Kissing George Clooney

George Clooney just kissed me!  In a dream, that is! But  that dream was so glorious and  vivid, I just had to write it down for posterity.  I love George! He is one of the few actors that manage to take my breath away by mere sight.  He's the reason I watch re-runs of ER and why I'm looking forward to watching Ocean's 13.  I just loved his photo in People's Sexiest Men issue, those strong shoulders, that slight smile and those wisps of silver hair at his temples that you just want to touch. He indeed belongs to my list of "I-don't-care-if-you-know-my-name-just-take-me-now" kind of guy.

Which is why this dream is one for the books, err blog. I can't remember how I met George in my dream or why he was kissing me. All I can remember is that he was wearing a grey suit and stood at eye level with me (which is impossible because I'm short at barely five feet).   He was gazing deeply into my eyes, grinning slightly, his eyes twinkling. 

"You should know the feeling of being properly kissed." He said to me in that suave Danny Ocean manner.

Me, speechless, but my thought bubble screaming: "Teach me!"

And he did. He pointed to his lips and  said, "Open your lips slightly.  I'll press them to yours. You capture my lower lip and I'll capture your top lip between mine. Relax and go with the flow…"

"Just like in the movies?" I said.

"But much better." He said , slightly laughing.

I remember my heart was beating as he bent his head. He smiled before capturing my upper lip between his. I followed suit by trapping his lower lip between mine. His lips were strong yet soft. He caressed my lips, making the kiss deeper by opening my mouth. He tilted my head and caressed my neck with those strong hands. The kiss was d-e-e-p, almost French-like. I remember my knees growing really weak but George, with that muscled body, prevented me from falling. The kiss was l-o-n-g, the kind of kiss that would lead to something, somewhere.

He left my lips momentarily and gazed into my eyes.

"That was some kiss." I whispered, breathlessly.

"True."

He was bending his head, this time for a second kiss…

It was at this point that I woke up. Damn!

IT WAS INDEED ONE HELL OF A KISS! Too bad I woke up before saying "Take me, take  me now. " *giggles*  But we all know that no matter how you try to sleep  and try to dream the same dream, it never happens.

Oh well. 

Thanks for a glorious lesson, George.           

W.O.M.A.N.

March 8 is known as International Women's Day. And in case people don't know, March is Women's Month.  I'm glad we have a day and a month dedicated to womankind.  Makes our gender feel mighty special. Too bad men don't enjoy the same thing. There's an International Men's Day but it hardly received support and recognition. (What's so special about men in general anyway?  Except their —-, wehehehehehe. Suddenly Freud's theory about penis envy comes to mind which is a debate altogether reserved for another post. Oh and do allow me this feminist rant because I am after all, a woman!) ^___^

I am lucky to be living in this day and age of Women's Liberation, Gender Sensitivity and Political Correctness.  I am lucky to be living in a country that recognizes women's rights and tries its best to push for gender equality. I am lucky that I belong to a family where the men love their women and accord them with respect.   I am lucky that I have a father who recognizes my strength as a woman and has great respect for my opinion even if he was brought up the traditional way where women serve the men and all that hogwash. And I am finally lucky to have a couple of close male friends who are not inflicted with that sickening male chauvinism. 

Yes, as a woman I am indeed quite fortunate.  I was able to study in great schools and become a lawyer. I am proud to belong to a class in law school where there are more women than men. I am proud to work in a place where women's rights are protected if not celebrated.  

However, while I consider myself lucky. I cannot say the same thing for my fellow sisters. While I laud my life as a woman, somewhere in this country and around the world are:

Battered women who suffer both physically and emotionally by men (filthy animals!) who supposedly 'love ' them;

Women raped and abused by sexual offenders; 

Women who receive lower pay than men for equal work;

Young girls who are treated as cattle and sold by their own fathers as wives to old men;

Daughters raped by their own fathers;

Women trapped in white slavery;

and women who are subjected to various forms of sexual discrimination.

I mourn when I learn of such suffering happening in this world.  These are women.  They are my sisters in gender. These atrocious crimes happen to  them because they are WOMEN.

Just yesterday a fellow  worker  shared  her experience  to  me.  It was common knowledge  in  the office that she was a  battered wife.  But  three years ago she had the courage to  say "Enough!"  and left her husband.  I am proud of her for having the courage to leave him.  While she was relating snippets of her former life to us, I found myself slightly misty eyed. I had this urge to hug her because I was so proud. Here was a woman who stood up for herself.  I just hope women around the world who are just like her would do the same.  

I know the world has still a lot to do insofar as eradicating violence and discrimination against women.  We are still far behind. But for now, I feel lucky that the world is continuously working  for women's rights.

So to my fellow sisters out there.  Be glad you are women! Fight for your rights!

Here's a video of Aretha Franklin singing "Think".  I dedicated to all Women all around the world!

FREEDOM!! FREEDOM!! FREEDOM!!

Think.  

*Thanks to 14nitetripper of Youtube for this clip.  

Missing a Great Man

A candidate makes a solemn pledge in a political ad: "Pangarap kong tuparin ang pangarap nyo" 

WTH!  o_0

"Magtanim ng ____ sa Senado!"

Oh Lord, restrain me from throwing this chair at my TV set.

*Sighs* 2007 elections are here. I can see the beginnings of  the campaign fever all over the Metro from campaign posters to political ads on TV.  And I grit my teeth as I watch, listen and read those empty promises of traditional politicians a.k.a TRAPOS.  Yes, call me a cynic.  Call me apathetic. But like most Filipinos, I am sick and tired of that filthy world of Filipino politics. Sick and tired to the core that it is only my innate love for my family and country that is preventing me from packing my bags and leaving this country. 

Somehow, a part of me lost hope for the leaders of our government. I have lost hope that they will EVER have the political will to turn this country around and prevent it from sinking further into the grime and filth of poverty and hopelessness. 

Yes, I lost that hope, that one fervent hope that a true leader with a true vision will ever lead this coutry…A leader who will inspire us to move forward…a leader who will make us proud to be Filipinos again.

I LOST THAT HOPE WHEN RAUL ROCO DIED.

The first time I heard of Raul Roco was during the 1995 Elections.  I was a freshman at law school and he was campaigning for his bid to the Senate. He was campaigning in his Alma Mater.  ( We graduated from the same law school ^___^ ) 

I was at the library then, buried in books. I suddenly noticed people around me started buzzing and then later talking boisterously.  Turned out Senate candidates were visiting the campus. I can't remember who thrusted the campaign flyer into my hands but I found myself reading a profile of a candidate whose picture bared a resemblance to Ninoy Aquino.  From the flyer, I learned Raul Roco was a Congressman from Naga. One glance at his curriculum vitae and his list of accomplishments, I took interest.  As a congressman, he authored several laws mostly benefiting teachers and women.  I was impressed.  I thought to myself : "Here was a congressman who was ACTUALLY a lawmaker, who ACTUALLY did his job! IMPRESSIVE!" I was interested to see him in the flesh but unfortunately I only had the chance to meet Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  (She didn't leave any lasting impression on me notwithstanding the fact that I actually got to talk to her.  The only thing I remember from the encounter was how short she was.  I was actually taller than her with my five-foot flat frame, wearing sneakers, while she had on shoes with chunky heels that didn't go well with her fuschia suit.)

I voted for Raul Roco and he did not disappoint me when he was in the Senate.  He lived up to the title "Solon", who, in case one is not aware was a great lawmaker in Ancient Greece.  According to Wikipedia, he authored a number of important laws such as Women in Nation Building Law, the Nursing Act, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law, the Anti-Rape Law, and the Child and Family Courts Act. I remember he was christened by women's groups as an "Honorary Woman" because he championed women's rights in the Senate.He authoured banking laws that reformed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Securities Regulation Code and the Intellectual Property Code.  Again, like a true solon, he was a lawmaker.

When he ran for President in 1998, I voted for him. Even if people commented he cannot beat Joseph Estrada. Even people said he was not "winnable".  I knew he would not win, for Erap then was immensely popular.  But I voted for Roco.  It was MY vote.  My vote was my small voice, my piece of sovereignty.  And I wanted that voice of citizenship to speak his name.

He lost, obviously. But he remained in public service. He was appointed Secretary of the Department of Education. Wikipedia described his short stint there in this wise:

"Roco imposed a department-wide transparency policy which also held employees accountable for the purchase of textbooks, which had been a major source of the department's corruption. This allowed the department to purchase textbooks for a much lower price, and after just eight months under Roco's leadership, the Department of Education gained a 73% public approval rating and became the most trusted government agency in the Philippines.

"During his tenure in that position, Roco allowed free public education (through high school) as required by the Philippine Constitution. He also enacted a reform of basic education curriculum in order that children would focus their studies on reading, writing, arithmetic, science, and Makabayan. In addition, he made sure that teachers were paid promptly and ended the 3% "service fee" that the department had long been deducting from teachers' pay."

I graduated from law school in 2000. And it was joy to learn that he was the guest speaker at our graduation.  Finally, I will get to see and listen to him speak in the flesh!  I cannot remember what he said at that time but I remember the feeling of being AWED in every sense of the word as I watched his speech.  After the ceremony, I remember myself, dressed in cap and toga, inching my way into a crowd of fellow graduates, and waited for my turn to shake his hand.  I tried to think of something brilliant to say to him but I got tongue-tied and ended up saying: "Idol ko po kayo!". Geez, how lame was that! But he smiled and said thank you and wished us good luck in the bar exams.  Good thing a classmate of mine had the thought of getting a group photo taken with him to which he obliged.  I have that photo for posterity. ^___^

When I became a lawyer in 2001,  I wanted very much to join Aksyon Demokratiko especially when he was gearing up for his bid for the presidency in 2004.  But alas, I entered government service the same year which prevented me from engaging in electioneering.    

During the 2004 Elections, without a doubt, he was the ONLY ONE qualified to run this country. He was the only one with the intellectual capacity and the good name to be president. Unfortunately, health reasons marred his campaign in 2004.  But I voted for him still. 

He was the only political figure I ever admired.  I realized that my admiration was deep-seated because when I learned that he succumbed to cancer on August 5, 2005, my heart was broken. Truly broken. Gone was the man who could have transformed this country. Gone was the man who was not a politician but a STATESMAN in every sense of the word.   

To my mind, he was the BEST PRESIDENT this country never had.

It's election time again.  And here I am finding myself missing this great, great man.  How I wish it was his face I see in those political ads.  How I wish his name is what I read in the papers. 

I am now in a quandary on who to vote.  I am sure though on those who I am NOT voting! TRAPOS! You know who you are! If I get any more pissed, I may not even exercise the right of suffrage this coming elections. 

I can only heave a sigh.  Sigh at this present state of affairs..My heart silently disappointed and still broken.

THE GREAT RAUL S. ROCO….You are truly…deeply…sorely missed.   

Pet Peeves

Fuck I'm so bored. I'm so bored I'm starting to feel crabby again.  My late evening crabbiness is settling into the crevices of my brain and the beginnings of major annoyance with my surroundings are showing.  Good thing I am alone in my room right now, my little sister is off to work the night shift and at least I can simmer in my own crabbiness alone.

Since I am crabby I shall write about what irks me.  Woahhh, deep Mcbeal…really deep.  Well I'm crabby, so fuck off!

Mcbeal's Ultimate Pet Peeves in random order:

1. People who hog the microphone during Magic Sing/Videoke sessions. 

   There's these two people I know who I just want to wring their necks when they do this.  One is "Abnoy" and "Roderick".  They are the classic microphone-hoggers during singing sessions.  I just hate them singing one song after the other and not giving the chance for others to sing. Don't you just cringe at that? It would have been all right if they sound like the heavenly voice of Josh Groban. Hell fuckin' no! Abnoy sounds like a Tom Jones Impersonator gone beserk, the other sounds like Rick Astley on crack.  Goddammit! The next time I catch these two again, I'd have to restrain myself from grabbing the mike and hitting it on their heads. 

2.  People who crowd in hallways..in front of escalators..etc..

These places are not coffee shops cretins so don't block them. Take your conversation elsewhere.

3.  Men who pee anywhere.

Are you a dog? Are you an animal that you can't ask your brain to control your bladder just to hold it until you go to the nearest restroom? Men are such FILTHY pigs for doing this. I always think that we women are the more sanitary of the sexes. 

4. Forwarded e-mail

I absolutely hate receiving forwarded mail especially from those who make it a habit to forward email. They clutter up my inbox and it just gives me the extra job of deleting them.  So stop forwarding those junk mail, yeah you, you know who you are.

5. Sticky Arses in Jeepneys

I hate those passengers in jeepneys who don't immediately move their asses so that a fellow passenger can seat comfortably. Hey you just paid the fare for one person, don't seat as if you're occupying two seats.

6. Drama Queens

The world does not revolve around you bitch! Stop acting overall sensitive! "Woe is me! Woe is me!" Fuck! GROW UP!!

7. Robbers, Snatchers, Thieves (especially those who prey on the working masses)

Burn in hell you good-for-nothing bastards. I just love it when you get caught red-handed and the people around you give you a beating.  I know I may sound mean but poverty will never excuse you for taking another man's reward for hard work.

8. Politicians

It's election time again and I am actually restraining myself from throwing a chair at my television set whenever I see those political ads.  Thieves, Liars, Rapists of the Nation, that's what they are! None of you will ever have the political balls to change our nation and move our country onward.  None of you! All you have is your selfish agenda which you sweet coat with your empty promises.   

No, I'm not from the other side.  As far as I'm concerned, they're no good either. All they do is wreak havoc and talk aimlessly like parrots. Arghhhhhhhh!

9. Suck-ups

You think by sucking up you get ahead? Loser!

10. Bimbos

I may sometimes hate my not-so-perfect body.  But I always thank God I was not born a bimbo.

11. Inflation

I work hard.  I pay my taxes. I'm a good citizen.  But inflation always gets the better of me. I am a slave to my wage and to the dictates of the market economy.  It sometimes make you cry really, cry out of frustration and need. 

Sometimes life really makes you want to climb on top of the highest building and scream….

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DAMMMMMMMMNNNNNN IIIIITTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!

*breathes* *breathes* *breathes*

I'm okay now.

A Perfect Lunch

One could take judicial notice of the fact that I love to eat.  I take pleasure in food. I love dining in restaurants, eating at home especially our Sunday lunches (my dad is a great cook!). 

Eating at the office is another thing though.  Most of the time, I am stuck with "compliance" cafeteria food, so I almost never associate the office with great food trips.

Until my tropa's "Food Festival" came about.  A "Food Festival" is an activity I and my office chums hold every now and then.  Just a few weeks ago, we feasted on roast chicken, caldereta and lumpiang sariwa courtesy of Impo* and Jellyfish*. Now it's Pangsi's and my turn. 

Now my food festival partner has that "Iron Chef meets Nigella Lawson" attitude that is to die for.  Pangsi has great taste in clothes, makeup and shoes (a great "girlfriend")  which she has extended to a great love for food.  We both planned the menu but I must admit she  had a lot of input. 

It was our turn for a food festival today and for record purposes here is our menu:

Grilled Prawns in Lemon Butter Sauce

Paella Marinara

Pork Steak Panfried in Olive Oil

Pene with Pesto and Chicken Strips

Sauteed Asparagus

Iced Tea

Coffee Ice Cream with Brownie and Cherry for Dessert.

Okay!  The list alone spells gastronomic delight…add to that that we dined on real plates, on a table cloth, using gorgeous silverware.  I was one of those who were ooo-hing and ahh-ing all through out the meal. The food was so delectable and so beautifully prepared. And the portions were just right that by the time we had dessert, it was to finish off a lovely meal.  Add to that the usual jokes, sarcasm and downright hilarity that I share with my closest friends.  

Great Food…Great Friends..Perfect Lunch. 

*Just hiding my pal's names behind codenames 

Breathtaking 2

I find myself depressed because of my  previous post.  And when I get depressed I look at something or someone that pleases me. Ergo….it has to be Mr. Miller….Thanks to my friend Zashi who posted this in Went's thread….

Oh gosh! Isn't he divine? Just look at that gorgeous face.  Those eyes….

Lol, I feel my depression melting away.  Went does that to me. Gorgeous hunk with a brain!   

New Year Hopes

2007…..

Like they say…the road is always paved with good intentions. It's been five days into the new year and as always I find myself thinking up resolutions and what might happen to me this 2007.  2006 was uneventful.  Nothing magical happened but I am thankful that I did not encounter serious problems that I cannot handle.

One can only hope.  Hope for the best.  Hope that everythng will fall into place and then I will finally feel I am in sync with the world.  Hope that I would  finally get around to losing that unwanted weight and finally gain confidence with working for what I want, in spite of the clear fact that time is working against me.  Hope that I would not resort to my lazy self and refuse to work for the betterment of my life.

I was gazing at myself on the mirror this morning and I noticed my eyebags are more pronounced.  I look tired and weary.  Damn I'm getting old. I feel I lack the willpower to change.  If only there was a pill out there that will give me the willpower to change. A pill that will fast track my life into the happiness zone. 

Oprah was right.  I should start loving myself. I should start finding my happiness and not let my comfort zone get the better of me.  Time to take my life by its horns. 

Carpe diem!!

2007 will be my year.

I hope.  *crosses fingers*

"Syaping"

"Dir syapers…we thank you for syaping at <insert name of mall here>…We now come to a day's end…Let's pause and pray….Dir Gahd…."

A friend of mine used to mimic that voice you hear over the loudspeakers in malls, which, if you listen closely has this accent that you would find amusing. I don't know why but "Shopping" always sounds as "Syaping".  Perhaps, being of Philippine Southern descent is a prerequisite in hiring those voice talents or maybe…it's those speakers….

But anyway,  Christmas season came again and I was constrained to spend time in malls for more than the usual time.  It was not only to buy gifts but the endless grocery shopping in preparation for Noche Buena and Media Noche.  And when you get to be in a mallful of people, you get to notice and observe them.

Christmas shopping brings out the best and worst in people. I've noticed that sales staff are extra nice to you especially when recommending to buy their stuff. 

"Mam masarap po ang ham namin, wala pong masyadong taba at cholesterol."    

Me: (in a thought bubble) "Ayaw, mas masarap yung may konting taba.." 

"Mam, try nyo po yung macaroni salad with dried dilis.."

Me: "Whatda!"

"Mam, hatid ko na po yung pinamili nyo sa kotse nyo…"

Me: (Thought bubble) "Wag mo nga akong tawagin Mam, e mas may kulubot ka pa sa akin e."

Conversely, while the sales peeps are nice, the fellow shoppers have rudeness written all over them.  We've had our share of vehicles cutting for space in the parking lot and shoppers who bitch at the awfully nice sales peeps.

And don't get me started on the battle of the grocery carts. 

Grocery shopping during the Christmas rush is hell.  Try maneuvering your cart amidst a sea of other grocery carts.  Last week, I was grocery shopping with my mom, twin sis and nephew at SM Hypermart when my mom and II found ourselves caught in a cart traffic jam at the canned goods  aisle.  There I was waiting patiently for the aisle to clear when suddenly…

Rude, shrilly voice: Excuse me!!

WHAM!!

Whatda, that bitch hit my cart even before I had a chance to move! I looked at the culprit: A thin, ugly middle-aged woman with dyed hair and her nose turned up into the air. At di pa nakutento ang bruha, binangga pa ang cart ko, the second time!  I had a chance to look into her cart though: cabbage, pancit canton noodles and Lucky Me noodles…Kaya pala utak bia e puro noodles at repolyo lang ang kinakain.. ;p

We caught up with her at the cash register and I snobbishly raised my  brow at her.  She bumped another shopper, this time it was not a young hip woman like me but another Doña…Unlike me, this other woman gave her an earful.  I glanced into the other woman's cart: Hmmm Lasagna noodles. three hams, lots of meat and meat products.  She was accompanied with a uniformed yaya who was pushng the cart.  She was berating pancit canton woman for her rudeness…

Wahahahahahahahaha.  Revenge!

"Dirty" Song

I was just listening to my iPod and found that I loaded this Barry White song, "Love Serenade".  It has a seductive beat to it but I almost flipped over in my Junior Executive seat when I heard something about.."I don't wanna see no panties…"

Whatda!!! O_o !

Immediately went to Google to search for the lyrics..found them..here goes…

Barry White - Love Serenade

Take it off Baby, take it all off

I wanna see you the way you came into the world

I dont wanna feel no clothes, I dont wanna see no panties

And take off that brassiere,

my dear, Everybody's gone

I'm taking the receiver off the phone

Because baby you and me…This
night….We're gonna get it on

To love serenade….

You know I get in these moods…Well you know how it is

And I'm very glad to know that you feel the same way too

Baby we're gonna lay here…

And we're gonna make love

And we're gonna do it like its supposed to be done

Heaven only knows what goes on behind closed doors

The very depths of our souls will reach out tonight

You and me baby

In love…serenade

Make me want you

Tempt me, tempt me, tempt me

Make me need you

Let me long for you

You'll know what its like when a Man and Woman become One

And the only real way you can do that baby

Is when we're makin' love to each other

When you reach that that simple feeling

when you're makin love it's..

It's like you're in another world

Help me…Help me…

Oh baby help me

Lord have mercy on me. 

Lmao!! What a dirty, dirty song….

*mcbeal places song in her "On-the-Go" list*  ^___^

The Joy of Getting Wasted

I just came back from a night of debauchery with my online friends and though I wished I would have gotten real wasted, the combination of margaritas and rhum colas was good enough for the momentary altered state that I have experienced. Well there's always next time. There's still two bottles of margarita mix left untouched. With my dad, the beer/Fundador drinker, and my twin sister who's into Bailey's..sheesh how lame is that..wehehehe, I'd say they will remain untouched….Hopefully until summer, in time for the next night of debauchery ;p .   

I love getting occassionally wasted. I love the feeling of dizziness and freedom that goes with it.  The last time I was really dead drunk was in Boracay in 2002. You know the type of wastedness where you need to be assisted just to walk.  Talk about flunking-the-Breathaliser-Test wastedness.  The type where you laugh like an idiot and you can say anything. All hail alchoholic wildness indeed.

I want a repeat of that…perhaps on the white sandy beaches of Boracay…drinking margaritas and taking shots of Tequila.  Speaking of Boracay..I have yet to try the "Still Standing After 15" at Cocomangas Bar. I want my name carved on that Wall of Fame damn it!

Perhaps someday. ^__^