It just dawned on me that when I handed in my laptop on my very last day at work, along with it went all the brilliant stories that I had collected and recounted. My girlfriends and I would have endless sessions discussing love, life, politics, pursuits, family dramz and the like. Cleverly encapsulated in rapid-fire emails at blocks during the workday. But it was the (relatively) tumultuous not-so-distant past that accumulated the inordinate amount of tales. Quite often, I would get reminder emails eagerly anticipating the next instalment and urging me to update on developments. At times the response was supportive; other times, I would be ragged upon and scorned for my innate abilities to 'take shit'. Come to think of it, quite often I would share these stories more than willingly just to make sure I had not somehow gone off the deep end. A validation of sorts.

All the drama in the past year. The CBB saga, especially. Erased.

I wonder if I'm better off for it.

OMFG

Winding down to some primetime telly after an amazing -- yet extremely draining -- day of teaching Junior Achievement to eighth graders and some much needed tennis action, I absentmindedly left the tv buzzing the the background, tuned into CTV news. I'm normally not huge on current affairs, especially not right before I'm supposed to fall asleep. My usual dosage consists of only the headline news that is displayed briefly in corporate building elevators. But tonight, I discovered that the deadly earthquake in China (of which I had knowledge) happened in Chengdu (of which I had no clue), of all places.

I was like. Oh. Fuck. Pardon my language.

How could I not have known this? My pops and Uncle had just returned to Chengdu this past Sunday. Or was it Monday? Anyway, the last I spoke to the two of them was Saturday night, and they were still in Shanghai. Naturally, I became instantly on high alert.

I frantically called the mothership in SH, but she was nowhere to be found. Was it just me, or did the maid sound worried...rushed, even? But then again, she always seems to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I reminded myself not to jump to conclusions. After a few failed attempts at reaching the bro, I finally got through.

Luckily, luckily, luckily they are safe. My bro told me that the building right beside theirs, however, did collapse. Ming da. Telecommunications are still wonky so I probably won't be able to speak to them for the next few days.

That whole incident just scared me wide awake. I cannot believe that there have been two natural disasters, one following so closely on the heels of another. Insane.

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I wondered out loud to my work buddies if we would have to come in to the office on Good Friday. I mean, yes, every holiday season/statutory holiday since I joined last October has been more or less tainted by client commitments. 

Christmas holidays? Hell no!
New Year's Eve? Forget it! (Admittedly, I just squeaked by this one and managed to avoid work on the 31st! Not so lucky, my other colleagues...)
Family Day? Not officially a holiday this time around!

But being optimistic, I thought maybe, just maybe...Here is the official word from the higher-ups, unexpectedly arriving in my mailbox this afternoon:

***

***

How can you argue when there are lights AND air? Are we spoiled or what?

So classic!

My next move is grey...

But I really wish it weren't.

"I'm totally blunt...

...in a roundabout way."

Poignant words that could only be spoken by an effective communicator such as myself. And I know it's not saying much, but if you only knew where I started from... 

What I wish I could say is, "WTF happened?" What I end up saying is a completely different story.

In other worldly news, "w00t" was crowned word of the year for 2007. Though before this became headline news today, the Baunners and I were discussing how we both completely missed that bandwagon some while back. On a related note, if I had the power to crown a phrase of the year, it would have to be: grow. some. balls.

Harsh words, perhaps. But what a golden little nugget...of sage advice. Sometimes I just want to scream it at the top of my lungs because it has unfortunately been a recurring theme. On occasion, it has even managed to unintentionally slip out, but with only good intentions of course. 

And so I leave you with a simple equation:
Guys with balls = unstoppable. But nowhere to be found. 
Girls with balls = please get away from me. But first, please share the wealth.