my annual New Year blogging tradition

Since I started blogging, I began this little tradition that I do every December that I look back on all the things that had happened throughout the year. This year had been pretty different, and I had welcomed lots of unexpected things.


January

I began the year being such a drama queen, worrying about things that I really shouldn't be worried about. Then Rosa, one of my best friends, had to leave to work in Switzerland for an entire year. I can't believe she's finally home. After all those emails and text messages, I couldn't wait to see her again.
And speaking of best friends, I really can't leave this one out. This was the same month when I met BFFs Carlo and Zee at the same time. It was all thanks to ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Musikal and Coffee Bean that we got together, hahaha.


February

More drama galore this month, and finally stopped fooling myself. Enough of all the naivete. Punctuated it with the very first reading of Dogeaters. Once again, "Salamat... Sorry... at keep in touch." Chocolate and coffee jelly became my best friends. What lifted my spirits up was that I also got to witness the Avenue Q open auditions.


March

Carlo, Zee and I established the "BFFs" this month, hahaha. Hung out at coffee shops and watched plays together. Sundays were always booked at Starbucks or Coffee Bean and followed by a play. Zee was the chattiest with all her anecdotes, I provided the drama (ew), and Carlo was a pro at giving his crazy quips.


April

First, the ironman emerged. Thought it was an April fools' joke, and even right on up to this date, I'm still thinking that it was a joke. Like what I said, a flirt and a tease is not a very good combination.
Then came my second year of workshops under Tanghalang Pilipino. "Failure gives you character. Too much success will make you a wimp." I'll never forget those words. Because I took up Beginning Acting the year before, I decided to take a chance and signed up for Acting in Musical Theater, despite the fact that I'm not really all that confident about my singing voice. But I still enjoyed taking classes, never mind that I always have to fly from Makati to CCP after work almost every evening. Junk food break and begging for change every 8 in the evening. Tapa King at 10 after every class. I spent every Saturday night in Malate with Minette, Gino and Arvin and went home when the sun rose. And I can't believe that I actually got casted (or typecasted? Hahaha!) as the alpha-female in our recital.


May

The first weekend marked the last day of our workshop, and performed Blue Jeans the Musical as our recital, and I enjoyed every moment of our performance. Despite my flats and sharps, and chuckles galore during that one scene, I had a blast. Roeder had talked to me after the show and all his notes boosted my confidence.


June

During the last night out of our workshop class, Minette had said that she noticed how much I fell in love with the company of people from Tanghalang Pilipino. So for this month, she gave me my first project with TP, He-Me-She-It, which is one of the plays in this year's Virgin Labfest. I lucked out getting Tito Jaime as director, and the TP Actors Company, including my baby bro, as the cast. I was so grateful for this project, as I had realized that I still had a lot to learn as a stage manager/assistant stage manager. I watched other plays' rehearsals, sat in the tech booth with Chynna as she called cues for ZsaZsa Zaturnnah, and spent some time bonding with people I barely knew. My motto for this month was "Conquer it!" courtesy of Tito Jaime. Opened Virgin Labfest 3 at the end of the month, and despite some little screwups of mine, I managed to pull things off.


July

Continuation of Virgin Labfest this month, and regularly checked out films of this year's Cinemalaya entries. Nothing really significant at all about this month, except for that one big night out with all the BFFs! CCP, Harbour Square, Glorietta, Malate and Carlo’s house... we were everywhere in the span of about 24 hours.


August

Another project with Tanghalang Pilipino--Pilipinas Circa 1907. This time as supertitling operator. Not much, but hey, at least I get to watch every show. I actually spent 8 hours just sitting in front of the computer fixing those darn supertitles, hahaha. Spent lots of late afternoons sitting in Starbucks Harbour Square just typing away on my best friend's laptop. And then, someone was trying all his best attempts to find a way into my life, ahehehe.


September

Pilipinas Circa had closed on a good note, especially for me, hehehe. Opened Avenue Q and had a blast with the front-of-house stuffing ourselves silly with Bravo's crostini topped with dips and spreads. When the play had closed, I spent my day off pretty well, and finally opened my heart to welcome a new love. (Holy kamote, this is getting too cheesy for me.) Happiness really is like two kinds of ice cream, with cherries on top.


October

Started voice lessons at David's music studio. I actually got a pretty good deal. With a family discount, I get one hour of lessons every week, and baby-stepped from soprano 2 to soprano 1. Dogeaters rehearsals also began this month, and I was so glad at how "diverse" the cast was, which included my baby bro. I also got to meet Tad's family this month. Hahaha, it was so funny that I was always stuffing myself with food every time I meet them.


November

More Dogeaters rehearsals, and I got the honor of being the first person in Manila to meet Jessica Hagedorn during her visit this year. Lots of stress due to crazy sponsors of this productions, but at least I finally managed to laugh it off now. The show opened without much of a hitch, but I was just so sad that I didn’t get to spend quality time with my balikbayan cousin Shirley, her son Dominic, and her boyfriend Jason because the play ate up most of my time.


December

Super busy month, what with the closing of Dogeaters plus the opening of Avenue Q's repeat run. I resigned to the fact that I wouldn't be able to celebrate my birthday well, because there were 2 shows during that day, but I was wrong. Tad had surprised me at the theater during the evening show, and it became one of my best birthdays ever. One of the best year-enders included a potluck get-together of the Hogi Hall at Rosa's house. We were loaded with pasta and drinks, and talked the night away until the sun rose.

This year is about to end, and even though this Christmas has been one of the quietest (if not the quietest), I’m still grateful for everything that had happened this year. Even though there were some things that didn’t happen the way I had planned them to be, I can still say that I am truly blessed. With much hope, 2008 will be an even greater year. To everyone who made my 2007 one helluva damn good year, thank you so much!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO Y'ALL!

birthday surprise

I haven't blogged in ages. I've been so busy that I hardly even get to reply to half of the text messages I get (well, except for work-related messages). Every time I go online, the only thing I get to do is check email, and briefly browse through other friends' blogs. I never got to update mine in such a long time. Dogeaters had already closed and Avenue Q's repeat is ongoing.

Ever since we had booked Avenue Q's repeat for this month, I had already expected that I won't be celebrating my birthday like the usual, as my birthday falls on one of the showdates. And like every other special show, it's a Sunday that doesn't just have a matinee, but also an evening performance. So every time anyone would ask how I would celebrate that day, I would just say that I'd be working.

I was still on my way home from the previous evening's show on the first hour of the 16th. I had resigned to the fact that I wouldn't be able to attend the first morning of simbang gabi, as I was so tired and will be working until an hour before midnight. Wow, talk about maximizing the day. And when I mentioned this to my dad when I got home, he got mad because I wouldn't be hearing mass. I was so upset at his reaction that I just went straight to my room and cried because he didn't even greet me. After Tad (who had said that he was in Lucena for some workshop thing) had texted me a birthday greeting, I called him up and told him about the whole thing to calm myself down before I went to sleep.

Nothing extraordinary at the office that morning, as we continued to bag the Avenue Q T-shirts we were to sell. I had complained to Lawyn about my dad's reaction, which had happened again before I left for work so I just briskly walked out of the house. I bought lunch for Law and Kuya Boni (the usual barbecue, pancit and laing, yum) before we left for the theater.

The lobby was pretty quiet when we got there, then Chari emerged from inside the theater with a little birthday present plus a box of yummy brownies from her and Bobby. Wheee, thanks for the headband, Chari! We were then left alone when she went back inside, and suddenly I got a phone call from Ate Sally in Dubai! Hahaha, telebabad over the phone as I updated her on everything that had happened, then my phone got passed from ear to ear as everyone wanted to talk to Ate Sally as they suddenly started appearing and greeted me.

After the matinee show, we had the usual Tender Roast dinner... plus Krispy Kreme from GR! Man, was the front-of-house so pumped up with sugar, as Mia had also appeared with a tin of Mrs. Fields' cookies.

While we were just hanging out in the lobby after eating, I got a text from Tad, asking if I had received a package that he had sent via courier. What? I kept on the lookout for anything the whole time as we waited for the people to arrive. When the show had began and the crowd had just thinned out, I suddenly saw Tad right in front of me with a his birthday present for me, a cake, and a huge bouquet of flowers! I was so surprised and so speechless that I just sat there with my hands covering half my face and kept saying "OH MY GOD!" as I felt my face turning red. Lawyn, Ms. Berns, Chari and Abi were there with me at the lobby to witness the whole thing to their delight as they laughed at me. Holy kamote, that was some surprise. But then again, who had ever heard of a 3-day workshop in Lucena? So anyway, while the entire Act 1 progressed inside the theater, I sat next to Tad outside and I suddenly burst into tears because I was so overwhelmed with joy at what he did. When I turned my head, I caught Ms. Berns with her phone up, taking a photo of me, HAHAHA! I want that photo! Hehehe, when I went back inside, Chari even did a little interview on my lovelife. Holy kamote, let's not go back to the past, please, ahehehe. But during that conversation, she was right about one thing, nyahahaha.

I had a goofy smile on my face during the whole duration of the play until it ended. I didn't even mind that I had to bring a whole lot of stuff back, including a box of Krispy Kreme donuts. Tad went home with me and we had a little midnight snack of cake and coffee with my mom. After Mom had went to bed, that was when I opened Tad's present. It was a glass bottle filled potpourri, blue glitter... and birthday messages from friends that he had gathered! Santa banana. Even though I had a hard time opening all the rolled up paper (he had the mistake of gluing the paper after he had rolled them up), I was so touched at all the messages. After I had finished reading all of them, I found myself crying again. Yeah, I'm such a sucker for things like these.

Thank you to those who had greeted me through text, email, and especially those who had put their messages in that bottle.

The bottle that contained those messages are now sitting on a high shelf in my room, next to a box where I had put the messages.

So far, this year is one of the best birthdays I had ever. I can't thank you enough, love.

upset

I just feel so disappointed right now that Shirley, Dom and Jason are here and I won't be able to spend any time with them because I'm working at Dogeaters. Heck, by the time I came home yesterday, I didn't get to see Dom because he was already sleeping. I only got to talk to him for a few minutes on the phone while I was still at the office.

And this evening, I managed to get them tickets to our show, and I didn't even get to be with them because I was still working. Then they had to leave during intermission because they had to wake up early tomorrow morning to go to Boracay. Ate Shang had quickly made all travel arrangements.

I know I shouldn't say this, but I should've quit while I was ahead. Instead of spending time with my family, I'm working my ass off. Shoot. Now I sound like an ungrateful bastard.

I hate this feeling. But I really wish I could spend time with them. But no. Because of everything going on at work, it can't be done. The only consolation I get from all of this is a pile of pretty clothes.

Shit. I feel so crummy. I feel like a lousy cousin. But then if I do even try to spend even just one day with them, it will come out that I'm neglecting my work. Arg.

I thought things were looking up for me. But then again, things aren't always so peachy.

Oh whatever. Time to get some sleep.

of Dogeaters and more balikbayans... and to my brother

I haven't updated in ages, all because of Dogeaters' opening weekend. I had to say hello to the busy days of tech week, which included attending the Wednesday DTR, coordinating with Jessica's schedule until she left, briefing the new ushers, being harassed by ticket buyers and sponsors, and learning how to work more at the front-of-house, knowing that I'll be on my own by the last weekend.

I still can't seem to get the hang of everything. I'm afraid of being in charge, of being responsible for a whole lot of things, even for a while. Well, during my first year in Atlantis, I sort of had it easy when I was left alone for a month, as there wasn't much to do after that year's show. But this year's different. But hey, I won't be staying long anyway, as I will be going back to school again by January.

Anyway, so there, busy mode during the weekend. It was great to see lots of familiar faces again in the lobby. Hahaha, Lawyn, Ate Sally and I went crazy with the food sponsored by TGI Friday's on opening night, courtesy of Powerbooks.

I had only seen the show once, during the Wednesday DTR, and then just caught a scene here and a scene there during every show. But what I never fail to miss is that "Last Dance" number in the 2nd act by Jon and Andoy (Lawyn's crush, HAHAHAHA!). I just love those two! Plus I always keep an eye on Nicco's footwear, sponsored by yours truly. At the last minute, Nicco texted me the day before the preview show that he wanted to borrow my black Chuck Taylors. Nyahahay, it was to be part of his costume. Oh well. But imagine my annoyance when he wore it to the opening night party, hahahaha! Dear bro, I thought it was just part of your costume. Just kidding! Congrats to the cast and crew of Dogeaters! And of course, to Jessica, thank you so much!

By the way, thanks love. You know I love you. (Teeheeheehee.)

Then I'm so excited for tomorrow! My cousin Shirley's arriving from Washington along with her boyfriend Jason and her son Dominic. Oh my, I haven't seen Dom since he was a little kid, and now he's already in high school. I can't wait to see them. Thank goodness they're staying at our place.

And then more good news came my way. When I checked my mail just this evening, I found an email from my brother, without any subject or anything. Just a photo. Kuya Toto and Ate Maui are finally engaged! Hahaha, he had proposed to her after his meet in Philadelphia. Congratulations to you guys!

I have the weirdest craving for strawberry Pop Tarts. But where are there still Pop Tarts?

stress... ranting, crying, and ready to go insane

Tonight was the first time I cried because of so much stress during a production. There were a whole bunch of things that got delayed no matter how much I follow them up. But even if I'm not the one screwing up, it still turns out that way, because I'm partly responsible for it.

The pecking order is so annoying. Bobby doesn't see progress, he nags at Ms Bernice. Because Ms Berns is still in charge of partly everything, she nags at the nags person in the food chain--me. And even though I nag at the next one in line, which are the sponsors, the one who provide, etc, who still ends up as the screw up?

Me. It would appear as if I was the one who didn't deliver. Hay.

No matter how much effort I put into everything, and sure, even though I forget, I still manage to do my part, right? But nope, even if I've done my part, when they haven't seen anything materialize, it still comes out as my fault. Arg.

So today, even though I was in school during the morning working on the next leg of my return, I was still in work mode, thinking of all the things I need to do by the time I get back in the office. Follow up here, follow up there... calling, emailing, and even texting everyone involved. No matter how much I push, we all still have to wait, but of course, there are some people who won't take no for an answer.

Even though I was on my way home, there were several calls, asking where was this, where was that, why isn't that here yet? I'm doing the best I can, okay? That's their schedule, this is the schedule of the others, so I can't do anything about that. I was already anticipating another call even when I got home. "So what's for tomorrow, Hogi???" I enumerate. I hear a chuckle on the other line. I know they're ready to strangle me the moment they see me in person, but that laugh was comforting. At least they're not that mad anymore compared to the last few calls I got. Nagpipigil lang siguro.

When I hung up, I suddenly burst into tears while sitting on the couch, surprising Tad. I hated that I'm beginning to look like such a screwup, a big disappointment. All the stress suddenly poured in. It took me a while to calm down. I was so surprised that this was my very first time to break down during a production. In the past, the closest I can get to this was just being on the verge of tears, but this was the first real thing.

I know someone will ask if I'll be OK. My usual answer is that I wouldn't know, but I'll probably be much better after our opening show.

But what I know is this. I'm not giving up until I finish this whole thing.

tonsillitis, igh.

I knew it. It wasn't just a sore throat. I have tonsillitis. Arg. I had to ask my dad to get medicine for me this morning. Waaah, I hate this. I thought that my sore throat was just a mere symptom that I was having a fever this week.

Hahaha, despite the fact that I was feeling sick last Thursday, I still went to watch Himala the Musical at CCP. Hehe, when Ms. Yvette found me, she told me if I wanted to sit on the bleachers placed on the stage along with the rest of the AC. There were bleachers there because the theater in Shanghai where the cast will be performing at will have seats on either side of the stage. So that was the setup in LT so the cast can rehearse with audience members on that side as well. The house had just opened when I was informed that I can sit there, so I couldn't find the rest of my friends. Nyak.

To be honest, I expected a lot from the show, after having seen the first run of it back in 2004. But my props to the cast, who managed to maximize the area of the stage despite the fact that there were only 12 of them. I still enjoyed listening to May Bayot, who was still spectacular as Elsa. Bwahahaha, it seemed that everytime Tad would come onstage, a bunch of people in our section would chuckle and laugh. Well, who wouldn't, as we can see that his pants were practically falling off and it was obvious that there was only a strip of garter holding it up (hahahahaha!). Oh well, this crowd was hilarious before the show began. They actually warned me that they're gonna make fun of him during the show. Well, at least his solo as the priest went well.

I need to sleep. Rawr. Darn this tonsillitis.

meeting Jessica Hagedorn

Woke up early this morning to go to the airport. I was tasked to escort Jessica Hagedorn from the airport to her hotel. Holy kamote, when I first found out that I was given the job to do so, I sort of felt uncertain of myself. Me? Accompany the novelist/playwright of the play that we're doing? I turn into a mouse when faced with big-time people. I suddenly remember during summer of last year when Broadway Asia's John Kivlen was in town for the first set of auditions for The King & I. I was sitting like a rock beside him, while he and Dobi chatted the whole way back to the hotel.

So anyway, I arrived promptly at the airport an hour before Jessica's ETA, as it was possible that her flight could come in as early as that. Fell in line at the Pass Control office for my airport pass, but then they didn't have change for my 100-peso bill. Hello? It was P50, don't they even have change for that? Igh, when I went to the coffee shop next to the office, it was still closed, and when I signaled to the guy inside that I needed change for my money, he showed me that there was no money in the cash register. Rawr. One of the guys who was in line behind me at Pass Control noticed me and pointed me in the opposite direction, because there was a guard that sells coffee who could possible have change. The place was kinda far, so I just had to ask one of the guards as to where else I can   get change. He pointed me to one lady guard, who finally gave me two 50-peso bills. I rushed back to Pass Control, and ignored the long line that grew in the short span that I left and claimed my pass. Unfortunately, it was only limited to the restricted lobby where the passengers exit after claiming their bags at the baggage carousel. Oh well, good enough.

Jessica's flight arrived half an hour earlier than it's estimated time of arrival. I was standing along with a whole bunch of hotels' airport representatives, so I kept an eye on the one for Jessica's hotel. Suddenly the guard by the exit told me that I was in the area where the San Francisco flight was exiting, not Jessica's. He shooed me to the door next to it, so that's where I stood. Just when I got there, Jessica suddenly exits from the doors that the guard just shooed me from, so the hotel rep got to her first by a second. Wahahaha. We easily boarded the car that goes straight to the hotel, and after briefly teaching Jessica how to use the cellphone that she's borrowing during her stay, it was mostly just small talk the whole time. Hahaha, at least I wasn't tongue-tied or anything. I actually managed to talk to her about snippets from the script of our play, the cities we passed, and she even asked about the Glorietta incident, nyahahay. I was so intimidated of Jessica at first ever since Nicco told me about this interview she had that he saw on YouTube or something.

Waited until Jessica settled in at the hotel before I left. Hehehe, rewarded myself with a couple of hours of free time in the morning and good ol' breakfast at Jollibee before going off to work.

The world still keeps getting smaller. This Tuesday, when I picked up some gift bags from MAC along with Lawyn, we both found out that Erin is working at the Glorietta branch part time! Coolness. And then when I was calling Dencio's the following day, to my surprise, my contact person for that company was YFC-CSB friend Mai!

My throat hurts. I was feeling sick since last Tuesday night, and I had to take a sick leave on Thursday. In the afternoon, I managed to make some progress on my return to CSB. I have to go back on Monday. I know I sound like such a broken record, but I really can't wait for the year to end and become a full-time student again. Plus I'll be a lot closer to CCP, teeheehee. And I'll be able to have a real summer again. Hahaha.

Oh well. Time to catch up on my sleep.

4-day bum

Is it me, or for Globe subscribers, do some of the messages you receive lag? It happens to me during the evenings. It's annoying. The network's getting screwed up.

The 4-day vacation has finally come to an end. It's been ages since I slept in and bummed around at home the whole day, though I didn't do so during all 4 days.

Tad came to visit last Friday, so we spent the entire afternoon and evening hanging around the house, as he watched me pig out (donuts, yay!) and be the internet addict that I am, hahaha. He even gave Terie a workout, with the two of us tossing his favorite ball back and forth around the garage as the cute little dog chased after it.

Bummed around the house for 2 alternating days, and I sure missed doing this! Hahaha! Though a trip to the bathroom scale gave me a surprise. I had lost a lot of weight during Labfest and Pilipinas Circa, but I gained it back in such a short period of time with an additional 5 pounds. Holy kamote, hahaha.

This morning, after another voice lesson (nyahahay, Patrick wants me to become a soprano 1), I went with Tita Tess to Tita Lynn's house, because I haven't hung out with my cousin Ate Shang in ages. We spent the entire afternoon hanging out in her room, talking while the TV was on. We even found time to watch Ocean's Thirteen and The Shaggy Dog.

Ah, I just can't get enough of simple pleasures.

But then... by tomorrow, it's back to life. Whatever. I can't wait for the year to end so I can have a new kind of life.

The Theater Checklist

Stole this from Mahar's blog. Like him, I'm curious about everyone's answers would be...

[x] 1. You’ve said countless times, "I can’t. I have rehearsal."
- Oh yes... Hay...

[ ] 2. Anyone who says Macbeth has a death wish.
 
[ ] 3. You realize theater is your social life and you don’t have any friends outside of theater.

[x] 4. If you're an actor, tech people become your heroes.
- Hell, yeah!

[ ] 5. You think the Reduced Shakespeare Company is hilarious and understand the jokes while other people watching it are confused.
 
[x] 6. You want to shoot people who think putting on a production is easy.
- From my early days, to thesis to everything, hello!

[x] 7. Stress is a way of life.
- I used to say that if I'm not stressed, I'm not working hard enough, ahehehe.

[x] 8. Cast parties rank right up there with birthday parties.
- It's what everyone looks forward to after a good show.

[x] 9. You never realized how much fun you had at rehearsals until you don’t have any more.
- Yeah... Sometimes we'd just keep recalling all the crazy things we've done.

[ ] 10. You’ve been quoted on the Quote Wall.
- I haven't had the pleasure, but I do have my own pages in Father Flynn's notebook during Doubt. Paging Bea, can I borrow those scribbles? Hahahaha!
 
[x] 11. You can’t seem to memorize your lines, but you know everyone else’s lines verbatim.
- And to think that I have poor memory.
 
[x] 12. You have the urge to be in character in public.
- Hahaha, I always do.

[x] 13. Once the production is over you don't know what to do with your time.
- Remembering Cris during the first run of Joseph. "What will I do with my evenings???" Withdrawals have no time limit.

[x] 14. You complain about how ugly your costume is.
- Nyahahay, I remember looking like a cake with pink icing, and a perky McDonald's endorser.

[x] 15. You absolutely love your costume and want to steal it from the costume room after the play is over.
- I already did it before. Hyukhyukhyuk.

[x] 16. You think your director is the coolest guy ever.
- I sing praises about all of them.
 
[ ] 17. You think your director is an idiot.
- Need I say who this one is?

[x] 18. You love going to see other productions just to compare them to yours.
- Mang-okray ba? We need to learn to critique as well, hehehe.

[ ] 19. You argue with your director about which play to do next.

[x] 20. You go see other productions and cringe when you see people that can’t act.
- Ah yes. Hay...

[ ] 21. Homework? Never heard of it.
- Who said that you won't have homework when you're in theatre? Script analysis, character profile, etc! I know a bunch of teachers who are notorious for this.
 
[x] 22. You could easily set up a cot and live in the theater. You’re there all the time anyway.
- We already did this before for one production, hehehe.</i>

[x] 23. You dread the thought of having rehearsal, but the second you get there you don’t want to leave.
- It's because of the work you enjoy doing, and the company you're with.

[x] 24. You meet someone from another theater and instantly become best friends.
- The world of theater is such a small world... There are so many of you! And I love y'all! And you, of course. Teeheehee...

[x] 25. You beg all of your friends to come see you in the play when you are only onstage for two minutes.
- Guilty! Hahahaha!

[ ] 26. You have lost count on how many times you've died.
- Just once. Last year.

[x] 27. You don't think twice about seeing guys in make-up or tights.
- Half the time, I think they know more about make-up than I do!

[x] 28. You're in public and look like you're talking to yourself because you are reciting your monologue.
- Ahehehe... I always talk to myself, anyway. But this is true as well.

[x] 29. You are a techie and want to strangle the actors because you have their lines memorized better than they do.
- Hell yeah!

[ ] 30. You think Shakespeare was a genius but dread putting on one of his plays.

[x] 31. You know what Hell Week is.
- In this biz, who doesn't?

[x] 32. If you put on a musical, you randomly sing all the songs at any time of day even if it is a musical you hate.
- I get LSS all the time.

[x] 33. Sleep? What is sleep?
- Never heard of it.

[ ] 34. Techies and actors don't understand each other, but they pretend that they do.
- It all depends, really.

[x] 35. You swear like a sailor.
- Ahem. Where did I learn this?

[x] 36. You've been dubbed a "Stage Nazi" or a "Tech God."
- Close enough. I've been dubbed the "ninja," courtesy of Chie.

[x] 37. There's more drama backstage than there is onstage.
- Yes, like Mahar had said, you can't get enough of it.

[x] 38. Actors and techies argue about who has more work.
- I haven't argued with anyone about this, but I remember a bunch who have.

[x] 39. You're on your deathbed and miss school, but you somehow manage to go to rehearsal.
- Guilty of this one too.

[x] 40. You quote lines from previous plays you've done when you have casual conversations with friends.
- Sometimes, we mix them up for fun. In </i>Virgin Labfest 3<i>, Ed did it a lot to annoy me.

[x] 41. You suddenly realize that your entire wardrobe is black.
- Hahaha, YES!

[ ] 42. Theater sex. Enough said.
- What the...?

[x] 43. You know what spiking is, and it's not what you do to hair.
- I'd be in big trouble with my teachers if I don't know what this is!

[x] 44. You've been working with the same people so long that you have blackmail to last a lifetime.
- Oh, so many to blog about (Paging Joseph people)... I'm notorious for keeping secrets that I can blackmail a lot of people.
 
[x]45. You've been injured so many times it's a miracle you're still alive.
- I've fallen down so many sets of stairs already. And my right foot has never been the same since my last accident.

[x] 46. Applause after a show is the best sound ever.

[x]47. You have a sigh of relief when you are doing a comedy and you hear the audience laughing.

[x] 48. You can't remember what a home cooked meal tastes like, but you can remember every single way Taco Bell makes a taco or burrito.
- Ever since we found the convenience of having a Tapa King, Mang Inasal and Jollibee, it's somehow like that. The cheaper the better, being the starving artists that we are. Biskwit at kape lang, masaya na ako!
 
[ ] 49. You know you're a theater guy when you can put on makeup better than half the girls in your school.
- This is one flaw... I still don't know how to put on makeup!

[x] 50. Modesty is long forgotten.
- "Pakapalan ng mukha" is the secret here!

[x] 51. You pride yourself in how fast you can strip your clothes off and change costumes. (Or help people strip!)
- Quick changes in Dreamgirls was good training, hehehe.

[x] 52. People who aren't in theater just aren't cool.
- Not really, though. They're not really uncool, because some of the time, we're not on the same wavelength, so it's hard to jive.

Total: 40/52

with the two N's

Yesterday, Nikki and I decided to meet up after work, with it being the last day before a good 4-day vacation, hehehe. This is the 2nd Halloween in a row that we met up after work for dinner and stuff. Knowing that we both get out the same time that Dogeaters rehearsals were ending, I invited Nicco to come join us.

Nicco, along with Lao, was the first to meet up with me at Starbucks Greenbelt. Ahehe, I was so into my book that I almost didn't notice that Lao had grabbed my cellphone off the table. Nix then arrived after a while, then Lao had to leave, as he was going to Bataan with a bunch of AC and others.

Nikki, Nicco and I had dinner at Cafe Bola. Hahaha, I totally missed the Nikki-Nicco tandem! And of course, Nicco's wide range of stories, from the most mundane to the most pa-deep. Man, and from the way he talked and moved the moment he met up with us, I can finally say that the old Nicco is back! I missed you, baby bro! Hahaha, amidst the serious talk, we recalled some good ol' times together. And hey, with these two, there are so many to think of, hahaha! Had dessert at Cold Rock (yeah, ice cream!) and on with more kwentos. After using up my Powercard at Timezone, Nix and I decided to call it a night and left Nicco in Greenbelt as he was waiting for plans with his TKM friends to head on over to the Fort.

I'm always grateful for whatever time these guys can spare just so we can still hang out together. Despite the times that have changed (this word keeps appearing in our conversations that night, ahehehe), these guys haven't. Never mind that Nix is being more and more malandi (wahehehe), and Nicco is baby-stepping closer to being "the first Nicco Manalo." Nix is still one true friend I can always count on anytime, and Nicco will always be my baby bro.

I miss the crowd that these two are part of.

two birthdays

Huwaw, two birthdays in two days, and both are in the same family.

Yesterday, I went to Tad's place after work because it was Tita Tessie's (his mom) birthday. It wasn't my first time to meet his mom, but it was the first time to go to his house. Holy kamote, by the time we got there, I was introduced to 3 houses of relatives. Then we went back to his house and started pigging out on the food his mom had been cooking since the day before. As usual, I can never say no to any food (except for dinuguan and ampalaya, ahehehe), so I helped myself to most of it, hahaha! Then Tito Jun (his dad) started off the videoke, and everyone else followed suit. Nyahahay, after being prodded by Tita Amy after every song, I finally obliged and sang the first ABBA song I learned when I was 5 years old, hahaha! Tita Tessie and Tita Amy were so amusing to talk to. And to think that I was nervous about meeting them that first time. I can't believe how easy it actually was to talk to them.

This time, it's Tad's birthday today. Igh, I sounded to redundant. Because we already spent some time the day before at his house, we just decided to hang out and watch a no-brainer movie (Game Plan) at the mall. Of course, once again, we ended up pigging out before then. Man, I missed Sbarro's stuffed pizzas, so that's what we got.

Anyway, I can't wait for the 4-day break. I haven't had over 2 days of no work or whatsoever, so I'm really looking forward to it. At least I can finally have time for myself before the crazy days, hahaha. Man, I can't wait for January. And summer as well. There are so many things to look forward to when this year ends.

mere simple pleasures

A spur of the moment thing, Tin and I met up at CCP this afternoon. Hahaha, before then, I met up with Tad at the LT lobby before he and Chynna left for Himala rehearsal in Malate. Rawr, the moment I stepped off the orange jeep and crossed the street to CCP, the straps of one of my sandals snapped off. Oh well, at least it gave way just when I arrived at my destination. I spent the entire time in the lobby barefoot while sitting on one of the benches. Thank goodness Tin hadn't left her house yet, so I texted her, asking to borrow any pair of slippers that she can spare, hahaha.

When Tad had left and I was alone in the lobby waiting for Tin, I spent the time with my vocal exercise book, trying to learn how to read the notes, as I'm required to sight-read for the rest of my voice lessons. Hahaha, even though I was reading the notes out loud yet in a low voice, I sounded like a kid who's learning how to read for the first time.

Spent the entire afternoon in Starbucks with Tin, just talking, catching up on each other's news, camwhoring and laughing. Holy kamote, we didn't realize that we were there for hours until Tin had quipped, "Huy o, gabi na pala." Hahahaha! But huwaw, I missed spending afternoons like this. Talking with a friend, specially one that I missed so much, over coffee is truly one of my favorite simple pleasures. Thanks for the afternoon, Tin! Oh yes, and the sandals, hahaha!

I can honestly say that I'm truly happy these past several weeks. I've found more reasons to smile every day. Real simple pleasures. Coffee with a friend. A hug. A simple gift to say "I love you." A spur of the moment gab session. "Lucky charms." Learning more music day by day. A phone call just to say hello.

And I'm still smiling.

back to internet cafes again

I miss being online. My computer is still on the blink. Rawr. Time for those long updates once again, hahaha.

Last Tuesday, I made plans to meet up with Drei in Glorietta after work. While I was walking towards Glorietta 4 on the second floor, I heard someone call my name. Ahehehe, I found Nicco, Jerald and Lao down at the Activity Center, hanging out in front of the TV displays. We all went upstairs together to meet Drei then we had dinner at Food Choices before we all went our own ways. Nicco had to go to Katipunan, Je and Lao were watching Stardust, and Drei and I were going southside to this coffee shop that he promised he'd take me. I loved the place! After placing our orders (chai tea, yeah!), I told him that he had finally found THE coffee shop, hahahaha!

After work on Thursday evening, I found some of the ACs in the Makati area. Ended up with Tad, Tara, Wenah, Marj, Chrome, Bong and Sugus at Chili's. Too bad I didn't get to join them at Manila Peninsula for that ginormous serving of ice cream.

I took at peek at the Dogeaters pictorial on Friday evening, the day of the Glorietta 2 explosion. Hahaha (I just had to say this), Nicco and Jerald had the biggest crush on Teresa Herrera, that when we were supposed to be on our way to CCP for the Ragamuffs show at Silangan Hall, they were still dawdling in Portfolio, yet tongue-tied to talk to her. We ended up just seeing about 15 minutes of the show before it ended.

On Saturday after lunch, I went off to PETA to watch Romulus D' Grayt (Thank you, Eric!) with Tad, Chrome, Shing, Max, Marj, Tara, Nicco, Wenah and Jerald. Paulo as Romulus was hilarious! No regrets about watching that play.

After the show, Tad and I were off to Seafood Island in Cubao for dinner with his mom and aunts. Holy kamote, we didn't know that a lot of people were coming aside from his mom, his aunts and a few cousins. But the food was great. Tad was allergic to seafood though, but I made up for it, hahahahaha! I was so glad that his mom likes me, as she had enjoyed talking to me that night, and I was told that I was the first girlfriend that she ever bussed on the cheek. Holy kamote. That's quite a flattering suprise.

My fingers are beginning to freeze here in Netopia.

home on a Sunday, yay

I'm so glad to just be home for most of this weekend. Pretty soon, my weekends will be so booked again until Christmas. Huwaw.

I spent the last half of this week meeting up with friends after work. Last Thursday, Tad and I met up with Nikki as soon as she got off work. Hahaha, as expected, Nix kept raving about her her major crush on her boss. Even her laugh was different. Every time we talked about different topics, she would still shift the subject back to her boss. Ahehehe, such infatuation. But I love this girl anyway.

Because there were rehearsals, we still had to go to work on Friday even though it was a non-working holiday. Met up with Nicco and Jerald right after their rehearsal. Ahehehe, I know that the prime reason that they met up with me was that their dinner was on me. Well, not entirely on me. It was all thanks to Superbowl's sponsorship, hehehe. Over Yang Chow rice, tofu and dumplings, they shared how different the experience was with Bobby as director, as they have been so used with other directors and Bobby's approach was different. After walking with Je as he window-shopped, we decided to call it a night (early on a Friday?!?) and left.

We still had to go to the office yesterday, as the Seussical cast was supposed to pick up their copies of their scripts, vocal scores and study CDs. After work, had lunch with Tad and then we met up with Misch, who was in Glorietta to watch a movie with her brother and her cousin Patti. I haven't seen Misch since Pilipinas Circa and I was so thrilled to see her again.

When Misch went off with her brother and cousin, Tad and I left to go to my house, as he was the cook for the evening, nyahahaha. Even though our house, let alone our kitchen, was still a mess due to still ongoing renovations, he didn't mind, as long as he could smoke while he was cooking, hahaha! And the outcome of both viands were great. My parents loved it, especially my mom. Kuya Kelly took note of how he made it so he could make it himself.

Back to the music studio this morning. I arrived a couple of minutes before Tita Tess did, and Patrick arrived at almost the exact time of our session. Holy kamote, I have to learn a quite common church song that I don't even know, HAHAHA. I'm so deprived. And I think I need to set up the keyboard in my room.

singing... classical???

I wasn't really planning on blogging about this until I'm more confident about it, but I guess I got inspired by Penny's post, hahaha.

I'm not at all confident about my singing voice. Everyone knows that. Even though I tag along with my friends as they sing along with videoke machines, I don't join in. I cringe even before I start singing in workshops. I get very self-conscious that I'm afraid that I'm not doing things right, hence the reason I became Sir Nazer's prime target.

Then out of sheer impulse, I texted David yesterday morning, asking about voice lessons at his studio. I ended up going there during the evening for a 1-hour session with Patrick, the music school's voice teacher. Holy kamote, after several years of musical theater workshops, I'm only getting formal voice lessons now? Oh well.

Anyway, so on with the lessons. Like Penny, I was told to face the mirror and observe myself while vocalizing. Hahaha, I hate looking at myself while singing. Even this past summer, I hardly looked at myself. The closest thing to it was looking at my diaphragm. So when I chuckled at myself, Patrick had said that one of his prime reasons why he makes his students face the mirror was that so they won't be conscious of the keyboard as the notes get higher. Wahahaha.

Holy kamote, I can't imagine myself singing classical. But there I was, baby steppin' along. And when we were nearing the session, I had to sing one song. And because I hardly knew any Tagalog song that they were thinking of, David chose "You" by the Carpenters, as it is also used as a choir song. Holy kamote.

Oh well, I had fun anyway. I'm doing this for myself.

party weekend

Aris celebrated his birthday last Saturday evening, and it's always quite the gathering as it's one of the occasions when most of the ever-present Hogi Hall boys appear. I managed to drag Tad along to meet the rest of my clique.

I always look forward to seeing my high school barkada even though I'm guilty of being out of touch due to my crazy schedules. But every time I find myself back home with them, it's always a blast. We can't avoid the moments when we find ourselves recalling and sharing some crazy memories, stories and people from the good ol' days.

As Iam had said in her own blog, Seph had reminded us that night that our clique is 10 years old this year. Most of us were quite surprised that we've been together that long, and we then recalled how the group was formed, originating from those who hung out in the covered walk and then moved to the multi-purpose hall that was named after my uncle. Then we tried to recall how many we really are in the group officially, but we mostly came up with the original 13 guys and occasional girls, because there were lots of "subgroups" as I am had said.

Then we started planning our upcoming grand reunion this December, when Rosa comes back home from Switzerland. Can't wait for that one.

Tad had spent the night at my place, then left for CCP in the morning for Mulan's closing show. I was supposed to go there to catch the 2nd act of Insiang at Batute as Peachy and Robbie were there to watch. Unfortunately I was a few minutes late, so I ended up just hanging around in the lobby as usual.

After both shows had ended, I ended up hanging around and having dinner at Mang Inasal with the AC crowd, along with Nicco and Jerald (who went to watch Insiang after their first cast reading of Dogeaters with Lao). Crazy anecdotes galore just sitting there. Then we hung around for a few moments in the LT lobby as we waited for Sugus to arrive with his car so we can go to Ms Denisa's place for the Mulan cast party.

Once again, I can't stop raving about how much I love Ms Denisa's house. Anyway, food galore, camwhoring and much talk... of issues, of more anecdotes and other stuff, as we waited for the rest of the people to arrive. Everyone was so glad when Nar arrived with her guitar. 3 rounds of improv songs full of funny verses and even issues, HAHAHAHA! I just love this crazy bunch.

Back to a new week. And I'm getting sleepy, ahehe. I'll just post some photos grabbed from Iam, grab a bite to eat, then doze off.

so hello again

So this past week was a happy one for me, hahaha.

Oh, before I forget, I want to congratulate my adopted baby bro for getting into Dogeaters (hahaha, as if I haven't said it several times to him already). Hehe, for sure everyone in TKM will watch this production. Which reminds me to contact Tuxqs about that one.

So what else have I been up to lately? Nothing much, really, ahehehe.

Went to CCP last Wednesday evening to check out Insiang's run through before their invitational DTR on Thursday, but to my dismay, it was still a stop-and-go as they were still fixing the technicals, so I decided to leave and attend to my hungry stomach sometime in the middle of Act 1, hahaha.

But I still got to watch the Thursday DTR, thanks to Zee and Penny. Of course, even though Tad, Chrome, Marj, Tara and I got pretty comfortable seats on the last row of the bleachers, Sir Chris told us to sit on the benches in the arena area so the actors can rehearse with audience members in that part of the theater. We obliged, except for Tara, who managed to escape as she was chatting with a friend there on the bleachers, hahaha. As for me, my back was needed a backrest the whole time, ahehe.

Then I got to watch the play's first act yesterday with Carlo, Micah and Oliver. This time, we got to sit on the bleachers, where I had wanted to sit the night before, hehe. While we were waiting for the show to begin, I overheard two girls sitting in front of me talking about how they missed Avenue Q and how one of the girls can make it up to the other, such as watching NVC's Into the Woods. Then I got bored and after making Micah, Carlo and Oliver search for the little Philippine flag in the set, we ended up playing this search game, looking for objects all over the set, hahahaha!

Anyway, I'm off for now. Have a bunch of things to do before Aris' birthday celebration tonight.

so yeah, I'm happy, hahaha!

I remember last year, when Tin and I talked about finding "happiness."

Am I happy?

Yes, I am.

The simple joy of celebrating with two scoops of ice cream with cherries on top felt so good.

The funniest moments came when we decided to drop by the conference room to check out Insiang rehearsals. Nearly everyone knew in a matter of minutes. Their smiles showed that they had heard the news. Hahaha, all thanks to Chrome for that one.

That was a day off that was well-spent, hahaha.

a real day off

Holy kamote, I'm spending my day off here in Taft, of all places, hahaha.

After a busy closing weekend of Avenue Q, I've been itching to do an update, but everytime I go online and try to blog, I don't know where or how to start it. Writers block while blogging? That's a first for me.

Last Wednesday, I went to watch DUP's production of As You Like It (Filipino version) with Tad, Wenah, Marj, Chrome, Kat, Jen, Russ and (at last!) Nicco, hahaha! Thanks to Victor for the tickets. Someone was quite the space case when he told me to just meet up with them at the North Edsa MRT station instead of Quezon Avenue station. Hahaha. But thank goodness I was meeting up with Nicco there so we took the MRT again to Quezon Ave. Hehe, when we were about to board the UP jeep, it turned out that Tad, Wenah, Marj and Chrome were also on the same jeep. We arrived at almost the same time.

After the show, we hitched a ride with Paolo back to CCP, where everyone was meeting up with Sugus to celebrate his birthday. I went with them because it was easier to go home from there. I had planned to stay for a while at the place where they were going to eat at, but due to someone's brooding, I felt so off that I just decided to leave.

(Honestly, I hate it pag may nagtatampo sakin, even if it's over the most trivial of things or even when you're just acting up. It's not that it pisses me off. Ayoko lang ng may galit sakin.)

Haha, in between shows on Saturday, I was just sitting in the lobby of the auditorium and saw three people walking towards the venue. It took me a while to realize who they were as my vision is going crazy these days. It was Paolo, Mailes and Cris, hahaha! Paolo was there to read for Dogeaters and Mailes and Cris just went with him. Cris had already read for a different role the day before as well as Nicco and Bryce. Hahaha, when they saw me, I think I knew that their smiles at me meant something. Ahehehe.

Our house is being renovated this week, and the whole place is a mess. Every room is being repainted, the ceilings needed new wood and new lights have been installed. Thank goodness we have the annex so at least there's a place to sleep. Well, actually, that's just for my parents, hahaha. I have to sleep in the living room. Plus I finally got to have my room painted blue! Yay! Hehehe, while the other rooms (except the annex, which is painted mint green) remain off-white, I have a blue room at last! I can't wait for the entire house to be finished to I can fix up my room.

So Avenue Q closed last Sunday... but only for now. Hope to see you guys at the repeat in December, hehehe. Of course, one concern about that repeat is that will anyone still take notice of Dogeaters in November? We'll see.

Anyway, on the evening of closing, I didn't bother going to the cast party due to some concerns, plus I was damn tired of coming home late already. Ahem, why put off certain responsibilities to party? Oh well.

On Monday, we came in an hour later than our usual time to get some well-deserved rest. But once we were in the office, we had so much to do because of all the stuff we had dumped after the show. Cleaning time once again. Moved a few stuff, returned things to where they used to be, stacked the Pepsi products against one wall and moved a couple of chairs. Yay, the office doesn't look much like a dump anymore with all that Avenue Q merchandise everywhere. Yesterday, I attacked the files and ended up with more stacks than I had expected. Instead of just Avenue Q stuff, I also had Dogeaters. But wait, there's more. I realized that I had King and I files somewhere. Huwaw.

After a long day, I met up with Nikki and we both got new haircuts. Hahaha, this is the 2nd production this year that I had cut my hair right after its run. Whee, I can't believe I actually enjoyed having a haircut. I used to be content with just wearing my hair long and loose.

Bobby had let us take the day off today. Yay. So I dropped by good ol' CSB again regarding my return, and then met up with Bei and her friends. I have yet to figure out what to do with the rest of the afternoon. Maybe I'll bum around at Harbour Square as usual.

weekender

Found some time before I go off to work to blog, hahaha. Good thing we don't have to go to the office early on Sundays.

Got to watch Mulan's open DTR last Thursday evening with Iam, Ge and Nikki. Ahehehe, it's funny, Iam and I were watching a play that was seemed like a Chinese opera, and mga pekeng Chinese ang mga kasama namin. Well, Mulan is actually a children's play, but I loved its music, and I'm not just saying that just because Sir Jed wrote it, hahaha. It had a lot of indicative gestures, and their colorful costumes were kinda bulky. Interesting wushu choreography though. I loved the scene with all the soldiers! Riki, Bong and Russ all had these different characters, and they were hilarious.

This weekend's turnout of Avenue Q's doing good so far. I haven't gotten to watch any of the shows this weekend, as I've been enjoying too much of Bravo's dips and stuff, hehe. We had the most action during yesterday afternoon's matinee show, as Lorna had gotten Starbucks and MyDestiny internet as sponsors, and they had set up a corner where you can have your photo taken with a stuffed pink letter Q, feather boas, and a sign that says "Spread the fuzz." Hahaha, that was pretty cool. As for the evening show, it had been sold out weeks ago.

We celebrated Bobby's birthday in between shows, chowing down on huge boxes of pizza and buckets of fried chicken, washing them down with cans of Pepsi products, hahaha. Crazy hirits all around, mostly from the birthday boy while he took pictures of everyone.

Ahahaha, and then while we were still just hanging around the lobby, Bobby turned to Ate Sally and kept adding additional last minute guests for the evening show, including an old flame of mine. When I reacted with a snort, Bobby suddenly knew, and kept teasing me, along with Ate Sally, Bernice and Bettina. Holy kamote. "Crush mo siya no, Hogi?" (when I was just chuckling to myself.) "Kaya pala ganyan ang T-shirt mo." (when they noticed that I had knotted my shirt in the back to make it tighter.) "Magpapa-cute na si Hogi." (when I stood up to go to the bathroom.) "Did you boyfriend pick up his tickets yet?" "He's lonely, sitting alone. Go sit with him." Crazy.

Anyway, gotte get off my bum and start moving. Thank goodness we only have afternoon shows on Sundays.

And one more thing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NAR!!!

back online

Carlo had said that I've been MIA online, hahaha. I actually missed the Internet, but even now, I'm too tired to check all my email and heck, updates on Multiply.

Avenue Q had opened this past weekend. But my goodness, before it had its press night and opening night, the week was crazy. When I had gone to the theater on Wednesday afternoon for a little setup in the lobby as well as to check out the DTR. After fixing the seat numbers in the entire theater and had a little briefing with our ushers, something went wrong. The soundboard had short-circuited and well, let's just say that it made a huge delay, and so we got to watch the DTR without mic lapels and the band. Holy kamote. But I truly thank Miss Mel of Domino's Pizza for coming through for us when we needed last minute food.

Despite mishaps and all, we survived opening weekend! Running around to pull out tickets from Ticketworld, hauling tons of packed meals to the theater via that service elevator that takes forever, ticket mixups (ARGH), disappearing loge seats (where does M16 keep disappearing to?) and etcetera can be quite crazy, but I guess fulfilling in a way, as I missed working at the front of house last year. And because I missed pigging out on Bravo's crostini with their assorted dips and spreads, that's what I did this year, combing with Propel Active Water to wash everything down, hahaha.

One more this I had missed out on last year was people watching, while just sitting in the lobby. Sometimes it's always a nice surprise to find people you don't expect to arrive. My favorite was Jenny. Heck, I already knew that she was back from Hawaii, and I had also told her to watch Avenue Q once I had found out that she was coming home. But finally seeing her again in the flesh was hilarious. It took me a while to register who was standing in front of me, and according to her, my reaction was so slow and gradual, hahaha!

And once again, getting guests was always last minute. I managed to alter Zee, Carlo and Micah's afternoon plans so they can watch the show. My apologies to the rest of the BFFs, by the way, specially to Nar (whose birthday is coming up, nyahaha)!

Yesterday, even though I haven't caught up with my sleep, I decided to drop by good ole CCP after our matinee show, declining dinner invites by Peachy and Sundee (my usual quip here to those who know), and Chari ("May date ka nanaman," she had said, and this time, well, I can't say anything to deny anything). I ended up joining the AC at Jorge's and Denisa's place somewhere in Pandacan.

Man, I just love love love Horhe's house! It's so spacious, and I also fell in love with those stairs. Drinks, talking and music galore, and when the rain let up, with all went next door to Denisa's house, which I fell in love with too. It's so zen. We all settled in the cool living area to have more drinks, and because I'm not really a social drinker, I forgot about my drink on the table, when it was more than halfway through, haha. When we started pigging out on the chips and stuff, Denisa then said that it wasn't for free, and had each of the AC perform a little song, hahahaha! And my favorite was their improv song, which I regret that none of us had recorded, darn!

Anyway, I'm off to bed. Ahahaha, I'm not exactly done with my blogging yet, as I owe people a whole lot of explaining to do, if you know what I mean, hahahaha! G'night all!

backlog: no sleep

So Circa had closed last Sunday. By the by, to Nikki, Misch, Allein and Christian, thanks for watching! Ahehehe...

Last Sunday, my only plans were to just be there for the closing show, and hang out at the front-of-house with Paulo. Minette had also said that she and Carlo were planning to watch a movie that night. I actually had no plans as to what I really wanted to do. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, that's for sure.

The house was packed that very afternoon, overflowing even. I just went inside the theater just to check out the last scene of Act 1. So it was back to the front-of-house. Hahaha, Wenah and Ate Donna were there as well.

Ahehehe, I just have to blog this. Wenah had sent a text message to her friend, saying sad daw siya. I laughed out loud at her friend's reply: "Isipin mo na lang na maganda ka. Matatawa ka na nun." Something like that, wahahaha.

So anyway, by the time the show was done, I still had no idea what I wanted to do. I honestly wanted to go out and do something without spending much. But at the same time, I wasn't in the mood to do anything. I decided to join Sugus, Chrome, Tad, Henry, Kuya Bong, Daryl, Anna, Jen, Tara and Kat at Sugus' house before they go off to Ana's house for the cast party. I thought that I could just hang around, have dinner, and when they leave for Ana's, I could just go home.

I ended up still going to the cast party, ahehehe. What's funny is that after weeks of forgetting to eat, this time, I forgot that we all had dinner at Sugus', and I ended up still eating at Ana's. So there was food, videoke and laughs all around, specially when they were bashing one particular cast member who wasn't there, hahaha.

And yes, well, there's that. Not really a big step, we just decided to give it a try. Hahaha, I already knew that the moment I had left the party, someone's gonna get cornered. Ahehehe, will blog about this one another time.

Anyway, when I got home, I only had an hour of sleep before I had to get off my bum and go to work. Aside from the endless errands that kept me on my toes, Ate Sally had hinted that I can't really leave by the time Avenue Q closes. She said that I have to stay until Dogeaters. Oh shoot. I really need to resign by then to take care of things to go back to school. Plus my mom had even called that I will only stay until this month. Now I know that it's important to finish pending projects that you have started, but if it's for the sake of having a designated contact, can't I just delegate it to the next person that we'll train? Miss Berns, Chari, would that be alright?

*crosses fingers*

By the way, because I was uber busy working in the office that I never got to attend Avenue Q rehearsals, I won't be manipulating the Mrs. T and Princeton in that one particular scene anymore. Phew. There's a load off my back.

Anyway, despite having no sleep yesterday, I still managed to keep myself awake. Plus the food sponsors had perked me up, hahaha. Even though I never managed to finish a whole Whopper meal from Burger King before, I was so surprised that I actually finished one within minutes. Then there's that long overtime because we had to wait for Miss Berns and Jem, so we ended up leaving the office at almost 9 in the evening. Oh well, at least I still have that other Whopper, hahaha.

This day wasn't as hectic, but I was still running errands. At least we closed the office at the usual 6pm. At first I decided to wait for Gino to leave his own office in the next block, but when he said that he still had work to do, I decided to take a cab to CCP, bringing with me some packed meals from yet another sponsor, Teriyaki Boy. I ended up with 3 rice meals, and was supposed to give one to Gino. I was about to hail a cab outside our office when this van started beeping the horn directly at me. I didn't know who it was at first, but then I realized that it was Chiquita's PA. As it turned out, Chiquita himself was having his hair done at the hair salon in the building next to ours.

Waited for Gino to get out, and dragged him with me to CCP. By the time we got there, we had our own reasons so we would not drop by Mulan rehearsals, so we decided to hang out somewhere else. Hehehe, we ended up eating our packed meals at Teriyaki Boy Harbour Square. We decided to buy some drinks para hindi naman nakakahiya, even though the resto is really a sponsor for Avenue Q. Hahaha, Tad ended up leaving rehearsals early and hung out with us, so he got the 3rd packed meal.

Huwaw, I'm supposed to blog more, but when I looked at the time, I suddenly feel sleepy, ahaha. Will continue tomorrow. Ahehehe, I'm sure some of the ones who are reading this already know the news. Hep hep, wag ulit mag-assume ng kung anu-ano. Chismis yan.

backlog: back to school?

Another backlog, hahaha. I didn't get to go online this weekend, but I did manage to find some time alone to write down some stuff.


Friday, August 31, 2007

Back in Starbucks Harbour Square once again, just killing time before Circa.

Well, this week has been quite the rollercoaster. After spending an afternoon with one of my best friends early this week, the next days weren’t as fine, especially with my certain status at home. I guess that’s why I’ve been kind of aloof and sort of spacey at work. Once again, my parents were on my case about my direction in life.

So what happened? 2 days of loud one-sided talks with the parental units (once my dad raises his voice, he doesn’t listen to reason except his own), then I began to get myself acquainted with the new SDA building. Lots of waiting, re-filling out forms that I had filled out before, talking with Sir Gerry (who made a point to say, “I make sure that all students who have been under my wing will graduate.”), double-checking both old and new flowcharts as well as old and new course codes, and finally, to my dismay, I have to take subjects that weren’t in my initial flowchart due to the school’s new policy.

By January, I will be a full-time student again. With a full course load. And there’s no turning back now. I really want to finish this. No more putting it off and procrastination just because a cool new production is coming my way and I really have to be part of it. Two whole terms of classes again. And the funny part in all this is that I’m actually excited to go back to school, hahaha.

What’s even funny is that when I looked at the subjects that I need to take, I found this one particular subject called Production, Stage and Theater Management. Holy kamote. I have to take a class like that? But what have I been doing for the past 3 years that I haven’t been in school? Hahaha!


Am now sitting in the house of the Little Theater, waiting for open house while some of the cast members are doing mic check. Man, I can’t believe that this is the final weekend of Pilipinas Circa 1907. Then Avenue Q will be opening next week and will run for 3 weeks. And after that… what will I do? When Zee and Micah caught up with me at Starbucks earlier, I had quipped that maybe I’d try a part-time job, say, like a barista, hahaha! Hmmm… now that’s a thought. I already have a form that I had picked up in the coffee shop. There’s no harm in trying, right? I mean, what if I don’t really get any racket during my 3 months of bumming? I need some money by Christmas. Oh well. It’s just a part-time job anyway, so I hope the parental units won’t complain that much. Then maybe try to get in as a dresser for Dogeaters? Wahehehehe.
 

rainy afternoon

Spending a rainy afternoon with a friend is one of my simple pleasures. That's what late this afternoon was like. Hung out at Ari's house and bugged him while he worked during his day off.

Hahaha, I took advantage of his internet connection while I dodged questions he threw at me about my current state of mind, because of some  previous blog entries that I had posted online. We talked and joked around, and even though we hadn't seen each other in a while, nothing had changed. Hahaha, I guess I have to say that the funniest moment we had was when he was checking out my phone and came across some unexpected messages, hahahaha!

When we decided to get something to eat (yay, Teena, we had bacon and rice, HAHAHAHA!), his friend Max dropped by and joined us. After stuffing ourselves, we hung out in the little garden and talked some more until Max had to go. Then we went back upstairs so Ari can go back to work. But I was still in the way, surfing a few pages online when he wasn't doing anything, wahahaha.

Finally, after dodging those questions all afternoon, I finally opened up. Of course, he then starts lecturing me again like he always does, but in this case, like some previous situations, I guess I deserved it. We kept talking until I had to go home, and my golly, without fail when we have conversations like this, even without meaning to, I suddenly burst into tears. It was actually pretty comforting. I needed that talk.

He knows me too well that it's freaky. Sometimes it can feel weird to have a ex-boyfriend as a best friend, but I'm still grateful for him. Thanks for this afternoon, dear. Well, thank you for everything.

high school meme

Got this from Tricia's LJ.

1) Where did you graduate from and what year?
De La Salle Zobel batch 1999. Niors-Se!

2) Who was your significant other?
I never had one while I was in high school.

3) Was your Prom a night to remember?
Hmm... Well, it wasn't a big night to remember. In junior year, it was sort of exciting at first because of the idea of dressing up. In senior year, it wasn't really memorable at all because the program was too long and I had to go home right away, as I had an early call time for our school musical production the next day.

4) What was your fav. song you danced to the night of PROM?
I forgot. But what I'll never forget was the time the Funky Bunch stood on the table and danced to "Macho Man". Plus even though I loved Toto's "I'll Be Over You," I kept hoping that the song wouldn't be played because some guy I didn't really like wanted to dance to it with me.

5) Do you own all 4 Yearbooks?
Yep. Though I don't think I actually paid for the first 3. Nyahaha. Oh the benefits.

7)What was your fav. Movie in Highschool?
I didn't really have a favorite movie back then. Though I was sort of a fan of teenybopper flicks and no-brainers. I rented movies from the video store at least 3 times a month, and watch movies alone on Saturdays after music lessons.

8) What was your number 1 choice of College in HS?
Hmmm... did I have one? UP, I think.

9) what radio stations did you jam out to in highschool?
I hardly listen to the radio, but the service van was always tuned in to Campus Radio, hahaha.

10) Were you involved in any organizations or clubs?
Was a Computer Club member for 3 years (GEEK!), was in the track and field team as well as LSYC. I think I was also part of the programs and planning committee of the SRCC, but I hardly did much there.

11)What was ur fav class in Highschool?
English has always been my favorite subject, no question there. Plus PEHMA during the time when I was in track because we were exempted from PE, Art and Music classes, hehehe.

12) Who was your big crush in Highschool?
I never had a big crush on anyone then. Maybe little crushes, but forgettable.

13) Would you say you've changed a lot since highschool?
Hell yeah. I was too quiet back then. I was such a wallflower. I wonder what my batchamtes would think when they see me now.

14) What do you miss the Most about it?
The simplicity of life. Those uniforms, hahaha. The Cadlum Hall and how our barkada was formed because of that. The McDo days with the Funky Bunch.

15) Your worst memory of HS?
The last official days of senior year.

16) Did you have a car?
None.

17)What were your school colors?
Green, gold and white.

18) who was your fav. teacher?
Did I have a favorite teacher?

19) Did you own a cell phone in highschool?
Hindi pa uso ang cellphone back in high school! We only had pagers back then, and I shared mine with two other friends back in junior year.

20) Did you leave campus for lunch?
Nope. It's not allowed.

21) if so, where was your fav. place to go eat?
The benches in the covered walk, and the Cadlum Hall.

22) Were you always late to class?
Nope.

23) Did you ever have to stay for Sat. School?
Nope.

24) Did you ever Ditch?
I never tried that. I was such a goody-goody.

25) When it comes time for the reunion will you be there?
Heck, yeah. It would be nice to see how everyone turned out.

weekend entry 2: brooding

Here's entry 2 of the weekend.


Sunday, August 26, 2007

Sitting at my favorite spot in Starbucks Harbour Square. There have been lots of things swimming in my head since yesterday, but I didn’t find the time to write them down.

All week, I’ve been thinking of this one particular thing. If I don’t go through with it, I might regret it, complete with all these "what if" questions that will haunt me for quite some time. But if I go through with it, I might regret it even more with some possible consequences that might emerge. Oh well. Things didn’t go as planned anyway. I somewhat feel relieved that it didn’t happen. But at the same time, I also feel a bit disappointed that things fell through.

The mind is such a complicated thing. Some people can be so complicated also. Not that I’m saying that I’m not as complex, hahaha. But sometimes, some people can be so hard to understand.

Why is it that some people just appear when they need something, or when they discover something new or even just something that appeals to them, only to disappear when things don’t go as expected? Are they only there for the prime selfish reason that they were there for in the first place? How annoying.

And why is it that some people, upon realizing that something won’t happen, will just disappear as well, leaving people hanging?

Ahahaha, I’m just ranting because as some of you may know, I easily get attached to people, and I always have a difficult time detaching. It sucks when people suddenly just get up and go. The funniest of all is this one person who actually thought that I was having a fight with one friend, because we’re not exactly in speaking terms for quite some time. Well, how can we be in speaking terms, when that friend had already chosen not to stay in touch with other friends that he/she knows that he/she will eventually leave behind.

Once again, nakakapagod magtampo. Hahahaha.

It’s been quite a while since I found some alone time like this. I actually enjoy just sitting here, watching the people go by outside, not thinking about the time or whatever it is that is bothering me once I get out of this comfort zone. Idealistic? Well, maybe. Sometimes being so is a good thing, but not all the time. Sometimes my naïveté is the one that puts me in certain scrapes that I can’t help getting into. Well, maybe most of the time, hahaha. And then I’d have quite a difficult time digging myself out of it. I don’t know. Even though I’m naïve, I get pretty stubborn that I wouldn’t know how to react to certain things anymore.

I’ve been thinking too much. That’s another one of my problems. I think too much, yet everything stays in my head. Sometimes when people ask me if anything’s wrong, I just ramble on about such trivial things that pretty much nothing makes any sense. Maybe I don’t have the right outlet. Maybe that’s why my head keeps hurting, hehehe.

Here’s another thought. My mom’s on my case again. She’s been complaining about  my late nights, with meager pay. Can someone please explain to her my chosen career path? I can’t get through to her anymore. I’ve been doing this for about 7 years already, and they still don’t understand anything. Where the heck is the support? My parents, and even my brother are ready to give up on me. Well, so am I on them. I’m the family misfit anyway. If only it were easy to get away.

Back in the LT lobby. Too many people already, waiting for open house of Circa’s 3pm show. Students again, just milling around.
 

weekend entry 1: on my blogging

I didn't get to go online much this weekend, but thanks to my my best friend's laptop, I managed to still keep my thoughts and my mind intact.

Here's entry 1 out of 2 for this weekend.


Friday, August 24, 2007

Am typing this while sitting in Starbucks Harbour Square. Being such the dial-up baby that I am at home that I only rely on Internet cards to go online (because I’m the only one in the house who knows how to use a computer), my last prepaid card ran out, so I’m sort of deprived of the Internet. Thank goodness I still have my best friend’s laptop (hahaha, still taking advantage of its time with me) so I can blog out of boredom right now while waiting for the time.

While I was just sitting around earlier, thinking whether I should right down things to blog about once I go online, I remembered my little space on the web where I actually keep a private blog. Hahaha, because I had told a couple of friends that that is where I keep all my dirty little secrets as well as some of theirs (think of an older techie version of Harriet the Spy’s notebooks), one of them had said that it’s so tempting to hack it... well, if they knew what it was. Yipes, what in the world am I saying right now? Wahahaha, I’m saying too much of myself already.

Anyway, so where was I? I was thinking about that certain private blog, and then I realized that I haven’t opened it in months. I had created that account a few years back to write down all the things that I couldn’t put down in my public or even filtered entries. My first entry had consisted of a secret that I was too afraid to tell anyone yet at that time. It felt comforting that I still had an outlet for certain things like those. So I still kept that blog and kept writing. I had stopped blogging there sometime this year, and for a while I had no idea why I did. Until now, while I was staring through the glass at the bay.

I was never used to trusting people with my secrets. Partly because I grew up not being close to any family member. I was always the quiet observer, and very secretive. That’s why I found blogging so therapeutic. No matter how much drama came my way, I relied on my good ol’ blogs to keep me sane. That way, I don’t have to bother any people with my problems. Having that optimistic facade that I exude, I never wanted to show anyone that I was mad, lonely, unhappy, or anything negative. So most of my rants have been recorded in my blogs for quite a few years now. I remember one time when I was having a bad day in school because of particular people in my org. I got so annoyed with them that I suddenly walked out of the cubicle in my own quiet way and ran off to the INook to rant about them in my blog. A few days later, a couple of orgmates managed to find my blog and found out that I was ranting about them. That had shut them up. Well, for a while, anyway, hehehe.

Little by little, I had learned to be more open to other people aside from my best friends, who can make me as transparent as they want me to be. I had also learned how to trust my friends with certain things that I was afraid of back then. I guess that’s how I became even more of a drama queen, hahahaha! I know for a fact that a number of people who are reading this right now had already fell victim to at least a couple of Hogi’s episodes, ahehehehe. Anyway, I am truly grateful to those who had helped me open up more, be more vocal about what I’m thinking, and be more honest with myself and my own emotions. My apologies for having to bear with my drama moments every now and then, hahaha.

Anyway.

Avenue Q press conference was held at Greenbelt early yesterday afternoon. Hehehe, the only thing I usually looked forward to during presscons were the free food, and the occasional gift bags. After Crisdel and I had brought all the gift bags from a couple of sponsors to the venue (it took us two trips), we nabbed our own table and attacked the food. Hehehe, yum. I took advantage of our short time there with the food.

After Circa closes, Avenue Q will open. One more production that I look forward to, hehehe.

watching an audition

Nar's text message to me while we were on opposite corners of the room: "Hogiii! Hahaha. Dudugo ilong ko sa dami ng match maker."

Wahahaha.

I went with Nar to Rep's auditions for Fiddler on the Roof this evening. I wanted to check it out anyway, as I had never been to an audition of Rep. And nope, I didn't audition, nyahaha. Anyway, I think Nar was grateful to find someone to go with, because he had no idea how to get to the audition on his own. Hahaha.

When we arrived at Rep, it was kind of chaotic. People were everywhere, and the audition forms were just sitting there on the table. For some reason, it reminded me of the GTF auditions, minus the control numbers, hahaha. We got a little lost because after Nar had filled our his form, we had no idea where to submit it. It seemed that most of the people knew what to do, most likely they were all familiar with everything and everyone. Kamusta naman yun diba. Then most of the people then poured inside the rehearsal room, whether they were auditioning or not. Teena and I sat by the glass windows for some time, just watching the kids audition first.

Hehehe, syempre full force ang support ko kay Nar. When it was his turn to audition (his form was accidentally included in the pile for the girls), I stood up and cracked open the door to listen to him sing, hahaha. Actually, I didn't need to, as when I had returned to my spot next to Teena, his voice was still pretty audible from behind the glass. Yahoo, callback for Nar.

After a while, Teena and I followed Etienne inside so we can watch and listen to the others. After a while, Nar wanted to grab a bite to eat, so I went with him. Huwaw, the moment we got through the door, we heard that it was really raining uber hard. But did that stop us? Hahaha, no way. Even with our umbrellas, it was crazy! Because the rain was really coming down and the Rep office was at the bottom of a slope, we were practically wading, HAHAHAHA! We found a carinderia a couple of blocks away, but my feet were drenched by the time we got there. But hello to nilagang baka, hehehe. Cheap food rocks. Easy to access as well. At least I don't have to wait for about half an hour for food to arrive after calling for delivery, which was what some of the people did just to avoid the rain.

When we returned to Rep, there were a few left trying out, then everyone had a 10 minute break before the guys' dance audition. When they began, I left the room to charge my phone and ended up hanging outside the Rep office talking with Boyd and Peach.

Hahaha, daig ko pa ang stage mother sa support. "Stage friend"? Hahaha, labo. I specially loved how we braved the darn rain just to have dinner. Well, at least now I know where to get cheap food in case the place in Karrivin where I used to buy food is closed.

Still have a whole bunch of things in my mind. Going to the auditions was a good distraction, as I had a blast along with some friends. To Nar and the rest of the people who will be going to the callbacks tomorrow, break a leg!

A little drama won't hurt

I don't know why I keep getting myself into situations like these. I don't like this setup, I try to avoid it, yet here I am again.

Don't even try asking me what this is, what made me want this, or even how I feel about this entire thing, because all you'll get from me is incoherence.

I'm crazy, yes. I already know that. Suddenly I remember one of Tara's recent blog posts. Some people's blog dramas are so contagious, hahaha. Just kidding. Maybe.

Hep, hep, wag ulit mag-assume kung anong drama ito, hahaha. OK, enough drama. For now.

getting acquainted with Mrs. Thistletwat and Princeton

I had never thought that I'd have the Avenue Q experience. I was initially glad that I won't be cutting myself in half working in the office and working backstage (like last year in Doubt), but hey, this could be fun.

When Chari had messaged me this past Monday, asking if I could attend rehearsals, even though I had no idea what I was getting into, I couldn't help it, I said yes, hahaha. Then Miss Bernice had dropped by Atlantis the following morning and I told her so. As it turned out, they needed an extra pair of hands. Literally.

So off I went to the rehearsal venue this afternoon, and the moment I had stepped in, Bobby instantly called "Pogi" once again, and even introduced me to the cast as that, until he told the story of how little Pepe got around to calling me by that name. Hahaha. Once I had approached Bea and Mariko, I was told of what to do.

Hello, Mrs. Thistletwat and Princeton.

But hey, compared to the puppets Marvin had made for Meynard's class a couple of years ago, these were a bit smaller, and much lighter (*relief*). Mariko then introduced me to the puppets, and taught me how to manipulate them. Mrs. T was a little stiff, but I guess that's because she's hardly used. Princeton was already broken in and easier to manipulate, but I still felt awkward. And it's tiring if you're not used to it. Ack. Hahaha, Bobby had said that I should try talking to Ate Sally as if with a puppet so I can practice.

Despite how tiring having a puppet on my arm was, it was actually fun. Specially when I tried Princeton, because he was easier to handle. Hopefully Mrs. T would loosen up before opening night, hahaha. Thanks to Mariko, Chari and Joel for coaching me.

A little chat with Lambert, our SM, after rehearsal. I had told him that I had come across his name while reading my copy of Sir Dennis' Ang Buhay ay Pelikula, where he part of as one of the actors. He wondered how I managed to get a copy, and I told how I attended a lecture during the summer by Bart Guingona. As it turned out, Lambert used to be in TP Actors Company. Huwaw. Hahaha, while we talked, Bea even quipped that I practically live in CCP. Anyway, I ended up saying that I took workshops under Tanghalang Pilipino, until Lambert finally asked the question I was anticipating, which is the very same question people ask me. "Bakit di ka mag-audition sa AC?"

Oh well.

back for another week

I'm alive once again, hahahaha! To start off, I'm just going to cut and paste the random stuff that I had typed yesterday.


August 12, 2007

Am typing this while sitting on the floor of the Little Theater lobby, just right in front of the Dream Theater. Hahaha, I’m just taking advantage of my best friend’s laptop.

Once again, I haven’t blogged in about a week, so I’m taking this free time to do so.

Pilipinas Circa 1907 opened last Friday, with an open DTR the day before. Ahehehe, I had finished the supertitles the week before that, and attended rehearsals during production week so I can rehearse the slides with the actors’ lines. Unfortunately, I only managed to get the LCD projector last Wednesday, a day before the show’s open DTR. And due to the typhoon, certain areas got flooded, including the Little Theater, holy kamote. To make things worse, because the power kept fluctuating, the computer I was using was goofing up, until I had given up on it. Arg. I ended up not doing the supertitles during the DTR.

I needed a laptop for the opening gala show on Friday, and thanks to Riki and Henry, I managed to use Henry’s laptop for the supertitles. After setting up the laptop and the projector, I was so relieved that I thought things were OK, but then again, things aren’t always perfectly peachy. Of course, there were some parts that didn’t have an English translation, so I guess Sir Dennis got annoyed. Eep. *crawls under projector table* I felt so bad that I tried to avoid our fearless director during the cocktails after the show. Well, can’t be avoided, of course, ahehehe. If something screws up, you know you should do something about it yourself.

Oh yeah, it was nice to see a familiar face in the lobby. Great seeing you again, Sir Dante! It’s been ages since I saw a familiar face from school.

So even though I managed to get hold of a laptop without harassing the cast (hahaha), I still didn’t get to do the supertitles last night because Sir Dennis had said that we won’t do it yet. Oh well. I guess I have to wait until next week so the English supertitles will be complete. So yesterday, I ended up sitting in the LT lobby during the matinee show, listening to the play via the faint sounds from the monitors while double checking the translations of the script. During the evening, I watched the show with Carlo, Zee and Micah.

I actually didn’t realize that I hadn’t eaten all day yesterday. I only had breakfast in the office, then after typing a few pages of the Aida script (speaking of which, someone hasn’t returned my OCR of the musical), I had to travel back to the south to pick up Ari’s laptop, then to CCP and made it in time for Circa’s opening number. Of course, there was also the fact that I didn’t have enough money on me, hahaha. Thank goodness I got my rehearsal fee during the evening, just enough to let me survive for a couple of days, hahaha.

My mom had talked to me last week about getting a different job. Uhm, yeah, now she wants me to join the call center bandwagon. I’m still considering it. It’s actually tempting because of the money factor, but I always get restless just sitting at one place for an entire day. Plus I’m such a stubborn person and would always insist that I stay where I’m comfortable.

Talk about comfortable, I’m in such a weird position right now. For one person, how can you miss someone you barely know in the first place? And for the other, I’m not really discouraging the actions toward me, but I’m not really encouraging it either. Hahahaha, I’m so crazy that way.

Hmm... I’m actually enjoying lugging this laptop around. I spent this morning sitting on the LT floor (on this very spot where I’m sitting at right now), watching a DVD that I had brought with me. Uhm, Ari, can I keep this until the show closes? Hahahaha! I actually miss having a laptop that I can call my own. Still can’t afford to have my laptop fixed, rawr.

I’m planning to do a major change of routine right after Avenue Q closes. Hahaha, here I go again, making plans that keep falling through. I don’t know what do to anymore. I mean, I still have so many things in mind that I really want to do, but there are so many hindrances that go with them. And for some reason, I still can’t get that parent factor out. It seems that you simply can’t avoid your parents having their own say about your actions, your decisions in life, and whatnot, especially if they have opinions that are so different from yours. The last time my opinions came in conflict with theirs, I ended up with a bruise on my thigh and a script torn to shreds scattered on my bedroom floor. In my own way of silent retaliation, I stayed in bed the whole day, not even coming out to eat. Ahehehe, I’m such a drama queen.

Ooh, I’ve been sitting here for quite a while already that I didn’t realize that the show was already starting. Hahaha, I think I looked so weird earlier just sitting here on the floor while all the people were milling around, waiting for the house to open.

===================================

Hahaha, I can't believe how much I wrote just sitting there on the carpet.

After a while, I got bored and went to watch the first part of the ballet in the Main Theater with Minette. After accompanying Nar in the buff while he grabbed something to eat, the two of us ended up sitting again in the very same spot I was in earlier and watched a DVD on the laptop. When Circa's matinee show ended, we took a peek inside the Conference Room, where the AC was about to doing a reading of Mulan with Sir Dennis. So Nar and I went with Minette back to the TP office and tinkered with one of the computers, surfing the internet until we had to go home.

Oh yeah, to those who were messaging me the whole week last week, my apologies if I haven't been replying. I've been kinda busy, plus the fact that my phone's battery keeps conking out on me.