Day 33: Face or Mask?

I'm really sad because only one of my blog acquaintances shared a happy post with me. Now I'm gonna try a sad post, just to check if it's more popular.

Tons of ink have run discussing human nature, how deffective, treacherus and low it is, and sadly I must say I have found no better. There are exceptions of course, but most of the times I only get to see the worst of how bad we can be, because evil is not only in crime or war, but in the little small devilish things we do to each other day by day. I can live with that, though, since life has not always been kind to me, but what I really can´t stand, what drives me crazy about people is when they pretend to be otherwise, when they actually believe they are the good guys while they're metaphorically executing you.

Just picture this: there's a co-worker, allright?, who is related to one of the company's owners. She believes she's a very nice, good and cooperative person, and that she holds no grudge against anybody. So far so good, right? The scary part began when she casually let slip that she had told 'anecdotically' to her relative that a third co-worker had done some wrong to her, in the belief that the relative would just laugh and let the matter pass due to her nice and wide criterion. I was frozen dead when I heard that. I couldn't help but wonder if this girl was just naive, plainly stupid or machiavelously vicious. Was she really expecting me to buy that idea, or it was another a small part of a bigger plot? The creepy thing is that she seemed absolutely sincere about her statement, as if she believed it was something without any possible consequence for the third co-worker involved.

And that is what makes me sick: if we are gonna be mean, we should at least be honest with ourselves and admit we are mean. I guess that part of the devilry consists in not telling others, to gain their confidence and then destroy them. I'm O.K. with that! But how can someone, anyone, live their lives being so cruel but thinking they're real angels of mercy? How deranged should you be to act like that?

In conclusion, I must say that hypocrisy and lack of honesty really make me mad. If you don't know who you are, then, what do you really know? Do you wear your face, or just a mask?

Day 32: To be happy when there are no Holidays

I just read a question from one of the visitors (Thanks a lot, pal!!), asking about favorite toys. I think that now we have no holidays to celebrate (until Candlemas in Mexico, at least), talking about toys is a good topic to keep the spirits high.

Actually, I must confess I have no favorite toy. If I was told I had to select one to save from a fire or so, I would cry, because all of them have become like my little children (agh, that sounds terrible) to me, but I would select in this order:

1. My little pink pony: he was the one I started my collection with, and he belongs to the first generation, when they used to be less stylized. I've kept him for more than 12 years, so he would be the first one to save.

2. "The Fabulous Fred": probably you don't remember this one. It's sort of the grandfather of portable electronic toys, and I spent half of my life trying to get it from Santa or the Wise King. At last, I ended up buying it myself. I'm pretty good at the memory game, and my best friend was such a good sport to play along with me. Oh, those are good memories.

3. Lion Pillow: I bought this one last year. It's a pillow designed for kids, in the shape of a lion, mane, tail and all. It's absolutely adorable, and pretty comfortable to watch TV with.

4. "The Crow" Movie Maniacs Collection action figure: probably this guy would have to share the first place as well, since I'm a hardcore fan, but he got down here, anyway. Highly collectible.

5. "Destreza" from Lodela: I don't remember the name in English right away, but you all know it: this mechanic board on which you have to place the pieces in order before it "jumps" throwing them around. Noisy, messy and challenging. The dream of any child. On the other hand, I still keep the Original (the Original!) intact.

6. My stuffed pony: originally, I bought it because it resembles Spirit, from the movie. It's a giant (around 3 feet long) stuffed horse, with Spirits marks on it. Absolutely lovely!

7. Teacher Barbie: I decided to buy it just because her uniform looked like the one I used to wear in my old good teaching days, not because I precisely like Barbies.

8. Sakura Card Captors Card Set and doll: O.K, I'm cheating here, but since I got the two card sets and the doll almost at the same time, and they are not available in Mexico anymore, I place them among my favorites.

9. "Darkness" Movie Maniacs Collection action figure: he's not a hero, but he looks absolutely cool. And very, very, very hard to find nowadays.

10. Kim Possible dolls (the 7 I own): They were presents from my family who finally understood my obsession with toys. And again, it's impossible to find them now in Mexico.

I do hope you can share your favorites with me, and I wish we all could go out to play together.

Day 31: The difference between the man and the boy...

... Is the price of the toy.

When I was an English student, this was one of the first ‘sayings’ I learned, and it became one of my favorites because it states a big truth.

Bearing in mind the fits I’ve been throwing due to the fact I wasn’t able to get my Wii Console neither for Christmas nor Epiphany I started thinking about why we collect toys in the adulthood.

The first reason that comes to my mind is that, when I was I child, I only got toys during Winter Holidays and Birthdays. My family was not exactly poor, but we weren’t rich either. Therefore, the election of a toy was something that required a thoughtful consideration. I was able to receive most of the toys I asked Santa and the 3 Wise Kings for, but I still saw that some of my more fortunate cousins or neighbors got more toys or more expensive ones. Who happens to remember how that felt? Consequently, the ability to buy any toy I want nowadays not only represents a relief to my childhood traumas, but a vindication of my adult capacity to be independent and provide to myself.

My second reason is that I was never willing to give up my inner childhood. I still like to sing when I’m happy, make funny faces when I’m angry or hop around the office when I think no one’s looking. Some of my contemporaries consider this childish, of course, but I have never forgotten the feeling of awe and joy regarding the little matters of life. Up to the present day, opening a gift represents an enormous pleasure to me. Discovering how something works, either a computer program or a new toy, continuous to be a source of intellectual joy, very difficult to describe to people who have learnt the usual indifference of adulthood, when the only surprises left are the unpleasant ones. Even in grown-up classes, the value of intake through play has been reassessed as one of the most important learning tools; so, why not play with your toys?

On the other hand, I want to convince myself that my third reason is more adult (jajajaja). When I was a child, let’s be honest, I used to be a real monster. I was totally incapable of taking care of things. You can picture it easily. All my toys got really dirty and so did my books. Many of my toys got lost while moving in and out until my family bought a house of our own, and also many of them were discarded past their life time. (I did play with them, you see?) You can imagine how sad I have been because of that. So nowadays I’m giving myself another chance to be more careful with my toys. I keep them in their original boxes and all of them are as neatly organized as possible, to help them last.

In conclusion, I want to say we shouldn’t be embarrassed if we want to play. If we don’t make an effort to find the time for amusement in this horrible, competitive and merciless working world, we are very likely to lose our sanity as well as our good spirits. Would you like to come out and play?

Day 30: For days gone by...

Is it just me, or the spirit of New Year is already rottening away into the past?

We call it the January Cliff: when the time to pay for all your happily given presents dues... When the holes in your belt seem to have moved backwards... When the credit card bills pile up on your desk while your check account balance plummets to the basement... When you are about to join the long line of people at the "Monte de Piedad" to pawn the Blue Ray DVD Player or the iPod you got for Christmas...

Somehow we look gloomy and depressed. Maybe because the first payday of the year has come and gone... without even saying hello to our wallet. Or it may be the realization of holiday being finally over, with another whole year of work ahead. Personally, I must say the main reason is my exhaustion. After a whole month of weekend parties, I haven't been able to recover my sleep hours yet while, on the other hand, things are getting tougher at work, with people going bananas about overlapping appointments, lack of communication among the same department, total havok at the storing area and my boss grumbling at everybody for no clear reason.

Well... Enough complaints for a day. Some good things I get out of all this mess are that I still keep my ability to laugh at the face of danger, find myself something to do to cover I'm doing nothing (like writing this blog), rebuke wittingly to any bad remark and still keep a smile.

Let's keep fighting!!! =)

Day 29: Epiphany, the time of enlightment

OK, now Epiphany has come and gone. I'm ravenously mad 'cause the 3 Wise Kings, with all their might and power, were unable to get me my Wii Console. Cheaters! I'll have to wait for the next release. (grunt)

Besides that, Epiphany, celebrated in Mexico as the 'Día de Reyes' (The Wise Kings' Day) was plenty of nice things, with mugs filled to the brim with hot cocoa and the most delicious 'rosca', which is a special yeast cake in the form of a ring, decorated with sugar and cristalized fruit. Inside it you may (or may not) find a little plastic representation of Baby Jesus. If you bite your piece and find it, you become obligued to buy the tamales on February the 2nd, 'Día de la Candelaria' (Candlemas day), when Baby Jesus is taken from his crib to church.

And guess what. This year, I got the baby at the office's rosca cutting. I laugh with one eye and shed tears with the other, since many people believe that getting the 'mono' (doll) is a sign of future blessings and prosperity, but I can't avoid thinking about the bleeding tamales will represent to my budget.

So, the time of enlightment was here, with a lot of revelations about people and family. You really get to learn a lot about them during these annual get-togethers. Be calm and quiet, observe and listen, and you'll be surprised with the things you can learn about your relatives, even things you never thought about before.

Happy 'Día de Reyes' (DEE-ah-deh-REH-jehs)!

Day 28: The tough taste of life

I've just read one of the comments I got (THANK YOU!), which made me reflect upon my goal setting for this year. I do believe that we should set ourselves to one difficult task a year at least, not only to prove ourselves, but to keep our skills keen and sharp.

Challenges are a part of life, and most of the times we are faced with them, without the slightest possibility of choice, which makes most people try to run away from them, I think. I'm pretty sure most of us would gladly decline all pain and suffering and sweat that usually accompany such situations.

But, where would the beauty be? What about the swelling feeling of conquer and strength that comes from defeating the storms of life? I think it feels better when I choose my challenges, rather than just wait for life to set them in front of me, especially when, as Terry Pratchett states, the cowards never come one by one, but all at the same time.

Guillermo Prieto said: "The abyss doesn't scare me. Falling water is far more beautiful".

That's why I look forward to selecting my challenges. To prove myself I'm still tough and skilled.

Day 27: Now that the party is over...

OK. Now that the party is over, I think it's the moment to get serious and talk about the New Year's Resolutions. In my country, resolutions are just something you boast about for a week and forget for 12 months. Since I try not to swim with the current, I've set my 12 personal goals for this year, and here they are:

1. Start my diet: for serious health reasons, and being tired of never finding fitting clothes, next Saturday I'm going to the nutriologist, to get a professional meal plan, 'rosca de reyes' or no 'rosca de reyes' (that is, Epiphany cake or not).

2. Stick to it: I've started and dropped several times. I know I can do it, so this time, I'm doing it again, with Nazi discipline.

3. Learn to drive: it really scares the s**t out of me, since I'm afraid of car accidents, but I want to overcome fear in order to gain freedom.

4. Balance my budget: I've never been too good at it, but this year I really want to know where the hell my money goes.

5. Save money: no, this is not a resolution; it's a must. When I was at Citibank, they taught me 'Save your first dollar'. Well, now it's the right moment.

6. No more major purchases: once I get my Wii Console, I won't spent another single penny on things I really don't need. (I'll be too busy paying my car, so this one will be easy).

7. Discard all crazy stuff: it's not the best way to spend weekends or holidays, but you'd be amazed of the amount of crap I've collected through the years. It's time for it to go.

8. Organize my personal papers: again, the amount of papers I've been filing would amaze the FBI. Could you believe I can't find my Citizen ID number? That was the last straw.

9. Get my passport: I'm not sure I'm really gonna need it, but it's pretty useful in case you get your personal ID robbed, as was my case.

10. Regularly visit the doctor and the dentist: as you can see, this time I'm freaked for good, so I'm starting to take good care of myself.

11. Try to reduce the smoking: I won't quit until I wanna do so or because they say so, but I'm definitely starting training for that day.

12. Wash the cat: as stupid as it may seem, you certainly haven't tried to do it yourself at home's shower, with all the buffing and scratching. This time, I'm paying to get it done, so she will stop shedding enough hair to stuff another cat.

So, I've set myself to realistic, achievable and planned goals. Let's see if I'm as good as I think of myself to achieve them all. I'll report on them throughout the year. May God bless you, grant all your wishes and allows you to have a very Happy, Nice and Full-of-Love New Year.

Day 26: Near New Year's Eve

Ok, Christmas is finally over. We have opened the presents, got a diarreah from all the stuff we had for dinner and a headsplitting hang over from everything we drank. So, what's next?

And here comes New Year's Eve, which is celebrated in many countries, by many people from many cultures, all with a different significance and relevance.

Personally, I believe we humans celebrate this as a time for renewal, for starting again. From the ancient cult of the Sun to the modern Christians, or Muslims or Wiccans or whatever, we all remember this is a time to change, and maybe become better individuals and people.

Every year, we prepare a list of wishes or goals that we want to fulfill during the year to come. How many of them did we accomplish for this year? In my case, just a few, but next year I promise myself there will be more, for my "wish list" won't be so, but a list of goals.

And what will they be? That's a subject for another post.

Day 25: Christmas Craze!!!!

I know it's happened to every body. Here you are, having taken all your provisitions for Christmas, and then... something happens. In my case:

1. Job Christmas Craze: There I was, with no single pending before the holiday, when my boss cancels a trip and asks for an urgent translation... due to the 22nd. All suppliers and clients asking for last minute payments and quotes, and, of course, all my peers asking desperately for help 'cause they were behind with their in-trays. Oh, Dear Lord!!

2. Last minute gift hunting: I had done all my shopping since December the 9th. No last minute calls. But, as usual, no matter what I do every year, up pops somebody else that wasn't in the original list. Last night we went on a tour around Costco, Sam's Club and Liverpool department store, all full to the roof with crazy customers. It was hell! (but I got the presents. Ja!)

3. The lost ingredient - the thrill of the fight: again, no matter how much you plan, how many check lists you go through with your people, there's always a missing ingredient for your Christmas dinner. In this case, my hubby forgot the bread (doh!). We had to kill 3 kids and beat 5 old ladies to get 2 stone-cold loaves. The jungle, my lads, the jungle out there.

4. The missing wrapping paper: I don't know you, but every single year I go to Costco in November and buy at least two 3-mile long wrapping paper sheets. I measure the paper to the milimeter, but there never seems to be enough, or someone in the familiy "forgets" to buy more paper than last year's left-overs. And of course, you comb every single stationary to find... NOTHING!

5. The hideous ribbons: No matter how big the bags are (in Mexico, we buy them by the hundreds in bags), they seem to devour each other in it, so we are always short. This year, we decided to be original, and attach stickers, instead of those little freaky canibals.

But finally here we are, ready to eat through the tempting dinner table, destroy the wrappings of loads of presents, and enjoy sharing all the love in the universe with our relatives.

May all your work come to good fruit, and the blessings of the universe shower on you and your families.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Day 24: Miracles near Christmas.

Affectionately dedicated to the one and single person who stopped by to comment in weeks.
Thanks!!

Although it’s perfectly clear to me that a lot of people don’t believe in God and some other believe too much, I feel obliged to express my joy and surprise regarding how those little miracles, where I like to see “the hand of God”, occur, especially since we are so close to Christmas Eve (only 4 days left!!)

Miracle no. 1: a couple of days ago I was agonizing with thirst, but I was unable to leave my station to get at least some water, and one of my co-workers, out of his generous heart, got to my desk with a nice, freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. Just because.

Miracle no. 2: I’ve been trying for months to find someone going to the States so I can ask them to bring me the new Wii Console, since this is the last time I’ll be able to afford such a purchase for a long time, and nothing. Out of the blue, one of my aunts asked me if I wanted something brought from the States, since she’s leaving next Saturday. Perfect timing!

Miracle no. 3: Today, without prior notice, my boss stepped into the English Class I’m teaching to my peers at my office. Surprisingly, all of them came to class and arrived on time. Considering the absence rate of the last two months, that was a miracle.

Miracle no. 4: my best friend was forced, due to her precarious economic situation, to live with an obnoxious roommate for around a year. Two weeks ago, she came out with the good news she’s been offered a very nice and cheap apartment, so she will finally be able to regain her independence and reunite with her two beloved pet dogs. I felt absolutely happy for her.

Miracle no. 5: unexpectedly, I was able to finish all the pending issues on my in-tray. And my boss will be off the office for one week!!! It’s not exactly a vacation but, hey, it’s better than anything.

I’m not exactly a religious person, and I don’t intend to preach to anybody (I do hate people who do so), but I also believe the hand of God, the Lord, the Almighty, whatever you decide to call that force beyond our understanding, can be seen in daily life.

You may feel sad (as I felt) reading the newspapers today, which bore these horrible, bloody headlines about people killed by drunk-driving because of the “Posadas”. You may question why all the bad things happen, especially during this particular season, but I also try to look around, into the small things, to remember that good things can also happen.

Funny thing is I wanted it to be a happy post, but it went out of my hands, and it almost wrote itself. Anyway, I promise to be careful, not to drive if I drink, and continue with the jolly spirit.

NOTE: This post has been waiting in my PC for 2 days due to the version change. Am I a muggle, or some of these things are really complicated?

Day 23: Only 6 days 'till Xmas

I'm starting to get depressed 'cause nobody comments on my blog. Has anyone noticed I try to write as frequently as possible?

But on a totally different matter, It's only 6 days left to Christmas!!! We have had our Secret Santa at the office and I got my Superman Returns DVD, and the Christmas Party was held at Antigua Hacienda de Tlalpan, one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. The food was absolutely delicious and more than abundant, since I couldn't finish the main course (!). There was live music and all you wanted to drink, including a superb sweet sparkling white wine for the company's toast. Definitely, one of the best parties ever.

On the other hand, my family held a wonderful get-together, with piñata, prank presents and sit-down dinner. It wasn't exactly like the good old times, when we all exchanged presents, but we kept the good spirits, anyway.

I'm currently looking forward to the turkey and the wonderful apple salad. There can't be Christmas without it. It's part of our family tradition. I hope the menu can live up my expectations, 'cause this is gonna be the last time I'll allow myself to eat whatever I want in any quantity my stomach can resist. Reason, of course, New Year's purpose to go on a diet (well, at least try again as hard as possible).

My wishes to Santa? Keep in good health, get a better job next year, a new Wii console and a couple of days off to recover from all the partying.

Day 22: Wonderful "Posadas" Goofs

In Mexico we traditionally celebrate a series of parties called the “Posadas”. They are held from December the 16th to December 24th, that is, the number of days it took Mary and Joseph to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, prior to Jesus birth, being the one held on Christmas Eve the last one, when they finally found shelter in the “Pesebre” (“The Barn” or “The Cave”).

The most orthodox “Posada” includes certain rites directly related to the religious origin of the gathering. First, you have to walk around the block in a “peregrinación” (pilgrimage), carrying effigies of the “Santos Peregrinos” (the Holy Pilgrims, i.e., Mary, who is usually depicted riding a donkey, and Joseph, walking by her side), reciting a litany, or prayer, and holding candles. When you finally arrive at the host’s door, all people outside have to “pedir posada”, that is, to ask the “inn keeper” for shelter for the night, with a traditional chant. Although it has been shortened through the years, the “inn keeper” has to deny entrance to the pilgrims at least twice before “recognizing” Mary and Joseph and let them in with joy.

And here’s where the funny part begins, since it’s very common for people to be reading with their chant book in one hand and their candle in the other... right below some girl’s fluffy pony tail. So, you can imagine the amount of haircuts needed during the season.

On the other hand, there are the wonderful, fun and lovely “piñatas”. By now you probably know that a piñata is a sculpture made of macce paper in any form you like which is hung from a rope so people can beat it. The most common ones in Mexico have a base of “tepalcate”, that is, a clay jar, and the form of a star, representing the devil. The parable is that the devil (the piñata) is broken by faith (the cane or log used to break the piñata) and the blessings (the candy and fruit the piñata is filled with) will fall upon the devote ones (the participants).

Taking into account that the person who intends to break the piñata is blindfolded by a “paliacate” (a big, colorful handkerchief), it would only be a matter of common sense to keep yourself as far away as possible from the wielder, wouldn’t it? Well, truth is, it is not.

Every year, people get either hit by the cane straight in the head in this wonderful baseball fashion, by the piñata itself, flying off its string after a good hit or candy bursting unexpectedly out of the piñata during a particularly violent swing of the rope. And it doesn’t end there. When the candy spills out of the piñata, both children and grown ups take the dive of their lives in order to gain as much candy, toys and fruit as possible, most of the times landing one on top of the other. (ouch!)

But don’t start panicking yet. Amazingly, very few serious accidents occur, since most of the time parents and relatives keep a close eye on their children, preventing them from suffering an accident. In my life-long experience, the worst I’ve seen was a bump in the forehead (when the piñata’s belly suddenly ripped off and the falling candy got me straight in the face).

So, if there’s any chance you may come to Mexico, be sure you get invited to a “Posada”, or at least to a “Pre-Posada” (a posada held before Dec. 16th), not only for the folklore, but for all the fun you can have at it.

Day 21: Christmas Folley's... in Advance!

For once, we're not gonna complain, but tell something that's really worth mentioning.

Despite the previous complaints, I must say that there is, in general, a good sense of humor and a ludicrous spirit at my work place, which has started to develop with the season.

It all began with yours trully, who shown up one day sporting a Santa Claus red hat, white trim and all, which caused the whole office to laugh to tears, since I really looked funny with it.

Next day, another co-worker arrived with a wonderful 'Rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer' nose prop, which flashed in a fancy red light. Don't ask me where he bought it, but he was the office's sensation of the day.

And today, one of the guys brought in an electric Santa that, whenever you approach to it, sings a song, turns around and pulls his pants down! Although such toys are pretty common in the U.S., we all found it hillarious!

I hope we can keep the spirits up to the end of the season.

Day 20: The usual Christmas stuff

Right before Xmas, people tend to show their worst and their best:

Their worst:

- Mood swings: Ex: 'Why the hell do you take so long to answer the f***ing phone?' while tests were being run on it.
- Secrecy: if we are participating in a gift exchange, why do they wait so long to list their expected presents?
- Selfishness: 'I'm listing everything I'm not gonna buy myself'
- Rancor: 'I'll die if I have to give a present to X'
- More Rancor: 'I'll die if X was designated to give me my present'
- Depression: 'me? at a Xmas party? No way. I'll get too depressed'
- Indifference: 'a Xmas party? what for? They're soooo boring'

On the other hand, I've also seen their best:

- Joy: 'I'm happy because we're one day closer to Xmas'
- Generosity: 'I'll give something to the office keeper. She's been so helpful' (whether that's true or not).

- Forgiveness: 'well, he's been a jerk all year, but it's Christmas, you know?'

- Care: 'oh, you're in charge of the party? Is there anything you may need help with?'

- Enthusiasm: ' a xmas party? Sure, I'd love to go' (and they actually go).

It's just the beginning, and there will be more things to see, but I truly believe the best will best the worst.

Place your bets, people.

Day 19: Season nostalgia

Christmas is just around the corner, and the shopping spree is just about to begin. While I look at the store windows and observe the kinds of toys available nowadays, I can't stop thinking about how Christmas used to be when I was a child (lacrimogen, isn't it?).

Just think about this: when we were kids, Xmas decorations weren't set up until December the 1st. at least, and now we get to see them (at least in Mexico) since September. On the other hand, most of the decorations used to be home made, while now there are so many dancing Santas, snowmen and red-nosed rainders to make any electrician sick. Many toys have become complicated electronic devices that just "play themselves", meaning there's little interaction between player and toy, but some others are so cool I cry in outrage because they weren't invented earlier, to which my husband usually states this is because frustrated children of the past became current grown-up toy designers.

And regarding Xmas TV specials... Well, there used to be Xmas specials, like "The Christmas Toy", featuring the wonderful Jim Henson's workshop's muppets, instead of these unsavory, ill-oriented two-hour-length commercial vehicles. Now that's something I miss. Luckily, I have no children to bind me to sit and watch such a crap as "Barbie and the nutcracker" (blaaaaghhh!!)with them.

One more thing: name one single person who doesn't miss receiving presents from mom, dad, granny, santa, etc., without having to worry about choosing the right one for everybody.

Day 18: Autumn, only in the calendar.

According to the calendar, we haven’t even reached the winter, but the season is already upon us.

Yesterday, a 5°C temperature and the holiday made almost all people in the city stay home. Sky was dark and cloudy and scarves and gloves finally made it out of the closet, which is kind of unlikely for Mexican people, since our weather conditions used to be more benign during this season.

Since I was complaining about the cold at my workstation, which happens to be the front desk, a co-worker of mine was pulling my leg by reminding me of the low temperatures I would have to endure if I were living in Canada, since I had mentioned the migration topic a couple of days ago. It’s difficult for me to imagine what it would be like to go to work across 60 cm of snow, but I would be glad to give it a try taking into account central heating is known in those latitudes.

On the other hand, my beloved cat is also suffering the effects. This morning, she went into the closet where the electric heater is stored and sat directly in front of it. After a couple of minutes, she started meowing and looking reproachfully at us, as if demanding it to be turned on. Now, that’s a measure of how cold it was.

So, right now, I’m enjoying the pleasure of cold feet, blue fingers and wearing earmuffs, which are practically unknown in my city, thus causing people to turn around to have a second look at those funny things I’ve been wearing. Needless to say I was the envy of the office, since I was the only one sporting a natural ear color.

Day 17: Oh, the annoying season’s blue!

Most of the time, I find myself in a bad timing. Most people get the season’s blue near Christmas, even New Year’s Eve. Me, I’m suffering it right now.

It’s really, really depressing to start counting your money for the Xmas presents... and discover you’re way short of it. To start evaluating what you’ve achieved throughout the year... and discover it hasn’t mounted much. To begin your Xmas wish list... only to discover some things will have to be out of your budget. And it doesn’t get better when one of your bosses craps on you just because he’s a jerk. Man, that really pissed me!

But, if I am to be really honest, I can’t crave on these feelings for too long. For a couple of days, I was feeling real down, as if there were no hope left, and somehow it was OK. But I got bored pretty soon. Feeling down requires a lot of effort, believe it or not, and one becomes tired of it. It’s difficult for me to stay “parked” on a single moment for long.

So, I started counting the good things. On the bright side, one thing has turned out right from all these crappy feelings, because suddenly I realized that not everything is that bad. On the one hand, me and my family are reasonably healthy and we’re not precisely bankrupt, and on the other hand, frustration can be turned into a new source of motivation. My job’s a piece of s**t? Well, time to start looking for a new one. My budget’s so tiny you can barely see the black numbers? Well, baby, ‘s time to start saving.

So, although I haven’t solved all my problems yet, and I still feel a bit upset, I think I’ll be able to work on my feelings ahead enough to get to Xmas with a smile on my face that’s not only skin deep, but a bit more sincere than other people’s.

Maybe getting the season’s blue ahead is not that bad, after all.

Day 16: Usual Annoying Stuff

I've realized there are certain patterns or circumstances that happen repeatedly, in a kind of 'Murphy's Law' way, which are certain to drive crazy the unsuspecting victim (especially if that victim is me).

1. The 'last minute phone call'. You've had a very boring, inactive day and, exactly when you're about to leave your workstation, someone calls with a matter that will take at least 20 min. to solve.

2. The 'lost visitor'. It doesn't matter how many directories are printed at the building's entrance or the size of their letter. At least 3 people a day will poke their heads into your office asking for directions... inside the same building.

3. The 'untimely phone call'. For sure, when your boss is calling you on one line, the general manager is screaming indications at you from the other side of your desk and you have 3 visitors waiting in line to talk to you, there will be a phone call that will steal at least 3 minutes, asking you for something that doesn't have anything to do with your department/area/functions.

4. The 'unpunctual mate'. It never fails. The exact day you're about to starve to death at lunch time, your replacement will arrive at least 20 min. late.

5. The 'missing supply'. The very day you need something you never think about due to an emergency, you will discover, with terror, the office has run out of that particular supply.

6. The 'absent courier'. The same applies here. When you most need to send a delivery, your courier boy will have gone out 5 minutes before.

7. The 'boss' emergency'. Another one you can certainly count on. Whenever your boss is out on a trip, something that requires his immediate attention will happen.

8. The 'pesky visitor'. A regular nightmare in most offices, some visitors will never understand how annoying and uncomfortable it is to have them hanging around while the work is piling up on your head, especially if they've got nothing specific to do at your workstation.

9. The 'could I ask you a favor' guy/girl. I don't know if the phrase is the same in other countries, but it is absolutely true that whoever begins his/her speech with this phrase, means trouble or confrontation... for you.

10. And last, but not least, The 'I'm the boss' boss. There's one at every working place; this wonderful guy/girls who seems to believe that authority and respect are a given of their particular position, and take for granted the "privileges" of being such. I particulary loathe these guys, 'cause respect and privileges are not received, but earned. On the other hand, they scould you for getting in 2 min. late, while they get to the office 20 min. late every day.

So, if you thought it only happened to you, let me tell you you're not alone in the nightmarish world of office work.

Day 15: Common Law Partners

Right now the Representatives in my country are about to vote a law intended to protect the interests of both sides in a Common Law Partnership, but one of the Democratic Revolution Party representatives said in an interview that he would abstain from voting for “religious reasons”.

Although I respect every point of view, I found this situation laughable. How come a politician, who is supposed to be neutral in any circumstance, suddenly turns out to be a religious person and use this as an argument facing a social issue? It’s ridiculous.

Personally, I myself live under a Common Law Partnership, which has resulted in one of the best experiences of my life, since now every aspect of daily life and major decisions have to be negotiated in order to protect both participants’ interests. Taking into consideration that partnership results into some kind of business-like relationship, it seems pretty stupid to deny the protection of a regulatory law to same-sex partners.

My point is that, if we have accepted the existence of roommates, which usually belong to the same sex, why is it that complicated to admit the existence of same-sex couples? Does it make a difference if they share a bed or not?

On the other hand, it is true that, if a roommate dies, it is his or her family who makes decisions on the property left at their apartment, if no provisions were made. So, if intelligent roommates protect each other by signing responsibility contracts (as I personally did many years ago) and an accurate listing of each other’s possessions, why shouldn’t something similar apply to partnerships and be respected by the partners’ families? Supposedly, in Mexico a will is a will as long as it is handwritten and in a wax-sealed envelope.

In conclusion, I would like to say that it is more than time that we finally separated social and governmental issues from religion. It has been demonstrated several times through history that religion has caused more social problems than it has solved.

Day 14. Let's go for something different

Ok, well, finally I've made up my mind and started writing this blog in English, in order to practice my skills and to see if by this means I get more readers, due to the fact that most of the blogs I've been reading are written in this language.

I've spent most of the afternoon reading blog entries, and found it sweet. Since it is not allowed to read books in the office (to keep the appereances, you know), this is the closest to reading at least 8 mini-stories along the day. It's like having your own short-stories book, pretending you're working. Ja, ja.

On the other hand, it's possible to see how other people deal keep their hobbies with real passion. Bird watching, knitting, painting, were only a few of the hobby-related blogs I found. Totally amazing.

Today I got pretty lucky my boss had an appointment outside the office, so I found a moment to relax and write without too many interruptions. Of all the working possibilities, definitely I picked the worst - recepcionist. To be honest, I do hate it, but I consider myself smart enough to recognize that the best way to find a job is from your current job.

Regarding a totally different matter, today starts our holiday "Day of the Dead". Pity, my slave-style boss is making us work tomorrow, so I won't have a single chance to visit all the interesting places and exhibits that were set up around the city. Now that really makes me sad.