Mat is 11! Today he is The Oracle.
Happy Birthday, Matthias Eomer Octavian Federer-Urban! Today he will take your questions on any and all topics. Post your questions in Comments. They will be answered in the Jessica Rules the Universe podcast, which premieres next week.
A new episode will be posted every week. Our regular co-host is comic book writer and Trese creator Budjette Tan. We’ll ask Mat the first question: Why is he called Budjette?
Mat: It is a combination of his parents’ nicknames. Next question.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
August 16th, 2012 at 06:44
Happy Birthday Matt!
Why are so many people going gaga over running and marathon? Is this some sort of corporate conspiracy? Can we blame Nike? Or Gatorade?
August 16th, 2012 at 08:54
I think I’m depressed lately, thinking about death and all that dark sh*t. Is that part of being an “adult”? How can I get out of this funk?
August 16th, 2012 at 10:21
Happy birthday, Mat! If you are a human being and not a feline (not that there’s something wrong with being a cat), what course would you take in college and why?
August 16th, 2012 at 11:19
Happy birthday! My question: What are your thoughts about the e-reader boom? I own one but despite the humongous books I have on my e-reader, I still can’t call it a “library” that I can be proud of..
August 16th, 2012 at 12:19
Happy birthday, Matt!
I know that cats have a free pass to the otherworlds (and please send my hugs to Muning, Bamboo, and Frodo). Will the world really end on 12-12-12? In either case, how do you suggest we celebrate with a bang or a meow?
August 16th, 2012 at 12:28
Sending “happy birthday” greetings here!
My question, respected feline, if you will, concerns economics. Do you believe that, with the Philippines supposedly becoming an investment-friendly country, we can now expect another wave of social inanities? How do you cats manage to rise above these foibles?
I seek guidance. Or something similar.
August 16th, 2012 at 13:45
Happy birthday to the Handsomest Cat Alive!
My questions:
1) What is the best way to clean up the “gifts” left overnight by (non-toilet trained but human-loving) feral cats inside the bathroom?
2) Also, why am I actually enjoying my classes for Applied Statistics, even though I’ve despised Math for the last twenty years?
August 16th, 2012 at 14:20
Thank you, red, it is spelled with one ‘t’.
They are ga-ga over running and marathons because it is fashionable and people are dying to be in fashion. It is also easy to get into because one does not need complicated equipment or club memberships. It does require running costumes—another excuse to shop.
Perhaps they are not aware that the first Marathon was not a fun sports and fitness event. My human will discuss this in the podcast. Obviously corporations like Nike and Gatorade benefit from the running craze. In a year or so knee braces, sports medicine and knee reconstruction surgery will be the rage. We blame Fernando Zobel (the thin one) and the other totyal people for turning running into a social climbing event.
August 16th, 2012 at 14:30
Do not fear, kracle. It is the miserable weather that is causing an epidemic of gloomy thoughts. Still, dread and despair are part of the human condition. You just have to ride out the gloom. Remind yourself that it will end. There are two ways to deal with despair. One could delve into it by reading Kierkegaard and Dostoevsky. Or one could watch cheerful movies like the Molly Ringwald oeuvre (16 Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink—as bonus, imagine if Robert Downey Jr had been cast as Duckie. It throws off the entire movie, so the decision to cast innocuous Jon Cryer turned out to be correct) to keep it at bay. It will be back, though, so might as well jump in.
August 16th, 2012 at 14:31
Thank you, HelicobacterPylori, the correct form is “If you were.”
Mathematics, as one can work alone.
August 16th, 2012 at 14:32
Thank you, mak.
E-readers are useful for reading Russian novels and other doorstops. But they do not have the sensual allure of real books.
August 16th, 2012 at 14:42
Happy happy birthday Mat! You look gorgeous as always!
My question is : How can I get people to stop sending me PDFs and audio files of Fifty Shades of Grey?
Thank you!!!
August 16th, 2012 at 14:42
Thank you, UVDust.
The Mayan calendar supposedly ends on 12-21-12. In any case it is beyond your control so why dwell on it. Instead of some one-time party we recommend spending the next 4 months or so doing the things you’ve always wanted to do. You have an excuse.
August 16th, 2012 at 14:44
“Thank you.”
The Philippines is not the only place where “social inanities” abound. This “Only in the Philippines” mindset is parochial.
Cats do not give a shit what others think. It is very liberating.
August 16th, 2012 at 14:48
Thank you, stellalehua.
1. Put plastic bag over hand. Use toilet paper to pick up gift. Toss in toilet. Flush (not the plastic, it will clog).
2. Perhaps you have the right teacher. The right teacher makes students interested in the subject, no matter how dull it may have seemed originally.
August 16th, 2012 at 15:00
Thank you, brewhuh23. How thoughtful your friends are. Reply to them with these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJuSx5L1EKg
It is the opening of Last Year at Marienbad, a film that cures insomnia.
http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CEkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fchristianebailey.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F12%2FSein-und-Zeit1.pdf&ei=FJosUP-eIOyZiQee6oDgBA&usg=AFQjCNGwJ9d8rpel_GDU2cSL34k04_r8fA
And a pdf of Martin Heidegger’s Being and Time. In the original German.
August 16th, 2012 at 15:04
Maligayang bati Mat!
Paano ba nakakawala sa mga “ghosts from the past”?
August 16th, 2012 at 15:12
Salamat, ednamode.
Upang makawala sa mga maligno ng nakaraan, kailangang maghanap ng mga maligno ng hinaharap hahaha.
Baka makatulong ang paggawa ng isang ritwal upang kumalas sa nakaraan. Kunin mo ang lahat ng ritrato, sulat, diary mula sa panahong iyon, punit-punitin at itapon. (Hindi na puedeng magsunog, nakakasama sa climate change.) Pagkatapos ay kunin ang mga damit at alaala ng nakaraan at ibigay sa flood relief. Nangongolekta sila ng donasyon sa mga mall.
August 16th, 2012 at 17:21
Happy Birthday Mat!
Panata ko to kapag birthday mo mag po post ako ng question
wala naman akong tanong ngayon sabihin ko lang na crush na crush ko yang si Budjette Tan (yung voice nya ) ang pogi pogi pakingan ng boses nya (na iimagine ko nga na lookalike nya si Edric Mendoza dahil sa boses nya.
sorry….may tanong pala ko
May twin brother ba si Budjette Tan? I remember kasi kapag sunday show ni Jessica sa Klite dalawa silang guest pogi rin yung voice nung isa na yun nakalimutan ko lang name?
OMG excited nako sa podcast ni Jessica sana mag guest din yung trying hard na manghuhulang Jobert ba yun?
August 16th, 2012 at 17:58
Happy birthday, Matt?
Who will write the Greatest Filipino Novel?
August 16th, 2012 at 20:26
Happy birthday! What do you think of The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
August 16th, 2012 at 20:32
Hi Mat, Happy Birthday,
Is there an explanation why am i so sympathetic to animals but apathetic to humans, is there something wrong with me?
August 16th, 2012 at 21:10
No question cutie Mat. A smoochy Happy Birthday to you!
August 16th, 2012 at 21:11
Salamat, swanoepel!
Natatandaan ko na tinanong mo ang isa sa amin kung sino ang mananalo sa isang grand slam. Ang sagot namin ay: Roger Federer at Maria Sharapova. Nanalo nga sila ulit, hindi nga lang sa grand slam na tinutukoy mo hahahaha.
Walang kakambal si Budjette ngunit magkamukha sila ng nakababata niyang kapatid na si Brandie kaya’t sila’y binansagan naming Nestle Twins.
Sige, hahanapin namin si Jobert at si Henry, yung mga manghuhula. Huwag lamang kayong maniniwala sa mga lotto numbers nila. Laos yon.
August 16th, 2012 at 21:14
Thank you, wenkebach?
Someone who sets out to write the best novel they can manage, without the added pressure of producing the greatest this or that.
August 16th, 2012 at 21:15
Thank you, theidolfan. We have not read that book but will watch the movie for that guy who played Tilda Swinton’s beautiful son the mass murderer in We Need To Talk About Kevin.
August 16th, 2012 at 21:20
Happy Birthday!
How do you fend off an ex who’s trying to be friends with you? (despite him having a new girlfriend?)
August 16th, 2012 at 21:25
Thank you, marc manzano.
No, many people feel that way. I think it is because we animals do not speak your language so you project your thoughts onto us and imagine we understand and agree with you. We have no “agenda” that you know of. I recommend that you cultivate friendships with humans. At some point you will need people to converse with.
August 16th, 2012 at 21:28
Happy birthday Mat, and I hope you are blessed with many more years.
How can I lose weight now that I work near home and family just bring home or cook really good food? Nanghihinayang ako sa hindi nauubos na pagkain. Thank you!
To Jessica: New podcast at last!
August 16th, 2012 at 21:35
Thank you, Solace.
Your issue would not be an issue if you considered the matter of your former relationship closed.
I knew it was only a matter of time before people started bringing up relationships. Cats do not have these problems. Sometimes I spot a kitten from my window seat and wonder if it is one of my offspring from my tomcatting days.
August 16th, 2012 at 21:39
Thank you, amypond.
Give the food to your workmates.
August 16th, 2012 at 23:22
Happy birthday Mat! Just wanted to tell you how handsome you are.
August 16th, 2012 at 23:47
Happy Birthday Mat!
I live in an apartment block where we are not allowed to have pets. There is a Blue Cross Adoption Centre near where we live. We go there quite often and always go home thinking we’d love to adopt a cat. My question is, do you think we can get away with adopting a kitty?
August 16th, 2012 at 23:57
Thank you, CaitlynsMomma.
August 16th, 2012 at 23:59
Thank you, kitkat.
You mean hide your pet from the landlord and the neighbors? That would be difficult. What kind of a place doesn’t allow pets? Consider moving.
August 17th, 2012 at 00:01
Thank you, everyone, for your good wishes.
Subsequent questions will be taken up in the podcast. It will be recorded tomorrow night, so try to post them before 6pm.
August 17th, 2012 at 01:05
Hi Mat! Hapi hapi burtdey..hapi hapi birtdei…hapi burtdei sayo! (you deserve a GMA supershow style, song as well!)
My question: In light of what’s trending in the intarwebs today and wrt to your answer to the person who asked about running..I’d like to ask, how can we harness the Filipino’s totyalista aspirations, our collective short-term memories and (newfound) penchant for publicly lynching whoever is the current flavor of the month to make things better for our country? I know you said you don’t care for human affairs but please think of all the benefits that will trickle down to feline-dom – as and when people become happier then they will generally treat their pets better! I humbly ask you to employ a small part of your infinite wisdom to help us come up w an answer to this question…I’m sick of having to unfriend holier-than-thou folks who spend too much time on fb!
Ps (sorry Mat / JZ – if I may) To the person who asked about running – consider the benefits of running or some other form of physical activity before shooting it down as some corporate conspiracy. I lost 50 pounds in 8 months (didnt use Nike nor Gatorade) when I took up running – unfortunately I gained most of it back because I stopped due to work commitments (I know, lame excuse). This also goes out to the person who has lots of yummy food! You can still have some so long as you exercise :)
August 17th, 2012 at 11:39
What is the question?
August 17th, 2012 at 11:51
“kailangang maghanap ng mga maligno ng hinaharap hahaha.” oo nga naman.
salamat mat!
inaabangan ko ang podcast.
August 17th, 2012 at 12:11
happy, happy, birthday, mat.
when will the litwit challenge be back?
have some money saved from 15 years of slaving for capitalists, should i buy a house or spend for an mba overseas? (assume indifference, equal preference for both)
August 17th, 2012 at 12:56
Sorry! Kaydaming satsat!
how can we harness the Filipino’s totyalista aspirations, our collective short-term memories and (newfound) penchant for publicly lynching whoever is the current flavor of the month to make things better for our country?