crazycoolmind on Xanga

Weblog

Thursday, 09 October 2008

The Guitarman

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.

Wednesday, 01 October 2008

Blowing Bubbles

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.

Currently Reading
The King of Torts
By John Grisham
see related

Saturday, 27 September 2008

What three things do you miss from your younger years?

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

Currently Watching
The River Wild
By Meryl Streep, Stephanie Sawyer, Joseph Mazzello, David Strathairn, Elizabeth Hoffman
see related

Sunday, 14 September 2008

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.

Sunday, 07 September 2008

Mamma Mia

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.

Currently Reading
Stories for the Heart: The Original Collection -- Over 100 Stories to Encourage Your Soul
see related