Archive for May, 2008

25
May

For the Sake of Just Saying Something

By conrad-mananes 1 Comment
Categories: Current Affairs

There really is something disturbing about the cultute in my new place of work. I know it might be negligible but I believe that it is an implication of something even more serious. Everyone seems to be in the terrible habit of trying to out-talk everyone else. As if the world is a great big quiz show and you have to prove the other person wrong…or at least talk them to death.

It really is rather anoying the way everyone seems to say:

"No, you’re wrong…" or "Well, what actually happened there was…"

It’s so tiresome the way everyone is verbally competing against each other.

The other day, I just got so fed up with the situation that I decided to say something stupid on purpose. The following is the conversation that ensued:

Conrad: (upon hearing a song performed by Madonna and Justin Timberlake) "I love this song!

Office Girl: "Of course, that song was composed by Timberland"

Conrad: (knowing fully well that it was a collaboration of the said composer and other artists said–out of sheer desire to have the last statement) "…Well, actually, it’s Madonna."

I turned and walked away and just felt the stupidity of the situation but at the same time fulfilled that I did have the last say.

Jeez, I will just have to learn to keep away from such conversations that force you to compete.

I therefore resolve that I will never give my opinion to these people for the remainder of this month. I mean, unless they are ready to have a real conversation.

22
May

Hearing Without Listening

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Current Affairs

If there was really one thing I miss about all my past employment is the fact that you can actually have an intelligent conversation with any of your officemates. I don’t mean the high-end, trying-to-be-artsy-fartsy talk…I mean having a friendly chat without anyone trying to out-talk the other person. To some extent, I know that this is due to me being that breath of fresh air…the new guy that everyone wants to share stories with…and eventually dump on. But you can’t really call it a conversation if the talk is coming from other people and you aren’t really allowed the courtesy of being listened to. Ah well. I guess the good part of it all is that I get to conserve my voice. However, I must admit it to be a difficult chore to sit there and be saturated with info that is either irrelevant to you as a person, useless in terms of your work, or even something you know to be totally false. Okay, the word is not "chore". It is a burden and a very difficult task to sit there and listen to bullshit.

13
May

Gone Too Soon

By conrad-mananes 2 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

It came as a shock. Marlon Robles, my former employer’s son had died at the age of 21. At first I didn’t want to believe it…or I didn’t want to know so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. Not to say that I was close to the boy. In fact the only memory I have of him was when I was assigned to be his voice coach during the production of his sister’s debut. Bottom line was–there was no avoiding it.

Saturday morning I was called by Tina, my former manager. "Conrad, have you heard?" she started. I had a feeling she was referring to Marlon. I was right. "Are you busy?"…and even though I had planned an activity for myself that day, I decided to go to the wake and fulfill my duty as former employee and friend. It wasn’t even a question for me. I just had to go.

I hastily gathered my song pieces and desperately looked for songs appropriate for a wake and necrological mass. It’s a frightening thought that a wedding singer is so skilled at his profession that he forgets about other occasions where his talents are needed. Let’s face it. Weddings are extremely different from funerals. I packed up my keyboard and other equipment, rode a taxi and proceeded to the funeral parlor.

As I entered the establishment, I saw old acquaintances from my days at Royale Homes. Luminaries from the Real Estate were also there. They greeted me and that’s when I realized that I really was a celebrity in my own right.

There’s something disturbing about funerals and death in particular. Death itself being a mystery and something that all of us will ultimately have to face but to attend someone’s wake who died in his prime–and much younger than yourself gets one thinking of each one’s purpose in life. There’s something especially sad about a young person dying. It’s a situation that leaves the parents wondering why things have to be so tragic. I was suddenly reminded of that line from the movie Lord of the Rings where the king Theorden says: "No parent should have to bury their child."

I have seen my employers in all aspects of life however, this was the only time I had seen them directly affected since it was a death in their own house. There simply is no consoling a grieving parent. Death is painful enough but the passing of your own flesh and blood is especially painful.

I couldn’t do anything but hug Ma’am Diding and kiss her forehead in the hopes that she felt how much I empathize with her and the family.

05
May

Just wanted to say hi

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Hi PIMS kids!!!

Just thought I’d drop by and say hi! As you may have noticed. I do not go on-line (YM) as I used to. I’m sorry. Unfortunately with this new job, they feel no need for internet. Either that or the owners are just plain thrifty…to a fault. Ah well! they did say that they tried it once and that maybe sometime later this year they might install a connection. In the mean time. We’ll just have to content ourselves with our correspondence through eMail and SMS.

Hey, how’s the planning for the Manila tour going? I sure hope that pushes through before the rainy season. Well, gotta go. And, yes, I’m sending this through my computer at home. LOL. See you guys soon!