Kat's Scribbles

Monday, November 29, 2004

60 Questions

1. What time is it? 9:11 pm EST.
2. What color pants are you wearing? Light blue pajama bottoms with red hearts.
3. Last person you talked to on the phone? Pebbles, my friend from the Philippines
4. Name as it appears on your birth certificate? I'm not telling, but I have 4 names on it with the initials (before I got married): K M R T
5. Nickname: Kat, Gay-Gay, Margar, Kate
6. Parents name: Salvador and Lilybeth
7. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake? i didn't have a birthday cake, just a bunch of Magnolia cupcakes
8. Date that you regularly blow them out? 9th of July
9. What did you do for your last bday? hmmmm... had dinner with the hubs at Aquavit
10. Pets: none, don’t really want one unless it’s a cat
11. Eye color: dark brown
12. Hair color: dark brown
13. Piercing: ears, tongue (before I took it out)
14. Tattoos: 5. INTROVERT OR EXTROVERT? introvert
15. How much do you love your job? On a scale of 1-10, a 7.5 (most of the time)
16. Favorite color: blue
17. Hometown: Quezon City (where I was born and raised for 12 years); Los Angeles (adolescence); and NYC (young adulthood)
18. Current residence: NJ, USA
19. Favorite food: everything! But my top 5 faves are: 1) Pork sinigang; 2) ribs; 3) all other filipino foods that my mom makes; 4) Indian/Thai/Vietnamese/other ethnic foods; 5) Continental and/or Fusion cuisine (ala’ Aquagrill, 11 Madison Park, Bouley, Sushi Samba, etc.)
20. Been to Africa? not yet
21. Been toilet papering? nah
22. Loved somebody so much it made you cry? OMG. Yes. It f*cking hurts.
23. Been in a car accident? yes
24. Croutons or Bacon? Neither on a salad.
25. Sprite or 7up? Either one I guess
26. Favorite Movie: If I had to choose just one, it would be LOTR
27. Favorite holiday: Halloween
28. Favorite day of the week? Friday, I'm in love!
29. Favorite word or phrase? Kick-ass or Rocks!
30. FAVORITE RELAXATION ACTIVITY? Reading, playing guitar, watching TV
31. Favorite restaurant? Aquagrill, Outback, Aquavit
32. Favorite flowers: hm…don’t really have one. I like hydrangeas, daisies, roses, peonies, and spring-blooming flowers.
33. Favorite drink? mojitos
34. Favorite sport to watch? Snowboarding, gymnastics, surfing
35. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate; Coffee; and Cold Stone Creamery’s Mud Pie Mojo
36. Favorite Sesame Street character: Bert (as in Bert and Ernie)
37. Disney or Warner Bros.? Warner
38. Favorite fast food restaurant? Popeye’s
39. When was your last hospital stay? July 1996
40. What color is your bedroom carpet? don't have carpeting in my bedroom
41. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex: dunno, the whole face...
42. How many children? none right now, but 3 max
43. Lifetime Goals:
- publish a critically acclaimed novel
- have my band play small venues and have a cult following
- own a flat in London and Spain; a home in Hawaii and Barbados; have a cabin in Vermont
- be happy with myself and stop being bitter about things I can't change
- have enough money to retire at age 50 for myself and kids
44. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? nooooooo!
45. How many times did you fail your drivers test? Once. The car I've been practicing wasn't available the day of the test, so I wasn't comfortable from the get-go using my dad's car. I messed up on a turn. The guy had the balls to say "I lost control of the car" when I went a bit too speedy making a left turn. But hey, I made it and no one died. My K-turn rocked by the way, but wasn't enough to save me.
46. Who is the last person you got e-mail from before this? My band-mate
47. What books are you reading? A Married Woman by Manju Kapur; How To Be Good by Nick Hornby; and Living to Tell The Tale by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
48. Convicted of a crime? no
49. Which single store would you choose to max your credit card? Guitar Center
50. What do you do most often when you are bored? lounge at a cafe with a book or bum around with the guitar
51. Name the person that you are friends with that lives the farthest away: Pebbles
52. Most annoying thing people ask me? When are you going to have kids?
53. Who will respond the quickest? Well no one sent this to me; I copied it out of a friend's blog. Feel free to cut-n-paste!
54. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? does not apply.
55. Do you like the person you sent this to you? No one sent this to me
56. Favorite all time TV show: The Simpsons
57. Last person you went out to dinner with: the hubs
58. Last movie you saw: Saved!
59. Do you think you've found your soulmate? Yes
60. Time when you finished: 9:39 P.M. (I'm watching TV as I type).

POSTED BY KAT AT 11/29/2004 09:03:00 PM | 0 COMMENTS

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Dancing Days are Here Again

I've been through a 'bad patch' for the better part of the fall season and I'm happy to report that I think I've snapped out of it. I had work woes, family issues, creative blocks, and financial obstacles that were weighing me down. But no more! They say that winter brings about the onset of the blues --and this is a scientific fact. Winter means less sunshine. Less sunshine makes people gloomier than usual. They tend to eat more, be more reclusive, and sort of hibernate. For me, it's the exact opposite (well, aside from the eating part). I actually feel better! Here's some things that made me happy in the past 5 days:

Discovering Moving Units, a new band I'm listening to. Their album Dangerous Dreams rocks! I'm seeing their show on Dec. 9th.
Playing Texas Hold'Em and Trivial Pursuit: The 90's with my co-workers at work for 2 days in a row. (In our defense, all the judges are out for Judicial College and we have Thursday and Friday off this week.)
Spending time with the hubs this past Sunday. We were both slightly hungover from a party Saturday night (see below), but woke up early for dimsum. Then we went to church (still slightly hungover, how blasphemous! Gasp!), my in-laws for a quick visit, and then went to a mall to window shop. It was nice and relaxing.
My oldest friend in the world (as in, I've known her since we were 9 months old) is visiting from the Philippines. She'll be here until Dec. 1st. I took her and my uncle to a party this past Saturday and we had a good time complete with killer drinks and fab music.
I just want to add here that my uncle is only 5 years older than me. He is 33 and an orthropedic surgeon. He's here taking his medical boards to he can try to immigrate to the U.S.. He is my dad's youngest brother and my dad asked me to fix him up with any of my single friends! Can you say ew? It's just a bit disconcerting don't you think? Me, setting up dates for my uncle? But if any single Filipina lady is reading this and is interested, do holler! I can send you pics!
Buying a ticket to Los Angeles for a quick holiday. I'll be there from Dec.3-7th.
Finishing 4 loads of laundry over the weekend.
Making up 2 new songs.
Knowing I don't have work Thursday or Friday!

To all those celebrating THANKSGIVING, here's to a HAPPY GATHERING!

POSTED BY KAT AT 11/23/2004 08:02:00 PM | 0 COMMENTS

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Winter Breaks and Other Ramblings

So I thought I was going to Australia this coming February/early March. In fact, I was thisclose to booking my ticket yesterday along with my friend Girlie. Qantas had a deal going where you buy one ticket at full price and you get the companion’s fare 50% off. I plugged in our information and everything and only had to press the “submit” button. The total was $2,007.00 for the 2 of us including taxes and a processing fee. It would’ve been about $1K each (which is not bad since one flight alone is more than $1200). We were trying to book this on-line while AIM-ing each other and we got disconnected a couple of times (which is rare). We both thought that was a sign not to buy the tickets. We kept hemming and hawing. Egads, how can one little fare cost so much? Yes I know Oz is far and all, but still! And we were both asking each other if we could put it on the other’s credit card! I had my doubts about putting $2K on my visa because I just bought a dining table (which cost me an arm and a leg!) and just had my kitchen floors redone. So sad --two broke chicks trying to make it to Oz. So bottom line is: we are not going in March next year. Maybe November 2005 when I have more cash coming in and both our hubs can come with.
Since I’m no longer going to Australia, I think I’m going to the Philippines instead. My folks are planning on going to the PI (I use the short-hand “PI” even though when I did it once, I got reamed out by this 20-year old chick from the Philippines who gave me a lecture on how the term “PI” is politically incorrect. Fuck that. Hey, I’m Filipino and was born in the Philippines. If I want to call it “PI” for short, then dammit, I will!). So as I was saying, my folks are planning to go there for Christmas, the most expensive time of the year. Of course, they only planned this last week and as of now are still unsure about booking it or not because it’s about $1,900 at this point per person. I don’t care since they’re going to pay for me though I think it’s excessive. Of course I think money’s no object if you really want to spend time with family but going to the PI ain’t cheap. I think it’s too much money. In any case, I’ll find out any day now if it’s a go. If we do end up going, it’ll be from December 19-December 30. Maybe this time, I’ll actually get to go to Boracay. I’ve never been and have only heard mostly good things about it. Who knows, maybe I’ll get to meet some of the bloggers whose pages I’ve been visiting!
And since I’m no longer going to Australia (yeah, this will be my opening sentence for a while to justify my other travel-plans/going-out plans for the rest of the year), I’m planning on going to Los Angeles in early December for a quickie holiday. I actually want to go surfing. I’ve tried it once over here in Ocean City, NJ but my friend was just there last month and took lessons from this professional group based in Santa Monica She said it was amazing and she loved it so much that she’s buying a surf board so she can hit the waters here once summer comes. I also want to go because I’m a bit burned out here at work. I’m just sick of screwing up and office politics at this point. I need a breather and can’t wait until the holidays. Hopefully my friend Karen puts me up again.
Lastly, since I’m not going to Australia anymore, I think the hubs and I are going away together for either a riding trip in Utah or Colorado (or a tropical trip). It’s already snowing in Upstate NY and New England sites like Maine and New Hampshire. It’ll be so kick-ass to finally go ride some nice powder in Colorado. I had the experience of doing a first-run on one of the trails in Killington last season and it was amazing! It’s like gliding on powder! You don’t get much powder here in the East Coast but I hear that’s all they got over in the West/Mid-West. I’ll do my best to make it happen. If not that, then maybe a nice, warm holiday out in the Caribbean.

Okay, back to work….

POSTED BY KAT AT 11/17/2004 04:09:00 PM | 0 COMMENTS

Saturday, November 13, 2004

Long Live Rock-n-Roll!!

I went to see Interpol at the Hammerstein Ballroom last night. It was a kick-ass show! I luurve Interpol and they were amazing live (as usual). This was the third time I've seen them (I saw them twice before at the Curiosa tour w/ The Cure), and this one was the best (granted this time, they weren't part of a line-up but were actually the headliners themselves!).

The show had a great vibe. I got there at about 8:45 pm (they were scheduled to come on at 9 pm) with my friend Aaron and his sister. I love seeing shows in a smaller venue (versus a stadium) --its got a more intimate feel and you get to 'mingle' with the beautiful people of NYC. It's fun to people-watch at a show. In the Interpol show --you get your Williamsburg posse (yuppie-cum-trendy/artsy look); the token Goth-rockers; the fashionistas; the 'normal' folks who came straight from work; the cool rockers; and everyone else in between. Unfortunately, I was running late and didn't bring my digi-cam. Not that a camera could capture the great music and atmosphere!

Interpol rocked the house with their tight set and stellar performance. *swoon* I totally wish I was up there with them! They played a great set with tons of songs from Turn on the Bright Lights and Antics. To me, their music is reminiscent of Joy Division kicked-up with modern beats and style. (And it doesn't hurt that they dig The Cure themselves!) I went home infused with the energy of the show, swearing to myself that I'll write up a storm and make up melodies just like them!

Which brings me to... *drum roll please*

TA DA! Check out my brand new Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Standard

I just got the new guitar today and I'm ecstatic! It's so gorgeous! I've been eyeing this guitar for months and finally bought it! Kick-ass! Now if I could only play like a rock-star....=D

POSTED BY KAT AT 11/13/2004 05:12:00 PM | 0 COMMENTS

Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Tales of a Disgruntled Government Worker

Right now, I can be the poster child for the definition of 'disgruntled government worker.' Work's been shite and treating me like shite. Last week, my co-worker and I were the subject of a stern talking-to by my supervisor. [My co-worker and I are teamed up and assigned to one judge]. Exasperated with our incompetence, our supervisor point-blank asked us if we needed to be micromanaged. As if! This is all happened because of a case I resolved via a plea deal for my juvenile. My co-worker handled the co-juvenile's case. In cases involving co-defendants, we usually ask for a 'inculp' as part of the plea (i.e., we ask the kid to 'tell on' the other). I didn't do it in my case --which wasn't the world's biggest deal. My kid had 3 outstanding complaints to deal with and my offer took care of all three. Plus we had an independent witness. But the 'upstairs' people got ahold of it and called my supervisor. They made a big deal out of how me and my co-worker aren't doing well and how we suck as trial attorneys, yadda, yadda, yadda. They ended the lecture by telling my supervisor that perhaps we should be separated.

Needless to say, we were pissed. The higher-ups based their criticisms on one lousy case and concluded that not only were we both inept, but that we are so inept that we should be separated! I'll have you know, our judge happens to like our work. You'd think we'd be getting complaints about us left and right if that weren't the case. I handle anywhere from 10-60 cases per week and they make a big stench about one?! I was livid at the remarks made by our supervisor. I wrote him a long-ass memo stating that yes, I made a mistake. I owned up to my mistake and take responsibility. I also stated that we were new to this unit; this month is my third month and it should be understandable that we wouldn't be seasoned vets at this gig. I didn't try to make excuses for myself. I listed down my weaknesses (e.g., I wasn't used to having 9 trials back to back and turned some subpoenas in at the last minute or ordered evidence late) and said that I would work harder. If I needed to be reassigned, then so be it!

My supervisor read my 2-page memo (single-spaced) and said "you know I don't think you're incompetent, right?" And that was that. Nothing more was discussed. Whatever. It's like it's a big deal only if the higher-ups want to make it a big deal, but if you try to say your peace, they make light of it. Bloody brilliant. I'm so not liking the current atmosphere at work. I dread going now and I hate feeling that way. Perhaps the novelty of this line of work has finally worn off.

POSTED BY KAT AT 11/09/2004 09:37:00 PM | 0 COMMENTS

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

HaPPy HaLLoWEeN PiCs

I had a great Halloween. I went to 2 different parties --one in Connecticut (thrown by my friend Girlie) and one in Brooklyn, thrown by my friend George. I dressed up as Jem, of course (as I had posted earlier in my blog). The funny thing was that Girlie dressed almost exactly like me! When she opened the door to her house, I discovered we were dressed like twins! She was supposed to be 'Bubblegum Girl' or so she says. She had a pink ensemble like moi. Talk about your fashion faux pas! Everyone thought we had planned it (because we even had matching shoes --which she bought first), but we both just had good taste. She changed her costume though! And I ended up wearing her outfit which I liked better than my tube dress.

Kat as Jem