Jekyll2024-12-27T14:50:40+08:00https://isig.dev/feed.xmlisig.devPersonal blog of Neil L. DecapiaNeil L. DecapiaHail To The2024-12-27T00:00:00+08:002024-12-27T00:00:00+08:00https://isig.dev/2024/12/27/hail-to-theStayed up late last night to finish the Steelers-Chiefs Christmas Day game before Netflix removes it. They’re two of my favorite teams, but they’re trending in opposite directions.

The Chiefs are fantastic. What can I say. Their defense has been playing at Superbowl-level all season. Watching Kelsey sniff out and weave into open spaces is like witnessing a physics professor slowly unscramble and piece together an equation to reveal its simplicity and elegance. And that Mahomes flip to a still-fallen Perine for a first down on third-and-long is backyard beyond high-level NFL stuff. They’re such a poised, creative, expert football team.

The Steelers have been good but it seems like they’re still in the middle of forging their identity here at the end of the regular season. I consider Coach Tomlin to be the best coach in the league, but he still has a lot of work to do with this team. They’ll hammer it out, but not this season I’m afraid.

I’m also closely watching a couple of teams I love. The Bengals are still fighting for a playoff spot and will need skill and luck to get there, but I’m rooting for Joe Burrow. He seems to have both.

As for the Packers, they’re making a strong run. They’re young and smart and scrappy on both ends of the field. They’ve won a lot of games as they continue to learn how to win. I hope they make it to the Superbowl this year. But I feel that they have yet to really fully click, that there’s still something missing. Hopefully a championship is it.

I haven’t seen the script, so my guess (wish?) for Superbowl LIX is: Chiefs vs. Packers. Chiefs 3-peat.

]]>Neil L. DecapiaMindfulness2024-12-25T00:00:00+08:002024-12-25T00:00:00+08:00https://isig.dev/2024/12/25/mindfulnessRainy Christmas morning.

Drying the dishes is my favorite chore. So lucky me, everybody else hates it. The kids constantly get into “whose turn is it?” and “I’m tired from doing other work so you should do it” arguments. Including today.

It’s Christmas day, I’ll do it. My Christmas gift to myself.

Why do they hate drying dishes. They think it’s boring, mindless work. But to me it’s one of the most relaxing, immersive activities.

It takes 20 minutes. Carefully pick up a dish. Wipe off the water from its surface. Bring it up to the light. Against, if it’s not clear glass. Turn it over. Wipe that. Next.

It’s absorbing. It’s peaceful, and quiet (surely stops the you-do-it-no-you-do-its). And it’s done.

]]>Neil L. DecapiaA Short Walk2023-07-29T00:00:00+08:002023-07-29T00:00:00+08:00https://isig.dev/2023/07/29/a-short-walkI took a short walk inside the Ateneo de Manila campus this morning. The rain had stopped and the air was pleasant.

The pavement was wet and slippery but I didn’t mind. I looked forward to every step even though I have made this same walk a dozen times before and already knew how it will end. This walk is going to be different, same as the dozen other walks.

When I finally made it to the end, at the old building (maybe a little older than me) housing a theology school overlooking Marikina, I turned back. The sun was now out and I’ve started to sweat a little. But my breath was clear and hearty, and I want to remember this air. It compels me to write.

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