:: Tears of the Moon ::

:: Saturday, August 31, 2002 ::

What can be good about it? I can honestly say that a LOT of good things happened. This is one of those things where I can claim that God is infinitely wise. He's so wise. Because Dad and I wanted to go there early to set up. We were late in *everything* that morning. We woke up late, had breakfast late, dressed up late. We were waiting for Tita Ren to come, and she wasnt able to (her mother in law is senile, and has to be helped with her bowel movements.. she's made a mess everywhere. Tumae sa buong bahay). Ranel was nowhere to be found early that morning. I was getting the sinking feeling that Ranel might be a no-show. Chi had to print extra materials, which took time. And Dad went to Antipolo (far away) to get Ranel if need be. The photocopy place opened really late that morning, so the photocopy was late for the brochures and site maps. And I didnt bring my cell to the xerox place, so Chi was calling me to tell me Ranel was at the office, to tell Dad, and I didnt get the call. The lady at the counter took some time to photocopy my stuff, feeding the paper one by one to avoid jamming. And some of the papers came out a bit folded, which had to be adjusted. And they took time to give me my change.

All this time I was telling myself to breathe slow, that everything was going to be alright, and that it would do no good to have bad thoughts.

Funny, coz the stuff was all in the car already when Doc V arrived. Instead of heading to TESDA, he came to the office. Which was great coz if he went to TESDA, we'd have been a goddamn lynch mob. And for some reason, I kept on forgetting stuff at the office: my book, my thermos, the whiteboard eraser.. Dad forgot some of his keys, and there were moments in traffic that were insane for their slowness.

It really was as if something was trying to make us REALLY late for the exhibit. We were all struggling to get there early, but we ended up being late. Now I realize that it was for a reason. While I might not understand why it was happening at that moment, in retrospect, I see the wisdom of it. Hindi ka Nya talaga ipapahamak. Totoo yun. Parang sinasabi nya sa akin "Anak, dahan-dahan ka lang. Wag ka munang sumugod. May dahilan para rito" Oh God, I think Ive just been in a miracle.

The look on Ranel's face.. I feel horrible for the guy. It was his invention. But had we set up early, been there early, a confrontation wouldve been inevitable, loud, and ugly. And even if we were in the right, the bastard had truckloads of supply, while we only had one. Coz we lack this *one* material which would make *our* machine safer. The Bastard's model uses waxed paper, which makes his machine unstable. Plus we cant make a scene when we want to make a public humiliation of the bastard's work the moment we get the patent published.

Dad and I have a battle plan. To spook him out, we're going to bait him by calling the number and making inquiries. We're going to make sure that he stays put and doesnt transfer places. Then the moment we get hold of his address, and the day the patent gets published, we immediately obtain a TRO, and then a cease-and-desist order. We'd contact the local police to confiscate his supply, and we're going to tip off the press on it. Maybe some small newspaper men, even if it comes down to it, its still publicity. We have sources that could make an article out of it, the issue of patent infringement and blatant usurpation of ideas. Plus, Ranel's story in itself is a human interest story: brilliant feel for electronics, but dirt poor. Then we take out a classifieds ad notifying people that the Old Guy's company and manufacturing is a fraud, and that *we* are selling the original, and much-improved version.

Its a whole PR effort. Something that I know *I* can do pretty well.

:: D said @ 3:29 PM [+] ::
...

Copy of the blog for Lammy and Val

Good God. I went to a trade fair, where my dad's business has a booth. One of the priveledges of being members into dad's business is having access to affordable and innovative stuff. So, we brought with us the inventor for one of our products: a really small welding machine. We got down the car this morning, and dad heading out ahead of us coz Ranel (the inventor guy) and I still had to bring stuff out from the car). By the time Ranel and I closed the car doors and headed off, Dad was walking over to us (rather fast), his arms up, signaling "stop". I was thinking *what now?* when he started saying this..

There was *another* welding machine thing being sold at the booth freaking NEXT to us. Goddamit. To add insult to injury, the guy was using tables and chairs reserved for US (we were late). God. Poor Ranel, and Dad. Coz they both looked like they were thrown ice water. Dad told me to head out and check it out while the two of them stayed in the parking lot to huddle. I looked, and grabbed a leaflet. I asked the guy (casual-like) if they had patents. Proud idiot that he was, he said YES, and waved his hand over this photocopied piece of paper. Looked official enough, until you look closely. It was an *application* for COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION. If I wasnt so incensed, I might've started asking the guy tech stuff (about OUR welding machine) that he wouldnt know the answer to. I was so pissed, that I knew if I didnt move away, I might start interrogating the guy publicly.

Went back to dad and Ranel with the leaflet. Here's the story. Way back when Ranel was starting to make the welding machine, he had an old guy working for him. Eventually, since the guy worked for him, he (old guy, OG) knew how the welding machine was being made. Then he left Ranel. Later on, Ranel found out that the OG was selling little welding machines, like the one he had. So, he (Ranel) got a patent for his one asap. And we have the patent now. Besides, the OG only has an *old* version of the machine, and he's never added to it (hell, copycats arent geniuses.), only manufactured it. So, what *we* have is a better, safer, more versatile version, while the OG's machine is a hazardous, clunkier version of it.

Thing is, danger was averted. But Dad was so pissed. Not to mention Ranel. Some bastard was making money out of an INFERIOR product whose idea came from HIM. God. I felt so bad for the guy. Coz he's not rich. And it was obvious that the guy was making a bloody killing. God. I wanted to cause a goddamn ruckus. But we didnt have the patent papers with us. The Patent Ofc was in a backlog, so we have to wait till September comes along before the patent becomes published, and it'll be *official*. I mean, that's the only thing we're waiting for, the publication. But we already have the patent. The guy's an impostor. Good thing one of our members was the Regional Director of that trade fair. And we told him in calm, regulated tones that the guy was making a profit out of a stolen idea. Proof of it was the inventor himself was with us. Good thing the guy was calm, which made Dad and I calm, coz I knew if he (Reg Dir) were the panicky kind, Dad and I wouldve gone ballistic on that booth. He (Reg Dir) assured us that the guy would never exhibit there again, and it was the last day anyway, and half day at that.

Besides, we couldnt afford a scene, because we want to raid that mothermucker's factory the moment we get our patent published. So, we kept low, and went the rounds of the other booths. We opted not to set our booth up. It wouldve been too much for our frazzled nerves to stay beside that bastard and see him make a killing out of his inferior product. And we (Dad and I) really didnt want to be there, especially with Ranel.

God, poor Ranel. He looked like he lost a child when he went to that booth to investigate. The one manning the booth was some sales guy, who didnt know squat about the workings of the machine. OG wasnt there. But we have his address now, the bastard. The first time Ranel heard of the thing being sold (ages ago), he hunted the old man down, but he (OG) kept moving places. Ranel is a retired member of the Guardians, a civilian arm of the military.. fought during the Martial Law and those years.. so he has friends who do stuff.. He and his friends were looking for that old man.

I cant imagine what went on his mind at that moment. Im sure he had a restless night. And Im glad that Dad and I have a copy of the leaflet that faker was distributing. Im sure that there's a possibility that if Ranel had a copy of it, the old man might be.. let's just say he'd be in physical and mortal danger now.

I hated the feeling. I hated the whole experience for Ranel. And Dad, coz he helped Ranel out. Ranel was a car mechanic with no future if he and Dad hadnt met. He's brilliant with electronics and gadgetry, and we're doing our best to help him out, and he gets a slap in the face with this. In the car heading home, I was sitting at the back with him. He had in his hands two copies of the brochure *we* have for his welding machine. He kept on opening and closing it, reading and rereading the brochure/user's manual. I had to turn away coz I really could only imagine how awful he mustve been feeling.

:: D said @ 3:10 PM [+] ::
...

"This is a song about.. talking to the person you havent even met yet. They might be rolling around in the hay with someone else.. but they're not as good as you'd be.You just gotta wait your turn. She's out there, he's out there.. they're just learning the contrast you will be." -- John Mayer's intro to Love Song For No One

:: D said @ 1:17 PM [+] ::
...

Went to the Rex Navarrete free show. And almost laughed my ass off because the guy was so goddamn funny. He performed a free show in the Greenbelt3 food court.. the place was so jampacked full of people. I heard people started reserving seats as early as 4pm! And the thing was scheduled at 7pm!

Saddens me to say that there arent any (or many) stand up comedians like that over here. What sells to the masses are the slapstick kind.. or the mean kind made by gays. But I think there's a market for real stand up comedians here among the middle class-yuppie crowd. The foodcourt sure was exploding with them. It was insane. I havent laughed that much in years. Chi told me I looked like I was going to have an asthma attack, I was laughing so hard. Rather, I was wheezing during the downtimes. Which weren't a lot. :rolleyes:

And there were moments there where I thought I was going to have heartburn from laughing so hard. And Ive never really known how true the phrase "almost peed in my pants in laughter" meant, until then. I didnt, of course, but my poor bladder almost did me in. rotfl. Place was jampacked. And Ive never seen such a large group of people who laugh at the same things I find really funny. I usually laugh alone (if my sis isnt there) with Frasier.. Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Third Rock From The Sun. Its pretty frustrating.

But it was a really good act.

:: D said @ 1:11 PM [+] ::
...

Went to the SIGNS premiere and got sufficiently scared out of my wits. Ive said before that Im more afraid of extraterrestrials than ghosts.. and M Night's work on it just makes the viewing experience so much more intense. Eek! Like the images of aliens plastered outside my window, Im sure the images of those long legged freaks walking outside the house will fraek me out for a long time. The same way with the image of Mulder's little sister hanging off the bed, floating away.

For a self-confessed lover of the stars, Im pretty scared of beings that come *from* them eh? Its a love-hate thing.

We might go to the standup comedy thing later tonight. I hope. He's really good.

Mom trying to make a better effort of contacting us. They gave her a cellphone to text us. I guess my prayers have been answered bit by bit. She's been fixing her spiritual life now. And getting help from there. Thank goodness.

Im weary of dad trying to consult his every infinitesimal move towards mom to me. Goodness, at this point Id like to tell him to get a shrink and pay him to listen to him already. Coz he just talks and talks and talks.. Dammit. It may be helping him, but its not helping me anymore. I dont want to hear about it anymore. I want to take a break from it. He shows me every text mom sends him. I really do NOT want to read them anymore. Ive never been comfortable reading other people's messages anyway, and why is he showing me these things? She's his WIFE, not mine. And I do NOT need to see their every communication. Tell me about it, fine. But dont make me read your goddamn messages.

:: D said @ 2:41 PM [+] ::
...

Went to the Austin Powers premiere. We got five tickets, won from a radio station. Geez. Chi and I did a count, and we've won tickets to premieres of seven movies already. Hehehe. What a way to watch free movies eh? Beats being a movie critic. Chi, Bry and I went. But since we were given five tickets, I invited Meg and Jershey to come along. Meg and Jersh being two friends Ive met on FF.

*sigh* FF is a pretty cool place, I tell you. The Filipino Fellowship has met!

Damn Meg had her hair cut again. :rolleyes: Is she in mourning or something?

Will watch SIGNS later tonight with Chi and Bry. Again, with free tickets. Hehe. Life is pretty good.

On the home front. Life without Mom is getting pretty weird-normal. I dont know how else to explain it.

:: D said @ 3:07 PM [+] ::
...

Thank goodness the graphics came on right. I miss posting regularly. Its been so bad, its not even funny

:: D said @ 11:52 PM [+] ::
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Been a long time. Good grief

:: D said @ 11:41 PM [+] ::
...

:: D said @ 2:21 PM [+] ::
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Dammit. I forgot to write. Oh my God, Meg. I love you dude. I feel so fucking awful. I dont know what to say.

:: D said @ 1:22 PM [+] ::
...

Old at being young
Young at being old
Everything's on hold within our evolution

-BNL, Alternative Girlfriend.

That line just struck me. Very true. Very apt.

:: D said @ 1:17 PM [+] ::
...

Light Up My Room
Barenaked Ladies
Album: Stunt

A Hydro-field cuts through my neighborhood
Somehow that always just made me feel good
I can put a spare bulb in my hand
And light up my yard

Late at night when the wires in the walls
Sing in tune with the din of the falls
I'm conducting it all while I sleep
To light the whole town

If you question what I would do
To get over and be with you
Lift you up over everything
To light up my room, my room

There's a shopping cart in the ravine
The foam on the creek is like pop
and ice cream
A field full of tires that is always on fire
To light up my home

There are luxuries we can't afford
But in our house we never get bored
We can dance to the radio station
That plays in our teeth

If you question what I would do
To get over and be with you
Lift you up over everything
To light up my room, my room

I truly, sincerely, wish.. Shit. I wish there was a guy out there for me. Dammit. This is my latest BNL find. Cool song. Will listen to the latest Les Miz songs we've finished downloading.

Sometimes I wonder, what the hell do you do when youre up at 1am, Kit? How come you 'do' so much? And why the hell do you have so much to say, when you dont have anyone to talk to?

:: D said @ 1:13 PM [+] ::
...

Ive moved! Thank goodness. Dammit. The *one* time I needed LJ to load my entries, I get the stupid DNS error warning. I wanted to strangle the stupid thing. I am beyond pissed. I was willing to put up with the pinkness, the you-never-get-to-edit-your-template-since-youre-not-paying deal, but the loading just got me.

Soothing myself with Barenaked Ladies. Frazzled nerves and all that, eh? I still havent processed it all. I need a Pensieve desperately. And a way to make subject headings for my entries.

I am definitely glad that I brought along the notebook journal for the trip to CDO. The happiness of the plane trip.. its all there. Just sucks that Im not in the mood for it now.

That's the one definitely bright, unsullied spot in this whole business. The plane trip to and fro. Seeing Mom again was both painful and happy. Mostly painful, because it still hurts. Hell, it hurts. It wont ever go away.

Bry and Chi are so pissed at Auntie Neng and how they view things. Ive never said anything about it until now. Because now, Ive actually been there. And Bry was so pissed he kept on asking for a glass of water and he kept on wrinkling his soda can. And Chi was (predictably) delighted that I told them off. Chi is funny that way.

:: D said @ 12:36 PM [+] ::
...

Im back. Yes, Im back. And someone I dont like is nagging me over AIM and its annoying me more than anything. Good grief, get a clue.

Im snarky because the IE froze up and closed the IE windows I had open. Even the LJ I was writing on. So, this is the second attempt to write. God. Damn. Freck. It.

Aside from that Im still processing what I said and heard and did. My parents.. theyre so stupid. Theyve seriously wronged each other. Ive spent the weekend talking so much, I dont want to talk anymore. But that's impossible. I *have* to.

Theyve seriously wronged each other. And they both know that, and agree to that. But the will to make amends is not mine to make, or mine to do. I cant mend fences that my parents themselves have brought down on each other.

My relatives.. Ive never realized how different we were from each other until this time. I mean, I knew that we were brought up differently. But I didnt know that it included mindset. I mean, theyre very simpleminded people. Simpleminded, localized thinking. Relatives rule, and its an unbreakable rule that you should respect your elders and all that.

Ive realized a couple of things about them. That they really love my mom. That they would take her word over mine any day. Even if I tell them that they are in no position to say those things because they never lived in the house, they didnt see what I saw in my OWN house. And they think Im rude just because I talk to my mom and elders differently (what? Theyre used to being treated like demigods by my cousins?)

*sigh* But I cant make myself get angry at people like that. After all that, we didnt end up 'fighting'. I mean, I have to resign myself with the thought that they cant really think things through the way I do. I mean, I try to think things through in a step-by-step manner. When Im discussing with people, we have to be on the same page at all times. That means, I have to keep on clarifying things (You said this, and that.. do you agree that this is so? Is that right or not?). Theyre not like that. Feelings are important. Its important to soothe, there is no right or wrong. Circumstances have to be considered, etc etc.

God. So many things to think about. My mind is so crammed with them. I want a Pensieve like the one Dumbledore has. I want to draw out the memories one by one so I can look at them one by one. Ive talked so much during the weekend that I want to sleep this whole business through. I am so tired. I dont want to talk anymore. But I have to. Right now theyre crashing against each other that I cant look at one singularly and concentrate. My feelings are mixed with my thoughts. And I have to objectively look at it, from what my mom's saying, and what she's doing. What my dad is thinking and what he's saying.

Theyre so stupid.

:: D said @ 12:28 PM [+] ::
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