It's always nice to get compliments, but every now and then, there are those gems of compliments.  Words that will stay in your mind for a very long time.  Usually, it is because someone that is very important to you is imparting those words.  On occasion however, someone that you wouldn't call very close to you reaches out and touches you in places that were never exposed before.

I got to hang out with some of the brothers tonight.  It was good to see them and catch up.  They are one of a kind.  They can mess around with the best of them.  We didn't talk about business at all, which is different for me.  I constantly have something on my mind.  Yet, it was important for me to find out how they were all doing and making sure that they felt ready.  I guess, in its own way, that was business. 

It has always confused me how people try to separate business and personal.  For me, they are too close.  My business is my personal.  It is my pleasure.  It's the only way that I know I will do my best at it.  By putting it in that perspective, I do more than I need to. 

We're well into our rehearsals and I'm getting a much better perspective of the massiveness and organization of the whole show.  It's quite an amazing accomplishment.  From the artistic portion to the logistic portion, everything is under control.  Maybe the production staff just hides the problems well.

I also learned something today regarding the apl song from Black Eyed Peas.  APL is sampling a group Asin, one of whose albums I happen to have.  I want to see if that song is on the album I have.  They are an old folk band that was involved in the People Power Revolution. 

As an illness progresses into a full blown flu, you feel less and less able to move since the aching of your muscles becomes a deterrent to you partaking in your normal activities.  Some of us would undergo immense struggle to just get out of work.  All one has to do is get the flu.

It never fails.  I hate getting sick.  You feel weak, you can't breathe, and worst of all, you can't get anything done.  I'm going to sleep and hopefully feel better in the morning.

Today we had a picnic after a half day of work.  I had a lot of fun.  We played some relays, Pictionary, and a group Trivia game.  I think I made an example of myself, and at least I got a few chuckles out of it from some of my coworkers.  I literally haven't met all of them, because our division is so big, but those that I do know are very nice and very supportive of each other.  Not only that, but for the most party they are hard workers, and don't fit the stereotype that state workers are lazy.  It's too bad, that they, like other groups, are often placed in a negative light. 

It's pretty weird not having to worry about going back to school.  I am not looking forward to seeing all the friends, and at the same time, I don't have to worry about my classes, homework, and exams.  I just have to take the good with the bad.  In addition, I've certainly filled my life with other activities in the community, which are just as fun and just as important.  The people are different, yet they are the same.  It's pretty enigmatic.  It's like the personality profiles are fairly general, and I can group them.  In a way I look at the way they may have been or will be in college.  I find that entertaining as well.  Funny has a way of repeating itself but transforming just enough so that we don't notice that it's the same.

I have to think about the concept of altruism, and whether or not it is really practical for a person to be altruistic.  I said that it takes balance between self-centeredness and altruism for a person to live up to their full potential.

Let's explore the options.  We can start with self-centeredness, since we can all relate to it much easier.  It is basically being selfish, without all the negative connotations attached to it.  We must supply ourselves with at the very least, our most basic needs, such as what Maslow delineated in his hierarchy of needs.  Without a fundamental need, we cannot move on to fulfill other needs.  Yet selfishness, taken to its umpteenth degree, is a trait that most people hate.  It would cause the deterioration of relationships with friends and family.  That alone would cause Maslow's hierarchy of needs to crumble, as the need for belonging could not be met.

Altruism takes the step that self-centeredness cannot.  It allows a person to develop stronger relationships, because if you help someone get to where they want to be, they will help you get to where you want to be.  That's why networks are so important.  Altruism allows us to help others.  Altruism gets us closer to self-actualization. 

It's interesting.

PYC meetings rock.  We talked a little bit about Proposition 54 and its projected impact on the community, especially the youth.  We hit a lot of good topics.  Also, we are going to participate in a Fun Run being sponsored by My Sister's House, which serves domestic abuse victims.  Finally, we did an evaluation of the Lumpia fundraiser and agreed that it was a success.

It feels good to be part of something larger, and to have a sense of purpose.  I hope that everyone finds something that they will stand for.  Altruism is definitely a unique character trait.  I think everyone has a seed of altruism within them.  That is where our positivity comes from.  Yet, we have to balance that and know that we must take care of our basic needs in order to serve others.  Like everything in life, it's about balance.

Je t'aime.  Te amo.  I love you.  Watashi wa anata o aistomasu.  Ich liebe dich.  Iniibig kita.  Wo ay ni.