That graphic novel turned into movie by Frank Miller is one of my favorite movies. I have always been fascinated by history of empires and their egomaniac monarchs. The last time I read about the Battle in Thermopylae was when I was still a high school student learning world history. Having Gerald Butler on the movie as King Leonidas helped refresh my memory…
And write my own version of 300 today.
Now my 300 is a story about what made me say goodbye to Good Guy. It was basically a label coined by a friend during the time I felt disgusted at how I turned out to be a Good Guy freak. I mean he stood me up in three occasions this month when I was about to settle the 300 bucks I owed him. I had to suffer loss because of that. I felt like some shitty doormat already.
I could only go to certain levels of humiliation but I am not exactly the type who would literally endure it forever. I would not certainly go about town to mope and be miserable. Good Guy is nice but our story of 300 reeks of serious character issue I don’t want to find myself dealing with in the future.
But nevertheless, as a friend, I respect him for that. That’s how he is.
I’m free!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
No expectations
I haven’t given up on my quest to get Good Guy. I received advise from friends to just go out with him and enjoy his company like the old times with no expectations. I repeat. No expectations.
I think I heard the same words from him years ago when I tried to fix him a date with a colleague. He said no expectations. I had to ask him, “Are you just afraid you might find yourself expect-y at the end of the day?” He just didn’t like the idea of girls getting disappointed when they found out that he wasn’t that gorgeous guy they thought he was on paper and on the phone. I got the drift. No expectations.
So I did try to relax and enjoy life as it is and put a bunch of things in proper perspective. We’re good friends and activity partners and nothing in between. That’s it. While I was in that experimental mode for a week, I diverted my attention to other interests and his friend caught my attention. Then a wicked idea was born.
Me: Your friend B is nice, no?
GG: Why?
Me: Nothing. I just thought he’s nice. Read his blog.
GG: He is a good friend.
Me: What does he do?
GG: Hotel manager.
Me: Wow.
GG: Why are you interested?
Me: He’s talented. I love to discover talents, right?
GG: Hehe..so you’re a talent manager now?
Me: Why not? Unless you mean otherwise...
GG: ;-)
Me: Is he married?
GG: No. Single.
I wasn’t really sure if that was really a good way of relaxing things between me and Good Guy. For us to be good friends, I decided to take out the romantic part by focusing my attention to another guy and made sure he knew about this shift.
In the meantime, let me enjoy the current and drink soda to that. No expectations, ha. Sige. Cheers!
I think I heard the same words from him years ago when I tried to fix him a date with a colleague. He said no expectations. I had to ask him, “Are you just afraid you might find yourself expect-y at the end of the day?” He just didn’t like the idea of girls getting disappointed when they found out that he wasn’t that gorgeous guy they thought he was on paper and on the phone. I got the drift. No expectations.
So I did try to relax and enjoy life as it is and put a bunch of things in proper perspective. We’re good friends and activity partners and nothing in between. That’s it. While I was in that experimental mode for a week, I diverted my attention to other interests and his friend caught my attention. Then a wicked idea was born.
Me: Your friend B is nice, no?
GG: Why?
Me: Nothing. I just thought he’s nice. Read his blog.
GG: He is a good friend.
Me: What does he do?
GG: Hotel manager.
Me: Wow.
GG: Why are you interested?
Me: He’s talented. I love to discover talents, right?
GG: Hehe..so you’re a talent manager now?
Me: Why not? Unless you mean otherwise...
GG: ;-)
Me: Is he married?
GG: No. Single.
I wasn’t really sure if that was really a good way of relaxing things between me and Good Guy. For us to be good friends, I decided to take out the romantic part by focusing my attention to another guy and made sure he knew about this shift.
In the meantime, let me enjoy the current and drink soda to that. No expectations, ha. Sige. Cheers!
A date with Teacher
Just a day after the infamous Friday the 13th dinner, I have decided to meet this other guy I call Teacher. Teacher and I have been exchanging emails about cats since 2005. The fact of the matter is I haven’t met this guy in person because he was working abroad then. I haven’t actually been in touch with him for almost a year when suddenly I received an email from him informing me that he has just got back from a trip.
I wasn’t really keen about meeting up this guy. I had this weird feeling that he did really like me. When he texted me that his office moved to the city where I hold office, I was alarmed. That made us just a block apart. To prevent stalking incidents, I decided to go show up and meet this guy with a friend.
My friend and I were at Starbucks already when a guy an inch taller than I am approached us. His eyes lit up and gave me a firm handshake I thought my right hand was crushed. I ordered cranberry juice and he ordered the same, too. Scary. I eventually had to ask him jokingly, “Do you have UTI, too?”
We talked about careers, trips abroad, and our families. He painted a picture of a nice guy and a responsible family man in need of a woman he could walk down the aisle. To scare him, I told him I have two big and tall brothers and I am such a busy career person. But he did not seem to mind it and mentioned about a pre-nup. I wondered if he had relations with this overwhelmingly persistent dentist I had dated years ago.
Out of the blue, he mentioned about his habit of leaving his family without letting them know of his whereabouts, I saw that as an opportunity to shut the deal off. I told him explicitly it was an inconsiderate act to leave people wondering and confused. He looked disappointed I didn’t see it as dramatic as he wanted it to be.
I think I popped his bubble with that blunt statement that he told me how he hated feminists. In his eyes, I have become every guy’s nightmare the moment I spoke my mind out.
That was the end of my one-hour weekend date with Teacher and I never heard from him since them. Which, by the way, is better.
I wasn’t really keen about meeting up this guy. I had this weird feeling that he did really like me. When he texted me that his office moved to the city where I hold office, I was alarmed. That made us just a block apart. To prevent stalking incidents, I decided to go show up and meet this guy with a friend.
My friend and I were at Starbucks already when a guy an inch taller than I am approached us. His eyes lit up and gave me a firm handshake I thought my right hand was crushed. I ordered cranberry juice and he ordered the same, too. Scary. I eventually had to ask him jokingly, “Do you have UTI, too?”
We talked about careers, trips abroad, and our families. He painted a picture of a nice guy and a responsible family man in need of a woman he could walk down the aisle. To scare him, I told him I have two big and tall brothers and I am such a busy career person. But he did not seem to mind it and mentioned about a pre-nup. I wondered if he had relations with this overwhelmingly persistent dentist I had dated years ago.
Out of the blue, he mentioned about his habit of leaving his family without letting them know of his whereabouts, I saw that as an opportunity to shut the deal off. I told him explicitly it was an inconsiderate act to leave people wondering and confused. He looked disappointed I didn’t see it as dramatic as he wanted it to be.
I think I popped his bubble with that blunt statement that he told me how he hated feminists. In his eyes, I have become every guy’s nightmare the moment I spoke my mind out.
That was the end of my one-hour weekend date with Teacher and I never heard from him since them. Which, by the way, is better.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday the 13th
After that movie date disaster, I moved on to the next plan. A friend asked me to take on a dinner assignment somewhere near Good Guy’s workplace. I thought it was a best excuse to invite Good Guy over and scrutinize him further layer to layer. I had it scheduled and informed him about it a week before. Who would refuse a free dinner, right?
The big day came after a pretty bad week in the office. It culminated in a hyper-charged Friday and as expected of an unlucky day, I went through that exasperating series of unfortunate events. That meeting in the office did not go quite well as I ended up grilled to ashes on my seat. On my way, I almost mauled a taxi driver for his overcharging meter and he dropped me off in the middle of nowhere. I had to walk 5 blocks on heels because freaky taxi drivers decided to become choosy of their destinations that day.
The world has gone mad.
When I reached the restaurant, I was already in a fight mood. I was this angry volcano ready to spew out hot molten lava at slightest provocation.
Good Guy came a bit late and he apologized profusely. While we’re having dinner and catching up on our post-movie date lives, I was mentally assessing whether I wanted him to be a boyfriend or just a friend who I only see four times a year. The basic question was “Why do I like Good Guy?”. Then, a whole lot more. Was it because he got promoted? Overflowing talent? Kindness? Or was it because I was left with very few choices since my prospects have recently crossed over to the “dark side” to become pink butterflies?
What would his best friend my ex-boyfriend say? And why in the world my ex's opinion still matter?
It turned out that the seismic effect of our first meeting on him has gradually worn down in the passing of time. I don't blame him. After all, that was almost a decade ago when I still held the throne of his ideal mate. People change and their preferences shift from Jollibee to McDo and then Burger King. While Good Guy morphed into a rock star from an obscure and extremely shy guy, I remained the faithful girlfriend of his best friend. Now, there is no compelling reason why he would waste his time on someone who is not even Jessica Alba's toes nor the penguin she fed in the movie. Women started rearing their heads toward his direction. What sort of peculiarities do I have to stand out in the mob?
The truth is I was the only one experiencing the after-shocks while he was there enjoying his gyoza.
The dinner lasted for an hour. The conversation progressed from appetizers to museum curators, dead people and nothing else. There was no after-dinner-let’s-have-coffee talks, not even a walk in that polluted park. He had to go back to work. I was also tired and sleepy and my feet hurt already. I was pretty exhausted for anything romantic I fell asleep in the bus.
The big day came after a pretty bad week in the office. It culminated in a hyper-charged Friday and as expected of an unlucky day, I went through that exasperating series of unfortunate events. That meeting in the office did not go quite well as I ended up grilled to ashes on my seat. On my way, I almost mauled a taxi driver for his overcharging meter and he dropped me off in the middle of nowhere. I had to walk 5 blocks on heels because freaky taxi drivers decided to become choosy of their destinations that day.
The world has gone mad.
When I reached the restaurant, I was already in a fight mood. I was this angry volcano ready to spew out hot molten lava at slightest provocation.
Good Guy came a bit late and he apologized profusely. While we’re having dinner and catching up on our post-movie date lives, I was mentally assessing whether I wanted him to be a boyfriend or just a friend who I only see four times a year. The basic question was “Why do I like Good Guy?”. Then, a whole lot more. Was it because he got promoted? Overflowing talent? Kindness? Or was it because I was left with very few choices since my prospects have recently crossed over to the “dark side” to become pink butterflies?
What would his best friend my ex-boyfriend say? And why in the world my ex's opinion still matter?
It turned out that the seismic effect of our first meeting on him has gradually worn down in the passing of time. I don't blame him. After all, that was almost a decade ago when I still held the throne of his ideal mate. People change and their preferences shift from Jollibee to McDo and then Burger King. While Good Guy morphed into a rock star from an obscure and extremely shy guy, I remained the faithful girlfriend of his best friend. Now, there is no compelling reason why he would waste his time on someone who is not even Jessica Alba's toes nor the penguin she fed in the movie. Women started rearing their heads toward his direction. What sort of peculiarities do I have to stand out in the mob?
The truth is I was the only one experiencing the after-shocks while he was there enjoying his gyoza.
The dinner lasted for an hour. The conversation progressed from appetizers to museum curators, dead people and nothing else. There was no after-dinner-let’s-have-coffee talks, not even a walk in that polluted park. He had to go back to work. I was also tired and sleepy and my feet hurt already. I was pretty exhausted for anything romantic I fell asleep in the bus.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Two hour notice
This scheming lady called Mudraka decided to take matters in her own hands. I would have not been labeled “stalker” in my early years if it weren’t for my reputation of stalking boys I had a crush on in high school and getting their vital information their sweethearts did not know about (i.e. parents’ names, siblings, ambition, definition of love – don’t ask, it sucks.). It’s time to put the old charm to work.
Two weeks after I visited Good Guy in his museum and rubbed elbows with people whose names I only read about online, I sent him a text message inviting him to watch a movie with me in two hours. (Brushing his teeth and travel time were included in the calculation). But not without a bribe that said "It's free".
Good Guy quickly jumped on the free movie trap. In less than two hours, we were at the cinema lobby.
He looked tired and sleepy and crumpled all over. I felt guilty about breaking his siesta just to watch Indiana Jones with me leaving him with not much time to put on his make-up (hehe). Actually, Good Guy is not exactly your kind of metrosexual guy who sprays Axe on himself to attract flies. It no longer surprises me whenever goes around wearing whatever shirt or pants he could grab from his closet, walks on his extra large slippers and carries with him a backpack like an Abu Sayyaf alerting mall security with suspicion.
It was the first time he saw me with a make-up on, wearing jeans and a girly blouse. None of those intimidating corporate attire that often made me look like his mother. This was a deliberate change in tactic – act weak, act girly. I guess that made him go blink blink in a funny way when he saw me from across the lobby. He probably failed to guess what actually hit me...or him.
I bought the tickets, he volunteered to buy food. Gentleman, eh. Thank goodness, he has quit taking Boy Bawang to the movies. (Woo-hoo! An upgrade!) While waiting in line, we talked about a lot of things from my bad singing to his blossoming career. And he gave me something. It was a book I was borrowing from him.
While watching the movie, we were busy nibbling on our chips, whispering trivias in between "Did you know this sequel cost blah blah?" and rolling our eyes each time someone burst out a gut of laughter.
After the movie, he asked if I enjoyed it and I said the worst line ever, "Yes. Is the LRT still open?"
Where the heck did that come from?
I should have said "Hey, let's have coffee and talk about what a wrinkled Harrison Ford is doing in the 2008 sequel." But words escaped me. I left my heart and brains at the cinema, probably in one of those empty popcorn buckets.
I really do have this nasty habit of saying the wrong things at the wrong place and time. So we said our quick goodbyes and parted ways at the gate. I didn't even try to look back. I really should have. But for some insane reason like pride, I didn't.
Arrrgh!
Two weeks after I visited Good Guy in his museum and rubbed elbows with people whose names I only read about online, I sent him a text message inviting him to watch a movie with me in two hours. (Brushing his teeth and travel time were included in the calculation). But not without a bribe that said "It's free".
Good Guy quickly jumped on the free movie trap. In less than two hours, we were at the cinema lobby.
He looked tired and sleepy and crumpled all over. I felt guilty about breaking his siesta just to watch Indiana Jones with me leaving him with not much time to put on his make-up (hehe). Actually, Good Guy is not exactly your kind of metrosexual guy who sprays Axe on himself to attract flies. It no longer surprises me whenever goes around wearing whatever shirt or pants he could grab from his closet, walks on his extra large slippers and carries with him a backpack like an Abu Sayyaf alerting mall security with suspicion.
It was the first time he saw me with a make-up on, wearing jeans and a girly blouse. None of those intimidating corporate attire that often made me look like his mother. This was a deliberate change in tactic – act weak, act girly. I guess that made him go blink blink in a funny way when he saw me from across the lobby. He probably failed to guess what actually hit me...or him.
I bought the tickets, he volunteered to buy food. Gentleman, eh. Thank goodness, he has quit taking Boy Bawang to the movies. (Woo-hoo! An upgrade!) While waiting in line, we talked about a lot of things from my bad singing to his blossoming career. And he gave me something. It was a book I was borrowing from him.
While watching the movie, we were busy nibbling on our chips, whispering trivias in between "Did you know this sequel cost blah blah?" and rolling our eyes each time someone burst out a gut of laughter.
After the movie, he asked if I enjoyed it and I said the worst line ever, "Yes. Is the LRT still open?"
Where the heck did that come from?
I should have said "Hey, let's have coffee and talk about what a wrinkled Harrison Ford is doing in the 2008 sequel." But words escaped me. I left my heart and brains at the cinema, probably in one of those empty popcorn buckets.
I really do have this nasty habit of saying the wrong things at the wrong place and time. So we said our quick goodbyes and parted ways at the gate. I didn't even try to look back. I really should have. But for some insane reason like pride, I didn't.
Arrrgh!
Taking the wheel
I know what Good Guy wrote about me after our first meeting ages ago. I read his full-length blog post about that dinner we had that lasted all the way up until midnight. My imagination tells me how that smile never faded away since then each time he'd think of me. I certainly do remind him of a bunch of things - Ripley's Believe It or Not, that cartoon movie we saw together which turned out to be the first movie I ever saw with a guy (yeah, really), bootleg DVD copies we bought in Quiapo and the pancit we shared for dinner. And there were other things we did together. Those MRT rides where we’re seated so close to each other I could actually smell his breath and tell what he had just ate. We share similar interest in the arts. And the early mornings we spent jogging together made my friends wish they could borrow him too.
My girl friends envied me for having a close male friend I could count on when my desktop suffers memory loss or when I need an instant movie date. He may not be aware of the fact that aside from being my personal mechanic, he is also my savior when boredom strikes the hardest.
But since I was busy investing emotionally on this other guy, I didn't see Good Guy for all his worth. Any romantic thoughts about him I regarded as an incestual desire worthy of hell that made me wince and go “yuck”. Not that he’s “yucky”. He was my boyfriend’s best friend. That’s how complicated it was back then.
Apparently, this turned out to be one of the biggest regrets in my history book. Lately, he’s been out making a name for himself, meeting more girls and I busy with my new-found career and rescuing my already doomed relationship. We hardly have time to see each other. Like all the tragic stories of those people who came in late, I’ve missed out on his growth years. By the time I forced myself back into the scene, it was a little too late. Things have changed.
I found myself wishing I should have been attentive enough to see him not just as a well-meaning friend but a potential mate whose lousy pick-up lines have actually melted me into water. I wish I have not wasted those years in a relationship with his best friend that ended up in a bin. I wish I have spent those times just getting to know Good Guy more – the other things he does, the other books he reads, music he listens to and decipher the mystery that made girls with long hair so special to him. (Although every time I asked him about the hair thing, he’d shrug it off and call me silly.)
This time, you won't find me sitting idly by the wishing well, or waiting for the next planetary alignment. I do really like him. And it's time to put my imagination to work and do something.
My girl friends envied me for having a close male friend I could count on when my desktop suffers memory loss or when I need an instant movie date. He may not be aware of the fact that aside from being my personal mechanic, he is also my savior when boredom strikes the hardest.
But since I was busy investing emotionally on this other guy, I didn't see Good Guy for all his worth. Any romantic thoughts about him I regarded as an incestual desire worthy of hell that made me wince and go “yuck”. Not that he’s “yucky”. He was my boyfriend’s best friend. That’s how complicated it was back then.
Apparently, this turned out to be one of the biggest regrets in my history book. Lately, he’s been out making a name for himself, meeting more girls and I busy with my new-found career and rescuing my already doomed relationship. We hardly have time to see each other. Like all the tragic stories of those people who came in late, I’ve missed out on his growth years. By the time I forced myself back into the scene, it was a little too late. Things have changed.
I found myself wishing I should have been attentive enough to see him not just as a well-meaning friend but a potential mate whose lousy pick-up lines have actually melted me into water. I wish I have not wasted those years in a relationship with his best friend that ended up in a bin. I wish I have spent those times just getting to know Good Guy more – the other things he does, the other books he reads, music he listens to and decipher the mystery that made girls with long hair so special to him. (Although every time I asked him about the hair thing, he’d shrug it off and call me silly.)
This time, you won't find me sitting idly by the wishing well, or waiting for the next planetary alignment. I do really like him. And it's time to put my imagination to work and do something.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Why date me?
My former boss would have literally freaked out when she learns about this website. Not that she’s old school, she doesn’t understand how it is like to be a corporate slave, with no time, fortune, prospects and connections (was that Pride and Prejudice?) but just a face that could launch a thousand people laughing. That’s reality. I do sometimes make men quake in their knees, not because I am awesomely and charmingly attractive. I am their boss ordering them to this and that. But I do really think I am a nice well-rounded person with no evil intent who has gone undetected. Have I been wearing an invisibility cloak? Help me find out.
This is not just about Good Guy either. If this is a site dedicated to Good Guy, then I would not have labeled this as “Date Me”. You won’t even find this online in the first place because the battle has been won over.
Date Me is a serious date blog of someone who has been absent from the dating scene for many many years. I wanted to give serious dating a shot. Perhaps meeting and getting to know men might draw me closer to the one I call the better half but whole. Help me before I finally lock myself up in an air conditioned tower with no doors and windows but just cable TV, Internet and free-flowing food forever.
And no, this is not Sex and the City New York style type of dating. Rule out that hot and steamy scene from your minds because you won’t get it from here. I value my virginity like diamond for the sake of that one elusive guy I really hope to meet and marry someday. And I encourage single ladies out there to do the same thing, too.
All for one true love.
This is not just about Good Guy either. If this is a site dedicated to Good Guy, then I would not have labeled this as “Date Me”. You won’t even find this online in the first place because the battle has been won over.
Date Me is a serious date blog of someone who has been absent from the dating scene for many many years. I wanted to give serious dating a shot. Perhaps meeting and getting to know men might draw me closer to the one I call the better half but whole. Help me before I finally lock myself up in an air conditioned tower with no doors and windows but just cable TV, Internet and free-flowing food forever.
And no, this is not Sex and the City New York style type of dating. Rule out that hot and steamy scene from your minds because you won’t get it from here. I value my virginity like diamond for the sake of that one elusive guy I really hope to meet and marry someday. And I encourage single ladies out there to do the same thing, too.
All for one true love.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
He had me at handshake
Three months ago, one of my closest male friends named Good Guy asked me for help. He had this art exhibit somewhere in the city and he wanted someone to make sure his guests were well-fed. So I gave him the group who catered for my cousin’s wedding and took care of the reservation until the opening night. He was very happy he included my name in his thank you list.
I remember arriving in his showroom with a couple of friends he also knew. When I spotted him talking to a bunch of guys (one of them was cute), I headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up. My hair was a mess. I didn’t want Cute Guy and company to see me like I have just stepped out of an ancient wardrobe.
There was something about being tired, hungry and grumpy that shoo people away. I wasn’t introduced to Cute Guy and company until later that evening. I went straight to the buffet table and had my noodles and tea there in such a feel-at-home fashion. I could even go and take a nap there without me worrying about what Good Guy would say. I was there the entire night forgetting my manners and the reason why we were all there. It was his night as a celebrated artist and that reality didn't sink quite well in my empty skull.
Good guy was smiling when approached us and shook our hands. There was really something about him that intrigued me since Day One. He couldn’t look straight at me and when he would, he’d shift his gaze to somewhere. Until now, I still don’t know the reasons why. I’d like to think I was just gorgeous that time and he just couldn’t believe I could wear a decent piece of dress. He was so used to seeing me wear extra large shirts and go about town on banca slippers. Or maybe, that Careline powder made me look like a frozen cadaver and he just didn't know how to tell me. Whatever.
By the way, that was the first time we shook hands after so many years. I hope we’d do it more often.
I remember arriving in his showroom with a couple of friends he also knew. When I spotted him talking to a bunch of guys (one of them was cute), I headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up. My hair was a mess. I didn’t want Cute Guy and company to see me like I have just stepped out of an ancient wardrobe.
There was something about being tired, hungry and grumpy that shoo people away. I wasn’t introduced to Cute Guy and company until later that evening. I went straight to the buffet table and had my noodles and tea there in such a feel-at-home fashion. I could even go and take a nap there without me worrying about what Good Guy would say. I was there the entire night forgetting my manners and the reason why we were all there. It was his night as a celebrated artist and that reality didn't sink quite well in my empty skull.
Good guy was smiling when approached us and shook our hands. There was really something about him that intrigued me since Day One. He couldn’t look straight at me and when he would, he’d shift his gaze to somewhere. Until now, I still don’t know the reasons why. I’d like to think I was just gorgeous that time and he just couldn’t believe I could wear a decent piece of dress. He was so used to seeing me wear extra large shirts and go about town on banca slippers. Or maybe, that Careline powder made me look like a frozen cadaver and he just didn't know how to tell me. Whatever.
By the way, that was the first time we shook hands after so many years. I hope we’d do it more often.
A dying market
I have but few guy friends and a whole battalion of single girl friends. And in this batch of a dozen male friends, 3 of them are gays, 4 of them are married and 3 of them are purely platonic. I only have 2 in my list who I consider prospects but they are busy with other things, say, work. A lawyer friend once told me that the gender ratio today has reached a staggering 9:1. Nine females to one male. Imagine me competing with 17 other girls for the attention of two men. Like Archuleta, you might just hear me let out an overwhelmed expression: "Gosh!"
Now, if you’re like me who has spent the entire 12 hours in the office and another 8 for sleeping, what do those 4 hours have to contribute to the battle plan? I even spend those four hours meeting up my girl friends, grooming my cats, shopping or moonlighting. My Saturdays are even booked because of business projects. And I take my Sabbath to the letter on Sundays. I used to think I hardly have time to spend in attracting new markets. But reality is I just didn’t exert any effort to meet new people and get to know them well. Boys are not even on my recreation list. It’s not basically about severe lack of time. It’s simply not making time to explore new friendships.
In marketing perspective, if you’re not out there exposing yourself, people won’t know how great you really are. How many brands in this decade have died without getting noticed? How many still wears Grosby shoes? Where is Presto Ice Cream today? People who used to patronize them have grown old and are wearing adult diapers. They were now replaced by a younger crowd who wants Kobe Bryant's shoes or have a scoop of every Selecta flavors. Those brands failed to stay young and reinvent themselves until their shelf lives were over.
Now, if you’re like me who has spent the entire 12 hours in the office and another 8 for sleeping, what do those 4 hours have to contribute to the battle plan? I even spend those four hours meeting up my girl friends, grooming my cats, shopping or moonlighting. My Saturdays are even booked because of business projects. And I take my Sabbath to the letter on Sundays. I used to think I hardly have time to spend in attracting new markets. But reality is I just didn’t exert any effort to meet new people and get to know them well. Boys are not even on my recreation list. It’s not basically about severe lack of time. It’s simply not making time to explore new friendships.
In marketing perspective, if you’re not out there exposing yourself, people won’t know how great you really are. How many brands in this decade have died without getting noticed? How many still wears Grosby shoes? Where is Presto Ice Cream today? People who used to patronize them have grown old and are wearing adult diapers. They were now replaced by a younger crowd who wants Kobe Bryant's shoes or have a scoop of every Selecta flavors. Those brands failed to stay young and reinvent themselves until their shelf lives were over.
Monday, June 23, 2008
A confession
It takes tons and tons of courage to admit to the world that I only had one serious relationship with a guy on real-time 15 years ago. We lasted a year. The next relationship I had took place a decade later over the internet. I woke up one day to a glum English climate enlightened and decided to end the three year torture for one reason: I’ve just had enough.
By the way, I’m 35 years old.
I had two failed relationships. (Thank God we’re not talking of failed marriages yet.) I do not blame these two men for my misery for I know deep inside that they were nice guys. But our circumstances varied from one another and we simply couldn’t fix it because we just didn’t know how.
I know at this stage in my life these relational issues should be the least of my concerns. Apparently, it wasn’t. I can be as dumb as any 14-year-old you can find in the planet who couldn’t think straight in the presence of gorgeousness. As a matter of fact, the more I get older, the more things get complicated.
I started the year officially as a single person with a resolution to remain unmarried for the rest of my life. I disliked the idea of doing household chores, taking care of kids, slaving for a husband who often take your for granted, and juggling a career on the other hand. This picture of good wife and mother scares me because I felt inadequate, inept and undomesticated in many aspects. I treasure my independence like an authentic Michael Jordan trading card my brother framed and kept in his closet. It’s priceless; not even Mastercard can buy it.
But sometimes loneliness stabs at the back when you least expect it. Watching Enchanted a dozen of times and listening to its soundtrack “So Close” bring out the romantic person in me. And my imagination scanned every male friend I know who might just fit the bill…and God forgive me, there’s actually one who just did.
By the way, I’m 35 years old.
I had two failed relationships. (Thank God we’re not talking of failed marriages yet.) I do not blame these two men for my misery for I know deep inside that they were nice guys. But our circumstances varied from one another and we simply couldn’t fix it because we just didn’t know how.
I know at this stage in my life these relational issues should be the least of my concerns. Apparently, it wasn’t. I can be as dumb as any 14-year-old you can find in the planet who couldn’t think straight in the presence of gorgeousness. As a matter of fact, the more I get older, the more things get complicated.
I started the year officially as a single person with a resolution to remain unmarried for the rest of my life. I disliked the idea of doing household chores, taking care of kids, slaving for a husband who often take your for granted, and juggling a career on the other hand. This picture of good wife and mother scares me because I felt inadequate, inept and undomesticated in many aspects. I treasure my independence like an authentic Michael Jordan trading card my brother framed and kept in his closet. It’s priceless; not even Mastercard can buy it.
But sometimes loneliness stabs at the back when you least expect it. Watching Enchanted a dozen of times and listening to its soundtrack “So Close” bring out the romantic person in me. And my imagination scanned every male friend I know who might just fit the bill…and God forgive me, there’s actually one who just did.
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