A Toast for My Namesake

When I was still in grade school, I am often seated anywhere in the front row because of my surname. Whenever the teacher made a roll call for attendance or for whatever cause, I am always the first or if most of the time included in the first five to be called. However, my name is not as short as my other classmates' who in a very fortunate situation only bears one name and a short one. My twin classmates then have the name Jave and Jed. I still remember the one with the name Eric. Oh, yes we even had in the class a name Al. Every time my teachers would ask us to get sheet of paper and usually 1/4 of an intermediate pad, I am always deprived of space and often times just write the subject and the date under my name when my other classmates joyfully scribble those just opposite their names in the first line of their paper. Well, my name sounds American and it can be considered a name of the 90's because it consists of two names which are very common and famous for babies in that time frame. We hear one with John Joshua, a Chloe Marie, a Jude Lawrence, and many more.

My name, despite its foreign and modernistic sound for the ear of a Pilipino, was first used in 1939. It was given to a baby who was born October 31, 1939; before the occupation of the Japanese in our country. The baby is Joseph Glenn S. Austero Sr. - my father. I was named after him and so adding to my two names is a suffix "Jr."This article is not about me or about my name but about my namesake.

My father's age difference with mine is a mere 46 years and with that gap, I no longer experienced basketball sessions with him the time I was starting to embrace “teenhood” or asked advices on love and courtship. However, there are experiences that still linger in my memory that both my father and I shared as father and son.

When I was a kid I saw a picture when my father used to have me sit on his lap while he pedaled on his bicycle. This picture was made a real experience when he let me go with him one morning for a bike ride from Malinao to Tabaco after the typhoon Rosing hit our place. I may not have been exposed to sports by my father way back then but he still managed to instill in me how important I am to him even in simple ways - a reality which I realized when I am already making my own life.

He is never the father figure as other people may think of but for me he is still my great father I can be proud of. He made so many mistakes in his life but he made a way so I can see it and decide not to do the same. He loved my mother so much that when my mother came home from abroad after 9 years of staying overseas, he stayed with her despite all the things that he knows might have caused his morale to crash - he stayed with us in deep remorse just to save his family.

You know, he is not that strong in terms of decision making. He always makes it a point that every thing in the house is under his control yet with my mother's permission. His submissive character for the good cause is one of the heirs I got from him.

He seldom nags. He never spank any of my sisters even me. Even his four grandchildren have never been punished by him physically. He may have said a word but it’s not too deep that it will pierce your heart. When I was in grade four, I have received a news that my second eldest sister has given birth to my first nephew. When I told my father about the news after when he came home from work, he immediately said that we will visit my sister and the baby the next day and promised to buy me a pair of sandals. While we were both having our hairs done at a barber shop in Tabaco, he asked me what gift I would want to give to the baby. To my excitement, I exclaimed one whole dressed chicken. And he smiled. He bought that one big chicken and then paired it with formula milk. That instance have never happened again in my life afterward but I still heard from my sisters that whenever he receives his pension just some few years ago, he always have to hand in a box of milk for my nephews.

I am a witness to his dedication to God. When his health started to deteriorate, he made a pact with God through our pastor that he'd going to trade his illness so he can serve his Master in one of our Church's pioneering distant branch. In 2004, we rushed him to the Philippine General Hospital for a life battling operation of his collapsed lungs due to emphysema. He's such a strong man and managed to survive the operation at the age of 62. He stayed on with us for another 5 years and after that on February 5, 2007, he joined his Master in heaven.

During his wake I only cried once. I was sitting in front of him and thought of the good times that we had. In my mind I shared to him how lucky I am to be his namesake and his only son. I speak to him and again argued who's the actor who really played Ian Fleming's Her Majesty's Secret Service - a usual scenario which he and I always do when we are watching a James Bond movie. He anticipated watching Casino Royale but he never made it. Yes. I cried once. My girlfriend can attest to that. I cried once not because I was saddened of his death. I cried not because he has left. I cried not because of anger. NO. I cried because he will never come back again and that what is left of my namesake is a memory that will only reside in my mind.

He was a teacher. He is called everywhere as "sir." And when people call him with that, I felt like I am also regarded as someone of higher degree; a prince. My father's legacy to me as his son is not to be a successful engineer or lawyer. His legacy was the name he made of me and the life I am going to make of the name.

I may still be referred to as his son and namesake but I don't care. I am proud of it. He made so many things in life, good and bad. But for me his mistakes are his own responsibility and he taught me to shoulder my life so that I would not blame anybody for whatever decision I make. He taught me to regard mistake as a tool of learning to me and a warning to others. He had taught me so many things that this article can never contain.

Now, I am Joseph Glenn C. Austero Jr., his namesake and a proud son. Today is his birthday and I wanted to greet him Happy Birthday Papa, without you being born 69 years ago, I could not have existed and my name could not have been used. Thank you and I love you so much.

Beautiful Freak

I was in my second year college when I met the most wonderful woman in my life. I just had some traumatic experiences in relationships that time that having another one seems to me nothing but a repetition of the pain that I have recently felt. Unbeknown to me, the woman that was introduced to me one night by friend was also enduring the same traumas like mine. That night we talked, laid all our cases, and then find the common denominator between the two of us. She had my respect and I also had her's. Later our friendship grew to some level and then I realized one day that I am falling in love with the woman that was only introduced to me as an acquaintance. No. I do not fell in love because of our common grounds, though those were part of it, but primarily, I fell in love with her because of our differences. She's a freak, a beautiful one.

Ma. Krissena S. Quiñones. She was known to her friends as Kring and she was introduced to me with this nickname. At first I was hesitant to approach this lady despite her pretty face and mesmerizing eyes. There is something in her that you can just feel the first time you saw and personally met this woman. She's brave. There is courage in her looks, yet the meekness of her being resides inside her heart. Yes. Part of her courage is her being so straightforward and aggressive. As we continue with our relationship, I came to accept that our differences became complements making us two unified, one being.

Love. This is what drives me to continue living and hoping that someday, somehow I am going to marry this wonderful woman. She taught me so much in life. She still help me learn so many things. I am proud that on December 19, we are about to celebrate our fourth year anniversary. That all happens because of this beautiful freak who kept on reminding me of the love and life that we must share moment by moment until the time set forth by the Almighty.

She's not the usual girl anybody can have. Other's might think she's indiffirent. Some may say she's not that good. Many may regard her are something not able to pass their standards. But she does not care. I do not care either. All I know is that, no matter what other tells her, she is the only one that God gave me, not simply as a friend, but a best friend, a lifetime partner, a gift.

We are not a perfect couple. Neither of us is perfect. However, we see our imperfections as something that will help us attain perfectness in God.

She is my treasure.

She is my Beautiful Freak...

Today, October 17, 2008 is her birthday.

Hon,

I have always wanted your happiness. And in my simple way letting you feel how special you are to me, allow me to present to you my gift. This might not seem so grand but let this be something that you'd treasure... Let it always be a reminder of my ardent love to you...

Be the woman you want to be... As I have said to you before, I am always here for you. I will be with you through thick and thin. Enjoy life and allow yourself to grow according to what your conscience dictates. I will patiently wait to see you grow more beautifully. Later, it will not just be me who'll be thanking you but also our future offspring. You deserve every bit of thanks and love that me and all other people gives you.

Don't forget the one that binds us together in love and faith - God. Let Him always dwell in your heart. Make Him your Lord and Savior. In that I am sure He will never make him down.

Thank you very much for all the love you gave me and still willing to give. Happy birthday and I pray for more blessings from God. I love you so much, Hon...


Yours in Christ,

Seph

What Are You?

"Of every one hundred men in battle, ten should not even be there. Eighty, are nothing but targets. Nine are the real fighters, we are lucky to have them since they make the battle. Ah, but the one -- one is the Warrior-- and he brings the others home." -- Commonly attributed to Heraclitus, 500 BC (likely apocryphal)

I am playing airsoft and I like it so much. It is because when I play I become a soldier, hit, but never dies. LOLS. Honestly, this is not just a game of chance, but a game of mind. Yes, similar to chess... But unlike chess, airsoft needs your body to move, your legs to leap, hands to pull the trigger, and of course a mouth willing to scream "hit" when hit.

For months that I have been playing this hobby, there are several questions that I have already encountered; both internal and external questions. One of which pertains to the option of skill or gun power. Arguably, both are needed. And in fact, I certainly believe that the power of the gun and the skill must go together. However, the argument here is not about depending on it. As a soldier, your dependence must not be given to your gun or any armament or else you are nothing but a LAME soldier, a coward. What if you no longer have any armament to help you in your mission? Will you still go or surrender?

Airsoft game and the real battle involves two main factor which the player/soldier must depend on - physiological and psychological power. How well you analyzed the game and the mission is very important than you having just better gun than your team mates.

I loved what Heraclitus have said pertaining to war. See, only 1 among the 100 soldiers is actually a warrior. He has all the wit and the guts to win the war. The warrior is actually the bravest... the best... and the one with the passion and driving force to break in to the enemy's foothold and bring the rest of the soldiers in. The 9 are the fighters. I would say they are those with best built, good armament, but a portion in them is reserved to themselves. You know, human survival instinct... hehehe... Of course, in the airsoft game, nobody wants to be one of the 80 - the targets... Unless of course you are a Newbie and you do not have any idea why you are being ordered by the point man to stay upfront. LOLs... And hey, never mind the 10 left.

So, if you are a real airsoft soldier, where do you belong?

Support Airsoft in Bicol. Be a part and witness the upcoming event on Oct. 26, 2008 will be held at the View Deck, Lignon Hill, Legazpi City. The mission is dubbed Operation Hamburger Hill.

Some Face Slapper

Just finished my office works and stumbled upon a certain blog and find this article... It's a good one and after Typhoon Pablo passed by Legazpi without any damage or winds last night I am relieved at some point by this article... This has something to do with Hurricane Katrina which put New Orleans under sea water...

"Been sitting here with my ass in a wad, wanting to speak out about the bullshit going on in New Orleans. Here goes:



For the people of New Orleans...
First we would like to say, Sorry for your loss. With that said, Let's go through a few hurricane rules: (Unlike an earthquake, we know it's coming)

#1. A mandatory evacuation means just that...Get the hell out. Don't blame the Government after they tell you to go. If they hadn't said anything, I can see the argument. They said get out... If you didn't, it's your fault, not theirs. (We don't want to hear it, even if you don't have a car, you can get out.)

#2. If there is an emergency, stock up on water and non-perishables. If you didn't do this, it's not the Government's fault you're starving.

#2a. If you run out of food and water, find a store that has some. (Remember, shoes, TV's, DVD's and CD's are not edible. Leave them alone.)

#2b. If the local store has been looted of food or water, leave your neighbor's TV and stereo alone. (See #2a) They worked hard to get their stuff. Just because they were smart enough to leave during a mandatory evacuation, doesn't give you the right to
take their stuff...It's theirs, not yours.

#3. If someone comes in to help you, don't shoot at them and then complain no one is helping you. I'm not getting shot to help save some dumbass who didn't leave when told to do so.

#4. If you are in your house that is completely under water, your belongings are probably too far gone for anyone to want them. If someone does want them, let them have them and hopefully they'll die in the filth. Just leave! (It's New Orleans, find a voodoo warrior and put a curse on them.)

#5. My tax money should not pay to rebuild a 2 million dollar house, a sports stadium or a floating casino. Also, my tax money shouldn't go to rebuild a city that is under sea level. You wouldn't build your house on quicksand would you? You want to live below sea-level, do your country some good and join the Navy.

#6. Regardless of what the Poverty Pimps Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton want you to believe, The US Government didn't create the Hurricane as a way to eradicate the black people of New Orleans; (Neither did Russia as a way to destroy America). The US Government didn't cause global warming that caused the hurricane (We've been coming out of an ice age for over a million years).

#7. The government isn't responsible for giving you anything. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but you gotta work for what you want. McDonalds and Wal-Mart are always hiring, get a damn job and stop spooning off the people who are actually working for a living.



President Kennedy said it best..."Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."



He always finds a way to say things that all of us are thinking but can't figure out how to. He is so right. I get so tired of people bitching and moaning about their situation but do nothing to get out of it. Take some responsibility and stop blaming everyone around you for your problems.

I have a relative that is 30 something. This particular person had some bad shit happen to him growing up. (who didn't?) To this day, he blames everything that happens to him on his past. "It's the way I grew up, I can't help but be this way." EXCUSE ME???? You are 30 something freaking years old have 3 children, who you never see, have abandoned your wife, totally fucked up your life and this is all to blame on your rotten childhood? If everyone in the country blamed their problems on some crappy thing that happened in their childhood, we would all be crack whores and drug dealers living in the slums.

I wish people would just take the responsibility that just maybe YOU caused your life to be the way it is. And if you don't like it, then change it.

Disclaimer: The posted article was not been edited by the author. The author is not responsible for any foul words other contents of the article. Article from here.