Karma is everywhere.

A friend who had just moved into a new apartment had told me he suspects that his new neighbors used to live in Molave, that dorm in UP where he too, used to stay. "Why is that a problem?" I asked. He clarified that they were the same group who had held prayer meetings in college and that they would pester everyone to join them then, complete with the guilt trip. So now, being pretty sure they were the same guys, he hides in his room like a paranoid conspiracy theorist whenever they're out and about the hallway. I told him, "But God is everywhere. He can see you hiding. [Put Twilight Zone music here.]"

Now I take it back. It's not God, for all her/his omniscience. It's Karma that's everywhere.

I am currently being punished for all the bad things I have said about anyone at any given point (hence my theory that Karma is everywhere). But mostly it might be because of things I have said of a certain writer who might or might not have an extra chromosome which can lead to certain facial features wrongly described as those common to a race of people living in the Asiatic regions, specifically based on a country north of China, bordering Russia. Gets?

(Am I safe?)

Anyway, so yeah, I'm being punished. Because now, my prayers have been answered and now I don't have to deal directly with that person. Instead, I am now saddled with an egotistical, no-manners, fifty-something writer who is an old maid.

Ah shit. There goes my karma again.

Since that's shot, can I just say: I am mad at people who feel like they have to keep certain agenda secret, and thus use people to achieve their goals without full disclosure. Note to you-of-that-kind: I have a fucking brain. And (gasp!) it works without a hitch more often than not. As a matter of fact, it's been studied that the brain improves when it is constantly engaged. So, let me use it once in a while, huh? Let me worry about what it can and cannot handle.

Ay potah. If you see me in a wheelchair next week, say it with me: Karma is everywhere.

Bow.

P.S. A friend once told me she met this old woman at a cafe who had told her that it is good karma to plant trees. I will be starting a garden soon. Seed donations gratefully accepted.

Wednesday-I'm-N-Love

So we started the featured readings at Green Papaya last March. Too bad I was too friggin' busy to post the details. We featured the poetry of Mookie Katigbak, interviewed by Daryll Delgado. And it was grrreatt! Thanks Larry for the original idea!

Now it's April, and we're having another run. April 30 will focus on Chingbee Cruz, to be interviewed by Mark Cayanan. And since I'm not that ngarag this month, I've invited other people too. Rearders are: Hussein Macarambon, Mikael Co, Ramil Gulle, Peachy Paderna, Mia Tijam, Jay Bordon, Anina Abola, and Angelo Suarez.

If you want read, let me know. We're looking at a jam-packed night, but the more the manier. So let's eat, drink, read poetry. For the morrow is Labor Day. Woohoo.

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By the way, GP is at 124A Maginhawa Street, Teacher's Village East. Right beside St. Vincent School. A little after the big BayanTel building on Maginhawa corner Malingap, if you're coming from Sikatuna. After 4 months, I've finally learned exactly how to get there. Heehee.

There was a map sent to me once. See if I can get a hold of it again and post it here.

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PS. GP accepting applications to the Wednesdays open platform (WOP) residency program! Asteeeg.

Deets at http://papayapost.blogspot.com/.

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Spurs versus Suns, 81-72 at the end of 3. Too-doo-doo-doo...

summer schmummer bummer

My first non-academe work has taught me the importance of summer vacation. And how going to the beach when temperatures reach the high 30s should be a basic human right.

I currently work in Pasay, near Manila Bay. Every time I see the (dirty) ocean, I think, "So close, yet so far away..."

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The 'rents were here Wednesday til late evening today. I love my mom and dad, but thank god they're now back in Iloilo. Whew.

But! I have kuwento. It's funny.

Before I went to college, my dad had sat me down to talk to me about sex. Or the not having of sex. He started with "No boyfriends for now, okay?" then proceeded to "Well, I understand you might meet someone. If you decide to enter into a relationship, no sex!" which metamorphosed into "But sex is good. And sometimes making out can lead to the point-of-no-return. So make sure you're protected!" which in turn confused the hell out of me. I told him, "Dad, you just moved from "no boyfriend" to "practice safe sex" in 5 minutes. Give me a bottom line!"

To which he replied threateningly, "Don't come home pregnant!" So I thought, "Hmmm, so I can actually get knocked up. Just don't go home."

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

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But here's the real kuwento. During my parent's stay here, my dad asked me, "So when can we expect a grandkid?" I pointed to my sister, the one who has a boyfriend (and regular sex, more to the point), "Why not ask her?"

My dad, in his incredible logic tells me, "But you're the first-born. You should be first."

Which I had to clarify. "You just want grandchildren, right? Not necessarily a son-in-law, right?"

And my dad goes, "Yeah, just grandkids. You don't have to get married to get pregnant, do you?"

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I take it back. My parents are the coolest parents in the whole wide world! They're mad I drink, they're mad I smoke, but obviously I can have all the sex I want. Woohoo.