Switching On the Sun

August 28 is a day I somehow wrote about way back. As to how the date came to be significant for me is its affirmation on how changes make quite a difference. In such case, its how by some means helped lead to maturity and how the obvious – being older (and larger), quite expectedly constrained my suppleness (LOL). Yesterday, another occasion added to its significance. A couple was wed of which they asked me to be one among their principal sponsors. It would have meant a lot even for me if I were able to attend and stand as a godfather to a wedding for the first time. What I value most though is their consideration to even regard me as godfather-worthy. There was a time (or are opportunities) when in consideration of choosing a godparent, the capacity to give a substantial gift was rather thought of more than the integrity to stand as second-parent. Obviously, I’m quite young to be the couple’s father. Also, I don’t have the means to be as liberal in giving a pricey gift. Thus...

My father would have been 83 years old today. Before leaving us almost 11 years ago, by his hospital bed in the middle of the night while everyone was soundly asleep, my mother felt his warm and tight embrace seemingly implying of finally letting go. He was 72. Naturally sad as we were, at any rate, we were consoled by the fact that he succumbed to a considered most-painful cancer (pancreatic) peacefully. Quite the opposite, just the other day, my wife’s grandaunt went through a bumpy path. A coarse course so to speak as she was among 41 passengers who chanced on their demise in the course of a bus falling off a 150-foot deep ravine. She was 57. It was tragic. Come to think of it, 57 could be the “mystified” opposite form of 72. The position of “7”, a considered lucky number, was switched. “5” when flipped vertically is “2”. 5 + 2 = 7 but “lucky number” has presumably been severed with the bigger apportionment of the now split luck seems to live up to its oddness which is “5”, ...

A trip to the bank as the saying goes connotes satisfaction as it means cashing in. I recently went to a bank but to rather settle an obligation. Still glad though as I still have the finances to clear dues. Affiliation aside, I thought I’d try to go through the standard process if only to prove how their customer service corresponds with their catchphrase. Their slogan seems to be suggestive of getting things done with whatever means just when things are seemingly inaccessible, so they say. Implying that they find ways, I wonder if it holds true in rendering service in an appropriate manner. Does dealing with customers a part of finding ways on how every transaction would be as contentedly attainable? As if rooted on the ground having to stand for quite a while wasn’t wearing enough, the long queue likewise made it all the more uneasy. For a big company, there were no queue numbers for should’ve-been (or preferably) seated clients. The number of clientele might have outnumbere...

Fashion is dictated by taste. Or about taste… Is it? During big celebrity gatherings, defining moments for Stars usually get defined with if not by a fashion faux pas. Considering that a Star could have self-expressed gratification over her choice of dress (or gown to even wear it in the first place) only to be criticized with that of poor fashion sense, who then is more credible, the Star or the critic? Isn’t the dress designed by someone tasteful enough to be in the business? The more pushy questions could be, “Are fashion designs (even tastes) based on standards or expression of the artist behind it?” Are fashion designers (or critics) to dictate what is acceptable or not? Aren’t they being cynical about their objective as designers when similarly being disapproving of their co-fashion designers’ work? Having witnessed a fashion show of some sort yesterday, I personally thought that the outfits were outlandish unless if it were for costume purposes. The use of indigenous material...

The element in “element of surprise” is, as it actually suggests, an elemental factor in hyping up what is to be open to the elements. Too much elements? Exactly the point. Or (quite apt) exactly the element… Stirring some suspense for an anticipated revelation further intensifies excitement. ‘Teasers’ for one is an element. It drives curiosity to keep track until it’s satisfied. Satisfaction however should have a sustainable touch that would allow for a possible carry-over. The now former Cavalier LeBron James’ recent “The Decision” created quite a stir that made headlines as much as headaches. The group responsible for such hoopla did well in having it hyped as they have probably expected. However, the manner by which it was decided on how it is to take effect was not of a sound decision. It was noise. After which, it has created louder noise… Sound and noise differ like that of marketing and business though complementary. The soundness of marketing basics is to be sounded off...

Today we celebrate Fathers’ Day. Now that the celebration is likewise intended for me having two kids of my own, certain still is that I’m also a son. In relation to the occasion, I was a son to my father whom I (still) look up to and to whom I have somehow patterned my fatherhood approach. Fatherhood actually depends on one’s distinct method. It is from these means that fathers are measured up by their children as to how they are as a father. The partiality behind it though is that in such gauging process, considering we normally have one father, comparison is based between one’s own and that of other children’s father. Thus, the probable claim “My Dad’s the best father” of one child will always be disputable… as much as rather than argue with one’s parenting style, regard the difference instead even if only for realization to set in for both father and child as to the idiosyncrasies and exclusive circumstance of their relationship. Recognizing how these disparities could work fo...

Title for a title? Sounds inadequate. Somehow suggestive of what’s it all about if not absorbing of what to expect, titles are preferably catchy enough to stir such. If used to address designations, ranking titles manifest some level of authority. What’s in a title anyway? Considering the foregoing points of consideration, titles could be coined to serve such purpose. There are job positions that carry an influential description for a title. It is however intended to establish clout and some respectability but could be unfairly compared to a less significant-sounding title from a bigger entity or company perhaps. For instance, a Branch Manager of a small business could just be comparable to a Supervisor of a bigger department of a far superior store. Though, we cannot dispose of the probability of a subordinate being better than the boss. In such case, we have to be acknowledgeable of that. Accordingly, aiming for a higher position as a subsequent step is the normal trend. As fa...

“No man is an island” is an idiom that means people essentially depend on one another as much as people live for others. I suppose even one’s self-centered tendency expresses some point on how such selfishness allows others who are not to realize their windfall for not being one. But if such egotism influences others to rather be the same, it exemplifies how “no man is an island” should rather be responsibly considered. Other people live their lives with the thought that living it their way without regard for what others will feel as it is their life anyway clearly substantiates their naivety on social responsibility or social relation if I may say so. If self-expression is the reason then do it privately if the only purpose is to assert it for your own satisfaction in the first place. However, if publicly addressed, expect people’s individuality not to uncompromisingly conform with your thoughts as well. Being defensive of criticisms further manifests your egocentricity. How ironic ...