Project Amazing Extreme Makeover of the Lost Anatomy of America's Next Desperate Houseworker's Office - Home Edition

As the year 2006 was drawing to a close, I was pirated by my former company's main competitor, another travel management company based in New York City, which specializes in high-end corporate travel with accounts in financial, law, technology, pharmaceutical, and fashion industries. Since the company does not have an office in Los Angeles, and I could not relocate to the "Big Apple", I was asked if I would mind telecommuting or working remotely from the comfort of my own home. Would I?!...I have always imagined that I might have to get a job "licking envelopes" in order for me to work from home. I never thought that this opportunity from within my own industry could present itself if ever. Certainly not this soon! With an enticing offer of a better package plus the idea of saving money and minimizing stress & high-maintenance factors, I decided it was well worth it and I took the leap.

I started in mid-January, went to NYC for my orientation and training, received my new work laptop, set up my home office for the next few weeks, and have been loving working from home ever since!

I find I have no need to even peek into my wallet, since I do not need to buy food & drinks. I do sometimes miss having to dress up smartly, but it also helps in keeping money in my pocket when I do not have to spend on clothes, shoes, accessories, grooming products, etc.

Quite obviously, I do not have to drive my hardly used, relatively new car to work, so I also save on gas & mileage, and my car insurance has gone down ... plus no more stress with dealing with the traffic in "the great big freeway" or driving through shortcuts via bad neighborhoods.

I remain very disciplined...I still shower, shave, and put on a fresh pair of underwear...LOL ... and I do not get tempted to see what Rosie, Oprah, Dr. Phil and/or Ellen are up to during the day...LOL.

I am lucky to have a great boss and a wonderful team. The account I handle is that of a financial investment firm. It is a big and very busy account, thus my day and even shorter 37 1/2 hour work week goes by very fast.

Since I have completely cut off on travel time, I now have more time to spend on other things that really matter...
Bill and the bitches love it too!

***

travel expenses: $0.00
Starbucks coffee: $0.00
lunch: $0.00
working with nothing coming between me and my Calvins: priceless

I can start working without even having to get out of bed.

I can work while I take my bubble bath.

I can work without having to get dressed for work.

I can work from the balcony and watch the boats at the marina & the wildlife in the wetlands...

...and see the snow-capped mountains on a rare clear day.

I can work while I work on my tan lines up on the roof top.

I can be a "Sean of a Beach" while I watch David "Hassel the Hoff".

I would take an ocean view over a big corner office at any given day,

so I can watch the sun set over the Pacific, as I end my day.

... ahhh all in a day's work! ...LOL

... oops! ... how did this get here?! (this is not me, I swear!) ... LOL

Family Properties for Sale

By mere coincidence,
three of my siblings currently have properties for sale.
If interested, please let me know...
I need to increase the pot of my inheritance

from my older siblings...LOL


My brother in-law and older (second) sister are selling a bunch of (approx. 23) family-owned condo units in a 36-storey hotel residence, strategically located at the heart of Annapolis Street in upscale Greenhills in the Philippines. It is called Swire Elan Suites. It is close to every key point in the Metropolis: Ortigas Center, Makati City, Quezon City and Mandaluyong City. Residents have a commanding 360-degree vista of the city, including a glimpse of Manila Bay, Antipolo Hills, Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, Makati Skyline, Ortigas Skyline and the landscapes of Marikina City.
Please click HERE and HERE to be directed to the realtor's website.

***

My only brother is selling their home in New Jersey, USA:
Come and enjoy this meticulously maintained Dutch colonial in the Upper Gregory section of West Orange. Step through the front door and you will be drawn into a large living room with a warm and inviting wood-burning fireplace. Two French doors lead to the cozy sunroom. The formal dining room provides easy access to the country-style eat-in-kitchen. The original chestnut wood trims and hardwood floors throughout exude old world charm. The finished attic (or 4th bedroom) is an oasis from it all! Currently used as a family den with a sitting area. Other features include spacious and bright bedrooms, updated baths, detached 2-car garage with loft storage, additional parking on driveway, a full basement, front porch, 2-year old roof, brand new furnace and water heater. Conveniently located with easy access to NYC train via jitney at corner.
Please click HERE to be directed to the realtor's website.

***

My eldest sister is selling their home in School Lane Hills, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA:
This wonderful spacious 5-bedroom home is situated on large lot with mature trees, professional landscaping and privacy. Two first floor family rooms include custom built in cabinets and bookshelves. The sunroom is equipped with a wet bar and has access to the private patio. The spacious living room has a cozy fireplace and large bay window. The “Quality Custom Kitchen” has been updated with a center island and built in breakfast booth. The formal dining room features corner cupboard and large picture window. The West wing, with separate entrance, includes two bedrooms and full bath and is perfect for in-laws, guests, live in housekeeper/nanny, or exercise room. Great home for formal or informal entertaining.
Please click HERE to be directed to the realtor's website.

The Hills are on fire!

Hollywood Hills Fire close to the Hollywood sign

as seen from our rooftop.

Click here for news details of the blaze.

Hollywood Reject

Living in L.A, where celebrities are a common fixture almost wherever you go, I still get star-struck whenever I bump into one...
unlike some of my friends from both sides of the Pacific, who are used to this kind of thing, since they work up close and personal with celebrities (both local and international).

We get to watch a lot of advanced movie screenings and quite often get invitations to movie premieres...

Last night, my girlfriend, Shang, invited me and Bill to attend the movie premiere of the silly but good-natured movie, "Blades of Glory" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Shang was running a bit late, so while waiting for her, we somehow ended up in the VIP line. We just acted as if we belonged. The Event Security seemed intimidated by Bill, that they did not bother moving us out of our place where we chose to wait, unlike what they did with the other people. Once Shang arrived, we realized we had to go around the block to meet her where most people were waiting. Since we were already in the inside, we explained our situation to Security. I guess since they thought we were VIPs, they asked us to simply walk the red carpet back to where we came from (supposedly). So we just did that. Bill walked briskly, while I wanted to take my sweet time working the red (actually blue) carpet. There I was caught in between Brooke Shields and one of the main stars, Will Ferrell. The microphones were waving and the cameras flashing...then just when my turn came up to be in front of the paparazzi, (as if with a snap of a finger), they suddenly stopped taking pictures, as if blatantly asking, "Who the f+_)(*&^%$#@!k is this guy?" Hey!...I may not be as beautiful as Brooke or as funny as Will, but you do not have to throw it in my face! Hmmpph...the nerve! After 12 years of living in LAla land, I finally experienced rejection in Hollywood without even trying...LOL

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's an Airbus A380!!!

The village where I was raised (and no, I am not referring to a burned-down village in the middle of a rice field in a warn-torn South East Asian country...LOL) is situated very close to the airport in Manila. Our house is directly beneath one of the main flight paths, thus I grew up equating a picture of a plane (specifically a BAC 1-11) with that of an alarm clock that rang during ungodly hours. It's because of this fact, that I am now hard of hearing.
I have always been fascinated by planes. My childhood friends and I would bike to the side of the runways (of an airport not of a fashion show) to watch the various planes take-off and land.

I find it so ironic that now that I live in the U.S., I continue to live close to an airport. In fact, if you take off from LAX and are seated on a window seat on the right side of the plane, you are bound to see me on top of our roof waiving "bon voyage" at you.

Finally, the Airbus A380,
the world's largest passenger airliner to date,
has reached the U.S.A. via New York's JFK and Los Angeles' LAX!
Here are two videos of the arrival at and departure from LAX:

First Arrival of Airbus A380 at LAX

First Departure of Airbus A380 from LAX

Project Funway

While I was in New York City for work,

I was very happy to be able to catch up with a lot of old friends.

I regret that I did not have enough time to catch any shows (Broadway or off-Broadway).

The only show I got to see was this one...

It was not Fashion Week, but it sure seemed like it...

since some of my friends in the travel industry

promoted their respective hotels or airlines

in a fun-filled fashion show tagged as "Project Funway",

a spoof of the reality tv show, "Project Runway",

where they creatively utilized materials

from their respective properties to create their pieces.

Please click HERE for links to the videos.

I Am Changing

My 5 1/2-month stint of working on-site in one of my company's top law firm accounts is over. I have achieved what I had set to do: salvage the company from the prospect of losing the account by eventually winning the account back over, receiving a stellar review and getting them to sign-on permanently by year's end.
This assignment proved to be a challenge. It entailed a lot of late lunches and overtime work. I was feeling very stressed and was prematurely getting burnt-out. I also felt very isolated and a bit lonely working on-site...feeling like an outsider on the inside, but never a part of their organization.
So I figured it was time to move on and start the new year right.
I swear, I do not mean to be a hopper...(a job-hopper, that is)...
but I got an offer from another company that was hard to refuse.
I'm off to the Big Apple!
Click HERE to see what eventually happens.

Happy New Year 2007!

Happy Holiday Greetings 2006-2007

I got carried away with the outside decorations and lights this year...LOL

It was cold and windy on the day I decided to run to the post office to mail my holiday card and ship my big present to you. It was snowing like crazy in Los Angeles (you know how unpredictable our weather can get), and I slipped causing all my cards to be blown away and all my presents were trampled upon by several shoppers. I swear I'm not lying about the reason why your gift didn't arrive under your tree in time for X'mas.
So, here is my lame-ass attempt to send you the very best.

For those who sent cards/delectables/gifts/flat screen TVs, "Thank you very much!".
If I haven't thanked you, that means I haven't received your gift/s.
That's okay...I am very patient and can wait after all the craziness of the holiday season.
If you don't want to feel stressed and think about it,
please feel free to click HERE for my X'mas 2006 Wish List.

This is the first time my parents are spending the holidays with us in the U.S., so this is an extra special season for us.
Unfortunately, Bill's parents cannot be with us this year due to some health issues.

My Mom has jet-black hair, my Dad has Platinum Silver Grey hair...
Where did their son get his dirty blonde hair?...LOL

From my family to yours,

Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year!
Maligayang Pasko at
Manigong Bagong Taon!
Feliz Navidad y
un Próspero Año Nuevo!
Joyeux Noël et
Une Bonne Année!
Have a Nelly little X'mas
and a Happy New Queer!...
Make the Yuletide Gay!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
Happy Boxing Day!
Advanced
Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Our Family Portrait X'mas 2006

The split-tails in our home

with my bitches, Birdie & Besi

My X'mas 2006 Wish List

Wish I could afford to get what everybody wants.
Please share your wish list, in case, I win the lottery before X'mas.

In case you are curious, all I want for X'mas is...
Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men and...

Mac Book or iMac or Mac Mini
Canon PowerShot G7 digital camera
External Portable Harddrive 120GB
Skype certified Webcam -
for free Internet/video calls
to my family & friends abroad.
Digital photo frame
Nike Air Pegasus 
2006 - for my future marathon
A Scarf - black/grey/brown/earth colors
"1,000 Places to See Before You Die"
Rival Chrome Crock Pot 6-QT -
(Yes, I've become that domesticated...LOL)
chocolates, candles, ornaments, etc.

If any of these are over your budget
and you are running out of ideas,
FYI: my shoes size ranges from 7 1/2-8 1/2
(but I only wear Italian designer...LOL),
my waistline is 28" going on 30"(yikes!),
inseam 30".
That's all for now.
No pressure for you to rush out
and get it...LOL
I swear, I've been good...
very very good this year!

I'm dreaming of a "Blue" Christmas

I finally got my "blue" U.S. passport! I was so excited to open the package to see my Naturalization Certificate again. I had to surrender it, soon after I just got it during my oath- taking, so I could immediately apply for my passport. The only downer is that unlike my certificate which has my name spelled perfectly, my passport has my name spelled with an "H"! Grrrr...I wonder who could be that passport agent assigned to my application that was careless enough not to proof-read his/her work? Now I cannot just get up and leave the country if ever I wanted/needed to/could and will have to go through the process of having it corrected.
F+_)(*&^%$#@K!..."they" never make it easy for me.
Please click HERE for the New Travel Requirements involving Americans and/or travel in/out of the U.S.A..

All you have to do is dream

I will admit, for the purpose of this post, I have done drag a total of 8 times in the early 90's. Some were for Halloween, and some were for the mere fun of it and/or providing entertainment during a "happy" party/workshop. During two occasions, I played one of the Dreams, utilizing only newspapers, curtains, and bed sheets for our costumes. At that time, several years ago, not a whole lot of people, including some of my gay friends, were familiar with this Broadway Musical.
This very same time last X'mas 1997, I lost my first job in the U.S. (The sweatshop that was sponsoring me for my work visa, got sued by a former employee, which brought them to the attention of the EDD. By coincidence, it was time for my final papers to be signed and submitted. My employer refused since she wanted to avoid any other dealings with the EDD, therefore jeopardizing my entire labor certification application. After almost 2 years of working for small change, enduring a 2-hour 3-bus ride per way commute, and paying thousands of dollars in immigration lawyer fees...now all of a sudden everything I sacrificed went down the drain.) I was devastated...
Bill decided to cheer me up and surprised me by getting tickets to the show, Dreamgirls. He was not familiar with the show and suddenly wondered why there were so many gay men at the lobby. I couldn't help but laugh and told him to wait after the show. As soon as the opening number started, he immediately understood why. I was cracking up and came out of there feeling better and knew that what happened earlier that day wasn't the end of my world. (Someone could have told me then that 9 years later, this struggle will only be a memory.)
Last year, my company had acquired the much coveted entertainment account of DreamWorks SKG. Just for this account alone, we had to get a bigger office and hire new agents. One of the projects that was in production was Dreamgirls, the movie. Alas, when Paramount finally bought DreamWorks, losing this major account was inevitable. So I guess I couldn't blame my former contacts for not mailing me my promised invitation to the premiere. So much for having connections in Hollywood...LOL.
If you can't wait till X'mas day or for the earlier release at selected theaters, here are two funny clips that may make you wonder if there is an even bigger talent than Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Holiday, or Diana Ross.
Presenting WonderRobbie:

One Night Only

And I Am Telling You (I Am Not Going)

I'm gonna live forever!

As a young child, I always had the fear of the concept of death. Not of my own but of my parents, since I came to them at a rather late age in their lives. Well today, I realize that I should have not worried. We celebrated my Dad's 85th Birthday. (That's right...my father had his youngest when he was 64...LOL.) Well, technically and legally it is his 84th, since his birth records were lost during the WWII, thus his recorded birthday is off by a day and a year.
For his celebration, my family and I took him out for dinner and dancing at The Alpine Village. In spite of the fact that my dad still continues to smoke his Camel cigarettes and drink his Johnnie Walker Black Scotch whisky, he is still very spry and has outlived a lot of his peers. He is a medical anomaly. If ever you saw him "bust a move" on the dance floor, you wouldn't think he was an octogenarian. Both my paternal grandparents lived beyond 100. If ever I inherited my father's longevity genes, then I have to prepare to live a very long life and save up for my retirement and golden years. I feel very blessed to still have him in my life.
Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Thanksgiving 2006! Our first Turkey

We usually have Thanksgiving dinner over at a dear friend's place, so we never had any reason to cook our own. Unfortunately, our friend was out of town this year, and we did not receive any other invitations. Or perhaps, we just were not invited and I have yet to realize that nobody cares...LOL.
So at the very very last minute, we decided to make a go at exploring unchartered territory. I thought it would be fun to make our very first turkey. I invited my sister & niece to be our guinea pigs. Since we were going to be only a party of four, Bill got a 12 lb. turkey. We were advised that we needed 15 minutes for every pound to cook it just right. By the time it was three hours prior to dinnertime, the set time to start putting the bird in the oven, we learned that it actually required 4-5 hours. We panicked and started arguing in the kitchen! Oh...oh, this might not have been such a good idea after all. It's a good thing I had not invited anyone else. This would have been so embarrassing! Fortunately, I had earlier defied the printed instructions and decided to thaw the frozen bird, even if it was specified not to. So in spite of the limited time, it eventually came out perfect, and we had a simple but wonderful Thanksgving dinner with all the traditional trimmings. In spite of the fact that I am a newly naturalized citizen of America, my newly naturalized tongue had yet to acquire the taste for the bland white meat of this said fowl. Now can somebody please pass the salt or fish sauce...LOL.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!