If this is authentic, I would say “Told you so!”. They are all corrupt (except GMA, hehe). OK, I think I heard somewhere that Jun Lozada has admitted to being one of the actors in this conversation.

Let’s disregard, for a minute, the fact that this wire tap is illegal. If Abalos’s (did I type that right?) threat is true, I can understand how he could think of threatening Jun Lozada. It seems they were laughing at the expense of Abalos, hehe.

However, threat or no threat, if we are to believe everything Jun Lozada says, let us not forget that he should be included as guilty to graft and corruption as well since he was insinuating that if the “commission” is lowered to about 20% of the ZTE contract price, the whole endeavor is good to go. What’s worse, I don’t think I heard any violent reaction from the opposition senators upon hearing the acceptable 20% “commission” rate.

Owner of lost laptop sues Best Buy for $54 million dollars. You think it’s ridiculous? You won’t if you just listen to her story.

Raelyn Campbell bought a laptop from Best Buy and decided to include an extended warranty as well. When the power button broke, he brought it to Best Buy for repairs. They said it will be ready in two to six weeks? First of all, two to six weeks? It’s like saying we’ll just call you when it’s done. OK, back to the story. After six weeks, nothing happened so she called the company.

You guessed right – she was passed around. The good news is they finally know what happened to her laptop. The bad news is it got lost. To make the long story short, she lost the laptop and was lowballed into accepting initially $900 worth of gift card when the laptop cost her $1,100 (including the warranty). So how did she come up with the $54 million dollar lawsuit? Let me count the ways:

1. She was told that the fix will take *only* two to six weeks.
2. When six weeks was over, she called them up and was passed around.
3. She found out that her laptop was lost.
4. She was told she would be compensated but after several weeks nothing happened.
5. When they finally called, she was offered an insulting $900 gift card! The laptop cost her $1,100 plus thousands of dollars worth of music, photos and software.
6. The store manager replied to one of her queries, “For every customer that has had an unpleasant experience I can show you hundreds who have had a great experience. I have been in retail for a long time and the one conclusion I have come to is that not every customer can be satisfied.” If this is a rule, and it isn’t, the situation is obviously an exception!
7. A lawyer informed her she could be a victim of identity theft. Best Buy didn’t bother inform her about the possibility.

So why $54 million?

The amount intentionally echoes another lawsuit that made headlines last year — a case involving a D.C. judge who sued a dry cleaner for $54 million over a lost pair of pants. That case was eventually dismissed.
Campbell freely admits she picked the same amount in an effort to attract media attention.

I would have settled for $5 million. I have a family to feed.

My wife changed my perception towards cats, dogs and animals in general. I have come to love cats. I have always loved liked dogs but wasn’t really conscious of their needs (like drinking water).

Anyways, this video of two talking cats is so cute.

I’m a Laker fanatic.  I get depressed when they lose.  For those who know the Lakers or the NBA, Devean George is a former Laker that is now playing for the Dallas Mavericks.  He, and other Maverick cagers, were supposed to be traded to the New Jersey Nets for Jason Kidd.  Both teams were hyped until Devean George vetoed the trade.  The only other player I know that has this veto power in his contract is Kobe Bryant.  Why he has this veto power in his contract is unimaginable.

Anyway, I read this funny article of how the veto played out.  I think it’s hilarious.

I’m really not a fan of Valentine’s Day.  I think it’s overrated but… my wife looks forward to this day every February 15th.

My wife, by the way, is so good with surprises (with me as recipient, of course).  In the past few years, she has already surprised me with an acoustic steel guitar and a Nokia 7250 (back when it was sexy) as gifts even when there were no special occasions.  She surprised me by driving a brand new Honda City with automatic transmission last year 2000.  I didn’t know she can drive.  She also surprised me by visiting me in Manila without my prior knowledge of her coming.  She’s done that three times – one within several weeks of my first time to be working in Manila (presumably to cheer me up), one during Valentine’s day (I was out drinking with officemates) and one after we had a big fight.

Anyway, back to Valentine’s day today.  I bought my wife 6 pieces red tulips to the tune of a six four figure peso amount.  I don’t know if she’s thrilled or not.  I’m an idiot who doesn’t know how to be romantic.  I am the complete opposite of her.

Years ago, we agreed that having dinner on this day is corny, not to mention frustrating.  Restaurants are full and services unsatisfactory.  Today, we decided to eat out with friends and family who didn’t have dates.  True enough, we ate dinner two orders short.  Before, this would make my blood boil.  Now, I understand the incompetency of our waiters, chefs & cashier/managers.  I understand they lack education, thus, disorganized.  The waiters, I can see from their faces that they are afraid to serve food to tables with angry patrons.  I can see they are trying hard not to make mistakes.

Tomorrow is February 15th and my wife will be looking forward to this day again.