Do you know what I did...

...this weekend?
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by PAM

Well, I have been playin' good, and havin' a good time, too, with an excellent Team...


Gellin' to a cohesive and formidable Team....

Pitchin' for a great Institution is no walk in the park... even if you have a great Team.  However, work becomes light and easier if one worked with brilliant, productive, humble and fun people.  Sure, we're not perfect, but we'd like our output to be perfect, and the people depending on us to feel sufficiently cared for - so much so that they'd like to be productive, too.  I believe that that's all that matters, just because anything good that one's heart desires can become a reality - through hardwork, optimism... and faith.  We are capable of hardwork, we are willing to work hard... we work so hard!  We are optimistic of our prospects, and we have strong faith - in God and in each other.  Therefore, we're good.  

There are tall hurdles ahead... but we enjoy takin' on challenges.  The taller the hurdles, the more fun it is figuring out a way to clear them.  And, getting into our gear to actually clearing them is exhilarating.  Just thinking about the happy souls that emerge as the cloud lifts is more than enough to fuel our climb up the hill of challenges.  Therefore, bring 'em on, them hurdles! 

All the very best to us... amen.

Here's a little memento from this remarkable weekend...

"Welcome to the Hotel California... such a lovely place."

Oy, classic!  :)  I never imagined that work can be an excuse for letting my hair down and for being my 'crazy' self, too, once in a while... at least, as far as my music taste is concerned... rock, bebeh, rock! :)  

***
Video credit:  Thanks, Youtube, for the video link.

***

4-0... dang!

So, was that the end of the 2013 UEFA Champions League for Barça?
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by PAM


4-0!  Ugh! 

I gotta admit, that 'killed' me a little bit.  I'm kinda dead right now... oh, boy!  'Cause since when did Barça - "Pep Guardiola's Barça", that is - got so effectively annihilated like that?  So, okay, they are no longer Guardiola's Barça 'cause they are now Tito Vilanova's Barça... and yet, it was Pep who assembled the core of the present Barça.  They no longer play as fiercely as they did under Pep's heavily dramatic direction, but the brilliance is still there.  Tito is as cool as Pep is as passionate.  I guess a team like Barça tends to operate more effectively under a heavily passionate shepherd?  Maybe....

But, 4-0 in the semi-final of UEFA Champions League?  Really??  4-0??  Wow!  What's worse was that Lionel Messi was in Barça's starting XI in the Allianz Arena... what the heck

The unfamiliar look of defeat... 4-0. Aw, man! 

(Credit:  John Sibley/Action Images)

happened???  Aw, excuse my language... it's just hard, hard, HARD!  It's hard to accept that stunningly comprehensive defeat, the kind of defeat that Barça usually hand down to their hopeless and helpless opponents... including the Bavarians - in the past.  But, 4-0?  Man, totally heartbreaking! 

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to diminish the brilliance of Bayern Munich.  Boy, they were good!  If I weren't a Barça fan, I'd definitely root for them... there was no weakness in their artillery... the frontline was brisk, daring and accurate, their midfield strong, sharp and fast, and their defense was a brickwall - in the Great Wall of China fashion, too!  In fact, I've always believed that they should have won the Champions League last year.  Well, just because Barça's game got 'hijacked' by the ultra-heavy double-wall defense of Chelsea FC last year.     

Speaking of defense... I hate to say this, but Barça's defense sucked!  If it was true that FC Barcelona have lost their 'aura', it's only because their defense is 'light weight'.  Man, when will the Barça 'back' going to get the major overhaul and thorough reinforcement that it needs?  By 'overhaul', I'm not referring to Gerard Piqué's change of hairstyle/headstyle.  :)  Then again, the Catalans maybe undergoing 'a phase'... several of them started a family lately.  So, there's hope.   

But, yeah, there's that return leg to Camp Nou... the Catalans have a chance to assert their supremacy there.  With the Catalan crowd blowing on their sail, they might just find their second wind... after all, that ball is round, it could roll whichever way one kicks it to, and the wind could aid.  Besides, miracles do happen, ya know. 

***
The Lessons of Allianz Arena

I usually liken football, and it's dramas, with life... and, a-hem, it's dramas! :)  From the result of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final tie between Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona, it is obvious that even the most formidable of a team could fade in the shadow of defeat, if it's weakness was not remedied, reinforced and

Thomas Mueller, drawing 'first blood'.  Whew!

(Credit:  Getty Images)

constantly rejuvenated, and if it wouldn't pay close attention to what is out there issuing challenge - new challenge - against it. 

In the case of Barça, time and again, it had been pointed out that their defense is weak.  Of course, Pep Guardiola always argued then that that wouldn't be a problem if they had a strong frontline and midfield, which would effectively bring the ball at play on their opponent's half of the field.  It worked then... because their style almost always confined the competition in their opponent's half of the field - it was Pep's trade secret.  However, these days, many teams have already figured that out... when Pep left Camp Nou, he knew that his secret was out.  It was up to the new guys in the Coaching Staff to figure out a way to contain the new challenge that presses Barça to move back farther and farther to their backline... exposing their weak defense.  Every Barça fan knew that it was only a matter of time before a brilliant (and even a not-so-brilliant) coach would figure out how to dissolve the highly 'soluble' Catalan defense.  These days, many in the Champions League circle seemed to have figured it out, and they are out to try their formula to dissolve the Catalan defense.  Jupp Heynckes took a shot, and Barça fell with a black eye and swollen lip.  Dang!    

An organization or Institution - even the most accomplished -  could fall in the same bitter defeat, when it fails to do something on its weaknesses... most of all, if it failed to see, or admit, its weaknesses because of pride, selfishness... and defiance of authority.  A weakness cannot be repaired and turned to a strength unless it is recognized, acknowledged and figured out.  And, if 'winning' is an objective, that first step has to be taken - humbly, responsibly, selflessly.

Barça had Leo Messi - probably the best football player the world has ever seen - and yet, they were reduced to a shameful remnant of a glorious show of brilliance by 

Individual brilliance is good... but winning also 

requires teamwork, selflessness and humility.

(Credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)  

their opponent, Bayern Munich, in a total demolition, 4-0.  Of course, football is a team sport, and therefore, every single player's contribution counts, and that winning should not depend on one player alone - even if he was the best player in the world.  That's where the Bavarians excelled over Vilanova's Barça... all sections in their line-up was well-oiled, well-calibrated, and well aware of the danger that their counterparts in Barça posed.  Therefore, each section linked up nicely, working together, pressing, especially the scattered Barça defense to a mere flimsy resistance, putting Messi's brilliance to almost irrelevance... if that was at all possible!    

4-0... in real life, one should be bothered by it.  It should compel any responsible leader and concerned members of any organization or Institution to step aside and lift that pride on which they stood in defiance... and see how much damage such pride had caused the very foundation of their organization... and then do something about the damage. 

In football tie, there is a return leg - for  a second chance.  In real life, there might not always be a second chance.

*** 

Talkin' like April...

...under the PI sky.
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by PAM


Did you miss me?  :) 

Sorry, been busy... uhm, relaxing.  Emphasis on the 'relaxing' rather than the 'busy' part, mind you.  Yep, I know the meaning of the word 'relaxing', too, believe it or... don't!  :)

Soul vacay with soulful people. 

So, yeah, you joke around, sing at the top of your soul, eat like there's no tomorrow, shop cheap, and talk non-sense with really nice, humble people all weekend long... and your awareness of how wonderful this life is transcends mere knowing, it becomes true conviction.  Uhm-hmm, yeah, that's experience talkin' right there, my friend!

Yep, I had a chance to spend a couple of days away from that tiring den of bulging egos, and it was awesome!  :)  Then again, "that den" doesn't necessarily have to be dominated by a few bulging egos... we have wonderful people - humble, productive, sincerely focused on serving, and serving well.  I had a chance to bond with 35 of them for two days, and it energized me tremendously.  We did nothing but talk... 'talk like April' - warm, sparklingly light, cheerful, and relaxed.  For the first time in many days, I didn't have to pay too much attention on what I had to say or do... no one was waiting for me to err so they could have a chance to pounce or berate me like it was a precious prize to be able to do so, no one was thinking I'm too lucky that a killer whale should swallow me alive, no one was secretly wishing I'd drop dead. :)  It was blissful!  Whew!  :)

This life is teeming with good things, good people and good deeds.  I'm lucky to be working with so many incredible souls... soulful beings - pure, real, sincere and honest.  Or, perhaps, I'm lucky that I learned to focus on them rather than on those who think so highly of themselves... those who take it their mission in life to ruin our day - every single day - with unabashed conceit and unbriddled selfishness.  I'm lucky I've learned how to put them on the faded area of my peripheral vision, so they don't count... much.  Ah, life is good... thank you, oh, Lord!

Here's a little remnant from that uplifting 'soulful vacay'...

"A hundred days have made me older... a thousand lies have made me colder,
and I don't think I can look at this the same."

For as long as the good outweighs the bad, and more good people than bad surround me, this is all worth it.  Therefore, we proceed... vamos!

***
Did you say 'vamos'?

I had a chance tor see the Monte Carlo segment of the ATP Masters 1000 series, where Novak Djokovic dethroned the long-time champ, Rafael Nadal in a straight-set win, 6-2, 7-6 (7/1). 

Okay, so I'm a hardcore Roger Federer fan, but while I've always been a Djoker believer, I've always been a Nadal admirer, too.  Therefore, seeing Rafa lose that tournament made me feel sad.  It was the end of the Spaniard's 46-match winning run in MC... kinda bitter-sweet day for a tennis fan - the end of one great player's reign, the beginning of another great player's reign in that little clay kingdom of Monte Carlo. 

Coming back from a long hiatus because of knee injury, Nadal looked a bit rusty.  I know, it used to be unimaginable to think of 'rusty' and Nadal in one sentence a few years back.  Now, however... just picture this: with a nicely set-up game that was supposed to end in an overhead smash to kill Djoker in the second set, Rafa jumped, reached for the ball, smashed... and sent the ball straight to the net!  Aw, boy!  Obviously, he was not in his 100% winning form - yet. 

On the upside, the long time away from the tennis courts gave Rafa's skin a nice glow... and he seemed to have loosened up a little bit, wearing a pair of shorts that showed more thighs than usual.  Not all that bad.  I hope he recovers his form 100%, in time for the 2013 French Open.  In the meantime, there's Barcelona... vamos! 

***

Aw, man...

...really now!
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by PAM


Just when I thought that the 'stench' in the air couldn't possibly go worse than it already was, something 'erupted'... and now, the 'vitriol' parts per million is waaaay above my tolerance level.  But, in the tradition of Danny O'Donoghue, uhm, I'm not movin'. :)  My Team and I are going to have to find a way to disperse and get rid of the 'stench' - for everybody's benefit - so we could all breathe easy, and continue with our exciting pursuits and be productive.  Throw mud our way, and we throw colorful and fluffy marshmallows your way.  Go ahead and sink your blood-hungry pangs in them - it should be therapeutic.  Let us know if you need some more... enjoy! :)      

Therefore, "let's go, baby, let's go, baby, come on..."

"Take your cue from me now, I'm sayin' baby, let's go..."

...it's Wang Chung from the '80s. :)  Yep, shoulder pad galore, bebeh. :)  Baduy?  Yeah... so what?  It's fun and good natured... and it makes us smile! :)  And, as good friends advised, let's keep smilin'...  promise?  Promise!

"If you need a friend... I'll always be there."

"The Promise" by When in Rome of the '80s... yeah, I know, awesomely cheesy!  And those high-waist jeans... aw, man! :)  But, whatever... it's a stress reliever, ya gotta admit it. :)  Now, that's a lot of 'steam' off the lid now... relief! :)  

Alright then, bring on stench! :)

***
  

Saturday photo



Cool it!

When the going gets tough... the tough cools it.  When the going gets rough... the lame employs an abrasive ghost writer - to write her e-mails. =)  Nah, don't worry, we'll try to never be lame... just always sincerely passionate... and plainly honest - honestly!  :)   

***
Footie talk is cool talk

Alright, Foodball Captain, where are you?  I need someone to write my e-, er, rave with over the second leg of the FC Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain UEFA Champions League quarter final tie in Camp Nou.  :)  That miracle of a 1-1 draw (3-3 on aggregate, and won by Barça on away goals), with an equalizer for Barça care of Pedro Rodriguez who was set up by the injured Lionel Messi, was a thing of absolute beauty - it deserves some raving here. 

In the first leg in Paris, Barça's defense was kind of rattled by PSG's fierce and fast counter-attacks, resulting to a hard-earned 2-2 draw, and an injured hamstring for Leo.  In the second leg, the Catalan defense was struggling completely, and their frontline reduced to a toothless kitten.  With the injured Leo not in Barça's starting XI, the first half and the first 20 minutes or so of

Defeat is uncool... when the big-eared cup is on
the line. Therefore, change the game - win!

(Image credit: Shaun Boterill/Getty Images)

the second half was painful to watch - especially for Leo.  Good thing, Leo and Tito Vilanova had the courage to gamble on the four-time Ballon d'Or winner's injured right hamstring... and their courage was rewarded.  Like a heaven-sent archangel, Leo changed the pace and the fabric of the game when he came on, jolting his teammates from 'sleeprunning' to fierceness, and evoking unacknowledged fear from the visiting Parisians. The Catalan crowd came alive... soon, there was electricity in the air!  With a mesmerizing drib-drib-dribble, Leo created the play, which was kept alive by the all-of-sudden sharp David Villa, and superbly finished by Pedro to an equalizing goal. Bea-bea-beautiful, I tell ya!  

And just like that, Barça moved to the semis... which essentially is going to be a Spain vs. Germany affair:  Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund on the first half and then FC Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich on the other half.  Barça'd better be ready, 'cause the Bavarians are a tough (and rough when needed) lot.  Is it smelling like an El Clasico in Wembley come May 25?  Gosh, speaking of tough... and rough!        

Oh, and that Manchester derby in the Old Trafford a few days back, where ManCity beat ManUnited, 2-1... that was good stuff!  Fast, fast, fast-paced affair that was... and raining with yellow cards, too.  In the end, a serious brawl almost erupted... and it wasn't between Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson either.  Yep, tough and rough! 

Yes, yes, and yes, I am sick!  These days I only get to watch football when I'm sick.  Alright, Foodball Captain, where in UEFA's leather ball seam are you hiding?   I want to talk footie here! 

***

Just updating...

...my mental jukebox.
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by PAM


A few days ago, I had a chance to enjoy a videoke-'til-mornin' party. :)  Uh, yeah, I need to find time to unwind, too... although, for the most part, the party was about work.  Ugh!   

Anyway, my companions belted out some of the famous and undying videoke pieces... one was saying something about how good old songs were, and that the new songs are nothing compared to what we, fortee-sumthin' sons and daughters of the EDSA Revolution (the 'real' one), sang in our good old days. :)  Needless to say, I couldn't agree more... well, almost.  Why?  Adele is great and beautiful, yeah... but I say that this generation is relevant, too, just because they have her... and this Irish band, The Script! 

Just listen to this...

"I'm not broke, I'm just a broken hearted man...

...how can I move on when I'm still in love with you?"

Nice, huh?  Sure, they are no U2 nor The Police, but hey, Danny O'Donoghue doesn't sound bad - not at all.  He makes The Script sound like a decent pop/rock band.  I like them - a lot, actually. 

"Don't wait for luck, dedicate yourself and you can find yourself...

...standing in the Hall of Fame, and the world's gonna know your name."

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

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Saturday photo

A remnant from last Thursday's energy surge...


From the 'seat with a view'... with sincere gratitude. :)


Yeah, I was in an unfamiliar seat, viewing the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering Commencement 2013 proceedings from another perspective last Thursday.  I can't say that it was better than my 'usual seat', but I must say that I enjoyed an interesting perspective from where I was seated... which deserves some appreciation, too, actually.  So, yeah, I do appreciate.  However, I believe that whichever seat one occupied in that arena, the incredible feeling of knowing that somehow you helped make someone's dream become reality was exactly the same... and that mattered more than anything last Thursday.

I guess I'm just one of them lucky bunch who have found out how it felt like to be viewing the same proceedings from both perspectives.  What it takes to deserve such 'privilege' is not at all easy, of course.  In fact, it's monstrously difficult!  Well... again, that's a matter of perspective... a matter of how one puts premium on the amount of work and the opportunity to serve, and serve well, that go with that tiny bit of microscopic 'privilege'. Of course, others might view it as the highlight of being the occupant of the 'strange seat' (well, 'strange' for me, at least)... once again, 'a matter of perspective'?  

I hope that God would continue breathing wisdom around me, making me see clearly the big responsibility amidst the hazy air of fame that goes with that little 'privilege'.  I hope that He would continuously shower me with the inspiration to value the responsibility more than the privilege... because the positive impact of fulfilling the responsibility well cascades to many people, while the 'privilege' can only be enjoyed by one person - the one seated in the 'seat with a view'... and one person's memory does not last very long. 

However one views this, the most important view is that God is in all this, and that all of this is for God. 

Grateful (for this opportunity to serve)... that's what I am now - and always. 

***
     

Adrenaline rush...

...rush, rush, rush!
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by PAM


It's been a loooong day... tiring, but totally, totally satisfying.  I love today!  I really do!  :)  But, there's just too much excess energy floating around.  The electricity sparks the air around me... and I can't sleep.  So, I might as well utilize the excess energy with this...

"She checks out Mozart while she does tae-bo, reminds me that there's room to grow."

Awesome!  "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" by Train.  Very creative, isn't it?  I love all the symbolism, all the irony, and humor in the lyrics.. very nice sound, tempo and singing style, too... and the video is so cool. :)  "Soul vacation"... aw, man, I think I need that... whatever that is! :) 

This gets me everytime:

Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken,
Your best friend always sticking up for you... even when I know you're wrong?
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance, five-hour phone conversation,
The best soy latte that you ever had... and me?

To be honest, I didn't think it was even imaginable three years ago.  It's still hard now, but it has become doable... at least, the "me" part. :)  

Is it time to sleep yet?  It's been time to sleep two hours ago... but the adrenaline is still a-pumpin'.  Alright, let's rewind then... again... and again....

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***