Number 1

I don't like going down the same road twice.
Comfort is never my cup of tea.
And yet, I find myself back to the place
Where it all began. Where it all begins.


I know this place. I've been here before.
I've navigated each nook and cranny.
I know the grooves on the floor,
And the edges of the furniture,
I can walk about barefoot
And blindfolded.
But I choose not to, anyway.


Each step I take is full of trepidation
For though I've been here before
I know not where this road leads.
Will I find my way back?
Will I get stuck along the way?
Do I really want to take another step?


I pause. I reflect. I ponder.
I muse upon my misgivings.
And I tell myself,
"That's enough for tonight."
And right before I do call it a night,
I smile.

Synchronicity

Video courtesy of Youtube

When art and life move together in a seemingly pre-orchestrated dance, one can't help but acknowledge the presence of some higher power working behind the scenes.  Or maybe it's just whimsy.  Whatever the case, I woke up today to the sad news of the untimely demise of the incomparable Whitney Houston.  I wasn't her biggest fan.  But I do remember learning every nuance of I Will Always Love You when I was younger.  Never mind that my voice  (even when I was a young boy) wasn't suited for the song.  

But, Why Does It Hurt So Bad would remain my all-time favorite.  Strangely, even more so than When You Believe, a duet with MC, the ingenue of my youth.  Or maybe it was because of the emotion she put across in this particular performance.  And, the masochistic martyr in me responded.

As I reflect on the song tonight, I can't help but respond to the song again.  This time, not out of the naive yearning for love, and not just in commisseration with the loss of one of the music world's biggest icons, but out of the weary yet hopeful process of heartbreak.  As I told somebody earlier today, time heals "old" wounds.  Maybe in time, I will listen to this song again and not remember the day when I could relate to it so.  Or maybe, just maybe, what I'm going through will add this new dimension of memories that will make the song even richer than it already is.  Who knows?

RIP, Whitney.  You are in better hands now.

Typhoon Sendong Relief

Photo courtesy of http://iamjammed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/satellite.gif

I have come out of my semi-retirement from blogging to encourage (rather, appeal to) everyone to spread the word and about how to help (not to mention actually help) the victims in the recent wake of Typhoon Sendong over Mindanao.

Just a few useful links:

Iligan Bloggers - 

http://iliganbloggers.com/food/one-for-iligan-help-the-typhoon-sendong-victims/

Philippine Red Cross and Cebuana Lhuillier - https://www.facebook.com/phredcross/posts/338043636221052

Let's do something meaningful this Christmas.