AFTER my 10K run in the city on the Saturday before last, we decided to drive back to Dumangas.
It was too early to spend P120 for a cup of coffee in the city for me.
In Dumangas, I pay P20 for a cup and a half of coffee at my favorite coffeeshop.
So, shout out to Kape’t Bahay ni Gennil, which is becoming more of a students’ hub these days.
Like, I feel that the checking of school attendance happens there. Haha.
***
Because I was sleepless before the run, I spent most of the day sleeping after coffee.
How could I be sleepless before the run?
I had dinner at 5pm the day before.
I went to an unlimited rice food place.
It was pecho inasal and three cups of rice.
It felt like suicide by rice.
I could hardly finish the third cup.
But I’m a no food waste guy, so I pushed it in.
***
Trash talk: How can poor people do this—eat three big cups of rice with 1/4 of a chicken?
Shouldn’t we eat 1/2 chicken and a small cup of rice?
I ordered soft drinks to go with my meal.
In a better world, where my gout isn’t killing my left second toe, I would be drinking beer.
Carbo-loading on spaghetti or some other pasta, pizza, and beer.
But there I was, chicken pecho with unlimited rice and a Mountain Dew.
***
I was in bed by 7:30 p.m.
I was trying to get to sleep so I read stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer.
My costume for the Philippine-Australia Heritage Run has not been delivered.
So, I texted my dressmaker.
Will my dress be delivered at 10pm, at midnight, or do I pick it up at 2am before we leave for the city?
He texted, “10 p.m.”
I set my alarm at 10 p.m., and promptly fell asleep.
***
My alarm woke me up promptly at 10 p.m.
I texted my dressmaker.
No reply until 10:26.
“I only finished one sleeve. I’ll text you when I have finished the other.”
That made me restless.
It made me check my wardrobe for what alternatives I could wear.
I went back to bed, but I just kept tossing.
I still couldn’t sleep until 11:30.
***
I was desperate.
I was about to watch porn, get off, and doze off.
Dressmaker called.
I picked up the dress, which was fantastic.
A little itchy, a little sprigly like wire.
It was hard tulle (petticoat material, yes!), and it’s supposed to be my fault because I didn’t specify a flowing sleeve.
Noe Rey Segura did my now famous yellow green tutu (worn at the Malumpati Eco Run).
So, of course, I went to him for the Philippine-Australia Friendship Run.
***
Around midnight, I was feeling the effect of the three cups of rice.
I feel bloated.
I knew that I needed to put the devil out.
I needed coffee.
What serves brewed or drip coffee in Dumangas after midnight?
7/11 was a good guess.
But not that good that very night.
Somebody did not deliver something, or the machine was broken, but there was no coffee.
I was desperate.
***
We ended up doing instant. Nescafé Gold at PRIMA CT.
Talk, talk, talk, until I drove Noe Rey home.
I needed a few minutes of sleep.
The last time I saw my iPhone watch, it said 1:28 a.m.
I have set the alarm for 2:45 a.m., having laid my outfit for the day, and showered before midnight while waiting for the other sleeve to be made.
***
I drank a shot of instant coffee.
1.5 teaspoons of coffee in freshly boiled 4oz water (like 120ml).
I sat on the throne for 2 minutes.
Did another quick shower.
Dressed, and waited for my ride.
And there we were at 3 a.m.: five boys headed for the city to run./PN
