And the Oscar Goes Too...

I’ve been receiving tons of tasks involving public records these past few days. This is quite unusual since February has always been regarded as a lean month as far as requests for court records are concerned. Many people are usually busy hiring accountants during the first quarter of the year in their bid to comfortably beat the tax deadline on April.

I haven’t had time to check my e-mails. My niece has already complained that I haven’t responded to her electronic correspondences since last week. She had just created her first e-mail account on Yahoo! Unfortunately, the only names that are listed on her address book is mine and that of her parents’.

Newspapers have piled up on my porch, too. I haven’t acquainted myself with what’s happening in the city and in the world since last Tuesday. I even missed the Oscar Awards on TV.

I heard that Forest Whitaker won the Best Actor plum. I initially thought that he was the guy in Big Momma’s House. Forgive me for the error. I was at the local bar when it was being aired, and their TV set is a poorly refurbished 14-inch Samsung unit.

I was very happy to know that Martin Scorcese finally got the honor and recognition that he deserves when he was awarded the Best Director award for the film The Departed. His movie also bagged the Best Picture trophy.

Many say that the hosting was not that spectacular. Ellen DeGeneres kept it light and funny, but it wasn’t that impressive. A number of those who presented the awards were stunning, though. Some of us at the bar didn’t utter a word when Cameron Diaz went to the stage. She was a sight to behold, especially in that fabulous white gown that she wore.

I’m sure many movie fans would be conducting people searches on the winners in order to know where they might get a glimpse of them. I’m a big movie fan, but I think I don’t have that kind of inclination. I love Cameron Diaz, but I don’t have any plan of being one of her stalkers.

Bittersweet

I borrowed five Adam Sandler DVDs from a friend yesterday so I won’t be tempted to join Jim and some of our neighbors for a few rounds of beer. I’m not really a fan of booze since I can’t stand its taste. Unfortunately, liquor is staple (and a must-have) in all-male gatherings.

I don’t know if majority of American males detest beer because of its taste. Really now, what’s there to like in that drink as far as taste is concerned? But, then again, maybe my taste buds are just damaged or something.

I guess majority of all males in the world loves beer. I could run a people search on all guys who don’t drink and come up with nothing on the results page. This bitter drink is not absolutely bad for one’s health. In fact, it could help prevent certain heart diseases. And contrary to popular belief, it actually softens or calms your disposition IF taken moderately.

Moderation is the key, guys. Don’t go gulping yourself a keg just because many say it’s good for your health. A bottle or two would do.

Rescued

I’m so glad to learn that the Mount Hood rescue mission was a success, with all three climbers who fell off the edge of the mountain being rescued.

The survival of the group was partly attributed to Velvet’s continuous care throughout the ordeal. Velvet is a 4-year-old dog which provided warmth to the climbers as they cuddled around the former while waiting for rescuers to come.

While many were elated with the news, some are saddened by the fact that accidents still continue to happen despite the precautionary measures that resort owners regularly undertake. There are a number of climbing accidents that ended up tragically. A few of these cases have not been fully resolved yet as the bodies of the climbers have yet to be recovered.

Some of the victims’ relatives are not yet giving up, though. They continuously try to convince the authorities to send another expedition to search for their missing loved ones. I’m sure they are also conducting a number of people searches on their own just to keep their hopes from fading.

Old Flames

Chris concocted a silly plan on how to hook up an officemate of ours with the receptionist at the lobby. His idea was far from being original. He also had a hard time keeping his mouth shut about it.

The plan was to send flowers to Leslie and make it appear that it came from Sid. However, half of the people in our department already knew of it, so it wasn’t surprising that Sid was able to nip the plot at the bud.

Most of the bachelors in our office have no plans for Valentine’s Day. Some even made fun of their lonely predicament by conducting people searches of their high school flings and crushes. I gave out a hearty laugh when they told me about it. However, my chuckles had traces of guilt on it since I was also planning on checking the current status of my old high school sweetheart. I guess I’ll be looking at another dateless Valentine.