Supposedly Slowing Down

Considering that I haven’t posted anything in three or so weeks, this one’s going to be longer than usual. So, I’m going to have to ask my readers, if there are any left that is, to bear with me.

Thing is, for someone who’s only left with one job now, a part time one at that, I’ve been somewhat busy. No complaints there, since I haven’t been in any way, shape or form socially inactive ever since 1998, but yeah, it does take a toll on me, and not just with the whole blogging thing.

In a nutshell, the past three weeks, I’ve officially stopped being a TV writer, I flirted with a 19 year old girl, I drank ten shots of various cocktails which left me debilitated the following day, helped a girl I once pursued with her own love crisis, I had a sex dream with one of my female co-workers, and watched a bunch of horror movies, all in the spirit of my favorite holiday. Let’s get on with it. (Also, for those of you who have been requesting that I do my rants again, chill the fuck out and wait. They’re coming.)

Regularly Irregular

I’ve officially stepped down from my writing post at the TV network. To those who remember, I requested some time off from the job to prepare from my now historic (in my mind at least) Hong Kong foray. A few weeks after said trip, I ultimately decided to stay away from TV for a bit. (I’ve had more than a few stints in television, and none of them really lasted. Thing is, I’m not really built for it. I realized that after my half a year gig at MTV Philippines.) Still, it was cool getting a phone call from the director of the longest running comedy show in the country to tell me what’s up and to “not forget” him. I know, it’s a polite thing to say and people in the industry speak in such a manner that it’s second nature to them, but still, I liked that. Regardless of what I felt about the job, it was still nice getting the ego stroke.

But, what with me parting ways from the network (for now, at least) and me no longer holding a 9 to 5, I am left with nothing else but the Think Tank. The somewhat abrupt change of pace is a welcome one, especially after the year I had. I think I earned a couple of months of kicking back and just generally chilling, and that, I did in spades.

A little sidenote though, the only thing that sucks about not being in Makati anymore is that I won’t be getting that night of drinking with Hannah. After all, we troubled souls with the “alleged” substance abuse problems need to stick together amidst the generally judgmental and eternally boring normal people.

Gas Station Politics

After last month’s episode with the Tapa King, I thought I wouldn’t be seeing that shit eating grin of his for a while, but then again, like an unexpected fart in an elevator or a zit on the night before prom, the unofficially ex-communicated shows up at a drinking session at the gas station, acting like all was well. Seriously, how dense/egocentric does a person have to be to ignore the very obvious fact that no one wants him around, at least for the time being? But there he was, all chummy and not even the slightest bit amusing. While I appreciate the attempt, the fact that he acted like nothing was wrong makes his attempt well beyond the normal tenets of lameness.

I don’t think I need to discuss how showing up at a drinking session fully dominated by a bunch of motormouths, each and every one of which he pissed off to some degree, ended up. Let’s just say that if Jonic’s tirade from the last encounter didn’t get the message across, that night at the gas station did.

I know he’ll be back, especially taking into consideration the absence and eventual return of the Big Man, The Human Torch, the Critic and even myself. But we all came back somewhat improved a bit. If he wants to hang, it’s going to start with a very basic principle: know that you are a douche, accept that you have been a douche, admit that you have been a douche, and work on not being a douche anymore.

A Stretch Halloween

I’ve always been vocal about how much I love Halloween. My Halloween season started out with staying in the office to watch a bunch of horror movies, then hit a high point when the Big Man, his wife, Jonic and two of his retarded (a compliment) friends, and myself hitting Tagaytay once more to have a healthy dose of alcohol and an almost unhealthy amount of good times. The Big Man’s wife got drunk, which was a treat, cause she rarely got drunk these days, and because she’s a funny drunk. I’m talking loud, uninhibited, throw-up anywhere drunk. Hell, she was so wasted, she couldn’t even get up to join the obligatory after drinks breakfast.

There was even a period there wherein I made it a point to speak with any and all women in the bar that Jonic liked and scored phone numbers for them. (I had to use my lack of shame for something,)

It was an awesome night, to say the least, and yeah, since the Grill closed, I may have found my new bar. (Alongside Marbles that is.)

Old Men and Old Habits

A day after that little adventure, the Big Man and I went off to visit Marvi, who was admitted to the hospital due to dengue, and that itself was an adventure. We got lost, despite the fact that it has been a hospital I visited at least once before, and the fact that I asked Chad, who lives in the area, for specific directions, and I had Google Maps on me. What can I say, I’m not always the stupid one in my group, but when I am, I play that role to its full extent.

The whole getting-lost-in-an-area-only-40-minutes-away-from-where-we-live served its purpose, as the Big Man was able to unload some heavy shit long the way. I can’t discuss any specifics, but while the writer in me is curious as to how a decision he’s contemplating would end up, the friend in me somewhat wishes that he doesn’t go that road. Either way, we all, as individuals and as a group, have survived numerous paradigm shifts. We’ll survive another one, and many more. Surviving, I learned, is one thing that we seem to have all mastered.

After seeing Marvi still as unflappable as she could be despite a potentially fatal disease, surprising no one, the Big Man and I just didn’t want to end the night. That’s when we decided to visit this old dude he has been hanging out with. I met the guy only once, but he was cool for someone who could be old enough to be my dad. So, the trip to the Old Man’s house that was originally intended for the Big Man to just get some money so he and I could do a strip club right turned into some really amusing domestic drinking session. The guy had stories, which is true for most old people, but he was also receptive to what we had to say.

This is the first time I got along with an old person, especially since I’ve never been the respect-your-elders-just-because-they’re-elders type, but I wouldn’t mind integrating the guy more into the group. After all, we are down one member.

Blowing Off Steam

The Big Man, still troubled by his problems, wanted to go out the night after the Old Man’s thing. I, myself, am not averse to drinking three nights in a row, so we went to a bar of ill-repute (after having quite a lot of alcohol in my place) and pretty much tore shit up.

Yup, this is where I flirted with the 19 year old, and yeah, it was fun.

Tides Once More

Monday night came the much anticipated night out with my friends from the Think Tank, and for the second time in the span of a few days, I was back in Tagaytay, ready to abuse my body like the rock star I’m not.

I like how our little outings are planned in advance now, as it gives me something to look forward to. Plus, we went out on the day that one of our own finally managed to land that girl he’s been chasing after for months, there was an actual cause for celebration. I was kinda envious of him though, and not because he’s with someone and I’m single. It’s because it’s been a long time I was that state, wherein it glaringly obvious that I was in love to the point that I would move mountains, burn down villages and take on unnamable fiends just to win my woman’s heart. The last time I was in that state, it ended exceptionally bad, and it’s not that I didn’t love the ones who came after, but it was no longer like that. Every one of the girls that came after never got the best of me, and it’s not that I didn’t want to give that aspect of myself. I just had trouble with the wanting to. I used to be far less logical and far more of a believer. These days, not so much. Who knows, some day, right person, but right now, that’s not something I entirely care about anymore.

So we were there, in Tagaytay, all having a nice dinner (though my dinner comprised entirely of alcohol) and some nice conversation and it dawned on me that it has been a year since we all started hanging out. Yeah, some of them I’ve known a little longer, but around this time last ear, the whole team bonding thing was just beginning to hit its stride. A lot has changed, except for one thing: whenever we’re together, I do feel like we’re better than everybody else. Not that we actually are, but it’s just an energy I get, ad it’s rare that you meet people that make you feel that way. It’s a good thing.

The Third Weekend.

After the succession of alcohol laden days, I’ve decided to take a few days off. (More accurately though, my heart, blood pressure, stomach and the fact that my shit came in exciting new colors forced me to take a few days off.) But, of course, once hte weekend rolled around, it was back to the same old good stuff.

Friday night, I got invited to drink by the girl who I pursued last year, my Erin Hannon. Honestly, if I received that text one year ago, I’d probably be doing cartwheels all over the office. Anyhoo, it was a good excuse to hit the Pub once more.  I even got some work done afterwards.

Saturday, I was supposed to go to Manila for the birthday of the Big Man’s daughter, but considering my sleeping habits as of late, I didn’t make it. Instead, I went to Las Pinas for movie night and a birthday party with a few other members of the Think Tank. There was booze, horror movies, and I even spent all night talking comics and random geeky stuff to the man of the house. It’s quite a contrast to the things I’ve been doing that past few days, but it’s a welcome one.

Sunday, after I managed to squeeze out some work, the Big Man surprisingly messaged asking for drinks, and yeah, I obliged. We drank, his wife once again got hammered in a spectacular way, and then it was off to the bar so I could once again flirt with a girl way too young for me. In my defense, it’s not a midlife crisis if you had a heart attack at 21 and didn’t expect to live past 30. (Then again, I have a couple of months since I actually am past 30, so all bets are still off.)

The Exact Opposite.

The past three weeks have shown me something about my current state. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a guy who prefers to be alone. The reason for this is that I hate people. I think the human populace is filled with mostly idiots. Fuck, I get into arguments at least twice a day, and I’m not exaggerating. I literally mean it when I say that I care more about the well being of my favorite fictional characters than the majority of the chuckleheads out there in the real world. Which is weird since I seemingly spend a great deal of time trying to entertain them, personally and professionally.

In the office, there used to be a joke about me having “first priority friends”. Looking at the past few weeks, I surmise that it’s true. Regardless of what my schedule or my physical state may be, I’m not going to miss any meetings with the Boys or the Scoobies, unless it was humanly impossible for me to be there. I’m not going to pass up an opportunity to talk comics with a fellow geek that I’ve come to respect so much, or to listen to a girl that will always hold a special spot in my life. And I’m not going to miss the chance that me and the remainder of the awesome team I used to belong to get to hang out, secretly diss people and generally have a good time.

Point is, yeah, I’d much rather be alone. I just managed to surround myself with people that have become obvious exceptions to that rule.