Work it

Holy macaroni and cheese! How ya been? Yeah, it's been busy on my end. You can't expect to get anything if you don't put out. So, what I'm trying to do now is just plant a lot seeds. Hopefully, they will grow by and large. The grand daddy of universal law of sowing and reaping and every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction, etc. is on full motion these days.

Change is here, they say. Adapt, roll with the punches and suck it up. It will be hard before it's easy.

Another thing, I've decided to withdraw my quest to compete in another Biggest Loser contest. I need to focus my energy on this thing I am into. Gotta pay the bills and feed the family first. Gotta keep up the momentum and the wheel spinning and I can only put my energy into one discipline or it'd be half baked and we couldn't afford that at this stage.

Alright, that would be all today!

ciao!!

Positive vibration

So I got a little busy as of late. Been prepping my wife's business like I mean it. I easily forget, ya know... that I'm actually very good at something. I need all that positive reminders to get me pass the hump. My sister had been very supportive. To be honest, I shouldn't worry. When you look at what other people are going through in life, boy, I'm waaaayyy better off.

It would probably take a while to get used to the change, but I know I can adapt.. in time. I listen to Bryan Tracy a lot to remind myself I'm the best. I'm glad I did that long before I decided to call it a day at work because it really helps to see the better side of things than linger on the bad vibes.

So today is my birthday. Nothing special, really. It's been that way for a long time. I would have buy my pals some beer but got really tired with all that marketing stuff and overslept a little too much. It's encouraging to know that a lot of people are responding to the works I've been doing.

Anyway, got a little tipsy with the cheap brandy and my son's here in my war room, so being able to concentrate is out of the question.

Tomorrow should be better. Or should I say "No easy day.." or "The only easy day was yesterday."

Enjoy your Sabado nights, hombres!

For some good vibes...

Don't ya just love this song? i know I do.

The Bigger Picture...

So my partner in my ex-company texted me last week how I've been. Well, I've been busy. Swimming, reading and stuff. I just found out earlier today while browsing through some job's website (ya know I was kidding about the retired thing, right?) that they are still looking for my replacement. I resigned last August 02.

Not to lift my own chair, but they would definitely find it difficult to find someone of my caliber. I mean I've been doing that job for the last 16 years. Fifteen years prior to that, It was all my show 'til management decided I could use an assistant. Before I decided to call it a day for what some ambitious manager cunningly did to me, we were three people in our little department.

So, counting the overhead and the additional two guys they are going to hire, they have a total of four people since they opted to have an encoder (wow!) which would have a minimum of eight thousand salary for each of the three of them with the other department head whose probably receiving around 15k. Almost 40k for the four of them, to be precise.

And, there is really no need for additional personnel because we are now solely processing for our own branch whilst before, we had two additional branches in addition to ours. And I did it all by myself. And no, there wasn't any additional compensation, if you are curious to know.

All of these personnel are novice. To be honest, no veteran would accept such a job with such measly pay grade and potential problems along the way. So, it essentially defeats the purpose of cutting down on cost because what's one versus four staff, and, it basically made their life difficult with a bunch of 'idealist greenhorn' running the show that makes the processing longer to get done.

Good thing though is that before I left, I was able to train one guy to a level of competence that he can probably run the show, but he'd still be needing help.

Why this ambitious accounting manager did what she did is basically to show the higher management she's the man. I had a budget which is basically already covered by the customer's payment for the unit he wanted. And, for years I was able to process our documentations with almost zero penalty. We should be penalize but I found a way to diminish the possibility. So, our customer paid the budget and we are not paying penalties. How can that be bad. eh? The millions they save and not a dime of incentive? Ok.

When May or June came and it was announced that we are no longer under the sales department and we will be under this ambitious woman's wings, I knew from that instance - we are doomed. I mean, I've seen most of her staff come and go and just this January, mass exodus happened. Worse, I don't get to be the head of the department which I know like the palm of my hand but some 20-year old lady who is one of her top lieutenants. I mean, if that's not so crystal yet, I dunno what.

I can already sense the power trip of her lackey who is now our acting leader. I wouldn't mind getting led by some lady whose half my age as I have been under a lot people who were younger than me. But ya know, this setup has that sense of some play (watch: Homeland) goin' on. But, I was confident that we are all here for the greater good of the company.

Then, one fateful day, I was suddenly sent to our branch in Mindanao. It was Saturday and her bootlicker told me I have to go there on Monday because there's this guy who holds the same position as me and that his wife is gonna have a baby and he is talking a week off.

Sixteen years and I have never been out of our branch and then out of the blue, I am going to some awesome place in Mindanao?? Why not??

But really, deep inside, I was surprised and pissed. Anyway, being the good soldier that I am, I oblige. Did I mentioned I'm scared of flying? I was hoping if I could get to ride an airplane more, my fear would somehow lessened. It didn't. Hah!

So I packed for a week's provision or at least I thought so. Long story short, I arrived there with nothing to do. The guy I was replacing isn't going to be a father again because his wife already gave birth last February and worst, his partner with whom we trained for our Surigao branch was also there because the branch hasn't opened yet. Meaning, we're like three stooges there. And did I mentioned we can't do jack?

I'm quite irritated now. Texted my lady head what's going on and all I get was a lie. Lie, lie, lie. Amazing. So, bottom line, they want to investigate me if I was profiting from my little action without me getting in the way. Went back the following day and voila! I resigned.

So, lets just say that I am profiting, don't ya think I deserve it? While the sales people are raking in thousands upon thousands (even the new guys already have brand spankin' new car and big bikes), same goes to our insurance babes and the chattel mortgage boys, we in our department receive a measly monthly salary. If I was profiting, is it the company's stash? Nope. We are so very, very left behind  in terms of compensation when in fact, our work and responsibility is so crucial to get the company going like a well-oiled machine. We are the most under appreciated and underrated people. We are always overlooked and barely get an award and yet, if you look at the bigger picture, because of us these top managers can smile and laugh because they are not having any problems with the people we deal with. And mind you, these people I deal with wields a lot of law enforcing powers that if we are caught with our pants down, we pay a very hefty fine.

And, if you look at the system I put there to get things done seamlessly, you would be amazed. None of the other dealers who works the same job as I do can claim the same. That's exactly why I can do it all by myself. All those replacements can coalesce themselves to the system I put in place. However, they are not me, so, good luck!

All I can say is, you can get whoever you want but you would still come out with a bigger overhead and still come out short. When it comes to quality of work, I don't think there's anyone who can compare. Even the guys now who are all veterans working in another dealership cannot compare. That's how confident I am with myself. And just a quick tip to top management if they haven't gotten it already: I don't think these newly hired personnel will survive either being under that ambitious lady manager. Not only that, they also have to survive to the people they liaise with outside especially the people they will be dealing with.

My previous job requires a two pronged approach. The balancing act I did throughout those years was never easy, but I got it done. With the way these lads been conducting themselves with the people they deal with, I doubt it very much if they can get it done fast enough. There will be hassles and unfortunate incidents because you know why? Greed got the best of them.

So I'm sad I don't have a job anymore, but it's better this way. I could not stomach the way they run the show, anyway. I am almost certain that there will be a lot of complains and so I am glad I got out before things got ugly. It would be fun to watch these neophytes answer customer queries and complains. I'm sure their superiors are better equipped to do the explainin' so let them do the accounting, eh?

Oh, I just might get a job tomorrow... fingers crossed. I will try my luck at Virginia Foods. I heard it's a good place to learn how to butcher. Or, nope.



[photo: mindwise-groningen.nl]

It's Official..

This blog is gonna be about my weight loss journey. Well, I just weigh in yet again earlier today. 219 pounds. From 238 to 213 to 219 pounds! What??? Why?? Had a big meal, lots of water, a cupful of tea and another tall mug of shake. That's what.

This is gonna be a looooonnnggg exercise and diet and stuff. I'm getting better with swimming but I don't think it's healthy to be swimming at the rate I've been doing it. Why long you ask? The finals will be on the last month of October. I'm not exactly a big fan of Herbalife, there, I said it. But, my wife has been taking them and is actually selling and recruiting people to the fold. She swore by it and since I don't really have so much going as of the moment other than helping our modest ventures, I guess I'm gonna have to say "Why not?"

There isn't so much winning here. 5G's wouldn't suffice if you follow their nifty 'program' of taking their shakes in the morning and in the afternoon.Then there's some tea and all that supplements in between. The bragging right though would have so much more impact considering the pictures I saw earlier where people really went from being fat to fabulous! This is gonna be so much more challenging and coming out on top will be even more sweeter.

Part of the bigger picture in this challenge is really to help my wife with her business. I mean, normally I'm a rebel to following prescriptions and what's been laid out. So, this time around, I'm gonna go with the flow and fuse myself into their program. When I lose more weight, my wife will be able to sell more and convincingly at that because, again, why not? I'm the living proof that the supplement and the program works!

However, we know nothing works if the person is not going to man-up and put everything on the line. Ya gotta bump up the passion, dedication and the discipline to get what you want in life. I'm actually cheering myself up because I'm in that bump right now both in this contest and in my personal life. I hope this journey would also encourage you to get on with whatever you are going through and just keep inching forward with whatever you are aiming to accomplish in your life.

By the way, found some picture with some of the 13 contestants...

And the emcee ask what's the big secret, and I go, "just eat less and exercise more."

Really, nothing could have been more simpler than that. It's the process where things get a little bit more complicated.

Cheers!

Three Peat

That is sweet as a pie.

It's nice to win and dominating it. Modesty aside, nobody had a chance. Since the contest is base on percentage and not on total weight lost, It's definitely more challenging. My wife had me on the edge to the last minute. She knew the rest of the contestants but she wasn't telling me whether the other contestants were losing weight. She wanted me to just keep grinding and never to be complacent.

From the announcements made after each contestant's turn to step on the scale, most had 1 to 2 percent weight lost. Wifey had 6 and I had 10++. If I didn't join, wifey would have gotten the trophy.

The road to winning this didn't come easy. But thanks to my abrupt resignation, I had all the time to swim and didn't felt like eating that much. Quite an effective pill for food aversion, wouldn't you agree?

Two months and 10 percent gone. But there's more!

There's this other contest going on around her network and I might just jump in. I'm not at the liberty of divulging the company, but since I'm not yet skinny and there's still a lot of fats to lose, I say, why not? Lets sustain the momentum and really go for broke. I think it will be so much more difficult now because the others had a 2 week head start and I'm gonna have to strictly diet now because the plateau, it's gonna be tricky to get pass by and I'm about to go there.

But we welcome challenge. Like my new venture now to start my own thing, that's something I'm preparing to right now. And, I've been scouring the internet for all the useful information that I can  get and apply. Hopefully, this business will fire-up before the month ends.

My pictures will have to wait cos they are having a grand time filtering it.. Hah!

Spoiler Alert: I WON!

Yep, that's right, I snag it! hah!

All that hard work paid off, albeit, handsomely. Some two G's cash, two G's of gift certificate and an overnight stay in some fancy Bayfront Hotel Cebu. Perfect for my upcoming birthday, eh?!?

It wasn't a competition, brotha..  it was domination. That was the plan since day one. Thank you, Grant Cardone!

Anyway, the drama is in the detail, as the saying goes. The beer did me in so tomorrow, it's gonna be a picturesque of the whole shebang of things.

Let me savor the victory, will yah?

Sweet...

[photo: falkvinge]

Why?

DJ Karen Bordador you are so HOT and all but why ya gotta do drugs??? I mean haven't you heard of the news since President Rodrigo Duterte won the election? Everyday somebody gets caught.. somebody dies. You, in the media and of all people should know.

What a waste, gurl! You have everything going around you like an engine firing on all cylinders, but you got mix up with some shady company and now you're in a hole.

I hope you get out of it and get your life back straight again.

[photo: inquirer.net]

Random Thoughts..

Last election, I didn't vote. Not because I didn't want to, but failed miserably at exercising my rights. In short, I didn't register. Didn't root for Duterte either while most of my circles did. Well, I very much enjoy the role of an antagonist especially when everyone seems to have the herd mentality. Best of all, it's nice to mess with their brains. ha!

Today, since he's now our new president, we don't really have a choice but to support him. I guess the killing is a little too much so that everyday in the news, it's becoming a staple to report about a certain drug-related death. Some would say that it's some group trying to eliminate the other. Or, drug lords liquidating those who surrendered because they could give vital information to the authorities or are not inclined to pay their dues. Very plausible.

Or, it's really the law enforcers who are now emboldened especially with the backing of no less than the president himself and his PNP chief to just shoot 'em all and let God sort 'em out!

Some aren't so lucky though. We've heard a lot of news about innocent people being shot at as a case of mistaken identity. Sadly, they now form part of a mere statistics and most people aren't too interested to hear about their real stories.

Then comes the battle to vanish corruption. I guess 100 days wouldn't suffice to get rid of such deeply rooted predicament which we've been having for the last 100 years. Yeah, I was being generous with the number of years.

To quote some guy named William:

"Best way to do it, eradicate all of them people in LTO, BIR, LTFRB, BOC, etc. You can't expect these people to change since they've tasted corruption already. Then there are the enablers you have to deal with. How do you stop them from corrupting the people inside when they want to be ahead of everybody else? Well, give the government employees bigger salary and improve the system so that people transacting in the government would not be tempted to bribe because it is more efficient and they get what they came for faster."

Yeah, easily said than done.

There's bureaucracy, red tape, commission on audit, legislation, etc. etc. and a whole lot of mechanisms to go over before you can effect the CHANGE you want. But change is good. It's a welcome break from our conventional mindset and getting out of our comfort zone.

But, like Rome was not built in a day or people didn't get fat overnight, these perennial problems aren't going away anytime soon.

Bottom line, it's good something is being done with our troubles, but lets not expect too much especially when people sitting in the government are mostly the same bananas who are bunch of recycled political butterflies who also have their own agenda.

I'm probably having hypoglycemia to come up with this thoughts.. so, forgive me for running my mouth and perhaps offended your political views.

Anyway, bed is calling... ZZZZzzzzzzzz

[photo: conceptnewscentral]

It's almost time

Whew! Today is the most exhausting ever!

Either it's the lessened food or the extra laps that's causing the tiredness I am feeling today. It's crunch time so me and wifey (yes, her role is very vital in this little quest of ours) devise the most stringent plan to win this and take that coveted bragging rights.

I haven't weigh myself since the last time which puts me at 238 pounds of monster fat. People who see me though has noticed the weight lost. and so, I am quite please with the route we took this time around.

Win or loss, it's still a worthy endeavor since I really, really need to lose the excess pounds. After this, I won't be doing an everyday swim. It's not good for my age and my body with those huge swimming pads that makes it really harder to paddle through the water, It will wear out my shoulders and elbows mechanism in no time. Three times a week would suffice and alternate it with some gym workout. I cross out the gym for this 3rd attempt of joining a Biggest Loser contest because I can't keep those muscles on since we wanna lose weight - muscles included. And newsflash, muscles are heavier than fat!

Anyway, tomorrow will be the last swim before we weigh in on Wednesday. I'm thinking of pulling some Michael Phelps of a kind effort. Definitely, the weariness has set in so that swimming for more than a hundred meter requires a gargantuan amount of effort. But, like I mentioned earlier, there were additional laps added to the usual 2.5km course. Not much really, but somewhere in the vicinity of 500m.

Just a side note, while other countries are yet to win a medal in the Rio Olympics, Michael Phelps has taken 23 of 'em as of this writing. The Philippines is lucky to get one silver, Singapore had one gold which ironically they got at the expense of Phelps. And the rest, well, they are still hoping to snag one.

That's it for today, folks. You'll find out come 17th the outcome of this quest. I hope the cameras would get me on my good side. lol

Be well.

[Photo: thepoliticalinsider]

Better than yesterday

Yep, that's today. Been reading a myriad of  stuff on the Interwebs. It's quite exciting to be a student again, I must say.

Since I'm 'retired' now, I will be helping my wife with everything. I'm looking at this as part of our bonding together - as a family. I have always been distant. I guess I have so many things going through my mind. Issues, in fact. And, that is why I hate it when Neil, my son, is not able to focus. He reminds me of my ugly self. Same goes with my little girl, Angel Mitch.

I'm probably just asking too much from them, eh?

Going back to being distant, yeah, I was. The job I did requires a lot of
poker face, if you catch my drift. Ya know, putting a front both internally and externally to the company I work with as well as the people I deal with to make ends meet. I'm glad I got out of the game. All that kissing asses and covert maneuver to get things done has to stop at some point. But, I wish them well.

So personally, that affected me. I have to put this barrier between myself and everyone. A front, to be precise.It's gonna take a while to get this wall torn down completely and it will be a work in progress. I don't know what it'll take but we'll get there at some point.

One day at a time, bud.

Meanwhile, it's rest day but there's work to be done so, I'm getting on with it.

[Photo: perspectiveoftroy]

Redemption....

... that would be awesome!

I wasn't gonna swim today but did anyway. Did some 500 meters of breast stroke. 1km freestyle with fins and another with pull buoy. Both have pads on. I like having them around, the pads, fins and the pull buoy because they make my swim both easier and harder. In the end, I benefited a lot with all the lactic burn and the calorie deficit strategy I am aiming for this mission.

Why the swim was supposed to be out of the question today is the fact that I'm getting bored with it. Then, I realize there's a contest to win and I'm feeling and looking a lot better.

The effect of the weight reduction is better felt in the morning. That's when I look in the mirror and boy, do I look different??

To make it less boring today, since I can now swim continuously for a good 200 meters, that's exactly what I did. So, having to waste more time isn't the way to go but to get more laps in one go. With the pull buoy on, I can go for 500 meters non-stop. I'm still swimming the same distance a few days ago but a lot more time,
but I think this technique is more efficient and effective because you get more for less. More for cardio and endurance, but for a lesser time.

Tomorrow will be for some rehab exercises to get those rotator cuffs and elbows healthy. Will be using bands and dumbbells to get the job done and then hopefully come back stronger on Friday. Extend the distance of continuous laps to maybe 400 or more meters thereby reducing the time spent under the sun, but increase the cardio and burn more of 'em fats!

Life begins...

WOW! almost forgot I started a blog. Nope, it's not the busy-ness. I have all the time. Swimming for 2 hours a day does takes its tool on the body. But I like the result. My big tummy is almost annihilated. You will see the fruits of all the labor next week.

By the way, I did joined this kind of contest years ago with my co-employees from the company I used to work with. We organized it and put our money where our mouth is. I think it was 500 bucks for each participants. It was awesome. Ya know why? I won back-to-back! Yeah. But the road I took then was different. I dieted strictly of chicken breast and sweet potato. And, workout hard in the gym.This time, still dieted but not strictly. Just ate smaller but yummy meal. The swimming accelerated the whole deal.

It would be amazing if I can still pull it off this time around. Not so much price, really. Just a few thousand bucks and an overnight stay in Bayfront Hotel. Still, the bragging rights is definitely something. One pal of mine whose wife is joining already made some bold predictions. That she'll take home the bacon because she's done it before.. losing a lot of weight.

We'll see brother.

I think I won't be able to join this kind of contest in the future. Being overweight most of the time is really a pain in the arse. Walking up through the stairs is such an ordeal. And, It's nice to see the jeans and the belt loosening up a little bit more everyday. The chin is going single digit, the face is getting smaller, the shirts, looser.

So yeah, I'd like to keep it this way now especially that I'm not getting any younger. It would be difficult to grow old, fat and well, sickly. It's also worth noting that when you are older, it's harder to move around and exercise with such vigor.

My advice to my fellow 40ish guys and gals, get into the groove. Age is just a number. Start now. There's still plenty of time to get cracking!

The Biggest Loser in 10 Days...

Yep, it's almost here. Me and my wife decided to join the contest in the company she sells retail stuff, Natasha.

I weigh 238 pounds! i know I'm freakin' heavy, but I have lost a lot in a month and many weeks after. How is it possible? I went back to what basically works out for me - swimming.

Personally, I see swimming as my biggest tool among the many in my toolbox. Prior to that, I've been lifting weights and did a lot of cardio in the treadmill. My metabolism is quite screwed-up so that no matter how I pound the weights and the cardio, my weight barely move.

Then, on Father's Day, I accidentally inquired about promos and what have yous at Holiday Gym and voila! They actually have. I took the 4 months promo and started re-learning how to swim again.

Boy, I must tell you, it was torture in the lungs and heart. The pool is only 25 meters and I couldn't make it to the end swimming freestyle.

I had fear each time I go. Not only were triathletes swimming away for the Ironman that just happened earlier today, I was too embarrass to be seen swimming the way I do.

Each day was a challenge. But thanks to the Biggest Loser contest we joined in, I had to get to that mental page and really get to the grind.

Today, I can swim freestyle 100 meters straight! But there's more! Ha Ha! Yeah, before that, I go 500 meters warming up with breast stroke.

Next week, since we are very close to the deadline, all the laps and the hours are going to be bump up in order to burn more calories... and fats!

It's gonna be tough because I know everyone is working just as hard. I have to believe that they are working as hard as we do. It would be awesome to win though.

Will post some of the pictures later of just about anything under the sun.

Meanwhile, here are the essentials....

Good Vibes and Freedom... at last!!

Yes, the title says it, freedom at last!

I've been working for the last eighteen years straight and just last Tuesday, I finally call it a day.

and... well, it's not easy. I am gonna be forty three this month. Kind of in a midlife crisis, eh? But, change is here, they say. So, we will adapt. I mean, I will adapt.

The circumstances behind the decision is definitely something that will ruin anyone's day, so, no, never mind. It's all good vibes here.. as much as possible.

What's in store for me? I'm about to find out. If there's still fuel in my tank. I am keeping my options open. I've always enjoyed writing. Blogging, In fact. I had one before which I've kept 'secret' because other than there's a lot of revelations there, I can't speak freely because my job in the CIA's utterly confidential... hehehe

So, what to expect here? A lot.

It's gonna be a journey of me, my family and pals. What's ironic in all of these is, I'm the epitome of an anti-social person. I don't like getting pictured. I hate to socialize and mingle with other people. I prefer to be alone most of the time. And that's exactly what's holding me back! So, quitting my job and showing everything about me here is definitely a huge step for me to go out of my comfort zone.

I've always wanted to do something else other than what I'm used to doing. So brace yourself, this is gonna be quite a ride!