Wam's World

Oct 30, 2004

Holloween

Just came back from a pre-Halloween party I helped organize, along with Arsenio and Ian at the From Now On Bar (run by Ian's friend). The party games didn't go over so well with the audience, which was why I stopped at the second one. Ditto for open mic volunteers (save for Ian, KV and Edison). Ironically it was the last minute planning of the "beauty contest" (featuring Arsenio, David, Lyndon, Dennis and Christian in drag and way too much make-up) that was the hit of the party. Perhaps the mistake was presenting the contest first, 'coz everything sorta went downhill from there. Managed to more than break even, though, but I'm still dispappointed not enough people came.

On the other hand, I made for a pretty good nerd, while Tin made for a decent guy.

Oct 24, 2004

Late Nights with Me

FRIDAY-EARLY SATURDAY-- Hung out at Kym/Rad/Michelle's place at HuaQing before heading out for PartyWorld for some KTV. Belted out a Spandau Ballet tune without a hitch and with a smattering of applause. Though I think some of the ladies were shocked by Rad's behavior, w/c couldn't be helped since the guy's been drinking since noon that. Got home around 4AM, w/c inspired me to finally do something about that bicycle by the stairway to the apartment.

Organizing a proper work/study/just live schedule is proving to be difficult. On one hand there's my really bad habit of procrastinating. On the other is my really bad habit of procrastinating. Oh look, it's almost 6. Time to shower.

Oct 16, 2004

New Zoo Review

Whole bunch of us "Asian Irish" went to the Beijing Aquarium/ Zoo. The former wasn't as bad as expexted, the latter same as last time (ie sucky), but at least the quality (and quantity) of the company improved. Some of us headed for Steak & Eggs for dinner afterwards.

Speaking of company, I'm getting some uncomfortably awkward vibes from Dianne. She's no longer comfortable (if she ever was) about my (admittedly) being a bit touchy-feely at times. What can I do? I hate working on nothing but instinct, but conversations to deal with it are never easy to bring up, much less get into. I just don't want things to start unraveling again with the Pinoys here. It was bad enough the first time. God, I hope I'm just being paranoid.

Oct 11, 2004

New Stuff

New bed fixture: no bed frame. The wooden base kept falling off the frame so I opted to just get rid of the latter. With all the lifting I did I opted to skip gym today.

New(ly) cleaned floor: since I was already on a roll with "fixing" the bed, I thought, Hell, might as well disinfect something.

New kitchen light switch: landlord finally came by to replace the fire hazard of a light switch in the kitchen. Wish he brought us a new can opener, too, but no such luck.

New books and documents to edit: no payment yet from the first assignments, though.

Oct 6, 2004

Hey There, Raffy Boy...

It's been barely a month, and already we have 2 Pinoys in Beijing as topics of gossip (which I think beats my record). First is David (not Atienza nor of the David and Lyndon duo), whose impersonation by Manols makes him out to be on a permanently stoned basis. I've only talked to the guy once so I can't really confirm that, but after 3 eyewitness accounts of his erratic behavior I can't help but wonder.

Next if Raffie, The Man Who Asks Too Much. I'm not sure if it's the kinds of questions he asks that rubs people the wrong way, or how he asks them. With David (Atienza), I'm sure it's the frequency of the questions: the same one over and over. He also has that problem with side comments, something I symphathize with, but nothing else. He's on his own to discover why people are gonna start hanging out with him less and less, just like me before.

Oct 3, 2004

Underwhere

Day 3 of new apartment stay (and day 2 of another week-long holiday) and I just now noticed that my stack of underwear is missing. (Never thought I'd get to type that sentence). Not in the suitcase, backpack or even the drawers, no pun intended.

Anyway, ��

Sep 26, 2004

Home Improvement

Went shopping with Camy (and Manol, sort of, as we split up) for houseware at the warehouse place (whose name escapes me again despite saying it repeatedly all morning). Lotsa stuff bought, even a toilet brush and two desk lamps. Managed to "covertly" move some stuff to the new apartment, as well.

Speaking of moving, I finally got bumped up to C Class last Friday. Lots of catching up to do, especially with Yue Du. The dictionary's gonna be my best friend for now on.

Also got a package in the mail, courtesy of Allwin English, the company that hired me for the recording job. The assignment: proofread 106 pages at 6RMB a page before the October holidays. This would be less stressful for me if i didn't have C class to worry about.

And Anudda Thing...

Continued from previous post: Just got back from dinner at Jamie's (KV's ex) place, where Manol whipped up his specialy dishes of adobo and sinigang na baka. Jamie for her part made 3 salads (the maccaroni and fruit being especially good, I might add), 1 meat dish and ham, cheese and raisins on saltines. We were joined by Bea, Ne, Melissa, Fernd and Manol's Korean roommate. At least this gave Jamie someone to talk to in her "mother tongue."

Also just had one of the worst shower experiences: no cold water. With nothing to mix with the hot water I ending up using a pitcher and scalded myself little by little to rinse. Am expecting a similar pain-in-the-ass experience when I move to the apartment, as the heater for the shower is located in the kitchen.

Sep 21, 2004

First Day Snooze

Me, Dave and Aimee were the only (though I use term loosely, because as last night's dinner proved there are over 80 Pinoys studying in Beijing at present) Flips in the B+ classroom. Wanted to switch to C right away. The zong he teacher was okay, so I kinda felt sorry about moving.

Speaking of moving, for the past couple of days I looked at a couple of apartments with Camy, introduced to me by Ching. Yup, I'm moving out of campus. All for want of an unlimited internet connection. Small reason, big step, I know. At least the apartment's cheaper. Almost moved into Hua Qing, but landlord didn't to put up with us for just 5 months. Rent's due tomorrow.

Makes me wish I got paid more from my recording gig this afternoon. Yup, I'm doing voiceover work again. Along with Diedre (from Colorado) we read an English language book. Two hours and twenty minutes later I got 250RMB.

Sep 18, 2004

Friday Night Fever

Went with the old and new batch of Pinoys to Mix Bar, a first for many of us, including myself. Typical loud music and pushy bouncers (more on that later), but for the first time I got on the dance floor with no trepidation whatsoever. It helped that the Bacolod girls were really into it, all without the benefit in liquor. Not that they ordered any, afterwards. All dance but no drink. Sigh, and I just took the anti-allergy medication. Ran into Maddie inside in true long-time-no-see fashion.
While trying to get back inside Ian walked in at the wrong side of the velvet rope. Next thing I knew he was being brought out; arms locked behind him like he was under arrest, then kicked out. Swearing came from both sides, but the bouncers were in the wrong for being to short-fused.

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