Weekend Drifter

In a galaxy far far away, I was clueless and once, went out on a date watching an Air Supply concert. Looking back, I don't know what's worse

a. that I actually went to an Air Supply concert
b. that I went out with a guy who listens to Air Supply
c. that my date had his uncle drive us to Ultra
d. that I didn't know it was a date.

Like I said, it was in a different lifetime, in a galaxy far, far away. Worst things can happen.

The point is, these are the thoughts of a weekend drifter.

***

I graduated last Saturday with my Joy of Writing classmates- a doctor who's a member of the Medical Board, an advertising guy who wrote the lyrics for the Dawn's hit song Salamat (plus other hit commercials), a teacher, an ex-theatre and TV personality, an 18-year old boy, and a 24-year old writer for the Manila Standard. The long wooden table which was where our journey began became the sole witness to this passage of rite.


Tweetums brought out her ceramic bowls and we had chips with almond and jalapeno, feta cheese and dips, cheese and cold cut platter with grapes, and wine (red and white). We read our graduation piece over low lights, and with this feast upon our table. There were family secrets revealed, there were tears, quavering voices, and insights. There was the usual pagtitimpi from Twee from our 18-year old buy, and the argumentative doctor; there were sharing of stories, and tsismis about Twee's inclusion in the 7 Showbiz Secrets circulating on email (she tells us that mostly it's true), and reveals more about her men and her life. There was laughter, there was sharing, there was communion.

This class, it is not just about writing. It is a revelation of our true selves, naked for each one of us to see. It is coming to terms with who we are, with some of us forced to come face to face with our past only now. The men in particular, were so moved by the writing since they chose to forget, to close the book, to not talk about their past. Bonnie, was visibly moved by my writing, and the feeling is mutual. They clapped at my writing, and Twee tells them it is a beautiful piece. I think theirs, were beautiful too. It is their truth.

More new friends made! We have a yahoo group to be put up soon, with Twee enlisting as a member.