Just Making It Through the Day

Unlike before when I wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work, I am now having trouble finding the will to go to work. And at work, I just try and make it through the day.

Things have become monotonous and redundant. And of course, there is the constant scrutiny of the biatch. And of course the next-to-impossible requests of my boss.

Movie: The Devil Wears Prada

I went out of the office early yesterday so that I could watch "The Devil Wears Prada" at WalterMart last night.

I could say that I wasn't THAT disappointed.

I was going to write about how I was able to relate to the movie. But I guess it's enough for you guys to know that I was able to relate to it.

I'm lazy to explain. Besides, I think my friends know what I'm talking about.

Si Paul* at ang Kanyang ...

Halaw sa isang tunay na pangyayari na nabigyan ng kakaibang "twist".

---

I barely know you, Paul, kaya nagulat ako sa offer mo kagabi.

"'Lika, ipakita ko sa 'yo. Dito tayo sa sulok."

Dahan-dahan mong ibinaba ang zipper, at ipinasok mo ang kamay mo sa loob. May dinudukot ka. Bigla mong inilabas ang lalagyan ng gusto mong ipakita. Kulay itim, pero may bahid ng ibang kulay.

"Ang laki pala," wika ko. Napangisi ka lang.

Na-excite ako ng bigla mong ibinaba ang takip ng lalagyan, at laking gulat ako sa aking nakita.

Napakataba, napakahaba, at napakaputi pala ng iyo.

"Wow."

"Gusto mo hawakan?"

"Sige."

Para akong nakuryente ng nahawakan ko na. Upang di ka mabigla, dahan-dahan din ang paglabas ko nito mula sa pagkakatago nito.

"Tigas pala nito," sabi ko.

"Oo."

Tinignan kong mabuti ang mga guhit at linya sa gilid, harap, taas, at ibaba nito. Mulo puno hanggang sa dulo, napakagandang pagmasdan.

Hinimas ko ang kabuuan nito, at makinis rin pala. Sinubukan kong hawakan ang lahat, pero di mag-abot ang aking mga daliri palibot nito.

Sabay pa tayong nagulat ng bigla itong umigkas mula sa aking pagkakahawak. Tinulungan mo akong hawakan itong mabuti, na ikinatuwa ko naman.

"Lagi kong nagagamit 'yan sa La Salle dati. Alam mo kung saan yun?"

"Oo, sa UM?"

"Oo, maraming katulad ko 'dun."

Tinignan at hinawakan ko pang mabuti ang kabuuan ng pag-aari mo. Tagaktak na rin ata ang aking pawis dahil sa init.

Pero ilang minuto pa, ipinatago ko na rin ang hawak-hawak ko. Medyo marami na rin kasing taong nakatingin. Ngunit, masaya ako dahil nakahawak na rin ako sa wakas ng katulad nun.

"May kailangan ka pa ba?" tanong mo. Napailing na lang ako. "Sige. Basta pag may kailangan ka pa, text mo na lang ako."

"Sige."

Iniabot ko ang pera biglang bayad sa una kong nakuha ko sa iyo. At tayo ay naghiwalay na ng landas pansamantala.

...

Hay, Paul, salamat at ipinahawak mo sa akin ang iyong hard-plastic protected Top 8 Type 1 Magic deck.

---

Paul* - di tunay na pangalan.

Nostalgia on the First Day of the -Ber Months

I still am here at the office. Alone.

Nostalgia is creeping in. The sun's light reflecting on the surfaces of the buildings outside dominate my view.

I can't help but think of all the years gone by, in high school, where I would spend my Friday afternoons with friends inside the school grounds. There, we would loll on the football field and reminisce of all the things that had gone by. The wind would sweep at us, move the cut grass, and cool us in passing.

When most people are out partying, I choose to be alone. I want to watch "The Devil Wears Prada", but it seems like everyone else I know had already planned ahead, leaving me wanting for companionship. But I don't blame them. In fact, it could have been my fault to say the least. Ennui, F, and monja! had planned beforehand. I'm not sure about Phanks, but he'd probably 1) be doing school work, 2) or be partying, or 3) be out with his better half tonight.

To kill this feeling, I am going to meet with my other friends (read: straight male) friends at the mall but won't stay very long. Seeing people or a group together might just kill me.

I have actually started to maximize my spending - that is, to minimize my fare and food. So instead of buying outside, I bring my own lunch. Instead of taking the cab, I wake up earlier and take PUVs to work. And instead of riding to my destination that is near, I walk.

Yesterday here at the office, I got a "gift" from the Oracle Corporation. It's a pouch-type zip-up CD holder. How nice of them, but I wonder how they got my contact details. As in they got every detail right: my name and my office address. Am I under CI? I hope not.

NOTE TO PHANKS: I encountered a novel today entitled "Clubland" by Frank Owen. It might interest you. It's about the "fabulous rise and murderous fall of club culture". I will try to get you a copy should you be interested. Just leave a message.

Anyway, I have to go now. Be seeing some of you guys soon.

I've Been Busy

A lot of things have happened.

The f*cking semniar's finally over. Thank goodness I was able to create the presentations at least two weeks before yesterday. Their changes were minor, and it just took a few minutes for me to modify their slides.

I think I gained some weight again. About a week ago, there were three parties held at my sister's house. The first was a retirement party for one of my sister's officemates at the USE. Next was the overdue celebration of my nephew's sixth birhtday. Last was the going away party for my 18 year old niece.

My niece had left last Tuesday morning. She went back to the States to continue her studies. I actually miss her because all the while she was here, we ate dinner and sang the videoke. She's been my companion and confidant, and we shared alot of things between us. In a way, she became more of a relative: she had become a real friend. I think right now she's in her Mexican boyfriend's hug. He he he. (The boy's not really that goodlooking, for me.) Before I forget, I read her Tarot cards a few days before she left because she was having problems about her relationship. But let's not go deeper to that. It's forbidden to openly discuss any readings of people ("clients").

[Want to have your cards read? Text or call +63915 *** ***** so we can schedule you on a Tuesday or Friday, Philippine Time. I charge Php 600.00... JOKE!!!]

Our department bought a new large format Epson printer to replace the old and near-to-death HP wide format.

Still, I've been playing Magic with my new found friends, and everytime I go to meetings (or "gatherings") I meet a whole new bunch of people. Besides playing with what I love (the cards, silly), I get to meet a lot of cuties also. Like last night I went by myself to the shop. I met Mike. I bought cards from him. I didn't linger though, card shopping is proving to be addicting. In the end, I was able to get bargain cards. I went home happy.

I am happier because the one I like has not forgotten. He has surprisingly kept his lines of communication open to this day.