I’M ON my third cup of coffee as I write this.
It’s only mid-January now, and everybody’s gearing up for Dinagyang, but it will be January 30 when you read this.
It doesn’t matter.
My column is largely about universal things, universal themes, and it doesn’t really matter if you read me in May or December, or not at all.
***
I used to think that I write for you, my dear readers.
But these days, I say, Eff that.
I write for myself.
I write to clarify my thoughts.
To help my mental health.
I write for my sanity.
***
I write out all the ideas that cross, and linger in my mind.
Yes, writing as therapy. Haha.
Not that I hear voices.
It’s just that I have so many intellectual dialogues going in my mind.
Where do they come from?
***
Well, I read books, I watch movies, I observe people.
Sometimes, I have arguments with their logic and arguments.
Now, why should I argue with myself when I could just write out my ideas, and present them as my column?
There may not be many, but I know some people are interested to see what I think.
***
So yeah, ideas and stories come to me freely from books, movies, observations, coffeeshop talks.
Sometimes, I get free coffee.
I mentioned, I’m on my third cup.
Well, a tall varsity volleyball player, eighteen, paid for it.
On our first meeting!
If I were a girl, my panties would be wet.
***
The serving of French pressed coffee in my favorite shop is like one cup and a half.
Normally, that would be enough for me.
Enough even to fuel me for a week’s worth of opinion for my column.
***
I just finished my own cup and a half, and finished pieces for January 23, 25, and 27, when a friend came with his nephew.
Who was lanky, guapo, and boyish when he smiles.
I had a banter with the uncle, saying it’s a shame he doesn’t introduce me to his nephews sooner.
Was he trying to monopolize me?
***
Introductions, introductions, introductions.
The boy with his wallet out asked if I wanted some more coffee.
Do I want?
Even if I didn’t, I’ll drink that coffee for some time with him!
Thus, another order, which serves 1.5 cup.
Thus, my third cup.
***
It turned out, I had coffee with the varsity player’s dad around New Year.
Same coffee shop, different table.
The dad talked to me about his three kids—a boy, a girl, and yet another boy.
The “yet another boy” bought me coffee this time.
***
It turned out, my coffee moments with his dad is not so secret.
Like, this “yet another boy” knew about it.
Like, he said his father said so, bragged in his own household.
So, if my hair isn’t long enough, Rapunzel can just die.
***
Speaking of coffee, I was invited to coffee tasting yesterday.
I was served Vietnamese coffee before food, and caramel macchiato after food.
I had visited the new resto-bar the other day.
The overseas owner learned of my visit, and promptly asked me to comeback for a free coffee (and food?) tasting.
***
I told them I could promote the place on my social media, but I can’t write about them (write with names, really) in Panay News unless they pay for space.
I know my work ethics can be a little stringent.
I am super righteous.
But you see, I can afford to pay for whatever I want in this world.
And while I enjoy freebies, I don’t like the idea of exchange deals.
***
So, unless you are clear that I am not expected to promote you, do not invite me to free coffee.
I can pay for my coffee; I’m rich!
And take note that sometimes, when I sit down with you, you are fodder for my column./PN
