American Express Ad -- my version

American Express Ad

Well, one of my friends filled this out and told me to do the same... i'm doing this because he bets I won't do it because I never respond to emails... Ha! I'm posting my results...
Please feel free to comment on my list or your own responses

From the American Express Advertisement in Entertainment Magazine:

Point of view #1-the public mask

1. My name - Derek

2. Childhood ambition - Travel to Mars

3. Fondest memory - Sitting at the beach in Marina by myself

4. Soundtrack - My life soundtrack or from an actual film, hmmmm... So I Married An Axe Murderer; "Home Sweet Home" and "Here I Go Again"

5. Retreat - Fort Funston when there aren't too many people around

6. Wildest dream - the Nobel Prize for Literature... no, wait, that's still possible... winning an Olympic gold medal in the discus

7. Proudest moment - waking up everyday

8. Biggest challenge - waking up everyday; seriously, taking care of myself

9. Alarm clock - is set too soon... except now it's off for winter break

10. Perfect day - knowing my purpose in life

11. First job - scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins

12. Indulgence - time

13. Last purchase - the DVD collection of Six Feet Under for 50% off

14. Favorite movie - Hard Boiled; Eternal Sunshine...; Star Wars; The Saddest Music in the World;

15. Inspiration - "The Touch" Transformers Sdtk; Maggie Gyllenhaal; Barbara Mori; Ennio Morricone

16. My life - has too much static cling and requires a tune up

17. My card - Is rejected

point of view #2- personal mask

From the American Express Advertisement in Entertainment Magazine:

1. My name - Psychoverse

2. Childhood ambition - become a Greek or Norse god

3. Fondest memory - first kiss

4. Soundtrack - "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" Nanci Griffith

5. Retreat - escaping to Marina... if I can't get there quickly... section 138

6. Wildest dream - "to need" and find love

7. Proudest moment - admitting it was over

8. Biggest challenge - overcoming myself

9. Alarm clock - are the devil's instruments

10. Perfect day - wake up next to her at no specified time, sit at my desk and churn out the poem of the day, get together with friends over dinner to share anecdotes, and cuddle back up in her arms

11. First job - in a previous life my mother believes i was a priest and thought i would become one again in this life... apparently, teaching is close enough

12. Indulgence - a tub of strawberry cheesecake ice cream on a foggy night at the beach and everyone dipping in

13. Last purchase - paid for with my soul

14. Favorite movie - Cinema Paradiso, In the Mood for Love, Somewhere in Time; Love Me If You Dare

15. Inspiration - the themes of #14

16. My life - is semi-fulfilled, well more like a quarter-fulfilled

17. My card - Is empty and on the run

point of view #3-the teacher mask

1. My name - "P"

2. Childhood ambition - be an astronaut; but now that has kinda evolved into that moment in Contact when Jodie Foster sees the universe and says that they should have sent a poet because that's the only who could describe what she sees.... this way i can be both writer and scientist

3. Fondest memory - my first day in the classroom when a student was shocked to see me and asked if I was actually Filipino

4. Soundtrack - "The Touch" from the Transformers sdtk; "The Measure of a Man" from the Rocky V sdtk;

5. Retreat - going out of town

6. Wildest dream - teach my own children one day; maybe opening up a Comics & Collectibles store so I can sit and read and escape a few more times a week

7. Proudest moment - when a student says thank you; Eloquent Graffiti

8. Biggest challenge - overcoming student attitudes toward reading/learning/writing/life

9. Alarm clock - Is currently set for 6:00 a.m. ...

10. Perfect day - everyone turns in their homework; we have a great discussion that reminds me why this is not all in vain; and my veins don't hurt from standing all day

11. First job - My first day substituting and the class I had was at Westborough and my sister was in the room next door and asked me why it was so loud and crazy in my room

12. Indulgence - Breathing; " "

13. Last purchase - Little Miss Sunshine DVD; Lost soundtrack

14. Favorite movie - Un Chien Andalou; Shawshank Redemption; Rashomon; Say Anything; So I Married an Axe Murderer;

15. Inspiration - my fellow teachers and students

16. My life - on track

17. My card - needs credit

if you would like to see other masks, it will have to be in person...
if you want to see the true mask...

the past month

so here's the reader's digest version of the past month

plenty of out-of-town buddies swung through town even before the Thanksgiving holidays...

I ate at some of the top restaurants around San Francisco... you must eat the butterscotch pudding at Scott Howard... that dessert made my "what would I want for my last meal!" list...

had a birthday...
the club was great
even broke up a fight
cuz some drunk woman tried to attack one of my guests

my birthday was a day off from work "officially"
had lunch at Bettie's Oceanview Diner in Berkeley
had dinner at Koi Palace (first time there, actually)
had dessert at Lucky Chances... (official sign i'm getting old)

took my students to the Warriors game
where I was almost arrested for scalping tickets
because they saw me handing out 30 tickets
and a little cash in my hand

strange atmosphere at work lately
seems that the students, the teachers, and myself are all extremely emotionally disturbed...
too many details that can only be divulged in one-on-one conversations...

and now for the pics...


celebrating my sister's and my birthday at Rouge


mikey comin' out to party with us


teachers have lives too

a rainbow above El Camino... look how distinct it is from the camera on my phone.. you can even pick up the reverse second arch

i think raph actually likes to draw me more than himself...

taking a moment to reflect

so Saddam is convicted and it's announced just prior to our elections
as soon as the republicans lost... gas prices beginning to soar back up

SNL: Weekend Update:
in an ironic turn of fate, Iraq has caused a regime change in the United States

i've been blessed of late having friends near me... actually going out nearly every weekend to rediscover what makes life so worthwhile

and here's why it should be appreciated

i just found out a former student of mine who graduated in 2002 just passed away...
22 years old from a heart attack...
his funeral is tomorrow
it seems like a student at school or one i've taught has passed away each year for the past few years...

in a moment of respect & prayer
here's a bit about him



Peter Justin Manubay

MANUBAY, Peter Justin, born June 28, 1984 in San Francisco, to Dorothy Jeanne de Castro of Sacramento and Numeriano B. Manubay of Quezon City, Philippines. Peter passed away peacefully in his sleep in Berkeley on November 7, 2006 of a heart attack.

Beloved brother of Michael (Rian) Manubay. Devoted grandson of Meneleo (Nel) and Fe de Castro of San Francisco and Rosario B. Manubay and the late Pedro Manubay of Utah. Loving nephew of Imelda de Castro, Eymard de Castro, Rafael de Castro and Susan Anderson, Jocelyn and Alex Quintana of the Bay Area, Jeremias and Susan Manubay of San Diego, Generoso and Jenny Manubay of Las Vegas, Ponciano and Marieta Manubay, Ignacio and Julie Manubay, Pablo Manubay and Victoria Manubay of Utah, Ruben and Luningning Manubay of Idaho.

Peter is also survived by his adoring cousins, Isabella de Castro, Alexi Quintana, Kim Manubay, Ever Manubay, Arra Manubay, Julius Manubay, Samantha Manubay, Jasmine Manubay, Jeanine Manubay, Genson Manubay, Troy Manubay, and Tara Manubay.

A graduate of El Camino High School in S. San Francisco, he earned a coveted Gates Millenium Scholarship and was a senior at U.C. Berkeley. Peter was devoted to his family, cherished friends and fellow members of the UCB Asian American Association. A creative soul, talented writer and poet, he also played the saxophone and flute. Peter loved gaming, anime, and monkeys.

Loved ones are invited to join the family at a Viewing and Vigil Service on Monday, November 13th from 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm at DUGGAN'S SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City (650-756-4500). Please plan to briefly share a happy, memorable moment about Peter. A Rosary Service will be held at Duggan's at 7:00 pm on Monday. Duggan's is a few blocks from the Daly City Bart station.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 14th at 11:00 am at MATER DOLOROSA, 307 Willow Ave., S. San Francisco, (650-583-4131) followed by a Committal Service at HOLY CROSS CEMETERY, 1500 Mission Road, Colma. Please contact the family for donations in lieu of flowers.

Time to celebrate

Time to celebrate

I noticed I didn't have emails for some of you who subscribe to this. If you are 21 and over and didn't receive an evite from me, i have the wrong email for you.

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/psychoverse@hotmail.com/scorpio
www.rougesf.com

here's the info by the way...

other more important things to celebrate...

Mostly good news for Election Day...
woo hoo... take back congress... California better start having a voice now... you'd think being the most populous state would count for more but it's only 1/50th of a vote

there's one change on our school board... ugh!!!!!! i was dreaming of two... maybe i'll go another 4 years without a real raise... i don't even get my yearly increments...

Anyone notice the cast of Roseanne is everywhere

Roseanne showed up on My Name is Earl--looking like a nun
Laurie Metcalf had a great part on Desperate Housewives... she said and did what you always think and wish you could do...
John Goodman just showed up on Studio 60, but his role looks to increase in part 2 of the storyline...

TV news
man,,, i gotta go 13 weeks without lost... the fall finale wasn't good enough for me
Heroes, however, is starting to escalate; by the end of the month we're supposed to find out the source of the powers... and what the hell is Micah's power...

Bell Game this Saturday... for some reason i ended up telling stories of old bell games to Ms. Berg in her office after school... she couldn't believe I was on the field when the bomb went off while I was on the field...

Random Musings 10-03-06

yesterday's Garfield... Jon mentions it's weird having a girlfriend and Garfield spits his coffee out all over him...

this past weekend was probably the worst San Francisco Sports weekend ever!!!!!! at least the Raiders gave it up to and now we have the Bay Bowl on Sunday... one good thing... Budweiser filmed the crowd for a future commercial and the cameraman decided that 138 was worthy and he sat directly in front of us while we cheered... we had to sign a release and everything which of course my cousin who works in a law office critiqued... also, the Giants loss Friday is partically attributed to Cairo, Anthony Balunsat, and Javy practically jumping me and ruining the 138 focus which happened exactly when the Dodgers homered to tie the game... bastards... you boys are lucky 138 didn't kick your ass cuz you pissed them off

i'm really getting into the new shows Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip... quality TV... so what do I do when What About Brian returns next Monday... ahhhh.... the dilemmas...

and Friday Night Lights debuts tonight vs. House... just not fair...
but Lost premieres tomorrow...
at this rate I will never finish grading...

thanks to everyone who helped contribute to the Tanforan high school competition...
EC registered over $15000... creaming the competition
evidently, the mall stopped filling our thermometer because it didn't go high enough...

"Who are the people in your neighborhood?"

I'm back!
It's only been a month since my last entry. Since then, school has started, the Giants continue to be a roller coaster ride, a friend had a wedding reception, another friend gave birth to a son, another friend went to Austin, TX for the first time, and yesterday, my my fellow teachers and I met to form a co-ed softball team to play in next spring's South City league... hopefully South City is getting their staff together and we'll both challenge Alta Loma staff for their division title that they recently won.

Now this is a story about last Saturday:
Unfortunately, I did not attend my usual Friday night game at the ballpark due to the fact I had a rally and dance that night. Evidently, I missed some great 138 events--1. the dirty handed hot dog guy who puts the buns right on top of all the money and his sweat was yelled out by D--the vendor yelled back saying no one has ever complained before (the whole incident was caught on a digital camera video-which, come to think of it, I should put on YouTube); 2. the hot cocoa guy had his second bad night in 138 this year when he tripped going down the stairs, blew the top of his canister off which caused cocoa to spray all over the ground--the benefit to tumbling hard--everyone feels sorry for you and pay the $5 for what cocoa you do have left.

Mind you though, Saturday at the ballpark was not without incident. I wasn't planning on going to the game because I needed to grade my students' life soundtrack essays, but there was a special promotion going on--so I HAD TO GO. Why? The Giants actually created pins just for the season ticket holder bleacher fans. They actually made an OFFICIAL 138 cap pin.... my buddies and I started a trend and it only took 6 years for the Giants to realize they can profit from it. Here's what it looks like...

This is just about the coolest giveaway ever for us!
The Giants even made a 138 jersey that they gave out in a drawing of all the season ticket holders.














But trying to get my cap clip proved to be an adventure in itself. I start leaving my house for the game and I realize that my tickets are missing. All my tickets... were locked in my cabinet at school. I forgot them there because I brought them to school so that I could give Sam Paras my Sunday tickets. So it's 12:30, a half hour before game time, and I have to get to my classroom to get my tickets. The problem: my customer client representative who had my pin above was only going to be at the bleachers to hand them out until the end of the first inning.

So I jet to school not really thinking much about what's going on. The band happens to have their car wash fundraiser that day in the parking lot. So when I park in my spot it also happens to be in the middle of their fundraiser. I go inside to get my tickets and I see that the band had just started to wash my car. I can't just leave and not pay now. I know I didn't ask for the wash, but now I felt obliged and I had to wait the next 15 minutes for them to finish. I finally leave school at 12:50 for a game starting at 1:05. The first inning will likely end by 1:30. By the time I park on 4th street, the Padres make their final out in the top half of the first. I have three outs before I lose my chance at the pin, so I run for it. From 4th/Bryant to Seal Statue. Now most of you who know, know I can't run because it causes my legs to get filled with inflammation, but I do it anyways. By the time I reach Borders across the street I hear a roar from the park--Bonds just hit homerun 731. Damn it. I missed a Bonds homerun, but it does extend the inning. At this point I can no longer run from pain. Before I can reach the portwalk behind the stadium, the inning ends. I can only hope that my rep decided to hang out a bit longer. For some odd reason, Sandra is walking out of the park and leaving the game. She has to make a friend's 50th birthday party and came just to see Bonds homer.... what are the odds? I dash thru the turnstiles and my rep is still there... I get my cherished pin. Thank goodness....

But the day is just beginning my friends...
In the area of too much information, my doctor gave me new medication and it makes me piss a lot. I hate to ever leave my seats during a game, but I had to go to the bathroom in the 5th inning. As I leave my seat and walk beneath the bleachers, I see a couple sleeping on the picnic tables downstairs. The guy on the main table is tossing and turning. The woman on the bench side looked way too comfortable. Hmmm... that hasn't happened before. Then... in the bathroom... I take a few steps and just STOP! A man is standing between two urinals with his jeans down to his ankles. At a quick glance it looks like he's "enjoying" himself, but I soon realize the man is mentally challenged by his gestures and the conversation he is having with himself. Everyone who walks in just kind of pauses at the entrance, looks at everyone else, then continues about their business.

I get back to my seat to let Gina and Ray know what I saw downstairs and they look at me in disbelief. They laugh a little and then we focus back to the game. A few minutes later they are rolling with laughter. I don't know what the hell is going on. Gina finally whispers to me look at the kid sitting in front of them to their right... which is away from me. I stare...and the teenager is eating his peanuts whole... SHELL AND ALL and he's chomping on them like there's no tomorrow. Ray is making jokes about the roughage in his diet and how he is literally going to shit out a 2x4... thw whole section starts rolling with laughter and the kid is oblivious...

just another day of getting to know the people in my neighborhood...

Section 138 in the news again!

Section 138 makes the news

So, no one wanted to buy my Giants tickets... or flaked on buying the tickets...
but what happens... I miss one of the most memorable Friday night games ever... just look at my previous entry... I almost never miss these games...

albeit, i missed the game for an important reason... everyone... give their shout outs to the birthday girl Mary Anne, my bro's fiancee... also, the other half of the quarter ton battery combo of which I am one half as the pitcher... my partner/cousin, Macho Marlon is the catcher and it was his birthday also and he was at the game...

if you didn't see the news... my home in the bleachers went bezerk when Bonds was ejected on a horrible call strike by the umpire...

and my second home family members felt justified in demonstrating their displeasure by filling the outfield with litter from the bleachers... now, i don't advocate tossing things that can injure people, but if i were there, I wouldn't have stopped anyone from doing it because I would be just as pissed...

there was an 11 minute delay,,, the Rockies were called off the field for their safety...

now, I didn't know any of this was going on because i was in the East Bay and all I really heard was the radio host say that if you were at the game... you would never forget tonight, for it was one of the most memorable moments at AT&T Park...

it felt like that scene from Fever Pitch when Jimmy Fallon gets the call from his friend that he missed the greatest Red Sox comeback in recent memory...

I seem to always miss some of the best 138 moments...
the infamous moment when my brother carried away by paramedics.... (because I was chaperoning the farewell dance)

Moises Alou's 300th career homerun that landed in the seat in front of me... (but I was interviewing students to be in leadership during spring break this year...)

and this....
fortunately, I made the more significant moments like the Bonds homers, and world series, and the other more personal moments of 138 amongst the family...


here's a recent article in the Chronicle... that discusses the attitude that apparently until now was unbeknownst to its writer Ray Ratto, but that I breathe everyday i'm out there in the bleachers...

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/06/SPGUIKC3U31.DTL&hw=ratto&sn=001&sc=1000


seriously, why aren't more of you joining me out there for one of the best interactive moments in san francisco... if you're visiting our city... your visit is incomplete without paying a visit to the bleachers where you can recapture that candlestick spirit...