Scam of the Earth

Posted on March 15, 2025 by Topher

Have you ever tried a chiropractor? Well, I signed up for health insurance because of it. Many years past, I joined BUPA extras as they offered chiro rebates. At uni, I tried out this practice downtown. They were on the seventh floor of an older building. I went there thrice a week and the results were very promising. My posture was getting better. Sadly, I stopped as I couldn’t marshall the time.

Twenty one six

In 2016, I returned. The licensee was still there but everything had changed. From the receptionist to the design, the facelift wasn’t subtle. The prices had gone up. Chiropractors are never good value. They charge you way too much for what’s essentially a three-minute spinal manipulation. In my experience, there was no variety in their ‘treatment’. Five minutes and you’re gone. They have been referred to as practitioners of a pseudo-science. No offence, but they’re basically quack doctors. Want results? Go somewhere else.

To be honest, I’ve seen more progress with acupuncture than this joke. The latter actually gave me a clear mind to tackle the world. In years of adjustments, my posture never improved. By heading to them, you’re only making them rich. It’s very much a one-way street. You get nothing out of it. Just the blind, unfounded hope that your back will ameliorate.

Mike Miller

Miller Time

The only exception is Mike Miller’s chiropractor. Miller was a standout three point shooter who spent time with the champion Miami Heat. In the 2012 NBA Finals, he was practically in a gurney. Couldn’t play defence. Could barely run. Even the announcers were egging the Thunder to attack Miller as he was the weakest player on the court. The next year, after working with his chiro, he played all 82 contests. He seemed a different person. His chiro was really good, but the rest are serial thieves. In other words, nothing but scammers. As they say, they’re ’wolves in sheep’s clothing’.

Active Topher

Since stopping my chiro visits, I’ve been doing exercises. In the past month or so, I’ve seen improvement in my standing posture. This never happened with my chiropractor visits. Exercise adequately and religiously and there’s no reason why your standing posture would not resolve.

I’m glad with my progress. However, my sitting posture is a tougher nut to crack. I’m used to slouching on my high back chair. It takes a lot of discipline to repair old habits. Repetition is key.

Acupuncture

Quackery

You’d wonder why only four or five unis offer chiro in Oz. Despite big returns, the profession has never caught on here. These clowns pretend that there’s something wrong with your spine. Subluxation is their blanket term for everything back related. These sadists are so professional that they think they could banish lower back pain. Please. They’re hardly better than those faith healers in Southeast Asia. The only difference? The inviting practice and awards on their wall.

After COVID, I decided that chiro was unnecessary. Without warning, I ceased going to the scammer. Mind you, he was very business-minded, always thinking of ways to fleece his unsuspecting clientele. I bought a few items. They were all rubbish and had no effect whatsoever on my back. Just a lame, pathetic excuse for more $$$. As they say, ‘There will be no fooling if there are no fools’.

In fairness, he was always nice to me. Supportive of my writing prowess. Grateful that I mentioned him multiple times in my memoir. That was because he was getting my cash. He has $$ for eyes. I only entered the dragon weekly. If you multiply that by forty weeks per year, it was a lot of dough. After twelve visits was the evaluation. He appraised my posture, which was always the same. To be honest, the whole entire fiasco was ludicrous. I gradually went less, before stopping completely.

He prided himself as the perennial front runner among Sydney chiros. He has been featured a few times on the news. Like me, a lover of books. We often chatted about our latest reads. Tuesdays with Morrie was his favourite read. I introduced him to Karin Slaughter and Michael Connelly. Gave him a copy of Andre Agassi’s Open. I also recommended a few series on Netflix. He didn’t get American Vandal. He did enjoy YouTube eps of Scam City. He should probably be the all in one antagonist. Originally from the States, we’re both dual nationals.

NY Public Library
Wombat thief

Imagine

Before this, I stopped turning up to the acupuncturist. These are inessential. If you condition your brain that you don’t need these services, then you won’t. You could straighten your back and sharpen your mind bereft of these wombats. These days, I only use my cover for dental and optical.

He told me a few times, ‘Imagine the millions we’ve saved by borrowing books at the library’.

To paraphrase this, ‘Imagine the millions who weren’t saved by turning up at chiropractors.’

People are gullible. We want such quick fixes that we don’t recognise a placebo. That’s the perfect term for chiro: an unproven, unregulated, silly, unnecessary joke. Weird Al Jankovic would be proud.

Weird Al Yankovic
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Kitty Toughpaws

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Topher

She was my sister’s classmate and friend

Pestered Ate Jacky that was the trend

During my days off uni, I answered the landline checked out the tease

‘Could I speak with Jacklyn please?’

Said this in her thick Indo accent

I always passed her the phone, even as she mimed wildly to show her dissent

Chick had a ton of problems a pity

The most trivial was her pet, Kitty

Named the feline after Salma Hayek’s character thought it sounded good

Told sis that Kitty doesn’t eat cat food

Many times, Atw tried ending the powwow but Erin won’t take no for an answer

She was hell-bent on disturbing my diligent sis like a strike of thunder

Erin was irritable and impatient

Always spoke too fast, her temper ever-present

Soon, sis had caught her tone and copied Erin’s form

I’d ask a simple query and the tempestuous manner became her norm

She’d pick on me, ‘Prince Christoff and Princess Erin’

I hated it Erin was okay but not my mandarin

Having a kitty as her best bud didn’t help matters

Seemed like the feline was the only critter who tolerated her lack of manners


For years, they had no contact, until they bumped into each other downtown

Erin held back tears; Kitty had gone to heaven and left without another frown

Later, Erin would get married and have her own family

Hope she’s no longer disrupting her mates found a new duty.

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Tomato Rice

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Topher

A few times, we ordered tomato rice with crispy chicken supporting the local enterprise

Got this from the Viet restaurant down the road

They served it hot and the carbs reminded us of Java rice

They put lettuce and sliced carrots to goad

Of course he had other items, I counted at least seventy

Had menus and his wooden tables could fit fifteen

Despite his beautification, didn’t attract plenty

A Buddha statue peered atop his canteen

Tomato rice with crispy chicken

I didn’t know the owner’s name and never asked

His pho was okay his competitors had queues

We bought beef and chicken pho banal but always made sis plussed

The meat, bean sprouts, mint, and lemon took away our blues

Another Viet eatery proclaimed, ‘You will pho-get your worries’ years ago, we went there for my birthday supper

He watched Man v Wild told me he loved the adventure

Had a thick Viet accent and pronounced his s as t not a bother

Months later, he sold his shop will prolly get a new denture

Pho

Mum beheld his wife while crossing the street

Her face scary a veteran of plastic surgery

At a local cafe, I bumped into ‘Tomato Rice’, though I didn’t greet

He drank black coffee wasn’t creamy gave me a toothless smiley

Did not front a new place

Anyhow, he could not best the newer and bigger establishments

His wifey needed more dough to improve her face

He’d have an uphill battle, in spite of his ornaments

Halong Bay, Vietnam

His fare sophomoric but good value

Never mixed up our orders, used fresh ingredients, and had fast service

Can’t say the same of his neighbouring restaurant, to which accuracy they must pursue

These dishonest joints should be put on notice

My anecdote reveals a dog-eat-dog world

Too much of the same fare and ‘Whack! You’re gone’

Shame the axe fell on Tomato Rice’s head this had him whirled

I’m happy to have been a customer as, in the end, we had some fun.

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The Process

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Topher

Writing a poetry collection is arduous

The culmination of bits and pieces, months and years, make you cantankerous

For me, writing poems began in sixth grade

Got the highest marks in my Filo class though I did not pen a dirge

She became my mentor, asking me why I didn’t join the school paper

I wasn’t as confident then needed a revamp

Title page
Uni graduation
Dedication

In high school, I wrote a few and a couple were published in our school organ

Beyond this, I was never a prolific poet, until now

My verses and output piled up, time to give them a new home

To dream bigger, pen more, and mow

With a friend

In this book, I’ve utilised five rhyming schemes

The best way to navigate the rough seas

Couplets, alternate rhyme, haiku, free verse, and reverse consonance

I owe Doveglion for introducing me to the amphisbaenic rhyme it clicked

I also authored two verseless pieces, a nod to his minimalism

He’s an iconoclast, from his poetic genius to his life in the States, exiled from mainstream

Like me, he adapted to the West and assimilated to its culture

A pioneer in English poetry for Pinoys, a keystone, and rock

I also thank Jose Rizal, whose work inspired me to pen Mi Primer Adios

His life was remarkable though his demise, sad

Was wise beyond his years, penned a poem as an idealistic schoolboy

Rizal made the most of his opportunities yes

My poems fill the entire page

Brevity has never been my getup

Being multilingual, there are Spanish, Filipino, and Chinese phrases

All the better for my readers it’s a sweep

The first section

Collating, writing, and editing your book require a great deal of dedication and patience

Like any milestone, you must work for the crop

If you’re smart enough, your poems will be considered literature

You have to accept, scribble, and play your role

Some entries may be personal or tributes, others are a bit short

The quality of words are what matter, you’ve aced the test

I’ve drawn from my heroes, wandered into their worlds

Taken the plane, stole their thunder, and balanced on the see-saw

My work is never superficial, ‘There’s more than meets the eye’.

Musings draft 2 (currently editing 3.0)
Posted in Literary, Past edited work | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Five strengths

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Topher

Share five things you’re good at.

  1. Writing prose and poetry. Might have mentioned this gift on my site. Since high school, my composing has been my go-to talent. I’ve won contests, published books, and aced English exams. See also: Topher Wins. You need only look at my blog. Whether stories or verses, fiction or essays, I keep recalibrating my next hurdle. Coming soon: writing for the stage. I have some ideas for a play.

In terms of fiction, I’ve released a story collection. Nonfiction? One memoir. Poetry…is on the cards. Authors can’t be one trick ponies. We must adapt and grow. Kurt Vonnegut and Albert Camus were versatile. They published manuscripts across the board. Vonnegut never won the Pulitzer or Nobel Prize; Camus did. They remain popular decades after their demises. Incidentally, Vonnegut was deployed as a soldier overseas, like Ernest Hemingway and Jerome David Salinger. The former’s novel, Slaughterhouse Five, problematises this experience.

Anti hero Holden Caulfield
JD Salinger
Kurt Vonnegut

2. Editing. Of course together with writing is editing and proofing. They’re related but different. Both time consuming, the two require a certain skillset. You can be a plus writer but a subpar editor. You’ll be hard pressed to find a mediocre writer and gifted editor. If you’ve finished your book, there are licensed editors for hire. I’ve mobilised two in the past. Others work in offices around town. They sit poring over a range of works. Some are workmanlike while others are polished. Some writers deserve ‘constipated thinking’ comments; some are an A minus. They detest adverbs and verbosity. If I had my way, all sentences could be shortened. A nose for the news is essential in reporting. An eye for detail is paramount in editing.

I read my classmates’s work before.

‘Human beings have been talking about the third world for decades.’

Simplistic and not chiselled. Thus, I got a higher mark. Viewing these arguments honed my editing skills. Like spotting zebra stripes, you must master your grammar.

I was examining an unpublished novel. I told the author that I’d replace all the em dashes with single quotes. That’s the way it should be, I told him. Was one of the most sleep inducing proofing I did. I was surprised that I didn’t conk out while replacing hundreds of dashes.

Editing

3. Remembering. My long term memory is very good, if not excellent. I could recall conversations from fifteen years ago. I know the names of my classmates and advisors from primary school and beyond. On my Spotify, I’ve got the songs that I listened to while growing up. At times, I sing along. I can recall all the NBA champs from the eighties onward. I remember the price of my clothes and shoes, though purchased ages ago. Where I bought them as well. As a kid, I could replay, word for word, the tapes that I listened to. Once again, please refer to my eBook, Topher Wins. You can grab your copy here:

Topher Wins: How I notched up an 8.5 Overall Band Score in the IELTS Academic

4. Directions. While holidaying in Melbourne, my direction skills impressed my friend.

‘You’re better than Google Maps’, he told me.

We found our way to the Gold Mine in Bendigo. Had a few minutes before the tour started. I was wearing the wrong attire with suede Converse shoes and brown chinos. I had on a blue marle jacket. We went down twelve floors in a claustrophobic lift. The kid was annoying. His father asked this tourist where he was from. He said that the Tokyo trains were packed like our lift. There were two Japanese tourists. See? I remember the bits and pieces. In case you’re wondering, I did not refer to my blog post on Bendigo. This trip is going on nine years.

Tokyo train
Melbourne

5. Mental math. I’ve impressed a few souls with my mad skills. In third year, the valedictorian was my seatmate. She asked me a complex calculation, which I answered promptly. Without using any calculators.

‘Ang galing mo naman sa mental math’ (You’re really good at mental math.)

‘Di naman masyado.’ (Not really.)

I routinely compute with my mind. Why bring out your phone when you could solve it yourself? Media devices have held us hostage. Technology, our first and last resort. Using track changes is sweet but nothing beats editing the printed word. Authors avail of proof copies for a reason. Before the typewriter and laptop, authors penned hundreds of pages by hand. They used Mongol pencils to sift through the manuscript. If they could inscribe and proof with rudimentary materials, then so can we. Analog technology is underrated. In an era of iPhones and smart watches, it pays to be open-minded.

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One Day

Posted on January 5, 2025 by Topher

If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?

Jamal Wallace is my obvious first choice. However, I’ve mentioned him too much in my writing. Meanwhile, I saw the series One Day on Netflix. Based on the popular novel, Dexter is the male lead. To many, he’s unlikeable. A ladies’ man, a flawed character. He knows that he wants his best friend, but his frailties keep getting in the way. In college, he was popular and hung out with the in crowd. He had great PR skills but also had narcissistic tendencies. He had little regard for the women that he hurt. By the series’s homestretch, he had become a full-blown junkie. He liked to show how cultured he was and that he hung out with the hottest, artsiest creatives. His best friend thought he was detestable.

Mayhew

Of course, I’m none of the above. On paper, I bear little resemblance to Dexter Mayhew. In school or college, I wouldn’t call myself a campus figure. People knew me, but I wasn’t the face of the school. Not a dancer, singer, or painter. I served during First Friday Mass. Instead of crafting portraits or cavorting, I wrote articles. I had none of Dexter’s PR or wooing skills. Yes, I had crushes in school and at uni, but I didn’t act on them.

I couldn’t get how others could multitask. For me, romance and my studies didn’t go hand in hand. Though not distracted, I wasn’t an outstanding student. I rarely topped exams and didn’t set the bar. However, I read lots of books. I have a higher IQ than most of my brainy peers.

The Taster

I’ve mostly been sober. I had a phase where I’d try different beer, lager, and cider brands. This wasn’t good for my health, so I halted it. I don’t name drop to impress others. I’m just an ordinary denizen, but like Dexter, I can write.

Emma Morley is his fictitious best friend. He meets her on the last day of college. She’s more of a nerd and doesn’t hang out with the cool kids. Initially, he wanted to sleep with her but their relationship soon turns out to be platonic. The next day, he chases her to get her number and they reconnect through the years. The series is titled One Day as it occurs on the same day (Emma’s birthday) every year.

One Day a year

The series is tragic. Like ‘Life is what happens when you’re not paying attention’.

Dexter takes Emma for granted. Once he finally follows his heart, it’s nearly too late. He pays the price for his arrogance. Life’s too short to dawdle. Every day counts and every week matters. Do what you can today, because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

The concept of setting aside a day for years reminded me of the South African doco. They met up every seven years. High school reunions are every ten years. Our grand reunion is twenty five years. I have mixed feelings about these homecomings. I wasn’t particularly close with my classmates. Some of them wouldn’t be too happy to see me, and vice-versa. Among my peers are quite a few doctors, a lawyer, many registered nurses, educators, pharmacists, etc. Only one of them has published a 300-page book.

I’m sure it’s going to be a bragging session. Who earns the most. Who’s travelled where. Got the cutest kids. The fanciest cars. The coolest job. It’s supposed to be Pax Benedictina. Ora eat Labora, prayer and work. We’re supposed to be humble, but you know that’s not always the case. Even if I live in Sydney and have published books, I prefer a more laidback approach.

The Unrest

I feel sorry for those that couldn’t make it in person as they conked out too soon. Last month, one of them visited me in my dreams. Dad told me to pray for his soul. Trying to be a good son, I nodded along. Deep down, I have NO intention to follow through on my promise. He’s deceased for a reason. Maybe, had he been a better person, he wouldn’t have to cameo in my subconscious. He didn’t treat me very well, so why should I?

I hope that I don’t end up lovelorn like Dexter. Nothing more heartbreaking than going home to an empty nest, the love of your life gone too soon.

Human nature allows us to think that there will always be another chance, another day. We become complacent, sheltered, even spoiled. What if, like my frenemy, your time runs out? What if right now is the only opportunity we’ll ever have?

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Yuletide Buys

Posted on December 28, 2024 by Topher

Generally, Boxing Day (BD) is Australia’s biggest shopping frenzy, even wilder than Black Friday. The best deals are on and buyers have marked this day red on their calendars. Before, trading commenced at 5am. Only the malls downtown were open. Once, my family went in at around 6am. We visited Myer, Pitt Street Mall, and Broadway Shopping Centre. We scored many bargains. These days, shops open at 7am or later. More importantly, the madness is now not limited only to the city centre. BD is also known for its great sporting tradition. The Boxing Day Test between Oz and India attracts tens of thousands. The Sydney or Hobart yacht race is a world class sailing tussle. To prove this, Rolex is the major sponsor. This year was one of the deadliest, with two participants going to heaven.

Queen Victoria Building
Sydney to Hobart
Sydney to Hobart
Pitt Street Mall

Pre-Christmas shopping spree

I did most of my Christmas buys BEFORE the 26th. David Jones sent us some vouchers. We snapped up a beard brush and Natio shower gel. The latter turned out cheaper at Amazon, but at least we used our coupons. JB HiFi also sent out a voucher. We got some pens and printer ink.

Days before the 25th, I got a new WordPress plan. This was my present to myself. Previously, I was on the Personal plan. By moving to Business, more options are at my disposal. They offer a two-year plan and it wasn’t peanuts. However, I’ll do what I can to enhance my writing opportunities.

On Monday the 23rd, we went to Bankstown Central. There, we chanced upon this bin that was perfect for my room. It had an eye catching diamond design and was made in Turkey. In a light grey colour, I got it at a good price.

  • Gallery Image
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    WordPress Business Plan
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    Apple Store Sydney
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    Bankstown Central
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    iPhones 14 & 15

The Apple Bubble

I bought an iPhone 14. I would’ve gone for the Plus but they did not stock that. They had two colours: midnight and starlight. I opted for the former, not that it matters. This would be lost in the phone’s cover. The 15 has the same amount of RAM and screen size, only utilising a more advanced chip. Of course, it will be supported for a year more than its predecessor. I found Face ID to be a game changer. No more drying of hands and awkward pressing. The screen size is middling. For that price, you’d have wanted something more substantial. Regardless, it feels like a premium phone as opposed to a solid midrange Android. See also: my last mobile, an Oppo Reno 11F. Reno’s have Touch ID integrated inside the screen. Handy. Battery was good. It was to get two major Android updates. All in all, a quality device…except it wasn’t an iPhone.

Returning to the Apple ecosystem is nice. Once you try it, staying is very tempting. Many years ago, I bought my first iPhone. It gave me 3.5 years of service. Before, at Myer, I grabbed the 64gb version. Nowadays, their entry level iPhone has 128gb. This is less than the Reno (256gb), which also had 8gb of RAM. In case you’re wondering, the latest iPhone sports 8gb of RAM. The sixteenth edition has a slightly larger screen and improved Articifial intelligence (AI) features. Since the 15, they pack twice as much battery cycles at 1000. Battery health and cycle count is also visible, negating the need for a third party app.

Since the iPhone 12, they’ve come with 5G. Having owned many 5G handsets, you’ll really feel the difference on Apple’s signature mobile. Others may have more RAM and screen real estate, but lack the smoothness of an iPhone. Moreover, the 14 offers eSIM support. This is convenient with service providers who aren’t available in retail stores. You could also utilise two sims at once.


I’ve downloaded 20 apps on my phone. They vary from fast food to productivity apps, Spotify to Protonmail. I have Flybuys and Woolies, David Jones and Afterpay. Brave is my default browser, although I use Google as my search engine. Other notables are Facebook, Qantas Pay, Webjet, Messenger, and Country Road. All these apps are optimised for iPhone.

Aside from the premium phone, I picked up a black Gecko case from the same store. It was 30 percent off. Unlike others, it had textile material instead of PU. This reminded me of my old iPad case. We had a look around the mall and the cheapest was $25. Others were $30. The front had a lizard outline, reminiscent of the tuko (gecko) in the Philippines. The flap is unideal, but I’ll live with it. The case comes with two card slots whereas others have three. This is more than sufficient, as I only need it for my Opal card.

Fahrenheit 26/12

On BD, we wandered at Castle Hill. The new Metro impressed my dad. It reminded him of ones in Taiwan and Japan. It was a hit with passengers from all walks of life.

I bought this lass a gift. I asked the staffer if they stocked the item. He was positive that they didn’t. I told him that I spotted it on their website. He checked and found out that they had one left. Had a look round the display and I beat him to it. He told me that he’d bring it to the counter. Admitted that he didn’t know they sold them. At the counter, I told the lady that they brought it in for me. She went to the back and scoured for clothes. When she returned, I pointed it out. At other stores, it was the same price. Unlike their competitor, I earned Flybuys points for this transaction. That evening, I bought a printed case from Amazon, with a lovely nature design. The order would arrive within three business days.

Today, I had a look at scents online. She was particularly keen on this high end fragrance. At David Jones, I smelled it and wasn’t convinced. She’s a fan of lighter floral perfumes. While out during BD, I tried Chloe, her favourite. Quite minimalist, the original didn’t blow my mind. Earlier today, I kept reading good things about this other scent. Buyers rated it 4.7/5. Considered a luxury brand, though not as dear as Penhaligon’s. I tested the fragrance and verified the rave reviews. The scent was sought after as two were left. I bought it on the spot, my first in-store payment using my new iPhone.


Los Fam

For BD, I yearned to head out early. Things didn’t go as planned. We did not make the 8am opening. The clothing racks told the story. Like a blustery tornado, only the really large sizes were left. The frenzy had come and gone like a deadly typhoon. That’s why I wanted to come in at 8am. Given, I have a lot of stuff already. Summer doesn’t last long and, by mid-March, we’d be going back to jumpers and knitwear. At least I got my main gift, though this is hardly a surprise. I also spent quality time with my fam.

Stifler, este, Topher Claus is coming to town. Ho ho ho! Belated Merry Christmas!

Stifler from the American Pie film series

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The Brightest Day

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Topher

Today, 21 December, marks the summer solstice. For the uninitiated, the latter is the southern hemisphere’s longest day. This usually occurs in late December. Representing the peak, daylight is lengthiest. In Sydney, that means fourteen hours and twenty five minutes of sunlight. From tomorrow, the number decreases. While this is transpiring, the North Pole experiences the reverse. Eskimos in their igloos will find out that they will have the year’s shortest day. Since the forecast is sunny, Aussies from across three time zones will be planning their next foray under the sun. As I was editing this piece, a fellow author from Scotland posted about the winter solstice. We follow each other’s blogs. Coincidence, perhaps?

‘Another year around the sun’

This event is dependent upon the earth’s revolution around the sun. Last year, the solstice took place on 22 December. This varies between state capitals. This year, Hobart clocks in at the longest, with fifteen hours and twenty two minutes of daylight. Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide follow suit. Brisbane has the shortest in the group, at thirteen hours fifty three minutes.

As mentioned, daylight will gradually reduce. Nights will slowly become longer, until the winter solstice in June. By then, daylight savings time will long be over. Before five pm, darkness will have arrived.


Two stories

The year is divided into two. For the first half, the eastern hemisphere faces the sun. Hence, the longer days. Meanwhile, the reverse is true for the western half. Away from the sun, their days are shorter. As the Earth revolves in its axis, this phenomenon is gradually upended. In case you’re wondering, 7:19pm was the precise time in Sydney where the Sun is closest all year.

While we are basking in sunlight, our northern brethren are enveloped in darkness. As they say, ‘There is no light without darkness.’

These two halves are microcosmic of life on earth. See also: good and evil. Morning and night. Yin and Yang. Land and water. Air and ground. Desert and jungle. Water and thirst. Offence and defence. You get the drill.

This occurrence has been happening for Millenia. The borders and our attire may have changed. The surroundings may have been updated. Our primal urges and needs remain.

  • yin and yang
  • NY
  • Sydney


‘A Tale of Two Christmases’

My former chiropractor had the luxury of experiencing multiple Christmases in both the States and Sydney. He spent twenty five years in the US, and the rest in Oz. When asked which edition he preferred, he answered, Sydney. Christmas is bright and sunny, unlike in his homeland: cold and dreary. The days are long and the people are out. The weather is perfecto.

Perhaps the arrival of the summer solstice would make us take an inventory of our affairs. This year, how much progress have we made? Have we put a smile on others’ faces? Made our part of the world a better place? Accomplished our goals?

The news reported how a billionaire giving away money in western Sydney. Of course, one doesn’t need to be a big shot to serve the community. In the long run, doing little things could make a big difference.

The tortoise and the hare

Life is about getting out of our shells. Remember the race in the fable? Are we tortoises or hares? Did we follow Prometheus’s lead? Calculated the risk by angering the gods? Will we still bring back pasalubong? This doesn’t mean going on a plane as the local Santa. Remembering your immediate family would suffice.

Our journey is also about wins and losses, and the space between them. This event confirms that we are in for the long haul. At first, the tortoise seems like an insult to compete in the dash. However, he knows his limitations. He does not let them define him. The rabbit is so confident that he naps for ages, convinced that the turtle will never beat him. Slowly but surely, the ninja turtle flips the script. He finesses the hurdle and outpoints the hare. Let the solstice be a reminder of the consequence of time. We will never get back our twenties, fifties, and eighties. The days may be fast, but the years drag on.


‘One Fine Day’

The summer solstice happens but once a year. Ergo, avid watchers could be forgiven. Best not to miss these happenings. It may not be as rare as a blood moon or meteor shower, but taking part in history has its advantages. No two solstices are the same. To paraphrase J.R.R. Tolkien, one solstice to rule em all.

Twenty years from now, we’d ask ourselves where we were on this day. Would it be particularly memorable? What would stand out: our activities, attire, or company? Will we have a eureka moment that would change the course of history? Or just another banal day in the grand scheme of things? Would our memory be so good that we could recall the songs we listened to on the auspicious day? Is it worth writing them on our journals, or on the Notes app on your Apple device?


Summers with carabaos

I am used to long days. In the Philippines, it was either hot or hotter. In summer, temps nudged forty degrees. The season meant mangoes, the beach, books, and ice cream. The NBA playoffs were in full swing. The contenders and pretenders would be revealed. The Yuletide season did not fall on the hottest months. Unlike in Sydney, there was no summer solstice or daylight savings. Brightness did not cease at 8pm, even on very humid days.

During summers, it seemed like everyone was out and about. Of course, this was a long time ago. No one would get vitamin D deficiency. These critters were active. Compare that to the kids here. They play with their Switch, iPads, Lego, or computer. As a result, the streets are lacking our youth.

Carols by Candlelight


Christmas habits

We are four sleeps away from Christmas Day. Time to listen to Yuletide songs. On the 24th, tune in to Carols by Candlelight. Take part in secret Santa. Attend Christmas Mass. Celebrate with the fam, before fighting the Boxing Day crowds. In ten days, 2024 will be history. We turn over a new page and prepare for the challenges and victories ahead.

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Meat on Repeat

Posted on December 15, 2024 by Topher

What are your feelings about eating meat?

To eat meat or not, that is the question. Humans are the earth’s apex species. We have dominion over land, sea, and air. Since prehistory, we roam the planet and pick our next meal. We have transitioned from shabby attire to Polo Ralph Lauren, from abacus to M4 Macs. Our diets have changed and a plethora of races begat an embarrassment of cuisines. Some have gone vegan while others remain pescatarians. Some are low-carb while others fast due to religious reasons. However, meat remains a staple in western diet. People love their carne. We couldn’t have enough fried chicken, roast duck, lamb and a barbie. There are hotdog sizzles during Australia Day. Lamb roast or carved turkey on Christmas. Steaks and beer or bangers and mash at the pubs. The list goes on.


Watershed

Vis a vis humanity’s progress is the ethics of animal welfare. During a talk at uni, this guy told us that the movie Apocalypse Now was the watershed moment. Since then, movies included the line, ‘No animals were harmed in the making of this production.’

Some people do not eat pork as they have their reasons. The same goes with chooks. In Hinduism, cows are sacred. Meanwhile, Muslims won’t touch pork. Vegetarians are more common in the west than the orient. The same goes with carnivores, a rarity in eastern cultures. Christians famously abstain from meat during Lent. For forty days, the hard cores go meatless. Others only eat filet-o-fish on Fridays. Looking at the queue for seafood, it kind of defeats the purpose. Some people end up with bigger bellies on Lenten Fridays. Hmmm.

  • Ramadan
  • Apocalypse Now


Carne

So what constitutes a carnivore?

They subsist on meat, seafood, and dairy. They do not touch carbs, sweets, or juice. They drink water alone. In general, they avoid fruits and veggies as doing so would foment issues. They believe that our ancestors lived this bare bones lifestyle. This is nothing new.

Carnivores are very minimalist. They use the least ingredients possible for their own homemade ice cream and cakes. Butter is often paired with meat for their meals. They allege that butter, with two or three ingredients, is healthier than the seed oils used outside. As such, they’re quite consistent. Meat, fish, and butter make them happy.

They offer up the benefits. Their diet’s collagen is anti-ageing. Their immune system is robust. If they stick to meat, they seldom get acne. Likewise, they do not fart.

Of course, saying no to burgers, cake, chocolate, and ice cream is difficult. One day, you’re eating Red Rooster and the next one, you’re guzzling steak and butter.

‘Say goodbye to your memory’, este marmalade. As they say ‘It’s a process.’

‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’

The same holds true of carnivores. I admire their self-control, as saying no to most of the above ain’t easy. Imagine saying no to fast food for weeks, months, and years. Who doesn’t want to binge on Popeye’s? Or try the secret item at Jollibee? Doctors and authors like Jordan Peterson fly the carnivore flag. They usually have high cholesterol, but they still put on a brave face.

Carnivores
Roast duck


Not fussy

Personally, I’m a fan of red meat. Even as a child, I enjoyed it. Relatives have noticed that I eat a lot more meat than average. Carne fuels us, with all its protein and fat. Beef has long been recognised as very filling. This would give you more energy than chicken or pork. Meat is versatile. You can use it in soup, stews, stir fried, or roasted. This comes in many varieties, just like the fish in the ocean.

People say that white meat is healthier than red meat. We should opt for chicken and turkey instead of lamb and beef. I’m all for this argument. We should be vigilant with what we consume. This doesn’t mean counting calories. Rather, we must ensure that we’re eating nutritious food.

Growing up, I wasn’t a fussy eater. Not high maintenance nor did I have a restrictive diet. At uni, I didn’t complain about lunch. When I went to the food court or the mall, I longed not for better fare. Watching movies with my friends, I always bought Japanese food. Though there was Maccas and KFC, I did not get tempted.

In the Philippines, we ate beef, chicken, and goat. We avoided pork. In Sydney, we would chow roast duck as well. Turkey breast. Grilled lamb. I have no qualms about consuming osso bucco, lamb steak, or Peking Duck. There’s nothing wrong with chicken soup or congee. A well-done rump steak keeps the hunger pangs away. I’ve grown attached to the evening ice cream. Juice would be hard to surrender. Like my sister, I enjoy cakes. Not to mention carbs like pasta, bread, potatoes, and rice. Once in a while, I fancy fast food. Every day, I have enough serves of fruit and veggies.

Over the years, ham and sausages was most of our pork purchases. We rarely buy pork steaks. Recently, we’ve stopped buying ham as it’s unhealthy. We still get hotdogs, but beef ones. This is a conscious effort, not religious abstinence.


The ethics of meat eating

Some people cite ethical reasons for avoiding meat, or limiting their consumption. As they say, ‘Each to their own.’

I’m not sold on either. Going all meat isn’t wise. Neither do I aver that going meatless is plausible. Vegetarians and carnivores are both extremes. The consensus is that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest option. Anyhow, I’m happy with the status quo. I’ll let you know if I crave some lamb shanks.

P.S. Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you who you are.

  • Mediterranean diet
  • Apocalypse Now
  • lamb shanks
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The Chill Meals

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Topher

What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?

Eating right is important. I watched Supersize Me at uni. Generally, anything eaten in excess is no good. This doesn’t just apply to fast food. Too much carbs would tack on extra kilos. Excessive nuts may cause zits. Load up on fresh milk and you’ll have a runny tummy. And so on. Strike the right balance and have a bit of everything. Fresh salads and fish. Steaks and brown rice. Wholemeal bread and yoghurt. Seafood and leafy greens. Our diet is not spotless. I’m not bragging or lying about what we often have. Just sharing this snapshot to my readers. While these are recurrent, we don’t have spag bol on repeat like that ad. Here are our top three meals:

  1. Grilled salmon with brown rice and veggies. (Occasionally with ontama)

A healthy choice. Through the years, the price of salmon has shot up. Before gobbling your fish, know the right pronunciation. In Oz, we enunciate it as sah-mon. My dad told me to be aware. Is the fish caught wild or farmed? The former is better, meaning that it was from the ocean.

As per above, we always have our catch with brown rice. Rarely, we’d pair it with white rice. We used to combine it with broccoli, cucumber, or gourmet tomatoes. Sometimes, we’d pair it with a ready to eat salad. At times, the leftover fish would be made into fried rice. Nowadays, it goes with coleslaw and baby spinach.

Baby spinach

The biggest issue is getting the right texture. Yes, salmon can be eaten raw as with Japanese cuisine. However, not overcooking is the best practice. Make sure that it’s a wee bit juicy, but not too soft.

Salmon is rich in good fats and collagen. We always grill it; we never fry. As per above, we sometimes pair it with a half boiled egg or ontama. Just like the Japanese. You could add cabbage with sesame sauce. This fish is perfect for supper. Unlike steak, it won’t fill you up.

A friend said that it makes her happy. Another pal says that he used to fish but could only bring home trout. They cooked it as you can’t it eat raw. They returned a lot of the inedible pufferfish to the river. He wished they caught some salmon so he could it devour it on the spot. I corrected him that salmon is a saltwater fish, not fresh water.

2. Stir fried scotch fillet with brown rice and salad. Along with porterhouse steak, scotch fillet is one of the supermart’s more expensive beef cuts. Regularly selling for $40+ per kilo, the meat is very tender. Save yourself the hassle of a knife. It takes a few minutes to cook a slice. We stir fry the fillet, with a good helping of spices. We then serve it with the aforementioned veggies. Lately, we’ve been having more spinach than broccoli. Unlike Popeye, we get the fresh spinach not the canned variety. The jury’s still out if it makes us stronger. Before, we paired it with tabouleh, Caesar, or Greek salad. Why buy those mixes when you can create your own?


Unlike salmon, cooking scotch fillet is more straightforward. After washing the meat, slice them. At the same time, cook the spices. Then dunk the beef onto the pan. Wait until it’s cooked, before doing the same on the underside. After about six minutes, it’s ready to serve.

Aside from scotch fillet, we also prepare rump and porterhouse steak. These portions offer the best value, dollar for dollar. Rib eye and others, at their price, are impractical.

3. Chicken wrap with hummus.

We got the idea by buying wraps from Manoosh. It’s simple, with protein, lots of lettuce and onions, and some tomato. The wrap is spread with hummus, garlic aioli, or tzatziki sauce. It’s toasted. The price has gone up. Trying it at home makes sense. Buy the wholemeal wrap, some lettuce or spinach, plus tomatoes. Don’t forget the hummus or spicy dip. The former is the healthy pick. More nutritious than garlic aioli, and on par with tzatziki, if not better. Put them all together, heat in the microwave, and presto, el wrappo.


Of course, you can opt for the white wrap instead of wholemeal. As they say, ‘Different strokes for different folks.’

For the meat, you can use chicken, whether wings or drumsticks. Beef is not good for supper as it’s rather filling. If you’re having a wrap, it’s best not to drink fruit juice or iced tea as you’ll be loaded on carbs. The same with milk. Better chug aqua or coco water. Or beer, if that floats your boat.

Honourable mention: chicken afritada. We have this with potatoes, spices, and carrots. Heaps of onions. Sometimes, we add capsicum.

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