ANOTHER BIRTHDAY POST

So, it’s your birthday! What gift do you want me to give you?

Now, before you answer, how about a little review? Remember that epic trip to Sapporo and Tokyo we just took? Yeah, I covered that. And let’s not forget Seoul, HK, Osaka, NYC, Chicago… oh, and also Sydney, Melbourne, and Queenstown. Seriously, I’ve bankrolled more trips than a travel agent.

So what could you possibly want as a gift?

It wasn’t that long ago that I moved heaven and earth, and maybe a few stars, to get you and your brother the best education. In this country, "best" means very, very expensive. It cost me a limb and an arm, not to mention a million strands of hair. Those were very difficult years for your mother and me, but it was very worth it because we love you so very much. Did I mention very already?

Do you want a party? You, my dearest daughter, I’ve always admired for being content and making the most of what you have. We, your parents, have taught you not to be materialistic. You love being simple and are so kind to others. You make us really proud.

But seriously, Nikkei, is there a present you’d like to receive today? You’ve grown to be wise in making decisions -like making your parents proud and happy, especially on your birthday. You’ve made us feel that you already have everything in life because of the love and care we always give you.

I’m not literally "counting the cost," but if you add it all up, that’s worth fifty more years of birthday gifts.

So spill it, sweetie -WHAT?

Happiest birthday, my favorite daughter!

You are a lovely, lovely gift from God and forever I will sing His praises for His goodness.

¡Te queremos mucho!

THIRTY

Thirty and counting.

Not my waistline – that’s probably not changing anytime soon. Not the number of strands remaining on my crown – I still have a bit more.

Thirty. That’s married life in years with my bride.

Thirty years ago, I made a decision to love, support, persevere, laugh, cry, and breathe with the one I vowed to before God and men – for richer or for poorer... well, you know the drill.

To my bride:

Not every moment was perfect. Not every dream came true. But life became more beautiful, and challenges became easier to face because you made the same decision. Two became one, a union that was, and still is strong.

Do we wish for thirty more? Let me ponder that over a cup of coffee.

But let it be known, 30 or more, 30 or less, the decision remains.

Happy anniversary, my Doe-a-dear. I love you plus 30!

Cheers!

Nikkei thought I must have paid someone to do it. Still, I’m tickled pink. My wife suggested I made it to the list of "revered authors," understandably because our 30th anniversary is coming up. Wink, wink.

Yep, dear readers, my book "Blah, Blah, Black Sip" just got another review.

I didn’t publish a book to earn accolades or face the ires of coffee connoisseurs who might debate the merits of a 3-in-1 vs. a shot of espresso. My intentions were simple and personal: to capture and immortalize the brilliantly dull moments of my life. This way, when I get older -like a lot older -I can reminisce about those times I might otherwise forget. It’s like a diary to look back on.

But like I said, I am thrilled that somebody I didn’t know read and appreciated my work. To those who have read my book and those who might pick it up in the future, I raise this cup to you.

If you fancy reading the review, here it is: https://anthonyshieh.wixsite.com/anthony.../blahblahblacksip

I’m reading and re-reading this with my second cup of Americano. Happy me. Yay!

Cheers!

Have you got a copy of my first book yet? No? Then you're missing out on a whole lot of nonsense -some practical and reasonable nonsense. And if you read it with a latte, cortado, or Irish coffee, the words magically transform into meaningful blah-blahs, faithful to the title.

I'm thrilled that some brave souls have posted reviews, potentially risking their careers in journalism. But hey, some of them are my friends, so there's that.

Don't worry, I'm already plotting my next masterpiece. I might dive into how the POGOs have twisted the hearts and minds of our government leaders, completely oblivious to their impact on Filipinos. And maybe I'll throw in some global warming conspiracy theories for good measure.

Side note: Yes, dawg. I do hope to publish another one. Hope might be foolish, but it's stubborn. So bake that into your brain.

But that will happen when all my stars align. For now, it’s Blah, Blah, Black Sip. Below are the stores where you can grab a copy for yourself (or your coffee buddy). Perfect Father's Day gift, don't you think?

For online orders:

https://central.com.ph/product/espinosa-blah-blah-black-sip/

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Quezon Avenue

927 Phoenix Bldg., Quezon Ave.,�Quezon City�Hotline: (632) 8372 3550 loc. 31�Mobile: 09399166596 / 09638460736

CENTRAL BOOKS SM Megamall

SM Megamall, 5th Level Building A�Bgry. Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City�Hotline: (632) 8638 1088�Mobile: 09638460735

San Sebastian

G/F, 2114-A, San Sebastian Recoletos Inc.�CM Recto Ave, Quiapo, Manila�Hotline: (632) 8441 6734�Mobile: 09399166597 / 09637387269

CENTRAL BOOKS Lyceum Makati

Lyceum, 109 SDC Building Leviste St.�Brgy. Bel Air Makati City�Hotline: (632) 8567 4399�Mobile: 09088162716 / 09637387268

CENTRAL BOOKS Cebu

GV Building P. Del Rosario St.�Cebu City�Hotline: 383 0377�Mobile: 09985435645

CENTRAL BOOKS Davao

Space 7 City Triangle�Roxas Ave., Davao City�Hotline: 282 0364�Mobile: 09326376180

Finally! It’s out. My book is out.

BLAH, BLAH, BLACK SIP.

Sixty-four years in the making -give or take a few; countless cups of lattes, americanos, flat whites & cappuccinos; enough grammatical errors to make grammar nazis bite their elbow; and an insane amount of caffein in my brain. All these and more to self-publish a book for the first time.

I did all the editing. I wrote the intro. I spilled the coffee. I wrote the back cover copy. I wrote "About the Author." I did the all the layout including the front and back cover. I roped poor Andre to take the "About the Author" mandatory picture. I spilled more coffee. I chose the fonts. I paid the publishing house. Now, I get to promote the book.

In other words, and to make this post longer, this book is my movie. I wrote the script, I directed, I screenplayed, I produced, I acted, I reacted, I paid for the ticket and popcorn to watch it, and I watched it.

This book is a compilation of my brain farts when drinking coffee. I made previously posted stories funnier, sadder, longer, shorter, more interesting, less uninteresting, more dramatic, less amateurish. But let's be real, it's still pretty amateurish. Oh well -so deep.

If you haven’t noticed yet, I am inviting you to this insanity. Yes, grab a copy, and then grab your coffee! Join me in the wild ride of Blah, Blah, Black Sip. No promises, though. It’s a chance you have to take -a journey you’ll have to sip to believe!

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Copies will soon be hitting the shelves through my publisher's distribution outlets. But if you can't wait and want an advance copy, just drop me a line. It'll cost you less than a fancy latte at Starbucks – and it lasts longer, too!

Cheers!

Happy Mother's Day!

I love because God first loved me. In my dear Inang, I witnessed that love -pure, unconditional. My children, too, embrace love, having seen it in their dear mommy. It's a love so genuine, so divine. Happy Heavenly Mother's Day, dear Inang. Happy Mother's Day, my Doe-a-dear. Te quiero mucho!

Happy Birth-Doe!

At sixty-four, we're quite the pair,

With laughter and love, beyond compare,

With coffee or tea, and sushi so fine,

Our days are aglow, like a sparkling wine.

I'm your Buck, and you're Doe-a-dear,

Together we'll laugh, without a fear,

The light of our love, the glow of our faith,

Cherish each moment, in life's embrace.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When you’re sixty-four? Oh Doe-a-dear,

With each candle lit, and every prayer we share,

Our love shines bright, like a beacon in the air.

Though golf may call, with its greens so lush,

My love for you, will never hush,

More than a hole-in-one, birdie, or eagle in flight,

You're the light of my life, a guiding light.

So here's to us, at sixty-four,

With Beatles tunes, and so much more,

In the light of our love, and laughter so true,

Let’s twist and shout, I'm forever with you!

With each passing year, our love's light grows,

Brighter and warmer, like a radiant rose,

Together we'll journey, across the universe,

Or here, there and everywhere

Let's Ob-la-di, Ob-la-dance

To future together advance

Happy Birthday, my Doe-a-dear

Here’s to you, I raise a beer!