Project7Days

Deliverance

2009-06-27T14:15:00.003+08:00

“My life can’t be this eventful. All I wanted was a cigarette,” Paolo said as they escaped towards the dark side streets, his grip tight on Lisa’s wrist.

It was Paolo’s first night as a free man. He wanted to come home to see his mother and his little girl. But he figured they had completely erased him from their memory.

“Eight years and not one visit from them,” he thought as he sealed his plan of just wandering about in the city like tourists do. “Besides, I’d always wanted to get myself that burger. Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Eat, walk, and maybe take some pictures.”

A lot has changed since he last saw this street. His favorite pub has closed down. A barbershop now stands at the vacant lot where he used to smoke up. The flowerbeds are gone.

“Aah! This is getting painful,” he murmured. He turned into an alley before he hit the corner. He didn’t want to see his studio up on the next block where he walked in on his ex-girlfriend with another guy.

He reached for his pocket to get a cigarette. “Served him right, that bastard,” he thought. “Eight years was well-worth the revenge.”

When he realized he didn’t have a lighter, he walked towards a couple to ask for a light. He hasn’t even had the chance to say anything when he noticed that the guy was raping the woman.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” the guy advanced. “Stop it, Brad! Get your hands off me!” the woman yelled.

In a moment, Paolo’s fist pounded on Brad’s face. As soon as he let go of Lisa, Paolo grabbed her by the wrist and escaped into the dark.

What Now?

2009-06-19T10:31:00.004+08:00

"This can't be happening to me."

Jo is sitting on a rather uncomfortable chair in front of an old desk. The room is lit by ugly flourescent lighting. There are framed photos up on the walls of smiling faces she didn't know. On the desk was a treasure troll dressed in a blue wizard's outfit beside a photo of a boy smiling with a golden retriever.

She shifts awkwardly in her chair. "I shouldn't have walked out that night."

Of course, she's replaying that night her head, as she has repeatedly done the past few weeks trying to figure out what she could have done differently and if they would have made any difference.

It was a few weeks before the wedding. They were having an argument over something that now seems so trivial that she can't even remember how it started. What she does remember is the expression on his face as he sat on the corner of the bed. "I can't do this anymore," he said, and buried his face in his hands. "I'm sorry, Jo. I'm so, so sorry." She was stunned not so much by his words but how he had said it. "That's what you do best!!! You run when things get difficult!!" In her fury, she walked out the door and into the unseasonably bitter cold. They were supposed to be in the middle of summer. She wrapped her cardigan tightly around her and stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Ugh!"

She walked into a dimly lit bar a few blocks down and ordered a vodka tonic, downed it in three gulps and ordered another one. She liked going to that place every time they had an argument. She would sit by the bar staring unconsciously at the tv screen that would normally be on the sports channels. She never did like watching sports. She just liked having something she could ignore.

"Rough night?" She looked up and saw the new bartender smiling at her. He'd only been working there for about two weeks or so. She gave him a wan smile. "Something like that," and continued twirling her glass around. She'd been there a few times with a couple of her girlfriends and they kept pointing out how he kept staring and smiling, hoping she'd finally acknowledge him. "Want to talk about it?" he said, trying to push the conversation. She sipped her drink and looked up at him. How come I never noticed his smile before? she had thought. She smiled back, this time wider and more sincere, a slight flush running up her cheeks.

She stopped her thoughts then. She refused to replay the rest of the night in her head. She needed to forget about that. She returned to the apartment the following morning with the closet half empty and a note on the bed that said, "I'm sorry. I love you."

She fought back the tears that crept up, shut her eyes and shook her head. She needed to put this all in the past. This was why she moved to this city. To forget the pain and leave everything that reminded her of that life. Her old life. She was here to start anew.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden entrance of a squat, balding man in a white coat. He walked behind the desk and sat down with a huge smile on his face. He opened a manila folder, wrote something down and looked up at her, still with that huge grin.

"Congratulations Jo, you're six weeks pregnant."

The Dream

2009-06-12T15:47:00.002+08:00

Last night Jo dreamt about her recent dilemma. Through this dream she finally decided what to do with her current situation. She's a strong person. I know she could go through with this.

Your choice

2009-06-05T00:08:00.004+08:00

It is choice – not chance – that determine your destiny. – Jean Nidetch.

Jean couldn’t have said it any better. I’ve been around for a while, and what I see is, that most people have got the wrong idea of me. They think it’s the other way around. That, I, am just random. They think I am the consequential result caused by their own free will. Others have a more fatalistic approach. Even the time, manner and place of when they sneeze is pre-destined. Let me tell you, I don’t have that kind of time. I don’t do shit like that. I’m more active.

I come in, when you find yourself at the tipping point…

Brad and Lisa are hanging out by the alley of a club. Lisa has her back up against the wall, and Brad is leaning in. His breath smells of alcohol, and he’s so close to her, she can see the redness of his eyes. “This has been a fun evening. Thanks for coming out,” he said.

Lisa tries to push him away from her, “You’re just drunk,” she replied.

“And so are you.” Brad leans in and brushes her hair away from her eyes. She sees reflected in his eyes, her yearning-and her guilt. In shame, she turns away. “Look at me,” he commands.

“Brad, don’t. Please.”

“Don’t deny it. You’re attracted to me.” He pulls up her right hand. “That ring on your finger doesn’t mean anything. You’re getting married in two days, and you’re drunk,” he turns her chin to face him, “Out here, all alone with me.”
Lisa’s heart starts beating faster, Am I really going to do this?

I enter, when you’re facing crossroads…

Danilo has handed in his resignation letter to his boss, a month ago, and they are presently working out the details of separation.

“We were very happy with you working here with us, Danilo,” says the boss, while leafing through some papers.
“We’re very sorry to lose you.”

“I had a great time here too. I learned a lot.” Danilo smiles.

“I know. So I’m offering you a new contract,” he hands over to Danilo the papers he was just going over. “It’s a permanent position, a higher one in fact. Essentially, it’s a promotion. You’ll get a substantial amount of pay raise. Effective, as soon as you agree.”

“Thank you, Sir. But as you know, I’m getting married in two days, in Italy. My future, and my future family, is going to be there.” Danilo got up “Your offer is generous but it’s not enough to make me stay in Brussels,” he said, as he extended his hand, signaling his departure.

“Good for you, you’re getting married. For your sake, I hope neither one of you is getting cold feet,” replied the boss, as he shook Danilo’s hand.

For a second, Danilo let his boss’ words sink in. Lisa has been acting weird lately, she says it's nothing. I don’t know what to think. I can’t help but feel she’s hiding something from me.

“This job opportunity, right here, this one comes once in a lifetime,” continued the boss as he was walking Danilo to the door. “You don’t have to give me an answer right away, but just think about it?”

I am there, when key moments present themselves….

Paolo was staring up at the ceiling. He couldn’t get the days events out of his head. He had attended his first parole hearing and didn’t expect things to turn out the way they did.

“…good behavior. We have agreed for your early release…” the panelist voice echoed in his head.

Early release?

“You will be a free man tomorrow,” he continued. “We sincerely hope you’ve been rehabilitated. Have you given thought to what you’ll do when you leave?”

“No, sir,” Paolo answered. His head was still swimming.

“I suggest you think about it: what kind of like do you want to pursue once you’re back outside.”

Paolo’s thoughts were still mixed up. He thought of hamburgers and doing whatever it was he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it: sleeping, eating, running. But something was bothering him. What am I going to do with myself when I get out of here?

I am present, when important decisions need to be taken…

Jo was trying to understand what the doctor was saying, but couldn’t make sense of any of it.

“The results indicate that you have a 5% chance of conceiving a baby naturally. This just means that you’ll have a harder time getting pregnant. I understand that 25 years old is young and there is much you’d like to pursue. However, it’s best that you understand the seriousness of your condition and the options you have. As you grow older, the 5% chance that you have now will grow smaller and smaller. If you want to have kids, you can always adopt – if you wish you experience giving birth, then I suggest you get a move on. If there is no one right now in your life, you may wish to consider going to a sperm bank.” The doctor closed the file in front of her.

“Thank you for telling me all this," Jo began, fidgeting slightly. "I must admit, I am a bit overwhelmed. In order to have this baby – my own baby, when do I need to start putting the plan into action? Since, as you’ve mentioned, I don’t have anyone right now.”

“Jo, if you want to have your own baby, be in time to make it and bake it, without endangering your life and your baby’s life- you will have to have it within 12 months of this diagnosis - that means, this year.”

When you’re all alone at night, hiding in the dark, it’s my voice you hear asking you,

“What are you going to do now?”

such a tease.

2009-05-29T20:08:00.004+08:00

PRECIPICE TEASER from louiie.victa on Vimeo.

UGH!

2009-05-01T15:14:00.002+08:00

Beware the fury of a patient man.
-John Dryden

Sabbatical

2009-04-17T03:12:00.003+08:00

Defining Perversion

2009-04-10T02:50:00.003+08:00

Why everyone should have an organizer...

2009-03-27T00:00:00.003+08:00

Charles Darwin had once said, “A man who dares to waste one hour of life
has not discovered the value of life.”

Hi, my name is Grace. I’m 32 years old, married to Mars and have two kids, ages: 5 and 6. I believe in making the most out of the time we have, which is why I have this Belle de Jour, power planner. With life being as crazy as it is, you don’t have an hour to waste. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a day if you organize yourself well enough.

Don't believe me? Here's a sample of my typical day.

(click on image for better viewing)

Hey, at least I know when I'm having my next orgasm, can you say the same?

Hands

2009-03-19T23:09:00.003+08:00

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is every wasted." - Aesop

The Tower

2009-03-13T20:26:00.005+08:00

the tower from louiie.victa on Vimeo.

A "SHIT HITS THE FAN" EXPERIMENT.
Title: The Tower
Theme: Temperance
Tools: Recent random events, tarot cards, cramming, pizza and no yoga for three days.
Track: THE TOWER by louiie.victa featuring Kari Lopez

What kills a skunk

2009-03-06T13:04:00.000+08:00

Hell Hath No Fury Than A Woman Scorned

2009-02-27T00:01:00.007+08:00

Two Bodies Found Dead
by DAILY LOCAL NEWS
Last updated at 8:15pm on 28th February 2009

The bodies of two women were found in a small apartment complex earlier this week. The women, whose names have yet to be released, were found by police soon after neighbors reported a gun shot coming from the second floor unit. One of the bodies was brutally mutilated while the other was found with a gun shot wound to the head. Initial reports say that one of the deaths was a suicide while the other is yet to be determined. The husband of the gun shot victim has been taken in for questioning and later released pending further investigation.

(clicking on some images will give a larger view)

you never really know how much you've got

2009-02-20T01:29:00.004+08:00

Ana – Female, in her mid-20’s. Athletic build. Stress is evident on her face, especially her eyes. She is the breadwinner of her family.

Jenny – Female, in her mid-20’s. Extremely fat and rich.

FADE IN

EXT. OVAL TRACK - Dusk

ANA (voice over)
(Panting Heavily.)

MONTAGE: Long shot of oval track. Heads with hair tied into ponytails. Close up of a pair of designer cross trainers. Runners with earphones. Men stretching. Women sweating heavily.

ANA (V.O.)
San ko kaya huhugutin yung pambili ng Lipitor ni Ma?
Hala, due na pala this week yung upa ng bahay.
Uy, mamayang gabi na pala yung bola nung 6/49.
Akin na yung 140 million nay un. Akin na.
Ba’t ba ang sakit na sa paa nitong sapatos ko?

Cut to: Close up her worn out shoe.

ANA (V.O.)
Ayos. Balak ko pa naman tumakbo ulit bukas.

Ana ogles at the cute soccer player who just passed her.

ANA (V.O.)
Tamo, yan. Sayang kung di ko sya makikita bukas dahil lang nagsasalita na ang sapatos ko.

Montage: Close up of her eyes. Her hands reaching down to her pockets.

Onga pala, nagpapabili pa ng illustration board si Eric.
Ba’t ba naman kasi di pa nya pinagkasya sa allowance nya yung pang project nya e.
Pang mamayang gabi na lang pala yung bigas.
Sana naman mag-date kami ni Eric sa Sabado.
Ano kayang resulta ng blood test ni Papa?

Montage: Jenny downs half a bottle of blue Gatorade. Long shot of oval, Jenny still sitting on the bleachers, clothed in designer sportswear from head to toe.

ANA (V.O.)
Kanina pa yun nagwawarm up ah.
Wow. Magjojogging lang, sosi pa ng outfit.
Kung akin yun, nai-ebay ko na yun para may pambayad na ako sa kuryente.
Lagay ko, “Pre loved, used only twice”.
May bibili kaya nitong jogging pants ko? Bench naman to e.

Cut to: Mid shot of Ana running towards the camera.

ANA (con’t)
Ay shet, kailangan pala tumawag ng tubero.
Buti na lang sweldo na bukas.
At deadline din ng draft na pinapagawa ni Atty. Carasig.
Ayoko pa umuwi.
Gusto ko ng chocolate. Na may hazelnuts.

Cut to: Jenny eating Lindt white chocolate with hazelnuts. Still at the bleachers.

ANA (con’t)
Ba’t kaya di pa tumakbo yung chabelitang yun?
5 na beses ko na sya dinadaanan, nasa bleachers pa rin.
Sana may good news naman bukas sa PTA meeting ni Junjun.
Ano kayang uulamin naming mamaya… Meron na kayang posting tungkol sa….

Cut to: Jenny, with her back to the camera. Looking at Ana, running across the screen.

JENNY (V.O.)
Sana ako na lang yung babaeng yun.
Kung ganun kaliit ang tiyan ko, kanina ko pa naitali yung sintas ko at nasimulan tong diet ko.

An Acquired Taste

2009-02-13T12:24:00.004+08:00

Circumstances left me unable to tackle my usual creative pursuits, so I decided to try something else for a change. The writing muse and I haven't truly spoken in the longest time, but here it is:

An Acquired Taste
by Jamila R. Nedjadi

She opened her eyes and watched him sleep.

His hair fell like black feathers across his forehead, his eyelashes built like a dormant Venus flytrap. His breathing was slow and even. The eyelids were as water-still and empty of any dream.

She was in the middle of pouring the orange juice when she heard him stirring. "I'm in the kitchen," she called out. Licking the last of the pulpy flesh from the oranges, she crunched the bitter seeds between her teeth.

He sat down, elbows resting easily on the table. He was still naked, perfectly comfortable wearing nothing but skin. He stared at her over his folded hands, eyes blank and giving away nothing.

She slowly and deliberately set the glasses on the table before taking the seat across his. She smiled and asked, "Hungry again?"

He nodded sheepishly, the first twinge of emotion flickered over his dark eyes. She watched him hesitantly reach out for her hand. She let her fingers relax on his palm, watched him carefully bring her thumb to his lips.

She hissed as the pain took her, but kept her eyes open. His teeth easily tore through the skin, meeting little resistance from the bone. There was a short crunch, a few wet sounds. "Is this really all right?" he asked between eager bites, licking his lips before any precious blood would spill errantly.

She simply smiled at him, the pain hanging off her lips.

When he was done, she pulled back and cradled the stump to her chest. She let the blood seep through her dress, red flowers blossoming on her breast. "I can't believe you really are a virgin." She whispered, gasping appreciatively at the burning flesh that left supernovas exploding in her vision. The pain was violent but quiet, decidedly private but open to voyeuristic eyes. He was watching her, and she let the pain ripple through her body.

The regrowth process was just as painful, just as pleasurable. The bone was always the quickest, bursting forth like winter-bleached branches. They both watched as the flesh sluggishly followed suit, blood dying white to red. Sweating and panting by the time it was done, she smiled tiredly at his anxious face.

"Next, you'll be telling me you're really a minor," she teased, before reaching over the table to bring his face closer to her impatient teeth.

-------------------

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone ;)

A night in my shoes

2009-02-06T00:00:00.006+08:00

It was raining. Shitty, shitty weather, I thought to myself. I hated standing outside on the pavement in the rain at night, but I had a job to do. How cliché.

The television was blasting indoors. I stared hard at the living room window. I could barely make out a shape of a man lounging by the TV set. Judging from the noise coming from the TV, a game was on. Or at least, had just reached half time.

My man silhouette got up and switched the light on in the kitchen. Ah, he was preparing dinner. By the sounds of it, he was throwing some things together and simply sautéing it, and whistling in the background. Big mistake, didn’t anyone tell him it was bad luck to whistle while cooking?

I concentrated on the sound of his voice, the clarity of his tune. He was a young man, full of promise, not more than 30 years of age, living on his own. I gathered my will and exhaled deeply.

My man silhouette was inspired by me to bake a batch of cookies for dessert. He turned on the oven to pre-heat it, and I reminded him that his sauté dinner combo was about to burn. It was important to keep an even pressure on his soul. Too much, and I kill him without damning him. Too little and I lose him. He finished preparing his dinner and was about to turn off the stove. I concentrated on him a bit harder, I could feel his inner resistance ebb away with this conscience slightly puzzled. He lazily concluded he could turn off the oven after the game.

My man silhouette, fixed up his place in front of the TV. He was slightly confused on why he was taking his time, but I kept my breathing even, I didn’t want to startle him all together and start again. Half time was over and the second half began. My man silhouette ate his dinner contentedly while enjoying the game.

I kept a steady concentration on him. My efforts were rewarded when he was inspired to leave the dishes where he ate and just head towards his bedroom. I made sure, he didn’t even think of changing. At long last, he slept. He didn't trouble himself with the gas leaking from his oven. I encouraged him not to bother.

All this work made me hungry. I was wondering where to go when I heard his heart stop and his soul cry out. I smiled to myself and headed for the nearest bar. I was going to celebrate tonight. And after that, who knows? Maybe, I just might drop by and visit…. You!

Satisfaction

2009-01-30T01:16:00.004+08:00

“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.”

--Erich Fromm (Philosopher, Psychoanalyst)

one ignorant mouth

2009-01-23T23:59:00.010+08:00

one ignorant mouth from louiie.victa on Vimeo.

ideas in multi media inspired by GLUTTONY

“Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.”

~ Socrates (470-399 BC)

hold your own

2009-01-16T02:33:00.002+08:00

a loser's guide to pride

hold your own from Paul Santiago on Vimeo.

Something's Brewing

2009-01-10T16:05:00.002+08:00

Ok, so we've been on a weird sabbatical for several weeks now. We do apologize for the lack of posts. We've just discussed our new scheme and it will start next week.

What is it about? Clue: BRAD PITT.

Hahaha! That's not much of a clue but I want to save details for next week's launch. Grace, our resident writer, was the one who came up with the brilliant idea and we're all very excited to see how each of us pull it off.

So, we promise next week we'll have something up for you :) Till then!

Believing

2008-12-26T22:36:00.004+08:00

“In our lives there is bound to come some pain, surely as there are storms and falling rain; just believe that the one who holds the storms will bring the sun.”

*click on image to enlarge

TRIO

2008-12-05T18:26:00.005+08:00

TRIO

three episodes of love (and love lost) in free verse

Starlight and Espresso

Swirling sugar into the black
Bitterness made somewhat palatable
Awake, I am
Indulging my lips against
This blistering hot porcelain cup
I faint on the inside
But my hands still grip the quill
That traces every letter
That spells love
Oh my eyes are fixed
On that clever map against the sky
If only I had a magic compass
Then maybe, I can begin to trace
My way home
To you.

Tryst

There is an hour when jasmine blooms
Fragrant
In a garden undisclosed
At these moments
The sands of time
Come close to a standstill

I am awakened from my slumbering state
You are breathing my name
Softer than a whisper
An invitation from the universe
Only a lover’s heart could hear

A cascading blanket of tiny white diamonds
Greet my blurred perception
Suddenly you appear out of the shadows
To meet me with an embrace
Soon afterwards
We eagerly exchange mementos

I present to you my right hand
In it is the midday sun
You are pleased with it
And it’s rays draw your gaze
Deeper with it’s fiery dance
Whilst in your mouth you bear
The silken mist that floats at dawn
In which I partake of
Within your amorous kiss

Your breath falls on my neck
The sound of amplified hearts
Take the lead
Thus it is the opus
We choose to lend our bodies to
Whilst we execute the need
To quell the hunger that lies
Deep inside

Of you

And

I.

the.dreamcatcher’s.hostage

Last night’s gift, a carpet unfurled

Vast

For my indignant toes to walk upon

Three steps left, two steps right

Antarctica creeps

Into the quick of my vein

While my insides succumb to the plague

Ennui.

Mi corazón transforma en el palacio de invierno
¿Y mi sangre?

In its place, a violent poison

Mercury – water and silver

Playfully
cruelly
streaming from the wound. where

Reality
forcibly
ripped apart

Our Siamese souls.

Age

2008-11-28T00:01:00.001+08:00

Photos: Omar
Words and editing: Kari

omar. NEW YORK cutie. hilarious. charming. enjoys ice cream, whipped cream out of a can, and can devour an entire apple pie in one sitting. a master at crazy eights and xbox lego games. a budding photographer despite his young age and wise beyond his years. he will be a player when he grows up.

Happy Birthday Kari

2008-11-22T16:37:00.003+08:00

My, oh my, how time flies.
It's Kari's birthday, I could almost cry.
to be with you, we want to be
Despite the distances and even across the sea.

This past year has been tough, yes we know.
We wanted to be with you, didn't it show?
We make our love felt the best we could.
We don't say it much, we all know its understood.

Remember how the year began,
An 80's themed party in friendlier lands,
Then travel adventures with friends (and fans!)
Living life, that was the plan.

You're always hoping for the best,
Your morbid sceret, noone would ever guess.
We'd never change a thing about you,
You're not perfect, but anyway, its true!

Cherish dearly the food filled nights,
Those memories are our lights,
To keep loneliness and sadness at bay,
To think of how we once were makes us ok.

Never doubt the talent you've been given,
Or your beauty, no, not the hidden!
Trust that this year, you'll get where you need to be.
With us in tow, cheering you on, you'll see.

The road ahead is uncertain for us all,
But don't worry, we won't let you fall!
This year we hope for you all the best things:
Lingerie, make up kits, and maybe Prince Charming!
Happy Birthday Kari, have lots and lots of fun...
You ready girl? Life (at 27) has just begun....

- lots of love, P7D team

Bill...

2008-11-21T13:13:00.003+08:00

Bill's adventures were like no other...
Entertainment Tonight put together a mini documentary for the Poor Fellow...