The Art of Savvy Packing

Yeah right.  I hate packing. I tend to always overpack, but still always seem to pack the wrong things or forget something important.  And I’m also  a procrastinator, one of those people who wants to cram at the last minute.  I’ve been procrastinating about this for the past week now or so.  I can’t figure out and try how to pack lightly as I do not want to lug around a big luggage.  Take note, the operative word is “try”.  The art of packing lightly is really hard for me.  I have a lot of things which I think are necessary for my day-to-day living, here take a look:

And these are just for the things I can’t live without. And then there are the clothes….. and shoes argh!

There are many resources for packing lightly just by browsing in the web alone but those are for people who will be backpacking which doesn’t really apply to me.   

Packing is always difficult even when I leave out all the toiletries that I can get wherever I am.  We are leaving for Europe next week and originally tried to fit everything into one luggage plus my usual carry-on with all my essentials that I don’t want checked.  Even after packing, throwing out half and then looking to see what I didn’t need,  it is still crazy- have to take enough layers to prepare for weather changes and shoes which take up a ton of room.   I’m feeling panicky. At this point I always feel like backing out of all travel plans. I hate the trouble of deciding what to take with me, the packing itself, and especially the part where you keep wondering whether you took everything you need.

Yes, I know, I don’t travel to places where you couldn’t buy whatever you left at home (and more) but still, it’s just so nervewracking.  And I’m real lousy at packing. I start to sweat just by looking at the pile of clothes and thinking that I should manage to roll them into nice tight bunches.

Have I ever forgotten anything of “vital” importance? No, not really. Well, nail clippers… I had to buy a really crappy pair in Phuket one time.

Another WTF?!?! moment…

I needed to have my ID picture taken and we were wandering aimlessly at the plaza where a mom-n-pop photography studio used to stand but alas! It was replaced by  a ceviche chain!  Disappointed, we decided to go inside CVS and found out they were taking passport pictures with only a short waiting period so I went for it.  As we were waiting,  the usual compulsive buying attacked again.  We were roaming around the store, guess what we saw! 

photo provided by nixpaztix, inc.

Mayonnaise is a very traumatic product for me.  My mother used to slather the white stuff into my hair as a child in order to tame my wild hair. She believed it was a conditioning agent- when really the only thing it did was cause me to smell like a bologna sandwich. 

The product spawned the discovery of the Casimir Effect, which proves that the universe will always expand.  Invented in 1756, George Washington Carver seemed to have his hand in it.  Not to be confused with its more disgusting knock off, mayonnaise has a lot going for it.  A favorite Spelling Bee word, a racial litmus test, a hair conditioner — is there anything mayonnaise cannot do?  You can even win prizes with it!  What other condiments spawned theories?  Sunday school kids learn about faith and mustard seeds.  Guess what? Ketchup is hot on its wheels.  Next thing we know, it will be used as a face-mask.  Scary. 

To quote a friend, “White & Creamy is my favorite food group.”  I’m nearly falling off my chair over here.  Must be tired. Or a simpleton.

Stop Hunger. Give Free Rice.

This is fun and free and for a great cause.No one should have to go hungry. This is an online game that will help you improve your vocabulary. I played until I had atleast donated 500 grains of rice.    I like word games and I get to to help someone get something to eat. We all win!So go here: http://www.freerice.com/You can play the game and help yourself while you help someone get a bite to eat today.  

What could’ve been…

Remember back when life was great and Veronica Mars was still on the air?  Yeah, those were good times.  Anyway, the oft-discussed, never-aired FBI concept trailer shot earlier this year is a special feature on the third season DVD set.

I really hope Rob Thomas kept the book rights for the show.  I doubt a movie would get off the ground, but I’d love to read the continuing story, and maybe get a happy ending for Veronica after all. 

Stephen Colbert for President?

 

Oh no.  Now he’s really done it.  After nearly a solid week of dropping hints, Stephen Colbert threw his hat in the race for next year’s Presidential elections.  Nothing says “I’m dissatisfied with my government” like wanting two comedians that have shows before a show with puppets making prank phone calls to run for office.  Do you remember Stewart in 2004?

The sad fact is, some conservatives think he is serious.  Actually, that is not what makes it sad.  It is what makes it so funny. Maybe some of the comics from the right could also run.  Like Rush, Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham.  (Oh wait. They can’t be called comics of the right.  They have to be funny to be called comics).   Some of you might ask, why does the media devote more time to him than to the more high profile, “serious” candidates?  Because he does a serious job of portraying the buffoons running to lead our country and is very much more interesting than any of the “real” candidates.  Art imitates life.   I think Colbert doing this is a hoot.  He’s not only funny but he brings up good points about today’s politicians.  We could use a little humor especially on meet the press which is usually quite dry.

Every member of the press wants to see Rudy vs. Hillary or Rudy vs. Obama. I want to see Rudy vs. Hillary vs. Stephen. That way, we can see if the politicans actually can make themselves look more foolish than a comedian would.  He stated  his reasons for running.  He wants to win just one delegate in order to show that he can run for the presidency and win (kind of), and so can other average Americans who believe they can change the world for the better. He is using his comedic powers and fame to actually prove a good point to America and its voters.

Obviously, Colbert is joking, but he is a no bigger joke that most of the other candidates. As a matter of fact, our whole political process is a joke, a pathetic joke to be sure.  But what the hey! We may as well laugh at the whole thing, otherwise we would be weeping in despair.

Seriously, we had a porn star and Gary Coleman run for office of Governor so what’s the big deal for a political satirist trying to get on a State’s primary? You and any of your friends who meet some very basic standards could, too. This is hardly ground breaking.  Some may see this as blatant self-promotion, but others may see it differently. Those naysayers, who know so much that they are incapable of acting, will just have to go back into hiding.

Ironically through satire, Mr. Colbert and John Stewart are the only “news” programs that actually consider the big picture, as opposed to the daily horse-race and scandal du jour.  Their shows, besides being smart and funny are also the only ones that provide perspective to the machinations of government and big business.

He will be running on both tickets because on the far left we have the communists pretending to be socialists. On the far right we have the self righteous pretending to follow Christ. In the middle we have regular Americans trying to avoid being incenerated by terrorists.  His underlying humor is about “who is the greater enemy? Is it the killers who kill at random, or is it the power hungry that stir up hatred between Americans in order to get elected?” His humor says “I ask you, which group is the more likely to open the door for another world war?”

People invite him on their show and his character shows up. I wonder if they even get it. If he gets a delegate or two from South Carolina for the Democrats’ convention, pure genius. A TV character  got a delegate in an American presidential primary.   Can you think of a better way to make fun of the our worthless political system?  THAT, my friends, is political satire. This is starting to grow to Andy Kaufman heights.   My only wish is that John Stewart would join in on the fun.

Colbert ‘08 for the motherfuckin’ win!

The evolution of Johnny Depp

No one can accuse Johnny Depp of being “generic”.  Basically, he does what he wants, says what he wants, wears what he wants, and is obviously comfortable in his skin. So whatever he wears always looks good as a result – even when it looks goofy.  You gotta respect that.  He does not follow the typical handsome leading man route and moves to his own beat. 

 

21 Jump Street   (1987)  

 

Cry Baby (1990)

When the going gets tough…..

The tough goes shopping.  You wouldn’t believe the amount of junk we’ve accumulated over the almost weekend (Friday) and the weekend.  It was a rare moment when I felt like cooking and I had a craving for meatloaf.  Not the kind of meatloaf with ground beef, a dash of salt n’peppa although it has those but the Pinoy variety where instead of sticking it in the oven, put the timer on and voila! Meatloaf in no time.  No, I wanted to make something a little bit more ambitious and complicated than that.  I took our humongous steamer from the garage cupboard and fire up the stove.  In short, I almost burnt the house down.  (I almost panicked and called 911).  For those who are interested enough to know, I’m okay and thank God, the house is still intact although it reeks of barbecue from the  billowing smoke coming from the burnt steamer. Argh.  So I ruined the stove’s drip pan.  I immediately called my little pet, NiXXi to go buy the stuff.   Off we went and armed with a shopping list (DRIP PANS!), we entered this domain called:

Note:  All photos provided by nixpaztix, inc.

Roaming around the store looking for the only thing on our shopping list, we saw tons and tons of Halloween gunk and Christmas junk, too.   Ever have a penchant for  Barbie Pink Christmas tree?  Betcha they don’t sell it at any christmas tree lot around the country.

And guess what else we saw?  The doppelganger chicktards’ (I will never dis the Olsen twins!) perfume line. 

Generally speaking, I don’t impulse buy because I hate to spend money on stupid stuff.   But there are also certain times when the urge is too strong to fight it.  This weekend was one of those times.

This is what we were supposed to buy:

This is what we ended up buying. 

Weekend shopping done even before the weekend comes!  Can I get a woot woot! Then comes Saturday.  We needed bookcases in the beroom  for our growing collection of reading materials.  Went to IKEA (yes, I said I wasn’t gonna go anymore but we needed an easy fix so yeah boohoo!) with a tape measure and a piece of paper where I wrote down the size of the bookcase we wanted.  I was very careful not to pick up anything even if the impulse was so strong.  Saw what I wanted and wrote down the aisle and bin number.  Went down to the warehouse and headed straight for the aisle of the bookcases.  As I got to take a look at the package, I realize it wouldn’t fit my car.  I could’ve chosen to have it delivered but the line at the service counter where they were doing it was a mile long. 

I just couldn’t leave the store empty-handed.  Grabbed a wok and some swedish meatballs to make me feel better.  Impulse buying at it’s best.  It has long been assumed that impulse buying happens at the cash register and while doing so, they have me in mind.   And then we moved on to Target.  You wouldn’t believe the shit stuff we bought. 

An impulse purchase, according to wikipedia is:

Marketers and retailers tend to exploit these impulses which are tied to the basic need for instant gratification. For example, a shopper in a supermarket might not specifically be shopping for candy. However, candy, gum and mints are prominently displayed at the checkout aisles to trigger impulse buyers to buy what they might not have otherwise considered. Sale items are displayed in much the same fashion.Impulse buying can also extend to so-called “big ticket” items such as automobiles and home appliances. Automobiles in particular are as much an emotional purchase as a rational one. This in turn leads auto dealers all over the world to market their products in a rapid-fire, almost carnival-like manner designed to appeal to emotion over reason.

Thank God, I’ve never bought a car on an impulse   After spending a couple of hundred dollars I am finally exhausted.  Another weekend.  Another lesson learned.  The most important thing to remember is:

Don’t go shopping.  The sure fire way to prevent impulsive buying is to refrain from going to stores.  Impulse buying for the motherfuckin’ lost!

Movie Review: Transformers

 

Living with an older brother who hogs the TV remote while growing up is quite an experience. I would have no choice but watch the cartoon version when I was a kid. When I saw the trailer for this movie, I thought it could be interesting but not enough for me to anticipate and go see the movie on its first weekend debut. I decided it’s one of those movies that will I will have to wait until the DVD release.

Went to our local Blockbuster and rented it out. Was I pleasantly surprised! It’s not a chickflik alright. It’s a movie, according to my brother, for “real men”. He was gushing on and on about it. To give you an idea, here are his words word for word:

“I do not care for anybody telling me otherwise. Transformers has got to be, hands down, the coolest thing ever. There is nothing that makes me feel more of a man. Watching Optimus Prime transform is, literally, orgasmic. One line from the movie, that I would kill to be able to say, at least once in my life: Gentlemen… Let me introduce you to my friend: Optimus Prime”

What a nut!

Warning: Mild Movie Spoilers Ahead

Glorietta Bombing

News excerpt from CNN:

“Mario Em, a taxi driver, said he had just dropped two women off at the mall when the blast hurled the passengers against his vehicle, killing them instantly. He said he pulled one of the victims, who was pregnant, from underneath his car

“Mae Ann Sison said her sister, Angelica Cortez, was on an escalator going down from the second floor when the blast tossed her in the air.She landed on the escalator and her right foot got caught in the escalator chain and she was hit by glass shards from shops around her,” Sison said, adding a chunk of concrete hit her sister’s head.”

People inside the mall scampered toward the exits when the blast shook the mall. ‘One man who was in front of me was already dead. There was a child, but we don’t know where the child is now,’ said Dennis Inigo, who was shopping at the time. ‘The man’s wife was with me a while ago, and her leg was shattered. Many people were falling on top of each other,’ he said. ‘It was loud, and then it became dusty.’”

I feel sick to my stomach.  It’s deeply shocking to hear the news of another bombing in Manila.  This time the explosion happened in Glorietta 2 at around 1:30 pm this afternoon, according to reports.

Makes you wonder how those who were behind this are able to sleep at night.  If this is indeed another destabilization plot, why not address their grievances to the right venues?  It’s sad because the victims are innocent.  I feel for the victims, as well as their families.  For more on the news, click here. 

I’m really bothered.   Thank God, it’s Friday.  Will be hibernating for the weekend.  Go to NiXXi’s for your daily bloggorhea fix.   Catch up with you on Monday.

Clutter Free

My house isn’t spotless but I hate having mess around the house, especially the kitchen. I’m completely anal about hygiene in the kitchen. I wipe the counters down with bleach about a million times a day during the weekends. It also doesn’t help that he-who-must-not-be-named does not help. I end up always vaccuuming and cleaning the kitchen floor because it drives me batty if I feel any crumbs on my feet when I walk through. We have Mexican clay tile floors as well as hardwood floors. Lots of floors to clean.

 

I get very stressed out when the house is cluttered and messy and even though it can get that way sometimes, I never let it get too dirty. To me, there is a difference between messy and dirty.

I am constantly trying to re-organize and declutter. Right now I am working on the closets, I am convinced that there is a more orderly way of storing things. I am a clean freak about the kitchen and the bathrooms. I cannot stand it if either are dirty. The rest of the house I am more lax about, I hate dusting and vacuuming so that doesn’t get done as much as it should.

Thank God for this gadgets. Meet the iRobot Scooba. I don’t like mopping. Neither does anybody in my household. The hardwood floors never gets mopped. The kitchen floor always looks like (uhm excuse my french)shit most of the time. It works great on mud, dried food and dried spills. When you are done with the Scooba, you do have to empty it out, give the tank a rinse, and clean the brush and a removable tube. It’s always nice when you can make somebody or in this case, something to do a hated task.

You also need to buy their special cleaner, which isn’t that bad since you need need to use a cleaning solution anyway. It is economically efficient, too. 1/8 cup of the cleaning solution and a quart or so of water on my floor work wonders. If I were mopping, I’d be using more of both. I tried vinegar and hot water, which did pretty good. Clorox appears to work better although it leaves a sticky residue. A big no-no for me.

My other thing is the dishwasher. All dirty dishes must be in it. Who-must-not-be-named likes to leave dishes on the counter and that drives me absolutely nuts! I put the dishwasher on every night before I go to bed and always unload it when I wake up. There is no reason to put dishes on the sink or counter at all.

I can’t stand clutter either. Do you understand Clutterbug mentality? Do you know someone who is “organizationally challenged?” Here’s a little trivia for you. Did you know in the land of Clutterbuggedom, to “trash” a piece of clutter is 20 years to life – in prison? Yes, I kid you not. Do not dare it. You will be attacked! Thrown and then wrestled to the ground. The piece of clutter will fly *in slow motion* up into the air & the clutterbug will ALWAYS catch it. Before it falls, smashing to the ground, into little cluttery pieces. *sigh*

I live with a clutterbug. His siblings are clutterbugs; they are all descendants of the matriarch of a clutterbug dynasty. They may even be clutterbug royalty for all I know. Blue blooded. Queens, Princes, Princess clutterbugs. From the faraway land of Clutterbuggedom.

I was asked to help (they-shall-remain-nameless), a beloved clutterbug pack her house, for a soon-to-happen move. A cluttered house filled to it’s rims with clutter. Clutter, piled upon clutter, upon more….yes, you guess it, clutter.

In a perfect world, there will be no mess, there will be no dirt and everything will be organized. Clutter-free for the motherfuckin’ win!