You are what you buy

There was a long queue in the supermarket this afternoon. When that happens, I take the time to examine the groceries the person in front of me has selected and to judge/size-up that person accordingly.

You see, I think the groceries make the man/woman. The couple in front of me bought six kinds of vegetables. Like they were going to make chopsuey, but with the wrong set of vegetables. They bought a head a broccoli, a green pepper, a potato, a carrot. They were either making a bizarre version of chopsuey or buying stuff for their daughter’s science project.

They also bought brown “healthy” (i.e. icky) bread. And brought a reusable grocery bag. Conclusion – healthy tree huggers.

Meanwhile, I purchased the following:

• three pieces of chilled Australian lamb chops
• chopped mushrooms marked down because it was about to go bad
• potato chips
• lemonade
• one can of soup

You see, with this suite of products I want the guy standing behind me in line to say – this lady in front of me cooks. But when she’s in a bind she eats… crap. She must be very busy and have a very important job. Surely she is compassionate and kind. And well-read.

Embarassing

I've lived in Hong Kong nearly two years and while I've lived here, I've read exactly...

wait for it...

...

13 books.

Shameful, isn't it?

I vow to read at least 13 books in the next 12 months.

My New Toy

I'm not getting it until the end of the week, but I'm soooo excited I just needed to share.

My Sanity Score -- 45

Recently, I had a few minutes of down time, so I clicked on the "Know How Sane You Are" link in an article I was reading in the Times. I logged in with my standard fake name and email address, answered a couple of dozen questions, and got the following results.

I was asked if I was happy about my weight. Who in his/her right mind would answer "Yes" to this question? Of course I said no. I was also asked if I eat too much from time to time. Again. I said "yes". Who doesn't? And so now, apparently, I have an eating disorder.

I was also asked if in the last year I have experienced something which affected my whole life. As far as I am concerned, every single second of my existence affects my whole life, so I answered, "yes". And I guess that explains the "Life Events" score.

If you have 25 minutes and enjoy reading questions like, "Do you think people are out to get you?" or "Do you sometimes feel you are being poisoned?" take the quiz and see how well you do.

Congratulations! Based upon your answers, you appear to be in good mental health. You may experience specific mental health concerns, relationship issues, or other issues that come up from time to time in your life, but your overall mental health score suggests that you deal with these well. People with similar scores are more resilient than most people, handle stress appropriately, have good relationships with others, and are able to cope with the in's and out's of everyday life with grace and ease.

General Coping	11
Life Events	50
Depression	19
Anxiety	12
Phobias	8
Self-Esteem	8
Eating Disorders	40
Schizophrenia	10
Dissociation	8
Mania	20
Sexual Issues	0
Relationship Issues	13
Alcohol	17
Drugs	0
Physical Issues	0
Smoking Issues	0
Gambling Issues	0
Technology Issues	6
Obsessions/Compulsions	13
Posttraumatic Stress	17
Borderline Traits	8

And who knows? The horse may learn to fly!

Palakpakan Natin ang Panginoon

Not showing

A couple of weeks ago, C and I caught The Mummy 3. It was good mindless fun. I was surprised by the quality of the special effects. I thought it was flawless. After the movie I was gushing about how the special effects were amazing and C responded in a blase tone, "You haven't seen an action movie in a while, have you?"

And she was right.

Of the recent action hits, I haven't seen Spiderman 3, Chris Nolan's Batman movies, the new Hulk, none of the Hellboys. I skipped the first two Mummy movies. I haven't seen the new Indiana Jones movie. I also passed on Will Smith's I Robot, I am Legend, and Hancock. Same with Tom Cruise's War of the Worlds.

And if we go futher than that, I should tell you that I have never seen a single Rambo, Rocky or any of the Jaws.

Happy Camper

The last few weeks I have been filled by what can only be described as joy.

Nothing dramatic has occurred recently, but I have been feeling a general sense of contentment.

This is a good place to be in.

From here to Var in a blink of an eye

On my way to work this morning, I walked passed a man wearing a bright colored rugby shirt that had the word "Varcity" printed on it.

In about a third of a second I went from--

"That's a giant typo if I ever saw one" to

"There's a place called "Var"??? Cool!!"

Happy Birthday, R.

Happy birthday to R.!

Wife to G., mother to K., daughter to E.

Cohort to J.

Vidal Saloon

While I was drowning in paper at the office, TFBF SMQ reminded me of an unforgettable typo in a fellow classmate's resume we read ages ago. This woman claimed to have managed a "saloon", when clearly, from a description of her work, she meant "salon".

SMQ then proclaimed she was having a Tuesday Saloon Day, which involved intense pampering at one saloon. Waxing, mani/ped, a haircut, coloring. The things all women dream about. I know I have been dreaming about a saloon day. I haven't been home in six weeks and I intend to spend 6 of the 48 hours I will be in Manila in at least two saloons.

In the time I've spent in HK I have not once stepped inside a saloon. I refuse to put myself in the hands of someone carrying a pair of scissors when I can't communicate with said someone. I have a feeling my hand gestures won't work.

So what do you think of the new template?

My father says it lacks character.

N. says it's "Ok" (which I take to mean as short hand for "so-so". It's ok N., friends pa rin tayo)

But the best put down yet is from TFBF SMQ who calls this new look "communistic".

And she clarifies, "As in communist, not communal."

You gotta love her.

Welcome to August

Is it just me, or do certain months seem to come more frequently than other months?

It seems to be always February. Always July. And October! It's always October. And March.

But it's never December or January (my two favorite months). During those months we celebrate the birth of the redeemer of the world and Christmas.