Acculterating Joe Am
It struck me today as I drove assertively through the wild traffic that characterizes our town during rush hour that I have changed. I am no longer tense about the traffic coming at me from all sides like wasps from a fallen hive. I am no longer angry at the idiots who cut in front … Continue reading
Bloggers Have Flat Foreheads
Bloggers have flat foreheads. It comes from scrapping to put out an article, working it, reworking it. Then posting it. Then re-reading it a couple of days later and second-guessing. How many times have I gone back and said “this is gibberish”? Or, “whoops, I misspelled athiest”. Or “why didn’t I make that point when … Continue reading
The Filipino Dream
I wrote the other day about the Philippine Dream because, as an immigrant, I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what is supposed to motivate me to strive to see the dream fulfilled. First, I did a little research. I found the Pledge of Allegiance: I am a Filipino I pledge my allegiance … Continue reading
Filipinos: A Certain Lack of Passion
It came to me the other day as I sat in the shade amongst the bamboo that dominate our back garden. Filipinos lack a certain passion. Now the immediate reaction from most Filipinos will be, ironically, passionate. “You dickhead, JoeAm, how can you say that about a country that overthrew its dictator decades ago, before … Continue reading
Knowledge, Skills, Discipline, Socialization
Why do we send our kids to school? Do you ever think about that? Do we send them to get them out of the house and out of our hair? Do we send them because everyone else does, and because, generally, we think school is a good thing? I ask these questions because if we … Continue reading