no birthday

i feel bitter-sweet.

early this day i got word (from head office that is) that i would be in another part of the country from the 24th to the 27th of this month. yes, i won't be home on those dates . to those of you who know me, you know that this means disaster. for the first time in almost 25 years of existence, i won't be celebrating my birthday here in bagiuo city... please note that the operative word here is "celebrating" and not "birthday."

to my friends who said they have made arrangements to take time off from work (or from whatever the hell they are doing) just to be with me on the 24th, please take this as an advance apology. though there might be a slim chance to hold a party on the 21st. i'll try to move the party on the 21st just have the opportunity to down numerous bottles of beer with you, but... as i said... it'll be slim.

dang!

i can't imagine i won't be having beer on my birthday for the first time in almost 25 years. ok, i know what you're thinking. you're thinking "... but israel couldn't possibly be drinking beer on his birthdays when he was kid!" you're right, you're right, i wasn't.... or was i? nah... i'm just messing with you... of course i did!

now why is this such a big thing to me? well, it's because my birthday (excluding my wedding anniversary, my wife's wedding, and the birthdays of my two kids) is my most much-awaited event of every year. it's a time when i get together with my buddies. it's a time when i can reflect on my life and what has happened so far (yeah right... as if i do reflect on things). and a time to know that i am a year nearer to my grave.

screw christmas! my birthdays have always been, and always will be, a blast! it's the main event of every year! it has more fireworks than the fourth of july (kidding)!

but i won't be here on the 24th... i'll be in bohol. for most people, that'll be sweet. for me, it's bitter-sweet.

i'm out.