da tomāto

Here's one kind of brownie from the Brownies Unlimited assortment. They have their own labeled box now (or maybe they've had those for a while now) but I remember when their assortments came in generic plastic containers. They're doing very well, obviously. A six-brownie pack from Brownies Unlimited used to cost 90 pesos many years ago. I wonder how much they cost now. By the way, there are 12 brownies in their label box... or maybe I'm just way off the mark on this signature-box theory. They've probably been using that for the 12-brownie pack all this time. Shows how much I know about what's going on in the big, outside world of brownie manufacturers, huh? The second agenda on this post is Globe music. And no, it's not about "world music". It's about my mobile service provider's (Globe) WAP music store. I'm going to start from what happened this morning... very, very early, this morning: I had to check my email but I was still very sle

OMG, it is February and it's the 26th. OMG, only a few days left before the 28th - before it's March. I truly lost track of the time... truly. My hair is pretty long now and I have this half-ponytail going on where you pull the hair out halfway from the band. I had UTIS on and now, I'm playing PS. I like it when I move my head around and mouth the words to songs and my hair hits the back of my neck and temples. This is nonsense blabber, without a doubt. I am trying to write this post and sing along to a song at the same time. There are moments when I think that I am doing both but they're fleeting. I get pulled out of it by either thinking of what I'm going to key in next or hearing a drum riff that makes me realize that I've missed a part on a song that I like. I know that I can read this entry as I sing along to a song. But writing and singing, together, is tough - may not be possible too. I guess it's not meant to be done. I guess it uses the same part of

Obviously, the thing about working from home online is that you never come face to face with people who see your work on the other end of this World Wide Web. So sometimes it's hard not to be affected by feedback from some random person who chanced upon something that you've put out on the... yes, the WWW. Take this day, for instance. For the first time, I had a blighter who nipped at my heels and made me want to curse this day (and it doesn't help that it's my "time of the month" too!). I am not going to go into details because I do not want to remember the "WHY's" of it all for when I go back and read my entries. Well, after a few hours, this random person did a 180 and became my "delighter". That was pretty wonderful and I am very happy that I do not have to sleep feeling all moody about this tonight. Isn't it crazy how the same person who makes you want to rip your hair out early in the day can make you want to celebrate later o

Ate dinner in my room because I wanted to work at the same time. Opted for a sandwich too since I did not want to clear the desk. This ham, cheese, lettuce (with a thin layer of mayo... haha!) sandwich was very good. I would have preferred whole-wheat bread in stead of this "just" wheat bread. Yeah... and I don't have anything else to talk about! HAHA! Well, I guess I can talk about an interesting transcription that I did today. Well, it was a 30-second audio that I had to submit in 10 minutes -- pretty easy, eh? Yup, that's what I thought too until I played it. Talk about a speed-talker! The lady packed in a ton of words within 30 seconds... wow! Well, that's it. I submitted it in the nick of time too. Honestly, I could have done that sooner but there was this one word that I just couldn't figure out and given the main message - I'm just going to say that word choices were more than a few. Hey, I just talked about transcribing -- haven't done that in

Time for another food photo - had tosilog for breakfast today. I would've preferred fried rice in stead of the plain, newly-cooked stuff... sayang . I've been listening to music A LOT and I've noticed this weird ringing in my ears when everything's silent. I think I'm developing a music addiction which may be senseless if you think about it: Classic signs may include -- headset (almost) permanently attached, annoyance when interrupted like if someone knocks on the door, singing out loud on bathroom breaks/during meals, and singing right before falling asleep. The "bathroom breaks/during meals" part is pretty funny. Yeah, I may be smiling right now but it is a little mad. Bwahaha! Well, I think it's great and what makes it even better (better than "great"?) is that I had A LOT of work done (I wrote about this on my last post). So going back to what's great about my self-proclaimed music obsession... I just realized that I've learned

So happy -- Q3 down! Well, almost... I just have to polish the margins on the financial reports (for the third quarter of 2008) but hey, it's almost done! I am sure that I will send that tomorrow so it's all good. [sigh] Thank goodness. Deezer (that I think was just perfect the way they were) recently had a make-over and so far, they haven't been able to work out the kinks. For a few days now, users (including me) have been having some problems with their playlists. That is, they can't play them anymore! In my case, it comes and goes. Like yesterday, some songs on a playlist would stream but it's on Smart Radio mode and the next song would be picked out by the system. But earlier today, somehow I got lucky and was able to listen to all my tracks without a hitch - in perfect order and all - like nothing went wrong. Then, when I logged in again tonight, only one of my playlists would stream properly. On my other playlists, a random song (that's on the list) would

A few nights ago, I searched for an online music store (Philippines-based) that sells legit downloads. That search took me to Fliptunes.net that is the country's attempt at a download store that's similar to iTunes - or so they say. It's endorsed by MTV Pilipinas and it sells song downloads from local artists. They've also expanded their selection by including international artists under the store name "Fliptunes Plus". This leads to the question: What's not to HATE about Fliptunes Plus? So, here goes... The music format is WMA so it can only be played with Windows. Yes, that's Windows Media Player or other devices with Windows "playforsure" stamp of approval. The music they sell have strict license codes with Windows DRM protection. I'm not going babble about what DRM is so I'm just going to say that it puts restrictions on how the product is used. Now, I'm all for protecting content but when you buy a song - there shouldn't

Brunch was ugly... I thought it was fried tofu at first with some sort of stuffing. That is, until I took a bite... It was embutido ! Yeah - there's an exclamation point there because it was delicious! Now I know not to judge food by its cover...?!? LOL See, I'm used to embutido (Filipino version of a meat loaf, of sorts) that's round as opposed to those cubed ones. So, moving on, dinner was healthy... Some fresh greens with fruit (grapes, dragonfruit, and mandarin wedges), walnuts and breaded chicken. But I did not just have the salad tonight, I also had some chicken adobo and rice. Yum... Then, someone popped in a few minutes ago bearing a box of assorted chocolates so I had to take one. Now, I am digesting it all and having a cup of decaf to warm my tummy up. Salut!

Two of my "work from home" affiliates are pinching pennies - I've noticed. Well, one of them expressed that the cause of having not much work available for their WAH (work at home) team is the not-so-good economy. I like that they've told us what's going on so there is no confusion. Now, that's a good working relationship. I do hope that they don't go out of business. I hope, I hope... My other WAH affiliate just removed the regular assignments and put in a list of ad hoc ones in stead. By this, I mean that the work that they put out is of a specific, as-they-need-it nature. That's not so good since everyone's scrambling and trying to reserve these jobs first as they come out - and there's not a lot of it too. Boo-hoo. If there's one advice I can give out for newbie freelance WAH job-seekers it is that you should not rely on one online affiliate because, let's be honest, it is a pretty unstable industry. So if you do manage to get one a

From the look of things, I may be able to finish these 2008 accounting books (that's "as of August" pa lang ) by the end of this month. I am working at a pretty good pace, I think, not too slow but not too hectic -- it's just right. And if they can give me the tax data for September before then, I just might be able to keep this nice tempo going. Bought Keane's Perfect Symmetry MP3 album earlier. Yes, that is what "PS" stands for in the title up there and not "PlayStation". LOL And now that I've got all three of their albums (still wishing for each CD, of course), I can say that Keane is the voice (or tune) in my head these past few weeks -- the good and healthy kind of tune, of course. It is quite interesting that I've had to Google three words (two of which are lyrics and the other one is about a gig) since Keane came into my consciousness. From the lyrics, I had to look up the words - spires and cenotaph. And other one is the word &q

After dinner, I've finished off one chocolate NutriBar (that was so sweet - I can't believe the pack said that it was a low-calorie snack!!!) and sampled a Gavottes crispy choco crepe. Now, I feel a bit heady from the chocolate -- I get that sometimes, okay, most of the time. :) Gavottes was good but it's nothing exceptional, I'm afraid. BTW, it's made from France and I've been trying to learn the French language! Coincidence?!? LOL Nah, it's all in my head. :D Well, I found this amazing website called FrenchPod and so far, I've learned how to ask someone their name (and introduce myself too), ask where the toilets are and so on in French. It's so informal and very fun. I listen to podcasts and... well, just go to the FrenchPod website and you'll see what I mean. It's the conversational, every day sort of stuff and of course, I'm on the Newbie level and I don't think I'll ever get farther than that. Honestly, it's not like I&

UTIS - that's the "Under the Iron Sea" album by Keane. See, after I purchased their Hopes and Fears (2004) mp3 album, I've listened to it, sang along with it -- basically, it's nothing short of having engrossed myself in it. And at the moment, I am following my Keane interest through with UTIS. Under the Iron Sea was released in 2006. Yes, a few days ago, I bought it from Amazon too. And after that I will be all over the '08 album, Perfect Symmetry, for that natural and consecutive Keane experience. It's been a refreshing diversion... No, it's a stimulating accompaniment to all the writing and computing that comes with this bookkeeping catch-up that I've been doing. It's kind of like working both sides of the brain at the same time, yes? No? Also, BIG DAY - US President Obama's inauguration today. Just thought that I'd sneak in that historic event here. It's the 20th of January there so, you know, there's that time difference an

Slept in earlier so, no breakfast for me. Lunch was chicken curry and no, this wasn't made with coconut milk. For some reason, they've got a simplified version of a recipe. All they use are chicken pieces, potato wedges, ginger, curry powder, salt & black pepper, and evaporated milk -- voila, curry! It's all stewed together, apparently, until the meat is cooked. I think they've also done the same recipe with pork slices... I don't remember but that could work. Ever since I've bought the Hopes and Fears album by Keane, I've been inspired to learn the song, Bedshaped, on the piano. Now, our instrument has been around for almost two decades so some keys stick and many notes are out of tune because we haven't had it correctly tuned lately. It is much of a challenge, I'm afraid, and my only shot seems to be limited to its intro and nothing else. Oh, and the fact that I am not really a good piano player is also a handicap so... I do what I can. I'v

I am shivering tonight. And the wind was blowing hard earlier too that it literally blew my bedroom door open! Not that it was fully closed (of course) - it was just slightly stuck to the door pane - but there was this "woo" sound and then, the door opened. Anyway, what I think is strange about me having the shivers tonight is that I am not at all discomforted by the cold but I am getting irritated by my quivering. See, I am working (not like that's news) and it is all too noticeable that my jaw is clenching and I quiver every few minutes -- so annoying. I mean, what is that about? Time to put on a sweater, eh? Someone brought home this stuffed pastry from the local MiniStop. The filling - I do not know what that was but it was not sweet so it's not a dessert. My best guess would be it was mushed sweet pork asado . The pastry was wonderful, though, like the outside was made of filo dough. Its crust was flaky and the inside was soft -- surprisingly nice for something f

... (that's the Keane album from 2004) last night. Yup, after my rant about getting its CD (see previous post) I just went ahead and bought the download-able mp3 album from Amazon immediately. Oh man, when I get all excited about something I'd much rather get it over with - then and there - rather than sleeping on it. Yes, today is another "happy day" for me with music - the first one was when I got the "The Script" CD album last week as a Christmas present from my Ate . [grins] Hopefully this pleasant beginning for the year would follow all through 2009. And yes, if you go back a couple of posts down, you'll see that - finally - I was able to purchase mp3 downloads from Amazon. And the one thing that made that possible is the fact that my sister is living in the US. The "Hopes and Fears" mp3 album costs a little less than $10 and it has 11 songs on it. I would still love to have its CD too with a crystal case, little booklet (with pictures and

Everyone but me is wearing a sweater at our house tonight. They say it's chilly - and it is - but I like it. I even have the fan pointed directly, err, at an angle facing my bed so I'll be all-huddled under the covers later -- almost freezing. LOL I did not sleep well at all last night because my feet were cold but I don't care. Also, I finally finished the in-house accounting books as of June, sent off the statements too. I'm working on July now but I find that I do not have all the information I need just yet -- oops, another delay! Oh well, it is what it is. :) Seeing the MTV video of the song, Perfect Symmetry, by Keane made me curious about their albums. So, I've been listening to Hopes and Fears (their first) and I've decided that I want to get it. Yes, Keane interests me . Since it was released four years ago (2004) it's going to be cheaper too, I think. I hope that they've got it in stores here now. I've looked at their official website and i

HAPPY DAY!!! I got my wish - The Script album - thanks to my sister! Thank you, Ate and my darling nieces and bro-in-law! Everyone!!! OMG, I was screaming and all when this arrived today. OMG! OMG!!!! Okay, I'll stop now... but I'm still heady!!! LOL Love it!!! [huge grin] Goodness, Mark Sheehan was covered by the flash up there. Wait... okay, there he is. :D I wrote down my Christmas wish list , err, wish (since it's just one thing - The Script CD album) and I am so happy right now. Yes, the gloom of the past few days is now kaput ! THANKS AGAIN, guys! UPDATE March 2015: Jeez... I wrote this?! I wrote this. [facepalm]

I've gone up a few points on my "transcription grader value" in CastingWords (one of Mturk's transcription requesters). That's good, though, I'm still hesitant about taking on their transcription jobs. As of this time, I've just accepted one (yup, just one!) 4-minute audio task there because I do not know what to expect -- it turned out well and I even received a bonus. It helps that I've been going to the mturk forum where other workers and even job requesters are talking and commenting a lot. Also, since my earnings there go straight to my Amazon gift certificate balance - being a non-US worker and all - I cannot go and spend all my time working there. But if I were, oh man, the $$ should be so sweet...! About this Amazon boo-boo that I did -- I knew that their mp3 downloads are exclusive to those in the US. I knew that and I still did this stupid thing and it cost me some. This is to remind me NOT TO DO THIS AGAIN unless they lift the restriction, o

Thought I'd throw a cupcake in for today's post since I've nothing else to write about than my utter disappointment at not meeting my bookkeeping goal (I've talked about it a few entries down, I think) for 2008. That is, finishing the accounting books as of June... so sad. The last week of December proved to be more activity-filled than I anticipated and I am still prepping the June documents pa . Also, my left eye's starting to act up again with those white dots in view or maybe my glasses are smudged -- wait. Oh, it's a little of both. [sigh] I've got Keane on - Hopes and Fears - and I think that's adding to my melancholy. Nothing like having sort of an appropriate soundtrack actually playing in the background. It's a little bit funny, really. The cupcake was from last week, 'twas a gift for new year's. Of course, it wasn't just one cupcake -- it was a whole boxful. haha I liked the cake but the icing left much to be desired.

... I've noticed - new year's eve was chilly, so was last night, and tonight's pretty chilly too. My hands are getting cold and I'm keeping 'em warm by touch-typing since the ceiling light's turned off now and I've used the extra socket on my extension cord to charge my phone in stead plugging the table lamp. I wanted to sneak in a post about one of the last things I bought in 2008. It was an online purchase - I renewed my anti-virus license for another year. Gotta keep this machine all clean inside, you know. I also have three other free protections running to make sure that it's kept that way. Hopefully, 2009 would be a worry-free year with regards to this desktop. Me and my friends got together a few days ago. We had a party and I totally abandoned them and fell asleep... I'm not a big drinker, to say the least. I had fun and I can't wait to see 'em again. :)