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+ This blog is essentially archived. I don't think I know anybody who's reading this as religiously as the orange blog. (On second thought, who's reading the orange blog religiously?) Even I haven't had much time with this now. It's hard maintaining
+ I'll still be posting here, but not as often. Flipsides, mostly, as well as the yearend stuff I can't bring to the orange blog because I'm fickle.
+ I did say I have two blogs, right Shale isn't one of them - that's archived too, and the political stuff has gone on the orange blog. But I just launched a music blog of sorts. It's called earthings and it's here. Mentioning this in the off-chance that someone's reading this blog and finds it worth a click. (Hello, Marcia. Hello, Issa. If you're still there.)
+ That said, I might as well say goodbye, sort of. This blog wouldn't be possible without Issa's support. Joined LiveJournal mostly for access to her blog back in 2005, and I've been updating this ever since, but it's hard writing all your thoughts down in so many avenues when you can do it all much better on one place. So thank you. And to the people who read my attempts to do memes here, and post videos, and other stuff that I wouldn't do on my blog, thank you.
Again, Which Baby is not closing down. It's just archived, downsized, but it'll still be here. I need the LJ access, after all.
- at the moment:
jubilant? - on the background:"Sophia" by Nerina Pallot
Is there, probably, any reason for me to look back at one single project that somehow held a place deep down in my, err, heart?
Well, it’s not simply because I feel like reminiscing a bit, but sometimes, looking back at the day when our Anthropology teacher, Miss de Guzman, decided to give us - me, personally - a little challenge by travelling down to a little party, organized by a student organization, and try to observe whatever is going on, and make sense of it all. What makes it a bit more challenging, initially, was that the project proposal, sent by the officers of the Behavioral Sciences Society to members of the relevant department’s faculty, was slated for those currently taking Sociology class. It was then the first term of the year. And, I am still taking Sociology now.
Anybody remember the Hana Deka Club?
Our block was split into six groups of eight for another report, which I personally thought wasn’t much - a visit to the National Museum, nothing much - and we were asked to retain the groupings. After having to pay P150 for the tickets, which we almost didn’t get due to a class suspension, our group were off in the middle of the Ortigas district, ready to observe and, primarily, have some fun. As everyone could have put it, it was an ultimate bonding experience.
I went with Kim and Tracy, well, because six weeks ago, back when I didn’t know anybody, I met the pair (along with AK, later my classmate in Filipino 1 class, who warned us of what we were to face in PE a couple of hours later) as they walked by a still-nameless strip of concrete. (Now, more experienced, we call it SJ Walk.) Along with another classmate, Sudoy, who was also my classmate in English 1 class (our block of forty-something split into two sections for that class and Chemistry lab class), we formed a foursome which would also work for another report in another class. (It was the four of us who decided to use Sister Pinky, our Religion 1 teacher, as a “modern example” of Zacchaeus.)
Looking for more members, there was a couple who were connected through common schools and interests - Lau and Ale. The two also used to sit in the second row of J303 (while I always sat in the front, along with Kim and Tracy), and then, with more common bonds beginning to emerge in a half-clueless block, we were suddenly six. Admittedly I didn’t initially relate well with the two, thinking they were part of the high-brow crowd I consciously got afraid off back in high school.
The last two slots were, well, occupied by Ira, who was my seatmate in English 1 class, and Jom, who was initially seen as someone promising - but would later earn everybody’s ire.
Fast forward to July, and I was just recovering from what I called a “depression pang” due to me not adjusting well to the environment, the people, and all that. What Be[wild]ered did was, for once, rattle my abilities. I’ve never been on a night out before, at least on a night out in a real urban setting. Back then I was still this clueless guy who was thinking that college was his first stab at experiencing a decent high school life. And then I was later enjoying the setting, although as group leader I was still typing in notes on my PDA and had to get some convincing from Jom to enjoy the night (and even attempted to make me smoke, with no luck). I was there, after dinner at The Podium, after receiving puzzling text messages from Ale about transportation options, after deciding what to wear - and I found myself giving out Freudian slips and encouragements and random questions to people I initially knew as blockmates and seatmates - and just that.
What made the experience more amazing, though, was that we were able to pull it off despite what seemed to be my pessimism taking over. In the week after the gig, we were rushing in details, explanations, accounts and presentation suggestions, and then I myself was getting some positive remarks - a rarity back then - from Kim, who liked my positive, “I like that” assertions. So, on that Thursday, we were there, reporting in front of the class, getting Miss de Guzman’s approval for deviating subjects - we tackled human reactions, after everyone’s dismay over how the fashion show turned out, yet everyone else talked about that - and getting people hooked on Lau and Ale’s poses, my impromptu talking, and that photo of Caresse we transformed into an acetate slide, making her really blush. That, despite another development brewing, which was obviously dragging me down.
How much has changed since then. After that I began to drift away from these people, in part because I was having a crush on Ale and denied it, and then I was becoming closer to other people. I wasn’t to talk to Ale for a long time because of that. Consequently, Kim and Lau grouped together with my other blockmates, and thus the Bonobo Society was born, named becuase of another Antropology topic. Jom, as I mentioned before, would receive everybody’s ire over his out-of-place remarks. Me and Sudoy, along with others, became close because of that. Ira would disappear from school weeks before the term’s end, and now I haven’t seen her much. I personally thought it was a waste of fine talent. And then, things would change again - and me and Ale would become much closer than I thought.
Things have indeed changed. Even I - Be[wild]ered was an eye-opener, and later I would realize I wasn’t the same as when I entered DLSU. Now I’m a bit of an extrovert (or too much of it), a bit more optimistic - and, of course, it wasn’t single-handedly caused by that, but it’s still worth a mention, it being a huge factor.
Be[wild]ered also caused a lot of plot twists. People drifted apart and people went together. That would make for a much more complicated story, though.
So, anybody still remember the Hana Deka Club, the club I almost called Catwheel because I lacked inspiration, until someone pointed at someone’s notebook and culled that monicker?
Memories, obviously we couldn’t just forget easily. Or, I’ve gone too sentimental - just what I didn’t need.
- at the moment:
blah - on the background:"I Will" by Dia Frampton and Blake Shelton
- at the moment: blah
- on the background:"Believe" by Elton John
- at the moment:
okay - on the background:Nemone on BBC 6 Music
I sounded like an ex-GF trying to win you back!
Dinna Respati
I always look good. Period.
Ale Tejada
Affidavit of loss. Puwede rin ba yan sa mga ninakawan ng puso?
Jenn Lazo
I was refused entrance at Resorts World. That means I look 17? Yay!
Jill Cruz
Phil Younghusband. Hindi ka man lang nag-direct message kay Angel. Nakakasakit ka!
Zay Abjelina
Hi to the Philippines, and happy (almost) Valentine's Day!
American Idol contestant Siobhan Magnus
I'm so gonna screen cap this and show it to Radiohead.
Antonette Maniquis, after I revealed that I paid nothing for In Rainbows
Mara Clara! ZOMG she's alive! I'm totally abandoning Glee for this! Bukas ka na, Glee!
Ellie Ilano
What the hell are we doing?
Chris Alcantara, after we found ourselves asking Survivor host Jeff Probst about break Dream Team members
Looking back, ito yung panahon na in demand si @nikobatallones dahil sa Shale.
Carmel Puertollano
Brevity, but 500 words for an article? I don't get you, sir.
Niña Uy
Anyone else brushing up on the Elton John catalogue for this week's show like we are? "Hold me closer, Tony Danza..." wait, that can't be right!
the guy running the American Idol Twitter page
Aaaa. Asz.
CNN's Anderson Cooper, after sitting on his Blackberry
Have we lost you for purely logistical reasons or is it a shift in taste preference?
BBC 6 Music's Shaun Keaveny
Now showing: Prince Harry and the Half-Bald Prince.
Asia Chan on the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton
Rolling in the Deep comes on the radio and my dad asks me if I like Adele but he says it like "add-a-lay"...
Last year's So You Think You Can Dance winner Lauren Froderman
Job interview failure #1: I didn't bring any pen. I only have an eyeliner. Three eyeliners, one lipliner to be specific. Fail.
Ranice Suguitan
She could've had it all!
Cam Adraincem, referencing Haley Reinhart's "Rolling in the Deep" performance
Okay, I just spammed my own timeline with repeated tweets. Only for you, Dave.
Dinna Respati
Did I just pass a street in Makati called Limbo? I wouldn't want to spend my life in Limbo.
Michelle Ayuyao
Super 8 where? Isn't that a supermarket?
Gwen Foster, not aware that it's a film
Parang noodle cups lang ang Manila. Just add water, instant traffic.
Arlene Amante
Thanks! Yeah, my glasses give me sort of a hipster vibe. Eh? I think they're cool.
This year's So You Think You Can Dance winner Melanie Moore
I think all your miscellaneous fees went to the fireworks.
Eena Acuña, on DLSU's centennial celebrations
I used to have a split personality but now I'm okay. (Me too, schhh!)
So You Think You Can Dance executive producer Nigel Lythgoe
My image of British guys is shaped by Nigel Thornberry. Smashing!
Jill Cruz
Been watching too much Hell's Kitchen. Almost answered Direk with a 'yes chef!' just now.
Kat Pasigan
I love both Rafa and Novak. Pano to?
Krizzie Syfu, on this year's Wimbledon men's final
Everyone is seeing Varekai... I look at my wallet and realize why I haven't.
Edsel Mendoza
Not watching Cinemalaya. I'll just borrow their final edits. Ngeh, feeling!
Krizzie Syfu
Sarcasm. Grace Park for you, then. Ya gots to watch, you'll get hooked.
Joy Simpson on Hawaii Five-0
Nobody has been home the last few days which leads me to believe that the culprit who finished off this entire box of vanilla wafers was me.
Poker player and The Amazing Race contestant Tiffany Michelle
Derek Ramsay shouldn't have tweeted that. Girls will all swarm to Persia Grill Greenbelt now! Hmmmmmmm.
Marielle Encarnacion
She was probably like, "yay me!"
Ericka Alcantara, on news that Brenda Song is pregnant
Put it more eloquently naman. "We inherited this rain from the previous administration."
Mico Geronimo
That's why they call it a crush. If it were easy, they'd call 'em something else.
Kira Merritt
Thank you, I'm sure I will! Nothing beats your meet and greet though!
Cam Adraincem, before heading to the American Idol concert
When it rains this hard and you don't find yourself screaming "Suspended! Suspended!" is the day you realize you're not a bagets anymore. "A bagets" eh no. Ang lala.
Carlo Cruz
It's breaking my heart to be here but I love this place. proud to be from R002 Apple Store Palo Alto, aka Steve's store.
Leslie Chew, after the death of Steve Jobs
I know vampires are "sooo two centuries ago," but... I'm a girl, and Damon is just so...
Hazel Elizes
All right, for you I shall infulge. ELFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!
Janelle Santos
People, it's dinner break. Can we not read Wall Street Journal? I'm reading tweets. Babush.
Jackie Uy
Trish Stratus, Sable, and even new school Christy Hemme. What is it with you and Wilsons?
Inka Mangaye, after a conversation that went from (my dislike of) Georgina Wilson to (my like of) Torrie Wilson
Finally, nakatulog na si Brianna. Burnout mehn. Being a mom is hard, ya know. Sisiw ang mga trabaho niyo sa ginagawa ng isang full-time mom.
Ale Tejada
Mas naiyak pa ako sa Star-Spangled Banner kesa sa Lupang Hinirang.
Kayette Gatchalian, comparing Thia Megia to Maria Aragon
As my Twitter feed goes "luto" some random poor guy's feed goes "round 1 na!"
Krizzie Syfu, after the Pacquiao/Marquez bout
I find your lack of faith (in my typing skills) disturbing.
Hazel Elizes
Now showing sa sinakyan kong bus papuntang Ayala: The Walking Dead, season 2, episode 4. Ayos ah.
Chris Alcantara
This is hugging weather! Quick, grab someone!
Korinne Lirio
You sound... hmm, jaded. Try it first?
Eena Acuña on my suspicions over high-end milk tea
So. Beckham is in Makati Shang. O ayan, feast!
Eena Acuña
Hindi naman yun matagal for an entry that long. It looks copyedited naman. Pwede ka nga mag-magazine.
Dee Nermal
How am I supposed to study when you keep on having Christmas countdowns?
Niña Uy
Oh why must you always be around when I'm out here making a fool of myself on the Internet?
Dexter Tan
- at the moment:
(ever-so-slightly) creative - on the background:"Witchy Woman" by Eagles
For the third year in the row, the best of the orange blog from the past year. Wrote even less blog entries this time (just over seventy, I think) so this will be quite short... or maybe not. I don't know.
Anyway, some of them are interesting, and some of them are this close to being inherently crap. With the fact that I spent the whole year stuck at home, gone are the whimsical, to be replaced by the gloomy. Either I matured, or I regressed. And no,( this is still not aimed at you. )
- at the moment:
lazy - on the background:"Monday Morning" by Death Cab for Cutie
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Change a flat tire.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Still not keeping resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ale has given birth. Ranice has given birth. And I think three more friends have gotten pregnant.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother did.
5. What countries did you visit?
After five years of year-end holidays, we aren't going anywhere this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Respect. Whether I lack it is subjective, but at the risk of sounding smug, I feel completely underrated.
7. What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 18 (also known as the day I met Haley Reinhart, also known as the day foreigners screwed things up for me). And...
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Buying a laptop. It took ten years.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I did not nail the Inquirer job.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got sick, of course. Not that sick, but still sick.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I did mention my laptop, right? Apart from that, my bookshelf got a much-needed boost.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I'm sure there are people I should give kudos to, but I can't remember who exactly. Not good at being schmaltzy for being schmaltzy's sake.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I'll gladly defer to Dee on this one.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Apart from the laptop, you mean? Don't get me wrong. I'm not obsessing over my laptop. It doesn't have a name, even.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
There was a split-second when I planned on going to Singapore, alone, just to attend the Laneway Festival. This was when I still haven't bought my laptop. (I know, I know.) Jeany wanted me to go, and Claud was kinda encouraging me to go (since she told me about it) but I didn't because it just wasn't possible, saving enough money for four months.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Because picking an Adele song would make this completely predictable, I'll go for something slightly less so: Haley Reinhart's version of Bennie and the Jets.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. happier or sadder?
This is hard. Sadder?
II. thinner or fatter?
I started really walking, but I don't think I got really thinner.
III. richer or poorer?
Richer? How else can I afford this laptop?
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Be assertive. Okay, maybe not too much, because it cost me a few things. Ugh, inconsistencies.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being complacent. Not that I had any other choice.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
How about you ask me about how I already spent Christmas?
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Unfortunately, yes.
22. How many one-night stands?
None. Again...
23. What was your favourite TV program?
I forced myself to watch two seasons of Community in two weeks or so... and am not regretting it. Apart from that, I don't know. I have a lot of new shows lined up that I still haven't watched. Hazel knows I still have to start on Game of Thrones, for one.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
"Hate is such a strong word." Somebody told me that once. Let's just say that there's this one person whose actions were so... shitty that I had no choice but to forget she existed. Obviously I'm not doing well because I'm still talking about her.
25. What was the best book you read?
Last year I answered Andrew Collins. This year I'm answering Andrew Collins. Bought his other two memoirs, already read the first one, and felt a little terrible after realizing my childhood was wasted on making newspapers and chasing girls... oh, wait.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I remember recommending Grouplove to Jeany, but it was a half-hearted one, or at least felt like it. I like them, though. Oh Land's a good one, too. Currently in the process of falling in love with the Sundays (and specifically, Harriet Wheeler's aching vocal).
27. What did you want and get?
Do you want me to talk about this laptop again?
28. What did you want and not get?
An actual next chapter. I'm stuck in the transition.
29. What did you not ask for but get?
An iPod touch. And the chance to meet Haley freaking Reinhart.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of films this year. So no, I don't think I can answer this.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned twenty-two with a free pumpkin cheesecake from a guy named Michael.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Same as last year: knowing that what you're doing will get you somewhere. And yet with each passing day I feel more people are taking me for granted. Maybe they're the people going, "Niko's on his self-pity bouts again." They don't get it.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Same as before, really. I don't really think about these things.
34. What kept you sane?
Driving. For some odd reason.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Naya Rivera. And Playboy Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Noynoy Aquino, still. Especially when he started aiming his guns at PGMA. Everything just went haywire, even if I totally get that he's supposed to do that.
37. Who did you miss?
I spent more time realizing that those people don't miss me back.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Okay, so who exactly did I meet this year? Perhaps this year was more of me re-meeting people I've already met, but answering in that vein is cheating, so no, no answer.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
You will not go anywhere without kissing ass. Unfortunately, I'm not the kind of person who kisses ass.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
From Lissie's When I'm Alone: When I'm alone with you, you make me feel, you make me feel...
- at the moment:
contemplative - on the background:"Walk Alone" by the Roots
- at the moment: nostalgic
- on the background:Dave Connor on Original 106 Aberdeen
- at the moment:
cynical - on the background:"Your Universe" by Rico Blanco
- at the moment: blah
- on the background:"Catch Me, I'm Falling" by Real Life
