Mailing Lists

I’ve been spending a whole lot of time online and I probably have joined every mailing list of every interesting site I visited. No new homeowner lists, though. Maybe later, when I do have an actual home I own.

I realize the importance of business mailing lists to promote  a particular brand or product. As a consumer, you get to have the latest updates or any product upgrades by subscribing to newsletters from the manufacturers or distributors. That way, you’ll also learn if there are discounts and promos available from stores or even on online stores. There may even be rewards for frequent buyers or long-term clients and no one would like to miss those. So I really believe direct mailing lists are necessary, even if your someone who is lazy to go through piles of e-mails or even real mails.

At work, I spend a lot of time answering mails from colleagues. I remember, one time, I was tasked to attend a seminar on writing efficient e-mail. Gah, it was the most boring thing ever. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude or to blast the program but I felt that it wasn’t something I need. Ok, that sounds really pompous but you know what I mean. Well, at least I hope you do get it. Anyway, so even with business mails, some people just can’t help forwarding e-mails of motivations, true stories, and the likes. I do browse them, sometimes, try to look for anything that might be new or interesting than your usual forwarded e-mail. But I don’t forward because it’s supposed to be not allowed, and besides, I’m not really fond of those. Not that mailing lists of products are not as blatantly trying to influence your thinking or whatever. But sometimes it’s kinda fun to look at pictures of those shiny products. It’s a form of entertainment, really.

Looking for Car Reviews

We’re looking to transfer to a new apartment before the month ends and my sister and I were thinking about the disadvantages of not having a car at this point. The one place I am excited about sort of needs a private vehicle to comfortably live in and so I’m thinking of scourging for CAR REVIEWS so I can see if there’s any possible option  I can have. I’m definitely will not be able to buy a brand-new car so second-hand cars are my best bet. I honestly do not know much about cars so maybe I need to ask some friends to give me advice and maybe even go with me to do some canvassing and to read Car Reviews with.

Everytime I go to the grocery and have to carry several heavy plastic bags, I wish that I have my own car. Going to and from work is not much of a hassle for now but once we transfer apartments, it’s going to be a longer and more tedious travel to work. That’s why finding my own car is very much needed right about now. I’m thinking of looking for auto loans. I may need to contact my bank very soon for that. Besides online car reviews, doing some test drives and posibly doing a “survey” with people I know with regard to the car they’re currently using may also help. Gah, I need to enroll to a driving school soon, seeif I can have the guts to drive my own car.

New York, New York

New TV Shows

There are quite a number of TV shows, new and new to me, that I’ve been lining up to watch. One, there’s the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff Angel, the tale of the Slayer’s first love who had to leave Sunnydale and made a home in Los Angeles. There are familiar faces like Cordelia and Wesley, together with new faces, to make up a team of paranormal investigators led by a vampire. Then, there’s Battlestar Galactica, the widely acclaimed science fiction show that just ended its run. Joss Whedon’s new show Dollhouse is also making the news now. The old TV shows can be watched, I think, on syndication. The others are on cable. I wish I can have a service like the San Francisco Satellite Television. Satellite TV does sound better than ordinary cable; I believe its advantage is that it can reach areas that are not serviceable by terrestrial or cable providers. In areas like San Francisco satellite tv provides a wide range of channels and services. If only I can subscribe to something like that. Besides the TV shows, there are also many great m,ovie channels and also sports channels that I want to watch. I even miss watching the National Geographic Channel and the Discovery Channel. Sigh. Now I’m dreaming of Satellite TV San Francisco.

Let’s Travel: Dubai

When I think about traveling to a different country, I always think about Paris, London, or New York. That’s quite typical but there’s specifically something about these cities that I want to see. Well, for one, they each have a Grand Slam tennis event. On the side, they also have theaters where most of my favorite musicals are being played. But when I think about Asian countries, Singapore or Thailand immediately spring to mind. Singapore because I know quite a lot of people who  work there, and Thailand because ever since I saw Leonardo di Caprio’s movie The Beach, I can’t stop thinking about Phuket’s beautiful beaches. Lately, though, Dubai has also gotten my attention. A Dubai Holiday would seem to be a great one. My sister, for one, have long been wanting to work as a customer service agent there.I was always apprehensive when she tells me this because it’s too far and the culture seems to be really different, but I’ve read that Dubai is quite an open and free country. Besides, it also looks like a rich country with plenty of sights to offer. So I wouldn’t say no to Dubai Holidays if anybody would offer to sponsor one (wink, wink). Working there, on the other hand, may not be a life dream of mine. I’ll leave that to my sis. Holidays Dubai is all I’m looking forward to. Maybe I’ll see Roger Federer there. I know he has a house there and practices during the pre-Australian open season to get used to the heat. There are also ATP and WTA tournaments being held there so that’s more than just an added bonus.

Wheels

I was supposed to go badminton racket shopping today.  See, there’s this place that supposedly sells Carlton badminton rackets for up to 70% discount. And not just rackets, but also bags and all those other sports accessories. Friends of mine have already bought there and they were happy with the discounts they got so I figured I might as well check it out. The problem now is that I don’t know the place and it’s not easy to go to through commute. I probably will just take a cab but wouldn’t it be a lot easier if I have a car? I so need a car. It’sabout time I find myself a second hand car, because there’s no way I can buy a brand new one these days.

Every time I do groceries, carrying the heavy shopping bags and having to walk from the jeepney stop to my compound’s gate, I always dream about driving my own car. It doesn’t matter if it’s a used car. A lot of people I know buy used cars, especially those who are driving for the first time. I think I should wait until I have enough money to check for cars before I enroll in a driving school. I’m scared enough as it is, and I think I might forget it if I’ll study now and practice and drive later. I remember when I was barely 15, my father used to teach me to drive in our owner-type jeep. He even let me drive on the highway, with all those trucks and buses and with filled passengers of genuinely scared adults. That may not be such a good idea. Although I can remember that even with the paralyzing fear, I was in control. But then I didn’t really become a full-pledged driver then because I was judged too young and too reckless. I miss those times. When I was carefree and careless. I couldn’t imagine it now, but I’ll surely be a more careful driver in the future.

On Debts

Money comes and go so fast these days. It’s almost like you work hard, you get your pay, you hold it in your hands for a while, then off it goes to pay dues and basic needs. It’s downright depressing. Ok, maybe this is not something everyone can relate to but it has been an ongoing dilemma of mine. I wish I can find the end of the rainbow. There may be a pot of gold there. 

The whole process of DEBT COLLECTION is messy. I’ve read and heard about tales of people hiding from credit card debt. The card company will then call you incessantly; they will not give you peace. In some worse cases, they even go to the debtor’s home to force them to make payments. This is an example of debt collection that is so not funny. Well, I mean of course, they will have to hunt a debtor who is hiding from his or her responsibilities but can’t there be any more civilized way of doing things? Well, I guess I don’t know a lot of things so I better just avoid these instances and pay my bills diligently. Better than to get myself tied up to these weird and messy debt collection scenarios.

One time, I had a row with a customer service representative because he was so rude that as he was insisting that I get the loan he is offering, he’s almost showing no respect for the person on the other end of the line. I was actually amused as well as pissed because he talked to me like I am indebted of him or something. When I fuinally chuckled and said my piece, that I am in no way interested and he can do nothing to make me think otherwise, he slammed the phone that I was forced to report him to the credit card company. I never checked if it amounted to something but I am not excited in any way to deal with such people, ever, again.

Court Pretty

I’ve always wondered about how some professional athletes like to wear jewellery while playing, especially in tennis. With all the focus on glamor in women’s tennis, you’ll see players like Maria Sharapova or Serena Williams wear those dangling earrings, necklaces, bracelets, even watches, all in the name of fashion. Well, I certainly am not familiar with the professional play but just watching them will make you think that it’s kinda intense and you’ll have to think that all those accessories make a bit of a hindrance  in movement. It looks uncomfotable. But, again, what do I know?!

I tried to play badminton once while wearing my watch and I had to remove it after a few minutes of play for fear of being a cause of injury. It also can get damaged or can fall off. I’m quite weary of wearing a necklace because with all the sudden movements and lunging and running around, it can get tangled up in your neck and it can be very uncomfortable. It will only cause interruption in the game and a few bruises here and there. Well, it may be different for other people so I’m not gonna generalize. Besides, when you think about it, those in the pro circuit are probably sponsored by the companies that manufacture those accessories, for example citizen watches, so they really have no choice but to bear with it.

Speaking of sponsorship, how cool is it that women tennis players can “dress up” and look pretty on court and have all their dud come to them for free? With Sharapova, she earns a whole lot more with sponsors than out of her brilliance in the tennis court. She’s an empire! Well, she does deserve it, but it’s just funny that because she’s considered to be the most glamorous and statuesque player around, she gets so much more buzz and endorsements than the others, even those ranked above her, even if she hasn’t been playing for months now. Heck, her practice sessions even get coverage. Ah, to be young, popular, and pretty!

Let’s Trade

A friend of mine recently fessed up about trying the stock market once. That totally surprised me because I’ve never seen him as the type that is interested in stock trading. That was before recession took a hit to the world and people are still brave in investing money. I’ve always thought about doing just that although I have zero knowledge about that whole side of business. Truth be told, I have zero knowledge about business. Period. Anyway, my friend’s trial didn’t work out so I can’t use him as an options trading mentor or anything.  

I tried to read about how that thing works and it practically gave me nosebleeds. I’ll need options trading mentoring if I really want to get it. I do believe that this is neither a past time nor a hobby but a serious profession. Besides, you’re going to be shelling out money. That’s no joke. I think options mentoring will help to develop strategies beyond learning about the, well, trade (no pun intended).

I guess there are books about these things. Like a Dummy’s guide or something. Maybe I’ll also check those out sometime. Nowmaybe this is really not the best time to deal on something as risky as stock trading. I just thought that having at least an understanding might be a good thing.

You Be the Power

You know one thing that’s hard about blogging? Titles! Sometimes I come up with lameass types like that one up there. Oh, well, that’s what I get when I’m too sleepy to think of anything that makes sense. Probably shouldn’t blog when sleepy but the erratic Internet connection and the electricity surges makes me want to finish writing whatever it is I have in my head right away.

I’ve been advising my brother about possible courses in college where he can shift. He’s not much into the sciences but I really don’t know where his interest lies. Well, he’s good with drawings and computers. I told him to look into electrical schools if he is into fixing stuff like that but even I am a little squirmish about the dangers of jobs along that lines. But a good electrical school  will probably teach safety measures, so yeah. Besides, if he’ll get an electrician certification then our our home appliances can definitely use the help.  

Truth is, I want him to think about it really well as  that decision will impact his future prospects. If I had though about that when I was still in college, when I’m honestly at a loss where I want to be headed, then I probably would have been in a much different job - one that is more attuned to my interest and I will be more happy about.