The Makiav3llian Enchantment…

Ramadan is a very meaningful and festive season for our Muslim brothers and sisters. Although I do not observe Ramadan the way it is, I do respect the things behind this tradition. I mean having dates and camel’s milk during Iftar, a little bit of water melons and cheese bread, of course I could have had these at any given time during the non-Ramadan months but I think its pretty cool having to sit down or have the same thing as what everyone else is having after a day of fasting. It’s a celebration I wish to have with our Muslim brethrens even if I may not be one, the fact that I respect their religious practices is something I enjoy and as you can say, may also be soulful. If only the whole world can just forget about religious differences and feel the way I feel.
Actually, non-Muslims actually enjoy Ramadan in the wrong way actually. As a sign of respect of the Holy Month of Ramadan, work hours actually have been shortened to accommodate the plight of the ones fasting. However, the non-Muslims also get this perk. Although not all, work hours are shortened for the majority while there are others where it is extended. Majority of businesses close from 2PM to 8PM and for the unfortunate few, shops open up till the wee hours of the morning. As for me, i am actually in the same situation. Majority of my work has been in the nigh shift and nothing much has changed. Working from 11AM to 9PM isn’t my cup of tea and I always come late for work despite the timings. All I can say is that it is never easy arriving 1120 at night, having some things to do, sleep at 2AM and wake up at 730AM so I can leave for work at 9AM. It never is easy at all and it saps out so much energy from you that you are so spent in less than 3 days. Anyways, with Ramadan, fortune has smiled on me as they have adjusted my schedule to 4PM to 10PM. Six hours of work and I get the sleep my body truly deserves.
Social life for me has dropped severely. Ramadan time is a great time for family and BF/GFs because of the shorter working hours, less traffic by 6PM, it’s a perfect time to go on dates and stay longer in each other’s company. Unfortunately, this is never my case. I arrive at 12 midnight, so those with early morning shifts sleep the night away while I contend with my own issues or be with Misato all day and night. Whatever it is or whatever, schedule I’ve got, I am enjoying it at the price of socializing, regardless, I would like to greet everyone Ramadan Kareem and let us give the love and respect our Muslim counterparts deserve on this momentous occasion!

I’ve been basking in too much techno, dance and house music that my brother has labeled me as Mr. GT, Mr. Gay Trance. Unfortunately, his ignorance at times will not truly comprehend the rhythmic message of trance music and of course the third gender will actually sue us for our hypocrite ways.
As I have mentioned before the beauty of the music I listen too creates a feeling of euphoria, it is free of emotions and its main aim is to simply start moving my body into an energy craving, orgasmic, out of direction life form. Believe me I may look stupid moving my arms about but the energy release from the beats itself is pretty gratifying.
House music saved me, I believe in the song "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life," music saves and heals and as described by the group "The Shaman" - "Activate the Rhythm, the rhythm that has always been within you;" I have reactivated the missing beats in me. I have done this and never felt more alive than recently and it feels good. But during the times back to the soul searching days, it took a lot of beats to fix me up. Only till yesterday did I decide to dig up the archives for old music. I’ve been telling myself that I was saved before by something else and while looking through Friendster and Youtube did I find the old me through Oasis. The Brit Rock Band of the Mid-90s has lived on forever through the hearts and minds of millions. I love them and listening to them yesterday has brought back missing pieces of me. Songs for my wife, Karen / Bernadette / Meg, Joel and a whole load of others bring back the punch of crisp, fresh memories just like your early morning brew. I honestly just wanted to cry remembering these songs from an era taken for granted.
And now as I listen to the band that made my world rotate, I remember the people as well. I know the people whom I dedicated “Wonderwall,” “Live Forever,” “Don’t Go Away,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” “Stand By Me,” “All Around the World,” “Champagne Supernova,” and many others. I’m glad they’ve been a part of me. They are more than just songs, more than just people; they were an alternative version of who I am.

After a traumatic three months where I was simply aloof and had no direction with my emotional being, I’ve finally come to a conclusion that the start of my mid-life crisis came quite early. Unfortunately, I believe it will be one of many that I will be facing. It’s not that easy and it has been an expensive experience. Getting a guitar, a sit-up bench, new clothes and even getting a PSP is not my idea of healthy investments. Even worse was I went into hiding from my peers, changed my mobile number and even deleted my Friendster account… Talk about taking a blow on the head.
So now, I guess I can breathe easier knowing that I have weathered this emotional storm. I have my A n g e l s to thank for helping me figure out the puzzles. Most of all I would like to send out a great big thanks to my wife and my daughter. Though they have no idea of the emotional roller coaster ride I’ve been going through and how I gave my wife hell because I went to Abu Dhabi, I’m so thankful that she was there having me focus on the more important things in life, THEM. To Angie, I love you always, even though your husband has a very screwed up perspective of life and love, it’s always Back To You. To my angels, thanks for taking turns watching over me, I’m just glad you didn’t invite your other sister, the Angel of Death.

Some times it helps to have someone Rain on your Sunshine…