I wrote this several months ago. I wonder if once in a lifetime encounters like this will ever happen again.

Oh my god that sounded so blonde.

**********

Had a rockin’ good time last night in Conspiracy with my Worry Free Wednesday folks Gian, Chek, and Kris, and two of their other college/law school friends PJ and Lex, who are still in the process of being initiated into WFW. I hope they pass, what with our very high standards. Anyway, that’s another story.

Kicked off the night with Grill Queen take out (care of Gian… kahit nagkulang ang barbecue), tinola (care of Chek), great sake and Red Label (again care of Chek) at Chek’s place (say Chek again and I’ll bite your head off). So that was pre-Noel, and we were already tipsy by 9PM. All I can say is, lolo drinks are traitors.

We entered Conspiracy surprised to see an ice blonde Belgian woman with an accordion jamming with Noel. All I could grasp from the song was “Bella Ciao! Bella Ciao! Bella Ciao! Ciao! Ciao!”, so I cursed Chek’s damn Red Label again. But then I realized, something special’s probably gonna happen tonight. That thought was confirmed when Cynthia Alexander hopped on stage, asking Noel about his Dame guitar. Her mere presence proved that this was gonna be one hell of a night.

Solve na solve na kami by Noel’s opening song—“41”. Things were going so well around 10+ bottles of hard cold beer later and until the latter part of the first set, when suddenly the rest of the god gang went inside—Joey Ayala grabbed Noel’s guitar and started belting out songs I really can’t remember anymore (curses, Red Label). I just remember PJ slurring, “Makibaka songs, pare. Makibaka.” Cynthia was just by her brother’s side, rooting for him, which was fine—just breathing the same air she’s breathing’s damn enough for me thankyouvermuch. And Cookie Chua, who was as drunk as I was, was there too. We couldn’t take it anymore. We wanted Cookie. She later on jammed during the last set.

Can I just say that I am still hungover shitless and can’t put together coherent paragraphs anymore? Here are the highlights from last night:

* One of the boys (either Gian or Chek), went out for a smoke and after 3 seconds dashed inside, seemingly dumbfounded. He then turns to me and whispers, “Putangina dude, si Joey Ayala naka-helmet.” And I’m like dude you’re wasted. So I go out, and there you have it—si Joey Ayala nga, naka-helmet. Apparently, he was already on his way out and uses a good ol’ bike to move around town. We all should’ve known, right?

* Cookie Chua was finally on stage, and she just capped off our night so perfectly. She’s just amazing. “Goddess, dude. She’s a goddess.” And Chek was like, “She’s MY goddess damn you. MY goddess!” Cookie Chua happens to be Chek’s longtime crush.

* "Dalampasigan ng Puso”, “Dahil Nariyan Ka”, “With or Without You”, “Crash Into Me”, “What a Wonderful World” and “Stay”.

* Belgian Woman: “I shall now sing a peace song in different languages—French, Italian, Spanish, yada yada yada” Noel: “And I will sing in Ilocano.”

* I started texting nonsense to everyone. I just found out about it this morning when I checked my Sent Folder.

* In addition to the previous, I found a text message in my outbox that apparently Chek was supposed to send to this guy I used to date. It says, “NO. I DDINT TXT U. HINDI KITA KAILANGAN!,,,.)-..” It wasn’t in my Sent Folder, so thank god for that.

* Gian drove me home, and Chek tagged along. We were already approaching the entry to our neighborhood, when suddenly, Chek goes, “Dude, Scott’s Burger na ito.” Gian shifts and makes a sharp U-Turn, parks and before we knew it, we were tripping on 6 burgers, at the Scott’s Burger stall mind you. Quezon Avenue was such a sight to behold that night.

But my #1 highlight of the night is, drum roll please…

* A super drunk Conrado de Quiros jamming Beatles songs with Noel. I’m not kidding.

Yes, last night was, to say the least, the most surreal night I've ever had in Conspiracy. That place is my #2 escape, next to Bora. So here's to more Worry Free Wednesdays! Thank you Team WFW. Thank you everpresent Noel Cabangon! Thank you Joey Ayala, Cynthia Alexander, Cookie Chua, and Conrado de Quiros! Thank you Scott's Burger! Cheers to y'all!

Two days ago, the weatherman announced a whopping 36 degrees the moment the sun dial strikes noon o'clock. That sure pissed me off even more as the summer has been driving me nuts already. An industrial A.C. like the one they used in Family Guy sounds awfully orgasmic given this toasty state Metro Manila is at.

I heard that in Tuguegarao (Northern Luzon), they're experiencing the equator at its worst. I can just imagine.

But just like what I constantly try to tell myself, comfort should not rely on the circumstances or inevitabilities of this life, and of this world. It's not about the problem. It's how you respond to the problem. It's to be able to get some good out of the suckiness of it all.

And so here's my attempt to make Summer 2007 more bearable. What are some of the things I've learned from the torturing heat and humidity since it started, if I remember correctly, late March?

1. I should picket outside Ricky Reyes parlors and protest against the use of spray nets. Besides, aren't spray nets so 1985? The more you tease and spray, the thinner the ozone layer gets, and the hotter it'll get. Yes, it all boils down to that. No pun intended. And yes, you can call me Mother Earth's bitch for all I care.

2. Poor Gizmo. Make sure to bathe your dogs at least every other day especially during this dreadful season. Our dog Gizmo, who's a terrier with thick terrier mane, could use a frequent cold shower, especially since we don't allow him to stay indoors. Please spare man's best friend from heat strokes.

3. Is this what Somalia's like? After watching Idol Gives Back, I promised myself that once I become a doctor, I will go to Africa and heal the afflicted. So is Summer 2007 in the Philippines already a taste of what it might feel like to be in Africa? Well, I'm sure helping those who are in need is even more refreshing than taking a dip in the pristine waters of Boracay. And yes, you can call me Angelina Jolie's bitch for all I care.

4. I could use what my dad is probably having right now. My pop is on a boat somewhere in the Southeast Asian waters. He's accompanying his boys to the Star Cruises -- they were booked for an event there. Imagine, 6 meals a day! Given the heat, I'll take 6 flavors of ice cream for those 6 slots thankyouverymuch!

5. Here's to wishing wells. I was at Mark's pad yesterday, and when I washed up for dinner, I had to double check if I had the faucet heater on. When your water comes from a tank, you can have an instant hot shower even without the electricity. And we obviously do not want hot showers right now. It's better when it comes from a deep well or underground.

Just some random summer thoughts I thought of jotting down. Funny how such a grueling summertime takes out the thinker in me. Heh. Whatever.

I've been browsing through my archives and realized how much I missed writing. I miss it really bad. But try as I might, I can't seem to find the right words to make the kind of essays, poems and articles I used to be capable of creating.

I want to bring this blog back to life. This used to be so active and up to date. There are just way too many unforgettably life-changing articles in this little borrowed domain that it's so hard to just let go of it, just because I'm busy or seem to have something better else to do.

I think it's such a waste when people who write because they sincerely love to write will at one point say that life has made them too busy to write.

I used to write for a living when I still had my job. I still do freelance writing up to this very day, I get odd stints here and there, sure. But it's different when you find time to truly write for yourself. When you jot down the events of your day, when you describe intangible things like feelings with words. It's a wonderful feeling. It's like feeding your soul.

And don't you think it's strange when a writer says something like, "I'm too busy with my writing that's why I can't write."

It sounds completely weird, but I found myself saying the exact same thing.

I hope this simple entry would serve as my first step to bring back what once was.

What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Walk from uptown to downtown Gallup just to borrow a freakin' book from the library, only to find out the freakin' library's freakin' closed for the holidays. I really don't have to memorize American holidays now do I? You may read about this experience here. I also got published at Youngblood, October 14, 2006.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't recall making any for 2006, but I have loads to make (and hopefully fulfill) this coming year.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope. Maybe next year.

Did anyone close to you die?
Tito James.

What countries did you visit?
I just came back from the States early this year.

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
A new cellphone! My hand-me-down Nokia's so kawawa na.

What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Althroughout May-December, because I made by far the best and worst decisions in life.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Making the abovementioned best decisions.

What was your biggest failure?
Going through the same mistakes over and over again.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I suffered the worst illnesses in 2006! So bad that I was finally rushed to the E.R. last Wednesday. I relapsed a lot.

What was the best thing you bought?
My cheap imitation iPod Shuffle, which works ever so perfectly up to this very day.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
My dad's. He finally quit smoking, and is now gaining weight!

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine, apparently.

Where did most of your money go?
My OB-GYN, gastroentorologist, and the St. Luke's blood and ultrasound lab. Hehe.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Boracay with Team Seabird and my officemates (May and June respectively)

What song(s) will always remind you of 2006?
"So Sick" by Ne-Yo, "It's Good to Be in Love" by Frou Frou, "Stolen" by Dashboard Confessional.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? -- sadder. But I'm not depressed. 2005 was just a happier year for me is all.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- thinner. I lost around 8 lbs. in a span of 2 weeks because of those damned relapses.
iii. richer or poorer? -- a tad bit richer I guess. Then again, I had dollars last year...

What do you wish you'd done more?
Use my head instead of just plain impulse.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Be stupidly impulsive thinking I was invincibly in high school again.

What was your favorite TV program?
Wowowee!!! I'm not kidding!!! And Everwood, Next Top Model, Project Runway.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes. Hehe.

What was the best book you read?
"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini. Hands down.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
James Morisson!

What did you want and get?
A wonderful boyfriend.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Happy Feet!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 22 last August. August 21's a national holiday, so I was in Tagaytay the entire day with my boyfriend, then had a simple dinner and good cheesecake at home with my family.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I was thinking of second chances, but then I realized, I had them the entire time.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
50% corporate, 50% garage band.

What kept you sane?
Doing freelance on the side. Art. My boyfriend.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Vic Agustin! Mwahahaha!

What political issue stirred you the most?
Nothing really spectacular happened politically in 2006, so nada.

Who did you miss?
Wilf.

Who was the best new person you met?
Ian Roxas, Yole Frejacques, and my boyfriend.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
You will eventually become too old to still allow yourself to learn things the hard way.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
"You're everything I've ever wanted and more." Guess from who.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Being able to talk with my Dad like I never had before.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
They say I'm even more feisty now. Hehe. But seriously, what I love most is that I know what I truly want in life, and I'm all set to go out there and get it.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
I kind of had the tendency to hold on to the past. And again, I was extra impulsive this year. It's annoying.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth..." (from "Oh Holy Night")

Was 2006 a good year for you?
It was what I needed.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
When I got published in Youngblood.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
When I was rushed to the E.R.

Where were you when 2006 began?
Gallup, New Mexico.

Who were you with?
Mom, Marty, other relatives, and Filipino families.

Where will you be when 2006 ends?
In the South.

Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
Cousins and maybe some of my friends.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2007?
Yes.

What was your favorite month of 2006?
Now. Simply means it's about to end in a few days. Hehe.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2005?
2005? Wilf.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Wilf.

What was your favorite record from 2006?
"Then and Now" by The Who. Although technically, it's a 2005 recording.

How many concerts did you see in 2006?
Zero!

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2006?
Yes. Hehe.

Do a lot of drugs in 2005?
Prescribed by numerous doctors I've visited this year. Bah.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Yes.

How much money did you spend in 2006?
I don't want to know.

What was your proudest moment of 2006?
Youngblood.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?
Secret.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
Nothing. I live sans regret.

What are your plans for 2007?
I don't usually plan, but if there's anything, I plan to continue trying to be a better person.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
More open minded, hopefully less impulsive.

What are your wishes for the new year?
I wish that I'll willingly and responsibly be bringing along everything I've learned in 2006 and happily leave behind everything that needs to be buried forever into eternity.

Born and raised in downtown Quezon City (I'm speaking in figurative terms here, since there isn't exactly such a thing as downtown QC), Roni (or Karla to some people), is a true blue batang kalye. Her parents were actually known for their ridiculously overprotective traits--they didn't allow Niña, Roni's Ate, to play with their neighbours, because they were uhugin... READ MORE...