Seriously?? (Panday 2)

Seriously??  Did the producers actually think that they can get away with copying the characters in Clash of the Titans??  Scorpion used to ride on the way to Medusa's lair, and the Cracken??  How much more if we actually get to see the movie??  Maybe Zeus and Hades will make an appearance also! hahaha 


Sh3t lang. 



Makalagot!

My Mama

08.03.11
3.13PM
Cebu



No one can argue that I am, and will always be a Mama's Boy.


A week ago, and around this time, I received a frantic call from my mama's assistant at the hospital.


'Dong, uli dong.  Nag seizure imo mama'


I immediately called my bro to drop everything he was doing and proceed to Chong Hua.  A doktora friend called me up to immediately book a flight to Cebu because mama didn't look good.  I asked what happened.  The operation seemed to be ok and she was about to be discharged that day.  It seems that the doctors did not have a clue why she is having a seizure and they were doing everything they can to help my mama..


I hurriedly booked a flight to Cebu for the following day, 4.30am, Cebu Pacific.


4pm passed. 5pm passed til 6pm.  I was attending a meeting but my mind was elsewhere.  I received a missed call from my bro and made a returned call, but he didn't take it.  I was worried, very worried.  My mama was having difficulties and I was no where in sight to comfort and ease her pain..


7pm.  I received a text message from my bro.  My mama was undergoing cardiac arrest.  I cried.


I couldn't bear the idea of losing my mama.  She is the only reason why I go back to Cebu. She is the only reason why I strive hard to achieve whatever it is that I have accomplished.  I wanted my mama to be proud of me.


My doctor-cousin called me.  It seems that my mama was no longer responsive to the dosage that they were injecting her.  I asked if she was still breathing, she was but it will take a miracle for her to recover.  My tears kept flowing.  My world fell apart when he said that.


I hurriedly drove (with Fernan accompanying me, which I am grateful for) to find some church, any church so I could pray.  Every church we went (Don Bosco, and the one in Pasay) were closed.  I was losing hope.  Then Ferns suggested Baclaran.  Yes.  It was Wednesday, and Baclaran would be open til the wee hours of the morning.  I held on to the tiny glimmer of hope.


On the way, I requested my bro to have her mobile to her ears so I could talk with her.  I could only hear breathing from the respirator.  Please hold on mama.  Uli nako ugma, huwata nalang ko kay I want to hug you and comfort you that everything will be ok and that I am there already.  I love my mama so much..


In Baclaran, I prayed to all the angels and saints who would hear me.  I cried and didn't care if people would stare at me.  I just want my mama to live.  I was already desperate.


But my prayers were not heeded.


I received a text message from a cousin.  Condolence.  


My world shattered and I broke down at my place.  Alone.


She died 9.18pm.  No one dared told me.  My bro hesitated and told me around 12mn.  People were already calling me but I didn't answer.  How can I?  When the only person that I love and unconditionally loved me in return was gone?  It broke my heart.


My ambition drove me to Manila and it is that ambition that I now loathe.  


I was not there when my mama passed away.  I was in some stupid place, living an independent life.  But in truth, I am still dependent on my mama.  She was my everything.


Everything is surreal here in Cebu.  The empty house.  I was half expecting my mama to appear out of thin air, smile and comfortingly ask unsa ako sud.an nahan kan.on?  I would then eagerly request her to cook for me my favorite, linat.an na baboy, ma..


..


My aunties, my cousins, my friends, my mom's officemates keep telling me everything will be alright.  They expect me to be strong.. but I can't.  I have lost my pillar of strength for me to thrive on.


I am lost.

Maisonette / Gabrielle Building in Kasipagan Street

I was traumatized by this place.


I used to live here when circumstances called for scrimping of the pockets, with Blake's amortization along with incidental costs related to his acquisition and the ongoing surge in gas that time (Php58/liter! WTF!!).  I thought better to relocate from Ortigas to Mandaluyong, Kasipagan Street to be exact, and within Brgy Plainview.


The offer was too good to resist, at Php7,000 for a one-bedroom unit, only Php150 for garbage collection and an allotted parking space for me, this was a far-cry from the Php15,000 I was paying for rent at a nice condominium besides Galleria.  I figured, I can do away with some luxuries and sacrifice a bit to bloat my piggy bank.  Besides, my dear friend Sho was also renting here, at least I had somebody I can call to when there is no food on my table hehe!


This was what Nicole, the marketing personnel, laid down for me.  I thought, nice lady, easy to approach (since she immediately responds to text messages) and I won't have any problem because I live like a hermit, goes in and out and doesn't do much inside my place.  Plus, the fact that the place is owned by the son of Councilor Esteban, I thought, the place must be good vibes.


I was dead-wrong.


I read somewhere about Satan masking hell with golf-courses and buffet meals when a soul wanders around to convince the poor thing to stay with him.  So, when the courting stage is over, the soul realized that he was deceived and he was stuck with his decision, otherwise the Php25,000 security deposit will be forfeited.  I could totally relate to the poor guy!!


First issue was the parking. Nicole had said it was free and it came along with the rent and I had a space already.  She even pinpointed me where I could place Blake.  This was my primary concern, otherwise, I wouldn't relocate at all.


Came the time of moving in.  I paid the deposit 2 months ahead of the scheduled transfer so that everything will be polished.  However, the place smelled reeking of fresh paint, the bath shower-head broken, the doorknob of poor quality.. so I couldn't stay that night, least I get suffocated.  I had to stay in with Marxus (bless his soul, literally!) that night.


'Baby, ayoko sa place mo.  Malayo at di ko feel!'


I dismissed him then since I was on tight budget and I could afford to bend my body should the blankets shrink (oh diva!! English for 'marunong ako mamaluktot kung maiksi ang kumot :p ).


'Dapat sana kinonsult mo muna ako baby..', he continued.


I never had imagined that I regretted my decision then.  I should have consulted him and not let our petty quarrels affected me.  But that's another story.


Back to parking.  The following day, I noted that a Mazda SUV was in my Baby Blake's spot. I asked the guard, Bobby, to request the owner to move his vehicle as that was my place.  He said that it was still the previous tenant's vehicle and that the slot would be vacated a month from now.  To make the long story short, I had to wrestle that slot, which irked the Mazda SUV owner.  It came to a point where I had a discussion with Noel, Councilor Esteban's son.


He accused (yes, accused and didn't even hear my end) me of creating a stir.  Did he not consult his better half Nicole on the arrangements we had??  I kept mum for I didn't want to get the ire of the owner, and I just wanted to get that slot, which was given to me eventually.  The thing was, they charged me Php800/month for it, which was not even on the contract, by the way!  I said to myself, I couldn't afford to let go of the security deposit then, and I could very well afford that, at least the slot was for me already since I was paying for it.  Damn.


The 2nd situation gave me undue stress.  The water bill they were charging me was exorbitant!!  The lessor, Noel Esteban, not only explained why, but there was not breakdown of the meter reading.  He said to ask it from Bobby, the guard, but in the span of time I was leasing their apartment, not once did I see that meter reading.  Initially, the charge was at Php300 then over a span of 2 months, it rose to Php500 then it came to a point where I said, this is it, I don't need to renew my contract when I saw the Php800 they were charging!  Goodness, Php800 is nothing (humility aside) and my MAC studiofix costs me even more, but for Pete's sake, I was living alone, at the office weekdays, and partying every weekend!!!  I tried to levy it with December's charges, where I was in Baguio for 2 weeks!, which should lowered down the bill, but still it was at Php750!  Kung hinde ka man makapagmura, ewan ko lang.  Sh3t! There, I said it. Hmf.  To add insult to injury, my Meralco bill (thank heavens it was metered), ranged from Php100 to Php190 only, while my previous water bills in Corinthian was only at Php150 to Php200.  Puttanesca, leche flan galore!!!


I even heard from my neighbors, the huge increases in their water bill, and they even tried to approach Noel, but to no avail.  He would just shrug his shoulders, Ganon talaga.  I had never felt harassed in my entire life, and you know that feeling that you can't do anything because he is the lessor, the god!  I felt so puny then. :(


There was also a point where because of the faulty doorknob, I can't freaking open it with my keys!!  I had to sleep again at Marxus' place then and they wouldn't provide a locksmith and replace the darn knob.  I had to buy a good one from Shangri-la Plaza and had Marxus replace my existing knobs because I don't know a thing about household repairs!!  I really miss him now :(


When I read the new contract, for me to decide whether to renew or not (which was crazy by the way, me still entertaining the idea), I just had to laugh that they will be charging Php180/day for every visitor that sleeps at the place, who were not part of the names listed as lessee.  Hotel??


Now the last part of the agonizing journey.  The security deposit.  The contract stated that I need to inform them in WRITING 60 calendar days prior to its expiration.  In the event that no written notification of non-renewal is received by lessor, a penalty equivalent to one month's rent shall be charged!  Bongga!  My friend had to remind me of this clause.  However, this confused me with the following clause also: this contract is not renewed (security deposit will be forfeited) and lessee is not able to notify in writing lessor of such non-renewal in 90 days prior to termination of contract.  I just had to draft this notice immediately and even if I will incur debts to relocate, I will do so!


The security deposit, per contract, shall be returned to lessee 60 days after expiration.  I had to wait 2 months to get my security deposit!  I patiently waited for 60 days, issued text reminders to both Noel and Nicole that 5 days from now, I will need to get my deposit  per contract arrangement.  No replies were received.  


On the day that my security deposit was due to me, I sent another round of text messages, ending with 'please reply', where I got a message from Nicole that she has already endorsed this to the mother of Noel and that I will get them 10 days from that date and will will deposit it in my savings account.  Ok.  Imbiyerna lang but patience is a virtue.


10 days after, I sent another round of messages.  No reply.  I tried calling Nicole, and as expected, she didn't pick up the phone.  Bastos talaga.  No decency at all.  I sent another message to Noel that Nicole was not responding and could you please advise on status.  Noel replied back that it was late clearing and it didn't make it on the bank's cut-off.  I was musing, I am a darn banker and my bank account online reflects both restricted and open funds and the mere fact that it wasn't there caused great alarm to me.  My friend said, wait until the following day, maybe the check didn't make it to clearing cut-off.


The following day, I waited until 1pm to give ample time for the bank to validate the check.  I checked online.  None.  Nada.  Nil.  I sent out another message, 


'Hi Nicole/Noel.  I checked my bank online and the deposit is still not reflected and usually, it goes to restricted funds for checks that await clearing.  I doubled check with the bank and they said no deposit was made.  Please can I have the deposit slip so I can verify the details and get back at the bank?'


I didn't want to sound accusatory and put the blame on the bank, despite my strong gut-feel that they didn't deposit any money at all.


Nicole replied, 'you may get it tomorrow'


'Ok, thank you'


The following day, around 10am, I got 2 successive text messages on what was my bank account number.  If I could just curse yet again, f$#k!ng sh3t!, I calmed myself down and replied with the details.  It was only then, around 2pm, that I got Php15,000 from the Php25,000 deposit.


I consulted Sho, and she said, that in the new contract, they are deducting Php6,000 for renovation and painting costs from the security deposit.  This was not even in my contract, but regardless, what happened to the Php4,000?  Given, my electricity consumption of say, Php200, plus parking Php800, plus water of Php1000 (exag na toh), that still won't tally to Php4,000 and I should still be receiving Php2000.  I texted Nicole.


'Please can you send the breakdown of the deductions of the deposit.  Thank you'


No reply.  Until now.


These situations, though may be perceived as minor if taken in single incidents, creates undue stress that I don't deserve.  What is Php800 parking??  That's not even comparable to the Php3000 parking I spent in Ortigas, and I am willing to pay for it.  BUT the thing is, lessor should inform beforehand of such charges and incorporate in the contract, so that it will become a deciding factor also.  Don't say, it's part of the rent already and pinpoint to me where my slot is!  Heck, I am even paying Php2000 parking now, but because it has been briefed already, I am not complaining and I pay on time! Che!  


Be transparent in dealing with your customers.  If you intend to place mark-ups in your water bills, say so!  I understand well that it is business, and what is business if you don't make profit?  BUT, don't make them blinded and guessing!


Follow what you preach.  If you expect your customers to put into writing 60 days their intent not to renew, then do your end by also paying on time what is due to them.  Lay down the facts, why you deducted this much, a good explanation will always suffice.  For goodness sake, enroll in Globe's Unlimited text messages, it only costs an additional Php399 on top of your regular postpaid subscription!!  That is very, very cheap!!


I never realized there are these kind of people, even if I have heard of them.


I won't say 'hush hush' for now.  I hope that if someone out there is looking for a place to rent, and they stumble into this place, my blog gets to them first before they regret it..

When I see your face (pick-up lines Chapter 8)

May 9, 2009
Bed. 1am.


"San ka banda?", I texted.


"Sa may stage, I'm with friends", he responded.


We were to met up that night.  After a month of being textmates, it was only then that I'd get to see him, as fate may have chanced upon us that night.


"Ok, puntahan kita dyan"


We became acquainted with each other via the defunct G4M.  Time would erase my memory on who messaged whom, but my initial reaction when I saw his face was, "sh#@t! sya ata yung naka sayaw ko last February nung may nag-pick.pocket sa cellphone ko".  Still, I entertained him, probably out of curiousity, plus he was gorgeous.  He later would boast that he looked like Will Devaughn hehe


When I saw him, I felt backing out.  He was surrounded by his friends (and he stood out from the pack) and I was intimidated.  I summoned my courage and said hi.  Aba! Nod lang ang napala ng beauty ko!! Dispirited, I went back to where I was stationed (near the aircon, matutunaw na kasi MAC ko, hehehe).


"Oh, san ka na?", he texted.


"I went back to my place.  Papalamig ako, masyado mainit dyan sa dancefloor"


Ok was his only response.  So I guess, he wasn't interested in me.  


2.30am


The crowd was already in celebratory mode when I chanced upon this guy in front of me.  He was swaying his hips in front of me, with blue frog taking it's toll on me, I began to respond.  He turned around and we continued to dance.


Ralf: 'Hi'


Hush: 'Hiya!' (masyado ata napalakas hehe)


R: 'You're cute'


H: 'I know' (sh#t! ang yabang ko! hehe I was frustrated and I welcomed any compliment)


R: 'You wanna go to my place?'


H: 'Where?'  His face was so near mine, I could smell the alcohol he drank.


R: 'Makati, kaw ba saan ka?'


H: 'Ortigas..'  


Ralf was about to kiss me when my peripheral vision caught someone staring at me.  It was he-who-ignored-me.


H: 'Sorry.. my boyfriend's back'  


I left Ralf, taken-aback by my sudden change of heart.  I hurriedly scurried towards him.


H: 'Hi Marxus.  Nice to see you here!' (was my lame greeting)


M: 'Oh bakit di mo tinuloy paghalik sa kanya?'


H: 'With whom?' (was my pathetic response)


M: (pinpointing) 'That guy in shock'


H: 'Oh. THAT guy. He's nothing. Care to have some blue frog?' (effort to have that puppy-eyed look)


M: 'Smart move.  Nag.aantay lang ako if hahalikan mo sya, then alis na ako'


H: 'Nah.  I would rather kiss you'


He let me kissed him that night.  That night I met my Honey.  Marxus.


I never knew that after 20 months, he would leave me for good.  We parted ways last November 8, but we remained good friends.  He remained my constant movie-buddy, we would argue which movie to watch, often, it was I who relented to his requests (coz mostly I want to watch the Tagalog flick hehehe he was traumatized with Kimmy Dora)..   I spent Christmas with him after that.  We went up to Baguio again this January.  He was supposed to be with me for the last Panagbenga, but he was already hospitalized. We were supposed to move-in together after my contract expires on April.. 


He often kidded, if he passed away, will I cry.. I would respond, no.. But events would cruelly twist to this day.. and my heart bleeds of his loss.. and I cry a thousand buckets that no amount of words could comfort..  I lost a partner today.




This is my ode to him.  Bubhye na please… ;(




Hushkins, please can you say a short prayer for his safe journey?  That would be very much appreciated..

Not My Kind of Pose

(Warning: May contain scenes not suitable for very young hushkins, reader discretion is advise)

Let me introduce Fren.

His relationship went south sometime October of 2010 and as mortals, we look for outlets to forget about the pain and strugglingly move on.  Fren heeded to Mother's advise and was embraced welcomely in her Planet called Romeo.  Because Fren was blessed with good genes, his hands were kept busy by the constant buzz and footprints to catch his attention.  'Masyado ka ata flawless sa main pic mo!', was my constant banter.

Kian Enzo

And it was to no surprise that Fren came across pretty-boy Kian Enzo.  It was 'love at first sight' for dear Fren.  Kian, per my friend's narration, was a drop-out from LaSalle Taft, and a Malate bystander.  Kian asserted that he had connections in Malate, so it would be futile for Fren to make up alibis if he is within the area, and because Fren wanted to gain the trust of Kian, the former discloses his whereabouts to the latter.

Kian informed him that he wanted to straighten his old ways and had decided to finish his degree at the University of Baguio.  He was just a semester away from graduating his course and by then, he will relocate again to Manila.  Fren was ecstatic upon hearing this.  Finally, he'll get the chance to meet his dream boy :)  HIs beb. :)


I told Fren straightforward, 'Uy, pwede ko sya hiramin for one hour lang? Wag ka naman madamot!', and relentlessly teased him, 'Aba, mahilig ka na rin pala sa trophy boyfriend!!', which I am known for. haha  Fren just responded with a giggle.  Puttanesca, I was both happy and envious with the luck he stumbled upon.  Swerte!


Fren's brother went up to Baguio one sunny day to celebrate his relationship's anniversary.  Fren texted Kian to meet his brother, but Kian begged off as he was too shy to talk to his brother… hmmmmm….


Because I am curious in nature, I told Fren to introduce me to Kian over the phone.  The initial reaction I had was, 'bakit boses Inday Garutay eto'.  I mean, the way we do things in our courtship is we try to impress each other with our husky or bedroom voice, but definitely not our Garutay voice.  Still, I gave Kian the benefit of doubt.


Hush: 'Pare, rinig ko raw maganda sa Nevada'


Kian: 'Oo, sa Fridays or Hex kami palagi nagtatambay'


H: 'Talaga?  Sabi nga ni Fren na somebody tried to offer you a drink, pero you blatantly refused it, bakit naman?'


K: 'Eh ayoko eh.  I can afford to buy my own drink'


Ang Taray ng bruha!  Gusto ko sya sabunutan.  Cute naman sabi ni Fren.  Hay, the adjectives we use when we are infatuated. hahaha


H: 'O, punta kami sa x ko dyan sa Baguio come Christmas, hope to see you there!'


K: 'Sinabi ko na kay Fren eh.  May family gathering kami sa Ilocos.  Sayang nga eh'


My eyebrow perched a bit.  Maybe a bit higher.  Somehow I smelled a rat, but I kept it to myself.


Came January 2011.  


Fren bought himself a new car and as a breakthrough test, we decided to go to Baguio.  The stars were aligning that week and pointed North.  He had wanted to name his car after  Kian, but later reconsidered as it might not turn out well and he'll get stuck with that name.  


Fren wanted to surprise Kian and tried to get his address at his apartment.  We were chasing him around the city but to no avail.  On Saturday night (January 22), we decided to go to Caffee Klutch (which is sooo nice by the way), which is near the place he was hanging out, Citycamp.  Text messages were thrown, as follows:


Kian: 'Beb, ba't parang ang lamig mo ngayon..'


Fren: 'I'm in Baguio now'


K: 'weeh. di nga?? Mabaog ka?' (Puttanesca, who the hell uses those words, mabaog?)


F: 'Di pa sabi mo love mo ko and love din kita, so ginawan ko ng paraan para magkita ta.  Now it's your turn to prove that you love me.  I'm at Caffee Klutch now with friends.  Andito din si Hush.  Di ba sabi mo malapit ka lang rito?'


K: 'Beb, wag ka ngang ganyan! Naiiyak na ako' (OA ha!)


F: 'Kaw ba talaga yung nasa friendster account na pinakita mo?'


K: 'Oo naman!'


F: 'Kasi noong una, ayaw mo i.meet brother ko, then ayaw mo din i.meet si Hush, ako na ang makipagkita sa yo.  And to prove that I am here, labas ka muna and silipin mo.  There's a baby blue and red car parked in front of the caffee.  You'll know that I am not lying'


K: 'Ayoko! Di ako nakabihis! Mabaog ka sana sa pinaggagawa mo!' 


I was already thinking, forcing him to meet Fren will not do the trick.  Clearly, he was not the Kian that Fren have come to love.  I was already realigning our strategy.


H: 'Fren, text mo sya na malambing way.  Tell him you still love him despite his appearance, kahit naka slippers or brief lang sya, minahal mo na sya'


And so the text messages sounded this way


F: 'Alam mo beb, mahal naman kita kahit ano pang itsura mo eh'


K: 'Naiiyak na talaga ako rito beb.. Alam mo naman na di talaga ako yung nasa picture di ba?'


The rat!  Our suspicions were right.


F: 'Oo naman.  I love you for what you are and for what you are not.' (ehem hehehe :) )


K: 'Eh pano kung mukha akong babae?'


We stopped dead in our tracks.  He can't be possibly serious, but why would he say that unless it's partially true??


F: 'Kahit mag mukha kang aswang, ok lang sa akin beb.  I've come to love you already..'


We were not able to meet the poser that night, but a little coaxing did the trick and he befriended Fren on Facebook.  You be the judge!!  Puttanesca!!

His name is Jam Mhie

I personally don't have any issues with the lifestyle or manner we choose in expressing ourselves, be it drag or closet or pa-mhen.  What bothers me is why do you need to use other people's picture to deceive other people into loving you, Jam?  If you are not happy with the way you look now, why choose that kind of persona?  It is utterly deceitful and conniving!


I'll end on my friend's post in FB:


"Someone just asked me if its possible for me to love a transgender...i said life is full of possibilities...Lahat may karapatan magmahal at mahalin kung anuman uri sya ng tao...pero di mu pilitin ang tao na gustuhin nya ang hindi nya naman gusto...my preference maybe different and thats justifiable...wat is not just is when u pretend to be someone else becos u wanted me to like u or to love u...thats foolish…:( "






Hush hush for now**

check and balance

I took a break from work and wandered about the office floor.  I was bored and I was looking for Obet as I need to confirm with him if we're going to the baptism of a former colleague's son come Oct 9.  Went to his place, but apparently, Mariposa said he's sick.  Oh.

Since I have this penchant to meddle things not mine, I chance upon a notice from our HR to Obet to explain why he still failed to submit the pre-requisites to his employment in our prestigious bank, otherwise it will warrant 'severe' administrative sanctions.

This caught my attention.  Obet and I are batchmates and have been with this institution for nearly 2years!  I told Mariposa to text him right away as this needs his immediate attention.

Obet reported 2 days after and I made kamusta him, to which he expounded

'Hush, alam mo ba kung anong kulang ko sa lintek na requirements ng HR?'

'Tell me about it.  I was a bit worried when I saw the letter.  In no intention did I mean to read that letter.  It was just there in your desk for everyone to see!'

'I know.  Eto pa, picture ang kulang ko.. at curriculum vitae'

'Ano??'

'Hush, impossible naman na wala silang copy ng picture ko.  Paano naman ako makapag.ID nyan kung di ako nagsubmit ng picture?  Then the CV.  Isn't that the first thing they require us to submit when we applied??  Kaya nga di ko pinansin yan eh.'

'Hahaha I agree.  Was there not a memo reminding you that they haven't received these?'

'Yun nga Hush eh.  Sabi dito there was a letter released prior to this final notice.  In.email ko nga si In***d, aba tingnan mo naman yung sagot nya!'

I checked the mail.  The HR supervisor forwarded the query to her staff asking where the first notice was.  Then  again, forwarded to our administrative staff.  All negate sending such notice.  We laughed sarcastically.  I mused:

'Ano ba yan.  This is irritating.  She issued a very condemning letter without any proof that the first notice was received on your end!  Aba, Obet, sa dati nating work hinde ganyan!  Ms. Estre would ask us to sign on the side of her name prior to signing any administrative concerns, plus we always attach any supporting documents that we refer to in that letter!  This is  utterly irresponsible of HR!'

'I know.  Mabait pa ako nyan, Hush ha.  Ano na kaya if ikaw ang binigyan nito??'

Hahahaha!  Obet knows me too well.  I would have waged war til I draw blood. hehehe


'You better tell them to issue a retraction letter.  This is preposterous!'


This made me thinking, hushkins, does it take too much to admit one's fault?  In a corporate environment that we all work in, competition is fierce, everyone pinpoints to anybody to save ass, while basking in the glory when things shine.  When the situation clearly indicates that it is indeed your department's negligence in not keeping track of the required files, is a simple sorry too much to ask?  I don't think anybody would be on a matigasan mode if the other party humbles themselves to request for these because it was their fault.  I may be war-freak (as what a former friend described me), but I know when to cease if the cause I'm fighting for loses ground.


Always, always remember, hushkins, check and balance..  There should always be a debit whenever there is credit. 


Hush, hush for now. =)

just deal with it

I went to pick up Sho who just came from the US.  She texted me that Cathay would arrive at 7pm, so I took my time driving given she would have to pick up her baggage, check in customs and other protocols.  Cars would honk at my slow pace (40kph) and I'd honk back and laugh to myself, kevs mo diha!  Go and fly your cars! hahahaha  Despite my slow pace, I still arrive at NAIA 1 early at 7.10. Haaaay, so I parked Baby Blake (that's my car hehehe) and went about finding things to do.  The airport is really old and needs upgrade.  The waiting lounge was despicable, to say the least and I imagine waving to the guests arriving just like how tagalog movies portray them, banners and flags galore. hehehehe I chuckled to myself.


I saw Jollibee's signage and decided to go up the lounge.. diri nalang ko mag.standby.  If the guard calls my attention for not ordering anything, I'll give him the umph and order sundae.. hehehe P30 ra bitaw.  When I got to Jollibee, it had no tables and chairs!! piste, di ko ka standby da, na-anticipate sa management ang mga tao pareha nako. hahaha  I won't buy nalang. hmf at least the 2nd floor of the waiting area had aircon, magpabugnaw nalang ko diri.


Honey was not texting me because he wanted me to pick him up at Taguig then go home to Ortigas before I pick-up Sho.  I told him it would be a waste of gas, he said he's not feeling well and can't afford to go elsewhere.  Told him, mag.cab ka nalang kasi I already committed to pick up my friend.  Nagalit ba naman?? Piste ning gugmang-g-atay!


Neways, it was 8pm already and still no text from Sho.  I scouted the area and noted that there was a Kopi Rotti store.  I'm not a big fan of Kopi, it's too ordinary for my taste and the price isn't worth it... but because I had nothing to do, I give it a try.  I ordered their Kopi bun with coffee.  I sunk the bun into the coffee, hhhhhmmmmm... not bad. hehehe first impressions don't last. hahahaha masarap pala if partnered with coffee. 


Finally, Sho texted me at 9pm that Cathay was delayed in HK and just like I imagined (since bawal pumunta sa arrival area) I waved at her from the waiting lounge. Sho! Sho! I'm here! 


We got to Baby Blake and we drove off.  Sho was gone for 3-weeks and she had lots to update.  She went to the MET (since she's an arts buff), Statue of Liberty,  the waterfalls which I forgot, it was her dream vacation.  I envy her but was proud at her at the same time.  It's enthralling to see people reach their dreams =)  She said US was worth the Pxxx thousands she spent... this part I thought twice.  I don't think I'd spend that much for a trip. hehehe I want to see the things that I spend on.


We dropped by Seattle's Best at Newport City.  It was our favorite coffee shop.  I had my regular coffee mocha and she had tea.  We had this conversation:


Sho: alam mo before I left, naki-eavesdrop ako sa mga neighbors natin 


Hush: you're really close to them noh?  I just go to my unit and kevs nila. hehehe  I am a hermit. tsk tsk  so unsa chika?


S: do you recall the kompare tenant of our lessor?  he was complaining about his water bills also.  It seems that you are not the only one noticing the huge amount charged every month.


H: really?  I can't fathom why I am being charged P500++ when I'm the only one at my place, save for the weekends that honey comes to sleep.  Back in my old condo, I was only incurring P200++, and it didn't go beyond P300 even!! and the shit that the lessor said about dividing it by 30 days and it's immateriality. Hello, that's not the point.


S:  I know, what's the rationale of having a meter outside our units and the water company sending out one bill to them right?  Why not send out separate bills to each of us?


H:  Yah! so how much was his kompare's bill?


S:  His was P1.5k and you wouldn't believe our neighbor with the Cruze Chevy.  Hers was P2.5k a month!!


H:  whaaattt?? Unreasonable, she's living alone also!!


S:  Exactly!  My bro and I have renewed our contract and we were told that our fixed water rate will be amended to reflect the actual charges also..


H:  My, I'm definitely moving out once my contract ends


S:  The Chevy owner did say that the monthly rent for her unit didn't change, even if she's been at her place for 2 years already.  So she's guessing that's the lessor's way of increasing rent.  That's why when she bathes, she takes her time since she's being charged that amount hahahhahaha  Then the kumpare mentioned maybe the lessor's water bills in building up his mansion is being included in our charges!


H: hahahahhahaa


S:  So even if they are kumpare, they back-bite.


H: and I thought I was the only one having a problem with our lessor


S:  and did you notice the sported-up civic you thought had a cute owner but realized he was old to have that kind of car?  They left. They were apparently charged 2 months parking and water bill.  They opted to forfeit their P25k deposit.


H:  Shit. sayang naman.


S:  You can't blame them.  It's their building, and the way they run it is Pinoy-style, if you can't deal with it, leave.  They won't take care of their tenants because they are banking that their place is near Makati and they won't run out of potential clients.


--*--*--


That is so not-right, hushkins, right?  But we have to deal with these realities.  Life is shit, but on how we deal with these shit that we learn and grow.  I have decided to move out of my condo unit in the hopes of saving up, plus I was paying Blake's monthly amortization.  I realized that there will always be trade-offs, and it's how you play these if you want to have a win-win outcome.  This is why, I'm saving up for my own condo unit.  By then, I'll have no one to answer to.  In a nutshell,


deal with traffic (play your fave music while driving. dance if you have to)


deal with delays (find something to eat! hehehe)


deal with realities (play the game and don't stop short)


Hush, hush for now, hushkins *