Auld Lang Syne

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

End of an era

Saddam Hussein hanged at 6:05 a.m.

Sentencing someone to death is one thing. But death by hanging? *shudders*

I know the man was evil and he probably deserved it. Heck, he was the devil’s lover in South Park–I watch too much South Park. But still. Hanging anyone to death is just plain cruel. I think I would’ve been more “welcome” to the thought if it was just lethal injection. I mean, yes, either way the guy would be dead in a matter of minutes. But imagine fighting for breath during the last minutes of living and knowing you’re never going to win this particular battle…not really the best way to die. *shudders*

Oh well. At least he wasn’t burned at stake. And he DID commit a lot of heinous crimes against humanity.

But hanging? God, I’m not wishing that upon anyone.

Elizabethtown

Ever since my aunt passed away, my thoughts have hovered at one time or another on death. I’ve always had trouble grasping the fact of being six feet under. I mean, literally. One of the things that have freaked me out about the concept of death is the idea of rotting away, being eaten by worms six feet deep underground in a friggin coffin. It’s just freaky. I’m thinking mummies, the undead, zombies…

So when I learned of my aunt’s wishes of being cremated, it just clicked. It’s what I want for me as well. And I have had this idea, ever since I decided on the whole cremation thing, that I want my love ones to scatter my ashes across the places I’ve traveled. And hopefully, before that fateful day, I’d have traveled around the world–Europe, Africa, Asia…everywhere really.

Anyway. I’ve always been a restless individual. Happiest when I’m wandering off to wherever my size 7 feet will take me. So I thought about the whole scatter-my-ashes-across-places plan. I’ve never really mentioned this to anyone. Oh, except Mina. I tell her every whimsical thought that pops into my head.

SO I watched Elizabethtown today.

It’s a movie starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst and in the movie, Drew’s–Orlando’s character–dad dies. And they get his remains cremated. And Kirsten helped Drew scatter his dad’s ashes across these really memorable places in the states. As in she makes out a route for him to take. Even went so far as to make CDs for him to listen to on the road. It was REALLY nice. And pretty much a bit like deja vu because it’s like seeing my “plan” in film. And I remember one time when I was thinking about what songs I wanted played on my funeral…kind of in the film too!

Gaaaah. Friggin morbid entry.

I’ve always been wary about talking about death. But I remember back in philosophy class when we were reading about Heidegger and his ruminations about death, how out of all the possibilities in this life, the only thing CERTAIN was death…it really comforted me. It was just a couple of months after she passed away and the philosophy lectures really helped me come to terms with the whole idea, the certainty, of dying. Of her passing.

My philo classes didn’t talk about reincarnation or resurrection or anything I’ve always believed in but still, I guess, consider fantastical. Instead we talked about how people fail to really milk the most out of life because they were just so afraid of death that they do everything they can to avoid thinking about it…like drown themselves in work or do really mundane things like going with the flow or sticking to routines…this was when I discovered the concept of dasman. Since then, becoming dasman-ish (something akin to being a drone or lemming, really) has always been something I’ve avoided like hell. I’ve gone with the flow from time to time but I’ve always made it a point to do things out of the ordinary–deviate, turn the melodrama up a notch, move out of my comfort zone, anything that would make me feel like I’m really, I can’t think of a better word, living. Always.

But then I realize…I haven’t really done much of that the past few months. I’ve been too caught up in work to even have time to think about anything other than what my job entailed. My whole existence revolved around WORK. And that’s just fucking tragic. I’ve become what I’ve always avoided–I’m the poster child for dasmanish behavior. I’ve neglected my friends, my hobbies and interests, even my family, all for the sake of what? A job that doesn’t even really pay me well enough for all the overtimes I’ve done for it. A job that, at the end of the day, leaves me feeling not just physically but emotionally drained as well. Reason I’m still with the company is because I’m just clinging to this really thin thread of hope that things will eventually look up. But, seriously, come January and it still doesn’t…I’m just out. It just isn’t worth it.

Sigh.

This coming year’s going to be a very dynamic one. I’m definitely making A LOT of changes. That much I can tell you. I’m sick of this year’s dead-end existence. The pseudo-relationships, the career choices, the horrible hangovers (both physical and emotional)…gad..I’m just sick of it all. I made really crappy, half-baked choices.

Next year’s going to be different. I can feel it.

30 Rock

I’m loving Tina Fey’s new show in NBC. I’ve seen all the episodes (new ones resume January) and it’s fun seeing SNL veterans coming together again for the show. Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Rachel Dratch…even Chris Parnel made an appearance. And Conan!!!! That was my favorite episode! Am really crazy about Alec Baldwin right now. He plays the pompous self-righteous arrogant boss perfectly it’s just plain funny

This photo’s the part where Jack (Alec) is telling Conan he has no choice but to let Tracy be a guest on Late Night. Conan’s a bit reluctant because the last time Tracy was a guest on his show, Tracy tried to stab him. Hehe

*sigh* I love Conan.

ABOUT

Emmy Award winner Tina Fey (NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” “Mean Girls”) writes, executive-produces and stars as Liz Lemon in NBC’s “30 Rock,” a workplace comedy where the workplace exists behind-the-scenes of a live variety show. The show is told through the comedic voice of Fey and features Alec Baldwin (“The Aviator,” “The Cooler” ) as Jack Donaghy, the brash new network executive who has turned the show upside down with his meddling ways.

The single Lemon is living every comedy writer’s dream – head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. Her life is jolted when Donaghy interferes with her show, and bullies Lemon into convincing Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan, “Saturday Night Live,” “The Longest Yard”) — a wild and unpredictable movie star — to join the cast. Now Lemon must manage the unmanageable so that the show — and her dream — can go on.

Also rounding out the cast in the half hour comedy are: Jane Krakowski (“Ally McBeal” as Jenna Maroney), Scott Adsit (“Kicking and Screaming” as Pete Hornberger,) the variety show’s producer, Jack McBrayer (“Arrested Development” as Kenneth the Page,) the over-eager NBC Page — a highly sought-after entry level position with the network, and Rachel Dratch (“Saturday Night Live” in multiple roles). “30 Rock” is executive produced by Lorne Michaels.

Johnny Depp

-Fear… Fear… Utter fear. Clowns! Clowns scare me.

He just might be my soul mate.

I stand corrected

For Bruna Zebra Cartolina.

What a coincidence. I just bought GGM’s MomMW. But “memories” at hindi “memoirs” yun, Bruna. I just had to point that out. You know our tendency to correct one another when we’re talking French. -Au “With-me-around-there-SHOULD-be-mistletoe-in-the-Philippines” Hipol

I’m really getting the hang of zee bastardized French language. Thanks Chancho, for pointing out that boo-boo. =P

Heroes

I have a newfound obsession.

My sister got me to watch this show from NBC called Heroes and after reluctantly agreeing to watch the first episode just to keep her from pestering me further…I got hooked. I downloaded all the ten remaining episodes from the net and watched them all in a span of two days. I had to squeeze in some time to pack. Hehe.

Such a shame though. It’s as bitin as Prison break 2. Ok, not really. Prison break actually wasn’t as bitin as the first season’s finale. The latest episode (new eps coming on January) actually ended on a hopeful note. Sigh. Why the need to have Christmas specials anyway??? Why can’t we go on with regular programming like we always do anytime during the year??

I finished one of the books I promised to read. Memoirs of my melancholy whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It’s a nice read. But still nothing compared to Love in the time of cholera. I absolutely worshiped GGM after reading that enchanting piece of literature. Haha. I’m trying to be as descriptive as him but am obviously overdoing the flowery words.

I’m now reading the remaining half of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. Another must read. I love the whole concept of the endless siblings. Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delight/Delirium. And Neil Gaiman couldn’t have been more right on when he created each character’s personality. Ahlavet.

Hmmm…what else should I blab about?

Ah, my dad sleeps with our Magic Sing. We’ve been trying (in vain) to get him to stop belting out his favorite oldie songs. Haha! And if it’s not my dad, it’s my mom. She spent the entire evening hogging the mike. We all gave up and just did the 1000-piece Botticelli jigsaw puzzle outside in the dining room. It’s true what they say…you can’t choose your relatives. Haha! But I’m quite fond of my dysfunctional family. Wouldn’t be where I am without them.

Oh and I just realized something…Davao’s a pretty quiet city. Seriously. Or maybe it’s because today’s Christmas and most people are opting to stay at home for Christmas dinner. We went out to have dinner and drove around the city after to see the Christmas lights. As always, Mana has my vote. Loved their Christmas trees! Anyway…other than that and the City Hall’s exaggeratedly lit-up facade, the city pretty much slept. So quiet! Or maybe I’m just accustomed to the noise and havoc in Manila. I mean, I didn’t look at Davao this way back when I was still in high school. Sigh. Oh well.

We’re spending New Year’s at Samal. No fireworks ban there! According to my dad anyway…who is currently doing a duet with my mom. Got to Believe in Magic. Yeesh! And they’re currently trying to one up each other over who got the highest score…haha!

Good night everyone

Post-secret summed it up for me :)

<3

Joyeux Noel mes amies!

Just finished opening Christmas presents at home.

I’m just so content I’m where I am right now. Hope everyone is also!

Happy Christmas everyone! And have a great year ahead!!!

Much love,

Tricia

Musings of the bored and irritated

Why do people think I find it cute when they call me “TWISH” or (heaven forbid) “TWEEESH”? Nobody really asked you to prolong the “i” so don’t!

Seriously, I detest hearing people babytalk. It ranks high in my list of the ultimate pet peeves. I mean, sweet talk is one thing. But baby talk??? I mean, only babies are supposed to do babytalk! That’s why they called it BABY talk for F’s sake. GAD!

And I hate it when people talk in this singsongy voice like they prefer talking in this eargrating tinis way to, I dunno, annoy me probably? Yeah yeah I get it. You’re happy!!! It’s really irritating. Kulang nalang tapunan kita ng asukal! Bah, humbug!

You’re bright and shiny Meredith, I get it! I happen to prefer Dark and Twisty, fyi. People, if you dont get what I’m saying here, watch Grey’s Anatomy. Hehe

Anyway. Seriously. Why aren’t people talking their age these days??? Enough with the TWISHA/TWEESHAS!!!!

Or if you really HAVE to, if you find that unless you do baby talk, life would cease to find meaning…then just don’t do it within a 50-meter distance from where I stand. I’ll consider it a gift from you this Christmas. Capish?

Sigh.