Letter To Me

I’m 42 and I still don’t have a clue.
I don’t have a goal.
I don’t even have a motto in life.
I really don’t.
I can’t say that I’m lost, though.
I got enough money stashed somewhere.
I have a job that I don’t hate.
I travel around the world.
I don’t feel empty.
But I don’t know why I’m here.
Do I have a purpose?
What motivates me?
I am at my happiest now.
Yet somehow I feel undeserving.
A woman, I met, changed me.
In a lot of ways, she changed me.
She changed my life.
I may not know a lot about stuff.
But I do know that I am appreciative.
I am grateful for life.
I am grateful to be alive.
I am grateful to her.
Still I wonder.
Do I deserve happiness?
Do I deserve her?

The Beautiful People

Good looking people need not have any talent. 

When your face becomes the only saving grace, that's all you really need to survive.

Gotta Get Thru This

Some survival tips, Raft3r style:

Never EVER tell a girl that she's fat.

Cheating and lying will definitely get you ahead but can corrupt the soul.

A good first impression is vital.

Learn to say NO.

Money will always get you into trouble.

Don't let others see your weakness.

A smile goes a long way.

Pick your battles.

Be street smart.

When all else fails, flirt.

The Path Of Thorns (Terms)

Do you know why bad things happen to good people?

It is life's way of letting them know that it's time to toughen up a bit and turn on the bitch factor.

Hello Stranger

On board Eva Air bound for SanFo, Raft3r caught snippets of a Thai flick shot in Korea.

A year after that trip, I found a DVD copy of the movie at the local video store.

It's called Hello Stranger.

Here are a few things I learned from this funny Chantavit Dhanasevi/Nuengthida Sophon starrer:

1) You can do a lot of crazy things while visiting a foreign land.

2) Opposites do attract.

3) Reading subtitles can be a daunting task.

4) Korean motels are far more bizarre than their Pinoy counterparts.

5) Regardless of age, gender, and race, relationships are always tumultuous.

6) This is the sappy Asian version of Before Sunrise.

7) When a romantic comedy is done just right, even a hardened cynic like Raft3r can still get giddy.

One More Try

Life is full of second chances.

So if you are given this opportunity, don't waste it.

Make sure you don't screw it up like the first time.

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

Sometimes it is so easy to lose faith.

Then (unexpectedly) God shows you the way.

Life is hard. It's even harder when you think that you are all alone in the battle.

But guess what? You're not.

Life

You can always choose to be happy.

Believe me.

It's really that simple.

Something To Talk About

It's nice to pretend.

Most of the time.

Down The Drain

You know your co-workers are pigs when you receive an email from the ever friendly Maintenance and Facility Manager with the subject heading - Improper Toilet Use.

Rumor has it that our men's toilet was clogged when someone allegedly shoved two pieces of uneaten fried chicken.

Who in their right mind would do such a thing?

Wasting good food is always a no-no. Oh, and so is serious lack of toilet etiquette.

How It Feels

We all make mistakes. We are humans, after all.

If you are a regular reader of The Deadbeat Club, you know (for a fact) that Raft3r continues to live a life of trial and error.

Now, imagine your biggest blunder being aired on national television for everyone's entertainment.

You turn into an instant celebrity. A hate page on Facebook is created in your honor. You become the target of ridicule.

Mistakes are there for a reason.

But I don't think they are made so you can become the butt of all jokes.

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

But most of the time you can.

You don't need a partner to be complete.

Friends and lovers are mere accessories in the game of life.

Temptation Island

Lessons from Marian Rivera's latest hit movie:

1. Never take life seriously;

2. Putting five scantily clad gorgeous girls in one movie guarantees a box office bonanza;

3. It's a dog eat dog world;

4. Love does not discriminate;

5. A man in red underwear is a sight for sore eyes;

6. Cannibalism is best partnered with singing; and

7. When all else fails, dance.

Learning The Hard Way

Some hard earned lessons in life:

It pays to be good looking.

Not every Filipino likes Charice.

Sometimes you just don't get what you deserve.

Everything is much easier if you have money.

Love is overrated.

Some people just rub you the wrong way.

The older you get, the more jaded you become.

Not all babies are cute.

Affirmation

I believe in the kindess of strangers.

I believe experience is the best teacher.

I believe happiness is contentment.

I believe money is the root of all evil.

I believe in karma.

I believe the Philippine government will always be corrupt.

I believe luck plays a huge part in life.

I believe a lot of people are suckers for love.

I believe many of you will like this.

Deeper Underground

Things Raft3r learned from Buried:

1. The Blackberry is a very reliable mobile phone.

2. Call your parents in time of crisis.

3. Repeatedly saying "I'm American" can be annoying.

4. Good telephone manners matter.

5. Cursing is a good stress reliever.

6. Sand is definitely not man's best friend.

7. Human Resources is a piece of crap.

Death And All His Friends

Why someone would kill himself is beyond me.

I know times are hard and life can be pretty unpredictable.

That, however, does not give a person the right to take his own life.

Life may not always turn out the way you want it to be. But you pick up the pieces and move on. You don't simply put a gun to your head.

The one thing I detest most in the world is a coward.

An Ideal Husband

Attending weddings only does two things to a person.

(One) You see a clearer vision on how your own big day would be like.

(Two) The realization that a beautiful and expensive wedding does not make a happy marriage last forever.

The Awakening

As much as Raft3r loves to sleep, nothing beats getting up the morning after.

A brand new day signifies a fresh start.

You may sometimes experience a bad day but tomorrow always brings a new beginning.

Eat Pray Love

Lessons to live by:

Eat like a king.

Pray with all your might.

Love like it’s the only thing that matters.