I DO Like Mondays. How About You?

The Boomtown Rats released a poignant song back in 1979 entitled "I Don't Like Mondays." The piano intro and the melody stuck to me like an itch that would not leave. I love the song but I also love Mondays. 

You wouldn't even begin to understand why Mondays are awesome days unless you're a performer, musician, or an entertainer. (I should include freelancer in this list.) It's probably the most peaceful day of the week for us.

In our vocabulary TGIF does not mean rest and recreation. It's the start of a hectic stream of work, rehearsals, and performances.

During my student days, I volunteered as a church musician. Fridays and Saturdays were spent on choir rehearsals, personal rehearsals had to be done in between classes and academic homework. On Sundays, musicians have to be in church from 6am till 9pm to serve on all services.

On Fridays and Saturdays many of us are teaching private lessons. Yes, it is fun; but dealing with 10-15 different personalities in day can be very physically and mentally draining.

Come Monday, everything is quiet. When the 9-5 corporate people have gone off to work, we sleep and wake up late. After a hearty breakfast without the pressures of rushing to the bundy clock, we can now head to the market or grocery. You'd appreciate how peaceful a supermarket is without long lines at the parking lot and cashier.

Even the park is eerily quiet; but I love it that way. It's time to gather new inspirations for work and writing.

Mondays are truly magical for me. 

#Mondays

image by David Castillo Dominici /freedigitalphotos.net

Home Decorating Ideas Using Vintage Posters

Vintage posters have popular and enduring charms because of the connections from a departed era.  The nostalgia they emanate is valued up to the present age.


Vintage posters are growing in popularity and the demand is steadily growing during the recent years. Its rarity in the marketplace adds to the high value of authentic vintage posters.  Besides being a collector’s fantasy, vintage posters are bought for their unique aesthetic charm that they add to the overall look of a room. It is that certain classical spirit in each piece that makes it an impressive staple to various establishments such as diners, eating places, museums, theaters, or homes.

If you search for the "vintage posters" on the internet, and you will find an astonishing number of leads - a good number of these sites either offer to buy or are selling vintage posters.


Some well-known museums that display a significant amount of authentic vintage posters, include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre in Paris,  the Museum of Modern in New York, and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.  Of course, the most practical way of viewing and getting information on these rare items is to browse about vintage posters online.

There are two major classes of vintage posters.  The first type is the authentic vintage poster-- the master copy itself.  Authentic vintage posters are priced high due to of the low availability factor in the market and, of course, among collectors. Often, one would notice that the price gets higher with the age of the poster. Just imagine how much a 19th century poster from Europe would cost you. It is quite difficult to get hold of posters that were contemporaries of the legendary poster maker, Jules Cheret, because almost all of these were damaged through time by environmental elements. Posters made in the 19th century did not have the advantages of modern printing technologies that we are presently enjoying.




The second form of vintage poster is called "vintage" not in reference to its age, but is based on its style. Several artists of this era are concentrating exclusively on vintage art. If you would visit an art gallery or baroque themed establishments, you'll most probably come across vintage style art pieces as part of the decor. Famous artists focusing on vintage art include Dennis Loren, Julia Head, Kenneth Shoesmith, and Eugene Grassetare.





In fact, you can produce a vintage style poster with the use of software or just with regular art materials done by hand.  What differentiates one from the other software user is the level of creative talent and skill which would render the final product, whether hands- on or through the computer.

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More on decorating:

Use Artwork to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Best Responses for the Most Common Tactless Party Greeting

What is the most common party greeting after "hi" and "hello?" I don't know how it goes in other countries or cultures, but among Filipinos, it is most often like this:

Hi! "Tumaba ka" or "ang taba mo" (you're fat)

or

Hi! "Ang payat mo" (you're thin)

Whether in the Philippines or outside of the country, you can easily spot many Filipinos greeting each other this way - tactlessness at its finest. It has become an infamously normal greeting among many folks, women in particular.

This expression of impropriety has to come from somewhere. It was formed from a deeper social core - family.  Some people just find it difficult to say something nice. You just have to understand that they may have grown to be criticized all their life, or they are simply unethical and insecure about you. 

How do you reply to these unethical remarks?

I have thought of some which you can use:

Greeter : "Ang taba mo" (you're fat)

You: "Yes, I know. I can afford to eat whatever I want now"

Greeter: "Uy tumaba ka" (you've become fatter)

You: "Because I'm rich now. It's a sign of affluence"

Greeter: "Ang taba mo na" (you're now fat)

You: "I've been chosen to model for a full-figured women magazine. Many find full women sexier, haven't you heard?... Oh you're so outdated!"

Greeter : "Ang taba mo" (you're fat)

You: "Oh, yes! and I'm happy, too. My hot husband / boyfriend spoils me so much."

Greeter : "Ang taba mo" (you're fat)

You: "Yes, I'd rather have this than yours!"

The list can go on endlessly, but this is all for now. Love your figure as long as you're healthy and happy, you'll do fine! Enjoy the party! 

If you are not happy about it, maybe you can also consider losing the unwanted weight and come back to the next beach party in your sexiest clothes as a revenge. 

image from Sattva/ freedigitalphotos.net

3 Simple Ways to Cure Procrastination

People procrastinate for many reasons. According to psychologists, there are four basic reasons for this behavior pattern.

1. They view the task before them as unpleasant or boring.
2. They lack knowledge in managing their time and responsibilities.
3. They feel overwhelmed by the task to be done.
4. They cannot see the any immediate results or benefits.

What should be done?

Get it over with.
When faced with an unpleasant assignment, act on it as soon as possible.  Try to do it first and get it over with.  Do not spoil the whole day constantly thinking about this dreaded thing to be done.  In an organization setting, you may delegate the task to someone else.

Divide and conquer.
For assignments that seem to complex or too large, divide the work into small components, then tackle each individually.  Focus on one step at a time. This way, you won’t be paralyzed with fear at the enormity of an assignment.



Reward yourself.
If the reason is that you cannot see any immediate reward, set up your own reward when the task is completed.  This personal incentive that you set up will serve to motivate you to finish the task.


More about tasks and goals:

8 Steps To Help You Prepare for the College Application Process

Why Should Racism Still Exist in this Internet Age?

Regardless of race, social strata, religion, economic status, we all are driven by our attitude. We act on something because we were driven by our gut feel or a mindset. We have our own biases; and our instinct dictates our judgment. 

Let's focus on something close to our common experience - the online writing communities and job boards. I have contemplated on these matters myself, so I'd like to share these questions with you as well.

When we join a website and see many members join, do we see that as a sign of growth or something that will lead to its downfall? Do we see a new member as an opportunities for growth or a competition?

When we meet other people who are not of our race, do we shut them out or welcome them. For what reason - because we tend think this or that race is friendlier, or kinder, or more obnoxious, or a bunch of bigots?