About last night.

Watching a gig at the place formerly known as K.A.F.E. brings back memories of late drunken nights and kewl perfomances. Last night was like the good ol' times (minus the buy one take one beer for P45). Nico observed that it had this underground vibe and I agree (although I know that those 'underground' advocates will highly disagree with that statement on the basis of the kind of bands and crowd that were there at the gig). Narda played a short but lively set of all-new songs. Papa 'yung vocalist ng Boy Elroy. Ang lupet ng Sun Valley Crew, kahit hindi sila kumpleto. The Mongols were the last to rock FBR Arcade. Masaya 'yung vibe, kahit pagod na pagod na kami ni Nico.

And I know who else had fun that night-- the wonder twins Marnie and Margie. Luis says they shouldn't hang out together on a drinking spree anymore. Hahaha... ;-)

Grabe ang init.

Pawis na pawis ako kanina sa UP Chapel. I could feel sweat trickle down my thighs. Kadiri ang pakiramdam ko.

Before accompanying Nico to Sunday mass we went to Troy's birthday celebration at the library that Pahinungod is setting up for the benefit of school children in the SFDM area. (It's actually a kewl old house that the owner lent to the organization for free while they're abroad. They didn't want to sell or rent it out so they decided to put it to good use.) We ate a lot of yummy baked spaghetti then we chilled out at Gloria Jean's with the barkada.

If it weren't for the über-humid weather, I'd say it was a perfect and pleasant Sunday afternoon.

Weekend break.

Took a break from my research and met up with Nico to watch The Bourne Supremacy last night. It's the good ol'straightforward action movie without the lousy attempts at humor, the open endings, the America-saves-the-world-syndrome, the token T&A and pa-sexy shots (although I wouldn't mind seeing more skin from Matt Damon hehe). I liked it. Sayang lang halos cameo ang role ni Franka Potente rito. Ang macho niya magmaneho. Ang macho ng tattoo niya. Bem. Hehehe...

***

Ang ginaw sa sinehan sa Eastwood. Tas ang weird kasi pag malalakas 'yung mga sound effects sa sinehan (like car crashes and gun shots) parang mas giniginaw ako. Hehe ang labo...

***

I'm still looking for more info on pre-colonial Tagalog (Central Luzon) culture. If you have books, links, images or anything that you think can help me, please let me know. Tatanawin kong malaking utang na loob ito sa inyo. :-)

***

Narda performs tonight at FBR Arcade (where K.A.F.E. used to be) with Boy Elroy, Chicosci, Sun Valley Crew, The Mongols and a bunch of other kewl bands. Hope to see more familiar faces there.

***

Happy birthday, Troyboy!

That was fast.

Wow, thanks, Marnie for the links! I found another helpful resource as well. Grabe, kelangan lang talagang tiyagaain ang Google.

I need a favor.

I'm doing some research on Philippine pre-colonial/pre-historic art, culture (specifically Tagalog weaving, pottery, crafts, etc.) and googling has only provided links to craft books for sale and such. I'd really appreciate it if you guys can help me find leads to my research topic-- books, links, articles, etc. And it would be perfect if there were visual sources, too. Thanks in advance y'all. :-)

Techie twilight zone.

I only used my newly replaced CD-ROM drive for a few months before it went kaput last quarter of last year. Tiis akong walang CD drive for the longest time. Ngayong mukhang kailangan kong mag-reformat ng hard drive, kailangan ko ng maayos na CD drive.

Last night I borrowed Joey Halo's extra drive so I can reformat my Windows. I installed it this morning and somehow it screwed up my system all the more.

I typed in my BIOS password. No Win98 splash screen. All I got was the numbers 1962 written on the upper left corner of the black screen. Any key I pressed just prompted it to show 1962 over and over again. Scary ha. Parang Korean horror flick na tama ang pagka-direct.

I disconnected the cables from Joey's semi-barok cd writer and restarted the puter. Voila! Windows 98. I reconnected the cables to my busted CD drive and I didn't have problems starting up either.

I noticed the little green light blinking on my CD drive. Is it working? One way to find out: I slipped in an installer CD and to my surprise, it is fucken working!!! Natakot ata siyang mapalitan ng CD-writer ni Joey. Topak talaga. Kainis.

Now all I need is the Win98 installer. I'll probably get it from Nico within the week.

***

But can someone care to explain why my pc was responding to Joey's drive that way? I need techie help...

***

Now playing on my pc: "Is that Ciudad? Yes, son it's me." Wheee...! :-)

Freelance freedom.

I'm sticking with bumhood. For now at least. No office politics to deal with. And the emotional rewards are better. Kebs na walang holiday bonus ang pag-raket.

Now I have all the day job time to work on my book. Yay!

If you can dodge cars you can play Dodgeball.

That's the best piece of advice that I've heard in a long time.

Friday turned out to be crap, if not for lunch in Makati with Nico, and Dodgeball which is hilarious (but it's not as funny as Zoolander though).

I'm re-evaluating my employment options. I don't know if I'm actually getting what I deserve.

***

I'm having modem/dialer problems for three days now. I can't check my POP3 mail. I am almost willing to reformat my Windows. If only my cd-rom weren't busted. Fuck.

(I am using my mom's pc to post this blog entry.)

Everything and nothing.

That's how I feel today. I'm tired, but I'm not satisfied with the day's outcome. I was able to run office-hour errands though, so that's good.

I am almost employed. Almost. The beaureaucracy is killing me slowly, like a blunt knife to the neck. I'm beginning to have my doubts regarding this decision... (Be careful what you wish for, eh?)

Highlight of the day: glitter nail polish with metallic hearts and stars and impromptu lunch with Chino who I thought was stalking me at Megamall. Hehehe... :-)

I learn more new words everyday.

This entry c/o Nico. Hehehe...

Scrotch - v. the thing you do when the crotch is itching (no need to use direct object); n. the act of scratching the crotch (in other words, kamot ng singit)

(Anubayan. Hehehe...)

Pet peeves.

I seldom know what I want to do, what I really want. But at least I know what I really, really hate. Here's a (not-so) short list off the top of my head of stuff I can live without, ranging from the trivial to the deadly serious.

* I hate onions. Raw, sautéed, breaded into appetizers, fresh, bulok, kahit ano pa ang luto-- HATE KO 'YAN LAHAT. I have developed the patience of dissecting my pizza, salsa, sisig, spaghetti sauce, chicken sandwich spread, shawarma, etc. just to get rid of the dreaded thing. People argue, 'eh wala namang lasa 'yan a,' but I beg to disagree. May lasa siya and I hate it with a passion. (Kaya rin hate ko ang durian, kalasa niya sibuyas.) Word of warning: don't ever try to argue and force me into eating the stuff, mag-aaway lang tayo.

* 'Sinasadya mo ba, tanga ka ba, o sadya kang tanga?' I hate having to deal with stupid people. Wala talaga akong pasensya sa mga taong mahina ang pang-unawa. No, I'm not referring to mentally-challenged people (baka kasi sabihin ninyong politically incorrect ako). 'Yung simpleng bagay lang na pagpapaliwanag na minsan hindi makuha ng kausap ko, naiinis ako sa ganun.

* I hate slobbering k.s.p. dogs. Lalo na 'yung mga asong hindi madalas maligo. Notice how they stink when it rains (kahit hindi sila nabasa ng ulan)? I like them small, tame and deadma. (Sa pagka-deadma, exception to the rule is Thor's pomeranian, Tobey.)

* I hate cockroaches. They're filthy, they're disgusting. I don't like them crawling around. Genuine horror moment ang lumilipad na ipis (ask Donna and Jazz). And it's equally gross to kill them. They ooze with stinky yucky gunk when crushed to death. One roach leg is home to millions of germs. That's one leg times six!!! Eeew. *shudder*

* I hate waking up to noise-- screaming nieces, the neighbor's screeching motorbike, loud bangs of the door. Don't expect me to be nice when precious sleep has been unnecessarily interrupted.

* I hate people who think they're God's gift to mankind. I hate people who are scheming and maliciously manipulative. (self-explanatory)

* I hate Creed, The Calling, and a bunch of other 'macho rock' bands (Marnie uses the term 'testosterock') who think they're the best band in the world-- wuss naman sila. (No offense to those people who like them, taste lang 'yan.)

* I love gloomy weather. I just hate commuting in the rain, specially when I'm on official business. Hassle eh.

* I hate liver (and almost all kinds of laman-loob). Parang kumakain ako ng lupa. :-P I still remember the time I was forced to finish my liver steak (with onion ring toppings!!! How sad.) for dinner (as kids we were always made to finish our food-- masamang magtira). The next day I woke up with vomit (with undigested chunks of liver hehe) all over the sheets. My family never forced me to eat the stuff ever again.

* I hate being forced into anything actually, even if I was willing to do it anyway. I just don't like the idea. Hehe...

* I hate people whose idea of 'original pilipino musicians' are those who are more famous for singing other people's songs than their own.

* I'd like to think that I'm a good friend and all, and I really do take time to listen to other people's problems but I really hate it when people take time to call me up and ask me out only because they're in between relationships. Hindi ako resbak.

* Of all common contagious diseases, I probably hate conjunctivitis (a.k.a. sore eyes) the most. It renders you helpless, lonely and bored. And I am sooo glad that's really over for me. Maxitrol rawks!

(I'm still bored though. Obvious ba? Hehe...)

I would like to thank the following sponsors--

-- the people who texted/called in their well wishes (you know who you are);

-- Nico, for the meds, for the phone calls and messages, for today's surprise visit and the Snoopy Happy Meal (biker dude! Wheee!), and for being there for me always;

-- whoever watches over us for answered prayers.

Yes, I am getting better. I may be able to get some work done this week (tomorrow, actually). Finally. :-)

(Wow, was that a smiley? Hehe...)

Knight in Shining Armor

Actually, he was clad in a red and blue shirt and blue denims. To my surprise he dropped by a few minutes ago, with pasalubong in hand. I couldn't let him in our virus-infected house so over the gate he handed me an antibiotic and moussaka from Tajma.

And all I could do is smile and say 'thank you'. I would've wept if only I could. His presence was the only thing that really brightened up my day.

What else can I say? He's the sweetest person I've met. And I'm proud that my so-called life has been graced by his presence.

See what happens when I'm really bored.

I post outdated pictures. Here's papparazzi from the AdMU Blue Roast party several months ago.

A 'yiheee' shot for starters.

BJ and Nico (with a surprise guest behind them)

EJ and Nico

Sugarfree playing new songs.

Ebe. Ganda sana ng lens flare kung hindi na-overX sa left side.

New York and Blue Roast Rockstar Awardee Katwo

Uy, macho. Hehe... ;-P

Hey, bored ka na ba?

Nalolongkot at walang makaosap?

*sigh*

Ako, oo. But I'm not desperate enough to call some party line thing. I don't think I will ever be that desperate.

I just hate this affliction. I can't do anything at the moment. Can't read, can't watch t.v. (and there's nothing good on anyway), can't work, and listening to music can't keep me in high spirits for long. (Sitting in front of the computer isn't comfortable either, I'm just doing a quick post so I'd feel I did something today.)

If you're not doing anything and you're up to it, I'd really appreciate a call. (Of course I'm referring to you people who know my contact numbers. My mobile phone is still out of commission though, but I can still be reached through the Narda mobile hotline.)

In the meantime, I'm going back in bed to vegetate.

Crap.

Shit. Poop. Merde. Mierda. Tae. Ebs. Basta. Everything I have lined up for my busy weekend I have cancelled. I am on a self-imposed quarantine.

Fuck. I hate getting sick. I'm going to be buried in deadlines. Fuck.

***

Uy, new look.

Since there's nothing else to do, I have deleted my boring blog template and replaced it with another boring one. There's still a lot of code to edit though, but I don't have the patience for that just yet. Still, I hope it's an improvement.

***

I really really really hope I am well by Monday at the latest. It is an imperative actually. Life-changing decisions will be made soon.

Productive day.

That's how Thursday was. I just wish I had been sleeping better though. (Leche kasi 'yang kapitbahay namin eh! Everyday niya pinapa-rev 'yung motorbike niya! I almost successfully filed a complaint at our Barangay Hall a few weeks ago, but apparently his apartment is under the neighboring barangay's jurisdiction-- boundary ang kalye namin. Buset.)

Finally got my T.I.N. card replaced. (I tried claiming it at Makati last week but they probably threw it away because it took me three years to get it.) Karton lang pala siya. I thought they came in those small rectangles of the thick driver's license kind of plastic. But no. Sabi nung babae sa records section nung tinanong ko siya kung may permanent version ito: 'Yan na. I-laminate mo na lang.' Asus.

I gave Thor another surprise visit (although he didn't seem surprised to me hehe). Hung out a bit before I headed for Nico's office building along Pasong Tamo.

Had jamaican patties and pork siomai on the 9th floor. Happy jowa moment. :-) It was short-lived though, as Nico had to go back to work and I had a meeting somewhere in the Legaspi Village area at 7 p.m..

Meeting went well and into the rest of the night; we were discussing the project's publication concerns and making fun of stupid mascot concepts and t.v. commercials (with delirious side comments on Winnie the Pooh & Donald Duck's dressing habits or lack thereof) while waiting for two of our artists who arrived two hours late. I didn't have much of a choice because I had to get their cds of illustrations for pre-press production. We also nailed down a lot of the launch details for this project (and all I can tell you is that this is going to be one big party).

Later today Matilda and Narda will be having their respective video shoots. Saturday is contract signing day with the publisher for my book project and day two of the Narda shoot, and hopefully pre-press work on the illustrations. Sunday is booked for another Narda video shoot (different song this time) and more work on the illustrations.

(What's with all the video shoots? Quark's students are supposed to submit music videos as their final project for their film class and three groups approached us for permission to use the songs.)

I have been given six weeks for my picture book project. 15 spreads, plus front cover, back cover and inside covers. That means less than 2.5 days per spread. Wala pang revisions 'yan. Gadsh. Kakayanin ko ba?

Kutob ninyo magdi-disappear na naman ako in the next few weeks? Lagot ang naghihingalong social life.

Kakaba-kaba.

This morning I got an SMS from a friend telling me that somebody called him doing a character reference check on me. As of today four three of my friends have already been contacted by this agency. I never thought they'd really make calls to those numbers I gave, kaya nagkagulatan na lang ang lahat kasi hindi ko rin nasabihan 'yung mga kaibigan ko about it. Sana okay lahat ng feedback hehehe...

***

Hindi nga pala ako natuloy sa video shoot ng Matilda. Mga alas-singko ng umaga sinumpong ako ng hika. I took a nap to get some rest but I woke up feeling worse, with fatigue to boot.

Ayoko na ng ganito. *sigh*

It's been a good nine months. It really was. Thank you.

'Yun lang.

My new word of the day:

Sepoupou - n. simply known in layman's terms as 'death by tae'.

(Actually it's not so new, I've been using the word with Nico for some time now hehehe...)

Pero 'Success!' naman ako, a couple of hours ago after coming home from a long day at Makati. Malamang dulot ito ng caramel sundae sa McDo, at pinalala pa ng cream of mushroom soup. Grabe kasi, may pagka-lactose intolerant ako ng slight. Haggard ako tuloy kanina sa gig ng Matilda at Narda sa Café SaGuijo kagabi (bukod sa hindi pa ako natutulog ng matino at masakit ang paa ko from wearing 4" heels for more than 12 hours).

***

E bakit pa ako gising? Video shoot ng Matilda today sa Novaliches, 6 a.m. kami magkikita sa McDo Katips. Gadsh, that's a few hours from now.

*yawn*

Good luck sa akin. *sigh*

September is a month for birthdays.

I was updating my schedule on the side bar when I realized how many friends are celebrating their birthdays this month.

Their parents must be doing the naughty-and-nice thing at Christmas then... Bwahahahahaha!!!

(Anubayan!) ;-D