Expect the Unexpected

There are certain things in life that I thought would never occur again, much less on the same night. I gave up already, and was resigned to the fact that maybe it's just not meant to be. Then God plays a little game on you and for once in my life, it left me dumbfounded, startled and amused at what's happening.

Though I still don't think there's any meaning to that, nonetheless it's a great end to a fantastic year. Here's to hoping for another splendid year ahead.

Let's drink to that. Cheers.

Happy Chrismukkah!

Alright, alright enough with the hybrid celebration of Christmas and the Jewish Hanukkah. It's obvious that I dig watching Fox's "The O.C." Can't help it, Mischa Barton is one hot chick. Anyway, spent most of today at my grandmother's place. We just had a little get-together over at lunch. Since it's Christmas, I told myself I could cheat my way into eating food that I wouldn't touch under normal circumstances. For those who know me well, you guys should have an idea what I'm talking about. So I munched on KFC, with the skin mind you, as well as Cheetos. Man, did it feel really good. Haha! My friends would normally comment that I always deprive myself and that I'm missing half my life. Having had my diet for about 5 years now, I'm so accustomed to it already I hardly think about cheating. So I have several more hours to eat chicken skin and junk food then it's back to business once midnight hits. Oh yeah, it does remind me that I have to hit the gym tomorrow as well. Basketball season starts in a few weeks and I have to get myself into game-shape soon. Not that I'm out-of-shape or anything like that.

This is my orthorexic kind of lifestyle... interesting ain't it?

Night Before Christmas

A few more hours and it'll be Christmas already. This is probably the dullest holiday season I've had in recent years. The Christmas fever just isn't there. If it were not for the decors that adorn the city streets, you'd hardly ever notice it's that time of the year.

On a more personal note, my family usually gathers around my uncle's house every Christmas Eve. He passed away mid-2004 but we still continued the tradition last year. However, his family decided to spend the holidays in California so there won't be any Christmas Eve dinner, at least not this year.

My mom's not really big on Christmas celebrations either, so I'm not sure what's happening later on. I will most probably go out and hit my weekly joints before midnight and celebrate with some friends. I'm not sure too what establishments are open but I'm certain our weekend haunt Embassy will have it's niche crowd going on. At least I know where I'll be at. Where will you be?

Deja Vu

I came from my weekly Tuesday basketball gig tonight. Everything went well for most of the night as I was pretty much in the zone, short of being unstoppable. Until I stepped on someone else's foot toward the end of the last game, as we were leading by a big margin. My left ankle tweaked, rolled and turned as I fell to the floor. I immediately recounted my last ordeal with a major injury. I fractured my right ankle last July and it immobilized me for weeks. I had a cement cast on and needed crutches to get around. It was a nightmarish deja vu to say the least.

I was praying hard that it's nothing but a mild sprain as I can't really afford to break another bone (both financially and psychologically). Good thing though I was able to walk it off and it didn't get swollen. The ABL season is starting in mid-January and Team Adidas can't afford to miss my services. Haha.

Birthday Boy

I just turned 24 yesterday. Never really had anything planned so it was nothing great. I actually thought of throwing a party, but it was so impromptu that no one could commit on going. Add the fact that there are Christmas Parties being run here and there. So I threw the idea away and just decided to spend late dinner with the crew. Turned out to be one of my better birthday celebrations in recent years.

Sa uulitin mga pare. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Ground Rules

These are just some simple (yet overused) reminders for all those who play this game we call love. Some people tend to forget them so they might need refreshers.
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Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Don't play the game if you can't live by the rules.

Play with fire, you get burned.

Don't bite more than you can chew.

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Enough said. You guys get the drift.

Wedding Bells

A good friend of mine sent me a text the other night, asking if she could meet up with me. I was like, "What's up girl?" She said she had kwento and needed to tell me asap. I wasn't in the mood to go out and meet up with anyone so I politely declined. I said next time na lang. She said she'll drop by my place so that I don't need to hassle myself. Alright, so I agreed.

Fast forward. She told me that she was getting married. I didn't ask who the guy was because I pretty much had an idea already. She was getting hitched to the father of her four-year-old kid. I wasn't surprised at all considering I've always told her that her best option will always be going back to the father of her child, as other guys will have a hard time trying to accept her situation. I was telling her in a way that it's gonna be difficult for her to find another guy who'll accept her. In a sense, I told her that her back was against the wall, and that she hardly had any choice and the best cases scenario would be to get married to him. I was actually laughing at her too, as they've been on-and-off for like 5 years or so already. This is actually the third time they're planning a wedding. The past two ones didn't push through. With that kind of history, I honestly doubt this will work out.

Anyhow, I just wish you, my friend, all the best. I hope you're getting married for all the right reasons and not for the wrong ones. Time is too precious to be wasted on senseless things. I hope you're making the correct decision.

Only time will tell though.

Wonderful Week

A couple of good friends were in town over the last week. They're based in the province and can only come to Manila once a month at the most. So whenever they're here, we'd make it a point to party hard and enjoy.

It's been a helluva crazy week spending time with them. Too bad you they had to leave already. Bitin! Til the next time then... Do I hear January?

Maalaala Mo Kaya

I pride myself in having an excellent memory. I can remember even the most trivial of stuff. Anyway, I saw a really familiar face yesterday morning at the supermarket. I wasn't exactly sure, but I had a really good feeling that she was a classmate of mine back in college. Alright, so we made small talk and yeah she was the cute classmate I had in advertising class. I still remembered her name so it may have surprised her. Sayang though, numbers weren't exchanged 'cause she looked like she was in a hurry. Nevertheless it was a chance encounter I never expected.

It's always a good thing to have great memory. It normally does wonders even in the most unusual of circumstances.

Aliw.

Wasted

Damn, I slept around 8am with a really bad headache, and I woke up with an even nastier hangover. I haven't really binged on alcohol for the longest time but the get-together last night over at Fiamma was just too irresistible. Everyone was downing shots like there was no tomorrow.

Overflowing tequila, good food, with great friends... what more can you ask for?

Hell Mom

My mom has been becoming increasingly irritating recently. I'm not sure if age is catching up with her or she just has too much time in her hands. Anyway, I think she just has nothing to do so she's been finding ways to annoy herself even with the littlest of things. Maybe she fancies getting pissed off.

Wow, talk about having a pastime.

Play to win. If not, don't bother.

I have a pretty mean competitive streak, and it usually gets the best of me. Simply put, I don't like losing. No, I hate losing. Whether it's a pickup game of basketball or a harmless game of Counterstrike or Madden, I just want to win. There's absolutely no point in playing a game or a sport, if you don't want to win.

Since I give 110% effort all the time, I expect everyone else to do the same. Otherwise, they will hear it from me. And yeah, I can be pretty much tactless and straight-forward on the court. My friends can attest to that. My teammates at Adidas can prove that too. Outside the court or after the game, we're cool. Nothing personal.

So, what's the point of all this? Well, for me, you play a game, any game for that matter, to try to win. Of course, we can't win them all. Losing is normal. It happens even to the best of us. But I always give it my best shot. Some people comment that I'm being too serious, that I should play for fun. Well, if you want to play for fun, go do something else. Visit a theme park or something. Games are meant to be competitive. That's why they award a victory to the winner. I know other people play sports to sweat or get in shape. Well, go run the treadmill. It'll make you sweat and get you in shape too.

So play to win. If not, don't bother. It will save you a lot of time and effort.

SEA Games

My friends and I whisked off to Laguna around Sunday afternoon to watch the opening of the Southeast Asian Games at the Trace College Aquatic Center. This is where all the aquatic events for the games will be held at. We got to tour the whole place as we had all-access passes courtesy of a good friend of ours who owns the venue. The Aquatic Center is probably the best one this side of Southeast Asia. Awesome is an understatement.

We most definitely will be coming back to watch the closing ceremonies this Sunday.

Go Philippines!

Retro Night

A small, routine Saturday night gimmick turned into a huge college reunion in no time. We weren't really planning on throwing a get-together last night, but everything went crazy once old friends kept coming in. We were to hold our usual laid-back Saturday night chill when we decided to text and call our other friends to ask if they'd want to join. It was a bit like a hollow invitation, because we were expecting people to have other plans set already. Little did we know that everyone actually said they were coming along. The little rendezvous morphed into one raucous frenzy.

College days all over again.

Super Saturday Part II

I fulfilled a three-pronged objective last night, all in one go. First, I caught up and rekindled the old times. Second, hung out and partied with the current group. Lasty, was able to establish new connections with newfound friends.

Talk about hitting three birds with one huge stone.

Girlfriend

I haven't had a girlfriend for about a year and a half or so now. A lot of people have been asking me why I don't have one, especially those whom I've just met. They tend to be surprised when I say I don't have one. Apparently, a lot of people think I look like I have a girl. Mukha daw akong may girlfriend, in other words. Labo. Ano ba itsura ng mukhang may girlfriend? Anyway, I should take it as a complement daw.

Come to think of it, I also don't know the reason why I'm single. Most of my friends think I'm too picky... I honestly don't think so. It's just that I won't settle for just about anyone for the sake of having one. I basically know how to differentiate serious from playtime. I've met girls who I'd really like to be with and all, too bad they don't feel the same. I guess this pretty much sums it up: The ones you like don't like you back, and you don't like the ones who like you.

Ouch.

On Sick Bay

Having a hedonistic lifestyle finally took its toll on my health, as I've been practically feeling sick since last Saturday. I've been experiencing flu-like symptoms, been having awful colds, and my throat hurts like hell. I haven't had much rest since leaving work about 6 weeks ago. And for those who know me, they would have an idea how hectic my schedule is despite being unemployed. There are a few things that I cannot not do even if I'm not feeling well. I always have to find time for the gym and basketball whatever the case may be, healthy or not.

The weekend is coming up real quick and there are plans being set already so I have to get myself up and ready. Hopefully I can stay home for the rest of the week and recuperate before things get worse.

Surprise, Surprise

I got home a couple of hours ago from my padron's little birthday dinner/inuman thing. He just had the biggest surprise (or scare?) of his life the night before (Thursday night). I won't go into details anymore but it was hella crazy.

Dude got himself sniped and locked down (no pun intended).

Home Boy

I've spent the last two nights stuck at home either sleeping, watching tv or playing Madden. This has been a rarity recently as I've gone out practically everyday (or night) since I quit work over a month ago. Usually we'd take a night off to rest and recharge, but two consecutive nights? Not a chance.

Anyway, I needed to catch up on my zzzz's too so it's a welcome sight for me to finally get some much-deserved shut-eye. It's Friday already so I'm expecting another busy weekend coming up and I won't be able to sleep soundly anymore.

I'm on full battery now, and I'm ready to roll.

Bring it on.



Oh yeah, it's my good friend's birthday today. Happy Birthday Padron! We'll round up some young'n's and lighten up the party.

Spur of the Moment

I've always been a control freak. I'd normally want things scheduled and planned out beforehand so as not to waste precious time. I've always valued my time more than anything. Don't get me wrong though, I'm one of the first people my friends call whenever something comes up because they know I'm always game and available.

Recently though, it seems everything I do is reactionary. Most of my plans have been on the impromptu side. It's been cool though, as I seem to be enjoying the change of atmosphere.

I'll always be a control freak, yet if the spontaneous adventures are as good as what I'm having nowadays, then there will always be exceptions.

Super Saturday

Had an impromptu overnight spell last night with a some friends. It was so spontaneous that we had like less than hour to prepare logistics. Our friends had no place to crash and they couldn't go home to their respective houses so we had to find them a place to stay through the night.

Anyway, we were able to get them a pad and everything worked out accordingly without much fuss.

Impromptu adventures seem to be my thing recently. And I actually like it.

Haha.

Tragic Loss

My kabarkada's grandfather succumbed to illness yesterday. He suffered from organ(s) failure. I never actually heard my friend tell stories about his lolo. It's usually about his parents that he makes kwento about. Nonetheless, I've never seen him so down too, until last night. We've gone through a rollercoaster of a life since our college days, but his morale has never been this low. The whole situation took me by surprise, as I didn't know what to say.

Take it easy, Blek. You know we got your back.

Unexpected HS Reunion

I was strolling down the Greenbelt strip last night, when I heard an unfamiliar howl. As I turned to check out who they were, I was happily suprised to see most of my Ateneo HS barkada having drinks. We've all gone our separate ways after graduating from high school. Though we all went to Ateneo for college, we've never really been in touch except for the occasional hi-hello when bumping into each other in campus.

These cats have hit it big now, both as a group and individually as well. I remember them having to go through a bevy of band transformations just to find the right mix. After multiple roster and name changes, failures included, ChicoSci was finally born. And like they say, the rest is history.

I've never been a 'rocker', that's why people sometimes wonder how I managed to fit in with this bunch of rockstars considering I never really digged their music since way back. I remember sleeping most of the time during band rehearsals and gigs. When it came to music, I wasn't into Korn, Deftones or Tool unlike these guys. But we all managed to click together as a barkada. Besides, these cats were once average AHS students too.

High school will never be the same without these guys. I will always have fond memories of the Gazeeboys. It's nice seeing you guys again.

Til the next time... cheers!

It's Over

If this is your way of sending signals, then I get your drift. No need on second-guessing. It's all good. No worries.

Moving on...

Deuce Bigelow

I was able to catch Rob Schneider's "Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo" this afternoon. We were a bit surprised that it was still on considering it opened like three weeks ago. Anyway, it was such a lousy movie that I actually feel bad I wasted precious time. Enough said. Only two things stood out for me in the film: first, the actress who played Eva looked very much like The OC's Mischa Barton, who's such a hottie, and the film's soundtrack had nice cuts.

Retail Therapy

I treated myself to a dose of retail therapy today. Went shopping at Megamall and Powerplant practically the whole day, while sneaking in a round of driving range in between. Having quit from work a few weeks back, I felt guilty having to spend a lot on clothes and stuff. I guess i just felt that I deserve to treat myself once in a while. I'm going back and doing round 2 of retail therapy tomorrow, afterwhich my spending spree will have to go on rehab. That is, of course, unless my other 'work' rakes in additional bling.

Ahh. This is the life.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

We had to help out a 17-year-old damsel in distress a couple of hours ago. We met her through a common friend while hanging out in Greenbelt. Anyway, it was about 3am already and she didn't have a ride home. She said she didn't want to go home to her place, because her boyfriend's sleeping there and they're not in good terms. She was to sleep at her friend's place in Sta. Mesa, and needed a ride going there. She didn't have her wallet with her too, so that took away the taxi option. Besides, with what she was wearing, I seriously see 'coed raped by taxi driver' in tomorrow's headlines. So before she fucks her way into hitching with someone else, we decided to take her. During the ride, she blabbed about being 'basag' and how she kept downing V's in Greenbelt. She also bragged about being a 'playa' and sleeping in different people's houses. WTF, true players don't even admit to anything. It's the last thing they want other people to think. I don't know if she was trying to impress us or what, but it certainly annoyed the hell out of me.

I pity her for living that kind of lifestyle. She thinks she's fly and all. I can't blame her though because everyone goes through that stage. At any rate, she'll learn soon enough that life doesn't revolve around sex, drugs, and parties. I hope she realizes that before her life gets totally fucked up. Otherwise, the next time she goes and asks for a favor, "Get down girl, go 'head, get down".

Road Trip

I just got home from a spontaneous rendezvous in Tagaytay with the boys. We didn't really have any plans set yesterday considering today is a national holiday. We just decided last minute to head up there around 6 pm.

Anyway, to sum up the whole late night/early morning adventure: the trip was good, but the company was even better.

The Art of Worrying

I was talking to a good friend of mine last night. She had love problems to share and she said she needed a guy's point of view. She continued by saying I was the only person she could talk to about it because I was the only close guy friend she has who didn't know the guy involved.

Anyway, as our conversation progressed, I learned that she's a pessimist, a worrywart just like me. It's funny because I never seem to look at the brighter side of things. I always have to find something negative. Some friends tease me that worrying takes up most of my time. They're probably right, too. I guess I just refuse to be optimistic because I have an 'expect-the-worst-hope-for-the-best' attitude. I'd rather sulk now then be gratified later than rejoice now only to be disappointed thereafter.

One thing I know for sure is that it's totally not healthy. I actually suffer because of the stress, and it takes a huge toll on my body as well. I need to rehab this bad trait of mine, but I doubt it'll ever go away. Talk about pessimism at its finest.

Down and Out

Just got home a couple of hours ago and I feel so fucked up. It seems that everything that could go wrong actually went wrong. What makes it worse is the fact that I just had one my best days a few nights ago.

I guess it's just one of them days.

First Meeting

I just had one of my best days (or nights) in recent memory. I had dinner with someone I've been wanting to meet with the past couple of weeks. It wasn't a date or anything like that, but the fact that it finally pushed through after a few rainchecks was enough to make everything alright.

First meetings are actually tricky because it will decide if there would be a second.

Come to think of it, the odds are actually stacked against me here, so I'm not really hoping for anything. But who knows? Everyone gets lucky sometimes.

Getting Started

I've had this blogger account for about two months now, yet I never found time to post entries. I guess I've been using my Multiply account too much that I keep forgetting about this. I actually like this one better because it's much simpler. Multiply's better when it comes to photo albums and other stuff, otherwise if it's just simply blogging, I'll put my money on this one.