I found myself smack dab in the middle of a parking space dispute yesterday. I used my lunch hour to drop off 3 balikbayan boxfuls of Evan stuff to be sent to the Philippines for my anytime-due-now pregnant sister Michelle via a freight forward who had a "send 2 balikbayan boxes ($70 each) and get 1 box for $30" promo. Since 3 huge balikbayan boxes can't fit into our small car, I planned to pack them in the forwarder's warehouse. I had already ran the idea with the forwarder and  it wasn't a problem (some offices are too small).

California grown kalamansi (Philippine native lemon) sent by my brother from their garden a couple of weeks ago.

But they were wrong, there was a problem.

When I drove over to the back parking lot a huge cargo truck was blocking it, and it wasn't theirs but the neighbouring auto repair office's. It didn't take too long to figure out that they weren't exactly in good terms too. When I got out to talk to the filipino guy with an '80s mullet he asked me if can cut through next door's parking area, squeeze between 2 garbage dumps to park my car horizontally across the forwarder's warehouse door. I checked the route he indicated, I found it doable and was about to say so when lo and behold a clipboard carrying Parkzilla appeared from nowhere barking a "Oh no, you can't do that!"

I was stunned at the rudeness then helplessly watched Mullet-man and Parkzilla exchanged heated words. It became apparent that the two had a long standing feud. Parkzilla was a middle aged woman with a stringy blond hair who looked like a librarian wearing jeans. She was making it all too known to everyone within hearing distance that she was the boss. She told us that we had to wait until they finished unloading.

What? She was being utterly unreasonable! It was a looong truck, it spanned the width of the forwarder's warehouse they were blocking and they only started lifting the first crate. I needed to pack 3 boxes and I have less than an hour to do it. I told Parkzilla so.

"Now, this isn't about you but him," was her reply. Great! But it was me who was losing my precious lunch hour as they continue their power struggle.

Mullet Man repeatedly tried to convince her to just let my car through but Parkzilla would just cut him off everytime, telling him to scram while she tallks to the woman - me. "Now you seem like a nice lady..." Parkzilla started then stopping abruptly when she saw Mullet Man coming over. "Go back while I talk to the woman," she ordered pointing at the direction of the warehouse. She then exasperatedly turned to me, "see what he did? See how rude he was?"

It became obvious that the only way for her to allow me through was to nod my head, appease her while she rant me ears off. I, however, wasn't having it. I put up a hand, interrupting her in midsentence, "I don't need to listen to this." I strode to the car, called out to Mullet Man, "I'll pack in the front parking lot."

And packed I did, was done right in time too. Not only did Mullet Man assemble the boxes for me but also gave me a $9 discount. I rarely come across rude americans but Parkzilla tops them all.

P.S. Mullet Man advices not to use duct tape for the balikbayan box because it becomes unglued in the heat. Use packing tape instead.

P.P.S. Boxes will arrive in 45 days. Fingers crossed.

A Pro-Lifer's Man Crush On Obama

This life long Republican is not just another Pro-Lifer, his father was Francis Schaeffer (American Evangelical Christian theologian, philosopher, author of important Christian books) a very important figure of the Pro-Life movement. But Frank Schaefer, a writer himself, is voting for Obama in this election. And he tells us why in this very powerful piece titled "Obama Will be One Of The Greatest (And Most Loved) American Presidents". Here are excerpts:

"...Obama is one of the most intelligent presidential aspirants to ever step forward in American history. The likes of his intellectual capabilities have not been surpassed in public life since the Founding Fathers put pen to paper. His personal character is also solid gold. Take heart, America: we have the leader for our times.

I say this as a white, former life-long Republican. I say this as the proud father of a Marine. I say this as just another American watching his pension evaporate along with the stock market! I speak as someone who knows it's time to forget party loyalty, ideology and pride and put the country first. I say this as someone happy to be called a fool for going out on a limb and declaring that, 1) Obama will win, and 2) he is going to be amongst the greatest of American presidents..."

...Good stories about Obama abound; from his personal relationship with his Secret Service agents (he invites them into his home to watch sports, and shoots hoops with them) to the story about how, more than twenty years ago, while standing in the check-in line at an airport, Obama paid a $100 baggage surcharge for a stranger who was broke and stuck. (Obama was virtually penniless himself in those days.).."

All I could say when I reached the end of the article was, "Wowza."

That Airport Lady And Obama's $100

After reading Schaeffer's article I knew had to find out more about the lady at the airport and Obama's $100 story. I came up with, the Norwegian news website featuring a photo of the said lady Mary Menth Andersen proudly showing off Sen. Obama's letter. Here's a fairly good english translation of what was written. An excerpt:

Mary had no money. Her new husband had already gone to Norway, and Mary had no one else to call. - I was in complete despair and tried to find out which belongings I could do without. But the suitcases were filled with my most precious belongings, Mary says...

...Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy. - I started to cry, the tears cascaded down and I did not know what to do. Then I heard a mild and friendly voice behind me say "I'll pay for her."
Mary turned around and there was a high and dark man she had never seen before. - He had a mild and friendly, yet determined, voice. My initial thought was: "Who is this man"?

...She was happy to get both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper and gave Mary...On the paper was written "Barack Obama"

Happy reading Obama fans and may our tribe multiply!

Currently listening to: Womanizer (Britney Spears)
Currently reading: Parenting Magazine
Currently watching: Before The Devil Knows You're Dead (Philip Hoffman Seymour)