This Is Thriller, Thriller Night...

In lieu of the season wherein people are celebrating the "Feast of the Dead" during November 1, where in actuality, it should be observed on November 2 which is All Soul's Day. November 1 is a catholic feast of saints (All Saints' Day) but it was instead turned into a celebration remembering our loved ones who passed away. These festivities happened because of the so-called "holiday economics" of certain politicians who people would like to run-over in the streets... but that is a different matter.

Now, back to what I was saying, in lieu of the season, I would like to share a ghost story which I actually experienced and not some stories by a friend of a friend (it is much easier to get those on Facebook. Just click "share"). It happened sometime last year in my own home.

Now, let me make it clear that, I have never seen a ghost in my entire life. Once there was even a time that I challenged a ghost to appear in front of me but none did. Not even a  Casper-like apparition. I always said that I would only believe that ghosts exist if I see one but most people are telling me that I could only see ghosts if I believe they exist. If that is the case, then I will never ever see a ghost.

Back to my story...

It was very late at night back then, as all ghost stories go. I was playing a game on my computer and I was the only one awake in the house. My sister and her son had gone to sleep hours before and so is my daughter. And since I was the only one awake, I turned off all the lights in the house to save on electricity since I won't be needing them while using the computer.

As I was engrossed on the game I was playing, something caught my eye.  I saw a shadow of a child (or I think it was a shadow of a child) running towards the kitchen passing my left side. When I saw it, the first thing that came to my mind was my nephew is up to no good again so I called out his name. When there was no response, I stood up and looked for him in the kitchen but there was no one there. I checked my sister's room and it was closed and I never heard it open. So I thought it was a daughter trying to get something from the fridge so I went to check on her but she was sound asleep. I shrugged my shoulders and went back to the computer. 

After about half an hour (I think it was half an hour), the same shadow running back from outside the kitchen so I called out the name of my nephew and my daughter but still no answer. I shrugged my shoulders and went back to what I was doing thinking that it was just a flash from the computer monitor playing tricks on my eye. then a few minutes passed and the shadow ran back back to the kitchen but this time, I felt the wind brushed my left cheek as if someone tried to slap my face but missed.

Now this time, I stood up and said in a loud, authoritative voice "Tangna, wala naman takutan!!!" (Son of a b... don't frighten me!!!). Then I felt the air becoming cold and my arms having goose bumps. I immediately turned off the computer, closed the doors and went to bed immediately.

Ride Safe and Happy Halloween!!! 

Wait, who is that behind you?

With A Little Help From My Friends...

No man is an island. It's a fact. It's a way of life. It is even written in the Bible. Even the most powerful man in fiction has the Justice League. Simply put, you won't be alone even if you tried.

These days, friendship seems to be very helpful to cope up with the stress of modern living. I am not saying that during the old days, living without a friend was a good idea. It is just that having a friend nowadays would really make a difference in your life. Your friend will serve as your adviser, critic, shock absorber, your personal jester and sometimes your enforcer.

Personally, for most of my life, I have made some really good friends. Some of them I even consider as brothers or sisters. As a saying goes here from where I am from, "You can keep a secret to your family but you can never do that to your true friend." Friendship had been one of the factors of my formative years. If you have chosen good friends, then your all set. Why? Because true friends help each other out. True friends will not let you stray away from the path. Your friends will be one of the foundations of your character. As another saying goes, "Your friends define you."

I consider myself lucky because I found really good friends. And because of them, I learned a lot of things that I may not even have heard of if only by myself. Even in the most drastic time of my life, my friends were there. They may not be the same person on each occasion but they were there. 

Of course, in every human relationship, there would always be conflict. This would be the test of bonds. Those who can't cope with the conflict, may it be shallow or serious, aren't really friends. They are merely acquaintances.

Right now, I am going through some major adjustments in my life and I am really thankful that my friends are there to support me all the way. Even in my most undesirable moment, they stuck with me as some others would just have left me alone. we may all not be the same, but having something in common really builds up the bonds which connects us. 

Sometimes, your friends need your advice too. Even though you know that they are have a much stronger personality than you, you try your best to give them the best advice also. The reality of it is that an advice is merely an option of what to do. The more advice you give or take, the more choices you have on how to deal with things. With more choices, you can have the best idea on which one is the most applicable to your situation.

I dedicate this one to all the friends that I have especially to those two "kumags" who are so patient enough to put up with me today.

Many people don't like me. I really don't give a damn. But these people stuck with me. Well, I get by with a little help from my friends.

Ride Safe!

Like you're always stuck in second gear...

Life is uncertain. No one can tell what lies ahead in our lives. I haven't met anyone who can really predict the outcome of whatever decisions they make. Sometimes even the most certain of situations can change in a flick of a finger.

In riding a motorcycle, everything is uncertain. One cannot just think that driving safely can bring him to his destination soundly. However careful you are, if the other drivers are not, you may still end up in a mishap. 

Here are some riding tips (applicable in Philippine roads):

Do the deed, suffer the bleed

• Avoid tailgating vehicles especially jeepneys as they tend to stop abruptly to load or unload passengers. Never expect these vehicles to stop in designated jeepney stops.
• Do not or at least avoid overtaking in the right lane. 
• Do not sandwich yourself in the middle of 2 vehicles.
• Do not be the first one to go when the green light is on. Usually, there are drivers (and riders) who try to beat the red light and these can cause accidents.
• Always be alert for people crossing suddenly. 
• Always be alert for other riders who suddenly cut you off.
• And most importantly, NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

Life is a highway...
You can never tell how sure
your journey will be

Uncertainty can be a nuisance. It hinders you from making the proper decisions right away. It keeps you from planning your next move. Sometimes, it blinds of the obvious things if only you are sure of the outcome.

How to avoid uncertainty? Actually, there is no such thing as avoiding uncertainty. What you can avoid is worrying about it. It is usually worrying that keeps you awake at night. Worrying prevents you from thinking straight because it results in fear of the possible outcome. You tend to be afraid of the results of whatever decisions you make because of the risks involved.

As my friends say, just stay calm and try to interpret everything with an open mind. Always see the postive and negative side of things. This can be a really big help.

Now mount your bike and go. Riding makes a point about the uncertainty of life in a cool way.

Ride safe!