matter.) Not going to a lie, it was an interestingly hard read. I struggled through some chapters where names, events and timelines were all in a blur. No conversations - pure narrative straight through. Oh, how could the text have turned around if that part towards the end, the one involving "peach jam" had featured actual exchange of words. Or other non-verbal utterances.

On several occasions I had been tempted to rip off the page of the family tree and just tape it near wherever I'll read. Keeping up with the family members and who-is-named-what is part of the experience. Everyone is either named Arcadio, Aureliano, or Remedios... how about including a Miguel, Carlos, Fidel or Consuelo in there? Would have been easier than trying to figure out if the one coming home to Macondo this time around is Jose Arcadio #2 or number #57. The story of the family and the mythical town is mesmerizing indeed, with a scenario involving the fabled parchments towards the end, putting logic in a constant struggle within the personal stories: The meaning of said parchment and the prophecies outlined came full-circle.

On that note, I am off to start Tolstoy's War and Peace.

Todo Sobre Mi Madre

She tells me that I should call more often... I tell her I have always had an odd way of showing how I miss her. I remind her of how she tormented me with stiff-lipped sermons and pinched arms when I was a stubborn kid; She completely denies having done a ghastly disciplinary deed. I love her - for all that and everything else.

Gotta love birthdays... This day is all about my mother.

Broiling in Bikram

In the background: Image of Yourself, by Adam Ant (Wonderful album)

I never thought I would get to try it. Imagine being in Las Vegas. On a heatwave. Dry air in a room that felt like 120 degrees. You generate sweat at 2 gallons per minute...

Now do an eagle pose.

I have walked by Funky Door Yoga (Pine @ Bush) on numerous occasions, several of which I seriously considered just walking in and signing up. The facility is clean, and the mix of colors on the main areas and bathrooms complement the yoga caricatures on display - giving the location a relaxed vibe. Friendly-folk staffed at that location were kind to newbies. I was warned that it was going to be toasty in that room - they did not lie (It felt like I was drinking lukewarm tea out of my nalgene bottle halfway through). The instructor was engaging, and she had that good balance of not being too ohm-zen(ish) in walking us through the poses, without sounding short of a drill sergeant either. Compared to the classes offered in the gym, the crowd here is more in-tuned with the practice.

In Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga gym classes, I was the one in the back that would go "thump!" while I struggle to do the crow. I will still probably be royally sucking at the poses until I fully get this into my system. Yoga, in general, initially gave me the impression that no "work" was being done with the sessions. It humbled me. Bikram Yoga, on the other hand, is out to get me schooled.

The Embarcadero Route

It can't be. 5.25 miles... really?

I would go for a run after work, every other day - at the most (I used to go everyday by the Charles.... Slacking, I know). Got into a conversation earlier about running routes and upcoming races. I was asked how many miles do I usually run when I do get to go out at night.

"3 miles. I think. 475 Brannan to the end, Embarcadero down near ferry building... detour to Pier 14 (?), back to Embarcadero to Pier 39.. back to Brannan."

I got doubtful looks. Fine. Checked www.mapmyrun.com (Powered by Google. What isn't nowadays?)


If the measurements here are correct, then yes - over 5 miles each time. Some might scoff at this, but boo on them. Awesome - just when I was starting to think my endurance and motivation for a short 3 miler was on the decline.

(Now if I could just go further to Fisherman's Wharf without my knees buckling, that would be great.)

Que?

Adrants reports a grammar correction request to one of Infiniti's (Canada) ads. You say toma-to I say toma-toe, should we call the whole thing off? Eh?:

The subject of your headline is the word "ALL"........not
"WINGS". Therefore the verb "is" must be used to agree with the subject, not the
PLURAL "are" as it now reads....

Please consult someone at your ad agency
who is over the age of 40 and who learned how to speak English back in the day
when teachers cared and/or knew the difference between good and just plain
WRONG.

YouTube, GTube, We all Tube

Are you really only worth $1.65 Billion, YT? Speculations are abound on how this would impact Googles susceptibility of being a copyright-violation magnet. Sure, it might hurt Google with a few extra lawsuits - would that be enough to overcome the potential ad avenue that Sergey Brin views this partnership to be?

Amazing. Next thing you know, Google will review the feasibility of acquiring a famous coffee chain, perhaps even consider that movie deal with Pixar.

Very well, Page/Brin/Schmidt. Now, how about working to get MySpace off Murdoch's already full hands?

The Morning-Person Formula

The morning alarm clock sound is painful to bear, the first step out of the bed, even harder. Postsecret features this postcard, proving the possibility that I too may soon say "Good morning!" one of these days and actually mean it.

From: Postsecret, 10/8/06

I take my coffee black

In the background: California Stars, by Wilco (Mermaid Avenue album)

Whaaat does that headline say?

Story headlines in Adrants are usually clever exercises in puns. They catch your attention enough to widen your eyes for a second before scrolling to the full story. Such is the effect of this one that was posted two days ago.

Rear Entry Advised For Family Plannng
http://www.adrants.com/2006/10/rear-entry-advised-for-family-plannng.php
Classic case of intended meaning vs. misinterpretation.


Should I?

Nike Women's Marathon (Full/Half)
October 22, 2006


Grande Strong Brew, please.

Why not? I have come to the point where 2-shots of espresso wth steamed milk does nothing to my degree of functionality anymore. Therefore, I'm the one who shoots toward the office coffee station in the morning, pours some Superfly Feature Brew on my mug and foregoes the cream and the sugar; that's 3-seconds of my time in the morning I could have used otherwise.

"You take your coffee black?!" Oh, but the jolt you get on that first bitter swig is unmatched - I said to a co-worker this morning with a quick sip of the devil's brew. On one hand drinking the coffee without any additions allows you to taste the essence of how the beans were roasted. It will enable you to distinguish the the Kona brew from the Ethiopian, the Sumatra from Sulawesi, the quality java from the dishwater decaf.

Important thing was was that my cup of joe woke me up this morning - enough to at least drive me to some semblance of productivity.

Until 10:30.

See Cham Run

I'm joining. Maybe:

Nike Running Club, SF
278 Post St. @Stockton , Union Square
Wednesdays, 6-8pm

5-mile Embarcadero Route

Fine, Nike. I'm just gonna do it. (Will they let me run with my comfortable Asics shoes and clima-lite Adidas gear?)