The Other Life

Pack of Dogs and an Evil Toddler

2006-09-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

There’s only 1 hr left before the alarm clock strikes and I thought I won’t be able to conjure something interesting. Suddenly, I found myself running downstairs to follow the sound of a pack of dogs restlessly barking. What I saw as an ungodly site with shit all over the place. It turned out that our dear Tootsie had already given birth to the third batch of little puppies. I remember we already gave away some of her offspring but in this case, they’re all there. Some were all grown up and just like their mother very ticklish and smelly. It felt good to see all of her offspring in one setting but at the same time pissed because of the shit.

While I am ogling at this site, one annoying toddler suddenly popped out of the scene. She made a scene and it looked like I was to be blamed for it. The dad called my attention which thoroughly aggravated me because first of all, I don’t want anything to do with that kid and I am not the cause of that incident. I yelled at them and walked away. I entered the john to pee. The bowl will soon overflow with pee. Then the next thing I know, the alarm clock finally rings.

Incarcerated

2006-08-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

We were complete, the four of us. We were at this familiar spot in my Lolo’s house back in the province. There was a solemn Catholic procession remembering how Christ supposedly died. Shirtless men were doing penance by hitting on their backs with steel chains. The scorching sun rays kissed their backs which already bathed in blood. I was just standing their watching their agony. And then suddenly, the word incarceration came up. Am I the one being incarcerated here?

Shortly after the procession, a ruckus suddenly occurred. I don’t know who started it, but everyone’s panicking and running around at every direction. And then I found myself in what seemed like a Natzi concentration camp. It was grim and all gray. I couldn’t feel myself breathing.

Saint Anger

2006-08-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

It began when we were on our way to a mall to hunt for bargains (it’s SALE). I was with two very familiar people. But I cannot say it’s the best group to be with. Anyway, along the way the air is cool the type that sends chills to your spine. It’s almost like in a horror movie where we are driving along a pitch black road and anything could just strike up on us.

The next scenes you wouldn’t like to see. I am not sure if I am watching a local soap but I think some characters are quite familiar. The female antagonist is so pissed off at her fading popularity. She suddenly transformed into somebody you wouldn’t suspect could wreck havoc. I think she put on a convent nun costume.

In a room somewhere in the convent, there’s an elderly woman lulled to sleep by jukebox music. I am fascinated by the antique musical equipment because it still uses those huge plaques for the song selections. To play the songs, you need to use a sharp pin to put the record in place. Just when the old lady is about to change the music using the pin, the female antagonist dressed up like a saintly prophet from heaven suddenly grabbed hold of the pin and started decapitating the woman. I can’t even imagine the carnage that was done. An altar boy came to the rescue of the old lady but it was too late. He was even hit in the eye and one of his eye balls even fell on the floor.

Shortly after the carnage, the police came in. The “nun” tried to run away but was caught by the authorities. She was grabbed by the neck and turned her face into an abstract painting that mostly consists of dark red pastels. After that incident, her face is unrecognizable. She certainly paid for the crime of her anger.

Not another examination

2006-08-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

Something’s been affecting my memory so the scenes that I could recall are kind of vague. What I remember was another school setting where an important exam is held. Cheating is everywhere. Being discreet in looking at your seatmate’s paper is considered taboo. This exam particularly gave me that feeling that it’s not gonna end. It’s like a day long exam where there are in between breaks that lets you go out to breath some air.
At the end of the exam, something chaotic happened. I couldn’t remember what is but it’s really something to be scared about.

I'm Late

2006-07-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

I was running an errand before going to work. There were too many obstacles along the way. Some family is setting up a birthday party. I am not sure why I have to be involved in the preparations. It’s in a small quaint room. After taking a look at the place, I came into a conclusion that it’s a children’s party.

And then there was this horrendous traffic along a main highway. I usually ride the MRT on my way to work. But since in between stations, there’s an errand I have to take care of, I had to ride a jeepney to get me to the next station. While I was in a jeepney, the driver suddenly passed around an application form. I don’t know what it is for but my mind is really fixed on the time. The driver yelled at me for ignoring the form. He won’t stop the vehicle and so I had to jump out of it. I thought he’s gonna run after me. I run as fast I could away from the furious chauffer.

I was already standing in the station and it seemed like no train is going to pass by and stop. My eyes were glued on the digital clock attached in one corner of the station. There weren’t many people around waiting for the train. But for some reason, I just couldn’t figure out why I am there until a train came and dropped me off at a certain station.

When I got out of the train, I was really surprised that this isn’t the place where I should be. I was in the Old University. The ancient gate greeted me along with lot college students rehearsing a dance. Sitting at the center of the campus is the ancient edifice that defines the school. The clock in one of its towers suddenly turned big as if reminding me of the time. I’m toast!

After Party

2006-06-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

When I came to the office, I was so surprised to see how the cubicles were arranged very differently from its usual positions. The arrangement reminded me of a local voting precinct with stations that have really tall dividers. I caught a glimpse of my superior as though she’s about to be finished with her choices for the electoral posts available. Her cubicle was located in a corner quite far off from the rest. There was no pattern or order as to how the cubicles are arranged. It’s a big mess much like a room after a party.

Suddenly, I found my cubicle as though the lone island in an ocean. I was pretty conscious of myself being left out. Then a bunch of “students” barged in. They were carrying their own seat and quickly settled down forming a classroom setting. The transformation or was it integration was a bit fast. I didn’t know what happened next.

Bikini Open?

2006-06-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Have you been to Covelandia Du Labrador? I haven't, although I had the chance to view it from the top. All amenities it offers were highlighted. I think I was in a chopper. On each amenity, a voiceover announcer is doing the commentary on how this is "the resort". There's a tennis court, a skating rink that had a track patterned after a wave, a locomotive ride around an oblique field, mountain-side trek, a wide stretch of aquamarine sea, and so many others I could barely remember. In that resort, a popular swimsuit contest is taking place. Guess who's an unexpected contestant?

An English Vineyard

2006-06-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

I was in England, or was it Scotland. There was a majestic view of rolling hills overlooking the English channel. Strong gust of wind sweeps across the wide stretch of greenery. In one of the areas near the ridges, people gathered to wintess a different competition. I wasn't sure if it was for sports or some shindig for the Guiness World record. As the time progressed, it has begun to sink in to me that I was in an RPG world. I had a task. My rival already has already finished up on the task. We were commanded to collect different sizes of grapes. In a vineyard nearby, I was at awe to see how the grapes resemble eggplants. The fruit was laid out in increasing size and color intensity. This proved to be very difficult for me. I think somebody is guarding the vineyard much like a boss. An alternative was just to draw the fruits than pillaging it.

It's Zabimaru

2006-06-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

A slightly primitive version of Bleach's Zabimaru infiltrated the house. At first, I thought this reptile is just like any other that I have seen mostly in pictures. But on the second look, something off caught my attention. Its body looked shiny and gives you that usual slimy feeling whenever there's a snake around. But once you look at its head, it resembles the head of a primate, may be even that of human being. The mutant looked like a killer. On its teeth, there's a sharp dagger, which in any moment can be hurled on somebody that suggests provocation.

The big creature created quite a ruckus as it imposed its impossibly huge weight on different furnitures and household appliance. I was immobile for a moment. I felt cold and numb. My eyes were fixed on this monster thinking of the endless things it can do to me and the house.

Before the infiltration started, our house suddenly fronted a yard that resembles a dense jungle inhabited by different species of snakes. Whatever direction our eyes set upon, we see snakes of colorful scales and rare breed. I even felt like doing a commentary on each unique specie that suddenly appears on strategic spots. One intertwined in a wide trunk of an exotic local tree. Another one slithering around the cold steel of the gate. And others just spring up off the earth as if shooting like unwanted weeds.

Gazeebo and the Highway of Death

2006-05-15T01:17:00.000-07:00

I never knew that gazeebos constructed along a dangerous highway already exist. It reminded me of our little conservatory back in college except that this is in the outdoors. Buses like bullets with blazing speed abound this highway. It's like the whole stretch is a death trap. There are no stoplights, no traffic enforcers and no pedestrian walks like elevated foot bridges. It's every person for oneself. To get across, you have to put your life on luck. If you get hit by these buses, it's just the way it goes.

Despite the precarious location of these gazeebos, I felt really comfortable sitting in one of it. I wasn't sure about what I am doing but I was so sure that I was so into it that everything around me was non-existent. I felt like I was sitting on a lush greenery with soft fresh air blowing on my cheeks also mildly caressing the water of a peaceful lake amidst Alpine mountains and aquamarine glaciers. My ears were plugged and is vibrating to the tune of a favorite song on my iPod. And then suddenly, a ruckus occured right in front of me. A Chinese family attempted to defy death but with luck not on their side, death claimed one of the children. The child lay there cold and crushed. The father was fuming with anger. There was however something strange on the child's blood. It wasn't red nor black. The blood is colored off white. The white substance is spread all over the child's body.

The accident did not stop the buses from their speed and still rapidly move along the highway. The father of the child, with so much pain, screamed upon this bus which unforgivingly ran through the lifeless body. He chased the bus but couldn't catch up with the speed of light.

Family Values and Lost(?)

2006-05-09T19:48:00.000-07:00

The family is leaving for an out of town activity. For some reason, they are not aware that it's a typical "work day". I am unable to file for leave. Everybody's getting worked up for fun. I declared not to come along with them but ironically, I suddenly found myself heading the pack to our destination, still unknown. Was it a buggy ride? I think so. We were traversing a barren land overlooking virgin mountains. This landscape almost resembles an RPG geography, which defies the laws of science. The vast plain resonates unforgiving drought, almost like the Goby desert. But once you start hiking up in the mountains, the feel instantly becomes paradise comprising an elaborate ecosystem home to endangered species and exotic flora and fauna.

While we are on the way, huge photos started to spring up one by one. The photos feature the family as though they've been in this exact place in the past. Massive bed of ricefields resemble an enormous ocean where grains at the tip of the crops danced like ripples of salt water.

As we approach a unique junction, something's not right. The names of the provinces were mixed up as if purposely shuffled to deceive the travelers.

Collage

2006-05-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

It was a collage.

There was a repetitive instance that throbbed in my brain. I stepped on a feline and that feline made what I first thought was a mild and bloodless scratch. But after a few minutes, my foot bled profusely. It was as if my foot is being chomped off by tiny scarlet creatures that had sharp teeth gnawing every component of that part of my body. I was constantly being jolted back to what I thought was reality then kept coming back to sleep thinking I am injured and was set to die.

Another scene involved a familiar face. We were in front of a glass display full of expensive wrist watches. She argued that the watch only costs 300 pesos. I was astounded by the price. That cannot be real. It must be more than that. I am not really a "watch" person. I don't like wearing one around my wrist. But if it's that cheap, the brand is enough reason to buy that.

I was with another familiar person. I wasn't sure of what we were doing in a maze-like setting. Neither am I sure that we were running or we were just standing idly amidst a confusing labyrinth of indistinguishable walls and decors. I think we were discussing the future. The future of what?, I myself don't know.

Probably, the best cake in the world

2006-05-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

I attended the class of the Megastar. I didn't know she had already ventured into the teaching profession. But then again, what if she was only a guest speaker and it was a one time engagement. Anyway, I did not pay much attention to the lecture. I could vaguely recall it was a lecture at all. My attention was more caught by how the whole deal ended. I saw that her impatience prompted her to panic-buy all sorts and sizes of cakes. The cakes were prepared right before our eyes. I couldn't believe how the chef transformed the flour and other fine-grade baking ingredients into a delectable piece of baked goodies. My eyes were enticed by the creamy icings that dressed up the food creation. And then, all of a sudden, the Megastar started wolfing down on the cakes. It was cut into bite size pieces and she was unstoppable. The way she ate it was like a tsunami onslaught that devastated a peaceful seaside town. We were speechlees and we couldn't move in our seats. Our bodies suddenly froze upon witnessing a rather savage behavior.

Later, my family requested me to undergo rigorous physical examination. I cannot remember any potential disease that I am enduring. I was very anxious about it. I searched my memory for any illness I am unaware of. I couldn't sleep.

Digital Camera

2006-04-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

I was in a cosplay of sort. It was for a new indescernable local anime series. Though we are not wearing fancy garbs, the whole situation reeks of Japanese animated series. In one scene, the main focus was the new digital camera that my aunt won in a raffle. Some casts were actors from the local industry. In particular, she's an ancient actress who has a child more popular than her. Anyway, I was with my aunt when we came upon her group. She insisted on trying the digital camera which reminded her of the one she lost, may be in the process of filming the series. It was her favorite gizmo. Feeling a little itchy on the gadget, she ran away and stole the digital camera. It was a riot going after them in the spirit of good 'ole hide and seek. Then we bumped into them and the filming went kaput!

Ghost of A Diffferent Past

2006-04-02T04:16:00.000-07:00

Was it the summer break? I found myself in a big auditorium with a lot of students. There was a competition. It was for a musical. I am sitting very uncomfortably in a seat because I had a major part in our presentation. I think it was a requirement. I was forced into this situation and I couldn't get out of it. I just had to belt out a difficult song. However I don't know how it turned out because it was cut by a classroom scene. I was busy inquiring about the sked of our subjects with one of my classmate. I was surprised because one subject was held irregularly. Sometimes we have a class in a week, other times it was on a daily basis and in certain occasions we don't have that subject. In that subject, I think we were supposed to take a long exam in lieu of the days we have missed out on. But when the professor came in, she postponed the exam again. I was puzzled.

TAR

2006-04-01T04:32:00.000-08:00

I was a cameraman for a team racing in the Amazing Race. For the second time, the Philippines became a leg in this famous race around the world. The teams were on their way to a high-tech attraction somewhere near Sucat or was it Bicutan. It was the site of the very first amphibian auto-mobile in the world. If I recall, it was that part of the race where the teams had to traverse a body of water and a land mass using the same vehicle. However, I lost track of the teams and I was transferred to a unique resort. The pools were inside a huge roofed-vicinity. The ceiling was really high. It was the size of the height of highest springboard used in the Olympics multiplied by three. A couple of inches near the roof, there was a viewing deck where steel structures obstruct your view of swimmers down below who were mostly kids and toddlers.

Teli-tubbies and Other Personas

2006-03-20T20:22:00.000-08:00

I was in a camp and a festival. I think it was up north. There were a lot of things to do. Some of it were part of the festivities and others were miscellaneous activities to enjoy our vacation. At one point, we were running along the edge of a very steep ridge. I don't know if it was part of a game or we were headed to a particular destination covering part of our itenirary. The next thing I know, somebody fell off a cliff. I was magically transported at the bottom of the ridge and I saw the whole tragedy. She was like a crash test dummy mercilessly rolling over the jagged edges of the cliff. Miraculously, she survived.

In the middle of the festival, I had the chance to stroll along the houses in the area. My eyes nearly popped out of its socket when I saw a sea of teli-tubbies all in different scales and colors. Almost all of them were sleeping as though they were lifeless and were victims of a terrible mudslide.

In between these scenes, I encountered a rather complicated person. The person suddenly multplied into two separate entities. Although they were separate entities, discerning their physical differences was almost impossible. One person grew hatred on me because of the other person who was actually the same person essentially. This riddle was left unsolved.

Comedy King and Battle Royale

2006-03-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

I am not quite sure what was the big celebration for. The only thing I am sure of is that there were nice limited edition t-shirts that I really am dying to have one. It was from the King of Comedy. I don't know if he had signed it so the t-shirts became extra special or it was the design I am after. On the same event, I think a local sitcom was also being filmed. As I was about to receive my t-shirt from the King, he was called upon by his infamous son. I waited, waited and waited. The t-shirt did not come and I frowned upon it.

It was raining like crazy outside. It was the "peak season" of the monsoon rains. I went outside but I wasn't sure if it was for work or for school or for something else. A tricycle was already there to fetch me up but the ride would only take me up until the the end point of our street where I usually hail for tricycles. Anyway, I was surprised to see a lot of unfamiliar people dressed up in Japanese school uniforms waiting for a ride. That road isn't a public road because it was inside a residential area. Rains continued to pour down our unprotected hairs when suddenly a bus came out of nowhere. The driver was an old lady who at first refused all of us to jump on in because some girls were carrying water snakes. But after a brief banter, she let us all in. I didn'tknow the destination of our trip and the scenes after that but somehow, I get the feeling that it's like I was in Battle Royale.

Reward and Punishment

2006-02-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

I'd like to believe I was in Survivor. It was post-merge and I won a reward challenge that I shared with somebody I Iike (not necessarily romantic, more like may be strategic or sheer human compatibility). Our reward was a cruise ship that looked like a mansion made out of first grade wood.The ship sailed across an ocean that pretty much reminded me of New Orleans. At the back of the cruise, there's a water wheel.

And so the reward started. It was quite interesting how we were supposed to get to the ship. Coming from the challenge, we were like banished aboard a very small boat that looked like a tiny dot viewed not so far from above among this massive body of water. I am not sure why it was called a reward but it had become more like a punishment. Anyway, it wasn't the way of getting to the cruise that really bothered me but more of a very bad vibe that I get from the people inside the cruise. I am certain that I am not comfortable being around with those people, bordering on hate and disgust.

I was happy the scene inside the cruise never took place in my head because it ain't gonna be good.

Lion, Cartoon Cave and Gallons of Blood

2006-02-17T19:00:00.000-08:00

It was a day of zoological adventure. Together with some people I hardly know, we suddenly found ourselves in a cave that looked like one that you see in American cartoons. But as we were gawking at the stalactites and stalagmites that had formed into shapes resembling the spires of a gothic cathedral, we were taken aback by a rather potentially gruesome act. A hairless Lion was set to perform a celebrated ritual of animal cannibalism. The Lion was with two big black cats that neither resembles a panther nor a cheetah. The cats were simply cats though unusually huge in size. The cats looked like the one you find in the logo of Eveready batteries. It was such a site. Our timing was perfect as the Lion had already opened his huge mouth displaying fangs as though those were recently sharpened by a professional sculptor. The next scene competed onto Bleach's fiercest duels, blood explosions, maimed faces, the works. Poor cats. The whole "screen" was blood-stained literally engulfing our eye sights and the succeeding scenes.

What the....Duty Free?

2006-02-09T20:44:00.000-08:00

We weren't balikbayans but for some reason, we found ourselves driving to the nearest Duty Free Shop within Metro Manila. Since we don't have that pass to allow us to get inside, somebody close to me pulled something up his sleeves. I think he had resorted to the proven way in getting around situation like this and it worked. Upon obtaining the pass, we were like some participants in a contest or a game when the organizers had finally opened the door to the venue, mad scrambling to get the first slot in the queue to be in a game.

This was supposed to be Duty Free but it looked rather like a haunted house. There weren't any lights on and I even saw a glimpsed of what looked like a ghost carrying a grocery bag, whom I presume was an actual customer. Anyway, I wasn't really bothered by the pitch black surrounding. I was more concerned about the items that I am really dying to purchase. When I began scouting the area, the lights turned on one by one revealing a rather quaint store. Duty Free turned into a place like you see in a provincial convenience store in which arrangements of items for sale were all over the place and without a clear pattern. Chocolates were displayed on book shelves along with action figures donated by kids from the 80s with the imposing presence of Lion-O and some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was expecting greater selections of chocolates. It was my primary reason why I wanted to go shopping in there. However, I was really disppointed to see half-opened toblerone cartons enveloped in I think cobwebs. Well, at least the Toblerones were in the true gold/brass packaging and not the yellow one sold in SM.

So I left and searched for more items downstairs. The stairs leading to the supposed supermarket reminded me of stairs found in an old Spanish house. More specifically, a deserted colonial house used in typical Pinoy horror movies. Anyway, there wasn't really much to look at downstairs. The supermarket looked like a bookstore. There were also shirts being sold in one corner. Some cookies lay cracked on the floor amid a shelf of cookie wrappers that has foreign sounding brand names. The only distinct item that caught my attention was a table full of Brut and Old Spice deodorants. The deodorants were wrapped in plastic covers normally used to protect High Shool text books.

It was an experience. I remember, we left the place without any purchase. It was a wise decision.

Spanish IT and a Cannibalized Van

2006-01-24T21:26:00.000-08:00

I was in a province. I don't know the reason why we were there. Although we came there as a group, I can only recall one familiar face. From the outside, it looked like a Spanish Ancestral house that typify colonial Philippines. But once I stepped inside, it was a technology hub; an actual office that had taken residency in a rural town. However, I was surprised to see that workers inside were all minors. The oldest I think was around 17 or 18. If I remember correctly, the computers that they use were all obsolete. Just think of Wordstar and Lotus. The familiar face that I am with was there to assist the small office. The head of the "company" was seeking advice from the familiar face on how to be up to par with the companies within the nucleus of the IT industry. For some reason, we left the place without resolving their problems.

The next scene was a short one. I was in a familiar landmark. However, I am not sure why a local giant network took up the space of an abandoned lot. I saw a glimpsed of a celebrity you really love to hate. The celebrity was late for I assume an appointment. But my attention was caught more by a mecilessly cannibalized van. It was our van. I recall that the van only had a minor problem but our guess turned out to be incorrect.

Railways, Quiz Shows and Hong Kong Express

2006-01-21T20:55:00.000-08:00

1st Scene

The government's efforts paid off. The first stage of rehabilitating the Philippine National Railway was finally completed. Together with some unusual people, we were privileged to try out the newly refurbished PNR line from Pandacan to a station somewhere in Makati. One of the most striking features of the railway system was the mix of colors used on each station. From afar, it easily captured my eyes as though I was looking at a water color pallette.

And so our turn came. We were sure of where we are going. The experiment involved inspecting the comfort and efficiency of the trains. We were given definite plans as to how to go about this endeavor. However, as we were waiting for the train to reach our station, I felt that the composition of my body was slowly disintegrating. Each part of my body were falling apart as though it were pieces of data similar to the fate suffered by characters from Digital Devil Saga. Later did we find out that we were merely pieces of digital images manipulated by an evil professor/mad scientist. There were two images that struck my mind before completely vanishing from that realm: one was that of the train station built like an Indian tent collapsing as though it was an oragami, and the other one was the vague contour of the mad scientist's face bursting in hysterical laughter.

2nd Scene

A very popular noontime show had a new segment. It was more like a trivia-type of contest. But I was quite surprised that it had been set up in the living room of my grand father's house in Laguna. It was a small room but for some reason, everybody fitted in and was moving as though they were in a Savannah. If I remember correctly, the segment's format bored me to death. But there was an interesting mechanics to it. It turned out the game being played at the living room was just a part of a matrix of other games not necessarily similar in format. Somebody called to my attention because I was a participant myself in one of the games. The setting of the game I am on in was at the backyard of the house. To get to the site, I had to pass through a small chamber that looked like a bathroom. Gettting to the site cannot prevent me from comparing it to getting to Narnia where you have to pass through the wardrobe to reveal a magical world.

I came to the site and was scolded by the quiz master. It was there when I found out that each type of game represented a team. But within the team, we must battle out one another to earn the right to represent the team in the finals. The questions asked by the quiz master came from anything under the sun. But there was one particular question I remembered that caused all contestants to have a mad scramble for the clue. Not so far from where we were was a busy highway, which was a route used by provincial buses. Upon asking the question in which the answer can be found on one of the sign boards embedded on the front window shield of the bus, everybody mad dashed to the highway screaming Mariveles.

I don't know who won the game. I just found myself in a restaurant in Ongpin that say: Hong Kong Express or something along that line.

Inescapable Fame

2006-01-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

I was at home watching a show featuring the famous (infamous?) daughter of a former President as the Quiz Master. The format had been tailored to its primetime edition but outside, there's a shower of blinding rays to this face of the earth. The contestants looked rather different from the locals. It seemed like the episode was celebrating United Nations Day. I was only able to catch one answer to a question about what JFK stands for. The meaning to the acronym given by one of the participant was totally incorrect in the real world but apparently, it was the correct answer and he was able to advance to the next round. The next thing I know, an old geezer from the land of Jalapenos won the whole drill. However, I was a bit shaken on my seat when I saw that the female Quiz Master had morphed into an entirely different gender. The show ended without warning.

An Aliens Concert

2006-01-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

I was in an office. The building wasn't the skyscrapers that you normally see in the CBD. The design was more like Art Deco, typically found in downtown Manila. Inside, a lot of us were shocked to hear the news about aliens taking over management. These creatures were bronze-skinned, have hair that were corn-shaded and had jade-colored eyes. You can definitely notice that their being tan was a product of long hours spent lying on white sand, soaked in sun. But some opted to take advantage of technology by wedging their bodies inside what seemed like a rotisserie. Anyway, the day came and the aliens finally arrived. Much to our surprise, they did not come to our office to take over and run the company. So somebody had spread a rumor and tried to sabotage their reputation. Their mission was to hold a rock concert in one of the small function rooms in the office. It was one those rooms normally use for small presentations or for serminars on productivity and success. Still in disbelief, I was talking to some office mates about the whole situation when an indie band dished out their own version of a popular song, which I cannot exactly recall. The whole room was turned into a concert hall except that most people watching acted as though they were in a seminar while somebody gives a boring talk about physics. Then the main act came. It was Jet but they weren't singing one of their own. In fact, they were singing Keanne's Everybody's Changing. From afar, they were really the band Jet. But when it was over and they had to leave the area, I was stunned to see two old geezers instead. They were sporting a mullet and their facial skin was rather sagging and had a lot of lines. But the fans were ecstatic and were going crazy over the two and this caused a whole lot of trouble for them to exit even if the building had several elevators in one floor. It wasn't really a stampede but there were people running around aimlessly. The good thing was that no one was hurt. Although I found myself running away from somebody I knew. It was like in the tradition of "I Know What You Did Last Summer". I am not sure if the person was don in a blanket-like costume that had two holes that enable their eyes to see through like a ghost typically drawn by kids. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a crowd of students in the same office building and I think I suddenly became a student once again.

Jailhouse, Celebrity and a Love team

2006-01-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

Last night's dream was a series of scenes that were not necessarily interconnected to one another.

1st scene:

I was trapped inside a decrepit building looking for a rest room. I badly needed to pee. The building houses what seemed like the Bureau of Corrections. I was randomly wandering along the hallways inside and observed the people behind bars. Most of them were suffering extreme case of malnutrition and were stricken with incurable skin diseases. Their eyes look droopy as though it had already popped out of their faces. It was rather quiet. I was surprised because one cell houses a family. I don't know where the parents were but there was a toddler and a seven month old baby. The next thing I know, I found myself nursing the children and even carried the baby with me.

2nd scene:

I was at home. The phone rang and it turned out to be a phone call from a famous celebrity. It was "the" hottest celebrity as of this season. One member of the family was given the chance to be intimate with the celebrity through the phone. She requested if she could kiss the celebrity over the phone and was successful with it. Another member of the family learned about this. She was upset with her because she wasn't able to "kiss" the celebrity. This caused serious dissension among the family members as though it was about something so serious that concerned the welfare of their future.

3rd scene:

I was in what seemed like Ayala some 30 more years into the future. Makati is now more like Gotham City with numerous branches of elevated train stations structured in every direction blanketing the spot where I stood. I became witness to a rather unusual scene. I was sure there wasn't a film being shot at that location. A local love team of the past reunites amidst the chaotic scene of vehicles crawling their way out of the intertwined branches of elevated railways, noxious gases and clumps of pedestrians. The publicity about them was that they were a real couple and had a child. But the guy betrayed the girl and is now perfectly happy with a new one. In chorus, they chanted their love before the apathetic look of the pedestrians though some were stunned. After their "public vow", they both escaped the sea of chaos to resurrect their love for one another.

The Fight of the Millenium

2006-01-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

It was clearly about the politics in our country although I was never really fascinated by it. A number of people were gathered in a plaza. I am not quite sure where it was but it seemed like it was somewhere down south. I think it was in Dapitan. The President herself was speaking before an unprecedented gathering of famous people across all branches of the government. The media was also there. I couldn't believe Rated K herself acted as the field reporter for ABS-CBN. From the opposition, the daughter of the former Dictator (who is now a representative in the House) was the only particular official I could remember. I really don't know what the President was talking about. But the uproar of the masses, who were also present, could be heard even before she had finished her speech. It was a rather intimate setup. There was no grand stage. There was even little space separating the president from the crowd. I think there was one word, more specifically a slip of the tongue that suddenly detonated the seething anger of almost all people who were there. Chaos errupted and the situation was completely out of control. Amidst the riot, there was one incident that stroke my mind. The representative was so infuriated for some reason with the journalist from the giant network that she couldn't help but assault the clueless field reporter. She was so furious that she acted as though she was a ravaged animal biting the fingers of Rated K. A woman who has an equally strong personality herself, she put up a good fight and grabbed the representative's hair like she was plucking shrubs to clear the way. How it ended, I don't know. I was interrupted by reality before the repercussions of that fight appeared before my mind.

Memories of School

2006-01-01T17:31:00.000-08:00

I was in a school. It had all the elements of my past schools. The quadrangle, the grand stand, and what seemed like a football field. I am not sure if I am on a varsity team but I was with a former grade school acquaintance (note: I was never athletic and never participated in any sports). She's part of the school's track and field team. I never knew she was a fast runner (note: she wasn't either the most athletic person in our class). But she was pretty cunning at that time. She was in the middle of a practice in that field. Before that, I think I was just sitting on the grass while watching a procession of grade school students led by some mature looking individuals. Most of the children were don in their gala uniform while the leaders were in their P.E. uniform and I thought they were too old to be grade schoolers. They were more like high school seniors. It was a bit vague as to why they are filed that way and to where they are headed. But if my memory serves me right, it was the feast day of some saint. Or it could altogether be the birthday of the mother superior or school directress. After watching the march, she and I agreed to race to the top of the grand stand. I could barely catch up with her speed. Panting and worn out, I was greeted by a strange mix of individuals. Some former classmates, a former officemate and other unrecognizable entities. I wasn't sure about the discussion that we had. If I remember right, it might have something to do with politics. But I wasn't really certain if it was campus politics, office politics or the politics in our country because the next thing I know, my eyes were wide open.

Lipo at the Office

2006-01-01T02:38:00.000-08:00

I was in in the office with a former office mate. We were occupied with tons of work and deadlines. I looked at my tummy and I thought it had become slightly bigger. It had not formed a hill yet, it was more like a mound. I was alarmed. I thought I need to get rid of it as soon as I can. The easiest way to prevent the mound from turning into a hill was through liposuction. In that same office, there was a clinic. It's not just your ordinary clinic. It offers a wide range of surgical procedures to enhance one's aesthetical beauty. I begged my ex-office mate to come with me and take a break from his work. He seemed to oppose the whole idea. I don't know why I needed somebody with me at that time. The kind and accomodating person he is, he accompanied me to the clinic. Just when we were about to step inside the the room, anxiety shot up like a lava from a dormant volcano. I just had to withdraw. I thought I can enroll myself in a fitness program to gain back and control my weight. My ex-office mate was furious. He left his work to accompany me and then I'll just back out. The next thing I know, I am awake.