WALK THE TALK

A story goes like this:

“Now boys,” admonished the old minister, lecturing the Bible class, “you must strive always to keep calm and never lose your tempers. You should never swear or get angry or get excited.”

“But sometimes we cannot help it, sir,” said one.

“It is not hard,” declared the old fellow. “I never do it. Now for example, see that big fly on my nose?”

“Yes, sir,” chorused some.

“It is a bee,” whispered an experienced one.

“Now see this fly,” went the old minister. “Most wicked men would be excited and swear, but I just say, ‘Go away, fly’ and I – GOOD GOD! IT IS A BEE! DAMN IT TO HELL!”

* * *

It’s a funny story, but think about it, it would probably remind you of some “men of God” who preaches something, but that does not do what they preach. ‘Hypocrites!’ some exclaim.

This is not only true to the hypocrites of the clergy. But aren’t we all guilty of being hypocrites? We say, “I never do it” like the old minister, but when an unexpected circumstance caught us unaware – like the bee on the minister’s nose – we exactly do the opposite.

The minister should have not said, “It is not hard. I never do it.” He should have said, “Maybe it is hard, but pray to God to help you. Nothing is impossible in Him.”

Let us not make the mistake of the minister. Always declare that you cannot do anything without the Big Guy, to help or guide you.

Or you will end up being stung on the nose by a bee.

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Emotions

Love. Hate. Jealousy. Anxiety. Compassion. Envy. Irritation. Anger. Greed. Fear. Shock. Pride. Loneliness. Jubilance. Excitement. Despair. Anguish. Boredom. Enthusiasm. Ignorance. Arrogance. Pity. Disgust. Shame. And many more…

They are emotions. You and I experience them. Emotions make us humans.
But emotions can kill in both sense of the word – figuratively and literally.

Being too emotional is dangerous. When we allow our emotions to take over us, it will cloud our judgment and thinking. Emotional persons make bad decisions, are easily panicked, and are easily led to their destruction.

Take Anakin Skywalker for example. He was skillful, powerful, intelligent, and versatile. But those cannot make a great Jedi, Jedis should be able to keep their emotions at bay. But Anakin was very emotional, and this led him to fear, to anger, to hate – and finally – to the Dark Side. He was driven by hate when he avenged his mother. And his fear of losing his wife, Padme Amidala, led him to make bad choices, and even being a reason in his wife’s death.

Being too emotional will probably lead you to the Dark Side.

As for those who are able to not allow their emotions be master of them, like Genjyo Sanzo and Sherlock Holmes. They were able to make good decisions often, and think ways out of tight situations even when under pressure.

A good example of someone who never allowed his emotions to take over in times of crucial moments is Phileas Fogg, the hero of Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 days”. Being cold, but optimistic, he was able to win his bet. Though many obstacles and problems that seems impossible – in other’s and Passepertout’s eyes – to scale or solve, Fogg was always able to find a way through all those circumstances by shutting down his emotions and thinking out a good plan or decision.

You may say that “unemotional” and cold characters like Genjyo Sanzo, Sherlock Holmes, and Phileas Fogg are friendless, disliked, and miserable loners. Genjyo Sanzo friendless? His “Sanzo Army” respects and do everything for him… doesn’t it sound like friendship? Sherlock Holmes disliked? Only by criminals, but he is much loved by the Scotland Yard and his clients that he saved from grief, anxiety, or scandal. Phileas Fogg miserable? He won his bet, obtained happiness, and had Aoudam the love of his life. Friendless, miserable and dislike loners? Bah… I don’t think so.

Being cold does not always mean being inconsiderate, insensitive, uncompassionate and such. Being cold also means being able to control one’s emotions.

I’m not saying that emotions are bad. Being too emotional is. It is good to be compassionate, loving, and other show of emotion in some circumstances. Learn to control and hide emotions, but be able express them in right times.

All I am saying is that we should not allow our emotions to take control. Ever heard of the expression, “driven by emotion”, or in Filipino, “nadala lang ng emosyon”? it’s dangerous doing impulsive moves or choosing impulsive decisions just because “nadala lang ng emosyon.”

I, myself, am still learning to master how to effectively control and hide my emotion. Yes, it is hard, but learn to practice it – it is worthwhile to do so. When you feel your emotions getting the better of you, take deep breathes – it’ll help.

Always remember, people who can control their emotions are better than those who can’t. That’s why the Vulcans are better than the Romulans.

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Fantastic Felines

Since my childhood black cat, Blackie, and his pride of felines, cats had inhabited our front yard ever since. Years passes, and generations of cats that came from that first batch had come and gone. Must of them just disappear - either they got tired of the food we feed them or they became road kill - so the average cat population in the cat pride during each batch is about four or five (but there used to be a time when a batch has ten, more or less).

I don’t know what generation my current cats are, and there used to be four often, and I called them the ‘Fantastic Four’. ‘Mr. Fantastic’ is the smartest cat among them. I called another the ‘Thing’ because he’s the ugliest (maybe because he’s the oldest). The youngest cat is the ‘Human Torch’ for being a hotshot. And the only female in the group is ‘Invisible Woman’ (being the only female).

Mr. Fantastic, being the smartest, left the group one day, since he knew he will have an irrelevant life if he stays in our yard. He envisioned himself doing better than eating table scraps (probably to make a starship like his namesake). I don’t know if he is gone for good (dead? Or captured by Dr. Doom?). In the past, he was also absent for a very long period, but eventually he returned. But he has yet to return from this current absence of his (rumor is he’s alive in an alternate universe).

The Thing is the ugliest and oldest. He is even older than my own sister. What he does each day is sleep, run from the neighborhood cat bully, annoy my mother, and only says, “It’s clobberin’ time!” when it is time to eat.

Hotshot Human Torch is all talk (or meow). Before fights, he mews threateningly like he will tear his enemy into pieces, but sooner the fight commences, he goes “Flame on!” and flee.

Invisible Woman disappears quickly when approached. No different. Nuff’ said.

Well, these are my cats – the Fantastic Four cats. Like most household cats, mine are conceited, selfish dumb, and lazy. But I like cats anyway than the “loyal, smart, heroic, energetic, noble” dogs (sheeesh). Cats remind me - in some ways - of humans.

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The Most Beautiful Day In The Universe

“Ang Pinakamagandang Araw sa Kalawakan” (The Most Beautiful Day in the Universe). Catchy. It was nice of ABS-CBN to air the pageant. I’m not much of a beauty pageant fan but I watch pageants anyway. Pageants are kind of fascinating – especially the Miss Universe pageants.

Riyo Mori – Miss Japan – was crowned Miss Universe 2007. I have no objections. The 20 year old dancer deserved to win.

My bets for the final five – when the final fifteen were announced – were Miss Japan (Riyo Mori), Miss Korea (Honey Lee), Miss USA (Rachel Smith) , plus I-don’t-care-who-the-other-two-are. Well, I was right, my three favorites made it into the final five – with Miss Brazil (Natalia Guimaraes) and Miss Venezuela (Ly Jonaitis).

Miss USA was no crowd favorite and was received with jeers by the Mexican audience during the interview competition. At least she maintained her poise and managed to win some cheers. It should also be noted that she fell down when the contestants paraded their elegant attires (she probably got outbalanced by stepping on the gown).
She ended up as fourth runner-up.

Miss Korea – among my three bets – was, I thought, most likely to win. But I believe her answer to the question and answer portion was not a winning material – though okay (at least she did not answer that the super power she wants is ‘world peace’). But she only ended up with third runner-up, beaten by Miss Brazil and Miss Venezuela, first runner-up and second runner-up respectively.

Our very own Miss Philippines – Anna Theresa Licaros – got a Miss Photogenic Award (which I thought was going to Miss Slovenia). At least it was a consolation for not making it to the Final Fifteen.

I am no racist. Maybe I just do not appreciate it much. I just did not like Miss Tanzania and Miss Angola to reach the Final Ten nor the Final Fifteen. But I guess I have no right to question the judges. Nothing I can do about it.

It was fun also to think that we have three pinays on the pageant. We have a Miss Philippines, plus the half-Filipinos Miss Germany and Miss Norway. Three chances – all failed to make it to the Final Fifteen.

The Miss Universe show was a fine one. Honestly, I was hoping our Filipina bet would win – so we would have three Miss Universes in history. Well, that is that, maybe next year.

But congratulations again to Miss Japan. "I learned how to always be happy, be patient and to be positive, and this is what I want to teach to the next generation," she said during the interview competition. Hmm. Let’s see if she can do that as Miss Universe.

Till next year’s pageant.

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Three Memorable Childhood Crying Moments

I cried many times in my childhood years. Some are just because of trivial matters, like being injured and such. Most of them I don’t even remember. But I remember three memorable times that made me cry.

* * *

I was, I think, about two years old when my parents first left me alone at home. No big deal. Yup, I was a brave baby. I did not cry that I was left alone, heck, it was even night time. But then, it began to rain. Then the lightning flashed… then, you guessed it, the terrifying sound of thunder rumbled. The thunders roared like it was the end of the world (exaggeration maybe… but to a two-year old baby, I don’t think so). That was the time that I cried. I cried like a baby (wait… I was a baby). I don’t know how long I cried. The continuing sounds of thunder terrified me. I only stopped when my parents arrived.

* * *

The second experience I’ll tell you, I was years older – I was in the late part of my first decade. My mother took me with her when she and her workmates went to Manila. We were roaming around the mall there, when I unconsciously (or consciously?) wandered away from my mother.
I realized I was lost. My face paled. My heart beat louder and faster. I was afraid. It would be okay if I got lost in Legazpi, at least the places are familiar. But that was Manila. I do not know anybody there (now I know several friends and acquaintances there). I was a kid, a little below ten years old, alone and afraid. But I hold on, I refused to cry.
I made another mistake. Instead of staying at one place, I roamed around to search for my mother – or her workmates. The mall was big, and it was foolish to do that. It took minutes (which were like hours) when my mother finally found me. When I saw her, I couldn’t control my emotion any longer. I cried. I cried out the fear I felt. And I cried of relief.

* * *

I cried in those two circumstances because of fear – fear of the loud thunder, and fear of being lost.
This third one, I cried because of hurt. Not of physical one. But a deep hurt in the heart – worse than a physical one.
I was about ten years old, watching TV, when suddenly I heard a commotion outside. I looked outside the window and saw our neighbor’s large black dog (I forgot the breed. But it was like the Hound of Baskervilles… exaggeration again? Maybe) causing havoc outside, and then suddenly the dog bit the neck of one of my cats. Shiela was the cat’s name, and moreover she was pregnant. In a panic state, I searched for the door’s key and took one of my pellet gun (Uzi model). When I finally went outside, the dog was dragging my cat down the road. It was terrible watching my bloodied and helpless cat struggling between the large jaws. I tried to shoot and shoot the dog with my pellet gun, but the hellish dog can’t feel the sting of the pellets. The dog kept on his hold on my cat’s severed neck, shaking his head, snarling, his teeth dripping with blood.
I was not able to save my cat. Shiela died, but the dog still did not let go the limp body of my cat. I cried hard as I walk back to our house. It hurt a lot. It was terrible. I cried long and hard. I felt weak and terrible. My mother bought me a magazine to comfort me, but though it calmed me a little, I was still hurting and sad.
That was the last time I really cried. The last of boyhood tears.

* * *

In all those circumstances, in some sense, I was brave. But not brave enough. I was brave enough to be left alone at home – but not enough for the thunder. I was brave enough from being lost – but foolish to not stay in one place. I was brave enough to confront a big dog that could had easily injured or killed me – but, still, it was not enough to save Shiela.

* * *

Now, I still get afraid. I still get hurt.
And there is still a lot of thundering around at me. I still get lost. I still lose a lot things – important things – in my life. But I think I’m braver and stronger now. No use crying over them.

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In Creating A Band

I am not an authority in band making, but I can give some advice. For me, there are five essential elements needed: talent, relationship, attitude, discipline and inspiration.

-Talent is of course needed. you need people who can play the instruments and who will sing.

-Relationship is greatly needed. the members should be good friends. they should be able to communicate freely. it is a big plus if the members grew up together and were friends since childhood.

-Attitude. positive attitude to all members. all members should be ready to give and receive positive suggestions and criticism. a member should always follow the leader (if there is one) and the leader should not abuse his power and think that he is better than the rest of the band. each member should not think that he is too good for the band.

-Discipline is needed, especially in practices. members should always be on time. members should be disciplined. they should not "mess around". it is a waste of valuable practice time. but in jammings, it is sometimes okay to mess around.

-Inspiration is the foundation. what motivates the band is very important. here are my elements. it is what i think is needed. after considering them, always keep in mind that it does not matter if your band does not make it big, as long as you are together and having fun. having fun is all that matters. your band is the best as long as the members has good relationships.

Most of all, always remember that God gives the talent. it is only right to use it for Him. so consider making your band a praise and worship band. like 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God."

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KEVIN GARNETT: THE BEST MAN TO BE WITH KOBE BRYANT IN THE LAKERS

I thought the Lakers can be different this season, and improve their satisfactory performance last year to excellence this year because they were winning in the beginning of this NBA season. I was wrong. They were losing big time a little before the All-Star break, and then the second half of the season. Now, as I write this, there’s even a chance they can be knocked out from the playoffs (with a record of 40-39).

Kobe Bryant, as usual, excels this season. He won the All-Star MVP. And he scored some 50 and 60 point games this season, overtaking Carmelo Anthony for the number one in scoring in the league. He’s a good leader and player. But Kobe Bryant is not enough for the Lakers.

Lamar Odom is a very good player. All-Star material even. He can play some very good all-around basketball. But with him as Kobe’s sidekick is not enough.

Kwame Brown is a disappointment. Smush Parker is no superstar. Andrew Baynum is too slow to grow. Luke Walton is good but lacking. The Lakers need to improve their line-up. And I believe that one man will improve their line-up. There were talks of getting Jason Kidd from the Nets before the trade deadline this season. I have no complains since Kidd can quickly learn the Laker system. And his good, he can make the other Laker players improve in offense (when you’re free Kidd can find you), and also a great help in the frontcourt defense. Plus, though he’s a point guard he can grab those rebounds (like a Laker legend named Magic Johnson). But I was not much dismayed when the trade did not come true. I know they needed someone better than Kidd.

They need a big man who is not slow, can force himself to the basket, and can shoot anywhere. Someone to grab those rebounds – yup, Odom is good at them, but the Lakers need more than that. And, yes, to be a defensive force in the paint. And also to be effective in Coach Johnson’s triangle offense. Yup, a player like that. And I have one guy in mind. His name is Kevin Garnett.  He's the most appropriate big man to be with Kobe (second best would be Pau Gasol).

Yes, Kevin Garnett. He’ll look good in the purple or yellow jersey (just as Iverson looked good in a Denver uniform). He’s gone to several All-Star games, and won one All-Star MVP. He also has a regular-season MVP. He’s the man for the Lakers.

Now, Bryant and Garnett can work effectively.  It would be nice to see them playing together in the NBA. Imagine, Kobe driving though and breaking the oppositions’ defense, and then he founds Garnett and gave him a no look pass, Garnett turns to the basket and SLAM DUNK! That’ll be cool. Like Shaq and Kobe back then.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are holding on to KG too much. I think their waiting for a draft pick for a good guard to complement Garnett. (Sigh) I don’t know how the Lakers can facilitate such deal, but they have to be crafty, like send in some satisfactory players, and sweeten the deal with some draft picks.

Kevin Garnett is the man to be with Kobe Bryant in the Lakers. With the both of them in the Lakers, I’ll bet they’ll win another championship. It’s a fantasy I have to see them play together, and bring back glory to the Lakers. (Another cool fantasy I have for the Lakers is a Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Kidd line-up… dream on, Bernz).

All I can do is pray for divine intervention… and wait and see.

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