Random Thoughts.

My country is nearing another election. I’d like to think of this exercise of ones’ freedom to choose as the ultimate manifestation of the saying: “A pen is mightier than the sword”. At least until the computerization of elections is finally realized.

“A pen is mightier than the sword”. This is how our national hero, Jose Rizal, fought his war against Spain. But you have to understand that this happened in the late 1800’s, which is, according to my 10 year old son, before “Ice Age”

Speaking of pen, does anyone remember those days when you had to practice your handwriting everyday just so it would be pleasantly readable as you grow up? How do you feel about that now? I never heard of anybody saying something bad or good about my penmanship or somebody else’s these days.
Oh, my mistake. My apologies to any doctor reading this…

People don’t write letters now, they email. They don’t say “hi”, they just send a waving emoticon, or a smiley. Do you think those endless hours of writing practice were…?
a. a waste of time
b. a waste of energy
c. a waste of money
d. our noble contribution to global warming

I was having a conversation the other night with a friend I haven’t seen since college and we were talking about this and that and lots of other stuff and he invited me to get into farming with him particularly onions. Now, that’s something that could really help my finances especially in these times of economic downswing. So, I told him to give me time to get my finances right and then we’ll dive right into the business. Then, he gives me this “what are you talking about” look. So, feeling the awkwardness of the moment, I stopped talking and asked him what is wrong. Then he asked me, “Haven't you heard about Facebook?”

I don’t understand Social Networking Sites. I admit I have two: a Friendster account and a Facebook account(and I didn't know about Farmville). When these things started, it was a good way to reconnect and catch up with friends regardless of distance. Also, I never really liked the taste of stamps so I was cool with online networking. But now, social networking sites have gone crazy: anybody can be a willing victim for a stalker; you can be friends with someone you have completely no idea about; people don’t introduce people now, they are either suggested, recommended, or added; if you don’t like someone, press delete. People don’t express their thoughts in poetry, or in a poetic manner, a shout out could take care of that; people “poke” without actually poking another; people get a “high five” without having to slap skin with one another. It’s just crazy these social networking sites. Virtual insanity it is, indeed.

It’s been 40 years since man first landed on the moon. In the words of Neil Armstrong, “One small step for a man, one big step for mankind”. We have been making big steps and huge miss-steps as well. Maybe it’s time for us to go back to taking small steps. I do understand that this may be quite difficult for Shaq and Yao-Ming.