itMIKEbeyou 2.0

Article 027. Today is the 29th of February. So in honor of those who were born on a leap year on this exact day, not knowing whether to celebrate a day back or forward the next 3 years, we're playing a game of indecision. When Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the 2015 Golden Globes, part of their monologue included a game of "Who Would You Rather?". They pick out two actors and decide which one of them they would "rather" (open to interpretation) but obviously in a playful and jokingly manner. When my mind occasionally starts gazing off to LaLa land, I find myself at times in this predicament, debating which one of them I should pick. Not necessarily just to, you know, but at times whom I'd pick to be my better half-- What? A guy can't dream? Don't worry, I have some choices for you as well in the end ladies-- or whoever prefers male over female (no judgment here). Better yet, come up with your own choices. And no need to over analyze this, just be g...

Article 026. First of all, I am not about to segue into reviewing movies like IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes. Just not my thing albeit I love movies and have a lot of opinion about the ones I like (and hate). But inspired by a recent conversation I had, here I am, finding myself watching this 1978 film starring Ellen Burstyn and Alan Alda, while doing overdue laundry. Nothing better to inspire your folding of clothes like watching an old rom-com classic. Secondly, it's probably hard to find this movie online or via Blu-Ray because it's really old and not entirely a big hit, although online reviews have this film at 4-stars. Yet on the contrary, I wouldn't be surprised if you do find it, what with all the streaming services available nowadays. The question is would you pay for it? So if you're a cheapskate like me, then let me just give you a glimpse of what this is all about. I mean you can read the entire plot online as well but why? You have me haha! The plot. Totally absurd...

Article 025. The entry to the saloon was narrow. Immediately as you get in, on the right is the bar and a few tables on the left. At the back half of that were two non-standard sized pool tables. Far right was a Boxer Glove Punching machine, which frankly is a bit out of place for the setting, and some bar stool tables where we situated ourselves. Running the bar all by herself, was this middle-aged pixie-cut blonde Linda, bad teeth but wearing a push-up bra underneath her green tank top, enough for guys to find her somewhat alluring. An old black fella, Eddie, immediately got into the fray of playing anyone from our group as we about to hop on the remaining open billiard table. It was a few minutes after 5 and the table is free until the top of the hour. A dollar per play afterwards. It was dark in there. Not too crowded and predominantly a younger audience. The men’s room was as tidy as it could be, enough to relieve yourself without grossing out. The front and back doors were kept o...

Article 024. The title? Yes it's a reference to Neil Sedaka's 1974 hit [ https://youtu.be/MtIibcNDQ6o?si=9-ayp8eB7Vs_rnCN ]. And yes, it's exactly how I felt the past few days when there was an overcast hovering Southern California and rain was a constant scene. There's something about the pour that I find very relaxing. The sound of water drops from the sky hitting the grounds is weirdly soothing and the smell of nature's liquid is somehow refreshing. Maybe because it rarely rains here, almost borderline eclipse-rarity and that's what makes it more appealing. Growing up on a guaranteed wet season Philippines, it's hard not to miss the rain. Ever since I moved here, I've always wanted to just stand outside and get drenched in the storm like I did when I was a kid. But it's not a common cultural practice here and people would look at you like an idiot who's trying to get the flu on the fast lane. Oh if SoCal people only knew how fun it is to play ...