Vague items, I’ll admit. Just some coincidences happening these past days. I thought it best to thread lightly, carefully, just in case.
*****
Found myself in some building’s parking lot in Alabang just a few hours back, chatting with an old friend from college. It was an hour’s worth of catching up, apparently a lot has gone on in the past 9 months since we last met, and a lot more in the last 5 years or so since we were neighbors. How time flies, indeed, yet everything seemed as if it were yesterday. As we said our goodbyes, there was this nagging feeling that it might be for the last time but there was nothing to be done. A pat on the shoulder, that last awkward look and finally the words ‘take care’. Que sera, sera.
*****
I accompanied another college friend yesterday to one of those iconic symbols of UP Diliman, the “isaw” stand. Despite having moved to the vacant space in front of the old arcade, it was still the same stand that fumigated the Ilang-ilang dorm each afternoon years back. The trademark orange coloring, packing the skewered intestines into small plastic cups to be drowned in spiced vinegar and of course, the smoke. Memories of extravagance in a time of meager allowances.
Trudging through memory lane a bit further, we dropped by her old college boarding house and soon found ourselves willing captives to a nostalgic drinking spree with the former landlady. As can be expected from such reunions, flashbacks were being served as fast as the empty beer bottles multiplied all around. Despite not being privy to most of these stories, still there was my fascination about how much things have changed over the course of a decade.
I tried figuring out how much I have changed since those times, from being a reckless and carefree student of the university to a cautious and independent salary man struggling to secure each step up the corporate ladder. Regrets, of course, are plentiful, and yet it now ever hardly matters. What is important is the present, and what we make of it. The future? Well, I’ll take my chances. Que sera, sera.
*****
A friend recently went back home to the south, right after a visit from a ghost of sorts. I could only imagine the odds of that happening, a foreboding, perhaps? Of course, I can only guess as to the significance of that appointment at a time when idleness is imminent in the coming days.
Making matters even more serendipitous are recent discussions and realizations on the current going-ons (or the lack of it, I must say) between said friend and her ghost which seem to point in the direction of a hypothetical collision course. Hypothetical depending on which branch of physics you subscribe to (Newtonian or Quantum) relating to parallel lines. To which ever eventual end, all I can say is, que sera, sera.
*****
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a small pair of flip-flops (not mine) at my apartment. Those long strands of hair clogging up the bathroom drain as well. Two empty coffee mugs waiting to be washed in the sink when I get back home, and the inevitable hint of perfume in the morning. I guess I better learn to live with the fact that my sister now resides here.
A bit less than an act of charity, her presence gives my personal finances a significant boost in the direction of empowerment. Quite a welcome change from times past, I must say. It’s just strange, to be reminded. Que sera, sera.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Blanket and Pillow Talk
Once upon a time, I had a favorite blanket. My little sister has her favorite pillow. So yesterday, during the long stretch of road from Baguio to Manila, I imagined up this debate between us about the merits of having such favorites.
First, we have to discuss the differences between a blanket and a pillow. A pillow, well a favorite pillow at least, is more a stuffed toy than anything. It serves little purpose except to provide you with something soft to cuddle with. A blanket, on the other hand, provides you with security and warmth but isn’t really of much substance to cuddle. So now we leave the floor open to the debate on which is the better buddy. Take your side now.
So have you taken sides yet? Here’s my fearless non-professional psychoanalysis: If you chose the pillow, you’re a girl. And if you chose the blanket, you’re a boy. Any violent reactions, so far? Let me expound…
Pillows are cuddle things. Thus, they’re selfish little objects which want nothing less than all your attention, and yet you give it to them. I bet you prop them up on the bed after you wake up and fluff them to look all cute and cuddly for the next time that you go to sleep. And you keep it warm by hugging it tight, not wanting it to feel cold. I bet you even sprinkle perfumed talcum powder on it so it smells oh so nice, and clothe it with the cutest pillowcases. Sounds pretty much like something a girl would do, doesn’t it?
And then there’s the blanket, something you put over yourself to keep you warm and cozy. It’s dense thread count keeping off most insects and even protecting you against the dank and humid morning dew. And yet despite everything that it gave you the whole time you were sleeping, you’d discard it as soon as you open your eyes and leave it be. Instead of pampering it with attention and care, you expect it to always be there to keep you feeling good. Now there’s something that boys would love.
Whichever item you choose, it doesn’t really matter much to me, by the way. I just had nothing better to think and write about. Though I am sticking to this theory simply because I chose a blanket as my “favorite thing”. And by the way, I still have that blanket, already retired, though. And my little sister still has her pillow.
First, we have to discuss the differences between a blanket and a pillow. A pillow, well a favorite pillow at least, is more a stuffed toy than anything. It serves little purpose except to provide you with something soft to cuddle with. A blanket, on the other hand, provides you with security and warmth but isn’t really of much substance to cuddle. So now we leave the floor open to the debate on which is the better buddy. Take your side now.
So have you taken sides yet? Here’s my fearless non-professional psychoanalysis: If you chose the pillow, you’re a girl. And if you chose the blanket, you’re a boy. Any violent reactions, so far? Let me expound…
Pillows are cuddle things. Thus, they’re selfish little objects which want nothing less than all your attention, and yet you give it to them. I bet you prop them up on the bed after you wake up and fluff them to look all cute and cuddly for the next time that you go to sleep. And you keep it warm by hugging it tight, not wanting it to feel cold. I bet you even sprinkle perfumed talcum powder on it so it smells oh so nice, and clothe it with the cutest pillowcases. Sounds pretty much like something a girl would do, doesn’t it?
And then there’s the blanket, something you put over yourself to keep you warm and cozy. It’s dense thread count keeping off most insects and even protecting you against the dank and humid morning dew. And yet despite everything that it gave you the whole time you were sleeping, you’d discard it as soon as you open your eyes and leave it be. Instead of pampering it with attention and care, you expect it to always be there to keep you feeling good. Now there’s something that boys would love.
Whichever item you choose, it doesn’t really matter much to me, by the way. I just had nothing better to think and write about. Though I am sticking to this theory simply because I chose a blanket as my “favorite thing”. And by the way, I still have that blanket, already retired, though. And my little sister still has her pillow.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tales from the Beer Bust
Last night was beer-bust night at the Mine Safety Club. Your's truly and the big boss come up here to Baguio each year to partake of this event, an excuse for the mining community to play golf, tennis, bowling and of course, eat and drink for free. The whole ampitheater was packed full of the usual people, and the beer was flowing... rumor has it a hundred kegs were delivered for that night alone. So naturally, a few stories came out...
*****
Spoken like a true alcoholic, I daresay that drinking has a lot of benefits. It is a great way to loosen up tongues which in turn, granted that your brain cells haven't already died, makes for a valuable education. Take last night for example, I was drinking with my boss and a couple of geezers when the topic shifted to a Japanese friend of theirs.
"Did you hear the Mr. X started smoking again?" The boss says.
"No, I haven't. Didn't he quit last year?" Geezer number one, replies.
"Yeah, but he smokes when someone offers him cigarettes now."
"Maybe he's just cheap, all of a sudden?" Geezer number two chuckles while I go get some more draft beer.
"No, you see, he says that he read about this Japanese study about cigarettes somewhat being a blocker of Alzheimer's. So now, he finds it more convenient to die of cancer rather than having to suffer late in life. Funny, no?" They all cheer for their Japanese friend while I silently ponder on the veracity of supposed study.
*****
Now there's this big bozo of a potential client of mine who despite having met me a lot of times in our monthly association meeting, hasn't really acknowledged my presence. We met in the hallway of the hotel and I called out "Sir" but he never even saw me, not even a smile. Maybe he thought I was the bellhop or something?
So anyhows, my boss got him all lathered up with draft beer, and all of a sudden I'm his best bud, even fetching beers for me when I need a refill. Whaddyouknow? He keeps on giving me these pats on the back whenever I say anything and in a number of times cornered me for a full-on one on one chat.
We met this morning in the hallway once again, I was getting something from the car while he was fetching the morning paper. I once again called him sir, he took one look at me and closed the door shut in my face. Talk about a one-night-stand. Prick!
*****
At first, the rumors that tuna sashimi would be served got me all excited! As they laid the trays of food one by one, my eyes scanned all around for the tuna, to no avail. Ahh, perhaps they didn't want it to be mixed in with all the other food, opting to serve it when everyone has had their fill, making for special beer-chow. So ok, I patiently waited and gorged myself of spare ribs, pork-tofu and whatever was on the table.
An hour or so into the program, just as everyone was grouped in small intimate circles with beers and food in hand, I spied another tray being set on the table. It was the sashimi! I made my way towards it, glinting red amid the fluorescent lights and presented in neat layers. Then someone got there first and got their fill, then another, then another. By the time I got to the table, the once neatly layered sashimi was now a pathetic pile of fish tissue in pools of reddish blood. Eww.
So I slunk back to my spot along with the geezers and wannabes (such as myself) and drowned myself in beer. So the food channel was right, it's a lot about the presentation, isn't it?
*****
The drive back to the hotel was surreal, the d-bag who decided to darken the tint on my windshield probably didn't put much thought into these kinds of situations. Zig-zagging along the mountain passes in complete darkness, with only the cliff edges as any real guide.
I took a drag from my cigarette and though I'm sure I looked cool and macho and all that crap, it vanished as soon as the cigarette fell from my hands onto the floor. How panicked can you get? Couldn't stop for fear of getting run over by traffic coming from the blind curves, and couldn't sacrifice control of the steering wheel to pick the damn stick up. Crap! So I divide precious seconds looking and trying to stomp on the thing while driving, braking and steering at the same time. Finally got the embers out... Whew! Close one!
Two minutes after that incident, I'm lighting up again. Tsk tsk...
*****
Spoken like a true alcoholic, I daresay that drinking has a lot of benefits. It is a great way to loosen up tongues which in turn, granted that your brain cells haven't already died, makes for a valuable education. Take last night for example, I was drinking with my boss and a couple of geezers when the topic shifted to a Japanese friend of theirs.
"Did you hear the Mr. X started smoking again?" The boss says.
"No, I haven't. Didn't he quit last year?" Geezer number one, replies.
"Yeah, but he smokes when someone offers him cigarettes now."
"Maybe he's just cheap, all of a sudden?" Geezer number two chuckles while I go get some more draft beer.
"No, you see, he says that he read about this Japanese study about cigarettes somewhat being a blocker of Alzheimer's. So now, he finds it more convenient to die of cancer rather than having to suffer late in life. Funny, no?" They all cheer for their Japanese friend while I silently ponder on the veracity of supposed study.
*****
Now there's this big bozo of a potential client of mine who despite having met me a lot of times in our monthly association meeting, hasn't really acknowledged my presence. We met in the hallway of the hotel and I called out "Sir" but he never even saw me, not even a smile. Maybe he thought I was the bellhop or something?
So anyhows, my boss got him all lathered up with draft beer, and all of a sudden I'm his best bud, even fetching beers for me when I need a refill. Whaddyouknow? He keeps on giving me these pats on the back whenever I say anything and in a number of times cornered me for a full-on one on one chat.
We met this morning in the hallway once again, I was getting something from the car while he was fetching the morning paper. I once again called him sir, he took one look at me and closed the door shut in my face. Talk about a one-night-stand. Prick!
*****
At first, the rumors that tuna sashimi would be served got me all excited! As they laid the trays of food one by one, my eyes scanned all around for the tuna, to no avail. Ahh, perhaps they didn't want it to be mixed in with all the other food, opting to serve it when everyone has had their fill, making for special beer-chow. So ok, I patiently waited and gorged myself of spare ribs, pork-tofu and whatever was on the table.
An hour or so into the program, just as everyone was grouped in small intimate circles with beers and food in hand, I spied another tray being set on the table. It was the sashimi! I made my way towards it, glinting red amid the fluorescent lights and presented in neat layers. Then someone got there first and got their fill, then another, then another. By the time I got to the table, the once neatly layered sashimi was now a pathetic pile of fish tissue in pools of reddish blood. Eww.
So I slunk back to my spot along with the geezers and wannabes (such as myself) and drowned myself in beer. So the food channel was right, it's a lot about the presentation, isn't it?
*****
The drive back to the hotel was surreal, the d-bag who decided to darken the tint on my windshield probably didn't put much thought into these kinds of situations. Zig-zagging along the mountain passes in complete darkness, with only the cliff edges as any real guide.
I took a drag from my cigarette and though I'm sure I looked cool and macho and all that crap, it vanished as soon as the cigarette fell from my hands onto the floor. How panicked can you get? Couldn't stop for fear of getting run over by traffic coming from the blind curves, and couldn't sacrifice control of the steering wheel to pick the damn stick up. Crap! So I divide precious seconds looking and trying to stomp on the thing while driving, braking and steering at the same time. Finally got the embers out... Whew! Close one!
Two minutes after that incident, I'm lighting up again. Tsk tsk...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Brain Freeze
Wifi back on at the gas station. woohoo! Now what? The prolonged hiatus from this blog has resulted in a certain specie of writer's block. Not only can't I think of nothing, but my typing skills have gone haywire.
*****
How's this for a topic, a truck-load of pigs just went by, one of those double-decker mini-trucks. The pigs are screaming, thrasing about as the truck negotiates the hump at the gas station. Suddenly one of the beasts start staring at me, motionless, not even blinking its beady eyes. Is it accusing me? I can't imaging this little porker knowing what I ate for breakfast for it to assume that one of its kin died to provided sustenance for myself.
Fortunately, the truck rolled on and the staring stopped. Too bad the stink lingered on for another minute, though. How the heck did our ancestors ever thought these pigs were good enough to eat if they smelled this badly!? "Hey guys, these filthy animals have awful hygiene and stink to the high heavens... it must taste delicious!"
*****
I'm still postponing getting a hamster. Mostly because of laziness, apparently. For one, I'd have to find and clean up the old aquarium. Then there's the matter of having to feed it. I have trouble feeding myself, and I should make an effort for this rodent? Also, I'd have to figure out a better ventilation system for my apartment lest it smell like, well, a hamster. I know it doesn't sound like too much work, but given my lack of interest in doing anything, if it takes more muscles than looking for the remote control, I'm not interested.
*****
As I read back on that last paragraph, I suddenly realized that I shouldn't get that hamster. Not that I'm concerned I'd just as soon subject it to animal cruelty or abuse, rather because I'm treating getting a pet as a chore, something not worthy of getting all excited about. Instead of putting all that effort into getting and keeping a pet alive, I should probably put that to better use cleaning and tending to my car. Yes, it's been in a state of neglect ever since I got it... poor thing.
*****
Oh well, I give up. There's no point in forcing the mind to produce something the least bit read-worthy if it doesn't want to. Hopefully I can coax it into submission the next few days while I'm in the summer capital. With that much time on my hands, the boredom is sure to kick in and I'd be at my usual pace once again. Until then, I'll leave you with this totally worthless piece of crap which you have just read. My sincerest apologies...
*****
How's this for a topic, a truck-load of pigs just went by, one of those double-decker mini-trucks. The pigs are screaming, thrasing about as the truck negotiates the hump at the gas station. Suddenly one of the beasts start staring at me, motionless, not even blinking its beady eyes. Is it accusing me? I can't imaging this little porker knowing what I ate for breakfast for it to assume that one of its kin died to provided sustenance for myself.
Fortunately, the truck rolled on and the staring stopped. Too bad the stink lingered on for another minute, though. How the heck did our ancestors ever thought these pigs were good enough to eat if they smelled this badly!? "Hey guys, these filthy animals have awful hygiene and stink to the high heavens... it must taste delicious!"
*****
I'm still postponing getting a hamster. Mostly because of laziness, apparently. For one, I'd have to find and clean up the old aquarium. Then there's the matter of having to feed it. I have trouble feeding myself, and I should make an effort for this rodent? Also, I'd have to figure out a better ventilation system for my apartment lest it smell like, well, a hamster. I know it doesn't sound like too much work, but given my lack of interest in doing anything, if it takes more muscles than looking for the remote control, I'm not interested.
*****
As I read back on that last paragraph, I suddenly realized that I shouldn't get that hamster. Not that I'm concerned I'd just as soon subject it to animal cruelty or abuse, rather because I'm treating getting a pet as a chore, something not worthy of getting all excited about. Instead of putting all that effort into getting and keeping a pet alive, I should probably put that to better use cleaning and tending to my car. Yes, it's been in a state of neglect ever since I got it... poor thing.
*****
Oh well, I give up. There's no point in forcing the mind to produce something the least bit read-worthy if it doesn't want to. Hopefully I can coax it into submission the next few days while I'm in the summer capital. With that much time on my hands, the boredom is sure to kick in and I'd be at my usual pace once again. Until then, I'll leave you with this totally worthless piece of crap which you have just read. My sincerest apologies...
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