Like many unknown artists, many unknown cooks are not given their proper due.

Two cups Lipton's Forest Fruit tea.

It is money, not sex, that ultimately controls everything.

"Buying Mirrors" (Night of Saturday, September 19, 2015)

Events of the Day:

A quiet day for me. Angelique was at university and Aubrey was in her room most of the time.

Loads of things to do--knitting, writing, gardening, among others. Yet, I took the day in slow motion and relaxed.

In the evening, P., an antique dealer, text-messaged to inform me that he would be delivering an item I ordered, but didn't show up.

Feeling quite vexed that Return of the Condor Heroes and Gong Palace do not show on weekends. Funny how non-Catholic countries subconsciously continue to follow Catholic traditions.

Angelique and C. arrived 12:30 MN after their general assembly. C. slept over.


The Dream:

I am in the commercial center of Cubao. I am in a big shop that reminds me of Henry's furniture store. I am hunting mirrors because I would rather hang them than paintings on my walls, and I can't seem to have enough of them (both in my dream and in reality, actually). I cannot find mirrors of the right dimensions. Henry advises me to go to __________ because they have a wider variety of mirrors for sale there. He does have one right-sized mirror but it is more suited to a gym. I pass on it.

I step outside and smoke a cigarette, then catch myself wondering why I am dallying when I could very well proceed to __________ and do some browsing there. Once I am on the ground floor I take a seat to watch a video featuring a female emcee leading a series of physical exercises. It is quite hilarious.

Two teenage boys sit on the chairs beside me, but there is not enough room and the boy next to me has to snuggle up close to me. I stand up and someone introduces me to the store manager. After brief pleasantries I go back to my chair and note that a Caucasian man has picked up my blue Ralph Lauren bag. I intercept him but discover that it is not my bag. I apologize, pick up my two bags (the blue Ralph Lauren and a long package on a trolley which makes me suspect that I bought a mirror after all). The skies outside are getting overcast. I need to get home.


My Interpretation:

In all of my dreams ceiling lights and mirrors represent psychic vision. I am called upon to hone and use this ability, yet, in this dream, there are the two key words and phrases "gym" and "a series of physical exercises", meaning that I need to achieve balance and ground myself at the same time.

I have been dreaming about two teenage boys for some time now, and they are probably boys in the neighborhood who know me as a mage and want to take lessons under me. The Caucasian man is a former student who has been out of touch for too long, because he is in a foreign country.

My psyche, symbolized by the store manager, tells me to pick up my bags and go home before it rains.

Angelique and her team won the championship for their Marketing video last night.

Sometimes a proud alumnus is nothing more than a person who is unable to feel secure independently of his alma mater.

In the 1950s schools set very strict rules as to requirements that instilled institutional pride: they dictated uniforms, shoes, haircuts, books, and such. This was fine then because WWII had just ended and the world was rehabilitating its ego.

I observe that schools are still blindly doing the same thing today, in the 2000s, only because they'd become used to doing so and mostly for photo-ops and for show, without realizing that the money that parents uselessly spend on "uniformity" upsets their budget and knocks off, among others, the quality of the food that they eat, among other things they could financially enjoy. Schools have become so concerned with fulfilling their "mission-vision"--the greatest abstraction ever invented by education--without bothering to listen to the needs of their students and their parents--who are the very people who are paying their salaries in the first place.

Besides, that kind of "discipline" inflicted by schools doesn't work at all. After six decades, it seems that everyone graduates to become corrupt as a form of rebellion and vengeance against their school administrations.

Especially in this era, an era of increasing individuality.

Good morning, Cubao!

Angelique and C. came home 12:30 MN last night from their general assembly. C. slept over.

This morning they had breakfast in M.'s cafe.

Thanking H. and T. for helping me figure out how to play DVDs in a better way.

Your Hangout message:

"Good day, Sir Tony. Sorry to ask you...for help. I dreamed of something I think was really important to my being. I even woke up at 2am, and remembered every detail even after sleeping it off. I often try my best to interpret my dreams, but this one was particularly hard. I know so that it meant something to me; I just can't figure it out. If you may, I hope to ask you for help in interpreting it.

"I stayed in my best friend's house. It was getting late so I waited 'til sunrise to head out and when it did, I gave my godchildren each a quick kiss and left. While i was leaving, I was with my brother. There was a collapsed man by the sidewalk. I signaled him to help the man. After helping the man, he attacked my brother. He was furious and robotic. He, then, chased me afterwards. I found an underground/tunnel and hid myself in there. Because of his laser ability, he found my location. I felt it. The only thing left for me to do is surrender. So I did. I only thought of happy things. One of those is to think that the end is really not the end. I was caught in that 'explosion'. Surprisingly, it felt nice. I felt calm and at peace. The next thing I knew was I was laying alone on the ground with beautiful stars at night over me. It was scenic... the banana trees, the fresh air, and the birds chirping. It was perfect. I realized that I was behind a back door of a house. When I entered, I came back to that same house...my bestfriend's.

"Lately, I've been troubled thinking about the man [...]. The relationship felt one-sided so I had to let go of it. Besides, it was wrong to begin with. So it must be ended. Maybe the dream has a connection to that. I just don't seem to be able to connect it. I hope you could help me. Thank you.

"____________"

My reply:

Hello ____________!

The man in your dream has nothing to do with the man you tried having a relationship with.

The man in your dream is your Shadow. One must confront the Shadow in one's dreams and make it one's ally rather than one's enemy. It is a step toward individuation. In this particular dream you denied its existence just at the point of confrontation by thinking of "happy things".

It is indeed frightening to be chased by one's Shadow in one's dreams. The tendency is usually to run away from it. You just have to work it out in future dreams on your own--no one can help you there but yourself. Just keep in mind that it is the Shadow that makes one a creative and productive individual.

Pay attention to the characteristics of your Shadow. They give you clues as to its origin in your life, your past, your childhood.

The indices you have so far are:

--Your Shadow is a man.

--He collapses, giving the impression that he needs help.

--He is "robotic".

--He has superhuman abilities and can trace your location no matter where you hide.

If, in your dreams, your Shadow has always consistently been a man, men will continuously cause your downfall until you reconcile with your Shadow. After you successfully make your Shadow your ally, men will be the cause of your greatest successes.

An antique dealer wanted to come tonight but didn't show up. He has an item I've been wanting for a long time.

Good night, Cubao!

Re-viewed a fourth favorite, Appointment with Death, set in Syria and with far more exquisite sets and props than in Murder in Mesopotamia. The scenery is breathtaking, the music is grand, and there are more shots of locals. An excavation in search of the head of John the Baptist, exotic, beaded lampshades, delicious furniture, and Poirot's irresistible, portable Art Deco toilette and writing box (I have a replica of the latter, and it is one of the items I refuse to part with!).

This one has John Hannah, later of The Mummy trilogy. Uncannily, he looks the same, acts the same, and seems to be wearing the same costumes, but his role here is much more substantial.

One difference between the book and the DVD: In the book, the wicked and dominating matriarch is knitting "something dark and coarse". In the DVD she has no knitting at all.

Re-viewed Murder in Mesopotamia, another of my favorites from the Agatha Christie: Poirot series. Archaeology is tempting but will always remain a road not taken, because I would rather be the collector sitting at home for the artifacts to arrive. This episode has a stunning setting. It also has an antique, cylinder seal, anonymous letters with quaint penmanship, arabesque window screens, mosaic wall tiles, and tapestries, antique, German, colored glass like what we have on our front balcony divider, exquisite tea services, mother-of-pearl inlaid trunks, a horsetail fly whisk, a forged, gold ox-head drinking cup, another of Poirot's portable silver ashtrays, and Middle East music that I always find magical. The best scenes, though, are the simplest ones shot in Middle East mid-morning and mid-afternoon sunshine, which is is just so fabulous and are great lighting feats. Alas, such places are no longer tourist destinations.

Though it is still September, I must say that the overused word of 2015 is "absolutely". More and more people are using it spontaneously, proof that the gullible are subject to contagious verbiage, as they are also subject to mass hypnosis, from which only the truly brilliant manage to escape.

Two cups Lipton's Forest Fruit tea.

Overcome with the Poirot itch once again. Re-viewed The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb. Quaint expedition setting in the Valley of the Kings, a curse, Tarot cards, a planchette used for automatic writing, props, antiques, and artifacts convincingly excavated, and another Art Deco mansion. Another one of my favorites due to the visuals, but, alas, like a short story, very shallow characterization.

Sometimes black is really dark blue or dark green.

There is something positively witchy about the term "brewed coffee". It always makes me feel as though I am getting something more than coffee.

Lunch at home with Aubrey, and then we had brewed coffee and biko in M.'s cafe.

Good morning, Cubao!

At home with Aubrey. Angelique at university.

Good night, Cubao!

Waiting up for Angelique and J., who are out having dinner before coming home. As for Aubrey, she dropped onto her bed upon arriving from school and hasn't awakened yet.

Couldn't wait for Hallowe'en to view Hallowe'en Party all over again, perhaps my most favorite of all Hercule Poirot DVDs. A series of murders, a Hallowe'en party, a lesbian relationship, a young blackmailer, a village witch, a vicar, a forged will, two unlikely love affairs, an interrupted ritual sacrifice by moonlight, lighting candles for the dead, and, of course, Ariadne Oliver and her exquisite necklaces!

Watched Mrs. McGinty's Dead. Nice. Ariadne Oliver is in this one.

So far M.'s most popular dish is beef tapa. It is so much in demand that people come in to buy and take out lots of it.

M.'s beef tapa is traditional, Tagalog beef tapa, the kind I used to eat when I was a little boy in San Fernando, Pampanga. It is salty, like Australian pepper steak. It is not the common, contemporary notion of what tapa is today--a sweet bastardization that occurred when teriyaki was first introduced in the Philippines.

People keep forgetting why there is a proliferation of fashion jewelry, which is that real jewelry (gold and precious stones) is a security risk at this day and age.

Today's hot, fancy jewelry is nothing more than tomorrow's junk.

M.'s cafe was full house during lunch time. I had to wait the hour before taking my lunch there.

Amber is one of the few, truly magical stones.

Avoid purchasing something that will only take a lot of storage space.

The person who always speaks his mind is the safest friend of all.

You are happy only if your family is happy.

The best thing to sell is something that people need everyday.

No one has a real advantage over others, because everyone has something that everyone else does not have.

It is all right to be different as long as you hold all of the trump cards.

The fear of losing someone or something is a common fear, and yet it must be transcended.

Audiences are too hooked on physical competition programs that they forget and neglect to pay obeisance to the one and only and original precursor, Takeshi Castle.

I think, but I am not sure, that the other wuxia series I am watching on GTV is titled Gong Palace.

Good morning, Cubao!

A day of many, good choices--which is how we should always face our every day.

Good night, Cubao!

Now watching highly embellished ghost stories on Ci.

M.'s cafe is now on two shifts to accommodate 24-hour operations.

Watched The Double Clue. This one has the Countess Vera Rosakoff again--and a cigarette case like mine. In this episode Hercule Poirot falls in love.

As for myself, I love those emeralds--and that wonderful picnic set-up!

Producers are always on the wrong track when they try to immortalize trash.

You know that you are loved if your children and grandchildren like using your bathroom instead of your own from time to time. There must be something about a parent's bathroom that makes children feel secure.

Home alone. Granddaughters went to watch the Maroon Five concert.

Your e-mail message:

"Hello sir Tony,

"Just want to say thank you for your books, so much insights in them and nakakaenjoy basahin. Had to look for every nook and cranny to find your email address hehe. Somewhat nakakarelate ako dun sa mga experiences from beyond but I really don't mind it specially wired na po utak ko on thinking of so many things.

"Anyway sir, I have a question if you don't mind..I've been having this dream recently, it's all about schools po and I was wondering what could that mean? (Lucid dreamer po and very much aware when dreaming). Minsan naman po nananaginip ako na buto daw po ako tapos bigla na lang daw ako lalabas sa lupa and then andami pong mga taong naguusap tapos mainit and then masaya po, minsan naman may parang malamig na tornado na gusto pumasok sa noo ko, kaya po minsan pag gising ko nararamdaman ko pa din.

"Anyway, just want to say thank you again sir. All your works are masterpieces. I hope I could learn some things from you :) Thank you sir!

"- ___________________."

My reply:

Hello __________________!

Thank you for your kind words.

1. Dreaming about being in school means that you are currently in the state of learning a major lesson in life, especially if, in those dreams, you are running late for class, delinquent with your homework, or unprepared for an exam.

2. The second type of dream that you mention reminds me of shamans' dreams, in which the shaman, in an altered state of consciousness such as dreaming, either sees himself being cut to pieces--in your case having all of your flesh off your body--and then being reassembled and resurrecting a new, empowered person.

3. The tornado is your Shadow. Admitting it into your consciousness is pretty much a choice that one must make.

Never build your house to entertain huge groups. When there is no one there, it will look like an empty train station.

People without character live in houses without character.

Two nights ago caught A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery on DIVA. Liked it--I've been missing Garage Sale Mystery.

Good day, Cubao!

The dust bin man brought me more plants today, birds of paradise. Apparently a rich Chinese businessman recently purchased the lot adjacent to ours, and so the Magnolia office is moving out soon.

R. helped me replant the birds of paradise in front of M.'s cafe.

Good night, Cubao! Hoping to watch Mrs. McGinty's Dead and The Double Clue tomorrow.

Watched Cat Among the Pigeons. More rubies! However, this isn't one of my favorites.

My son Chito visits 6:00 PM. Dinner in M.'s cafe.

Aubrey arrived home from school 1:30 PM. They were on half-day.

No one votes for an executioner.

Thought of having an after-lunch, black, brewed coffee in M.'s cafe, but the sudden rainfall discouraged me. That is how spoiled I have become. The cafe is only a few steps away.

Stop twirling like a plastic ballerina in a music box.

You only manage to look like a slave being offered for sale.

Beneath the sweet demeanor, the motive is revenge.

I think of the story of Little Red Hen and its lesson whenever I know that I am better off doing things alone.

When you bake a cake and no one helps you, no one but you deserves to eat it all.

He has that one shot in Indiana Jones in which, when I saw it, I knew that he lost his virginity the night before.

Why bother to run for office if, on the horizon, you can see that the same people who vote for you are the same people who will tear you down?

The game that you play is only with yourself. It is fleeting, it is a waste of money, and it earns you no merit.

The dog stops twirling and chasing its tail because it gets dizzy and collapses.

Waiting for T. to give me a DVD installer.

I want this to be a knitting day, and I hope I can make it so.

Happy Birthday to my younger son Chito!

It is wrong to want more and more for yourself, because other people have nothing at all.

An unusually bright and sunny morning.

However, with our kind of luck, we could very well see it deteriorating into a day as hot as a baker's oven. After all, our unusually cool mornings deteriorate into downpours with flash floods.

We should never rejoice too soon, because something is always waiting to spoil our fun.

Good morning, Cubao!

Did my usual round in the Sitio Catacutan Food Court.

Now I want to know the title of the wuxia movie that plays on GTV immediately after The Return of the Condor Heroes. I watch that one too.

Good night, Cubao!

One more cyberspace book finally is out there tonight. I know which book to encode next, but, since it has never appeared in any other format before, it will take some time.

Hung out briefly with M. in his cafe.

Looks like a dry night. All of the rain must have fallen earlier this evening.

Dinner at home with Angelique, Aubrey, and J.

Caught the last part of The Seven-Year Hitch on DIVA, then stayed on for American Dream Builders.

Angelique and J. arrived 5:15 PM from university.

Now waiting for Aubrey.

Now on section 95 of my encoding. Four sections to go.

One of the most orgasmic feelings I always have is yearning for summer in the rainy season.

Never refer to a Chinese coromandel screen as a biombo, because a biombo is a Japanese screen.

Brief, afternoon rainfall in Cubao.

One of the biggest accomplishments of the Internet and cyberspace is knocking down all the defensive walls of possessive and overprotective people.

Now on section 93 of my encoding. Good progress.

You haven't seen nothing until you've seen my sister Sylvia's HUGE collection of City Global and You Are Here Starbucks mugs in Sydney, Australia. She even had special cabinets built to showcase them.

The Septembers I Remember

The month of September was never, for me, a month of nostalgia, childhood memories, and past romance. I remember it always as the one month in the year that incurred huge expenses, most of them unforeseen.

Could it be that the Hungry Ghosts exact fees in exchange for the blessings they endow?

Tata Marcial Alejandro's (+) healing wand works. I am glad I am its owner.

Our classroom teachers are quick to teach children to say "Thank you" from grade school onward. I can even hear them ask the children, "What do you say?" when the sentence "Thank you" is expected. This is fine, but it also subliminally trains Fiipinos to have a gift-receiving mentality.

Sadly, those same teachers never teach those same children to apologize and say "I'm sorry".

That is why atchays never apologize. It is extremely painful and difficult for them to do so.

That is also why I admire politicians who are able to say "I'm sorry" and admit that they were wrong.

Now on section 83 of my encoding. Tedious.

Water flows
And sand
Tears on your face
And blood
They measure time
And nothing else
Forever wins the race
Against all

Good morning, Cubao!

M.'s cafe now has lechon kawali. On top of that other Sitio Catacutan Food Court stall's.

Saw Escaping Evil: My Life in a Cult on Ci, the first part featuring Jim Jones and his People's Temple, the second part featuring the Children of God/The Family International. Sometimes I feel that religious groups and cults thrive on--and collapse because of--disciples

--who have low IQs;
--who are driven by loneliness;
--who are lost;
--who know nothing better; and
--who believe their leaders' false promises of heaven.

Good night, Cubao!

Still wet and drizzly.

M.'s cafe is now open 24 hours to test the waters. Not that I'm going there for a coffee or a fruit shake in the wee hours. I am a werewolf, not a vampire. I'm going to sleep.

"...Sometimes she'd shop/
And she would show me what she'd bought/

Other people stared/
As if we were both quite insane/..."

--Hollies

Back home from a jaunt. Bought the granddaughters phone cards and the pet birds two kilos of millet.

Plan a costume party for Halloween. You will be most thrilled.

People copy others not because it is derivative but because it is actually lots of fun.

Many things are anti-human rights without their being recognized as such,

Occupation satisfaction is really not as complex as others make it out to be. If you don't like serving people, don't get yourself into a service-oriented job. Everything begins seemingly complicated when you insist that the job adjust to you instead of the other way around.

There was Born to Kill?: Dennis Rader on Ci, but it wasn't a very memorable feature.

There really wasn't anything much on TV last night, and I got hooked on a highly unlikely show, Say Yes to the Dress, on DIVA. Actually it was quite entertaining.

From the time they opened, M.'s cafe hours have been 7:00 AM through 2:00 AM and sometimes 3:00 AM, all of them working one shift. Since his waiters need to rest and sleep, M. started recruiting a relief set of waiters yesterday. One of them is a personable young lesbian who is quite interesting and might be worth writing into a play.

Good morning, Cubao!

The skies are overcast again.

Ben passed by to pick up his mobile and his handkerchief.

All home. Guards in their lighted stations. Once again we are the Berenstain Bears in the Night.

Good night, Cubao!

A hot shower followed by Ci in bed should do the trick.

Proceedings of the Day

Making visible changes is contagious in this neighborhood. Artery Art Space hangs an intriguing installation on its facade...

...and Ducati Motorcycle Shop renovates.

Shots taken from the interior of M.'s cafe tonight, another rainy night...

Two granddaughters and I wait for our food to be served. We didn't cook this evening.

The laundry man came to deliver one of Angelique's comforters. One of a thousand reasons why I must always be at home.