The Legend of the Blue Leash, Part 3

Ash woke up with a painful jaw and a throbbing head. It’s obvious that he’s no longer on the beach. He quickly sat up and inspected the surrounding. It was clearly not his hotel room and he was clearly not on his hotel bed.

He was clearly not wearing anything. 

He looked at the side table and saw 2 ice-cold can of coke sweating from the heat. The digital alarm clock behind it says 3:46 PM. He is starting to panic when the door suddenly opened revealing a hot guy in his underwear towelling his hair dry.  

It was Miguel.

Ash defensively stands up quickly wrapping the sheets around his waist. 

“Oh good! You’re awake! Listen...”

“Where am I? Why am I naked?” Ash interrupted as he moves back away from the almost naked Miguel slowly walking towards him. 

Miguel stopped and raised his hands. He can sense Ash’s fear, confusion and panic. “Chill dude! You are in my room and I had your clothes hanged outside to dry.”

Ash sat on the side of the bed while Miguel took a can of coke, opened it and gave it to him.

“Don’t worry. I have seen the merchandise. You have nothing to be ashamed of.” Miguel continued as he sat beside him downing the contents of the other can.

Ash blushed.

“Relax Ash! I’m teasing! I don’t want you to sleep out that asshole’s punch on your wetsuit.” 

He can feel Miguel’s sincerity but he can’t understand why he is concerned. Either way, his apparent care for his well being chipped some of his anxiety a bit that he was able to manage a smile.

“Yeah! He is an asshole!” Ash cheered as he places the cold can on his sore jaw. 

“Hey!” Miguel protested.

“Well, you said it first!” 

“Only I can call him asshole!”

“Suit yourself”

“But seriously Ash, What the hell are you doing in Cemento Reef? You’re a virgin for crying out loud!”

“I’m not a virgin!” It was Ash’s time to protest.

“I meant surfing virgin.”

Ash took another sip.  He felt stupid and embarrassed but Miguel earned the right to know.

“I thought I could handle bigger waves already. I mean, I practice so hard and I was getting better every day in Sabang.”

“I know how hard you practice and I can tell you are a natural but learning from those money mongers who wants your cash more than teach you is not enough to take the swells in Cemento.” Miguel’s eyes are full of concern. It’s as if he will be devastated if something happen to him. It made Ash feel more confused.

“You could have died there you know.”

“Wait... how did you know I’m a natural? I got wiped out in Cemento.” Ash wondered looking at Miguel demanding some answers.

Miguel took a deep breath and answered. “I watch you practice every day.”

(to be continued...)

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The Legend of the Blue Leash, Part 2

Ash woke up early, sweaty, spent and with a hard on. It’s been a week since he arrived in Baler, Aurora to make his dream of learning how to surf come true.

Half naked, dazed and confused, he walked across his hotel room. He opened his window and waited for the sun to rise over the majestic Sabang beach. He can hear the sea call him. He can feel the soft wind calm his troubled mind.

“The same dream again...” He told himself.

Ever since he had met Miguel at that restaurant on his first night in Baler, he had been visiting Ash in his dreams every day. The dream starts differently but the end is always the same. He and Miguel sitting on blue surfboards in a calm ocean while the sun sets...

kissing.

What’s worse is that he would get excited and always wake up with a raging boner and he can’t understand why. For a straight guy, getting a hard on in a dream making out with another guy is never a good thing.

He had yet seen the sight of Miguel since that night. Though he wanted to look at that ruggedly handsome face again for many reasons, he opted not to. For one, he was busy for the past week. He took surfing lessons, learned the basics and rode the baby waves of Sabang beach until he can’t stand on a surfboard no more.

He tried to shake it off his mind as he watched the dawn carried the early morning waves. The sight of white water rushing to the shore made him happy. The only other thing that gets him excited so to speak.

No doubt that water is Ash’s element. He feels confident and free when he is in the ocean. And when he is not, he longs for it. It’s like a thirst that he can’t quench.  Surfing helps him become one with the ocean. And the rush is very addictive.

For what it’s worth, Ash was a quick learner. He mastered the basics after the first day and quickly got comfortable on top of the board shortly after.

Now after a week, he wanted to step it up a notch. He felt it’s time to leave Sabang and take his sport to the next step by riding the waves of Cemento Reef.

Unfortunately, his inexperience had the best of him. He can’t be more wrong.

One hour after Ash hit the waves of Cemento Reef...

Cough! Cough! Cough!

“Hey dude!!! You OK?” One of the foreign surfers asked as he rushes to the coughing guy who just washed up.

“Any injury?”  A local surfer asked.

“Damn! My leash broke!” He thought as he angrily held the broken cord that should have attached him to his surfboard. He was on his zone riding the wave when someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere throwing him off and almost drowning him.

“Excuse me, is this yours?” Ash cautiously asked as he slowly approached behind the almost drowned surfer.

Fuming mad, the surfer stood and turned. It was Miguel. “Fuck dude!!! Don’t you know it’s not right to cut in front of someone who’s already riding the wave?” He screamed as he grabbed Ash’s wetsuit.

“I’m sorry!!! I got carried away. I didn’t see you...”

Right then, Ash felt something hard hitting his right jaw before he fell flat on his face. And just before he blacked out, he could hear someone say.

“He could have died you stupid poser!!!”

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Haiku ver4.2

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The Legend of the Blue Leash

inspired by Mika Sadahiro's Surf Junkie

Ash hopped in the first bus to Baler the moment the university declared school's out. He had been waiting for this all year. In fact, he had his stuff all packed up for days now impatiently waiting for summer to begin.

Baler, Aurora has been known as the surfing Mecca of Luzon. The locals are proud of their sandy shorelines and soft, shallow ocean bed and tourists can't get enough of the crazy waves it produces. For Ash, who saved all year for a 2 month stay in this Philippine province, it is the “holy grail” for someone who wants to master this surface water sport.

After 7 long hours in the bus, he found himself breathing the fresh, salty air of the pride of Southern Tagalog. He can't wait to start. Since he is starving, he decided to dine out. He quickly searched for the hotel he had pre-chosen and pre-booked for months and immediately checked in. He went to his room, prepped and went out for a night stroll along the beach and a good authentic Baler dinner.

He decided to do the former walking first along the shoreline for a while enjoying the evening ambiance. The dark sky was clear and crying with tiny silver droplets ready to fall on his head at anytime. The night air coming from the sea is overwhelming and the sound of the turbulent waves screaming then toning down to a dull roar has a mix of intense pleasure and calming effect on him.

"This is a dream come true!" He thought.

After a while, he can no longer ignore his hunger and decided to look for the restaurant that the lady at the front desk recommended. He sat on one of the tables on the veranda so that he can still get that beautiful view of the evening shore.

After settling in, he calls on the waiter to come and politely asks for the menu. "I heard you have the most authentic Ensaladang Pako here." He commented while browsing through the menu.

"We do sir!" The waiter said proudly. "You can have the famous Baler delicacy as a zesty side or as a part of your main course."

"I see. I'll have it with grilled tuna then and one green mango shake please." Ash ordered as he returns the menu. For a slight moment, their hand touch as the waiter took the menu away prompting Ash to look at the waiter's face for the first time.

"One Ensaladang Pako with grilled Tuna and one green mango shake for sir..."

"Ash.  Just call me Ash... uhmmm Miguel." He introduced himself as he looks at the waiter's name plate neatly pinned on his right chest.

Miguel beams a smile. He appreciated that a customer called him by his name. Come think of it, he thought, Ash was easy on the eyes. He was the classic Pinoy chinito with refined city boy flair. Even while sitting he can tell Ash might be as tall as he is. He also liked the way Ash's eyes reduced to a slit when he smiles.

"One Ensaladang Pako with grilled Tuna and one green mango shake for Sir Ash, coming right up!"

Ash watched Miguel as he enthusiastically walked away with his order. He is straight of course or he thinks he's straight. He is only 19 but had already fucked girls more than his fingers can count. Plus, he never slept with a guy before so he guesses he's straight.

But he can't help himself stop from smiling. The image of Miguel keeps on swirling in his head.

Miguel can't be any older than he is and might be just as lithe and tall. He had a lean body he suspects from surfing every day. His uniform hugs his body perfectly. His piercing, deep-set eyes crowned with long eye lashes along with his perfect nose also shows tall-tell signs that he might have a foreign blood flowing on his beautifully tanned body.

After a few minutes, Miguel is back with his dinner but he is no longer wearing his uniform. "Your dinner Sir Ash." Miguel announced as he carefully places his meal front of him.

"Just Ash, Miguel. Just Ash,"

"Sorry Ash... force of habit." Miguel smiled apologetically.

"You are not wearing your uniform anymore." He asked non-challant.

"Ahhh, you noticed. I just finished my shift." He explained. "You’re my last customer."

"You shouldn't have bothered then Miguel. You could have asked someone to bring my meal to me."

"It's okay. I took your order, I thought I should be the one to serve it to you."

"That's so nice of you. Thanks." Ash complemented.  "Here... for your trouble." He took a bill on his wallet and offered it to Miguel.

"That’s okay. You can leave the tip later. We equally share it here anyway." Miguel said refusing to take the money. “Thanks though. I really appreciate it.”

"See you around then Miguel. It was nice meeting you."

"Likewise, Sir Ash."

"I told you, just Ash."

"Alright, see you around too Ash." Miguel said before walking out of the restaurant.

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The Proposal

While browsing through my feeds today, this post got my attention.

At first, I thought this is going to be an epic fail as this kind of life event is normally reserved for the masculine demographic. Then halfway through the video, it got me crying my eyes out. 

Love defies tradition. It does not conform to norms. 

And this is a proof that love knows no boundaries.

Paano ko ba sisimulan to? Grabe naman kasi :) nagpunta kami ng The Feast PICC kanina, nasa parking palang kami tumakbo na si Mich kasi daw na-CR siya. Pagdating sa loob, mag start na yung preach, mag CR lang daw siya ulit. Si Bro Bo Sanchez ang preacher kanina, friend namin siya. Habang nagsasalita siya bigla niya sinabi na watch daw yung nasa big screen, kasi ang topic kanina "trending" basta may kinalaman kami daw dun. Something like that. So nagulat ako, lumabas mukha namin sa screen, tinatawagan ko si Mich kasi mga 15-20mins na siyang wala baka kung napano na sa CR tsaka gusto ko makita niya yung video namin nasa screen, wala akong idea talaga na set up pala lahat.

Bigla siyang lumabas from the backstage at nagsalita. Dun palang bumaha na ng luha ko sa church hehe! Akala ko anniversary gift lang, anniv kasi namin kahapon. Tapos nagulat ako naglabasan mga close friends ko sa stage. Di ko na alam nangyayari. Halo halong emosyon na eh. Nakakaiyak pa yung kanta "A Thousand Years". Biglang dahan dahan lumalapit si Mich, di ko na naiintindihan sinasabi niya kasi iba na ung pakiramdam. Para akong lutang na di alam nangyayari. Blur paligid. Iyak lang ng iyak.

Nung malapit na siya sa akin bigla ba namang sinabi "Will you be my happily ever after?" Duuudddeee! Are you serious??? Ang reaksyon ko agad, bakit ikaw nag propose? huhu!! Kasi pangarap ko din un para sa amin. Alam kong gusto niyang maramdaman un pero siya ang gumawa sa akin. Syempre sinagot ko siya ng "SYEMPRE YES!" Biglang inabot sa akin ung ring, di ko alam kung ako ba susuotan niya ng ring hahaha! Eh nakita ko pambabae ung ring, sabi ko "ahhhh ako magsusuot sa kanya" tapos sinabi ko "Will you marry me?" Sabi niya "OFCOURSE YES" duudeee! Iyak na ako ng iyak pati mga tao nakita ko iyak din ng iyak hehehe! Di ko ma-compose ng maayos to, basta gusto ko mag kwento lang kahit mahaba. Ang tagal niya na palang plano to. Lahat ng surprise niya nahahalata ko, pero eto magaling! Kasabwat family, friends ko, family niya, pati mga leaders sa church. Wala talaga akong idea! Ang galing lang. Basta sabaw ako ngayon. Di ako makapaniwala. Best day ever!!!! Pagkatapos ng mass, lahat ng tao bumabati sa amin. "Congrats! Magpagaling ka!"

Basta iba talaga! Ilan lang ba ang makakaramdam ng ganitong pakiramdam??? Babae nag propose sa lalake! Surreal! Babawi ako! Promise!!! Promise!!! Yung ginawa mo ngayon pang history! Haha :) Sobrang maaahaaalll kita Pawliinnn Mityeel!!! Para pa rin akong nasa panaginip. Haba ng hair!!! Hahhaa :)))) I AM ENGAGED dudes!! Di na kami mapaghihiwalay. Habang buhay kong kasama ang taong pinakamamahal ko!!!! Habang buhay!!!!!

- (From Jam's post) Jamich Fanpage

Rated PG: KFC Crispy Cheese Chicken

KFC Crispy Cheese Chicken

Ala carte: Php 99

Combo: Php 109

A friend asked me to help him get a replacement card for his lost ATM yesterday right after shift.

We got his card replace alright. Unfortunately, at the expense of my Tuesday morning work out.

After we received an extreme slow service despite the lack of customers during that time, we braved the blistering heat and went to Eastwood City for lunch courtesy of my friend. His compensation for me not getting my daily dose of muscle builder.

We decided to go fast. So we choose my ever trusted KFC.

Which by the time I post this, is not so trusted anymore.

They claim that this co-creation is an unexpected combination of the favorite chicken and the favorite chip. It's marinated in cheese topped with real Clover Chip bits, and paired with tasty flavored rice, mashed potato with corn and country gravy.

They were quite right about the word "unexpected". It's unexpectedly not "so good."

Let's start with the chicken. 

The chicken is good. The cheese flavored chip is good. It's just that they are not good together. The cheese made the chicken salty and greasy and it leaves a funky taste in your mouth that would suck the appetite out of you for days.

The country gravy is like a watered down cheesy mushroom soup that basically does nothing to compliment the chicken. Not that there's something to compliment. 

The rice was flavored but it's just pretty much it. Nothing special. I had better tasting rice at a fraction of the price.

So is the corned mashed potatoes. It just screams regular and common.

The good news is the gravy is refillable. So just in case you accidentally choose this meal on the menu, you can use it to wash your mouth off the horrible taste.

Overall, they just gave a whole different meaning to the term "Junk Food."

My Verdict: 2 out of 10 

Don't get me wrong, I love KFC. I just don't love KFC Crispy Cheese Chicken. 

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Mudra

For the person who has been always there for me through thick and thin.

For the person who put up with my shit no matter what.

For the person who has been my partner in crime.

For the first person who I genuinely love... and will love forever.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

No words can express how much I love you!!!

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