where the moon shines

Note: I just changed the IM control tonight because Tracy tried it out earlier and mentioned that the screen was too small to read actual conversations. When you click on the current button (as long as it shows my username, it means I’m online), a conversation window will pop-up and we can continue to chat even after you navigate away from my blog, as long as you don’t close the pop-up.

After work on Monday night, boyfriend and I decided to have dinner at this new place along Scout Reyes called Bacolod Chicken Parilla (or something similar). It opened just a few months ago. I pass by it every night to work and I’ve found it intriguing that there’s always a lot of people there, even at 11pm. It was time we checked it out ourselves.

As you approach the restaurant, there’s a sense of familiarity – everyone seems to know each other. It feels like a hangout, really. Plus you’re greeted by the guy that I perceived was the owner, though I’m not sure about that.

The grill is outside but even you take a table there you won’t necessarily smell like barbecue. Since the location of Parilla is somewhat like an exclusive village with public roads, there are trees around and you won’t smell car fumes, so it’s really okay to stay outside. Alfred and I chose to dine indoors though.

Aside from the usual chicken inasal, which was great by the way, we ordered Salmon Head Sinigang, a soup dish. Heaven! We loved it! One order is just enough for two, though honestly I could have eaten it all since I didn’t have rice. It was so good I couldn’t wait to tell my dad and the rest of the family (who know how to appreciate good food) right away. I’ve posted before about how much Alfred and I love to eat and we’d really go back to spots we’ve had good experiences in, or new places that had raving reviews by friends. Parilla folks will definitely see us again, and again, and again.

It doesn’t hurt that it’s just a few minutes walk home too. So after the filling dinner that didn’t cost us a fortune, we were able to walk off some of it on our way home!

I’ve added a Windows Live Messenger IM Control onto my blog the other day. This is to allow anyone reading my blog who I don’t personally know or have on my buddy/contact list in Messenger, to know my online presence and initiate a real-time conversation.

I’ve been using Messenger – in one form or another – for a long time. Pre-NCO days (my current employer), I’d use Yahoo Messenger. But in the past 3 years, Windows Live Messenger is an official communications tool at work. I personally love the custom emoticons!

Back to the point… Over to the right, in pastel orange (?) is what’s called an IM control. It willl show you when I’m online on Windows Live Messenger, and if you’re browsing through and have something you want me to know right away, you can go ahead and send me a message and I’ll respond. The real me will respond, not just some bot.

I was really excited when I read about this feature (which has been around for months before I found out!) and tried it out right away, first through my verabear.com, and then here on the blog when I got home from work.

Anyhoo, when you click on the link to Begin a conversation, you’ll be prompted to use a Windows Live ID (msn or hotmail email address) that you are currently signed in with, or you can sign in using a different ID, or you may send an anonymous message. If you choose the latter, you can just enter a nickname and we’re all set to chat!

I’m kinda sad though because I haven’t actually received any chats through the control, makes me wonder if people come by to visit at all? Nah, as I said before, I post for myself mostly, but getting feedback from people who breeze through always feel like virtual hugs.

Now, if you want to have IM control on your blogs or Web sites too, it’s very easy. First, you must have your own Windows Live ID – any MSN, Hotmail or Live.com email address is already a Live ID. You can sign up for one over at http://login.live.com

Next, you’ll need to go to this link to allow others who may not be on your contact list to see your online presence through the Web sites you post the control in. If you don’t put a check on the option that says Allow websites to see your Messenger status and send you messages the control won’t work.

After saving that setting, click on the Create HTML link over to the right bar on the same page or click on this link so you can configure the color and type of IM control you’ll use, plus get the code to put on your blog.

You may choose from a chat conversation window like mine (which you could resize on your blog to accommodate more chat history if you want). There’s also just a small button and the WLM buddy icon that will announce your online presence. The beauty of those smaller icons is that if a person clicks on it, the conversation window will pop up on it’s own window. The person contacting you may continue chatting with you even when they navigate to a different page. I’d probably switch to that control some time.

These instructions, and more about Windows Live Messenger, could also be found over at http://messengersays.spaces.live.com/

This was the book my darling little dog chewed on two weeks ago. Too bad because it’s definitely a book I’d like to keep and reread someday. Good thing I got it from the used bookshop but it was in such good condition that when I got it, I felt it was a steal for being in very good/brand new condition.

It’s about four mothers who found friends in each other – who drew strength from one another to survive their own little earthquakes.

Of course I identified with Becky, a big woman who was happy and sure of herself. She had a near-perfect husband, and she was doing something she loved for work. Of all four friends, she seemed to be the one who was on top of things, she brought the most laughs and made the most sensible decisions. Even her mini crisis wasn’t so dramatic though issues with a mother-in-law are definitely serious business too.

I am not her and my life isn’t nowhere near hers, but she could be a mom and wife I’d like to be when I grow up.

When I do get pregnant, I’ll read this book again, and brace myself for motherhood and all that a baby would bring into my life. Along with What to expect when you’re expecting, I think this should be a must for every expectant mother. Plain, practical, non-glorified view of having a newborn.

Along with Weiner’s Good in Bed, Little Earthquakes is definitely one of my favorite books of it’s genre. It’s one of my favorite books. Period.