My Blog

It’s Darren’s and My Anniversary today. 6 Years of being together through thick and thin times.

Love you honey!

You can not drive around the streets of Manila without seeing this ironic symbol of careless satisfaction being thrown about. On the back of each each taxi and bus these words are written with a well displayed phone number placed beside it and one would have to ask, are these valid phone numbers? Does any one ring them?

I have never seen such abondon when it comes to driving in all my life and the total chaotic mess that is rush hour here on the streets in Manila. It can be quite a frightening experience when you are sitting in the back of a taxi and witnessing that you are about to be sandwiched between two buses. Once the ordeal is over this sign “How’s my driving”, gets flashed in your face only to realise that the joke has just been set upon you.

After a while you realise this is normal, this mess of automatic transport is in fact relative and systematic ….. it just works! How, I really dont know. Has western culture become so laiden with rules and regulations that we cause accidents on purpose? Or do these rules actually cause accidents?? Why I say this is because I have never in the last 3 months witnessed one road accident that has caused this whole tangle of traffic to cease flowing. If this was Australia or Canada, it would never work coming to one crippling hault.

In 3 months on the roads in Australia you would have witnessed at leat 3 accidents that would cause traffic suspension for around 3 hours at a time and countless attacks of roadrage upon commuters and congestion that would be relative to being constipated for 14 days. Here I have only seen one bump to the side of a vehicles wheel cover with the car owners anger emissions equivelent to that of a hissy fit, rubs the side of the car then gets back in to dive off again. One does have to say WHOOOPEE for the wheel cover!

I remeber one conversation I had with Oliver in his car where he commented on how hard he foud it driving in Sydney, I didnt find his driving bad at all and compared to some taxi’s I have been in, he drove like a little old lady, very carefully! I made a joke about it all, “Why, did you find it hard to stay inside the lanes?” …. he said “YES”! …. I didnt want him to clarify this answer because in my ignorance and limitted worldly experience I guess I would have froze in horror if he said he wasnt joking……. I dont think he was?

Paint a line down the centre of the car bonnet and thats the lane you stay in!

So, if youreally want to know how you driving is Manila? ….. Pretty fucked by most standards but it works and I am not one to say change your ways because I dont think rules and regulations would work here on these very busy streets. I think it’s just as close to perfect as you can get. Lets just say that sometimes in a perfect world chaos has to prevail somewhere.

Dan.

ok … a week out from reality is not fun at all!

Have spent a couple of days in the Medical City hospital in Manila due to an amoeba in my stomach which did not allow me to retain any food. Became very dehydrated and quite weak.

Four days later after being fed fluids via IV and numerous anti-biotics and I am starting to feel some what human again. Will be starting back at work tonight but feel quite out of the loop which is very unsettling to me. Never mind, it wont take long to get back into the swing again.

I ventured out at 3am thismorning to buy more cigarettes and bottled water and this was the first time I left the appartment all weekend. It felt good to know that I can walk 100 meters without praying that there would be a toilet close by!

I have to say that the staff and amenities at The Medical City hospital is first rate and was treated very well. Never once did I wish to be back in an Australian hospital as I felt the service and attention there was far superior than any Australian hospital I have been too. the Nurses actually gave a shit about the patients and treated everyone with the utmost respect making recoverey much quicker and as tolerable as it could be.

Not only that but my Manager (Margot) was so responsive and helpful, along with Heidi and the rest of IBM DAKSH, it made a rather frightening experience less scary! I love you guys, you are the best, I cant say thank you enough for being there when I needed you the most and I hope to return the favour some day.

Needless to say I have not been up to much except getting a lot of sleep and making sure I take my pills to ensure that I get rid of this bug in my system.

Even though I love Manila I have been thinking more and more about Toronto and how I still feel home sick for the big dirty city. I know I have a partner who I love very much and my puppy waiting for me back in Australia but right now more than ever I want to pick them both up in my arms and whisk them away to Canada. It’s a dream I know will never happen in this life time no matter how much Darren says that the move is not totally out of the question. I know his heart is not in such a move and leaves me to settle for his vission of what home is. I just wish he could share my dream and feelings with me so that he could understand why I think the way I do and how much it means to me. One day maybe.

It has been well over a year now since I put pen to paper ( or even fingers to keyboard ) to write any lyrics, jingle or poetry for any music that matters to me and I am missing that form of creativity. It gets frustrating that all that I write sit in a folder on my computer back home without even a second glance anymore. I dont feel that my time is over in this area and I have so much to say about the world and the emotions that drive it. I want others to hear it as well, is that being too unrealistic? Am I being too self centred?? One thing I do know for a fact is that my time was up as soon as Chris Wilson and Stuart Stewart both took monopily on the recording industry in Australia and started to dictate what would be the driving focus for talent across the nation. two pathetic morons who left innovation behind and decided that immitation was the only way Australia would survive in the music industry. This is why we have the likes of the Veronicas and The Vines, also JET…. and if you can call Delta Goodrem an artist, leading the so called talent overseas. I have no quarm with these artist but you heard it all before they became a name in the industry.

Enough of my bitching here!

Laters.

Dan.

You either get it or you dont, and there is a lot of it here in the Philippines. People just being nice to one another and living their lives no matter what the circumstances. Always big smiles and always the kudos keep coming back to them!

No, i am not looking at life through rose tinted glasses because everything isnt as sweet here as one would think. There is a deeper and certainly more darker side to all this but there is always respect and kindness shining through the dark as a reminder to us all that life is just what you make of it.

last night was graduation night for some of the people I work with. It was a good night with great food, lots of booze but most of all the people that were there were genuine and proud of their moment. So impressed with the Filipino’s in general.

This is a race of people that have not lost the instincts of survival but havent forgotten they are human as well. Always the subtle messages of humanity are present even if they are surrounded by machine guns and poverty!

I was asked last night (in a round about way) what I had learnt from my experience here and after divolging that I could have stayed at home and applied for another senior position with more money, if I had made the right decission to come?

The answer was YES it was the right decission and this opertunity has helped me to grow and learn. It was the best decission I could have made! No regretts!

I wont go into the whole list of discoveries as I feel there is still more to learn and wont be happy if I write like I know it all now! The fact is I dont and have a long way to go…. I guess until I die, I wont put a full stop on a list of accumulated knowledge just yet! lol

Needless to say the converstaion really ggot me thinking about my approach to life and how sometimes I tend to hide behind what is safe and secure. Life is in the details and opertunities are not that easy to find if you keep standing out of the light and shade your life with what if’s. A leap of faith is sometimes the safest move in terms of happiness!

I was in a Taxi last night leaving the graduation party, I shared the taxi with the same person that asked me the before mentioned questions (this is where the whole converstation took place) and after she left the journey at her town house … mine still continued! … The taxi driver started asking questions of me, they usual…. Are you American? …….No, i know I am fat but that doesnt mean I am American! …… Where are you from? …… Australia!……..You like it here? ……. Very much so! Wonderfull place!! ……. Are you married?….. NO……. Do you want to get married?….. No!…….. do you have children?……… No, I dont……… Do you want a Filippino wife, is that why you here? ……. No, to busy for that!…….. Do you think Filipino ladies are beautiful? ……. Certainly do, and in more ways than one but I dont wish to marry one! ( wanting to say “Bakala” too him but the hanging crucifix from the window visor tells me it would be an unwelcome point in the conversation!).

When will you start to get married and have a family?……. Too old and too busy for that right now!…….. You dont look old at all, say 26? 28?…….. You are goint the right way for a huge tip! lol………. How old are you?……. 38!…….. are you serious?…. (now I know he ws after the tip!) Like I said Im too old and busy to even think about this right now!

The converstation eneded there really as he must have sensed I was not interested in persuing such an area in my life let alone talk about it after have 3 Margaritas and 4 Tequila’s and lime, so it was quiet while I pondered the surrounding traffic nd people out in the streets. Light rain clearing the grime of the day away making the neon lights sparkle just a little brighter…. could have also been the booze!

The end of the trip was not what I was expecting! Mr. ever so sinical here gave the taxi driver his fair and over tipped him by about 60 pesos. He then asked me to tell him the truth about my age as I was leaving the cab and why someone with a good heart was not married?

I just smiled and said thank you! … I left the cab and went to my room and fell asleep!

All my blessings and wishes of wealth go out to this stranger who drives a taxi around Manila, but I know he already has them from life itself!

Kudos to you all!

Dan.

No, I don’t have a headache…. you just cant buy it in the drug stores in Manila?!? Paracetamol, yes! Brufen, Yes! Anything else that can cause cancer and brain hemorrhage, yes….. But no Aspirin … maybe under another name?

Anyway …been quite busy since the weekend with work and sleeping during the days …. Have been managing to catch up with episodes of Judge Judy on Youtube when we do have Internet access! I have so missed that show!

Have had a win with some recognition from my managers about the quality of work I have been doing here in Manila so I was really pleased with that as well!

My friend Sue leave this weekend to fly to Fiji for her wedding and I hope it’s every thing she ever wanted for her special day!

I am slowly catching up with friends back home and abroad when I can and yes I do miss them, especially my regular chats with Paul in Canada ….. If you are reading this Paul I am thinking about you and in need of a conversation soon so let me know when you can take a call or Skye call!

Nights are a bit cooler now that the wet season is coming in and it a welcomed relief for the constant heat and humidity.

My boss flew in today from Brisbane and brought one of the agents along as well to support us here in Manila. It sounded quite funny what happened on the trip, as the agent from what I understand hasn’t really traveled before …. He was nervous about the flight asking if there was any turbulence on these flights ….. “Of course not. Never happens!” was the response … as they upgraded her into business class and left the agent in cattle. ……. I was told there was turbulence all the way from Brisbane to Manila!

I gave Darren a call today and spoke for a while which is always nice to have a familiar voice talking too you. If you are reading this Mr. Gill, I miss you too!

Laters!

Dan.

Finished work for the day and I have the whole weekend off! This is the first time in god knows when that I have 2 days off straight……. I wont know what to do with myself! NOT!!

I am going out this morning to do some grocery shopping as I would like to do some cooking tonight, it’s been a long time since I did any cooking and it’s something I enjoy doing.

The guy’s I share the appartment with are all going out which is great because I am wanting some time to myself. I do love my privacy and I hope they dont think i’m being rude in saying so! Sorry guy’s it’s just me. Too old to party all night and really couldnt give a shit if I never did it again!

I don’t mind going to clubs but I like that early time in the morning saying good bye to it as well. dont do drugs to keep me going as I saw a lot of my friends in Sydney slowly croak, one after the other from to many party lollies. and they said the party would never end!

dont have a lot to say, just random thoughts here and there as I slowly realise this is really my night time and should be getting some sleep.

Oh, I mentioned in a previous blog about why I had no patriot ties to my birth country. I guess I can explain this now but there are may reasons why and not one definitive answer.

1) I dont believe that a democratic country should fine a person that chooses not to vote for the idiots who claim to have there best interest at heart. they much rather waste your time going to a polling booth only to have you throw the vote anyway!

2) I have no faith in the political leaders of Australia, although their is one party I vote for only because I have seen how the other parties mismanagement causes total caos with the econemy and there policies are nothing more than socialistic CRAP!

3) I love a sunburnt country only when I am not the sucker being burnt all the time!

4) My moronic parents were born there!

5) Australians have the worst work ethic I have seen, hands out for everything but asked to work for it…. you are told to blow it out your arse!

6) Social security pays thoes who wish to sit on there arses and go surfing or if you are a woman to sit back and let any sperm swimming by to impregnate her! If you are in need of finacial assistance in tough times after paying years of taxes, you are told to wait 2 months until you are bankrupt and then they will consider it…… Oh if you are aboriginal or decent of one you can have it all!

7) I will never have the same recognition with my partner as any other married couple who chooses to breed and over populate the planet.
we cant build dams where it rains, no….. we dont know how to build dams where it rains!

9) Neighbours, John Farnham and Bindi Irwin are treasured national icons.

10) If the Australian music industry had a brain it would reinvent itself instead of trying to emulate and copy other world trends… (it cant even do that right)!

That is 10 reasons just off the top of my head and no I dont take myself seriously to believe all of it. I have just had a yerning for a long time to leave as I never felt at home there even before moving to Brisbane from Sydney, always unsettled. I have my Man and puppy there and I love them dearly and miss them and stay there for that reason only. One day this Canadian Wannabe will be a real Canadian, even if it means my ashes are sent over there to rest after I leave this world. That reminds me, must get my Will done!

At Last! Apple has released it’s coolest internet browser SAFARI as a beta program for Mac and PC!

To all my associates who said it was too late for Apple to make an impact in the computer world ….. Kiss My Dust!

Download this Web Browser from Apple at:

http://www.apple.com/safari/

http://www.apple.com/safari/download/

Enjoy a smoother faster web experience!!!!!

There are one or two people I know that have been feeling a little blue lately and really all I can say is "chin up, it’s going to get better,just ride the waves for a short period and you will see a calmer sea ahead.

There are a few songs that I take comfort from in these times, there words just resonate realistic truths and maybe just a touch of soul food.  Here is one of them, so if you feel a little blue too just read and ponder the meaning!

Stand tall, take the blows, never fall
tomorrow just brings you more
take the bitter with the sweet
I know you too well

Life’s incomplete
Till you’ve been ground into the street
Winners take the heat!

We’re Moonlight Dancing
All Alone In our rooms
We brave the storms
We are special

Your Souls feeling hurt
words playing with your mind

Life’s incomplete
Till you’ve been ground into the street
Winners take the heat

We’re Moonlight Dancing
All Alone In our rooms

We’re Moonlight Dancing

All Alone In our rooms

We brave the storms
We are special
we are some other’s hero’s

I am committed to making Manial a Savoury State while I am here! I dont know how to do it or even if I can but damn it it will try!

I dont really have a sweet tooth and everything here is so sweet to eat, bread, hot dogs, peanut butter, you name it …. it’s all laced with fat and sugar. I had big intentions of loosing weight while I was here but that is not going to happen. Did any one say DIET? … Like shut up already!

Anyway I spoke with my man yesterday morning which in reality was my last night ( see how screwed up I am! ) and that always brings a smile to my face…. he has these eyes that have such expression when he talks … he thinks I am laughing at him but he doesnt understand how it just makes me happy!

Other than that I have not much to say, busy and tired as usual …. Funny how I dont miss Australia at all! I miss Darren and Freya but not Australia. I must explain this more later as it would take too long to say the reasons why now, but it goes back many years as to why I have to patriot feelings toward the country and if I ever got the chance to leave it ( and this diminishes year by year! ) why I would not miss it. Another time another story.

Laters!

Dan.

today was a day to catch up on so much needed sleep as in relaity the night before I had been awake for 26 hours straight.

I got a whole 8 hours of beauty rest …. Now all I need is another 2 years of straight sleep to make me the most gorgeous man alive …… like that will ever happen!

I guess today the most interesting observation was how the people from house keeping like to lean on the door bell at my appartment ….. just like the motorists love using the car horns all the bloody time… is it genetic?

I guess theyare such busy people they need to be doing something all the time! I had walked from the window near the dining room to the front door - a whole 5 meters? and they had pressed that bloody bell at least 4 times then sung the door open in my face almost hitting me only to looked surprised that someone was actually standing there staring straight back at them.

“Good afternoon Sir….. House Keeping!”

“No Shit!”

“Can we come in please?”

“may as well as you seem to have the key anyway!”

See how grumpy you can get because of sleep deprivation! I know they mean well and have a job to do but this insistant pressing of the door bell has to stop. They know there are people sleeping in the room and have been warned about there methods to try and wake us up when we have already worked sometimes 13 hour nights. Little bastards.

There internet is also very bad as there is no stable connection in our rooms. One minute we have it the next we dont. Have to rely on spare time at work to do all this writing.

Til next time.

Dan