crazycoolmind's Xanga

The Guitarman

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:12:45 GMT

Whenever I feel bitter, the picture of a man I had encountered way back in college, makes me think again. It was just another ordinary afternoon (that turned out to be otherwise) on my boarding house when I heard a plucking of a guitar, a rather unusual sounding music with vernacular lyrics. I headed for the door to track the source of the sound. As I slowly opened it, I had to wince at the sight unfolding before me. An old man in tatters, probably in his seventies was sitting at the doorstep, carrying an instrument that appeared to be a guitar. Two grimy little kids accompanied him. But my attention was soon focused on him. I noticed that his eyes were closed and somehow realized he was blind. I surveyed him more closely. The guitar was most likely made of junk materials. I began to realize why the sound he created was a bit different. The guitar's body seemed to be made out of a metal bucket that was already a little bit rusty. The sound board, of old plywood. The neck appeared as if it didn't really belong there, it seemed to be taken from another old guitar which was perhaps already broken. The tuning screws, apparently, were crafted by some not so skilled wood-carver. Nevertheless, whoever made that musical instrument was somehow one talented person.

I looked at his arms but couldn't see his hands, and it just hit me that he didn't have hands after all. His left wrist was inserted to a small glass container and that was what he used to stop the strings to get the correct pitches. A plastic band surrounded his right wrist- attached to the band was a smaller version of a pick which he used to pluck the nylon-stringed guitar. I listened closely to the vernacular lyrics and they sounded more like of a folk song- telling the story of a man who had encountered all the tribulations in life but was still hopeful, and thankful to God that despite those, he still existed. Was he referring to himself? Perhaps... I stared and listened in awe as he created beautiful music using his wrists, his makeshift guitar, and his frail yet determined voice. He sang the song beautifully as if it came from the heart, and for a moment, I was lost there.

I know he didn't see me but I could tell he could feel my presence. Eventually, I searched my pocket and found what I was looking for. One of the kids approached me and I handed it to her. Then she went to the old man and gently patted him on the back. The song ended. Carefully, he stood, searched for the kids' hands, and then left with some grateful words for me.

I wish I could have given something more than that. But I just didn't know what to do. In exchange for a few coins of money, he left me with a lesson in life.

Blowing Bubbles

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:36:06 GMT

Gotcha! I caught Mana Luz, an officemate, offguard blowing a bubble gum while we were on our way to the tree planting site- one of our activities for our company anniversary. She wasn't even aware of it until I handed her the printed copy! She told me her little daughter would love it seeing her mama doing such kiddish stuff. "And rarely do people get photographed with a blowed-up bubble gum on their face, " she added chuckling.

I'd love it more though had it been a bigger bubble and then it popped into her face. Hahaha, kidding.

Oh, how I love candid moments on cameras.

What three things do you miss from your younger years?

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:26:58 GMT

I just answered this Featured Question; you can answer it too!

1. the luxury of time (I didn't appreciate it by then, i didn't know i had it)

2. street games with childhood friends

3. gradeschool/highschool classroom activities

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:49:29 GMT

I had a rather hilarious moment this morning when I woke up staring at the clock with the short hand, in all its glory, pointing towards the figure nine. Flummoxed as I was, it came to mind that the clock was probably broken otherwise I'd be late, very late... for work. Then I suddenly realized it's a Sunday. duh. These extended hours at the office, overtime work even on weekends where I'm supposed to be at home, has practically changed my, what do you call this, subconcious thinking (?) even up to now that it's actually over.

Glad it's over.

Oh, and why can't I find on xangazon search this movie, Princess Aurora (Orora Gongju.) One of those subtle movies. Thought it was just another murder flick but turned out to be more than that. I kinda like it.

Mamma Mia

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:55:14 GMT

The song "Joy to the World" seemed to be out of place as I heard it being played on the bus where I was at, on my way home, a week ago. Or at least that was what I thought. With the start of the "ber" months, Christmas songs are already heard almost everywhere. So much has happened to me I was never able to keep track of time.

It started on the last week of June, I was getting jittery and really excited for the first ever case hearing I was supposed to attend. I was sort of helping on working on some evidences (reconciliations to prove some malversation of funds case). But just a few days before the big day, I had these attacks again coupled with muscle spasms, I looked like somebody with a cerebral palsy. duh. The week after, I had to be brought to the nearest hospital with our company car as the makeshift ambulance. I looked like I was having a seizure and my officemates were very much alarmed. I underwent lots of laboratory tests but the CT scan had to be cancelled. I knew why, we really couldn't afford it. The diagnosis for the muscle spasms- hypocalcemia. Cool!, thank God it wasn't some sort of a brain disease. I felt crazy because 3 doctors had to see me, an internist, an endocrinologist, and a neurologist. My bills would have gone up if had they included a cardiologist.

But I'm pretty much okay now, my calcium has already went up to the normal levels. Life though is still a constant struggle- like when you're on an overcrowded bus on a rush hour trying hard to breath. And I I'm still working on gaining those pounds I lost.

Oh, off to a tangent, I watched the movie Mamma Mia. Entertaining, beautiful setting, good cast (Meryl Streep still stands out), lovely music. The songs of ABBA surprisingly fit in with the situations they were sang at. But I never realize how sad the song The Winner Takes It All could be, I guess the part where Meryl Streep sang it was one of the highlights of the movie. Another unforgettable part was the mother and daughter duet of Slipping Through My Fingers.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:41:31 GMT

"If you want to be immortalized, plant a tree, bear a child, or write a book." The priest quoted these words as he delivered the homily to the mass that signaled the beginning of the celebration of NIA's (National Irrigation Administration) 45th Anniversary.
And plant trees did we.

The Finance and Management Division where I am part of went to this place called Barangay Kapirawan, Palo as each division was assigned to a particular barangay/village. Lunch and socials together with all the divisions would later follow at a certain beach resort.

Here's a picture of me with arms open wide as if embracing the invigorating air surrounding me, with Ate Nene behind.

And some of the photos that I have taken.

That's Joshua, the five-year old son of Ate Lisa, making himself busy.

Charisa- another officemate.

arrival

Ate Nene taking her big leap over the irrigation canal.

Ysang's hands and her tree.

Ate Luz and her tree.

At the beach

Parlor games- human threading

Water race... That's Ma'am Linda- the manager for the Administrative Division.

Indeed a festivity- with all the heat (from the tree planting ), the food..plus the drinks, the games,(not to mention the prizes) and the chatter.

Homecoming

Sun, 04 May 2008 21:43:11 GMT

Homecoming by Belva Plain stole my attention as it sat on the end of the bookshelf while I was rummaging again on a booksale. Not that it's a favorite nor have I read any Belva Plain novel before, but because it's one of my cousin's favorites, Ate Letlet. I had the idea to give it to her. But then we don't have the time to see each other often so I took my time reading it first. Plain's works according to Ate Letlet dealt with family saga, thus I was intrigued.

Belva Plain writes in such a compelling way that makes you connect with the characters and the story itself. The plot may be traditional but the characters were three-dimensional, you'll soon find yourself involved with them. Homecoming.. it's one great read and an absolute tearjerker..

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:37:22 GMT

After witnessing what happened to me last April 4 and learning that I have MVP (mitral valve prolapse), our office's Regional Manager, Sir RGQ, offered financial help and decided that I should be immediately sent to a certain hospital in Cebu City to see a cardiologist. He recommended one, his wife's cardiologist who used to have MVP, too. I could tell he was concerned of my condition and I appreciated it much. Really.
When I had my check-up, my doctor indeed referred me to a cardiologist, hence I told her about my boss' plan.

I had my first glimpse of a real urban place last Thursday- fast life, fast cars, wide highways and flyovers, towering buildings. Tacloban, the city where I work at is very much different to Cebu. I still love my quiet hometown.

On Friday morning, along with my mom I went to the said hospital. Unfortunately, the doctor whom my boss recommended was out of the country. But then, another cardiologist for the meantime took her place. He told me that those attacks that were happening to me were called hyperventilation syndrome. A condition in which you tend to breath too fast thus resulting to excessive oxygen intake. It's not life-threatening. The attacks can only last for a short period of time. There are no medications, just my confidence that I can overcome whatever may happen to me. Yet still, a big question lingers on mind. How can I able to live a normal life if these attacks continue to happen? I was a bit frustrated, but then again, what can I do? I should be thankful instead that I still live.

Later in the afternoon, my mom and I went to see an aunt (who's also my godmother) together with his son. She treated us to this Italian restaurant called Sbarro. But something I dreaded happened to me while we were there. The veins in my forehead were moving wobblingly again. I suddenly had palpitations. My whole body was shaking and was numb and stiff. I couldn't breath. It was a very nasty feeling. The next thing I knew, a man I didn't recognize was holding my hand. I suddenly realized he was there to rescue me. I heard him saying he was an EMT. He was doing something so that I could be able to talk. I was opening my mouth and exerting effort to talk but nothing would come out. He really handled the situation very well like a pro. A paper bag was passed and he told me to breath through it. Inhale..exhale.. he gently guided me. We repeated the process until I started to feel better. While massaging my hands, he told me to squeeze his hand, too. I was able to, and there he knew I was already doing well. He asked for my name again, and this time I was able to utter it. I saw him point a finger upwards and asked, "How many fingers am I holding up?" I answered,"One." We both chuckled. He said he'd only leave if I assured him that I was okay. I told him I was. He gave me a high-five and left with a calling card and told us to call him if we needed his help.

Again, I am indebted to my boss and to all, most especially to God. And to that certain Mr. Reynaldo D. Abad, the EMT who rescued me, I really never had the chance to thank him. I hope I can thank him someday.

MVP

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:50:31 GMT

MVP.. Most Valuable Player?! I chuckle at the thought. I had undergone echocardiogram on the 29th of March and the results were normal except for one statement saying Anterior mitral valve leaflets prolapse with no significant regurgitation. Indeed, I have MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse)

April 5 was my birthday and too bad I had to spend it at the hospital. The day before at the office, while we were attending the First Friday Mass, I suddenly had severe palpitations. My whole body became numb and stiff I couldn't even stretch my fingers. I found myself gasping. My officemates had to rush me to the hospital. The whole time our resident doctor at the office was with me. I haven't even thanked her yet, and don't even know her name as she's referred only at the office as "Doktora."

Ironically, my birthday last Saturday was one of the happiest. My officemates had a surprise party for me. Along with some food, they brought balloons and a birthday cake. They didn't know that I had been secretly longing to blow birthday candles and make a wish on them eversince I was a kid. I had to wait until my 23rd birthday, I fought the urge to cry.

I was discharged Saturday afternoon but my hospital bills skyrocketed. My parents had to ask the hospital for a discount. Since I am not a regular employee, I have no health insurance yet. It never occurred to my mind to get one voluntarily. Thankfully, the bills dropped as I saw "courtesy" written adjacent to the doctor's fee.

I am indebted to all.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:39:29 GMT

   Back! and yes, my first post for 2008. Yay!

      Summer is supposed to be looming since it's already March but it had been raining successively for the past few weeks. There'd been floods here and there and it was a burden on the way to work. (My contract at NIA was renewed for another 3 months.)

      I had a lovely valentines, by the way. It could have been lovelier if not for the heavy downpour but I guess it poured to add a little touch of romance.   A girls' night-out with my four girl-officemates, we went to this place called Kyle's. An antique house turned into a restaurant- the ambiance was superb, and the food as well. I particularly loved the grilled tuna. hmm.. We don't drink though but one guy officemate hopped in and thus had the bottles of beer to himself An acoustic guitarist sat by the mini-stage and happily obliged himself to play the songs requested by the guests. I remember the first song he sung, "I'm not talking bout moving in, and I don't wanna change your mind........ And I'd really love to see you tonight. " Geez.

addendum: just wanted to post here a pic of my watch together with the prayer beads given to me by an officemate.