My Friends

In my first post I mentioned that maybe I should get my friends interested in my blog. What better way than to write about my friends?

I've always been proud of my friends. I often find myself talking about the good accomplishments of some of my closest friends. In fact, some of their career stories have found their way into my Orient classes before, where I wanted to give examples of career paths to impressionable college kids. I believe I was able to give them the confidence about their futures with the positive stories about my friends career moves and developments.

To my friends, if you should find yourself the subject of a future post, know that I mean only the best, and that I would never intend to put you in a bad light. I just want others to be inspired by your life.

Please do call my attention immediately if I happen to paint an unflattering picture of you.

Advance thanks for letting me tell your life stories the way I have seen and experienced them.

My Name is Not Mine Alone

One's name is usually one's identity in this world. You are supposed to be differentiated from everyone else by your name, and all of your records, possessions, accomplishments, affiliations and relationships are tied to your name. With 6 billion people in the planet, and over 80 million in this country, it is not inconceivable that you could share your name with another individual. I will admit to being self-centered to think that I could be the only Filipino "Allan Hizon", and since Hizon appears to be a pretty much Pinoy name, I imagined I'd be unique on this planet. I was a bit jarred when I Googled and Yahoo searched my name and found another "Allan Hizon" with more names published than me. He was a younger guy, and more accomplished at an earlier age! Of course, accomplishment is not measured by how many times your name is mentioned over the internet, but still, he was the more famous Allan Hizon. I will not go on to describe his profile -- you can google him yourself. But the thought that there is someone else bearing your name, wow, that was humbling, to say the least. You can't fault the guy, he did not name himself. Neither did he intend to accomplish what he has -- and be published at that -- just to upstage me. He's never heard of me, hasn't he (I don't appear in the Yahoo or Google searches, remember?), so he's merely going about his own business.

Wait a minute, why am I so fixated on being unique? For all I know, he is feeling the same way. "Damn, I share my name with this older guy, who appears boring and unexciting, blogging away about his unspectacular thoughts..." At least, there appears to be just 2 of us (for now). I know of 3 Jose de Vera's, and have met 3 Michael Lim's (a cousin included). Besides, I should be happy that at least my namesake is making a name for himself (tagging me along for the ride).

So, to Mr. Allan Hizon -- you know who you are -- I have but one request: Keep our name clean. You take care of your record, and I'll take care of mine. I'll do my share to put our name in the internet map and to keep it blemish free. Remember, a bad record for Allan Hizon is a bad rap for both of us somehow.

Besides, Hizon is a great surname, and I've always like the name Allan above all names beginning with A.

Go Allan Hizon!

The First Keystrokes

As the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so does a blog of a thousand posts begin with a couple of tentative keystrokes -- including a few continuous backspaces. I've already started a blog in Friendster, but have not really been so religious in posting. I love writing, but despite the always-on broadband connection at home, I have not been posting. But hey, I've always been a moody writer, i.e., writing only when in the mood. Even at work, I can produce written material to everyone's liking, but don't rush me for it. This blog is supposed to be a mere outlet, so there should be no pressure to churn out entries daily. No pressure even to produce masterpieces -- perhaps correct spelling and grammar at the very least. I transferred to this blog site because I figure this is a more serious blogging site than Friendster.

My impossible dream is to have a blog read by total strangers.

Well, let me get my own friends interested first :-)