OctoberFest..

We know as the world famous festival in munich, germany.. Where tens of thousand barrels of beer are served to guest who overestimate their ability to handle large amounts of alcohol. Everyone finds it as a good excuse to party and have fun. Here in the Philippines, we also celebrate such festivities. Yearly, the major brands of alcoholic beverages sponsor parties and drinking events to promote their said product and camaraderie among party people as well.

I am one of such people. This month, I find myself stretching myself too thin with all of the parties left & right that I'm invited to. What I did, I prioritized. (Which I had a very hard time to accomplish) I only went to the benefit parties. (not the usual norm party, but the ones whose beneficiaries are the victims of typhoons) So all of that kinda worked out well. We partied, enjoyed ourselves and at the same time helping (in our own way) the typhoon victims.

No offense to my party clique, I enjoy their company but I miss going out with my childhood friends. As I spend more time at home, I anticipate their presence and hopes we could plan a get together soon. Unfortunately not that soon, some are MIA (missing in action) and others are off with their families in their respected provinces. Now phoneless, I'm kinda socially-handicapped. I only have my online social networks and ym to rely to when receiving invites and news of my friends.

To cap off the month, we went to a Halloween Ball. It was awesome. We crashed with top to torn attire and the girls with slutty outfits.. (playboy bunnies, etc.) The storm didn't stop us, it actually helped us sober up after the party. Chelsy had the idea when she got wet outside. She started pulling us in the rain. (pardon me, I don't remember much of the details) Somehow we all ended up dancing in the rain. haha. That night was.. Legendary. So to speak.

Only wish that when I'm with my childhood friends, we could be as spontaneous.. Lot to look forward to this November. One of which is what-I-will-not-mention on the 17th, go figure haha.

ChaRmed..

COUNTDOWN TO THE nEW mOON
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@ Ascend Super Club, Bonifacio High street..
Oct. 30,2009.

Halloween.. the evening of October 31st, the eve of All Saints' Day; All Hallows Eve: observed especially by children in costumes who solicit treats, often by threatening minor pranks. But in modern times, one doesn't have to be a kid to wear a scary mask or a fluffy (maybe slutty) costume on to party. Also a day more commonly known for witches, vampires, mean looking pumpkins, and a variety of monstrous creatures.

Speaking of witches. for three years going.. It has been my tradition to watch the series: Charmed, every Halloween. It's a tv show way way back. About 3 sisters who, apparently are witches. Started back in the 90's which ended with 8 seasons. Story goes like how the sisters shuffle their life of magic and battle against demons with maintaining their normal lives. Pretty awesome really. That goes for Alyssa Milano too, who plays the youngest sister: Phoebe.

This Halloween, I was counting on a beach party. But no thanks to my a-wol party pals who mostly went abroad for spring break and some just busy of sorts.. Had to improvise. Guess (as seen above) will do. Really looking forward to having an awesome time before classes resume.

Improvise..

When faced with an unexpected debacle.. A pop quiz, last minute speech or presentation.. Meeting a rival, enemy or having an awkward moment with a person on the road. Unlike some people who walk away nor the people who would spend a whole lot of time thinking what to do.. I usually improvise. A spur of the moment act without previous preparation or acting upon extemporaneously.

But when you say improvise, it’s been more of a work ethic for me than an only on the spot thing. Give high school for example, had smooth sailing. Never really remember a time when I studied or prepared for an exam, presentation & project days before the due date. Challenging but fun. I had a different sense of high every time I would do projects just hours before passing it, then ending up with a higher grade than my classmates who took their time. It was quite fulfilling.

That improvise attitude made me a laid-back, happy go lucky, sort-of rebel, kind of person growing up. The peak of my rebelliousness was junior & senior year, quite memorable. I would usually talk back & defy my teachers, especially in math. I would talk negatively about his activities, openly talk back in front of the class, & every time he would make me miss an exam: I would just draw, talk with my seatmates & make a ruckus while everyone is taking the exam. Bottom line: after all of that, got away with it. With the teach giving me quite a grade and passing the subject.

Last year of high school was fun. Senior year, I had loads of tardy days. I would usually make quite an entrance during the middle of class, late. When late during morning assembly, the prefect would usually make us run or doing some stuff out on the public: like sprints, jumping rope, etc. What a fun-filled experience to end high school. Lawless like an outlaw.

Usually I got away with all of it with the teachers & prefects because I cultivated my ability to be a smooth talker (As my English teach said, I am a good bluffer) I am able to IMPROVISE a good excuse, explaining myself quite spectacularly, bluffing myself out of the situation.

Years later, improvising is still a thing. Got me out of some tangled situations. When meeting people on the road, dating..(rejection is not quite accepted by most of ‘em) so bluffed myself out before things got icky.

Stuck? So Improvise.

Give Love a Try..

“Three words, eight letters, say it and I am yours.” Everyone has their own definition, in every sense of the word. For me: “Let’s just forget thinking and follow our hearts. “

The first time I indulged myself in agreeing to a date with a girl crushing on me was in 5^th grade. I remember the innocence and reluctance in the air. Lunch dates, just kids hanging out. The only girl I was really into back then was this cute girl who has an amazing voice & a great singer. Because I enjoyed our friendship so much that I didn’t want to mess it up, I didn’t mention anything about how I feel. Unfortunately for high school I had to transfer, so we part ways.

In high school, nobody really came closer to my heart than her. But there were a few who came knocking. One though was almost there, she was also a singer. (What’s up with me & musicians?) Clip notes version: We connected through music. We played & sung a few duets. Maybe was a little into each other. But guy was a clueless jerk, so girl moved on. In the end, they just became friends with a bit of awkwardness. Then the rest of high school was just a couple of dates with nobody special.

Years after grade school, I accidentally ran into my childhood sweetheart in an ice cream shop my friends & I hangout. We we’re both like “Whoa. Hey.” Then a warm embrace. It’s like as if we never parted. Emotions I thought long forgotten, returned that very moment.

Ever since I saw her then, I couldn’t get this song out of my head:

“You, like driving on a Sunday..

You, like taking off on Monday..

You..

You’re like a dream, dream come true..

I.. just a face you never notice.

And I.. just trying to be honest with myself.

With you..

With the world.

You might think that I am a fool for falling over you.

So tell me what can I do to prove to you that it’s not so hard to do.

Give love a try, one more time..

Cause you know that I’m on your side.

Give love a try, one more time..”

Then I just got all mopey when I saw her shout out, pics & status, that she already got a boyfriend.. I should have known. Someone as special as her, of course. Now I know she had moved on, guess about time I should too. But she'll always have a special place here in my heart.

Now back to regular dating, nothing special.. Hoping to meet a great person waiting out there, taking a break from friends with benefit..

Vocal Adrenaline..

Adrenaline rush. It’s very common you could Google it. Figuratively, the term adrenaline is used in speaking of a high state of excitement: “When the race began, the adrenaline really started pumping.” Physically & psychologically... but vocally?

There have been countless of times when out of nowhere I just sung out loud. Weirdest one yet: One really good morning, Sun is shining bright & birds a chirping... I awoke from a peaceful slumber, and then suddenly I just sung “It’s my life... It’s now or never. I ain’t gonna live forever. I just wanna live while I’m alive. ” as I sit up the bed. Then when I sobered up, “whoa. What was that?”

One time when a friend got busted and he would just continuously apologize with his ex and fail in his attempts to make up. I was all like “You look so dumb right now... And the award for the best liar goes to you.” and we all went laughing that one out.

I was asking out a pretty cool though goodie goodie girl for an afternoon drink. In the process of persuading her: “Just one night couldn’t be so wrong... You make me want to lose control.” Then when she said yes, I went back to my friends tuning gallantly “I make ‘em good girls go bad..” That day was LEGEN... (Wait for it) DARY!

The night we we’re planning for a surprise debut, we were asked to do a song number. As I walk the dark road home, it hit me. Alone in that long quiet road, I started singing: “Say it again for me.. coz I love the way it feels when you are telling me that I’m the only one who blows your mind. Say it again..” Unfortunately they don’t share my sympathy for the song so they went with another.

When I usually get psyched I would go invite my friends to go play Rockband and we’ll all have an awesome time. Playing it, you don’t just need to hit/press the right keys but you also have a good ear for the music. I get a really peculiar sense of high when I do the vocals. It’s like we’re drowning in our awesomeness.. haha, so to speak.

So if adrenaline for others is getting pumped up physically, for nerds getting all worked out for an exam, and for Bella hallucinating about Edward.. Guess mine’s busting into song. Music is something that can unite people of different cliques & genres. A fellow enthusiast once said: “I love singing so much; I don’t see why I have to stop just because I’m bad at it.” I’m proud of her, that’s a really great attitude. “Share your passion with the world.”

“But maybe not with the WHOLE world”, she said. xp

What's in the name..

Jonas.. It has been my name for as long as I can remember. It's what my parents gave me.. (more like labelled) for the past 16-something years. It has brought me perks and disadvantages.

Every time I meet some people on the road, in a party, or in a club.. “Hi. I am Jonas.” They would usually go like: “Wow. Really? Jonas Brother!” It attracts unwanted attention, and sometimes it gets troublesome. At first I was not cool with it, but as time pass by I got used to it. I can count the people in my hand that didn’t saw me that way in their 1^st impression. It can be an icebreaker or cool points when introducing myself.

I got really annoyed quite recently with the fact that I share my name with other people. My friends would go tell me: “Wow. I met someone in my school, his name is Jonas too,” I accounted similar encounters like 2-3 times. I would just joke: “This town has one too many Jonases..”. And freshmen year, I got to know a batch mate who’s a Jonas too. So the whole school had labelled us as the Jonas Brothers. Sometimes people see me as the much cooler one and top out better than the other because he’s gullible and geekier. And I would get to tease him for it. Besides Jonas is my one and only name while he got Jonas as a second name.

Years ago my Mother started one of the very first Drugstores in Taytay, Rizal.. So it got well-known and the people who ran it (with yours truly). Fun fact is, until today when I walk around town may it be day or night people still recognize me. “Hi. You’re Jonas right? The kid from Guadalupe Pharmacy? Wow.. You’re all grown up.”

One major disadvantage is with the face that goes with it. A lot of people say that my face is quite recognizable. Though I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not but mostly I take it as a compliment. Thus result; I am walking in a cool afternoon in the city. Some people would go up to me and say: “Oh. Hi Jonas. Fancy seeing you here.” I would panic for a sec, I don’t remember the person’s name. So I usually go with acknowledging him or her with a nod and a simple “Hey.” Then go about my business. Perk, it’s more of a 5-minute fame and get to know a lot of real people. Disadvantage, when I screw up they would tend to remember and spread it like wild fire. The last time a gossip bomb dropped, it was not a pretty sight.

The name bears the weight of the lyrics: “Live to party blah blah blah”. Usually I am that guy, but sometimes I am not. It’s hard to live up to society’s expectations. Acting up to what people think who you are. Sometimes you would just get caught up in it that you yourself would wonder: “Who am I gonna be?” I love the advantages of my best of both world thing going on, but sometimes it’s exhausting and hardest is the currency: As I gain new friendships, I also lose some old ones.

“Embrace your awesomeness.” My very compelling optimist of a friend used to say to me. We we’re on an open mic night, so we went for it. We just sung and for me were quite trembling to be there on stage in front of people. But afterwards, wow.. The audience’s applause was satisfying and inspiring. Just want to make me remember my childhood dream. (Be in a cool band and change the world thingy). All I know is: Music is in my soul, I can hear it everyday, every night.. It’s the one thing n my mind. I just want to play my music.

~ Yeap. From the looks of this (whatever you will call this thing I’ve been typing down) my head is a mess and my thoughts are disarranged. Right now been figuring out things, figuring out life. And trying to get there you know. (where you may ask) I’ll tell you when I get there..

Lost and Found..

When I was 13 - the new guy in secondary school - I understood that I would have to plan for friendship. I was not cool by by any stretch of the word. I worked the periphery, the empty space between the cliques. So I studied students at their lockers, tried on attitudes, sat in the front, back, middle of the bus. And I hoped that someone else was looking, too, and would be inspired by something about me..

When you take a stand on friendship, when, in rage, you make it clear - This friendship is over, get out - you are defining the rest of your life. I didn't realize then that you can't make old friends, that you can only lose them. And in losing them, you lose part of yourself.

My uncle who is into gardening, saws off branches to save his trees. "Here's my secret." he'll say. "It's all about caring. About shaving off the bad parts so that you can save the whole. You love something enough, you don't let it die."

Why is it that we need friendship, once we're free of schoolyard bullies, school cafeterias, adolescent identity crises? Once we're out on our own, why do we still yearn? I believe friends enclose us, like a pair of parentheses. Each one knows us in a different way. I am who I am because my friendships keep on growing. But there are limits on the number of friends a soul might have, and there are limits, especially, on best friendships.