Stuck in the Middle - Neil Sedaka

ten years after i've listened to neil sedaka's album the show must go on, i am still in love with it. more about it in the next post though, right now here's one of my favourite songs from the album. it just evokes a lot of lovely memories from way back when. (as in from ten years ago. ha.)

just hit play! enjoy!




lyrics:

Stuck in the middle I don't know what to do

Which way to turn, which way to go now

Slow down, you're moving too fast

Don't make the change until you're sure of yourself.

Stuck in the middle and I'm going insane

The sleepless nights, the tearstained pillow

The willow is weeping for me

And can't you see I'm just a pawn in this game

Racking my brain  

(Stuck in the middle it's a crying shame)

What can I do?

(Stuck in the middle of this crazy game)

Who can I blame?

(Stuck in the middle and I'm going insane)

Winds of change

I've got to have the strength to make up my mind

Fate is kind

And if I seek I will surely find.

Honesty can move a mountain,

Change the fool in me

Ooh-whee

Stuck in the middle of this game

Stuck in the middle I don't know what to do

Which way to turn, which way to go now

Slow down, you're moving too fast

Don't make the change until you're sure of yourself.

Racking my brain  

(Stuck in the middle it's a crying shame)

What can I do?

(Stuck in the middle of this crazy game)

Who can I blame?

(Stuck in the middle and I'm going insane)

Now my head is doing cartwheels in the air

'Round in circles I have no more strength to spare

Just stay calm and come join the gang

Funny in the heart (not sure about funny, if it's wrong someone let me know pls tnx)

Life is short, so let's have a picnic

She'll bring the food

But who'll bring the wine?

Stuck in the middle and I'm going insane

The sleepless nights, the tearstained pillow

The willow is weeping for me

And can't you see I'm just a pawn in this game

Racking my brain  

(Stuck in the middle it's a crying shame)

What can I do?

(Stuck in the middle of this crazy game)

Who can I blame?

(Stuck in the middle and I'm going insane)

Stuck in the middle, stuck in the middle

Stuck in the middle of this game

Going insane

Stuck in the middle, stuck in the middle

Stuck in the middle of this game

Who can I blame?

Stuck in the middle of this game

What can I do?

Stuck in the middle of this game.

super fun day of randomness

I turned a year older last week and I must say, it was somehow weird that I felt bored about the whole thing. I didn't know how I would celebrate it and whom I would celebrate it with, as proved by this conversation.

Ma: Gusto mo magdinner mamaya? (Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?)

Moi: Ehhh... bukas na lang, may gagawin kasi ako ngayon. (Ehh, let's just go out tomorrow, I'm doing something today.

Ma: O sige. Gusto mo tawagan ko sila Tita J? (Ok then. Do you want me to invite Tita J?)

Moi (in a bored whiny tone): Maaa.

Ma: Eh gusto mo tawagan ko friends mo? (How about I call your friends?)

Moi (more bored and whiny tone): Maaaaaaaa!

Ma: (leaves)

Yet in between those pockets of weirdness, boredom, and indecisiveness still lay a bit of excitement that it was my birthday. Yeah cos I'm strange like that. or maybe that's a sign of aging?! You tell me.

For all that was stuck in my head that day was that I had to work. It is not that bad however, because the person I was doing business with is a good friend of mine. The 100 million dollar question was what to do after that. I had no idea, and I didn't really care. I could have gone straight home if I wanted. But I didn't. A trip was in order since my friend F and I wrapped up by merienda time. How convenient is that, yeah? It was just the beginning of a simple yet fun celebration.

The trip we went on was so random, it became one of the highest-ranking random manila trippings F and I have ever done. First up, we went to a Taoist temple which I promptly forgot the name of. All I remember is that is it's located on Adriatico St. We were the only visitors in the temple at that time. F lit some incense while I looked around to admire the ornately decorated place. We took some photos afterwards and then left.

F and I continued walking along Adriatico until we reached Padre Faura. We then proceeded to Solidaridad bookshop, which is owned by premier Filipino writer F. Sionil Jose. An aria playing softly from the speakers and the cool, gentle blast from the airconditioner greeted us as we entered the bookshop. Oh, I was in heaven. Even if I didn't have any plans of buying a book, just the fact that I am surrounded by lots of books is enough for me. Browsing through shelves is just as enjoyable as purchasing a book that catches my fancy.

But of course, my reader's nose is just too keen that I found the book written by my beloved high school English teacher stacked in one of the displays in the bookshop. I immediately snapped one up without batting an eyelash, making it the first "expensive" book I've bought in years. (if it satisfies your curiosity, I love bargain bookstores. My cheapest find to date was sold for five pesos. ha!)

So. have I mentioned that it was merienda time? A trip, even a mini one at that, would not be complete without food. So we left the comforting coolness of the bookshop and tripped over to Hizon's in J. Bocobo St. for a late afternoon snack. An institution which was established in 1946, Hizon's boasts of its cakes and pastries. They also offer sumptuous selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner that it is no wonder that the great Philippine comedian Dolphy considered Hizon's his favourite place to eat.

Our merienda consisted of toasted special ensaymada with queso de bola, special halo-halo with a scoop of ube ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake. I know, it's sugar rush galore! I especially loved the grilled ensaymada. The bun has a light and flaky texture that gives it its melt-in-your-mouth character, and has just the right amount of sweetness that blended beautifully with the subtle saltiness of the grated cheese. Needless to say, F and I left Hizon's with satisfied tummies, and planning the next food trip at this place.

Some people celebrate their birthdays the whole month long. Some celebrate on their birth week. some just on the day itself, and some don't even celebrate at all. So far the only type I haven't tried doing yet is celebrating the whole month. Oh well. Just the thought of it makes me feel tired already. (uh-oh, another sign of aging, perhaps?) Well, all I want is a simple, fun, and random (if this is applicable) celebration with family and select friends in one of my happy places. It's my kind of recipe.

P.S. One funny thing that happened on that day was I actually asked F what the date was. Now if that's not a sign of aging, I don't know what is.

P.P.S. Top two photos taken in the Taoist temple; bottom left and center photos, Solidaridad bookshop; bottom right, gate at aurora plaza where Solidaridad is located. sorry, no photos of the scrumptious feast. Here's a  link to a photo of the toasted ensaymada tho. :)

buhay senyorita o buhay na walang kwenta?

dear tita chuchu,

parang napakasarap ng buhay senyorita, hindi po ba? yung tipong wala kang trabaho, paistambay-istambay lamang sa bahay... nanonood ng tv, nagi-internet, tapos manonood uli ng tv, at pag nagsawa eh mag-iinternet uli. ang maganda pa rito, may mga tao na gumagawa ng lahat ng mga gawaing-bahay para sa iyo, mula sa paglalaba at pagpaplantsa, at hindi mo na kailangang magpakahirap magluto; may nakatoka na doon at ang gagawin mo na lang ay bumaba para kumain. iuutos mo na lamang iyon sa mga kasama mo sa bahay. pero alam niyo kung ano ang pinakamagandang bagay sa pagiging senyorita? may hanapbuhay yang mga kasamahan mo sa bahay. kumikita sila upang makakain ka, mabayaran ang cable para mapatuloy mong panoorin ang mga paborito mong palabas, mabayaran ang kuryente at tubig para makapag-internet ka at makaligo, at mabayaran ang labandera niyo. at kung may sasakyan, tiyak sila ang magbabayad ng gasolina at pag-maintain nun.

naiinggit ako sa mga taong tulad nila. buti pa sila, hindi na kailangang magtrabaho pero ang sarap-sarap ng kanilang buhay. paano kaya ako magiging ganon?

lubos na gumagalang, 

patria

-----------------------------

patria,

una sa lahat, maraming salamat sa iyong liham. pangalawa, masarap nga ang buhay na inilarawan mo sa akin. pero huwag kang maiinggit sa mga nagbubuhay senyorita dahil mga walang silbi sa lipunan ang mga ganun. tanging pabigat sila sa kanilang pamilya't kaibigan. mga "freeloader" o boarder sila, ika nga. tanga sila upang piliin na mabuhay nang ganun dahil kung sa tutuusin may mga taong kulang nga sa pag-iisip ngunit may naibabalik sa kanilang kapwa, at may mga tunay na senyorita na malaki na ang naitulong sa nakararami. 

sa tingin ko naman may sentido kumon ka para hindi ituloy ang pinapangarap mong iyan. ayaw mo namang matawag na boarder at tanga, hindi ba? umaasa ako na gagawin mo ang tama.

tita chuchu