My new pair of bowling shoes

Last week, a bowling friend told me about the bowling shoes on sale at the Riverbanks Mall in Marikina City. The brand is Swatch with a regular price of P2,350 a pair.  And, the discounts range from 10 to 50%.  He’s buying one; and, I requested him to buy me a pair too (my 11-year old bowling shoes were already retiring). My friend and I have the same shoe sizes - 9″.  I’m not particular with the design so he could choose any design. I’m particular with the price and asked him to get the one with 50% off.

Last Sunday, he called me up informing me that the pairs with 50% discounts have no 9″ sizes, except for the one with faded colors and with spots.  There’s a nice pair but with 30% discount only.  He  described the color and design; and, I gave him my go signal.

At the tournament site last night, he gave my new pair of bowling shoes. I suspensely opened the box; and, lo and behold, I liked the shoes very much. I immediately donned and tried them. They perfectly fit my feet. I thanked my friend, reimbursed him, and treated him for some bottles of beer.  Thank you, friend!

Instant messaging

Instant messaging is now being used not just personally but in companies and organizations as well. It is a very effective tool of communication.

Our company is now into instant messaging. It has improved a lot our communication with our personnel in our branches nationwide, suppliers and customers both local and foreign. I also personally use it to communicate with my relatives and friends abroad.

If you want an instant messaging which is highly secured, you can try Brosix Public. It has already released its Brosix 3 BETA. Because of its very strong encryption applied to all data transfer, the risk of virus infections is nil.

I have already recommended to our IT department to try Brosix 3 Beta. Why not try it too?

My alternative exercise

For some time, I’ve considered bicycling as my alternative exercise to break the walking boredom. Finally, I decided to try it, despite the discouragement from wifey being a dangerous exercise.  Hence, I bought a new bicycle.  It’s not an expensive but one of the cheapest - less than P3,000 ($64) only. Actually, I saw one that I like with a price of P15,000 ($320), but I had second thought.  I’d like to determine first whether this exercise is for me or not before buying a better and expensive unit. So, I let a night passed and thought it over. When I woke the following morning, I decided on buying the low end unit only.  Should I decide not to continue biking or upgrade the bike to a high end unit, I would just give or donate this bike away; and, it wouldn’t break my heart.

First, I named my bike as “BikePot”. Then, I rode it to try on how the 16 gears work. It’s the first time I used a bike with gears. It’s been a long long time since I last rode a bike. He he he . . .

I broke in my new bike around UP Diliman oval last Sunday afternoon.  There, I met some bikers who gave me some tips and advices, especially on how to use the gears.

Offhand, I think I would love this exercise. But, I’d keep walking as my main exercise.

Happy Birthday to me!

Last Monday, June 8, was my 52nd birthday.  A year older, a year wiser? I hope!

How did I celebrate it? Actually, I had no plan of celebrating it due to financial reasons.  For the past year, I haven’t gotten much opportunities and tasks from my paid blogging.  I’m just averaging P2,000 a month. Hence, I had no budget!  Okay, I was just being wise!  He he he . . .

However, wifey and Jaja - my daughter, didn’t want to pass this milestone in my life without a celebration.  They made a plan to have a dinner celebration at the Emerald Restaurant along Roxas Boulevard – one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. My expense, of course! But, I heard Mamang - my mother, and my sister Evelyn, who’s currently working in the USA, would gift me some cash.  That’s good!  With a budget already in the air, I sent my invitations to some of our closest relatives.

We arrived at the restaurant at about 7:00 PM.  Wifey and Jaja - the planners, ordered the food – about eight viands and in large sizes - he he he . . .  We’re fifteen, including Baby Gab Gab, but there were plenty of left-overs.  And, the bill?  OMG, we overspent!  That’s fine!  Anyway, it’s my birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Thanks to Mamang and Sis Evelyn!

Please check wifey’s blogpost and web album about my birthday celebration!

The best place in the house

I think the best place in a house is the living room, whether a house is small, medium, large or grandiose. It is the most spacious place and has lot of things to do – from relaxing to watching a movie to having a party. It is also where you entertain your guests or visitors.

As such, the living room must be presentable that would make your guests and visitors appreciate it. And, to make it presentable, your Living Room Furniture should be elegant and yet sturdy.

The living room is my favorite place in our house. It is where I spend most of my time when I am home.

Another bowling tournament

Mark, our bowling team manager, called me up last Thursday and informed me that he again drafted me in the FAG Bearing Team for the Chamber of Mines Annual Tenpin Bowling Tournament this year – the 29th season. It’ll start on May 26.  The playing days are again every Tuesday after office hours at the Coronado Lanes, Star Mall in Mandaluyong City.

With my other bowling tournament currently ongoing, I think I’m prepared and better equipped for this year’s tournament.

I’m also happy I’m going to see my bowling friends again.  See you guys!

Thank you, Sir Mark!

I almost lost my wallet!

This morning, I was in UP Diliman for my second week of walk around the campus oval.

At the parking lot, I got out of the car, went at the back, and wore my walking shoes. After warming up, I locked my car.  As my habit before leaving my car, I went around it to check if all the doors were locked and the lights turned off.  I was about to leave and proceed with my walking when I noticed something on the ground – just under the driver’s seat. It’s my wallet.  I didn’t know how it fell off. It contains my driver’s license, credit cards, and some cash.

Whew! I was glad I saw it before somebody else did. Had I lost it, I couldn’t imagine the trouble of applying for the replacement my driver’s license and the credit cards.  Never mind the cash, it has less than P100 only.

A walk around the oval

We’re supposed to go to Tagaytay yesterday morning with Mamang. But, it was cancelled as wifey wasn’t feeling well. My daughter, Jaja, had a cough and she wasn’t able to report on time at 3:00 AM. Instead, she’d report for work for half-day only or at 8:00 AM.

I woke up at about 7:00 AM and saw Jaja preparing to leave.  Then, an idea popped up.  Since her work is near UP Diliman, I better take a walk around the UP oval.  So, I immediately changed to a walking outfit and prepared some things - face towel, another shirt, and bottles of water.

After dropping her off, I proceeded to UP Diliman and took a walk twice around the oval.  It was a refreshing walk. I’m now thinking of doing it at least one Saturday or Sunday in a month.

Backpacking and Camping Tools

I like camping. We used to camp often when we were still young, especially when I was still a boy scout. We still do it everytime we go out of town. Hence, I keep two tents and some camping tools and outdoor equipment. I have never tried backpacking yet.  But, my family is planning to do some backpacking in the near future just to experience it.

If you are a backpacker and/or a camper, you can find the best Backpacking and Camping Gear at MountainFitter.com – an outdoor adventure company. It offers every tool and equipment you would need in your backpacking and camping.  And, this is the best time to buy. All the products are on sale with free shipping until April 30.

You still have few more days. Visit MountainFitter.com now.

2nd quarterly installment of business tax

This is a reminder for those businesses in the Philippines who opted to pay their business taxes on quarterly basis.

Tomorrow, April 20, is the deadline for second quarterly payments.  For advance information, the third quarterly payment is due on July 20 and the last quarterly payment on October 20.

However, you may wish to check with your respective local government unit if it extended the deadline for the payment.

Pay your taxes on time to avoid the interests of 25% and penalty of 2% per month.