What’s more, Pacquiao is an unimaginably wealthy self-made man who could easily make himself even wealthier by moving to the United States to decrease his tax liabilities and multiply his endorsement opportunities. This is, in fact, the Philippine way, and has been for more than a hundred years; Filipinos who dream of building better lives for themselves and their families go to America and send money home. But this is not Manny Pacquiao’s way. Because…he is Manny Pacquiao. And Manny Pacquiao has chosen to find his bliss at home. “Not just in the Philippines,” says Abac Cordero, who covers boxing for The Philippine Star. “In his hometown. The place he started. You cannot understand how this has stunned us Filipinos. That Manny Pacquiao chose us.”

I’ve always found the narrative arc of heroes and villains in professional sports more interesting than the fights themselves; something about the evolution of a character’s mythos makes a sport worth watching.

(Here’s a highlight reel for Manny. For shits and giggles, here’s a reel for Roy Jones Jr. (which I find to be a showcase of unbelievable speed and agility).)

I’ve been busy with a new semi-regular job, releasing my first self-published book, figuring out how to buy a suit jacket that fits me (and acquiring it before the third of April), and preparing for a week-long trip to Chicago. I have, however, been using any downtime to re-watch the first season of Battlestar Galactica. Grace Park is 35 years old; can you believe that? Frak.

Someone’s been doing research through the message boards. What’s up 3sixteen?

Oxtail Terrine with fines herb gelee, root vegetable brunoise, truffled egg, mixed chicories, puffed barley, sorrel

I won’t lie — I ate two orders of the terrine…

Beef Consomme with Marrow Butter Toast, persillade

Surf & Turf: Simmered Atlantic Skate and Crispy Veal Sweetbreads with asparagus, crushed pea, sea urchin emulsion

Aged USDA Prime Ribeye with potato espuma, charred scallion pickle and bearnaise

Tongue & Cheek: Seared Tongue, Braised Cheek, savoy cabbage, demiglace, fresh horseradish

This was easily one of the best meals I’ve had at Mission Street Food. I’m looking forward to the next visit…

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Saul Bass had some poignant thoughts:

I don’t give a damn whether the client understands if that’s worth anything or that the client thinks it’s worth anything or whether it is worth anything; it’s worth it to me — it’s the way I wanna live my life ; I wanna make beautiful things — even if nobody cares.

Thanks, Samuel.

To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.

Photo by Phil Sharp.