June 28, 2012...

...what was wrong with you??? ====================================================================
by PAM


The morning after....

Now, it feels like I floated blindly through one of the most "anomalous" days of tennis and football yesterday! Now, watching BBC's Sport Today in bed, I still ask myself... what the heck happened???  ;) Uhm, ahem... sorry, please excuse my language. It's just that it really feels strange how these catastrophes came like an unexpected avalanche. :/

***
Wait, weren't they supposed to "fire at will"? 

First, Mario Balotelli took Italy to the Euro 2012 final with a brace of goals in a "whoa-whaaat" semi-final match with Germany in Warsaw, Poland! Yes, yes, and yes, sir... to THE EURO
The explosively brilliant German "young guns"...
...gunned down in Poland - by the Italian "Mafia".2012 FINAL!!  And, yes, AGAINST GERMANY, too!  Yeah, that team that was captained by Philipp Lahm and which had Mesut Özil, Mario Gomez (yeah, the real "super" one), Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manuel Nauer, the toast of World Cup 2010, Thomas Müller, and a host of other incredibly talented young players. Yes, them, who are Europe's hotshot young players... who have played their way into the semi-final round like they were on their way to winning the EURO 2012!  Their performance yesterday was lacking in coherence and depth against Italy's solid defense and aggressive attacks with very defined purpose... plus the "veteran" goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, was a "beast" out there! 

I am mightily disappointed by the outcome because I really like that 'breath of fresh air' that these German boys generate on the pitch, I do love the way they play... just like I would've loved seeing them going through to the final in South Africa in 2010... if only the draws were worked differently, and they weren't up against Spain in the semis.   Uhm, ahem... perdón, "Mama España", I didn't mean to sound like I wasn't rooting for you because I was then, and I am now! And will do again in 2014! :) I just thought it would be fantastic to see Germany's exciting "young guns" playing Spain's tasty blend of "fine wine" and "new brew" at the Euro.  I was imagining getting "sweetly intoxicated"! :) And without the "Lionel Messi factor" this time, make that a truly, unadulterated European "intoxication" right
La Furia Roja de Mama España - European Champs...
...still the side to beat!there!  Who else could give you that these days but Spain and Germany, whose pool of talents in their own Leagues are of high concentration of talents from their own countries - the best of them all?  But, apparently, Joachim Loew had a real reason for feeling stressed out all the time... and I thought he was "over acting" a bit considering what a talented team he's managing!  These boys seem to be a bit prone to panic when stared down by the 'big guys' with passionate purpose... I still find it disturbing how Manuel Nauer stood immobile when Balotteli & Co. was gunning for an Italian goal   Aaargh...  Or... it's as simple as a case of Italy remaining to be a massively strong pillar of European (and world) football despite the tumultuous sea of controversies that their National Team had to navigate a couple of months before travelling to Poland and Ukraine, which is very good, too.      

Sunday foodie

It's Father's Day today.  Here's to all the cool fathers out there!  Cheers!

Oh, and my "almost bro-in-law" turned the day into a foodie day.  He brought something that made our father happy - huuuge flat box... 

Do we need to ask "what's in the box"?  I guess not...

...and what was inside the box looked yummy!

...look at all that cheese!

It didn't only look yummy, it was yummy!

So good! :)

Even our furry little food critic rated the pizza highly... he ate almost 2/3 of a slice! :)


Foodiely happy!

***

Saturday photo

...of my "alternative workplace".
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by PAM

Uh, nah... I don't hang out in the attic all day long like some recluse these days.  That's not possible, of course not!  I'm "retired" from my previous work, not retired to a hermit life!  Haha.... I'm still a 'practicing geek' at the Research Center though... and I probably need to figure out a way to keep it that way for as long as possible... just because this is one "fire" that no amount of "water" can extinguish.  At least, that's how it feels these days... and I'm sure it'll stay that way for a long time.  

Alternative workplace... "the doctor is about". Welcome! =)

But, yeah, generally, I'm taking a break... and I do have an "alternative workplace" at home when I'm not "geeking it out" at the Research Center and at the... uhm, yeah, the attic!  It's a little corner in our front yard, under a kind old tree.  A "furry friend" (who can't keep still for a photo) keeps me company, too (and entertained... or maybe distracted? hehe...), while I, uhm, "work". :) 

I know... it's a 'good life', and I love it!  :)  God is good... He is!  I know, too, that I probably do not deserve any of these blessings... but I'm enjoying them nevertheless, like all graces from God should be enjoyed and be thankful for. :) 

But, yeah, I probably need to get back to the 'grind' in a little while... maybe in a few months.  I'll be back in full steam - hot, hissing with the highest possible enthalpy, flowing powerfully at full speed... starting a "new chapter" in my professional life! :)  Until then, I resolve to just enjoy my little break... and that's what I do now.  Slowing down, pausing to savor the sweetness of an incredible life of blessings... and figuring out this new path in front of me, to use God-given gifts in a way that allows me to give back - more - and enjoy life to the fullest at the same time.  Exciting days, indeed! :) 

Oh, and speaking of exciting stuff, EURO 2012 is just about to wrap up the Group stage and soon getting into the Quarterfinal stage... Wimbledon is just around the corner, too... and the 2012 Olympics beckons - London calling, baby!  :)

***

Pilipinas kong minumutya...

Happy Independence Day, Philippines!

...aking adhika, makita kang sakdal laya!

***
Image credit:  THANKS, Google!

Sunday foodie...

...a string of unsavory situations turned into a sweet foodie day.
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by PAM

Not a very good day today... first of all, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao lost to Timothy Bradley in a badly-judged bout in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Tsk!  The Philippine "National Fist" should really protest that fight!  And Bradley should return that belt - it doesn't belong to him!  What an additional disgrace to the already "ugly" sport!  And, oh, I didn't even see the match live... I was working at the Research Center, figuring out what it takes to give coconut water "eternal freshness"... yes, on a "national sacred day" of a Pacman fight, too! ;)  Oh, well... first things first!  And, the coconut water is worth it - it is.  But that isn't why this post was classified as "Sunday Foodie".   

Second of all, rain interrupted the Nofael Djodal Brofight at Roland Garros, and the score froze at 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 2-1, with Rafa Nadal winning the first two sets... and Novak Djokovic losing - umh, his temper - and getting warned for racquet abuse!  A proof that the weather and tension situation at Roland Garros was close to desperate... even the usually cool headed Nadal also lost his temper, complaining to the chair umpire about how heavy and soggy the balls were getting due to the light but steady shower.  And when the match was suspended due to bad weather - finally - the Spaniard gave the match official an earful and walked hurriedly out of the court - bitchfacing to the max - looking eager to disappear before losing it completely and exploding with extreme annoyance.  The #1 and #2 in Men's tennis will be resuming their brofight tomorrow.  Oh, well.... 

Saturday photo

Aah, just saw the warm messages and good wishes from good friends... thanks! :)  I know you want a glimpse of what I'm doing the past few days.  Well, I'm not really doing anything spectacular right now, just chillin' and takin' a break - from the busy life in general! :)  But, okay... why not.

Uhm-hmm,  I'm currently "working" from this disorderly corner here...  

Work... in progress.

...in the attic! :)  Yeah, I know, that curtain is too blindingly colorful... I'm workin' on it. 

In the meantime, I need room for my books... mementoes and "milestone markers" from my "previous life" of deep idealism, and what an amazing and incredibly fulfilling life it was, too!  I thank God for all the wonderful blessings that brought immeasurable joy and blissful sense of fulfillment, not just to me, but to my loved ones as well.  And I look forward to more joyful and truly exhilarating things to come as I submit myself to His will and follow His lead once more as before... on to new and awesome avenues of exciting challenges and possibilities that only "new life" could bring! 

In the meantime, I am "retreating" and being creative up in the attic. :)  It's an exciting work in progress... stay tuned!  Well, only if you're not all the bored already!  :)

***

2012 French Open Semis...

...and the "dirty" road that led to it.
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by PAM


So, here we are finally... into the "for the Big Boys only" Round at the 2012 french Open.  Yeah, there were "big girl" matches, too, of course... but they're a bit too "girlie" for my adrenaline rush need right now.  I know, I'm bad... I should be more supportive of Women's tennis. I know I should, I want to... but how?  See, ya don't know how either! ;)  

***
Sliding on dirt... to the final round!

It's the semis.  Of course, it was probably reasonable to assume that former (*sigh*) #1 in the World, Caroline Wozniacki, was out of the contest already?  Uhmm, yeah.  It's the 'all-big-girl' part of the Slam, so what d'ya expect!  But so were the Williams sisters - out already... a long time ago, in
Sara Errani, ferociously 'upsetting'. fact.  But, hey, so was the four-month immediate former #1 in the World, Viktoria Azarenka!  (another *sigh*)  The over confident VA (uh, yeah, she is!) was ousted in the 4th round by the little lady from Slovakia, Dominika Cibulkova, who also ousted the then #1 Wozniacki last year in Wimbledon. Incidentally, this fiery #1 in the World eliminator went all giddy meeting Lionel Messi in Barcelona a couple of months back during the WTA Barcelona tour. Cutesy! :)  Cibulkova, in turn, was downed by the reigning "Queen's Queen" from the Land Down Under, Samantha Stosur.  The in-form Aussie, who was getting a lot of positive attention (she should!) for her powerful playing style was shockingly ousted by the seeded 24th Italian, Sara Errani, in a three-set upset.  Dang!  Then again, Errani was already showing a lot of grit and nerve of steel, ousting former #1s, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic on her way to the semis... so, Sam ought to have been more careful with the Italian gal, after all, another Italian beat her in Roland Garros final two years ago, Francesca Schiavone.  I guess, the Italian spirit is too powerful for the Aussie's precarious nerves.

So, yeah, Errani and the most dazzling poster and pin-up (or is it 'Pinterest' now?) girl of Women's tennis for the longest time now, Maria Sharapova, are up for a red dirt face-off in the final!  So, yeah, one more day of beautiful sight against the French red powder backdrop that hurts the... uhm, ears. ;)  Having powered her way to the SF, through a big challenge from Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic, winning Roland Garros would mean "personal Grand Slam" for the leggy Russian Goddess of Beauty who speaks with
The new #1 in the World, Maria Sharapova.overdone American twang.  I'd go for Rafa Nadal's lost-in-translation Spanglish anytime, no?  You?  I heart Rafa! :)

Also, a Sharaaaap-aaaaw win would mean that the new (yes, again! *sigh*) #1 in the World in Women's Tennis, with enviably flat belly, would be a current holder of a Grand Slam silverware, with three more in the cabinet, completing shiny silverware pieces from all four surfaces.  It would be a great advertisement for Women's Tennis... here's the #1, young and beautiful, charming and lovable, and undeniably highly accomplished on all tennis court surfaces.  Dazzling on the red carpet, ferocious on the tennis court - whatever surface it is.  Grande, no? Si, si! Vamos!  :)

Therefore, good luck, Mariaaaaa-aaaaw!  Ooowww, caramba, my ears... that hurts!  Mute button, quick! :)

***
Some a-blah, a-blah.... like I know what I'm talking about!

David Ferrer vs. Rafael Nadal in the semis?  This one was a little bit easy to predict.  The defending Champ from Spain, Rafael Nadal, hasn't dropped a set on his way to the semis.  While the other 'Clay Specialist' left in the tournament, David Ferrer, also from Spain, did a good job ousting British #1, Andy Murray, in their QF match... unsurprisingly, I must add, 'cause it was the clay surface after all  (and it's Andy Murray?
David Ferrer... focus, efficiency, win.yeah, that, too), the adorable little Spaniard, who works so hard on the court, always after the ball, just didn't have the variety of shots to handle Nadal's heavy clay artillery... and we're not even talking about Nadal's shipload of shimmering reserves at the dock!

Ferrer plays powerful baseline game, in spite of his size, which apparently is enough to earn him the #6 in the World honor today, which is huge considering all those talents in men's tennis these days.  He is efficient in his game, and his speed behind the ball could easily put his opponents on the defensive, but the lack of shots variety and less than impressive groundstrokes make him predictable.  While he is one of the best serve returners in the business, his own serve isn't powerful enough to win him easy points when the going gets tough.  When taking on lower ranked opponents, these issues aren't much of a problem for Ferrer, because he normally just rushes to 'demolition mode' efficiently to score a win before his opponent realizes what was going on... but for the more seasoned Grand Slam specialists, high-ranked opponents, dismantling the Ferrer game is easy. In fact, Murray showed more variety in their QF match... but Ferrer's focus, consistent tenacity and willingness to go after the ball, and overall efficiency proved to
El Maestro... he who started "it" all. be the more effective weapon over Murray's hot-cold-colder-and back-again emotional, often defensive, approach to his game that usually prevents him from dynamically and smartly analyzing his opponent's game to launch the perfect attack.  Plus, clay is Murray's least favorite surface.

Talking about dynamic court analysis of an opponent's gameplan, Roger Federer is the smartest of them all.  The Swiss Maestro wins not only because he had powerful shot artillery... but understated because he doesn't make noise when he unleashes big shots.  He wins because he can come up with a winning tactical gameplan as soon as the first game in the first set was played.  He deploys his weaponry smartly and strategically per his gameplan, and calibrates and recalibrates dynamically as the match proceeds.  He plays a "cerebral game"... that's why he is almost emotionless when he is playing.  So, I imagine, RF's opponents do not get tired so much physically as mentally.  Therefore, the most effective way to defeat the Swiss genius

2012 French Open Quarterfinals...

...already?  Already!  Aww, not ready!
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by PAM


I fell asleep, exhausted from the day's activities... some serious technical editing of something seriously technical, and an initial experimental run on something... uhm, experimental.  Haha...  And then those "experimental ventures" that are not really... uhm, actually, shouldn't really be treated "experimentally".  But enough about being cryptic on "real life"... 'cause there are quarterfinals worth investing time on over at the City of Lights. 

The "warm-up rounds" are over and the toughest are hangin' tough... the heat is on!  QF in the 2012 French Open, bebeh!

***
Novak broke back... and broken back, back-to-back!

So, I found a comfortable watching position somewhere in the middle of the second set of the aaargh-ugh-huh?-whoa-inducing QF match of the World #1, Novak Djokovic, and World #5, the French livewire tennis court showman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga....

With the first two sets gone and the men even on set winning, 6-1 and 5-7, Djoker taking the first and Tsonga taking the second, the third set was a "killer set".  The ice in my coke melted in just a couple of minutes from all the heat the two power-hitters generated from the scorching red clay.  At 1-1 on Tsonga's serve, he couldn't move on from a shot called long... and flopped a
Novak Djokovic, eyeballing the ball.slam, sending it to the net, 0-40. That bouyed the spirit of the visibly distrought Djoker who lost the 2nd set in a heartbreaking game that saw his serve broken by Tsonga. Djoker maintained his composure, or what's left of it... and he broke Tsonga on the Frenchman's serve... only to give up his own service game right after, 2-2. Whew!

At 2-3, 15-15 on Djoker's serve, the Frenchman showed a volley masterclass, digging deep to pick up a Djoker fine dropshot to send the ball right on the sideline - beautiful!  The crowd erupted in glee! Uhm, yeah... and me, too!  But the Serbian World #1 with beautiful blazing eyes held, 3-3. After flopping an easy volley big time, Tsonga sent a winner that Djoker had no hope of returning, 30-30.  And the Frenchman sailed, 4-3. The eight game was intense, Djoker trying to hold and Tsonga trying to steal a game... and the set.  But Djoker found his mojo... and his ace serves, and held, 4-4.  Tsonga came back... wild!  I mean, oh-yeah, wild!   Two consecutive BIG crosscourt winners and unreturnable serve, 40-0!  Djoker, stunned, almost visibly sinking... and Tsonga took the score to 5-4, with him on top.  Hot! 

Sunday foodie

Colors, flavors, texture...

Talk about variety... here's a slew of V-A-R-I-E-T-Y!

...they've got it all covered... uhm, sealed, in fact! 

My sister brought these colorful guys home sometime back, and they sat in the fridge for awhile.  Nope, we're not really die hard pudding people obviously.  But, in one of those late nights/early mornings of football (from halfway around the globe) when our chips cupboard wasn't sufficiently replenished with our reliable all-time faves to muffle the noise of incredible excitement, watching Lionel Messi break this and that record, I settled for these colorful guys. 

Hmmm... they were firmer than most puddings.  They resist shear and compressive pressure quite well, but they easily yield to puncture, so spooning was interesting - you need to pay attention.  And, hmm... there were cubes of nata de coco scattered in the pudding matrix... interesting enough.  Science-wise, that wasn't a big challenge... but a smart move, in terms of product development because that made the texture and taste less predictable at every bite, therefore not all that short on the exciting-flavor-variety and layered-texture criteria I usually set for satisfactory foodie experience.  So, yeah... they weren't so bad - for pudding, that is.  And, yep, they're made in the region, too... Malaysia.    

***

Easy and mellow...

...on Sunday mornin'.
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by PAM

Then again, after listening to Jennifer Warnes's bluesy voice and the great Joe Cocker's incredibly gritty voice "assaulting" and ripping the air, which the mellow melody soothes to almost tangible silkiness, with such phenomenal mastery of artistic air ripping, if there's such a thing... it becomes a little bit difficult - difficult not to be lifted up in awe.

"Up where we belong" is one  of my biggest favorite songs from one of my favorite films, "An Officer and a Gentleman",  with Richard Gere and Debra Winger.  I remember writing the title of this song in the hundreds of slam books I signed back in High School! =)  It's really a great collaboration of two fantastic artists... and I like Warnes's association with yet another fantastic artist, Leonard Cohen, too, of the "Hallelujah" fame, which was made famous again by the budding artist, Jason Castro, in the 7th Season of "American Idol".  

Alright, that's all the on-line break I'm allowing myself to have today. 

***

Saturday photo

Peace and quiet...

Silence = bliss

...you and nature.  Just you with your thoughts, and Him with His wisdom, away from it all... ah, priceless!

***