He will succeed if he remains firm in principle and goes beyond selfish considerations to mingle freely with those who do not share his feelings, as well as those who do. - I Ching When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth andlove has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a timethey seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, ALWAYS. --Mahatma Gandhi 05-18-2003 2:45am I'm bored so I'm gonna share with you some useless information I have learned in my life. And now thanks to me, you will know a little bit more about the world. On the other hand, I really don't know if you will be better off for it or not. I hope you enjoy. World Facts 1. Coconuts kill more people in the world than sharks do. Approximately 150 people are killed each year by coconuts. 2. A rape is reported every six minutes in the United States. 3. In France, the Big Dipper is called the "casserole 4. Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's highest waterfall, at 979 meters. This waterfall is sixteen times the height of Niagara Falls. 5. Canada is an Indian word meaning "Big Village." 6. The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean. 7. Bruce Lee was so fast, that they actually had to slow a film down so you could see his moves. That is the opposite of the norm. 8. The first product that Sony came out with was the rice cooker. 9. The first subway system in America was built in Boston, Massachusetts in 1897. 10. When Saigon fell, the signal for all Americans to evacuate was Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" being played on the radio. 05-17-2003 10:18am I am lazy. That or I have a really short attention span and whenever I start a new project and it gets stuck at a stand still then instead of working even harder on it, I just stop doing anything and look for something else to do that will make my life more exciting. On a more fun note, yesterday, I was in the elevator with one of the cleaning woman at the office. She is actually kind of cute and I have been wanting to talk to her for a while but it never amounted to anything more then a hello and a nod. She is a bit older then I am but certainly adorable. However, I have never thought about talking to her since it's not a good policy to help myself to the aids but most of all because she seems like a nice person and lets be honest, I'll probably end up hurting her since I am not exactly the dating type. So anyway, I was leaving the building at some ridiculous hour of the night and I had just stepped into the elevator when I see her coming out of the woodswork heading for the elevator. I am a gentleman after all and thought that I would hold the elevator for her and she must have really liked the gesture. On the way down the elevator she kept trying to make small talk with me and even as we were exiting the building she kept talking and even asked me to go out with her for a cup of coffee. I declined the invitation making some excuse that I had to be up early in the morning. Yes on a Sunday morning at that. It is not because I had any plans for Saturday night or anything nor because I did not want to go but as stated earlier, I am not exactly a "good guy" when it comes to long time relationships and even though I am such a person, I do have a conscience and I really do not like hurting people. Yet, I wonder... Did I make a mistake by not accepting to go? We come from two different worlds and mine is not so bright. Oh, and I'm also out of coffee so I'm off to the store. 05-15-2003 8:45pm Sometimes you get a response that you certainly did not expect. I could happen when you are ordering a number three combo at McDonalds and you end up getting an extra apple pie for free just because you have a pretty smile or from simply going to the neighborhood pulperia to get a snack and the owner asks you if you need some more condoms because he just got a new flavor in stock. Another strange event I want to write about is the animal problem in Costa Rica. I am talking about the house I am currently living in. When we first moved in, it was great for it had a balcony, a quiet neighborhood, and a clothes washing machine. Then my roommate starting hearing things in the walls and we began to notice little wooden droplets on the floor that would constantly appear every week even though we always swept it up. Another thing we noticed was the trash can for we would wake up and always find it knocked down on its side with its content littering the kitchen floor. As well as sometimes, when it is late at night and you happen to be watching TV and you think that you see something out of the corner of your eyes but when you turn around to see what it is, it is gone. Weird eh? What brought m to this subject today is that the other night, we finally figured out what was knocking down the trash can. It was a cat. A black cat to be exact. We were in the living room when all of a sudden through the living room doorway a piece of plastic wrapping flying by. I'm like, what the heck? I first thought it was the wind but my roommate thought he saw a critter so I run out of the living room and end up on the patio when I see this black cat with a guilty look in its eyes. Ah ha, there is the culprit that has been tipping our trash can over. He happen to have been licking the plastic wrapping that used to house a few steaks. Oh the villain. I still can't figure out how the freaken cat got in the kitchen house though. As to the wooden pellets, I think we have a rat problem even though Sylvia, the landlord swears that they are not rats but rather a large bred of gerbils. Rats or gerbils I still do not want to share my house with them. That's how you get diseases. We also have on a regular basis birds that like to fl in, sing a song on our kitchen table and take off without a goodbye. I almost forgot that we also have a couple of lizards that have decided to make themselves at home. They actually live under the clothes washing machine but at night, they crawl in under the window and watch TV with us while eating the various stray insects that crawl through our house. I actually don't mind the lizards to much since they are small and help out with the bug problems. This is for all of you who are thinking about visiting me in Costa Rica. You will not be the only guests staying at my house. Hum, not sure how I got into all of the animals that roam through my house since I was just going to write about an unexpected e-mail that I received this morning but I'll save that for myself. 05-13-2003 11:16am I wonder if the package I sent has arrived to its recipient yet. Third world country postal system is so unreliable but I am grateful that they have a mail service at all. I think that I will be starting a new business soon. It is not exactly the most honorable business in the world yet, it should bring in money fairly fast even though it is not something that I want people to know about. I have a date today. I have known the person for about a year and we have gone out a few times and we were "special friends" you could say and to be honest, I don't think we will ever be more then that but it has been a while since I have been on one since I have been pretty busy of late doing this and that so when she called out of the blues the other day, I thought to myself, why not. I also went out last night looking for trouble. Of course, I did not find any and it was rather dead all through the city. How come is it that whenever you are looking for action, you can never find it but when you are not, it always comes and finds you? I don't think I will ever understand life and its quirky mysteries. 05-07-2003 1:28pm Useless and spoiled. I’m cold and I’m tired but I have no reasons to be tired except that I didn’t get enough sleep last night. Of late, everybody who has met me seem to think that I am a very serious and silent person while the people that do know me seem to say that I have become those things of late. All I can say about it is that people change as different circumstances arise. Réversibilité Angel of gaiety, have you tasted grief? Shame and remorse and sobs and weary spite, And the vague terrors of the fearful night That crush the heart up like a crumpled leaf? Angel of gaiety, have you tasted grief? Angel of kindness, have you tasted hate? With hands clenched in the dark, and tears of call, When Vengeance beats her hellish battle-call, And makes herself the captain of our fate, Angel of kindness, have you tasted hate? Angel of health, did ever you know pain, Which like an exile trails with his tired footfalls The cold length of the white infirmary walls, With lips compressed, seeking the sun in vain? Angel of health, did you ever known pain? Angel of beauty, do you wrinkles know? Know you the fear of age, the torment vile Of reading secret horror in the smile Of eyes your eyes have loved since long ago? Angel of beauty do you wrinkles know? Angel of happiness, and joy, and light, Old David would have asked for youth afresh From the pure touch of your enchanted flesh; I but implore your prayers to aid my plight, Angel of happiness, and joy, and light. -Charles Baudelaire How does one accomplish his dreams and his goals? Through hard work and dedication I suppose or is it just pure luck? I can certainly tell you that in my case, there will be no luck involved since I do not consider myself very lucky. Sure, some people may disagree with that last statement but it is true for I have earned everything that I have. Whether good or bad, it is all mine. Yes, it is a good point that I do not have much but that is beside the point since that was a choice. In other news, there was a demonstration in Costa Rica yesterday by the teachers’ association. It looks like the government is cutting down on teacher wages and that some teachers have not been paid for there services since last December. Now, what is wrong with this picture? A country that is proud to have one of the highest literacy rate in the world that does not take care of its educators. I will have to watch it closely. 05-06-2003 11:33am Another day in paradise. One thing that I am thinking about right now is that the jungle and the rain forest are but a mere 50-100 miles away. Yet, you could never tell that from where I live in the city. I hear the birds and sometimes a warm breeze of air coming from the Pacific side blows through my window reminding me of the beach. So close yet so far away from what is known as civilization. I received an e-mail today from Angela, a long time friend that worked with me at The Coca-Cola Company and that still works there. She has many dreams and aspirations and I wish her well. Yes, e-mails are the only things that keep me in touch with my old life. She first e-mailed me and then sent me this neat little story. Thus I am sharing it with the rest of you. Enjoy. The King's Four Wives. Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times. The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her! One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated. Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!" In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us who will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity. When the world pushes you to your knees...... You're in the perfect position to pray. Have a good day! Think about this... Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? And we often treat strangers and co-workers better than members of our family. Some people think that they need love to make them happy. I wonder why? Some people think that they need to have another person in there life to be whole. Why is that? Some people believe that on this world there is a match for everyone. Perhaps that is true for some but certainly not everyone. Some have found there match and others are still looking. Some do not have a match while others have passed them by. I think that I would like to eat a bagel smeared with cream cheese today. 05-05-2003 4:35pm The rain is always on schedule. It starts around noon and ends an hour later. I went to get some pastries today at my neighborhood pasteleria and yes, the picture above says, “la patisserie” but honest, it is a Tico pasterie store. It is actually quite nice for you can sit there and relax over a nice tarte and a cup of coffee. I just wish that they had an outside patio. Since I was already out cruising the neighborhood, I thought that perhaps I should walk the streets of San Pedro a bit more and take some pictures. Yes, I was walking camera in hand with my trustee Hawaiian shirt on and a pair of shorts. Entonces, I looked very much like a tourist. As I was walking the streets looking for new places to go and interesting sights to capture on camera, I heard a voice behind me. disculpe senior” I turned around and this portly older man asked me if I was from Japan and if I spoke Spanish. I politely anwered that I was American and that I spoke enough Spanish to get around. It was then that I did not know whether I should laugh or thank him. He thought I was a tourist and told me to keep my camera in my pocket in fear that I someone would steal it. I certainly appreciated his concern but what am I going to do? Keep myself looked in the house and become a hermit or shall I simply become a bubble boy? You only live once and if it is my time to go then it will by me time. Until then, I shall explore the world in search of adventure for I laugh at the face of danger Wah ha ha ha ha!!!! If anything should happen to me, this is what I want on my tombstone, “He lived for adventure and it finally caught up with him”. In other news, I am a bit worried about my French skills for I am presently translating the site into French and I am the first to admit that my French grammar skills leave much to be desired. I think that once I am done studying Spanish I may have to take a refresher course in French. 05-04-2003 8:58pm It's 9pm right now and I am reminiscing about Atlanta. I am presently thinking about the times I would stay late at work trying to finsish up a thing or two. Funny enough as it is, I kind of miss it. I kind of miss the corporate envirnonment. Perhaps it is the feeling of doing something important or the feel of power even though my position was very far away from being an executive. I do not know but I do miss it. My favorite park in Atlanta Is it not ironic that I left this world of suit and ties for freedom and now that I have my freedom I miss it? What is this world coming to. 05-03-2003 1:00pm Rain rain rain, the rainy season is definiively here and it's going to be here for a while. It's funny how when you are busy with this and that that you have nothing to write about. At least not anything intersting to write about. I should be at the beach right now but too many things keep me here and so instead of enjoying the sun and the waves I must labor in front of a computer. Modern science. What a blessing and what a curse. One thing I must do however is catch up on my e-mails. Technology is great but it also hinders you in the worst way for I feel married to it. Don't get me wrong, I love to communicate with people over the internet but soon enough, it owns you and not vice versa. 05-01-2003 1:00pm Today is the first of May and in Costa Rica it is Labor Day. Today is a type of election days for the members of the Costa Rican House of Representative as well. Thus, many Ticos are taking advantage of this holiday as well to demonstrate downtown in hope that the politicians will notice them and give them what they want. Pretty neat eh? The only problem with that is that I can't get anybody to go out there with a video camera or even a regular camera to get some footage and some interviews. Argh, this sucks. Since I am talking about Costa Rica, let me ell you about one of the pet peeves I have devloped over the course of a year living here. Elevators and the people who do not know how to use them. You see, they are not many elevators in Costa Rica and the majority of the people here have never used them. Remember that I Costa Rica is a Third World country and that not many buildings have them. Keep in mind that San Jose is earthquake prone as well and the buildings are not very tall. Here is a typical scene of Frederick in an elevator. Frederick is on the first floor even though here it is called "Planta Baja" which means groudn floor while the second floor is called "primero piso". Anyway, Frederick hits the button for the elevator to come. The elevator arrives and Frederick pushes the button for the 7th floor since that is where he is going. The floor stops on the 3rd floor and people come in and they push the button for the 2nd floor. Now why in the world did they do that? This is the reason why, those people do not know how to use the elevator and so they push the up and the down buttons. Once the elevator arrives, they do not look at the arrows to see whether the elevator is going up or down. Instead, they just grab the first one that happens to come along and enjoy the ride. That is fine and if that is what they want to do they can go ahead but it annoys me when I am tryin to get to the 7th floor and I have to stop on every floor to pick up strays who are all going in the oposite direction. Oh, not to mention the ones that just can't make up there mind which floor they are suppose to be going to and end up pushing 2-3 different buttons. The last part however is not just in Costa Rica and is rather universal. It's times like this that make me want to go into politics or rule my own country where I would hold mandatory classes on common sense. My first class would be called, "Elevator 101" where there people would learn the basics of using an elevator. The first class would explain to people that if you want to go up, you press the button with the arrow that points up and if you want to go down, you push the button with the arrow that goes down.