1. You’re a fan of crappy hip-hop covers: the band we caught playing last night was the SHIT, and I mean SHIT! “Apple-bottom ins, busts with the bur (with the bur), gotta whole love wu-u-wi-ing at her! She shit the flow, necksing ya know shotty gat lo-lo-lo-lo-lo…”
2. You don’t mind waiting some ten minutes for your order, only to hear the waiter say, “Sir wala po palang pizza.”
3. You don’t mind changing your order from pizza to cheesesticks, only to hear the waiter say, “Sir wala po palang cheesesticks” 10 minutes later.
4. You don’t mind ordering a supposedly good-for-two liempo (uyeh) for yourself, only to find out that it’s barely enough for you.
5. You don’t mind ordering java rice, only to be served plain rice ten minutes later without the waiter telling you they ran out of java rice.
6. You don’t mind their people adding garlic rice to your bill without anyone ordering it.
7. You don’t mind waiters turning their backs on you while you’re ordering your food.
8. You don’t mind waiters giving you just ONE menu when there are ten of you seated.
9. You don’t mind being served your food without utensils.
10. You’re out with your friends and you feel like burying your knuckle on anyone’s face.

So, there goes my recommendation of the week. Next week, we’ll move on to crappier places in the metropolis.

Lost causes.

Bad endings and controlled continuities. We can ask what and why and how things fuck themselves up but the thing is that in the end, they just did. They could have been left without any other choice, they may have done it because it’s the lesser evil, they may have done it out of selfishness or greed or helplessness, or in the rarest and end-of-the-line situations, they may have done it because that’s the only way things could end.

New beginnings. Every breath is a new beginning. We can change for the better, we can self-destruct and gamble our lives until we lose everything. We are in control. There is no excuse. We should be responsible for every new beginning we undertake.

And you, you should learn how to deal with your new beginnings if you are to set things right. It’s never too late for anything, but the climb is long and it’s evident that you haven’t started your trip just yet. Don’t wait for the bad endings and unfavorable circumstances catch up to you before you act.

The time is now and you know it; your rock-bottom will never be the rock-bottom of your tomorrow until you stop digging and start moving the right way: up.

Despite our best efforts to keep you afloat and despite all we have done to pave the way ahead of you, you chose the old path you knew all too well, knowing too that this is the same path that led you to that detached, miserable life you had the past couple of years.

I am disappointed at what you have become, and I’m telling you now there’s nothing else I can do. I’ve done everything expected of me and more just to help you get back to your feet and yet you’ve decided to push your luck once more. I’ve lost all hope that you can be the person you once were. We have said that no matter how much time and effort we invest in you, only you can change your ways. You chose to be weak, and now look at yourself. Again you’re left with nothing.

I have told you that I don’t believe in luck, but knowing that you believe in it so much, I want to wish you the best of it in the years ahead. You surely will keep on pushing your chips, no doubt about it, so I guess whatever fucked-up luck you’ve hinged all your dreams in, you’re going to need it.

So good luck.

K-Hon (Cajon). It was one of Kathryn’s sweet gifts for Carlo: that wooden box that’s becoming a staple in acoustic gigs around the country. I half-expected to be able to jam with Carlo (or anyone who could play the K-Hon, for that matter), but it seemed like nobody present could play the instrument.

The fucked-up CD. I burned a disc specially for yesterday’s events; unfortunately for me, the stupid disc won’t play right.

Drinks. Count, count. Red horse: three cans. Bailey’s: one glass. San Mig Light: one can.

Joy’s. After Carlo’s party, I headed for Joy’s and met up with my high school friends. Attendance: Biboy, Lau, PJ, Mike, Mayk, Allan, Joy (and Jal), Jaja, Nino, Vanes, Anjo, and Beng. Tamang inom lang (Miller, Red Horse, and shandy). Tapos natulog na kami. It was an overnight affair and I came home just this morning, at around ten o’clock.

My mom thought I went out to study somewhere. (Actually, I said I was going to study yesterday, but I also said I was going to a party afterwards.) Apparently, I wasn’t supposed to be out partying – not with all the exams next week.