From this day forth,
I will no longer be referred to as a Stay-At-Home Dad.
I shall be known as a .. (trumpet fanfare sound)

Domestic Engineer.

This job description clearly states the reason behind this change of title,

* Calculation and management of time, to perform domestic duties safely and effectively.

* Assess and survey the premises for safety hazards and the prevention of child choking emergencies.

* Providing of nourishment by mathematically integrating the exact ratio and proportion between water and formula within the proper temperature.

* Waste disposal management.

* On-Call duties to be performed at variable times whenever the client wakes up in the middle of the night, hungry or just for re assurance.

* And to top it off, supplier of entertainment.

Pretty cool huh?

—– That last one is the hardest, since that “peek-a-boo” trick isn’t cutting it anymore.

For at least a good couple of months now,
Something has been bothering me and I can’t quite keep my finger on it.

Every time I try to see what time it is,
(Okay maybe most of the time)
The time will always have an “11”
it doesn’t matter what the hour was,
the minute will always be “11”

I don’t know why,
I don’t know how.

It goes even further than that.

Sometimes I am drawn to it.
Like there would be no reason for me to look at the clock,
But it will grab my attention and I end up noticing it.
We would be driving and I would try to change the station on the radio,
When I suddenly notice the time.
With the minute on “11”

I would walk by the kitchen
and notice the time on the Microwave panel.
With the minute on “11”

I would ask Tracy what time it is,
Since the alarm clock is on her side of the bed,
With the minute on “11”

I would play Tyler his Sesame Street DVD,
And the counter while it plays,
Would suddenly grab my attention,
With the number “11” flashing on the Elapsed playtime.

I would be on my Computer,
And for no reason at all,
I would suddenly glance at the time on the right side of the Taskbar,
With the minute on “11”

I know I am getting a little bit paranoid.
No it’s not paranoia,
I think it’s more of an annoyance.
Honestly I am getting irritated at it.

What aggravates me the most is when I see it as “11:11”
Or worse “¦ “9:11”.

What does it mean?
Is it an omen?
I have no clue.

And today,
Since it’s November 11. (11/11)

I am staying at home.
I will not do any thing.
Not even shower.

Okay maybe at midnight.

We have been here in Sunny Florida for a month now,
And I am beginning to miss Canada.

I miss the feeling of going outside at 2 in the morning and still feel safe.
I miss the fast and exciting world of hockey.
I miss the way I get myself ready to go out in a blizzard,
with 3 layers of coats and socks, just to get the mail.

Not to mention driving in freezing rain.
The thump of my butt when I slip and hit the ground.

Yes, yes. I miss it all.

So as I live my life here, I try to make the most out of it,
Trying to remind myself of back home.

I try to keep up with the hockey team standings.
Believe me, finding hockey stuff here is like looking for Nemo.

I go to the grocery store and see some Canadian Beers.
Which is sad in a way because, I can’t drink beer anymore.

And what a surprise it was when I saw the one thing that could bring back Canada to me,

Canada Dry Ginger Ale, the champagne of all ginger ales.

THANK GOD!!!

Wait a minute.
What is this???…….

Caffeine Free???????

NNNnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooo..!!!!!!!

(Close up shot of Tyrone’s face…Pan out shot of the Grocery Store…
the neighborhood….the City…with pigeons flying away disturbed..
To the Country…to the Earth…..still hearing the scream of anguish….)

Why… oh why???

Our first American Halloween.

Quite weird for me, as I have said,
We really do not have Halloween back in the Philippines. (see adlib Oct 31. 2001)
And in Canada, you got to find a costume that will fit over your coat.

It is really a big deal here in the States,
Everybody just greets you like it’s a major holiday.

Happy Halloween to all,
And enjoy this day of tooth decay.

Now I know I live in the States –
Thoughts and observations #2

HBO
VH1
MTV
MTV2
ENCORE
CINEMAX
SHOWTIME
FOX SPORTS
ESPN
NASA
F/X
NOGGIN
CARTOON NETWORK
NICKELODEON

God Bless American Television.

I guess I won’t be seeing French TV Stations anymore.
All English Channels.
All the time.

Wait a minute”¦
What is this?

CINE LATINO
TELEMUNDO
VH UNO
MUSICA LATINA

Hmmmm..

I guess I spoke too soon.
I hope they got “Bleu Nuit” in Spanish.

Now I know I live in the States –
Thoughts and observations #1

Drive-thru Liquor Stores.

It goes a little something like this:

“Hi! Welcome to Liquor King!
Can I take your order?”

“Yes, Can I have a large order of Jack Daniels Please?”

“Would you like a shooter on the side?”

“No, Thank you”.

“Is that all for tonight sir?”

“Yup, that’s it.”

“That’ll be $15.95 Sir, Would you like it in a plastic sack or a brown paper bag?”

“No don’t worry about it; I’ll drink it while I drive.”

Happy 1st Birthday to you my son.
Thank the Lord for making our first year together awe-inspiring.
Your Mother and I love you very very much.

Sunny Florida.
The Sunshine State.
Northern Cuba.
Where the beaches are made with oranges.
Either that or, the soury, salty beach water aftertaste
is from all the people bathing.
Anyway,

The drive down here was somewhat pleasant and annoying.

First it was great that when we left Canada,
It was starting to get cold,
and also my brother said, sleets of snow were everywhere.

Got out just in time.
Nice.

Don’t get me wrong,
I love the snow,
But this past winter was long and harsh.
I almost cried when the snow finally melted, (say around May)
and I showed Tyler the color of grass.

“Look Son, this is what it looks like 3 weeks of the year.”

So anyway,
The rundown of States that we passed thru are,

New York – Upstate NY is beautiful!
Pennsylvania – The Appalachian mountains were breathtaking
Maryland – Can you congest me more with your traffic and construction?
District of Columbia – You and Maryland drove me nuts!!
Virginia – The Hotel we stayed at was nice. And Free Breakfast. Mmmm.
North Carolina – I don’t even remember seeing anything. Oh wait Cops!
South Carolina – Cops still everywhere. Watching my speed.
Georgia – The anticipation of seeing Palm Trees was exciting.
Also, I can still feel the Carolina Cops staring at the back of my head.

Then Florida!! wooohooooo!!!
Roll down the windows, let me smell the Humid air!!!

Breathe in.. Breathe out..

Do I smell poooopppeeeeee??

EEEEEWWWW!!!! TYLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today my Mother got married to her boyfriend, Nick.
Everybody was so busy these past few days, preparing for the big event.

My loving Aunts and cousins came to join us as well.
Along with my Mom’s great friends, as well as Nick’s family,
We all had a very great time.

I could see the tears of joy from my Mother’s eyes,
As she sees everyone who wished her the best on her big day,
I felt happy, and proud for I know, she has finally met someone.
I am happy that she is happy.

Of course her son has to provide some live music at the reception.
And provided he did.

It was just me on guitars and Nonie, Nick’s son, on drums.
Nonie can hit those drums with excellent beats as well.
We played some mushy love songs, and a lot of catchy beats.
Everybody seemed to like it.

We played hard. We rocked hard.
I played so hard, my guitar pick snapped in two.
I rocked hard.
I like Rock!

Our best wishes to my Mom and Nick.
We love you very much.