Postponing Pregnancies

My eldest daughter is 32, and the only one married out of a brood of eight. More than 24 months have gone by and theres no sign of my first grandchild yet. At first I thought that my daughter and her husband were putting on the breaks until they were well adjusted to each other, but after two Christmasses and two anniversaries, theres no hint of anything made in the horizon.

Back in our time, the wedding ring hadn't warmed up on the finger and yet a noticeable bulge would emerge from the bride's belly. Many were not even married yet and already a baby had been delivered. In this high tech age, i guess the stork has become obsolete.

Kids today don't want to risk until everything is in place, and funds have been appropriated. They don't even want to marry in their 20's and would wait until they reach their third decade. They don't subscribe to the idea of growing with their kids or having certain difficulties they could look back to and laugh. They are not too keen on looking at the items collected over the years and tell the story about what it took to get that item for this or that kid or for the family. They want nothing left to chance, they want certainty!

This may seem positive but it lacks adventure. It may look sound but there's no daring, no excitement! They may get bored pretty soon. Perhaps we had spoiled them too much, or have given them what they needed before asking? We didn't want them to suffer like we did or be frustrated like we were, and over protected them. Maybe our own bravado about risk taking as Baby Boomers was to allow our kids to be safe and it was out of fear that we created all those achievements to pamper them. It was for them, not our own, satisfaction.

So, is all this talk about our generation producing the best risk takers, problem solvers, and managers ever is borne of fear? Man we suck! And it doesn't solve my craving for a grandchild! Hell, I'm willing to make one they could adopt so that we'll have a toddler to enjoy life with. We may have created a generation of safe players who create their own virtual worlds and might be easily bored with this world, and decide to end it! There goes my grandchild. Its a cruel irony that we face, and we only have ourselves to blame.

Harrrrwk...twooooph...ting

Boooing Bryant

When Chicago Bulls General Manager John Paxson declared that they are done negotiating for a trade that would give them Kobe Bryant, it opened a humongous sigh of relief for Bulls players and fans. The players did not deny that the trade, if concluded, would mean adjusting to Kobe and that some of them will have to go. Fans in Chicago still hold fond memories of Michael Jordan and would not want this "usurper" to take his place in their hearts.

And so, it was back to Los Angeles for Kobe, who said that he was not expecting anything unusual, neither did Coach Phil Jackson.

And then it happened. Resounding and vigorous boos echoed throughout the Staples Center. Kobe was being booed, not by out of town fans of other NBA teams, but by Los Angeles Lakers fans right in their home court. Being used to boos in different states was one thing, but losing the support of your own home court is ominous.

Kobe's 45 point output that failed to win the game, seemed like an "in your face" performance directed at the booing crowd. He looked unfazed, but it created more tension between himself and his teammates.

Known for being dedicated followers of their team, the Lakers fans made the Team realize that they wanted a divorce from Kobe. How did it come to this?

There was that rape case sometime back and the lingering tiff with Shaquille O' Neil. Theres also the disagreements with Phil Jackson, and the complaints about teammates' skills and heart that makes him do all the work. Then his demand to be traded and critical statements against Lakers management and owners. All these were quietly evaluated by the fans. He never admitted any wrongdoing and he never apologized. The fans realized they are not just holding on to a prodigal son, but were actually perpetuating the self-serving and bratty tantrums of an unreasonable and immature swell head.

Boooing Kobe must have felt good for the fans who have been seething for some time. If I'd been there, I wouldn't just boo him... I'd throw the entire content of my spittoon.

Harrrrrrwk...Twooooph...ting

Christmas Continues

After a brief pause for the frenzy that is All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which are approaching its decline by the end of this day, Filipinos are focused anew on the interrupted Christmas Holidays that began on September 1st, culminating on the 31st of January.

Having the distinction of celebrating the longest Christmas Season in the world, Filipinos see this as the feast of all feasts. The reunions and revelry accomplished during the past couple of days are mere beginnings - and they expect to widen the coverage and scope of the celebration as well as to reestablish contacts and strengthen bonds with old and new friends, relatives, children and parents.

The outpouring of generosity, selflessness, sharing, love, family bonding, religious and spiritual renewal; accompanied by songs, both happy and sentimental, will blossom fully on the 24th of December till the 1st of January. And this disposition will extend at least up to the 31st day of the first month of the New Year.

Prior to that fateful Christmas Eve, invitations will be made, parties and get togethers will be organized, reunions set, menus prepared, shopping for gifts of all shapes and sizes for all types of people being devoured in a pace like there's no tomorrow, and food for guests coming at different times and days of the Christmas Week non-stop will be planned and purchased beforehand. It will be a bacchanalian feast of sorts for anyone coming to visit, even if everything is spent by the host for others. Happiness is giving. Nothing can change that.

This is the orientation of the Filipino Christmas. Hail the Filipinos! Now, why can't everyone be a Filipino? At least starting now till January next year? Come celebrate Christmas with us, you're more than welcome.

I'm not spitting on this one, its one thing well worth swallowing.

Feasts and the Filipinos

You want to know what a real feast is? Leave it to the Filipinos, they know how to make a "Fiesta" out of anything, even the much heralded 1986 People Power Revolution. Now, that was a 4 day street fiesta with tons of excitement, free food, singing, dancing, speeches, laughter, tears, prayers, all rolled into one - like any Fiesta in any part of the country. The mere mention of feast or fiesta sends the Filipinos into a frenzy.

Thus, when the Catholic Church years ago urged the celebration of the Feast of All Saints Day and All souls Day, the Filipinos started to Rock! What was meant as a day for lesser known saints and another day for their dearly departed was rolled into a 2-day holiday, extending to 4 days-due to those having to travel to the provinces and back.

In time, the celebrations needed one week to prepare the tombs, together with time for shopping. And what were being purchased aside from flowers and candles? Let me tell you: items like tents, extension cords, food (pre-cooked and freshly cooked) drinks, beer, TV sets, karaoke, cards, guitars, and heaven knows what else.

The feast became a social event for reunions and revelry, with the whole family and clan trooping to the cemeteries to share their packed food and entertainment items with friends, relatives, and even business associates. It also became a venue for extended corporate meetings, as well as a venue to meet new friends or textmates for the younger set. Thus, even the kids had to have a fashion statement going to visit the dead, for chrissakes.

There's singing, dancing, drinking, gambling, laughter, even fake priests walking from grave to grave to bless the dead, for a small donation. There was a time even ferris wheels and caterpillar rides were within cemetery grounds. All sorts of booths adorn the premises such as those selling chicken, hamburgers, coffee, noodles, and whatever. This goes on for four days and three nights non-stop. Even if the soul of the dearly departed were present, it would be dead tired!

Hah, credit the Filipinos for knowing how to deal with adversity and hardship - by having a feast to thank whichever saint was named for the designated day, for still breathing and being alive. That's why I always compared the attitude and disposition of the Filipinos (who eat 6 times a day) to the Hobbits of Tolkien.

Believe me, its a great race of human beings. I know because I am a Filipino too!

Crashing Consumer Confidence

For three straight months, US consumer confidence slumped and is seen to be hovering around 2-year lows amid economic uncertainties, according to The Conference Board. Can you blame us? Helloooooo!

Manufacturers, in connivance with media, has fed us with bad cholesterol for many years by molding us to feast on burgers, fries and steaks - grilled at that! Then we were duped into snacking on transfats with potato chips, pizzas, and like junk to be washed down with soft drinks. Finally, we have been lured to relax with addictive cigarettes after each toxic meal that would seal our fate six feet under!

And now, we are told our very young kids will entertain themselves with lead laden toys that will make them good people (only the good die young, they say). However, our little girls have been given the inspiration to provide Tricks and Treats to older adults in the neighborhood with their Britnyesque or Lindsayesque type costumes; described as the "very chic for the very cheap".

Consumer confidence my ass, there is deteriorating confidence in the entire government policy (Iraq), structure (Bush and his ilk), sincerity(Katrina Victims), and purpose(anti-terrorism).

"...and crown thy good with brotherhood..." has been changed to "...and crown thy goof, with thugs and hoods..."

Sick, sick, sick. Haarrrrwk... Twoooooph...ting

Tragedy for the Toy Tester

The US Lawmakers, headed by my favorite Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have asked for the resignation of Consumer Product Safety Commission Chief Nancy Nord. The reason: failure to strictly enforce safety provisions on toys made in China.

Toys with over 200% lead content above acceptable level have been wagged by Speaker Pelosi as enough grounds for seeking the resignation of Nord. Can you imagine that the most powerful country on earth has a commission with only one toy tester who merely drops the toys to see if they break? Hah! What a sham. They also have 15 port inspectors assigned to monitor the entire continent of products that have increased in volume from 1.2 billion dollars in 1990 to 7.4 billion dollars in 2006! What incompetence is this? Spurred by the President's level of competence I presume.

The dutiful representatives and caring guardians of America's children added that the Safety Commission and its Chief "... do not understand the concern parents have for the safety of their children..." Har, har har.., what a laugh!

Concern for the children?? What about those congressional pages being targeted as boy toys by some congressmen? What about those nymphet costumes they make their children wear to parade in the streets at night doing Trick or Treat? How about the exposure that their 18 year old children get in Afghanistan and Iraq that maims, cripples and kills them outright? And yes, those firearms that Americans are so enamored with that children play for target practice, using their classmates and teachers as clay pigeons?

These lawmakers should get their acts right. Why not ask Bush to resign? Why pick on an underling? Or is the current rage merely an anti-china backlash because of the trade deficit with that Asian superpower?

This whole thing is sick! America is getting sicker, but its leaders are sickest of all. Where are you Michael Moore?

Harrrrrrrwk... ThwBush resignoooph...ting!

California Carnage:Testing the Terminator

I always get a good laugh at a segment of the David Letterman Show about "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches". It shows actual speeches of American Presidents, then cuts to President Bush attempting to make a statement, confused with his own statement, forgetting what he set out to say, or bungling clumsily all over the place. This short segment tells a lot about the brain of the American President and how it can command a very high price at the organ market for being largely unused.

His penchant for rehashing previous statements was evident in his visit to California. "...We're not going to forget you..." he said. Right, just like he told people of Louisiana after being damaged by hurricane Katrina. He added these words "...theres better days ahead...", also the same thing he mentioned in New Orleans during the same crisis.

Perhaps he would walk the talk this time. Consider the facts: the disaster area is smaller than that covered by hurricane Katrina; the affected residents are predominantly white, not black; the damage was greater for the rich residents, not very poor ones as in New Orleans; and the State is Republican, not Democrat controlled.

The Terminator, err, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's lame statement that the president reached out to him before he could make the call, then declaring "... That's what I call quick action...", smacks of ass licking of the most common variety.

The make-believe nature of his profession has confused talk for action. Where's the action man! That's all talk! And President Bush left with more talk!

While the fire was being contained, thanks in large part to the firefighters and the weather, one could feel that it (the fire) was murmuring "in your face" to the California Governor, : "...I'll be back..." Arnold may be burned by this incident, while Bush has relished being kissed in the ass by the Terminator.

Hawrrrrrrrk...Twooooph...ting