Almost famous in December

The office Christmas party is considered by the staffs as that single day of the year when everyone can drop everything, let loose and let go, and be anyone you want to be -- just for one evening.

And this year's theme pretty much gives everyone a shot at their most cherished fantasies: "Famous Movies".

Shown in the photo, from left to right:

Papa Bear, as Indiana Jones Sr. The props: leather cowboy hat and a real rope-whip. Good thing he never carries that thing around the Tech area. Imagine this: "Mike, I need that sampling! Hwabish! Leo, where's that media release? Hwooopak!!"

Ooooohh! *shudder* Just kidding! ^^

Mae, as Hermione Granger. The props: a witch's hat made by Ramon, a necktie, a toga, and a wand. Wingardium Leviosa!

Mike, as the rock and rollin' Dewey Finn of the movie School of Rock. The props: plaid shirt, denim jeans, and his very own electric guitar. Melt their faces, man!

Ramon, as the legendary ninja. The props: a complete ninja suit! and a black short staff as sword. You sneaky, sneaky you.

Mear, Lara Croft. The props: all-black kick-ass outfit, leather belts, pistols, and the hairdo that completes that Lara-look.

I came as Eric Draven from the movie The Crow. The props: improvised trenchcoat, all-black outfit, black straps, ropes, a wig, and dog chains. Thanks to Joan for my make-up. ^^

Vlad, as the late Arturo "Bomber" Moran, a huge (literally) villain who was a favorite cast in the 80s to 2002-something Pinoy action-comedy films, best known for his brand of portraying "kontrabidang palpak".

Over half of the staff came as witches from Hogwarts, an evidence maybe of the film's recent hit. The talented Marco put his skills to use and came as Optimus Prime, with armors made of old vertical file boxes and used cardboards (given the chance, I'd award him the Most Environment-Friendly Costume).

The most daring costume would be that of our Field Anchor, Con, who came as Tinkerbell. I need not describe this one. Vegetable salad, anyone?

More about the Mother Station christmas party in the next post! Happy holidays!

Game na!

Before everyone gets busy with the holidays, let us pause to remember that just this Tuesday, December 11, at 11:30am, time and work stopped at Mother Station. For half an hour, history unfolded as all staff gathered in one room, watched in one TV, and shouted in one voice...

"Go Lynn!"

There she was, on a primetime TV game show -- beaming, vibrant, and seemingly heavier by ten pounds (TV always does that to anyone, they say, so no worries) -- poised to conquer nine other contestants for that coveted cash price and the chance to be lead dancer of "Papaya".

How many of us know which of the first ten words of the song, "Pangako sa 'yo", starts with the letter "N"? Not me, that's for sure, nor anyone of us watching at that time. But, with a fluid swipe at the sensor (or was she just trying to fix her clothes?), Lynn nailed this question to be the very first contestant to leave the elimination round and rise to the next level.

And be the first to be interviewed by the game show host.

The exchange was a blur, but I've never seen the host so star-struck. Way to go Lynn! Haha!

The next level features the "atras-abante" maneuvers. While she was overshadowed by two married contestants and got the nasty "atras" from a gasoline shop crew, Lynn showed a stellar performance by answering the trickiest of questions ("Ano ang tawag sa nakababatang kapatid na lalaki ng iyong Lola?") and showing compassion to fellow contestants (by not using her "Atras" powers).

Cheers to you, Lynn! Congrats for your winnings! And thanks for the blowout (hindi yata lahat nakakain. Isa na ako doon)! The Techies are so proud of you! ^^

Happy!

The age-old tradition that is the SWS Christmas card just had a breath of fresh talent.

Behold, (drum roll) the art of Marco.

This year we are sharing a question, which personally I think is quite apt amid the turbulent times:

Sa pangkalahatan, masasabi po ba ninyo na ang inyong Pasko ngayong taon ay magiging..? [On the whole, would you say that your Christmas this year will be..?] (Masaya [Happy] code 1, Malungkot [Sad] code 2, Hindi masaya at hindi rin malungkot [Not happy and not sad] code 3)

Wishing everyone a code 1 Christmas 2007!
Maligayang Pasko at
Manigong Bagong Taon 2008!

Telephone Toughie

Another classic "Lynn moment"...

(Phone rings incessantly. Lynn rushes to her table to pick it up.)

Lynn: "HELLO! SINO 'TO?!!"

(A few seconds of silence.)

Lynn: "Hi Sir..."

Lessons:

- When inside the office, never EVER think, even for a second, that you will not get a call from your boss.

- You only need to remember two voices in the office: 1) your boss' and 2) that of others. You could forget the latter, but the former you must be able to distinguish down to the most minute tone and timbre, in all conditions (imagine choppy cellphone signal and barely audible murmur) and at all times (short of becoming a pre-cog like Vlad who could predict Papa Bear's calls with 99% accuracy).

And so ends the story of Telephone Toughie Lynn. ^ ^

Richie and Lynn Nuptial, March 18, 2007

Congratulations and best wishes, Lynn and Richie!