It was Saturday again. And for the second week in a row, it was not to be my usually boring Saturday spent at home. It was TristanTales’ despedida. A sendoff. A going-away party. Another chance to show my social ineptitude. But I was darn excited.
And I wasn’t the only one. Hehe.
Arriving at Shangri-la at 4:00 pm and with RubyPurple still stuck in traffic, I held out for as long as I could, completely paranoid and wary of all the guys cruising the mall. I was not in a cruisy mood, nor was I looking for a pre-party date, other than RubyPurple, that is. So after fending off a couple of guys who were intent on making their interests known, I was relieved to get a Save na kita. Andito na ako. message from her.
After a little snack along with a lot of catching up, we got permission from TristanTales to head to the venue... categorically, fashionably early. Okay, fine, we were just too excited to wait.
There were already two other guests there when we arrived. At that point we got comfy on the couch in front of the tellie. Little did we know, we had marked our territory for the evening.
One by one guests started to arrive. One by one by one by one. I estimate there were up to thirty of us there at some point of the evening. I tried to recall everyone’s names and blogs, but it was just an information overload. But lemme try at least.
Of course, BackInTheCloset, RubyPurple, JohnStanley, TristanTales, and TurismoBoi were present. Also there were ClosetGeek, Joaqui, DoctorMcFitch, DocMike, and MkSurf8. Making appearances were ManilaGayGuy, McVie, HerbsD, GibbsCadiz, and AkoSiAris. Also In attendance were WanderingCommuter, MugenBlue, CorporateCloset, Jaybeecc, and JamieDaVinci. There was DatsWhy, PugNosedFreakazoid, ManilaBitch, MrScheez, MrKumplikado and... hingal... wala, I lost it. I apologize to those I’ve failed to mention or gotten confused about. Tao lang po.
It was a bit weird when introductions were called for, as everyone got named according to their blog personas. But what about me? Was I ready to be outed as the HIV-positive blogger? I really had no problem with it. As always, the less I knew a person, the easier it was to disclose.
Some had heard of either this blog or Positivism, and one had even seen the Think Positive documentary of GMA. For some, it may have been the first time they would be meeting someone living with HIV. It was funny how I needed to egg one guy on with Sige! Sabihin mo! as he found it so awkward to even say the letters H, I and V. I did eventually answer some queries, but never forgot I was just there as a guest on TristanTales’ night, and not exactly planning on turning it into an HIV 101 seminar.
I really believe my advocacy for the night was, more than anything I may have said, my mere presence as an HIV-positive person in a completely normal, social setting. When GibbsCadiz said that I looked very healthy, I just said thank you, but knew it was a good thing for me and my ego, as well as for others living with HIV as I stood to give a less dismal face to the virus, and for those who weren’t quite aware of the grim reality that You just can never can tell.
Anyway, back to me and my girl... I’m not sure at what point it happened, but RubyPurple and I made a silent pact... a pact to be a couple for the night. Eating together, drinking together, even bathroom breaks together... okay, maybe not that much of a couple... but I don’t think we were apart for even five minutes of the whole six-plus hours we were there.
We were each other’s security blankets. We had our arms around each other, were holding hands, and may just have been sweeter than the few couples that were present. Trust me, the rainbow coalition may just have been ready to disown me right then and there. But I didn’t care. We were clipped at the hip.
It might take a couple of days before the mold of my ass fades away from that couch, but it’s alright. I got to hang out with old friends, meet new ones, and most of all, I got to spend time with my gal. Nope, no chills down my spine as I say it.
Of course, this was a fabulous gathering of bloggers of all shapes and sizes... I was square and malnourished, of course... from wacky to quacky... I apologize, that should've been Joaqui, but would not have made much difference... and of every color of the rainbow, that only the TristanTales could pull off or be worthy of. So I say... thanks and have a safe trip, TristanTales! Goodbye... for now.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Clipped At The Hip
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Family Day
It was almost 6:00 pm, and the rain was pouring hard. I was hoping it would hold up just long enough to give me time to get to the mall dry to some degree, but it didn’t seem likely. I was nearest to the agreed meeting place, and as such, should have been least likely to be late. So I whipped out my long wind-proof umbrella and decided to brave the rain.
It was Saturday. Payday weekend. Family day.
RubyPurple was going to be late because of traffic. JohnStanley was going to be late because he was coming from further away. I got there late, just as I expected, bogged down further by the huge crowd. I spotted TurismoBoi and his friend as I approached, and greeted them. With so many people lined up waiting to get inside, TurismoBoi decided we go to from Gilligan’s to Max’s instead.
We were seated after a few minutes, ordered for ourselves and started catching up while waiting for the others. RubyPurple soon arrived, followed shortly by JohnStanley.
With the common complaint about the huge number of people at the mall and seeing families all around, I reckon we were the only group not buying school supplies for any kids of our own. But you know what? We weren’t any less of a family amongst ourselves.
RubyPurple and I had been chatting a lot about this get-together this week. Initially, TurismoBoi just had dinner planned, but RubyPurple and I came up with this plan for us to go videoke after. I can’t sing, and RubyPurple denies that she can, so we must’ve been really crazy and really shameless to even fathom this plan.
After our sarap-to-the-bones dinner just before 9:00 pm, TurismoBoi accompanied his friend who had to go, agreeing to meet us at RedBox in a bit. RedBox was packed, so we needed to just wait and hope for a vacancy. With TurismoBoi catching up to us, TristanTales dropping by, an hour, and my tummy full of very gay, very strawberry ColdRock Ice Cream later, and still no room available, we decided to find somewhere else to go.
With RubyPurple and I in a convoy with JohnStanley, TurismoBoi and TristanTales, we scoured the QC area to find other videoke places. Finally, we settled for the only place we knew and could find on Timog Avenue. Although it was already fully-booked at the time, we didn’t have to wait long before a room became available. As we headed up, TristanTales had to leave us to go to a prior engagement in another part of the Metro. And then there were four.
It was already midnight, and after ordering some pulutan and a drink each, and my ARVs safely down my gullet, the show began. Granted, it was TurismoBoi who emerged the real singer among us, everybody was singing. Even me. I know. Gasp. I was actually choosing songs and keying them into the videoke thingy. Gasp again.
And with everything from sad songs to love songs, solos to duets, and pop tunes to novelty songs in our repertoire, the evening was nothing short of fun. In the middle of tonight’s program, without Stop in any of the song lists, sadly, the Spice Girls may have had to disband. But, alas, Smokey Mountain was formed. We now have our signature song, again complete with choreography. Hehehe.
Even a bit of a Stresstabs-iuwi-mo-na-yan moment didn’t dampen things. Fine, TurismoBoi was the runaway winner of the Energizer award, but surprisingly, I kept up. I even found it odd that I didn’t feel drowsy or dizzy because of being up past my bedtime and taking my ARVs.
I think it was past 3:00 am when we finished our queue of songs. It was time to go. Heading our separate ways, with TurismoBoi hitching with RubyPurple and me with JohnStanley, we called it a night... or an early morning. It’s been a while since I was last on a gimmick like this, and certainly a longer while since I had this much fun on a gimmick like this.
No inhibitions, no shame, it was just fun and comfortable. Even if my kumare couldn’t make it, with daddy JohnStanley, mommy RubyPurple, and baby TurismoBoi there... okay fine, I’ll settle for being the lolo, the yaya or the family pet... we certainly had our own version of a family day.
Thanks guys and gal!
Monday, May 04, 2009
I Hate Surprises
The weekend was crazy. Crazy! Absolutely crazy!
I had gotten a text from one of my BFFs, JohnStanley, last week. Hey, clear your Sunday night, akin na yun, ha. Bawal tumanggi. =) First of all, it wasn’t like I had any excuse, or any other plans really. Second, I liked things being planned ahead, so this was great. And lastly, just the way that it was said was such a turn on for the submissive like me. I could have easily answered, Yes, master! or Take me! Take me! Oi... I need a life, don’t I?
What’s there is? Anong meron? I replied. Wala lang, dinner with friends, was what I got back. Hmm, okay. I assumed it was because of JohnStanley’s recent birthday. With my One Fine Day entries fresh in mind, I was told I could bring L if I wanted to. Hahaha. If only he was in town, I would. I asked if he could invite my other BFF instead, RubyPurple. He said he would indeed like to meet his fellow zoomie. Great.
It was really turning out to be a perfect weekend already, as my mom had gone out of town for an aunt’s funeral, and I was lucky enough to weasel my way out of it. So I was left home alone most of the long weekend to enjoy my silence and solitude.
Arriving promptly at our meeting place, zoom-zoom was already waiting out front. I hopped into the back as he introduced me to his friend in the passenger seat. I remember him saying something about a surprise. Surprise?! Panic. He had to be kidding, right? JohnStanley asked me who else I was expecting to see there. I really had no idea, nor given it any thought. He let slip that RubyPurple had confirmed. Hmm, come to think of it, she never told me she was going. So was that the surprise?
It was a short drive to Eastwood as we badgered each other about our respective emo moments lately. With most of what’s been happening already laid out in this blog, there wasn’t much to tell. Getting there before 7:00 pm, RubyPurple was already inside. Introductions all around, catching up ensued. Shortly, TristanTales and TurismoBoi arrived. Oddly enough, TristanTales greeted me with a Happy Birthday, which was followed by a scolding from JohnStanley for ruining the surprise. Ngarrr. What was this about?
Have I told you how I hate surprises? I pride myself for my composure and my poise, and not knowing what’s going to happen exposes me to the risk of losing them. Ngarrr.
Dinner was a fiesta of sisig, pata and inihaw na... Gasp!... pusit. Hahaha, of course, JohnStanley could not let that joke pass. Fine, fine. But throughout, we hardly fell silent, as we talked about everything from worklife, familylife, lovelife, bloglife, sexlife, nightlife, plantlife and anything-else-life in between. Finally, the real gal in the group got a whiff of how discreet guys are together. Yes, I’m talking about RubyPurple. And she certainly kept up. I hope she wasn’t traumatized too badly. Hehehe.
At one point after dinner, I did notice RubyPurple call a waitress and whisper something to her. I brushed it off, but shortly found out. With a cake in hand and candle lit, I saw all the waiters and waitresses, if I’m not mistaken, coming up the flight of stairs. You know how restos like this have the habit of making a scene when it’s a customer’s birthday? It was not my place to assume, but I was terrified. I tried to look around for who it was, but it was too late. They stopped at our table and laid the cake out in front of me. Happy Birthday, ______, I read on the cake.
Throughout their bad song, I don’t know what kind of face exactly I had on. I wanted to faint. I wanted to cry. I was trying to smile. I was in panic. I may have blushed, if I’m capable of that. I could've done a Hatton, even. But I tried hard to can my emotions and keep my composure. I knew how bad it was when, probably because of nerves, I dropped one of my pills as I was about to drink my ARVs. Good thing I didn’t drop it into the icing on the cake.
Ngarrr. Connivance. Conspiracy. No wonder RubyPurple just happened to ask me some days before what my favorite cake was. And I had said chocolate mousse, indeed. Asked to make a wish before blowing the candle out, I was dumbfounded again. I think my mind stopped several minutes before. I just said Thank You in my head. That’s all I came up with, as I snuffed the flame out. This evening was already more than I could wish for.
I’d never ever... ever... had a surprise birthday celebration in my life. Ever. And to think these people thought I was worthy of one was extremely, extremely touching. After we went our separate ways thanks to our zoomies, I reached home shortly before midnight. Finally alone, I just needed a minute to just sit down and space out. And all the canned emotions just broke loose. I sobbed like a child.
I was touched. I was honored. I was flattered. I appreciated the effort they took to put this thing together.
Thank you RubyPurple, JohnStanley, TristanTales, TurismoBoi, and new guy. Thank you for the friendship. Thank you for the advanced birthday surprise. Thank you for the cake. Thank you for the gift. And thanks to the Po-Po-Po-Poker Faces they’ve been hiding behind all this time, I now baptize RubyPurple and JohnStanley respectively as Lady Gaga and... hmm, Boy Gago? Hehehe.
I still hate surprises. Please don’t do that again. Ngarrr. But, THANK YOU.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I'm A Twit
Twit, twit, twit. I’ve heard it so many times, I wouldn’t be surprised if I start dreaming about it. Twitter – a seemingly more persistent version of a blog, where you’re supposed to update people regularly by answering the question What are you doing? in 140 characters or less. Sounds complicated.
Some of my BFFs – Blogger Friends Forever – are on it. Both JohnStanley and RubyPurple have been badgering me to start twitting. I’ve been reluctant. But I’ve been giving it some consideration. Twitter and twitting... or is it twittering? Geesh. Should I? Or shouldn’t I?
I was watching the Tyra Banks’ show a couple of weeks back, when her episode was all about Facebook and Twitter. I’ll have to be honest, I have heard of these things before. But being the type of person who, as of today, is still relatively new to Friendster, I still am intimidated by these newer online trends. I just tell myself that they’re beyond my mental capacity.
I saw on Tyra how one woman was complaining that her husband twitted too much... or is it twittered too much? Geesh. I think he said he was bothered if he wasn’t able to twit every hour. When on dates, he’d twit what restaurant they were at, what they ordered, how the food tasted, and so on. I can’t do that. I just can’t do that.
First of all, I don’t think my mobile phone is capable of twitting. The most my phone is, is colored. No cam, no connectivity, nothing. It just calls and texts. So I’d be confined to twitting at home or at work, which just might, in turn, confine my twits to I’m home or I’m at work or I’m twitting. Boring...
Secondly, even outside the realms of home and work, I don’t really live a very interesting nor exciting life. Who’d be interested in that?
And thirdly, it’s just so against my linguistic logic to have to pronounce TWIT as ‘TWEET’. Argh!
Okay fine, so I don’t really have any compelling reason not to try it. And besides, I did promise JohnStanley and RubyPurple that I’d give it a try. And true to my word, I did. Ang lakas lakas nyo sa akin ha! Friday night, I began checking it out.
I was asked to enter my full name. Uhm... I won’t put my real name, of course. Bitch? It says I need a first and a last name. Bitch Cumeater? Too scandalous. Back In The Closet... Good enough.
Username. BITCH? That username is already taken. B_I_T_C_H? Taken. THEBITCH? Taken. IMABITCH? Taken. BITCHBITCHBITCH? Ok, but geesh. BITCHYPUSIT? Ok, pero ayoko. BackInTheCloset? Ok, but a mouthful. _BITCH_... Pwede na.
With that and all the requisites over and done with, it’s now official. I’ll be feeling my way through the rest of its intricacies in the days to come. Lord, help me. I am now a twit.
So please, please, please... argh, pathetic... please don’t let my effort go to waste. Follow if you feel like it. Indulge me. Please.
I am BITCH. Hear me TWIT.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Tough Ten
I’m not exactly sure how I got dragged into this, but John Stanley just tagged me to answer ten of their hottest and nakaka-kablog questions that a blogger can be asked. So, not being one with hands ever left speechless, here are my Tough Ten answers to their Tough Ten questions... in a The Buzz exclusive...
Tough Ten Question Number 10
Who is your least favorite blogger and why?
Hmm. The blogging world is extremely small, so I think it would be better for me not to say exactly who it is. As for why, that I can answer.
First, the way he blogs so highly of himself brings pagbubuhat-ng-sariling-bangko to a whole new level. As in ang habaaaaa ng hair. As in pwede na siyang kunin ni Lord. Fine, so maybe he is possibly just really that perfect, but I always believed perfection should be anything but self-professed.
Second, he is anything but true to himself. I know that by the way he contradicts himself, saying one thing about himself in one entry, and saying the exact opposite in the next. Things just don’t add up. It defeats the purpose of blogging as a medium of expressing one’s true self.
Third, reading him makes me want to whip out my red ballpen and edit him on the spot. Janina San Miguel level ito. I appreciate the attempt... pero di naman bawal mag-blog in Tagalog, diba?
I’m sorry for rambling on like it’s Tough Ten question number 1 already. I’ve ranted against this person to some of my online pals at one time or another, so they should know who and what I’m talking about. I confess, I do still visit this extremely irritating blog, but only because it reminds me that, like his blog, there are worse things in life. Teehee, bad me. I’m not called B.I.T.C.H. for nothing.
Tough Ten Question Number 9
If you can only read one blog, which one will it be?
Blog ni Inday? Hahaha. No, I’m kidding... Of course, my BFF’s blog... As in Blogger Friend Forever! Yessss, ikaw yun!
Tough Ten Question Number 8
Who do you think tells fabricated stories?
Are you really trying to piss me off? Or can you just reread my answer to number 10?
Tough Ten Question Number 7
If there's one blogger whom you haven't met and would like to meet, who would it be and why?
Hmm. Probably the blogger formerly known as Misterhubs. I’d just like to get an idea of what kind of person comes up with the stuff he does in his blog. Hehehe.
Tough Ten Question Number 6
What is one thing that you'd like to write about but cannot (due to real or perceived complications)?
This is such an easy question. The one thing I can’t write about as of the moment is who I am exactly. I’m talking about disclosure. For obvious reasons. But maybe eventually, it can and will happen. But then I’d have to change the title of this blog when that time comes, wouldn’t I? Geesh.
For now, I walk the very fine line between transparency and anonymity.
Tough Ten Question Number 5
Have you had sex with a fellow-blogger?
Hell no! I have not had sex with “a” fellow-blogger. Bwahaha.
Okay, fine. Yeses. Take note of the plurality.
Tough Ten Question Number 4
Have you had sex with your blog reader?
Hmm, that’s a complicated question. If the reader happened to be a blogger, does he fall under this question, or the previous one? Does someone who I had sex with prior to his reading this blog count as well?
Tough Ten Question Number 3
Who is the most narcissistic/self-absorbed blogger that you know?
Why... do... you... keep... getting... on... that... nerve? *Evil eyes* Just go back to question 10. And enough about him... please.
Tough Ten Question Number 2
Which blogger would you want to have sex with?
Anyone at all. Ano ba?! Magiging choosy pa ba ako?!
Hahaha, seriously... wholesome ako.
*B.I.T.C.H. has been struck by lightning*
Tough Ten Question Number 1
Based on how you know this blogger through his (or her) blog, who would you like to be in a serious relationship with?
Ano baaa?! Walang tuksuhan!
*B.I.T.C.H. stares at RubyPurple’s gorgeous lips... and shoves a whole jumbo siopao in... with paper and all*
Basta, definitely, it will be a “his”. Hahaha.
Are you guys happy now? The more important questions though are... Which one of you is Ruffa, which one is Kris, and which one is Boy?
