One Liners

And I finally found the time to pause from all the madness of work and make an entry...

So much has happened. So much has been undocumented. And as much as I want to talk about everything in detail, I just...can't. And the events have to be condensed into...one liners.

Here goes...

September 3

* Ooh...pink phone. Must have.
* Php 5,000. Ka-ching.
* And Karen is once again connected to the outside world.
* That life should be my life.
* Wow.

September 8

* He's not that hot, but somehow he IS cute.
* I just love how he smiles.
* And sana hindi na niya binitawan 'yung kamay ko.

September 15

* This is fun...and I wish this will not be the last time.

September 16

* Nine years of friendship and I still love these guys. =)

September 18

* Girls' day out. Ang saya.
* And Karen reports to work intoxicated. *tog*

September 19

* And I missed Olai!!!
* Goodbye prety, pretty skirts.
* Goodbye sexy heels.
* This is wardrobe overhaul. Shit.
* And I cried once again. Shit. Shit.

September 20

* Hihiram ako ng linya mula sa Sugarfree: "O, kay tagal din kitang minahal"

September 21

* Images. Images. Images. All unwanted. Noooooooo!!!
* Sigh.
* And yeah, I'm disappointed.
* ...and disillusioned.
* ...and...
* Sigh.
* Sigh.
* Sigh.
* Sigh. . . . . . . .

September 24

* Ten thousand bucks...ka-ching, ka-ching. Yet somehow I'm happy. Uber happy. Kailan kay mauulit?

September 25

-He says I'm blooming; but despite a "long and lonely walk to Starbucks", he still didn't offer to walk with me.

September 26

* Oo, nagseselos ako.


Feeling: Dizzy
All ears: What Hurts The Most Rascal Flatts
Lost: The Female Eunuch Germaine Greer

Pochoy!!! (^_^)v

"That was the meekest I've seen Karen."

Says my officemate about the time I got to have Pochoy Labog, vocalist of Dicta License, in front of me. Yup, unbelievable as it may seem but the moment I was face-to-face with hot Atenista, the malanding Karen just faded away, and in came the rarely seen mahinhin me. Stupid.

Mabie and I went to Saguijo last Wednesday, August 23. In the line-up was Dicta License (and another fave band, Urbandub). Fangirl Karen brought her CD, just in case she works up the courage to come up to one of her most favorite bands ever. Before the gig, while Mabie and I were drinking Red Horse (okay, okay...I know I promised to steer clear from alcohol...but I can't bear the thought of a Red Horse-less world), I just blurted out, "My God, I can't breathe." It's the proximity - Pochoy was a but a few steps away. Biceps and cuteness all in display. And then he moved to a spot just to my back. Mabie says, "Sandal ka ng konti." And my dreams of brushing elbows with my big krushie morphed into a bang - as in head banging into his elbow. Sablay. What a non-graceful way of making papansin. And all I was able to say was a meek, "Sorry."

Then Dicta's set took place. And here comes the fangirl apart from the mababaw "I love Pochoy" reason - I really love this band's music (as I have mentioned here and here). And I have to give it to the guys, they are GOOD (if not better) performing live. And okay, back to Pochoy, he was really passionate while he blurts out those socially significant lyrics of his. Hats off to these guys.

And the set ended.

And Karen knew she had to get her CD signed.

"I have to get my CD signed," I said to Mabie.

After a few minutes of chika, Mabie pulled me off to go find Pochoy. And when we found him, Mabie goes up to him, introduces us, and chatted with ultimate krushie. And Karen was quiet the whole time, smiling from time to time. When Mabie asked, "Can we get our CD signed?" and cutie Pochoy said sure, Karen timidly opened her bag and handed the CD and a pen.

Mabie: It's Karen's, by the way.

Pochoy: Oh, Karen? Is that with a K?

Karen: (looking, nay, STARING at Pochoy)

5...4...3...2...1...

Karen: Yeah, K.

My God, how...embarrassing can I get!

Oh well, at least I got to shake his hands and talk to him (eventhough I was all mumbles). Plus, his eyes and smile (the dimples! the dimples!!!!) was enough compensation for my kaaligagahan.

Pochoy. *sigh*


Feeling: and
All ears: Sugat Dicta License
Lost: The Deep End of the Ocean

Unselfishness

Today was Karen's day of big realization: the world will be a much better place if everybody just stops to think of others.

The day started out with me seeing these two kids sharing a small cup of corn. The way they ate, it seemed like they haven't eaten in days. Like, they've almost forgotten how food really tasted and groveled at the chance for hot, tasty nourishment. It was such a pitiful sight. And it just made me realize that the world has so many problems, half - or maybe even 80, 90% - of which are bigger than my own. At that moment, I wanted to say, "From now on, I'll always think about others." But I know how hard that really is. Because at times, most of the times, we tend to be selfish. It's human nature.

Yet I guess the day was meant to turn me into a more giving person.

I've never denied it, I'm a One Tree Hill fan. In fact, one of the reasons I've chosen a Sunday off is to be able to watch the OTH rerun on etc. Since it was a Sunday, I watched the drama of the Tree Hill kids. As fate would have it, today's episode fell on "With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept" where Jimmy - a relatively unpopular kid always picked on by the bullies - toted a gun to school and caused ruckus and an almost hostage situation that ended in him killing himself (and the evil Dan murdering his brother Keith, but that's not the focus of this entry). I was crying almost the whole time while watching tonight's OTH offering. All because the central topic of "With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept" struck a chord in me. Let me take you to Jimmy's world...

As he said, he was tired of it all - being invisible. Or being visible only when people needed somebody to bully, to put down. Tired of being a loser. Of feeling that nobody really cared. Of the fact that nobody really knew him beyond being a "fat ass". He was eternally afraid of going to school. Then one day, he had to take a leave. He was so into anti-depressants that he had to take treatments and missed some school days. For him, being away from the cause of his misery was such a nice feeling. But he had to go back. And it's as if nothing happened. As if nobody reall noticed he was gone. He is a nice kid, it's just that nobody really noticed. Until he brought that gun.

It's easy to say that it's hard to get to know everybody around you, that it takes a lot to get into other people's drama. But that's such a stale excuse. Okay, it requires effort. And it's hard. But we need to make that effort. We need to reach out. It not only makes us sane, makes us feel that we have a good life (as Menander pointed out, "Consider other men's troubles; that will comfort yours") - it also makes those who truly suffer feel like all is not lost, that somebody actually cares enough to help. To reach out.

And after a purge of tears, I actually felt lighter. And I know I'll feel lighter when I achieve what I'm determined to achieve: become a less selfish person.

When one feels troubled, one must think of those who truly suffer.

Feeling: Humbled
All ears: Jesus Take the Wheel Carrie Underwood
Trapped: Hunger Elise Blackwell

Stories

Goodbye Sunken, Hello Makati

The week it happened, I was really pining for my walks around U.P.'s Sunken Garden. They were always calming. And eventhough they never solved my problems, they always eased my tired thinking mind and - even for just awhile - put me to a world where no problems exist. Maybe it's the non-achievement of the missed Sunken walks that made me irritable. Or maybe it's the boss picking on me. But on that day, I was just really on a bad mood. And Pok had a suggestion: canned beer, while walking around Makati. Walking. Nice. Walking with alcohol. Nicer. Makati may not be Sunken, but it will do for that night.

And many nights, it seems.

That night started a great tradition for Pok and me. But that's getting ahead of the story. Back to that one night...

Alcohol in hand (concealed, of course), we walked around Makati aimlessly. I don't even remember what exactly we talked about. But of course office issues won't be missing. And the usual chika and tsismis. And jabs at fashion. And love stories. Or the non-existence of it. All I remember is that the calming effect that walks around Sunken Garden had was also present in that night we walked around Makati. And we both felt it. And we both knew it wasn't the last night we'll be doing what we have dubbed as aimless walks.

Sunken, for now I bid you adieu. Karen has found a new haven. Hello, Makati.

* * * *

Aimless Walk 2

When we said that the aimless walk won't be the last, we didn't know its follow-up will come really soon. Speak "next night" soon.

Everybody at the PM shift had a bad office day. And they were introduced to the aimless walks. Just like the night before, aimless walk office edition was nice. It had the same effect: at the end of the night, office matters were buried and we all went home (hopefully) feeling better.

* * * *

CineMALAYA

It was a perfect day. Pok and I spent our day watching indie films vying for fame (and prize money) at the annual indie filmmaking compet, CineMALAYA. We watched In Da Red Corner (blah, could've been promising though with its nice premise), Shorts A [Labada, Gee-Gee at Waterina, No Passport Needed, 10:25 Ng Gabi, and Kuwarto] (really fun, except for 10:25 Ng Gabi, which was depressing and No Passport Needed, which was really predictable), and Nasaan Si Happiness (kulang but still a fun watch).

The day was also an eye-opener. That day, I had before me the "where you should be" scenario. That - production - should be what I'm doing. And in a world I considered my own, I suddenly felt lost. And I felt the need to go back. Which I hope I'll be doing soon with Pok's brilliant idea.

The day was capped with our favorite Gerardo's chicken with white sauce. Plus a 'meaningful' stare from neighbor krushie.

*I missed Ang Huling Araw ng Linggo, Rotonda, Tulad ng Dati, and Donsol...I wish I'll be able to watch 'em still. ='(

* * * *

Neighbor Krushie

He's been giving me "the stare" lately. 'Yun lang. =p

* * * *

U.P., What Happened?

"Chris Tiu is one cute guy. But I hate him...he's one of the reasons U.P. lost. You know the drill, walang hihirit. Unless you wanna feel the wrath of one Karen Regpala. Hehe! ", BTW, Toti Almeda was standing beside me awhile ago. Heaven."

Read my text message to Rem after U.P.'s game against Ateneo (which I watched with Loi, who had a sign that said, "YOU HAVE BEEN MAROONED" - a sign captured by the UAAP cameras a couple of times, which is eewie because U.P. lost!). U.P. had a good start and lagged at the end of third to fourth quarter. In the end, we lost (I don't remember the score). Aargh. I'd like to say babawi kami, but...

We lost the third game to Adamson University. Also had a great start. But we lost by two points. Sigh.

* * * *

Charles

I am playing with fire. . . . . . . . .

* * * *

Attached Guy Magnet

Yep, that's me. I don't know why, but I seem to attarct guys who are not single. And tonight just made me realize that.

A lesson in Karen history:

- My mom's friend. Very much married, with three kids. The nerve of the guy, he kept asking my mom to introduce him to me.

- Lorenz. Living in with his "wife" whom he has a kid with. And when he tried to make a play at me, his "wife" was pregnant.

- Benj. The bestfriend who kept on inviting me out for a date but who turned out to be attached. And yes, he still kept on inviting me out even after telling me he had a girlfriend (and I'm pretty sure it was not just a 'friendly' date...I know this guy too much).

- Migs. Went out on a date (or is that two?) with him and found out later on that he had a girlfriend.

- Those numerous DOMs at a conference I video-crewed for. They were all married and kept asking for my number. One even said he'll send me load. Yuck.

- Benj again. I gave him a second chance. Stupid move. He was still attached. Grr.

- Eugene. He started being nice and all to me. Okay, not nice...flirty. Calling me at my house, throwing "You're getting prettier" comments almost everyday, etc. And he told me he was single. Thanks to beloved friends, I found out that he was actually married. Rawr.

- Gay vocalist. I've mentioned him before. That friggin' a$$h*le.

The latest addition to this list is this guy who approached me tonight. He seemed nice and all, making small conversations, throwing li'l compliments here and there. He even offered to take me home. Of course I said no, this was the first time I met the guy! And later on, he asked me if I have a boyfriend to which I have another "no" for an answer. And what did he say next? "Ako may girlfriend. Six years na kami." WTF? And he was really blunt in saying that he was attracted to me AFTER ADMITTING THAT HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND!!!

* * * *

The End x7


Feeling: Giddy

All ears: I Won't Say (I'm In Love) The Cheetah Girls ---> I'm on Disney mood these days!

Trapped: Hunger Elise Blackwell

Hailie's Ramblings

U.P. is off to a good start on UAAP's Season 69, beating UST 94-92. May this be the start to that UAAP Finals we have all been cheering for in the past who-knows-how-long.

UP Fight! Up Fight! UP Fight!

* * * *

Tonight is the Men's Finals at Wimbledon. I'm cheering for Rafael Nadal. Not just because he already won the French Open, but I honestly think he's on the road to being one of the greatest tennis champs of all time.

* * * *

And Karen had a date with sister dear this afternoon, finally giving in to pleadings that we watch what is arguably the most awaited movie of the year, Superman Returns.

The movie was...pretty. Not beautiful. Just pretty. It was so good visually but I don't think I can exactly say the same for the story and the execution. There were moments that the movie was so blah, and there were moments that it was exceptionally amazing - whether it was because the movie really had its great moments or because Brandon Routh was such a yummy Superman, don't ask me...I personally don't know. Haha! Give me time to view the movie three to four more times and I'll give you an honest answer.

Yet I do have to agree with Ryan when he said that the movie gives viewers a sense of detachment. It does have the ability to make you, as the viewier, feel like you really are just an outsider looking in. Superman returned, so what? Lois Lane had a child that can most possibly be Superman's, I don't care. Lex Luthor now has the power to create a whole new world and I don't give a damn. Sayang. Especially in a superhero movie, it's important to feel that connection, the involvement of the audience. After all, you are watching someone who is supposed to be your hero, whom you are supposed to love. But if the movie made you feel as if this whole damn thing is fictional, then you also don't care much about what happens to the character. This time out, I'll be honest by saying that I only cried when Superman was (*spoiler ahead*) in the brink of death in the hospital because I'd hate to see Superman go withiout him knowing that he has a son...and because I'd hate to miss the chance to see Brandon Routh appear as Superman in big screen again. Hehe!

But I'll give it to Bryan Singer, the director. He really made the film so nice to look at that if you're an ordinary moviegoer, you can't help but be awed. It's your typical, "OMG! That was such an awesome movie. Did you see the effects? Wow." movie.

* * * *

You must have noticed by now that Karen is so taken by Brandon Routh. He's one hot guy. The first time I saw him - in posters - I was like, "That guy is so Photoshop-ed. Surreal." If you had the same reaction, let me tell you...you have to see this person move and act and you'll know he's for real. That he is a breathing human being. And then you can't help but fall in love with him. All throughout the movie I must have uttered, "Ang guwapo niya" a million times! My God, he's truly the man of my dreams...

Or maybe not.

* * * *

Because the same afternoon I watched Superman, I saw Mark Bautista. Sigh. I love that guy.

* * * *

Does the world really need a Superman?

Yes.

And no.

I'm already too excited for a Bulacan fiesta that I don't have too many smart words right now to explain my answer. Next time. Maybe. But not now. ^^


Feeling: Super Happy
All ears: still Buwan Wickermoss