HOME ALONE CHRISTMAS EVE RUNNING DIARY
In order to amuse myself and prevent me from getting all emotional at this time of the year, I decided to keep a running diary of my first ever home alone Christmas Eve. In case you don’t know (and most probably you don’t), I’m spending Christmas by my self (cue the Eric Carmen song) since my parents and my two siblings are in the States. Yes, I’m all alone in our suddenly humongous house, which has also suddenly become easy prey to burglary. Well, if our always-hungry dog counts, then I’m technically not alone. I started this running diary at exactly 5:00 p.m. since the first few hours of my day have been as exciting and as delightful as the Holocaust.
5:00 p.m. - Took Paracetamol because my head has been aching non-stop since I went down with the fever last Saturday.
5:08 p.m. - Took out the trash and got ambushed by a donation envelope from the garbage people. If there’s one donation envelope that you should never think twice about accepting, it’s the garbage people donation envelope. You don’t want your week-old trash to get right back at your doorstep with all the garbage juice splattered on your garage.
5:12 p.m. - Turned on the computer and began writing this amazingly pointless entry.
Don’t mind the psychotic-looking guy on the picture
5:34 p.m. - After hearing it from several people, I finally took the liberty of reading about the Filipino Twilight rip-off Takipsilim. I’m actually surprised it took this long for Filipino TV producers to pick this up since they usually copy American concepts faster than you can say “pathetic.” Chalk up another one for what we call Filipino ingenuity. Seriously, this endless ripping off should now be banned by the law.
5:45 p.m. - Checked my NBA Fantasy status as of today. The scores haven’t been updated yet.
5:47 p.m. - I still can’t get over about Takipsilim. That alone could ruin my entire Holidays. I think they should make Rayver Cruz and Shaina Magdayao as hot manananggals instead of hot vampires to inject Filipino folklore and make it more believable for the local audience. Then they can inject lines like “kalahati lang ang buhay ko kapag wala ka” or “you complete me” for the obligatory romantic scenes.
5:48 p.m. - I wonder how mananaggals view life: is their glass always half-empty or always half-full?
5:56 p.m. - Received a text message from Vira asking if I have dengue-like symptoms because I’ve been under the weather for a week now. That thought never crossed my mind. Five stars for Vira. Maybe that’s what girlfriends are for as well: to remind you to check for dengue-like symptoms.
6:03 p.m. - Listened to “Charmer” by Kings of Leon for the nth time these past few days. The band has been around since 2002 and I don’t know why I only started listening to them late this year (thanks again to lastfm.com). The band is made up of three Followill brothers and their first cousin, who is also a Followill. I want to see them beat up the Jonas Brothers and The Moffats to a pulp and put the who-are-the-best-musical-siblings debate to a permanent end. I can only think of one group of brothers who can be at par with the Kings of Leon in terms of musicality and level of awesomeness: The April Boys.
\
You don't want to mess with Vingo and Jimmy
6:12 p.m. - Washed the dishes because I haven’t washed them for two days. It’s either because of my sheer laziness when I’m at home or because I’m still being bothered by my terrible headache. I’m putting my money on the former.
6:28 p.m. - Began my “prep time” for my solo Noche Buena. I prepared all the little ingredients I need: garlic, onion, ginger, parsley, red bell pepper, cabbage, tomatoes, mushrooms, pimiento, rosemary, and lemon.
7:24 p.m. - Finished my “prep time” and moved to making my pasta sauce, which is simply olive oil, bacon, pimiento, mushrooms, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. I just slow cook it for about an hour so all the flavors will infuse the oil.
Look at all those simmering Christmas goodness
7:27 p.m. - Checked my NBA Fantasy status as of today. I lead Martin by 3 points (9-6) in The League league, I lead Gelo by 7 points (11-4) in Solar Antipolo league, I’m down to seventh place in scared league, and I’m still dead last in Solar Bragging Rights 4 league. A so-so Fantasy day for me.
7:30 p.m. - Checked my Multiply site and Charlie just made a comment on my minutes-ago-uploaded album. Obviously, he’s no help at all in their Noche Buena preparations and he just chooses to waste his time online.
7:32 p.m. - The thought of having a Filipino version of Twilight is still lingering in my mind. Can’t we just have one incredibly inane vampire story per year? We still have to endure three more Twilight books if I’m not mistaken. Plus, Rayver Cruz just doesn’t fit as that Edward guy. He’s not luminous enough. You know who should play the part? Redford White. A Redford White-Shaina Magdayao love team. Now who wouldn’t want to watch that?
Shaina and Redford White are a match made in heaven (I have too much time on my hands)
7:49 p.m. - Received macaroons from our neighbor. It’s still addressed to “Mariano Family.” They must’ve forgotten that I’m the only one left here. Now I have all the macaroons to myself. Unfortunately, I don’t like macaroons that much.
8:03 p.m. - Received ensaymadas from another neighbor. Now I’m starting to feel a bit guilty about not giving our neighbors anything.
8:14 p.m. - Downloaded albums of various artists: The Fratellis, Au Revoir Simone, The Pharcyde, and Headlights. Thanks again to lastfm.com for recommending good music.
8:34 p.m. - Began cooking the ground beef for my home-made tacos. Get a deep pan, put the ground beef, little water, heads of garlic, and onion chunks. Season with soy sauce, salt, and lots of pepper. Let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.
Let us all gain several pounds
9:00 p.m. - The ground beef is done and I can now take a brief break from the kitchen.
9:07 p.m. - Scanned the TV: Replay of Boston versus Philadelphia on BTV. Click. Replay of Alaska versus Ginebra on C/S 9. Click. Snakes on a Plane on HBO. Click. WWE on Jack TV. Click. Cribs on MTV. Click. I finally settled for Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations on Travel and Living. Speaking of, a movie title can’t get any more straightforward than Snakes on a Plane. The movie is literally just about that: snakes on a plane. No profound metaphors. It’s just like re-titling The Fast and the Furious to Guys Who Drive Really Fast Cars.
No beating around the bush (I still have too much time on my hands)
9:35 p.m. - Received a text message from Vira saying she just finished watching Vicky Cristina Barcelona online. It’s a Woody Allen movie that stars Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. I’m sure there’s a DVD of it by now.
9:48 p.m. - Just listened to Headlights (Some Racing Some Stopping). Their songs are cuddly music (if there’s such a thing) and they just make you want to hug and sway with someone the moment you hear them. “Market Girl” is an early favorite. If you like Stars, you’ll like Headlights.
9:59 p.m. - I’m getting really hungry but I want to honor the traditional Noche Buena so I’ll wait for midnight before I narcissistically enjoy my cooking.
10:02 p.m. - I just realized I have no gifts to open anymore when the clock ticks at 12:01 since I already opened Vira’s gift (a novel entitled The Time Traveler’s Wife) last Saturday, officemate Val’s gift (CD of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) last Monday, and officemate Doc’s gift (imported toothpaste) yesterday.
10:15 p.m. - The Fratellis (Here We Stand), Au Revoir Simone (Verses of Comfort, Assurance, and Salvation), and The Pharcyde (Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde) have also finished downloading. I’ll listen to them some other time since I’m still enjoying Headlights.
10:33 p.m. - Received a text message from my college friend Icy. I don’t know if she’s really wishing people to have a joyful Christmas or she’s just plugging their show. It said: “Sabay-sabay tayo mag-Noche Buena blah blah…catch the Christmas episode of TEN with the Radioactive Sago Project at 11 p.m. on TV 5. Shake mo TV mo!” Very well put Icy. No, seriously, do watch TEN. It airs every weekday at 10:30 p.m. It’s the most refreshing news program on TV today and it wonderfully caters to young adults.
10:58 p.m. - Finished editing and re-sizing the pictures from of our pre-Christmas drinking at Brian’s house last Sunday. I thought twice of going since I was still feeling sick but the urge to drink and laugh at the testosterone-induced jokes of my male college friends was very persuasive. I’m glad I came.
11:00 p.m. - Turbo broiled the whole chicken I marinated overnight in lemon juice and rosemary. I patted it dry, stuffed it with more lemon, one whole onion, and one bulb of garlic, and then sprinkled the outside with salt, pepper, and rosemary leaves.
Who’s chicken now?
11:38 p.m. - I'm watching the final episode of TRL Live on MTV (it’s on commercial break). They’re listing down the top 10 songs in TRL history although I didn’t catch numbers 10 to 5. Number 4 is “Bye Bye Bye” by ‘N Sync. I think ‘N Sync is the best boy band of all time since they have pretty decent ballads and hip-hop flavored songs in their latter years. They also won millions of awards despite having that dreadlocked guy who looked more like their gay hairstylist than an actual band member.
No help at all (plus he looks like Kempee de Leon)
11:43 p.m. - Good Charlotte is now on TRL. Nobody cares.
11:44 p.m. - I’m now watching Nigella Lawson’s Christmas Dinner on Travel and Living. Nigella Lawson is the quintessential hot momma for me. She’s beautiful, voluptuous, mature, and she can cook! Plus, she has a very sexy British accent. I don’t mind slaving in the kitchen in my lifetime as long as Nigella is around.
Let me be your little muffin boy
11:56 p.m. - The chicken is done and I’m all set to eat after I finish washing the dishes yet again.
12:09 a.m. - It’s eating time finally. I can now indulge and eat my heart out after cooking for almost six hours. I cooked large servings so I can serve something to Vira or my friends if ever they decide to visit me. I wanted to order pizza as well but I just ate two boxes of pizza two days ago.
Let's food!
12:31 a.m. - Two of my high school friends (Jamay at Jett) are here! I’m genuinely surprised! I thought they were just kidding awhile ago when they told me they'll drop by. I never invited anyone since I assumed all of them will spend time with their family.
12:42 a.m. - Three more of my high school friends (Charlie, Andrew, and Krisel) and one new friend (Krisel’s best friend Rhea) are here as well! This is not a bad Christmas Eve after all. Apparently, they really planned to come here and accompany me. Thank you Lord for giving me amazing friends. Too bad Vira couldn’t come since she’s with her family, which I completely understand.
No one’s going solo this Christmas Eve
12:44 a.m. - I’m ending this running diary. It’s time to drink and be merry! Merry Christmas to all of us!
5:00 p.m. - Took Paracetamol because my head has been aching non-stop since I went down with the fever last Saturday.
5:08 p.m. - Took out the trash and got ambushed by a donation envelope from the garbage people. If there’s one donation envelope that you should never think twice about accepting, it’s the garbage people donation envelope. You don’t want your week-old trash to get right back at your doorstep with all the garbage juice splattered on your garage.
5:12 p.m. - Turned on the computer and began writing this amazingly pointless entry.
Don’t mind the psychotic-looking guy on the picture
5:34 p.m. - After hearing it from several people, I finally took the liberty of reading about the Filipino Twilight rip-off Takipsilim. I’m actually surprised it took this long for Filipino TV producers to pick this up since they usually copy American concepts faster than you can say “pathetic.” Chalk up another one for what we call Filipino ingenuity. Seriously, this endless ripping off should now be banned by the law.
5:45 p.m. - Checked my NBA Fantasy status as of today. The scores haven’t been updated yet.
5:47 p.m. - I still can’t get over about Takipsilim. That alone could ruin my entire Holidays. I think they should make Rayver Cruz and Shaina Magdayao as hot manananggals instead of hot vampires to inject Filipino folklore and make it more believable for the local audience. Then they can inject lines like “kalahati lang ang buhay ko kapag wala ka” or “you complete me” for the obligatory romantic scenes.
5:48 p.m. - I wonder how mananaggals view life: is their glass always half-empty or always half-full?
5:56 p.m. - Received a text message from Vira asking if I have dengue-like symptoms because I’ve been under the weather for a week now. That thought never crossed my mind. Five stars for Vira. Maybe that’s what girlfriends are for as well: to remind you to check for dengue-like symptoms.
6:03 p.m. - Listened to “Charmer” by Kings of Leon for the nth time these past few days. The band has been around since 2002 and I don’t know why I only started listening to them late this year (thanks again to lastfm.com). The band is made up of three Followill brothers and their first cousin, who is also a Followill. I want to see them beat up the Jonas Brothers and The Moffats to a pulp and put the who-are-the-best-musical-siblings debate to a permanent end. I can only think of one group of brothers who can be at par with the Kings of Leon in terms of musicality and level of awesomeness: The April Boys.
\
You don't want to mess with Vingo and Jimmy
6:12 p.m. - Washed the dishes because I haven’t washed them for two days. It’s either because of my sheer laziness when I’m at home or because I’m still being bothered by my terrible headache. I’m putting my money on the former.
6:28 p.m. - Began my “prep time” for my solo Noche Buena. I prepared all the little ingredients I need: garlic, onion, ginger, parsley, red bell pepper, cabbage, tomatoes, mushrooms, pimiento, rosemary, and lemon.
7:24 p.m. - Finished my “prep time” and moved to making my pasta sauce, which is simply olive oil, bacon, pimiento, mushrooms, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. I just slow cook it for about an hour so all the flavors will infuse the oil.
Look at all those simmering Christmas goodness
7:27 p.m. - Checked my NBA Fantasy status as of today. I lead Martin by 3 points (9-6) in The League league, I lead Gelo by 7 points (11-4) in Solar Antipolo league, I’m down to seventh place in scared league, and I’m still dead last in Solar Bragging Rights 4 league. A so-so Fantasy day for me.
7:30 p.m. - Checked my Multiply site and Charlie just made a comment on my minutes-ago-uploaded album. Obviously, he’s no help at all in their Noche Buena preparations and he just chooses to waste his time online.
7:32 p.m. - The thought of having a Filipino version of Twilight is still lingering in my mind. Can’t we just have one incredibly inane vampire story per year? We still have to endure three more Twilight books if I’m not mistaken. Plus, Rayver Cruz just doesn’t fit as that Edward guy. He’s not luminous enough. You know who should play the part? Redford White. A Redford White-Shaina Magdayao love team. Now who wouldn’t want to watch that?
Shaina and Redford White are a match made in heaven (I have too much time on my hands)
7:49 p.m. - Received macaroons from our neighbor. It’s still addressed to “Mariano Family.” They must’ve forgotten that I’m the only one left here. Now I have all the macaroons to myself. Unfortunately, I don’t like macaroons that much.
8:03 p.m. - Received ensaymadas from another neighbor. Now I’m starting to feel a bit guilty about not giving our neighbors anything.
8:14 p.m. - Downloaded albums of various artists: The Fratellis, Au Revoir Simone, The Pharcyde, and Headlights. Thanks again to lastfm.com for recommending good music.
8:34 p.m. - Began cooking the ground beef for my home-made tacos. Get a deep pan, put the ground beef, little water, heads of garlic, and onion chunks. Season with soy sauce, salt, and lots of pepper. Let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.
Let us all gain several pounds
9:00 p.m. - The ground beef is done and I can now take a brief break from the kitchen.
9:07 p.m. - Scanned the TV: Replay of Boston versus Philadelphia on BTV. Click. Replay of Alaska versus Ginebra on C/S 9. Click. Snakes on a Plane on HBO. Click. WWE on Jack TV. Click. Cribs on MTV. Click. I finally settled for Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations on Travel and Living. Speaking of, a movie title can’t get any more straightforward than Snakes on a Plane. The movie is literally just about that: snakes on a plane. No profound metaphors. It’s just like re-titling The Fast and the Furious to Guys Who Drive Really Fast Cars.
No beating around the bush (I still have too much time on my hands)
9:35 p.m. - Received a text message from Vira saying she just finished watching Vicky Cristina Barcelona online. It’s a Woody Allen movie that stars Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. I’m sure there’s a DVD of it by now.
9:48 p.m. - Just listened to Headlights (Some Racing Some Stopping). Their songs are cuddly music (if there’s such a thing) and they just make you want to hug and sway with someone the moment you hear them. “Market Girl” is an early favorite. If you like Stars, you’ll like Headlights.
9:59 p.m. - I’m getting really hungry but I want to honor the traditional Noche Buena so I’ll wait for midnight before I narcissistically enjoy my cooking.
10:02 p.m. - I just realized I have no gifts to open anymore when the clock ticks at 12:01 since I already opened Vira’s gift (a novel entitled The Time Traveler’s Wife) last Saturday, officemate Val’s gift (CD of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) last Monday, and officemate Doc’s gift (imported toothpaste) yesterday.
10:15 p.m. - The Fratellis (Here We Stand), Au Revoir Simone (Verses of Comfort, Assurance, and Salvation), and The Pharcyde (Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde) have also finished downloading. I’ll listen to them some other time since I’m still enjoying Headlights.
10:33 p.m. - Received a text message from my college friend Icy. I don’t know if she’s really wishing people to have a joyful Christmas or she’s just plugging their show. It said: “Sabay-sabay tayo mag-Noche Buena blah blah…catch the Christmas episode of TEN with the Radioactive Sago Project at 11 p.m. on TV 5. Shake mo TV mo!” Very well put Icy. No, seriously, do watch TEN. It airs every weekday at 10:30 p.m. It’s the most refreshing news program on TV today and it wonderfully caters to young adults.
10:58 p.m. - Finished editing and re-sizing the pictures from of our pre-Christmas drinking at Brian’s house last Sunday. I thought twice of going since I was still feeling sick but the urge to drink and laugh at the testosterone-induced jokes of my male college friends was very persuasive. I’m glad I came.
11:00 p.m. - Turbo broiled the whole chicken I marinated overnight in lemon juice and rosemary. I patted it dry, stuffed it with more lemon, one whole onion, and one bulb of garlic, and then sprinkled the outside with salt, pepper, and rosemary leaves.
Who’s chicken now?
11:38 p.m. - I'm watching the final episode of TRL Live on MTV (it’s on commercial break). They’re listing down the top 10 songs in TRL history although I didn’t catch numbers 10 to 5. Number 4 is “Bye Bye Bye” by ‘N Sync. I think ‘N Sync is the best boy band of all time since they have pretty decent ballads and hip-hop flavored songs in their latter years. They also won millions of awards despite having that dreadlocked guy who looked more like their gay hairstylist than an actual band member.
No help at all (plus he looks like Kempee de Leon)
11:43 p.m. - Good Charlotte is now on TRL. Nobody cares.
11:44 p.m. - I’m now watching Nigella Lawson’s Christmas Dinner on Travel and Living. Nigella Lawson is the quintessential hot momma for me. She’s beautiful, voluptuous, mature, and she can cook! Plus, she has a very sexy British accent. I don’t mind slaving in the kitchen in my lifetime as long as Nigella is around.
Let me be your little muffin boy
11:56 p.m. - The chicken is done and I’m all set to eat after I finish washing the dishes yet again.
12:09 a.m. - It’s eating time finally. I can now indulge and eat my heart out after cooking for almost six hours. I cooked large servings so I can serve something to Vira or my friends if ever they decide to visit me. I wanted to order pizza as well but I just ate two boxes of pizza two days ago.
Let's food!
12:31 a.m. - Two of my high school friends (Jamay at Jett) are here! I’m genuinely surprised! I thought they were just kidding awhile ago when they told me they'll drop by. I never invited anyone since I assumed all of them will spend time with their family.
12:42 a.m. - Three more of my high school friends (Charlie, Andrew, and Krisel) and one new friend (Krisel’s best friend Rhea) are here as well! This is not a bad Christmas Eve after all. Apparently, they really planned to come here and accompany me. Thank you Lord for giving me amazing friends. Too bad Vira couldn’t come since she’s with her family, which I completely understand.
No one’s going solo this Christmas Eve
12:44 a.m. - I’m ending this running diary. It’s time to drink and be merry! Merry Christmas to all of us!