Oh, Quality Television, Where Art Thou?

Taking time to check out the shows being shown on Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney Channel as well as MTV, I realized just how much time has changed and how the new generation is different from the last. Somehow seeing Oggy and the cockroaches and that odd show with the shark, the mermaid and the wolf on it on Disney Channel doesn't please me at all. Seeing Hannah Montana, High School Musical or the rest of the sitcoms makes me want to see Lizzy McGuire once again or perhaps That's So Raven as well. I don't mind seeing Phineas and Ferb and Disney movies every now and then. Somehow I wish they could have done more reinvention with the channel. I miss seeing cartoons like Gargoyles, Kim Possible, Mighty Ducks, Monster Allergy and Sabrina The Teenage Witch.

Meanwhile, I don't mind seeing Adventure Time or Ben 10 on Cartoon Network but somehow seeing Tom and Jerry speaking in the new series makes me wonder whatever happened to slapstick? I used to like them with less if not, no dialogue at all. It was funnier that way. I was sad when they said they wouldn't show classic shows like Popeye anymore as it was a big part of my childhood. As for Nickelodeon, whatever happened to Doug, Hey Arnold, As Told By Ginger and The Wild Thornberries? Sorry but I seriously am not a SpongeBob fan. I am just glad they show a little bit of Rocko's Modern Life every now and then.I am also glad that Avatar is shown ther eas well.

Lastly, MTV. Yes, M is supposed to be for music but why is it that these days, MTV shows a lot of other non-music related shows as well. I don't see why Jersey Shore should be there. I don't know why they have to play 16 and pregnant there. Seriously, MTV, what is the relevance of all these shows to the music industry? The occassional Beavis and Butthead and Aeon Flux cartoon was okay then but the shows now which they show aside from the music videos and concerts just shows how far commercialism has gone this time. Perhaps they have changed their list of programs because of the ever evolving audience but I know that the biggest part still falls on the fact that these channels want to earn more than they used to. I may not agree with it. All those who are in the same generation as I am might not either. But what can we do? There is no use crying over spilled milk. If only we can turn back time. Quality television, where art thou?

This is why these days I just watch shows from educational channels. Thank God for having National Geographic, Discovery, History and TLC. Oh and don't forget my regular viewing of The Walking Dead on FOX. I know it isn't education but what the heck? I like it!

 

An Uneventful Working Wednesday

The problem with people who don't have anything to do is that they disturb other people because they get bored. Honestly, I wouldn't mind doing this if my co-workers were close to me but I would mind doing this now because I am not close with them. I would also mind them doing the same thing to me. Maybe I am just being irrate at the moment but what can I do? I just have nothing else to talk about when it comes to them. The age gap is just a couple of years away, sure but somehow I feel like I am an alien from another planet or perhaps a foreigner in a different land that is not my own. In the office, I feel like the odd one out. I don't say that because it is 100 percent a bad thing. I say that because it is a fact. I am more of a loner anyway. I would rather be alone than to try to be good friends with everyone as I give them fake smiles and praises, that I Just can't do but somehow have to do as I go to work each day. I'm sucking it up as an adult. That is a reality of life. This is one reason why I wish I was young and carefree again.

Anyway, I have been busy at work lately and I am okay with that. Last Monday, I found out that there will be two people who will be celebrating their birthdays this week. Of course, I would have to greet them on their birthdays but herein the office, they seem to be brewing something. Since I didn't have any money to pitch in as I am on a tight budget lately, I decided to turn to my creativity. I did cards for them and gave them to another person who I work with in the morning as I thought she would be responsible enough to have it printed out. Sadly, I received a message from her last night that she was not able to do it. I don't mind really, I was just a bit ticked off when she kept on hassling me about it yesterday and now, she wants me to just contribute money instead. Frankly speaking, I told her I can't due to my current situation. Thank God she didn't continue being pushy. Otherwise, I would have really sulked. I heard there will be a cake delivered later on. I am not expecting to eat a part of it. The 1 o'clock party might end up being a 2 o'clock party. Who knows? Seems people here don't know how to respect other people's time anyway.

It is a lazy Wednesday. I don't know why. I want to be productive but things are starting to get boring out here. Somehow nothing is inspiring at the moment and I just feel tired everyday. I wish I can be motivated more. I wish I can find reason to be here. I know I won't stay but at least I want to last until I can out here. I just want to get more sleep. That is the only thing that distracts me everyday. It is like no amount of sleep will keep me sated. No amount of relaxation will make me relaxed. Maybe I am too tensed right now. I will only work until February then all this will be over. I need a break. I badly need it. I am a productive person but this pregnancy gig is making me lazy. I understand it but sometimes I don't. It is already noon here and I only have two hours of work to do before I head home. I hope that after a nap I will be energized enough to do other things. Somehow, I am feeling optimistic. Please body cooperate!

I am more in the lack of work department and the distracted by co-workers bit.

Sleeping has become my favorite hobby. People have told me I should get as much sleep now as I can because once the baby is born, I won't be getting a lot of it in a while. True but I have survived being sleep deprived and I know it isn't pretty but somehow I know that I'll survive. The baby shall be worth it, I know this.

 

The Old And The New: What Ever Happened To Music?

I have never been much of a K-Pop fan. Although I did listen to some Korean songs in the past, most of them were songs that I heard from Korean dramas. The likes of BoA and Baek Ji Young made me like Korean music but that was that.I am not saying that I am not going to give a chance to other Korean artists or songs anymore. I am just saying recently, most of the Korean songs I hear just don't suit my taste therefore, aren't to my liking.

Boy bands and girl bands are everywhere. To me, they all look the same and their songs might be different but somehow the beats are almost the same. Repetitive lyrics are common in the music industry. Sadly, it is like it is hard to find so many good lyricists these days. Either that or they stick with the formula of repetition as it somewhat sells more to the public. Yes, many people have lowered their standards to music already. Gone are the days that lyrics mattered as they conveyed messages. These days, some song lyrics might not even mean anything. Sad but true.

One of the most recent Korean trends is the sensation, Psy, who made the song, Gangnam Style popular. Honestly, I am not a fan. Sure, haters gonna hate but I just don't like the song because of its repetitive nature. I don't hate it because I don't understand it. I don't hate it because I hate the singer as well. I just don't feel the song. That's all. I am not a person who mainstreams often. I was probably one of the last people to know about Gangnam Style and I swore to myself to stay from it as much as possible. Sadly, it is hard to do so especially if you live in a country who likes the song too much. The dance is supposed to be a horse dance. It is funny looking and the dance just seems awkward to me. I guess I just like other dances with more fluid and graveful movements. That's all.

Gangnam Style is said to be the rise of K-Pop around the world. I wouldn't argue with that as it did become a hit virtually everywhere. It just went viral. But Gangnam Style is not the only repetitive song out there. Somehow, there are more and more these days. I am not saying that good music is gone. There might be some out there but there are only a few. I like Katy Perry and her songs but some of them are rather repetitive too. Same goes for Taylor Swift. Most old people dislike the music that we have these days. Maybe as I grow older, I will start doing so too especially because I am starting now. I love some classic songs and bands. I am a late 80's-90's baby therefore, I am more into the music of my generation.

Whatever happened to music? Is there ever a way to go back? I guess not. Thankfully, accessing music these days, no matter how old the songs maybe has become easier. Thank Youtube and other streaming websites out there.

 Yes, enough. I remember saying this before after getting fed up of hearing the song repeatedly everywhere. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen was another one of those songs and honestly, I was really annoyed. It was as if there are no other songs that can be played by people everywhere. Yes, I literally had to cover my ears. Sorry but I've had my fill of these repetitive song lyrics. It was torture, I tell you.
 

Gangnam Style fever hits the world. Remember the video of Death Pool dancing at the San Diego Comic Con? Yes, he was dancing Gangnam Style then. Even Wolverine couldn't resist doing so. But just like me, not everyone is fond of the Gangnam Style. Thank God that I am not alone in this.

Comparing the song lyrics then and now is just an eye-opener that back in the day lyrics mattered. These days, I just don't know what the music industry is thinking of anymore. Old or new, music is music no matter how some people see it. This is the generation gap that's talking. I am in the middle of it. I am not yet too old or too young to be left behind but somehow I am more partial to old music than new but that doesn't mean that I won't be liking some new songs as well. Just saying that my taste in music isn't exactly very modern. I was never into mainstreaming anyway so why bother explaining myself when it comes to my taste in music.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure: A Pregnant Woman's Dilemma

I'm sick today. I started getting sick yesterday evening. I thought I just needed to sleep it off but apprently, sleeping it off wasn't enough. I drank some freshly squeezed orange juice last night. Despite its sour yet sweet taste, I drank it all. I woke up with a stuffy nose. I feel phlegm building inside of me and I don't like it. Whenever I catch a cold, I don't just get a runny nose but my eyes become watery as well. Most of the time I get a headache which makes it hard for me to concentrate or think. I hate getting sick and I thought I have done my best to isolate myself from everyone else but alas, what I did wasn't enough.

I have a very good idea as to why I am unwell at the moment. Since last week, my co-workers have all been sneezing, coughing and at the same time blowing their noses. I wasn't worried at that time because I knew that my station was far away from these infected people and that I rarely interact with them. Whenever I do, I always keep some alcohol handy. I know, I am a clean freak but what can I do? I just don't want to get sick especially not now that I am pregnant. Unfortunately, it was only this week that I found out that some of those infected people borrowed my station for several of their classes. To my horror, they used my headphones meaning their saliva and germs might have already been transmitted through my mouth piece. Gah! Just talking about it makes me cringe and gag.

There is no use berating anyone right now. I can't point fingers. So, this morning, I decided to disinfect my station as best as I could. I might just have to get used to it until I stay here early next year as I don't want to be prone to viruses that they keep on bringing at work. Honestly, the CDC would say that if you are sick, you better stay home but most companies don't think that should be done. Despite being sick, we all must be at work to get paid so I can't really blame these sick people for coming to work even if deep inside I actually wanted to. Thankfully, I already asked my doctor what to do and she told me the usual things but asked me to get some more vitamin C in me. Looks like I would adding more vitamins to my current list.

I just hope that by next week, this will all be over. All this flu scare is making me want to get vaccinated but I guess I will have to ask my doctor again to be sure. Ah, the dilemma of working in an office with people who don't really care about their health and other people's healths. I just wish more people are more aware of the things that they have to do to prevent their germs from spreading. After all, prevention is better than cure.

Yes, this question popped into my head today despite the fact that I already know the answer to it. *SIGH*

I wish more people knew about these things. Sadly, I don't think they do and somehow, I feel that even if they knew, they just don't care at all.

 

Wah! I don't want to be sick anymore. Why oh why?

Busy Monday Morning, Uncomprehending Leader

Don't you just hate it when some people don't listen to you? To me, time is important and most of the time, I do my best to keep track of it especially on a busy day. This month until January will probably be the busiest months for me. Not simply because the holidays will be here soon but rather there are so many things that I need to be doing on the following months. Aside from the fact that I need to talk to our landlord for the moving arrangements, we also need to do some packing and moving. I also need to update my SSS - for my new address and my MAT 1. There is also the fact that I need to have our Globe subscription disconnected or perhaps transferred - whichever we will decide to do. Lastly, there is the issue of my employment. Perhaps I need to talk to the management as early as now to have an agreement with them. I am no longer expecting to be regularized. I just want them to consider my situation and let me stay until the end of January so that they will be able to pay their share of the Philhealth and SSS while I do the rest. Yes, busy, busy, busy. I told you so.

Today is a busy day as well. I woke up early and programmed my mind to do all the things that I have to do today. I made a list of things that I should be doing today and even made a timetable for it. I am more systematic that way. So far, I have already done some of the things on the list. I also informed my GL that if she needs to meet me to talk to me, she can do it at a certain time. Giving her my free schedule was on my priority list. Unfortunately, she wasn't listening or reading when I did it. *SIGH* I don't understand why some people would be like that? Then, they would blame you for not saying anything when in fact you did? I don't like it when my schedule gets changed just because of somebody else's incompetence and neglect. I am doing my part. Shouldn't others be doing theirs as well? She said she has something important that she needs to tell me. I said okay. I just hope that that something important, truly is important. Knowing them, everything is important even a measly detail of something so trivial can be important. To me, it isn't. I am like a horse with covers on the sides of its eyes. I only see what I should be focusing on and do not stray away from it. Maybe I am really surrounded by young people as most of them probably need more direction than I do. Not saying that I am better than them. Just saying that I know my priorities more than they do.

I listen. I always do. Especially when it comes to work. Sometimes, I honestly don't want to listen anymore because as I said trivial things don't really matter. Blah blah blah! I know they all have good intentions and they all want to improve themselves and the company but how can they do that if they don't really know what matters? How can leaders lead if some of them don't even know how to listen? Leaders aren't supposed to be all talk. They should be role models to their members as well. I follow and don't question much even if I know I must. Maybe this is because I don't want them to think of me as a defiant employee who doesn't care about them and their so called rules and regulations. I am not after confrontations at the moment as all that matters is I work because I have to and I need to. I don't see anything else that would matter aside from those reasons. Anyway, the day is still young and I know I have a long way to go so I must endure the day as it passes by, hoping that whatever news my ears will be hearing later on, won't be bad news. As I am sick and tired of hearing them. Monday Blues? Yes, I currently have them but I am not complaining and just doing what I should be doing today. I'm a grown woman so I'm sucking it up. Wouldn't you do the same as well?

 

I informed her as early as 6:29 AM of my free time and told her as to why I would be busy this day but after an hour, she approached me and asked me about my free time. I told her that I already sent her a message about it and she said, she wasn't able to understand and read it properly. I nodded and said okay but deep inside, I was like WTF? >_<;

A good leader listens to his/her members. That is a no brainer. You don't need any leadership training to know that. That is common knowledge. It doesn't matter if you have had leadership experience or not.

 

Not All That's Yellow Is Cheese

I was in a hurry to grab a bite to eat this morning. I would have wanted a sandwich but since it is a holiday today, I decided to just buy a hotdog on a bun instead. It was my first time to buy something like that. There were many choices of toppings and I specifically asked the lady to give me a cheese dressing as hotdogs go well with them. She said that their New York dressing was in fact cheese. Because I was in a hurry and it was my first time to buy there, I had no idea about what she was talking about. I rushed back to work to eat my sandwich there.

Back at work, I realized that the New York dressing that she proudly claimed was cheese wasn't in fact cheese but mustard. I don't hate mustard. I just wanted to eat my hotdog with cheese today. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to do something about it. Had I known more about the product, I would have corrected the mistake. But somehow I am not 100 percent to blame, am I? The lady working from that store should have known better as well. Besides, shouldn't all salespeople know something about what they are selling to effectively sell the products?

This whole incident made me realize that maybe not all sales people know what they are selling which is actually bad for the customers. As some customers need to guidance of a sales person to actually get to know the product more. How can a sales person do just that if he/she doesn't know a thing about them? Luckily, this is my first time in a long time to experience something like this. Most of the sales people that I buy from are somehow knowledgable about their products which is why I can prove that my thoughts are wrong partially. Perhaps the management needs to be blamed as well as training needs to be provided to their employees. I don't think anybody will be able to get information at work if they won't be given them or be taught something. Just saying.

So, who do I blame? Myself? The sales lady? or the company? You decide. Going back to the whole cheese incident, I therefore conclude that not all that's yellow is cheese. I better remember that.

This was the poster at the store. However, there was an additional hotdog dressing in the latest poster as this one is quite updated. It said there that Blue Cheese and Catsup was also available as a dressing but when I told the saleslady that I wanted Cheese, she gave me some New York dressing instead which left me wondering whether she really knew it was Cheese or not. Somehow, I have a gut feeling she doesn't as she reassured me that it was in fact cheese but I was doped as it turned out to be mustard anyway. *SIGH*