Imagining Your Audience

What better way to come back to writing than to have a looking back at the year that was 2024.

This year was quite a big one. It was challenging, a wild rollercoaster ride, and a marathon that seemed to stretch beyond the 42K mark. But hey, we’re already at the end of it. “Yo, Adrian, we did it!”

Since we’re already running late, let’s get on with it. Shall we?

For a timid individual such as I am, I’m not fond of having the spotlight turned at me. The stage would be something on the top of the “Things I’m Scared of” list. The top spot still belongs to the Lady Gaga Illuminati Conspiracy. Coming in for a close second spot is the Paul Is Dead Conspiracy. Is it safe to say I’m a believer of conspiracy theories?

Going back, what made that year different were the times I pushed myself outside the box. The man who was afraid of the spotlight went on to different speaking engagements and actually said things that matter.

It was never on my listed plans for that year to speak to a group, even a mixed group of professionals. But hey, that year was complicated. That year was different. That year was unusual, but good, nonetheless.

The first one back in January (MEPF Town Hall), I was a designated speaker on a refresher talk for my then-group, under Construction MEPF. Not bad for ta first time, and in fact, I was just a replacement being that the first speaker was my then-mentor who was not able to attend the refresher talk. He had to leave for a management-initiated level improvement. And I must say, it worked out well for the both of us.

Honestly speaking, the topic was new to me, and not necessarily my niche but learning’s fun. And as I spoke, I also learned. I went on to do the same talk again to the same group albeit with new members in September for another round of Town Hall.

The second and third quarter of that year focused on further developing my public speaking skillset. I was enlisted on various Learning & Development talks focusing on various topics that would supposedly help me improve in my field. However, what I really got on those talks was the art of public speaking itself. Being that there were different topics, there were also different speakers which meant different approaches and methods were handed out to us.

 

As months passed, I didn’t essentially think that I would be putting such learnings to practice. Not until my lateral movement was finally effective. And I guess that would warrant a story separate from this.

In the last quarter of that year, I transferred to another department. The transfer was highly evident being that from doing field work on site, I would now be seated on a third-floor office space, facing my laptop most of the time.

This was when I heard the wonderful news that I would be one of the speakers on another series of Learning & Development talks. A few months before, I was just one of the audience. By this time, I would be a part of what they would call Learning Advocates.

The experience was surreal. I was new to the team, and to the department. But with what I had, the team trusted that I would be capable of doing a three-day talk involving participants from a wide range linked to the Construction Department – which I was previously a part of.

A quick side trip outside the office led me to another public speaking event, though quite toned down a bit. I was tasked along with other members of our department to provide assistance on the educational advocacy of a private NGO in Valenzuela City. We had the chance of teaching elementary level subjects to 200 students (ranging from Grades 2 to 6). I got the chance to talk about History – something that could be found on my bucket list being that I had been a Rizal fan boy and to be honest, I just wanted to talk about Rizal, Bonifacio, and the whole bunch. I could’ve spoken for a whole hour about it.

Jumping to December, it was a bit unplanned and unexpected, but I got my first hosting gig. I got to host, together with two other friends, the year-end party of the project site I was a part of for the past three years. The project had reached its RFO status this December and we all just wanted to give back and look back to the past five years which the project had run. It was one emotional night for everyone involved, from the top-level managers down to the staffs and crew of workforce that provided help to the project.

 

The cherry on top of that final event was that my significant other was there to witness me goof on stage, with all my unnecessary hand movements, awkward swaying, and carefree touching of phones. Yes, I'm glad she was there to witness that final curtain call.

One last note, I was also under the shadow of alcohol.

Instead of imagining my audience naked, as notable speakers would say, I imagined myself naked. Thanks, free-flowing alcohol.

Life of Brian

The last time I sent you something through this, I sent my hopes of winning you back. I couldn't help but think that now could be something different.

For starters, I haven't written anything like this for quite a long while. I have been preoccupied with work, my struggles, and the things that I did in between; although mostly that would be work - being that I had quite a time trying to distract myself from the things that have been hurting me.

I tried doing therapies, or "receiving" rather. I said "tried" because I never continued them enough to be successful, I haven't had a taste of that success, sweet victory, and I couldn't even bother to ask why because in itself, that would be another way of contemplating - something that I had been trying to miss.

But still, it has been a "hit and miss". Life has been a hit and miss. It's a mess. By now, the penultimate conclusion I might have to give to this would be to distance myself from anyone. Luckily, COVID taught us we could do that, and at that, for a very long time. I've had this verse in my head that I just couldn't continue, probably something mental, but here it went, "Gone are the party hats, we're doing birthdays in facial masks...".

I've made up catchy verses before, I should know when I saw one. But, going back, a lot has been written about love, and the absence of it. Funnily enough, I came across two songs last night connected through Paul McCartney. One was something McCartney wrote but was given to Peter and Gordon, "A World Without Love". The longing of the composer was disguised through the upbeat music. Happy chords, grievous chords. In the end, the song would beg its listeners, "Would you be brave enough to live in a world without love?"

The next one would be "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys, a masterpiece from Brian Wilson. Paul McCartney had praised the song and the album where it came from multiple times, one that inspired him to create his own masterpiece, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". In "God Only Knows", another mystery was raised, "What could I be without you? God Only Knows."

I've officially entered a quarter of life, though I wouldn't be expecting to reach a full century. And at this point, I've come to realize that I might not be fully equipped to be with someone, to be someone's someone.

At best, I'm a distraction. At worst, I'm the destruction.

Without love, and without you, what could one person really be?

God only knows.

It's always been me.

 Yesterday was evaluation day at work.

It was the day that my colleagues and I had been waiting for. It was that chance to sell ourselves to the managers, and big bosses as we scream, "Hey, boss. Here are the things that you made me do for the past year. Also listed are some things I did that were well beyond what's should be expected off of me."

I should be sad, and mad, being that I had been drained for so long and I should be giving more time to myself, to my friends, and loved ones (cliche as it is), instead of giving more time to my work.

But thinking about it now, I'm the same tired working-class hero from a year ago, I'm sad, but I'm not mad. I believe that the past year has taught me much, more than what I had during the first year and a half of my professional career. And I will always be thankful for that. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, eh?

And to be completely honest, life has not given me many options. Beggars cannot be choosers.

With that, I'd like to say that not everything from that evaluation seemed to be true. 

From someone verily deeply close to my heart told me during an argument that I haven't moved an inch from where I was months ago. I'd still get toxic over petty things; I'd still get mad over unnecessary things even if I'd rather be on the opposite side of the argument.

It had been said multiple times, "Nothing is forever," and "Change is always inevitable". However, I'd started thinking about the opposite of changing for the better.

What if I am changing, but I am vastly, but gradually, having my decline?

Tomorrow is today. Tomorrow is today.

Decline

    Are you going towards a decline? Or to be appropriate, a dick line.

    There was this tweet from a Taylor Swift fan recently (as most of us know by now Taylor Swift is one o the positive news we're all lucky to have this year, new music!). Anyway, the tweet showed a series of photos shot by her lover, Joe Alwyn, with the caption "Taylor Swift shot by Joe Alwyn".

    At first glance, what did you think were the contents of the tweet?

    A. Shot pertained to the act of shooting a gun;

    B. Shot pertained to the act of having photos, whether portraits or     not;

    C. A glass of liquor, preferably wine; or

    D. The lovebirds became the newest NBA stars enlisted to help an     aging star have a "shot" at the title (Did you see what I did there?)

    Some fans were scared, thinking that the songwriter was shot in a morbid context. Anyway, the correct context of the tweet was definitely letter B. That's the beauty of the English language, or whatever language there is. It can not be defined by a solitary set of words and thoughts. 

    Case in point, the word "shot" can have five different meanings and without going deep into the context, you'd surely get lost.

    With words like these, it's quite often that puns are born out of the premise of having words be spelled and spoken the sway despite having completely different meanings. Most of the time, puns revolving around dark humor are laughable because the reality is the opposite of the prepared joke. However, come to think if the table is to be turned?

    I didn't think that I'd need to think about it until this morning when I woke up to the news of  a mother and son shot by a policeman. Shot. Dead.

    The medium's not a digital nor an analogue camera, but a 9-mm Beretta. The only pictures that emerged from the event where documentation and the mugshot of the suspect. 

    This development, or  decline, (as WatchMojo would often do referring to "Dishonorable Mentions") had an impact to someone who has always been fond of puns and literary contortions. I would never look at that specific joke I mentioned at the start. I could only hope that Justice would wipe her glasses so she could clearly see how justice would have to be served. It just had to be served because a decline like this manifested by taking lives in a cold-blooded manner would never be something that should be taken lightly.

    

    Something needs to be done. It's one of those instances wherein we could safely say that humanity had taken a couple of steps back from evolution. For a moment, we're back at the early moments of this thing they called "Survival of the Fittest".

    Let's take those steps back towards the right path. Avoid a dick line.

This Year's End

    There's only two weeks left on a year that has got to be one of the memorable ones, but for all the wrong reasons.

    The year we're still in feels like a lengthy thriller TV series stretched into 12 seasons (for the 12 months), complete with different conflicts for each month and with the main storyline that is the global pandemic. This is not to romanticize the negative effects of whatever that has happened to everyone globally which would include, but not be limited to health and economical disruptions.

    However, one good thing we can all hold on to are the very words that kicked off a triple album for George Harrison immediately after being a Beatle: All Things Must Pass. All things, whether good or bad, will ultimately breathe its final breath and bid farewell to the world. The only distinguishing factor between the two will have to depend on whether the send off will bring relief or separation anxiety.

Which one would you choose if you were to know when your time's going to be?

    Nah, don't think about it because in reality, nobody can really tell when our own clocks will tick their final tocks. What's certain is that time will always be running ahead of us. Tick-tock, tick-tock.

    Another takeaway that we call all embrace, since we are now in the final chapter of this year, let's recognize the fact that we won't last longer than a season without being strong and keeping our minds sane. That's a reason more than enough to call for an extended Thanksgiving and recognition of all necessary efforts and adjustments.

    As this year takes its final days, year-end countdowns will surely come our way. This leads me to my final note for this entry:

    You've come this far, don't let this year end turning you into a last-minute entry for the countdowns.

Taking the First Step

It has been four months since the first lockdown in Manila. With that, I've yet to have my hair cut until today. After weeks of debating with myself regarding whether or not I should have my hair cut, I finally decided to do it today.

With the new normal due to the pandemic, it'd be very surprising to still see barbershop scenarios like these. (From Facebook.com)

It wasn't easy. Since I was a kid, I wanted a longer hairstyle, one that I could slip onto the back of my ears, one that could hide my ears. School regulations didn't allow me to try having that. So when I graduated, I saw that as a chance to sport that long hairstyle, except that I had lost my silky smooth straight hair I used to have when I was a kid. Also, the Coronavirus scare was not ready to leave us yet.

My curly wavy hairstyle got me through my licensure exam last year. Now, it got me through the first four months of the Coronavirus lockdown. 

Not like last year, I was motivated and eager to do what I had to do because I knew I wouldn't ace my licensure exam without doing the essentials.

However, things were different during the past four months. I procrastinated and used the pandemic era as a reason to not strive the same. way I did last year. I was neglecting my side hustles, my writing, and further development in my profession.

For some reason, I thought that cutting my hair would be the first step in beating down this procrastinating season I've been having. Cutting my hair would mean I would no longer be accepting mediocrity in my outside appearance. Lousy hairstyles sometimes could reflect a lousy lifestyle in any aspect. 

Just as I am now back on track with my hair, I hope to also be back on track with regards to my eagerness and drive for further improvement in my professional career, passion, and character. 

It's a work in progress, but it will never start without taking that first step.

Super Sale

They say that not all superheroes wear capes. Yes, because some of those superheroes we look upon are not concealed with masks, nor capes, but they come with discounts and promotions instead.

Such heroes are called "Super Sale" and they offer you necessities with a discount ranging from 10% - 90% off the original price, sometimes even more. However, keep in mind that satisfaction does not always go with those.

SALE signage from unsplash.com

Every year, during the Holiday season, these superheroes (or money-savers) will surely be spotted regularly at each street, every mall, and marketplace. But wait, there will be more. With the technological advancements that we already have now, sales will also be spotted online also.

Looking back, online selling was already a thing since the early 2000s or even earlier than that. However, this selling was limited only to items that were already used (hand-me-down items) like books. Compare that with what we have now and you would see the difference.

Still, there is this one question: WHY ARE WE SO FOND OF SALES, DISCOUNTS, AND PROMOTIONS?

70% off signage from unsplash.com

Financially speaking, not everyone in this world was born with a silver spoon. Not everyone would have the privilege of inheriting a fistful of treasure enough to sustain a costly living until your dying age. On the other side of such a fortune, there would still be those who need to work hard every single day just to put food on their family's plates. For them, shopping could be a stress-reliever, but it would never be a hobby or even an addiction. Shopping would only be done when necessary.

Since the available budget may not be that big, items that have the greatest significances will always be prioritized. This not only teaches us the value of our finances, but also the value of working hard for and always being hungry to achieve our goals.

As for another reason, here is what I think. People want the idea of having their chance to buy a costly item at a lower than normal price. They have this feeling that they will trick the owner of the brand if they can buy such products at a lower price.

However, there are downsides of buying discounted products. You tend to buy things that you do not really need. Since they are at a lower price, you want to seize the chance and buy them. You fear that you may not be able to buy them later anymore if you just passed by them at the moment you saw them. 

We have to change our views on the superheroes. Let us not bit off more than we can chew.

If too much love will kill you, too much shopping will be just as dangerous. You will not only be killing your own finances but also of the people around you. 

Too bad that when that happens, Super Sale might not be there to rescue you.

Misleading Leading

Hey, are you a leader?

Maybe it is not a big group that you got. Maybe it is only a small group of friends, or an events team, or whatever.

Photo from Unsplash.com

Here's the thing. I'm gonna give you a word or two for you to become a good leader, coming from a follower. Not from a leader, but from a member.

Do you want to know if you are doing a good job in leading your team? Do you want to see if you are on the right track? 

See if things are going smoothly between you and your team. Do you sense any awkwardness? Awkward jokes and laughs, awkward silences and stares. If your answer is a "Yes", then something must be happening.

But no need to worry, yet. That "something" is just a small thing, yet. That won't be a problem unless you start changing some things.

Remember that when people are not liking how they are being treated in a team, or in a group, in an organization, they will start forming small secret groups, mini versions of your supposed group. They will get on and have some real jokes and laughs and there's a chance you may not get it or laugh about it. And the reason? The joke is about you.

Yes, they will start talking about you, mocking you.

There is always a fine line between being a disciplinarian and a dictator. 

The choice will always be yours, leader.

Love Them While You Can

Even with the most impressive technological advancement today cannot give the solution to this very scary thing: mortality.

Yes, every living thing here in the world has its own time limit. Once reaching that moment, you can never go back and change what happened to maybe stop it from happening. The only thing you can do is either to lay there and wait for your final moment or to make use of your receding seconds to say your final goodbye to everyone (just as they do in the movies).

My point is that if you have the chance to show love and compassion and everything you got to someone, do it. Do not hesitate nor procrastinate. Whether it is to your lover, to your wife, to your husband, to your mom and dad, to your brothers and sisters - do not hesitate.

Tell them you love them and that you are grateful that you are able to say it because there is no need to worry as long as there is love. Also, try to actually show love and not just say it. Actions speak louder than words, right?

Photo by Nick Fewings from unsplash.com

The worst thing that can happen to someone is getting ill, especially when that illness leads to deterioration and death eventually. Most of the time, medical practices can delay, or even heal, such consequences, but there are also times when they cannot. Those instances are beyond our control and at such a moment, miracles of Biblical proportions are the only things we can cling to.

Bad things wouldn't happen if we can prevent them and we would want to say the things we want before it would be too late.

Don't hold out on love, folks.

Are You Up For Not Giving Up?

The past few months have been filled with lots of hope for most Jason Mraz fans. As of this day, two songs have been available for us to listen to, "Have It All" and "Unlonely", with bits of news about the new album "Know".  

Aside from that, tour dates until December have been announced as well.

Jason Mraz is widely known as the singer/songwriter of the 2008 hit song "I'm Yours" and this song probably has displayed his positive outlook on love and life best among his long roster of songs. Good vibes!

Like most fans, it has been a habit of me to watch videos of his live performances on YouTube and of course, read comments. This one comment has gotten my attention ever since.

It's non-verbatim but it's mostly like this. It talked something about Jason Mraz songwriting. According to the statement, the singer/songwriter's recent songs have all been about being happy, staying happy and living a sadness-free life with love.

So what do I have to say about that?

Gone are the less-happy Jason Mraz songs that fans have both listened and cried to like "Absolutely Zero" and "The Boy Is Gone".

On the last album "Yes!", the only song that could fall on that category is "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" (Boyz II Men cover) since "A World With You" could be the little brother of "A Beautiful Mess" for me and still covered the subject of living life with someone you love through the ups and downs.

In his set at the 2016 Bonnaroo, he sang four new songs - "Work In Progress", "More Than Friends", "Chocolate", and "The Man Who Planted Trees". They were still jolly and easy-to-sing-along-to songs except for the last one.

Do I have an issue with him releasing songs that seek to spread the good vibes and positive outlook that he has? Not at all. In this world of endless catastrophes and inevitable perils, what we need are sources of inspiration and motivation to still move forward even if times are hard. Especially if times are hard.

His continuous supplication of songs that seek to uplift us is a sign that he is a very generous person. He continually gives us the inspiration to still get back up after a beating and to rise up after falling down multiple times.

Sometimes, we don't need to be reminded of the tragedies that we have in life, especially when we already know how tragic our life has become. Being reminded of those things through songs could either backfire or inspire. We wouldn't know. 

Being reminded of the good things in life, being appreciative, and at the same time, being compassionate would only lead to one thing:  a stress-free life.

That would be the event more often than not. So why wouldn't we want to stick with that?

Do you feel like LETTING GO?

Let me share with you my latest experience in a grocery store. This ain't your typical grocery wish list story, hauling, or checking of the recent update on the price of goods. On the contrary, this is a story related to the first word that you read in this entry - "LET". 

*Before we go further, I will just say that the photos posted here are not mine and are taken from this website: https://www.pexels.com and I do not mean to plagiarize anyone.

Yes, this is a story about letting go. No, there is no scandalous happening here in this story, but just my own thoughts as I make my way out of that grocery store.

Yes again, I walked into a grocery store and planned to buy something but left empty-handed.

The night was just starting to cave in and capture the entire sky when I reached the grocery store. I went in, grabbed the cart and started checking off things on my grocery list. 

As I was in the crackers section, I saw an unfamiliar brand of a wafer. I immediately had the thought of buying that unfamiliar brand of a wafer for me to eat and savor during my leisure time even though I knew that it would not be wise to spend on such food.

Eventually, I listened to my urges and put it onto my cart. However, as I was making my way into the cashier, I could see that there ware already long lines of people waiting for their turn at each counter. I instantly went on to find which line seemed the best for me.

This was when letting go became the issue. Everything that I had put on my cart could be found in the nearby drugstore, except for that unfamiliar brand of wafer I spent time thinking about whether it should be bought or not. The question hanging in my mind was that should I choose to buy that unfamiliar brand of a wafer and sacrifice a little more time due to the long line waiting for me at the cashier, or should I just move on to the nearby drugstore and skip buying that unfamiliar wafer brand.



Which virtue should be at play here? Should it be the virtue of patience or the virtue of letting go?

This was what I did. Whenever I was put at the dilemma of choosing between multiple options, I weigh in the pros and the cons and I eliminate options. During that time, it was already night and I want to be home in time for dinner with my family. Moreover, I was really not in the mood to be in the presence of a lot of people. 

I was never fond of having a lot of people around me, even if they would be plain strangers. (Not into socializing, folks.)

So what I did was I took my mind away from that unfamiliar wafer brand and headed my way onto the nearby drugstore. Within 10 minutes, I was able to pick everything that was on my list. There was no line at all in the counter. Thus, I made it home just in time for dinner.

What am I really saying here, you don't really have to live in the moment at all times. You don't really have to say "YOLO". Sometimes, it can be really better to say "Live today, fight tomorrow" because you can't win your battles with just one blow. You can't win in life with just one stroke. There has been a lot of times in my life wherein I chose to play it safe so I can do more on the next day. Imagine if I had not switched stores and chose to wait in that long line to the cashier, I might not have gotten home in time, or I might have been stuck in traffic. 

Remember that there is always the best answer out of the multiple options that you have, however, there are also times when it is best to pick out the better option rather than the best. Your fate will still be determined by the actions that you will do with your decisions.

Is something bothering you right now? Know that you will have to make a decision eventually. You will not able to escape it.

So I ask you, will you let go? Will you live and heal today, so you can fight tomorrow?

x

Jason Still Has It All

Four years after the events of "Yes!" Jason Mraz has finally released a new single and guess what, folks, hints regarding the follow-up album and tour have also surfaced! Yes!

"Have It All" is the title of the new Jason Mraz studio single, the first one since "Love Someone" from "Yes!". Since its release days ago, this song has proven that our heat-loving friend still has it all indeed - the musicality, the wordplay, and the positivity. 

It is not a fancy song. It has no tricks nor hidden agendas. Instead, it is a treat for all of us who have been waiting for the next Jason Mraz album and concert tour. It is just a simple, easy-to-listen-to song which is the trademark of a bona fide Jason Mraz song.

It's not easy-to-sing-along though because of Jason's very playful wordplay unless it's on repeat on your music player (just like what I do). 

Based on the music video and if you are an avid Jason Mraz listener, you'd easily know that Raining Jane is a part of this song. That might mean that there would be fewer chances of having the fan-favorite Jason & Toca moment on the stage with just a guitar, a djembe, and their voices.

Nevertheless, any Jason Mraz news is a good news that fans like me would always look forward to. I hope that by 2019, Manila will be a part of their concert tour for that new music.

Here is the song from his YouTube channel, give it a listen and tell me what it does to you. Good vibes, folks!





"Have It All" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFkTu8Y1KLs