Thursday, August 30, 2007

Whew! I have now 13 million planets after I claimed 62,000 planets from space programs this afternoon before I went to the mall to pay bills.

A.Miner Empire: LailaTheNight #752714
Protection: Damage Protection
Expires in 19 hours
05:35 PM on 31 Aug
Federation: Stargate Warriors
Vassal of SamX44
PR 7,570,468,788
Planet(s) 13,062,723 / 10 System(s)

LailaTheNight's Empires' Balance Sheet

Taxes: +103,103,847,833
Commerce: +17,816,568
Goods: +73,931,648
Total: 103,195,596,049

LESS: Fleet Upkeep: -4,125,466,056

Profit / Lost: + 99,070,129,993
*** 45 turn(s) used Credit +4,508,871,324,0 ***

As for TOP 100 EMPIRES, these are my rankings:
Top 37 in Planets and Top 56 in Highest Planets: 13,000,723 p
Top 47 in Vassals: 17 vassals
Top 59 in Research: 361 Infra
TOP 89 in Reinforcement: 752,891,380 (k)
Top 94 in Honors: 1,649,698,659

I switched to RT LARGE before I went to the mall alone and had buffet snack at Cabalen while waiting for my daughter. When I got bored waiting for her, I went to SM Customer Service and paid bills then do some window shopping in the basement.

When Pearl and Shiela arrived at Cabalen, I meet them there. A/C was bad after a brief power outage and I had been sweating a lot. Tired of watching people eat, I went to Slimmers World located in the mall basement and talked with Emily. I'd like a REFUND to the programs I paid in advance but couldn't use them unless I lose some weight. She promised to contact me if she finds someone who is willing to take my program instead.

When Pearl and Shiela followed me in Slimmers World, I was too tired to buy groceries. All what I bought was a stainless ash tray for Paul Denise and a trash can with cover. Guess I should consider losing weight, I got tired easily or maybe I had been playing too much online games and I have been real inactive physically.

At home, I blogged a little and did not play the game after Randy and I prayed. Randy received his plane tickets today and am looking forward seeing him again here in Manila on September 28th...

Friday, August 24, 2007

At 9:30 am, Bayantel DSL lineman arrived to our place, while Randy and I were chatting.

In spite of tough assurance that the problem wasn't on our side, the kids advised me to let the guy pull out my workstation and checked all wirings. Then, the guy left and told us he will check physical lines outside the building.

At 11:43 am, two linemen arrived with their tools. They clipped their detector to DSL cable and off they went downstairs. I went to the balcony and took pictures of what they were doing. In case, they made mistakes, I have evidence. Well, I had bad experiences with Bayantel guys working on phone lines and cables. I was still then a PLDT DSL subscriber when one of their guys cut off my line and erased PLDT name off the box and steal it. Three days I didn't have internet and phone line that time. I found out only about it when PLDT lineman showed me that a Bayantel phone line was hooked up in my PLDT box!

Anyway, at 12:09 pm. our DSL line is back. I dropped my dialup internet access and ran Skype. Randy and I voice chatted and able to pray again. I can barely remember, though, what have caused the interruption of DSL service... and, whether I will get rebates for the inconvenience or not, I still have to call their accounting department.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

This is the Third day of my Bayantel DSL nightmare and what's worst, Bayantel tech support said their service has been restored since yesterday morning....

Someone from Bayantel dropped by at 11:00 am in our place but he just stared at the modem and left. He said he will be back later and will just check the cabinet where my DSL cable is hooked up.

Randy and I missed our usual prayers because Skype failed to run on a dialup internet connection.

I found out later from tech support that the Bayantel cabinet where all DSL and phone lines are hooked up in my area has a pending case and it's locked until case is resolved. They will send someone again tomorrow morning to check physical lines.

In the meantime, kids and I are thinking of moving somewhere else IF our DSL broadband service won't be restored.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

This is the second day of my Bayantel DSL nightmare.

Yesterday, they admitted having outage of Major International Cable Facilities which started at 9:00 am. At 7:00 pm, I couldn't browse international sites anymore which continued until I logged out at 12 mn.

This morning, my internet connection partially improved until Randy logged out to bed at past 2:00 pm. I had an afternoon nap then and woke up at 6:00 pm. To my surprise, our modem didn't have DSL and Internet status on, except Power and Router, which means our DSL access is totally dead.

As expected, their hotline 4112000 was busy and my call get through only at past 7:00 pm. I reported the matter but the ticket 313303 from yesterday's complaint is still active and they cannot make a new ticket report until the other complaint of slow connection is resolved. My goodness, so how the records will show that I didn't have DSL? Tech Support promised that a field technician will check our DSL line by tomorrow.

Randy and I chatted briefly on Skype via BL@ST prepaid dialup internet access, but were unable to pray the rosary. It's kind of annoying experience knowing I paid Php 3,360 (US$78.00) monthly for a Business Net Basic DSL plan to ensure guaranteed uninterrupted DSL service. I feel cheated when my friends online have a faster connections than mine and they are Globe subscribers paying less than 1k a month.

Lack of competition in the internet industry made local internet providers get away with their lousy services. PLDT owed me some rebates for the DSL and phoneline, I pray that NTC will do their jobs in monitoring the quality service of top ISPs.

Anyway, enough of that DSL thingy, today is my brother's 36th birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EGAY!!!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

I was upset that Randy and I failed to recite the rosary this evening before he left to work due to Bayantel DSL's Outage of Major International Cable Facilities which started at 9:00 am.

My modem resets its connection at 9:00 am, and that's how my internet nightmare started. Good thing that Skype was working until he logged off to bed at 2:40 pm. I could barely open pages, browser had an error: "The connection has timed out. The server at uc3.gamestotal.com is taking too long to respond." Worst thing happened at 7:00 pm before Randy comes online. I couldn't browse any more and I couldn't logout from UC either to refresh connections. Even messages in Yahoo had delays. But, at least, I was able to let Randy know that internet is not back up yet.

Before giving up waiting for some bandwidth at past 11:00 pm, I tried inquirer.net and my blog's MT Editor. It looks like I can access local sites so I read news while trying to access UC. Unfortunately, while blogging, I accidentally clicked something and next thing I know, when page reloaded, my entry was gone. Anyway, there is something interesting that caught my eyes: British, wife lose P50K in Equitable-PCI’s online banking. In the news, Neil Honeyman and his wife, who reside in Bacolod City, said that P50,000 was fraudulently withdrawn from their bank while making phone banking transaction last August 16. The bank refunded the money but it was not mentioned who did it and which account the money has been transferred.

I have reason to be alarmed. Randy sends his XOOM remittances to my Equitable PCI Bank account and I monitor transactions via FASTNET online.

In December 2006, I had lost Php 10,000 while taking some money from my Equitable PCI Bank ATM, using ChinaBank ATM machine at SM North EDSA. I was charged for unsuccessful transaction. I reported the matter to EPCIB. Then, I followed it up via mobile calls but nothing has happened yet. When Randy was here in Manila, we both dropped by to the bank and made a followup. They only returned/deposited the money into my account after 3 weeks of waiting. Shiela, my daughter's friend, mentioned that her Aunt had a similar ATM experience with EPCIB. Guess my bank have a lot of depositors and cannot handle loads of transactions.

Anyway, I am tired and it looks like Bayantel DSL will not be restored until midnight.... Tech Support did not mention whether it's Asia-Pacific Cable Network (APCN) or GPT, AGC, C2C, SEMEWE3 which caused all Bayantel subscribers internet disruptions.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

I've waited for Randy to go in DP before I accompanied Junjun and Tintin at St. Agnes General Hospital for scheduled follow-up check-up on his mumps.

At the hospital, Junjun recovered from mumps but unfortunately, he has ear infection that caused him sleepness nights lately and sometimes deafness with severe pains. We didn't know whether it was part of mumps thingy and it's unfortunate that it was Saturday afternoon and there is no EENT doctor available. He was prescribed with antibiotic and two kinds of pain killers but advised to have his ears checked on Tuesday or Thursday.

Junjun and Tintin were supposed to drop me at Ate Neth's place but the moment he saw his cousins, they decided to stay with me. They were all waiting for us, it's a nice family get-together, as we're celebrating Papa's 74th birthday in Chinese calendar.

Ate Neth was then cleaning Papa's wound and oh! It was too late for me to cover my eyes! My knees weakened and could hardly believe what I saw. Even when I was visiting him at Quezon City General Hospital, I never had a chance to see his cellulitis... just today! Ate Neth suspected that the white area underneath the skin might be a gauze cloth left when his dead skin was surgically removed to avoid serious infection. Well, sometimes doctors left their instrument inside their patient's body... so, Papa might go to the hospital again and let his surgeon check it.

There was no preparation for Papa's birthday since we're not aware it was his birthday in Chinese. But, we get-together for a simple lunch as a way of thanksgiving and also to drive his bad luck away... well, that is his Chinese relatives believe, anyway.

I could see through Papa's eyes the happiness of seeing us all spending time together for him, peacefully... Papa is insulin dependent now and may God bless him a longer, happy life!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

When Randy logged out to bed after playing Unification Wars with me, Tintin, Junjun, and I went to St. Agnes General Hospital in Roosevelt St. .

We suspected that my son has mumps. Mumps or epidemic parotitis is a viral disease and I didn't allow him to go to school since yesterday.

At the hospital, he had his CBC checked and upon reading the result, Dr. Philip Nakpil confirmed it was mumps and prescribed #20 500 mg. tablets of Methisoprinol (Isoprinosine), to be taken 4 times a day for five days. Soft food and plenty of fluids are also advised. A medical letter has been given to my son which he submitted to his class adviser after we left the hospital. He is advised to rest for 5 days. If in case he has painful testicular swelling and rashes, he should be admitted to the hospital to save his sperm. His check up fee was Php 200.00 and CBC was Php 250.00 only.

Paul Denise was with Junjun when he came back from school. Their class was dismissed early. Then, we had dinner altogether at Chow King but, Junjun had congee with meatballs only while he's watching us eat Lauriat Sweet n Sour. Anyway, we bought his medicines from Mercury Drug on our way home.

Later in the evening, I was not able to tell Randy all what has happened in the afternoon because he has problem with his PC and couldn't turn on its power. So we talked briefly over the phone 20 mins before he left to work.

Friday, August 10, 2007

My online friend, John, sent me a yahoo message and said, "Major nightmares in getting that marriage tossed out. Been reading that part of your blog." I didn't get well what he meant by that so I asked.

"That legal problem you have been working on for several years. I thought it was complicated in the USA... in 10/2006 mom was taking out a loan. Found out the house was still in dad's name even though they had been divorced for 36 years and he had been dead for 1 1/2 years. Her divorce lawyer never filed the papers. I just spent 5 months 4 court hearings and $1,400 in legal fees getting mom's Will probated. Then had to refile again because it said "Executor" and not "Independent Executor" which is required by Texas State Law. It was crazy. Probate Judges in Texas are picky because they can be held liable if they make a clerical error. Good luck on your court nightmares."

"In the 1950's The Judge got 10% of the estate as a fee. Now they get US$ 40. My lawyer was charging me $210/hour which is cheap. On average they charge US$ 350/hour. Good thing Randy is a patient man. Next you will have to deal with the INS (US Immigrations and Naturalization Service). What you will have to deal with if you move to the USA."

"Immigration laws here are crazy now. Difficult to even get a Visa. Takes 5-7 weeks to even get a passport. I let mine expire. Have to get it renewed. In trouble if I have to make a business trip out of the USA. First time I got a passport it took 4 days. Difficult if you look at the laws for the first time."

While I was worried about the immigration procedures Randy and I will deal with, someone buzzed at the gate... two dozens of deep burgundy roses and a box of Bruges Belgian Fine Chocolates from IslandRose.net had been delivered. Guess from who? From Randy!!!

Randy's lovely surprise kept my mind off about court nightmares... in my heart, I know God will open all paths for me and Randy. We had been good to our children, we deserve utmost happiness any souls desire...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

I was too tired to post about the result of the DeathMatch Drill for the Richest Fed last night where me, my son, and Randy's daughter joined.

Two sets of DeathMatch Drill were held yesterday. Drill for The Most Planets started at 9:00 o'clock in the morning and ended after two hours. And, I played the second drill, target goal was the richest fed, from 9:00 pm until 11:00 pm. Each fed should have 3 members. No prizes awarded for the practice.

Click here to see the August 08 DeathMatch Feed for Most Planets

Click here to see the August 08 DeathMatch Feed for the Richest Fed

I missed the morning drill because I submitted Case I's Finality and Decision of Nullity of Marriage, so Randy and I are looking forward to join the August 11 Unification Wars DeathMatch.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Waking up at 6 o'clock in the morning in a stormy weather was kind of hard. We have tropical storm named "DODONG" (WUTIP) that brought continuous rain since last night.

After my shower, I logged online and chatted with Randy. We played Unification Wars game but later on, he pushed me to go to Manila City Hall to claim marriage contract's CTC.

Tintin and I arrived at 9:50 am at Civil Registrar's Legal Section, Manila City Hall. Ms. Dolor claimed the CTC for me and she's been going to different departments checking on my records. Upon receipt of SECPA copy of marriage contract from me along with Finality and Decision, she told me to pay at the Cashier. I paid Php 610.00 for Nullity and Php 210 for transmittal. I handed the two receipts to Ms. Dolor which she attached to my documents. She gave me a small piece of paper with telephone number in it. She told me to make a call to follow up the status of my Nullity request after one month, so that will be on September 7 or 8...

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Tintin and I arrived at Civil Registry Office in Manila City Hall at 9:00 o'clock in the morning. I went directly to Legal Section but the clerk who checked my documents asked me to submit the latest Certified True Copy of marriage contract.

In another counter, I filled up a request for CTC, then submit it to the guy who wrote down data, then asked me to pay Php 30.00 to the cashier. Upon payment, the guy in another counter cut off a portion of my request and gave it to me. He told me to claim it tomorrow morning at 9:00.

Upset, I went to Public Assistance counter and asked whether they can expedite the release of my CTC request but, since most of the employees assigned in the Marriage Records Section are new ones, retrieving of documents is a bit slow.

On our way back home, Tintin and I decided to do some shopping at SM - North Edsa. It was about 9:45 am, and the mall was closed to the public until 10 am. We sit down and had breakfast in McDonalds instead.

After the breakfast, I bought a heavy duty stapler in National Book Store while Tintin was duplicating two keys. Then, we did a quick grocery shopping. Budget's tight and we had 9 bags only of grocery stuffs this time. Right after we came out of the mall, we're lucky to get a taxi cab.

When we arrived in the building where we live and unloading the grocery bags from the trunk, the taxi driver closed it. I was shocked and told him there's one more grocery bag inside. He pushed the trunk down twice instead of opening it for me. I was serious when I ordered him to open it as there's one more grocery bag inside, and I saw the last grocery bag there full of veggies. Upset, I handed him Php 100.00 but, instead of giving me the Php 45 change, he started the engine and fled away. In that very moment, I couldn't do anything but capture the taxi driven by the run-away driver. He fled with my Php 45 change. Since the moment I was loading the groceries into the trunk and he never offered some help, I sensed already the taxi driver's negative aura. He doesn't help also unload the groceries, which rarely happen. Randy and I always give tips to those who deserve it but this one might have a big problem that he wanted my grocery bag so badly and planned to take it away...

Dishonest taxi driver, plate number TKG 697

As soon as I logged online, I hurriedly told Randy about everything. But, he didn't liked the idea that I will not pick up the CTC tomorrow in exchange of playing DeathMatch. He said our papers are more important than Unification Wars game.

Errr... speaking of Unification Wars game, my online friend, John, dropped me some meaningful lines... he wants me and Randy doing more of a real life thingy instead of playing online games. I told him both Randy and I are just killing time while waiting for our documents to be done. John said he reads my blog and follow my life in words and he believes that Randy is like a knight in shining white armor... glad to know that my online friends are wishing me and Randy best in life and happiness...

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Tintin and I arrived on time at RTC for Case III. The case was heard in a Family Court by an acting-presiding judge. It's the best court room I'd been to (for the three cases), it's an air-conditioned room and equipped with microphone and video camera.

I, being the petitioner, was presented for direct examination. I was cross-examined by the Hon. Public Prosecutor. The Question and Answer scene lasted for about 10 minutes only.

My counsel then requested for the issuance of Subpoena Duces Tecum and Ad Testificandum against the person who issued the Certification of Non-Issuance of Marriage License, Municipal Civil Registrar of Cardona, Rizal.

Next and (will be the last) hearing is on November 12, 2007 at 10:30 am.

After the hearing, I paid Atty R her appearance fee and she told me to prepare next week the amount of Php 500 for the transcript and Php 3,000 for the Subpoena and Sheriff fees.

Tintin and I hurriedly went back home and I told Randy what happened. We played Unification Wars and helped me reset my DP.

Then, Tintin and I left at 3 pm to Civil Registrar's Office when Randy went to bed. We picked up Case I and Case II documents and they advised me to bring Case I Finality / Decision to Civil Registrar's Office in Manila and let them update their records there before going to annotate my civil records in NSO - Manila Legal Department and NSO - East Avenue Legal Department.

We didn't stayed that long at the Releasing Section and we decided to buy Kowloon's Jumbo Siopao and Asado Siopao on our way to visit Papa at Quezon City General Hospital.

At the hospital, Papa was smiling when I brought his favorite siopao. He said we just arrived on time because he was so hungry and didn't liked the fish they were serving there lately. Papa has uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and been feeling hungry and thirsty all the time. If lucky, he might be discharged from the hospital tomorrow morning.

August First is indeed a good day for me. I have done the most difficult part of Case III; I have also in possession the signed copies of Finality and Decision for Case I and II; and, most of all, Papa can go home and live a normal life, just like he used to... but, of course, his cellulitis is still healing... only time knows whether Papa will be good enough to follow doctor's instructions on how to take good care of himself well.

With my fingers crossed... God bless us all!