Friday, November 20, 2009

Adobo Sa Beer San Miguel | Kevins Own Special Version

Kevin (me) Eating Adobo Rice, Liempo mmm



Adobo sa Beer

  • 1/2 kilo pork cut in cubes + 1/2 kilo chicken, cut into pieces or

  • choice of either 1 kilo of pork or 1 kilo of chicken (THIS IS ABOUT TWO POUNDS)

  • 2 heads garlic, CRUSHED

  • 4 eggs boiled (optional)
  • 4 red onion, diced

  • 5 -10 Sili Lubuyo minced depending on your heat quotient (These are the little red chilies found in most Asian food - DO NOT USE JALAPENO!)
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (DO NOT USE KIKKOMAN OR JAPANESE SOY SAUCE ITS CRAP)

  • 1 cup vinegar (look at Brown Cane Vinegar thats way better)

  • 1 bottle San Miguel Pale Pilsen (ok small bottle or like me 1 tall glass from the grande in the freezer;) DO NOT COOK WITH REDHORSE TASTES LIKE CRAP- Good American Substitute Sierra Nevada/ OZ Substitute Little Creatures or Coopers Red
  • 2-3 laurel leaves (bay leaves)

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (flour works)

  • Salt and (use whole black cracked) pepper to taste

OK How To cook this Monstrosity...
  • In a big pan or no stick skillet, heat oil then sauté garlic/onion/chili (remember I like it hot- so be careful you might want to add just one or two I prefer about 10).

  • Add the pork and chicken to the pan brown then add soy sauce, 1/2 cup vinegar, and the bay leaves salt pepper (REDUCE). After reduction ADD remaining Vinegar, Beer, Eggs,Add salt and/or pepper to taste- Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or when meat is tender.

  • ADD Flour or Cornstarch dissolved in water to thicken.

  • Bring to a boil then simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

A Mugging - I'm Down-They Have Me-I am Up

The only thing on my mind was the potential deal I had with my Australian Client / Partner. In my mind I was thinking about what I really needed to bring to bear and manifest it- just to make all this happen. Ondoy hurt a lot of families, the current economy hurt us a lot more. I was thinking how amazing my GF is and how no matter how little she makes – she always has enough to give her family in the province and to lend her friends. Last night for example she Nagpautang (lent) a good portion of her salary to her best friend – Amazing to me at a time and day when she could really use it.
after the attempted mugging
This is what I love about Philippino culture. I would not replace the hospitality and pure joy I receive from the culture here for anything. (except Australian Baramundi and Coopers Red after a quick surf north shore Sydney)

So I was not paying attention- the first thing I have ever been taught as far as I can remember was to BE AWARE of my surroundings. I spent a wonderful afternoon at Shagri-la EDSA, with a few successful meetings and good remote work session wherein, it looks like we are supporting a new Hosting Company in Australia- Today could have not been more prosperous.

In the process of crossing the street from Shangri-la I was in a hurry. Perhaps due to the thinking I still had to do so much to make this a win for them (the startup hosting company) and us. So with these thoughts, (I found myself or) you found me, in a hurry to cross EDSA and Shaw Blvd carrying this (less than) Month Old laptop going through the throng of humanity. Full stop. My spider senses said to = pay-attention-to-the-Wanna-be-Gang Bangers with the hats to big and pinched to tight to barely rest on top of the head.

I didn’t.

In a trot to catch the signal with Highway traffic (why do they succumb EDSA TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC?) in the crowd I was pushed/tripped/felt myself falling/skateboarder, surfing instincts said roll/ nowhere to roll…
kev after mugging 011
I hit hard left shoulder first feeling a tear at my laptop bag, I grabbed Rugby/NFL style to ward off the fumble- in my head the count up in 3.

Army training= I’m Up-they see me- I am down.

I reversed it.

I am down, THEY HAVE ME, I AM UP.

Elbows out- fighting I felt hands in my pockets I tore through – jumped up swinging.
kev after mugging 028
Busses started honking I’m in the way they are mere meters in front of me so I run.

Crossing the other side, I am grateful.

God is good, and I think of a cold San Miguel and how we can take this client and turn our efforts to be an ASSET for them, something compelling, they need…

God is good.

Yet, my head hurts and is bleeding, my shoulder dedicates itself to maybe a dislocation, but at the end of the day- this is life and our actions predicate the outcome.

Let’s manifest.

Selah.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Nutmeg and Spice and Everything...

Transition is good, and more than that I love jumping out of bed in the morning to get to work. The schedule makes me happy - I have found more success in 6am-6pm working than the split shifts I was doing earlier this year. The all night stuff is brutal to my body and my clock is opposite of normal. I guess in startup/callcenter/outsource land you just do what you have to do.

Its like that- I know...you have to do what you have to do at the time. Let the rest just do what it has too.

I am enjoying today sitting at Shangri-La Starbucks near edsa listening to old time Christmas music. Much more prosperous than working from the home office (soon to move thank God).

Life is the choices we make, and I am learning that even like today these small ones set the stage for oh so much more.

Selah.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Two for the Money |Fighting Personal Demons When Success is Around the Corner

Having a crap technology week- Macbook Pro died yesterday- it boots but the screen wont start- as it is a solid state device it either works or it does not work. Selah.20102009(004)
Saw the film 'Two for the Money' with Al Pacino - Matthew McConaughey Came out in 2005 a year that was full of hype and promise for me- what a year that was... The sales- push people till they get fed up and push back character that Al Pacino played reminded me of myself... Not in an entirely good way either...

Sometimes I push and create friction just to try to get the best out of people- sometimes it works- sometimes it freaks people out- sometimes its really too much.

I had a friend of mine tell me last night that I was really extreme - the way I work- intense - the way I live - intense - even the way I have fun intense - You really push it Kevin, he said= even the way you cook...

The Australians have a term for it 'Full on'

The character Pacino plays wherein he struggles with his own internal demons rings through to me. He has a battle with himself and his self destructive cycle. Even after years of things being okay a psychological relapse happens with him betting everything- subconsciously knowing that he will end up alone, broke and at the bottom.

As soon as success happened before in my life - I would or the Universe would test me to see if this is really something I wanted and was ready for. I am happy to say I have learned (and continue to do so) with each and every mistake. Hug my mistakes and embrace them for as painful they are wonderful and the honey of life. For without my mistakes I am half of what I could be...FOCUS on the PROCESS and LET GO of the OUTCOME (Conscious Business by Fred Koffman)

Whether it is some ingrained behavior from the massive abuses we received or our own knack of victim hood this story about overcoming the worst enemy in the world (myself / yourself) rang true.

I really see the Samurai value in this.

Know yourself.
Be.
Then Do
You can only win a fight till the death when you first accept your own death...this way you are performing to your best rather than worrying about saving...

Play to win.

Quit playing not to loose.

brilliant stuff.

Monday, November 09, 2009

He Who Speaks Next Looses=Bullshit

He who speaks next looses?
Hear No
I remember one very specific Economics class in college... the professor mentioned:

'if Wine is Better and Produced Easier in Napa Valley - why try to plant vineyards in Death Valley?'

Last night over some Cold San Miguel Pale Pilsen, and some home cooked Mexican food (I did a great job I love watching people enjoy my food) I got to view and listen to many conversations. The condo small-yet two stories-lent itself to: 3 Americans, 1 Swede and a Canadian (Their wives and kids). All of us have been in marketing (or sales some/most) of our career. The conversation hung around sales tips, process and the problems facing call centers today.

I agree, if it costs less to do the same work- and the results are better- USE THAT RESOURCE.

What I do not agree with however is hanging onto outdated (LAME) business process that does not work NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.

What lent itself to the question, was that- of this group- all of them are seeped in (old world) Outsource-cold-call-sales mentality.

Calls+Leads+Closures= he who speaks next looses...

Well I ask- if you are looking for a win-win, does anyone loose?

Sales is not a game, its not a beat them up grab their cash / SLASH and burn business. GET THIS= in 2009 (ALMOST 2010) many businesses around the globe are outsourcing these business process... the point of the matter I would like to make is this---

How long will you try to reduce the cost of a sales and marketing process that won't work?
see no
It is not about interrupting dinner of Joe Q. Public.

It is about VALUE, Creating VALUE, and offering a Compelling Business Reason NOT doing the same thing over and over until you realise NO MATTER HOW LOW THE COST - interrupting people and treating them like a game is a loss.

He who speaks next looses?
Speak No
Bullshit.

Heat Humidity and the Tropic of Staph

I cut (just a scratch really) my finger very gently with a Chef knife while cutting up onions. I washed it pretty well and went about my day/ business/ life.

I have been eating well, sleeping soundly and my life is pretty clear of most stress. How in the heck then did this little tiny cut swell up into the mess that has my left hand almost incapacitated?

Now I am typing with my elbows. (not really but you get the idea)

I remember as a kid we would get a cut or a scratch and the exclaim from (insert adult here) wow we better pour painful iodine etc, into that so you don't get infected and loose your arm.

I never had experienced the joy of such a thing, but alas here in the tropic of humidity I figure the Staph Bacteria must really love it. GRRR.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

I WAS WRONG...

Oh, when I was young
I was so full of fear
I hid behind anger, held back the tears
It was me against the world
I was sure that I'd win
But the world fought back, punished me for my sins
I felt so alone
So insecure
I blamed you instead, made sure I was heard



And they tried to warn me
Of my evil ways
But I wouldn't hear what they had to say
I was wrong
Self destruction's got me again
I was wrong
I realize now that I was wrong

And I think about my loves
Well, I've had a few
Well, I'm sorry that I hurt them
Did I hurt you too?
I took what I wanted
Put my heart on the shelf
But how can you love me when you don't love yourself?
It was me against the world
I was sure that I'd win
The world fought back, punished me for my sins
And they tried to warn me
Of my evil ways
But I couldn't hear what they had to say

I was wrong
Self destruction's got me again
I was wrong
I realize now that I was wrong
I was wrong, yeah
I was wrong

I grew up fast
And I grew up hard
Something was wrong from the very start
I was fighting everybody
I was fighting everything
But the only one that I hurt was me
I got society's blood running down my face
Somebody help me get outta this place
How could someone's bad luck last so long?
Until I realized that I was wrong

I was wrong
Self destruction's got me again
I was wrong
I realize now that I was wrong
I was wrong
Self destruction's got me again
I was wrong
The only moment that I was me
I was wrong