A Penny More

I’ve always believed that we should return to society what we have received from them. We owe what have right now to God, and it’s only right that we pay Him back even if He’s not asking us to do the same.

Such was what real estate tycoon Genshiro Kawamoto did when he handed over three of his mansions in Hawaii to homeless families. The scene where Kawamoto eyes swelled upon being thanked tearfully by a recipient was featured in almost all dailies around the world.

The billionaire pledged that he would continue this act of kindness by opening up 8 of his 22 houses in the area to families who don’t have a place to go.

There’s a catch to this, though. While he gave the keys of his mansions to the needy recipients, he didn’t give them the titles to the properties. The lucky homeless families would only stay there as tenants. However, no rent would be asked of them. Kawamoto even gave them a thousand dollars to help them move in. The recipients would also have to pay the utility bills.

I’m all praises for Kawamoto. However, I think he should’ve done more than just open up his mansion to the needy. He already has more than enough to live comfortably until his death, and I’m sure that his heirs would be getting more than what they could spend in a lifetime upon the former’s demise. The least that he could do then to express his thanks to the Big Guy is to give rather than to lend some of his blessings.

Sure, letting the homeless families stay in his mansions rent-free would be of tremendous help to them. However, the billionaire has less than 30 mansions in the state. He could help hundreds or even thousands more if he sells just two of his mansions and use the proceeds thereof to build low-cost, but decent houses.

There are some who doubt the true motive of Kawamoto’s actions. He was said to have been quite heartless in evicting tenants before in the different estates that he owns. I wonder if he already has a court record for violating lease contracts or other agreements to that effect.

Again, I want to stress that I’m all praises for Kawamoto’s action. However, if he really wants to be of help to society, he should give instead of lend.

Paid to Read Novels

Where do you get your daily dose of crime and mystery tales?

If you grew up during the 80s like I did, then chances are is that you held and read a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys pocketbook. If reading was not your thing back then, then maybe you’ve been an avid fan of the hit series Murder She Wrote. If you were already in your 40s or 50s when the first Apple Mac was released, then maybe a few Sherlock Holmes or Ian Fleming novels graced your bookshelf.

For those who were born during the time when Cable TV was already around, Court TV probably whetted their appetite for crime and suspense stories. We have cable since 1995, but I must admit that my fingers don’t stop pressing the remote whenever I chance upon that channel. Don’t get me wrong. I’m very interested in mystery or crime flicks, especially if they’re based on a true story. However, I guess I’m just more of a book person than a boob tube one.

I haven’t read a crime and mystery novel for some time now. In fact, I think the last one that I’ve read was an Ian Fleming masterpiece. I have some Agatha Christie titles on my desk, but they’re more of for show than for reading :) I’m reading court records everyday, and some of them involve the commission of crimes. For those whose job involve researching and processing court records, reading Nancy Drew novels is like going to the office.

But for me, it’s the other way around. Going to the office is like going to the public library to read mystery novels. I love reading. This is the reason why I stuck with my current job of processing public records even if I could jump to another ship which offers higher pay and better dental :) I love my job, and I don’t see myself changing career anytime soon.

The Art of Living

“What good would that do to you after graduation?”

That was the first question and the initial reaction that my mom had when I told her that I want a liberal arts degree. I was so engrossed with many books and topics on humanities during high school that I was bent on pursuing a degree that has many subjects or electives on the matter.

I was able to convince her that my future would not be jeopardized by having a liberal arts diploma. But I must admit that I had a hard time enumerating the possible jobs that I could get with a degree that deals with almost anything under the sun.

I originally planned to go to law school after graduation. However, I didn’t find law that much interesting. It would definitely be cool to be called “counsel.” But then again, I would most probably be called something else when I become a member of the bar. It’s not that flattering when you’re being referred to as a reptile or a dreaded member of the marine species.

I’m happy with the way things turned out after graduation. While my job might not get me a BMW or a Jaguar anytime soon, I think I could safely say that I’m living quite comfortably. Hmm maybe I should delete this line. My boss would probably use this blog entry to ward off any requests for a raise.

Although I ditched my original plan of becoming a lawyer, my present job ironically deals partly with the law. You all know that I handle or process public records for a living, and that includes court records. I think I’ve already read tons of statute and case books that could propel me to graduation day in any law school in the country. But, then again, I’m already happy with what I am and with what I have today.