SOULFUL

Archive for January, 2012

If someone would ask me what I would like to be doing on my extra time, I would say I would stay home. But if I were asked the same question about 15 years ago, I would say I would go somewhere, anywhere and have fun with friends. Well, call it change of preference, call it age, call it whatever you want, but yes, I’d rather stay at home.

For the past several years, I enjoy staying at home, taking a nap, reading pocketbooks, making crocheted accessories and watching movies. Yes, I like watching movies. It is the greatest form of entertainment for me these days. I love seeing places I know I would never see, and experience things I would never try personally. And I get satisfaction from those things even if it’s only over one of those cool samsung tvs.

But of course, if someone would donate a substantial amount of money for my travel, I would never have the heart to refuse.

When I was new in the air conditioning company in Quezon City that I worked with, I met one of the most arduous girl I’ve ever met so far. She was one of the secretaries. I learned right away that she was hopelessly in love with the chief engineer.

Being a new girl in the company, I guess she felt right to see me as a threat. At that time, I was still a young, naughty and stubborn girl myself. I knew how my co-worker felt, both of them. The girl was obsessed and the guy felt suffocated. Honestly, I felt that the guy wasn’t interested but was just too polite to tell the girl that he didn’t like her at all. Well, it wasn’t my business and I had no intention of getting entangled with a complicated soon-to-be love affair. That was until the girl got jealous of me and started throwing me dagger-like looks.

Well, I felt, somehow, flattered that she saw me as a threat. First and foremost, I wasn’t even pretty and second, the guy wasn’t even paying me special attention except for the usual and casual co-worker to co-worker banter. So, I thought, she need not feel threatened in any way. After all, she made it perfectly clear in the entire office that HE was HERS and hers alone.

Then, she began having tantrums, snapping at the guy and throwing things on the floor like stapler, puncher and even the harmless little paper clips. I guess the guy was starting to feel embarrassed for how his girlfriend acted in the office. He even apologized to me once for her behavior, though I found it unnecessary. Then, I overheard them arguing as quiet as they could. Then, the girl started to go on hunger strike. She started not to eat lunch and when she fell ill, she wanted the guy to take her to the hospital. Uuuggh! Wasn’t that lame?

Lame as it was.. It worked! After half a year, there was a rumor that the two were getting married. The girl was pregnant. I was, believe it or not, happy for her. But looking at the guy, his wasn’t really the face of a happy groom. Well, maybe he learned to love the girl alright, but maybe he wasn’t ready for marriage yet.

What more can I say, but that.. her patience paid off!

A few more weeks and it’s the love month again. In no time, we, girls, will be scouring the store for the best and if possible, most romantic gift we could find. Sometimes, we get too preoccupied with the idea of what we think would be best without considering what our men would find best. So, this year, why not consider something our men would love to have? For avid collectors, we may think about newly released action figure, limited edition comic book, American silver eagles or any other collector’s item. Imagine the look on your man’s face when he opened his gift and find exactly the thing he has always wanted to have. That is just so romantic.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Eisenheim The Illusionist was a great theater attraction in Vienna, Austria. He was born Eduard Abramovich who studied to perform magic through illusion after seeing an old man, together with the tree he was sitting next to, disappeared before his eyes. While he was practicing his craft, he met Sophie, the Duchess von Teschen. They became friends and eventually fell in love. However, since Sophie is of the nobility, Eduard, a cabinet maker’s son, was forbidden to see her or talk to her again. Still, they found ways to see each other until they were separated by force, in which time, Sophie begged Eduard to make them disappear, something that the young illusionist could not do it. Eduard, then, was warned never to see the Duchess again, otherwise, he would be arrested along with his family.

Eduard left so as not to incriminate his family and traveled around the world to polish and master his craft. He came back after fifteen years and started performing his tricks in a theater as Eisenheim. Among his avid fans was Inspector Walter Uhl of the City of Vienna, who wanted to learn one of his tricks and expressed that desire when the police came by Eisenheim’s theater to check for any possible weapon that might harm Austria’s Crown Prince Leopold who was coming over to watch him perform.

That night’s performance, Eisenheim asked for a volunteer from the audience. The Crown Prince stood and volunteered his fiancee. The moment he saw her, Eisenheim asked whether she knew him, but received a negative answer. After the performance, the Crown Prince expressed his delight with Eisenheim and accidentally revealed his fiancee to be Sophie, the Duchess von Teschen. Eisenheim, then, dropped a hint about his true identity to Sophie by saying he might ‘make her disappear’ next time.

Later on, Sophie arranged to meet Eisehnheim. He gave his advance congratulations to her upcoming marriage with the Prince. She told him how happy she was to see him again. When Eisenheim left, Sophie brought out from her chest the locket Eduard had given him showing that she carries it until now.

Eisenheim gave a performance before the nobility. The Crown Prince tried to explain his tricks and eventually challenged the Illusionist to do something which was not prepared for. Eisenheim borrowed the Prince’s sword and used it for the performance. The Prince was provoked and banned Eisenheim’s show.

Sophie went to see Eisenheim to offer her help but they ended up in each other’s arms. Much as they love each other, however, the Duchess knew she could never leave the Prince for another man, otherwise, he will hunt them down and kill them.

Eisenheim made arrangements. He transferred some of his money to another account. He bought train tickets and was seen with Duchess. These pieces of information were passed on to the Prince’s knowledge. Then one night, the Duchess was summoned by the Prince and they argued. The Duchess told him that she would not marry him. The Prince got mad and slapped her. The Duchess fled the room and went to the stable for her horse. The Prince followed her and their argument can be heard, followed by pleading from the Duchess. She was seen with her face down her horse as it left the Prince’s castle. The next morning, the horse came back without her.

A search was made and the Duchess was found dead in the water with a sword cut in her neck. A small piece of red gemstone was found in her dress. The enraged Eisenheim accused the Prince of murdering Sophie. He said the Prince killed her because she was leaving him. A man was arrested for the murder and the case was closed.

Eisenheim srated to give performances of summoning dead people. Once again, he gained popularity. He was arrested for fraud and making a stir among the people, but his supporters protested and he was released. Then, he summoned the spirit of the Duchess. The Prince disguised himself as a common man and witnessed how Eisenhem called on Sophie’s spirit and was scared when the spirit spoke and said that her murderer was in the room with them. The arrest of Eisenheim was arranged.

Eisenheim summoned the spirit of the Duchess once again. Then, as she was speaking about her locket she was wearing the day she was murdered, the police officers prepared to arrest Eisenheim, but when the Inspector grabbed him, his arms passed through revealing that Eisenheim was just an apparition and then he disappeared altogether right before their eyes and was completely gone.

As the police officers were searching Eisenheim’s place, the Inspector found the sketch of the locket. He went to the stable and found it there together with a piece of green gemstone. The gemstones fit the Prince’s sword. The Inspector went to the Prince’s castle and told him about the gemstones and about the letter the Inspector sent to the Crown Prince’s father, the Emperor, about the Prince’s plans for a coup d’etat. As they were talking, the police officers came to arrest to Crown Prince. The Prince took a gun and shot himself.

Later, a boy handed the Inspector a notebook of the trick about The Orange Tree. When he asked where it came from, he was told that is was from Herr Eisenheim. When he felt his pocket, the Duchess’ locket was gone. So, he followed the man who was just leaving the place, convinced that it was the Illusionist.

Then, he pictured in his mind how Eisenheim framed the Crown Prince so that he and Sophie will go away without being hunted. Eisenheim withdrew his money to buy an isolated house. Sophie made the Prince sleep and dropped the green gemstone in the stable. Her death was staged by Eisenheim who revived her later. With the Crown Prince gone, they can now live in happiness and peace.

When we were in first year high school, my friend, Lara* felt a deep infatuation to his older brother’s best friend, Tom*. Tom, however, had a crush on an older girl in school. So, Lara just satisfied herself by looking at Tom from a distance.

Just like other ordinary high school girls, we grew up and Lara became one of the prettiest and smartest girls in campus. A flock of suitors block our way to and from school. Before we graduated, Lara’s most awaited moment had come. Tom sent him a token of his admiration. My friend was elated, she had long dreamed of being noticed by Tom and now that it happened, she was so happy.

But when I asked her if she still liked Tom the way she used to do when we were younger, she said why wouldn’t she? She has always liked and loved him and this was the moment she’s long been waiting for.

So, they became sweethearts. It took only a couple of weeks before I noticed that Lara wasn’t as happy as we both expected, and I guess I wasn’t surprised. When I asked her about it, she admitted that she, herself, didn’t know why. So, I said maybe she wasn’t really in love with Tom, that what she felt was just teenage infatuation which is totally different from love.

She thought about it and broke up with Tom after a while. But Tom took it too hard. He resorted to prohibited drugs until he got addicted to it and had to drop from school. Lara felt so guilty. She blamed herself for messing up Tom’s life. But I said she may have hurt him, but it wasn’t her fault if Tom resorted to drugs. He had a choice. He chose to be a bum and no one was to blame except himself.

Man is a rational animal. If one man isn’t rational, then, what is he..?

*not real name

Image Source: Wikipedia

Executive recruiter Jamie Rellis invited art director Dylan Harper from Los Angeles for an interview for a position in GQ magazine. She picked him up at the airport and his first sight of her was on the bag carousel searching for his name she wrote on a paper that was blown away by the wind. She took him to his interview and waited until he came out. In order to convince him to accept the job to get her commission, Jamie took Dylan to a trip of New Year and tried to convince him how cool it is to stay and work there. She even took him to the Grand Central station where a flash mob assembled. Impressed with her efforts, Dylan accepted the job.

So, Dylan moved to New Year to work for the GQ for at least one year so that Jamie would get her commission and in absence of acquaintances in the big city, he and Jamie developed a warm friendship. Then, one day, while they were watching a romantic comedy, they talk about sex. Dylan suggested that they do it like they are just playing tennis, casual. So, they agreed to be friends having casual sex.

Their agreement worked for them until Jamie expressed her desire to go out for a serious date, so they decided to stop their current agreement and as they were walking down the park, they dared each other to approach anyone to his or her liking. Dylan went first and introduced himself to a lady, but the lady turned out to be married. When it was Jamie’s turn, she met Parker and instantly found herself a date.

Parker proved to be perfect for Jamie’s taste until she took him to her apartment and they made love. The following morning, when Jamie went out to answer Dylan’s call and get themselves coffee, she met Parker sneaking out of her apartment. When she confronted Parker, he admitted that it wasn’t what he wanted. Mad at what she learned, Jamie went home in an empty apartment. She called Dylan and when he found out that she was all alone for the 4th of July, he invited her to come home with him to LA. He left her no choice but to say yes.

In LA, Jamie met Dylan’s family and she liked them. On their first night, Dylan crept to Jamie’s room hoping they would have casual sex like they used to do, but Jamie was not up to the idea. So, they chatted for a while and enjoyed each other’s company. They ended up having romantic and serious sex. The following morning, Annie, Dylan’s sister saw him sneaking out of Jamie’s room. When she had the chance, Annie asked Dylan about Jamie but Dylan said there was nothing between them and that he doesn’t like Jamie like that and that she’s too fucked up. Unfortunately, Jamie overheard the conversation and decided to go back to New York as soon as possible.

When Dylan himself got back to New York, he finally noticed that Jamie was avoiding him. So, when he rightly guessed that Jamie was in her ‘mountaintop’ he went there and finally learned the truth behind Jamie’s behavior. She admitted that she heard his conversation with Annie and they had an argument.

After a few days, Jamie learned that Dylan was considering to quit the job she had for him which might affect her commission. She went out to find him and they had another argument. Later that night, Dylan called Annie about their father’s future visit in New York while Jamie had a heart to heart talk with her mother.

When Dylan picked his father at the airport, the old man had another attack of his forgetfulness due to his Alzheimer’s and mistook a stranger for a girl he used to love but too scared to keep. Dylan realized his mistakes and found some ways to fix his relationship with Jamie by setting up Jamie’s mother at the Grand Central station. Jamie, unaware of Dylan’s plans was surprised when a flash mob assembled and Dylan appeared.

They talked and admitted to each other how they feel and they kissed. After a very passionate kiss, they went on their first date.

Zandra* was a petite lady in her late 20s when I became aware of her presence. I was in grade school at the time. With a waistline of 23, she found herself sexy and alluring. Not only that, she also considered herself beauty and brains. For a young girl like myself, it was SOMETHING. But when I got a little older, I formed my own description of her.. a self centered skinny lady.

I know I sound biased but I had a chance to get to know a little about her. Her waistline of 23 which she was excessively proud of was matched with a flat chest. She was opinionated and wouldn’t even listen to other people’s opinion. How would she consider them if she wouldn’t even listen?

Finally, she snubbed every single guy who approached her and expressed any interest to her. She said she would only marry a guy that can afford to give her a helper that would do the household chores for her. I wanted to ask her that if she loved someone, wouldn’t it be enough reason to marry him? But of course, I was just a young and idealistic girl.

Years went by and Zandra remained the way she was, picky.It seems like no one was good enough for her. Maybe I wasn’t the only one who noticed it, but her youth was fading. Her face was starting to age and her body was starting to sag. Moreover, her suitors were starting to decrease in number until finally every guy was taken and she was left alone.

I was then at the peak of my youth. I may not be the prettiest girl in town but I had a few admirers whose attention I enjoy. But unlike Zandra, I treated them fairly. If I didn’t like a particular guy, then I refused politely telling him that I only see him as a dear friend and we end up friends. I realized that anyone has a choice to be nice so why choose otherwise?

It had been a long time. I haven’t seen Zandra for almost a decade I guess, but I heard from distant relatives that she lived with her nieces and nephews. Maybe it was her choice or maybe it wasn’t. I wouldn’t know how she feels right now but one thing I am sure of..

I learned something about her life that made me enjoy my youth to the fullest..

*not real name

Image Source: Wikipedia

When Bryce Loski’s family moved in the neighborhood, the first person he and his father met was the stubborn and strong willed Juli Baker from across the street. She went over to lend a hand which was not needed at all and fell in love with Bryce. He started to avoid Juli ever since. They were in second grade at the time.

In sixth grade, Bryce found a perfect way to get rid of Juli. He asked Sherry Stalls out, the girl Juli hated the most. Everything was going perfectly well until Garret, Bryce’s supposed best friend, went for Sherry too and told on Bryce. When she learned the truth, Sherry did not take it well, she slapped him in the face.

When he was no longer with Sherry, Bryce found himself back to avoiding Juli. So, he longed to be in seventh grade hoping that something will change. Something really did, but only with Bryce’s family because his grandfather came to live with them.

Chet Duncan, Bryce’s grandfather, doesn’t talk with him about anything until Juli Baker appeared in the local newspaper. It seems like Chet was impressed with Juli when she refused to let the sycamore tree be cut down. It took Mr. Baker, Juli’s father, to convince Juli to get down the tree she loved so much. The tree was cut and Juli felt sad but Bryce couldn’t understand why he felt sorry for her.

Then, Juli started giving Bryce’s family some eggs. She didn’t know that Bryce has not eaten eggs since the time he witnessed a snake swallowing a whole raw egg and spit the shell. He found it gross. Juli on the other hand, gave them eggs because she was thankful for them for being nice to her family. The eggs are from her own chickens that she hatched during the Science Fair and that won her the first prize. The chickens started to lay eggs until they couldn’t eat anymore. Good thing two of her neighbors bought her eggs. That was when she thought the Loski’s deserve some eggs too but felt wrong to charge them so she gave the eggs for free. But Mr. Loski wouldn’t have them for fear of getting salmonella from the Baker’s messy yard. Bryce didn’t have the heart to give the eggs back to Juli so he just accepted them and threw them away.

Until one day, Juli learned that Bryce was throwing away her eggs. He admitted that his dad wouldn’t want to take the risk of salmonella because the Baker’s yard is messy. The Loskis didn’t know that the Bakers are only renting the house and it was the landlord’s obligation to fix the yard but didn’t. The Bakers couldn’t spend money to fix the yard or buy their own house because Mr. Baker’s brother, Daniel, was in a private institution for the mentally retarded.

Juli was hurt. She started avoiding and ignoring Bryce and it hurt him even more. She also started fixing their yard and met Chet who lent her a hand. That was the time Bryce realized that he liked Juli Baker. But his best friend Garret believed otherwise and even told him that Juli’s retarded uncle must tell him something about Juli herself since they are relatives, then laughed and Bryce, though feeling bad about what Garret said, laughed with him. Sadly, Juli heard it from behind the library shelf.

That night, the Bakers, upon Mrs. Loski’s invitation dined with them. Before they had eaten, however, Juli talked to Bryce and told him about what she heard in the library. Bryce felt sad especially when Juli didn’t talk to him the whole time. During the dinner, Bryce heard Mr. Baker, Chet and Juli talking about perpetual motion marking Juli’s intensive knowledge about a lot of things. During this time also, it was revealed that Mr. Loski used to be a saxophone player. When the dinner was over, Juli talked to Bryce and said sorry for being so angry. Juli went home happy for having the family that she has. Bryce, on the other hand, realized that his father, who always looked down on the Bakers and always ridiculed them, was in fact a coward and he felt he was just like him.

At school, it was time again for the Basket Boy auction. It was an event in school when chosen boys with picnic baskets were showcased for auction. A girl was supposed to bid for a particular boy she likes to date and the money goes for donation. Bryce was Basket Boy #9. He learned from Garret that Juli had with her a wad of cash and would bid for him in addition to two more popular girls. The money was from Juli’s neighbor whom she sold eggs. Then, Juli found herself bidding for Eddie, the boy before Bryce. Bryce felt so sad he did not even care that two girls Sherry and Melanie were bidding against each other for him. Sherry won for $50.

After the bidding, Bryce couldn’t pay attention to his date because he could see Juli having fun with hers. He stood and went out to Juli and tried to kiss her. Juli, though waiting for that kiss, didn’t want to have it that way. She pushed Bryce and ran home. Bryce tried to talk to Juli for two days but Juli wouldn’t want to, until Bryce finally stopped.

One day, as Juli was about to read a book, she saw Bryce digging a hole on their front yard. She was mad but Mr. Baker told her he gave Bryce permission. Juli watched as Bryce disappeared from the view from her window and was surprised when Bryce reappeared with a baby sycamore tree. She knew it was a replacement for the old tree that was cut down.

She went outside and offered Bryce a hand. Bryce touched her hand and they smiled at each other.

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Nat* and I have known each other since we were young. He is a ‘not-so-good-looking’ guy but very smart and talented. He graduated first in class and though heavily intoxicated on the night before the Licensure Examination for Teachers, still, managed to pass the exam with a surprisingly high score, something that didn’t surprised me at all.

What surprised me, though, was when he married a very beautiful girl about thirteen years his junior. I know it wasn’t surprising at all, but it seems very uncharacteristic of him to marry someone so.. vain and superficial. But of course, I could be wrong in my assessment of his bride.

During the first year of their marriage, I heard  good things about them. The girl was nice. Nat was overworked but happy. Well, I could only be happy for them, couldn’t I? This is one of the rare occasions when I feel happy for being wrong.

After a few more years, however, I started to hear something different. The girl was nasty. Nat was overworked and miserable but still obviously blindly in love. Well, if that’s the way he wants it, who am I to comment.

Then, last year, I had a chance to go over their place. The girl was nice enough to receive me. If she felt revolted with my presence, I guess I had been too happy to be insensitive. I talked with Nat about my plans and that I wanted him to be a part of it. I asked him to make original clip arts for me that I can use for the children’s book that I wanted to make. He seems thrilled by the idea. So, I invited him to come over where I was staying so I could show him some samples of my work. But he said he had something to do and that he would be happy to drop by ‘tomorrow.’

So, the following day, I waited for him. He didn’t show up that day nor any other day while I was there. I heard from my cousins that his wife never let him go out without her and that he only goes where his wife lets him go. They said I was lucky to be treated nicely by his wife. Well, if being almost ignored was nice enough then I really was lucky.

I haven’t heard from Nat until now, but he would surely hear from me when I get back

*not real name