Employee satisfaction is a big deal in the company I work for. They invest so much on coming up with surveys and evaluation of how they are doing when it comes to making the workplace fun and less stressful. They have initiatives like focus group discussions to get input from employees of how the firm is currently dealing with its people.

I have a few things to say but did not get a chance to have them pointed out during one of the focus group discussions I participated in. Just recently, we received information and confirmation of salary increases. I'm relieved to know that we still got an increase even though the market was really bad. What I'm not liking right now is the blatant aesthetic projects the company is undergoing which I know cost much money.

There's this new area in the office which could be an interior designer's masterpiece. In all fairness, the look is fab and really impressive, Herman Miller chairs all over, a possibility of Philippe Starck chairs and tables as well. I love the furniture, but not the price. For a company that's trying to lessen their costs by laying off people or downsizing, they sure know how to buy expensive furniture. The Herman Miller chair alone costs $600 - $850, and there are dozens of them. There is a set of chairs that cost about $2000. For me that's quite expensive. What I don't like about this whole thing is the company openly showing that they can spend millions on furniture, image, etc. but not on its people. WEIRD!!!!

New of bomb threats all over Manila looms this Friday night. Doesn't bother me at all. We never made news like that into such a big deal. I mean when did Filipinos make anything a big deal. Ah... when Judy Ann split up with some budding young actor or when Rico Yan died (God rest his soul!). But bomb threats never shake us. I bet you all them fabulous peeps are still going to be in Malate or Eastwood... hell even Rockwell. Bomb threats aren't made into a big deal.

Even during a time when it should be made into a big deal, especially when just yesterday a few bomb explosions happened south of the county (in Zamboanga), you'd think people would be a tad scared of staying out late. It is because we don't take these threats into such a big deal.

We live life to its fullest by the minute. Death is temporary because life after death is eternal. Oh well, off to the resto and have me some fondue! :) mmmmmmm....

Caught the first episode of "Six Feet Under" last Saturday on HBO. I thought it was a really good series. Cool story line (based on the initial show). Good cast. I love the fact that there's a gay character in the story.

General storyline of the show is there are two brothers who ended up inheriting their deceased father's business, a funeral home. One of the brothers never wanted the whole idea earning a living from the dead just coz he's grossed out by it, while the other, took on much responsibility of managing the business. Their mother having a fling with some guy, and their teenage sister getting it on with this cute guy (in an Eminem-ish kinda way).

Would love to catch the new Hannibal film, "Red Dragon". I dig the dark atmosphere of the Hannibal Lecter (so says my honey) movies... I also have a crush on Edward Norton, he looks like my ex (sorry honey... but know that I don't love my ex anymore). I don't know, I just ended up liking Edward Norton, especially in "Primal Fear". Really cool actor. :)

Thanks to a blog acquaintance of mine, I found something quite interesting to post. The following questions were taken from trixy's blog.

On Shoes

1. What size shoe do you wear? 9 to 10 weird... I know

2. How many pairs of shoes do you own? I counted them last week... I actually own 20ish pairs of footwear

3. What type of shoe do you prefer (boots, sneakers, pumps, etc.)? hmmm... I came to a conclusion (just a few months ago) that I love sandals. I just like the way they look on my feet, especially after going to the nearby parlor to have my semi-monthly cleaning appointments.

4. Describe your favorite pair of shoes. Why are they your favorite? I bought these camel loafers from Ravel (a shoe store in Dublin, Ireland) for approx $70. I pretty much wear them with almost anything. Jeans, khakis, even shorts as long as I use the belt I bought from Topshop (also in Dublin).

5. What's the most you've spent on one pair of shoes? Easy... I bought my first pair of Bally lace ups for almost $200. Got them at the store on Via Veneto when I was in Rome. It was actually a bargain, I thought, since they usually come up to around $300 if you buy them here in the Philippines.

It may sound weird for a guy to have so much shoes but it's a great weekness of mine. I love shoes. Especially the more interesting ones. Can't wait to get my first Gucci's...

Browsed through the internet and found an interesting line from Sex and the City... "some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies."

I realized I'm the latter of the three. I always thought to myself that I deserve someone special. Someone I can be who I am with and just flirt endlessly with. Someone to give me the reason not to look at any other guys anymore. I'm happy that I am settled... for now. I know that I won't be galavanting around town looking for someone else. I'm happy with who I am with.

I know of other people who are just not the settling kind. They end up with people they initially think they're going to love forever but give or take a month, they're back to blessed single-hood. Contentment is bliss. I also believe one can't be content if one does not get what he feels he needs.

Love's desires...

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks
for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude... (Kahlil Gibran)

Is this what every human being desires for? Love? No matter what people hear about it, is it really worth all the pain and suffering one feels? Is it really what we seek? How much of ourselves is actually given to our loved one? Why am I sounding weird?

For the past (almost) six months, I have loved (and still do) one man. Though times have been rough on both of us, there's a part of me that feels the fulfillment of having someone there to care for and shallow as it may sound, to make love to.

I have lately recalled how it was that me and my boyfriend got together. Fun thoughts, really. I'm more focused on the fact that one would never know what one has until it's gone. I've been to states like that. A simulated parting if you may consider it. It really hurts. It's like I know how bad I'll really feel if I part ways with my honey. If I remember correctly, it crossed my mind twice. Two occassions that could've ended things. One was of my doing, the other was his. But it would seem that on both instances, I ended up appreciating him more. In fact, I appreciate him much more now.

His dad has been sick for almost a month now and I was concerned. Although I have never met or seen his parents before, I somehow have a connection with them. I always make note during times of weird conversation that I shouldn't sound like my boyfriend's mom. I wouldn't want to get the same from him. His dad seems interesting. In a way, he reminds me of my own dad. Sometimes rational, most times really annoying as hell.

I also ended up thinking how it will be if we really reach that stage of having to care of one another. It's scary and yet it excites me. I really don't know when things will become more serious for both of us. Serious meaning, we'll live together. Individual eccentricities, proclivities, idiocyncracies... all too exciting.