Stomp!

Back in high school, idle times were made for the simple drumming of fingers against any surface, and sometimes the really wacky classmates would stomp around and slap their hands on their thighs to the beat of the La Salle spelling song, which I easily caught on by shyly imitating their movements while still seated. In senior year, I resorted to taking drum lessons to have any semblance of musicality in my life as a wallflower, and easily read the drum notation my classmate wrote for me when we tried to start a band in our first year of college.

When I heard that Stomp was coming to Manila, I was so excited, but I had no idea how I could manage to get hold of a ticket considering I never set aside a budget for it. I thought I would never have a chance to see it. Until my phone rang early yesterday afternoon, waking me up from a nap. It was Paulo, saying that he had a spare ticket to the show that very afternoon at 3pm. And when I looked at the time, it was already 1:30pm. I immediately said yes to the ticket and flew to CCP as fast as I could. Woohoo, made it to CCP in record time, just 10 minutes before the show. Super thank you for the ticket, Pao!

My goodness, those guys were amazing. They came up with anything that made even the slightest bit of sound, from simple claps, brooms (one of them--whom I heard was half Pinoy--first came in bringing a walis tambo, hahaha!), buckets, tubes to even plastic bags, Zippo lighters (that part was one of my favorites!) and even the simple sound of a foot or a chair sliding against a surface. All this was done as they crossed the stage in perfect choreography, or sometimes even suspended from a harness. Awesomeness. I was practically on the edge of my seat the entire time, anticipating what they would come up next.

Stomp was quite the experience, complete with audience participation. I sure hope they'd come back soon. I'd willingly audition for something like this, hahaha.

We really should learn to appreciate the little things.

I realized that we really do take a lot of things (no matter how simple they may be) for granted. I guess we really should be grateful, even for just the little things.

After 5 months of using my laptop from my bed (using my chair as its "table"), I'm now back to using the laptop on my actual table. I've been having problems with my right arm for about a couple of weeks now, and it seems I have slight symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome. My fault for not having proper posture while I spend hours clicking and typing away at home and at work. Thank goodness I was advised to have it checked immediately before it really becomes cubital tunnel syndrome. Because I was experiencing occasional numbness and tingling sensations from my fingers to my elbow, I was given a couple of prescription medicines, and I'm glad to say that the weird feelings on my arm has lessened. What I need to practice more is proper posture.

Anyway, the doctor had told me that I'm lucky that I had asked for a consultation right away, because most cases she had seen were when people were already cradling their arms, and not being able to do simple occupational things such as turning a doorknob because of the pain. So I realized I shouldn't abuse my arms and hands too much while I'm using a computer. I really should be grateful that I can still use both arms properly.

I heard that a friend of mine got held up (at gunpoint) early yesterday morning, right outside her very house. I'm so glad the creep got away with just her bag instead of her life.

I realized that I had a bunch of close calls that I almost missed if I blinked. On the day of my birthday last year, I was on a bus home when a bunch of holduppers came aboard. Realizing that the bus was too crowded (as there were passengers already standing in the aisle), they decided to hop off the bus immediately, because with all those standing passengers, they won't be able to get a clean getaway. I found out from the bus conductor that he knew they were holduppers, because their photos were posted in their transportation office. In hindsight, I realized that I should have been grateful for that, instead of complaining that it was my worst birthday ever.

Another close call was last week. I was on a jeep to work, and I had opted to sit in the middle instead of sitting next to the door. When someone had hailed for the jeep to stop right in the middle of Coastal road, instead of boarding the jeep, the guy snatched this poor lady's bag and immediately dashed before we all realized what had happened. Had I sat in her seat, I would've been the one with the stolen bag.

And I guess we also should appreciate the simple things. Just as a little quality time with friends both old and new, taking the time just to sit around, hang out and talk. Yesterday, I ended up staying longer in the office so I could wait for a bunch of co-workers to finish, something which I hardly do because I'm always off to a rehearsal/show or in a rush to go home and go back to sleep. I ended up having lunch with Julie, Sam, Faye, Carla and Pau in Glorietta 5, then we (except for Faye and Carla) headed to SM Mall of Asia to watch a movie. Ended up staying there until dinner before we headed home. It was a crazy afternoon of wrong lyrics, crazy quips, catchy Pinoy movie punchlines, Sam's endless hunger and bits and pieces of revelation.

I can't wait to start working on a production again. D' Emperor rehearsals begin this Tuesday. I sure hope this will be a blast.

So how are you guys? Does anyone still read my blogs? Please do leave a comment if you dropped by. I'd love to hear from you.

Is there a real difference between them?

I had asked a few friends, "Would you consider being friends with benefits sort of like an open relationship? Or completely different things pa rin sila?"

I had asked because sometimes it seemed to me that they are just the same. Plus the fact that I've seen two movies that talked about being friends with benefits, Friends With Benefits (how original) and No Strings Attached. I actually liked the former better than the latter.

Anyway, so back to the question. I actually liked Drei's answer.

"Open relationship is exactly like FWBs. Both aren't really committed to each other. The only difference is that in an open relationship, you get to put a title on your significant other. In FWBs, you're just totally friends that fuck each other for the heck of it. In ORs, you ARE in a relationship; a fucked up one, but a relationship nonetheless. You are obliged and entitled to the typical relationship nuances and practices. It's just that you're allowed to fuck someone else or date other people, since it's an OR. More emotional stress and trauma compared to the FWB sexlandia and freedom."

OK, I guess that cleared things up for me. So why the heck was I asking? Let's just say being in something like this makes me more uncertain of where I stand, hence making myself afraid to love again, or even to just to take that one big risk or leap. Whatever. I guess I'm not making sense right now (and heck, at this hour). Thank goodness the other person who's involved does not read my blog.

Regarding that other person involved, I remember that we used to be so close. Now I don't even know what his opinions are, especially about this, and especially about that weird time when I had no idea whether something that had happened was real or was just a dream. All I know is that he doesn't want people know about us.

I know you have these weird rules about not going back to the way things were, but can't we just please simply put a label on it? To hell with your nonsense rules.

Oh well. Enough pondering. I'll probably edit this when I get back from work.

Effort to write despite my right arm's tingly feeling.

I can't resist blogging, so even though my right arm still kind of tingles half the time and I still need to rest, I figured a brief update wouldn't hurt.

So here's another collection of mishmash updates.

The last 2 plays I got to watch were pretty good, and both directed by Tuxqs. The first was Dulaang UP's Tinaratadong Asintado (a Filipino adaptation of Titus Andronicus). I got to watch it with Erik and Marj a few weekends ago. Damn, it was bloody brilliant. Yes, pun intended due to the blood and gore plus the concept of the play. And it even inspired Marj to do Shakespeare plays, especially something like that (even though she had no idea at the beginning that it was adapted from an early work of Shakespeare, ahehe).

Anyway, the second play I saw was just last Sunday, which was Tanghalang Pilipino's Nobyembre, Noong Akala Ko'y Mahal Kita. It's one of the plays in the Tony Perez Perspective, which features 2 more of his works. I loved how clear all the characters were, no matter how many multiple characters and ages those 3 actors did. I have yet to watch the 2 other plays, Bombita and Sierra Lakes, tomorrow evening.

In other news, I do believe that I'm known in our office for being one of the agents who used to get rattled so easily, and now I've been moving up to doing primary projects. It actually amazes me how our team leaders/project heads have faith in me to handle them. The last feedback I got from one of them was pretty flattering, despite my mediocre performance. I hope I can handle the monitoring next week.

I got a postcard in the mail last week. It was such a thrill to still receive personal snail mail at this day and age. I have to say, handwritten mail (be it a letter or a postcard) is still something I love to get. It's more personal, even though we do still get personal stuff via email. I mean, there's more effort into taking the time to actually write it, and that's what I appreciate. It's one of life's simple pleasures.

I love simple pleasures. Like that, getting a postcard. Or eating fruit salad flavored ice cream. Posting these simple pleasures as a shout out on Facebook makes me feel more grateful for these things.

Speaking of more simple pleasures, I recently taught myself how to knit using a couple of YouTube tutorials. I actually learned basic knitting from my grandmother back when I was in grade school, and I don't know why, but I suddenly lost interest, and ended up learning crochet instead. Anyway, despite my arms' condition, I managed to make a few rows of knitting stitches a couple of days ago. I decided to put in a new row or two every day so as not to tire my hands out too much.

Another simple pleasure was the massage I got last Monday. Thanks for that.

Anyway, it's about time to rest this darn arm. My right forearm is getting all tingly again.

I don't want to spend less time with this.

I think I have cubital tunnel syndrome.

I think it's like carpal tunnel syndrome, but instead of affecting the thumb, index and middle finger, mine is affecting the ring and pinky fingers of both hands. Mostly feeling it on the right hand, though.

I realized it's probably because of the position of my laptop when I type away. I usually sit on my bed (which is a foot off the floor) and my laptop's in front of me, sitting on my chair. For some reason, my chair had been higher than usual, causing my elbows to bend even more when I'm using the laptop. And it's been like that for days now without my realization. Until yesterday, when I tried sitting on the chair and adjusted it back to its lowest position.

I guess it's also because I've been typing away at other things (when I really should be blogging more). I really should give my hands and arms a rest. But don't worry, that doesn't mean I won't be blogging.