New York, New York

Had an interesting time at the big apple so far...

Enjoyed last night watching the great production fuck up that is the Oscars with Kuya Eric and Ate Melissa. (Kuya Eric... reminds me of a funny line from Pasadena: "Everybody calls me kuya here," he said with a frown and a crumpled brow. "I like that.")

Show highlights (FYI incomplete):

1. "And to present the next award are Adam Sandler and Catherine Zeta-Jones..." Only the former shows up and had to wait on stage for a good 10 seconds looking behind the curtains for any life-saving miracle considering the live telecast.

2. The director decides to be creative to make up for the previous boo-boo and decides to zoom on the podium showing the lovely Kate Blanchet as she introduces the next musical performer. It blurs right before switching to camera two.

3. Jeremy Irons delivers his part with his outstanding voice only to be accompanied by what can only be assumed as a falling microphone stand WITH its LIVE microphone still intact. He joked aside saying: "They missed."

AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF:

4. Director decides to switch to an audience shot as a speech is being given without his associates telling him that some bald black man with a mustache is struggling to keep his head from falling backwards BECAUSE HE WAS SLEEPING.

Hope you guys weren't fired. Ok, I hope you were. You deserved it.

AHEM.

Toured the big apple today. Took the subway with Ate to her work at Levi's. Met her officemates: ... God I'm terrible with names. I remember Nina though. Only because I found her attractive. Okay she was nice too.

It was my first expidition in Manhattan walking under a blanket of snow. (Great view and experience despite the blistering cold.)

"That's nothing." Nina said. "Wait till later this afternoon when it really snows."

(Now why did I remember that...)

Walked with Ate all the way to some theater and she bought me an orchestra ticket to the Lion King. (Thanks Ate.) I'll be watching it on Wednesday. (Can't wait.)

At around 4pm, Ate suggested I just go home and meet up with Kuya Eric so I wouldn't be bored. (I wasn't actually bored at Levi's having met all her office friends... and Nina.) So after abusing the company phone by calling Ramon and speaking with him for nearly a hour, I decided to go.

"Ok," Ate said turning back to her computer. "I'll see you later, I have to finish some stuff."

(Silence)

(Slow heartbeat)

(Tumbleweed)

(Fast heartbeat)

(Silence)

She turns to me again. "You know how to get home right?"

"Can you write the directions down?" He valiantly exclaimed wielding his sword, points it over yonder and looks to the sky as a heavenly light shines upon him.

"Sure."

After putting on my coats (all 3 of them) and gloves, securing my belongings: wallet (check) newly purchased camcorder (check) chapstick (check) anti-theft devices such as revolver, peppermint spray and electric shocker-device (no check) and holding the piece of paper containing the directions, I set off to a journey like no other: the way home.

Altough fear and paranoia enveloped me during my first few steps on the streets being surrounded by countless strangers who I swear were staring for some reason (maybe it's the nice Levi's bonnet,) I knew this had to happen soon and this would be for the best. Of course, there was this quick image of a nice, large, white 2001 Toyota Hi-Ace suddenly stopping along the road right beside me and opening its sliding doors with Mang Frank welcoming me in for a nice, peaceful and warm ride. (For the perplexed: Mang Frank is the family driver in the Philippines.) Okay, I'm spoiled but at least I was willing to get over it...

The plot thickened as I rode the subway train (a.k.a. Sardine Can at 4pm) which seemed to never stop. As I glanced for the 46th time on the snow-covered paper in my shivering right hand, I read that I had to get off at High St. and head for the appartment. Finally, after the slowing down, occasional stops in the middle of tunnels and what I'd like to refer to as "Kajots" which somewhat means the annoying thrusting of a 50 ton train in a country of "TECHNOLOGY," the High St. sign showed up. I calmly walked up the stairs feeling good about myself and went straight to the appartment where Kuya Eric was.

It felt good to get home on your own in a strange, foreign land.

At around 6:15pm, Kuya and I took another train to a simple bar where a poetry group called "Kundiman" would do some reading while people were getting hammered. It was an interesting experience considering a Filipino named group was composed of other Asians such Indians, Chinese, and more. After what I remember to be 4 and 1/3 drinks of hard alchohol (1/3 because of the unusual refills from the bartender,) we ventured again through the cold to go to a Chinese restaurant where we met Ate and had our fill.

After the heavy dinner, Kuya and Ate decided to take a cab home which ended a very long and fun day.

However, before we slept, we watched "I, Robot" starring Miami-man himself big Will. All I can say is they must have hired the same Oscar crew for the production of this movie. Enough said.

"It is time!" -Rafiki, The Lion King