September 30, 2008

Memories of a burnt room


I found out this morning that the faculty room in Pisay's humanities building got roasted. I'm not sure what impact it has on current and future pisay-tizens, but as an alumni, I do have some memories and recollections of that large room.

One can go there to just sit down. It was generally quiet, had 2 couches and moderate ventilation. There was a certain something about it, both eerie and serene. Well, most of the rooms in the humanities bldg had this quality, with generations of the best minds leaving subtle traces of their four years stay.

I went to the faculty room to submit stuff like book reports, homework, etc. Sometimes there is an envelope to receive it, like the one in the picture. At times you have to slide it under the door. If either of those fail, you can just toss it over because these cubicles aren't closed at the top.

Speaking of open cubicles, there was more than one occasion that I had to go over them myself. No, nothing related to mischief or wrong doing, but upon the request of the occupant. One of my teachers left her keys there and could not find a janitor to help her out. Reluctantly, she asked me if I was willing to go over, which I was :P

This wasn't too easy as you have to avoid breaking the glass window, get dirtied by the dusty sill/edge and land somewhere not crushing anything including your bones. Better then that now at least, the door frame would probably buckle at my current weight :))

How about you? What memories do you have of the faculty room?

September 14, 2008

Sharpening Skills

Recently I've taken a liking to a weird hobby. After watching a documentary about samurai swords, I suddenly took interest in sharpening knives.

We have always had an old fine sharpening stone. It was already pretty broken up, but still usable. One day I was doing my groceries, and I found out that the store was selling brand-new stones. I was so amused at finding it that I bought it right away and wanted to try it.

I took a picture of the knife’s edge, before I started and when I was satisfied. For the pictures I used one remote flash and reversing the kit-lens to achieve macro.

I found the process of repetitive grinding very therapeutic. It does not take a lot of thinking, but just a bit of instinct and feel. I do not recommend this to people with unsteady hands nor those with soft/thin skin.


After finding out of my current fancy, my mom told me stories about my lolo. He was a native of Betis, Guagua, Pampanga and was a very skilled wood carver. He was very passionate about what he did and borderline Obsessive-Compulsive about his tools. He would spend time sharpening his stuff like chisels and saws. I’m a bit proud of inheriting some of his skill with his hands, height and maybe looks. Cheers, gramps. Keep watching over us.

September 09, 2008

Quoted!

Read the full article here.

Bryan Macabales, an information and technology consultant and chief operating officer of an outsourcing company, noted that for people who work at home, electricity and the Internet are almost like air. "It is something that you would rather use then pay for later," he said.
Thanks Ava!

30 Things: Rushing Towards My 30th

A friend challenged me to do 30 things I've never done before I turn 30. I'm not sure if I can manage to reach that number, but I'd be happy to give it a try. I'm not much for planning things out and chasing after them, so I'd rather list the 30 things as I go.

  1. I've Speed Dated!
  2. I've Sprained myself! :(
  3. I've been Quoted! :D
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Any suggestions? :)