21 Photos for 25 Moments

Pick out 25 pictures to respond to these moments.

1. A picture of you in your room
- With… doing… LOL!
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2. A picture of you with someone you actually don't like
- Oh, he’s there. Go figure!
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3. A picture of you very drunk
- Taken the start of this year. My very own party I ruined! Tsk!
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4. A picture of you on your birthday or favorite holiday
- Christmas! Love the Holidays!
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5. The youngest picture you can find of yourself in digital form
- The cutest one, duh!
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6. A picture of you in one of your favorite outfits
- My favorite shirt!
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7. A picture of you making a stupid face at the camera
- [Sshhkk sshhkk sshhkk] LOL!
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8. A picture of you with both or one of your parents
- Make that both parents!
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9. A picture of a night you regret
- As I don’t believe in regrets, this does not apply.

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10. A picture of you truly being yourself
- Yeah, I’m a big eater…it just doesn’t show!
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11. The most recent picture of you
- Summer 2009
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12. A picture of you being absolutely ridiculous
- For some this may be ridiculous, but it pays the bills! Hehehe.
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13. A picture of you on top of the world
- Graduating…
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14. A picture of a time in your life that's over but you wish wasn't
- MeanBoys…my college barkada. It still feels weird that I only see these bastards once a month nowadays.
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15. A picture of a time in your life that's over and you're happy it is
- Nothing comes to mind, sorry.

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16. A picture of your favorite thing
- She’s perfect!
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17. A picture of a time when you were anything but happy
- Now would I take a snapshot of me being depressed?

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18. A picture of you when you were a different person than you are now
- Naïve, hopeful, ignorant…
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19. A picture of you with someone you love
- My cousins, who else?
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20. A picture of how you'd like the world to see you
- Classic and throwback…
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21. A picture of you that describes how you want to spend every day
- As a celebrity…
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22. A picture of a time when everything was changing
- I was beginning to grow up by having moments such as this one.
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23. A picture of you that makes your heart hurt
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24. A picture that makes your heart smile
- Patty Laurel! Marry me!
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25. A picture of one of the best days of your life
- MeanBoys Summer Getaway 2008. It was literally an adventure. One for the books!
Always love being in front of cameras.
Thank you, Tintin, for the tag.
Finally had time to do this, so much for a blogger! (--,)

March

This year just keeps getting better. January started it all, February looked good as well, March is, well, the awesomeness that is the end of the first quarter of 2009 continues. Oh, yeah! March was that awesome that I actually forgot some of the events that I attended. Seriously! So, forgive me if I did not include your party because I can’t recall I was there. LOL!

March kicked off summer season for yours truly. The family’s Zambales’ trip was one for the books. It is also in March that one of our closest friends departed to sandier pastures. There was one event worth mentioning though that I did not go to because I was invited at the last minute. Tsss.

March 4, 2009 | Krocodile Grill with Nay, Zelle, and Neng

Okay, I’m not sure if I got the date right but I know this fell on the first week of March and it was my first event this month. I also know that we have pictures from this night but Z hasn’t uploaded them yet. Catch up on what’s happening with each other. Will probably turn into a monthly thing. Thank you, Z, for the pasalubong.

March 8, 2009 | You Changed My Life

What? I enjoyed the first one, I certainly enjoyed this one too. Some days, you just hafta be nationalistic. LOL.

March 12, 2009 | Kads’ Despedids @ Yoo-Hoo

One last session with our not-so-famous friend and colleague, with his new hairdo, Kads. He’ll be gone for a year or two. Or so he says. We each have our own bets and theory on how long before we see him. I say we’re spending the coming Christmas with him. LOL! Farewell, Wingman!

March 12, 2009 | Wrestlemania VII @ Van Square Garden

Right after saying goodbye to Kads that night, I was off to one of the most awaited MeanBoys event of the year: Van’s Birthday. Although, this year, the turnout was disappointing. Probably because the invites were sent the day before and as you know, we ain’t in college anymore. [Sighs] We also celebrated Boyds’ birthday that night. The night was full of steaks, pasta, roasts, beer and Johnny Walker was out best buddy all throughout. Van has not posted the rest of the pics yet. BOO!

March 15, 2009 | Tita Gee’s Birthday @ Via Mare, Serendra

Happy Birthday to her and thanks for a lovely dinner. It marked the start of the awesome celebrations her family had and are having. Wicked!

March 17, 2009 | Dad’s Birthday

Okay, aside from Dad’s birthday, nothing special happened on this day. We didn’t even see each other. I just feel like I had to mention it. Image was from my birthday. Happy Birthday, Father!

March 21-22, 2009 | Venturas of Matutum @ Tammy’s Zambales

This is an annual thing for the Venturas It started way back in the old days with our lolos and lolas taking my titos and titas at Sual, Pangasinan. ([Sighs] because the older folks have great stories about those trips but I wasn’t able to experience them anymore as they stopped going there mid-1980s) Anyway, I think Tammy’s will be the new Sual for our generation. The service was totally excellent and definitely worth it. I, not being much of an outdoor person, had a blast. And…as I observed after…it really brought the family together. Hopefully, my generation, my cousins would be as close-knitted as our parents are before us.

March 28, 2009 | Hannah’s Graduation Reception
@ John & Yoko, Greenbelt 5

Milestone for one of my favorite persons, great food, hot patrons, family…a no-brainer successful equation. Hannah graduated from high school and is off to this college in Katipunan. But before going all serious for the future, Japanese food, being her favorite, must be served. I had yet to make a food review of the resto, but I will. Earth Hour was also that night and I bumped into Anne Kartis. Yum!

March 31, 2009 | Baconator Night @ SM Mall of Asia

To cap off the month, my dreams of experiencing Wendy’s Baconators came true. Pay day and I finally agreed to Odette and Vanessa that I will accompany them to sample Haagen-Dazs’s hyped fondue. Together with Neng, we headed to SM Mall of Asia for it to become a reality, but for some reason, we ended up splitting one Baconator into three and settled for Ice Monster after. Har!

Goodbyes and milestones were the main themes of the month that was; birthdays as well and the annual family outing…awesome! Totally awesome! I really had a hard time documenting them because as much as March being eventful for me, my slothness level equaled my activities. Not much pictures, really. March delivered, and the last days of March were special as preparations for the “Ventura Event of the Year” were underway. Special because it paved the way to the start of the second quarter of the year, a month that is occasion-stricken, a month that’ll leave me poor for at least two months or so, a month that I had always enjoyed…April. (--,)

Of Blames and Summer

The literary gods must really resent me right now. March for me, blog-wise, not even worth mentioning. And this entry’s going to be short so don’t expect that much. I just want to let everybody know that my fingers are still intact and that my brain still works. At least, I think it still does.

What gives anyways? I have no idea. It’s not like I don’t have stories and ideas to share…believe me, I have lots of those. I may even have discovered the cure for the common cold this month. Okay, maybe not that extreme but I do have lots of things in my mind: countless tags, gimiks and trips, interesting situations, and even the departure of my wingman. But no!

Thus, I’m blaming it on summer. Since summer is here, one is obligatory to leave the comfort of the city and embark on long road trips and settle in some privy resort a couple of miles from civilization. Obvious, isn’t it. (But then again, that excuse only works for the weekends.) Next up would be putting the blame on my professional career. Summer here is fall in the States. Fall for some reason gives us ridiculous amount of jobs. Busy, busy, busy…that’s how we are in the office. (But no one’s ever going to believe me.) On to my classic reason: my insatiable drive to follow and watch my shows. (Classic, like I said.) And finally, the heat. Yes, it’s too damn hot and warm to write. My brain’s getting fried. (Now that, people would believe that.)

Whatever the reason may be, I feel dumb. Not blonde dumb, but you know what I mean. I haven’t even shared my feeling soul-less for the past few weeks. I have to start writing voraciously again. I have to, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I will. LOL. I’m hoping though. In the meantime, just wait for my “March” blog on the day of the fools next week. (--,)

February

Most of my friends hate February. I honestly believe they don’t. It’s the idea of this month and what it symbolizes for that they heavily resent. I do not share their sentiments. Februaries are ordinary for me ever since. It’s the shortest month so I hardly notice it passing by. Birthdays of people I know, families and friends, fall under the love month but these people do not really buy the concept of partying, so, another forgettable factor. And since I purposely inserted “love month” in the last sentence, let’s go there.

February always relates to love. Valentines is celebrated worldwide on the 14th of Februaries. This year, like any other year, I enjoyed Valentines, by myself. I could’ve gone bitter like what my supposedly event’s theme, but I can’t (that story is for another time). Valentines is about as exciting to me as babies uttering gibberish words; exciting to lots but utterly pointless. Okay, seems like there’s a hint of bitterness in that statement. Maybe there is, but isn’t it better if people profess their undying love everyday, not just one lavish present-filled day? But no, I respect those who celebrate hearts’ day. If that’s what rocks their boat, by all means. Nine months later, well…LOL!

February 6, 2009 | Dinner with Maika and Arnee

My two office batchmates, Maika and Arnee, my first friends from work, we finally got together after a year or so. I seriously missed these two. They’re better off with their current careers now anyways. (We didn’t took pictures that night so I used an old one. Come to think of it, this is the only picture of us three together. Tsk tsk...)

February 7-8, 2009 | The Return of Van and Biboy

Two prominent MeanBoys made their presence felt through a night of binging, singing at Makati and jam sessions at Ralph’s suicide-inducing condo.

February 13, 2009 | The New and Improved Mamita

Dinner with our original mentor, Aurora. Yes, she’s no Ru anymore. She’s finally a lady. LOL! My, my, how Mamita have changed.

February 28, 2009 | Renèè Appreciation Night

Yes. Our good friend and most-trusted teammate, Renèè, finally is present for a session. Hence, Renèè Appreciation Night. He is greatly appreciated, or so he thinks. LOL!

February was as cool as January for yours truly. It brought out the best and worst in me. It was not as social though. I could’ve attended several festivals and fairs but I feel like I’ve reached a different level of slothfulness. I’ve only been to three major events. Most fun and excitement happened personally and are not accounted for. It’s all good though. I wouldn’t have it any other way. March, now March has always been interesting for me. I used to not look forward to this month as this is the last month before they school year ends, which translates to periodical and final exams, final everything, start of the Lenten Season…but I’ve managed to survive every time. Couple of important people celebrates their birthdays this month so I’m expecting to be tired from too much partying…woohoo!!! We’ll see what it brings for ‘lil ‘ol me. (--,)

Farewell Conan

My first encounter of the Conester was through a video clip of Triumph the Comic Insult Dog. Back then, I didn’t know that stupid puppet originated from this show called “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Of course I know Conan from his wacky antics but I never really knew what the guy has to offer. That was until ETC was launched to cables nationwide.

Armed with a bowl of cereals, sitting in front of our TV at exactly 12:00 am, it was five years ago since I watched my very first “Late Night.” I don’t even remember his guests and jokes back then. All I remember was a statement from Jay Leno in a clip about him retiring and something like, “In five years, Conan, it’s yours.” Leno was of course referring to his “Tonight Show.” That was five years ago. It seemed like a long time since then. Now, Conan’s about to join the ranks of Johnny Carson, Jack Paar, and Steve Allen, previous people sitting behind the “Tonight’s” desk. Jimmy Fallon replaces our red-haired albino as the new host of Late Night. Yes, Conan heads to the West Coast as Late Night with Conan O’Brien had its final broadcast last Friday, February 20. 2,725 episodes: not bad for a guy who only a handful people believed in when he was just starting out.

Conan’s brand of comedy is silliness to the point of sheer stupidity. But he delivers every line and joke with finesse and assurance. He always makes fun of himself and usually gives out exaggerated expressions. For 16 years he did that and it won the hearts of his viewers. Whether he was taking over a European country (he had this long-running skit about him taking over Finland because he looked like its female prime minister), insulting every nation in the known free world in Conan Hates My Homeland (one of my faves), interviewing celebrities in a flat screen with only their mouths moving, showing clips of Walker Texas Ranger, his witty monologues and A-list guests, his trademark string dance…Conan O’Brien entertained the world.

Who would have thought that this comedy writer from Harvard, who once penned for The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live, will host one of the most iconic shows in late night viewing? I will miss “Late Night.” For five years I was a fan, most of my “materials” I got from watching the show. Will he be as effective in an earlier timeslot? Here’s what he had to say:

“There are people that have hosted these kinds of shows who are better than I am. Nobody has ever enjoyed it more than I do. It’s an incredible, amazing honor to do this show for you people.”

“I want to say something about--we’re going on to this next gig, and sometimes I read that it’s time for Conan to grow up because he’s going to 11:30…And I assure you, that’s just not going to happen. I can’t. This is who I am, for better or for worse.” -- Conan O’Brien, 2009

He’s Alive...

In an effort to keep my thinking sane and not slothness take over me, I will try to revive my blogger self. Ever since Christmas season came, I’ve been much too busy doing nothing to write. And the span of December to today, middle of February, is just too long to not get any updates from yours truly. As if people care. Okay, so I never really abandoned the idea of writing. You could see some miserable entries over the course of the holidays and the beginning of this year. I even found time to write how my 2008 went and what to expect this coming year. But gone are the useless entries I write about things that tickle my fancy.

Since December, two college friends tied the knot, I celebrated my birthday, countless reunions and sessions, lost my beloved parking space, lost and gained some individuals, and a slightly life-altering situation. Insignificant, really. But who cares, right? Humankind are suffering from the global financial crisis and here I am rambling about silly things that I went through. Sorry, earthlings. Blame Bill Clinton.

So much happened that writing about them just isn’t feasible for a Grandmaster Sloth that is me. Anyway, I’ve summarized events that I partook in at the end of every month. So far, I’m getting by. Especially now that I ain’t distracted anymore.

I believe that people are richer during holidays for some reason. Now, I’m feeling the after-effects of living “the” life. The caption “Insufficient Funds” is blinking whenever I think of purchasing something. My birthday really took at toll on my riches as this is the first time that I shouldered almost everything. This is the first time colleagues are going to experience an event by moi. Mustn’t disappoint. It didn’t. I was though.

Speaking of disappointments and frustrations…I’ve been really feeling miserable with what’s happening to the office right now. Think the ruling of Marcos and the brains of ERAP. Perfect combination, lovely, isn’t it? I want to break free… But is it possible to without any direction to go to?

Recently, I’ve been catching up with TV shows that I missed because of parties and social life. (Naks!) And this is because of this “no-more-distraction” condition that I’m in. It’s that condition yet again that the focus of Tim is Tim, the most important person in Tim’s life. Why? It’s obvious.

I don’t know how to end this. With a quote? Let me think of one…

Okay, I spent the last 10 minutes searching in Google and I can’t find one. Bah! (--,)

January

Start the year right. January always delivers. Yay! Fun-filled month and not one boring moment. Lots of ups and plenty of downs, but the ups and highlights trumps the downs. The negative side took its toll on us work-wise though. I feel the end is near and an uprising is at hand. Anyway, let the pictures narrate to you how my January went. I turned a year older and interesting things transpired. Woot!

January 1, 2009 | New Year Morn at Merville

January 1, 2009 | In-Between Nights

January 3, 2009 | Arfel & Len’s Wedding

January 3, 2009 | After Wedding Party with Classic ABE

January 3, 2009 | Nay-in-Law’s Despedida

January 17, 2009 | T&O’s Screwdriver Bash

January 19, 2009 | 23

January 25, 2009 | FROLICS ‘09 with High School friends

January 30, 2009 | Dinner with Friendships

January 31, 2009 | Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Lots of people don’t like February for some reason. I don’t like the occasion it signifies but I’ve always found Februaries to be interesting, at least, for me. So, let’s hope the month of hearts won’t disappoint.

Scrëwè-D-rivër

The fun doesn’t stop for me after the Holidays and New Year as my birthday falls in January. Two presents or a really huge one, I used to get. Now, I’m just contented with major parties or dinner with friends. Yes, when people get old they change. I wouldn’t object though if you give me a belated wrapped gift. Thank you in advance. A new pair of pants would be swell.

O & T

Last year, I celebrated my 22nd birthday two ways: intimate gathering with the family and co-celebrating it with my colleagues at some seafood restaurant. I learned from my debut: my pad is provincial to my friends. Boo! But, I still say house party is the way to go. So, I gave it another shot this year. Got an okay from Odette and we set the date. Strictly office friends and colleagues, I said. That way, no one will complain that the venue’s not in NCR anymore. I counted 20 and had faith that we will all fit in our porch.

Grub... grub... grub...

January 17, 2009. Requested to go on leave so I could help out with and finish up the preparations. Stressful yet fun. I always enjoyed organizing some big event, well, not that much, I’m still tamad…I’m still better at hosting. Good thing Mum took care of every damn thing. Went to Landmark to buy the spirits. Party rule #1: Spirits either keep the party alive or kill it. Inexpensive booze, they carry. From now on, Landmark will carry all our alcoholic transactions. By 5:00 pm, we were putting the finishing touches and the South people messaged that they’re on their way.

Kads, Eunice, Met, Ronn and Ma-Anne were the first to be here. They brought cake. All of them are South residents so I asked them to coordinate with each other and I’ll just pick them up outside the village. It’s a maze before you reach our abode. Next up, a phone call that says they’re already lost could only mean one thing: the other celebrant has arrived. Odette, Veejei, Ton, Boy, Neng, and Ces completes the other major group. So, it’s time to eat. Lasagna and Buffalo Wings as entrees; Odette brought Barbecue and Siomai (props Ton) and we ordered Maki for sides. Like what Mum said, it’s been a while since we actually perfected our cooking. We used to be really good at it. Based on the praises of the chomping crowd, the grub’s a-okay!

T & O with T&C and Ex-T&Cs

Then comes the party fuel: two cases of beer, some Vodka Cruisers for the ladies and Boy, Neng gave us a bottle of Mudshaker, and I mixed my college kada’s very own recipe of Screwdriver. Add Nachos and Spicy Hotdog to the equation and the party’s going somewhere now. Gemm and Joyce sent me a message that they’ve arrive, which means added fun. They also brought cake. Brought out the TV and setup the Magic Sing and we got ourselves one hell of a party. Pictures were taken, drinks were passed around, all of them burned me with controversial questions--this event will go down in history, I thought. It did. But for a completely different reason.

Soffy was our last guest. His presence might be that intoxicating that I decided to ruin my own party. Around 1:00 am, I wasn’t sure what I was doing and moments later, I knocked myself out. Yes, I admit it was my fault that the festivities had to be cut short. Combination of stress from planning and hosting plus Screwdriver, not such a good idea. After that, the events that followed were just narrated to me the next morning. Half of the guests left, some did not want to but Iya and Uncle just had to intimidate them. The Offline Five stayed though, till the sun shined.

Happy 23rd to me! :))

My friends, I am so grateful for the effort you put just to attend our party. All-in-all, I say the party was successful. I’m sure everyone had fun and did not regret going. Let’s just say it could have been greater and epical if it weren’t for my stupidity. LOL. The other person responsible for this celebration, Odette, much appreciated everything you’ve done. Special thanks to Mum for everything, literally, everything. My next great big event would probably be in ‘11. That one, I swear, will be a huge one. And I will stay conscious! (--,)

Thanks to Veejei for most of the pictures.
For more, check out: Scrëwè-D-rivër