I See Yummy People

Had the best morning since April 21st. Yummy and I, through the magic of webcam and Internet technology, were able to see each other in a live web feed. He hooked up his own webcam which is exactly like mine. There were several rebooting of our machines, more on his side. Between text messaging on our cell phones, instant messaging and readjusting skype settings, I think we now have our own Goldilocks settings that work for us without crashing our machines.

It was daylight his time and dark morning my time. There was a bit more of a delay it seemed, but the experience was Pure Heaven. Apparently, Yummy was suffering from a bit of a hangover and hadn't shaved yet, but he looked like his nickname, just yummy. I could go on and gush more, but I think he would kill me. Yummy asked me if I had make-up on at 5am. He was indeed correct. Didn't want his first live video to be startling even though he's seen me in person looking like a member of Total Hagdom.

We both were able to see each other's homes by panning our cameras around manually. Cabal got camera shy despite the fact that he is usually vying for my attention when I am talking to Yummy. He stayed long enough for Yummy to see him while I petted him. For us to see each other doing a simple thing like sipping tea was like a gift from the gods...

Decided against taking my goddaughter and her siblings to Harry Potter today and will wait until next Sunday for the crowd to die down a bit. I am all about maximizing my movie going experience for the enjoyment of the film.

Saw Yummy again in the evening, but the technical difficulties forced us back to regular skypee. I think I need to wear headphones next time to take out the extra audio echo which made me wait to respond. Difficulties or no, it was worth it. I simply had the best day!

I See Yummy People

Ice Cream Social

One of the first things that greeted me was the announcement of our CEO's resignation which was short and to the point. My thinking is that it was not an option for him and more of a saving of face. We had another announcement earlier in the week of a high-level executive leaving, but she was staying on until her replacement was trained. Of course, a new unflattering article in Forbes magazine about his questionable activities from a previous company made the decision moot, I guess. No wonder he said nothing to me as he skulked down the stairs yesterday.

Despite the corporate announcement, my department had a great time talking in the morning. We were genuinely filled with mirth. I came to the conclusion that I could really be friends with my boss and Bridget. It gave me warm fuzzies inside. I regaled them with descriptions of the ghoulish anticipation and greed people in our building exhibit when there is an ice cream social because we were having one this afternoon. People act like freakos when there is something given away for free. Why is that?

Every year our building throws a catered ice cream social in the summer and a catered lunch at Christmas as a thank you to all the tenants . All the tenants get to rub elbows among each other. What is amazing is that we have three main elevators for six floors and they all have a five minute wait and are jam-packed with people during this time. The employees mill around and queue up like ants for the goodie buffet. Bridget and I contemplated repelling with rope from the inner balcony down to the goodies a la Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.

After eating our serving of vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate and sprinkles (nonpareils) plus mini squares of brownies and cookies, we all suffered an afternoon slump from the initial sugar high. Talk about food coma!

Thought about Yummy and worried about him and his recent migraines. Mentioned as much to Tawny and Bridget even though he reassured me he was feeling better today. I don't think men, in general, get how we women worry, but they do seem to care when we don't. No chance of that here; too much of a worry wart. Sigh.

Researched invoices in the afternoon and brainstormed for Project AGOL when it struck me. I continued the brainstorming in the evening by storyboarding videos I will be producing with my new webcam, digital camera, toothpicks, school glue and glitter. Working with a shoestring budget of no film crew, no set and no proper filming equipment. Filipino ingenuity dictates that we can build the Empire State Building out of toothpicks so this should be cake. I enjoy a challenge.

Ice Cream Social

Tuesday Twang

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

Wondering if Mark Twain would still feel the same if he had to sift through the 21st Century BS. I have a great feeling that none of it would phase him. It would make him that much more determined to throw off the bowlines. After all, he was born in the Show Me* State, Missouri, where they don't believe it unless they see it.

On an odd note, Twain had a link to the Philippines in which he wrote Incident in the Philippines. His words were a part of his group's campaign in the opposition of the U.S. annexation of the Philippines. How's that for six-degrees to history?

Meanwhile, Yummy received another funny video e-mail from me. Instead of an alien, he received a cheery theme that starts out with me sporting a demented British accent. Poor bloke probably cringed as I cringe when he says things with an American accent. I don't mind showing my goofy side -- actually, I thought it was a rather cute clip. He needs an example of what not to do when you get a new webcam. Ha!

Updated with original video sent to Yummy thanks to new blogger gizmo. I should be embarrassed to post this, but I don't mind because it was real and there is beauty in truth:



Truth be told, my proficiency in creating the content and working with the technology are holding promises and possibilities for Project AGOL. I must set a deadline for myself to get those mini vids recorded and up on youtube rather sooner than later...

Worked steadily throughout the day and the mood at work was much improved as well. Maybe it was my mood now that I think about it.

Tawny couldn't stay away from e-mailing work peeps via her crackberry phone while they drove down the Southern States. She and her husband should be home late tonight. I believe she mentioned that by the time they get home from two weeks of vacation on the road, they will have driven through 18 States and racked up 8,400 miles. How many oil changes did that include?

Talked to Kristey on the way home. For some reason trying to write her during work hours is challenging. I was glad I caught up with her. She might meet us gals for walking on Saturday morning, but no promises. Keeping my fingers crossed. That would make four of us braving the heat and humidity.

Brought my lunch today and didn't eat all of it so I found myself craving some Southern fried chicken for dinner. The same fried chicken I denied myself on the 4th of July. I caved in and was satisfied. Will have to drink a vat full of water to counteract the sodium. Uh, make that two vats for the other serving I will be having for lunch tomorrow. Good lawd.

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*Show Me slogan wasn't coined and popularized until the last 13 years of Mark Twain's life.

Tuesday Twang

Yankee Doodle AGOL

Happy Fourth of July!

Woke up normal time thanks to Cabal and sent Yummy his surprise. I told him he would receive it via e-mail at 10am his time. My e-mail contained a video of me I made using my new webcam. Get your mind outta the gutter. There is only room for mine.

Anyhoo, with this brand, they have avatars that you can calibrate to your face so that it can mimic your facial expressions as you speak and other cool accessories to superimpose on your face. I chose a green alien with a planet in the background and then giggled my way through the rest of the recording with other visual effects. It was quite hilarious. Yummy enjoyed it and we discussed it more during our IM chat in the afternoon. I told him my plan of using it for Project AGOL. We'll see how it goes.

Updated with the original video thanks to new blogger feature:



Received some holiday text wishes from Tawny and Kathy which always cracks me up. I used to be big on celebrating the 4th of July. Sometimes I would go to two events in one day. Now, well, now it is in the middle of the week which is awkward and I can't leave Cabal to watch fireworks. The blasts going off around the neighborhood bother him too much.

Thinking about Independence Day makes me think of my own citizenship. In April 1984, I became a US citizen. I didn't understand the whole thing when I took my oath at 12 years of age, but I have learned to respect the privilege...

Today also makes me remember celebrating the Bicentennial (1976!) in the Philippines. I remember being with my mom on the Air Force Base watching the fireworks display while sitting in the bleachers of a football field. Looking up in the black sky, pyrotechnic chrysanthemums exploded in the air one by one. I would imagine them as gifts raining down from the sky. I can even recall the commemorative white t-shirt with American emblems on it.

Spent the evening watching TV and comforting Cabal during the fireworks in the neighborhood. He really doesn't like hearing the explosions. Poor pup. Wherever I went he was a step behind me. Oh man! I just remembered I have an American flag bandanna for him. He would've been so cute with it around his neck! Sigh. Guess we'll have to settle for him being naturally cute. He's got enough cute to go around.

Yankee Doodle AGOL