reply to all, reply too many

In the food chain of this institution (feel free to insert mental), you can find me somehow closer to the top (which means i belong to that elite group of special lunatics). One implication of the so-called prestige is the constant flooding of my inbox (you know those voices in your head that transform to softcopy). I receive an average of 60 emails a day which unfortunately for me, less than half are really pertinent or with direct significance to me. It's the food chain's effect. Some people need to broadcast their accomplishments and can't resist the reply-to-all button so that they can move up. It's as if their very existence in the chain depended on it (like yanking their chains so others will hear their presence). Seriously, what the heck do I care about developments buildings away, about the submission of documents that have no direct impact on me, or the announcement of the achievement of an employee whose only connection to me is that we work in the same campus?

They argue, so I have to be in the loop (or in the cycle, or something that repeats over and over again like a stupid rerun on your head) or in the know.

I hope I get the chance to inform them "I tell you, if you don't click that reply to all, you make it easier for me and for my inbox," without clicking the button that is legion.

Are some people really Kulang Sa Pansin (Attention Junkies)? (go ahead sing like Rachel Alejandro or Spongecola)

Picture courtesy of the geniuses of Geek and Poke.

Nothing's Gonna Change My World

In one of those arcane moments when everything falls into place in the tumultuous world of my classroom, I connected Horace's "Dulce et Utile" (sweetness and usefulness) of poetry and the Beatles' Across the Universe.

It is easy yet difficult to reenact.

"Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe"


And then of course there's Fiona Apple's sweetly cutting version.



The images will suffice.


Nothing's gonna change my world.

one big fight

nope. i'm not talking about the uaap championship (although, it was kinda expected that the blue and white will win).

it's the damage dealt by these storms to our country.

and we cannot blame climate change as the culprit.

it's the humans lacking learning-centered leadership.

it's one big fight for doing what is right.

Martial Law Babies

by Arnold Arre is definitely one of the best locally published Graphic Novels.  Read it again last night due to a bout with severe sentimentality (boys are worse with nostalgia) and it helped me cling on to memories past.  Another member of our generation is leaving again.  He'll be permanently staying and working in the US.  Mom is also leaving in two days and like what I said three posts down, I am sad and excited for them.

Arre is a genius.  If you're one of us Martial Law Babies and even if you're not, you should grab a copy of this phenomenal work.  Also grab a copy of After Eden and Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat.

Tell Arnold Arre he's one of the best so far.  Of course, I take pride in being a Martial Law Baby as well.  Which reminds me, does our nation still value the lesson of September 21?

Explaining and Discussing

I catch myself explaining my decision, my plan of action, and even my notes or memos to these people.
I view it as a lesson in communication and comprehension.

Either I don't know how to communicate or they have poor comprehension.

Eventually, the amount of explaining clarifies issues; it's just a tiring exercise.
Personal conversations and open discussions are still the best way to reach out to others.

Unfortunately the risk of being misunderstood never disappears.

I'm slowly believing in an old mentor's dictum: the educators are the hardest to educate.