tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:54:10 +0000random ramblingspicsnewsfanaticsurveyslistsrantsgoogly eyeshappy and gayfictionhunky doodlesravestelevisionconfessions of a sissy in the city.http://98er.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (PJ)Blogger277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-868283651148661704Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:54:00 +00002011-12-31T14:54:10.570+08:00random ramblingsLast July I wrote a sort-of a half-year review on how things were going along in my life. I was re-reading it earlier while I was trying to come up with the usual year-end musings (my Twitter feed and Facebook wall are littered with these since yesterday). Boy, how time flies. And how things change so fast. Despite the birthing pains I've experienced earlier this year working on new tasks at http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/12/till-world-ends-aka-how-i-roll-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-784604159424416431Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:42:00 +00002011-12-09T18:42:10.553+08:00random ramblingsHere's my list last year: Boyfriend? HAHAHAHAHA! Here we go again... My own car A savings account with at least six figures in it (Kelangan na talagang mag-ipon! Or mag-asawa ng mayaman!) Trip: out of country conferences, off-site work, or (and especially) leisurely vacations Backstage passes and/or meet and greet opportunities to my favorite acts (I hope Kris Allen comes back again) 1TB http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-christmas-wish-list-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-6801503483728285811Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:33:00 +00002011-10-30T19:33:29.328+08:00random ramblings"Let's do this again sometime." Those will be the last words that I will hear from Ram. Then JM. We met, shook hands, had coffee. Conversation was good enough. After an hour or two we part ways. We shook hands again, promising to keep in touch. Then after a couple of text messages, communication fizzles out. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that I've had these couple of dates coffee meet-ups -- http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/10/love-isnt-easy-but-it-sure-is-hard.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-6477581434182661701Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:56:00 +00002011-10-21T18:56:02.115+08:00random ramblingsRemember about two years ago when I said I would never use Twitter because one can do micro-blogging in an actual blog platform anyway? Look how that turned out. After driving the recently acquired car for more than a week, I may have to eat my previous position about driving. I know it's too early to tell but consider the said position already in my mouth, ready to be chewed and swallowed. http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/10/drive-me-crazy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-4655973574393934476Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:07:00 +00002011-10-05T19:09:20.989+08:00random ramblingsFun fact: when Honda City was first introduced in 1997, I swore that it was my dream car and I will start saving money for it. It must be because of that catchy jingle/song that played in TVCs and radio stations. I was in high school then, and I started saving 500 pesos from my weekly allowance. Mother will match what I saved and she'll deposit the cash in a savings account under my name (that http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/10/maximum-overdrive-redux.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-2344857515537199703Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:58:00 +00002011-09-30T18:58:50.802+08:00random ramblingsWalong oras ang ginugol sa data visualization training. Which was very interesting, even the concepts (na syang bulk nung training). Key takeaway: kapag hindi alam kung anong klaseng data meron ka, i-scatter graph mo na lang! Bulilyaso #2: Naligaw papuntang office. Natandaan ko naman ang directions ni Louie: sundan lang ang MRT line hanggang Burger King. Eh kaso kumanan ako instead of kaliwa. http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/two-days-in-taipei-day-two.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-2897269202386741830Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:12:00 +00002011-09-28T20:12:01.674+08:00random ramblingsDelayed post -- hindi ko 'to naasikaso because of the 30-day challenge that was ongoing then. But since I had written about my previous adventures before, might as well do it again. :) * * * First time makapunta sa Taiwan, which is like 1.5 hours lang pala from Manila by air. Parang roadtrip lang to Tagaytay! Or  isang commute ride from bahay to office habang may ginagawa sa Ortigas. Anyway, http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/two-days-in-taipei-day-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-726370859053304979Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:29:00 +00002011-09-20T00:29:03.805+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 30 DONE! Well, the month-long exercise, that is. I can't believe I actually managed to last this long. Hehe! Anyhoo, I hope I can continue this habit. This story I'm working on is not yet done, after all. Not sure if I'd like to continue writing this online though. Hm... * * * "So what's drawing you to him," Perry asked Bryan, as if reading his thoughts at that veryhttp://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/fantasy-aka-girl-talk-part-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-2771409781928975891Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:15:00 +00002011-09-18T17:17:26.463+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 29 I missed a day of the writing challenge because I overslept. :( I promised myself to write a new one last night after taking a nap, and what do you know? It's Sunday. LOL. Anyway, continuing the Allan storyline... One day to go! * * * Bryan could not stop thinking about Allan for the rest of the week. It's torture, Bryan admitted to himself. Allan is http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/writing-challenge-day-29-i-missed-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-5055764447953116686Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:59:00 +00002011-09-16T19:59:24.686+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 28 * * * "Um," Bryan began before realizing he doesn't know the engineer's first name. "What's your name again?" "Sir, Allan po," the engineer replied. "Allan, got it." Bryan replied. Then he began again: "Um, Allan?" "Yes po?" "Baka ma-kiss na kita nyan sa lapit ng mukha mo sa 'kin. Ikaw rin sige ka," Bryan joked, trying to relieve the tension. Mostly his own http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/engineering-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-4119541780890727694Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:27:00 +00002011-09-16T18:53:18.509+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 27 Three days to go! So I think I'm done with the Casimiro angle in my last post. For now at least. Medyo ma-drama na kasi. Flash-forward now to another one of my Bryan's adventures. :-P I'll try to make this more... silly. * * * "Sir Bryan?" A shy voice asked. "Yes?" Bryan replied without looking up from his computer screen. "Sir, I have some corrections lang po sahttp://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/engineering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-1212202579018449812Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:20:00 +00002011-09-15T00:20:58.569+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 26 Continuation of yesterday's post. * * * "Anong chismis?" Bryan inquired as he and Winston made their way to the corner cubicles by the window, where the Nancy-Papa people used to work. Used to being the operative word, Bryan thought. Even though there are still familiar faces in the area--Bryan waved hi to his and Winston's batch mommy who used to prepare lunch forhttp://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/gossip-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-2475532794573600253Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:54:00 +00002011-09-13T23:54:58.889+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 25 Short gist: after the dance things were never the same. To the point that Bryan had to leave and find a new job (I'm still not sure how to incorporate this in the text). Here, Bryan visits his old colleagues. And there will be revelations... * * * "Uy Bry! How are you?" Bryan's friend and former officemate Winston greeted him with a bear hug just as Bryan stepped http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/gossip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-7935370728309940061Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:56:00 +00002011-09-13T00:56:37.795+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 24 Ah the painful realization. :-) Or at least, Bryan thought he realized. * * * "Go Perry! Go Perry! Go Perry!" Bryan laughed as he joined the chanting of the small crowd that formed near the front of the stage. It was the company-wide, Hollywood-themed Christmas party, and with the main programme finished and contest and raffle winners announced, the mood inside http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/heartbreak.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-6019459081481207216Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:53:00 +00002011-09-11T23:56:58.258+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 23 Decided to re-explore Bryan's and Sim's relationship (obviously I don't have an idea on how to move forward yet). Here I try to show a glimpse of their friendship during Bryan's call center stint. * * * "Bread?" a familiar voice on Bryan's left interrupted his five-minute mental break. "Go away," Bryan replied, eyes closed. He had just finished a three-hour call http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/tasty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-139669940391586994Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:01:00 +00002011-09-10T23:02:57.730+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 22 Time-out muna from the Bryan story. Instead here's a totally unrelated, slightly NSFW one. * * * The lights came on again instantly, and Garrett had to squint his eyes and put his hand in front of his face. After seeing stars and blurry rainbows for a couple of seconds, his sight slowly adjusted and focused. Then he rolled to his side and got out of bed to stretchhttp://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/behind-scenes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-8028450244803468996Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:39:00 +00002011-09-10T01:39:05.469+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 21 Phone conversation between Bryan and Perry. Inspired by the talk with Macky and Tin over lunch. * * * "Nagtampo 'ata sa 'kin si Ryan," Bryan confessed to Perry over the phone later that night. "Eh ba't nga naman kasi ang tanga mo?" Perry demanded. "Oh so you two already talked about me? Gee, Per, and I thought I was your best friend first." There was silence onhttp://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/love-aka-girl-talk-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-7862664878658502115Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:58:00 +00002011-09-08T23:58:26.508+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 20 Chat between Bryan and Ryan after the lunch date. I'm pretty sure there really is no rule for first timers, but really, how do you answer that question on roles? Does age and/or previous experience provide the upper hand? And what if both are first timers (meron pa bang ganun)? Will they flip-flop? In other news, I stumbled across NPR's 3-minute fiction contest/http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/versatility-aka-guy-talk-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-5120564945513682288Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:59:00 +00002011-09-07T19:59:32.107+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 19 Final part of the Bryan and Barry's first(!) meeting. * * * They continued to walk, Barry heading purposefully--at least, it seemed to Bryan--to the classy Filipino restaurant at the north end of the mall. Bryan knows the place, and again he thought about the couple of hundred-peso bills in his wallet. He mentally kicked himself in the head for not following Ryan's http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/lunch-date-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-4770235137274189877Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:13:00 +00002011-09-06T20:15:10.595+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 18 This one's shorter than the previous one (205 words!). Hehe. This is probably the coppest(?) cop-out I've written so far. :-/ More deets about the lunch date soon, I promise! * * * "Oh, I've already eaten," Bryan lied for the second time that day as he followed Barry's footsteps. He hoped the grumbling in his stomach was not loud enough for Barry to hear. "But I http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/lunch-date-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-2548427810343348184Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:34:00 +00002011-09-06T00:34:18.106+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 17 I'm kinda tipsy while writing this (had colleagues from overseas to entertain earlier; ended up drinking too much wine, i.e., two glasses). LOL! Anyway, after doing flashbacks and flash-forwards, I'm now jumping to the meetup between Bryan and the one he's texting from the taxi cab. This is kinda short, so expect additional (and hopefully interestingly lengthy) http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/lunch-date.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-8360717853573122052Sun, 04 Sep 2011 12:26:00 +00002011-09-04T20:26:56.919+08:00fiction Writing Challenge, Day 16 I'm on an EB roll! This one is a flash-forward though, so this meet-up happened in the latter part of the story. In short, this is not the one Bryan is/was meeting in Makati. I still haven't figured out how to write that. * * * Be there in 5 mins, Bryan had typed on his cellphone before pressing Send. This time he was telling the truth. The meeting place was http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/rejection.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-7667146062633761877Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:23:00 +00002011-09-03T21:24:04.620+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 15 Flashback to Bryan's [technically] first date. Past perfect tenses are so hard! * * * Be there in 5 mins, Bryan had typed on his cellphone before pressing Send. He'd lied back then, too, he recalled, as he remembered just crossing Aurora Boulevard and walking along Katipunan when he sent that message. It would take him at least ten minutes to reach the nearest http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/eyeball-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-6913696808908339684Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:47:00 +00002011-09-03T02:47:45.726+08:00fiction Writing Challenge, Day 14 Wow two weeks! Almost (technically) halfway through. Not that I'm counting or anything. LOL! As the goal of the challenge said, it's more of me (and those participating) trying to develop that habit of writing regularly. Even if coming up with shit stuff is sooo hard! I really had this urge earlier to cop out and have Bryan create his "own" blog entry. Hehe! Fiction http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/eyeball.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18692415.post-5242225703473838017Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:08:00 +00002011-09-01T23:31:41.576+08:00fictionWriting Challenge, Day 13 Sort of like a spin-off of the Girl Talk and Name Game parts, this time trying the IM conversation format. Bryan and Ryan are chatting online, talking about the trials and tribulations of having a gay.com* account. (*gay.com is an actual site--it still exists today. Di pa uso ang Planet Romeo or its predecessor Guys 4 Men 'nun.) :) * * * bry0625: This is http://98er.blogspot.com/2011/09/guy-talk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (PJ)0