I Want to Ride my Bicycle - Bike to Work Day 1

Finally I tried commuting to work via bicycle. Always thought of doing it but never did. My bike was solely for recreational activities, trail biking, uphill trails and weekend rides.

But today I rode my bicycle to work, and it was a very nice and cool experience. It only took me more or less 20 minutes for a 6 kilometer ride. If I drive, it will take me about 45 minutes or more from my home to office. By public transport, it is about 1 hour to 1 hr and 30 mins. Distance is quite short, but a lot of time is wasted on heavy traffic and stop lights for the multiple intersections you have to pass thru. Thus the longer commute time on public transport or by driving a car.

I had a lot of excuses then of not riding my bicycle to work. Below are a few.
1. I do not have a commuter bike that suits the city. (I own a Mountain bike)
2. I cannot be sweaty and smelly coming in to the office.
3. What if it rains?
4. It can be dangerous with all the crazy and un-courteous drivers out there.
5. I hate waking up early.

It is summer break, classes our out, yet there is still heavy traffic on the metro.
Sigh, I thought traffic would ease out, but it is only worse.
Worsen by all the road "repairs" project of the government.

There's a saying, "If ain't broke, don't fix it".
There was a govt official who said to bear with the inconvenience and that there will be better roads after the repairs. But I doubt it.  There are some parts of the city wherein the road "repairs" are already done, and it ain't are better roads.

While some road works had the old asphalt or pavement scrape the top layer, other works has the old roads totally "removed". Notice though, that  for every road repair it will result on a more elevated road, usually higher than the gutters and center islands. As a result it is more of a road safety concern when we should have safer roads after the road works. Certainly are not better roads.

Gerunding an idiomed

The first seven phrases I have read somewhere, I added more to the list for the fun of it.
Most of these may not make sense at all, but it is fun.

• Bored people are boring
• Interested people are interesting
• Tired people are tiring
• Depressed people are depressing
• Loved people are loving
   
• Excited people are exciting
• Annoyed people are annoying
• Irritated people are irritating
• Stressed people are stressing
• Satisfied people are satisfying

•  Exposed people are exposing
• Loved people are loving
• Endangered people are endangering
• Wacked people are wacking
• Sacked people are sacking 

Man of Steel

While on the return trip to Cebu from Camotes, the ferry we were on was playing Man of Steel.
The trip was rather "bumpy" since there was a tropical depression, and although I would like to sleep my trip home, the ship was rocking with the strong waves. Instead, I indulged myself in to watching again Man of Steel.

Of all the comic super heroes, Superman was my least favorite, I was never a fan of Superman. What I do not like with Superman, is the fact that he is invincible, impervious to anything, except maybe for Kryptonite, which the creator has to make up in order to make his hero not totally impeccable. Everyone must have a weak spot or some sort of vulnerability. Yet even so, I do not like the fact that he has super powers because he is from another planet. Another thing, while the billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne has an alter ego as Batman or the genius billionaire playboy Tony Stark has the alter ego of Iron Man, Superman on the other hand has the alter ego of Clark Kent. Not Superman being the alter ego of Clark, well simply because, he is Superman by nature, and he has to disguise himself to blend in.

While Peter Parker has to create his web shooter, Bruce has to use his detective skills and gizmos from his utility belt, Stark has to use his armor for protection and technological advantage, Clint Barton (Hawkeye) has to master his archery skills, Superman just has to use his out of this world godlike super powers. He just go out and be the Man of steel he is, no sweat.

Going back to the latest film reboot of Superman, generally I find it overly long and by most parts boring and tiring to watch. While this film reboot was produced and written by Chris Nolan and David Goyer, the same team that brought the Batman reboot, this film was not at par with the Dark Knight trilogy of films. I am a fan of Nolan's works from Insomia, Inception, The Prestige and of course his take on Batman. But I was disappointed with Man of Steel, he may not have directed it but he produced and co wrote the story.

A Good Day to Reflect

Early on Good Friday we went to Tabor Hills at Talamban to do a little sacrifice and do the way of the cross. While the streets are almost empty, it is as if there was a barrio fiesta when we get there. Parking is full, vendors selling bottled water, and families and groups of people walking up the hill. It was more festive than solemn...At the entrance, there were reminders to "dress modestly" and to "keep silent". I was wearing short pants and my sister commented on that. I told her that others might be wearing "pants" but they are not modest at all. Why? How can leggings be modest? You see a girl, a lady walking up the steps wearing her form fitting leggings. How many guys do you think have been feasting with theirs eyes? ...Modest is about being dressing properly and being decent enough not to attract sexual attention...Well, this is the 21st century, definition of modesty has changed so much so has the moral  values...So we endured the heat of the sun and the steep hills doing our share of little sacrifice...It was a nice experience, rewarding in fact... On our way down, there were still a lot of people going up... We were done for the morning and headed home feeling a little better, then in the afternoon we will head to the church for the afternoon service and procession... Settled in and turned on the telly and Michael Corleone was on the screen... I can no longer count how many times I have watched the Godfather, and every chance I get I still watch this beautiful classic, this film is just timeless... It was only fitting to be shown on a Good Friday, with all those religious undertones, importance of family ties and themes of loyalty and betrayal, and sacrifice for the better good of the family... A good way to end my morning reflection... I will not get bored of watching this again and again... The day is still young.., Have a blessed day everyone...

Escape to Santiago Bay

Never been to Camotes, until last weekend. Always wondered what it was like on Camotes as I have heard a lot of how beautiful the island is.

So last weekend, we headed for Camotes, ahead of the Holy Week when it is peak season for the beach resorts. I was so excited to be finally heading to these group of islands near the island of Cebu.

The journey started by getting on a public utility jeepney (PUJ) from Cebu City to Danao City. The trip was about 30 minutes and we alighted right in front of Danao port. We were trying to catch the 630am trip to Consuelo port, however the trips from Danao are 530 am and 830am. We arrived at 6 am and had to wait for another 2 hours, oh bugger.

I was also expecting to ride a pump boat going to Camotes, however it was since been discontinued. Now, you will go to Camotes via a ferry or RORO (Roll on, roll off). The sea trip lasted about two (2) hours. We docked at Consuelo port at around 11 in the morning.

Once there, expect to be greeted by waiting multicabs and habal-habal (scooters) wanting to drive you all the way to the resort.

The fare is 50 pesos, either on the mutlicab or on habal-habal, so we decided to take the multicab for a safer ride and since it was already noon.


We arrived at Santiago Bay Garden Resorts after 15 to 20 minutes ride from Consuelo port.
The driver was courteous and kind enough to give us directions where the resort's front desk was. The staff at the resort were friendly and accommodating and since we already have a reservation and booking in advance, we were given our keys to the room right away.

After settling with our room, we decided to try out their restaurant since we were starving. The restaurant has the best view to the bay.

Maundy

Streets are almost empty, a few public transport and private cars roaming around the city.
It is Maundy Thursday and almost everyone has went to their home towns or on vacation somewhere on a nice white sandy beach or island resort. This is the time for reflection and recollection, repentance and forgiveness, yet here I am at the office working my butt. Sucker!...
Yes, I envy those who are on vaction mode right now, or even those that are just at their homes relaxing or even just taking time to reflect. I wish I was at home too right now....
Oh everyone at the office right now are in a dilemma on where to eat lunch as most if not all establishments are closed. One even suggested to have a McDo or Jollibee delivery, hmmm...
For Catholics, Holy week, is a time for fasting and abstinence, but in today's generation only a few really understand what these means. At the start of the Lenten season, Ash Wendesday, Catholics were supposed to fast, eat only one full square meal, and abstain from red meat on Fridays. But as most Catholics nowadays, they would continue to eat red meat on Friday's, adding that "wala man mi nag pa badlis", we did not had the mark of the cross on our foreheads. Whether you had the mark of the cross on your foreheads, or not, it is not an excuse to eat red meat, or to put simply, as Catholics no one is excused from not eating red meat... 
On the topic of where to eat, problem is, even carenderias, hole in the walls and small eateries are closed. Bugger! Maybe it is really a time for us to fast?...hmmm...

Afritada

My version of Chicken Afritada.
Afritada is simply chicken simmered in tomato sauce with potatoes and carrots.
(You can also use pork with the same ingredients and procedure).

For this recipe, I will use chicken wings.

First, prepare the spices, potatoes and carrots.

.

Sautee the spices except the onions. The onions will be added later.

After sauteing the spices, add the chicken wings and cook for a little while.

Add a little vinegar.

Add the onions.

Then add water and simmer.

Add the potatoes, and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Put in the carrots.

Once the potato is tender, add the tomato sauce.

Let it simmer then add some beans.

Taste, add some salt if needed and it is done.

Ready to serve.

The Winter Soldier: the Captain America sequel.

Last weekend, me and my girlfriend, finally watched the Winter Soldier, the second Captain America movie.

We watched it on the newest cinema of Ayala Center Cebu, Cinema 5. Cinema 5 is located at the top most level of the newest wing of Ayala Mall, and the entrance to the theater is just beside The Fudge.
Cinema 5 feels like an Imax theater with their seat arrangement as there is only one level. The seats have armrests that can be folded and are very comfortable to sit in. It will make for a relaxing and more enjoyable movie experience.

The movie was entertaining and packed with action sequences as you would have expected from a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie.There are several references to other Marvel characters and familiar faces from the other MCU movies. Nick Fury has a bigger part in this outing than in other MCU films. We also get to see Capt and the Black Widow becoming more of just colleagues but as friends.

The film feels like a spy thriller with a superhero twist. There are several nods to other familiar films as well. Then, there is Robert Redford as a top SHIELD officer and friend of Fury. We get to see the Capt with new fighting techniques and hand to hand combat skills. It makes you feel like you are watching a Bourne film. But I think the film was too long for me, but it was necessary as there scenes that are need to build character and relationships. We get to see more of the operations of SHIELD, their office and building, and more on their interesting technology.

Overall the movie was quite entertaining and sheds some light and back stories to the characters. The story was well paced, and the action sequences well choreograph. This is another strong addition to the Marvel Universe, can't wait to see the Avengers: Age of Ultron next year.