commentary, stories, philosophies, cooking and random thoughts. follow my life's journey as i unravel it. the main page contains five days of entries. this site is maintained by october30. for more articles please visit: ciudadista.wordpress.com

Friday, September 26, 2003

I cannot drive!

Last Tuesday I had a dream. (I was to write this last Tuesday but I just remembered it.) I was riding a car. It was dark and I was looking at a radar of some sort to guide my driving.

I was speeding. I continue to accelerate and cannot control the car to make it slow down. In the radar monitor I was almost hitting the cars. I was saying to my self, 'I cannot drive, I cannot drive!'

Thursday, September 25, 2003

Last night I also saw Legally Blonde 2. Its an M = memorable.

The movie was so funny. What I like the most about the movies is that it destroys the stereotyping that blondes are brainless.

My favorite line in the movie was, 'an honest voice is louder than a crowd.'
Racism at Boston Public

Last night I saw an episode of Boston Public.

It was about a new teacher discussing 'Affirmative Action.' She asked a student about it and he said that it was wrong and had first hand experience from it because his father was laid-off due to racial quotas. He uttered some racial slurs against the African-American students. A fist fight broke out.

The white student who started the fight was asked to bring his father to the principal's office. The father was a bigot like his son. The teacher offered to tutor the student and hoped that she can change his attitude.

In the tutorial she said she understands the situation of the student. He was brought up in an environment of hatred against colored people and Jews. The kid became aggressive and said that what he believes is right and said that the U.S.A. now is being run buy 'blacks' and Jews. He physically threatened the teacher an was fortunately stopped by the principal. He was given two weeks suspension.

Later, the father of the student went to see the principal and demanded that his son be cleared of the charges and a removal of the incident in his records. The principal naturally rejected the petition. The father became angry and tried to wreck the office and assulted the principal. The principal pushed the father and slipped and his head banged on the desk.

The father went on a coma. The principal got arrested for manslaughter and could escalate into murder.

Boston Public always tells you shocking scenarios. I would not believe it if that would be true in high schools in the United States. What were the writers thinking?
Don't Go to the Hospital

I have just realized that I was better off not going to the hospital last Saturday. My friend told me that he never goes to the hospital because there is a waiting time of five hours for non emergencies. The waiting time for emergenecies takes up to an hour.

Five hours for non emergencies! Imagine that you'll be waitng for five hours just to get the important medical attention you get. Back from where I came from it only yakes less than an hour for any time of medical ailment. This is the S.O.P. for even state hospitals, I believe.

Five hours, you'll be wasting that time waiting? You're better off not going to the doctor altogether. I cannot believe this.

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

feijoa
[fay-YOH-ah; fay-JOH-ah]

Feijoa photo http://www.feijoa.org.nz

This small, egg-shaped fruit is native to South America, though New Zealand is now a major exporter and California cultivates a small crop. It's also referred to as a pineapple guava , and is often mislabeled in produce sections as GUAVA. A thin, bright green skin surrounds the feijoa's exceedingly fragrant, cream-colored flesh that encases a jellylike center. The flavor is complex, with sweet notes of quince, pineapple and mint. New Zealand feijoas are available from spring to early summer; those from California reach the market in the fall. Choose fruit that has a rich, perfumy fragrance and gives slightly to the touch. Ripen by placing it in a paper bag with an apple for several days at room temperature. Ripe feijoas can be refrigerated 3 to 5 days. Before using, remove the slightly bitter peel. Feijoas are naturals in fruit salads, desserts and as garnishes. They contain a fair amount of vitamin C. (Epicurious.com 2003)

I never at this fruit as it is. I at it once with my yogurt. I often see these in the supermarket in the fruit and vegetable section. I never thought of trying it buy it probably because I cannot pronounce it until last May. Whenever I pass this fruit I just smell it. It has a cute smell.
http://www.melissas.com/catalog/index.cfm?Product_id=467&Info=YES
The kiwi fruit.

Today for the first time I ate two whole kiwi fruit. It was so yummy. Its like nothing that I have tried before. The flesh was just right. I love the crackling sound of the seeds crushing in my mouth. The only thing I didn't like about is that it can be too messy to eat unlike apples. Its like eating mangoes.

Its not easy to buy kiwi fruits. For me the best is the soft one. The hard ones are often sour. You have to feel at least three or four kiwis to find the best one. It was $3.99 a kilo.

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Telefonica
From the Telefonica.com website

Telefonica, S.A. is Spain's largest telecommunication's company. It is also a multinational which operates in Argentina, Brasil, Chile, El Salvador, España, Guatemala, México and Perú. This company was once a public company. It has been privatized and one now of Europe's largest communications companies. It owns Terra Lycos, one of the largest ISPs and portals today.

If I may add Spain has one of the highest rates of mobile phone charges in Western Europe. I do not know if this is true until today because the feature on Deutsch Welle TV was a year ago.

Monday, September 22, 2003

'Fairy' brand too gay for Aussie blokes

The Fairydown outdoor gear company based in New Zealand decided to change its brand name in Australia. It will change 'Fairydown' to 'Zone.' The former proved to be too 'gay' for some Australians. How can some people be close minded?

There's nothing gay about the product it just that its made from foul downs for better comfort.


As a matter of fact, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore and used the brand in their historic climb of Mt. Everest 50 years ago. (Photo from: Fairydown)
Tesco plots to make even more dough

I have tried Tesco products once and they are okay. They are not the very best but not the worst that you can possibly get. Tesco packaging is also good and it gives you a feeling that their products are not dodgy.

Their cleaning products have a slogan, 'cleans as good as the leading brand.' This is probably true because these Tesco branded products are also made by the same manufacturers of the leading brand.

Who doesn't love in-store brands? Most of them offer good value for money. I remember buying the in-store cooking oil of this supermarket and it works the same as the branded one.

Speaking of in-store brands I always buy the in-store brand toilet paper. Why spend so much on a 'quilted,' 'printed,' and/or '3-ply' toilet paper if they are used for one purpose? They're all the same! Even your toilet bowl and your septic tank would not know the difference.
Sunday Times: Jakarta to buy subs

Now when will Indonesia's northern neighbor start to purchase new naval ships too? Sigh. Not another used hardware please! They need new hardware to boost the army's morale.

Sunday, September 21, 2003

Pain Update

Most of the muscle pain has subsided. Ibuprofen always works for me. A few more dosages and I think I'll be okay tomorrow.
My New Spaghetti Sauce Recipe



300 gm beef mince
325 ml can of spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup of medium salsa (the chunkier the better)
1 large can of whole button mushrooms
4 cloves of garlic crushed
1 whole onion chopped
salt and/or pepper to taste
2 tbsp of oil

1. Sauté garlic in oil and after it starts to brown add the onions.
2. Add the beef mince and wait until the mince turns brown or cooked.
3. Add the salsa and mix it with the mince.
4. Add the spaghetti sauce. Mix it well and leave it until it starts to 'boil.'
5. Add the mushrooms and wait until it 'boils' again.

Serve with cooked spaghetti noodles and enjoy!

Image from: http://www.rhythm4kids.org

Saturday, September 20, 2003

Pain

Later this afternoon I developed a stiff neck. The right part of my neck is in pain when I move it. The pain extends to the upper right part of my back. It is like needles penetrating your body.

Because of this unfortunate ailment I decided to go the the pharmacy to buy the pain killers. While I was walking to the bus depot I have decided to just go to the hospital. I figured out that since I have medical insurance my insurance company will gladly reimburse whatever the cost of the consultation and any prescription medicine that I require. I hopped to the bus that passes the hospital. It passed by the pharmacy that I go to and it was open. It was too late for me to go down on the last stop I stopped at the last stop. So from this moment my hospital plans are over.

I went to the pharmacy and asked for a menthol cream. The shop assistant did not know what I was talking about. I even said Bengay. She did not get it I cannot believe it Bengay is sold worldwide. Oh how terrible! (That is what I don't want from shop assistants when they do not know what they are selling. I can do a better job than her and will be glad to replace her!!!) I went to the pharmacist and asked for a cream for muscle pain. He gave me this anti-inflamatory cream but it did not have menthol. I went to the shelve where he grabed the previous product and there was the menthol cream. Finally I got what I wanted. I also bought the Ibuprofen tablets.

I took two tablets of Ibuprofen at 9pm but it is still not working. I just wish when I wake up tomorrow morning I'll be fine. According to the directions if I'm still in pain after three days I must visit the doctor.
There's this guy on TV interpreting your personality on how you decorate your house. Is that possible?
I has just been an hour since I get up from bed. My left leg seemed that I had a cramp attack and my right elbow is aching. What happened to my while I was sleeping. I feel I was mugged. I think it is my bed. I so hate it. Now I have to buy Ibuprofen pills. This Ibuprofen is not an addictive painkiller.

On Monday my second hand spring mattress will arrive. I just which it will be better than mine. I bought a used one because it cost so much to buy the cheapest and newest mattress.

Back home I do not have a spring mattress. I use a foam mattress which has been good to me all my life except for this time.

I am using this blog publishing editor called W.Bloggar v3.02
It looks like Microsoft Word is easier.

Friday, September 19, 2003

Window Shopping

About three in the afternoon I went window shopping. I was looking for a mobile phone that has colored screen and has a allows me to take phots. Unfortunately it seems that this phone is so expensive and I am better off buying it back home.
Singles, Bananas & Supermarkets

There is this tale spreading in the city. This is about singles, bananas and supermarkets.

Evert Tuesdays singles they say shop at the supermarket. The way you place your bananas in your shopping basket or the trolley indicates your sexual orientation and "intentions." If you put your bananas in this way you're straight the other way you're gay. Unfortunately if you'd like to know the correct placement I cannot help you. I do not know and care to know such as thing. Who ever found this activity must be nuts!

Just let me guess... If you point the banana tips to the left it it means your gay. If you point the tips to the left you are straight. If you put the tips up you are horny. If you put the tips down you are taken. If you ate the banana inside the supermarket you are looking for trouble (with the law).

I have not seen this thing in the supermarkets that I go to. I think I have not chosen to shop on a Tuesday yet. Still I have not heard gossips or stories of how people found their boy or girlfriends or even spouses.

-NEWS FLASH-
I might move this blog to a new home or under a new name. Do not worry I will load everything that was written here. I will try some new blogging software.

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Remember, how much they suffer depends on you...
Last night I read a report of the Consumer Institute about rice. It said there that cooked rice must not be kept at room temperature because it can be infected by bacteria. The best way to keep rice is to put in the fridge or keeping it warm.

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

The Questionaire

This afternoon I went to the bank. I went there to have a PIN incoded to my card. So I entered the premises and proceeded to the available teller on the middle. While I was there she shifted to another customer. On the desk I saw a customer service survey questionaire asking about my satisfaction. The teller went back to me sounding apologetic saying she was sorry for that. I said it was okay because it was an elder customer. I had the impression that she thought I would rate the branch low on customer service. The truth is I am giving the branch a good mark on customer service. Because I do not want to give to much worry to her I placed the questionaire on my pocket.

The only thing that I do not like with my bank is that cash deposits becomes available only until 5pm the next day.
Transportation Problem

Last night before I slept I read some letters to the editor. One letter caught my attention. This is about the changes in the bus system of the whole region. The writer claims that the fare to go to the university will rise 100% and 10-trip tickets will cease. The reason for the increase is that the varsity zone will me moved from the city center zone. Definitely I was shocked because my transport costs will rise.

I said to my self I will call the regional council and demand a clarification. If the fare increase is true I will write to the mayor, councilors, regional council and our MP and demand what the central zone include the university. I was drafting my letters to these important people in my mind as I was in my bed.

The minute I woke up and turned the electric blanket off I called the regional council right away. As usual I was passed to two people. How dumb it said in the leaflet to call this number for any questions. It turns out that this was the trunkline of the regional council. In the end the right person to answer my question was away and I left a message. Five minutes later he called me and explaind to me that the printed leaflets were confusing and that the university is part of the central zone. Whew, I was about to explode if my fear was true!

The fight is not yet over I will still write to the people to reinstate the 10-trip tickets for the central zone. And what gives me a right to do this? I pay taxes 12.5% for every thing that I buy anywhere! I get taxed for my term deposit and I contribute to the local economy!!!

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

This afternoon I saw Pirates of the Carribean.

The movie was too long 2:30. It had so many long sword fighting scenes. It was not much of a visual spectacle because skeleton pirates are not that new. Costumes and props were okay and true to the era. Acting wise it was okay and convincing.

T.E.R.M.* Rating:
I gave this a rating of E, enteraining. It will suit for people who want to let time pass. I won't watch it again on video.

I prefer the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen it was just right and has good visual effects. The story of heroes of Victorian literature in that movie was unique. TERM = R, recommended

*T.E.R.M. is copyright protected.

T = Trash, don't watch it. Not worth your time and money.
E = Entertaining, so so. A movie to make time pass.
R = Recommended, worth mentioning and recommending to friends and family.
M = Memorable, good enough to remember for more than a year. Worth watching on video.
You may have noticed that I have a lot of supermarket related stories here. I have a confession to make, I am a supermarket addict. No week will pass without going to the supermarket once.

I love to see what's everything that they sell. All the different kinds of teas, cereals, jams, marmalades, sauces, detergent and the deli corner. A lot of time I like to buy things that are on special. When I buy things that are discounted I feel that I have saved money. Once I counted how many hours I spent there it was a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 1:30 hours. I am definitely sick?

When I am in a new country I want to go the supermarket immediately. It is a window to the country because you can see what they are eating or what their products are.

When I'll visit North America I'll go to the largest Wal-Mart, in Britain the largest Tesco and Sainsbury's, in France the largest Carrefour.

Is there a shopaholics anonymous the SA, if ever I decide to seek treatment?
Me: Hi my name is XXXX and I am a shopaholic!
Members: Hi XXXX!

Or am I too cheap to be part of the SA? Probably the members are the signature apparel types. Will I be discriminated by the CK girls, Armani matrons or the Gucci elite?

What if I write a review on all the products that I have tried? I can make money! I can review the latest toilet bowl cleaner, dishwasher powder, cake mixes or the latest cereal. Talk about profiting from your addiction. Now if only the Herald has vacancies for my type.

Monday, September 15, 2003

I got this from the Hubbards Cereals Clipboard Number 64. This came from the cereal box.

If You Can...
If you can start the day without caffeine
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time
If you can overlook when people take things out on you
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment
If you can face the world without lies and deceit
If you can conquer tension without medical help
If you can relax without alcohol

I bought Hubbards Very Very Fruitful Flakes: A Trio of Flakes with a Variety of Real Fruit. It is 2% fat or 98% fat free ala half empty, half full.
It has 38% fruits and the rest is a medly of wheat, bran and rice flakes and almond slices. How's this for commercial endorsement?

I'm so proud of this cereal brand because its the one that I love to eat. Actually this is the second time I bought this and the first one is last January. I've tried so many kinds of cereals like muesli, corn flakes, bran, wheat biscuits, rice puffs. Sure there is the Kellogs and Nestlé ones but I like this more because it is the fruitiest.

I bought it because it was only on special.

Hubbards has another cereal brand called 'Bugs in Mud' or cocoa coated white and whole grain ricepuffs for kids. A few weeks ago I was at the breakfast cereal aisle of the supermarket. A mom asked her toddler son on what cereal he likes. She asked, 'do you want Bugs in Mud again?' He said, 'no I don't want it.' It was quite hilarious actually hearing this without knowing what the product was. Bugs in Mud anyone?
From an ad of Money Concepts Int'l, a financial advisory company:
"our advice won't cost you the Earth!"

Sunday, September 14, 2003

Last Friday I've seen a documentary about Georgina Bayer, MP of the Wairarapa. Her story is inspiring and make you realise that deeds matter than one's background. Although I do not agree with some of her ideologies I respect her.
Hu, hu, hu, I want to go home now! :-(

Saturday, September 13, 2003

As usual I did not win again in the latest lottery draw for 19,000,000. Still no single person won the entire money. What the Lotteries Commission decided is that those who missed one number will win the jackpot. There were about 15 winners who shared the jackpot so they had about 1.2 million each.

I am happy for them. At least 15 people are now happy. If I know someone who won this much money I hope he can share the money to me. I have observed that most lotto winners from 250,000 come from remote and poor towns. Now I'm thinking that it is a redistribution of wealth in this country. Now if I could just fly back to the ground and wake-up. I would still continue to play the lottery but not as much because the jackpot is not that big anymore.

I was watching this documentary of Sister Wendy Beckett. She's a nun that knows art. She's now taking about art and artefact collections of a Los Angles museum. You know she is a comptemplative nun or monk. If she does not have any engagements she spends all her days in prayer and meditation.

I love the deli corner at the supermarket. You can buy slices of hams and other cold cuts. My favorite there are the chicken or turkey breast, ham shavings and roast beef. I only buy these things if they are on special. [On Special = discounted]

When I was in the supermarket I was hoping I can by a wine to drink. In the end I did not. What I was realy wanting to do is to buy two cans of this pre-mix vodka drink that I tried last week. It was so delicious that is why I like it. It is soft on the uninitiated palate and the alcohol effect on the body is subtle. One of these days I'll drop by in one of the many liquor stores to buy this thing. Its really funny that I when I want to buy wine or alcohol I do not have my ID. When I have my ID I don't buy.

When I was about to leave the supermarket I saw this old cleaning lady cleaning a corner of the store. I felt so sorry for her. She is about 60 or more years old. People her age should retire and be taken cared for by their families.
I was eating a bag of what was once a 500g bag of gummy bears. Oh I so love to eat those bears. Does this make me a bear killer?
Britain's Best Buildings

I must admit that the British are good in engineering and design.

Friday, September 12, 2003

This afternoon I will have a three hour break until my next appointment.
I can't wait to get home.
I want to go home.

Sunday, September 07, 2003

Last time I mentioned about a nun on TV discussing art. The nun was Sister Wendy Beckett. She is a South African born nun and went to the seminary in Britain. The latest episode of her series is her trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

In her short biography available at PBS.org Meet Sister Wendy it says there that she lives in a Carmelite monestary on a trailer and spends her day in solitude prayer. She only talks to the Mother Superior from time to time.

I'm impressed. God bless Sister Wendy.

Monday, September 01, 2003

"Mom and Dad said we're too young to handle relationships and they broke-up" -A Print Ad Copy
My missing friend has been found. His old habits got him again. When will he ever learn.