Armin Van Buuren: A State Of Trance

Word hard, parteee harder! See you guys!

Last September 27, 2008, I went to Bigfish’s Chicane event at World Trade Center with my closest friends and with my Sabiclub family. Yeah, I know this is so long overdue, hehe.

Teriyaki Boy: Karlos, Rhoger, DJ, Martin, Franciz

Martin & Franciz

Around 9:30pm, we had dinner at Teriyaki Boy Harbour Square with Franciz, DJ, Rhoger, Riow Karlos, JM, Matt, Chris, and JP. Then I went straight to WTC at around 12:00am to meet my Sabiclub family: Carlo, Shiella, NA, Camille, Ed, Jane, and Christian. Chicane’s live performance was superb! Their set started around 1:30am and ended at 3:00am. The event went well, except for some technical problems with the sound system, errr, BV.

NA, Martin, Franciz, Camille, Carlo

Jane, Martin, NA, Camille, Carlo

Lightshow

After their last song (No Ordinary Morning), the drummer threw his drumstick to the crowd, and, luckily I was able to catch it! Yeah, so GV! It was a perfect memorabilia for this event. After the set, we went to Club Government and stayed their for about an hour and continued the partee at home. Hehe.

Chicane's Drumstick

Set List:

1. You Are Always
2. Spirit
3. Halcyon
4. Bruised Water
5. Offshore
6. Saltwater
7. Don’t Give Up
8. Stoned In Love
9. No Ordinary Morning

When you got disconnected from the Internet and tried to reconnect, it will give you a different IP address. There is a small chance of getting the same IP address again since it’s a dynamic one. Your computer is able to cope with the network changes.

Disconnection means new life… new path… new network place to deal with. But sometimes, you don’t want to be disconnected just for a moment because you’re enjoying it.

My connection is getting weak now, and it might get disconnected anytime soon. Should I give in to its weakness, or try to tech and repair it?

Sigh.

To start with, I’ve been with a Korean-owned web development company for 3 years. I resigned last February because I can’t see any career growth for me, and the management is on their trial and error phase ever since I joined them until now.

Anyway, I was lucky to have an offer with this US-based web development company. I thought this is a better one, but to my dismay, it was far less than my old company. I was like just a freelancer. No deductions, no benefits, or whatsoever. But they do give very competitive salary. I even don’t have any contract signed with them. But yes, I do go to their office, 5 times a week, 8 hours a day.

Some would think that this is an advantage for me since I am getting all the money. Yes, it’s good. I can get all the money and be richer in no time. But how about my future? How about my ITR, SSS, Philheath, Home funding, and medical benefits? Sometimes, money is not all that counts.

So, I then decided to look for another job while working on this company. I got an offer from one of the top credit card companies here in the Philippines, still web development. I already signed a contract with them last two weeks ago.

Tuesday last week, before going to our office, I told my boss through Yahoo Messenger that I will be resigning from their office effective May 15, 2008 and will be giving him my resignation letter later. He asked why, so I told him the truth. He went berserk, and he forwarded my concern to our CEO, an American lady who is paying a visit to the company’s Philippine site. She was so unprofessional that she wanted me to leave right away, no need to serve the notice period. And guess what, she wanted me to return the light toys (headlamps, used for mining) that she gave to every employee last week. Gosh, so childish, so unprofessional. These bosses were like toddlers having their so-called tantrums. The more reason I need to leave this company.

If not with these unprofessional bosses, I believe that this company has a future in the web development industry. Their product is good, a very good Content Management System,. But if they continue this being so unprofessional, I can certainly conclude that their company will be forever a startup one and no future at all.

So what now? I’m still waiting for my last payout. And unfortunately, my first payout with the new company will still be on June 15, 2008. Gosh. I wasn’t prepared for this. I won’t be having any extra to celebrate my upcoming birthday. Sigh.

I just watched “My Big Love” (starred by Sam Milby, Toni Gonzaga, and Kristine Hermosa) on DVD last Monday night and I just can’t get over it. I remember the days when I was fat, from 170lbs. down to 120lbs. now. While watching this movie, I realized that I was actually facing a mirror. I’ve been there with all those five steps that Aira (Toni Gonzaga) is asking Macky (Sam Milby) and all of her clients to learn by heart.

1. Goal Setting - At first, I want to lose weight because I want to attract more guys and get laid. But eventually, I’ve realized that I have to do it for myself and not for anyone else.
2. Start Today - It took a year for me to get serious with my workout. But I’ve realized that I was actually wasting my money, paying the gym monthly dues without progress. Tsk tsk.
3. No Shortcuts - I didn’t take any diet pills. I did vigorous cardio exercises, especially cycling classes, and also a strict no-rice diet.
4. Motivate Yourself - It keeps me motivated when people around me can see that I’m really losing weight. And as Fitness First would always say, “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”
5. Be Happy - Be happy with what you have achieved, and don’t deprive yourself too much.

But weird isn’t? When I was fat, I had a lot of steady relationships compared today, or should I say I don’t have any relationships to call now. Just a lot of new and returning hookups, but no one is come back for a relationship. Maybe I should be fat again, so I can have my lovelife back where it was before. Sigh.

1186 days.
Time’s up.

Tomorrow is the start of the Love Month. It might be just an ordinary month for others, but for some, it’s exceptional because this is the perfect time to search for the other twin of their red hearts. Restaurants or even motels will be fully booked again. Prices of roses and chocolates will go up. Shopping malls will be decorated with cupids and hearts.

I can still remember last year’s Valentine’s Day when Bear Cuddler and I were still together. We went to gym, ate out, and gave each other a simple present. However, this year, most likely I will be celebrating this day alone. Well, maybe, maybe not. Let’s see.

I’ve been single for almost a year already. I’ve dated a number of guys since then, but none of them has it. Well, I thought two of them might have had it, but I was wrong. I’ve realized that there are a lot of things to take into consideration in searching for a partner.

I was watching Queer as Folk (QAF208) last night. Justin went to Daphney’s house party. Though he was not really enjoying the party because of these straight homophobes, he was able to meet a guy at one corner. This guy is just a newbie to the scene, like what Justin was in QAF101. They had some serious talk after making out, and the guy said, “I don’t wanna meet a lot of guys… I wanna meet just one… to be with… just the two of us.” It hit me.

Should I really meet a lot of guys to date or make out with? Am I really looking for this one guy to be with forever? How I wish that someday, somehow, I can tell to the world that I already have the Red Twin Hearts.

Happy Love Month to everyone!

Professor X and I were dating for a month and a half. But somehow, he has personal problems for which I think he won’t be able to solve them if I’m around. I dropped the bomb yesterday. Of course, I got the expected reaction from him. I don’t want to do this but I think it’s for the best.

I cried the whole night. I kept on thinking if I did the right decision or not. I don’t want to lose him. Yet, I don’t want him to suffer more because of me. I don’t know if I should take my decision back and continue what we had for a month and a half. I won’t forget every moment I had with him.

Am I stupid enough to drop out from Professor X’s class? I almost had something and I let it go. Damn.

Last tuesday, Professor X went to my place to chill out for few hours. He is a good conversationalist, didn’t have a hard time reaching out to him. For just a short time, we were able to share some stories of our lives.

Professor X is working in call center here in Makati and will be teaching part-time this coming semester in one of universities along U-Belt. He lives in the land of Nuestra Señora De La Paz Y Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage), my patroness.

When he left my place and went home, I just smiled and said to myself that this person won’t be just a come-and-go guy into my life, he can be a close friend or a potential partner.

And last night, Professor X didn’t just hang out at my place for few hours, but he stayed and slept beside me. And I must admit, I really enjoyed being with him all night.

I am being mutated by Professor X. I’m turning to be a non-pro-single guy. Will he be the next person to keep my heart after six months? Well, let’s see. I just hope this will move forward and grow more.

I had this weird dream yesterday morning…

I bought this magical paperweight. When you hold it, it will show your personal details like name, strength meter, height, weight, current job, status, and many others. And surprisingly, it was telling me that I’m “TAKEN” but I’m currently single. I finally woke up.

I tried to analyze my dream and it was Bear Cuddler who came first into my mind. I didn’t know I’m still carrying that baggage after 5 months of being single. I’m still not over him. Damn.