I rarely mention this nowadays, but back in 1999 I was heavily involved in anime mailing lists and consequently the local anime community. I actually was introduced to Charles (of Stalking Manila) at monthly anime screenings in UP Diliman; I also met several other lovely and loveable people there. (In fact, I can take credit for introducing two people to each other at these anime screenings. Their relationship is still going strong. Hi, Paul and Sheila.)

The reasons for my drift (or should I say abrupt break?) away from anime are detailed in the graveyard for my anime-related ramblings and creations. However, I didn’t exit without leaving some sort of legacy. In those two years of anime madness, I had gotten into cosplay and had started Pinoy Cosplay, the first Philippine-based cosplay mailing list open to the public.

I handed off moderation duties to trusted friends, and so far I hadn’t heard a peep from them–until lately. Apparently, a forum with a domain had been created in October 2005 with the name “Pinoy Cosplay,” and this had the lead moderator up in arms since the name had been taken without my (and the mailing list’s) permission. I felt I was the last resort, so I contacted the founder of the domain and worked things out. He could keep his domain, but the mailing list would remain a separate entity with claims to being the first and original Pinoy Cosplay.

This got me thinking that we can’t totally leave the past behind. As we move through water, we leave ripples in our wake; in the same way, as we go about our own lives, we affect other people’s lives whether we mean to or not.

Remember that little crash into a manhole I had? Well, apparently, the car didn’t escape unscathed. Today the damage reared its ugly expensive head as I drove the car up into our driveway. Something cracked in the front right wheel assembly, and a nut popped loose. Plus it made a horrible groaning noise and I screamed in fright.

There was no particular reason to scream, but I had been left jumpy from something that had happened only a few minutes earlier. I was at the intersection of two main roads, and there were pedestrians crossing. They had already stopped when they saw me approaching, so I drove on. Just as I cleared where those pedestrians were standing, a red blur of a boy crashed pell-mell into the left rear portion of the car. My jaw agape, I slammed on the brakes and threw the car door open to check if I’d hurt someone.

A man standing at the corner was looking at me. “Andun siya o! Tumakbo!” he told me, and pointed at the boy in red running across the street and onto the sidewalk. He seemed fine and in one piece, and he just kept running away from the scene of the accident.

I closed the car door and drove away. And then came the groaning tire.

I hope that kid didn’t hurt his internal organs from slamming himself into my car. Otherwise, that’s an ugly injury waiting to rear its head.

These days, I only go to two coffee shops: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Starbucks. See, I don’t go to expensive shops to drink brewed coffee or sample their pastry selections. I go to have their specialty drinks. I only have one single rule that must be met: what I drink must be sugar-free.

Ever since I discovered that CBTL gave its customers the option of using No Sugar Added vanilla and chocolate powders to flavor their drinks, I have been an avid fan of their Ice Blended drinks, particularly the Pure Chocolate and Pure Vanilla Ice Blended. Recently I added the Hot Chocolate to my repertoire for days when I’m not feeling particularly in need of a cool drink.

Starbucks came out with the Frappuccino Light series this year, and I thought the Frapp Light drinks also used sugar-free ingredients. At least, that was what I was led to believe when I first bought one. After what happened today, I’m not sure I’ll be going to Starbucks again in the near future (tampo ako).

Today was the last day of Starbucks’s Halloween treat: a free upsize on all drinks. I had decided to order a grande Caramel Frappuccino Light, which would be upsized to Venti. They handed the mixed drink to me without the whipped cream, so I requested some. Unfortunately, they also drizzled caramel syrup over the whipped cream, which led me to ask some questions.

Me: Is this caramel syrup sugar-free?
Barista: Uh, no, Ma’am.
Me: Oh. So what makes it Light?
Barista: It has 60% less calories than regular Frapps, and we usually serve them without whipped cream.
Me: But it’s not sugar-free.
Barista: No, Ma’am.
Me: (looks at the drink) I can’t drink this.

The barista offered to help me change my drink, but she kept showing me options I wasn’t familiar with–and frankly I had my heart set on a Frapp. Confused and a little bit cranky, I just asked her to give me the drink anyway. I didn’t want her to go to any more trouble when it was my fault.

As I left the Starbucks, though, I started steaming. Now that I knew my Frapp Light wasn’t sugar-free, what was I to do with the drink I held in my hand? It was Venti size, too…

I ended up giving the drink to the housekeeper when I got home. I hope she enjoyed it; I spent a third of my weekly allowance on that drink and got nary a taste of it. Oh, well. I think I’ll go make a late-night run to CBTL and get myself a nice Ice Blended. Na-udlot kasi eh.

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that rain always falls on Metro Manila on All Hallows Eve? Ü It’s strange that a predominantly Catholic country has taken to celebrating this pagan holiday (Samhain, according to the Celts) by dressing their children up as ghouls and goblins, devils and demons. About two years ago I was getting the distinct feeling that Halloween was beginning to rival Christmas in festivities.

That, of course, makes me sad.

This meme was nabbed from Ganns and slightly modified because MusicOutfitters.com, the site he recommended for getting the list of songs, doesn’t go beyond 2001.

Meme Rules
1. Enter the year you graduated from college and search for the top 100 songs of that year.
2. If you like the song, put it in boldface.
3. If you hate the song, strike it out.
4. If you don’t care about the song, leave it alone.

Top 100 Songs of 2002
1. Complicated – Avril Lavigne
2. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
3. Love At First Sight – Kylie Minogue
4. All You Wanted – Michelle Branch
5. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Kylie Minogue
6. The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
7. Don’t Let Me Get Me – Pink
8. Just Like A Pill – Pink
9. Soak Up The Sun – Sheryl Crow
10. Whenever, Wherever – Shakira
11. Hands Clean, Alanis Morissette
12. Dilemma – Nelly f/ Kelly Rowland
13. Without Me – Eminem
14. Hella Good – No Doubt
15. Hero – Chad Kroeger
16. In The End – Linkin Park
17. Blurry – Puddle Of Mudd
18. Wherever You Will Go – The Calling
19. Heaven – DJ Sammy & Yanou f/ Do
20. Ain’t It Funny – Jennifer Lopez
21. Underneath Your Clothes – Shakira
22. Hey Baby – No Doubt
23. Get The Party Started – Pink
24. No Such Thing – John Mayer
25. By The Way – Red Hot Chili Peppers
26. Hot In Herre – Nelly
27. How You Remind Me – Nickelback
28. Escape – Enrique Iglesias
29. In My Place – Coldplay
30. Foolish – Ashanti
31. A New Day Has Come – Celine Dion
32. Wrong Impression – Natalie Imbruglia
33. One Last Breath – Creed
34. Gangsta Lovin’ – Eve f/ Alicia Keys
35. Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne
36. Standing Still – Jewel
37. Underneath It All – No Doubt f/ Lady Saw
38. Too Bad – Nickelback
39. More Than A Woman – Aaliyah
40. My Sacrifice – Creed
41. What’s Luv? – Fat Joe f/ Ashanti
42. No More Drama – Mary J. Blige
43. Goodbye To You – Michelle Branch
44. Somewhere Out There – Our Lady Peace
45. Ordinary Day – Vanessa Carlton
46. Objection (Tango) – Shakira
47. Here Is Gone – Goo Goo Dolls
48. I’m Gonna Be Alright – Jennifer Lopez
49. Wasting My Time – Default
50. Girlfriend – ‘N Sync
51. Gotta Get Through This – Daniel Bedingfield
52. What About Us? – Brandy
53. Sweetness – Jimmy Eat World
54. Always On Time – Ja Rule f/ Ashanti
55. Youth Of The Nation – P.O.D.
56. Days Go By – Dirty Vegas
57. One Day In Your Life – Anastacia
58. Overprotected – Britney Spears
59. In Your Eyes – Kylie Minogue
60. Running Away – Hoobastank
61. We Are All Made Of Stars – Moby
62. I’m Alive – Celine Dion
63. Seein’ Red – Unwritten Law
64. Cleanin’ Out My Closet – Eminem
65. Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
66. Just A Little – Liberty X
67. Little Less Conversation – Elvis vs. JXL
68. A Woman’s Worth – Alicia Keys
69. Spin – Lifehouse
70. Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman – Britney Spears
71. I Need A Girl (Part One) – P. Diddy
72. Full Moon – Brandy
73. Oops (Oh My) – Tweet
74. Rapture – Iio
75. Can’t Fight The Moonlight – LeAnn Rimes
76. Hero – Enrique Iglesias
77. Happy – Ashanti
78. Boys – Britney Spears
79. U Don’t Have To Call – Usher
80. U Got It Bad – Usher
81. 7 Days – Craig David
82. Out Of My Heart (Into Your Head) – BBMak
83. (This Is A) Song For The Lonely – Cher
84. Insatiable – Darren Hayes
85. Precious Illusions – Alanis Morissette
86. Get Over You – Sophie Ellis-Bextor
87. Your Body Is A Wonderland – John Mayer
88. Round Round – Sugababes
89. Caught In The Middle – A1
90. Where Are You Going – Dave Matthews Band
91. Don’t Say Goodbye – Paulina Rubio
92. Starry Eyed Surprise – Paul Oakenfold
93. Addictive – Truth Hurts
94. Rock The Boat -Aaliyah
95. Walking Away – Craig David
96. Toxicity – System Of A Down
97. Rainy Dayz – Mary J. Blige
98. The Whole World -Outkast
99. …On The Radio (Remember The Days) – Nelly Furtado
100. Family Affair – Mary J. Blige

I was driving to the gym at 5:45am yesterday with my sister. Now, since the sun was still hiding under the horizon, it was dark on the roads. I was trying to merge into the inner lane as the road climbed over a small hill, but a Gasat Lines bus just accelerated on my left side, and I was stuck in my lane. At the same time, a jeepney pinned me on my right side. I stepped on the brake to slow down a bit.

And then, at the crest of the hill, I saw it. A huge gaping round “O” in the road right in front of me. AN OPEN MANHOLE!

With the bus bearing down on my left side and the jeepney swerving in on my right side, I couldn’t swerve either way to avoid the hole. I stomped on the brake as the bus and jeepney zoomed past, and as soon as the bus had cleared me I swung my steering wheel sharply to the left.

BAM! went my front right wheel, into the manhole as I screeched to a halt. When I say I screeced, I mean the car’s wheels screeched, and so did I. A flood of thoughts flashed in my head. “Did I break an axle? Is the front of my car crumpled in? Am I wearing good underwear in case I have to be brought to the hospital?”

I revved the car and got my front right wheel out of the manhole, then drove slowly to the shoulder of the road. With legs still shaky, I got out and checked the front and right side of my car. NOT A SCRATCH ON IT.

As I got back in the car, my sister asked me, “Did you really have to scream?”

I absolutely despise buses and jeepneys, but I wish those people who steal manhole covers could be hung by their feet over those manholes they leave open with their pilfering.

Well, actually, that’s a little bit harsh. I do wish I knew whether those who steal equipment from public roads (manhole covers, drain grates, signs, and the like) are ever apprehended and punished.

It’s always easy to say “I’m sorry.” What’s hard is what comes after. If a person really mean the apology, it means they’re going to make the effort to restore what has been lost.

Healing hurts, whether we’re talking about the body knitting back together a physical wound or the mind and heart trying to seal an emotional wound. Sometimes a physical injury is so severe it needs surgery, which would be painful if not for anesthesia and painkillers afterwards. Emotional injury? There isn’t an anesthetic in the world to stop the pain while the healing process starts. All one can do is pray to God and ask Him to help them through this.

I’m taking this from Pam. Names can be very tricky because you make valuable first impressions with them.

YOUR PORN STAR NAME:
(Name of first pet + Street you live in)
Popsie Venicia. Aiyah…

YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME:
(Name of your favorite snack food + Grandfather’s first name)
Peanuts Sabas. Boo.

YOUR FASHION DESIGNER NAME:
(First word you see on your left + Favorite restaurant)
List Saisaki. Maker of sushi-inspired clothing.

EXOTIC FOREIGNER ALIAS:
(Favorite Spice + Last Vacation Spot Visited)
Cinnamon Laguna. Exotique, no?

SOCIALITE ALIAS:
(Silliest Childhood Nickname + Town Where You First Partied)
*null and void where partying does not exist and nicknames are not given*

“FLY GIRL” ALIAS (a la J. Lo):
(First Initial + First Two or Three Letters of your Last Name)
N. De. Of course this means NO!

ICON ALIAS:
(Something Sweet Within Sight + Any Liquid in Kitchen)
Soda Water. Also good for mosquito bites.

DETECTIVE ALIAS:
(Favorite Baby Animal + Where You Went to High School)
Puppy Harvest. Ripe for the taking.

BARFLY ALIAS:
(Last Snack Food You Ate + Your Favorite Alcoholic Drink)
Pizza Margarita. Hic!

SOAP OPERA ALIAS:
(Middle Name + First Word you see on your Right)
Page. I don’t want to give out my middle name!

ROCK STAR ALIAS:
(Favorite Candy/Dessert + Last Name Of Favorite Musician)
Mercedes Mayer. I love my Brazo and my John.

So, hello everyone! Welcome to my newly redesigned and renamed online journal named “In My Pocket.” I picked this title as I was looking at a pair of new jeans I recently bought, admiring the roominess in the front and rear pockets.

I love pockets and have always tried to make use of them whenever they appeared on my clothes. Back in high school, I had all sorts of things in my skirt pockets: aside from the requisite wallet, I had a handkerchief, a hair clip, and an inhaler for the rare asthma emergency. Alas, these days pockets are merely design elements use to make people’s butts/hips/chest look bigger or smaller depending on their preference. Besides, when was the last time you saw a (useable) pocket on a trendy skirt?

Still, I can always pull a random pen and piece of paper out of my pocket and start scribbling–so long as I had them in there in the first place. Alternatively, I can just pull out my cellphone from my pocket and snap pictures with it. This journal will be the outlet for any and all creative endeavors of those sorts from me. Hopefully I can write about daily events here as well as the more serious essays I had the tendency to write.