Powermatching felt... weird. I remember the first ever individual powermatching I experienced was in preparation for the 1st VUDC and it felt nothing like this. The powermatching we had for VMDC was just for team letters too, so it was kinda ok. But last weekend, we powermatched for our teammates, for team letters, and the right to debate in the NDC.

I guess it's safe to say that I was the one who really worked for the powermatching to push through - which was why the past week was so jampacked with drama for moi. I wanted it to be successful, given how crucial the situation was. Everybody wanted to debate, everybody wanted good partners, and no one was surely gonna back down. I had to make sure the powermatching was meaningful as it was credible.

Sure, when it was all over, we had our own "breaknight," devouring 9 pizzas (yes, we were THAT hungry), gulping cokes and sprites, while some did the T-Way. But something felt really, really wrong.

At the end of six rounds, the results were a celebration for most, while a heartbreak for some. Maybe the heartbreak part was what felt weird about the whole thing.

Here are some thoughts:

1. Ron DESERVES to debate. He really does. It was that friggin' 71 in Round 3 that pulled him down. Although I really couldn't blame the adjes for giving him the score. Being prime minister is really a tough job, and only a few have mastered the art of 'priming.' But one round couldn't measure debate prowess! Bad timing lang talaga. He has to settle for Adj this time. But that doesn't mean he's not a good debater. He's still awesome for me. =)

2. Emarrah and Elysse. My two girls, who have probably worked the hardest among all of us. They were always there when we had debates, they were always willing to learn new things, to listen. And they've improved tremendously, more than anyone has! But I guess they're still young debaters. I know that soon, they'll be conquering the world of debating. Watch out for them!

3. Carlo and Clyde... I know you guys want to be partners. I know how you feel! I seriously wouldn't know what to do if Odie didn't turn out to be my partner. But rules are rules. We have to stick to the system to be able to respect it. You guys would've made a great team, but I know you'll do as good apart. The measure of a good debater is his ability to work with himself, above all.

4. Guess who was demoted to Team C... But you know what, I'm still happy Odie and I would be entering NDC together. I know we'll be fine. I couldn't be happier with any other partner. ^_^

5. Of course, all the drama --- tensions between debaters, complaints, losses misunderstood, scores undeserved, doubts, questions unanswered. But what's great about us, is we know we're still friends at the end of the day. And nothing could genuinely get in the way of our relationships with one another. Maybe some stuff shake them a li'l bit. But nothing could topple what we've already built for years.

Ugh! Nuff with the drama! I am such a freak.

Anyway, congratz to all who made it! To teams A to F, to Ron, Elysse, Emarrah, Alfonso and Micah, we're bound for Baguio! Let's all show them what Silliman's made of. Can't wait. ^_^

...A tribute to none other than St. Levitt and St. Dubner (we canonized them saints, woohoo!) who forever changed the way I see sumo wrestlers and the Ku Klux Klan. All hail Freakonomics! I am not worthy...

Ok. So here's the thing: Noel, RJ and I were heading to Killerbee when we decided to stop by McDonalds, so we could munch on something while we were at the radio station. My order, of course, wouldn't be complete without fries. And eating the fries wouldn't be as pleasurable an experience if I didn't have gravy to go with it. So I asked the cashier if I could have some gravy to go. But she charged me EIGHT PESOS -- which was seriously troubling.

A question popped in my head: Why is it that when you eat inside McDonalds, you get free and unlimited gravy... but when you take out, you have to pay eight freakin pesos for a tiny cup?

It's easy to just say that the establishment is basically making up for what they spend for the customers. If the people who eat inside McDo could get free gravy, then they charge the people who take out. But why specifically those customers?

As a matter of fact, if you don't eat inside McDonalds, technically, you're not using the facilities of the place, you don't need the service of the employees and you're not using up electricity, water at the CR, etc. And they don't need to maintain the place just for you.

So isn't it much more logical if the customers inside McDo pay more (because they get more service from the establishment) than the customers who just take out? How then do you explain the gravy?

Throughout the 20 minute drive to the station, here's what I think: Advertising.

As we all know, establishments would spend huge amounts for advertising alone. That's how they capture markets and draw customers.

The people who stay inside McDonalds to eat there are technically ADVERTISING it. McDo has glass walls... the more people in the place, the better McDo looks. More visible customers would mean more people thinking McDo has good food. And because it seems that way, McDo can capture even more customers.

That's why the place is more than willing to shove a hundred cups of free gravy in the mouths of the customers. That's why the waiters try their best to give quality service. They're actually paying the customers (through good service) what it gets from the "free advertising."

Imagine this: 100 people sitting inside McDo eating their food. 100 people buying food from McDo and taking it out. Both groups are customers (technically, same income from both groups)- but the people who stay are helping McDo more. An empty McDo just doesn't seem right.

So what does McDo do? Give the customers a reason to stay inside McDo. Thus, colorful tables and chairs, free WiFi, cool waiters and yes, free gravy.

As for the customers who take out... who cares? McDonalds doesn't.

What do you think? Duh moment kaayo sa? =)